cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Revisiting FPGA Routing under Varying Operating Conditions

FPGA devices are continually integrating more and more resources to satisfy emerging applications' performance requirements, which has increased the power of cutting-edge devices beyond CPUs. Consequently, more aggressive power reduction techniques have been explored recently, including voltage scaling, which is also adopted by several commercial FPGA families. In this paper, we investigate the FPGA routing (both the interconnection network and the routing algorithm) under variable voltage, temperature, as well as degradation. We first examine routing switch boxes (SBs) and point out that SBs with different wire segment lengths have different sensitivity/tolerance to varying operating conditions. Accordingly, we show how architectures with similar overall efficiency in the nominal condition can have a different performance at the scaled voltage or temperature. Finally, we reveal that unlike current FPGA flow that first accomplishes the placement and routing and ex-posts multi-condition timing analysis, bringing the timing information of the actual operating condition in the placement and routing steps helps the underlying algorithms to utilize the resources that have better relative efficiency in the target condition, leading to higher performance.
Technology Threats to Employment, Issues, and Candidate and Party Preferences in the United States:

Research indicates that susceptibility to having one’s job replaced by technology is associated with candidate and party preferences in affluent democracies, but there is little understanding of wh...
M2 macrophages have unique transcriptomes but conditioned media does not promote profibrotic responses in lung fibroblasts or alveolar epithelial cells in vitro

Macrophages are critical regulators of pulmonary fibrosis. Their plasticity, proximity, and ability to cross talk with structural cells of the lung make them a key cell type of interest in the regulation of lung fibrosis. Macrophages can express a variety of phenotypes, which have been historically represented through an "M1-like" to "M2-like" delineation. In this classification, M1-like macrophages are proinflammatory and have increased phagocytic capacity compared with alternatively activated M2-like macrophages that are profibrotic and are associated with wound healing. Extensive evidence in the field in both patients and animal models aligns pulmonary fibrosis with M2 macrophages. In this study, we performed RNA sequencing (RNAseq) to fully characterize M1- vs. M2-skewed bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) and investigated the profibrotic abilities of M2 BMDM conditioned media (CM) to promote fibroblast migration and proliferation, alveolar epithelial cell (AEC) apoptosis, and mRNA expression of key fibrotic genes in both fibroblasts and AECs. Although M2 CM-treated fibroblasts had increased migration and M2 CM-treated fibroblasts and AECs had increased expression of profibrotic proteins over M1 CM-treated cells, all differences can be attributed to M2 polarization reagents IL-4 and IL-13 also present in the CM. Collectively, these data suggest that the profibrotic effects associated with M2 macrophage CM in vitro are attributable to effects of polarization cytokines rather than additional factors secreted in response to those polarizing cytokines.
Hemodynamic collapse and severe metabolic acidosis following propofol in the setting of undiagnosed mitochondrial dysfunction: a case report

Anesthetic management of patients with mitochondrial disorders is challenging due to their rare nature, and difficulties to develop evidence–based protocols for general anesthesia. We report a case of a 52–year–old male with hypertension, congenital deafness, optic neuritis, hypogonadism and myotonia, who developed severe refractory hypotension and bradycardia, and intractable severe lactic acidosis during induction of general anesthesia with fentanyl, propofol, and succinylcholine. The surgery had to be postponed and supportive management started. After extensive work–up, the patient was diagnosed with probable mitochondrial dysfunction. Patient returned for surgery under a different anesthetic regimen consisting of ketamine, fentanyl, ephedrine and dexmedetomidine; yielding a successful perioperative course and highlighting potential alternative strategies to manage anesthesia in patients with such disorders. Key words: Mitochondrial Diseases; Propofol Infusion Syndrome; Lactic Acidosis Abbreviations: MD – Mitochondrial disorders; PRIS – Propofol related infusion syndrome; HIPAA – Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act; MAP Mean arterial pressure; NMBAs – Neuromuscular blocking agents. Citation: Kim DW, Hu A, Vaughn D, Rajan GRE. Hemodynamic collapse and severe metabolic acidosis following propofol in the setting of undiagnosed mitochondrial dysfunction: a case report. Anaesth. pain intensive care 2021;25(4):527–531. DOI: 10.35975/apic.v25i4.1587 Received: September 24, 2020. Reviewed: April 1, 2021, Accepted: May 31, 2021
A S A P and the Courts: Learning from Experience the Problems of System Interface

Judges unwilling to apply only punitive sanctions against drinking drivers can gain insight into the problems and benefits of court-based treatment systems from the experience of the federally funded systems from the experience of the federally funded Alcohol Safety Action Projects located in 35 states. Because of the ASAPs' inexperience with the courts, they encountered many difficulties at first, and many judges were cautions or antagonistic. Within a year, however, greater experience and mutual need brought about closer cooperation. Two major systems for referring drinking drivers have now emerged, each with adaptations to local needs. The first is based on individual judicial attention to each case. The second shifts the caseload by various methods from judges to prosecutors and/or pre-sentence and probation personnal. The main factors determining a court system's choice are judicial attitudes, statutes, licensing penalties, and conflicts between various elements of the court system and the legal profession. An ASAP-like agency is useful in providing the courts with information, education, motivation, and management assistance (problem-solving and evaluation). /Author/
Many are Called, but Few are Chosen: An Evolutionary Perspective for the Study of Entrepreneurship

More than a decade ago, Low and MacMillan identified three elements indispensable to an understanding of entrepreneurial success: process, context, and outcomes. Since their critique, three important advances include (a) a shift in theoretical emphasis from the characteristics of entrepreneurs as individuals to the consequences of their actions, (b) a deeper understanding of how entrepreneurs use knowledge, networks, and resources to construct firms, and (c) a more sophisticated taxonomy of environmental forces at different levels of analysis (population, community, and society) that affect entrepreneurship. Although our knowledge of entrepreneurial activities has increased dramatically, we still have much to learn about how process and context interact to shape the outcome of entrepreneurial efforts. From an evolutionary approach, process and context (strategy and environment) interact in a recursive continuous process, driving the fate of entrepreneurial efforts. Thus, integrating context and process into research designs remains a major challenge. Such integration constitutes a necessary step to a more complete evolutionary approach and a better understanding of entrepreneurial success.
Structure of atmospheric turbulence in the friction layer below 500 meters

Measurements of wind direction and speed, vertical velocity, and temperature were made from several levels of the 444 m tower near Oklahoma City. Turbulence quantities were calculated from the covariances between observed variables over periods ranging from 5 min to 1 hr. It was found that in some cases parameters such as mean wind speed, shearing stress, and vertical heat flux could be expressed by simple equations for periods of 15 min to 1 hr. Changes in these quantities with time are related to changes in vertical motion and stability. Power spectra were calculated for sequential 15 min, 30 min, and 1 hr periods. The effects of stability, wind speed, and surface roughness on the spectra of longitudinal and lateral velocity were examined, along with the effect of height on the spectrum of vertical velocity. This region was shown to be composed of a lower region in which mechanical turbulence dominates and an upper region dominated by convective turbulence.
Effects on the Ecosystem of Sewage Sludge Disposal from a Pipeline

About 57,000 m tons (dry wt) of sewage sludge has been discharged each year for the last 22 years at the brink of a steep-sided submarine canyon in Santa Monica Bay, California. The discharge point is 100 meters deep and 10 km offshore. An area of about 3 sq km of the upper canyon has been substantially changed by the high concentration of sewage solids but the ecosystem is stable. There are fewer species of invertebrates but more species of fish in the canyon; the biomass of both fish and invertebrates is larger than controls. In the region near the canyon rim there are extraordinary populations of clams and molluscs; fishing is far above average for the bay. This solution to sludge disposal causes both negative and positive effects which seem to be about balanced.
Robotic Mannequin Technology for Enhanced Product Testing

Engineers at Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL) have developed several articulated robotic mannequin systems which closely simulate human anthropometric shape, complex motion and physiological function. These systems provide highly reproducible and realistic tests which aid in the evaluation of high performance clothing, consumer products, and human comfort.
MONOCYTIC LEUKEMIA AND TUBERCULOSIS

A case of monocytic leukemia associated with active tuberculosis of pleura, pericardium, and lymph nodes is reported. The criteria for the diagnosis of monocytic leukemia and the factors excluding a leukemoid reaction are presented. The rarity of monocytic leukemia in contrast with the frequency of tuberculous infections and the rarity of active tuberculosis in the reported cases of monocytic leukemia indicate that the association of the two diseases is probably coincidental.
Clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis Strains Differ in their Intracellular Growth in Human Macrophages

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a global public health crisis despite being a curable disease (1) . Access to the complete genomic sequence of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) laboratory strain H37Rv and clinical isolate CDC1551 has facilitated investigations into the pathogenicity of MTB. However, mycobacterial factors that contribute to the virulence of MTB or modulate the interaction of this pathogen with the human host are only beginning to be elucidated. Despite previous studies suggesting that MTB has an extremely low mutation rate, there are compelling reasons to suspect that strain-specific attributes contribute directly to virulence and disease outcome. Our studies of infections in THP-1 cells with epidemiologically distinct clinical MTB strains provide strong evidence that specific clinical MTB strains may be differentially pathogenic (2 , 3) . Clinical strains associated with TB outbreaks grow significantly faster in human macrophages than do non-outbreak strains. The rapid growth demonstrated by strains associated with outbreaks was highly correlated with rapid production of interleukin (IL)-10 and suppression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α. These results suggest that the enhanced capacity of MTB to grow rapidly in human macrophages is a marker of virulence, and virulence of certain strains may be attributed to downregulation of the Th1type immune response. The ability to combine genomic information with pathogenesis studies employing diverse clinical strains will enable us to continue to unravel the molecular basis of MTB virulence and identify strain-specific attributes that influence clinical presentation, outcome (treatment failure, relapse, and development of drug resistance), and transmission of infection. Ultimately, having the ability to identify relevant strain characteristics could potentially impact how we treat and control the spread of TB and elucidate whether strain virulence will impact the protection afforded by a new candidate vaccine.
Story‐by‐story estimation of the stiffness parameters of laterally‐torsionally coupled buildings using forced or ambient vibration data: II. Application to experimental data

SUMMARY Herein, an attempt is made to apply the method developed and verified in the companion paper (Part I) to physical data. To this end, stiffness parameters of the IASC-ASCE test structure are identified using data from the experimental phase of the benchmark studies. The physical specimen is a quarter-scale, four-story, braced-frame, steel structure. Ambient vibration and free vibration data induced by hammer strikes from various configurations of the structure are used to identify stiffness parameters of individual stories. These configurations had been created by removing various members from the test structure in an effort to mimic damage. Results indicate that the proposed method is successful in identifying even the minor changes (damage) introduced to the structure. An additional study on the method's sensitivity to structure's assumed mass distribution reveals that it is fairly robust to mass uncertainties. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mass selection, Bose statistics and kinematic enhancement

In this paper, we describe a simple kinematic mechanism which enhances the three-pion scattering amplitude at the A1 mass. This mechanism is based upon the requirements of Bose symmetry, rho-pion scattering dominance and rho mass selection in the final state. The structure of this enhancement is studied and its dependence on the mass selection criteria is shown.
Control of Listeria monocytogenes with Combined Antimicrobials on Beef Franks Stored at 4°C

Contamination of ready-to-eat meat products such as beef franks with Listeria monocytogenes has become a major concern for the meat processing industry and an important food safety issue. The objective of this study was to determine the effectiveness of combinations of antimicrobials as aqueous dipping solutions to control L. monocytogenes on vacuum-packaged beef franks stored at 4 degrees C for 3 weeks. Commercial beef franks were dipped for 5 min in three antimicrobial solutions: pediocin (6,000 AU), 3% sodium diacetate and 6% sodium lactate combined, and a combination of the three antimicrobials. Samples were then inoculated with 10(7) CFU/g of either four L. monocytogenes strains individually or a cocktail of the four strains, vacuum packaged, and stored at 4 degrees C for 3 weeks. Sampling was carried out at day 0 and after 2 and 3 weeks of storage. Individual strains, as well as the cocktail, exhibited different responses to the antimicrobial treatments. After 2 and 3 weeks of storage at 4 degrees C, pediocin-treated beef franks showed a less than 1-log reduction for all bacterial strains. Samples treated with the sodium diacetate-sodium lactate combination showed about a 1-log reduction after 2 weeks of storage for all strains and between a 1- and 2-log reduction after 3 weeks of storage, depending on the bacterial strain. When the three antimicrobials were combined, reductions ranged between 1 and 1.5 log units and 1.5 to 2.5 log units after 2 and 3 weeks of storage, respectively, at 4 degrees C. These results indicate that the use of combined antimicrobial solutions for dipping treatments is more effective at inhibiting L. monocytogenes than treatments using antimicrobials such as pediocin separately.
Are spacetime horizons higher dimensional sources of energy fields? (The black hole case)

We explore the possibility that spacetime horizons in 4D general relativity can be treated as manifestations of higher dimensions that induce fields on our 4D spacetime. In this paper we discuss the black hole event horizon, as an example (we leave the cosmological case for future discussion). Starting off from the field equations of gravity in 5D and some conditions on the metric we construct a spacetime whose imbedding is a 4D generalization of the Schwarzchild metric. The external region of the imbedded spacetime is found to contain two distinct fields. We discuss the properties of the fields and the potential implications. Taken as they are, the results suggest that the collapse of matter to form a horizon may have non-local consequences on the geometry of spacetime. In general, the use of horizon-confined mass as a coordinate suggests three potential features of our universe. The first is that the observed 4D spacetime curvature and ordinary matter fields may be hybrid features of 5D originating from the mixing of coordinates. Secondly, because the fifth coordinate induces physical fields on the 4D hyperface, the global metric of the universe may not be asymptotically flat. And finally, associating matter with an independent dimension points towards a theory of nature that is scale invariant.
Early Childhood Challenge: Preparing High-Quality Teachers for a Changing Society in the USA

Over the past decade, population trends for school-age children in the USA show (a) higher percentages of children of color; (b) a higher percentage of children in poverty, with a disproportionate number attending high-poverty schools; (c) an increase in the percentage of English language learners; and (d) a high percentage of students with learning disabilities receiving special education services Aud et al. (The Condition of Education 2012, National Center for Education Statistics. Washington, DC, 2012).
A Transport Theoretic Calculation of the Disadvantage Factor

The disadvantage factor of a two-region slab lattice has been calculated using Case’s formalism in one-velocity transport theory. Although the problem has not been solved exactly, the Fredholm equa...
Protein kinase C is a target for diverse developmental neurotoxicants: Transcriptional responses to chlorpyrifos, diazinon, dieldrin and divalent nickel in PC12 cells

Abstract Unrelated developmental neurotoxicants can elicit similar functional outcomes, whereas agents in the same class may differ. We compared two organophosphate insecticides (chlorpyrifos, diazinon) with an organochlorine (dieldrin) and a metal (Ni 2+ ) for similarities and differences in their effects on gene expression encoding subtypes of protein kinase C and their modulators, a cell signaling cascade that integrates the actions of neurotrophic factors involved in brain development. We conducted evaluations in PC12 cells, a model for neuronal development, with each agent introduced at 30 μM for 24 or 72 h, treatments devoid of cytotoxicity. Chlorpyrifos evoked by far the largest effect, with widespread upregulation of multiple genes; the effects were greater during neurodifferentiation than when cells were exposed prior to differentiation. Diazinon had smaller and less widespread effects, consistent with its lesser long-term impact on synaptic function and behavior noted for in vivo exposures in developing rats. Surprisingly, the effects of diazinon, dieldrin and Ni 2+ showed basic similarities despite the fact that all three come from different classes of toxicants. Our findings provide some of the first evidence for a specific mechanistic cascade contributing to the cholinesterase-independent developmental neurotoxicant actions of chlorpyrifos and its differences from diazinon, while at the same time identifying mechanistic convergence between otherwise unrelated toxicants that provides predictions about common neurodevelopmental outcomes. These results further show how combined use of cell cultures and microarray technology can guide future in vivo work on diverse developmental neurotoxicants.
Improved treatment of cyclic ?-amino acids and successful prediction of ?-peptide secondary structure using a modified force field: AMBER*C

We added parameters to the AMBER* force field to model cyclic β-amino acid derivatives more accurately within the commonly used MacroModel program. In an effort to generate an improved treatment of cyclohexane and cyclopentane conformational preferences, carbon–carbon torsional parameters were modified and incorporated into a force field we call AMBER*C. Simulation of trans-2-aminocyclohexanecarboxylic acid (trans-ACHC) and trans-2-aminocyclopentanecarboxylic acid (trans-ACPC) derivatives using AMBER*C produces more realistic energy differences between (pseudo)diaxial and (pseudo)diequatorial conformations than does simulation using AMBER*. AMBER*C molecular dynamics simulations more accurately reproduce the experimental hydrogen-bonding tendencies of simple diamide derivatives of trans-ACHC and trans-ACPC than do simulations using the AMBER* force field. More importantly, this modified force field allows accurate qualitative prediction of the helical secondary structures adopted by β-amino acid homo-oligomers. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Comput Chem 21: 763–773, 2000
Westering Women and the Frontier Experience 1800-1915

Professor Myres gives frontier women a voice they never had. She uses extensive source material by and about women--letters, journals, and reminiscences from over 400 collections--to study the impact of the frontier on women's lives and the role of women in the West. She offers a major reinterpretation of the experience of pioneer women, including that of Indian, Mexican, French, black, and Anglo-American women. The account recreates in detail the frontier experience of all these women, beginning with their physical and intellectual responses to the trek West, and concluding with their struggle for political suffrage and economic opportunity. Women moved from civilization to the frontier encumbered by more than baggage. They also had to overcome literary and social stereotypes. We learn their views on wilderness, Indians, race, and religion as well as how they reacted to the daily challenges of keeping house, raising a family, and gaining a measure of equality. "A strikingly original, highly readable, and informative history that will be used by scholars and lay readers alike."--Howard Lamar, from the Foreword
Resistance to Greenbug (Heteroptera: Aphididae) Biotype I in A egilops tauschii Synthetic Wheats

The greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani), is a major pest of wheat in North America, reducing U.S. wheat production by $60 to $100 million each year. In this research, 149 wheat lines containing genes from Aegilops tauschii (Coss.) Schmal. were evaluated for resistance to greenbug biotype I. More than 50% of the lines sustained moderate foliar chlorosis from greenbug feeding, and approximately one third of all the lines were highly resistant. All lines with chlorosis scores similar to the resistant control ‘Largo’ expressed high levels of antibiosis, producing greenbug populations with mean weights ranging from 0.05 to 11.8 mg. There was no significant difference between greenbug weights on these lines and those reared on ‘Largo’, but the mean weight of individuals reared on the susceptible control ‘Thunderbird’ was significantly greater than those reared on ‘Largo’ or any of the test lines. The mean population size of greenbugs produced on plants of each line was significantly correlated with mean greenbug weight. Tolerance was not evident in any of the lines examined, but was unexpectedly apparent in ‘Thunderbird’ at a level similar to that in the tolerant control cultivar ‘Largo’.
Representation of inflected signs from American sign language in short-term memory.

In order to help illuminate general ways in which language users process inflected items, two groups of native signers of American Sign Language (ASL) were asked to recall lists of inflected and uninflected signs. Despite the simultaneous production of base and inflection in ASL, subjects transposed inflections across base forms, recalling the base forms in the correct serial positions, or transposed base forms, recalling the inflections in the correct serial positions. These rearrangements of morphological components within lists occurred significantly more often than did rearrangements of whole forms (base plus inflection). These and other patterns of errors converged to suggest that ASL signers remembered inflected signs componentially in terms of a base and an inflection, much as the available evidence suggests is true for users of spoken language. Componential processing of regularly inflected forms would thus seem to be independent of particular transmission systems and of particular mechanisms for combining lexical and inflectional material.
Developing a Bisexual Adult Religious Education Curriculum

In 2007 the Unitarian Universalists of America developed the first, and, it appears, only adult religious education curriculum on bisexuality available in the U.S. today. This review discusses the history behind and elements of the Bisexuality Curriculum. The curriculum is discussed in terms of where it fits in the larger context of religious education on sexuality in general, as well as a brief evaluation of how it has been used by specific congregations in the three years since its release.
Atrioventricular Nodal Supraventricular Tachycardia with 2:1 Block above the Bundle of His

A patient with narrow complex supraventricular tachycardia underwent electrophysiological study at which time a tachycardia was initiated which had 2:1 AV conduction, with block occurring above the His bundle. The modes of tachycardia initiation, as well as the responses to atrial and ventricular premature depolarizations during tachycardia, made a diagnosis of atrioventricular nodal reentry as the tachycardia mechanism. The unusual finding of 2:1 supra-His block suggests the presence of tissue situated between the tachycardia circuit and His bundle, and effectively excludes the possibility of a His-atrial bypass tract as the retrograde limb of the tachycardia circuit.
Two-stage global search designs for linkage analysis II: including discordant relative pairs in the study.

The optimal two-stage designs proposed by Elston [1992, 1994] for a global search of the genome to locate disease genes by linkage analysis typically halve the cost of a study compared to one-stage designs [Elston et al., 1996]. These designs were based on sampling affected pairs of relatives. Usually, using affected relative pairs is more powerful than using discordant relative pairs [Blackwelder and Elston, 1985; Risch 1990b]. However, in certain situations discordant relative pairs can be as powerful as, or even more powerful than, affected relative pairs. In addition, combining discordant pairs with affected pairs provides a control study. In this paper, we investigate optimal two-stage designs when: 1) using only discordant relative pairs, and 2) combining discordant with affected relative pairs. We show that including discordant relatives pairs into the study not only provides a control, but is also cost effective.
Protective roles for caspase-8 and cFLIP in adult homeostasis

Caspase-8 or cellular FLICE-like inhibitor protein (cFLIP) deficiency leads to embryonic lethality in mice due to defects in endothelial tissues. Caspase-8(-/-) and receptor-interacting protein kinase-3 (RIPK3)(-/-), but not cFLIP(-/-) and RIPK3(-/-), double-knockout animals develop normally, indicating that caspase-8 antagonizes the lethal effects of RIPK3 during development. Here, we show that the acute deletion of caspase-8 in the gut of adult mice induces enterocyte death, disruption of tissue homeostasis, and inflammation, resulting in sepsis and mortality. Likewise, acute deletion of caspase-8 in a focal region of the skin induces local keratinocyte death, tissue disruption, and inflammation. Strikingly, RIPK3 ablation rescues both phenotypes. However, acute loss of cFLIP in the skin produces a similar phenotype that is not rescued by RIPK3 ablation. TNF neutralization protects from either acute loss of caspase-8 or cFLIP. These results demonstrate that caspase-8-mediated suppression of RIPK3-induced death is required not only during development but also for adult homeostasis. Furthermore, RIPK3-dependent inflammation is dispensable for the skin phenotype.
Acute effects of nicotine on hunger and caloric intake in smokers and nonsmokers

The inverse relationship between smoking and body weight may be due in part to nicotine's effects on reducing hunger and eating. Male smokers and nonsmokers (n=10 each), abstinent overnight from smoking and food, participated in four sessions, involving consumption of a liquid caloric load or water followed by nicotine (15 µg/kg) or placebo via nasal spray every 20 min for 2 h. Hunger and satiety (“fullness”) ratings were obtained prior to each dose presentation. At the end of the two sessions involving the caloric load (simulating breakfast), subjects were also presented with typical lunch/snack food items varying in sweet taste and fat content for ad lib consumption. Results indicated that, for both smokers and nonsmokers, the hunger-reducing effects of nicotine occurred only following caloric load consumption, and there was no effect of nicotine on hunger after water consumption. Smokers unexpectedly reported greater satiation than nonsmokers following the caloric load regardless of nicotine or placebo condition. Nicotine also resulted in less caloric intake during the meal, and the decrease was not specific to consumption of sweet, high-fat foods. These results indicate that nicotine reduces appetite, possibly helping to explain the influence of smoking on body weight.
Measurement of light fragments in dissociative excitation of molecular ions: CD+

A technique is described for detecting light fragment ions from dissociation of molecular ions. The crossed-beams method is adapted from a previous approach by implementation of ion optics, dispersion, and detection methods that are particularly focused on detection of the light ions from the breakup of heteronuclear molecular ions. Absolute cross sections as a function of interaction energy are reported for the process $e+{\mathrm{CD}}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}e+{\mathrm{D}}^{+}+\mathrm{p}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{d}\mathrm{u}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{s},$ where the ${\mathrm{CD}}^{+}$ targets are characteristic of emission from a discharge ion source.
Action of Oxidants on Water Sorption, 2H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Mobility, and Glass Transition Behavior of Gluten

ABSTRACT Oxidation of vital wheat gluten with potassium bromate and ascorbic acid significantly extends or broadens glassy-rubber transition to a higher final temperature range or moisture content. Thermomechanical and deuterium nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data show that the increased stiffness due to oxidation could be detected from the thermomechanical and deuterium NMR mobility level, indicating increased rigid fractions. The oxidation also resulted in increased water sorption, but no significant change in “freezable” water, and a much decreased mobile deuterium NMR signal. Room temperature sorption of water resulted in a glassy-rubbery transition over a ≈10–20% mc range for the control. For the oxidized sample, it started at ≈10%mc, but the transition was gradual and extended into much higher moisture ranges that corresponded to a more rigid fraction of deuterium (NMR) signal. This suggests that the oxidative interactions led to a more rigid gluten fraction, extending the transition to a higher t...
Strontium isotopes as tracers of airborne fly ash from coal-fired power plants

Fly ash generated by coal-fired power plants is in part collected by filters in the emission stacks while a small portion is vented into the atmosphere. Since many of the coalfired power plants in the western United States are located in the desnrt, the ability to monitor fly ash emissions requires a chemical tracer that utilizes desert soil and plant interactions with the fly ash deposited in the desert environment. This investigation presents the results of a controlled greenhouse experiment in which a native desert plant, the brittlebush (Encelia farinosa), was grown on admixtures of desert soils and fly ash. The fly ash is strongly enriched in Sr and the brittlebush is a Sr accumulator. The data demonstrate that (1) the brittlebush isotopically equilibrates with desert soils whose fly ash components are as low as 0.25% by weight, (2) the fly ash Sr is apparently more available to the plant, than Sr derived from the soils, and (3) the difference between the87Sr/86Sr ratio of the fly ash (0.70807) and soils (0.71097 to 0.71117) warrants further investigations in the natural environment to determine the practicality of this method as a natural tracer of fly ash in the environment.
The ‘Greening’ of German Foreign Policy in the Iraq Case: Conditions of Junior Party Influence in Governing Coalitions

The special characteristics of parliamentary systems and coalition politics play an important role in the German foreign policy decision-making process. Power in the current German government is shared between a larger, senior party (the Social Democrats) and a smaller, junior party (the Greens/Alliance ’90). Throughout the history of democratic Germany, small parties like the Greens have exerted significant influence on German foreign policy, partly through the control of the German Foreign Ministry. This paper assesses the conditions of influence of the Greens, a left-of-center party in the current government (1998-present), compares this to the influence of the Free Democrats, a smaller centrist party, in coalition with the Christian Democrats (1982–1998), and analyzes how these conditions of influence came into play in the German position in the international debate over Iraq in 2002–2003. We argue that the ideological position and the internal disunity of the junior party were critical in this case, although in counter-intuitive ways. This study raises important questions about some of the neo-realist, cultural, and public opinion interpretations of contemporary German foreign policy.
A standardized method for the identification of lichen products

Abstract A procedure for the routine identification of the products of lichen-forming fungi by thin-layer chromatography is described. Microextracts of plant fragments are chromatographed in three solvent systems. The spots of unknowns are assigned to R F classes defined by the R F values of marker controls of two lichen substances (atranorin and norstictic acid) chromatographed on every plate. The unknowns are tenatively identified by sorting (by R F classes) punched cards summarizing microchemical data for all compounds previously studied. The preliminary identification is then confirmed by additional microchemical tests. The open-ended system can incorporate new and unknown compounds as well as information from other chromatographic systems. Data obtained by the standardized procedure are given for 104 products.
Nutritional Genomics, Polyphenols, Diets, and Their Impact on Dietetics

Nutritional genomics offers a way to optimize human health and the quality of life. It is an attractive endeavor, but one with substantial challenges. It encompasses almost all known aspects of science, ranging from the genomes of humans, plants, and microorganisms, to the highest levels of food science, analytical science, computing, and statistics of large systems, as well as human behavior. This paper describes the underlying biochemistry that is targeted by the principal issues in nutritional genomics, which entails genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics. A major feature relevant to nutritional genomics is the single nucleotide polymorphisms in genes that interact with nutrients and other bioactive food components. These genetic changes may lead to alterations in absorption, metabolism, and functional responses to bioactive nutritional factors. Bioactive food components may also regulate gene expression at the transcriptome, protein abundance, and/or protein turnover levels. Even if all of these variables are known, additional variables to be considered include the nutritional variability of the food (unprocessed and processed), the amount that is actually eaten, and the eating-related behaviors of those consuming the food. These challenges are explored within the context of soy intake. Finally, the importance of international cooperation in nutritional genomics research is presented.
Effect of design variations on the threshold current density of AlxGa1−xAs separate confinement heterostructure single quantum well lasers

Data from a series of separate confinement heterostructure quantum well AlxGa1−xAs lasers of various structural design are analyzed so as to define material and device parameters suitable for subsequent modeling and threshold current optimization of arbitrary separate confinement laser structures. By modeling variations in inner barrier and cladding layer compositions, inner barrier width, and quantum well size, we show that, through proper design, low threshold current densities can be realized for structures having both indirect and direct barriers, further demonstrating that electron confinement due to a separate confinement heterostructure has no effect on carrier collection in the quantum well active layer. We also demonstrate the insensitivity of threshold current density to deviations in barrier width from an optimum value due to simultaneously induced variations in the optical confinement factor and overall optical loss coefficient.
Stride-to-Stride Variability of Knee Motion in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract Purpose Individuals with knee osteoarthritis (OA) experience pain, frontal plane joint laxity and instability. Co-contraction can control laxity and instability but may place constraints on the variability of the knee's motion during gait. Slight variation among gait cycles is normal, but reduced variability of joint motions could be detrimental. The purpose of this study was to quantify knee motion variability during gait and assess the influence of muscle activity, frontal plane laxity, and pain on knee movement variability in patients with medial knee OA. Methods Fifteen subjects with unilateral medial knee OA and 15 age and gender matched uninjured subjects underwent gait analysis, with electromyography to compute co-contraction. Stress radiographs were obtained for measuring frontal plane laxity. Knee motion variability was assessed from the phase angle (knee angle versus angular velocity) during early stance. Results Despite altered involved side knee kinematics and kinetics, individuals with knee OA showed involved side frontal plane variability which was not significantly different from the control group, but was significantly lower than the variability of the uninvolved knee's motion. Laxity and medial co-contraction influenced the amount of joint motion variability in the involved knee of the OA subjects. Pain did not influence variability. Conclusion Patients with medial knee OA displayed altered involved knee kinematics and kinetics, although stride-to-stride variability of knee motion was unchanged. Evidence of excessive joint motion variability on the uninvolved side, however, may provide insight into the development of OA in the contralateral cognate joint.
Antidiabetic Actions of Estrogen: Insight from Human and Genetic Mouse Models

There is increasing evidence both in humans and rodents linking the endogenous estrogen 17b-estradiol (E2) to the maintenance of glucose homeostasis. Postmenopausal women develop visceral obesity and insulin resistance and are at increased risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus, but hormone replacement therapy leads to a reduction in the incidence of diabetes. In various spontaneous rodent models of type 2 diabetes, female rodents are protected against hyperglycemia unless they are ovariectomized, and E2 perfusion reverses diabetes in male rodents. Finally, the study of transgenic mice and mice with genetic alteration of E2 secretion or E2 action has shed light on the antidiabetic properties of E2 at a tissue-specific level. Thus, E2 secretion and action in rodents seems to be implicated 1) in adipose tissue biology and the prevention of obesity, 2) in the stimulation of liver fatty acid metabolism and suppression of hepatic glucose production, and 3) in the protection of pancreatic b-cell function/survival and insulin secretion in conditions of oxidative stress.
Multifunctionality of lipid-core micelles for drug delivery and tumour targeting

Phospholipid micelles have proven to be the versatile pharmaceutical nanocarrier of choice for the delivery of poorly soluble chemotherapeutics for cancer therapy using various treatment modalities. Phospholipid micelles are typically expected to increase the accumulation of the loaded drugs in tumour tissues by taking advantage of the enhanced permeability and retention effect and by ligand-mediated active targeting. Furthermore, by tailoring the composition of the micelles, it is possible to enhance the intracellular delivery of the cargo. This review highlights the important advancements in our laboratory with polyethyleneglycol phosphatidylethanolamine (PEG-PE)-based micellar drug delivery systems for improvement of the therapeutic efficacy of poorly soluble anticancer drugs.
Plasma processing in microelectronics manufacturing

Plasma processing has emerged as an important technology for the deposition and etching of thin solid films in the manufacture of microelectronic devices. In fact, much of the progress achieved to date in device miniaturization would have been much more difficult without the unique characteristics of plasma processes. It is anticipated that future progress will continue to rely heavily on plasma technology. Although plasma chemical reactors are widely used, a lack of fundamental understanding has resulted in heavy reliance on empiricism in process design and control. The complexities inherent in any chemical reactor are compounded in plasma processing by the presence and active participation of the discharge in both gas phase and surface chemical processes. This has resulted in a technology that is sensitive to many design and operating parameters. A large parameter space gives process engineers flexibility in tailoring process conditions to meet objectives. However, without fundamental insight into the key physical and chemical processes, reactor design and control cannot be based on systematic, rational procedures. The purposes of this review are to introduce chemical engineers to plasma processing practice and phenomenology; to outline the progress made to date in fundamental studies of discharge physics and chemistry; to indicate areas in which chemical engineers must expand their traditional training to participate in plasma processing research; and finally to suggest how established chemical engineering methodology can be applied to plasma chemical reactors.
Geminate rebinding in trehalose-glass embedded myoglobins reveals residue-specific control of intramolecular trajectories.

Abstract It is becoming increasingly apparent that hydrophobic cavities (also referred to as xenon cavities) within proteins have significant functional implications. The potential functional role of these cavities in modulating the internal dynamics of carbon monoxide in myoglobin (Mb) is explored in the present study by using glassy matrices derived from trehalose to limit protein dynamics and to eliminate ligand exchange between the solvent and the protein. By varying the temperature (−15 to 65°C) and humidity for samples of carbonmonoxy myoglobin embedded in trehalose-glass, it is possible to observe a hierarchy of distinct geminate recombination phases that extend from nanosecond to almost seconds that can be directly associated with rebinding from specific hydrophobic cavities. The use of mutant forms of Mb reveals the role of key residues in modulating ligand access between these cavities and the distal hemepocket.
Auroral electrojet activity associated with fast plasma flows in the magnetotail

We report here a case study of simultaneous observations from Geotail in the mid-tail region and from ground CANOPUS stations to determine the auroral electrojet activity associated with the detection of fast plasma flows in the magnetotail. Ground observations from the meridian scanning photometers indicate the occurrence of a detached auroral feature in association with a transient fast plasma flow in the mid-tail. Ground magnetometer observations suggest that the detached auroral feature and the transient fast flow in the mid-tail correspond to a new segment of the auroral electrojet (probably limited in the east-west extent) moving equatorward, with the original electrojet anchoring at the poleward boundary of the auroral bulge. Based on this result, we propose a possible resolution to the controversy on whether or not transient fast flows in the tail or north-south auroral structures are substorm features.
Hospital outcomes in major depression among older adults: differences by alcohol comorbidity.

Objective: The prevalence of depression in older adults has been increasing over the last 20 years and is associated with economic costs in the form of treatment utilization and caregiving, including inpatient hospitalization. Comorbid alcohol diagnoses may serve as a complicating factor in inpatient admissions and may lead to overutilization of care and greater economic cost. This study sought to isolate the comorbidity effect of alcohol among older adult hospital admissions for depression. Methods: We analyzed a subsample (N = 8,480) of older adults (65+) from the 2010 Nationwide Inpatient Sample who were hospitalized with primary depression diagnoses, 7,741 of whom had depression only and 739 of whom also had a comorbid alcohol disorder. To address potential selection bias based on drinking and health status, propensity score matching was used to compare length of stay, total costs, and disposition between the two groups. Results: Bivariate analyses showed that older persons with depression and alcohol...
Financial Performance of New England Dairy Farms

This article uses a procedure developed by Melichar to classify 124 New England dairy farms according to their financial performance. Logit regression is then used to estimate a model that seeks to explain the variation in observed financial performance. It was found that 80% of the farms in the sample were in good financial position in 1984. The results of the logit regression suggest that production per cow, farm operating expense per cow, milk price, non-milk sources of farm income, farm size, farm location, and land purchases in the last five-year period are statistically significant determinants of financial performance. Surprisingly, operator education is not statistically significant. It is well known that many agricultural producers experienced financial dificulties in the mid-1980s. According to Melichar,] 17% of the nation’s farmers were showing signs of financial stress in 1985; and, although this has been a national problem, producers of some commodities have been more vulnerable than others. For instance, Gabriel2 found that, except for poultry production, dairy farmers have experienced more financial difficulty than producers of other agricultural commodities. The size and importance of the nation’s dairy industry underscore the seriousness of the financial stress problem in this sector. For example, in The authors gratefully acknowledge helpful comments received from R. Leonard, S. Seaver, E. Pagoulatos, and anonymous referees on earlier drafts of this paper, the secretarial assistance of