cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Generating Significant Examples for Conceptual Schema Validation.

This report bases itself on the idea of using concrete examples to verify conceptual schemas, and in particular cardinality constraints. When novice ORM modellers model domains, the selection of proper cardinality constraints for relationship types is quite often prone to errors. In this report we propose a mechanism for the generation of significant examples for selected subschemas. The generated examples are significant in the sense that they illustrate the possible combinations of instances that are allowed with respect to the cardinality constraints on the involved relationship types. In this report we firstly provide a brief informal discussion of the basic idea. Then we present a syntactic mechanism to select the subschema for which example instances are to be generated. This is followed by the actual example generation algorithm itself. We will also present, as a {\em spin-off}, an algorithm that allows us to detect possible flaws in the conceptual schema by calculating the number of instances that can be used to populate the types in the schema.
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses of Portal Vein Embolization, Associated Liver Partition and Portal Vein Ligation, and Radiation Lobectomy Outcomes in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients.

To understand portal vein embolization (PVE), associated liver partition and portal vein ligation (ALPPS) and radiation lobectomy (RL) outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Systematic reviews of future liver remnant (FLR) percent hypertrophy, proportion undergoing hepatectomy and proportion with major complications following PVE, ALPPS, and RL were performed by searching Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, and Web of Science. Separate meta-analyses using random-effects models with assessment of study heterogeneity and publication bias were performed whenever allowable by available data. Of the 10,616 articles screened, 21 articles with 636 subjects, 4 articles with 65 subjects, and 4 articles with 195 subjects met the inclusion criteria for systematic reviews and meta-analyses for PVE, ALPPS, and RL, respectively. The pooled estimate of mean percent FLR hypertrophy was 30.9% (95%CI: 22–39%, Q = 4034.8, p < 0.0001) over 40.3 +/− 26.3 days for PVE, 54.9% (95%CI: 36–74%, Q = 73.8, p < 0.0001) over 11.1 +/− 3.1 days for ALPPS, and 29.0% (95%CI: 23–35%, Q = 56.2, p < 0.0001) over 138.5 +/− 56.5 days for RL. The pooled proportion undergoing hepatectomy was 91% (95%CI: 83–95%, Q = 43.9, p = 0.002) following PVE and 98% (95%CI: 50–100%, Q = 0.0, p = 1.0) following ALPPS. The pooled proportion with major complications was 5% (95%CI: 2–10%, Q = 7.3, p = 0.887) following PVE and 38% (95%CI: 18–63%, Q = 10.0, p = 0.019) following ALPPS. Though liver hypertrophy occurs following all three treatments in HCC patients, PVE balances effective hypertrophy with a short time frame and low major complication rate.
A randomized controlled study of convalescent plasma for individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia.

Background Antibody-based strategies for COVID-19 have shown promise in prevention and treatment of early disease. COVID-19 convalescent plasma (CCP) has been widely used but results from randomized trials supporting its benefit in hospitalized patients with pneumonia are limited. Here, we assess the efficacy of CCP in severely ill, hospitalized adults with COVID-19 pneumonia. Methods We performed a randomized control trial (PennCCP2), in 80 adults hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia, comparing up to 2 units of locally-sourced CCP plus standard care vs. standard care alone. The primary efficacy endpoint was comparison of a clinical severity score. Key secondary outcomes include 14- and 28-day mortality, 14- and 28-day WHO8 score, duration of supplemental oxygenation or mechanical ventilation, respiratory SARS-CoV-2 RNA, and anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Results 80 hospitalized adults with confirmed COVID-19 pneumonia were enrolled at median day 6 of symptoms and day 1 of hospitalization; 60% were anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody seronegative. Participants had a median of 3 comorbidities, including risk factors for severe COVID-19 and immunosuppression. CCP treatment was safe and conferred significant benefit by clinical severity score (MED (IQR) 10 (5.5,30) vs. 7 (2.75,12.25), p=0.037) and 28-day mortality (n=10, 26% vs. n=2, 5%; p=0.013). All other pre-specified outcome measures showed weak evidence towards benefit of CCP. Conclusions Two units of locally-sourced CCP administered early in hospitalization to majority seronegative participants conferred a significant benefit in clinical severity score and 28-day mortality. Results suggest CCP may benefit select populations, especially those with comorbidities who are treated early. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04397757FUNDING. University of Pennsylvania.
Turing-Universal Learners with Optimal Scaling Laws.

For a given distribution, learning algorithm, and performance metric, the rate of convergence (or data-scaling law) is the asymptotic behavior of the algorithm's test performance as a function of number of train samples. Many learning methods in both theory and practice have power-law rates, i.e. performance scales as $n^{-\alpha}$ for some $\alpha > 0$. Moreover, both theoreticians and practitioners are concerned with improving the rates of their learning algorithms under settings of interest. We observe the existence of a "universal learner", which achieves the best possible distribution-dependent asymptotic rate among all learning algorithms within a specified runtime (e.g. $O(n^2)$), while incurring only polylogarithmic slowdown over this runtime. This algorithm is uniform, and does not depend on the distribution, and yet achieves best-possible rates for all distributions. The construction itself is a simple extension of Levin's universal search (Levin, 1973). And much like universal search, the universal learner is not at all practical, and is primarily of theoretical and philosophical interest.
Anisotropic nanoparticle complementarity in DNA-mediated co-crystallization

Whether two species will co-crystallize depends on the chemical, physical and structural complementarity of the interacting components. Here, by using DNA as a surface ligand, we selectively co-crystallize mixtures of two different anisotropic nanoparticles and systematically investigate the effects of nanoparticle size and shape complementarity on the resultant crystal symmetry, microstrain, and effective 'DNA bond' length and strength. We then use these results to understand a more complicated system where both size and shape complementarity change, and where one nanoparticle can participate in multiple types of directional interactions. Our findings offer improved control of non-spherical nanoparticles as building blocks for the assembly of sophisticated macroscopic materials, and provide a framework to understand complementarity and directional interactions in DNA-mediated nanoparticle crystallization.
Fast, configurable over-current protection for high-power modules

Protection from over-current situations and the resulting risk of device failure is a requirement when testing limited-run, experimental modules. This paper demonstrates a fast, configurable, and consistent means for protecting against over-current conditions during Clamped Inductive Load (CIL) testing of 10 kV SiC MOSFET modules. This protection circuit offers the user a convenient method of selecting a desired trip current. The protection circuit is able to sense current in the power loop of the CIL test stand, and will interrupt power to the device-under-test (DUT) upon detecting an over-current condition. A method of predicting and compensating the small delay introduced by the gate drive of the protection circuit is also demonstrated.
Estimating the effect of Earth elasticity and variable water density on tsunami speeds

The speed of tsunami waves is typically calculated using the shallow-water approximation over a rigid-body Earth. Recent comparisons of tsunami arrival times from the 11 March 2011 tsunami suggest, however, that the standard formulation has errors around the 1% level, and it has been suggested that the elasticity of the Earth can explain the discrepancy. While previous work has indeed shown that such elastic deformation can modify tsunami speeds, the effect has been neglected partly due to the difficulty in understanding how large this elastic effect is. Here, we remedy this by providing a new derivation and expression for how to incorporate the first-order effect that solid Earth elasticity and ocean water compressibility have on tsunami speeds. This result is shown to agree approximately with previous theory and helps to explain observed timing discrepancies from the 11 March 2011 tsunami. The dispersive elastic correction and the non-dispersive compressibility correction together may account for the majority of the observed discrepancy.
Models of Government Blogging: Design Tradeoffs in Civic Engagement

Some local government officials and staff have been experimenting with emerging technologies as part of a broad suite of media used for informing and communicating with their constituencies. In addition to the typical government website and, for some, email exchange with citizens, some town and municipal governments are using blogs, video streaming, pod- casting, and Real Simple Syndication (RSS) to reach constituencies with updates and, in some cases, interaction and discussion between citizens and government.
Identification of the poly(C) binding protein in the complex associated with the 3' untranslated region of erythropoietin messenger RNA

Hypoxia regulates expression of erythropoietin (EPO), a glycoprotein that stimulates erythrocytosis, at the level of transcription and also possibly at the level of messenger RNA (mRNA) stability. A pyrimidine-rich region within the EPO mRNA 3' untranslated region was implicated in regulation of EPO mRNA stability element and shown to bind protein factors. In the present study we wished to identify the protein factor binding to the pyrimidine-rich sequence in the EPO mRNA stability element. Using mobility shift assays, ultraviolet light cross-linking, and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and electroelution of protein factors from the gel slices corresponding to the ribonucleoprotein complexes, we found that two isoforms of a 40 kD poly(C) binding protein (PCBP, also known as alphaCP or hnRNPE), PCBP1, and PCBP2 are present in that complex. In Hep3B or HepG2 cells hypoxia induces neither expression of PCBP nor formation of the ribonucleoprotein complex associated with EPO mRNA that involves PCBP.
Constructing the suprachiasmatic nucleus: a watchmaker's perspective on the central clockworks

The circadian system constrains an organism's palette of behaviors to portions of the solar day appropriate to its ecological niche. The central light-entrained clock in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) of the mammalian circadian system has evolved a complex network of interdependent signaling mechanisms linking multiple distinct oscillators to serve this crucial function. However, studies of the mechanisms controlling SCN development have greatly lagged behind our understanding of its physiological functions. We review advances in the understanding of adult SCN function, what has been described about SCN development to date, and the potential of both current and future studies of SCN development to yield important insights into master clock function, dysfunction, and evolution.
Linking Finance and Operations in Retailing

The linkage between operations management and financial performance is not well understood in most supply chains. We used public financial data from a large number of retailers to explore the drivers of differences in, and thereby understand the tradeoffs between, gross margins and other metrics--such as inventory turns and selling, general and administrative expenses. We examine the effect of changes in “management measures” -such as return on assets, variance in return on assets, and growth rate -on long-term stock market performance and show how these measures can be used to benchmark performance across industry segments. Our analysis contributes both a better understanding of retail operations and a methodology that can be used to discover similar relationships in other supply chains.
Anti-epileptic Medications and Depression in Patients with Epilepsy (PWE) (P4.279)

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the potential influence of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) on mood disorders in PWE. BACKGROUND: Mood disorders are commonly under-diagnosed and under-reported co-morbidities in PWE. Prevalence of depression is reported to be 20-55[percnt] in PWE, as compared to 8.7[percnt] in general population. Prevalence of anxiety is also increased compared to the general population in PWE. DESIGN/METHODS: This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based study on one hundred patients at an Epilepsy Clinic. Randomly selected subjects completed a questionnaire which included the PHQ-9 and GAD-7 screening tools for depression and anxiety. Relevant information including demographic, educational, socioeconomic, and medical data including use of AED was obtained. Data was analyzed using ‘R-statistical software’. RESULTS: Prevalence of depression and anxiety in our study was 32[percnt] and 27[percnt], respectively. Treatment of depression stratified based on the type of provider and PHQ-9 score did not vary significantly (p=0.868). PHQ-9 scores did not significantly differ by AED used (p=0.875), seizure frequency (p=0.253), socioeconomic status (SES) (p=0.431) or education level (p=0.186). PHQ-9 scores did differ by subjective view of seizure control, (p=0.045). GAD-7 scores did not significantly differ by AED used (p=0.298), seizure frequency (p=0.075) or SES (p=0.752). GAD-7 scores did differ by subjective view of seizure control (p=0.040). There was no significant difference in patient reported change in mood between AEDs used (p=0.508). The most commonly used AEDs were lamotrigine (47[percnt]), levetiracetam (35[percnt]), and lacosamide (22[percnt]). CONCLUSIONS: In our study the prevalence of depression and anxiety was 32[percnt] and 27[percnt] in PWE, respectively. We found no significant differences in depression or anxiety scores based on AED used. Depression and anxiety scores were significantly lower in subjects with subjectively good seizure control but did not correlate with objective measures of seizure frequency. Disclosure: Dr. Ahmed has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nair has nothing to disclose. Dr. Cole has nothing to disclose. Dr. Riaz has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ali has nothing to disclose.
Triple angular correlations in the decay of 110 Ag m

Double and triple gamma-ray angular correlations are reported for cascades in $^{110}\mathrm{Cd}$ following the decay of $^{110}\mathrm{Ag}$. The 764-1505-658 keV triple correlation helps to resolve a long-standing ambiguity concerning the E2/M1 multipole mixing ratio of the 1505-keV transition. The potential of triple correlations to contribute to nuclear spectroscopy is thereby demonstrated.
Heritable disorders of connective tissue: VII. The Hurler syndrome☆☆☆

Abstract In the Hurler syndrome, the characteristic features are skeletal deformity, limitation of joint motion, hernia, hepatosplenomegaly, cardiac abnormality, corneal opacification, deafness, and mental retardation. The basic pathology is the distention of cells of many organs with material of two types: a complex polysaccharide and an aglycolipid. The fundamental defect may concern either the mucopolysaccharide or “structural polysaccharide” of connective tissue. The Hurler syndrome is usually inherited as an autosomal recessive trait, less commonly as a sex-linked (x-linked) recessive. Clinical differences between the two genotypes appear to exist (see Table I). Other chondrodystrophies, especially that of Brailsford and Morquio, display many features in common with the Hurler syndrome.
Closed loop spectral control of multiwavelength 1550 laser

The spectral flatness of multiwavelength emission from an InGaAsP semiconductor optical amplifier based ring laser is controlled by a programmable liquid crystal spatial light modulator based on spectrally monitoring the individual wavelength intensities of the laser output. Spectrally equal amplified output is also shown by pre-distorting the laser to account for amplifier spectral gain dependence.
Considering the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Student Affairs

Tony Ribera, Sarah Fernandez, and Matt Gray apply a scholarly approach to assessing student learning in the cocurriculum.
A real data simulation of computerized adaptive administration of the MMPI-A

Abstract A real data simulation of computerized adaptive administration of the Minnesota Multiphasic Inventory-Adolescent (MMPI-A) was conducted using item responses from three groups of participants. The first group included 196 adolescents (age range 14–18) tested at a midwestern residential treatment facility for adolescents. The second group was the normative sample used in the standardization of the MMPI-A (Butcher, Williams, Graham, Archer, Tellegen, Ben-Porath, & Kaemmer, 1992. Minnesota Multiphasic Inventory-Adolescent (MMPI-A): manual for administration, scoring, and interpretation . Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.). The third group was the clinical sample used in the validation of the MMPI- A (Williams & Butcher, 1989. An MMPI study of adolescents: I. Empirical validation of the study's scales. Personality assessment, 1 , 251–259.). The MMPI-A data for each group of participants were run through a modified version of the MMPI-2 adaptive testing computer program (Roper, Ben-Porath & Butcher, 1995. Comparability and validity of computerized adaptive testing with the MMPI-2. Journal of Personality Assessment, 65 , 358–371.). To determine the optimal amount of item savings, each group's MMPI-A item responses were used to simulate three different orderings of the items: (1) from least to most frequently endorsed in the keyed direction; (2) from least to most frequently endorsed in the keyed direction with the first 120 items rearranged into their booklet order; and (3) all items in booklet order. The mean number of items administered for each group was computed for both classification and full-scale elevations for T -score cut-off values of 60 and 65. Substantial item administration savings were achieved for all three groups, and the mean number of items saved ranged from 50 items (10.7% of the administered items) to 123 items (26.4% of the administered items), depending upon the T -score cut-off, classification method (i.e. classification only or full-scale elevation), and group.
Part-load optima in bottoming-cycles

Abstract It is assumed that optimal steam conditions for a Rankine bottoming-cycle are those that produce the greatest power output. It is then demonstrated that optimal steam conditions are a function of steam-generator pinch-temperature difference, leading to the assumption that a designer of bottoming-cycles may begin with a chosen pinch-temperature difference. Further demonstration is given that the pinch-temperature difference must change in response to primary engine load changes, so that such load changes upset the optimal bottoming-cycle conditions found at primary engine-rated power. The consequences to the bottoming-cycle in terms of lost power capability are demonstrated and are found to be of small magnitude.
Fate of ferulic acid in overmixed wheat flour doughs : Partial characterization of a cysteine-ferulic acid adduct

To examine the fate of ferulic acid in overmixed dough, a covalent adduct between ferulic acid and cysteine was synthesized to serve as a standard. Spectral data confirmed the loss of the double bond in ferulic acid. The adduct had a negligible effect on dough rheology (Mixograph) indicating loss of the thiol group of cysteine. Crystals of the adduct compound, L-S-[β-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl) propionic acid] cysteine or S-cysteinohydroferulic acid (CHA), melted with decomposition at 238 °C and showed a good agreement between elemental analysis and theoretical values for C18H17NO6S (C = 49/sd51 % ; H = 5/sd42% ; N = 4/sd41 % ; O = 30/sd47% ; S = 10/sd39%). 13C-NMR was used to confirm the structure of the adduct. Overmixed doughs were hydrolyzed with protease and fractionated on Sephadex G-10. The fraction corresponding to the Ve for standard CHA was analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The chromatogram showed a reproducible shoulder peak. When standard CHA was spiked into the sample just prior to HPLC analysis, that shoulder peak co-eluted with standard CHA. The shoulder peak was thus identified tentatively as being CHA. The data are consistent with the formation of the cysteine-ferulic acid adduct in overmixed doughs.
A Class of Simple Linear Estimators of the Standard Deviation of the Normal Distribution

Abstract A class of simple linear estimators of the standard deviation of the normal distribution is considered. They are based on the differences between the sums of the observations in the tails of the ordered sample. For normal distributions they are asymptotically unbiased and possess good efficiency—even for small samples. Also for a wide range of non-normal distributions they are reasonably robust asymptotically.
Erosion resistance of TiB2–ZrB2 composites

Abstract Elemental powders of Ti, Zr, and B were combined by high-energy ball milling (HEBM) to produce fine single-phase (Ti,Zr)B 2 powders of varying composition. The powders produced by HEBM also facilitate densification (99%) at hot-pressing temperatures as low as 1450 °C, which also aids in retaining a fine microstructure. By varying the hot-pressing parameters, a range of grain sizes was produced. ASTM-standard erosion and abrasion testing was performed on these wear-resistant samples to show the effect of grain size on wear resistance, and the results are compared with those for commercially available cemented tungsten carbide and cubic boron nitride. These results are also compared to those of similarly processed samples of TiB 2 . Erosion rates as low as 0.14 mm 3 /kg were recorded for Ti 0.5 Zr 0.5 B 2 composites, compared with 0.51 mm 3 /kg for TiB 2 prepared by a similar method, and 0.21 mm 3 /kg for wear-resistant, binderless WC.
Toward a unified theory of narcosis: brain imaging evidence for a thalamocortical switch as the neurophysiologic basis of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness.

A unifying theory of general anesthetic-induced unconsciousness must explain the common mechanism through which various anesthetic agents produce unconsciousness. Functional-brain-imaging data obtained from 11 volunteers during general anesthesia showed specific suppression of regional thalamic and midbrain reticular formation activity across two different commonly used volatile agents. These findings are discussed in relation to findings from sleep neurophysiology and the implications of this work for consciousness research. It is hypothesized that the essential common neurophysiologic mechanism underlying anesthetic-induced unconsciousness is, as with sleep-induced unconsciousness, a hyperpolarization block of thalamocortical neurons. A model of anesthetic-induced unconsciousness is introduced to explain how the plethora of effects anesthetics have on cellular functioning ultimately all converge on a single neuroanatomic/neurophysiologic system, thus providing for a unitary physiologic theory of narcosis related to consciousness.
Joy, 20 Years Later: A Conversation With Will Schutz

Will C. Schutz, an encounter groups pioneer, was interviewed about his personal life, the turning points of his life that led to his involvement in group work, his experiences before, at, and after Esalen, and his views on the field of counseling.
Protein determinants of metal site reduction potentials: site-directed mutagenesis studies of Clostridium pasteurianum rubredoxin☆

Abstract Site-directed mutagenesis has been used to study the effects of mutations resulting in surface charge changes near the Fe(Cys) 4 site of Clostridium pasteurianum rubredoxin (Rd). As predicted by simple electrostatics considerations, Rd variants with positively charged arginine residues in place of neutral surface residues ([V8R] and [L41R]) exhibit significant increases in the Fe(II/III) reduction potential. Contrary to electrostatics predictions, [V8D] and [V41D] Rd variants also exhibit significant increases in the Fe(II/III) reduction potential. These results indicate that protein electrostatic effects do not dominate as determinants of metal-site reduction potential in C. pasteurianum Rd. A hypothesis is developed that increased solvent accessibility and the resultant increase in polarity of the Fe(Cys) 4 site dominate as determinants of the reduction potential in this protein. Possible experimental tests of this hypothesis are discussed.
New estimates of child mortality in the United States at the turn of the century.

Abstract This article estimates levels of childhood mortality on the basis of new data derived from a nationally representative sample of manuscripts of the 1900 U.S. census. The data are responses to census questions on numbers of children ever born and numbers surviving. The results for a subsample corresponding to the small death registration area (DRA) in 1900/02 validate the procedures used. Among the principal findings are that the 1900/02 DRA life tables very seriously overestimate national child mortality among blacks, that there is a small overestimate for whites, but that the combined figures are accurate because of an underrepresentation of blacks in the DRA. Evidence also indicates that child mortality was declining at a moderate pace in the late 19th century, but that little decline was occurring among blacks. The results suggest the need for revising accounts of American black demographic history, including birth rates. They also imply that 20th-century progress in narrowing black-white mort...
Electropermeabilization: getting inside the cell to study autophagy.

Electropermeabilisation—i.e. subjecting cells to a short series of high-voltage pulses—has been used to make isolated rat hepatocytes transiently permeable to small molecules. The permeabilised cells can be loaded with [14C]sucrose at 0°C and resealed by a brief incubation at 37°C. The electrical treatment does not impair cellular function, since autophagic sequestration of sucrose occurs at the same rate as in untreated cells. The latter are permeable to sucrose immediately after isolation, due to the presence of hyperpermeable surface blebs similar to those formed in response to electrical treatment. In order to separate [14C]sucrose-sequestering organelles from cytosol, the cells are broken up by electrodisruption—i.e. a single high-voltage pulse given in a non-ionic medium (isotonic sucrose)— and the resulting cell corpses are sedimented through a dense metrizamide/sucrose cushion to form a cytosol-free pellet containing intact lyso-somes. Since mitochondria also take up sucrose, the radioactivity in autophagosomes/lysosomes must be selectively extracted with a low concentration of digitonin. The resulting procedure provides a specific bioassay of autophagic sequestration. The sequestration is virtually completely inhibited by the autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine, and at temperatures below 20°C. The sequestration step is energy-dependent, and can probably account for the known energy requirement of autophagic-lysosomal protein degradation.
The Proper Structure of the Intellectual Virtues

If we adopt a virtue approach to epistemology, what form should the intellectual virtues take? In this paper, I argue that the proper structure of the intellectual virtues should be one that follows the tradition of internalism in epistemology. I begin by giving a general characterization of virtue epistemology and then define internalism within that framework. Arguing for internalism, I first consider the thought experiment of the new evil demon and show how externalist accounts of intellectual virtue, though constructed to accommodate our intuitions in such cases, cannot fully do so. I further argue that only adopting an internalist structure of the virtues will provide intellectual virtues that appropriately mirror the structure of the classical moral virtues. Finally, I argue that only an internalist structure of the virtues can explain why the intellectual virtues are valuable in themselves.
Introduction: The Bonds of Love at 25

In this brief introduction to the collection of essays that follows, I point to what in my mind are some of the most pertinent and powerful aspects of Jessica Benjamin's The Bonds of Love (1988), the author and book to whom this collection is dedicated. I tell of my first encounter with Jessica Benjamin and the impact the encounter had on me. I comment briefly on the book's place in contemporary psychoanalysis. Using Jessica Benjamin's own words, I highlight what in my mind is one of the book's greatest achievements: the reframing of the relations between knowledge and ethics in the light of a feminist critique of gender.
Spectroscopic and photophysical studies of apparent cluster-to-organic-acceptor charge transfer in a molecular cadmium sulfide assembly

Abstract A nitrobenzene (NB) decorated cadmium sulfide cluster, [Cd4(SNB)10][N(CH3)4]2, has been prepared and examined spectroscopically. The assembly exhibits an intense cluster-to-attached-acceptor charge-transfer band at 376 nm. Observation of back electron transfer (nitrobenzene to cluster) via time resolved luminescence yields a rate constant of ≥ 5 × 109 s−1. Raman studies show that seven vibrational modes are coupled to the electron transfer reaction and that those exhibiting the greatest initial-state/final-state displacements are the CdS and NO stretches. Despite the activity of νCd-S, however, the electron donor is more appropriately characterized as an individual sulfur atom, rather than a delocalized assembly.
MICU2, a Paralog of MICU1, Resides within the Mitochondrial Uniporter Complex to Regulate Calcium Handling

Mitochondrial calcium uptake is present in nearly all vertebrate tissues and is believed to be critical in shaping calcium signaling, regulating ATP synthesis and controlling cell death. Calcium uptake occurs through a channel called the uniporter that resides in the inner mitochondrial membrane. Recently, we used comparative genomics to identify MICU1 and MCU as the key regulatory and putative pore-forming subunits of this channel, respectively. Using bioinformatics, we now report that the human genome encodes two additional paralogs of MICU1, which we call MICU2 and MICU3, each of which likely arose by gene duplication and exhibits distinct patterns of organ expression. We demonstrate that MICU1 and MICU2 are expressed in HeLa and HEK293T cells, and provide multiple lines of biochemical evidence that MCU, MICU1 and MICU2 reside within a complex and cross-stabilize each other's protein expression in a cell-type dependent manner. Using in vivo RNAi technology to silence MICU1, MICU2 or both proteins in mouse liver, we observe an additive impairment in calcium handling without adversely impacting mitochondrial respiration or membrane potential. The results identify MICU2 as a new component of the uniporter complex that may contribute to the tissue-specific regulation of this channel.
Sociodemographic Risk Factors to Disease Control in Children with Diabetes

This study examined the effects of sociodemographic variables such as ethnicity, socioeconomic status (SES), and family structure on disease control in 58 children with diabetes stratified by ethnicity and SES. Three dependent variables were chosen to evaluate the disease control of the study participants, including HbA1 values averaged over the year prior to study participation, number of hospitalizations, and number of hypoglycaemic blackouts. SES and family structure, but not ethnicity, were the primary risk factors to disease control. Children from low SES families were in poorer glycaemic control (mean HbA1 = 12.6 %) and experienced more episodes of hypoglycaemia-related loss of consciousness (mean = 0.5 per patient) than did children from middle income families (mean HbA1 = 10.4 %; mean blackouts = 0.1 per patient). In addition, children from middle-class, two-parent families were in better metabolic control than all other groups. These results indicate that it may not be ethnicity per se, but other factors that often covary with ethnic status, that may pose a risk to the disease status of children and adolescents with diabetes. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
NADH Oxidation Catalyzed by Electropolymerized Azines on Carbon Nanotube Modified Electrodes

Electropolymerizing azines on a carbon nanotube (CNT) modified electrode yields a high-surface area interface with excellent electrocatalytic activity towards NADH oxidation. Electrodeposition of poly(methylene green) (PMG) and poly(toluidine blue) (PTBO) on the carboxylated CNT-modified electrodes was achieved by cyclic voltammetry. The PMG-CNT interface demonstrates 5.0 mA cm−2 current density for NADH oxidation at 50 mV vs. Ag|AgCl in 20 mM NADH solution. The kinetics of NADH electrocatalysis were analyzed using a quantitative mass-transport-corrected model with NADH bulk concentration and applied potential as independent variables. This high-rate poly(azine)-CNT interface is potentially applicable to high-performance bioconversion, bioenergy and biosensors involving NADH-dependent dehydrogenases.
Eosinophilic Meningitis and Lymphomatous Meningitis

Excerpt Eosinophilic meningitis is a relatively rare entity which has been associated in the past with lymphomatous involvement of the central nervous system in only a single case of Hodgkin's dise...
Modeling Methodology Suitable for Converters Integrating Renewables: The QMQI Method

This paper presents a new approach for time-domain analyses using model quadratization quadratized model and subsequent quadratic integration of the quadratized dynamic-models quadratized model-quadratic integration (QMQI) method. The modeling methodology is suitable for analysis of power systems with nonlinear components and switching subsystems. The quadratic integration (QI) method has been demonstrated to be more numerically stable, robust, and accurate than trapezoidal integration (TI), one of the most popularly used methods for power transient analyses. The model quadratization enables nonlinearities to be modeled with equations of nonlinearities no higher than second order without approximations or simplifications. Upon QI, the resulting companion form is a model with nonlinearities no higher than second order (quadratic companion form). Newton's method is employed for the solution of the quadratic companion form equations. The numerical convergence of the overall method is robust and fast. The performance of the QMQI method is quantified with a couple of systems of nonlinear components and power electronics. The method can be expanded to cubic integration (CI) as well as higher-order integration methods. This paper compares the QMQI method with the TI and the CI, for the purpose of determining the pros and cons as higher (or lower)-order integration methods are used.
Utilizing non-uniform cost learning for active control of inter-class confusion

In this paper, we demonstrate the use of learning with non-uniform error-cost as a novel technique to design a multiclass cost-sensitive classifier. We investigate two important aspects of the design. First, we show that the learning is effective enough for active control of the multiclass confusion matrix using the cost-matrix. Second, we study the cases when the classifiers have mild model mismatch problems, and conclude that our design still have better performance compared to the conventional cost-sensitive classifier design.
Role of information systems as a business discipline

One of the questions that is frequently raised during any serious discussion related to the identity of Information Systems (IS) education is the relationship between the business domain and IS and the role of IS as a business discipline. Naturally, IS as an academic discipline has its strongest roots within the business school community and a history that is closely linked to the rapid growth in the dependence of businesses of all types and sizes on information technology. Particularly in North America, most of the founding academics in the field of IS came from business schools, and information systems as artifacts were seen to exist to support management in organizations. Both in research and in curriculum development, large corporations got more attention than smaller companies because they presented the most interesting and challenging problems to solve and had the most focused demand for graduates. In addition, business schools identified the need to hire academic specialists who are able to integrate issues related to business and technology in their research and teaching. Particularly during the boom years of late 1980s and 1990s, student demand for courses in Information Systems was very high, which obviously raised the level of interest in the discipline among business school administrators. The events of early 2000s led to the rapid declines in enrollments that we all have experienced and are fighting against. Not surprisingly, these developments have made some business schools question the value of IS programs and departments, but the field is still predominantly associated with business schools.
A Group Desensitization Procedure for the Reduction of Death Anxiety

This study used three measures of death anxiety to investigate the effectiveness of group systematic desensitization in reducing death anxiety in high death anxious participants. Results revealed that desensitization was superior to both a relaxation and test-retest group in reducing death anxiety when the revised Livingston and Zimet DAS was the criterion measure. Mixed results were obtained when either the Templer DAS or Feifel and Branscomb's CWIT was the criterion measure. Discussion focused on possible reasons for these results and the need for additional investigation regarding both the use of group desensitization and the relationship among the three measures of death anxiety.
Review of volatile organic compound source apportionment by chemical mass balance

The chemical mass balance (CMB) receptor model has apportioned volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in more than 20 urban areas, mostly in the United States. These applications differ in terms of the total fraction apportioned, the calculation method, the chemical compounds used in the calculation, the apportionment units, and the source profiles applied. Nevertheless, they show similar results for VOC fractions contributed by different sources. Gasoline vehicle exhaust, liquid gasoline, and gasoline evaporation contribute up to 50% or more of the ambient VOCs in many of these studies. Relative motor vehicle source contributions determined by CMB were similar to or larger than their proportions in emissions inventories. Coatings and solvent contributions from CMB were much lower than the proportions attributed to these sources in current emissions inventories. Several measurement and reporting conventions would facilitate CMB analyses of VOC data sets.
The Great Entitlement Raid

To bail out the banks, and more generally Wall Street, and as a result of their profiteering, the nation faces a great deficit. It is premature to deal with it, but when the time comes, it should not be closed by scaling back social programs and entitlements. Such a way to deal with the deficit would in effect amount to a two-step major wealth transfer from the most vulnerable Americans to the most endowed. (First the funds were given to Wall Street; next they will be taken from the poor and working-class Americans, to cover the shortfalls). There are other sources for reducing government expenditures and for new revenues.
Effect of oxygen sublattice ordering on interstitial transport mechanism and conductivity activation energies in phase-stabilized cubic bismuth oxides

Abstract Bismuth oxide doped with isovalent rare earth cations retains the high temperature defective fluorite structure upon cooling down to room temperature. However, these doped materials undergo an order–disorder transition of the oxygen sublattice at about 600°C. When annealed at temperatures less than the transition temperature, the oxygen sublattice continues to order, and consequently oxygen ion conductivity undergoes a decay. However, the conductivity activation energies of the ordered structures after extended aging at 500°C were observed to be lower than those of the structures prior to aging. Modeling of ordered structures based on TEM diffraction patterns indicates a 〈111〉 vacancy ordering in the anion sublattice. Neutron diffraction studies show additional structural changes in the oxygen sublattice due to ordering. These studies indicate that the ionic conductivity is dependent on the distribution of oxygen ions between the regular 8c sites and the interstitial 32f sites in the fluorite structure. Based on the TEM and neutron diffraction studies and conductivity activation energies of the ordered and disordered structures, a transport mechanism for oxygen ions through interstitial positions is proposed.
10 A Rapid, Simple and Inexpensive Method for Construction of Peripheral Vascular Ultrasound Phantoms

Background and Introduction: Emergency department bedside ultrasound has grown to include ultrasound guidance of vascular access, most recently, peripheral IV access has been described with ultrasound guidance. Simulation of procedures that are crucial to clinical practice is an efficient and reliable way to train and assess competency prior to performance on an actual patient. Ultrasound phantoms that simulate patient anatomy allow the development of hand-eye coordination, orientation and manipulation of the instruments in a controlled setting. In an effort to obviate the cost of commercial products I have developed a very simple and rapid method for building vascular ultrasound phantoms for teaching ultrasound guided peripheral IV placement. Materials and Methods: Using easily obtainable and inexpensive materials, a simple method is described which allows construction of the phantom in less than 1 hour. This method requires no special tools or construction skills. The total cost for 1 phantom is about $30.00. Most of the components can be reused when the phantom needs to be repoured – the cost to repour a phantom is less than 2. Results: These phantoms are realistic in terms of visualization of deep upper extremity veins, and include fluid filled vessels which are gravity fed by colored saline. The system is versatile and can be customized to fit the needs of the individual user. Attendees will be provided with a CD comprising a complete materials list with sources of supply, a PowerPoint presentation to guide construction with each step detailed using digital photographs, and videos of use of the phantom.
A national debate on encryption exportability

Traditionally, cryptography has been an exclusively military technology controlled by the National Security Agency (NSA). Therefore, U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITARS) requires licenses for all export of modern cryptographic methods. Some methods, such as the Data Encryption Standard (DES), are easily obtained for export to the Coordinating Committee for Multilateral Export Controls (COCOM) countries, but not Soviet block countries, or most Third World nations.
Understanding Social Justice in Social Work: A Content Analysis of Course Syllabi:

In spite of the importance of social justice to the profession of social work, little research exists on the topic, contributing to what some have called a “conceptual muddle”. To help clarify the profession's understanding of social justice, this study analyzed a representative sample of social justice syllabi (N = 31). To analyze the textual data, keyword, cluster, and linking analyses were preformed. The findings suggest that (a) some groups and issues are highlighted at the expense of others and (b) a four-dimensional conceptualization of social justice may be embedded in course syllabi, implicitly informing professional discourse. The results are discussed in light of recent professional controversies related to social justice.
Choosing Web 2.0 Tools for Instruction: An Extension of Task-Technology Fit

The growth of technology and the inclusion of "digital natives" as students in the education world have created a demand pull for the use of Web 2.0 technologies in education. Dominant among these tools have been wikis, blogs and discussion boards. Distance education experts view the use of these tools as differentiators when compared to traditional education methods. However, the research in this area has yet to provide clear guidelines on usage. In this paper, the authors aim to provide a theory-driven model to outline the application and impact of these technologies in education. The authors focus on the education tasks and technologies characteristics to evaluate the underlying fit. The authors use the extant research to substantiate the model and provide practitioner guidelines.
Mamanine and pohakuline, two unprecedented quinolizidine alkaloids from sophora chrysophylla☆

Abstract From the bark of the endemic Hawaiian tree Sophora chrysophylla Seem. we have isolated two unprecedented quainolizidine alkaloids, mamanine (4) and pohakuline (5). Both bases are 1-hydroxymethylenequinolizidines which are linked at C-3 to α-pyridone or α-piperidone moieties. The alkaloids may be intermediates in a heretofore unknown biogenetic pathway of Sophora alkaloids.
Re-evaluation of some techniques and their effect on stimulating flowering in four Irish potato varieties in Louisiana

An experiment was set up to evaluate the effect of three techniques on the flowering of four varieties of Irish potatoes commonly grown in Louisiana. Records were taken in regard to the production of flower clusters and open flowers. As averages of the four varieties, flowering was highly stimulated by the wire girdling and stem incision treatments. The pruning of stolons had no significant effect on flowering. None of the treatments had a significant effect on the flowering of the sparsely blooming varieties, Triumph and Red LaSoda. The flowering of both Sebago and Katahdin was greatly increased by wire girdling; meanwhile the maximum increase in flowering of Sebago was obtained through stem incision.
The Initiative to extend Medicare into Mexico: a case study in changing U.S. Health Care Policy

This study examines the geo-political activities of interest groups, governments and multinational corporations involved in an initiative to extend Medicare to U.S. retirees residing in Mexico. If the initiative to change the current Medicare policy succeeds, the relocation of Medicare-eligible populations from the U.S. to Mexico is likely to increase; the U.S. is expected to gain cost-savings for taxpayers on Medicare; Mexico can develop senior-housing and options for long-term care it currently lacks; and foreign-led multinational corporations will increase their profits and dominance, fostering even more privatization in Mexico’s health care sector. By exploring new issues about retirement migration and health this study seeks to gain knowledge about the phenomena in a number of areas. First, the retirement migration of North Americans to Latin America is an under-studied phenomenon in the fields of social gerontology, migration research, and health policy studies. Second, the Medicare in Mexico initiative is even less well-known among health policy scholars than the retirement migration phenomenon into Mexico. Yet this initiative is inherently international in scope and involves a number of US-based institutions and interest groups actively promoting the project from within Mexico. Thus, the initiative has important geo-political and socio-economic implications for reforming health care systems in the U.S. and Mexico.