cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Realization of lead-reduced CsPbX3 perovskite nanocrystals for white light-emitting diodes

The introduction of non-toxic guest cations (zinc, Zn2+) in the synthesis of CsPbX3 NCs leads to the realization of lead-reduced CsPb1-xZnxX3 NCs, confirming the substitution of Pb2+ up to 15%. As-synthesized NCs exhibits lattice contraction accompanied by increased bandgap, blue-shifted photoluminescence emissions, and high quantum yield. Besides, the blue, green, yellow, and red-emitting CsPb1-xZnxX3 NCs (at x=15%) obtained by adjusting the composition of different halides when used as color conversion layers emits warm to cool white light with remarkable color qualities. Notably, this development will promote the halide perovskite NCs one step closer to their practical applications.
[High frequency hearing loss detection rate in occupational noise exposed workers in China: a Meta-analysis]

Objective: A Meta-analysis was used to evaluate the high frequency hearing loss detection rate, its area and time distributions in occupational noise exposed workers in China to provide evidence for the prevention and control of occupational noise-induced deafness. Methods: From February to April 2020, the number of hearing tests and the number of binaural high frequency average hearing threshold ≥40 dB of workers exposed to noise in key occupational disease monitoring and occupational health risk assessment project in China was collected from China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) , VIP database and PubMed database. The retrieval time was set from the establishment of the database to February 28, 2020. The R 3.6.2 software was used to calculate the pooled high frequency hearing loss detection rate. Results: A total of 28 studies, included 34 data and 1259571 occupational noise exposed workers, were enrolled. The articles covered 16 provinces in 2015-2018. The pooled high frequency hearing loss detection rate in occupational noise exposed workers was 9.45% (95%CI: 7.64%-11.64%) . The high frequency hearing loss detection rate (10.54%) was higher in 2018 than other years (2017: 10.17%, 2016: 9.21%, 2015: 7.88%) . The high frequency hearing loss detection rate (12.23%) was higher in central China than in eastern (10.21%) , western (7.91%) and north-eastern (5.21%) China. Conclusion: The overall high frequency hearing loss detection rate in occupational noise exposed workers is generally high in China. It is important to strengthen the hearing protection in occupational noise exposed workers to facilitate the occupational noise-induced deafness prevention and control in China.
Recent advances in nano-scale spatial resolution x-ray microscopy instrumentation at NSLS-II

X-ray microscopy is an invaluable and powerful characterization tool applied in many scientific fields, such as materials science, biology, environmental science, and energy research. In recent years it has been driven by rapid developments of novel technologies and systems resulting in imaging experiments elucidating structural inhomogeneities and chemical reactions at the nanometer scale. To obtain high spatial resolution comprehensive chemical and structural information, an X-ray microscope must be equipped with adequate capabilities and allow for simultaneous acquisition of multiple datasets. In recent years, a number of X-ray microscopes have been designed, constructed, and commissioned at NSLS-II. Here we provide an overview of the microscopy instrumentation development program at NSLS-II and specifically focus on the multilayer Laue lens–based hard X-ray nanoprobe optimized for ~10 nm spatial resolution imaging, its current status, and future upgrades along with recently constructed Kirkpatrick-Baez based scanning microscope designed for ~100 nm spatial resolution experiments.
Oppositional Defiant Disorder

Oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) is a recurrent pattern of negativistic, disobedient, and hostile behavior by young people toward authority figures. A diagnosis of ODD requires that four or more of the following eight symptoms have been present over the course of at least 6 months: (1) losing one's temper, (2) arguing with adults, (3) actively defying adults' requests or rules, (4) deliberately annoying others, (5) blaming others for mistakes, (6) being easily annoyed, (7) being angry and resentful, and (8) being spiteful or vindictive (American Psychiatric Association, 2000). Those receiving a diagnosis of ODD exhibit such behaviors at a frequency above what is considered to be developmentally appropriate, and such behaviors lead to significant impairment in social or academic functioning. These symptoms need only be present in one setting to warrant a diagnosis, and children sometimes exhibit symptoms in the home setting without concurrent problems at school or in the community. Likewise, teachers may identify ODD symptoms among students who do not show the same severity of problems in nonacademic settings (Drabick, Gadow, & Loney, 2007). Keywords: oppositional defiant disorder; conduct; aggression
Review of the Semiconductor Industry and Technology Roadmap.

The semiconductor industry operates in a constant state of deflation. It is vital to our survival and progress in this knowledge era. The industry is extremely competitive and requires ongoing technological advances to improve performance while reducing costs to remain competitive. Gaining an understanding of important facets of this industry is essential. Besides knowing about semiconductor history, other aspects of interest include types of semiconductor products in the marketplace and their uses, typical semiconductor-chip making process, overall industry review and trends. One critical tool used by the industry to direct product and technology development is a technology roadmap. Review of the initial and current semiconductor technology roadmap would further enhance our understanding of semiconductor industry.
Distance Learning in Physical Education Teacher Education

Advancing technology carries the promise of allowing rural and nontraditional learners the opportunity to participate in higher education. Students who had no chance to attend classes 15 years ago are registering for and completing college courses in record numbers, although they may never meet their instructors (Finkenberg, 1997; Price, 1996). At-home mothers, 9-to-5 workers, students in rural areas, individuals with disabilities, and even students on college campuses are taking advantage of distance learning (DL). Many institutions of higher education are beginning to offer courses, and in some cases degree programs, through interactive multimedia and Internet access. While these courses and programs are increasing in popularity, computer-based DL is not without its critics. The literature on DL in physical education is sparse. This paper identifies positive and negative aspects of DL and applies these concepts to the physical education profession.
A Comparison of Iterative Methods for Solving Nonsymmetric Linear Systems

Iterative methods, which were initially developed for the solution of symmetric linear systems, have more recently been extended to the nonsymmetric case. Nonsymmetric linear systems arise in many applications, including the solution of elliptic partial differential equations. In this work, we provide a brief description of and discuss the relationship between five commonly used iterative techniques: CGNR, GMRES, BiCG, CGS and BiCGSTAB. We highlight the relative merits and deficiencies of each technique through the implementation of each in the numerical solution of several differential equations test problems. Preconditioning is used in each case. We also discuss the mathematical equivalence between a nonsymmetric Lanczos orthogonalization, and BiCG.
Linking virtual and real-world identities

Today, one can find from the web vast amount of information about an individual. Specifically, such information can be classified into two categories, virtual and real-world identities. This paper addresses a novel problem of linking these two types of identities based on information publicly available on the web. We start by studying how one can link virtual identities (i.e., user profiles) at Twitter with real-world identities at Whitepages.com (containing personal information such as name, age, relatives, etc.). We demonstrate that a substantial portion (at least 0.17%) of Twitter users in the U.S. can indeed be potentially linked to their real-world identities through information available at Whitepages.com, revealing sensitive personal data. We discuss the implications of such identity linkages on both individual privacy and law enforcement, and also point out the future studies required in this topic.
Postoperative management following supraglottoplasty for severe laryngomalacia.

Objectives/Hypothesis To retrospectively analyze the postoperative management and care needs of patients undergoing spontaneous ventilation supraglottoplasty (SVS). Study Design Retrospective chart review. Methods Charts of children undergoing (SVS) for severe laryngomalacia from 2007 to 2011 at a single institution were reviewed. Intraoperative and postoperative management data were collected to review the airway management, postoperative care needs, and potential complications associated with this surgery. Results A total of 65 patients were included in the study. Only three patients (4.5%) required more than an overnight stay in the hospital, and no patients left the operating room intubated. One patient required temporary intensive care unit observation, and the majority (78.1%) demonstrated adequate oral intake within 4 hours of surgery. Comorbidities did not portend a longer hospital stay or slower return to oral intake. Conclusions SVS with cold-steel instruments is a safe and effective surgical intervention with low complication rates. This study suggests that postoperative intubation or intensive care unit monitoring may not be necessary when using these techniques. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 123:3206–3210, 2013
Cyclic AMP Response Element Binding Protein Mediates Pathological Retinal Neovascularization via Modulating DLL4-NOTCH1 Signaling

Retinal neovascularization is the most common cause of moderate to severe vision loss in all age groups. Despite the use of anti-VEGFA therapies, this complication continues to cause blindness, suggesting a role for additional molecules in retinal neovascularization. Besides VEGFA and VEGFB, hypoxia induced VEGFC expression robustly. Based on this finding, we tested the role of VEGFC in pathological retinal angiogenesis. VEGFC induced proliferation, migration, sprouting and tube formation of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMVECs) and these responses require CREB-mediated DLL4 expression and NOTCH1 activation. Furthermore, down regulation of VEGFC levels substantially reduced tip cell formation and retinal neovascularization in vivo. In addition, we observed that CREB via modulating the DLL4-NOTCH1 signaling mediates VEGFC-induced tip cell formation and retinal neovascularization. In regard to upstream mechanism, we found that down regulation of p38β levels inhibited hypoxia-induced CREB-DLL4-NOTCH1 activation, tip cell formation, sprouting and retinal neovascularization. Based on these findings, it may be suggested that VEGFC besides its role in the regulation of lymphangiogenesis also plays a role in pathological retinal angiogenesis and this effect depends on p38β and CREB-mediated activation of DLL4-NOTCH1 signaling.
Effects of nucleotide substitutions within the T-loop of precursor tRNAs on interaction with ATP/CTP:tRNA nucleotidyltransferases from Escherichia coli and yeast

Recognition of tRNA and tRNA-like substrates by the enzyme ATP/CTP:tRNA nucleotidyltransferase requires chemically intact nucleotides within the T-loop, especially at positions 57 and 58, which are invariant purines among naturally occurring tRNAs. To test the effects of base substitutions at these positions, which are distant from the site of catalysis, we synthesized mutant tRNA(Glu) molecules. These in vitro-synthesized RNAs also contained an extra 33 bases at the 5' end and lacked post-transcriptionally modified bases. The precursor tRNAs were used as substrates for nucleotidyltransferases from Escherichia coli and yeast. Substitution of cytidines at either position 57 or 58 had dramatic inhibitory effects on recognition by both enzymes, including raising the apparent Km and lowering the apparent Vmax.; substitution of an adenosine at position 57 or a uridine at position 58 inhibited the reaction only slightly by comparison. Our results demonstrate that the identities of nucleotides at positions 57 and 58 are relevant to recognition by nucleotidyltransferase, and that a purine is required at position 57. The extra bases at the 5' end and the lack of post-transcriptionally modified bases did not substantially inhibit interaction with the enzyme, as judged by the wild-type precursor tRNA(Glu) acting as an effective substrate for both enzymes in the presence of equal concentrations of appropriate tRNA substrates isolated from E. coli.
Bertrand Competition in Networks

We study price-of-anarchy type questions in two-sided markets with combinatorial consumers and limited supply sellers. Sellers own edges in a network and sell bandwidth at fixed prices subject to capacity constraints; consumers buy bandwidth between their sources and sinks so as to maximize their value from sending traffic minus the prices they pay to edges. We characterize the price of anarchy and price of stability in these "network pricing" games with respect to two objectives--the social value (social welfare) of the consumers, and the total profit obtained by all the sellers. In single-source single-sink networks we give tight bounds on these quantities based on the degree of competition, specifically the number of monopolistic edges, in the network. In multiple-source single-sink networks, we show that equilibria perform well only under additional assumptions on the network and demand structure.
Abstract Counterexamples for Non-disjunctive Abstractions

Counterexample-guided abstraction refinement (CEGAR) is an important method for tuning abstractions to properties to be verified. The method is commonly used, for example in selecting predicates for predicate abstraction. To date, however, it has been applied primarily to powerset abstractions, which allow one to speak of an abstract transition system and abstract states. Here, we describe a general framework for CEGAR in non-disjunctive abstractions by introducing a generalized notion of abstract counterexample, and methods for computing such counterexamples. We apply this framework to Indexed Predicate Abstraction (IPA), a promising technique for synthesizing quantified inductive invariants of infinite-state systems. In principle, it can be applied to other non-disjunctive abstractions occurring in program analysis.
A design diversity metric and reliability analysis for redundant systems

Design diversity has long been used to protect redundant systems against common-mode failures. The conventional notion of diversity relies on "independent" generation of "different" implementations. This concept is qualitative and does not provide a basis to compare the reliabilities of two diverse systems. In this paper, for the first time, we present a metric to quantify diversity among several designs. Based on this metric, we derive analytical reliability models that show a simple relationship between design diversity, system failure rate, and mission time. In addition, we present simulation results to demonstrate the effectiveness of design diversity in Duplex and Triple Modular Redundant (TMR) systems. For independent multiple-module failures, we show that, mere use of different implementations does not always guarantee higher reliability compared to redundant systems with identical implementations-it is important to analyze the reliability of redundant systems using our metric. For common-mode failures and design faults, there is a significant gain in using different implementations-however, as our analysis shows, the gain diminishes as the mission time increases. Our simulation results also demonstrate the usefulness of diversity for enhancing the self-testing properties of redundant systems.
Rapid nonradioactive in situ hybridization for interleukin-2 mRNA with riboprobes generated using the polymerase chain reaction

In situ hybridization is a technique with widespread application. However, its usefulness has been limited by the need for radioactive materials and the requirement for the DNA to be cloned onto an appropriate vector. We have utilized the polymerase chain reaction to directly incorporate a T7 RNA polymerase promoter sequence onto the cDNA for interleukin-2. Digoxigenin-labelled riboprobes were then synthesized using this PCR product as a template. The digoxigenin-labelled riboprobes were then used in non-radioactive in situ hybridization to detect messenger RNA for interleukin-2 in mitogen stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This methodology has the potential for widespread application in immunology and cytokine research.
Analysis of F2 transitions in the speech of stutterers and nonstutterers

Lingual coarticulation was acoustically examined in the fluent speech of stutterers and nonstutterers. Coarticulation was evaluated by determining the slope of second formant (F2) transitions following consonant release. In general, stutterers were found to display larger slope coefficients in comparison to the nonstutterers. The large coefficients were interpreted to reflect greater or quicker dimensional changes in vocal-tract behavior compared to those of nonstutterers. Discussion focuses on the speech motor skills characterizing fluent speech production.
A kinematic model for the origin of footwall synclines

Abstract The origin of footwall synclines at the base of thrust ramps can be related to the kinematic evolution of fault-propagation folds. The conventional fault-propagation fold model does not predict the development of footwall synclines because it assumes a high propagation to slip ratio for development of the lower flat which does not allow for folding before the thrust cuts up section. An alternative model, where the propagation to slip ratio remains finite throughout the development of the fault-propagation fold, produces a detachment fold at the thrust tip during propagation of the thrust along the lower flat. If the thrust cuts up through the ductile core of the detachment fold during ramp formation, it will leave behind the forelimb of the detachment fold as part of a footwall syncline.
Tenderization of Early-Harvested Broiler Breast Fillets by High-Voltage Post-Mortem Electrical Stimulation and Muscle Tensioning,

Abstract Three experiments, each composed of two 96-bird trials, were conducted to determine the effects of electrical stimulation (ES) and muscle tensioning (MT) on tenderness, sarcomere length, and pH of broiler Pectoralis fillets harvested from chilled carcasses 1 h post-mortem (chill-boned). Shear values of fillets from ES carcasses were significantly lower than unstimulated controls, with no significant difference for ES duration. There were no significant differences between the sarcomere lengths of raw fillets from any of the ES treatments, but all had significantly longer sarcomeres than did the unstimulated controls. Muscle tensioning significantly improved the tenderness of chill-boned breast fillets compared with that of nontensioned carcasses, with no significant differences between any of the MT initiation times. Sarcomeres of all tensioned carcasses were significantly longer than nontensioned controls, with no significant difference between any of the MT treatments. When ES and MT were applied in combination, their interaction resulted in significantly lower shear values compared with either individual treatment. The mean sarcomere length for the combined ES and MT treatment was significantly longer than that of untreated control carcasses or those receiving either treatment. Electrical stimulation, but not MT, increased the rate of post-mortem pH decline. The combined ES and MT treatment increased the percentage of fillets harvested at 1 h post-mortem that would be considered tender by consumers.
The role of psilophyton in the evolution of vascular plants

This paper lists the evolutionary advances that Psilophyton (Trimerophytina) shows over the simplest vascular plants like Cooksonia and Rhynia (Rhyniophytina). Both morphological and anatomical (using Psilophyton dawsonii, the only completely petrified example) advances are treated. Similarly Psilophyton is shown to be less advanced than some groups presumed to be derivatives of trimerophytes. Evolution within the genus Psilophyton and within Trimerophytina is discussed briefly.
The remainder theorem and factor theorem for polynomials over noncommutative coefficient rings

Let R be an associative ring which has a multiplicative identity element but need not be commutative. Let and α ∈ R. It is known that there exist uniquely determined and and r,s ∈ R such that . Examples show that q(X) and p(X) need not coincide. As in the classical Remainder Theorem over a commutative ring, , but . As consequences, a pair of generalizations of the classical Factor Theorem is obtained, as well as a new characterization of commutative rings. This note could find classroom/homework use in a course on abstract algebra as enrichment material for the unit on rings and polynomials.
Anomalous Shubnikov-De Haas amplitudes in white tin

Abstract Anomalously large Shubnikov-De Haas amplitudes with the periodicity of the zone 3δ 1 1 orbits are observed in the (110) and (100) planes of tin.
Model for hydrogen aging in multimode fibers

In order to explain the variation of initial aging rate on the square root of the hydrogen pressure observed in two other studies, a model based on the production of hydrogen atoms by some defect site in the glass is developed. The model is then successfully tested against the detailed temporal behavior that was reported for fibers containing high levels of phosphorus as well as those containing low levels. >
Concept Mapping Strategies: Content, Tools and Assessment for Human Geography

Abstract This article examines the use of concept mapping for formative and summative assessment of northeast Florida middle school students’ knowledge of human geography. The students were participants in an afterschool, academic, college reach-out program that provided opportunities to test concept mapping strategies that support spatial thinking and stimulate interest in human geography. The study documents the use of concept mapping for assessment of seventh graders’ achievement of a specific lesson and for students’ human geography achievement across all implementation grades. Concept mapping results provided insight into aspects of the curriculum and instruction where appropriate modifications could better facilitate meaningful learning.
Basic Biological Sciences Effect of pH Upon Sucrose and Glucose Catabolism by the Various Genogroups of Streptococcus mutans

Sucrose and glucose catabolism by seven strains of Streptococcus mutans belonging to six serotypes was assayed at pH's 6.5, 5.0, 4.5, and 4.0 with a radioisotopic tracer assay. The strains differed in their patterns of metabolic stimulation and inhibition at the different pH levels, falling into groups corresponding to the genetic groups described by Coykendall. The genogroup I (serotypes c and e) strains were the most acid-tolerant, having a pH optimum for lactic acid production at pH 5.0. These data furnish additional metabolic confirmation of the distinctiveness of these S. mutans subgroups.
Approximation in discrete time-boundary control of flexible structures

This paper treats discrete-time LQG optimal control of flexible structures with boundary control and what normally are unbounded measurement operators. The application of recently developed approximation theory for infinite dimensional discrete-time LQG problems to the problem here is discussed, and a numerical example is presented.
Nonlinear-optical studies of molybdenum metal organics.

We have measured the third-order susceptibility, χ(3), versus concentration for a number of molybdenum-based metal-organic complexes in solution, using independent degenerate four-wave mixing and Z-scan techniques. Good agreement was obtained between the degenerate four-wave mixing and Z-scan measurements. The variation of χ(3) with concentration yielded the second-order hyperpolarizability γ. A close correlation was observed between the number of delocalized π electrons and the magnitude of γ.
Vision-based navigation and hazard detection for terrestrial rocket approach and landing

This paper introduces a compact optical payload enabling vision-based navigation and hazard detection during terrestrial rocket flights. This payload, the Terrain-Relative Navigation & Descent Imager (TRNDI), serves as an add-on module for Draper Laboratory's GENIE Autonomous-GNC system. GENIE's inertial navigation system relies on GPS during terrestrial test flights, making it insufficient for GPS-denied, extraterrestrial environments.
Mediterranean annual grasses in western North America: kids in a candy store

In this issue of Plant and Soil, Blank and Sforza (2007) contribute to understanding of how exotic annual grasses invade ecosystems in the western United States. Their findings, that medusahead wildrye (Taeniatherum caput-medusae [L.] Nevski) was most productive on non-invaded US soil and that plants from US-derived seeds may have evolved to utilize higher nutrient concentrations, parallel other results that suggest soils of vulnerable western US ecosystems are functionally different (i.e., more available-nutrient rich) than soils where these weeds are native and noninvasive (Blumenthal 2005; Davis et al. 2000). While it has been well established that exotic annual grasses can perpetuate their own environment by fostering increased available nutrients (e.g., Ehrenfeld and Scott 2001; Norton et al. 2003), we must remember, for the sake of ecological restoration, that initial invasiveness is caused by chronic disturbances that disrupt native nutrient and organic matter cycles and increase nutrient availability. The principal difference between western US ecosystems and those where invasive annual grasses are native is the amount of time during which chronic disturbances have occurred. In the Mediterranean region, intensive management of grass and shrubland ecosystems depleted nutrients long ago, so that native vegetation is adapted to a “here today, gone tomorrow” strategy. In ecosystems of the arid and semiarid western USA, perennial-plantdominated native nutrient cycles were disrupted by intensive land use much more recently. Chronic disturbances in the form of extensive grazing and altered fire regimes began to unlock nutrients stored in soil organic matter (SOM) for millennia. When seeds of exotic annual grasses arrived they found that the candy store was open. In this commentary, we review evidence for major shifts in ecosystem processes across the semiarid western USA and we call for more research that links results of ecological restoration efforts to the growing body of knowledge about interactions between invasive annuals and invaded environments. In western US ecosystems vulnerable to weed invasion, the consequence of almost any type of ecosystem disruption is a shift from immobilizing, Plant Soil (2007) 298:1–5 DOI 10.1007/s11104-007-9364-8
Breast Mass and Lytic Bone Lesions: A Rare Presentation of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Arising in the Breast.

Background. Primary breast lymphoma is a rare malignancy representing less than 1% of all tumors presenting in the breast. Case Presentation. A 55-year-old woman presented with altered mental status due to severe hypercalcemia and was found to have a large breast mass with lytic bone lesions in the calvarium of the skull. Biopsy of the mass revealed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Staging workup did not reveal any visceral organ or distant lymph node involvement. The patient’s bone marrow biopsy was positive for involvement with lymphoma. Interestingly, the patient also had a non quantifiable IgA kappa monoclonal protein in the serum. Conclusion. Here, we describe a common presentation in medical oncology, that is, a patient presenting as a clinically advanced breast tumor with hypercalcemia from lytic bone lesions. However, diagnostic workup led to the diagnosis of another common malignancy in an uncommon location, namely, diffuse large B-cell lymphoma arising in the breast.
Telephone Interference from A-C. Generators Feeding Directly on Line with Neutral Grounded

The problem of telephone interference from a-c. generators feeding directly on the line with neutral grounded is discussed. It is shown that the triple and non-triple harmonics in the voltage wave shape cause currents which flow in different paths on the power system. As a result of this, the induction on paralleling telephone lines per ampere of triple harmonic is greater than the induction per ampere for a non-triple harmonic on a balanced power system. A method of measurement which would allow a rough comparison of the effects to be expected from both types of harmonics is suggested. This is based upon using the apparatus already available and setting up special connections for test. Data are given showing the results of such measurements made in the factory on a number of machines while they were being tested. Analyses are given of the wave shape of machines which gave rise to cases of interference. References are given to some of the data already published on methods which have been applied to relieve such situations.
Oleochemicals as a fuel: Mechanical and economic feasibility

The status of vegetable oils as diesel fuel substitutes is currently dubious. Although it is fair to consider them as short-term emergency fuels (or, more desirably, low proportion supplements to diesel fuels), they present mechanical problems in long-term use that have not yet been solved. It is preferable to use these oils blended in small proportions with diesel fuels. Indirect-injection diesel engines have had fewer problems than direct-injection engines, whether the tests were performed with pure vegetable oil fuel or with vegetable oil/diesel fuel blends. The economic prospect for these fuels is not promising. In general, they are not and have not been economical alternatives to diesel fuel. Exceptions appear to have occurred recently in Brazil and the Philippines where low local prices for vegetable oils combined with high petroleum prices encouraged officials to use low proportion vegetable oil/diesel fuel blends. Nonetheless, current and long-term trends in petroleum and oilseed prices indicate that these fuels will probably not be price competitive within the near future. Emergency disruption of petroleum supplies completely changes the economic situation. Vegetable oils would be worth much more as a fuel during disruptions than otherwise; thus incentives could be strong to include these oils in the fuel supply, diverting them from the food supply.
Doppler application in the delivery timing of the preterm growth-restricted fetus: Another step in the right direction

This article provides an opinion on a study of relationships between umbilical artery (UA) Doppler, ductus venosus (DV) Doppler, fetal heart rate variation, and perinatal outcome in preterm, intrauterine growth-restricted (IUGR) fetuses published in the same issue of this journal by Bilardo and coworkers. Recent evidence on venous Doppler surveillance in preterm IUGR fetuses was also reviewed and discussed in the context of the study with a special emphasis on delivery timing. A search was conducted through MEDLINE and eight articles with similar inclusion criteria and reporting format of outcomes were identified. Numbers for perinatal mortality, intraventricular hemorrhage, respiratory distress syndrome, bronchopulmonary dysplasia and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) were extracted for cases where Doppler status was recorded in an identical format. Proportional distribution of outcomes was compared for fetuses with normal DV Doppler velocimetry, absent or reversed UA end-diastolic velocity (UA A/REDV), elevated DV Doppler index (abnormal DV) and absence or reversal of atrial velocity in the DV (DV-RAV). A total of 320 fetuses with normal and 202 with elevated DV Doppler indices were extracted. Of these fetuses, 101 with UA A/REDV only and 34 with DV-RAV were identified. Perinatal mortality was 5.6% (16/282) with normal DV, 11.9% (12/101) with UA A/REDV, 38.8% (64/165) with abnormal DV and 41.2% (7/17) with DV-RAV. With the exception of NEC, all complications were significantly more frequent with abnormal DV. With normal venous Doppler neonatal deaths account for most of the perinatal mortality, while with abnormal DV stillbirths and neonatal mortality are similar contributors to the significantly increased perinatal mortality. In conclusion, UA Doppler is a placental function test that provides important diagnostic and prognostic information in preterm IUGR. DV Doppler effectively identifies those preterm IUGR fetuses that are at high risk for adverse outcome (particularly stillbirth) at least 1 week before delivery, independent of the UA waveform. Relationships between perinatal outcome, arterial and venous Doppler status and gestational age require ongoing observational research effort. Randomized management trials are necessary to verify that delivery timing based on venous Doppler will impact on outcome in preterm IUGR.
Spectroscopic and Computational Studies of Ni Superoxide Dismutase: Electronic Structure Contributions to Enzymatic Function

Ni-containing superoxide dismutase (NiSOD) is the most recently discovered member of the class of metalloenzymes that detoxify the superoxide radical in aerobic organisms. In this study, we have employed a variety of spectroscopic and computational methods to probe the electronic structure of the NiSOD active site in both its oxidized (NiSODox, possessing a low-spin (S = 1/2) Ni3+ center) and reduced (NiSODred, containing a diamagnetic Ni2+ center) states. Our experimentally validated computed electronic-structure description for NiSODox reveals strong σ-bonding interactions between Ni and the equatorial S/N ligands, which give rise to intense charge-transfer transitions in the near-UV region of the absorption spectrum. Resonance Raman (rR) spectra obtained with laser excitation in this region exhibit two features at 349 and 365 cm-1 that are assigned to Ni−SCys stretching modes. The NiSODred active site also exhibits a high degree of metal−ligand bond covalency as well as filled/filled π-interactions bet...
Role of DNA Replication and Repair in Thymineless Death in Escherichia coli

Inhibition of DNA replication with hydroxyurea during thymine starvation of Escherichia coli shows that active DNA synthesis is not required for thymineless death (TLD). Hydroxyurea experiments and thymine starvation of lexA3 and uvrA DNA repair mutants rule out unbalanced growth, the SOS response, and nucleotide excision repair as explanations for TLD.
Improved functionality of food additives with electrostatic coating

Abstract French fries were coated with smoke extract or glucose and mozzarella cheese slices with sodium erythorbate or cellulose with natamyacin at 0 kV and − 25 kV. For the first three samples, transfer efficiency was higher for electrostatically coated products. When the same amount of powder on each sample was compared, electrostatically coated samples showed a greater color development and less mold growth than nonelectrostatically coated samples. This improvement in color and shelf life could be explained by improvement in coating evenness due to the charging of the powder. Cellulose with natamyacin did not show an improvement in transfer efficiency, mold suppression or charge to mass ratio with electrostatic coating. This powder did not charge well because it was cohesive and of the wrong polarity. The smaller the size of the powder, the greater the charge to mass ratio and final color development. Industrial relevance Electrostatic coating increases both transfer efficiency and evenness of powder coating. For companies, this means less waste, less clean up, less material purchased and greater efficiency of operation. For powders that charge well, higher transfer efficiency and evenness can produce greater functionality, i.e. greater color development for browning agents and greater mold inhibition for antimycotics.
An efficient fixed-point realization of inversion based repetitive control

The paper presents a fixed-point realization of non-minimum phase system inversion for inversion based control algorithms such as feedforward, repetitive controller, and iterative learning control. Based on the author's previous work on efficient dynamic inversion using stable pole-zero cancelation and non-minimum phase zero inversion using Kurosu filter, this paper employs the use of the Delta Operator filter realization to mitigate quantization effects in fixed-point computations. The Kurosu filter based inversion, where the difference of two IIR filters are used to approximate a high order FIR filter and switches are used to perform time reversals for phase compensation, is computationally efficient and well suited for low level fixed-point realization by digital signal processors or field programmable gate arrays. However, substantial quantization noise is evident in high sampling rate implementation. The Delta Operator realization increases computational complexity only slightly while providing substantial reduction of quantization noise. The method is employed in the feedforward and repetitive control of a piezoelectric actuator and the experimental results are presented to demonstrate its effectiveness.
ESTIMATION OF INDIVIDUAL FATTY ACID QUANTITIES IN RED MEATS FROM TOTAL FAT CONTENT AND FATTY ACID PERCENTAGE COMPOSITION DATA: FROM ASSESSMENT OF PUBLISHED DATA

. The analytical process for quantification of individual fatty acids in a food sample requires careful control measures, including the use of both external and internal standards. In this paper, regression equations were developed using published data to estimate total fatty acid content from total fat content for beef, lamb, pork and veal. The total fatty acid content, then, was used in conjunction with relative fatty acid composition data (weight percentages) to estimate the amounts of individual fatty acids per given weight of sample (g/100 g). This estimation procedure was tested using literature values for beef and pork. The procedure eliminates the need for inclusion of an external standard in every sample in the analysis of fatty acids in g/100 g sample. Thus, it would reduce analytical cost and time when compared to the conventional quantification procedure, without the increased number of analytical problems inherent with the latter.
Transferrin Concentrations in Serum and Lower Respiratory Tract Fluid of Mechanically Ventilated Patients With COPD or ARDS

Transferrin serves as the primary iron transport protein in serum, but it also is present in the lower respiratory tract where it has antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Prior studies indicate that patients with respiratory failure (RF) due to ARDS have increased concentrations of transferrin in the lower respiratory tract, which is attributed to increased lung vascular permeability. It is unclear whether mechanical ventilation contributes to increased lung transferrin content in patients with ARDS, although mechanical ventilation may increase lung microvascular permeability. To assess whether mechanical ventilation in patients with RF due to causes other than ARDS is also associated with increased respiratory tract concentrations of transferrin, we compared transferrin concentrations in serum and lung lavage fluid obtained from 12 mechanically ventilated patients with RF attributable to COPD, 6 patients with ARDS, and 15 healthy volunteers. Serum transferrin concentrations in patients with RF due to COPD were variable, but mean concentrations were similar to those in control subjects (336 ± 58 vs 307 ± 9 [SE] mg/dL), whereas serum transferrin concentrations were decreased in patients with ARDS (182 ± 68 mg/dL; p µ g/mL; p μ g/mL; p µ g/mg in control subjects, p
Quadriplegia complicating parenteral nutrition

An infant developed quadriplegia during parenteral hyperalimentation from spinal cord injury secondary to inferior vena caval thrombosis and a subsequent caval-cerebrospinal fluid communication.
Extensive eigenchannel R-matrix study of the H - photodetachment spectrum

We combine an eigenchannel R-matrix calculation with an analytic description of electron motion in a dipole field to predict photodetachment cross sections of the hydrogen negative ion, including resonant structures up to the n=4 hydrogenic threshold. Partial cross sections for the production of hydrogen-atom fragments in states with specific principal quantum numbers n are also presented for comparison with a recent experiment. An analysis of the delay-time matrix indicates that the autodetaching Feshbach resonances decay primarily into the nearest energetically accessible continuum channel, an observation which is not at all apparent from the calculated and observed partial cross sections, but has been anticipated in previous theoretical work. We find, for instance, that the $_{\mathit{n}=4}\mathit{v}$=0${\mathrm{}}}_{\mathit{m}=4}^{\mathit{A}=+}$ resonant state below the H(n=4) threshold decays 73% of the time to the $_{3}\mathrm{}}^{+}$ photodetachment channel.
Comparative efficacy of red cell and plasma haloperidol as predictors of clinical response in schizophrenia

The relative utility of steady-state (SS), plasma (Pl), and red blood cell (RBC) haloperidol levels for predicting clinical response was evaluated in a fixed-dose study in schizophrenic inpatients. There were significant curvilinear relationships between the decrease in BPRS Psychosis Factor Scores by day 24 of haloperidol treatment and both Pl (R2=0.34) and RBC (R2=0.38) haloperidol levels. Although SS RBC haloperidol levels consistently showed a slightly stronger relationship to clinical response than Pl levels. in several comparisons, the differences in R2s between Pl and RBC haloperidol were not statistically significant. Ninety percent confidence intervals for the blood level ranges associated with optimal clinical response in our sample of patients were: 6.5–16.5 ng/ml Pl haloperidol and 2.2.–6.8 ng/ml RBC haloperidol.
The Dynamics of Large-Scale Cyclogenesis over the North Pacific Ocean

Abstract Earlier studies of persistent large-scale flow anomalies have been extended, with the aim of identifying the primary mechanisms for persistent anomaly development. In this study the focus is on wintertime cases of persistent cyclonic flow anomalies over the North Pacific. These cases are typically manifested by an abnormally intense cyclonic circulation extending over the North Pacific basin, an unusually strong and eastward-extended East Asian jet, and a well-defined Pacific-North American teleconnection pattern. We have conducted extensive diagnostic analyses in order to determine the mechanisms responsible for development. In particular, these diagnostics examine the processes influencing the time evolution of eddy potential enstrophy and potential vorticity anomalies. The cases are preceded by a buildup of anomalously high potential vorticity air at upper levels over eastern Asia. This high potential vorticity air is initially advected eastward in association with synoptic-scale cyclogenesis ...
267 EXPRESSION OF RELAXIN FAMILY PEPTIDE RECEPTORS RXFP1 AND RXFP2 IN PIG PREIMPLANTATION EMBRYOS AND DEVELOPMENTAL EFFECTS OF RELAXIN HORMONE

Relaxin is a polypeptide hormone secreted by male and female reproductive tissues to facilitate spermatozoa progression in the female tract and parturition. Relaxin secretions are found in the vicinity of oocytes and embryos, and exert their effects through membrane receptors, which have not yet been described in porcine embryos. Here, we determined the presence of RXFP1 and RXFP2 receptors in porcine gametes and embryo, and evaluated the developmental effects of porcine relaxin (pRLX; Yan et al. 2006 Reproduction 131, 943-950). Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COC) were aspirated from sows ovaries collected at a local abattoir. Homogeneous COC were selected for IVM (44 h) and fertilization (6 to 8 h). Presumptive zygotes were cultured in NCSU-23 + 0.4% BSA for up to 7 days. All procedures were done at 39°C, under 5% CO2 in a humidified atmosphere. Matured oocytes, BTS-diluted spermatozoa, and embryos were collected for gene expression studies. For developmental studies, COC were matured (experiment 1), or embryos cultured from the zygote stage (experiment 2) in the presence ofpRLX (0, 20, or 40 ng mL-1). In experiment 3, zygotes derived from oocytes matured in the presence of pRLX (40 ng mL-1) were cultured with pRLX (20 or 40 ng mL-1). The pRLX effects were assessed on cleaved embryos and blastocysts recorded on Days 2 and 7 postinsemination, respectively. The total cell numbers of Day-7 blastocysts were also evaluated. All data were analyzed using ANOVA. Gametes and embryos expressed RXFP1 and RXFP2 at both the mRNA and protein level. The amounts of both gene transcripts were higher in mature oocytes (metaphase II) compared with spermatozoa (P 0.05). Nevertheless, pRLX significantly increased the mean cell number of blastocysts in all experiments (P < 0.05). We concluded that pig embryos express RXFP1 and RXFP2 receptors, which may facilitate a role for pRLX during oocyte maturation and embryo development in the pig. This work was supported by the USDA-ARS Biophotonics Initiative project# 58-6402-3-0120 and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES).
Comment on "Semimetal-to-semiconductor transition in bismuth thin films"

In a recent paper, C. A. Hoffman et al. reported field- and temperature-dependent magnetotransport measurements on bismuth thin films and concluded that the semimetal-semiconductor transition in ultrathin films of bismuth, caused by the quantum size effect, was confirmed based on the temperature-dependent behavior of the minority electrons. In this Comment, we discuss the fact that the existing experimental data are not sufficient to establish the picture that the energy overlap of the conduction and valence bands is replaced by an energy gap in sufficiently thin films. Two equally satisfactory pictures are provided for the interpretation of thermal excitations of the minority electrons. The deviation from the equality of electron and hole concentrations in bismuth thin films is also discussed.
Radiation Disinfestation of California Stone Fruits Infested by Medfly—Effectiveness and Fruit Quality

The effectiveness of radiation disinfestation of California peaches, nectarines and plums infested by Mediterranean fruit flies (Ceratitis capitata) and the effects of gamma-radiation up to 1 kGy (100 krad) on the sensory qualities of these fruits were studied. Medfly eggs in infested peaches and nectarines treated at 0.4–0.5 kGy (40–50 krad) in a Cobalt-60 irradiator did not hatch. Results in irradiated plums were inconclusive. Results of triangle tests with a taste panel of 15–20 show no differences in sensory qualities between plum and nectarine samples irradiated at 0.3 kGy and their controls. Some differences were detected between irradiated samples and controls: color and flavor of peaches at 0.3 kGy; color of plums and peaches 0.5 kGy; aroma of peaches and texture of plums at 0.5 kGy. At 1 kGy, differences were found in the texture of plums, nectarines, and peaches, and color and flavor of nectarines. Better control of harvesting, shipping and handling would help retain the qualities of these irradiated fruits.