cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chapter Two Pyridine and piperidine alkaloids: An update

Publisher Summary This chapter provides an update on pyridine and piperidine alkaloids. Cardiovascular effects of nicotine and cotinine have been studied. One study reported an increase in blood pressure in rats when nicotine, cotinine, or nornicotine was administered. A long term study of the effects of cotinine indicated no significant changes in blood pressure, but a decreased heart rate was observed. Nicotine inhibited prostacyclin synthetase in horse aorta microsomes, while cotinine stimulated this enzyme. Both 1 and 5 increased prostaglandin E2 synthesis, while decreasing leukotriene B4 production in polymorphonuclear leukocytes, and decreased thromboxane B2 production in platelet rich plasma. Nicotine and cotinine activated platelet activating factor hydrolase, suggesting a possible role in cardiovascular disease.
Electromagnetic coupling mechanisms in vertically oriented metallic plasmonic inclusions

Structured electromagnetic materials have experienced a renaissance with the emergence of metamaterial and plasmonic research. The ability to orient metallic plasmonic inclusions vertically enables orientation-dependent coupling arrangements which cannot be achieved in conventional planar engineered materials. In this paper we discuss these coupling arrangements and their effect on the measured far field scattering response to normally incident excitation.
Atomic mass tag of bismuth‐209 for increasing the immunoassay multiplexing capacity of mass cytometry

Mass cytometry (or CyTOF) is an atomic mass spectrometry-based single-cell immunoassay technology, which has provided an increasingly systematic and sophisticated view in basic biological and clinical studies. Using elemental reporters composed of stable heavy metal isotopes, more than 50 cellular parameters are measured simultaneously. However, this current multiplexing does not meet the theoretical capability of CyTOF instrumentation with 135 detectable channels, primarily due to the limitation of available chemistries for conjugating elemental mass tags to affinity reagents. To address this issue, we develop herein additional metallic mass tag based on bismuth-209 (209 Bi) for efficient conjugation to monoclonal antibody. This enables the use of an addtional channel m/z = 209 of CyTOF for single-cell immunoassays. Bismuth has nearly the same charge-to-radius ratio as lanthanide elements; thus, bismuth(III) cations (209 Bi3+ ) could coordinate with DTPA chelators in the same geometry of O- and N-donor groups as that of lanthanide. In this report, the coordination chemistry of 209 Bi3+ with DTPA chelators and Maxpar® X8 polymers were investigated in details. Accordingly, the protocols of conjugating antibody with bismuth mass tag were provided. A method based on UV-Vis absorbance at 280 nm of 209 Bi3+ -labeling DTPA complexes was developed to evaluate the stoichiometric ratio of 209 Bi3+ cations to the conjugated antibody. Side-by-side single-cell analysis experiments with bismuth- and lanthanide-tagged antibodies were carried out to compare the analytical sensitivities. The measurement accuracy of bismuth-tagged antibody was validated within in vitro assay using primary human natural killer cells. Furthermore, bismuth-tagged antibodies were successfully employed in cell cycle measurements and high-dimensional phenotyping immunoassays. © 2017 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
Recent Developments in Game-Based Virtual Reality Educational Laboratories Using the Microsoft Kinect

Virtual Reality (VR) is a well-known concept and has been proven to be beneficial in various areas. However, several disadvantages inherent in VR prevent its broad deployment in the educational arena. These limitations include non-realistic representation, lack of customizability and flexibility, financial feasibility, physical and psychological discomforts of the users, simulator sickness, etc. In this paper, an innovative method that uses the Microsoft Kinect as an essential component for developing game-based VR educational laboratories is presented. This technique addresses three different aspects. First, it represents an efficient method for creating the VE using the Kinect as a measuring tool. Second, the Kinect is employed as a substitute DAQ system for acquiring range data and tracking the motion of objects of interest. At last, the Kinect serves as a novel human-computer interface for tracking the users’ entire body motion and recognizing their voices. Using the method described here, three major aspects of educational VR development can be accomplished with an inexpensive and commercially available Kinect.
Can We Talk About It Now? Recognizing the Optimal Time to Initiate End-of-Life Care Discussions with Older Chinese Americans and Their Families.

INTRODUCTION:Older Chinese Americans often defer end-of-life care discussions. Researchers sought to explore how to engage older Chinese Americans and their families in end-of-life care discussions and to understand the optimal timing to initiate such discussions. METHODS:Individual, semistructured interviews were conducted with 14 community-dwelling older Chinese Americans, 9 adult children, and 7 clinicians. The data were collected and analyzed using focused ethnographic methodology. RESULTS:Older Chinese Americans and their families would discuss end-of-life care when introduced at "optimal times," which included after-triggering events (e.g., death of loved ones, fall accidents), changes in health status, or advanced age. DISCUSSION:Adult children are not expected to initiate end-of-life care discussions with their parents. Thus, culturally congruent health care that could better engage Chinese Americans in such discussions would be optimized by having clinicians proactively assess their patients' readiness and initiate such discussion at optimal times.
Green's function formalism extended to systems of applied mechanical differential equations posed on graphs

The Green's function formalism is extended here to multi-point posed boundary-value problems of a special type occurring in some situations in applied mechanics. Problems which reduce to special systems of linear ordinary differential equations are considered. These are formulated on finite weighted graphs in such a way that every equation in the system governs a single unknown function and is defined on a single edge of the graph. The individual equations are put into a system format by means of contact and boundary conditions at the vertices and endpoints of the graph, respectively. Based on such a statement, the notion of the matrix of Green's type is introduced. Two methods are proposed for the analytic construction of such matrices. Illustrative examples from different areas of applied mechanics are presented.
E.L.F. PROPAGATION AND SCHUMANN RESONANCES

Propagation characteristics are calculated for a number of stratified and anisotropic model ionospheres. Tapered models of the lower ionosphere should include also ions at altitudes below the D -layer. During nighttime waves penetrate above the D -layer, and propagation parameters of the earth-to-ionosphere waveguide are dependent on the detailed ionospheric structure below the F -layer. The individual models advanced for the ionosphere are not representative of long-distance or global wave propagation; but the average of the propagation parameters derived for a number of propagation geometries is comparable to the parameters deduced from an isotropic nighttime ionosphere model.
A comparison of the usefulness of SpermMar and Immunobead tests for the detection of antisperm antibodies

We compared two testing protocols designed to detect immunoglobulin (Ig) G antibodies on sperm surfaces: (1) SpermMar (Ortho, Raritan, NJ) and (2) Immunobead Testing (Biorad, Richmond, CA). The standard SpermMar (SPMAR) protocol (direct test of unwashed semen) was performed with 47 ejaculates and found to be more sensitive than Immunobead Testing (IBT) on washed sperm, detecting five samples with ≥30% bead binding, all of which by IBT had
Cross-dressing of recipient Ag-presenting cells with donor exosomes trigger direct T-cell allosensitization in transplantation

The idea that donor dendritic cells (DCs) from the graft present donor MHC Ag to naive T cells has been challenged. Evidence suggests that donor DCs are undetectable or found are low numbers in graft-draining lymphoid organs. Thus, the aim of our study is to elucidate how donor MHC molecules are recognized so efficiently by recipient naive T cells. Results After transplantation of CD45.2 BALB/c hearts in CD45.1 B6 mice, very few donor DCs were detected in the spleen, and no donor DCs were found in lymph nodes draining BALB/c skin grafted in B6 mice. In both cases, donor intact MHC molecules were detected by electron microscopy on exosomes attached to recipient conventional DCs in graft-draining lymphoid organs. The transferred MHC Ag induced proliferation and differentiation of CD8 T cells against the BALB/c H2L d Ag. Cultures of BALB/c DCs with B6 DCs with inhibitors of exosome release (Rab27a siRNA) confirmed that passage of BALB/c MHC occurred via exosomes. Importantly, transfer of exosomes released by donor DCs (unlike other types of vesicles) promoted maturation of recipient DCs. By high resolution confocal microscopy, BALB/c DCs, engineered to release RFP + exosomes and injected in CD11c-YFP B6 mice, transferred RFP + exosomes to recipient YFP + DCs in lymph nodes and spleen. Accordingly, depletion of recipient DCs in CD11c-DTR B6 recipients prevented presentation of donor intact MHC Ag to T cells and delayed heart allograft rejection. Conclusion Our results elucidate the ultrastructural basis of the still elusive semi-direct pathway of allorecognition, by demonstrating that donor exosomes (released by the graft or donor migrating DCs) cross-dress recipient APCs and promote the potent T-cell allosensitization seen in transplantation.
Effect of germination on the chemical composition, thermal, pasting, and moisture sorption properties of flours from chickpea, lentil, and yellow pea

Chemical composition, thermal, pasting, and moisture adsorption properties of flours from chickpea (Cicer aretinium L.), lentil (Lens culinaris Merr.), and yellow pea (Pisum sativum L.) were investigated over a 6-day germination. Protein content increased for pulses over germination while lentil had the highest protein content that increased from 30.65 to 33.60 g/100 g dry basis (d.b.). Lipid content in pulse flours decreased over germination with chickpea having the greatest decline, i.e. from 8.00 to 5.90 g/100 g (d.b.). Total starch decreased in lentil and yellow pea flours during germination, while there was no significant change (p > 0.05) in germinated chickpea flours. Thermal properties of pulse flours changed slightly, while pasting properties varied among pulses. The highest final viscosities for chickpea, lentil, and yellow pea flours were 1061, 981, and 1052 cP and were observed after 2, 1, and 0 days of germination, respectively. Moisture adsorption isotherms showed improved water adsorption capability after germination.
BRAIN ORGANIZATION FOR LANGUAGE: Identification of Component Systems for Syntax, Verbal Memory, Focusing Attention and a System Common to Sequencing Motor Movements and Phonemic Discrimination

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses brain organization for language. It also discusses a series of studies utilizing the electrical stimulation mapping technique during neurosurgical operations under local anesthesia where a variety of different language behaviors have been measured, including object naming, reading, short-term verbal memory, the control of single and sequential oral movements, and phonemic discrimination. In the medial central portions of ventral lateral thalamus, object naming can be disturbed by stimulation. It is suggested that this represents difficulty in the retrieval of names from long-term memory, a part of the same gating process of the specific alerting response. The naming task does not provide a sufficient variety of behavioral responses to classify the sites further, though one wonders if they might play a role in either retrieval from long-term memory or in some semantic aspect of language. The studies of naming in multilingual patients have indicated that there is a partial differential localization of cortex involved in naming in two languages. It remains to be determined whether these represent segregation of systems; for example, one might expect the syntactic system for the two languages to be differential, while the sequential movement–auditory discrimination system might be common to both languages.
Intimations of the Future

“Who heeds not the future will find sorrow close at hand.” CONFUCIUS, Analects. Bk. xv “For my part, I think that a knowledge of the future would be a disadvantage.” CICERO, De Divinatione, Bk. ii
Evaluation of cerebral oxygen perfusion during shoulder arthroplasty performed in the semi-beach chair position.

Background The beach chair position is commonly used when performing shoulder arthroplasty. However, this position has been associated with hypotension, potentially leading to cerebral hypoperfusion, which may cause neurologic injury. In addition, shoulder arthroplasty cases are associated with longer operative times, posing a potentially greater risk of cerebral hypoperfusion. We aim to evaluate the risk of cerebral desaturation events (CDEs) during the course of total shoulder arthroplasty. Methods Twenty-six patients undergoing shoulder arthroplasties were monitored for changes in cerebral perfusion. Seven specific time-points during the procedure were labeled for comparison of events: baseline, beach chair, incision, humeral broaching, glenoid reaming, glenoid component implantation, and humeral component implantation. Cerebral oxygen perfusion was measured using near-infrared spectroscopy. A CDE was described as a decrease of oxygen saturation greater than 20%. Results Nineteeen of 25 subjects experienced a CDE. 42% of these patients experienced CDEs during semi–beach chair positioning. Patients experienced the largest oxygen saturation drop during semi–beach chair positioning. Transition from baseline to semi–beach chair was the only event to have a statistically significant decrease in cerebral perfusion (8%, P Conclusions Most patients experienced an intraoperative CDE, with greatest incidence during semi–beach chair positioning. The largest decline in cerebral oxygen saturation occurred during semi–beach chair positioning. Implant implantation was not associated with decrease in cerebral oximetry.
Niche Partitioning Among Snook (Pisces: Centropomidae) in Rivers of Southeastern Florida and Implications for Species Range Limits

The presence of relatively rare species in estuarine fish communities can influence niche differentiation among species, functional redundancy, and ecosystem stability when faced with environmental disturbance. In southeastern Florida, at least four species of snook (Centropomidae) occur in coastal river systems, but only one species occurs elsewhere in the state. To better understand how these species can co-occur, we analyzed data from electrofishing and diet studies conducted during 2007–2010 to investigate niche partitioning between two species: Common Snook Centropomus undecimalis and Smallscale Fat Snook Centropomus parallelus (common and fat snook hereafter). Although the diets of the two species collected from coastal rivers were barely distinguishable, there was separation of habitat use. Adult fat snook had affinities for low salinity portions of rivers, while common snook were distributed more widely. Use of nursery habitat by fat snook occurred during early spring, confirming winter spawning, which contrasts with the protracted spawning of common snook that occurs spring through fall. While in riverine nurseries, juvenile fat snook occupied shallow to moderate depths with cover (e.g., woody debris, docks); common snook had greater affinity for shallow natural shorelines (e.g., mangroves, aquatic macrophytes). Overall, fat snook appeared to occupy niches left open by the generalist common snook. Considering that centropomids are likely to expand their range northward in Florida with climate change, understanding habitat use and niche partitioning among the species may help predict which species is likely to expand first and what habitat types will be occupied.
Feminist Experiences: Foucauldian and Phenomenological Investigations, by Johanna Oksala (Book Review Article)

Review of Oksala's 2016 Feminist Experiences: Foucauldian and Phenomenological Investigations .
Iris + Ocular: Generalized Iris Presentation Attack Detection Using Multiple Convolutional Neural Networks

An iris recognition system is vulnerable to presentation attacks, or PAs, where an adversary presents artifacts such as printed eyes, plastic eyes or cosmetic contact lenses to defeat the system. Existing PA detection schemes do not have good generalization capability and often fail in cross-dataset scenarios, where training and testing are performed on vastly different datasets. In this work, we address this problem by fusing the outputs of three Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) based PA detectors, each of which examines different portions of the input image. The first CNN (I-CNN) focuses on the iris region only, the second CNN (F-CNN) uses the entire ocular region and the third CNN (S-CNN) uses a subset of patches sampled from the ocular region. Experiments conducted on two publicly available datasets (LivDetW15 and BERC-IF) and on a proprietary dataset (IrisID) confirm that the use of a bag of CNNs is effective in improving the generalizability of PA detectors.
Bimetallic Ru-Mo Phosphide Catalysts for the Hydrogenation of CO2 to Methanol

Metal phosphides have been investigated as promising catalysts for many hydrogenation reactions, including CO2 reduction. Due to the vast compositional space available to discover active and select...
Estimation of the number of workers exposed to respirable crystalline silica by industry: Analysis of OSHA compliance data (1979-2015).

Background Respirable crystalline silica (RCS) can potentially cause silicosis, lung cancer, and renal failure. The current study estimates the percentages of workers potentially overexposed to concentrations of RCS dust and silicosis proportional mortality rates (PMRs) by industry. Methods Occupational Safety and Health Administration compliance inspection sampling data for RCS collected during 1979 to 2015 were used to estimate percentages of workers exposed. The results were used in combination with US Census Bureau estimates to produce industry specific worker population estimates for 2014. Estimates of the numbers and percentages of workers exposed to RCS concentrations at least 1, 2, 5, and 10 times the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended exposure limit (REL) were calculated by industry using the 2002 North American Industry Classification System. Silicosis PMRs by industry were estimated using National Center for Health Statistics multiple cause of death data. Results RCS concentrations/workers exposed were highest in the poured concrete foundation and structure contractors; commercial and institutional building construction; and masonry contractors. Approximately 100 000 workers were exposed above the RCS REL, and most (79%) worked in the construction industry. Tile and terrazzo contractors (12%); brick, stone, and related construction merchant wholesalers (10%); masonry contractors (6%) and poured concrete foundation and structure contractors (6%) were the highest percentages of workers potentially overexposed. PMRs were highest for the structural clay product manufacturing and the foundries industries. Conclusion Percentages of workers exposed to RCS varied by industry and in some industries workers are exposed over 10 times the REL. Exposures can be reduced below the REL by implementing the hierarchy of controls.
Alternative routes of levothyroxine administration for hypothyroidism.

Purpose of review The aim of the article is to present the basics of oral levothyroxine (LT4) absorption, reasons why patients may have persistently elevated serum thyroid stimulation hormone (TSH) levels, and alternative strategies for LT4 dosing. Recent findings Although oral LT4 tablets are most commonly used for thyroid hormone replacement in patients with hypothyroidism, case studies report that liquid oral LT4, intravenous, intramuscular, and rectal administration of LT4 can successfully treat refractory hypothyroidism. Summary Hypothyroidism is one of the most common endocrine disorders encountered by primary care physicians and endocrinologists. LT4 is one of the most widely prescribed medications in the world and it is the standard of care treatment for hypothyroidism. Generally, hypothyroid patients will be treated with LT4 tablets to be taken orally, and monitoring will occur with routine serum thyroid tests, including TSH concentrations. However, many patients fail to maintain serum TSH levels in the target range while managed on oral LT4 tablets. A subset of these patients would be considered to have poorly controlled hypothyroidism, sometimes termed refractory hypothyroidism. For these patients, optimization of ingestion routines and alternative formulations and routes of administration of LT4 can be considered, including oral liquid, intravenous, intramuscular, and even rectal formulations.
Use of the MMPI-2 personality profile in predicting 30-day ED-visits and readmissions following primary bariatric surgery

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 (MMPI-2) is used for psychological screening of bariatric surgery (BS) candidates. To date, no studies have analyzed the relationship between MMPI-2 and early returns to hospital. The aim of this study was to determine whether high T scores on the MMPI-2 clinical scales were associated with early return to hospital after primary bariatric surgery. Patients who completed an MMPI-2 evaluation, undergoing primary BS from 2014 to 2016 were evaluated. T score for the tested scales were collected and stratified into a high T score (T > 65) vs not (T 65. Patients were stratified based on the optimal cut-point which was determined to be ≥ 4 high T scores. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify differences between groups and predictors for early ED-visits and hospital readmissions. 375 patients had psychological evaluations available for review. Patients were divided into those with ≥ 4 high T scores (Scr(≥4); n = 86) versus not (Scr (<4); n = 289). Multivariate analysis showed Scr(≥ 4) (aOR 2.99, CI 1.20–7.47; p = 0.019), bipolar disorder (aOR 4.82, CI 1.25–18.83; p = 0.022), and urgent hospital complications (aOR 6.81, CI 2.02–22.91; p = 0.002), were significant independent predictors of 30-day readmissions. Early ED-visits were significantly predicted by public insurance (aOR 3.30, CI 1.22–8.91; p = 0.019), but the effect of the Scr(≥4) profile (aOR 2.42, CI 0.97–6.09; p = 0.06), while influential, did not reach significance. Differences in personality traits may be associated increased 30-day readmissions following primary bariatric surgery. Our study represents a novel application of the MMPI-2.
Cranial synchondroses of primates at birth

Cranial synchondroses are cartilaginous joints between basicranial bones or between basicranial bones and septal cartilage, and have been implicated as having a potential active role in determining craniofacial form. However, few studies have examined them histologically. Using histological and immunohistochemical methods, we examined all basicranial joints in serial sagittal sections of newborn heads from nine genera of primates (five anthropoids, four strepsirrhines). Each synchondrosis was examined for characteristics of active growth centers, including a zonal distribution of proliferating and hypertrophic chondrocytes, as well as corresponding changes in matrix characteristics (i.e., density and organization of Type II collagen). Results reveal three midline and three bilateral synchondroses possess attributes of active growth centers in all species (sphenooccipital, intrasphenoidal, presphenoseptal). One midline synchondrosis (ethmoseptal) and one bilateral synchondrosis (alibasisphenoidal synchondrosis [ABS]) are active growth centers in some but not all newborn primates. ABS is oriented more anteriorly in monkeys compared to lemurs and bushbabies. The sphenoethmoidal synchondrosis (SES) varies at birth: in monkeys, it is a suture-like joint (i.e., fibrous tissue between the two bones); however, in strepsirrhines, the jugum sphenoidale is ossified while the mesethmoid remains cartilaginous. No species possesses an SES that has the organization of a growth plate. Overall, our findings demonstrate that only four midline synchondroses have the potential to actively affect basicranial angularity and facial orientation during the perinatal timeframe, while the SES of anthropoids essentially transitions toward a "suture-like" function, permitting passive growth postnatally. Loss of cartilaginous continuity at SES and reorientation of ABS distinguish monkeys from strepsirrhines.
The Integrative Role of Frontopolar Cortex in Rule-Based Category Learning

Category learning is a critical neurobiological function that allows organisms to simplify a complex world. Frontopolar cortex (FPC) is often active in neurobiological studies of category learning. FPC has been associated in previous literature with either switching between representations or with representational integration. The goal of the present study was to clarify the role of FPC in category learning and dissociate switching and integration accounts. Two common types of category learning tasks, matching and classification, were utilized. The matching task involved matching a reference stimulus to one of four target stimuli. In the classification task, participants were shown a single stimulus and learned to classify it into one of two categories. Although nearly identical, matching and classification place differential demands on switching and integration. In matching, a rule can be known with certainty after a single correct answer. In classification, participants may need to integrate evidence for a rule even after an initial correct response. This critical difference allows isolation of integrative functions from switching functions. If the FPC is primarily involved in switching between representations, it should cease to be active once participants settle on a given rule in both tasks. If the FPC is involved in integration, its activation should persist in the classification task, but not matching. The results revealed that FPC activation persisted into correct trials in classification, but not matching, suggesting that it continues to integrate information even after subjects have arrived at the correct rule.
Effect of a Family Media Use Plan on Media Rule Engagement Among Adolescents: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all families use a family media use plan to select and engage with media rules. To date, the effectiveness of this tool in promoting adolescent media rule engagement is unknown. Objective To test the effect of a family media use plan on media rule engagement in adolescents. Design, setting, and participants This randomized clinical trial with parallel design used the online Qualtrics platform for recruitment, data collection, and intervention delivery. Parents and their children (aged 12 to 17 years) who spoke and read in the English language were recruited, enrolled, and randomized to either the intervention or control group. Parent-adolescent dyads in both groups completed baseline surveys individually, and the dyads in the intervention group completed the family media use plan survey. Baseline recruitment was conducted from April 8, 2019, to May 1, 2019, and follow-up surveys were completed between June 11, 2019, and July 2, 2019. Interventions The American Academy of Pediatrics family media use plan. Main outcomes and measures The primary outcome was media rule engagement reported by adolescents. Media rules were extracted from the family media use plan, and adolescents rated each rule (using Likert scales) according to whether the rule was present or followed in their home. Secondary outcomes were adolescent-perceived technology importance and changes in sleep, physical activity, and depression. Results A total of 1520 parent-adolescent dyads were enrolled in the trial and randomized to either the intervention or control group. Adolescents had a mean (SD) age of 14.5 (1.6) years, and 789 were female (51.9%) and 1027 were White (67.6%) individuals. Parents had a mean (SD) age of 44.1 (8.5) years, and 995 were women (65.5%) and 1021 were White individuals (67.2%). For media rule engagement, the between-group difference was -0.1 (95% CI, -1.1 to 0.9). Conclusions and relevance This randomized clinical trial found that completing a family media use plan did not lead to statistically significant changes in media rule engagement for adolescents in the intervention group. Future studies should consider revising the family media use plan and exploring the importance of technology as an intervention outcome. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03881397.
ICJ’s Kosovo Decision: Economical Reasoning of Law and Question of Legitimacy of the Court

The International Court of Justice’s advisory opinion on the legitimacy of Kosovo’s unilateral declaration of independence based on the right of self-determination was a missed opportunity to clarify and enhance the international community’s understanding of the laws of sovereignty. The Court instead chose to apply a tautology of international law – that which is not expressly prohibited is allowed. Finding no express prohibition on secession, the ICJ’s advisory opinion acted as a ‘rubber stamp’ on powerful UN Security Council interests. The ultimate decision – that the declaration of Kosovar independence was an isolated and legal event – is totally divorced from the real-world consequences of independence. The ‘advice’ given does not address whether Kosovo actually achieved independence, it says only that the process of declaring independence was legal. This paper addresses the failings of the advisory opinion and suggests that the Court was not able to bring much clarity and legal certainty to important relevant legal aspects with regard to independence, statehood, territorial integrity, secession, self-determination, and the legal effect of recognition. Rather, it left these relevant questions to be answered by state practices based on political stratagems. That there were alternate and preferable avenues available to the court before finally assessing the legal issues that the ICJ failed to address.
Cultural race-related stress and cannabis use among incarcerated African American men

Objective Research suggests African American men use cannabis to cope with racial discrimination. This conjecture may also be true for incarcerated African American men, who report high rates of cannabis use prior to and after incarceration. However, no studies to date have examined the association between race-related stress and chronic cannabis use among incarcerated African American men. As this population encounters pervasive negative cultural stereotypes and devaluation from larger society, cultural race-related stress may predict cannabis use among this population. Therefore, the purpose of this brief report was to examine the relationship between cultural race-related stress and years of regular cannabis use among a sample of incarcerated African American men. Method Study staff completed interviews with N = 177 African American men nearing release from four prisons in Kentucky. The interviews focused on mental health, drug use, and HIV risk behaviors. Participants provided their demographics (e.g., age, years of education, and length of incarceration), self-reported their years of regular cannabis use (3 times or more per week), and completed the Brief Index of Race-Related Stress (IRRS-B; Utsey, Measurement & Evaluation in Counseling & Development, 1999, 32, 149). Results Multivariate regression analyses demonstrated cultural race-related stress was significant and positively associated with the number of years of regular cannabis use (p = .003) among this population. Conclusions This finding has implications for culturally tailored substance abuse treatment, specifically for cannabis use, with African American men upon their community re-entry from prison. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Management activities in the field of wellness physical health activity of population in large cities of Europe: analysis of approaches

Introduction. WHO has adopted a Strategy for Physical Activity and calls on national governments and local governments to update this area. The priority of this area is most obvious in large cities, whose population leads a predominantly sedentary lifestyle, resulting in an increased risk of disease and general deterioration in health both nationally and globally. The purpose of the study is to study the mechanisms of stimulating the population to develop physical activity, involvement in physical culture and mass sports in the activities of local authorities. Analysis of models of social interaction in order to form the commitment of the population to physical activity with the implementation of this value in all spheres of life. Material and methods - analysis of laws, comparative analysis, logical method. The results of the study - in some countries a network of healthy municipalities has been established and operates as part of the implementation of measures to support physical activity. In the EU, local governments have been paying close attention to this for several decades, accumulating a wide range of tools for effective interaction between government, the public and private sectors. Conclusion - this experience is extremely useful for Ukraine, namely in the study of the functions, forms and methods of physical activity management in large cities, especially in the context of the COVID19 pandemic.
Porous Ceramic Spheres from Cation Exchange Beads

This document is a slide presentation that examines the use of a simple templating process to produce hollow ceramic spheres with a pore size of 1 to 10 microns. Using ion exchange process it was determined that the method produces porous ceramic spheres with a unique structure: (i.e., inner sphere surrounded by an outer sphere.)
The soft underbelly of applied knowledge: Conceptual and operational problems in nutrition planning☆

Abstract Nutrition planning features a ‘rational choice’ bias that often characterises applied knowledge. John O. Field questions this bias by exploring the softer side of success in nutrition planning efforts. He contrasts the scope of nutrition planning as understood by the international community of experts and by administrators in low income countries. He examines the politics of planning and programme implementation. Consideration of nutrition planning in an ideological and historical perspective reveals both the ambivalence of nutrition planners as agents of change and the tenuous, untested nature of nutrition planning as an approach to ameliorating malnutrition.
Turnover and utilization of esterified fatty acids in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

Net utilization of esterified fatty acids was demonstrated in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells incubated in vitro. Cells in which the lipids had previously been labeled by incorporation of fatty acid-1-14C lost lipid ester radioactivity progressively during incubation. The fractional loss of such radioactivity from ester stores exceeded net loss of chemically determined lipid esters, showing that the endogenous esters must include more than one kinetically distinguishable pool. Phospholipids, predominantly lecithin, provided most of the ester fatty acid utilized. Part of the fatty acid hydrolyzed from endogenous esters was oxidized to CO2, and the remainder was released into the medium as free fatty acid. Incubation in a medium containing a high concentration of free fatty acid did not prevent net depletion of lipid esters. On the other hand, incubation with free fatty acid plus glucose produced a highly significant net increment in lipid esters. But even in the face of this net increase in total lipid ester, radioactive fatty acid previously incorporated was released, indicating a true dynamic state. The primary effect of glucose and free fatty acid in the medium appears to be the stimulation of ester formation, not the suppression of lipid ester breakdown.
Debt and Interest Rates: The U.S. and the Euro Area

We find that real interest rates paid on government debt depend significantly upon current and expected future levels of debt, in Europe as in the US. But this result only emerges when we condition on foreign interest rates, illustrating financial international integration. The previously strong effect of debt on US interest rates has been diluted by the addition of 2004-2006 data to the sample, perhaps reflecting the effect of massive purchases of US securities by foreign central banks. Another finding is that the asymmetry in the effect of US interest rates on European interest rates has not disappeared with the coming of European Economic and Monetary Union in 1999, as one might have thought. JEL: E43, E58, F41
Hybrid Simulation Codes: Past, Present and Future—A Tutorial

Hybrid codes, in which the ions are treated kinetically and the electrons are assumed to be a massless fluid, have been widely used in space physics over the past two decades. These codes are used to model phenomena on ion inertial and gyro-radius scales, which fall between longer scales obtained by magnetohydrodynamic simulations and shorter scales attainable by full particle simulations. In this tutorial, the assump- tions and equations of the hybrid model are described along with some most commonly used numerical implementations. Modifications to include finite electron mass are also briefly discussed. Examples of results of two-dimensional hybrid simulations are used to illustrate the method, to indicate some of the tradeoffs that need to be addressed in a realistic calculation, and to demonstrate the utility of the technique for problems of contemporary interest. Some speculation about the future direction of space physics research using hybrid codes is also provided.
Rule-based formation estimation of distributed Spacecraft

This paper addresses an estimation problem specific to formation flying of spacecraft that can be approached with rule or logic based methodologies. A decentralized and self-centered framework of the estimator is formulated and shown to be a feasible estimation architecture under formation reconfiguration or formation member failures. A rule-based strategy is applied to the problem that switches the gain of the linear observer of the formation. Each gain set is derived from a constant gain linear observer optimized for either formation member acquisition or steady state operation. The formation member acquisition time can be critical when considering a dynamic formation reconfiguration followed by precision pointing required by scientific mission. This particular strategy has the advantages of onboard computational efficiency and fast filter convergence during formation initialization or formation member acquisition. A two-spacecraft simulation analysis was performed to demonstrate and validate the efficacy of the algorithm.
Zn(II)–theophylline–ethylenediamine: Structure and pH stability

□ A zinc-containing salt of theophylline, Zn(lI)-aminophylline, was synthesized and its structure determined by X-ray diffraction techniques. The zinc ion is coordinated to two theophylline anions and a molecule of ethylenediamine in a tetrahedral arrangement. The solubility of the compound in water at 30° (0.047 mg/ml) is 180-fold lower than that of theophylline (8.40 mg/ml). The complex is relatively stable in the alkaline pH range, but it hydrolyzes, releasing theophylline in acidic environments. The rate of theophylline release is pH dependent. These properties are useful in formulating chewable tablets and liquid suspension dosage forms that overcome the characteristic bitter taste of theophylline, yet provide for efficacious treatment of diseases involving the respiratory tract.
Growth Rate Reliability in Longitudinal Measurement

The reliability of the growth rate parameter estimator first presented by J. B. Willet for a linear growth model is derived and critically examined. The effects on the reliability of the growth rate of the intervals between the longitudinal measurements and the covariances between the longitudinal measurements are distinguished. It is demonstrated that, mathematically, the latter and not the former functionally determines the reliability of the growth rate, but it is also recognized that, practically, the time intervals may affect the covariances.
Modal domain fiber optic sensor for closed loop vibration control of a flexible beam

The use of a modal domain sensor in a vibration control experiment is described. An optical fiber is bonded along the length of a flexible beam. A control signal derived from the output of the modal domain sensor is used to suppress vibrations induced in the beam. A distributed effect model for the modal domain sensor is developed and combined with models of the beam and actuator dynamics to produce a system suitable for control design.
Recent advances in gated x-ray imaging at LLNL

The Inertial Confinement Fusion program at LLNL is becoming increasingly dependent on time-resolved, two-dimensional X-ray imaging for measurement of target dynamics'. A gated X-ray imaging module has been developed over the last several years and has evolved into a "standard" design. This design makes use of primarily mass-produced components, with customized image area characteristics defined by the geometry of an electrode evaporated onto the front surface of a microchannel plate (MCP). As a result, we now have eight imaging modules operating on Nova and will be adding five more in the next few months. In the past year, in addition to assembling and installing gated imaging modules, we have also measured their performance characteristics and investigated possible enhancements for future (or retro-fitted) modules. We have been looking at the entire process from detection of an X-ray photon to digitization of the photographic film. A companion paper2 describes efforts to further reduce the aperture time by using thinned MCP's. In this paper, we focus on results associated with the spatial resolution and noise of the imaging module and the image recording process. We first present the performance characteristics of the standard imaging module; then describe potential enhancements to the performance. In the course of this work, we made measurements of the transverse electron energy distribution at the exit of the MCP. Results are reported for both DC and pulsed MCP bias voltage, and the differences are analyzed. We also investigated an alternative phosphor screen and studied the noise and sensitivity of various photographic films.
Vibration of point supported triangular plates

Abstract The free vibration of isotropic and symmetrically laminated composite plates of general triangular planform is studied using the Rayleigh-Ritz method. Point supports are introduced using the method of Lagrange multipliers and the effects of geometry, material properties and lamination on the natural frequencies of the plate are investigated. Using a stiffness invariant formulation, the effects of lamination are described by a finite number of parameters, regardless of the number of plies in the laminate. We then determine the lay-up that will maximize the fundamental natural frequency of the plate. Several cases are presented and it is shown that in general, the optimal design is not a simple layup; it is often not unique and it changes with the shape and aspect ratio of the plate and, to a smaller extent, with the elastic properties of the material systems used. The results presented bring new insight to the problem of designing with composite materials.
Limited Gallium Scans and Angiotensin Converting Enzyme in Granulomatous Uveitis

The use of serum angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) and limited gallium scans of the head, neck, and chest for patients with granulomatous uveitis is described. Mean serum ACE activity was elevated in patients with granulomatous uveitis regardless of the presence of systemic sarcoidosis. Furthermore, pathologic gallium uptake was noted in lacrimal glands, parotid glands, and lungs in some cases. These results indicate that sarcoidosis may be more common than previously believed in these patients.
Structural and catalytic effects of an invariant purine substitution in the hammerhead ribozyme: implications for the mechanism of acid-base catalysis.

The hammerhead ribozyme catalyzes RNA cleavage via acid-base catalysis. Whether it does so by general acid-base catalysis, in which the RNA itself donates and abstracts protons in the transition state, as is typically assumed, or by specific acid-base catalysis, in which the RNA plays a structural role and proton transfer is mediated by active-site water molecules, is unknown. Previous biochemical and crystallographic experiments implicate an invariant purine in the active site, G12, as the general base. However, G12 may play a structural role consistent with specific base catalysis. To better understand the role of G12 in the mechanism of hammerhead catalysis, a 2.2 A resolution crystal structure of a hammerhead ribozyme from Schistosoma mansoni with a purine substituted for G12 in the active site of the ribozyme was obtained. Comparison of this structure (PDB entry 3zd4), in which A12 is substituted for G, with three previously determined structures that now serve as important experimental controls, allows the identification of structural perturbations that are owing to the purine substitution itself. Kinetic measurements for G12 purine-substituted schistosomal hammerheads confirm a previously observed dependence of rate on the pK(a) of the substituted purine; in both cases inosine, which is similar to G in pK(a) and hydrogen-bonding properties, is unexpectedly inactive. Structural comparisons indicate that this may primarily be owing to the lack of the exocyclic 2-amino group in the G12A and G12I substitutions and its structural effect upon both the nucleotide base and phosphate of A9. The latter involves the perturbation of a previously identified and well characterized metal ion-binding site known to be catalytically important in both minimal and full-length hammerhead ribozyme sequences. The results permit it to be suggested that G12 plays an important role in stabilizing the active-site structure. This result, although not inconsistent with the potential role of G12 as a general base, indicates that an alternative hammerhead cleavage mechanism involving specific base catalysis may instead explain the observed rate dependence upon purine substitutions at G12. The crystallographic results, contrary to previous assumptions, therefore cannot be interpreted to favor the general base catalysis mecahnism over the specific base catalysis mechanism. Instead, both of these mutually exclusive mechanistic alternatives must be considered in light of the current structural and biochemical data.