cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Active centers in Ziegler-Natta catalysts: Formation kinetics and structure

Abstract The article presents experimental data on the formation rates of active centers in polymerization reactions of ethylene with solid Ti-based Ziegler–Natta catalysts (γ and δ forms of TiCl 3 , TiCl 2 ) and five types of supported catalysts, TiCl 4 /MgCl 2 /SiO 2 , TiCl 3 /MgCl 2 /SiO 2 and TiCl 4 /MgCl 2 /diisobutyl phthalate. Effects of the following factors on the center formation are discussed: reaction temperature, monomer concentration, the amount of cocatalyst, the initial valence state of Ti atoms in the catalyst, pre-reactions of catalysts with cocatalysts, the presence of molecular hydrogen, effects of 1-alkenes in ethylene polymerization reactions. A combination of the results produces the basis for the formation mechanism of active centers in Ziegler–Natta catalysts, which involves reduction of numerous Ti species on the catalyst surface to II Ti and oxidation addition of alkenes to II Ti with the generation of IV Ti-based polymerization centers.
Incorporation of 35S-sulfate and 3H-glucosamine into heparan and chondroitin sulfates during the cell cycle of B16-F10 cells†

Changes in glycosaminoglycan composition occurring during the cell cycle were determined in B16-F10 cells sorted flow cytometrically with respect to DNA content. Incorporation of /sup 35/S-sulfate into heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate of unsorted and G1,S, and G2 +M sorted cells was determined following chondroitinase ABC or nitrous acid treatment; the incorporation into surface material was measured as the difference between the radioactivity of control and trypsin-treated cells. Incorporation of /sup 35/S-sulfate and /sup 3/H-glucosamine into cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC)-precipitable material was characterized before and after chondroitinase or nitrous acid treatment by Sephadex G50 chromatography. Long-term (48 h) and short-term (1 h) labeling studies demonstrate that (a) the amount of total cellular chondroitin sulfate is greater than that of heparan sulfate, with larger amounts of unsulfated heparan than chondroitin being present; (b) the rate of turnover of heparan sulfate is greater than that of chondroitin sulfate; (c) greatest short-term incorporation of 3H-glucosamine into CPC-precipitable material occurs during S phase; and (d) the rate of turnover of both heparan sulfate and chondroitin sulfate is decreased in S phase relative to G1 and G2 + M.
Demonstration of a 1.1 petawatt laser based on a hybrid optical parametric chirped pulse amplification/mixed Nd:glass amplifier

We present the design and performance of the Texas Petawatt Laser, which produces a 186 J167 fs pulse based on the combination of optical parametric chirped pulse amplification (OPCPA) and mixed Nd:glass amplification. OPCPA provides the majority of the gain and is used to broaden and shape the seed spectrum, while amplification in Nd:glass accounts for >99% of the final pulse energy. Compression is achieved with highly efficient multilayer dielectric gratings.
d-Amphetamine-induced depression of central dopamine neurons: evidence for mediation by both autoreceptors and a striato-nigral feedback pathway

The mechanism by which intravenous d-amphetamine (d-A) depresses the activity of dopamine (DA)-containing neurons in the substantia nigra was studied in anesthetized rats using single cell recording and microiontophoretic techniques. Kainic acid (KA) injections into the caudate nucleus were used to selectively destroy neuronal feedback pathways to the substantia nigra originating from the striatum. These lesions caused a five-fold increase in the amount of i.v. d-A needed to produce 50% inhibition of DA cells compared to control animals. Furthermore, in the lesioned animals even near lethal doses did not cause total abolition of the firing of DA cells. This was in marked contrast to unlesioned animals in which relatively low doses of d-A caused DA cells to temporarily cease firing entirely. Low non-convulsant doses of the GABA antagonist, picrotoxin, were found to reverse d-A-induced depression of DA cells in non-lesioned animals, but even high doses had no effect in lesioned ones. These results suggest that at low doses i.v. d-A produces its depressant effects on DA cells primarily through a striato-nigral feedback pathway, one link of which is GABAergic. At high doses d-A appears to also inhibit DA cells through an action within the substantia nigra, perhaps at DA dendrodendritic synapses. Microiontophoretically applied dopamine was found to be equally potent in inhibiting DA cells in non-lesioned, lesioned, and picrotoxin-treated animals. Thus, the ability of microiontophoretically applied DA to inhibit DA cells appears to be mediated by an interaction with DA autoreceptors and not by the release of GABA from afferent terminals as has recently been suggested.
Contingent Attentional Capture by Conceptually Relevant Images.

Attentional capture is an unintentional shift of visuospatial attention to the location of a distractor that is either highly salient, or relevant to the current task set. The latter situation is referred to as contingent capture, in that the effect is contingent on a match between characteristics of the stimuli and the task-defined attentional-control settings of the viewer. Contingent capture has been demonstrated for low-level features, such as color, motion, and orientation. In the present paper we show that contingent capture can also occur for conceptual information at the superordinate level (e.g., sports equipment, marine animal, dessert food). This effect occurs rapidly (i.e., within 200 ms), is a spatial form of attention, and is contingent on attentional-control settings that change on each trial, suggesting that natural images can be decoded into their conceptual meaning to drive shifts of attention within the time course of a single fixation. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
The Rhetorical Space of the Garden in Shirin Neshat's Women Without Men

The garden, in its varying representations across time and culture, has functioned as a polyvalent space of diverse symbolic meanings. To investigate the richness of garden spaces for feminist communication scholars, I offer a narrative analysis of Shirin Neshat's Women Without Men that focuses on the role of the garden as a cultural and historical setting with the potential to illuminate gender politics and explore feminist possibilities. In my reading of Neshat's film, I argue that that the Persian garden serves as a site of rebellion and functions as a feminist epistemic space: a productive, working site where new meanings are forged and emancipatory visions are produced. I also consider the degree to which the film depicts outside forces that can violate the boundaries of the garden, pointing to global configurations of power that may deepen gender oppressions negotiated by the Iranian women represented in the film—forces in which Western viewers may be implicated.
Damping Estimates from Experimental Non-Linear Time-Series

This paper seeks to illustrate the utility of the Lyapunov spectrum in estimating the damping of an experimental non-linear system. A mechanical model of Duffing's equation operating in the chaotic regime is used to generate a single observable. Using standard techniques from non-linear time-series analysis, the complete Lyapunov spectrum is estimated. The sum of these exponents may, via the divergence theorem, be related directly to the coefficient of viscous damping. Estimations are performed in this manner for both a three- and four-dimensional response and results are compared to estimates taken from two linear-based techniques. The indication is that use of the Lyapunov spectrum to obtain quantitative damping estimates is a comparable alternative to methods requiring transient data or detailed knowledge of the dynamics.
InGaAs Detectors for Miniature Infrared Instruments

In the past year, there has been substantial impetus for NASA to consider missions that are of relatively low cost as a trade off for a higher new mission launch rate. To maintain low mission cost, these missions will be of short duration and will use smaller launch vehicles (e.g. Pegasus). Consequently, very low volume, very low mass instrument (a.k.a. miniature instrument) payloads will be required. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the number of instruments flown on a particular mission will also be highly constrained; consequently increased instrument capability will also be desired. In the case of infrared instruments, focal planes typically require cooling to ensure high performance of the detectors, especially in the case of spectrometers where high D* is necessary. In this paper, we discuss the InGaAs detector technology and its potential.
Vulnerability of Nuclear Power Plants to Voltage Sag Induced by Disturbances in the Transmission Grid: The Concept of Zone of Vulnerability for Voltage

Nuclear plants are particularly sensitive to events on the grid that may lead to undervoltage on the auxiliary or safety buses. Momentary voltage dips can cause separation from offsite power and operation of emergency diesel generator. Grid disturbances that occur in certain areas or “zones” in the surrounding network, may affect the operation of the nuclear plant, while disturbances from outside these zones may be cause no threat to the nuclear plant. A zone inside which a nuclear power station would be vulnerable to events on the surrounding grid can be defined as the Zone of Vulnerability (ZoV). Different types of ZoVs can be defined depending on the nature of the vulnerability being considered. This paper deals specifically with the Zone of Vulnerability associated with the risk of voltage sags in the safety and auxiliary for safety and auxiliary buses of nuclear plants induced by faults in the power grid. The paper first introduces the concept of ZoV_v and its importance for nuclear plants security. A methodology for determining the ZoV_v is then described.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Quality labeled faces in the wild (QLFW): A database for studying face recognition in real-world environments

The varying quality of face images is an important challenge that limits the eﬀectiveness of face recognition technology when applied in real-world applications. Existing face image databases do not consider the eﬀect of distortions that commonly occur in real-world environments. This database (QLFW) represents an initial attempt to provide a set of labeled face images spanning the wide range of quality, from no perceived impairment to strong perceived impairment for face detection and face recognition applications. Types of impairment include JPEG2000 compression, JPEG compression, additive white noise, Gaussian blur and contrast change. Subjective experiments are conducted to assess the perceived visual quality of faces under diﬀerent levels and types of distortions and also to assess the human recognition performance under the considered distortions. One goal of this work is to enable automated performance evaluation of face recognition technologies in the presence of diﬀerent types and levels of visual distortions. This will consequently enable the development of face recognition systems that can operate reliably on real-world visual content in the presence of real-world visual distortions. Another goal is to enable the development and assessment of visual quality metrics for face images and for face detection and recognition applications.
The Market for College Graduates and the Worldwide Boom in Higher Education of Women

The worldwide boom in higher education since 1970 has been truly remarkable. Given the great breadth of benefits that college education provides, and the fact that these benefits appear to be rising over time, a worldwide rise in college education may not be surprising—but the different responses of men and women to the rising benefits of college are surprising. In the United States and throughout the world, the boom in higher education has been primarily a boom in higher education of women, so much so that in most countries, more women than men now attend college. Figures 1A and 1B plot the gender difference (women minus men) in the fraction of 30to 34-year-olds with college attainment against per capita GDP, for 1970 and 2010. A positive gender difference was a novelty in 1970, essentially reserved for a few of the wealthiest countries. Today, a larger fraction of women than men had completed higher education in 67 of 120 of the countries, including countries from every populated continent and 17 with below-median per capita GDP. In order to illuminate the worldwide boom in higher education, and in particular higher education of women, we present a model of the optimal investment in college by an individual. New DirectioNs iN the ecoNomic ANAlysis of humAN cApitAl
Analytical electron microscopy of a vehicle-aged automotive catalyst

Abstract Analytical electron microscopy techniques have been used to characterize fresh and vehicle-aged (51 680 km) samples of a commercial three-way catalyst containing Pt, Pd, and Rh. The average diameter of the particles in the aged catalyst was 9.6±2.0 nm (equivalent to 10% exposed metal atoms) while noble metal particles as small as 2.0 nm (48% exposed metal atoms) were observed in the fresh catalyst. Approximately half of the 10% exposed metal atoms in the aged catalyst did not chemisorb carbon monoxide and was presumably poisoned. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopic analysis showed that individual noble metal particles in both the fresh and aged catalysts contained more than one noble metal and, in one example from the aged catalyst, showed Pd and/or Rh surface enrichment in a Pt Pd Rh particle.
Developing a Lesson Plan for Classroom Discipline.

(1978). Developing A Lesson Plan For Classroom Discipline. Action in Teacher Education: Vol. 1, Discipline: An Educator's Dilemma, pp. 41-45.
The connection between serious life events, anti-retroviral adherence, and mental health among HIV-positive individuals in the Western Cape, South Africa

South Africa currently has one of the world's largest rates of HIV infection. A majority of the existing research focuses on individual risk behaviors that lead to increased risk of HIV contraction while also acknowledging the importance of the social and contextual determinants of HIV transmission and disease progression. Therefore, the present study aims to understand the ways in which experience of serious life events increases risk of both adherence lapse and mental illness in HIV-positive populations. Strikingly, our findings suggest that HIV-positive individuals are approximately 24 times as likely to have an anti-retroviral adherence lapse and are nearly four times likely to report mental health issues if they have experienced a recent serious life event. Implications of our results include the incorporation of socially relevant assessment tools and the development of interventions that address social and contextual issues for effecting adherence behaviors.
Sirtuin 1 activation stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis and attenuates renal injury after ischemia-reperfusion.

Background Renal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) is a major contributor to delayed graft function after renal transplantation. The pathophysiology of I/R can be summarized by a primary energy deficit during ischemia and a secondary phase of oxidative stress and inflammation. Sirtuin 1 is an energy-sensing enzyme involved in regulating multiple cellular functions. We hypothesized that stimulating Sirtuin 1 would increase mitochondrial biogenesis thereby enhancing energy metabolism and attenuating I/R-induced renal injury. Methods Adult male rats were subjected to 60 min of bilateral renal pedicle clamping. SRT1720 (5 mg/kg body weight) or vehicle (20% dimethyl sulfoxide in saline) was administered intravenously at reperfusion. Blood and renal tissues were collected 24 hr after reperfusion. Results Posttreatment with SRT1720 significantly improved renal histologic architecture, decreased apoptosis, and reduced serum aspartate aminotransferase and creatinine levels compared to the vehicle. Renal adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels were reduced by 48% after I/R, whereas SRT1720 restored ATP to 77% of control. Further, SRT1720 reversed the loss of renal mitochondrial mass induced by I/R supported by an increased expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha and its downstream mediators. SRT1720 also increased ATP levels and mitochondrial mass in human renal HK-2 cells. Moreover, SRT1720 decreased the levels of malondialdehyde, nitrotyrosine, and inducible nitric oxide synthase expression compared to the vehicle. A marked decrease in macrophage infiltration by SRT1720 treatment was associated with a decrease in tumor necrosis factor-α expression and a decrease in IκB-α degradation and nuclear factor-κB phosphorylation after I/R. Conclusion SRT1720 treatment enhanced energy metabolism by stimulating mitochondrial biogenesis as well as decreasing nitrosative stress and inflammation, thereby attenuating I/R-induced renal injury.
Tectonic implications of radiolarian cherts from the Placerville Belt, Sierra Nevada Foothills, California: Nevadan-age continental growth by accretion of multiple terranes

We have recognized several age groups of radiolarians in cherts in a belt of rock in the Sierra Foothills between the Melones-Gillis Hill fault and the Bear Mountains-Wolf Creek-Big Bend faults. They are Late Permian, Late Triassic, Early Jurassic, Middle Jurassic, and late Middle Jurassic in age. The biostratigraphic control provided by recognition of these groups, combined with study of lithologic assemblages related to them, has enabled us to divide this belt in the area between the Cosumnes River and the Middle Fork of the American River into five terranes; Mother Lode, French Creek, Mount Ararat, Cool Quarry, and American River. The slate and volcanic breccia of the Mother Lode Terrane (Mariposa and Logtown Ridge Formations) are depositionally linked to unmetamorphosed Late Permian basalt, chert, and gabbro which we propose represents basement of the stratigraphie sequence. In addition, the late Middle Jurassic Colfax Formation is depositionally linked to the early Middle Jurassic olistostrome (Clipper Gap Formation) in the American River Terrane. Recognition of separate terranes and the stratigraphy within them indicate that terrane amalgamation (probably during accretion to North America) is constrained to be younger than Callovian, and that the Nevadan orogeny was the result of accretion of multiple terranes to the continental margin during the period of 163-143 Ma.
Retrospective Study of 338 Canine Oral Melanomas with Clinical, Histologic, and Immunohistochemical Review of 129 Cases

Diagnostic records from 338 canine oral melanomas in 338 dogs received at the Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (1992-1999) were reviewed. Of these tumors, 122 plus an additional 7 meta- static melanomas of unknown origin were selected for clinical follow-up, histologic review, and immunohis- tochemistry. Chow Chow, Golden Retriever, and Pekingese/Poodle mix breeds were overrepresented, whereas Boxer and German Shepherd breeds were underrepresented. There was no gender predisposition and the average age at presentation was 11.4 years. Forty-nine dogs were euthanized due to recurrence or metastasis. The average postsurgical survival time was 173 days. The gingiva and the labial mucosa were the most common sites. Most tumors were composed of either polygonal cells (27 cases, 20.9%), spindle cells (44 cases, 34.1%), or a mixture of the two (polygonal and spindle) (54 cases, 41.9%). Clear cell (3 cases, 2.3%) and adenoid/papillary (1 case, 0.8%) patterns were uncommon. The metastases of 6/6 oral melanomas had morphologic and immunohisto- chemical features similar to those of the primary tumors. Immunohistochemically, Melan A was detected in 113/122 oral (92.6%) and 5/7 (71.9%) metastatic melanomas. Only 4/163 nonmelanocytic tumors were focally and weakly positive for Melan A. Antibodies against vimentin, S100 protein, and neuron-specific enolase stained 129 (100%), 98 (76%), and 115 (89.1%) of 129 melanomas, respectively. Antibodies against other melanocytic- associated antigens (tyrosinase, glycoprotein 100) did not yield adequate staining. We conclude that Melan A is a specific and sensitive marker for canine melanomas.
Nutrient Leaching from Mixed-Species Florida Residential Landscapes

Nutrient losses from residential lawns and landscapes can negatively impact water quality. Information about nutrient leaching from established residential landscapes containing a mixture of woody ornamental plants and turfgrass is limited. The objective of our study was to determine the effect of vegetation cover (turfgrass vs. woody ornamental) on nutrient leaching from established landscapes. Nine drainage lysimeters were planted with three vegetation treatments with the following coverage: (i) 60% turfgrass, 40% ornamental; (ii) 75% turfgrass, 25% ornamental; and (iii) 90% turfgrass, 10% ornamental. Daily leachate samples were collected and combined to produce weekly flow-weighted samples for 1 yr. Leachate samples were analyzed for total Kjeldahl N (TKN), nitrate (+ nitrite)-N (NOₓ), ammonium–N (NH₄–N), and dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP). The ratio of actual evapotranspiration (ETA) to reference evapotranspiration (ETₒ) was similar among treatments. However, drainage from the 90% turfgrass lysimeters was periodically higher than from the 60 and/or 75% turfgrass treatments. In most cases, leachate N and P concentrations and loads followed the same trend as drainage. The addition of shrubs in the 60 and 75% turfgrass treatments reduced leachate when rainfall was low and irrigation was the main water input. We suggest that established woody ornamental plants are more effective at absorbing water and nutrients than turfgrass due, in part, to increased root biomass and deeper rooting of established woody plants, which allows for more efficient uptake of soil water and nutrients. The use of woody plants in residential landscapes can reduce nutrient leaching in urban areas.
Edge detection in phase-change optical data storage

We introduce a new readout scheme, called edge detection scheme, for phase-change systems. A single split detector is used to detect the intensity of the reflected beam in the far field, and the readout signal, which relies on diffraction from mark boundaries, is the difference signal of the split-detector. We derive the magnitude of the readout signal for edge detection, clarify the effect of phase on the read signal, and compare noise levels at the output of readout systems using edge detection and sum detection.
Identification and Functional Relevance of De Novo DNA Methylation in Cancerous B-Cell Populations

Epigenetic remodeling is a hallmark of cancer, with the frequent acquisition of de novo DNA methylation in CpG islands. However, the functional relevance of de novo DNA methylation in cancer is less well defined. To begin to address this issue in B-cells, we used BeadArray assays to survey the methylation status of over 1,500 cancer-related CpG loci in two molecular subtypes of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (ABC-DLBCL and GCB-DLBCL) and cognate normal B-cell populations. We identified 81 loci that showed frequent de novo DNA methylation in GCB-DLBCL and 67 loci that showed frequent de novo DNA methylation in ABC-DLBCL. These de novo methylated CpG loci included reported targets of polycomb repressive complexes (PRC) in stem cells. All candidate loci in GCB-DLBCL are proximal to genes that are poorly expressed or silent in purified normal germinal center (GC) B-cells. This is consistent with the hypothesis that de novo DNA methylation in cancer is more frequently involved in the maintenance rather than the initiation of gene silencing (de novo repression). This suggests that epigenetic switching occurs during tumorigenesis with de novo DNA methylation locking in gene silencing normally mediated by transcriptional repressors. Furthermore, we propose that similar to de novo genetic mutations, the majority of de novo DNA methylation events observed in tumors are passengers not causally involved in tumorigenesis.
Prophylactic cranial irradiation versus observation in stage III non-small-cell lung cancer.

Introduction Central nervous system (CNS) failure in patients with locally advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a common and debilitating problem. The incidence of CNS failure in patients with locally advanced NSCLC is between 13% and 54% (Table 1).1-17 The risk of CNS failure has been related to stage of disease,9 bulk of disease,11 histology,1,13,18,19 length of survival from diagnosis,20 female gender,21 advanced age,16 age < 60 years,11,14 age ≤ 50 years,12 preoperative chemotherapy,9,12 response to neoadjuvant therapy,15 and serum lactate dehydrogenase.21 There is no standard of care for addressing CNS micrometastases after successful therapy for locally advanced NSCLC. Most clinicians will perform a routine physical examination with imaging of the CNS only upon development of signs or symptoms of CNS failure. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for follow-up of lung cancer include a physical examination and chest radiograph every 3-4 months for 2 years, then every 6 months for 3 years, then once yearly, with spiral computed tomography (CT) of the chest each year. Although some investigators have evaluated routine neuropsychologic assessment and CT or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain for screening and early detection,10,22 others have included prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) as part of multimodality therapy regimens2-4,8,23 or have suggested the need for further investigation of PCI.3,9,12-15,18,21
Predicting Recidivism in a Communitarian Society: China

Research on the prediction of recidivism has largely been an enterprise of Western criminology. Therefore, the identification and selection of predictors has tended to follow the individualistic traditions of the West. Important advances in models and methods have not been extended to non-Western societies such as China. This article explores the implications of communitarian features of Chinese urban communities for prediction of recidivism. The article applies the perspective of social capital to the specification of predictors. Available community social-capital measures are included in the prediction model to capture the effects of communitarian cultural features. The results indicate that social capital variables generally have significant effects.
Peroxyl radical formation in aqueous solutions of N,N-dimethylformamide, N-methylformamide, and dimethylsulfoxide by ultrasound: implications for sonosensitized cell killing.

Sonodynamic therapy, which refers to a synergistic effect of drugs and ultrasound, is a promising new modality for cancer treatment. The sonodynamic effect was found for a number of structurally unrelated compounds, and the underlying mechanisms are still unknown. Recently, Jeffers et al. (J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 97:669-676; 1995) have shown that the sonodynamic action of nontoxic concentrations of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N-methyl formamide (MMF), and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) combined with ultrasound, on killing of cultured HL-60 human promyelocytic leukemia cells, and attributed this toxic effect to unknown short lived reactive species produced from these solutes by ultrasonic cavitation. Using the spin trap 3,5-dibromo-4-nitrosobenzene sulfonate (DBNBS) in nitrogen-saturated aqueous solutions of DMF, MMF, or DMSO exposed to 50 kHz ultrasound, we detected formation of .CH3 and .CH2N(CH3)CHO radical adducts for DMF, mostly .CH2NHCHO adducts for MMF, and .CH3 adducts for DMSO. These radicals were formed either by reactions of the solutes with ultrasound-generated .H and .OH radicals (such as .CH2R-type radicals in DMF and MMF, and .CH3 radicals in DMSO), or by direct pyrolysis of the weak bonds in the solute molecules (e.g., .CH3 radicals from DMF). In air-saturated sonicated solutions these carbon centered radicals were converted to the corresponding peroxyl radicals and spin trapped with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO); .OOCH2N(CH3)CHO radicals were identified in DMF, .OOCH2NHCHO radicals in MMF, and .OOCH3 radicals in DMSO solutions. We suggest that these radical species by virtue of their longer lifetimes and higher selectivity, compared to .OH radicals, which are also formed in sonicated solutions, are the species responsible for sonodynamic cell killing by the combined effect of ultrasound with DMF, MMF, or DMSO.
The XENON100 dark matter experiment at LNGS: Status and sensitivity

The XENON100 experiment aims at the direct detection of cold dark matter particles via their collisions with xenon nuclei. The detector is a two-phase xenon time projection chamber, with an active target mass of 65 kg, shielded by 105 kg of liquid xenon as scintillator veto. Additional passive shielding surrounds the target to reduce the gamma and neutron induced background. The experiment is located underground in the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) and is in the final stage of commissioning. I will summarize the status and sensitivity reach of the experiment, as well as the current plan for an upgrade.
Novel failure modes with overmolded printed circuit board-based surface mount packages

Several failure modes observed during reliability stress testing of a new generation of printed-circuit-board-based surface mounted packages are discussed. When compared with conventional plastic quad flat pack packages these failure modes are shown to be a direct result of the introduction of new material interfaces, and thermal expansion mismatches. If the PCB-based packages are compared to conventional plastic quad flat pack packages during the early stages of package design and process development, then PCB-based packages are comparable in risk. Improvements for addressing these failure modes are presented. >
Validity and Reliability of Tests having Differing Numbers of Options for Students of Differing Levels of Ability

Achievement test reliability and validity as a function of ability were determined for multiple sections of a large University of Washington French class. Previous empirical and theoretical papers ...
Surface Markers for Locating the Pulleys and Flexor Tendon Anatomy in the Palm and Fingers With Reference to Minimally Invasive Incisions

Purpose Palm and finger pulley anatomy has been well described in relation to osseous structures. The goal of this study was to describe skin surface markers that locate the underlying flexor tendon and pulley system. We describe the anatomic detail of these structures and provide a guide for the surgeon for making small incisions. Using this approach, extensile exposure can be avoided, and the integrity of the complex pulley system is maintained. Methods We dissected 12 palms and 48 fingers in 12 cadaver hands. We marked the palm and finger creases with methylene blue before dissection. We removed palm skin, finger skin, and subcutaneous tissue over the flexor tendon sheath and retained a 2-mm strip of each skin crease in its native position. We divided the palm and palmar surface of the fingers into 4 distinct zones and measured the location of the proximal and distal extent of each pulley and the tendon anatomy relative to the proximal and distal skin crease. Results We documented the location of the proximal and distal extent of the annular and cruciate pulleys as well as the decussation of the flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) tendon and Camper chiasm. The results allow us to establish a relationship between the skin creases and underlying anatomy by dividing the palm and finger into 4 zones. In zone A, in the palm, the A2 pulley is located in the distal third and the FDS decussation is at the proximal extent of the A2 pulley. Zone B is in the proximal phalanx and A2 lies in the proximal third of this zone, whereas the Camper chiasm lies in the middle third. Zone C is in the middle phalanx and A4 and the insertion of FDS lie in the middle third of this zone. Zone D lies in the distal phalanx and the flexor digitorum profundus tendon inserts into the middle third of this zone. Conclusions Skin creases can be used as surface markers to accurately locate the underlying pulley and tendon system and plan for limited incisions. Clinical relevance These anatomic descriptions can aid surgeons in preoperative planning and may also help minimize the required exposure for flexor tendon repair and other surgery in the fingers and palm.
Higher-order spectrum estimation via noncausal autoregressive modeling and deconvolution

A method for nonminimum-phase finite impulse response (FIR) system identification is introduced that is based on noncausal autoregressive (AR) modeling of the third moments of the output data. The magnitude and phase response of the FIR system are expressed in terms of the parameters of a noncausal AR model. The set of AR parameters is obtained by solving an overdetermined linear system of equations that is formed using third-moment estimates of the output data. The performance of the method is illustrated with simulation examples. >
Permo-Carboniferous Carbonate Platforms and Reefs: SEPM Special Publication No. 78

Wayne M. Ahr, Paul M. (Mitch) Harris, William A. Morgan, and Ian D. Somerville, Editors, 2003, SEPM, Tulsa, 414 p. (Hardcover, SEPM members; US$115.00; SEPM student members; US$79.00, non-members; US$159.00) ISBN: 1-56576-087-5. I assume most of you are reading this review because you want to know if you should spend your hard-earned cash or limited library budget on this book. If you are a paleontologist, carbonate sedimentologist, sequence stratigrapher, or petroleum geologist, the answer is a resounding “yes”! I should qualify that, however, by stating that I am clearly the “targeted demographic” (or perhaps the geo-demographic) for this volume. I leapt at the excuse to sit down and read the whole book because I have been alternately fascinated and confounded by Permo-Carboniferous buildups since first learning about them as a graduate student nearly 20 years ago. I learned much from the papers in this volume, but I am left with more questions than ever before. The difference is that now I have better questions. The introduction to the book provides a valuable overview of the content of the volume. It sets the stage by describing the Permo-Carboniferous as a time when the lithosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere were all in flux and the biosphere was forced to respond. This leaves sedimentologists with a complex and diverse rock record to interpret. The introduction also presents the great challenge that this book must live up to—documenting this complexity and diversity across the globe. Indeed, the recurring theme of this volume seems to be diversity. Beginning in the introduction and continuing throughout the book, I gained a greater appreciation for the complexity of these buildups and their differences through time and across space. The book is divided into three subject areas: (1) Platform Architecture and Sequence Stratigraphy (five papers); (2) Reefs, Mounds and Paleoenvironments …
Nonshiftable capital, affine price expectations and convergence to the Golden Rule

This paper studies an overlapping generations (OLG) model with production under the assumption that capital investment is completely irreversible: installed capital cannot be transformed back into consumption good nor transferred from one firm to another. Since firms cannot be dismantled at each generational change without loosing their value, their ownership is transmitted from generations to generations through a stock market. The paper shows that the financial price of a firm can be lower than the replacement value of its capital without creating arbitrage or dampening the incentives to invest. This possibility changes the long-run behavior of the equilibrium, but only for economies with underaccumulation. In the stock market dynamics these economies have two steady-states, the Diamond steady-state and the Golden Rule. The Diamond steady stable is locally saddle-point stable and can be reached by only one trajectory on which the financial price and replacement value of firms coincide at all times. All other trajectories on which there is a discount on equity converge (when they converge) to the Golden Rule which is locally stable: the discount on equity has the same effect as an increase of the savings of the young, which lowers the interest rate, and increases investment and wages at the next generation, a virtuous cycle which leads to the efficient long-run steady-state. On all these trajectories the equity prices are larger than the fundamental value of future dividends and thus include a bubble component.
Induced autoprocessing of the cytopathic Makes Caterpillars Floppy‐like effector domain of the Vibrio vulnificus MARTX toxin

The multifunctional-autoprocessing repeats-in-toxin (MARTX(Vv)) toxin that harbours a varied repertoire of effector domains is the primary virulence factor of Vibrio vulnificus. Although ubiquitously present among Biotype I toxin variants, the 'Makes caterpillars floppy-like' effector domain (MCF(Vv)) is previously unstudied. Using transient expression and protein delivery, MCF(Vv) and MCF(Ah) from the Aeromonas hydrophila MARTX(Ah)) toxin are shown for the first time to induce cell rounding. Alanine mutagenesis across the C-terminal subdomain of MCF(Vv) identified an Arg-Cys-Asp (RCD) tripeptide motif shown to comprise a cysteine protease catalytic site essential for autoprocessing of MCF(Vv). The autoprocessing could be recapitulated in vitro by the addition of host cell lysate to recombinant MCF(Vv), indicating induced autoprocessing by cellular factors. The RCD motif is also essential for cytopathicity, suggesting autoprocessing is essential first to activate the toxin and then to process a cellular target protein resulting in cell rounding. Sequence homology places MCF(Vv) within the C58 cysteine protease family that includes the type III secretion effectors YopT from Yersinia spp. and AvrPphB from Pseudomonas syringae. However, the catalytic site RCD motif is unique compared with other C58 peptidases and is here proposed to represent a new subgroup of autopeptidase found within a number of putative large bacterial toxins.
Dynamic tuning of configurable architectures: the AWW online algorithm

Architectures with software-writable parameters, or configurable architectures, enable runtime reconfiguration of computing platforms to the applications they execute. Such dynamic tuning can improve application performance, as well as energy. However, reconfiguring incurs a temporary performance cost. Thus, online algorithms are needed that decide when to reconfigure and which configuration to choose such that overall performance is optimized. We introduce the adaptive weighted window (AWW) algorithm, and compare with several other algorithms, including algorithms previously developed by the online algorithm community. We describe experiments showing that AWW results are within 4% of the offline optimal on average. AWW outperforms the other algorithms, and is robust across three datasets and across three categories of application sequences too. AWW improves a non-dynamic approach on average by 6%, and by up to 30% in low-reconfiguration-time situations.
Cycle-based signal monitoring using a directionally variant multivariate control chart system

Cycle-based signals are generally obtained through the automatic sensing of critical process variables during each repetitive operation cycle of a manufacturing process, and they thus contain a significant amount of information about the process condition. Increasing attention has been paid recently to the problem of effectively monitoring these signals as an aid to the detection of process changes. In general, either based on process engineering knowledge or on historical data analysis, it is possible to obtain process faults and the corresponding signal patterns (the direction and magnitude of a mean shift). In order to fully utilize such fault pattern information in process monitoring, this paper proposes a directionally variant control chart obtained through the effective combination of a multivariate χ2 chart and a univariate projection chart. It is shown that the addition of the univariate projection chart can improve the detection power for pre-known process faults, however, this may be at the cost...
From agents to objects: Sexist attitudes and neural responses to sexualized targets

Agency attribution is a hallmark of mind perception; thus, diminished attributions of agency may disrupt social-cognition processes typically elicited by human targets. The current studies examine the effect of perceivers' sexist attitudes on associations of agency with, and neural responses to, images of sexualized and clothed men and women. In Study 1, male (but not female) participants with higher hostile sexism scores more quickly associated sexualized women with first-person action verbs ("handle") and clothed women with third-person action verbs ("handles") than the inverse, as compared to their less sexist peers. In Study 2, hostile sexism correlated negatively with activation of regions associated with mental state attribution-medial prefrontal cortex, posterior cingulate, temporal poles-but only when viewing sexualized women. Heterosexual men best recognized images of sexualized female bodies (but not faces), as compared with other targets' bodies; however, neither face nor body recognition was related to hostile sexism, suggesting that the fMRI findings are not explained by more or less attention to sexualized female targets. Diminished mental state attribution is not unique to targets that people prefer to avoid, as in dehumanization of stigmatized people. The current studies demonstrate that appetitive social targets may elicit a similar response depending on perceivers' attitudes toward them.
Preschool children's exposure to story grammar elements during parent–child book reading

Twenty-three preschool-age children, 3;6 (years; months) to 4;1, were videotaped separately with their mothers and fathers while each mother and father read a different unfamiliar storybook to them. The text from the unfamiliar storybooks was parsed and coded into story grammar elements and all parental extratextual utterances were transcribed and coded for (1) their relationship to the story grammar elements found within the storybook, and (2) the natural strategies parents used to direct their children's attention to these elements. Children's overall exposure to story grammar elements during book reading was also explored for its relationship to their language abilities. Results indicated that parents focused significantly more on the resolution, attempt, and consequence compared to the initiating event and plan, and most frequently used the text and pictures as strategies for recruiting their children's attention to the story grammar elements within the book. In addition, the frequency of parental utterances related to story grammar elements was negatively correlated with children's language abilities. This study did not examine the complexity or depth of parental utterances related to story grammar elements. These findings provide initial evidence that children may derive their understanding of story grammar at least in part through their parents' extratextual discussions during parent–child book reading.
Oxidative phosphorylation and sensitivity to uncouplers of house fly mitochondria: influence of isolation medium.

An isolation and suspension medium for house fly, Musca domestica L., muscle mitochondria consisting of sucrose, EDTA, citrate, α -ketoglutarate, and succinate results in high efficiency for oxidative phosphorelation, adequate respiratory control, and maximal sensitivity to uncouplers. This system permits further studies with the oxygen electrode on the mode of action of uncouplers as insecticide chemicals
Ultrastructural and Single-Cell-Level Characterization Reveals Metabolic Versatility in a Microbial Eukaryote Community from an Ice-Covered Antarctic Lake

ABSTRACT The McMurdo Dry Valleys (MCM) of southern Victoria Land, Antarctica, harbor numerous ice-covered bodies of water that provide year-round liquid water oases for isolated food webs dominated by the microbial loop. Single-cell microbial eukaryotes (protists) occupy major trophic positions within this truncated food web, ranging from primary producers (e.g., chlorophytes, haptophytes, and cryptophytes) to tertiary predators (e.g., ciliates, dinoflagellates, and choanoflagellates). To advance the understanding of MCM protist ecology and the roles of MCM protists in nutrient and energy cycling, we investigated potential metabolic strategies and microbial interactions of key MCM protists isolated from a well-described lake (Lake Bonney). Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) of enrichment cultures, combined with single amplified genome/amplicon sequencing and fluorescence microscopy, revealed that MCM protists possess diverse potential metabolic capabilities and interactions. Two metabolically distinct bacterial clades (Flavobacteria and Methylobacteriaceae) were independently associated with two key MCM lake microalgae (Isochrysis and Chlamydomonas, respectively). We also report on the discovery of two heterotrophic nanoflagellates belonging to the Stramenopila supergroup, one of which lives as a parasite of Chlamydomonas, a dominate primary producer in the shallow, nutrient-poor layers of the lake. IMPORTANCE Single-cell eukaryotes called protists play critical roles in the cycling of organic matter in aquatic environments. In the ice-covered lakes of Antarctica, protists play key roles in the aquatic food web, providing the majority of organic carbon to the rest of the food web (photosynthetic protists) and acting as the major consumers at the top of the food web (predatory protists). In this study, we utilized a combination of techniques (microscopy, cell sorting, and genomic analysis) to describe the trophic abilities of Antarctic lake protists and their potential interactions with other microbes. Our work reveals that Antarctic lake protists rely on metabolic versatility for their energy and nutrient requirements in this unique and isolated environment.
Influence of generator reheating time constant on dynamic frequency process in electric power system

This paper discusses the influence of generator reheating time constant on dynamic frequency simulation in reheating link after steam volume effect being brought to single-machine system model with aggregate load,formulates evaluation index for orbit,and works out the relation between the change of reheating time constant and that of tracking evaluation index by simulation.Experiment proves that after bringing in steam volume effect the checking of rebounding rate of frequency simulated curve by reheating constant is optimal than that by difference coefficient,which enhances the quality and security of electric power system running.