cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Qualitative Investigation to Identify the Knowledge and Skills That U.S.-Trained Doctoral Chemists Require in Typical Chemistry Positions

In 2012, the National Research Council and the American Chemical Society criticized many graduate education programs in the chemical sciences for not adequately preparing graduate students for the interdisciplinary careers that they will likely occupy. These and other reports anecdotally suggest that soft skills, broad versus specific knowledge, and interdisciplinary skills will make graduate students more competitive and better prepared for careers. However, relatively few efforts have been made to empirically evaluate and assess what specific knowledge and skills doctoral chemists require to be successful in their future careers. The qualitative study here expands on the previous anecdotal data by empirically identifying the knowledge and skills required for chemistry careers and compares those required in the academic and nonacademic sectors. A total of 31 U.S.-trained doctoral chemists from academia, industry, and government were interviewed about the activities they conduct on a day-to-day basis and the knowledge and skills required to successfully complete these activities. Twelve distinct, nonduplicative knowledge and skills that enable these chemists to successfully perform their jobs in different chemical sectors have been identified by thematic analysis of the interviews. Three inter-rater reliability (IRR) metrics were used to evaluate coding and demonstrate the trustworthiness of data. The results provide evidence that technical knowledge, communication, management, and several other skills are required for chemists in both academic and nonacademic job sectors, but these skills could be fundamentally different across sectors. The results of this study imply that different skill sets are required for diverse career pathways, and graduate programs should consider tailoring their programs for students accordingly.
Prosecutorial Involvement in Exoneration: An Exploratory Analysis

The current literature on wrongful convictions documents the legal, psychological, and institutional barriers that prosecutors face in considering post-conviction claims of innocence. However, less is known about how the local court context may relate to prosecutors’ decisions to engage in wrongful conviction investigations. To address this gap, the present study explores how characteristics of the local court community are related to the likelihood of prosecutors assisting, actively opposing, or remaining uninvolved in post-conviction claims of innocence. Specifically, we examine prosecutorial involvement in exonerations from three levels: case-factors, organizational factors, and county-context factors. Using archival data on the exonerations of factually innocent individuals (N = 75), we find that case-related factors are the strongest predictors of prosecutors’ involvement in exonerations. Broadly, our findings suggest that prosecutors are more willing to revisit, assist and even investigate potentially wrongful convictions when the stakes are lower (e.g. the offense is less severe, there is no alleged official misconduct, the district attorney is well-established in the role, etc.). Given the wide range of prosecutorial responses to wrongful conviction claims, we emphasize the importance of specialized conviction review units to help routinize the practice of post-conviction review. Secondly, we suggest that district attorneys explicitly define professional performance metrics to include corrective measures such as assisting in the review of wrongful conviction claims. Finally, we encourage states to adopt formal legal regulations to guide prosecutorial behavior in response to post-conviction claims of innocence.
Driving and Flying: US and European Recommendations

Professional cardiology organizations have compiled guidelines for advising patients if and when they may drive a car or pilot an aircraft following a diagnosis of syncope. Legal jurisdictions have compiled laws governing driving and flying, but the laws range from being very specific to very broad. For driving, medical guidelines have largely adopted a mathematical model for risk stratification such that a private individual driving a passenger car should be allowed to drive if their annual risk of sudden incapacitation is less than 22% because they pose the same risk of harm to others as a commercial truck driver in North America who has been legally allowed to drive with medical conditions that carry no more than a 1% risk of sudden incapacitation. The aviation literature has adopted a “1% rule” such that commercial airline pilots should have no more than a 1% annual chance of sudden incapacitation. All pilots must be evaluated by a designated medical examiner with specific legal guidelines by which they cannot certify a pilot to fly without referral to their specific national aviation authority.
Counting a stationary crowd using off-the-shelf wifi

In this paper, we are interested in the problem of counting a crowd of stationary people (i.e., seated) using a pair of WiFi transceivers. While the people in the crowd are stationary, i.e. with no major body motion except breathing, people do not stay still for a long period of time and frequently engage in small in-place body motions called fidgets (e.g., adjusting their seating position, crossing their legs, checking their phones, etc). In this paper, we propose that the aggregate natural fidgeting and in-place motions of a stationary crowd carry crucial information on the crowd count. We then mathematically characterize the Probability Distribution Function (PDF) of the crowd fidgeting and silent periods (which we can extract from the received WiFi signal) and show their dependency on the total number of people in the area. In developing our mathematical models, we show how our problem of interest resembles a several-decade-old M/G/∞ queuing theory problem, which allows us to borrow mathematical tools from the literature on M/G/∞ queues. We extensively validate our proposed approach with a total of 47 experiments in four different environments (including through-wall settings), in which up to and including N = 10 people are seated. We further test our system in different scenarios, and with different activities, representing various engagement levels of the crowd, such as attending a lecture, watching a movie, and reading. Moreover, we test our proposed system with different number of people seated in several different configurations. Our evaluation results show that our proposed approach achieves a very high counting accuracy, with the estimated number of people being only 0 or 1 off from the true number 96.3% of the time in non-through-wall settings, and 90% of the time in through-wall settings. Our results show the potential of our proposed framework for crowd counting in real-world scenarios.
The MNC as an Agent of Change for Host-Country Institutions: FDI and Corruption

Most empirical research examines how the institutional environment of corruption shapes the behavior of MNCs. In this study, we would like to highlight the other side of the picture: how the presence of MNC may shape the institutional environment of corruption over time. We propose three avenues through which the MNC may have an impact on its host institutions: the regulatory pressure effect, the demonstration effect, and the professionalization effect. Based on extensive data on FDI and corruption for a large sample of countries over the last 30 years, the empirical results are consistent with our general hypothesis that foreign direct investment generates positive spillover effects on the institutional environment of host countries. Such findings provide a glimmer of hope for the future of the host country where corruption is most prevalent.
Validating Claims-Based Algorithms Determining Pregnancy Outcomes and Gestational Age Using a Linked Claims-Electronic Medical Record Database.

Pregnancy outcome identification and precise estimates of gestational age (GA) are critical in drug safety studies of pregnant women. Validated pregnancy outcome algorithms based on the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-CM/PCS) have not previously been published. We developed algorithms to classify pregnancy outcomes and estimate GA using ICD-10-CM/PCS and service codes on claims in the 2016–2018 IBM® MarketScan® Explorys® Claims-EMR Data Set and compared the results with ob-gyn adjudication of electronic medical records (EMRs). Obstetric services were grouped into episodes using hierarchical and spacing requirements. GA was based on evidence with the highest clinical accuracy. Among pregnancies with obstetric EMRs, 100 full-term live births (FTBs), 100 preterm live births (PTBs), 100 spontaneous abortions (SAs), and 24 stillbirths were selected for review. Physicians adjudicated cases using Global Alignment of Immunization safety Assessment in pregnancy (GAIA) definitions applied to structured EMRs. The claims-based algorithms identified 34,204 pregnancies, of which 9.9% had obstetric EMRs. Of sampled pregnancies, 92 FTBs, 93 PTBs, 75 SAs, and 24 stillbirths were adjudicated. Among these pregnancies, the percent agreement was 97.8%, 62.4%, 100.0%, and 70.8% for FTBs, PTBs, SAs, and stillbirths, respectively. The percent agreement on GA within 7 and 28 days, respectively, was 85.9% and 100.0% for FTBs, 81.7% and 98.9% for PTBs, 61.3% and 94.7% for SAs, and 66.7% and 79.2% for stillbirths. The pregnancy outcome algorithms had high agreement with physician adjudication of EMRs and may inform post-market maternal safety surveillance.
Adaptive Estimation of Nonlinear Distributed Parameter Systems

The adaptive (on-line) estimation of parameters for a class of nonlinear distributed parameter systems is considered. A combined state and parameter estimator is constructed as an initial value problem for an infinite dimensional evolution equation. State convergence is established via a Lyapunov-like estimate. The finite dimensional notion of persistence of excitation is extended to the infinite dimensional case and used to establish parameter convergence. A finite dimensional approximation theory is presented and a convergence result is proven. An example involving the identification of a nonlinear heat equation is discussed and results of a numerical study are presented.
Investigation of various phases of Fe–Si structures formed in Si by low energy Fe ion implantation

Abstract The compositional phases of ion beam synthesized Fe–Si structures at two high fluences (0.50 × 1017 atoms/cm2 and 2.16 × 1017 atoms/cm2) were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The distribution of Fe implanted in Si was simulated using a dynamic simulation code (TRIDYN) incorporating target sputtering effects. The Fe depth profiles in the Si matrix were confirmed with Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) and XPS depth profiling using Ar-ion etching. Based on XPS binding energy shift and spectral asymmetry, the distribution of stable Fe–Si phases in the substrate was analyzed as a function of depth. Results indicate Fe implantation with a fluence of 0.50 × 1017 atoms/cm2 and subsequent thermal annealing produce mainly the β-FeSi2 phase in the whole thickness of the implanted region. But for the samples with a higher fluence Fe implantation, multiple phases are formed. Significant amount of Fe3Si phase are found at depth intervals of 14 nm and 28 nm from the surface. Initially, as-implanted samples show amorphous Fe3Si formation and further thermal annealing at 500 °C for 60 min formed crystalline Fe3Si structures at the same depth intervals. In addition, thermal annealing at 800 °C for 60 min restructures the Fe3Si clusters to form FeSi2 and FeSi phases.
TAPping into transport.

Studies of viral RNA nuclear export promise to help elucidate the mechanisms used by the cell to transport its own RNA to the cytoplasm. TAP has been implicated in the export of unspliced retroviral RNA transcripts and may be a new RNA-export factor.
How Businesses See Government: Responses from Private Sector Surveys in 69 Countries

This discussion paper draws on a survey of private sector businesses conducted in preparation for the World Bank's World Development Report 1997 and on parallel surveys in OECD countries. The focus is only on perceived government-related obstacles to doing business and report business responses by groupings of three or four countries (down to two in the case of some OECD countries) thereby breaking new ground.
US family‐leave policy: the legacy of ‘separate spheres’

Family-leave policy in the USA is essentially regulatory, providing for work–family supports that are unpaid and otherwise relatively limited in substance and scope. Using a path-dependency informed analysis of policy developments from the 1920s through the 1990s, I argue that these central defining qualities stem from government involvement beginning in the first part of the 20th century in helping the private sector to construct what I theorize was a ‘precursor’ work–family benefits system. During this period, the government was developing a general approach toward the growing numbers of working women that was based largely on traditional ideas (‘separate spheres’) about women's roles. Separate spheres influenced the way that the growing numbers of working women were viewed within the initial work–family benefits system, and I argue that this approach has carried over into the more recent family-leave policy debates, helping to explain the key features of present-day policy.
Enhancing Early numeracy by Promoting the Abstract Thought Involved in the Oddity Principle, Seriation, and conservation

Although many students who enter kindergarten are cognitively ready to meet the demands of the kindergarten mathematics curriculum, some students arrive without the early abstract reasoning abiliti...
The Life Reflection and Consequences of Older Adults' Relationships: An Empirical Study

Fifty-eight Austrian adults, ages 65 to 99 years, participated in semistructured life reflections regarding their relationships with life partners, children, relatives, and friends. This study identified the consequences of the reflections, the implementation of the consequences, and the degree to which participants were satisfied with the life changes they made.
Convergence of biorthogonal series of biharmonic eigenfunctions by the method of titchmarsh

Canonical edge problems for the biharmonic equation can be solved by separating variables. The eigenvalues and eigenvectors arising in this separation are derived from a reduced system of ordinary differential equations along lines suggested in the excellent work of R. C. Smith (1952). We study the reduced system which is governed by a vector ordinary differential equation. A solution of the biharmonic problem, governed by a partial differential equation, can be found only if the prescribed data is restricted to a subspace of the space spanned by the eigenfunctions of the reduced problem. The theory leads to problems in generalized harmonic analysis which seek conditions under which arbitrary vector fields f(y) with values in ℝ2 can be represented in terms of eigenvectors of the reduced problem. This paper adds new theorems and conjectures to the theory. We extend Smith's generalization to fourth-order problems of the methods introduced by Titchmarsh (1946) to study eigenfunction expansions associated with second-order problems. We use this method to prove that, if f(y)=[(f1(y), f2y)], -1≦y≦1, f(y)e C1[-1, 1], f″e L2[-1, 1], then the series expressing f(y) converges uniformly to f(y) in the open interval (-1, 1), uniformly in [-1, 1] if f1(±1)=0 and, in any case, to [0, f2(±1)-f1(±1)] at y=±1. This is unlike Fourier series, which converge to the mean value of the periodic extension of a function. The series exhibits a Gibbs phenomenon near the end points of discontinuity when f1(±1) ≠ 0.
Anti-sickling activity of nitrosoureas.

Abstract Incubation at physiological conditions of erythrocytes from a person bearing the sickle-cell trait with 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea, 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea, or 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea prevented sickling of the cells upon subsequent treatment of the cells with sodium metabisulfite. In these experiments these compounds were more effective than potassium cyanate as inhibitors of sickling. It is assumed that the inhibition results from the carbamoylation of the hemoglobin S by the isocyanic acid or the isocyanates derived from the nitrosoureas.
Project management offices: A case of knowledge-based archetypes

While Project Management Offices (PMOs) have become a mainstay in organizations, systematic research has not yet been undertaken to study their intricacies. In this paper, we conduct an exploratory and descriptive case study of PMOs, based on our interviews with senior managers and directors of PMOs in 32 IT organizations. The objectives are to: (1) outline the nature and characteristics of PMOs; (2) classify and derive archetypes of PMOs; and (3) enumerate critical success factors of PMOs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first paper to systematically investigate PMOs from a knowledge archetype perspective. A novel and significant contribution of this paper is the case description of four PMO archetypes, which clearly delineate PMOs based on their knowledge management functions and capabilities.
Quality of life after en bloc resection of tumors in the mobile spine.

Abstract Background context Little has been reported regarding the patient-centered quality-of-life (QOL) outcomes after en bloc spondylectomy (ES). Despite lower local recurrence rates, it is unknown whether outcomes justify the surgical morbidity. Purpose The purpose of this study was to report on patient QOL after ES as measured by validated instruments and to identify factors that may predict better postoperative QOL. Study design This is a retrospective case-control study (Level III). Patient sample Thirty-five consecutive patients with mobile spine tumors were included. Twenty-seven patients underwent en bloc resection, whereas 8 patients received definitive radiation and no surgery. Minimum follow-up was 6 months (median, 32 months). Outcome measures The outcome measures were European Quality Group 5-Dimensional Questionnaire (EQ5D), four Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) short-form metrics, Neck Disability Index, and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI). Methods We performed statistical comparisons between the surgery and radiation groups, of the general US population, and within the study group itself to identify predictors of higher QOL scores. Results We identified a significant difference in QOL between the surgery and radiation groups in only one instrument, PROMIS pain interference, with surgery having more pain interference (15.7 vs. 10.1, p=.04). For most metrics, including EQ5D, pain interference, pain behavior, and ODI, scores were around one standard deviation worse than the US population mean. Multivariable linear regression for each instrument demonstrated that preoperative factors such as better performance status, tumor location in the cervical spine, lack of mechanical back or neck pain, and shorter fusion span were independently predictive of better QOL scores. Postoperative factors such as poor performance status, chronic narcotic use, and local recurrence were more dominant than preoperative factors in predicting worse QOL. Conclusions Patients may experience more pain interference after surgery as opposed to definitive radiotherapy, but we did not identify a difference for most metrics. Quality of life in our study group was significantly worse than the general population for most metrics. Cervical tumors, lack of mechanical pain, better baseline performance status, and less extensive surgery predict better QOL after surgery.
Sudden death in cocaine abusers

Cocaine is the second most widely trafficked drug in the world, trailing only cannabis in this regard. Over the past decade, its recreational use has increased in most European countries ( Figure 1 ). At present, it is estimated that ∼1.2% of Europeans used cocaine in the last year, with the prevalence varying from 0.7% in Romania and Lithuania to 12.7% in the UK.1 However, due to the absence of standardized survey and reporting procedures, it is likely that the prevalence of cocaine abuse is under-reported in many European countries. Cocaine use is concentrated among young adults, aged 15–34 years: of the 4 million Europeans who used it in the last year, almost 90% were in this age group.1 Figure 1 Trends in prevalence of cocaine use among young adults (aged 15–34 years). Source: http://www.emcdda.europa.eu Among European countries, Spain ranks second to the UK in the prevalence of cocaine abuse, with 7% of the population estimated to have used it at least once and 3% to have done so in the past year. Among those aged 15–34 years, 10% are estimated to have used it.1 The higher prevalence of recreational cocaine use in Spain when compared with most other European countries is due, at least in part, to the fact that it is a major European port of entry for the drug from South America. Several factors account for the increasing abuse of cocaine, including its ease of administration [i.e. it can be administered intravenously, intranasally, or by inhalation (smoking)], its availability and purity, its relatively modest cost (i.e. ∼€40–€80/g), and the misperception that recreational cocaine use is safe. In a recent survey conducted by the US Department of Health and Human Services, only 50% of young people expressed the belief that monthly cocaine ingestion carries a great … *Corresponding author. Tel: +1 210 567 4812, Fax: +1 210 567 4654, Email: langera{at}uthscsa.edu
Abstract B111: Early and Delayed Rapamycin prevents NNK-induced lung adenocarcinoma in A/J mice

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths. Several studies have shown that nicotine and its metabolite, the tobacco-specific carcinogen 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK), activate the Akt/mTOR pathway, which maintains lung tumor cell proliferation and survival. Targeting this pathway might be one of the options for lung cancer chemoprevention. We studied chemopreventive effects of Rapamycin by intervening at two different stages of NNK-induced lung adenoma and adenocarcinoma formation in female A/J mice. At 6 weeks of age, groups of mice were randomized and fed control AIN-76A modified diet. At 7 weeks of age, 40 mice from each group intended for carcinogen treatment received one dose of 10 μmol NNK /mouse by i.p. injection. Three weeks after the NNK treatment, groups of mice (25/group) were fed either control or experimental diets containing 8 or 16 ppm Rapamycin as an early stage intervention. Mice were continued on the respective diets and killed at 20 weeks (10 mice/group) after NNK-treatment and tumors were evaluated by histopathological methods. At 20 weeks - after tumors were allowed to form, another two groups (15 mice/group) were administered experimental diets containing 8 or 16 ppm Rapamycin as a late stage intervention and continued on the respective diets. Mice were killed at 36 weeks (15 mice/group) after both early stage and late stage interventions. Administration of 8 or 16 ppm Rapamycin as an early or a late stage intervention significantly suppressed lung adenoma and adenocarcinoma formation (p 50-60% (P 2.10 to Citation Format: Jagan Mohan Reddy Patlolla, Levy Kopelovich, Li Qian, Laura Biddick, Yuting Zhang, Dhimant Desai, Shantu Amin, Stan Lightfoot, Chinthalapally V. Rao. Early and delayed rapamycin prevents NNK-induced lung adenocarcinoma in A/J mice. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Eleventh Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2012 Oct 16-19; Anaheim, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Prev Res 2012;5(11 Suppl):Abstract nr B111.
Metacognitive knowledge and language learning

Dating back to the early 80s, the FL/SL literature on learner strategies and on self-directed language learning documents an ongoing recognition of the need to help language leamers reflect upon and refine their beliefs and knowledge about learning, i.e. their metacognitive knowledge. To date, however, this literature has not been explicit about the function of this knowledge in language learning. This article reviews selected theoretical and research literature on metacognition to address this lack. It argues that insights provided by the review can enhance our understanding of those approaches to second language acquisition which assign an active role to the learner, and concludes with a consideration of practical implications for foreign and second language instruction.
Awareness During Anesthesia

MEMORY is not a single entity. Current classification distinguishes between two types: explicit, or conscious memory, and implicit, or unconscious memory. Explicit memory refers to the conscious recollection of previous experiences. Implicit memory, by contrast, refers to changes in performance or behavior that are produced by previous experiences but without any conscious recollection of those experiences. 1 Explicit memory is equivalent to remembering (e.g., can you remember what you did last Tuesday evening?). In the case of an anesthetized patient, one might ask the patient in the postoperative period can you remember hearing any words or sounds during your operation? (i.e., a recall test) or which of the following words were played to you during surgery? (a recognition test). As an example of implicit memory, consider the following scenario. Patients were exposed during anesthesia to a list of words containing the word pension.' Postoperatively, when they were presented with the three-letter word stem PEN and were asked to supply the first word that came to their minds beginning with those letters, they gave the word pension more often than pencil or peninsula or others. The term awareness' will be used to describe explicit memory during anesthesia.
Developmental changes in renal function.

Purpose of reviewAlthough nephrogenesis in a term infant is complete, there are a number of functional changes that occur in the kidney as the infant matures. Understanding these changes will aid in the evaluation of neonates to delineate what is normal development versus a pathophysiologic problem.
Unilateralism in International Law: A United States-European Symposium

It was a special privilege for the University of Michigan Law School's Center for International and Comparative Law to host the conference whose work is reflected in this issue of the EJIL. The challenge of unilateralism is profound. The term, in its pejorative sense, evokes an intuition of concern. Yet a moment's reflection summons up competing intuitions, and we can often find ourselves uncertain about what we should think, for example, when one country attempts to prevent genocide within the borders of another. During the two-day conference, an exceptional group of scholars worked with creativity, rigour and insight to deepen our understanding of the dilemmas of unilateralism. Their work product, reflected in the pages that follow, marks an extremely important contribution to the world's understanding of this issue. We congratulate the editors of the EJIL for their inspired effort in bringing this project to fruition.
An alternative approach to account for patient organ doses from imaging guidance procedures.

Abstract Purpose To investigate the feasibility of an alternative method of accounting for additional organ doses resulting from image guidance procedures during patient treatment planning through tabulated values based on scan protocol and scan site. Methods and materials Patient-specific imaging dose to 30 patients resulting from Varian OBI kV–CBCT scans using the Standard Head (17 patients), Low-dose Thorax (8 patients), and Pelvic (5 patients) scan protocols were retrospectively calculated using Monte Carlo methods. Dose dependence on scan location and patient geometry was explored. Patient organ doses were analyzed by using dose–volume histograms and expressed by the mean, minimum dose delivered to 50% of the organ volume, D50. The reported doses are dose-to-medium instead of dose-to-water. Results The organ doses from all patient-specific calculations show predictable and limited ranges across patients. For brain isocenters using Standard Head Scans: Bone: 0.7–1.1cGy, Brain: 0.2–0.3cGy, Brainstem: 0.2–0.3cGy, Skin: 0.3–0.4cGy, Eye: 0.03–0.3cGy. For head and neck patients using the Standard Head Scan: Bone: 0.3–0.6cGy, Parotids: 0.3–0.4cGy, Spinal Cord: 0.15–0.25cGy, Thyroid: 0.1–0.25cGy, Skin: 0.2–0.3cGy, Trachea–Esophagus: 0.1–0.2cGy. For chest using Thorax Scans: Bone: 1.1–1.8cGy, Soft tissue organs (Bowel, Lung, Heart, Kidney, Esophagus, and Spinal Cord): 0.3–0.6cGy. For abdominal site using Pelvic Scans: Bone: 3.2–4.2cGy. Soft tissue organs (Bladder, Bowel, Rectum, Prostate, and Skin) D50s fell between 1.2 and 2.2cGy. Femoral Heads: 2.5–3.4cGy. Conclusions It is adequate to estimate and account for organ dose by using tabulated values based on scan procedure and site because organ doses from imaging procedures are only modestly dependent upon scan location and body size. Considering the dose variation and magnitude of dose from each scan protocol in comparison to therapeutic doses, this approach provides a simple alternative to account for additional imaging guidance doses during patient treatment planning. Clinicians can use these tabulated values to make informed decisions in selecting the appropriate imaging procedures and imaging frequency during radiotherapy treatment.
Mode effects in surveys of gay men: A within‐individual comparison of responses by mail and by telephone

In an evaluation of a community‐level AIDS prevention program, a random sample of gay bar patrons was sent questionnaires by mail, and a random household sample was interviewed by phone. Over 3 bas...
A simultaneous small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering study of the early stages of melt crystallization in polyethylene

The early stages of isothermal melt crystallization in linear polyethylene (PE) were investigated via simultaneous synchrotron small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) techniques. During these stages, noticeable short-range density fluctuations with periodic spacing from 40 to 80 nm were detected (by SAXS) before the identification of three-dimensional crystal ordering (by WAXD). These results are consistent with the recent findings in several other polymers (polypropylene, poly(aryletherketone), poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(butylene terephthalate) by our and other laboratories. Some groups have proposed that the spinodal decomposition due to chain conformation in the molten state may act as a precursor to crystallization based on these findings. Detailed examination of the SAXS and WAXD data, however, indicated that the early stages of crystallization also follow the classical nucleation and growth behavior with a simple Avrami expression. The earlier detection of density fluctuations can be attributed to the lower detection limit of crystallinity in SAXS (0.1%) than in WAXD (1%). In addition, we found that the long spacing associated with the SAXS peak decreased slightly with time, which opposed the behavior of the spinodal decomposition.
Aggregation in stochastic ecosystem models

Abstract A characterization of perfect aggregation and some applications to deterministic ecosystem models given recently by Iwasa, Andreasen and Levin are extended to stochastic differential equation models.
Simulated PV power plant variability: Impact of utility-imposed ramp limitations in Puerto Rico

The variability of solar PV power plants has led to some utilities imposing ramp limitations. For example, the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) includes a 10% of capacity per minute limit on ramp rates produced by PV power plants in its minimum technical requirements for photovoltaic generation projects. However, it is difficult to determine storage requirements to comply with ramp limitations for plants in the planning or construction phase since the variability of the plant output is not known. In this paper, we use the wavelet variability model (WVM) to upscale irradiance measured in Mayaguez, PR to simulate various sizes of PV power plants. The results show that ramps will often exceed 10%, even for the largest plants (60MW) that benefit the most from in-plant spatial smoothing, meaning significant amounts of storage will be needed to meet the PREPA requirement. The results from Puerto Rico are compared to sites in San Diego and Oahu, Hawaii. Significant differences are seen in the ramp rate distributions of the three locations, demonstrating the importance of performing location-specific simulations.
Treatment of giant cell arteritis using induction therapy with high‐dose glucocorticoids: A double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, randomized prospective clinical trial

Objective Glucocorticoid (GC) therapy for giant cell arteritis (GCA) is effective but requires prolonged administration, resulting in adverse side effects. The goal of the current study was to test the hypothesis that induction treatment with high-dose pulse intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone permits a shorter course of therapy. Methods Twenty-seven patients with biopsy-proven GCA were enrolled in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to receive IV methylprednisolone (15 mg/kg of ideal body weight/day) or IV saline for 3 consecutive days. All patients were started on 40 mg/day prednisone and followed the same tapering schedule as long as disease activity was controlled. The numbers of patients with disease in remission after 36, 52, and 78 weeks of treatment and taking ≤5 mg/day prednisone were compared. Cumulative prednisone dose, number of relapses, and development of adverse GC effects were assessed. Results Ten of the 14 IV GC–treated patients, but only 2 of 13 control patients, were taking ≤5 mg/day prednisone at 36 weeks (P = 0.003). This difference was maintained; there was a higher number of sustained remissions after discontinuation of treatment in the IV GC–treated group and a lower median daily dose of prednisone at 78 weeks (P = 0.0004). The median cumulative dose of oral prednisone, excluding the IV GC dose, was 5,636 mg in the IV GC–treated group compared with 7,860 mg in the IV saline–treated group (P = 0.001). Conclusion Initial treatment of GCA with IV GC pulses allowed for more rapid tapering of oral GCs and had long-term benefits, with a higher frequency of patients experiencing sustained remission of their disease after discontinuation of treatment.
Mechanism of increased performance and durability of Pd-treated metal hydriding alloys

Abstract Mechanical grinding a small amount of palladium or platinum with AB5 type intermetallic hydrogen storage alloys was shown to greatly improve the hydrogen absorption and desorption performances of the alloys. The alloys with the treatment could be activated under sub-atmospheric hydrogen pressure at room temperature and absorb and desorb hydrogen at faster rates, and they retained both the low activation pressures and fast absorption and desorption rates even after more than two years of exposure in open air. The surface structure and composition of the hydrogen storage alloys before and after aging were characterized by SEM and XPS analyses. The processes that account for the degradation of performance with aging and the enhanced performance of the palladium or platinum treated alloys were discussed. It was found that enhanced hydrogen spillover and reverse hydrogen spillover were the primary processes that account for the improved hydrogen storage performance after palladium or platinum treatment.
Maternal–fetal lead poisoning from an old slug: 10-year follow-up

We previously reported the case of a 31-year-old female convenience store clerk who had been shot at an age of 16, the bullet lodging in the body of vertebra L-4 [1]. Fifteen years later, in the se...
Variable sized packet routing in a complete 12/spl times/12 photonic network

Packets with variable sized payloads between 96 and 384 bytes, depending upon the number of payload wavelengths, are simultaneously routed in an implemented 12/spl times/12 optical packet switching network with bit error rates better than 10/sup -12/.
β-casein adsorption at the air/water interface

Abstract The adsorption of reductively methylated bovine β-casein to the air/water interface has been measured using the radiotracer technique. This method allows determination of both the surface excess concentration at the air/water interface and the amount of protein adsorbed on the Teflon sample container. The present results differ from previous β-casein isotherms reported in the literature due to improvements in the calibration and radiolabeling methods and accounting for protein adsorption on the container surface. The isotherm shows that increasing the bulk concentration increases the surface concentration except in the ranges 2 × 10 −5 to 8 × 10 −5 wt% and 2 × 10 −2 to 0.1 wt%, where constant surface coverages are observed. This behavior can be interpreted as being due to molecular reorientation of adsorbed β-casein molecules. A kinetic model which adequately characterizes this adsorption behavior is presented. Below 10 −4 wt% the directly measured air/water isotherm and the Teflon/water isotherm inferred from the radiotracer measurements are very similar. Adsorption experiments performed by sequential addition of protein to the bulk solution show that β-casein molecules adsorbed at the air/water and Teflon/water interfaces exchange freely with β-casein molecules in the bulk solution.
Ethical considerations in dual relationships: The sport psychologist-coach

Abstract The purpose of this article is to sensitize service providers to the ethical dilemna resulting when a sport psychologist also serves as the team's coach. The blending of these two roles raises serious questions concerning the sport psychologist's professional judgement and places both the athlete and psychologist in a potentially exploitative position. Underlying the Ethical Principles of Psychologists is the demand that psychologists protect the welfare of those with whom they work. Issues such as responsibility, scientific evidence, confidentiality, public statements, and interpersonal boundary concerns all require that psychologists maintain a clear sense of their ethical obligations within their professional relationships. The sport psychologist is admonished to carefully consider the consequences when blending the psychologist role with any other.
Discordant phenotype of two overlapping deletions involving the PAX3 gene in chromosome 2q35

Waardenburg syndrome (WS), the most common form of inherited congenital deafness, is a pleiotropic, autosomal dominant condition with variable penetrance and expressivity. WS is clinically and genetically heterogeneous. The basis for the phenotypic variability observed among and between WS families is unknown. However, mutations within the paired-box gene, PAX3, have been associated with a subset of WS patients. In this report we use cytogenetic and molecular genetic techniques to study a patient with WS type 3, a form of WS consisting of typical WS type 1 features plus mental retardation, microcephaly, and severe skeletal anomalies. Our results show that the WS3 patient has a de novo paternally derived deletion, del (2)(q35q36), that spans the genetic loci PAX3 and COL4A3. A molecular analysis of a chromosome 2 deletional mapping panel maps the PAX3 locus to 2q35 and suggests the locus order: centromere-(INHA, DES)-PAX3-COL4A3-(ALPI, CHRND)-telomere. Our analyses also show that a patient with a cleft palate and lip pits, but lacking diagnostic WS features, has a deletion, del (2)(q33q35), involving the PAX3 locus. This result suggests that not all PAX3 mutations are associated with a WS phenotype and that additional regional loci may modify or regulate the PAX3 locus and/or the development of a WS phenotype.
How to negotiate with Thai executives

Considers how non‐Thais can negotiate successfully withe business and government executives in Thailand. Gives an overview of Thailand’s geography, climate, population, religion and business practice. Discusses important aspects of the social‐cultural environment that have a significant effect on the way Thai’s negotiate. Includes further tips regarding body language, entertainment protocol, how to dress, and favourite negotiating tactics by buyers and sellers. Provides conclusions and directions for further research.
X-ray Diffraction Studies of Organic Cation-Stabilized Bentonite1

Studies of quaternary ammonium chlorides containing long unsaturated hydrocarbon chains have shown their effectiveness in stabilizing soils primarily by waterproofing the clay fraction. The nature of the interaction between organic salts and Wyoming bentonite was studied by means of X-ray diffraction. Treatment of bentonite with a dialkyl dimethyl ammonium salt in an amount less than the exchange capacity results in the appearance of water-stable spacings of 10, 13 and 19 A, but only if the sample has been dry cured. Moist curing a bentonite paste results in a marked expansion of the lattice despite treatment. The necessity of dry curing may relate to orientation of organic cations around bentonite aggregates; grinding prior to rewetting destroys the waterproofing action, and the clay lattice again expands. Additions of the quaternary ammonium cations close to or in excess of the exchange capacity of the bentonite waterproofs regardless of dry curing or grinding, or both. Clays treated in this manner show spacings of the pure crystalline chemicals and other spacings which relate to interlayer penetration by water. There is no direct evidence for interlayer penetration by the organic cation, perhaps because of the unwieldy tetra-hedral arrangement of the organic molecule. The degree to which organic cations are held depends on the nature of the surface as the cations are readily leached from quartz powder but are held more strongly on kaolmite and bentonite.
The Chinese Pueraria root extract (Pueraria lobata) ameliorates impaired glucose and lipid metabolism in obese mice.

Abstract The incidence of type 2 diabetes and metabolic disease is rapidly increasing, but effective therapies for their prevention and treatment have been poorly tolerated or minimally effective. In this study, chronic administration of kudzu root extract (8 months, 0.2%, w/w, in diet) decreased baseline fasting plasma glucose (183 ± 14 vs. 148 ± 11 mg/dl) and improved glucose and insulin tolerance in C57BL/6J ob/ob mice (1.67 ± 0.17 ng/ml [kudzu treated] vs. 2.35 ± 0.63 ng/ml [control]), but such treatment did not alter these parameters in lean control mice. Among the mice on the kudzu supplementation, plasma levels of isoflavone metabolites were significantly higher in ob/ob versus lean control mice, and unmetabolized puerarin (11.50 ± 5.63 ng/g) was found in adipose tissue only in the treated mice. Together, these data demonstrate that a puerarin containing kudzu diet improves glucose and insulin responsiveness in ob/ob mice, suggesting that puerarin may be a beneficial adjuvant for treating metabolic disease.
Identification of genetic variants in endothelial lipase in persons with elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Background— Elevated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is associated with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, and variation in HDL-C levels has been shown to be ≈50% heritable. Overexpression of endothelial lipase (EL), a member of the lipoprotein lipase gene family, markedly reduces HDL-C levels in mouse models. We hypothesized that genetic variation in EL might be associated with elevated HDL-C. Methods and Results— All exons and 1.2 kilobase of promoter of the EL gene were sequenced in 20 unrelated human subjects with high HDL-C levels. A total of 17 variants were identified. Six of these were potentially functional and were confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis. Four variants result in amino acid changes (Gly26Ser, Thr111Ile, Thr298Ser, and Asn396Ser,) and 2 variants were in the promoter (−303A/C and −410C/G). The genotype frequencies of each variant were determined in 176 black controls, 165 white controls, and 123 whites with high HDL-C. The Thr111Ile variant was the most common, w...
Lack of tolerance to the depression of raphe unit activity by lysergic acid diethylamide.

Abstract The responsiveness of serotonin-containing midbrain raphe neurones to lysergic acid diethy-lamide (LSD) was examined in rats made tolerant to LSD by its repeated administration. No significant changes in the dose-response relationships between raphe unit activity and LSD administration were observed following chronic administration of low (100 μg/kg per day for 4 consecutive days) or high doses (1000 μg/kg per day for 4 or 7 days) of LSD. Similarly, no significant change was observed when rats were pretreated with LSD (250 μg/kg) every 6 hr for 4 days. In addition, no significant changes in spontaneous raphe unit activity nor duration of LSD-induced depression of unit activity occurred following chronic LSD pretreatment. These data suggest that the dramatic tolerance which develops to LSD on behavioural tests is not mediated by a change in the sensitivity of serotonin-containing neurons to LSD.
VARIATIONS IN RATE OF HUMAN OSTEON FORMATION

The authors' method depends on labelling in vivo the zone of demarcation of actively forming osteons by tetracycline antibiotics. The drugs, thus deposited in bone, are visualized by fluorescence m...
Take or Give: How Resource Flows Into and Out Of Alliance Portfolios Affect Firm Performance

In this research we investigate how resource flows into and out of alliance portfolios as well as uniqueness of resources affect firm performance. We test our hypotheses on a sample of 59 firms in ...
The NS2 protein generated by the parvovirus minute virus of mice is degraded by the proteasome in a manner independent of ubiquitin chain elongation or activation.

The NS2 protein generated by the parvovirus minute virus of mice is very labile, having a half-life during infection of approximately 90 min. The degradation of NS2 is blocked by proteasome inhibitors but is likely ubiquitin independent: NS2 does not form detectable higher molecular weight ubiquitin-containing conjugates, and NS2 degradation requires neither ubiquitin chain elongation nor intracellular ubiquitin activation. We have also identified a region in the carboxyl half of NS2 that is required for its proteasome-mediated degradation.
ANNUAL SUMMARY OF VITAL STATISTICS–1972

This year I propose to depart somewhat from the usual format of these annual reports to include the results of some firsthand observations in the People9s Republic of China. Beginning on June 15, 1973, I spent three weeks in China as a member of the medical delegation of the Committee on Scholarly Communication with the People9s Republic of China. The delegation was multidisciplinary, including persons versed in anesthesiology, internal medicine, dentistry, psychiatry and neuroscience, hospital and medical care administration, nurse-midwifery, public health and pediatrics. The delegation visited medical schools, hospitals, industrial installations and communes in Kwangchow (Canton), Peking, Shenyang, Anshan, Fushun and Shanghai.