cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new modality for the detection of chemical vapors using middle infrared femtosecond pulse propagation effects

We have shown recently that unique optical signatures can be observed with the measurement of ultrashort middle infrared laser pulses that have been transmitted through molecular vapors. Here, we report on an increased signal-to-noise ratio of the pulse measurements by using a cross-correlation technique with a lockin amplifier. Carbon tetrafluoride and dimethyl methylphosphonate (DMMP) cross-correlation signatures are highly discriminated using principal component analysis. A squared exponential Gaussian process regression model is used to quantitatively predict the concentration of DMMP.
Electron bubbles and the structure of the orbital wave function

Stripelike and bubblelike patterns spontaneously form in numerous physical, chemical, and biological systems when competing long-range and short-range interactions banish uniformity. Stripelike and the related nematic morphology are also under intense scrutiny in various strongly correlated electron systems. In contrast, the electronic bubble morphology is rare. Some of the most intriguing electron bubbles develop in the two-dimensional electron gas subjected to a perpendicular magnetic field. However, in contrast to bubbles forming in classical systems such as the Turing activator-inhibitor reaction or Langmuir films, bubbles in electron gases owe their existence to elementary quantum mechanics: They are stabilized as wave functions of individual electrons overlap. Here, we report a rich pattern of multielectron bubble phases in a high Landau level and we conclude that this richness is due to the nodal structure of the orbital component of the electronic wave function.
Rapid niche shifts in introduced species can be a million times faster than changes among native species and ten times faster than climate change

AIMS: As global temperatures rise, the survival of many species may hinge on whether they can shift their climatic niches quickly enough to avoid extinction. Previous analyses among species and populations suggest that species’ niches change far slower than rates of projected climate change. However, it is unclear how quickly niches can change over the timeframe most relevant to global warming (decades instead of thousands or millions of years). Here, we use data from introduced species to assess how quickly climatic niches can change over decadal timescales. LOCATION: Global. METHODS: We analyse climatic data from 76 reptile and amphibian species introduced into the USA. We test for a relationship between species climatic‐niche values in their native and introduced ranges. We also quantify niche shifts in introduced populations relative to their native ranges and the rate of change associated with these shifts. We then compare these rate estimates to those estimated among species and to projected rates of future climate change. RESULTS: Remarkably, niche shifts in introduced species are roughly a million times faster than niche shifts among species in their native ranges and roughly 10 times faster than rates of projected climate change. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that dramatic and rapid niche shifts are possible, although these may be limited in species’ native ranges by biotic interactions and other factors.
Temporal and Spatial Analysis of Surface Water Pesticide Occurrences in the Maritime Region of Canada

This study measured both nutrient and pesticide concentrations at up to 13 different freshwater stream sites in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island between 2013 and 2018. Up to 62 different pesticides were analysed in 248 discreet samples. A large majority of pesticides were below the detection limit of the laboratory while seven pesticides had at least 20% or more detections throughout the years of this study. The four pesticides that had the highest frequency of detection were the insecticides chlorantraniliprole, clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam of which the last three are categorised as neonicotinoid insecticides.
Paget-Schroetter syndrome in athletes: a comprehensive and systematic review.

Background Paget-Schroetter syndrome (PSS) is a rare condition of axillosubclavian vein thrombosis often seen in athletes with a history of repetitive external rotation and abduction of the shoulder. The purpose of this review was to analyze the literature and characterize PSS in the athletic population, including risk of PSS by sport. We also provide a comprehensive review of PSS to inform clinicians on the pathophysiology, detection, and management of the condition. Methods Four databases were reviewed to identify cases of PSS occurring in athletes. Data on patient demographics, reported sport, diagnosis, treatment, management, return to sport, and complications were extracted and analyzed by 2 independent reviewers. Results Of the 123 cases of PSS identified, baseball and weight lifting had the highest incidence (26.8% and 19%, respectively), followed by swimming, football, and basketball. The average return to sport was 4.7 months, and 26.7% of subjects reported complications, most commonly pulmonary embolism. Conclusion In athletes presenting with upper extremity pain and swelling with a history of playing baseball or weight lifting, PSS should be higher on a clinicians differential diagnosis list. Swimmers, football, and basketball players are less likely to present with PSS but are still more likely than other types of athletes to develop the condition. Clinician awareness of PSS in athletes is critical to avoid delays in treatment and misdiagnosis, and to allow for a timely return to sport with minimal complications.
Induced alignment and measurement of dipolar couplings of an SH2 domain through direct binding with filamentous phage.

Large residual 15N-1H dipolar couplings have been measured in a Src homology II domain aligned at Pf1 bacteriophage concentrations an order of magnitude lower than used for induction of a similar degree of alignment of nucleic acids and highly acidic proteins. An increase in 1 H and 15N protein linewidths and a decrease in T2 and T1ρ relaxation time constants implicates a binding interaction between the protein and phage as the mechanism of alignment. However, the associated increased linewidth does not preclude the accurate measurement of large dipolar couplings in the aligned protein. A good correlation is observed between measured dipolar couplings and predicted values based on the high resolution NMR structure of the SH2 domain. The observation of binding-induced protein alignment promises to broaden the scope of alignment techniques by extending their applicability to proteins that are able to interact weakly with the alignment medium.
Intra-node high-performance computing network architecture with nanosecond-scale photonic switches [Invited]

We propose a single-stage network architecture for intra-node connectivity that makes use of nanosecond-scale photonic switches. Although buffering at the switch points is of vital importance for complex multistage networks, this is not the case for smaller-scale single-stage networks where the end nodes are located only one hop apart. By limiting the buffering to the end points, the proposed architecture manages to minimize the required electro-optic and opto-electronic conversions, leading in this way to both low end-to-end latency and better energy efficiency. Combining these advantages with nanosecond-scale switching times can allow for high-throughput operation, even for frequent switch reconfigurations. The performance of the proposed architecture is evaluated via discrete-event simulations for a wide range of synthetic-traffic cases. The simulation results show that high-throughput operation of $\ge {90}\%$≥90% can be achieved even for small message sizes, i.e., 32 KB for all-to-all communication and 2 KB for uniform random traffic, at a data rate of 400 Gb/s and a switch reconfiguration time of $\le {72}\;{\rm ns}$≤72ns. Moreover, if 100 ns reconfiguration times are achievable as opposed to 150 ns, then for the all-to-all traffic case a 16% and 28% reduction in completion time can be achieved for message sizes of 8 KB and 1 KB, respectively. In a forthcoming era of optically interfaced processors and accelerators, nanosecond-scale photonic switches appear as a highly promising solution for keeping up with the intra-node bandwidth scaling due to their high-bandwidth, low-latency, and fast-switching capabilities.
Ultrasound-Guided Neck Assessment

Ultrasound for the airway can be used for diagnosing pathology and as a tool for the prediction of a difficult airway. Recognizing some basic structures within the neck and being able to differentiate between normal anatomy and associated pathology can improve clinical decision-making. Unlike other imaging modalities ultrasound can provide real-time dynamic information of the airway. The hyoid bone, larynx, vocal cords, cricothyroidmembrane, trachea and thyroid can be identified with some practice. It is recommended to gain experience scanning these areas in non-emergent situations so when the skills are needed at a critical time they have been well rehearsed. The most important skill is arguably proper identification of the cricothyroid membrane in case of a “cannot intubate, cannot ventilate” situation.
High external quantum efficiency III-nitride micro-light-emitting diodes

Abstract Due to their high perimeter-to-area ratio, sidewall damage and surface recombination have greater negative influences on the external quantum efficiency (EQE) performance of μLEDs. This results in a reduction in electrical efficiency as device dimensions shrink to micron dimensions. We have developed several novel fabrication technologies and determined their influence on achieving high EQE μLEDs. In particular, we have determined that atomic layer deposition (ALD) for sidewall passivation, chemical treatment, and tunnel junctions, all play an important role in achieving efficient μLEDs. By employing these methods, the EQE performance has been enhanced and the effects of sidewall damage and surface recombination are greatly suppressed or eliminated, thus size-independent EQE characteristic are demonstrated. Recent advancements in the fabrication of III-nitride green and red μLEDs emitters are also addressed.
Further Applications and Future Directions

In this final chapter, we begin with a discussion of several considerations related to the interpretation of results from time-varying effect modeling (TVEM), including time lags and conceptual differences between TVEM and multilevel modeling for analyzing longitudinal data. We then present several ways that TVEM holds potential to advance the social, behavioral, and health sciences. We first consider alternative conceptualizations of “time” beyond developmental time, historical time, and real-time. For example, time could reflect the age of onset for a particular behavior, such as the age at which one first used cannabis. Further still, time could reflect a continuous dimension that is not time at all, for example, to estimate associations as a nonparametric function of a characteristic such as severity of disease. We conclude with a brief summary of future methodological work to expand the capabilities of TVEM, including software extensions, the accommodation of ordinal or zero-inflated Poisson outcomes, and the integration of TVEM and mixture modeling.
HIF2 keeps paces in tight hypoxic spaces.

In this issue of Blood, Sormendi et al provide compelling evidence that the stabilization of transcription factor hypoxia-inducible factor 2 (HIF2) promotes the motility of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), especially neutrophils, through highly constrained matrices.
Im/Possible Un/Veilings: Asifa Lahore and British-Asian Muslim Drag Performance

Asifa Lahore, heralded as “Britain’s first out Muslim drag queen,” describes herself: “I’m British, Pakistani, a drag queen, trans-woman, a disabled person, a Muslim and above all a bloody brilliant person” (Lahore 2018b). She asserts, “All these labels shouldn’t fit well together, but here I am, and this is who I am, and I refuse to give one up for the other” (in Saraf 2017). This chapter explores Asifa Lahore’s drag and/as activism within mainstream British media to expose the “traps of visibility” (Gossett et al. 2017), wherein liberal discourses of gayness foreclose alternative embodiments of identity such as veiling, affiliations across gay/trans/Pakistani trans communities of khwaja sira, and being Muslim. Asifa’s performances, through their dynamic play with veiling and unveiling, invite consideration of the possibilities that Islam offers for queerness, both within socio-political dimensions and beyond, into the affective dimensions of faith, community and belonging.
Graduate Student Perceptions and Experiences of Professional Development Activities

Graduate higher education has done little to assess and understand graduate students’ needs and experiences beyond the classroom. Therefore, we conducted a phenomenological study using multiple data collection tools, including survey and focus groups from two different time periods to implement a multiphase needs assessment. The goal of the evaluation was to better understand graduate students’ overall needs and experiences related to professional development at a public Carnegie classified Doctoral Research University in the Rocky Mountain Region. Results revealed the following themes: perceptions of professional development in graduate school, finding balance is never ending, experiences of personal and professional barriers, and the importance of faculty and peer relationships. Discussion, implications, limitations, and a conclusion are provided.
Gödel’s and Some Other Examples of Problem Transmutation

I am much struck by the historical fact that in attempting to prove the (relative) consistency of analysis, Godel was led to certain propositions undecidable in segments of set theory. He then brought the propositions into an elegant arithmetic form and, independently of this improvement, realized that his result also implied a negative reply to the initial problem of proving consistency (not only of analysis but even of number theory). For lack of a suitable term, I have chosen to call this phenomenon “problem transmutation,” by which I mean to cover an indefinite and wide range of related phenomena.
Automatic neuron tracing in volumetric microscopy images with anisotropic path searching

Full reconstruction of neuron morphology is of fundamental interest for the analysis and understanding of neuron function. We have developed a novel method capable of tracing neurons in threedimensional microscopy data automatically. In contrast to templatebased methods, the proposed approach makes no assumptions on the shape or appearance of neuron's body. Instead, an efficient seeding approach is applied to find significant pixels almost certainly within complex neuronal structures and the tracing problem is solved by computing an graph tree structure connecting these seeds. In addition, an automated neuron comparison method is introduced for performance evaluation and structure analysis. The proposed algorithm is computationally efficient. Experiments on different types of data show promising results.
Drum Majors for Justice

Many lawyers worked with the legendary Thurgood Marshall to overturn the Supreme Court's infamous separate but equal doctrine, which had permitted racial segregation in schools and public accommodations. But while most Marylanders are aware of Marshall's contribution, few recognize the name of his colleague, William I. Gosnell. At that time, Gosnell was one of only 32 black lawyers in the state of Maryland. In fact, due to the state's racial segregation policy, both he and Marshall had received scholarships to attend out- of-state law schools. They were denied entry to the University of Maryland because of their skin color. While Marshall went on to win 28 of 31 cases before the Supreme Court, Gosnell remained in Baltimore and developed a successful law practice. He died in March 1978. In the recently published biography, "Thurgood Marshall, American Revolutionary," author Juan Williams noted that Gosnell spent many hours with Marshall preparing the Murray case. But Gosnell's efforts actually preceded Marshall's involvement. Gosnell introduced Donald Murray, a well-qualified Amherst College graduate, to Marshall as a potential plaintiff. Also, Gosnell encouraged the youth to challenge the segregation policy.
N2 broadening parameters of ozone at 9.6 microns

Pressure-broadening coefficients were determined for 156 O3 absorption lines made with the Fourier-transform spectrometer at the McMath Solar Telescope of the Kitt Peak National Observatory in the 9-micron region, with a resolution of 0.005/cm. O3 prepared from O2 by silent arc discharge and collected on cold silica gel was held at stable concentrations over 50 percent in a glass or stainless-steel cell with a rock-salt window, and broadened with dry N2. Interferograms were made in several scans of the interferometer during 30 min. The pressure-broadening coefficients were calculated by an iterative least-squares approach, a synthetic spectrum was constructed and compared to the actual spectrum, and the parameters were varied to achieve the best fit. It is shown that the estimated precision of the values reported is about 7 percent, and that the deviation from the theoretical calculations of Tejwani and Yeung (1975) averaged 7.6 percent (a small number of large discrepancies having been excluded).
High-energy nuclear collisions

Until recently the properties of nuclear matter at high densities ϱ > ϱ 0 = 0.15 fm-3 and/or temperatures T > B 0 = 16 MeV have been inaccessible for study experimentally. This is because normal nuclei saturate at one density, ϱ ≈ ϱ 0, with a unique volume energy per nucleon, —B 0. In the past, nuclear properties have been studied either with elementary probes such as electrons, pions, and protons, or with low-energy nuclear probes. Such probes, however, cannot compress entire nuclei nor heat them up to T > B 0. Thus, these probes have been unable to shed light on this aspect of nuclear matter. In nature gravity can crush nuclear matter to high densities in the hearts of neutron stars. Also, supernova collapse may involve high densities and temperatures before exploding. However, it is clear that the properties of dense nuclear matter are very difficult to extract from the limited observations of such objects.
Rural-urban differences in end-of-life care: implications for practice.

Most older adults with advanced illnesses express the wish to die at home. Home-based care from home health and hospice agencies makes this possible, but there are great geographic variations in utilization. Interviews and focus groups with key constituents in home health and hospice agencies across the 8-county region of Western New York State were used to explore how rural–urban location and agency type (home health or hospice) influence variations in end-of-life care. Emergent themes were: Rural-Urban Differences (geographic challenges, market forces, and programming issues) and End-of-life Care Issues (macrosocial, mezzosocial, and microsocial factors). Implications for social work practice are discussed.
Real time and non-intrusive driver fatigue monitoring

This paper describes a real-time non-intrusive prototype driver fatigue monitor. It uses remotely located CCD cameras equipped with active IR illuminators to acquire video images of the driver. Various visual cues typically characterizing the alertness of the driver are extracted in real time and systematically combined to infer the fatigue level of the driver. The visual cues employed characterize the eyelid movement, gaze movement, head movement, and facial expression. A probabilistic model is developed to model human fatigue and to predict fatigue based on the observed visual cues and the available contextual information. The simultaneous use of multiple visual cues and their systematic combination yields a much more robust and accurate fatigue characterization than using a single visual cue. The feasibility of our system is demonstrated using the synthetic data. Further validation of our system under real life fatigue conditions with human subjects shows that it was reasonably robust, reliable and accurate in fatigue characterization.
Reducing recognition error rate based on context relationships among dialogue turns.

We have recently been conducting research on developing spoken dialogue systems to provide conversational practice for a learner of a foreign language. One of the most critical aspects of such a system is speech recognition errors, since they often take the dialogue thread down a wrong turn that is very confusing to the student and may be irrecoverable. In this paper we report on a machine learning technique to assist the process of selection from a list of N-best candidates based on a high-level description of the semantics of the preceding dialogue. In a user simulation experiment, we show that a significant reduction in sentence error rate can be achieved, from 29.2% to 23.6%. We have not yet verified that our techniques hold for real user data.
Challenging the Issue Class Action End-Run

An ever-increasing number of courts and commentators have advocated a simple solution to the seemingly insuperable problem of troublesome individual issues that often thwart certification of a Rule 23(b)(3) class action on predominance grounds: throw those issues out of the class action altogether, leaving class members to pursue all the unruly individual aspects of their claims in separate trials elsewhere. This “issue class action” end-run can be accomplished, according to this theory, under the auspices of Rule 23(c)(4)(A), which authorizes class actions “with respect to particular issues.” This article examines the text and structural placement of (c)(4)(A), and concludes that a proper statutory analysis does not lend support to an expansive role for issue class actions. Moreover, Rule 23(c)(4)(A)’s largely ignored rulemaking history confirms the very limited function its framers intended the provision to serve. Refocusing the debate over issue class actions on Rule 23(c)(4)(A) itself, I conclude that the rule as we are bound to apply it today does not fundamentally expand the types of cases that may be certified under Rule 23. Issue class actions may yet have a useful role to play in resolving complex litigation, but any such renaissance of (c)(4)(A) must occur through the deliberative process of amending federal rules rather than by judicial inventiveness. Simply put, the current rule does not authorize an issue class action end-run around the important procedural safeguard of predominance, which ensures class cohesion and the legitimacy of representational litigation.
Chapter 5 Etching of III Nitrides

Publisher Summary In material prepared by reactive sputtering, it is possible to use a variety of acid and base solutions for etch removal, but heteroepitaxial material is much more difficult to remove. Essentially, the device patterning to date has been done using dry etching techniques. This chapter briefly summarizes the status of wet etching of group III nitrides and describes the relative effectiveness of different dry etching techniques, as well as plasma chemistries employed. Group III nitrides have high bond energies compared to other semiconductors and are generally quite inert, chemically. In material prepared by reactive sputtering, it is possible to use a variety of acid and base solutions for etch removal, but heteroepitaxial material is much more difficult to remove. Essentially, the entire device patterning to date has been done using dry etching techniques. The chapter also mentions some problem areas, such as ion-induced damage, creation of nonstoichiometric surfaces, and sidewall roughness resulting from mask degradation. The issue of ion-induced damage can also be much more important in transistor structures because of their thinner layers and lower doping levels relative to photonic device structures.
Monitoring and diagnosis of roller bearing conditions using neural networks and soft computing

Roller Bearings have extended use throughout the industry and their proper operation is paramount in insuring quality products. Therefore, an on-line monitoring and diagnostic system is needed to detect faulty bearings. In this work, by applying the feature selection technique to the data obtained from vibration signals, six indices were selected. Artificial neural networks and soft computing were used for nonlinear pattern recognition. An attempt was made to distinguish between normal and defective bearings. Furthermore, classification of roller bearing conditions into six different categories was conducted for the diagnostic purpose. Back propagation neural networks (BPN's), counterpropagation neural networks (CPN's), and adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference systems (ANFIS) were used for on-line monitoring and diagnosis of roller bearing conditions. All of them were able to recognize normal bearings from defective bearings with 100% success rate. In classifying the defect types, BPN obtained a success rate of 20% to 100%; CPN obtained a success rate of 31.7% to 100% while ANFIS achieved a success rate of 5% to 48%. CPN have the best performance among the three intelligent techniques. In order to monitor roller bearing conditions, a 1 × 20 × 1 CPN should be used to distinguish normal bearings from defective bearings. Furthermore, a 6 × 24 × 1 CPN can be used to diagnose the roller bearing conditions into six categories. In this manner, monitoring and diagnosis of roller bearings can be performed successfully.
Acceptance and adoption of Lean redesigns in primary care: A contextual analysis of implementation among frontline providers

This study funded by AHRQ examines the implementation and scale-up of Lean methodology for enhancing value in a large, ambulatory care delivery system. While evidence indicates that Lean techniques can lead to higher quality care at lower cost, its success or failure is inextricably tied to the views and activities of frontline care providers who are the daily implementers of intervention components. This study explores how such views and activities impacted system-wide efforts to redesign primary care. Our analysis was guided by a modified version of the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, which articulates various "measures" of success when implementing process redesigns. Drawing on over 100 in-depth interviews with physicians and staff, we sought to understand the extent to which new Lean workflows were accepted and adopted into practice, and the contextual factors that impacted implementation success. Frontline perceptions of Lean's potential to enhance value were impacted in part by: local dynamics of the care team; perceived skill or competency of team members (namely, medical assistants and licensed vocational nurses) in taking on new roles or scopes of work; and physicians' own perceived efficiency, or lack thereof, prior to the introduction of Lean redesigns. The implementation strategy used by the organization was also critical. Physicians and staff who viewed the effort as "top-down" or "inflexible" were less likely to comply with changes. Even those who expressed positive views about Lean as an overall strategy for redesigning care, but who found the implementation process excessively top-down, were less likely to adopt more efficient workflows. Gaining "buy-in" from frontline providers is critical to implementing care processes that are designed to improve the delivery of health care. Understanding how clinical insiders' views inform their decision to embrace or reject changes may be instructive for organizations attempting to implement similar initiatives.
Ethics in Security Management: Development of a Theoretical Model

This study used qualitative interviews (n = 15) to identify a grounded theory related to ethics in security management. The study explored how educators in graduate level organizational Security Management programs in the United States describe their definitions of ethics in security management and the role that ethics play in security management as a practice and as a profession. The research findings resulted in the creation of a theoretical model for ethics in security management emphasizing a balance between various personal and professional factors. In addition, the findings resulted in a model for the role of ethics in organizational security, which is based on trust, and combines security's heightened authority and access to information with increased exposure to potential ethical decisions, which result in significant personal, organizational, and professional consequences for ethical failure.
Lateral Shock of the R Aquarii Jet

The R Aqr jet was observed with the VLA B-configuration at two epochs separated by approximately 13.2 yr. Comparison of the resulting 6 cm continuum images show that the radio jet has undergone a lateral counterclockwise rotation of approximately 6 deg-12 deg on the plane of the sky. The model of jet parcels on independent trajectories is difficult to reconcile with these observations and leads us to consider a path-oriented jet (i.e., younger parcels follow the same path as older parcels). Comparison of the most recent radio image with a nearly contemporaneous HST/FOC ultraviolet image at approximately 2330 Angstroms suggests that the ultraviolet emission lies along the leading side of the rotating radio jet. In conjunction with a proper motion analysis of the jet material that yields empirical space-velocity and resulting acceleration-magnitude relationships as a function of distance from the central source, we evaluate the observational results in terms of a schematic model in which the jet emission consists of plane-parallel isothermal shocks along the leading edge of rotation. In such a radiating shock, the ultraviolet-emitting region is consistent with the adiabatic region in the form of a high-temperature, low-density sheath that surrounds the cooled postshock radio-emitting region. Within the context of the schematic model, we obtain the temperatures, densities, and pressures within the preshock, adiabatic, and postshock regions as a function of distance from the central source; the physical parameters so derived compare favorably to previously published estimates. We obtain a total jet mass of 3.1 x 10(exp -5) solar mass and an age of approximately 115 yr. We evaluate the model in the context of its density-boundary condition, its applicability to an episodic or quasi-continuous jet, and angular momentum considerations.
The US National High Magnetic Field Laboratory: status and overview

Abstract In August 1990, the United States National Science Foundation announced that it would provide support for the establishment of a new National High Magnetic Field Laboratory to be jointly operated by Florida State University, the University of Florida and Los Alamos National Laboratory. This new laboratory will develop continuous and pulsed magnet systems and the necessary research support infrastructure to meet the needs of the United States and foreign user communities at the highest attainable magnetic fields. In addition, the new laboratory will establish an in-house science and engineering program to further the development of magnet related research and technology. The continuous field facilities will be located in Tallahassee, Florida, with the pulsed facilities located at Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico. Work has commenced on the development of this new laboratory.
Disease causing mutations of troponin alter regulated actin state distributions.

Striated muscle contraction is regulated primarily through the action of tropomyosin and troponin that are bound to actin. Activation requires Ca2+ binding to troponin and/or binding of high affinity myosin complexes to actin. Mutations within components of the regulatory complex may lead to familial cardiomyopathies and myopathies. In several cases examined, either physiological or pathological changes in troponin alter the distribution among states of actin–tropomyosin–troponin that differ in their abilities to stimulate myosin ATPase activity. These observations open possibilities for managing disorders of the troponin complex. Furthermore, analyses of mutant forms of troponin give insights into the regulation of striated muscle contraction.
Concentration-dependent inhibition of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and heterocyclic amines in heated ground beef patties by apple and olive extracts, onion powder and clove bud oil

The effects of plant compounds on Escherichia coli O157:H7 and two major heat-induced heterocyclic amines (HCAs) MeIQx and PhIP in grilled ground beef patties were determined. Ground beef with added apple and olive extracts, onion powder, and clove bud oil was inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 (10⁷ CFU/g) and cooked to reach 45 °C at the geometric center, flipped and then cooked for another 5 min. Cooled samples were taken for microbiological and HCA analyses. Olive extract at 3% reduced E. coli O157:H7 to below detection. Reductions of up to 1 log were achieved with apple extract. Olive and apple extracts reduced MeIQx by up to 49.1 and 50.9% and PhIP by up to 50.6 and 65.2%, respectively. Onion powder reduced MeIQx and PhIP by 47 and 80.7%, respectively. Inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 and suppression of HCAs in grilled meat were achieved by optimized amounts of selected plant compounds.
Integrating reproductive planning with primary health care: an exploration among low-income, minority women and men.

Abstract Introduction Despite recommendations to integrate reproductive and preconception health care services with primary health care, integration of such services is uncommon. The purpose of this study was to explore the acceptability and utility of integrating an assessment of reproductive plans into primary care encounters. Methodology Using a purposive sampling strategy, we purposively selected 144 African-American and Hispanic females and males from publicly-funded clinics. We assessed their desire for a child and contraceptive practices via a reproductive plans questionnaire. Patients’ written responses were attached to the medical record for provider use. After the encounter, we administered semi-structured interviews to elicit patients’ opinions about the questionnaire. We audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim responses and qualitatively analyzed them by content analysis. Results Overall, 58/72 (81%) of females and 30/72 (42%) of males reported the reproductive plans assessment was important to their encounter, with variation in the reason according to reported desire for a child. According to reported contraceptive practices, >45% who reported never wanting a child or not wanting a child for at least one year were ‘at-risk for unintended pregnancy.’ A substantial proportion of patients reported uncertainty about desiring a child, and a minority of these reported consistent contraception use. Discussion Questions to assess patients’ reproductive plans were viewed as important by the majority of female and a substantial proportion of male primary care patients, and a substantial proportion were at-risk for unintended pregnancy. Primary care practices should consider implementing a reproductive plans assessment to facilitate linkage of patients to appropriate family planning, preconception, and sexually-transmitted infection services.
Characteristics of a Current-Fed Inverter with Commutation Applied Through Load Neutral Point

A current-fed inverter which is commutated by an auxiliary commutating circuit acting through the load neutral point is investigated. The auxiliary commutation circuit consists of a single commutating capacitor and two auxiliary thyristors which are used to sequentially commutate the main thyristors. The properties of the inverter are considered for the case of an ac machine load, although the results are general and can be easily applied to cases where the inverter is interconnected with an ac power system. A ``voltage behind subtransient reactance'' model results in a good prediction of the inverter operating modes for either a synchronous or an induction machine. It is shown that if conventional simple-sequential gating is used, the inverter can only operate in the motoring region, while a commutation failure will result in the generating region. This negative feature is overcome by introducing a ``delayed gating'' scheme for the thyristor, which allows the peak commutating capacitor voltage to be actively controlled; thus, commutation for various inverter conditions is maintained. A scheme of parallel commutation circuits is introduced which allows the value of commutating capacitance to be actively selected as a function of load condition. While the main thyristors are subjected to approximately 50 percent more applied voltage compared to the more conventional auto-sequential type of inverter in present use, the thyristors may be rectifier grade since a substantial di/dt inductance is naturally provided by the motor leakage inductance: a fact which means that negligible snubber components are needed compared to the auto-sequential circuit.
Ketorolac reduces postoperative narcotic requirements.

Abstract Background/Purpose: Adverse effects from narcotics complicate pain management in children. Ketorolac, a potent nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agent can be used as an adjuvant analgesic, yet concerns of bleeding and nephrotoxicity have limited routine use. The authors hypothesized that postoperative use of ketorolac in healthy pediatric surgical patients would limit narcotic requirements without increasing morbidity. Methods: A case-control clinical trial was conducted of 29 pediatric surgical cases prospectively administered ketorolac (0.5 mg/kg intravenously every 6 hours) supplemented with morphine. Controls receiving morphine only were matched for age (± 6 months) and surgical procedure. Incidence of respiratory depression, urinary retention, emesis, nephrotoxicity, and bleeding were recorded. Results: Patients receiving ketorolac plus morphine had significantly less morphine requirements in the first 48 postoperative hours (Ketorolac plus Morphine: 0.36 ± 0.16 mg/kg/d, Morphine only: 1.08 ± 0.16 mg/kg/d [ P t test]). This decrease was noted despite mode of analgesia (patient controlled or nurse administered). Adverse effects of morphine including respiratory depression, emesis, and urinary retention were not affected by ketorolac. Patients administered ketorolac had no significant increase in bleeding or nephrotoxicity. Conclusion: Ketorolac exhibits significant opiate-sparing effects in the immediate postoperative period without introducing additional morbidity to pediatric surgical procedures. J Pediatr Surg 36:76-79. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company.
Kinetics and mechanism of the F1 isozyme of horse liver aldehyde dehydrogenase.

Abstract The reaction mechanism of the F1 isozyme of horse liver aldehyde dehydrogenase (EC 1.2.1.3) was investigated using both steady-state and rapid kinetic techniques. Using the steady-state substrate velocity patterns, the NADH inhibition patterns at several aldehyde concentrations, and the substrate analog (adenosine diphosphoribose and chloral hydrate) inhibition patterns, the enzymic catalysis was shown to involve ordered addition of NAD followed by aldehyde. This mechanism was confirmed using the kinetics of the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl acetate as an indicator of the dehydrogenase substrate binding. Steady-state experiments with deuteroacetaldehyde showed the V to be unchanged, but the Km increased ( K m CH 3 CDO K m CH 3 CHO = 3.4 ). Stopped flow experiments where E-NAD was rapidly mixed with aldehyde showed a burst of NADH formation followed by slower steady-state turnover. This result clearly indicates that the rate limiting step lies after NAD reduction. The NADH off rate (0.7 s−1) as estimated by displacement of NADH from the E-NADH complex upon rapid addition of NAD was found to be very close to the steady-state site turnover number (0.3 s−1). This fact and the relatively small effect of aldehyde R-group on maximal velocity suggest that the slow rate of NADH release contributes significantly to limitation of the enzyme catalytic velocity.
Sequencing bortezomib with chemotherapy and targeted agents.

Abstract The 26S proteasome is a multicatalytic threonine protease complex that is responsible for intracellular protein turnover in eukaryotic cells. This complex degrades and processes proteins required for regulation of various cellular functions. Bortezomib is a novel proteasome inhibitor approved for therapy of multiple myeloma. Inhibition of ubiquitin-proteasome–mediated protein degradation by bortezomib leads to accumulation of its diverse substrates, including cyclins, transcriptional factors, tumor suppressor proteins, and protooncogenes. The sequelae of such profound perturbation of cellular function include cell cycle arrest and activation of apoptotic programs. As the development of this agent continues, there is interest in evaluating its interaction with other anticancer agents. This review provides an overview of selected interactions between bortezomib and other anticancer agents preclinically and in early clinical trials.
Fat perception is related to PROP taster status

Individuals who are sensitive to the bitter compounds phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) are also more sensitive to selected bitter and sweet substances, to sharp-tasting foods, and to the trigeminal irritant capsaicin. PTC/PROP tasters have a greater density of fungiform taste papillae and it is speculated that PTC/PROP tasters also have more trigeminal innervation. Because oral texture perception is also mediated, in part, by trigeminal fibers, it has been proposed that individual differences in fat perception might also be linked to PTC/PROP taster status and taste bud density. This work tests the hypothesis that individuals who are PROP tasters: 1. have a higher density of fungiform papillae; 2. are more sensitive to capsaicin; and 3. have increased ability to discriminate differences in fat content in salad dressing. Individual subjects were classified as PROP nontasters, medium tasters, or supertasters (n = 25 per group) by comparing their psychophysical function for PROP to that of NaCl. Papillae densities (papillae/cm2) were significantly different among the 3 taster groups (p < or = 0.0001), and were highest among the supertasters. Both medium tasters and supertasters perceived more oral burn from capsaicin than did nontasters at concentrations of 50, 70, and 100 ppm (p < or = 0.0001). Medium tasters and supertasters could also discriminate differences in fat content between 40% fat and 10% fat salad dressings (p < or = 0.005), but the nontasters could not. These data provide the first published evidence that fat perception can be linked to genetic and anatomical differences between individuals.
Ultraspectral sounder data compression review

Ultraspectral sounders provide an enormous amount of measurements to advance our knowledge of weather and climate applications. The use of robust data compression techniques will be beneficial for ultraspectral data transfer and archiving. This paper reviews the progress in lossless compression of ultraspectral sounder data. Various transform-based, prediction-based, and clustering-based compression methods are covered. Also studied is a preprocessing scheme for data reordering to improve compression gains. All the coding experiments are performed on the ultraspectral compression benchmark dataset collected from the NASA Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) observations.
An Opportunistic Virtual MISO (OVM) protocol for multi-hop wireless networks

By allowing neighboring nodes to effectively share their available resources, cooperative diversity-based protocols have shown improvements over the traditional routing and medium access control (MAC) protocols. In this work, we observe that while cooperative diversity-based protocols yield performance improvements in the presence of low-quality links, their performance improvements in the presence of high quality links is not significant. Although the neighboring resources are available regardless of link quality, cooperative protocols typically do not utilize the helper nodes when link quality is high (i.e., low error rate). Thus network resources remain under-utilized and performance is not maximized. In this work, we propose the Opportunistic Virtual MISO (OVM) protocol for multi-hop wireless networks. OVM combines virtual MISO (using spacetime block codes) and cooperative diversity-based multi-copy relaying, which together improves the utilization of the network resources in the presence of both low and high quality links. OVM provides an effective and simple design solution. Simulation results show that OVM is able to improve end-to-end network performance by up to eighty-six percent over previous works.
Task, technology, and tailoring in communicative action: An in-depth analysis of group communication

Communication is fundamental to team work and it occurs increasingly often in a technology-mediated environment. Understanding how communication evolves in such environments is essential to ensuring that the right technology is provided for whatever task a group needs to accomplish, even if it is not precisely known how the technology is going to be used. With the growing body of research on different tools for supporting computer-mediated groups, we still have much to learn about how communication evolves, where potential breakdowns occur, and how groups tailor technology during the communication process. This paper addresses these important issues by providing an in-depth analysis of two-person dyads that communicated over a web-based set of collaboration tools during a 6-week project. We analyze communication through the lens of communicative action theory, showing how social action unfolds during communication and how groups challenge and resolve validity claims in different task-technology environments. This study contributes by exploring group processes, developing and applying group communication analysis tools, and enhancing theorizing on technology tailoring.
Removal of static shift in two dimensions by regularized inversion

A common problem in magnetotelluric (MT) sounding is the presence of static shifts in the data, i.e., a vertical shifting of the log-apparent-resistivity versus period curves relative to regional values (Jones, 1988; Jiracek, 1990; Berdichevsky et al., 1989). These static shifts are due to the presence of small-scale, shallow conductivity anomalies near the measurement site. Electric charge builds up on near-surface anomalies that are small in comparison to the skin depth of the electromagnetic (EM) fields. The charge buildup produces a perturbation of the measured electric fields from their regional values that persists to arbitrarily low frequencies. Incorrect removal of these local distortions leads to incorrect interpretation of the deeper targets of investigation.
Spermine stimulation of phosphoprotein dephosphorylation in the brain of Manduca sexta

Abstract An in vitro analysis of endogenous dephosphorylation of a particulate-associated cAMP-dependent 34 kDa phosphoprotein from the brains of Manduca sexta larvae revealed the presence of phosphatase activity in the same fraction. The rate of dephosphorylation is stimulated by the polyamine spermine, is markedly inhibited by vanadate and Zn 2+ , and proceeds in the absence of divalent cations. The purified protein inhibitor of phosphatase 1, inhibitor-2, inhibits dephosphorylation in a dose dependent manner. The calmodulin antagonists trifluoperazine and calmidazolium also block dephosphorylation, suggesting the presence of phosphatase 2-B. This study suggests the possible co-localization of a particulate associated cAMP-dependent protein kinase and associated phosphatases with their phosphorylated protein substrates in the insect brain.