cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Racialized emotion recognition accuracy and anger bias of children's faces.

Research suggests that individuals are racially biased when judging the emotions of others (Elfenbein & Ambady, 2002) and particularly regarding attributions about the emotion of anger (Halberstadt, Castro, Chu, Lozada, & Sims, 2018; Hugenberg & Bodenhausen, 2003). Systematic, balanced designs are rare, and are comprised of adults viewing adults. The present study expands the questions of racialized emotion recognition accuracy and anger bias to the world of children. Findings that adults demonstrate either less emotion accuracy and/or greater anger bias for Black versus White children could potentially explain some of the large racialized disciplinary discrepancies in schools. To test whether racialized emotion recognition accuracy and anger bias toward children exists, we asked 178 prospective teachers to complete an emotion recognition task comprised of 72 children's facial expressions depicting six emotions and divided equally by race (Black, White) and gender (female, male). We also assessed implicit bias via the child race Implicit Association Test and explicit bias via questionnaire. Multilevel modeling revealed nuanced racialized emotion recognition accuracy with a race by gender interaction, but clear racialized anger bias toward both Black boys and girls. Both Black boys and Black girls were falsely seen as angry more often than White boys and White girls. Higher levels of either implicit or explicit bias did not increase odds of Black children being victim to anger bias, but instead decreased odds that White children would be misperceived as angry. Implications for addressing preexisting biases in teacher preparation programs and by children and parents are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Phosphatidylethanolamine-phosphatidylserine binding synergy of seven coagulation factors revealed using Nanodisc arrays on silicon photonic sensors

Blood coagulation is regulated through protein-protein and protein-lipid interactions that occur at the sub-endothelium following vascular damage. Soluble clotting proteins bind to membrane components in a phosphatidylserine (PS) dependent manner to assemble multi-protein complexes that regulate clot formation; however, PS is of limited abundance physiologically. In this manuscript, we investigate synergy between PS and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE)-a lipid of much higher abundance naturally. Using a label-free, silicon photonic technology, we constructed arrays of Nanodiscs having variable lipid composition and probed the binding interactions of seven different clotting factors with GLA domains that have never been studied in tandem experiments before. The factors studied were prothrombin, activated factor VII, factor IX, factor X, activated protein C, protein S, and protein Z. Equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd) for each coagulation factor binding to Nanodiscs with unique compositions of PE and PS were determined. While all factors showed greater binding affinities in the presence of PS and PE, the most dramatic improvements in binding were observed when PS quantities were lowest. This demonstrates that synergy is effective in promoting coagulation factor binding under physiological lipid compositions, as opposed to the artificially high PS content probed in most in vitro activity studies.
Reclassification of adolescent hypertension by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring using adult norms and association with left ventricular hypertrophy.

2017 pediatric blood pressure (BP) guidelines applied adult BP norms to define clinic hypertension (HTN) in patients ≥ 13 years. 2014 pediatric ambulatory BP monitor (ABPM) guidelines recommend age- and sex-specific percentile norms for patients 51 g/m2.7 . 272 patients had adequate ABPM. 124 patients also had echocardiogram. All adult norms resulted in significant reclassification of HTN. LVMI correlated significantly with systolic BP only. The odds of a patient with HTN having LVH was significant using AHA 2005 (OR: 8.75 [2.1, 36.4], p = .03) and ESH 2018 (OR: 4.94 [1, 24.3], p = .002). Significant reclassification of HTN occurs with all adult norms. HTN is significantly associated with LVH using AHA 2005 and ESH 2018. Applying pediatric norms for ABPM while using adult norms for clinic BP causes confusion. Guideline selection should balance misdiagnosis with over-diagnosis.
The Fe/S ratio of pyrrhotite group sulfides in chondrites: An indicator of oxidation and implications for return samples from asteroids Ryugu and Bennu.

Abstract Determining compositional trends among individual minerals is key to understanding the thermodynamic conditions under which they formed and altered, and is also essential to maximizing the scientific value of small extraterrestrial samples, including returned samples and meteorites. Here we report the chemical compositions of Fe-sulfides, focusing on the pyrrhotite-group sulfides, which are ubiquitous in chondrites and are sensitive indicators of formation and alteration conditions in the protoplanetary disk and in small Solar System bodies. Our data show that while there are trends with the at.% Fe/S ratio of pyrrhotite with thermal and aqueous alteration in some meteorite groups, there is a universal trend between the Fe/S ratio and degree of oxidation. Relatively reducing conditions led to the formation of troilite during: (1) chondrule formation in the protoplanetary disk (i.e., pristine chondrites) and (2) parent body thermal alteration (i.e., LL4 to LL6, CR1, CM, and CY chondrites). Oxidizing and sulfidizing conditions led to the formation of Fe-depleted pyrrhotite with low Fe/S ratios during: (1) aqueous alteration (i.e., CM and CI chondrites), and (2) thermal alteration (i.e., CK and R chondrites). The presence of troilite in highly aqueously altered carbonaceous chondrites (e.g., CY, CR1, and some CM chondrites) indicates they were heated after aqueous alteration. The presence of troilite, Fe-depleted pyrrhotite, or pyrite in a chondrite can provide an estimate of the oxygen and sulfur fugacities at which it was formed or altered. The data reported here can be used to estimate the oxygen fugacity of formation and potentially the aqueous and/or thermal histories of sulfides in extraterrestrial samples, including those returned by the Hayabusa2 mission and due to be returned by the OSIRIS-REx mission in the near future.
Ecological risk assessment of the effects of neonicotinoid insecticides on northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus) in the South Texas Plains Ecoregion

Neonicotinoid insecticides are among the latest class of insecticides that can have harmful effects on birds. Approximately 30 000 kg of neonicotinoid insecticides are applied annually to 429 100 ha of row-crop fields within the South Texas Plains Ecoregion, Texas, USA. Various studies have demonstrated that treated seeds can be highly toxic to northern bobwhites, with the consumption of only 20 corn seeds causing a fatality. Similarly, other studies have indicated that neonicotinoid insecticides can reduce arthropod populations-a substantial prey base for northern bobwhites, especially during the breeding season-by approximately 60%. Our objective was to conduct an ecological risk assessment of neonicotinoid insecticides' impact on northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) populations in the South Texas Plains Ecoregion. We estimated that juvenile and adult northern bobwhites could intake from 7.32 to 27.0 mg/kg/day and from 10.0 to 37.5 mg/kg/day of neonicotinoid insecticides, respectively, which can cause adverse effects on growth, reproductive output, and long-term survival. Our study determined that the application of 30 000 kg of neonicotinoid insecticides annually in the South Texas Plains Ecoregion harms the region's northern bobwhite that are exposed to neonicotinoids. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;00:1-12. © 2021 SETAC.
A Production Mobilization Plan for Immediate COVID-Containment and Economic Revitalization

The Coronavirus crisis calls for an emergency supply-side economic mobilization to complement the demand-side measures fortunately now being discussed in Congress. The plan proposed here calls, in sequenced order, for: • Emergency ramp-up of production of all essential medical supplies and protective gear and equipment. • Emergency conversion of all productive facilities through which these supplies can be produced and delivered. • Emergency construction of any additional facilities needed beyond what can already be quickly used or converted. • Use of 37,000 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers personnel, equipped with already available military biohazard masks and clothing, both to commence the necessary acceleration of production and construction and to train and equip private sector labor to resume productive activity. • Provision of all necessary capital, build any necessary facilities, and ensure no losses for any private business that participates in the mobilization. • Temporary suspension, with automatic ‘sun-setting’ after one year, of any regulatory, intellectual property, or other impediments to expeditious productive acceleration of the enumerated kinds.
Acoustic effects of face masks on speech: Impulse response measurements between two binaural mannikins

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in widespread use of facial masks that cover the nose and mouth areas to prevent viral transmission. While masks have helped provide protection from spreading illness, they have also had an impact on how people communicate, with many finding it more difficult to understand speech from those who are wearing masks. Facial masks affect the directivity and sound levels of the wearer’s verbal communication, and if opaque, they also cover visual cues that aid understanding. Studies have documented the effect of different mask types on speech intelligibility, speech transmission index, talker directivity, and resulting speech features. This talk presents the first of measurements towards composing a corpus of impulse responses gathered between two head and torso simulators (HATS) in an anechoic chamber at varying directional positions and distances. One HATS with a mouth simulator serves as the talker and is outfitted with different mask types, including cloth, N95, and surgical paper masks, in combination with face shields. The resulting impulse response data base may be used by researchers to simulate masked verbal communication scenarios such as in virtual soundfield environments, allowing systematic testing of how masks impact speech perception in numerous situations.
Antibiotic-laden PMMA bead chains for the prevention of infection in compound fractures: current state of the art

Antibiotic-laden PMMA bead chains are a valuable method of local antibiotic treatment in the prevention of infection in open fractures. When used in this setting, they provide high concentrations of broad-spectrum antibiotics to the area of the highest risk which may not be well perfused or reached by systemic antibiotics, while also eliminating dead space. In this article, the historical and current state of antibiotic-laden bead chains is discussed. The literature provides evidence that antibiotic-laden bead chains are a useful adjuvant with systemic antibiotics in the prevention of infection in open fractures. These bead chains can be sterilely prepared in the operating room or manufactured, and they maintain their elution and antimicrobial properties for a considerable time period. The bead chains also allow a high local concentration of antibiotics without risk of systemic toxicity or fear of clinically significant growth or persistence of bacteria on the beads. Bead chains are a practical method of local antibiotic therapy when the wounds can be closed.
Isolation and characterization of precursors in bacteriophage T4 baseplate assembly: II. Purification of the protein products of genes 10 and 11 and the in vitro formation of the P(10/11) complex

Two bacteriophage T4 proteins which are precursors to the phage baseplate have been purified to homogeneity. These proteins, P10 and P11, are components of the P(10/11) complex, which is the first intermediate in the assembly of T4 baseplate 1/6th arms. Each protein was isolated from cells infected with a T4 amber mutant defective in the production of the other protein. Thus these purified proteins have never been assembled into the P(10/11) complex in vivo. Sodium dodecyl sulfate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the ability of these proteins to block the phage killing activity of specific antisera were used to monitor the purification steps. Sedimentation equilibrium experiments reveal a molecular weight of 188,000 g/mol for P10 and 60,000 g/mol for P11. These data together with the previously determined molecular weights of the gene 10 and gene 11 polypeptide chains (King & Mykolajewycz, 1973) and the in vivo assembled P(10/11) complex (Berget & King, 1978b) are consistent with P10 being a dimer of the product of gene 10, P11 being a dimer of the product of gene 11, and P(10/11) being a tetramer containing one of each of these dimers. Purified P10 and P11 are active in assembly because they complement 10- and 11- defective extracts, respectively, to form viable bacteriophage in vitro. Furthermore, these proteins assemble in vitro to form a protein structure identical to the P(10/11) complex formed in vivo as determined by non-denaturing gel electrophoresis. This P(10/11) complex formed in vitro complements 10-/11- defective extracts to form viable phage. The overall extent of this in vitro assembly reaction is not affected by NaCl to 1.5 M or 2% Triton X-100. The reaction is, however, prevented by the denaturing effects of urea and sodium dodecyl sulfate.
U.S. Foreign Policy and the Arab Spring: Balancing Values and Interests

The rapid and unpredictable changes in the Middle East collectively known as the “Arab Spring” are posing tremendous challenges to U.S. policy formation and action. This article will explore and evaluate evolving U.S. policy in the Middle East and its potential implications. There has always been a tension in American foreign policy between pursuing American “values” (foreign policy idealism) and protecting American “interests” (foreign policy realism). For decades, the United States has sought to “make the world safe for democracy,” while at the same time often supporting repressive, nondemocratic regimes because of national security or economic self-interest. The tension between these two fundamentally distinct policy orientations has become even more pronounced as the United States tries to respond to the Arab Spring uprisings. Why did the United States actively support the rebels in Libya but not the protestors in Syria or Bahrain? Is there an emerging, coherent “Obama Doctrine” on intervention in Arab countries, or was Libya just a “one-off” event? These are some of the questions that this article will attempt to answer.
Bipolar disorder, childhood bereavement, and the return of the dead in Edgar Allan Poe’s Works

‘It [the wall] fell bodily. The corpse, already greatly decayed and clotted with gore, stood erect before the eyes of the spectators. Upon its head, with red extended mouth and solitary eye of fire, sat the hideous beast whose craft had seduced me into murder ...’ From ‘The Black Cat’, written c. age 35 (Poe 1975:230). Keywords : Edgar Allan Poe; bipolar disorder, childhood bereavement, and the return of the dead; literary criticism; American poetry; American short stories; lyric poetry
Knockout drug screens.

Cell lines that differ by a single genetic change show promise in drug screens to identify compounds with gene-selective properties.
The Impact of Unfunded Environmental Mandates When Environmental Quality and Timber are Produced Jointly

A number of different aspects of environmental quality are produced jointly with timber. Unfunded environmental mandates whose costs are borne strictly by the private landowner lead to reduced production of both timber and environmental quality relative to the quantity of both that would be produced in the absence of such policies. That is, acting without regard to environmental consequences, private landowners produce more environmental quality (as a byproduct of producing timber) than they do when unfunded policy mandates result in de facto partial takings for which they are not compensated.
Endocardial Electrogram Characteristics of Epicardial Ventricular Arrhythmias

Endocardial Electrograms in Epicardial VT/PVCs Introduction While most ventricular arrhythmias (VA) can be ablated successfully using an endocardial (endo) approach, epicardial (epi) mapping and ablation is sometimes required. There may be suggestive clues on the surface electrocardiogram; however, identification of an epi origin of VA with certainty remains problematic. Methods and Results All patients referred for ablation of ventricular tachycardia or frequent ventricular ectopy from June 2007 to July 2011 were evaluated. Patients with completed endo and epi electroanatomical activation maps of an epi VA were included (n = 10). Bipolar electrograms (EGMs) in the area of earliest endo activation were analyzed and compared to the area of early epi activation. An EGM component was characterized as far field if it was monophasic and there was inability to capture. We identified 3 characteristics from endo mapping that consistently indicated need for epi ablation: (1) Diffusely early activation (>2 cm2 region of sites with equally earliest activation within 10 milliseconds). (2) Sequence of a far-field EGM followed by a near-field EGM in the region of earliest endo activation. (3) Inability to capture the far-field component of the earliest EGM (stim-QRS < egm-QRS time) or reproduce morphological features of the VA complex with stimulation at the earliest endo site of activation. Conclusions The presence of a diffusely early area of activation and inability to capture a far-field endo EGM indicates that epi ablation may be needed to eliminate a VA.
Cosmic Ray Composition at and Above the Knee

Recent data shows that the cosmic ray composition changes rapidly in the most interesting regions of the cosmic ray spectrum. The fraction of heavy nuclei grows strongly when approaching the ‘knee’ and decreases significantly before the ‘ankle’ of the spectrum. While such behaviour is not unexpected on the basis of cosmic ray acceleration and propagation models, the new results give meaningful limits on the variety of models of the cosmic ray origin.
Carbon Emissions and Firm Value

Using hand-collected carbon emissions data for 2006-2008 that S&P 500 firms disclosed voluntarily to the Carbon Disclosure Project, we investigate the relationship between carbon emission levels and firm value. The study is motivated by a relationship between carbon emissions and global climate change that some informed observers expect will drive a redistribution of value from firms that do not control carbon emissions successfully to firms that do (GS Sustain [2009]). Concern about carbon emissions is shared by corporate executives, boards of directors, investors, creditors, standard setters, government regulators, and NGOs. We control for systematic firm-level characteristics that may be associated with managers’ decisions whether or not to voluntarily disclose carbon emissions. We find a negative association between carbon emission levels and firm value, contingent upon firms voluntarily disclosing their carbon emissions in the first place. Our sensitivity analyses and robustness test results are qualitatively similar to our main results.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE PLANNING

Academic and practicing criminal justice planners have generally assumed the utility of a particular model of planning. This model, the general planning process model, proceeds in a strict sequence of problem analysis, goal identification, alternative analysis, program selection, implementation, and evaluation. While this approach has proven useful in other areas such as corporate and military planning many of the fundamental assumptions underlying its use are not satisfied in the criminal justice field. Criminal justice planners have generally attempted to modify the field to match the assumptions of their planning approach. hut they have had little success in doing so. An alternative model exists, however, which suggests that planning ought to he restricted, concurrent, and fragmented. This approach not only adapts planning to the present characteristics of the criminal, justice field hut also helps deal with some of the fields most troublesome characteristics.
Identity Distress Among Youth Exposed to Natural Disasters: Associations with Level of Exposure, Posttraumatic Stress, and Internalizing Problems

Identity distress involves intense or prolonged upset or worry about personal identity issues including long-term goals, career choice, friendships, sexual orientation and behavior, religion, values and beliefs, and group loyalties. Research suggests that trauma exposure and subsequent PTSD symptoms may negatively impact identity development and psychological adjustment. However, little is known about their specific associations with identity distress and internalizing problems among disaster-exposed adolescents. The purpose of this study was to examine these relationships in a sample of 325 adolescents (60% female; 89% African American) who experienced a major natural disaster and its aftermath. The results indicated that identity distress was positively associated with age, hurricane exposure, PTSD symptoms, and internalizing problems. Linear regression analyses also showed that identity distress was uniquely associated with internalizing symptoms and that there was an indirect effect of hurricane exposure on identity distress via PTSD symptoms. Finally, PTSD symptoms moderated the link between identity distress and internalizing symptoms, with a significant positive slope found for youth with more PTSD symptoms. Findings were generally consistent with previous work and predictions, and add to the extant knowledge about identity distress by providing data on the linkages between disaster exposure, posttraumatic stress and internalizing problems in adolescents.
“I Just Don’t Feel Like a Teacher”: Struggling to Figure Out the First Year as an Early Childhood Special Educator

This article explores the experiences of six First-year teachers working in the broad, cross-categorical field of early childhood special education. A multicase approach provided insight into the complexity of teachers’ roles and work with young children with special needs in a range of settings, with children of various ages and developmental delays. The findings indicate that the success of new early childhood special educators depends upon the development of the knowledge, skills, and dispositions to effectively communicate and collaborate with families and colleagues. These skills were identified as essential and need to be fully integrated into their work with young children and their own professional development. The successes and challenges faced by these new professionals can inform current and future teacher education programs in early childhood special education.
Scaling species dynamics in Pinus palustris communities: Effects of pine straw raking

Abstract In the southeastern USA, harvest of pine straw sometimes involves mechanical raking of natural Pinus palustris (longleaf pine) communities. Little is known about the effects of raking nor how these effects may vary in time and space. In a two yr experiment, we examined the effects of mechanized raking on Pinus palustris dominated communities (scrub oak, dry savanna, and mesic savanna) by monitoring vegetation at seven spatial scales (0.01-100 m2). We measured floristic similarity and the proportion of species initially present that were gained (i.e. new species) or lost during four sampling periods. Relationships between spatial scale and these community attributes were analyzed using a repeated measures approach and functional response curves. Spatial scale clearly affected observed rates of species loss and floristic similarity; losses declined and floristic similarity increased as scale increased. We relate these patterns to expanding population sizes with scale and our inability to detect spe...
An angry = Outgroup effect

Abstract When are intergroup biases learned responses to specific social groups, and when are they the result of more general cognitive tendencies? This study investigates this question in the context of the tendency for White Americans to be influenced by angry facial affect when making racial categorizations (Hugenberg & Bodenhausen, 2004), asking whether this same tendency occurs when the groups in question are not racial groups but rather arbitrarily assigned minimal social groups. Results show that while participants are more likely to categorize angry faces as belonging to a racial outgroup, they are equally likely to categorize angry faces as belonging to a minimal outgroup. Thus, the link between anger and group membership cannot be characterized as a learned link between race and affect, but rather must be attributed to a more general intergroup processes. By contrast, implicit attitudes are considerably stronger for racial than minimal outgroups, suggesting a more central role for social learning in their emergence.
Whither beta-adrenergic tachyphylaxis?

at the outset, or no longer has any regard for his professional reputation. The writer fears that he is guilty of all three, and hence is easily trapped into this assignment. The question of tachyphylaxis arose as a result of a rise in asthma deaths in the United Kingdom in the 6Os, which paralleled the appearance on the market of a metered dose inhaler delivering large doses of isoproterenol.’ Coincident with the manufacturer’s reduction in dose/puff and warnings against overuse was a subsidence in this excess of deaths, leading many to conclude that the two may have been related through the phenomenon of tachyphylaxis. Myocardial toxicity from the combination of isoproterenol, freon propellents, and hypoxemia was also considered. Delay in treatment after initial effectiveness of the new inhaler was perhaps the principal cause. The subsidence in mortality also coincided with the introduction of better management of asthma and particularly the introduction of corticosteroids and cromolyn sodium, so that the descending limb of this epidemic of deaths cannot necessarily be invoked in support of the isoproterenol association. In spite of steadily increasing sales of specific beta,-aerosol inhalers since 1969, death rates remained stable .2 There also seemed to be good evidence that isoproterenol used excessively can be responsible for insensitivity of the bronchial beta receptors in certain individuals, leading to worsening of their asthma,3 while a few individuals had adverse reactions to usual doses.* With the introduction of oral beta, agonists, the issue of tachyphylaxis rose again, with evidence
The effects of steroid hormones and gonadotropins on in vitro placental conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone.

Abstract Using human term placental mitochondrial preparations, optimal conversion of [ 3 H]pregnenolone to [ 3 H]progesterone was obtained at 30 min incubation and with a mitochondrial protein content of 2.5–3.5 mg/ml. Estradiol, estrone, progesterone and testosterone in a dose range of 0.03–8.66 μmol inhibited the in vitro conversion of [ 3 H]pregnenolone to [ 3 H]progesterone by placental homogenates. All four steroids inhibited the pregnenolone to progesterone conversion in a dose-dependent manner. The ID50 (dose required to inhibit conversion of pregnenolone to progesterone by 50%) was 0.04 μmol for estradiol, 0.13 μmol for testosterone, 0.3 μmol for progesterone and 1.0 μmol for estriol. Neither gonadotropin releasing hormone (50–1000 ng) nor human chorionic gonadotropin (5–500 IU) affected the placental basal conversion rate of pregnenolone to progesterone in vitro . Our findings indicate that steroid hormones such as estradiol, estrone, testosterone and progesterone can inhibit local placental progesterone biosynthesis through inhibition of the enzyme complex 5-ene-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.
Gallstones and common bile duct calculi in infancy and childhood.

Background: Gallstones and common bile duct calculi have been increasingly diagnosed in recent years in infants and children. The present study aims to review the spectrum of this disorder in the last two decades. Methods: During the period 1979–96 a total of 102 consecutive infants and children were diagnosed in Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children with gallstones or common bile duct calculi. A detailed retrospective analysis and follow-up of these children form the basis of the present report. Results: The median age at presentation was 10 years. Recurrent right upper quadrant pain was the most common clinical presentation. The male-to-female ratio was 3:2 and this male predominance was noted in all the age groups. Aetiologically three identifiable groupings were noted: idiopathic disease (n = 66), haematological diseases (n = 23) and specific non-haematological disease (n = 13). The incidence of idiopathic and haematological stones had increased two-fold in the second half of the study. The majority of children (86%) underwent surgical correction. Choledocholithiasis (CDL) was noted in 18 children (18%). Jaundice was commonly associated with abdominal pain in this group. A higher incidence of common bile duct calculi was noted in females and children less than 5 years of age (P < 0.01). Common bile duct calculi were accurately diagnosed by pre-operative imaging in all 18 children. Surgical correction was required in all except two. Conclusions: The present study suggests an increasing incidence of gallstones in children. Cholelithiasis in children occurs commonly in boys, is idiopathic in aetiology and presents with a vague right upper quadrant pain. Choledocholithiasis is not uncommon in children, occurs more commonly in girls aged < 5 years and presents with jaundice or abnormal liver function tests.
A Tale of Two Anticoagulants: Warfarin and Heparin

This article relays the story of 3 men, Karl Paul Link, who is the discoverer of warfarin, and William Henry Howell and Jay McLean, who are the discoverers of heparin.
Microwave dissipation in arrays of single-wall carbon nanotubes

The transmission and reflection scattering parameters of arrays of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) directly assembled onto coplanar waveguides (CPWs) have been measured from 0.01to50GHz at room temperature. Typical arrays consisted of roughly ∼103 SWCNTs aligned parallel to the electric field polarization of the propagating field. Scattering parameters were measured on CPWs both before and after SWCNT assembly, allowing separation of SWCNT effects from the characteristics of the bare CPWs. Additional frequency-dependent power dissipation was consistently observed after assembly of SWCNT arrays.
Renal replacement therapy in children

Acute kidney injury (AKI) affects 3.9/1000 at-risk children in the United States, a number that has been increasing as critically ill and injured children have access to improved care and the diagnosis of AKI is being made more accurately. Children with AKI have a higher mortality and hospital length of stay as compared to children without AKI. Renal replacement therapy can improve outcomes in these patients. This article reviews the pathophysiology of AKI and the modalities, indications, and outcomes of renal replacement for children with AKI.
Exchange coupling between two electrons in double quantum dot structures

Abstract General properties of the stability diagram and the exchange energy for a few-electron laterally coupled quantum dots in magnetic fields are investigated. The calculations are performed by numerically exact diagonalization of the Schrodinger equation. The behavior of the exchange energy extracted from the stability diagram obtained with the model potential is qualitatively consistent with a more comprehensive approach based on multiscale modeling of the whole quantum dot device interacting with its environment. In particular, the variation of the curvature and the double–triple point separation in the stability diagrams confirms the weakening of the inter-dot coupling with increasing magnetic fields. We also find that the exchange energy in experimental system shows profound variations as the confinement gate biases (effective barrier between the dots) are changed while the singlet–triplet transition is insensitive to the latter and remains fixed at about 1.5 T.
Superiority of end-to-end versus telescoped bronchial anastomosis in single lung transplantation for pulmonary emphysema.

Abstract Objective: To assess the influence of surgical technique (telescoped versus end-to-end anastomosis) on the incidence of bronchial anastomotic complications in patients who underwent single lung transplantation for pulmonary emphysema. Methods: Seventy-six adult recipients of single lung transplants for pulmonary emphysema were evaluated for the presence of 3 types of major bronchial anastomotic complications: ischemia, dehiscence, and severe stenosis. Surgical technique, clinical course, and mortality were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The 3 major complications were observed in 11 (34%; ischemia), 8 (25%; dehiscence), and 11 (34%; severe stenosis) of 32 telescoped bronchial anastomoses. In contrast, ischemia, dehiscence, and severe stenosis occurred in only 4 (9%), 1 (2%), and 2 (5%) of 44 end-to-end anastomoses ( P = .0087, P = .0034, and P = .0012, respectively). The relative risk of ischemia, dehiscence, and severe stenosis in telescoped anastomoses was 2.1, 2.5, and 2.5, respectively, compared with end-to-end anastomoses. Five (13%) telescoped anastomoses required stent placement as compared with only 2 (5%) end-to-end anastomoses ( P = .1244). Early postoperative pneumonia was more common in the telescoped anastomosis group (56%) than in the end-to-end group (32%; P = .0380). There was a trend toward shorter survival in the telescoped anastomosis group (mean survival 1045 ± 145 days) as compared with the end-to-end group (mean survival 1289 ± 156 days), but these differences did not achieve statistical significance ( P = .2410). Conclusions: In patients who underwent single lung transplantation for pulmonary emphysema, telescoped anastomoses were associated with a higher incidence of bronchial anastomotic complications than end-to-end anastomoses. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2001;121:149-54)
Thailand's evolving Internet policies: the search for a balance between national security and the right to information

This research investigated communication policy and its application to Thailand's management of Internet resources – a battle between a national security ideology and a rationale for freedom of communication in the public's interest. Three topics were explored: the use of regulations to control the public's use of online media; the consequences of government's strict control of the Internet; and communication policy theories that could help explain the genesis of Thailand's online regulatory doctrines. Based on news reports on Internet censorship in Thailand, the findings revealed that the government policy increasing control over the public's use of Internet resources was clearly evident in the Computer Crime Act and lese majeste laws. During the phase of Internet's initial development, laws and regulations were imposed to legitimize the government's control over the new information technologies. Later it was found that the more widespread the Internet, the stricter the policy used to control it became. ...
Teaching Against Torture: Sacramental Catechesis in Exceptional Circumstances 1

Abstract The ongoing crisis concerning torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment of prisoners by U.S. personnel or under U.S. auspices in the “War on Terror” raises issues central to the identity of both church and society. The practice of torture cries out for practical theological reflection inasmuch as it threatens to eviscerate the moral integrity of both American Christian churches and the nation as a whole. Serious practical theological attention needs to be paid to the challenges of teaching youth and adults in mainline Protestant congregations in ways that will move them from awareness to action around the issues raised by the torture crisis.
Cytoplasm-to-myonucleus ratios following microgravity

The cytoplasmic volume-to-myonucleus ratio in the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius muscles of juvenile rats after 5.4 days of microgravity was studied. Three groups of rats (n = 8 each) were used. The experimental group (space rats) was flown aboard the space shuttle Discovery (NASA, STS-48), while two ground-based groups, one hindlimb suspended (suspended rats), one non-suspended (control), served as controls. Single fibre analysis revealed a significant decrease in cross-sectional area (microns2) in the gastrocnemius for both the space and the suspended rats; in the tibialis anterior only the suspended rats showed a significant decrease. Myonuclei counts (myonuclei per mm) in both the tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius were significantly increased in the space rats but not in the suspended rats. The mean myonuclear volume (individual nuclei: microns3) in tibialis anterior fibres from the space rats, and in gastrocnemius fibres from both the space and the suspended rats, was significantly lower than that in the respective control group. Estimation of the total myonuclear volume (microns3 per.mm), however, revealed no significant differences between the three groups in either the tibialis anterior or gastrocnemius. The described changes in the cross-sectional area and myonuclei numbers resulted in significant decreases in the cytoplasmic volume-to-myonucleus ratio (microns3 x 10(3)) in both muscles and for both space and suspended rats (tibialis anterior; 15.6 +/- 0.6 (space), 17.2 +/- 1.0 (suspended), 20.8 +/- 0.9 (control): gastrocnemius; 13.4 +/- 0.4 (space) and 14.9 +/- 1.1 (suspended) versus 18.1 +/- 1.1 (control)). These results indicate that even short periods of unweighting due to microgravity or limb suspension result in changes in skeletal muscle fibres which lead to significant decreases in the cytoplasmic volume-to-myonucleus ratio.
Significance of the largest scale CMB fluctuations in WMAP

We investigate anomalies reported in the cosmic microwave background maps from the Wilkinson Microwave Anisotropy Probe (WMAP) satellite on very large angular scales and discuss possible interpretations. Three independent anomalies involve the quadrupole and octopole: (1) The cosmic quadrupole on its own is anomalous at the 1-in-20 level by being low (the cut-sky quadrupole measured by the WMAP team is more strikingly low, apparently due to a coincidence in the orientation of our Galaxy of no cosmological significance); (2) the cosmic octopole on its own is anomalous at the 1-in-20 level by being very planar; (3) the alignment between the quadrupole and octopole is anomalous at the 1-in-66 level. Although the a priori chance of all three occurring is 1 in 24000, the multitude of alternative anomalies one could have looked for dilutes the significance of such a posteriori statistics. The simplest small universe model where the universe has toroidal topology with one small dimension of order one-half the horizon scale, in the direction toward Virgo, could explain the three items above. However, we rule this model out using two topological tests: the S statistic and the matched circle test.
C-Acylation of Hippurate and Related Esters Utilizing Multiple Anion Intermediates and Ethyl 4-Aminobenzoate

Abstract Hippurate and related esters were polymetalated with excess lithium diisopropylamide (LDA) at 0°C, and the resulting multiple anion intermediates were condensed with ethyl 4-aminobenzoate to afford C-acylated products.
Foraging opportunity and increased physical complexity both prevent and reduce psychogenic feather picking by young Amazon parrots

Abstract Although many authors have suggested that the quality of the cage environment contributes to the development and performance of psychogenic feather picking by parrots, there is little scientific evidence for this relationship. In chickens, there is an established relationship between absence of foraging opportunity and the performance of a similar behavior, feather pecking. Thus, we assessed whether providing environmental enrichments designed to facilitate foraging behaviors would prevent or reduce the development of feather picking behavior by parrots, as evidenced by superior feather condition. Two groups of eight parrots were parent-reared to weaning and then housed singly in either enriched or unenriched cages for 48 weeks. In the enriched condition, a unique combination of one foraging and one physical enrichment was presented to each parrot weekly. In both groups, feather condition was quantified using a 10-point scale. The provision of enrichments led to an improvement in feather condition over 48 weeks in the enriched group, while feather scores in the control group decreased significantly (repeated measures GLM: F 1,46 =5.59; P =0.022) during this same period, indicating that feather picking behavior had developed in this group. In the second part of this study, the control group was transferred to the enriched treatment for a period of 16 weeks. During this period re-feathering occurred and feather scores improved significantly, indicating that feather picking behavior had decreased (repeated measures GLM: F 1,53 =35.57, P
Airline flight networks, cycle times, and profitability: 2004–2006

This research investigates the relationships between airline flight networks, aircraft cycle times, and carrier profitability for ten large US domestic airlines. We find that direct point-to-point flight networks and short cycle times are operational factors that airlines should exploit to improve profitability. These findings are based on the analysis of 11.9 million flight records from 2004 through 2006. The results contradict earlier research validating performance advantages of hub-and-spoke flight networks. Today, the advantages of passenger consolidation at hub airports are lost to lower aircraft utilization and productivity problems created by the extended cycle times at hubs. We also find that airline operating profit can be increased by improving the efficiency of the aircraft turnaround process and decreasing aircraft fleet complexity. This research also provides an estimate of the marginal opportunity cost of ground time. A 1-min reduction in aircraft fleet ground time increases the average sized carriers’ operating income by $12 to $18 million.
Evidence for initial jet formation by an accretion disk in the radio galaxy M87

Abstract The nearby E0 galaxy M87 in the Virgo Cluster contains one of the nearest examples of a powerful non-thermal jet source. In addition, HST spectroscopy of its nucleus give strong evidence for the presence of a ≈3×109 M⊙ central black hole (corresponding to Schwarzschild radius Rs∼0.0004 pc). These two facts together make M87 the best possible target for studying the initial jet formation and collimation process. Herein we report new 43 GHz VLBI observations of the nucleus of this galaxy, which clearly show the jet opening angle expanding rapidly as one approaches the core on scales ∼0.01 pc. We believe we have, for the first time, imaged the initial collimation region of a powerful extragalactic jet. We find significant collimation occurring on scales of 30–100 Rs, and argue this is consistent with expectations for poloidal collimation by a rotating accretion disk.
q-deformed de Sitter/conformal field theory correspondence

Unitary principal series representations of the conformal group appear in the de Sitter/conformal field theory (dS/CFT) correspondence. These are infinite-dimensional irreducible representations, without highest weights. In earlier work of Gueijosa and the author it was shown for the case of two-dimensional de Sitter space, there was a natural q-deformation of the conformal group, with q a root of unity, where the unitary principal series representations become finite-dimensional cyclic unitary representations. Formulating a version of the dS/CFT correspondence using these representations can lead to a description with a finite-dimensional Hilbert space and unitary evolution. In the present work, we generalize to the case of quantum-deformed three-dimensional de Sitter spacetime and compute the entanglement entropy of a quantum field across the cosmological horizon.
External distraction impairs categorization performance in older adults

The detrimental influence of distraction on memory and attention is well established, yet it is not as clear whether irrelevant information impacts categorization abilities and whether this impact changes in aging. We examined categorization with morphed prototype stimuli in both younger and older adults, using an adaptive staircase approach to assess participants' performance in conditions with and without visual distractors. Results showed that distraction did not affect younger adults, but produced a negative impact on older adults' categorization such that there was an interaction of age and distraction. These results suggest a relationship between the increased susceptibility to visual distraction in normal aging and impairment in categorization.
Correction of phase wrapping in magnetic resonance imaging.

In phase reconstructionMRimaging, e.g., for velocity measurement, phase shifts beyond ±π radians will ‘‘wrap around’’ to smaller apparent phases. Such large phase shifts could arise either due to large background (non‐flow‐related) phase variations or due to large velocity‐induced phase shifts. For sufficiently smooth phase variation, such discontinuities can be automatically recognized and corrected, thus restoring the correct phase values and extending the effective dynamic range of such phase imaging techniques.
Flow cytometric analysis of intracellular calcium: The polyclonal and antigen-specific response in human B lymphocytes

One of the earlier events that follow ligation of a number of cell surface receptors is mobilization of cytoplasmic free calcium ([Ca 2+ ] i ). The development of a series of ion-sensitive fluorescent dyes, such as quin-2, indo-1, and fluo-3, has greatly facilitated the study of this process. Indo-1 has been shown to be the calcium indicator of choice for measuring calcium responses by flow cytometry. The spectral properties of indo-1 allow measurement of [Ca 2+ ] i independent of heterogeneity in the cell uptake of dye. In this report methods for the determination of [Ca 2+ ] i responses in B lymphocytes using polyclonal stimulation by anti-immunoglobulin antibodies are described. In addition, it is shown that these techniques can be utilized for measuring responses in small subpopulations of cells. Specifically, as many as 4% of B cells obtained from donors previously vaccinated with pneumococcal polysaccharides can be induced to mobilize [Ca 2+ ] i after in vitro stimulation with purified polysaccharides. Because indo-1 has the disadvantage that it requires uv light for excitation, a fluorochrome that can be excited by visible light would be more generally applicable. Fluo-3 is a calcium-sensitive dye that can be excited by 488-nm illumination and can therefore be used on most argon-laser-based flow cytometers equipped with a fixed-filter setup for measurement of fluorescein and phycoerythrin (PE). In addition, fluo-3 can be combined with PE-labeled monoclonal antibodies, allowing for simultaneous measurement of [Ca 2+ ] i and cell surface staining. Since fluo-3 is a nonratioable calcium indicator, the variability in basal fluorescence intensity compromises the accuracy of flow cytometric measurement of [Ca 2+ ] i . However, a significant proportion of variation in fluorescence intensity can be negated by simultaneous analysis of cells loaded with fluo-3 and the intracellular pH indicator SNARF-1. This enables the user to ratio the fluo-3 and SNARF-1 fluorescence intensities, thus yielding a more accurate determination of [Ca 2+ ] i .