cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alpha-particle-induced luminescence of rare-earth-doped Y2O3 nanophosphors

Abstract The feasibility of utilizing Y2O3:Tb3+ and Y2O3:Eu3+ as radioluminescent nanophosphors under alpha-particle excitation is investigated. Materials synthesized by the urea homogeneous precipitation method were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The XRD analysis of as-produced precipitates and nanophosphors fired at temperatures ranging from 950 to 1100 °C indicated the presence of highly crystalline cubic Y2O3 with crystallite sizes of ∼40 nm. SEM and TEM analysis revealed that particles with average diameters of ∼200 nm and comprised of ∼40 nm grains were obtained. High-resolution radioluminescence and photoluminescence spectra were used to investigate the unwanted radioluminescence saturation effects associated with the high ionization rate of alpha-particles. Additionally, the radioluminescence intensity as a function of rare-earth ion dopant concentration is investigated for these materials under alpha-particle excitation. The prospect for utilizing these materials as intermediate absorbers in indirect-conversion radioisotope batteries is discussed.
Subcellular particles separated through a histochemical reaction

Abstract A method is presented for increasing the density of mitochondria in order to separate them more thoroughly from synaptic ending membranes in density-gradient centrifugation. The mixture of particulates is incubated with a histochemical reaction medium for the mitochondrial specific enzyme, succinic dehydrogenase, and then applied to the gradient. The contamination of synaptic ending membranes by mitochondria is greatly reduced thereby, and it is suggested that this sort of procedure may be useful in many cases where particulates are isolated through centrifugation.
Further study on the antitumor activity of a homo-aza-steroidal ester of p-N,N-bis(2-chloroethyl)aminophenylacetic acid

Abstract To the Editor: To increase the selectivity of the antitumor action of alkylating agents, new biological platforms that enable delivery of the alkylating moities to specific target sites have been suggested. These biological platforms have various chemical structures and biological properties. On the other hand, for modified steroidal esters, we suggest that in addition to an easily cleaved ester bond (a basic requirement for antitumor activity), that the steroidal lactam moiety is required for activity in leukemia L1210 and P388. 1 One such promising compound, 3β-hydroxy-13α-amino-13,17-seco-5α- androstan-17-oic-13,17-lactam-p- N,N -bis(2-chloro-ethyl)aminophenylacetate 2 (ASE; NSC 620482) has good activity in L1210 and P388 leukemias, 3 T8-Guerin tumors, Theagenion-Bahner angiosarcoma, 4 B16 melanosarcoma, Colon 26 tumor, CD8F mammary tumor, 5 CX-1 xenograft, LX-1 xenograft, MXT-1 hormonal-dependent transplantable mammary adenocarcinoma, and Colon 38 tumor. 6 This compound (ASE) was submitted to the National Cancer Institute for further testing in P388 leukemia, and the results are reported in Table I. The compound ASE is active in P388 leukemia following a single injection on day 1 by the ip route of administration (T/C > 125%). It is also one of the more active compounds in this series of modified steroidal alkylating agents. The drug ASE has confirmed activity in 10 experimental animal tumors, including two human xenografts. Since the antineoplastic activity of this drug is superior to older or unmodified steroidal alkylating agents, 7 it is an attractive candidate for clinical trial.
Enhanced performance of Li-ion cell with LiBF4-PC based electrolyte by addition of small amount of LiBOB

Abstract LiBF4-PC based electrolytes have superior potentials in enhancing cycling performance of Li-ion cells at low temperature and at high current rate, respectively. However, their application is prevented because of the poor capability in enabling graphite to form a solid electrolyte interface (SEI). In this work, we found that addition of small amount of lithium bis(oxalate)borate (LiBOB) into the LiBF4-based electrolytes could significantly promote SEI formation on the surface of graphite even in solutions with a high content of PC. This is attributed to the fact that LiBOB participates in the formation chemistry of the SEI. Results showed that 1–5 mol% LiBOB is sufficient to promote graphite cycling reversibly in 1.0 m LiBF4 1:1:3 PC/EC/EMC and 1.0 m LiBF4 1:1 PC/EC, respectively, while the excellent cycling performance of LiBF4-PC based electrolytes at low temperatures was maintained.
Isolating the effects of visual impairment: exploring the effect of AMD on the utility of multimodal feedback

This study examines the effects of multimodal feedback on the performance of older adults with an ocular disease, Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), when completing a simple computer-based task. Visually healthy older users (n = 6) and older users with AMD (n = 6) performed a series of drag-and-drop tasks that incorporated a variety of different feedback modalities. The user groups were equivalent with respect to traditional visual function metrics and measured subject cofactors, aside from the presence or absence of AMD. Results indicate that users with AMD exhibited decreased performance, with respect to required feedback exposure time. Some non-visual and multimodal feedback forms show potential as solutions to enhance performance, for those with AMD as well as for visually healthy older adults.
Harpacticoid Copepods Associated With Cnidaria in the Indo-west Pacific

ABSTRACT Alteuthellopsis corallina, new species (Peltidiidae), associated with the Indo-Pacific scleractinian corals Merulina ampliata, Platygyra daedala, Platygyra sp., Astreopora sp., Pocillopora damicornis var. caespitosa, Acropora exigua, and Goniastrea retiformis, is characterized by an elongate slender fifth leg armed terminally with a strong obtuse spine. Tegastes cnidicus, new species (Tegastidae), associated with the hydrozoan Aglaophenia cupressina Lamouroux in the Moluccas, is distinguished by the lack of a ventral prolongation on the genital segment of the female. With the inclusion of Tegastes georgei Marcus and Masry, 1970, and Tegastes acroporanus Humes, 1981, four species of harpacticoid copepods are now known from cnidarians in the Indo-West Pacific.
Baboons of the amboseli basin: Demographic stability and change

A cross-sectional demographic analysis of the entire baboon population of the Amboseli basin of southern Kenya was undertaken to complement the lon-gitudinal, intensive studies of a subpopulation. The present survey documented the extent and persistence of the influx of anubis baboons into the predominantly cynocephalus community and provided another example of the nonrandom dispersal patterns of cercopithecine males. In addition, the survey confirmed continued demographic stability of the basinwide baboon population and even growth in groups that had access to better feeding conditions, despite decline of the baboons' preferred habitat and expansion of human activities into wildlife areas. Conflicts with activities of humans, however, indicate that the present well-being of the Amboseli baboon population may be short-lived.
Hope as seen through the eyes of homeless children

Children now constitute the largest segment of the homeless population. Multiple studies have identified the adverse effects of homelessness on children's health, development, academic success, and behaviour. Minimal literature exists that describes homeless children from the perspective of their strengths. The purpose of this study was to investigate the meaning of hope in homeless children and to identify strategies that children use in fostering and maintaining their hope. Using the technique of methodological triangulation (semi-structured interviews and drawings) the investigator collected data on a convenience sample of 60 homeless children (6 to 16 years old) currently residing in homeless shelters. Transcriptions of the audio-taped interviews were analysed following Colaizzi's method of analysis. Transcript statements were compared with the drawings. Five themes representing hope emerged from the data: connectedness, internal resources, cognitive strategies, energy, and hope objects. School age children drew story book tale characters, pre-adolescents drew real life situations, and adolescents drew future plans to represent their hopes. An understanding of hope from the perspective of homeless children could provide a basis upon which to develop interventions that engender hope and to develop programmes that build on the hopes that children had already developed.
Decoupling of Standard Implementation from Certification: Does Quality of ISO 14001 Implementation Affect Facilities’ Environmental Performance?

The literature on certifiable management standards has not paid sufficient attention to implementation of standard requirements in certified firms. Firms that obtain standard certification to achieve the legitimacy benefits of certification may not implement standard requirements sufficiently to realize the standard’s intended performance outcomes. We argue that such decoupling of implementation from certification threatens the effectiveness of certifiable standards as governance mechanisms for firms’ environmental conduct because standard certification may not accurately signal firms’ superior environmental performance to external stakeholders. Empirical findings based on the ISO 14001 standard at the facility level support this view: Quality of standard implementation affects facilities’ environmental performance, and environmental performance of certified and non-certified facilities does not differ significantly for the overall sample and low-quality implementers, while high-quality implementers have better environmental performance than their non-certified counterparts. We provide recommendations for increasing the effectiveness of governance systems for firm conduct based on certifiable standards.
Design, architecture and control of a mobile site-modeling robot

A distributed, modular, heterogeneous architecture is presented that illustrates an approach to solving and integrating common tasks in mobile robotics, such as path planning, localization, sensor fusion, environmental modeling, and motion control. Experimental results are shown for an autonomous navigation task to confirm the applicability of our approach.
Altered Renal Hemodynamics in Mice Overexpressing the Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)/PTH-Related Peptide Type 1 Receptor in Smooth Muscle

PTH-related protein (PTHrP) is an autocrine/paracrine peptide expressed in renal tubules and vasculature and may play an important role in regulating overall renal function. To evaluate the potential role of endogenous PTHrP in the control of renal hemodynamics, we performed clearance measurements in transgenic (TG) mice in which the SMP8 α-actin promoter was used to drive overexpression of the PTH/PTHrP type 1 receptor in smooth muscle. In protocol I, responses to acute saline volume expansion (SVE, 0.75 μl/min·g body weight) were measured in TG and nontransgenic (NTG) mice. Mean arterial pressure was significantly lower in TG mice throughout the experiment, and it decreased comparably in both groups in response to SVE. SVE significantly increased effective renal plasma flow in both groups of mice, but the increase was greater in TG than in NTG. Glomerular filtration rate decreased in response to SVE in NTG but did not change in TG animals. In protocol II, renal responses to angiotensin II (ANG II) infus...
Post-layout energy-delay analysis of parallel multipliers

This paper examines parallel multiplier architectures with respect to post-layout energy and delay. Our energy-delay analysis applied to several schemes takes into account the architectural as well as practical circuit implementation issues. Incorporating extracted 3D parasitic loads after layout, our analysis leads to a more realistic conclusion than previous work. A novel parallel-select Booth2 coding method is proposed to improve the performance of the multiplier. Our analysis concludes that the Booth2 method achieves better energy efficiency for large multipliers and for high speed, while the non-Booth method consumes less for small multipliers and longer latencies.
Mathematical Models and Data Analysis

This chapter starts by introducing the benefits of applied data analysis and modeling methods through a case study example pertinent to energy use in buildings. Next, it reviews fundamental notions of mathematical models illustrates them in terms of sensor response, and differentiates between forward or simulation models and inverse models. Subsequently, various issues pertinent to data analysis and associated uncertainty are described, and the different analysis tools which fall within its purview are discussed. Basic concepts relating to white-box, black-box and grey-box models are then presented. An attempt is made to identify the different types of problems one faces with forward modeling as distinct from inverse modeling and analysis. Notions germane to the disciplines of decision analysis, data mining and intelligent data analysis are also covered. Finally, the various topics covered in each chapter of this book are described.
Can clinicians create high-quality databases: a study on a flexible electronic health record (fEHR) system

Clinicians are becoming increasingly dependent on health information technologies (HIT) in their daily activities, like data collection. However, currently, most HITs are vendor designed systems, which are often inconsistent and inflexible with respect to the needs of the clinicians. Consequently, time and again, the HITs are found to be unfit for the healthcare workflow. A better HIT design is to empower the clinicians with the ability to modify system functionality as per their needs. In this paper, we propose a flexible Electronic Health Record (fEHR) system, which allows clinicians to build new templates/forms for data collection over an existing EHR system through a user interface. The system automatically translates the forms to underlying databases while shielding the user from knowing the technical details. A key contribution is that the generated databases are high-quality with desirable properties. To test the system usability, we conducted a user study with clinicians working in a nurse-managed health services center. The participants performed the given tasks with 100% effectiveness, within a short span of time, in all but one case; and exhibited an improvement in their understanding of the system. Our study demonstrates that the fEHR system has the potentials of incorporating flexibility into HITs to make them more effective and efficient for healthcare. We show that the fEHR is a favorable environment for clinicians to develop and improve their need-modeling skills.
Effects of Exotic Habitat on Nesting Success, Territory Density, and Settlement Patterns in the Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla )

Animals are expected to distribute themselves in a heterogeneous environment in such a way that they maximize their reproductive output. When the environment is profoundly changed by human pressure, however, cues used for habitat selection in the past may no longer provide reliable information about habi- tat quality. I monitored the nesting success of Blackcaps ( Sylvia atricapilla ) in two types of forest in southern Moravia in the Czech Republic. I assessed their breeding density and territory size using a territory mapping method and the minimum convex polygon method. I determined spring arrival through direct observations and measured vegetation characteristics and pattern of spring leafing of shrubs in both forests. I show that Blackcaps preferentially settled in a plantation of introduced black locust ( Robinia pseudoacacia ) upon their return from spring migration. In this plantation, they reached twice the density as that observed in a natural floodplain forest nearby. However, they had significantly lower nesting success (15.5%) than in the flood- plain forest (59%). Returning migrant Blackcaps may be lured by early-leafing shrubs in the exotic planta- tion to settle earlier and at higher densities in the reproductively inferior habitat. My results show that (1) it is not possible to assess habitat quality based solely on breeding densities, (2) human-modified habitats can function as ecological traps by luring settling birds into unsuitable habitats, and (3) by replacing exotic plant species with native ones we can restore native communities and increase the breeding productivity of bird populations.
The coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, impacts forest composition and soil characteristics at Palmyra Atoll, Central Pacific

Question: Cocos nucifera, the coconut palm, has a pantropical distribution and reaches near monodominance in many atolls, low lying islands and coastal regions. This paper examines the ecological correlation between C. nucifera abundance and changes in forest structure, floristic diversity and forest soil characteristics. Location: Palmyra Atoll NWR (USA), Central Pacific Ocean. Methods: Plant surveys were conducted on 83 transects (each 100 m 2 ). All plants � 5 cm in height were identified and counted; large plants were also measured and ground cover was surveyed. Major macronutrients, pH, macro-elements/base cations, micronutrients and pedogenic elements, and thermodynamic stability levels were quantified from soil samples taken at each transect. Results: Even in a low diversity atoll environment, we found that high abundances of C. nucifera corresponded with pronounced differences in forest communities including: lower diversity of established trees and regenerating understorey; higher stem density and stand basal area; lower abundance of major macronutrients; and differences in macro and trace elements and energy content of soil organic matter. Historical natural experiments document that the expansion of C. nucifera was the likely causative agent of these changes. Discussion: Cumulatively, these data show that C. nucifera has important impacts on floristic, structural and soil characteristics of forests where it becomes dominant. Given the high proportion of tropical coastal areas in which C. nucifera is now naturalized and abundant, this likely has important implications for coastal forest diversity and structure.
Reconstructing Local Interaction Potentials from Perturbations to the Thermally Driven Motion of an Atomic Force Microscope Cantilever

Local potentials that arise between the tip of an atomic force microscope (AFM) and a sample add to the free AFM cantilever potential and thereby affect the thermally driven motion of the cantilever. Here we present a general framework for isolating the tip−sample interaction potential from the total potential based on the analysis of the perturbations to the thermally driven motion of the cantilever. To establish appropriate experimental parameters, we first examine the behavior of the free cantilever in air and in water. We then measure the total and interaction potentials of an AFM cantilever in a low salt aqueous solution, a classical electrical double-layer interaction, and validate the approach by reconstructing the force curve (force law) from the force gradients derived from the potentials. We also present three-dimensional representations of the total cantilever potential and the tip−sample interaction potentials as a function of tip−sample separation.
Iodoacetate and Iodoacetamide-Induced Alterations of Pancreatic α- and β-Cell Responses1

Iodoacetate and iodoacetamide were compared as to their capacity to block islet glycolysis and interfere with glucose inhibition of glucagon release and glucose stimulation of insulin release. Glycolysis was measured in isolated rat islet by the rate of lactate formation from 27 mM glucose. Hormone release was investigated by perfusing isolated rat pancreas with a 10 mM mixture of 19 amino acids, with and without 5 mM glucose. In perfusion experiments, lactate (2.5 mM) and pyruvate (0.5 mM) were present to provide alternate source of energy independent of glycolysis. Iodoacetate was about twice as potent as iodoacetamide in blocking glycolysis in islets, 0.2 and 0.5 mM, respectively being needed for complete inhibition of lactate production. Levels of either agent lower than 0.05 mM did not affect lactate accumulation. Iodoacetate, at the level which completely inhibited glycolysis did not interfere with the permissive action of glucose for insulin release. In contrast, iodoacetamide at a level (0.05 mM) which had no effect on lactate production, changed the response of the beta-cell dramatically: amino acids now released insulin even in the absence of glucose and insulin release by 5 mM glucose alone was greatly augmented. Both thiol reagents at 0.025 mM concentration completely prevented glucose from suppressing amino acid stimulated glucagon release, iodoacetamide being more potent than iodoacetate. These data indicate that the opposite physiological actions of glucose in alpha and beta-cells are in each case dissociable from the fuel function of the sugar molecule, and the results best support the concept that glucose and thiol reagents effect insulin and glucagon secretion by acting on sulfhydryl groups related to receptor sites in the alpha-and beta-cell membrane.
COUNSELING STUDENTS' ATTRIBUTION OF DIAGNOSTIC CREDIBILITY TO CLINICAL SUPERVISORS '

Research on factors influencing diagnostic credibility has not been widespread. In this study, agreement ratings for a clinical diagnosis were compared for two groups of students receiving supervision from differently credentialed hypothetical supervisors. Implications of these findings are discussed relative to preparation practices and improving clinical practice. As 190 students who had completed either less than one-half (n = 112) or more than one-half (n = 78) of their programs in 9 institutions gave mean ratings of about 5 on a 10-point scale, they did not differentially rate diagnostic credibility of the hypothetical supervisors having credentials as psychiatrists, doctorate-holding counselor education faculty, doctorate-holding psychologists, and doctoral students holding master's degrees in counselor education.
Step-by-step Detection of Personally Collocated Mobile Devices

Many people now carry multiple mobile devices on a daily basis. Wearables, smartphones, tablets, and laptops all have their different advantages, but collectively they can increase a user's device management burden. Management problems include leaving a device behind accidentally, receiving notifications on the wrong device, and failing to secure all of the devices as needed. Reducing this burden requires detecting which of a user's devices are "personally collocated" -- those devices he currently wears, carries, or has under his immediate physical control. We present a lightweight method to detect personal collocation by comparing accelerometer-based footstep signatures across the devices over time. Through several experiments, we demonstrate that the technique is lower latency and lower power than state-of-the-art RSSI-based collocation techniques. We describe other advantages and limitations of our method and also provide several examples of higher-layer applications and services that can make use of personal collocation information.
Politically Determined Income Inequality and the Provision of Public Goods

Political processes may bring about Pareto improvements by increasing income inequality in a society that produces a public good by voluntary contributions. Proportional taxation funds a “governing agent.” The most endowed agent is the Condorcet winner for governing agent. When the tax rate can also be chosen by a vote, the ideal point of the agent with median initial endowment is the Condorcet winner under Cobb–Douglas utility. If Pareto improvements are possible, this ideal point corresponds to Pareto improvement. Pareto improvement may also be possible, even when a Leviathan set taxes, if there is deadweight loss from taxation. Pareto improvements are indeed always possible in “large” societies. On the other hand, no improvements may be possible if the initial distribution of wealth is very unequal in a “small” society, and Condorcet winners may not exist for other utility functions.
A prospective, longitudinal study of the behavior of serologically classified isolates of Escherichia coli in women with recurrent urinary tract infections

Summary Objective This study characterizes further the behavior of serologically classified isolates of Escherichia coli in women with recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs). Methods A prospective, longitudinal study of 203 young to middle-aged women with UTIs was conducted. Seven hundred and sixty-one UTIs due to E. coli were identified in the 203 women during observation periods of 1.1–19.4years. Isolates from urine were routinely serologically classified. Clusters of UTIs and rates per year of infections with the same serogroup were defined to quantify further UTIs. Results One hundred and forty-eight (73%) of the 203 women experienced 2–42 UTIs with E. coli . Fifteen percent of recurrences occurred within 1month of the previous infection; 57%, 6months; and 70%, 1year. During the first four months, recurrences with the same serogroup accounted for 81–50% of recurrences; thereafter, recurrences with a different serogroup were more frequent. Clusters of UTIs occurred in 52% of the 148 women and ranged in size from 2–5 infections. Multiple recurrences with the same serogroup were more frequently caused by a few common serogroups. Conclusions Isolates of a few common serogroups of E. coli were associated with the great majority of both index and recurrent UTIs. Some isolates of both common and less common serogroups were associated with multiple recurrences with the same serogroup. The wide range in rates/year among recurrences with isolates of different serogroups in individual women were consistent with the hypothesis that these differences were more likely to be due to differences in virulence of the isolates than to host factors.
Highly sensitive kinesin-microtubule motility assays using SLIM

We provide an experimental demonstration of Spatial Light Interference Microscopy (SLIM) as a tool for measuring the motion of 25 nm tubulin structures without the use of florescence labels. Compared to intensity imaging methods such as phase contrast or DIC, our imaging technique relies on the ratios of images associated with optically introduced phase shifts, thus implicitly removing background illumination. To demonstrate our new found capabilities, we characterize kinesin-based motility continuously over periods of time where fluorescence would typically photobleach. We exploit this new method to compare the motility of microtubules at low ATP concentrations, with and without the tagging proteins formerly required to perform these studies. Our preliminary results show that the tags have a non-negligible effect on the microtubule motility, slowing the process down by more than 10%.
A Dietary Study of the Adult Eye Gnat Hippelates pusio (Diptera: Chloropidae)

In tests conducted during 1963–64 at Gainesville, Florida, 60 combinations of carbohydrates, honey, yeast extract, and acid-hydrolyzed casein were fed to eye gnats, Hippelates pusio (Loew), in liquid or dry form. Yeast extract and acid-hydrolyzed casein did not support gnat life beyond 48 hr, whereas many diets containing a carbohydrate or honey supported life for 30 clays. Supplements of casein or yeast generally did not enhance survival, egg yield, or egg viability above that of a carbohydrate or honey.
Long conducting polymer nanonecklaces with a ‘beads-on-a-string’ morphology: DNA nanotube-template synthesis and electrical properties

Complex and functional nanostructures are always desired. Herein, we present the synthesis of novel long conducting polymer nanonecklaces with a ‘beads-on-a-string’ morphology by the DNA nanotube-template approach and in situ oxidative polymerization of the 3-methylthiophene monomer with FeCl3 as the oxidant/catalyst. The length of the nanonecklaces is up to 60 μm, and the polymer beads of around 20–25 nm in diameter are closely packed along the axis of the DNA nanotube template with a density of ca. 45 particles per μm. The formation of porous DNA nanotubes impregnated with FeCl3 was also demonstrated as intermediate nanostructures. The mechanisms for the formation of both the porous DNA nanotubes and the conducting polymer nanonecklaces are discussed in detail. The as-synthesized polymer/DNA nanonecklaces exhibit good electrical properties.
The Vector Analyzing Power in the 2H(\(\overrightarrow d \),p)3H Reaction at 30 MeV

The 2H(d,p)3H reaction has been studied at energies up to 12 MeV by a number of groups1). GrUebler et al. in particular have measured the differential cross sections and the deuteron analyzing powers at 9 energies between 3.0 and 11.5 MeV, and they have analyzed their data in terms of possible resonances in 4He. Their analysis of the coefficients in a Legendre expansion fit to the data showed that no simple isolated state of this system exists between 24 and 30 MeV excitation of 4He since relatively strong interference effects were observed.
Ethics and Public Policy

My work in ethics has focused on theoretical material from Aristotle on the good life, Mill on utilitarianism, Hume’s emotivism and subjectivism, Kant’s rationalism (including his account of the moral worth of an act and his categorical imperative about right acts), and W.D. Ross’ intuitionism on what makes right acts right. I found all these very different views fascinating and wondered if one of the theories might truly be the correct one. In my studies of mathematics, I had been trained to find the correct answers, and from that perspective it was natural to have a similar expectation in my newer field of interest, ethics, which I characterize as an inquiry into and about ways of life and rules of conduct. I argue in this paper that often no one theory is correct, but ethical theory as a collective is essential for practical decision-making.
Human Placental Trophoblasts : Impact of Maternal Nutrition

Human Placental Trophoblasts: Impact of Maternal Nutrition explores the vital roles of trophoblasts play in fetal growth and pregnancy, giving you new insight into the modulation of placental trophoblast functions by nutrients. It also reviews the role of fatty acids, folic acids, and specific vitamins in this aspect. The book highlights the critic
EPR Line Shifts and Line Shape Changes Due to Spin Exchange Between Nitroxide Free Radicals in Liquids 10. Spin-Exchange Frequencies of the Order of the Nitrogen Hyperfine Interaction: A Hypothesis

The behavior of electron paramagnetic resonance spectra due to 15N and 14N nitroxide free radicals undergoing spin exchange in liquids at frequencies $$\omega_{\text{ex}}$$ that are high, of the same order of magnitude as the nitrogen hyperfine coupling constant $$A_{0}$$ , is investigated. The well-known features are reconfirmed: (1) at low values of $$\omega_{\text{ex}}$$ where the lines broaden, shift toward the center of the spectrum, and change shape due to the introduction of a resonance of the form of a dispersion component; (2) at values of $$\omega_{\text{ex}}$$ comparable to $$A_{0}$$ , where the lines merge into one; and (3) at values much larger than $$A_{0}$$ , where the merged line narrows. It is found that each line of a spectrum may be decomposed into an admixture of a single absorption and a single dispersion component of Lorentzian shape. These two- or three-line absorption–dispersion admixtures, for 15N and 14N, respectively, retain their individual identities even after the spectrum has merged and has begun to narrow. For both isotopes, the average broadening and integrated intensities are equal to the predictions of perturbation theory although, in the case of 14N, the outer lines broaden faster than the central line and intensity moves from the outer lines to the central line. In fact, the outer line intensity becomes zero and then negative at higher values of $$\omega_{\text{ex}}$$ which is compensated by the central line becoming more intense than the overall integrated intensity. For both isotopes, the dispersion components and the line shifts depart from the perturbation predictions. The results are presented in terms of measurable quantities normalized to $$A_{0}$$ so that they may be applied to any two- or three-line spectrum.
Physician Participation in Meaningful Use and Quality of Care for Medicare Fee-for-Service Enrollees

Objectives The Meaningful Use initiative has made nearly $30 billion available through incentive programs to encourage provider adoption and use of electronic health records. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of outpatient physicians' participation in Meaningful Use on the quality of care provided to Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) enrollees. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting One hundred percent inpatient and outpatient Medicare FFS claims covering the period January 2010 through December 2012. Participants 303,110 Medicare FFS enrollees from New York State. Measurements Hospitalizations and emergency department (ED) visits for ambulatory care sensitive conditions (ACSCs), diabetic retinopathy screening, diabetic nephropathy screening, colorectal cancer screening, and influenza vaccinations. Results Physician participation in the Meaningful Use initiative was not associated with reductions in ACSC-related hospitalizations (0.0 percentage points, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.0–0.1) or ED visits (0.0 percentage points, 95% CI: 0.0–0.1) relative to the comparison group. Meaningful Use participation was associated with higher odds of colorectal cancer screening (odds ratio (OR): 1.2, 95% CI: 1.1–1.4) relative to the comparison group, but not for diabetic retinopathy screening (OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0–1.2), diabetic nephropathy screening (OR: 1.0, 95% CI: 0.8–1.2), or influenza vaccinations (OR: 1.1, 95% CI: 1.0–1.2). Similar results were found in secondary analyses of dually-eligible beneficiaries participating in both Medicare and Medicaid. Conclusion Physician participation in Meaningful Use was not associated with substantial improvements on six quality measures.
Evaluation of airway protection: Quantitative timing measures versus penetration/aspiration score.

Objectives/Hypothesis Quantitative measures of swallowing function may improve the reliability and accuracy of modified barium swallow (MBS) study interpretation. Quantitative study analysis has not been widely instituted, however, secondary to concerns about the time required to make measures and a lack of research demonstrating impact on MBS interpretation. This study compares the accuracy of the penetration/aspiration (PEN/ASP) scale (an observational visual-perceptual assessment tool) to quantitative measures of airway closure timing relative to the arrival of the bolus at the upper esophageal sphincter in identifying a failure of airway protection during deglutition. Study Design Retrospective review of clinical swallowing data from a university-based outpatient clinic. Methods Swallowing data from 426 patients were reviewed. Patients with normal PEN/ASP scores were identified, and the results of quantitative airway closure timing measures for three liquid bolus sizes were evaluated. The incidence of significant airway closure delay with and without a normal PEN/ASP score was determined. Inter-rater reliability for the quantitative measures was calculated. Results In patients with a normal PEN/ASP score, 33% demonstrated a delay in airway closure on at least one swallow during the MBS study. There was no correlation between PEN/ASP score and airway closure delay. Inter-rater reliability for the quantitative measure of airway closure timing was nearly perfect (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.973). Conclusions The use of quantitative measures of swallowing function, in conjunction with traditional visual perceptual methods of MBS study interpretation, improves the identification of airway closure delay, and hence, potential aspiration risk, even when no penetration or aspiration is apparent on the MBS study. Level of Evidence 4. Laryngoscope, 127:2314–2318, 2017
Encouraging New Space Firms

On the basis of work done as part of their studies at Harvard Business School and an initial investment by a Texas space enthusiast, in 1982 three young entrepreneurs created the Orbital Systems Corporation, later renamed Orbital Sciences Corporation. Targeted as the first product for that new firm was an upper stage to transfer payloads, especially communications satellites, from the payload bay of the space shuttle to their desired orbits. This upper stage was designated the “Transfer Orbit Stage.” Crucial to the viability of this project was NASA’s agreement not to use government funds to develop a similar capability. This agreement provided the basis for Orbital to move forward with its plans in a way that allowed it to survive the loss of the business base for the Transfer Orbit Stage, when the White House after the Challenger accident ruled that the shuttle would no longer carry commercial payloads. Orbital went on to develop a second product, an air-launched commercial rocket called Pegasus, which was used by both NASA and the Department of Defense. Pegasus was first launched in 1990 and in 2011 its development team was awarded the National Medal of Technology by President Bush. (John M. Logsdon)
One Point of View: The U.S. Engineers Shortage—How Real?

(1998). One Point of View: The U.S. Engineers Shortage—How Real? Research-Technology Management: Vol. 41, No. 6, pp. 9-14.
Internal Microstructural Changes and Stress Evolution in Silicon Nanoparticle Based Composite Electrodes

In battery electrodes, the high lithium capacity of silicon is accompanied by large volume changes that can lead to substantial microstructural changes inside of particle based electrodes. Stresses that develop as these changes take place were monitored directly with in situ curvature measurements. The silicon loading was varied and results with two different binders were compared (sodium Alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)). In reference carbon black electrodes with 0% Si, the compressive stress increases linearly and is largely reversible and elastic during delithiation. In contrast the Si-containing electrodes exhibit a stress response with significant hysteresis that is characteristic of plastic flow. The stiffer Na-Alginate binder also leads to higher stresses than the CMC, in electrodes with otherwise similar compositions. This implies that the stress magnitude is directly related to the binder elastic modulus. Ex situ imaging along with in situ dilatometer measurements indicate that thickness changes are minimal in the elastic regime, while a large thickness increase coincides with the transition to plastic flow. This implies that internal particle rearrangement accommodates the large volume changes in the silicon. Simple cell models with periodic particle arrays were also employed to provide basic insight into the internal changes that occur during cycling.
Public Housing Participation in Superstorm Sandy Recovery: Living in a Differentiated State in Rockaway, Queens:

Recovery experiences of public housing residents in the Rockaways, Queens (New York City (NYC)), after Superstorm Sandy suggest that living in NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) properties creates circu...
Singular Points and an Upper Bound of Medians in Upper Semimodular Lattices

Given a k-tuple P=(x1,x2,...,xk) in a finite lattice X endowed with the lattice metric d, a median of P is an element m of X minimizing the sum ∑id(m,xi). If X is an upper semimodular lattice, Leclerc proved that a lower bound of the medians is c(P), the majority rule and he pointed out an open problem: “Is c1(P)=∨ixi, the upper bound of the medians?” This paper shows that the upper bound is not c1(P) and gives the best possible upper bound.
Description and Pathogenesis of Symptoms and Signs of Arterial Insufficiency

This chapter deals primarily with a description of, and the abnormal mechanisms responsible for, the more common symptoms and, to a lesser extent, the typical signs found in chronic and acute arterial disorders of the limbs. Also included is the differentiation of the complaints from those of musculoskeletal or related origin which mimic them.
Calcium and the Mechanism of Axoplasmic Transport

It is a truism that clinical problems will be solved through a deeper knowledge of the basic mechanisms of the body. With respect to the nervous system, our understanding has been advanced in recent years through the uncovering of a new basic aspect of nerve function, namely, the movement of materials from their site of synthesis in the nerve cell bodies outward in the fibers (Ochs, 1975). This process, termed axoplasmic transport, carries materials in the anterograde direction within nerve fibers of all sizes at a constant rate of close to 410 mm/day in all mammalian species so far examined (Ochs, 1972a). In our studies, a labeled precursor, 3H-leucine, is injected into the L7 dorsal root ganglia or into the spinal cord supplying the sciatic nerve and at later times, a crest of labeled incorporated proteins and polypeptides is seen to move down the nerve. Biochemical analysis shows that a wide range of labeled materials are moved down the fibers. Some of these materials and the later downflow behind the crest supply the axon and terminal processes with essential components required to maintain their function. Various aspects of transport, including retrograde transport and slow transport, have been touched on by the other speakers of this workshop.
Studying the Motivations Behind Sexual Agreements: A First Look at the Motivations Behind Agreement (MBA) Scale for Male Couples.

Sexual agreements are ubiquitous among male couples, yet little is known about motivations behind agreements and their association with sexual risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Qualitati...
Empowering Students to Innovate: Engagement in Organic Chemistry Teaching.

"… Students are creative and they love to solve tough problems. We need to support them as they learn, and give them opportunities to recognize their own potential. Allowing students to innovate is a winning formula … Read more in the Guest Editorial by Neil K. Garg.
Endogenous Opioids and Fever

The possible involvement of μ-opioid receptor agonists in fever production has been suggested by various reports in the literature. Thus, elevations of plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, and hypothalamic levels of β-endorphin, an endogenous μ-opioid peptide, have been found during bacteremia and both lipopolysaccharide (LPS)- and endogenous pyrogen-induced fevers (1–3). Interleukin (IL)-1, which is generally thought to be the primary endogenous pyrogen, has been shown to induce β-endorphin secretion by pituitary cells (4) and to modulate opioid receptor binding in the brain (5, 6). Naloxone (Nal), a μ-receptor antagonist, prevents the effect of the pyrogenic cytokines IL-6 (7) and interferon (DFN)-α (8) on the activities of hypothalamic thermosensitive neurons in slice preparations. Furthermore, both the peripheral and central injections of β-endorphin and the prototypic μ-opioid agonist morphine cause “fever-like” (ascribed to an increase in the thermoregulatory set-point) body temperature rises. This hyperthermia is blocked by μ-receptor antagonists, particularly Nal and naltrexone, which also can produce hypothermia by themselves when injected either centrally or peripherally (9–12). In spite of these lines of evidence, several attempts to block fever by administration of Nal in cats (13), rabbits (11, 14–16), and guinea pigs (12) were, however, unsuccessful, although Nal-induced antipyresis was observed in one study in humans (17) and in one recent study in rats (18). But in different studies carried out in our laboratory (19–21), we repeatedly were able to show that the febrile response of guinea pigs to intravenous (i.v.) 5. enteritidis LPS was significantly attenuated by the prior subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of Nal-hydrochloride (Nal-HCl) (Fig. 1). This paper is devoted to the analysis of the mechanisms of the s.c. Nal-induced inhibition of febrigenesis.
Influence of Water Uptake on Dynamic Fracture Behavior of Poly(Methyl Methacrylate)

A study was completed to assess the effects of various humidity levels and amount of sorbed water on the fracture behavior of notched poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) samples subjected to stress pulses generated by the impact of a projectile launched from an air gun. Impact experiments were performed on six sets of samples conditioned in different environments: dry samples; samples exposed to three different relative humidity environments (11 %, 60 %, and 98 %) using saturated salt solutions (Lithium Chloride, Sodium Bromide, and Potassium Sulfate, respectively); and distilled water- and seawater-exposed samples. Experiments varied by immersion time and water content, while loading conditions were kept constant. The main goal of this study was to understand the effects of sorbed water on the fracture behavior of PMMA when subjected to high strain rate impacts. It was observed that when PMMA is subjected to strain rates of 102 s −1, the effect of water content is not a dominant mechanism on the crack initiation and crack-tip speed of PMMA.
Diving Deeper: Rethinking AHI as the Primary Measure of OSA Severity

CITATIONCielo CM, Tapia IE. Diving deeper: rethinking AHI as the primary measure of OSA severity. J Clin Sleep Med. 2019;15(8):1075–1076.
Deep Neck Space Involvement of Kawasaki Disease in the US: A Population-Based Study

Objectives To describe the rate and risk factors of deep neck space involvement of Kawasaki disease. Study design We performed a retrospective analysis using the Kids' Inpatient Database from 2006, 2009, 2012, and 2016. Kawasaki disease and deep neck space involvement cases were identified using International Classification of Diseases codes among children aged Results Of 20 787 patients with Kawasaki disease, 0.6% (130 cases) had deep neck space involvement. On multivariable analysis, children aged ≥4 years (OR 8.41; 95% CI 3.79-18.7 in those aged 6-11 years), Asian or Pacific Islanders (OR 3.72; 95% CI 1.90-7.27), non-Hispanic black children (OR 2.39; 95% CI 1.34-4.28), and Northeast hospital region (OR 2.32; 95% CI 1.21-4.46) were associated with deep neck space involvement. Surgical drainage was performed in 21.7% of patients with deep neck space involvement. Deep neck space involvement was associated with longer hospital stay and greater costs. Conclusions Approximately 0.6% of patients with Kawasaki disease present with deep neck space involvement in the US. Deep neck space involvement of Kawasaki disease occurs primarily in older (≥4 years old), non-white, non-Hispanic children. Deep neck space involvement is associated with operative procedures for presumed abscess, longer hospital stay, and greater costs. In caring for children with suspected deep neck space abscess, particularly when they are not responding to antibiotics, clinicians should evaluate them for the possibility of Kawasaki disease.
Recent Advances in Selective and Irreversible Covalent Ligand Development and Validation

Some of the most widely used drugs, such as aspirin and penicillin, are covalent drugs. Covalent binding can improve potency, selectivity, and duration of the effects, but the intrinsic reactivity represents a potential liability and may result in idiosyncratic toxicity. For decades, the cons were believed to outweigh the pros, and covalent targeting was deprioritized in drug discovery. Recently, several covalent inhibitors have been approved for cancer treatment, thus rebooting the field. In this review, we briefly reflect on the history of selective covalent targeting, and provide a comprehensive overview of emerging developments from a chemical biology stand-point. Our discussion will reflect on efforts to validate irreversible covalent ligands, expand the scope of targets, and discover new ligands and warheads. We conclude with a brief commentary of remaining limitations and emerging opportunities in selective covalent targeting.