cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fluorine-Retentive Strategies for the Functionalization of gem-Difluoroalkenes.

gem-Difluoroalkenes are readily available fluorinated building blocks, and the fluorine-induced electronic perturbations of the alkenes enable a wide array of selective functionalization reactions. However, many reactions of gem-difluoroalkenes result in a net C–F functionalization to generate monofluorovinyl products or addition of F to generate trifluoromethyl-containing products. In contrast, fluorine-retentive strategies for the functionalization of gem-difluoroalkenes remain less generally developed and is now becoming a rapidly developing area. This review will present the development of fluorine-retentive strategies including electrophilic, nucleophilic, radical, and transition metal catalytic strategies with an emphasis on key physical organic and mechanistic aspects that enable reactivities. 1 Introduction 2 Two-Electron Processes 2.1 Elimination of Allyl Groups 2.2 Electrophilic Addition 2.3 Halonium and Thiiranium Intermediates 2.4 Kinetic Quench of Anionic Intermediates 2.5 Concerted Cycloadditions 3 Radical Processes 3.1 Thermal Activation 3.2 Photoactivation 3.3 Transition-Metal-Mediated 4 Reductions 5 Cross-Coupling Reactions 6 Conclusions
THE PARADOX OF EXPANSIONIST STATUTORY INTERPRETATIONS[dagger]

INTRODUCTION 1207 I. A POSITIVE POLITICAL MODEL OF LEGISLATIVE BEHAVIOR AND STATUTORY ENACTMENT 1212 A. Legislative Coalitions 1213 B. Legislative Bargaining 1215 C. Legislative Rhetoric 1219 D. Implications of the Theory 1222 II. WHAT is STATUTORY EXPANSIONISM? 1223 A. Modeling Statutory Expansionism 1223 B. Legislative Intent Revisited 1226 C. From Simple to Sophisticated Intentionalism... 1229 III. THE PARADOX OF STATUTORY EXPANSIONISM 1234 A. A Model of Judicial Expansionism and Congressional Polarization ........ 1235 B. Illustrations of the General Thesis 1241 IV. IMPLICATIONS 1250 A. Policy Tradeoffs Implied By Judicial Expansionism 1251 B. Reinforcing Polarization. 1253 CONCLUSION 1254 INTRODUCTION For scholars interested in the currents of modern public policy, the recent history of progressive social legislation at the national level provides a workable paradigm. The 1960s and 1970s were the well-advertised heyday of progressive public policy at the federal level. In this relatively short period, Congress transformed the relationship between the federal government and both the economy and the rights of American minorities by enacting the modern era's central pieces of social legislation, including1 the Civil Rights Act,2 the Voting Rights Act,3 the Clean Air Act, and other watershed statutes.4 This transformation has waned significantly, however, over the next quarter century. The twenty-five years since the end of the 1970s are notable for the absence of watershed social legislation, which raises a puzzling question: Why the relative paucity of progressive social legislation following the orgy of statutory enactments in the mid-1960s to late- 1970s period? One explanation for this phenomenon is that Congress has become more polarized. To be sure, partisanship and polarization increased sharply over this period; and we can expect, therefore, that it would be much more difficult to reach the sort of compromise illustrative of the 89th through 92nd Congresses.5 Yet, this explanation merely raises a second question: What explains this growing divide within the contemporary Congress? To say that a polarized legislature made legislative compromise implausible begs the question of why legislators first became so polarized. Moreover, the polarization explanation is hard to square with the evidence that the American public is considerably less polarized than are their elected officials.6 In this Article, we suggest an explanation for the first question, and, in so doing, shed new light on the second. Moreover, we draw prescriptive lessons for scholars interested in promoting progressive social agendas through their exhortations to courts and legislators. …
Impact of a Student-Teacher-Scientist Partnership on Students' and Teachers' Content Knowledge, Attitudes toward Science, and Pedagogical Practices.

Engaging K-12 students in science-based inquiry is at the center of current science education reform efforts. Inquiry can best be taught through experiential, authentic science experiences, such as those provided by Student–Teacher–Scientist Partnerships (STSPs). However, very little is known about the impact of STSPs on teachers' and students' content knowledge growth or changes in their attitudes about science and scientists. This study addressed these two areas by examining an STSP called “Students, Teachers, and Rangers and Research Scientists” (STaRRS). STaRRS was incorporated into the existing long-standing education program “Expedition: Yellowstone!” For teachers, a pre-test, intervention, post-test research design was used to assess changes and gains in content knowledge, attitudes, and pedagogical practices. A quasi-experimental, pre-test–post-test, comparison group design was used to gauge gains in students' content knowledge and attitudes. Data analyses showed significant positive shifts in teachers' attitudes regarding science and scientists, and shifts in their pedagogical choices. Students showed significant content knowledge gains and increased positive attitudes regarding their perceptions of scientists. The findings indicate that STSPs might serve as a promising context for providing teachers and students with the sort of experiences that enhance their understandings of and about scientific inquiry, and improve their attitudes toward science and scientists. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 51: 84–115, 2014
Body composition, muscle strength deficits and mobility limitations in adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Background. Chronicity of muscle weakness from cancer and its treatment may be problematic, particularly in those treated for cancer during childhood. We compared body composition, muscle strength, and mobility between 75 adult survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and expected values based on population normative data. Methods. Subjects were young adults treated for childhood ALL between 1970 and 1986, selected randomly from participants in an ongoing study of cancer survivors. DeXA scans were performed to evaluate body composition, and myometry used to measure strength. Mobility was evaluated with the Timed Up and Go (TUG) and 2-min walk (TMW). One sample t-tests compared ALL survivors to population norms. Results. Males had 4.5% and females had 2.3% more body fat than expected (expected males 21.5%, females 36.0%). Males were 76.7 Newtons and females were 58.6 Newtons weaker in quadriceps strength than expected (expected males 569.87 N, females 464.67 N). Males walked 100.88 m and females walked 85.38 m less on the TMW (expected values: males 304.23 m, females 276.26 m), and took longer to complete the TUG (males 5.82 vs. 2.84 sec, females 5.88 vs. 3.00 sec) than expected. Treatment with cranial radiation and current growth hormone (GH) deficiency were associated with lower body weakness among females. Conclusions. Young adult survivors of childhood ALL have strength and mobility deficits. Decreased strength may reduce ability to participate in physical activity, perpetuating fitness deficits in survivors of childhood ALL. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2007;49:975‐981. 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Equilibrium Leasing Contracts Under Double-sided Asymmetric Information

We develop a non-tax rationale for leasing in a double-sided asymmetric information setting, and analyze how various contractual provisions in leasing contracts arise in equilibrium. In our model, a manufacturer of capital goods has private information about their quality; entrepreneurs (users of these capital goods) come to learn this quality only over a period of time. Each unit of the capital goods requires a certain level of maintenance in each period. Entrepreneurs differ in their cost of providing this maintenance; this maintenance cost is information private to each entrepreneur. Leasing emerges as an equilibrium solution to this double-sided adverse selection problem. Various contractual provisions in leasing contracts (e.g., short-term versus long-term leases with non-cancellation provisions, option to buy at lease termination, and service leases) also emerge as equilibrium solutions under alternative settings. Leases with metering provisions emerge in equilibrium when, in addition to maintenance cost, entrepreneurs differ in other dimensions such as their intensity of using the capital good, and their degree of risk aversion. Our model has implications for the lease versus sell decision, the situations under which various leasing contract provisions are appropriate, and for the relative magnitudes of sales prices and the leasing costs for leases with different contractual provisions.
What projects and why

Projection is widely used as a diagnostic for presupposition, but many expression types yield projection even though they do not have standard properties of presupposition, for example appositives, expressives, and honorifics (Potts 2005). While it is possible to analyze projection piecemeal, clearly a unitary explanation is to be preferred. Yet we show that standard explanations of projective behavior (common ground based theories, anaphoric theories, and multi-dimensional theories) do not extend to the full range of triggers. Instead, we propose an alternative explanation based on the following claim: Meanings project IFF they are not at-issue, where at-issueness is defined in terms of the Roberts' (1995) discourse theory. Thus, and despite their apparent heterogeneity, projective meaning triggers emerge as a natural class on the basis of the not at-issue status of their projective inference.
The longitudinal relations of teacher expectations to achievement in the early school years.

There is relatively little research on the role of teacher expectations in the early school years or on the importance of teacher expectations as a predictor of future academic achievement. The current study investigated these issues in the reading and mathematic domains for young children. Data from nearly 1,000 children and families at first, third, and fifth grades were included. Child sex and social skills emerged as consistent predictors of teacher expectations of reading and, to a lesser extent, math ability. In predicting actual future academic achievement, results showed that teacher expectations were differentially related to achievement in reading and math. There was no evidence that teacher expectations accumulate but some evidence that they remain durable over time for math achievement. Additionally, teacher expectations were more strongly related to later achievement for groups of children who may be considered to be at risk.
Some principles of the spinal organization of the sympathetic preganglionic outflow.

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the spinal cord organization of the sympathetic motor component. It attempts to formalize some general principles of spinal sympathetic organization. The opportunity to attempt such an undertaking is particularly timely, as recently reported anatomical data have provided some critically missing links central to interpreting long-standing physiological observations. Together, the anatomical and physiological data accentuate and highlight the limitations of reflex circuitry intrinsic to spinal cord. Sympathetic preganglionic neurons are frequently referred to as autonomic “final common pathway neurons”. The analogy with spinal somatomotor system is obvious. One thematic undertone of this review is that perhaps the analogy is too imprecise or maybe overemphasized. The chapter emphasizes that spinal autonomic circuits in isolation are, in fact, remarkably rudimentary. Intrinsic spinal circuits cannot, for example, generate patterned sympathetic responses which typically accompany the expression of the fear, orienting or flight behaviors. It aims to discuss four broad principles of organization.
Surface characterization of systems with diphenylphosphinoethylsilane immobilized on silica gel

Abstract Diphenylphosphinoethyltriethoxysilane and alkylsilylating reagents have been reacted with silica gel to produce a surface with anchored ligands within a hydrophobic matrix. The extent of surface coverage has been determined using elemental analysis data. Cross-polarization/magic angle spinning, nuclear magnetic resonance has contributed toward a description of the diphenylphos-phinoethylsilyl anchored on the surface. Using high-performance liquid chromatography, the extent of substrate coverage and ligand stability were evaluated. The experimental data provide some insight into the synthetic procedure which is most effective for the preparation of stable diphenyl-phosphine moieties immobilized on silica gel. Since diphenylphosphinoethylsilyl is often used to immobilize metal complexes, the information should be useful for optimizing systems for use in heterogeneous catalysis.
R-Matrix theory of regge poles☆☆☆

Abstract The techniques of Wigner's R -matrix formalism are used to study the properties of Regge poles in both the single and the many channel case.
Analysis of spontaneous and double-strand break-induced recombination in rad mutants of S. pombe

Schizosaccharomyces pombe strains containing direct repeats of ade6 heteroalleles separated by a functional ura4+ gene, and a DNA site for induction of a double-strand break (DSB), have been used to analyze pathways of spontaneous and DSB-induced intrachromosomal mitotic recombination [1]. These substrates yield Ade+ Ura+ convertants or Ade+ Ura− deletions, by the DSB/gap repair and single-strand annealing (SSA) pathways of recombination, respectively. In S. cerevisiae, the DSB/gap repair pathway is RAD52 dependent, and the RAD1 and RAD10 genes are involved in the SSA pathway. We have sought to understand the genetic control of the pathways of mitotic recombination in S. pombe by determining the effects of mutations in six rad genes involved in DNA repair: rad1 and rad3 involved in checkpoint control in response to unreplicated or damaged DNA; rad5 (homologue of S. cerevisiae RAD3) and rad10 (homologue of S. cerevisiae RAD1) involved in nucleotide excision repair; rad21 and rad22 (homologue of S. cerevisiae RAD52) involved in the repair of ionizing radiation-induced DNA damage. The results suggest that the genetic control of the pathways of spontaneous and DSB-induced mitotic intrachromosomal recombination in S. pombe is different from that in S. cerevisiae.
The Relation between Psychological Flexibility and Mental Health Stigma in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: A Preliminary Process Investigation

The present study examined the relation between changes in psychological flexibility and changes in mental health stigma in the context of a 2.5-hour long Acceptance and Commitment Therapy group workshop for reducing mental health stigma. Of 27 college undergraduates who attended the workshop, 22 completed one-month follow-up assessment. Results revealed that mental health stigma was reduced significantly at post-treatment, and these reductions were maintained at one-month follow-up. Increased psychological flexibility from pre to follow-up was significantly correlated with the reduction in mental health stigma from pre to follow-up. Limitations of the current study and directions for future research are discussed.
Dynamic Programming-based Energy-Efficient Rate Adaptation for Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

Resource constraints require that ad hoc wireless networks are energy efficient during transmission and rate adaptation. In this paper we propose a novel cross-layer energy-efficient rate adaptation scheme that employs Dynamic Programming (DP) principle to analytically select the modulation scheme online. The scheme uses channel state information from the physical layer and congestion information from the scheduling layer to select a modulation rate. This online selection maximizes throughput while saving energy and preventing congestion. The simulation results indicate that an increase in throughput by 96% and energy-efficiency by 131% is observed when compared to the Receiver Based AutoRate (RBAR) protocol.
Mid-infrared photonics in silicon and germanium

Ingenious techniques are needed to extend group IV photonics from near-infrared to mid-infrared wavelengths. If achieved, the reward could be on-chip CMOS optoelectronic systems for use in spectroscopy, chemical and biological sensing, and free-space communications.
Spinal dorsal horn neurons in elevated extracellular calcium: cell properties and spontaneous discharges

Abstract Recordings were made from neurons in the dorsal horn (DH), and from dorsal and ventral roots (DRs and VRs) of isolated spinal cords on infant mice. Raising calcium concentration ([Ca2+]) in the organ bath from 1.2 to 2.4 mmol/l resulted in a slight hyperpolarization, elevation of threshold current (rheobase), and augmentation of excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs). In many cells EPSPs acquired a much prolonged late phase. Orthodromic stimulation evoked in some DH neurons an action potential that had the same threshold as, and coincided in time with, the ‘dorsal horn response’ (DHR) recorded from DR. In spinal cords bathed in elevated [Ca2+], DR recordings showed irregularly recurring spontaneous waves, and DH neurons generated spontaneous EPSPs, often with spikes. Some neurons fired irregularly timed spontaneous action potentials that did not appear triggered by EPSPs. In less than 50% of the neurons the spontaneous EPSPs coincided in time with the spontaneous DR waves. The action potentials that appeared without EPSP were fired independently from DR activity. These observation confirm that elevation of interstitial free calcium concentration results in strong enhancement of excitatory transmission, especially of an EPSP of much extended duration. Virtually all neurons showed increased spontaneous activity in high [Ca2+], but only a minority appeared recruited into the synchronized discharges that are detectable as spontaneous waves in DR and VR recordings.
A System for Manipulating the Membrane Fatty Acid Composition of Soybean Cell Cultures by Adding Tween-Fatty Acid Esters to Their Growth Medium Basic Parameters and Effects on Cell Growth

The development of a system for modifying the membrane fatty acid composition of cultured soybean cells (Glycine max [L.] Merr.) is described. Tween-fatty acid esters carrying specific fatty acids were synthesized and added to the medium of suspension cultures. Cells transferred large quantities of exogenous fatty acids from Tweens to all acylated membrane lipids; up to 50% of membrane fatty acids were exogenously derived. C15 to C20 saturated fatty acids and C16, C18, and C20 unsaturated fatty acids with either cis or trans double bonds were incorporated into lipids. Cells elongated saturated fatty acids of C16 or less, and unsaturated fatty acids with cis double bonds were further desaturated. No other types of modifications were observed. Growth ceased in cells treated with excessive concentrations of Tween-fatty acid esters, but frequently not for several days. Cessation of cell growth was correlated with changes in membrane fatty acid composition resulting from incorporation of large amounts of exogenous fatty acids into membrane lipids, although cells tolerated large variations in fatty acid composition. Maximum tolerable Tween concentrations varied widely according to the fatty acid supplied. Potential uses of this system and implications of the observed modifications on the pathway of incorporation are discussed.
PROTECTION AGAINST ACUTE, ASCENDING PYELONEPHRITIS CAUSED BY E.COLI IN RATS USING ISOLATED CAPSULAR ANTIGEN CONJUGATED TO A CARRIER SUBSTANCE

Purpose of study. Earlier we have shown that K antibodies are important for protection against acute pyelonephritis in rats. So far, only whole bacteria have been used to induce such protective antibodies, as isolated E.coli capsular antigen is non immunogenic. The aim of the present investigation was to study if a protective effect could be shown after immunization with isolated E.coli K antigen conjugated to a carrier substance. Methods. E.coli K13 antigen, conjugated to a carrier substance to make it immunogenic, was used for immunization of Sprague-Dawley rats. Acute, ascending pyelonephritis was then induced in immunized and non immunized rats by intravesical injection of 108 E.coli O6K13H1 bacteria. Results. Rats immunized with two subcutaneous or two intraperitoneal injections (2.5 μg/injection/rat) had less often acute pyelonephritis after the bacterial injection, than the non immunized controls (50% compared to 87%; p<0.01). Conclusion. The present investigation has shown for the first time that isolated E.coli K13 antigen, conjugated to a carrier substance, can be used for prophylactic immunization against acute pyelonephritis.
Hydatellaceae are water lilies with gymnospermous tendencies

Hydatellaceae, a group of inconspicuous water plants, were recently found to be very primitive, part of the initial emergence of flowering plants in the Mesozoic era. Now, William Friedman demonstrates that the plant Hydatella shows a number of rare embryological features which, in combination, are found only in members of the equally primitive Nymphaeales (water lilies). But Hydatella has an additional feature — provisioning of the seed from maternal rather than embryonic tissue — that is unique among flowering plants but common in gymnosperms (conifers and allies). This could be a relic of the early evolutionary history of flowering plants. Hydatellaceae is a group of water plants that are now discovered to be part of the initial emergence of flowering plants back in the Mesozoic Era. The plant shows a number of rare embryological features which, in combination, are found only in members of the equally primitive Nymphaeales (water lilies). But Hydatella has one additional feature, the provisioning of the seed from maternal rather than embryonic tissue, which is unique among flowering plants, but relatively common among gymnosperms. The flowering plant family Hydatellaceae was recently discovered to be allied to the ancient angiosperm lineage Nymphaeales (water lilies)1. Because of its critical phylogenetic position, members of the Hydatellaceae have the potential to provide insights into the origin and early diversification of angiosperms2. Here I report that Hydatella expresses several rare embryological features that, in combination, are found only in members of the Nymphaeales. At maturity, the female gametophyte is four-celled, four-nucleate and will produce a diploid endosperm, as is characteristic of most early divergent angiosperm lineages3,4. As with all members of the Nymphaeales, endosperm in Hydatella is minimally developed and perisperm is the major embryo-nourishing tissue within the seed5,6. Remarkably, Hydatella exhibits a maternal seed-provisioning strategy that is unique among flowering plants, but common to all gymnosperms7: pre-fertilization allocation of nutrients to the embryo-nourishing tissue. This exceptional case of pre-fertilization maternal provisioning of a seed in Hydatella may well be an apomorphic feature of Hydatellaceae alone but, given the newly discovered phylogenetic position of this family, potentially represents a plesiomorphic and transitional condition associated with the origin of flowering plants from gymnospermous ancestors.
Errors resulting from linear approximations in energy balance equations

Abstract 1. 1.|Linearization techniques commonly used to solve energy budget equations of animals and plants can result in inaccurate estimates of body temperature( T b ). 2. 2.|Errors can be large when actual T b s differ from the temperature used in linearization techniques; this is especially true for wet-skinned animals. 3. 3.|Iterative solutions of linearized equations can give accurate calculations of T b .
High-performance, low-power resonant clocking

Clock distribution networks consume a significant portion of on-chip power. Traditional buffered clock distribution power is limited by frequency, capacitance, and activity rates. Resonant clock distributions can reduce this power by "recycling" energy on-chip and reducing the overall clock power. This tutorial introduces recent techniques for distributed-LC, traveling wave, and standing wave resonant clock distributions. In particular, the tutorial discusses the recent developments and open research problems. The tutorial covers both circuits, computer-aided design algorithms and methodologies for resonant clocking.
Vaginal opacification during defecography: direction of vaginal migration aids in diagnosis of pelvic floor pathology.

Background: To determine whether direction of vaginal displacement during defecography aids in diagnosing pelvic floor pathology. Methods: Ninety patients underwent defecography over a 2-year period. Each study was retrospectively reviewed by three radiologists who recorded whether the vagina was displaced cephalad, caudad, or nondisplaced in relation to the urogenital hiatus. This information was then correlated with radiologic diagnosis rendered for the study. Results: Of the 26 patients with normal defecograms, 19 (73%; p < 0.001) demonstrated no vaginal displacement during the procedure. Comparatively, 10 (83%; p < 0.001) of the 12 patients with cystoceles showed caudad vaginal displacement, and no patients with cystoceles showed cephalad displacement of the vagina. Of the 17 patients with rectoceles, 10 (58%) showed cephalad displacement, one (6%) showed caudad displacement, and six (35%) patients showed no vaginal displacement. Thirteen (46%) of 28 patients with enteroceles showed cephalad vaginal displacement, nine (32%) showed no vaginal displacement, and six (21%) demonstrated caudad displacement. Conclusions: Caudad displacement of the opacified vagina suggests the presence of a cystocele. Cephalad vaginal displacement is suggestive of the presence of an enterocele or rectocele.
Functional NMR imaging using fast spin echo at 1.5 T.

Functional NMR imaging of the brains response to a simple visual task has been performed using a fast spin echo (FSE) imaging sequence at 1.5 T. The FSE method refocuses dephasing effects induced by large-scale susceptibility variations, and permits imaging in regions where macroscopic field gradients produce artifacts in gradient echo sequences. At 1.5 T, gradient echo (GRE) sequences are sensitive to the effects of brain activation, but relatively large effects may arise from large vessels and veins, and these may dominate the effects produced by smaller capillaries. Spin echo (SE) sequences with short echo times are relatively immune to large vessel effects and emphasize the susceptibility induced losses from small capillaries, but the imaging time for these sequences is prohibitive for most functional brain studies. We demonstrate that multislice functional brain imaging may be performed in reasonable imaging times at 1.5 T using an FSE imaging sequence. The FSE sequence with short echo spacing but long effective TE is sensitive to susceptibility induced effects at the capillary level. It is not sensitive to larger scale in homogeneities such as those found in veins and can be used in regions near tissuelair boundaries. Results are shown comparing conventional GRE and FSE images in activation of the visual cortex and these are supported by theoretical calculations and phantom experiments.
Layer-rigidity model and the mechanism for ion-diffusion-controlled kinetics in the bismuth cuprate 2212-to-2223 transformation.

Recent transmission electron microscopy (TEM) experiments have shown that the transformation of the Bi cuprate 2212 phase to 2223 phase consists of fast growth of Ca/CuO{sub 2} planes in the Bi-2212 matrix. A theory is proposed which considers the cylindrical void created by the edge dislocation due to the insertion of a Ca/CuO{sub 2} plane to be a channel for fast ion diffusion. A layer-rigidity model is used to estimate the size of the void for Bi-2212/Bi-2223, as well as that for the stacking fault created by heavy-ion irradiation in YBa{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub 7} (YBCO) compounds. We find the predictions of the model to agree quantitatively with TEM measurements of the structures of ion-irradiated YBCO systems. The calculated void size for Bi-2212/Bi-2223 compounds is consistent with the existence of fast ion diffusion along the {ital ab} plane. The experimentally observed time dependence of the volume fraction of Bi-2223 during the transformation is found to be consistent with a one-dimensional diffusion-controlled transformation mechanism, as predicted by our model.
Using focus groups to assess student needs

Purpose – Reports methodology and findings of focus groups conducted at Utah state university to assess students’ needs in the library’s new information commons.Design/methodology/approach – A joint committee of computer services personnel and librarians, with assistance from undergraduate library peer mentors, undertook a series of focus groups with participants from the Utah state university student population. The goals were to assess the undiscovered needs of students and students’ preferences in a new library.Findings – After the focus group responses were organized into eleven categories, we recorded several key traits and sets of comments from our user population; our users spend a good deal of their study time in the library either working individually or as a group, participants differ in their preferences for seeking help in the library, and participants consider noise levels and adequate space to study important concerns.Practical implications – By following a few standard procedures, focus gro...
The crystal structures of Ti2O3, a semiconductor, and (Ti0.900V0.100)2O3, a semimetal

Abstract The crystal structures of the semiconductor Ti 2 O 3 and the semimetal (Ti 0.900 V 0.100 ) 2 O 3 were determined from X-ray diffraction data collected from single crystals. The compounds are isostructural with Al 2 O 3 of rhombohedral unit cell dimensions of a = 5.4325(8) A and α = 56.75(1)° for Ti 2 O 3 , and a = 5.4692(8) A and α = 55.63(1)° for the doped system. The effect of substitution of V +3 is to increase the metal-metal distance across the shared octahedral face from 2.579 A in Ti 2 O 3 to 2.658 A in (Ti 0.900 V 0.100 ) 2 O 3 , while decreasing the metal-metal distance across the shared octahedral edge from 2.997 to 2.968 A. The metal-oxygen distances exhibit only small changes. These structural changes are consistent with the band theory proposed by Van Zandt, Honig, and Goodenough ( 9 ) to explain changes in electrical and other properties with increasing vanadium content in (Ti 1− x V x ) 2 O 3 .
Learning invariant features for speech separation

Recent studies on speech separation show that the ideal binary mask (IBM) substantially improves speech intelligibility in noise. Supervised learning can be used to effectively estimate the IBM. However, supervised learning has trouble dealing with the situations where the probabilistic properties of the training data and the test data do not match, resulting in a challenging issue of generalization whereby the system trained under particular noise conditions may not generalize to new noise conditions. We propose to use a novel metric learning method to learn invariant speech features in the kernel space. As the learned features encode speech-related information that is robust to different noise types, the system is expected to generalize to unseen noise conditions. Evaluations show the advantage of the proposed approach over other speech separation systems.
Prehospital wireless transmission of electrocardiograms showing presumed ST-elevation myocardial infarction to an on-call cardiologist's handheld device: can the reduction in time to reperfusion be maintained in a single community and achieved in larger and medically complex communities?

Prehospital wireless transmission of electrocardiograms showing presumed ST-elevation myocardial infarction to an on-call cardiologist's handheld device: can the reduction in time to reperfusion be maintained in a single community and achieved in larger and medically complex communities? George L. Adams , Ghassan H. Abusaid , Benjamin A. Lee , Charles Maynard , Galen S. Wagner , Alejandro Barbagelata ,1 The Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX Department of Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Gastrointestinal optical coherence tomography

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an innovative technique for noninvasive cross-sectional tissue imaging. 1–3 With its high resolution (10–20 μm), OCT provides microscopic morphological information with respect to the gastrointestinal wall. 4 By measuring singly backscattered light as a function of depth, OCT provides subsurface imaging with high spatial resolution in 3 dimensions. OCT images are essentially comparable to microscopic sections and have been called "optical biopsies." 5–9 OCT visualizes both mucosal structures and wall components, in vivo and in near real-time, in most segments of the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, OCT is in theory ideally suited to the detection of dysplastic lesions including tiny, early stage malignant tumors. Potentially, OCT has an important role in the management of patients with gastrointestinal disorders characterized by dysplasia, particularly those in which there is a continuum from dysplasia to cancer, and especially when these lesions are small and difficult or impossible to detect with standard endoscopic imaging techniques. As shown in preliminary studies, OCT could play a significant role in targeting specific sites for mucosal biopsies. In theory, OCT could actually eliminate the need for biopsies in the surveillance of precancerous conditions, such as Barrett's esophagus (BE), or at least reduce the number of biopsies required in standard protocols. The evolving development of OCT has led to many potential uses in gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Electrochemical factors in cold fusion experiments

An overall description of the electrochemical processes occurring in cold fusion cells with palladium cathodes is presented. Power deposition distributions, deuterium activity/overvoltage relationships, uniformity of current density and symmetry of the cell design, and the possible role of poisons are discussed. The model presented is consistent with the performance of operating cells (with 6.35-mm-diarneter palladium cathodes), regarding voltages and power generation. Examination of a 3-mm cathode after extensive electrolysis has as yet revealed no evidence of fusion. An As-doping experiment is reported, and speculation on the famous cube experiment of Fleischmann and Pons is offered.
Human dendritic cells, pulsed with either melanoma tumor cell lysates or the gp100 peptide(280-288), induce pairs of T-cell cultures with similar phenotype and lytic activity.

Abstract Dendritic cells (DCs) pulsed with unfractionated tumor cell lysates or defined tumor peptides provide potent vaccines which elicit strong antitumor immunity. In this study, we generated DCs from the 2-h adherent progenitor cells obtained from the peripheral blood of melanoma patients. These DCs were able to capture biotinylated melanoma tumor cell lysates. We examined the efficacy of immunogens composed of DCs loaded either with the melanoma peptide gp100 [amino acids 280–288 (DC/gp100)] or with lysates from melanoma tumor cells (DC/lysates) in inducing cytotoxic T-cells from autologous PBLs of HLA-A2 melanoma patients. After four to five weekly stimulations of bulk PBLs with DC/gp100 or DC/lysates, the cultures were enriched with CD3 + T-cells and exhibited one of three phenotypic and functional patterns: (1) Predominant expression of CD8 + and MHC class I-restricted CTLs which displayed strong lytic activity against melanoma cells and T2 cells loaded with the gp100 peptide, (2) mixed CD4 + /CD8 + phenotype and weak lytic activity, or (3) nonlytic and predominantly CD4 + cultures. Interestingly, T-cell cultures from each patient exhibited similar phenotypes and lytic activities whether the stimulant was DC/gp100 or DC/cell lysates. Our study demonstrates that DCs pulsed with soluble melanoma peptides or cell lysates are capable of inducing CD8 + CTLs from autologous PBLs of some, but not all, melanoma patients. The function and phenotype of the generated T-cell cultures are governed by DCs since both antigens (the gp100 peptide and melanoma lysates), when presented by a given DC preparation, induced similar T-cell cultures. In summary, it may be difficult to predict the nature of the cellular responses elicited by DC/tumor antigen vaccines from patient to patient.
Kleene chain completeness and fixedpoint properties

Fixedpoint theorems play a fundamental role in denotational semantics of programming languages. In 1955, Tarski [6] and Davis [l] showed that a lattice L is complete if and only if every monotonic function f: L + L has a fixedpoint. Since then, other fixedpoint properties are considered, by imposing either the function to be o-continuous or the fixedpoint to be the least fixedpoint. The key question is whether such fixedpoint properties can as well be characterized by some completeness properties of the given partially ordered set. In this direction, Markowsky [2] showed that a partially ordered set is chain-complete if and only if every monotonic function f: D + D has a least fixedpoint. Suppose we replace monotonic functions by o-continuous functions which play a prominent role in Scott’s theory of computation [4,5]. A slight modification of Tarski’s proof shows that if a partially ordered set D with a least element 1 is o-chain complete, then every w-continuous function f: D + D has a least fixedpoint given by UnEWfn (I). The latter result is the wellknown Tarski-Kleene-Knaster theorem. In 1978, Plotkin asked the validity of the converse of Tarski-Kleene-Knaster theorem beta use an affirmative answer would give us a characterization of w-chain complete pin-tially ordered sets in terms of the least fixedpoint property for o-continuous functions. Throughout the paper, D stands for a partially .3rdered set with a least element 1. Let us consider Plotkin’s puzzle in the followirlg version: Given a D, if every o-continuous function f: D + D has a least fixedpoint given by UIltWf’*(l), is D o-chain complete? In this paper, we answer the problem negatively (Mashburn obtained the same result independently in [3j). Despite this negative answer, we show a rather astonishing result, namely: If D is either countable or countably algebraic, then the converse of Tarski-Kleene-Knaster theorem is true. This positive answer is rather pleasing because most of the D’s used in denotational semantics are either countable or countably algebraic.
De Novo Antimicrobial Peptides with Low Mammalian Cell Toxicity

De novo antimicrobial peptides with the sequences: (KLAKKLA)n, (KLAKLAK)n (where n = 1, 2, 3), (KALKALK)3, (KLGKKLG)n, and (KAAKKAA)n (where n = 2, 3), were prepared as the C-terminus amides. These peptides were designed to be perfectly amphipathic in helical conformations. Peptide antibacterial activity was tested against Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. Peptide cytotoxicity was tested against human erythrocytes and 3T3 mouse fibroblasts. The 3T3 cell testing was a much more sensitive test of cytotoxicity. The peptides were much less lytic toward human erythrocytes than 3T3 cells. Peptide secondary structure in aqueous solution, sodium dodecylsulfate micelles, and phospholipid vesicles was estimated using circular dichroism spectroscopy. The leucine/alanine-containing 21-mers were bacteriostatic at 3−8 μM and cytotoxic to 3T3 cells at about 10 μM concentrations. The leucine/alanine- or leucine/glycine-containing 14-mers and the leucine/glycine 21-mer were bacteriostat...
Effects of Cromakalim and Glibenclamide on Myocardial High Energy Phosphates and Intracellular pH During Ischemia-reperfusion:31P NMR Studies

ATP sensitive potassium channel (KATP) openers (e.g. cromakalim) are thought to be cardioprotective during ischemia-reperfusion, while KATPblockers (e.g. glibenclamide) may potentiate ischemia-reperfusion damage. We studied cardiac energetics and intracellular pH, by31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy, during ischemia-reperfusion of buffer perfused, isolated rat hearts in the presence of cromakalim (10μm) or glibenclamide (1, 10 and 50μm). Hearts were subjected to 25 min total global ischemia at 36.5°C and reperfused for 45 min. Pre-treatment with cromakalim delayed the time to ischemic contracture (19.3±1.5 minv15.3±0.6 for control,P<0.05) and significantly improved recovery of function at 45 min reperfusion (84±11% pre-ischemic rate pressure product (RPP)v38±5 for control,P<0.05). This was accompanied by an attenuation in the loss of ATP during ischemia. Pre-treatment with glibenclamide decreased the time to ischemic contracture; 16.1±0.8 min, 15.1±0.7, 12.0±1.2 (P<0.01) and 9.5±0.9 (P<0.001) for control, 1, 10 and 50μmglibenclamide respectively. 50μmglibenclamide significantly improved functional recovery at 45 min reperfusion but 1 and 10μmwere without effect; 24±6, 22±4, 29±4 and 58±7% (P<0.05) of pre-ischemic RPP for control, 1, 10 and 50μmglibenclamide. During ischemia, intracellular ATP was depleted more rapidly in the presence of 50μmglibenclamide and intracellular acidosis was significantly attenuated (final pH 6.3v5.8 for control). 50μmglibenclamide also decreased tissue lactate content at the end of ischemia (75±3μmol/g dry weightv125±18 for control,P<0.05) and this attenuation of lactate accumulation and consequent decreased intracellular acidosis may be responsible for the cardioprotection observed under these conditions. These latter effects are unlikely to be related to glibenclamide's KATPblocking activity. This study demonstrates that blocking of myocardial KATPdoes not potentiate ischemia-reperfusion injury and, in addition, illustrates the important role played by intracellular acidosis in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Mixed-Mode Malware and Its Analysis

Mixed-mode malware contains user-mode and kernel-mode components that are interdependent. Such malware exhibits its main malicious payload only after it succeeds at corrupting the OS kernel. Such malware may further actively attack or subvert malware analysis components. Current malware analysis techniques are not effective against mixed-mode malware. To overcome the limitations of current techniques, we present an approach that combines whole-system analysis with outside-the-guest virtual machine introspection. We implement this approach in the SEMU tool for Windows. In our experiments SEMU could successfully analyze several mixed-mode malware samples that evade current analysis approaches. The runtime overhead of SEMU is in line with the most closely related dynamic analysis tools TEMU and Ether.
Emerging challenges and materials for thermal management of electronics

The rapid development of faster, cheaper, and more powerful computing has led to some of the most important technological and societal advances in modern history. However, the physical means associated with enhancing computing capabilities at the device and die levels have also created a very challenging set of circumstances for keeping electronic devices cool, a critical factor in determining their speed, efficiency, and reliability. With advances in nanoelectronics and the emergence of new application areas such as three-dimensional chip stack architectures and flexible electronics, now more than ever there are both needs and opportunities for novel materials to help address some of these pressing thermal management challenges. In this paper a number of cubic crystals, two-dimensional layered materials, nanostructure networks and composites, molecular layers and surface functionalization, and aligned polymer structures are examined for potential applications as heat spreading layers and substrates, thermal interface materials, and underfill materials in future-generation electronics.
Transient relaxation of the normal state resistance of tin microstrips in the presence of current bias

The transient relaxation of the normal state resistance in tin microstrips has been measured. The microstrips were current-biased below their dc critical current and excited into the normal state with electro optically produced current pulses, with durations as short as 600 psec, by temporarily exceeding the critical current. The effective relaxation time was measured by directly observing the voltage across the microstrip during the normal-superconducting transient. A region was observed in which the relaxation time decreased with increasing current pulse height. The relaxation time was found to be independent of temperature over the range 0.95⩾T/T c ⩾0.77.
LensGesture: augmenting mobile interactions with back-of-device finger gestures

We present LensGesture, a pure software approach for augmenting mobile interactions with back-of-device finger gestures. LensGesture detects full and partial occlusion as well as the dynamic swiping of fingers on the camera lens by analyzing image sequences captured by the built-in camera in real time. We report the feasibility and implementation of LensGesture as well as newly supported interactions. Through offline benchmarking and a 16-subject user study, we found that 1) LensGesture is easy to learn, intuitive to use, and can serve as an effective supplemental input channel for today's smartphones; 2) LensGesture can be detected reliably in real time; 3) LensGesture based target acquisition conforms to Fitts' Law and the information transmission rate is 0.53 bits/sec; and 4) LensGesture applications can improve the usability and the performance of existing mobile interfaces.
Electrical behavior of Te, Se, and S at very high pressures and low temperatures: Superconduction transitions

At sufficiently high pressures Te, Se, and S transform to metallic or semimetallic forms. Earlier work showed the metallic forms of Te and Se to be superconductors, and very recent Soviet reports indicate that high-pressure metallic S becomes superconducting. The work reported in this article covers more refined measurements of the resistivities and temperature coefficients of these elements in metallic form as related to pressure, and the resistance behavior from room temperature down to 2.7 K. Metallic Te and Se prove to be good superconductors. In our experiments semimetallic S shows a minimum resistance in the 150-100-K zone, and a reproducible and consistent "jog" in the $R(T)$ curve at about 10 K. This resistance behavior of sulfur over the range 12 to 300 K can be formulated as a series combination of a metal-like component and a semiconductinglike component, as might be expected in a partially converted specimen. In such a case a possible explanation of the downward jog in the 10-K region could be a superconduction transition in the metallic component. However the magnitude of the observed jog is actually far too small to be accounted for by such a model. It may be that the unusual resistance and temperature behavior is the result of complicated electronic properties of a high-density, complex, linear sulfur structure which involves electron hopping from one linear molecule to another. Some fits to a Mott ${T}^{\ensuremath{-}\frac{1}{4}}$-type model and an Anderson ${T}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ type are tried but appear to be only partially successful.
Basic equations of radar polarimetry and its solutions: the characteristic radar-polarization states for the coherent and partially polarized cases

A comprehensive overview of the basic principles of radar polarimetry is presented. The relevant fundamental field equations are first provided in order to introduce the polarization state formulations of electromagnetic waves in the frequency domain, including the Jones and the Stokes vector formalism and its presentation on the Poincare sphere and on relevant map projections. In the next step, the scattering matrices (S) and (M) are given together with change of polarization bases transformation operators, and the optimal polarization states are determined for the coherent and partially coherent cases.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.