cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Event monitoring in highly complex hardware systems

This paper presents a novel approach for monitoring disjunct, concurrent operations in heavily queued systems. A nonobtrusive activity monitor is used as an on-chip tracing unit. For each pending operation the monitor uses the hardware implementation of an event-triggered operation graph to trace the path of the operation through the system. In contrast to conventional tracing units, which collect and record information from one or more functional units for later analysis, the presented solution directly records the path taken by the operation through the system, making possible an immediate analysis of operation inconsistencies. For each followed path a unique signature is generated which significantly reduces the amount of trace data to be stored. The trace information is stored together with a time stamp for debugging and measuring of queueing effects and timing behavior in the system. The method presented has been successfully applied to the memorybus adapter chips in the S/390® G5 and G6 systems.
First-principles study of cation and hydrogen arrangements in the Li-Mg-N-H hydrogen storage system

Recently it was discovered that a total of $5.6\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{wt.}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}%$ ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$ could be released from the 1:2 mixture of lithium amide and magnesium hydride at temperatures as low as $150\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\mathrm{C}$. With a reaction enthalpy of $44\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{KJ}∕\mathrm{mol}$ ${\mathrm{H}}_{2}$, this system has high potential for on-board hydrogen storage applications. The fully desorbed product is believed to be a mixed lithium and magnesium imide ${\mathrm{Li}}_{2}\mathrm{Mg}{(\mathrm{N}\mathrm{H})}_{2}$. In this work, the crystal structure of this mixed imide is studied from total-energy density-functional calculations. Based on a recent experimentally established space group, possible ordered configurations are examined. Important local orderings are identified for the experimentally observed disordered phase at room temperature. These unique local arrangements are also connected with the observed structural transitions above room temperature. In addition, the local ordering in $\mathrm{Mg}{(\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{H}}_{2})}_{2}$ is analyzed. The similarity and difference of local arrangements among hydrogen, cations, and vacancies are discussed for the three amide (imide) systems: $\mathrm{Li}\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{H}}_{2}$, $\mathrm{Mg}{(\mathrm{N}{\mathrm{H}}_{2})}_{2}$, and ${\mathrm{Li}}_{2}\mathrm{Mg}{(\mathrm{N}\mathrm{H})}_{2}$. The identification of the cation and hydrogen local orderings are expected to facilitate the design of new mixed imides and amides as hydrogen storage materials with desired physical properties.
A report on behavior therapy with outpatient clinic patients.

This is a brief report of the application, combining operant and respondent approaches, of behavior therapy to eight psychiatric patients treated in an outpatient clinic. Psychiatric residents and the writer, as therapists and supervisor, achieved the following most encouraging results:
An Analysis of the Effects of Online Fiscal Disclosure on Municipal Bond Issuances

The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of states’ online fiscal disclosure processes for municipal bond issuances. This study conducts a comprehensive review of the factors that impact public borrowing costs in municipal bond issuances and tries to find other “costless signaling.” One way to improve the performance of public agencies is to improve online fiscal disclosure, which could lower the public borrowing cost. This study evaluates the effects of two forms of online fiscal disclosure: online budget reports and online Comprehensive Annual Fiscal Reports (CAFRs). The empirical estimates show that in a sample of state general obligation bonds, online budget reports have a statistically significant effect on the cost of municipal bond issuances, while online CAFRs do not have such an effect.
Is it food allergy? Differentiating the causes of adverse reactions to food.

PREVIEWA bad reaction to food is often assumed to be allergy, but frequently it is not. Dr Guarderas discusses the numerous mechanisms that mimic food allergy and the various symptoms of IgE-mediated allergic syndromes, together with recommendations for evaluation and treatment.
Self-Assembled Multi-Component Catenanes: The Effect of Multivalency and Cooperativity on Structure and Stability

Using dynamic combinatorial chemistry, mixtures of dipeptide monomers were combined to probe how the structural elements of a family of self-assembled [2]-catenanes affect their equilibrium stability versus competing non-catenated structures. Of particular interest were experiments to target the effects of CH−π interactions, inter-ring hydrogen bonds, and β-turn types on [2]-catenane energetics. The non-variant core of the [2]-catenane was shown only to adopt type II′ and type VIII turns at the β-2 and β-4 positions, respectively. Monomers were designed to delineate how these factors contribute to [2]-catenane equilibrium speciation/stability. Dipeptide turn adaptation studies, including three-component dynamic self-assembly experiments, suggested that stability losses are localized to the mutated sites, and that the turn types for the core β-2 and β-4 positions, type II′ and type VIII, respectively, cannot be modified. Mutagenesis studies on the core Aib residue involved in a seemingly key CH−π–CH sandwi...
DIAGNOSIS OF FETAL ANEMIA WITH DOPPLER ULTRASOUND IN THE PREGNANCY COMPLICATED BY MATERNAL BLOOD GROUP IMMUNIZATION

We investigated whether Doppler measurement of the fetal middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity can be used to detect fetal anemia in pregnancies complicated by maternal blood group immunization. We first studied normal values for the middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity in 135 fetuses (Group A), and also in 23 fetuses at risk for anemia who underwent 56 cordocenteses to assess the fetal hematocrit (Group B). A test to detect fetal anemia, based on the middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity, was developed by using the data of the fetuses of Group A and Group B. Successively, the middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity was prospectively determined in 16 fetuses at risk for anemia who underwent 42 cordocenteses (Group C) to assess the test developed, in a multicenter prospective fashion, by using the data of Group A and Group B. In the normal fetuses an exponential model expressed the increase of the middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity values with advancing gestation. By using the data of the fetuses of Group A and Group B, four zones of anemia risk were identified. In Group C, none of the anemic fetuses had the middle cerebral artery peak velocity below the normal mean value, whereas all of the anemic fetuses had the peak velocity above the normal mean. The middle cerebral artery blood velocity increases with advancing gestation and is a non-invasive method of detecting anemia in pregnancies complicated by maternal blood group immunization.
Synthesis and characterization of selective dopamine D2 receptor antagonists. 2. Azaindole, benzofuran, and benzothiophene analogs of L-741,626

A series of indole, 7-azaindole, benzofuran, and benzothiophene compounds have been prepared and evaluated for affinity at D2-like dopamine receptors. These compounds share structural elements with the classical D2-like dopamine receptor antagonists haloperidol, N-methylspiperone and benperidol. Two new compounds, 4-(4-iodophenyl)-1-((4-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)methyl)piperidin-4-ol (6) and 4-(4-iodophenyl)-1-((5-methoxy-1H-indol-3-yl)methyl)piperidin-4-ol (7), were found to have high affinity to and selectivity for D2 versus D3 receptors. Changing the aromatic ring system from an indole to other heteroaromatic ring systems reduced the D2 binding affinity and the D2 versus D3 selectivity.
Comparing the p-median and flow-refueling models for locating alternative-fuel stations

Abstract The p-median and flow-refueling models are two of the more popular models for optimal location of alternative-fuel stations. The p-median model, one of the most widely used location models of any kind, locates p facilities and allocates demand nodes to them to minimize total weighted distance traveled. In comparison, the flow-refueling location model (FRLM) is a path-based demand model that locates p stations to maximize the number of trips on their shortest paths that can be refueled. For a path to be considered refuelable, one or more stations must be located on the path in a way that allows the round trip to be completed without running out of fuel, given the vehicle driving range. In this paper, we analyze how well the facilities located by each model perform on the other’s objective function on road networks in Florida. While each objective function degrades somewhat when facilities are located by the other model, the stations located by the flow-refueling model generally do better on the p-median objective than the stations located by the p-median model do on the flow-refueling objective. This difference between the two models is even more pronounced at the state scale than at the metropolitan scale. In addition, the optimal locations for the FRLM tend to be more much more stable as p increases than those located by the p-median model.
Geographical and time distribution of radioactivity in the air

Abstract This paper describes the results of continuous measurements on both natural and fission product radioactivity of the air at ground-level over a five-year period beginning in 1950. The average atmospheric radon and thoron concentrations are given for fifteen places in different parts of the world. In some cases the diurnal and seasonal variations in these quantities have been determined from continuous measurements. At Washington, D.C., fission-product activity from atomic bombs has been detected in the air for more than 70% of the days from January 1950 to the present time. Similar results have been observed for a number of other locations. Except for short periods, the fission-product beta activity has remained lower than the natural background. The highest concentration was measured at San Diego, California, following the tests of February 1951, where the average fission-product beta activity for a 24-hour period was approximately 6 × 10−16 curie per cubic centimetre of air.
Experiments with a Hindi-to-English transfer-based MT system under a miserly data scenario

We describe an experiment designed to evaluate the capabilities of our trainable transfer-based (Xfer) machine translation approach, as applied to the task of Hindi-to-English translation, and trained under an extremely limited data scenario. We compare the performance of the Xfer approach with two corpus-based approaches---Statistical MT (SMT) and Example-based MT (EBMT)---under the limited data scenario. The results indicate that the Xfer system significantly outperforms both EBMT and SMT in this scenario. Results also indicate that automatically learned transfer rules are effective in improving translation performance, compared with a baseline word-to-word translation version of the system. Xfer system performance with a limited number of manually written transfer rules is, however, still better than the current automatically inferred rules. Furthermore, a "multiengine" version of our system that combined the output of the Xfer and SMT systems and optimizes translation selection outperformed both individual systems.
Enhanced Brain Connectivity in Long-term Meditation Practitioners

Abstract Very little is currently known about the cerebral characteristics that underlie the complex processes of meditation as only a limited number of studies have addressed this topic. Research exploring structural connectivity in meditation practitioners is particularly rare. We thus acquired diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data of high angular and spatial resolution and used atlas-based tract mapping methods to investigate white matter fiber characteristics in a well-matched sample of long-term meditators and controls (n = 54). A broad field mapping approach estimated the fractional anisotropy (FA) for twenty different fiber tracts (i.e., nine tracts in each hemisphere and two inter-hemispheric tracts) that were subsequently used as dependent measures. Results showed pronounced structural connectivity in meditators compared to controls throughout the entire brain within major projection pathways, commissural pathways, and association pathways. The largest group differences were observed within the corticospinal tract, the temporal component of the superior longitudinal fasciculus, and the uncinate fasciculus. While cross-sectional studies represent a good starting point for elucidating possible links between meditation and white matter fiber characteristics, longitudinal studies will be necessary to determine the relative contribution of nature and nurture to enhanced structural connectivity in long-term meditators.
Scale-similar activity in the brain

The spectral analysis of multichannel magnetoencephalographic data is presented. This analysis revealed a local similarity regime in brain activity (in more than two decades of frequencies) and provided new parameters for noninvasive experimental studies of the brain.
The Purpose in Life Test-Short Form: Development and Psychometric Support

This study’s purpose was to examine the psychometric properties for a brief, four-item form of the 20-item Purpose in Life test (PIL-SF). Confirmatory factor-analytic procedures were used to demonstrate how well the items (3, 4, 8, and 20) fit together. Reliability and descriptive data for the PIL-SF are provided, as well as correlations with other measures of well-being and psychological distress. Data are provided with respect to whether the four items are administered independently or within the larger parent form. The final aspect of the study evaluated whether the PIL-SF was of utility in predicting psychological distress, above and beyond other measures of meaning. This study utilized data from undergraduates (N = 298) from a medium-sized university located in the southern United States. The PIL-SF was supported via confirmatory factor analysis, the measure yields reliable scores, and these scores correlate significantly and as expected with the other measures administered. Data were similar regardless of whether items were administered independently or embedded in the 20-item PIL. Finally, hierarchical regression demonstrated that PIL-SF scores are useful in predicting psychological distress, offering a psychometric contribution beyond other measures of meaning.
In Vivo Validation of Longitudinal–Circumferential Area Change Ratio to Estimate Myofiber Shortening in the Heart

The aim of this paper was to validate area change ratio (%AC) against myofiber shortening (%λf) in the heart in vivo. %AC is emerging as a mechanical index that may approximate %λf by incorporating both circumferential and longitudinal shortening. However, the physiological significance of %AC remains unclear. We studied the time course of %AC in the anterior midleft ventricular wall of normal canine heart in vivo (n = 14) during atrial pacing over the entire cardiac cycle using transmurally implanted markers and biplane cineradiography (8 ms/frame). %AC was calculated as the myocardial area change relative to the elemental material area on the circumferential-longitudinal plane at the reference configuration (=end diastole). %AC was compared with % λf that was determined from the transmural fiber orientation directly measured in the heart tissue. The time course of both %AC and %λf was determined in the subepicardial, midwall, and subendocardial layers. The time course of %AC and %λf was significantly different, and the difference was more pronounced towards the endocardium. %AC consistently overestimated %λf. The timing of the peak %AC was significantly delayed compared to that of the peak %λf. We conclude that %AC is significantly different from %λf both in magnitude and timing in vivo. %AC overestimates %λf, and the overestimation is worse toward the endocardial layers. This may be a potentially important limitation when applying %AC to optimization and responder identification for cardiac resynchronization therapy.
Collaboration Structure, Communication Media, and Problems in Scientific Work Teams

This article reviews the structural characteristics of work organizations that are likely to increase collaboration problems and tests the relationships between collaboration structure and problems using data from a survey of scientists in four fields (experimental biology, mathematics, physics, and sociology). Two groups of problems are identified: problems of coordination and misunderstandings and problems of cultural differences and information security. Greater coordination problems are associated with size, distance, interdependence, and scientific competition. Problems of culture and security are associated with size, distance, scientific competition, and commercialization. Email use is associated with reporting fewer coordination problems, but not fewer problems of culture and security, while neither phone use nor face-to-face meetings significantly reduces problems. We conclude with a discussion of the implications of these findings for designers of collaboration technologies and researchers involved in scientific collaborations.
Interface dipole engineering at buried organic–organic semiconductor heterojunctions

Abstract A general technique for modifying energy level alignment at organic–organic heterojunctions is introduced, and is demonstrated here for phenyl-C 61 -butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and N , N ′-Di-[(1-naphthyl)- N , N ′-diphenyl]-1,1′-biphenyl)-4,4′-diamine (α-NPD). An ultra-thin layer (∼1 nm) of TiO 2 is used as an adhesion template to attach a self-assembled monolayer of dipolar phosphonate (PA) molecules to the lower interface of a two-stack ensemble. This modification induces shifts in the vacuum level and work function over ∼1.0 eV depending on the molecular dipole moment of the PA, which in turn modifies the electronic level alignment across the organic heterojunction interface by up to 0.5 eV.
A mathematical model of periodically pulsed chemotherapy: Tumor recurrence and metastasis in a competitive environment

A competition model describing tumor-normal cell interaction with the added effects of periodically pulsed chemotherapy is discussed. The model describes parameter conditions needed to prevent relapse following attempts to remove the tumor or tumor metastasis. The effects of resistant tumor subpopulations are also investigated and recurrence prevention strategies are explored.
Investigating the interaction of McN-A-343 with the M2 muscarinic receptor using its nitrogen mustard derivative

Abstract We investigated whether the aziridinium ion formed from a nitrogen mustard derivative (4-[(2-bromoethyl)methyl-amino]-2-butynyl N-(3-chlorophenyl)carbamate; BR384) structurally related to McN-A-343 (4-(trimethyl-amino)-2-butynyl N-(3-chlorophenyl)carbamate) interacts allosterically or orthosterically with the M 2 muscarinic receptor. Chinese hamster ovary cells expressing the human M 2 muscarinic receptor were incubated with the aziridinium ion of BR384 in combination with McN-A-343 or other known orthosteric and allosteric ligands for various incubation times. After removing unreacted ligands, we measured the binding of [ 3 H]N-methylscopolamine to residual unalkylated receptors. Affinity constants, rate constants for alkylation, and cooperativity constants were estimated for the interacting ligands using a mathematical model. Receptor alkylation by BR384 was consistent with a two-step process. After rapidly equilibrating with the receptor (step one), the aziridinium ion–receptor complex became covalently linked with a first order rate constant of about 0.95 min −1 (step two). McN-A-343, acetylcholine and N-methylscopolamine competitively protected the M 2 receptor from irreversible alkylation by BR384. In contrast, the allosteric modulators, gallamine and WIN 51,708 (17-β-hydroxy-17-α-ethynyl-5-α-androstano[3,2-β]pyrimido[1,2-α]benzimidazole), allosterically inhibited or had no effect on, respectively, receptor alkylation by BR384. There was good agreement between affinity constants estimated from the kinetics of receptor alkylation and by displacement of [ 3 H]N-methylscopolamine binding. Our results suggest that BR384 covalently binds to the orthosteric site of the M 2 receptor and that McN-A-343 binds reversibly at the same locus. Our method of analyzing allosteric interactions does not suffer from the limitations of more conventional approaches and can be adapted to detect allosteric interactions at receptors other than the muscarinic subtypes.
High density interconnect bonding of heterogeneous materials using non-collapsible microbumps at 10 μm pitch

This paper reports on a successful demonstration of the use and reliability of Cu/Sn microbumps for the fine pitch interconnection of heterogeneous semiconductor die. InP die have been bonded to Si substrates using a 6.4 mm × 5.12 mm area array of alloyed Cu/Sn microbumps on 10 μm pitch. After bonding, 256 separate channels, each connecting 1280 microbumps, were electrically tested on each die; the channel yield was used to estimate the operability of the 640 × 512 arrays, which was found to be greater than 99.99% for both InP-Si die pairs and Si-Si control die pairs. After 500 thermal cycles from -40 °C to 125 °C, no significant change in the channel yield was seen for the homogeneous Si-Si die pairs. The InP-Si die pairs underfilled with an experimental epoxy had a 2.8% decrease in channel yield while those die pairs without the underfill saw a 13.9% decrease. The channels that failed during thermal cycling were predominately located near the edges of the die pairs, indicating that the bump failures were due to the difference in thermal expansion between InP and Si. Cross-sectional SEM images taken from the edge areas of both underfilled and non-underfilled InP-Si die pairs were used to assess the failure mode in the non-underfilled samples and to demonstrate the positive effects of the use of the underfill.
Oxyalkylene polymers with alkylsulfonylmethyl side chains: Gas barrier properties

Gas barrier properties of alkylsulfonylmethyl-substituted poly(oxyalkylene)s are discussed. Oxygen permeability coefficients of three methylsulfonylmethyl-substituted poly(oxyalkylene)s, poly[oxy(methylsulfonylmethyl)ethylene] (MSE), poly[oxy(methylsulfonylmethyl)ethylene-co-oxyethylene] (MSEE), and poly[oxy-2,2-bis (methylsulfonylmethyl)trimethylene oxide] (MST) were measured. MSEE, which has the most flexible backbone of the three polymers, had an oxygen permeability coefficient at 30°C of 0.0036 × 10−13 cm3(STP)·cm/cm2·s·Pa higher than that of MSE, 0.0014 × 10−13 cm3(STP)·cm/cm2·s·Pa, because the former polymer's Tg was near room temperature. MST with two polar groups per repeat unit and the highest Tg showed the highest oxygen permeability, 0.013 × 10−13 cm3(STP) · cm/cm2·s·Pa, among the three polymers, probably because steric hindrance between the side chains made the chain packing inefficient. As the side chain length of poly[oxy(alkylsulfonylmethyl)ethylene] increased, Tg and density decreased and the oxygen permeability coefficients increased. The oxygen permeability coefficient of MSE at high humidity (84% relative humidity) was seven times higher than when it was dry because absorbed water lowered its Tg. At 100% relative humidity MSE equilibrated to a Tg of 15°C after 2 weeks. A 50/50 blend of MSE/MST had oxygen barrier properties better than the individual polymers (O2 permeability coefficient is 0.0007 × 10−13 cm3(STP)·cm/cm2 ·s·Pa), lower than most commercial high barrier polymers. At 100% relative humidity, it equilibrated to a Tg of 42°C, well above room temperature. These are polymer systems with high gas barrier properties under both dry and wet conditions. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 36: 75–83, 1998
Hierarchical State Estimation Applied To Wide Area Power System

This paper proposes to apply Hierarchical state estimation technique to consolidate the state output of a wide area network. In a wide area network comprising of a large number of interconnection between various utilities of the wide area, it is essential to monitor the state of the entire system. Here a modified coordination technique derived from hierarchical state estimation is proposed to consolidate the state outputs of all the individual entities in the wide area. The method overcomes issues of incoherency and loss of state outputs associated with the heterogeneity of the estimators in each member utility of the wide area. The coordination algorithm was tested on a IEEE 118 bus system by splitting the system into smaller areas.
Effect of platelet-activating factor (PAF) on preimplantation mouse B6D2F1/J embryo formation.

Platelet-activating factor (l-O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine ; PAF) is a potent signaling phospholipid that has been implicated in a variety of reproductive processes. Human, rabbit, and mouse preimplantation embryos produce and secrete PAF. Anti-PAF antibodies interfere with mouse preimplantation development. A controversy exists on whether exogenous PAF is beneficial to preimplantation embryo development. The study objective was to determine the effect of exogenous PAF on embryo formation. One-cell mouse B 6 D 2 F 1 /J embryos were collected from PMSG/hCG primed females mated with fertile males. Embryos were exposed to PAF (0-10 μM) in MEM (0.3% BSA) for 15 min, then cultured in MEM (0.3% BSA) in a 5% CO 2 in air, 95% relative humidity at 37°C atmosphere, for 120 hr to the hatched blastocyst stage. PAF (0.1 or 0.01 μM) significantly (P < 0.05) improved preimplantation embryo development and formation in vitro. PAF at higher doses had no significant effect. Supplementation of culture medium with exogenous PAF was beneficial to preimplantation embryo development in B 6 D 2 F 1 /J mice.
Men's beliefs about HPV-related disease.

While human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is associated with genital warts, anal cancer, and oral cancer, limited research has examined what men think causes these diseases. We sought to examine knowledge and beliefs about HPV-related disease among gay and bisexual men, who are at high risk for HPV infection and HPV-related cancers, and compare them to heterosexual men. We conducted an online survey in January 2009 with a national sample of men aged 18–59 who self-identified as either gay or bisexual (n = 312) or heterosexual (n = 296). The response rate was 70%. Fewer than half of men knew that HPV can cause genital warts (41%), anal cancer (24%), and oral cancers (23%). However, gay and bisexual men typically knew more than heterosexual men about these topics. Overall, most men believed that sexual behavior causes genital warts (70%) and anal cancer (54%), and tobacco use causes oral cancer (89%). Perceived causal factors differed substantially among the three diseases, while differences by sexual orientation were fewer and smaller in magnitude. Many men were unaware that HPV infection can cause genital warts, oral cancer, and anal cancer.
Few-body physics with polarized beams and targets at IUCF

An experiment utilizing a polarized 3He target and other 3-nucleon experiments at the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility are discussed. The 3He(p, pN) reaction has been used to investigate the spin dependent momentum distributions of protons and neutrons in 3He. It was found that with large momentum transfer the PWIA is valid, thus allowing extraction of the distributions directly from the data. A similar experiment is currently under preparation to investigate the spin structure of the deuteron via the 2H(p, pN) reaction. Other experiments will study n-d and p-d breakup spin observables in final state interaction kinematics where intermediate energy Faddeev calculations predict large 3-body force effects.
The Federal Communications Commission and the Communications Policymaking Process: Theoretical Perspectives and Recommendations for Future Research

Recent developments in communications policy have increased the need for a thorough understanding of the behavior of the Federal Communications Commission and the dynamics of the communications policymaking process. This theoretical and methodological review and critique of the literature devoted to FCC behavior and communications policymaking outlines the diversity of theoretical approaches to the FCC that have evolved over time and the specific processes by which the FCC can be influenced by outside stakeholders. This review concludes that there have been far too few efforts to subject these diverse theoretical perspectives to inclusive analyses, in which competing theories of regulatory behavior are tested simultaneously. In addition, researchers have focused primarily on explaining past Commission actions, making relatively few efforts to develop and test predictive theories of FCC behavior. In addressing these gaps in the literature, future research should (a) explore more context-specific models of ...
EPR spectra in YBaCu oxides

Abstract EPR spectra of samples consisting predominantly of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7− x (black phase), Y 2 BaCuO 5 (green phase) and YBa 3 Cu 2 O y (brown phase) are examined. The black phase is the celebrated 93 K superconductor, and it shows very weak signals attributable to Cu ++ at temperatures between 300 and 4 K. It is concluded that the Cu ++ signal in the black phase at room temperature is probably due to green or brown phase impurity. It would therefore appear that the superconducting black phase is EPR silent, at least in the g = 2 region. Reasons for the EPR silence of the black phase are briefly discussed.
Development of high efficiency ventilation bag actuated dry powder inhalers.

Abstract New active dry powder inhaler systems were developed and tested to efficiently aerosolize a carrier-free formulation. To assess inhaler performance, a challenging case study of aerosol lung delivery during high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy was selected. The active delivery system consisted of a ventilation bag for actuating the device, the DPI containing a flow control orifice and 3D rod array, and streamlined nasal cannula with separate inlets for the aerosol and HFNC therapy gas. In vitro experiments were conducted to assess deposition in the device, emitted dose (ED) from the nasal cannula, and powder deaggregation. The best performing systems achieved EDs of 70–80% with fine particle fractions
The GEMMA Seminar: a graduate public health course on global elimination of maternal mortality from abortion.

Abortion is one of the most important public health issues in the United States. Yet, public health education has given it minimal attention despite the American Public Health Association's policy that “urges medical, nursing and public health schools, residency training programs and midwifery and physician assistant programs to develop and incorporate materials on the medical need, procedures, technology as well as the history and public health aspects of abortion into current curricula [1]. At least six public health texts provide public health perspectives on abortion, such as morbidity, mortality, case studies, legality, sex selection and postabortion care [2–8], while a few have brief or no mention of abortion [9,10]. To our knowledge, no US-based school of public health offers a course focused solely on preventing unsafe abortion's contribution to maternal morbidity and mortality. We have developed, pilot tested and expanded a course specifically on abortion and its contribution to maternal mortality worldwide and will describe the course and its reception. Some 215 million women worldwide desire protection from pregnancy but have limited or no access to contraception [11]. Annually, close to 50% of worldwide pregnancies are unintended, and of those, at least half end in abortion. In 2008, 21.6 million of the 55 million abortions performed were unsafe and led to 47,000 maternal deaths and hundreds of thousands of complications resulting in severe maternal morbidity [12]. Most unsafe abortions take place in
Organic-phase biosensing of secondary alcohols with a Ta. brockii alcohol dehydrogenase electrode

An organic-phase enzyme electrode for monitoring secondary alcohols is described. The new biosensor relies on the biocatalytic activity of Ta. brockii alcohol dehydrogenase in non-aqueous media. The Eastman-AQ 55D polymeric coating, known for its stability in organic solvents, is used to entrap the enzyme and its NADP+ cofactor onto the glassy carbon surface. Various experimental variables, influencing the response of the reagentless sensor, are explored for optimum performance. The solvent-induced changes in the enzymatic activity result in an extended linear range. The work expands the scope of organic-phase biosensors towards additional substrates of analytical significance.
The mechanism of inhibition of glycolysis by quinidine in heart tissue in vitro

Abstract Quinidine was shown to inhibit glycolysis and adenosine triphosphatase activity in centrifugea rat heart extracts at concentrations as low as 4.8 × 10−5M. Inhibition of phosphofructokinase was found to be the main cause of the reduction of glycolytic flux produced by the drug. Inhibitory effects on pyruvate kinase and lactic dehydrogenase were also noted. These glycolytic actions of quinidine were clearly shown to be secondary to increases in ATP and concurrent decreases in AMP and ADP.
Software systems testing of a closed loop tracking system using a SIMULINK-based simulation

This paper discuses a simulation approach that has streamlined the real-time software development process for a closed loop image-based tracking system. The MATLAB/SIMULINK simulation consists of elements constructed from common source modules shared with the deliverable system. The simulation has provided a tool to support algorithm development for the fundamental system components, including a system controller, a servo controller, and an image processor. In addition, the simulation has provided a testbed for verification of system performance. The context for this application is the low rate initial production phase of a tactical airborne avionics system that includes an image-based tracking system.
Stigma-Busting, Compeer, and the Psychology Student: A Pilot Study on the Impact of Contact with a Person Who Has a Mental Illness

Stigma has been identified both by people with mental illnesses and by empirical research to be a major barrier to service use and recovery. In addition, research has suggested that the most effective strategy for reducing stigma is personal contact with a person who has a mental illness and who is contributing to the life of the community. This article reports the qualitative findings from a study of the use of the Compeer model to address stigma in undergraduate psychology students. Findings suggest that befriending a person with a mental illness, even when done as a requirement for a college course, can be a useful experience in exposing and challenging stigmatizing perceptions and expectations and in offering people insights into the humanity and life experiences of a person with mental illness. Limitations and implications of this study for future stigma-busting efforts are discussed.
Variations of well water radon in Virginia and Maryland.

In north-central Virginia and south-central Maryland, municipal water supplies obtained from reservoirs provide radon-free potable water. However, about 10 percent of the population consumes well water. Radon in drinking water from some wells exceeds 4,000 pCi/L. Only about 30% of the radon is lost between the well storage tanks and the homes. The average radon concentration is about 2,000 pCi/L, which greatly exceeds the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's recommended Maximum Contamination Level of 300 pCi/L. In this study of a geologically diverse area, the well water comes from granite (radon averages about 3,000 pCi,/L), schist and phyllite (about 2,000 pCi/L), sandstone (about 1,500 pCi/L), and quartzite (about 1,100 pCi/L). Aeration experiments on well water in storage tanks indicated that about 60-70% can be removed using a splash box with an exhaust fan on the storage tank, and about 60-70% can be removed using bubble aeration. About 90% of the radon can be removed by the simultaneous use of bubble aeration, splash box, and an exhaust fan. However, this combination does not become less efficient through time. Passing the water through tanks of activated charcoal can remove about 90% of the radon, though the charcoal becomes less efficient over an interval of a few months.
A Content Analysis of the First Year of the HEDIR List: Implications for the Future

Abstract A content analysis of the HEDIR listserv was conducted on the first year's messages. The HEDIR listserv is an electronic mail technique to distribute a single memo among hundreds of individuals. The themes, or categories, for the content analysis consisted of: Job Announcements, Professional Growth/Current Events, Update Directory Information, HEDIR Discussion, Information Request, Information Reply, Error Messages, and Miscellaneous. Inter– and intra–coder reliabilities mean percentile agreement was established at 92.3 percent, ensuring that messages were assigned to category of best fit. Descriptive data analysis included frequency distributions and percentages reported by category and time. Results indicated that interest in HEDIR listserv is high as demonstrated by its rapid growth over the first year. Yearly totals reveal that membership and organization affiliation doubled. At the 1994 year' end, results showed that 92.8 percent of its members work in a university setting. Three hundred eig...
Atrial flutter during quinidine therapy of atrial fibrillation

Abstract 1. 1. Development of atrial flutter is a common result of quinidine therapy given for conversion of atrial fibrillation to normal sinus rhythm. 2. 2. The fact that atrial fibrillation can be changed during quinidine therapy to atrial flutter or tachycardia before final conversion to sinus rhythm, and that when reversion takes place the rhythm again proceeds from sinus through atrial premature systoles, atrial tachycardia, and atrial flutter to atrial fibrillation lends support to the theory of unitary nature of the atrial arrhythmias.
Inter- and intra-ethnic variation in water intake, contact, and source estimates among Tucson residents: Implications for exposure analysis.

Water-related exposures among Hispanics, particularly among Mexican Americans, are relatively unknown. Exposure and risk assessment is further complicated by the absence of good time–activity data (e.g., water intake) among this population. This study attempts to provide some insight concerning water-related exposure parameters among Hispanics. Determining the extent to which non-Hispanic whites and Hispanics living in the Tucson metropolitan area differ with respect to direct water intake and source patterns is the primary purpose of this investigation. Using random digit dialing, researchers conducted a cross-sectional telephone population survey of 1183 Tucson residents. Significant ethnic variation was observed in water intake patterns among this sample, particularly in terms of source. Hispanics reported much higher rates of bottled water consumption than did non-Hispanic whites. Ethnic variation in exposure parameters such as that observed in this study increases the potential for measurement error in exposure analysis. Erroneous assumptions that exposure estimates (i.e., water intake source) are generalizable across various ethnic groups may lead to both overestimation and underestimation of contaminant exposure.
Identification and Characterization of a Mef2 Transcriptional Activator in Schistosome Parasites

Myocyte enhancer factor 2 protein (Mef2) is an evolutionarily conserved activator of transcription that is critical to induce and control complex processes in myogenesis and neurogenesis in vertebrates and insects, and osteogenesis in vertebrates. In Drosophila, Mef2 null mutants are unable to produce differentiated muscle cells, and in vertebrates, Mef2 mutants are embryonic lethal. Schistosome worms are responsible for over 200 million cases of schistosomiasis globally, but little is known about early development of schistosome parasites after infecting a vertebrate host. Understanding basic schistosome development could be crucial to delineating potential drug targets. Here, we identify and characterize Mef2 from the schistosome worm Schistosoma mansoni (SmMef2). We initially identified SmMef2 as a homolog to the yeast Mef2 homolog, Resistance to Lethality of MKK1P386 overexpression (Rlm1), and we show that SmMef2 is homologous to conserved Mef2 family proteins. Using a genetics approach, we demonstrate that SmMef2 is a transactivator that can induce transcription of four separate heterologous reporter genes by yeast one-hybrid analysis. We also show that Mef2 is expressed during several stages of schistosome development by quantitative PCR and that it can bind to conserved Mef2 DNA consensus binding sequences.
Computer modelling of epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a complex set of disorders that can involve many areas of the cortex, as well as underlying deep-brain systems. The myriad manifestations of seizures, which can be as varied as deja vu and olfactory hallucination, can therefore give researchers insights into regional functions and relations. Epilepsy is also complex genetically and pathophysiologically: it involves microscopic (on the scale of ion channels and synaptic proteins), macroscopic (on the scale of brain trauma and rewiring) and intermediate changes in a complex interplay of causality. It has long been recognized that computer modelling will be required to disentangle causality, to better understand seizure spread and to understand and eventually predict treatment efficacy. Over the past few years, substantial progress has been made in modelling epilepsy at levels ranging from the molecular to the socioeconomic. We review these efforts and connect them to the medical goals of understanding and treating the disorder.
The immunochemical reactions of human sera with γ2-globulin antisera

Abstract Goat and chicken antisera prepared against a highly refractionated human γ2-globulin preparation have been reacted with normal and hyperglobulinemic human sera. The results obtained indicate that the immunochemical assay for these proteins is affected by the antigen level, by the treatment which the antigen and serum precipitinogens have undergone, and by the qualitative nature of the γ-globulin area in the case of hyperglobulinemic sera.
Profiling lithium distribution in Sn anode for lithium-ion batteries with neutrons

Measuring the distribution of lithium in high capacity lithium-ion battery (LIB) electrodes is essential to understanding the coulombic losses during the lithiation/delithiation processes that occur while charging and discharging the cell. In this research, two half-cell prototypes were fabricated by electrochemically lithiating Sn foil anodes in 1M LiBF4 in a 1:1 (wt:wt) ethylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate solutions at a constant potential of 0.50 and 0.67 V (vs. Li/Li+). The neutron depth profiling (NDP) technique was employed to study the Li distributions in the anodes. Li concentration profiles were resolved for the samples lithiated under different conditions for LIB studies. In addition, this paper demonstrated an in situ NDP measurement of an electrochemical cell with a thin window design, which reveals the dynamics of lithium distribution within the Sn anode.
Manipulatives as symbols: A new perspective on the use of concrete objects to teach mathematics

This article offers a new perspective on the use of concrete objects to teach mathematics. It is commonly assumed that concrete manipulatives are effective because they allow children to perform mathematics without understanding arbitrary, written mathematical symbols. We argue that the sharp distinction between concrete and abstract forms of mathematical expression may not be justified. We believe instead that manipulatives are also symbols; teachers intend for them to stand for or represent a concept or written symbol. Consequently, research on how young children comprehend symbolic relations is relevant to studying their comprehension of manipulatives. We review evidence that many of the problems that children encounter when using manipulatives are very similar to problems that they have using other symbol systems such as scale models. Successful use of manipulatives depends on treating them as symbols rather than as substitutes for symbols. A persistent dilemma for teachers of mathematics concerns how to help children understand
Model Composition in Rosetta

We describe the various composition operations available in the Rosetta specification language, provide examples, and discuss reasoning compositionally about specified systems. Composing specifications allows for more than the usual benefits of modularity and re-use: reasoning about specifications also may rely explicitly on the nature of composition. Rosetta facilitates composition of differing views, called 'facets', of a system. This heterogeneous specification approach allows for separation of concerns and also admits any applicable multi-domain reasoning.
The contribution of nutrient metal acquisition and metabolism to Acinetobacter baumannii survival within the host

Acinetobacter baumannii is a significant contributor to intensive care unit (ICU) mortality causing numerous types of infection in this susceptible ICU population, most notably ventilator-associated pneumonia. The substantial disease burden attributed to A. baumannii and the rapid acquisition of antibiotic resistance make this bacterium a serious health care threat. A. baumannii is equipped to tolerate the hostile host environment through modification of its metabolism and nutritional needs. Among these adaptations is the evolution of mechanisms to acquire nutrient metals that are sequestered by the host as a defense against infection. Although all bacteria require nutrient metals, there is diversity in the particular metal needs among species and within varying tissue types and bacterial lifecycles. A. baumannii is well-equipped with the metal homeostatic systems required for the colonization of a diverse array of tissues. Specifically, iron and zinc homeostasis is important for A. baumannii interactions with biotic surfaces and for growth within vertebrates. This review discusses what is currently known regarding the interaction of A. baumannii with vertebrate cells with a particular emphasis on the contributions of metal homeostasis systems. Overall, published research supports the utility of exploiting these systems as targets for the development of much-needed antimicrobials against this emerging infectious threat.
A Review of the Fossil Record of Turtle Reproduction: Eggs, Embryos, Nests and Copulating Pairs

Abstract The fossil record of turtle reproduction (e.g., eggs, embryos, nests and copulating pairs) is relatively poor compared with that of dinosaurs. This record extends from the Middle Jurassic to the Pleistocene, and specimens are known from every continent except Antarctica. Fossil turtle eggs are recognized as body fossils, and confident taxonomic identification at the genus or species level is dependent on embryos preserved within fossil eggs or by eggs found within a gravid female. Cladistic analysis of egg and eggshell characters demonstrates a high degree of homoplasy, and only a few characters provide a strong phylogenetic signal. Taphonomic studies of fossil turtle eggs are rare but can elucidate size and number of eggs produced by extinct taxa. Pathological fossil turtle eggs are known from a few localities and provide information about physiological or environmental stresses experienced by the gravid female. Fossil turtle eggs are relatively abundant in Asia, Europe and North America but are...