cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unhealthy weight control behaviors and substance use among adolescent girls: The harms of weight stigma.

Abstract Rationale Unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCBs) often predict future substance use, resulting in a comorbidity that predicts later health consequences. Objective The current study aimed to examine whether weight stigma and its associated harms magnify or attenuate the effect of UWCBs at baseline on substance use at 10-year follow-up among girls and to elucidate factors related to the perceived harms of weight stigma. Methods Data from 1147 adolescent girls from Project EAT (Eating and Activity in Teens and Young Adults) were analyzed at baseline and 10-year follow-up. Participants were split into three groups at baseline: no weight stigma; weight stigma only (being teased by peers or parents); and weight stigma with perceived harms (e.g., being bothered by teasing). Moderation and stratified regression analyses examined the role of weight stigma and its perceived harms on the relationship between UWCBs and substance use. ANOVA models aimed to elucidate factors related to the perceived harms of weight stigma. Results Moderation analyses revealed marginally significant effects of group membership on the effect of UWCB on substance use (p = .08). Stratified regression results indicated that UWCBs at baseline predicted substance use at 10-year follow-up among girls in the weight stigma with perceived harms group (p = .005), but not in the no weight stigma or weight stigma only groups. Girls in the weight stigma with perceived harms group reported higher weight concern, depressive symptoms and BMIs than girls who report no weight stigma or weight stigma only. Conclusions Health initiatives should seek to reduce weight stigma and its associated harms to prevent substance use in girls and women. Clinicians working with adolescent girls with UWCB should inquire about experiences with weight stigma with its harms to assess substance use risk. Due to the marginally significant moderation, results should be interpreted with caution. Conclusions Health initiatives should seek to reduce weight stigma and its associated harms to prevent substance use in girls and women. Clinicians working with adolescent girls with UWCB should inquire about experiences with weight stigma with its harms to assess substance use risk. Due to the marginally significant moderation, results should be interpreted with caution.
Low temperature structural phase transition in the Ba2CaMoO6 perovskite

Abstract Ba 2 CaMoO 6 was synthesized by a solid state method. The crystal structure adopts the cubic Fm -3 m space group at room temperature with lattice parameters of 8.3775 (9) A. Upon cooling, Ba 2 CaMoO 6 was determined to have a structural phase transition to tetragonal I 4/ m ( a = 5.9051 (2) A and c = 8.3872 (4) A) near 200 K. The phase transition was probed structurally by synchrotron and neutron diffraction and thermodynamically by specific heat and differential scanning calorimetry measurements. This structural phase transition will deepen our understanding of the perovskite family, especially the formation of perovskites that break corner sharing networks.
Spintronic In-Memory Pattern Matching

Traditional Von Neumann computing is falling apart in the era of exploding data volumes as the overhead of data transfer becomes forbidding. Instead, it is more energy-efficient to fuse compute capability with memory where the data reside. This is particularly critical to pattern matching, a key computational step in large-scale data analytics, which involves repetitive search over very large databases residing in memory. Emerging spintronic technologies show remarkable versatility for the tight integration of logic and memory. In this article, we introduce SpinPM, a novel high-density, reconfigurable spintronic in-memory pattern matching spin–orbit torque (SOT)—specifically spin Hall effect (SHE)—substrate, and demonstrate the performance benefit SpinPM can achieve over conventional and near-memory processing systems.
Linear superposition method (LSM) for solving stress tensor fields and displacement vector fields: Application to multiple pressure-loaded circular holes in an elastic plate with far-field stress

Abstract This study presents a novel, linear superposition method (LSM) to compute the stress tensor field and displacement vector field in a homogeneous elastic medium with an unlimited (but finite) number of circular cylindrical holes. The displacement field and the associated stress concentrations are due to a far-field stress. The method allows for the hole-centers to occur in arbitrary locations, and the hole-radii may vary over a wide range (but holes may not overlap). The holes may also induce additional elastic displacement due to internal pressure loading that will affect the local stress field, which is fully accounted for in the method. Each hole may be loaded by either equal or individual pressure loads. The underlying algorithms and solution methodology are explained and examples are given for a variety of cases. Selected case study examples show excellent matches with results obtained via independent methods (photo-elastics, complex analysis, and discrete volume solution methods). The LSM provides several advantages over alternative methods: (1) Being closed-form solutions, infinite resolution is preserved throughout, (2) Being grid-less, no time is lost on gridding, and (3) fast computation times. The specific examples of LSM applications to the multi-hole problem developed here, allow for an unlimited number of holes, with either equal or varying radii, in arbitrary constellations. The solutions further account for variable combinations of far-field stress and pressure loads on individual holes. The method can be applied for either plane strain or plane stress boundary conditions. A constitutive equation for linear elasticity controls the stress field solutions, which can be scaled for the full range of Poisson's ratios and Young moduli possible in linear elastic materials.
Sampling and Fourier Analysis

Up to now, we have studied the fundamental definitions and properties of discrete-time signals and systems with only parenthetical reference to the analogous theory for continuous-time signals and systems. We have thereby demonstrated that the discrete-time theory stands on its own without the necessity of any direct reference to continuous-time theory, given that we assume the form of the discrete-time input sequences. It may well be that our input is digitally generated, for example, and that the output from our filter is to be processed or displayed without conversion to a continuous-time signal. In that case, we need not consider the relationship between discrete- and continuous-time signals. However, the real physical world is continuous in time and space, and our input is usually derived from continuous-time (or equivalent) signals. The output data must often be returned to this form, as well. Therefore, in this chapter we will study the effects of conversion from continuous- to discrete-time signals, and vice versa, and will relate the z transform to the Fourier transform. In particular, the convergence, properties, and application of the discrete-time Fourier transform will be investigated in some detail.
Tetraspanin-7 regulation of L-type voltage-dependent calcium channels controls pancreatic β-cell insulin secretion.

Key points Tetraspanin (TSPAN) proteins regulate many biological processes, including intracellular calcium (Ca2+ ) handling. TSPAN-7 is enriched in pancreatic islet cells; however, the function of islet TSPAN-7 has not been identified. Here, we characterize how β-cell TSPAN-7 regulates Ca2+ handling and hormone secretion. We find that TSPAN-7 reduces β-cell glucose-stimulated Ca2+ entry, slows Ca2+ oscillation frequency and decreases glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. TSPAN-7 controls β-cell function through a direct interaction with L-type voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels (CaV 1.2 and CaV 1.3), which reduces channel Ca2+ conductance. TSPAN-7 slows activation of CaV 1.2 and accelerates recovery from voltage-dependent inactivation; TSPAN-7 also slows CaV 1.3 inactivation kinetics. These findings strongly implicate TSPAN-7 as a key regulator in determining the set-point of glucose-stimulated Ca2+ influx and insulin secretion. Abstract Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) is regulated by calcium (Ca2+ ) entry into pancreatic β-cells through voltage-dependent Ca2+ (CaV ) channels. Tetraspanin (TSPAN) transmembrane proteins control Ca2+ handling, and thus they may also modulate GSIS. TSPAN-7 is the most abundant islet TSPAN and immunostaining of mouse and human pancreatic slices shows that TSPAN-7 is highly expressed in β- and α-cells; however, the function of islet TSPAN-7 has not been determined. Here, we show that TSPAN-7 knockdown (KD) increases glucose-stimulated Ca2+ influx into mouse and human β-cells. Additionally, mouse β-cell Ca2+ oscillation frequency was accelerated by TSPAN-7 KD. Because TSPAN-7 KD also enhanced Ca2+ entry when membrane potential was clamped with depolarization, the effect of TSPAN-7 on CaV channel activity was examined. TSPAN-7 KD enhanced L-type CaV currents in mouse and human β-cells. Conversely, heterologous expression of TSPAN-7 with CaV 1.2 and CaV 1.3 L-type CaV channels decreased CaV currents and reduced Ca2+ influx through both channels. This was presumably the result of a direct interaction of TSPAN-7 and L-type CaV channels because TSPAN-7 coimmunoprecipitated with both CaV 1.2 and CaV 1.3 from primary human β-cells and from a heterologous expression system. Finally, TSPAN-7 KD in human β-cells increased basal (5.6 mM glucose) and stimulated (45 mM KCl + 14 mM glucose) insulin secretion. These findings strongly suggest that TSPAN-7 modulation of β-cell L-type CaV channels is a key determinant of β-cell glucose-stimulated Ca2+ entry and thus the set-point of GSIS.
Multi-agent resistant thrombocytopenia in a two-year-old with Evans syndrome

Introduction: Evans syndrome is a chronic disorder characterized by the occurrence of two or more hematologic immune cytopenias. It is a rare diagnosis and the true prevalence is unknown. Only a handful of case reports have been documented in children. Case Report: A two-year-old male presented to his primary care physician for a well-child visit and received scheduled vaccinations. Two weeks later, he developed multiple bruises all over the body. CBC showed thrombocytopenia with a platelet count of 9,000 and a hemoglobin of 13.9. He was diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenic …
Dynamic output-feedback control of a chain of discrete-time integrators with arbitrary zeros and asymmetric input saturation

Abstract For a chain of discrete-time integrators with arbitrary zeros and asymmetric input saturation, this paper develops globally asymptotically stabilizing full-state-feedback and dynamic-output-feedback controllers. These controllers extend prior results on nested-saturation controllers for discrete-time chains of integrators, and they are applied to setpoint command following and rejection of constant disturbances.
Correction to: Control for multifunctionality: bioinspired control based on feeding in Aplysia californica.

The authors have identified a typesetting error in their representation of the frictional forces in the original version of this manuscript.
Meissner-London state in anisotropic superconductors of cuboidal shape

A simple procedure to extract anisotropic London penetration depth components from the magnetic susceptibility measurements in realistic samples of cuboidal shape is described.
An Interprofessional Senior Medical Student Preparation Course: Improvement in Knowledge and Self-Confidence Before Entering Surgical Training.

Purpose Senior medical students are variably prepared to begin surgical training; and a national curriculum was established through the American College of Surgeons to better prepare senior medical students for surgical training. The purpose of our course is to prepare senior medical students to more effectively enter surgical training programs. We recently enhanced our independently developed surgical training preparation course by increasing exposure to surgical anatomy, medical physiology, surgical skills, and point-of-care ultrasound. We evaluated the impact of our interprofessional training course to increase confidence and readiness among senior medical students entering surgical training. Methods The course focused on pre- and post-operative patient care, surgical anatomy, human physiology, and bedside ultrasound. Didactic lectures in anatomy, human physiology, and bedside ultrasound were provided prior to all hands-on simulated patient care sessions and mock surgical procedures. To evaluate our interprofessional curriculum, we administered pre- and post-course surveys, pre- and post-course knowledge tests, and a final surgical anatomy laboratory practical examination to 22 senior medical students who were enrolled in the course. All students created a final surgical anatomy presentation. Results The students demonstrated a 100% pass rate in surgical anatomy. The knowledge test, which included assessment of knowledge on perioperative surgical decision making, human physiology, and bedside ultrasound, demonstrated an average improvement of 10%. Statistically significant improvements in median confidence values were identified in 10 of 32 surveyed categories, including surgical skills (p < 0.05); 84% of student goals for the course were achieved. The medical students' surveys confirmed increased confidence related to the use of point-of-care ultrasound, teamwork experience, and basic surgical skills through small group interactive seminars and surgical simulation exercises. Conclusion Our preparation for surgical training course resulted in high student satisfaction and demonstrated an increased sense of confidence to begin surgical training. The 10% improvement in medical student knowledge, as evaluated by a written examination, and the significant improvement in confidence level self-assessment scores confirms this surgery preparation course for senior medical students successfully achieved the desired goals of the course.
Adipocyte heterogeneity underlying adipose tissue functions.

Adipose tissue distribution in the human body is highly heterogeneous, and the relative mass of different depots is differentially associated with metabolic disease risk. Distinct functions of adipose depots are mediated by their content of specialized adipocyte subtypes, best exemplified by thermogenic adipocytes found in specific depots. Single-cell transcriptome profiling has been used to define the cellular composition of many tissues and organs, but the large size, buoyancy and fragility of adipocytes have rendered it challenging to apply these techniques to understand the full complexity of adipocyte subtypes in different depots. Discussed here are strategies that have been recently developed for investigating adipocyte heterogeneity, including single-cell RNASeq profiling of the stromal vascular fraction to identify diverse adipocyte progenitors, and single-nuclei profiling to characterize mature adipocytes. These efforts are yielding a more complete characterization of adipocyte subtypes in different depots, insights into the mechanisms of their development, and perturbations associated with different physiological states such as obesity. A better understanding of the adipocyte subtypes that compose different depots will help explain metabolic disease phenotypes associated with adipose tissue distribution and suggest new strategies for improving metabolic health.
The dimensionality of adverse childhood experiences: A scoping review of ACE dimensions measurement.

Absract Objective Despite extensive research, the concept of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) is not fully developed and there is low agreement on how the concept should be defined and measured. The purpose of this study was to 1) identify different conceptual dimensions associated with ACEs, such as timing or frequency; and 2) determine how these dimensions have been operationalized and analyzed to this point, in order to advance the conceptual understanding of ACEs. Methods We conducted a scoping review of empirical journal articles on ACEs published after the original ACE-Study in 1998 to summarize the use of dimensions for the 10 conventional ACE domains. We used a PRISMA methodology to identify articles that assessed at least two of the 10 conventional ACE domains and at least two ACE dimensions. A standardized data extraction spreadsheet was used to record basic article information and specifics on ACE domains and dimensions. Results Of 15,417 initial search results, 61 articles met all selection criteria. We identified four primary dimensions used for most ACE domains: frequency, timing, perception, and the role of the perpetrator. Additionally, we found several secondary and domain-specific dimensions, which relate to the intensity of the adverse event. Discussion We identified the most commonly used ACE dimensions, but these lack standardized phrasing of items and response options. The inclusion of ACE dimensions may increase the accuracy of the association between ACEs and health outcomes and provide for more tailored treatment plans for people who have experienced ACEs. Future research should include a more comprehensive list of ACE domains and aim to develop a clearly articulated, standardized approach to assessing and analyzing ACE dimensions.
Application and Comparison of Regression and Markov Chain Methods in Bridge Condition Prediction and System Benefit Optimization

This study is designed to assist highway planners and engineers in identifying and choosing an appropriate method for bridge condition predictions. Mathematical optimization techniques, such as linear programming and dynamic programming, can be used for the evaluation of a bridge system. For each bridge, the input data of the bridge project selection model includes the predicted bridge condition in future years, the recommended bridge repair action, the estimated cost of recommended bridge repair action, and the expected improvement or benefit from the repair action. Through mathematical manipulation, bridge projects are selected to maximize the total expected benefit of the bridge system while a number of constraints are simultaneously satisfied. This optimization process is based on the predicted bridge conditions. Bridge condition predictions will affect bridge project selections and the corresponding system benefits. Using the analysis method presented in this paper and bridge condition data from Indiana, Markov chain methods were shown to yield more accurate condition predictions than the polynomial regression method.
Biochemical Characterization of Mycobacterium smegmatis RnhC (MSMEG_4305), a Bifunctional Enzyme Composed of Autonomous N-Terminal Type I RNase H and C-Terminal Acid Phosphatase Domains

Mycobacterium smegmatis encodes several DNA repair polymerases that are adept at incorporating ribonucleotides, which raises questions about how ribonucleotides in DNA are sensed and removed. RNase H enzymes, of which M. smegmatis encodes four, are strong candidates for a surveillance role. Here, we interrogate the biochemical activity and nucleic acid substrate specificity of M. smegmatis RnhC, a bifunctional RNase H and acid phosphatase. We report that (i) the RnhC nuclease is stringently specific for RNA:DNA hybrid duplexes; (ii) RnhC does not selectively recognize and cleave DNA-RNA or RNA-DNA junctions in duplex nucleic acid; (iii) RnhC cannot incise an embedded monoribonucleotide or diribonucleotide in duplex DNA; (iv) RnhC can incise tracts of 4 or more ribonucleotides embedded in duplex DNA, leaving two or more residual ribonucleotides at the cleaved 3′-OH end and at least one or two ribonucleotides on the 5′-PO4 end; (v) the RNase H activity is inherent in an autonomous 140-amino-acid (aa) N-terminal domain of RnhC; and (vi) the C-terminal 211-aa domain of RnhC is an autonomous acid phosphatase. The cleavage specificity of RnhC is clearly distinct from that of Escherichia coli RNase H2, which selectively incises at an RNA-DNA junction. Thus, we classify RnhC as a type I RNase H. The properties of RnhC are consistent with a role in Okazaki fragment RNA primer removal or in surveillance of oligoribonucleotide tracts embedded in DNA but not in excision repair of single misincorporated ribonucleotides. IMPORTANCE RNase H enzymes help cleanse the genome of ribonucleotides that are present either as ribotracts (e.g., RNA primers) or as single ribonucleotides embedded in duplex DNA. Mycobacterium smegmatis encodes four RNase H proteins, including RnhC, which is characterized in this study. The nucleic acid substrate and cleavage site specificities of RnhC are consistent with a role in initiating the removal of ribotracts but not in single-ribonucleotide surveillance. RnhC has a C-terminal acid phosphatase domain that is functionally autonomous of its N-terminal RNase H catalytic domain. RnhC homologs are prevalent in Actinobacteria.
Restoring facial contour with implanted silicone rubber. Report of two cases.

Abstract Silicone rubber is a relatively new implant substance. It has shown itself to be compatible with the tissues, and it is adaptable to several techniques for the restoration of defects of facial contour. Because of the simplicity of its insertion and the lack of reported complications, silicone rubber may be the material of choice when an implant is indicated. A review of the literature and illnstrative cases have been presented.
A generalized graph-based method for engineering swarm solutions to multiagent problems

We present two key components of a principled method for constructing modular, heterogeneous swarms. First, we generalize a well-known technique for representing swarm behaviors to extend the power of multiagent systems by specializing agents and their interactions. Second, a novel graph-based method is introduced for designing swarm-based behaviors for multiagent teams. This method includes engineer-provided knowledge through explicit design decisions pertaining to specialization, heterogeneity, and modularity. We show the representational power of our generalized representation can be used to evolve a solution to a challenging multiagent resource protection problem. We also construct a modular design by hand, resulting in a scalable and intuitive heterogeneous solution for the resource protection problem.
Natural language processing to extract follow-up provider information from hospital discharge summaries

Objective: We evaluate the performance of a Natural Language Processing (NLP) application designed to extract follow-up provider information from free-text discharge summaries at two hospitals.
Mortality Disparities Among Groups Participating in an East Africa Surveying Expedition: The Herbert Henry Austin Expedition of 1900–1901

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, a number of European expeditions traveled to the region of Lake Rudolf, now largely in northern Kenya. Although diverse in intent, many of these were undertaken in the interests of furthering colonial territorial claims. In 1900–1901, Major Herbert Henry Austin led a British expedition down to the lake from Khartoum in the north. Of the 62 African, Arab, and European members of this expedition, only 18 (29 %) arrived at its final destination at Lake Baringo in Kenya. Because of a confluence of adverse climatic, social, and political conditions, the expedition ran short of food supplies when it arrived at the northern end of the lake in April 1901. For the next 4 months, the members of the expedition struggled down the west side of the lake and beyond. The greatest mortality (91 %) occurred among the 32 African transport drivers who were the most marginally nourished at the outset of the trip. The lowest mortality among the Africans on the expedition (15 %) occurred among the members of the Tenth Sudanese Rifles Battalion, who had an excellent nutritional status at the start of the expedition. Major Austin himself suffered from severe scurvy with retinal hemorrhages which left him partially blind in his right eye. An analysis of the mortality rates among the groups that participated in this expedition was undertaken. This revealed that poor nutritional status at the start of the trip was predictive of death from starvation.
Accurate OPC model generation through use of a streamlined data flow incorporating automated test- structure layout and CD-SEM recipe generation

In this paper we present a method that optimizes the OPC model generation process. The elements in this optimized flow include: an automated test structure layout engine; automated SEM recipe creation and data collection; and OPC model anchoring/validation software. The flow is streamlined by standardizing and automating these steps and their inputs and outputs. A major benefit of this methodology is the ability to perform multiple OPC "screening" refinement loops in a short time before embarking on final model generation. Each step of the flow is discussed in detail, as well as our multi-pass experimental design for converging on a final OPC data set. Implementation of this streamlined process flow drastically reduces the time to complete OPC modeling, and allows generation of multiple complex OPC models in a short time, resulting in faster release and transfer of a next-generation product to manufacturing.
Guanosine 3′, 5′-cyclic monophosphate phosphodiesterase activity of Bacilluslicheniformis

Summary Guanosine 3′, 5′-cyclic monophosphate phosphodiesterase activity was detected in extracts of Bacillus licheniformis strain A-5. The enzyme is associated with the 105,000 xg supernatant fraction of the extract, requires either Mn ++ or Ca ++ for full activity and has a pH optimum of 7.5–8.0. Two cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase fractions have been separated by diethylaminoethyl—cellulose chromatography, one of which exhibits a 14-fold increase in specificity toward guanosine 3′, 5′-cyclic monophosphate as compared with adenosine 3′, 5′-cyclic monophosphate.
The sites of photoconversion of protochlorophyllide to chlorophyllide in barley seedlings.

The photoreduction of protochlorophyllide a to chlorophyllide a in intact 6-day-old seedlings of etiolated barley (Hordeum vulgare) exhibits a small initial phase, followed by an induction period of about 1 hour before a rapid phase of additional chlorophyll formation begins. Cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, has no effect on the initial phase of conversion of preformed protochlorophyllide, but it either abolishes or severely inhibits the subsequent phase of rapid chlorophyll synthesis within 45 minutes of its application to the seedlings. An analysis of the biphasic inhibition process suggests that the lifetime of the enzyme controlling protochlorophyllide synthesis (probably delta-amino-levulinic acid synthetase) is not longer than 10 minutes.The rapid phase of chlorophyll formation can be effected by a series of brief (15 second) pulses of light spaced at least 5 minutes apart. When longer dark intervals are used, no increase is observed in the yield of chlorophyll per pulse. We interpret the findings to indicate that the photoconversion takes place at distinct enzymatic sites whose concentration does not increase during a period of 4 hours following the initial illumination. The sites can be used repeatedly with a turnover time determined by the removal of the product chlorophyllide and the synthesis and placement of a new protochlorophyllide molecule.
A Critical-Time-Point Approach to All-Departure-Time Lagrangian Shortest Paths

Given a spatio-temporal network, a source, a destination, and a desired departure time interval, the All-departure-time Lagrangian Shortest Paths (ALSP) problem determines a set which includes the shortest path for every departure time in the given interval. ALSP is important for critical societal applications such as eco-routing. However, ALSP is computationally challenging due to the non-stationary ranking of the candidate paths across distinct departure-times. Current related work for reducing the redundant work, across consecutive departure-times sharing a common solution, exploits only partial information e.g., the earliest feasible arrival time of a path. In contrast, our approach uses all available information, e.g., the entire time series of arrival times for all departure-times. This allows elimination of all knowable redundant computation based on complete information available at hand. We operationalize this idea through the concept of critical-time-points (CTP), i.e., departure-times before which ranking among candidate paths cannot change. In our preliminary work, we proposed a CTP based forward search strategy. In this paper, we propose a CTP based temporal bi-directional search for the ALSP problem via a novel impromptu rendezvous termination condition. Theoretical and experimental analysis show that the proposed approach outperforms the related work approaches particularly when there are few critical-time-points.
Catalysis by methyltrioxorhenium(VII): reduction of hydronium ions by europium(II) and reduction of perchlorate ions by europium(II) and chromium(II).

The title reactions occur stepwise, the first and fastest being MeReO 3 + Eu 2 + → Re(VI) + Eu 3 + (k 2 9 8 = 2.7 x 10 4 L mol - 1 s - 1 ), followed by rapid reduction of Re(VI) by Eu 2 + to MeReO 2 . The latter species is reduced by a third Eu 2 + to Re(IV), a metastable species characterized by an intense charge transfer band, ∈ 4 1 0 = 910 L mol - 1 cm - 1 at pH 1; the rate constant for its formation is 61.3 L mol - 1 s - 1 , independent of [H + ]. Yet another reduction step occurs, during which hydrogen is evolved at a rate v = k[Re(IV)][Eu 2 + ][H + ] - 1 , with k = 2.56 s - 1 at μ = 0.33 mol L - 1 . The 410 nm Re(IV) species bears no ionic charge on the basis of the kinetic salt effect. We attribute hydrogen evolution to a reaction between H-Re V O and H 3 O + , where the hydrido complex arises from the unimolecular rearrangement of Re I I I -OH in a reaction that cannot be detected directly. Chromium(II) ions do not evolve H 2 , despite E° C r ∼ E° E u . We attribute this lack of reactivity to the Re(IV) intermediate being captured as [Re I V -O-Cr I I I ] 2 + , with both metals having substitutionally inert d 3 electronic configurations. Hydrogen evolution occurs in chloride or triflate media; with perchlorate present, MeReO 2 reduces perchlorate to chloride, as reported previously [Abu-Omar, M. M.; Espenson, J. H. Inorg. Chem. 1995, 34, 6239-6240].
High voltage 6H-SiC rectifiers: prospects and progress

Summary form only given. There are several crucial device fabrication issues that must be solved before truly advantageous SiC power devices can be realized experimentally. Progress in the fabrication of experimental high-voltage epitaxial pn and Schottky junction 6H-SiC diodes is reported. Doping concentrations in 6H-SiC epilayers grown by atmospheric-pressure chemical vapor deposition have been reduced, making possible the fabrication of 2000-V silicon carbide diode rectifiers ever reported. A 24- mu m-thick 2*10/sup 15/ cm/sup -3/ n-type epilayer was the key to the 600-V improvement in reported 6H-SiC blocking voltage in the p/sup +/n mesa-structure diodes. The devices on this wafer were small enough (areas >
Relative fitness of wild and captive-reared piping plovers: Does egg salvage contribute to recovery of the endangered Great Lakes population?

Abstract Since 1992, efforts to recover the US federally endangered Great Lakes piping plover ( Charadrius melodus ) have included population supplementation with captive-reared young raised from abandoned eggs. Using banding data collected 1993–2008 and Cormack–Jolly–Seber models in program MARK we estimated resighting rates ( ρ ) and apparent survival ( Φ ) of first-year (1) and after-first-year (2+) plovers. Reproductive success was measured by estimating mean number of eggs laid, chicks hatched and chicks fledged per wild-reared or captive-reared parent, and these values were compared with a permutation test. The best-supported mark-resighting model indicated wild-reared plovers had higher Φ 1 and Φ 2+ than captive-reared plovers. Breeding propensity influenced detection of wild plovers, whereas unique band combinations facilitated detection of yearling captive-reared plovers. Captive-reared ( n = 10) and wild-reared ( n = 57) plovers laid similar numbers of eggs, but wild-reared plovers hatched 36% more chicks and fledged 56% more young. Reproductive values derived from matrix models suggest captive-reared piping plovers are less fit than similarly aged wild-reared birds upon release and demonstrate reduced fitness in subsequent years. The Great Lakes captive-rearing effort has successfully produced a minimum of 10 breeding adults from 192 eggs that otherwise would have had no reproductive value; these captive-reared individuals now constitute up to 3% of the total population. Small scale salvage and captive-rearing of abandoned eggs should be considered as a technique to supplement existing recovery efforts in highly imperiled populations.
Effects of ligands on the mobility of an active-site loop in tyrosine hydroxylase as monitored by fluorescence anisotropy

Fluorescence anisotropy has been used to monitor the effect of ligands on a mobile loop over the active site of tyrosine hydroxylase. Phe184 in the center of the loop was mutated to tryptophan, and the three native tryptophan residues were mutated to phenylalanine to form an enzyme with a single tryptophan residue in the mobile loop. The addition of 6-methyl-5-deazatetrahydropterin to the enzyme resulted in a significant increase in the fluorescence anisotropy. The addition of phenylalanine did not result in a significant change in the anisotropy in the presence or absence of the deazapterin. The K(d) value for the deazapterin was unaffected by the presence of phenylalanine. Qualitatively similar results were obtained with apoenzyme, except that the addition of phenylalanine led to a slight decrease in anisotropy. Frequency-domain lifetime measurements showed that the distribution of lifetimes was unaffected by both the amino acid and deazapterin. Frequency-domain anisotropy analyses were consistent with a decrease in the motion of the sole tryptophan in the presence of the deazapterin. This could be modeled as a decrease in the cone angle for the indole ring of about 12 degrees . The data are consistent with a model in which binding of a tetrahydropterin results in a change in the conformation of the surface loop required for proper formation of the amino acid binding site.
SURFACE AND INTERFACIAL FTIR SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF LATEXES. II, SURFACTANT-COPOLYMER COMPATIBILITY AND MOBILITY OF SURFACTANTS

Whereas molecular level interactions between sulfonate groups of SDOSS surfactant and COOH groups of EA/MMA copolymer have been discussed in part I of this series, the major focus of this work is to establish the effect of compatibility on the distribution of surfactants at the film–air and the film–substrate interfaces. It is found that the exudation of anionic surfactants is inhibited in neutralized ethyl acrylate/methacrylic acid latex films. On the other hand, nonionic surfactants do not exhibit enrichment at the film interfaces. The inhibited exudation of anionic surfactants is attributed to the increased compatibility resulting from surfactant penetration into the swollen latex particles. This is followed by the formation of solubilized polymer–surfactant complexes through the adsorption of surfactant onto the hydrophobic polymer segments. The effect of neutralization of the carboxylic acid groups on the exudation of anionic surfactants suggests the formation of hydrophobic interactions that overwhelm surface tension effects and prevent surfactant enrichment at either interface.
An on-site computer system for comprehensive agricultural air quality research

Scientific studies using direct agricultural air quality (AAQ) measurement have experienced revolutionary changes since such a study was first reported in the early 1950s. Comprehensive AAQ research with multi-institutional or international collaboration, long-term monitoring, and multi-pollutant measurement has been conducted with greater frequency. On-site computer system (OSCS), consisting of data acquisition hardware, a personal computer, and custom-developed AAQ research software has become an important tool in these studies. The role of the OSCS has been expanded from exclusively data acquisition to a combination of data acquisition, control, regular and advanced data processing, and communication. This paper studied the general and specific requirements of OSCS in AAQ research and introduced a system with new methodology and technology for high level quality assurance and quality control (QAQC). Data acquisition in AAQ studies is needed for five main categories of instruments and sensors: pollutant concentrations, air exchange, weather conditions, building status, and measurement system status. Regular data processing consists of converting electrical signals to engineering units, averaging data over a given period of time, and performing data correction. Advanced data processing includes calculating location-shared analyzers and sensors (LSAS) data and instrument calibration data and generating daily reports in real-time or upon user requests. The primary control needs in AAQ research centers around the LSAS using multi-point air sampling system. Controls for sampling tubing heating and equipment cooling are often required. Computer communications to monitor system status, deliver alarms and data, and provide remote diagnosis and controls help to reduce operation costs and increase research quality and data completeness. An OSCS that offered flexibility, high capacity, user-friendliness, and high level QAQC was developed for field and laboratory AAQ research. A total of 29 OSCSs have been built and used in various AAQ studies in 13 states in USA for handling a total of more than 3.0 billion data points. The system adapted a set of data processing algorithms as well as some novel features, including All-data Display and Dynamic Run-time Configuration (DDRC), Digital Output DDRC, real-time sampling system monitoring and protection, Global Channel, traceable configuration, and post-measurement data processing. The system also integrated two stand-alone instruments, an Innova multi-gas analyzer and a 7-port Environics gas diluter, which are popular in AAQ research. The strengths, weaknesses, and future development of the system are also discussed.
Reply from J. Hey

As suggested by Wallis1xMitochondrial recombination or coevolution of sites?. Wallis, G.P. Trends Ecol. Evol. 2000; 15: 470–471Abstract | Full Text | Full Text PDF | Scopus (5)See all References1, epistatic selection, which changes as a regular function of distance between sites, could indeed cause the pattern found by Awadalla et al.2xLinkage disequilibrium and recombination in hominid mitochondrial DNA. Awadalla, P. et al. Science. 1999; 286: 2524–2525Crossref | PubMed | Scopus (194)See all References2 However, their finding that linkage disequilibrium decreases with distance between sites came primarily from analysis of synonymous site variation. Most distances over which the correlation was found were far longer than individual genes. Thus, an explanation that invokes epistasis must find a mechanism that involves synonymous variants at different genes. Actually, such an explanation might not be too farfetched, although it is hard to say whether it is more or less improbable than recombination. The mRNAs of human mitochondrial genes are generated by the splicing of a large RNA transcript and it is the sequence of that transcript that largely determines proper splicing. Perhaps there are epistatic sets of variants (synonymous and otherwise) that differ in their effects on the proper processing of individual mRNAs. To serve as an explanation for the observation, the ‘epistatic’ (or ‘compensatory’) model requires that such epistasis changes with distance, so as to contribute more to linkage disequilibrium for sites that are nearer one another. The model also requires sufficient mutation to generate the large numbers of pairs of sites that exhibit four gametic types. It is a possibility that should not be ignored.
Metabolism of D-Xylose by Moulds

THE filamentous fungi have been called ubiquitous and omnivorous, and certainly they are widely distributed in Nature where they play a most important part in the decomposition of complex organic matter and as pathogens for many plants. Since much of the plant-derived organic matter in Nature contains a large amount of pentoses, mostly in the form of pentosans, a study of the pentose metabolism of the fungi which decompose this material is of interest not only because it is a basic phenomenon, but also, as we have found, because it is somewhat unique.
Study of work hardening models for single crystals using three dimensional finite element analysis

Abstract A comparative study of some hardening models that have been proposed for single crystals is presented in this paper. These models are compared by simulating the deformation of FCC single crystals under uniaxial tension using the finite element method. During large deformation of single crystals, multiple-slip systems can be activated resulting in a three-dimensional deformation. Therefore, three-dimensional finite element models have been used for the simulation. A rate dependent constitutive model was implemented into a non-linear large deformation finite element program to simulate the deformation of single crystals. The hardening laws are compared in order to study their ability to predict the three stages of hardening observed experimentally in FCC single crystals.
A special purpose embedded system for neural machine interface for artificial legs

This paper presents a design and implementation of a neural-machine interface (NMI) for artificial legs that can decode amputee's intended movement in real time. The newly designed NMI integrates an FPGA chip for fast processing and a microcontroller unit (MCU) with multiple on-chip analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) for real-time data sampling. The resulting embedded system is able to sample in real time 12 EMG signals and 6 mechanical signals and execute a special complex phase-dependent classifier for accurate recognition of the user's intended locomotion modes. The implementation and evaluation are based on Altera's Stratix III 3S150 FPGA device coupled with Freescale's MPC5566 MCU. The experimental results for classifying three locomotion modes (level-ground walking, stairs ascent, and stairs descent) based on data collected from an able-bodied human subject have shown acceptable performance for real-time controlling of artificial legs.
Temperature Change Within the Rumen, Crop Area, and Rectal Area when Liquid of Various Temperatures Was Fed to Calves

Abstract Temperatures in the rumen, crop area, and rectal area of calves were recorded with a radio telemetry system. Mixtures of milk and water at 8, 17, and 37C were fed. Temporal patterns of the post-feeding body temperatures are presented. The transient effects on body temperature resulting from the liquid intake were a function of the temperature and quantity of liquid ingested. Often when the body temperatures returned to their prefeeding values a positive temperature gradient with body depth was noted. The post-feeding temperature drop was the most prominent feature of the temperature responses. After ingesting 2.7kg of liquid at 17C the average decrease in rumen temperature was 7.2C.
Models for a family of products with shelf life, and production and shortage costs in emerging markets

Many industrial products have very short life cycles as well as shelf-life constraints. Shelf-life does not necessarily reflect the physical condition of a product, it may reflect the productive or marketable life of a product as well in a competitive emerging market. In this paper, a production system that produces a family of items is considered and its policy is to produce all the items in every production cycle. A model is developed to incorporate the effects of constituent costs such as production cost, holding cost, setup cost, and shortage cost, which are four major costs in a typical inventory system with a shelf-life constraint. By using this model, a proper decision is reached to choose one of the three options: reduction of production rate, reduction of cycle time to avoid the violation of shelf-life constraint and adjusting to both of them simultaneously. An example is framed out to illustrate the mechanism of the models and a comparison between the proposed models with two previous models is also presented.
Possible Fulde–Ferrell–Larkin–Ovchinnikov superconducting state in CeCoIn5

Abstract We report observation of the specific heat anomaly within the superconducting state of the heavy fermion CeCoIn5. It appears in the vicinity of the superconducting critical field Hc2, where the superconducting transition changes from second to first order, above 10 T for H || [1 1 0] and H || [1 0 0] , and above 4.7 T for H || [0 0 1] , and at temperatures on the order of 0.1Tc. We interpret the anomaly within the superconducting state as a signature of a Fulde–Ferrell–Larkin–Ovchinnikov FFLO inhomogeneous superconducting state.
A rapidly polymerizing polyurethane for transcatheter embolization.

A polyurethane preopolymer was evaluated as a transcatheter embolizing agent. Low viscosity permits injection through small catheters. Polymerization is initated on contact with blood and completed within 10 seconds. Downstream propagation is better then that of cyanoacrylate and comparable to that of silicone rubber. No systemic toxicity was observed in acute animal experiments. However, dissolution of arterial walls and extravasation out of the vascular bed of chronically embolized organs suggest significant local tissue toxicity and make further evaluation necessary before clinical testing.
Purification and properties of a procoagulant from peninsula tiger snake (Notechis ater niger) venom.

Abstract V. Williams and J. White . Purification and properties of a procoagulant from peninsula tiger snake ( Notechis ater niger ) venom. Toxicon 27, 773–779, 1989.—The procoagulant from Notechis ater niger was purified by gel filtration and anion exchange chromatography. It is a protein with an approximate mol.wt of 58,000 and in the presence of B mercaptoethanol is reduced to two chains with mol.wts of 37,000 and 23,000. The procoagulant has a pI of 7.3. The whole venom requires factor V to be present to bring about coagulation while Ca 2+ and phospholipid are not essential, but when present stimulate this process. Normal prothrombin, but not decarboxyprothrombin, is converted by the venom. The activity of the procoagulant from Notechis species has been equated with factor Xa and in this study the similarity is noted, while ecarinlike characteristics in not requiring Ca 2+ and phospholipid and an ability to clot heparinised plasma were also noted.
Overview of a HLA-Ig based Lego-like system for T cell monitoring, modulation and expansion

Recent advances in molecular medicine have shown that soluble MHC-multimers can be valuable tools for both analysis and modulation of antigen-specific immune responses in vitro and in vivo. In this review, we describe the use of dimeric human and mouse major histocompatibility complexes, MHC-Ig, as part of an artificial Antigen-Presenting Cell (aAPC). MHC-Ig-based aAPC and its derivatives represent an exciting new platform technology for measuring and manipulating immune responses in vitro as well as in vivo. This new technology has the potential to help overcome many of the obstacles associated with limitations in current antigen-specific approaches of immunotherapy for the treatment of cancer, infectious diseases and autoimmunity.