cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Myocardial Pro-inflammatory Cytokine Expression and Cellular Rejection in Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients

Background Accumulating evidence suggests that immune-mediated injury is important in the development of rejection after heart transplantation. We hypothesized that pro-inflammatory cytokine expression would increase in biopsy samples that manifest cellular rejection and that this would correlate with the development and progression of transplant cellular rejection. Methods Children with heart transplants were prospectively enrolled from July 2004 to November 2005. Right ventricular endomyocardial biopsies were obtained during routine catheterization for rejection surveillance. Cellular rejection was graded using criteria established by the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation. RNA was extracted from biopsy samples and reverse transcription was used for complementary DNA synthesis. The cDNA product was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to measure the following cytokines: interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-18; tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α); and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). Normalized cytokine mRNA transcripts were correlated with cellular rejection scores and the presence of viral genome. Results Seventy-four children (mean age 9.6 ± 5.5 years, range 0.2 to 20.5 years) were enrolled and 95 biopsies were obtained. None of the cytokines demonstrated a correlation with the cellular rejection score, even within individual patients for whom multiple, serial biopsy samples were studied. Eighteen biopsy samples were found to have parvovirus B19 genome present, but there was no correlation between cytokine levels and the presence of parvovirus. Conclusions Cytokine transcripts in heart transplants do not correlate with cellular rejection. In addition, there is no correlation between cytokine transcripts and the presence of viral genome.
Endoscopic Surgery for Pituitary Tumors

The endoscopic transsphenoidal approach to the sella turcica has been developed and refined for the treatment of pituitary lesions. Studies comparing endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery with the traditional microscopic transsphenoidal technique have found equivalent or improved rates of tumor resection and hormonal remission, and equal or lower rates of complications. This procedure affords improved panoramic visualization, illumination, surgical freedom, and mobility. This approach facilitates two-handed microdissection and the ability to look around corners using angled lenses, promoting maximal tumor resection and preservation of the pituitary gland. Experience, technologic advancements, and improved instrumentation are likely to contribute to improved surgical outcomes.
ARTHROSCOPIC BANKART REPAIR: Operative Technique and Surgical Pitfalls

The arthroscopic management of patients with shoulder instability continues to evolve. The obvious benefits include a reduction of operative time, preservation of the subscapularis, improved visualization, and less blood loss. Newer techniques that allow the plastic deformation of the IGHLC to be addressed are emerging, which may yield results as successful as those of open Bankart repair. The ability to adequately tension the IGHLC may result in some loss of external rotation, which may improve results. Capsular tensioning must be critically analyzed at the time of surgery. Adequate stabilization with an arthroscopic approach should provide a convincing postoperative examination of stability. A careful examination after suture placement may indicate residual laxity that must be addressed. Finally, periods of immobilization are similar in open and arthroscopic techniques. The process of biologic healing is not accelerated by arthroscopic techniques, and early return to sport activities that may endanger the repair will likely result in early failure.
Exact Angular Accuracy of an Amplitude Comparison Sequential-Lobing Processor

Assume E1 and E2 are the squares of two sequential envelopes from the sequential lobing of an antenna in a given plane. Independent thermal noise is generally present in the envelopes. The statistic e = (E2 ? E1)/(E2 + E1) has been used as an estimate of the angle to a target for the significant region of small angles compared to a beamwidth. For a nonfading target, the probability density and characteristic function of e are obtained in closed form. Thence, the exact bias, standard deviation, and rms error in estimating the noise-free value e of e are obtained for all e and signal-to-noise ratios. The same type of statistic as e can be used to estimate time delay in a split range gate tracker.
The meaning and ethics of sustainability

Some have argued that the meaning of sustainability varies according to context, forcing us to be as explicit as possible when defining our terms. An argument is offered that disputes this conclusion by maintaining that it is not the meaning of sustainability that changes with respect to context, but rather our understanding of the context itself. This is frequently apparent in contradictions that arise when conceiving each context in terms of sustainability. If this argument is correct, then we should be concerned not with the “meaning” of sustainability but rather the implications of sustainability as they affect the status quo. And in order to do this we must be prepared to answer the question: Why is sustainability desirable? This approach is illustrated through a preliminary conceptual and ethical analysis of ecologically sustainable development.
Acute and persistent infection by a transfected Mo7 strain of Babesia bovis

A Mo7-derived Babesia bovis line stably transfected with the gfp-bsd gene was inoculated into two four to five months old calves, while two additional calves were inoculated with Mo7 parasites. Similar mild clinical signs were detected in all calves. B. bovis rap-1 was identified in the bloodstream by PCR four days post inoculation (dpi), and consistently over ten months thereafter. Transfusion of blood from experimentally infected calves into four naive splenectomized calves at 212 dpi resulted in acute disease in recipients, confirming persistent infection in the four donor animals. The proportion of GFP expressing parasites recovered from a splenectomized recipient calf is undistinguishable from transfected parasites that were maintained in long term culture under blasticidin selection. Furthermore, the sequences of transfected genes in recovered parasites remained unaltered. Together, the data demonstrates that exogenous B. bovis transgenes can be expressed and remain stable throughout acute and persistent infection in calves.
Open online platforms advancing DSP education

Two open, online educational platforms, OpenStax Exercises and OpenStax Tutor, are working to revolutionize the way in which students learn concepts in diverse subject areas. Born and tested in the area of signal processing education, these tools bring to bear cutting-edge ideas in cognitive science and machine learning to automatically build personalized learning pathways for today's students and to advance the field of learning science. These platforms are introduced and initial results discussed.
PlateClick: Bootstrapping Food Preferences Through an Adaptive Visual Interface

Food preference learning is an important component of wellness applications and restaurant recommender systems as it provides personalized information for effective food targeting and suggestions. However, existing systems require some form of food journaling to create a historical record of an individual's meal selections. In addition, current interfaces for food or restaurant preference elicitation rely extensively on text-based descriptions and rating methods, which can impose high cognitive load, thereby hampering wide adoption. In this paper, we propose PlateClick, a novel system that bootstraps food preference using a simple, visual quiz-based user interface. We leverage a pairwise comparison approach with only visual content. Using over 10,028 recipes collected from Yummly, we design a deep convolutional neural network (CNN) to learn the similarity distance metric between food images. Our model is shown to outperform state-of-the-art CNN by 4 times in terms of mean Average Precision. We explore a novel online learning framework that is suitable for learning users' preferences across a large scale dataset based on a small number of interactions (≤ 15). Our online learning approach balances exploitation-exploration and takes advantage of food similarities using preference-propagation in locally connected graphs. We evaluated our system in a field study of 227 anonymous users. The results demonstrate that our method outperforms other baselines by a significant margin, and the learning process can be completed in less than one minute. In summary, PlateClick provides a light-weight, immersive user experience for efficient food preference elicitation.
Altered sex ratio amongst women presenting with unexplained secondary infertility

with APC, PE or FITC fluorochromes). Flow cytometry was performed using a FacsCalibur analyzer. RESULTS: Placentas derived from pregnant mice were analyzed for IMC and DC populations. Throughout the latter part of pregnancy the CD45CD11bGr1 IMC population significantly decreased: 29.5 9.1% on day 12-13, 30.7 9.9% on day 14-15 and 21.2 8.1% on day 17-18 (n1⁄421, 15, 27; P1⁄40.002). Interestingly, a similar decrease in splenic DCs was also observed. Paralleling this decrease, an increase in the CD45CD11cIA/IE DC population in the placenta was observed: 0.9 0.3% on day 12-13, 0.7 0.3% on day 14-15 and 1.8 1.3% on day 17-18 (n1⁄421, 15, 27; P1⁄40.002). CONCLUSION: The immature myeloid cell population decreases in the placenta during pregnancy while the population of dendritic cells increases, peaking just before labor and delivery. The possibility that the onset of labor and delivery is preceded by thematuration of IMCs into DCs is intriguing and warrants further studies. Supported by: ISF 142/09.
Schistosoma mansoni: identification of SmNR4A, a member of nuclear receptor subfamily 4.

Abstract A cDNA encoding a member of nuclear receptor subfamily 4 (SmNR4A) was isolated from the trematode Schistosoma mansoni. The open reading frame (ORF) of SmNR4A cDNA is 2481 base pairs long encoding an 827 amino acid protein. Alignment of the deduced protein sequence showed the DNA binding domain (DBD) of SmNR4A is highly conserved. Like human and Drosophila members in NR subfamily 4, SmNR4A possess an atypical ligand binding domain (LBD), the conserved lysine in helix H3 is replaced by a glutamic acid, and three of the four phenylalanines which fill the entire surface of the ligand binding pocket (LBP) are conserved in SmNR4A. A phylogenetic tree of SmNR4A was constructed using the conserved protein sequence of the DBD, the C-terminal-extension of DBD (CTE) and the LBD. The results show that the SmNR4A is a member of NR subfamily 4 from S. mansoni. The SmNR4A gene contains six exons spanning more than 50 kbp. The relative mRNA expression levels of SmNR4A were evaluated in 14 different developmental stages by quantitative real-time reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR). The results demonstrated that SmNR4A expression was regulated throughout development. It was highly expressed in daughter sporocysts and 35-day worms, but barely expressed in cercariae and 1-h and 3-day schistosomules.
Reductions by ferrocytochrome c peroxidase 4. Kinetics of yeast cytochrome c reduction at high buffer phosphate concentration

Abstract The kinetics of reduction of yeast ferricytochrome c from Saccharomyces cerevisiae by ferrocytochrome c peroxidase (CCPII) were investigated at high ionic strength. In 200–500 mM phosphate (pH 7.0) first–order kinetics were observed with an average rate of 0.025±0.003 s−1 at 24±1 °C. Previously (Inorg. Chem., 27 (1988) 1078; Rev. Port. Quim., 27 (1985) 237) it was reported that the reduction of horse cytochrome c by CCPII in ⩾ 100 mM phosphate also exhibited first-order kinetics with a rate of 0.02 s−1. These observations are consistent with a reduction mechanism in which the rate-limiting step involves a conformation change in free CCP. The fluorescence polarization of yeast porphyrin cytochrome c in the presence of CCPIII was also examined, and the results indicate that the two proteins do not form a complex in 200 mM phosphate.
Microprocessor Aging Analysis and Reliability Modeling Due to Back-End Wearout Mechanisms

Back-end wearout mechanisms are major reliability concerns for modern microprocessors. In this paper, a framework that contains modules for back-end time-dependent dielectric breakdown, electromigration, and stress-induced voiding is proposed to analyze circuit layout geometries and interconnects to estimate state-of-the-art microprocessor lifetime due to each mechanism. Our methodology incorporates the detailed electrical stress temperature, linewidth, and cross-sectional areas of each interconnect/via within the microprocessor system. Different workloads are considered to evaluate aging effects in single-core microprocessors running applications with realistic use conditions.
Predictive theory for the combination kinetics of two alkyl radicals

An ab initio transition state theory based procedure for accurately predicting the combination kinetics of two alkyl radicals is described. This procedure employs direct evaluations of the orientation dependent interaction energies at the CASPT2/cc-pvdz level within variable reaction coordinate transition state theory (VRC-TST). One-dimensional corrections to these energies are obtained from CAS+1+2/aug-cc-pvtz calculations for CH3 + CH3 along its combination reaction path. Direct CAS+1+2/aug-cc-pvtz calculations demonstrate that, at least for the purpose of predicting the kinetics, the corrected CASPT2/cc-pvdz potential energy surface is an accurate approximation to the CAS+1+2/aug-cc-pvtz surface. Furthermore, direct trajectory simulations, performed at the B3LYP/6-31G* level, indicate that there is little local recrossing of the optimal VRC transition state dividing surface. The corrected CASPT2/cc-pvdz potential is employed in obtaining direct VRC-TST kinetic predictions for the self and cross combinations of methyl, ethyl, iso-propyl, and tert-butyl radicals. Comparisons with experiment suggest that the present dynamically corrected VRC-TST approach provides quantitatively accurate predictions for the capture rate. Each additional methyl substituent adjacent to a radical site is found to reduce the rate coefficient by about a factor of two. In each instance, the rate coefficients are predicted to decrease quite substantially with increasing temperature, with the more sterically hindered reactants having a more rapid decrease. The simple geometric mean rule, relating the capture rate for the cross reaction to those for the self-reactions, is in remarkably good agreement with the more detailed predictions. With suitable generalizations the present approach should be applicable to a wide array of radical–radical combination reactions.
Fatigue behaviour of borosilicate glass-ceramic matrix, nicalon (silicon carbide) fibre composites

Uniaxial fatigue damage analyses were performed on borosilicate glass-ceramic matrix, Nicalon (silicon carbide) fibre reinforced unidirectional composites. The fibre volume fraction varied from about 0.25 to 0.60. Load-controlled tension-tension fatigue tests (R ratio = 0.1) were conducted at room temperature and 540°C (1000°F). The fatigue life was found to decrease with increasing cyclic stress level and a power-law relationship of the form σapp = σuts(2N f)b was established where σapp is the applied maximum stress, σuts the monotonic tensile strength, N f is the number of cycles to failure and b is the fatigue strength exponent. The fatigue damage evolution manifested itself as a decrease in stiffness of the composite with fatigue cycles. This stiffness drop was associated with matrix cracking followed by fibre-matrix debonding and fibre sliding breakage/pull-out, and final failure, respectively at 540°C. The damage evolution at room temperature was associated with degradation of the matrix followed by steady breakage of fibres with no debonding/pull-out, leading to eventual failure of the net section of the composite. In general, quantitative microscopic observations of debonded and pulled-out fibres showed a good correlation with the observed reduction in stiffness. A predictive model to interpret the drop in stiffness is presented and validated using experimental results from the current study.
Vapor purge estimation using a dual-mode observer

Fuel-tank vapor purge has long been a standard feature on vehicles to meet federally regulated evaporative emissions requirements. The following proposes improvements to the means of estimating purged fuel vapor contribution to the engine without the use of a vapor sensor. An accurate estimate of purged fuel vapor can reduce the burden on the A/F (air to fuel ratio) controller and allow for lower emissions and/or larger purge quantity. Reducing this tradeoff between emissions and purge quantity permits more frequent open-loop A/F control events such as deceleration fuel shutoff (DFSO) which can positively affect vehicle fuel economy.
Chloride binding to calcium silicate hydrates (C-S-H) in cement paste: a molecular dynamics analysis

A research study was recently conducted using the molecular dynamics approach to investigate the physico-chemical nature of interactions between chloride ions and various hydration products of cement that could lead to chloride accumulation in concrete. This paper presents the findings of one primary focus of the study, i.e. studying the transport behaviour of chloride ions in the calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) phases of cement paste. Based on a comprehensive review, three reprehensive hydrated compounds, i.e. the portlandite, tobermorite and jennite, were modelled to evaluate the transport property of generic C-S-H phases in cement paste. Using the 35Cl nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy technique, the MD models were validated and used to study the binding capacity of C-S-H phases towards the migrating chloride ions at the water–solid interfaces. The macroscopic transport phenomenon of chloride in C-S-H phases was studied in terms of the effective diffusion coefficient computed using a mean-square...
High Involvement Ergonomics: A New Approach to Participation

High involvement ergonomics is introduced as a macroergonomic approach to the implementation of technology in organizational systems which requires that workers be involved in developing and implementing the technology. It has been proposed that work organizations move toward a more involved or commitment approach to the design and operation of the organization. Several types of involvement approaches are discussed, the managerial role in high involvement organizations is examined, and conclusions are drawn regarding the implementation of high involvement ergonomics.
Screening of Police Applicants: A 5-Item MMPI Research Index:

The usefulness and validity of various personality tests in the selection of police officers has been recently considered. This study examines use of the MMPI to differentiate successfully between acceptable and unacceptable police candidates. An item analysis of the MMPI is presented, and five items which significantly differentiated the groups are combined in an index. The statistical errors of inference in a simulated selection procedure are examined with the use of Bayes theorem. The index has sufficient validity to warrant further investigation.
Induction of the c-fos proto-oncogene during opiate withdrawal in the locus coeruleus and other regions of rat brain.

Abstract Opiate regulation of the nuclear proto-oncogene c-fos was studied in the locus coeruleus (LC) and other regions of rat brain by immunoblotting, northern blotting, and in situ hybridization procedures. Precipitation of opiate withdrawal in rats, which is known to increase LC firing rates 4-fold, led to a two- to three-fold increase in levels of mRNA and protein for c-fos in the LC 1–2 h after initiation of withdrawal. In contrast, levels of c-fos expression were decreased in LC from rats treated acutely or chronically with morphine but not experiencing withdrawal, conditions under which LC firing rate are depressed. Similar regulation of c-fos expression during opiate withdrawal was found in the amygdala, ventral tegmentum, nucleus accumbens, neostriatum, and cerebral cortex, but not in a number of other brain regions studied, which included the hippocampus, dorsal raphe, periaqueductal gray, and paragigantocellularis. In the LC and some other brain regions, induction of c-fos during opiate withdrawal was associated with a parallel induction of c-jun, another nuclear proto-oncogene, which, like c-fos, is expressed rapidly in brain in response to certain extracellular stimuli. The results demonstrate a novel use of c-fos in neuropharmacology, namely to map neuronal pathways and neuronal cell types activated in response to acute and chronic opiate administration and during opiate withdrawal, as well as in response to other psychotropic drug treatments.
Rejection-identification among Latino immigrants in the United States

Abstract When people perceive that they are rejected because of a group membership, identification with that group can increase, a phenomenon known as rejection-identification. Immigrants represent an interesting case for rejection-identification because (a) they can face rejection from both members of the majority group in the host country (e.g., Americans) and their ethnic community (e.g., Mexicans) specifically because of the membership in the other and (b) their ethnic and national identities are tied to different contexts and carry different levels of investment. In a survey of Latino immigrants in the United States, it was found that perceived group-based rejection from Latinos was related to lower ethnic identification and stronger identification with the United States and marginally stronger bicultural identification as Latino-American. Perceived group-based rejection from other Americans was related to stronger dis identification with the United States, but had no relationship to ethnic identification. These effects were independent of feelings of personal acceptance. The application of the rejection-identification model to the case of immigration is discussed.
Visual stimulus satiation as a function of duration of stimulus exposure and elapsed time following exposure

The following hypotheses derived from Glanzer’s (1953) theory of stimulus satiation effects were tested: (1) The longer S is exposed to a visual stimulus, the less likely he is to request a repetition of that stimulus, and (2) increasing the elapsed time following stimulus exposure increases the likelihood that S will request a repetition of that stimulus. A 4 by 4 by 2 factorial design utilizing 64 undergraduate Ss of both sexes was used to test the hypotheses. A subsequent analysis of variance produced results confirming Hypothesis 1, but not Hypothesis 2.
Dissipation peak as an indicator of inhomogeneity in solid He4 oscillator experiments

A simple phenomenological model is developed for the recent torsional oscillator experiments on solid $^4$He. Within this model, for a homogeneous sample there is a specific quantitative relation between the change in the oscillator's frequency and its maximum damping at the apparent supersolid transition. Much of the published data do not satisfy this relation, indicating that the dissipation peaks in those samples are strongly inhomogeneously broadened.
Ankyrin Recognizes Both Surface Character and Shape of the 14- 15 di-repeat of β-Spectrin

The spectrin-based cytoskeleton is critical for cell stability, membrane organization and membrane protein trafficking. At its core is the high-affinity complex between β-spectrin and ankyrin. Defects in either of these proteins may cause hemolytic disease, developmental disorders, neurologic disease, and cancer. Crystal structures of the minimal recognition motifs of ankyrin and β-spectrin have been determined and distinct recognition mechanisms proposed. One focused on the complementary surface charges of the minimal recognition motifs, whereas the other identified an unusual kink between β-spectrin repeats and suggested a conformation-sensitive binding surface. Using isothermal titration calorimetry and site-directed mutagenesis, we demonstrate the primacy of the inter-repeat kink as the critical determinant underlying spectrin’s ankyrin affinity. The clinical implications of this are discussed in light of recognized linker mutations and polymorphisms in the β-spectrins.
Four conformers observed and characterized in 1-hexyne

Abstract The microwave spectrum of 1-hexyne ( n -butyl acetylene) reveals the presence of four conformers that are characterized. 1-Hexyne is propane with terminal ethynyl and methyl substituents. These substituents can be arranged in anti – anti (AA), gauche – anti (GA, ethynyl gauche ), anti – gauche (AG, methyl gauche ), gauche – gauche (GG trans), and gauche – gauche ’ (GG cis) conformations. The first four conformers are observed experimentally and their rotational constants determined. The experiments and ab initio calculations agree that the forms with anti or gauche C(ethynyl)–C–C–C conformations are nearly equally stable. The gauche C(methyl)–C–C–C configuration is higher in energy by several kJ/mol. The GG cis form is not observed and is predicted to be higher in energy. Inclusion of correlation effects in the quantum chemical calculations (MP2 vs. HF or B3LYP density functional methods) is essential for reasonable agreement between experimental results and computational models.
Rotationally resolved spectroscopy of a librational fundamental band of hydrogen fluoride tetramer

The rotationally resolved spectrum of a fundamental band of hydrogen fluoride tetramer has been recorded using a pulsed slit-jet, diode laser spectrometer. The band has a parallel rotational structure and is assigned as the H–F out-of-plane libration fundamental with Au symmetry. Ninety-five ground state combination differences were fit to a symmetric top Hamiltonian to give the following ground state rotational constants: B″=0.132 081(7) cm−1, DJ″=7.1(7)×10−7 cm−1, DJK″=−9(2)×10−7 cm−1, HJJJ″=6(2)×10−10 cm−1, HJJK″=9(7)×10−10 cm−1, HJKK″=−1.3(8)×10−10 cm−1. A total of 190 transitions were fit to determine the upper state spectroscopic constants: v4=714.7849(1) cm−1, B′=0.129 634(5) cm−1, Δ(C−B)=0.001 344 cm−1, DJ′=6.4(5)×10−7 cm−1, DJK′=−4.5(6)×10−7 cm−1, ΔDK=2.92(8)×10−6 cm−1, HJJJ′=3(1)×10−10 cm−1, HJKK′=−1.55(6)×10−8 cm−1; ΔHKKK=−4.65(6)×10−8 cm−1. Furthermore, a perpendicular band centered at 752.7 cm−1 was observed. The band has a rotational line spacing that gives an approximate B″ value of 0.132 c...
Disruption of the representativeness heuristic: Can we be perturbed into using correct probabilistic reasoning?

Some misconceptions in learning and understanding statistical or probabilistic concepts stem from the use of what is called the “representativeness heuristic” for solving such problems. Incorrect solutions to problems is the result. This study provided graduate students enrolled in beginning inferential statistics with a series of experiences which seemed to disrupt such faulty logic by having them experience logical inconsistencies. Such direct experimental involvement with applied probability problems was recommended as a means to enhance the use of more appropriate probabilistic reasoning in subsequent statistical or probability problems.
On the Tuning of Predictive Controllers: The Minimum Back-Off Operating Point Selection Problem

In this work we propose a new formulation of the stochastic based minimum back-off operating point selection problem. It is shown that this formulation has a convex/reverse-convex form and is thus readily solved globally via a branch and bound search scheme. The formulation is then extended to the partial state information case as well as the discrete-time framework. The formulation is unique in that the controller feedback gain is not specified a priori but rather is to be determined by the proposed optimization. It is further shown that the obtained feedback gain is such that an LQR inverse optimal feedback is guaranteed to exist within the set of feasible feedback gains. A postprocessing procedure is proposed for the synthesis of such a feedback as well as the corresponding LQR objective function weights. This connection between the economics of operating point selection and the dynamics of predictive controller tuning (i.e., the selection of objective function weighs) is expected to significantly enha...
Backoff Model Training using Partially Observed Data: Application to Dialog Act Tagging

Dialog act (DA) tags are useful for many applications in natural language processing and automatic speech recognition. In this work, we introduce hidden backoff models (HBMs) where a large generalized backoff model is trained, using an embedded expectation-maximization (EM) procedure, on data that is partially observed. We use HBMs as word models conditioned on both DAs and (hidden) DA-segments. Experimental results on the ICSI meeting recorder dialog act corpus show that our procedure can strictly increase likelihood on training data and can effectively reduce errors on test data. In the best case, test error can be reduced by 6.1% relative to our baseline, an improvement on previously reported models that also use prosody. We also compare with our own prosody-based model, and show that our HBM is competitive even without the use of prosody. We have not yet succeeded, however, in combining the benefits of both prosody and the HBM.
Magnetic properties of off-stoichiometric R2Co3Zn14 (R=y, Gd) single crystals

Abstract Single crystal X-ray diffraction data indicate that the R 2 Co 3 Zn 14 (R=Gd, Y) phase crystallizes non-stoichiometrically with a mixed occupancy of Co/Zn atoms on the 12-coordinated transition metal site and one of the three zinc sites. The crystals are rhombohedral with R -3 m space group. Magnetization measurements provide no evidence of localized 3d electron moment in Y 2 Co 2.3 Zn 14.7 which is non-magnetic down to 1.8 K. Thermodynamic and transport measurements on two Gd 2 Co 3+ x Zn 14− x crystals reveal that the extra cobalt influences temperature below which the samples enter into an antiferromagnetic state: T N =31.5(3) K for Gd 2 Co 3 Zn 14 and 28(1) K for Gd 2 Co 4.2 Zn 12.8 . A lower magnetic ordering temperature of T mag =6.0(2) K is common in both Gd samples.
Relationship marketing: a high‐involvement product attribute approach

This study investigates consumers’ affective attachments toward products, based on generalizable and managerially relevant product attributes. Two surveys of 123 consumers found that high‐involvement, high‐meaning products tend to share ten common attributes. The managerial implications of each attribute are discussed, including specific ways that brand managers and new product development teams can engineer relationships between brands and customers.
Long-term renal function preservation after renal artery stenting in patients with progressive ischemic nephropathy.

We assessed the long-term effect of successful renal artery stent revascularization on renal function, blood pressure control, and survival in patients with progressive renal dysfunction due to ischemic nephropathy. Ischemic nephropathy presents a potentially serious risk of complete loss of renal function. Surgical renal revascularization is associated with significant risk of mortality/morbidity in this patient population. The potential role and long-term effect of renal artery stent revascularization in this patient population is not well defined. A cohort of 51 patients (mean age, 72 years; 52.9% men) with progressive azotemia, defined as a preprocedure serum creatinine (Scr) value of >or= 1.5 mg/dl and a negative slope of the reciprocal 1/Scr curve during the 12 months preceding revascularization, underwent successful primary stent deployment in 93 atherosclerotic renal artery lesions (42 bilateral, 9 solitary kidneys). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR) and serum creatinine values, blood pressure, antihypertensive medication requirements, and survival rates were monitored over a mean of 30-month follow-up. Renal artery duplex Doppler or renal angiography were performed at a mean of 13 months (range, 7-15 months) to assess stent patency. Stent implantation was successful in 92/93 (98.9%) stenotic renal arteries (mean preprocedure serum creatinine 2.3 +/- 0.9 mg/dl; range, 1.5-8.2 mg/dl). Forty-seven patients were eligible for 30-month follow-up of the procedural effect on renal function, blood pressure control, number of antihypertensive medications, and survival. At 1-year follow-up, the slope of the 1/Scr curve increased and the EGFR values significantly improved compared to preprocedure values (19.9 +/- 6.2 to 26.8 +/- 10.1 ml/min; P < 0.0001), serum creatinine decreased from the mean preprocedure value to 1.75 +/- 0.69 mg/dl (P < 0.001), with renal function improvement or stabilization observed in 94% of patients; three patients (7.3%) required permanent hemodialysis during the 30-month follow-up period. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly decreased (from 177 +/- 28 to 148 +/- 25 mm Hg and from 92 +/- 15 to 78 +/- 14 mm Hg, respectively; P < 0.001) with fewer antihypertensive medications required to control blood pressure (3.5 +/- 0.9 vs. 1.9 +/- 1.3; P < 0.001). The patient survival rate after 30-month follow-up was 87%, with three deaths related to end-stage renal failure. Renal artery stent revascularization reversed progressive renal dysfunction within the first 12 months and maintained the improved level of renal function at 30-month follow-up while improving blood pressure control and reducing the number of antihypertensive medication requirements. Renal stent revascularization should be considered a valid therapeutic option for the long-term treatment of ischemic nephropathy.
Infrared and Raman spectra of formaldehyde in argon and nitrogen matrices

Abstract The i.r. spectra of H 2 CO and D 2 CO in solid argon and in solid nitrogen and the Raman spectra of H 2 CO and D 2 CO in Ar and of H 2 CO in N 2 are reported as functions of temperature and of matrix concentration. For the monomer species, no evidence is found for the multiple trapping sites previously suggested. The dimer spectra indicate intermolecular interaction through the carbonyl groups. In nitrogen matrices, pairs of monomer peaks whose intensities have a reversible temperature dependence suggest constrained rotation of the molecule.
Review of die lip buildup in plastics extrusion

Die lip buildup, also called plate-out, die drrool, die drip, or die peel, refers to the unwanted material accumulation on the open faces of extrusion dies. Since this buildup of material can interfere with extrusion, the processing line must be shut down periodically to clean the die. These shutdowns are costly. The mechanism for die lip buildup is not understood, though there are a variety of proposed explanations. Ways to suppress the problem have been developed by trial. Our review of the literature suggests that there are many mechanisms at play in die lip buildup. For a given industrial problem only a few may matter, but which? Here we use a dimensional analysis to develop a unified approach to die drool problems.
Mechanism of Lunar Polarization

A theoretical model to explain the negative polarization of moonlight at small lunar phase angles is developed. The model is based on the polarization of light in the diffraction region bordering the geometric shadow of an opaque dielectric obstacle.
OWER-MDG: A novel energy replenishment and data gathering mechanism in wireless rechargeable sensor networks

Current study on prolonging lifetime for wireless sensor networks (WSNs) mainly focuses on two techniques. The first technique is to reduce energy consumption of sensor nodes, while the second technique is to recharge sensor nodes by harvesting energy from the ambient environment or RF based energy transmission. However, neither of these two techniques are able to guarantee network lifetime and network performance. In order to achieve perpetual operation for WSNs while providing high network utility, in this paper we propose an optimal wireless energy replenishment and mobile data gathering mechanism (OWER-MDG) which charges sensor nodes effectively and collects data from the network using a mobile vehicle (SenCar). We study the application of OWER-MDG in WSNs and provide an efficient algorithm which maximizes network utility. Our numerical results demonstrate the performance advantage of OWER-MDG and provide a guidance on parameter selection for system design.
Integrating sensors and electronics&#8212;New challenges for silicon

The integration of sensors with signal-processing systems offers striking advantages over older discrete-sensor, hybrid-system approaches. Carrier-domain magnetometers are examples of sensors that can be built without modifying conventional silicon planar processing. These devices offer remarkable sensitivity, linearity, and versatility for magnetic sensing. Extensions of conventional IC technology, such as anisotropic etching of silicon single crystals to produce micromechanical structures, greatly enlarge possibilities for the development of integrated sensors. A very promising new approach is to use polycrystalline silicon as a mechanical material and to form microstructures using oxide etching-- thus avoiding anisotropic etches. This technology is employed to construct a vibrating-beam vapor sensor in which a microbeam is mechanically resonated by electrical excitation. Active thin films which function as stress transducers (through the piezoelectric effect), or as heat sensors (through the pyroelectric effect) can also be fabricated together with silicon ICs. Examples of this technology include a sensitive cantilever accelerometer (employing the piezoelectric effect) and a single-chip flow sensor (using the pyroelectric effect) in thin films on chip with NMOS ICs. RF sputtering in a reactive atmosphere provides highly oriented ZnO films for these applications.
Peptides - Beta-Sheet Folding from Hairpins to Aggregates

Selected examples of turn sequence and hydrophobic contact stabilized β-hairpin peptides were previously studied using ECD, fluorescence, IR and VCD spectroscopies to assess stability of β-hairpin formation. Extending this, two three-stranded β-sheet peptides, based on modified Trpzip sequences, using D-Pro-Gly (B3pG) or Asn-Gly (B3GN) turn sequences gave ECD spectra reflecting cross-strand Trp-Tyr aromatic interactions, and indicated both were partially multi-stranded. Both showed initial IR spectra at low temperatures indicative of extended β-sheet structure that were more characteristic of an aggregate than a small oligomer structure. Thermal variation of their IR spectra gave strikingly different behaviors. B3pG reversibly unfolded from aggregated β-like structure at low temperature to disordered at high temperature. B3GN formed aggregates at low temperature, became disordered with heating, but upon re-cooling gave typical soluble β-sheet peptide spectra, which was could be reversibly unfolded. ThT binding to dilute B3GN, but not B3pG, caused a fluorescence enhancement, consistent with fibril formation. These results suggest that turn sequence mutation leads to different micro- and macro-structures, resulting in tuning their structurally related properties. Modifying the sequences to reduce hydrophobicity (aromatic residues) but incorporate Aib-Gly turns gave partially folded peptides with reversible folding but less stability. Taking another view of β-sheet based peptide aggregation, we studied fibril formation in glutamic acid oligomers at low pH (β2 form). We had shown that poly-Glu IR is relatively insensitive to mixing of D and L isomers, which causes a loss of long range order (fibrilization), as seen in EM, but VCD is hypersentive to this change, providing a new way of detection of long range ordering (chirality) in fibril formation as opposed to aggregate forms. The oligo-Glu peptide models add isotopic labeling to provide new insight into the structure of the fibrils formed.
The effects of family structure on African American adolescents' marijuana use

The relationship between family structure and marijuana use throughout adolescence was assessed among 1,069 African Americans from the NLSY. A model was also tested suggesting that the effects of family structure on marijuana use would be mediated by poverty, neighborhood quality, and adolescents' self‐control. As most prior studies have found, family structure was not related to female adolescents' marijuana use. For young men, being raised with both biological parents was associated with less marijuana use throughout adolescence compared to those whose mothers never married, divorced early and never remarried, or divorced and remarried. Some support for the model was also found. We concluded that being raised without the presence of a biological father is a risk factor for marijuana use among young men, but African American young women from single‐parent households have unique resources that protect them from marijuana use. Understanding those resources may offer insight into prevention programs for other youth.
Vapor Phase Homogeneous Nucleation of Higher Alkanes: Dodecane, Hexadecane, and Octadecane. 1. Critical Supersaturation and Nucleation Rate Measurements†

The critical supersaturations and isothermal homogeneous nucleation rates of dodecane, hexadecane, and octadecane vapors have been measured over wide temperature ranges (e.g., 285−340 K) using an upward thermal diffusion cloud chamber. Dodecane shows the best agreement between the experiment and the classical nucleation theory. Hexadecane and octadecane exhibit critical supersaturations lower than those predicted by the theory. All three compounds show increasing deviation from theory with decreasing temperature. This trend is also observed in the measured nucleation rates where the predictions of the theory at lower temperatures are shifted to much lower values compared to the experimental data. Temperature dependence correction factors to the calculated rates have been evaluated based on the experimental rates of the studied higher alkanes. The classical theory predicts the correct supersaturation dependence of the nucleation rates of these compounds. Analysis of the supersaturation dependence of the nu...
What is Racism? Racial Discourse and Racial Politics:

One central area of dispute in current racial politics is whether an act, policy, or event constitutes racism. I contend that the core of these debates involves competing conceptions of racism. Using text from a variety of media sources, I examine the different ways in which racism is defined and how claims and counterclaims are contextualized. I also explore how the dynamic nature of racial discourse leads to the emergence of new ways of defining racism as advocates seek advantages in political debate. Finally, I connect the struggle involving racism as a contested concept to two larger racial ideologies: color-blindness and systemic racism.
Simplified method for analytical evaluation of convolution integrals

A simple systematic approach to calculating convolution integrals involving piecewise continuous functions is presented as an alternative to the method involving step-function representations. (Goldberg et al., "A systematic method for the analytical evaluation of convolutional integrals", see ibid., vol.45, p.65-69, 2002.) In the approach described herein, the limits of each fixed-function segment are used to define the minimum number of integrals that must be calculated.
Size and formation of a long wavelength mode packet in the FPU oscillator chain at low energy

Abstract The formation of a mode packet in the Fermi–Pasta–Ulam (FPU) oscillator chain, starting from a low frequency mode or modes, at low energy, is reexamined. Both the chain with cubic nonlinearity ( F P U – α ) and quartic nonlinearity ( F P U – β ) are examined for fixed boundary conditions. Some of the basic equations are reformulated to bring out the important scalings, which are compared with existing numerical data. It is shown, that for a single linear mode initial condition or for a small set of modes with random phases the resulting size of the mode packet scales as n e f = ϵ x where n e f is the fraction of occupied modes, ϵ is the energy density, and x = 1 / 4 , 1 / 2 for the α , β chains, respectively. For other initial conditions, the results can depend on the initial number of modes and their phases. Some of the scaling relations are shown to have counterparts in exact nonlinear periodic solutions on the chains ( q -breathers) and the similarities and differences to the results arising from the chaotic dynamics are pointed out.
Phagocytic defects—Monocytes/macrophages

Mononuclear phagocytes originate from stem cells in the bone marrow which differentiate from monoblasts into promonocytes, then into circulating blood monocytes. Subsequently the monocytes can develop into macrophages and reside in a variety of tissues. Mononuclear phagocytes have cell surface receptors for a variety of substances (e.g., IgG, complement components, fibronectin, and sugars) and are capable of secreting a number of mediators (enzymes, complement components, coagulation components, and monokines). The tissue macrophages adapt to their environment and express unique differentiated functions that are related to various anatomic sites and organs (e.g., Kupffer cells, pulmonary alveolar macrophages, osteoclasts, microglia). Macrophages have the capacity to become "activated" by both specific and nonspecific immunologic stimuli and the "activated" macrophage has enhanced functional capabilities (e.g., tumoricidal, microbicidal, phagocytosis, secretion of mediators). Abnormal monocyte/macrophage function may be acquired or may be due to genetic or developmental disorders. Because of their central role in host defense (in inflammatory responses, in antigen presentation, and in immunoregulatory networks), monocyte/macrophage dysfunction may result in one or more pathophysiologic consequences: defects in monocyte maturation, deficiencies in the clearance of physiologic substrates in lysosomal diseases (e.g., Gaucher's disease, mucopolysaccharidoses, osteopetrosis, metachromatic leukodystrophy), decreased synthesis and secretion of mediators (complement component deficiencies), defects in microbicidal activity (chronic granulomatous disease) and defects which are acquired following infection and during chemotherapy (e.g., acquired immune deficiency syndrome).
Metasprache und Bilderfahrung in Der Stechlin

In diesem Essay versuche ich, Fontanes oft kommentierte, feinfuhlige Handhabung des sozialen Gesprachs als Medium fur die Analyse gesellschaftlicher Verhaltnisse und Tendenzen mit einer unauffalligen aber ganz eindringlichen Bildlichkeit zu verknupfen, welche seine Romane und besonders den Stechlin immer wieder unterbricht. Gerade das unverhoffte Erfahren von Bildlichkeit und ein hieraus resultierendes, spezifisches “Bildbewusstsein” wird im Stechlin oft als Ort der Zuflucht vor der banalen Diesseitigkeit und insistenten Relativitat des sozialen Gesprachs (“Causerie”) erfahren. Allerdings sind Fontanes Bilder weder als verbale Faksimiles einer rein gegenstandlichen Welt noch als ekphrastische Varianten des spaten Realismus zu verstehen. Vielmehr deutet sich in der Bilderfahrung seiner Romanfiguren eine von jeglichen religiosen (geschweige denn konfessionellen) Inhalten unberuhrte Rezeptivitat fur transzendente, zumindest zeitlose Bedeutungen. Besonders im Stechlin kristallisiert sich in der stets unerwarteten Bilderfahrung eine unterschwellige, quasi-sakulare Mystik heraus.