cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
E-cigarette use in air transit: self-reported data from US flight attendants

The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in air transit, and to understand potential problems created by this practice for flight crew and patrons. Safety concerns around the long-term effects of e-cigarette use and passive inhalation in enclosed spaces are being studied, yet e-cigarettes are increasingly being used in smoke-free places.1 No studies have examined the issues of e-cigarette use in air transit. In 2012, we surveyed 723 flight attendants for a study on secondhand smoke and air quality in the work environment. Participants were recruited through a flight attendant union and advertisement in social media groups for flight attendants. Based on discussions with flight attendants and key informants, it was determined that eligible participants had to service a minimum of two international flights per month for at least 1 year in their current position. The study focused on US carriers but participation was open to all English-speaking flight attendants. Participants were asked “Do you use e-cigarettes? (yes or no)”. Next they were asked whether they ever observed anyone using an e-cigarette in an airport or aeroplane (yes or no), and if yes, an open-ended response obtained further details on their observations of e-cigarette use. All open responses were coded using Stata to assign categories for location of observation (aeroplane, airport, other) and person observed …
The integrated intensities of chemically-exchanging vibrational bands as given by the Bloch equations

Recent predictions of dramatic integrated intensity changes in vibrational bands undergoing collapse due to chemical exchange are the result of improper normalization factors inserted into the Bloch-equation treatment. For the correct form of the Bloch equations, integrated intensity is approximately conserved. However, even in this case the problems inherent in applying the Bloch equations to vibrational systems remain.
Doing Time: A Theory of the Constitution

Proceeding inductively, starting with three standard examples of major constitutional change, this short essay offers a theory of the Constitution, derived from its historical imposition on the criminal law. The theory proposes to unite constitutional provision, structure, and operations within a single framework over time.
Blind channel shortening for zero-padded OFDM

When the channel delay spread is larger than the guard interval of zero-padded (ZP) OFDM transmissions, interblock interference (IBI) might lead to significant performance degradation. Without altering the signal design, a time-domain equalizer (TEQ) can be applied at the receiver to shorten the channel for IBI suppression. In this paper we study several known designs of blind channel shortening in the ZP-OFDM context, exploiting the signal redundancy in the form of guard zeros in the time domain, or null subcarriers in the frequency domain, or both. Numerical results show that blind channel shortening algorithms can catch up or even exceed the performance of a benchmark scheme assuming perfect channel knowledge. Only time-invariant channels are considered in this paper; channel shortening for time-varying channels with large delay spreads such as underwater acoustic channels is an interesting subject that warrants further investigation.
Safeguarding our military space systems

The vulnerability military space systems depends on their orbits, functions, and other characteristics. The high-altitude satellites needed for warning and communications in particular could be vulnerable to prompt destruction by certain space-based systems and, in the future, possibly by ground-based high power lasers. A combination of passive countermeasures and arms control agreements could give these satellites some protection against such attack. Deployment of strategic defensive systems with the capability to reach far into space would invalidate this approach.
TESTING COMPETING HYPOTHESES FOR CHRONOLOGY AND INTENSITY OF LESSER SCAUP MOLT DURING WINTER AND SPRING MIGRATION

Abstract. We examined chronology and intensity of molt and their relationships to nutrient reserves (lipid and protein) of Lesser Scaup (Aythya affinis) to test predictions of two competing hypotheses. The “staggered cost” hypothesis states that contour-feather molt is nutritionally costly and should not occur during nutritionally costly periods of the annual cycle unless adequate nutrients are available. The “breeding plumage” hypothesis states that prealternate molt must be complete prior to nesting, regardless of nutrient availability. Males and females were completing prebasic molt during winter (Louisiana) and had similar molt intensities. Females underwent prealternate molt during spring migration (Illinois and Minnesota) and prebreeding (Manitoba) periods; 53% and 93% of females were in moderate to heavy molt in Minnesota and Manitoba, respectively, despite experiencing other substantial nutritional costs. Intensity of prealternate molt was not correlated with lipid reserves even though females, on...
The amino acid sequence of a DNA binding protein, the gene 5 product of fd filamentous bacteriophage.

The F-specific filamentous bacterial viruses such as fd, fl and Ml3 synthesize single-stranded circular viral DNA on a duplex DNA intermediate [ 1 ] . Synthesis of this single-stranded DNA requires the products of viral gene 2 [2,3] and gene 5 [4] as well as rifampitin-sensitive funtion [5] . The gene 5 product (5~) a protein having a molecular weight of 9830 daltons, forms a complex with intracellular single-stranded DNA preventing the synthesis of a complementary DNA strand [6] . During maturation of the virus, the 5p protein is completely displaced from the DNA by the coat protein associated with the bacterial membrane [7]. Because of the importance of 5p in DNA replication and phage maturation, we have determined the primary structure of 5p, as a necessary step prior to studying the molecular details of the interaction of 5p with DNA in solution and in crystals. 80 mg of 5p could be obtained from 100 g of cells. The purity of 5p was about 95% as shown by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis [ 111.
On the Duration and Sustainability of Transnational Terrorist Organizations

This article aims to improve scholars’ understanding of how transnational terrorist organizations emerge, survive, thrive, and eventually die.The authors use a data set that catalogues terrorist organizations and their attacks over time (the ITERATE database of thousands of terrorist events from 1968 through 2007) and merge those data with socioeconomic information about the environment in which each attack occurs. They use these data to trace the life cycle pattern of terrorist activity and the organizations that perpetrate them. They identify at least two types of terrorist organizations— recidivists and one-hit wonders. The authors find that recidivist organizations, those that have repeatedly attacked, are less likely to survive once political and socioeconomic factors have been included. However, they find that sporadic or one-hit wonders are not easily deterred by socioeconomic factors, leaving open a role for counterinsurgency tactics.
Dissolution rate of mixtures of weak acids and tribasic sodium phosphate.

The dissolution rates of mixtures of several weak acids and trisodium phosphate were determined in stirred mediums and by a process whereby dissolution took place by free convection. The test samples were pelleted mixes of weak acid and trisodium phosphate in a range of mole fraction ratios. The admixture of tribasic sodium phosphate increased the rate of solution of all acids studied and a characteristic relationship was found between rate and fraction of acid in mixture. In all cases, a maximum occurred in plots of rate vs. fraction and its location with respect to amount of acid in a mix appeared to be related to the strength of the acid. The maximum rates obtained for the mixes were lower than those obtained from salts of the acids.
EUS-guided biliary drainage by using a standardized approach for malignant biliary obstruction: rendezvous versus direct transluminal techniques (with videos)

Background EUS-guided biliary drainage (EGBD) can be performed via direct transluminal or rendezvous techniques. It is unknown how both techniques compare in terms of efficacy and adverse events. Objective To describe outcomes of EGBD performed by using a standardized approach and compare outcomes of rendezvous and transluminal techniques. Design Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Setting Two tertiary-care centers. Patients Consecutive jaundiced patients with distal malignant biliary obstruction who underwent EGBD after failed ERCP between July 2006 and December 2012 were included. Intervention EGBD by using a standardized algorithm. Main Outcome Measurements Technical success, clinical success, and adverse events. Results During the study period, 35 patients underwent EGBD (rendezvous n = 13, transluminal n = 20). Technical success was achieved in 33 patients (94%), and clinical success was attained in 32 of 33 patients (97.0%). The mean postprocedure bilirubin level was 1.38 mg/dL in the rendezvous group and 1.33 mg/dL in the transluminal group (P = .88). Similarly, length of hospital stay was not different between groups (P = .23). There was no significant difference in adverse event rate between rendezvous and transluminal groups (15.4% vs 10%; P = .64). Long-term outcomes were comparable between groups, with 1 stent migration in the rendezvous group at 62 days and 1 stent occlusion in the transluminal group at 42 days after EGBD. Limitations Retrospective analysis, small number of patients, and selection bias. Conclusion EGBD is safe and effective when the described standardized approach is used. Stent occlusion is not common during long-term follow-up. Both rendezvous and direct transluminal techniques seem to be equally effective and safe. The latter approach is a reasonable alternative to rendezvous EGBD.
Evaluating Automation Strategies in Language Documentation

This paper presents pilot work integrating machine labeling and active learning with human annotation of data for the language documentation task of creating interlinearized gloss text (IGT) for the Mayan language Uspanteko. The practical goal is to produce a totally annotated corpus that is as accurate as possible given limited time for manual annotation. We describe ongoing pilot studies which examine the influence of three main factors on reducing the time spent to annotate IGT: suggestions from a machine labeler, sample selection methods, and annotator expertise.
The association ofErwinia carotovora var.atroseptica andErwinia carotovora var.carotovora with insects in Colorado

Ten genera from 9 families of dipterous insects collected in the field in the San Luis Valley of Colorado were contaminated withErwinia carotovora var.atroseptica (Eca) andErwinia carotovora var.carotovora (Ecc).Erwinia-contaminated insects were collected from settling ponds near potato warehouses, potato cull piles on growers’ farms, municipal dumps, lettuce and potato fields. The percentage of contaminated insects reached 14.5% in early spring but decreased as the season progressed. Insects were more commonly contaminated withEca thanEcc early in the season. Later the proportion of contamination byEcc increased while that ofEca decreased. We suggest that insects may play a potentially important role in the epidemiology of potato blackleg especially in the reintroduction ofErwinia intoErwiniafree potato fields.
Cardiac failure in infancy

C A R D I A Cl f a i l u r e in a n i n f a n t is a r e l a t ive ly common pediatric emergency. This study records the findings in 115 consecutive cases of cardiac failure in infants under 2 years of age seen on the pediatric service of the Medical College of Virginia Hospitals between January, 1953, and January, 1960. Detailed studies of cardiac failure in children of all ages have been presented by Keith, 1 who recorded a mortality rate of 85 per cent in 304 children; most of the deaths occurred in the first years of life. Nadas and associates 2 have been concerned with the therapeutic aspects of cardiac failure. More recently Blumenthal and Anderson 3 reported a mortality rate of 67 per cent in children under 1 year of age, and Simpson 4 in England, one of 48 per cent. Catherine Neill's excellent monographs 5, s emphasize the necessity of exact diagnosis of the underlying cardiac lesion as soon as emergency measures for cardiac failure have been effective. In the child with a congenital heart lesion, the occurrence of cardiac failure often is an indication for as prompt surgical repair as possible.
Nucleotide divergence and genetic relationships of Pseudoroegneria species

Abstract Nucleotide variation in 8 diploid Pseudoroegneria species was characterized using two single copy nuclear genes, the second largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2) and the translation elongation factor G (EF-G), and one chloroplast TrnD/T intergenic region. Among the Pseudoroegneria species studied, the estimates of nucleotide diversity (π) ranged from 0.04577 (RPB2) and 0.00183 (TrnD/T) for Pseudoroegneria tauri to 0.10667 (RPB2), 0.06174 (EF-G) and 0.03743 (TrnD/T) for Pseudoroegneria spicata. The highest nucleotide diversity of the RPB2 data set was found for P. spicata among the taxa analyzed. Our phylogenetic analyses separated the accessions of P. spicata into several groups, with 7 accessions of P. spicata forming a highly supported subclade (BS = 100%, PP = 1.00). The phylogenetic analysis also suggests that P. spicata, Pseudoroegneria gracillima and Pseudoroegneria stipifolia have a closer relationship than the other species within Pseudoroegneria. Pseudoroegneria libanotica and P. tauri were also found to exhibit a high level of sequence homology, however, only nuclear gene data (RPB2 and EF-G) clearly indicated the differentiation between the P. libanotica + P. tauri group with other St genome species.
Gut Commensal Bacteria Direct a Protective Immune Response against Toxoplasma gondii

Toxoplasma gondii is a universally distributed pathogen that infects over one billion people worldwide. Host resistance to this protozoan parasite depends on a Th1 immune response with potent production of the cytokines interleukin-12 and interferon gamma. Although Toll-like receptor 11 (TLR11) plays a major role in controlling Th1 immunity to this pathogen in mice, this innate immune receptor is nonfunctional in humans, and the mechanisms of TLR11-independent sensing of T. gondii remain elusive. Here, we show that oral infection by T. gondii triggers a TLR11-independent but MyD88-dependent Th1 response that is impaired in TLR2xTLR4 double knockout and TLR9 single knockout mice. These mucosal innate and adaptive immune responses to T. gondii rely on the indirect stimulation of dendritic cells by normal gut microflora. Thus, our results reveal that gut commensal bacteria can serve as molecular adjuvants during parasitic infection, providing indirect immunostimulation that protects against T. gondii in the absence of TLR11.
Experimental aspects of secret key generation in indoor wireless environments

This paper proposes a proof-of-principle design of a secret key generation system along with the desirable secrecy analysis to guarantee information-theoretic security. We conduct physical experiments on programmable radios in an indoor environment to analyze the statistical characteristics of the induced source that we employ to generate secret keys. We also provide a generic security analysis of the system, and we give an estimate of the achievable secret key rates for a target information leakage in the finite block-length regime.
Probable Identification of γ, TS-, R- and S-Caseins as Fragments of β-Casein

Abstract From the results of amino acid analysis, molecular weight determinations, peptide mapping, and end-group analysis, it was believed that bovine γ -, TS-, R- and S-caseins might be pieces of different sizes of the β -casein molecule. Determination of the sequence of the first 10 to 15 amino acid residues at the n-terminal part of these proteins by a sequencer lends credence to the hypothesis because the sequences fit, at appropriate locations, the partial amino acid sequence of β -casein worked out by Ribadeau Dumas, Grosclaude and Mercier.
Effect of liquid distribution on gas-water phase mass transfer in an unsaturated sand during infiltration

Abstract Gas-water phase mass transfer was examined in a homogeneous sand with both the gas and water phase mobile: water was infiltrated from the top of the sand column while benzene-laden air flowed upward from the bottom. Mass-transfer limitations for this situation may be important for applications of bioventing, where water and nutrients are added at the ground surface simultaneously with induced air movement to carry oxygen and volatile organics to microbial populations. Gas- and water-phase samples indicate that gas-water phase mass transfer was sufficiently fast that equilibrium between gas and water phases was achieved at all sampling locations within the porous medium. Lower-bound estimates for the gas-water mass-transfer rate coefficient show that mass transfer was at least 10–40 times larger than predictions made from an empirical model developed for gas-water phase mass transfer in an identical porous medium. A water-phase tracer test demonstrates that water flow was much more uniform in this study than in those earlier experiments, which is a likely explanation for the differing rates of gas-water phase mass transfer. It is hypothesized that the liquid distribution in previous laboratory experiments was less uniform because of preferential flow paths due to wetting front instabilities. Gas-water phase mass-transfer rate coefficients reported in this investigation are for an ideal situation of uniform water infiltration: mass-transfer rates in field soils are expected to be significantly smaller.
An estimable legacy.

The MEDICAL EDUCATION ISSUE of JAMA was initially published 89 years ago, on September 21, 1901. It was also the first time thatThe Journalreported medical education statistical data, with information from 154 medical schools, 26 417 medical students, and 5958 medical school teachers. The editorial in that 1901 issue might well have been written today. The progress of medical education in the United States is one of the most remarkable phases of modern culture that has been observed during the past 15 years. For the motives of this progress we are obliged to look in various directions: to the enormous increase in wealth that has marked our mastery over the physical resources of the earth through modern machinery, to the equally unexpected increase in our knowledge of diseases through the general scientific advancement, and, lastly, to the coincident revival of a science and art of pedagogy. These general
Christian Couple Counseling by Professional, Pastoral, and Lay Counselors from a Protestant Perspective: A Nationwide Survey

Couple counseling is widely practiced by Christian counselors, but there are almost no empirical data investigating it. The present study presents data from a national web-based survey of counselors from the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC). We describe the nature of Christian couple counseling, as well as counselors' religiousness and their attitudes toward integrating religion and spirituality into couple counseling. Christian couple counselors were highly religious and their personal religiosity affected their attitude toward incorporating religion in counseling. There were differences between professional, pastoral, and lay counselors suggesting that each be treated separately rather than be lumped generically as Christian couple counseling.
Abstract 3740: Temozolomide-perillyl alcohol conjugate is cytotoxic for glioma cancer stem cells.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most malignant glioma, is a highly invasive tumor which is usually fatal within 2 years. The chemotherapeutic agent of choice is temozolomide (TMZ); however glioma patients inevitably become resistant to TMZ and tumors recur. Tumor recurrence has been associated with highly invasive, chemoresistant cancer stem cells (CSC) which is resistant to TMZ. We have constructed a new chemical entity by conjugating TMZ to perillyl alcohol (POH) via a carbamate bond. This compound, TMZ-POH, contains POH, a naturally occurring monoterpene that reduces tumor cell migration and has anti-tumor properties against gliomas as well as other cancers. In the studies presented here we demonstrate that TMZ-POH is cytotoxic to CSCs without affecting normal stem cells. The mechanism of TMZ-POH induced cytotoxicity is mediated in part through the DNA damage response pathway and apoptosis. Furthermore, the TMZ-POH conjugate is 5 to 10 fold more effective in inducing cell death compared to TMZ, POH or the mixture of these agents. Our data show that TMZ-POH is a promising novel compound directed against cancer stem cells and therefore important for the treatment of drug resistant, recurrent gliomas. Citation Format: Niyati Jhaveri, Fabienne Agasse, Florence M. Hofman, Thomas C. Chen. Temozolomide-perillyl alcohol conjugate is cytotoxic for glioma cancer stem cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3740. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3740
Prevention of ventricular tachycardia induction by introduction of a second extrastimulus

Abstract Electrophysiologists generally accept the concept, as asserted by Prystowsky and Zipes, that “a direct relation exists between induction of ventricular tachycardia (VT) and the aggressiveness of the pacing methods used.” 1 We report a patient in whom VT was induced with single, but not with double, ventricular extrastimuli and discuss the possible mechanisms and implications of this phenomenon.
Cancer’s Impact on Spousal Caregiver Health: A Qualitative Analysis in Grounded Theory

The purpose of this qualitative study is to examine the impact cancer has on a spouse/partner caregiver. The psychological effects of caregiving are well documented, but information related to the physical outcomes of the caregiver of a partner with cancer is lacking. This is a qualitative study based in grounded theory and explores themes from transcripted interviews of eight spousal caregivers and four widowers. The caregiver is often the “silent sufferer.” Caregivers that experience compounding hardships and have multiple caregiving responsibilities tend to have paradoxical feelings about their experience and report higher levels of emotional and physical distress. Current caregivers report lower quality of physical health, as compared to widowers who report being in better health after the death of their spouse.
Can proteomics yield insight into aging aorta

The aging aorta exhibits structural and physiological changes that are reflected in the proteome of its component cells types. The advance in proteomic technologies has made it possible to analyze the quantity of proteins associated with the natural history of aortic aging. These alterations reflect the molecular and cellular mechanisms of aging and could provide an opportunity to predict vascular health. This paper focuses on whether discoveries stemming from the application of proteomic approaches of the intact aging aorta or vascular smooth muscle cells can provide useful insights. Although there have been limited studies to date, a number of interesting proteins have been identified that are closely associated with aging in the rat aorta. Such proteins, including milk fat globule-EGF factor 8, matrix metalloproteinase type-2, and vitronectin, could be used as indicators of vascular health, or even explored as therapeutic targets for aging-related vascular diseases.
Phosphorylation of Human Eukaryotic Initiation Factor 2γ: Novel Site Identification and Targeted PKC Involvement

Eukaryotic translation requires a suite of proteins known as eukaryotic initiation factors (eIFs). These molecular effectors oversee the highly regulated initiation phase of translation. Essential to eukaryotic translation initiation is the protein eIF2, a heterotrimeric protein composed of the individually distinct subunits eIF2α, eIF2β, and eIF2γ. The ternary complex, formed when eIF2 binds to GTP and Met-tRNA(i), is responsible for shuttling Met-tRNA(i) onto the awaiting 40S ribosome. As a necessary component for translation initiation, much attention has been given to the phosphorylation of eIF2α. Despite several previous investigations into eIF2 phosphorylation, most have centered on α- or β-subunit phosphorylation and little is known regarding γ-subunit phosphorylation. Herein, we report eight sites of phosphorylation on the largest eIF2 subunit with seven novel phosphosite identifications via high resolution mass spectrometry. Of the eight sites identified, three are located in either the switch regions or nucleotide binding pocket domain. In addition, we have identified a possible kinase of eIF2, protein kinase C (PKC), which is capable of phosphorylating threonine 66 (thr-66) on the intact heterotrimer. These findings may shed new light on the regulation of ternary complex formation and alternate molecular effectors involved in this process prior to 80S ribosome formation and subsequent translation elongation and termination.
THE Effect of variation in host plant on the growth of an oligophagous insect, malacosoma americanum and its polyphagous relative, malacosoma disstria

Larvae of Malacosoma americanum (F.)(Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae) an oligophagous species that feeds primarily on Prunus and other rosaceous trees, were compared to larvae of the more highly polyphagous congener M. disstria Hb., with respect to their sensitivity to variation in the foliage of a common host plant, Prunus serotina Ehrh. Pupal weight and time to pupation were measured on larvae reared on foliage from open-grown and from shaded saplings. The difference in foliage had a pronounced effect, but no difference was evident between the species in their response to the variation in foliage. This comparison implies that sensitivity to intraspecific variation in host quality does not differ between host-specific and generalized species. However, results from other species suggest that some species of insects do differ in this respect. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Die Wirkung von Unterschieden in der Wirtspflanze auf das Wachstum eines oligophagen Insekts Malacosoma americanum und seines polyphagen Verwandten Malacosoma disstria Raupen von Malacosoma americanum (F.), einer oligophagen Art, die sich vor allem auf Prunus und andern baumartigen Rosaceen entwickelt, wurden verglichen mit Raupen der polyphageren Verwandten M. disstria Hb. und zwar im Hinblick auf deren Empfindlichkeit auf Unterschiede im Blatt ihrer gemeinsamen Wirtspflanze, Prunus serotina Ehrh. Das Puppengewicht und die Entwicklungszeit bis zur Verpuppung wurden gemessen bei Raupen, welche auf Blattern von freiwachsenden und von beschatteten Jungpflanzen gezuchtet worden waren. Die Blattunterschiede hatten eine ausgesprochene Wirkung, aber es gab keine Unterschiede in der Reaktion der beiden Arten. Dieser Vergleich lasst vermuten, dass die Empfindlichkeit auf intraspezifische Unterschiede der Wirtspflanzenqualitat bei wirtsspezifischen und polyphagen Arten gleich ist. Indessen durften sich laut anderen Resultaten einige Insektenarten anders verhalten.
Toll-like receptor 3 activation is required for normal skin barrier repair following UV damage

UV damage to the skin leads to the release of noncoding RNA (ncRNA) from necrotic keratinocytes that activates Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3). This release of ncRNA triggers inflammation in the skin following UV damage. Recently, TLR3 activation was also shown to aid wound repair and increase the expression of genes associated with permeability barrier repair. Here, we sought to test whether skin barrier repair after UVB damage is dependent on the activation of TLR3. We observed that multiple ncRNAs induced expression of skin barrier repair genes, that the TLR3 ligand Poly (I:C) also induced expression and function of tight junctions, and that the ncRNA U1 acts in a TLR3-dependent manner to induce expression of skin barrier repair genes. These observations were shown to have functional relevance as Tlr3-/- mice displayed a delay in skin barrier repair following UVB damage. Combined, these data further validate the conclusion that recognition of endogenous RNA by TLR3 is an important step in the program of skin barrier repair.
Evaluation of novel EUV mask inspection technologies

EUV lithography is regarded as the leading technology solution for the post-ArF era. Significant progress was made in recent years in closing the gaps related to scanner technology. This progress rendered EUV mask defectivity and related infrastructure as the primary risk for EUV lithography. The smallness of mask features, the novel defectivity mechanisms associated with the multilayer reflecting coating, and the stringent constraints on both multilayer and pattern imposed by the EUV wavelength - present a major challenge to current inspection technology, which constitutes a predominant gap to EUVL production-worthiness. Here we present results from an evaluation of a DUV mask inspection system and e-beam mask inspection technology on EUV masks. On this 193nm DUV system, we studied sensitivity and contrast enhancements by resolution enhancement techniques. We studied both pattern and blank inspection. Next, we studied image formation and performance of e-beam mask inspection technology for patterned mask defects. We discuss the advantages and roadmap of DUV and EBI mask inspection solutions for blank and patterned masks.
LECs go crazy in embryo development

Two fundamental aspects of plant development are the maturation phase of embryo development in seed plants and totipotency via somatic embryogenesis (SE). The LEAFY COTYLEDON (LEC) transcription factors (TFs) establish environments that promote cellular processes characteristic of the maturation phase and the initiation of somatic embryo formation. Based on recent studies, we and others propose that specific target genes activated by the LEC TFs underlie, in part, their roles in the maturation phase and SE. We also propose that the effect of LEC TFs on the balance of abscisic acid to gibberellic acid might link their roles in totipotency and the maturation phase.
Methadone detoxification: self versus physician regulation.

We studied 108 heroindependent patients who had been “stabilized” on methadone, i.e., had no change in methadone dose for at least 2 weeks. With respect to their methadone detoxification regimen, 65 of the study patients preferred physician reg- ulation and 43 study patients preferred self-regulation. Half of each group was randomly assigned to self- or physician regulation. Twenty-five of the 108 patients reached abstinence following a regimen which lasted 22 weeks; there was no statistically significant difference in proportion of subjects reaching abstinence from any of the four study groups. We observed no differences in treatment retention, symptom severity, frequency of urines positive for morphine or quinine, or psycho- social functioning. Study subjects preferring self-regulation had statistically signif- icant increases in the number of dose raises. We conclude that there is no evidence to support the belief that physician regulation is superior to self-regulation in opioid detoxification regimens.
Self-assembled quantum dots: The route to novel optical, electronic, magnetic and superconducting properties

We report recent results pertaining to the magnetic, optical, electronic, superconducting, and topographic properties of electrochemically self-assembled quantum dots. These dots self-order into two-dimensional hexagonal-close-packed arrays that are among the most periodic reported so far. They have revealed interesting properties with potential applications in magnetics, electronics, non-linear optics and novel neural architectures for ultrafast computation and signal processing.
Formation and Transformation of Magnetite (Fe3O4) on Steel Surfaces Under Continuous and Cyclic Water Fog Testing

Abstract Formation and transformation of magnetite on two selected low-alloy structural steels were studied using cyclic and continuous water fog tests. It is shown that continuous wetting of steel...
Measurement of lithium isotope ratios by quadrupole-ICP-MS: application to seawater and natural carbonates

We present an improved method for lithium isotope ratio (7Li/6Li) determinations with low total lithium consumption ( 99.98%), high isotope ratio precision (<±0.8‰, 2σ), and low blanks (1.0 ± 0.5 pg). We refine a single step ion chromatographic method to quantitatively recover and separate lithium from all matrix elements using small volume resin (2 ml/3.4 meq AG 50W-X8) and low volume elution (6 ml, 0.5 N HCl) with low procedural blanks (<500 fg/ml). We optimize the procedure for analyses of natural carbonates (foraminifera) containing 1 to 2 ppm lithium. This lithium separation method is applicable to other natural samples (e.g. seawater, pore-waters, mineral grains) by appropriate scaling. Isotope ratio measurements are made by a single collector Quadrupole ICP-MS (Agilent 7500cs) using cool plasma (600 W), soft extraction, peak jumping, and pulse detection mode with sample-standard bracketing. The precision is better than ±0.8‰ (2σ) for L-SVEC lithium standards and better than ±1.5‰ (2σ) for natural samples. We report a high matrix tolerance limit for sodium (∼0.6 mol/mol, Li/Na) and calcium (<20 µmol/mol, Li/Ca) for our Quadrupole ICP-MS method. Our seawater δ7Li value (30.75 ± 0.41‰, 2σ, n = 10) is the same as that reported by other workers (∼31.0 ± 0.5‰). Species-specific and bulk sample δ7Li analyses of two size fractions of core-top foraminifera yield values similar to modern seawater.
Quantitative Surface FT—IR Spectroscopic Analysis of Polymers

Abstract This paper is a review of modern Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopic analysis of surface species. Emphasis is placed on the quantitative nature of various surface analytical techniques. In each section, a brief description of theory precedes the application examples, in particular for the surface analysis of polymeric materials. Results obtained by dispersive instruments or for nonpolymeric materials are also given whenever appropriate. This review is intended for a beginner to appreciate the state-of-the-art surface quantitative FT-IR techniques and for one more experienced is a convenient collection of introductory theory and experimental examples which serve as a reminder whenever they are needed.
The Haystack Reader: Collected Essays on Craft, 1991–2009

(2012). The Haystack Reader: Collected Essays on Craft, 1991–2009. The Journal of Modern Craft: Vol. 5, No. 3, pp. 369-371.
Investigation of the mechanics of intersonic crack propagation along a bimaterial interface using coherent gradient sensing and photoelasticity

This paper describes the first experimental observations of various phenomena characteristic of dynamic intersonic decohesion of bimaterial interfaces. Two separate but complementary optical methods are used in conjunction with high speed photography to explore the nature of the large scale contact and mach wave formation at the vicinity of running cracks in two different bimaterial systems. Theoretical predictions of crack‐tip speed regimes where large scale contact is implied are confirmed. Also, the theoretically predicted mach wave emanating from the intersonically propagating crack‐tip is observed. Direct visual evidence is also obtained for another travelling mach wave emanating from the end of the intersonically moving contact zone.
Hepatic artery chemotherapy for colorectal liver metastases: technical considerations and review of clinical trials

Hepatic artery infusion (HAI) of chemotherapeutic agents for colorectal hepatic metastases is associated with significantly higher response rates compared to systemic chemotherapy. However, response rates have not consistently translated into improved survival. Several randomized trials have evaluated the implantable pump for treating unresectable colorectal hepatic metastases. Meta-analysis of these studies have demonstrated an improved survival advantage with pump therapy as well as improved quality of life. Recent studies of HAI of chemotherapy as adjuvant therapy following liver metastases resection have also demonstrated a potential survival advantage. Toxicities of HAI can be treatment limiting, but measures have emerged for overcoming these side effects. These randomized clinical trials have established HAI as a reasonable therapeutic option in patients with unresectable disease, and as adjuvant therapy in patients with resectable disease.
Integrated metabolomics approach facilitates discovery of an unpredicted natural product suite from Streptomyces coelicolor M145.

Natural products exhibit a broad range of biological properties and have been a crucial source of therapeutic agents and novel scaffolds. Although bacterial secondary metabolomes are widely explored, they remain incompletely cataloged by current isolation and characterization strategies. To identify metabolites residing in unexplored chemical space, we have developed an integrated discovery approach that combines bacterial growth perturbation, accurate mass spectrometry, comparative mass spectra data analysis, and fragmentation spectra clustering for the identification of low-abundant, novel compounds from complex biological matrices. In this investigation, we analyzed the secreted metabolome of the extensively studied Actinomycete, Streptomyces coelicolor M145, and discovered a low-abundant suite of 15 trihydroxamate, amphiphilic siderophores. Compounds in this class have primarily been observed in marine microorganisms making their detection in the soil-dwelling S. coelicolor M145 significant. At least ...
Mackie on Practical Reason

I argue that John Mackie's treatment of practical reason is both attractive and unjustly neglected. In particular, I argue that it is importantly different from, and much more plausible than, the kind of instrumentalist approach famously articulated by Bernard Williams. This matters for the interpretation of the arguments for Mackie's most famous thesis: moral scepticism, the claim that there are no objective values. Richard Joyce has recently defended a version or variant of moral scepticism by invoking an instrumentalist theory like Williams'. I argue that this is a serious strategic mistake.
Pathways of ethylene biosynthesis

Evidence is presented to show that the linolenic acid-propanal pathway is not operative in apple tissue. A mechanism for the conversion of methionine to ethylene through methional as an intermediate by a model system, consisting of flavin mononucleotide and light, is summarized. The nature of the enzymatic formation of ethylene from either α-keto-γ-methylthiobutyric acid or methional by a Mn-sulfite-phenol-oxygen-peroxidase system is described. Although the conversion of methionine to ethylene in plant tissue has been established, the data fail to support the hypothesis that methionine is converted to ethylene in plant tissues through α-keto-γ-methylthiobutyric acid and methional. Details of the pathway from methionine to ethylene remain to be elucidated.
Pectin Transitions During Blueberry Fruit Development and Ripening

Quantitative and qualitative changes in the pectin composition of “Bluetta” blueberries were determined during fruit development between 30 and 57 days after full bloom. The contribution of alcohol insoluble solids (AIS) to the total fruit mass decreased threefold with maturation, while the pectin contribution decreased twofold in the fruits. Within the AIS fractions during ripening there was a reduction in dilute alkali soluble pectin (DASP) from about 65% to 20% of the AIS. A corresponding increase was observed in water soluble pectin (WSP), from about 20% to 60%, while chelator soluble pectin (CSP) increased slightly.
Juvenile Tillaux ankle fracture pattern in a skeletally mature adult

Closure of the growth plate begins in adolescence, leading to unique fracture patterns in this age group. By approximately age 13, the distal tibial epiphysis closes centrally and then medially, with the anterolateral side of the distal tibial physis closing last [1,2]. This pattern of physeal closure makes the anterolateral portion of the distal tibia epiphysis susceptible to an avulsion injury by the distal anterior tibiofibula ligament. The juvenile Tillaux fracture is defined as a Salter Harris III fracture of the distal tibial anterolateral epiphysis. These fractures typically occur in children between the ages of 12–14 and account for 3–5% of pediatric ankle fractures. The mechanism of this fracture is typically supination with external rotation [1,2]. With external rotation, the anterior inferior tibiofibular ligament becomes taught and after additional force, the anterior tibial lateral epiphysis fractures, with the size of the fragment depending on the extent of the fusion medially [3]. In adults, the supination external rotation mechanism often causes a direct bony avulsion of the anterior inferior tibiofibula ligament. We have found reports that associate Tillaux fractures with syndesmotic injuries [3,4]. We present the case of a 19-year-old skeletally mature male who sustained a displaced intraarticular distal tibia fracture in which the fracture plane exited anterolaterally through the physeal scar.
Thymic and peripheral microenvironments differentially mediate development and maturation of iNKT cells by IL-15 transpresentation

Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells are an innate type of T cells, which respond rapidly on activation. iNKT cells acquire these innate-like abilities during development; however, the signals driving development and functional maturation remain only partially understood. Because interleukin-15 (IL-15) is crucial for iNKT development and is delivered by transpresentation, we set out to identify the cell types providing IL-15 to developing iNKT cells and determine their role at the various states of development and maturation. We report here that transpresentation of IL-15 by parenchymal cells was crucial for generating normal number of iNKTs in the thymus, whereas both hematopoietic and parenchymal cells regulated iNKT cell numbers in the periphery, particularly in the liver. Specifically, dendritic cells contributed to peripheral iNKT cell numbers by up-regulating Bcl-2 expression and promoting extrathymic iNKT cell ex-pansion and their homeostatic proliferation. Whether IL-15 affects functional maturation of iNKT cells was also examined. In IL-15Rα−/− mice, CD44HighNK1.1+ iNKT cells displayed decreased T-bet expression and in response to α-galactosylceramide, had deficient interferon-γ expression. Such defects could be reversed by exogenous IL-15 signals. Overall, these studies identify stage-specific functions of IL-15, which are determined by the tissue microenvironment and elucidate the importance of IL-15 in functional maturation.
Thermal radiation from accelerated electrons

It is demonstrated that an electron in a constant external electric field will be in a thermal state and emit thermal radiation as a consequence of a non-perturbative effect in QED. The associated temperature is compatible with that found by Davies and Unruh for accelerated observers. Despite the thermal nature of the process, no evolution of pure states to mixed states is indicated.
Other Agents' Actions as Asynchronous Events

An individual planning agent does not generally have sufficient computational resources at its disposal to produce an optimal plan in a complex domain, as deliberation itself requires and consumes scarce resources. This problem is further exacerbated in a distributed planning context in which multiple, heterogeneous agents must expend a portion of their resource allotment on communication, negotiation, and shared planning activities with other cooperative agents. Because other agents can have different temporal grain sizes, planning horizons, deadlines, and access to distinct local information, the delays associated with local deliberation and, in turn, shared negotiation are asynchronous, unpredictable, and widely variable. We address this problem using a principled, decisiontheoretic approach based on recent advances in Generalized Semi-Markov Decision Processes (GSMDPs). In particular, we use GSMDPs to model agents who develop a continuous-time deliberation policy offline which can then be consulted to dynamically select both deliberation-level and domain-level actions at plan execution time. This scheme allows individual agents to model other cooperative agents’ actions essentially as asynchronous events, e.g., that might or might not fulfill a request (uncertain effect) after a stochasticallydetermined delay (uncertain event duration). With this approach, the decision-theoretic planner for the individual agent can make near-optimal execution-time decisions that trade off the risks and opportunities associated with their own actions, other agents’ actions, and asynchronous external threats.
Using Online Social Networks to Foster Preservice Teachers' Membership in a Networked Community of Praxis

New social technologies offer new opportunities for creating online communities of praxis in the preparation of preservice teachers. In this design research study, 22 preservice teachers in a social studies methods class conducted online class discussions inside the National Council of the Social Studies Network Ning, a social network for social studies educators. These preservice teachers engaged in series of reflective dialogues blending theory and practice—the hallmark of praxis—with their classmates, with other preservice teachers from around the country, and with practicing social studies educators from around the world. They also expressed a strong intent to engage in professional learning networks and communities of praxis in the future, although the Ning was ancillary to these intentions. These findings both hold promise and offer crucial guidance for other teacher educators. When implemented with attention and intention, online social networks provide promising opportunities for students in teacher education programs to engage in networked communities of praxis that can provide opportunities for colearning throughout a teacher’s career.
Universal Economic Optimization Paths for Solar Hot Water Systems in Commercial Buildings

Abstract This paper presents a simplified methodology for determining the economically optimal size of a solar hot-water system installed in a commercial building. For relatively broad climatological areas, the methodology can be used to construct universal economic optimization paths. These paths enable commercial building owners and solar energy firms to determine quickly and easily the optimal size solar system as a function of the annual hot water load and solar radiation, for a given set of economic parameters. Sensitivity analyses can also be easily performed to determine how optimal size and solar fraction changes with different economic parameters and governmental incentives.
Selective homonuclear polarization transfer for spectroscopic imaging of GABA at 7T

We develop and implement a selective homonuclear polarization transfer method for the detection of 3.0ppm C-4 GABA resonance by spectroscopic imaging in the human brain at 7T. This single shot method is demonstrated with simulations and phantoms, which achieves comparable efficiency of detection to that of J-difference editing. The macromolecule resonance that commonly co-edits with GABA is suppressed at 7T through use of a narrow band pre-acquisition suppression pulse. This technique is implemented in humans with an 8 channel transceiver array and high degree B0 shimming to measure supplementary motor area and thalamic GABA in controls (n=8) and epilepsy patients (n=8 total). We find that the GABA/NAA (N-acetyl aspartate) ratio in the thalamus of control volunteers, well controlled and poorly controlled epilepsy patients are 0.053±0.012 (n=8), 0.090±0.012 (n=2), and 0.038±0.009 (n=6).