cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Topological Control of Molecular Orbital Theory: A Comparison of µ2-Scaled Hückel Theory and Restricted Hartree-Fock Theory for Boranes and Carboranes

Forty years ago E. Wigner and F. Seitz wrote on electronic structure calculations for metals1: “If one had a great calculating machine, one might apply it to the problem of solving the Schrodinger equation for each metal and obtain thereby the interesting physical quantities, such as the cohesive energy, the lattice constant, and similar parameters. It is not clear, however, that a great deal would be gained by this. Presumably the results would agree with the experimentally determined quantities and nothing vastly new would be learned from the calculation. It would be preferable instead to have a vivid picture of the behavior of the wave functions, a simple description of the essence of the factors which determine cohesion and an understanding of the origins of variation in properties from metal to metal.”
MALDI Imaging Mass Spectrometry

Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI IMS) is a powerful tool for the in situ analysis of endogenous biomolecules and exogenous pharmaceutical compounds in thin tissue sections. Hundreds to thousands of analytes can be detected and mapped in a single imaging experiment without a priori knowledge of the exact molecules present in the section. Advances in sample preparation and in instrumentation have allowed for MALDI IMS to become a high throughput technique allowing for statistical analysis and diagnostic classification of clinically important specimens. This review discusses the current state of the technology with regards to advances in sample preparation techniques and instrumentation. These include the expansion of the technique to the analysis of formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded tissues as well as the ability to acquire IMS data at the single cell level. Applications to skin cancer, infectious disease, diabetes, and age-related macular degeneration are highlighted.
A new technique to identify and assess the dispersion of eggs of individual brood parasites

A new technique for identifying eggs of brood parasites to individual females is presented. Twenty-six undeveloped brown-headed cowbird eggs were removed from nests on a small study area in eastern Kansas. Proteins from their yolks were subjected to starch gel electrophoresis. Electromorphs are completely of maternal origin, and results from a separate sample from California showed that electromorphs do not differ among eggs from an individual cowbird. Combinations of electromorphs at four polymorphic “loci” identified eggs to seven hypothetical females. The binomial probability that two or more of eight females (fieldwork suggested no more than 7–8 females laying on the site) share a particular combination was calculated from an off-site, independent sample of eggs. Six of seven of these probabilities were below 5%. Eggs collected directly from two females matched two of the electromorph combinations. Discriminant function analyses on 11 egg variables correctly classified 95.7% of the eggs to the group in which they were placed by electromorph combination. Patterns of dispersion of the eggs of individuals over host species, time and space were assessed. Despite small sample sizes, it is clear that individuals are not host-specific and overlap considerably in their laying areas.
Green synthesis of nanoscale anion exchange resin for sustainable water purification

The challenge of providing safe and reliable drinking water is being exacerbated by accelerating population growth, climate change, and the increase of natural and anthropogenic contamination. Current water treatment plants are not effective at the removal of pervasive, hydrophilic, low molecular weight contaminants, which can adversely affect human health. Herein, we describe a green all-aqueous synthesis of an ion exchange resin comprised of short chain polyelectrolyte brushes covalently bound to single walled carbon nanotubes. This composite material is incorporated onto a membrane and the active sites are tested against analyte adsorption. Our control studies of water or brine pushed through these materials, found no evidence of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) or carbon/polymer coming out of the membrane filter. We have measured the adsorption capacity and percentage removal of ten different compounds (pharmaceuticals, pesticides, disinfection byproducts and perfluoroalkylated substances). We have measured their removal with an efficiency up to 95–100%. The synthesis, purification, kinetics, and characterization of the polyelectrolytes, and the subsequent nanoresin are presented below. The materials were tested as thin films. Regeneration capacity was measured up to 20 cycles and the material has been shown to be safe and reusable, enabling them as potential candidates for sustainable water purification.
Bis(trimethylsilyl) 2-fluoromalonate derivatives as electrolyte additives for high voltage lithium ion batteries

Abstract Three trimethylsilyl based malonate esters, bis(trimethylsilyl) 2-methyl-2-fluoromalonate (BTMSMFM), bis(trimethylsilyl) 2-ethyl-2-fluoromalonate (BTMSEFM) and bis(trimethylsilyl) 2-propyl-2-fluoromalonate (BTMSPFM), have been used as additives in 1.0 M LiPF6/ethylene carbonate (EC)-dimethyl carbonate (DMC)-diethyl carbonate (DEC) (1-1-1, by v) baseline electrolyte for LiNi0.80Co0.15Al0.05O2 (NCA) based high voltage lithium ion batteries. The NCA half-cells with 5 wt% BTMSMFM exhibit higher capacity retention than that in the baseline electrolyte at different upper cut off voltages, that is, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4 and 4.5 V vs. Li/Li+. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) show that the additive successfully prevents the formation of thick solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) films on the surface of the NCA electrodes. X-ray diffraction (XRD) further reveals that the crystal structure of NCA is also maintained in the electrolyte with 5 wt% BTMSMFM at high cut off voltages. Besides beneficial to NCA cathode, the BTMSMFM additive also ensures better cycling performance of the graphite based half-cells and NCA/graphite full-cells, and thus is a promising additive for application in rechargeable lithium ion batteries.
Prostate Cancer Education, Detection, and Follow-Up in a Community-Based Multiethnic Cohort of Medically Underserved Men:

The Prostate Outreach Project (POP) provided free prostate cancer (PCa) education and early detection to medically underserved communities. POP recruited participants in medically underserved communities. PCa education and detection events occurred in POP locations (static) or natural gathering places (mobile) within the community. PCa education was delivered by video and evaluated using a questionnaire. Screening consisted of serum prostate-specific antigen and digital rectal examination. A navigated follow-up strategy was utilized to provide medical care for participants with abnormal screening examinations (ASE). POP recruited 4,420 men, 62.8% (2,667) were African American (AA). Most participants had a high school education and no prior screening. Fifty-four percent (2,159) were uninsured and 41% (1,811) had no access to a physician. PCa knowledge increased following the educational video. Prostate-specific antigen levels were elevated in 9.8% (436), while 6.9% (233) had an abnormal digital rectal exam...
Looming Paradoxes: Optical Array Yin-Yang and the Global Array Hypothesis

AbstractSome idealized three-dimensional objects approaching a fixed observation point along a symmetrical radial track yield invariant, but paradoxical, optical geometrical effects. Texture elemen...
The chorus of philosophy: communicative praxis at the intersection of philosophy and literature

In this Introduction, I make the case for an interdisciplinary exchange between philosophy, literature, and communication studies that explores the ontological question of being through an analysis...
Assessing the impact of corn variety and Texas terroir on flavor and alcohol yield in new-make bourbon whiskey

The whiskey industry is dominated by whiskey styles with recipes that contain corn as the primary grain. However, little research has been conducted to investigate whiskey specific distinctions arising from different corn varieties and growing environments (i.e. terroir). Further, no studies have investigated the aroma or flavor impacts of different varieties and terroirs. Here, three different commodity yellow dent hybrid corn varieties were grown on different farms in Texas, spanning from the Texas Panhandle to the Mexico-United States border. Using novel small-batch mashing techniques, a newly developed new-make (i.e. unaged whiskey,immediate by-product of distillation) bourbon sensory lexicon, a trained sensory panel, high-performance liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry/olfactometry (GC-MS/O), we report for the first time a method for evaluating sample effects on alcohol yield and flavor in new-make bourbon whiskey. We discover that variety, terroir and their interactions, previously ignored, can substantially affect valuable sensory aspects of whiskey, suggesting the importance of scientifically evaluating corn genetics and agronomy for developing better whiskey. Excitingly, our data suggest milled corn with higher levels of benzadehyde, readily measured by GC-MS/O, correlates with improved sensory aspects of distillate, which must be expensively evaluated using a trained human sensory panel.
Peak Growth Hormone Response to Combined Stimulation Test in 315 Children and Correlations with Metabolic Parameters.

Background/aims Studies are lacking regarding the timing of peak growth hormone (PGH) response. We aim to elucidate the timing of PGH response to arginine and levodopa (A-LD) and evaluate the influence of body mass index (BMI) and other metabolic parameters on PGH. Methods During growth hormone (GH) stimulation testing (ST) with A-LD, serum GH was measured at baseline and every 30 min up to 180 min. The PGH cut-off was defined as a#x3c;10 ng/mL. IGF-1, IGF BP3, BMI, and metabolic parameters were obtained in a fasting state at baseline. Results In the 315 tested children, stimulated PGH levels occurred at or before 120 min in 97.8% and at 180 min in 2.2%. GH area under the curve (AUC) positively correlated with PGH in all patients and with IGF-1 in pubertal males and females. BMI negatively correlated with PGH in all subjects. GH AUC negatively correlated with HOMA-IR and total cholesterol. Conclusion We propose termination of the GH ST with A-LD at 120 min since omission of GH measurement at 180 min did not alter the diagnosis of GH deficiency based on a cut-off of a#x3c; 10 ng/mL. BMI should be considered in the interpretation of GH ST with A-LD. The relationships between GH AUC and metabolic parameters need further study.
Reducing poverty and inequality through preschool-to-third-grade prevention services

The contributions of psychology to the development and evaluation of preschool-to-third-grade prevention programs are analyzed with an emphasis on poverty alleviation through implementation of effective services for a greater number of children. The need to alleviate poverty and increase economic success is high. Early childhood programs have been found to be an effective strategy for promoting educational success and economic well-being, but the availability of high quality programs that are aligned and integrated with schools across the learning continuum is limited. Psychology has made major contributions to knowledge and practice in (a) defining and evaluating educational enrichment and (b) understanding mechanisms of behavioral change. As an empirical illustration of these contributions for enhancing economic well-being, we report new midlife income data in the Child-Parent Centers, a preschool-to-third-grade program that integrates the two major contributions to improve life course outcomes. Based on a well-matched alternative-intervention design with high sample retention (86%; N = 1,329), findings indicate that participation was associated with a 25% increase in average annual income at age 34 years ($22,708 vs. $18,130; p < .01). Graduates were also more likely to be in the top income quartile (≥$27,500; 30.7% vs. 20.2%; p < .01). Most of the main effects were explained by cognitive, school, and family factors, though further corroboration is needed. Implications for strengthening the impacts of early childhood programs as an avenue for increasing well-being and reducing inequality emphasize redressing ecological barriers, improving continuity and alignment with other strategies, and implementing effectiveness elements widely. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).
A Bright Side to Family Firms: How Socioemotional Wealth Importance Affects Dark Traits–Job Performance Relationships:

Examining socioemotional wealth’s influence at the individual level, an interactionist approach was used to test its moderation effect on the dark personality traits–job performance relationship, u...
49,000 avocado cutting injuries

Objectives: In the United States (US), avocado consumption has increased dramatically since the year 2000. Despite media attention concerning injuries resulting from cutting or pitting avocados, such injuries have not been monitored systematically. The current study is the first to estimate the number of people with avocado cutting injuries presenting to US hospital emergency departments. Methods: We utilized cross-sectional data from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS). We used keyword searches of case narrative text to identify avocado cutting and pitting injuries from 2000 to 2017. Sampling weights were applied to generate national estimates of avocado cutting injuries. Results: From 2000 to 2017, there were an estimated 49,331 avocado cutting injuries presenting to US emergency departments (95% CI 34,178-64,483). The increase in these injuries appears to coincide with increases in per capita avocado consumption. Avocado cutting injuries now constitute nearly 2% of knife-related injuries presenting to US hospital emergency departments. Conclusions: Due to the increase in avocado cutting injuries and the severity of these injuries, more systematic surveillance is needed as well as improved safety measures.
6 – Activity Measurement

Publisher Summary Measurement of activity level in children is interesting in its own right, and it poses unique challenges to activity level research. It runs the gamut from subjective questionnaires to highly sophisticated and reliable actigraphs costing thousands of dollars. Sophistication and reliability alone, however, may be insufficient if the purpose is to understand the conditions under which activity level differs among children and how best to assess these differences. Millisecond changes in activity level may be collected for several weeks at a time and downloaded to a computer to scrutinize differences between children with and without a particular clinical disorder. Little is known about the activity level in children with clinical disorders relative to the burgeoning literature on normal development. Extant literature suggests that the activity level differences associated with most clinical disorders of childhood represent quantitative deviations. Differences in activity level topography—activity level's unique form and expression in a particular situation or setting—may also have special meaning for understanding the movement of some children. Measuring activity level in children with particular clinical disorders using the measures reviewed must be supplemented by behavioral observation to understand the subtleties, contextual factors, and possible functional nature of children's motor activity. Actigraphs may play an increasingly larger role in clinical assessments, but they are functionally limited until standardized age and gender norms are developed.
TraceHub - A Platform to Bridge the Gap between State-of-the-Art Time-Series Analytics and Datasets

In this paper, we present TraceHub - a platform that connects new non-trivial state-of-the-art time-series analytics with datasets from different domains. Analytics owners can run their insights on new datasets in an automated setting to find insight's potential and improve it. Dataset owners can find all possible types of non-trivial insights based on latest research. We provide a plug-n-play system as a set of Dataset, Transformer pipeline, and Analytics APIs for both kinds of users. We show a usefulness measure of generated insights across various types of analytics in the system. We believe that this platform can be used to bridge the gap between time-series analytics and datasets by significantly reducing the time to find the true potential of budding time-series research and improving on it faster.
Breastfeeding Support and Messaging: A Call to Integrate Public Health and Psychological Perspectives

Introduction Appropriate attention to maternal mental health is missing in many public health breastfeeding promotion efforts. Although there are many benefits to breastfeeding for both mom and infant, the relationship between maternal mental health and breastfeeding is complex. Breastfeeding may not be the most effective or feasible option for all mothers.
Natural Motives and the Motive of Duty: Hume and Kant on Our Duties to Others

Hume and Kant disagree about the motives involved in the performance of our duties to others. Hume thinks that natural virtues such as benevolence are best performed from “natural” motives, but that there are no natural motives for the performance of the “artificial” virtues, such as justice and fidelity to promises, which are performed from a sense of duty. Kant thinks all duties should be done from the motive of duty. In this paper, I examine the roots of the disagreement. If by a natural motive Hume means an intention that can be described without using normative concepts, Kant would deny that any adult human motives are “natural,” for all involve the thought that something is a reason. But Hume also seems to imply that being motivated to benevolence and self-interest is “natural” in some way that being motivated to keep our agreements is not. I trace this difference to differences in the two philosophers’ conceptions of action. Hume’s conception of action does not allow for genuinely shared action, while Kant’s does. For Kant, being motivated to keep our agreements is just as natural as being motivated to do others good.
In defense of an essentialist approach to Ontic Structural Realism

This paper offers a new perspective on the metaphysical doctrine of non-eliminative ontic structural realism by interpreting the relation of ontic dependence in terms of counterfactual identification rather than in terms of numerical identity/distinctness.
Linguistic Turn and Discourse Analysis in History

Discourse analysis is the preferred method of historians who have taken the turn toward a view of language as the dense and autonomous site in which the objective reality of the past and the subjective identity of the historian is constructed. ‘Discourse’ refers to the framing assumptions of thought, speech, and action in particular epochs and cultures and/or to the communicative processes that characterize both development within and interaction among semiotic or cultural systems. Historians affirm the plurality and heterogeneity of discourses as a condition of historical change. They are divided about the relation between discourse and its ‘others,’ particularly the ‘other’ of material practices, and about the ways in which the production of individual and collective identities within discourse affects the status of historical agency.
Current approaches to molecular diagnosis

Inherited human disorders are caused by different types of mutations, including large genomic rearrangements such as chromosomal translocations or duplications and deletions of genome regions that are visible, using standard or high-resolution karyotyping procedures. Other rearrangements are smaller, but still encompass relatively large genome areas, such as the microdeletions that are readily detected using FISH technology. However, most disorders are caused by much smaller deletions, substitutions, or rearrangements of DNA that are identified by molecular genetic approaches. This review will summarize the current approaches to diagnostic techniques in a molecular genetic laboratory. A tabular listing of selected inherited syndromes identifies the genes and proteins associated with many syndromes, the types of mutations and common mutations, if any, detection methods, and their inheritance pattern. Special attention is given to disorders of complex etiology, such as those with a trinucleotide repeat expansion, which feature unusual inheritance patterns such as premutation alleles and genetic anticipation, and Prader–Willi and Angelman syndromes, which invoke genetic imprinting mechanisms. Keywords: molecular diagnosis; mutation screening; polymerase chain reaction; DNA sequencing
Production of duodenal ulcers in cats by infusion of porcine gastrin.

Summary Porcine gastrin extract, pure porcine gastrin II, or saline was given by continuous intravenous injection to conscious, intact cats. The doses of gastrin selected were based on studies in other conscious cats with gastric fistulas. Two cats that received porcine gastrin extract for 12 hr in a dose that produced near maximal acid and pepsin secretion in cats with gastric fistulas had a normal appearance of the gastric and duodenal mucosa. In 7 of 8 cats that got the same dose of gastrin extract for 24 hr, erosions or ulcers occurred in the proximal duodenum, with gross bleeding in 4. Both of 2 cats that got the same dose of gastrin extract for 96 hr had duodenal ulcers, one with perforation, the other with obvious hemorrhage. One-fourth of the above dose of gastrin extract infused for 24 hr in 4 cats produced duodenal ulcers and erosions in all, but these were less severe than those produced by the larger dose. In all of 4 cats, porcine gastrin II infused for 24 hr in a dose that produced near maximal acid secretion in gastric fistula cats (2 μg per kg body wt per hr) produced severe duodenal ulcers with hemorrhage. A few of the cats with duodenal lesions had small erosions or ulcerations of the pyloric gland area or the oxyntic gland area of the stomach. In cats that received saline intravenously for 12, 24, or 96 hr the gastric and duodenal mucosa had a normal appearance.
Femtosecond laser patterning of Ta0.1W0.9Ox/ITO thin film stack

Abstract Selective laser patterning of thin films in a multilayered structure is an emerging technology for process development and fabrication of optoelectronics and microelectronics devices. In this work, femtosecond laser patterning of electrochromic Ta0.1W0.9Ox film coated on ITO glass has been studied to understand the selective removal mechanism and to determine the optimal parameters for patterning process. A 775 nm Ti:sapphire laser with a pulse duration of 150 fs operating at 1 kHz was used to irradiate the thin film stacks with variations in process parameters such as laser fluence, feedrate and numerical aperture of objective lens. The surface morphologies of the laser irradiated regions have been examined using a scanning electron microscopy and an optical surface profiler. Morphological analysis indicates that the mechanism responsible for the removal of Ta0.1W0.9Ox thin films from the ITO glass is a combination of blistering and explosive fracture induced by abrupt thermal expansion. Although the pattern quality is divided into partial removal, complete removal, and ITO film damage, the ITO film surface is slightly melted even at the complete removal condition. Optimal process window, which results in complete removal of Ta0.1W0.9Ox thin film without ablation damage in the ITO layer, have been established. From this study, it is found that focusing lens with longer focal length is preferable for damage-free pattern generation and shorter machining time.
The synthesis and structural characterization of (2-pyridyldiphenylphosphine oxide)platinum(IV)tetrabromide. A chelating phosphine oxide with a substantially bent PtOP angle

Abstract The complex (pyPh2PO)PtBr4 (pyPh2PO is 2-pyridyldiphenylphosphine oxide) has been synthesized by three different pathways, and its structure has been established by X-ray crystallography. C17H14Br4NOPPt crystallizes in the space group P21/c (no. 14) with cell dimensions (at 140 K) of a = 13.696(7), b= 16.653(5), c = 17.612(7) A, β = 92.23(4)°, Z = 8 and V = 3993(3) A3. The structure was refined by block-cascade least-squares to a conventional R value of 0.048 using 3647 significant data. The structure involves a six-coordinate platinum((IV) ion with the chelated ligand bound through its nitrogen and oxygen atoms. The two crystallography independent molecules in the asymmetric unit have very similar dimensions. To our knowledge this is the first reported structure of a chelating phosphine oxide. The PtOP angles within the rings are 114.4(6)° and 117.4(6)°.
The need for open process.

The article discusses why U.S. President Barack Obama’s administration must reform policy-making as well as the policies themselves. According to the author, Obama promised two kind of change including substantive change, such as climate change legislation, and process change, such as how decisions over public funding are made. The author is critical of how the progress in climate change is being achieved and explains how Obama’s lack of clear plans weakens public policy.
Sex workers as medical student educators.

Medical trainees often are told their patients are their best teachers. They are told one of the best ways to learn is to spend time with their patients; however, when patients are utilized as educators, often only the most eloquent and educated patients are selected. Sex workers who live with addiction and mental illness are not typically viewed as potential educators of medical trainees, but internationally, sex workers have been used as peer educators with great success [1, 2]. Using mental health consumers as educators not only benefits these populations but also has been shown to benefit healthcare professionals learning from them [3]. Taking these educational successes into consideration, Women Leading Healthy Change (WLHC) was created with a two-pronged mission to both empower sex workers, with co-occurring mental illness and substance dependence, and to teachmedical students. The idea for WLHC came after a medical student volunteering with a community program called Off the
Reductions of Spoken Words in Certain Discourse Contexts

Abstract In discourse, speakers tend to choose lexically short words (e.g., pronouns) when the words’ referents are highly accessible to listeners. However, in narrations of a film, a change in episode between references to a character, even one who should otherwise be accessible to a listener, tends to block use of short expressions. In one investigation of spontaneous film narrations and in two follow-up experiments, we found that conditions fostering shortening and lengthening at the lexical level also fostered durational reduction and blocking of reduction of repeated names and of content words more generally. The experiments confirm that episode boundaries tend to block durational shortening, but only when boundaries are marked by “metanarrative statements” (references, e.g., to a scene as such) not by narrative-level discontinuities.
The impact of appearance-related teasing by family members.

Abstract Purpose This study evaluated the prevalence and effects of teasing by family members on body dissatisfaction, eating disturbance, and psychological functioning. Methods Self-report data were collected from 372 middle school girls who were part of a larger study in a Tampa Bay, Florida area middle school (mean age: 12.6 years; 85% Caucasian). Results Twenty-three percent of participants reported appearance-related teasing by a parent, and 12% were teased by a parent about being heavy. Nineteen percent of the girls reported appearance-related teasing by fathers, 13% reported appearance-related teasing by mothers, and 29% reported appearance-related teasing by siblings. After controlling for body mass index (BMI) and maternal teasing, paternal teasing was a significant predictor of body dissatisfaction, comparison, thin-ideal internalization, restriction, bulimic behaviors, self-esteem, and depression. After controlling for BMI and paternal teasing, maternal teasing was a significant predictor of depression. After controlling for BMI and maternal teasing, paternal teasing significantly increased the odds of having a sibling who teases. Girls who reported being teased by at least one sibling demonstrated significantly higher levels of body dissatisfaction, comparison, thin-ideal internalization, restriction, bulimic behaviors, depression, and significantly lower levels of self-esteem than those girls who reported they were not teased by their siblings. Frequency of teasing was associated with higher levels of negative outcomes. Conclusions This study has implications for treatment and prevention of eating disorders. The results suggest that health care providers should assess appearance-related teasing in their patients' lives to identify girls who may be at risk for body image and eating disturbance and poor psychological functioning.
Retail Clinic Visits and Receipt of Primary Care

BACKGROUND An increasing number of patients are visiting retail clinics for simple acute conditions. Physicians worry that visits to retail clinics will interfere with primary care relationships. No prior study has evaluated the impact of retail clinics on receipt of primary care.
Central Star Formation and PAH Profiles in Pseudobulges and Classical Bulges

I use Spitzer 3.6-8.0 μm color profiles and surface brightness profiles of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to compare the radial structure of star formation in pseudobulges and classical bulges. Pseudobulges are "bulges" that form through secular evolution, rather than mergers. In this study, pseudobulges are identified using the presence of disklike structure in the center of the galaxy (nuclear spirals, nuclear bars, and high ellipticity in bulge); classical bulges are those galaxy bulges with smooth isophotes that are round compared to the outer disk and show no disky structure in their bulge. I show that galaxies structurally identified as having pseudobulges have higher central star formation rates than those of classical bulges. Furthermore, I also show that galaxies identified as having classical bulges have remarkably regular star formation profiles. The color profiles of galaxies with classical bulges show a star-forming outer disk with a sharp change, consistent with a decline in star formation rates, toward the center of the galaxy. Classical bulges have a nearly constant inner profile (r 1.5 kpc) that is similar to elliptical galaxies. Pseudobulges in general show no such transition in star formation properties from the outer disk to the central pseudobulge. Thus, I conclude that pseudobulges and classical bulges do in fact form their stars via different mechanisms. Furthermore, this adds to the evidence that classical bulges form most of their stars in fast episodic bursts, in a similar fashion to elliptical galaxies, whereas pseudobulges form stars from longer lasting secular processes.
The action of vincaleukoblastine on mitosis in vitro

Abstract The action of Vincaleukoblastine on cells growing in tissue culture has been described. VLB treatment results in metaphase arrest and typical C-mitotic changes in the chromosomes of J-96 and LLC-He1 cells.
Gas syringe sampling at very low pressure

A new sampling technique is developed for flame samples taken at very low pressure (50 Torr absolute). This technique uses gas syringes. Analysis is by gas chromatography and the compounds of interest are the fixed gases and selected C1 and C2 hydrocarbons and chlorinated hydrocarbons. Linear response factors are obtained for all compounds. This is highly unusual for gas-phase chlorinated hydrocarbon sampling, which is very prone to sample absorption. The sources of experimental error unique to gas syringe use are identified and quantified. One error source is exacerbated by the very low sample pressure and requires special treatment.
Effect of Limestone Particle Size Upon Calcium Bioavailability to Poults

Abstract In order to determine the availability of calcium in limestone processed by a new method, nine hundred day-old male poults were fed diets with varying calcium sources, levels and finenesses (mesh) for twenty-one days. Growth rate and feed efficiency were the criteria used to evaluate the availability of calcium among treatments. Reductions in the percent calcium in the diet produced significant decreases in gain with the coarser grinds of limestone. The birds showing greatest gain were on the 103 mesh (the particles were no larger than 1/1000th of an inch in diameter) at 1.30% calcium level. At the 0.80% and 0.60% calcium levels the poults on the Colorado Lien diets exhibited reduced growth compared to the poults receiving smaller particles; indicating that a reduction in particle size increased calcium availability at these lower dietary calcium levels. It was a general trend with the turkeys on the “mesh” diets that as the dietary calcium level dropped, the feed efficiency also dropped; however, this trend was not followed by the Colorado Lien poults and the CaCO3 birds. The most efficient poults in this experiment were the ones on the 102 mesh diet and the 102 mesh diet at the 1.30% calcium level. The least efficient were on the 102 mesh diet at 0.60% calcium level. In summary it can be stated that the finer grinds of limestone: 1) increased the availability of calcium to the poult, 2) increased the efficiency of the bird at low dietary calcium levels, and 3) produced better weight gains at low diet calcium levels. The coarser grinds increased weight gains and efficiencies at the highest calcium level. It was concluded that fine particle size in a limestone product increased dietary calcium availability to poults and probably reduced the amount of limestone needed in a poult’s diet.
Visual and motor processing in visual artists: Implications for cognitive and neural mechanisms.

Expert visual artists differ from nonartists in their patterns of encoding to-be-rendered stimuli, which has implications for cognitive processing changes in experts generally. Artists’ motor processing is poorly understood. It also remains unclear if artists’ altered visual processing transfers to visual perception with goals other than rendering. Task 1 examined eye- and hand-movement patterns found in artists and nonartists when rendering familiar and novel stimuli. Task 2 examined performance in a recognition task that utilized novel stimuli. The results suggest that artists possess both domain-specific and domain-independent advantages, in that they have more efficient visual encoding and motor output patterns than nonartists when rendering, as well as superior visual encoding when the synergistic benefit of such a domain-relevant goal is taken away. The results of a concurrent analysis suggest a link between the advantage and schizotypy, associated with a neural profile of attenuated left prefrontal activation and increased bilateral prefrontal activation as a compensatory mechanism. Implications for creativity are discussed.
Via 2 - Laser Embedded Conductor Technology 2008 The 3rd IMPACT and 10th EMAP Joint Conference

The innovative embedded circuit approach utilizes an advanced laser ablation technique to form electrical paths for signal propagation within the dielectric, as opposed to conventional technologies, that form signal propagation on the dielectric materials. This technology reveals numerous benefits and opportunities to address the needs of the advanced silicon nodes in the chip packaging industry. The embedded circuit approach offers a unique opportunity to simultaneously: (1) Improve upon incremental changes in design (2) Optimize electrical performance by reducing signal paths and proximating grounds for shielding (3) Drive miniaturization. A collaborative effort between Amkor Technology, Unimicron and Atotech, has led to a significant new breakthrough in substrate manufacturing techniques, allowing both layer and format reduction (thus cost reduction) versus current state of the art technologies. The tremendous growth and need for a disruptive technology in the flip chip packaged technology sector, has helped to facilitate the implementation of this new method that allows the miniaturization of both design features and substrate format. This innovative technology utilizes laser ablation techniques, together with specially developed plating processes, to form electrical paths for signal propagation within the dielectric, as opposed to conventional technologies that form signal paths above the dielectric layer. This paper is the first part of a two-part paper co-authored by Atotech and Amkor Technology (Ron Huemoeller). The papers, when read in sequence, describe the opportunity to reduce the number of vias and layers in the substrate, the unique opportunity to optimize electrical performance, and the potential miniaturization in design as a result. A close look at this technology reveals the clear benefits and opportunity for significant gap closure required by the chip packaging industry today.
Expert systems for vision based on Bayes' rule

This assertion has no definite sense unless the notion “processes” is exactly defined, e.g., as a certain set of subroutines or actions of a special processor, etc. When understanding “processes” in the broad sense of the word then “a non-standard set of processes in a non-standard order” becomes a truism: any algorithm with memory possesses this property. Even an accumulating adder performs a carry or does not, depending upon its internal state and the input value.
Modification of fibrinogen with poly(ethylene glycol) and its effects on fibrin clot characteristics

The suitability of existing topical fibrin glue preparations for tissue sealing or local drug delivery applications is greatly limited by their poor mechanical properties and the limited capacity of fibrinogen (Fgn) to actively bind growth factors or other therapeutic agents. Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) offers potential solutions to these problems by providing a mechanism for increasing the number of crosslinks between adjacent fibrin monomer molecules or for covalently crosslinking Fgn to therapeutic agents. The feasibility of this approach requires the full biological activity, or clottability, of PE glycolated Fgn. This study characterizes the clot characteristics of Fgn modified to varying degrees with monofunctional succinimidyl propionate PEG (5000 Da). The data indicate that, although thrombin clotting times are significantly altered, Fgn maintains 90% of its capacity to clot upon the addition of up to 5 PEG/Fgn. Further derivatization significantly decreases the Fgn clottability. The addition of up to 5 PEG/Fgn has little, if any, effect on the kinetics of degradation by plasmin. The results suggest that limited modification of Fgn with lysine-reactive PEG allows therapeutic enhancement of fibrin glues.
Effects of steroids in focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in a predominantly African-American population.

ABSTRACT Background Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is a common primary glomerulopathy in African Americans. Prolonged treatment with steroids is recommended for FSGS in those with nephrotic-range proteinuria, but strong evidence for this recommendation, especially in African-American adults, is lacking. We reviewed our experience with steroids in FSGS in a predominantly African-American cohort. Methods Patients with primary FSGS were identified and their charts were retrospectively reviewed for demographic data, characteristics of renal biopsy, blood pressure, and use of steroids. End-stage renal disease and doubling of creatinine were end-points. Results Seventy-two patients (65 African Americans) were identified with 48.3 months of follow-up. Patients receiving steroids (n = 43) had higher urine protein excretion than those who did not. Seventeen patients reached end-stage renal disease and 26 doubled their creatinine concentration. Factors significant for renal survival on Cox proportional hazards model were initial creatinine level, severity of renal lesion, and blood pressure over the follow-up period. Treatment with steroids did not affect renal survival. About one third of patients receiving steroids developed complications consisting of diabetes (n = 4) and greater than 5 kg weight gain (n = 10). Conclusion Renal function, severity of the renal lesion, and blood pressure determine renal survival in FSGS. A beneficial effect of steroids was not observed in this predominantly African-American adult cohort.
The catalyzed condensation of phenol with stearone and methyl heptadecyl ketone

The condensation of phenol with stearone and methylheptadecyl ketone has been studied. The bisphenols and other products thus produced were identified by hydroxyl equivalents, molecular weight, infrared spectra, elemental analysis, and preparation of characteristic derivatives. The commercial potential of this family of fatty derivatives was examined briefly from two approaches. Polymerization with formaldehyde, epichlorohydrin, and phosgene, was investigated, and several fluids were prepared and screened as potential high-temperature lubrieants.
The fate of pyrimidine dimers in ultraviolet-irradiated Chlamydomonas.

— We have developed a chromatographic technique for the separation of 32P-labeled pyrimidine nucleotide dimers of the form PypPy from 32P-phosphate in enzymatic hydroly sates of ultraviolet-irradiated DNA. Application of this technique to 32P-labeled Chlamydomonas reinhardii shows that ultraviolet irradiation of this organism induces pyrimidine dimers in both nuclear and chloroplast DNA. We have found no evidence that these dimers are excised from either DNA species after several hours incubation under non-photoreactivating conditions. A function has been derived to permit the pyrimidine-dimer content determined from radioactive-thymine-labeled cells to be conveniently compared to that obtained from 32P-phosphate-labeled cells.
An improved method for measuring aerosol strong acidity: Results from a nine-month study in St Louis, Missouri and Kingston, Tennessee

Abstract An improved method for measuring strong acidity of atmospheric aerosols is presented. An ammonia diffusion denuder was developed to prevent neutralization of the acidic aerosol samples. In addition, a new procedure for protecting samples during shipment and analysis was used. An increase in the sensitivity of the analysis was achieved by extraction of the aerosol sample in a small solution volume, 3 ml, of 10−4 N HClO4, and the use of a microelectrode for pH determination. Finally, results from a nine-month study in St Louis, Missouri and Kingston, Tennessee are given.
Sample preparation for the chemical analysis of debris in suspect arson cases

Abstract Abroad review of current methods for the recovery of liquid residual accelerants in fire debris is given. A summary of current practices of sample preparation methods in U.S. laboratories is presented. Sampling of heated headspace is useful as a screening method. It is also applicable for samples that contain a high concentration of accelerant. Distillation-based methods are effective only when large amounts of accelerants are present but they permit the physical isolation of relatively pure liquids, including some water-soluble materials such as alcohols. Solvent extraction is particularly advantageous for accelerants of low volatility such as diesel fuel or highly evaporated petroleum-based products, but it is very susceptible to interferences from the matrix. Dynamic enrichment by adsorption/elution is the most popular and widely used recovery method for liquid accelerants. It offers high enrichment factors but shows weaknesses with respect to polar and low-volatility liquids. No single method is universally effective for all types of accelerants that are commonly encountered in practice. It appears that currently applied recovery methods are particularly weak for water-soluble organics such as alcohols. Sample preparation methods have to be viewed in conjunction with the method to be used to characterize and identify suspect accelerants. Gas chromatography is used almost exclusively for separation and measurement. Selective detection of components that are diagnostic of accelerants allows important trade-offs between sensitivity, chromatographic efficiency and the level of interferences that can be tolerated. Pattern recognition with comparison of chromatographic profiles is greatly simplified if interferences from the matrix can be suppressed. Application of capillary columns capable of high resolution facilitates the recognition of diagnostically important components. Petroleum-based fluids and products are ubiquitous in the human environment and it is therefore particularly important to pay attention to petroleum-based fluids that are derived from such sources. Many common inconspicuous household materials contain petroleum-based solvents and are thus a part of the natural background. The term sensitivity as it relates to the effectiveness of a recovery method must be critically viewed in this light.
Control of proliferation in two cell lines in vitro.

In two types of cells growing as monolayer cultures (an established line of Chinese hamster cells and a newly obtained strain of Rat Fibroblasts) no evidence is found for proliferation control by “contact inhibition of mitosis” or by cell-produced chemical inhibitors. Under the particular conditions of these experiments, the intracellular concentration of a multiplication-stimulating factor (MSF) associated with fetal calf serum appears to play a regulating role. This factor is degraded continually by proliferating as well as by non-proliferating, plateau phase cells. A model is proposed in which the intracellular concentration of MSF is governed by: the amount of MSF available to the cell from the culture medium; the permeability and amount of cell membrane accessible for diffusion (or transport) of MSF; and the rate of its degradation. It is hypothesized that mitosis only occurs if the concentration of MSF exceeds a critical value and that this critical value is a characteristic of the cell type. Consistency of the model with existing data concerningin vitro cell proliferation is discussed.
Property taxes and the transition of land to urban use

This paper examines the land and improvements tax effects on development timing and structural density at the urban fringe. It presents new results concerning structural density effects and resolves the ambiguity surrounding timing effects. This paper also studies the role of structural durability in the land tax non-neutrality phenomenon.