cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development and Validation of an Analytical Method for Quantitation of Bisphenol S in Rodent Plasma, Amniotic Fluid and Fetuses by UPLC-MS-MS.

Bisphenol S (BPS) has been detected in personal care products, water, food and indoor house dust, demonstrating the potential for human exposure. Due to limited data to characterize the hazard of BPS, the National Toxicology Program (NTP) is investigating the toxicity of BPS in rodent models. Generating systemic exposure data is integral to putting toxicological findings into context. The objective of this work was to develop and validate a method to quantitate free (unconjugated parent) and total (free and all conjugated forms of) BPS in rodent plasma, amniotic fluid and fetal homogenate in support of NTP studies. The method used incubation with (total BPS) and without (free BPS) deconjugating enzyme and then protein precipitation followed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. In Sprague Dawley rat plasma, the method was linear (r ≥ 0.99) over the range 5-1,000 ng/mL, accurate (mean relative error (RE) ≤ ±10.5%) and precise (relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤ 7.7%). Mean recoveries were ≥93.1% for both free and total analyses. The limits of detection were 1.15 ng/mL (free) and 0.862 ng/mL (total) in plasma. The method was evaluated in the following study matrices: (i) male Hsd:Sprague Dawley®SD® (HSD) rat plasma, (ii) female HSD rat plasma, (iii) male B6C3F1 mouse plasma, (iv) female B6C3F1 mouse plasma, (v) HSD rat gestational day (GD) 18 dam plasma, (vi) HSD rat GD 18 amniotic fluid, (vii) HSD rat GD 18 fetal homogenate and (viii) HSD rat postnatal day 4 pup plasma (mean %RE ≤ ±8.2 and %RSD ≤ 8.7). Stability of BPS in extracted samples was demonstrated for up to 7 days at various temperatures, and freeze-thaw stability was demonstrated after three cycles over 7 days. BPS in various matrices stored at -80°C for at least 60 days was within 92.1-115% of Day 0 concentrations, demonstrating its stability in these matrices. These data demonstrate that this simple method is suitable for determination of free and total BPS in plasma, amniotic fluid and fetuses following exposure of rodents to BPS.
Epigenetic Biomarkers of Prenatal Tobacco Smoke Exposure Are Associated with Gene Deletions in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Background: Parental smoking is implicated in the etiology of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), the most common childhood cancer. We recently reported an association between an epigenetic biomarker of early-life tobacco smoke exposure at the AHRR gene and increased frequency of somatic gene deletions among ALL cases. Methods: Here, we further assess this association using two epigenetic biomarkers for maternal smoking during pregnancy—DNA methylation at AHRR CpG cg05575921 and a recently established polyepigenetic smoking score—in an expanded set of 482 B-cell ALL (B-ALL) cases in the California Childhood Leukemia Study with available Illumina 450K or MethylationEPIC array data. Multivariable Poisson regression models were used to test the associations between the epigenetic biomarkers and gene deletion numbers. Results: We found an association between DNA methylation at AHRR CpG cg05575921 and deletion number among 284 childhood B-ALL cases with MethylationEPIC array data, with a ratio of means (RM) of 1.31 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02–1.69] for each 0.1 β value reduction in DNA methylation, an effect size similar to our previous report in an independent set of 198 B-ALL cases with 450K array data [meta-analysis summary RM (sRM) = 1.32; 95% CI, 1.10–1.57]. The polyepigenetic smoking score was positively associated with gene deletion frequency among all 482 B-ALL cases (sRM = 1.31 for each 4-unit increase in score; 95% CI, 1.09–1.57). Conclusions: We provide further evidence that prenatal tobacco-smoke exposure may influence the generation of somatic copy-number deletions in childhood B-ALL. Impact: Analyses of deletion breakpoint sequences are required to further understand the mutagenic effects of tobacco smoke in childhood ALL.
COVID 19: a public health emergency - some aspects of the introduction of vaccination in Contagem (MG)

SARS-CoV-2 is a beta-coronavirus discovered in bronchoalveolar lavage samples, initiated in China in December 2019. It belongs to the subgenus Sarbecovirus of the Coronaviridae family and is the seventh coronavirus known to infect humans. Among the seven human coronaviruses (HCoVS), five of them (HCoV-229E, HCoV-OC43, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-HKU1, SARS-COV) cause severe acute syndrome. The mode of transmission is by contact, by droplets and aerosol of respiratory droplets by contaminated people or by contact with surfaces or objects used or touched by the contaminated person. Most infections are spread by close contact. The incubation period is estimated between 1 to 14 days, with a median of 5 to 6 days. On January 17, 2021, two vaccines against covid-19 were authorized for emergency use in Brazil by the National Health Surveillance Agency, one from the Sinovac laboratory (China), in partnership with the Butantan Institute, and the other from the Serum laboratory (India), in partnership with Oxford University, whose technology is part of the agreement between the AstraZeneca laboratory and BioManguinhos/Fiocruz. The objective of this review work is to seek information about the main changes after the introduction of the vaccine in Contagem (MG), metropolitan region of Belo Horizonte (MG).
CPX-351 Induces Remission in Newly Diagnosed Pediatric Secondary Myeloid Malignancies.

Secondary myelodysplastic syndromes and acute myeloid leukemia (sMDS/AML) are rare in children/adolescents and have a dismal prognosis. The mainstay therapy is hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) but there has been no innovation in cytoreductive regimens. CPX-351, a fixed 5:1 molar ratio of liposomal cytarabine/daunorubicin, has shown favorable safety and efficacy in elderly individuals with sAML and children with relapsed de novo AML. We report the outcomes of seven young patients (six with newly diagnosed sMDS/AML and one with primary MDS/AML) uniformly treated with CPX-351. Five patients had previously received chemotherapy for osteosarcoma, Ewing sarcoma, neuroblastoma, or T-ALL; one had predisposing genomic instability disorder (Cornelia de Lange); and one MDS-related AML and multi-organ failure. The median age at diagnosis of myeloid malignancy was 17 (13-23) years. Patients received 1-3 cycles of CPX-351 (cytarabine 100mg/m2 plus daunorubicin 44mg/m2) on days 1, 3, and 5, resulting in complete morphologic remission without overt toxicity or treatment-related mortality. This approach allowed for adding FLT3 inhibitor as individualized therapy in one patient. Six patients were alive and leukemia-free at 0.5-3.3 years after HCT. One patient died from disease progression before HCT. Concluding, CPX-351 is an effective and well-tolerated regimen for cytoreduction in pediatric sMDS/AML warranting prospective studies.
Sexual Differentiation of Brain Structure and Function

Publisher Summary Gender is the first and most salient attribute we integrate into our perception of other individuals, being signaled to us via multiple modalities that include dress, tone of voice, odors, and even name. Animals also readily signal their own sex and immediately perceive it in conspecifics. But how do these external manifestations of sex or gender reflect the phenotype of the brain? Is there a male brain and a female brain? Or, are our brains relatively gender-neutral but limited in range of function by the physical attributes associated with the sex of the body they happen to inhabit? This chapter aims to review the current state-of-the-art in the study of sex differences in the brain and to put forward the argument that the answer to the above questions lies somewhere in the middle. It is a gross oversimplification to suggest that the entire brain, in all its complexity and diverse functionality, is ubiquitously male or female. But it is equally egregious to ignore sex and gender as variables in brain function, or to assume that these differences are only relevant to reproduction. Tremendous advances are being made in identifying gender differences and their relevance to the human brain. Equally important advances are being made with the more empirical approach afforded by animal models. Gender is a uniquely human construct, as it involves both self-identification as a member of a particular gender category, and the societal and cultural factors that are associated with gender. Animals, however, have only sex. This both simplifies and limits the study of sexual differentiation of the brain.
Artificial moral agents: saviors or destroyers?

Growing up in the late 1950’s in America, mechanical robots were part of my culture, but certainly not of industry (unless it was the toy industry, which capitalized on the delight young children—mostly boys—took in fictionalized hulking tons of intelligent steel). In film we had, among many instances of cinematic science fiction, the human-friendly Robbie the Robot (in ‘‘Forbidden Planet’’) and the malevolent human-hater in ‘‘Gog’’. In the science fiction literature, Isaac Asimov amazed us with his Foundation trilogy and his Three Laws of Robotics (which were, in ingenious ways, invariably violated). Since that time, robots in culture have become more sophisticated (R2D2 in Star Wars), more human-like (Terminator) and certainly more sinister as they acquire more intelligence and strength. But robots in industry have been mostly drones, capable of performing repetitive mechanical functions far better than humans (and that humans dislike doing): vacuums in the house, conveying bulk goods at Wal-Mart distribution centers, construction of automobiles, and much more. It is clear that robots are with us, both commercially and in our culture, and that as technology advances, their numbers will only increase. A recent issue of New Scientist (Vol. 204, No. 2735, 2009) contains a survey article on robotic surgery (medibots) and shorter articles on robotic arms (for users of wheelchairs to open doors), and robotic gloves (for NASA). Extrapolating into the future, doomsday scenarios of robots taking over and enslaving humans (or exterminating them) have been taken very seriously by those (Bill Joy—’’Why the Future Doesn’t Need Us’’, Wired, 2000) who advocate that restrictions now be placed (at both the theoretical and technological levels) on the construction of robots. In particular, the call of the ‘‘doomsters’’ is to severely limit the reasoning capabilities of robots, if not to put a halt to development and construction of them. Should we heed their cautions? In their superb book Moral Machines: Teaching Robots Right from Wrong, Wendell Wallach and Colin Allen argue that we should not. Indeed, we should provide robots, where technologically possible, with the ability to engage in ethical reasoning and ethical decision-making. (They call such robots ‘‘artificial moral agents’’, or AMAs.) But why? Wouldn’t we, in doing this, be taking undeniable steps toward our assured destruction? Wallach and Allen (hereafter WA JBuechner@gc.cuny.edu
Serum gonadotropin and steroid patterns during the normal menstrual cycle

Abstract Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), progesterone, and estradiol were measured in aliquots of the same serum samples obtained daily from a group of 10 women throughout a normal cycle. Measurement of each of these hormones was performed by sensitive and specific competitive binding techniques. The patterns and mean levels of each of these hormones in this group of unselected ovulatory cycles is in general agreement with the results obtained by combining the findings of other investigators. In the early follicular phase, there are higher levels of FSH, followed by rising levels of estradiol which reach a peak at mid-cycle. A peak in LH occurs on the same or subsequent day, and it in turn is followed by a rise in progesterone and a secondary rise in progesterone and in estradiol. Both these steroids then fall a few days prior to menstruation.
Weaponizing Billy Budd

s MLA 2011 | Los Angeles, California “Billy in the Darbies . . . and on Page, Stage, and Screen: Adaptations of Melville’s Billy Budd” Co-Chair: Joseph Fruscione Georgetown University, George Washington University O rganized and moderated by Joseph Fruscione (Melville Society) and Jeff Dailey (Lyrica Society), this collaborative panel brought together five scholar/teachers to discuss adaptations of Billy Budd through short, focused papers that sparked a lively discussion. This was the Melville Society’s first collaborative panel, one we hope will set the tone for future work with other author societies and organizations. In recognition of the fiftieth anniversary of Benjamin Britten’s opera, this roundtable examined musical, cinematic, and aural adaptations of Billy Budd. Two panelists discussed the Britten opera, two the Claire Denis film Beau Travail, and one a radio version presented by Focus on the Family. The panelists moved beyond “fidelity criticism” to examine creative responses to Melville’s novella. Britten’s “Haunting Melodies”: The Music of Billy Budd as the Universal Language of Human Emotion Marcia Green San Francisco State University Benjamin Britten’s musical-literary theme—the indictment of human folly as revealed in the tragedy and wastage of war and in the corruption of human innocence—is achieved through his extraordinarily wide orchestral harmonic range. Utilizing a structure that is taut and tense and themes that are often similar in melodic outline, Britten stresses the obsessive nature of the piece. His opera is rich in variety and polytonality. He uses musical keys as literary leitmotifs, such as B-flat major in the Prologue and c © 2011 The Melville Society and Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 120 L E V I A T H A N A J O U R N A L O F M E L V I L L E S T U D I E S
Effective interactions in dilute mixtures of3He in4He

Nonlocal pseudopotentials which describe the effective interaction between3He quasiparticles, and between these quasiparticles and the background4He liquid, are obtained as a function of concentration and pressure by generalizing the Aldrich-Pines pseudopotentials for pure3He and4He to dilute mixtures. The hierarchy of physical effects which determine these pseudopotentials is established. Interaction-induced short-range correlations are the dominant physical feature; next in order of importance is the greater zero point motion associated with the replacement of a4He atom by a3He atom, while spin-induced “Pauli principle” correlations play a significantly smaller, albeit still important role. We find a consistent trend in the change of the effective direct quasiparticle interactions with increasing concentration, and show how the Aldrich-Pines pseudopotentials for pure3He quasiparticles represent a natural extension of our results for dilute mixtures. Our calculated nonlocal pseudopotential for3He quasiparticles is qualitatively similar to that proposed by Bardeen, Baym, and Pines; it changes sign at somewhat lower momentum transfers than the BBP result, varies little with concentration, and provides a physical basis for understanding the BBP result. The effective interaction between quasiparticles of parallel spin, here determined for the first time, is essentially repulsive in the very dilute limit; as the concentration increases, it becomes increasingly attractive at low momentum transfers, and resembles closely that between antiparallel spin quasiparticles at 5% concentration. The concentration-dependent transport properties calculated from these pseudopotentials (which involve only one phenomenological parameter) are in good agreement with experiment at saturated vapor pressure (SVP), 10 atm, and 20 atm. Maxima in the thermal conductivity and spin diffusion are predicted to occur at concetrations somewhat less than 4%. Because the effective quasiparticle interactions are somewhat more repulsive than those previously proposed, we find the transition of the3He quasiparticles to the superfluid state takes place at significantly lower temperatures than many previous estimates; our predicted maximum superfluid transition temperature is 2×10−8 K (for a 0.6% mixture at 20 atm).
The weight of healthy breast-fed infants during the first year of life

Summary. A material that is t o serve as a normal material for the weight development of healthy infants must be anthropologically, geographically and socially representative of the population of which i t is to be taken as a norm, but must be selected in such a manner that factors that may disturb the normal development and health of the individuals are eliminated as far as possible from the material. I n a statistical analysis of the material the essential thing is t o obtain a measurement of the range of variation, while little importance is attached to the mean weight. The present material comprises 1 073 children selected from the clientele of the Children's Welfare Centres at Goteborg in accordance with the criteria mentioned above. The children were under the supervision of the welfare centres for at least 7 months (at leastfrom the 91st to the 300th day of life); they were fed mainly on mother's milk (500 gm. addition daily at most) for at least 180 days; during the period of observation they did not show any signs of malformations, congenital diseases, or affections that can be attributed to a constitutional predisposition, nor any other affections before the actual weigh-ing. The children were divided according to sex and birth-weight (600 gm. classes). and the mean weight and different limits of the range of variation in 20-day periods during the first year of life are recorded for each group. The material may be regarded as a normal material for infants at Goteborg. In the absence of other investigations it is difficult t o determine whether the population of Giiteborg can be regarded as representative of the rest of Sweden and the other Nordic countries, but there seems t o be no grounds for assuming any considerable differences, and therefore for the present tlie weight curves may be used for practical purposes all over the country.
Thermal and electrochemical studies of carbons for Li-ion batteries: 2. Correlation of active sites and irreversible capacity loss

Abstract Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) involving air oxidation of fluid coke, coal-tar pitch delayed coke and needle coke suggested that active sites are present which can be correlated to the crystallographic parameters, L a and L c , and the d (002) spacing. This finding was extended to determine the relationship between active sites on carbon and their role in catalyzing electrolyte decomposition leading to irreversible capacity loss (ICL) in Li-ion batteries. Electrochemical data from this study with graphitizable carbons and from published literature were analyzed to determine the relationship between the physical properties of carbon and the ICL during the first charge/discharge cycle. Based on this analysis, we conclude that the active surface area, and not the total BET surface area, has an influence on the ICL of carbons for Li-ion batteries. This conclusion suggests that the carbon surface structure plays a significant role in catalyzing electrolyte decomposition.
Synchronization for distributed real-time applications

Several distributed applications are characterized by real-time constraints on response times. High-level actions in such distributed applications are modeled by nonatomic events which are collections of atomic events. This paper studies synchronization relations between nonatomic events in such distributed real-time application executions. The relations form a fine-grained hierarchy that can be used to select suitable relations with good properties and clear intuitions, depending on the application. We show the use of the proposed relations in specifying solutions for distributed mutual exclusion and in specifying distributed predicates. As an example of an application, we show how a real-time air defence system that needs to enforce distributed mutual exclusion and specify and evaluate distributed predicates can use the proposed relations.
Insulin initiation in type 2 diabetes: what are the treatment regimen options and how can we best help patients feel empowered?

Abstract Purpose: This article summarizes treatment regimens and issues involved in initiating insulin therapy in type 2 diabetes (T2D). Progressive deterioration of beta-cell mass and function characterizes the course of T2D. Following diet and exercise, oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs), and incretin therapies, many patients require insulin, but initiation is often delayed until complications develop. Data sources: Published guidelines for the management of T2D, primary and review articles, and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prescribing information. Conclusions: The diabetes nurse practitioner should encourage patients to initiate insulin when appropriate; patients need to know that this represents a natural step in treatment, not a personal failing. Initiation often occurs when OADs no longer confer adequate glycemic control. Treatment regimens available include once-daily basal insulin, sometimes with addition of prandial insulin, or premix/biphasic insulin. Insulin analogs confer less risk of hypoglycemia and weight gain, and greater dosing flexibility compared with conventional insulins. Insulin efficacy may be enhanced by continuing metformin and/or incretin therapies, while discontinuing other drugs as appropriate. Implications for practice: The well-versed diabetes nurse practitioner assists the patient in selecting the most appropriate option for his/her specific needs. It is essential to help patients overcome barriers, including fears of injection pain, public embarrassment, and hypoglycemia risk.
Electron Spin Resonance of Magnetic Ions in Complex Oxides: Review of ESR Results in Rutile, Perovskites, Spinels, and Garnet Structures

Publisher Summary uring the past few years paramagnetic resonance has dealt, with some degree of success, with the magnetic properties of paramagnetic ions in complex multiple oxides. This chapter summarizes the main results for three classes of multiple oxides: perovskites, spinels, and garnets. It also discusses the magnetic properties of ions in rutile, a major constituent in some of these compounds. The complex multiple oxides in the concentrated magnetic forms have interesting properties. Some of these are ferromagnetic, others antiferromagnetic. The magnetic ions can occupy sites that have different point symmetry within each structure. Many of these compounds show one or more phase transitions, which affect the magnetic properties. Some of the crystals, in particular those of the perovskite structure, have very large dielectric constants and are ferroelectric. Bulk magnetic phenomena because they involve cooperative interactions are difficult to calculate. The properties of isolated magnetic ions are much better understood. Knowledge of the behavior of the lowest energy levels in an applied magnetic field of isolated ions in these complex compounds can contribute to some extent to the understanding of the behavior of concentrated magnetic complexes.
Passive elastic properties of the calf muscle-tendon unit of distance runners

Studies have suggested that distance runners have decreased calf muscle-tendon unit (MTU) flexibility, which is related to improved running economy. This study examined the passive elastic properties of the calf MTU of distance runners to test the hypothesis that they have increased passive elastic properties measured in viva. Ten distance runners (aged 18-21 years) and 10 untrained men (aged 23-28 years) were tested. A Kin-Corn® dynamometer stretched the right calf MTU from plantarflexion (PF) to maximal dorsiflexion (DF) at 5°.s -1 (0.087 rad.s -1 ) with minimal surface electromyogram activity in the soleus, gastrocnemius, and tibialis anterior muscles. ANOVA analyses indicated that the maximal DF ROM did not differ between groups, but the maximal passive DF torque (Nm), total absorbed passive elastic energy (area under full stretch curve [°.Nm]) and passive elastic stiffness (Nm.° -1 ) within the last 10° of the stretch were greater for the distance runners when controlled for body mass (P ≤ 0.007). The maximal passive DF torque and the passive elastic stiffness were greater when controlled for PF maximal voluntary isometric contraction torque (P < 0.028). The increased passive resistive properties suggested structural adaptations in the calf MTU, possibly the result of eccentric loading and stretching, which would contribute to improved running economy.
Systematic Negligence in Jury Operations: Why the Definition of Systematic Exclusion in Fair Cross Section Claims Must Be Expanded

More than a century of Sixth Amendment jurisprudence makes it clear that the phrase “impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed” requires that the jury be selected from “a fair cross section of the community.” The seminal case on fair cross section jurisprudence is Duren v. Missouri, in which the U.S. Supreme Court articulated a three-pronged test that defendants must satisfy to establish a prima facie violation of the fair cross section requirement: (1) the group alleged to be excluded from the jury pool is a “distinctive” group in the community; (2) the group’s representation in the jury pool is not fair and reasonable in relation to the number of such persons in the population; and (3) the underrepresentation of the group results from systematic exclusion of the group in the jury selection process. This article summarizes contemporary fair cross section case law including an in-depth examination of the systematic exclusion requirement (Duren’s third prong). It then describes a number of proven jury management practices that are highly effective remedies for many of the non-systematic factors associated with minority underrepresentation and proposes a negligence theory of jury system management. That proposal argues that if a court’s failure to manage its jury system in a reasonably effective manner contributes to legally insufficient minority representation in the jury pool, the court’s negligent jury management is itself systematic exclusion. The article concludes with some caveats about the reach of this theory due to limited court resources and the legal deference given to state policy-makers with respect to qualification, exemption and excusal requirements for jury service.
Factors Influencing Patients' Perspectives of Radiology Imaging Centers: Evaluation Using an Online Social Media Ratings Website.

Abstract Purpose The goal of this study was to use patient reviews posted on Yelp.com, an online ratings website, to identify factors most commonly associated with positive versus negative patient perceptions of radiology imaging centers across the United States. Methods A total of 126 outpatient radiology centers from the 46 largest US cities were identified using Yelp.com; 1,009 patient reviews comprising 2,582 individual comments were evaluated. Comments were coded as pertaining to either the radiologist or other service items, and as expressing either a positive or negative opinion. Distribution of comments was compared with center ratings using Fisher's exact test. Results Overall, 14% of comments were radiologist related; 86% pertained to other aspects of service quality. Radiologist-related negative comments more frequent in low-performing centers (mean rating ≤2 on 1-5 scale) than high-performing centers (rating ≥4) pertained to imaging equipment (25% versus 7%), report content (25% versus 2%), and radiologist professionalism (25% versus 2%) ( P P P Conclusions Patients' perception of radiology imaging centers is largely shaped by aspects of service quality. Schedulers, receptionists, technologists, and billers heavily influence patient satisfaction in radiology. Thus, radiologists must promote a service-oriented culture throughout their practice.
New York City "Healthy Happy Meals" Bill: Potential Impact on Fast Food Purchases.

Introduction The New York City (NYC) Council recently proposed a policy (“Healthy Happy Meals” bill) to improve the nutritional quality of children’s combination meals at fast food restaurants by requiring meals with toys or promotional items meet certain nutritional criteria (Figure 1). This is similar to legislation in two California localities. One experimental study distributed toys with modified McDonald’s Happy Meals designed to comply with the California law. Children were more likely to choose healthier modified meals with the toy than unchanged meals without the toy. The present study focuses on the NYC “Healthy Happy Meals” bill and how it might impact the nutritional quality of purchases for children if the proposed targets were met.
Development and Application of a Rapid Cell Sorter

We have further developed our rapid cell analyzer and sorter, so that we can now identify and separate functionally distinct groups of viable cells that have, or can be made to have, either different fluorescence intensities, different light-scattering characteristics, or different combinations of these two variables. In this instrument, cells are observed individually in suspension in the central stream of a very small coaxial liquid jet, as they pass through two laser beams. The jet is later broken into uniform droplets, and those droplets containing the desired cells are charged electrically and then deflected in an electric field. Several thousand cells can be processed per second. Enrichment factors of up to 500 and final purities and viabilities of 90% or more can be routinely achieved. Cell populations present in fractions as small as 1 in 105 or less can be identified. Radioisotope analytical techniques indicate that only a few thousand fluorescent molecules need be present on a cell for it to be detected. The instrument is described and various modes of operation and biological and clinical applications are discussed briefly.
Boundaries, Control, and the Cyborg

N. Katherine Hayles. How We Became Posthuman: Virtual Bodies in Cybernetics, Literature, and Informatics. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1999. xiv. 350 pp.
Reprint of “Hurdles and pitfalls in measuring antioxidant efficacy: A critical evaluation of ABTS, DPPH, and ORAC assays”

Assays developed to measure radical scavenging ability of natural compounds have been used as a basis for ranking and recommending best foods for consumption. However, assays often were adapted for screening assays with inadequate consideration of reaction chemistry, particularly kinetics. Recent research results raise serious questions about the chemistry, execution, and application of these assays. This paper critically evaluates conceptual and technical issues that limit use and compromise validity of three commonly-used assays – TEAC/ABTS•+, DPPH, and ORAC. Recommendations are made for discontinuing use of ABTS•+ and DPPH radicals for measuring radical quenching, redirecting them instead to distinguishing electron transfer reaction mechanisms. Conditions required for accurate results in ORAC are reviewed, and recommendations are made for redirecting this assay to distinguishing compounds that quench radicals by hydrogen atom transfer. The mechanistic information so gained can be then applied to understanding how natural antioxidants can be used most effectively in foods.
Kronos Observatory Operations Challenges in a Lean Environment

Kronos is a multiwavelength observatory designed to map the accretion disks and environments of supermassive black holes in various environments using the natural intrinsic variability of the accretion-driven sources. Kronos is envisaged as a Medium Explorer mission to NASA Office of Space Science under the Structure and Evolution of the Universe theme. We will achieve the Kronos science objectives by developing cost-effective techniques for obtaining and assimilating data from the research spacecraft and its subsequent work on the ground. The science operations assumptions for the mission are: (1 Need for flexible scheduling due to the variable nature of targets, (2) Large data volumes but minimal ground station contact, (3) Very small staff for operations. Our first assumption implies that we will have to consider an effective strategy to dynamically reprioritize the observing schedule to maximize science data acquisition. The flexibility we seek greatly increases the science return of the mission, because variability events can be properly captured. Our second assumption implies that we will have to develop some basic on-board analysis strategies to determine which data get downloaded. The small size of the operations staff implies that we need to "automate" as many routine processes of science operations as possible. In this paper we will discuss the various solutions that we are considering to optimize our operations and maximize science returns on the observatory.
Decision checkpoints in the thymus

The development of T cells in the thymus involves several differentiation and proliferation events, during which hematopoietic precursors give rise to T cells ready to respond to antigen stimulation and undergo effector differentiation. This review addresses signaling and transcriptional checkpoints that control the intrathymic journey of T cell precursors. We focus on the divergence of alphabeta and gammadelta lineage cells and the elaboration of the alphabeta T cell repertoire, with special emphasis on the emergence of transcriptional programs that direct lineage decisions.
Social class and social liberalism

The relationship between social class and politics has been a central concern of political sociologists over the years. Recently various scholars have contended that the last twenty years have witnessed the emergence of noneconomic or social issues (e.g., equal rights, personal freedom) and of a “middle class” liberalism, especially on these social issues. In fact, it was claimed that this “privileged radicalism” has led to an inversion of the traditional relationship between class and political ideology, as now it is the middle class which is more supportive than the working class of liberal positions on the important social issues of the day. In this paper we subject these claims to a rigorous empirical test using 1973–1982 NORC data. Our findings indicate that there is little support forclass differences in social liberalism, and that most of the apparent differences are due to education. Furthermore, affluence does not have a consistent effect on social liberalism. Finally, we discuss the implications of our analyses for the nature of class differences in American society.
Influences of Ta, Nb, or Mo additions in Zr-based bulk metallic glasses on microstructure and thermal properties

Abstract The master-alloy ingots for casting bulk metallic glasses are routinely prepared by arc melting a mixture of pure elements. This paper addresses the difficulty in achieving complete and homogeneous melting of refractory component additions in Zr-based BMGs using the above procedure, and its influences on the microstructure and thermal behavior of alloys.
On the Rigid-Body Motion of Traveling, Sagged, Elastic Cables

This paper presents a methodology for modeling very flexible structures. A theory for the dynamics of traveling, arbitrarily sagged, elastic cables is developed for demonstration of this methodology. In this theory, the cable motion is modeled through the rigid-body motion and elastic deformation, and the rigid-body motion of cable configuration is modeled as an inextensible cable model. The dynamic, rigid-body configuration of a cable is a referenced base to describe its elastic deformation motion for any instantaneous moment. In this paper, the analytical solution for the rigid-body motion of the cable under a certain loading is developed as Part I of this investigation. From the dynamical configuration of the rigid-body motion of cable, an elastic motion of nonlinear cables is further investigated in sequel as the part II. This theory can be applied any cable structures and the methodology is useful for the perfectly flexible structures such as membranes.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Optimal dynamic behavior of a market maker in choosing bid and asked prices

Abstract Dynamic programming is used to describe a specialist's choice of bid and asked prices given uncertainty about both limit and market orders. The role of limit orders is emphasized. Optimal quotes depend on the composition of limit orders, the size of the specialist's position, and the time of day. The optimal bid-ask spread, however, depends only on the composition of the book. The capitalized value of the specialist's franchise is studied. Long-run probability distributions for bid and ask prices are obtained, which show that the variances of these prices increase as the end of the day approaches.
Coronary Arteriography: Prevention of Thromboembolic Complications Using a Pressure‐Drip Flushing Technique

All selective coronary arteriographic examinations (1,833) performed in the authors' laboratory during a five-year period (1/1/70 to 12/31/74) were analyzed for mortality and total morbidity according to method used. During the first two years, the control period, the classic brachial artery cutdown (Sones) and percutaneous femoral artery puncture (Judkins) techniques were utilized. Mortality rate for the total 589 patients was 1.01%. This included a mortality of 0.26% (1/386) for the brachial arteriotomy method, and 2.5% (5/203) for the percutaneous femoral puncture approach. After introduction of the pressure-drip flushing technique, the subsequent three-year mortality rate for a total of 1,244 patients was 0.16%. This included an incidence of 0.17% (1/585) for brachial arteriotomy and 0.15% (1/659) for modified percutaneous puncture techniques. The morbidity incidence during the initial two-year period was 3.0% (18/589). This included an incidence of 2.0% for brachial arteriotomy and 5.0% for percutaneous puncture techniques. After institution of the new pressure-drip flushing technique the total incidence fell to 1.2% equally divided between arteriotomy and percutaneous techniques. Modification of the classic percutaneous femoral artery puncture technique has resulted in major reduction of mortality and morbidity complications which are chiefly thromboembolic in nature. It has not significantly influenced local thrombotic complications of arteriotomy.
The promise of heavy ion fusion

In his paper in this issue, Dr. David Crandall of the Office of Fusion Energy presented DOE budget figures for magnetic fusion energy (MFE) and inertial fusion energy (IFE). Funding for IFE decreased from about $9M in FY91 and FY92 to $7.7M in FY93. The Bush budget for FY94 allocated $6.5M for IFE. Clearly the trend is down. In contrast, the FY93 budget for MFE is $330.7M and the Bush budget allocated $416.6M for FY94. These trends force one to ask if there should be an IFE program. In the authors opinion the answer to this question is emphatically affirmative. The remainder of this paper explaines the reasons for this opinion. The paper will emphasize heavy ion inertial fusion (HIF), but many of the reasons apply to any inertial fusion system. There are numerous studies, detailed calculations, and experiments that support the conclusion that HIF is promising: however, enough `promising` fusion schemes have come and gone that many fusion researchers (and politicians) have developed some skepticism about the results and projections of studies, calculations, and even some experiments. To be believable, results and projections must be consistent with scientific, technological, and industrial experience. Therefore this paper will not emphasize detailedmore » studies, but rather plausibility arguments based on experience with large high-energy accelerators and common industrial practice.« less
Waveguiding characteristics of cholesteric/nematic and smectic liquid crystal thin films

Previous studies of liquid crystal waveguiding characteristics have indicated severe drawbacks in the case of nematic thin film waveguides (1). A theoretical characterization of the nematic system was developed utilizing a Green's function analysis of the depolarized scattering based on the thermal fluctuation theory of De Gennes (2). The calculations predict substantial losses for the zero-field case (∼ 28 dB/cm) and these, together with the predicted structure in the power distribution, have been experimentally verified. A modification of the analysis to include the effect of electric field quenching of the thermal fluctuations predicts that significant damping of the scattering losses should be possible in the case of nematic molecules possessing large positive dielectric anisotropy. This prediction has been experimentally confirmed in the case of a number of room temperature nematogens. However, there remains a fundamental limitation of all pure nematic waveguide systems. This is that the dynamic response of nematic materials is governed, in the case of decay (i.e. turn-off) time, solely by weak elastic restoring torques and is thus generally slow (∼ millisecond).
Small lymphocytic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of suppressor/cytotoxic T-cell phenotype [CD4(−), CD8(+)]

An unusual case of small lymphocytic non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of suppressor/cytotoxic T-cell phenotype is described. The patient presented with significant involvement of the spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow, but without a leukemic phase. Most small lymphocytic lymphomas are of B-cell phenotype, and those of T-cell origin are overwhelmingly of T-helper/inducer phenotype. Furthermore, T-cell lymphoproliferative lesions of suppressor/cytotoxic phenotype generally present as leukemias comprising large granular lymphocytes. This case reveals that suppressor/cytotoxic T lymphocytes may give rise to a lymphoproliferative disorder with a distinctive phenotype and presentation.
Principles and grand challenges for the future: a prospectus for the computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL) community

Six principles of future learning environments have emerged from the CSCL research community. These include: greater "sightlines" into learner, teacher and peer cognition; an increasingly salient role for modeling; increased connectivity between people, concurrent with a greater sense of individualization or "one-to-oneness"; fluid contextual mobility in learning, such as between virtual and real contexts or interoperability of individual, social and machine knowledge forms; and higher interactional bandwidth, or capacity of the environment to mediate meaningful content. Four grand challenges - large, worthy, and difficult tasks should occupy the attention of the CSCL community. Each is a frontier: a more visible and vibrant role for the tools and metaphors of the CSCL community in a troubled era of globalization; means for extending collaboration beyond cognitive models to a broader range of human experience; vitality in learning and collaboration through the life cycle; and unlocking group "flow" in the science of collaboration.
The electromagnetic force field, fluid flow field, and temperature profiles in levitated metal droplets

A mathematical representation was developed for the electromagnetic force field, the flow field, the temperature field (and for transport controlled kinetics), in a levitation melted metal droplet. The technique of mutual inductances was employed for the calculation of the electromagnetic force field, while the turbulent Navier - Stokes equations and the turbulent convective transport equations were used to represent the fluid flow field, the temperature field and the concentration field. The governing differential equations, written in spherical coordinates, were solved numerically. The computed results were in good agreement with measurements, regarding the lifting force, and the average temperature of the specimen and carburization rates, which were transport controlled.
Longitudinal Study of Serum Antibody Responses to Retinal Antigens in Acute Ocular Toxoplasmosis

We conducted a longitudinal study of five patients with anterior and posterior acute toxoplasmic uveitis to determine the relationships, if any, between the level of toxoplasmic activity, therapy, and serum antibody titers to retinal proteins. All patients showed increased serum antibody responses to S-, P-, or p59 ag -antigen isolated from bovine retina. The titers to S-antigen tended to decrease with clinical improvement and stabilized at titers somewhat higher than normal; the anti-p59 ag titers decreased in those patients treated with clindamycin and sulfadiazine and remained increased in the one untreated patient in this series. The anti-P titers increased throughout the acute attack and remained increased even after the attack ended.
The determination of toluene diisocyanate in air by high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

Abstract Rapid method is described for determining toluene diisocyanate in air, based on a simultaneous collection/derivatization step followed by reverse-phase, high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection of the derivatized toluene diisocyanate. The toluene diisocyanate is derivatized using p-aminophenol and the separated products are detected amperometrically in the oxidative mode at a Kel-F—graphite composite electrode. Whereas the recovery of loluene diisocyanate from dynamic air samples is comparable to that obtained by other reported methods (75–80%), the chromatographic step is characterized by a detection limit of 94 pg of toluene diisocyanate injected, a linear working range to beyond 12 ng of toluene diisocyanate injected, and a relative standard deviation of less than 2%. The procedure described represents an improvement in detection limit with reduced sample handling, compared to other reported methods, and readily lends itself to an automated continuous monitoring approach.
Monolayers of 11-trichlorosilylundecyl thioacetate: A system that promotes adhesion between silicon dioxide and evaporated gold

The use of sulfur-containing organic monolayer films improves adhesion between gold and silicon dioxide. The structures of these monolayers were analyzed using contact angle, ellipsometry, and XPS. The zone of adhesive failure was at or near the gold-monolayer interface.
Inline Low-k damage detection of Cu/Low-k interconnect using micro beam IR method

It has become more serious concern to quantify Low-k damage in Cu/Low-k interconnects. We investigated the relationship between the amount of OH group in Low-k material obtained from micro-beam IR method and the interconnect capacitance. And it was found that there is good correlation among them. Additionally, the micro-beam IR method sensitively detected modifications of amount of OH group for several kinds of treatment processes except for the NH 3 plasma treatment prior to Cu diffusion barrier dielectric deposition.
Influence of kinetin on the membrane permeability ofAllium cepa epidermal cells

Nous avons employe une methode plasmometrique pour etudier a permeabilite de la membrane d'Allium cepa. Apres avoir fait nager l'epiderme d'un oignon sur la solution de kinetin (2,5 mg/l) pendant 10 h, on a trouve que l'invariabilite de permeabilite a augmente quand elle a ete comparee a celles du controle. Le kinetin n'a pas d'influence sur la valeur osmotique reconnue des cellules de l'epiderme de l'oignon.
Parallel beam microradiography of dental hard tissue using synchrotron radiation and X-ray image magnification

Abstract A novel technique utilizing a highly parallel beam of monochromatic synchrotron radiation combined with X-ray image magnification has been used to obtain microradiographs of caries lesions in relatively thick tooth sections. Preliminary results reveal structural features not previously reported. This technique holds the promise of allowing one to follow the structural changes accompanying the formation, destruction and chemical repair of mineralized tissue in real time.