cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Design and Analysis of a High-Voltage-Gain Step-Up Resonant DC–DC Converter for Transportation Applications

Conventional power take-off (PTO) system in the automotive applications has shown some disadvantages such as low efficiency and high fuel consumption. Electrification for PTO system used in specialty vehicles requires the application of high-gain step-up dc–dc converter. A new candidate topology for high-voltage-gain step-up dc–dc converter using resonant technology has been proposed in this paper. In addition to its high voltage gain and wide input range, it also brings the benefits of low input current ripple, reducing current stress in switching devices and transformer, ZVS in two power MOSFETs, and ZCS in the rectifier diode operation over the full load range and high efficiency. Interleaved step-up topology helps the circuit to reduce the stress on the components, while it also decreases the transformer requirements. Series resonant tank is used to achieve ZVS and ZCS as well as extended voltage control. Detailed design analysis shows the impact of the transformer turns-ratio and resonant tank to the other circuit components. The input current ripple is also determined by the operating duty range. A 2-kW prototype has been built according to the design rules. The experimental results are used to verify the circuit operation and design analysis. A peak efficiency of 95.5% has been achieved for the prototype, and it shows an efficiency improvement compared with several other topologies.
Saturation-Recovery EPR Spin-Labeling Method for Quantification of Lipids in Domains of Biological Membranes

The presence of integral membrane proteins in biological membranes induces the formation of distinct domains in the lipid bilayer portion of these membranes. We were able to discriminate the existence of three lipid environments in intact fiber cell plasma membranes of the eye lens, namely bulk, boundary, and trapped lipids. However, our qualitative approach did not allow quantification of lipids in each domain. Recently, based on the continuous wave (CW) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of phospholipid analog and cholesterol analog spin labels, we developed a method that allows evaluation of the relative amount of phospholipids and cholesterol in the bulk lipid domain and in the boundary plus trapped lipid domain [M. Raguz, L. Mainali,W. J. O’Brien and W. K. Subczynski, (2015), Exp. Eye Res., 140:179-186]. Here, we will present a new approach that, based on saturation-recovery (SR) EPR, allows evaluation of the relative amount of phospholipids and cholesterol in the bulk plus boundary lipid domain and in the trapped lipid domain. Spectrometer conditions for the successful application of this method to quantify lipids in membrane domains are described. These two methods clearly demonstrate that the method's time window allows the separation of results from the different domains. CW EPR mixes results from the boundary and trapped lipids, while SR EPR mixes results from the bulk and boundary lipids. These two methods complement each other, providing a more complete picture of lipid lateral organization in intact membranes. The abilities of these methods are illustrated in the intact fiber cell plasma membranes from porcine eye lenses.Acknowledgments: This work was supported by grants EY015526, EB001980, and EY001931 from the National Institutes of Health.
Seizure and Confusion in an Elderly Woman with Bacteremia

An 89-year-old woman had a history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sick sinus syndrome requiring placement of a pacemaker, atrial fibrillation, hypertension, a cerebrovascular accident approximately 5 months prior, ischemic colitis, and Parkinson’s disease treated with carbidopa-levodopa. She presented after seizure-like activity after a recent hospitalization.
Development of an Innovative Dual-Coded Multimedia Application to Improve Reading Comprehension of Students With Imagery Deficit:

This study describes the development of an innovative multimedia application and examines teacher perceptions of its usefulness in assisting students with imagery deficit to visualize the reading c...
F 0 declination and reset in read speech of African American and White American women

Abstract This study evaluates F0 declination and reset in read speech produced by African American and White women speakers of American English as an active, linguistically-controlled process. The results demonstrate that African American women have less change in F0 over the duration of the breath group unit than White peers. There was no evidence of the use of final level or rising pitch as documented in informal African American English. The results indicate that in formal interactions, such as those expected in the educational and therapy settings, adult female African American speakers will use F0 declination and reset in sentence level breath groups in a manner consistent with White peers. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.
Everyday executive function in focal onset pediatric epilepsy on the parent-report BRIEF2

Executive function (EF) difficulties are a core neuropsychological feature of pediatric epilepsy, and parent-report measures of EF concerns are an important complement to task-based EF measures. The Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF) has shown sensitivity to parent-reported EF concerns in epilepsy and other pediatric populations. We compared profiles of parent-reported EF concerns using the BRIEF and its revision, the BRIEF2, in 117 pediatric patients with focal onset epilepsy to examine the clinical utility of the revised scale. We then compared BRIEF2 profiles between patients and age- and gender-matched healthy controls. Among patients, profiles on the BRIEF did not globally differ from the BRIEF2, and agreement was very good across scales. Patients and controls differed significantly on the BRIEF2, with patients showing higher EF difficulties reported by parents across most scales. High rates of clinical elevation among patients emerged on the Task Monitor, Plan/Organize, Working Memory, and Shift scales. Younger age of epilepsy onset, chronic epilepsy, and right hemisphere seizure focus were associated with higher parent-reported EF concerns. Findings suggest that the BRIEF2 demonstrates similar performance to the BRIEF among pediatric patients with focal onset epilepsy who are most at risk in the areas of task monitoring, working memory, planning and organization, and flexibility. These findings are informative when comparing literature across versions and provide additional insight into the nature of parent-reported EF difficulties among children with focal onset epilepsy.
Endoscopic submucosal dissection compared to endoscopic mucosal resection for early Barrett esophagus neoplasia

Abstract Endoscopic resection has become an invaluable diagnostic and therapeutic tool in the evaluation and management of early Barrett esophagus (BE) neoplasia. While endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is the current standard of care for the resection of nodular early BE neoplasia, endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) has been recently introduced as part of the armamentarium in the treatment of these lesions. The potential advantages of ESD compared to EMR include higher en-bloc and R0 resection rates, decreased local recurrence, and the procurement of large en-bloc specimens that may facilitate pathologic staging. On the other hand, EMR is less time-consuming and has been traditionally associated with a lower incidence of serious adverse events when compared to ESD. At present, the choice of the endoscopic resection technique hinges on operator’s preferences, patient and lesions characteristics and available local expertise. Future high-quality studies comparing clinical outcomes between ESD and EMR are needed to better define their roles in the management of early BE neoplasia.
Ocular Injury Presenting to a Level-III Pediatric Trauma Center.

The purpose of this study is to describe pediatric ocular injuries presenting to a level-III pediatric trauma center and emergency department. Methods We performed a retrospective study and identified children from January 1, 2011, to January 1, 2016. Charts were reviewed for any subject, age from newborn to younger than 18 years, based on International Classification of Diseases, ninth and tenth revision, codes for any ocular injury. Data abstraction included age, sex, means of arrival, eye involved, mechanism of injury, type of ocular injury, imaging studies obtained, procedures performed, location of definitive repair (in the operating room or emergency department), and subspecialty services involved. Results In the 5-year period, we describe 356 injuries among 278 children. Males had a slightly higher rate of presentation than females (156 and 122, respectively). Forty-three children (15.46%) required repair in the operating room. Dog bites comprised of 7.19% children with outpatient follow-up, one patient (0.36%) eventually developed anophthalmia, and 30 children (10.79%) had long-term ophthalmological sequelae (ie, glaucoma and blindness). Conclusions At our institution, a level-III trauma center, we evaluated and managed approximately 1 ocular injury case per week and children required surgical repair in the operating room at a higher rate than higher-level trauma centers. Injuries secondary to dog bites remain a clinically significant etiology.
Intranuclear inclusions in plasma cells and lymphocytes from patients with monoclonal gammopathies.

Ultrastructural studies of intranuclear inclusions in plasma cells and lymphocytes from patients with different forms of monoclonal gammopathies are presented. The inclusions occurred as two distinct morphologic and ultrastructural types. In three patients, two with IgA myeloma and one with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia, the inclusions were variably PAS-positive in routine sections and composed of electron-light amorphous material ultrastructurally. In one patient with an IgG monoclonal gammopathy, the plasma cells contained inclusions that were PAS negative by light microscopy and primarily osmiophilic ultrastructurally. One patient with an immunoblastic sarcoma and an IgM monoclonal had plasma cells with numerous inclusions of both types. There was a distinct spatial relationship between the electron-light amorphous material and the osmiophilic deposits in many of the inclusions in cells from this patient. In cells from two patients in which osmiophilic inclusions were found, they were present in the cytoplasm as well as the nucleus. The intranuclear inclusions appeared to develop from accumulation of material in the perinuclear cisterna, resulting in single or multiple invaginations of the nuclear structure.
Wavelength-shifting properties of luminescence nanoparticles for high energy particle detection and specific physics process observation

Ultraviolet (UV) photon detection is becoming increasingly important in the quest to understand the fundamental building blocks of our universe. Basic properties of neutrinos and Dark Matter are currently being explored through interactions with noble elements. In response to interactions with fundamental particles, these elements emit scintillation photons in the UV range. However, most available detectors have poor response in the UV so it is typically necessary to shift UV to a wavelength, matching the sensitivity of the viable detectors. We report on development of UV-enhanced photosensors using wavelength-shifting properties of nanoparticles. Several nanoparticle coatings were tested for absorption of UV light with subsequent emission in the visible wavelength for high energy particle detection. ZnS:Mn,Eu, ZnS:Mn, CuCy (Copper Cysteamine) and CdTe nanoparticles all exhibited enhanced detection for wavelengths in the range 200–320 nm in several different tests, while ZnS:Ag and CdS nanoparticle showed little or no enhancement in that range. In addition, various LaF3:Ce nanoparticle concentrations in approximately constant thickness of 2,5-diphenyloxazole (PPO)/polystyrene bases were also tested to optimize the nanoparticle concentration for the best outcome. Our studies indicated that ZnS:Mn,Eu, ZnS:Mn, Cu-Cy, CdTe and LaF3:Ce nanoparticles show potential for light detection from fundamental particle interactions.
Elaborating Linear Theories with Unmeasured Variables

In many cases investigators have a causal theory in which they place some confidence, but they are unsure whether the model contains all important causal connections, or they believe it to be incomplete but don’t know which dependencies are missing. How can further unknown causal connections be discovered? The same sort of question arises for the output of the PC or FCI algorithms when, for example, two correlated variables are disconnected in the pattern; in that case we may think that some mechanism not represented in the pattern accounts for the dependency, and the pattern needs to be elaborated. In this chapter we consider a special case of the “elaboration problem,” confined to linear theories with unmeasured common causes each having one or more measured indicators. The general strategy we develop for addressing the elaboration problem can be adapted to models without latent variables, and also to models for discrete variables. Other strategies than those we consider here are also promising; the Bayesian methods of Cooper and Herskovits, in particular, could be adapted to the elaboration problem.
Analysis of Dietary Fiber in Human Foods

The heterogeneity of the components of dietary fiber and the complexity and differences among the plant matrices from which fiber is extracted have made it difficult to develop methods of analysis that can be applied to all classes of fiber-containing foods, i.e., fruits, vegetables, legumes, and grain products. Different philosophies as to what constitutes dietary fiber have also led to confusion. Our laboratory defines dietary fiber as lignin plus the polysaccharides that cannot be digested by monogastric endogenous enzymes. In this chapter, emphasis is given to methods of fiber analysis developed or used for a variety of human foods. This chapter is not intended to be an exhaustive review of the many methods of fiber analysis that have been developed for specific or general analytical use. Analytical differences that may account for different results among the methods are illustrated. However, because of the paucity of comparative analyses, the review of the possible causes of variable fiber values should be viewed as incomplete as well.
Biological response modifiers in the treatment of malignant brain tumours: Role of interferons and retinoids

The retinoids and type I interferons constitute the 2 principal classes of biological response modifiers (BRMs) that have demonstrated activity in the treatment of malignant cerebral tumours, and are associated with fewer of the adverse effects induced by conventional chemotherapeutic agents. These BRMs share numerous common characteristics that may underlie their observed clinical efficacy. First, both classes of agent activate intracellular signal transduction pathways that, at numerous points, are capable of antagonising the oncogenic effects of growth factor-stimulated pathways in tumour cells. Secondly, the intracellular signals initiated by these BRMs ultimately lead to the activation of a multitude of genes; these genes, in turn, encode anti-tumourigenic functions that are distinct from the classic cytotoxic effects of conventional chemotherapeutic agents, such as the induction of differentiation and the inhibition of angiogenesis. Thirdly, while both classes of BRMs have demonstrated encouraging results in clinical trials when used as monotherapy, there is evidence that they may act synergistically when used in combination with each other or with conventional chemotherapeutic agents. With further refinements, the BRMs may develop into important adjunctive agents in the treatment of patients with malignant brain tumours.
Novel fabrication of flexible perovskite photosensor using capillary motion

Flexible sensors offer advantages such as light weight, cost effective, the potential to be manufactured with roll-to-roll equipment and to be used in portable and wearable devices. To remain as a cost-effective device, there is a need to reduce fabrication process expenses while preserving high sensitivity and responsivity. In this paper we demonstrate a novel method for facile fabrication of lead halide perovskite photosensor on a flexible substrate with high sensitivity. Capillary motion of perovskite precursor was employed as a convenient and simple technique to create a patterned layer of perovskite. Scanning electron microscope was employed to characterize fabricated perovskite layer. Fabricated layer was used in an ITO-perovskite-ITO structure to be used as a photosensor. Electrical and optical characteristics of the device have been investigated. The responsivity and the sensitivity of the device at 2.0 V were measured to be 0.1 A/W and 172, respectively. Finally, optical properties of the fabricated device were compared with another photodetector fabricated by conventional lithography process. The photocurrent of the sample, made by utilizing capillary motion, at 2.0 V was found to be 211 nA which was 2.8 times higher than the photocurrent of the sample made by traditional method (76 nA at 2.0 V). This novel method has shown great potential for commercial application.
Linking Exposure and Kinetic Bioaccumulation Models for Metallic Engineered Nanomaterials in Freshwater Ecosystems

We developed a model (nanoBio) to simulate long-term kinetic bioaccumulation of metallic engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) across trophic levels within a freshwater aquatic ecosystem based on current understanding of environmental and biological fate. Seven species were chosen to understand exposure pathways, accumulation through trophic levels, and the potential for biomagnification. Uptake, elimination, and dissolution of the ENM are the only processes modeled, though different routes and rates are accounted for with each species. We explored the bioaccumulation of nCuO, nTiO2, and nZnO. nanoBio estimates the potential range in average body concentration across populations. Estimated bioconcentrations ranged from 1.7 × 10–8 pg nCuO g–1 for Selenastrum capricornutum to 27 μg nTiO2 g–1 for Oncorhynchus mykiss. The highest overall biomagnification was predicted for nTiO2 within the highest trophic level species. ENM dissolution decreases total biomagnification; however, the released metal ions may still caus...
Report of the AAPM TG-256 on the relative biological effectiveness of proton beams in radiation therapy

The biological effectiveness of proton beams relative to photon beams in radiation therapy has been taken to be 1.1 throughout the history of proton therapy. While potentially appropriate as an average value, actual relative biological effectiveness (RBE) values may differ. This Task Group report outlines the basic concepts of RBE as well as the biophysical interpretation and mathematical concepts. The current knowledge on RBE variations is reviewed and discussed in the context of the current clinical use of RBE and the clinical relevance of RBE variations (with respect to physical as well as biological parameters). The following task group aims were designed to guide the current clinical practice: Assess whether the current clinical practice of using a constant RBE for protons should be revised or maintained. Identifying sites and treatment strategies where variable RBE might be utilized for a clinical benefit. Assess the potential clinical consequences of delivering biologically weighted proton doses based on variable RBE and/or LET models implemented in treatment planning systems. Recommend experiments needed to improve our current understanding of the relationships among in vitro, in vivo, and clinical RBE, and the research required to develop models. Develop recommendations to minimize the effects of uncertainties associated with proton RBE for well-defined tumor types and critical structures.
Gender, Sexual Orientation, and Behavioral Norms in the Labor Market:

The author examines bias and behavioral norms based on sex and sexual orientation in the labor market. Using an online laboratory setting, participants were asked to evaluate resumes that were mani...
Triazolines 24. Permanganate‐catalyzed low temperature thermolysis of 5‐(4‐pyridyl) substituted 1,2,3‐triazolines

Potassium permanganate oxidation of 1-aryl-5-(4-pyridyl)-1,2,3-triazolines I in a benzene-water two-phase system using the phase-transfer catalyst tetrabutylammonium chloride yields the corresponding 1H-1,2,3-tri-azoles II. However, when the reaction is run in a single phase in anhydrous benzene alone, the products are not triazoles, but imines III that can normally be obtained only by high-temperature thermolysis of the tri-azolines. The presence of both potassium permanganate and tetrabutylammonium chloride to yield the benzene soluble tetrabutylammonium permanganate ion pair appears essential for imine formation, although only in catalytic amounts. Thus a reaction pathway is proposed, which involves the initial coordination of the pyridyl nitrogen with the manganese atom of the permanganate ion leading to IV, followed by loss of nitrogen and regeneration of the permanganate ion via the dihydropyridine intermediates, V and VI, to yield the enamine VII, which tautomerizes to the imine III. Supportive evidence for the formation of IV is derived from the failure of 1,5-diaryl- and l-aryl-5-(3-pyridyl)triazolines to yield the respective imines; they lack the structural requirements necessary to comply with the proposed mechanism, and are recovered unchanged. Unlike the high temperature pyrolysis, the permanganate catalyzed low temperature thermolysis reactions provide cleaner products in better yields. Thus, the low temperature thermolysis may afford a route for the synthesis of clean samples of l-arylimino-l-ethyl-4-pyridines, especially when the triazolines are on hand.
Hip abductor tears in ischiofemoral impingement

Ischiofemoral impingement (IFI) is associated with abnormalities of the quadratus femoris muscle and narrowing of the ischiofemoral (IF) and quadratus femoris (QF) spaces. The hip abductors play an important role in pelvic stability and abductor tears might play a role in the pathophysiology of IFI. The purpose of our study was to assess the association between hip abductor tears and IFI on MRI. The study was IRB approved and HIPAA compliant. Inclusion criteria were MRI findings of IFI (narrowing of the IF space ≤ 15 mm or QF space ≤ 10 mm with associated ipsilateral quadratus femoris edema or fatty infiltration/atrophy). Two MSK radiologists assessed hip/pelvic MRIs and integrity of the tensor fascia lata, gluteus medius, and minimus tendons. IFI and control groups were compared with a two-tailed Student t test or chi-squared test. We identified 140 patients with MRI findings of IFI (mean age 56 ± 13 years, 130 f, 10 m) and 140 controls of similar age and sex. Patients with IFI had a higher prevalence of gluteus medius/minimus partial tears (37 vs 21, p = 0.02) and full-thickness tears (24 vs 21, p = 0.03). Patients with IFI had a higher prevalence and higher grade of gluteal muscle atrophy compared with controls (p < 0.03). There were no tears of the tensor fascia lata in either group. Patients with IFI had a higher prevalence of abductor tears and abductor muscle atrophy compared with matched controls. This suggests that abductor tears might play a role in the pathophysiology of IFI.
Fluoropyrimidine Modulation of the Anti-Tumor Immune Response―Prospects for Improved Colorectal Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy modulates the anti-tumor immune response and outcomes depend on the balance of favorable and unfavorable effects of drugs on anti-tumor immunity. 5-Florouracil (5-FU) is widely used in adjuvant chemotherapy regimens to treat colorectal cancer (CRC) and provides a survival benefit. However, survival remains poor for CRC patients with advanced and metastatic disease and immune checkpoint blockade therapy benefits only a sub-set of CRC patients. Here we discuss the effects of 5-FU-based chemotherapy regimens to the anti-tumor immune response. We consider how different aspects of 5-FU's multi-factorial mechanism differentially affect malignant and immune cell populations. We summarize recent studies with polymeric fluoropyrimidines (e.g., F10, CF10) that enhance DNA-directed effects and discuss how such approaches may be used to enhance the anti-tumor immune response and improve outcomes.
Towards a Modernism with Meaning: Beckett’s Refugees

This chapter explores the figure of the refugee in Beckett in a double sense. In the first instance, it considers Beckett’s work as comment on the fate of the international, political victim who suffers forced migration. In the second sense, it analyses the feeling of Beckett’s work as one representative of a mobile subjectivity that challenges Cartesian self-containment and with it forms of subjectivity that exclude the other. By studying, however briefly, Beckett’s lifelong affinity with those experiencing enforced movement, one begins to understand his mature artistic and aesthetic vision as one characterised by migration and exile.
The relationship between native English-speaking learners’ perception and lexical representation of Hindi affricates

Research often demonstrates discrepancies between learners’ perception and encoding of novel lexical contrasts. In some cases, L2 learners appear to establish contrastive lexical representations that are undermined by online perceptual neutralization (e.g., Cutler and Weber, 2006). In others, L2 learners’ target-like online perceptual representations access non-target-like lexical representations (e.g., Darcy et al., 2013). Here we further investigate the relationship between learners’ perceptual and lexical representation of novel contrasts in order to better understand the source of the difficulty that they face. Two groups of naive English speakers learned 5 minimal pairs distinguished by the notoriously difficult [t Π]-[t ʃʰ] aspiration or [t ʃʰ]-[dʒh] voicing contrast among Hindi affricates. Following a word learning phase, participants were tested on their perception and lexical representation of the novel contrasts. We observed that while listeners generally demonstrated perceptual sensitivity to the two affricate contrasts, they failed to encode the novel contrast lexically. Interestingly, there was a significant positive correlation between participants’ perceptual acuity and their ability to contrast newly learned minimal pairs, suggesting that learner’s ability to encode a novel segmental contrast may be predicted by their pre-existing perceptual sensitivity, as has been reported for lexical tone contrasts (e.g., Perrachione et al., 2011).
An Algorithm for Adaptive Determination of Radar Coherent Integration Time

A method for adaptively determining a desirable coherent integration time for radar observations of a moving clutter target is examined. A signal model appropriate for such measurements is first defined, along with an approach for estimating the coherence time from measured data. This coherence time estimate is then used as the coherent integration time in a reprocessing of the measured data. Simulations are shown that illustrate the potential advantages of this approach in reducing the variance of the clutter power estimate, particularly at low clutter to noise ratios, as compared to a purely incoherent integration. However the initial correlation time estimator examined is found to be ineffective, so that alternate strategies are required to obtain the desired performance improvements.
Influenza vaccination coverage among persons seeking outpatient medical care for acute respiratory illness in five states in the United States, 2011-2012 through 2018-2019

Abstract Background In the United States (U.S.), annual influenza vaccination has been recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months with the Healthy People 2020 coverage target of 70%. However, vaccination coverage has remained around 42–49% during the past eight influenza seasons. We sought to quantify influenza vaccination coverage and factors associated with vaccination in persons seeking outpatient medical care for an acute respiratory illness (ARI). Methods We enrolled outpatients aged ≥6 months with ARI from >50 U.S. clinics from 2011 to 2012 through 2018–2019 influenza seasons and tested for influenza with molecular assays. Vaccination status was based on documented receipt of the current season’s influenza vaccine. We estimated vaccination coverage among influenza-negative study participants by study site, age, and season, and compared to state-level influenza coverage estimates in the general population based on annual immunization surveys. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine factors independently associated with receipt of influenza vaccines. Results We enrolled 45,424 study participants with ARI who tested negative for influenza during the study period. Annual vaccination coverage among influenza-negative ARI patients and the general population in the participating states averaged 55% (range: 47–62%), and 52% (range: 46–54%), respectively. Among enrollees, coverage was highest among adults aged ≥65 years (82%; range, 80–85%) and lowest among adolescents aged 13–17 years (38%; range, 35–41%). Factors significantly associated with non-vaccination included non-White race, no college degree, exposure to cigarette smoke, absence of high-risk conditions, and not receiving prior season influenza vaccine. Conclusions Influenza vaccination coverage over eight seasons among outpatients with non-influenza respiratory illness was slightly higher than coverage in the general population but 15% lower than national targets. Increased efforts to promote vaccination especially in groups with lower coverage are warranted to attain optimal health benefits of influenza vaccine.
Unusual upper critical fields of the topological nodal-line semimetal candidate Sn x NbSe 2-δ

We report superconductivity in SnxNbSe2-δ, a topological nodal-line semimetal candidate with a noncentrosymmetric crystal structure. The superconducting transition temperatureTcof this compound is extremely sensitive to Sn concentrationxand Se deficiencyδ, 5.0 K for Sn0.13NbSe1.70and 8.6 K for Sn0.14NbSe1.71and Sn0.15NbSe1.69. In all samples, the temperature dependence of the upper critical fieldHc2(T) differs from the prediction of the Werthamer-Helfand-Hohenberg theory. While the zero-temperature value of the in-plane upper critical field of SnxNbSe2-δwith the higherTcis lower than the BCS Pauli paramagnetic limitHP, that of the lowerTcsample exceedsHPby a factor of ∼2. Our observations suggest that a possible odd-parity contribution dominates the superconducting gap function of SnxNbSe2-δ, and it can be fine-tuned by the Sn concentration and Se deficiency.
Traumatic Brain Injury

Patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) pose an enormous clinical, emotional, and intellectual challenge to rehabilitation professionals. For public policymakers, the cost of care for approximately 6 million survivors of TBI is measured in the billions of dollars. In addition to the motor, sensory, and language deficits commonly seen in nontraumatic etiologies, the patient with TBI often experiences cognitive and/or behavioral manifestations that alter his or her ability to benefit from the rehabilitation process, and requires innovative treatment strategies on the part of the rehabilitation team. Beyond the core disciplines (physiatry, physical/occupational therapy, and speech/language pathology), neuropsychology services are added to provide cognitive and behavioral assessment, treatment, and guidance to the remainder of the treatment team.
Temporal Lobe and Frontal-Subcortical Dissociations in Non-Demented Parkinson’s Disease with Verbal Memory Impairment

Objective The current investigation examined verbal memory in idiopathic non-dementia Parkinson’s disease and the significance of the left entorhinal cortex and left entorhinal-retrosplenial region connections (via temporal cingulum) on memory impairment in Parkinson’s disease.
Similarities between the growth dynamics of university research and of competitive economic activities

Quantifying the dynamics of research activities is of considerable current interest, not least because of recent changes in research and development (RD and the width of this distribution decays with size as a power law. These findings are quantitatively similar to those of business firms10,11,12,13,14, and so are consistent with the hypothesis that the growth dynamics of complex organizations are governed by universal mechanisms. One possible explanation for these similarities is that the combination of peer review and government direction leads to an outcome similar to that induced by market forces (where the analogues of peer review and government direction are, respectively, consumer evaluation and product regulation).
Nanosensors for Environmental Applications

The sections in this article are Introduction Overview Sensor Piezoelectric Cantilever Sensors (PECS) Theory of PECS Unimorph PECS with a Nonpiezoelectric Extension Examples of Detections Immobilization and In-solution Quantification of Yeast Cells Detection of Binding of Biotinylated Polystyrene Spheres to Immobilized Avidin Detection of Avidin Immobilization at the Cantilever Tip Salmonella typhimurium Detection Nerve Gas Simulant Detection Piezoelectric Cantilever Miniaturization PMN-PT/Cu Microcantilevers PZT/SiO2 Microcantilevers and PZT/SiO2-Si3N4 Nanocantilevers Conclusions Acknowledgment
Properties of reticulum cell sarcomas in SJL/J mice: IV. Minimal development of cytotoxic cells despite marked proliferation to syngeneic RCS in vivo and in vitro

Abstract Lymphoid cells from normal SJL/J mice gave high proliferative responses but failed to develop cytotoxic activity to γ-irradiated cells from syngeneic transplantable reticulum cell sarcomas (X-RCS). In spite of a vigorous in vivo proliferative response to X-RCS, cytotoxic activity was never generated to detectable levels in vivo. After repeated injections of X-RCS, spleen and, to a lesser degree, lymph node cells acquired the ability to give moderate secondary cytotoxic responses in vitro upon co-culture with X-RCS. This immunity was T-cell mediated and specific for RCS although it did not distinguish between different transplantable RCS lines. SJL/J mice also developed resistance to RCS growth after injection of X-RCS, which showed a transient RCS-line-specific component. (SJL/J × C57B1/6)F1 mice showed 60% less RCS growth than did SJL/J mice, and their lymphoid cells gave slightly lower proliferative responses than did cells from SJL/J mice, whereas (SJL/J × BALB/c)F1 mice showed little tumor growth, and their spleen cells proliferated only minimally to X-RCS. B10.S mice allowed moderate RCS growth. Cytotoxic activity was generated in co-cultures with X-RCS of immunized F1 spleen cells even after a single immunization in vivo but not in cultures of normal F1 cells with X-RCS.
Adaptive Inferential Control

The use of model based controllers such as Inferential (Internal Model) Control has been increasing in the process industries. Controller design is straightforward when the process model is an accurate representation of the process. Since the model is always only an approximation to the physical process, for stable, robust performance the controller must be tuned for the mismatch between the model and process. The adaptive tuning of inferential controllers has been investigated where the response speed of the controller is modified based on the observed closed loop performance. The asymptotic behavior of the adaptation algorithm together with a stability analysis of the closed loop system show that stable robust control performance will be obtained even with large modeling errors present. The specification and design of the adaptation algorithm is presented along with the application to several systems.
MINIMUM COST DESIGN OF ELEVATED TRANSIT STRUCTURES

The results of a minimum cost design study for a typical elevated transportation structure for rail transit are presented. Special emphasis is given to clarify the impact of major variables such as span length, beam spacing, and soil conditions on the partial cost of each structural subsystem, on the total cost of the structure and on the minimum cost span. Suitable minimum cost design procedures are rapidly reviewed and the influence of the structural material is presented. The analysis of the results obtained in this investigation and their comparison to results obtained by other investigators for different structural systems and materials lead to a number of simple guidelines particularly useful when planning and designing elevated transportation structures. Most importantly, it was found that the minimum cost span is not very sensitive to the soil conditions, to the vehicle loadings, to the structural system and material, and to the minimum cost procedure used.
From Sincerity to Authenticity: Adolescents' Views of the “True Self”

This study examined age-related trends in adolescents' view of sincerity and of honesty towards oneself. Subjects were 84 high school students in grades 8 to 12 (age range 12-18). Semistructured interviews with preplanned probes were used and analyzed using content categories reflecting different emphases on disclosing "facts" versus internal events (for sincerity) and on recognizing conflicts with others versus recognizing internal divisions (for honesty towards oneself). Results indicate clear age trends on these two dimensions and a close association between them. The age trends suggest that for the younger adolescent, being "genuine" consists mainly in disclosing facts that are in principle accessible to others. For the older adolescent, being genuine more frequently implies recognizing and expressing one's "true" nature. The findings are discussed both in light of recent research on the development of self-understanding and as challenging traditional paradigms of studying the self.
“Point and level systems”: Another way to fail children and youth

On the premise that the pervasive use of point and level systems in group care programs can be counter to therapeutic and developmental goals for children and youth, this article describes the specific nature of these practices, provides an analysis of their effects, and suggests constructive alternatives.
Effect of Cerebral Perfusion Pressure on Cerebral Cortical Microvascular Shunting at High Intracranial Pressure in Rats

Background and Purpose—Recently, we showed that decreasing cerebral perfusion pressure (CPP) from 70 mm Hg to 50 mm Hg and 30 mm Hg by increasing intracranial pressure (ICP) with a fluid reservoir induces a transition from capillary (CAP) to microvascular shunt (MVS) flow in the uninjured rat brain. This transition was associated with tissue hypoxia, increased blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability, and brain edema. Our aim was to determine whether an increase in CPP would attenuate the transition to MVS flow at high ICP. Methods—Rats were subjected to progressive, step-wise increases in ICP of up to 60 mm Hg by an artificial cerebrospinal fluid reservoir connected to the cisterna magna. CPP was maintained at 50, 60, 70, or 80 mm Hg by intravenous dopamine infusion. Microvascular red blood cell flow velocity, BBB integrity (fluorescein dye extravasation), and tissue oxygenation (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) were measured by in vivo 2-photon laser scanning microscopy. Doppler cortical flux, rectal an...
Visible persistence and form correspondence in Ternus apparent motion

Visual stimuli remain visible for some time after their physical offset (visible persistence) Visible persistence has been hypothesized to play an important role in determining the pattern of correspondence matching in the Ternus apparent-motion display. In this display, one or more elements reappears in overlapping locations at different times, whereas another element appears alternately to the right or the left of these elements. Usually either the elements are perceived to move coherently as a group (group motion), or one element may be perceived to hop over one or more other elements (element motion). According to the visible-persistence account of the perceptual organization of the Ternus display, element motion is seen when the temporal gap between elements in overlapping locations is small enough to be bridged by visible persistence; if it is not, group motion is seen. We conducted four experiments to test this visible-persistence account. In Experiments 1 and 2, a form correspondence cue (line length) was introduced to bias the visual system toward the element-motion interpretation, while visible persistence was either reduced or eliminated. The element-motion percept dominated despite the elimination of visible persistence. In Experiments 3 and 4, we found that Ternus elements presented without interruption, and thus presumably persisting over time, can be perceived in group motion. Together, the results indicate that visible persistence is neither necessary nor sufficient to account for the pattern of correspondence matches in the Ternus display.
Translocation of zinc may contribute to seizure-induced death of neurons

Rats were subjected to seizures induced by kainic acid, and the resulting changes in CNS zinc staining were studied with the toluene sulfonamide quinoline fluorescence method. Seizures caused a loss of zinc staining from presynaptic boutons in many limbic and cerebrocortical regions. Simultaneously, the postsynaptic neurons that were degenerating (acidophilic) in those regions as a result of the seizure developed intense fluorescence for zinc. A possible role for zinc in the death of the postsynaptic neurons is suggested.
Neuronal signaling systems and ethanol dependence

In recent years there have been remarkable developments toward the understanding of the molecular and/or cellular changes in the neuronal second-messenger pathways during ethanol dependence. In general, it is believed that the cyclic adenosine 3′, 5′-monophosphate (cAMP) and the phosphoinositide (PI) signal-transduction pathways may be the intracellular targets that mediate the action of ethanol and ultimately contribute to the molecular events involved in the development of ethanol tolerance and dependence. Several laboratories have demonstrated that acute ethanol exposure increases, whereas protracted ethanol exposure decreases, agonist-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in a variety of cell systems, including the rodent brain. Recent studies indicate that various postreceptor events of the cAMP signal transduction cascade (i.e., Gs protein, protein kinase A [PKA], and cAMP-responsive element binding protein [CREB]) in the rodent brain are also modulated by chronic ethanol exposure. The PI signal-transduction cascade represents another important second-messenger system that is modulated by both acute and chronic ethanol exposure in a variety of cell systems. It has been shown that protracted ethanol exposure significantly decreases phospholipase C (PLC) activity in the cerebral cortex of mice and rats. The decreased PLC activity during chronic ethanol exposure may be caused by a decrease in the protein levels of the PLC-Β1 isozyme but not of PLC-δ1 or PLC-γ1 isozymes in the rat cerebral cortex. Protein kinase C (PKC), which is a key step in the Pi-signaling cascade, has been shown to be altered in a variety of cell systems by acute or chronic ethanol exposure. It appears from the literature that PKC plays an important role in the modulation of the function of various neurotransmitter receptors (e.g., γ-aminobutyrate type A [GABAa], N-methyl-D-aspartate [NMDA], serotonin2A [5-HT2a], and 5-HT2C, and muscarinic [m1] receptors) resulting from ethanol exposure. The findings described in this review article indicate that neuronal-signaling proteins represent a molecular locus for the action of ethanol and are possibly involved in the neuroadaptational mechanisms to protracted ethanol exposure. These findings support the notion that alterations in the cAMP and the PI-signaling cascades during chronic ethanol exposure could be the critical molecular events associated with the development of ethanol dependence.
Potentiation of CCl4-induced hepatotoxicity in the dog by chronic exposure to phenobarbital

Abstract Carbon tetrachloride (CCl 4 ) hepatotoxicity was studied in normal and in phenobarbital-pretreated beagle dogs. The liver content of triglycerides (TG) and lipid peroxides, and activities of microsomal enzymes as well as serum glutamicoxaloacetic (SGOT) and glutamic-pyruvic (SGPT) transaminases were monitored for periods up to 24 hr after CCl 4 administration. CCl 4 alone produced no consistent changes in the parameters studied. Phenobarbital pretreatment produced significant increases in liver TG content, microsomal enzyme activities and SGPT activity. Phenobarbital pretreatment had no effect on CCl 4 -induced changes in glucose-6-phosphatase activity, but produced an immediate increase in lipid peroxide content, which declined to normal by 24 hr after treatment. The TG content of livers from phenobarbital-pretreated dogs began to increase by 3 hr after CCl 4 administration and continued to increase as the time after administration increased. Activities of SGOT and SGPT were strikingly increased 3 hr after administration of CCl 4 and were still apparently increasing 24 hr after treatment. CCl 4 administration to phenobarbital-treated dogs eliminated the increase in activities of all microsomal drug-metabolizing enzymes that were seen with phenobarbital pretreatment alone. It was concluded that phenobarbital produced a true potentiation of the toxicity of CCl 4 by apparently decreasing the threshold at which the hydrocarbon becomes toxic. The results produced no definitive evidence to explain the mechanism by which phenobarbital produces the increase in CCl 4 toxicity.
Prediction limits for the Weibull distribution utilizing simulation

Abstract A simulation-based procedure is suggested for constructing prediction limits for Weibull populations. This procedure is based on maximum likelihood (ML) estimation. Although computation of the ML estimates and determination of a needed percentile via simulation require a computer, we assert that the proliferation of personal computers makes these procedures more convenient than alternative procedures in the literature which require several specialized tables. This is particularly true for censored samples, since then the needed tables are generally incomplete and interpolation is required. Simulation may be used in all situations, i.e., any sample size, any level of Type II (failure) censoring, and any order statistic from a future sample. We illustrate our methods with three data sets from the literature.
The Role of Estrogen in the Modulation of Pituitary Sensitivity to LRF (Luteinizing Hormone-Releasing Factor) in Men1

The role of estradiol in modulating pituitary gonadotropin release in the human male was studied by evaluating the effects of clomiphene on the pituitary gonadotropin response to synthetic LRF (150 mug) in 6 eugonadal men. Administration of clomiphene (100 mg single daily dose time 5 days) induced a significant elevation of the basal levels of LH, FSH, estradiol and testosterone. However, the pituitary release of LH and FSH in response to LRF was markedly diminished by the clomiphene treatment. This finding suggests that in men, as in women, endogenous estradiol provides feedback regulation of gonadotropin output by the pituitary.