cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Presence of Mind: Thomistic Prudence and Contemporary Mindfulness Practices

Prudence, for Thomas Aquinas, is an intellectual virtue that requires coincident moral virtue for its sustainability. As such, prudence displays a way of living in which intellect, desire, and emotion are harmoniously integrated. This account resonates strongly with the aims of mindfulness practices within contemporary psychology and with the “interpersonal neurobiology” of Daniel Siegel, for whom health is understood as a context-responsive and narrative integration of cognition, emotion, and embodied experience that promotes and allows for stable self-identity and fulfilling interpersonal relationships. Similarly, prudence for Aquinas is an integrative virtue, integrating intellect and will, theory and context, action and agent, reason and emotion, past and future, the individual and his or her community, and the proximate and ultimate ends of human life. Contemporary mindfulness practices are at their best a school for prudence, and thus they shed an interesting light on Aquinas’s account. In turn, Aquinas’s account of prudence offers theological parameters for Christian participation in contemporary mindfulness practices.
Using Planar Probe Array Near Field Measurement to Obtain Accurate Far Field Antenna Pattern Efficiently

The objective of this paper is to illustrate that using a planar probe array over the measurement plane to do the near field measurements and applying computational electromagnetics method rather than the classical Fourier base methods to do the near-field (NF) to far-field (FF) transformation can obtain accurate far field antenna pattern efficiently. Also, in this approach there is no need to incorporate probe correction unlike in the existing approaches. This is accomplished by solving for the equivalent magnetic current over a plane near the original antenna source and then employing the method of moments approach to solve for the equivalent currents. In this methodology there is no need to satisfy the Nyquist sampling criteria and a super resolution can be achieved in the solution of the equivalent magnetic current to predict the operation of the antenna. The two components of the equivalent currents can be solved independently from the two components of the measured electric fields. Sample numerical results are presented to illustrate the potential of a novel planar near field to far field transformation for the planar near field measurement technique.
Pleural Effusion Outcomes in Intensive Care: Analysis of a Large Clinical Database.

Background:Pleural effusions are common in critically ill patients. However, the management of pleural fluid on relevant clinical outcomes is poorly studied. We evaluated the impact of pleural effu...
Dynamical ternary decays of excited projectile-like fragments

We study neutron-proton equilibration in dynamically deformed nuclear systems by investigating the correlations between the three largest fragments produced in collisions of $^{70}\mathrm{Zn}+^{70}\mathrm{Zn}$ at 35 MeV per nucleon. The rotation angle is interpreted as a measure of the duration of contact between the regions of the excited projectile-like fragment as it decays. In this work we address questions of whether there is a simultaneous or a double rupture scenario, sizing of the fragments, and alignment of the configuration.
Cross-section and polarization measurements of p - He 4 elastic scattering at GeV energies

We have measured the differential cross-section and the analyzing power (polarization) for $p$-$^{4}\mathrm{He}$ elastic scattering at incident kinetic energies of 0.56, 0.80, 1.03, 1.24, and 1.73 GeV. The experiment used a polarized proton beam incident on a liquid helium target and a single arm magnetic spectrometer to detect elastic scattering. Both the differential cross sections and the analyzing power show structure near $\ensuremath{-}t=0.25$ ${(\mathrm{G}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{V}/\mathit{c})}^{2}$ which decreases in magnitude with increasing energy. Both multiple scattering and optical model interpretations of the data are discussed.NUCLEAR REACTIONS elastic scattering, $p$-$^{4}\mathrm{He}$; GeV energies; measured differential cross section; measured polarization; comparison with theory.
Language Processing, Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of

Functional imaging has now been used to study the neurobiology of language for more than 20 years. In this article, we review the current literature from functional magnetic resonance imaging in the areas of phonological processing, word comprehension, sentence processing, and discourse comprehension. While this literature confirms a major role of the classical perisylvian regions of the left hemisphere in language processing, it has become increasingly apparent that there are important contributions to language processing from a wide network of brain areas, including many regions in the right hemisphere, sensory–motor regions, and other areas – particularly in the nonperisylvian regions of the temporal and parietal lobes. Of particular recent interest has been the role of sensory and motor cortices in semantic representation and the integration between verbal and nonverbal information during communication.
Ex-Post Coping Responses and Post-Disaster Resilience: a Case from the 2015 Nepal Earthquake

Using primary data gathered from a field survey in Sindhupalchowk, Nepal following the 7.8 magnitude earthquake in 2015, this paper investigates the role that households’ ex-post coping responses play in their economic and psychosocial recovery after disasters. For empirical estimation, we use a full-information multi-equation system and allow for contemporaneous correlation across equations to account for the processes that influence households’ responses. We find that financial access and labor adjustment opportunities increase the likelihood of higher economic resilience. On the other hand, while the adoption of financial coping strategies contributes to higher psychosocial resilience, we find that labor adjustment choices may disrupt family and social dynamics, thereby decreasing psychosocial resilience. Based on these findings, we argue that top-down post-disaster policy approaches face challenges in identifying tradeoffs across different aspects of wellbeing. Our findings underscore the importance of mobilizing local institutions and expanding market and non-market alternatives for post-disaster recovery.
Giant Inflammatory Polyps in Diverticular Disease Mimicking a Colonic Mass: A Potential Malignant Masquerader

BACKGROUND Inflammatory pseudopolyps (IPPs) are a common manifestation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) with more cases reported with ulcerative colitis than Crohn's disease. IPPs can grow to form large polyps which are called giant inflammatory polyps (GIPs). These polyps may cause an obstruction and form a mass-like lesion and surgical resection may be warranted. CASE REPORT A 65-year-old male without a previous history of IBD presented with abdominal discomfort, poor appetite, constipation, weight loss, and hematochezia. Due to the high suspicion of malignancy, a computed tomography (CT) scan was performed and showed a fixed lesion in the mid sigmoid colon highly concerning for a primary colon carcinoma, with scattered diverticula, and associated with elevated carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA). Colonoscopy was done but the scope could not be passed due to obstruction. Sigmoidectomy was performed which showed a huge noninvasive lesion, which looked like pseudopolypoid serpiginous mass as giant inflammatory polyp, with scattered diverticula. On microscopic examination, pathology showed a villous polyp with numerous inflammatory cells, without any dysplasia or carcinoma. CONCLUSIONS GIPs are rarely reported without a history of IBD. Diagnosis of GIPs can be very challenging, and surgery is sometimes indicated for definitive diagnosis.
Use of Interferon Alfa in the Treatment of Myeloproliferative Neoplasms: Perspectives and Review of the Literature.

Interferon alfa was first used in the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) over 30 years ago. However, its initial use was hampered by its side effect profile and lack of official regulatory approval for MPN treatment. Recently, there has been renewed interest in the use of interferon in MPNs, given its potential disease-modifying effects, with associated molecular and histopathological responses. The development of pegylated formulations and, more recently, ropeginterferon alfa-2b has resulted in improved tolerability and further expansion of interferon’s use. We review the evolving clinical use of interferon in essential thrombocythemia (ET), polycythemia vera (PV), and myelofibrosis (MF). We discuss interferon’s place in MPN treatment in the context of the most recent clinical trial results evaluating interferon and its pegylated formulations, and its role in special populations such as young and pregnant MPN patients. Interferon has re-emerged as an important option in MPN patients, with future studies seeking to re-establish its place in the existing treatment algorithm for MPN, and potentially expanding its use for novel indications and combination therapies.
SHE-MTJ circuits for convolutional neural networks

We report the performance characteristics of a notional Convolutional Neural Network based on the previously-proposed Multiply-Accumulate-Activate-Pool set, an MTJ-based spintronic circuit made to compute multiple neural functionalities in parallel. A study of image classification with the MNIST handwritten digits dataset using this network is provided via simulation. The effect of changing the weight representation precision, the severity of device process variation within the MAAP sets and the computational redundancy are provided. The emulated network achieves between 90 and 95\% image classification accuracy at a cost of ~100 nJ per image.
Who Is Susceptible to Online Health Misinformation

[ ]Guess et al recently reported that a brief digital media literacy intervention improved detection of fake news headlines in both the United States and India 2 Another perspective is that people tend to be susceptible to misinformation that is consistent with their preexisting beliefs or worldview 3 Considerable research has shown that people tend to preferentially believe information that is consistent with their other preexisting beliefs 3 However, recent research has found that people may not be as influenced by their preexisting attitudes as previously thought [ ]a recent study showed that a simple accuracy nudge that primes people to think about whether headlines are true is sufficient to increase the quality of COVID-19-related news content that people indicate they would share on social media 5 A Twitter field experiment employing a similar intervention has also reported promising results 7 These findings support the idea that people fall for misinformation because they fail to think about the accuracy of content that they come across on social media, not because they are exercising politically motivated reasoning or are simply confused about what is and is not true To summarize, there are three currently dominant (albeit not entirely mutually exclusive) theoretical perspectives addressing why certain people are susceptible to online misinformation: (1) being confused about what is true versus false, suggesting that knowledge or various literacies are a primary factor;(2) having strong preexisting beliefs or ideological motivations that lead to motivated reasoning and therefore a desire to believe and share misinformation;and (3) neglecting to sufficiently reflect about the truth or accuracy of news content that is encountered on social media
Discourses of Immigration and the Mediating Influence of Documentary Films

There is a demographic and democratic imperative for social studies teachers to broach the issue of contemporary immigration in their classrooms. In this study, preservice social studies teachers (...
Water scarcity & procedural justice in Honduras: Community-based management meets market-based policy

Abstract Ensuring adequate access to clean water remains a major challenge throughout the world, particularly in rural areas of the Global South. Community-based management (CBM) has been a common policy response to this challenge, whereby communities gain decision-making power over their own natural resources, and are also responsible for financial and technical issues. Household water metering is increasingly proposed as a complement to CBM because it facilitates transparency of use and provides the option of pay-per-use pricing, both of which are thought to help support the sustainable management of water supplies. However, metering and use-based fees are controversial and their implementation across various contexts has led to strong backlash that can undermine the management of community water systems. Drawing on ideas of procedural justice, we conducted a survey experiment with 689 residents across 12 communities in Honduras’ “dry corridor” to examine individual perceptions of the decision process for choosing to implement metering, or not, within the context of CBM. Our results show that more inclusive decision-making leads to higher perceived fairness of the process and appropriateness of the metering decision, irrespective of whether the individual personally agrees with the final decision. While inclusion matters in general, whether that takes the form of voting or deliberation did not make a large difference. The effect of inclusion was stronger among those who already agreed with the decision outcome. Finally, inclusion also had positive spillover effects on more technocratic outcomes, namely ratings of how effective and sustainable the resulting management of the water system was expected to be. This research suggests that the backlash observed against water metering projects around the world may have more to do with procedural injustice in decision-making than with resistance to metering itself.
Everyone Counts: Building a Culture of Respect

“The doctor treats me like an idiot.” “He doesn’t like people who ask questions.” “He makes me feel like I’m wasting his time.” (from a patient)
Creating playable social experiences through whole-body interaction with virtual characters

This paper describes work towards the goal of enabling unscripted interaction with non-player characters in virtual environments. We hypothesize that we can define a layer of social affordances, based on physical and non-verbal signals exchanged between individuals and groups, which can be reused across games. We have implemented a first version of that substrate that employs whole body interaction with virtual characters and generates nuanced, real-time character performance in response. We describe the playable experience produced by the system, the implementation architecture (based on the behavior specification technology used in Facade, the social model employed in Prom Week, and gesture recognition technology), and illustrate the key behaviors and programming idioms that enable character performance. These idioms include orthogonal coding of attitudes and activities, use of relational rules to nominate social behavior, use of volition rules to rank options, and priority based interleaving of character animations.
A New Framework for Building Secure Collaborative Systems in True Ad Hoc Network

Many-to-Many Invocation (M2MI) is a new paradigm for building secure collaborative systems that run in true ad hoc networks of fixed and mobile computing devices. M2MI is useful for building a broad range of systems, including service discovery frameworks; groupware for mobile ad hoc collaboration; systems involving networked devices (printers, cameras, sensors); and collaborative middleware systems. M2MI provides an object oriented method call abstraction based on broadcasting. An M2MI invocation means “every object out there that implements this interface, call this method.” M2MI is layered on top of a new messaging protocol, the Many-to-Many Protocol (M2MP), which broadcasts messages to all nearby devices using the wireless network’s inherent broadcast nature instead of routing messages from device to device. In an M2MI-based system, central servers are not required; network administration is not required; complicated, resource-consuming ad hoc routing protocols are not required; and system development and deployment are simplified.
Modulating cathepsin cleavage sites in HIV gp120 envelope protein alters the cellular immune response. (VAC7P.989)

A major goal in HIV vaccine development is to identify antigens that can elicit long-term, protective antibody and cellular responses. Limited success with native recombinant HIV gp120 proteins suggested altering antigen processing as an approach to improve the immunogenicity of the HIV gp120 protein. Cathepsins S and D are important proteases which play critical roles in antigen processing. Here, we have utilized recombinant HIV gp120 proteins with mutations at the cathepsin S site (T322T323) and D cleavage site (L181Y182) within HIV gp120 to investigate the effects of these mutations on MHC class I/II presentation to CD8+/4+ T cells. We have found that altering the cathepsin S site in the minimal epitope, IGPGRAFYTT from T322T323 to V322V323 might improve CD8+ T cell recognition to this epitope in the V3 domain. We are investigating the mechanisms by which this mutation might enhance the CD8 response. It is possible this mutation can increase the binding affinity by changing the anchor residue with the MHC I molecule, or it can prevent degradation of the minimal epitope, or both. In a mouse model, we found that gp120 elicited antigen-specific CD4+ T cell responses against the V1V2 domain. Currently, we are investigating whether the altered cathepsin sites in gp120 affect antigen-specific CD4+T cell responses to the V1V2 regions. As antigen processing plays an important role in immunogenicity, we speculate that HIV may exploit this process to escape recognition.
The Impact of Planned Visits on Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Objectives: To investigate whether planned visits improve glycemic, blood pressure and lipid control among patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). Methods: The study was conducted from July 2007 to February 2008 at a primary care clinic in Rancho Cordova, California. One hundred eighty-three patients were invited to come to a planned visit. On the day of the visit, they were provided a copy of their most recent test results and information on American Diabetes Association recommendations for A1C, lipid, and blood pressure control. Afterwards, they met with their physician for a 15-minute focused appointment. Finally, they met with a diabetic nurse educator. There was no subsequent contact with the nurse educator after the planned visit. We compared the baseline measurements to those from a follow-up visit with the primary care provider at a follow-up over a 6 month period. The comparison group in this study were those who did not accept the invitation for a planned visit. Their outcomes were monitored over the same time horizon. Results: One hundred eighty-three patients attended one of a total of five planned visit sessions. There were 212 patients in the comparison group. There were no significant differences for the measured baseline characteristics. There were significant improvements in A1C, LDL-C, and diastolic blood pressure control in the planned visit group. The mean A1C change was −0.61% (95% confidence interval, −0.28, −0.70); P 0.001). The mean LDL-C change was −8.8 mg/dL (95% confidence interval, −12.2, 6.1); P 0.05. The mean diastolic blood pressure change was −2.0 mmHg (95% confidence interval, −4.7, 6.7); P 0.05. Patients who participated in a planned visit also reported a significantly higher frequency of self-care behaviors and greater understanding about diabetes care. Discussion: Planned visits led to improvements in glycemic, lipid and blood pressure control over a 6 month observation period. Patients attending planned visits also reported improvements in self-care behaviors and a greater understanding about diabetes care.
Comparative Evapotranspiration of Seventeen Buffalograss (Buchloe dactyloides (Nutt.) Engelm.) Genotypes

ABSTRACT Evapotranspiration (ET) rates of 17 genotypes of buffalo-grass were measured over periods of 10-12 days in the greenhouse. Evapotranspiration averaged across all genotypes ranged from 0.37 to 0.56 cm day1 in three separate experiments. There were significant and consistent genotypic differences in average ET. The commercial variety ‘Plains’ and the experimental selection ‘Kenemer’ ranked highest, while ‘Nebraska 609/‘Nebraska 315,’ and ‘Topgun’ ranked among the lowest for ET. Average ET was highly correlated with growth rate in two of the three experiments, suggesting that differences in ET between genotypes were due to differential leaf growth. However, genotypic differences in ET also existed on day 1 following uniform mowing, and day 1 rankings were significantly correlated with rankings for average ET. This indicates that genotypic differences in ET may be due to factors in addition to leaf growth rate. The data document that considerable variability in ET is. present in buffalograss, and tha...
Cases of possible job discrimination based on hearing loss

Each year, complaints are filed at the Quebec and Canadian Human Rights Commission by individuals who have been refused employment because their hearing sensitivity does not meet the standards required by the employer. This paper presents four recent cases. The first case deals with a young fireman who, after having completed his training in a specialized school, was refused a job based on a unilateral hearing loss which had not been detected before entering the school. The second case relates to a police officer having a unilateral hearing loss which does not meet the criterion of a federal employer. The two last cases refer to two railroad workers who failed the pre-employment hearing examination because they were not allowed to wear their hearing aids during the tests. These four cases are discussed with the purpose of deriving a scheme of analysis which will take into consideration the Human Rights Acts and the current knowledge in the fields of audiology and ergonomics
E-Banking: Status, Trends, Challenges and Policy Implications

This paper addresses the definition and current situation of e-banking and the impact of e-banking on banking business. It also discusses the major application of e-banking. That is also the bottom line in whether e-banking can be viable in a country. The new challenges e-banking has brought and policy implications from the perspectives of society, banks, and regulatory authority as well as government are addressed.
Perspective and prospects for pincer ligand chemistry

This chapter presents a wide variety of tridentate pincer ligands, the chemistry that they enable to take place at a metal center, and the catalytic reactions they can perform. Tridentate pincer ligands have shown a long period of development and an explosive period of exploitation. The future of further developments of the usage of these ligand scaffolds also is bright and lucrative. While predictions of specific applications are speculative, it is clear that pincer ligands will have a strong impact on future research. The ability to produce such a broad spectrum of ligand properties is unparalleled compared to other ligand systems. The chapter concludes that pincer ligands will act as anchors for the future of organometallic chemistry.
An Optical Geometry Perspective on the Emerging Conformal Field Theory Behavior on the Cosmological Event Horizon: Massless Fermions on de Sitter Space

We have investigated the emerging conformal field theory behavior on the interior interface of the region near the cosmological event horizon on an example of massless Dirac fermions. Indeed, we have constructed and verified the emerging de Sitter/CFT correspondence for the near cosmological event horizon region. It is in this near horizon region where the infinitely thin shell of matter with the stiffest equation of state (Zeldovich's matter) is placed in the model for a thermodynamically stable `would be black hole' which is sometimes called a gravastar or a dark energy star. We put forward the hypothesis to the effect that the Zeldovich matter consists of the strongly correlated quanta which are best described by the emerging conformal field theory in the near `would be horizon' region of a gravastar/dark energy star.
Health Status Of Illiterate Adults: Relation Between Literacy And Health Status Among Persons With Low Literacy Skills

Background: In nonindustrialized nations, illiteracy is independently associated with poor health. The objective of this research was to determine whether such a relation exists in the United States. Methods: One hundred ninety-three persons were randomly selected from a group of adult students enrolled in a publicly funded literacy training program. Subjects’ health status was measured with the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), a behaviorally based measure of sickness-related dysfunction. Subjects’ literacy skills were also measured. Multivariate statistical techniques were then used to evaluate the relation between health status and literacy level and to adjust for confounding sociodemographic factors. Results: The physical health (measured by the SIP) of subjects with extremely low reading levels was poor compared with that of subjects with higher reading levels. The relation between reading level and physical health was statistically significant (P Conclusions: In the United States, illiteracy and poor health status are independently associated.
A Review of “The Crisis of the Twelfth Century: Power, Lordship, and the Origins of European Government”

The title of this massive work marks it as a major contribution to a tradition of scholarship on the twelfth century stretching back to Charles Homer Haskins's Renaissance of the Twelfth Century (H...
Pulmonary angiography using 16 slice multidetector computed tomography in normal dogs

We report a canine computed tomography (CT) pulmonary angiography technique using multidetector CT (MDCT). CT pulmonary angiography using a 16 slice MDCT was performed on five healthy, anesthetized beagles. A helical acquisition with pitch of 1.4 was used. The time delay for the angiographic study was determined using a bolus-tracking program. A dose of 400 mg I/kg of nonionic contrast medium (Iohexol 300 mg I/ml) was administered to each dog via a cephalic catheter using an angiographic power injector at a rate of 5 ml/s. In two dogs a second study, using a contrast medium dose of 200 and 600 mg I/kg was performed. Arterial enhancement of transverse and reformatted images was classified subjectively as excellent, good, or poor, and assessed objectively by measuring Hounsfield units at the right main pulmonary artery. Angiographic studies were evaluated by two radiologists to determine the number of subsegmental arterial branches visualized. The median number of subsegmental arterial branches identified was five (range: 2-7). Based on the time attenuation curve obtained by the bolus-tracking program, there was consistent enhancement of the right main pulmonary artery beginning at 6 s and peaking at 8 s in 4/5 dogs. The contrast medium dose of 400 mg I/kg produced good to excellent vascular enhancement in the same 4/5 dogs. A dose of 200 mg I/kg resulted in poor enhancement. CT pulmonary angiography using MDCT and an automated bolus-tracking program allows rapid, consistent evaluation of the pulmonary vasculature using a single dose of 400 mg I/kg of contrast medium.
Intravenous angiotensinogen antisense in AAV-based vector decreases hypertension

Angiotensinogen (AGT) has been linked to hypertension. Because there are no direct inhibitors of AGT, we have developed antisense (AS) inhibition of AGT mRNA delivered in an adeno-associated virus ...
Human cyclin-dependent kinase 2 is activated during the S and G2 phases of the cell cycle and associates with cyclin A

We have analyzed the cell cycle regulation of human cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2), a protein closely related to the cell cycle-regulatory protein kinase CDC2. We find that CDK2 activity, like that of CDC2, oscillates during the cell cycle in cultured mammalian fibroblasts. Unlike CDC2 activity (which peaks during mitosis), CDK2 activity rises in late G1 or early S phase and declines during mitosis. Active S-phase CDK2 migrates in multiple large complexes on gel filtration, and CDK2 in one of these complexes is associated with cyclin A. These findings suggest that CDK2 and CDC2, in association with distinct cyclins, regulate separate functions in the mammalian cell cycle.
A dipolar chain model for the electrostatics of transmembrane ion channels

Abstract Many ion selective channels contain a narrow region in which water molecules cannot pass one another. We model this “single file” domain by a linear chain of molecular dipoles embedded in continuum, low dielectric (ϵm = 2 ) slab surrounded by high dielectric (ϵ = ∞) continua. We present exact results for the free energy, polarization and susceptibility of the molecular dipoles as functions of an applied electric field and of the location of a cation in the chain. For parameters typical of the gramicidin channel we find that for an ion-free channel, the dipolar susceptibility is high at low electric fields. When an ion replaces one of the water dipoles in the chain the susceptibility is reduced 100-fold.
Extinctions of North American Fishes During the past Century

Abstract Extinctions of 3 genera, 27 species, and 13 subspecies of fishes from North America are documented during the past 100 years. Extinctions are recorded from all areas except northern Canada and Alaska. Regions suffering the greatest loss are the Great Lakes, Great Basin, Rio Grande, Valley of Mexico, and Parras Valley in Mexico. More than one factor contributed to the decline and extinction of 82% of the fishes. Physical habitat alteration was the most frequently cited causal factor (73%). Detrimental effects of introduced species also were cited in 68% of the extinctions. Chemical habitat alteration (including pollution) and hybridization each were cited in 38% of the extinctions, and overharvesting adversely affected 15% of the fishes. This unfortunate and unprecedented rate of loss of the fishery resource is expected to increase as more of the native fauna of North America becomes endangered or threatened.
Summability and vector amarts

We show that an operator is absolutely summing if and only if it maps amarts into uniform amarts, from which we can deduce a theorem of A. Bellow and another of Edgar-Sucheston. We also show that the absolute value of a Banach lattice valued potential is a potential if and only if the lattice is an A-M space from which we deduce that the L1-bounded amarts form a Ricsz space if and only if the space is finite dimensional.
Origin and chemical evolution of formation waters from Silurian-Devonian strata in the Illinois basin, USA

Abstract A suite of formation-water samples from Silurian-Devonian reservoirs in the Illinois basin has been analyzed for major, minor and trace element concentrations and for H, O and Sr isotopic compositions in order to interpret origin of salinity and geochemical evolution of brine compositions in this evaporite- and shale-poor cratonic basin. Although chloride concentrations range from 2000 to 137,000 mg/L, Cl Br ratios (291 ± 18) are consistent with those of seawater or seawater evaporated short of halite saturation (Cl/Br = 292). Thus, during Silurian-Devonian time, subaerially evaporated, penesaline brine entered the subsurface where it was chemically modified through brine-rock interactions. Cation Br ratios and mineralogy of associated strata indicate that Na and K were depleted through interaction with clay minerals, Ca was enriched and Mg depleted by dolomitization and Sr was enriched as a result of CaCO3 recrystallization and dolomitization. Although significant dilution of the modified brine with meteoric water is supported by δD-δ18O covariance, original marine waters have not been completely expelled from Silurian-Devonian strata. Hydrogen and oxygen isotopes exhibit covariant relations with cation and anion concentrations, implying that isotopic exchange between H2O and minerals has not greatly influenced the δD − δ18O trend. Brine 87 Sr 86 Sr ratios range from 0.7092 to 0.7108; when these ratios are plotted versus 1/Sr, a two-component mixing trend is suggested, although Sr concentrations have experienced local diagenetic modification. A 87Sr-enriched fluid may have accompanied petroleum migration from New Albany shales into adjacent Silurian-Devonian carbonates where it mixed with remnant evaporated seawater. This event probably preceded the influx of meteoric water, as /gdD and δ18O are not correlated with Sr isotopic compositions of formation waters.
Polymorphism and metastability in NbN: Structural predictions from first principles.

We use ab initio pseudopotential total-energy calculations with a plane-wave basis set to investigate the structural energetics of various phases of polymorphic NbN. Particular attention is given to its recently discovered superconducting phase with a ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$ of 16.4 K, reported to have the NbO structure type. Results of total-energy calculations show that it is in fact energetically unfavorable for NbN to form in this cubic structure, and its predicted theoretical lattice constant is significantly smaller than the experimental value. Various approaches to the identification of an alternative structure are discussed. In preliminary investigations, we have found two structures that are energetically more favorable than the NbO structure.
Crossing the threshold from accelerated substitution to elimination with a bifunctional macrocycle

A previously reported macrocyclic amine with anion binding amide residues can be N-alkylated at highly accelerated reaction rates to give quaternary ammonium products. This present study examines the reactivity with 1,2-disubstituted ethanes. Accelerated substitution is observed with 1,2-dichloroethane (5000 times faster than analogous control amines); whereas, accelerated elimination is the outcome with 3-halopropionitriles (10 000 times faster than analogous control amines). The structure of the protonated form of the macrocycle is analyzed by X-ray diffraction. The rates of elimination for 3-chloro, 3-bromo and 3-iodopropionitrile were measured and the relative order of second-order rate constants with triethylamine was 1 : 43 : 182 which reflects the expected order of leaving group abilities. In the case of the macrocycle, the relative order of second-order rate constants was 1 : 29 : 61. The macrocyclic cavity preferentially stabilizes the charge developing on the smaller and more basic Cl− leaving group. The kinetic data are consistent with a bimolecular syn elimination mechanism.
Lesions of the central nucleus of the amygdala I: Effects on taste reactivity, taste aversion learning and sodium appetite

Bilateral damage to the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeAX) in the rat blunts need-induced NaCl intake and abolishes daily need-free NaCl intake when measured with a two-bottle test. Such a deficit could be the result of impaired taste function. To assess the taste function of the CeAX rat various taste stimuli were introduced directly into the oral cavity and taste-elicited oral motor responses were measured. Oral motor responses elicited by 0.62 M and 0.13 M sodium chloride, 0.3 M sucrose and 0.01 M citric acid, were similar in control and CeAX rats. Additionally CeAX and control rats acquired a taste aversion for fructose or maltose when either was paired with LiCl. Finally, in CeAX rats, like in control rats, the pattern of oral motor responses to 0.5 M NaCl was dependent on internal state; sodium depletion dramatically altered taste-elicited oral motor behavior. These results suggest that, in the rat, the deficits in NaCl intake behavior that follow CeAX do not appear to be a result of dramatic changes in gustatory function.
Substrate specificity of the human proteasome

Abstract Background: Regulated proteolysis by the proteasome is crucial for a broad array of cellular processes, from control of the cell cycle to production of antigens. Results: The rules governing the N-terminal primary and extended substrate specificity of the human 20S proteasome in the presence or absence of 11S proteasome activators (REGα/β and REGγ) have been elaborated using activity-based proteomic library tools. Conclusions: The 11S proteasome activators are shown to be important for both increasing the activity of the 20S proteasome and for altering its cleavage pattern and substrate specificity. These data also establish that the extended substrate specificity is an important factor for proteasomal cleavage. The specificities observed have features in common with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I ligands and can be used to improve the prediction of MHC class I restricted cytotoxic T-cell responses.
Sea ice-atmosphere signal of the southern oscillation in the Weddell Sea, Antarctica

Abstract Composite analysis of weekly ship and shore observations of the Weddell Sea pack ice for extreme events of the Southern Oscillation (SO) occurring in the 1929–62 period reveals strong variations in ice-water concentrations in the early and late summer melt season. Substantially reduced ice concentrations (more open water) occur in December and early January of “warm” (El Nino) events (yr0) compared with the summer before (yr−1), and appear connected with the change to a stronger cyclonic atmospheric circulation over higher latitudes of the South Atlantic. Similarly consistent meteorology-sea ice associations appear to characterize the mid- to late summer of warm SO events (yr0) compared with yr0 of “cold” events. There is some evidence that the regionally dependent pressure and wind reversals (and possibly the associated sea ice concentration changes) in the Weddell sector have become more marked during SO events occurring since about the early 1950s. Some corroboration of changes in the sea ice-...
Computer analysis of ballistocardiograms.

Abstract Analysis of ballistocardiograms using a small scientific digital computer is described. Two steps in processing the body accelerations and concurrent carotid pulses are employed. Desired sequences of heartbeats are selected from data recorded on FM analog magnetic tape. These are digitized and stored permanently on Linc digital magnetic tape. A “scroll-edit” program is then employed to identify all heartbeats to be analyzed. This program utilizes a cathode ray storage display unit for visual identification of each heartbeat, and teletypewriter controlled salvage of beginning and ending epochs. The digital tape generated by this procedure is analyzed by the record reading algorithm in the next step. This program works from the carotid pulse data with detection of the anacrotic limb from smoothed first differences at five millisecond intervals. Timing of the ballistocardiographic waves and measurement of their amplitudes is effected by detection of local maxima and minima of smoothed and leveled heartbeats. Correlations of wave shapes of subdivisions of the cardiac cycle are made with those from an ideally normal heartbeat. Summary calculations of each sequence of waves give average waveform and variability in a variety of printer and plotter options.
Twin-Channel Receiver for RF voltage Comparison Measurements

The paper surveys single and two-channel methods of comparing phase and amplitude of sinusoidal RF voltages. A highly selective twin-channel system for the HF band is described.
Design of a combined photoionization detector and photoionization-based electron-capture detector

Abstract A gas chromatographic detector based on photoionization with characteristics and performance comparable to conventional electron-capture detectors has been constructed. In the electron-capture mode of operation this detector uses a readily photoionizable dopant gas that is ionized by radiation from ultraviolet lamps, and the resulting electrons are collected at the anode under the influence of an applied electrical field. This gives a baseline current that is attenuated by the absorption of electrons by electron-capturing analytes. The detector functions quite satisfactorily, both as a photoionization detector and electron-capture detector. It provides a means of monitoring suitable analytes linearly from picogram to microgram levels.
Protein losing enteropathy as a manifestation of Henoch-Schönlein purpura.

Gastrointestinal manifestations of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP) commonly include abdominal pain and gastrointestinal bleeding. Hypoproteinemia and edema could be related to renal involvement. We report a 14-year-old boy with classical features of HSP manifestated with edema due to severe intestinal protein loss, measured by elevated fecal alpha 1 antitrypsin secretion. The protein losing enteropathy subsided with corticosteroid therapy.
Characterization of the strength and microstructure of heavily cold worked CuNb composites

Abstract The mechanical properties and microstructures have been evaluated for heavily cold worked wires of Cu-12% Nb and Cu-20% Nb composites. The strength of these composites increases dramatically with increasing deformation up to a true strain of 11.9, the maximum investigated. This continued strengthening is a consequence of deformation-induced microstructural changes in both Cu and Nb. During deformation the Nb precipitates adopt a filamentary morphology, and both the size and spacings of these filaments decrease. The microstructural evolution in the Cu matrix involves a deformation-recovery-recrystallization cycle, which allows further deformation and the concurrent refinement of the Nb. Strengthening in these composites appears to arise from the Nb filaments which act as planar barriers to plastic flow between the two phases. The strength of these composites is dependent on the spacing of the Nb filaments in accord with a Hall-Petch relationship. Furthermore, it was found that due to the deformation, induced recovery and recrystallization processes, the strengthening is not in accord with models based on the development of very large dislocation densities (10 13 cm −2 ).
Fabrication and design of open microchannels for capillary electrophoresis separations and matrix-assisted laser/desorption mass spectroscopy analysis

We describe the development and performance of microchips that interface capillary electrophoresis (CE) with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry. The chip contains an open channel where CE is performed. The open channel functions as the CE column and is used to separate the mixture. Once separation occurs, the solvent is evaporated and the chip placed in the ionization source of a Fourier transform mass spectrometer. To perform the MALDI, a buffer will be used in the CE that will also function as matrix once the solvent is evaporated. Preliminary results will be described showing: (1) the design and construction of a new ionization source for an external source FTMS that will handle the microchip, (2) the feasibility of the CE on an open channel and (3) the feasibility of MALDI on an open channel. Two chips made of glass with groves cut on the surface have been fabricated for these experiments. The rates of evaporation of different solvent mixtures indicate that evaporation will not be a problem during the CE analysis. The rates of evaporation are considerably slower than the speed of the separation. To determine the feasibility of CE, a colored dye was placed on a 2 cm long column and high voltages attached to the two ends. Movement of a colored dye on the chip was observed under an electric field correspond to about 500 V/cm. This experiment indicates that CE can be performed on an open channel. The first experiments with MALDI of biomolecules, in this case oligosaccharides have been performed. (beta) -Cyclodextrin, a seven-membered cyclic oligosaccharide, was mixed with 3,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (matrix) on an open channel. Striking the grove with a 337 nm beam from a N2 laser produces the mass spectrum of the compound with excellent resolution and high signal-to-noise.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Air Breakdown Photography In The Picosecond Domain

We have studied the breakdown of air using the Los Alamos Bright Source KrF laser at an irradiance of 1.36 /times/ 10/sup 16/ W/cm/sup 2/ and pulse length of 700 fs. Results of the temporal evolution of various regions of the spark, recorded with an S-20 streak/framing camera, are presented. 14 refs., 6 figs.
Electrostatic design of vertical tunneling field-effect transistors

Tunneling field-effect transistors (TFETs) have created excitement for their potential to overcome the 60 mV/decade thermal limit of the subthreshold swing for conventional devices enabling lower power electronics. However, as shown in the TFET review by Seabaugh and Zhang [1], experimental subthreshold characteristics have not achieved the steepness of theoretical predictions. Possible explanations for the non-abrupt turn-on of experimental devices include long band-tails (exacerbated by doping) that extend into the semiconductor band gap, mid-gap and interface trap-states, inhomogeneity of the semiconductor composition, strain and/or thickness, and non-optimal electrostatic design of the transistor structure. This paper focuses on improving the electrostatic design of vertical tunneling structures (where tunneling occurs vertically toward the gate), in order to better experimental turn-on characteristics.
A folding zone in the ribosomal exit tunnel for Kv1.3 helix formation.

Abstract Although it is now clear that protein secondary structure can be acquired early, while the nascent peptide resides within the ribosomal exit tunnel, the principles governing folding of native polytopic proteins have not yet been elucidated. We now report an extensive investigation of native Kv1.3, a voltage-gated K + channel, including transmembrane and linker segments synthesized in sequence. These native segments form helices vectorially (N- to C-terminus) only in a permissive vestibule located in the last 20 A of the tunnel. Native linker sequences similarly fold in this vestibule. Finally, secondary structure acquired in the ribosome is retained in the translocon. These findings emerge from accessibility studies of a diversity of native transmembrane and linker sequences and may therefore be applicable to protein biogenesis in general.
Encoding Specificity and Experimenter-Supplied Semantic Associates as Cues in Recall

Summary Ss (N = 30 male and female university undergraduates) were presented with 18 simple sentences each of which contained a word to be recalled (the subject of the sentence) and a high frequency associate of the word (the object of the sentence). The meaning of each sentence illustrated the semantic relationship between the word to be recalled and its associate. At retrieval, S s cued with associates present at storage (intralist cues) recalled more words than either S s cued with high-frequency associates not present at storage (extralist cues) or S s not cued (noncued retrieval). The results were consistent with the earlier findings of Ley and Huba, and provide additional support for the encoding-specificity hypothesis.
The maximum degree in a random tree and related problems

Meir and Moon studied the distribution of the maximum degree for simply generated families of trees. We have sharper results for the special case of labelled trees. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
A simple IBM I/O Selectric typewriter controller

A simple inexpensive IBM I/O Selectric typewriter controller is described. The board plugs into an RS-232 port and enables letter-quality output. Computers with editing capabilities can therefore be used as word processors for as little as $35, about 8 h of labor, and the cost of the typewriter. The controller is a firmware-governed microprocessor, and as a result, it is easily tailored for special applications. Hardware and software are discussed.