cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Phantom Man(N) at Witchsy: Casting a Spell Via Email?

In the summer of 2015, Los Angeles-based creatives Kate Dwyer and Penelope Gazin were fed up with the censorship of “risque” goods and artwork sold on the popular online marketplace Etsy. Even though they lacked technical experience and had never built a website before, the two friends committed themselves to building a censorship-free artists' marketplace, which they would call Witchsy.com.After Dwyer and Gazin had bought the domain name www.witchsy.com and researched the construction of multiple-seller websites using Google, the entrepreneurs quickly realized they'd need to bring in outsiders to help. Turning to Craigslist to post ads on their required work and solicit resumes, Gazin and Dwyer eventually began engaging with various male developers willing to build the technical aspects of their site. Early on in these interactions, however, an upsetting pattern started to emerge wherein the entrepreneurs constantly felt they were faced with disrespect, condescension, and poor collaboration from their male contractors.Hoping to mitigate this treatment, Dwyer and Gazin decided to create a fake male colleague they could rope into their email interactions with outsiders. They named this “colleague” Keith Mann and gave him an email address and Twitter personality. As soon as Mann started to engage with contractors and developers over email, the entrepreneurs were amazed to see the different tone and respect that was paid to Mann.When Witchsy finally launched in the summer of 2016, Dwyer and Gazin didn't have to wait long to see markers of success—within a year, their platform already had 45,000 Instagram followers and was generating a monthly profit. Even though Mann had existed only by name over email and was put to rest shortly after the site's launch, Dwyer and Gazin looked back on their experience of building Witchsy and had to wonder, would they have succeeded without Mann? Why had they faced so much antagonism without him, and was there a way to make sense of it?To help tackle these questions, readers are presented with four examples of email communications Dwyer and Gazin engaged in before and after Mann was created. These email exhibits maintain the founders' names and circumstances but disguise the identities of all third parties. Excerpt UVA-OB-1255 Rev. Feb. 14, 2019 A Phantom Man(n) at Witchsy—Casting a Spell via Email? When Kate Dwyer and Penelope Gazin launched their artsy, online marketplace, Witchsy.com (Witchsy), in the summer of 2016, success quickly followed. By September 2017, Witchsy had 45,000 Instagram followers, was generating a monthly profit, and media outlets such as The Guardian and Fast Company had run articles on the unlikely success of the Los Angeles–based newcomer that was attempting to contend with its more mainstream competitor, Etsy.com (Etsy). . . .
Linking prediction models to government ordinances to support hospital operations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives We describe a hospital’s implementation of predictive models to optimise emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods We were tasked to construct and evaluate COVID-19 driven predictive models to identify possible planning and resource utilisation scenarios. We used system dynamics to derive a series of chain susceptible, infected and recovered (SIR) models. We then built a discrete event simulation using the system dynamics output and bootstrapped electronic medical record data to approximate the weekly effect of tuning surgical volume on hospital census. We evaluated performance via a model fit assessment and cross-model comparison. Results We outlined the design and implementation of predictive models to support management decision making around areas impacted by COVID-19. The fit assessments indicated the models were most useful after 30 days from onset of local cases. We found our subreports were most accurate up to 7 days after model run. Discusssion Our model allowed us to shape our health system’s executive policy response to implement a ‘hospital within a hospital’—one for patients with COVID-19 within a hospital able to care for the regular non-COVID-19 population. The surgical schedule is modified according to models that predict the number of new patients with Covid-19 who require admission. This enabled our hospital to coordinate resources to continue to support the community at large. Challenges included the need to frequently adjust or create new models to meet rapidly evolving requirements, communication, and adoption, and to coordinate the needs of multiple stakeholders. The model we created can be adapted to other health systems, provide a mechanism to predict local peaks in cases and inform hospital leadership regarding bed allocation, surgical volumes, staffing, and supplies one for COVID-19 patients within a hospital able to care for the regular non-COVID-19 population. Conclusion Predictive models are essential tools in supporting decision making when coordinating clinical operations during a pandemic.
In Search of Cosmic Power: Contextualizing Spiritual Journeys between Cahokia and the St. Francois Mountains

Religious observance historically incorporated journeys to sacred places for American Indian groups on the Plains and around the Great Lakes as an integral part of individual experience and communion with the spirit world. The history of such journeys is exemplified by the environmental contexts of several large ritual centers in the Mississippi river basin. They include the Archaic Period center of Poverty Point, the Middle Woodland centers such as the Pinson mounds, and finally the large Mississippian center of Cahokia. Material evidence reveals that the nearby mountains of the Ozarks, composed of caves, springs, and materials imbued with sacred power, were thus important as a destination for Cahokian spiritual journeys. An ancient volcanic remnant known as the St. Francois Mountains contains intrusive basalt dykes engulfed by the cedar glades of the Ozarks resulting in a ritual landscape of particular importance. Both basalt and red cedar were an important part of the material record at Cahokia and its surrounding communities. Given their power we argue that these materials were transported back to Cahokia as a token either of pilgrimages or journeys for vision quests. We explore such spiritual journeys so widespread among Native American Indians in both the recent and distant past.
Why Is Instrumental Rationality Rational

It is relatively common for philosophers to doubt whether we have any reason to act as morality requires. But it is very difficult to find philosophers who are willing to doubt, in a similar way, the idea that we have reason to act as instrumental rationality requires; reason, that is, to take effective steps toward attaining the ends we have accepted as our own. The inference from the fact that a certain action is an effective means of satisfying an agent's ends to the conclusion that that agent has reason to perform that action is held by almost everyone to be, as it is sometimes said, automatic:once it is determined that the action in question bears the specified relation to one's goals, nothing more needs to be shown. But fewer philosophers are willing to grant that morality possesses this sort of automatic reason-giving force. Rather, it is quite commonly held that some additional consideration needs to be cited in order to show that an agent has reason to act as she is morally required. The fact that an action is morally required, claim those who adhere to this type of position, is not enough in itself.
You Want Me to Do What

ABSTRACT This article is intended as a basic guide to the Medical Librarian given the responsibility for creating and/or managing archival collections. It is meant to introduce briefly some concepts of archival management and ways for non-specialists to implement and manage an archival program in a healthcare setting. Subjects discussed include archival education, selection of materials, arrangement and description, preservation, and access to archival collections. Also included are three appendices offering: (A) a short list of reference works; (B) a sample archival arrangement scheme; and (C) a list of archival suppliers.
Making History: An Insider’s View of the Founding and First-Ten-Year Accomplishments of the American Real Estate Society

This article presents an overview of the numerous innovations of the American Real Estate Society during its first ten years. Many of its accomplishments are unique for an academically based organization. Because of this, the definition of an academic/ professional organization has been changed forever due to the synergistic effects of mixing practicing professionals and applied academicians.
Implicit Solution of Non-Equilibrium Radiation Diffusion Including Reactive Heating Source in Material Energy Equation

In this paper, the authors investigate performance of a fully implicit formulation and solution method of a diffusion-reaction system modeling radiation diffusion with material energy transfer and a fusion fuel source. In certain parameter regimes this system can lead to a rapid conversion of potential energy into material energy. Accuracy in time integration is essential for a good solution since a major fraction of the fuel can be depleted in a very short time. Such systems arise in a number of application areas including evolution of a star and inertial confinement fusion. Previous work has addressed implicit solution of radiation diffusion problems. Recently Shadid and coauthors have looked at implicit and semi-implicit solution of reaction-diffusion systems. In general they have found that fully implicit is the most accurate method for difficult coupled nonlinear equations. In previous work, they have demonstrated that a method of lines approach coupled with a BDF time integrator and a Newton-Krylov nonlinear solver could efficiently and accurately solve a large-scale, implicit radiation diffusion problem. In this paper, they extend that work to include an additional heating term in the material energy equation and an equation to model the evolution of the reactive fuel density. This systemmore » now consists of three coupled equations for radiation energy, material energy, and fuel density. The radiation energy equation includes diffusion and energy exchange with material energy. The material energy equation includes reaction heating and exchange with radiation energy, and the fuel density equation includes its depletion due to the fuel consumption.« less
Subprime Servicer Reporting Can Do More for Modification than Government Subsidies

Recent history is rife with examples of servicer problems and failures, resplendent with detail on best - and worst - practices. The industry has been through profitable highs and predatory lows, over time reacting to increased competition with greater efficiency and, where sensible, increased concentration reflective of scale economies in processing and knowledge. While the value of good mortgage (and all consumer loan) servicing is reflected in asset- and mortgage-backed security spreads, structurally-required credit enhancements, defaults and roll rates, and modification outcomes, that value lies primarily in processes and knowledge. Servicing is nothing if not a service industry, motivating borrowers to pay the loans under the servicer's own management even when the borrower cannot afford to pay others. Such processes are the basis of managing initial defaults and getting borrowers back on track, whether that is through managing to roll the borrower back to current organically, or helping the borrower realign their finances in a modification. Even in foreclosure, there is value to be retained within the legal environment, among real estate professionals and vendors, and even with the foreclosed borrower. But intensively customer service-based enterprises such as servicing are hard to evaluate quantitatively, so that proving a servicer's value is difficult even in the best business environment. Unfortunately, today's is not the best business environment, so proving servicer value has now become crucial to not only servicer survival, but the survival of the market as a whole. Regulators can therefore do a great service to both the industry and borrowers in today's financial climate by insisting that servicers report adequate information to assess not only the success of major modification initiatives, but also performance overall. The increased investor dependence on third-party servicing that has accompanied securitization necessitates substantial improvements to investor reporting in order to support appropriate administration and, where helpful, modification of consumer loans in both the private and public interest. Without information, even the most highly subsidized modification policies are bound to fail.
Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: From Genes to Organ Damage

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a disease characterized by inappropriate response to self-antigens. Genetic, environmental and hormonal factors are believed to contribute to the development of the disease. We think of SLE pathogenesis as occurring in three phases of variable duration. A series of regulatory failures during the ontogeny of the immune system lead to the emergence of auto-reactive clones and the production of auto-antibodies (phase I). As the immune response to self-antigens broadens, the auto-antibody repertoire is enriched (phase II) and clinical manifestations eventually ensue (phase III). The final result is tissue damage that if not treated will lead to the functional failure of such important organs as the kidney and brain.
From Probable to Possible: Explaining Coups Through Qualitative Comparative Analysis

Conventional wisdom regarding the causes of coups in third wave democracies has been generated either through regression analysis or a comparison of a few cases. The evidence produced by the former methodology has been inconclusive thus far while the latter's explanatory leverage beyond its cases has been problematic. Moreover, the rarity of this phenomenon has also questioned the validity of using a method that is based on a probabilistic ontology. This paper uses the more novel method of Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) to determine the validity of structural determinants of coups (economic development, democratic diffusion, regime legitimacy) among third wave democracies from the existing literature. It argues that while the inferential leverage of QCA might not be superior to that of regression analysis n this case, it has the merit of identifying different combinations of causal conditions” that make military coups possible. Another analysis only comprising of cases from Latin America was more helpful in revealing causal configurations as well as identifying possible omitted variables (i.e. intensity and frequency of societal mobilization), improve theoretical sophistication, and provide justification for in-depth case analysis. This paper concludes by identifying implications about the role and place of QCA in mixed-method research designs in comparative political analysis.
Stability of propranolol hydrochloride suspension compounded from tablets

The stability of a propranolol hydrochloride suspension compounded from commercially available tablets was studied. Propranolol hydrochloride 10-mg tablets were triturated to a powder and incorporated into a commercially available suspension vehicle to yield a suspension with a theoretical propranolol hydrochloride concentration of 1 mg/mL. The suspension was divided into portions and stored in amber glass bottles at either room (25 degrees C) or refrigerated (2 degrees C) temperature for four months. The concentration of propranolol hydrochloride in the samples was determined by a stability-indicating, high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) assay at 0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 days. Also at these times, the pH of the samples was measured, and the samples were inspected visually for evidence of microbial growth and ease of resuspension. The concentration of propranolol hydrochloride in the samples remained within 90% of the initial concentration throughout the study period. No important changes in the pH of the samples and no visible evidence of microbial growth were noted. This extemporaneous suspension of propranolol hydrochloride compounded from commercially available tablets is stable for at least four months when stored at room or refrigerated temperature.
A cascade implementation of a new IIR adaptive digital filter with global convergence and improved convergence rates

Recently a new type of adaptive IIR filtering algorithm called the prefiltering (PF) algorithm was presented. A new form of PF algorithm is presented here in which the adaptive filter is implemented as a cascade of second-order sections. The advantage of this form is that the low coefficient sensitivity of the cascade structure allows the step size to be significantly increased without causing instability of the adaptive process. The larger step size results in greatly improved convergence rates for the PF algorithm when it is applied to higher order systems. >
Currency Crises: In Search of Common Elements

The paper seeks to identify common characteristics among a variety of macroeconomic and financial variables for a large sample of currency crises in industrial countries and emerging market economies. It covers crises which culminated in large currency depreciation as well as those in which there was a substantial loss of foreign reserves. The analysis involves comparing the monthly or annual pattern of movement of the various macroeconomic and financial variables around the time of crisis to their behavior during tranquil periods. The robustness of the results is tested by subdividing the sample into different types of currency crises and carrying out a similar analysis for each.
On the warming of the polar troposphere during the stratospheric warming of January 1977

In January 1977, a warming of the polar troposphere occurred following a major stratospheric warming. The temperature increase in the polar troposphere is found to be larger below 400 mb than in the upper troposphere. Analysis of the heat budget of the polar troposphere shows that the eddy heat flux convergence is the major factor responsible for the tropospheric warming.
Recursive solution of the dispersion relation of a surface polariton in a layered structure

The transcendental equation for the propagation constants of a surface polariton in a layered structure is written in a form that is particularly amenable to solution by a recursive method. A numerical example is given for the surface phonon-polariton on a structure consisting of a Ge film on BeO.
Report of the Section of Terrestrial Magnetism and Electricity

A well-attended meeting of the Section of Terrestrial Magnetism and Electricity of the International Geodetic and Geophysical Union was held at Rome from May 4–9, 1922. During the seven sessions, twelve different countries were represented by thirty-three delegates and guests, viz: J. M. Baldwin, G. F. Dodwell, E. F. Pigot (Australia); J. Jaumotte (Belgium); H. Morize (Brazil); J. Bosler, H. Deslandres, E. Delcambre, E. Mathias, Ch. Maurain (France); C. Chree, A. L. Cortie, W. C. Parkinson, Arthur Schuster, Napier Shaw, G. C. Simpson (Great Britain); A. Alessio, F. Eredia, L. Palazzo, D. Pacini, G. Platania, A. Pochettino, G. B. Rizzo, C. Somigliana (Italy); K. Nakamura (Japan); J. Krassowski (Poland); J. Galbis, L. Rodes (Spain); D. Stenquist, A. Wallen (Sweden); L. A. Bauer, G. W. Littlehales (United States); E. Deville (Canada).
Production of refractory parts by electrohydroimpulse pressing with preliminary vibroforming

The Investigations conducted showed that a combined method including vibroforming of parts with subsequent electrohydroimpulse pressing makes it possible to obtain from lowplasticity powders of corundum and alumina parts with high density, strength, and other improved physicomechanical characteristics.
DIORAMA: Dynamic information collection and resource tracking architecture

DIORAMA is a real-time scalable decision support framework built on rapid information collection and accurate resource tracking functionalities. Using RFID technology the proposed system tracks emergency responders and victims at the disaster scene. DIORAMA improves the accuracy and decreases the time it takes rescuers to triage, treat and evacuate victims from a disaster scene, as compared to the traditional methods and process that involves using paper triage tags. The information can then be viewed from a website that shows a satellite image of the disaster area with icons representing the paramedics and victims.
A New Active-Passive Network Simulator for Transient Field Problems

The computer system described in this paper represents a hydridization of analog and digital techniques. A wide variety of problems characterized by partial differential equations are simulated by means of a network consisting only of positive and negative resistors. No reactors are used, the negative resistors being realized with the aid of dc amplifiers. Unlike conventional analog methods, the time as well as the space variables are approximated by finite-difference expressions; thus the solution proceeds step-wise in time as on a digital computer. Only implicit difference equations are instrumented, so that there is no danger of computational instability no matter how large the time increment. Among the field problems treated by this computer are problems characterized by the diffusion equation, the wave equation, the biharmonic (beam) equation, and various modified forms of these equations.
InfoStation: A multimedia access system for library automation

This paper describes the cutting‐edge hardware and software for multimedia information storage and access. We will focus on the NeXT computer as the innovative hardware platform and introduce the VTLS InfoStation as the new generation software that offers user‐friendly multimedia information access using expert systems, natural language processing, direct manipulation graphical techniques and retrieval of full text, images and audio data.
Gate Rushing at Highway—Railroad Grade Crossings: Drivers' Response to Centerline Barrier

This paper deals with the issue of aggressive motor vehicle drivers rushing through closed gates or gates in motion when trains are in close proximity to a highway-railroad grade crossing. The paper's objectives were to report drivers' frequency of gate rushing and factors associated with it and to investigate drivers' response to varying degrees of control exercised on their ability to rush through gates. Motor vehicle drivers at a highway—railroad grade crossing were observed by using video equipment before and after a plastic and rubber barrier was installed along the roadway centerline on both sides of the crossing. The installation was in two stages that progressively limited drivers' ability to go through closed gates. During the first stage, the barriers on both sides of the crossing were installed such that they stopped short of the gates, while in the second stage they were fully extended to the gates. The expectation was that gate rushing will diminish when the barrier is erected but stops short...
A Memorial to Barbara White

Barbara White, who was an innovative researcher and beloved colleague, died of cancer on October 20, 2014. She was 64 years old. In recognition of her many contributions to the learning sciences, I...
Iris Recognition Based on Wavelet Transform and Neural Network

The biometric systems for user verification are becoming more popular in this age. Iris recognition system is a new technology for user verification. This paper presents an iris detection and recognition method, which adopts Canny transform to extract iris texture feature and wavelet probabilistic neural network as iris biometric classifier. The method combines wavelet neural network and probabilistic neural network for a new classifier model were able to improve the biometrics recognition accuracy as well as the global system performance. A simple and fast training algorithm, AdaBoost, is also introduced for training the wavelet probabilistic neural network. When applying the algorithm on an iris images database, the experimental results show 100% correct classifications and the method have an efficiency feasibility and performance.
Effect of Topical Vitamin D Analogue on In Vivo Contact Sensitization

Background The immunomodulatory role of vitamin D and its analogues has been demonstrated in vitro and in vivo using animal models. We evaluated the effect of a vitamin D analogue, calcipotriene, in vivo on human subjects using a contact hypersensitivity model. Observations Subjects were pretreated with topical calcipotriene, simulated solar radiation, or both on buttock skin. They were then sensitized and challenged using the contact allergen dinitrochlorobenzene. Immune response was measured by change in skinfold thickness before vs after elicitation across the challenge sites. Conclusions Calcipotriene-treated individuals demonstrated 64% immunosuppression compared with untreated controls. This is equivalent to the immunosuppression induced by UV exposure.
On the lack of host-cell reactivation of UV-irradiated phage T5. I. Interference of T5 infection with the host-cell reactivation of phage T1

Abstract UV-irradiated phage T5, in contrast to T1, T3 and T7, fail to display hostcell reactivation (HCR) when infecting excision-repair proficient Escherichia coli cells. Possible causes of this lack of HCR (which T5 shares with the T-even phages) have been investigated by studying HCR of T1 under conditions of superinfection by T5. Repair-proficient B/r cells were infected at low multiplicity with UV-irradiated phage T1 in the presence of 1.8 mg/ml caffeine and were superinfected after 15 min with heavily UV-irradiated T5 amber mutants at high multiplicity. The caffeine, which is later diluted out, prevents any T1 repair prior to T5 superinfection, and UV (254 nm) irradiation of T5 with 144 J/m2 reduces the ability of this phage to exclude T1, thus permitting a reasonable fraction of the mixedly infected complexes to produce T1 progeny. Under these conditions, T5 superinfection causes loss of HCR in about 90% of the T1-producing complexes. Superinfection with unirradiated T5 likewise inhibits HCR of T1, but superinfection with irradiated T3 (a host-cell-reactivable phage) does not. This indicates that the observed HCR inhibition of T1 results from T5 infection rather than from competition of irradiated foreign DNA for the excision-repair enzymes of the bacterial host. Employment of apropriate T5 amber mutants has shown that “first-step transfer” (FST) of T5 DNA (involving only 8% of the T5 genome) is sufficient for HCR inhibition, but that transfer of the remainder DNA in addition inhibits a previously described minor T1 recovery process. HCR inhibition of T1, and thus presumably lack of HCR in T5 itself, is ascribed to a substance which is produced either post infection by a gene located in the FST segment of the T5 genome, or which is transferred from extracellular T5 together with the FST DNA.
Determining an equitable allocation Of global carbon dioxide emissions

Finding an equitable mitigation policy to combat global climate change is a major problem facing society today. Successful mitigation of climate change will require a decrease in global CO 2 emissions and economic costs associated with reduced production of consumer goods. A critical consideration is the existence of an uneven distribution of benefits and damages associated with climate change, stressing the need for an equitable way to reduce CO 2 emissions. Literature in philosophy provides an outline of carbon allocation methods that advocate the use of ethical and moral reasoning behind international climate policy. However, evidence from recent economic and behavioral studies may be developed into a more equitable method of allocation by taking a capabilities approach, rather than consumption- or income-based measures of human welfare. Using the Human Development Index as a proxy for human welfare and a climate damage function representing the cost of lost ecosystem services, we determine a more equitable global allocation of CO 2 emissions. The implication is that developed countries that emit more CO 2 , may be able to reduce their consumption without necessarily reducing their quality of life. Also, less developed nations, that emit less, have an incentive to focus development efforts on improving the lives of its citizens, rather than increasing consumption of material goods.
Human recognition at a distance

Recognizing people at a distance is challenging from various considerations, including sensing, robust processing algorithms, changing environmental conditions and fusing multiple modalities. This paper considers face, side face, gait and ear and their possible fusion for human recognition. It presents an overview of some of the techniques that we have developed for (a) super-resolution-based face recognition in video, (b) gait-based recognition in video, (c) fusion of super-resolved side face and gait in video, (d) ear recognition in color/range images, and (e) fusion performance prediction and validation. It presents various real-world examples to illustrate the ideas and points out the relative merits of the approaches that are discussed.
A new internal perfusion method for transport studies in squid giant axons

A new internal perfusion method has been developed which allows control of the internal solute composition in squid axons. The superiority of this technique compared to the old perfusion methods is shown by the experiments performed which have reproduced, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the Na+ and Ca2+ fluxes observed in intact and dialyzed axons. Compared with the internal dialysis, the perfusion method has the advantage that the permeability barrier give by the porous capillary has been eliminated. This allows the introduction into the axon of solutes with very high molecular weight, at the same time that a fast and reliable internal control can be achieved.
Effect of light finger touch in balance control of individuals with multiple sclerosis

Deficit in balance control is a common and often an initial disabling symptom of multiple sclerosis (MS). The purpose of this study was to investigate if a light finger touch contact with a stationary surface is effective in improving upright postural stability in MS. Eleven individuals with relapsing-remitting MS were standing on a force platform with eyes open and closed, feet shoulder width apart and together, and with a light touch contact of the right index finger with a stable surface and without any contact. Balance was evaluated using center of pressure measures. Individuals with MS demonstrated significant postural instability in the absence of visual inputs and with reduced base of support (p<0.05). The availability of a light finger touch contact with a stable surface was effective in reducing postural sway in both, the sagittal and frontal planes, in all experimental conditions (p<0.05). Light finger touch contact is effective in improving postural control in people with MS and can be considered as a useful balance rehabilitative strategy.
Back to bedrock for paleobiology

‘That our Palaeontological collections are very imperfect, is admitted by every one.’ So read Darwin's introduction to the fossil record in the Origin of Species [1]. The chapter bearing this proclamation, not subtly titled ‘On the Imperfection of the Geological Record,’ attributed some of this imperfection to the vagaries of paleontological sampling and taphonomy; that is, on the ways in which living organisms die and become encased and preserved within sediments or not. However, Darwin goes on to say that ‘the imperfection in the geological record mainly results from another and more important cause…namely, from the several formations being separated from each other by wide intervals of time.’ Although it would take some 100 years for geologists to recognize the importance and utility of these ‘wide intervals of time,’ now known as unconformities, in subdividing and interpreting sedimentary deposits [2,3], Darwin had, in effect, identified the need for stratigraphic paleobiology.
Nutritional Factors Concerned with Colony Development of C. Diphtheriae

SummaryRapid development of single colonies of a number of strains of C. diphtheriac on a “synthetic medium” agar occurs only in the presence of certain constituents of the blood serum of the horse and ox. Human and swine sera are ineffective. Activity is not impaired by removal of the protein by coagulation. The active material does not dialyze and evidently consists of at least two substances, one of which is soluble in acetone. Cow's milk is rich in these agents, which will be further characterized in subsequent reports.
A possible explanation for the peculiar correlations in the angular distribution of γ-ray bursts

It has been recently discovered that the angular autocorrelation function of gamma-ray bursts exhibits sharp peaks at angular separations of $\lesssim 4°$ (Quashnock and Lamb 1993), and at $\gtrsim 176°$ (Narayan and Piran 1993). While an excess of very close pairs of bursts can naturally arise from burst repetition or from a spatial correlation of the burst sources, a physical explanation for an angular correlation on a scale of $\simeq 180°$ seems inconceivable. We show that both sharp peaks in the correlation function can be explained by a possible bias in the determination of the burst positions. A generic way is described in which the suggested bias can be introduced into the burst localization procedure, either through instrumental imperfection or through the software analyses. We apply Monte Carlo simulations to show that the observed correlation function can be reproduced by the suggested effect. We demonstrate that the results can nicely agree with the observations even if only a fraction of the bursts are subject to the bias. We emphasis that the only motivation for suggesting the existence of this bias are the features found in the angular autocorrelation function. It does not rule out the possibility that bursts repeat. The natural way in which such bias, if it exists, explains both sharp peaks, and the various conceivable causes for the origin of this bias, make the bias hypothesis worth considering.
Collimation of a rubidium beam below the Doppler limit

Abstract We used counterpropagating beams of diode laser light forming a one-dimensional optical molasses perpendicular to an atomic beam of 85Rb for active collimation. The minimum measured angular spread of the beam we achieved corresponds to a transverse rms speed of 3 cm/s, well below νD = (7ħγ/20M)1/2 = 10 cm/s corresponding to ordinary one-dimensional Doppler molasses.Achieving this low velocity, limited only by experimental geometry, depends on a magnetic field of ≈ 20 μT applied perpendicular to the axis of the circularly polarized light beam.
Corn growth and nitrogen nutrition after additions of biochars with varying properties to a temperate soil

The effects of biochar properties on crop growth are little understood. Therefore, biochar was produced from eight feedstocks and pyrolyzed at four temperatures (300°C, 400°C, 500°C, 600°C) using slow pyrolysis. Corn was grown for 46 days in a greenhouse pot trial on a temperate and moderately fertile Alfisol amended with the biochar at application rates of 0.0%, 0.2%, 0.5%, 2.0%, and 7.0% (w/w) (equivalent to 0.0, 2.6, 6.5, 26, and 91 t biochar ha−1) and full recommended fertilization. Animal manure biochars increased biomass by up to 43% and corn stover biochar by up to 30%, while food waste biochar decreased biomass by up to 92% in relation to similarly fertilized controls (all P 0.05), and greater pH had only a weak positive relationship with growth at intermediate application rates. Greater nutrient contents (N, P, K, Mg) improved growth at low application rates of 0.2% and 0.5%, but Na reduced growth at high application rates of 2.0% and 7.0% in the studied fertile Alfisol.
Update on alternative therapies for vulvovaginal atrophy.

Although systemic absorption of estrogen with local treatment for vulvovaginal atrophy (VVA) is most likely to be negligible, it is unknown whether this minimal absorption will affect outcomes in women with breast cancer. Use of adjuvant therapy with aromatase inhibitors for breast cancer is associated with high incidence of VVA symptoms. Because of the impact of moderate to severe VVA symptoms on the quality of life in breast cancer survivors, there has been an intense search for alternative therapies. Further, the publicity that followed the publication of data from the Women’s Health Initiative Study has led to the suggestion by the medical community to use the lowest dose therapy possible for minimal time duration in order to avoid risks. This article will highlight the progress in alternative therapies for VVA.
Ion debris mitigation from tin plasma using ambient gas, magnetic field and combined effects

Mitigation of energetic ions from laser produced tin plasma is one of the principal issues in the development of an extreme ultraviolet lithographic light source. We explored the possibility of using an ambient gas and/or a magnetic field for controlling the energetic ions from tin plasma. Hydrogen, helium and argon gases provide good transmission to 13.5 nm and are found to be an effective stopper for tin ions. Absorption of in-band radiation limits the density of gas below levels needed to completely protect optics. Tin ion ranges in buffer gases were estimated using the Monte Carlo simulation code SRIM and compared with experimental results. The presence of a moderate transverse magnetic field of 0.64 T slowed the propagation of fast moving tin ions but failed to stop them. The synergistic effect of a combination of magnetic field and an ambient gas is found to be very promising for mitigating tin ions without exceeding EUV gas absorption limits.
Electric Quadrupole Moments of Light and Heavy Nuclei

Under the assumption that the asymmetrical nuclear charge distribution is due to a single proton, a general expression for the electric quadrupole moment as a function of nuclear spin is obtained. Using the plausible restriction for heavy nuclei that all allowed pairs of values of the orbital angular momentum of the proton and of the core occur with equal probability, we get as a result that the quadrupole moment is negative and that the value increases negatively as the nuclear spin increases. The calculation for light nuclei, taking into account the effect of all particles by using the Hartree model, shows that the addition of a proton to a nucleus, whose $Q$ was originally zero, produces a negative quadrupole moment.
CEREBRAL CIRCULATION IN THE DOG AND A SURGICAL TECHNIQUE FOR ISOLATION OF BLOOD FLOW TO THE BRAIN.

Summary o 1. Various combinations of ligation techniques described by others for isolated cerebral circulation were examined to investigate the extent of their completeness. 2. Survival time, Evans blue injection, latex injection and CO 2 inhalation by the recipient were used to evaluate circulatory isolation of the head. 3. Collateral channels following occlusion of various vessels were demonstrated in the perforators between neck muscle and vertebral system beyond the ligations in most preparations. 4. A modification of complete circulatory isolation of the head, which excludes total collateral circulation at C3 in neck muscle and vertebral system, is presented for cross perfusion studies designed to elucidate certain types of central neural chemoreflex mechanisms.
Enhanced external quantum efficiency employing organic anode interfacial layers

Oligoacene materials were applied as anode interfacial layers for small molecular organic photovoltaics. A sizeable enhancement in the short circuit current was observed which is attributed to an enhancement in the exciton diffusion efficiency. The application of tetracene anode interfacial layers to a synthesized ZnPc material yielded maximum power conversion efficiencies of 4.7%. Rubrene was also applied as an anode interfacial layer for devices of SubPc/C60 which showed a similar photocurrent enhancement.
Comparison of the neuromuscular systems among actinotroch larvae: systematic and evolutionary implications.

SUMMARY A comparative analysis of the larval and presumptive juvenile neuromuscular systems among actinotroch larvae was performed using confocal laser microscopy with probes for F-actin and serotonin. Currently, there are two main categories of larval nervous systems based on the origin of the nerve fibers that innervate the larval tentacles. Characteristics of the serotonergic cells of the larval apical ganglion and juvenile nervous system have remained relatively conserved, but the structure of the secondary (hood) sense organ and the juvenile tentacles has diversified among species. Differences in larval musculature are mainly associated with differences in hood morphology. The presumptive, juvenile neuromuscular system is either integrated or separated from that of the larva based on the origin of the juvenile tentacles. Among species, the juvenile tentacles are made by remodeling the larval tentacles, developed from a basal tentacular thickening, or developed as a completely separate set in the larva. Differentiation of the neuromuscular structures of the juvenile tentacles is more diverse than their outward morphological characteristics would suggest. Importance of these larval characters is discussed in terms of current problems that exist within phoronid systematics. Evolutionary implications of these morphological characters are discussed among the phoronids, brachiopods, and related bilaterians. Overall, the integration or separation of larval and juvenile neuromuscular characters may yield insights into the evolution of lophotrochozoan body plans.
African Americans' Reactions to Diversity Programs: Does Procedural Justice Matter?

This experiment used an organizational justice approach to examine workforce diversity programs and their potential effects on attitudes of African American beneficiaries. Data were collected from ...
Teaching crystallography to undergraduate physical chemistry students

Teaching goals, laboratory experiments and homework assignments are described for teaching crystallography as part of two undergraduate physical chemistry courses. A two-week teaching module is suggested for introductory physical chemistry, including six to eight classroom sessions, several laboratory experiences and a 3 h computer-based session, to acquaint undergraduate physical chemistry students with crystals, diffraction patterns, the mathematics of structure determination by X-ray diffraction, data collection, structure solution and the chemical insights available from crystal structure information. Student projects and laboratory work for three to four weeks of an advanced physical chemistry course are presented. Topics such as symmetry operators, space groups, systematic extinctions, methods of solving the phase problem, the Patterson map, anomalous scattering, synchrotron radiation, crystallographic refinement, hydrogen bonding and neutron diffraction all lead to the goal of understanding and evaluating a crystallographic journal article. Many of the ideas presented here could also be adapted for inorganic chemistry courses.
Efficacy of a Computer-Assisted Instruction Program in a Prison Setting: An Experimental Study

This article reports on a study into the efficacy of using computer-assisted instruction (CAI) with inmates participating in a prison education program. It seeks to address and correct many of the methodological problems commonly present among studies that compare a CAI-plus-traditional-instruction combination to traditional-instruction alone and is based on data obtained from inmate scores, interviews and educational records at a maximum-security prison. The study found no significant differences between control and experimental groups and leads to the conclusion that also emerged from other studies of undereducated populations: that CAI is neither an inferior nor superior methodology as compared to non-CAI, traditional methods of teaching the undereducated adult.
Angular resolved L3VV Auger emission spectra from Cu(100)

Abstract The angular intensity distribution of electron induced L 3 VV Auger electron emission from a Cu(100) crystal has been measured. Angular positions of relative maxima in the distribution are aligned with prominent crystallographic directions suggesting strong diffraction effects.
Mapping chemically heterogeneous polymer system using selective chemical reaction and tapping mode atomic force microscopy

The mapping of chemically heterogeneous regions in PEA/PS film was achieved by reacting the film in a low pH environment and analyzing by AFM. In 70:30 blend, the domains were identified as PS rich regions and matrix as the PEA rich regions, based on AFM images, FTIR measurements, and chemical modification study. During the course of hydrolysis of PEA, pits were formed in isolated regions of the matrix, as characterized by AFM.
Digitally-Assisted Linearization of Wideband Direct Conversion Receivers

A SAW-less direct-conversion receiver is presented which utilizes a mixed-signal feedforward path to regenerate and equalize IM3 products, thus accomplishing system-level linearization. The receiver system performance is dominated by a custom integrated front end realized in 130 nm CMOS and achieves an uncorrected out-of-band IIP3 of -7.1 dBm under the worst-case UMTS FDD region 1 blocking specifications. IM3 equalization results in an effective IIP3 of +5.3 dBm and reduces total input-referred error by over 23 dB.
Environmental Effects on the Stress Analysis of Viscoelastic Materials

A general systematic method is given for developing constitutive laws for engineering materials derived from actual experimental data observed in a few standard tests is given here. The constitutive theory is formulated within the framework of finite linear viscoelasticity and includes the effect of any parameter such as temperature, humidity, radiation, and strain-rate. First, the effect of a given parameter is included by analyzing the material re; ponse when the parameter is held constant at several different valves over the range of interest. Then, two methods are presented for developing a representation for arbitrary time histories of the parameter using the constant parameter analysis. Several specific examples are developed and experimental verification is included.
Human forearm myoelectric signals used for robotic hand control

Electromyography (EMG) can be used for many applications, one of which is to control prosthetic devices. However, before these EMG signals can be effectively used, they must first pass through a signal processing procedure including amplification, filtering, rectification, and analog-to-digital conversion. This paper proposes a useful circuit design for controlling a robotic hand by means of surface EMG (sEMG) signal acquisition from the forearm. During the project, surface electrodes were placed on five muscles of the forearm. While the various forearm muscles were contracted, the signals obtained were processed through the circuit and converted to a digital signal to control the servomotors of the robotic hand. There are five servomotors to control each finger and thumb of the robotic hand. Pulse-width modulation (PWM) was used to communicate between the microcontroller and servomotors. The data obtained from this project has been analyzed and it was determined that a useful, low-cost method for controlling a robotic hand through the use of sEMG signal acquisition has been achieved.