cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance and modeling of paired polishing process

Abstract Paired polishing process (PPP) is a variant of the chemical mechanical polishing process which facilitates defect mitigation via minimization of maximum force as well as effective planarization via profile driven determination of force gradient. The present embodiment of PPP machine employs two polishing wheels, radially spanning the wafer surface on a counter-gimbaled base. The PPP machine is deployed to experimentally investigate the role of the process parameters on the surface roughness evolution, and the effective material removal rate. Two sets of copper and aluminum blanket layers were polished under a range of applied down force, polishing wheel speed and transverse feed rate to examine the scalability of the process parameters for different material constants. The experimental measurements along with the topological details of the polishing pad have been utilized to develop a mechanistic model of the process. The model employs the soft wheel-workpiece macroscopic contact, the polishing wheel roughness and its amplification to the local contact pressure, the kinematics of abrasive grits at the local scale, and the collective contribution of these individual micro-events to induce an effective material removal rate at the macroscale. The model shows the dependence of the material removal on the ratio of wheel rotational to feed speed for the PPP process, in a form of an asymptote that is scaled by the surface hardness of each material. The PPP machine exploits this insight and utilizes an oblique grinding technique that obviates the traditional trade-off between MRR and planarization efficiency.
CHAPTER 234 – Role of R-Ras in Cell Growth

This chapter summarizes the general features of R-Ras proteins that are shared with Ras proteins, and then it highlights unique features of each R-Ras protein. Ras proteins (H-Ras, K-Ras4A and 4B, and N-Ras) are regulators of signal transduction, mutated in 30% of human cancers, and targets for novel approaches for cancer treatment. Ras proteins are the founding members of a superfamily of small GTP binding and hydrolyzing proteins (GTPases). The small GTPases that share the greatest amino acid identity with Ras, such as R-Ras, Rap, and Ral, constitute members of the Ras family of proteins. Within this family, the R-Ras subfamily proteins (R-Ras, TC21/R-Ras2, and M-Ras/R-Ras3) exhibit the strongest structural and biological similarities with Ras. While studies in experimental model systems have shown that R-Ras proteins can promote oncogenic transformation, there is only limited evidence for aberrant R-Ras function in human cancers.
Haw River Syndrome

A newly defined familial disorder of progressive dementia, ataxia, chorea, and seizures is described from the Department of Neurology School of Medicine, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Department of Pathology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, N.C.
Efficient Phosphorescence from Naphthalenebenzimidizole-Coordinated Iridium(III) Chromophores

The electronic structure and photophysical properties of two phosphorescent iridium(III) cyclometalated complexes is presented. The molecules were synthesized by cyclometalating the ligand 1,8-naphthalenebenzimidizole (NBI), to an iridium(III) metal center. Two NBI ligands were covalently attached along with a 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) ligand producing the [Ir(NBI)2(phen)](PF6) complex and three NBI ligands were used to prepare the corresponding tris-cyclometalate fac-Ir(NBI)3. The optical properties of these new Ir(III) molecules were investigated using density functional theory calculations, photoluminescence spectroscopy, and transient absorption spectroscopy. The molecules at the heart of this study were found to contain long-lived ligand-localized triplet excited states on the NBI species, featuring energies suitable for bimolecular photochemical reactions. Both iridium(III) chromophores possess excellent light absorptivity in the visible region of the spectrum with high photoluminescence quantum efficiencies approaching 30%.
35 – ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE GROWTH OF INCOME1

Publisher Summary This chapter describes economic growth as a positive concept. Extensive growth is present when the real gross national product of a nation expands. Intensive growth requires an increase in output per person. Economic development is a normative concept encompassing distributional and structural factors and higher per capita income. Economic development implies an advance in the standard of living of a broad cross section of a nation's population, including those people in the bottom half of the income distribution. Small differences in growth rates can be important in the long run. For the less developed countries that have experienced substantial economic development, population growth is a problem and an opportunity. The presence of a skilled and disciplined work force is a major determinant of economic well-being. Investment in physical and human capital, technological advancements, and improvements in the efficiency of economic organization are important sources of economic growth. Although technological advancement has played an important role in the promotion of material progress, it is not a sufficient condition for sustained economic growth. If technology were the only requirement for economic growth, the less developed nations would be growing rapidly.
Development of Peripheral Neural Connections with Muscles and Sensory Receptors

The nerve supply of skeletal muscles is very constant; except for rare anomalies, each muscle is innervated by a specific group of motoneurons. This has been demonstrated by cutting various peripheral nerves and then observing that chromatolysis is confined to a localized group of motoneurons whose axons have been cut (Romanes, 1946; Szentagothai, 1948, 1949). More recently, accurate mapping of relations between muscles and motoneurons has been done by tracing the retrograde flow of horseradish peroxidase injected into the vicinity of motor nerve terminals in the muscles (Kristensson and Olsson, 1971, 1973; Kristensson, 1975, review). Not only do the axons of motoneurons supply specific muscles, but also their dendrites form specific connections within the spinal cord with the neurons that are involved in postural and locomotor reflexes. It is not known how the motoneurons form the appropriate peripheral and central reflex associations. It is therefore still necessary to survey the alternatives.
Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma Introduction-Definition, Diagnosis, Cell of Origin

This chapter begins by defining CLL as per the new WHO fourth edition revision and the “bread and butter” of this disease to include epidemiology; clinical features; morphology and phenotype of MBL, CLL, and SLL; the progression; and transformation. This chapter delves further and explains why and what makes the pseudo-follicles or proliferation centers (PCs) different from the normal germinal centers. The rationale behind the dim expression of surface immunoglobulin light chains or absence of FMC7 expression is explained. Some of the stories behind these molecules are charming. The initial definition and its relation to “lymphosarcoma” are expanded upon. The perspectives in CLL are changing since the 1960s. Is it really a low proliferative with low replication disease? How has its definition evolved since the 1960s–2016 ranging from the Rappaport system to the WHO 2016? Familiarity with these is important as we interact with clinicians and pathologists who are familiar with different classification systems. What is the cell of origin? Is it the naive B cell, or is it the B cell that has passed through and differentiated in the germinal center? How is it treated? What is the role of CD20 antibodies? How has the CD20 antibody evolved over time, and what are its generations? CAR T therapy is cutting-edge individualized personalized medicine and is making its way into CLL. MRD is becoming significant in indolent lymphomas, and there are technologies available that can be pursued in clinical practice. In summary this chapter is a review of the pathology that is essential in day-to-day practice and also addresses the biology of disease that explain the day-to-day “CLL intrigues,” which would be nice to know but not always easily accessible in our busy day-to day lives.
Sampling Error and Estimation

How far can an estimate of a parameter be from the true value of the parameter? In particular, how far can a sample mean be from a population mean? For example, all car manufacturers are required to post the average gas mileage of their cars. Typically, an estimate is obtained by taking a sample of cars, driving them under different driving conditions, and calculating the average gas mileage for this sample. It is also assumed that if everything stays the same, this sample mean can be used as an estimate of the mean of the gas mileage of all cars of that model. But how accurate is that estimate? How far is it from the true value? Can we get some understanding of the difference between the estimate and the true value, called the sampling error? How often will we observe large sampling errors? If we made certain assumptions, there are theoretical results that will give us a margin of sam?pling error. For example, based on our sample standard deviation and sample size, we may be able to state that the sampling error should be between −5 and +5 in, say, 90 out of 100 cases. So we can assume that there is a 90% chance that our sample mean is within 5 units of the unknown population mean. Another way of saying it is that the margin of sampling error is +5 with a probability of 90%.
Threats to Belonging, Immune Function, and Eating Behavior: an Examination of Sex and Gender Differences

The first goal of this review is to discuss the evidence linking belonging threats to immune function and food intake. The second goal is to evaluate whether the links among belonging threats, immune function, and eating behavior differ based on gender. Threats to belonging are linked to elevated herpesvirus antibody titers, dysregulated appetite-relevant hormones, and increased food consumption. Furthermore, these relationships are largely consistent for both men and women. Threats to belonging are also linked to elevated inflammation. However, some studies showed that these effects were stronger among women, others demonstrated that they were stronger among men, and others determined that the links were consistent for men and women. Understanding why belonging threats are inconsistently linked to inflammation across men and women is an important next step. We conclude the review with four concrete recommendations for researchers studying belonging threats, immune function, and eating behavior.
Effects of a Commercial Beta-Mannanase Product on the Performance, Intestinal pH, and Digesta Viscosity of Pekin Ducks

SUMMARY An experiment was performed to investigate the effects of a commercial β-mannanase product in duck diets containing 10% guar hull fraction. The experiment consisted of a factorial arrangement of 2 levels of β-mannanase (0% and 0.1%) and 2 levels of guar hull (0% and 10%). Addition of guar to the diets significantly reduced body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, and productive index at day 21. Addition of guar significantly increased feed:gain 0–7 d and 0–14 d. There were no significant effects of guar level on digesta pH except in the gizzard where pH was significantly reduced. Enzyme addition significantly increased body weight, weight gain, feed consumption, and productivity index. Inclusion of β-mannanase resulted in a significant reduction in feed:gain 0–7 d, 7–14 d, and 0–14 d. Digesta pH was significantly increased in ducks fed diets with β-mannanase. A significant interaction between guar and enzyme treatments existed for digesta viscosity of the jejunum and ileum. In diets without guar, the addition of β-mannanase did not significantly impact digesta viscosity in either intestinal segment. In diets containing guar, enzyme supplementation significantly decreased digesta viscosity. The addition of β-mannanase provided for improvements in performance, digesta pH, and viscosity regardless of guar inclusion rate; however, the improvements in digesta viscosity were of greater scale in diets containing guar.
Up with the Sun: Empirically and mathematically

Throughout time people have been measuring the rising and setting positions of celestial objects with respect to the horizon. The motivation for this paper is to provide a link between mathematical and observational approximations for the Sun’s declination (angular distance from the celestial equator). One source had students do an experiment with an apparatus to measure the altitude of the Sun each day and graph data. Another paper provided an equation where students could solve for the declination on any given day. Here we show two approaches to computing the declination, the latter of which accounts for the elliptical nature of Earth’s orbit and reveals, perhaps counterintuitively for many students, that this inclusion has very little effect on the declination results. The sequence can be used as both a practical laboratory experience and mathematical exercise accessible to teachers. It can also be an elementary introduction to computer modeling.
Real-time distribution of en-route Electric Vehicles for optimal operation of unbalanced hybrid AC/DC microgrids

Abstract This paper proposes a hierarchical power routing scheme for optimal operation of unbalanced hybrid AC/DC microgrids in grid-connected operating mode. The proposed method includes an optimal real-time distribution of en-route Electric Vehicles (EVs) between Charging Stations (CSs) within the microgrid and a dynamic power routing among three phases of the AC system using the capability of three-phase four-leg Interlinking Converters (ICs) aiming at minimizing the active power losses in the microgrid and power imbalance factor (PIF) at the point of common coupling (PCC). Numerical results obtained from the modified IEEE 13 bus system, as a highly unbalanced microgrid, demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed method not only in achieving the objective functions, but also in improving the system loadability and voltage profile indices comparing with other supervisory schemes and optimization methods for optimal operation of unbalanced hybrid AC/DC microgrids.
System tools applied to micro-cantilever based devices

Micro-cantilever based devices can be used to investigate and manipulate matter at atomic scales. Taking the case study of atomic force microscope (AFM) we demonstrate the power of system tools in the analysis of micro-cantilever based devices. They capture important characteristics and predict inherent limitations in the operation of these devices. Such a systems approach is shown to complement the physical studies performed on these devices. Tractable models are developed for the AFM operating in tapping-mode. For the interrogation of samples, it is also imperative that sample positioning should be done with high precision and at high speeds. This broadband nanopositioning problem is shown to fit into the modern robust control framework. This is illustrated by the design, identification and control of such a positioning device.
Decision Making for Destination Therapy Left Ventricular Assist Devices “There Was No Choice” Versus “I Thought About It an Awful Lot”

Background— Destination therapy left ventricular assist devices (DT LVADs) are one of the most invasive medical interventions for end-stage illness. How patients decide whether or not to proceed with device implantation is unknown. We aimed to understand the decision-making processes of patients who either accept or decline DT LVADs. Methods and Results— Between October 2012 and September 2013, we conducted semistructured, in-depth interviews to understand patients’ decision-making experiences. Data were analyzed using a mixed inductive and deductive approach. Twenty-two eligible patients were interviewed, 15 with DT LVADs and 7 who declined. We found a strong dichotomy between decision processes with some patients (11 accepters) being automatic and others (3 accepters, 7 decliners) being reflective in their approach to decision making. The automatic group was characterized by a fear of dying and an over-riding desire to live as long as possible: “[LVAD] was the only option I had…that or push up daisies…so I automatically took this.” By contrast, the reflective group went through a reasoned process of weighing risks, benefits, and burdens: “There are worse things than death.” Irrespective of approach, most patients experienced the DT LVAD decision as a highly emotional process and many sought support from their families or spiritually. Conclusions— Some patients offered a DT LVAD face the decision by reflecting on a process and reasoning through risks and benefits. For others, the desire to live supersedes such reflective processing. Acknowledging this difference is important when considering how to support patients who are faced with this complex decision.
SHOGUN: a modular, accurate and scalable framework for microbiome quantification

Summary The software pipeline SHOGUN profiles known taxonomic and gene abundances of short-read shotgun metagenomics sequencing data. The pipeline is scalable, modular and flexible. Data analysis and transformation steps can be run individually or together in an automated workflow. Users can easily create new reference databases and can select one of three DNA alignment tools, ranging from ultra-fast low-RAM k-mer-based database search to fully exhaustive gapped DNA alignment, to best fit their analysis needs and computational resources. The pipeline includes an implementation of a published method for taxonomy assignment disambiguation with empirical Bayesian redistribution. The software is installable via the conda resource management framework, has plugins for the QIIME2 and QIITA packages and produces both taxonomy and gene abundance profile tables with a single command, thus promoting convenient and reproducible metagenomics research. Availability and implementation https://github.com/knights-lab/SHOGUN.
Local Democratic Crises in Sri Lanka: A Study based on Kalmunai Municipal Council

Local democracy is a popular concept that is most applicable at the grassroots level. If the local government has a strong standing in local democracy, it can legitimately claim to play a significant and distinctive role in the central government. Against this backdrop, this study attempts to analyse the function of local democracy in Kalmunai Municipality in Eastern Sri Lanka. This study is based on a descriptive method of inquiry. The data were collected from both primary and secondary sources of information. In the collection of primary data, the tools and techniques of qualitative research, such as observation, interviews, structured questionnaire, focus group discussions, and field visits were employed. The qualitative interviews were conducted with representatives, voters, and civil society members. Secondary sources such as published and unpublished records, both from different levels of government and from non-governmental organizations, were perused to collect relevant data. The findings of the study show that Kalmunai Municipal Council is struggling to establish a well-built democracy in its territory through people participation at a broader level. The major reason for the declining standard of democratic governance appears to be a distinct drop in the perceived efficiency and effectiveness of the council, issues that have not been addressed by the council. The grossly inadequate powers and resources available to it have made the council incapable of tackling even the underlying day-to-day problems of the local communities.
The large GTPase, mGBP-2, regulates Rho family GTPases to inhibit migration and invadosome formation in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer cells

Abstract Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Despite advances in early detection and treatment, it is predicted that over 40,000 women will die of breast cancer in 2019. This number of women is still too high. To lower this number, more information about the molecular players in breast cancer are needed. Several members of the Guanylate-Binding Proteins (GBPs) have been correlated with better prognosis in breast cancer. In this study, we asked if the expression of GBP-2 in breast cancer merely provided a biomarker for improved prognosis or whether it actually contributed to improving outcome. Specifically, we asked whether murine GBP-2 exhibited cell autonomous behavior that altered breast cancer cells in a manner predicted to improve prognosis. To answer this, the 4T1 model of murine Triple-Negative Breast Cancer was used. 4T1 cells themselves are highly aggressive and highly metastatic, while 67NR cells, isolated from the same tumor, do not leave the primary site. mGBP-2 did not alter cell proliferation in these two cell lines, but mGBP-2 expression inversely correlated with migration. More specifically, mGBP-2 inhibits cell migration and invadopodia formation by inhibiting the activation of Rac1, while promoting the activation of CDC42 and RhoA. Together these data demonstrate that mGBP-2 is responsible for cell autonomous activities that make breast cancer cells less aggressive.
What Can We Learn from High Frequency Appliance Level Energy Metering? Results from a Field Experiment

This study uses hourly appliance-level electricity consumption data for 124 apartments over 24 months to provide a better understanding of appliance-level electricity consumption behavior. We conduct our analysis in a standardized set of apartments with similar appliances, which allows us to identify behavioral differences in electricity use. The results show that households’ estimations of appliance-level consumption are inaccurate and that they overestimate lighting use by 60% and underestimate HVAC and plug-load by 40%. We find that similar households using the same major appliances exhibit substantial variation in appliance-level electricity consumption. Additionally, we show that behavior accounts for 25-58% of this variation. Lastly, we find that replacing the existing refrigerator with a more energy-efficient model leads to overall energy savings of approximately 11%, which is equivalent to results from behavioral interventions targeting all appliances but might not be as cost effective. Our findings have important implications for behavior-based energy conservation policies.
The Brain And The Bat: A Popular Criminology Of The Brain In The Batman Animated Universes

Technology has made the brain both accessible and visible to researchers and the public at large. The threads connecting the neuroscience of criminality and its representations in popular culture a...
Third case of Bardet‐Biedl syndrome caused by a biallelic variant predicted to affect splicing of IFT74

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a rare ciliopathy characterized by rod-cone dystrophy, postaxial polydactyly, truncal obesity and renal anomalies with autosomal recessive inheritance. We describe a 6-year-old male with early onset retinal dystrophy, postaxial polydactyly, truncal obesity and motor delays. Exome sequencing revealed a homozygous variant predicted to affect splicing of the IFT74 gene, c.1685-1G > T. This is the third patient with BBS due to variants predicting loss of function in IFT74. All three patients have had retinal dystrophy, polydactyly, obesity, developmental differences, and a notable lack of renal anomalies. We recommend that IFT74 is added to gene panels for the diagnosis of BBS.
Photothermal Response Induced by Nanocage-Coated Artificial Extracellular Matrix Promotes Neural Stem Cell Differentiation

Strategies to increase the proportion of neural stem cells that differentiate into neurons are vital for therapy of neurodegenerative disorders. In vitro, the extracellular matrix composition and topography have been found to be important factors in stem cell differentiation. We have developed a novel artificial extracellular matrix (aECM) formed by attaching gold nanocages (AuNCs) to glass coverslips. After culturing rat neural stem cells (rNSCs) on these gold nanocage-coated surfaces (AuNC-aECMs), we observed that 44.6% of rNSCs differentiated into neurons compared to only 27.9% for cells grown on laminin-coated glass coverslips. We applied laser irradiation to the AuNC-aECMs to introduce precise amounts of photothermally induced heat shock in cells. Our results showed that laser-induced thermal stimulation of AuNC-aECMs further enhanced neuronal differentiation (56%) depending on the laser intensity used. Response to these photothermal effects increased the expression of heat shock protein 27, 70, and 90α in rNSCs. Analysis of dendritic complexity showed that this thermal stimulation promoted neuronal maturation by increasing dendrite length as thermal dose was increased. In addition, we found that cells growing on AuNC-aECMs post laser irradiation exhibited action potentials and increased the expression of voltage-gated Na+ channels compared to laminin-coated glass coverslips. These results indicate that the photothermal response induced in cells growing on AuNC-aECMs can be used to produce large quantities of functional neurons, with improved electrochemical properties, that can potentially be transplanted into a damaged central nervous system to provide replacement neurons and restore lost function.
High-density two-color micro-LED array based on brushing-assisted micropatterning of quantum dots

We report a 17 μm-pitched two-color micro-LED array based on brushing-assisted micro-patterning of quantum dots. Filtered by an integrated distributed Bragg reflector layer, our array features bright, localized, and fast light output near 462 nm and 623 nm with low spectral and spatial crosstalk.
Investigation of fluorophores for single-molecule detection of anodic corrosion redox reactions

We investigate the single-molecule detection of anodic corrosion redox reactions of iron using two fluorophores, FeRhoNox-1 and FluoZin-3, which “turn-on” upon reacting with Fe2+. Both dye molecules show potential as fluorogenic sensors for detecting anodic corrosion of iron in an aqueous environment, but FeRhoNox-1 shows a larger change in fluorescence signal than FluoZin-3. Deviations from the ensemble observations of iron corrosion are observed when performing single-molecule counting analysis of the collected images of FeRhoNox-1 “turning-on” over time. A complete picture of the corrosion initiation at the molecular scale can be obtained by combining the Fe2+-sensitive detection with cathodic corrosion reaction detection.
Investigative Therapies in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) remains a serious, life threatening disease of unclear etiology. Despite the rapid development of numerous drugs to treat the disease, no cure is presently available. New treatments for PAH that are able to reverse the abnormal pulmonary vascular remodeling that is responsible for much of this disease are badly needed. To accomplish this goal, novel therapies that target many of the dysfunctional pathways that have been identified in PAH will need to be developed. This chapter reviews many of the known alterations in gene expressions, vasoconstriction, inflammation, metabolism, and cellular proliferation that have been identified in the pathogenesis of PAH. Potential pharmacologic targets arising from these abnormalities are reviewed along with data, where available, from animal studies and small clinical trials that have attempted to treat pulmonary vascular disease through manipulation of these pathways.
Surgical treatment of systemic sclerosis--is it justified to offer peripheral sympathectomy earlier in the disease process?

Purpose Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a rare connective tissue disease associated with significant digital vasculopathy. Peripheral sympathectomy is frequently offered late in the disease process after severe digital ischemia has already occurred with patients being symptomatic for numerous years. The purpose of the present study was to analyze the results of peripheral sympathectomy in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SSc. Patients and methods A retrospective analysis of 17 patients (26 hands) who underwent peripheral sympathectomy between January 2003 and September 2013 was performed. Data regarding patient demographics, clinical features, and postoperative outcomes were retrieved. Of note, preoperative pain was present in all patients with a mean duration of 9.6 years prior to peripheral sympathectomy. Results Pain improvement/resolution was seen in 24 hands (92.3%). Digital ulcers healed in all patients with only two patients (two hands; 7.7%) requiring surgical intervention for ulcer recurrence 6 months and 4.5 years later. Minor complications were seen in seven hands (26.9%); including infection, wound opening, and stitch abscess, but none required surgical intervention. Seven of eight patients queried would have preferred surgical treatment at an earlier point in the disease process. Conclusion Peripheral sympathectomy is a well-tolerated procedure in patients with SSc and is associated with predictable pain relief and ulcer healing in the majority of patients. In light of these findings it seems prudent to offer surgical treatment not as a last resort but rather earlier in the disease process to decrease the duration that patients suffer pain. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:441–446, 2015.
Strength of liquid acids in solution and on solid supports. The anion stabilization by solvent and its consequences for catalysis

The effect of solvents upon the effective strength of acids in solution was studied in the strong acid range by the measurement of the Δ δ parameter for mesityl oxide at stoichiometric acid/base ratio (Δ δ1) and in the weak superacid range by the measurement of the hydronation of hexamethylbenzene (HMB). The approach is applicable to acids which cannot be described by an acidity function (non-Hammett acids). For sulfuric acid, the strength given by the Δ δ1 parameter changes with solvent in the order: sulfolane < neat acid < SO2 < hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP). Thus, sulfolane behaves like a basic solvent toward H2SO4. The small effect of SO2 is a result of its being a polar solvent. The large acidity enhancement observed in HFIP solution results from its ability to form strong hydrogen-bonded complexes with the acid anion (anion stabilization). The extent of hydronation of HMB by trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFMSA) changes with solvent in the order: SO2, SO2ClF < trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) < HFIP. As TFA is more basic than SO2, this finding demonstrates that TFA and HFIP are particularly good anion stabilizing solvents. Basicity of a solvent is not well described by the pKBH+ measured for that compound as a solute, but can be assessed from the decrease in the extent of hydronation of a probe base by an acid in the solvent. For hydrogen-bond donor solvents, a correction has to be made for the anion stabilizing effect (acidity-enhancing). An empirical relative solvent basicity parameter (SB) was developed from the examination of hydronation of HMB by TFMSA (3 mol) in TFA-CHCl3 solutions, and its suppression by the addition of an amount of solvent i equal to the acid (SB(i, TFA)). TFA is thus taken as the standard, non-basic, solvent, and also provides the anion stabilization. Values of SB(i, TFA) for some carboxylic acids and one nitroalkane are listed. The effect of anion stabilizing solvents as promoters for strong acid catalysts was shown by the acceleration of the transalkylation of p-di-tert-butylbenzene (p-DTBB) with toluene catalyzed by H2SO4, upon addition of small amounts of TFA or HFIP (most effective) to the acid.
Observation of systematic variations in non-local seismicity patterns from southern California

We have discovered systematic space-time variations in the seismicity from southern California using a new technique. Our procedure is based upon the idea that seismic activity corresponds geometrically to the rotation of a pattern state vector in the high-dimensional correlation space spanned by the eigenvectors of a correlation operator. Using our technique it is possible to isolate emergent regions of coherent, correlated seismicity. Analysis of data taken only up to December 31, 1991 reveals that the appearance of the coherent correlated regions is often associated with the future occurrence of major earthquakes in the same areas. These major earthquakes include the 1992 Landers, the 1994 Northridge, and the 1999 Hector Mine events.
Observational Studies: Outcome-Based Sampling

Samples in observational studies are outcome-based if the probability of being sampled depends on responses that are the subject of study. This may occur inadvertently due to attrition, self-selection, or stratification that is correlated with response, or may result from deliberate design decisions to facilitate observation, as in case-control studies. Outcome-based samples require special attention to issues of robustness that arise because variations in sampling protocol may be confounded with response, and issues of inference that arise because procedures that ignore the selection induced by the sample frame may be statistically inconsistent. This article discusses these issues and outlines some practical methods for consistent estimation of population conditional response probabilities.
Micelle-assisted protein folding. Denatured rhodanese binding to cardiolipin-containing lauryl maltoside micelles results in slower refolding kinetics but greater enzyme reactivation.

Abstract Unfolded (inactive) rhodanese (thiosulfate:cyanide sulfurtransferase, EC 2.8.1.1) can be reactivated in the presence of detergents, e.g. lauryl maltoside (LM). Here, we report the reactivation of urea-unfolded rhodanese in the presence of mixed micelles containing LM and the anionic mitochondrial phospholipid, cardiolipin (CL). Reactivation times increased as the number of CL molecules/micelle was increased. A maximum of 94% of the activity was recovered at 2.2 CL/micelle. Only 71% of the activity was recovered in the absence of CL. The major zwitterionic mitochondrial phospholipid, phosphatidylcholine (PC), had no effect on the LM-assisted reactivation of rhodanese. Size exclusion chromatography showed that denatured, but not native, rhodanese apparently binds to micellar amounts of LM and CL/LM, but not to PC/LM micelles. The lifetime of the enzyme-micelle complex increased with the number of CL molecules/micelle. Furthermore, chromatographic fractions containing micelle-bound enzyme had no activity, while renatured rhodanese-containing fractions were active. These results suggest that transient complexes form between enzyme and both LM and CL/LM micelles, and that this complex formation may be necessary for reactivation. For CL/LM micelles, interactions may occur between the positively charged amino-terminal sequence of rhodanese and the negatively charged CL phosphate. Finally, this work shows that there are similarities between "micelle-assisted" and chaperonin-assisted rhodanese refolding.
Aerodynamic Asymmetry Analysis of Unsteady Flows in Turbomachinery

A nonlinear harmonic balance technique for the analysis of aerodynamic asymmetry of unsteady flows in turbomachinery is presented. The present method uses a mixed time-domain/frequency-domain approach that allows one to compute the unsteady aerodynamic response of turbomachinery blades to self-excited vibrations. Traditionally, researchers have investigated the unsteady response of a blade row with the assumption that all the blades in the row are identical. With this assumption the entire wheel can be modeled using complex periodic boundary conditions and a computational grid spanning a single blade passage. In this study, the steady/unsteady aerodynamic asymmetry is modeled using multiple passages. Specifically, the method has been applied to aerodynamically asymmetric flutter problems for a rotor with a symmetry group of two. The effect of geometric asymmetries on the unsteady aerodynamic response of a blade row is illustrated. For the cases investigated in this paper, the change in the diagonal terms (blade on itself) dominated the change in stability. Very little mode coupling effect caused by the off-diagonal terms was found.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
AGE-DEPENDENT BRANCHING STOCHASTIC PROCESSES IN CASCADE THEORY

In this paper we consider a simple model of an electron-photon cascade in which the transformation probabilities are functions of absorber depth. The mean and variance of the number of electrons in the cascade as a function of absorber depth are obtained and their properties discussed. An equation which yields the probability that the cascade will eventually terminate is also given.
Effects of water depth on Typha latifolia and Typha domingensis.

The two species of Typha common in the southeastern United States, T. latifolia and T. domingensis differ substantially in their tolerance to deep water. The objective of this study was to examine the morphology and biomass allocation of these two species to determine if they have similar phenotypic responses to water depth. Replicate monocultures of the two species were established at a range of water depths in an artificial pond and allowed to grow for three growing seasons. At the end of the experiment, subsamples were harvested for determination of plant morphology as well as above- and belowground biomass. Both species of Typha showed increases in maximum height with increasing depth. The species less tolerant to deep water (T. latifolia) allocated more of its biomass to leaves with increasing water depth. In contrast, the deep water species (T. domingensis) showed increased total size of each ramet but a fixed percentage of biomass in leaves with increasing water depth. Both species had a decreasing incidence of flowering and decreasing shoot density with increasing water depth. In general, these species conform to expectations based on considerations of how their carbon budgets would be affected by water depth.
A comparison of body temperatures of least weasels and wolverines

Abstract 1. 1. At Barrow, Alaska, the resting T b of the least weasel (40 g) is relatively low (36.6°C) compared to 38.0°C for the wolverine (15 kg). 2. 2. There is a daily spontaneous rise in wolverine T b (2.0°) due to exercise and circadian body temperature setting. 3. 3. The four wolverines studied here could be predicted to be hyperactive from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and to have bouts of sleep between 8 p.m. and 8 a.m.
GASTROESOPHAGEAL REFLUX AS A CAUSE OF IDIOPATHIC SUBGLOTTIC STENOSIS

Aim: Investigate the possibility that gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is related to the development of subglottic stenosis (SGS) and is the likely cause in cases previously determined as unknown or idiopathic. Methods: Ten patients presented with subglottic stenosis. None had a previous history of trauma, intubation, granulomatous disease, or other disorder that causes SGS. There were nine females and one male, with an age range of 36 to 66 years. Results: The nine female patients were evaluated by an esophagram in all cases, pH monitoring in seven, and esophagoscopy in three. The one male patient was lost to follow-up and not studied. Six patients had abnormal results on studies indicative of GERD and three patients had normal examination results. As a group, there were 25 procedures for repair of SGS before the start of anti-reflux therapy and 11 afterwards, with follow-up a minimum of 1 year up to 8 years. The interval time between repairs was greatly lengthened after anti-reflux therapy was instituted. Discussion: There are suggestions that GERD contributes to the severity of most cases of acquired SGS. Based on results of the tests and responses to anti-reflux therapy, it is likely that GERD causes SGS in previously categorized idiopathic cases.
Fluidity of the lipid phase of bovine serum high density lipoprotein from fluorescence polarization measurements

Abstract The microviscosity of the lipid phase of bovine serum high density lipoprotein was determined by fluorescence polarization measurements on a lipophilic probe (1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene) dissolved in the lipoprotein. At 25°C the average microviscosity was 6.1 ± 0.5 poise, and the activation energy calculated from a plot of log η versus 1 T was 13±3Kcal/mole. A constant slope for the Arrhenius plot from 0 to 46°C indicated no apparent phase transitions in this temperature range. Comparison of the present results with reported microviscosity values for rat lymphocyte membranes and liposomes [Shinitzky and Inbar (1974) J. Mol. Biol. 85 , 603] indicates a more rigid environment of the probe in the high density lipoprotein system fluidity of the lipid appears to be considerably decreased in the lipoprotein relative to organic solvent or oil solutions of lipids, probably as a result of the anisotropic environment of the probe, high total cholesterol, and presence of protein in these particles.
Evaluation of the Standard Pint Dipper as a Quantitative Sampling Device for Mosquito Larvae

The standard pint dipper was compared to an area sampler as a device for sampling Culex tarsalis Coquillett and Culiseta inornata (Williston) (Diptera: Culicidae) mosquito larvae of all stages. The surface area of the standard pint dipper was 19% of that for the area sampler, and a 1-dip sample taken within the area sampler collected a mean 18, 21, 22, and 26% of the total number (instar I, II, III, and IV, respectively) of mosquito larvae, which were collected within the area sampler. Therefore the dipper was as effective as the area sampler in collecting a proportionate number of each stage and could be used alone for establishing age structure. Because the population under study was shown to have a stable age distribution, an apparent deficiency in instars I, II, and III was not a result of a departure from a stable age distribution at the time the samples were taken. When the numbers of instars I, II, and III collected by both sampling methods were corrected for differences in the duration of each stage, only a deficiency of instar I remained. This deficiency of instar I was probably caused by the “clumped” distribution of this stage (eggs laid in rafts) and the lower effectiveness of both the dipper and the area sampler in sampling from this “clumped” distribution.
Ascertainment of outpatient visits by patients with diabetes: The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) and the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS)

Abstract Aims To estimate and evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of providers' diagnosis codes and medication lists to identify outpatient visits by patients with diabetes. Methods We used data from the 2006 to 2010 National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey and National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of providers' diagnoses and medication lists to identify patients with diabetes, using the checkbox for diabetes as the gold standard. We then examined differences in sensitivity by patients' characteristics using multivariate logistic regression models. Results The checkbox identified 12,647 outpatient visits by adults with diabetes among the 70,352 visits used for this analysis. The sensitivity and specificity of providers' diagnoses or listed diabetes medications were 72.3% (95% CI: 70.8% to 73.8%) and 99.2% (99.1% to 99.4%), respectively. Diabetic patients ≥ 75 years of age, women, non-Hispanics, and those with private insurance or Medicare were more likely to be missed by providers' diagnoses and medication lists. Diabetic patients who had more diagnosis codes and medications recorded, had glucose or hemoglobin A1c measured, or made office- rather than hospital-outpatient visits were less likely to be missed. Conclusions Providers' diagnosis codes and medication lists fail to identify approximately one quarter of outpatient visits by patients with diabetes.
Field History, Barstow Fusselman Gas Field, Ward County, Texas

The Barstow Fusselman gas field was discovered in Feb. 1969. The initial well was completed from Silurian Fusselman perforations at 17,548 to 17,576 ft for a calculated absolute open flow potential of 132 MMcfpd. This well was placed on production in July 1969, and as of July 1, 1972, had produced 22.03 billion cu ft. Since that date, there have been 10 wells completed in the Barstow Fusselman field. Cumulative gas production as of July 1, 1972, from the field is 67.5 billion cu ft. Open flow potentials range from 25 MMcfpd to 495 MMcfpd. Production has been indicated from Pennsylvanian, Devonian, and Ellenburger horizons. None of these additional pays has been placed on production as yet. Drilling and producing problems are not particularly unique to this field/ however, both abnormal pressure and corrosion must be considered when designing the drilling program and the casing string.
Role of cold rolling texture and heating rate on final texture and magnetic induction in electrical steels

Abstract With increasing heating rate, the final main texture of inhibitor-free 3% Si–Fe alloy strips was roughly changed from the {110}〈001〉 texture to the {110}〈 uvw 〉 + the {110}〈 uvw 〉 texture and subsequently to the {100}〈 uvw 〉 + the {111}〈 uvw 〉 texture, while magnetic induction decreased from 2.03 to 1.40 T. Such a dependence on heating rate is deeply related to the change in surface segregation kinetics of sulfur that governs the surface-energy-induced selective growth. The strips cold-rolled without any lubricant showed mainly the {110}〈001〉 and the {110}〈 uvw 〉 grains after final annealing, irrespective of heating rate. The final texture of the strips cold-rolled with a lubricant was very sensitive to the heating rate. This may be due to the nucleation behavior of the {110} nuclei that are formed from two kinds of cold rolling textures.
Capture agents for a quartz crystal microbalance-continuous flow biosensor: functionalized self-assembled monolayers on gold

Abstract For a model system, we used gangliosides as capture agents on the gold electrode surface of a quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) to detect cholera toxin (CT) and the closely-related Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) in a continuous-flow cell. Positive signals were verified by introduction of anti-CT and anti-LT antibodies. Antibody binding to captured analyte was corroborated by positive signals from the binding of appropriate anti-immunoglobulin antibody in a manner analogous to a solid-phase enzyme-linked immunoassay (ELISA). While ganglioside receptor analogs are stable, easy to apply and have high affinity for particular bacterial toxins, they have the disadvantage of binding endogenous materials likely to be found in a biological sample. To avoid this problem, we have devised a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) on gold that can be modified with a functional group able to covalently bind and orient immunoglobulins without loss of antibody binding activity. We present preliminary results demonstrating the formation of the SAM linker terminating in a hydrazide functionality. The hydrazide was used to link active antibody against E. coli O157:H7 to the self-assembled monolayer. The antibody-derivatized QCM detected E. coli O157:H7 at concentrations of 107 and 104 cells per ml through a flow-cell. Antibody capture agents provide exquisite specificity, sensitivity and an essentially unlimited range of capture agents that can be coupled to the QCM for analytical purposes.