cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Changing stimulation patterns can change the broadness of contralateral masking functions for bilateral cochlear implant users.

Abstract Past studies have found that contralateral masking functions are sharper than ipsilateral masking functions for cochlear implant (CI) users. This could suggest that contralateral masking effects are only sensitive to the peak of the masker stimulation for this population. To determine if that is the case, this study investigated whether using broader stimulation patterns affects the broadness of the contralateral masking function. Contralateral masking functions were measured for six bilateral CI users using both a broad and narrow masker. Findings from this study revealed that the broad masker resulted in a broader contralateral masking function. This would suggest that stimulation outside of the peak of the masker affects contralateral masking functions for CI users.
An automated algorithm for mapping building impervious areas from airborne LiDAR point-cloud data for flood hydrology.

Buildings, as impervious surfaces, are an important component of total impervious surface areas that drive urban stormwater response to intense rainfall events. Most stormwater models that use perc...
Vendor-Neutral Right Ventricular Strain Measurement.

Objective To test the feasibility and reliability of using a vendor-neutral platform to evaluate right ventricular (RV) strain. Reliability was determined by comparing intra- and inter-observer variability between RV strain assessments. The secondary objective was to assess strain’s correlation with conventional RV functional parameters to evaluate its feasibility as a RV systolic functional assessment tool. Design This is a retrospective study. Setting Tertiary hospital. Participants A total of 15 patients who underwent elective coronary artery bypass graft surgery were selected for inclusion. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results Images obtained during routine, intraoperative, two-dimensional transesophageal echocardiography (2D TEE) were assessed for longitudinal strain (LS) and conventional parameters, including fractional area change (FAC), tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), Doppler tissue imaging (DTI)-derived tricuspid lateral annular systolic velocity wave (S’), and RV dimensions using vendor-neutral software. There was good to excellent intra- and inter-observer reproducibility (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] from 0.75 to 1.00) with the exception of basal free wall longitudinal strain (FWLS) (for intra- and inter-observer reproducibility, ICC = 0.670 and 0.749, respectively). FWLS and global longitudinal strain (GLS) showed moderate to strong positive correlation with FAC, TAPSE, and S’ (correlation coefficients from 0.667 to 0.721). Conclusion It is feasible to assess RV strain across multiple platforms in a reproducible and reliable fashion. Furthermore, RV strain demonstrated good correlation with conventional RV functional parameters, suggesting its feasibility as a sensitive RV function assessment tool.
Neurosteroids and Host Immune Resistance

Androstene steroids up-regulate immunity to increase host resistance against lethal infection by viruses, bacteria, and parasites. They also repair injury after lethal radiation exposure by mediating a rapid recovery of hematopoietic precursor cells. Androstenes increase the levels of the TH1 cytokines, IL-2, IL-3, IFN and counteract hydrocortisone mediated immune suppression. Increased host resistance results in protection from lethal infection by DNA or RNA viruses such as herpes virus, coxsackievirus B4, influenza, and arthropod borne viruses. They provide similar protection against lethal Gram positive and negative bacteria as well as parasitic infections. During shock response, the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (HPA) causes unchecked inflammation and sepsis. Androstenetriol treatment reduces Th2 and increases in Th1 cytokines, and significantly increases survival after severe trauma hemorrhage and shock by modulating the HPA response. In contrast to its epimer, 17 androstenediol inhibits proliferation and mediates apoptosis in tumor cells of murine and human origin and autophagy in human glioblastoma. The anti-proliferative functions or the immune up regulation by these neurosteroids are independent of either the estrogen or androgen receptors for activity. Results demonstrate that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is linked to 17 androstenediol induced autophagy by PERK/eIF2 signaling in human malignant glioma cells and transformed fibroblast. The androstene hormones increase host resistance to infections by enhancing cell mediated immunity while androstene exerts an anti- tumor effect by apoptosis, autophagy and increase ER stress.
CCN6 regulates breast cancer growth and invasion through modulation of IGF signaling and epithelial to mesenchymal transition

Living cells communicate with the surrounding microenvironment and exchange information through complex signaling pathways in order to carry out most homeostatic biological processes. Matricellular proteins, which include the CCN family of proteins, have the ability to coordinate the extracellular and intracellular signaling pathways and thus modulate the cross-talk between the microenvironment, epithelial and mesenchymal cells. Our laboratory has been devoted to understand the functions of CCN6 in breast tumorigenesis. Loss of CCN6 has been recognized as a genetic determinant for inflammatory breast cancer, a highly aggressive and metastatic form of breast cancer. Further investigations have shown that CCN6 has suppressive roles in the growth and invasion of inflammatory and non-inflammatory breast cancer cells. In recent years, we have made two important discoveries towards understanding CCN6’s mechanism of function. We found that CCN6 loss triggers the process of epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), which convert epithelial cells into migratory mesenchymal cells and thus drive breast cancers with metastatic ability. We have also found that CCN6 downregulation enhances the proliferation and survival effects of extracellular growth factors on mammary epithelial cells. Thus, our work provides new insights into the mechanism of tumor suppression exerted by CCN6 in the breast.
Foundations of Human-Nature Relational Ontology

When human/nature dualisms are identified and moved aside, ontologically basic relations come to contain both material and more-than-material features. Both posthumanist relationality such as Karen Barad’s, and that which is characterized by Aristotle as being inferior to primary and precedent, metaphysically isolated “substances,” should be rejected. Both position either “relations” or “substances” as primary, when both relations and substances should be taken as primary and wholly, mutually interdependent. In this context, Selves and the relations between them are ontologically basic, just as they are in Noddings’ interhuman care ethics. Part of the underpinning for positioning Selves and their relations thusly also rests in rejecting theories of relations that must always begin with brute material proximity and progress to closer forms. With such human/nature dualist assumptions removed, ontologically basic and irreducible close human-nature relationships can exist between relational Selves.
Use of simulation to improve fire department standard operating procedure for bariatric patient extrication

The removal of a victim from a burning building is inherently dangerous. This assignment can become even more difficult depending on the type of fire, the structure’s characteristics, the resources available and the victim themselves. One aspect of the victim that can make rescue more challenging is their size. Bariatric patients pose unique challenges to the firefighters that have to rescue them. As the prevalence of obesity in the USA continues to rise, the frequency with which firefighters encounter this situation will increase as well. Simulation education is a staple of paramedic and firefighter training. Previous literature has described simulation training for paramedics in the medical care of bariatric patients.1 However, to our knowledge this is the first description of a change to a fire department’s standard operating procedure as a result of simulation training. Our training took place in March of 2016. The training was developed jointly between OhioHealth and Worthington Fire Department (WFD). We developed a simulated scenario where firefighters would respond to a structure fire (house fire) and encounter several victims, one of which was an unresponsive bariatric patient. Equipment: To increase the realism of the simulation, firefighters and paramedics were asked to use their actual equipment to respond to the simulated fire scenario. This included: personal protective equipment (turnout/bunker gear), self-contained breathing apparatus, fire hoses (lines) and engines/medics/ladders. Environment : The WFD had a home donated to them for training purposes, and the simulation was conducted in situ. With the goals of the …
A high-resolution goniometer to measure sound diffraction patterns

Surface scattering and diffuse reflections from acoustic diffusers have recently become a significant topic of research for room acoustics. An acoustical goniometer can be implemented to create a circular microphone array to characterize the polar response for various types of diffusers. Particular areas of interest include validating the Physical Theory of Diffraction (PTD) through the use of finite-sized diffusers. In order to properly describe this phenomenon, a microphone array must achieve a fine enough angular resolution in addition to fulfilling the far-field requirements. This talk will discuss the implementation and results of a portable goniometer with a radius of 5 m and an angular resolution of 1.25 deg. This design is intended to be easily deployed in empty, indoor spaces of sufficiently large dimensions for a full 360-deg diffraction response measurement.
The summary diagram of discovered host immunological pathways against different pathogens and its relation to hypersensitivities

The host immunological pathways are re-organized to get a clear picture. There are four acute immune responses: TH1/TH2/TH22/THαβ which are corresponding to four chronic immune responses: TH1Like/TH9/TH17/TH3. TH1/TH1like is immunity against intracellular bacteria or protozoa and is related to type4 delayed-type hypersensitivity. TH1 immunity includes M1 macrophage, CTL (Tc1/EM4), IFNg CD4 T cell, and IgG3 B cells. TH1Like immunity includes M2 macrophage, suppressive CTL(EM3), IFNg/TGFβ CD4 T cell, and IgA1 B cells. TH2/TH9 is immunity against helminthes and is related to type1 immediate allergy. TH2 immunity includes eosinophils (iEOS), mast cells, IL-4 CD4 T cells, and IgE/IgG4 B cells. TH9 immunity includes eosinophils (rEOS), basophils, IL-9 CD4 T cells, and IgA2 B cells. TH22/TH17 is immunity against extracellular bacteria or fungi and is related to type3 immune-complex hypersensitivity. TH22 immunity includes neutrophils(N1), IL-22 CD4 T cells, and IgG2 B cells. TH17 immunity include neutrophils(N2), IL-17 CD4 T cells, and IgA2 B cells. THαβ/TH3 is immunity against viruses and is related to type2 antibody dependent cytotoxic hypersensitivity. THαβ immunity includes stimulatory NK cells(NK1), CTL(Tc2/EM1), IL-10 CD4 T cells, and IgG1 B cells. TH3 immunity includes regulatory NK cells(NK2), suppressive CTL(EM2), IL-10/TGFβ CD4 T cells, and IgA1 B cells. THfh is the stimulatory pathway to initiate adaptive acute immunity. Another inhibitory pathway Treg is the key player to shift acute immune responses to chronic immune responses for generating milder cytokines and other immune mediators to avoid severe destruction of tissue-organ during chronic large scale infection. This 4x2+2 is the diagram of host immunological pathways.
Are Work-Related Musculoskeletal Disorders Claims Related to Risk Factors in Workplaces of the Manufacturing Industry?

Objectives Varied work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) claim rates were found between companies even when they were in the same sectors with similar sizes. This study aimed to (i) identify common risk factors for back, shoulder, hand/wrist, and knee WMSDs among manufacturing jobs, and (ii) characterize the biomechanical exposures in jobs and work organizational practices between high and low WMSD claim rate companies so that more focused, industry-specific intervention strategies may be developed. Methods Using historical workers' compensation data, manufacturing companies were divided into two paired groups (low and high in the lower 25%ile and higher 75%ile, respectively). On-site job evaluations were conducted in 16 companies to determine job biomechanical risk levels. Management and workers' representatives in 32 paired companies were interviewed to identify possible differences between management strategies and management/worker relationships. A total of 39 injured workers were also interviewed to gather information of self-reported injury causes and suggested preventive measures. Results Analyses of 432 job evaluations showed that more jobs had higher risk levels of prolonged standing and heavy lifting in the high back WMSD claim rate companies than the low claim rate ones. No high biomechanical risk factors were found to be associated with jobs in high shoulder claim rate companies. High repetition, pinch force, and Strain Index were associated with high hand/wrist WMSD claim rate companies. High work pace and job stress were common among high knee WMSD claim rate companies. There were no statistically significant differences for the organizational factors between high and low WMSD claim rate companies. Heavy lifting, fast work pace, high hand/wrist repetition, high hand force, and awkward shoulder postures were identified as major contributing factors by the injured workers. Conclusions High WMSD claim rate companies appeared to have more high biomechanical exposure jobs than low WMSD claim rate companies. Available job evaluation methods for the low back and hand/wrists are satisfactory in quantifying job risk levels in the manufacturing industry. Research into more sensitive job evaluation methods for the shoulder and knee are needed.
Evaluation of magnetic field error in ExtendedEBIS

The upgrade of the EBIS, called ExtendedEBIS, is now in progress in Brookhaven National Laboratory. Two 5T-superconducting solenoids have been placed in series with 200 mm distance from each other for higher trap capacity and production of polarized 3He ions. Since the two superconducting solenoids are used, the field error is expected to be larger. In this research, the field error is estimated based on simulation. It was found that the magnetic field line can be 17 mm off from the center axis at the entrance of the collector, and this offset can be adjusted by three types of correction coils. Additionally, mismatch of the spin direction of polarized 3He due to the misalignment was estimated to be small.
Advantages and obstacles to retrofitting benefit-sharing after development-induced displacement and resettlement

Although many older development initiatives displaced people without benefit-sharing, the literature suggests that benefit-sharing may be added, or retrofitted, to an existing revenue-producing dev...
Non-hydrolytic synthesis of caprylate capped cobalt ferrite nanoparticles and their application against Erwinia carotovora and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

Magnetic cobalt Ferrite nanoparticles capped with caprylate groups, CH3(CH2)6CO2−, have been synthesized using a novel non-hydrolytic coprecipitation method under inert conditions. Particle diameter was characterized using dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The spinel ferrite crystal phase was verified using X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the presence of the capping agent was confirmed using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Bactericidal effects of the particles were tested against broth cultures of Erwinia carotovora and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. The final particles had an average diameter of 3.81 nm and readily responded to a neodymium magnet. The particles did have a significant effect on the OD600 of both broth cultures.
Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (Mis-c): An emerging immune mediated syndrome in children associated with covid-19

As the world came to terms with the current COVID-19 pandemic, children were initially thought to have milder disease than adults with significantly lower morbidity and mortality. The emergence of a multi-system inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) associated with the SARS-CoV-2 virus was first recognized in Europe, and then across centers in the United States. Early and widespread data sharing among centers across the world was extremely helpful in early identification and treatment of these children, with a good prognosis in a majority of cases. Significant research is required to answer several questions that have been raised, including susceptibility, long-term effects, and pathogenesis and treatment options to name a few. © 2020, Delaware Academy of Medicine. All rights reserved.
Nonclassical antagonism between human lysozyme and AMPs against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Combinations of human lysozyme (hLYS) and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are known to exhibit either additive or synergistic activity, and as a result, they have therapeutic potential for persistent and antibiotic-resistant infections. We examined hLYS activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa when combined with six different AMPs. In contrast to prior reports, we discovered that some therapeutically relevant AMPs manifest striking antagonistic interactions with hLYS across particular concentration ranges. We further found that the synthetic AMP Tet009 can inhibit hLYS-mediated bacterial lysis. To the best of our knowledge, these results represent the first observations of antagonism between hLYS and AMPs, and they advise that future development of lytic enzyme and AMP combination therapies considers the potential for antagonistic interactions.
Thermoelectric Generator Performances and Efficiency Analysis Integrated with MPPT Techniques

Environment friendly, noiseless power generation, completely reliable and long-lasting energy sources, TEG is going to have a significant role in the upcoming energy technologies. As the demand for electric energy is raising day by day and TEG could be a kind of sources to mitigate energy demand in some sort. Though the main hinderance to the development of TEG is its efficiency but with continuous research its efficiency is increasing gradually. In this research paper there has been modeled TEG through MATLAB/Simulink and with the addition of some Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) method e.g. Perturb and Observe (P & O), Incremental Conductance (IncCond) and Particle Swarm optimization (PSO). Finally, in each cases their performances in terms of output voltage, current, power and efficiency has been analyzed. It has been observed that an outstanding increment of efficiency which can paved the way for new TEG technologies in myriad ways of applications like as an auxiliary energy sources integrated with other main energy generation sources.
Automating the Assessment of Problem-solving Practices Using Log Data and Data Mining Techniques

Interactive simulations provide an exciting opportunity to assess and teach students the practices used by scientists and engineers to solve real-world problems. This study examines how the logged interaction data from a simulation-based task could be used to automate the assessment of complex problem-solving practices. A total of 73 college students worked on an interactive circuit puzzle embedded in a science simulation in an interview setting. Their problem-solving processes were videotaped and logged in the backend of the simulation. We extracted different sets of features from the log data and evaluated their effectiveness as predictors of students' problem-solving success and evidence for specific problem-solving practices. Our results indicate that the application of data mining techniques guided by knowledge gained from qualitative observation was instrumental in the discovery of semantically meaningful features from the raw log data. These knowledge-grounded features were significant predictors of students' overall problem-solving success and provided evidence on how well they adopted specific problem-solving practices, including decomposition, data collection, and data recording. The results point to promising directions for how scaffolding/feedback could be provided in educational simulations to enhance student learning in problem-solving skills.
Printability Assessment of Ethyl Cellulose Biopolymer Using Direct Ink Writing

The goal of this article is to investigate the printability of ethyl cellulose, a biomass derived polymer, using a custom-modified direct ink writing (DIW) printer. Ethyl cellulose is widely used as a thin-film coating in controlled-release vitamins and medical pills as well as a thickener in the food, cosmetics, and other industries, making it an attractive candidate biopolymer for 3D printing. In this work, ethyl cellulose was dissolved in an alpha-terpineol solvent at different solid contents to prepare inks with different viscosities. A custom DIW printer, retrofitted with an in situ infrared curing system, was designed, calibrated, and analyzed for printing ethyl cellulose. The results demonstrate that the printer can maintain a steady flow for a range of ethyl cellulose inks having different viscosities. In summary, DIW can be successfully deployed toward fabricating biopolymer parts.
Photoproperties of Ortho-Metalated Ir(III) and Rh(III) Complexes

Recent studies have served to provide initial characterizations of the photoproperties of a variety of ortho-metalated complexes of Ir(III) (Sprouse 1984; King 1984, 1985), Rh(III) (Balzani 1986; Sprouse 1984), Ru(II) (Reveco 1985? Constable 1986), Pt(II) (Maestri 1985? Chassot 1986), and Pd(II) (Wakatsuki 1985) with 2-phenylpyridine (ppy), benzo[h]quinoline (bzq) and related ligands. While a portion of the initial impetus for these studies followed from interest in the characterization of ortho-metalated complexes of the widely used ligand, 2,2’-bipyridine (bpy) (Watts 1977? Spellane 1983? Wickramasinghe 1981? Nord 1983? Braterman 1984? Skapski 1985? Cohen 1985? Slama-Schwok 1985? Grutsch 1986? Finlayson 1986), the more traditional ortho- metalatinq ligands such as ppy and bzq impart upon their metal com- plexes photoproperties quite distinct from those of either N,N’- chelated or N,C-ortho-metalated bpy complexes. Of particular signifi- cance is the ability of these traditional ortho-metalating ligands to impart upon their metal complexes the thermodynamic potential to function as strong reducinq agents in their low-enerqy excited states. Analoqous complexes of N,N’-chelating bpy tend to be far superior oxidizing agents but much poorer reducinq aqents in their low-enerqy excited states. Recent studies in our laboratory have focused upon ortho-metalated complexes of Ir(III) and Rh(III) with ppy as well as the methyl-substituted ligands 2-(p-tolyl) pyridine (ptpy) and 3- methyl-2-phenylpyridine (mppy). The structures of these ligands are illustrated in Fiq. 1 below.
Hazard and Risk Potential of Unconventional Hydrocarbon Development-Induced Seismicity within the Central United States

AbstractUnconventional hydrocarbon development-induced seismic hazard in historically aseismic regions is more frequent and concentrated than seismicity in established tectonic high-hazard zones, and the current standard of practice for risk assessment for infrastructure is not applicable for this highly variable, induced hazard. A substantial seismic increase has been observed in historically aseismic regions and in close proximity to federal infrastructure within Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. Seismological events M2.0 and greater, spanning February 8, 1950 until October 20, 2013 were analyzed to identify and assess the hazard potential. Geospatial and temporal observations correlate the seismic increase to the rise of unconventional hydrocarbon development, wherein all production components contribute to weakening of the subsurface and induced seismicity. Unconventional hydrocarbon production hazard has become more analogous with deep ore mining in terms of ener...
Civilizing the Museum: The Collected Writings of Elaine Heumann Gurian

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Elaine Heumann Gurian Year: 2006 Pages: 219 Publisher: Routledge ISBN: 0-415-35762-4 (soft cover).
PR-OWL: a Bayesian ontology language for the semantic web

This paper addresses a major weakness of current technologies for the Semantic Web, namely the lack of a principled means to represent and reason about uncertainty. This not only hinders the realization of the original vision for the Semantic Web, but also creates a barrier to the development of new, powerful features for general knowledge applications that require proper treatment of uncertain phenomena. We present PR-OWL, a probabilistic extension to the OWL web ontology language that allows legacy ontologies to interoperate with newly developed probabilistic ontologies. PR-OWL moves beyond the current limitations of deterministic classical logic to a full first-order probabilistic logic. By providing a principled means of modeling uncertainty in ontologies, PR-OWL can be seen as a supporting tool for many applications that can benefit from probabilistic inference within an ontology language, thus representing an important step toward the W3C's vision for the Semantic Web. In order to fully present the concepts behind PR-OWL, we also cover Multi-Entity Bayesian Networks (MEBN), the Bayesian first-order logic supporting the language, and UnBBayes-MEBN, an open source GUI and reasoner that implements PR-OWL concepts. Finally, a use case of PR-OWL probabilistic ontologies is illustrated here in order to provide a grasp of the potential of the framework.
Prolonged expression of AP-1 transcription factors in the rat hippocampus after systemic kainate treatment

Systemic administration of kainate, a glutamate receptor agonist, caused neuronal death in the CA1 and CA3 fields of the rat hippocampus. In the areas of cell loss, reactive astrocytes increased their expression of an astrocyte-specific protein, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). AP-1 DNA binding activity and the expression of a 35 kDa fos-related antigen (fra) remained elevated in the rat hippocampus for at least 2 weeks after a single systemic injection of kainate, which correlated with changes in gene expression during reactive gliosis. Immunoreactivity for fras was detected in the nuclei of neurons in the dentate gyrus, but relatively few cells in CA1 and CA3 were immunoreactive 1 week after kainate treatment. However, elevated AP-1 DNA binding activity was observed in the CA1 and CA3 regions as well as in the dentate gyrus, suggesting that proteins other than the fras were involved in the astrocytic AP-1 complex. The AP-1 DNA binding activity in hippocampus recognized an AP-1 sequence from the promoter region of the GFAP gene, suggesting that GFAP is a potential target gene. Thus, a single systemic injection of kainate causes long-term activation of AP-1 DNA binding activity in the rat hippocampus and may be important for long-term changes in gene expression in hippocampal cells.
From Cutlass to Cat-O'-Nine Tails: The Case for International Jurisdiction of Mutiny on the High Seas

While both mutiny and piracy have been outlawed by the municipal laws of all civilized nations, mutiny - as defined as an internal seizure of a vessel by the passengers or crew - has not been expressly recognized as a violation of the law of nations.This article investigates the differences and the broad similarities between these two offenses and examines the strong support for a broad interpretation of privacy which would include mutiny and internal seizures within the definition of piracy. The conclusion reached is that the objections to such a broadened interpretation can be blunted in large measure by the realization that present mechanisms, as such extradition treaties, may indeed have the same practical effect as a new interpretation of piracy; for, where an extradition agreement exists between nations, jurisdiction over mutineers may be obtained through a request for extradition because, simply, mutiny is generally an enumerated crime for which extradition will be available.
Challenges for the Advanced Composition Explorer

This report is a brief introduction to some of the vital contributions that the Advanced Composition Explorer Mission will make towards our understanding of the origins of matter and acceleration of particles on a wide range of solar and astrophysical scales. Examples of these contributions are drawn from two broad areas of the space sciences. They are: (1) Dynamical phenomena at the Sun and in the inner heliosphere; and (2) The elemental and isotopic composition of matter in the solar wind, solar accelerated ejecta, galactic cosmic radiation and the anomalous nuclear component in the heliosphere. Some current problems with theories intended to account for these phenomena are discussed, including interpretations of the stable and radioactive isotopes in the galactic cosmic rays.
The 13C/12C Isotope Ratio in Circumstellar Envelopes

A recent survey of the 12CO(J = 1–0) emission from circumstellar envelopes produced by mass loss from evolved giants has been made using the 7 m antenna at Bell Laboratories (Knapp and Morris, 1984, submitted to Astrophysical Journal. A total of 50 stars was detected. Emission in the 13CO J = 1–0 line was searched for in nineteen of the stars with the strongest 12CO emission. The sample contains nine carbon stars, nine stars with [0] > [C] (“oxygen” stars) and one S star, χ Cyg. 13CO emission was detected from twelve stars at a level > 3σ, and from three more stars (IRC+50096, CRL865 and χ Cyg) at the 3σ level.
Question to ponder

Why aren't people with tinea capitis allowed on commercial aircraft? They have too many kerions
Organosilicon compounds with functional groups proximate to silicon: XVII. Synthetic and mechanistic aspects of the lithiation of α,β-epoxyalkylsilanes and related α-heterosubstituted epoxides

Abstract A series of α-heterosubstituted epoxides, , has been found to undergo lithiation in the temperature range of −75 to −115°C at the CH bond of the epoxide. The substituent Z could be Me3Si, Ph3Si, n-Bu3Sn, Ph3Sn, PhSO2, (OEt)2PO and Ph; the groups R and R′ were H, Ph and n-C6H13; and the lithiating reagents were n-butyllithium, t-butyllithium and lithium diisopropylamide in donor media of THF or TMEDA. The lithiation occurs with retention of configuration and the resulting lithio-epoxide is unstable above 0°C, decomposing in a carbenoid manner. The lithiation is facile except for compounds where Z and R (an alkyl or aryl) are cis-oriented; where Z = R3Sn, lithiation occurs by tin-lithium, rather than hydroen-lithium, exchange. The lithio-epoxides thereby generated can be quenched with various reagents to yield epoxides where the epoxide H has been replaced by D, Me3Sn, R, RCO and COOH. The utility of this procedure in organic synthesis is emphasized. Finally, the possible explanations for the acidity of such α-heterosubstituted epoxides and for the relative stability of the derived lithio-epoxides are considered and assessed.
Electromigration and thermal migration in Pb-free interconnects

A set of experiments designed to understand the evolution of electromigration damage in Pb-free interconnects was conducted. It is found that the degree of EM damage is higher with increasing stress current and stress duration, and dependent on the closeness of the c-axis of the Sn grain to current direction. Controlling the solder texture is one of the key elements in improving EM lifetime. The effect of thermal gradient on solder reliability is studied by applying heat to the chip side of the solder joint. No thermal gradient induced migration is observed in Sn bumps with temperature gradients as high as 6.8×105 °C/m.
Befriending Girls as an Educational Life-Practice

A FICTIONAL CASE In Sapphire’s contemporary African-American bildungsroman, Push, Miz Blue Rain befriends its 16-year-old girl-hero, abused by her mother and expelled from school because she is pregnant by her father a second time. Illiterate after many years’ schooling in Harlem, Precious Jones becomes a student in Miz Rain’s basic literacy class of six girls. There, besides reading and writing, she learns to live her life as an affectionate, proud, responsible single mother, able to resist abuse and to develop mature loving relationships with others who can help her sustain both herself and her baby.
New Perspectives on c-Type Cytochromes

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the various classes of c-type cytochromes, primarily as they occur in nonmitochondrial systems, and their further description as subclasses based on structural relationships observed for purified proteins. The discussion of cytochromes in general is weighted in terms of c-type cytochromes, which present the most examples of readily soluble forms amenable to experiment at the pure protein level. Possible structural interrelationships with membrane-bound forms are considered. Primarily on the basis of amino acid sequences and three-dimensional structures, there are three totally unrelated types of c-type cytochromes, classes I, II, and III. A brief outline of the properties of the classes and subclasses of the c-type cytochromes is presented. The classic problem of structure–function correlation arises in all the classes of prokaryotic c-type cytochromes.
Crucial Dietary Factors in Maximizing Life Span and Longevity in Autoimmune-Prone Mice

When the energy intake of (NZB X NZW)F1 female mice was reduced to 60% of the intake of simultaneously ad libitum-fed mice, the early death associated with autoimmune-based renal disease in this strain was greatly delayed. The length of prolongation of disease-free life depended not only on the decreased energy intake but also on the energy source. In the group of mice with 60% intake of a carbohydrate-free (i.e., high fat) diet, mean longevity was doubled as compared to that of ad libitum-fed mice. However, when the nonprotein energy was supplied by carbohydrate (sucrose and glycerol) the mean longevity was three times that of the ad libitum-fed groups, although survival times varied widely. With ad libitum feeding the nonprotein energy source did not significantly affect longevity. Clearly, although energy intake restriction provides significant influence on longevity, very high fat diets do not give the same protection as do high carbohydrate diets. The basis for this difference is not entirely clear and several explanations are possible.
Exploring Tourist Satisfaction with Mobile Technology

Wireless access with handled devices is a promising addition to the WWW and traditional electronic business. Handheld devices provide convenience, portable access, and large amounts of information to travelers. Many mobile commerce application models have been developed, however, limited research exists on mobile users’ perspectives with regard to satisfaction towards mobile technology. There is a need to develop an understanding of travelers’ satisfaction with mobile commerce in order to gain optimum competitive advantage. In this paper, we adapted and developed the American Customer Satisfaction Model (ACSM) to m-commerce in the tourism industry. The results of this study suggest that the degree of perception and perceived value are key factors affecting mobile travelers’ satisfaction with mobile experiences. Satisfaction, in turn, influences the extent of intention to continue to use mobile devices during travel.
Differing Activities of Homeostatic Chemokines CCL19, CCL21, and CXCL12 in Lymphocyte and Dendritic Cell Recruitment and Lymphoid Neogenesis

Despite their widespread expression, the in vivo recruitment activities of CCL19 (EBV-induced molecule 1 ligand chemokine) and CXCL12 (stromal cell-derived factor 1) have not been established. Furthermore, although CXCL13 (B lymphocyte chemoattractant) has been shown to induce lymphoid neogenesis through induction of lymphotoxin (LT)α1β2, it is unclear whether other homeostatic chemokines have this property. In this work we show that ectopic expression in pancreatic islets of CCL19 leads to small infiltrates composed of lymphocytes and dendritic cells and containing high endothelial venules and stromal cells. Ectopic CXCL12 induced small infiltrates containing few T cells but enriched in dendritic cells, B cells, and plasma cells. Comparison of CCL19 transgenic mice with mice expressing CCL21 (secondary lymphoid tissue chemokine) revealed that CCL21 induced larger and more organized infiltrates. A more significant role for CCL21 is also suggested in lymphoid tissues, as CCL21 protein was found to be present in lymph nodes and spleen at much higher concentrations than CCL19. CCL19 and CCL21 but not CXCL12 induced LTα1β2 expression on naive CD4 T cells, and treatment of CCL21 transgenic mice with LTβR-Fc antagonized development of organized lymphoid structures. LTα1β2 was also induced on naive T cells by the cytokines IL-4 and IL-7. These studies establish that CCL19 and CXCL12 are sufficient to mediate cell recruitment in vivo and they indicate that LTα1β2 may function downstream of CCL21, CCL19, and IL-2 family cytokines in normal and pathological lymphoid tissue development.
Atypical patent ductus arteriosus with absence of the usual aortic-pulmonary pressure gradient and of the characteristic murmur.

Abstract The clinical criteria for the diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus are well known and are, in the vast majority of cases, sufficient to establish the diagnosis without recourse to cardiac catheterization or to angiocardiography. Of these criteria, a continuous machinery murmur best heard at the left of the upper sternum has been considered typical of patent ductus and is rarely of other origin (i.e., arteriovenous aneurysm in the same area). However, the earlier insistence that this typical murmur must be present in order to justify surgical exploration1,2 has proved untenable. Furthermore, it has been pointed out3,4 that in infancy or with congestive heart failure a patent ductus may be present with-out murmurs. Several proved cases3,5 have been reported in which only systolic murmurs not continuing into diastole were found. Why does a patent ductus arterious occasionally fail to give rise to a continuous murmur? Burchell5 suggested that in these cases the usual aortic-pulmonary pressure gradient may be absent during diastole or during the entire cardiac cycle. However, no data bearing on this point have thus far been available. In this paper we present two cases of patent ductus arteriosus in children who did not exhibit the classic machinery murmur. In the preoperative evaluation of these patients, cardiac catheterization was helpful in making the diagnosis and, in one of the cases, furnished data which satisfactorily explained the lack of typical physical signs.
Air-handling energy efficiency and design practices

With good design practices and life-cycle cost optimization, the specific fan power for individual (SFPI) fans will be between 0.5 and 1 kW m−3−1. Data from nearly 1000 audited fans in Sweden show that the average measured SFPI weighted by drawn motor power is 1.5 kW m−3 s−1 and the situation appears to be similar in other countries. Contract forms used by Swedish builders and consultants' design practices are analyzed here to search for an explanation of the low performance of installed systems. Identified as two major barriers to efficient system design are the lack of performance specifications when procuring systems and the incentive structure in the building sector. As a consequence, duct design methods, rules of thumb, and vendor recommendations do not lead to system optimization. The broad minima in life-cycle costs over a range of air-handling unit sizes show that potential economic welfare losses from efficiency standards are likely to be smaller than the losses that result from today's design practices.
Bile duct injuries during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Background: With the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy, an increase in the incidence of bile duct injury two to three times that seen in open cholecystectomy was witnessed. Although some of these injuries were blamed on the ``learning curve,'' many occurred long after the surgeon had passed his initial experience. We are still seeing these injuries today.
Bounds on the dissipation of energy in steady flow of a viscous incompressible fluid around a body rotating within a finite region

The problem of calculating the torque on bodies of revolution in a viscous incompressible fluid in steady flow has received considerable attention. Such calculations are needed in designing and calibrating rotational viscometers. With few exceptions, previous investigations have used STOKES' equations of slow flow, in which the inertial effects of the fluid are ignored. The a t tempts made to take account of these inertial effects have usually depended on a perturbation technique in which deviations from Stokes flow are expanded in powers of some Reynolds number*. Such methods appear to be valid for very slow flows, but they suffer from the difficulty tha t the range of validity is nc, t given by the method and can be determined empirically at best.
Doppler US measurement of portal venous flow: variability in healthy fasting volunteers.

PURPOSE: To describe the intrinsic sampling variability of measurements of portal venous flow in healthy volunteers and to estimate the variability attributable to the sonographer, the subject, and the measurement. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a randomized controlled fashion, nine sonographers measured portal venous flow in five subjects. Each sonographer measured portal venous flow in each volunteer during three separate sessions with three measurements per session. Analysis of variance was used to estimate the contribution of several factors to the observed variability. RESULTS: Overall mean portal venous flow was 390 mL/min +/- 234 (range, 18-1,511 mL/min). The estimated variance components were 1.1 (3%), 2.5 (7%), 7.2 (21%), and 24.0 (69%) for the subject, the sonographer, the interaction between subject and sonographer, and the measurement or intrinsic variability. Similar results were obtained when the analysis of variance was fit by using the rank and median of the measurements. CONCLUSION: Substantia...
Committee on Chemistry in the Two-Year Colleges

Some two-year colleges are abuzz these days over the newest initiatives supported by the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Program. The program promotes exemplary improvement in advanced technological education at the national and regional levels through support of curriculum development and program improvement in undergraduate and secondary education.
RF-GPS: RFID assisted localization in VANETs

Providing vehicles' position is essential in VANETs. Currently, GPS positioning is widely used, but the accuracy is not adequate for emerging safety applications. In order to provide accurate positioning, this paper proposes RF-GPS, a RFID-assisted localization system that reliably supports lane-level position accuracy. It improves accuracy of the GPS system by employing a DGPS-like concept. It also allows vehicles without GPS to compute their position by contacting GPS equipped neighbors. We evaluate the performance of the proposed localization system via simulation.
The electronic structure of chlorine trifluoride: An approximate MO-LCAO-SCF calculation

Calculations have been performed on ClF3 using an approximation scheme previously developed by the author. Only valence shell s and p orbitals are used in the basis. It is found that the T-shaped nuclear configuration can be satisfactory explained without the use of chlorine 3d orbitals. The calculated charge distribution is found to be similar to that postulated by the Gillespie and Nyholm model but with excess electronic charge on the fluorine atoms.
Joint Design for 3-D Printing Non-Assembly Mechanisms

The layer-based additive manufacturing (AM) processes can directly fabricate sub-systems with multiple components during the building process. Novel applications in robotics and many others have been demonstrated by removing the need of component assembly. However, the AM processes also have inferior accuracy compared to the Computer Numerical Control (CNC) machining process. Hence the joint clearance that can be achieved in a 3D-printed mechanism is large. This would significantly limit the use of AM in directly building movable sub-systems without further assembly operations after the building process. To reduce the joint clearance, we present a novel joint design by considering the fabrication limitation of AM processes. A novel marker structure is developed for various types of joints including cylindrical pin joints. The relation of the marker design and the rotation performance of the 3D-printed joint is modeled. Test cases based on the Stereolithography Apparatus (SLA) process have been performed to verify the effectiveness of the developed joint design. Compared to the traditional pin joint design, the new design can achieve a smaller clearance during rotation while still be able to be fabricated by the SLA process. Consequently its rotation performance can be improved.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Maternal adaptations in preparation for parturition predict uncomplicated spontaneous delivery outcome.

Objective The objective of the study was to define maternal tissue adaptations in pregnancy associated with uncomplicated spontaneous vaginal delivery using anatomical and biological outcomes. Study Design Nulliparous gravidas were prospectively enrolled in the first trimester at 2 institutions. Demographic and delivery data were chart abstracted. Vaginal elastase activity (units per milligram of protein) and Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification measurements of pelvic organ support were obtained in the first and third trimesters. A subset underwent 3-dimensional ultrasound measures of levator hiatus. Uncomplicated spontaneous vaginal delivery (VD) was defined as no cesarean, forceps, vacuum, shoulder dystocia, third- or fourth-degree perineal laceration, or prolonged second stage labor. Results We enrolled 173 women in their first trimester, 50 of whom had ultrasounds. Mean age was 25.5 ± 5.5 years with a body mass index of 28.0 ± 7.3 kg/m 2 . Sixty-seven percent were white/Caucasian, 27% black/African American, and 6% Hispanic/Latina. Mean delivery gestational age was 38.5 ± 2.9 weeks, with 23% delivering by cesarean and 59% achieving uncomplicated spontaneous VD. Vaginal support changed significantly over trimesters with posterior vaginal and hiatal relaxation, vaginal lengthening, and increased levator hiatus area during strain. Women achieving uncomplicated spontaneous VD demonstrated significantly greater relaxation on third-trimester Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification for anterior, apical, and hiatal measures than those without uncomplicated spontaneous VD. Higher first-trimester vaginal elastase activity was strongly associated with uncomplicated spontaneous VD (geometric mean activity 0.289 ± 0.830 U/mg vs –0.029 ± 0.585 U/mg, P = .009). Higher first-trimester elastase, younger age, lower first-trimester body mass index, and more third-trimester vaginal support laxity in points C and GH were predictive of VD success. Conclusion Significant maternal adaptations occur in the vagina during pregnancy, presumably in preparation for vaginal delivery. Greater adaptation, including vaginal descent and higher first-trimester elastase activity, is associated with an increased likelihood of uncomplicated spontaneous VD.