cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Controlling Charge-Transport in Metal–Organic Frameworks: Contribution of Topological and Spin-State Variation on the Iron–Porphyrin Centered Redox Hopping Rate

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are an emerging class of compositions for electro- and photoelectrocatalytic energy conversion processes. Understanding and improving the charge-transport processes within these high surface area molecular redox catalyst assemblies are critical since the charge carrier conductivity is inherently limited in MOFs. Here, we examine a series of four chemically identical but structurally different hydrolytically robust ZrIV-MOFs constructed from tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrinato iron(III), TCPP(FeIII) to understand how their topological construction affects redox hopping conductivity. While a structural variation fixes center-to-center distances to define the hopping rate, we probe that altering the central metal spin-state can further tune the TCPP(FeIII/II) reorganization energy of the self-exchange process. Significant increase in the hopping rate was observed upon axial coordination of 1-methyl imidazole (MIM), which converts a weakly halide bound high-spin (HS) TCPP(FeIII/II) to the six-coordinated low-spin (LS) complex. Our electrochemical and resonance Raman data reveal that pore geometry that defines the Fe-Fe distance in these frameworks dictate the steric demand to accommodate two MIM-molecules, and thus, the population of LS vs HS species is a function of topology in the presence of an excess ligand.
Financial Well-being of State and Local Government Retirees in North Carolina

Low and moderate income retirees face considerable changes as they try to maintain their standard of living. Managing their assets and debts are important to the well-being of these households. We analyze how recent low and moderate income retirees utilize retirement savings and provide evidence on their financial fragility using survey data on public employees in North Carolina who retired between 2009 and 2014. Many of these public retirees cannot come up with emergency cash. A quarter of our sample maintain high-interest debt while leaving low-return funds in retirement saving plans. We show that suboptimal debt holding is associated with lower household income and lower financial literacy.
Agile SMT-Based Mapping for CGRAs with Restricted Routing Networks

Coarse-grained reconfigurable architectures (CGRAs) are becoming popular accelerators for computationally intensive tasks. CGRAs offer the reconfigurability of an FPGA, but with larger configurable blocks which provide performance closer to ASICs. CGRAs can achieve very high compute density if the routing networks are restricted; however, mapping using traditional annealing-based approaches does not perform well for such architectures. This paper uses Satisfiability Modulo Theories (SMT) solvers to rapidly map designs onto arbitrary CGRA fabrics. This approach is sound, complete, and in many cases an order of magnitude faster than state-of-the-art constraint-based mapping techniques using integer linear programming (ILP). Additionally, we propose a functional duplication strategy that decreases pressure on the routing network from high-fanout operations, leading to significant performance improvements.
Interpretant el segle xx. Primera aproximació

L’article preten reflexionar sobre els limits si mes no cronologics de la nostra materia, plantejant si es pot seguir justificant a hores d’ara l’origen del «mon actual» a l’any 1945. L’assaig divideix aquesta reflexio en quatre apartats que comprenen des d’unes consideracions previes sobre les meves motivacions fins a la consciencia del segle per la seva perioditzacio, els principals eixos explicatius del segle xx i unes consideracions complementaries que subratllen la importancia dels fets.
Caos y geometría: las "nuevas" leyes físicas y "Cántico" de Jorge Guillén

Guillen's obsession with natural world is framed within the context of the scientific discoveries which are part of 20 th century's culture. Guillen's concern may be considered as an invitation to read his text anew within the hermeneutical space which is shared with the most recent conceptions of the theory of physics.
Different categories of fluorescent proteins result in GEVIs with similar characteristics

The latest generation of genetically encoded voltage indicators (GEVIs) is significantly advancing our ability to study electrical activity from large numbers of identified neurons. The further refinement of the technology will contribute to our understanding of behavior-evoked information perception, transfer and processing on a cellular level across brain regions. The development of GEVIs relies on synthetic biology which includes rational and random modifications of indicator sequence. One strategy in GEVI design is based on creating chimeras between voltage sensitive protein domains (VSDs) and fluorescent proteins (FPs). However, in this design scenario, the mechanistic details of voltage-induced fluorescence change that would inform rational design and improvements of GEVIs are still largely missing. Here we preformed a systematic study of how nature of the FP and altering the insertion site affects the characteristics of Ciona intestinalis voltage-sensitive phosphatase-based GEVIs. Surprisingly, we found that regardless of vast difference in phylogenesis, biochemical properties, fluorophore structure, sequence and excitation/emission spectra between FPs, the resulting GEVIs exhibit virtually identical decrease in fluorescence intensity in response to depolarization. These results stand in strong contrast to studies demonstrating that small numbers of targeted mutations in the FP sequence cause dramatic changes in both signal size and polarity.
Neural Contraction Metrics for Robust Estimation and Control: A Convex Optimization Approach

This letter presents a new deep learning-based framework for robust nonlinear estimation and control using the concept of a Neural Contraction Metric (NCM). The NCM uses a deep long short-term memory recurrent neural network for a global approximation of an optimal contraction metric, the existence of which is a necessary and sufficient condition for exponential stability of nonlinear systems. The optimality stems from the fact that the contraction metrics sampled offline are the solutions of a convex optimization problem to minimize an upper bound of the steady-state Euclidean distance between perturbed and unperturbed system trajectories. We demonstrate how to exploit NCMs to design an online optimal estimator and controller for nonlinear systems with bounded disturbances utilizing their duality. The performance of our framework is illustrated through Lorenz oscillator state estimation and spacecraft optimal motion planning problems.
Some historical context for minimal cognition

I provide some historical perspective on the development of the “minimally cognitive behavior” research program and its relation to “minimal cognition.”
Battery storage manufacturing in India: A strategic perspective

Abstract India's ambitious decarbonization goals for 2030 – 40% of electricity generation capacity from renewable energy and 30% of automobile sales as electric vehicles – are expected to create significant demand for battery storage in India. This provides an opportunity for India to become a leader in battery storage manufacturing. However, setting up appropriate conditions for the same would require an understanding of the typical barriers faced by a country's industry in establishing manufacturing competency. To do so, this study first develops a critical barrier framework by identifying and assimilating barriers to industrial development, via a comprehensive literature review on industrial development. This framework consists of barriers that fall under three main categories, namely Getting to Scale, Resources and Infrastructure, and Global Competitiveness; and it posits that all these barriers need to be overcome for an industry to be successful. This framework is then verified using international and Indian case studies on the automobile, pharmaceutical, and solar photovoltaic industries. This framework is subsequently used to provide suggestions to policymakers for consideration, including the following: First, clearly identifying target markets; second, potentially exploring the use of protectionist measures; third, enabling entry in the value chain closer to the end product, while ensuring appropriate access to infrastructure and resources; and, eventually moving up higher in the value chain, via a focus on research and development.
Nonsuppressible HIV-1 viremia: a reflection of how the reservoir persists

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) generally reduces plasma HIV to undetectable levels, although virus persists in latently infected CD4+ T cells. In some individuals, viremia remains detectable despite adherence to ART and the absence of drug resistance mutations. In this issue of the JCI, Halvas et al. describe HIV RNA sequences from plasma of 8 donors with persistent viremia. Residual viremia was dominated by identical HIV-1 RNA sequences that remained relatively constant over 4 years. Plasma virus matched replication-competent virus cultured from CD4+ T cells. Integration site analysis confirmed the presence of large clones of infected cells. These results indicate that nonsuppressible viremia can be due to expanded clones of infected CD4+ T cells carrying replication-competent virus. The individuals described here represent extreme examples of a phenomenon that is seen in all infected individuals and that is a major barrier to curing HIV infection, the in vivo proliferation of latently infected cells.
Design of a Vertiport Design Tool

Advances in technology enable the deployment of an Urban Air Mobility (UAM) transportation system for congested metropolitan areas. A key element of UAM are vertiports, the infrastructure that electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicles (eVTOLs) use to land and take-off. A Vertiport Design Tool (VDT) was developed for use by architecture firms designing vertiports to evaluate operational trade-offs between vertiport surface area and vehicle throughput. A stochastic Monte Carlo simulation was developed to calculate vehicle throughput for different vertiport design alternatives, safety risk, and noise constraints. Results show that for every 420 m2 increase in vertiport surface area, the throughput increases by one vehicle per hour. For this, the time between vehicle arrivals also needs to decrease by 5 minutes for more arrivals to occur.
Opioid use disorder, infectious diseases, and the criminal justice system

Abstract In the midst of the opioid epidemic, some of the most vulnerable and most affected individuals have the least access to treatment: prisoners. The United States has 5% of the world's population, and 25% of the world's prisoners. Of the 2.2 million individuals currently incarcerated in the United States, over half have a substance use disorder. In addition to a staggering prevalence of substance use disorders, the rate of HIV is 5–7 times greater for justice-involved individuals compared with the general population, and the rate of hepatitis C virus is an estimated 10 times greater. Healthcare providers who work in the correctional health setting have not just an opportunity but a moral obligation to address the health needs of incarcerated individuals, which include treatment of infectious diseases (ID) and treatment of substance use disorders. Multiple studies have demonstrated the synergistic benefits of concomitant treatment of bloodborne infections and opioid use disorders, especially when continued through release from incarceration. As justice-involved individuals are far more likely than the general population to be affected by these health conditions, ID specialists are in a unique position to treat such diseases in tandem both in and out of correctional facilities, thus greatly improving the health of these individuals and of the general population.
Parallel Performance-Energy Predictive Modeling of Browsers: Case Study of Servo

Mozilla Research is developing Servo, a parallel web browser engine, to exploit the benefits of parallelism and concurrency in the web rendering pipeline. Parallelization results in improved performance for pinterest.com but not for google.com. This is because the workload of a browser is dependent on the web page it is rendering. In many cases, the overhead of creating, deleting, and coordinating parallel work outweighs any of its benefits. In this paper, we model the relationship between web page primitives and a web browser's parallel performance using supervised learning. We discover a feature space that is representative of the parallelism available in a web page and characterize it using seven key features. Additionally, we consider energy usage trade-offs for different levels of performance improvements using automated labeling algorithms. Such a model allows us to predict the degree of parallelism available in a web page and decide whether or not to render a web page in parallel. This modeling is critical for improving the browser's performance and minimizing its energy usage. We evaluate our model by using Servo's layout stage as a case study. Experiments on a quad-core Intel Ivy Bridge (i7-3615QM) laptop show that we can improve performance and energy usage by up to 94.52% and 46.32% respectively on the 535 web pages considered in this study. Looking forward, we identify opportunities to apply this model to other stages of a browser's architecture as well as other performance-and energy-critical devices.
Trends of biomarkers of cardiovascular disease in the United States by income: Disparities between the richest 20% and the poorest 80%,1999–2018

Abstract Introduction Income inequality between the richest 20% and the poorest 80% in the United States has been increasing over the past two decades. Emerging evidence indicates widening disparities between the two groups in cardiovascular disease prevalence as well. However, the mechanisms behind this trend remains unclear. This analysis examines whether a similar trend exists in the levels of biomarkers and risk factors of cardiovascular disease in the United States. Methods We conducted a serial cross-sectional analysis of a nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for participants age 20 or older between 1999 and 2018. We calculated trends in age-standardized means of body mass index (BMI), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and the trend in prevalence of obesity, high SBP, and low HDL by income group. Results This analysis included 49,764 participants. Age-standardized mean BMI increased every two years by an average of 0.15 kg/m 2 among the richest 20% and by an average of 0.21 kg/m 2 among the poorest 80%. Age-standardized mean SBP decreased every two years by an average of 0.13 mm Hg among the richest 20% and by an average of 0.10 mm Hg among the poorest 80%. Age-standardized mean HDL increased every two years by an average of 0.39 mg/dL among the richest 20% and by an average of 0.19 mg/dL among the poorest 80%. When adjusted for demographic factors and time, the richest 20% had lower mean BMI (OR = −0.67, 95% CI: −0.89, - 0.44), lower mean SBP (OR = −0.72, 95% CI: −1.24, −0.20), and higher mean HDL (OR = 3.04, 95% CI: 2.46, 3.62) compared to the poorest 80% Conclusion There are increasing disparities in cardiovascular disease biomarkers by income in the US. Between 1999 and 2018, improvement in biomarkers overwhelmingly occurred among the richest 20%
This Being is a Guest House: Embracing Humility, Liberation & Strengths in Therapy with Sexual and Gender Diverse Muslims

The complexity of the lives of sexual and gender diverse Muslims within the United States calls for mental health providers to own our power and privilege. Embracing cultural humility in service of...
A Delayed Case of Pericarditis Following Recovery From COVID-19 Infection

Pericarditis is a rare cardiac complication of coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) infection. Recent case reports describe severe sequelae of pericarditis, including cardiac tamponade, developing within days of initial COVID-19 symptoms. We present a case of pericarditis with slower onset and milder symptoms, developing over a period of a few weeks in an immunocompetent male who recovered from COVID-19 several months earlier. A 65-year-old male presented to an emergency department several times for one week of worsening chest and neck symptoms, along with fever. He had been symptom-free after a three-day course of cough, myalgias, and fever with positive COVID-19 testing, approximately 70 days earlier. He was ultimately admitted for fever and pericarditis with an associated pericardial effusion and positive PCR testing for COVID-19. Pericarditis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients with COVID-19 and unexplained persistent chest symptoms. The possibility of recurrent or atypical latent infection should additionally be considered in the months following the initial COVID-19 infection. Bedside ultrasound may facilitate early diagnosis and management of COVID-19 associated pericarditis.
Atomistic Line Graph Neural Network for Improved Materials Property Predictions

Graph neural networks (GNN) have been shown to provide much improved performance for representing and modeling atomistic materials compared with descriptor-based machine-learning models. While most existing GNN models for atomistic predictions are based on atomic distance information, they do not explicitly incorporate bond angles, which are critical for distinguishing many atomic structures. Furthermore, many material properties are known to be sensitive to slight changes in bond angles. We develop Atomistic Line Graph Neural Network (ALIGNN) using a GNN architecture that performs message passing on both the interatomic bond graph and its line graph corresponding to bond angles. We demonstrate that angle information can be explicitly and efficiently included for materials to provide much improved performance. We train 44 models for predicting several solid-state material properties available in the JARVIS-DFT and materials-project databases. ALIGNN can outperform some of the previously known GNN models by up to 43.8 %.
Comparison of dynamic, static, and psychophysical evaluations of human strength capabilities.

Des procedures variees pour tester la force physique ont ete utilisees pour evaluer les aptitudes a un travail de force afin de reduire les accidents de travail de manutention. Cette etude compare 3 procedures de tests de force: statique, dynamique et psychophysique. Les resultats montrent des differences significatives dans les forces pour chacune des 3 methodes
A simple trick for constructing Bayesian formulations of sparse kernel learning methods

In this paper, we present a simple mathematical trick that simplifies the derivation of Bayesian treatments of a variety of sparse kernel learning methods. The incomplete Cholesky factorisation due to (Fine and Scheinberg, 2001) is used to transform the dual parameter space, such that the covariance matrix of the Gaussian prior over model parameters becomes the identity matrix. The regularisation term is then the familiar weight-decay regulariser, allowing the Bayesian analysis to proceed straight-forwardly via the methods developed by MacKay (1992). As a bye-product, the incomplete Cholesky factorisation algorithm also identifies a subset of the training data forming an approximate basis for the remaining data in feature space, resulting in a sparse model. Bayesian treatments of the kernel ridge regression algorithm (Saunders et al., 1998), with both constant and input dependent variance structures, arc given as illustrative examples of the proposed technique, which we hope will be more widely applicable.
Ambrogio Lorenzetti and Classical Painting

Ambrogio Lorenzetti's interest in classical antiquity was first documented within his lifetime. A chronicle of 1337, probably authored by Agnolo di Tura, states that Ambrogio decorated the outside ...
Kryzysy w edukacji. Refleksja nad splotem edukacji z ekonomią i polityką

In his re fl ection on the global crisis in education, the author points to the growing con fl ation of education with economics and politics and considers a generally neglected dimension of worldwide educational crisis, namely, the persistent lack of appreciation of education as a signi fi cant end in itself. He illustrates his point on three national cases - the United States, Israel and Poland – and shows the current crisis as a general attack using the life of the mind and the role it plays in the life of society and individuals.
Process Design and Efficiency: Evidence from Retail Banking

This paper presents a methodology which determines the role of design in calculating the efficiency of service delivery processes. The efficiency of these processes is determined by using a variation of frontier estimation (DEA-like) techniques. The methodology is then applied to a particular service delivery process in retail banking. The methodology allows us to address the question of how much inefficiency in a business process is due to the wrong process design, and how much is due to the right design, poorly executed. Consistent with our expectations, the results show that no single process design dominates. However, for a particular institution, the methodology demonstrates the tradeoffs, and in fact offers specific recommendations, for either improving an existing process or radically changing to a different design.
Integrated health monitoring and controls for rocket engines

Current research in intelligent control systems at the Lewis Research Center is described in the context of a functional framework. The framework is applicable to a variety of reusable space propulsion systems for existing and future launch vehicles. It provides a 'road map' technology development to enable enhanced engine performance with increased reliability, durability, and maintainability. The framework hierarchy consists of a mission coordination level, a propulsion system coordination level, and an engine control level. Each level is described in the context of the Space Shuttle Main Engine. The concept of integrating diagnostics with control is discussed within the context of the functional framework. A distributed real time simulation testbed is used to realize and evaluate the functionalities in closed loop.
Effect of Gasoline Prices on VMTs (Vehicle Miles Travelled): An Exploratory Analysis of Northern Virginia Traffic Based on Granger Causality

From the 2nd quarter of 2007 onwards through much of the 2008, U.S. consumers experienced an unprecedented hike in gasoline prices. It is believed that this may have changed the travel demand behaviour resulting in less vehicular travel traffic. For eg., the U.S. DoT’s monthly statistics at the state and national level have shown a net decline of more than 100 billion Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) in 2008 compared to 2007. However, the U.S. DoT statistic is based on just a few thousand locations spread across more than tens of thousands miles of road network. In other words, while such sparsely located measurements may not be representative of the actual travel behaviour across the U.S., it is difficult to gauge any changes in VMTs at the regional and sub-regional level. We propose a novel approach to study regional and sub-regional changes in VMTs based on changes in regional gasoline prices using Granger causality tests. For this purpose we use weekly traffic counts on major traffic corridors in a region as a proxy for the VMTs. The weekly traffic counts are computed based on actual vehicle counts collected at vehicle sensors throughout the year on major corridors in the Northern Virginia road network. The study results are presented through a series of charts and maps.
The Relationship between Native American Ancestry, Body Mass Index and Diabetes Risk among Mexican-Americans

Higher body mass index (BMI) is a well-established risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and rates of obesity and type 2 diabetes are substantially higher among Mexican-Americans relative to non-Hispanic European Americans. Mexican-Americans are genetically diverse, with a highly variable distribution of Native American, European, and African ancestries. Here, we evaluate the role of Native American ancestry on BMI and diabetes risk in a well-defined Mexican-American population. Participants were randomly selected among individuals residing in the Houston area who are enrolled in the Mexican-American Cohort study. Using a custom Illumina GoldenGate Panel, we genotyped DNA from 4,662 cohort participants for 87 Ancestry-Informative Markers. On average, the participants were of 50.2% Native American ancestry, 42.7% European ancestry and 7.1% African ancestry. Using multivariate linear regression, we found BMI and Native American ancestry were inversely correlated; individuals with 80% Native American ancestry. Furthermore, we demonstrated an interaction between BMI and Native American ancestry in diabetes risk among women; Native American ancestry was a strong risk factor for diabetes only among overweight and obese women (OR = 1.190 for each 10% increase in Native American ancestry). This study offers new insight into the complex relationship between obesity, genetic ancestry, and their respective effects on diabetes risk. Findings from this study may improve the diabetes risk prediction among Mexican-American individuals thereby facilitating targeted prevention strategies.
Attenuated phase-shifting photomasks fabricated from Cr-based embedded shifter blanks

I-line (365 nm) and G-line (436 nm) attenuated phase shifting photomasks have been developed using single layer Crbased photoblanks. The absorber layer has a composition gradient that allows the desired transmission to be tuned while maintaining control over reflectivity and phase shift. These photoblanks are manufactured in existing facilities, and masks are processed much like conventional opaque Cr-based materials. They can be inspected and repaired on current equipment with slight modifications. Printing has been demonstrated on current generation steppers. Deep UV extendability of these materials is also being studied, with a 5% Deep UV (248 nm) single layer photoblank chemistry already demonstrated.
King Solomon’s Gold: Ophir in an Age of Empire

Contemplating King Solomon’s enormous importation of gold from the mysterious land of Ophir filled Victorians with vicarious pride and glutted their pedantic appetite with no end of tempting antiquarian puzzles concerning the identity of his trading partners. This article provides details and context regarding the various putative Ophirs proposed by British travellers during the nineteenth century, which ranged from Sumatra to the Gold Coast. It concludes in the latter decades of the century, when the legend of King Solomon’s mines converged with the discovery of gold in South Africa. As scholars have noted, the mid-century discovery of ancient ruins in present-day Zimbabwe by the German explorer Karl Mauch rekindled the Ophir debate and focused most people’s attention on South Africa as its location. This was also the immediate context to Rider Haggard’s fascination with ancient African civilization in his immensely popular novel King Solomon’s Mines. Numerous subsequent explorers, adventure novelists, a...
Size-Selective Synthesis and Catalytic Application of Polyelectrolyte Encapsulated Gold Nanoparticles Using Microwave Irradiation

Size-controlled gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized for the first time in large quantities in the presence of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) under microwave heating for just 60 s in aqueous solutions. Results showed that the Au NPs were small in size, which could be successfully controlled through varying the PVP to Au(III) molar ratio and by using different molecular weight PVP molecules. The particles were stable for more than three months in ambient conditions. The synthesized PVP−Au NPs exhibited excellent catalytic activity for the reduction of aromatic nitro compounds by NaBH4 in water. The Au NPs helped in the electron transfer process between the BH4− and nitro compounds, which were successfully reduced to their amino derivatives. The present method is beneficial for fast synthesis of Au NPs as well as reduction of different aromatic nitro compounds.
The photoreduction of cytochrome c by chloroplasts

Abstract The photoreduction of cytochrome c by chloroplasts requires the enzyme, photosynthetic pyridine nucleotide reductase (PPNR). At low concentration PPNR catalyzes the photoreduction of cytochrome c at a rate which is several fold greater than TPN reduction. Photophosphorylation is coupled to the reduction of cytochrome c, and the stoichiometry is apparently one ATP per two electrons transferred. The pyridine nucleotide transhydrogenase required for the reduction of TPN is not required for cytochrome c reduction. Mercurial compounds have been shown to cause a bleaching of the enzyme which is correlated with loss of catalytic activity for TPN and cytochrome c reduction.
Curative radiotherapy in the malignant lymphomas

The clinical experience and technologic improvements of the past 40 years are briefly summarized in terms of their contributions to the present optimistic and aggressive approach to the treatment of malignant lymphoma. The reasoning behind the large-field moderately high-dose technique that has evolved is reviewed and analyzed, and our treatment techniques are described in detail. Finally, the curability of malignant lymphoma is emphasized--through the use of vigorous and precisely planned irradiation of both the actual and the potential sites of lymph node involvement in either the upper or the lower trunk regions, or, in some cases, in both regions, we may now hope to produce cures or long-term survivals in a great majority of the patients treated; this results in a magnificent gain for humanity through the rescue or prolongation of many otherwise lost lives.
Silicone Wristbands as Personal Passive Samplers

Active-sampling approaches are commonly used for personal monitoring, but are limited by energy usage and data that may not represent an individual's exposure or bioavailable concentrations. Current passive techniques often involve extensive preparation, or are developed for only a small number of targeted compounds. In this work, we present a novel application for measuring bioavailable exposure with silicone wristbands as personal passive samplers. Laboratory methodology affecting precleaning, infusion, and extraction were developed from commercially available silicone, and chromatographic background interference was reduced after solvent cleanup with good extraction efficiency (>96%). After finalizing laboratory methods, 49 compounds were sequestered during an ambient deployment which encompassed a diverse set of compounds including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), consumer products, personal care products, pesticides, phthalates, and other industrial compounds ranging in log K(ow) from -0.07 (caffeine) to 9.49 (tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate). In two hot asphalt occupational settings, silicone personal samplers sequestered 25 PAHs during 8- and 40-h exposures, as well as 2 oxygenated-PAHs (benzofluorenone and fluorenone) suggesting temporal sensitivity over a single work day or week (p < 0.05, power =0.85). Additionally, the amount of PAH sequestered differed between worksites (p < 0.05, power = 0.99), suggesting spatial sensitivity using this novel application.
Coulometric total carbon dioxide analysis for marine studies: assessment of the quality of total inorganic carbon measurements made during the US Indian Ocean CO2 Survey 1994–1996

Two single-operator multiparameter metabolic analyzers (SOMMA)-coulometry systems (I and II) for total carbon dioxide (TCO2) were placed on board the R/V Knorr for the US component of the Indian Ocean CO2 Survey in conjunction with the World Ocean Circulation Experiment-WOCE Hydrographic Program (WHP). The systems were used by six different measurement groups on 10 WHP Cruises beginning in December 1994 and ending in January 1996. A total of 18,828 individual samples were analyzed for TCO2 during the survey. This paper assesses the analytical quality of these data and the effect of several key factors on instrument performance. Data quality is assessed from the accuracy and precision of certified reference material (CRM) analyses from three different CRM batches. The precision of the method was 1.2 μmol/kg. The mean and standard deviation of the differences between the known TCO2 for the CRM (certified value) and the CRM TCO2 determined by SOMMA-coulometry were −0.91±0.58 (n=470) and −1.01±0.44 (n=513) μmol/kg for systems I and II, respectively, representing an accuracy of 0.05% for both systems. Measurements of TCO2 made on 12 crossover stations during the survey agreed to within 3 μmol/kg with an overall mean and standard deviation of the differences of −0.78±1.74 μmol/kg (n=600). The crossover results are therefore consistent with the precision of the CRM analyses. After 14 months of nearly continuous use, the accurate and the virtually identical performance statistics for the two systems indicate that the cooperative survey effort was extraordinarily successful and will yield a high quality data set capable of fulfilling the objectives of the survey.
On generalized gauss-hecke sums and theta constants

In the quadratic case, the analytic proof of the reciprocity law for a numbr field involves a connection between Gauss-Hecke sums and theta constants or Thetanullwerte. We propose a generalization of Gauss-Hecke sums to higher degrees and discuss some aspects of the problem of determining higher transcendental functions by suitable boundary conditions which involve these objects in a natural way.
Labour market dualism and industrial relations in Europe

This article studies the regulation of fixed-term contracts and its effects on European industrial relations (2002–06). The study reveals a positive association between temporary employment and industrial conflict and evaluates three mechanisms that may account for this association in 18 European countries. The study reveals that the more these contracts are used, the lower the level of wages and job security workers can expect.
The efficient and economic design of PEM fuel cell systems by multi-objective optimization

Since the efficiency of fuel cells is the ratio of the electrical power output and the fuel input, it is a function of power density, system pressure, and stoichiometric ratios of hydrogen and oxygen. Typically, the fuel cell efficiency decreases as its power output increases. In order for the fuel cell system to obtain highly efficient operation with the same power generation, more cells and other auxiliaries such as a high-capacity compressor system, etc. are required. In other words, fuel cell efficiency is closely related to fuel cell economics. Therefore, an optimum efficiency should exist and should result in the definition of a cost-effective fuel cell system. Using a multi-objective optimization technique, the sequential quadratic programming (SQP) method, the efficiency and cost of a fuel cell system have been optimized under various operating conditions. This paper has obtained some analytical results that provide a useful suggestion for the design of a cost-effective fuel cell system with high operation efficiency.
Anti-HLA alloantibodies in pediatric solid organ transplantation

: An increasing number of studies demonstrate the clinical impact of preformed and de novo anti-human leucocyte antigen alloantibody (HLA-Ab) in solid organ transplantation (Tx). The screening of HLA-Ab in candidates and transplant recipients has evolved over time, with continuous improvement in the sensitivity and specificity of assays for HLA-Ab detection. Furthermore, histologic markers of complement activation pathways are currently implemented in the diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). Therapeutic strategies, including depletion of HLA-Ab and B cells, have allowed Tx across antibody barriers, or have rescued patients with AMR. The purpose of the present review is to summarize the state-of-the-art of HLA-Ab detection, clinical significance and therapeutic strategies in pediatric solid organ Tx.
Late pleistocene paleoenvironmental studies from the Rocky Mountain Region: A comparison of pollen and insect fossil records

A regional paleoenvironmental reconstruction is presented for a north-south transect of late glacial pollen and insect fossil sites from the Rocky Mountain region. Altitudinal treelines were depressed by an average of 671 m and summer temperatures were an average of 5.4° lower. the interpretation of paleoenvironmental conditions based on insect fossil evidence tends to show stronger departures from modern parameters than that based on palynology. While clear evidence for late glacial occupation of the region by Paleoindians is scarce, montane conditions were not so severe as to preclude human occupation, at least on a seasonal basis. Newly discovered sites of early occupation would benefit greatly from inter-disciplinary studies.
Mnemonic imagery and forgetting

A group in which Ss learned a 25-word list of high-imagery words with a mnemonic imagery technique (method of loci) was compared to a control group who basically learned the list by grouping the words. All Ss were required to learn the words in a given order. Learning times, along with three types of recall measures involving ordering of words and a recognition memory measure, were taken after 1 and 5 weeks. The results showed that learning was faster and recall better with fewer order errors in the imagery condition. The recognition memory measure showed very high scores in both groups, with no significant differences between them. The results were interpreted as showing that at least part of the effectiveness of mnemonic imagery devices comes about by making items more accessible during recall.
Gustatory Impairment in Patients Undergoing Head and Neck Irradiation

Objectives:To determine whether radiation alters taste function and structure.Research Design:Prospective, longitudinal study.Methodology:Testing prior to starting radiation, and 2 weeks, 2 months, and 6 months after completing radiation.Results:Relative to controls, patients had lower taste identif
Feeling at Risk Matters: Water Managers and the Decision to Use Forecasts

Experts contend that weather and climate forecasts could have an important role in risk management strategies for community water systems. Yet, most water managers make minimal use of these forecasts. This research explores the determinants of the use of weather and climate forecasts by surveying managers of community water systems in two eastern American states (South Carolina and the Susquehanna River Basin of Pennsylvania). Assessments of the reliability of weather and climate forecasts are not driving their use as water managers who find forecasts reliable are no more likely to use them than are managers who find them unreliable. Although larger systems and those depending on surface water are more likely to use forecasts for some (but not all) purposes, the strongest determinant of forecast use is risk perceptions. Water managers who expect to face problems from weather events in the next decade are much more likely to use forecasts than are water managers who expect few problems. Their expectations of future problems are closely linked with past experience: water managers who have had problems with specific types of weather events (e.g., flood emergencies) in the last 5 years are likely to expect to experience problems in the next decade. Feeling at risk, regardless of the specific source of that weather-related risk, stimulates a decision to use weather and climate forecasts.
TU‐EE‐A2‐01: A Response Surface‐Based Approach to Beam Orientation Optimization in IMRT

Purpose: To include all noncoplanar beam directions in the beam orientation optimization (BOO) problem in intensity‐modulated radiation therapy(IMRT)treatment planning, and to demonstrate that high‐quality treatment plans can be obtained using fewer beams than are typically used in equi‐spaced plans. Method and Materials: Because the data storage requirements for each beam restrict the number of beams that can be considered in BOO, the majority of previous BOO research has focused on considering just coplanar angles and/or a handful of pre‐selected noncoplanar directions, which comprise only a small subset of all solutions. In contrast, our approach allows for the generation of beam data for promising directions thus avoiding the data storage restriction and significantly increasing the size of the solution space, possibly leading to improved treatment plans. We use a response surface (RS) method that allows us to generate the beam data on‐the‐fly only as necessary. We consider the problem of adding a single (noncoplanar) beam to a locally optimal 3‐beam solution, thus yielding a 4‐beam plan. Several varying implementations of the RS algorithm were tested on six head‐and‐neck cases using gantry and couch rotations, each on a 10° grid. Results: The 4‐beam treatment plans obtained using the RS method were comparable to locally optimal 4‐beam solutions, and were also comparable to the 5‐ and 7‐beam equi‐spaced plans typically used in head‐and‐neck treatment plans. Conclusion: For head‐and‐neck cases, quality plans with fewer beams than standard 5–7 beam treatment plans can be obtained if BOO is applied. While the inclusion of noncoplanar orientations in BOO is useful in terms of improving the FMO objective function, the resulting improvements in the treatment plan are not always clinically significant. This work supported in part by NSF DMI‐0457394 and the NSF Alliances for Graduation Education and the Professoriate and Graduate Research Fellowship programs.
Autocrine and Paracrine Regulation of Lymphocyte CB2 Receptor Expression by TGF-β

Abstract The marijuana-derived cannabinoid Δ 9 -tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) has been shown to be immunosuppressive. We report that THC induces the immunosuppressive cytokine TGF-β by human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL). The ability of THC to stimulate TGF-β production was blocked by the CB2 receptor specific antagonist SR144528 but not by the CB1 specific antagonist AM251. Furthermore, our data suggest that TGF-β actively regulates lymphocyte CB2 receptor expression in an autocrine and paracrine manner. Whereas the addition of recombinant TGF-β to PBL cultures downregulated CB2 receptor expression, anti-TGF-β antibody treatment increased CB2 receptor expression. We conclude that one mechanism by which THC contributes to immune suppression is by stimulating an enhanced production of lymphocyte TGF-β.
The formation of ethylidyne on the Rh(100) single crystal surface by the coadsorption of ethylene and carbon monoxide

Abstract We report high-resolution electron energy loss (HREEL) spectra which we believe demonstrate that ethylidyne species (CCH 3 ) can be formed on a Rh(100) surface. While we cannot determine the surface binding site, this is the first time ethylidyne has been identified on a surface which lacks three-fold hollow sites. The monolayers were formed by preadsorbing a partial monolayer of carbon monoxide (θ CO = 0.5) followed by room temperature adsorption of ethylene to generate the ethylidyne species. Adsorption of ethylene alone produces a mixture of hydrocarbon fragments which includes ethylidyne, but whose HREEL spectrum is complex and difficult to assign. These ethylidyne species are thermally stable up to 350 K. Based on the HREEL spectra, the ethylidyne stands approximately upright on the surface with its carbon-carbon bond along the surface normal.
Coatings of metastable ceramics deposited by solution-precursor plasma spray: II. Ternary ZrO2–Y2O3–Al2O3 system

Abstract The solution-precursor plasma spray process has been used to deposit ∼75% dense, metastable coatings in the following ternary systems (mol%): (i) 10Al 2 O 3 –86.4ZrO 2 –3.6Y 2 O 3 (10AlZrY) and (ii) 20Al 2 O 3 –76.4ZrO 2 –3.6Y 2 O 3 (20AlZrY). The microstructures of these as-sprayed coatings consist of a rich variety of features and phases, as determined using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy. The nanostructures (10–40 nm) in both coatings are primarily ZrO 2 in tetragonal ( t -ZrO 2 ) form, with some cubic ( c -ZrO 2 ) phase present. Crystalline Al 2 O 3 phases are absent in the nanostructured regions of these coatings, and the chemical compositions of these regions are close to the respective nominal compositions of the coatings. These results show clearly that Al 3+ , in addition to Y 3+ , is in solid solution with ZrO 2 , leading to the stabilization of t -ZrO 2 and c -ZrO 2 . The sub-micrometer regions in these coatings, in addition to t -ZrO 2 , contain small amounts of crystalline Al 2 O 3 phases. Both coatings contain small amounts of spherical grains of orthorhombic ZrO 2 ( o -ZrO 2 ). A heat-treatment of 1400 °C for 30 h is insufficient to effect complete t → m transformation in ZrO 2 . Heat treatment at 1500 °C (30 h) results in the precipitation of α-Al 2 O 3 and a new tetragonal form of Y 2 O 3 in both coatings. This is accompanied by Al and Y depletion in and coarsening of the surrounding ZrO 2 grains, and complete t → m transformation.
Matrix metalloproteinases in neuroinflammation

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a gene family of neutral proteases that are important in normal development, wound healing, and a wide variety of pathological processes, including the spread of metastatic cancer cells, arthritic destruction of joints, atherosclerosis, and neuroinflammation. In the central nervous system (CNS), MMPs have been shown to degrade components of the basal lamina, leading to disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), and to contribute to the neuroinflammatory response in many neurological diseases. Brain cells express both constitutive and inducible MMPs in response to cellular stress. MMPs are tightly regulated to avoid unwanted proteolysis. Secreted as inactive enzymes, the MMPs require activation by other proteases and free radicals. The MMPs are part of a larger class of metalloproteinases (MPs), which includes the recently discovered ADAMs (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain) and ADAMTS (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase thrombospondin) families. MPs have complex roles at the cell surface and within the extracellular matrix. At the cell surface, they act as sheddases, releasing growth factors, death receptors, and death-inducing ligands, making them important in cell survival and death. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are endogenous inhibitors that regulate the activity of the MMPs. Synthetic inhibitors have been developed for the treatment of arthritis and cancer. These hydroxymate-based compounds have been shown to reduce injury in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), experimental allergic neuritis (EAN), cerebral ischemia, intracerebral hemorrhage, and viral and bacterial infections. MPs have both beneficial and detrimental roles; understanding their expression in various CNS insults will allow for the use of MMP inhibitors in the treatment of neurological disorders.
High resolution acoustic microscopy in superfluid helium

Abstract An acoustic microscope operating in He II at temperatures less than 0.2 K has been used for high resolution imaging. The low sound speed and attenuation of helium make it the ultimate fluid for acoustic microscopy. The present resolution of the microscope is 200 A using 300 A (8 GHz) coherent sound radiation. Also, incoherent phonon emission from a heated surface has been imaged using the acoustic microscope as a thermal phonon detector. By virtue of its contrast mechanisms and high resolution, the helium acoustic microscope can image many sample features which cannot be seen in other ways. Present research includes construction of an acoustic microscope with sub-30 A resolution.