cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estimation of Energy (Enthalpy) and Exergy (Availability) Contents in Structurally Complicated Materials

Abstract Formulas for estimating the specific chemical en-thalpy, β° and the specific chemical exergy, e °, of a structurally complicated material have been developed by adopting the concepts of the dead (or reference) state and the additivity of the properties of constituents in the material. These formulas contain terms for the specific chemical enthalpies and exergies of nine elements, namely, C, H, O, N, S, F, CI, Br, and I. The formulas can estimate with sufficient accuracy the specific chemical enthalpies and exergies of solid fuel, liquid fuel, biomass, and waste material, and are useful for analyses and syntheses of energy resources conversion processes based on the first and second laws of thermodynamics.
Combined deficiencies of Msx1 and Msx2 cause impaired patterning and survival of the cranial neural crest.

The neural crest is a multipotent, migratory cell population that contributes to a variety of tissues and organs during vertebrate embryogenesis. Here, we focus on the function of Msx1 and Msx2 , homeobox genes implicated in several disorders affecting craniofacial development in humans. We show that Msx1 / 2 mutants exhibit profound deficiencies in the development of structures derived from the cranial and cardiac neural crest. These include hypoplastic and mispatterned cranial ganglia, dysmorphogenesis of pharyngeal arch derivatives and abnormal organization of conotruncal structures in the developing heart. The expression of the neural crest markers Ap-2 α, Sox10 and cadherin 6 ( cdh6 ) in Msx1 / 2 mutants revealed an apparent retardation in the migration of subpopulations of preotic and postotic neural crest cells, and a disorganization of neural crest cells paralleling patterning defects in cranial nerves. In addition, normally distinct subpopulations of migrating crest underwent mixing. The expression of the hindbrain markers Krox20 and Epha4 was altered in Msx1 / 2 mutants, suggesting that defects in neural crest populations may result, in part, from defects in rhombomere identity. Msx1 / 2 mutants also exhibited increased Bmp4 expression in migratory cranial neural crest and pharyngeal arches. Finally, proliferation of neural crest-derived mesenchyme was unchanged, but the number of apoptotic cells was increased substantially in neural crest-derived cells that contribute to the cranial ganglia and the first pharyngeal arch. This increase in apoptosis may contribute to the mispatterning of the cranial ganglia and the hypoplasia of the first arch.
Damage detection and identification in smart structures using SVM and ANN

A critical part of structural health monitoring is accurate detection of damages in the structure. This paper presents the results of two multi-class damage detection and identification approaches based on classification using Support Vector Machine (SVM) and Artificial Neural Networks (ANN). The article under test was a fiber composite panel modeled by a Finite Element Model (FEM). Static strain data were acquired at 6 predefined locations and mixed with Gaussian noise to simulate performance of real strain sensors. Strain data were then normalized by the mean of the strain values. Two experiments were performed for the performance evaluation of damage detection and identification. In both experiments, one healthy structure and two damaged structures with one and two small cracks were simulated with varying material properties and loading conditions (45 cases for each structure). The SVM and ANN models were trained with 70% of these samples and the remaining 30% samples were used for validation. The objective of the first experiment was to detect whether or not the panel was damaged. In this two class problem the average damage detection accuracy for ANN and SVM were 93.2% and 96.66% respectively. The objective of second experiment was to detect the severity of the damage by differentiating between structures with one crack and two cracks. In this three class problem the average prediction accuracy for ANN and SVM were 83.5% and 90.05% respectively. These results suggest that for noisy data, SVM may perform better than ANN for this problem.
A novel approach to the asymmetric synthesis of manzamine A. Construction of the tetracyclic ABCE ring system

Abstract The enantiomerically pure tetracyclic ABCE subunit of manzamine A has been constructed by an intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction of the vinylogous imide 13 to give the ABC tricyclic core 14 ; elaboration of 14 into 16 followed by a novel olefin metathesis reaction to form the azocine ring then delivered the tetracycle 17 .
Training direct service staff in congregate settings to interact with people with severe disabilities: A quick, effective and acceptable program

An area of traditional as well as recent concern in congregate settings for people with severe disabilities is ensuring frequent social interactions between direct service staff and individuals who live in the residences. This study evaluated a program for training staff to interact frequently and positively across clients while in group situations in living units. The program involved a short classroom instructional session encompassing less than 1 h, followed by a maximum of 4 brief on-the-job observations and feedback sessions. Results indicated interaction rates of all 9 participating direct service staff increased above a normative criterion rate while participating in the training program. All staff also increased the proportion of their social interactions with clients that were positive in nature, and 6 of the 9 staff increased their distribution of interactions across clients. The improved interaction performances occurred when staff were provided with immediate on-the-job feedback regarding their performances as well as when provided with delayed feedback. Acceptability measures indicated the training program was well received by staff, although program components also were noted that may have affected staff acceptance differentially. Directions for future research are suggested in regard to further evaluating and increasing staff acceptance of effective training procedures.
Stylet bend angles and tracheal tube passage using a straight-to-cuff shape.

Objectives Malleable stylets improve maneuverability and control during tube insertion, but after passage through the vocal cords the stiffened tracheal tube may impinge on the tracheal rings, preventing passage. The goal of this study was to assess insertion difficulty with styletted tubes of different bend angles. Methods Tube passage was assessed with four different bend angles (25 degrees, 35 degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees) using straight-to-cuff-shaped tubes. In two separate airway procedure classes, 16 operators in each class (32 total) placed randomly ordered styletted tubes of the different angles into eight cadavers (16 total). Operators subjectively graded the ease of tube passage as no resistance, some resistance, or impossible to advance. Results No resistance was reported in 69.1% (177/256) at 25 degrees, in 63.7% (163/256) at 35 degrees, in 39.4% (101/256) at 45 degrees, and in 8.9% (22/256) at 60 degrees. Tube passage was impossible in 2.3% of insertions (6/256) at 25 degrees, in 3.5% (9/256) at 35 degrees, in 11.3% (29/256) at 45 degrees, and in 53.9% (138/256) at 60 degrees. The odds ratios of impossible tube passage for 35 degrees, 45 degrees, and 60 degrees vs. 25 degrees were 1.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.55 to 4.16), 5.32 (95% CI = 2.22 to 12.71), and 48.72 (95% CI = 21.35 to 111.03), respectively. Conclusions Bend angles beyond 35 degrees with straight-to-cuff styletted tracheal tubes increase the risk of difficult and impossible tube passage into the trachea. The authors did not compare different stylet stopping points, stylets of different stiffness, or tracheal tubes with different tip designs, all variables that can affect tube passage.
A Novel Mechanism Contributing to Development of Dahl Salt–Sensitive Hypertension: Role of the Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Type 1

To determine the role of the transient receptor potential vanilloid type 1 (TRPV1) channels in development of hypertension in Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats fed a high-salt diet (HS), male DS and Dahl salt-resistant (DR) rats were maintained on a low-salt diet (LS) or HS for 3 weeks. HS significantly increased systolic blood pressure in DS+HS rats compared with DS+LS, DR+HS, and DR+LS rats. Intravenous bolus injection of capsazepine (3 mg/kg), a selective TRPV1 antagonist, significantly increased mean arterial pressure in conscious DR+HS rats compared with DR+LS, DS+/-HS, and DS+/-LS rats. In contrast, capsaicin (10 or 30 microg/kg), a selective TRPV1 agonist, dose-dependently decreased mean arterial pressure in all of the groups with the most profound magnitude in DR+HS rats compared with the other 3 groups. TRPV1 expression in mesenteric resistance arteries and the renal cortex and medulla, calcitonin gene-related peptide levels in dorsal root ganglia, and calcitonin gene-related peptide-positive sensory nerve density in mesenteric resistance arteries were significantly decreased in DS+HS rats compared with DS+LS, DR+HS, and DR+LS rats. Taken together, our data indicate that the TRPV1 receptor is activated and its expression upregulated during HS intake in DR rats, which acts to prevent salt-induced increases in blood pressure. In contrast, TRPV1 expression and function are impaired in DS rats, which renders DS rats sensitive to salt load in terms of blood pressure regulation.
Electro-mechanical diagnostics/prognostics

In support of the Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) philosophy, a theoretical framework and algorithmic methodology for obtaining useful diagnostic and prognostic data from electro-mechanical systems was developed. The methods are based on vibration and modal analyses of the physical components. To illustrate the concept of the derived process, two "real world" models, a PCI circuit card, and an example rotor hub were considered. Models were created using finite element analysis (FEA) techniques, and analyzed to determine fundamental mode shapes and vibration frequencies. Simulations were initially conducted on unadulterated benchmark models, and then faults common to the actual physical components were introduced to the models for subsequent simulation. The results yielded vibration modes characteristic of both undamaged and damaged systems. The obtained system natural frequencies for each FAULT test signal vector were compared to the NORMAL operation benchmark signal. An O(N*logN) correlation technique was utilized for signal discrimination. Application of the developed techniques proved very useful, and correctly identified all inserted FAULTS on the simulated systems.
Origins of the American Navy: Sea Power in the Colonies and the New Nation

This book is a study of the factors and circumstances that lead to the establishment and development of an American Navy, and of the role of sea power in the founding, growth, and independence of the thirteen colonies and the protection and promotion of the national interest at home and abroad in the early years of the Republic. The very existence and prosperity of the colonies, which were created during an era of discovery and international rivalry for the spoils of new worlds, depended on the Royal navy and the merchant vessels of the mother country, a lesson learned by the colonial leaders as they sought a 'redress of wrongs' and then assumed leadership of a sovereign nation in the midst of a hostile and volatile world. The author of this book stresses the political, economic, and ideological considerations that motivated the colonial and national leaders as they conceived and implemented a concept of sea power.
High-density silicon and silicon nitride cones

Abstract High-density cone-shaped silicon and silicon nitride have been synthesized on Si(1 0 0) substrates via plasma-assisted hot-filament chemical vapor deposition using a gas mixture of nitrogen, hydrogen and methane. Aligned silicon cones containing 3–10 at% C and N have been formed with less than 1 h growth. Further growth can lead to the increase of cone size and density, as well as to the formation of polycrystalline silicon nitride films on the tip and surface. The formation of these materials is thought to be due to the remodification of Si substrates under the effect of plasma and active C and N species. Different nucleation and growth styles were obtained under different growth conditions and reactive gas mixtures.
Increased virulence of a human enterovirus (coxsackievirus B3) in selenium-deficient mice

Coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3/20)-induced myocarditic lesions occurred more quickly and were more severe and virus titers in heart and liver were higher in selenium (Se)-deficient than Se-adequate mice. NK cell activity and serum neutralizing antibody titers were similar in both Se-adequate and -deficient CVB3/20-infected mice; however, lymphocyte proliferation to both mitogen and antigen was decreased in Se-deficient mice. CVB3/20 isolated from Se-deficient donor mice and inoculated into Se-adequate recipient mice induced severe myocarditis. In contrast, CVB3/20 isolated from Se-adequate donor mice and inoculated into Se-adequate recipient mice induced only moderate myocarditis, similar to that caused by the original virus stock. Thus, the general population of CVB3/20 virions, as a consequence of replicating in an Se-deficient host, underwent a phenotypic change to increased virulence. These results have important implications for the emergence of virulent viruses.
Perfectly matched layers in three dimensions for the time-domain finite element method

The perfectly matched layer (PML) is very efficient and popular for grid truncation of open-region electromagnetic problems. In the context of the finite element method (FEM), the PML has been widely used for frequency-domain computations. On the other hand, the time-domain FEM formulation of the PML has been less investigated. Some of the first attempts involved approximations of the dispersive characteristics of the PML such that good absorption could only be achieved for a limited frequency band. We present a PML formulation for the time-domain FEM applied to three-dimensional problems. The proposed PML can be used for both scattered and total field formulations and we test it on radiating structures. Specifically, we demonstrate the accuracy and stability for the proposed algorithm given a short line current source.
Analysis of mammalian sphingolipids by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and tissue imaging mass spectrometry (TIMS)

Sphingolipids are a highly diverse category of molecules that serve not only as components of biological structures but also as regulators of numerous cell functions. Because so many of the structural features of sphingolipids give rise to their biological activity, there is a need for comprehensive or “sphingolipidomic” methods for identification and quantitation of as many individual subspecies as possible. This review defines sphingolipids as a class, briefly discusses classical methods for their analysis, and focuses primarily on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and tissue imaging mass spectrometry (TIMS). Recently, a set of evolving and expanding methods have been developed and rigorously validated for the extraction, identification, separation, and quantitation of sphingolipids by LC-MS/MS. Quantitation of these biomolecules is made possible via the use of an internal standard cocktail. The compounds that can be readily analyzed are free long-chain (sphingoid) bases, sphingoid base 1-phosphates, and more complex species such as ceramides, ceramide 1-phosphates, sphingomyelins, mono- and di-hexosylceramides, sulfatides, and novel compounds such as the 1-deoxy- and 1-(deoxymethyl)-sphingoid bases and their N-acyl-derivatives. These methods can be altered slightly to separate and quantitate isomeric species such as glucosyl/galactosylceramide. Because these techniques require the extraction of sphingolipids from their native environment, any information regarding their localization in histological slices is lost. Therefore, this review also describes methods for TIMS. This technique has been shown to be a powerful tool to determine the localization of individual molecular species of sphingolipids directly from tissue slices. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled Lipodomics and Imaging Mass Spectrometry.
Kinetic characterization of a Pt–Ni/C catalyst with a phosphoric acid doped PBI membrane in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Abstract The performance of a phosphoric acid doped polybenzimidazole (PBI) membrane, with Pt and Pt–Ni/C catalysts on the anode and cathode, respectively, was experimentally determined at 160 °C using neat H2 and O2. The resulting current voltage relation was then compared to a performance curve calculated from previously established values for the exchange current density and activation energy of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) on Pt–Ni/C. An overall voltage loss >200 mV, regardless of current density, was observed for the MEA relative to the predicted performance, implying about two orders of magnitude decrease in the exchange current density for the ORR. The reduction in exchange current density was attributed to anion (H2PO4−) adsorption.
Generalized characteristics and applicability of various probability distributions for wind energy applications

The work in this paper attempts to show the presence of certain important general behavior characteristics of hourly wind speed variations in the atmospheric surface layer, in spite of differences that exist in site roughness, seasons, and thermal stability at each of the 28 different sites considered. Four different types of probability density distributions are matched (fitted) to a combination of the first four moments calculated from the realtime data of each of the nearly 100 site-months processed in this work. A new definition of ''best fit'' is proposed; and on this basis, comparisons and recommendations are made.
An investigation of electrical discharge machining of graphite/epoxy composites

Abstract It has been shown that graphite/epoxy laminated material can be successfully machined using electrical discharge machining ( edm ). Appropriate machining settings were determined through an experimental parametric study. Micrographic inspection showed that the resulting machined surfaces were as good as or better than surfaces produced using a diamond-tipped saw on the same material. The notched tensile strengths of samples machined using carbide drilling and edm were essentially identical. The recommended edm process was then demonstrated for machining of forms which could not be satisfied using conventional techniques.
Measurement of sleep-related breathing disturbances in epidemiologic studies. Assessment of the validity and reproducibility of a portable monitoring device.

The feasibility and reliability of measuring sleep-related breathing disorders with a portable monitor (PM) were assessed in a heterogeneous population, consisting of 31 patients recruited from a sleep laboratory and pulmonary disease clinic, 16 participants in a genetic-epidemiologic study of sleep apnea, and four volunteers with no specific sleep complaints. The validity of measurements made by the PM was asssessed with comparisons of respiratory parameters made with the PM to those determined with in-hospital polysomnography (PSG) (25 studies). Reproducibility was assessed in 29 subjects who underwent in-home monitoring on two occasions. There was a high level of agreement between the number of respiratory events (apneas or hypopneas) per hour of estimated sleep (respiratory disturbance index, RDI) recorded with the PM and PSG and log-transformed (r = 0.96). Using a RDI of ≥10 to define “abnormality,” 20 of the 21 subjects who would have been classified as abnormal with PSG were classified similarly with use of the PM. A similar high level of agreement was demonstrated for the log-transformed RDI determined with replicate in-home studies (r = 0.94). No evidence of a “first-night effect” for the RDI was suggested in studies performed with the PM; ie , RDI was 18.4 ± 27.7 and 17.4 ± 25.7 (mean ± SD) for first and second night studies, respectively (p = 0.21). A second compared with an initial study with the PM would have resulted in reclassification of abnormality based on an RDI of ≥10 in one subject. These findings suggest that measurement of the RDI with in-home monitoring provides a valid and highly reproducible index for assessment of sleep-related respiratory disturbances for use in epidemiologic studies of general populations.
An Eden model for the growth of adaptive networks

Abstract An adaptive growth model based on the Eden model has been investigated using computer simulations. In this model a “score” associated with all the sites along the shortest path from the newly added site to the initial seed or growth site is incremented by an amount δ1 (δ1=1/(l+1)η where l is the path length) and the score associated with all the sites in the cluster is decreased by a fixed amount δ2 (δ2=1/Nm) after each growth event. If the score associated with a site falls below zero it is removed from the cluster. In the asymptotic limit (t→∞ where t is the number of growth events) the cluster size fluctuates about a constant value proportional to Nvm where the exponent v is given by the empirical relationship v=2/(2+η), which is supported by simple theoretical considerations. The growth of the number of occupied sites, s(t), can be represented by the scaling form s(t) = N v m ƒ(t/N v m ) .
Impoverishment and child maltreatment in African American and European American neighborhoods

Although it is well documented that child maltreatment exerts a deleterious impact on child adaptation, much less is known about the precise etiological pathways that eventuate in child abuse and neglect. This paper reports on a multimethod ecological study of the relationship between neighborhood structural factors and child maltreatment reports in African American and European American census tracts. The study had two major components. First, in an aggregate analysis, the effects of four measures of community structure (impoverishment, child care burden, instability, and geographic isolation) on child maltreatment report rates were examined separately for predominantly African American (n = 94) and predominantly European American (n = 189) census tracts. Impoverishment in particular had a significantly weaker effect on maltreatment rates in African American than in European American neighborhoods. Second, focused ethnographies were conducted in four selected census tracts with child maltreatment report rates in the highest and lowest quartiles. Ethnographic data point to the importance of the social fabric in accounting for differences in child maltreatment report rates by predominant neighborhood ethnicity.
Ni2SiO4-enthalphy of the olivine-spinel transition by solution calorimetry at 713°C

The high pressure spinel polymorph of Ni2SiO4 persists metastably at 713°C and atmospheric pressure. The enthalpy of the olivine-spinel transition was obtained by measuring the heats of solution of both polymorphs in a molten oxide solvent, 2PbO · B2O3, at that temperature. For Ni2SiO4(ol)→Ni2SiO4, ΔH9860 = +1.4 ± 0.7kcal/mol. The heat content increments, H986 − H297, were found to be: olivine, 25.73 ± 0.42kcal/mol, and spinel, 25.39 ± 0.20kcal/mol. The measured enthalpy of the transformation is consistent with the low slope of the phase boundary, ϖP/ϖT = ∼ 12b/deg, observed by Akimoto and others. The entropy of the olivine-spinel transition in Ni2SiO4 is accordingly about a factor of three smaller in magnitude (ΔS = ∼ −1cal/deg mol) than that for Co2SiO4,Fe2SiO4,Mg2SiO4or Mg2GeO4 (ΔS = −3to−3.5cal/deg mol).
Effects of neonatal exposure to isophilic and-or heterophilic antigens on immune responses of adult rats.

. Isophilic immune response was profoundly depressed in rats injected with heterophilic antigen during the first week of life and challenged with sheep red cells 10 to 18 weeks later. Untreated litter mates served as controls. When neonatal treatment was given during the second week of life and/or challenge with sheep red cells was deferred until 20 weeks, the isophilic immune response was inhibited to a lesser degree. Rats injected neonatally with sheep red cells had decreased amounts of isophilic and heterophilic antibodies upon challenge with sheep red cells 12 weeks later, while intervals of 16 to 20 weeks between neonatal treatment and adult immunization with sheep red cells increased heterophilic antibodies without significant changes in isophilic antibodies. Rats exposed neonatally to either heterophilic antigen or sheep red cells, and challenged with heterophilic antigen as adults, formed significantly more heterophilic antibodies than did control litter mates. These observations were interpreted as resulting from imprinting of large numbers of cells with receptors for heterophilic antigen after neonatal exposure to the antigen, and cellular diversion of antigen upon challenge of adult animals with sheep red cells. The possible relationship of this phenomenon to the interference with Rh immunization of ABO incompatibility in man was considered.
A nonadiabatic description of electron transfer reactions involving large free energy changes

Abstract The electron transfer reaction within a donor-acceptor, solvent separated ion pair (2A·+…2D·−) leading to excited singlet, excited triplet, and ground state products is studied within the framework of the theory of nonradiative transitions. Inner sphere as well as outer sphere rearrangement processes are included. The nonadiabatic model presented here predicts an almost linear dependence of lnk upon the free energy change ΔF0 in the abnormal free energy region in contrast to the quadratic dependence predicted by conventional Marcus electron transfer theory. Experimental evidence concerning the quantum yield and kinetics of the chemiluminescent electron transfer reaction between the anion radical and the cation radical of 9,10-diphenylanthracene is presented to demonstrate that the nonadiabatic electron transfer description results in a closer agreement between theory and experiment for the abnormal free energy region than does an adiabatic theory or its generalized version containing a preexponential factor, κ, which might be calculated by a Landau-Zener type formula. However, the present theory still falls short in quantitatively explaining the relatively large observed rates leading to the ground state products, which involve large changes in the free energy ΔF0.It is argued that second order transfer processes involving strongly coupling intermediate states can resolve the remaining discrepancy.
Host-seeking behavior of Sarcoptes scabiei

Sarcoptes scabiei mites perceive specific host stimuli and are attracted to the host. Mites dislodged from the host respond to both host odor and a thermal stimulus and seek its source. The response to thermal and host odor stimuli are independent. Mites in close proximity to the body respond to both stimuli and show no preference for either. At greater distances from the host, odor is the more important stimulus.
Ab initio prediction of helical segments in polypeptides.

An ab initio method has been developed to predict helix formation for polypeptides. The approach relies on the systematic analysis of overlapping oligopeptides to determine the helical propensity for individual residues. Detailed atomistic level modeling, including entropic contributions, and solvation/ionization energies calculated through the solution of the Poisson–Boltzmann equation, is utilized. The calculation of probabilities for helix formation is based on the generation of ensembles of low energy conformers. The approach, which is easily amenable to parallelization, is shown to perform very well for several benchmark polypeptide systems, including the bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor, the immunoglobulin binding domain of protein G, the chymotrypsin inhibitor 2, the R69 N-terminal domain of phage 434 repressor, and the wheat germ agglutinin. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem 23: 245–266, 2002
Sumatriptan in acute migraine: pharmacology and review of world experience

The introduction of sumatriptan, a novel abortive antimigraine agent, has generated a significant amount of preclinical and clinical interest during the past few years. At the scientific level, sumatriptan is unique in terms of its selective pharmacological properties. The effects of sumatriptan in various experimental paradigms have led to new insights into the pathophysiology of migraine. At the clinical level, sumatriptan appears to be an effective abortive anti-migraine agent with minimal side effects. Its ability to decrease, rather than exacerbate, the nausea and vomiting of migraine appears to be an important advance in the treatment of migraine.
An imperial, national and state debate: the rise and near fall of the Australian Forestry School, 1927-1945.

A variety of debates that surrounded the opening of the Australian Forestry School at Canberra in 1927 illuminate the divergent beliefs about forestry education and conservation policy that many British imperial and Australian foresters and politicians held during the 1910s-1940s. A controversial English-born forester, Charles Edward Lane Poole, lobbied for the School's creation and headed it for many years. The Commonwealth Government supported the School throughout the 1920s-1940s amidst a variety of financial hardships and state criticisms. Many leading foresters throughout the British Empire who were born outside of Australia supported the School. But many professionally trained foresters and Australian politicians who had been born in Australia were more ambivalent or critical of the School. This article traces these contentious debates throughout the years leading up to and following the creation of the Australian Forestry School.
Political players: Courtesans of Hyderabad

Important recent works on the Mughal state and women in the Indo-Muslim world have not considered courtesans or tawa’ifs, the singing and dancing women employed by Indo-Muslim states and nobles, to be significant participants in politics and society. Drawing on detailed archival data from late nineteenth century Hyderabad state and other historical materials, I argue that courtesans were often elite women, cultural standard-setters and wielders of political power. Women whose art and learning gained them properties and alliances with powerful men, they were political players in precolonial India and in the princely states. They successfully negotiated administrative reforms in princely states like Hyderabad, continuing to secure protection and patronage while in British India they began to be classified as prostitutes. Colonial and modern India have been less than kind to courtesans and their artistic traditions, and more research needs to be done on the history of courtesans and their communities.
Citywide distribution of lead and other element in soils and indoor dusts in Syracuse, NY

Abstract Associations between Pb, Zn, Fe and Mn in soils and indoor dusts in urban Syracuse, NY have been investigated at different levels of spatial aggregation. The concentrations of these elements of interest (EOI) in 3566 soil samples were mapped across the city to investigate variations in concentration potentially associated with specific city locations. Indoor floor dust loadings for the EOI determined at 433 residences were mapped in a similar fashion. Pearson product correlation coefficients at different levels of soil sample aggregation (individual sampling points, block group averages, and census tract (CT) averages), consistently demonstrated a strong correlation between soil Pb and Zn concentrations. Correlations between Pb and both Fe and Mn soil concentrations were also significant. However, the correlation between the Fe and Mn floor dust loadings was much stronger than that for soil, as were the correlations between the Pb and both the Fe and Mn dust loadings. The correlation between the Fe and Zn floor dust loadings was far less significant. Surprisingly, most of the correlations between the paired EOI in the dusts and soils at the individual homes were mostly not statistically significant. The two correlations of any significance, and these were between the Pb in soil and the Pb in the dust, and between Pb in dust and Zn in soil. The strongest association was between Pb concentration in soil and Pb loading in dust which suggests that Pb in soil is a major source for Pb in indoor dust in urban Syracuse. Differences in the concentrations between the Pb in soil and dust implied the possibility of an indoor source of Pb in a number of the homes. Levels of Pb in dust aggregated at the CT level correlated with a range of socioeconomic variables. Census tracts of lower socioeconomic status also had higher average dust loadings in homes. Not only did soil Pb apparently have a significant influence on indoor dust Pb but socioeconomic status was also a significantly associated.
TRANSPORTATION AND THE GROWTH OF THE SÃO PAULO ECONOMY

This study is concerned with the general problem of transportation development and economic change. Specifically, it examines the development of highway transportation and urban growth in the region of Sao Paulo, Brazil, an area that is undergoing a rapid economic transformation. The objective of the analysis is to investigate, for the period 1940 to 1960, the interrelationships between changes in accessibility to the highway network and the growth of urban centres.
Stable and fluid ethylphosphocholine membranes in a poly(dimethylsiloxane) microsensor for toxin detection in flooded waters.

Highly stable and fluid supported bilayer membranes were fabricated by fusion of positively charged ethylphosphocholine (DOPC+) vesicles into poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) microchannels for immunosensing of cholera toxin (CT) in flooded waters. Compared to phosphatidylcholine (PC) layers in the microchannels, DOPC+ membranes show exceptionally strong resistance to air-dry damage, as demonstrated by fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) measurements and protein adsorption studies. In FRAP experiments, the mobile fraction of PC membranes was found to decrease by 10% upon drying/rehydration and the lateral diffusion coefficient decreased from 2.2 to 1.6 μm2/s, whereas the mobile fraction and diffusion coefficient for DOPC+ membranes remain virtually unchanged during this process. Characterization by confocal microscopy reveals that only 1% of the DOPC+ membrane in the microchannels was removed by the drying/rehydration process, as compared to 11% for PC. Protein adsorption trends indicate that th...
Nuclear data sheets for A = 109

Abstract Adopted level schemes, level properties, and decay schemes are presented for known members of the A = 109 mass chain. Adopted values are based on evaluation of experimental results contained in ∼150 papers. The present evaluation supersedes the 1971 version of A = 109 (Nuclear Data Sheets B6, 1, 1971) and is based on experimental data received before October 1977. Since the 1971 evaluation, significant new results have been published for most of the A = 109 nuclei. In particular, the decay scheme of 109Rh has been established, several reaction experiments have yielded level properties for 109In, and firm Jπ assignments for 109Ag and 109Cd have been extended to more levels through recent reaction studies. However, measurements of the decay of 109Sn to 109In still contain the serious discrepancies noted in the previous A = 109 evaluation. The evaluators have used footnotes throughout the compilation to point out discrepancies, uncertainties, and the lack of data. It is hoped that this evaluation will serve as the basis for further experiments and calculations which will add to the knowledge of the nuclear structure of A = 109 nuclei.
Metabolic bone disease of prematurity

Metabolic bone disease (MBD) of prematurity remains a significant problem for preterm, chronically ill neonates. The definition and recommendations for screening and treatment of MBD vary in the literature. A recent American Academy of Pediatrics Consensus Statement may help close the gap in institutional variation, but evidence based practice guidelines remain obscure due to lack of normative data and clinical trials for preterm infants. This review highlights mineral homeostasis physiology, current recommendations in screening and monitoring, prevention and treatment strategies, and an added perspective of a bone health team serving a high volume referral neonatal intensive care center.
Effects of strain, sex, route of administration and partial hepatectomy on the induction by chemical carcinogens of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase foci in rat liver.

Abstract The incidence of gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT)-positive foci induced by 0.3 mmol/kg diethylnitrosamine (DENA) followed by promotion with 500 ppm sodium phenobarbital in drinking water and was the same in Fischer 344, Sprague-Dawley and Wistar-Lewis rats. There was no difference in the level of GGT-foci initiated by DENA, 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA), or 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) followed by promotion with phenobarbital with respect to sex or route of administration including gavage and intraperitoneal injection. Maximal stimulation by partial hepatectomy of DENA initiation of GGT-foci occurred when the DENA was administered 18 h after the operation. Our results indicate that the optimal protocol for the rat liver foci assay consists of using partial hepatectomized rats of 1 of the 3 strains and of either sex. The test substance should be administered by either gavage or intraperitoneal injection so that maximal DNA binding coincides with the maximal rate of DNA replication resulting from partial hepatectomy.
A review of plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition of carbon nanotubes

Plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition (PECVD) has been widely discussed in the literature for the growth of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibres (CNFs) in recent years. Advantages claimed include lower growth temperatures relative to thermal CVD and the ability to grow individual, free-standing, vertical CNFs instead of tower-like structures or ensembles. This paper reviews the current status of the technology including equipment, plasma chemistry, diagnostics and modelling, and mechanisms. Recent accomplishments include PECVD of single-walled CNTs and growth at low temperatures for handling delicate substrates such as glass.
Estimating the basis functions of the Karhunen-Loeve transform

A procedure for estimating the basis functions of the Karhunen-Loeve (KL) transform and the associated eigenvalues is presented. This estimator differs from previous results in the literature in that the continuous KL basis functions are estimated, allowing the direct evaluation of the effects of sampling on estimator performance. Theorems describing the convergence of the estimated eigensolution are given. These theorems provide a sound theoretical foundation for the estimation procedure and add insight into the quality of the estimates and the effects of sampling. The previous result of estimating the KL transform using the eigensolution of the sample covariance matrix can be formulated as a special case of the proposed procedure, proving the convergence of this previous result. An example that illustrates the procedure and provides a comparison to previous results is presented. >
Facebook Involvement, Objectified Body Consciousness, Body Shame, and Sexual Assertiveness in College Women and Men

Given the heightened attention to visual impression management on social media websites, previous research has demonstrated an association between Facebook use and objectified body consciousness among adolescent girls and young women in various Western countries, including the U.S. (e.g., Meier and Gray 2013). The current study aimed to test whether both young women and men using social networking sites are vulnerable to objectified body consciousness, and to extend this line of research to sexual health outcomes. We tested a path model of Facebook involvement, objectified body consciousness, body shame, and sexual assertiveness and examined whether the negative health consequences of objectified body consciousness were greater in magnitude for women than men. Participants in this study were U.S. college students in the Midwest, 467 women and 348 men, who on average reported using social networking sites for 6 years. They completed survey measures assessing their involvement in Facebook, body surveillance, appearance self-worth, and enjoyment of sexualization. They also reported on feelings of body shame and sexual assertiveness. For both women and men, Facebook involvement predicted objectified body consciousness, which in turn predicted greater body shame and decreased sexual assertiveness. The link between objectified body consciousness and body shame was greater in magnitude for women, but no gender difference was found in the association between body shame and sexual assertiveness. We suggest that social media foster a heightened experience of the self from an observer’s point of view, which has consequences for body image and sexual agency among women as well as men.
Diastolic dysfunction in stunned myocardium: a state of abnormal excitation-contraction coupling that is limited by Na+-H+ exchange inhibition.

Objective: The systolic and diastolic effects of myocardial stunning were studied to evaluate the contributions of the endocardial and epicardial segments of the ventricular myocardial band, and determine if preconditioning by Na + —H + exchange (NHE) inhibition effected poststunning dysfunction. Methods: Thirteen Yorkshire—Duroc pigs (27.3—38.2 kg) underwent 15 min of mid-LAD clamping. Seven had no protective measures and six were pretreated with IV Cariporide 5 mg/kg 15 min before ischemia. Sonomicrometer crystals evaluated systolic dysfunction (impaired regional shortening) and diastolic dysfunction (contraction extending into early diastole). Results: Before ischemia, contraction started first on the endocardial side followed 82 � 23 ms later by the subepicardium. Endocardial shortening stopped first, coinciding with negative dP/dt onset, while epicardial shortening phase persisted for 92 � 33 ms more during occurrence of rapid LVP descent and development of peak negative dP/dt. Ischemia produced paradoxical bulging of both segments. Sixty minutes after ischemia systolic segment shortening recovered 36 � 24% of baseline values without pretreatment, compared to 75.8 � 15% with Cariporide (p < 0.05). Global ejection force (maximum dP/dt) fell 32 � 20% in the unprotected group, but was maintained by Cariporide pretreatment. Diastolic dysfunction always showed continued endocardial contraction into early diastole (occupying 38 � 16% of diastole in untreated hearts), whereas Cariporide treatment reduced this dysfunction to 5 � 10% (p < 0.05). Persistent diastolic dysfunction raised left ventricle end diastolic pressure (LVEDP) 4 mmHg in untreated hearts, whereas Cariporide returned LVEDP to normal. Less elevation of creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) and conjugated dienes followed Cariporide pretreatment. Conclusions: Temporary LAD ischemia alters the normal sequential pattern of contraction responsible for ejection and suction by (a) reducing systolic contractile force, and (b) prolonging endocardial contraction into early diastole to disrupt the normal endocardial—epicardial sequence responsible for ventricular suction. NHE inhibition before ischemia limits postischemic systolic and diastolic dysfunction by re-establishing the expected shortening sequences within the ventricular myocardial band model.
Bayesian Semiparametric Regression for Median Residual Life

With survival data there is often interest not only in the survival time distribution but also in the residual survival time distribution. In fact, regression models to explain residual survival time might be desired. Building upon recent work of Kottas & Gelfand (J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 96 (2001) 1458), we formulate a semiparametric median residual life regression model induced by a semiparametric accelerated failure time regression model. We utilize a Bayesian approach which allows full and exact inference. Classical work essentially ignores covariates and is either based upon parametric assumptions or is limited to asymptotic inference in non-parametric settings. No regression modelling of median residual life appears to exist. The Bayesian modelling is developed through Dirichlet process mixing. The models are fitted using Gibbs sampling. Re- sidual life inference is implemented extending the approach of Gelfand & Kottas (J. Comput. Graph. Statist. 11 (2002) 289). Finally, we present a fairly detailed analysis of a set of survival times with moderate censoring for patients with small cell lung cancer.
Beyond Cat Scratch Disease: Widening Spectrum of Bartonella henselae Infection

Bartonella henselae was discovered a quarter of a century ago as the causative agent of cat scratch disease, a clinical entity described in the literature for more than half a century. As diagnostic techniques improve, our knowledge of the spectrum of clinical disease resulting from infection with Bartonella is expanding. This review summarizes current knowledge regarding the microbiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic techniques, and treatment of B henselae infection.
Effects of Hydrostatic Pressure on Growth of Hyperthermophilic Archaebacteria from the Juan de Fuca Ridge

Two new strains (AL1 and AL2) of hyperthermophilic, sulfur-reducing, heterotrophic archaebacteria from high-temperature (350°C) vents on the Juan de Fuca Ridge were highly barotolerant at their optimal growth temperatures (90 and 100°C, respectively). A trend towards barophily at pressures greater than those encountered in situ at the sea floor was demonstrated for the more extremely thermophilic strain (AL2), implying an ability to thrive in (unexplored) habitats well below accessible vent formations.
Two-Way Analysis of Variance

Often, a simple one-way analysis of variance, with or without planned comparisons, is the best way to analyze data. Sometimes, however, simple one-way models are not appropriate, and even when they are appropriate, more complicated methods may be better suited to our needs.
Tuning the free-energy landscape of a WW domain by temperature, mutation, and truncation

The equilibrium unfolding of the Formin binding protein 28 (FBP) WW domain, a stable three-stranded β-sheet protein, can be described as reversible apparent two-state folding. Kinetics studied by laser temperature jump reveal a third state at temperatures below the midpoint of unfolding. The FBP free-energy surface can be tuned between three-state and two-state kinetics by changing the temperature, by truncation of the C terminus, or by selected point mutations. FBP WW domain is the smallest three-state folder studied to date and the only one that can be freely tuned between three-state and apparent two-state folding by several methods (temperature, truncation, and mutation). Its small size (28–37 residues), the availability of a quantitative reaction coordinate (φT), the fast folding time scale (10s of μs), and the tunability of the folding routes by small temperature or sequence changes make this system the ideal prototype for studying more subtle features of the folding free-energy landscape by simulations or analytical theory.
Sprint car visual loss

A 16-year-old boy developed bilateral visual loss 24 hours after a sprint car accident. Bilateral central scotomas were demonstrated but were unexplained by a thorough eye examination and neuro-imaging. A diagnosis of commotio retinae was established by multi-focal ERG testing. This relatively new technique is discussed, including comparison to full-field ERG and clinical applications.