cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Humanitarian Intervention: Evolving Norms, Fragmenting Consensus (Remarks)

Traditionally, the evolution of customary international law was understood as a gradual process: in some idealized model, we might see first a few states, and then a few more, implicitly agreeing to follow a practice, and then we would gradually begin to see additional states doing the same thing. We would also gradually accumulate evidence that these various states are acting in such a way because they consider themselves legally bound to do so. Then, over time, we’ll see more and more states following suit both in word and deed, until at some point we can say with a great deal of confidence that such and such has evolved into a binding norm of customary international law.That’s the idealized process through which norms of customary international law develop. In real life, of course, it’s rarely so neat and tidy. In fact, much of the time, the evolution of customary international law looks less like a gradual, trouble-free emergence of consensus than a continual process of contestation — a continual process of resistance and conflict between states, if you will. By “conflict” the author doesn’t necessarily mean armed force, but rather diplomatic conflict of all sorts: dueling demarches, dueling public statements, and so on.Norms relating to humanitarian intervention offer a typical example. We are in a period in which we are seeing a norm struggling to emerge, if you will, but that process is not a smooth one, has not been a smooth one, and is unlikely to be a smooth one in the future. Indeed, when we think about norms related to humanitarian intervention or the Responsibility to Protect, if anything what we have seen has been a process of reaction, counter-reaction, counter-counterreaction and counter-counter-counter-reaction. We are still going through that cycle.
The new frontiers: A workshop on future directions in massively parallel processing

The task of identifying some of the basic research issues facing modern massively parallel processing is addressed. Processing element architecture, interconnection networks, languages and compilers, and software development tools are considered. >
Human granulocyte-monocyte colony-stimulating factor and interleukin 3 stimulate monocyte cytotoxicity through a tumor necrosis factor- dependent mechanism

Human colony-stimulating factors (CSF) exert multiple effects on the proliferation, differentiation, and function of myeloid lineage cells. In this study, the effects of three recombinant human CSFs (granulocyte- monocyte CSF [GM-CSF], interleukin 3 [IL-3], and granulocyte CSF [G- CSF]) on antibody-independent monocyte tumoricidal activity were investigated by using WEHI 164 fibrosarcoma cells as monocyte-sensitive targets. None of the CSFs directly induced monocyte cytotoxicity, although both GM-CSF and IL-3 were found to significantly enhance monocyte killing in response to a second stimulatory event (endotoxin). No effect was seen with G-CSF. Antitumor necrosis factor antibody completely abolished CSF-enhanced monocyte cytotoxicity, which suggests that this effect was mediated through increased release of tumor necrosis factor (TNF). As previously shown for GM-CSF, IL-3 was found to induce cytoplasmic accumulation of TNF messenger RNA (mRNA) after 18 hours of exposure. These results suggest that GM-CSF and IL-3 may stimulate monocyte killing indirectly by enhancing expression of TNF mRNA, thereby leading to augmented TNF protein secretion in response to a second activation signal.
Supplementing REDD-Plus with Biodiversity Payments: The Paradox of Paying for Multiple Ecosystem Services

An international mechanism to reduce emissions from deforestation using carbon payments (REDD) can be leveraged to make payments for forests’ biodiversity as well. Paradoxically, under conditions consistent with emerging REDD programs, money spent on a mixture of carbon payments and biodiversity payments has the potential to incentivize the provision of greater climate benefits than an equal amount of money spent only on carbon payments. This paradoxical result arises when diversifying payments across multiple services allows a funding agency to spend less on additional rents to existing suppliers of avoided deforestation and more on incentivizing the participation of new suppliers.
Dating and Sexual Behavior Among Single Parents of Young Children in the United States

Theory and research on partnered parents suggests trade-offs between parenting and sexuality, with those trade-offs most pronounced among mothers of young children. However, little research has focused on how a growing demographic of single parents negotiates dating and sexual activity. The current study drew upon a 2012 nationally representative sample of 5,481 single Americans 21 years of age and older, of whom 4.3% were parents of a child age five or younger. Dependent variables were sexual thoughts, frequency of sexual activity, number of sexual partners in the past year, dates during the previous three months, and whether one was actively seeking a relationship partner. Covariates included parental age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, education, and income. Using the entire sample of singles, we found no main effects of number (0, 1, 2+) of children aged five years and younger or number of children aged two years and younger on dating and sexual behavior variables. Next, using analyses restricted to single parents (n = 2,121), we found that single parents with a child aged five years or younger, adjusting for covariates, reported greater frequency of sexual activity and first dates but no differences in other outcomes compared with single parents of older children.
Direct observation of a two-dimensional gas of spin-polarized atomic hydrogen.

We have used NMR to observe the two-dimensional gas of atomic hydrogen adsorbed on a fritted glass "sponge" covered with superfluid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$. Measurements were made at a magnetic field of 7 T and at temperatures down to 0.080 K for a $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ surface and to 0.060 K for a $^{3}\mathrm{He}$-$^{4}\mathrm{He}$ substrate. The temperature dependence of the resonant frequency agrees with Anderson's multiple-residency model. On the $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ surface the adsorbed hydrogen is first detected at 0.095 K and has a frequency shift of -21.64(40) kHz with respect to the bulk adsorption line, corresponding to a zero-field wall shift of -43.0(8) kHz.
Functional differences between junctional and extrajunctional adrenergic receptor activation in mammalian ventricle

Increased cardiac sympathetic activation worsens dispersion of repolarization and is proarrhythmic. The functional differences between intrinsic nerve stimulation and adrenergic receptor activation remain incompletely understood. This study was undertaken to determine the functional differences between efferent cardiac sympathetic nerve stimulation and direct adrenergic receptor activation in porcine ventricles. Female Yorkshire pigs (n = 13) underwent surgical exposure of the heart and stellate ganglia. A 56-electrode sock was placed over the ventricles to record epicardial electrograms. Animals underwent bilateral sympathetic stimulation (BSS) (n = 8) or norepinephrine (NE) administration (n = 5). Activation recovery intervals (ARIs) were measured at each electrode before and during BSS or NE. The degree of ARI shortening during BSS or NE administration was used as a measure of functional nerve or adrenergic receptor density. During BSS, ARI shortening was nonuniform across the epicardium (F value 9.62, P = 0.003), with ARI shortening greatest in the mid-basal lateral right ventricle and least in the midposterior left ventricle (LV) (mean normalized values: 0.9 ± 0.08 vs. 0.56 ± 0.08; P = 0.03). NE administration resulted in greater ARI shortening in the LV apex than basal segments [0.91 ± 0.04 vs. 0.63 ± 0.05 (averaged basal segments); P = 0.003]. Dispersion of ARIs increased in 50% and 60% of the subjects undergoing BSS and NE, respectively, but decreased in the others. There is nonuniform response to cardiac sympathetic activation of both porcine ventricles, which is not fully explained by adrenergic receptor density. Different pools of adrenergic receptors may mediate the cardiac electrophysiological effects of efferent sympathetic nerve activity and circulating catecholamines.
Alluvial Soil Chronosequence in the Inner Coastal Plain, Central Virginia

A chronological sequence of soils formed on a series of alluvial depositional surfaces ranging in age from late-middle Miocene to late Pleistocene was characterized to clarify soil-geomorphic relations and provide a basis for allostratigraphic subdivision of the inner Coastal Plain. On Quaternary river terraces, Ultic Hapludalfs containing abundant weatherable mineral species and clast types are estimated to have formed in 60,000-120,000 yr, whereas Typic Hapludults greatly depleted in weatherable minerals and showing strong weathering of clast types are estimated to be 700,000-1,600,000 yr old. Typic Paleudults with incipient plinthite, duripan, and ferricrete development characterize interfluves that have been little eroded since early Pliocene time (3.4-5.3 myr ago). Typic-Plinthic Paleudults with intense weathering of siliceous clasts and moderate to strong duripan and ferricrete development are found on surfaces that formed near the beginning of late Miocene time (10.8-13.0 myr ago). Chemical weathering in the chronosequence may be classified into three progressive stages: (1) decomposition of unstable sand- and silt-sized minerals into a mixed (stable + unstable) clay-mineral suite (stable Fe + Al/Si bulk chemical composition, 107 yr). Not all soil properties show unidirectional development, nor is a steady state of pedon development observed even after approximately 107 yr of chemical weathering. Soil development in the chronosequence is episodic. The transition from one phase to the next is marked by a change in rate, and sometimes a reversal in the direction, of development of one or more soil properties.
Total Nuclear Variation and Jacobian Extensions of Total Variation for Vector Fields

We explore a class of vectorial total variation (VTV) measures formed as the spatial sum of a pixel-wise matrix norm of the Jacobian of a vector field. We give a theoretical treatment that indicates that, while color smearing and affine-coupling bias (often reported as gray-scale bias) are typically cited as drawbacks for VTV, these are actually fundamental to smoothing vector direction (i.e. smoothing hue and saturation in color images). Additionally, we show that encouraging different vector channels to share a common gradient direction is equivalent to minimizing Jacobian rank. We thus propose Total Nuclear Variation (TNV), and since nuclear norm is the convex envelope of matrix rank, we argue that TNV is the optimal convex regularizer for enforcing shared directions. We also propose extended Jacobians, which use larger neighborhoods than the conventional finite difference operator, and we discuss efficient VTV optimization algorithms. In simple color image denoising experiments, TNV outperformed other common VTV regularizers, and was further improved by using extended Jacobians. TNV was also competitive with the method of non-local means, often outperforming it by 0.25 to 2 dB when using extended Jacobians.
Increasing the Discoverability of Digital Collections Using Wikipedia: The Pitt Experience

During the Fall 2013 academic semester at the University of Pittsburgh, two undergraduate history majors performed a Wikipedia internship in the University Library System’s Archives Service Center and Special Collections Department. The purpose was to enhance the discoverability of Pitt’s digital collections and finding aids by creating links from Wikipedia articles to relevant content held by the library’s specialized collection units as well as to generally improve the quality of articles by adding additional information. By editing nearly 100 articles in Wikipedia, the interns developed their own effective strategies to perform this work and learned how to use and edit Wikipedia efficiently, how to navigate library resources effectively, how to decide what types of content would be valuable to add, and how to present new and respectable information. As a result, usage of Pitt’s online digitized collections and finding aids appears to have increased.
Efficacy of Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Neonates with Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure

Efficacy of Venovenous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Neonates with Hypoxemic Respiratory Failure
Exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations of different nonylphenol formulations in Japanese medaka.

The time course of exposure to p-nonylphenol (NP) from two different sources was compared to equalivent exposures of 17-β-estradiol (E2) and a solvent control (ethanol; EtOH). Japanese medaka were exposed for 4 days to a nominal concentration of 20 μg/l of either NP-I (Schenectady International, Inc.), NP-II (Aldrich), or E2, and were then placed in untreated water for 5 days. Tissue samples were taken at two time points during the 4-day exposure and two time points during the 5 days following exposure. Liver homogenates were analyzed using a western blot to detect vitellogenin (VTG) and quantified by measuring the optical density for each lane. Preliminary results indicate that E2 significantly increased VTG staining above the level observed in EtOH-treated controls for both males and females. A two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicates that NP from both sources, as well as E2, significantly increased VTG staining in males (ANOVA, n=48, P<0.001; Tukey pairwise tests, all P<0.008). A significant increase in VTG was observed in E2-treated males and females the first day following transfer into toxicant-free water (two-way ANOVAs, both n=48, P<0.003; Tukey pairwise tests, all P<0.019). If confirmed, this extended response observed for low-level exposures may represent a significant factor for sampling scenarios following pulsitile exposure.
The fruit fly formerly know as Drosophila

The famous fly is about to be renamed – and that's a bad idea says ecologist Kim van der Linde, while geneticist Amir Yassin says change is overdue
Higher-Dimensional SUSY Quantum Mechanics

Higher-dimensional supersymmetric quantum mechanics is studied. General properties of the two-dimensional case are presented. For three spatial dimensions or higher, a spin structure is shown to arise naturally from the nonrelativistic supersymmetry algebra.
Combustion of coked sand in a two-stage fluidized bed system☆

Abstract An advanced multiple-stage fluidized bed reactor system has been devised for the energy-efficient extraction and conversion, from tar sand, of bitumen into synthetic crude oil. The reactor consists of four fluidized beds arranged as stages in series with respect to flow of sand. In the first stage, tar sands are heated, causing the bitumen to pyrolyse into coke, which is deposited on the sand, and gas, which is mostly condensed into oil. The coke is partially combusted with air or enriched oxygen in the second stage, which is thermally coupled to the first stage by multiple vertical heat pipes. Combustion is completed adiabatically in the third stage and heat recovery from the sand is carried out in the fourth stage. By conducting the coke combustion in two stages in this manner, the overall reactor residence time to produce clean sand is greatly reduced from that for a single combustion stage. Laboratory experimental studies have confirmed the ability to operate and control the two thermally coupled stages. The two-phase bubbling bed model of Grace, amended to account for bubble growth in the axial direction, has been adopted to model the mass transfer and fluid mechanics of the fluidized beds. The model for the first and second combustion stages is complete. Predictions for exit reactor conditions at various operating conditions are in reasonable agreement with experimental observations. The operating parameters have been found to exert a much greater influence on the predictions of the model than do the values of the physical parameters, indicating a desirable degree of reactor stability. Extension of the model to the pyrolysis and heat recovery stages will permit the optimization of the reactor configuration and operating conditions.
Daily rhythms of plasma corticosterone in the common pigeon, Columba livia.

Abstract Daily variations in concentrations of plasma corticosterone were found in pigeons maintained on 12-hr and 16-hr daily photoperiods. Rapid increases occurred within a few hours after the onset of the dark period, reaching peak values in 4–8 hr. There was a gradual reduction in concentrations during the light except for a small secondary peak late in the day in the pigeons adapted to a 16-hr daily photoperiod. The rhythms are lost in pigeons that are kept in continuous light for 15 days. The function of daily rhythms of corticosterone are discussed in terms of their role in regulating daily rhythms of cropsac responses to prolactin.
The strongly damped collisions of 120 MeV 20Ne with 27Al

Abstract The reactions of 120 MeV 20 Ne with 27 Al have been studied using detector telescopes. Energy distributions and angular distributions of the products of quasielastic, deep inelastic and fusion reactions were measured. The limiting angular momentum for evaporation residue formation was found to be 33.6±1.7 h . Products of atomic number≦12 are found to result predominantly from quasi-two-body breakup of the composite system with increased damping of the initial kinetic energy as the mass transfer and the angle of detectiion increase. The elongation of the symmetric scission configuration of a fissioning 47 V nucleus is derived from the kinetic energies obtained for completely damped collisions. The contribution to the fragment kinetic energy from rapid rotation of the fissioning system is found to be comparable to the kinetic energy from Coulomb repulsion. The evolution of molecule-like composite nuclei and the similarities between deep inelastic reactions of relatively light nuclei and those observed for much heavier projectiles are discussed.
Scaling Laws for Single and Multiple Electron Loss from Projectiles in Collisions with a Many-electron Target

Using measured cross sections, empirical scaling laws are extracted for projectile stripping induced by collisions with a many-electron target. By scaling both the cross sections and the impact velocities, it is shown that a single universal curve can be used to fit data for single and multiple electron loss from negative ions, neutral particles, and singly or multiply charged positive ions. The scaling applies to projectiles ranging from hydrogen to uranium and collision energies ranging from below $\text{keV}∕\mathrm{u}$ to hundreds of $\text{MeV}∕\mathrm{u}$. At high energies, existing data are consistent with a ${v}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ impact velocity dependence for scaled velocities less than 10. Limited data imply that above 10 the velocity dependence becomes ${v}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$. Using our universal curve, cross sections are predicted for electron loss from low-charge-state heavy ions at 20 and $100\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\text{MeV}∕\mathrm{u}$.
Pulse ignition characterization of mercury ion thruster hollow cathode using an improved pulse ignitor

An investigation of the high voltage pulse ignition characteristics of the 8-cm mercury ion thruster neutralizer cathode identified a low rate of voltage rise and long pulse duration as desirable factors for reliable cathode starting. Cathode starting breakdown voltages were measured over a range of mercury flow rates and tip heater powers for pulses with five different rates of voltage rise. Breakdown voltage requirements for the fastest rising pulse (2.5 to 3.0 kV/microsec) were substantially higher (2 kV or more) than for the slowest rising pulse (0.3 to 0.5 kV/microsec) for the same starting conditions. The paper also describes an improved, low impedance pulse ignitor circuit which reduces power losses and eliminates problems with control and packaging associated with earlier designs.
Alexis's picture: a perspective on a different perspective.

1. Lawrence F. Nazarian 1. Rochester, NY The coloring on this school work sheet was done by Alexis Barboza of New Bedford, Mass. Alexis is 6 years old …
Vibrational dynamics of the CH stretching mode of H-terminated diamond surfaces

Abstract The vibrational dynamics of hydrogen on low-index diamond surfaces is studied by the molecular dynamics method using an empirical Molecular Mechanics (MM3) potential. We find that the CH stretching peak positions in the vibrational spectra of hydrogen are sensitive to the surface structure and can be used for the experimental in situ analysis of the growing CVD diamond phase. The differences in the spectral features corresponding to the CH bending vibrations have been correlated with the results of the vibrational energy relaxation rate estimates. We find that the major contributions to the lifetimes of the excited CH stretching states come from the anharmonic coupling between the CH stretching and CCH bending vibration modes. The latter is highly coupled with the substrate phonons which leads to the formation of broad spectral regions associated with CCH bending vibrations. The dynamic analysis of the motion induced by the symmetric and antisymmetric stretching excitation on C {100} (2 × 1) H surface have been performed and the reasons for the unstability of the pure antisymmetric vibrations are discussed.
Ganglioside patterns and cholera toxin-peroxidase labeling of aggregating cells from the chick optic tectum

2The ganglioside compositions of the chick optic tectum and aggregating tectal cell cultures were examined. Both showed similar trends in changes in ganglioside patterns during development. GD3 and GD1b were the predominant gangliosides early in development, while GD1a and several other multisialogangliosides increased in relative amounts with increasing age in vivo and in vitro. Four gangliosides were present early in development which have not previously been reported. These gangliosides are not present at later developmental times suggesting a possible role for them during the critical early stages of nervous tissue differentiation. Some differences were noted when comparing in vivo versus in vitro ganglioside patterns; these differences may possibly be due to the lack of normal retinotectal connections in the cultures. Cytochemical studies on the localization of the presumed cholera toxin--peroxidase binding site GM1 showed conjugate binding correlates with increasing levels of GM1 in the cultures. In older cultures, the conjugate was uniformly localized on all cells and processes in the aggregates. The conjugate also bound to synaptic membranes and intensely stained the synaptic cleft. This latter observation suggests an enrichment of GM1 in the synaptic cleft region.
Hypercalciuria in osteogenesis imperfecta: A follow-up study to assess renal effects

In 1991, we reported that hypercalciuria is a common finding in our pediatric patient population with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) (17 of 47 = 36%). Here, we prospectively screened 12 of these hypercalciuric children, on average 4 years subsequent to the discovery of elevated urine calcium levels, for adverse effects on renal function. Despite an ad libitum decrease since initial investigation of about 30% in their previously normal dietary calcium intake (adjusted for body weight), 8 of the 12 patients remained hypercalciuric (urine calcium/creatinine > 0.62 mmol/mmol). We found, once again, that urinary calcium levels significantly correlated with the severity of the skeletal disease as assessed by z-score for height (r = -0.75, p = 0.005). Evaluation of kidney function, however, revealed: (i) normal routine urinalysis in all but 1 subject who had transient microscopic hematuria; (ii) unremarkable concentrating ability determined by fasting urine osmolality; (iii) normal creatinine clearance, and (iv) unremarkable ultrasonography to measure renal size and to screen for nephrocalcinosis or nephrolithiasis. Although no significant renal compromise was detected with these studies in our hypercalciuric pediatric OI patients, investigation of affected adults, especially those severely affected, will be important to assess whether this is a long-term problem and if adverse effects on the kidneys do develop.
AZADEH KIAN-THIEBAUT, Secularization of Iran: A Doomed Failure? The New Middle Class and the Making of Modern Iran (Paris: Institut d'etudes iraniennes and Diffusion Peeters, 1998). Pp. 296.

Secularization of Iran: A Doomed Failure? is an extremely readable, insightful, and detailed contribution by Azadeh Kian-Thiebaut to the literature on Iranian society and politics in the 20th century. When I first started reading the book, I expected the pedantic descriptions that often characterize doctoral dissertations turned into books. Fortunately, however, I found the book much more than a dispassionate treatment of facts and theories. The author has perspectives and points of views that are not just hidden in the various descriptions of events and ideas. Yet her work is not an ideological treatment of Iranian politics and society, either. Events and historical facts are treated with a level of sociological objectivity and sound judgment that are not too common among Iran's observers.
High-frequency percussive ventilation for severe inhalation injury.

998 April 2014 A HEALTHY 26-yr-old with singed nares, carbonaceous tracheal secretions, and respiratory distress was intubated following a house fire. Bronchoscopy (fig.) revealed soot throughout the tracheobronchial tree consistent with severe inhalational injury. Despite ARDSNet goal-directed conventional mechanical ventilation, adequate muscle relaxation, and aerosolized pharmacotherapy of albuterol, acetylcysteine, and heparin, worsening oxygenation and ventilation ensued. High-frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) was initiated to aid oxygenation, mechanics, and secretion clearance. Nine days later, the patient had adequate oxygenation with negligible secretions. Conventional ventilation was reinstituted with extubation shortly thereafter. HFPV has been associated with attenuated ventilator-induced lung injury, improved oxygenation at lower peak airway pressures, and hemodynamic stability among patients with inhalation injury.1 HFPV produces small, high-frequency gas pulses that accumulate to form low-frequency tidal volume breaths in the apneic, motionless lung. This continuous laminar oxygen flow results in a distal-to-proximal gas concentration gradient beginning at the alveolar–arterial interface. Consequently, conventional precepts of dead space and effective alveolar ventilation have limited application to high-frequency ventilation in which diffusion becomes the principle means of gas exchange.2 Because inhalation injury is predominantly a conducting and peripheral airway insult, HFPV may preferentially benefit these specific patients. A recent prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial of burn patients with inhalation injury compared conventional low tidal volume ventilation with HFPV. The study reported similar ventilator-free days for both groups; however, a statistically greater proportion (29% vs. 6%) of the conventional ventilation group failed to meet oxygenation or ventilation goals and required an alternate rescue modality.3
Citizens’ attitudes toward Open Government and Government 2.0

This empirical study sees Open Government and Government 2.0 as a new ends and means of e-government in the United States. The analysis of the data from the Pew Research Center’s national survey (2009 Government Online) highlights what influences American citizens’ attitudes toward Open Government and Government 2.0. This article presents four main findings. First, while the use of existing e-government services does not significantly influence attitudes toward Open Government, recent use of Government 2.0 does contribute to positive attitudes toward Government 2.0. Second, those who value transactions with e-government have a positive attitude regarding Open Government and Government 2.0. Third, general trust in government leads to a positive attitude toward the new ends and means of e-government. Finally, frequent Web use and broadband adoption do not affect citizens’ attitudes concerning the new modes of e-government. The study reveals that citizens’ attitudes toward government workings do not change m...
Oxygen Reduction Reaction Studies of Phosphorus and Nitrogen Co-Doped Mesoporous Carbon Synthesized via Microwave Technique

Metal-free mesoporous P and N co-doped carbon (PNDC) composites are evaluated for their electrocatalytic activity towards the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Carbonization of melamine and hexamine-modified tannin in the presence of polyphosophoric acid produces PNDCs with prominent oxygen reduction properties in alkaline media. The effect of the P and N content in the carbon material is evaluated in terms of the ORR activity. The compound containing a high amount of N (8.3 atom %) and P (6.8 atom %), denoted PNDC-1, shows high electrocatalytic activity, stability, durability, and selectivity towards the ORR. PNDC-1 has an onset potential of 0.10 V versus a reversible hydrogen reference electrode and shows a significantly improved performance in comparison to the carbon materials containing less P and N dopant atoms. PNDCs exhibit superior ORR current densities to that of the 20 % Pt/C catalyst because of the synergetic effect of P and N co-doping. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies indicate the presence of pyridinic and graphitic N species, which are responsible for oxygen reduction that results in higher current densities. Rotating disk electrode and rotating ring-disk electrode studies support a four electron oxygen reduction to water, with negligible generation of hydrogen peroxide.
Mixed-signal on-chip timing measurements

On-chip test techniques to reduce the dependence on external testers and to improve high-frequency measurement accuracy have become a major focus in test research and development. This paper reviews the fundamental theory of timing measurements, a popular requirement for on-chip tests, and describes a wide range of circuit techniques to implement the theory. Results are presented to verify the circuit performance and limitations. A framework for timing measurement is proposed to benchmark further developments in this area.
Reconfigurable broadband infrared circularly polarizing reflectors based on phase changing birefringent metasurfaces

This paper discusses a theoretical approach towards synthesizing broadband circularly polarizing reflectors. The broadband polarizing reflectors consist of birefringent metallo-dielectric metasurfaces which are described by the Jones matrices and verified via full-wave simulations. Specifically, full-wave simulations for candidate designs are presented that target operation in the near infrared band. In addition, reconfigurability is introduced and demonstrated for candidate designs at the long wave infrared band through the inclusion of a bistable phase change chalcogenide glass substrate.
Steam station auxiliary transfer arrangements

THE PURPOSE of this article is to suggest methods of transfer, utilizing a metal-clad breaker with a 5-cycle closing time, which practically eliminate transfer problems.
Language and hand: The dimension of referential competence1

Kinesic and verbal performance data were collected for two groups of women college seniors chosen to represent extremes in a type of verbal ability termed here referential competence. This ability is conceptualized in terms of degree of integration of symbolic and ikonic representation systems, i.e., the strength of the symbol-referent links in semantic memory. A criterion measure of referential competence was developed using deviation of color naming from word-reading times on the Stroop Color-Word test. Referential competence was shown to be statistically as well as conceptually unrelated to both the standard verbal intelligence and fluency measures, and to cognitive style. During a five-minute videotaped monologue about a personal experience, persons high in referential competence produced verbal material which was specific, vivid, and objective; in contrast to the subjective and general material of the low referential group; and also produced approximately three times as many object-focused hand movements, linked to rhythm and intonation patterns of speech but largely without decipherable content. The results suggest that motor schema have a continuing intrinsic role in mature speech production, related to structure rather than content of language.
Chemical Characterization of Fine Particle Emissions from Fireplace Combustion of Woods Grown in the Northeastern United States

The fireplace combustion of wood is a significant and largely unregulated source of fine particle pollution in the United States. Source apportionment techniques that use particulate organic compounds as tracers have been successful in determining the contribution of wood smoke to ambient fine particle levels in specific areas in California. To apply these techniques to the rest of the United States, the differences in emissions profiles between different wood smoke sources and fuel types should be resolved. To this end, a series of fireplace source tests was conducted on six fuel wood species found in the Southern United States to determine fine particulate emission factors for total mass, ionic and elemental species, elemental and organic carbon, and over 250 individual organic compounds. The wood species tested, chosen for their high abundance and availability in the Southern U.S. region, were yellow poplar, white ash, sweetgum, mockernut hickory, loblolly pine, and slash pine. The differences in the emissions of compounds such as substituted phenols and resin acids help to distinguish between the smoke from hardwood and softwood combustion. Levoglucosan, a cellulose pyrolysis product which may serve as a tracer for wood smoke in general, was quantified in the emissions from all the wood species burned. The furofuran lignan, yangambin, which was emitted in significant quantities from yellow poplar combustion and not detected in any of the other North American wood smokes, is a potential species-specific molecular tracer which may be useful in qualitatively identifying particulate emissions from a specific geographical area where yellow poplar is being burned.
Multiple components of the spliceosome regulate Mcl1 activity in neuroblastoma

Cancer treatments induce cell stress to trigger apoptosis in tumor cells. Many cancers repress these apoptotic signals through alterations in the Bcl2 proteins that regulate this process. Therapeutics that target these specific survival biases are in development, and drugs that inhibit Bcl2 activities have shown clinical activity for some cancers. Mcl1 is a survival factor for which no effective antagonists have been developed, so it remains a principal mediator of therapy resistance, including to Bcl2 inhibitors. We used a synthetic-lethal screening strategy to identify genes that regulate Mcl1 survival activity using the pediatric tumor neuroblastoma (NB) as a model, as a large subset are functionally verified to be Mcl1 dependent and Bcl2 inhibitor resistant. A targeted siRNA screen identified genes whose knockdown restores sensitivity of Mcl1-dependent NBs to ABT-737, a small molecule inhibitor of Bcl2, BclXL and BclW. Three target genes that shifted the ABT-737 IC50 >1 log were identified and validated: PSMD14, UBL5 and PRPF8. The latter two are members of a recently characterized subcomplex of the spliceosome that along with SART1 is responsible for non-canonical 5′-splice sequence recognition in yeast. We showed that SART1 knockdown similarly sensitized Mcl1-dependent NB to ABT-737 and that triple knockdown of UBL5/PRPF8/SART1 phenocopied direct MCL1 knockdown, whereas having no effect on Bcl2-dependent NBs. Both genetic spliceosome knockdown or treatment with SF3b-interacting spliceosome inhibitors like spliceostatin A led to preferential pro-apoptotic Mcl1-S splicing and reduced translation and abundance of Mcl1 protein. In contrast, BN82865, which inhibits the second transesterification step in terminal spliceosome processing, did not have this effect. These findings demonstrate a prominent role for the spliceosome in mediating Mcl1 activity and suggest that drugs that target either the specific UBL5/PRPF8/SART1 subcomplex or SF3b functions may have a role as cancer therapeutics by attenuating the Mcl1 survival bias present in numerous cancers.
The need for quality physical education.

Recently, the U.S. Surgeon General described two aspects of national health that require our immediate attention: As a nation, we are becoming increasingly more sedentary and more overweight. Furthermore, he and some of the most prominent health agencies have suggested that one of the primary strategies to overcome what is viewed as a national epidemic is the promotion of quality physical education in our schools. This paper describes in brief the facts associated with this concern, what is meant by quality physical education, and the role of the school nurse in helping to promote physical education in the schools.
Early supplementation with high-dose vitamin A in The Gambia

In their study of the effectiveness of early supplementation with high-dose vitamin A versus standard WHO protocol in Gambian mothers and infants Momodou Darboe and colleagues report that the proportion of infants attending the clinic was greater in the high-dose vitamin A group than in the WHO protocol group in the first 6 months of life (p=0.018). However they do not provide any detailed description of the chief complaints responsible for the differences in clinic attendance. It would be worthwhile to learn whether vitamin A supplementation exacerbated side-effects related to diphtheria-tetanuspertussis (DTP) vaccination since both DTP vaccination and three out of five scheduled supplementations were done in the first 6 months of life. This finding is also interesting because it is consistent with the findings of previous studies that there is a null or detrimental effect of vitamin A supplementation on infant mortality when supplementation is given close to the DTP vaccination. These reportsare of note since the protective effect of vitamin A supplementation is well established when given with the BCG vaccine (at birth) and with the measles vaccine (after 6 months of life). As Darboe and colleagues mention Benn and colleagues suggested that vitamin A supplementation could amplify the non-specific effects of vaccines causing differing effects between killed (DTP) and live (BCG and measles) vaccines. We believe that the findings from this study that high-dose vitamin A supplementation around the time of DTP vaccines revealed no advantageous effect and even a negative effect on clinic visits only buttresses the immune modulatory role of vitamin A supplementation with routine vaccines. (full text)
Privacy preserving boosting in the cloud with secure half-space queries

This poster presents a preliminary study on the PerturBoost approach that aims to provide efficient and secure classifier learning in the cloud with both data and model privacy preserved.
Injection and/or Extraction and a Ring Cooler

Abstract Injection and extraction for a “ring cooler” or similar structure is discussed. A pulsed-magnet fast kicker could be used; however, the fast kicker would require a fast rise time and large apertures and the resulting parameter are very challenging. An alternative “energy-shift” injection scheme is proposed, in which the beam is injected off-energy and decelerated into a circulating orbit over a “half-turn” (with RF rephasing). The same method can also be used for extraction
The effect of dilatons on the electroweak phase transition

Abstract We investigate the effect of the Jordan-Brans-Dicke dilaton field on the electroweak phase transition. We find that, contrary to the standard model without dilaton, the phase transition is first order for large Higgs-boson and t-quark masses. From experimental and theoretical bounds on Higgs-boson and t-quark masses we derive the upper bound of 20 GeV on the critical temperature T c .
Secondary Traumatic Stress and Disruptions to Interpersonal Functioning Among Mental Health Therapists

Disruptions within interpersonal relationships are often cited as a symptom of secondary traumatic stress (STS) and vicarious trauma among mental health therapists. However, the primary evidence to support these claims is based on theoretical explanations and limited descriptive data. The current study sought to test the theoretical model of STS and to extend prior research by directly measuring interpersonal and sexual disruptions and their association with STS symptomology. The study hypothesized that mental health therapists with higher levels of intrusion, avoidance, and arousal symptoms would also report disruptions in their interpersonal relationships. A total of 320 licensed mental health therapists completed the online study questionnaire. Results of the current study were mixed. Higher levels of STS symptoms showed a significant association with lower relationship satisfaction, lower social intimacy, less use of constructive communication patterns, and more use of avoidance communication and demand-withdrawal communication patterns. These relationships remained after controlling for gender, years of counseling experience, and exposure level to trauma clients. However, no association was found between STS, sexual activity interest, and sexual relationship satisfaction. Implications of these findings are reviewed.
THE SUPREME COURT AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT: 1982–1983

(1983). THE SUPREME COURT AND THE FIRST AMENDMENT: 1982–1983. Free Speech Yearbook: Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 62-70.
Ligand-induced changes in dynamics in the RT loop of the C-terminal SH3 domain of Sem-5 indicate cooperative conformational coupling

We report the effects of peptide binding on the 15N relaxation rates and chemical shifts of the C-SH3 of Sem-5. 15N spin-lattice relaxation time (T1), spin-spin relaxation time (T2), and {1H}-15N NOE were obtained from heteronuclear 2D NMR experiments. These parameters were then analyzed using the Lipari-Szabo model free formalism to obtain parameters that describe the internal motions of the protein. High-order parameters (S2 > 0.8) are found in elements of regular secondary structure, whereas some residues in the loop regions show relatively low-order parameters, notably the RT loop. Peptide binding is characterized by a significant decrease in the 15N relaxation in the RT loop. Concomitant with the change in dynamics is a cooperative change in chemical shifts. The agreement between the binding constants calculated from chemical shift differences and that obtained from ITC indicates that the binding of Sem-5 C-SH3 to its putative peptide ligand is coupled to a cooperative conformational change in which a portion of the binding site undergoes a significant reduction in conformational heterogeneity.
Chronic metformin treatment improves post-stroke angiogenesis and recovery after experimental stroke

Metformin is currently the first-line treatment drug for type 2 diabetes. Metformin is a well-known activator of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). In experimental studies, metformin has been shown to exert direct vascular effects by increasing vascular endothelial growth factor expression and improving microvascular density. As stroke is the leading cause of long-term disability and angiogenesis is implicated as an important mechanism in functional recovery, we hypothesized that chronic metformin treatment would improve post-stroke functional recovery by enhancing functional microvascular density. For this study, C57BL/6N male mice were subjected to a 60-min middle cerebral artery occlusion, and were given 50 mg/kg/day metformin beginning 24 h post-stroke for 3 weeks. Behavioral recovery was assessed using adhesive-tape removal and the apomorphine-induced turning test. The role of angiogenesis was assessed by counting vessel branch points from fluorescein-conjugated lectin-perfused brain sections. Importantly even if metformin treatment was initiated 24 h after injury it enhanced recovery and significantly improved stroke-induced behavioral deficits. This recovery occurred in parallel with enhanced angiogenesis and with restoration of endogenous cerebral dopaminergic tone and revascularization of ischemic tissue. We assessed if the effects on recovery and angiogenesis were mediated by AMPK. When tested in AMPK α-2 knockout mice, we found that metformin treatment did not have the same beneficial effects on recovery and angiogenesis, suggesting that metformin-induced angiogenic effects are mediated by AMPK. The results from this study suggest that metformin mediates post-stroke recovery by enhancing angiogenesis, and these effects are mediated by AMPK signaling.
Retention behavior and solvent optimization of organochlorine pesticides in solid-phase extraction

Plots of capacity factor and retention time vs. elution solvent composition were proved to be useful to interpret the retention behavior of Kepone and its metabolites in a reversed-phase solid-phase extraction and to optimize the elution solvent. The percent recovery of Kepone was largely improved when the solvent was optimized. The standard deviations of the results of extractions were also improved upon the optimization of the solvent.
Weierstrass Semigroups and Codes from a Quotient of the Hermitian Curve

We consider the quotient of the Hermitian curve defined by the equation yq + y = xm over $${\mathbb F}_{q^2}$$ where m > 2 is a divisor of q+1. For 2? r ? q+1, we determine the Weierstrass semigroup of any r-tuple of $${\mathbb F}_{q^2}$$ -rational points $$(P_\infty, P_{0b_2},\ldots,P_{0b_r})$$ on this curve. Using these semigroups, we construct algebraic geometry codes with minimum distance exceeding the designed distance. In addition, we prove that there are r-point codes, that is codes of the form $$C_\Omega(D, \alpha_1P_\infty, \alpha_2P_{0b_2},+\cdots+ \alpha_rP_{0b_r})$$ where r ? 2, with better parameters than any comparable one-point code on the same curve. Some of these codes have better parameters than comparable one-point Hermitian codes over the same field. All of our results apply to the Hermitian curve itself which is obtained by taking m=q +1 in the above equation
Biochemical components of the photosynthetic CO2 compensation point of higher plants.

Abstract Barley, Panicum milioides and Panicum maximum were exposed to 14CO2 near their photosynthetic CO2 compensation points and their respective 14C-products were determined. In short exposure times Panicum maximum had 100% of its 14C in malate and aspartate whereas Panicum milioides and barley had 16 and 3% of their respective 14C in C4 organic acids. Near the respective CO2 compensation points a linear relationship occurs in plotting the ratio of glycine, serine, and glycerate to C4 organic acids. The ratio of ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate oxygenase to phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase is linear with their CO2 compensation points. The photosynthetic CO2 compensation point apparently is controlled by the activity of enzymes producing photorespiration metabolites and the activity of phospheonolpyruvate carboxylase.
Refinement of lithium tetra­hydroxo­borate with low-temperature CCD data

Refinement of the title compound, Li B(OH)4, with CCD data at 120 K has led to a sevenfold increase in precision over the previously reported structure based on film data. The H atoms have been located and refined. Both Li and B are tetrahedrally coordinated. B—O distances are in the range 1.4644 (14)–1.4989 (13) A, while Li—O distances are in the range 1.931 (2)–2.022 (2) A.