cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiomyocyte cell cycling, maturation, and growth by multinucleation in postnatal swine.

Abstract Background Rodent cardiomyocytes (CM) undergo mitotic arrest and decline of mononucleated-diploid population post-birth, which are implicated in neonatal loss of heart regenerative potential. However, the dynamics of postnatal CM maturation are largely unknown in swine, despite a similar neonatal cardiac regenerative capacity as rodents. Here, we provide a comprehensive analysis of postnatal cardiac maturation in swine, including CM cell cycling, multinucleation and hypertrophic growth, as well as non-CM cardiac factors such as extracellular matrix (ECM), immune cells, capillaries, and neurons. Our study reveals discordance in postnatal pig heart maturational events compared to rodents. Methods and results Left-ventricular myocardium from White Yorkshire-Landrace pigs at postnatal day (P)0 to 6 months (6mo) was analyzed. Mature cardiac sarcomeric characteristics, such as fetal TNNI1 repression and Cx43 co-localization to cell junctions, were not evident until P30 in pigs. In CMs, appreciable binucleation is observed by P7, with extensive multinucleation (4–16 nuclei per CM) beyond P15. Individual CM nuclei remain predominantly diploid at all ages. CM mononucleation at ~50% incidence is observed at P7–P15, and CM mitotic activity is measurable up to 2mo. CM cross-sectional area does not increase until 2mo–6mo in pigs, though longitudinal CM growth proportional to multinucleation occurs after P15. RNAseq analysis of neonatal pig left ventricles showed increased expression of ECM maturation, immune signaling, neuronal remodeling, and reactive oxygen species response genes, highlighting significance of the non-CM milieu in postnatal mammalian heart maturation. Conclusions CM maturational events such as decline of mononucleation and cell cycle arrest occur over a 2-month postnatal period in pigs, despite reported loss of heart regenerative potential by P3. Moreover, CMs grow primarily by multinucleation and longitudinal hypertrophy in older pig CMs, distinct from mice and humans. These differences are important to consider for preclinical testing of cardiovascular therapies using swine, and may offer opportunities to study aspects of heart regeneration unavailable in other models.
Efficient Statistical Separation of Primary Dark Counts and Afterpulses in Free-Running SPADs

We describe a binning-free method to quantify primary dark counts and after-pulses in free-running SPADs, requiring fewer samples than histogramming. This technique can enhance TCSPCs such as ToF LiDARs and fluorescence lifetime instruments.
Approaches to addressing social determinants of health in the NICU: a mixed methods study.

Examine current approaches to addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) in the NICU and perceived appropriateness of a standardized screening and referral process. We performed a mixed methods study in two Massachusetts safety-net NICUs. We examined rates that unmet basic needs were assessed and identified among 601 families. We conducted focus groups with NICU staff to understand current methods to assess unmet basic needs and perceived appropriateness of a standardized SDOH screening and referral process. Except employment (89%), other unmet basic needs were infrequently assessed (housing 38%, food/hunger 7%, childcare 3%, transportation 3%, utilities 0.2%). Staff believed: (1) processes to assess SDOH were not standardized and inconsistently performed/documented; (2) addressing SDOH was important; and (3) using a standardized screening and referral process would be feasible. Current NICU assessment of SDOH is limited and use of a standardized screening and referral process could be useful.
Detection of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgA in the human milk of COVID-19 vaccinated, lactating health care workers

ImportanceIn 2019, a deadly virus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), responsible for COVID-19, emerged. In December 2020, two mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines were approved for use in the United States (US) which provide immunity to those receiving the vaccine. Maternally derived antibodies are a key element of infants immunity. Certain vaccines given to pregnant and lactating mothers provide immunity to infants through transmission across the placenta, umbilical cord (IgG) and human milk (IgA). Human milk produced by mothers with a history of COVID-19 infection contains SARS-CoV-2 IgA and IgG. ObjectiveTo determine whether SARS-CoV-2 specific immunoglobulins are found in human milk after the COVID-19 vaccination, and to characterize the types of immunoglobulins present. Design, setting, and participantsThis is a prospective observational study conducted at Shands Hospital, University of Florida from December 2020 to March 2021. Twenty-two lactating healthcare workers who received the SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine (Pfizer/BioNtech or Moderna) made up the sample group. Plasma and human milk were collected at three-time points (pre-vaccination, post-first vaccine dose, and post-second vaccine dose). SARS-CoV-2 specific IgA and IgG in human milk and in plasma were measured by ELISA. Maternal demographics was compiled. ExposuresPfizer/BioNtech or Moderna vaccination. Main outcome and measureLevels of SARS-CoV-2 IgA and IgG in human milk and plasma. ResultsWe found significant secretion of SARS-CoV-2 specific IgA and IgG in human milk and plasma after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Conclusions and relevanceOur results show that the mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines induce SARS-CoV-2 specific IgA and IgG secretion in human milk. Further studies are needed to determine the duration of this immune response, its capacity to neutralize the COVID-19 virus, the transfer of passive immunity to breastfeeding infants, and the potential therapeutic use of human milk IgA to combat SARS-CoV-2 infections and COVID-19. KEY POINTSO_ST_ABSQuestionC_ST_ABSIs there SARS-CoV-2 specific IgA in the human milk of lactating women after COVID-19 vaccination? FindingsIn this prospective observational study that included 22 lactating women, we found SARS-CoV-2 specific IgA in the human milk in response to the COVID-19 vaccination series. There is statistically significant secretion of SARS-CoV-2 IgA in human milk after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination series completion (p < 0.0001). MeaningNewborn immunologic defense is present but immature. SARS-CoV-2 IgA secreted in the human milk could potentially provide COVID-19 protection to nursing infants. These results could guide a strategy for SARS-CoV-2 vaccination among lactating women.
Endocrine disrupting chemicals and reproductive disorders in women, men, and animal models.

Abstract This chapter covers the known effects of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on reproductive disorders. The EDCs represented are highly studied, including plasticizers (bisphenols and phthalates), chemicals in personal care products (parabens), persistent environmental contaminants (polychlorinated biphenyls), and chemicals in pesticides or herbicides. Both female and male reproductive disorders are reviewed in the chapter. Female disorders include infertility/subfertility, irregular reproductive cycles, early menopause, premature ovarian insufficiency, polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis, and uterine fibroids. Male disorders include infertility/subfertility, cryptorchidism, and hypospadias. Findings from both human and animal studies are represented.
Implementing supported employment for veterans with traumatic brain injury through remote counseling during COVID-19

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Supported Employment (SE) program provides a highly individualized vocational rehabilitation service. To deliver SE, providers traditionally spend most of their time meeting in-person with veterans, employers, and clinicians. This article explores the impact of COVID-19 on the implementation of SE programs for veterans with a history of traumatic brain injury. In interviews with 29 SE providers and their nine Compensated Work Therapy managers across 10 VHA medical centers, we analyzed stakeholders' descriptions of how they adjusted their practices during the pandemic. These included switching from in-person to telephone or video communications, identifying new jobs created by COVID-19 conditions, focusing on work-from-home opportunities, and finding other modalities for collaborating with clinicians. Implications for rehabilitation practice are discussed. © 2021 National Rehabilitation Association. All rights reserved.
Radiation Detection Materials Introduction

Radiation detection science is still a field with room for technology growth. Now two decades into the twenty-first century, there is still no perfect sensor material that is practical for all missions. Because of this, research and development efforts on sensor materials and algorithms for radiation detection remains a thriving field. In this chapter we introduce the state of the art in radiation detection, present challenges that detection systems seek to overcome, and discuss the technologies behind the most prominent radiation detection methods. Focusing on scintillating and semiconducting compounds, reviews are presented on established and emerging materials for radiation detection. Discussion starts with scintillating materials, which are among the most common sensors in radiation detection instruments. These materials are optimized for high light output and rapid timing response to provide information that enables the quantification of radiation sources. Semiconducting materials, which currently provide the highest resolution sensors in deployed systems, are likewise reviewed. Strategies employed to produce large volume semiconductors that are stable at room temperature are presented. Physics, materials, and practical difficulties in these technologies each present a challenge that must be overcome in radiation detection missions. Despite this, recent advances in radiation detection science have led to systems with abilities to detect, identify, localize, quantify, and image radiation sources with higher fidelity than has ever before been seen. Continued research and development efforts, presented in this book, show the path forward to a future where radiation detection science becomes a field with a perfect sensor.
The immunometabolite itaconate inhibits heme synthesis and remodels cellular metabolism in erythroid precursors.

As part of the inflammatory response by macrophages, Irg1 is induced resulting in millimolar quantities of itaconate being produced. This immunometabolite remodels the macrophage metabolome and acts as an antimicrobial agent when excreted. Itaconate is not synthesized within the erythron, but instead may be acquired from central macrophages within the erythroid island. Previously we reported that itaconate inhibits hemoglobinzation of developing erythroid cells. Herein we demonstrate that this is accomplished by inhibition of tetrapyrrole synthesis. In differentiating erythroid precursors, cellular heme and protoporphyrin IX synthesis are reduced by itaconate at an early step in the pathway. In addition, itaconate causes global alterations in cellular metabolite pools resulting in elevated levels of succinate, 2-hydroxyglutarate, pyruvate, glyoxylate, and intermediates of glycolytic shunts. Itaconate taken up by the developing erythron can be converted to itaconyl-CoA by the enzyme succinyl-CoA:glutarate-CoA transferase. Propionyl-CoA, propionyl-carnitine, methylmalonic acid, heptadecanoic acid and nonanoic acid, as well as the aliphatic amino acids threonine, valine, methionine, and isoleucine are increased, likely due to the impact of endogenous itaconyl-CoA synthesis. We further show that itaconyl-CoA is a competitive inhibitor of the erythroid-specific 5-aminolevulinate synthase (ALAS2), the first and rate-limiting step in heme synthesis. These findings strongly support our hypothesis that the inhibition of heme synthesis observed in chronic inflammation is mediated not only by iron limitation, but also by limitation of tetrapyrrole synthesis at the point of ALAS2 catalysis by itaconate. Thus, we propose that macrophage-derived itaconate promotes anemia during an inflammatory response in the erythroid compartment.
Restorative Justice Liability: School Discipline Reform and the Right to Safe Schools Part II: In Loco Parentis and the Duty to Protect

Answering the great questions on the duty to protect students depends largely on how one thinks about the authority of school officials in loco parentis. Liability turns on whether school policies place students at an unreasonable risk--whether the outcomes are reasonable in light of known circumstances. In the litigation and public debate over student safety, many who have never heard the phrase “in loco parentis” have suddenly discovered the need to think about what it means and how it affects the reasonableness assessment. Since the time of Blackstone, the common wisdom has been that school officials are cloaked in a form of parental authority to their students and that this is particularly true in matters relating to conduct and discipline. The common wisdom is accurate insofar as it marks the general terrain of educators to act as “guardian and tutor of children entrusted to [their] care.” Even so, as in loco parentis moves further away from the Blackstone model, its contours have become imprecise and capricious.
Atkinson’s Theory for Singular Hamiltonian Systems of Even Dimension

When considering the linear Hamiltonian system $$JY\prime = [\lambda A + B]Y,$$ over, L A 2 (a,b) if something goes wrong at either x = a or x = b, the theory of the previous chapter may no longer be entirely valid. The problem is no longer regular and is called singular. Considerably more care must be used.
Low cost upgrade for established Traffic Monitoring Systems to support real-time

In compliance with federal requirements, many states heavily invest in establishing Traffic Monitoring Systems (TMS). A number of automatic vehicle counting and weigh-in-motion sites have been deployed to collect on-demand traffic information including, among others, vehicle volume, weight, and classification. Some TMS are also equipped with weather stations and road-surface probes. This paper presents an inexpensive design that when integrated with an established TMS provides access to real-time traffic and weather information (i.e., minimal supplemental expense provides a significant return on investment). Design, interface, and applications are discussed. The authors provide test results of a system developed for the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to achieve real-time traffic information reporting and weather and road condition monitoring.
On non-local transport processes in the solar atmosphere

We review two mechanisms which can lend a non‐local character to energy transport in the solar atmosphere, heat flux propagating in the form of collisionless electrons, and non‐equilibrium ionization of hydrogen driven by ambipolar diffusion. Application of these processes to modeling of the lower transition region and upper chromosphere is considered.
The Organizational Performance Cycle: Longitudinal Assessment of Key Factors

The study's working model postulated static and temporal relationships among goal-setting variables, self-competence, and job performance. Two studies testing the working model are described. Study 1 involved administration of an employee survey to 225 employees of a military installation on two separate occasions. Self-report measures of ability, personal goals, and self- competence were used to predict self- and supervisory-performance ratings. Study 2 involved collection of comparable measures over three occasions from 191 employees of a U.S. Federal mint. Results of both studies indicated that a longitudinal path model fit the data better than a cross-sectional model.
Ion exchange, core-level shifts, and bond strengths in mesoporous solid acid SBA-15

Mesoporous SBA-15 containing a very uniform pore structure of 7 nm diameter parallel pores up to 1500 nm long and a high concentration of ≡Si(CH2)3SO3H functionalities (1.0 mequiv/g) accessible to ion exchange and adsorption of nitrogen bases has been investigated. High-resolution XPS was used to determine stoichiometric equivalences between the −SO3− groups and K+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+ and NH4+ cations exchanged for the −SO3H protons. XPS core-level shifts (CLS) of S2p photoemission to lower BEs identify the −SO3H groups as sites for cation exchange. The CLS of the cations move in the opposite direction to higher BEs. All-electron DFT calculations agree well with the observed XPS core level shifts.
Detection of genitourinary tract Chlamydia trachomatis infection in pregnant women by ligase chain reaction assay.

Objective To compare the sensitivity and specificity of a ligase chain reaction assay of cervical swabs and voided urine with those of cervical swab tissue culture for the detection of genitourinary tract infection with Chlamydia trachomatis in pregnant women. Methods Infection with C trachomatis was assessed in cervical swabs by culture and in both cervical swabs and voided urine specimens by a ligase chain reaction assay specific for C trachomatis plasmid DNA. The matched cervical swab and voided urine specimens were collected from 462 women during routine visits to prenatal clinics. Standard criteria that defined infection included: 1) a positive cervical culture result or 2) a negative culture but a positive ligase chain reaction result in either the urine or cervical specimen that was confirmed by supplementary testing. Test performance was assessed by determination of sensitivity and specificity, and differences in paired results were determined using McNemar analysis. Results The prevalence of genitourinary C trachomatis infection was 6.1% (n = 28) by cervical culture (sensitivity 30.1%; specificity 100%), 18.2% (n = 84) by ligase chain reaction of cervical swabs (sensitivity 90.3%; specificity 100%), and 16.9% (n = 78) by ligase chain reaction of urine (sensitivity 83.9%; specificity 99.5%). Relative to the number of women with a positive culture or a confirmed ligase chain reaction-positive cervical swab, the sensitivity and specificity were 82.8% and 97.9%, respectively, for ligase chain reaction of urine and 96.6% and 100%, respectively, for ligase chain reaction of cervical swabs. Ligase chain reaction of cervical swabs and urine detected 89.3% and 82.1%, respectively, of women with a positive cervical culture. Conclusions Ligase chain reaction assay of cervical or urine specimens detected considerably more pregnant women with C trachomatis infection of the genitourinary tract than did cervical culture. Ligase chain reaction testing of urine is a simple and effective means of screening pregnant women for genitourinary tract infection with C trachomatis.
Rôles of glutamine in growth of Lactobacillus arabinosus.

A characteristic sigmoidal dose-response curve is usually obtained for n-glutamic acid in microbiological assays. When small amounts of n-glutamine are added to the basal medium, the response to glutamic acid is markedly enhanced at the lower concentrations (1). Archibald reviewed the known physiological r8les of glutamine in plants, animals, and microorganisms (‘2). In an addendum to the latter review, numerous references were given to reports showing growth-stimulating effects of glutamine on various strains of bacteria, fungi, and protozoa. Subsequently, important progress was made in the knowledge of the mechanism of glutamine synthesis (3, 4) and of the participation of glutamine in amide exchange reactions in bacteria (5,6) j plants (7)) and animals (8)) and in transamination in animal tissues (9). However, little is known of the importance of these reactions in growth processes. The purpose of the present investigation is to extend such knowledge by a study of the influence of glutamine on the utilization for growth of the optical isomers of glutamic acid and of a-ketoglutarate by Lactobacillus arabinosus 17-5.
Vlsi Signal Processing

The field of very large scale integrated (VLSI) signal processing concerns the design and implementation of signal processing algorithms using application-specific VLSI architecture, including programmable digital signal processors and dedicated signal processors implemented with VLSI technology. This chapter surveys important developments in this field, including algorithm design, architecture development, and design methodology. It also emphasizes DSP algorithm to hardware synthesis and its hardware implementation. An implementation of a digital signal processing (DSP) algorithm consists of the computer program of that algorithm and the hardware on which the program is executed. A DSP algorithm can be expressed as an n-level nested Do-loop, a recurrent equation, and a data flow graph (DFG). Next, one of these representations gets synthesized to its hardware counter- part. The hardware architecture is not only driven by the algorithm representation but also the sampling rate of input/ output signals. Due to limited hardware resources, operations and data of a particular algorithm can be scheduled at the right time and assigned at the right execution unit basis provided that the precedence and semantics are preserved. For a high- throughput application such as image/video processing, synthesis of a regular network of processing elements (PEs) is discussed in detail. Eventually, implementation technology and tools of a particular architecture are surveyed.
Present status of research and development of PV technology in Japan

The second half of R&D project on photovoltaic (PV) technology under the 'New Sunshine Program' terminated at the end of Japanese fiscal year 2000 with fruitful achievements for solar cell manufacturing technologies and PV system technologies In this paper, the outcome of the project under this program as well as present situation on photovoltaics in Japan are reviewed, and new NEDO PV R&D projects started in JFY2001 are briefly introduced.
Incoherent objects and fuzzy sets

In this paper we introduce the concept of the incoherent object with the use of the modal logic structure. The definition of the incoherent object is inside the meta-theory of uncertainty that represent the fuzzy set algebras by the definition of the world. We improve the traditional definition of the world by the conceptual space and the uncertainty by the nonlocality inside the conceptual space. Context is included as the geometric reference in a non Euclidean set of coordinates of quality dimension or features. Every logic expression can be written in a traditional way or by the action of semantic agents that change the logic value of the logic variables in a subset of the worlds. Fuzzy sets and fuzzy invariants are introduced by the conflicting set of evaluation in different worlds. We can rewrite the classical axiomatic structure in the classical logic in a new pseudo-axiomatic structure that represent any type of fuzzy reasoning.
Uniqueness characteristics of the 2-D IIR mean squared error minimization

Several different two-dimensional adaptive filter structures and algorithms have been developed, the most recent of which is a 2D IIR adaptive filter. Two-dimensional IIR adaptive filters can be used in a variety of image and video processing applications. Of primary concern with IIR adaptive filters, whether 1D or 2D, is the possible existence of multiple stationary points on the mean-squared error surface. Gradient based adaptive algorithms can get stuck at suboptimal local minima, rendering themselves less effective. Results show that the 2D IIR mean-squared-error performance surface characteristics are similar to those of the 1D IIR adaptive filter with respect to unimodality of the error surface. The authors explore the mathematical characteristics of the 2D IIR MSE minimization problem. Some simple special cases are examined, and experimental evidence is discussed. >
A multigene family encodes the human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein complex gcII (gp47-52 complex).

Abstract The HXLF (HindIII-X left reading frame) gene family is a group of five genes that share one or two regions of homology and are arranged in tandem within the short unique component of the human cytomegalovirus genome (K. Weston and B.G. Barrell, J. Mol. Biol. 192:177-208, 1986). These genes were cloned into an SP6 expression vector in both the sense and antisense orientations. An abundant 1.62-kilobase (kb) bicistronic mRNA, predicted to originate from HXLF1 and HXLF2, was detected in the cytoplasm of infected human fibroblast cells by Northern (RNA) blot analysis. Less abundant RNAs of 1.0 and 0.8 kb, predicted to originate from the HXLF5 and HXLF2 genes, respectively, were also detected. Monocistronic, bicistronic, and polycistronic RNAs synthesized in vitro by using SP6 polymerase were translated in rabbit reticulocyte lysates with or without canine pancreatic microsomal membranes. The HXLF1 or the HXLF1 and HXLF2 translation products were detected when the above mRNAs were used. The HXLF3, HXLF4, and HXLF5 gene products were not detected by in vitro translation of the SP6-derived polycistronic mRNA. Nonglycosylated or glycosylated HXLF1 and HXLF2 gene products were immunoprecipitated by monoclonal antibody 9E10, which is specific for a virion envelope glycoprotein complex designated gcII (gp47-52 complex). In addition, the monoclonal antibody 9E10 immunoprecipitated a diffuse glycoprotein band, designated gp47-52, from HCMV-infected cell lysates. The amino acid composition of gp47-52 purified from viron envelopes has the highest similarity to the predicted amino acid composition of the HXLF1 plus HXLF2 open reading frames, but it is more similar to HXLF2 than to HXLF1. The Northern blot results imply that gp47-52 is synthesized predominantly from the abundant 1.62-kb bicistronic mRNA encoded by the HXLF1 and HXLF2 genes. However, the glycoprotein could also be synthesized by the monocistronic 0.8-kb mRNA encoded by the HXLF2 gene as well as by the mRNAs predicted from the other HXLF genes.
Patterning stem cell differentiation.

Summary Regulation of cell differentiation and assembly remains a fundamental question in developmental biology. Now, a report from the Chen laboratory (Ruiz and Chen, 2008) describes an approach that represents a major step toward a more profound understanding of the geometric-force control of stem cell differentiation.
Bullshitters, Markets, and the Privatization of Public Discourse About Sports

Harry Frankfurt’s best-selling book, On Bullshit, asks why there is so much bullshit today in Western cultures, such as the United States. The scope of Frankfurt’s charge is deliberately broad; he claims that public discourse about just any topic of consequence in American culture is filled with such unseemly speech and writing. The same can be said, the author of this article claims, about public discourse about sport. The author argues that one especially important reason sports discourse is rife with bullshit today is because it is the language and logic of the market that shapes how most people see, understand, and interpret sports. That money does most of the talking in market societies such as the United States is, of course, old news. What is not exactly old news, however, is that the language of the market is not only insufficiently nuanced to capture and express what it is that people find compelling about subjects such as sports, but it is wholly unsuited for such communicative purposes.
Arterial pressure and deltoid muscle gas tensions during cardiopulmonary bypass in man.

The results of this study demonstrate that standard techniques of conducting cardiopulmonary bypass produce low muscle oxygen and high muscle carbon dioxide tensions and, thus, little perfusion of skeletal muscle. Our findings also show that Pmo2 and PmC02 do not return to pre-bypass levels until the mean arterial blood pressure exceeds 12 kPa (90 ton) during bypass and that utilization of vasopressor drugs during bypass maintains the pressure; but at the expense of muscle blood flow. The data indicate that both high mean blood pressure and high flow are necessary during bypass to ensure skeletal muscle perfusion and suggest, when combined with preliminary animal findings, that this type of bypass perfusion may prove to be superior to standard techniques in hastening recovery after cardio-pulmonary bypass.
Advances in the growth of alkaline-Earth halide single crystals for scintillator detectors

Alkaline-earth scintillators such as strontium iodide and other alkaline-earth halides activated with divalent europium represent some of the most efficient and highest energy resolution scintillators for use as gamma-ray detectors in a wide range of applications. These applications include the areas of nuclear nonproliferation, homeland security, the detection of undeclared nuclear material, nuclear physics and materials science, medical diagnostics, space physics, high energy physics, and radiation monitoring systems for first responders, police, and fire/rescue personnel. Recent advances in the growth of large single crystals of these scintillator materials hold the promise of higher crystal yields and significantly lower detector production costs. In the present work, we describe new processing protocols that, when combined with our molten salt filtration methods, have led to advances in achieving a significant reduction of cracking effects during the growth of single crystals of SrI 2 :Eu 2+ . In particular, we have found that extended pumping on the molten crystalgrowth charge under vacuum for time periods extending up to 48 hours is generally beneficial in compensating for variations in the alkaline-earth halide purity and stoichiometry of the materials as initially supplied by commercial sources. These melt-pumping and processing techniques are now being applied to the purification of CaI 2 :Eu 2+ and some mixed-anion europium-doped alkaline-earth halides prior to single-crystal growth by means of the vertical Bridgman technique. The results of initial studies of the effects of aliovalent doping of SrI 2 :Eu 2+ on the scintillation characteristics of this material are also described.
Spectrum decision for efficient routing in cognitive radio network

The cognitive radio (CR) nodes in a cognitive radio network (CRN) do not have license to use specific spectrum band. Instead, they use the spectrum bands of the licensed primary users (PU) without interfering with the PU. When the PU becomes active, interfering CRs should leave to another available spectrum band within the PU's tolerable interference delay (TID). Therefore, CRN operates over wide spectrum bands which span many channels. Since each channel is typically licensed to one PU, this requires that channels be sensed separately. This adds monitoring overhead, where the CR should monitor (sense) the channel every TID, which reduces the throughput. For this reason, the node cannot monitor the whole set of channels. Deciding which set of channels to monitor affect other functions in the CRN like routing. Work done on routing in literature assumes that each node maintains a set of available channels which is obtained by sensing. Route setup decision will be made based on the available sets at all nodes. However, there may be some other available channels that the node is not aware of their availability which may enhance the routing quality metric. Also, taking into consideration only the sets of channels available at the CR nodes may preclude finding an end-to-end path. In this paper, we propose a spectrum decision framework that is complementary to the existing routing protocols. This framework is based on two objectives: 1) enhancing the route quality by sensing a few more channels at some nodes. These channels can enhance the quality by: reducing the switching time, requiring shorter sensing time, or expected to be available for longer time; 2) increasing the probability of finding a path by sensing more channels at some nodes in case the routing protocol did not find a path. Simulation results show that the proposed framework can result in enhancement that can be as high as 100% over the routing protocols that build their decisions based on the available channels at each node only.
Parallel Force Measurement in Cell Arrays

The primary goal of this work is to establish a robust, repeatable method for growing forebrain nerve cells in a parallel manner by stretching them using a microfabricated PDMS beam array and printing arrays of neurons. The highly compliant, transparent, biocompatible PDMS micro beam array may offer a method for more rapid throughput in cell and protein mechanics force measurement experiments with sensitivities necessary for highly compliant structures such as axons. This work has two endpoints. One is to use a neural array as an experimental testbed for investigating neuronal cell growth hypotheses. The other endpoint is to build a neuronal-based, biosensor device capable of acting as a cell-based sensor. We present preliminary results for microbeams attaching to nerve cells. The attachment ratio the life-length and the axon lengths of the chick forebrain cells on microprinted spots will also be compared with an equivalent protein coated area of cells.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
An STM study of phosphoric acid inhibition of the oxidation of HOPG and carbon catalyzed by alkali salts

The role of phosphoric acid as an inhibitor in the oxidation of HOPG and as a neutralizer of alkali salt catalysts is examined using scanning tunneling microscopy, supported by thermogravimetric analysis of carbon powder samples. HOPG samples were oxidized in air primarily at 700 °C, with a few samples oxidized at 800 °C. Reaction time was 20 min. Powder samples were oxidized for 5 min at temperatures ranging from 500 °C to 900 °C and rates of oxidation were determined. STM images of impurity deposits and oxidized samples are presented and analyzed. Two alkali salts are examined, sodium hydroxide and potassium acetate, and both catalyze oxidation at 700 °C. Phosphoric acid proves to be an inhibitor at 700 °C but begins to lose its inhibiting effect at 800 °C. It also demonstrates neutralization of potassium acetate at 700 °C but results for NaOH/phosphoric acid mixtures are less conclusive.
Bethe mean excitation energy for solid aluminum

A critical analysis is made of the arguments that the Bethe mean excitation energy (I ) for solid Al is 163--169 eV. The arguments for this I value are shown to be nondefinitive. Using recent measurements and inner-shell corrections established in the preceding paper, I suggest that the solid-Al I value is in the range of 145--150 eV.
Malignancy in polymyositis/dermatomyositis.

Abstract Dermatomyositis (DM) is an idiopathic muscle and skin disease. Patients typically manifest a symmetric, proximal muscle weakness, and a characteristic cutaneous eruption.1 In the absence of the cutaneous disease, the process is termed polymyositis (PM). These disorders are systemic diseases, as discussed elsewhere in this work. In 1976, Barnes stated that "An association between this disorder and cancer has long been suspected, but satisfactory elucidation of the nature and strength of such a relation has been precluded by the inability to collect large series of cases."2 She then reviewed the literature, which included both series of patients as well as multiple individual case reports. From these data, she came to several conclusions: (1) there appears to be an increased incidence of malignancy among patients with dermatomyositis, (2) patients with DM and cancer are older than DM patients without cancer, (3) there is an overrepresentation of women among those with cancer, (4) tumors of the ovary and stomach are frequent, while colorectal cancer is underrepresented, (5) these two processes usually occur within a year of one another, and (6) in some patients the course of the myopathy follows that of the tumor. Later that same year, my colleagues and I first published on this subject in a letter critiquing the article of Barnes.3 We believed that the group may have been heterogeneous, since no criteria were applied, and that conclusions regarding the incidence or frequency of a particular tumor site or type could not be reached from a literature review. This relationship and the issues that surround it have remained controversial despite multiple publications since the publication of the review by Barnes. In this section, I will attempt to address the following questions: (1) What is the frequency of an associated neoplasm in the myositis patient? (2) Are patients with DM at a greater risk for a malignancy than those patients with PM? (3) Is age a factor in predicting the risk of malignancy? (4) Are there any sites or types of tumors which are more frequent in the myositis population? (5) How should the patient with myositis be evaluated for malignancy? (6) Are there any specific clinical or laboratory correlates found in the patient with malignancy-associated disease?
Toward understanding passive opportunism in dedicated channel relationships

The investments made in an interfirm relationship have implications for the effectiveness of an agreement. In this study, we investigate whether these investments influence the level of passive opportunism observed in a relationship. Whereas transaction cost theory suggests that firms that make idiosyncratic investments are reluctant to engage in opportunism, reactance theory offers logic suggesting that such investments may increase the likelihood of opportunism. In addition, we investigate whether perceived justice influences the effect of investments on levels of passive opportunism. Data from 120 retail managers in the Norwegian consumer electronics industry support reactance theory predictions and indicate that interactional justice moderates the relationship between specific assets and passive opportunism. We conclude with a discussion of the implications for theory and research.
Interaction of laminae of the cingulate cortex with the anteroventral thalamus during behavioral learning

Neurons in deep laminae of the rabbit cingulate cortex develop discriminative activity at an early stage of behavioral discrimination learning, whereas neurons in the anteroventral nucleus of thalamus and neurons in the superficial cortical laminae develop such activity in a late stage of behavioral learning. It is hypothesized that early-forming discriminative neuronal activity, relayed to anteroventral neurons via the corticothalamic pathway, contributes to the construction of changes underlying the late-forming neuronal discrimination in the anteroventral nucleus. The resultant late discriminative activity in the anteroventral nucleus is then relayed via the thalamocortical pathway back to the superficial cortical laminae, promoting disengagement of cortex from further task-processing.
Variants of classical q-hypergeometric identities and partition implications

Utilizing a six-variable extension of Heine’s q-hypergeometric transformation that we previously obtained, we now derive variants of Heine’s transformation formula and the Lebesgue identity. The variant of Cauchy’s identity also obtained by us earlier is crucial in these derivations. We then establish some new partition identities which are variants of, and shed new light on, some fundamental classical partition identities.
Enhancing Life‐Cycle Inventories via Reconciliation with the Laws of Thermodynamics

: Obtaining reliable results from life-cycle assessment studies is often quite difficult because life-cycle inventory (LCI) data are usually erroneous, incomplete, and even physically meaningless. The real data must satisfy the laws of thermodynamics, so the quality of LCI data may be enhanced by adjusting them to satisfy these laws. This is not a new idea, but a formal thermodynamically sound and statistically rigorous approach for accomplishing this task is not yet available. This article proposes such an approach based on methods for data rectification developed in process systems engineering. This approach exploits redundancy in the available data and models and solves a constrained optimization problem to remove random errors and estimate some missing values. The quality of the results and presence of gross errors are determined by statistical tests on the constraints and measurements. The accuracy of the rectified data is strongly dependent on the accuracy and completeness of the available models, which should capture information such as the life-cycle network, stream compositions, and reactions. Such models are often not provided in LCI databases, so the proposed approach tackles many new challenges that are not encountered in process data rectification. An iterative approach is developed that relies on increasingly detailed information about the life-cycle processes from the user. A comprehensive application of the method to the chlor-alkali inventory being compiled by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory demonstrates the benefits and challenges of this approach.
Subjects of stalled revolution: A theoretical consideration of contemporary American femininity

This article suggests that looking at the ways in which subjects relate to and internalise gender norms is a fruitful way to explore socially constructed differences between masculinity and feminin...
The ecological importance of species and the Noah's Ark problem

Abstract Using the Noah's Ark problem – the problem of efficiently allocating limited funds to conserve biodiversity – the standard economic approach to endangered species conservation constructs a human-centered biodiversity by favoring species directly valuable to humans. I analyze this approach and draw on the functional ecology literature to offer an alternative emphasizing the role species play in their ecosystems. The aim is to create a working ecosystem on the Ark rather than a collection of charismatic and distinct species. To do so, I construct a new measure of a species' ecological importance and an ecological objective appropriate for cost-effective resource allocation. The ecological approach fundamentally changes the notion of species-value from a direct value based on a species' appearance or taxonomic difference to an indirect value based on a species' ecological role in its ecosystem. In the process, ‘populations’ of species become the fundamental unit of biodiversity rather than ‘species’, and abiotic processes also possess value. When compared to the economic approach, the ecological approach prioritizes different species for the Ark and achieves superior economic outcomes in all but the mythical Noah's Ark scenario where interactions are non-existent. The analysis challenges the approach of US endangered species legislation and I call for a reformulation based on endangered ecological interactions.
Oscillating Flow About Two and Three-Dimensional Bilge Keels

The paper describes an experimental investigation of the damping provided by bilge keels in an oscillating flow (in a large U- shaped water tunnel). Rectangular and square flat plates were placed adjacent to a solid boundary (with no gap) in order to simulate flow about bilge keels. The single free edge of the rectangular plate and the three free edges of the square plates were bevelled to 60-degree angles so as to form sharp edges with included angles of about 60 degrees. For comparison, another sharp-edged rectangular plate was tested without the wall proximity effects. All plates were held normal to the direction of the ambient flow. The Fourier-averaged drag and inertia coefficients were then calculated as a function of a suitable Keulegan-Carpenter through the use of the instantaneous force acting on each plate.
Rediscovering hydrogel-based double-diffusion systems for studying biomineralization

For those seeking to model biomineralization in vitro, hydrogels can serve as excellent models of the extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment. A major challenge posed in implementing such systems is the logistics involved, from fundamental engineering to experimental design. For the study of calcium phosphate (e.g., hydroxyapatite) formation, many researchers use hydrogel-based double-diffusion systems (DDSs). The various designs of these DDSs are seemingly as unique as their applications. In this Highlight, we present a survey of four distinct types of DDSs and evaluate them in the context of fundamental diffusion theory. Based upon this analysis, we present the design and evaluation of an optimized system. The techniques and framework for the evaluation and construction of a DDS presented here can be applied to any DDS that a researcher may want to implement for their particular studies of biomineralization.
Lucy's length: Stature reconstruction in Australopithecus afarensis (A.L.288–1) with implications for other small‐bodied hominids

New stature estimates are provided for A.L.288-1 (Australopithecus afarensis) based on (1) the relationship between femur length and stature in separate samples of human pygmies and pygmy chimpanzees and (2) model II regression alternatives to standard least-squares methods. Estimates from the two samples are very similar and converge on a value of approximately 3'6" for "Lucy." These results are compared to prior estimates and extended to other small-bodied hominids such as STS-14 and O.H.62. A new foot-to-stature ratio is also estimated for A.L.288-1, and its potential biomechanical significance for gait is evaluated in comparison to other groups.
Verbal Art as Performance

Departing from text-centered perspectives on verbal art, an approach is developed to verbal art as performance, derived from recent work in folklore, the ethnography of speaking, sociolinguistics, and literary stylistics. The patterning of performance in genres, acts, roles, and events is discussed, as well as the emergent quality of performance, manifested in text, event, and social structure.
Information criteria for efficient quantum state estimation

Recently several more efficient versions of quantum state tomography have been proposed, with the purpose of making tomography feasible even for many-qubit states. The number of state parameters to be estimated is reduced by tentatively introducing certain simplifying assumptions on the form of the quantum state, and subsequently using the data to rigorously verify these assumptions. The simplifying assumptions considered so far were (i) the state can be well approximated to be of low rank, or (ii) the state can be well approximated as a matrix product state, or (iii) only the permutationally invariant part of the density matrix is determined. We add one more method in that same spirit: We allow in principle any model for the state, using any (small) number of parameters (which can, e.g., be chosen to have a clear physical meaning), and the data are used to verify the model. The proof that this method is valid cannot be as strict as in the above-mentioned cases, but is based on well-established statistical methods that go under the name of ``information criteria.'' We exploit here, in particular, the Akaike information criterion. We illustrate the method by simulating experiments on (noisy) Dicke states.
Multiscale mechanical analysis of silicon nanostructures by combined finite temperature models

A multiscale model based on finite element method is proposed for mechanical analysis of silicon nanostructures at finite temperature. By using a criterion based on the Helmholtz free energy, appropriate lattice dynamics models are seamlessly combined to compute mechanical properties. At each computational point, if the Helmholtz free energy calculated from the local quasiharmonic model (LQHM) is close enough to that computed from the quasiharmonic model in the reciprocal space (QHMK), the LQHM model is used to calculate the mechanical properties, otherwise, the QHMK model is used. By using a silicon nanostructure as an example, it is shown that the combined QHMK/LQHM multiscale model significantly reduces the computational cost but maintains the accuracy of the full QHMK model. Molecular dynamics results are also used for validation of the combined multiscale model.