cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How Politics Influences the Energy Pricing Decisions of Elected Public Utilities Commissioners

Abstract An argument of those supporting the direct election of regulators is that election allows voter preferences to be translated easily into policy outcomes. However, a danger of this approach is that the low salience of regulatory issues among the median voter could allow for regulatory capture, where regulated firms use their influence to extract favorable outcomes. Although the role that institutional design plays in influencing capture has been evaluated by comparing appointed and elected regulators, evidence of the capture of elected regulators remains scant, and we know little about the conditions that may mitigate such capture. Here, we study electricity rate-making by Arizona's elected public utilities commission to determine how the economy, citizen complaints, and industry and interest group lobbying affect rate decisions. Leveraging original quantitative and interview data, we find that commissioners respond to voters and set pro-consumer electricity prices when inflation rises and when citizen complaints increase. We do not find that industry and interest group lobbying influence rate-making. We argue that commissioners are pro-behavior because prices are salient, and commissioners desire reelection. The result suggests that the electoral mechanism reduces chances of regulatory capture, although the matter of electoral pandering remains unresolved.
Conservation of a Hippocampal Role in Representational Flexibility

A critical distinction in the study of human memory is that between declarative and nondeclarative memory. This distinction is biologically privileged, in that the hippocampal system appears to subserve declarative but not nondeclarative memory. Thus, humans with hippocampal damage are impaired in their ability to recollect and verbalize information about events in their lives, but demonstrate intact memory in many cases in which conscious recollection is not required, for example showing normal levels of priming, i.e. the facilitated processing of previously experienced material (Cohen, 1984; Squire, 1992).
Relationship of Age on Responses to Automobile Warnings

A previous examination of knowledge of warnings using the present materials with college-age individuals did show some lack of knowledge about several specific warnings. Other studies have indicated differences in the age of the individuals participating in evaluation of warnings. Therefore, in the present study we examined the same materials that had been given to the undergraduate students with a sample of older individuals ranging in age from thirty to sixty-five and found that most of the responses of older individuals were similar to those of the younger individuals and their lack of knowledge of automobile warnings.
Carfilzomib-based combination regimens are highly effective frontline therapies for multiple myeloma and Waldenström’s macroglobulinemia

Multiple myeloma (MM) and Waldenstrom’s macroglobulinemia (WM) are plasma cell disorders often treated with proteasome inhibitors. Recently, several studies evaluated carfilzomib as an initial trea...
Forest succession and climate variability interacted to control fire activity over the last four centuries in an Alaskan boreal landscape

The boreal forest is globally important for its influence on Earth’s energy balance, and its sensitivity to climate change. Ecosystem functioning in boreal forests is shaped by fire activity, so anticipating the impacts of climate change requires understanding the precedence for, and consequences of, climatically induced changes in fire regimes. Long-term records of climate, fire, and vegetation are critical for gaining this understanding. We investigated the relative importance of climate and landscape flammability as drivers of fire activity in boreal forests by developing high-resolution records of fire history, and characterizing their centennial-scale relationships to temperature and vegetation dynamics. We reconstructed the timing of fire activity in interior Alaska, USA, using seven lake-sediment charcoal records spanning CE 1550–2015. We developed individual and composite records of fire activity, and used correlations and qualitative comparisons to assess relationships with existing records of vegetation and climate. Our records document a dynamic relationship between climate and fire. Fire activity and temperature showed stronger coupling after ca. 1900 than in the preceding 350 yr. Biomass burning and temperatures increased concurrently during the second half of the twentieth century, to their highest point in the record. Fire activity followed pulses in black spruce establishment. Fire activity was facilitated by warm temperatures and landscape-scale dominance of highly flammable mature black spruce, with a notable increase in temperature and fire activity during the twenty-first century. The results suggest that widespread burning at landscape scales is controlled by a combination of climate and vegetation dynamics that together drive flammability.
Measuring global fish species richness with eDNA metabarcoding

Despite mounting threats to global freshwater and marine biodiversity, including climate change, habitat alteration, overharvesting and pollution, we struggle to know which species are present below the water's surface that are suffering from these stressors. However, the idea that a water sample containing environmental DNA (eDNA) can be screened using high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics to reveal the identity of aquatic species is a revolutionary advance for studying the patterns of species extirpation, invasive species establishment and the dynamics of species richness. To date, many of the critical tests of fisheries diversity using this metabarcoding approach have been conducted in lower diversity systems ( 200 fish species) and showed the greater potential and some limitations of using eDNA in species-rich environments.
Financial Conflicts of Interest and Stance on Tobacco Harm Reduction: A Systematic Review

Background. Tobacco companies have actively promoted the substitution of cigarettes with purportedly safer tobacco products (e.g., smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes) as tobacco harm reduction (THR). ...
Putting Co-Exposures on Equal Footing: An Ecological Analysis of Same-Scale Measures of Air Pollution and Social Factors on Cardiovascular Disease in New York City

Epidemiologic evidence consistently links urban air pollution exposures to health, even after adjustment for potential spatial confounding by socioeconomic position (SEP), given concerns that air pollution sources may be clustered in and around lower-SEP communities. SEP, however, is often measured with less spatial and temporal resolution than are air pollution exposures (i.e., census-tract socio-demographics vs. fine-scale spatio-temporal air pollution models). Although many questions remain regarding the most appropriate, meaningful scales for the measurement and evaluation of each type of exposure, we aimed to compare associations for multiple air pollutants and social factors against cardiovascular disease (CVD) event rates, with each exposure measured at equal spatial and temporal resolution. We found that, in multivariable census-tract-level models including both types of exposures, most pollutant–CVD associations were non-significant, while most social factors retained significance. Similarly, the magnitude of association was higher for an IQR-range difference in the social factors than in pollutant concentrations. We found that when offered equal spatial and temporal resolution, CVD was more strongly associated with social factors than with air pollutant exposures in census-tract-level analyses in New York City.
Hypertrophic Lichen Planus with Histological Features of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Associated with Immune Checkpoint Blockade Therapy.

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) is highly effective for the treatment of metastatic cancers, but its side effects are incompletely understood. The objective of this article is to highlight hypertrophic lichen planus (HLP) with histological features diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), which is a potential cutaneous reaction to ICB. Two patients (75 and 69 years) presented with lesions diagnosed as SCC on biopsy, which developed after 3-9 months on ICB therapy. Biopsies demonstrated endophytic, atypical, or cystic squamous proliferations consistent with cutaneous SCC. However, the clinical presentation including monomorphic nature of the lesions and lichenoid inflammation in the background were consistent with HLP. Patients initially received topical 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to reduce the hyperkeratotic lesions followed by topical steroids. The eruptions readily responded to this treatment regimen. Dermatologic immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are the most common irAEs associated with ICB therapy. Our findings indicate that HLP resembling SCC on biopsy is a potential side effect of ICB that can be correctly diagnosed on careful clinical exam and is responsive to ICB cessation and topical steroid with or without 5-FU treatment. KEY POINTS: Immune checkpoint blockade is associated with cutaneous immune-related adverse events including lichen planus. Hypertrophic lichen planus can appear as squamous cell carcinoma histologically and clinical context is key for the proper diagnosis. Hypertrophic lichen planus can be safely treated with topical steroids with or without topical 5-fluorouracil in cases with severe hyperkeratotic lesions. Immune checkpoint blockade may be safely continued if clinical presentation is consistent with hypertrophic lichen planus.
Escaping Pandora's Box - Another Novel Coronavirus.

Escaping Pandora’s Box — Another Novel Coronavirus With luck, public health control measures may be able to put the Covid-19 demons back in the jar. If they do not, we face a daunting challenge equ...
Design and Operation of a Smart Graphene–Metal Hybrid Reflectarray at THz Frequencies

Terahertz (THz)-band (0.1 - 10 THz) communication is envisioned as a key wireless technology to fulfill the demand for dense networks and higher data rates. To overcome the complex THz communication channel, smart reflecting surfaces can be utilized to facilitate Non-Line of Sight (NLOS) communication and increase efficiency. In this light, the use of new 2D nanomaterials, such as graphene, to design reprogrammable reflectarrays is being explored. This paper presents a novel graphene–metal hybrid reflectarray for THz communications. The radiating element of the reflectarray is designed to have strong reflection efficiency and high tunability. The trade-offs in the design of the hybrid element are exhaustively studied. The ability to perform continuous dynamic beamforming is presented. Extensive numerical results are provided to demonstrate the functionality of the reflectarray to engineer NLOS paths for communication.
De novo hepatocellular carcinoma 18 years after liver and small bowel transplantation in a one-year-old pediatric patient.

De novo HCC following transplantation in a child is a rare occurrence. Even within the adult liver transplantation population, there are a limited number of published cases. In this report, we present a case of de novo HCC found in a child, post-multivisceral transplantation. A 19-year-old boy, at the age of one, received liver and small bowel transplantation due to short gut syndrome secondary to midgut volvulus and total parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease. Eighteen years later, he was found to have a large mass involving the right hepatic dome consistent with HCC. To the best of our knowledge, this is the second reported case after gut transplantation and the third case post-liver transplantation in the pediatric population.
‘The Right Foundation’: Re-racing Romance from The Taming of the Shrew to Deliver Us from Eva

Adaptations of The Taming of the Shrew started appearing early in its theatrical life and repeatedly focused on its endorsement of patriarchal privilege. Gary Hardwick’s 2003 film Deliver Us from Eva not only dispenses with Shrew’s enshrinement of fathers’ authority but also—and more importantly—legitimizes black women as desiring (and desirable) social subjects. In the process of reflecting backwards on the ways in which The Taming of the Shrew subordinates the possibility of romantic love to money, family, and the exchange of women, Hardwick’s film richly contextualizes its love story within principles of black sociability and mutual support. Doing so, Eva uses its heroines’ blackness to decenter Shrew’s enshrinement of patriarchal authority, and to materialize them as agents in the imaginary of romantic love.
Spotlight on the Selected New Antimicrobial Innate Immune Peptides Discovered During 2015-2019.

Background Antibiotic resistance is a global issue and new anti-microbials are required. Introduction Anti-microbial peptides are important players of host innate immune systems that prevent infections. Due to their ability to eliminate drug-resistant pathogens, AMPs are promising candidates for developing the next generation of anti-microbials. Methods The anti-microbial peptide database provides a useful tool for searching, predicting, and designing new AMPs. In the period from 2015-2019, ~500 new natural peptides have been registered. Results This article highlights a selected set of new AMP members with interesting properties. Teixobactin is a cell wall inhibiting peptide antibiotic, while darobactin inhibits a chaperone and translocator for outer membrane proteins. Remarkably, cOB1, a sex pheromone from commensal enterococci, restricts the growth of multidrug-resistant Enterococcus faecalis in the gut at a picomolar concentration. A novel proline-rich AMP has been found in the plant Brassica napus. A shrimp peptide MjPen- II comprises three different sequence domains: serine-rich, proline-rich, and cysteine-rich regions. Surprisingly, an amphibian peptide urumin specifically inhibits H1 hemagglutinin-bearing influenza A virus. Defensins are abundant and typically consist of three pairs of intramolecular disulfide bonds. However, rat rattusin dimerizes via forming five pairs of intermolecular disulfide bonds. While human LL-37 can be induced by vitamin D, vitamin A induces the expression of resistin-like molecule alpha (RELMα) in mice. The isolation and characterization of an alternative human cathelicidin peptide, TLN-58, substantiates the concept of one gene multiple peptides. The involvement of a fly AMP nemuri in sleep induction may promote the research on the relationship between sleep and infection control. Conclusion The functional roles of AMPs continue to grow and the general term "innate immune peptides" becomes useful. These discoveries widen our view on the anti-microbial peptides and may open new opportunities for developing novel peptide therapeutics for different applications.
Sharing Dispute Resolution Practices with Leaders of a Divided Community or Campus: Strategies for Two Crucial Conversations

Dispute resolution experts have much to offer local leaders during a time of national division. They can provide ways for these leaders to: preserve and build trust, take advantage of the energy underlying protest to help the community deal over the long term with root causes of the concerns that residents raise, and prepare the community by making it more resilient and ready to deal with a divisive incident or conflict. In creating and using a “virtual toolkit” of resources for assisting local officials, several strategies emerged that will help dispute resolution experts reach these leaders. The strategies include: ask other local leaders to transform the dispute resolution practices into leader-to-leader counsel, omit alternative dispute resolution (ADR) jargon, fit leaders’ schedules, offer an engaging format that might be a change of pace for leaders, educate for discovery so that local leaders can tailor the concepts to local situations, and conduct the conversations quietly.
Endoscopic Treatment of Zenker's Diverticulum: Comparable Treatment Outcomes in Treatment-Naïve and Pretreated Patients.

Background and aims Flexible endoscopic treatment plays an important role in the treatment of Zenker's diverticulum (ZD). This study analyzes long-term symptom control and the rate of adverse events in treatment-naive patients and patients with recurrence, using the stag beetle knife junior (sb knife jr). Methods From August 2013 to May 2019, 100 patients with symptomatic ZD were treated with flexible endoscopy using the sb knife jr. Before treatment, as well as 1 and 6 months afterwards, symptoms were obtained by a nine-point questionnaire, with symptoms weighted from 0 to 4. Results Overall, 126 interventions were performed. The median follow-up period was 41 months (range 7-74). For the three most frequent symptoms, regurgitation, dysphagia, and dry cough, a significant reduction of the mean score could be achieved, from 2.85/3.45/2.85 before the initial treatment to 0.56/1.09/0.98 6 months later. 17 patients were retreated because of recurrence. Out of these, 12 patients underwent a 2nd, 4 patients a 3rd, and 1 patient a 4th session, respectively. The mean dysphagia score for successfully treated patients could be reduced from initially 2.34 to 0.49/0.33/0.67 after the 1st/2nd/3rd session, the frequency of dysphagia from 3.45 to 0.92/1.00/1.33, and the score for regurgitations from 2.85 to 0.35/1.00/0.67. In first-line treatment, as well as in retreatment, no severe adverse event occurred. Conclusion Patients with ZD can be treated safely and effectively with the sb knife jr. Retreatment leads to equal symptom relief as compared to a successful first-line treatment and is not associated with a higher rate of adverse events.
Novel Dual-Organelle-Targeting Probe (RCPP) for Simultaneous Measurement of Organellar Acidity and Alkalinity in Living Cells

Many organelles, such as lysosomes and mitochondria, maintain a pH that is different from the cytoplasmic pH. These pH differences have important functional ramifications for those organelles. Many...
Non-standard analysis and embedded software

One model for computing in the future is ubiquitous, embedded computational devices analogous to embedded electrical motors. Many of these computers will control physical objects and processes. Such hidden computerized environments introduce new safety and correctness concerns whose treatment go beyond present Formal Methods. In particular, one has to begin to speak about Real Space software in analogy with Real Time software. By this we mean, computerized systems which have to meet requirements expressed in the real geometry of space. How to translate such requirements into ordinary software specifications and how to carry out proofs is a major challenge. In this talk we propose a research program based on the use of no-standard analysis. Much detail remains to be carried out. The purpose of the talk is to inform the Formal Methods community that Non-Standard Analysis provides a possible avenue to attack which we believe will be fruitful.
Aging and the Autonomic Nervous System

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the association of aging and the autonomic nervous system. Healthy human aging is associated with several abnormalities in autonomic nervous system function that can impair an older person's adaptation to the stresses of everyday life. Medications that acutely lower BP may also contribute to hypotension in elderly patients, particularly diuretics, antihypertensives, alpha-blockers used for prostatic obstruction, dopamine, tricyclic antidepressants, and neuroleptics. Orthostatic hypotension is an important symptom of autonomic failure, commonly associated with diabetes, malignancy, amyloidosis, Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy, Lewy body dementia, pure autonomic failure, and other syndromes in elderly patients. The increase in plasma norepinephrine is primarily due to an increase in norepinephrine spillover at sympathetic nerve endings and secondarily due to a decrease in clearance. When plotted continuously over time, the beat-to-beat HR or BP signal is highly irregular due to the interactions of multiple autonomic control systems operating over different time scales.
The cultural economics of performance space: Negotiating fan, labor, and marketing practice in Glee ’s transmedia geography

The Fox television show Glee (2009–present) constitutes a cultural phenomenon of the digital age. Through its multiplatform marketing of musical and theatrical performance, the show has attracted a substantial fan base and created a self-sustaining economy of cultural expression. As a serialized narrative with a focus on the underdog's struggle for fame, it constructs a populist forum for fans to live their dream of becoming a star vicariously and learn how to realize it in real life—how to make it. Glee 's marketing approach postulates performance as the essential element in forming an intimate relationship between the show and its core fans, the Gleeks. Performances are distributed across several spaces, including a multitude of video and audio channels, to satisfy Gleeks' desire for maximum content. The show's cast and crew further offer to discuss these performances and grant special insights into their creation. Glee 's promotional discourse overtly characterizes fans as equals, positioning its programming as a gift to them. The overarching message of this marketing methodology is that Glee rewards its fans for their investment and loyalty by offering up content and interaction in a variety of performative spaces—a transmedia geography—that transcend television. By using an interdisciplinary framework of political economy, cultural geography, and transmedia communications, Glee may be examined in relation to its diegetic and nondiegetic conceptualization and commodification of performance space. Doing this illuminates how the show negotiates—indeed exploits—the concepts of fan and labor practice in contemporary media industries.
Hyponormal Pairs of Commuting Operators

We analyze the notions of weak and strong joint hyponormality for commuting pairs of operators, with an aim at understanding the gap between hyponormality and subnormality for single operators. We exhibit a commuting pair T = (T1, T2) such that: (i) T is weakly hyponormal; (ii) T is not strongly hyponormal; (iii) T 1 l 1T 2 l 2 is subnormal (all l1, l2 ≥ 0); (iv) T1 + T2 is not subnormal; (v) T1 + T2 is power hyponormal; and (vi) T1 is unitarily equivalent to T2.
Attachment and Structural Features of Flagella of Certain Bacilli

Abstract Abram, Dinah (Purdue University, Lafayette, Ind.), A. E. Vatter, and Henry Koffler. Attachment and structural features of flagella of certain bacilli. J. Bacteriol. 91:2045–2068. 1966.—The attachment of flagella to cells of various mesophilic and thermophilic strains of Bacillus was studied electron microscopically. Studies of ghost cells and membrane fragments indicate that flagella are connected to the cytoplasmic membrane. Flagella removed from cells mechanically, during autolysis, or by phage lysis, have attached to the base of their proximal hooks material that is heterogeneous in character. In part, this material consists of cytoplasmic membrane; its varied shape appears to be caused by the folding of the membrane around the proximal end of the flagellum at the site of attachment. It is uncertain whether this material represents a real structure or an artifact. Highresolution microscopy reveals differences in the fine structure of intact flagella of the various strains studied. The proximal hook and the flagellar filament are distinct in morphology and fine structure. A specialized structure is associated with the hook of flagella of B. brevis and B. circulans. The filament of flagella of B. stearothermophilus 2184 has two regions that show marked differences in the manner in which the subunits appear to be organized. No correlation was found between the site of origin of flagella and the location of reduced tellurite when the reduction of potassium tellurite was used to indicate the loci of enzymatic respiratory activities.
Interpretation of the tube coagulase test for identification of Staphylococcus aureus.

The tube coagulase test is a valid means of identifying Staphylococcus aureus, provided that only a firm clot that does not move when the tube is tipped is considered a positive reaction. The widely promulgated interpretation that all degrees of clotting in coagulase plasma are a positive identification of S. aureus was disproved by the use of other tests such as anaerobic glucose fermentation thermonuclease production, and lysostaphin sensitivity. It was found that the source of supply of the coagulase plasma is a factor in the occurrence of false-positive coagulase test results. The use of pig and rabbit plasma in the tube coagulase test is also discussed.
Strategic family intervention: Three cases of school-aged children.

Three cases of school-aged children experiencing problems in peer relations, disturbing habits, school refusal, and inappropriate classroom behaviors are presented. Interventions in each of the cas...
Operating system performance

An overview of the current and future positions with respect to operating system performance is given. While a great deal of information and a large number of models for subsystems have been developed, gaps still exist in our knowledge. Because of the severe interactions between the various subsystems of an operating system, an overall model of the total system must be developed to be able to analyze and design the performance aspects of an operating system Although such total system designs are exceptional today, it is projected that they will become increasingly more common and necessary in the near future. Such a design philosophy will clearly have a severe impact on the way we go about modularizing operating and computer systems.
The Santa Cruz Eddy. Part II: Mechanisms of Formation

The formation mechanism of the Santa Cruz eddy (SCE) is investigated using the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research Mesoscale Model (MM5). Simulations of 25–26 August 2000 showed that two eddy instances formed on that night, a finding supported by observations. The two eddies had similar behavior: they both formed in the sheltered Santa Cruz, California, area and then moved southeastward, to finally dissipate after 7–11 h. However, the first eddy had greater vorticity, wind speed, horizontal and vertical extents, and lifetime than the second eddy. Numerical simulations showed that the SCEs are formed by the interaction of the main northwesterly flow with the topographic barrier represented by the Santa Cruz Mountains to the north of Monterey Bay. Additional numerical experiments were undertaken with no diurnal heating cycle, no (molecular or eddy) viscosity, and no horizontal thermal gradients at ground level. In all cases, vertical vorticity was still created by the tilting of horizontal vorticity generated by the solenoidal term in the vorticity equation. This baroclinic process appeared to be the fundamental formation mechanism for both SCEs, but more favorable conditions in the late afternoon (including a south-to-north pressure gradient, flow turning due to the sea breeze, and an expansion fan) coincided to intensify the first eddy.
Measuring Mental Abilities with Latent State Models

SYNOPTIC ABSTRACTThe three goals of this paper are (1) to review the latent state models which have been proposed for measuring aptitude and achievement, (2) to outline the measurement problems that can now be solved with latent state models, and (3) to discuss how latent state and latent trait models are related. It is pointed out that latent state and latent trait models measure different things that are related to one another in a complicated fashion.
The ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone-stimulation test in type I diabetic patients and controls: suggestion of mild chronic hypercortisolism.

Abstract We examined hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function in insulin-dependent diabetic outpatients (N = 22) and age-, sex-, and weight-matched normal controls (N = 22). The evaluation included measurements of 9:00 am fasting plasma cortisol and cortisol-binding globulin (CBG) levels, 24-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC) excretion, and plasma corticotropin and cortisol responses to intravenously administered ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone ([CRH] 1 μg/kg given as a bolus at 8:00 pm ). Diabetic patients had significantly elevated 9:00 am plasma cortisol levels (mean ± SE, 300.7 ± 99.3 v 237.3 ± 99.3 nmol/L, P 313.2 ± 112.6 v 244.2 ± 69.3 nmol 24 h , P ), and greater cortisol responses to CRH infusion (time-integrated values: 49,408.2 ± 11,289.8 v 40,217.9 ± 7,228.6 nmol/L · 120 min, P v 438.7 ± 77.3 nmol/L, P 1c level ( P = .03) and total number of insulin units administered per day ( P = .03). These results suggest that insulin-dependent diabetic outpatients have mild chronic hypercortisolism, which might influence the control of the disease and play a role in the development of its chronic complications.
A fuzzy mathematical approach for bridge condition evaluation

Abstract There are presently no established guidelines available for a bridge inspector to follow when assessing the significance of multiple deterioration factors on the bridge condition rating. As such, the evaluation of an existing bridge is based on a highly subjective and non-uniform procedure, and usually suffers from imprecision and personal bias. Hence, any attempt to find the optimal solution for bridge management based on such rating procedure can be misleading. However, with the development of a fuzzy mathematical approach, human subjectivity and imprecision can be included systematically in the decision making process.
Nucleotide sequences in the RNA of mammalian leukemia and sarcoma viruses.

Abstract The nucleotide sequences in viral RNA from purified murine sarcoma and hamster leukemia viruses (S+H+) from HTG-1 cells and Rauscher leukemia virus (RLV) from JLS-V 9 cells have been examined by polynucleotide agarose affinity chromatography. There is at least one copy of poly(A) sequences per genomic viral RNA molecule. After heat denaturation of genomic viral RNA (S+H+), there are two types of viral subunits for 34S and 28S species: one that contains poly(A) sequences and one that does not. There are no detectable poly(U) tracts in the viral RNA. However, poly(C) sequences and poly(G) tracts were detected in viral RNA, although less poly(G) than poly(C) tracts were observed. In addition, heat-denatured genomic viral RNA has a greater affinity for poly(G) agarose column than native genomic viral RNA.
Control of the erythrocyte membrane shape: Recovery from the effect of crenating agents

Intact erythrocytes become immediately crenated upon addition of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) or pyrenebutyric acid (PBA). However, when cells are incubated at 37 degrees C in the presence of the crenating agents with glucose, they gradually (4--8 h) recover the normal biconcave disc form. The recovery process does not reflect a gradual inactivation of DNP or PBA since fresh cells are equally crenated by the supernatant from the recovered cells. Further, after recovery and removal of the crenating agents, cells are found to be desensitized to the readdition of DNP as well as to the addition of PBA, but they are more sensitive to cupping by chlorpromazine. This alteration in the cell membrane responsiveness was reversible upon further incubation in the absence of DNP. Recovery is dependent upon cellular metabolic state since an energy source is needed and incubation with guanosine but not adenosine will accelerate conversion to the disc shape. It is suggested that the conversion of cells from crenated to disc shape in the presence of the crenators, represents an alteration or rearrangement of membrane components rather than a redistribution of the crenators within the membrane. This shape recovery process may be important for erythrocyte shape preservation as well as shape control in other cells.
Generation, Entrapment, and Spectroscopic Characterization of Radical Cations of α,ω-Diphenyl Polyenes within the Channels of Pentasil Zeolites

Inclusion of all-trans-α,ω-diphenyl polyenes (trans-stilbene, 1,4-diphenyl-1,3-butadiene, 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene, 1,8-diphenyl-1,3,5,7-octatetraene) in thermally activated Na-ZSM-5 zeolite leads to the rapid formation of cation radicals of the polyenes. These cation radicals are stabilized within the zeolite host and are conveniently studied by conventional spectroscopic techniques (ESR, UV-vis-NIR diffuse reflectance, emission) enabling us to determine for the first time the steady state fluorescence spectrum of the 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene and 1,8-diphenyl-1,3,5,7-octatetraene cation radicals. Our method of generation and stabilization of organic cation radicals appears to be both general in scope and simple in practice. While the mechanism of oxidation remains unclear, it appears that the presence of aluminium in the zeolite is a requirement; as the Si/Al ratio decreases the extent of oxidation increases
Improving sidewall profile metrology with enhanced 3D-AFM

ABSTRACT Critical dimension atomic force microscope (CD-AFM or 3D-AFM) is an important metrology technique for full three-dimensional measurements of linewidth CD and sidewall shape. Recent improvements in the 3D-AFM platform design, including high-precision/low-drift sample stages and high resolution optics, have been coupled with enhanced CD (eCD) scan mode and novel AFM tip design. Especially, the eCD mode features a fast s canning actuator system (FA) and a bottom corner transitional rescan algorithm (TRS). The actuation system utilizes high gain feedback electronics and high bandwidth piezoelectric actuator to pull away a slender tip much faster from a small trench sidewall. The transitional rescan algorithm detects a rising sidewall before rescanning the transition for better bottom corner profiling. The paper presents evaluation data to show these enhancements resulted in improved measurement capability for small trenches required for shrinking device size, better sidewall profiling, more accurate bottom CD and LWR/LER measurement, faster scan speed, and less tip wear [1]. All the improvements ensure 3D-AFM continues to have the lowest measurement uncertainty among all other dimension metrology techniques. Keywords: Enhanced 3D-AFM, fast scanning actuator, transitional rescan, linewidth CD and sidewall profile, LER/LWR metrology.
Measurement of residence time distribution in microfluidic systems

Abstract We present a method for measuring the residence time distribution (RTD) in microfluidic systems. A piezoelectrically actuated sample injector releases approximately 100 nl of tracer liquid into a microchannel of rectangular cross section. The spreading of the tracer pulse in pressure-driven microflows is monitored with fluorescence microscopy measurements. Residence time distributions are determined for single-phase liquid and segmented gas–liquid microflows, with the RTD being significantly narrower for the latter case. The selected flow conditions are relevant to synthesis in microreactors with residence times up to several minutes.
Ischemic optic neuropathies and their models: disease comparisons, model strengths and weaknesses

Ischemic optic neuropathies (IONs) describe a group of diseases that specifically target the optic nerve and result in sudden vision loss. These include nonarteritic and arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION and AAION) and posterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NPION, APION). Until recently, little was known of the mechanisms involved in ION damage, due to a lack of information about the mechanisms associated with these diseases. This review discusses the new models that closely mimic these diseases (rodent NAION, primate NAION, rodent PION). These models have enabled closer dissection of the mechanisms involved with the pathophysiology of these disorders and enable identification of relevant mechanisms and potential pathways for effective therapeutic intervention. Descriptions of the different models are included, and comparisons between the models, their relative similarities with the clinical disease, as well as differences are discussed.
Planning and the stability of intention

I sketch my general model of the roles of intentions in the planning of agents like us-agents with substantial resource limitations and with important needs for coordination. I then focus on the stability of prior intentions: their rational resistance to reconsideration. I emphasize the importance of cases in which one's nonreconsideration of a prior intention is nondeliberative and is grounded in relevant habits of reconsideration. Concerning such cases I argue for a limited form of two-tier consequentialism, one that is restricted in ways that aim at blocking an analogue of Smart's concerns about “rule-worship”. I contrast this with the unrestricted two-tier consequentialism suggested by McClennen. I argue that my restricted approach is superior for a theory of the practical rationality of reflective, planning agents like us. But I also conjecture that an unrestricted two-tier consequentialism may be more appropriate for the AI project of specifying a high level architecture for a resource-bounded planner.
The safety of dirlotapide in dogs

The safety of dirlotapide in dogs was evaluated in two studies with parallel designs. In an acute tolerance study, 24 beagles (six dogs per treatment) were treated orally once daily for 14 days with placebo or dirlotapide at 2.5, 5.0, or 10.0 mg/kg/day. In a margin-of-safety study, 38 overweight, neutered beagles were treated orally once daily for 3 months with dirlotapide at doses up to 0.5 mg/kg/day (six dogs), 1.5 mg/kg/day (12 dogs) and 2.5 mg/kg/day (six dogs). Control dogs received placebo at 0.3 mL/kg/day (10 dogs) and 0.5 mL/kg/day (four dogs). Results were similar for both studies, and no serious adverse events were observed. Dirlotapide was clinically well-tolerated in dogs at dosages up to 10 mg/kg/day for 14 days and 2.5 mg/kg/day for 3 months. Dirlotapide produced the expected decrease in food intake and body weight (up to 20-40%) without ill effects. Clinical, pathologic, and histopathologic findings were reversible and consistent with suppression of food intake and rapid weight loss produced by elevated dirlotapide dosages. In both studies, sporadic emesis and loose stools were observed in both placebo and dirlotapide-treated dogs. Incidence of emesis generally increased with dose and decreased with treatment time. Elevations in hepatic transaminase activity were seen in dogs treated with more than 1.5 mg/kg dirlotapide daily, but were not associated with clinical signs or microscopic evidence of hepatic degeneration or necrosis.
Expression of VEGF receptors in cocultured neuroblastoma cells

Abstract Background VEGF is best known for its angiogenic properties. We have found that VEGF expression is increased in neuroblastoma cells cocultured with hepatocytes. In addition, we have previously shown that neuroblastoma cells cultured with exogenous VEGF have an increase in the expression of VEGF receptors. Therefore, we hypothesized that the expression of VEGF receptors would be up-regulated in neuroblastoma cells grown in the coculture environment. Materials and methods Two neuroblastoma cell lines (IMR-32 or SK-N-DZ) are used. These cells are cultured alone and in a coculture system with hepatocytes. Message for VEGF and the VEGF receptors KDR, flt-1, flt-4, neuropilin 1 (NRP-1), and neuropilin 2 (NRP-2) are measured with RT-PCR. Flt-4, NRP-1, and NRP-2 protein expression is measured with Western blot. Results The receptors KDR and flt-1 are not detected in either cell line in either control or coculture conditions. Message for VEGF and flt-4 is significantly increased in the cocultured IMR-32 cells, while that for NRP-1 and NRP-2 is unchanged in these cells. VEGF and its receptors are unchanged in cocultured SK-N-DZ cells. Conclusions Neuroblastoma cells express specific VEGF receptors that are differentially regulated in the different cell lines. These findings suggest that the heterogeneity of neuroblastomas may limit the utility of targeting VEGF and its receptors as sole treatments for the tumor, and that successful therapies will be dependent upon the specific biology of the tumor.
FEMALE TACTICS AND STRATEGIES OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE: A STUDY OF INCIDENT REPORTS

Researchers have debated the extent to which females pursue violence against their male partners for purposes of enforcing or resisting control. In an effort to shed light on this important topic, we examined 43 incident reports of women who were court-referred to a batterer intervention program to explore how and why they engaged in intimate partner violence. Our analysis of the reports revealed that the most common tactic of physical violence was pushing and the most common tactic of psychological violence was intimidation. The motive to enforce was observed in the majority of the incident reports, while attempts to resist, retaliate, and punish occurred in about one third of the reports. We also found that female violence typically occurred in the contexts of anger and fear. The implications of our research for violence intervention programs are discussed.
Angioedema in the neurointerventional suite

A 68-year-old woman with acute ischemic stroke presented for mechanical thrombectomy, after failed thrombolysis with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. The procedure was completed successfully with dexmedetomidine infusion. However, she developed acute angioedema toward the end of the procedure requiring emergent fiberoptic-guided endotracheal intubation. Angioedema has been reported to occur after administering intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator with an incidence of 1.3%-5.1% in patients with acute stroke.
A Multiprocessor Interface

The presence of "smart" peripherals in a microcomputer system makes it, in effect, a multiprocessor system. This view led to the design of a simple, general-purpose interface.
Amino-acid sequence of glycoproteins encoded by three alleles of the S locus of Brassica oleracea

The pollen–stigma interaction of self-incompatibility in the mustard family Brassicaceae is controlled by the S locus. Nearly fifty allelic variants at this locus control the specificity of this interaction. Identity of alleles in pollen and stigma results in an incompatible reaction and the arrest of pollen development. Genetic and developmental analyses of self-incompatibility in Brassica have identified a class of stigma glycoproteins exhibiting allele-specific isoforms as being among the products of the S-locus1–3. A cDNA clone encoding one of these S-locus specific glycoproteins has been isolated from B. oleracea4, and recently, N-terminal protein sequence analysis has shown extensive similarity between three S-locus specific glycoproteins from B. campestris5. Here, we describe cDNA clones encoding such glycoproteins from three different S-allele homozygous genotypes, and report the complete amino-acid sequence of the glycoproteins based on the nucleotide sequence of the cDNA clones. We identify allele-encoded differences in the protein sequences which may be relevant to the allelic specificity of the stigma component of the pollen–stigma interaction. The sequences from the sporophytically determined incompatibility system of Brassica show no similarity to the reported S-locus-associated cDNA sequence of the gametophytic Nicotiana self-incompatibility type6.
The Effects of Temperature and Relative Humidity on the Mechanical Properties of Modern Painting Materials

The mechanical properties of strength, modulus, and elongation to break were studied for artists' acrylic and alkyd paints under varying conditions of temperature and relative humidity (RH). In the ambient environment, 23° C, 50% RH, acrylic paints are very flexible and are able to sustain large deformations (>50%). Alkyd paints are much stiffer and stronger, and they cannot sustain deformations nearly as dramatic as the acrylics. Acrylic paints at 5% RH are stiffer and stronger than at 50% RH and their ability to stretch is lessened. At temperatures below 15° C at 50% RH, the strength and stiffness of acrylic paints begin to rise rapidly. Some were found to be brittle at 5° C, and by −3° C, all were brittle. At a lower RH, some acrylic paints became brittle at a temperature near 11° C. These temperatures and relative humidities may be found in the transport environment of art objects, and may render them subject to possible damage.
MR identification of seminal vesicles simulating a presacral mass after abdominal perineal resection.

AllanM.Haggar,1 MichaelB.Alpern,2andJerryW.Froelich1ThepresenceofapresacralmassonCTinapatientwhohasundergoneabdominalperinealresectionforcarcinomaoftherectummayrepresentaprobleminclinicalmanagement.Weareunawareofanypreviousreportdescribing normal(butdisplaced)structures asacauseforthisfindingonCT[1-5].Knowledge ofthisoccurrence couldpreventunneces-sarybiopsy.Thisreportdescribesthreecasesinwhichnormalpostoperative anatomy simulated apresacralmassonCTafterabdominal perinealresection.Thenatureofthismasswaselucidated withMRimaging,thusobviating invasiveprocedures.CaseReport
Walk-off ring-down spectroscopy: attaining ultrafast resolution by converting time into space

Abstract A new technique for monitoring time-resolved phenomena is demonstrated by which a probe beam is directed into an optical cavity. Spatially separated output pulses are produced by directing the incident beam into the cavity in such a way that it walks in a direction transverse to the optical axis as it propagates between the two mirrors. This effect may be achieved either by a plane-parallel resonator oriented at a nonzero angle of incidence or by a wedge cavity, for which one of the mirrors is set at an angular offset. The spatially resolved output train may then be related to the time-dependent attributes of the resonator and the molecules it encloses. Time resolution is controlled by the separation of the mirrors, wedge geometry, and the angle of incidence. A time resolution of better than 4 ps is achieved using a 500 µm mirror separation and a 20° angle of incidence.
Performance Analysis and Design Optimization of 5R Planar Parallel Robots

This paper addresses the dimension synthesis and optimization of planar parallel robots. The design problem for parallel robots in general is much more complex than their serial counterparts, due to the strong dependence of geometric parameters and their performances. In dimension synthesis, typical performance characteristics that may be considered to evaluate the fitness of a design include workspace, manipulability, velocity, stiffness, and payload. A case study on optimal design for both workspace and manipulability had been presented previously for a specific class of planar parallel robots with 5R joints. This paper extends the design optimization study to include the remainders for the same class of 2-dof robots. Analyses of individual performance characteristics relative to the velocity, stiffness, and payload properties will be presented first. A simple and yet effective parameter-variation-based method will be demonstrated to obtain various optimal design solutions corresponding to those characteristics respectively.Copyright © 2012 by ASME