cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Friedel-Crafts Reactions in Chloroaluminate Molten Salts

Friedel-Crafts reactions are a diverse and important class of organic reactions that may be carried out in chloroaluminate molten salts. This review includes only the Friedel-Crafts class of reactions of organic compounds in chloroaluminate melts. Reactions occurring at high temperature in inorganic chloroaluminate melts and at low temperature in organic chloroaluminate melts are described. The nature of the catalytic species for Friedel-Crafts is discussed.
Bladder neck closure with continent augmentation or suprapubic catheter in patients with neurogenic bladders.

ABSTRACTTwenty-four patients, with various combinations of non-healing decubitus ulcers, urethral fistulae, incontinence, and penile skin breakdown were candidates for proximal urinary diversion, having failed intermittent, external, and indwelling catheterization combined with pharmacologic therapy. Seventeen patients underwent bladder neck closure, including seven with multiple sclerosis and ten with spinal cord injury, and because they were unable or unwilling to do catheterization, had their urine diverted by suprapubic catheter. Seven patients, including four with spinal cord injury, underwent bladder neck closure and continent augmentation with formation of a catheterizable cutaneous stoma on the anterior abdominal wall, using right colon and right colon/ileum configurations. When ureteral reflux and obstruction are absent, the patient's bladder was used which spared the added risk of ureteral implantation and possible ureteral stricture while increasing total bladder capacity. In a select group of ...
Observations on the numerical stability of the Galerkin method

A simple factorization of the finite-dimensional Galerkin operators motivates a study of the numerical stability of a Galerkin procedure on the basis of its “potential stability” and the “conditioning” of its coordinate functions. Conditions sufficient for stability and conditions leading to instability are thereby identified. Numerical examples of stability and instability occurring in the application of the Galerkin method to boundary-integral equations arising in simple scattering problems are provided and discussed within this framework. Numerical instabilities reported by other authors are examined and explained from the same point of view.
RAB when Gains and Losses are Possible

In Chapters 1 through 4 we introduced the concept of resource-allocation and in Chapter 5 we saw how people performed in simple resource-allocation situations. We found that participants could learn to perform simple resource-allocation tasks surprisingly well, often exceeding 90% of the optimal LP solution after a few learning trials. Our data showed that participants performed best under Certainty, worst under Uncertainty, and that performance improved with learning. One interpretation of these results, and those of previous researchers (Gingrich & Soli, 1984; Busemeyer, Swenson, & Lazarte, 1986), is that people are capable resource-allocators, with an efficiency and accuracy almost as good as the optimal LP model.
Commerce and the Market Surge

During the post-Leap “adjustment period,” commercial organizations stressed meeting demand with supply, displacing prevailing 1950s “just ship it” practices which resulted in warehouses crowded with unwanted tools, fabrics, or straw mats. SMCs became central to quality assessments, to two-way information transfers, and to rebuilding traditional channels for interregional trade, disrupted by administrative interventions and the Leap’s disarray. Extending trade connections increasingly meant ignoring regulations that aimed to control market activity, pricing, and goods transportation, as multiple examples show. Indeed, with state policies and state managers focused on reorienting industry to support agriculture, enforcing such strictures was impossible. SMCs and wholesalers now experimented with commissioning production outside the plan, contracting for deliveries at negotiated prices, and privately arranging inspection and transport. So too did urban retailers being contacting, for example, shoe factories to design, fabricate, and deliver footwear to order, while at the same time striving to improve customer service through staff classes studying Mao’s essays. To leading Maoists, the market surge threatened to repave the “capitalist road.”
Development and Validation of an Environmental DNA Method for Detection of the Alligator Snapping Turtle (Macrochelys temminckii)

The alligator snapping turtle (Macrochelys temminckii) is under consideration for listing as a federally endangered species. Distributional data and estimates of population sizes are needed to make a sound decision regarding listing, but this information is largely unavailable due to the immense effort required for M. temminckii trapping surveys. To alleviate difficulty in detection and to help inform subsequent field-intensive survey efforts, we developed an environmental DNA (eDNA) method capable of providing presence data even in systems with high turbidity and suspended organic material. The assay we developed utilizes probe-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction and reliably amplifies M. temminckii eDNA in both lentic and lotic systems, with no amplification observed in other nontarget, sympatric turtle species. The novel eDNA method developed, optimized, and field-tested in this study provides a promising tool for detection of alligator snapping turtles, with resultant presence data likely to prove beneficial for the management and conservation of this species.
Jihad: A History in Documents

This is an updated edition of Jihad in Classical and Modern Islam: A Reader (2005) which includes a section on the Islamic State (also known as ISIS). This is a particularly valuable book because i...
Studies on the Palladium-Catalyzed Direct Alkenylation of 1,2-Azoles.

Electron-rich heterocycles, such as isoxazoles (I), isothiazoles (IV) and pyrazoles (VI) undergo direct Pd-catalyzed alkenylation in moderate yields.
"La verdad sospechosa": a vueltas con la mentira y la estructura dramática

Don Garcia’s lies in La verdad sospechosa have routinely aroused intense reactions not only among the characters in the work, but also among contemporary readers and critics. This study examines the theme of lieing in its 17th-century context, most fundamentally, in relation to the structure of Juan Ruiz de Alaracon’s comedy, and in particular, with reference to the work’s denoument.
Assay Techniques and Test Development for COVID-19 Diagnosis

An ongoing theme of the COVID-19 pandemic is the need for widespread availability of accurate and efficient diagnostic testing for detection of SARS-CoV-2 and antiviral antibodies in infected indiv...
Patient-reported outcomes integrated within electronic medical record in patients with head and neck cancer.

e14026Background: Patient-reported outcome (PRO) tools have been shown to improve outcomes including overall survival for cancer patients. However, routine implementation of PROs in clinical practi...
Implications of an anti-glitch in AXP/SGR

The recently observed anti-glitch of AXP 1E 2259+586 may be explained as the consequence of sudden accretion of retrograde matter. AXP/SGR are explained as single neutron stars accompanied by fallback matter from their natal supernovae, including rocky or metallic planetesimals. The upper bounds on a glitch or anti-glitch in the giant outburst of SGR 1806-20 pose a problem for any model.
How do restaurants’ violations contribute to COVID-19 transmission?

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the hospitality and tourism industry (Gursoy & Chi, 2020). Following an approximately two-week shutdown in the US, businesses and customers needed ...
Teaching NeuroImage: Increasing SPECTations for Ictal SPECT in Epilepsy Surgical Evaluation.

We report a 15-year-old boy with chromosome 19p13.3 microdeletion, intellectual disability, colobomas, and drug-resistant epilepsy. He had near daily seizures characterized by eyelid fluttering, behavioral arrest, and unawareness with occasional progression to generalized tonic activity. Brain MRI showed diffuse white matter hyperintensities with a predilection for subcortical U-fibers. Video-EEG monitoring showed multifocal interictal discharges but a consistent ictal onset grossly in the left posterior temporal and occipital regions but with up to 10 seconds of electroclinical delay. Brain PET was unremarkable, but ictal SPECT (figures 1 and 2) revealed a discrete functional lesion in the left ventral occipital cortex. Here, ictal SPECT delineated the 3D borders of the seizure onset zone in the deep occipital cortex. This information can be used to further refine the epileptogenic zone (EZ) in a targeted stereo-EEG investigation to optimize surgical outcome1 and decrease SUDEP risk.2
Age-related Carotid Extra-Media Thickening is Associated with Increased Blood Pressure and Arterial Stiffness

Ageing results in higher blood pressure and arterial stiffening leading to increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. The extra-media thickness (EMT) is a composite measure of the arterial adventitia, perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) and the jugular vein, but the association among EMT and ageing, blood pressure and arterial stiffness is largely unknown. We hypothesized that EMT is associated with ageing, blood pressure and arterial stiffness. Fifty (18M/32F, age range 20-79 years.) individuals underwent measures of EMT (media-adventitia border to jugular lumen interface) via ultrasonography, blood pressure (brachial; carotid), arterial stiffness (carotid beta-stiffness, distensibility and Young's modulus) and body composition (dual X-ray absorptiometry). Independent two-tailed t-tests compared characteristics between young and middle-aged/older adults (MA/O). Bivariate correlations assessed the relation between EMT, ageing, blood pressure and arterial stiffness endpoints. Partial correlations were used to adjust for age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage. Compared to young, MA/O adults had higher EMT, blood pressure, arterial stiffness, BMI and BF% (all, p ≤ 0.05). Carotid EMT was positively correlated with age (r = 0.46), brachial SBP (r = 0.32), carotid SBP (r = 0.42), PP (r = 0.42), beta-stiffness (r = 0.37) and Young's elastic modulus (r = 0.43) (all, p ≤ 0.05), and negatively correlated with carotid distensibility (r = -0.34, p ≤ 0.05). All endpoints correlated with EMT remained after adjusting for BMI, BF% and sex (p ≤ 0.05). These data suggest EMT is a clinically relevant target that may be associated with age-related CVD risk in humans, yet further investigation is required to elucidate the role of EMT in age-related increases in blood pressure and arterial stiffness.
Adolescent Endurance Runners Exhibit Suboptimal Energy Availability and Intakes of Key Nutrients.

Backgroud: Despite the evidence of an elevated prevalence of low bone mass in adolescent endurance runners, reports on dietary intake in this population is limited.Objectives: This study aimed to e...
Root Pair Selection for Two-root Random Access Preamble

In some scenarios such as satellite communication, the initialization of wireless access based on traditional Zadoff-Chu random access preamble may fail due to the large Doppler frequency shift. The two-root preamble, which consists of two Zadoff-Chu sequences with different roots, has been considered as one promising solution for large Doppler. However, in the receiver side the frequency and time offset estimation errors of two-root preamble are always relatively large. In this paper, the underlying reason of the large errors is theoretically analyzed, based on which a novel root pair selection method is proposed. Simulation shows that the resulting root pairs lead to much lower errors in frequency/time offset estimation.
Use of energy consumption during milling to fill a measurement gap in hybrid additive manufacturing

Abstract Coupling additive manufacturing (AM) with interlayer peening introduces bulk anisotropic properties within a build across several centimeters. Current methods to map high resolution anisotropy and heterogeneity are either destructive or have a limited penetration depth using a non-destructive method. An alternative pseudo-nondestructive method to map high resolution anisotropy and heterogeneity is through energy consumption during milling. Previous research has shown energy consumption during milling correlates with surface integrity. Since surface milling of additively manufactured parts is often required for post-processing to improve dimensional accuracy, an opportunity is available to use surface milling as an alternative method to measure mechanical properties and build quality. The variation of energy consumption during the machining of additive parts, as well as hybrid AM parts, is poorly understood. In this study, the use of net cutting specific energy was proposed as a suitable metric for measuring mechanical properties after interlayer ultrasonic peening of 316 stainless steel. Energy consumption was mapped throughout half of a cuboidal build volume. Results indicated the variation of net cutting specific energy increased further away from the surface and was higher for hybrid AM compared to as-printed and wrought. The average lateral and layer variation of the net cutting specific energy for printed samples was 81% higher than the control, which indicated a significantly higher degree of heterogeneity. Further, it was found that energy consumption was an effective process signature exhibiting strong correlations with microhardness. Anisotropy based on residual strains were measured using net cutting specific energy and validated by hole drilling. The proposed technique contributes to filling part of the measure gap in hybrid additive manufacturing and capitalizes on the pre-existing need for machining of AM parts to achieve both goals of surface finish and quality assessment in one milling operation.
What is empathy? Oncology patient perspectives on empathic clinician behaviors.

BACKGROUND Oncology patients and physicians value empathy because of its association with improved health outcomes. Common measures of empathy lack consistency and were developed without direct input from patients. Because of their intense engagement with health care systems, oncology patients may have unique perspectives on what behaviors signal empathy in a clinical setting. METHODS As part of a cross-sectional study of patient perspectives on clinician empathy at an academic cancer center in the northeastern United States, the authors solicited up to 10 free-text responses to an open-ended question about what clinician behaviors define empathy. RESULTS The authors categorized open-ended responses from 89 oncology patients into 5 categories representing 14 themes. These categories were relationship sensitivity, focus on the whole person, communication, clinician attributes, and institutional resources and care processes. Frequently represented themes, including listening, understanding, and attention to emotions and what matters most, aligned with existing measures of empathy; behaviors that were not well represented among existing measures included qualities of information sharing and other communication elements. Patients also associated clinician demeanor, accessibility, and competence with empathy. CONCLUSIONS Oncology patients' perspectives on empathy highlight clinician behaviors and attributes that may help to refine patient experience measures and may be adopted by clinicians and cancer centers to enhance patient care and outcomes. High-quality communication skills training can promote active listening and paying attention to the whole person. A system-level focus on delivering empathic care may improve patients' experiences and outcomes. LAY SUMMARY Oncology patients' responses to an open-ended question about empathic clinician behavior have revealed insights into a variety of behaviors that are perceived as demonstrative of empathy. These include behaviors that imply sensitivity to the clinician-patient relationship, such as listening and understanding and attention to the whole person. Participants valued caring communication and demeanor and clinician accessibility. Perspective taking was not common among answers. Many existing measures of clinical care quality do not include the behaviors cited by patients as empathic. These results can inform efforts to refine quality measures of empathy-associated behaviors in clinical practice. Cancer centers can use skills training to improve elements of communication.
Green infrastructure influences soil health: Biological divergence one year after installation.

Abstract Global threats to soils remain one of the greatest concerns and challenges of the 21st century. Built landscapes have profound local and global effects because they create urban heat islands, increase habitat fragmentation, and reduce biological diversity. Additionally, impervious surfaces alter natural watersheds and reduce infiltration increasing runoff that leads to erosion and soil degradation. To combat these effects, green infrastructure (GI) practices, like water harvesting rain gardens, are implemented in the Southwest United States to restore natural ecological function, yet little is known about how GI impacts soil health. Soil health can be measured using indicators that include physical, chemical, and biological characteristics that support ecosystem processes. This study aimed to evaluate changes in water holding capacity, bulk density, pH, electrical conductivity, Gibbs free energy, species richness and Shannon diversity in response to rain gardens that received different inputs (frequency and amount) and sources of harvested water (rain, municipal, greywater) one year after installation. We hypothesized that soil health indicators in GI diverge from the unaltered control treatment one year following installation. Although physical and chemical indicators were comparatively less sensitive to GI treatments than biological indicators, they varied within treatments after one year of GI management (pH increased: H = 36.37; p-value = 0.00; electrical conductivity decreased: H = 33.94; p-value = 0.00). Overall, we observed significantly higher soil microbial diversity (F = 4.29; p-value = 0.015) and richness (F = 4.02; p-value = 0.019) in surface soils in GI treatments after one year of management. Our findings suggest GI practices enhanced soil biological health which may lead to positive feedbacks that assist gradual changes in the abiotic environment thus enhancing soil health over time. These findings have broad implications for effectively assessing the success of GI management practices over short time periods using soil biological health indicators.
Predissociation measurements of the bond dissociation energies of EuO, TmO, and YbO.

The observation of a sharp predissociation threshold in the resonant two-photon ionization spectra of EuO, TmO, and YbO has been used to measure the bond dissociation energies of these species. The resulting values, D0(EuO) = 4.922(3) eV, D0(TmO) = 5.242(6) eV, and D0(YbO) = 4.083(3) eV, are in good agreement with previous values but are much more precise. In addition, the ionization energy of TmO was measured by the observation of a threshold for one-color two-photon ionization of this species, resulting in IE(TmO) = 6.56(2) eV. The observation of a sharp predissociation threshold for EuO was initially surprising because the half-filled 4f7 subshell of Eu in its ground state generates fewer potential energy curves than in the other molecules we have studied by this method. The observation of a sharp predissociation threshold in YbO was even more surprising, given that the ground state of Yb is nondegenerate (4f146s2, 1Sg) and the lowest excited state of Yb is over 2 eV higher in energy. It is suggested that these molecules possess a high density of electronic states at the energy of the ground separated atom limit because ion-pair states drop below the ground limit, providing a sufficient electronic state density to allow predissociation to set in at the thermochemical threshold.
Differences in Lower Extremity and Trunk Kinematics between Single Leg Squat and Step Down Tasks

The single leg squat and single leg step down are two commonly used functional tasks to assess movement patterns. It is unknown how kinematics compare between these tasks. The purpose of this study was to identify kinematic differences in the lower extremity, pelvis and trunk between the single leg squat and the step down. Fourteen healthy individuals participated in this research and performed the functional tasks while kinematic data were collected for the trunk, pelvis, and lower extremities using a motion capture system. For the single leg squat task, the participant was instructed to squat as low as possible. For the step down task, the participant was instructed to stand on top of a box, slowly lower him/herself until the non-stance heel touched the ground, and return to standing. This was done from two different heights (16 cm and 24 cm). The kinematics were evaluated at peak knee flexion as well as at 60° of knee flexion. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) between the angles at those two time points were also calculated to better understand the relationship between each task. The tasks resulted in kinematics differences at the knee, hip, pelvis, and trunk at both time points. The single leg squat was performed with less hip adduction (p ≤ 0.003), but more hip external rotation and knee abduction (p ≤ 0.030), than the step down tasks at 60° of knee flexion. These differences were maintained at peak knee flexion except hip external rotation was only significant in the 24 cm step down task (p ≤ 0.029). While there were multiple differences between the two step heights at peak knee flexion, the only difference at 60° of knee flexion was in trunk flexion (p < 0.001). Angles at the knee and hip had a moderate to excellent correlation (r = 0.51-0.98), but less consistently so at the pelvis and trunk (r = 0.21-0.96). The differences in movement patterns between the single leg squat and the step down should be considered when selecting a single leg task for evaluation or treatment. The high correlation of knee and hip angles between the three tasks indicates that similar information about knee and hip kinematics was gained from each of these tasks, while pelvis and trunk angles were less well predicted.
Course 16 - Simulation of Statistical Mechanics Models

The chapter introduces the use of Monte Carlo methods in statistical mechanics and quantum field theory, with an emphasis on: 1) the conceptual foundations of the method, including the possible dangers and misuses, and the correct use of statistical error analysis; and 2) new (collective-mode) Monte Carlo algorithms for problems in critical phenomena and quantum field theory, aimed at reducing or eliminating the “critical slowing-down” found in conventional (local) algorithms. The Swendsen–Wang algorithm for simulating the ferromagnetic q-state Potts model is the prototype for many other collective-mode Monte Carlo algorithms in statistical mechanics that are generically termed cluster algorithms or auxiliary-variable algorithms. The chapter presents the most recent numerical data on its dynamic critical behavior, and discusses some of the things that remain to that require understanding.
Civil Aviation Crash Injury Protection

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has adopted safety requirements intended to protect aircraft occupants during survivable crash scenarios. These requirements include design specifications, static strength tests and dynamic impact tests of seats and restraint systems using instrumented Anthropomorphic Test Devices (ATD). Two orientations of impact test are cited: a combined longitudinal/vertical test with the impact vector 60° from horizontal, and a longitudinal test with the impact vector yawed 10° from the centerline of the aircraft. Injury potential is assessed during the dynamic tests by comparing test results to a set of injury criteria. The static and dynamic test requirements vary by aircraft type due to the differences in energy transmitted to the seats. However, the injury criteria evaluated during these tests are very similar for all aircraft types. The criteria cited in the regulations are: the Head Injury Criteria (HIC), lumbar spine compressive load, shoulder strap load, femur compressive load (for passengers of transport aircraft only), a requirement that the seat belt not bear on the abdomen, and that the shoulder belts (if used) bear on the shoulder.
Is cigarette smoking in poorer nations highly sensitive to price?: Evidence from Russia and China

We examine cigarette demand in China and Russia using longitudinal micro-level household and community surveys. Previous developing-country price elasticity estimates of around -0.75 have been larger than United States estimates of about -0.4, but the former have relied primarily on aggregate data. In contrast, our micro-level price elasticity estimates in China and Russia range from 0 to -0.15. Thus, raising prices in poorer countries may not reduce smoking to the degree previously suggested.
The Demise of Exceptionalism? Comparative Labour History in Light of Anglo-American Comparison

DESPITE THEORETICAL INADEQUACIES and an occasional tendency to disregard the wood for the trees, this two-volume comparative study of the British and American labour movements across a two-hundred year period is an historic achievement of which the author has every reason to feel proud. In recent years increasing dissatisfaction with purely domestic labour history, coupled with the growing sophistication of discrete cross cultural studies by scholars as varied as Friedrich Lenger (artisans on the continent and the U.S.), Jeffrey Haydu (skilled metal workers in Britain and America), and Bruno Ramirez (French-Canadian and Italian migrants in Quebec) have accelerated calls on both sides of the Atlantic for more comparative work, despite its acknowledged difficulties. In England, this new trend was confirmed in discussions held at the spring 1990 conference of the Society for the Study of Labour History at Birkbeck College, London. In the USA,
Rat liver microsomes catalyse mannosyl transfer from GDP-D-mannose to retinyl phosphate with high efficiency in the absence of detergents.

In the absence of detergent, the transfer of mannose from GDP-mannose to rat liver microsomal vesicles was highly stimulated by exogenous retinyl phosphate in incubations containing bovine serum albumin, as measured in a filter binding assay. Under these conditions 65% of mannose 6-phosphatase activity was latent. The transfer process was linear with time up to 5min and with protein concentration up to 1.5mg/0.2ml. It was also temperature-dependent. The microsomal uptake of mannose was highly dependent on retinyl phosphate and was saturable against increasing amounts of retinyl phosphate, a concentration of 15μm giving half-maximal transfer. The uptake system was also saturated by increasing concentrations of GDP-mannose, with an apparent Km of 18μm. Neither exogenous dolichyl phosphate nor non-phosphorylated retinoids were active in this process in the absence of detergent. Phosphatidylethanolamine and synthetic dipalmitoylglycerophosphocholine were also without activity. Several water-soluble organic phosphates (1.5mm), such as phenyl phosphate, 4-nitrophenyl phosphate, phosphoserine and phosphocholine, did not inhibit the retinyl phosphate-stimulated mannosyl transfer to microsomes. This mannosyl-transfer activity was highest in microsomes and marginal in mitochondria, plasma and nuclear membranes. It was specific for mannose residues from GDP-mannose and did not occur with UDP-[3H]galactose, UDP- or GDP-[14C]glucose, UDP-N-acetyl[14C]-glucosamine and UDP-N-acetyl[14C]galactosamine, all at 24μm. The mannosyl transfer was inhibited 85% by 3mm-EDTA and 93% by 0.8mm-amphomycin. At 2min, 90% of the radioactivity retained on the filter could be extracted with chloroform/methanol (2:1, v/v) and mainly co-migrated with retinyl phosphate mannose by t.l.c. This mannolipid was shown to bind to immunoglobulin G fraction of anti-(vitamin A) serum and was displaced by a large excess of retinoic acid, thus confirming the presence of the β-ionone ring in the mannolipid. The amount of retinyl phosphate mannose formed in the bovine serum albumin/retinyl phosphate incubation is about 100-fold greater than in incubations containing 0.5% Triton X-100. In contrast with the lack of activity as a mannosyl acceptor for exogenous dolichyl phosphate in the present assay system, endogenous dolichyl phosphate clearly functions as an acceptor. Moreover in the same incubations a mannolipid with chromatographic properties of retinyl phosphate mannose was also synthesized from endogenous lipid acceptor. The biosynthesis of this mannolipid (retinyl phosphate mannose) was optimal at MnCl2 concentrations between 5 and 10mm and could not be detected below 0.6mm-MnCl2, when synthesis of dolichyl phosphate mannose from endogenous dolichyl phosphate was about 80% of optimal synthesis. Under optimal conditions (5mm-MnCl2) endogenous retinyl phosphate mannose represented about 20% of dolichyl phosphate mannose at 15min of incubation at 37°C.
The Life and Times of Sara Baartman: The Hottentot Venus

The Life and Times of Sara Baartman: The Hottentot Venus. 1998. 52 minutes, color. film directed by Zola Maseko. For more information, contact First Run/Icarus Films. 153 Waverly Place, New York. NY 10014.
Crosstalk between the phosphatidylinositol cycle and MAP kinase signaling pathways in Xenopus mesoderm induction.

Recent studies have established a role for the phosphoinositide (PI) cycle in the early patterning of Xenopus mesoderm. In explants, stimulation of this pathway in the absence of growth factors does not induce mesoderm, but when accompanied by growth factor treatment, simultaneous PI cycle stimulation results in profound morphological and molecular changes in the mesoderm induced by the growth factor. This suggests the possibility that the PI cycle exerts its influence via crosstalk, by modulating some primary mesoderm-inducing pathway. Given recent identification of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) as an intracellular mediator of some mesoderm-inducing signals, the present study explores MAPK as a potential site of PI cycle-mediated crosstalk .We report that MAPK activity, like PI cycle activity, increases in intact embryos during mesoderm induction. Phosphoinositide cycle stimulation during treatment of explants with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) synergistically increases late-phase MAPK activity and potentiates bFGF-induced expression of Xbra, a MAPK-dependent mesodermal marker.
Semiconductor nanowires: optics and optoelectronics

Single crystalline semiconductor nanowires are being extensively investigated due to their unique electronic and optical properties and their potential use in novel electronic and photonic devices. The unique properties of nanowires arise owing to their anisotropic geometry, large surface to volume ratio, and carrier and photon confinement in two dimensions (1D system). Currently, tremendous efforts are being devoted to rational synthesis of nanowire structures with control over their composition, structure, dopant concentration, characterization, fundamental properties, and assembly into functional devices. In this article we will review the progress made in the area of nanowire optics and optoelectronic devices, including diodes, lasers, detectors, and waveguides, and will outline the general challenges that must be overcome and some potential solutions in order to continue the exponential progress in this exciting area of research.
Telomerase activity of HIV-1–specific CD8+ T cells: constitutive up-regulation in controllers and selective increase by blockade of PD ligand 1 in progressors

Exhaustion of virus-specific T cells may play an important role in the pathophysiology of chronic viral infections. Here, we analyzed telomere length and telomerase activity in HIV-1–specific CD8+ T cells from progressors or controllers to determine underlying molecular pathways of T-cell exhaustion and senescence. Telomere lengths of HIV-1–specific CD8+ T cells from progressors were significantly shorter compared with autologous cytomegalovirus (CMV)/Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)–specific CD8+ T cells or bulk CD8+ T cells, while telomere lengths from controllers significantly exceeded those of autologous bulk CD8+ T cells and reached a similar level as HIV-1–specific CD8+ T cells collected during primary HIV-1 infection. Telomere length stabilization in controllers corresponded to high levels of constitutive telomerase activity, which was associated with preservation of cytotoxic and proliferative properties. Conversely, limited constitutive telomerase activity was observed in HIV-1–specific CD8+ T cells from progressors, although an increase in both telomere length and telomerase activity was achieved in antigenic-peptide–stimulated cells from progressors after blocking the PD-1/PD ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway. Collectively, these data suggest a causal role of telomere shortening for the functional deficiencies of HIV-1–specific CD8+ T cells in chronic progressive infection, while high constitutive telomerase activities appears to contribute to maintenance of polyfunctional HIV-1–specific CD8+ T cells from HIV-1 controllers.
The German Independent Socialists during the First World War

DURING the First World War, the German Social Democratic party split into three groups: the Majority, the Independents, and the Spartacists. Distinguishing between Majority and Independents is difficult because there was no fundamental theoretical difference between them. The real split was between the Majority and the Independents on the one hand and the Spartacists on the other. The Spartacists were the nucleus of the future German Communist party, with all the Leninist views on the class character of the state and the consequent necessity of violent revolution. They believed that any state was no more than the tool of a ruling class, so that it could never be taken over by one class from another in a peaceful way, but must be smashed, and a new state created to serve new purposes. Both the Majority and the Independents were revisionist. They assumed that the state could be gradually transformed through democratic means. As the proletariat became more numerous, it could take over the state just as could any majority party. Revisionists talked about the revolution, but all they meant was that the proletarian majority might have to use force against a handful of counterrevolutionary capitalists who would refuse to accept the verdict of a majority vote. By the nature of their beliefs the Socialists could be either more or less revisionist. On the question of the existing German state of 1914, the Majority and the Independents judged differently. The difference appeared in their actions rather than their words, since the two groups never even admitted their revisionism, much less argued about fine points of interpretation. But it was obvious from the way the Majority behaved that to them the existing state was already very much under the influence of the proletariat and consequently could be trusted. The Independents thought that the existing state was still strongly middle-class, and that the proletariat should be very much on their guard against it. It was because the Majority thought as they did that they could support
Multiattribute Bayesian Acceptance Sampling Plans Under Nondestructive Inspection

A methodology for determining optimal sampling plans for Bayesian multiattribute acceptance sampling models is developed. Inspections are assumed to be nondestructive and attributes are classified as scrappable or screenable according to the corrective action required when a lot is rejected on a given attribute. The effects of interactions among attributes on the resulting optimal sampling plan are examined and show that: 1 sampling plans for screenable attributes can be obtained by solving a set of independent single attribute models, 2 interactions of scrappable attributes on screenable attributes and conversely result in smaller sample sizes for screenable attributes than in single attribute plans, and 3 interactions among scrappable attributes result in either smaller sample sizes, lower acceptance probabilities or both, relative to single attribute plans. An iterative subproblem algorithm is developed, which is effective in finding near optimal multiattribute sampling plans having a large number of attributes.
Recruitment communication and pheromone trails in the neotropical ants,Leptothorax (Nesomyrmex) spininodis andL. (N.) echinatinodis

Leptothorax (Nesomyrmex) spininodis andL. (N.) echinatinodis workers lay pheromone trails when returning from food sources to their nests. Workers from within the nest begin following the trail almost immediately upon the successful forager's return and do not require a leader. The trail remains effective for about four minutes under our laboratory conditions but it is unclear whether the trail alone is sufficient to induce recruitment or whether additional signals, perhaps emitted within the nest, are involved. Pheromone trails of this type have not previously been documented for leptothoracine ants.
X-ray fluorescence spectrometric determination of the metal content of the extracellular hemoglobin of Tubifex tubifex.

Abstract X-ray fluorescence spectrometric analysis of Tubifex hemoglobin, using the energy-dispersive and wavelength-dispersive spectrometers, demonstrated that in addition to Fe, Ca and small amounts of Zn, Cu and Pb were also present. Assuming that Tubifex hemoglobin contains 160 atoms of Fe per molecular weight of 3.9 · 10 6 , the molar ratios of Fe:Ca: Zn:Cu:Pb were calculated to be 160:70:2:8:2. The iron content of the hemoglobin was also determined spectrophotometrically using the formation of Fe(II)-1,10-phenanthroline and Fe(II)-4-(2-pyridylazo)-resorcinol complexes: it was found to be 0.240 ± 0.010% by weight and was unaffected by prior dialysis against 10 mM EDTA solution at neutral pH. Thus, it is unlikely that Tubifex hemoglobin contains any non-heme iron.
Analysis and optimization of improved hybrid SMA flexures for high rate actuation

The utilization of shape memory alloys (SMAs) as actuators in aerospace applications continues to show promise. These materials, when subjected to controlled changes in temperature, have the capability to provide motion while under loads that exceed thousands of times their own weight and can do so over tens of thousands of cycles. However, the rate of thermally-induced SMA transformation is significantly hindered by low thermal conductivity and latent heat effects observed in this material. The relatively long cooling times observed in SMA geometries such as beams and tubes make it difficult for controlled devices to operate with sufficiently high frequency. Therefore, the application of SMA beams as aerospace control actuators has been limited. Morphing structures such as flight control mechanisms require higher cyclic actuation frequencies than are commonly observed in SMAs, and thus have motivated the effort to increase thermal actuation rates attainable in SMA active components. This work presents an analytical study of a tapered beam actuator and discusses the possibility of using SMAs in conjunction with more conductive materials to enhance actuation performance, especially with regard to actuation cyclic frequency. The analysis involves computing the actuation work output over time of various loaded, thermally cycled active SMA beams using an accurate constitutive model implemented in a finite element framework. This set of analyses considers the solution to a transient thermomechanically coupled problem and includes the effects of latent heat of transformation on the energy balance. The study compares the effectiveness of aluminum, copper, and silver secondary material regions and their geometric configurations in altering the actuation power-to-mass ratio of the beam. An optimization scheme is used to determine the geometric distribution of each secondary material that results in the highest power-to-mass ratio. It is shown that aluminum, when optimally distributed, provides the best overall design solution of the three materials considered.
The Variety and Quality of a Nation's Exports

Large economies export more in absolute terms than do small economies. We use data on shipments by 126 exporting countries to 59 importing countries in 5,000 product categories to answer the question: How? Do big economies export larger quantities of each good (the intensive margin), a wider set of goods (the extensive margin), or higher-quality goods? We find that the extensive margin accounts for around 60 percent of the greater exports of larger economies. Within categories, richer countries export higher quantities at modestly higher prices. We compare these findings to some workhorse trade models. Models with Armington national product differentiation have no extensive margin, and incorrectly predict lower prices for the exports of larger economies. Models with Krugman firm-level product differentiation do feature a prominent extensive margin, but overpredict the rate at which variety responds to exporter size. Models with quality differentiation, meanwhile, can match the price facts. Finally, models with fixed costs of exporting to a given market might explain the tendency of larger economies to export a given product to more countries.
Normal levels of cadmium in diet, urine, blood, and tissues of inhabitants of the United States.

Cd was measured in the feces, urine, blood, and hair of U.S. inhabitants without known high Cd exposure in Chicago, Illinois, and Dallas, Texas, and in autopsy tissues of accident victims in Dallas. The average intake of Cd in food was estimated to be 13-16 microgram/d and was higher for males than females. The average levels of Cd were 0.59-0.77 microgram/l in urine, 0.09-0.11 microgram per 100 ml in blood, 0.83-1.10 microgram/g in hair, 21 microgram/g in kidney cortex, 1.2 microgram/g in liver, 0.067 microgram/g in muscle, 0.58 microgram/g in pancreas, and 0.040 microgram/g in fat. Hair Cd was higher for males than females. Cd levels increased with age in urine and all tissues and were higher in cigarette smokers than nonsmokers in urine, blood, and all tissues.
Nonsurgical correction of a Class II malocclusion with a vertical growth tendency

Abstract Malocclusion, with a superimposed vertical growth tendency, is often difficult to treat without a combined surgical orthodontic approach. Certain situations, however, may preclude surgery as a treatment option. The following case report demonstrates the use of orthodontic mechanotherapy alone in successfully treating a patient that exhibited a Class II Division I malocclusion with a high mandibular plane angle and vertical growth tendency. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 1999;116:66-74)
Applications and advances in polycapillary optics

Polycapillary optics can be designed for a wide variety of X-ray applications. They have been used as focusing collectors for X-ray astronomy, to produce large-area collimated beams for wafer analysis and to provide small focused beams for protein crystallography with low-power X-ray sources. They are also being developed for a number of medical applications, including the removal of Compton scattering with the resultant improvement in contrast and resolution in mammography, the production of monochromatic parallel beams for high-contrast imaging in a clinical setting and the detection and localization of radioactive tracers in prostate cancer. Other exciting applications are extensions of measurements normally performed at synchrotrons into laboratory or clinical settings because of the increased efficiency of source utilization. The realization of these applications has been advanced by the recent marked improvement in available optic quality and reproducibility. Manufacturing progress has been assisted by the development of simulation analyses which allow for increasingly accurate assessment of optics defects. Optics performance over the whole range of energy from 10 to 80 keV can often be matched with one or two fitting parameters. This software development is ongoing, as is development of crystallographic analysis software designed to be used with highly focused beams. Continuing optics manufacturing challenges include the advance of applications at energies above 40 keV and the production of optics for imaging which are of adequate clinical size.
Search for oscillations at SLD

Abstract We present preliminary results on the time dependence of B s 0 − B s 0 and B d 0 − B d 0 mixing using a sample of 400, 000 hadronic Z0 decay collected by the SLD experiment at the SLC. The analyses take advantage of the excellent decay length resolution of the CCD vertex detector. The B or B production flavor is determined by exploiting the large forward-backward asymmetry of polarized Z 0 → b b decays. This flavor tag is enhanced by incorporating additional information from the hemisphere opposite that of the reconstructed B decay. The B d 0 - B d 0 mixing analysis uses the charge of high momentum kaons to identify the B or B decay flavor. The result is Δmd = 0.503 ± 0.028(stat) ± 0.020(syst) ps−1. The results of three separate B s 0 - B s 0 mixing analyses are presented. These analyses determine the B decay flavor using the lepton charge in B semileptonic decays, the charge of fully reconstructed Ds decays, and the charge difference between topologically reconstructed B and D decays. The three analyses are combined to set a lower limit on the B s 0 − B s 0 oscillation frequency of 12.0 ps−1 at 95% CL.
Invited talk: 3D chip stacking

3D chip stacking refers to a vertical stack of chips in which individual chips can communicate with each other through electrical connections. 3D chip stacking has the ability to enhance chip performance by increasing bandwidth, reducing wire delay, and enabling better power management. In true 3D chip stacking, all chips except possibly the topmost chip, contain TSVs (Through Substrate/Silicon Vias). TSVs can be introduced into the silicon CMOS transistor fabrication at a number of points in the manufacturing sequence. Key considerations to determine the optimal introduction point include diameter of the TSV, insulating and conducting materials used in the TSV, and the technology node. TSV fabrication considerations include via etching, insulation, metallization, annealing and capping. The final structure also needs to be evaluated for thermo-mechanical integrity and reliability. Additionally, one must also consider the impact of TSVs on devices. There are different approaches to achieving 3D chip stacking, including die to die stacking, die to wafer stacking, and wafer to wafer stacking. In this talk, we will review various aspects of 3D technology, including fabrication of TSVs, and the performance and reliability of structures with TSVs. We will also review current literature to understand the unique advantages and challenges of 3D chip stacking.
Herringbone Buckling Patterns of Compressed Thin Films on Compliant Substrates

A thin metal film vapor depositied on thick elastomer substrate develops an equi-biaxial compressive stress state when the system is cooled due to the large thermal expansion mismatch between the elastomer and the metal. At a critical stress, the film undergoes buckling into a family of modes with short wavelengths characteristic of a thin plate on a compliant elastic foundation. As the system is further cooled, a highly ordered herringbone pattern has been observed to develop. Here it is shown that the herringbone mode constitutes a minimum energy configuration among a limited set of competing modes.
On Maillet determinant

For a positive integer m, let A = {1 ≤ a < m2 | (a, m) = 1} and let n = |A|. For an integer x, let R(x) be the least positive residue of x modulo m and if (x, m) = 1, let x′ be the inverse of x modulo m. If m is odd, then |R(ab′)|a,b∈A = −21−n(∏χ(Σa = 1m − 1 aχ(a))), where χ runs over all the odd Dirichlet characters modulo m.
Physiological studies of some fungi associated with pole blight of Western White Pine.

(1956). Physiological Studies of Some Fungi Associated With Pole Blight of Western White Pine. Mycologia: Vol. 48, No. 1, pp. 25-40.