cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electronically Monitored Nicotine Gum Use Before and After Smoking Lapses: Relationship With Lapse and Relapse.

INTRODUCTION Greater use of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is related to smoking cessation success, but the causal direction is unclear. This study characterized the relationship between NRT use and smoking lapse and relapse. METHODS Participants (N = 416 smokers; 57% female, 85% White) were recruited from primary care for a smoking cessation factorial experiment and analyzed if abstaining ≥1 day in the first 2 weeks post-target quit day (TQD). Participants were randomized to counseling and 8 versus 26 weeks of nicotine patch plus nicotine gum post-TQD. Participants carried electronic dispensers that timestamped each gum use. Participants who lapsed (smoked after abstaining) within 6 weeks post-TQD were matched with nonlapsers (n = 146 pairs) on multiple variables. We compared lapsers' versus matched nonlapsers' gum use in the 5 days before and after the lapsers' first lapse. RESULTS By week 6 post-TQD, 63% of participants lapsed. Compared with nonlapsers, lapsers used less gum 1 and 2 days pre-"lapse" and on the 5 days post-lapse. Lapsers used less gum during the 5 days post-lapse than the 5 days pre-lapse. Univariate survival analyses with lapsers showed greater gum use during both pre- and post-lapse periods predicted longer latency to relapse in the first 6 weeks. CONCLUSIONS In a smoking cessation attempt using nicotine patch plus gum, lapsers versus matched nonlapsers used less gum immediately preceding and following their first lapse. Lower mean gum use before and after lapses predicted a more rapid escalation to relapse. Decreased nicotine gum use both precedes and follows returns to smoking during cessation attempts. IMPLICATIONS This research examined electronically monitored nicotine gum use collected in real time and found that among smokers engaged in a quit attempt, lapsers (vs. matched nonlapsers) tended to decrease their gum use 1-2 days prior to lapsing and to further decrease their gum use from pre- to post-lapse. Decreased gum use pre-lapse may signal heightened lapse risk in 1-2 days, with lower level of gum use predicting a more precipitous course of relapse. These results encourage further exploration of objective measures of smoking medication use patterns to examine their signaling properties and to inform understanding of cessation failure. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01120704.
A causal test of the mechanisms by which affect state biases affective perception

Abstract In this study, we merged methods from machine learning and human neuroimaging to causally test the role of self-induced affect states in biasing the affective perception of subsequent image stimuli. To test this causal relationship, we developed a novel paradigm in which (n=40) healthy adult participants observed multivariate neural decodings of their real-time functional magnetic resonance image (rtfMRI) responses as feedback to guide explicit regulation of their brain (and corollary affect processing) state towards a positive valence goal state. By this method, individual differences in affect regulation ability were controlled. Attaining this brain-affect goal state triggered the presentation of pseudo-randomly selected affectively congruent (positive valence) or incongruent (negative valence) image stimuli drawn from the International Affective Picture Set. Separately, subjects passively viewed randomly triggered positively and negatively valenced image stimuli during fMRI acquisition. Multivariate neural decodings of the affect processing induced by these stimuli were modeled using the task trial type (state-versus randomly-triggered) as the fixed-effect of a general linear mixed effects model. Random effects were modeled subject-wise. We found that self-induction of a positive affective valence state significantly positively biased the perceived valence of subsequent stimuli. As a manipulation check, we validated affective state induction achieved by the image stimuli using independent psychophysiological response measures of hedonic valence and autonomic arousal. We also validated the predictive fidelity of the trained neural decoding models for brain states induced by an out-of-sample set of image stimuli. Beyond its contribution to our understanding of the neural mechanisms that bias affect processing, this work demonstrated the viability of novel experimental paradigms triggered by pre-defined affective cognitive states. This line of individual differences experimentation potentially provides scientists with a valuable tool for causal exploration of the roles and identities of intrinsic cognitive processing mechanisms that shape our perceptual processing of sensory stimuli.
Transient (Short-Term) Voltage Stability

The dynamic behavior of power system can be summarized and reflected by the nonlinear differential-difference-algebraic equations (DDAE). The differential equations partially reflect the dynamic behavior of dynamic elements in the power system, the difference equations partially reflect the discrete actions of system elements, and the algebraic equations partially reflect the interaction between dynamic elements and topological constraints of the network in the power system.
Consciousness as a domain of extraterritoriality

Traditional understandings of extraterritoriality have overlooked human consciousness as an intimate province of territorial governance. Whereas traditional approaches to extraterritoriality often ...
Snakes vs. Guns: a Systematic Review of Comparisons Between Phylogenetic and Ontogenetic Threats

The potential differences between phylogenetic threats (e.g., snakes) and ontogenetic threats (e.g., guns) can have a wide-ranging impact on a variety of theoretical and practical issues, from etiology of specific phobias to stimulus selection in psychophysiological studies, yet this line of research has not been systematically reviewed. We summarize and synthesize findings from fear conditioning, illusory correlation, attention bias, and neuroimaging studies that have compared these two types of threats to human survival. While a few brain imaging studies reveal preliminary evidence for different brain networks involved in the processing of phylogenetic and ontogenetic threats, attention bias studies tentatively show faster reaction time for modern threats, illusory correlation bias is evident for both types of threats, and fear conditioning studies are far from conclusive. The results of behavioral experiments, especially attention bias research, pose a challenge to established theories like biological preparedness and fear module, as they show faster reaction time to modern threats, which is the opposite of what some evolutionary theories predict. We discuss the findings in terms of other theories that might explain the same results and conclude with potential future directions.
Family Experience of Caregiver Burden and Health Care Usage in a Statewide Medical Home Program.

Abstract Objective To evaluate family-reported caregiver experiences and health care utilization of patients enrolled in the Pennsylvania Medical Home Program (PA-MHP) statewide practice network and compare results to PA-MHP practices’ Medical Home Index (MHI) scores. We hypothesized families enrolled in higher-scoring patient-and-family-centered medical homes (PCMH) on completed MHIs would report decreased caregiver burden and improved health care utilization. Methods We analyzed surveys completed by families receiving care coordination services in PA-MHP's network and each practice's mean MHI score. A total of 3221 caregivers completed surveys evaluating hours spent coordinating care/week, missed school/workdays, sick visits, and emergency department (ED) visits. A total of 222 providers from 54 participating PA-MHP practices completed the nationally recognized MHI. Family/practice demographics were collected. We developed multivariate logistic regression models assessing independent associations among family survey outcomes and corresponding practices’ MHI scores. Results Families enrolled in high-scoring PCMHs had decreased odds of spending >1 h/wk coordinating care (odds ratio [OR] 0.82, adjusted OR [aOR]: 0.70, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55–0.90), missing workdays in the past 6 months (OR 0.82, aOR: 0.72, 95% CI 0.69–0.97), and ED visits in the past 12 months (OR 0.83, aOR: 0.81, 95% CI 0.65–0.99) in comparison to families enrolled in lower-scoring PCMHs. Families enrolled in higher-scoring PCMHs did not report fewer sick visits despite fewer ED visits, indicating more appropriate health care utilization. High-scoring PCMHs had lower percentages of publicly insured and low-income children. Conclusions Higher-scoring PCMHs are associated with decreased caregiver burden and improved health care utilization across diverse PA practices. Future studies should evaluate interventions uniformly improving PCMH quality and equity.
TVARC: Medicine at Its Best

I recently had the opportunity and privilege to participate in a relatively unique (virtual) workshop that I believe represents medicine at its best. The Tricuspid Valve Academic Research Consortiu...
Opposing powers

A disposition mask is something that prevents a disposition from manifesting despite the occurrence of that disposition’s characteristic stimulus, and without eliminating that disposition. Several authors have maintained that masks must be things extrinsic to the objects that have the masked dispositions. Here it is argued that this is not so; masks can be intrinsic to the objects whose dispositions they mask. If that is correct, then a recent attempt to distinguish dispositional properties from so-called categorical properties fails.
Coordinated Expression of Phosphoinositide Metabolic Genes during Development and Aging of Human Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex

Background Phosphoinositides, lipid-signaling molecules, participate in diverse brain processes within a wide metabolic cascade. Hypothesis Gene transcriptional networks coordinately regulate the phosphoinositide cascade during human brain Development and Aging. Methods We used the public BrainCloud database for human dorsolateral prefrontal cortex to examine age-related expression levels of 49 phosphoinositide metabolic genes during Development (0 to 20+ years) and Aging (21+ years). Results We identified three groups of partially overlapping genes in each of the two intervals, with similar intergroup correlations despite marked phenotypic differences between Aging and Development. In each interval, ITPKB, PLCD1, PIK3R3, ISYNA1, IMPA2, INPPL1, PI4KB, and AKT1 are in Group 1, PIK3CB, PTEN, PIK3CA, and IMPA1 in Group 2, and SACM1L, PI3KR4, INPP5A, SYNJ1, and PLCB1 in Group 3. Ten of the genes change expression nonlinearly during Development, suggesting involvement in rapidly changing neuronal, glial and myelination events. Correlated transcription for some gene pairs likely is facilitated by colocalization on the same chromosome band. Conclusions Stable coordinated gene transcriptional networks regulate brain phosphoinositide metabolic pathways during human Development and Aging.
Turnover of Cytochromes Labeled with δ-Aminolevulinic Acid-3H in Rat Liver

Abstract Rat liver hemeproteins are isotopically labeled after injection of δ-aminolevulinic acid-3H, a specific precursor of heme. Incorporation of isotope is restricted to the prosthetic group of hemeproteins, and cytochromes with high specific radioactivity are generated. Subsequent measurements of biological decay in vivo can be made, and permit calculation of half-lives for several cytochromes. Cytochromes b and c are associated with the inner mitochondrial membrane and have similar half-lives, 5.5 and 6.1 days. Cytochrome b5 is associated with the outer mitochondrial membrane, and its half-life is 4.4 days. Microsomal cytochrome b5 is renewed with a half-life of 2.3 days. Labeling the protein moiety of microsomal cytochrome b5 with arginine-14C (guanido) yielded a half-life of 2.5 days.
Far-fields of photonic crystal microcavity lasers

The far-field radiation patterns from sapphire-bonded photonic crystal microcavity lasers were measured. Good agreement was obtained between experimental results and numerical predictions.
The cataract service satisfaction tool

Purpose – Client satisfaction is an important outcome measure of healthcare services. The aims of the present work are to develop a tool to assess client satisfaction with the components of streamlined cataract services and to conduct a pilot study to evaluate its reliability and validity.Design/methodology/approach – A validated patient satisfaction questionnaire was modified for use in a cataract service and validated by expert panel and patient focus group approach. Two versions were used to evaluate pre‐operative assessment clinic and day surgical unit. The questionnaires comprised items covering individual domains of client satisfaction plus one global satisfaction item. Together with a visual analogue scale (VAS) the questionnaires were administered to 200 consecutive cataract patients.Findings – The questionnaires were returned by 165 patients (82.5 per cent). Median individual item and global scores in the pre‐operative group were 87 and 100 per cent, respectively. In the day‐of‐surgery group medi...
Dietary Lipids and Health

Lipids are essential components of living organisms and support multiple biological and physiological functions in the human body. They serve as the structural building material of all membranes of cells and organelles. Lipids and their derivatives also serve as signaling molecules that facilitate a variety of physiological functions. In addition, lipids are recognized as important biomarkers of disease and are involved in several pathological conditions. Individual fatty acids can influence biological processes, such as membrane-associated receptors and signal transduction systems, and ion channels. Recent literature also demonstrates a specific role of fatty acids in gene modulation and protein expression to influence risk of chronic disease. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are the focus of substantial research interest in this area mainly because of their ability to be converted to various bioactive regulatory molecules, such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes, and thromboxanes. Arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5n-3) are two major players in the regulation and production of these bioactive molecules. In addition, an absolute requirement of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is necessary for normal neural and retinal development in the infant and young child. Besides the study of these PUFA molecules, numerous animal and human studies also suggest that other dietary lipids, such as cholesterol and saturated fatty acids, increase serum cholesterol as well as LDL-cholesterol concentrations. In summary, this chapter provides a contemporary understanding of food lipids in nutrition and health, especially the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms of the actions of these bioactive dietary lipids. Keywords: lipids; polyunsaturated fatty acids; eicosanoids; biology; health
Does Dis/ability Now Sit at the Table(s) of Social Justice and Multicultural Education? - A Descriptive Survey of Three Recent Anthologies

Keywords: disability, diversity, culture, social justice In this paper I contemplate the recent inclusion of disability within three contemporary diversity-based anthologies on social justice and multicultural education: Diversity and Multiculturalism: A Reader (2009), The Handbook of Social Justice in Education (2009), and Social Justice Pedagogy Across the Curriculum (2010). Using a macro analysis of each book and a micro analysis of ninety-nine chapters in total, I analyze emergent themes and contemplate ways in which disability is framed within broader conceptions of social justice and notions of multiculturalism. Additionally, I discuss the implications for Disability Studies in Education being included within these anthologies on social justice and multicultural education, and describe potential areas of interdisciplinary growth within policy, theory, research and practice.
N-acteyl cysteine alleviates oxidative damage to central nervous system of ApoE-deficient mice following folate and vitamin E-deficiency

Oxidative stress is an early neurodegenerative insult in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Antioxidant mechanisms, including elements of the glutathione (GSH) pathway, undergo at least a transient compensatory increase that is apparently insufficient due to continued oxidative damage during disease progression. Mice deficient in apolipoprotein E, which provide a model for some aspects of AD, undergo increased oxidative damage to brain tissue and cognitive decline when maintained on a folate-free diet, despite a compensatory increase in glutathione synthase transcription and activity as well as increased levels of GSH. Dietary supplementation with N-acetyl cysteine (1 g/kg diet), a cell-permeant antioxidant and GSH precursor, alleviated oxidative damage and cognitive decline, and restored glutathione synthase and GSH levels in ApoE-deficient mice deprived of folate to those of normal mice maintained in the presence of folate. These data support the administration of antioxidant precursors to buffer oxidative damage in neurodegenerative disorders.
Logical models for the propagation of disparate information and uncertainty across effectivity trees

An effectivity tree is a new concept which we introduce to show how it can be used in applications related to uncertainty quantification of the widely varying information that typical plagues many complex problems. Modeling of effectivity trees can be thought of as an inverse process to the formulation of fault trees, where failure and effectivity are defined as complements of one another. And, just like system failure, effectivity is a "fuzzy" term. Hence, failure may not always be understood as a binary term (fail or safe), and the same can be said for the term effectivity. This paper describes a new method for representing effectivities in a tree-like model, and it addresses two different ways to propagate effectivities, and their associated uncertainty, through the tree. The trees are logical representations within a system and so connections among the various "branches" of the tree are modeled using T-norms for intersections ("and" gates) and T-conorms for unions ("or" gates). The logical models of the gates are not restricted to the probabilistic norms (product and sum of effectivities), but can be generalized by other mathematical norms. The basic information used to quantify the uncertainty in effectivities can be fuzzy membership functions or possibility intervals, instead of quantities such as scalars or probability distributions. The paper illustrates the methods that can be used to propagate the uncertainties, up through the tree to the top level to evaluate the effectivity of the system. The paper concludes with a discussion that illustrates the differences between ambiguity and non-specificity assessment of effectivities, and their use in making decisions under uncertainties.
A Comparison of Standardized Spelling Assessments: Do They Measure Similar Orthographic Qualities?

Many students, with and without learning disabilities, have been found to increase their reading skills through the use of data-informed individualized reading intervention; however, less is known ...
Morphology and dynamics of protruding spirochete periplasmic flagella.

We recently characterized the three-dimensional shape of Treponema phagedenis periplasmic flagella (PFs). In the course of these studies, we observed protrusions on swimming cells that resembled PFs. Here we present a detailed characterization of the shape, structure, and motion of these protrusions. Although protrusion formation occurred primarily in wild-type cells during the stationary phase, a large fraction of exponential-phase cells of cell cylinder helicity mutants (greater than 90% of mutant T-52) had protrusions. These results suggest that cells bearing protrusions can still participate in cell division. T. phagedenis protrusions had the identical helix handedness, pitch, and diameter to those of purified PFs. Protrusions were not present on mutants unable to synthesize PFs, but were present in all motile revertants which regained PFs. These results, taken together with electron microscope observations, suggest that protrusions consist of PFs surrounded by an outer membrane sheath. To analyze protrusion movements, we held cells against a coverglass surface with optical tweezers and observed the motion of protrusions by video-enhanced differential interference contrast light microscopy. Protrusions were found to gyrate in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions, and direct evidence was obtained that protrusions rotate. Protrusions were also observed on Treponema denticola and Borrelia burgdorferi. These were also left-handed and had the same helix handedness, pitch, and diameter as purified PFs from their respective species. The PFs from T. denticola had a helix diameter of 0.26 microns and a helix pitch of 0.78 micron; PFs from B. burgdorferi had a helix diameter of 0.28 micron and a helix pitch of 1.48 microns. Protrusions from these spirochete species had similar structures and motion to those of T. phagedenis. Our results present direct evidence that PFs rotate and support previously proposed models of spirochete motility. Images
Oxygen utilization during isovolumic pressure-volume loading: effects of prolonged extracorporeal circulation and cardioplegic arrest.

Abstract In canine hearts supported by cardiopulmonary bypass, isovolumic peak developed pressure (PDP, mm Hg) and myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO 2 , ml O 2 × 10 −2 /beat/100 gm left ventricular [LV] weight) were determined at 5-ml increments of LV balloon inflation before and after either 2 hours of potassium cardioplegic arrest (ischemia, N=7) or a comparable period of normothermic perfusion without ischemia (control, N=6). The sensitivity of MVO 2 as a marker of ischemic injury was compared with preservation of both adenosine triphosphate (ATP) stores and systolic pump function. Over a physiological range of end-diastolic volumes (5 to 35 ml) and end-diastolic pressures (0 to 18 mm Hg), the Frank-Starling curves were not depressed following both cardioplegic arrest and prolonged nonischemic perfusion. Although ATP stores decreased by 26% and 22% (ischemia and control groups, respectively; not significant), these levels did not distinguish the effects of cardioplegic arrest from prolonged perfusion. At the preinterventional measurement in both groups, PDP between 50 and 200 correlated with MVO 2 from 3.0 to 10.0 ( r = + 0.84). Following cardioplegic arrest, postischemic MVO 2 increased 137 ± 6% when measured over the PDP range of 75 to 200 mm Hg ( p
The Effects of Nonlinear Membrane Capacity on the Interaction of Microwave and Radio Frequencies with Biological Materials

A model for the capacitance of biological membranes as a function of voltage is used to predict signal mixing and difference frequency generation in membranes. Production of low-frequency signals by the biomembrane from modulated RF is predicted, and implications for macroscopic modification of membrane function are discussed.
Heating-Induced Evolution of Thiolate-Encapsulated Gold Nanoparticles: A Strategy for Size and Shape Manipulations

A heating treatment strategy for inducing size and shape change of composite nanoparticles in solutions is described. The composite nanoparticles are ∼2 nm gold cores encapsulated with alkanethiolate monolayers. The development of abilities in size and shape controls constitutes the motivation of this work. We demonstrated a remarkable evolution of the preformed particles in solutions toward monodispersed larger core sizes with well-defined and highly faceted morphologies. The particles thus evolved were encapsulated with the thiolate shells, and exhibited striking propensities of forming long-range ordered arrays. The morphological and structural evolutions were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV−vis and infrared spectroscopies. Although temperature-driven crystal growth is known for nonencapsulated particles, the evolution of the thiolate-encapsulated nanoparticles in solutions into well-defined morphologies represents an intriguing example of temperature manipul...
An Evaluation of Recent Developments in Hardening and Flow Rules for Rate-Independent, Nonproportional Cyclic Plasticity

The Mroz kinematic hardening rule has previously demonstrated superior capability to correlate cyclically stable nonproportional stress-strain response. In this paper, recently proposed kinematic hardening rules for single and multiple surface cyclic plasticity models are evaluated. Significant improvement over the Mroz rule, without loss of generality, is achieved with a deviatoric stress rate-dominated rule proposed by Tseng and Lee for two surface theory. Recent approaches for correlation of the modulus function and isotropic hardening are discussed. The norm of the Mroz distance vector is found to uniquely correlate the variation of plastic hardening modulus through a cycle; it is necessary to include a measure of instantaneous nonproportionality, however, to properly normalize the modulus function. A new evolution equation is offered to correlate the additional isotropic hardening observed during nonproportional loading, and several contemporary approaches are also considered.
Adrenal secretion of catecholamines during hypoxemia in fetal lambs.

A new method for quantifying adrenal secretory function in chronically catheterized fetal lambs was developed. This preparation included insertion of a catheter distally into the fetal left renal vein and placement of a remotely operated, hydraulically controlled choker around the renal vein at its junction with the vena cava. With the choker open, adrenal venous blood flowed into the renal vein and then into the vena cava. With the choker closed, adrenal blood flowed into the catheter so that timed samples of adrenal venous effluent could be obtained. With this technique, left adrenal secretory rates of norepinephrine and epinephrine were determined across a spectrum of oxygen concentrations in five near-term fetal lambs. There was a rapid rise in norepinephrine secretion after induction of hypoxemia. Maximum secretory rates occurred at about 5 min, concomitantly with the lowest attained fetal arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PO2s). There was an inverse exponential relation between these catecholamin...
Knowledge acquisition from repertory grids using a logic of confirmation

This research involves a continuing effort aimed at the development and unification of the prerequisite underlying theoretical foundations for an adequate approach to knowledge elicitation from repertory grid data. The repertory grid is a sorting test in which a list of elements are judged based on a set of constructs, essentially mapping elements onto constructs. Thus knowledge elicitation is performed by the expert's assigning of ratings to elements on the given constructs. The repertory grid is based on the personal construct psychology of Kelly. This theory assumes that people typically use cognitive dimensions - termed constructs - to evaluate their experience where each construct represents a single bipolar distinction.
Effect of uranyl chloride upon adenosinetriphosphatase of myosin.

Summary1. It has been demonstrated that uranyl chloride (UO2 Cl2) inhibits myosin ATPase activity. The extent of inhibition is influenced by the strenght of K-ion and is enhanced by calcium or magnesium. The pH value 6.6, of those tested, is most favorable for inhibition. 2. Uranyl chloride per se causes dephosphorylation of ATP. This action is less than that caused by cerium and about equal to that of lanthanum.
Mean-variance sets for dietary choice models: simplicity in a complex world

This paper presents a series of simulations designed to determine optimal diet breadth under shortfall avoidance models. Profitability and encounter rate functions were varied, and means and variances of energy intake rate were generated using a simple simulation procedure. The resulting mean-variance sets assumed three distinct shapes: u-shaped, arched, and looped. These simulations show that certain mean-variance sets allow the forager to employ simple behavioural rules to determine the optimal diet breadth. This situation occurs when low ranking diet items have small handling times, and these conditions may be quite common. In other cases, mean-variance sets may be too complicated to allow for easy behavioural rules designed to minimize starvation probability. The ability to characterize foraging problems into a limited series of mean-variance set types benefits workers examining the evolution and maintenance of foraging strategies, since these sets have clear implications for the ability of animals to develop simple behavioural rules. Unfortunately data are lacking on the profitability and encounter rate distributions animals face in nature.
Thermal Characterization of a Single MOSFET Transistor at Cryogenic Temperatures

The aggressive miniaturization trend in microelectronic design has pushed the transistor gate length to a range of hundreds of nanometers. The study of heat transport and dissipation at the device level is becoming an important part of the overall thermal design. In general, temperature non-uniformity peaks in the transistor drain region due to the higher electric potential field and electron thermalization close to the drain. Drastic changes in both electrical current flow and the thermal heat flow to the heat sink can be caused by this localized temperature non-uniformity. Ballistic transport that happens when gate length approaches the phonon mean free path re-shapes the temperature distribution. Extensive theoretical studies have been done in this area during the past several years [1–3], but no direct experimental observation has yet been reported. The main challenge is the possibility to detect electron and/or lattice temperatures in sub micron ranges. In this paper, we measure the surface temperature distribution of a 180nm gate length silicon MOSFET (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor) at both ambient and cryogenic temperatures (10K). The purpose of cryogenic measurement is that the temperature distribution is significantly modified due to much longer phonon ballistic transport as well as possible thermal resistance change. We used thermoreflectance imaging to measure the surface temperature with 100’s nm spatial resolution and 0.1C° temperature resolution [4]. Thermoreflectance is a non-contact, nondestructive thermal characterization technique which is suitable for small scale, high precision measurements. A cryostat is used to keep the sample cold during experiment. The sample chamber is also kept at high vacuum condition (< 1e−5 torr) to prevent condensation and heat loss through air convection. Preliminary results show qualitative changes in the temperature distribution.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Conformational control of intramolecular arene stacking in ferrocene complexes bearing tert-butyl and pentafluorophenyl substituents

Abstract The reaction of sodium tert -butylcyclopentadienide with C 6 F 6 and NaH in THF affords either 1-pentafluorophenyl-3- tert -butylcyclopentadiene ( 1 , as a mixture of double-bond regioisomers) or 1,2-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-4- tert -butylcyclopentadiene ( 2 ), depending on the reaction conditions. Treatment of 1 with NaH in THF affords sodium 1-pentafluorophenyl-3- tert -butylcyclopentadienide ( 3 ). Treatment of 2 with NaH in THF affords sodium 1,2-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-4- tert -butyl-cyclopentadienide ( 4 ). The reaction of the monoarylated ligand ( 3 , two equivalents) with FeBr 2 in THF affords 1,1′-bis(pentafluorophenyl)-3,3′-di- tert -butylferrocene as two diastereomers ( meso - 5 and rac - 5 ), which were separated by fractional crystallization from hexane. The X-ray crystal structure of rac - 5 reveals a conformation in which the two opposing tert -butyl substituents are splayed, enabling transannular stacking of the C 6 F 5 groups. In meso - 5 , steric repulsion of the two tert -butyl substituents prevents intramolecular arene stacking. The reaction of the diarylated ligand ( 4 , two equivalents) with FeBr 2 in THF affords 1,1′,2,2′-tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)-4,4′-di- tert -butylferrocene ( 6 ). The crystal structure of 6 reveals no arene stacking. Variable-temperature NMR studies showed that the CpFeCp torsional barrier (Δ H ‡ ) of 6 is 17(1) kcal mol −1 in dichloromethane- d 2 solution.
Synchronized finite automata and 2DFA reductions

Abstract We establish a tight hierarchy of two-way synchronized finite automata with only universal states on the number of allowed processes ( L (2SUFA(k-proc)) ⊂ L (2SUFA((k + 1)-proc))) by studying the reduction functions made by two-way deterministic finite automata with a one-way write-only output tape. As corollaries, we show that, for every k > 1, L (2SUFA(k-proc)) has a complete set under 2DFA reductions and is not closed under Boolean operations. In contrast, we show that the corresponding hierarchy collapses for unary alphabets; this follows from our characterization of ∪k=1∞ L (2SUFA(k-proc)) to be exactly the class of unary regular languages. Note that, for binary alphabets, it was shown by Ibarra and Trân (1990) that L (2DFA) ⊂ ∪k=1∞ L (2SUFA(k-proc)) ⊂ L (2DFA(2-heads)). On the other hand, we show that synchronization dramatically enhances the power of pushdown automata. In fact, even under the severe restriction of the pushdown store to a counter making only one reversal, synchronized pushdown automata still recognize all recursively enumerable languages.
UV-Raman characterization of iron peroxo adsorbates on Fe/MFI catalyst with high activity for NOx reduction

The interaction of O2 with Fe supported on zeolite MFI has been investigated by the in situ UV Raman technique. Previously, the formation of adsorbed superoxide ions, O2-, on the Fe/MFI prepared by sublimation of FeCl3 vapor onto HMFI, was identified by ESR at 77 K. In situ Raman data indicate that adsorbed peroxide ions, O22-, are formed on the same catalysts with Fe/Al = 1 even at 300 K. A band at 730 cm-1, which was found to be sensitive to the partial pressure of O2, is tentatively assigned to the stretching vibration of peroxide ions. With the 18O2 isotope, a red shift of 32 cm-1 was observed for the 730 cm-1 band. Raman features of other catalyst samples show that the binuclear iron sites in the Fe/MFI are essential for the formation of peroxide ions. As proposed before, the same bridging sites between two Fe ions, that are occupied by O2- in the calcined catalyst, are also able to adsorb di-oxygen complexes.
Cylindrical Josephson junctions

Abstract The dc Josephson current between co-axial cylindrical tin films on 25μm radius optical fibers and a quartz fiber of 3.5μm radius was measured as a function of axial magnetic field. The results yield the intrinsic dependence of the maximum Josephson current density Jo upon magnetic field. The critical field which destroys Jo is 30 times larger than previously reported results for which the central cylinder was a solid Niobium wire.
Person in epitaphs of a line of Sufi Babas: continuity and change

L'A. examine une serie d'epitaphes inscrites sur les tombes de Babas soufis dans les Balkans de l'ouest. Ces epitaphes peuvent etre classees par ordre chronologique et fournissent ainsi une intertextualite riche et profonde. Ayant ete creees a la fin du 18 e siecle jusqu'a la fin du 20 e siecle, elles ont ete les temoins d'un enorme bouleversement cause par le declin et la chute de l'empire ottoman et la montee du nationalisme et de l'atheisme communiste. L'A. montre que ces changements ideologiques ont des paralleles avec les changements linguistiques apparaissant dans les epitaphes, surtout au niveau des langues utilisees (ottoman, turc, arabe, albanais) et au niveau des dissonances entre referentialite et forme. En outre, a cause du caractere sacre des textes et de la devotion des continuateurs des Babas, les textes presentent certaines continuites, telles que la loyaute envers le genre pendant 200 ans et l'utilisation des pronoms personnels pour honorer la personne absente, cachee
Simultaneous Imaging of Cortical Blood Flow and Oxygenation Change or Cellular Calcium Dynamics Using Dual-Wavelength Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging

A dual-wavelength laser speckle contrast imaging technique (DW-LSCI) is presented for simultaneous imaging of cerebral blood flow and hemoglobin oxygenation changes or fluorescent labeled cellular calcium dynamics at high spatiotemporal resolutions.
On a class of harmonic functions at spatial infinity

Solutions of Laplace's equation at spatial infinity can be related to solutions of Maxwell's equations in space-time. In this paper it is shown that half of these spi-harmonic solutions correspond to electromagnetic fields with singularities on the light cone.
Interpreting Solar House-Using International Solar Decathlon Works as Example

The international Solar Decathlon competition, or SD, is known as the "Solar Energy Olympics". It was launched and organized by the United States Department of Energy for colleges and universities around the world to participate in building with solar power technology. The competition has been successfully held five times. With the help of the world’s top research and development, teams of technical and creative background design with solar energy utilization for building energy savings, automation and other technologies, to build and run a functioning, zero carbon, sustainable solar house. Tongji University and Tianjin University recently represented China at the Solar Decathlon competition, and achieved gratifying results. This paper will take the Tongji University's "Bamboo House" and Tianjin University's "Sunflower" as examples to introduce international solar house development trends.
Distinct distance sets in a graph

Abstract The problem of labelling the complete graph K n as near to graceful as possible is equivalent to the ‘Golomb ruler problem’ of finding as short a ruler as possible with n integer marks such that the distances between pairs of marks are all distinct. We generalize this to an association between labellings of K n with m -tuples and ‘distinct distance sets’ in m -dimensional grids. More generally, we define distinct distance sets for any graph G and investigate the parameter DD( G ) which is the maximum size of a distinct distance set in G .
Tachistoscopic exposure and masking of real three-dimensional scenes

Although there are many well-known forms of visual cues specifying absolute and relative distance, little is known about how visual space perception develops at small temporal scales. How much time does the visual system require to extract the information in the various absolute and relative distance cues? In this article, we describe a system that may be used to address this issue by presenting brief exposures of real, three-dimensional scenes, followed by a masking stimulus. The system is composed of an electronic shutter (a liquid crystal smart window) for exposing the stimulus scene, and a liquid crystal projector coupled with an electromechanical shutter for presenting the masking stimulus. This system can be used in both full- and reduced-cue viewing conditions, under monocular and binocular viewing, and at distances limited only by the testing space. We describe a configuration that may be used for studying the microgenesis of visual space perception in the context of visually directed walking.
Reliability and Validity of the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire in Psychiatric Inpatients

Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, concurrent and construct validity of the Norbeck Social Support Questionnaire (NSSQ) were assessed in male psychiatric inpatients. Results suggest that the NSSQ is reliable and valid for psychiatric subjects.
Units of Analysis, Measurement Scales, and Statistics: A Comment on Kerwin and Shaffer

Kirwin and Shaffer recently conducted a study examining the role of dogmatism as a possible moderator of the relationship between judge's instructions and mockjury decisions. The study was defwient in that it inappropriately applied an individuallevel construct (dogmatism) to groups; used incorrect scaling procedures and an inappropriate statistical analysis, leading to incorrect conclusions; and used aggregate data to draw conclusions concerning individual behavior, thereby losing information available in the data. Implications of these problems for research design are discussed.
Functional metabolic mapping of a conditioned motor task in primates utilizing 2-[14C]deoxyglucose

The quantitative 2-[14C]deoxyglucose (2DG) technique was used to compute the local cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (l-CMRg) in motor, visual, and auditory regions of five Macacca mulatta monkeys. Three animals (controls) were injected with 2DG and sat quietly in a primate chair for 45 min. The other two animals were injected with 2DG and pulled a 0.454-kg (1-pound) weight 12 cm repetitively for 45 min with their right arm. In the control group, there were no significant differeces (P > 0.1) in l-CMRg between homologous regions in the right and left hemispheres. The mean values of l-CMRg in homologous regions among the control animals did not differ significantly (P > 0.1). There were large bilateral differences in l-CMRg between right and left motor structures of both operantly conditioned monkeys. Motor structures on the left side (contralateral to the working arm) demonstrated l-CMRg values that were consistently greater than right-side structures (ipsilateral to the working arm). The left-side motor structures of both working monkeys were significantly different compared with the control mean of these same structures (P < 0.05). In the operantly conditioned animals there were no differences in l-CMRg between right and left visual and auditory structures. However, visual and auditory region showed increases in l-CMRg compared with control values, but these increases were less than those exhibited by motor regions. This study demonstrated the value of the quantitative 2DG technique in the study of functional neuroanatomic relationships during an operantly conditioned paradigm.
When is one kidney not enough

Most renal failure in children results from congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUTs). Sanna-Cherchi et al. predict that by 30 years of age, nearly 50% of patients with a solitary kidney would be receiving dialysis. This outcome differs markedly from that of renal-transplant donors, who have no increased risk for renal failure. Because morbidity from CAKUTs may not develop until adulthood, these patients should be closely followed throughout life.
Vasodilator actions of the endothelium‐derived relaxing factor l‐S‐nitrosocysteine in anaesthetized rats are markedly diminished by peroxynitrite

Summary 1. The aim of the present study was to assess the effects of the potent oxidant and nitrating agent peroxynitrite on the haemodynamic actions of the endothelium-derived S-nitrosothiol l-S-nitrosocysteine. 2. The haemodynamic actions of l-S-nitrosocysteine (12.5–100 nmol/kg, i.v.) were determined in pentobarbital-anaesthetized rats before and after the induction of tachyphylaxis to peroxynitrite achieved by giving 10 intravenous injections of a 10 µmol/kg dose. 3. l-S-Nitrosocysteine elicited dose-dependent reductions in mean arterial blood pressure and in hindquarter and mesenteric vascular resistance. 4. The l-S-nitrosocysteine-induced responses were substantially attenuated after administration of peroxynitrite. 5. We have reported previously that nitric oxide-mediated vasodilation is not diminished after the induction of tachyphylaxis to peroxynitrite. Taken together, these findings support the concept that peroxynitrite reduces the vasodilator actions of l-S-nitrosocysteine via oxidation and/or nitration of putative membrane-bound S-nitrosothiol recognition sites.
Family factors in childhood obesity

Abstract Childhood obesity is reaching epidemic proportions in the United States today. Children become its victims and often carry obesity-producing habits into adulthood. Much research has been reported on obesity, but little has touched on how family dynamics affect childhood obesity. This article explores the family dynamics of childhood obesity, and presents evidence supporting the need for a family-based treatment model.
Does reputation matter for states' compliance with international treaties? States enforcement of anti-trafficking norms

How and under what conditions do states initiate reforms and comply with international agreements to combat human trafficking? This paper focuses on the post-communist states' compliance with anti-trafficking norms. The first finding demonstrates the importance of female members of parliament in promoting states' compliance with anti-trafficking requirements. The second finding reveals the importance of states' international position and aspirations to join exclusive regional organisations for fostering compliance with the UN Anti-Trafficking Protocols.
An Econometric Analysis of Teacher Mobility.

Abstract Teacher migration is analyzed using Missouri beginning teacher survey data. A simultaneous equations model involving qualitative and limited dependent variables is developed. Earnings equations which account for self-selectivity are estimated for migrant and non-migrant teachers. They support the conventional human capital theory of migration. Teacher migration is most strongly influenced by home ownership and the leadership style of the school administrator.
Beryllium-hydrogen ultrathin films. II. Ground-state properties of the dilayer.

The thinnest possible realization of H over Be, the heterogeneous dilayer (Be 1-layer and H 1-layer) has three possible H positions of high symmetry relative to the Be 1-layer (1{ital L}) with Be(0001) symmetry: open, overhead, and bridge. Of these, we predict the open site to be energetically favored, with an equilibrium interplanar distance {ital c}=2.02{plus minus}0.02 a.u., and intraplanar distance {ital a}{sub {ital h}}=4.01{plus minus}0.02 a.u. All three conformations are predicted to be metallic. The total energies, uniaxial energy second derivatives, and Kohn-Sham energy bands, as determined by all-electron, full-potential, local-density-functional calculations are also reported. Comparison with previous extended and cluster-model calculations on H over Be shows that Be-H 2{ital L} has the same site ordering (open preferred over bridge over overhead) as the Be{sub 36}H cluster but not the same as the 1{ital L}-4{ital L}-1{ital L} supercell (bridge preferred over open over overhead). Extended-system and large-cluster models give calculated values of {ital a}{sub BeH} that are grouped closely. The work function of the 2{ital L} is a strong function (a volt or more) of site configuration. For the preferred open site, it is 0.9 eV below the value for the bare Be 1{ital L} and 0.6 eV belowmore » the bulk Be experimental value.« less