cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new hexaaminomacrocycle for ditopic binding of bromide

Abstract A hexaaminomacrocycle L, containing four secondary and two tertiary amines has been synthesized and crystallized with hydrobromic acid. The structural analysis of the bromide complex suggests that the ligand in its tetraprotonated form, is involved in coordinating two bromides from both the sides via hydrogen bonding interactions with N⋯Br− distance of 3.351 A, forming a ditopic complex. The other two bromides are outside the cavity, and singly bonded to the macrocycle. The molecules are packed showing layer structures in which the internal bromides are locked between the layers of macrocycles. The bromide anions are coordinated alternatively by one and two hydrogen bonds with the protonated amines from the two adjacent macrocycles.
Double-blind evaluation of metoclopramide (MK 745, Sinemet), trimethobenzamide (Tigan), and a placebo as postanaesthetic anti-emetics following methoxyflurane anaesthesia.

A double-blind comparison of a placebo, metoclopramide, and trimethobenzamide was carried out on 284 adult patients who were scheduled for elective major upper abdominal surgery under methoxyflurane-nitrous-oxide anaesthesia. The drugs were given intravenously, according to a random assignment number code, approximately 30 minutes before the end of an operation. Vital signs and other signs and symptoms were observed by a trained nurse and were recorded for six hours after the test drug was administered. Each patient’s record was reviewed 24 hours after the operation to obtain follow-up data.
Avoidance and escape behavior of rats with aphagia produced by basal diencephalic lesions.

Abstract Rats made aphagic via basal diencephalic lesions, including the lateral hypothalamus and medial forebrain bundle, were tested for acquisition of avoidance and escape responses in a two-way avoidance box before normal feeding behavior returned. Lesioned rats were deficient on all measures of avoidance and escape as compared to normal rats or pair-fed sham-lesioned controls, hence ruling out deficiencies due to nutritional inadequacies alone. In a second experiment, the avoidance and escape performance of additional rats with similar lesions was observed following systemic injections of 5-hydroxytryptophan, a precursor of serotonin. No differences were found between drugged and non-drugged lesioned rats on any measures. The results were discussed with regard to changes in motor function, general motivational states, and sensitivity to pain following diencephalic damage.
Assessment of effective-medium theories in the analysis of nucleation and microscopic surface roughness evolution for semiconductor thin films

Real-time spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) data collected during the nucleation and growth of hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) thin films have been analyzed by applying one and two layer optical models incorporating different effective medium theories (EMT's). The purpose of the EMT's is to simulate the dielectric functions of the microscopically inhomogeneous nucleating and surface roughness layers used in the models. Five one-parameter EMT's have been considered in this study for the characterization of three classes of microscopically inhomogeneous layers, including (i) 5\char21{}20 \AA{}-thick nucleating layers consisting of isolated a-Si:H clusters on the underlying substrate, (ii) 10\char21{}15 \AA{}-thick nucleation-induced surface roughness layers on very thin (200 \AA{}) a-Si:H films, and (iii) 40\char21{}80 \AA{}-thick substrate-induced surface roughness layers on thicker (g2500 \AA{}) a-Si:H films. In all three applications, the Bruggeman effective medium approximation (EMA) provides the best overall fits to the time evolution of the SE data, and complexities beyond the simple one-parameter EMA cannot be justified in view of existing experimental limitations. Furthermore, many of the general features of nucleation, coalescence, and bulk layer growth deduced in the SE analysis and used in previous studies to understand and optimize materials and device fabrication, are found to be essentially independent of the EMT used in the analysis.
Quantitative evaluation of overall electronic display quality.

This study indicates that contrast-detail data should be very helpful in providing quantitative measurements of overall electronic display quality. The method would be suitable for new equipment selection, acceptance testing, and quality control. The recommended protocol would only involve observer data obtained using test images with mid-range background pixed values. Improvements to the current linear curve fit may also provide increased levels of measurement precision and sensitivity. To put the measurements in proper context, MTC measurements of a group of displays currently in use and deemed acceptable for the clinical display) should be obtained by a group of observers, if possible.
Can There be A Priori Causal Models of Natural Selection

Sober 2011 argues that, contrary to Hume, some causal statements can be known a priori to be true—notably, some ‘would promote’ statements figuring in causal models of natural selection. We find Sober's argument unconvincing. We regard the Humean thesis as denying that causal explanations contain any a priori knowable statements specifying certain features of events to be causally relevant. We argue that not every ‘would promote’ statement is genuinely causal, and we suggest that Sober has not shown that his examples of ‘would promote’ statements manage to achieve a priori status without sacrificing their causal character.
Hormone-induced vocal behavior and midbrain auditory sensitivity in the green treefrog, Hyla cinerea

Twenty four castrated male, 6 intact male, and 11 intact female Hyla cinerea were injected subcutaneously with 25 μg arginine-vasotocin (AVT) and induced to call 1 h later in response to the playback of a conspecific mating call. Eighteen castrated males and 8 intact females were implanted 5 mg androgen pellets for 3 weeks prior to the neuropeptide injection. Among castrated males, 6/9 testosterone (T) implanted, 4/9 dihydrotestosterone (DHT) implanted and 2/6 non implanted individuals produced calls after being administered AVT. 5/6 intact non implanted males and 6/8 T intact implanted females also called, and 3 intact non implanted females remained silent after the injection. Evoked calls had a mid-frequency spectral peak at about 1900 Hz which is absent in field-recorded mating calls of this species. Calls of implanted females and castrated non implanted males were shorter than those of castrated implanted and intact non implanted males. Audiograms measured before hormone implants showed dips of enhanced sensitivity at about 0.5, 0.9 and 3.0 kHz in males and females. After AVT injection, thresholds at frequencies within the 0.7–1.5 kHz range were increased in castrated males. Such reduction in sensitivity points to an inhibition of the auditory system during hormone induced vocal activation.
Hemorrhagic Gastritis Associated with Renal Failure, Hemoglobinuria, and Isolation of Clostridium perfringens in a Horse

Abstract A 3-year-old Quarter Horse mare was presented for acute colic with bright red-black foul-smelling gastric reflux containing long rod-shaped bacteria consistent with Clostridium sp. and red-black urine. The serum creatinine concentration was 5.5 mg/dL (N = 0.9–1.7), and blood urea nitrogen was 41 mg/dL (N = 9–20). At necropsy, the stomach wall was diffusely thickened, hemorrhagic, and edematous. Histopathologically, hemorrhagic necrosis was evident, with numerous colonies of spore-forming rods within the submucosa. Clostridium perfringens was cultured from the stomach contents. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) genotyping was consistent with type A C. perfringens. Bilaterally, the kidneys were grossly enlarged, diffusely dark red-brown, and congested. The renal tubular epithelium was diffusely, acutely necrotic, with interstitial hemorrhage and massive accumulation of intratubular granular and proteinaceous casts. A diagnosis of massive hemolysis with hemoglobinuria and renal failure due to C. perfringens, type A infection was made. Alpha-toxin–induced intravascular hemolysis occurs rarely in humans and sheep. To our knowledge, this has not been described in horses with clostridial enterocolitis nor in equine clostridial gastritis.
Shock collars as a site-aversive conditioning tool for wolves

Reduction of livestock losses from predators is a complex problem that requires the integration of lethal and nonlethal management tools. During 2005 and 2006, we tested shock collars for conditioning wild wolves (Canis lupus) in Wisconsin, USA, to avoid bait sites over an 80-day period. Treatment wolves (n = 10) visited shock zones less and spent less time at shock zones compared to control wolves (n = 4) during 40-day shock periods and 40-day post-shock periods. Treatment wolves remained away from shock zones for a greater number of days compared to control wolves. A smaller proportion of treatment pack members visited shock zones during shock and post-shock periods compared to control packs. Shock collars conditioned treatment wolves to avoid bait sites for >40 days and reduced visitation by other pack members. We also demonstrated the application of shock collars at the scale of livestock farms. Shock collars could serve as a useful nonlethal tool for managing livestock depredations, particularly in chronic problem areas and with endangered populations. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of Heavy Hourly Rainfall in the United States

AbstractThe climatology of heavy rain events from hourly precipitation observations by Brooks and Stensrud is revisited in this study using two high-resolution precipitation datasets that incorporate both gauge observations and radar estimates. Analyses show a seasonal cycle of heavy rain events originating along the Gulf Coast and expanding across the eastern two-thirds of the United States by the summer, comparing well to previous findings. The frequency of extreme events is estimated, and may provide improvements over prior results due to both the increased spatial resolution of these data and improved techniques used in the estimation. The diurnal cycle of heavy rainfall is also examined, showing distinct differences in the strength of the cycle between seasons.
Geriatric Performance on an Abbreviated Version of the Boston Naming Test

Abbreviated neuropsychological protocols are increasingly utilized secondary to time-constraints within research and healthcare settings, yet normative data for these abbreviated instruments are lacking. We present geriatric performances and normative data for the Boston Naming Test 30-item even version (BNT-30). Data were utilized from the BU-ADCC registry (n = 441, ages 55–98) and included 219 normal controls (NC), 155 participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 67 participants with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The NC group (M = 28.7, SD = 1.8) significantly outperformed both MCI (M = 26.2, SD = 4.4) and AD (M = 22.1, SD = 4.8) groups, and the MCI group outperformed the AD group. Normative data generated for the NC participants revealed a significant between-group difference for sex (males M = 29.1, SD = 1.7; females M = 28.4, SD = 1.8) and race (White M = 28.8, SD = 1.7; African American M = 27.5, SD = 2.1). The racial disparity remained even after adjusting for education level (p = .002) and l...
Heart Rate Responses to Autonomic Challenges in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is accompanied by structural alterations and dysfunction in central autonomic regulatory regions, which may impair dynamic and static cardiovascular regulation, and contribute to other syndrome pathologies. Characterizing cardiovascular responses to autonomic challenges may provide insights into central nervous system impairments, including contributions by sex, since structural alterations are enhanced in OSA females over males. The objective was to assess heart rate responses in OSA versus healthy control subjects to autonomic challenges, and, separately, characterize female and male patterns. We studied 94 subjects, including 37 newly-diagnosed, untreated OSA patients (6 female, age mean ± std: 52.1 ± 8.1 years; 31 male aged 54.3 ± 8.4 years), and 57 healthy control subjects (20 female, 50.5 ± 8.1 years; 37 male, 45.6 ± 9.2 years). We measured instantaneous heart rate with pulse oximetry during cold pressor, hand grip, and Valsalva maneuver challenges. All challenges elicited significant heart rate differences between OSA and control groups during and after challenges (repeated measures ANOVA, p<0.05). In post-hoc analyses, OSA females showed greater impairments than OSA males, which included: for cold pressor, lower initial increase (OSA vs. control: 9.5 vs. 7.3 bpm in females, 7.6 vs. 3.7 bpm in males), OSA delay to initial peak (2.5 s females/0.9 s males), slower mid-challenge rate-of-increase (OSA vs. control: -0.11 vs. 0.09 bpm/s in females, 0.03 vs. 0.06 bpm/s in males); for hand grip, lower initial peak (OSA vs. control: 2.6 vs. 4.6 bpm in females, 5.3 vs. 6.0 bpm in males); for Valsalva maneuver, lower Valsalva ratio (OSA vs. control: 1.14 vs. 1.30 in females, 1.29 vs. 1.34 in males), and OSA delay during phase II (0.68 s females/1.31 s males). Heart rate responses showed lower amplitude, delayed onset, and slower rate changes in OSA patients over healthy controls, and impairments may be more pronounced in females. The dysfunctions may reflect central injury in the syndrome, and suggest autonomic deficiencies that may contribute to further tissue and functional pathologies.
Region-Dependent optimal m-stage Runge-Kutta schemes for solving a class of nonsymmetric linear systems

Abstract We consider the problem of finding optimal parameters of m -stage Runge- Kutta (RK) schemes for solving a class of nonsymmetric system of linear equations. For each m and a given system, we find a compact complex region ω which has a simply connected complement and contains all eigenvalues of the system matrix. A specially structured nonlinear minimax problem over the region is formulated to find the optimal parameters. We compare four different regions to test the efficiency of the related RK schemes. Some analytical results are given for a 1-stage scheme. A numerical scheme based on a modified version of the projected Lagrangian method is introduced to solve the nonlinear minimax problem for higher stage numbers m .
Influence of tank design and hydraulic loading on the behavior, growth, and metabolism of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Subadult rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) stocked at 48 kg/m3 (3 lb/ft3) were subjected to treatments of tank design (rectangular plug flow, circular, and cylindrical cross flow) and water exchange rate (1·5 and 2·5 exchanges/h) to determine their effects on fish behavior, growth, and metabolism. Ambient light levels and current velocities were also measured in each of three tank sectors (upstream, middle, and downstream) to determine their relative contributions to behavioral effects. Tank design significantly affected fish orientation to current, contact time with tank surfaces, and frequency of agonistic encounters, though aggression levels were relatively low overall. Gradients in fish distribution by sector were greatest in plug-flow tanks. Effects were either modified or eliminated by increasing the water exchange rate from 1·5 to 2·5/h. Multiple-regression analysis showed the following hieararchy of independent-variable effects on fish distribution: tank type > exchange rate > aggression level > current velocity > light level. Significant effects of tank design were also observed on fish growth in terms of biomass gain (cross flow > plug flow > circular). These results were matched in metabolic studies, where both oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion were highest in circular and lowest in cross-flow tanks. Reduction (cross-flow compared with circular tanks) in oxygen consumption averaged 13·6%, ammonia excretion 17·5%. These results were also modified by an increase in water exchange rate. Tank-design effects on fish metabolism and growth may be mediated, at least partly, through changes in fish behavior.
Impression Management Effects in the Forced Compliance Situation.

Summary Two forced compliance studies were conducted in which the S's expectations regarding the situational appropriateness of his behavior were manipulated. In the first study (N = 36 female undergraduates) E indicated agreement or disagreement with the S's counterattitudinal essay or else did not give an opinion. Although attitude change occurred in the Agree and No Feedback groups, there was none in the Disagree condition. Three conditions were created in the second study (N = 142 male and female undergraduates): Standard Dissonance, Control, and a Model condition in which a confederate told the E his essay did not reflect his real attitude. Attitude change occurred in both experimental groups, but more occurred in the Dissonance than the Model condition. These results are interpreted in terms of impression management theory.
The Influence of Age on the Forces Produced During Normal Seat Belt Buckling

Historically, the observed seat belt usage rate for occupants has varied across a number of factors (e.g., primary or secondary use law, seat location, etc.). Of these factors, the age of the driver or occupant has been consistently noted as an important characteristic that is linked to the use of the seat belt. For example, the seat belt use rate for drivers and front seat passengers in the U.S. in 2002 was estimated to be over 70% for adults [1] but over 10% less for pre-teens [2] and teenagers [3], which are generally less than 60%. This discrepancy between younger age groups and adults has been reported in several states across the country [2–5]. Eby et al. [4] reported that individuals 4–15 years old, seated in the second and third rows, wore seat belts about 50% of the time in the left and right positions. In a separate four-state observational study of teenage and older occupants by Womack et al. [6], teen seat belt use in the back seats was only 10.9%. Together, these studies indicate pre-teen and teenagers wear seat belts less frequently than comparable adult cohorts, and that they will be even less likely to wear a seat belt when they are located in the back seat positions.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Poems syndrome with idiopathic flushing mimicking carcinoid syndrome

POEMS syndrome, a rare multisystem disease, is a variant of osteosclerotic myeloma and is characterized by polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, monoclonal proteins, and skin changes. Presented herein is a case of POEMS syndrome with flushing. The flushing was intermittent, involving the face and upper third of the trunk, and was associated with hypotension and bronchospasm. Final diagnosis was made by biopsy examination of an axillary lymph node, which showed angiofollicular hyperplasia that stained strongly and selectively for lambda light chains. The patient had most of the typical features of POEMS syndrome but was unique in that her most striking finding was carcinoid-like flushing. The flushing improved with steroid therapy, as did some of the other clinical features of her disease. This case suggests that idiopathic flushing can be added to the skin changes observed in POEMS syndrome.
Unusual cause of postoperative blindness.

POSTOPERATIVE visual loss after nonophthalmic surgery is rare, with a reported incidence ranging from 0.01% to 1%. Most recently, perioperative visual loss associated with spine surgery prompted a Practice Advisory from the American Society of Anesthesiologists. 1 That advisory specifically focused on the most common causes during spine surgery, including ischemic optic neuropathy and central retinal artery occlusion. We report on an unusual case of postoperative blindness caused by basilar artery embolus during intraabdominal surgery.
Effect of nonlocal potential on the Fermi surface of metals and the phase shift parametrization scheme

The intrinsic problem of treating a nonlocal potential within the muffin-tin approximation is studied. Specific attent on is given to the effect of the nonlocal nature of the self-energy (or quasi-particle potential) on the Fermi surface of free electron like metals. Das intrinsische Problem der Behandlung eines nichtlokalen Potentials innerhalb der „Muffintin”-Naherung wird untersucht, insbesondere der Einflus der nichtlokalen Natur der Selbst-Energie (oder des Quasipartikelpotentials) auf die Fermiflache freier Elektronen wie bei Metallen.
Cervicitis in Adolescents: Do We Know Correct Diagnosis and Treatment Guidelines?

Grumbach syndrome. We followed the cyst conservatively and the ovaries and tumor markers returned to normal after adequate thyroid replacement. Comments: This case contributes to our knowledge of Van Wyk and Grumbach syndrome. We support previous recommendations that surgical management is not necessary for ovarian cysts related to hypothyroidism. Of importance, we also learned that tumor markers can be markedly abnormal but return to normal as ovaries are reduced in size. This further supports conservative treatment as the first line approach to massive ovarian cysts caused by hypothyroidism. (Figure 1)
Idiopathic scrotal calcinosis: A rare entity and a review of the literature.

Scrotal calcinosis is a rare condition with presentation includingin tradermal nodules varying in size and number. Differentials include calcification of epidermal or pilar cysts noted by the presence of keratinaceous debris. We present 2 cases of scrotal calcinosis at our institution.
Utilization of Dried Apple Pomace as a Press Aid to Improve the Quality of Strawberry, Raspberry, and Blueberry Juices

ABSTRACT: We analyzed the effects of press aids on strawberry, raspberry, and blueberry juice quality and evaluated the effectiveness of dried apple pomace as an alternative press aid. Juice yields with apple pomace were similar to the yields from using rice hulls and paper. Triangle difference tests showed that there were differences between the berry juices pressed with conventional press aid to the berry juices pressed with apple pomace press aid, and paired comparison preference tests showed that the berry juices pressed with apple pomace were preferred. Flavor analysis using gas chromatography-olfactometry indicated possible off-flavors being extracted from rice hulls, such as indole and 4-vinylguaical, and from paper, such as (Z)-2-octenal and 2-nonenal, into the berry juices.
Deposition of condensed phosphate as an effect of varying sulfur deficiency in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. ( Anacystis nidulans )

Uptake of orthophosphate and deposition of condensed phosphate were investigated in cells of Synechococcus sp. (Anacystis nidulans) deficient in phosphorus or sulfur. When phosphorus was restored to phosphorus-starved cells, uptake was rapid and immediate, with the greatest accumulation occurring within the first hour. Uptake was optimum in the pH 7.5–8.5 range. Long-term (6-day) studies of uptake and deposition with cells exposed to a wide range of sulfur deficiency showed that both processes were greatest when the level of exogenous sulfur was reduced to zero. The increase in cellular phosphorus as determined chemically was in agreement with the increased number and size of polyphosphate bodies at the ultrastructural level. Possible mechanisms for the control of phosphorus uptake and condensed phosphate formation by exogenous sulfur are discussed.
Precise executable interprocedural slices

The notion of a program slice, originally introduced by Mark Weiser, is useful in program debugging, automatic parallelization, program integration, and software maintenance. A slice of a program is taken with respect to a program point p and a variable x; the slice consists of all statements of the program that might affect the value of x at point p. An interprocedural slice is a slice of an entire program, where the slice crosses the boundaries of procedure calls.Weiser's original interprocedural-slicing algorithm produces imprecise slices that are executable programs. A recent algorithm developed by Horwitz, Reps, and Binkley produces more precise (smaller) slices by more accurately identifying those statements that might affect the values of x at point p. These slices, however, are not executable. An extension to their algorithm that produces more precise executable interprocedural slices is described together with a proof of correctness for the new algorithm.
Objectivity and ideology: criticism of Theo Sandfort's research on man-boy sexual relations

Three critiques of Theo Sandfort's research on man-boy sexual relationships in the Netherlands are examined and evaluated. Three types of criticisms--methodological, speculative, and moral--are identified. Specific criticisms of the study are evaluated on the basis of their validity and, where appropriate, their underlying assumptions. It is argued that moral condemnation of such relationships, combined with a prevailing ideology of boy "victims" and adult "perpetrators," results in efforts by Sandfort's critics to attack and discredit his research rather than evaluate it objectively.
Which way to go

“I've got a quick question…” says User. Sure, I say. Yes—we all know that over-used phrase. What they think is a quick question may indeed be; it is the answer that is usually not.User and I prepare to consult. Actually, the philosophy I use isn't what the term consult constitutes. I work more in the counselor-type role. I ask User questions with the ultimate goal in mind that User decides which word processing package to purchase (or microcomputer or printer or whatever) and use—not me deciding for User. Important to remember is who, what, where, when, why and how (and how much!) User is usually more receptive, positive, and satisfied at the “suggested” solution. So a typical situation with User might be portrayed like the following:
The Impact of Response Selection and Response Excution Difficulty on the Subjective Experience of Worload

The influence of variations in response selection and response execution difficulty on the workload and performance of 11 experimental subjects was investigated. The 20 laboratory tasks they performed involved a binary response selection that required different levels of mental processing (e.g. choice reaction time, prediction, memory search, etc.). A target acquisition task was added following response selection on half of the trials. A weighted combination of bipolar ratings on nine workload-related dimensions was used to evaluate the workload experienced by the subjects. In addition, subjects rank-ordered the tasks with respect to workload before (a prediction) and again after (a retrospective comparison) performing them. Apparently minor variations in stimulus presentation resulted in significantly increased reaction times and workload ratings, as did the more obvious manipulations of response selection load. The addition of the target acquisition task increased workload ratings and reaction tines, ho...
Earth science: Through the wringer

Potentially huge amounts of water could be carried deep within the Earth by subducting oceanic crust. But it seems that most of that water is released, fuelling volcanism above subduction zones.
Sex education: A review of its effects

This paper reviewed 33 empirical studies which assessed the effectiveness of sex education. Methodological issues were considered within six sections: (a) populations, (b) instructors, (c) program formats, (d) time format, (e) program goals, and (f) outcome measures. College students were the most frequently assessed population, followed by educators and counselors, and then medical-school populations. Most investigators did not include control subjects. In the studies which included them, they were usually nonequivalent to the experimental subjects. The results were almost exclusively dependent upon questionnaire data. Only a few studies included a followup. In general, the subjects reported gains in sexual knowledge and shifts toward more tolerant and liberal sexual attitudes. However, it was not clear whether or to what extent these changes affected the subjects' behavior. The surprising lack of studies evaluating the effects of sex education on elementary, junior high, and high school students was noted in light of the controversy surrounding the presentation of sex-related information to these populations. In addition to the recommendation that sex education presented to “normal” students who are below the college level should be evaluated, suggestions for future research included the use of equivalent experimental and control subjects, the reporting of instructor characteristics, the specification of program goals, and the inclusion of follow-up evaluations.
Experimental control of oxygen fugacities by graphite-gas equilibriums

Control of oxygen fugacities in a CO + CO atmosphere has been established experimentally by using a solid-phase buffer technique. Equilibration between the buffer and the enclosed sample is established by diffusion of the gas atmosphere through the buffer. The establishment of equilibrium by this method is indicated by the reversibility of experimental results in a study of the decomposition relations of siderite, FeCO3. Precipitation of solid graphite from a CO + CO atmosphere under reducing conditions provides a method for control of ƒ values through equilibrium between crystalline graphite and the oxides of carbon in the gas phase. Equilibrium values of ƒ are calculated from thermodynamic data for several values of Pgas = Pco + Pco. For values of Pgas greater than 100 bars, the following approximation may be used without serious error: log ƒ = −(20,586/T) − 0.044 + log Pgas − 0.028(Pgas−1)/T These results indicate two important consequences of the presence of graphite in igneous and metamorphic rocks. First, equilibrium between graphite and gas will buffer a value of ƒ which is within the stability field of magnetite for most geological environments. Second, such buffering will also occur in systems with additional volatile components if the variance of the system is not changed by their introduction. In gas phases in the system C-H-O, equilibration with graphite allows approximate calculation of such ratios as CO2/CO, H2O/H2, and CH4/H2. A noteworthy result is that the value of CH4/H2 in equilibrium with graphite will be large over a wide range of geological conditions; methane will become a significant-to-dominant component of the gas phase under moderately reducing conditions.
An electron microscopic study on MnBi thin films

The structure and orientation of MnBi thin films prepared by sequential evaporation of bismuth and manganese on glass substrates were studied by transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction. Results indicate that these films develop a preferred orientation with thec-axis perpendicular to the film plane. This preferred orientation is due to the formation of MnBi from a highly oriented bismuth layer, i.e., a layer with thec-axis perpendicular to the film plane. Trace amounts of elemental bismuth, manganese and MnO are found in these MnBi films. There is evidence of close parallel alignment between the MnBi and the bismuth lattices.
The loss of water from isotopically labelled heptanals on chemical ionization

The chemical ionization spectra of a series of deuterated heptanals has been studied using methane and isobutane. Loss of water from the [MH]+ ion follows the same pattern as in electron ionization; hydrogen (deuterium) is lost from all positions except C-1 and C-2. The reagent proton is found in the water lost only to the extent of 28% and this is confirmed using deuteriomethane. Possible mechanisms are discussed.
Developing health promotion interventions: a multisource method applied to weight loss among low-income postpartum women.

Developing focused and relevant health promotion interventions is critical for behavioral change in a low-resource or special population. Evidence-based interventions, however, may not match the specific population or health concern of interest. This article describes the Multisource Method (MSM), which, in combination with a workshop format, may be used by health professionals and researchers in health promotion program development. The MSM draws on positive deviance practices and processes, focus groups, community advisors, behavioral change theory, and evidence-based strategies. Use of the MSM is illustrated in the development of ethnic-specific weight loss interventions for low-income postpartum women. The MSM may be useful in designing future health programs designed for other special populations for whom existing interventions are unavailable or lack relevance.
Damas Novelistas: Recepción y Género en Azul y Roca (1957) de Walda Valenti y Emilia (1961) de Teresa Arévalo

Resumen Este ensayo plantea una lectura de las novelas de dos escritoras guatemaltecas, Azul y roca (1957) de Walda Valenti y Emilia (1961) de Teresa Arevalo, en el marco del contexto historico, social y literario de la epoca, el cual arroja luz sobre el trabajo textual que proponen las autoras. Partiendo del peso de la estructura patriarcal en Guatemala como factor determinante en la marginacion de las novelistas y sus textos durante decadas, sigo una linea de exploracion extra-textual para luego dar cuenta de las estrategias generico-textuales de las novelas. Asi, observo la relacion entre genero sexual y genero literario impulsada por el movimiento feminista desde comienzos del siglo XX, el cual promovia la escritura de mujeres para mujeres y el cultivo de generos especificamente femeninos. Luego examino el repertorio de generos disponibles en las decadas del cuarenta y el cincuenta, asi como las caracteristicas generales de la recepcion de las novelas escritas por mujeres y la de Azul y roca y Emilia en particular. Un analisis profundo del contexto demuestra claramente que las autoras se desvian en estas novelas de las expectativas de la sentimental, con el proposito de alcanzar a un publico de ambos sexos y de participar del dialogo intelectual y politico del momento. Por lo tanto, se apartan de las matrices expresivas del sub-genero sentimental, considerado femenino, introduciendo elementos de la novela criollista, en Azul y roca, y un manejo particularmente distante de la voz narrativa en Emilia. Si bien constrenidas a enunciar desde el lugar de la dama escritora por su insercion social, Valenti y Arevalo dejaron constancia en estos textos de sus esfuerzos por insinuar una mirada critica a las mujeres de su propia clase y entorno, y de intervenir en los debates como interlocutoras validas de sus colegas masculinos.
Deciphering mechanisms of staphylococcal biofilm evasion of host immunity

Biofilms are adherent communities of bacteria contained within a complex matrix. Although host immune responses to planktonic staphylococcal species have been relatively well-characterized, less is known regarding immunity to staphylococcal biofilms and how they modulate anti-bacterial effector mechanisms when organized in this protective milieu. Previously, staphylococcal biofilms were thought to escape immune recognition on the basis of their chronic and indolent nature. Instead, we have proposed that staphylococcal biofilms skew the host immune response away from a proinflammatory bactericidal phenotype toward an anti-inflammatory, pro-fibrotic response that favors bacterial persistence. This possibility is supported by recent studies from our laboratory using a mouse model of catheter-associated biofilm infection, where S. aureus biofilms led to the accumulation of alternatively activated M2 macrophages that exhibit anti-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic properties. In addition, relatively few neutrophils were recruited into S. aureus biofilms, representing another mechanism that deviates from planktonic infections. However, it is important to recognize the diversity of biofilm infections, in that studies by others have demonstrated the induction of distinct immune responses during staphylococcal biofilm growth in other models, suggesting influences from the local tissue microenvironment. This review will discuss the immune defenses that staphylococcal biofilms evade as well as conceptual issues that remain to be resolved. An improved understanding of why the host immune response is unable to clear biofilm infections could lead to targeted therapies to reverse these defects and expedite biofilm clearance.
Frequency-domain pattern extraction from pole/residue model of UWB antenna system

It is possible to obtain the frequency-domain patterns from a pole/residue antenna model. The Vivaldi antenna was used to prove this concept. The results demonstrate that the residues and poles are adequate to obtain the frequency-domain pattern for any arbitrary frequency.
Understanding the Results of Multiple Linear Regression: Beyond Standardized Regression Coefficients

Multiple linear regression (MLR) remains a mainstay analysis in organizational research, yet intercorrelations between predictors (multicollinearity) undermine the interpretation of MLR weights in terms of predictor contributions to the criterion. Alternative indices include validity coefficients, structure coefficients, product measures, relative weights, all-possible-subsets regression, dominance weights, and commonality coefficients. This article reviews these indices, and uniquely, it offers freely available software that (a) computes and compares all of these indices with one another, (b) computes associated bootstrapped confidence intervals, and (c) does so for any number of predictors so long as the correlation matrix is positive definite. Other available software is limited in all of these respects. We invite researchers to use this software to increase their insights when applying MLR to a data set. Avenues for future research and application are discussed.
An 11-bit 8.6GHz direct digital synthesizer MMIC with 10-bit segmented nonlinear DAC

This paper presents a low power, high speed and high resolution SiGe DDS MMIC with 11-bit phase and 10-bit amplitude resolutions. Using more than twenty thousand transistors, including an 11-bit pipeline accumulator, a 6-bit coarse DAC and seven 3-bit fine DACs, the core area of the DDS is 3 times 2.5 mm2. The maximum clock frequency was measured at 8.6 GHz with 4.2958 GHz output. The DDS consumes a power of 4.8 W under a 3.3 V power supply. It achieves the best reported phase and amplitude resolutions and the best power efficiency figure of merit (FOM) 182 GHz ldr 2ENOB/W. The measured SFDR is approximately 40 dBc with 4.2958 GHz Nyquist output and 48 dBc with 4.2 MHz output at the maximum clock frequency of 8.6 GHz. The chip was measured using LCC-52 packages.
Time-optimal control of two-degree of freedom robot arms

A dynamics model for a robot arm using state variables based on the Hamiltonian canonical equations is derived. From this model it is shown that the structure of the minimum-time control (MTC) law requires that at least one of the actuators is always saturated. A control algorithm for the MTC of a robot arm is presented. The algorithm converts the original problem, possibly a partially singular one, into a totally nonsingular optimal control problem by introducing a perturbed energy term in the performance index. It is shown that the solution to the perturbed problem converges to that of the MTC problem in the sense of the performance index as the perturbation parameter approaches zero. A simulation of a two-degree-of-freedom arm is performed to verify the mathematical structure of the MTC law. >
Nasal anatomy, physiology, and function

Abstract Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of the nose is a necessary prerequisite for understanding the pathophysiologic characteristics of rhinitis and occupational allergy. The nose and paranasal sinuses have a unique anatomical location, shape, and function in modifying and transforming inhaled air. The anatomy of the nose and paranasal sinuses and their basic physiologic functions are reviewed.
Adaptive Quantization and Density Estimation in Silicon

We present the bump mixture model, a statistical model for analog data where the probabilistic semantics, inference, and learning rules derive from low-level transistor behavior. The bump mixture model relies on translinear circuits to perform probabilistic inference, and floating-gate devices to perform adaptation. This system is low power, asynchronous, and fully parallel, and supports various on-chip learning algorithms. In addition, the mixture model can perform several tasks such as probability estimation, vector quantization, classification, and clustering. We tested a fabricated system on clustering, quantization, and classification of handwritten digits and show performance comparable to the E-M algorithm on mixtures of Gaussians.
What is more important to effective governance: Relationships, trust, and leadership, or structures and formal processes?

Changing structures may be a less important factor in creating an effective approach to governance than leadership, relationships, and trust.
The Liver as a Lymphoid Organ

The liver receives blood from both the systemic circulation and the intestine, and in distinctive, thin-walled sinusoids this mixture passes over a large macrophage population, termed Kupffer cells. The exposure of liver cells to antigens, and to microbial products derived from the intestinal bacteria, has resulted in a distinctive local immune environment. Innate lymphocytes, including both natural killer cells and natural killer T cells, are unusually abundant in the liver. Multiple populations of nonhematopoietic liver cells, including sinusoidal endothelial cells, stellate cells located in the subendothelial space, and liver parenchymal cells, take on the roles of antigen-presenting cells. These cells present antigen in the context of immunosuppressive cytokines and inhibitory cell surface ligands, and immune responses to liver antigens often result in tolerance. Important human pathogens, including hepatitis C virus and the malaria parasite, exploit the liver's environment, subvert immunity, and establish persistent infection.
Amdahl's Reliability Law: A Simple Quantification of the Weakest-Link Phenomenon

Amdahl's performance law is a useful conceptual and pedagogical tool for imparting key ideas about performance limits and the importance of balanced system design to students and practitioners in the field. The weakest-link maxim of reliability engineering can be expressed in terms of an identical formula, giving it a quantitative basis and thus making it more convincing. Calling it "Amdahl's reliability law" stresses the fact that it follows directly from Amdahl's speedup formula.
Software Development Queuing Model

Queueing models have been applied to the fault detection and correction process [1,2]. In addition, analysis of the time spent by faults in a software testing system has led naturally to an increased interest in the dynamics of queuing networks, which are used to model such systems. Analytical as well as simulation models have been used to study the behavior of queues and fault correction stations in testing systems [3]. Both analytical and simulation models are employed in an attack on relieving fault bottlenecks in fault correction systems.
Evaluation of Forge: an interactive parallelization tool

The evaluation of Forge used five typical NAS applications. Analysis of the results revealed three critical areas in need of improvement. First, if tools parallelize loops without performing machine-specific optimizations, performance can be significantly degraded. For highly vectorized codes, the degradation is the most severe. Second, to help user find false dependencies, tool messages should be understandable by application scientists. Query facilities for variable usage and definition should be provided. To guide parallelization, tools must estimate granularity and overhead. Third, the benchmarks contain a large number of small to medium size loops which limit the maximum speedup obtainable by parallelization. Worse yet, they all contain serial loops whose bounds are proportional to problem size. When the size of these loops is large, the speedup can be independent of problem size. Merely converting sequential programs cannot satisfy NAS needs; one must support the design and implementation of parallel algorithms. Finally, issues in creating a future NAS parallel programming environment are discussed. >
Bayesian and Non-Bayesian Analysis of the Log-Normal Distribution and Log-Normal Regression

Abstract In this article, Bayesian and non-Bayesian methods for estimating parameters of the log-normal distribution and of log-normal regression processes are considered. Posterior distributions for parameters of interest are derived and their properties are described. With respect to point estimation, a rather broad class of estimators is defined and, relative to this class, new minimal mean square error (MSE) estimators for the median and mean of the log-normal distribution and for the median and mean of the dependent variable in log-normal regressions are derived.
Redefining giant quantum dot functionality through synthesis and integration: from multifunctionality to directed photoluminescence (Presentation Recording)

Thick-shell or “giant” core/shell nanocrystal quantum dots (gQDs) are efficient and stable emitters. Their characteristic properties of non-blinking and non-photobleaching emission, as well as suppressed non-radiative Auger recombination and minimal self-reabsorption (due to a large effective Stokes shift) make them relevant to both single-emitter and many-emitter applications, e.g., live-cell single-molecule tracking in the biosciences and down-conversion phosphors for solid-state lighting. Here, I will discuss how gQDs are also ideal “building blocks” for achieving additive functionalities through synthesis and modified emission properties through integration with fabricated photonic structures. gQDs have been synthetically incorporated into the interior of a gold shell, resulting in “plasmonic gQDs” that exhibit efficient photoluminescence combined with efficient photothermal transduction and thermometry. Furthermore, through direct patterning of gQDs into all-dielectric antennas, we show an approach for realizing emitter-antenna couples (toward controlling the motion of photons) that is both deterministic and reproducible.
Social context perception for mobile robots

As robots enter human spaces, unique perception challenges are emerging. Sensing human activity, adapting to highly dynamic environments, and acting coherently and contingently is challenging when robots transition from structured environments to human-centric ones. We approach this problem by employing context-based perception, a biologically-inspired, low-cost approach to sensing that leverages noisy, global features. Across several months, our mobile robot collected real-world, multimodal data from multi-use locations; where the same space might be used for many different activities. We then ran a series of unimodal and multimodal classification experiments. We successfully classified several aspects of situational context from noisy data, and, to our knowledge are the first group to do so. This work represents an important step toward enabling robots that can readily leverage context to solve perceptual tasks.
Avoid Powers to Revoke, Alter, Amend, or Terminate

This article provides an introduction to section 2038, which provides that a decedent’s estate includes the value of all interests in property transferred by the decedent over which the decedent has a power to revoke, alter, amend, or terminate beneficial interests. After a discussion of the statutory language, this article provides an overview of the problems that can arise under section 2038, with special attention to cases in which powers held by a trustee will be imputed to a trust’s grantor. There is a short quiz at the end of the article that both experienced and beginning practitioners can use to gauge their understanding of section 2038.