cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Obstructive lingual tonsil hypertrophy in recurrent thyroglossal duct cyst

The association between recurrent thyroglossal duct cyst (TGDC) and obstructive lingual tonsil hypertrophy has not previously been discussed. We present the case of a 7-year-old child whose medical and surgical course was complicated by these synchronous factors. The aim of this report is to present the risk factors for recurrence of TGDC and the unique challenge that concurrent lingual tonsil hypertrophy and airway obstruction present to management of patients.
Long-term electrical survival analysis of Riata and Riata ST silicone leads: National Veterans Affairs experience.

Background A medical device advisory issued by St Jude Medical in November 2011 estimated 0.63% all-cause abrasion rate on their Riata and Riata ST silicone high-voltage lead families (Riata/ST), leading to Food and Drug Administration class I recall. We performed an independent comparative, long-term electrical survival analysis of Riata/ST and 3 other high-voltage lead families in a large national cohort of patients. Objective To evaluate long-term electrical survival of Riata/ST leads relative to other commonly evaluated high-voltage leads. Methods Failure rates of Riata/ST, Sprint Quattro Secure (Quattro), Sprint Fidelis (Fidelis), and Endotak Reliance G/SG (Endotak) leads from the Veterans Administration's National Cardiac Device Surveillance Center database, consisting of 24,145 patients with remote transmissions since 2003, were analyzed. Survival Probabilities were determined with Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and compared using the log-rank test. Results Of 1,403 Riata/ST, 6,091 Quattro, 5,073 Fidelis, and 2,401 Endotak leads identified, 5-year survival probability of Riata/ST leads (97.5%) was significantly lower than that of Quattro (99.3%) and Endotak (99.4%) leads (P Conclusions There is decreased survival probability of Riata/ST leads compared to other contemporary high-voltage leads, with decreased survival of Riata ST silicone compared to Riata lead series. Careful long-term follow-up should be maintained in patients with Riata/ST leads in order to prevent inappropriate shocks or failed device interventions. Our results were determined in advance of Food and Drug Administration class I recall, which suggested that large-scale remote monitoring may be an effective tool for continued implantable cardioverter-defibrillator system surveillance.
Can the Use of Recommended Procurement Practices Save Money

Procurement is an essential business function of government. Despite the importance of effective procurement practices to government efficiency, very little is known about what local governments do in practice, and how procurement practices affect government spending. This paper reports the results of a survey on procurement practices used by New York State school districts. To examine the potential costs savings from adoption of particular procurement practices, the authors estimate cost models for materials, supplies, and equipment spending. Results from the cost model indicate that the use of competitive bidding, purchasing calendars, central warehouses, and bidders lists are associated with significant cost savings.
Synthesis of ultrafast response smart microgel structures

Hydrogels are “smart” polymers that respond to an external stimulus with a change in their physical characteristics. The response of gel microstructures, or microgels, to an external stimulus depends on their size and synthesis route. Smart microgels based on poly (N-isopropylacrylamide) and poly (methacrylic acid) were prepared by combining the aspects of x-ray lithography and a novel synchrotron-radiation-induced polymerization. The morphology of microgels prepared by this novel synthesis route was characterized by optical and atomic force microscopy to better understand their response properties. Microgels obtained from this method are in a hydrophobic state and are richly nanoporous in their morphology. Average pore size of these gel networks lies within a few hundreds of nanometers as observed from atomic force microscopy. Due to their ultrafast response, these microgel structures can be used as microtransducers that respond to a change in moisture concentration.
Species-Specificity of Chemical Signals: Silk Source Affects Discrimination in a Wolf Spider (Araneae: Lycosidae)

Female spiders deposit chemical cues that elicit male courtship behavior with silk. These cues are often assumed to be species-specific although male spiders may court in response to chemical cues of closely-related species. We used behavioral assays to test the extent of species discrimination of female chemical cues by male Schizocosa ocreata, a wolf spider (Lycosidae). Discrimination, expressed as relative courtship intensity of males, varied significantly with phylogenetic distance. Males did not discriminate between female cues of conspecifics and a sibling species, S. rovneri. Courtship response was intermediate for another species within the ocreata clade and not different from control for spiders outside the clade. These findings support the sibling species status of S. ocreata and S. rovneri, and also suggest the composition of female chemical signals is conserved across closely related wolf spider species.
Fast-timing characteristics of some channel electron multipliers

Abstract The pulse shapes and fast-timing characteristics of two types of Bendix channel electron multipliers have been studied. We also show a relationship between pulse widths (in the saturation mode of operation) and the dispersion in transit times of the secondary electrons across the multipliers. Using this knowledge, a method was devised which reduced the fwhm of the prompt time resolution curve by approximately a factor of 2. Application of these techniques in the measurement of short lifetimes using a delayed coincidence system is illustrated in lifetime measurements of levels in 59 Co and 170 Yb.
January Anomalies: Implications for the Market's Incorporation of News

We examine the responses of five interest rate instruments to the release of macroeconomic announcements to determine whether January returns behave differently from returns in other months when information is released. Our results suggest that in all instruments, returns in January are less sensitive to macroeconomic news, compared with other months. This is true even though the number and type of announcements are much the same in January as in other months. The instruments examined feature important differences in liquidity, maturity, credit risk, and other institutional differences, suggesting that our evidence is robust.
Experiments in alluvial bed channel flow resistance

Experiments were done to develop a flow resistance equation for a rectangular channel with an alluvial bed. The purpose of the experiments was to produce a data set containing statistical bedform measurements from which an effective channel bed roughness could be derived. A tentative flow resistance equation containing a relative roughness term, a channel shape or aspect ratio term, and a Froude number term was produced.
Induction of bioluminescence in a luciferin deficient form of the marine teleost, Porichthys, in response to exogenous luciferin.

Abstract 1. 1. The inability of Porichthys from Puget Sound to luminesce is correlated with a luciferin deficiency in all developmental stages. 2. 2. Luminescence capability can be induced in non-luminous Porichthys by intraperitoneal injection or forced feeding with luciferin from either Cypridina or luminous Porichthys . 3. 3. The intensity of induced luminescence is dependent upon the dosage of unoxidized luciferin, whereas luciferin oxidation products and three analogues of Cypridina luciferin are ineffective. 4. 4. Extremely low luciferin doses are effective, and, once developed, luminescence capability is persistent. 5. 5. The mechanism of the induction process, whether involving incorporation or de novo synthesis of luciferin, remains unresolved.
Lack of NPHP2 mutations in a newborn infant with Joubert syndrome-related disorder presenting as end-stage renal disease

A newborn infant with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) due to nephronophthisis (NPHP) developed episodes of tachypnea, alternating with apnea, and abnormal eye movements. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the midbrain demonstrated the characteristic appearance of molar tooth sign on axial images, consistent with the diagnosis of Joubert syndrome (JBTS). The DNA sequence analysis of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected no mutations in the NPHP2 (INVS) gene in this child, suggesting that new mutant genes might be responsible for the early onset of ESRD in infantile NPHP with features of JBTS.
Laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy in flames

The use of laser induced fluorescence spectroscopy (LIF) is described for making measurements in the combustion environment. Some background in molecular structure, spectroscopic concepts, thermodynamics and combustion chemistry is first presented. This is followed by application of the rate equations to model and demonstrate the response of atomic and molecular systems to laser excitation. Next, experimental aspects are explored, including excitation, optical signal collection, dispersion and detection, signal conditioning, uncertainty and detectability, recovering population distributions from spectra, and sources of systematic error. Finally, specific strategies for measuring concentration, temperature, pressure and velocity are discussed. An example of selecting a collisional rate set for modeling purposes is given in an Appendix.
Application of unattended ground sensors to stationary targets

The unattended sensing of stationary (i.e. non-mobile) targets is important in applications ranging from counter-proliferation to law enforcement. With stationary targets, sources of seismic, acoustic, and electro-magnetic emissions can potentially be used to detect, identify, and locate the target. Stationary targets have considerably different sensing requirements than the traditional mobile-target unattended ground sensor applications. This paper presents the novel features and requirements of a system for sensing stationary targets. In particular, issues associated with long-listen time signal processing for signal detection, and array processing techniques for signal localization are presented. Example data and signal processing outputs from a stationary target will be used to illustrate these issues. The impact on sensor, electronic signal processing, battery subsystem, and communication requirements will also be discussed. The paper will conclude with a detailed comparison between mobile-target and stationary-target unattended ground sensor architectures.
Metastasis to bone: causes, consequences and therapeutic opportunities

The most common human cancers --lung, breast and prostate -- have a great avidity for bone, leading to painful and untreatable consequences. What makes some cancers, but not others, metastasize to bone, and how do they alter its physiology? Some of the molecular mechanisms that are responsible have recently been identified, and provide new molecular targets for drug development.
IN VIVO AND IN VITRO STABILITY OF THE BROAD-HOST RANGE CLONING VECTOR PBBR1MCS IN SIX BRUCELLA SPECIES

Previous studies have shown that the broad-host-range plasmid pBBR1MCS can be used for genetic complementation in Brucella abortus. To extend these observations, the in vivo and in vitro stability of pBBR1MCS was evaluated in the six currently recognized species of the genus Brucella. pBBR1MCS was readily introduced into all of the strains tested by electroporation and was stably maintained in broth cultures without antibiotic selection during five serial passages over a 10-day period. Furthermore, isolates of all six Brucella strains containing pBBR1MCS obtained from the spleens of BALB/c mice 1 week postinfection maintained the plasmid. Although pBBR1MCS maintains the mobilization locus present in the parental plasmid pBBR1CM, attempts to detect transfer of pBBR1MCS between Brucella strains by conjugation were unsuccessful. These results demonstrate the in vitro and in vivo stability of pBBR1MCS in Brucella spp. and reinforce the usefulness of this cloning vector for the genetic analysis of these organisms.
Surface science studies of environmentally relevant iron (oxy)hydroxides ranging from the nano to the macro-regime

In this prospective, new developments in the study of the structure and reactivity of iron oxyhydroxides are reviewed. These materials are of particular interest, since their surfaces control an extraordinary amount of environmental chemistry. Understanding the environmental interfaces at a molecular level often appears to be a daunting scientific endeavor at first glance. Surfaces of interest range from the nano to micron regime and appear in the environment in varying shapes and sizes. Often the powerful suite of vacuum-based surface science tools are not applicable, since the surfaces of environmental particles can vary from amorphous to semi-crystalline and their surface reactivity is often affected by varying levels of surface hydration. However, the introduction of new and powerful surface probes and advancements in computational chemistry are allowing surface scientists to shed light on these hidden interfaces and how they control environmental chemistry.
The impact of vehicle charging loads on frequency regulation procurements in ERCOT

It is anticipated that plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs), which rely exclusively on a battery to provide some or all of their driving range, will grow in popularity in the coming decades. In anticipation of the growth in electricity demand to support PEV charging, extensive study has been devoted to assessing the effects of these loads. While optimal charging strategies could be applied to minimize the impact of PEV charging, these strategies have not been widely adopted, nor are there significant incentives for vehicle owners to adopt them. In this work, Monte Carlo simulations are performed to assess the effect of uncertainty in vehicle charging loads on frequency regulation procurement requirements in ERCOT. Results indicate that even for the largest fleet size simulated, 500,000 vehicles, the increase in frequency regulation required is typically less than 6 MW, which represents just over 1% of the average quantity procured in 2011.
Monetary reality and economic adaptability of new entrants to the EU

The New EU entrants have face obstacles such as adjusting to a market economy, integration into The EU, and a single currency, to name a few. One major obstacle is the fact that the voting members consist of the six Executive Board members, and the 12 chairmen of the central banks of the original countries. In any given period this gives two votes to six of the original 12 countries. However, new members have no voting rights. This paper uses the Taylor Rule to determine if the monetary policies of the ECB match the economic realities of the EU new members.
Recent progress in the understanding of electron kinetics in low-pressure inductive plasmas

Abstract The electron kinetics of low-pressure plasmas is often dominated by the so-called “nonlocal” behavior of electrons which becomes evident if the electron energy relaxation length is of the order or larger than typical discharge dimensions. In this paper, a brief review of the various manifestations of “nonlocal electron kinetics” is given. Two effects based on nonlocal electron behavior are discussed in more detail. (1) In a steady-state inductive plasma, a flux pattern in electron energy–configuration space was observed through Langmuir probe measurements which resembles a convection cell. Comparisons between Langmuir probe measurements and numerical solutions of the Boltzmann equation are presented. (2) The temporal evolution of the electron distribution function was studied in the afterglow of a pulsed inductive plasma. An unusually fast decay of the electron mean kinetic energy was observed which is related to “diffusive cooling” of electrons.
Doubly-selective fading channel equalization: A comparison of the Kalman filter approach with the basis expansion model-based equalizers

In this paper, we exploit the Kalman filter as a time-varying linear minimum mean-square error equalizer for doubly-selective fading channels. We use a basis expansion model (BEM) to approximate the doubly-selective channel impulse response. Several time-varying linear equalizers have been proposed in the literature where both the channel and the equalizer impulse responses are approximated by complex exponential (CE) BEMs. Our proposed Kalman filter formulation does not rely on a specific BEM for the underlying channel, therefore, it can be applied to any BEM, including the CE-BEM and the discrete prolate spheroidal (DPS) BEM. Moreover, the Kalman filter relies solely on the channel model and therefore, does not incur any approximation error inherent in the CE-BEM representation of the equalizer. Through computer simulations, we show that compared to two of the existing algorithms, the proposed Kalman filter formulation yields the same or an improved bit error rate at a much lower computational cost, where the latter is measured in terms of the number of flops needed for the equalizer design and implementation.
Relational mechanisms governing multifaceted collaborative behavior of academic scientists in six fields of science and engineering

Abstract Norms of academic science and engineering are moving in the direction of broader applicability and transferability of knowledge beyond the borders of the university. In response, scientists are expected to engage in collaboration that includes both basic and applied collaborative activities. More specifically, the norms of science are beginning to change to allow for novel forms of collaboration that involve sharing of research ideas on multiple facets of collaborative work. This paper examines the extent to which multifaceted collaboration is attributable to relational aspects of individuals’ networks. Specifically, we ask the question: what relational aspects of social capital determine multifaceted collaboration among scientists in six fields of science and engineering? Borrowing literature from social capital and science and technology (S&T) human capital, this paper develops a multi-level model of multifaceted collaboration and presents a set of testable hypotheses. Then using data from a national survey of men and women faculty in six fields, we analyze the multi-level data: relationship or dyad level (level 1) and ego level (level 2) with hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to predict multifaceted collaboration of academic scientists. Findings show that some relational characteristics explain multifaceted collaborative behavior as predicted, while others behave in unexpected ways. Conclusions place the findings in context for theory and policy.
Thermal convection loop control by continuous backstepping and singular perturbations

A state feedback boundary control law that stabilizes fluid flow in a 2D thermal convection loop is presented. The fluid is enclosed between two cylinders, heated from above and cooled from below, which makes its motion unstable for a large enough Rayleigh number. The actuation is at the boundary through rotation (direct velocity actuation) and heat flux (heating or cooling) of the outer boundary. The design is a new approach for this kind of a coupled PDE problem, based on a combination of singular perturbation theory and the backstepping method for infinite dimensional linear systems. Stability is proved by Lyapunov method. Though only a linearized version of the plant is considered in the design, an extensive closed loop simulation study of the nonlinear PDE model shows that the result holds for reasonably large initial conditions. A highly accurate approximation to the control law is found in closed form.
On the dynamical implications of models of Bs in the Earth’s core

SUMMARY Recent work has shown that the zonal, equatorially symmetric, time-varying part of a model of the £ow at the surface of the Earth’s core can be well explained by only two standing waves, and that by making certain assumptions these waves may be inverted for rms Bs (the component of ¢eld pointing away from the rotation axis) and a quantity parametrizing friction or excitation (F) of the waves. Here, we discuss the two-wave ¢t, and describe the implications of models of rms Bs and friction/excitation for the dynamic state of the core, for the torque balance on axial cylinders, and for recent numerical simulations of the geodynamo.We ¢nd several possible explanations for why only two standing waves are needed to ¢t the data, including the possibility that it is due to the resolution of the core £ow model rather than conditions within the core itself.We ¢nd that the ¢ts of rms Bs and F suggest that the role of inertia should not be discounted in the core, and that care should be taken in constructing geodynamo simulations so that the eiective friction at the core^mantle boundarydoes not swamp the inertial term. A ratio of the magnitude of the two appears to be O(1) in the Earth’s core: we believe that, ideally, a numerical model of the Earth’s core should reproduce this result.
A three-dimensional semianalytic viscoelastic model for time-dependent analyses of the earthquake cycle

[1] Exploring the earthquake cycle for large, complex tectonic boundaries that deform over thousands of years requires the development of sophisticated and efficient models. In this paper we introduce a semianalytic three-dimensional (3-D) linear viscoelastic Maxwell model that is developed in the Fourier domain to exploit the computational advantages of the convolution theorem. A new aspect of this model is an analytic solution for the surface loading of an elastic plate overlying a viscoelastic half-space. When fully implemented, the model simulates (1) interseismic stress accumulation on the upper locked portion of faults, (2) repeated earthquakes on prescribed fault segments, and (3) the viscoelastic response of the asthenosphere beneath the plate following episodic ruptures. We verify both the analytic solution and computer code through a variety of 2-D and 3-D tests and examples. On the basis of the methodology presented here, it is now possible to explore thousands of years of the earthquake cycle along geometrically complex 3-D fault systems.
Clinical Recognition and Diagnosis of Clostridium difficile Infection

Prompt and precise diagnosis is an important aspect of effective management of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). CDI causes 15%-25% of all cases of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, the severity of which ranges from mild diarrhea to fulminant pseudomembranous colitis. Several factors, especially advanced age and hospitalization, should be considered in the diagnosis of CDI. In particular, nosocomial diarrhea arising >72 hours after admission among patients receiving antibiotics is highly likely to have resulted from CDI. Testing of stool for the presence of C. difficile toxin confirms the diagnosis of CDI. However, performance of an enzyme immunoassay is the usual method by which CDI is confirmed, but this test appears to be relatively insensitive, compared with the cell cytotoxicity assay and stool culture for toxigenic C. difficile on selective medium. Endoscopy and computed tomography are less sensitive than stool toxin assays but may be useful when immediate results are important or other confounding conditions rank high in the differential diagnosis. Often overlooked aspects of this diagnosis are high white blood cell counts (which are sometimes in the leukemoid range) and hypoalbuminemia.
Computer simulation of power systems for operator training

The development of operator training simulators which depends on the availability of economical computational hardware is discussed. In addition, models and algorithms to simulate large power systems in real time require significant innovation. Although better models and algorithms continue to be developed, the research emphasis is not on still higher fidelity but on features that enhance training. The state of the art of operator training simulators for terrestrial power systems is reviewed. The training environment, control center functions, power system behavior, and instructional tools are discussed. >
The history of the soliton

It is pointed out that the discovery of the soliton, its remarkable properties, and the incredible richness of structure involved in its mathematical description occurred in two stages and over a period of almost 140 years. The first reported incident related to the phenomenon of the soliton involves the 'Wave of Translation' described by Scott Russell (1844). Another important development occurred in connection with questions concerning the reason for the finite heat conductivity of solids. These questions led to the conduction of a numerical study by Fermi et al. (1955). The results of this study, called the Fermi-Pasta-Ulam (FPU) experiment, were the motivation for investigations in which the soliton was discovered. This discovery was announced by Zabusky and Kruskal (1965). Attention is also given to the conservation laws and the Miura transformation, the inverse scattering transform, the Lax equation, developments in nonlinear optics, soliton factories, and the need for a unifying point of view.
Range and velocity ambiguity mitigation techniques for the WSR-88D weather radar

Several mechanisms are currently provided to alleviate effects of range overlaid echoes and velocity aliasing in the Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D). However, due to limitations in these techniques, observation of severe weather phenomena is significantly impaired. This paper presents results from a multi-year study at the National Severe Storms Laboratory dealing with methods to mitigate the effects of range and velocity ambiguities in the WSR-88D
Intake, Digestibility and Energy Utilization of Corrugated Paper Diets*

Abstract Diets containing 25 or 60% corrugated paper were fed at maintenance levels or ad libitum to dairy heifers to measure intake, digestibility and energy utilization. Intakes were similar for the two diets but dry matter, energy, fiber and protein digestibilities were lower for the 60% diet, resulting in negative energy balance. Digestibilities of dry matter, energy and fiber were lower when fed ad libitum than at maintenance levels; the depressions (10–20% units per unit of maintenance) were larger than in forage or forage-grain diets (5–10% units per maintenance unit). By regression, corrugated paper was estimated to have 45% dry matter digestibility, 24% neutral detergent fiber digestibility and 0.29 Mcal kg −1 net energy for maintenance. Corrugated paper has limited potential as a component of ruminant diets; it is best used for maintenance of mature animals and probably should not exceed 25–30% of the diet.
How Does Mutant Proprotein Convertase Neural Apoptosis-Regulated Convertase 1 Induce Autosomal Dominant Hypercholesterolemia?

In the secretory pathway of the cell, many biologically inactive precursor proteins are processed by limited proteolysis to produce biologically active peptides and proteins. The enzymes that perform these cleavages are referred to as subtilisin-like proprotein convertases (SPCs).1 Seven members of the SPC family are known. One, the subtilisin kexin isoenzyme-1/site-1-protease (SKI-1/S1P), has a key role in cholesterol homeostasis through processing of the sterol regulatory element-binding proteins (SREBPs).2,3 Another member of the SPC family, neural apoptosis-regulated convertase 1 (NARC-1), which was recently linked to a novel form of autosomal dominant familial hypercholesterolemia,4 is downregulated by cholesterol and upregulated by SREBP-2.5,6 These findings indicate that NARC-1, like SKI-1/S1P, is an important player in lipid metabolism. See page 1448 Autosomal dominant hypercholesterolemia (ADH) is characterized by an increase in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels and premature cardiovascular disease. ADH is associated mainly with mutations in the genes encoding the LDL receptor (ie, familial hypercholesterolemia)7 and apolipoprotein B100 (apoB100; ie, familial defective apoB100).8 These mutations directly or indirectly reduce the ability of the LDL receptor to mediate tendocytosis of plasma lipoproteins containing apoB or apoE. Analysis of large cohorts of patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia indicated that inherited defects in genes other than those encoding the LDL receptor and apoB can cause hypercholesterolemia. This was first proven when Garcia et al showed that mutations in the phosphotyrosine-binding domain protein ARH cause autosomal recessive hypercholesterolemia.9,10 A novel locus associated with ADH has been mapped to 1p34.1-p32.4,11 To identify this locus, Abifadel et al performed positional cloning using the family in which the linkage was identified originally and 23 families in which mutations in the LDL receptor and apoB genes had been excluded.4 Haptotype …
Constructing Distributed Representations Using Additive Clustering

If the promise of computational modeling is to be fully realized in higher-level cognitive domains such as language processing, principled methods must be developed to construct the semantic representations used in such models. In this paper, we propose the use of an established formalism from mathematical psychology, additive clustering, as a means of automatically constructing binary representations for objects using only pair-wise similarity data. However, existing methods for the unsupervised learning of additive clustering models do not scale well to large problems. We present a new algorithm for additive clustering, based on a novel heuristic technique for combinatorial optimization. The algorithm is simpler than previous formulations and makes fewer independence assumptions. Extensive empirical tests on both human and synthetic data suggest that it is more effective than previous methods and that it also scales better to larger problems. By making additive clustering practical, we take a significant step toward scaling connectionist models beyond hand-coded examples.
Attributable cost of obesity in breast surgery: a matched cohort analysis.

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to determine the economic impact of obesity on patients undergoing mastectomy and breast conservation (BC) for breast cancer. Methods An analysis of female patients greater than or equal to 18 years undergoing mastectomy and BC for breast cancer between 2004 and 2010 using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample was conducted. Results Of 55,903 patients in our study (49,985 mastectomy, 5,918 BC), 3,308 patients (5.92%) were obese. After propensity score matching, the cost for obese patients was higher at $1,826 ( P P Conclusion By controlling for other patient factors, this study shows that obesity is attributable to a significantly higher cost for both BC (29%) and mastectomy (23%).
Probing the electrode/electrolyte interface in the lithium excess layered oxide Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2.

A detailed surface investigation of the lithium-excess nickel manganese layered oxide Li1.2Ni0.2Mn0.6O2 structure was carried out using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), total electron yield and transmission X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) during the first two electrochemical cycles. All spectroscopy techniques consistently showed the presence of Mn4+ in the pristine material and a surprising reduction of Mn at the voltage plateau during the first charge. The Mn reduction is accompanied by the oxygen loss revealed using EELS. Upon the first discharge, the Mn at the surface never fully recovers back to Mn4+. The electrode/electrolyte interface of this compound consists of the reduced Mn at the crystalline defect-spinel inner layer and an oxidized Mn species simultaneously with the presence of a superoxide species in the amorphous outer layer. This proposed model signifies that oxygen vacancy formation and lithium removal result in electrolyte decomposition and superoxide formation, leading to Mn activation/dissolution and surface layer-spinel phase transformation. The results also indicate that the role of oxygen is complex and significant in contributing to the extra capacity of this class of high energy density cathode materials.
Heme oxygenase-1 inhibits TNF-α-induced apoptosis in cultured fibroblasts

Heme oxygenase (HO)-1 catalyzes the oxidative cleavage of heme to yield equimolar amounts of biliverdin, iron, and carbon monoxide. HO-1 is a stress response protein, the induction of which is asso...
2008 IEEE electrical performance of electronic packaging suppression of vertical coupling using Electromagnetic Band Gap structures

This paper for the first time demonstrates the use of electromagnetic band gap (EBG) structures for isolation between multiple plane pairs along the vertical direction. Planar EBG structures have been applied for the suppression of vertical noise coupling in the GHz range of frequencies. Simulation and measurement results showing good isolation in the stop bands of the EBGs are presented.
Blind channel estimation: comparison studies and a new algorithm

Blind estimation techniques have the potential of significantly increasing the transmission efficiency for time-varying channels. A performance analysis of some blind channel estimation algorithms is presented. It is shown that ill-conditioned channels and the local minima of optimization techniques are the main causes of estimation error. To overcome these obstacles, a new optimization criterion that integrates two key aspects of the channel characteristics is introduced. Furthermore, the statistical characteristics of the channel are utilized by exploiting the principal component structures. The proposed algorithm based on this new criterion includes several existing algorithms as special cases. The new algorithm offers significant saving in computation and improvement in performance.
Neuroscience and precisiated natural language-based search and question answering system: NeuSearch

Design of any new intelligent search engine should be at least based on two main motivations. First, the Web environment is, for the most part, unstructured and imprecise. To deal with information in the Web environment what is needed is a logic that supports modes of reasoning which are approximate rather than exact. While searches may retrieve thousands of hits, finding decision-relevant and query-relevant information in an imprecise environment is a challenging problem, which has to be addressed. Second and less obvious, is deduction in an unstructured and imprecise environment given the huge stream of complex information.
The PRESAGE database for structural genomics

The PRESAGE database is a collaborative resource for structural genomics. It provides a database of proteins to which researchers add annotations indicating current experimental status, structural predictions and suggestions. The database is intended to enhance communication among structural genomics researchers and aid dissemination of their results. The PRESAGE database may be accessed at http://presage.stanford.edu/
Development of high-throughput mass spectrometry-based approaches for cancer biomarker discovery and implementation.

A major goal of cancer research is elucidating the molecular events underlying carcinogenesis, with the goal of discovering better diagnostic markers and therapeutic targets. Proteomics aims to facilitate this process by applying newly developed methods and advanced analytic tools, such as mass spectrometry, for the investigation of the protein complement en masse. Proteomics is the comprehensive study of proteins and is aimed at analyzing their structure, function, modifications, expression, interactions, and localization in complex biological systems. This article reviews the state-of–the art in mass spectrometry–based approaches and their application for cancer biomarker discovery and validation.
Toxicity of insecticides in a glass-vial bioassay to adult brown, green, and southern green stink bugs (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae)

Adult brown, Euschistus servus (Say); green, Acrosternum hilare (Say); and southern green, Nezara viridula (L.), stink bugs were collected from soybean, Glycine max (L.) Merr., in fall 2001 and 2002 near Stoneville, MS, and Eudora, AR. A glass-vial bioassay was used to determine LC50 values for the three species of stink bugs for the pyrethroids bifenthrin, cypermethrin, cyfluthrin, λ-cyhalothrin, and permethrin, and the organophosphates acephate, dicrotophos, malathion, and methyl parathion. Results confirmed findings of other researchers that the brown stink bug was less susceptible to pyrethroid and organophosphate insecticides than were green and southern green stink bugs. The susceptibility of all three stink bug species to the insecticides tested was very similar at both test locations. The study established baseline insecticide mortality data from two locations in the mid-South for three stink bug species that are pests of soybean and cotton, Gossypium spp. Data from the tests are valuable for future use in studies on resistance and in resistance monitoring programs.
Capital Allocation and Its Discontents

Capital allocation concerns an assignment of the capital of a financial institution to the various sources of risk within the firm. While the procedure is commonly applied within financial institutions for purposes of pricing and performance measurement, its necessity and feasibility are disputed within the academic literature. This chapter clarifies how incomplete markets and frictional costs can create conditions sufficient for capital allocation to play a role either as an input to or a by-product of the pricing process. It then reviews the various approaches to capital allocation, with particular attention paid to the theoretical foundations of the Euler (gradient) approach to capital allocation. Finally, the chapter illustrates the application of the Euler method using various popular risk measures in the context of an example from life insurance.
Majoring in nutrition influences BMI of female college students

Maintaining healthy eating habits in college is challenging. Interventions focused on nutrition education can assist in reversing these trends of poor eating habits among college students. The purpose of the study was to identify factors affecting the dietary habits, food choices and BMI of college females majoring in nutrition (NMs) compared with non-nutrition majors (OMs). A questionnaire-based cross-sectional survey study of dietary behaviour and food frequency of 202 college females was conducted at San Diego State University. Data were analysed by using t tests, χ(2) tests and regression analysis in SPSS. NMs exhibited a lower BMI than OMs (P < 0·01); however, BMI values for both groups were within a healthy range. Interestingly, 3 % of NMs had a BMI in the range of overweight or obese; however, prevalence was three times higher for OMs, being 9·2 %. A healthier meal option was the most influential factor in NMs' meal choices whereas convenience and weight control were influential factors in OMs' meal choices. Most NMs read nutrition labels and reported that this affects their food choices. NMs exercised longer than OMs in the <120 min/week category. Exercise affected healthy meal conception in NMs only (P < 0·001). Taking dietary supplements influenced healthy meal awareness in OMs only (P < 0·05). University-level nutrition education is strongly associated with healthier eating habits and superior food choices among young adult females. More regular meal patterns, healthier snack choice and adherence to dietary guidelines may contribute to the lower BMI values observed among NMs compared with OMs.
A Neuropsychological Perspective of Interpersonal Communication

Self-disclosure, the process of revealing personal information about oneself to another, has been extensively studied by social and clinical psychologists interested in interpersonal communication and close relationships. Although questions concerning how and why people engage in self-disclosure have led to considerable research and theory generation over the years (e. g., Altman & Taylor, 1973; Berscheid & Walster, 1978; Chelune, 1979; Derlega, 1984; Derlega & Chaikin, 1975; Jourard, 1971a,b; Phillips & Metzger, 1976), little attention has been given to the potential biological underpinnings of this complex behavior. To some degree, this paucity of interest reflects the prevailing social psychological view that social behavior is largely a function of situational contingencies and constraints (Mischel, 1968).
After Suffrage Comes Equal Rights? ERA as the Next Logical Step

Almost a full century in the making, the campaign for an ERA far exceeded in longevity the campaign for woman suffrage, however much a “logical next step” women's equality seemed to some following the spectacular achievement of the Nineteenth Amendment. The history of the amendment reveals how resistant to the idea of equality between men and women a political system -- even one that includes women as voters -- can be. In this chapter, we re-examine the route taken by the ERA through its many permutations in the century since the passage of woman suffrage. Proposed by Alice Paul in 1923 and immediately opposed by social feminists advocating protective labor laws, the ERA wound itself in and out of feminist, conservative, and public favor before its final defeat in 1982, three states short of adoption. Woven into the Supreme Court's analysis of Lochner and substantive due process, and the later evolution of equal protection law, women's equality -- or difference -- has been the foundation of much of the development of modern constitutional doctrine.
Treatment of subglottic stenosis, due to Wegener's granulomatosis, with intralesional corticosteroids and dilation

OBJECTIVE: To determine the longterm efficacy of intralesional long-acting corticosteroid injection plus dilatation (ILCD) for subglottic stenosis (SGS) in Wegener's granulomatosis (WG). METHODS: Since November 1994, all patients with WG who presented with SGS of more than 50% or symptoms of airway compromise were treated with intralesional injection of methylprednisolone acetate, injected directly into the stenotic segment, followed by microsurgical lysis of the stenotic ring and serial dilatation with Maloney bougies or Fogarty catheter balloon. The procedure was repeated at a later date if re-stenosis occurred. Patient outcome was evaluated over a period of 7 years. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients underwent 64 procedures. Mean followup was 40.6 months. Patients who did not have scarring from prior procedures required a mean of 2.4 procedures at mean intervals of 11.6 months to maintain subglottic patency. Patients with established laryngotracheal scarring required a mean of 4.1 procedures at mean intervals of 6.8 months to maintain patency. None of the 21 patients required a new tracheostomy. Only 2 significant complications occurred, both pneumothoraces. There were no adverse longterm sequelae. CONCLUSION: ILCD is effective therapy for SGS due to WG. Best results are obtained when these endoscopic techniques are performed prior to other forms of surgery, which may produce extensive scar formation. Based on this experience, the authors recommend ILCD as the preferred therapy in WG-SGS.
Does education pay off? Subjective expectations on education in rural India

The data for the article were gathered in India during 2007-08, in collaboration with the International Crop Research Institute of the Semi-Arid Tropics, and funded through a NSF Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant, an AAEA McCorkle Fellowship, a Mario Einaudi Center for International Studies International Research Travel Grant, a Cornell University Graduate School Research Travel Grant, an International Student and Scholar Office Grant and funds provided by AEM-CU and Chris Barrett. I thank the research assistants and enumerators on the field: Sanjit Anilesh, Shraavya Bhagavatula, Pramod Bangar, Sana Butool, V D Duche, Shital Duche, Madhav Dhere, Nishtha Ghosh, Navika Harshe, Meenal Inamdar, Shilpa Indrakanti, Sapna Kale, Jessica Lebo, Nishita Medha, Ramesh Babu Para, Abhijit Patnaik, Gore Parmeshwar, Arjun Waghmode and Yu Qin. This article benefited from discussions with Cynthia Bantilan, Kaushik Basu, Chris Barrett, A V Chari, Steven Coate and George Jakubson. The usual disclaimers apply.Annemie Maertens (
The administration of psychotropic medication to children ages 0-4 in North Carolina: an exploratory analysis.

BACKGROUND The increasing use of psychotropic medication among preschool children raises concern because there are insufficient clinical guidelines and possible disparities. METHODS This study explored published administrative data (2007-2006) on the receipt of psychotropic medication by North Carolina Medicaid enrollees ages 0-4 by mental health catchment area. Quarterly prevalence statistics were examined and potential predictors of receipt were identified for future study. RESULTS During the study period the state's quarterly prevalence ranged from 2.3 to 3.0 recipients per 1,000 enrollees (range in catchment areas: 0.5 to 9.8). The state rate peaked at 3.0 in the third quarter of 2002 and at 2.9 in the third quarter of 2004. LIMITATIONS The data are aggregated to a large area level and limited to Medicaid enrollees. The small number of catchment areas (36) limits the utility of statistical associations. CONCLUSIONS Prevalence rates are high enough to deserve further exploration. Geographic variation exists. Psychotropic medication prescriptions for preschool children should be included as the state's mental health practitioners, policymakers, and planners discuss the service system and the mental health of children in our communities.
Neck and Upper Extremity Pain

Chronic neck and upper extremity pain most commonly affect the neck and shoulder. Only one in three patients with neck or shoulder pain experiences symptom resolution after one year. Long pain duration, previous or additional pain complaints, psychological distress, and coping with worry result in persistent neck and upper extremity pain. Pain in the shoulder is mostly caused by overuse in older adults or trauma in young patients. Pain in the hand is often caused by cervical radiculopathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and De Quervain's tenosynovitis.
ACTH Efficacy in Symptomatic Infantile Spasms

A retrospective evaluation of 26 case records of patients with diagnoses of symptomatic infantile spasms and classic hypsarrhythmia is reported from the Division of Pediatric Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN.
Report from the 17th International Planning History Society Conference: 17–21 July 2016, Delft, The Netherlands

The International Planning History Society (IPHS) held its 17th Conference in Delft, the Netherlands from 17th to 21st July with the theme ‘History – Urbanism – Resilience’. Carola Hein, Head of th...
Optomechanical transduction of a cantilever probe using a high-Q Si microdisk cavity

Optomechanical transduction of a silicon cantilever probe intended for atomic force microscopy applications is achieved through gradient force coupling to a high quality factor microdisk cavity, with an estimated displacement sensitivity of ≈ 3×10−15 m/√Hz.