cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermophysical Properties of Binary Mixtures of n-Dodecane with n-Alkylcyclohexanes: Experimental Measurements and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Thermophysical properties (densities, speeds of sound, bulk moduli, and viscosities) of binary mixtures of n-dodecane with n-alkylcyclohexanes (propyl- to dodecylcyclohexane) were examined at various compositions and temperatures (293.15–333.15 K). Viscosities were analyzed using the McAllister three-body equation, and excess molar Gibbs energies of activation for viscous flow (ΔG*E) at 293.15 K were calculated. Because the ΔG*E values did not differ significantly from zero, the mixtures appear to behave ideally. In contrast, nonzero excess molar volume values obtained both experimentally and using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations suggest nonideal behavior. Excess molar volumes were the most negative for n-dodecylcyclohexane mixtures and increased with decreasing alkyl side-chain length eventually becoming slightly positive for mixtures containing n-propylcyclohexane. MD simulations were able to predict density, isentropic bulk modulus, and dynamic viscosity values, but the accuracy of the calculated d...
Associations Between Prenatal Intention and Postpartum Choice: Infant Feeding and Contraception Decisions Among Inner-City Women.

Abstract Purpose: We sought to understand how women's prenatal infant feeding and contraception intentions were related to postpartum choices. Materials and Methods: Expectant women ≥14 years of ag...
The Race for Online Reputation: Implications for Platforms, Firms and Consumers

Online reputation (reflected in consumer ratings) has become a key marketing-mix variable in the digital world. We consider a market consisting of competing firms that participate in a platform such as Expedia or Yelp. Each firm exerts effort to improve its ratings, but in doing so, also influences the mean market rating. The sales of a firm are influenced by its own ratings and the mean rating of the firms in the market. An equilibrium analysis of the mean market rating reveals several insights. A more heterogeneous market (one where the parameters of the firms are very different) leads to a lower mean market rating and higher total profit of the firms in the market. Our results can inform platforms to target certain firms to join: Growing the middle of the market (firms with average ratings) is the best option considering the goals of the platform (increase total profit of the firms) and the other stakeholders, namely, incumbents and consumers. For firms, we find that a firm's profit can increase from an adverse event (such as, a reduction in sales margin, or an increase in the cost of control) depending on how other firms in the market are affected by the event. Our findings are particularly significant for platform owners who could benefit from growing the platform in a strategic manner. We model each firm's decision problem as a stochastic control problem where the objective is to maximize discounted profit over a planning horizon. These control problems are connected through a common market belief that represents the mean rating of the firms in the market. The joint actions of the firms generate a mean market equilibrium. We prove that such an equilibrium exists, is unique, and use a simple algorithm to compute its value.
Existential Turn: Seeking National Recognition

This chapter investigates why Fukuzawa’s thought became increasingly conservative after the 1880s. Hwang specifically focuses on Fukuzawa’s preoccupation with “centrism” and “neutrality” as ideal standpoints. Ironically, this led him to support militarism in order to unify the “extreme progressives” and the “extreme conservatives” under the banner of the Japanese Emperor. According to this analysis, liberalism countered the growth of totalitarianism. But it was undermined by his focus on the neutrality of the state. Liberals simply underestimated the innate existential desire for recognition of one’s identity, which is so often found in reactionary movements.
“Nash-in-Nash” tariff bargaining

Abstract We provide an equilibrium analysis of the efficiency properties of simultaneous bilateral tariff negotiations in a three-country model of international trade. We consider the setting in which discriminatory tariffs are allowed, and we utilize the “Nash-in-Nash” solution concept of Horn and Wolinsky (1988). We allow for a general family of political-economic country welfare functions and assess efficiency relative to these welfare functions. We establish a sense in which the resulting tariffs are inefficient and too low, so that excessive liberalization occurs from the perspective of the three countries.
Silica surface states and their wetting characteristics

The wetting characteristics of silica (SiO2) surfaces can be described by molecular dynamics (MD) and ab initio simulations, including comparison of silica surfaces (talc (001), siloxanated quartz,...
Seeing Beyond the Interests of Industry: Teaching Critical Thinking.

Models of ' 'knowledge" are produced out of specific ideological interests and socio-histoncal circumstances. The materials distributed by industry to schools provide an illustration of the relationship between ideology and the form and content of " knowledge " in educational materials. A procedure for analysis and subsequent identification of the "hidden curriculum " in these materials is discussed. It is argued that such a process , as an act of critical reflection , allows educators and others to practice a critical and emancipatory pedagogy aimed toward political action.
Pediatric Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion with Dissection Following a Trampoline Trauma.

Background Owing to the rarity of acute ischemic stroke in the pediatric population, evidence supporting the efficacy in children of the various treatments used in adults is scanty. This included mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke. Case Description we present the case of an 11-year-old female with acute left hemiparesis, numbness, and left facial droop occurring after tumbling on a trampoline. Computed tomography angiography revealed an 11-mm nonfilling defect in the right middle cerebral artery. She underwent thrombectomy approximately 8.5 hours after the onset of symptoms, and a Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (TICI) scale score of 2b was achieved. She had an uneventful postoperative recovery. Conclusion Pediatric patients likely have more reserve and collateral flow and benefit from a longer therapeutic window following acute ischemic stroke.
Magnetic Field Effects on pH and Electrical Conductivity: Implications for Water and Wastewater Treatment

Manipulation of water chemistry plays an important role in water and wastewater treatment. Much effort has been directed at accomplishing such changes in ways that require less energy and material ...
Changes in food intake during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.

The COVID-19 pandemic and stay-at-home orders across the nation have had substantial consequences on access to food and dietary behaviors. We investigated the dietary intake of adults in NYC, before and during the COVID-19 period. A subset of participants (n = 31) from an NIH-funded multi-level discount supermarket study were assessed. In this study, the experimental groups received a 0% (control), 15%, or 30% discount on fruits, vegetables, and noncaloric beverages for 8 months. The discount level for the participants who were selected for this study did not change from the pre-COVID to during COVID periods. Dietary intake data was collected using three unannounced 24-h dietary recalls (2 weekdays, 1 weekend) during each period. Changes in total daily kcal of food and beverages, total g of solid food, energy density of solid food (kcal/g), and g of fruit and vegetables, soda, non-caloric beverages, and snack foods were analyzed using multivariate linear regression. Energy density (ED) increased during COVID (+0.02 ± 0.5 [SD], F[4,26] = 3.0, p = 0.038). There was an interaction by gender (t = -3.2, p = 0.0035) such that ED increased for females (+0.27 ± 0.46, p = 0.037) and decreased for males (-0.22 ± 0.32, p = 0.012). The change in ED is likely due to the circumstances surrounding COVID-19, e.g. being at home, stress, and food shortages.
Sustainable Development Goals and Environmental Justice: Realization through Disaggregation?

Sustainable development represents the practical means of reconciling conflicts among three sectors — the economy, environment, and society. Interestingly, although social equity and environmental protection arguably fit well into the notion of sustainable development, explicit mention of the term resting at the intersection of these objectives — environmental justice (EJ) — has not been observed in any major international document on the subject.12 In light of this curious omission, what, if any, role does EJ play in the world’s latest program designed to achieve sustainable development — the SDGs? Further, to what extent, if any, are countries making strides towards realizing EJ through the pursuit of progress on the SDGs? This article offers a definitive take on the former question, and a tentative assessment on the latter. Analysis proceeds as follows: Part I develops a comprehensive, contemporary definition of environmental justice; Part II demonstrates how EJ relates to the SDGs; Part III discusses the data obtained and methods used to analyze the presence of EJ across Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs) submitted by countries on a non-mandatory basis to disclose progress made on the SDGs; Part IV conveys the results of the empirical analysis of the VNRs; and Part V offers conclusions and recommendations for strengthening the likelihood of attaining EJ through the SDGs.
China and the International Human Rights Regime: 1982–2017

Rana Siu Inboden examines China's role in the international human rights regime between 1982 and 2017 and, through this lens, explores China's rising position in the world. Focusing on three major case studies – the drafting and adoption of the Convention against Torture and the Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture, the establishment of the UN Human Rights Council, and the International Labour Organization's Conference Committee on the Application of Standards – Inboden shows China's subtle yet persistent efforts to constrain the international human rights regime. Based on a range of documentary and archival research, as well as extensive interview data, Inboden provides fresh insights into the motivations and influences driving China's conduct and explores China's rising position as a global power.
Fatal opioid overdoses in the U.S. declined more than reported between 2017 and 2018.

Background: In U.S. death records, many drug overdoses do not have classified drug involvement, which challenges surveillance of opioid overdoses across time and space.Objective: To estimate the 20...
Pictorial rehearsal

Subjects were presented with a sequence of picture-word items. The pictures were line drawings of common objects, and the words were the names of the objects. Half of the items were followed quickly by the next item, and the other half by a 15-sec “rehearsal interval.” The subjects were told to use these intervals to rehearse the item just presented, either by saying the word over and over to themselves or by maintaining the picture before the mind’s eye. There followed a test in which each item from the study list was cued with a fragment of either the picture or the name. Consistent with previous findings, identification was more probable for fragments of items that had been followed by a rehearsal interval. In addition, this advantage was found to be greater when the type of cue matched the mode of rehearsal that the subject had been instructed to adopt; there was in fact little, if any, advantage of rehearsal when cue and mode of rehearsal mismatched. This pattern of results suggests functionally distinct pictorial and verbal modes of rehearsal that serve not only to maintain information in conscious mind but also to build up memory proper.
Mechanical Properties of Tissues

Tissues are composed of macromolecules, water, ions, and minerals, and therefore their mechanical properties fall somewhere between that of random chain polymers and that of ceramics. Table 7.1 gives the physical properties of cells, soft and hard tissues, metals, polymers, ceramics, and composites. The properties of biological tissues are wide ranging, from cell membranes with a modulus of about 10−4 MPa to bone with ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and modulus of about 200 MPa and 15 to 20 GPa, respectively. This range of properties is achieved largely by use of protein building blocks in association with mineral. As discussed in Chapter 2, the mechanical properties of macromolecules are intimately related to the 3-D structures of the polypeptide chains. Because most proteins are composed of α helices, β structures, and collagen triple helixes, the mechanical properties of these structures are of interest. In this chapter, we introduce the terminology used to describe and measure mechanical properties, followed by a discussion of the mechanical properties of α helices, β structures, and collagen triple helixes.
How Mergers May Affect the Mass Scaling Relation between Gravitationally Bound Systems

Supermassive black hole (BH) masses ($m{c M}BH$ -->$m{c M}t SUBgt BHt/SUBgt $ -->) are strongly correlated with galaxy stellar bulge masses ($m{c M}bulge$ -->$m{c M}t SUBgt bulget/SUBgt $ -->), and there are several ideas to explain the origin of this relationship. This study isolates the role of galaxy mergers from considerations of other detailed physics to more clearly show how a linear BH-galaxy mass relation ($m{c M}BH$ -->$m{c M}t SUBgt BHt/SUBgt $ -->-$m{c M}gal$ -->$m{c M}t SUBgt galt/SUBgt $ -->) can naturally emerge, regardless of how primordial BHs were seeded inside galaxies, if the galaxy mass function declines with increasing mass. Under this circumstance, the $m{c M}BH$ -->$m{c M}t SUBgt BHt/SUBgt $ -->-$m{c M}gal$ -->$m{c M}t SUBgt galt/SUBgt $ --> relation is a passive attractor that eventually converges to a tight linear relation because of two basic statistical effects: a central-limit-like tendency for galaxy mergers, which is much stronger for major mergers than for minor mergers, and a convergence toward a linear relation that is due mainly to minor mergers. A curious consequence of this thought experiment is that if galaxy bulges are formed by major mergers, then merger statistics naturally show that $m{c M}BH$ -->$m{c M}t SUBgt BHt/SUBgt $ --> will correlate more strongly with bulge-dominated galaxies, because of stronger central-seeking tendencies, than with disk-dominated galaxies. Even if some other physics is ultimately responsible for causing a linear $m{c M}BH$ -->$m{c M}t SUBgt BHt/SUBgt $ -->-$m{c M}bulge$ -->$m{c M}t SUBgt bulget/SUBgt $ --> relationship, this thought experiment shows that, counter to intuition, random merging of galaxies that harbor random BH masses tends to strengthen rather than weaken a preexisting, linear, correlation. This idea may be generalized to other gravitationally bound systems (dark matter halos, compact nuclear objects) that retain their physical identities after experiencing mergers.
An experimental validation of the gorry and scott morton framework

The role of frameworks in information systems has recently received a great deal of critical attention. One prominent indictment, which has been directed at even commonly accepted frameworks, is that they lack empirical support, and in fact are not constructed in operational terminology. This article reports the results of an experimental lab study using MBA students as subjects to investigate the tenants of the Gorry and Scott Morton framework (Gorry and Scott Morton, 1971). While firm support is found for the assumption that the level of information attributes varies across system type in the direction postulated, there is evidence that the ability to differentiate the component attributes is affected by such factors as field dependency and mode of presentation.
Origin of Cultivated Rye

Previously it was mentioned that from his systematic study of various collections Vavilov (1917, et. seq.) established two main regions of diversity. These are: (1) Afghanistan, Bokhara and Eastern Persia, and (2) Armenia, Georgia, Asia Minor and S.W. Persia (Fig. 14). Later, extensive work by Grossheim (1924) and his associates, on collections from Transcaucasia, by Berkner and Meyer (1927), Scheibe (1935) and Popoff (1939) on those from Turkey, Anatolia and Bulgaria respectively gave strong support to Vavilov’s conclusions. Thus rye as a cultivated plant seems to be of no importance in its geographical centers of origin. According to Vavilov, some weedy rye of barley and wheat fields in Orient had given rise to cultivated rye through domestication and selection. This hypothesis stimulated a search for weedy ancestor and in 1928, Zhukovsky described an endemic form of West Anatolia under the name, Secale ancestrale. Schiemann (1932, and later) joined this viewpoint. Roshevitz (1948) further suggested that section Cerealia includes a number of weedy forms such as afghanicum, segetale, dighoricum and ancestrale, and these were possibly derived from vavilovii. However, in light of recent cytological studies, this view seems to be no more tenable.
MRI of pregnant patients for suspected pulmonary embolism: steady-state free precession vs postgadolinium 3D-GRE.

Introducao: A embolia pulmonar e uma importante causa de mortalidade materna no mundo desenvolvido. A cintigrafia de ventilacaoperfusaoe a tomografia computorizada causam exposicao a radiacao ionizante. A ressonância magnetica com contraste-gadolinioendovenoso nao e geralmente indicada em doentes gravidas. A RM utilizando tecnicas resistentes aos artefactos de movimento, quenao usam contraste endovenoso, como a balanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) podera ser uma abordagem preferivel emdoentes gravidas.Objectivo: Descrever os achados preliminares do uso de SSFP na avaliacao de doentes gravidas com suspeita de EP, comparandocom uma populacao de jovens mulheres avaliadas com RM 3D-gradiente eco apos contraste-gadolinio pela mesma suspeita clinica.Materiais e Metodos: O arquivo radiologico foi retrospectivamente analisado para dois grupos de doentes submetidos a RM do toraxem 1.5T por suspeita de EP, entre Janeiro de 2007 e Junho de 2010: gravidas com RM incluindo SSFP (grupo A) e mulheres comidade inferior a 45 anos com RM incluindo sequencia ponderada em T1, 3D-GRE, apos contraste-gadolinio (grupo B). A populacaofinal incluiu 21 doentes. As imagens de RM foram avaliadas com leitura independente e cega, para qualidade de imagem do sistemaarterial pulmonar, EP e outros achados toracicos. Os dados foram submetidos a analise estatistica.Resultados: A qualidade de imagem foi considerada boa em todas as arterias centrais e lobares de ambos os grupos e em pelo menos90% (grupo A) e 83,3% (grupo B) das arterias segmentares. Nao ocorreram diferencas significativas na qualidade de imagem dasarterias pulmonares centrais e lobares entre os grupos A e B (p > 0,05).Conclusao: A RM com SSFP pode visualizar as arterias pulmonares centrais, lobares e segmentares em doentes gravidas, comqualidade de imagem adequada e comparavel a 3D-GRE.
Malpractice: an ogre on the horizon

Although social workers are sued for malpractice only infrequently, the possibility exists nonetheless. Drawing analogies with areas of liability that exist in other professions, particularly psychiatry, the author calls attention to ways in which the social worker can protect himself against malpractice suits.
Screening of Toxicity Biomarkers for Methionine Excess in Rats

Although many animal studies have reported that dietary excess of methionine causes toxic changes including growth suppression and hemolytic anemia, the biochemical mechanism and biomarkers for methionine toxicity have not been well elucidated. The present study aimed to identify toxicity biomarkers from plasma metabolites in rats fed excessive methionine. Young growing rats were fed graded doses of additional methionine for 2 wk. Cluster analysis of multivariate correlations was performed on the physiological and toxicity variables with plasma metabolites detected by GC/MS, amino acid analyzer, and thiol-specific analysis. Indicative variables for hemolysis such as splenic nonheme iron content and plasma bilirubin were grouped in the same cluster as many methionine metabolites. Homocysteine and some undefined metabolites in this cluster were found to be strong discriminators between nontoxic and toxic levels of methionine intake. Product-to-precursor ratios of each methionine metabolite demonstrated that excessive methionine intake caused a marked decrease only in the ratio of cystathionine to homocysteine, suggesting that metabolism from homocysteine to cystathionine would be rate limiting in the disposal of excessive methionine. Collectively from these results, homocysteine appeared to be the most plausible biomarker to assess methionine excess as a surrogate marker both for toxicity and for setting a metabolic upper limit.
A slow-adapting microfluidic based tactile sensor

We present a microfluidic based tactile sensor mimicking the human slow-adapting mechanoreceptor. The sensor is composed of a polyimide (PI) / polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) multilayer structure. The device uses a hemispherical reservoir filled with electrolyte solution in PDMS layer, a microchannel in PI layer and a pair of sensing electrodes below the microchannel as the force transducer. The tactile signal is detected as the impedance change resulting predominantly from the resistance variance by the electrodes coverage of 1M NaCl solution and is measured across the electrode pair. The testing results demonstrate the device working range, various force sensing and long term signal stability.
Lévy models and scale invariance properties applied to Geophysics

Abstract In this work we study scale invariant functions and stochastic Levy models and we apply them to geophysical data. We show that a pattern arises from the scale invariance property and Levy flight models that may be used to estimate parameters related to some major event–major earthquakes.
Heterogeneous buoyant density in batches of viral nucleopolyhedra

Abstract Nucleopolyhedron preparations of the bundle virus strain, obtained from large volumes of tissue homogenates of Hemerocampa pseudotsugata larvae, contain populations of inclusion bodies which differ with regard to their buoyant density in isopycnic sucrose gradients. The heavier polyhedra contain higher numbers of virus rods per polyhedron as well as higher numbers of rods per virus bundle. Polyhedra of the single-rod virus strain occlude larger virus rods and band at a higher density than bundle virus polyhedra with similar numbers of virus rods. This fact favors the hypothesis that the single-rod and the bundle virus strains are distinct entities. This study includes a determination of the sedimentation constants of two polyhedron fractions, a mathematical simulation of the sedimentation behavior of nucleopolyhedra in isopycnic sucrose gradients, and an empirical analysis of the sedimentation of a polyhedron fraction. These data are intended to provide further criteria for improving the purification of polyhedral inclusion bodies in Anderson's zonal rotors.
The characterization of styrene–β‐pinene polymers

Styrene was polymerized with β-pinene at 30°C and −50°C in methylene dichloride and in m-xylene solvents. The styrene-to-terpene ratio on pyrolysis suggests that the polymers made at 30°C are copolymers, whereas most of the polymers made at −50°C are not copolymers. On the other hand, ethylene, ethane, and propylene analysis suggests that more of the polymers made at −50°C are copolymers.
Reward for environmental performance: using the Scanlon Plan as catalyst to green organisations

Institutionalising, a reward system based on measurable performance and incentives for environmental improvements, serves as a potential mechanism to enhance a firm's environmental performance. Our main purpose is to integrate the principles of environmental management and the Scanlon Plan as a means to achieve this. Specifically, our paper advocates the utilisation of Scanlon Plan principles for environmental performance. The Scanlon Plan features (1) collectiveness and cooperation, (2) employee participation, (3) quantifiable performance and bonus measures and (4) an equitable reward system; all components that would enhance environmental performance.
Joint network coding and beamforming techniques for downlink channels

We propose a joint optimization of Network Coding and MIMO techniques to improve the downlink channel throughput of a wireless base station. Specifically, we consider a MIMO base station with multiple transmit antennas that serves multiple users simultaneously by generating multiple signal beams with well-defined beamforming weight vectors where each beam intends for a particular user. Given a large number of users and a small number of transmit antennas, a base station must decide, at any transmission opportunity, which group of users it should transmit packets to, in order to maximize the overall throughput. To that end, we propose a method for grouping users that takes advantages of NC technique and the orthogonality of user channels to improve the overall throughput on both unicast and broadcast transmissions. Our simulation results indicate that the proposed method can efficiently increase the throughput over existing techniques, especially in highly lossy environments.
Nonsteroid immunosuppressive agents and bone

The immunosuppressive agents introduced to enhance the action of glucocorticoids and to prevent organ rejection had a dramatic impact on reducing the incidence of organ rejection, enhancing donor organ, and hence patient survival following transplantation. However, these agents, cyclosporine and tacrolimus, termed calcineurin inhibitors (CIs) also have side effects, including the promotion of rapid and severe bone loss in vivo experimentally as well as clinically. The mechanism at present accounting for this action is unclear, but the role of the T lymphocyte in vivo is essential for the process of bone loss. Other immune-modifying drugs, such as az athioprine, mycophenolate mofetil, and sirolimus, which are used in conjunction with glucocorticoids and the CIs have not been shown to promote bone loss experimentally. Clinically, there is no evidence for this side effect, although the optimum trials for all these agents, excluding glucocorticoids, have not been performed and may be extremely difficult to accomplish in the clinical environment. In addition to acute rapid and severe bone loss the clinical picture shows an extremely high incidence of fractures at all sites, which also may depend on the organ transplanted, preexisting bone disease, interval before transplantation, and the dose and duration of multiple immunosuppressive drug administration. The management at this stage is largely empiric but consists of attempted rapid reduction in the dose of glucocorticoids and institution of antiresorptive agents together with calcium and vitamin D or analogs. Future studies may also find an anabolic therapy such as intermittent parathyroid hormone (RhPTH) useful to treat this disease.
Regulation of the renal Na-HCO3 cotransporter: VII. Mechanism of the cholinergic stimulation

Regulation of the renal Na-HCO 3 cotransporter: VII. Mechanism of the cholinergic stimulation. Cholinergic agents regulate proximal tubule acidification but the mechanism responsible for this effect is unclear. We examined the effect of the cholinergic agent carbachol on the activity of the Na-HCO 3 cotransporter in primary cultures of the proximal tubule of the rabbit. The activity of the cotransporter was assayed either as HCO 3 -dependent 22 Na uptake or as the recovery of intracellular pH in cells perfused continuously with Cl-free physiologic solution containing amiloride to block the Na-H antiporter. Carbachol caused a dose-dependent stimulation of the cotransporter activity with a maximum increase of 90% above control values at 10 −5 M and half maximal stimulation at 10 −7 M. The stimulation was blocked by atropine and pirenzepine indicating an effect through the M1 muscarinic receptor. Carbachol increased intracellular calcium fourfold and the rise in cytosolic calcium was prevented by the intracellular calcium chelator, BAPTA. BAPTA also blocked the effect of carbachol on the cotransporter. Because carbachol activates phospholipase C and protein kinase C, we examined the effect of carbachol in the presence of the phospholipase C inhibitor, U73122, or the PKC inhibitor, calphostin C, or PKC depletion. The phospholipase C inhibitor prevented both the effect of carbachol on the cotransporter and on the intracellular Ca. Calphostin C and PKC depletion also prevented the stimulation of the cotransporter. Carbachol increased PKC activity and caused translocation of the PKC to the particulate fraction. We also examined the effect of the phosphatase inhibitor, calyculin A or the calmodulin kinase inhibitor, W-13 on carbachol stimulation. Calyculin A and W13 likewise prevented the carbachol-induced stimulation of the cotransporter. These results demonstrate that cholinergic stimulation modulated the activity of the cotransporter through multiple pathways including phospholipase C/PKC and phosphatase systems.
Evaluations of communication skills as predictors of peer acceptance in a group living situation

This paper develops the hypothesis that holding age‐ and gender‐typical conceptions of friendship, conceptions expressed in evaluations of several communication skills, is an important determinant of interpersonal acceptance by peers. It was hypothesized that college students who highly value the affectively oriented communication skills of friends would experience higher levels of peer acceptance than those who value nonaffectively oriented skills. However, it was anticipated that gender would mediate the relationship between valuing affectively oriented skills and interpersonal acceptance. Participants (residents of two fraternities and two sororities) responded to a questionnaire on the perceived importance of eight communication skills in friends, provided self‐reports about experienced loneliness, and completed interviews on sociometric assessments of peer acceptance. Correlational analyses detected weak but significant associations between valuing affectively oriented communication skills and indice...
Differential zircon fertility of source terranes and natural bias in the detrital zircon record: Implications for sedimentary provenance analysis

Abstract Granitic intrusions emplaced within Laurentia during the Grenville Orogeny (1.15–1.05 Ga) are exceptionally Zr-rich, primarily a function of high modal zircon, relative to Paleozoic granitoids emplaced within eastern Laurentia during phases of Appalachian orogenesis. Erosion of Grenville source rocks would generate disproportionately large volumes of detrital zircon compared to less zircon-fertile source regions. The latter sources are difficult to detect by standard in situ U–Pb dating methods of detrital zircon (SHRIMP or LA-ICP-MS U–Pb analysis of centers of > 100 μm grains), or could be overlooked during sampling. Grenvillian zircon fertility biased the Neoproterozoic to Recent sedimentary record as a result of two factors: (1) zircon durability and insolubility led to recycling during repeated orogenesis; (2) inertness of zircon below the onset of anatexis means dominantly metamorphosed sedimentary terranes failed to generate significant new zircon corresponding in age to the time of accretion of those terranes to Laurentia. Zircon growth under anatectic conditions generates new zircon, commonly as overgrowths on preexisting zircon, which may be too narrow to easily analyze by laser or ion beam techniques. Accretion of metasedimentary terranes therefore could be rendered all but undetectable via standard U–Pb detrital zircon dating. Grenville age modes dominate detrital zircon age distributions for Laurentian Neoproterozoic rift basins, Appalachian Paleozoic synorogenic clastic sequences, Appalachian metasedimentary terranes, and modern rivers draining these terranes. This is an artifact of the Grenville zircon signal that echoed throughout all Paleozoic orogenies on the eastern Laurentian margin. The natural Grenville bias in the detrital zircon record is further amplified by standard sampling biases (such that large (e.g. 100–300 μm) crystals are preferentially chosen) and analytical biases (e.g. cores are much more frequently analyzed).
Clinical course and long-term follow-up of patients receiving implantable cardioverter-defibrillators

Background Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are increasingly used for primary and secondary prevention of sudden cardiac death. Defibrillators were introduced into clinical practice in 1980. Since that time, factors affecting long-term survival and the natural history of defibrillator patients have not been described. Objectives The purpose of this study was to identify clinical predictors of long-term survival in patients receiving ICDs. Methods The prognostic value of several clinical variables on the likelihood of survival or appropriate ICD therapy in 1,382 consecutive patients receiving ICDs from 1980 to 2003 were evaluated. Data were collected at the time of device implantation, and follow-up was completed through March 2005. Results In 70 ± 51 months of follow-up (range 0–282 months), 792 patients died and 421 patients received appropriate ICD therapy at least once. Age, left ventricular ejection fraction, New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class, Charlson comorbidity index, and antiarrhythmic drug use correlated with mortality. β-Blocker and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use was associated with improved survival. Only NYHA functional class correlated with ICD therapy. Patients free of shocks for the first 5 years after ICD implantation had continued risk of arrhythmia recurrence. Conclusion The heart failure characteristics of patients predicted ICD shock probability and survival better than the arrhythmia characteristics or the underlying heart disease. Antiarrhythmic drug use was associated with increased mortality. Beta-blocker and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor use was associated with improved survival. A measurable arrhythmic risk even after prolonged shock-free intervals indicates the need for continued ICD therapy in all patients with appropriate ICD indications.
Normal optical flow measurement on CMOS APS imager

A 92/spl times/52 active pixel sensor (APS) for dense normal flow estimation is presented. The sensor combines imaging and processing on the same chip efficiently. The algorithm computes partial derivatives with respect to time and space and uses their ratio to compute normal flow velocity. The chip, which has been fabricated in a CMOS 0.5 /spl mu/m process, occupies an area of 4.5 mm/sup 2/ and consumes 2.6 mW power at V/sub dd/=5 V.
Cholecystokinin-induced secretion and synthesis of amylase and cationic trypsinogen by pancreatic acini isolated from rats given an ethanol diet

Abstract Effects of chronic alcohol intake on secretion and synthesis of amylase and cationic trypsinogen (CT) were studied with pancreatic acini isolated from male Sprague-Dawley rats fed a Lieber-DeCarli ethanol or control diet for 30 days. Pancreatic acini were incubated in a media containing increasing concentrations of cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8: 0-1000pM) followed by addition of [3H]leucine. Amylase and CT secreted in the media and those labeled in acini were quantitated. Basal and CCK-stimulated secretion of CT was not different in alcoholic and control groups. On the other hand, a dose-response curve of CCK-stimulated amylase secretion from alcoholic acini was markedly reduced with both basal and maximal secretion decreased to only 40% of controls. Basal incorporation of [3H]leucine into amylase was reduced by 70% in alcoholic acini compared to controls while that into CT was not different in the two groups. CCK-8 exhibited a biphasic effect on [3H]leucine incorporation into both enzymes in alcoholic acini: low concentrations of CCK-8 ( 100pM) decreased it. However, in control acini, CCK-8 induced progressive suppression of the incorporation into these enzymes, the pattern of which was similar to that previously observed in fasted rats (Am. J. Physiol. 241:G116–G112, 1981). This difference in the response pattern resulted in significantly higher rates of CCK-8 induced incorporation into CT in alcoholic acini. These results suggest that the differences observed may possibly be attributable not only to alcohol intake but also to the differences in carbohydrate intake and in temporal patterns of diet consumption.
Cerebral autonomic control systems and their pharmacological evaluation

Abstract Stimulation of isocortical, limbic, diencephalic and mesencephalic loci has produced changes in cardiac dynamics, systemic blood pressure, coronary, superior mesenteric and renal arterial blood flow, skin temperature, salivation, gut motility, renal function, epinephrine activity and hematopoiesis. These responses are selectively modified by psychoactive drugs. Hypothetically, the infantile ego protects against cerebrally-induced autonomic overactivity in the infant who is capable of responding mainly by visceral action. Alcohol allows regression to the infantile level through depression of the reticular activating system. Other drugs, such as chlordiazepoxide, act by tension reduction (through effects on cerebral autonomic mechanisms) without impairing contact with reality and are, therefore, useful for infantile ego deflation while fostering receptivity by psychotherapy.
Silyl Migration of Me3SiCCPh Coordinated to [RuH(CO)(PtBu2Me)2]BAr‘4 Can Be Reversed: Synthesis and Structure of [Ru(CHC(SiMe3)(Ph))(CO)(PtBu2Me)2]BAr‘4

Reaction of 14-electron RuH(CO)L2+ (L = PtBu2Me, anion = B[C6H3(CF3)2]4-) with Me3SiC⋮CPh gives the silyl-migrated product Ru[CHC(SiMe3)Ph](CO)L2+, in which the ortho H on phenyl syn to Ru is agost...
Structure of martensites in β Au-Cd alloys

Abstract The crystal structures and metallographic features of martensites in the β phase region of Au-Cd alloys have been investigated by electron microscopy, the main emphasis being to investigate the origin of the stability of stacking variants of close packed structures which appear in martensites as compared to that of similar structures in equilibrium phases. Five types of martensite structures are found in the range of 45 at. % to 51 at. % Cd, and are designated with increasing Cd content as α′, β 2 ′, β 2 ′', γ 2 ′ and ζ 2 ′ among which the existence of two, γ 2 ′ and ζ 2 ′, had been known and been designated as β′ and β′' respectively. In addition, two structures, designated here as α 2 and α 20 are found to exist in the 45 % alloy as equilibrium phases, α′ has a disordered f.c.c. structure while β 2 ′ and γ 2 ′ are stacking variants, 3 R and 2 H respectively, of a CuAu type ordered structure. The β 2 ′' martensite is a distinct martensite phase but with a fine, regular lamellar mixture of β 2 ′ and γ 2 ′. The ζ 2 ′ martensite has an ordered hexagonal structure similar to ζ-AgZn. The composition dependence of the appearance of the crystal structures and their relative stability along with their metallographic characteristics are discussed in comparison with those in martensites in other noble metal base alloys as well as those structures found in noble metal alloys as stable states.
Seed germination of calendula in response to temperature

Abstract Calendula (Calendula officinalis L.) seeds contain high concentrations of calendic acid (C18:3) which can be used as tung and linseed oil substitutes. Calendula is adapted to temperate climate, but field studies in western Minnesota indicated that stand establishment was susceptible to high soil temperatures immediately after planting in spring. Consequently, understanding the temperature conditions that govern germination of calendula is necessary to incorporate the crop into crop rotations of the Upper Midwest, U.S. Temperature gradient bar and heat-shock experiments were used to characterize calendula (cv. ‘Carola’) sensitivity before and during germination. Seed germinated between 2 and 32 °C with the optimum germination temperature at 16–17 °C. Heat shock temperatures (35–40 °C) of less than 50 h duration reduced germination (at 16 °C) below 50%. At 45 °C, 100% seed lethality was induced within 24 h of heat treatment. Accordingly, calendula seed should be sown in the field only if forecasted soil conditions are expected to be below 30 °C during seed germination.
“You Take Care of the Patients, We'll Take Care of their TV” Attending to Hospital Television

This article examines how manufacturers marketed and advertised television's uses and benefits to a professional audience of hospital administrators and nurses. The article draws on a variety of archival materials, including advertisements from medical trade journals such as Modern Hospital and the American Journal of Nursing and analyses of healthcare architecture. Extending substantial theoretical work on the relationship between technology and gendered labor forms, it demonstrates that television's entrance into the nondomestic, institutional context of the hospital was contingent upon received notions about nurses' labor and patient comfort. Recognizing the possibilities of television as a new communication medium, the most significant challenge involved the integration of television into the daily operation of the hospital. This article shows that assumptions about the nature of nursing labor influenced the design and implementation of television and its technologies (such as the remote-control, pill...
991-73 Ultrarapid Subthreshold Stimulation Delivered via Epicardial Patches can Terminate Reentrant Ventricular Tachycardia in a Canine Model

Although Ultrarapid subthreshold stimulation (USTS) delivered via endocardial electrodes to a critical site of a tachycardia circuit is able to terminate reentrant arrhythmias, it requires detailed electrophsyiologic mapping. We evaluated USTS given via epicardial patches to terminate ventricular tachycardia (VT). Methods Canines underwent coronary artery ligation to produce apical infarction. 3–5 days after infarct, two defibrillator patches were sutured epicardially and pacing thresholds determined. VT was induced and USTS was applied at 90% threshold, with a train of 10 stimuli, cycle length 50 ms, and pulse width 2 ms. If there was no effect, increasing trains and pulse widths were used. Threshold was re-tested post-termination to insure subthreshold output. Six dogs survived and had 136 VTs induced. Results 91/136 (67%) of induced VT episodes were terminated. 41 (30%) terminated after 1 delivery of USTS; 50 (37%) terminated after 2–17 sets of USTS; 22 (16%) were reset; 23 (17%) were unaffected. Of 91 terminations, there was a 66% probability of VT termination within the first three sets of USTS delivery. Conclusions USTS may be successfully applied via epicardial patches to terminate induced reentrant VT in the canine model, without the need for extensive mapping of the VT circuit.
Rad50 zinc hook is important for the Mre11 complex to bind chromosomal DNA double-stranded breaks and initiate various DNA damage responses.

The Mre11-Rad50-Nbs1 (MRN) complex plays critical roles in checkpoint activation and double-stranded break (DSB) repair. The Rad50 zinc hook domain mediates zinc-dependent intercomplex associations of MRN, which is important for DNA tethering. Studies in yeast suggest that the Rad50 zinc hook domain is essential for MRN functions, but its role in mammalian cells is not clear. We demonstrated that the human Rad50 hook mutants are severely defective in various DNA damage responses including ATM (Ataxia telangiectasia mutated) activation, homologous recombination, sensitivity to IR, and activation of the ATR pathway. By using live cell imaging, we observed that the Rad50 hook mutants fail to be recruited to chromosomal DSBs, suggesting a novel mechanism underlying the severe defects observed for the Rad50 hook mutants. In vitro analysis showed that Zn2+ promotes wild type but not the hook mutant of MR to bind double-stranded DNA. In vivo, the Rad50 hook mutants are defective in being recruited to chromosomal DSBs in both H2AX-proficient and -deficient cells, suggesting that the Rad50 hook mutants are impaired in direct binding to chromosomal DSB ends. We propose that the Rad50 zinc hook domain is important for the initial binding of MRN to DSBs, leading to ATM activation to phosphorylate H2AX, which recruits more MRN to the DSB-flanking chromosomal regions. Our studies reveal a critical role for the Rad50 zinc hook domain in establishing and maintaining MRN recruitment to chromosomal DSBs and suggest an important mechanism of how the Rad50 zinc hook domain contributes to DNA repair and checkpoint activation.
Airbreathing/Rocket Single-Stage-to-Orbit Design Matrix

A definitive design/performance study was performed on a single-stage-to-orbit (SSTO) airbreathing propelled orbital vehicle with rocket propulsion augmentation in the Access to Space activities during 1993. A credible reference design was established, but by no means an optimum. The results supported the viability of SSTO airbreathing/rocket vehicles for operational scenarios and indicated compelling reasons to continue to explore the design matrix. This paper will (1) summarize the Access to Space design activity from the SSTO airbreathing/rocket perspective, (2) present an airbreathing/rocket SSTO design matrix established for continued optimization of the design space, and (3) focus on the compelling reasons for airbreathing vehicles in Access to Space scenarios.
Looking for Insights in All the Right Places: What Executives Pay Attention to Impacts Firm Performance

The article reports on research concerning firm performance in stable and uncertain environments, the role of chief executive officers (CEO) in gathering information and identifying business conditions, and innovation as a strategy in uncertain environments. Corporations in stable environments should concentrate on cost control and efficiency. The study focused on the information behavior of CEOs and found that the type of information used in environmental scanning impacts financial performance. The research was conducted by Vinay Garg of Southwest Missouri State University, Bruce Walters of Louisiana Tech University, and Richard Priem of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.
Genetic Epidemiology of Colorectal Cancer

Genetic epidemiological methods have played an integral role in the characterisation of the genetic susceptibilities to colorectal cancer. Classic epidemiological approaches, such as case-control and prospective cohort studies, that utilise family history information have laid the foundation for the more specialised family-based genetic methods, segregation analysis and linkage analysis. The genetic epidemiology of colorectal cancer can be characterised by several themes: the consistently increased risk of colorectal cancer in first-degree relatives of patients with colorectal cancer; genetic predisposition to some, if not the majority of colorectal neoplasms; and genetic heterogeneity of the inherited colorectal cancer syndromes. With the rapid development of molecular genetic techniques, new opportunities for further research include studies to estimate the proportion of colorectal cancer that is accounted for by genetic susceptibility, the number of loci that may be involved, and most importantly, gene-environment interaction studies, not only of the inherited syndromes, but of common colorectal cancer.