cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Machine Learning for Accelerated IBFD Tuning in 5G Flexible Duplex Networks

The fifth-generation wireless system framework provides the option to evaluate the performance of in-band full-duplex (IBFD) operation through flexible duplexing. The resulting self-interference, however, must be mitigated within a fraction of a symbol duration for successful communication. This paper introduces the use of machine learning to accelerate the tuning of multi-tap adaptive RF cancellers. The tuning performance of a prototype system using a two-tap canceller was measured over a 20 MHz bandwidth centered at 2.5 GHz, and demonstrated more than 38 dB of cancellation with less than 10 tuning iterations. This tuning speed is significantly faster than previous approaches, and illustrates that this novel application of machine learning to RF canceller tuning can enable IBFD operation in dynamic interference environments.
Review of “Manual of Neuroanesthesia: The Essentials,” edited by Hemanshu Prabhakar, Charu Mahajan, and Indu Kapoor

The Manual of Neuroanesthesia: The Essentials covers all important aspects relating to Neuroanesthesia. This book is unique in the fact that it was edited by three very experienced and knowledgeabl...
Effects of dietary fiber and distillers grains on fecal shedding of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli in feedlot steers

The objective of this study was to determine whether the presence of distillers grain (DGS) in the diet or the level of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) affects shedding of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) in feedlot steers.
2010–2020: Lifestyle Issues

The way in which medicine is practiced in 2020 has changed significantly compared to previous decades. The 80-hour workweek regulations affecting resident education, the development of so-called shift work medical specialties such as hospitalist medicine, the burden of administrative tasks imposed by the electronic medical record, and the evaluation of physician performance based on RVUs and patient satisfaction scores—the business creep into medicine—all also served to blur the difference in the way men and women physicians do their respective jobs. What has changed less for women physicians is their life outside of medicine; for the most part, women continue to assume the major burden of responsibilities for their homes and children. Despite this, there is new and interesting data that documents improved outcomes for patients of women physicians.
Sum of Squares based Convex Approach for Optimal Control Synthesis

We consider an optimal control synthesis problem for a class of control-affine nonlinear systems. We propose Sum-of-Square based computational framework for optimal control synthesis. The proposed computation framework relies on the convex formulation of the optimal control problem in the dual space of densities. The convex formulation to the optimal control problem is based on the duality results in dynamical systems’ stability theory. We used the Sum-of-Square based computational framework for the finite-dimensional approximation of the convex optimization problem. The efficacy of the developed framework is demonstrated using simulation results.
Photosynthesis and foliar vascular adjustments to growth light intensity in summer annual species with symplastic and apoplastic phloem loading.

Abstract Concomitant adjustments in photosynthetic capacity and size, composition, and/or density of minor foliar veins in response to growth environment were previously described primarily for winter annuals that load sugars into foliar phloem apoplastically. Here, common trends, differences associated with phloem-loading mechanism, and species-dependent differences are identified for summer annuals (loading sugars either symplastically [cucumber, pumpkin, and basil] or apoplastically [tomato and sunflower]) that were grown in low and high light. Photosynthetic capacity per leaf area was significantly positively correlated with leaf-level volume of phloem-loading cells (LCs), sugar-export conduits (sieve elements), and water conduits (tracheary elements) irrespective of phloem-loading mechanism. The relative contribution to leaf-level volume of LC numbers versus individual LC size was greater in apoplastic loaders than in symplastic loaders. Species-dependent differences included different vein density within each loading group and either greater or lower numbers of cells per minor vein (especially of tracheary elements in the symplastic loaders basil versus cucumber, respectively), which may be due to genetic adaptation to different environmental conditions. These results indicate considerable plasticity in foliar vascular features in summer annuals as well as some loading-mechanism-dependent trends.
Measuring and Modeling Neighborhoods

With the availability of granular geographical data, social scientists are increasingly interested in examining how residential neighborhoods are formed and how they influence attitudes and behavior. To facilitate such studies, we develop an easy-to-use online survey instrument that allows respondents to draw their neighborhoods on a map. We then propose a statistical model to analyze how the characteristics of respondents, relevant local areas, and their interactions shape subjective neighborhoods. The model also generates out-of-sample predictions of one's neighborhood given these observed characteristics. We illustrate the proposed methodology by conducting a survey among registered voters in Miami, New York City, and Phoenix. We find that across these cities voters are more likely to include same-race and co-partisan census blocks in their neighborhoods. Net of other factors, White respondents are 6.1 to 16.9 percentage points more likely to include in their neighborhoods a census block composed entirely of White residents compared to one with no White residents. Similarly, Democratic and Republican respondents are 8.6 to 19.2 percentage points more likely to include an entirely co-partisan census block compared to one consisting entirely of out-partisans. Co-partisanship exhibits a similar, independent, influence. We also show that our model provides more accurate out-of-sample predictions than the standard distance-based measures of neighborhoods. Open-source software is available for implementing the proposed methodology.
Comparison of Ablation Predictions for Carbonaceous Materials Using Cea and Janaf-Based Species Thermodynamics

In most previous work at NASA Ames Research Center, ablation predictions for carbonaceous materials were obtained using a species thermodynamics database developed by Aerotherm Corporation. This database is derived mostly from the JANAF thermochemical tables. However, the CEA thermodynamics database, also used by NASA, is considered more up to date. In this work, the FIAT code was modified to use CEA-based curve fits for species thermodynamics, then analyses using both the JANAF and CEA thermodynamics were performed for carbon and carbon phenolic materials over a range of test conditions. The ablation predictions are comparable at lower heat fluxes where the dominant mechanism is carbon oxidation. However, the predictions begin to diverge in the sublimation regime, with the CEA model predicting lower recession. The disagreement is more significant for carbon phenolic than for carbon, and this difference is attributed to hydrocarbon species that may contribute to the ablation rate.
Mercury concentrations in Atlantic bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) inhabiting the Indian River Lagoon, Florida: Patterns of spatial and temporal distribution

Abstract Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) inhabiting the Indian River Lagoon, FL (IRL) have tissue mercury concentrations among the highest reported worldwide. Analysis of total mercury (THg) concentrations in blood collected between 2003 and 2012 showed a significant linear decrease over time (p = 0.04). Significant differences in the spatial distribution of THg in resident IRL dolphins were also observed with a general gradient in concentration from north to south. Evaluation of local biogeochemistry and accumulation of mercury in prey species is needed to better understand factors influencing the distribution of Hg in the apex predator. Analyses of temporal and spatial patterns of exposure to THg in this sentinel species may have implications for both ecosystem and public health in the region.
Assimilatory sulfur metabolism in marine microorganisms: considerations for the application of sulfate incorporation into protein as a measurement of natural population protein synthesis.

The sulfur content of residue protein was determined for pure cultures of Nitrosococcus oceanus, Desulfovibrio salexigens, 4 mixed populations of fermentative bacteria, 22 samples from mixed natural population enrichments, and 11 nutritionally and morphologically distinct isolates from enrichments of Sargasso Sea water. The average 1.09 ± 0.14% (by weight) S in protein for 13 pure cultures agrees with the 1.1% calculated from average protein composition. An operational value encompassing all mixed population and pure culture measurements has a coefficient of variation of only 15.1% (n = 41). Short-term [35S]sulfate incorporation kinetics by Pseudomonas halodurans and Alteromonas luteoviolaceus demonstrated a rapid appearance of 35S in the residue protein fraction which was well modelled by a simple exponential uptake equation. This indicates that little error in protein synthesis determination results from isotope dilution by endogenous pools of sulfur-containing compounds. Methionine effectively competed with sulfate for protein synthesis in P. halodurans at high concentrations (10 μM), but had much less influence at 1 μM. Cystine competed less effectively with sulfate, and glutathione did not detectably reduce sulfate-S incorporation into protein. [35S]sulfate incorporation was compared with [14C]glucose assimilation in a eutrophic brackish-water environment. Both tracers yielded similar results for the first 8 h of incubation, but a secondary growth phase was observed only with 35S. Redistribution of 14C from low-molecular-weight materials into residue protein indicated additional protein synthesis. [35S]sulfate incorporation into residue protein by marine bacteria can be used to quantitatively measure bacterial protein synthesis in unenriched mixed populations of marine bacteria.
Dynamo Theory and the Origin of Small Scale Magnetic Fields

Dynamo action describes the sustained conversion of kinetic energy into magnetic energy throughout the bulk of an electrically conducting fluid. Dynamo processes are commonly invoked to explain the origin of the solar cycle and of the large scale component of the solar magnetic field. The origin of small scale magnetic fields can also be understood in terms of dynamo processes. Recent advances in the theory of dynamo operating in fluids with high electrical conductivity — fast dynamos,indicate that most sufficiently complicated chaotic flows should act as dynamos. The resulting magnetic fields have a complex structure characterised by amplitude and polarity fluctuations on small scales. Some of the geometrical properties of these fluctuations can be described in terms of scaling behaviour and exponents. We review some of these ideas and illustrate them by simple examples. Possible extensions to the (nonlinear) dynamical regime are also discussed.
A calorimetric and equilibrium investigation of the hydrolysis of lactose.

The thermodynamics of the hydrolysis of lactose to glucose and galactose have been investigated using both high pressure liquid chromatography and heat-conduction microcalorimetry. The reaction was carried out over the temperature range 282-316 K and in 0.1 M sodium acetate buffer at a pH of 5.65 using the enzyme beta-galactosidase to catalyze the reaction. For the process lactose(aq) + H2O(liq) = glucose(aq) + galactose(aq), delta G0 = -8.72 +/- 0.20 kJ.mol-1, K0 = 34 +/- 3, delta H0 = 0.44 +/- 0.11 kJ.mol-1, delta S0 = 30.7 +/- 0.8 J.mol-1.K-1, and delta Cop = 9 +/- 20 J.mol-1.K-1 at 298.15 K. The standard state is the hypothetical ideal solution of unit molality. Thermochemical cycle calculations using enthalpies of combustion and solution, entropies, solubilities, activity coefficients, and apparent molar heat capacities have also been performed. These calculations indicate large discrepancies which are attributable primarily to errors in literature data on the enthalpies of combustion and/or third law entropies of the crystalline forms of the substrates.
Evolution of phage with chemically ambiguous proteomes

Background The widespread introduction of amino acid substitutions into organismal proteomes has occurred during natural evolution, but has been difficult to achieve by directed evolution. The adaptation of the translation apparatus represents one barrier, but the multiple mutations that may be required throughout a proteome in order to accommodate an alternative amino acid or analogue is an even more daunting problem. The evolution of a small bacteriophage proteome to accommodate an unnatural amino acid analogue can provide insights into the number and type of substitutions that individual proteins will require to retain functionality.
Application of Immunohistochemistry to Infections

Abstract Context.—Pathologists play an important role in the diagnosis or exclusion of infectious diseases. Traditionally, the diagnosis of infectious diseases rely on serologic assays and cultures. Serologic results may be difficult to interpret in the setting of immunosuppression, fresh tissue is not always available for culture, and culture of fastidious pathogens can be difficult and may take weeks or months to yield a result. Although some microorganisms or their cytopathic effects may be readily identifiable on routine and/ or histochemical stains, often these changes are not specific or are sparse in the sample evaluated. In these cases, additional immunohistochemical stains are often needed to establish the diagnosis of infection. Objective.—To review the current value and limitations of the use of immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of infectious diseases in formalin-fixed tissue samples. Data Sources.—Literature in Medline and the authors' own experience. Conclusions.—Immunohistochemistry has ...
Assessing public health capabilities during emergency preparedness tabletop exercises: reliability and validity of a measurement tool

Objectives.Improving the ability of local public health agencies to respond to large-scale emergencies is an ongoing challenge. Tabletop exercises can provide an opportunity for individuals and gro...
The Principles of Quantum Mechanics. II. The Postulates of Quantum Mechanics

This chapter presents the postulates that are the theoretical basis of quantum mechanics. The first two postulates establish the role of the wave function in quantum mechanics. They establish a one-to-one correspondence between the mechanical state of a system and a wave function and establish the Schrodinger equation, which governs the wave functions. The third postulate of quantum mechanics establishes a connection between each mechanical variable and a mathematical operator. The fourth postulate provides the means to obtain information about the values of mechanical variables from operators and the wave function of the system. The fifth postulate concerns the determination of the state of a system by experimental measurements. The measurement on the same system of a complete set of commuting observables suffices to put the system into a state that is completely known, even though only partial information is available about the state of the system prior to the measurements.
In situ determination of total dissolved inorganic carbon by underwater membrane introduction mass spectrometry

Procedures have been developed for the determination of total dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) in acidified seawater using an underwater mass spectrometer. Factors affecting the response of the membrane introduction mass spectrometer (MIMS) system were examined to optimize calibrations and enhance the accuracy of component ocean carbon system measurements. Laboratory studies examined the following influences on MIMS measurements of DIC: bicarbonate and carbonate contributions to the MIMS CO2 signal intensity, linearity of MIMS response over a wide range of carbon dioxide concentrations, influence of sample salinity on membrane permeability, and capability to use acidified solutions for calibrations of both DIC and CO2 fugacity. It was observed that (a) bicarbonate and carbonate contributions to carbon dioxide signal intensity were significant at slow flow rates, (b) MIMS response was linearly dependent on DIC within the concentration range of interest, (c) salinity has a discernable influence on membrane permeability that is, in turn, dependent on hydrostatic pressure, and (d) well calibrated MIMS measurements for both DIC and CO2 fugacity can be obtained using acidified DIC standards. High flow rates are required during CO2 fugacity measurements in circumneutral seawater to eliminate signal contributions from bicarbonate and carbonate.
Screening for Potentially Biased Items in Testing Programs.

What statistical methods are being used to identify biased test items? What are the advantages and disadvantages of each method? What sample sizes are required to use each method? Which methods are most useful to the practitioner?
The Spectral Emissivity and the Relation of True Temperatures and Brightness Temperatures of Platinum

Spectral emissivities of platinum for λ=660 mμ have been measured by using an optical pyrometer to compare the brightness of the surface of an incandescent tubular filament with that of a small hole through the wall of the tube. They have been used to compute true temperature as a function of brightness temperature, for the range 1200°K to 1900°K true temperature. The emissivity was found to vary linearly with temperature, from 0.283 at 1200°K to 0.295 at 1900°K. The brightness of an incandescent platinum surface was found to vary with angle of emission rising to a maximum 1.24 times the normal brightness at an emission angle of 80° and decreasing thereafter.
Negative Poisson's ratio polyethylene foams

Various polyethylene foams were subjected to thermo-mechanical processing with the aim of transforming them into re-entrant materials exhibiting negative Poisson's ratio. Following transformation, large cell foams (cell sizes of 1 and 2 mm) exhibited re-entrant cell structure and negative Poisson's ratio over a range of processing times and temperatures. Poisson's ratio vs. strain for these foams was similar to prior results for reticulated polyurethane foams. Following processing, microcellular polyethylene foam was densified but cells remained convex; it did not exhibit a substantial negative Poisson's ratio. This foam had a different transition temperature as determined via DSC than the large cell foams.
Processing and microstructure of high-pressure consolidated ceramic nanocomposites

Abstract Al 2 O 3 /TiO 2 nanocomposites were prepared by high-pressure sintering (HPS). The addition of nano-MgO powder improved the densification and retarded grain growth. The pressure decreased the energy barriers for nucleation, and caused the decomposition of Al 2 TiO 5 and the phase transformation of Al 2 O 3 to take place at lower temperatures.
Numerical and experimental study of the conversion of methane to hydrogen in a porous media reactor

Abstract In this paper, conversion of methane to hydrogen within a porous media reactor was investigated over the fuel-rich equivalence ratio range of 1.5 to 5. Experimental data were taken to validate the computational model and good agreement was established between the two. The characteristics of interest were wave velocity, peak combustion temperature, flame structure, volumetric heat release, wave thickness, and hydrogen yield. The parameters investigated that affect these characteristics included inlet velocity, equivalence ratio, and the thermal conductivity and the specific heat of the porous media. The computational model predicted a peak percentage conversion of methane to hydrogen of approximately 59% while experimental results show a peak of approximately 73%. The model also predicted the experimental trend that conversion efficiency increases as the inlet velocity of the initial fuel–air mixture increases. Species profiles obtained from the computational model showed the signature dual-reforming regimes known as partial oxidation and steam reforming inherent with fuel-rich filtration combustion. The main contribution of this paper is an understanding of the transient nature of the combustion wave for fuel-rich conditions and how the nature of the combustion wave influences conversion efficiency. As the combustion wave progresses, the steam-reforming zone thickness increases, resulting from the constant heat addition to the solid. A thick, high-temperature zone, which promotes steam reforming and is heavily dependent upon the specific heat of the porous media, is preferred to maximize conversion efficiency.
Some remarks on the Lie group of point transformations for the harmonic oscillator

Some aspects of the symmetry group SL(3,R) of the simple harmonic oscillator are revisited. A realisation of the general element of the group in Newtonian spacetime is obtained, with the eight parameters included. The group is shown to be SL(3,R) in fact, without recourse to the Lie algebra. Finally, in this way, the group law of binary composition of the parameters is calculated easily in the group manifold.
Analysis of the active center of branching enzyme II from maize endosperm

Analysis of the primary structure of mBEII, with those of other branching and amylolytic enzymes as reference, identifies four highly conserved regions which may be involved in substrate binding and in catalysis. When one of the amino acid residues corresponding to the putative catalytic sites of mBEII, i.e., Asp-386, Glu-441, and Asp-509, was replaced, activity disappeared. These putative catalytic residues are located in three different regions (regions 2–4) of the four highly conserved regions (regions 1–4) which exist in the primary structure of most starch hydrolases and related enzymes, including branching enzymes. Region 3, which contains Glu-441 as one of the putative catalytic residues, was located downstream of the carboxyl-terminal position previously reported. The importance of the carboxyl amino acid residues was also demonstrated by chemical modification of the branching enzyme protein using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide.
Search for illness due to adenovirus type 4 among college dormitory freshmen.

SummaryA search was made for presence of infection due to adenovirus type 4 in dormitory freshmen of Case Inst. of Technology, Western Reserve Univ., and U.S. Military and Naval Academies. Antibody analyses revealed no instance of such infection in 126 students. Three students had rises in serum titers of complement-fixing antibodies against adenovirus type 4; however, none of the 3 had rises in serum titers of neutralizing antibodies against adenovirus types 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. One student from the Naval Academy who had only a 1-tube rise in complement-fixing antibody developed a significant rise in neutralizing antibody against type 7 adenovirus.
Biliary excretion in dogs: Evidence for a molecular weight threshold

Molecular weight (MW) is known as an important factor of biliary excretion in rats, guinea pigs, rabbits and humans. The objective of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the biliary excretion and MW of drugs in dogs. Data on the percentage of dose excreted into bile as parent drug (PD(b)) in dogs were collected from the literature for 134 compounds. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was utilized to determine whether a MW threshold exists for PD(b). A MW threshold of 375-400 Da was established for anions in dogs, which is similar with the cutoff value observed in rats (400 Da) but lower than the one in humans (475 Da). No MW threshold was found for cations or cations/neutral compounds. A molecular volume threshold of 300A(3) was also determined for anions in dogs, which corresponds to a MW of 394 Da. In conclusion, our analysis suggested the presence of a MW cutoff for anions in dogs, which may be related with the molecular size of a compound. This represents the first report of the influence of MW or molecular volume as a determinant of biliary excretion for a structurally diverse set of compounds in dogs.
Optimal Full Information Synthesis for Flexible Structures Implemented on Cray Supercomputers

This paper considers an algorithm for synthesis of optimal controllers for full information feedback. The synthesis procedure reduces to a single linear matrix inequality which may be solved via established convex optimization algorithms. The computational cost of the optimization is investigated. It is demonstrated the problem dimension and corresponding matrices can become large for practical engineering problems. This algorithm represents a process that is impractical for standard workstations for large order systems. A flexible structure is presented as a design example. Control synthesis requires several days on a workstation but may be solved in a reasonable amount of time using a Cray supercomputer.
Increased type I collagen content and DNA binding activity of a single-stranded, cytosine-rich sequence in the high-salt buffer protein extract of the copper-deficient rat heart

Dietary copper (Cu) deficiency not only causes a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy but also increases cancer risk in rodent models. However, a possible alteration in gene expression has not been fully examined. The present study was undertaken to determine the effect of Cu deficiency on protein profiles in rat heart tissue. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets that were either a Cu-adequate diet (6.0 microg Cu/g diet, n = 6) or a Cu-deficient diet (0.3 microg Cu/g diet, n = 6) for 5 weeks. The high-salt buffer (HSB) protein extract from heart tissue of Cu-deficient, but not Cu-adequate rats showed a 132 kDa protein band by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) analysis. This protein band stained pink with Coomassie Blue, suggesting the presence of collagens or other proline-rich proteins. Dot immunoblotting demonstrated that total type I collagen was increased by 110% in HSB protein extract from Cu-deficient, relative to Cu-adequate, rats. Liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry analysis indicated that the 132 kDa protein band contained a collagen alpha (I) chain precursor as well as a leucine-rich protein 130 (LRP130) in HSB protein extract from Cu-deficient but not Cu-adequate rats. A gel shift assay showed that HSB protein extract from Cu-deficient rats bound to a single-stranded cytosine-rich DNA with higher affinity than the extract of Cu-adequate rats, similar to reports of an increase in LRP130 single-stranded DNA binding activity in several types of tumor cells. Collectively, these results not only suggest an additional feature of altered collagen metabolism with Cu deficiency but also demonstrate for the first time an increase in single-stranded cytosine-rich DNA binding in Cu-deficient rat heart.
Rheological behavior of miscible blends of polystyrene and poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether)

The effects of blend composition on the linear viscoelastic properties of the blends are investigated and the results are interpreted using the molecular theory recently developed by Han and Kim
Computing Population Variance and Entropy under Interval Uncertainty: Linear-Time Algorithms

In statistical analysis of measurement results it is often necessary to compute the range \([\underline V ,\,\overline V]\) of the population variance \(V = \frac{1}{n}\, \cdot \,\sum\limits_{i = 1}^n (x_i \, - \,E)^2 \,\left({\rm where}\,E = \frac{1}{n}\, \cdot \,\sum\limits_{i = 1}^n {x_i }\,\right)\) when we only know the intervals \([\tilde x_i - \Delta _i,\,\tilde x_i \, + \,\Delta _i]\) of possible values of the xi. While \(\underline {V}\) can be computed efficiently, the problem of computing \(\overline {V}\) is, in general, NP-hard. In our previous paper “Population Variance under Interval Uncertainty: A New Algorithm” (Reliable Computing12 (4) (2006), pp. 273–280) we showed that in a practically important case we can use constraints techniques to compute \(\overline {V}\) in time O(n · log(n)). In this paper we provide new algorithms that compute \(\underline {V}\) (in all cases) and \(\overline {V}\) (for the above case) in linear time O(n).
Decreased Expression of Transforming Growth Factor Beta Receptors on Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma Tumor Cells

Background Transforming growth factor beta (TGF- β ) has antiproliferative effects on normal and neoplastic cells that express specific TGF- β receptors. We hypothesize that diminished expression of TGF- β and/or its receptors may contribute to the uncontrolled proliferation of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCCA) cancer cells. Methods Using immunohistochemical techniques, we characterized the expression of TGF- β isoforms and TGF- β receptors, TGF- β (RI) and TGF- β (RII), in HNSCCA. Tumor production of TGF- β was evaluated in culture supernatants from a cytokine-stimulated HNSCCA tumor line (HTB-43). Results All control specimens displayed strong cell-associated staining of TGF- β as well as both receptors. Forty-seven of 47 cancer specimens exhibited positive staining for TGF- β in the tumor matrix. Forty of the 47 cancer specimens demonstrated no expression of TGF- β (RI), and 43 of the 47 expressed no TGF- β (RII). Only interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1α) and IL-1 β induced significant TGF- β expression from the HTB-43 cells. Conclusions Decreased expression of TGF- β receptors may play a significant role in the pathogenesis of HNSCCA by allowing uncontrolled cell proliferation.
Theory of Off-Center Displacements in Solid Solutions of Ionic Crystals

The minimum-energy configurations for impurity displacements along the $〈111〉$, $〈110〉$, and $〈100〉$ crystal symmetry axes were determined for KCl:${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$, KBr:${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$, and CsF:${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$, through calculations based on a nearest-neighbor Born-Mayer-type model. The off-center configurations were all found to have lower energies than the centrosymmetric configurations. For all three materials the $〈111〉$ displacement gave the lowest and the $〈100〉$ the highest minimum energy, in agreement with the KCl:${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$ experimental results. The CsF:${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$ potential wells were about twice as deep as those in KCl:${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$, whereas the KBr:${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$ wells were only half as deep, indicating rapid tunneling between adjacent minima, which might explain the absence of an electrocaloric effect in KBr:${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$. The calculated static dipole moments of the $〈111〉$ configurations were 6.23, 5.90, and 6.72 D, respectively, for KCl:${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$, KBr:${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$, and CsF:${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}$. The electricfield-gradient tensor was calculated at the impurity nucleus position for the three configurations. For the $〈111〉$ configuration, the quadrupole coupling constants ${e}^{2}\mathrm{qQ}$ for ${\mathrm{Li}}^{7}$ in KCl and KBr were -0.1196 Mc/sec and -0.0834 Mc/sec, respectively, and for ${\mathrm{Na}}^{23}$ in CsF it was 3.965 Mc/sec. An analysis of the expected quadrupole splittings of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) lines for various relative orientations of applied electric and magnetic fields indicates that such studies can distinguish between different possible minimum-energy configurations for these materials.
The worth of pictures: Using high density event-related potentials to understand the memorial power of pictures and the dynamics of recognition memory

To understand the neural correlates of the memorial power of pictures, pictures and words were systematically varied at study and test within subjects, and high-density event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded at retrieval. Using both conventional and novel methods, the results were presented as ERP waveforms, 50 ms scalp topographies, and video clips, and analyzed using t-statistic topographic maps and nonparametric p-value maps. The authors found that a parietally-based ERP component was enhanced when pictures were presented at study or test, compared to when words were presented. An early frontally-based component was enhanced when words were presented at study compared to pictures. From these data the authors speculate that the memorial power of pictures is related to the ability of pictures to enhance recollection. Familiarity, by contrast, was enhanced when words were presented at study compared to pictures. From these results and the dynamic view of memory afforded by viewing the data as video clips, the authors propose an ERP model of recognition memory.
Modulating water-exchange rates of lanthanide(III)-containing polyaminopolycarboxylate-type complexes using polyethylene glycol

We have synthesized a series of LnIII-containing polyethylene glycol conjugates and studied the structural and electronic properties of these complexes. These studies demonstrate that polyethylene glycol can be used to fine-tune water-exchange rates of LnIII-containing polyaminopolycarboxylate-type complexes; this control is desirable in developing LnIII-containing contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging.
Comparative molecular field analysis and QSAR on substrates binding to cytochrome p450 2D6.

Abstract In this study, we utilized comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA) to gain a better understanding of the steric and electrostatic features of the cytochrome P450 2D6 (CYP2D6) active site. The training set consists of 24 substrates with reported K M values from liver microsomal CYP2D6 spanning an activity range of almost three log units. The low energy conformers were fit by root mean square (RMS) to minaprine at the site of metabolism and to the protonated nitrogen. In this manner, we constructed two CoMFA models, one model with a distance constraint and another without. The model with the distance parameter (non-crossvalidated R 2 =0.99) was approximately equal to the CoMFA without a distance parameter (non-cross-validated R 2 =0.98). Validation of our CoMFA was accomplished by predicting the K M values of 15 diverse CYP2D6 substrates not in the original training set resulting in a predictive R 2 =0.62. Finally, we also pursued correlations of p K a and log P with CYP2D6 substrate K M in an effort to investigate other physicochemical properties.
Identifying and quantifying sources of variation in high-density cDNA microarray data using 33P-labeled probes

Identifying and quantifying sources of variation in high-density cDNA microarray data using 33 P-labeled probes
Pervaporation of water from aqueous sulfuric acid at elevated temperatures using Nafion® membranes

Abstract The concentration of sulfuric acid by pervaporation has been studied using Nafion-112 ® and Nafion-117 ® membranes, which have been characterized in terms of flux, permeability, and separation factor at 100 and 120 °C. Feed acid concentrations investigated ranged from 40 to over 80 wt%. In general, water fluxes ranged from 100 to 8000 g/m 2 h, depending on feed acid concentration and separation factors as high as 10 4 were observed. Membrane stability was probed using dynamic mechanical analysis that revealed an increase in the temperature at which the α transition is observed, which corresponds to the glass transition ( T g ) of the hydrophilic domain, upon use, suggesting embrittlement of the polymer structure. Further studies showed that the embrittlement was due to an interaction with the acid and was not induced by the operating temperature.
Mixture Model Tests Of Hierarchical Clustering Algorithms: The Problem Of Classifying Everybody.

Due to the effects of outliers, mixture model tests that require all objects to be classified can severely underestimate the accuracy of hierarchical clustering algorithms. More valid and relevant comparisons between algorithms can be made by calculating accuracy at several levels in the hierarchical tree and considering accuracy as a function of the coverage of the classification. Using this procedure, several algorithms were compared on their ability to resolve ten multivariate normal mixtures. All of the algorithms were significantly more accurate than a random linkage algorithm, and accuracy was inversely related to coverage. Algorithms using correlation as the similarity measure were significantly more accurate than those using Euclidean distance (p < .001). A subset of high accuracy algorithms, including single, average, and centroid linkage using correlation, and Ward's minimum variance technique, was identified.
A mathematical model for the description of the Coomassie brilliant blue protein assay.

Abstract The Coomassie brilliant blue dye-binding method for protein assay has become important relatively recently. The basis of the assay method is the binding of dye to protein, with production of a dye–protein complex which absorbs light intensely at 620 nm, but the mechanism of the binding process is not well understood. In this paper, two mathematical models for the binding process are developed, one involving the binding of both protonated (green) and deprotonated (blue) forms of the dye. The second model allows only binding of the blue species to proteins. These models are tested for their ability to estimate number of dye-binding sites ( n ) and binding constants ( K d ) from protein assay data. The models are also tested for their ability to reproduce the experimental assay curve using either known values or reasonable estimates of the equation parameters. The models are shown to be approximately equal in ability to reproduce experimental data related to the protein assay, which somewhat favors the simpler of the two models. In this paper, a method for estimating n and K d from standard curve-fitting procedures is established. Hitherto, binding constants were only available from assay data taken under conditions of very large molar protein/dye ratios. The possibility of protonated forms of the dye binding to proteins was not ruled out by this study, but for many purposes the use of the simple dye-binding model, in which only the deprotonated dye species binds, is sufficient.
Serum levels of sclerostin, Dickkopf-1, and secreted frizzled-related protein-4 are not changed in individuals with high bone mass causing mutations in LRP5.

Summary We compared circulating levels of Wnt inhibitors among patients with high bone mass mutations in LRP5, unaffected kindred, and unrelated normal controls. Inhibitors were unchanged in affected and unaffected kindred. We saw no meaningful differences between controls and affected individuals. LRP5 signaling may not influence circulating levels of these inhibitors.
The Birth and Consequences of Industrial Paternalism in Monterrey, Mexico, 1890–1940

For as long as the people of Monterrey, Nuevo Leon could remember, class harmony had characterized their preeminently industrial city. Local residents attributed this aura of industrial peace to the unique character of the region's workers and the inherent benevolence of their employers. They took special pride in both. Like all northerners, Monterrey's workers had a reputation for hard work, industriousness, and staunch independence. They manifested the last through their celebrated autonomy from Mexico's national labor federations. The industrialists, in turn, earned local renown for having built their companies with Mexican capital. Furthermore, such pillars of local industry as the Cuauhtemoc Brewery and the Fundidora Iron and Steel Works provided fringe benefits unique by contemporary Mexican standards. Since the 1920s, local boosters claimed, company paternalism had established the basis for Monterrey's industrial peace and prosperity. Then, just as General Lazaro Cardenas assumed the presidency in 1935, class struggle seemingly engulfed the city. In a startling development, the steel workers broke from the Independent Unions of Nuevo Leon and affiliated with the national Miner-Metalworkers Union. Two weeks later, the operatives of Monterrey Glassworks, a Cuauhtemoc subsidiary, voted in support of militant unionism.
Filling the Glass: Gender Perspectives on Families.

The challenge feminist scholarship posed to family studies has been largely met through the incorporation of research on gender dynamics within families and intersectional differences among them. Despite growing attention to gender as performance and power in more diverse families, the more difficult work of understanding the dynamics of change among institutions including the family and using intersectional analyses to unpack relationships of power is only beginning. Reviewing the contributions researchers have made in these areas over the last decade and applying the idea of circuits to the study of care work, this article points to promising practices for both improving research on gender and families and contributing to the slow drip of institutional change.
Root volume as a grading criterion to improve field performance of Douglas-fir seedlings.

Three seed sources of 2+0 Douglas-fir [Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco] seedlings were graded into three root-volume categories ( 13 cm3) and outplanted to determine (i) differences in survival and growth after one and two growing seasons in the field, (ii) relationship(s) of seedling height after one and two seasons to preplanting nursery root volume, total fresh weight, root-collar diameter, and height, and (iii) differences in field performance due to fertilization at planting. Field survival was >90% among all root-volume categories. Seedlings in the largest category grew significantly better than those in the smaller two categories over two seasons. Apparently, a population of seedlings having a large proportion of high root volumes will outperform a population having a large proportion of low root volumes in the field. Fertilization at the time of planting had no effect on survival or growth because of shallow placement of the fertilizer pellet. The results suggest that targeting root volume, as well as height and diameter, is worthwhile where morphological quality must be maximized to improve field performance. Thus, root volume has potential for use as a criterion for grading seedlings.
Nerve agent attacks on children: Diagnosis and management

Nerve agents (NAs) are the most lethal chemical weapons. We review the pathophysiology and management of NA poisoning of children. NAs cause cholinergic crisis. Children may manifest signs of cholinergic poisoning differently than adults. Children may be less likely to manifest miosis and glandular secretions. They may present with neurologic derangements alone. The goals of treatment should be to limit additional exposure, to provide respiratory support, and to prevent neurologic morbidity. Autoinjectors are optimal delivery vehicles for intramuscular antidotes and are likely to be used in civilian prehospital care. Antidotes include anticholinergics, oximes, and benzodiazepines. Several medications may be available within each class of antidotes. Clinicians will select an antidote based on the status of the individual victim, the accessibility of supportive care, and the availability of the drug. Atropine is well-tolerated and high doses may be required. The oxime pralidoxime chloride has a longer half-life in children. Currently, diazepam is the standard NA anticonvulsant. Midazolam may be the most effective intramuscular anticonvulsant after NA exposure, but, despite its efficacy, it is not an approved agent for seizures. Supportive care and long-term complications are summarized.
Remote group derivatives: Limitations on the effectiveness of pyrrolidide derivatives of oxygen‐containing fatty acids

The pyrrolidides of a number of fatty acids containing oxygen functions (ether linkage, epoxide ring and hydroxyl group) have been prepared and their mass spectra recorded. Detailed analyses of these, supported by accurate mass measurement, indicate that the presence of the oxygen atom has a profound effect on the normal, sequential, mode of pyrrolidide fragmentation. Cleavage adjacent to the oxygen is enhanced, this being most marked in the spectra of those compounds containing an ether linkage. However, further fragmentation of the carbon chain distal to the pyrrolidide group is minimal and prevents any structural information being obtained. These findings indicate that the usefulness of the pyrrolidide derivative for structural elucidation purposes is severely limited in some cases when an oxygen atom is present in the chain. However, for both the epoxy- and hydroxy-fatty acids, complementary derivatization methods are available.
Extending the isotopically resolved mass range of orbitrap mass spectrometers

The routine analysis of large biomolecules (greater than 30 kDa) has been a challenge for Orbitrap mass spectrometers due to the relatively high kinetic energy of ions entering and within the Orbitrap mass analyzer. This characteristic results in rapid signal decay for large biomolecules due to energetic collisions with background gas molecules. Here, we report a method to significantly enhance the analysis of large biomolecules in an Orbitrap mass spectrometer. The combination of reduced C-trap and higher energy collisional dissociation (HCD) cell bath gas pressures, using helium as the bath gas and trapping ions in the HCD cell prior to mass analysis, greatly increased sensitivity and reduced signal decay for large protein ions. As a result, isotopic resolution of monoclonal immunoglobulin G was achieved, and we have established a new high-mass record for which accurate mass measurement and isotopic resolution have been achieved.
Fluorescein conjugated α-Bungarotoxin: Its properties and interaction with acetylcholine receptors

Abstract ACh receptor specific α-Bungarotoxin (α-BGT) can be coupled with FITC to yield two fluorescein α-BGT derivatives, one with an isoelectric point of 7.1 (F-αBGT-pI-7.1) and the other with the isoelectric point of 5.2 (F-αBGT-pI-5.2). Only F-αBGT-pI-7.1 is suitable for fluorescent staining of cholinergic receptors. It is approximately six to nine times less potent than the native toxin and is only slowly reversible. The F-α-BGT-pI-5.2 is about 145 times less potent than the native toxin and is reversible.
Prophylactic antibiotic practices for colectomy in Michigan.

Abstract Background Although there are guidelines for prophylactic intravenous antibiotics in colorectal surgery, the objective of this study was to determine the extent to which these guidelines are followed. Methods Twenty-seven Michigan hospitals participated in a colectomy quality-improvement project. In addition to the American College of Surgeons–National Surgical Quality Improvement Program variables, these hospitals collect 25 additional data points on processes of care for colectomy cases. Results From 2007 to 2009, 3,002 patients had colectomy surgery and were eligible for analysis of antibiotic practices. Prophylactic antibiotics were given in 99.5% of cases; 81.4% of antibiotic choices were Surgical Care Improvement Project–compliant, and 90.8% of dosing was within 60 minutes before surgical incision. Recommended weight-adjusted dosing was performed in 56.8% of cases, and only 6.0% of antibiotics were redosed appropriately. Practices varied by hospital. Conclusions Prophylactic antibiotic use for colectomy in Michigan hospitals did not conform to recommended practices. These findings hold the promise for targeted quality-improvement initiatives.