cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of core and shell compositions on MeOx@LaySr1−yFeO3 core–shell redox catalysts for chemical looping reforming of methane

Abstract The chemical looping reforming (CLR) process converts methane into syngas through cyclic redox reactions of an active lattice oxygen (O2−) containing redox catalyst. In CLR, methane is partially oxidized to CO and H2 using the active lattice oxygen of a redox catalyst. In a subsequent step, the oxygen-deprived redox catalyst is regenerated by air. Such a process can eliminate the need for steam and/or oxygen in reforming, thereby improving methane conversion efficiency. A number of perovskite-structured mixed metal oxides are known to be active for CLR. However, the oxygen storage capacity of perovskites tends to be low, limiting their practical application in chemical looping. In contrast reducible metal oxides such as cobalt and iron oxides can store up to 30 wt.% lattice oxygen but are less selective for syngas generation. We explore oxygen carriers that utilize the advantages of both perovskites and first-row transition metal oxides by integrating a transition metal oxide core with a mixed ionic–electronic conductive (MIEC) perovskite support/shell. MIEC perovskites facilitate countercurrent conduction of O2− and electrons, allowing facile O2− transport though the solid. It is proposed that this conduction allows rapid oxygen transport to and from the transition metal oxide cores irrespective of the porosity of the redox catalyst. In this work, we show that MeOx@LaySr1−yFeO3 can be an excellent model catalyst system for CLR. The activity, selectivity, and coke resistance of the core–shell system can be tuned by changing the ratio of La to Sr in the perovskite shell and the type of transition metal oxide in the core. Our studies indicate that lower Sr loadings can improve activity and selectivity of the catalyst for methane partial oxidation, but make the LSF shell less resistant to decomposition during the reduction step.
The Dharma-Kāya or Total and Absolute Freedom of Manifestation

Up to the advent of the integrationist and totalistic schools, the dharma-kāya was understood to be the all-pervading undifferentiated and universal nature of Tathatā as “explicitly” possessed in the state of Buddhahood. On this basis the dharma-kāya has been often equated with a state of indetermination, non-form and non-individuality. Interpreted in this way, the dharma-kāya - although representing a universal and all-pervasive aspect of reality - would oppose the states of form and individuation proper to the parikalpita and to the paratantra levels of entitative manifestation. A pure state of undifferentiated samādhi would make it cognitively manifest to the individual. But for the individual, an ontological integration into the dharma-kāya would mean a traceless reabsorption into a primordial state of total indetermination to the point of non-return, so to speak. This state could be considered to be a mere negative state of freedom from objective form and from subjective individuality. This imperfect conception of the dharma-kāya would be as such the basis for the subtle and latent duality which still lurks within the state of bodhisattvahood, as explained above. Needless to say, this is not the notion of totalistic dharma-kāya-hood as propounded by the “Awakening of Faith” and by the Hua-yen doctrine.
On the effect of stress on certain modulation parameters of speech

This paper reports the results of correlation between demodulated amplitude and frequency variations from the AM-FM speech model and the heart rate of a fighter aircraft flight controller. It has been found that the peak frequencies in the spectrum of the amplitude envelope of the model follow F0 regardless of the center frequency of analysis. This tracking of F0 gives a qualitative estimate of stress level-as measured by the heart rate-relative to a neutral state of stress, with no a priori knowledge of F0 or formants. Additionally, the mean values of F0 estimates at low and high heart rates increased significantly from those at a neutral state. Formant tracking showed an increase in F3 at both high and low heart rates while F4 generally varied directly with the heart rate.
Automatic Assessment of Student Translations for Foreign Language Tutoring

This paper introduces the use of speech translation technology for a new type of voice-interactive Computer Aided Language Learning (CALL) application. We describe a computer game we have developed, in which the system presents sentences in a student’s native language to elicit spoken translations in the target new language. A critical technology is an algorithm to automatically verify the appropriateness of the student’s translation using linguistic analysis. Evaluation results are presented on the system’s ability to match human judgment of the correctness of a student’s translation, for a set of 1115 utterances collected from 9 learners of Mandarin Chinese translating flight domain sentences. We also demonstrate the effective use of context information to improve both recognition performance on non-native speech as well as the system’s accuracy in judging the translation quality.
Redefining the state : privatization and welfare reform in industrial and transitional economies

Preface Part I. Rationale for the State's Expansion: 1. Public ownership and welfare 2. An all-encompassing party-State Part II. Methods of Remodelling the State: 3. Limiting the State's size and scope 4. Restructuring the State's foundations Part III. Comparisons within Broader Frameworks: 5. Options and outcomes in the industrial economies 6. Options and outcomes in the transitional economies Part IV. Outlook for the Twenty-First Century: 7. Contraction vs expansion of the scope of the State Notes Index.
Effects of Leucine Starvation on Control of Ribonucleic Acid Synthesis in Strains of Bacillus subtilis Differing in Deoxyribonucleic Acid Regulation

When starved for leucine, strains of Bacillus subtilis do not complete chromosome replication to the terminus. The amount of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) made poststarvation is characteristic of the strain. In this study, four strains differing in their DNA response were examined for ribonucleic acid (RNA) regulation during leucine starvation. Each of the strains was judged to be stringent for RNA control based on the amount of RNA made poststarvation. Sucrose gradient profiles on RNA made with and without leucine starvation support this conclusion. Accumulation of guanosine tetraphosphate during leucine starvation showed no correlation with the amount of DNA synthesized. We concluded that modulation control of DNA synthesis during leucine starvation is independent of RNA control.
NATIONAL IMPACTS OF CHANGES IN LIVESTOCK DISEASE SURVEILLANCE

This research estimates the U.S. economic welfare effects of livestock disease surveillance. One type of surveillance considers livestock diseases already in the United States. Annual national economic welfare increases $1.4 billion on average compared with a Federal surveillance budget for endemic diseases of $300 million annually. Other surveillance deals with reducing the risk of foreign animal diseases entering and becoming established. The estimated annual gain to producers from surveillance for foreign animal diseases is $401 million dollars. Consumers experience additional benefits of $170 million annually. Total annual benefits are $571 million versus a foreign animal disease surveillance budget of $165 million.
An assessment of source parameters of earthquakes in the cordillera of the western United States

Abstract Source parameters for 50 earthquakes occurring between 1915 and 1988 have been used to examine the faulting characteristics of magnitude 5.5 to 7.8 earthquakes within the western U. S. cordillera, an area extending from the eastern Sierra Nevada to the Great Plains and from northwestern Montana to Trans-Pecos Texas. Source parameters used in this study include seismic information from first-motion analyses, body and surface waveform modeling, geodetic studies, and geological studies of surface faulting. The principal results of this analysis include: (1) all earthquakes occurred on faults dipping 38° or more, and no evidence for listric of low angle planar faulting was found, (2) all M ≧ 7.0 earthquakes occurred at depths ≧ 12 km and were composed of multiple subevents, (3) most earthquakes (>70 per cent) had unilateral ruptures, and (4) no individual subevent had a rupture length >21 km.
Measurement of electrical resistivity in high magnetic fields by the eddy-current decay method

Abstract The eddy-current decay method for measurement of electrical resisitivity was successfully used on pure aluminium samples in magnetic fields to 8 T. It was found that the coil system should be supported firmly to prevent any movement or vibration. Probe vibration in a strong magnetic field leads to signal distortion and inaccurate measurements, due to the emf generated by moving the coil windings normal to the magnetic field lines. Thus fixing becomes more important as the field strength increases.
Mass spectrometry imaging of secondary metabolites directly on fungal cultures

Desorption electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (DESI-MS) is an ambient ionization technique that enables imaging experiments directly on fungal cultures. Much information can be gained by examining an organism directly from culture, rather than through an extraction process, as the regional and temporal distribution of bioactive compounds can give a better understanding of interactions in the environment. However, this technique has been underutilized towards the direct analysis of fungal cultures. A major challenge of fungal culture analysis with DESI-MS is the requirement of a firm, flat surface for effective ionization. The media upon which fungi grow can be easily deformed by the pressures from the solvent spray and gas, and the fungal topography is naturally uneven, often containing mycelium and spores that move freely. Furthermore, DESI-MS imaging can only analyse the surface of a sample, thus internal compounds remain undetected. This project first sought to overcome these issues, and then, apply the newly developed methodology to explore the chemical interactions between two distinct fungi. To test the methodology, a fungus that produces antifungal metabolites was grown against a mycotoxin producing fungus, both of the phylum Ascomycota. By comparing the spatial and temporal distribution of secondary metabolites between both isolated cultures and co-cultures, the chemical exchanges that took place were visualized.
Budgerigar fledgling disease (papovavirus) in pet birds.

References 5. Higuchi R: 1989, Rapid, efficient DNA extraction for PCR from cells or blood. Amplifications 2:1-3. 6. Kibenge FSB, Jackwood DJ, Mercado CC: 1990, Nucleotide sequence analysis of genome segment A of infectious bursal disease virus. J Gen Virol 71:569-577. 7. Kusukawa N, Uemori T, Asada K, Kato I: 1990, Rapid and reliable protocol for direct sequencing of material amplified by the polymerase chain reaction. BioTechniques 9:66-72. 8. Li HH, Gyllensten WB, Cui XF, et al.: 1988, Amplification
A Spotlight on Treatment Intensity: An Important and Often Overlooked Component of Intervention Inquiry

Treatment intensity, also described as treatment strength, is an elusive construct within the fields of education and social sciences (e.g., Warren et al. 2007). Yet, in the medical community, prescribing interventions according to strength and determining the therapeutic range are standard operating procedures. Doctors commonly provide prescriptions indicating the amount of the specified medication along with the frequency of medication consumption (e.g., twice daily), the total number of days or weeks the medication should be taken (e.g., 10 days), side effects to be aware of (e.g., drowsiness), and any other specifications such as time of day (e.g., morning and evening) and whether the medication should be consumed with food. As educators and psychologists refine their use of evidence-based practices when selecting and providing intervention supports for students struggling with academic or behavioral difficulties, greater specificity about what intervention is being selected, for whom, and under what conditions may result in more efficient and effective outcomes (APA Presidential Task Force on Evidence-Based Practice 2006).
Who's working at home: The types of families engaged in home-based work

As increasing numbers of families attempt to balance their need for paid wages with household and child care responsibilities, and corporations struggle with employee flexibility and global competitiveness, there has been a renewed interest in the home as a work place. However, there is little literature on the kinds of families who engage in home-based work, where they live, the types of work they do, or how profitable home-based work can be. This descriptive analysis focuses on the family dimensions of home-based work. It is organized by the characteristics of the household, worker characteristics, characteristics of the work, and the effect of home-based work on family income.
On the molecular structure of some prostaglandin receptors

Abstract Hypotheses are presented of the detailed molecular structure of two prostaglandin receptors both concerned in tumor-promotion processes. These structures have been derived by the comparison of the molecular structure of agents active at the site with (i) a simple theoretical protein structure and (ii) the known x-ray structure of phospholipase A2. The first model receptor is stimulatory to the tumor-promotion process and may be located on the control system for ornithine decarboxylase. The binding of PG here is cooperative with the binding of Ca++. Naturally-occurring agonists at this receptor may include members of the cathartic class of drugs such as colocynth, chrysarobin, etc. Naturally-occurring antagonists at this site may include a number of anti-tumor compounds such as datiscoside. The second model receptor (PGE1) is inhibitory to the tumor-promotion process and is located at a specific allosteric site on the x-ray-determined structure of phospholipase A2. This site overlaps for one for lysolecithin (excitatory), for which tumor-promoting phorbol esters such as TPA are agonists and some anti-tumor drugs such as maytansine may be antagonists.
Biological bases for the integration of appetitive and consummatory grooming behaviors in the cat: a review.

Abstract Cats with pontile lesions, frontal neocrotical lesions, and thyroidectomized cats display a dissociation of the appetitive and consummatory components of grooming behavior following tactile stimulation of the body surface, an abnormal behavior which waxes and wanes with the seasons of the year. Tryptophan hydroxylase activity and serotonin levels were significantly decreased in the superior colliculi (but not other brain regions) in cats with pontile lesions or frontal neocortical lesions, but not in thyroidectomized cats. Systemic administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan or monoamine oxidase inhibition plus tryptophan administration abolishes the abnormal grooming behavior in each group of cats, and microinjections of 5-hydroxytryptophan or serotonin into the superior colliculi has the same effect, indicating that the change in a serotonergic system is a critical aspect of the abnormal behavior in cats with lesions and that a serotonergic system may also be involved in the genesis of the abnormal grooming behavior in thyroidectomized cats. Functional inactivation of the serotonergic system by p -chlorophenylalanine, LSD, or serotonin receptor blockade does not induce the abnormal grooming behavior in normal cats, indicating that other factors are involved. Cats with lesions and thyroidectomized cats display a rhythmic dysfunction in the excretion of glucocoticoids, and glucocorticoid administration abolishes the abnormal grooming behavior, suggesting that glucocorticoids are the other critical factor. Adrenalectomized cats do not display the abnormal grooming behavior, but when adrenalectomized cats are treated with p -chlorophenylalanine, the abnormal behavior appears. Thus, a serotonergic system in the superior colliculi, operating at some level of glucocorticoid function, is involved in the integration of appetitive and consummatory grooming behaviors.
Rate of intrachain contact formation in an unfolded protein: temperature and denaturant effects.

We have measured the effect of temperature and denaturant concentration on the rate of intrachain diffusion in an unfolded protein. After photodissociating a ligand from the heme iron of unfolded horse cytochrome c, we use transient optical absorption spectroscopy to measure the time scale of the diffusive motions that bring the heme, located at His18, into contact with its native ligand, Met80. Measuring the rate at which this 62 residue intrachain loop forms under both folding and unfolding conditions, we find a significant effect of denaturant on the chain dynamics. The diffusion of the chain accelerates as denaturant concentration decreases, with the contact formation rate approaching a value near ∼6×105 s−1 in the absence of denaturant. This result agrees well with an extrapolation from recent loop formation measurements in short synthetic peptides. The temperature dependence of the rate of contact formation indicates an Arrhenius activation barrier, Ea∼20 kJ/mol, at high denaturant concentrations, comparable to what is expected from solvent viscosity effects alone. Although Ea increases by several kBT as denaturant concentration decreases, the overall rate of diffusion nevertheless increases. These results indicate that inter-residue energetic interactions do not control conformational diffusion in unfolded states, even under folding conditions.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor rescues spinal motor neurons from axotomy-induced cell death

CURRENT ideas about the dependence of neurons on target-derived growth factors were formulated on the basis of experiments involving neurons with projections to the periphery1,2. Nerve growth factor (NGF) and recently identified members of the NGF family of neuronal growth factors, known as neurotrophins, are thought to regulate survival of sympathetic and certain populations of sensory ganglion cells during development3–8. Far less is known about factors that regulate the survival of spinal and cranial motor neurons, which also project to peripheral targets. NGF has not been shown to influence motor neuron survival9,10, and whether the newly identified neurotrophins promote motor neuron survival is unknown. We show here that brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is retrogradely transported by motor neurons in neonatal rats and that local application of BDNF to transected sciatic nerve prevents the massive death of motor neurons that normally follows axotomy in the neonatal period. These results show that BDNF has survival-promoting effects on motor neurons in vivo and suggest that BDNF may influence motor neuron survival during development.
Criticality of degradation in composite materials subjected to cyclic loading

Abstract Degradation of composite materials subject to cyclic loading is a multi-step process involving micro-cracks formation and progression until failure occurs. In this paper, the signatures of acoustic emission (AE) response emanating from composite specimens subjected to fully-reversed bending fatigue are studied. The composite is glass/epoxy (G10/FR4) laminates and the experiments cover different frequencies and displacement amplitudes. Results are presented for AE energy, counts and amplitudes. It is shown that the distribution of the cumulative AE amplitude can be described by a power law. Further, examination of the evolution of the probability density function (PDF) of the AE energy (counts) reveals two scaling zones wherein the transition from the low energy (count) to high energy (count) regime is identified. The low-energy phase represents very low damage or damage-free state of the laminate characterized by a power law with an exponent of αE = 1.8 ± 0.05. In these series of experiments, AE energy release and AE counts follow the statistics and power laws that do not depend on the operational conditions.
Artifacts that organize: Delegation in the distributed organization

A great deal of research on geographically distributed organizing focuses on communication among members; however, in the face of increasingly large, complex and interdependent infrastructure, scholars must also examine instances of technology-supported coordination that function by replacing rather than enhancing human communication among organizational members. Central to this are complex processes of delegation - in which organizational work and agency are passed back and forth across the shifting line between ''social'' and ''technical'' elements. Building on work in the sociology of science, this paper extends the concept of delegation and applies it to thorny questions around the work of sustaining organization over time. We explore two examples from the Open Science Grid (OSG), an initiative that distributes computational resources to geographically dispersed and otherwise loosely coordinated research teams. Our first case is one of successful delegation, as automated access to resources is extended to a new group of distributed scientists. We then turn our attention to a case where the process of delegation breaks down, revealing the usually invisible work needed to sustain ''seamless'' integration. As these cases show, delegation is complex, fragile, and central to the nature of contemporary organizing. Specifically, delegation: 1) reconfigures the organization of work; 2) transforms how outcomes are accomplished; 3) redistributes responsibility for organizational decision-making; and 4) shifts the visibility and invisibility of both actors and their work.
Evaluation of Some Factors Controlling DI Diesel Combustion and Exhaust Emissions

The authors report the combined effects of turbocharging, high fuel injection pressure, and reduced oil consumption on diesel exhaust emissions investigated using a single-cylinder research engine. The influence of these exhaust emission control concepts on particulate composition was determined using a new particulate analysis method. In addition, the dependence of particulate composition on engine load and air utilization was examined using the microfumigation technique. Simultaneous application of these emissions control concepts reduced exhaust particulates by 70 percent. High injection pressure reduced the insoluble component of particulates, while reducing oil consumption and turbocharging the engine lowered both soluble and insoluble particulates. Reductions in oil-derived particulates with increasing engine load were partially attributed to increases in volumetric air utilization. Ninety percent of the lube oil found in exhaust particulates was unburned; however, similar concentrations of unburned and partially oxidized components were observed in fuel-derived particulates.
Retrocyclins neutralize bacterial toxins by potentiating their unfolding

We demonstrate that retrocyclins (RCs), promising therapeutic peptides, neutralize bacterial toxins by inducing their unfolding and exposing hydrophobic regions, normally buried in the molecule interior, to solvents. RC-induced toxin unfolding leads to toxin precipitation, proneness to proteolytic degradation and abrogated activity.
Nitrates and Arterial Function

In this article we trace the history of nitrites and nitrates from their discovery to their widespread use in clinical medicine. The cardiovascular actions and uses of these molecules [namely endogenous nitric oxide (NO) and exogenous nitroglycerin (NTG)] are described along with their similar mechanisms of action. The major vasodilating effect of both NO and NTG is on muscular arteries with less effect on arterioles and veins. By decreasing arterial stiffness, these agents reduce pulse wave velocity (PWV) and attenuate wave reflection amplitude and duration. These alterations in arterial properties and wave reflection characteristics reduce pulsatile left ventricular (LV) afterload (systolic and pulse blood pressure) and LV wasted energy, which decrease myocardial oxygen requirements. These agents can also increase arteriolar and venous caliber, which decreases distal resistance and increases venous capacity, respectively. These mechanistic effects help to explain the benefit of nitrites and nitrates in control of angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, and systolic hypertension.
The main problem of artificial satellite theory for small and moderate eccentricities

Perturbation techniques based on Lie transforms as suggested by Deprit were used as the theoretical foundation for programming the analytical solution of the Main Problem in Satellite Theory (all gravitational harmonics being zero exceptJ 2). The collection of formulas necessary and sufficient to construct an ephemeris is given in the exposition. Short and long period displacements, as well as the secular terms, have been obtained up to the third order inJ 2 as power series of the eccentricity. They result from two successive completely canonical transformations which it has been found convenient not to compose into a unique transformation. Division by the eccentricity appears nowhere in the developments-neither explicitly nor implicitly. The determination of the constants of motion from the initial conditions has been given an elementary solution that is both complete and explicit without being iterative. The program was developed by Rom from MAO's package of subroutines forMechanizedAlgebraicOperations. Reliability tests have been run in two instances: in-track errors for ANNA 1B are only 20 cm after 210 days in orbit, while for RELAY II, they are 2.4 m, even after 350 days in orbit.
The Contribution of Variability of Lift-induced Upwash to the Uncertainty in Vertical Winds Determined from an Aircraft Platform

Aircraft-based vertical flux measurements fill a gap in the spatial domain for studies of biosphere–atmosphere exchange. To acquire valid flux data, a determination of the deviation from the mean vertical wind, w′, is essential. When using aircraft platforms, flux measurements are subject to systematic and random errors from airflow distortion caused by the lift-induced upwash ahead of the aircraft. Although upwash is typically considered to be a constant quantity over periods used for calculating fluxes, it can vary significantly over short (and longer) periods due to changes in aircraft lift. The characterization of such variations in upwash are of undeniable importance to flux measurements, especially when real-time computations of w′ are required. In this paper, the variability in upwash was compared to the calculated upwash from the model of Crawford et al. (Boundary-Layer Meteorol, 80:79–94, 1996) using data taken during a long-period (phugoid mode) free oscillation of the aircraft. The cyclic variation of lift during the free oscillation offers an ideal scenario in which to acquire in-flight data on the upwash that is present, as well as to test the capability of upwash correction models. Our results indicate that while this model corrects for much of the mean upwash, there can be significant variations in upwash on a time scale that is important to flux measurements. Our results suggest that use of the measured load factor could be an easily implemented operational constraint to minimize uncertainty in w′ due to changing upwash from changing aircraft lift. We estimate, using the phugoid data, and from variations in aircraft attitude and airspeed in flux-measurement configuration, that the uncertainty in w caused by variable upwash is approximately ± 0.05 m s−1.
Reference values for bone mineral density in 12- to 18-year-old girls categorized by weight, race, and age

Background: Normative bone mineral density (BMD) values for adults do not apply to the pediatric population because of dramatic and variable rates of bone mineral acquisition that take place throughout adolescence. Objective: This study was designed to provide normative BMD values for the lumbar spine and femoral neck by age, weight, and race in female adolescents for use by clinicians. Materials and methods: The study population comprised 422 healthy adolescent girls aged 12–18 years recruited from four primary-care clinics. BMD measurements were performed with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Results: The major statistical predictors of lumbar spine BMD and femoral neck BMD were race, chronological age, and weight. There was an increase in both lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD that paralleled an increase in age and weight. In addition, the lumbar spine BMD and the femoral neck BMD were higher in the black participants than in the non-black participants with mean BMD values in grams per centimeter squared of 1.02 and 0.98, respectively, for blacks and 0.96 and 0.89, respectively, for non-blacks (P<0.001). Conclusion: Our study produced the largest set of lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD normative values for female adolescents and confirms the importance of both demographic and anthropomorphic variables in determining normative BMD values.
A Myosin II FRET-Based Biosensor Expressed in Dictyostelium

Myosin II is responsible for force -generation in skeletal and cardiac muscle. Understanding the mechanism of force generation is essential for developing novel treatments of muscle pathologies. Here we present a FRET-based biosensor capable of resolving structural states in the motor domain of Dictyostelium myosin II. We fused a green fluorescent protein (GFP) to the N-terminus of myosin subfragment 1 (S1) and incorporated a sequence of four cysteines into the K-helix of the upper 50 kDa domain (Sun et al., J Biol Chem, 2006). This tetracysteine site was then labeled with the biarsenical dye ReAsH as an acceptor for fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). The FRET efficiency depends on the inverse sixth power of the distance between the two probes, as well as their relative orientations, so that small conformational changes of the motor domain are resolvable by nanosecond-resolved measurements of the GFP fluorescent lifetime. We found the labeled apo S1 had a 17% decrease in fluorescence lifetime due to FRET. We then compared nucleotide-bound states of the S1 motor domain with the apo state, finding significant lifetime differences in theADP.AlFx and ADP.VO4 states (analogs of the ADP.P¬i intermediate state) as compared with apo and ADP-bound GFP-myosin lifetimes.. This result is consistent with crystallographic and tryptophan fluorescence data showing myosin structural state changes with nucleotide binding. We are now pursuing dual tagged GFP-RFP myosin constructs with the goal of resolving myosin structural states in living cells.
Compact and noncompact structures formed by nonlinear equations with positive and negative exponents

This paper presents a study on compact and noncompact structures formed by nonlinear dispersive equations with positive and negative exponents. The work examines two genuinely nonlinear equations. The focusing branch exhibits compactons: solitons with the absence of infinite wings, whereas the defocusing branch supports solutions with solitary patterns. The work formally shows that equation with positive exponent and equation with negative exponent each leads to a different physical structure.
Tumor-Specific Positron Emission Tomography Imaging in Patients: [18F] Fluorodeoxyglucose and Beyond

Biochemical and molecular imaging of cancer using positron emission tomography (PET) plays an increasing role in the care of cancer patients. Most clinical work to date uses the glucose analogue [ 18 F]fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) to detect accelerated and aberrant glycolysis present in most tumors. Although clinical FDG PET has been used largely to detect and localize cancer, more detailed studies have yielded biological insights and showed the utility of FDG as a prognostic marker and as a tool for therapeutic response evaluation. As cancer therapy becomes more targeted and individualized, it is likely that PET radiopharmaceuticals other than FDG, aimed at more specific aspects of cancer biology, will also play a role in guiding cancer therapy. Clinical trials designed to test and validate new PET agents will need to incorporate rigorous quantitative image analysis and adapt to the evolving use of imaging as a biomarker and will need to incorporate cancer outcomes, such as survival into study design.
Factors associated with self- and caregiver report of pain among community-dwelling persons with dementia.

Background: Among cognitively intact patients, self- and caregiver report of patient pain has been associated with worse psychological health for both the patient and caregiver. Little existing res...
The flagellar pocket of trypanosomatids

The surface of the trypanosomatid forms the interface between the parasite and its host, and has evolved to repel a variety of host anti-microbial defences. The flagellar pocket constitutes a highly differentiated region of the trypanosomatid surface that facilitates internalization of host macromolecules, while restricting host access to the exposed, endocytic receptors of the parasite. In this review, Paul Webster and David Russell discuss the ability of this organelle to accumulate efficiently nutrients obtained from the host as a major factor in the success of this group of parasites.
Prediction of aggressiveness of gastrointestinal stromal tumours based on immunostaining with bcl-2, Ki-67 and p53.

Objective: While the use of fine needle aspiration (FNA) in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal stromal tumours (GISTs) is well-established, it can be difficult to predict the prognosis of GIST based on morphology alone. The objective of the current study was to determine if expression of bcl-2, Ki-67 and p53 correlated with the outcome of GISTs based on cytological material. Methods: Cell-blocks from 14 GISTs diagnosed by FNA were retrieved. Immunostaining was performed with antibodies against bcl-2, Ki-67 and p53. All cytological diagnoses were confirmed by positive immunostaining with c-kit and/or subsequent histological evaluation. Positivity for bcl-2, Ki-67 and p53 was defined as the presence of ≥10% cytoplasmic staining, ≥5% nuclear staining and ≥5% nuclear staining respectively. Results: The 14 patients consisted of seven males and seven females with a mean age of 58 years. The average follow-up interval was 46 months. Six had a benign course and eight developed recurrences/metastases. Thirteen (93%) cases showed positive staining for bcl-2. Positive Ki-67 and p53 staining was noted in one (7%) and seven (50%) cases respectively. The difference in staining for p53 between aggressive and non-aggressive GISTs was statistically significant. No statistically significant difference was noted for bcl-2 staining or Ki-67 labelling index between the two groups. Conclusions: According to our observations, p53 immunostaining may be useful in predicting the outcome of GIST diagnosed by FNA; Ki-67 and bcl-2 are not useful as prognostic markers for GIST in FNA specimens.
Voltage-Dependent Charge Storage in Cladded Zn 0.56 Cd 0.44 Se Quantum Dot MOS Capacitors for Multibit Memory Applications

As conventional memories approach scaling limitations, new storage methods must be utilized to increase Si yield and produce higher on-chip memory density. Use of II–VI Zn0.56Cd0.44Se quantum dots (QDs) is compatible with epitaxial gate insulators such as ZnS-ZnMgS. Voltage-dependent charging effects in cladded Zn0.56Cd0.44Se QDs are presented in a conventional metal–oxide–semiconductor capacitor structure. Charge storage capabilities in Si and ZnMgS QDs have been reported by various researchers; this work is focused on II–VI material Zn0.56Cd0.44Se QDs nucleated using photoassisted microwave plasma metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. Using capacitance–voltage hysteresis characterization, the multistep charging and discharging capabilities of the QDs at room temperature are presented. Three charging states are presented within a 10 V charging voltage range. These characteristics exemplify discrete charge states in the QD layer, perfect for multibit, QD-functionalized high-density memory applications. Multiple charge states with low operating voltage provide device characteristics that can be used for multibit storage by allowing varying charges to be stored in a QD layer based on the applied “write” voltage.
Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Cholangitis After Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography: Failure of Routine Endoscope Cultures to Prevent an Outbreak

Background:Nosocomial infections due to medical devices are of increasing concern to infection control practitioners. Attempts to prevent such infections have included surveillance cultures of endoscopes and bronchoscopes. In July 2002, the infectious disease consultation service was asked to see three patients with sepsis due to multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa after endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).Objective:To describe an outbreak of multidrug-resistant P. aeruginosa sepsis after ERCP at an institution that performs routine surveillance cultures of endoscopes.Design:A traditional outbreak investigation supplemented by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was undertaken, including a case-control analysis based on the hypothesis that all infected individuals had their ERCP performed with the same endoscope.Setting:A tertiary-care academic medical center.Results:The case-control analysis confirmed the hypothesis that undergoing ERCP with the implicated endoscope was associated with a culture positive for Pseudomonas (P = .01). The available strains were identical by PFGE. This outbreak occurred despite a negative surveillance culture of the implicated endoscope 1 month earlier.Conclusions:Infectious morbidity can occur after endoscopy despite negative surveillance cultures. The practice of routine endoscope cultures does not prevent device-related infectious morbidity.
A numerical study of void nucleation and growth in a flip chip assembly process

In this study, we develop mathematical models and numerical simulations of void nucleation and growth induced by the chemical reaction in the flip chip package assembly process using a no-flow underfill. During the thermal assembly process, the underfill chemically reacts to the oxidation of solders I/O on the chip, achieving interconnection between chip and substrate. The chemical reaction causes a large number of voids in the thermal reflow process. The voids have been considered as a critical defect, reducing the life of the thermal reliability. This study investigates the mechanism of void nucleation and growth based on classical bubble nucleation theory and bubble dynamics, respectively. This knowledge can provide a theoretical foundation to achieve a void-free assembly process and high reliability performance.
Prediction of treatment outcome in cocaine dependent males using quantitative EEG

Abstract This study investigates the existence of outcome related neurophysiological subtypes within a population of abstinent cocaine dependent adults. We have previously reported and replicated the existence of a distinctive quantitative EEG (QEEG) profile in such a population, and demonstrated the persistence of this pattern at one and six month follow-up evaluations. This profile is characterized by significant deficits of absolute and relative delta and theta power, and excess of relative alpha power, as compared with age expected normal values. Abnormalities were greater in anterior than posterior regions, and disturbances in interhemispheric relationships were also observed. In the current study, 35 adult males with DSM-III-R cocaine dependence, were evaluated while residents of a drug-free residential therapeutic community, 5–15 days after last use of crack cocaine. Using multivariate cluster analysis, two neurophysiological subtypes were identified from the baseline QEEGs; Cluster 1 characterized by significant deficits of delta and theta activity, significant excess of alpha activity and more normal amounts of beta activity ( α CLUS) and Cluster 2 characterized by deficits of delta, more normal amounts of theta and anterior excess of alpha and beta activity β CLUS). No significant relationships were found between QEEG subtype membership and length of exposure to cocaine, time since last use of cocaine or any demographic characteristics. Further, no significant relationships were found between the commonly reported comorbid clinical features of depression and anxiety and subtype membership. However, a significant relationship was found between QEEG subtype membership and length of stay in treatment, with members of the α CLUS retained in treatment significantly longer than members of the β CLUS.
Technologies of the Voice: FM Radio, Telephone, and the Nepali Diaspora in Kathmandu

Through the public broadcast of intimate telephone conversations between Nepalis abroad and those in Kathmandu, the diaspora is made “present” in Kathmandu. On these commercial FM programs, the voice is viewed as a key sign of emotional directness, authenticity, and intimacy. Simultaneously, the figure of the voice has been central in discussions about the promises (and failures) of democracy and transparent governance. These two seemingly distinct formations of voice are mutually constitutive. Sentimental discourse about the voice reiterates modern neoliberal discourse about democracy and vice versa. Both are crucial to the formation of an urban Nepali subject in this political moment, which is deeply shaped by the figure of the diaspora.
Minority Unemployment, Labor Market Segmentation, and the Failure of Job-Training Policy in New York City:

Job-training policy rests on the assumptions that employment opportunities are plentiful, if only everyone were adequately educated, and that increasing the upward mobility of black and Hispanic workers serves the interests of employers as well as employees. These assumptions are challenged. Data are presented suggesting that there simply are not enough decently paying jobs for the number of people who need them. Labor market segmentation and the interest of employers in maintaining a racially segregated work force are dicussed as contributing to the shortage of "good" jobs and as creating barriers to upward mobility for minority workers.
String realizers of posets with applications to distributed computing

In this paper, we show the connection between vector clocks used in distributed computing and dimension theory of partially ordered sets. Based on this connection, we provide lower bounds on the number of coordinates for timestamping events in a distributed computation for capturing the happened- before relation. To this end, we introduce the notion of a string realizer and the string dimension of a poset. For distributed computing and other applications, the concept of string realizer is more natural than the chain realizer used in the classical dimension theory. We establish the relationship between the string dimension and the chain dimension of a poset. Using this relationship and Dilworth's theorem for the chain dimension of finite distributive lattices, we obtain the desired lower bound. The concept of strings also has applications in efficient encoding of partial orders because it requires fewer bits to encode a string realizer than a chain realizer.
Hájek-Inagaki convolution representation theorem for randomly stopped locally asymptotically mixed normal experiments

Under suitable regularity conditions imposed on a general discrete time-parameter stochastic process, the Hajek-Inagaki convolution representation theorem is established for randomly stopped locally asymptotically mixed normal experiments.
A candid policy discussion amongst government leaders: modern-day considerations in implementing policies on body-worn video in community policing

This panel is a candid policy conversation amongst government and policy leaders focusing on Body-Worn Video (BWV) technology. With so much public discussion about the impact of video on policing and justice, this timely discussion will tap the knowledge and expertise of community leaders who have actually implemented BWV policies within their departments. This session will engage discussants in a conversation around technical, financial, personnel and social implications of this policy issue.
Comparison of photopolymerizable thiol-ene PEG and acrylate-based PEG hydrogels for cartilage development

When designing hydrogels for tissue regeneration, differences in polymerization mechanism and network structure have the potential to impact cellular behavior. Poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogels were formed by free-radical photopolymerization of acrylates (chain-growth) or thiol-norbornenes (step-growth) to investigate the impact of hydrogel system (polymerization mechanism and network structure) on the development of engineered tissue. Bovine chondrocytes were encapsulated in hydrogels and cultured under free swelling or dynamic compressive loading. In the acrylate system immediately after encapsulation chondrocytes exhibited high levels of intracellular ROS concomitant with a reduction in hydrogel compressive modulus and higher variability in cell deformation upon compressive strain; findings that were not observed in the thiol-norbornene system. Long-term the quantity of sulfated glycosaminoglycans and total collagen was greater in the acrylate system, but the quality resembled that of hypertrophic cartilage with positive staining for aggrecan, collagens I, II, and X and collagen catabolism. The thiol-norbornene system led to hyaline-like cartilage production especially under mechanical loading with positive staining for aggrecan and collagen II and minimal staining for collagens I and X and collagen catabolism. Findings from this study confirm that the polymerization mechanism and network structure have long-term effects on the quality of engineered cartilage, especially under mechanical loading.
Preimplantation urinary hormone profiles and the probability of conception in healthy women.

Abstract Objective: To examine hormonal predictors of conception in menstrual cycles from normal women. Design: Longitudinal study. Setting: Community. Patient(s): Two hundred fifteen healthy female volunteers with no known fertility problems who were trying to conceive. Intervention(s): Participants recorded menstrual bleeding, sexual intercourse, and collected first morning urine specimens daily from when they stopped contraception until they became pregnant or for 6 months if no clinical pregnancy was achieved. Measurements were made of urinary LH and urinary metabolites of estrogen and progesterone. Main Outcome Measure(s): Conception was identified by a sensitive and specific immunoradiometric assay for urinary hCG. Result(s): Statistical analyses of 189 conception and 409 nonconception cycles controlled for sexual intercourse and interdependence of cycles from the same woman. Conception was more likely in cycles with lower baseline progesterone metabolite levels, higher ovulatory LH, and higher midluteal progesterone. Midluteal estrogen also was elevated in conception cycles when examined without adjusting for other hormone levels, but this finding did not persist after multivariate adjustment. Conclusions: Menstrual cycles in normal women vary in their hormonal quality in ways that are predictive of cycle fertility.