cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS AN UNJUST INITIAL ACQUISITION

Critics of Robert Nozick's libertarian political theory often allege that the theory in general and its account of property rights in particular lack sufficient foundations. A key difficulty is thought to lie in his account of how portions of the world which no one yet owns can justly come to be initially acquired. But the difficulty is illusory, because (contrary to what both Nozick and his critics assume) the concept of justice does not meaningfully apply to initial acquisition in the first place. Moreover, the principle of self-ownership provides a solid foundation for Nozick's libertarianism, and when seen in the light of that principle and its full implications, the standard purported examples of injustices in acquisition are revealed to be nothing of the kind.
An investigation of high-order process correction models and techniques to improve overlay control by using multiple-pass cascading analysis at an advanced technology node

Shrinking semiconductor device nodes are driving continuous overlay improvement. This, in turn, is driving broad adoption of high-order control, especially at today’s advanced nodes. There are two main categories of high-order control: wafer alignment, and process correction. This paper focuses on the inherent disadvantages of high-order process correction models due to data noise and the deterioration of model term stability. In our study, we observed that linear model terms became unstable after the implementation of high-order process corrections, and observed correlations between model parameters. We investigated correlations for both linear and high-order models, and found that all correlation combinations for the linear model had a Pearson correlation coefficient below 0.25, while 22% of the correlation combinations for third order polynomial parameters had a correlation coefficient greater than 0.5. A high correlation coefficient indicates that similar overlay signatures on the wafer can be modeled by different terms, and that there is instability of model terms in the presence of data noise. Advanced process control (APC) corrections are based on historical lot-to-lot model terms, and are applied to each new lot to be exposed. The instability of model terms adversely affects the precise prediction for a new lot. An alternative solution is to use cascading analysis, which calculates the model parameters sequentially using a series of models. The inherent disadvantage of cascading analysis is loss of model fidelity; however, the robust data filtering scheme used in cascading analysis ensures better overlay stability, as shown in the results of this study. This study shows that cascading analysis consistently yields a lower correlation within and across a batch of lots, but with improved overlay control. Several methods of cascading analysis were investigated in terms of the sequence of linear and high-order modeling. This was done to determine the optimal method for implementing cascading analysis, and to determine the implications of cascading analysis in today’s high-volume mass production fabrication facility.
Vitamin D, parathyroid hormone levels and bone mineral density in community-dwelling older women: The Rancho Bernardo Study

Vitamin D (25(OH)D) increases the efficiency of intestinal calcium absorption. Low levels of serum calcium stimulate the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH), which maintains serum calcium levels at the expense of increased bone turnover, bone loss and increased risk of fractures. We studied the association between 25(OH)D and PTH levels, and their associations with bone mineral density (BMD), bone loss, and prevalence of hip fractures in 615 community-dwelling postmenopausal aged 50-97 years. Mean level of 25(OH)D and PTH were 102.0 nmol/l+/-35.0 nmol/l and 49.4 ng/l+/-23.2 nmol/l, respectively; 49% of women were current hormone therapy users. The overall prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (25(OH)D 65 ng/l) was 17.4%. In multiple linear regression analyses hip BMD was negatively and independently associated with PTH levels (p=0.04), and positively and independently associated with 25(OH)D levels (p=0.03). There were only 23 women (3.7%) who experienced a hip fracture. In age-adjusted analyses there were no significant differences of 25(OH)D and PTH levels by hip fracture status. Across the entire range of values, the overall correlation between 25(OH)D and PTH was moderate (r=-0.20). However, after the threshold vitamin D level of 120 nmol/l, all PTH values were below 65 ng/l. Further studies are necessary to identify the optimal vitamin D levels necessary to prevent secondary hyperparathyroidism.
The effect of Pluronic F-38 (Polyoxamer 108) administered intravenously to rats.

Abstract Soluble surface-active block copolymers of polyoxypropylene and polyoxyethylene have been widely used as suspending or wetting agents in materials for topical or oral administration. One such copolymer, Pluronic F-38 (Polyoxamer 108), has been used experimentally in a new fractionation procedure for plasma proteins. Since residual amounts of this copolymer might be administered intravenously with a plasma fraction, its toxicity was evaluated following intravenous administration. Sprague-Dawley rats were injected intravenously with 0.15, 1, 2, and 4 g/kg of Pluronic F-38 five times a week for 2 weeks. Examination of tissues by light microscopy revealed that Pluronic F-38 caused early and prominent vacuolization of epithelial cells in the proximal renal tubules and of hepatocytes, as well as a gradual accumulation of vacuoles in Type II macrophages in the lung. These alterations in morphology were dose dependent and increased in severity during the period of administration. The lesions were slowly reversible; there was a moderate decrease in vacuolization 14 days after the last injection. Transmission electron microscopy indicated that the vacuoles were probably distended lysosomes. The paucity of additional cellular changes suggests that, although Pluronic F-38 may be rapidly phagocytized, it is well tolerated even when administered intravenously in large doses.
Determination of total fluorine in serum and other biological materials by oxygen bomb and reverse extraction techniques.

Abstract A procedure is described to determine submicrogram amounts of total fluorine in biological materials by the oxygen bomb technique. The fluoride in the bomb washings is determined with the fluoride ion electrode, when necessay, following reverse extraction of fluoride. This procedure averts the hazards of loss of fluorine and contamination with extraneous fluoride encountered in the open ashing procedures.
Engineering analysis in imprecise geometric models

Holes, gaps, dangling boundaries and other imperfections of the geometric models preclude direct application of traditional engineering analysis tools. In such cases geometric inaccuracies have to be removed using a geometry ''healing'' (repair) procedure which results in a valid solid model. Repair procedure applied to the geometric model is computationally expensive and often requires human intervention and supervision. On the other hand, the repair procedure applied to the surface meshes derived from the boundaries of a geometric model may negatively affect the quality of the Finite Element mesh whose construction follows the repair procedure. In this paper we describe a novel numerical technique that enables engineering analysis in imprecise geometric models without reconstructing a valid solid model. At the heart of the proposed method lies a modified geometrically adaptive integration technique. It uses a hybrid geometric model, that consists of a hierarchical space decomposition, boundary representation (B-rep) and distance fields. Hierarchical space decomposition helps to resolve the geometric imperfections, while the original geometric model is used to allocate the integration points in the boundary (geometry) cells. The proposed method uses solution structures that combine together the distance fields to the geometric boundaries, boundary conditions and basis functions to enforce the prescribed boundary conditions. Our approach has been verified on several numerical examples. Our numerical experiments confirm high reliability of the proposed engineering analysis approach for a wide range of geometric imperfections. Despite that the paper presents 2D examples the proposed approach can be generalized in 3D.
Highly efficient transgene-independent recombination directed by a maternally derived SOX2CRE transgene.

The Cre/loxP site-specific recombination system is a powerful tool that allows gene inactivation in a tissue- and time-specific manner. Several reports have shown that the Sox2Cre transgenic strain provides a very efficient means to delete gene function from the early epiblast (Hayashi et al.: Gene Expr Patterns 2:93-97, 2002; Vincent et al.: Genes Dev 17:1646-1662, 2003). Routinely, male studs carrying one null allele of the gene of interest and the Cre transgene are crossed to females homozygous for the conditional allele. Normally, excision is observed only in the progeny inheriting both the Cre transgene and the conditional allele. Here we report that when the Sox2Cre transgene is inherited maternally, excision occurs in all offspring irrespective of whether they carry the Cre transgene. Thus, Sox2Cre females provide a generally useful tool for rapid and efficient removal of loxP flanked sequences in vivo.
In vitro pluripotency of epiblasts derived from bovine blastocysts

Two experiments were conducted to compare the utility of in vitro- and in vivo-derived bovine blastocysts for the isolation of pluripotent epiblasts. In experiment 1, the inner cell masses (ICMs) of in vivo-collected blastocysts yielded a higher proportion of epiblasts after culture on STO feeder cells than ICMs from in vitro-produced blastocysts (P = .0157). In experiment 2, ICMs of in vivo-collected blastocysts that hatched on day 8 yielded a greater proportion of epiblasts after culture on STO feeder cells than ICMs from in vitro-produced blastocysts that hatched on day 8. The difference was reversed but smaller for blastocysts that hatched on day 9 (Interaction, P = .0125). Epiblasts from blastocysts that hatched on day 8 regardless of their source generated more differentiated cell lines in extended culture than did blastocysts that hatched on day 9. Extended epiblast culture yielded cells identifiable as products of the three embryonic germ layers that included epithelial cells, fibroblasts, neuronal cells, hepatocyte-like cells, and macrophage-like cells. Alkaline phosphatase activity combined with cell morphology identified the bovine epiblast cells and distinguished them from trophectoderm and endoderm that frequently contaminated epiblast cell cultures. In vivo-derived blastocysts, especially from early-hatching blastocysts, were a superior source of pluripotent epiblasts. Epiblast cells in this study all differentiated or senesced indicating that standard conditions for mouse embryonic stem cell culture do not maintain bovine epiblast cells in an undifferentiated state.
Welcome to the Microgenderome

Commensal gut bacteria reinforce the gender bias observed in an autoimmune form of diabetes.
Gamma ray driven photovoltaic cells: an interface between nuclear and semiconductor physics

We explore the possibility of utilizing low energy γ-photon radiation from single or multiple radioactive sources, for the production of electron–hole pairs in the semiconductors of photovoltaic cells. Our aim is to produce and store electric energy using this mechanism. The radioactive sources in the GRPVC (gamma ray photovoltaic cell) can be either naturally occurring or manufactured nuclear isomers. The γ-photon intensity can be controlled, hence the output and efficiency can also be controlled. A spherical GRPVC of 40 cm diameter, with the nuclear isomer Th*-229 (Eγ = 3.5 eV, T1/2 = 45 h) can produce a maximum open circuit voltage Vocmax = 2.626 V, at maximum efficiency ηmax = 52.2% initially, which occurs when the semiconductor energy gap, Eg, equals the γ-photon energy, Eγ. This reduces to the lower value Voc = 0.5 V at η = 12% after 188 days. The ultimate efficiency for the GRPVC studied here is about 70%, which occurs for Eg = Eγ ~ 10 eV, and is above 40% for Eg = Eγ (with Eγ ≥ 3 eV). It is also shown that nuclear isomers with long half-life can keep the GRPVC operating at high Voc and high efficiency levels for many decades, and even for centuries.
Gas phase hydrogen/deuterium exchange reactions of fluorophenyl anions

Hydrogen/deuterium (H/D) exchange reactions of fluorophenyl and difluorophenyl anions (C6H4F−, o-C6H3F2−, m-C6H3F2−, p-C6H3F2−) have been studied using the flowing afterglow-selected ion flow tube technique. The C6H4F− anion exchanges all hydrogens for deuterium upon reaction with D2O. The difluorophenyl anions o-, m-, and p-C6H3F2− exchange three, two, and one hydrogen, respectively, with D2O, whereas they undergo one, two, and three H/D exchanges, respectively, with CH3OD. The structures of the anions and the isotope exchange dynamics within the intermediate ion-dipole complexes are discussed using ab initio molecular orbital calculations. Calculated values for the proton affinities of the most stable anions are 385.2, 378.0, 371.9, and 378.2 kcal/mol for C6H4F−, o-C6H3F2−, m-C6H3F2−, and p-C6H3F2−, respectively, in excellent agreement (within 2 kcal/mol) with the previous experimental values for the acidities of the corresponding fluorobenzenes. The H/D exchange results are explained by the energy differences of the intermediate DO− and CH3O− species within the ion-dipole complexes; CH3O− is mobile within the “hot” intermediate complex, whereas DO− is nearly “frozen” within the complex and cannot migrate across the barriers caused by the fluorine atoms or by the π electrons.
Breakthrough fungal infections after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients on prophylactic voriconazole

Seventy-one allograft recipients receiving voriconazole, in whom complete clinical, microbiologic and pharmacokinetic data were available, were studied to determine the efficacy of voriconazole in preventing fungal infections. The length of voriconazole therapy was 6-956 days (median 133). The total number of patient-days on voriconazole was 13 805 ( approximately 38 years). A total of 10 fungal infections were seen in patients on voriconazole (18% actuarial probability at 1 year): Candida glabrata (n=5), Candida krusei (n=1), Cunninghamella (n=1), Rhizopus (n=2) and Mucor (n=1). Two of the four zygomycosis cases were preceded by short durations of voriconazole therapy, but prolonged itraconazole prophylaxis. The plasma steady-state trough voriconazole levels around the time the infection occurred were 2 microg/ml (P=0.061). We conclude that voriconazole is effective at preventing aspergillosis. However, breakthrough zygomycosis is seen in a small proportion of patients. The role of therapeutic voriconazole monitoring with dose adjustment to avoid breakthrough infections with fungi that are otherwise susceptible to the drug needs to be explored prospectively.
Street view goes indoors: Automatic pose estimation from uncalibrated unordered spherical panoramas

We present a novel algorithm that takes as input an uncalibrated unordered set of spherical panoramic images and outputs their relative pose up to a global scale. The panoramas contain both indoor and outdoor shots and each set was taken in a particular indoor location e.g. a bakery or a restaurant. The estimated pose is used to build a map of the location, and allow easy visual navigation and exploration in the spirit of Google's Street View. We also present a dataset of 9 sets of panoramas, together with an annotation tool and ground truth point correspondences. The manual annotations were used to obtain ground truth relative pose, and to quantitatively evaluate the different parameters of our algorithm, and can be used to benchmark different approaches. We show excellent results on the dataset and point out future work.
A Room-Temperature Bonding Technique Using Ultrathin PDMS as an Intermediate Layer for Fabrication of Micron and Submicron Channels

We present a new room-temperature bonding technique using a submicron-thick PDMS as an intermediate adhesive bonding layer for fabrication of micron and submicron-scale channels. The ultrathin bonding layers were created with spin-coating of PDMS dissolved in toluene at various weight ratios from 1:4 to 1:18 (PDMS:toluene) to obtain layer thicknesses from 1.65 μm to 0.10 μm, respectively. Bonding of discrete parts of microchannel was formed under pressure with a clamping vise at room-temperature. Tensile bonding strength test on this new technique showed excellent bonding strength. We have achieved 310 kPa for a 0.1 μm-thick layer with the aid of oxygen plasma treatment. To demonstrate its utility in micron and submicron channel fabrication, we created channels (970 μm × 60 μm × 0.97 μm) and performed leakage tests. The bonding showed no leakage at pressures up to 210 kPa.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Tissue Expansion Reconstruction of the Scalp

The involvement of the head and neck can occur in 25 to 45% of patients with burn injuries. Unfortunately, scalp burns can result in significant burn alopecia. The management of these problems depends on the location and extent of the alopecia. Tissue expansion has become an important part of the armamentarium for correction of this problem with acceptable complication rates. The results of correction of burn alopecia with tissue expansion are an important part of our surgical strategy in the aesthetic reconstruction of cicatricial alopecia.
Results of balloon valvuloplasty in typical and dysplastic pulmonary valve stenosis: Doppler echocardiographic follow-up

To assess the usefulness of balloon valvuloplasty in patients with a dysplastic pulmonary valve, the files of 36 patients (aged 1 day to 18.5 years) who had two-dimensional echocardiography before and continuous wave Doppler echocardiography late after balloon valvuloplasty (balloon diameter greater than or equal to 20% anulus diameter) were reviewed. Results of relief of pulmonary stenosis were graded by catheter gradient in the catheterization laboratory and compared with Doppler echocardiographic findings at follow-up. There were 32 patients with typical pulmonary stenosis and 4 with a dysplastic valve. In the 32 patients with typical pulmonary stenosis, transvalvular gradient changed from a mean of 67 +/- 32 to 20 +/- 20 mm Hg (p less than 0.0001, mean reduction 72.6%). The gradients at follow-up by Doppler echocardiography averaged 20 mm Hg including 15 that increased, 3 that were unchanged and 14 that decreased. Only 3 (9%) of 32 patients had a gradient greater than 25 mm Hg at follow-up and only one gradient was greater than 35 mm Hg. All four patients with a dysplastic valve had a gradient that decreased with valvuloplasty from a mean of 85 +/- 33 to 33 +/- 20 mm Hg (p less than 0.05); gradient reduction in this group ranged from 40 to 85% (mean 57.5%). The gradient at follow-up increased in three of these four patients and decreased in one (the only late gradient less than 25 mm Hg). Late gradient was less than 35 mm Hg in two of the four patients and was reduced by 43 and 57%, respectively, in the other two.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Impact of Oil Aromaticity on CO2, Flooding

Etude experimentale du role de l'aromaticite du petrole dans le developpement de la miscibilite et dans le depot d'hydrocarbures lourds au cours d'une injection de CO 2
Behavioral rules and sequences of macroequilibria

Abstract This paper compares the dynamic consequences of several diferent behavioral rules involving price or quantity adjustments in a temporary equilibrium, macroeconomic framework. The central rule studied is the widely practiced, cost mark-up, administered pricing rule. A competitive, quantity adjustment rule based on a target rate of return is also examined. These are contrasted with monopolistic, profit maximizing price and quantity adjusting rules. Although the analysis represents but an initial foray into the territory where the interests of behavioral and macroeconomic theories overlap, the results, which trace stagflation to instabilities in ‘permanent’, full-employment equilibrium, suggest that further work in this direction may improve our understanding of present inflationary phenomena.
Optimizing Photography Through the Atmosphere

This paper reviews the mathematical basis for the selection of critical photographic variables. These general relationships are evaluated using information on atmospheric contrast transmittance and turbulence over a 20 mile path recently gathered by Aero-nutronic under contract to the USAF Avionics Laboratory. The interdependence of atmospheric and photographic variables is explored. The minimum energy per solid angle required to allow a given film resolution is defined.
Electron microscopic analysis of γ-aminobutyric acid and glycine colocalization in rat trigeminal subnucleus caudalis

Postembedding immunogold methods were used to examine the distribution of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine and especially their colocalization in glomerular neuronal profiles adjacent to trigeminal primary afferent profiles in lamina II of rat subnucleus caudalis. We found that 60% of the profiles adjacent to the trigeminal primary afferent terminals exhibited colocalization of GABA and glycine. GABA alone was found to localize in 17% of the adjacent profiles. Glycine alone was found to localize in 18% of the adjacent profiles. Of interest, 10% of the trigeminal primary afferent fibers showed glycine localization. All the profiles with colocalization of GABA and glycine were identified as presynaptic axonal terminals, suggesting a possible cumulative effect by these two inhibitory neurotransmitters in presynaptic inhibition. These findings show that GABA and glycine colocalize in a subpopulation of presynaptic axonal terminals within lamina II of the subnucleus caudalis. The possible origins of these axons are discussed, as well as their potential involvement in presynaptic inhibition of orofacial nociception.
Large data and computation in a hazard map workflow using Hadoop and Neteeza architectures

Uncertainty Quantification(UQ) using simulation ensembles leads to twin challenges of managing large amount of data and performing cpu intensive computing. While algorithmic innovations using surrogates, localization and parallelization can make the problem feasible one still has very large data and compute tasks. Such integration of large data analytics and computationally expensive tasks is increasingly common. We present here an approach to solving this problem by using a mix of hardware and a workflow that maps tasks to appropriate hardware. We experiment with two computing environments -- the first is an integration of a Netezza data warehouse appliance and a high performance cluster and the second a hadoop based environment. Our approach is based on segregating the data intensive and compute intensive tasks and assigning the right architecture to each. We present here the computing models and the new schemes in the context of generating probabilistic hazard maps using ensemble runs of the volcanic debris avalanche simulator TITAN2D and UQ methodology.
Acidic Amino Acids Flanking Phosphorylation Sites in the M2 Muscarinic Receptor Regulate Receptor Phosphorylation, Internalization, and Interaction with Arrestins

The studies reported here address the molecular events underlying the interactions of arrestins with the M2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR). In particular, we focused on the role of receptor phosphorylation in this process. Agonist-dependent phosphorylation of the M2 mAChR can occur at clusters of serines and threonines at positions 286–290 (site P1) or 307–311 (site P2) in the third intracellular loop (Pals-Rylaarsdam, R., and Hosey, M. M. (1997)J. Biol. Chem. 272, 14152–14158). Phosphorylation at either P1 or P2 can support agonist-dependent internalization. However, phosphorylation at P2 is required for receptor interaction with arrestins (Pals-Rylaarsdam, R., Gurevich, V. V., Lee, K. B., Ptasienski, J. A., Benovic, J. L., and Hosey, M. M. (1997) J. Biol. Chem. 272, 23682–26389). The present study investigated the role of acidic amino acids between P1 and P2 in regulating receptor phosphorylation, internalization, and receptor/arrestin interactions. Mutation of the acidic amino acids at positions 298–300 (site A1) and/or 304–305 (site A2) to alanines had significant effects on agonist-dependent phosphorylation. P2 was identified as the preferred site of agonist-dependent phosphorylation, and full phosphorylation at P2 required the acidic amino acids at A1 or their neutral counterparts. In contrast, phosphorylation at site P1 was dependent on site A2. In addition, sites A1 and A2 significantly affected the ability of the wild type and P1 and P2 mutant receptors to internalization and to interact with arrestin2. Substitution of asparagine and glutamine for the aspartates and glutamates at sites A1 or A2 did not influence receptor phosphorylation but did influence arrestin interaction with the receptor. We propose that the amino acids at sites A1 and A2 play important roles in agonist-dependent phosphorylation at sites P2 and P1, respectively, and also play an important role in arrestin interactions with the M2 mAChR.
Conductance of substituted amine perchlorates and picrates in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone at 25°C

Conductance measurements of 16 perchlorates and picrates of substituted ammonium cations have been made in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NM-2-Py) at 25°C. To aid in the estimation of ionic conductances, measurements of tetrabutyl-ammonium tetraphenylborate were also included. The data were analyzed by both the full Pitts equation and the expanded Pitts equation in order to obtain limiting molar conductances Λo and the ion association constants K A . The results showed that pyridinium perchlorate and piperidinium, 2,4-dimethyl-pyridinium, 2,4,6-trimethylpyridinium picrates and tetrabutylammonium tetraphenylborate appear to be completely dissociated in NM-2-Py. The values of K A for the other salts range from 1 to 36 dm3-mol−1. Limiting molar conductances for the cation were based on the Coplan-Fuoss assumption.
Effect of age on the in vitro glucocorticoid-binding activity of rat adipocytes.

Abstract The concentration of specific glucocorticoid-binding sites and the binding affinity of the receptors were assessed in isolated adipocytes prepared from epididymal fat pads of young adult (2–3 months) and aged (24–28 months) adrenalectomized male Sprague—Dawley rats. No age-related changes in these parameters could be noted.
Genomic Perspectives of Transcriptional Regulation in Forebrain Development

The forebrain is the seat of higher-order brain functions, and many human neuropsychiatric disorders are due to genetic defects affecting forebrain development, making it imperative to understand the underlying genetic circuitry. Recent progress now makes it possible to begin fully elucidating the genomic regulatory mechanisms that control forebrain gene expression. Herein, we discuss the current knowledge of how transcription factors drive gene expression programs through their interactions with cis-acting genomic elements, such as enhancers; how analyses of chromatin and DNA modifications provide insights into gene expression states; and how these approaches yield insights into the evolution of the human brain.
Sound velocity and attenuation in single-crystal C60.

We report the studies of the elasticity of ${\mathrm{O}}_{60}$ single crystals. For sublimed fcc crystals, Young's modulus has an 8% jump at the first-order transition at 260 K. At \ensuremath{\sim}160 K there is a frequency-dependent elastic anomaly resulting from time dependent stress relaxation. Comparison with rotation rates seen in NMR suggests that the dynamics below 260 K is more complex than jumps between equivalent molecular configurations. Solvent grown monoclinic crystals have a second-order transition at 242 K, while the 160-K glass transition remains unchanged.
Recent advances in the rheooptical characterization of silicon-containing networks

Recent advances in the various theories of strain-birefringenece of polymer networks are presented. The classical theories as well as the more advanced models are outlined together with some recent theoretical results on poly (dimethylsiloxane). Reference to work on other Si-containing polymers is made. The problems of intermolecular correlations occurring in polymer networks and their effect on the observed optical properties are discussed with reference to the optical-configuration parameter. Conclusions report areas of current research.
Phase relationships and thermodynamics of refractory metal pnictides: The metal-rich tantalum arsenides

Abstract The metal-rich tantalum-arsenic system has been reinvestigated. X-ray powder diffraction techniques were used in conjunction with controlled thermal decomposition experiments in an effusion cell connected to a vacuum electrobalance. Monophase polycrystalline samples of Ta3As, Ta2As, Ta5As4 and TaAs have been prepared. Single crystals of each of these phases have been obtained by halogen vapour transport. Single-crystal precession camera studies indicated that Ta3As was of a new structure type with a monoclinic lattice and space group B2 b , a = 14.683(2), b = 14.558(1), c = 5.098(1) A , γ = 90.562° (3). The structure of TaAs was refined by using single-crystal diffractometer data. The results confirm the structure assigned earlier on the basis of powder data. In addition, a modification of the TaAs phase has been identified but not, as yet, fully characterized. Powder and single-crystal data indicate a primitive tetragonal cell with structure and lattice parameters very similar to the body-centered form. Refined lattice parameters have been determined for all the phases. The difficulties of constructing a phase diagram for the system are discussed.
Norepinephrine and associative conditioning in the neonatal rat somatosensory system.

Abstract Neonatal rats, aged postnatal days 3–4, were trained in a somatosensory associative conditioning task involving temporal correlation of facial vibrissa stimulation and aversive shock. This training resulted in a subsequent conditioned behavioral activation/arousal response to vibrissa stimulation alone, compared to non-learning control pups trained with random vibrissa–shock presentations. The acquisition of the conditioned response was blocked by systemic injections of the NE β-receptor antagonist propranolol in a dose-dependent manner. In a second study, vibrissa stimulation was paired with systemic injections of the NE β-receptor agonist isoproterenol. Association of vibrissa stimulation with β-receptor activation resulted in subsequent conditioned responses to vibrissa stimulation alone, in a dose-dependent manner. Together, these results suggest that early associative somatosensory conditioning requires and involves NE in a manner similar to that previously demonstrated for early olfactory learning.
A boundary functional for optimal shape design problems

Abstract The minimization of a functional associated with Dirichlet boundary conditions is imposed to a well-posed problem, to lead to a domain optimization problem. It is shown that the functional is continuous with respect to an appropriate topology on the space of solutions F of the well-posed problem. With this, the existence of a solution for the optimization problem reduces to showing that F is compact.
The Peer Appearance Culture During Adolescence: Gender and Body Mass Variations

The purpose of this research was to examine gender and body mass, as factors linked to perceived experiences within the peer appearance culture. The sample included 215 girls and 200 boys who were either in 7th grade or 10th grade. Students provided self-reports on experiences in three domains: appearance culture among friends (appearance conversations and diet/muscle talk), peer evaluations (peer appearance pressure, appearance teasing, and vicarious peer teasing), and peer acceptance concerns (appearance-based acceptance, peer appearance comparison). The results indicated that although girls reported more appearance conversations, boys perceived more appearance pressure and teasing. Boys also admitted that they talked with friends about muscle building at a rate greater than girls talked about dieting. BMI showed distinct gender patterns. BMI was a key attribute that unified the experiences within the appearance culture for overweight girls. Among the boys, BMI was associated with differentiated experiences for underweight and overweight participants.
Electronic structure and magnetism of a Pd monolayer on Fe(100)

Abstract Spin-polarized self-consistent localized-orbital (SCLO) calculations have been performed for a five-plane slab simulating Pd/Fe(100). Pd monolayers were placed in registry with both faces of a three-plane Fe(100) slab. We chose a PdFe bond length equal to the sum of metallic radii, 2.62 A, and an FeFe bond length equal to the bulk value, 2.49 A. The computed energy bands for the Pd/Fe 3 /Pd slab resemble those calculated for a five-plane Fe(100) slab, except for a positive work-function shift of 0.5 eV. The Pd monolayer has a magnetic moment of 0.37 μ B /atom. The magnetic moment of an adjacent iron atom is 2.74 μ B , slightly smaller than the value 2.89 μ B at the surface of Fe 5 , but still significantly larger than the central-plane value 2.37 μ B . The d bands of the two metals are strongly hybridized, but very little charge transfer takes place across the interface. Compared with the isolated Pd(100) monolayer, or the clean Fe(100) slab, the surface density of states of Pd/Fe(100) is rather weak near the Fermi level, suggesting a reduced chemical reactivity for this surface.
Expression of VGF mRNA in the adult rat central nervous system

VGF is a secretory peptide precursor that is expressed and processed by neuronal cells in a cell type-specific fashion. In addition, VGF transcription and secretion are rapidly and relatively selectively induced by neurotrophins and depolarization in vitro. To gain insight into the possible function(s) of VGF in the nervous system, we have carried out a detailed examination of the distribution of VGF mRNA in the adult rat central nervous system by using in situ hybridization. Robust expression was detected in many neurons throughout the brain and spinal cord, in several types of neurons in the retina, and in presumptive chromaffin cells of the adrenal medulla. In the brain, prominent expression of VGF mRNA was observed in neurons of the main and accessory olfactory bulbs; in the anterior olfactory nucleus; in the induseum griseum and taenia tecta; in the olfactory tubercle; in CA1-CA3, the hilus of the dentate gyrus, and the subicular complex of the hippocampal formation; in the piriform, periamygdaloid, transitional, and lateral entorhinal cortices; in the endopiriform nucleus; in the hypothalamus, particularly the preoptic, periventricular, supraoptic, suprachiasmatic, and arcuate nuclei; and in a number of septal, thalamic, amygdaloid, and brainstem nuclei. Labeling was also seen in neurons of the neocortex and transitional cortical areas, particularly in layer V, and in basal ganglia and cerebellum. These data demonstrate that VGF mRNA is expressed much more extensively in the brain than has been described in previous RNA or immunohistochemical studies, and, furthermore, that VGF is widely expressed in the spinal cord and retina.
The emergence of trendsetters for fashions and fads: Kogaru in 1990s Japan

Analyses of fads and fashions often note the importance of trendsetters whose early adoption of novelties provides an example for others to follow. However, trendsetting is usually taken for granted; there is no effort to explain why some groups assume fashion leadership. This article seeks to account for the rise of kogaru (stylish high-school girls) as trendsetters in 1990s Japan. We argue that trendsetting requires resources—particularly leisure time to devote to fashion, disposable income, and communication networks. Kogaru became trendsetters because they gained these resources at a time when the female college students who preceded them had less time for trendsetting, and when economic recession made inexpensive items of the sort kogaru could afford more desirable fashion objects. At the same time, new electronic technologies sped the flow of information among kogaru, while media coverage of this new social type gave kogaru visibility in the larger society.
The timeliness problem in the application of bass-type new product-growth models to durable sales forecasting

Abstract Exactly identifying a model requires that the number of data points equal the number of model parameters. The Bass (1969) New Product Growth Model (NPGM) and subsequent extensions contain a minimum of three parameters. If the data points are taken to be annual sales figures, then these models require a minimum of three years of historical sales before parameter estimation is possible. The so-called timeliness problem arises from the fact that the predictions generated by these models are useless by the time the relevant data is available. The timeliness problem may be circumvented by basing some or all parameter estimates upon something other than historical sales data. However, the acceptability of such estimation procedures is dependent upon the error sensitivity of these models. The sensitivity of the original NPGM is, therefore, presented in order to illustrate the impact of error of non-“sales series data’ parameter estimates upon accurate forecasting.
The regulation of biologic products derived from bioengineered plants.

Abstract Recently, there has been a large increase in the number and types of biological products — from therapeutic antibodies to vaccines for the prevention of infectious diseases — that are produced in bioengineered plant systems. We anticipate that this technology will be used increasingly on a commercial scale for the manufacture of human and animal products. These production systems have the capacity to produce very large quantities of products at lower costs and with reduced risks compared with mammalian systems.
Formation of novel thermoplastic composites using bicomponent nonwovens as a precursor

This study focuses on a novel technique to produce thermoplastic composites directly from bicomponent nonwovens without using any resins or binders. Conceptually, the structure of the bicomponent fibers making up these nonwovens already mimics the fiber–matrix structure of fiber reinforced composites. Using this approach, we successfully produced isotropic thermoplastic composites with polymer combinations of polyethylene terephthalate/polyethylene (PET/PE), polyamide-6/polyethylene (PA6/PE), polyamide-6/polypropylene (PA6/PP), and PP/PE. The effects of processing temperature, fiber volume fraction, and thickness of the preform on the formation and structure of the nonwoven composites were discussed. Processing temperatures of 130 and 165 °C for PE and PP matrices, respectively, resulted in intact composite structures with fewer defects, for fiber volume fraction values of up to 51%. Moreover, an insight into the changes on the fine structure of the bicomponent fibers after processing was provided to better explain the mechanics behind the process. It is hypothesized that the composite fabrication process can result in annealing and increases the degree of crystallinity and melting temperature of polymers by thickening lamellae and/or removing imperfections. One of the other outcomes of this study is to establish what combination of mechanical properties (tensile and impact) nonwoven composites can offer. Our results showed that compared to glass mat reinforced thermoplastic composites, these novel isotropic nonwoven composites offer high specific strength (97 MPa/g cm−3 for PA6/PE), very high strain to failure (152% for PP/PE), and superior impact strength (147 kJ/m2 for PA6/PP) which can be desirable in many critical applications.
Examining how landscapes influence benthic community assemblages in seagrass and mudflat habitats in southern Maine

Abstract Structured habitats in estuaries provided by seagrass beds are valued as nurseries for economically valuable and ecologically important fish and crustacean species, explaining why much effort has been expended to restore and protect these habitats. Data on ecological dynamics in seagrass beds are necessary for assessing natural variability and understanding potential impacts from future anthropogenic disturbances. We quantified benthic communities in marine mud flat and seagrass bed habitats throughout Casco Bay, Maine, USA to examine nursery functions. We hypothesized that mobile fish and crustaceans are more abundant in seagrass habitat because this habitat provides refuge, and that mobile predators that use eelgrass beds reduce populations of infaunal prey in adjacent mud flats. Our results indicate seagrass beds are important nursery habitat, and that seagrass presence in an embayment affects the abundance and diversity of local fish and invertebrate communities. Specifically, fish and native mobile crustacean populations were generally most abundant in and adjacent to seagrass beds among habitats studied. Our results also suggest that the proximity of seagrass to mudflats potentially influences community structure within mudflats by affecting predator access. Human activities that result in the degradation of seagrass beds and other biogenic habitats will likely influence community structure and impair ecosystem function in estuaries.
Some inequalities for derivatives of polynomials

Abstract If p ( z ) is a polynomial of degree at most n having no zeros in ¦z¦ , then according to a well known result conjectured by Erdős and proved by Lax max ¦z¦ = 1 ¦p′(z)¦ ⩽ ( n 2 ) max ¦z¦ = 1 ¦p(z)¦ . On the other hand, by a result due to Turan, if p ( z ) has all its zeros in ¦z¦ ⩽ 1 , then max ¦z¦ = 1 ¦p′(z)¦ ⩾ ( n 2 ) max ¦z¦ = 1 ¦p(z)¦ . In this paper we generalize and sharpen these inequalities.
Plasma antioxidant depletion after cardiopulmonary bypass in operations for congenital heart disease.

We describe the use of two in vitro tests to characterize plasma antioxidant capacity at the time of cardiac bypass in operations for congenital heart disease in 30 patients aged 3 days to 16 years (average 4.4±0.9 years [standard error]). Bypass and crossclamp time, circuit volume, and type of operation were recorded for each patient. First, a test of plasma radical antioxidant power measured chain breaking (secondary) antioxidant capacity of plasma to prevent oxidation of linoleic acid, in vitro. Second, overall ability of plasma to prevent lipid peroxidation was assessed by a classic test of plasma inhibition of malondialdehyde formation in a beef brain homogenate. Plasma total radical antioxidant power level at baseline was 0.74±0.03 μmol/ml plasma, which decreased to 0.15±0.05 μmol/ml plasma after bypass ( p n =18, p p =0.0002, r =0.63) and bypass time ( p =0.009, r =0.4677) to be significant factors. Pump prime volume in milliliters per kilogram and preoperative hemoglobin value were not significant factors. Beef brain malondialdehyde formation in vitro was limited 92%±3% by normal plasma before operation versus 53%±5% after operation ( p p p =0.0015, r =0.55) and bypass time ( p =0.033, r =0.39) to be significant factors. Thus antioxidant capacity of plasma is significantly diminished after cardiopulmonary bypass in children. Young patient age and long duration of cardiopulmonary bypass are identified as factors that correlate positively with depletion of antioxidant capacity with bypass.
Foreseeable consequence utilitarianism

(1981). Foreseeable consequence utilitarianism. Australasian Journal of Philosophy: Vol. 59, No. 2, pp. 163-176.
Behavioral Medicine Review: Weight Control in a Land of Milk and Honey:

Obesity and its cardiometabolic comorbidities are on a skyrocketing trajectory with ominous public health implications. Focusing on primary care as a microcosm of the broader obesity crisis, this r...
Impact of the Career Explorers Program on High School Students' Perceptions of the Pharmacy Profession

Objective. To determine the effect of a 5-week Career Explorers Program (CEP) on high school students' perceptions of pharmacists' characteristics, duties, and training. Methods. A 16-item survey instrument with attitudinal, frequency, and relative quantity response options was completed by all CEP students on the first and last day of the program. The survey assessed students' attitudes concerning pharmacist characteristics, duties, and training. Results. All students who participated in the CEP in 2003 completed the survey instrument (n = 50). Seventy percent of respondents' answers to the attitudinal subscale questions significantly changed from preassessment to postassessment. Conclusion. A 5-week CEP provided high school students with more realistic perceptions of pharmacists' roles, duties, and training before the students entered the pharmacy program.
Modern Insights About Pearson’s Correlation and Least Squares Regression

As is well known, Pearson’s correlation, ρ, can be used to characterize how well a least squares regression line fits data, and it provides a test of the hypothesis that two measures are independent. However, many articles in statistical journals indicate that the usual estimate of ρ, r, is sensitive to at least six features of data, and that least squares regression and ρ are not robust in the sense reviewed in this article. In practical terms, r can be a highly unsatisfactory measure of the strength of an association, no matter how large the sample size might be. One specific problem is that it can miss strong associations that are detected by more modern techniques. The practical problems with r reflect fundamental concerns about a strict reliance on least squares regression. A few of the many modern methods for dealing with these concerns are briefly indicated.
Quantification and Visualization of Charged Particle Range Variations

Purpose Range variations during respiration affect the penetration of charged particle beams and can result in beam overshoot or undershoot to the target. We have developed analysis tools to quantify the water equivalent pathlength (WEL) variations resulting from respiration (WEL analyzer, Aqualyzer), as well as a data explorer to view WEL variations interactively. Methods and Materials The metrics to characterize and quantify penetration of a charged particle beam during respiration were calculated semiautomatically. The analysis involved the generation of images that (1) encode the radiologic pathlength across a beam's eye view image during the respiratory phase, (2) display the variation of the radiologic pathlength relative to a reference respiratory phase, (3) display isopenetration as a function of breathing, and (4) show range fluctuation images for a compensating bolus when applied to four-dimensional computed tomography. Additional quantities relevant to the analysis of charged particle beams in a breathing patient that are calculated include the beam overshoot volume and beam overshoot distance. These quantities are calculated as a function of time, gantry angle, and position. Results The software was applied to test cases to illustrate its utility in the analysis of range variations of charged particle beams in the treatment of lung tumors. Conclusion WEL analysis is useful in the rapid assessment of range variations in the treatment of lung tumors and in determining the optimal gantry angle and respiratory gating window. The extension of encoding range fluctuations to a beam's eye view display is helpful in designing plans that are more robust in the presence of motion.