cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fluorocarbon crowning: Langmuir-Blodgett deposition versus self-assembly at molecularly rough surfaces.

Langmuir−Blodgett deposition of a single monolayer of 1,2,4,5-tetrakis[(N-(perfluoroundecanoamidoethyl)-N,N-dimethylammonium)methyl]benzene tetrabromide (1) onto a thin film made from alternating layers of poly(diallydimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMA) and poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PSS) ions affords a uniform fluorinated surface of low energy. An analogous surface that has been constructed by self-assembly shows the same critical surface tension of 16.5 dyn/cm. A comparison of Zisman plots for these two modified films, in combination with analysis by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, indicates that Langmuir−Blodgett deposition produces a higher quality and more densely packed fluorocarbon surface that is very hydrophobic. In sharp contrast, the use of a single-chain analog (i.e., N-(perfluoroundecanoamidoethyl)-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide) (2)) affords relatively high energy surfaces by Langmuir−Blodgett deposition and by self-assembly.
Paramagnetic precursors for supramolecular assemblies: selective syntheses, crystal structures, and electrochemical and magnetic properties of Ru2(O2CMe)4-n(formamidinate)nCl complexes, n = 1-4.

Reactions of Ru2(O2CMe)4Cl with two formamidines, HDXyl2,6F = N,N‘-di(2,6-xylyl)formamidine and HDAniF = N,N‘-di(p-anisyl)formamidine, have been investigated with the idea of synthesizing compounds with a mixed set of ligands having different labilities to be used as precursors of paramagnetic, higher-order assemblies. Depending on the formamidine and the reaction conditions, several Ru25+ compounds of the type Ru2(O2CMe)4-n(DArF)nCl (DArF = anion of an N,N‘-diarylformamidine) have been isolated. With the bulky formamidine HXyl2,6F, the compounds Ru2(O2CMe)3(DXyl2,6F)Cl (1) and trans-Ru2(O2CMe)2(DXyl2,6F)2Cl (2) were obtained. From reactions with appropriate amounts of HDAniF in THF and in the presence of NEt3 and LiCl, complexes of the general type Ru2(O2CMe)4-n(DArF)nCl (n = 1−4) were selectively obtained. For n = 2, only the cis isomer was obtained. The choice of solvent in reactions of Ru2(O2CMe)4Cl and HDAniF is of great importance. Toluene favored the formation of the fully substituted Ru25+ complex...
Continuity and Change in an Old Industrial Region

Analysts have debated the extent to which recent economic changes represent a continuation of earlier patterns or a fundamental shift to a new industrial order. We trace and extend the spatial implications of this debate for a mature industrial region, the Ohio River Valley, part of the American Manufacturing Belt, for the 1980-90 period. The paper builds on recent research arguing that such regions had a diverse, rather than homogeneous, space-economy. Empirical findings clearly demonstrate diversity of economic structures, sectorally and spatially, emphasizing both continuity and change in an old industrial region, and the totality of economic activity rather than specific sectors identified with the rise or transformation of industrial capitalism. In terms of change, aggregate trends follow national ones, but do not wash evenly over the Ohio River Valley. Nor do they mirror, when considered at a sub-regional scale, patterns indicated by de-industrialization and post-Fordist transition frameworks. Findings provide implications for elaborating or augmenting these perspectives, and types of research needed to accomplish the task.
The Dynamics of African-American Health: A Historical Perspective

There are many misconceptions about African American health that have subtle and continuing influence on health policy debates. Unfortunately, many of the misconceptions surrounding African American health have an implicit historical dimension, and the usual response for the lack of evidence in support of any myth is that “the data does not exist” to shed full light on the given question. This is unfortunate as there is now a growing body of evidence pertaining to the historical health of the African American population, and this data is currently being used to uncover a number of facts about the historical dynamics of African American health. In this paper, we show that our historical data on the health of African Americans is wholly lacking and at the same time show that one prominent myth about trends in African American health does not stand up to historical investigation. We conclude with a brief note about where this research is headed and what future topics should be explored in African American economic and health history.
Social Identity-Specific Collectivism (SISCOL) and Group Behavior

Assessment of collectivism has, for the most part, targeted interpersonal (often dyadic) relationships, e.g., spouse or friend. The multifactor social identity-specific collectivism (SISCOL) scale is an alternative approach that targets groups or categories (e.g., ethnic, political). In this study, the relationship between SISCOL and reported group behavior (political action, group participation, leisure activity) was explored. First, SISCOL varied in a meaningful and predictable way as a function of group membership. Second, SISCOL subscales were divergently predictive: social identity, b=.31, and common fate, b=.18, predicted political action; social identity, b=.22, emotional attachment, b=.32, and group norms, b=.20, predicted group participation. The importance and utility of a group targeted approach is discussed.
LDPC codes for the cascaded BSC-BAWGN channel

We study the performance of LDPC codes over the cascaded BSC-BAWGN channel. This channel belongs to a family of binary-input, memoryless, symmetric-output channels, one that we call the {CBMSC(p, σ)} family. We analyze the belief propagation (BP) decoder over this channel by characterizing the decodable region of an ensemble of LDPC codes. We then give inner and outer bounds for this decodable region based on existing universal bounds on the performance of a BP decoder. We numerically evaluate the decodable region using density evolution. We also propose other message-passing schemes of interest and give their decodable regions. The performance of each proposed decoder over the CBMS channel family is evaluated through simulations. Finally, we explore capacity-approaching LDPC code ensembles for the {CBMSC(p, σ)} family.
Working Environment and the Research Productivity of Doctoral Students in Management.

The authors examined the influence of creative personality and creative working environment on the research productivity of doctoral students in business. Students in management doctoral programs (N = 200) participated in an online survey. The results show that faculty support was positively associated with research productivity. Among demographic predictors, doctoral candidacy and years in one's present program were also positively associated with research productivity. The emergence of faculty support as the only significant environmental predictor of research productivity highlights the unique importance of faculty support, encouragement, and mentoring in developing the research potential of doctoral management students.
Organizational Challenges in Developing One of the Nationwide Health Information Network Trial Implementation Awardees

Health care in the United States is rarely delivered in a coordinated manner. Current methods to share patient information are inefficient and may lead to medical errors, higher readmission rates, and delays in the delivery of needed health services. This qualitative study describes lessons learned concerning the early implementation of one Nationwide Health Information Network (NHIN) site in Long Beach, CA during its first year of operation. The Long Beach Network for Health (LBNH) focused on an incremental effort to exchange health information. Despite a limited concentration on emergency department care, virtually all respondents noted concerns regarding the sustainability, or business case, for the exchange of health information. Nevertheless, respondents were encouraged by progress on technological challenges and user requirements during this first year. The early gains in this process may, in turn, have laid the groundwork for future efforts to expand beyond the emergency department.
New strategies in controlling drug resistance in chronic myeloid leukemia.

Purpose. Imatinib has been quite effective in maintaining patients with CML in the chronic phase (CP); however, some patients develop imatinib resistance. This review addresses the mechanisms underlying imatinib resistance and the strategies currently being used to overcome that resistance. Summary. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is a stem cell cancer caused by BCR-ABL. Imatinib, a BCR-ABL inhibitor, has significantly decreased CML mortality by stopping disease progression in CP. This success has been tempered by the appearance of imatinib-resistant clones. These clones allow CML to progress to advanced stages of disease where the prognosis is poor. Mechanisms of imatinib resistance include plasma protein binding, drug efflux, mutation of BCR-ABL, gene amplification of BCR-ABL, and activation of BCR-ABL independent proliferative pathways. The first four of these mechanisms could potentially be addressed by increasing the imatinib dose and recent clinical trials have shown this to be the case. Pharmacokinetic analysis demonstrated that patients with low imatinib plasma concentrations fared more poorly then patients with high plasma concentrations. Doubling the standard dose of 400 mg per day increased patient responses while decreasing the time to response. Toxicity was also increased resulting in approximately 50% of patients decreasing the dose. The strategy of waiting to see who failed imatinib at 400 mg per day and then increasing the dose of that subpopulation was unsuccessful. The interpretation of these data is that it is beneficial to treat CML as aggressively as possible as early as possible. Dasatinib is the second BCR-ABL inhibitor to become available. It binds with a 350-fold greater affinity to BCR-ABL and shows efficacy against a number of imatinib-resistant mutations. Dasatinib also inhibits SRC kinase, which may play a role in both maintaining BCR-ABL activity and in BCR-ABL independent signaling pathways. Clinical trials with dasatinib have had favorable results and are comparable with high-dose imatinib. Imatinib also compares favorably with stem cell transplant (SCT). Economic analysis shows imatinib and dasatinib therapies, while quite expensive, are on par with dialysis in terms of cost of quality adjusted life years. Conclusion. A better understanding of imatinib resistance mechanisms has resulted in the development of useful strategies both to predict responders and nonresponders and to minimize imatinib resistance and prolong the life of the patient.
Umbilical Cord Clamping: Beliefs And Practices Of American Nurse-Midwives

The optimal time for umbilical cord clamping after birth remains a critical unknown fact that has implications for the infant, the mother, and science. A national survey was conducted using a randomized sample (n = 303) of the active membership of the ACNM to determine cord clamping practices and beliefs of American nurse-midwives. The response rate was 56%. The respondents fell into three cord clamping categories: early (EC) or before 1 minute (26%); intermediate (IC) or 1 to 3 minutes (35%); and late (LC) or after pulsations cease (33%). The EC group believes that early clamping facilitates management of the newborn. The IC group believes that a moderate delay of clamping allows for a gradual transition to extrauterine circulation, although many think that the timing of cord clamping is not significant. The LC group have strongly held beliefs that late clamping supports physiologic birth processes. The majority of CNMs (87%) place the baby on the mother's abdomen immediately after birth and 96% avoid clamping a nuchal cord whenever possible. Although Varney's Midwifery was cited most frequently as a reference, 78% of the respondents listed no references reflecting, in part, the absence of evidence-based recommendations for cord clamping practices.
COGNITIVE STYLES AND THE SCHIZOPHRENIAS AND CHARACTER DISORDERS

Summary.-Witkin's Embedded-figures Test, Pettigrew's Category Width Measure, the Random Figures Test, the Howard Maze, and Silverman's Scanning Procedure were administered to 48 schizophrenics and 24 character disorders. All Ss were male inpatients at a Veterans Administration Hospital who were without organic impairment. The schizophrenics were divided into 4 groups depending on whether they were paranoid or nonparanoid and process or reactive. Using analysis of variance, a main effect was found for Category Width (p < .05) and a three-way interaction effect foc the Embedded-figures Test, Category Width, and Scanning (p < .04) in accounting for a significant amount of the variance on the Paranoid Rating Scale. A three-way interaction effect of these same measures was also found to account for a significant (p < .05) amount of the variance in the chronicity variable. Character disorders were less field independent and formed broader conceptual categories than reactive schizophrenics. They also showed less preference for complexity. Previous research has demonstrated that it is possible to distinguish paranoid schizophrenics from nonparanoid schizophrenics on the basis of their performance on certain cognitive style measures (Silverman, 1964). However, these findings have not been consistently replicated. Part of the reason for this may be that many studies have failed to consider [he process-reactive dimension in forming their experimental groups and have failed to control for such variables as length of hospitalization. Recent studies by Neale and Cromwell ( 1968) have considered the paranoid-nonparanoid dimension and the processreactive dimension simultaneously in forming their groups of schizophrenics. However, these later studies seem to be concerned more with the social-motivational model of schizophrenia [represented by theoreticians such as Sullivan and Cameron and such researchers as Rodnick and Garmezy (1957)l than with the ego-disturbance model (represented by Bellak, 1958; Silverman, 1964) which is more amenable to cognitive style research. Another criticism of earlier research in this area (e.g., Silverman, 1967) is that no attempt is made to predict from cognitive scyle behavior to diagnostic categories. Thus, we learn something about how certain types of schizophrenics behave as contrasted to other types, but we do not know whether these behaviors can be used to discriminate these groups. Further, although several cognitive style measures have been studied in this regard, rarely have they been looked at 'This research was conducted at the Behavioral Research Laboratory of the Veterans Administration Hospital in Palo Alto, California and was submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley. Copies of the original dissertation may be obtained from University Microfilms, Ann Arbor, Michigan.
Methanocaldococcus jannaschii Uses a Modified Mevalonate Pathway for Biosynthesis of Isopentenyl Diphosphate

Archaea have been shown to produce isoprenoids from mevalonate; however, genome analysis has failed to identify several genes in the mevalonate pathway on the basis of sequence similarity. A predicted archaeal kinase, coded for by the MJ0044 gene, was associated with other mevalonate pathway genes in the archaea and was predicted to be the "missing" phosphomevalonate kinase. The MJ0044-derived protein was tested for phosphomevalonate kinase activity and was found not to catalyze this reaction. The MJ0044 gene product was found to phosphorylate isopentenyl phosphate, generating isopentenyl diphosphate. Unlike other known kinases associated with isoprene biosynthesis, Methanocaldococcus jannaschii isopentenyl phosphate kinase is predicted to be a member of the aspartokinase superfamily.
Virtual disjunct eddy covariance measurements of organic compound fluxes from a subalpine forest using proton transfer reaction mass spectrometry

Abstract. A `virtual' disjunct eddy covariance (vDEC) device was tested with field measurements of biogenic VOC fluxes at a subalpine forest site in the Rocky Mountains of the USA. A PTR-MS instrument was used as the VOC sensor. Daily peak emission fluxes of 2-methyl-3-buten-2-ol (MBO), methanol, acetone and acetaldehyde were around 1.5, 1, 0.8 and 0.4 mg m-2 h-1, respectively. High pass filtering due to long sampling lines was investigated in laboratory experiments, and suggested that VOC losses in PTFA lines are generally governed by diffusion laws. Memory effects and surface reactions did not seem to play a dominant role. Model estimates of MBO fluxes compared well with measured fluxes. The results also suggest that latent heat and sensible heat fluxes are reasonably well correlated with VOC fluxes and could be used to predict variations in VOC emissions. The release of MBO, methanol, acetone and acetaldehyde resulted in significant change of tropospheric oxidant levels and a 10--40% increase in ozone levels, as inferred from a photochemical box model. We conclude that vDEC with a PTR-MS instrument is a versatile tool for simultaneous field analysis of multiple VOC fluxes.
Addressing the challenges of tetracycline analysis in soil: extraction, clean-up, and matrix effects in LC-MS

An optimized extraction and clean-up method for the analysis of chlortetracycline, doxycycline, oxytetracycline, and tetracycline antibiotics in soil is presented in this work. Soil extraction using different solvents was performed, but the use of a 50 : 50 (v/v) methanol : acetate buffer (pH 8) solvent mixture in a pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) system proved to give the best extraction efficiency and reproducibility. The effect of soil composition on the PLE extraction efficiency was also examined, and results indicated that recovery data for one soil is not necessarily consistent with other soil types containing different compositions of clay and organic matter content. The percent recoveries of the optimized PLE method varied between the soils and ranged from 22–99%, depending on soil type, and more specifically clay content. In addition, the extent of ionization suppression caused by co-extracted humic acids was examined in an ion trap mass spectrometer (MS), and a single quadrupole MS. It was found that under positive electrospray ionization, the single quadrupole MS was less susceptible to ionization suppression than the ion trap MS. Therefore, various sample clean-up procedures were evaluated to selectively reduce the amount of co-extracted humic acids in the soil extracts. The most effective clean-up was obtained from the use of StrataX™ sorbent in combination with a strong anion exchange cartridge.
Coronary calcium coverage score: determination, correlates, and predictive accuracy in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Purpose: To develop a new calcium score for use with unenhanced cardiac computed tomography (CT) that can be used to define the percentage of coronary arteries affected by calcium and to correlate this score with risk factors and cardiovascular events. Materials and Methods: Institutional review boards at all participating centers approved this HIPAA-compliant study, and all participants gave written informed consent. Calcium coverage score (CCS), which represents the percentage of coronary arteries affected by calcific plaque, was calculated for 3252 participants in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis in whom calcific plaque was detected with CT. Quasi-Poisson models were used to estimate associations (assessed by using t tests with robust standard errors) between CCS and risk factors. Associations between the CCS, Agatston, and calcium mass scores (hereafter, mass scores) and outcomes were estimated and assessed by using Cox proportional hazards models with Wald tests. The predictive ability of th...
Carboxylesterase 1 as a Determinant of Clopidogrel Metabolism and Activation

Clopidogrel pharmacotherapy is associated with substantial interindividual variability in clinical response, which can translate into an increased risk of adverse outcomes. Clopidogrel, a recognized substrate of hepatic carboxylesterase 1 (CES1), undergoes extensive hydrolytic metabolism in the liver. Significant interindividual variability in the expression and activity of CES1 exists, which is attributed to both genetic and environmental factors. We determined whether CES1 inhibition and CES1 genetic polymorphisms would significantly influence the biotransformation of clopidogrel and alter the formation of the active metabolite. Coincubation of clopidogrel with the CES1 inhibitor bis(4-nitrophenyl) phosphate in human liver s9 fractions significantly increased the concentrations of clopidogrel, 2-oxo-clopidogrel, and clopidogrel active metabolite, while the concentrations of all formed carboxylate metabolites were significantly decreased. As anticipated, clopidogrel and 2-oxo-clopidogrel were efficiently hydrolyzed by the cell s9 fractions prepared from wild-type CES1 transfected cells. The enzymatic activity of the CES1 variants G143E and D260fs were completely impaired in terms of catalyzing the hydrolysis of clopidogrel and 2-oxo-clopidogrel. However, the natural variants G18V, S82L, and A269S failed to produce any significant effect on CES1-mediated hydrolysis of clopidogrel or 2-oxo-clopidogrel. In summary, deficient CES1 catalytic activity resulting from CES1 inhibition or CES1 genetic variation may be associated with higher plasma concentrations of clopidogrel-active metabolite, and hence may enhance antiplatelet activity. Additionally, CES1 genetic variants have the potential to serve as a biomarker to predict clopidogrel response and individualize clopidogrel dosing regimens in clinical practice.
The Escherichia coli argW-dsdCXA Genetic Island Is Highly Variable, and E. coli K1 Strains Commonly Possess Two Copies of dsdCXA

The genome sequences of Escherichia coli pathotypes reveal extensive genetic variability in the argW-dsdCXA island. Interestingly, the archetype E. coli K1 neonatal meningitis strain, strain RS218, has two copies of the dsdCXA genes for d-serine utilization at the argW and leuX islands. Because the human brain contains d-serine, an epidemiological study emphasizing K1 isolates surveyed the dsdCXA copy number and function. Forty of 41 (97.5%) independent E. coli K1 isolates could utilize d-serine. Southern blot hybridization revealed physical variability within the argW-dsdC region, even among 22 E. coli O18:K1:H7 isolates. In addition, 30 of 41 K1 strains, including 21 of 22 O18:K1:H7 isolates, had two dsdCXA loci. Mutational analysis indicated that each of the dsdA genes is functional in a rifampin-resistant mutant of RS218, mutant E44. The high percentage of K1 strains that can use d-serine is in striking contrast to our previous observation that only 4 of 74 (5%) isolates in the diarrheagenic E. coli (DEC) collection have this activity. The genome sequence of diarrheagenic E. coli isolates indicates that the csrRAKB genes for sucrose utilization are often substituted for dsdC and a portion of dsdX present at the argW-dsdCXA island of extraintestinal isolates. Among DEC isolates there is a reciprocal pattern of sucrose fermentation versus d-serine utilization. The ability to use d-serine is a trait strongly selected for among E. coli K1 strains, which have the ability to infect a wide range of extraintestinal sites. Conversely, diarrheagenic E. coli pathotypes appear to have substituted sucrose for d-serine as a potential nutrient.
Evolution of echocardiography in neonatal diagnosis

In the late 1960s, Edler and Lundstrom introduced ultrasoundcardiography for the evaluation of congenital heart disease. Initial evaluations using A- and M-mode echocardiography produced non-invasive diagnosis of many defects, including specific complex malformations such as hypoplastic left heart, Ebstein's malformation, endocardial cushion defect and transposition, all with single crystal techniques. Normal values for dimensions related to patient size and indices of function developed at that time remain as components of contemporary examinations. Two-dimensional imaging technology has evolved from 20 channels on Bom's linear array to 128-channel systems currently providing detailed imaging of structures as small as neonatal coronary arteries. The contribution of Doppler techniques for qualitative evaluation of blood flow characteristics has been greatly augmented by both the quantitative Doppler methods for accurate assessment of pressure gradients and pulmonary pressure, and by the development of color Doppler display of intracardiac and intravascular flow. These contributions have come from centers worldwide, with many initial and ongoing contributions from Lund. The evolution of instrumentation, and of application, now provides neonatal echocardiographic delineation of anatomic detail, function and hemodynamics of sufficient clarity and accuracy to replace the need for invasive study, or alternative technologies, in most cases.
Exploring Programming Multi-GPUs Using OpenMP and OpenACC-Based Hybrid Model

Heterogeneous computing come with tremendous potential and is a leading candidate for scientific applications that are becoming more and more complex. Accelerators such as GPUs whose computing momentum is growing faster than ever offer application performance when compute intensive portions of an application are offloaded to them. It is quite evident that future computing architectures are moving towards hybrid systems consisting of multi-GPUs and multi-core CPUs. A variety of high-level languages and software tools can simplify programming these systems. Directive-based programming models are being embraced since they not only ease programming complex systems but also abstract low-level details from the programmer. We already know that OpenMP has been making programming CPUs easy and portable. Similarly, a directive-based programming model for accelerators is OpenACC that is gaining popularity since the directives play an important role in developing portable software for GPUs. A combination of OpenMP and OpenACC, a hybrid model, is a plausible solution to port scientific applications to heterogeneous architectures especially when there is more than one GPU on a single node to port an application to. However OpenACC meant for accelerators is yet to provide support for multi-GPUs. But using OpenMP we could conveniently exploit features such as for and section to distribute compute intensive kernels to more than one GPU. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this hybrid approach with some case studies in this paper.
Book Review: The Stories behind the Stories in Qualitative Research

"Can you recommend a book I can read that will tell me how to do qualitative research?" It is this question, asked on so many occasions, that prompted Kathleen deMarrais to create this book. Her intended audience is researchers, particularly graduate students, who have an interest in qualitative methods but little background or ready access to sources of knowledge. My own view of the audience for this book is somewhat different. Although this book will certainly be of value to novices, its thought-provoking accounts should have considerable appeal for experienced qualitative researchers as well. DeMarrais organizes the universe of qualitative research into three ways of knowing archival, narrative, and observational based on differing methodologies and data sources. Archival knowing involves historical research and biography and is based on journals, diaries, letters,
A novel lattice reduction aided linear precoding Scheme

To cope with the deleterious channel fading effects on the system performance, diversity-enriched transmitters and receivers have well-appreciated merits. When the channel state information is available at the transmitter, precoders are designed to suppress the channel effect and enable the diversity and low-complexity receiver designs. In addition, the peak-to-average power ratio (PAR) issue has to be considered from the energy perspective. In this paper, after reviewing existing precoding designs by providing the diversity and PAR results, we present a low-complexity transceiver design with a geometric mean decomposition based precoder at the transmitter and a novel lattice reduction aided equalizer at the receiver. The performance is analyzed in terms of diversity and the PAR. The theoretical analysis is corroborated by computer simulations.
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome And Ovulation Induction

Despite the recent emphasis in the medical literature and lay press on the adverse metabolic and cardiovascular effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), for many women with this disorder, the primary concern is associated infertility, a consequence of oligo-ovulation or anovulation. Accordingly, for the clinician managing PCOS, the initial focus is often directed toward treating the ovulatory dysfunction. This review provides clinicians with a summary of information that should help in management decisions. Because of its widespread use in North America, particular emphasis is placed on clomiphene citrate (Clomid, Serophene), and the increasingly important roles of weight loss and metformin therapy are also highlighted.
Why the Impact? Negative Affective Change as a Mediator of the Effects of Victim Impact Statements

Victim impact statements (VISs) represent a contentious legal and psychological point of debate. Current knowledge concerning the influence of VISs on jurors’ emotional states and views of offenders is unclear. Using a sexual assault case, the present study attempted to disentangle these points of debate in the body of existing literature by (a) examining the direct influences of the presence of a VIS and juror Need for Affect (NFA) on sentencing recommendations, (b) assessing overall negative affective change as a mediating mechanism of these predictors, and (c) if mediation was present, identifying specific negative emotions that explain the effects of negative affective change. Results showed that presence of a VIS and a greater proclivity to approach emotions were associated with significantly greater sentencing recommendations. Moreover, change in negative affect mediated the effects of NFA approach and VIS exposure. Examination of changes in specific negative emotions revealed that increases in bein...
Self-routing least common ancestor networks

Fat-trees, KYKLOS, baseline and SW-banyan networks, and the TRAC and CM-5 networks belong to a family of networks called least-common-ancestor networks (LCANs). In this paper, attention is restricted to LCANs with identical switches and a uniform stage interconnect. The least common ancestor of two nodes (PEs), A and B, is the node at greatest depth that counts A and B among its descendants: this node corresponds to an LCA switch. Given a source-destination pair, communication progresses upwards to an LCA switch; the stage that it belongs to is called the LCA level. Then, routing returns downwards to the destination. Source-destination pairs are connected using as few stages as their degree of mutual locality permits. Network parameters that facilitate this routing are shown. >
Evaluation Of Point Anodes For Corrosion Prevention In Reinforced Concrete

The polarization performance of two types of commercial galvanic point anodes for protection of rebar around patch repairs is evaluated. Experiments include measurement of the polarization history of the anode under galvanostatic load simulating various aging regimes. Additionally, the anodes were evaluated in reinforced concrete slabs with residual chloride contamination and in field installations. Preliminary results indicate that only modest performance may be achieved with typical expected anode placement spacing in commonly encountered applications.
A new fabrication process for uniform SU-8 thick photoresist structures by simultaneously removing edge bead and air bubbles

This paper proposes a new SU-8 fabrication process to simultaneously remove edge bead and tiny air bubbles by spraying out edge bead removal (EBR) fluid over the entire surface of photoresist. In particular, the edge bead and air bubbles can cause an air gap between a film mask and a photoresist surface during UV exposure. The diffraction effect of UV light by the air gap leads to inaccurate and non-uniform SU-8 patterns. In this study, we demonstrate a simple method using EBR treatment to simultaneously eliminate the edge bead at the edge of wafer and tiny air bubbles inside SU-8. The profiles of thickness variation of SU-8 films with/without the EBR treatment are measured. The results show that the proposed EBR treatment can successfully remove the edge bead and air bubbles over the entire SU-8 films. The average pattern uniformity of SU-8 is improved from 50.5% to 11.3% in the case of 200 µm thickness. This method is simple and inexpensive, compared to a standard EBR process, because it does not require specialized equipment and it can be applied regardless of substrate geometry (e.g. circular wafer and rectangular slide glass).
Heart Versus Lungs in Hypertension Tug-of-War

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive and devastating condition characterized by narrowing of the vessels in the pulmonary circulation, eventually leading to heart failure. Most investigators agree that endothelin-1 constricts vessels and is a major contributor to PAH. But most research to date has focused on the pulmonary circulation and not on heart function. In response, Nagendran and colleagues investigated the effect of endothelin-1 and endothelin receptor antagonists (ERAs) in the right ventricle (RV) myocardium of both rats and humans. Nagendran et al. showed that endothelin-1 is directly associated with the degree of RV hypertrophy in humans, as demonstrated by higher levels of endothelin-1 and endothelin type A receptor in hypertrophied RV myocardium. Notably, these findings were recapitulated in rats, which allowed the authors to use this animal model to study RV contractility while maintaining a constant pulmonary vascular resistance. In the rat model, they found an increase in RV contractility in hearts treated with endothelin-1 and a dose-dependent decrease in RV systolic function when ERAs were administered. Therefore, the beneficial effect that ERAs have on the lungs in PAH may be reduced by a negative effect on RV contractility. This study by Nagendran et al. explains why ERAs have failed to improve RV systolic function in clinical studies despite a decrease in pulmonary arterial pressure. Results of this reverse-translation study could help uncover the molecular basis of RV function and reveal new therapeutic targets for improving RV contractility in patients with PAH. J. Nagendran et al ., Endothelin axis is upregulated in human and rat right ventricular hypertrophy. Circ. Res. 112 , 347–354 (2013). [[Abstract]][1] [1]: http://circres.ahajournals.org/content/112/2/347.abstract
Anion photoelectron spectroscopy of BN

Abstract Photoelectron spectra of the BN − anion at 266 nm and 355 nm are reported. We observe transitions to the ground and three lowest excited states of BN. The electron affinity of BN ( X 3 Π ) is 3.160±0.005 eV. Spectroscopic constants for the anion ( X 2 Σ + ) are r e =1.284±0.005 A, ω e =1660±40 cm −1 and ω e χ e =12±4 cm −1 . Term energies T 0 for the excited states of BN are 0.031±0.004 eV ( a 1 Σ + ), 0.468±0.004 eV ( b 1 Π ) and 1.221±0.006 eV ( A 3 Σ + ).
Induction of a DNA Nickase in the Presence of Its Target Site Stimulates Adaptive Mutation in Escherichia coli

Adaptive mutation to Lac in Escherichia coli strain FC40 depends on recombination functions and is enhanced by the expression of conjugal functions. To test the hypothesis that the conjugal function that is important for adaptive mutation is the production of a single-strand nick at the conjugal origin, we supplied an exogenous nicking enzyme, the gene II protein (gIIp) of bacteriophage f1, and placed its target sequence near the lac allele. When both gIIp and its target site were present, adaptive mutation was stimulated threeto fourfold. Like normal adaptive mutations, gIIp-induced mutations were recA and ruvC dependent and were mainly single-base deletions in runs of iterated bases. In addition, gIIp with its target site could substitute for conjugal functions in adaptive mutation. These results support the hypothesis that nicking at the conjugal origin initiates the recombination that produces adaptive mutations in this strain of E. coli, and they suggest that nicking may be the only conjugal function required for adaptive mutation.
Interpreting Faith and Reason: Denys Turner and Bernard Lonergan in Conversation

The dogmatic constitution Dei Filius of the First Vatican Council held as a matter of faith that it is possible to prove the existence of God through the natural light of reason and apart from the aid of revelation. The doctrine has been criticized for its abstractness and lack of historical consciousness, in that it neglects the conditions in the human subject for the possibility of such a proof. Denys Turner has recently defended this claim of Dei Filius. In Faith, Reason and the Existence of God (Cambridge, 2004), however, Turner does not address the nuanced position of Bernard Lonergan, who interpreted Dei Filius in a way that defended its conclusion but severely limited its applicability. I propose to bring Turner and Lonergan into conversation on the matter of Dei Filius' doctrine regarding the possibility of proving the existence of God.
Polyamines Induce Resistance to Cationic Peptide, Aminoglycoside, and Quinolone Antibiotics in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1

Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a gram-negative bacterium of human pathogens, is noted for its environmental versatility, enormous metabolic capacity, and resistance to antibiotics. Overexpression of the outer membrane protein OprH and increased resistance to polycationic peptide antibiotics (e.g., polymyxin B) mediated by the PhoPQ two-component system on induction of a putative lipopolysaccharide (LPS) modification operon (PA3552-PA3559) have been reported as part of the adaptive responses to magnesium limitation in P. aeruginosa. Induction of the oprH-phoPQ operon and the LPS modification operon by exogenous spermidine was revealed from GeneChip analysis during studies of polyamine metabolism and was confirmed by the lacZ fusions of affected promoters. From the results of MIC measurements, it was found that addition of spermidine or other polyamines to the growth medium increased the MIC values of multiple antibiotics, including polycationic antibiotics, aminoglycosides, quinolones, and fluorescent dyes. MIC values of these compounds in the transposon insertion mutants of oprH, phoP, phoQ, and pmrB were also determined in the presence and absence of spermidine. The results showed that the spermidine effect on cationic peptide antibiotic and quinolone resistance was diminished in the phoP mutant only. The spermidine effect on antibiotics was not influenced by magnesium concentrations, as demonstrated by MICs and oprH::lacZ fusion studies in the presence of 20 muM or 2 mM magnesium. Furthermore, in spermidine uptake mutants, MICs of cationic peptide antibiotics and fluorescent dyes, but not of aminoglycosides and quinolones, were increased by spermidine. These results suggested the presence of a complicated molecular mechanism for polyamine-mediated resistance to multiple antibiotics in P. aeruginosa.
The transistor: from Lillienfield to Landauer, to...? [transistor scaling limits]

Summary form only given. This paper describes ultrasmall transistors using the conceptual picture and simulation techniques that are being developed to explain conduction in molecules. After describing a simple picture of conduction in molecules, it applies that approach to the nanoscale MOSFET and shows that it leads to a simple, but physically insightful view of the ultrasmall MOSFET. Quantum kinetic simulations are then used to examine realistic issues for "end-of-the-roadmap" MOSFETs. Next, it addresses the question of whether any transistor (e.g. Ge, InAs, carbon nanotubes, or conjugated organic molecules) can provide a significant advantage over the silicon MOSFET. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the fundamental limits that apply to any transistor and with some thoughts on where electronic device technology is heading.
Thrombocytopenia in pregnancy: is this immune thrombocytopenia or…?

Thrombocytopenia is a common finding in pregnancy. Establishing the diagnosis of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) in a pregnant patient is similar to doing so in a nonpregnant patient, except that the evaluation must specifically rule out other disorders of pregnancy associated with low platelet counts that present different risks to the mother and fetus and may require alternate distinct therapy. Many of the same treatment modalities are used to manage the pregnant patient with ITP, but others have not been determined to be safe for the fetus, are limited to a particular gestational period, or side effects may be more problematic during pregnancy. The therapeutic objective differs from that in chronic ITP in the adult because many pregnant patients recover or improve spontaneously after delivery and therefore maintenance of a safe platelet count, rather than prolonged remission, is the goal. Thrombocytopenia may the limit choices of anesthesia, but does not guide mode of delivery, and the fetus is rarely severely affected at birth. Patients should be advised that a history of ITP or ITP in a previous pregnancy is not a contraindication to future pregnancies and that, with proper management and monitoring, positive outcomes can be expected in the majority of patients.
Resistive switching and its suppression in Pt/Nb:SrTiO3 junctions

Oxide-based resistive switching devices are promising candidates for new memory and computing technologies. Poor understanding of the defect-based mechanisms that give rise to resistive switching is a major impediment for engineering reliable and reproducible devices. Here we identify an unintentional interface layer as the origin of resistive switching in Pt/Nb:SrTiO3 junctions. We clarify the microscopic mechanisms by which the interface layer controls the resistive switching. We show that appropriate interface processing can eliminate this contribution. These findings are an important step towards engineering more reliable resistive switching devices.
Considerations on Beam Quality Control in MIT X-Ray FEL

The x-ray FEL at MIT[1] is one example of a design for a new generation linac-based light source. Such a new machine requires very high quality electron beams. Besides the usual requirements on beam parameters such as emittance, energy spread, peak current, there are new challenges emerging in the design studies, e.g., the arrival timing of electron beam must reach precision below tens of femtoseconds level to ensure the laser seed overlaps the desired sections of electron bunch in the multiple-stage HGHG process. In this paper we report the progress on design optimization towards high quality and low sensitivity beams.
Discovering Distributed Expertise

This article provides an overview of expert finding systems which assist in the discovery of distributed expertise. We summarize requirements for expert finders, the current state of the art, and our corporately deployed expert finding system and its performance. We describe research directions in distributed expertise discovery and visualization.
The Adhesion Recognition Signal of Fibronectin: A Possible Trigger Mechanism for Compaction During Somitogenesis

Fibronectin has been implicated in many instances of cell-cell and cell-substratum adhesions. Its actual role in most developmental processes has however remained obscure. Fibronectin has been shown to be involved in amphibian gastrulation (Boucaut et al., 1984) and neural crest cell migration (Boucaut et al., loc. cit.; Bronner-Fraser, 1985). Fibronectin has also been shown to serve, in a haptotactic-like manner, as a substratum for directional movement of precardiac mesoderm (Linask and Lash, 1986). In all of these instances the effect of fibronectin is that of a passive substratum and does not provoke a developmental event other than cell or tissue movement.
LSD-like effects elicited by reserpine in rabbits pretreated with iproniazid.

Summary1. Administration of reserpine to rabbits pretreated with the monoamine oxidase inhibitor, iproniazid, causes excitation and sympathomimetic effects similar to those observed after administration of LSD or high doses of 5-hydroxytryptophan. These effects are associated with the presence of a high concentration of free serotonin in the brain. The observations are consistent with the concept that serotonin is normally bound in an inactive form which serves as the precursor form of a neurohumoral agent. 2. Although both chlorpromazine and reserpine reverse the effects of LSD, only chlorpromazine blocks the effects of free serotonin which result from administration of 5-hydroxytryptophan or the combination of iproniazid and reserpine. This suggests that the two tran-quilizing drugs act by different mechanisms.
Design Assimilation in Suburbia: Asian Americans, Built Landscapes, and Suburban Advantage in Los Angeles’s San Gabriel Valley since 1970

Ethnic suburban settlement has shaped suburban landscapes in contrasting ways. On one end are ethnoburbs, where ethnic groups used spatial politics to assert their rights of ethnic expression in th...
Basic review: endocrinology of the normal menstrual cycle.

SUMMARY (1) The normal menstrual cycle depends on hormonal relationships between the hypothalamus, pituitary, and ovary (Fig. 3). The mechanisms of hormonal control involve both long-looped feedback control (i.e., E2 feedback to the hypothalamus) and local control (i.e., internal ovary). A hormone may have different effects depending on concentration and timing of appearance during the menstrual cycle. (2) There is a single gonadotropin-releasing hormone that governs both FSH and LH release from the pituitary. FSH and LH release is governed by both the concentration and timing of the hypothalamic-releasing factor, GNRH. (3) The follicular or proliferative phase of the menstrual cycle is characterized by the selective development of a dominant follicle. The follicular phase biochemistry is notable for increasing estradiol production, which inhibits GNRH secretion but increases the gonadotropin pool and prepares the follicle for LH influence by stimulating LH receptors. (4) Ovulation occurs secondary to LH surge triggered by increasing levels of E2 acting in a positive feedback loop on the pituitary. (5) Corpus luteum development is signaled by increasing serum progesterone and is largely an autonomous ovarian phenomenon not subject to a great deal of control by hypothalamic or pituitary hormonal controls, because high levels of progesterone inhibit GNRH and gonadotropins. (6) Although not fully elucidated, many hormonal controls that were previously felt to be governed by the hypothalamus and gonadotropins have now been assigned to internal ovarian controls. Biochemical moieties such as the oocyte maturation inhibitor, luteinization inhibitor and stimulators, and the local effects of estrogen, and prostaglandins are now thought to play a major role in preparation of the follicle for ovulation, corpus luteum autonomy, and perseverance after fertilization of the corpus luteum. (7) Amenorrhea in female athletes must be evaluated as strictly as possible, and certain diagnoses should be excluded before assigning the etiology to exercise. Mechanisms for amenorrhea in athletes are not wholly understood but may revolve around the lack of pulsatile secretion of GNRH and gonadotropins.