cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dual Optimization Approach to Bimetallic Nanoparticle Catalysis: Impact of M1/M2 Ratio and Supporting Polymer Structure on Reactivity

A dual optimization approach to nanoparticle catalysis is reported in which both the composition of a bimetallic nanoparticle and the electronic properties of the supporting polystyrene-based polymer can be varied to optimize reactivity and chemoselectivity in nitroarene reductions. Ruthenium–cobalt nanoparticles supported on polystyrene are shown to catalyze nitroarene reductions at room temperature with exceptional activity, as compared with monometallic ruthenium catalysts. Both the identity of the second metal and the M1/M2 ratio show a profound effect on the chemoselectivity of nitroarene reductions. These polymer-supported bimetallic catalysts are shown to react with nearly complete chemoselectivity for nitro group reduction over a variety of easily reducible functional groups. The electronic properties of the supporting polymer also have a significant impact on catalysis, in which electron-deficient polystyrenes enable 100% conversion to the aniline product in just 20 min at room temperature. Polym...
Heart Period Variability During Estrogen Exposure and Withdrawal in Female Rats

Abstract Heart period, heart period variability, and an estimate of vagal tone were evaluated during estrogen exposure and withdrawal in ovariectomized, freely moving female rats. Spectral analysis was used to quantify the respiratory component of heart period variability (V), which has been found to be sensitive to alterations of vagal tone to the heart. During estrogen withdrawal, V decreased significantly and was accompanied by a decrease in heart period. There were no significant differences in heart period or V between the experimental (estrogen) group and the control (no estrogen) group during estrogen exposure. Total heart period variability did not differ significantly from controls during estrogen withdrawal but it did exhibit an increase during estrogen exposure. In this experiment V appeared to be more sensitive to changes in estrogen levels than total heart period variability. These data suggest that decreases in cardiac vagal tone and heart rate occur during estrogen withdrawal.
Split band edge resonance in a 2 dimensional square lattice structure

We find for the first time the split band edge resonance in a two-dimensional photonic crystal. Its Q factor is much higher than that of the regular band edge mode in the same structure.
Identifying Nonlinear Components by Random Fields in the US GNP Growth. Implications for the Shape of the Business Cycle

Within a flexible parametric regression framework (Hamilton, 2001) we provide further evidence on the existence of a nonlinear component in the quarterly growth rate of the US real GNP. We implement a battery of new tests for neglected nonlinearity based on the theory of random fields (Dahl and Gonzalez-Rivera, 2003). We find that the nonlinear component is driven by the fifth lag of the growth rate. We show that our model is superior to linear and nonlinear parametric specifications because it produces a business cycle that when dissected with the BBQ algorithm mimics very faithfully the characteristics of the actual US business cycle. On understanding the relevance of the fifth lag, we find that the nonparametrically estimated conditional mean supports parametric specifications that allow for three phases in the business cycle: rapid linear contractions, aggressive short-lived convex early expansions, and moderate/slow relatively long concave late expansions.
Retention of Habituation in a Protozoan improved by Low Temperature

WHEN flour beetles1, ground squirrels2, rats3,4 and hamsters5 were subjected after learning to temperatures of 5° C and below, their retention of a task, measured at normal temperatures, was not significantly less than that of controls. Flour beetles given cold treatment even showed an improvement in retention over controls. Experiments on protozoan habituation dealing with both acquisition and retention, measured at one of three temperatures, indicated that the retention of the response increases as the temperature decreases6. We carried out a new experiment to determine whether subjecting protozoa to cold treatment after acquisition of a response at room temperature (22° C) also affected retention.
A Configural Approach to Predicting the Shape of Trajectories

Many developmental pathways and trajectories are far from universal. In this article, configural methods are proposed that allow one to test hypotheses about differential developmental trajectories. Trends in categorical variables are discussed. A simulation study is presented in which it is shown that (1) all conceivable patterns of trajectories can be characterized configurally, and (2) even when the null hypothesis of independence of repeated observations holds, descriptors of growth trends can be correlated. Implications of these results for the specification of base models are discussed. Models with single and multiple categorical predictors are discussed, as are models that include multiple descriptors for the shape of trajectories. A data example is given in which trajectories of depression are predicted for women who did versus did not experience intimate partner violence. The data are analyzed from both person- and variable-oriented perspectives.
β-Amyloid Increases Enzyme Activity and Protein Levels of Glutamine Synthetase in Cultured Astrocytes

Previous studies have reported that β-amyloid peptides induce properties of reactivity in cultured astrocytes. We report here that aggregated Aβ peptides increase expression of the enzyme glutamine synthetase in cultured astrocytes, as assessed by enzyme assay, Western blot analysis, and immunocytochemistry. The enhanced enzyme levels occur gradually over a period of 4 days after Aβ exposure and maintain peak values for at least several days thereafter. These data suggest that Aβ-related reactive astrocytosis in Alzheimer's disease brain may benefit local neurons by enhancing glial capacity to regulate levels of the excitotoxin glutamate.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for tinnitus: a pilot study.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Correlate subjective improvements in tinnitus severity with restoration of cortical symmetry and sustained attention after neuronavigated low-frequency, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). Study Design: Case study. Methods: Positron emission tomography and computed tomography imaging (PET-CT) guided rTMS was performed on a 43-year-old white male with more than a 30 year history of bilateral tinnitus. rTMS was administered to the area of increased cortical activation visualized on PET-CT at a rate of 1 Hz for 30 minutes (1,800 pulses/session) for each of 5 consecutive days, with optimization applied on day 5 using single pulses of TMS to temporarily alter tinnitus perception. Subjective tinnitus severity was rated before and after rTMS using the tinnitus severity index with analogue scale. Attention and vigilance were assessed before and after therapy using the psychomotor vigilance task (PVT), a simple reaction time test that is sensitive to thalamocortical contributions to sustained attention. Post-therapy PET-CT was used to evaluate any change in asymmetric cortical activation. Results: The most marked reduction in tinnitus severity occurred after rTMS optimization; this persisted up to 4 weeks after rTMS. PVT testing showed the patient exhibited a statistically significant improvement in mean slowest 10% reaction times after rTMS (P = .004). PET-CT imaging 2 days after the cessation of rTMS showed no changes in cortical blood flow or metabolic asymmetries. Conclusions: Low-frequency rTMS applied to the primary auditory cortex can reduce tinnitus severity, with rTMS optimization yielding the most favorable results. Beneficial changes occurring in the patient's slowest reaction times suggest that attentional deficits associated with tinnitus may also respond to low-frequency rTMS.
Respecting bodies and saving lives: Jewish perspectives on organ donation and transplantation.

Organ donation and transplantation touch on profound, and at times elusive, values and beliefs. These involve personal identity, embodiment, the relationship between the individual and the community, and death. Different cultural and religious perspectives, reflecting deeply ingrained but often unspoken assumptions about human identity and responsibilities, subtly but profoundly affect attitudes to donation and transplantation.
An approach to determining the useful life of materials loaded at high temperatures

The effect of microstructural changes are reported during various high-temperature loading modes (monotonic and cyclic) on the sensitivity of materials to the possible presence of sharp cracks well before total surface separation at the conclusion of creep or fatigue testing. (FS)
Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation and Sacral Neuromodulation: an Update

Neuromodulation is an important treatment modality for a variety of pelvic floor disorders. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) and sacral neuromodulation (SNM) are currently the two approved methods for delivering this therapy. Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation is a minimally invasive office-based procedure that has shown efficacy in the treatment of overactive bladder, fecal incontinence, and pelvic pain. It has the advantage of minimal side effects but is limited by the need for patients to make weekly office visits to receive the series of treatments. Sacral neuromodulation uses an implanted device that stimulates the S3 nerve root and can improve symptoms of overactive bladder, non-obstructive urinary retention, fecal incontinence, and pelvic pain. This paper will review the most recent literature regarding this topic and discuss their advantages and limitations and recent innovations in their use.
Physical attraction and the geography of knowledge sourcing in multinational enterprises

In this article, we develop the concept of the degree of physical attraction exerted by the dominant firms in a local industry on other actors that increases the ease of local knowledge search for ‘insiders’ with stronger connections to others. Conversely, the physical attraction of dominant firms on other actors raises the difficulty of local knowledge search for ‘outsiders’ with weaker connections to others. Our theory has important implications for knowledge spillovers. As local industry concentration rises, the likelihood of local knowledge spillovers to outsiders falls, even with a high local knowledge stock. Further, in contrast to the strategic deterrence thesis which posits that technology leaders are deterred from entering clusters for fear of knowledge outflows, our theory implies that with high industrial concentration, it is technology laggards that are deterred, since they do not have the wherewithal to establish the local connections needed to access knowledge inflows. Using a large patent database associated with the U.K.-based subsidiaries of non-U.K. MNEs, we find strong support for our theory.
Long-term Follow-up After Meshectomy With Acellular Human Dermis Repair for Postherniorrhaphy Inguinodynia

Hypothesis Direct inguinal hernia repair with acellular human dermis (AHD) may offer greater symptom improvement and lower risk of hernia recurrence than anatomical repair without mesh (AWM) after mesh removal (with or without neurectomy) for postherniorrhaphy inguinodynia. Design Retrospective cohort study with long-term follow-up. Setting Tertiary referral center for mesh inguinodynia. Patients Patients undergoing meshectomy (with or without neurectomy) for postherniorrhaphy inguinodynia were identified. Medical records were reviewed, and patients were contacted to evaluate outcomes. Patients whose postmeshectomy hernias were repaired using AHD vs AWM were compared. Main Outcome Measures Patient satisfaction and recurrence. Results Sixty-seven patients (35 in the AHD group and 32 in the AWM group) completed the follow-up. Patient demographics, duration and severity of symptoms, and time to meshectomy were similar between groups. The mean length of follow-up was 31.9 months for the AHD group and 80.2 months for the AWM group ( P P = .03). Eighty-three percent (29 of 35) of patients in the AHD group reported good or excellent groin pain improvement compared with 72% (23 of 32) of patients in the AWM group ( P = .38). Eighty-three percent (29 of 35) of patients in the AHD group were satisfied with results compared with 81% (26 of 32) of patients in the AWM group ( P = >.99). The AHD vs AWM procedures were associated with similar recovery, time to hernia recurrence, complication rates (11% [4 of 35] vs 3% [1 of 32], P = .36), and hernia recurrence rates (9% [3 of 35] vs 12% [4 of 32], P = .80). Predictors of patient dissatisfaction with meshectomy included patient smoking (odds ratio, 9.1; P = .01) and filing of workers' compensation claims (odds ratio, 12.8; P = .02). Conclusions Meshectomy (with or without neurectomy) for postherniorrhaphy inguinodynia leads to significant symptom improvement and patient satisfaction, with acceptable morbidity and recurrence rates. The use of AHD vs AWM does not improve iatrogenic hernia recurrence.
Exfoliated graphite with relative dielectric constant reaching 360, obtained by exfoliation of acid-intercalated graphite flakes without subsequent removal of the residual acidity

Abstract Exfoliated graphite (obtained by rapid heating of sulfuric-acid intercalated and subsequently deacidified graphite flakes) is optionally subjected to residual acidity removal, which involves repeated washing with water, such that the pH of the wash water increases from 2 to 7. Compared to washed exfoliated graphite, the unwashed material exhibits lower specific surface area (24 vs. 45 m2/g), a higher value (360 vs. 38 at 50 Hz) of the relative dielectric constant (real part), a similar value of the conductivity (50 S/m), a higher value of the specific carbon–contact interfacial capacitance (1.17 vs. 0.04 μF/m2), and a lower value of the carbon–contact interfacial resistivity (0.08 vs. 0.27 Ω cm2). The greater concentration of residual intercalate (containing sulfur and oxygen) present without washing contributes to the polarizability without interfering the conduction. The carbon–contact interface is superior when the exfoliated graphite has not been washed. At 2.0 MHz, the relative dielectric constant (real part) remains high (280) and the carbon–contact interfacial specific capacitance remains high (1.13 μF/m2). The imaginary part of the relative dielectric constant and the dielectric loss angle are not affected by the washing. The relative dielectric constant of 360 is even higher than the value of 121 for potassium-hydroxide-activated graphite nanoplatelet.
A Numerical Study of Loop Current Eddy Interaction with Topography in the Western Gulf of Mexico

Abstract Anticyclones originating from the Loop Current are known to propagate into the western Gulf of Mexico. Their frequency of generation, their long lifetimes, and satellite data suggest that at any one time one or more eddies may occupy the Gulf. Given the eddy sizes (100–200 km) and geometric confinement of the Gulf, it would appear that there may be significant interactions of individual eddies and/or interactions of the eddies with bottom topography. These possibilities are explored through the use of a two-layer primitive equation model. Variable parameters in this model study are eddy strength, vertical structure, lateral friction, and initial location relative to topography. Results indicate that eddy motion is governed by two dynamical regimes depending on its lower layer rotational strength. Anticyclones with significant lower layer anticyclonic structure develop offshore directed self advective tendencies associated with topographic dispersion which induces asymmetry in the eddy. Eddies wit...
Role of Atomic Size on Glass Formability and Thermal Stability of Al-Based Amorphous Alloys

The glass forming ability and thermal stability of the quenched amorphous phase are evaluated in Al 87 Ni 7 Gd 6-x (Ca, Sr, Ba) x alloys in terms of large atomic size effects of Alkali metals. Thermal analysis indicates that the thermal stability of the quenched amorphous phase decreases with the addition of Ca and increases with the addition of up to 2 at%Sr and Ba, as seen in the change of primary crystallization peak temperature and activation energy for primary crystallization. However, the enhanced thermal stability of the quenched amorphous phase with the addition of Sr and Ba does not lead to easier glass formation. The critical thickness of the quenched ribbons with completely amorphous phase is found to decrease from 300 to 70 μm as the content of Alkali elements is increased at the expense of Gd. These results reveal the different effects of atomic size on the glass forming ability and the thermal stability of the quenched amorphous phase against crystallization.
“thus are our bodies, thus was our custom”: mortuary cannibalism in an Amazonian society

Etude de la logique culturelle du cannibalisme mortuaire pratique, jusque dans les annees 1960, par les Wari (Pakaa Nova) du Bresil occidental. Les pratiques wari ont ete inadequatement expliquees par les interpretations materialistes, psychogeniques et symboliques marquant les recentes theories sur le cannibalisme. L'A. insiste sur les comprehensions indigenes de la relation du cannibalisme et des experiences de deuil. Les concepts de la signification sociale du corps humain ont rendu sa destruction importante dans l'apaisement du chagrin et l'attenuation des memoires du mort. Dans un processus social de deuil en rapport avec la transformation de l'image du mort par les endeuilles, le cannibalisme est apparu comme un element cle qui affirmait les idees de la regeneration humaine-animale et la reciprocite exprimee dans le mythe, la cosmologie et l'eschatologie wari
TARDEC's Intelligent Ground Systems overview

The mission of the Intelligent Ground Systems (IGS) Area at the Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) is to conduct technology maturation and integration to increase Soldier robot control/interface intuitiveness and robotic ground system robustness, functionality and overall system effectiveness for the Future Combat System Brigade Combat Team, Robotics Systems Joint Project Office and game changing capabilities to be fielded beyond the current force. This is accomplished through technology component development focused on increasing unmanned ground vehicle autonomy, optimizing crew interfaces and mission planners that capture commanders' intent, integrating payloads that provide 360 degree local situational awareness and expanding current UGV tactical behavior, learning and adaptation capabilities. The integration of these technology components into ground vehicle demonstrators permits engineering evaluation, User assessment and performance characterization in increasingly complex, dynamic and relevant environments to include high speed on road or cross country operations, all weather/visibility conditions and military operations in urban terrain (MOUT). Focused testing and experimentation is directed at reducing PM risk areas (safe operations, autonomous maneuver, manned-unmanned collaboration) and transitioning technology in the form of hardware, software algorithms, test and performance data, as well as User feedback and lessons learned.
Hardware-efficient compressed sensing encoder designs for WBSNs

Implanted sensors, as might be used with wireless body sensor networks, must have minimal size and power consumption. In this work we examine digital-based compressed sensing encoders for WBSN-enabled ECG and EEG monitoring, a domain that has received much recent attention. We have two major findings. The first is that using a random binary Toeplitz matrix, rather than Bernoulli, has an acceptable effect on recovery quality. The second is that, in this design space, leakage dominates over dynamic power with the result that it is highly beneficial to reduce the number of accumulators to trade off space for operating frequency. We demonstrate these results with a parameterized design and over three application domains—EEG, ECG, and small images—which together represent a variety of recovery goals and therefore compression methods. Compared with previous implementations, our new design consumes 1-to-2 orders of magnitude less area and power while still meeting timing constraints and achieving comparable recovery quality.
Expert systems shell benchmarks: the missing comparison factor

Abstract This paper develops a methodology for benchmarking knowledge-based systems that practitioners may use to perform a comparative analysis of expert system shells. A program utilizing a deliberate instructional mix was found to be the most suitable and accurate way to measure the value of shells. The benchmark is intended for rule-based shells, such as CLIPS, VP-Expert and Ibis. The methodology for the approach is a generic rule-based algorithm that is easily adaptable to meet the language requirements of individual shells. We present results for three shells.
Mitigating risk in academic preclinical drug discovery

The number of academic drug discovery centres has grown considerably in recent years, providing new opportunities to couple the curiosity-driven research culture in academia with rigorous preclinical drug discovery practices used in industry. To fully realize the potential of these opportunities, it is important that academic researchers understand the risks inherent in preclinical drug discovery, and that translational research programmes are effectively organized and supported at an institutional level. In this article, we discuss strategies to mitigate risks in several key aspects of preclinical drug discovery at academic drug discovery centres, including organization, target selection, assay design, medicinal chemistry and preclinical pharmacology.
On monotonic solutions of systems of nonlinear second order differential equations

Abstract Bounded, monotonic, and asymptotic properties of solutions for a class of second order nonlinear differential equations are discussed. Some necessary and sufficient conditions for boundedness of all solutions are established. Moreover, all solutions are classified into four disjoint subsets which are characterized in terms of the convergence and divergence of several integrals. The obtained results extend and improve many known results of various authors.
The binding of pneumococcal lipoteichoic acid to human erythrocytes

Abstract Previous studies have evaluated the binding characteristics of lipoteichoic acids (LTA) composed of polyglycerol phosphate to mammalian cell membranes. This present study was performed to evaluate the binding characteristics of Pneumococcal LTA, a polyribitol phosphate containing LTA, to human erythrocytes. Binding was found to be specific, reversible, and dependent on temperature and time. Maximum binding was achieved within 2 h at 37°C. Scatchard plot analysis of the binding revealed a biphasic plot which suggests two receptor sites with different affinities. Competitive inhibition studies with LTA composed of polyglycerol phosphate and isolated from Streptococcus pyogenes and Lactobacillus fermentum revealed significant inhibition of Pneumococcal LTA-binding to the erythrocyte membrane by these heterologous LTAs. These results demonstrate that Pneumococcal LTA binds specifically to human erythrocytes and that the receptor site is similar for other structurally different LTAs.
A specific role of reduced adrenodoxin in adrenal mitochondrial steroid hydroxylases.

Summary In adrenal mitochondrial steroid hydroxylases, the sequential reaction mechanism is proposed: substrate addition of P-450-Fe +++ , one-electron reduction to P-450-Fe ++ , formation of oxygenated P-450-Fe ++ (Fe +++ -O 2 − ), second one-electron reduction of the oxygenated form via reduced adrenodoxin, and the cleavage of 0-0 bond concomitant with the product formation. It is emphasized that the second reduction step absolutely requires reduced adrenodoxin whereas the first reduction step can be carried out by various artificial reductants. This result suggests a minute specificity of adrenodoxin at the second reduction step in the sequence of the adrenal mitochondrial steroid hydroxylation reactions.
Galactose uptake by human platelets in vitro.

Abstract Galactose transport by human platelets has been studied by measuring the cellular accumulation of the radiolabeled sugar during brief periods of suspension in varying concentrations of galactose. Weighted least-squares regression curves fitted to the measurements (initial velocity versus galactose concentration) indicate that a kinetic model with two saturable components is statistically more consistent with the data than a model based upon a single process ( P ). For the two-component model K m 1 = 0.29 mM, V 1 = 1.2 mmol/min per 10 15 platelets , K m 2 = 46 mM , V 2 = 117 mmol/min per 10 15 platelets . The fact that galactose metabolites did not accumulate during the initial phase of uptake indicates that the uptake process is not mediated by enzymatic catalysis. Surface binding also appears inadequate to explain the uptake. The most likely basis for the kinetic data, therefore, is membrane transport. The kinetics are consistent with transport by coexistent membrane structures as well as with transport by a single structure manifesting negative cooperativity.
Numerical Simulation of the Effects of Varying Ice Crystal Nucleation Rates and Aggregation Processes on Orographic Snowfall

Abstract The Colorado State University cloud model is applied to the simulation of orogrophic cloud snowfall. A model of ice crystal aggregation processes and primary nucleation and secondary ice particle production of crystals is described. Sensitivity experiments demonstrated that aggregation plays an important role in controlling the fields of cloud liquid water content, ice crystal concentrations, and surface precipitation amounts. The sensitivity experiments also support observations that the air mass is often quite clean in upper levels of stable orographic clouds. Introducing a reduction of available nuclei that can be activated by deposition/sorption processes brought concentrations to within observed values. This study clearly emphasizes the need for a great deal more fundamental research in the physics of aggregation processes and primary and secondary nucleation of ice crystals.
An Examination of the CTONI Utilizing Gc-Gf Theory: A Comparison of the CTONI and WJ-III.

The present investigation examined the validity of the Comprehensive Test of Nonverbal Intelligence (CTONI) with the Woodcock-Johnson III Tests of Cognitive Abilities (WJ-III COG) by administering these instruments in counterbalanced order to 60 college students. Results indicated that the mean CTONI NIQ score was not significantly different from the mean WJ-III COG General Intellectual Ability (GIA) score. However, mean score differences were found between the CTONI NIQ and the WJ-III COG Verbal Ability, Thinking Ability, Comprehension-Knowledge, and Fluid Reasoning cluster scores. Although the correlations between the CTONI and the WJ-III COG cluster scores were generally of small magnitude, the CTONI Geometric Nonverbal IQ composite score demonstrated construct specificity, whereas the CTONI Pictorial Nonverbal IQ scale did not. The implications of the findings are discussed and practitioners are asked to use caution when using this instrument to assess the fluid reasoning abilities of college students. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Secondary ion images of the rodent brain

Sections of biologic tissue obtained from laboratory rodents are prepared and analyzed by secondary ion mass spectrometry. The intensity of phosphocholine secondary ions is used to identify anatomical features of the brain from secondary ion images and to evaluate the effectiveness of procedures developed. Secondary ion emission of phosphocholine (m/z 184), is found to be abundant and its intensity is heterogeneous. Effects of sample thickness are addressed. Correspondence between conventional optical images of stained tissue and secondary ion images shows that successive ion images may be used to produce a three-dimensional map of the brain, i.e., an atlas.
From market baskets to mole rats: using data mining techniques to analyze RFID data describing laboratory animal behavior

The use of new technologies, such as RFID sensors, provides scientists with novel ways of doing experimental research. As scientists become more technologically savvy and use these techniques, the traditional approaches to data analysis fail given the huge amounts of data produced by these methods. In this paper we describe an experiment in which colonies of naked mole rats were tagged with RFID transponders. RFID sensors were strategically placed in the mole rat caging system. The goal of this experiment was to document and analyze the interactions between animals. The huge amount of data produced by the sensors was not analyzable using the traditional methods employed by behavioral neuroscience researchers. Computational methods used by data miners, such as cluster analysis, association rule mining, and graphical models, were able to scale to the data and produce knowledge and insight that was previously unknown. This paper describes in detail the experimental setup and the computational methods used.
Coreactant electrogenerated chemiluminescence of ruthenium porphyrins

The coreactant electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21H,23H-porphine ruthenium(II) carbonyl (Ru(TPP)(CO))), and 2,3,7,8,12,13,17, 18-octaethyl-21H,23H-porphine ruthenium(II) carbonyl (Ru(OEP)(CO)) in acetonitrile is reported. Both complexes have absorption maxima in the visible region of the spectrum and emit in fluid solution at room temperature around 650 nm in acetonitrile. Photoluminescence efficiencies (ϕem) were between 1.5 × 10−4 and 4.0 × 10−4 when compared to Ru(bpy)32+ (bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) with ϕem = 0.042. The complexes show two-electrochemically reversible oxidations via cyclic voltammetry. ECL was generated using tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) as an oxidative–reductive coreactant and the ECL peaks at a potential corresponding to oxidation of both the TPrA and both of the porphyrin oxidations. ECL efficiencies (ϕecl) were 0.65 for Ru(TPP)(CO) and 0.58 for Ru(OEP)(CO) when compared to Ru(bpy)32+ (ϕecl = 1). Also, qualitative studies using transmission filters suggest that both complexes emit ECL in approximately the same region as their photoluminescence, indicating that the same excited state is formed in both experiments.
Intersexed States: Diagnosis and Management

Traditional guidelines for the care of intersexed patients have been questioned by dissatisfied adult intersexed patients. The controversy surrounding this issue comes from a handful of highly publicized intersexed cases with poor outcomes, representing a minority of the intersexed population, which serve as an appropriate call to reassess this difficult issue. Re-evaluation of management strategies must acknowledge the complaints of those who oppose the traditional management paradigm and address scientific and surgical advancements and the roles they should play. This article reviews these issues, attempts to formulate a contemporary approach, and acknowledges the gaps that remain in our knowledge.
The XY dial telephone system

Equipment for the XY switch, employed in a step-by-step dial telephone system, is light in weight and requires little floor space. Its package-type unit allows for exchange growth and standardization. Greater convenience in locating the called contacts as well as simplicity of circuits are offered. Only those switches required to accomodate the traffic need be mounted at the time of installation, with additional ones added as the traffic increases.
Authorship and the use of biological information in endangered species recovery plans

We examined the relationship between authorship and the use of biological information in recov- ery plans under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. Approximately one-third of recovery plans were written solely by federal government employees, and one-third of plans included authors with university affiliations. The number of plans written strictly by federal staff increased significantly over time, whereas the percentage of plans that included authors with university affiliation remained unchanged. We tested three hypotheses posed by Clark et al. (1994) regarding authorship and endangered species recovery and found that (1) groups of authors from diverse affiliations are likely to strengthen the recovery planning process, (2) recovery plans lacking nonfederal participation suffer from inadequate attention to species biology, and (3) academic affiliation is strongly associated with the use of focal-species biology in recovery plans. Our results suggest that modifying the choice of participants in the recovery planning process may increase the use of biological information in recovery measures recommended in recovery plans and thus influence the eventual success of recovery efforts.
Effect of 25‐hydroxyvitamin D status on serological response to influenza vaccine in prostate cancer patients

BACKGROUND Epidemiologic data suggest that there is an association between vitamin D deficiency and influenza infection. We conducted a prospective influenza vaccination study to determine the influence of vitamin D status on serological response to influenza vaccine in prostate cancer (CaP) patients. METHODS During the 2006–2007 influenza season, CaP patients treated at Roswell Park Cancer Institute were offered vaccination with the trivalent influenza vaccine (Fluzone®, 2006–2007) and sera collected for hemagglutination inhibition (HI) assay titers before and 3 months after vaccination. Response to vaccination was defined as ≥1:40 titer ratio or a fourfold increase in titer at 3 months, against any of the three strains. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-D3) levels were measured using DiaSorin 125I radioimmunoassay kits. RESULTS Thirty-five patients with CaP participated in the study. Median baseline 25-D3 level was 44.88 ng/ml (range: 9.16–71.98 ng/ml) Serological response against any of the three strains was noted in 80%. There was a significant effect of baseline 25-D3 level when tested as a continuous variable in relation to serological response (P = 0.0446). All patients in the upper quartile of 25-D3 level responded by mounting a serological response (P = 0.0344). None of the other baseline variables (age, race, chemotherapy status, or white cell count) had an effect on serological response. CONCLUSIONS In this study in CaP patients, a replete vitamin D status was associated with more frequent serological response to influenza vaccine. Prostate 77:368–372, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reflections on the Curriculum Framework Underpinning the Redesigned Advanced Placement Chemistry Course

The advanced placement (AP) chemistry course has recently undergone a major course redesign, as specified in a new curriculum framework. This commentary reflects on the community process used to author and review the curriculum framework, along with the intellectual framework of big ideas and science practices that guided the redesign. This contribution is part of a special issue on teaching introductory chemistry in the context of the advanced placement chemistry course redesign.
Altered cell walls of Staphylococcus aureus resistant to methicillin.

METHICILLIN-resistant (MR) strains of Staphylococcus aureus, those capable of multiplying in the presence of 12.5 µg of methicillin/ml. (eight or more times that tolerated by methicillin-sensitive (MS) strains), are also resistant to other commonly used antibiotics, including other semi-synthetic penicillins and cephalosporins1–7. They can cause major disease6−11 and thus may pose a serious therapeutic problem.
Phylloquinone (vitamin K1) content of vegetables

Abstract Assessment of vitamin K (VK) dietary intakes has been limited by incomplete VK food composition data for the US food supply. The phylloquinone (VK-1 or vitamin K1) concentrations of a variety of geographically representative vegetables ( n = 218 ) were determined by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography with fluorescent detection. Green leafy and flower vegetables including broccoli, broccoli raab, spinach, and certain lettuces, contained >100 μg phylloquinone/100 g vegetable. In contrast, raw tubers and roots contained
Inland and coastal waters

Workshop for Remote Sensing of Coastal and Inland Waters;Madison, Wisconsin, 20–22 June 2012 Coastal and inland water bodies, which have great value for recreation, food supply, commerce, transportation, and human health, have been experiencing external pressure from direct human activities and climate change. Given their societal and economic value, understanding issues of water quality, water quantity, and the impact of environmental change on the ecological and biogeochemical functioning of these water bodies is of interest to a broad range of communities. Remote sensing offers one of the most spatially and temporally comprehensive tools for observing these waters. While there has been some success with remotely observing these water bodies, many challenges still remain, including algorithm performance, atmospheric correction, the relationships between optical properties and biogeochemical parameters, sufficient spatial and spectral resolution, and a lack of uncertainty estimates over the wide range of environmental conditions encountered across these coastal and inland water bodies.
Cyberwarfare: Western and Chinese Allegations

A large proportion of China-originated cyberattacks are allegedly aimed at extracting high-value intellectual property such as trade secrets. Senior government officials from China and the US have made frequent verbal and written allegations that their countries are victimized by cyberattacks and that their counterparts in the other country don't cooperate in fighting cybercrimes. This paper sheds light into this cyber Cold war by examining Western and Chinese allegations and counter-allegations related to cyberattacks and cyberwarfare.
In-process detection of fastener grip length using embedded mobile wireless sensor network-based pull-type tools

A diagnostics and root-cause analysis scheme for real-time monitoring of process quality of pull-type fastening operations is presented. The proposed approach encompasses: integrating a strain gage, an LVDT, a pressure sensor, and a mote on a pull-type pneumatic tool; monitoring process parameters coming from embedded sensors communicated wirelessly and generating process signatures in real-time; detecting anomalies in real-time in the process signatures for quality problems related to the grip length deviation. A feature extraction-based methodology is employed to make decisions for grip length deviations in the form of normal grip, over grip, and under grip.
Alarms and anesthesia: challenges in design of intelligent systems for patient monitoring

The limitations of current anesthesia monitor alarm technology are first discussed. The challenges of applying technology to improve patient monitoring are then considered, with attention given to integrating stand-alone devices and functions that are part of the anesthesia workstation and to the standardization of anesthetic practices. Design strategies for intelligent alarms are addressed. The process of generating alarms is considered as compromising three distinct tasks: sensing, signal processing, and annunciation. >
The enumeration of permutations sortable by pop stacks in parallel

We show that the set of permutations sortable by k pop stacks in parallel has a regular insertion encoding and construct the (finite) recognizing automaton for this language. This shows that these permutations have a rational generating function, verifying a conjecture of Atkinson and Sack.
The Loneliness Experience of College Students Sex Differences

The present study examined sex differences among college students in the quantitative and qualitative aspects of loneliness. Measurements of loneliness, emotional reactivity, and social risk taking were administered to 112 undergraduates. Males evidenced greater self-reported loneliness than females. Generally, affective and social risk-taking measures were more highly related to loneliness among males than females. The results suggest that loneliness is more likely to be associated with negative personal and affective self-evaluations for males than for females. Males may react to loneliness more negatively than females because of a tendency to attribute loneliness to personal failure rather than external, uncontrollable causes. Evidence also suggests that having difficulty in initiating social risks may contribute to loneliness for males more than females.
Separation of certain cations from mixtures of various cations on ion-exchange papers-IV1: arsenic, cobalt, magnesium, manganese, mercury, nickel or vanadium

Abstract Conditions are described for separating one or two ions from multicomponent mixtures by development with complexing agents on filter paper impregnated with ion-exchange resin. The ions separated from complex mixtures are : As and V; Mg; Ni; Hg I + Hg II ; Mn; As + Co.
A human clonal cell line model of differentiating neurons.

The human neuroblastoma cell line SK-N-SH and its thrice-subcloned derivative, SY-5Y, are nearly diploid cell lines with high levels of dopamine β-hydroxylase, a key enzyme in adrenergic neurotransmitter synthesis. The SY-5Y subclone also displays a neuroblast-like morphology in cell culture and in the undifferentiated state does not have electrically excitable membranes. In this study the response of the SY-5Y cells to the nerve growth factor protein, NGF, is described. After 5 days in culture in the presence of NGF, the SY-5Y cells extended neurites, ceased multiplying, and aggregated into clumps similar to those observed in primary cultures of sympathetic ganglia treated with NGF. Ultrastructural analysis of the induced processes showed them to be neurites. Whereas NGF treatment inhibited the incorporation of [ 3 H]thymidine into DNA and inhibited cellular proliferation, it stimulated incorporation of 3 H-amino acids into protein. Further analysis of these differentiated cells showed them to have developed electrically excitable membranes. Undifferentiated cells were selectively killed by 6-hydroxydopamine, whereas NGF treatment led to protection of the differentiated cells from 6-hydroxydopamine killing. Treatment of the SY-5Y clone with dibutyryl cyclic AMP induced neurite outgrowth and enhanced electrical excitability but did not lead to protection from 6-hydroxydopamine killing. The morphological response of the SY-5Y cells to dibutyryl cyclic AMP was quite different from that observed after NGF treatment. We propose the SY-5Y clone as a model for the study of the regulation of NGF-induced differentiation in neuronal cells.
Therapy for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in the 21st Century

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common, smoking-related, severe respiratory condition characterised by progressive, irreversible airflow limitation. Current treatment of COPD is symptomatic, with no drugs capable of halting the relentless progression of airflow obstruction. Better understanding of the airway inflammation, oxidative stress and alveolar destruction that characterise COPD has delineated new disease targets, with consequent identification of novel compounds with therapeutic potential. These new drugs include aids to smoking cessation (e.g. bupropion) and improvements to existing therapies, for example long-acting rather than short-acting bronchodilators, as well as combination therapy. New antiproteases include acyl-enzyme and transition state inhibitors of neutrophil elastase (e.g. sivelestat and ONO-6818), matrix metalloprotease inhibitors (e.g. batimastat), cathepsin inhibitors and peptide protease inhibitors (e.g. DX-890 [EPI-HNE-4] and trappin-2). New antioxidants include superoxide dismutase mimetics (e.g. AEOL-10113) and spin trap compounds (e.g. N-tert-butyl-alpha-phenylnitrone). New anti-inflammatory interventions include phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors (e.g. cilomilast), inhibitors of tumour necrosis factor-alpha (e.g. humanised monoclonal antibodies), adenosine A(2a) receptor agonists (e.g. CGS-21680), adhesion molecule inhibitors (e.g. bimosiamose [TBC1269]), inhibitors of nuclear factor-kappaB (e.g. the naturally occurring compounds hypoestoxide and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate) and activators of histone deacetylase (e.g. theophylline). There are also selective inhibitors of specific extracellular mediators such as chemokines (e.g. CXCR2 and CCR2 antagonists) and leukotriene B(4) (e.g. SB201146), and of intracellular signal transduction molecules such as p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (e.g. RWJ67657) and phosphoinositide 3-kinase. Retinoids may be one of the few potential treatments capable of reversing alveolar destruction in COPD, and a number of compounds are in clinical trial (e.g. all-trans-retinoic acid). Talniflumate (MSI-1995), an inhibitor of human calcium-activated chloride channels, has been developed to treat mucous hypersecretion. In addition, the purinoceptor P2Y(2) receptor agonist diquafosol (INS365) is undergoing clinical trials to increase mucus clearance. The challenge to transferral of these new compounds from preclinical research to disease management is the design of effective clinical trials. The current scarcity of well characterised surrogate markers predicts that long-term studies in large numbers of patients will be needed to monitor changes in disease progression.
Resolution of vertical mixing-ratio profiles of atmospheric constituents retrieved from solar spectra.

The relationship between the uncertainty and the resolution of the mixing-ratio profiles of absorbing gases retrieved from simulated occultation data has been investigated by analyzing sets of absorber amounts, corresponding to a constituent with a constant vertical mixing-ratio profile, along atmospheric paths observed by instruments at 0, 30, and 500 km. The vertical resolution below the instrument is limited by the number of observations and the SNR; it degrades exponentially with height and is independent of the instrument altitude; it is nearly 50 times better than the resolution obtainable above the instrument. An estimate of the resolution obtained by analyzing line shapes is included for comparison.