cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using readings beyond the textbook: A survey

Incorporating readings beyond the textbook is one way to broaden economic content across all courses. While previous studies document the extent to which narrowly defined categories (press readings...
Effect of Porosity on Strength Distribution of Microcrystalline Cellulose

Fracture strength of pharmaceutical compacts varies even for nominally identical samples, which directly affects compaction, comminution, and tablet dosage forms. However, the relationships between porosity and mechanical behavior of compacts are not clear. Here, the effects of porosity on fracture strength and fracture statistics of microcrystalline cellulose compacts were investigated through diametral compression tests. Weibull modulus, a key parameter in Weibull statistics, was observed to decrease with increasing porosity from 17 to 56 vol.%, based on eight sets of compacts at different porosity levels, each set containing ∼50 samples, a total of 407 tests. Normal distribution fits better to fracture data for porosity less than 20 vol.%, whereas Weibull distribution is a better fit in the limit of highest porosity. Weibull moduli from 840 unique finite element simulations of isotropic porous materials were compared to experimental Weibull moduli from this research and results on various pharmaceutical materials. Deviations from Weibull statistics are observed. The effect of porosity on fracture strength can be described by a recently proposed micromechanics-based formula.
Abstract 18091: Impact of Late Gadolinium Enhancement With Cardiac Magnetic Resonance on Mortality in Moderate to Severe Aortic Stenosis

Objective: Our aim is to examine the association between late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) detected by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and mortality in patients with moderate or severe aortic stenosis (AS). Methods: Patients presenting for CMR assessment of aortic stenosis were prospectively enrolled into our CMR registry. This study evaluated 276 consecutive patients with moderate or severe AS who underwent delayed enhancement (DE-CMR) from June 2009 - October 2013. Exclusion criteria were moderate or severe aortic insufficiency and aortic valve replacement before CMR. Patients were categorized into LGE 0%, LGE 1-5% and LGE>5%. Median follow up was 14 months (IQR 2-27 months). Results: The cohort had a mean age of 70±14 years with 58% (160) men, of which 51% had severe AS. Mean LVEF was 60±19%. LGE was evident in 56% (155/276 patients) of which 105 (68%) had LGE of 1-5% and 50 (32%) had LGE > 5%. LGE pattern was consistent with CAD in 68 patients whereas 87 patients had non-CAD pattern. Patients in the LGE 1-5% and >5% group were older (p=0.02), had more males (p 5% was significantly associated with death. After adjusting for age, LVEF, LV mass, CAD, diabetes mellitus and subsequent AVR, the association between LGE >5% and mortality remained significant (HR 2.34, p=0.047). Conclusions: LGE detected by DE-CMR is associated with higher long term mortality in patients with moderate or severe AS. Our findings suggest a potential role of DE-CMR in risk stratification of these patients.
Reflections of Native American Teacher Education on Bear Ridge

This study examines an elementary teacher education certification program delivered by a state university to Native American teacher aides on the reservation. Data were collected over two semesters using a Freirean critical theory framework to analyze the data and to explicate the problematic nature of Native American education. Analysis of the data indicated that the program reproduced Euro-American cultural values, was insensitive to Native American history or values, and did little to support individual teachers. Suggestions include the need for the program to acknowledge and address the historical cultural genocide that occurred in the education of Native Americans and the cultural and political hegemony of the teacher education program. More focus needed to be placed on supporting individual participants and their academic and cultural struggles in becoming teachers.
Out-migration, fertility, mortality and natural increase during the demographic transition

This paper presents a multivariate model which delineates: 1) the causal paths underlying the hypothesis that out-migration slows declines in the rural birth rate due to population pressure; 2) the relationships of out-migration and natural increase with declines in the rural death rate; and 3) the relative importance of changes in the birth rate versus changes in the death rate in causing changes in rural increase. The utility of the model is illustrated by a longitudinal analysis of demographic data from England and Wales (1820-1930) and Sweden (1750-1920). (summary in FRE) (EXCERPT)
Regulation of Ribosomal RNA and 5s RNA Synthesis in DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER: I. Bobbed Mutants

Analysis of the rates and amounts of rRNA and 5s RNA synthesized in Drosophila melanogaster bobbed mutants was done by using acrylamide-gel electrophoresis. The results show that the amounts of rRNA synthesized are constant, although the rates of rRNA synthesis in bb's are reduced to 30% of the wild-type level. The rates of synthesis of 5s RNA were constant. The rate of synthesis of the two kinds of molecules that enter in equimolar amounts into the mature ribosome is non-coordinated.—The rates of rRNA synthesis were shown to be proportional to the length of the scutellar bristles, supporting the notion that in trichogen cells there is no developmental delay, but the size of the bristle depends directly on the rate of rRNA synthesis.
Inactivation of Ca2(+)-, Na+K(+)-, and H+K(+)-ATPases with a carbodiimide derivative of ATP.

The αmma;P adduct of ATP with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)carbodiimide (ATP-EDC) was synthesized and incubated with the Ca-ATPase of sarcoplasmic reticulum with the result that time-dependent complete loss of the enzyme's activity occurred. The inactivation required calcium and magnesium while ATP had a protective effect. ATP-EDC incubation with the NaK-ATPase and HK-ATPase produced partial (> 50%) inactivation, but had no effect on myosin Sl, pyruvate kinase and hexokinase, suggesting that this ATP analog is a specific inactivator of the so-called ’quo;P-type’ ATPases.
Politics and the American Class Vernacular

The American working class has long been hidden within the concept of a sprawling “middle class” that claims to embrace almost everyone, but usually does not. Recent works of politically savvy social science have once again pointed to a “working-class majority” and its importance in twenty-first-century U.S. politics. But analytic rigor and factual accuracy by themselves are no match for the ridiculously false but culturally powerful American class vernacular.
Variability in messenger RNA levels in human umbilical vein endothelial cells of different lineage and time in culture.

Levels of seven messenger RNA species were compared in human umbilical vein endothelial cells of different lineage and time in culture. Specifically, cells obtained from the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) and subcultured were compared to early passage cells from cultures produced in our laboratory. Messenger RNA for tissue plasminogen activator, plaminogen activator inhibitor 1, urokinase, and thrombomodulin were expressed at higher levels in the ATCC cells. Thrombospondin, von Willebrand's Factor, and protein S messenger RNA were expressed at higher levels in the cells that we isolated. In addition, in the ATCC cells a shift in the proportion of plasminogen activator inhibitor messenger RNA from the 3.4 to the 2.4 kilobase species was found. We conclude that specific messenger RNA levels can vary considerably between cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The large variation in mRNA levels which we describe has important implications for experiments involving gene expression in cultured endothelium.
Axonal remyelination by cord blood stem cells after spinal cord injury.

Human umbilical cord blood stem cells (hUCB) hold great promise for therapeutic repair after spinal cord injury (SCI). Here, we present our preliminary investigations on axonal remyelination of inj...
Immunological characterization of phosphoprotein phosphatases

Abstract Phosphoprotein phosphatases regulate the biological activities of proteins through their involvement in cyclic phosphorylation/dephosphorylation cascades. A variety of multimeric phosphatases have been isolated and grouped into several classes, termed type 1 and types 2A, 2B, and 2C. To elucidate the relationship between the different phosphoprotein phosphatases, highly purified enzymes from soil amoebae, turkey gizzards, bovine heart and brain, and rabbit skeletal muscle and reticulocytes were tested for immunological antigenic relatedness. Two heterologous antibody preparations were employed for this purpose. One was made against an Acanthamoeba type 2A phosphatase and the other was made to bovine brain phosphatase type 2B (calcineurin, holoenzyme). Specific subunit cross-reactivity was examined by protein blot (“Western”) analysis. The antibody to the type 2A phosphatase reacted with the catalytic subunits of every type 2 enzyme tested, including both the catalytic and Ca2+-binding subunits of the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent type 2B phosphatase (calcineurin), bovine cardiac type 2A phosphatase, and turkey gizzard smooth muscle phosphatase-1 (type 2A1). It did not react with any type 1 phosphatase (catalytic subunit or ATP-Mg-dependent). The antigenic relatedness of calcineurin and the bovine cardiac type 2A phosphatase (Mr 38,000) was demonstrated further by protein blot analysis showing that the anti-calcineurin antibody cross-reacted with both enzymes. The mutual cross-reactivity poses an intriguing problem because these enzymes are so different in their molecular structures and modes of regulation. The degree of evolutionary conservation exhibited by the antigenic cross-reactivity of the type 2 enzymes from a broad range of species and tissues suggests a strong selective pressure on maintaining one or more features of these important regulatory enzymes.
Expanding indications for conservative renal surgery in renal cell carcinoma.

Objective. To more clearly define the selection criteria for conservative renal surgery in renal cell carcinoma. Method. The survival experience of 42 patients who underwent in situ partial nephrectomy (21), enucleation (18), or both (3) over an eighteen-year period was examined. The presence or a history of contralateral cancer, type of surgery, gender, grade, diameter of tumor, age at diagnosis, presenting symptoms, positive surgical margins, smoking history, and stage were examined with regard to prognostic significance. Results. The five-year cancer-specific survival rates were 100 percent for those patients undergoing partial nephrectomy and 84 percent for those undergoing enucleation. The local recurrence rate was 4.8 percent (242) for the group, with both recurrences occurring in patients with von Hippel-Lindau disease. The mean diameter of tumor resected was 4.2 cm. Those patients found to have a positive surgical margin (6) had a significantly shorter disease-specific survival than those who did not (37) (p = 0.004), and those with a smoking history (23) had a significantly shorter survival than non-smokers (19) (p = 0.038). Conclusions. We conclude that both partial nephrectomy and enucleation are acceptable approaches to renal cell carcinoma in select cases, with survival rates that closely approximate those found in radical nephrectomy series. Renal carcinomas that are peripherally located and small in diameter (≤ 5 cm) are most appropriate for these procedures, and given the excellent results noted to date, the expanded use of these approaches to include very young patients and those with any disease process that may affect renal function is warranted. A positive surgical margin is an ominous pathologic finding and should be avoided by frozen section biopsy at surgery or possibly intraoperative ultrasonography. Additionally, smokers with renal cell carcinoma have a poorer disease-specific survival than non-smokers, further questioning a carcinogenic etiology in this disease.
Femtosecond Infrared and Visible Spectroscopy of Photoinduced Intermolecular Electron Transfer Dynamics and Solvent−Solute Reaction Geometries: Coumarin 337 in Dimethylaniline†

We present time-resolved infrared and visible spectroscopic data that reveal the relative orientations of donor and acceptor molecules in the 〈τET〉 = 4 ps intermolecular electron transfer between dimethylaniline solvent and coumarin 337 solute. Although consideration of the dipolar attraction suggests the two species are most likely to be aligned with their molecular long axes parallel, the electron transfer occurs between species with their long axes perpendicular.
A nonhuman primate's expectations about object motion and destination: The importance of self-propelled movement and animacy

Human infants have considerable understanding of why objects move and what causes them to take one trajectory over another. Here, we explore the possibility that this capacity is shared with other nonhumans and present results from preferential looking time tests with a New World monkey, the cotton-top tamarin. Experiments examined whether individuals form different expectations about an object's potential capacity to change locations. Test objects were: 1) self-propelled, moving, animate; 2) self-propelled, moving, inanimate; 3) non-self-propelled, moving due to an external agent, inanimate; 4) non-self-propelled, motionless, inanimate. When category 1 objects, either a live mouse or frog, emerged from behind an occluder in a novel location, this did not affect looking time; subjects appeared to expect such changes. In contrast, when the other objects emerged in a novel location following occlusion from view, subjects looked longer than when the object emerged in the location seen prior to occlusion; such locational changes were apparently not expected. Some feature other than self-propelled motion accounts for the tamarins’ looking time responses and at least one candidate feature is whether the object is animate or inanimate.
Derivation of genetically modified human pluripotent stem cells with integrated transgenes at unique mapped genomic sites

Many applications in human pluripotent stem cell (PSC) research require the genetic modification of PSCs to express a transgene in a stable and dependable manner. Random transgene integration commonly results in unpredictable and heterogeneous expression. We describe a protocol for the derivation of clonal populations of human embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) expressing a transgene from a single copy of an integrated lentiviral vector that is mapped to the genome. Using optimized transduction conditions, followed by single-cell subcloning and a round of antibiotic selection, we find that approximately half of the colonies retrieved contain a single vector copy. After expansion, the majority of these are confirmed to be clonal. The vector/genomic DNA junction is sequenced and the unique integration site is mapped to the genome. This protocol enables the efficient derivation of genetically modified PSCs containing an integrated transgene at a known genomic site in ∼7 weeks.
Cognitive abilities of female adolescents with anorexia nervosa

Theories on the development of anorexia nervosa suggest that the anorexic's fear of adolescence and her desire to remain in childhood are influenced by difficulties she experiences in making the transition to adolescence. One deficit repeatedly observed in the anorexic is her tendency to reason in a childlike manner. In a preliminary investigation of anorexics' characteristic reasoning abilities, formal reasoning tasks were given to anorexics, normally, developing adolescents, and prepubertal children. It was hypothesized that if adolescent anorexics are childlike in their reasoning across a set of measures of cognitive ability, they would appear more similar to prepubertal children than to adolescents. The results of multivariate and univariate analyses showed anorexics to be more similar to normally developing adolescents than to prepubertal children. On only one of the four dependent measures did anorexics appear cognitively more like prepubertal children than other adolescents. Results were discussed in terms of possible specific rather than global deficits and ways in which these deficits could be investigated.
Quantification of water-soluble gasoline fractions using a radioisotopic standard with direct aqueous injection-gas chromatography

A new gas liquid chromatography (GLC) technique was devised to determine the amounts of individual water-soluble gasoline fractions (WSGFs) present in aqueous solutions. The technique described permits direct aqueous injection of water samples without the problems associated with solvent extraction techniques (JELTES and VELDINK 1967, LYSYJ and RUSSELL 1974, MALLEVIALLE 1974), and provides more accurate quantification.
Representation of sampled-data signals as functions of continuous time

It is shown that by representing sampled-data signals as functions of continuous time (as opposed to impulse trains and sequences), a simple and clear description becomes possible for systems in which the instants of sample occurrence are not synchronized among the various signals involved.
Space-rate coding in an adaptive silicon neuron

Neurophysiology is largely the study of spike rates of single neurons, under controlled conditions, with the hope that these results reflect how populations of neurons compute. However, the population response differs radically from the single-neuron response if the membrane voltage's rate of change drops dramatically when it is close to the spike-firing threshold. By delaying spiking, this slew-rate adaptation has been shown to regulate spike rate and prolong synaptic integration at the single-neuron level. We show here that it sharpens sensitivity and shortens latency at the population level. Thus, slew-rate adaptation enables neurons to process information faster than their interspike interval by using space-rate coding, instead of time-rate coding. This study also suggests how neural populations can modulate their gain and synchrony by regulating active conductances. Our results are extrapolated from experiments and analysis performed on a single silicon neuron, with Ca- and voltage-dependent potassium-channel analogs.
Note on a paper “Further Remarks on the Stress-Deformation Relations for Isotropic Materials”

In § 11 of the above paper, the result is obtained that any polynomial scalar invariant under the group of orthogonal transformations of any number of 3 × 3 matrices is expressible as a polynomial in traces of products of the matrices. This result is in general valid only if all of the 3 × 3 matrices are symmetric. More generally, if the matrices may be non-symmetric, the argument given in the paper leads to the result that any polynomial scalar invariant under the group of orthogonal transformations is expressible as a polynomial in traces of products formed from the matrices and their transposes.
Ultrasonic characterization of cellular metal structures

Abstract A new class of cellular materials synthesized by partially consolidating hollow metal powders has been gaining interest for multi-functional applications (where load support combined with other functionalities such as acoustic damping, thermal insulation or energy storage is required). These functionalities depend upon the volume fraction of porosity, type (open/closed) and pore size. The independent controllable pore volume fraction, pore size and fraction of open and closed porosity of these structures offers the possibility of tailoring a structures properties to specific applications. Here, the elastic stiffness and acoustic attenuation of highly porous structures made from hollow gas atomized superalloy spheres have been measured. The Young's and elastic shear moduli were deduced from ultrasonic wave velocities while the acoustic attenuation was evaluated from the temporal decay of laser induced standing acoustic waves. The elastic stiffness of these structures varied with the pore volume fraction and the acoustic attenuation scaled with the pore volume fraction and size. The unique attributes of these hollow powder cellular structures offer the potential to tailor their properties for individual applications thereby exploiting the multi-functional nature of these structures.
Theoretical analysis of two-step holographic recording with high-intensity pulses

We develop a full numerical as well as an approximate analytic solution for two-step holographic recording with high intensity pulses in LiNbO3 :Fe crystals. We find the unknown material parameters by fitting the numerical solution to the experimental results. The two important parameters that were unknown so far and found in this work are the bulk photovoltaic coefficient and absorption cross section for the excitation of the electrons from small polarons in LiNbO3 with infrared light. We show that the approximate analytic solution agrees very well with the numerical solution ~as well as the experimental results! for most practical applica- tions. We use the analytic solution to explain the experimental observations that were not understood before. Photorefractive crystals are excellent candidates for vol- ume holographic storage @1-3#. A major obstacle in making practical read/write holographic memory systems has been nonpersistence ~or destructive readout! of the stored informa- tion. Thermal fixing@4# and electrical fixing @5# are the two major nonoptical methods for obtaining persistence. How- ever, they require heating the sample or applying large elec- tric fields. All-optical methods for persistent holographic re- cording include frequency-difference holograms @6#, readout with wave-vector spectra @7#, and gated recording @8,9#. Among all the methods proposed, gated recording is the most promising one for obtaining persistent read/write holo- graphic memories. Gated holographic recording relies on the existence of two sets of traps ~shallower and deeper traps! with energy levels in the band gap of the recording crystal. These traps can be due to doping by impurities ~for example, LiNbO3 :Fe:Mn crystals @9#! or ~at least one set of traps! can be due to intrinsic traps @8 #~ polarons, bipolarons, etc.! .W e refer to recording using the former as ''two-center record- ing'' and to that using the latter as ''two-step recording,'' since intrinsic defects can occur in a very high concentration enabling direct charge transfer between the shallower and the deeper traps. Recording is performed by the simultaneous presence of a sensitizing ~or gating! beam of shorter wave- length ~higher photon energy! and two recording beams of longer wavelength ~lower photon energy!. Electrons are ini- tially in the deeper traps ~shallower traps are initially empty!. Sensitizing light causes the electron transfer from the deeper traps to the shallower traps. The hologram is recorded by the recording beams using the electrons from the shallower traps. The final hologram is imprinted in the deeper traps, and persists against readout with the light of longer wave- length ~same as recording wavelength!. In this paper, we mainly consider two-step holographic recording in LiNbO 3 :Fe crystals with green pulses for sensitization and infrared pulses for recording. Most of the initial two-step holographic recording experi- ments were performed with high intensity pulses in congru-
Games with a scientific purpose

The protein folding game Foldit shows that games are an effective way to recruit, engage and organize ordinary citizens to help solve difficult scientific problems.
Effects of internal 137Cs radiation on seeds of Liriodendron tulipifera

Abstract Mature Liriodendron tulipifera (tulip poplar) seeds were collected from 137 Cs-tagged and control trees in October 1965. After stratification, all seeds were planted in flats under greenhouse conditions. Germination of controls was almost 2 times that of tagged seeds. Analysis of seed production, however, showed that control trees produced 2·3 times more filled ovules than tagged trees, thus accounting for germination differences. Lower seed production might be related to internal radiation from 137 Cs during floral development and seed formation.
Postmenopausal uterine bleeding due to estrogen production by gonadotropin-secreting lung tumors.

Abstract Two postmenopausal women are described who had uterine bleeding due to hormone production by lung tumors—a large cell carcinoma in one case and a choriocarcinoma in the other. Both tumors stained positively for one or more placental peptides (human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG], placental lactogen, or pregnancy-specific β-1 glycoprotein) and both patients had extremely elevated serum levels of hCG, suggesting the tumors had some placental-like endocrine function. Clinical and hormonal data supported the concept that the uterine bleeding resulted from estrogen excess due to steroid biotransformation by the tumors.
Fatigue Behavior of Electronically Conductive Adhesive Joints

This paper describes a novel fatigue-life prediction methodology aimed at providing the design engineer an easy fatigue life predictive tool using experimental data, for both cumulative fatigue damage, as well as constant loading fatigue conditions. This encompasses an integrated approach to joint testing, analysis, and modeling. Utilizing the proposed methodologies, we aim to predict the changes in fatigue life of the adhesive, based on the whole spectrum of test variables including temperature, humidity, stress ratio, preconditioning (variable stress ratios), and frequency. This modeling approach is expected to give the design engineer an initial assessment tool for the effects of detrimental fatigue conditions, eventually leading to a much improved fatigue life, improved fail-safe capability, and reduced manufacturing costs.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
A Genomic Road Map for Complex Human Disease

Despite the successes of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in identifying genetic connections with human disease, it has become clear that interpreting these data requires a clear understanding of how these new risk genes are regulated. On pages 1118 and 1119 of this issue, Fairfax et al. ( 1 ) and Lee et al. ( 2 ), respectively, elucidate networks of genetic regulation in the context of the human innate immune system and show how this information can be directly applied to understanding the genetics of autoimmune disorders.
Provider adherence to a clinical practice guideline for acute asthma in a pediatric emergency department.

Critics of the use of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) in an emergency department (ED) setting believe that they are too cumbersome and time-consuming, but to the best of the authors' knowledge, potential barriers to CPG adherence in the ED have not been prospectively evaluated. Objectives: To measure provider adherence to an ED CPG based on National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP) recommendations, and to determine factors associated with provider nonadherence. Methods:Prospective, cohort study of children aged 1-18 years with the diagnosis of an acute exacerbation of asthma who were seen in a pediatric ED and requiring admission, as well as a random selection of children discharged to home following pediatric ED care. The following adherence parameters were assessed: at least three nebulized albuterol treatments in the first hour; early steroid administration (after the first nebulizer treatment); clinical assessments using pulse oximetry and peak expiratory flow (PEF) (for children >6 years old); and use of a clinical score to assess acute illness severity (Asthma Severity Score). Nonadherence was defined as any deviation of the above parameters Results: Between July 1, 1998, and June 30, 1999, 369 patients were studied. Of these, 38% (139) were discharged to home, 38% (140) were admitted to the observation unit, and 24% (90) were admitted to the inpatient unit. Illness severities at initial presentation to the ED were: 24% (86) had mild exacerbations, 59% (212) had moderate exacerbations, and 17% (62) had severe exacerbations. Sixty-eight percent (95% CI = 63% to 73%) of the patients were managed with complete adherence to the CPG. Of the 32% with some form of nonadherence, most (63%) were children older than 6 years; in this group 64% (48/75) were nonadherent due to lack of PEF assessment. When PEF assessment was disregarded, an 83% (95% CI = 79% to 87%) adherence to the CPG was achieved. Other nonadherence factors included: lack of at least three nebulized albuterol treatments provided timely within the first hour (5%); delay in steroid administration (6%); lack of pulse oximeter use (0.5%); and failure to record clinical score to assess severity (1.1%). Patient age, illness severity (acute and chronic), first episode of wheezing, and high ED volume periods (evenings and weekends) did not worsen adherence. Conclusions: Clinical practice guidelines can be used successfully in the pediatric ED and provide a more efficient management and treatment approach to acute exacerbations of childhood asthma. With a systematic and concise CPG, barriers to adherence in a pediatric ED appear to be minimal, with the exception of using PEF in the routine ED assessment.
De Novo nonreciprocal translocation 1;8 confirmed by fluorescent in situ hybridization

Constitutional nonreciprocal translocations are extremely rare, and even their existence is controversial. We report on a newborn infant with a de novo nonreciprocal translocation between chromosomes 1 and 8 resulting in 1q42.3 deletion syndrome. Fluorescent in situ hybridization with whole chromosome paints confirmed the conventional cytogenetic diagnosis.
The Magnetic Rotation Spectrum and Heat of Dissociation of the Lithium Molecule

The magnetic rotation spectrum of the green, $^{1}\ensuremath{\Pi}\ensuremath{-}^{1}\ensuremath{\Sigma}$, band system of ${\mathrm{Li}}_{2}$ has been observed and used to locate bands with high quantum numbers and so to obtain an accurate value for the heat of dissociation of the normal ${\mathrm{Li}}_{2}$ molecule, yielding ${{D}_{0}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}=1.14\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03$ volts. The spectrum is less simple than in ${\mathrm{Na}}_{2}$, for instance, in that we observe not only a strong line at the head of each band, but also a few lines of the $P$ and $R$, but not $Q$, branches. An improved method of plotting Franck-Condon diagrams is illustrated.
A Review of Phase II Acute Heart Failure Syndromes Clinical Trials

Hospitalization for acute heart failure syndromes (AHFS) is a growing health care burden. Over 1 million hospitalizations occur annually, with a postdischarge mortality and rehospitalization rate of ~45% by 90 days and a financial cost greater than $20 billion. Attempts to improve outcomes through novel therapies have largely failed, suggesting new approaches are needed. We review phase II studies in AHFS to identify opportunities for future development programs.
Development of urban surface models for improved aerosol retrieval

A combination of CIMEL radiometer and MODIS measurements are used to correct surface albedo models. In particular, we show through an analysis of hyperspectral high resolution Hyperion data that the correlation coefficient assumption underestimates ground albedo resulting in an overestimate of the VIS optical depth and operational collect 5 surface model shows an incorrect trend between the MVI index and the surface correlations. Preliminary radiative transfer calculations based on the same model show that this mechanism can help explain the observed overestimation and the corrected models have been implemented for NYC and Mexico City with significantly improved AOD.
Detection of circulating tumor antigens in mice carrying a highly metastatic pulmonary squamous-cell carcinoma

Recently we reported that the highly metastatic MSC-10 (mouse squamous carcinoma) is incapable of inducing transplantation immunity. Studies reported here were undertaken to determine whether or not the tumor is devoid of tumor-associated antigen. We found that sera from MSC-10 tumor-bearing mice contain soluble protein antigens which react with rabbit antisera made against the MSC-10 tumor, as demonstrated by immuno-diffusion. Such proteins were not detected in the sera of normal mice or mice bearing fibrosarcomas. A close temporal relationship was demonstrated between the appearance of circulating antigens and the occurrence of lung metastases. Protein components serologically indistinguishable from the circulating antigens were isolated from tumor cells. The molecular weight of these proteins is between 30,000 and 100,000 daltons. Studies with antisera to mouse leukemia virus showed that hte MSC-10 tumor antigens are not viral proteins. The lack of immunogenicity of this tumor for syngeneic hosts as well as its high metastatic activity may be due to the early appearance of soluble antigens in the circulation.
Selecting new peach and plum genotypes rich in phenolic compounds and enhanced functional properties

Fourteen red-fleshed plum (Prunus salicina Erhr. and hybrids) and eight peach [Prunus persica (Batsch) L.] genotypes were characterized for their total phenolic and anthocyanin contents. Selected rich phenolic genotypes showed high antioxidant activity, stable colour properties and good antimicrobial activity. Results indicated positive correlations between phenolic compounds (r2 = 0.83) and antioxidant activity for both types of fruit. Colorants prepared from an anthocyanin rich plum genotype showed similar hue to that of synthetic colorant FD&C red 3 and higher stability than a commercial red grape colorant with respect to time, temperature and pH. Additionally, a selected rich phenolic plum genotype exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Salmonella Enteritidis and Escherichia coli O157:H7. This study proposes that selection of crops high in phenolic compounds can be related to enhanced functional properties and opens the possibility of breeding fruits with targeted functional properties for the fresh produce and processing market.
Osteomyelitis of the base of the skull

Infection in the marrow of the temporal, occipital, and sphenoid bones is an uncommon, but increasing occurrence. It is usually secondary to infections beginning in the external auditory canal and is caused almost uniformly by the gram negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. Technetium and gallium scintigraphy help in the early detection of such infections while CT scans demonstrate dissolution of bone in well-developed cases. Headache is the predominant symptom. Dysphagia, hoarseness, and aspiration herald the inevitable march of cranial nerves. We have diagnosed and treated 17 cases of osteomyelitis of the skull base. Although the total mortality rate is 53%, it is now a curable disease. Six of our last 8 patients remain alive, although 1 is still under treatment. Treatment is medical and requires the long-term concomitant intravenous administration of an aminoglycoside and a broad spectrum semisynthetic penicillin effective against the causative organism.
Present and future of the Landsat program

The Landsat 7 satellite system was designed to operate in a manner that will substantially advance the application of remote land observations to global change research. The Enhanced Thematic Mapper- Plus (ETM+) sensor aboard the spacecraft currently acquires multispectral digital image data of the Earth’s land surfaces on a routine basis. The quality of the ETM+ data is excellent, meeting or improving upon pre-launch specifications. The data are transmitted to a globally distributed set of ground stations including the primary U.S. ground station at the U.S. Geological Survey EROS Data Center in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The U.S. Government manages the Landsat 7 satellite system A major program objective is to create an ETM+ data archive at the EROS Data Center that provides global coverage of the Earth’s continental and coastal surfaces on a seasonal basis. These data are available on a non-discriminatory basis at the incremental cost of fulfilling a user request. Once purchased from the EROS Data Center, no restrictions are placed on subsequent distribution of the data. This strategy fosters the operational applications of ETM+ data while advancing studies of the Earth as a system.
Endosomal Vaccine Delivery Through the Nastic Model

Vaccine enters white blood cells through the process of endocytosis. In this process the cell extends and engulfs the surroundings, including a vaccine when present, for intake; the vaccine is then enclosed in an inclusion known as an endosome. With the foreign species (vaccine) encased, this endosome is then transported to the interior of the cell. While the endosome provides a convenient mode of transport for uptake, it also acts to destroy and break down its contents via a pH driven process before releasing it into the cell. It has been postulated that inducing endosome burst may be an effective way to affect the release of vaccine prior to the onset of degradation. The process of burst will be explored through adaptation of an existing active material (nastic) modeling methodology. The computational methodology employs coupling of transport kinetics to membrane elastic response. The study yields insight into the multi-mechanisms of burst, involved both in the specific case of vaccine delivery and applicable to the more general case of bio inspired materials development.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
The stem cell marker prominin-1/CD133 interacts with vascular endothelial growth factor and potentiates its action

Prominin-1, a pentaspan transmembrane protein, is a unique cell surface marker commonly used to identify stem cells, including endothelial progenitor cells and cancer stem cells. However, recent studies have shown that prominin-1 expression is not restricted to stem cells but also occurs in modified forms in many mature adult human cells. Although prominin-1 has been studied extensively as a stem cell marker, its physiological function of the protein has not been elucidated. We investigated prominin-1 function in two cell lines, primary human endothelial cells and B16-F10 melanoma cells, both of which express high levels of prominin-1. We found that prominin-1 directly interacts with the angiogenic and tumor survival factor vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in both the primary endothelial cells and the melanoma cells. Knocking down prominin-1 in the endothelial cells disrupted capillary formation in vitro and decreased angiogenesis in vivo. Similarly, tumors derived from prominin-1 knockdown melanoma cells had a reduced growth rate in vivo. Further, melanoma cells with knocked down prominin-1 had diminished ability to interact with VEGF, which was associated with decreased bcl-2 protein levels and increased apoptosis. In vitro studies with soluble prominin-1 showed that it stabilized dimer formation of VEGF164, but not VEGF121. Taken together, our findings support the notion that prominin-1 plays an active role in cell growth through its ability to interact and potentiate the anti-apoptotic and pro-angiogenic activities of VEGF. Additionally, prominin-1 promotes tumor growth by supporting angiogenesis and inhibiting tumor cell apoptosis.
Risk and protective factors for spasmodic dysphonia: a case-control investigation.

Summary Objectives Spasmodic dysphonia (SD) is a chronic, incurable, and often disabling voice disorder of unknown pathogenesis. The purpose of this study was to identify possible endogenous and exogenous risk and protective factors uniquely associated with SD. Study Design Prospective, exploratory, case-control investigation. Methods One hundred fifty patients with SD and 150 medical controls (MCs) were interviewed regarding their personal and family histories, environmental exposures, illnesses, injuries, voice use patterns, and general health using a previously vetted and validated epidemiologic questionnaire. Results Odds ratios and multiple logistic regression analyses ( α Conclusions SD is likely multifactorial in etiology, involving both genetic and environmental factors. Viral infections/exposures, along with intense voice use, may trigger the onset of SD in genetically predisposed individuals. Future studies should examine the interaction among genetic and environmental factors to determine the pathogenesis of SD.
Productivity shocks and business fixed investment

Business fixed investment is shown to be related to productivity shocks more than profitability and q variable. The multifactor productivity index is used as a proxy.
The use of Cohorts to Evaluate the Impact of Encarsia citrina (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) on Fiorinia externa (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in the Eastern United States

ABSTRACT Two years of natural enemy exclusion experiments with cohorts of the invasive scale Fiorinia externa Ferris were conducted in Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. The parasitoid Encarsia citrina Craw had a significant effect on the percentage of F. externa that reached reproductive maturity. For cohorts exposed to E. citrina, 11% reached maturity in 2006 and 8% in 2007 compared to cohorts protected from E. citrina, in which 29% reached maturity in 2006 and 18% in 2007 (averaged across all 3 states). While E. citrina exerted some control of F. externa density, it was insufficient to maintain F. externa density at the study sites at levels comparable to those of the scale in its native range in Japan.
Investigating the complexity of respiratory patterns during the laryngeal chemoreflex

The laryngeal chemoreflex exists in infants as a primary sensory mechanism for defending the airway from the aspiration of liquids. Previous studies have hypothesized that prolonged apnea associated with this reflex may be life threatening and might be a cause of sudden infant death syndrome. In this study we quantified the output of the respiratory neural network, the diaphragm EMG signal, during the laryngeal chemoreflex and eupnea in early postnatal (3–10 days) piglets. We tested the hypothesis that diaphragm EMG activity corresponding to reflex-related events involved in clearance (restorative) mechanisms such as cough and swallow exhibit lower complexity, suggesting that a synchronized homogeneous group of neurons in the central respiratory network are active during these events. Nonlinear dynamic analysis was performed using the approximate entropy to asses the complexity of respiratory patterns. Diaphragm EMG, genioglossal activity EMG, as well as other physiological signals (tracheal pressure, blood pressure and respiratory volume) were recorded from 5 unanesthetized chronically instrumented intact piglets. Approximate entropy values of the EMG during cough and swallow were found significantly (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively) lower than those of eupneic EMG. Reduced complexity values of the respiratory neural network output corresponding to coughs and swallows suggest synchronous neural activity of a homogeneous group of neurons. The higher complexity values exhibited by eupneic respiratory activity are the result of a more random behaviour, which is the outcome of the integrated action of several groups of neurons involved in the respiratory neural network.
International Peacebuilding and the Politics of Identity: Lessons from Social Psychology using the Bosnian Case

This article argues that international peacebuilding efforts must be understood as identity-building projects and applies what we know from social psychology about identity processes to post-conflict peacebuilding. It argues that international peacebuilders must pay careful attention to the relationship between the multiple sources of identity from which individuals draw their self-concepts, such as their ethno-national belonging and their citizenship. Using qualitative evidence from field research on international interventions in post-conflict education reform in Bosnia-Herzegovina in the decade following Dayton, the article contends that the international community's efforts on the ground entrenched ethno-national group boundaries while simultaneously challenging the distinctiveness of these ethno-national identities. As a result, rather than being sites of peacebuilding, the schools of Bosnia-Herzegovina became sites of heightened tensions and controversy.
Attributions of mental illness: an ethnically diverse community perspective

Although the prevalence of mental illness is similar across ethnic groups, a large disparity exists in the utilization of services. Mental health attributions, causal beliefs regarding the etiology of mental illness, may contribute to this disparity. To understand mental health attributions across diverse ethnic backgrounds, we conducted focus groups with African American (n = 8; 24 %), Asian American (n = 6; 18 %), Latino/Hispanic (n = 9; 26 %), and White (n = 11; 32 %) participants. We solicited attributions about 19 mental health disorders, each representing major sub-categories of the DSM-IV. Using a grounded theory approach, participant responses were categorized into 12 themes: Biological, Normalization, Personal Characteristic, Personal Choice, Just World, Spiritual, Family, Social Other, Environment, Trauma, Stress, and Diagnosis. Results indicate that ethnic minorities are more likely than Whites to mention spirituality and normalization causes. Understanding ethnic minority mental health attributions is critical to promote treatment-seeking behaviors and inform culturally responsive community-based mental health services.
Extracellular iron reductase activity produced by Listeria monocytogenes.

Little is known about how pathogenic microorganisms that do not produce low-molecular-weight iron-chelating agents, termed siderophores, acquire iron from their environment. We have identified an extracellular enzyme produced by Listeria monocytogenes that can mobilize iron from a variety of iron-chelate complexes via reduction of the metal. The iron reductase requires Mg2+, flavin mononucleotide (FMN), and reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) for activity. Saturation kinetics were found when initial velocity studies of iron reduction were carried out as a function of variable FMN concentrations in the presence of 100 μM NADH and 10 mM Mg2+. Hyperbolic kinetics were also found when these studies were repeated as a function of variable NADH concentrations along with 20 μM FMN and 10 mM Mg2+. This process of extracellular reduction, in all likelihood, could be involved in the mobilization of iron from soils and aqueous environments and from host tissues in pathogenic processes. This is the first report of the extracellular enzymic reduction of iron by microorganisms.
Computing the Hough Transform on Reconfigurable Meshes

Abstract Until now, buses have been used exclusively to support fast communication and data transfer needs within a parallel machine. Recently, the authors have demonstrated novel uses of buses in a multiprocessor reconfigurable architecture. Specifically, we have argued that buses can be successfully used both as topological descriptors and as powerful computational devices. The purpose of this note is to show that this new paradigm can be used for computing the Hough transform—the most widely used technique for detecting lines and curves in binary or grey level images. Specifically, for an N × N digitized image stored in a reconfigurable mesh of size N × N , one pixel per processor, we present an O ( n × log( N / n )) time algorithm to compute the Hough transform with n standing for the number of angles in the quantization of the θ-space.