cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
"We're actually more of a likely ally than an unlikely ally": relationships between syringe services programs and law enforcement.

BACKGROUND Syringe services programs provide sterile injection supplies and a range of health services (e.g., HIV and HEP-C testing, overdose prevention education, provision of naloxone) to a hard-to-reach population, including people who use drugs, aiming to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases. METHODS We performed a qualitative needs assessment of existing syringe services programs in the state of Colorado in 2018-2019 to describe-their activities, needs, and barriers. Using a phenomenological approach, we performed semi-structured interviews with key program staff of syringe services programs (n = 11). All interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed, and validated. A data-driven iterative approach was used by researchers to develop a coding scheme to organize the data into major themes found across interviews. Memos were written to synthesize main themes. RESULTS Nearly all the syringe program staff discussed their relationships with law enforcement at length. All syringe program staff viewed having a positive relationship with law enforcement as critical to the success of their program. Main factors that influence the quality of relationships between syringe services programs and law enforcement included: (1) alignment in agency culture, (2) support from law enforcement leadership, (3) police officers' participation and compliance with the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program, which provides intensive case management for low-level drug offenders, and (4) implementation of the "Needle-Stick Prevention Law" and Drug Paraphernalia Law Exemption. All syringe program staff expressed a strong desire to have positive relationships with law enforcement and described how a collaborative working relationship was critical to the success of their programs. CONCLUSIONS Our findings reveal effective strategies to foster relationships between syringe services programs and law enforcement as well as key barriers to address. The need exists for both syringe services programs and law enforcement to devote time and resources to build a strong, positive partnership. Having such positive relationships with law enforcement has positive implications for syringe services program clients, including law enforcement being less likely to ticket persons for having used syringes, and encourage people who use drugs to seek services from syringe services programs, which can then lead them to other resources, such as housing, wound care, and substance use treatment programs.
Refining the extraction methodology of carbonate associated sulfate: Evidence from synthetic and natural carbonate samples

Sulfur and oxygen isotope analyses of trace and whole mineral sulfate are valuable in investigating diagenetic processes and the microbial communities that produced them, seawater anoxia, and paleoclimate. Oxygen isotopes are particularly useful in that they may also record alterations to the original isotope ratio, be it from post-depositional processes or oxidation of sulfide minerals during the chemical extraction procedure. Here we rigorously test several common methodological procedures of extracting carbonate associated sulfate (CAS) for sulfur and oxygen isotope analyses in order to generate a method that will extract only the CAS, while preserving associated organic reduced sulfur and sulfides for analysis. The results of these experiments on synthetically generated carbonates demonstrate that our proposed protocol sufficiently removes all non-CAS sulfate and does not result in oxidation of included sulfides. Analytical reproducibility (standard deviation) of synthetic carbonates is 0.1‰ (1σ) for δ34S and 0.3‰ (1σ) for δ18O. Extractions of low pyrite, high organic matter geologic samples from the Monterey Formation across a range of facies types demonstrate a reproducibility (1σ) of 0.4‰–0.7‰ for δ34S and 0.8‰–1.3‰ for δ18O, resulting from sample heterogeneity. δ34S and δ18O from Monterey Formation samples do not demonstrate oxidation of organic matter, suggesting our proposed protocol will preserve organic sulfur. A high pyrite-concentration Jet Rock concretion demonstrates that additional sulfate can be produced during the non-CAS leaching processes from oxidation of pyrite. We show that pyrite from the Jet Rock concretion ceases to oxidize when the sample is leached under an anoxic environment.
Cation ordering transformations in Ba(MgTa)O3-BaZrO3 perovskite solid solutions

The effect of the substitution of BaZrO3 on the cation ordering in Ba(Mg13Ta23)O3 was studied using TEM and X-ray and neutron diffraction. Almost no solubility of Zr was found in the 1:2 ordered, trigonal structure of the Ba(Mg13Ta23)O3 end-member (P 3ml), and a transformation to a 1:1 ordered, cubic (Fm3m) phase with a = 2aper occurs for substitution levels between ~10 and 25 mol% BaZrO3. The structure of this Ba(β′12β″sol12)O3-type phase consists of two distinct octahedral sites, β′ and β″. The occupancies of the two cation positions, refined using the Rietveld method, were found to be consistent with a “random site” model in which β″ is occupied by Ta, and β′ by a random distribution of the remaining cations. The homogeneity range of the 1:1 solid solutions predicted by this model, Ba{[Mg(2 − y)3Ta(1 − 2y)3 Zry]12[Ta]12}O3 (0.0 < y ≤ 0.5), is in excellent agreement with that observed experimentally.
The Role of Stigma Concealment in the Retrospective High School Experiences of Gay, Lesbian, and Bisexual Individuals

Abstract High school is a time when most gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) youths experience a great deal of distress related to the stigma attached to being gay. Many try to avoid stigmatization by concealing the fact that they are GLB. This brief report presents a descriptive, multidimensional approach to understanding GLB stigma concealment as a predictor of stigma-related depression, abuse, and absences during high school. Data are reported from a retrospective survey of high school experiences of 85 GLB individuals across the United States. Multiple linear regression analyses revealed the dimensions of stigma concealment assessed in the current study were distinct in predicting abuse, absences, and depression. Implications for future studies of stigma concealment, the coming-out process, and the GLB high school experience are discussed.
How to remove multiple scattering from core-excitation spectra: I. Forward scattering

Removal of multiple scattering from electron energy-loss spectra can be posed as a deconvolution problem in three dimensions. For core-excitation data with energy losses of hundreds of eV, gathered by forward scattering, there is an accurate, unique, statistically stable, one-dimensional method. Examples are shown.
Identification of the G143A mutation associated with QoI resistance in Cercospora beticola field isolates from Michigan, United States.

BACKGROUND: Cercospora leaf spot (CLS), caused by the fungus Cercospora beticola, is the most serious foliar disease of sugar beet (Beta vulgaris L.) worldwide. Disease control is mainly achieved by timely fungicide applications. In 2011, CLS control failures were reported in spite of application of quinone outside inhibitor (QoI) fungicide in several counties in Michigan, United States. The purpose of this study was to confirm the resistant phenotype and identify the molecular basis for QoI resistance of Michigan C. beticola isolates. RESULTS: Isolates collected in Michigan in 1998 and 1999 that had no previous exposure to the QoI fungicides trifloxystrobin or pyraclostrobin exhibited QoI EC50 values of ⩽0.006 µg mL−1. In contrast, all isolates obtained in 2011 exhibited EC50 values of > 0.92 µg mL−1 to both fungicides and harbored a mutation in cytochrome b (cytb) that led to an amino acid exchange from glycine to alanine at position 143 (G143A) compared with baseline QoI-sensitive isolates. Microsatellite analysis of the isolates suggested that QoI resistance emerged independently in multiple genotypic backgrounds at multiple locations. A real-time PCR assay utilizing dual-labeled fluorogenic probes was developed to detect and differentiate QoI-resistant isolates harboring the G143A mutation from sensitive isolates. CONCLUSION: The G143A mutation in cytb is associated with QoI resistance in C. beticola. Accurate monitoring of this mutation will be essential for fungicide resistance management in this pathosystem. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry
Integrated Circuits Beyond CMOS

Semiconductor microelectronics, based on silicon CMOS circuits, is arguably the most successful technology ever developed by mankind because it sustained its fast, exponential (Moore’s Law) progress for several decades. As a result, this technology has become the basis of all current information technology revolution. However, now scientists and engineers agree that this progress will run into what is called the red brick wall of physical, technical, and economical limitations some time during the next decade. Optimists believe this crisis may be deferred until the 22-nm ITRS technology node, to be reached by 2015 or so, while the pessimists like myself do not see any realistic way for the technology to go beyond the 32-nm node, to be reached by 2013 or maybe even a year or two earlier. In any case, the range of opinions (of well-informed professionals) is rather narrow, and continues to shrink. The negative impact of running into the red brick wall for the high-tech economy may be hardly exaggerated. Sure, whatever happens after that point, there will be more and more silicon chips fabricated each year. However, if the exponential progress of the key metrics, most notably the circuit cost per unit device, has been stopped or slowed down to a crawl, the integrated circuit manufacturing, as virtually all mature manufacturing industries, will most probably be outsourced to countries with cheaper labor. The current electronics industry giants, which currently live on innovation, will face a survival challenge. This is why the extension of Moore’s Law into the sub-10-nm range is such a vital task. As usual, there are both good and bad news from the current battle on this nanoelectronic frontier. On the positive side, both the federal government and electronic industry leaders now recognize the necessity and urgency of research in this direction. On the negative side, the efficiency of those efforts is very much questionable. Large electronic companies, being extremely efficient at moving up an evolutionary path such as semiconductor microelectronics, have serious problems with adapting revolutionary (disruptive) technologies like nanoelectronics. As a
Abstract 173: Effects of Ischemic Preconditioning on Microglial Phenotype and Transcriptome

Background: Ischemic preconditioning (IPC) is a robust neuroprotective phenomenon in which a brief period of cerebral ischemia confers transient tolerance to subsequent ischemic challenge. Microglia are critical in stroke pathophysiology however their role in IPC is unknown. Methods: We performed middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) or sham surgery on 12 - 14 week old wild-type male mice following established paradigms for IPC ± stroke. We assessed infarct volume with 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium staining and used ex vivo flow cytometry (exFC) to quantify immune cell populations in cortex following IPC. We performed immunofluorescent microscopy (IFM) with stereology (optical dissector), Cavalieri point counting and Ki67 staining to characterize ionized calcium-binding adapter 1 molecule (IBA1)-positive immune cell number, morphology and proliferation, respectively. Finally, we performed mouse ST gene arrays (Affymetrix) on RNA isolated from sorted cortical microglia and carried out bioinformatic (Ingenui...
The Quantum State of Classical Matter II: Thermodynamic Equilibrium and Hydrodynamics

In the previous companion paper, we proposed a subclass of wavefunctions to describe macroscopic solids that resolved and extended the theory quantum measurement and gave a more specific treatment of quasiparticles. Here we extend these notions to thermalization of solids and gases and to gas state hydrodynamics. This gives a modification of the thermodynamic limit to justify the canonical averages for "typical wavefunctions" without the use of ensembles. The energetic cost of vorticity is contrasted in the classical and ultracold gas limits. From this perspective, we then examine the applicability of thermo and hydro to ultracold gases and compare with the implications of pure state evolution. We illustrate how the proposed quantum limits on viscosity could be reinterpreted in terms of Schr\"{o}dinger induced evolution of the one-body density function but some history dependent measurable properties should still persist.
Vision 20/20: Simultaneous CT-MRI — Next chapter of multimodality imaging

Multimodality imaging systems such as positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) and MRI-PET are widely available, but a simultaneous CT-MRI instrument has not been developed. Synergies between independent modalities, e.g., CT, MRI, and PET/SPECT can be realized with image registration, but such postprocessing suffers from registration errors that can be avoided with synchronized data acquisition. The clinical potential of simultaneous CT-MRI is significant, especially in cardiovascular and oncologic applications where studies of the vulnerable plaque, response to cancer therapy, and kinetic and dynamic mechanisms of targeted agents are limited by current imaging technologies. The rationale, feasibility, and realization of simultaneous CT-MRI are described in this perspective paper. The enabling technologies include interior tomography, unique gantry designs, open magnet and RF sequences, and source and detector adaptation. Based on the experience with PET-CT, PET-MRI, and MRI-LINAC instrumentation where hardware innovation and performance optimization were instrumental to construct commercial systems, the authors provide top-level concepts for simultaneous CT-MRI to meet clinical requirements and new challenges. Simultaneous CT-MRI fills a major gap of modality coupling and represents a key step toward the so-called "omnitomography" defined as the integration of all relevant imaging modalities for systems biology and precision medicine.
Neurite outgrowth in dorsal root neuronal hybrid clones modulated by ganglioside GM1 and disintegrins.

Abstract Subclones of F11 neuronal hybrid cells (neuroblastoma × dorsal root ganglion neurons) have segregated differing and/or overlapping neuritogenic mechanisms on three substrata—plasma fibronectin (pFN) with its multiple receptor activities, cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) for binding to ganglioside GM1, and platelet factor-4 (PF4) for binding to heparan sulfate proteoglycans. In this study, specific cell surface receptor activities for the three substrata were tested for their modulation during neuritogenesis by several experimental paradigms, using F11 subclones representative of three differentiation classes (neuritogenic on pFN only, on CTB only, or on all three substrata). When cycloheximide was included in the medium to inhibit protein synthesis during the active period, neurite formation increased significantly for all subclones on all three substrata, virtually eliminating substratum selectivity for differentiation mediated by cell surface integrin, ganglioside GM1, or heparan sulfate proteoglycans. Therefore, one or more labile proteins (referred to as disintegrins) must modulate functions of matrix receptors (e.g., integrins) mediating neurite formation. To verify whether cycloheximide-induced neuritogenesis was also regulated by integrin interaction with cell surface GM1, two approaches were used. When (Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser)-containing peptide A was added to the medium, it completely inhibited cycloheximide-induced neuritogenesis on all three substrata of all subclones, indicating stringent requirement for cell surface integrin function in these mechanisms. In contrast, when CTB or a monoclonal anti-GM1 antibody was also added to the medium, cycloheximide-induced neuritogenesis was amplified further on pFN and sensitivity to peptide A inhibition was abolished. Therefore, in some contexts ganglioside GM1 must complex with integrin receptors at the cell surface to modulate their function. These results also indicate that (a) cycloheximide treatment leads to loss of substratum selectivity in neuritogenesis, (b) this negative regulation of neurite outgrowth is affected by integrin receptor association with labile regulatory proteins (disintegrins) as well as with GM1, and (c) complexing of GM1 by multivalent GM1-binding proteins shifts neuritogenesis from an RGDS-dependent integrin mechanism to an RGDS-independent receptor mechanism.
Ionization, excitation of high-lying atomic states, and molecular fluorescence in Cs vapor excited at λ =455.7 and 459.4 nm

We have studied in detail the ionization and population of high-lying atomic states which occur in cesium vapor excited at the second resonance transition, 6S-7P. We have developed a simple model which qualitatively explains the laser-power dependences of level populations and electron densities which we observed. Measurements of spatial dependences of fluorescence point out the critical role of radiation trapping in these phenomena. Similar observations on rubidium demonstrate the same type of behavior when the first (5S-5P) or second (5S-6P) resonance is excited. At higher densities and temperatures we found that the fluorescence was dominated by diffuse molecular bands. Some of these bands probably consist of transitions to the repulsive $^{3}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}_{\mathrm{u}}^{+}$ state. Additionally four bands observed at 817.5, 826.6, 835.3, and 839.6 nm are tentatively identified as the cesium analog of the $^{3}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Pi}}_{\mathrm{g}}$${\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}^{3}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}}_{\mathrm{u}}^{+}$ satellite bands which have previously been observed in the blue wing of the first resonance doublet of the lighter alkali metals.
Development of the Predatory Larvae of Toxorhynchites Brevipalpis (Diptera: Culicidae) on Nonprey Diet

Larvae of Toxorhynchites brevipalpis were reared to the adult stage on a suspension of liver powder in water. Larvae fed on liver powder developed 3 times slower (36.2 days) than larvae fed on an ample quantity of prey. The shortest possible larval period for Tx. brevipalpis fed on prey food at 26°C was 11 days. Larvae fed on a mixed diet of liver powder and prey in early instars (1st–3rd) and on liver powder alone in the 4th instar completed their development within 26.9 days. The results of these experiments show that rate of development of Tx. brevipalpis larvae can be controlled by quality and quantity of food.
The applicability of universal pragmatics in information retrieval interaction: a pilot study

This article discusses the possibility and usefulness of applying Habermas' universal pragmatics to analyze information retrieval interaction. The first part of the article is theoretical argumentation. It examines the current common schemes of studies of human computer interaction (HCI), inspects their appropriateness and limitations, argues for a pragmatic perspective, and elaborates some of Habermas' idea of universal pragmatics. The second part is a case study. It reports an investigation of the initiation and development of verification of validity claims in HCI from the universal pragmatics perspective. It describes some patterns in which a user deals with what may be considered as invalid claims of an IR system outputs. A typical sequence consists of the following pattern: (1) user invokes a simple request; (2) system replies with a questionable answer; leading to (3) user tries to verify the validity claims of truth, truthfulness, and/ or rightness of the system output; and (4) when the available interaction channels cannot support the validation, the interaction becomes a non-communicative process which discourages further interaction.
SuperDense Quantum Teleportation

Recent advances in experimental technique make SuperDense Teleportation (SDT) possible only now, ten years after my first proposal at an ISI Torino summer conference on Quantum Computing. The effect uses remote state preparation to send more state-specifying parameters per bit than ordinary quantum teleportation (QT) can transmit. The SDT uses a maximally entangled state to teleport the relative phases of an n-dimensional state with equal amplitudes on every standard basis vector. For n greater than or equal to 3, the SDT sends more of these state-specifying parameters than QT. In the limit of large n the ratio is 2 to 1, hence the nomenclature by analogy with Super Dense Coding. Alice's measurements and Bob's transformations are far simpler than their corresponding operations in QT. The roles of Charles who chooses the state and Diana who deploys it are different than in QT. My discussion includes a brief review of the progress and possibilities of realization for several different experimental approaches around the world. This paper is the write-up of my remarks at the Festschrift conference for Anton Zeilinger, for many years a close collaborator in the Hampshire College NSF grant continuing our work with Mike Horne and Danny Greenberger started under Cliff Shull at MIT in the late 20th century.
Transcription induces a supercoil domain barrier in bacteriophage Mu

Abstract In enteric bacteria, chromosomes are partitioned into domains that exhibit restricted supercoil movement. The most common domain barrier detected by γδ resolution assays is random with respect to sequence and occurs more frequently in cells growing rapidly in rich medium compared to cells in stationary phase. Transcription generates both positive and negative supercoiling movement. To address the question of whether transcription causes the appearance of new domain boundaries, a transcriptionally active MudI element was substituted for a MudJr-1 element that resides within the cobT gene of Salmonella typhimurium. Mu-specific transcription from the phage early promoter was placed under control of either the wild type (c+) or the temperature-sensitive (cts62) repressor. Using a resolution assay with res sites at six chromosomal locations, domain structure was normal in cells carrying the MudAr-1 prophage with a wild type Mu repressor. However, in cells with a MudAr-1 prophage harboring the cts62 repressor, a new domain barrier appeared in > 90% of the cells. Supercoil movement was restricted ahead of but not behind the transcription machinery. We conclude that the strong Mu early promoter induces the appearance of a domain barrier within the limits of a MudAr-1 prophage.
Predicting shape and stability of air–water interface on superhydrophobic surfaces comprised of pores with arbitrary shapes and depths

An integro-differential equation for the three dimensional shape of air–water interface on superhydrophobic surfaces comprised of pores with arbitrary shapes and depths is developed and used to predict the static critical pressure under which such surfaces depart from the non-wetting state. Our equation balances the capillary forces with the pressure of the air entrapped in the pores and that of the water over the interface. Stability of shallow and deep circular, elliptical, and polygonal pores is compared with one another and a general conclusion is drawn for designing pore shapes for superhydrophobic surfaces with maximum stability.
Kernicterus: A “never-event” in healthy term and near-term newborns

Abstract Kernicterus is a tragic and unacceptable outcome for jaundice in an otherwise healthy newborn. But as health care practices and attitudes have changed over the years, reemergence of kernicterus has been evident in the medical literature and in the community. Current practice management for jaundice is prone to misunderstanding and oversights. Not all health care providers are involved in the process and there was a loss of concern about potential bilirubin toxicity. To ensure patient safety, address the root causes of kernicterus, and enhance the human factor performance, a system-based approach to hyperbilirubinemia to prevent kernicterus is described.
Bilateral Staphylomas Presenting as Bitemporal Hemianopia

Bitemporal hemianopia is usually secondary to pituitary and suprasellar masses. We present a case of bitemporal hemianopia secondary to bilateral staphylomas of the ocular globe. Staphylomas are degenerative outpouchings of the eyeball also known as scleral ectasia, secondary to congenital weakness of scleral tissue. Staphylomas can cause complications such as choroidal neovascularizations and hemorrhage. Early diagnosis and counselling are the mainstays of management. Bilateral staphylomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of bitemporal hemianopia especially when imaging rules out sellar and suprasellar masses.
Effects of oxytocin in larval Ambystoma tigrinum: acceleration of induced metamorphosis and inhibiton of the antimetamorphic action of prolactin.

Larval tiger salamanders induced to metamorphose with thyroxine were injected with oxytocin (100 mU/day) in order to assess the potential effect of neurohypophyseal contamination on the antimetamorphic activity of mammalian prolactin preparations. Unexpectedly, oxytocin caused a marked acceleration of tail fin regression and body weight loss and a slight acceleration of gill resorption. An additional experiment revealed that the decreases in tail height and body weight observed in the initial experiment were induced by oxytocin in animals that were not treated with thyroxine. Prolactin was only partially effective in blocking these effects of oxytocin. In animals induced to metamorphose and treated with oxytocin, prolactin, or both hormones, tail fin regression and weight loss were accelerated by oxytocin and antagonized by prolactin. Prolactin partially reversed the effects of oxytocin on tail height and body weight. In this experiment, oxytocin failed to accelerate gill resorption while prolactin inhibited this process. Oxytocin was without effect on prolactin inhibition of gill resorption. Incubation of tail tissue with oxytocin in vitro induced water loss compared to paired control tissue pieces and the addition of prolactin to the incubation medium caused only a slight inhibition of the oxytocin-induced water loss. These findings are discussed in relation to the hypothesis that the antimetamorphic action of prolactin is osmoregulatory in nature.
Salmonella control—past, present and future

The perception of Salmonella infection as a problem to the poultry industry has changed as the industry itself has changed. Other factors include increasing awareness of health and food quality. Acquisition of more information on the microbiology of Salmonella and the epidemiology of infection in poultry and man, have not, with a few exceptions, enabled us to eliminate Salmonella from poultry and from the food chain. Control of the poultry pathogens S. Pullorum and S. Gallinarum, the major pathogens of concern to the industry in the early days of intensification, was achieved in many countries by a coordinated policy of hygienic measures together with serological testing and slaughter. However, fowl typhoid and pullorum disease remain major economic problems in many countries and attempts should continue to improve the methods for their control. More recent problems involving establishment in national flocks of Salmonella serotypes of public health significance, such as Typhimurium and Enteritidis are more intractable because of their more complex epidemiology involving extensive faecal excretion with associated environmental contamination and the existence of many additional reservoirs of infection. At the very minimum most countries are increasing monitoring of these and other serotypes. Some countries with relatively small, isolated national flocks have been able to reduce the incidence of infection in poultry and man to very low levels by rigorous monitoring and slaughter. Changes in legislation in the United Kingdom and the European Community will attempt to reduce the incidence of infection in breeding flocks and to reduce the significance of animal feed as a source of infection. Whilst these measures and continued research programmes are essential more could be done in terms of management, farm hygiene and feed production. A co-ordinated approach would require the approval of the industry in the first instance which presupposes a degree of financial support for some of the measures that would be necessary. Because of the potentially enormous cost of such control measures and the disruption to the poultry industry that could occur discussions must initially be instigated with relevant parties as to the desire for Salmonella control and the extent to which it should be taken.
A Differential Interactive Analysis of Language Teaching and Learning.

Since many basic principles of first language acquisition and environmental input have been clarified by research of the last decade, more differentiated questions are explored in the present study. The overall goal is to analyze language teaching and learning as it transpires during the course of verbal interactions in the home. This encompasses three major interrelated aims: (a) An extensive taxonomy of maternal language “teaching techniques” and filial language “learning strategies” is established incorporating the research efforts of the last two decades, (b) Markov chain models, based upon transitional probabilites, are employed for the description of sequential dependencies. With these sequential dependencies between teaching techniques and learning strategies, causal relationships can be explored in single‐subject observations. (c) Finally, to counteract past nomothetic tendencies and to demonstrate the value of the present approach for differential instructional/learning analyses, two dyads are co...
Auditory motivated front-end for noisy speech using spectro-temporal modulation filtering

The robustness of the human auditory system to noise is partly due to the peak preserving capability of the periphery and the cortical filtering of spectro-temporal modulations. In this letter, a robust speech feature extraction scheme is developed that emulates this processing by deriving a spectrographic representation that emphasizes the high energy regions. This is followed by a modulation filtering step to preserve only the important spectro-temporal modulations. The features derived from this representation provide significant improvements for speech recognition in noise and language identification in radio channel speech. Further, the experimental analysis shows congruence with human psychophysical studies.
To Classify or Alphabetize: The Arrangement of Print Periodicals in Academic Libraries

AbstractWhether to use a classified or alphabetical arrangement of print periodicals is still a controversial issue in academic libraries. Both systems provide access for patrons, and each has its strengths and weaknesses. Proponents of alphabetical arrangement emphasize ease of use for the patron. The primary argument for classification focuses on the patronâ€™s browsing ability. However, there are other factors involved in choice of arrangement. Bibliographic control, collection size, and physical constraints are often important considerations in deciding which system provides optimal access for library patrons.
ERYTHROPOIETIN PROMOTES THE RECOVERY OF ERECTILE FUNCTION FOLLOWING CAVERNOUS NERVE INJURY

ABSTRACTPurpose:: We investigated the effects of recombinant human (rh) erythropoietin (EPO) on erectile function recovery in a rat model of cavernous nerve (CN) injury.Materials and Methods:: Male rats underwent unilateral CN transection and excision of a 5 mm segment of the contralateral CN. One group received rhEPO (5,000 U/kg) subcutaneously daily for 14 days, while another received rhEPO 1 day and 1 hour prior to nerve injury. An additional group of animals was pretreated with 1 dose of darbepoetin (25 μg/kg). At 14 days following CN injury rats underwent erection physiology studies. Axonal regeneration was evaluated by electron microscopy. EPO receptor expression in the penis and major pelvic ganglion was evaluated immunohistochemically and by real-time polymerase chain reaction.Results:: Daily rhEPO effectively recovered erections after CN injury compared with saline treatment. Maximal intracavernous pressure area under the curve normalized to mean arterial pressure was significantly greater in EPO...
Social Encounters and Self-Image in the Age of Enlightenment: Norbert Elias in Eighteenth-Century French Cultural Historiography1

This paper advances the recent debate among early modern French historians on the application of Norbert Elias by discussing how his approach to the problem of social encounters among individual members of a community can be applied to seventeenth-and eighteenth-century France. Drawing on various examples from history and literature, the article argues that Elias's approach holds much potential for this field, because it conceives social encounters and individual identities as forms of symbolic interaction through which patterns of inequality are reproduced among small groups and then replicated across the entire society.
The durability of intravesical oxybutynin solutions over time.

Purpose Intravesical oxybutynin is prescribed for patients who do not tolerate the side effects of oral intake. Standard oral tablets are broken up, dissolved and instilled. For convenience some families create a large volume of solutions to use for weeks. We investigated the stability of oxybutynin concentration in these solutions and the effect of varying solvents and solutes. Materials and Methods Solutions of oxybutynin were created with a starting concentration of 125 μg/ml. We varied the method of pill preparation (crushed vs passive dissolution), type of solvent (tap water vs normal saline) and the presence of the commonly instilled antibiotic, gentamicin sulfate (0.48 mg/ml). Solutions were aged for 1 to 4 weeks. Concentrations of oxybutynin were measured by gas chromatography. Results Tap water as a solvent had the greatest decrease in concentration, declining below 50% by week 2 and reaching 25% by week 4. The mean concentration of the other solutions decreased less, maintaining 80% of the starting concentration at week 4. The use of normal saline as a solvent and the addition of gentamicin sulfate helped slow the decrease. Crushing vs passive dissolution showed no effect. Conclusions Homemade oxybutynin solutions degrade with time. Tap water solvent alone should be avoided. Solutions and additives that lower pH and are more acidic help oxybutynin solubility and stability. Storing oxybutynin solutions for later intravesical use appears feasible up to 4 weeks. The clinical effect of the 20% degradation remains to be demonstrated.
Full sign-invertibility and symplectic matrices

Abstract An n × n sign pattern H is said to be sign-invertible if there exists a sign pattern H −1 (called the sign inverse of H ) such that, for all matrices A ∈ Q ( H ), A −1 exists and A −1 ∈ Q ( H −1 ). If, in addition, H −1 is sign-invertible [implying ( H −1 ) −1 = H ], H is said to be fully sign-invertible and ( H , H −1 ) is called a sign-invertible pair. Given an n × n sign pattern H , a symplectic pair in Q ( H ) is a pair of matrices ( A , D ) such that A ∈ Q ( H ), D ∈ Q ( H ), and A T D = I . (Symplectic pairs are a pattern generalization of orthogonal matrices which arise from a special symplectic matrix found in n -body problems in celestial mechanics [1].) We discuss the digraphical relationship between a sign-invertible pattern H and its sign inverse H −1 , and use this to cast a necessary condition for full sign-invertibility of H . We proceed to develop sufficient conditions for H 's full sign-invertibility in terms of allowed paths and cycles in the digraph of H , and conclude with a complete characterization of those sign patterns that require symplectic pairs.
Fractional superstrings with space-time critical dimensions four and six.

We propose possible new string theories based on local world-sheet symmetries corresponding to extensions of the Virasoro algebra by fractional spin currents. They have critical central charges c = 6(K + 8)/(K + 2) and Minkowski space-time dimensions D = 2+16/K for K ≥ 2 an integer. We present evidence for their existence by constructing modular invariant partition functions and the massless particle spectra. The dimension 4 and 6 strings have space-time supersymmetry. String theories[1] are primarily characterized by the local symmetries of a twodimensional field theory on the string world-sheet. The local symmetries of the bosonic string are reparameterization and Weyl invariance which lead to a critical string propagating in 26 flat space-time dimensions. The superstring enlarges the world-sheet gauge invariance to include a local N = 1 supersymmetry, and reduces the critical space-time dimension to 10. It is natural to try to construct string theories with smaller critical space-time dimensions by changing the worldsheet symmetry. Unfortunately, enlarging to a local N = 2 supersymmetry produces a critical string in just two-dimensional Minkowski space. It is well known, however, that fractionalspin fields can exist in two-dimensional field theory. One can imagine new local symmetries on the world-sheet which involve fractional-spin currents and which lead to string propagation in space-times with dimensions less than 10. In this letter we will present evidence for the existence of such new string theories, and in particular will show that strings with spin 4/3 and 6/5 currents on the world-sheet can have interesting phenomenologies in 6 and 4 space-time dimensions, respectively. The algebra of constraints resulting from gauge-fixing the two-dimensional local symmetry must contain the Virasoro algebra. In this letter we consider strings with
Probabilistic inequalities and remarks

Abstract The authors use their recently proved integral inequality to obtain bounds for the covariance of two random variables 1. in a general setup and 2. for a class of special joint distributions. The same inequality is also used to estimate the difference of the expectations of two random variables. Finally, the authors study the attainability of a related inequality.
Induction of cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression in retinal pigment epithelium cells by photoreceptor rod outer segment phagocytosis and growth factors.

Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells in culture display selective induction of certain early response transcription factors at the onset of photoreceptor rod outer segment (ROS)-specific phagocytosis (Ershov et al., 1996a). Moreover, this response is modulated by prostaglandins. The purpose of this study is to examine the expression of the key enzymes in prostaglandin synthesis: cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1, constitutive) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2, inducible), during phagocytosis of ROS by RPE cells. Rat RPE cells in primary cell culture were fed with a suspension of freshly isolated rat ROS. COX-1 and COX-2 mRNA expression was studied by quantitative competitive reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). During phagocytosis of ROS by RPE cells, RT-PCR revealed an increase in mRNA expression of COX-2, but not of COX-1. COX-2 was also induced by the phospholipid growth factor lyso-phosphatidic acid (LPA) and by the peptide growth factors platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and transforming growth factor (TGFbeta), but not nerve growth factor (NGF). Induction of COX-2 by ROS phagocytosis and growth factors through the modulation of prostanoid synthesis may play an important role in the regulation of cell functions associated with photoreceptor cell renewal.
Demonstration of HNE-related aldehyde formation via lipoxygenase-catalyzed synthesis of a bis-allylic dihydroperoxide intermediate

One of the proposed pathways to the synthesis of 4-hydroxy-nonenal (HNE) and related aldehydes entails formation of an intermediate bis-allylic fatty acid dihydroperoxide. As a first direct demonstration of such a pathway and proof of principle, herein we show that 8R-lipoxygenase (8R-LOX) catalyzes the enzymatic production of the HNE-like product (11-oxo-8-hydroperoxy-undeca-5,9-dienoic acid) via synthesis of 8,11-dihydroperoxy-eicosa-5,9,12,14-tetraenoic acid intermediate. Incubation of arachidonic acid with 8R-LOX formed initially 8R-hydroperoxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (8R-HPETE), which was further converted to a mixture of products including a prominent HPNE-like enone. A new bis-allylic dihydroperoxide was trapped when the incubation was repeated on ice. Reincubation of this intermediate with 8R-LOX successfully demonstrated its conversion to the enone products, and this reaction was greatly accelerated by coincubation with NDGA, a reductant of the LOX iron. These findings identify a plausible mechanism that could contribute to the production of 4-hydroxy-alkenals in vivo.
Fingerprinting nonradioactive ribonucleic acid with the aid of polynucleotide phosphorylase

We describe a method for obtaining radioactive fingerprints from nonradioactive ribonucleic acid. Fragments derived by T1 ribonuclease digestion of RNA are dephosphorylated with bacterial alkaline phosphatase. When these fragments are used as primers for the reaction of primer dependent polynucleotide phosphorylase with [alpha-(32)P]GDP in the presence of T1 ribonuclease the 3'-hydroxyl group of each fragment becomes phosphorylated. The degree of phosphorylation is reasonably uniform. The method has been applied to T1 ribonuclease digests of Escherichia coli tRNA(Met) (f); the oligonucleotides were further analyzed by spleen phosphodiesterase digestion. In a similar manner fingerprints of pancreatic ribonuclease digests of RNA can be obtained, when [alpha-(32)P]UDP, polynucleotide phosphorylase and pancreatic ribonuclease are used.
More Than a Pair of Shoes: Running and Technology

(2009). More Than a Pair of Shoes: Running and Technology. Journal of the Philosophy of Sport: Vol. 36, No. 2, pp. 207-216.
Intensity rules for partial widths of deformed analog resonances

Intensity rules for the escape widths of isobaric analogs of rotational states in deformed nuclei are obtained. These rules correctly take into account inelastic scattering to other states within the rotational band in the target nucleus. The simplest results are obtained in the limit of vanishing rotational energy (adiabatic approximation). First order corrections in the inverse moment of inertia are also given.
Water Storage, Net Precipitation, and Evapotranspiration in the Mackenzie River Basin from October 2002 to September 2009 Inferred from GRACE Satellite Gravity Data

AbstractGravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) satellite gravity data are used to determine the variability of terrestrial water storage within the Mackenzie River basin from October 2002 to September 2009. During that period, it is estimated that there is no significant (7 yr) linear trend in the water storage after having accounted for postglacial rebound using the ICE-5G (VM2) ice sheet and Earth viscosity model. Errors in this model may alter this conclusion. The GRACE gravity data are also combined with precipitation and river discharge datasets to estimate trends in net precipitation and evapotranspiration in the basin. Net precipitation is seen to have a significant trend with a corresponding increase in river discharge. Evapotranspiration was found to be constant over the study period.
Logic-based processing of semantically complex natural language discourse

A logic-based system of knowledge representation for natural language discourse has three primary advantages: On the other hand, a standard logic-based system has the following disadvantages: Spaceprobe5) is a non-standard logic-based system that supports a powerful model of discourse processing in which discourse content is distributed appropriately over multiplespaces, each representing some aspect of (a possible) reality, in accordance with the principles ofpartitioned representations.6,12) It retains the advantages of the standard logic-based representation, while overcoming the disadvantages. In addition, it can be used to account for a large number of discourse-level phenomena in a simple and uniform way. Among these are presupposition and the semantics of temporal expressions. This paper illustrates the superiority of the partitioned representations model over a standard logic-based model in processing semantically complex discourse.
Mid-term outcome of Egyptian children post univentricular repair (experience of single center)

Abstract Background More patients survive the operations for univentricular repair and the duration of follow up increases, the physicians are becoming increasingly aware of the late failure and the late complications of the surgery. Objective To evaluate the overall outcome of studied patients and to assess their functional status, and the occurrence of complications. Patients and methods This is a retrospective study; patients who underwent univentricular repair operations either Glenn or Fontan were included in the study. The following data were collected: age, sex, type of the operation, and presence of early post operative complications. The outcome was assessed by evaluating clinical status and growth of the patients during the follow-up visits. Medical and surgical complications were retrieved. Results Thirty-nine patients who underwent univentricular repair operations either Glenn or Fontan were included from the pediatric post operative cardiac outpatient clinic. Their age ranged from 2–18 years. 38 patients (97.4%) underwent Glenn operation followed by Fontan in 11 (27%) patients, 1 (2.6%) patient underwent Fontan without any previous operation and 4 (10.2%) patients underwent multistage palliation (prior operation to Glenn). 8 (20.5%) patients had early complications in the form of arrhythmia, bleeding, convulsions, and infection. The general functional status of patients is good; growth curves are within the normal range in 30 (76.9%), and NYHA class I in 24 (61.5%) patients. No late complications during follow-up and no mortality were documented. Conclusion Adequate post operative follow up is essential to improve midterm outcome of the patients.
Evidence for the Production of a Neutral Pion in an Antiproton Annihilation Event

An antiproton of kinetic energy 110 Mev annihilates in flight, producing a star in nuclear emulsion with 3 charged mesons and 4 heavier particles. An electron-positron pair is found, 76 \ensuremath{\mu} from the vertex and closely aligned with it. The pair is best explained as resulting from a $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ ray from the decay of a ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ meson which was formed in the annihilation. The most likely interpretation of the event is that the antiproton annihilated with a proton in ${\mathrm{N}}^{14}$ or ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$ with the production of two positive pions, a neutral pion and a negative pion all of which escaped the nucleus; and a negative pion which was absorbed. The pion energies, including ${m}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}{c}^{2}$, are as follows (in Mev): ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}$, 214\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2; ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$, 635\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}138; ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{\mp}}$, 628\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}131; ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$, $190l{{E}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{0}l400$; ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, $290l{{E}_{\ensuremath{\pi}}}^{\ensuremath{-}}l480$.