cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Charge-State Control of Mn 2+ Spin Relaxation Dynamics in Colloidal n -Type Zn 1–x Mn x O Nanocrystals

Colloidal diluted magnetic semiconductor (DMS) nanocrystals are model systems for studying spin effects in semiconductor nanostructures with relevance to future spin-based information processing technologies. The introduction of excess delocalized charge carriers into such nanocrystals turns on strong dopant-carrier magnetic exchange interactions, with important consequences for the physical properties of these materials. Here, we use pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (pEPR) spectroscopy to probe the effects of excess conduction band electrons on the spin dynamics of colloidal Mn(2+)-doped ZnO nanocrystals. Mn(2+) spin-lattice relaxation is strongly accelerated by the addition of even one conduction band electron per Zn1-xMnxO nanocrystal, attributable to the introduction of a new exchange-based Mn(2+) spin relaxation pathway. A kinetic model is used to describe the enhanced relaxation rates, yielding new insights into the spin dynamics and electronic structures of these materials with potential ramifications for future applications of DMS nanostructures in spin-based technologies.
Effects of sodium and potassium upon cardiac glycogen fractions of the rat heart.

SummaryRat cardiac tissue slices incubated in a 0.300 osmolar solution containing up to 0.100 osmol sodium or up to 0.025 osmol potassium and 1% glucose, synthesized acid-soluble glycogen. Greater synthesis of this glycogen fraction occurred in a glucose medium if the electrolytes were not present. A further increase of either ion induced glycogenolysis or depressed synthesis of this fraction. The acid-insoluble glycogen fraction was not especially sensitive to the electrolyte content of a solution but glycogenolysis was observed under all experimental conditions and increased as the electrolyte was increased. Oxygen consumption was highest in a 0.300 osmolar solution that contained approximately 1% glucose and 0.010 osmol of sodium and no potassium. As concentration of the electrolytes was increased oxygen utilization decreased. To extract the most information from glycogen synthesis studies the acid-soluble and acid-insoluble glycogen fractions should be investigated.
Cluster Size Controls Branching between Water and Hydrogen Peroxide Production in Electrochemical Oxygen Reduction at Ptn/ITO

Deposition of size-selected Ptn clusters on indium tin oxide (ITO) films in ultrahigh vacuum was used to create electrodes with catalytic sites of controlled size. We report a study of the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in 0.1 M HClO4 at size-selected Ptn/ITO electrodes that were prepared and characterized without exposure to laboratory air. It was found that the ORR onset potential was size-dependent, varying from ∼0.66 V vs NHE for Pt1/ITO to ∼0.78 V vs NHE for Ptn (n ≥ 10). The maximum ORR currents per gram of Pt were found to be about an order of magnitude higher than that for ITO with 5 nm Pt particles. The branching ratio between the production of water and hydrogen peroxide in ORR was found to be strongly size-dependent. For 5 nm Pt particles on ITO or for polycrystalline Pt, little H2O2 was produced, but as cluster size was decreased, the H2O2 branching became large, suggesting that small Pt clusters could be useful selective catalysts for H2O2 electrosynthesis. Because there was no obvious corre...
ANALYSIS FOR STRUCTURAL STYLES IN THE NORTHEASTERN AREA OF SICHUAN BASIN

Because the geomechanical environment in the northeastern area of Sichuan basin is complicated and unstable,the combination of structural features formed there is specific,and exceptionally the planar change of structural features is much more specific.All kinds of structural styles formed there is not formed in one stage of movement but in many stages of movements.This paper summarizes the basic features and the formation and development rule of the structural styles in study area on the basis of analyzing the transverse structural styles and the sectional structural styles.
Vaginal candidiasis. Study of comparative therapeutic results in obstetrical and gynecological patients.

Abstract Comparative results in the treatment of vaginal candidiasis in obstetrical and gynecological patients are presented. As has been observed by others, the pregnant patient is more difficult to cure than the nonpregnant one. In the latter group, a single 14 day course of treatment resulted in 60 per cent cures, as demonstrated by negative cultures for Candida, while the obstetrical cases showed only 23 per cent. At the end of the third course of therapy, both groups showed a good result, with a 60 per cent cure rate in the pregnancy cases and 78 per cent in the gynecological cases. The incidence of clinical relief and improvement among the 93 patients was even higher than the number of cures, as was evidenced by cultures.
Pulsed Electron Paramagnetic Resonance of Spin Labeled Human GABA(A)Rs Functionally Reconstituted in Lipid Bilayers Suggests there is Space for Lipids between the Subunits

GABA(A)Rs are members of the Cys-loop superfamily of ion channel receptors. They are pentamers containing up to three different homologous subunits arranged pseudo symmetrically around a central anion–conducting pore. The binding sites of GABA and many drugs are located between specific subunits. Human α1β3 GABA(A)Rs, expressed in HEK cells, were spin labeled during purification in the etomidate binding site on the third transmembrane helix of the β3-subunit (β3 M3 M286C) and functionally reconstituted into detergent–free asolectin bilayers. The separation between the tethered nitroxides, measured by double electron electron resonance (DEER), is related to the intersubunit separation and the local conformation of the spin label. In the desensitized state, two pairs of nitroxide separations were observed. Each pair contains a nearest and a next nearest neighbor subunit separation that obeys pentameric symmetry constraints. Rotamer analysis was performed on homology models based on published crystal structures of several homologous anion–conducting, Cys-loop homo-pentamers. These predicted well the longer of the two pentameric pairs, but not the shorter. However, both pairs of separations can be accommodated by models, in which the subunits are systematically moved radially away from the ion pore, so increasing the subunit spacing (side of the pentamer). An increase of 0.75 to 1 A is optimal. This analysis suggested that one pair of pentamerically–related nitroxide separations corresponds to a population of spin labels in the lipid-protein interface and the other to that between the subunits. The optimal increase in subunit spacing is the minimum needed to dock lipids into the subunit interface, suggesting that this might occur in the bilayer state but not in the crystal structures. Supported by GM58448 and GM35215.
A low cost BIST methodology and associated novel test pattern generator

The area overhead and performance degradation associated with the hardware used to make a circuit testable using the conventional BILBO methodology can often be excessive. This paper presents a new BILBO-oriented methodology, called Built-In test for Balanced Structure (BIBS), that significantly reduces the number of BILBO registers used in creating a testable circuit, and thus decreases the area overhead and performance degradation. The concept of k-step functionally testable circuits is introduced. When the BIBS methodology is employed, circuits under test are guaranteed to be 1-step functionally testable and thus a high fault coverage can be achieved. A novel test pattern generator design to achieve 1-step functional testability for the BIBS TDM is presented. >
Abstract A44: Checkpoint inhibition of adaptive immunity by IL-9 can be disrupted to achieve rapid T cell sensitization and rejection of progressive tumor challenges

Interleukin 9 (IL-9), the signature Th9 cytokine, is associated with T regulatory cell function, parasite expulsion and allergic airway inflammation. Because IL-9 can promote a tolerogenic/immunosuppressive environment, we used IL-9 knock-out (IL-9ko) mice to estimate the role of endogenous IL-9 in the biology of two aggressive breast cancers, TUBO and 4T1, and CT26 a colon carcinoma. Merely eliminating endogenous IL-9 enabled efficient sensitization of host T cells leading to early rejection of growing tumors. Duplicate tumor challenges simply grew progressively in wildtype mice. Interestingly, tumor rejection occurred without additional vaccines or immunomodulatory therapies. The IL-9ko mice acquired immunologic memory, which actively protected from residual disease and tumor rechallenges. The ability of a normally lethal tumor challenge to stimulate an enduring therapeutic response in IL-9ko mice was linked to the activation of CD8+ T cells, as IL-9ko mice failed to be cured if either CD8+ or CD4+ T cells were depleted. Importantly, T cells from tumor-rejecting IL-9ko mice retained effector competence in wildtype mice, and treatments with neutralizing anti-IL-9 significantly slowed tumor progression in wildtype mice. IL-9 inhibits the immune system9s ability to prime effective immunological memory after exposure to growing tumor; it therefore functions as a checkpoint inhibitor of adaptive immunity. Optimization of IL-9 neutralization may play a unique role in immunotherapy. Citation Format: Dominique B. Hoelzinger, Ana Lucia Dominguez, Peter A. Cohen, Sandra J. Gendler. Checkpoint inhibition of adaptive immunity by IL-9 can be disrupted to achieve rapid T cell sensitization and rejection of progressive tumor challenges. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference: Tumor Immunology and Immunotherapy: A New Chapter; December 1-4, 2014; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Immunol Res 2015;3(10 Suppl):Abstract nr A44.
Molecular Genetics and Human Behavior

This article outlines the historical foundations of gene theory as it relates to behavioral genetics and provides an overview of developmental behavioral genetics and developmental psychobiology, as these fields relate to contemporary molecular behavioral genetics. These latter theoretical approaches stand in stark contrast to traditional quantitative behavioral genetic models. An overview of recent findings in molecular genetics suggests that a more developmental and transactional approach to understanding the relationship between genes, behavior, and environmental influences.
A virtual machine platform and methodology for network data analysis with IDS and security visualization

Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) provide a core defense technology for today's networks. However, as threats continue to increase in size and complexity, the amount of raw data generated by IDSs can quickly overwhelm security analysts who are tasked with sorting through the data in order to identify malicious traffic patterns. By combining security data visualization with IDS alerting and logging functionality, a more enhanced and efficient means of detecting network threats can be achieved. This analysis framework provides a Linux-based NetViz platform with select visualization tools, along with a user-friendly methodology for utilizing these tools in conjunction with IDS output to achieve greater threat detection efficiencies.
Daily circadian misalignment impairs human cognitive performance task-dependently

Shift work increases the risk for human errors, such that drowsiness due to shift work has contributed to major industrial disasters, including Space Shuttle Challenger, Chernobyl and Alaska Oil Spill disasters, with extraordinary socio-economical costs. Overnight operations pose a challenge because our circadian biology inhibits cognitive performance at night. Yet how the circadian system modulates cognition over multiple days under realistic shift work conditions remains to be established. Importantly, because task-specific cognitive brain regions show different 24-h circadian dynamics, we hypothesize that circadian misalignment impacts cognition task-dependently. Using a biologically-driven paradigm mimicking night shift work, with a randomized, cross-over design, we show that misalignment between the circadian pacemaker and behavioral/environmental cycles increases cognitive vulnerability on sustained attention, cognitive throughput, information processing and visual-motor performance over multiple days, compared to circadian alignment (day shifts). Circadian misalignment effects are task-dependent: while they acutely impair sustained attention with recovery after 3-days, they progressively hinder daily learning. Individuals felt sleepier during circadian misalignment, but they did not rate their performance as worse. Furthermore, circadian misalignment effects on sustained attention depended on prior sleep history. Collectively, daily circadian misalignment may provide an important biological framework for developing countermeasures against adverse cognitive effects in shift workers.
Discrete Organic Phosphorus Signatures are Evident in Pollutant Sources within a Lake Erie Tributary.

Phosphorus loads are strongly associated with the severity of harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie, a Great Lake situated between the United States and Canada. Inorganic and total phosphorus measurements have historically been used to estimate nonpoint and point source contributions, from contributing watersheds with organic phosphorus often neglected. Here, we used ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry to characterize the dissolved organic matter and specifically dissolved organic phosphorus composition of several nutrient pollutant source materials and aqueous samples in a Lake Erie tributary. We detected between 23 and 313 organic phosphorus formulas across our samples, with manure samples having greater abundance of phosphorus- and nitrogen containing compounds compared to other samples. Manures also were enriched in lipids and protein-like compounds. The greatest similarities were observed between the Sandusky River and wastewater treatment plant effluent (WWTP), or the Sandusky River and agricultural ...
Seismicity in Nebraska and adjacent states: The historical perspective and current trends

Abstract A sudden spike in earthquake events has been observed in central Nebraska. Since April 2018, 26 earthquakes with equivalent moment magnitudes from 2.7 to 4.1 occurred, clustered tightly in Custer County. A similar cluster of 24 earthquakes with equivalent moment magnitudes from 2.6 to 3.7 occurred in Jewell County in northern Kansas in 2017. We have compiled an earthquake database for Nebraska and parts of adjacent states from different sources to determine whether these recent earthquake spikes are consistent with historic seismicity. We identified two historic earthquake clusters occurring in our study area. The first contained 32 events and was active in Red Willow County in southwestern Nebraska from 1977 to 1982. As it coincides spatially with the Sleepy Hollow oil field, it may be related to enhanced oil recovery from that field, although it is also located at the edge of the Chadron-Cambridge Arch. The second historical earthquake cluster is located in Pawnee and Richardson counties in southwestern Nebraska and includes eight earthquakes with equivalent moment magnitudes of 2.3 to 2.8 that occurred in a period from 1982 to 1989 over the Nemaha uplift and appear to be related to the Humboldt fault. We note an increase in both maximum magnitude, as well as in the cumulative seismic moment per cluster with time. We have also used gravity and magnetic fields to map potential basement faults in the study area. Our analysis shows that the two recent earthquake spikes are aligned with the proposed basement faults. Despite this correlation, the cause of this sudden spike in seismicity is not well understood, as the stresses that might reactivate these basement faults are unknown. In addition, both recent clusters are distant from oil and gas operations. More seismic stations are necessary in central Nebraska in order to better detect focal depths and faulting style in the ongoing cluster of earthquakes and investigate possible causes.
Intra-tumor molecular heterogeneity in breast cancer: definitions of measures and association with distant recurrence-free survival

The purpose of the study was to define quantitative measures of intra-tumor heterogeneity in breast cancer based on histopathology data gathered from multiple samples on individual patients and determine their association with distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS). We collected data from 971 invasive breast cancers, from 1st January 2000 to 23rd March 2014, that underwent repeat tumor sampling at our institution. We defined and calculated 31 measures of intra-tumor heterogeneity including ER, PR, and HER2 immunohistochemistry (IHC), proliferation, EGFR IHC, grade, and histology. For each heterogeneity measure, Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine whether patients with heterogeneous disease had different distant recurrence-free survival (DRFS) than those with homogeneous disease. The presence of heterogeneity in ER percentage staining was prognostic of reduced DRFS with a hazard ratio of 4.26 (95% CI 2.22–8.18, p < 0.00002). It remained significant after controlling for the ER status itself (p < 0.00062) and for patients that had chemotherapy (p < 0.00032). Most of the heterogeneity measures did not show any association with DRFS despite the considerable sample size. Intra-tumor heterogeneity of ER receptor status may be a predictor of patient DRFS. Histopathologic data from multiple tissue samples may offer a view of tumor heterogeneity and assess recurrence risk.
Promoting Students' Writing Skills in Science through an Educational Simulation: The GlobalEd 2 Project

Using a problem-based learning (PBL) approach, GlobalEd 2 (GE2) utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to learning writing, science, and social studies. Leveraging technologies commonly available in most middle grade classrooms (computers with Internet connections), GE2 engages classrooms of students as teams in simulated negotiations of international agreements on issues of global concern such as water resources and climate change. The impact of student interactions within the simulation on the writing self-efficacy and the ability to author evidenced-based arguments in science of 420 7th and 8th grade students across two states is presented. Results indicate that after participation in a GE2 simulation, students not only increased their writing self-efficacy, but also significantly increased the quality of their written scientific arguments.
Influence of thyroid hormone on the tissue-specific expression of cytochrome c oxidase isoforms during cardiac development

In mammals, cytochrome c oxidase (COX) is composed of 13 different protein subunits. In the rat, two nuclear-encoded subunits, COX VIa and VIII, exist as tissue-specific isoforms: heart and liver. Using Northern-blot analysis, the levels of transcripts for the heart and liver isoforms of VIa and VIII were examined in developing rat hearts. The liver isoform was found to be the predominant form of subunit VIa and the exclusive form of VIII in the 18-day fetal hearts. The mRNA levels of the heart isoform of both subunits increased dramatically to reach adult levels by 14 days. Although the levels of the VIa- and VIII-liver isoform mRNAs remained stable throughout early development, their levels decreased by 40 and 36% respectively between the 18-day fetal stage and 18-day neonatal stage. Therefore the up-regulation of the heart isoforms and down-regulation of the liver isoforms appear to be regulated in a co-ordinated manner during development. To determine if thyroid hormone influences the expression of these developmentally regulated isoforms, the RNA was also extracted from the hearts of 2-week-old hypothyroid rats. The results showed that the levels of VIII-heart and VIa-liver COX mRNAs were approx. 40% lower in the hypothyroid hearts, while VIII-liver and VIa-heart COX isoform expression remained unchanged. These data demonstrate that the isoforms of COX subunits VIa and VIII are not co-ordinately regulated by changes in thyroid hormone levels. Therefore we conclude that, although thyroid hormone influences the expression of isoforms, it appears to do so via a different mechanism from that which regulates the developmental transition.
Cognitive-behavioral intervention for juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome

Seven girls between 8.6 and 17.7 years of age were treated for symptoms of juvenile primary fibromyalgia syndrome (JPFS) using cognitive-behavioral techniques (progressive muscle relaxation, guided imagery) aimed at reducing pain and facilitating sleep, as well as strategies aimed at increasing mastery over the pain and improving mood. Patients satisfying diagnostic criteria for JPFS based on the presence of chronic diffuse musculoskeletal pain lasting at least 3 months (mean = 9.4, SD = 8.28) and a minimum of 5 characteristic soft tissue trigger and/or tender points with absence of synovitis, were referred for intervention. Results indicated that in the majority of patients, such techniques were effective in reducing pain and facilitating improved functioning.
The Use of Biofeedback Devices in the Treatment of Bruxism

The results of pilot investigations recently completed at the UCLA TMJ Clinic suggest that the treatment and investigation of self-destructive oral habits may be facilitated by the use of portable muscle hyperactivity devices worn by patients (Figure I). The need for these devices is supported by considerable evidence suggesting that abnormal oral habits such as bruxism may cause or contribute to excessive tooth wear, trauma from occlusion, and TMJ pain and dysfunction. Treatment and investigation of these problems has been difficult because the habits involved arc usually performed unconsciously; thus patients are unable to report the occurrence, nature, or frequency of their habit. The present investigators have developed a portable muscle biofeedback unit that delivers an audible “warning” tone should the patient clench or grind his teeth (Figure 2).
Synthesis of carbon based nanomaterials for tissue engineering applications

Abstract: The possibility of incorporating carbon based nanomaterials into living systems has opened the way for their potential applications in the emerging field of nanomedicine. Within this chapter, we will investigate and explain how carbon based nanomaterials are synthesized and provide a few tissue engineering examples as they pertain to the carbon based shape that was created (i.e., carbon nanotube and fibers, graphene and graphite, fullerenes, diamonds, and carbon-nanostructured materials). We put a special emphasis on tissue engineering based carbon nanomaterials as a scaffold or implantable device. Hybrids of carbon nanomaterials embedded into other materials will also be discussed.
The Rational Discovery of a Tau Aggregation Inhibitor

Intrinsically disordered proteins play vital roles in biology, and their dysfunction contributes to many major disease states. These proteins remain challenging targets for rational ligand discovery or drug design because they are highly dynamic and fluctuate through a diverse set of conformations, frustrating structure-based approaches. To meet this challenge, we have developed protocols to efficiently identify active small molecule ligands of disordered proteins. Our approach utilizes enhanced sampling molecular dynamics and conformational analysis approaches optimized for disordered targets, coupled with computational docking and machine learning-based screens of compound libraries. By applying this protocol to an amyloid-forming segment of microtubule-associated protein tau, we successfully identified novel, chemically diverse tau ligands, including an inhibitor that delays the aggregation reaction in vitro without affecting the amount of aggregate formed at the steady state. Our results indicate that...
The Spatial and Temporal Modalities

In order to remain on a metaphysical plane and resist physicalist notions of mediality, the idea of a “modality” is introduced, a supra-medial ideal form of aesthetic organization. With Arnheim’s help, Robert Sowers outlined three spatial modalities: the Picture, Sculpture and Architecture. A mixture of two modalities or one conceived in the mode of another is considered a hybrid. Arnheim spent a good bit of time discussing how modalities might differ, often by imagining each put to different uses (essentially the phenomenological method of imaginative variation). Spatial hybrids are all objects of vision and therefore require substantial differentiation, whereas temporal modalities are easier, owing to the fact that visual action, text and music are relatively distinct.
UNIT 12.2 Invasion Assays

Basement membrane is a thin extracellular matrix that underlies epithelia and endothelia and separates them from the stroma. Tumor cells must cross this membrane to invade stroma and establish distant metastases. They do this by producing proteases that degrade the matrix. Of several in vitro models, those using Matrigel are the most reliable, reproducible, and representative of in vivo invasion. In the assay presented here, tumor cells are placed in the upper chamber of Boyden migration chamber. The upper and lower chambers are separated by a porous membrane coated with Matrigel. A chemoattractant in the lower well stimulates migration. After an interval, tumor cells are recovered from or counted on the lower surface of the membrane.
The Octahedral M6Y8 And M6Y12 Clusters of Group 4 and 5 Transition Metals

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the octahedral M6Y8 and M6Y12 clusters of group 4 and 5 transition metals. Octahedral clusters of the electropositive metals, groups 3 to 7, are stabilized by π-donor ligands such as halides, chalcogenides, and alkoxides, but the majority accessible to solution chemistry is the halide complexes. Dilution of the pyridine surface with coadsorbed thiolphenol, a noncoordinating moiety, reduces the amount of cluster adsorbed to the surface and the average number of triflate ligands displaced by surface pyridine. The number of triflate ligands remaining on the surface-bound cluster may be adjusted with the thiolphenol/mercaptopyridine ratio. The different coordination environments about the core in the resulting material have been identified with differential pulse voltammetry. Both the α- and β-nitrogens of the azide ligand bind the cations, whereas only the sulfur atoms of the thiocyanate groups coordinate to the alkali metals. In addition to cation bridges, water molecules connect the azide ligands of adjacent clusters via hydrogen bonding.
Optimal Supplier Selection in a Supply Chain with Predetermined Loading/Unloading Time Windows and Logistics Truck Share

Rapid population growth and increasing demand of transportation necessitate more efficient transportation and logistics processes. Efficient logistics processes in a supply chain can help the supplier selection procedure be more proficient in terms of delivery time. This paper studies a three-stage supply chain which enables truck sharing for delivery. All suppliers and the manufacturer have a time window for loading and unloading the material. A nonlinear programming model is developed to find the optimal truck share among different suppliers. A numerical example shows the applicability of the proposed model.
Lung ultrasound-guided management to reduce hospitalization in chronic heart failure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Pulmonary edema is a leading cause of hospital admissions, morbidity, and mortality in heart failure (HF) patients. A point-of-care lung ultrasound (LUS) is a useful tool to detect subclinical pulmonary edema. We performed a comprehensive literature search of multiple databases for studies that evaluated the clinical utility of LUS-guided management versus standard care for HF patients in the outpatient setting. The primary outcome of interest was HF hospitalization. The secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality, urgent visits for HF worsening, acute kidney injury (AKI), and hypokalemia rates. Pooled risk ratio (RR) and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated and combined using random-effect model meta-analysis. A total of 3 randomized controlled trials including 493 HF patients managed in the outpatient setting (251 managed with LUS plus physical examination (PE)–guided therapy vs. 242 managed with PE-guided therapy alone) were included in the final analysis. The mean follow-up period was 5 months. There was no significant difference in HF hospitalization rate between the two groups (RR 0.65; 95% CI 0.34–1.22; P = 0.18). Similarly, there was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (RR 1.39; 95% CI 0.68–2.82; P = 0.37), AKI (RR 1.27; 95% CI 0.60–2.69; P = 0.52), and hypokalemia (RR 0.72; 95% CI 0.21–2.44; P = 0.59). However, LUS-guided therapy was associated with a lower rate for urgent care visits (RR 0.32; 95% CI 0.18–0.59; P = 0.0002). Our study demonstrated that outpatient LUS-guided diuretic therapy of pulmonary congestion reduces urgent visits for worsening symptoms of HF. Further studies are needed to evaluate LUS utility in the outpatient treatment of HF.
Superhydrophobic Surfaces by Microtexturing: A Critical Review

Superhydrophobicity is a property of surfaces characterized by extreme water repellence and it is observed in highly textured low surface energy materials. The surface roughness can be varied widely. There are several ways by which superhydrophobicity can be achieved on various kinds of surfaces. Polymer surfaces have a wide range of applications and are a good candidate for making superhydrophobic surfaces. Superhydrophobic surfaces are well known for their self-cleaning and anti-icing properties so that water droplets roll off the surface taking away all the external contaminant particles that are present on the surface along with it. Surfaces that have a static water drop contact angle of greater than 150° and a roll-off angle of less than 10° can be termed as superhydrophobic surfaces. The various methods for making superhydrophobic surfaces that have been developed are templating, lithography, plasma treatment, electrochemical deposition, layer-by-layer self-assembly, sol-gel deposition, wet chemical reaction, hydrothermal reaction, chemical vapor deposition, and electrospinning. Many physical and chemical methods have been used to design and fabricate superhydrophobic surfaces. However, surfaces are prone to damage by scratches, abrasion, or even brief contact with fingers, and, therefore, surfaces might lose their superhydrophobicity. Hence, improving mechanical robustness and self-replenishment of superhydrophobic surfaces upon damage is an active area of research. Potential applications of superhydrophobic surfaces include biomaterials, microelectronics, microfluidics, coatings, textiles, and so on. Various superhydrophobic surfaces have been discussed in this paper, namely poly(dimethylsiloxane), polytetrafluoroethylene, etc., and their applications.
Superquantile/CVaR risk measures: second-order theory

Superquantiles, which refer to conditional value-at-risk in the same way that quantiles refer to value-at-risk, have many advantages in the modeling of risk in finance and engineering. However, some applications may benefit from a further step, from superquantiles to second-order superquantiles. Measures of risk based on second-order superquantiles have recently been explored in some settings, but key parts of the theory have been lacking: descriptions of the associated risk envelopes and risk identifiers. Those missing ingredients are supplied in this paper, and moreover not just for second-order superquantiles, but also for a much broader class of mixed superquantile measures of risk. Such dualizing expressions facilitate the development of dual methods for mixed and second-order superquantile risk minimization as well as superquantile regression, a proposed second-order version of quantile regression.
Mechanical Sorting of Abstracts

Excerpt To the editor: Recent correspondence in the Letters section has emphasized the need for a personal filing system for medical literature abstracts (1). The "Annals" and other journals now pr...
Suspicion of White people's motives relates to relative accuracy in detecting external motivation to respond without prejudice

Abstract As a result of prevalent pressure to inhibit prejudice, racial minorities may wonder whether White people's nonprejudiced behavior is primarily motivated by personal commitments to egalitarianism (i.e., internal motivation) or superficial efforts to appear nonprejudiced (i.e., external motivation). The present work investigated whether minority group members chronically suspicious of White people's motives (i.e., those who believe White people are more externally than internally motivated), are more accurate than those who are less suspicious in detecting the motives behind White individuals' pleasant behavior toward minorities. Minority participants viewed four videos of White targets engaging in dyadic interracial interactions with a Black peer and evaluated the White targets' motivations. Compared to those low in suspicion, those high in suspicion were more accurate at assessing White targets' actual levels of external motivation. Hence, suspicion seems to carry some functional benefit as it attunes minority-group members to Whites' externally motivated positivity.
Exhaustion from information system career experience: implications for turn-away intention

While the U.S. economy is recovering slowly, reports tell us that the supply of information systems (IS) professionals is declining and demand is once again on the rise. With organizations challenged in their efforts to hire additional staff, IS professionals are being asked to do even more, often leading to burnout, turnover, and turnaway intentions. Building on Ahuja et al.'s (2007) work on turnover intentions and using the job demands-- resources model of burnout as an organizing framework for the antecedents to exhaustion from IS career experience (EISCE), this illustrative research note draws attention to exhaustion in IS professionals that spans an individual's professional career. Findings indicate that IS professionals' perceived workload (demand) was associated with higher levels of EISCE, whereas fairness and perceived control of career (resources) were associated with lower levels of EISCE. The influence of EISCE on affective commitment to the IS profession (ACISP) was found to be negative and, ultimately, ACISP fully mediated the effect of EISCE on the intention to turn away from an IS career. The results suggest the importance of studying IS professionals' perceptions regarding the demands and resources associated with working in the IS field when testing exhaustion across IS career experience.
Multilayer mirror based monitors for impurity controls in large fusion reactor type devices

Multilayer mirror (MLM) based monitors are compact, high throughput diagnostics capable of extracting XUV emissions (the wavelength range including the soft-X-ray and the extreme ultraviolet, 10 /spl Aring/ to 304 /spl Aring/) of impurities from the harsh environment of large fusion reactor type devices. For several years the Plasma Spectroscopy Group at Johns Hopkins University has investigated the application of MLM based XUV spectroscopic diagnostics for magnetically confined fusion plasmas. MLM based monitors have been constructed for and extensively used on DIII-D, Alcator C-Mod, TEXT, Phaedrus-T, and CDX-U tokamaks to study the impurity behavior of elements ranging from He to Mo. On ITER MLM based devices would be used to monitor the spectral line emissions from Li I-like to F I-like charge states of Fe, Cr, and Ni, as well as 'extractors' for the bands of emissions from high Z elements such as Mo or W for impurity controls of the fusion plasma. In addition to monitoring the impurity emissions from the main plasma, MLM based devices can also be adapted for radiation measurements of low Z elements in the divertor. The concepts and designs of these MLM based monitors for impurity controls in ITER will be presented. The results of neutron irradiation experiments of the MLMs performed in the Los Alamos Spallation Radiation Effects Facility (LASREF) at the Los Alamos National Laboratory will also be discussed. These preliminary neutron exposure studies show that the dispersive and reflective qualities of the MLMs were not affected in a significant manner.
Toll-like receptors: a family of pattern-recognition receptors in mammals

The innate immune system uses a variety of germline-encoded pattern-recognition receptors that recognize conserved microbial structures or pathogen-associated molecular patterns, such as those that occur in the bacterial cell-wall components peptidoglycan and lipopolysaccharide. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of Toll-like receptors (TLRs) as a family of pattern-recognition receptors in mammals that can discriminate between chemically diverse classes of microbial products. First identified on the basis of sequence similarity with the Drosophila protein Toll, TLRs are members of an ancient superfamily of proteins, which includes related proteins in invertebrates and plants. TLRs activate innate immune defense reactions, such as the release of inflammatory cytokines, but increasing evidence supports an additional critical role for TLRs in orchestrating the development of adaptive immune responses. The sequence similarity between the intracellular domains of the TLRs and the mammalian interleukin-1 and interleukin-18 cytokine receptors reflects the use of a common intracellular signal-transduction cascade triggered by these receptor classes. But more recent findings have demonstrated that there are in fact TLR-specific signaling pathways and cellular responses. Thus, TLRs function as sentinels of the mammalian immune system that can discriminate between diverse pathogen-associated molecular patterns and then elicit pathogen-specific cellular immune responses.
Measurement and Importance of Dissolved Organic Carbon

The flux of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from an ecosystem can be a significant component of carbon (C) budgets especially in watersheds containing wetlands. Although internal ecosystem cycling of DOC is generally greater than the fluxes to ground or surface waters, it is the transport out of the system that is a main research focus for carbon accounting. In watersheds containing organic wetland soils or peatlands, the flux from the watershed can be 4–8% of annual net primary production, a significant fraction that should be addressed when performing a carbon mass balance. Recent literature suggests that DOC transport from watersheds is increasing as a result of climate change or changes in sulfur deposition. As changes occur in land use, atmospheric deposition, and climate, response variables such as DOC will become even more critical to document the effect of those changes.
Relationship between surface soil water content, evaporation rate, and water absorption band depths in SWIR reflectance spectra

Abstract The spectral reflectance of three soil samples – selected to represent a range of particle size distribution, texture, and drying characteristics – was monitored as the samples progressed from fully saturated to air dry. Band depths of prominent water absorption features in the near and shortwave infrared, centered at 970 nm, 1160 nm, 1440 nm, and 1930 nm, were then compared to the surface water content, with the expectation that this metric would be characteristic of the soil moisture content and be largely independent of soil properties. As expected, the band depths at 970 nm and 1160 nm decreased monotonically as the water content decreased. Unfortunately, these bands were only detectable in the sample consisting of large, reflective particles and large pore spaces (quartz sand). That they were not apparent in the darker soils with smaller particles and pore spaces suggests that these water absorption bands will not be generally useful for observing surface soil moisture. In contrast, the band depths of the 1440 nm and 1930 nm absorption features were very responsive to the water content over the entire drying cycle, providing a strong, but more complex signal, with the band depth initially increasing with decreasing water content before reaching a maximum and finally decreasing late in the drying cycle. The change in band depth at 1930 nm was particularly interesting since it reached a maximum coincident with the transition from constant evaporation rate (stage-1 drying) to a much slower evaporation rate (stage-2 drying) for all three soils. A simple mathematical model suggests that the pattern of change in the band depth is related to the near extinction of light at the band center relative to the band shoulders, which can be related to a specific water optical path length. The maximum absorption band depth at 1930 nm (and the associated water optical path length) appears to coincide with a trace amount of water present in the pore spaces for all three soil samples, which is consistent with the transition in drying rates.
Diet-induced elevations in serum cholesterol are associated with alterations in hippocampal lipid metabolism and increased oxidative stress

The structure and function of the hippocampus, a brain region critical for learning and memory, is impaired by obesity and hyperlipidemia. Peripheral cholesterol and sphingolipids increase progressively with aging and are associated with a range of age-related diseases. However, the mechanisms linking peripheral cholesterol metabolism to hippocampal neuroplasticity remain poorly understood. To determine whether diets that elevate serum cholesterol influence lipid metabolism in the hippocampus, we maintained rats on a diet with high amounts of saturated fat and simple sugars for 3 months and then analyzed hippocampal lipid species using tandem mass spectrometry. The high fat diet was associated with increased serum and liver cholesterol and triglyceride levels, and also promoted cholesterol accumulation in the hippocampus. Increases in hippocampal cholesterol were associated with elevated galactosyl ceramide and sphingomyelin. To determine whether changes in lipid composition exerted biological effects, we measured levels of the lipid peroxidation products 4-hydroxynonenal-lysine and 4-hydroxynonenal-histidine; both were increased locally in the hippocampus, indicative of cell membrane-associated oxidative stress. Taken together, these observations support the existence of a potentially pathogenic relationship between dietary fat intake, peripheral cholesterol and triglyceride levels, brain cell sphingolipid metabolism, and oxidative stress.
Longitudinal Analysis of the Relations Between Opportunities to Learn About Science and the Development of Interests Related to Science

Relations between parental reports of children's interests related to science and opportunities for science learning were examined longitudinally in 192 children be- tween ages 4 and 7 years. Science interests were tracked during 1-year periods (ages 4 - 5, 5 - 6, and 6 - 7) and were more prevalent among boys, particularly prior to age 6 years. Gender differences did emerge in terms of frequencies of opportunities for science learning during all 3 years. Longitudinal path analyses tested relations between children's science interests and their opportunities for science learning. Our data suggest that early science in- terests were strong predictors of later opportunities to engage in informal science learning, whereas the opposite pattern (early opportunities predicting later science interests) was not found. Young girls' expressed science interests led parents to subsequently increase oppor- tunities for science learning during the following year. Although boys followed this pattern early in the study, over time boys received similar levels of science opportunities regardless
Cyclophosphazene-containing Polymers as Imprint Lithography Resists

We present the evaluation of a cyclophosphazene-containing polymer as a patternable resist for imprint lithography. Hexamethacryloxybutoxycyclotriphosphazene layers containing small amounts of photoinitiator can be applied to silicon wafers substrates by spin coating techniques and cured photochemically to give tough, network polymer thin films. The films were characterized by FT-IR. Thin films approximately 200 nm in thickness were subjected to anisotropic O2 and CF4 plasmas and the etch rates were determined. The polymer films etch at a rate of 21 A/s in CF4 plasma, and as low as 1.6 A/s in O2 plasma, which is comparable or lower than the rates observed with commercially available silicon-containing photoresists. The surface chemical composition was surveyed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, which gave results consistent with the formation of an etch resistant phosphorus-rich layer during reaction with O2 plasma. The polymer was processed by nano-contact molding imprint lithography and replicated 200 nm period test patterns. This report is the first demonstration of a cyclophosphazene-containing polymer as a resist candidate for high-resolution lithography.
Frequency and longitudinal trends of household care product use

Abstract The use of household cleaning products and air fresheners exposes people to a variety of chemicals, including some that have been shown to be irritants, potential carcinogens and endocrine disrupting compounds. In addition, some react with ambient ozone infiltrating to the indoor environment to form potentially toxic secondary pollutants. Although realistic estimates of usage patterns are necessary for modeling potential exposures in risk assessments, few studies have documented cleaning habits and product usage to characterize how they vary between households and over time. In addition, understanding within-household temporal variability of use is important to assess the reliability of exposure questionnaires used in epidemiological surveys and improve the cost-efficiency of data collection. In the SUPERB (Study of Use of Products and Exposure-Related Behavior) study, frequencies of use of eight types of household cleaning products and air fresheners and the performance of different types of cleaning tasks are collected in three annual telephone and six quarterly web-based surveys. All-purpose and glass cleaners were the products most frequently used among all products surveyed. Use frequencies differed by demographic and other household characteristics for some products. Product usage was internally consistent, with over 75% of pairwise cross-sectional correlations between product types statistically significantly different from zero. In addition, each product type was correlated with at least one cleaning habit. Frequency of cleaning product use and performing cleaning tasks did not vary by season. An examination of intra-household variability showed moderately to highly consistent usage patterns over time, with lower temporal consistency observed among products used more frequently, such as all-purpose cleaners. Frequency of household care product usage was consistent enough that in epidemiologic studies, participants can be classified, for example, into three categories on the basis of a single assessment, with only minimal misclassification.
The Association between Latitudinal Temperature Gradient and Eddy Transport. Part II: Relationships between Sensible Heat Transport by Stationary Waves and Wind, Pressure and Temperature in Winter

Abstract This paper continues the description of the connection between transport of sensible heat by eddies in winter and temperature, wind and pressure. The emphasis is on the transport by the quasi-stationary eddies, and we demonstrate that when this transport is strong in the latitudes near 50°N, the west wind tends to be strong in the subtropics at all levels in the troposphere and to he weak at middle and high latitudes, and vice versa when the stationary eddy transport is weak. These associations stem principally from the regions of the two major troughs. We show, in addition, that the stationary-eddy transport in the two troughs is negatively correlated; and we outline the teleconnections between the stationary-eddy flux over eastern Asia and pressure and temperature elsewhere.