cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heavy-ion production of 77Br and 76Br.

Many radioisotopes with potential medical applications are difficult to produce routinely, especially those on the proton-rich side of the valley of stability. Current production methods typically use light-ion (protons or deuteron) reactions on materials of similar mass to the target radioisotope, which limits the elemental target material available and may require the use of targets with poor thermal properties (as is the case for the production of radiobromine). These reactions may also create significant amounts of proton-rich decay products which require chemical separation from the desired product in a highly radioactive environment. A promising alternative method using heavy-ion fusion-evaporation reactions for the production of the medically relevant bromine radioisotopes 76Br (t1/2 = 16.2 h) and 77Br (t1/2 = 57.0 h) is presented. Heavy-ion beams of 28Si and 16O were used to bombard natural chromium and copper targets just above the Coulomb barrier at the University of Notre Dame's Nuclear Science Laboratory to produce these bromine and precursor radioisotopes by fusion-evaporation reactions. Production yields for these reactions were measured and compared to PACE4 calculations. In addition to using more robust targets for irradiation, a simple physical-chemical separation method is proposed that will lead to very high radiopurity yields. A summary of accelerator facility requirements needed for routine production of these radioisotopes is also presented.
Keeping students connected and engaged in a wet-lab research experience during a time of social distancing via mobile devices and video conferencing software

Two major COVID-19 pandemic challenges presented for in-person instruction included adhering to social distancing guidelines and accommodating remote learners who were temporarily isolated or permanently participating from afar. At Binghamton University, our First-year Research Immersion (FRI) program was challenged with providing students with a wet lab course-based undergraduate research experience (CURE), an intense hands-on experience that emphasized student teamwork, lab protocol development, iteration, troubleshooting and other elements of the process of science that could not be replicated in a fully remote environment. We developed an innovative technology approach to maximize all students9 connection to the lab research experience utilizing dedicated mobile devices (iPod Touch) and video conferencing software (Zoom) to synchronously connect remote learners to in-person learners, peer mentors and instructors in our FRI research labs. In this way, despite limited lab capacities and fluctuating remote learning populations, we were able to connect remote learners to their peers and mentors in real-time and give them responsibilities that allowed them to be engaged and feel like meaningful participants in the research process. Although our students reported a preference for in-person labs, they noted this hybrid model was better than other traditionally employed remote-learning lab options. We believe lessons learned here can be applied to improve access to research in all situations and allow us to be prepared for other catastrophic disruptions to the educational system.
EVIDENCE Witnesses: A Qualified Reporter's Privilege

The Act provides a qualified privilege against compelled disclosure of information for those who gather and disseminate news. The privilege applies only in proceedings in which the one asserting the privilege is not a party. The privilege is not absolute; to overcome the privilege the party seeking the information must show that the information sought is material and relevant, cannot be reasonably obtained by other means, and is necessary to the proper preparation or presentation of the case of the party seeking the information.
Finite-size scaling in strips: antiperiodic boundary conditions

The exact values of the universal amplitude A relating the correlation length xi approximately L/A to the strip width L at the critical point of Ising and 3-state Potts models are obtained for the case of antiperiodic, or twisted, boundary conditions. Predictions are also made for the finite-size scaling behaviour of the interfacial tension.
Gapless pairing and the Fermi arc in the cuprates

We argue that the Fermi arc observed in angle-resolved photoemission measurements in underdoped cuprates can be understood as a consequence of inelastic scattering in a phase-disordered $d$-wave superconductor. We analyze this phenomenon in the context of strong-coupling Eliashberg theory, deriving a ``single-lifetime'' model for describing the temperature evolution of the spectral gap as measured by single-particle probes such as photoemission and tunneling.
Projective modules and Hilbert spaces with a Nevanlinna-Pick kernel

In this paper we solve a mapping problem for a particular class of Hilbert modules over an algebra multipliers of a diagonal Nevanlinna-Pick (NP) kernel. In this case, the regular representation provides a multiplier norm which induces the topology on the algebra. In particular, we show that, in an appropriate category, a certain class of Hilbert modules are projective. In addition, we establish a commutant lifting theorem for diagonal NP kernels.
T-cell inhibition of humoral responsiveness. II. Theory on the role of restrictive recognition in immune regulation.

Abstract A general theory is presented which deals with the finding that effector T-cell inhibitory and cytotoxic activity are K/D-restricted whereas effector T-cell cooperating activity and delayed-hypersensitivity are I-restricted. It is argued that this fact alone requires the T-cell receptor to be dual-recognative. Within the framework of the associative recognition (“two-signal”) theory, a dual-recognition model of restrictive recognition is proposed. The questions dealt with derive from our previous study (1): (1) Under what conditions may effector T-cell function be unrestricted? (2) Are paralysis and induction of antigen-sensitive t-cells restricted? (3) What determines restrictive specificity and the relationship between restriction and T-cell function? (4) What are the expected characteristics of the germ-line genes which encode the T-cell receptor? The elements of the minimal model are: (1) The T-cell expresses a receptor consisting of an anti-self MHC (S) site and an anti-antigen (X) site physically linked to each other and to a signal donor site. (2) The target cell has on its surface the antigenic determinant, X, and the restricting element, S(K/D or I), linked to a signal acceptor site. (3) Restricted signaling requires (a) an interaction between X and anti-X and (b) the positioning of the acceptor with respect to the donor, i.e. formation of a “synapse,” by an interaction between S and anti-S. (4) The acceptor linked to K/D can read inhibitory and cytotoxic signals whereas the acceptor linked to I can read cooperative and delayed-hypersensitivity signals. (5) The paralysis and induction of antigen-sensitive t-cells can be unrestricted (the anti-S site of the t-cell need not be occupied). All signals to the t-cell are initiated uniquely by the X-anti-X interaction. (6) Positive selection in the thymus via an S anti-S interaction between a pre-t-cell expressing anti-S with a “restricting cell,” expressing S, fixes the specificity of restrictive recognition as well as the appropriate effector function. (7) Proposition: The t-cell receptor is H-2 encoded. The data presented earlier (1, 14) as well as the competing Janeway-Binz-Wigzell dual-recognition model (59) are analyzed.
A Review of “The Proletarian Gamble: Korean Workers in Interwar Japan”

“Falling into unemployment again, I left the rooming house after eating breakfast, but only pretended to leave the house to look for a job. With no idea where to go or what to do … my entire daily ...
Non-Technical Skills for IT Professionals in the landscape of Social Media

This paper provides a comprehensive literature review on the non-technical skills needed by IT professionals to work successfully in social media. Previous research has examined nontechnical and found that soft skills such as communication, knowledge management, leadership, personal accountability, time management and an understanding of business functions are important for IT professionals to possess. No study has examined the specific soft skills that are needed in the landscape of social media such as for bogging, content sharing, customer relationship management, pod-casting and project management. This paper will provide a comprehensive list of soft skills and will ascertain which skills are required for specific social media applications. Finally a review of the literature has indicated that an understanding of one’s personal brand will impact career success. The issues relevant to personal branding for IT students and professionals will be discussed. Implications for curriculum development in academia and for practitioners will be examined.
Impact of Antihypertensive Agents on Central Systolic Blood Pressure and Augmentation Index: A Meta-Analysis.

Background New evidence suggests that central systolic blood pressure (cSBP) and augmentation index (AI) are superior predictors of adverse cardiovascular outcomes compared to peripheral systolic BP (pSBP). We performed a meta-analysis assessing the impact of antihypertensives on cSBP and AI. Methods PubMed, Cochrane Library, and CINAHL were searched until September 2014 to identify eligible articles. A DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model was used to calculate the weighted mean difference (WMD) and its 95% confidence interval (CI). Fifty-two and 58 studies incorporating 4,381 and 3,716 unique subjects were included for cSBP and AI analysis, respectively. Results Overall, antihypertensives reduced pSBP more than cSBP (WMD 2.52 mm Hg, 95% CI 1.35 to 3.69; I (2) = 21.9%). β-Blockers (BBs) posed a significantly greater reduction in pSBP as compared to cSBP (WMD 5.19 mm Hg, 95% CI 3.21 to 7.18). α-Blockers, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, renin-angiotensin aldosterone system inhibitors and nicorandil reduced cSBP and pSBP in a similar manner. The overall reduction in AI from baseline was 3.09% (95% CI 2.28 to 3.90; I (2) = 84.5%). A significant reduction in AI was seen with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, renin-angiotensin aldosterone system inhibitors, BBs, α-blockers (ABs), nicorandil, and moxonidine reduced AI nonsignificantly. Conclusions BBs are not as beneficial as the other antihypertensives in reducing cSBP and AI.
Novel uses of lasers in atomic spectroscopy. Plenary Lecture

This paper reviews several novel uses of lasers in atomic spectroscopy. A tutorial discussion is given of the basic processes involving the interaction of laser radiation with atoms and the measurement approaches. Laser microprobes, especially laser induced breakdown spectroscopy and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-optical emission or mass spectrometry are reviewed thoroughly with respect to principles, instrumentation and applications. Laser excited atomic fluorescence and atomic absorption spectrometry with diode lasers are considered primarily with respect to recent publications. Laser-enhanced ionization, resonance ionization and resonance ionization imaging are also thoroughly reviewed with respect to recent publications. Diagnostical measurements of plasmas and atom reservoirs are discussed. The principles of six laser based atomic absorption methods are given and the methods are compared with respect to detection limits. Finally, future uses of lasers in atomic spectroscopy and a comparison of the characteristics of various atomic methods for trace elements are given.
Two arm offset fed inverted-L antenna for vehicular HF communications

This paper introduces the design of an electrically small two arm offset fed inverted-L antenna for vehicular HF communications. Antenna dimensions are λ/20 × λ/50 × λ/110 at the lowest frequency of operation. It is shown that two arms significantly improve bandwidth compared to a single arm configuration. Details of a scaled model fabrication and measurement results are also presented.
Structure, development, preclinical and clinical efficacy of blinatumomab in acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in adults remains challenging and novel therapies are needed. The antigen, CD19, is expressed by >90% of pre-B ALLs and represents an attractive therapeutic target. The bispecific T-cell-engaging antibody, blinatumomab, targets CD19 and has demonstrated encouraging results in minimal residual disease positive and relapsed/refractory pre-B ALL. In this review, we discuss in detail the mechanism of action and key pharmacologic aspects of blinatumomab. In addition, the preclinical studies, clinical studies and toxicities are summarized.
Lentigo Maligna and Lentigo Maligna Melanoma: Contemporary Issues in Diagnosis and Management

SUMMARY Lentigo maligna and lentigo maligna melanomas present diagnostic and treatment dilemmas due to their frequent presence within a background of sun-damaged skin, and their location on cosmetically and functionally sensitive areas. As the incidence of this entity is increasing, diagnostic and management controversies have developed. While surgery remains the gold standard of treatment, nonsurgical treatment options are also emerging for both adjunctive and primary therapy.
Sarcoma of the small intestine

Summary The features of sarcoma of the small intestine are briefly discussed. Two cases of lymphosarcoma of the ileum are described. In one a large tumour mass involving most of the small intestine produced little interference with bowel action. In the second a small localized growth caused recurrent intussusception.
Implications of Cellular and Molecular Biology Advances in Periodontal Regeneration

Background The mechanisms by which new periodontium is established on root surfaces previously exposed to periodontal disease has been an area of active research interest for the past decade. Methods Recently, histological examination of periodontal regeneration has revealed a complex process orchestrated by temporo-spatial specific cell-matrix interactions. Results Advances in cell and molecular biology techniques have provided invaluable tools to begin investigating the cascade of events occurring during periodontal regeneration. Conclusions This report summarizes current understanding of the cellular and molecular aspects of periodontal regeneration and determines the clinical relevance of these findings. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
On certail methods of improving ration and regression estimators

In this paper we have examined certain techiques suggested in the literature for improving the ratio and regression methods of estimation and demonstrated that these techniques are not very profitable.
The quasi-static elastic and viscoelastic consolidating spherical cavity

Summary Solutions are presented for the response of an elastic and a viscoelastic consolidating medium which contains a spherical cavity. Integral transform techniques are used. Reference is made to the corresponding coupled thermoelastic problems for which solutions are provided.
Reversible blunting of arousal from sleep in response to intermittent hypoxia in the developing rat.

Arousal is an important survival mechanism when infants are confronted with hypoxia during sleep. Many sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) infants are exposed to repeated episodes of hypoxia before...
Wresting SARS from Uncertainty

Organization (WHO) epidemiologist stationed in Vietnam, alerted the global health community to the high transmissibility and lethality associated with an apparently new respiratory disease. This disease, now called severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), is believed to have emerged in China in November 2002 and progressed to a global health threat by the spring of 2003 (1–3). On March 15, 2003, with clusters of SARS cases being reported from China, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore, and Canada, WHO issued a global travel alert. At that point, the international health community faced a potential pandemic for which there were no identified causal agent, no diagnostic laboratory assays, no defined properties or risk factors for transmission, no infection-control practices of proven efficacy, and no known treatment or prevention measures. Given that setting, the declaration on July 5 that SARS had been contained (in less than 4 months after its initial recognition), represented a remarkable achievement for a truly extraordinary international public health effort. However, the SARS outbreak was not contained before it had had a substantial impact: 8,098 cases involving 774 deaths were attributed to SARS (4) (the original WHO case definitions [5] were revised during the outbreak to those shown in the Table); fear of contagion was rife in many communities, especially among healthcare workers; and billions of dollars had been lost in the airline and tourism industries, resulting in bankruptcies of airlines and other businesses. However, the SARS public health response effort was equally important: the world’s scientific, clinical, and public health communities had successfully instituted sensitive surveillance for the disease; isolation and infection-control practices—with intensive contact tracing and community containment, including quarantine—were effective in limiting continued spread in most cases; and the causative agent and diagnostic assays for detecting the disease were identified. Now, nearly 1 year after the world first faced this infectious disease challenge, the public health community is equipped with a broader understanding of the agent, its pathophysiology, clinical signs and symptoms, risk factors for transmission, and public health measures that can successfully contain the disease. The breadth of this understanding and international scope of the outbreak response are reflected in the range of manuscript topics in this issue Wresting SARS from Uncertainty
DiI reveals a prenatal arrival of efferents at the differentiating otocyst of mice

Abstract We have reinvestigated the time of arrival of efferent fibers at the developing otocyst of mice employing diffusion of the lipophilic dye DiI in fixed tissue. In contrast to almost all previous reports, our data indicate a prenatal arrival of efferent fibers. A few efferent fibers were found to enter the eighth nerve root at embryonic day (ED) 10 1 2 . Retrogradely labelled efferent cell bodies were at this stage coextensive with those of the facial motor nucleus, but started to segregate by ED 12. In contrast to retrogradely labelled facial motor neurons, labelled efferent neurons were bilaterally distributed in the hindbrain with a few projecting to both otocysts as early as ED 12. Anterograde labelling from the brain showed efferent fibers in the vestibular ganglion by ED 11. Invasion of the future vestibular sensory epithelia started by ED 12. Growth cones of efferent fibers had also reached the future cochlear sensory epithelium but invasion was only achieved by a few filopodia at this stage. The early arrival of efferents at the future sensory epithelia demonstrated here may allow an as yet unexplored interaction of efferent fibers with the proliferating and/or differentiating hair cells.
DEVELOPMENTAL ASPECTS OF THE IMMUNE SYSTEM IN VERY SMALL PREMATURE INFANTS

The degree and duration of hypogammaglobulinemia in very small (≤32 weeks)premature infants has not been fully appreciated. Longitudinal studies of immunoglobulin levels and T-cell subsets were performed in two groups of AGA premature infants:GpI: 26-28 wk GA ( BW=854 g) and GpII: 29-32 wk GA( BW=1274 g).
Production of gastric ulcers in the unrestrained rat.

Abstract A simple and effective procedure for inducing gastric lesions in the unrestrained rat is described. A significant feature of the present technique is that gastrointestinal lesions are observed following a relatively brief (6 hr) exposure to the shock-stress condition. Lesions are found to occur in the glandular portion of the stomach, and initial evidence implicates conflict as the ulcerogenic agent.
MIDWIVES IN TRANSITION: THE STRUCTURE OF A CLINICAL REVOLUTION*

of the birth process, a result of the social redefinition of birth. Through an analysis of the medical literature on birth, I compare the social construction of timetables for childbirth - how long normal labor and birth takes-by hospital and home-birth practitioners. I argue that, like all knowledge, this knowledge is socially determined and socially constructed, influenced both by ideology and social setting. This paper is based on interviews I conducted in 1978 with one subgroup of the home-birth movement: nurse-midwives certified by the State of New York to attend births. I located 12 nurse-midwives in the New York metropolitan area who were attending births in homes and at an out-of-hospital birth center. Nurse-midwives in the United States are trained in medical institutions one to two years beyond nursing training and obtain their formative experience in hospitals. They differ from lay midwives, who receive their training outside of medical institutions and hospitals. Once nurse-midwives are qualified, most of them continue to practice in hospitals. I use the term nurse-midwives throughout this paper to distinguish them from lay midwives. I discuss those parts of the interviews with these nurse-midwives which focus on their reconceptualization of birth timetables as they moved from hospital to home settings. This sample was selected for two reasons: first, because of the position that nurse-midwives hold in relation to mothers compared with that held by physicians; while physicians in hospital settings control the birth process, nurse-midwives in home settings permit the birth process to transpire under the mother's control. Second, because nurse-midwives have been both formally trained within the medical model and extensively exposed to the home-birth model, data gathered in monitoring their adjustment to and reaction to the home-birth model provide a crosscontextual source for comparing the two birth settings. Observation of the reactions of nurse-midwives to the home-birth setting demonstrates the degree to which their medical training was based on social convention rather than biological constants. The nurse-midwives did not embrace their non-medical childbirth work as ideological enthusiasts; rather, they were drawn into it, often against what they perceived as their better medical judgment. The nurse-midwives were firmly grounded in the medical model. Their ideas
Regulation of microtubule protein synthesis in embryos of the marine snail, Ilyanassa obsoleta.

Abstract Synthesis of microtubule protein is not detectable in 1-day-old embryos of the snail Ilyanassa obsoleta but is readily detectable after 2 days of development. Microtubule protein synthesis then increases for several days thereafter. Continuous culture of embryos in 25 μg/ml of actinomycin D, an amount sufficient to abolish incorporation of [3H]uridine into high molecular weight RNA, blocks ciliation of embryos but has no effect upon microtubule protein synthesis. A mechanism for the selection of microtubule protein mRNA for translation at the appropriate developmental stage appears to exist. The timing of microtubule protein synthesis may be coordinated with ciliogenesis, but it is not coupled to it.
A refractometric method of determining serum protein concentration in the American lobster

Abstract A rapid simple method of quantitating serum protein concentration in lobster hemolymph was developed using a Uricon ® specific gravity refractometer. A correlation coefficient of r = 0.985 (n = 21) was observed in calculating serum protein concentration, Y = 5449.417X – 7295.321 ( Y = serum protein concentration (mg/ml), X = refractive index). This procedure provides a nondestructive field method to assess a lobster's physiological state without returning samples for laboratory analysis.
Excess body weight is not independently associated with outcome in mechanically ventilated patients with acute lung injury.

Mechanically ventilated patients with acute lung injury have the same risk-adjusted outcomes whether they are obese or overweight or have normal body mass index. O'Brien and colleagues' findings su...
JOURNAL QUALITY, EFFECT SIZE, AND PUBLICATION BIAS IN META-ANALYSIS

A simple, empirical method of detecting evidence of publication bias in meta-analyses is proposed, based on the relationship between the strength of the results in published studies and the quality of the journals in which they appear. In an illustration of its use, the method is applied to published meta-analyses of terrestrial plant competition, predation in streams, woody plant growth under elevated CO2, and marine nutrient enrichment experiments. Statistically significant associations of effect strength and journal quality were found in two of the four meta-analyses.
Inhibition of the Autolytic System by Vancomycin Causes Mimicry of Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus-Type Resistance, Cell Concentration Dependence of the MIC, and Antibiotic Tolerance in Vancomycin-Susceptible S. aureus

Treatment of the fully vancomycin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus strain COL with subinhibitory concentrations of vancomycin allowed its continued growth but generated a phenotype reminiscent of some S. aureus isolates with vancomycin-intermediate S. aureus (VISA)-type resistance: the bacteria grew in multicellular clusters; electron microscopy showed inhibition of cell separation and accumulation of amorphous cell wall-like material at the bacterial surface. Titration of free vancomycin showed a gradual disappearance of the drug from the medium, which—eventually—coincided with an increase in the growth rate, burst in viable titer, and dispersal of cellular clusters. Addition of inhibitory concentrations of vancomycin to the same strain at a higher cell concentration caused a very different—antibiotic-tolerant—response: an immediate halt in growth, followed by a prolonged lag, during which there was neither a loss of viable titer or optical density nor a change in cell morphology but a gradual removal of vancomycin from the medium to the cell wall of the bacterium, from which the antibiotic could be recovered in a biologically active form. Eventually, the drug-treated culture resumed normal growth. The transient appearance of both the VISA phenotype and vancomycin tolerance could be traced to the inhibition of the autolytic system of the bacterium by vancomycin molecules attached to the cell wall, blocking the access of a staphylococcal murein hydrolase(s) to its cell wall substrate.
An implicit moment electromagnetic plasma simulation in cylindrical coordinates

An electromagnetic PIC plasma simulation code incorporating the implicit moment method and a two-dimensional cylindrical mesh, with r- and z-coordinate dependence, has been developed. The code is an extension of the VENUS code from the original two-dimensional Cartesian mesh. The physical model employed in the code will be discussed, with emphasis on aspects unique to cylindrical geometry. An application to self-generated magnetic fields and electron transport in a laser-irradiated disk is presented that highlights the usefulness of cylindrical coordinates.
The structure, size and solution chemistry of a polysaccharide iron complex (Niferex)

Abstract A polysaccharide-iron complex(PIC), synthesized by the neutralization of an FeCl3 carbohydrate solution, is marketed as an oral hematinic(‘Niferex’). The chemistry, structure and solution chemistry of this complex have been examined by a variety of techniques. Elemental analyses are consistent with the report that solid PIC contains ferrihydrite in the core. Treatment of this material with ammonium oxalate yields a small molecular weight material which rapidly becomes a second, larger material, a result also consistent with the idenfication of ferrihydrite in PIC. The complex itself appears to be spherical with diameters ranging from 3 to 10 nm as determined by gel permeation chromatography and electron microscopy. The relationship between the charge and pH on the complex was studied by electrophoresis and acid—base titration. The material is negatively charged and soluble above pH 4.6. Between pH 4.0 and 4.6, PIC is neutral and insoluble, and below 4.0 it is positively charged and soluble. The carbohydrate component apparently contributes to its solubility at near neutral pHs and may be important in the reported bioavailability of the iron in this supplement.
A counterexample in stochastic stability of feedback neural networks

A counterexample to Kosko's RABAM stability theorem is presented by introducing a deterministic stable feedback neural network which has unbounded second moments when additive white noise is introduced. >
Scattering from correlated systems

Abstract A difficulty usually encountered in formulating the problem of scattering of identical particles from correlated systems is that the customary choice of an unperturbed Hamiltonian as the target Hamiltonian plus the kinetic energy of the projectile is not symmetric under particle exchange. This choice of unperturbed Hamiltonian leads to wavefunctions which, if they are antisymmetrized, are not orthonormal. In this paper an orthonormal, antisymmetrized set of basis states is constructed. These states are then used to construct a symmetric unperturbed Hamiltonian, so that a formal scattering equation with appropriate boundary conditions can be written. An expression for a T matrix describing nucleon-nucleus scattering can then be obtained. The formalism leads to a two-potential form for the T matrix, the first term of which describes the effect of the orthogonality of the scattering state and the negative energy states.
Sticky Molecular Surfaces: Epoxysilane Self-Assembled Monolayers

Dense, homogeneous, and complete self-assembled monolayers with epoxy surface groups were fabricated from epoxysilanes to serve as a template for chemical anchoring of ultrathin polymer layers. We formed epoxysilane layers on silicon oxide surfaces of silicon wafers, and a combination of scanning probe microscopy, ellipsometry, XPS, and contact angle measurements was used to study their morphology and surface properties. A low concentration of epoxysilane (less than 0.5 vol %) led to significant aggregate formation caused by a prevailing hydrolization/polymerization of epoxysilane molecules in bulk solution. Epoxysilane SAMs prepared from 1% solution were truly monomolecular films with a virtually normal molecular orientation of densely packed molecules, which were firmly attached to the substrate. Self-assembly deposition of epoxysilanes at optimal conditions resulted in the formation of homogeneous SAMs 0.85 ± 0.2 nm thick with the surface roughness 0.22 ± 0.05 nm.
Simulation of boll weevil (Coleoptera; Curculionidae) spring emergence and overwintering survival in the Texas Rolling Plains.

A degree-day model of boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, spring emergence and survivorship in the Rolling Plains of Texas was developed and validated based on seven years of data that describe emergence rates of cohorts of boll weevils caged in the overwintering habitat of sand shinnery oak. The spring emergence profile was well described by a degree-day model in which the 50 and 80% points of emergence varied according to two indices of winter severity: a modified interaction term of rainfall and degree-days, and the negative degree-days accumulated during the longest run of days with temperatures below 3.9°C. These factors also were used to predict boll weevil overwintering survival, suggesting that the two processes are linked. A conceptual model of this linkage is presented.
The Role of Patient Participation in the Doctor Visit: Implications for adherence to diabetes care

For patients, treatment of diabetes involves complex changes in basic behaviors and adherence to complicated regimens. Understanding the factors that enable patients to adhere to diabetes treatment is the first step to designing effective interventions. Researchers of diabetes care have postulated that increasing diabetic patients' participation in medical decision making during the doctor visit is likely to improve their adherence to self-care. However, a critical review of the impact of patient participation on diabetic patients adherence to self-care is absent from the literature. We review the subject of patient participation in medical decision making and its effect on adherence to self-care for patients with diabetes. We introduce a model of the determinants of adherence to diabetes self-care that incorporates the effects of patient participation in medical decision making. In this model, we suggest three ways that patient participation can affect adherence to self-care: 1) it may have a direct effect; 2) it may affect adherence to self-care indirectly by affecting patients' understanding of their treatment regimen or the fit of their regimen with their lifestyle; and 3) perceived omissions of participation can affect adherence to self-care indirectly through an effect on patient satisfaction. Research is needed to identify more clearly which components of patient participation affect adherence to self-care and in what ways. Distinguishing patient and physician behaviors that contribute to the process of patient participation would provide a means to develop specific behavioral interventions.
Trends in American Major War and Peace

This article attempts to describe possible historical trends in American major peace and war. With caution, because of the small number of data points, it notes that (a) periods of major peace have become more frequent and shorter; (b) major wars that break up the peace periods have necessarily become more frequent; (c) the length of major wars shows no clear overall trend, though there may be reason to believe that major wars have become more frequent and longer in our own time; and (d) major war casualties appear to have increased absolutely, though not relative to population. These results are compared with possible historical trends in the more general international system, as well as with patterns suggested by probabilistic theory. One explanation for the American experience of peace and war lies in the dynamics of U.S. growth. If one assumes that the apparent trends will continue, the findings finally allow us to extrapolate the scope and limits of future American peace and war.
Pyrimidine nucleobase ligands of orotate phosphoribosyltransferase from toxoplasma gondii

Sixty-seven pyrimidine nucleobase analogues were evaluated as ligands of Toxoplasma gondii orotate phosphoribosyltransferase (OPRTase, EC 2.4.2.10) by measuring their ability to inhibit this enzyme in vitro. Apparent Ki values were determined for compounds that inhibited T. gondii OPRTase by greater than 20% at a concentration of 400 microM. 1-Deazaorotic acid (0.47 microM) and 5-azaorotic acid (2.1 microM) were found to bind better (8.3- and 1.9-fold, respectively) to T. gondii OPRTase than orotic acid, the natural substrate of the enzyme. Based on these results, a structure-activity relationship of ligand binding to OPRTase was formulated using uracil, barbituric acid, and orotic acid as reference compounds. It was concluded that the following structural features of pyrimidine nucleobase analogues were required or strongly preferred for binding: (i) an endocyclic pyridine-type nitrogen or methine at the 1-position; (ii) exocyclic oxo groups at the 2- and 4-positions; (iii) a protonated endocyclic pyridine-type nitrogen at the 3-position; (iv) an endocyclic pyridine-type nitrogen or methine at the 5-position; (v) an exocyclic hydrogen or fluorine at the 5-position; (vi) an endocyclic pyridine-type nitrogen or methine at the 6-position; and (vii) an exocyclic negatively charged or electron-withdrawing group at the 6-position. A comparison of the results from the present study with those from a previous study on mammalian OPRTase [Niedzwicki et al., Biochem Pharmacol 33: 2383-2395, 1984] identified four compounds (6-chlorouracil, 5-azaorotic acid, 1-deazaorotic acid, and 6-iodouracil) that may bind selectively to T. gondii OPRTase.
6-DOF pose estimation: the need for standardization in industrial applications

To maintain competitiveness in the global economy, US manufacturers must innovate to enable intelligent manufacturing solutions that dramatically improve productivity and competitiveness. Advances in robots and automation utilizing high-fidelity sensors capable of characterizing dynamic and unconstrained environments represent one crucial area for development. Robots with the ability to perceive their surroundings can adapt to variable manufacturing conditions and even cooperate with human partners.2D video-based computer vision has been the standard for robot perception for over two decades. Recent advances in 6-Degree-Of-Freedom (DOF) metrology and 3D optical sensing methods have created the potential for high-accuracy, high-resolution, real-time sensing of dynamic environments. This capability will revolutionize automated manufacturing by enabling systems to perform flexible and complex tasks that previously required human perception and dexterity.The enabling 3D sensors and the perception software behind them are rapidly evolving. There are several fundamental sensing technologies and many software approaches to make practical use of the data. Unfortunately, standard evaluation methods have not kept pace with the development of this new sensing technology. The selection of a sensing system cannot therefore be made objectively using manufacturer provided specifications alone. This lack of standardization has slowed the acceptance of this potentially transformative technology. Measurement standards and performance metrics, specifically those that are relevant to industrial applications, are required to spur innovation and to hasten the adoption of these advanced technologies.
Update on the efficacy of pharmacotherapy for social anxiety disorder: a meta-analysis

Introduction: Social anxiety disorder (SAD) is a common mental health problem that tends to be chronic in nature; fortunately, effective pharmacotherapy options exist. The current study provides an updated meta-analytic review of their efficacy and potential guidelines for their application in SAD.Methods: A comprehensive search of the current literature yielded 39 randomized, pill placebo-controlled trials of pharmacotherapy for adults diagnosed with SAD. Data on potential moderators of treatment outcome were collected, as well as data necessary to calculate effect sizes using Hedges’s g.Results: The overall effect size of pharmacotherapy for SAD is small to medium (Hedges’s g = 0.39). The most effective pharmacotherapy type was phenelzine (Hedges’s g = 1.14), followed by paroxetine (Hedges’s g = 0.49), venlafaxine ER (Hedges’s g = 0.45) and moclobemide (Hedges’s g = 0.23).Conclusion: Effect sizes were not moderated by age, sex, length of treatment, diagnostic subtype initial severity, maximum potential ...
Selective anion sensing by a tris-amide CTV derivative: 1H NMR titration, self-assembled monolayers, and impedance spectroscopy.

A hydrogen-bond forming tris(amide) receptor based on cyclotriveratrylene (CTV) was prepared. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of the receptor were formed on gold surfaces. Desorption experiments show a surface coverage of 2.26 × 10-10 mol/cm2. 1H NMR and UV measurements confirm that the receptor exhibits the highest affinity for acetate ions among the anions studied. Electrochemical impedance was used to investigate anion sensing by the SAMs and proved to be an efficient and convenient technique for detecting anions in aqueous solutions. Upon binding acetate anions, the monolayer-modified gold electrodes show a drastic increase of the Rct values when Fe(CN)63-/4- is used as the redox probe. When the probe was changed to a positively charged one, Ru(NH3)63+/2+, the Rct values decreased monotonically as the acetate concentration was increased, thus confirming the accumulation of negative surface charge upon anion binding. H2PO4- shows some interference when sensing AcO-. Other monovalent anions such as Cl-...
Photochemical route to actinide-transition metal bonds: synthesis, characterization and reactivity of a series of thorium and uranium heterobimetallic complexes.

A series of actinide–transition metal heterobimetallics has been prepared, featuring thorium, uranium, and cobalt. Complexes incorporating the binucleating ligand N[ο-(NHCH2PiPr2)C6H4]3 with either Th(IV) (4) or U(IV) (5) and a carbonyl bridged [Co(CO)4]− unit were synthesized from the corresponding actinide chlorides (Th: 2; U: 3) and Na[Co(CO)4]. Irradiation of the resulting isocarbonyls with ultraviolet light resulted in the formation of new species containing actinide–metal bonds in good yields (Th: 6; U: 7); this photolysis method provides a new approach to a relatively unusual class of complexes. Characterization by single-crystal X-ray diffraction revealed that elimination of the bridging carbonyl and formation of the metal–metal bond is accompanied by coordination of a phosphine arm from the N4P3 ligand to the cobalt center. Additionally, actinide–cobalt bonds of 3.0771(5) A and 3.0319(7) A for the thorium and uranium complexes, respectively, were observed. The solution-state behavior of the thori...
Rubber transferase activity in rubber particles of guayule.

Rubber transferase (RuT) activity, measured as incorporation of radiolabelled isoprene from [14C]isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP) into rubber, was assayed in suspensions of washed rubber particles (WRPs) purified from stembark tissue of Parthenium argentatum. Isolated WRPs had high RuT activity which was not diminished even after repeated washing, demonstrating the firm association of the enzyme with the particles. The activity of RuT was characterized with respect to substrate and WRP concentration. The rate of IPP-incorporation was dependent upon the concentration of two substrates, IPP and the allylic pyrophosphate starter molecule E,E-farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP). The enzyme present in 6 × 1010 WRPs per ml was saturated by 1 mM IPP and 20 μM FPP. Under saturating cosubstrate concentrations the apparent Km of RuT was ca 300 μM IPP and 3 μM FPP. Analysis of WRPs by SDS-PAGE revealed a simple protein profile characteristic of guayule rubber particles. A successful and facile assay for IPP-polymerization by isolated rubber particles is described.
Variants of amphotropic type-C retrovirus isolated from cultures of Moloney- and Rauscher-MuLV-induced tumors.

We isolated and characterized 2 strains of type-C retrovirus, R5NX and YACNX, from established lymphoid cell cultures derived from Rauscher-MuLV-induced lymphoma (RBL-5) in a C57BL/6 mouse, and Moloney-MuLV-induced lymphoma (YAC) in an A-strain mouse, respectively. The RSNX and YACNX viruses were compared with the prototype 4070A strain of amphotropic virus isolated from feral mice in California, and were found to belong to the same amphotropic virus class on the basis of viral interference, neutralization tests, and other biological properties. However, they were not quite identical with respect to viral neutralization antigens and restriction enzyme cleavage patterns of the proviral DNA. The possibility that these viruses may have been present in the original tumor together with the R-MuLV or M-MuLV as “exogenous” viruses rather than as contaminants of cell cultures by the 4070A virus is discussed. Although these 1 new isolates were not pathogenic when inoculated into newborn C3H/HE mice, they could establish persistent infections in these mice.
Cytogenetic studies in North American minnows (Cyprinidae): Chromosomal NOR phenotypes of 12 species, with comments on cytosystematic relationships among 50 species

Chromosomal NOR phenotypes are documented for twelve species of North American cyprinid fishes whose NOR karyotypes have not been previously reported. Patterns of interspecific chromosomal NOR variation are then summarized for the fifty species of North American cyprinids surveyed to date. The degree of interspecific NOR variation among North American cyprinids suggests that the rate of chromosomal evolution within the group may have been higher than previously believed. The interspecific variants in chromosomal NORs are used as taxonomic and systematic characters in order to infer phylogenetic hypotheses of species relationships. The phylogenetic inferences drawn from the chromosomal NOR data provide a framework upon which future cytosystematic studies in North American cyprinids can be based.
Radiation therapy with full-dose gemcitabine and oxaliplatin for unresectable pancreatic cancer.

Purpose: We completed a Phase I trial of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin with concurrent radiotherapy in patients with previously untreated pancreatic cancer. The results of a subset of patients with unresectable disease who went on to receive planned additional therapy are reported here. Methods and Materials: All patients received two 28-day cycles of gemcitabine (1,000 mg/m{sup 2} on Days 1, 8, and 15) and oxaliplatin (40-85 mg/m{sup 2} on Days 1 and 15, per a dose-escalation schema). Radiation therapy was delivered concurrently with Cycle 1 (27 Gy in 1.8-Gy fractions). At 9 weeks, patients were reassessed for resectability. Those deemed to have unresectable disease were offered a second round of treatment consisting of 2 cycles of gemcitabine and oxaliplatin and 27 Gy of radiation therapy (total, 54 Gy). Radiation was delivered to the gross tumor volume plus 1 cm by use of a three-dimensional conformal technique. We used the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events to assess acute toxicity. Late toxicity was scored per the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group scale. Computed tomography scans were reviewed to determine pattern of failure, local response, and disease progression. Kaplan-Meier methodology and Cox regression models were used to evaluate survival and freedom from failure. Results:more » Thirty-two patients from the Phase I dose-escalation study had unresectable disease, three of whom had low-volume metastatic disease. Of this group, 16 patients went on to receive additional therapy to complete a total of 4 cycles of chemotherapy and 54 Gy of concurrent radiation. For this subset, 38% had at least a partial tumor response at a median of 3.2 months. Median survival was 11.8 months (range, 4.4-26.3 months). The 1-year freedom from local progression rate was 93.8% (95% confidence interval, 63.2-99.1). Conclusions: Radiation therapy to 54 Gy with concurrent full-dose gemcitabine and oxaliplatin is well tolerated and results in favorable rates of local tumor response and 1-year freedom from local progression.« less
A naive approach to the Banzhaf index of power

A measure of power is defined for a weighted voting game which is based on the probability that an individual is in a winning coalition. It is proved that the Banzhaf index of power is equivalent to this measure. This suggests that the Banzhaf index is the appropriate measure to use when the results, rather than the process of coalition formation, are the important considerations. This article is applicable to decision making in living systems at the levels of the group, the organization, society, or the supranational system.