cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Desktop manufacturing using diode lasers

Semiconductor laser diodes, while not yet ready to replace YAG and CO 2 lasers from heavy duty machining, are already capable of carrying out a number of manufacturing jobs that require a power density of 100 kw/cm 2 or less, and CW power of 100 Watt or less. We present results of cutting cellulose materials, marking plastics, soldering electronic circuit boards, surface (transformation) hardening, chemical vapor phase deposition (by gas breakdown) using fiber coupled CW lasers at 810 nm (60 Watts) and 980 nm (25 Watts). We also present the results of sintering metal powders under different conditions to improve density and hardness, demonstrating that diodes can do an excellent job in solid free-form development (or rapid prototyping).
Experimental exploration of recirculation zone in the gas-core nuclear rocket concept.

Recirculation zone in fluid mechanics experiments on cylindrical cavity simulating gas core nuclear rocket as heavy gas reservoir, discussing flow patterns
Specifying and monitoring market mechanisms using rights and obligations

We provide a formal scripting language to capture the semantics of market mechanisms. The language is based on a set of well-defined principles, and is designed to capture an agent's rights, as derived from property, and an agent's obligations, as derived from restrictions placed on its actions, either voluntarily or as a consequence of other actions. Rights and obligations are viewed as first-class goods, from which we define fundamental axioms about well-functioning market-oriented worlds. Coupled with the scripting language is a run-time system that is able to monitor and enforce rights and obligations. Our treatment extends to represent a variety of market mechanisms, ranging from simple two-agent single-good exchanges to complicated combinatorial auctions.
Re-thinking the biology of essential tremor: from models to morphology.

Summary Remarkably little has been written on the biology of essential tremor (ET), despite its high prevalence. The traditional pathophysiological model for ET, the olivary model, states that ET is a primary electrical//electrophysiological entity, the result of pacemaking neurons in the inferior olivary nucleus that begin firing in a coupled and rhythmic manner, and thus, through an abnormal olivo-cerebellar output, produce tremor. Though this model is based on several sound neurophysiological observations, there are major problems as well. Despite its shortcomings, however, the model persists. With the traditional focus in ET on clinical neurophysiology, there has been little research on pathological anatomy, cell biology, and molecular mechanisms, and over the years, there have been few alternatives to the olivary model. However, rigorous tissue-based studies have recently identified a series of structural changes in the ET brain, most of which are centered on the Purkinje cell and connected neuronal populations, and which may involve a partial loss of Purkinje cells. An implication of these newer studies is that ET could be degenerative. This shift in paradigm opens the door for research that aims to identify the primary set of molecular triggers and the cascade of molecular/cellular events that accompany this disease.
Anomalous crystallinity in a semi-fluorinated perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) polymer containing the hexafluoro-i-propylidene (6f) linkage

Abstract The thermal cyclopolymerization of 2,2-bis(4-trifluorovinyloxyphenyl)-1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane affords the first example of a semi-crystalline perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) polymer and an anomalous feature for a polymer containing the hexafluoroisopropylidene (6F) linkage. Fluoroalkylation of 2,2-bis(hydroxyphenyl)-1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoropropane (6F bisphenol A) with 1,2-dibromotetrafluoroethane, followed by zinc mediated elimination affords the bis(trifluorovinyloxyphenyl) monomer in good yield. High molecular weight polymer (Mw=66,700) with molecular weight distribution approaching 2 was obtained by heating neat monomer at 180 °C for 24 h and 220 °C for 8 h. The stereo-random polymer (ca. 48 to 52 cis- to trans-1,2-disubstituted perfluorocyclobutyl groups) is easily crystallized from the melt despite the presence of the 6F group and a substantial increased fluorocarbon content per repeat unit compared to traditional PFCB polymers. A melting temperature approaching 200 °C was measured by DSC and the crystallinity was characterized by WAXD. Remarkably, the high melting semi-crystalline polymer could be easily dissolved in common solvents in greater than 50 wt% solutions.
DIFFERENTIAL UPTAKE OF INTERMEDIATE AND LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS FROM NEPHROTIC CHILDREN BY U937 CELLS: 1645

DIFFERENTIAL UPTAKE OF INTERMEDIATE AND LOW DENSITY LIPOPROTEINS FROM NEPHROTIC CHILDREN BY U937 CELLS: 1645
Engineering the protein-nanoparticle interface

Nanoparticles have been conjugated to proteins to create unique imaging agents, multifunctional particles, and drug delivery vehicles. However, the biggest barrier for the success of these applications is understanding the interface of biomolecules with nanoparticles. Often conjugation of proteins and DNA with nanoparticles results in protein denaturation and non-specific adsorption, which are due to the many non-covalent interactions at the inorganic-biological interface. While development of new biological applications of nanoparticles has garnered a great deal of attention, the protein-nanoparticle interface has remained poorly characterized. As a result, insufficient understanding of the interface has limited the capabilities of nano-bio hybrids.We present work in which we study the interface between inorganic nanoparticles of Au and CoFe2O4 and the protein cytochrome c, which is covalently linked to the nanoparticle. We devise a method to site-specifically label the protein, minimizing non-specific adsorption. We study the effect of nanoparticle ligand, nanoparticle material, and protein labeling site on the structure of the protein. Biophysical techniques such as quantitative gel electrophoresis, circular dichroism, and optical spectroscopy are used to characterize the structure of the protein in the conjugate. These experiments allow us to understand the chemical interactions involved in non-specific adsorption, and come up with general design rules for optimal conjugation. We determine that nanoparticle labeling generally destabilizes the motif containing the labeling site, and that when the nanoparticle is labeled on certain motifs, protein denaturation is not recoverable.
Measurement of astrophysical S-factors for deuteron-induced reactions on 7Li, 9Be, 10B, and 11B at low energies☆

Abstract We have measured total cross sections for the reactions (d,α) and (d, αn) on 7Li between center-of-mass (c.m.) energies of 35 and 120 keV, the reactions (d,p) and (d,α) to all excited states with positive Q-values on the nuclei 9Be, 10B, and 11B between c.m. energies of 70 and 132 keV, 72 and 138 keV and 90 and 140 keV respectively and the reaction (d,t) on the nucleus 9Be to the 8Be ground state between c.m. energies of 70 and 132 keV. Astrophysical S-factors for these reactions are derived from the total cross section measurements.
Identification of a chemical that inhibits the mycobacterial UvrABC complex in nucleotide excision repair

Bacterial DNA can be damaged by reactive nitrogen and oxygen intermediates (RNI and ROI) generated by host immunity, as well as by antibiotics that trigger bacterial production of ROI. Thus a pathogen's ability to repair its DNA may be important for persistent infection. A prominent role for nucleotide excision repair (NER) in disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) was suggested by attenuation of uvrB-deficient Mtb in mice. However, it was unknown if Mtb's Uvr proteins could execute NER. Here we report that recombinant UvrA, UvrB, and UvrC from Mtb collectively bound and cleaved plasmid DNA exposed to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation or peroxynitrite. We used the DNA incision assay to test the mechanism of action of compounds identified in a high-throughput screen for their ability to delay recovery of M. smegmatis from UV irradiation. 2-(5-Amino-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-ylbenzo[f]chromen-3-one) (ATBC) but not several closely related compounds inhibited cleavage of damaged DNA by UvrA, UvrB, and UvrC without intercalating in DNA and impaired recovery of M. smegmatis from UV irradiation. ATBC did not affect bacterial growth in the absence of UV exposure, nor did it exacerbate the growth defect of UV-irradiated mycobacteria that lacked uvrB. Thus, ATBC appears to be a cell-penetrant, selective inhibitor of mycobacterial NER. Chemical inhibitors of NER may facilitate studies of the role of NER in prokaryotic pathobiology.
Reversible oxidation of 1,3-dithiolan-2-thione

Oxidation of 1,3-dithiolan-2-thione by nitrosonium tetrafluoroborate to 2,2′-dithio-bis-(1,3-dithiolanium) ditetrafluoroborate is reversible and is linked to nitrosative exchange of sulphur for oxygen.
Reducing crosstalk between stereoscopic views

Crosstalk between the left and right eyes consists of the one eye's image seen faintly by the other. Image processing can reduce this. The technique is effective, but there are costs of course, and some surprises.
Assessing the Consequences of Nonnative Trout in Headwater Ecosystems in Western North America

Abstract Intentional introductions of nonnative trout into headwater lakes and streams can have numerous effects on the receiving ecosystems, potentially threatening native species and disrupting key ecological processes. In this perspective, we focus on seven key issues for assessing the biological and economic consequences of nonnative trout in headwater ecosystems: (1) effects of nonnative trout can span multiple biological domains, (2) effects of nonnative trout can extend beyond waters where they are introduced, (3) nonnative trout do not travel alone, (4) not all habitats are equal, (5) ecosystems vary in their resistance and resilience to nonnative trout, (6) prioritization can improve management of nonnative trout, and (7) economic costs of recreational fisheries in headwater ecosystems can be substantial. Assessments that address these issues could provide more effective guidance for determining where recreational fisheries for nonnative trout are justified in headwater ecosystems and where they ...
Graphene terahertz sources and amplifiers

Plasmons in population inverted graphene can experience extremely large gain through the process of stimulated emission at terahertz frequencies. The large gain values and the small plasmon wavelengths can lead to compact terahertz plasmon lasers and amplifiers that are only a few microns in size. We present optical and terahertz spectroscopy results for carrier relaxation and recombination dynamics in graphene and discuss designs for terahertz plasmon lasers and practical schemes for achieving population inversion in graphene.
A defence of Papineau and mental causes

1. In Philosophical Naturalism, David Papineau proposes a nonreductive physicalism consisting of the conjunction of two metaphysical theses. The first thesis concerns supervenience, and asserts that two organisms cannot differ with regard to their intrinsic, nonrelational mental properties without differing with regard to their physical properties. The second is a 'token congruence' thesis, whose purpose is to ward off epiphenomenalism. Epiphenomenalism holds that mental events never cause any physical events; yet according to Papineau's token congruence thesis, 'each dated mental occurrence is the same as some dated physical occurrence, even if we cannot identify the mental type in question with any one physical type' (1993: 12). In Papineau's view, such token congruence is enough to insure a measure of causal efficacy for mental events, and presumably for mental properties as well. Papineau's supervenience thesis is straightforward, and can accommodate relational, as well as nonrelational, mental properties if we allow that they 'supervene, not on the internal physical characteristics of the system at issue, but rather on those plus the physical characteristics of the relevant related system' (1993: 10). As for Papineau's token congruence thesis, note that just as we cannot identify mental types with physical types, in his view, so too we cannot identify mental tokens with physical ones. Papineau rejects token identities because he views causal relata as facts rather than bare particulars (a la Davidson). Since mental causes and physical causes, construed as facts, involve different properties, they cannot be identical. At the same time, Papineau maintains that mental causes are the 'same' as physical causes in the sense that the former are realized by the latter. Such realization is what explains the token congruence of mental and physical tokens, and is to be understood thus:
Against the Grain: popular music, pedagogy and cultural politics in the films of Isaac Julien

1I am grateful to Laura U. Marks and Patricia Irvine for their comments and criticisms on earlier drafts of this paper. I would also like to thank Kass A. Banning, Steve Humphrey, and MaryLee Miller for their advice and assistance.
Neuropsychological functioning in kleptomania.

Abstract Kleptomania is characterized by the failure to resist impulses to steal objects not needed for personal use or their monetary value. The objective of this study was to examine cognitive and executive functioning in subjects with kleptomania. Fifteen women with a primary DSM-IV diagnosis of kleptomania underwent a detailed psychiatric examination, including measures of kleptomania severity, and a battery of neuropsychological tests that emphasized executive functions. Correlational analyses were computed between measures of kleptomania severity and tests of executive functioning. Kleptomania subjects reported a mean duration of illness of 17.9 years and shoplifting a mean of 1.7 times per week. All subjects reported an inability to resist urges to shoplift. Neuropsychological testing revealed group mean test scores within 0.5 standard deviations of normative standards for age. Five subjects (33.3%), however, had below-average performance on at least one measure of executive functioning, and 4 (26.7%) had below-average scores on two executive measures. Correlational analyses revealed a statistically significant correlation between kleptomania severity and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test performance ( r = - 0.693 , p = 0.004 ). As a group, subjects with kleptomania did not demonstrate deficits on neuropsychological testing. Greater kleptomania symptom severity, however, was correlated with impairment in executive functioning.
Prediction of Plume Migration Using Injection Data and a Model Selection Approach

Abstract During a geological sequestration project, realistic assessment of geological heterogeneity of the storage formation is needed for predicting the migration of CO2. A single deterministic model of the aquifer would not correctly represent the underlying uncertainties (geological, petrophysical, fluid properties etc.), nor would it address the issue of uncertainty in predictions based on uncertain subsurface models. Recently we have explored the idea of creating groups of models that share common flow characteristics and subsequently selecting the group exhibiting flow characteristics closest to the observed field data. This idea conveys two key advantages: it provides an estimate of uncertainty in the results of the history matching, and it helps identify those heterogeneities large enough to affect plume movement significantly. In this paper, we propose and demonstrate certain improvements in the workflow. This approach holds promise as an inexpensive method of monitoring plume migration.
Standardizing the interview process and developing a faculty interview rubric: An effective method to recruit and retain online instructors

Abstract With the increasing prevalence of online education, institutions of higher education may encounter challenges as they seek to hire instructors who have the skills, knowledge base, and competencies that “best fit” the unique characteristics associated with online teaching. This article describes the initial development of the Systematic Interview Rubric for Adjunct Applicant Review (SIRAAR) as part of a standardized interview process for hiring online faculty members at an online university. The development of the SIRAAR stemmed from the findings of a qualitative study using a web board focus group with 28 online faculty from Capella University, School of Human Services. Once an initial iteration of the SIRAAR was completed, it was then reviewed utilizing a “vetting” process with 11 faculty members in an informal, face-to-face discussion. The use of an interview rubric and a standardized interview process is proposed as a systematic strategy to support the hiring process, online faculty retention and quality online instruction.
HOW WELL DO MATING FREQUENCY AND DURATION PREDICT PATERNITY SUCCESS IN THE POLYGYNANDROUS WATER STRIDER AQUARIUS REMIGIS

The relationship between mating success and paternity success is a key component of sexual selection but has seldom been estimated for species in which both sexes mate with many partners (polygynandry). We used a modification of Parker's sterile male technique to measure this relationship for the water strider Aquarius remigis in 47 laboratory populations simulating natural conditions of polygynandry. We also tested the hypothesis that prolonged copulation, a characteristic of this species, enhances paternity success. Mating behavior and paternity success were assayed for four days while males and females freely interacted. Paternity success was also assayed for an additional 7 days when females were isolated from males. Mating success significantly predicted paternity success and accounted for ≤ 36% of the variance. Copulation duration was negatively related to both mating success and paternity success and did not explain any of the residual variance in paternity success. Thus, we found no evidence that prolonged copulation functions as a paternity assurance strategy in this species. Comparisons of sterile and fertile males suggested that paternity success is directly influenced by the quantity of sperm transferred. Our results support previous studies that have used mating success to estimate sexual selection, but also highlight the potential importance of sperm competition and other postinsemination processes.
Semiclassical Quantization Using Invariant Tori: A Gradient-Descent Approach†

This paper presents a PDE-based, gradient-descent approach (GDA) to the EBK quantization of nearly separable Hamiltonians in the quasi-integrable regime. The method does this by finding an optimal semiclassical basis of invariant tori which minimizes the angular dependence of the Hamiltonian. This representation of the Hamiltonian is termed an intrinsic resonance representation (IRR), and it gives the smallest possible basis obtainable from classical mechanics. Because our method is PDE-based, we believe it to be significantly faster than previous IRR algorithms, making it possible to EBK quantize systems of higher degrees of freedom than previously studied. In this paper we demonstrate our method by reproducing results from a two-degree-of-freedom system used to demonstrate the previous Carioli, Heller, and Moller (CHM) implementation of the IRR approach. We then go on to show that our method can be applied to higher dimensional Hamiltonians than previously studied by using it to EBK quantize a four- and...
RESEARCH SETTINGS IN INDUSTRIAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY: FACTS, FALLACIES, AND THE FUTURE1,2,3

Data were collected about research issues involving laboratory and field settings through a content analysis of the 1966, 1970, and 1974 volumes of the Journal of Applied Psychology, Organizational Behavior and Human Performance, and Personnel Psychology. Four general categories of data were collected: (a) affiliation of investigators, (b) topic areas investigated, (c) settings of the research, and (d) research strategies employed. Four common beliefs of either laboratory or field advocates were contradicted by the data. First, laboratory research was found fairly frequently in the industrial-organizational literature. Second, theory and hypothesis testing were not overemphasized. Third, laboratory research was as applied as field research. Lastly, studies published by researchers with nonacademic affiliations were as likely to have been conducted in laboratory settings as field settings. Recommendations were made to use the laboratory more frequently for theory and hypothesis based research and to use a variety of research strategies in both laboratory and field settings.
Extended second price auctions for Plug-in Electric Vehicle (PEV) charging in smart distribution grids

Large scale deployment of Plug-in Electric Vehicles (PEVs) in the smart grid environment necessitates the use of appropriate charging control algorithms that handle the additional PEV based load effectively. While ensuring grid stability, these PEV charging control algorithms must ensure that the available energy is delivered to where it is needed the most. In this paper, we explore the question of efficient allocation of energy (charging rates and schedules) to PEVs by the aggregator (electricity utility) through an auction mechanism. Recognizing the practical limitations of the Vickrey-Clark-Groves (VCG) mechanism which would be natural to apply in this context, we investigate two practical mechanisms that can be viewed as extensions of second price auction mechanisms, and have limited message (bid) complexity. In the first mechanism, the multi-level second price (MSP), each PEV agent submits a number of price bids, one for each of a given set of energy levels (energy quantities). In the second mechanism, the progressive second price (PSP), the PEV agents submit a two-dimensional bid indicating the price as well as the desired energy quantity. Taking into account differences across PEV-owners in terms of their willingness-to-pay values and charging time constraints, we analyze the social optimality and incentive compatibility properties of the two auction mechanisms.
Electromagnetic modes localized at the edges of a three-dimensional photonic crystal

We find electromagnetic waves can be guided at the edge of a three-dimensional photonic crystal in air. A cell-counting approach describes its periodic evolution with interesting interplays among edge, surface and bulk states.
The role of the National Practitioner Data Bank in the credentialing process

Federal law requires hospitals and permits other entities to seek information from the National Practitioner Data Bank (NPDB) but places no requirements on how that information should be used. Our survey of NPDB users demonstrates that although the NPDB has generated substantial controversy and its information is nominally available from other sources, it still plays an important role in the credentialing process. Most institutions make timely NPDB inquiries that facilitate widespread use of the information in credentialing activities (4-5 individuals or committees). However, in 3% to 7% of cases, a decision was reached before the institution had the NPDB report. Between 5% and 30% of privileging and licensure applications involving an NPDB report were not granted "as requested," suggesting the NPDB data are important to the process. Unfortunately, underreporting was also evident: 60% to 75% of reportable actions were not reported, limiting the information to which health care entities have access.
Pathways for bicarbonate transfer across the serosal membrane of turtle urinary bladder: Studies with a disulfonic stilbene

Bicarbonate is transferred across the serosal (S) membrane of the epithelial cells of the turtle bladder in two directions. Cellular HCO3− generated behind the H+ pump moves across this membrane into the serosal solution. This efflux of HCO3− is inhibited by SITS (4-isothiocyano-4′-acetamido-2,2′-disulfonic stilbene). When HCO3− is added to the serosal solution it is transported across the epithelium in exchange for absorbed Cl−. This secretory HCO3− flow traverses the serosal cell membrane in the opposite direction. In this study the effects of serosal addition of 5×10−4m SITS on HCO3− secretion and Cl− absorption were examined. The rate of H+ secretion was brought to zero by an opposing pH gradient, and 20mm HCO3− was added toS. HCO3− secretion, measured by pH stat titration, was equivalent to the increase inM→S Cl− flux after HCO3− addition. Neither theS→M flux of HCO3− nor theM→S flux of Cl− were affected by SITS. In the absence of electrochemical gradients, net Cl− absorption was observed only in the presence of HCO3− in the media; under such conditions, unidirectional and net fluxes of Cl− were not altered by serosal or mucosal SITS. H+ secretion, however, measured simultaneously as the short-circuit current in ouabain-treated bladders decreased markedly after serosal SITS. The inhibition of the efflux of HCO3− in series with the H+ pump and the failure of SITS to affect HCO3− secretion and Cl− absorption suggest that the epithelium contains at least two types of transport systems for bicarbonate in the serosal membrane.
Variation in folate pathway genes and distal colorectal adenoma risk: a sigmoidoscopy-based case–control study

Background Folate-associated one-carbon metabolism (FOCM) is an important pathway in colorectal neoplasia risk but data on genetic variation in this pathway are largely limited to studies of single SNPs in selected genes.
Grading More Accurately

Grades matter. College grading systems, however, are often ad hoc and prone to mistakes. This essay focuses on one factor that contributes to high-quality grading systems: grading accuracy (or “efficiency”). I proceed in several steps. First, I discuss the elements of “efficient” (i.e., accurate) grading. Next, I present analytical results indicating how often our grading schemes are likely to be inefficient, and I also discuss the causes for grading inefficiency. The following sections describe ways to make our grading systems more efficient, especially by increasing the number of scores and by providing clearer guidance on what constitutes high-quality performance. Finally, I offer data from my own “natural” experiment in grading and offer some concluding comments.
A Distributed Topology Control Algorithm in the Presence of Multipath Propagation

Each node in a wireless multihop network can adjust the power at which it makes its transmissions and thus change the topology of the network by choosing the neighbors with which it directly communicates. Many previous algorithms for distributed topology control have assumed an ability at each node to deduce some spatial information such as the direction and the distance of its neighbor nodes with respect to itself. However, such a deduction of spatial information cannot be relied upon in a multipath environment where different paths of a signal may have different loss characteristics and none of the paths may be line-of-sight. In this paper, we present Step Topology Control (STC), a simple distributed topology control algorithm which reduces power consumption while preserving the connectivity of a heterogeneous sensor network in a multipath environment. The STC algorithm avoids the use of GPS devices and also makes no assumptions about the distance and direction between neighboring nodes. We provide analytical proofs of the relationship between the STC algorithm and a cone-based topology control algorithm. We present a detailed simulation- based comparative analysis of the energy savings achieved by the STC algorithm and previously known algorithms that also seek to reduce power consumption while preserving connectivity. The results show that the STC algorithm performs significantly better than other algorithms, especially in the presence of radio irregularities and multipath propagation. In addition, the STC algorithm scales better than other algorithms in performance and in fact, is more effective with increasing numbers of nodes.
Response to Eimeria tenella Infection Among Lines of Fowl Selected for Differential Resistance to Avian Leukosis

Abstract THE suggestion of a direct association between coccidiosis and avian leukosis remains controversial. A number of circumstances could result in an apparent association between the two diseases. Those conditions which permit introduction and proliferation of one of the infective agents (leukosis virus or coccidia) would probably be favorable for the introduction of the other. Biggs et al. (1968) concluded that infection with Marek’s disease virus may increase the susceptibility of chickens to coccidial infection. This phenomenon may be partially attributed to the impaired immunological capacity of chickens infected with Marek’s disease which has been demonstrated by Purchase et al. (1968). Edgar et al. (1968) reported evidence of a loss of acquired resistance to coccidiosis at an early age among birds developing lymphoid leukosis or Marek’s disease. On the other hand, damage to the intestinal wall caused by coccidia could provide an easy route of entry for leukosis virus. The possibility…
Free Gift with Purchase: Promoting or Discounting the Brand?

Two experiments examine the process by which free gift promotions serve as a source of information about the underlying value of the product offered as a free gift. The value-discounting hypothesis argues that by virtue of being offered as a free gift, products will be valued less as evinced by lower purchase intentions and a lower price that consumers are willing to pay for them. Conditions that inhibit the value-discounting effect include the (a) presence of alternate price information to make judgments about the value of the gift, and (b) contextual information about the value of the promoted brand.
Hepatic heme metabolism in selenium-deficient rats: effect of phenobarbital.

Abstract Hepatic heme metabolism was examined in selenium (Se)-deficient and Se-adequate (control) rats. Administration of phenobarbital stimulated heme synthesis in the liver in both Se-deficient and Se-adequate rats. In contrast to these results, phenobarbital increased microsomal heme oxygenase (MHO) activity six- to eightfold in Se-deficient but not control rats. These data suggest that the previously reported abnormalities of cytochrome P -450 induction in Se-deficient rats are related to increased degradation of hepatic heme.
A Kernel-based Method for the Approximate Solution of Backward Parabolic Problems

A method for approximating the solution of self-adjoint parabolic equations backwards in time is presented. The technique uses the Green's function of the parabolic equation to formulate the problem as a first-kind Fredholm integral equation, and then does a regularized least-squares solution of the resulting discrete system. Error estimates and examples are presented. Direct knowledge of the kernel of the differential operator is not required.
Compositae of the Guayana Highland—XIII. New combinations in Conyza (Astereae), Praxelis (Eupatorieae), and Riencourtia (Heliantheae) based on names proposed by L.C.M. Richard

The new combinations Conyza laevigata (Astereae), Praxelis diffusa (Eupatorieae), and Riencourtia pedunculosa (Heliantheae) are made. Conyza laevigata includes C. apurensis; Praxelis diffusa includes P. pauciflora and the type of the genus, P. villosa; and Riencourtia pedunculosa includes R. glomerata and R. spiculifera, the type of the genus. Lectotypes are designated for names of five species described by Richard. The current names of other species of Compositae described by Richard in 1792 are given, including the reduction of Eupatorium incisum to Chromolaena odorata. Labeling errors are discussed, and the type of Erigeron laevigatus is taken to be from the West Indies. Riencourtia is newly documented for Bolivia and Panama.
Conducting and transparent single-wall carbon nanotube electrodes for polymer-fullerene solar cells

We describe the use of single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) thin films as transparent and conducting electrodes for hole collection in poly(hexyl)thiophene-[6-6]phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT-PCBM) organic photovoltaics. We report a power conversion efficiency of 1%, with a fill factor of 0.3 and a short-circuit current of 6.5mA∕cm2 under 100mW∕cm2 polychromatic white light illumination measured in air. These values are comparatively higher than reference cells of similar thickness made on indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrates. This is attributed to the three-dimensional nature of the interface between the SWNTs and the P3HT-PCBM nanocomposite. Our results indicate that solution processed SWNT thin films are a viable alternative to ITO for photovoltaic devices, eliminating an expensive vacuum deposition step in the fabrication of organic solar cells.
The L. E. cell test

Abstract The L.E. cell test is an empirical procedure which has proved to be of inestimable value in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The test is based on the presence of an unknown abnormal substance in the plasma and certain other body fluids of many patients with SLE. This abnormal substance under appropriate conditions is capable of including a peculiar and distinctive change in some leukocytes. The recognition of the specifically altered leukocyte, the “L.E. cell,” is the end point of test.
Retinoic acid induced downregulation of MYCN is not mediated through changes in Sp1/Sp3.

Background Use of retinoic acid (RA) has become the standard of care in the treatment of high risk neuroblastoma (NB). In vitro, RA induces growth arrest and differentiation, an effect that likely underlies its activity in the clinical setting. An important event in differentiation is the transcriptional downregulation of the MYCN oncogene, which is frequently activated in aggressive tumors. While it is known that Sp1/Sp3 and E2F are necessary to drive basal MYCN expression, the mechanism for its downregulation by RA remains enigmatic. Changes in E2F binding have been reported, however these occurred after the actual transcriptional response. Here, post-translational modifications of Sp proteins were examined as an alternate mechanism of RA-mediated promoter regulation. Procedure Western blot was used to evaluate steady state levels of nuclear/cytoplasmic Sp1/Sp3. Promoter binding and DNA conformation were determined by gel shift, circular permutation, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Immunoprecipitation/western and 32P-phosphoamino analyses were used to detect glycosylation, acetylation, sumoylation, and phosphorylation. Results RA did not affect the cellular level of Sp1/Sp3 proteins, their nuclear/cytoplasmic distribution, ability to bind the MYCN promoter, degree of Sp-induced DNA bending, or post-translational modifications. Conclusions MYCN RA response is not mediated solely though the region controlling basal activity. RA may be exerting its effects via multiple non-adjacent regulatory regions, potentially including basal motifs, either within the MYCN promoter or distally, on the same or even different chromosomes. Such cooperative trans-type DNA–protein interactions could explain the inaccessibility of this mechanism to the locus-specific approaches employed up to this point. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2008;50:806–811. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The physics of coronal closed-field structures

The properties of closed coronal loops are reviewed. First we discuss the main features of the static, hot loop models. In these models thermal conduction plays the dominant role in determining the temperature and density structure. Next the cool loop models and their implications for solar observations are discussed. Finally, some new theoretical results on coronal abundances are presented. It is argued that chromospheric evaporation, which is a basic feature of the hot models, can account for the observed anomalies in the coronal element abundances.
Crystal-liquid experiments in the presence of a C-O-H fluid buffered by graphite+iron+wustite : experimental method and near-liquidus relations in basanite

Abstract A capsule assembly for use at high pressures and temperatures in the piston-cylinder apparatus has been developed which prevents iron loss to capsules and fixes fluid fugacities. The oxygen fugacity of the assembly is fixed by the iron-wustite buffer, and fugacities of other fluid species present are fixed by the buffer and the presence of graphite. The conditions of buffering and no iron loss to capsules allow a very high degree of precision from run to run. This allows determination of subtle melting reactions. The solubility of the fluid phase in albite, basanite and tholeiite liquids was determined using infrared, near-infrared and Raman spectral analysis along with quadrupole mass spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis and total C-H analysis. Only H2O and CO show significant solubility compared to their activities. CH4, CO2 and H2 are rejected by the melt. Liquids produced by different degrees of melting of a low-K basanite, which fractionates hornblende, show an alkali trend similar to fractionation trends observed in nature.
A New Measure of Predictor Variable Importance in Multiple Regression

Ambiguity surrounds any importance measure in cases in which predictor variables are correlated. However, a new measure is proposed that has attractive properties, such as providing individual contributions that are both non-negative and sum to R2. The new measure is compared with four other commonly used measures and its advantages over each of them are pointed out.
Hydrogen-Donor-Assisted Solvent Liquefaction of Lignin to Short-Chain Alkylphenols Using a Micro Reactor/Gas Chromatography System

The benefit of using hydrogen donor solvents in lignin solvolytic conversion was studied using a micro reactor coupled to online gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with a flame ionization detector. This system is able to achieve very high heating rates of reactants and capable of analyzing the reaction products immediately after the reaction is completed, thus allowing for probing “semi” time-resolved reactions occurring during lignin conversion. These features have been impossible for the batch reactors typically employed in previous solvent liquefaction studies. The study showed that the hydrogen donor solvents tetralin and isopropanol were effective in converting lignin into short-chain alkyl phenols (SCAP) at high yield. The yield of SCAP increased with an increasing reaction temperature over the range of 300–400 °C and reaction time over the range of 5–15 min, which is attributed to stabilization of lignin-derived products by hydrogen abstraction from the hydrogen donor solvents. The molecular weig...
Hydrodynamic characteristics of gas-fluidized beds over a broad temperature range

Abstract Minimum fluidizing velocity and incipient bed voidage are reported for beds of four sand particles of average diameters 559, 751, 1225 and 3778,μm as a function of temperature in the range 300 – 1250 K. The experiments are conducted in a 0.152 dia. cylindrical bed equipped with external band heaters. Different temperatures are obtained by electrically preheating the fluidizing air and by the combustion of air-propane mixtures in the bed. The bed voidage at minimum fluidization ϵmf is found to exhibit a characteristic variation with the corresponding Reynolds number Remf, and Archimedes number Ar. It is shown that this variation is due to the changing fluidflow field around the particles, and hence to the inter-particle forces. The qualitatively different observed behaviors of ϵmf with Remf are in accord with the powder classification scheme of Saxena and Ganzha. The experimental values of minimum fluidizing velocity Umf for the four systems cannot be represented by any of the eight recommended Wen and Yu-type correlations based on the Ergun equation. This is discussed and explained on the basis of the observed variation of σmf with temperature, which must be accounted for in the development of a general correlation for Umf. The present experimental results are in agreement with the findings of earlier workers concerning the variation of ϵmf with temperature.
A Perfusion-based Human Cadaveric Model for Management of Carotid Artery Injury during Endoscopic Endonasal Skull Base Surgery.

Objective To create and develop a reproducible and realistic training environment to prepare residents and trainees for arterial catastrophes during endoscopic endonasal surgery. Design An artificial blood substitute was perfused at systolic blood pressures in eight fresh human cadavers to mimic intraoperative scenarios. Setting The USC Keck School of Medicine Fresh Tissue Dissection Laboratory was used as the training site. Participants Trainees were USC neurosurgery residents and junior faculty. Main Outcome A 5-point questionnaire was used to assess pre- and posttraining confidence scores. Results High-pressure extravasation at normal arterial blood pressure mimicked real intraoperative internal carotid artery (ICA) injury. Residents developed psychomotor skills required to achieve hemostasis using suction, cottonoids, and muscle grafts. Questionnaire responses from all trainees reported a realistic experience enhanced by the addition of the perfusion model. Conclusions The addition of an arterial perfusion system to fresh tissue cadavers is among the most realistic training models available. This enables the simulation of rare intraoperative scenarios such as ICA injury. Strategies for rapid hemostasis and implementation of techniques including endoscope manipulation, suction, and packing can all be rehearsed via this novel paradigm.
Glycoproteins as cell-surface structural components

Abstract The major cell-surface component of Halobacterium salinarium is a glycoprotein having structural and biosynthetic features in common with eukaryotic glycoproteins. The occurrence of glycoproteins in eukaryotes and archaebacteria suggests that they may have originated in primitive cells, which existed before the divergence of the three major lines of descent, possibly as structural components to stabilize the cell membrane.
A Statistical Model for the Examination of the Validity of Prerequisites

The objective of this paper was to develop and demonstrate an empirical method of estimating the validity of course prerequisites. By comparing the distributions of grades in upper division classes for students who had and who had not completed the "necessary" subject matter prerequisites with a multivariate analysis of variance procedure known as step-down analysis, it was possible to determine the actual importance of these lower division courses for future academic success. Grade point average was found to be the variable most closely associated with the level of performance in the target courses, whereas the percentage of prerequisites accounted for approximately two per cent of the variance. Results of this investigation were examined in the light of possible revisions in educational policies governing admission requirements to upper division courses.
Exploring Affect-Context Dependencies for Adaptive System Development

We use X2 to investigate the context dependency of student affect in our computer tutoring dialogues, targeting uncertainty in student answers in 3 automatically monitorable contexts. Our results show significant dependencies between uncertain answers and specific contexts. Identification and analysis of these dependencies is our first step in developing an adaptive version of our dialogue system.
Application of distributive justice theory to the CEO pay problem: Recommendations for reform

An ethical analysis of chief executive officer (CEO) salaries can be approached via theory on distributive justice and an examination of some corporate codes of ethics. U.S. CEO salaries are compared with their Japanese and European counterparts, and factors behind the high U.S. CEO salaries are reviewed. The negative repercussions of high pay are discussed, including feelings of unfairness, declining morale and greater cynicism found in lower level employees. Reduced research and development budgets, and downsized organizations are related to the maintenance of high CEO salaries. After considering economic repercussions, recommendations for reform, which lead to the greatest expected benefit of the least advantaged, are made.
Identification of frequent La Niña events during the early 1800s in the east equatorial Pacific

We report measurements of near monthly Δ14C and δ18O during selected decades from an east equatorial Pacific coral that grew during the past four centuries. We find that El Nino events occurred regularly during the late 1700s. During the early 1800s, El Nino events occurred less often, and La Nina conditions prevailed, which were accompanied by unprecedented, low cool season Δ14C values and high cool season δ18O values. These results indicate that shallow overturning water (e.g., Central Mode Water) from the North Pacific was likely an important source of water to the Galapagos area during the early 1800s.
The Disgust Propensity and Sensitivity Scale-Revised: Psychometric properties and specificity in relation to anxiety disorder symptoms

The present study examined the factor structure and psychometric properties of the Disgust Propensity and Sensitivity Scale-Revised (DPSS-R) in a nonclinical sample (N = 340). Principal components analysis of the DPSS-R revealed a two-factor structure consisting of Disgust Propensity and Disgust Sensitivity. Although the two-factor structure converged well with prior research, four of the 16 DPSS-R items did not load onto the predicted factor. The DPSS-R demonstrated good reliability and validity. The DPSS-R and its two factors were moderately correlated with spider fear and contamination fear and mildly correlated with injection fear. The relation between the DPSS-R and these anxiety disorder symptoms remained largely intact after controlling for negative affect. Regression analyses also revealed that the two DPSS-R factors demonstrate specificity in the prediction of anxiety disorder symptoms. These findings are discussed in terms of promoting a more valid and reliable assessment of disgust in anxiety disorders.
The End of Behavioral Finance

The controversy surrounding behavioral finance is dying out as scholars accept it as simply a new way of doing financial economic research.
Evaluation of the Amazon Rain Forrest as a Distributed Target for Satellite Microwave Radiometer Calibration

For decades, the task to precisely calibrate the satellite microwave radiometer is challenging. The evaluation of the absolute calibration of the TMI brightness temperatures is an extremely formidable task due to the difficulty in obtaining an accurate standard with which to compare the TMI. The proposed research will investigate the Amazon rain forest area as a distributed target for the Satellite Microwave radiometer calibration. History shows us that homogeneity exist in the Amazon Basin so it is useful for the satellite radiometer calibration. There are two principal goals of this research, namely; (1) to measure the brightness temperature (Tb) over the entire Amazon rain forest region to see how it varies over the wide range of forest, (2) to calculate the emissivity for that entire region using the Land surface temperature data from the MODIS sensor from two different satellite TERRA and AQUA.