cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spectroscopy of Solids, Gases, and Liquids in the ETEM

The use of various nanospectroscopies for determining the nanoscale composition and electronic structure of materials in the environmental transmission electron microscope (ETEM) is described and illustrated. ETEM is a powerful approach for determining the atomic level changes taking place in materials as a result of interactions with ambient gas or liquid environments. A variety of different composition changes may occur with the details depending on the sample composition, gas composition, temperature, and other stimuli. Changes in the elemental and bonding information associated with gas–solid interactions can be detected and quantified using electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). When these spectroscopies are used in combination with the sub-nanometer electron probes associated with scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), they provide a powerful tool for determining composition and bonding information at the atomic level. It may also be important to monitor the surrounding gas or liquid composition during in situ experiments. The use of EELS and mass spectrometry, usually a residual gas analyzer (RGA), for gas measurement during ETEM experiments is described and compared. Examples of the application of nanospectroscopies to in situ analysis of compositional changes in a number of metal and oxide systems are given. Combining gas analysis with structural determination opens the door to an operando approach to TEM. Several examples of operando TEM applied to catalytic CO oxidation reactions are given. The impact of current and future instrument development on the analytical capability of ETEM is briefly described.
Echocardiographic Assessment of Aortic Disease

The aorta is the major arterial conduit which transports blood from the heart to the systemic circulation. It originates immediately beyond the aortic valve and is divided into an ascending aorta (initial ascending part) followed by the aortic arch (middle curve) and descending aorta (terminal descending part). The descending part continues through the hiatus of the diaphragm to become the abdominal aorta. The normal aorta is small, with a mean diameter of 3.2 cm (ascending aorta at the level of the right pulmonary artery).
Reconsidering the Ban on Financial Incentives

Few policies attract wider support than the prohibition of financial incentives to prospective organ donors. In order to challenge this taboo, a preliminary observation on transplantation as a whole is required. This book has been predicated on an implicit assumption that organ transplantation, on the whole, is a good and just activity. That is a necessary condition for proposals to improve the supply of organs in ethically acceptable ways. In this chapter, I argue that financial incentives can be justified and that arguments banning such incentives are faulty. This argument depends on support for the enterprise as a whole: Why else would we want to improve supply? For the purpose of this discussion, I concede this approval but would like to register a few concerns before proceeding.
Connected Learning: Evaluating and Refining an Academic Community Blogging Platform

This study investigates the benefits of a community blogging platform for students in an online LIS program. Using a web survey and descriptive content analysis methods, this paper empirically addresses how student blogging communities can be effectively foster connections amongst instructors and students, and enhance perceptions of learning performance. Overall, students reported the blogging community and blogging assignment created a positive impact on their learning performance, particularly with productivity and competence. The positive feedback concerning usability and connections to others in the system reported lead to an overall positive perception of learning within the blogging community. Instructors seeking to create communities such as this for students should make the sites usable, customizable, and attractive.
The End of Moore's Law: A New Beginning for Information Technology

The insights contained in Gordon Moore's now famous 1965 and 1975 papers have broadly guided the development of semiconductor electronics for over 50 years. However, the field-effect transistor is approaching some physical limits to further miniaturization, and the associated rising costs and reduced return on investment appear to be slowing the pace of development. Far from signaling an end to progress, this gradual "end of Moore's law" will open a new era in information technology as the focus of research and development shifts from miniaturization of long-established technologies to the coordinated introduction of new devices, new integration technologies, and new architectures for computing.
Cross-Institutional Evaluation of a Mastoidectomy Assessment Instrument.

Objective The objective of this work is to obtain validity evidence for an evaluation instrument used to assess the performance level of a mastoidectomy. The instrument has been previously described and had been formulated by a multi-institutional consortium. Design Mastoidectomies were performed on a virtual temporal bone system and then rated by experts using a previously described 15 element task-based checklist. Based on the results, a second, similar checklist was created and a second round of rating was performed. Setting Twelve otolaryngological surgical training programs in the United States. Participants In all, 65 mastoidectomy performances were evaluated coming from 37 individuals with a variety of temporal bone dissection experience, from medical students to attending physicians. Raters were attending surgeons from 12 different institutions. Results Intraclass correlation scores varied greatly between items in the checklist with some being low and some being high. Percentage agreement scores were similar to previous rating instruments. There is strong evidence that a high score on the task-based checklist is necessary for a rater to consider a mastoidectomy to be performed at the level of an expert but a high score is not a sufficient condition. Conclusions Rewording of the instrument items to focus on safety does not result in increased reliability of the instrument. The strong result of the Necessary Condition Analysis suggests that going beyond simple correlation measures can give extra insight into grading results. Additionally, we suggest using a multiple point scale instead of a binary pass/fail question combined with descriptive mastery levels.
Sensory characteristics and consumer acceptance of black walnut gelato

Summary The objective of this study was to determine the sensory characteristics and consumer acceptance of gelato made with six black walnut cultivars: Davidson, Emma K, Football, Pounds, Sparks 127, and Vandersloot. The descriptive sensory panel found that black walnut ID, overall nutty and sour (P ≤ 0.05) attributes were different among gelato samples. The gelato samples were evaluated by 103 consumers for overall liking. Three clusters of consumers were found: one cluster of consumers (n = 29) liked milder black walnut flavour, while another (n = 20) liked more intense black walnut and overall nutty flavour. The third cluster of consumers (n = 54) liked all of the gelato samples. Consumer variation seeking tendency information was also collected. No significant differences in overall liking between the different types of variety seeking consumers. Gelati made with Pounds and Sparks 127 cultivars were accepted by all consumers indicating that these may be good cultivars to include in novel consumer products.
Analysis of System-Level Reliability of Single-Chip Glass BGA Packages with Advanced Solders and Polymer Collars

Emerging high-performance computing systems have been aggressively driving advances in packaging technologies to meet their escalating performance and miniaturization needs. Large, high-density 2.5D silicon interposers have gained momentum with the recent split-die trend but face critical reliability challenges at board-level that are addressed by introducing an additional organic BGA package between interposer and board. Glass substrates have emerged as a promising alternative owing to the superior electrical properties, sub-5µm lithographic capability and tunable CTE of glass that enables direct SMT assembly to mother boards among other advantages. This paper investigates board-level reliability of single-chip glass BGA packages, 18.5mm × 18.5mm in body size and 100µm in thickness at 400µm BGA pitch. A parametric finite-element analysis was performed to extract the optimum glass CTE for balanced chip-and board-level reliabilities. Innovative doped solder materials and strain-relief mechanisms were evaluated to improve board-level reliability with minimum system-level impact. Daisy-chain test vehicles with low (3.3ppm/K) and high (9.8ppm/K) CTE glass substrates were fabricated and assembled at chip and board levels by Cu pillar thermocompression bonding and standard SMT reflow, respectively. Assemblies with different BGA solder alloys, SAC105, SAC305 and Indium's Mn-doped SACmTM, were subjected to thermal cycling test according to JEDEC standards. Comprehensive failure analysis was performed to evaluate fatigue life improvements with advanced interconnection materials and conclude on scalability of glass substrates for high-performance applications.
Teacher-Conducted, Latency-Based Functional Analysis as Basis for Individualized Levels System in a Classroom Setting

Latency-based functional analysis (FA) may be appropriate when stakeholders are concerned with safety or feasibility. We trained a first-year special education teacher to collect data while she implemented a latency-based FA and validated a function-based intervention. Treatment effects were generalized across paraeducators and were maintained during a 1-month follow-up.
Methane production in an upflow anaerobic biofilm digester from leachates derived from poultry litter at different organic loading rates and hydraulic retention times

Abstract Attached growth anaerobic process has not been investigated for methane production from poultry litter. In this study, an upflow anaerobic biofilm reactor operated at 35 °C was used to treat leachates derived from poultry litter at different organic loading rates (OLR) and hydraulic retention times (HRT). The experiments showed that the highest theoretical methane yield was 86.9% at OLR 1.05 g COD L−1 d−1 and HRT 20.5 d, and the highest COD removal was 86.1% at OLR 0.904 g COD L−1 d−1 and HRT 16.6 d. The lower OLR for this reactor can be attributed to higher solid contents and lower ratios of carbon to nitrogen in leachates. The experimental results demonstrated that anaerobic biofilm reactor can be used efficiently for treatment of leachates derived from poultry litter.
Can Corporate Capitalism Be Redeemed? Business Ethics and the Search for a Renewed Faith in Work

This chapter investigates the relationship between faith, work, corporate capitalism and business ethics. The faith perspective with which it is concerned—though sharing some common elements with the faith associated with some religious traditions—is not tied to a particular religion or theology, but constitutes an existential commitment that guides people amidst the limitations inherent to human understanding. The authors assert that all work is guided by a faith that gives it purpose. However, over the last century the dominant system for organizing work has been corporate capitalism, which is guided by a faith according to which the ultimate purpose of work is profit maximization and personal enrichment. It is argued that this is a debasing faith and that work needs to be redeemed by a faith consistent with business ethics that affirms the dignity of work through service to the greater good.
Wednesday keynote I: FDSOI and FINFET for SoC developments

FDSOI and FINFet use the same electrostatic principles for their transistor architectures: the conduction properties of a thin layer of undoped semiconductor material are influenced by an isolated gate. For the same layer thickness, FINFET has more drive current and higher packing densities and FDSOI, due to a buried back-gate, shows more design flexibility, can handle extremely low supply voltages and is more cost effective due to its planar structure. While FINFet enables a continuation of Moore's Law for performance applications like Computing and Network-Switching, FDSOI shows excellent results for applications in the Internet-of-Things-domain. GLOBALFOUNDRIES has presented a dual roadmap based on FINFet and on FDSOI. On the FINFet-side it has a 14nm-technology in production and a 7nm-technology in development. Also, GLOBALFOUNDRIES has the FDSOI-based 22FDX™-Technology in production, and 12FDX™ in development. The talk will outline the application areas for FINFet and FDSOI and give examples on how to use the back-gate bias for maximum design flexibility.
Primary Care Evaluation and Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction

Historically, erectile dysfunction (ED), as all sexual dysfunctions, has been relegated to a lower priority in a busy primary care practice. However, it is becoming evident that ED will not only accompany disease states of high comorbidity, but also can serve as an early marker for some patients presenting without established cardiovascular disease. What follows is an examination of trends of sexual inquiry in primary care practice and why asking about erectile dysfunction should be vital; how to engage a patient to allow for such a discussion; the workup, treatment, and determination of organic erectile dysfunction; how to manage the nonresponder to PDE5i therapy; and when to refer. It is the hope of the authors that sexual inquiry can become standard in primary care practice. The number of men with ED is increasing by the decade, and it is vital to propose both a workup and a treatment plan, that is, not only simple but also includes basic lifestyle changes that address diet and exercise. The chapter will include the optimization of PDE5i therapy, and will review other pharmacologic and surgical therapies.
Can Project Management Help Improve Lean Six Sigma

Today, project managers are challenged with improving efficiency and overall productivity while working on specific tasks. They must be flexible and understand how to use tools and methods to improve results. While Lean Six Sigma (LSS) provides an overall data-driven process for detecting and enhancing system defects, project management has tools to evaluate and create a defined plan and manage a project. This paper examines LSS alongside project management. It breaks down Six Sigma's define, measure, analyze, improve, and control process, and shows how to incorporate both LSS and project management tools. If LSS only focuses on minimizing defects, then time management, cost reduction, and overall project planning must be integrated to achieve successful project completion. The question ultimately is “Can project management benefit LSS?” By combining some critical aspects from project management, this paper proposes a more comprehensive approach to LSS. The approach is known as define, measure, analyze, improve, implement, control, and closure; a list of comprehensive tools and concepts that could be applied are also presented and discussed.
The impact of BMI on post-operative survival in bladder cancer patients.

e16501Background: A known risk factor for developing bladder cancer is a patient’s body mass index (BMI). Recent studies have shown that increased BMI is associated with higher mortality and diseas...
Infectious mononucleosis like illness with costochondritis and profound relative lymphocytosis due to Coxsackie A.

Infectious mononucleosis (IM) like illness is characterized by fever, fatigue, often bilateral posterior cervical lymphadenopathy, exudative or non-exudative pharyngitis, splenomegaly and a rash. IM like syndrome laboratory features include mildly elevated serum transaminases ( 51%) with or without atypical lymphocytes. The IM syndrome is classically caused by Epstein – Barr virus (EBV) (˜85%) and less commonly may be due to cytomegalovirus (CMV) (˜10%) or Toxoplasma gondii. [[1], [2], [3]] Other etiologies of (IM) like syndrome, 51%) The clue to the diagnosis was her costochondritis which prompted ordering Coxsackie A and B titers. Her markedly elevated Coxsackie IgG A24 titers 1:1600 (n < 1:100) which were diagnostic.
Use of Paralytics for Nonemergent Neonatal Intubation in Very Low Birth Weight Infants

Background: Tracheal intubation (TI) is a commonly performed, high risk procedure within the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Use of sedation for the procedure has been associated with increased patient safety, but the use of paralytics remains controversial, especially for very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Purpose: To examine the association between paralytic medication use during neonatal TI, TI success, the occurrence of TI adverse events (TIAEs), and other physiologic factors related to neonatal TI in VLBW infants who were less than 1500g at the time of intubation. Methods: A …
Projected Economic Impact of Climate Change on Marine Capture Fisheries in the Philippines

Climate change and its impact on fisheries is a key issue for fishing nations, particularly the Philippines. The Philippine is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change on fisheries and it can lead to economic shock on the nation’s economy. This paper examines the impact of climate change on marine capture fisheries in the Philippines using an economic model to elaborate and project impacts on the national economy. In the simulation, one baseline scenario and two climate change scenarios based on greenhouse gas concentration were considered. The model focuses on Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and income distribution by region, which can represent economic conditions in terms of economic growth and distribution. Results show that there will be a negative change on both the fisheries and economic variables where more extreme changes in climate occur.
Computing activation energies of non-thermal reactions

The chemistry in bulk gases involves reactions of nascent radicals that are almost invariably non-thermal. The energy requirements of reactions involving radicals depend on the reactions that produ...
IIId-2 – Operation of Solar Cells in a Space Environment

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the operation of solar cells in a space environment. The first 30 years of space solar cell development focused on silicon solar cells. The concept of a tandem cell was proposed in the early days to enhance the overall efficiency. An optimized three-cell stack followed with a theoretical optimum efficiency of 37%. However, it was 40 years later before a multijunction solar cell flew in space. Today, silicon cells still fly in space, but the cell of choice is a multijunction solar cell. While commercial satellites use silicon, dual, or triple junction GaInP/GaAs/Ge, there is a marked interest in military applications of thin-film cells. NASA also has planned missions in which a large specific power (kW/kg) and lower cost would be beneficial. The advantages of thin film solar cells are their large specific power when deposited on a flexible, lightweight substrate with a suitably lightweight support structure. This chapter discusses space missions and their environments. Concepts of air mass zero spectrum, trapped radiation environment, solar flares, neutral environment, the particulate environment, and thermal environment are explained in detail.
Synthesis of Poly(β-hydroxybutyrate) in Simulated Microgravity: An Investigation of Aeration Profiles in Shake Flask and Bioreactor

The microbial strain Azotobacter vinelandii UWD was grown under conditions of simulated microgravity in the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Bioreactor. Bacterial growth in simulated microgravity differed significantly from that observed in conventional shake flask experiments: Cells tended to grow in a cluster-like pattern and polymer production started immediately after exposing them to conditions of simulated microgravity, and no lag time was observed. It was imperative to differentiate between the effects derived from microgravity and those imposed by the altered oxygen supply in the bioreactor. Aeration conditions were studied in both reactor types and a gas supply profile was developed for the bioreactor. This supply profile allowed for similar amounts of dissolved oxygen in the bioreactor and the shake flask in the initial stage of the fermentation and, therefore, for an evaluation of the effects of microgravity on biopolyester-producing bacteria. Since the optical density that is conventionally used as a measure for the cell growth could not be used due to the cluster-like growth pattern of the cells, it was determined that bacterial growth behavior in the bioreactor can be monitored through glucose or oxygen consumption.
Toward a Ukrainian Feminist Poetics: The Last Soviet Poetry of Iryna Zhylenko, Natalka Bilotserkivets, and Oksana Zabuzhko (1985-1991)

Ukrainian feminisms, and East European feminisms more generally, have often been evaluated in relation to those of the so-called West, wherein Western feminisms are (often implicitly) viewed as progressive, and those of Eastern Europe are seen as underdeveloped and/or emerging only after independence. This article resists such neocolonial framings by arguing that the poetic contributions of Ukrainian women writers in the period of perestroika (1985-1991) holds significance for understanding a longer Ukrainian feminist genealogy. As the 1980s brought forth new political and ecological realities, especially the Chornobyl (Chernobyl) explosion in 1986, the stakes of this shifting articulation of nationhood became especially high for women, as the concerns were tied directly to women’s sexual and reproductive bodies and futures. To that end, this article positions the work of Iryna Zhylenko (1941-2013), Natalka Bilotserkivets (1954-) and Oksana Zabuzhko (1960-) during perestroika as integral to the emergence of a more visibly subversive feminist rhetoric in Ukraine. While not always ‘feminist’ in name, women’s perestroika poetics, specifically through their representations of embodiment, yielded sharper and more vulnerable articulations of their gendered subjectivities, including the performances of sexual, maternal, and national identities.
Dietary ingestion of 2-aminoanthracene (2AA) and the risk for type-1 diabetes (T1D).

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disorder caused by the destruction of insulin-secreting β-cells.T1D is on the rise around the world. Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) inclu...
Fewer-Angle SPECT/CT Blood Pool Imaging for Infection and Inflammation

Rationale: A new protocol for rapid SPECT/CT blood pool imaging consisting of fewer image angle acquisitions was evaluated for localization of focal sites of soft tissue inflammation, infection and osteomyelitis. Methods: Immediately following dynamic flow and standard planar blood pool imaging with 99mTc-MDP, fewer angle SPECT/CT (FASpecT/CT) was performed with a dual head gamma camera consisting of 6 steps over 360°, 12 total images with 30° separation between angles and 30 seconds per image requiring a total imaging time of approximately 3 minutes. Images were reconstructed using ordered subset expectation maximization (OSEM) iterative reconstruction. Prior to use in a patient-care setting, various FASpecT/CT acquisition protocols were modeled using a phantom to determine the minimum number of stops and stop duration required to produce a reliable image. Results: FASpecT/CT blood pool images provided excellent 3-dimensional localization of spine osteomyelitis, soft tissue infection of the foot and tendonitis of the hand and foot utilizing a 3 minute image acquisition time. FASpecT/CT acquisition protocol required 1.3-3.5 minutes including camera movement time. This was a reduction of 72-90% when compared to the time required for the standard 60 angle, 20 second SPECT/CT acquisition. Principal Conclusion: FASpecT/CT blood pool images help localize focal sites of hyperemia/inflammation which can increase exam sensitivity and specificity. Additionally, utilizing a FASpecT/CT imaging protocol decreases imaging time by up to 90%.
Heated tobacco product use among US adolescents in 2019: The new tobacco risk.

Introduction There is growing public health concern about adolescent use of heated tobacco products (HTPs) after the US Food and Drug Administration approved the leading HTPs, IQOS, as a modified risk tobacco product. Extending the previous studies examining the correlates of HTP use among adolescents, this study aims to investigate potential risk factors for HTP use among US adolescents, including the use of multiple tobacco and flavored tobacco products. Methods We analyzed the 2019 National Youth Tobacco Survey (n=19018) and conducted a series of logistic regression models on awareness and use of HTPs as a function of tobacco use status (none, single, dual/poly) and past 30 days flavored tobacco use (e.g. menthol cigarette use, flavored e-cigarettes), controlling for sociodemographics. Results In multivariable analyses, awareness of HTPs was associated with usual menthol cigarette use (AOR=1.77; 95% CI: 1.23-2.53) and past 30 days flavored tobacco use (AOR=1.44; 95% CI: 1.16-1.80). Risk factors for ever HTP use included single (AOR=2.52; 95% CI: 1.19-5.33) and dual/poly tobacco use (AOR=4.94; 95% CI: 2.56-9.54), usual menthol cigarette use (AOR=2.50; 95% CI: 1.66-3.76), and past 30 days flavored tobacco use (AOR=1.61; 95% CI: 1.07-2.44). Risk factors for current HTP use included single (AOR=10.84; 95% CI: 6.72-17.49) and dual/poly tobacco use (AOR=31.96; 95% CI: 17.79-57.43), and usual menthol cigarette use (AOR=2.50; 95% CI: 1.63-3.85). Conclusions This study documents HTP use in adolescents and contributes insight and urgency into prioritizing at-risk adolescents for interventions, including current users of other tobacco products and flavored tobacco users.
Fixing the Vaccine Act's Structural Moral Hazard

On March 26, 2003, Rolf and Angela Hazlehurst filed a claim to recover damages for injuries their son allegedly sustained after receiving a measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine. Four years of discovery followed, during which counsel for the Hazlehursts requested documents and deposed officials from three federal agencies. They next sought to subpoena extensive product safety information from Merck & Company, and as the trial date approached, the attorneys even considered asking a court in the United Kingdom to unseal expert reports in a case involving similar claims of vaccine injury. When the Hazlehurst case finally reached trial in October 2007, the record contained 1,085 medical articles and 50 expert reports. Seven experts testified for the Hazlehursts, with specialties ranging from toxicology to gastroenterology. The defense responded by calling fourteen of its own experts, including four immunologists, two child psychiatrists,
Housing and criminality: the effect of housing placement on arrests among chronically homeless adults

This article examines the relationship between criminality and housing among a population of formerly homeless adults by comparing arrest rates before and after placement in a supportive housing pr...
Adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE) produces sex specific alterations in adult neuroimmune gene expression and ethanol sensitivity that are independent of ethanol metabolism.

Abstract The goal of the present studies was to determine long-lasting effects of adolescent intermittent ethanol (AIE), a rodent model of binge patterns of ethanol consumption, on (i) behavioral sensitivity to ethanol challenge in adulthood using the Loss of Righting Reflex (LORR) test; (ii) ethanol pharmacokinetics and ethanol-metabolizing enzyme expression when re-challenged with ethanol as adults; and (iii) induction of neuroimmune gene expression during an adult binge-like ethanol challenge. To evaluate the impact of AIE on ethanol sensitivity in adulthood, adult rats received a sedative ethanol dose of 3.5 g/kg and were tested for the LORR. Sexually dimorphic effects were observed, with AIE males showing more rapid recovery than vehicle exposed controls, an effect that was completely absent in females. Rats exposed to the same AIE procedure were challenged with 0.75, 1.5, or 3.0 g/kg i.p. ethanol in adulthood. Female rats with a history of AIE displayed a small increase in ethanol clearance rate when challenged with 0.75 g/kg, however no other significant differences in ethanol pharmacokinetics were noted. To assess persistent AIE-associated changes in neuroimmune gene expression, rats were challenged with 0 or 2.5 g/kg ethanol. Both male and female adult rats with a history of AIE displayed sensitized hippocampal IL-6 and IκBα gene expression in response to ethanol challenge. Changes in cytokine gene expression as well as ethanol sensitivity assessed by LORR were not shown to be the result of changes in ethanol pharmacokinetics and point to AIE altering other mechanisms capable of significantly altering the neuroimmune and behavioral response to ethanol.
Political Islam, Iran, and the Enlightenment: Philosophies of Hope and Despair

Introduction: political Islam's romance with the 'West' 1. Intellectuals and the politics of despair 2. The crisis of the nativist imagination 3. Modernity beyond nativism and universalism 4. Heidegger and Iran: the dark side of being and belonging 5. Democracy and religion in the thought of John Dewey 6. Enlightenment and moral politics 7. Conclusion.
Development and validation of patient-reported outcome measures for sleep disturbance and sleep-related impairments.

Study Objectives: To develop an archive of self-report questions assessing sleep disturbance and sleep-related impairments (SRI), to develop item banks from this archive, and to validate and calibrate the item banks using classic validation techniques and item response theory analyses in a sample of clinical and community participants.
Synergistic enhancement of H2O2 production in human epidermoid carcinoma cells by Benzo[a]pyrene and ultraviolet A radiation

Abstract Benzo[ a ]pyrene (B a P) is an ubiquitous environmental pollutant with potential carcinogenecity. It was shown that B a P, upon irradiation by UV A, enhanced the formation of 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine in purified DNA and in cultured cells. The purpose of this present study was to determine whether B a P and UV radiation synergistically generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that consequently result in the oxidation of DNA bases. In this study, the levels of H 2 O 2 were measured as an indicator of ROS in A431 cells and primary human keratinocytes treated with B a P plus UV radiation. Production of H 2 O 2 significantly increased from cells treated with B a P plus UVB or UVA, with the latter having a much greater effect. The responses of A431 cells and primary human keratinocytes to B a P and UVA irradiation were similar in generation of extracellular H 2 O 2 . Also, H 2 O 2 production proportionally correlated with UVA and UVB dose, but was independent of time or B a P concentration. Treatment with catalase and general ROS scavengers significantly decreased H 2 O 2 production from cells treated with B a P plus UVA, whereas scavengers of • O2−, • OH, and 1 O 2 had minimal effects. These results demonstrate that B a P synergistically enhances the production of H 2 O 2 from cultured cells by UVA and, to a lesser extent, by UVB, supporting the hypothesis that interaction of B a P and UVA can generate ROS and further substantiate oxidative DNA damage that may lead to carcinogenesis.
A novel noise optimization design technique for radio frequency low noise amplifiers

In this paper we present a novel noise optimization design technique using voltage boosting for low-noise amplifiers (LNAs). High performance FET LNAs use inductive source degeneration to generate the real part of the input impedance without using a noisy resistor. Normally the source inductance is adjusted to meet the 50 /spl Omega/ power matching condition. In this paper we show that if the source degenerating inductance value is adjusted such that the impedance is larger than the source resistance, the output noise power can be reduced. The maximum input resistance is limited by the quality factor of the gate inductor and transconductance saturation at high gate bias voltage due to short channel effects. An appropriate input resistance and device geometry can be selected to optimize the NF. The tradeoff between noise figure and linearity has also been considered. To verify our design concepts a prototype MESFET LNA with 1.65-dB noise figure and 5.2-dBm third order input intercept point has been designed and tested. It consumes 12mW from a 2.0-V power supply.
Release of Membrane Components from Viable Haemophilus parainfluenzae by Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid-Tris(hydroxymethyl)-aminomethane

Abstract Logarithmically growing Haemophilus parainfluenzae lost 15 to 20% of the phospholipids, demethyl vitamin K2, cytochrome b, and cytochrome c, and 50% of the lipopolysaccharide when incubated in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-tris-(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane (Tris) for 10 min. This loss of membrane components occurred without loss in viability, and the lost components were recovered as membrane fragments in the surrounding buffer. The phospholipids recovered in the membrane fragments had a slightly lower specific activity than the phospholipids in the residue. Lysis of a portion of the cells could not account for the release of membrane components, as the cells lost neither glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity not deoxyribonucleic acid. The treated cells were osmotically stable and contained the same proportions of the individual phospholipids as pretreatment cells. Prolongation of the EDTA-Tris treatment did not induce further loss of phospholipid or demethyl vitamin K2, but caused a decrease in viability. If the cells were returned to the growth medium after 10 min, the cells immediately resumed growth at the pretreatment rate. During growth in the recovery period, the phospholipids increased logarithmically in the pretreatment rate. During growth in the recovery period, the phospholipids increased logarithmically in the pretreatment proportions, although there was a marked decrease in the turnover and a shift from the use of extracellular lipid precursors to the use of intracellular pools of precursors.
Regulation of Microsomal Enzymes by Phospholipids V. KINETIC STUDIES OF HEPATIC URIDINE DIPHOSPHATE-GLUCURONYLTRANSFERASE

Abstract A bisubstrate kinetic analysis of UDP-glucuronyltransferase (EC 2.4.1.17) has been carried out in forward and reverse directions with p-nitrophenol as aglycone. Reciprocal plots of initial rates of activity indicated that the kinetics followed a sequential mechanism. Product inhibition studies, using UDP and p-nitrophenylglucuronide as inhibitors of the forward reaction, gave a pattern of two competitive and two noncompetitive inhibitions, compatible with a rapid equilibrium, random order kinetic mechanism, or an ordered mechanism of the Theorell-Chance type. Isotope exchange experiments, however, excluded an ordered mechanism. Comparison of the kinetic parameters for the forward and reverse directions showed that the rate at Vmax is 2-fold greater for the reverse than for the forward reaction. At finite substrate concentrations, however, the forward reaction is favored because of the 100-fold higher affinity of the enzyme for p-nitrophenol than for its glucuronide. It was also observed that high concentrations of p-nitrophenol and o-aminophenol have nonspecific activating effects on UDP-glucuronyltransferase. The importance of these findings for the design and interpretation of kinetic experiments is discussed.
Digital pulse frequency demodulation using state-space filtering

Independently of the method of demodulation, the time quantisation of a pulse frequency modulated signal causes an error proportional to the demodulator bandwidth, to the time quantisation interval, and to the ratio of the modulation frequency to the modulation frequency range. The necessity of having a very short quantisation interval leads to a very high effective input sampling rate to a digital demodulator. This high effective sampling rate, together with large time constants needed to demodulate the signal, precludes the use of a conventional digital filter. It is possible, however, to take advantage of the special form of the demodulator input signal to design a computationally efficient state-space filter.
Erklären, Verstehen, and Embodied Rationalities: Scientific Praxis as Regional Ontology

Today’s typical formulation of the Erklaren/Verstehen differential rests on a stylized conceptual dichotomy preserved, for example, in the idea of the two cultures, or in Windelband’s classic distinction between nomothetic and ideographic sciences (those based on generalized laws, and those exploring a single case in depth, with knowledge based on empirical evidence treated inductively or deductively). It is commonplace to follow Windelband and to differentiate among the sciences and set them over and against historical or historicized understandings (Erfahrungswissenschaften).1 This practice projects the sciences as if they were complementary rationalities, each a formalized paradigm with its own distinct analytics and field of data.
THE ROLE OF THE BRAIN IN THE REGULATION OF PITUITARY GONADOTROPIN SECRETION.

Publisher Summary The regulation of pituitary gonadotropin (GTH) secretion has been strongly influenced by two related concepts: (1) that the hypothalamus controls the anterior lobe by secreting neurohumors that reach the pituitary gland in effective concentrations via the hypothalamic-pituitary portal vessel system and (2) that the influences of gonadal hormones on pituitary GTH secretion are indirect, mediated by the hypothalamus. This chapter reviews evidence pertinent to these concepts. Concepts based on the suppositions that steroid feedback is via the nervous system and that neural “sensitivity” to steroids is altered by reflexes or a biological clock, can rest only on the same uncertain evidence. The intact brain-pituitary-gonad system has not yet succumbed to attempts to analyze it. Means are needed to study its components separately. Neurohumor release and gonadotropin release are the two key processes that must be understood.
Gram-positive Neisseria meningitis.

Figure A girl was brought to the hospital with a week-long history of failure to thrive, change in mental status, and seizure episode that was found by computed tomographic scan to have hydrocephalus and Dandy-Walker malformation. Cerebrospinal fluid drainage from a subsequently placed ventriculoperitoneal shunt was found to have a protein level of 1168 mg/dL (normal range, 12–60 mg/dL), glucose level less than 10 mg/dL (normal range, 38–85 mg/dL) with a nucleated cell count of 2970 cells and a red blood cell count of 6 cells. Gram stain of the cerebrospinal fluid (Figure) was interpreted as gram-positive diplococci. Within 24 hours, cerebrospinal fluid cultures were found to be markedly positive for Neisseria meningitidis. Gram stain involves colorizing, decolorizing, and coun-
Size, time-varying beta, and conditional heteroscedasticity in UK stock returns

Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between firm size and time-varying betas of UK stocks. We extend the Schwert and Seguin (1990) ( Journal of Finance 45 , 1120–1155) methodology by explicitly modeling conditional heteroscedasticity in the market model residual returns. Our results show that the time-varying coefficient is not statistically significant for both small and large firm stock indexes. We also find that accounting for GARCH effects in the Schwert-Seguin market model yields beta estimates that are markedly differently from those when conditional heteroscedasticity is ignored. Event studies that ignore conditional heteroscedasticity may bias the abnormal returns of small and large firms, thereby leading to a different conclusion regarding the significance of an information event.
Judgment Ambiguity, Self-Consciousness, and Conformity in Judgments of Fashionability:

The influence of ambiguity of judgment and self-consciousness on conformity in judgments of fashionability was examined. 160 female subjects completed the Self-consciousness Scale and made a reassessment of their original opinions of the fashionability of six women's suits after being exposed to the opinions of others. Greater conformity resulted for the more ambiguous judgments of future fashionability than to judgments of present fashionability. In addition, individuals high in self-consciousness conformed more to judgments of future fashionability than to judgments of present fashionability whereas individuals low in self-consciousness conformed equally to both.
Analysis of the Internet diffusion in the non-profit sector: the social digital divide in Italy

This paper analyzes Internet diffusion among various organizations, based on daily observation of second- level domain name registrations under the “.it”ccTLD. In particular, we analyzed domain names registered by organizations in the non-profit sector. The penetration rate, calculated according to the number of organizations, was computed for various widely separated geographic levels (regions). A concentration analysis was performed in order to determine whether the geographical distribution of Internet use in Italy is less concentrated with respect to both the number of existing institutions and income distribution, suggesting a diffusive effect. Regression analysis was performed using demographic, social, economic and infrastructure indicators. Results show that a “social digital divide”exists, both in terms of geographical distribution (i.e., in macro-areas - Northern, Central, and Southern Italy - and at the regional level) and in terms of the legal status of the organizations, and that this digital divide will probably decrease in the future.
Turbidimetric determination of particle size distributions of colloidal systems

Application of the Mie theory of light scattering to measurements of the turbidity ratio and the wavelength exponent provides an easy method for estimating particle size distributions of nonabsorbing isotropic spheres in the micrometer to submicrometer range. Combining both these lightscattering techniques not only allows one to analyze particle sizes which are too large for quasi-elastic light scattering and too small for optical microscopy, but can be accomplished with only two turbidity measurements and no prior knowledge of the particle volume fraction. An algorithm is presented for constructing turbidity spectra, for any system of known optical constants and known distributional form, which can be used to easily determine the mean diameter and standard deviation of an unknown distribution. Using this algorithm, size-distribution curves were obtained from turbidity measurements at two widely separated wavelengths. These distributions are in agreement with distributions determined from scanning electron microscopic analysis.
Exercise in the treatment of depression

A large body of research supports the use of exercise as a treatment for depression across a wide range of ages and with special populations, such as pregnant women and women who suffer from postpartum depression. However, methodologic limitations have historically limited our ability to interpret and understand previous research findings, which in turn may have hindered acceptance of exercise as treatment for depressed patients. This review provides information on some of the most salient studies of exercise as a treatment for depression and highlights important methodologic issues that have limited this area of research. In addition, several ongoing studies that were designed to address these limitations are reviewed. These and future well-designed trials can better inform the field regarding the utility of exercise in the treatment of depression.
Solitary intestinal fibromatosis: A rare cause of intestinal obstruction in neonate and infant

A 5-month-old white boy infant exhibited remarkable growth retardation and subsequently developed ileal obstruction, which was found to be due to solitary intestinal fibromatosis. This rare lesion has an excellent prognosis if it is completely excised. This is in contrast to cases of congenital fibromatosis with multiple lesions, which carries a poor prognosis.
Seeking peer assistance: Use of e-mail to consult weak and latent ties

This article examines university reference librarians' use of electronic mail (e-mail) for requesting assistance from weak and latent ties within their own professional community. Additionally, the research explored the librarians' perceptions regarding e-mail's influence on their own abilities to develop their professional network. The extent and frequency of contact initiation via e-mail were investigated in relationship to several professional and personal background characteristics, as well as proximity to other peer institutions. A Web-based survey indicated that many academic librarians use e-mail to directly contact completely unacquainted or loosely acquainted peers for purposes of seeking help with active reference queries. However, the frequency of use is quite low.
Relief with rapamycin: mTOR inhibition protects against radiation-induced mucositis.

In this issue of Cell Stem Cell , Iglesias-Bartolome et al. (2012) show that mTOR inhibition with rapamycin protects against mucositis in mice, suggesting potential treatment strategies against this harmful side effect of anticancer therapies. In normal tissues, rapamycin prevents epithelial stem cell senescence by reducing oxidative stress through increased MnSOD.
Chapter 2: Data-Driven View of Disease Biology

Modern experimental strategies often generate genome-scale measurements of human tissues or cell lines in various physiological states. Investigators often use these datasets individually to help elucidate molecular mechanisms of human diseases. Here we discuss approaches that effectively weight and integrate hundreds of heterogeneous datasets to gene-gene networks that focus on a specific process or disease. Diverse and systematic genome-scale measurements provide such approaches both a great deal of power and a number of challenges. We discuss some such challenges as well as methods to address them. We also raise important considerations for the assessment and evaluation of such approaches. When carefully applied, these integrative data-driven methods can make novel high-quality predictions that can transform our understanding of the molecular-basis of human disease.
A polycarbonate filter technique for collection of sorted cells.

We describe the application of polycarbonate filters to the collection of cells sorted by flow cytometry. Cells are sorted directly onto polycarbonate filters and transferred to microscope slides which are then processed to dissolve the filter and remove pore outlines. The technique results in cell preparations which retain cellular morphology and have highcell recovery of 82 to 100%.
Thermal Stabilities of Peroxidases from Fresh Pinto Beans

Heat stabilities of crude and partially purified soluble (SPOX), ionically bound (IPOX) and total peroxidase (TPOX) from fresh pinto beans were investigated at 55-90°C. Heat inactivation of peroxidase (POX) followed first-order reaction kinetics. Each inactivation curve consisted of two linear parts: initial rapid inactivation (heat-labile) followed by slower inactivation (heat-stable). IPOX showed activation during heat treatment with a highly heat-stable isoenzyme (D 90 =40 min) which was more heat-stable than SPOX. Activation energies for heat-stable parts of crude IPOX and SPOX were, respectively, 12.1 and 36.4 kcal.mol-1 with z values 45.4 and 14.1C°. Heat stable SPOX isoenzymes (D 70 =22.6) were obtained by 65-95% (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 precipitation from crude SPOX. Two POX fractions (F1 and F2) were separated from TPOX by ion-exchange chromatography.