cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Government Preferences and SEC Enforcement

I examine whether political influence by the government as a response to voters’ interest in employment conditions is reflected in the enforcement actions of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). I find that large employers are less likely to be subject to an SEC enforcement action, after controlling for firm size, accounting quality, distance to SEC office, and political contributions, among other factors. Next, I show that large employers are less likely to face an SEC enforcement action in presidential election years if they are headquartered in politically important states. I also find that firms that employ a larger proportion of a congressional district’s total workforce and are located in districts with high unemployment rates are less likely to be subject to an SEC enforcement action if the incumbent congressman serves on a committee that oversees the SEC. These findings suggest that voters’ interests are reflected in SEC enforcement.
Hydroxychloroquine screening practice patterns within a large multispecialty ophthalmic practice.

Purpose To determine provider compliance with hydroxychloroquine screening following the revised recommendations published in 2011 by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Design Evaluation of adherence to a screening protocol. Methods Subjects were identified with hydroxychloroquine as a medication by electronic query at a large multispecialty ophthalmic practice. Patients were excluded if patients: (1) were screened by an outside physician; (2) lacked recorded height, weight, start date, or dosing; or (3) took hydroxychloroquine for malaria prophylaxis. Screening tests were stratified by ophthalmic subspecialty. Guidelines define proper screening as 1 subjective test—Humphrey visual field (HVF), and 1 objective test—spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD OCT), fundus autofluorescence (FAF), or multifocal electroretinography (mfERG). Adherence to guidelines was determined by categorizing practices as: (1) “appropriate”—consistent with guidelines; (2) “underscreened”—insufficient testing; or (3) “inappropriate”—no testing. Results The study comprised 756 patients with a mean age of 56 years undergoing 1294 screening visits. Twenty-one patients received initial screenings outside the institution. Most common screening tests employed included SD OCT (56.6%), 10-2 HVF (55.0%), and Amsler grid (40.0%). Of the 735 initial screenings, 341 (46.4%) were appropriately screened, 204 (27.8%) underscreened, and 190 (25.9%) inappropriately screened. Of those who presented solely for screening (560), 307 (54.8%) were appropriately screened, 144 (25.7%) underscreened, and 109 (19.5%) inappropriately screened. Conclusions Of patients presenting for hydroxychloroquine screening, 54.8% of patients received appropriate evaluation, indicating lack of adherence to guidelines. Overall, SD OCT and 10-2 HVF were the preferred screening modalities, with FAF and mfERG less frequently ordered.
Using Contextual Knowledge to Improve Parallel Spoken Language Understanding

This paper presents a parallel approach for utilizing contextual knowledge to improve spoken language understanding. The method emphasizes a hierarchically-structured knowledge base and a memory-based parsing technique. Within this paradigm, several levels of knowledge sources including contextual knowledge arc efficiently combined. An ambiguity resolution scheme utilizing the preceding discourse context and the situational context was implemented on a parallel computer using a marker-passing scheme. The experiments on the parallel computer for an Air Traffic Control (ATC) domain show an 86% sentence recognition accuracy with about 6% improvement compared with the system not utilizing the contextual knowledge.
Human genetics of plasma dopamine β-hydroxylase activity: applications to research in psychiatry and neurology

Norepinephrine (NE) is a key neurotransmitter in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Dopamine β-hydroxylase (DβH) catalyzes the synthesis of NE from dopamine (DA) and occurs in the plasma as a stable heritable trait. Studies of this trait have been useful in psychiatric and neurological research. To selectively and critically review the literature on plasma DβH, and on recent progress understanding the molecular genetic basis for its inheritance. Based on this review, directions for future research in psychiatry and neurology will be suggested. We selectively review the literature on the biochemical and molecular genetics of plasma DβH activity, as well as research on plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) DβH in psychiatric and neurological disorders. Strong evidence implicates DBH, the structural locus encoding DβH enzyme, as the major quantitative trait locus influencing plasma DβH activity, with one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) accounting for up to 50% of the variance. Mutations at DBH appear to be responsible for the rare syndrome of DβH deficiency. Some biochemical and genetic studies suggest associations between low plasma or CSF DβH and psychotic symptoms in several psychiatric disorders. Studies combining genotyping at DBH with biochemical measurement of plasma DβH have proven useful in studies of schizophrenia, cocaine-induced paranoia (CIP), depression, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and alcoholism. Such studies may also elucidate the contribution of noradrenergic dysfunction to a variety of symptoms in Parkinson’s disease and other degenerative neurological disorders. A model is proposed, in which lower levels of DβH protein may lead to elevated ratios of DA to NE. This model may explain associations between lower plasma DβH activity and vulnerability to psychotic symptoms. Genotype-controlled analysis of plasma DβH holds promise for promoting further progress in research on psychiatric and neurological disorders.
Utilizing twilight zone sequence similarities to increase the accuracy of protein 3D structure comparison

Protein structure alignment is often used to infer a sequential alignment. The inverse problem of utilizing alignments of protein sequences to derive structural alignments has been extensively studied, but the applications are still scarce. Here we present pMatch - a novel algorithm that takes advantage of sequential profiles to compute extremely accurate protein structure alignments. Contrary to some claims that sequential information is only useful when aligning structures of proteins that share a high degree of sequence identity, we demonstrate that incorporating sequential information can increase accuracy of alignments even between proteins sharing only about 10% of identical residues. We use two widely established benchmarks to show that our method is capable of accurately aligning protein structures that exhibit substantial conformational changes, large residue insertions/deletions and circular permutations. A preliminary version of the pMatch Web server is available at http://bioinformatics.cs.uni.edu.
Correlation of Oil–Water and Air–Water Contact Angles of Diverse Silanized Surfaces and Relationship to Fluid Interfacial Tensions

The use of air–water, θwa, or air–liquid contact angles is customary in surface science, while oil–water contact angles, θow, are of paramount importance in subsurface multiphase flow phenomena including petroleum recovery, nonaqueous phase liquid fate and transport, and geological carbon sequestration. In this paper we determine both the air–water and oil–water contact angles of silica surfaces modified with a diverse selection of silanes, using hexadecane as the oil. The silanes included alkylsilanes, alkylarylsilanes, and silanes with alkyl or aryl groups that are functionalized with heteroatoms such as N, O, and S. These silanes yielded surfaces with wettabilities from water wet to oil wet, including specific silanized surfaces functionalized with heteroatoms that yield intermediate wet surfaces. The oil–water contact angles for clean and silanized surfaces, excluding one partially fluorinated surface, correlate linearly with air–water contact angles with a slope of 1.41 (R = 0.981, n = 13). These dat...
Radio wave propagation over a rough variable impedance boundary: Part I--Full-wave analysis

A full-wave solution is developed for problems of radio wave propagation over rough surfaces characterized by variable impedance and height parameters. The analysis, which is suitable for problems involving both the radiation fields as well as the ground waves, is compared with earlier solutions to these problems. The full-wave solutions which satisfy the exact boundary conditions are shown to be consistent with the reciprocity relationships for the general case.
Behavioral bioassays of termite trail pheromones : Recruitment and orientation effects of cembrene-A inNasutitermes costalis (Isoptera: Termitidae) and discussion of factors affecting termite response in experimental contexts.

The monocyclic 14-membered ring diterpene, cembrene-A, previously identified as a nasutitermitine trail pheromone, was tested for its effectiveness as a trail pheromone inNasutitermes costalis. Artificial trails prepared from serial dilutions of racemic cembrene-A over a concentration range of 10(-1)-10(-6) mg/ml were ineffective in recruiting termites. Serial dilutions of racemic cembrene-A ranging in concentration from 10(-1) to 10(-5) mg/ml produced an orientation effect. Chiral cembrene-A produced recruitment in soldiers at 10(-1) and 10(-3) mg/ml and was less ineffective in recruiting workers. Soldiers always showed a lower and more variable recruitment response to chiral cembrene-A than to sternal gland extracts. The behavioral response to both chiral and racemic cembrene-A was different in quantity and quality from that observed for sternal gland extract. Based on the results of these behavioral tests, cembrene-A appears to be a generalized nasute orientation pheromone which may show recruitment properties at unnaturally high concentrations.
Mineral analysis of corn leaves by x‐ray fluorescence on ground versus unground leaf samples

Abstract Plant tissue analysis for non‐mobile nutrients can supplement soil test values or may replace soil analyses in the determination of the soil's ability to supply these nutrients to next year's crop. X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) is a rapid technique for determining nutrient concentration in plant tissue. Typically, whole leaves are dried and ground for analysis by XRF or other chemical methods. Using a leaf punch to collect leaf sample disks the size of the XRF pellet (13‐mm diameter) reduces drying time and eliminates grinding, thus reducing cost and analysis time. Leaf punch samples were collected from leaves of corn plants grown on plots receiving different types of manure and rates of phosphorus. Leaf disks were pelleted for XRF analysis using both random and precision placement of disks in the pelleting die. After analysis, the sample pellets were ground and repelleted for XRF analysis. The three disk‐handling methods had significantly lower values for some nutrients (S, Ca, Mn and Cu) than did id...
Humanitarian crises and U.S. foreign policy: Somalia and the CNN effect reconsidered

This article explores the relationship between foreign policy making and news media coverage. Specifically, we examine the CNN effect, understood here as elite decision makers’ loss of policy control to news media. The initial decisions concerning U.S. intervention in Somalia are examined and related to the nature and extent of media coverage devoted to the humanitarian crisis there. We find that in the case of Somalia, news coverage trends do not support the claim that news attention to Somalia led to the Bush administration's decision to intervene. On the basis of content analysis and interviews of officials in Washington and Africa, we argue that the decision to intervene was the result of diplomatic and bureaucratic operations, with news coverage coming in response to those decisions.
Abstract 1987: RNA-seq of the bronchial airway transcriptome identifies novel gene and microRNA expression changes associated with smoking and lung cancer

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Prior studies have shown that cigarette smoke creates a field of molecular injury in the airway epithelium. Using microarrays, our group has previously identified gene and microRNA expression differences in bronchial airway epithelial cells that are associated with smoking and lung cancer. We hypothesize that RNA-seq of the airway transcriptome will enhance our understanding of the response to tobacco smoke exposure and lung cancer pathogenesis by identifying mRNA splice variants, non-coding RNA, and novel RNA not interrogated by microarrays. We profiled pooled bronchial airway epithelial cell brushings (n=3 patients/pool) obtained during bronchoscopy from healthy never and current smoker volunteers and smokers with and without lung cancer undergoing surgery for suspicion of lung cancer. The high MW fraction (>200 bp) was amplified using a combination of oligo d(T) and random hexamers (NuGEN, San Carlos, CA) followed by library preparation with Illumina's mRNA Seq Library Prep Kit and sequencing using Illumina's Genome Analyzer generating ∼27-30 million 36 bp reads/sample. The low MW fraction (15-40 bp) was processed using ABI's Small RNA Library Sequencing Kit and sequenced using ABI's SOLiD system generating ∼50-90 million 35 bp reads/sample. The high MW reads were aligned to rRNA (5-13%), the human genome (33-40%), and to computationally generated splice junctions (1%) using BowTie. Differential gene and isoform expression was evaluated using Cufflinks and the R package Genominator. Low MW reads were aligned using both RNA2MAP and Geospiza to a filter containing rRNA, tRNA, and repeats (4-14%), to miRBase (4-10%), and the human genome minus miRBase sequences (4-8%). Expression values were calculated for microRNAs. We compared Affymetrix Exon 1.0 ST, HGU133A2, and Invitrogen miRNA microarrays to RNA-seq and found strong correlation for genes/miRNAs interrogated by microarrays, with most smoking- and cancer related changes in transcript expression being identified by sequencing and not by arrays. Genes found differentially expressed only by sequencing were validated by RT-PCR. RNA-seq also reveals differentially expressed isoforms, potential novel miRNAs, and several isoforms of known miRNAs which are being further investigated. RNA-seq provides a comprehensive and high-resolution view of the airway transcriptome and will provide insights into the molecular field of injury induced by smoking and the pathogenesis of smoking-related lung disease. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1987.
The effect of the nonselective opioid antagonist diprenorphine on vasopressin secretion in the rat.

Although endogenous opioids are thought to be involved in the regulation of vasopressin secretion, their precise role is unclear. We studied the effect of the potent nonselective opioid antagonist diprenorphine on the vasopressin response to osmotic (hypertonic saline, ip), hypovolemic (polyethylene glycol, ip), and hypotensive (sodium nitroprusside, sc) stimuli in male rats. We found that diprenorphine sc produced a time- and dose-dependent inhibition of the plasma vasopressin response to the hypovolemic stimulus. This inhibition was greatest 30 min after injection of the drug, but lasted for at least 4 h, was evident at doses as low as 0.0022 mumol/kg, and reached a maximum of about 85% of the stimulated control at a dose of 2.2 mumol/kg. Diprenorphine also inhibited the vasopressin response to an osmotic or a hypotensive stimulus, but the effect was less complete (approximately 50%), required 100-fold higher doses of the drug, and appeared to be bimodal. The potent kappa 1-selective opioid agonist U-50...
Cloning, expression, purification and characterization of the alternate splice Src variants for drug discovery

Abstract Protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs) are key members of intra- and extra-cellular signaling pathways. Aberrant signaling pathways are responsible for many human diseases, making these enzymes targets for drug development programs. The difficulty in PCR-amplification of Src due to the high G-C content was overcome using a commercial “G-C melt” reagent. The N06 Src was cloned along with the N12 and N23 neuronal variants. Neuronal variants of Src occur due to splicing within the N-loop of the SH3 domain. These variants have greater catalytic activity. Affinity purification methodologies were established that takes advantage of binding sites within the SH1 and SH2 domains. The purified enzyme is stable, without loss of activity for >1 year when frozen and more than 1 week at 4°C. A 96-well solution phase assay was developed and validated that overcomes many of the false positives and negatives generated by other assays. Studies of the catalytic mechanism have indicated that a second metal ion is essential for catalysis. Some transition metals can be substituted for the second metal ion and maintain activity while others act as dead-end inhibitors with binding constants in the sub-micromolar range. The precise role of this second metal ion is being studied.
AN ITERATIVE APPROACH TO THE POMERON

In my view the essential problem in constructing a model for the Pomeron is this : Theory : How do we arrange things so that we satisfy both s-channel and t-channel unitarity at once ? Experiment : How do we account for the phenomenology ? I shall concentrate on the theoretical question. In Table 1, I summarize the present theoretical status of the various models as discussed by Ian Halliday in the previous talk [1].
Differential DNA-binding abilites of estrogen receptor occupied with two classes of antiestrogens: studies using human estrogen receptor overexpressed in mammalian cells

Abstract We have developed a transient transfection system using the Cytomegalovirus (CMV) promoter to express the human estrogen receptor (ER) at very high levels in COS-1 cells and have used it to study the interaction of agonist and antagonist receptor complexes with estrogen response element (ERE) DNA. ER can be expressed to levels of 20-40 pmol/mg or 0.2-0.3% of total soluble protein and all of the soluble receptor is capable of binding hormone. The ER binds estradiol with high affinity (Kd 0.2 nM), and is indistinguishable from native ER in that the receptor is capable of recognizing its cognate DNA response element with high affinity, and of transactivating a transgene in an estradiol-dependent manner. Gel mobility shift assays reveal interesting ligand-dependent differences in the binding of receptor complexes to ERE DNA. Receptors occupied by estradiol or the type I antiestrogen transhydroxytamoxifen bind to DNA response elements when exposed to the ligand in vitro or in vivo. Likewise, receptors exposed to the type II antiestrogen ICI 164,384 in vitro bind to ERE DNA. However, when receptor exposure to ICI 164,384 is carried out in vivo, the ER-ICI 164,384 complexes do not bind to ERE DNA, or do so only weakly. This effect is not reversed by subsequent incubation with estradiol in vitro, but is rapidly reversible by in vivo estradiol exposure of intact COS-1 cells. This suggests there may be some cellular process involved in the mechanism of antagonism by the pure antiestrogen ICI 164,384, which is not observed in cell-free extracts.
RNA virus genomics: a world of possibilities

The increasing availability of complete genome sequences of RNA viruses has the potential to shed new light on fundamental aspects of their biology. Here, I use case studies of 3 RNA viruses to explore the impact of genomic sequence data, with particular emphasis on influenza A virus. Notably, the studies of RNA virus genomics undertaken to date largely focused on issues of evolution and epidemiology, and they have given these disciplines new impetus. However, genomic data have so far made fewer inroads into areas of more direct importance for disease, prevention, and control; thus, harnessing their full potential remains an important goal.
A photogrammetrically based model for predicting total body mass centroid location.

Abstract A theoretical 18 link model of the human body was designed as a sex-generalized prodictor of segmental inertial parameters. The model is tailored to the individual subject through photogrammetric assessment of body dimensions. Validation testing of the model as a determiner of total body mass centroid location was conducted with a group of 40 male and female subjects divided into four age/sex categories. The average error was 1.6% when model-based total body mass centroid radii were compared to criterion values obtained by a reaction board procedure. Correlation between predicted and reaction board values for total body mass centroid locations were r = .72, r = .98, r = .94, and r = .96 for 6–10 year old, 11–18 year old, adult male, and adult female subject categories, respectively. All correlations were significant, with p < .02. Predicted mass centroid location means for individual body segments were similar to those reported by other investigators. The photogrammetric procedure employed was fo...
Developing new ways to address learning needs of adult abdominal organ transplant recipients.

Context—The degree to which patients are knowledgeable about posttransplant care can affect outcomes and patients' satisfaction. Transplant team members must identify knowledge gaps, contributory factors, and innovative methods to address learning needs.Objective—To identify patients' perceptions of their knowledge gaps and identify ways to improve current approaches to patient education.Design—Nonexperimental.Setting—Midwestern teaching hospital.Patients—726 adult abdominal organ transplant recipients.Intervention(s)—A patient education survey was mailed out to solid-organ transplant recipients who met study criteria. A modified version of the Patient Learning Needs Scale (PLNS) was used to identify the recipients' learning needs. Additional questions on the survey addressed factors that we hypothesized would influence responses to the PLNS and asked patients which methods would help them learn during various phases of the transplant process.Main Outcome Measure(s)—Statistical analysis was conducted on s...
An alternative method of panning for rat B lymphocytes

A new method of panning for B lymphocytes is described in which the ability of the sIg+ cells to adhere depends on the nature and concentration of nonspecific protein used rather than on the use of anti-immunoglobulin. Rat lymph node cells were suspended in 3% bovine serum albumin in Tris-buffered Hanks' and incubated in tissue culture flasks to allow adherence to the plastic. The recovered bed of adherent cells was shown by flow cytometry to be greater than 90% surface immunoglobulin positive and MHC class II positive while containing very few T cells. This adherent fraction was subsequently treated with anti-T cell antibody plus baby rabbit complement to produce a highly purified sIg+ cell population containing no detectable T cells. The sIg+ cells obtained by this panning procedure were functionally active in BCGF and BCDF assays. This method provides an easy and inexpensive alternative to conventional panning with anti-immunoglobulin and also eliminates the possibility of B cell activation by exposure to anti-immunoglobulin-coated surfaces.
How Do Contextual Factors and Gender Differences Influence College Students' Safer Sex Practices?

Young adults in the 1990s are faced with potentially severe consequences for engaging in risky sexual behaviors. Unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases have influenced sexual decision-...
Association of maternal antepartum management with mortality and morbidity of the extremely low birthweight (ELBW) neonate

MORBIDITY OF THE EXTREMELY LOW BIRTHWEIGHT (ELBW) NEONATE AMY WHITSEL, AARON INSEL, HEMA DESILVA, BRUCE BERNSTEIN, University of Connecticut Health Center, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Farmington, Connecticut, Saint Francis Hospital, Pediatrics, Hartford, Connecticut OBJECTIVE: Explore the associations of antepartum management with ELBW neonatal outcomes: hospital mortality, hospital morbidity and length of stay. STUDY DESIGN: Hospital outcomes of 118 viable, non-anomalous infants %1000 g and/or !28 weeks born January 1997-December 2002 and their obstetrical data were evaluated via retrospective record review. Antepartum management factors were delivery route and indication (preterm labor, preeclampsia, abruption, chorioamnionitis, non-reassuring fetal status), steroids, magnesium sulfate and antibiotic exposure (none, prophylactic or treatment). Neonatal outcomes included mortality, length of stay (LOS), oxygen dependence at day 28 and 36 weeks corrected estimated gestational age (EGA), pneumothorax, retinopathy of prematurity, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, necrotizing enterocolitis, patent ductus arteriosis, and both early and late sepsis. Bivariate relationships between maternal variables and neonatal outcomes were explored with chi square and t tests. Multivariate logistic regression and analysis of covariance models were used to control for possible confounders. RESULTS: The overall hospital mortality rate was 17.8% (21/118). The median survivors’ LOS was 90 G 32 days. Neontal mortality, LOS and morbidity were similar when compared by delivery route (61.9% cesarean deliveries), indication for delivery and use of antenatal steroids (83.5%) when corrected for EGA and birthweight. Prophylactic antibiotics were given to 43% of the women for group B streptococcal risk and/or preterm rupture of membranes and 25% received antibiotics for known or clinically suspected infection. Neonatal mortality and morbidity were similar in the antibiotic naive, prophylactic and treatment groups. Intrapartum exposure to magnesium sulfate did not change the mortality rate; however, a greater incidence of late bacterial sepsis was noted (P = .046). CONCLUSION: The ELBW neonatal survival rate and morbidity were related to birthweight and EGA and not the indication for delivery, route, steroids or exposure to antibiotics. SMFM Abstracts S75
Small Field: dosimetry in electron disequilibrium region

Small fields are more commonly used for radiation therapy because of the development of IMRT, stereotactic radiosurgery, and other special equipments such as Cyberknife and Tomotherapy. The dosimetry in the sub-centimeter field can result in substantial uncertainties because of the presence of electron disequilibrium due to the large dose gradients in the field. It is further complicated by the introduction of various radiation detectors, which usually perturb the conditions of disequilibrium. Hence additional corrections are required to maintain the dosimetric accuracy previously achieved for standard radiation dosimetry. A review of small field dosimetry provides some insights into the methods to characterize the detector convolution kernel and other methods to characterize detector perturbation effect.
Subplanes of projective planes of order 121

We determine orbit representatives of all proper subplanes generated by quadrangles of a Veblen-Wedderburn (VW) plane Π of order 112 and the Hughes plane Σ of order 112 under their full collineation groups. In Π, there are 13 orbits of Baer subplanes all of which are desarguesian and approximately 3000 orbits of Fano subplanes. In Σ, there are 8 orbits of Baer subplanes all of which are desarguesian, 2 orbits of subplanes of order 3 and at most 408,075 distinct Fano subplanes. This work was motivated by the well-known question: “Does there exist a non-desarguesian projective plane of prime order?” The question remains unsettled.
The Transient Motion of a Ramp-Core Supersonic Dislocation

The transient motion of a ramp-core dislocation spreading from - ∞<x<∞ and jumping from rest to a supersonic speed in the x direction, is investigated by analysis on the complex transform plane. The new result of this analysis is that, instead of the Mach cone of the Volterra dislocation, there are two lines of discontinuity (of the stress) propagating in the ±z directions, inside of which there are arctan delta sequence (e¬=0) radiated supersonic fields, as well as subsonic fields. The lines of discontinuity arise at the tangent point of the Mach wavefront (e=0) to the cylinder with radius r=c 2 t.
Training Requirements of a Video Game-Based Cognitive Intervention for Older Adults: Lessons Learned:

To examine the potential benefits of a complex online video game as a cognitive intervention for older adults, participants first had to be able to engage in gameplay. This necessitated the development of a training and support program for a complex computer task, with the unusual aim of maximizing mental effort. The goal of the training program was to equip participants to handle the challenges of the game while keeping them near the limits of their ability while playing. The training program was multi-modal and encompassed both in-person and remote methods. Successes and failures are discussed.
Transport properties of binary salt polymer electrolytes

AbstractTransport properties ionic conductivities. . s , salt diffusion coefficients D , and cationic transference numbers t 0 ..as a function of s q salt concentration .C are reported and compared for several common binary saltrpolymer systems being considered for use as s electrolytes in rechargeable lithium batteries for electric vehicle and other applications. The three properties provide a completedescription of transport in solid polymer electrolytes SPEs or ‘‘dry’’ systems in cells undergoing galvanostatic charge and discharge..The macroscopic approach used obviates the need to know the details of speciation in these non-ideal solutions and allows for a moresophisticated correlation of the characteristics of ion transport with polymer structure, salt type, and concentration than conductivity dataalone. Published by Elsevier Science S.A. Keywords: Transport properties; Binary salt; Polymer 1. IntroductionRechargeable metallic lithium batteries need highlyconductive and minimally reactive electrolyte solutions toensure the safe operation and long cycle life required forelectric vehicle applications. The high reactivity withlithium and flammability of most organic liquids precludetheir use in secondary batteries with metallic lithium an-odes; thus, the safest choices, at present, are solid polymerelectrolytes SPEs rather than gels or liquid-based sys-.tems. SPEs typically consist of a polymer host mostcommonly based on poly ethylene oxide or another.polyether complexed with a low lattice energy lithium.salt. Because these binary saltrpolymer solutions are com-monly used above their melting points, they are perhapsmore accurately classified as non-Newtonian liquids ratherthan true solids. Their safety features are related to theirhigh viscosity, and ability to form a solid electrolyteinterface layer in the presence of lithium, preventing fur-ther reaction and effectively sealing off the lithium surfacefrom air and water in the case of a breach. There is alsoevidence that the use of SPEs suppresses dendrite forma-
Stochastic Modeling of Long-Term Waste Package Degradation Incorporating Expert Elicitation on Corrosion Processes

The Viability Assessment (VA) of the potential repository for high-level nuclear waste at Yucca Mountain, Nevada was completed. In the VA design concept, a two-layer waste container provides the primary component of the engineered barrier system (EBS). The VA reference design specifies a 100-mm thick carbon steel as the outer barrier and a 20-mm thick Alloy 22 as the inner barrier. A stochastic simulation model was developed to analyze long-term performance of the waste package in the potential repository. The model was developed by incorporating the latest corrosion data and models for the candidate waste package materials and the information developed from the Waste Package Degradation Expert Elicitation (WPDEE). The reference case results showed that only a small fraction of waste packages fail by localized corrosion (i.e., pit penetrations). The analysis also indicated the degradation mode that is most important to long-term waste package degradation is general corrosion (or passive dissolution) of the inner barrier under dripping conditions. However, the general corrosion rates for dripping conditions used in the analysis have a range over three to five orders of magnitude. this is due mainly to a lack of information on local chemical and electrochemical conditions on the inner barrier aftermore » the outer barrier breach. This paper discusses further the areas and issues that need improvement to reduce uncertainty in the waste package degradation analysis. It also discusses additional waste package degradation modes and associated processes that need to be included in the future analysis for the potential repository to enhance the confidence of the analysis.« less
Confinement effects on glass transition temperature, transition breadth, and expansivity: Comparison of ellipsometry and fluorescence measurements on polystyrene films

Using ellipsometry, we characterized the nanoconfinement effect on the glass transition temperature (T gof supported polystyrene (PS) films employing two methods: the intersection of fits to the temperature (Tdependences of rubbery- and glassy-state thicknesses, and the transition mid-point between rubbery- and glassy-state expansivities. The results demonstrate a strong effect of thickness: $\ensuremath T_{{\rm g}}({\rm bulk})-T_{{\rm g}}(23{\,\mbox{nm}})= 10 ^{\circ}$ C. The T -range needed for accurate measurement increases significantly with decreasing thickness, an effect that arises from the broadening of the transition with confinement and a region below T g where expansivity slowly decreases with decreasing T . As determined from expansivities, the T g breadth triples in going from bulk films to a 21-nm-thick film; this broadening of the transition may be a more dramatic effect of confinement than the T g reduction itself. In contrast, there is little effect of confinement on the rubbery- and glassy-state expansivities. Compared with ellipsometry, T g ’s from fluorescence agree well in bulk films but yield lower values in nanoconfined films: T g(bulk) - T g(23 nm) = 15° C via fluorescence. This small difference in the T g confinement effect reflects differences in how fluorescence and ellipsometry report “average T g ” with confinement. With decreasing nanoscale thickness, fluorescence may slightly overweight the contribution of the free-surface layer while ellipsometry may evenly weight or underweight its contribution.
Formation of fluvial hanging valleys: Theory and simulation

[1] Although only recently recognized, hanging tributary valleys in unglaciated, tectonically active landscapes are surprisingly common. Stream power–based river incision models do not provide a viable mechanism for the formation of fluvial hanging valleys. Thus these disequilibrium landforms present an opportunity to advance our understanding of river incision processes. In this work, we demonstrate that thresholds apparent in sediment flux–dependent bedrock incision rules provide mechanisms for the formation of hanging valleys in response to transient pulses of river incision. We simplify recently published river incision models in order to derive analytical solutions for the conditions required for hanging valley formation and use these results to guide numerical landscape evolution simulations. Analytical and numerical results demonstrate that during the response to base level fall, sediment flux–dependent incision rules may create either temporary or permanent hanging valleys. These hanging valleys form as a consequence of (1) rapid main stem incision oversteepening tributary junctions beyond some threshold slope or (2) low tributary sediment flux response during the pulse of main stem incision, thus limiting the tributary's capacity to keep pace with main stem incision. The distribution of permanent and temporary hanging valleys results from four competing factors: the magnitude of base level fall, the upstream attenuation of the incision signal, the lag time of the sediment flux response, and the nonsystematic variation in tributary drainage areas within the stream network. The development of hanging valleys in landscapes governed by sediment flux–dependent incision rules limits the transmission of base level fall signals through the channel network, ultimately increasing basin response time.
Equilibrium between a vinylogous ylide and a phosphonium dienolate zwitterion: vinylogous Wittig olefination versus vinylogous aldol-type reaction

This paper describes the equilibrium established between a phosphonium dienolate zwitterion and a vinylogous phosphorus ylide, and their reactions with aldehydes. The reactions between ethyl 2-methyl-2,3-butadienoate and various aldehydes occur through either a phosphonium dienolate or a vinylogous ylide intermediate, depending on the presence/absence of a Lewis acid and the nature of the phosphine. We observed a rare vinylogous Wittig olefination from the reaction between ethyl 2-methyl-2,3-butadienoate and an electron-deficient aromatic aldehyde in the presence of a stoichiometric amount of an electron-deficient triarylphosphine and a catalytic amount of a Lewis acid (e.g., BF3·Et2O). On the other hand, the use of triphenylphosphine, in the absence of a Lewis acid, facilitated vinylogous aldol addition, accompanied by a rare 1,2-aryl phosphorus-to-carbon migration.
Analytical photon scanning tunneling microscopy

The photon scanning tunneling microscope (PSTM) has been operated in spectroscopic mode to both image the topography and analyze stress features on a microindented, chromium-implanted sapphire surface. Light originating primarily from the evanescent field generated by an internally reflected beam, with some contribution from scattering by roughness features and radiation from fluorescence and luminescence, was coupled into the probe tip. The topographic resolution observed (\ensuremath{\sim}50 nm) is appreciably finer than the diffraction limit. Stresses of 3 kbar around microindents were measured by monitoring shifts in the photoluminescence peaks. A discussion of the spectroscopic resolution obtainable with this ``analytical PSTM'' and applications are presented.
A critique of service learning projects in management education: Pedagogical foundations, barriers, and guidelines

This critique of nine service learning projects within schools of business is designed to encourage other educational institutions to add service learning requirements into business ethics and leadership courses. It champions the role of the faculty member teaching these courses while at the same time offering constructive analysis on pedagogy, a review of curriculum issues, identification of barriers to service learning, and guidelines for teaching service learning ventures. Challenges to all faculty involved in business ethics courses are made to better manage their courses and careers from a broader context outside of university settings.
Magneto-mechanical impedance identification and diagnosis of metallic structures

Magneto-mechanical impedance (MMI) method is implemented for multi-modal structural dynamic identification and diagnosis of metallic structures. Active elements of the method, magneto-elastic active sensors (MEAS), consist of an electrical coil and a permanent magnet facilitating electromagnetic generation and reception of elastic waves via the eddy current mechanism. The paper describes experimental arrangements and proof-of-concept experiments demonstrating availability of structural dynamic features in the MMI response and feasibility of MMI measurements for nondestructive assessment of structural condition. An analytical model describing MMI response of one-dimensional non-ferromagnetic structure is presented. The model includes three distinct contributions: dynamics of the structural element, electromagnetic coupling, and sensor characteristics. Different excitation models for MEAS were considered that account for spatial distribution of the structural load. Effects of structural parameters and sensor characteristic on the MMI signature are investigated and several approaches for improving MMI measurements are suggested. The paper presents examples of MMI monitoring of simple and complex structures. In the reported investigations, MMI spectral features, such as spectral amplitude, frequency shift and redistribution of impedance peaks are explored for structural damage detection and characterization. It is suggested that MMI may facilitate structural diagnostics requiring either embeddable sensors or non-contact transducers.
Modulation of influenza virus replication by alteration of sodium ion transport and protein kinase C activity.

In recent years, increasing levels of resistance to the four FDA-approved anti-influenza virus drugs have been described and vaccine manufacturers have experienced demands that exceed their capacity. This situation underlines the urgent need for novel antivirals as well as innovations in vaccine production in preparation for the next influenza epidemic. Here we report the development of a cell-based high-throughput screen which we have used for the identification of compounds that modulate influenza virus growth either negatively or positively. We screened a library of compounds with known biological activity and identified distinct groups of inhibitors and enhancers that target sodium channels or protein kinase C (PKC). We confirmed these results in viral growth assays and find that treatment with a sodium channel opener or PKC inhibitor significantly reduces viral replication. In contrast, inhibition of sodium channels or activation of PKC leads to enhanced virus production in tissue culture. These diametrically opposing effects strongly support a role for PKC activity and the regulation of Na+ currents in influenza virus replication and both may serve as targets for antiviral drugs. Furthermore, we raise the possibility that compounds that result in increased viral titers may be beneficial for boosting the production of tissue culture-grown influenza vaccines.
Performance Metrics for Composite Integral Armor

Future combat systems necessarily focus on lightweight, highly mobile and transportable armored vehicles. Lightweight composite integral armor systems are being developed to meet these needs. The goal of this paper is to centrally document the myriad design requirements for composite integral armors that serve multifunctional roles including ballistic, structural, shock, electromagnetic, and fire protection. Structural and ballistic performance requirements as well as manufacturing and life-cycle performance issues of integral armor are presented. Specific areas addressed include high-strain-rate testing and modeling, ballistic testing and modeling, low-cycle fatigue, damage tolerance, repair, reduced-step processing, through-thickness reinforcement, energy dissipation and rate-dependent failure mechanisms, and non-linear mechanics.
Equivariant uniformization theorem for subanalytic sets

In this paper we prove an equivariant version of the uniformization theorem for closed subanalytic sets: Let G be a Lie group and let M be a proper real analytic G-manifold. Let X be a closed subanalytic G-invariant subset of M. We show that there exist a proper real analytic G-manifold N of the same dimension as X and a proper real analytic G-equivariant map \({\varphi{:} \ N \to M}\) such that \({\varphi(N) = X}\) .
Patient-centered interviewing and student performance in a comprehensive clinical skills examination: Is there an association?

Abstract Objective Communication skills, including patient-centered interviewing (PCI), have become a major priority for educational and licensing organizations in the United States. While patient-centered interviewing is associated with positive patient outcomes and improved diagnostic accuracy, it is unknown if an association exists between patient-centered interviewing and student performance in high-stakes clinical skills assessment (CSA) examinations. The purpose of this study was to determine if generic communication skills and patient-centered interviewing skills were associated with students’ overall student performance on a multi-station clinical skills assessment (CSA) examination. Methods This was a cross-sectional study to assess student performance with standardized patients (SPs). We conducted a retrospective review of 30 videotaped SP encounters of Third year medical students (class of 2006) at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. We measured correlations between observed PCI scores, overall CSA scores and CSA interpersonal and communication (ICS) skills scores of student–SP encounters. Results PCI scores, as measured with the Four Habits Coding Scheme, a measurement tool of patient-centered communication, were not correlated with either overall CSA scores or ICS scores. Students’ PCI scores were lower than the ICS scores (57% vs. 85% of correct items). The students performed poorly (30% mean score of correct items) in eliciting patient perspectives, compared to three other domains (Invest in the beginning, Demonstrate empathy, and Invest in end) of patient-centered interviewing. Conclusions Our study failed to demonstrate any association between student performance and patient-centered interviewing skills (PCI) in the setting of a comprehensive in-house CSA examination. Third-year medical students in our study did not practice some elements of patient-centered interviewing. Practice implications Given the increasing importance of patient-centered communication, the high-stakes in-house clinical skills examinations may consider assessing patient-centered interviewing using a more comprehensive and valid checklist.
Case report 791

A 13-year-old girl presented with a 2-year history of chronic pain affecting the leg due to a large lytic distal tibial metaphyseal lesion which upon biopsy proved to be a bone abscess. The case emphasizes the importance of the correlation of clinical radiographic imaging and pathological studies to arrive at the diagnosis and proper treatment.
Experimental alterations of neurofilaments and neurotubules by calcium and other ions

Abstract Short segments of desheathed rat peripheral nerve were immersed in phosphate, tris-HCl and cacodylate buffers containing varying concentrations and admixtures of CaCl 2 , AgCl, MgCl 2 , PbCl 2 , and AlCl 3 before fixation. These tissues were subsequently processed for electron microscopic examination. Axonal microtubules and neurofilaments were well-preserved following immersion in 0.1 M buffer, pH 6.5 to 7.5. Addition of 1 mM CaCl 2 to the tris or cacodylate buffers resulted in a granular disruption of both neurotubules and neurofilaments. The disruptive effects of 5 mM CaCl 2 could be prevented by chelation with equimolar concentrations of EDTA. A similar granular alteration of neurotubules and neurofilaments occurred after the addition of 10 mM AgCl, but not with MgCl 2 , PbCl 2 or AlCl 3 in concentrations up to 20 mM. Admixtures of MgCl 2 did not prevent the calcium-induced disruption of these structures. The ultrastructural changes induced by calcium closely resemble the axoplasmic alterations encountered during Wallerian degeneration and suggest that excessive entry of calcium into the axonal compartment may play an important role in this phenomenon. The structural instability of neurotubules and neurofilaments in the presence of calcium also indicates the sensitivity of these organelles to calcium, a feature of possible consideration for the interaction of calcium in secretory mechanisms of cells.