cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Methane Distribution and Methane Sensor Deployment in Robbing Working Surface

To provide theory base of methane sensor placement in robbing working surface,Fluent software was used to simulate methane distribution.Geometry model was established and divided by grids.Methane distribution in intake,robbing working surface and outtake was simulated using RNG k-e model by Fluent according to conversation equation in turbulent state,turbulent kinetic energy equation and turbulent dissipation rate equation.The results show that methane is likely to accumulate in the upper corner,when wind passes through the corner after washing robbing working surface,wind velocity is unstable,the performance of sensor placed in inner side of turning is different from that placed in outer side of turning.Distance of methane sensor to robbing working surface should be no more than 10m which accords with the regulation of mine safety regulations well.
Iron-deficiency anemia.

Insufficient dietary intake of iron and excessive red cell loss from chronic hemorrhage are the major causes of iron-deficiency anemia. The condition also may result from malabsorption or from increased iron requirements during pregnancy. Effective treatment is available in the form of oral, intramuscular or intravenous iron preparations, but the oral route is preferred for convenience, comfort and economy of administration.
Prioritization of Schizophrenia Risk Genes by a Network-Regularized Logistic Regression Method

Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a severe mental disorder with a large genetic component. While recent large-scale microarray- and sequencing-based genome wide association studies have made significant progress toward finding SCZ risk variants and genes of subtle effect, the interactions among them were not considered in those studies. Using a protein-protein interaction network both in our regression model and to generate a SCZ gene subnetwork, we developed an analytical framework with Logit-Lapnet, the graphical Laplacian-regularized logistic regression, for whole exome sequencing (WES) data analysis to detect SCZ gene subnetworks. Using simulated data from sequencing-based association study, we compared the performances of Logit-Lapnet with other logistic regression (LR)-based models. We use Logit-Lapnet to prioritize genes according to their coefficients and select top-ranked genes as seeds to generate the gene sub-network that is associated to SCZ. The comparison demonstrated not only the applicability but also better performance of Logit-Lapnet to score disease risk genes using sequencing-based association data. We applied our method to SCZ whole exome sequencing data and selected top-ranked risk genes, the majority of which are either known SCZ genes or genes potentially associated with SCZ. We then used the seed genes to construct SCZ gene subnetworks. This result demonstrates that by ranking gene according to their disease contributions our method scores and thus prioritizes disease risk genes for further investigation. An implementation of our approach in MATLAB is freely available for download at: http://zdzlab.einstein.yu.edu/1/publications/LapNet-MATLAB.zip.
Pyrethroid Pesticides as Endocrine Disruptors: Molecular Mechanisms in Vertebrates with a Focus on Fishes.

Pyrethroids are now the fourth most used group of insecticides worldwide. Employed in agriculture and in urban areas, they are detected in waterways at concentrations that are lethally and sublethally toxic to aquatic organisms. Highly lipophilic, pyrethroids accumulate in sediments and bioaccumulate in fishes. Additionally, these compounds are demonstrated to act as endocrine disrupting compounds (or EDCs) in mammals and fishes, and therefore interfere with endocrine signaling by blocking, mimicking, or synergizing endogenous hormones through direct receptor interactions, and indirectly via upstream signaling pathways. Pyrethroid metabolites have greater endocrine activity than their parent structures, and this activity is dependent on the enantiomer present, as some pyrethroids are chiral. Many EDCs studied thus far in fish have known estrogenic or antiestrogenic effects, and as such cause the inappropriate or altered expression of genes or proteins (i.e., Vtg–vitellogenin, Chg–choriogenin), often leadi...
DrSEUs: A dynamic robust single-event upset simulator

This paper presents DrSEUs (Dynamic robust Single-Event Upset simulator), a novel fault injector that uses the Simics full-system simulator. Fault-injection testing enables the use of commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processors in space, which are susceptible to radiation-induced faults but are desirable due to the lower cost and higher performance of COTS devices. The de facto standard for fault injection is radiation-beam testing, which is often prohibitively expensive and time-consuming. Our methodology provides a means to iteratively decrease design vulnerabilities through rapid fault injection prior to beam testing. Additionally, our methodology can supplement beam-test results by targeting injections at individual components of interest that are difficult to isolate in beam tests. Our fault-injection mechanism uses simulation checkpoints, allowing DrSEUs to target a wide range of system components for injection. The deterministic nature of Simics checkpoints enables the repeatability of injection results and the monitoring of latent faults propagating through the system. We demonstrate the injection capabilities and analysis features of DrSEUs by presenting fault-injection results for an image-processing application.
Barack Obama and uncertain knowledge

Truth claims pervade the world: assertions that a speaker wishes to persuade an audience are true or at least plausible. But how to judge? Much proposed knowledge has uncertain legitimacy, evaluate...
Articulatory Control in Childhood Apraxia of Speech in a Novel Word–Learning Task

Purpose Articulatory control and speech production accuracy were examined in children with childhood apraxia of speech (CAS) and typically developing (TD) controls within a novel word–learning task...
Short-term regular aerobic exercise reduces oxidative stress produced by acute in the adipose microvasculature.

We describe potential mechanisms contributing to aerobic exercise-conferred protection against high intravascular pressure. Subcutaneous adipose microvessels from exercise mice express less NADPH o...
On the Global Bifurcation Characteristics of Adaptive Systems

Abstract This paper discusses the bifurcation behavior and nonlinear dynamics of some representative model-based adaptive control schemes. It focuses on situations where the desired set-point is locally but not globally attracting. In such situations, undesired attractors, attributable to plant/mood mismatch and/or unmodeled dynamics, are generated by the control scheme. When the boundaries of the basins of attraction of these attractors are computed, a picture of the global phase-space structure of the system emerges. This provides a quantitative measure of the robustness of the control scheme to both state and model perturbations. The dependence of the dynamics on the parameters of the system are studied via numerical (both local and global) bifurcation techniques to reveal which controller designs globally stabilize the set-point . This information can be used to suggest modifications to the control schemes that eliminate the multistability problem.
Automobile Pollution Control

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses control of automobile pollution. The principal pollutants that the automobile emits are carbon monoxide (CO), which is a deadly poison; unburned hydrocarbons (HC), which are irritants and sources of smog; and NO x , which is an important link in a chemical chain leading to smog in combination with HC and sunlight. Automobile pollution control is difficult as HC and CO pollution results when the temperatures during combustion are too low, while NO x results when the temperatures are too high. The difficulty with simultaneous control of the pollutants is reflected in the catalysts that might be used to control them. All popular means to control pollutants are very expensive and add considerable complexity to the automobile, confounding both the consumer and repair mechanic and making customer maintenance of the vehicle nearly impossible. Prestratification is a very simple and inexpensive way to control pollution and to increase economy. NO x can be controlled in this manner so that three-way catalysts and electronic carburetion are not required. The prestratification with air is more effective than adding an air pump that delivers air to the exhaust manifold just aft of the exhaust valve. The use of prestratification for pollutant control is currently being applied in combustion control to develop a multifuel engine capability.
Early Childhood Educators' Perceptions of Nurturing Spirituality in Secular Settings.

In-service early childhood educators (n = 33) completed a survey describing their perceptions towards: (a) how educators draw on personal spirituality to support their role in the classroom, (b) wh...
Law Reform in the Ancient World: Did the Emperor Augustus Succeed or Fail in His Morals Legislation?

This is an Article with a dual purpose. First, it is concerned with the process of law reform: How do we judge a given reform's success or failure? Do we adopt strictly linear metrics? Or do we look at non-linear impacts? Thus: In the campaign against tobacco, do we judge it a success because it has reduced cigarette smoking? Or because it reduced the political power of the tobacco companies?In this Article, I apply this complex means of analyzing law reform to the Emperor Augustus' morals legislation. Legal historians have typically regarded Augustus' morals legislation as having achieved, at best, mixed results. These historians, however, have tended to perform a linear assessment of the legislation. Did Augustus achieve the results he professed to want: that is, were cases of adultery prosecuted more frequently? Was elite childbirth encouraged? I argue, in contrast, that the legislation must be seen against Augustus' larger political agenda, which was the subjection of elite families to the laws of the emerging Roman Empire. Seen in these political terms, I argue that the legislation can be judged in substantial measure as successful.
Vibrational Spectra of Ternary Rare Earth Sulfides with CaFe2O4, Yb3S4, MnY2S4 and ZnGa2S4 Type Structures

Raman spectra of CaFe2O4 and Yb3S4 type compounds are sharp and similar, indicating similar and ordered structures. Spectra of MnY2S4 type compounds exhibit three broad bands indicative of structural disorder. ZnGa2S4 is an intermediate spectrum. There is a linear relationship between the highest frequency IR and Raman bands and the average coordination numbers of the structures.
Annual program review process: an enhanced process with outcomes

The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s required Annual Program Review of Educational Effectiveness (APREE) has helped us improve our program and change its culture to one of con...
Composition of Ingredients in Syubhah Semi Processed Food, Trust and Purchase Behavior - A Conceptual Framework

The paper aims to reviews the growing dimension of Halal food industry, whereby consumers nowdays tend to purchase Syubhah semi processed food due to the lack of knowledge on composition of ingredients, wholesomeness, labeling and certification. An extensive review of the current literature reveals that limited holistic studies on Syubhah semi processed food exist. This study, therefore, aims to fill this gap by proposing a conceptual framework for syubhah semi processed food. This study develops a conceptual framework explaining consumer intention formation by underpinned with the theory of planned behavior which consist of attitude toward behavior, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, intention and behavior. This study not only has implications for future research, but also provides useful information for academician and practitioners in the Halal food industries.
Outcomes Using a Postoperative Protocol in Pediatric Single-Stage Laryngotracheal Reconstruction.

Objectives:The aim of this study was to evaluate single-stage laryngotracheal reconstruction (ssLTR) outcomes before and after the implementation of a postoperative care protocol in pediatric patie...
Development of a two-phase flow mass quality correlation in the post-dryout DFFB regime during reflood transients

Abstract A new semi-empirical two-phase flow mass quality correlation was developed for the post-dryout dispersed flow film boiling (DFFB) regime in a 7 × 7 rod bundle geometry. Starting from the fundamental physics describing the two-phase flow in the dispersed droplet flow regime, one-dimensional conservation governing equations were formulated for the liquid and vapor phases by considering a detailed characterization of the liquid droplet phase, based on which the liquid phase velocity was related to the key flow parameters. A scaling analysis was then performed within a sub-channel of the rod bundle to obtain an expression for the vapor drift velocity, from which a suitable relationship for the two-phase flow quality was derived using the drift flux model. It was found that the vapor drift velocity in the DFFB regime is affected by many variables including: the droplet size, velocities of the liquid and vapor phases, void fraction, vapor superheat and fluid properties, all of which are important in characterizing the dispersed droplet flow. Based on the results of the RBHT reflood tests, which simulate the reflood transients of a LWR during an accident scenario, a new mass quality correlation was developed that is applicable to the conditions with system pressure ranging from 138 to 414 kPa, rod bundle peak power between 0.98 and 1.97 kW/m, inlet liquid subcooling temperature from 11 to 83 K, and inlet flooding rate ranging from 0.0191 to 0.0508 m/s. Comparisons with experimental data indicated that the new correlation is able to predict the actual mass quality in the post-dryout two-phase flow regime with significantly improved accuracy not only for the rod bundle geometry but also for the tube geometry.
Providing Administrative Support for Classroom Paraeducators: What's a Building Administrator to Do?

A growing number of paraeducators are employed in America's schools. Paraeducators are valuable members of the education team, especially as some districts face a growing shortage of certified spec...
Poor nutrition as a potential cause of divergent tree growth near the Arctic treeline in northern Alaska

Trees growing near the Arctic treeline have long been used to reconstruct past climates. However, recent studies have shown deterioration of historically strong positive correlations between air temperature and tree growth (known as "divergence"). Divergence has important implications for confidence in paleoclimate reconstructions and ecosystem-atmosphere carbon exchange. Studies in the Brooks Range of northern Alaska showed that white spruce in the west increased growth in response to late 20th century warming, whereas those in the east failed to show a growth increase. In an earlier study across four watersheds in the Brooks Range, we tested and rejected the hypothesis that divergence in the easternmost watershed reflects moisture limitation of growth. Here, using 16 sites distributed across the same four watersheds, we tested an alternative hypothesis, that greater nutrient limitation in the east may have impeded positive growth responses to warming. Climate comparison across the four Brooks Range study watersheds revealed that, although the easternmost watershed generally had a drier growing-season climate, the most consistent difference was that winter air temperature and both winter and summer soil temperatures were much colder in the central and eastern watersheds. Soil nutrient availability, foliar nutrient concentrations, and tree growth were all generally lower in the central and eastern than in the western watersheds. Foliar phosphorus concentration was the best predictor of spatial variation in branch extension growth-a finding that is somewhat inconsistent with the theory that forest productivity on young, glacially derived soils should be strongly nitrogen limited. Experimental fertilization yielded the greatest growth increase in the eastern, an intermediate response in the central, and the smallest growth increase in the western watershed, generally mirroring trends in soil temperature, soil nutrient availability, foliar nutrient concentrations, and growth of control trees. Our results confirm that growth in the easternmost watershed is more nutrient limited and suggest that phosphorus limitation may be at least as important as nitrogen limitation of growth. We hypothesize that cold soil effects on tree access to nutrients might explain divergence in the eastern Brooks Range and elsewhere near the Arctic treeline, particularly in areas with cold winters and widespread permafrost.
Periprocedural intracranial hemorrhage after embolization of cerebral arteriovenous malformations: a meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE The primary goal of the treatment of cerebral arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is angiographic occlusion to eliminate future hemorrhage risk. Although multimodal treatment is increasingly used for AVMs, periprocedural hemorrhage after transarterial embolization is a potential endovascular complication that is only partially understood and merits quantification. METHODS Searching the period between 1990 and 2019, the authors of this meta-analysis queried the PubMed and Embase databases for studies reporting periprocedural hemorrhage (within 30 days) after liquid embolization (using cyanoacrylate or ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer) of AVMs. Random effects meta-analysis was used to evaluate the pooled rate of flow-related hemorrhage (those attributed to alterations in AVM dynamics), technical hemorrhage (those related to procedural complications), and total hemorrhage. Meta-regression was used to analyze the study-level predictors of hemorrhage, including patient age, Spetzler-Martin grade, hemorrhagic presentation, embolysate used, intent of treatment (adjuvant vs curative), associated aneurysms, endovascular angiographic obliteration, year of study publication, and years the procedures were performed. RESULTS A total of 98 studies with 8009 patients were included in this analysis, and the mean number of embolization sessions per patient was 1.9. The pooled flow-related and total periprocedural hemorrhage rates were 2.0% (95% CI 1.5%-2.4%) and 2.6% (95% CI 2.1%-3.0%) per procedure and 3.4% (95% CI 2.6%-4.2%) and 4.8% (95% CI 4.0%-5.6%) per patient, respectively. The mortality and morbidity rates associated with hemorrhage were 14.6% and 45.1%, respectively. Subgroup analyses revealed a pooled total hemorrhage rate per procedure of 1.8% (95% CI 1.0%-2.5%) for adjuvant (surgery or radiosurgery) and 4.6% (95% CI 2.8%-6.4%) for curative intent. The treatment of aneurysms (p = 0.04) and larger patient populations (p < 0.001) were significant predictors of a lower hemorrhage rate, whereas curative intent (p = 0.04), angiographic obliteration achieved endovascularly (p = 0.003), and a greater number of embolization sessions (p = 0.03) were significant predictors of a higher hemorrhage rate. There were no significant differences in periprocedural hemorrhage rates according to the years evaluated or the embolysate utilized. CONCLUSIONS In this study-level meta-analysis, periprocedural hemorrhage was seen after 2.6% of transarterial embolization procedures for cerebral AVMs. The adjuvant use of endovascular embolization, including in the treatment of associated aneurysms and in the presurgical or preradiosurgical setting, was a study-level predictor of significantly lower hemorrhage rates, whereas more aggressive embolization involving curative intent and endovascular angiographic obliteration was a predictor of a significantly higher total hemorrhage rate.
Quantitative ultrasound of the tongue: Echo intensity is a potential biomarker of bulbar dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Abstract Objectives To learn if quantitative ultrasound (QUS) distinguishes the tongues of healthy participants and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients by echo intensity (EI) and to evaluate if EI correlates with measures of bulbar function. Methods Ultrasound was performed along the midline of the anterior tongue surface in 16 ALS patients and 16 age-matched controls using a linear hockey stick 16–7 MHz transducer. A region of interest was manually drawn and then EI was determined for the upper 1/3 of the muscle. For patients, the ALS functional rating scale – revised (ALSFRS-R) was used to calculate bulbar sub-scores and the Iowa Oral Performance Instrument (IOPI) was used to measure tongue strength. Results EI was significantly higher in ALS patients than in healthy participants (49.8 versus 37.8 arbitrary units, p Conclusions This study suggests that EI can differentiate healthy from diseased tongue muscle, and correlates with a standard functional measure in ALS patients. Significance Tongue EI may represent a novel biomarker for bulbar dysfunction in ALS.
A Distributionally Robust Optimization Approach for Stochastic Elective Surgery Scheduling with Limited Intensive Care Unit Capacity

Abstract In this paper, we study the decision process of assigning elective surgery patients to available surgical blocks in multiple operating rooms (OR) under random surgery durations, random postoperative length-of-stay in the intensive care unit (ICU), and limited capacity of ICU. The probability distributions of random parameters are assumed to be ambiguous, and only the mean values and ranges are known. We propose a d istributionally r obust e lective s urgery s cheduling (DRESS) model that seeks optimal surgery scheduling decisions to minimize the cost of performing and postponing surgeries and the worst-case expected costs associated with overtime and idle time of ORs and lack of ICU capacity (which causes premature discharges or transfers). We evaluate the worst-case over a family of distributions characterized by the known mean values and ranges of random parameters. We leverage the separability of DRESS formulation in deriving an exact mixed-integer nonlinear programming reformulation. We linearize and derive a family of symmetry breaking inequalities to improve the solvability of the reformulation using an adapted column-and-constraint generation algorithm. Finally, we conduct extensive numerical experiments that demonstrate the superior performance of our DR approach as compared to the stochastic programming approach, and provide insights into DRESS.
Inhibition of Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) to facilitate the reactivation and elimination of latent gamma-herpesviruses.

Abstract Both Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) can establish the persistent, life-long infection primarily at the latent status, and contribute to certain types of tumors, including B cell lymphomas, especially in immuno-compromised individuals, such as people living with HIV (PLWH). Lytic reactivation of these viruses can be employed to kill tumor cells harboring latently infected viral episomes, through the viral cytopathic effects and the subsequent antiviral immune responses. In this study, we identified that expression of Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) in B cells is elevated in the context of HIV infection and by HIV Nef protein. We further demonstrated that PLK1 depletion or inhibition can promote KSHV reactivation and cell death of KSHV-reactivated tumor cells. Mechanistically, PLK1 regulates Myc protein that is critical for both maintenance of KSHV latency and support of cell survival, and affects the level of H3K27me3 suppressive mark both globally and at certain loci of KSHV viral episomes. Lastly, we recognized that PLK1 inhibition can synergize with STAT3 inhibition to induce efficient KSHV reactivation. PLK1 depletion or inhibition yielded the similar effect on promoting EBV reactivation and cell death of EBV-reactivated tumor cells. Our findings illustrated that PLK1 is a novel host target that can be inhibited to benefit the viral oncolysis to eliminate KSHV/EBV-infected tumor cells.
The danger of “fake news”: how using social media for information dissemination can inhibit the ethical decision making process

Social media is becoming increasingly embedded in people’s daily lives. These virtual spaces are now regularly used as a tool for information dissemination. Drawing on the moral intensity literatur...
Carbon monoxide poisoning.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is the most common type of accidental poisoning in the United States, accounting for thousands of emergency department visits and some 800 deaths annually. Carbon monoxide, an insidious byproduct of incomplete hydrocarbon combustion, is generated in toxic amounts by internal-combustion engines, fossil-fuel furnaces, and fires. Carbon monoxide emissions from modern automobiles, though controlled by regulatory standards, are still highly toxic in poorly ventilated spaces. A stable gas at physiologic temperatures, carbon monoxide diffuses rapidly across the alveolar capillary membrane and binds tightly to iron centers in hemoglobin and other hemoproteins. Claude Bernard first proposed in 1865 that . . .
Job Design, Learning & Intrinsic Motivation

According to psychologists and neuroscientists, a key source of intrinsic motivation is learning. An economic model of this is presented. Learning may make work less onerous, or the employee may value it in and of itself. Multitasking generates learning: performing one task increases productivity on related tasks. Intrinsic motivation generates a new multitask incentive problem if the rate of learning varies across tasks. With no incentive pay, employee autonomy complements learning because expected output increases as the employee uses his or her knowledge to enhance learning. The second part of the paper adds a simple incentive. Incentive pay does not “crowd out” intrinsic motivation, but it does rebalance effort away from learning and towards output. Learning has complex interactions with performance measurement. A higher rate of learning tends to reduce performance measure distortion, especially for a very distorted measure. It also tends to reduce the potential for manipulation, as does multitasking. However, if job design is strongly imbalanced towards a few key tasks, or learning varies significantly across tasks, a higher rate of learning may increase the employee’s ability to manipulate the measure. In that case the firm might prefer an incentive with no autonomy, or autonomy with no incentive.
The Cost of Corporate Debt After a Reduction in Creditor Rights

We analyze the impact the Bankruptcy Reform Act (BRA) of 1978 had on bond corporate yields. The BRA substantially lowered creditor rights in the event of bankruptcy. Our findings suggest that corporate bonds issued after the BRA increased their yields around 100 basis points over comparable Treasury bonds, and the effect was more pronounced for firms closer to bankruptcy. Our paper contributes to the literature on creditor rights and the availability of credit for firms.
Metabolic regulation of species-specific developmental rates

Animals display significant inter-specific variation in the rate of embryonic development despite broad conservation of the overall sequence of developmental events. Differences in biochemical reaction speeds, including the rates of protein production and degradation, are thought to be responsible for distinct species-specific rates of development. However, the cause of differential biochemical reaction speeds between species remains unknown. Using pluripotent stem cells, we have established an in vitro system that recapitulates the two-fold difference in developmental rate between early mouse and human embryos. This system provides a quantitative measure of developmental speed as revealed by the period of the segmentation clock, a molecular oscillator associated with the rhythmic production of vertebral precursors. Using this system, we showed that mass-specific metabolic rates scale with developmental rate and are therefore elevated in mouse cells compared to human cells. We further showed that reducing these metabolic rates by pharmacologically inhibiting the electron transport chain slows down the segmentation clock. The effect of the electron transport chain on the segmentation clock is mediated by the cellular NAD+/NADH redox balance independent of ATP production and, further downstream, by the global rate of protein synthesis. These findings represent a starting point for the manipulation of developmental rate, which would find multiple translational applications including the acceleration of human pluripotent stem cell differentiation for disease modeling and cell-based therapies.
Oral manifestations of hyperparathyroidism secondary to familial hypophosphatemic rickets.

Abstract A 14-year-old male with familial hypophosphatemic rickets, being treated with oral phosphate and calcitriol therapy, presented to the Division of Pediatric Dentistry, Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pa. A panoramic radiograph showed multifocal, multilocular lesions in the mandible leading to surgical exploration and biopsy. Histopathological evaluation of the largest lesion showed features consistent with central giant cell granuloma. Given the patient's history, hyperparathyroidism was suspected. Laboratory data showed an elevated parathyroid hormone of 152 pg/ml (normal range equals nine to 69). This confirmed the diagnosis of multiple brown tumors in the mandible associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism, which was attributed to high-dose phosphate treatment. After endocrinology consultation, calcitriol therapy was increased. Improvement of the patient's brown tumors is expected with medical therapy. The purpose of this case report was to raise awareness among pediatric dentists about the maxillofacial ramifications of secondary hyperparathyroidism.
Developing an AIDS Vaccine: Need, Uncertainty, Hope

It is more than 20 years since the identification of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In their Perspective, [Emini and Koff][1] discuss how far we have come in understanding the interaction of HIV with the host immune system, and what we must learn to develop an effective vaccine that will halt the spread of AIDS. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/304/5679/1913
Timestamp-free synchronization for wireless body-area networks

In this paper, a novel timestamp-free synchronization algorithm is proposed where no dedicated timing messages are exchanged; the synchronization algorithm is embedded in the existing network messages. The proposed algorithm is intended for networks where many messages are transferred from the sensor to the central communication node, but only a few messages are transmitted from the central communication node to the sensor; which reflects the practical considerations of wireless body-area networks.
Miniature cell culture systems for use in field isolation of viruses: cell stability and sensitivity to selected laboratory-propagated viruses during storage in miniaturized environments.

Abstract Cell cultures were miniaturized in 1-dr vials or in capillary tubes (100 by 3 mm) and examined for their capacity to maintain normal gross morphology and sensitivity to infection by viruses during storage under a variety of conditions. The purpose of these studies was to determine the feasibility of using such cultures in the field during epidemiological investigations. From the results of this work it was concluded that such a feasibility exists.
Ovine luteinizing hormone. V. Significance of flow-through peaks observed during chromatofocusing as revealed by various methods of sample preparation and application.

Abstract In a previous study [Keel , Biol. Reprod. , 36 (1987) 1102] the ovine luteinizing hormone (oLH) in pituitary extracts was chromatofocused on pH 10.5–7 gradients after equilibration in 25 m M triethylamine—HCl, pH 11.0, by gel permeation. Under these conditions, some immunoreactive oLH flowed through the columns unrestricted and this was interpreted to represent extremely basic isoforms. However, when selected flow-through peaks were re-chromatofocused, each was contaminated with other isoforms of oLH. In order to clarify this dilemma, various methods of sample preparation and application were systematically compared. Consistent with previous observations, variable amounts of the immunoreactive oLH in pituitary extracts equilibrated in triethylamine by gel permeation, dialysis, flow dialysis or ion-retardation chromatography eluted as flow-through peaks when chromatofocused. In contrast, when the ionic components in the pituitary homogenization buffer were removed by these methods as well as ultrafiltration and the proteins were applied to the resin in the elution buffer (1:45 Pharmalyte 8-10.5—HCl, pH 7.0), none of the immunoreactive oLH in pituitary extracts eluted as a flow-through peak. Thus, it appears that oLH eluting as a flow-through peak results from incomplete binding of the hormone to the chromatofocusing resin when applied in triethylamine.
The case against half-metallicity in La0.7Sr0.3MnO3

Half-metallic ferromagnets are universally believed to be of great importance for a multitude of spintronic applications, including non-volatile logic and memory, spin transistors and many other recently proposed devices. While many materials have been predicted to be half-metallic, experimental confirmation of this exciting effect is still very controversial, particularly for optimally doped La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO). In this paper we will review some of the techniques used for spin polarization measurements and, in particular, the results obtained for LSMO. It was argued in Nadgorny et al (2001 Phys. Rev. B 63 184433) that LSMO is a transport half-metal, rather than a conventional half-metal with no minority electrons at the Fermi level at T = 0 K. We will discuss some of the more recent measurements in LSMO and see how well this conclusion stacks up against these new results.
From a philological and philosophical perspective

Forum: Close Reading Any interpretation or analysis of a text or an image, of a map, or a constellation of stars requires full attention to the details in order to reach a maximum understanding of what is presented to us, whether we consider, for example, a fifteenth-century poem by Oswald von Wolkenstein or a novel by the Nobel Prize winner Herta Muller. If we do not first gain a comprehensive knowledge of the meaning of every word, the individual phrases, sentence components, and then of the complete text, we hardly can venture into the critical examination. No interpretation will be solidly built, whether from a Marxist, Feminist, Structuralist angle, or drawing on the history of mentality, without that condition being met as postulated by New, and in this regard actually Old, Criticism. We can easily fail to perceive the important messages of a text if we do not grasp, for instance, dialect variations, jargons, metaphorical expressions, but then also the meter, rhyme, and tonality of the language used, not to forget style, idiosyncratic expressions, idiomatic phrases, etc. Every text that enters an aesthetic framework is built on a highly sophisticated structure, and without knowing all the nuts and bolts, we won't have a chance to penetrate deeper into its fundamental content and essence. To make a comparison, I cannot venture into analyzing the spiritual meaning of a Gothic cathedral if I do not have the virtual blueprint in front of me. As a matter of fact, every foreign language teacher, that is, every teacher, for instance, lays the foundation for the task at hand, a close reading, which grows over time and should get closer and closer to the core of the matter as a natural progression. In that process, however, something surprising happens we are all familiar with. Since the earliest Biblical times, and throughout the ages until today, reading has been a medium for uncovering the many different levels of meaning, that is, we practice exegesis. Dante knew this exceedingly well (Tenth Letter to Can Grande della Scala), and before him Thomas Aquinas had explicated it in a magisterial way in his Summa Theologica , beginning with the literal dimension, turning to the typological or allegorical, then to the tropological or moral, and finally reaching the anagogical or spiritual (Henri de Lubac, S.J., Exegese medievale, 1959). Of course, some of the most painful conflicts in the history of Western civilization were the results of differing readings of texts (Jews versus Christians; see now Alexandra Cuffel, Gendering Disgust, 2007) and their meanings. …
Triangular matrix representation of dimensionless helical hydrophobic moment ratios

Abstract If the hydrophobicity of the i th residue in an α-helix is denoted by H i , one can (following Eisenberg) define a corresponding vector, h i = a i H i . Here a i is a unit vector directed radially from the helix axis through C i α . The vector sum of the h i for the N residues in an α-helix is denoted by h, and h 2 is the square of the magnitude of h . In the absence of any correlation in the h i we obtain h 2 = ∑ H i 2 , where the sum extends over all N residues in the helix. The dimensionless ratio h 2 /∑ H i 2 has the value 1 when the h i are uncorrected. However, if hydrophobic residues occur on the opposite surface of a helix from the hydrophilic residues, h 2 /∑ H i 2 > 1. The h 2 /∑ H i 2 for the n ( n − 1)/2 helices that might occur in a chain of n residues are conveniently displayed as the elements in a symmetric n × n matrix. The jk th and kj th elements are h 2 /∑ H i 2 for the helix that initiates at residue j and terminates at residue k . All of the h 2 /∑ H i 2 are retained in either of the triangular matrices that together together constitute the symmetric matrix. The largest element in the triangular matrix for glucagon is the entry for a helix that is nearly identical with the major helix found by Wuthrich when the peptide is bound to a zwitterionic micelle. Three related hormonal peptides have their maximum h 2 /∑ H i 2 in the same region of their respectively triangular matrices. The triangular matrix for α-tropomyosin shows that the h 2 /∑ H i 2 are larger in the portion of the chain that forms the more stable helix in the in-register dimer.
Zanthoxylum piperitum (DC), a potential feeding deterrent for mammals: studies with Microtus ochrogaster (Wagner)

Total extract from the fruit of Szechuan pepper (Zanthoxylum piperitum DC), the volatile components of the extract and a non-volatile fraction containing alkylamides (NVA fraction) are feeding deterrents for rats. The present study investigated the effectiveness of these natural repellents in prairie voles (Microtus ochrogaster Wagner). Two-choice feeding trials were conducted during which food-deprived voles were offered choices between oat-bran wafers. In Experiment 1, 10 voles were given three sets of feeding trials, each 2 h long. Baseline consumption was established during the first set of two trials by offering a choice between two oat-bran wafers dipped in ethanol, the control solvent. During the second set of two trials the voles were given a choice between an oat-bran wafer dipped in ethanol and a wafer dipped in Zanthoxylum extract. During the third set the voles were given a choice between a wafer served on top of a screened dish containing a sample of ethanol and a wafer served on top of a dish containing a sample of extract. In this manner the voles were exposed to volatile compounds emanating from the extract but could not contact it. Wafers dipped in extract were almost completely avoided. The volatile components of extract also significantly reduced food intake. In Experiment 2, habituation to the volatile constituents of extract was examined in 16 Zanthoxylum-naive voles. Baseline consumption was established by offering two wafers served on top of screened dishes containing ethanol. This was followed by twelve tests during which a choice between a wafer served above a sample of ethanol and a wafer served above a sample of extract was given. The voles failed to habituate to the volatile components of extract, consistently consuming less of the wafers served above extract. In Experiment 3 a dose-response curve to Zanthoxylum extract was established, using 12 stimulus-naive voles. After baseline consumption was established, the animals were given two tests each, presenting a choice between a control wafer and a wafer dipped in a dilution of extract (0.001-100 g liter(-1)). Only concentrations of 10 and 100 g liter(-1) reduced food intake. In Experiment 4 the effects of the non-volatile fraction of extract were compared to those of whole extract. Vegetable oil was used as solvent. Eight stimulus-naive voles were given two tests with a choice between an oil-dipped and an extract-dipped wafer. A second group of eight voles received two tests with a choice between an oil-dipped and NVA-dipped wafer. Extract-dipped wafers were avoided, but the NVA fraction had no effect on food consumption.
Acutely administered ethanol decreases whole-brain sialic acid and cerebellar 2-deoxyribose.

As a follow-up to a previous study that suggested that acutely administered ethanol could decrease steady-state brain levels of sialic acid (SA), we evaluated the time course of the ethanol effect and tested the influence of route of administration and sex. Compared to the control treatments, ethanol (2 gm/kg) significantly decreased brain SA in each of the four brain regions that were tested. The decrease was evident by 30 minutes after ethanol administration, but peak effect was reached at about 1–2 hours. The decrease occurred with either injection or self-administration, but the greatest decrease occurred in the self-administration group. The SA-induced decrease was greatest in females. An ancillary part of the study included measurement of brain levels of 2-deoxyribose (DR). Ethanol given by either route of administration caused a preferential decrease in DR levels in the cerebellum. Lesser, but statistically significant, decreases in SA and DR occurred in controls, suggesting that these chemicals are sensitive to subtle environmental contingencies associated with the experimental procedures.
Educational Innovations in Academic Medicine and Environmental Trends

Fifteen educational innovations in academic medicine are described in relation to 5 environmental trends. The first trend, demands for increased clinical productivity, has diminished the learning environment, necessitating new organizational structures to support teaching, such as academies of medical educators, mission-based management, and faculty development. The second trend is multidisciplinary approaches to science and education. This is stimulating the growth of multidisciplinary curricular design and oversight along with integrated curricular structures. Third, the science of learning advocates the use of case-based, active learning methods; learning communities such as societies and colleges; and instructional technology. Fourth, shifting views of health and disease are encouraging the addition of new content in the curriculum. In response, theme committees are weaving content across the curriculum, new courses are being inserted into curricula, and community-based education is providing learning experiences outside of academic medical centers. Fifth, calls for accountability are leading to new forms of performance assessment using objective structured clinical exams, clinical examination exercises, simulators, and comprehensive assessment programs. These innovations are transforming medical education.
A Micro-Rotor Driven by an Acoustic Bubble

We demonstrate how a micro-rotor self-aligns on top of a microbubble and rotates at a frequency up to 700 rpm because of the steady fluid flow produced by acoustic oscillations of the micro-bubble. The rotation frequency is controlled over a wide range by modifying the frequency of the acoustic excitation. We also show that a wide range of geometries can be used for the rotor. Finally, the possibility of using this novel concept to build a very simple micromotor is discussed.
The Devil and Kaiser Bill: Victor Kroemer and the World Crisis of 1914–15

The apocalyptic writings of Victor Eugene Kroemer (1883–1930) provide us with an insight into millenarian responses to the outbreak of the Great War, a subject that has been little noticed in research on Australian religious history. This article, however, will also show that a study of Kroemer's occult beliefs can illuminate larger themes in the Australian cultural response to the war. Kroemer's interpretation of the war as an essentially spiritual conflict between the forces of Zion (Great Britain) and Babylon (Germany) was not confined to the religiously unorthodox, nor did his belief in the appearance of battlefield angels and other supernatural phenomena fail to find echoes among more conventional believers. Much research in Australia and overseas in the last thirty years has challenged the notion of the Great War as a modernising and secularising experience and this article, through a study of a single Australian author and activist, draws attention to the quest of occult authors in Australia and Great Britain to explain the “world crisis” in spiritual terms to a range of audiences.
Implantation of Si under extreme conditions: the effects of high temperature and dose on damage accumulation

The accumulation of lattice damage in Si(100) during ion irradiation at extreme dose and temperature was investigated. Irradiation above the ion-induced, crystal-to-amorphous transition temperature (∼200°C) enabled damage growth to be studied to arbitrarily high dose. Electron microscopy and Rutherford backscattering spectrometry were used to characterize the growth of damage under these extreme conditions, as well as its microstructural evolution. These observations are correlated both to irradiation conditions and the effects of ionsolid chemistry associated with the use of atomic ions dissimilar to the bulk atoms. These chemical effects are isolated by comparing results for Si+− with P+− ion irradiations, and As+− with Ge+−irradiations. Each combination includes an isoelectric and dopant ion of nearly identical mass for separating out the effects of the ion-solid chemistry. A mechanism to account for the formation of the ioninduced morphology under extreme irradiation conditions is presented.
The δ13C of biogenic methane in marine sediments: the influence of Corg deposition rate

Abstract The δ 13 C of biogenic methane produced in marine sediments ranges from −110 to −55‰. The isotopic composition of the methane ( δ 13 C CH 4 ) is constrained by the fraction of metabolized organic carbon converted to CH 4 . The flux of labile organic carbon into the seabed ( J MOC ) and the availability of oxidants ( A ox ), such as O 2 and SO 4 = , dictate that fraction, i.e., proportionately more methane should be produced as the ratio J MOC / A ox increases. Chemical, physical (e.g., sediment resuspension) and biological (bioturbation and bioirrigation) processes determine A ox . Given that δ 13 C CH 4 is always less than δ 13 C of the metabolizable organic carbon, δ 13 C CH 4 should increase when J MOC and the portion of metabolized carbon converted to methane increase. A positive linear correlation ( r 2 =0.92) is observed between δ 13 C CH 4 and J MOC for a database containing four continental margin sites. When the pore water sulfate gradient (ΔSO 4 = /Δdepth) is used as a surrogate for J MOC , the data set is extended to 15 locations spanning all latitudes. A linear relationship between the sulfate gradient and δ 13 C CH 4 ( r 2 =0.98) for shelf/slope environments suggests that either J MOC or J MOC / A ox is the master variable that controls the 13 C / 12 C content of the biogenic methane. Carbonate precipitation and/or a methanogenic back reaction may obscure the correlation in deep-sea sediments. Evidence for the relationship between δ 13 C CH 4 and J MOC appears to be preserved in Miocene-age dolomitic deposits.