cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Asian immigrants’ group membership in the association between perceived racial discrimination and psychological well-being: the interplay of immigrants’ generational status, age, and ethnic subgroup

Using data from the National Latino and Asian American Study (NLAAS) (2002–2003) of 2,059 Asian immigrants, the given study explores the effects of perceived racial discrimination on participants’ ...
Novel Approach for Detecting the Neurological or Behavioral Impact of Physiological Episodes (PEs) in Military Aircraft Crews.

Introduction Military and civil aviation have documented physiological episodes among aircrews. Therefore, continued efforts are being made to improve the internal environment. Studies have shown that exposures to many organic compounds present in emissions are known to cause a variety of physiological symptoms. We hypothesize that these compounds may reversibly inhibit acetylcholinesterase, which may disrupt synaptic signaling. As a result, neural proteins leak through the damaged blood-brain barrier into the blood and in some, elicit an autoimmune response. Materials and methods Neural-specific autoantibodies of immunoglobulin-G (IgG) class were estimated by the Western blotting technique in the sera of 26 aircrew members and compared with the sera of 19 normal healthy nonaircrew members, used as controls. Results We found significantly elevated levels of circulating IgG-class autoantibodies to neurofilament triplet proteins, tubulin, microtubule-associated tau proteins (Tau), microtubule-associated protein-2, myelin basic protein, and glial fibrillary acidic protein, but not S100 calcium-binding protein B compared to healthy controls. Conclusion Repetitive physiological episodes may initiate cellular injury, leading to neuronal degeneration in selected individuals. Diagnosis and intervention should occur at early postinjury periods. Use of blood-based biomarkers to assess subclinical brain injury would help in both diagnosis and treatment.
Colonoscopy education delivered via the patient portal does not improve adherence to scheduled first-time screening colonoscopy

Background and study aims Non-adherence to scheduled colonoscopy burdens endoscopic practices and innovative approaches to improve adherence are needed. We aimed to assess the effect of an educational video emphasizing colonoscopy importance delivered through the electronic health record patient portal upon “no-show” and late cancellation rates (non-adherence) in patients scheduled for first-time screening colonoscopy. Patients and methods We conducted a single center randomized controlled trial among patients scheduled for their first screening colonoscopy. Patients were randomized to routine care (“control”) or video education (“video”). Control patients received a portal message 14 days prior to colonoscopy date; video patients additionally received a link to the educational video. Results In total, 830 patients (59 % female, median age 55 years) were randomized (“control”: 406; “video”: 424). Nearly all (88 %) opened the message; in the video arm, most (72 %) watched a majority of the video. Overall, 80 % attended their scheduled colonoscopy appointment (late cancel: 18 %, “no show”: 1 %) and 90 % underwent colonoscopy within 3 months of appointment. Adherence rates did not differ between video and control arms for the scheduled appointment (OR 1.2, CI 0.9–1.8) or for colonoscopy within 3 months of scheduled appointment (OR 1.3, CI 0.8–2.1). Bowel preparation quality did not differ between the groups. Conclusion Most patients scheduled for colonoscopy will open a patient portal message and, when delivered, watch an educational video. However, delivery of an educational video two weeks prior to screening colonoscopy appointment did not improve adherence.
The Bankruptcy of Liberalism and Social Democracy in the Neoliberal Age

The increasing similarity between the economic policies of center-left and center-right political parties has effectively diminished the legitimacy of governments in relationship to their citizenry in Western Europe and the U.S. Capitalist democracies during the period of managed capitalism gained legitimacy by the appearance of the separation of capitalist ownership rights in the marketplace from the political institutions that govern capitalism. During this period, Social Democratic parties in Western Europe, and to a lesser extent the Democratic Party in the U.S., paid some amount of attention to labor unions and mass constituents in formulating their policy agendas. The era of neoliberalism (late 1970s to the present) has broken any such appearances, with the dominant political parties, regardless of party label, moving rightward to embrace many of the same economic policy agendas.
Gastrointestinal and Liver Manifestations of COVID-19

The worldwide pandemic of COVID-19, caused by the virus SARS-CoV,-2 has continued to progress, and increasing information is becoming available about the incidence of digestive symptoms as well as abnormal liver-associated enzymes in patients who are infected. These are postulated to be related to the virus's use of ACE-2 receptors located on certain intestinal cells, cholangiocytes, and hepatocytes. This brief review summarizes the available limited data on digestive manifestations of COVID-19. A significant proportion of COVID-19 patients can present initially with only digestive complaints. The most common digestive symptoms are anorexia, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Liver-related transaminases are elevated in a substantial proportion of patients, although generally only mildly elevated. Currently there is no firm evidence to suggest that severity of digestive symptoms corresponds to severity of COVID-19 clinical course, however, more severe alterations in liver enzymes may correlate with worse clinical course. Given use of antiviral and antibacterial agents in sicker patients, drug-induced liver injury cannot be ruled out either in these cases. Although viral RNA can be detected in stool, it is unclear whether fecal-oral transmission can be achieved by the virus. As further data becomes available, our understanding of the digestive manifestations of COVID-19 will continue to evolve.
Coronary Vasculature and Myocardial Structure in HIV: Physiologic Insights From the Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone System.

The landscape of HIV medicine dramatically changed with the advent of contemporary antiretroviral therapies (ART) which has allowed persons with HIV (PWH) to achieve good virologic control, essentially eliminating HIV-related complications and increasing life expectancy. As PWH are living longer, non-communicable diseases, such as cardiovascular disease (CVD), have become a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in PWH with rates that are 50-100% higher than in well-matched persons without HIV. In this review, we focus on disease of the coronary microvasculature and myocardium in HIV. We highlight a key hormonal system important to cardiovascular endocrinology, the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS), as a potential mediator of inflammatory driven-vascular and myocardial injury and consider RAAS blockade as a physiologically-targeted strategy to reduce CVD in HIV.
Biomass-Derived Polyurethanes for Sustainable Future

This book chapter starts with an overview of the ever-growing consumption of polyurethanes along with the main challenges faced by researchers and industry demonstrating how they fit into the current scenario. The main routes to synthesize polyols are discussed in detail, showing the versatility of polyurethane chemistry. Also how green approaches can be introduced to turn process sustainable, profitable, and many times demonstrating to be more effective than petrochemical-based. This chapter also focuses on biomaterials that are currently being used in industry such as corn, soybean, rapeseed, and castor oil as well as bio-renewable sources in ongoing research like terpenes, terpenoids, and lignin. Their chemical modification paths were discussed in detail, to give a proper understanding of how to synthesize them and how their properties can be matched with their petrochemical counterparts. The main procedures covered for the green synthesis include epoxidation, ring-opening, hydroformylation, hydrogenation, ozonolysis, thiol-ene, and transesterification.
Structural behavior prediction of the Butterfly-shaped and straight shear fuses

Abstract Structural fuses can be implemented in buildings as steel plates subjected to shear loading. Strategically engineered cut-outs in these steel plates can be used to create shear fuses with energy dissipating capability. The structural fuses are used to protect the surrounding structure from damages and significant inelastic deformations, and then be replaceable after a major earthquakes. Previous studies indicate that structural fuses with shear fuses improve the initial elastic stiffness, energy dissipation capability, and ductility of structures. Butterfly-shaped fuses with varying width between larger ends and a smaller middle section have been used to better align bending capacity with the moment demand along the length of the fuse. These fuses have been shown in previous tests to be capable of substantial ductility and energy dissipation. In this study, equations are developed to capture load–displacement behavior of butterfly-shaped and straight shear fuses. The butterfly angle, defined as the angle between intersections of the inclined edges at the middle of the fuse, is investigated. Using the flexural and shear limit state equations, the critical butterfly angle identifying the transition from the shear to flexure is proposed. Subsequently, equations describing the geometric hardening of butterfly-shaped shear fuses are proposed. Along the same lines, the stiffness of a typical butterfly-shaped fuse is developed by dividing the stiffness into four major parts: fuse flexural deformations, fuse shear deformations, and shear and flexure deformations of the end zones. In addition, the post-yielding hardening behavior is investigated considering axial forces generated under shear loading deformations. Subsequently, computational finite element models are presented and validated with laboratory tests for two different configuration examples to examine the implementation of the proposed limit state prediction. To verify the provided applicability of the proposed analytical equations, a set of computational models are considered, and the associated backbone behavior of the models are compared with their corresponding proposed equations. The procedures presented in this paper to predict the behavior of fuses could be useful for the design of butterfly-shaped fuses with more than 90% accuracy in predicting the backbone behavior of the fuse system.
An individual reality, separate from oneself: alienation and sociality in moral theory

I argue that the social dimension of alienation, as discussed by Williams and Railton, has been underappreciated. The lesson typically drawn from their exchange is that moral theory poses a threat ...
Phenomenological developments for event-by-event fluctuations of conserved charges

A brief overview of the recent developments concerning theoretical description of event-by-event fluctuations in heavy-ion collisions is presented, with an emphasis on the role of exact conservation laws and calculations based on relativistic hydrodynamics.
The Changing Nature and Scope of the Senior Citizen Market Segment: Recent Developments During the Period of 1960 and 1973

The present article is a sequel to an original article dealing with the senior citizen market segment which appeared in 1968. The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau reau of Labor Statistics, has just released the findings of 1973 data. While in absolute terms the senior citizen market is growing more than proportionately, its economic gains continue to lag behind the national average. However, this segment is expected to gain substantial economic strength both in absolute and relative terms.
Sentence imitation in pre-school children.

Surface structure complexity, transformational sentence type and sentence length were investigated as variables in a sentence imitation task with pre-school children. Sentences were varied on Yngve...
Political Control and Public Sector Savings: Evidence from the States

The right to access (and ultimately spend)public sector savings is determined by the party which can control the politicaloutcome. This implies that anticipatedfuture changes in the state's controllingpolitical party may systematicallyadversely affect current savings. Extendingthe Life Cycle/Permanent Income model, Ishow that a representative legislator willopt to forgo current saving in favor ofspending when his prospects for futurepolitical control diminish. Estimating apanel data model of 39 states from1973–1995, I find that an actual futurechange in the controlling party of astate's lower house significantly reducescurrent saving.
Comparing Forecasting Methods: Why Do Traditional Macroeconometric Models Remain Popular?

No macroeconometeric forecasting technique anticipated the financial market meltdown and subsequent Great Recession in 2008-2009. This failure is not surprising because it is hard to forecast unprecedented events. The experience explains, however, why many forecasters, particular those supplying information directly to decision makers, continue to rely on forecasting systems based on large scale econometric models. "Purist" forecasting methods include dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models (DSGE) and vector autoregressions (VAR), but each of these techniques has severe limitations for practical forecasting. By contrast, the traditional forecasting system using a structural model combined with the forecasters judgment allows the forecaster to react to unprecedented events and sudden regime changes. Combining judgmental and model-based forecasting is common in other fields, and there is likely greater marginal value in developing this approach further than in refining "purist" forecasting techniques such as DSGE models and VARs.
The electronic evaluation of fetal heart rate

Abstract 1.1. Modern electronic techniques provide a more accurate indication of the fetal heart rate during normal and abnormal labor than it is possible to obtain by present clinical methods. 2.2. With normal breech presentations and the majority of vertex presentations studied, the fetal heart rate does not slow significantly with contractions. 3.3. In the minority of vertex presentations, usually in primigravidas, the instantaneous fetal heart rate may drop as low as 60 to 70 beats per minute and may return to normal 10 to 15 seconds before the contraction is over. 4.4. In vertex presentations, fetal bradycardia with contractions is probably related to an increase in intracranial pressure which in turn is related to the amount of cervical dilatation present. 5.5. A preliminary evaluation of a working clinical hypothesis based on changes in the instantaneous fetal heart rate suggests the possibility of a more sensitive index of fetal distress.
An information theoretic mouse trajectory measure

In this paper, we propose the Relative Trajectory Information (RTI) measure, an information theoretic measure to evaluate mouse pointer trajectories. The measure is used to score the level of smoothness of mouse pointer trajectories. We show that, by leveraging Gaussian processes and information theory, RTI accounts for relative differences in timestamps of the mouse pointer trajectories. RTI also does not require explicit descriptions of targets, in either their location or size. Our experimental analysis shows how RTI can capture the motion signature of a user with severe motion disabilities and distinguish it from the motion signature of smooth trajectories obtained in a control experiment.
Ultra fast synchronized symbol timing recovery

In personal communication systems the burst mode data transmission being more widely used, like in digital cellular phone, cellular digital packet data, Mobitex, and DECT. An ultra fast synchronized symbol timing recovery approach is presented. It is based on the balanced threshold zero crossing differential phase evaluation of the input baseband signal, and instantly locks the phase of a numerical controlled oscillator. This symbol timing recovery is implemented by a digital circuit. Measurement shows that in the burst mode data transmission, within 3 bits it can extract the timing clock from the input signal, with very little degradation in BER performance and jitter acquaintance.
Contract-based load management in federated distributed systems

This paper focuses on load management in loosely-coupled federated distributed systems. We present a distributed mechanism for moving load between autonomous participants using bilateral contracts that are negotiated offline and that set bounded prices for moving load. We show that our mechanism has good incentive properties, efficiently redistributes excess load, and has a low overhead in practice. Our load management mechanism is especially well-suited for distributed stream-processing applications, an emerging class of data-intensive applications that employ a "continuous query processing" model. In this model, streams of data are processed and composed continuously as they arrive rather than after they are indexed and stored. We have implemented the mechanism in the Medusa distributed stream processing system, and we demonstrate its properties using simulations and experiments.
Synthesis of vitamin D5: its biological activity relative to vitamins D3 and D2.

Abstract The chemical synthesis, spectral characterization, and biological activity of vitamin D5 in vitamin D-deficient rats is reported. Vitamin D5 is about 180-fold less active than vitamin D3 in calcification of rachitic cartilage and about 100- to 200-fold less active in induction of bone-calcium mobilization. In stimulation of intestinal-calcium transport, vitamin D5 is about 80-fold less active than vitamin D3. Vitamins D2 and D3 appear to be equiactive in all three responses when low doses are administered.
Mechanistic Insights of Hexameric Helicase Function Provided by Single-Molecule FRET

DNA replication is an essential process across all domains of life. Replicative helicases play an integral part in this process by unwinding the duplex DNA to make single-strand template strands available for duplication. While the steric exclusion model of unwinding, where one strand is encircled by the hexameric helicase and the other excluded from the central channel, is widely accepted, the complexities of this process remain unclear. Details of the helicases’ loading and unwinding mechanism(s) are continually being revealed. One such detail is the interaction and role played by the excluded strand.Our group has recently shown that a wrapping interaction between the excluded single-strand of DNA and the outer surface of the helicase is crucial for the unwinding activity of the 3′-5’ MCM helicase from Sulfolobus solfataricus (Sso). Using single-molecule FRET (smFRET), we can now show that this interaction also exists for the hexameric E.coli DnaB (EcDnaB) helicase, which has 5′-3’ polarity, and that similar dynamics are exhibited by both helicases. This suggests that the interaction may be an important component of hexameric helicase unwinding across various helicase superfamilies independent of polarity.We have also investigated the interaction between EcDnaB's inner channel and the encircled-strand using smFRET. A compaction of the encircled strand by the helicase has been suggested based on several crystal structures of hexameric helicases bound to single-strand DNA that exhibits a significant decrease in rise per base. Using EcDnaB, we show that the helicase's binding induces a ‘scrunching’ of the DNA, and that in the absence of ATP, this is a stable interaction. Both excluded-strand wrapping and encircled-strand scrunching are likely critical aspects of replicative helicase unwinding.
Surface reconstruction from misregistered data

In this paper, we present a method for simultaneous registration and surface fitting, using multiple sets of 3d points. Our motivating application is the automatic construction of CAD models from 3d surface measurements of physical objects. A wide variety of technologies are currently used to measure 3d shape [1] , and our method is applicable to the data collected by many of them. However, to simplify the discussion, we will describe the problem in terms of an idealized laser range scanner. This idealized laser range scanner captures the shape of a physical object as a set of range images. Each range image is a sample of 3d locations from those parts of the surface of the object which are visible from a single scanner viewpoint. Although single range images are adequate for some applications, in general, to model the entire surface, it is necessary to collect range images from multiple viewpoints. At some point in the processing, each range image is a set of 3d points measured relative to the corresponding scanner viewpoint. To get consistent 3d data for the entire surface of the object, the range images then need to be regisiered into a common 3d coordinate system.
Optimization of quantum circuits for interaction distance in linear nearest neighbor architectures

Optimization of the interaction distance between qubits to map a quantum circuit into one-dimensional quantum architectures is addressed. The problem is formulated as the Minimum Linear Arrangement (MinLA) problem. To achieve this, an interaction graph is constructed for a given circuit, and multiple instances of the MinLA problem for selected subcircuits of the initial circuit are formulated and solved. In addition, a lookahead technique is applied to improve the cost of the proposed solution which examines different subcircuit candidates. Experiments on quantum circuits for quantum Fourier transform and reversible benchmarks show the effectiveness of the approach.
The effects of computer-based instruction on the achievement of college students as a function of achievement status and mode of presentation

Abstract Although the efficacy of computer-based instruction (CBI) as compared to “traditional” instruction has been well documented, efforts to determine specific setting, instructional design, and learner variables which maximize CBI effectiveness are of fairly recent vintage. The purpose of the present project was to demonstrate the effects of CBI on the achievement of college students as a function of achievement status and mode of CBI instruction (i.e., CBI tutorials optional or mandatory) in the context of acourse taught under a Personalized Systems of Instruction format. A unique aspect of the study was the use of a “single subject” (i.e., alternating treatments) research design involving frequent measures of performance over time and visual inspection of data. Results indicated that low achieving students benefited more from CBI than did high achievers. Also, results demonstrated the superiority of both CBI modes of instruction over conditions in which CBI was not available.
Theoretical studies of quantum amplified isomerizations for imaging systems involving hexamethyl Dewar benzene and related systems.

The ring-opening reactions of the radical cations of hexamethyl Dewar benzene (1) and Dewar benzene have been studied using density functional theory (DFT) and complete active-space self-consistent field (CASSCF) calculations. Compound 1 is known to undergo photoinitiated ring opening by a radical cation chain mechanism, termed “quantum amplified isomerization” (QAI), which is due to the high quantum yield. Why QAI is efficient for 1 but not other reactions is explained computationally. Two radical cation minima of 1 and transition states located near avoided crossings are identified. The state crossings are characterized by conical intersections corresponding to degeneracy between doublet surfaces. Ring opening occurs by formation of the radical cation followed by a decrease in the flap dihedral angle. A rate-limiting Cs transition state leads to a second stable radical cation with an elongated transannular C−C bond and an increased flap dihedral. This structure proceeds through a conrotatory-like pathwa...
The utilization of ZnSO4 decomposition in thermochemical hydrogen cycles

Abstract We find that the ZnSO 4 decomposition reaction can be used as the high temperature step in a number of thermochemical cycles. It is especially applicable as a substitute for the H 2 SO 4 decomposition step in H 2 SO 4 based cycles, and significantly improves the efficiency of such cycles. In this study, we have taken an initial look at the effects of heat-up rate on the decomposition of ZnSO 4 as it is heated through an α-β transition at 1015 K. We find that a rapid heat-up of fine ZnSO 4 particulates through this transition leads to fracturing of the ZnSO 4 crystallites and significantly enhances its subsequent decomposition rate at ∼1043 K. We also find evidence for an autocatalytic decomposition process in fine ZnSO 4 particulates with either rapid or slow heat-up rates. We believe that a combination of (1) fracturing of the crystallites and (2) surface catalysis by ZnO to equilibrate the SO 3 /SO 2 /O 2 gaseous products contributes to the observed autocatalytic behaviour.
A Simple Graphical Analysis of a Two-Port Waveguide Junction

A graphical analysis based on the original work of Deschamps is presented for obtaining the scattering matrix of a two-port waveguide junction from standing-wave measurements. The section may have losses, and can be asymmetrical. In addition, a method is outlined whereby the reflection coefficient of a load terminating the junction can be obtained graphically from the measurement of the reflection coefficient as seen through the junction.
Resection of Tumors of the Neck of the Pancreas with Venous Invasion: the “Whipple at the Splenic Artery (WATSA)” Procedure

Tumors of the neck of the pancreas may involve the superior mesenteric and portal veins as well as the termination of the splenic vein. This presents a difficult problem since the pancreas cannot be transected through the neck as is standard in a Whipple procedure. Here, we present our method of resecting such tumors, which we term “Whipple at the Splenic Artery (WATSA)”. The superior mesenteric and portal veins are isolated below and above the pancreas, respectively. The pancreas and splenic vein are divided just to the right of the point that the splenic artery contacts the superior border of the pancreas. This plane of transection is approximately 2 cm to the left of the pancreatic neck and away from the tumor. The superior mesenteric artery is cleared from the left side of the patient. With the specimen remaining attached only by the superior mesenteric and portal veins, these structures are clamped and divided. Reconstruction is performed with or without a superficial femoral vein graft. The splenic vein is not reconstructed. Ten cases have been performed to date without mortality. We have previously shown that the pattern of venous collateral development following occlusion of the termination of the splenic vein in the manner described is not similar to that of cases of sinistral (left sided) portal hypertension. Whipple at the splenic artery (WATSA) is a safe method for resection of tumors of the neck of the pancreas with vein involvement. It should be performed in high-volume pancreatic surgery centers.
On best quadratic triangle inequalities

Contrary to published results, it is shown that there do not exist ‘strongest’ (or ‘best possible’) homogeneous quadratic polynomial triangle inequalities of the form $$q(R,r) \leqslant s^2 \leqslant Q(R,r)$$ without further restrictions. Also, several best inequalities for symmetric functions of three positive variables are considered.
Probability models for predicting local water quality regulations in the southern United States

Abstract Zoning restrictions and other land use regulations that may significantly impact natural resource-based industries traditionally have been the responsibility of local governments in the United States. This study uses a logistic regression model to estimate the influence of spatial and demographic factors on the probability that Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana counties adopt local regulations to improve water quality. The analysis identifies demographic and spatial factors that significantly influenced the probability a county would adopt local water quality regulations, spatially depicts which local regulations are most likely to be adopted, and maps the probability that a county would adopt the regulation.
Current-injected control - An analytical investigation of current-injected control for constant-frequency switching regulators

State-space averaging and linearization are applied to the control law of current-injected, constant-frequency switching regulators, resulting in a bona fide two-loop system representation. As a theoretical goal, first-order behavior can be achieved with no right-half-plane zeroes. Actual performance may be limited by switching frequency interference considerations.
The fire plume above a large free-burning fire

A model which describes the variation with altitude of the composition, temperature, and velocity of the gases within a plume above a large free-burning fire is presented. This model is an extension of previous analysis of buoyant plumes which includes the effects of combustion, composition variation, and radiation losses from the hot gases. Combustible substances on the ground are assumed to undergo pyrolysis and liberate combustible gases. A set of differential equations based on the conservation laws of mass, momentum, and energy is derived for the upward flow of these gases and their products of combustion. The rate at which combustion proceeds is assumed to be controlled by the entrainment of oxygen from the surrounding air.
Studies on the denaturation of biological macromolecules by chemical carcinogens III. Optical rotatory dispersion and light-scattering changes of ovalbumin during denaturation and aggregation by water-soluble carcinogens

Abstract 1. 1. Optical rotatory dispersion and light-scattering measurements have been used for an investigation of the protein-denaturing ability of the water-soluble carcinogens, dimethylnitrosamine, diethylnitrosamine, ethylcarbamate, and dioxane. 2. 2. It is found that each of these carcinogens produces a helix-coil transition in ovalbumin, as revealed by the change in b 0 of the Moffitt-Yang equation. The reduced, non-carcinogenic derivative of dimethylnitrosamine, dimethylhydrazine, is unable to produce this unfolding in the ovalbumin molecule. The helix content of ovalbumin in dioxane measured as a function of time indicates an unfolding and partial refolding of the protein. 3. 3. Calculations of molecular weight from the light-scattering measurements show the formation of aggregates consisting of 2–9 ovalbumin molecules, for the range of denaturant concentrations used here. The magnitude of the time-dependent refolding of ovalbumin in dioxane appears to be limited by the aggregation process, since the helix content of ovalbumin in concentrated dioxane solution is not as high as is generally observed for other proteins and polypeptides in this solvent. 4. 4. Alteration of hydrophobic bonding alone in ovalbumin cannot account for the denaturing ability of these carcinogens, rather the results support the proposal of hydrogen bonding between the agent and functional groups of the protein.
Version 5 product improvements from the atmospheric infrared sounder (AIRS)

The AIRS instrument was launched in May 2002 into a polar sun-synchronous orbit onboard the EOS Aqua Spacecraft. Since then we have released three versions of the AIRS data product to the scientific community. AIRS, in conjunction with the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit (AMSU), produces temperature profiles with 1K/km accuracy on a global scale, as well as water vapor profiles and trace gas amounts. The first version of software, Version 2.0 was available to scientists shortly after launch with Version 3.0 released to the public in June 2003. Like all AIRS product releases, all products are accessible to the public in order to have the best user feedback on issues that appear in the data. Fortunately the products have had exceptional accuracy and stability. This paper presents the improvement between AIRS Version 4.0 and Version 5.0 products and shows examples of the new products available in Version 5.0.
Ambulatory esophageal pH monitoring using a wireless system.

Abstract Objectives Limitations of catheter-based esophageal pH monitoring are discomfort, inconvenience, and interference with normal activity. An alternative to conventional pH monitoring is the wireless Medtronic Bravo pH System. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety, performance, and tolerability of this system. Methods A total of 44 healthy subjects and 41 patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) were studied for a 2-day period. The pH telemetry capsule was positioned transorally 6 cm above the squamocolumnar junction using endoscopic measurement. The signal transmitted from the capsule was received and recorded by a small, pager-sized receiver, and pH data were subsequently uploaded to a computer for analysis. Results Successful 24-h pH studies were completed in 82 subjects (96%). During the 24-h study period the median percentage of the time that pH was Conclusion The wireless Bravo pH System successfully recorded esophageal acid exposure in 96% of the patients during a 24-h period and in 89% of subjects for >36 h. The 95th percentile for the 2-day recordings in control subjects was 5.3%, slightly higher than observed with conventional systems.
Size Effect on the Critical Stress of Nitinol Wires

Nitinol has the best shape memory and superelasticity properties of all known polycrystalline shape memory alloys (SMAs) due to diffusionless Martensitic transformation. Due to these unique properties, Nitinol is increasingly used in different fields such as biomedical, structural and aerospace engineering. However, under certain stresses Nitinol exhibits unrecovered strain, or permanent set, that limits the applicability of Nitinol wire. This study showed that there exists a critical range of stress beyond which the permanent set is negligible. The goal of this paper is to determine range of critical stress using two different methods i.e. constant stress experiment and isothermal tensile test and to show variation of this range with changes in wire diameters.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Multi-task functional MRI in multiple sclerosis patients without clinical disability

Abstract While the majority of individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) develop significant clinical disability, a subset experiences a disease course with minimal impairment even in the presence of significant apparent tissue damage on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in MS patients with low disability suggests that increased use of the cognitive control system may limit the clinical manifestation of the disease. The current fMRI studies tested the hypothesis that nondisabled MS patients show increased recruitment of cognitive control regions while performing sensory, motor and cognitive tasks. Twenty two patients with relapsing–remitting MS and an Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of ≤ 1.5 and 23 matched healthy controls were recruited. Subjects underwent fMRI while observing flashing checkerboards, performing right or left hand movements, or executing the 2-back working memory task. Compared to control subjects, patients demonstrated increased activation of the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate cortex during the performance of the working memory task. This pattern of functional recruitment also was observed during the performance of non-dominant hand movements. These results support the mounting evidence of increased functional recruitment of cognitive control regions in the working memory system of MS patients with low disability and provide new evidence for the role of increased cognitive control recruitment in the motor system.
Optimal navigation in planar time-varying flow: Zermelo's problem revisited

This paper is concerned with time-optimal navigation for flight vehicles in a planar, time-varying flow-field, where the objective is to find the fastest trajectory between initial and final points. The primary contribution of the paper is the observation that in a point-symmetric flow, such as inside vortices or regions of eddie-driven upwelling/downwelling, the rate of the steering angle has to be equal to one-half of the instantaneous vertical vorticity. Consequently, if the vorticity is zero, then the steering angle is constant. The result can be applied to find the time-optimal trajectories in practical control problems, by reducing the infinite-dimensional continuous problem to numerical optimization involving at most two unknown scalar parameters.
Dance of the Furies: Europe and the Outbreak of World War I

Dance of the Furies: Europe and the Outbreak of World War I, by Michael S. Neiberg, Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard University Press, 2011, 292 pp. including illustrations, notes, index, US$29.95 (hardco...
A survey of compatibility of materials with high pressure oxygen service

The available information on the compatibility of materials with oxygen as applied to the production, transport, and applications experience of high pressure liquid and gaseous oxygen is compiled. High pressure is defined as about 2000 to 3000 psia. Since high pressure projections sometimes can be made from lower pressure data, some low pressure data are also included. Low pressure data are included if they are considered helpful to a better understanding of the behavior at high pressures.
Targeting DNA mismatch repair for radiosensitization.

Postreplicational mismatch repair (MMR) proteins are capable of recognizing and processing not only single base-pair mismatches and insertion-deletion loops (IDLs) that occur during DNA replication, but also adducts in DNA resulting from treatment with cancer chemotherapy agents. These include widely varying types of DNA adducts resulting from methylating agents such as MNNG, MNU, temozolomide, and procarbazine; CpG crosslinks resulting from cisplatin and carboplatin; and S 6 -thioguanine and S 6 -methylthioguanine residues in DNA. Although MMR proteins can recognize both replicational errors and chemotherapy-induced adducts in DNA, the end results of this recognition are very different. Base-base mismatches and IDLs can be repaired by MMR, restoring genomic integrity, whereas MMR-mediated recognition and processing of chemotherapy-induced adducts in DNA results in apoptosis. After the loss of MMR, the inability of cells to recognize and correct single base-pair mismatches and insertion-deletion loops can lead to secondary mutations in protooncogenes and tumor-suppressor genes, thereby contributing to the development of cancer. In addition, the inability of MMR-deficient cells to recognize chemotherapy-induced adducts in DNA can result in a damage-tolerant phenotype that translates to clinically significant resistance by allowing for selection of MMR-deficient cancer cells. We have shown recently that these MMR-deficient, drug-resistant cells can be targeted for radiosensitization by the halogenated thymidine analogs iododeoxyuridine (IdUrd) and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd). These thymidine (dThd) analogs become incorporated into DNA and form reactive uracil radicals after ionizing radiation (IR), increasing strand breaks. IdUrd and BrdUrd appear to be removed from DNA in MMR-proficient cells with limited toxicity or disruption of the cell cycle, while accumulating at much higher levels in MMR-deficient cells. As a result, it is possible to effectively increase the radiosensitization of MMR-deficient cells at levels of halogenated dThd analog that demonstrate limited toxicity to MMR-proficient cells. This indicates that a combined approach of IdUrd or BrdUrd with IR may be effective in killing MMR-deficient tumors in patients, which are resistant to many cancer chemotherapy agents commonly used in the clinic.
A readily available energy source for active vibration control in buildings

By equipping structures with appropriate actuators, sensors and microprocessors, it is possible to suppress actively the undesirable vibrations of the structures. Due to small energy requirements, the vibration suppression in large space trusses orbiting the Earth by controlling the elongations and contractions of length-adjustable bars of the truss has been shown to be feasible both theoretically and experimentally. This method of vibration suppression is part of the ‘adaptive structures technology’. It can be used for suppressing the vibrations of a building subjected to earthquake or wind excitations, provided that the much higher energy and power requirements are met. In this work the use of gravitational energy of the mass of the building is proposed for active vibration control.
Electron-electron scattering in nondegenerate semiconductors: Driving the anisotropic distribution toward a displaced Maxwellian.

Etude de l'effet de la diffusion electron-electron sur l'anisotropie de la distribution electronique dans un champ electrique intense, au moyen de la resolution de l'equation de Boltzmann; determination d'une vitesse de diffusion effective, 1/τee, calcul des fonctions de distribution et des variations de la densite et de la vitesse de derive en fonction de 1/τee
Jail Suicides: Jailhouse Wisdom and Autopsy Findings

As peripatetic as any hill tribesman or desert band woman, I have worked as teacher, counselor, facilitator, and technical assistant over the years in many different institutions. Among these the Bernalillo County Jail provided one of the best opportunities to use my anthropological skills. I was a counselor in the Psychiatric Crisis Unit on weekend nights—a very frustrating and engrossing job. Suicide prediction and prevention was my most important task.
Taking the measure of molten uranium oxide

Uranium dioxide (UO2) occurs as the mineral uraninite and is the most common fuel in nuclear reactors. Its high melting point (near 3140 K) makes studying its properties near, at, and above this temperature difficult for both experimental and theoretical approaches, but understanding molten UO2 is critical for understanding how the melt would interact with the container materials of a nuclear reactor. However, the sensitivity of stoichiometry of UO2 to oxygen content in the atmosphere and, most importantly, the lack of unreactive container materials also make experiments challenging. Nonetheless, on page 984 of this issue, Skinner et al. ( 1 ) use sample levitation and laser heating combined with synchrotron x-ray diffraction to study the structure of UO2 both just below and directly above its melting point.
Rainbow trout cytochrome P450s: purification, molecular aspects, metabolic activity, induction and role in environmental monitoring

Cytochromes P450 (P450s or CYPs) constitute a superfamily of heme-thiolate proteins that play important roles in oxidative metabolism of endogenous and exogenous compounds. This review provides some limited history but addresses mainly the research progress on the cytochrome P450s in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), their purification, structures at the primary level, role in metabolism, responses to chemicals and environmental pollutants, application to biomonitoring and the effect of various factors on their expression or activities. Information obtained to date suggests that the rainbow trout P450 systems are as complex as those seen in mammals. Fourteen P450s have been purified from liver or trunk kidney to relatively high specific content. cDNAs belonging to seven different P450 families have been documented from trout liver, kidney and ovary. Two CYP1A genes, nine cDNAs containing open reading frames, and a cDNA fragment were entered into GenBank. Among them, CYP2K1, CYP2K3, CYP2K4, CYP2M1, CYP3A27 and CYP4T1 are the most recently described forms. CYP2K1, CYP2M1 and CYP4T1 represent newly identified P450 subfamilies first described in the rainbow trout. In many cases, the cloned rainbow trout P450s have subsequently been expressed in heterologous expressions systems such as COS-7 cells, yeast and baculovirus infected insect cells. Some of the overexpressed P450 isoforms have been partially characterized. Potential future research directions are discussed.
Circuit modeling of collector current spreading effects in quasi-saturation for advanced bipolar transistors

Abstract The advanced bipolar transistor operating in the quasi-saturation region has been modeled, including collector current spreading effects. It is shown that the multidimensional collector current spreading, resulting from high carrier concentration gradient in the collector, ameliorates quasi-saturation effects in the d.c. and transient operation. The mechanism of collector spreading is investigated by physical device simulations. SPICE circuit simulations employing the collector spreading model are compared with measurements and are found to be in excellent agreement.
Oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate as an anaesthetic premedication when dosed to an opioid effect total opioid consumption

Thirty min prior to anaesthetic induction for surgery, children aged 4-12 years old were given a 10 micrograms.kg-1 oral transmucosal fentanyl citrate (OTFC) and were instructed to suck the OTFC until pruritus appeared (Group 2) or until the entire dose was consumed (Group 1). Sedation, apprehension and cooperation scores were rated, and vital signs including oxygen saturation were monitored until anaesthetic induction. The results showed that pruritus was present in 76% of children; however; in all but one child, it occurred after the OTFC had been completely consumed. There were no significant changes in oxygen saturation, but respiratory rate decreased from 19.6 +/- 1.7 to 18.4 +/- 1.3. Activity decreased significantly; however, cooperation and apprehension did not change. The conclusion was that pruritus cannot be used as an endpoint for OTFC effectiveness; however, OTFC dosed at 10 micrograms.kg-1 is effective in providing sedation without causing clinically significant changes in vital signs or oxygen saturation.