cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hypervalency, secondary bonding and hydrogen bonding: siblings under the skin

In hypervalent bonding (HVB), secondary bonding (SB) and hydrogen bonding (HB) a nucleophilic and an electrophilic partner form a new bond that is based on a similar bonding pattern across the whole series of interactions. The electrostatic contribution is reflected in the ‘σ hole’ model in which a positive patch on E attracts the nucleophilic component. The nucleophile, Y, possesses a corresponding negative patch, resulting in a linear structure Y⋯E–X having one strong E–X bond and one weaker, longer Y⋯E interaction; this is considered as a SB interaction between Y and E. The covalent component, more important in the stronger interactions, HVB and strong HB, involves charge transfer between the lone pair (n) of Y, and the σ* orbital of E–X as emphasized in the ‘n→σ*’ bonding model. For example, charge transfer from I− to I2 gives rise to the linear, symmetrical [I–I–I]− anion. We now have two short (2.95 A) bonds of equal strength corresponding to true HVB. In HB the central element, E, is H, and we can have strong or weak hydrogen bonding. On the HVB/HB analogy, a strong symmetrical HB, as in [F–H–F]−, can be considered as containing hypervalent hydrogen. In the weak HB case, we have a lesser degree of interaction, leading to normal hydrogen bonds of type Y⋯H–X analogous to secondary bonding. Within both the HB and HVB series, strong and weak types form a smooth continuum with no sharp break in properties. HVB was once considered to involve the expansion of the octet to 10, 12 or even higher valence electron counts. Whether the σ hole or n→σ* model applies, any octet expansion is now seen as largely formal, however, because the central element essentially retains its eight valence electrons. Thus a range of interactions can be placed in one big tent, related by a combination of σ hole and n→σ* bonding contributions with retention of the octet by the central element, E.
Unusual presentation of a skin rash

A 44-year-old man with erythema and oedema of the left abdomen. The duration of the lesion is unknown. Review the high-quality, interactive digital Aperio slide at http://virtualacp.com/JCPCases/jclinpath-2016-204007/ and consider your diagnosis. 1. Viral xanthem 2. Bacterial folliculitis 3. Secondary syphilis 4. Collagen vascular disease 5. Linear IgA C Secondary syphilis The incidence of syphilis has been increasing in the USA since 2001.1 The histology of syphilis, though widely studied, still remains a diagnostic challenge, particularly when the clinical presentation does not suggest the diagnosis. We present an overview of the clinical and pathological features commonly associated with cutaneous primary and secondary syphilis, addressing, at the end, the current case. Treponema pallidum ,2 as is well known, is the etiological organism of syphilis. Syphilis presents in one of three stages—primary, secondary and tertiary—with primary and secondary syphilis being the most common. Secondary syphilis is most commonly encountered in dermatopathology practice. The anogenital region is the most common location. However, 5% of cases arise in extragenital sites, which are termed endemic, or non-venereal, syphilis. The oral cavity is the most commonly involved extragenital site, but any site can be involved. In primary syphilis, the lesion typically appears as a chancre, a punched-out, painless ulcer that develops 20–30 days after exposure to T. pallidum and may be associated with painless lymphadenopathy. These lesions resolve within 1–5 weeks and do not scar. Secondary syphilis arises 6–8 weeks after the primary chancre. The lesions initially present as 5–10 mm erythematous macules on the head, …
Abstract 87: Sterol-Mediated Regulation of γδ T Lymphocytes

Objective: gammadelta (γδ) T lymphocytes, which bridge innate and adaptive immunity, may be differentially regulated by cholesterol and play distinct roles from the conventional alphabeta (αβ) subset in the development of atherosclerosis. γδ T cells represent a small subset of total T cells (∼ 3-5% of CD3+ cells). These cells express unique γδ T cell receptors, and recognize lipid and peptide antigens without processing and presentation by MHC molecules. γδ T cells react much faster toward pathogen invasion than αβ T cells, and thus are considered one of the first lines of immune defense. Methods: αβ and γδ T lymphocytes from mice were evaluated for their lipid content, gene expression, proliferation, apoptosis, and activation. Results and conclusion: Nile Red staining revealed higher intracellular lipid content in γδ T cells, comparing to the αβ subset (1.3 folds of αβ, p BrdU incorporation and annexin V staining revealed significantly higher proliferative (3.4 folds of αβ, p -/- mice fed a high cholesterol, high fat diet, implying a high sterol/high fat environment may promote γδ T cells activation in vivo. Taken together, our data suggest γδ T cells are more sensitive to cholesterol, and a high sterol environment may enhance γδ T cell turnover and activation in vivo.
Cytokinin Effects on Creeping Bentgrass Response to Heat Stress: II. Leaf Senescence and Antioxidant Metabolism

In another study, results of growth responses to cytokinin indicate that heat stress injury in creeping bentgrass can be alleviated to some extent by injection of cytokinin to the root zone. The objective of this study was to examine whether the alleviating effects of exogenous application of a cytokinin on heat injury in creeping bentgrass (Agrostis palustris L.) involve regulation of antioxidant activities. Creeping bentgrass was exposed to three air/soil temperature regimes for 56 d in growth chambers: (i) low air and soil temperature control (20/20°C); (ii) high soil temperature (20/35°C); and (iii) high air/soil temperatures (35/35°C). Four different concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 μmol) of zeatin riboside (ZR) or water (control) were injected into the root zone (0 to 5 cm depth) of plants on the day before heat stress was imposed (0 d) and 14 d after. Leaf electrolyte leakage (EL) and the content of a lipid peroxidation product, malondialdehyde (MDA), increased, whereas leaf chlorophyll content and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) decreased at 20/ 35°C or 35/35°C for ZR-untreated plants. Exogenous ZR significantly suppressed these responses under both high temperature regimes. Application of 10 μmol ZR was most effective in slowing leaf senescence and alleviating heat-induced lipid peroxidation of cell membranes, followed by 1 μmol at 35/35°C. Applying 0.1 and 0.01 μmol ZR had no effects on creeping bentgrass responses to 20/35 or 35/ 35°C. Our results suggested the alleviating effects of ZR at 1 and 10 μmol in heat injury to creeping bentgrass was related to the inhibition of lipid peroxidation and slowing leaf senescence.
The view inside your brain

Dana H. Simmons is a graduate student at The University of Chicago, where she studies cerebellar physiology. The principle type of neuron in the cerebellum, the Purkinje neuron, is perhaps the most branched type of neuron in the nervous system. While performing confocal calcium imaging experiments, Dana was struck by the beauty of the Purkinje neurons’ complex dendritic branching.
LANGUAGE LEARNING UNDER CLASSROOM CONDITIONS DURING THE TRANSITION TO HYBRID INSTRUCTION: A CASE-STUDY OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE DURING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF INSTRUCTIONAL TECHNOLOGY

We examined the unmanipulated performance of students under real classroom conditions in order to assess the effect of a technology-enhanced hybrid learning approach to second language, (L2) instruction on beginning and advanced Spanish language learners. This research focused on the transition period of technology implementation when the entire section of Spanish of a modern language department of a liberal arts university transitioned from traditional face-to-face instruction, to a technology-enhanced hybrid learning approach with concurrent reduction in face-to-face classroom hours. This implementation provided an opportunity to compare the performance of students prior to and during the transition to hybrid model of instruction across multiple language proficiency levels. This research is designed to critically evaluate the performance of students under real classroom conditions in order to examine the effectiveness of a hybrid approach during its implementation such that the performance of students participating in the methodological transition can be understood in light of the performance of students in the previous quarters. The results indicate that introductory students did not realize the full potential benefits of hybrid instruction in the transition period, but that the performance of advanced students was improved, suggesting that a phased-in approach to hybrid instruction implementation, where advanced students are the first to transition to hybrid instruction, may supplement training experiences for instructors and support staff and improve overall student success during technology implementation. Article visualizations:
The Role of Cytoreductive Surgery and Chemotherapy in Advanced Disseminated Nonseminomatous Testicular Cancer — a Randomized Study

Chemotherapy has been shown to be more effective in experimental animals when the size of the tumor is small. In spite of the avail-ability of effective chemotherapeutic agents, the prognosis of patients with massive bulky disseminated testicular cancer is not favorable. In man cytoreductive surgery has been advocated in testicular cancer, Wilms’ tumor, rhabdomyosarcoma and Burkitt’s lymphoma. The features of bulky testicular cancer rendering it a suitable model for cytoreductive surgery include clarification of histologic type by immunocytochemical techniques, early and sensitive detection of residual postoperative disease by use of alpha-fetoprotein and human chorionic gonadotropin assays, improvements in staging techniques using ultrasound and computerized axial tomography, clarification of staging definitions with improved prediction of potential disease behavior, and effective therapy for advanced disease coupled with early evidence that patients with small tumor burden may be even more responsive.
The Fourth Phase of Water: Implications for Energy, Life, and Health

Water is known to have three phases, solid, liquid, and vapor. However, we discovered a fourth phase, lying in between solid and liquid. While the evidence for this phase is relatively new, the concept of a fourth, ordered, phase of water dates back at least a century. This recently identified phase carries with it considerable explanatory power for diverse disciplines, a sampling of which is offered here.
School Sports and Adolescent Steroid Use: National Trends and Race-Ethnic Variations.

"The illegal use of steroids, human growth hormone, and other performance enhancing substances by well known athletes may cause serious harm to the user. In addition, their use encourages young people to use them. Every American, not just baseball fans, ought to be shocked by that disturbing truth." (U.S. Senator George J. Mitchell 2008) In the United States, it has been reported that 4% to 12% of male adolescents and 0.5% to 2.9% of female adolescents have used anabolic steroids to enhance sports performance or favorably alter body size. Although medical, legal, and ethical issues related to the nonmedical use of anabolic steroids have been widely publicized, a growing number of adolescents appear to be using them for nonmedical purposes. This study examines the relationship between sports participation and steroid use among Black and White high school males using data from the Monitoring the Future Surveys: 1991-2007. Our specific aims were threefold: (1) to examine whether trends in high school male adolescent steroid usage was associated with the "steroids era" in major league baseball; (2) to compare Black-White adolescent usage patterns, and (3) to determine if participation in school sports served as a protective or risk factor for steroid use. Results indicate that adolescent male steroid use increased during the "steroids era", White males reported higher prevalence of steroid use than Black males, and sport participation served as a protective factor, but only for Black males.
Graphical Displays of Association

To this point you have been investigating and analyzing distributions of a single variable. This topic introduces you to another topic that plays an important role in statistics: exploring relationships between variables. You will investigate the concept of association and explore the use of graphical displays (namely, scatterplots) as you begin to study relationships between variables.
Monosomy chromosome 21 compensated by 21q22.11q22.3 duplication in a case with small size and minor anomalies

Partial monosomy 21 is a rare finding with variable sizes and deletion breakpoints, presenting with a broad spectrum of phenotypes. We report a 10-month-old boy with short stature, minor anomalies and mild motor delay. The patient had a monosomy 21 and duplication of the 21q22.11q22.3 region on the remaining derivative chromosome 21 which represents a partial 21q uniparental disomy of paternal origin, upd(21q22.11q22.3)pat. The abnormalities were characterized by karyotyping, FISH, chromosomal microarray, and genotyping. This is the first case showing a monosomy 21 compensated by upd(21q22.11q22.3) as a mechanism of genomic rescue. Because there is no strong evidence showing imprinting on chromosome 21, the uniparental disomy itself is not associated with abnormal phenotype but has reduced phenotype severity of monosomy 21. We reviewed the previously published cases with isolated 21q deletions and identified a common deletion of 5.7 Mb associated with low birth weight, length and head circumference in the 21q21.2 region.
The ALS-inducing factors, TDP43A315T and SOD1G93A, directly affect and sensitize sensory neurons to stress.

There is increased recognition that sensory neurons located in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) are affected in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, it remains unknown whether ALS-inducing factors, other than mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1G93A), directly affect sensory neurons. Here, we examined the effect of mutant TAR DNA-binding protein 1 (TDP43A315T) on sensory neurons in culture and in vivo. In parallel, we reevaluated sensory neurons expressing SOD1G93A. We found that cultured sensory neurons harboring either TDP43A315T or SOD1G93A grow neurites at a slower rate and elaborate fewer neuritic branches compared to control neurons. The presence of either ALS-causing mutant gene also sensitizes sensory neurons to vincristine, a microtubule inhibitor that causes axonal degeneration. Interestingly, these experiments revealed that cultured sensory neurons harboring TDP43A315T elaborate shorter and less complex neurites, and are more sensitive to vincristine compared to controls and to SOD1G93A expressing sensory neurons. Additionally, levels of two molecules involved in stress responses, ATF3 and PERK are significantly different between sensory neurons harboring TDP43A315T to those with SOD1G93A in vitro and in vivo. These findings demonstrate that sensory neurons are directly affected by two ALS-inducing factors, suggesting important roles for this neuronal subpopulation in ALS-related pathogenesis.
How TNM stage affects surveillance intensity after treatment for breast cancer.

6547 Background: The mean lifetime cost of surveillance for a woman diagnosed with breast cancer at age 45 is estimated to be > $35,000. Based on trials comparing low and high intensity surveillanc...
Factors influencing caregiver strain among foster, kin, and adoptive parents

A better understanding of how to support resource (foster, kinship, and adoptive caregivers) is needed to ensure high-quality home-based care for children who cannot reside safely in their homes. U...
Complete set of material constants of 0.93Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.07PbTiO3 domain engineered single crystal

The relaxor based Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 (PZNPT) and Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3 (PMN-PT) domain engineered single crystal systems exhibit superior electromechanical property compared to the conventional PZT ceramics, which have been dominating piezoelectric applications for more than 40 years. The theoretical studies for the physical mechanism of this multi-domain system have generated a great deal of interests in scientific community [1–6]. From both fundamental study and device design purpose, it is necessary to get the complete set of matrix properties for those crystals. Recently, such a complete set of elastic, piezoelectric and dielectric constants has been reported for 0.95Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.045PbTiO3 (PZN-4.5%PT) and 0.92Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.08PbTiO3 (PZN-8.0%PT) single crystal systems [7–9]. It is known that PZT4.5%PT single crystal system [2] is fairly far away from the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) composition, therefore, it does not represent the maximum electromechanical capability of this solid solution system. It has been shown that the PZN-8.0%PT single crystal system possesses much larger piezoelectric strain constant d33 than that of PZT-4.5%PT [9]. The electromechanical coupling coefficient k33 of PZN-8.0%PT could reach 0.94, which is higher than that of PZT-4.5%PT. However, PZN-PT single crystal systems near the MPB composition exhibit strong property fluctuations. We have measured several PZN-8.0%PT samples cut from different parts of the same crystal boule and found that although the fluctuation in PT composition of all samples were within ±2%, the measured value of d33 varied from 2000 to 4000 (pC/N) and the value of eT 33 varied from 5000 to 8000, which makes PZN-8.0%PT single crystal unsuitable for many practical device applications. On the other hand, it is very difficult to control the composition accurately because of the lead loss during growth. Therefore, we focused our attention to 0.93Pb(Zn1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.07PbTiO3 (PZN-7.0%PT) which has the PT composition slightly away from the morphotropic phase boundary and is in the rhombohedral phase at room temperature. A full set of matrix properties of PZN-7.0%PT was measured and is reported in this paper. The electromechanical coupling property fluctuation was also investigated as a reference for people who will use these material properties. After being poled along [001] of the cubic coordinates at room temperature, the multi-domain PZN-7.0%PT single crystal could be treated as pseudotetragonal 4 mm symmetry [1–10]. For materials with 4 mm symmetry, there are 11 independent material constants altogether: 6 elastic, 3 piezoelectric and 2 dielectric constants. In order to determine them unambiguously, an improved hybrid method combining the advantages of ultrasonic pulse-echo and resonance methods was used. The main ideas of this technique have been given in Refs. [8–11]. In previous measurements, usually e31 and e33 were derived from the measured cE 11, c E 12, c E 13, c E 33, d31 and d33 by using the following equations
A Genetic Algorithm based Improve P&O-PI MPPT Controller for Stationary and Tracking Grid-Connected Photovoltaic System

This paper deals the performance comparison and efficiencies of single-axis and dual-axis tracking PV system to an identical fixed-mount PV system for two typical clear sunny days (Ghardaia area), two typical days are chosen, the first day in winter and the second day in the summer. For the three types of PV systems, P&O-PI MPPT techniques optimized with a genetic algorithm is proposed. This paper has two different objectives. 1stly, a proposed MPPT technique has been presented to optimize P&O-PI controller via the GA technique to increase the tracking response of MPP with high efficiency and that improves the limitations of the traditional MPPT techniques. 2ndly, a performance comparison of efficiencies of single-axis and dual-axis tracking system and an identical fixed inclination system. Simulation results with MATLAB/SIMULINK are presented and discussed to verify the satisfactory performance of the proposed MPPT control, in which the optimized P&O-PI controller by GA algorithms gives the better performance. The simulation results also have shown that both single-axis and dual-axis are highly efficient in terms of the electrical energy output when compared to the fixed mount system. The results show the effectiveness of the tracking system of about 25% in energy efficiency.
Longitudinal changes in alcohol use and binge-drinking among young-adult college students: Analyses of predictors across system levels.

Abstract Background Longitudinal research regarding young-adult college student alcohol use behaviors is needed to identify risk factors and inform interventions, particularly with regard to binge-drinking. Methods Data from 3,418 US college students (aged 18–25) in a two-year, six-wave panel study (64.6% female, 63.4% White) were used to examine alcohol use and binge-drinking trajectories, as well as predictors of differing trajectories across individual (sociodemographics, depressive symptoms, ADHD symptoms, early-onset substance use), interpersonal (adverse childhood events, social support, parental substance use), and community factors (college type, rural/urban). Results Baseline alcohol use was associated with being White, higher parental education, early-onset use of alcohol, cigarettes, and marijuana, greater social support, parental alcohol use, attending private institutions, and rurality (p’s Conclusions Intervention efforts should be informed by data regarding those most likely to drink, binge-drink, and escalate use (e.g., Whites, men, early-onset users, parental use, private college students, rural).
Control of Nonlinear Cyber-Physical Systems under Attack Using Higher Order Sliding Mode Observer

In this paper, resilient control of nonlinear cyber-physical systems under sensor and actuator attacks is investigated. At first, by using a low pass filter and the higher order sliding mode observer, the estimations of the attacks are computed. As soon as the attacks are reconstructed, the measurements are cleaned from the sensor attacks before being used in feedback control. It can stop the propagation of the sensor attacks into the system through the feedback control. Next, the control signal is cleaned from the actuator attacks. The efficacy of the proposed technique is illustrated via simulation results of a controlled electric power system whose measurements and actuators are corrupted by the cyber-attacks.
A recurrent cross-sectional qualitative study exploring how low-income mothers define snacks and reasons for offering snacks during infancy

Abstract Despite rapid increases in snacking in recent decades, little is known about snacking during infancy. This study explored how low-income mothers define snacks and their reasons for offering snacks during infancy. A recurrent cross-sectional qualitative approach was used to identify themes from semi-structured interviews with low-income mothers when their infants were 6 and 12 months of age. A purposive sample of mothers (N = 15) was recruited from Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) offices and childcare centers serving low-income families in Rhode Island. Mothers also completed demographic and infant feeding questionnaires. Independent thematic analyses were conducted to identify themes from the 6 and 12 month interviews. Themes from the 6 month interviews for how mothers defined snacks were: snacks are consumed between meals, snacks are smaller portions, and snacks are sweet. Themes from the 12 month interviews also included snacks are consumed between meals and snacks are smaller portions with one additional theme: snacks do not include all food groups. Themes from the 6 month interviews for the reasons mothers offered snacks were: infants seemed hungry, infants showed interest, and snacks help manage behavior. Themes from 12 month interviews also included snacks help manage behavior with two additional themes: snacks expose infants to different flavors and snacks expose infants to different textures. Findings suggest that snacks are commonly offered during infancy and that mothers define snacks as smaller portions that help with hunger between meals. However, during early infancy mothers describe snacks as sweet, and across infancy report using snacks to manage behavior, underscoring the importance of providing parents with guidance on healthy snacking during the first year of life.
Book Review: Seventeen Teaches Teens to Charm and Spend

This is a book review of "Fashioning Teenagers: A Cultural History of Seventeen Magazine" (2010) by Kelley Massoni.
Withdrawal of Mechanical Circulatory Support in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit

The use of mechanical circulatory support devices such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation or left ventricular assist devices to support patients with life-threatening circulatory collapse has proliferated with technological advances over the past two decades. As a result, clinicians more frequently encounter scenarios where hemodynamic support devices may be withdrawn. The relative lack of formally trained palliative care specialists has forced many clinicians to engage in withdrawal of these devices when they may have little experience with this practice. Certain aspects of this process are critical in ensuring that the goals of the patient and family are met while providing clinicians comfort navigating this difficult situation.
Blue Zone Lessons and Longevity Diets

Many theories of aging exist, likely each with their contribution to the true nature of the aging process. In this chapter, we turn to two experts in the field, Dan Buettner and Valter Longo, Ph.D., and review their research to date. Buettner is best known for his book The Blue Zones, where he describes unique communities around the world with a markedly high concentration of the longest-lived people in the world. By studying the very old, he brings relatively simple and universal truths to his audience as to how to live a life of both rich quantity and quality. Dr. Longo, director of The Longevity Institute at the University of Southern California and founder of createcures.org and author of The Longevity Diet, turns to the other extreme. In his groundbreaking work researching juventology, the study of youth, Longo puts forth his theory on “rejuvenation from within.” His longevity diet, backed by basic science, epidemiological studies, and randomized control trials, has shown promising results of dietary modifications that reduce inflammation, increase stem cell activation and regeneration to slow aging, combat disease, optimize weight, and, ultimately, improve longevity.
Declining methane emissions and steady, high leakage rates observed over multiple years in a western US oil/gas production basin.

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is the main component of natural gas. Previous research has identified considerable methane emissions associated with oil and gas production, but estimates of emission trends have been inconsistent, in part due to limited in-situ methane observations spanning multiple years in oil/gas production regions. Here we present a unique analysis of one of the longest-running datasets of in-situ methane observations from an oil/gas production region in Utah’s Uinta Basin. The observations indicate Uinta methane emissions approximately halved between 2015 and 2020, along with declining gas production. As a percentage of gas production, however, emissions remained steady over the same years, at ~ 6–8%, among the highest in the U.S. Addressing methane leaks and recovering more of the economically valuable natural gas is critical, as the U.S. seeks to address climate change through aggressive greenhouse emission reductions.
Mitigation of breathing oscillations and focusing of the plume in a segmented electrode wall-less Hall thruster

In the absence of the channel walls bounding the plasma, a wall-less Hall thruster is a promising configuration with a potentially longer lifetime and easier scalability than conventional Hall thrusters. Because the ion acceleration takes place in the fringing magnetic field with a strong axial component, the operation of a typical wall-less thruster is characterized by a large beam divergence of the plasma flow, which reduces the thrust. In this work, the addition of a biased segmented electrode to the wall-less thruster is shown to significantly narrow the plasma plume and suppress large amplitude breathing oscillations of the discharge current commonly associated with ionization instability. Both effects result in improvements to the thruster performance. Physical mechanisms responsible for these effects are unclear, but they are apparently associated with the reduction of the electron cross field transport to the anode and a transition in the breathing mode frequency.
Sympathoexcitatory neurons of the rostroventrolateral medulla and the origin of the sympathetic vasomotor tone.

In summary, a substantial portion of the excitatory drive to vasomotor sympathetic preganglionic neurons originates from reticulospinal tonically active cells located in the RVLM. This interpretation does not exclude the possible contribution of other tonically active bulbospinal or propriospinal inputs in generating the vasomotor outflow but under usual anesthetic conditions it seems that these alternative inputs are simply insufficient to bring the vasomotor preganglionic neurons to their firing threshold. Such may not be the case after plastic rearrangements consecutive to complete spinalization or chronic lesions of large portions of the RVLM have occurred (Cochrane and Nathan, 1987; for review see Schramm, 1986). It is also clear at present that the RVLM is not merely a final common pathway consisting of premotoneurons passively driven by tonic synaptic inputs originating elsewhere. Indeed the existence of a population of reticulospinal neurons with intrinsic pacemaker activity indicates that the RVLM contains at least one major intrinsic source of tonic activity. These neurons may release a glutamate-like substance and are not phenotypically adrenergic. They have no documented projections outside the cord and could subserve a tone-generating function specific to the sympathetic outflow, e.g. providing a background excitatory input to a large number of preganglionic neurons with vasoconstrictor of cardioaccelerator function. Strong anatomical evidence backed by weaker electrophysiological evidence also support the notion that C1 adrenergic neurons may have a vasomotor role and contribute an excitatory drive to preganglionic neurons. This could be mediated via alpha 1-adrenergic receptors or by receptors to substance P or neuropeptide Y. There is no evidence yet that C1 cells might have intrinsic pacemaker activity. The origin of the ongoing activity of many of these cells "in vivo" is therefore unclear and could depend on an excitatory drive from outside the RVLM. One might speculate that because these cells appear to have collateral interactions (PNMT-immunoreactive boutons synapse on C1 cells, Milner et al., 1987), they could play a role in synchronizing the sympathetic vasomotor outflow (an unexplained phenomenon observable even in the absence of baroreceptor input). Because of the large variety of peptides which they contain, another speculative view could be that they make rather specific connections with subsets of preganglionic neurons and therefore might be responsible for the differential control of regional blood flows by the rostral medulla (Dampney and McAllen, 1988). C1 cells are inhibited by low systemic doses of clonidine and therefore may be in part responsible for the hypotensive effect of this drug.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Inhaling the Salubrious Air: Health and Development in St. Andrews, N.B., 1880-1910

ST. ANDREWS, A SMALL TOWN IN southwestern New Brunswick, situated on a narrow point of land extending southward into the Passamaquoddy Bay, had, by the end of the 19th century, become a mecca for tourists. Founded in 1783 by Loyalist refugees, the core of whom were members of the Penobscot Association of businessmen from Portland, Maine, it became a thriving port, dependent on international trade. By the mid-19th century the port had begun to decline; however, in the 1880s, by a most fortuitous combination of circumstances , "this sleeping-beauty of the seaside" entered a new phase in its history, becoming "the ideal summer resort". i Why did this transformation occur? This study examines the rise of St. Andrews from a fading former port to a fashionable resort. Propelled by the actions of visionaries, developers and railway entrepreneurs, and facilitated by perceived philosophical and medical advantages which led the elites of Boston and Montreal to choose St. Andrews as their summer home, this small community "attained supremacy in the east as a rare summering-place".2 The St. Andrews experience was not unique. Resort hotels were built in other parts of New Brunswick, such as Campobello Island, as well as on the Maine coast in places like Bar Harbour, Old Orchard Beach and Cutler, and in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and Summerside, Prince Edward Island during the same period. 3 The development in St. Andrews is, therefore, representative of that elsewhere in the Fundy region, making it a valuable case study.
Not Just Prose

This essay argues that when reading Amitav Ghosh's Anglophone novel The Calcutta Chromosome we should be attentive to the genre of the non-Anglophone short story in South Asia. Doing so offers the reader insights into the current limitations of postcolonial studies, as well as a vision for what avenues the field might pursue in the future. Postcolonial studies has come under frequent attack for the excessive attention it bestows upon the novel, a gesture which in turn generates readings linking the novel to questions of nationhood and modernity. Taking this critique as its point of departure, this essay deliberately engages the Indian short stories that Ghosh references in his novel. The short story is a genre whose specific literary qualities are all too often neglected by subsuming them under the blanket term ‘prose’. This essay shows that attention to the short story is crucial not only because of the important role it plays in South Asian literary history, but also because it allows, indeed requires, ...
Papaya Lysozyme TERMINAL SEQUENCES AND ENZYMATIC PROPERTIES

Abstract The amino-terminal sequence of papaya lysozyme was determined by a modified Edman degradation procedure to be Gly-Ile-Ser-Lys-Ile. The carboxyl-terminal sequence was determined by carboxypeptidase A degradation to be Ser-Phe-Gly. The presence of carboxyl-terminal glycine was verified by hydrazinolysis. Papaya lysozyme was shown to release reducing groups concomitantly with the lysis of Micrococcus lysodeikticus cell walls, and the reducing group was found to be that of N-acetylmuramic acid, as previously shown for egg white lysozyme by other investigators. However, papaya lysozyme initially hydrolyzed more glycosidic bonds than egg white lysozyme for an equal amount of lysis. The enzyme exhibited only 10% of maximal activity at an ionic strength of 0.15 and was maximally active at an ionic strength of 0.05. Papaya lysozyme was stable from pH 1.8 to 10 at room temperature and remained active for 5 min up to 95° at pH 4.6. Whereas papaya lysozyme exhibited 200 to 400 times higher chitinase activity toward tetra-N-acetyl-d-glucosamine than egg white lysozyme, with whole chitin as substrate, it was only 10 times as active as the egg white enzyme. The papaya enzyme exhibited a sharp pH activity profile with M. lysodeikticus cells. The enzyme had maximal activity at pH 4.6 and was virtually inactive above pH 6.5. With whole chitin as substrate, the pH profile was broad with an optimum from pH 4.5 to 6.0. The enzyme was still partly active at pH 7.5. The lysis of esterified cell walls from M. lysodeikticus yielded the same pH rate profile as that obtained for chitin. Thus, the difference in the pH dependence of hydrolysis of chitin and cell walls appears to result from the presence of carboxyl groups in the latter substrate. The mechanism of attack upon the bacterial cell wall by egg white and papaya lysozymes is discussed. Papaya lysozyme was strongly inhibited by histamine and histidine. No evidence was obtained of the involvement of tryptophan residues in the substrate-binding site.
Impact of Maternal Incarceration on the Criminal Justice Involvement of Adult Offspring: A Research Note

Objectives:This note examines the relationship between maternal incarceration and adverse outcomes for offspring in early adulthood.Methods:Utilizing data derived from the National Longitudinal Survey of Adolescent Health, a series of multivariate models are conducted to examine the impact maternal incarceration has on criminal justice involvement among young adults. To control for selection effects that may be associated with maternal imprisonment, propensity score matching is utilized.Results:Respondents whose mothers had served time in prison were significantly more likely to have an adult arrest, conviction, and incarceration, even after controlling for important demographic factors and correlates of criminal behavior. This effect persisted following matching.Conclusions:Maternal incarceration had a substantial effect on the offspring’s adult involvement in the criminal justice system. These findings bolster contentions regarding the unintended consequences of maternal incarceration that include long-...
The Secular Trend in Size and Maturational Timing and Its Implications for Nutritional Assessment

For most westernized countries there has been a marked intergenerational increase in size and a decrease in the age at menarche, both interrupted or temporarily reversed during economic disruption or war-time deprivation. In some Third World countries such secular trends have not yet occurred or there have been actual decreases in body size. The presence or absence of secular trends can be used as a form of nutritional surveillance, and in the westernized world the magnitude of secular trends necessitates continual updating of dimensional and maturational standards used in nutritional appraisal.
Reliability Assessment of Ensemble Classifiers: Application in Mammography

In classifier ensembles predictions of different classifiers regarding a query are combined into one final decision. It was previously shown that using ensemble techniques can significantly improve classification performance. In this study we build upon this result and propose to use variability in the predictions of classifiers contributing to the final decision as an indicator of its reliability. The study hypothesis is tested with respect to previously proposed information-theoretic computer-aided decision (IT-CAD) system for detection of masses in mammograms. A database of 1820 regions of interest (ROIs) extracted from digital database of screening mammography (DDSM) is used. Experimental results show that the proposed reliability assessment successfully identifies decisions that can not be trusted. Further, a low correlation between reliability and the classifier output is noted. This opens a possibility of combining reliability and ensemble output into one improved decision.
Gambling and the New York State Constitution

New York State has pari-mutuel betting on horse racing for seventy years, which now includes a massive off-track betting system, State lottery, video lottery, charitable bingo, and tribal casinos. All of this takes place in a state where the Constitution makes gambling illegal except in four situations. These exceptions have now swallowed the rule. This article provides a review of the history of gambling in New York state to determine how the state came to this position, and considers what can be done to create a more rational Constitutional and jurisprudential basis for the conduct of gambling in New York state.
Predicting Injection Site Muscle Damage I: Evaluation of Immediate Release Parenteral Formulations in Animal Models

Purpose. The current animal model generally accepted by the pharmaceutical industry and the FDA for assessment of muscle damage following intramuscular injection (IM) is the rabbit lesion volume model (RbLV). However, this model is resource intensive. The goal of this study was to find a resource sparing alternative to the rabbit lesion model for assessing injection site toleration in IM formulation screening. Methods. Short term animal model alternatives to RbLV for evaluating IM formulations were examined. In addition to RbLV, myeloperoxidase (MPO), p-nitrophenyl N-acetyl-β-glucosaminide (NAβG) and/or plasma creatine phosphokinase (CK) activities were determined in rabbits (Rb) and rats (Rt) after injection of formulations (digoxin, azithromycin and danofloxacin). The edema from these formulations 24 hr after subcutaneous injection into the rat footpad (RFE) was also determined. Results. MPO and NAβG were not considered very useful as biochemical predictors of muscle damage for these formulations. Histology generally correlated with RbLV values. Compared to saline, RbLV was marked for all formulations within 1–3 days of injection. After day 3, lesions quickly resolved, and no significant differences were found. For these formulations, all CK animal models and RFE were generally predictive of RbLV. A formulation with RtCK > 1000 U/L or RbCK > 3000 U/L, was predicted to be poorly, tolerated. Conclusions. Due to ease, number of animals, time and intrinsic mechanism, we concluded that for most formulations, 2 and 4 hr RtCK data alone should be reasonably predictive of muscle damage.
Problems and Prospects for Basic Hypergeometric Functions

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses certain problems and prospects for basic hypergeometric functions. It also focuses on finite linear homogeneous ordinary q-difference equations with coefficients that are polynomials in x and q, which have multiple basic hypergeometric series as solutions. The chapter also presents possible multiple series generalizations of the q-analog of Whipple's theorem. It also focuses on whether there are multiple series q-analogs of well-poised hypergeometric series that specialize to the cases of the quituple product identity, or Winquist's identity or some other multiple theta series that sum to an infinite product. The chapter further reviews MacMahon's master theorem and the Dyson conjecture.
A Low Cost, High Energy Density, and Long Cycle Life Potassium–Sulfur Battery for Grid-Scale Energy Storage

A potassium-sulfur battery using K(+) -conducting beta-alumina as the electrolyte to separate a molten potassium metal anode and a sulfur cathode is presented. The results indicate that the battery can operate at as low as 150 °C with excellent performance. This study demonstrates a new type of high-performance metal-sulfur battery that is ideal for grid-scale energy-storage applications.
Predicting search time in visual scenes using the fuzzy logic approach

The mean search time of observers looking for targets in visual scenes with clutter is computed using the Fuzzy Logic Approach (FLA). The FLA is presented by the authors as a robust method for the computation of search times and or probabilities of detection for signature management decisions. The Mamdani/Assilian and Sugeno models have been investigated and are compared. A 44 image data set from TNO is used to build and validate the fuzzy logic model for detection. The input parameters are the: local luminance, range, aspect, width, wavelet edge points and the single output is search time. The Mamdani/Assilian model gave predicted mean search times from data not used in the training set that had a 0.957 correlation to the field search times. The data set is reduced using a clustering method then modeled using the FLA and results are compared to experiment.
Recent History Functional Linear Models for Sparse Longitudinal Data.

We consider the recent history functional linear models, relating a longitudinal response to a longitudinal predictor where the predictor process only in a sliding window into the recent past has an effect on the response value at the current time. We propose an estimation procedure for recent history functional linear models that is geared towards sparse longitudinal data, where the observation times across subjects are irregular and the total number of measurements per subject is small. The proposed estimation procedure builds upon recent developments in literature for estimation of functional linear models with sparse data and utilizes connections between the recent history functional linear models and varying coefficient models. We establish uniform consistency of the proposed estimators, propose prediction of the response trajectories and derive their asymptotic distribution leading to asymptotic point-wise confidence bands. We include a real data application and simulation studies to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed methodology.
Annotated receipts capture household food purchases from a broad range of sources.

Background Accurate measurement of household food purchase behavior (HFPB) is important for understanding its association with household characteristics, individual dietary intake and neighborhood food retail outlets. However, little research has been done to develop measures of HFPB. The main objective of this paper is to describe the development of a measure of HFPB using annotated food purchase receipts.
Nonvolatile Liquid-Film-Embedded Microfluidic Valve for Microscopic Evaporation Control Without Stiction Problem at Liquid–Air Interfaces

A critical problem of quick evaporation speed of fluids in the microscopic scale can cause many unexpected results and failures. Here, we introduce evaporation speed controlling effects of a thin liquid-film-based microfluidic valve in a microfluidic droplet ejector. The thin liquid film with nonvolatility and immiscibility exhibited an excellent microfluidic valve function without any stiction problem between valve components and provided a very effective evaporation protection barrier for the microfluids in the device. We have investigated its effectiveness for evaporation control at a microfluidic port with a liquid-air interface. Successful evaporation control by the liquid-film-embedded microfluidic valve has been demonstrated. We believe that this novel approach has immense potential in many microfluidic devices requiring a high level of evaporation control.
Multispectral Thermal Imager: overview

The Multispectral Thermal Imager, MTI, is a research and development project sponsored by the United States Department of Energy. The primary mission is to demonstrate advanced multispectral and thermal imaging from a satellite, including new technologies, data processing and analysis techniques. The MTI builds on the efforts of a number of earlier efforts, including Landsat, NASA remote sensing missions, and others, but the MTI incorporates a unique combination of attributes. The MTI satellite was launched on 12 March 2000 into a 580 km x 610 km, sun-synchronous orbit with nominal 1 am and 1 pm equatorial crossing times. The Air Force Space Test Program provided the Orbital Sciences Taurus launch vehicle. The satellite has a design lifetime of a year, with the goal of three years. The satellite and payload can typically observe six sites per day, with either one or two observations per site from nadir and off-nadir angles. Data are stored in the satellite memory and down-linked to a ground station at Sandia National Laboratory. Data are then forwarded to the Data Processing and Analysis Center at Los Alamos National Laboratory for processing, analysis and distribution to the MTI team and collaborators. We will provide an overview of the Project, a few examples of data products, and an introduction to more detailed presentations in this special session.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.