cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enabling resolution of isomeric peptides using tri-state ion gating and Fourier-transform ion mobility spectrometry

Using Fourier-Transform ion gate modulation technique, we compare the ability of the tri-state ion shutter (3S-IS) to the two-state ion shutter (2S-IS) in separating three pairs of isomeric peptide including 1.Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (GRGDS) / Ser-Asp-Gly-Arg-Gly (SDGRG); 2.Sar-Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser-Pro (SRGDSP) / Gly-Arg-Gly-Asp-Thr-Pro (GRGTP); 3.Kemptide / (Val6, Ala7)-Kemptide using electrospray ionization and ion mobility spectrometry. Mobility separation was evaluated for peptide individually and as simple mixtures. Baseline resolution of both singly and doubly charged ions of the isomeric pentapeptide mixture of GRGDS / SDGRG was attainable with the described IMS system using the 3S-IS configuration, illustrating the capacity of the present instrument to resolve isomeric compounds with differences in ion neutral collision cross section (CCS) of less than 1% for the singly charged ions. However, with the 2S-IS, both singly and doubly charged ions of the same peptide mixture were unresolved in the mobility domain. To our knowledge, this is the first-time baseline separation has been reported for the singly charged ions of the isomeric reversed sequence pentapeptide mixture using Fourier transformed drift tube IMS with nitrogen as the drift gas. For all the peptide mixtures, the ion counts for the ion mixture recorded with the 3S-IS were substantially higher (> 50%) in comparison to the 2S-IS. The resolving power of the instrument ranged between 82 to 128 for the target analyte ions analyzed in a mixture using the 3S-IS. Whereas, the resolving power of the 2S-IS ranged between 60 and 100 for the target analytes. Overall, a 20% increase in resolving power was obtained with the 3S-IS in comparison to the 2S-IS. Separation of the different isomeric peptide ion mixture depicted in this present study clearly shows the unique size-to-charge separation ability of IMS that complements the mass-to-charge ratio measurement capacity of mass spectrometry.
Eckhart, Heidegger, and the Imperative of Releasement: by Ian Alexander Moore, SUNY Series in Contemporary Continental Philosophy, Albany, NY, State University of New York Press, 2019, XVII + 331 pp., US$95.00, ISBN 9781438476513

Martin Heidegger held Eckhart in high esteem. He spoke of ‘the idea that the most extreme sharpness and depth of thought belong to genuine and great mysticism. This is also true. Meister Eckhart pr...
Mechanical cues protect against silica nanoparticle exposure in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma.

Abstract The increasing appearance of engineered nanomaterials in broad biomedical and industrial sectors poses an escalating health concern from unintended exposure with unknown consequences. Routine in vitro assessments of nanomaterial toxicity are a vital component to addressing these mounting health concerns; however, despite the known role of cell-cell and cell-matrix contacts in governing cell survival, these physical interactions are generally ignored. Herein, we demonstrate that exposure to amorphous silica particles destabilizes mitochondrial membrane potential, stimulates reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and promotes cytotoxicity in SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma through mechanisms that are potently matrix dependent, with SH-SY5Y cells plated on the softest matrix displaying a near complete recovery in viability compared to dose-matched cells plated on tissue-culture plastic. Cells on the softest matrix (3 kPa) further displayed a 50% reduction in ROS production and preserved mitochondrial membrane potential. The actin cytoskeleton is mechanosensitive and closely related to ROS production. SH-SY5Y cells exposed to a 100 μg/mL dose of 50 nm silica particles displayed distinct cytoskeletal aberrations and a 70% increase in cell stiffness. Overall, this study establishes that the mechanical environment can significantly impact silica nanoparticle toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. The mechanobiochemical mechanisms behind this regulation, which are initiated at the cell-matrix interface to adjust cytoskeletal structure and intracellular tension, demand specific attention for a comprehensive understanding of nanotoxicity.
Classed education trajectories and intimate partnering of international students: a case of Chinese international undergraduate students in the United States

The scholarship of international student migration has focused on the difficulties students experience in host countries and often positions them as disadvantaged or marginalised. However, another ...
Semantic Rule-based Automatic Code conversion System

Most software employees are facing challenges on integrating programs written in different languages for implementing the techniques for their software development. This can be achieved by automating the conversion of programs using natural language programming techniques. This research presents a novel ‘Semantic Rule-based Automatic Code conversion System (SRACS)’ that uses semantic layering, keyword identification, and a semantic rule-based constructor. The code snippets for ‘Hello World’, ‘For Loop’, ‘While Loop’, ‘If else’, ‘Factorial’ and ‘Travelling Salesman Program’ are converted from Java to Python and vice versa, and the accuracies are presented. An average accuracy of 71.57% is achieved for the conversion of the code snippets from Java to Python, and a 77.07% is achieved for Python to Java. The accuracy is based on the ‘accuracy in the conversion of the variables’, ‘accuracy in the conversion of the attributes’ and on the ‘proper indentation of the code in the target code’.
Policies for a second wave

In the spring of 2020, the initial surge of COVID-19 infections and deaths was flattened using a combination of economic shutdowns and noneconomic non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs). The possibility of a second wave of infections and deaths raises the question of what interventions can be used to significantly reduce deaths while supporting, not preventing, economic recovery. We use a five-age epidemiological model combined with sixty-six-sector economic accounting to examine policies to avert and to respond to a second wave. We find that a second round of economic shutdowns alone are neither sufficient nor necessary to avert or quell a second wave. In contrast, noneconomic NPIs, such as wearing masks and personal distancing, increasing testing and quarantine, reintroducing restrictions on social and recreational gatherings, and enhancing protections for the elderly together can mitigate a second wave while leaving room for an economic recovery. © 2020, Brookings Institution Press. All rights reserved.
Evaluation of the absolute oral bioavailability of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase/c-ROS oncogene 1 kinase inhibitor lorlatinib in healthy participants

Lorlatinib is a third-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor currently approved for the treatment of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer. This open-label, phase 1, randomized two-sequence, two-treatment, two-period, crossover study investigated the absolute oral bioavailability of lorlatinib in healthy participants. Eligible participants were randomized to receive two treatments in one of two sequences: lorlatinib 100 mg single oral dose followed by lorlatinib 50 mg intravenous (IV) dose, or lorlatinib IV dose followed by lorlatinib oral dose, each with at least a 10-day washout between successive lorlatinib doses. Blood samples for pharmacokinetics were collected for up to 144 hours (h) after dosing. Validated liquid chromatographic-tandem mass spectrometry was used to determine plasma concentrations of lorlatinib and its benzoic acid metabolite PF-06895751. In total, 11 participants were enrolled (mean age 37.6 years, all male). The adjusted geometric mean (90% confidence interval) for the absolute oral bioavailability was 80.78% (75.73–86.16%). Using non-compartmental analysis, the estimated arithmetic mean elimination plasma half-life of lorlatinib was 25.5 and 27.0 h after the oral and IV doses, respectively. No deaths, serious adverse events (AEs), or severe AEs were reported, and most treatment-emergent AEs were mild in severity, with two events of transaminase increase of moderate severity. All treatment-emergent AEs were resolved by the end of the study. Both oral and IV lorlatinib were well-tolerated in healthy participants and oral lorlatinib is highly bioavailable after oral administration.
Update on Indications, Techniques, and Outcomes of Meniscal Allograft Transplantation (MAT)

The indications for meniscal allograft transplantation continue to be explored. Currently, MAT has proven to be an effective procedure for symptomatic meniscal deficient knees that have not responded to previous salvage procedures. While the presence of chondral defects has previously believed to be a contraindication to MAT, new modalities and concomitant procedures have provided successful outcomes. There continues to be advancements in MAT surgical techniques, with three commonly implemented: suture-only, double bone plug, and bone-in-slot (bone bridge/trough). Controversy surrounds which MAT fixation method provides the best long-term results, with increasing evidence for the utilization of novel hybrid techniques. Proper patient selection and preoperative planning are still central factors associated with a successful MAT. As a salvage intervention, the main goal is improvement of quality of life. Return to preinjury sporting activity level is a secondary goal that may not be achievable. Therefore, adequate patient communication, education, and managing patient expectations are crucial during the preoperative visits. The patient needs to understand that this is salvage intervention and not a definitive procedure as future treatments are expected.
A Prospective 5-Year Re-examination of Alcohol Response in Heavy Drinkers Progressing in Alcohol Use Disorder

Abstract Background The main neurobiological theories of the development of addiction, including tolerance, sensitization, incentive-sensitization, and allostasis, have not been tested in longitudinal human alcohol response research. To address this issue, we conducted the first controlled prospective investigation of subjective and neuroendocrine responses to alcohol measured over a 5-year interval in at-risk young adult heavy drinkers (HD) and light drinker control subjects. Methods Participants were 156 individuals, 86 heavy drinkers and 70 light drinkers, undergoing an initial oral alcohol challenge testing (.8 g/kg alcohol vs. placebo) and an identical re-examination testing 5 to 6 years later. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) symptoms and drinking behaviors were assessed in the interim follow-up period. Results At re-examination, HD continued to exhibit higher sensitivity on alcohol's stimulating and rewarding effects with lower sensitivity to sedative effects and cortisol reactivity, relative to light drinkers. In HD with high AUD symptom trajectories over follow-up, heightened alcohol stimulation and reward persisted at re-examination. HD with low AUD symptoms showed reduced alcohol stimulation over time and lower reward throughout compared with the HD with high and intermediate AUD symptoms. Conclusions Results support the early stage phase of the allostasis model, with persistently heightened reward sensitivity and stimulation in heavy drinkers exhibiting AUD progression in early mid-adulthood. While there are multiple pathways to development of a disorder as complex as AUD, maintenance of alcohol stimulatory and rewarding effects may play an important role in the continuation and progression of alcohol addiction.
Large Modules over Artin Algebras

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses large modules over artin algebras. An artin ring Λ is said to be an artin algebra if its center C is an artin ring and Λ is a finitely generated module over C. This chapter focuses on various ways in which the representation theories of finitely generated and large (not finitely generated) modules over an artin algebra are related. While it is still an open question whether the converse is true for arbitrary left artin rings, the converse is settled for artin algebras. Every simple object is finitely presented if A is an artin algebra.
What Do Labor Laws Do

Does pro-union collective bargaining legislation increase a country's rate of union membership? Contrary to conventional thinking, this paper argues that a number of significant pro-union labor laws may actually reduce union membership rates. The paper develops a series of closely-related models to explore the intuition for this argument. The first model is a sequential interdependence model of collective action that illustrates how labor law may have a substitution effect on labor unions and labor union membership. A second model shows how legal provisions that bolster union power can lead to greater employer opposition to unions. A third model develops the idea of a hold-up effect on union density: where labor law exacerbates this problem, it will also lead to greater employer resistance to unionization. Finally, the paper argues that, ultimately, labor law's most important consequence may be, not to increase the rate of union membership, but to increase the rate of union coverage. This happens, however, not by strengthening unions per se but by encouraging employers to bargain with unions in employer associations as a means of avoiding problems introduced by pro-union labor legislation. Surprisingly, pro-union labor law may be more effective at organizing employers than employees.
Notes on universal algebra

These are notes of a mini-course given at Dennisfest in June 2001. The goal of these notes is to give a self-contained survey of deformation quan- tization, operad theory, and graph homology. Some new results related to "String Topology" and cacti are announced in Section 2.7.
Reversible expression of CD34 by murine hematopoietic stem cells.

We used a mouse transplantation model to address the recent controversy about CD34 expression by hematopoietic stem cells. Cells from Ly-5.1 C57BL/6 mice were used as donor cells and Ly-5.2 mice were the recipients. The test cells were transplanted together with compromised marrow cells of Ly-5.2 mice. First, we confirmed that the majority of the stem cells with long-term engraftment capabilities of normal adult mice are CD34−. We then observed that, after the injection of 150 mg/kg 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), stem cells may be found in both CD34− and CD34+ cell populations. These results indicated that activated stem cells express CD34. We tested this hypothesis also by using in vitro expansion with interleukin-11 and steel factor of lineage−c-kit+ Sca-1+ CD34− bone marrow cells of normal mice. When the cells expanded for 1 week were separated into CD34− and CD34+ cell populations and tested for their engraftment capabilities, only CD34+ cells were capable of 2 to 5 months of engraftment. Finally, we tested reversion of CD34+ stem cells to CD34− state. We transplanted Ly-5.1 CD34+post–5-FU marrow cells into Ly-5.2 primary recipients and, after the marrow achieved steady state, tested the Ly-5.1 cells of the primary recipients for their engraftment capabilities in Ly-5.2 secondary recipients. The majority of the Ly-5.1 stem cells with long-term engraftment capability were in the CD34− cell fraction, indicating the reversion of CD34+ to CD34−stem cells. These observations clearly demonstrated that CD34 expression reflects the activation state of hematopoietic stem cells and that this is reversible.
An algorithm for sequential solutions of dynamic CGE models with perfect foresight over an infinite numbers of periods

We describe a simple algorithm that permits the sequential (period-by-period) solution of large-scale dynamic CGE models with agents who have perfect foresight over an infinite number of periods. The algorithm requires neither any assumptions about behavior in a ?final? period nor that the base case economy be currently in steady state. We briefly illustrate the algorithm with an analysis of substituting a flat tax for all income taxes in the United States.
Simple turbulence models for supersonic flows - Bodies at incidence and compression corners

Parabolized Navier-Stokes (PNS) predictions of turbulent flows at supersonic and hypersonic speeds past two sphere-cones and a cone-cylinder-flare are used to evaluate simple turbulence models. Modifications to an algebraic turbulence model are proposed to improve predictions for flow on bodies at incidence.
K-Cl cotransporters, cell volume homeostasis, and neurological disease

K + -Cl – cotransporters (KCCs) were originally characterized as regulators of red blood cell (RBC) volume. Since then, four distinct KCCs have been cloned, and their importance for volume regulation has been demonstrated in other cell types. Genetic models of certain KCCs, such as KCC3, and their inhibitory WNK-STE20/SPS1-related proline/alanine-rich kinase (SPAK) serine-threonine kinases, have demonstrated the evolutionary necessity of these molecules for nervous system cell volume regulation, structure, and function, and their involvement in neurological disease. The recent characterization of a swelling-activated dephosphorylation mechanism that potently stimulates the KCCs has pinpointed a potentially druggable switch of KCC activity. An improved understanding of WNK/SPAK-mediated KCC cell volume regulation in the nervous system might reveal novel avenues for the treatment of multiple neurological diseases.
Attempted Predation of a Child by a Gray Wolf, Canis lupus , near Icy Bay, Alaska

On 26 April 2000 a six-year-old boy was attacked and repeatedly bitten by a Gray Wolf ( Canis lupus ) in a logging camp near Icy Bay, Alaska. The animal’s behavior during the attack clearly contained elements of predation. The wolf was killed shortly after the attack and found to be in normal physical condition; tests for rabies and canine distemper were negative. Low densities of ungulate prey and increased energetic demands associated with denning may have influenced the wolf’s behavior, but we believe the wolf’s habituation to people was a more significant factor contributing to the attack. Food-conditioning may have facilitated the habituation process, but there was no evidence the attack resulted from a food-conditioned approach response.
Pose estimation and integration for complete 3D model reconstruction

An automatic 3D model reconstruction technique is presented to acquire complete 3D models of real objects. The technique is based on novel approaches to pose estimation and integration. Two different poses of an object are used because a single pose often hides some surfaces from a range sensor. The presence of hidden surfaces makes the 3D model reconstructed from any single pose a partial model. Two such partial 3D models are reconstructed for two different poses of the object using a multi-view 3D modeling technique. The two partial 3D models are then registered. Coarse registration is facilitated by a novel pose estimation technique between two models. The pose is estimated by matching a stable tangent plane (STP) of each pose model with the base tangent plane (BTP) which is invariant for a vision system. The partial models are then integrated to a complete 3D model based on voxel classification defined in multi-view integration. Texture mapping is done to obtain a photo-realistic reconstruction of the object.
Role of MRI in patient selection for CRT.

Magnetic resonance imaging has great potential for aiding in the selection of patients who will respond to CRT. MRI is the only imaging tool that can simultaneously assess mechanical dyssynchrony, determine the amount and location of myocardial scar tissue, and map the location of cardiac venous anatomy—three important factors in predicting a patient's response to CRT. The goal of this manuscript is to review the MRI methods that can be used in the selection of patients for CRT.
CULTURE AND CONFLICT MANAGEMENT: A THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

This paper proposes a broad perspective for studying the influence of culture on the process of conflict management. Three models of conflict management are described, based on the culture framework of Glen (1981). In the confrontational model, conflicts are conceptualized as consisting of subissues, and a sense of reasonable compromise aids resolution despite a confrontational style. In the harmony model, conflict management starts with the minimization of conflict in organizations through norms stressing observance of mutual obligations and status orderings. Conflicts are defined in their totality, and resolution is aided by avoidance and an accommodative style. Less emphasis is placed on procedural justice, as on maintenance of face of self and others. Third parties are used extensively, and their role is more intrusive. In the regulative model, bureaucratic means are used extensively to minimize conflicts or to aid avoidance. Conflicts get defined in terms of general principles, and third party roles are formalized. The implications of the differences among the three models for conflict resolution across cultures and for future research are discussed.
The 2001 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Earth Science presented to Rob Van der Voo

Abstract The Franklin Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, awarded the 2001 Benjamin Franklin Medal in Earth Science to Rob Van der Voo for his outstanding contributions to the field of paleomagnetism and his reconstruction of ancient continental positions that have lead to a better understanding of plate tectonic processes for the past billion years of Earth history.
Effects of agricultural work practices and pesticide use on occupational health of farmers

Objectives This study aimed to identify the associated health symptoms between high and low exposed groups to pesticide, and to come up with an intervention pesticide program for our farmers in the vegetable industry. Method Survey questionnaires were used to look into pesticide exposures and work practices of 534 farmers in the largest eggplant producing province in the northern Philippines. Physical health assessment was conducted by medical doctors to look into the health status of farmers who ahve been using pesticides for the past years. Laboratory examination of blood was also done, including blood cholinesterase to dertermine organophosphate exposures. Results Majority were males (53.4%), married (80.5%) with a mean age of 47 years old. The most commonly used pesticides were Tamaron (36.1%), Dithane (34.1%), Sumicidine (29.0%), Selecron (24.9%) and Lannate (15.2%). Tamaron, being the most commonly used, has an active ingredient of methamidophos and classified as an organophosphate pesticide. Meanwhile, Dithane, a mancozeb, is a dithiocarbamate pesticide and Sumicidine is a pyrethroid with an active ingredient of fenvalerate. In addition, Selecron is composed mainly of ingredients of prochloroz mn and spinosad, respectively (Table 2). During their agricultural work, farmers used pesticides mainly for three to six hours per day (51.2%), one to two days weekly (86.8%) and three to four weeks per month (82.3%). 40.9% who underwent the physical examination were diagnosed to have abnormal assessment results. Analyses indicated that pesticide use and risk factors were found to have association at p = 0.05 with easy fatigability, weight loss, loss of appetite, cerebellar function, creatinine levels, haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin count, and platelet count. 5.3% of the farmers were found to have abnormal platelet count. Platelet count may indicate whether the patient is having bleeding problems, infectious processes, bone marrow depression, malignancies or anaemia. For RBC cholinesterase activity, it was found that 50.8% of the samples showed depression in activity. Conclusions This study has demonstrated the interaction between the farmers’ pesticide exposure and work practices, as well as physical, neurological and laboratory assessment findings. The study shows that farmers are at a considerable risk of either acute or chronic pesticide poisoning because of improper work practices. Around 40.9% of the farmers were diagnosed to have abnormal physical examination findings while 4.6% presented problems in their neurological functioning and less than 10% of the farmers exhibited abnormal laboratory results. The author recommends the use of the information gathered in this study to improve current policies and standards with regards to surveillance of pesticide use.
Mutual Information Model of Adaptive Waveform Design

Traditional radar systems are lack of adaptivity to the environment. Modern radar systems should transmit different waveforms according to different environment. In this paper, mutual information model of adaptive waveform design is proposed. With this model, different waveforms can be designed adaptively under different radar working conditions. Simulation results demonstrate the validity of our model. Finally, the whole paper is summarized.
Temperature effects on starch granules in developing barley grains

A Coulter Counter was used to determine size and number distributions of starch granules in a detailed investigation of starch deposition during the development of barley grains on whole plants grown at different temperatures. Results indicate that decreases in grain dry matter, at elevated temperatures, are due to a reduction in both the volume available for starch accumulation and the numbers, rather than sizes, of starch granules deposited. Numbers of both the ‘A-type’ and the smaller or ‘B-type’ granule populations were affected by elevated temperatures.
The 1.4 angstrom crystal structure of the human oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor lox-1.

The lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor-1 (Lox-1) mediates the recognition and internalization of oxidatively modified low density lipoprotein by vascular endothelial cells. This interaction results in a number of pro-atherogenic cellular responses that probably play a significant role in the pathology of atherosclerosis. The 1.4 A crystal structure of the extracellular C-type lectin-like domain of human Lox-1 reveals a heart-shaped homodimer with a ridge of six basic amino acids extending diagonally across the apolar top of Lox-1, a central hydrophobic tunnel that extends through the entire molecule, and an electrostatically neutral patch of 12 charged residues that resides next to the tunnel at each opening. Based on the arrangement of critical binding residues on the Lox-1 structure, we propose a binding mode for the recognition of modified low density lipoprotein and other Lox-1 ligands.
Excitation hamiltonian of electronic systems using ÔÂÔ

An excitation Hamiltonian is formulated by adding an operator, OÂO, to the Fock operator whose eigenvalue differences represent excitations of electronic systems. O is an operator which projects onto the virtual space of the Fock operator and Â is chosen so that one has a Koopmans' theorem and a variational principle for these states. The formalism is then used to calculate excitation energies of atomic He, Li, and Be.
Cardiac response to oral and aerosol administration of beta agonists

tration of gammaglobulin was followed by dramatic correction of thrombocytopenia without side effects. Neonatal passive immune thrombocytopenia is by definition transient, so the effect of intravenously administered intact gammaglobulin, although of limited duration, may be sufficient to improve the thrombocytopenia until spontaneous correction occurs. This approach to treatment appears to be both safe and effective, but platelet transfusion should probably be performed when the thrombocytopenia is more severe and bleeding is life threatening. Whether intravenously administered gammaglobulin may also be effective in the treatment of active isoimmune neonatal thrombocytopenia resulting from a platelet incompatibility between the infant and mother remains to be established.
Better Internet routing through intrinsic support for selfishness

The BGP routing system is inflexible and sub-optimal for both stub networks and ISPs. Stub networks are unable to obtain routes that meet their end-to-end requirements, and ISPs have limited flexibility in controlling their revenues and offering new services to a wide customer base. We present the S4R supplemental routing system to address these shortcomings. Technical soundness and economic viability are equal first class design requirements for S4R. In S4R, ISPs announce links connecting different parts of the Internet. ISPs can selfishly price their links to attract maximal amount of traffic. Stub networks can selfishly select paths that best meet their requirements at the lowest cost. We design a variety of practical algorithms for ISP and stub network response that strike a balance between accommodating the (selfish) objectives of all participants and ensuring efficient and stable operation overall. We employ large scale simulations of realistic scenarios to show that S4R operates at a close-to-optimal state and that it encourages broad participation from stubs and ISPs. We describe a prototype implementation using OpenFlow and show that it can support S4R effectively.
Non-exponential time behavior of electron transfer in an inhomogeneous polar medium

An analysis is made of electron transfer (ET) in a polar medium described by a distribution of dielectric relaxation times, for the case that intramolecular contributions to the ET are negligible. The generalized moment expansion is used for an approximate multi-exponential description of the non-exponential time behavior of the ET. As an example, ET in glycerol-like solvents is considered, treated by the spatially inhomogeneous model for dielectric relaxation. For this model the ET rate at long times is found to vary as τ_0^(−1), τ_0 being a dielectric relaxation time parameter, in contrast with a fractional dependence at short times.
On Time-Lags in Fluorescence and in the Kerr and Faraday Effects

A critical study of the experimental literature is made in regard to the existence of time-lags or "dark-times" in fluorescence and it is found that not a single experiment shows the existence of such things. Moreover experiments seem to show that in all the cases when the emitting state is the state reached directly as a result of the excitation process, the emission begins immediately upon excitation and decreases exponentially. Experiments interpreted as showing the existence of time-lags in the Kerr and Faraday effects are also considered and it is found that they do not prove the reality of such time-lags. An analysis is made of the way in which the "optical shutter" of Beams' works, with the result that it is found to behave quite differently from what it was supposed to do. Wave trains of light that were supposed to be cut off by it in parts of 3 cm length are certainly not reduced to less than 300 cm, or 100 times more than assumed.
Altering the cooling rate dependence of phase formation during rapid solidification in the Nd2Fe14B system

Abstract In order to evaluate the effects of additions on the solidification behavior of Nd 2 Fe 14 B, a stoichiometric alloy was modified with elemental additions of Ti or C and a compound addition of Ti with C. For each alloy, a series of wheel speed runs was undertaken, from which the optimum wheel speeds and optimum energy products were determined. On the BH max versus wheel speed plots, regions were identified in order to analyze the changes with cooling rates leading to phase formation brought about by the alloy modifications. The compilation of the regional data of the modified alloys showed their effects on altering the cooling rate dependence of phase formation. It was found that the regions of properitectic iron formation, glass formation, and the optimum cooling rate can be changed by more than a factor of two through appropriate alloying additions. The effects of the alloy modifications can be visualized in a convenient fashion through the use of a model continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagram which represents phase formation during the solidification process under continuous cooling conditions for a wide range of cooling rates from rapid solidification to equilibrium cooling.
The Rat's Preference for Sucrose, Polycose and their Mixtures

In one-bottle tests (30 min/day) food-deprived rats consumed significantly more 2% Polycose than 2% sucrose, and yet in two-bottle choice tests they did not consistently prefer Polycose to sucrose. A previously proposed explanation for this effect is that rats habituate, or develop oral satiety, to the flavor of sucrose more rapidly than to Polycose, and sucrose satiety generalizes to Polycose. This idea was not supported by the results of sequential 15-min one-bottle tests: the intake of 2% sucrose did not suppress subsequent Polycose intake. Instead, the failure of rats to consistently prefer Polycose to sucrose was attributed to the development of a drinking pattern that allowed the rats to mix the two solutions in their mouths. When the drinking spouts were nearby, the rats consumed similar amounts of sucrose and Polycose, but when the spouts were far apart, they consumed more Polycose than sucrose. That rats prefer the combined flavor of sucrose and Polycose to either flavor alone was confirmed in subsequent tests. Rats strongly preferred a 1% sucrose + 1% Polycose mixture to a plain 2% sucrose or 2% Polycose solution. They also preferred sucrose-Polycose mixtures to plain solutions at concentrations ranging up to 32%. The potency of the sucrose-Polycose mixture is presumably related to the activation of separate "sweet" and "polysaccharide" taste channels in the rat.
Avoiding false-positive joint scans by the use of labeled albumins.

Knee joints were scanned in a group of patients with gout and rheumatoid arthritis and in a second group of patients without joint disease. 131I human serum albumin, 99mTc-albumin or 99mTc-pertechnetate were utilized. Scans performed with labeled albumin were reliable indicators of the presence or absence of active inflammation of the joint. Technetium, as the pertechnetate, not only concentrated in all inflamed joints but was also concentrated in the knee joint of 19 of 20 patients without joint disease.
MOLECULAR CLONING OF THE HUMAN GENE SUVCC3 ASSOCIATED WITH THE FORMATION OF DNA-PROTEIN CROSSLINKS FOLLOWING EXPOSURE TO SOLAR UV RADIATION

DRP 153 cells, which are hypersensitive to solar UV and deficient in the formation of DNA-protein crosslinks (DPC) following irradiation, were transfected with human DNA and a secondary transformant obtained in which a normal DPC response and solar UV sensitivity reestablished. DNA from this secondary transformant was used to construct a genomic DNA library from which a recombinant phage was isolated containing the human gene capable of restoring a normal DPC response and solar UV sensitivity to DRP 153. This gene has been designatedSUVCC3 to denote solar UV cross-complementing gene number 3.
Experiments on the taphonomy of amniote eggs in marine environments

Experiments to identify taphonomic variables influencing the fossilization of eggs and eggshells in marine environments were carried out using chicken eggs as models. We examined: (1) the recruitment of eggs into the sea by wave and tidal action; (2) the transport of eggshell fragments by simulated turbidity currents; (3) the capacities of whole eggs to withstand hyperbaric pressures: and (4) the fates of eggs placed on and beneath the benthic surface. Eggs placed along a beach during rising tides were quickly recruited into the sea. Once in the water, fresh eggs rolled along the benthic surface to deeper sites, whereas partially dehydrated eggs floated away from shore. Eggshell fragments transported by simulated turbidity currents settled toward the bottom of the resultant turbidites, with the number and size of fragments decreasing as a function of increasing distance from the source. Fresh eggs lowered in the ocean to a depth of 626 m did not fracture. Most eggs placed at or just beneath the benthic surface in a shallow bay remained unbroken for at least 44 days and became infested with epibionts. Paleontologists interested in fossil eggs should not overlook paleomarine sediments as one likely source of these important trace fossils.
Novel OPC method to create sub 45nm contact hole using design based metrology

During the past few years, new technology brought about new problems we face today due to shrinkage of the feature size. Some of the problems such as Mask Error Enhancement Factor (MEEF), overlay control, and so on are crucial because large MEEF can make it difficult to satisfy CD target, and bring about large CD variation. Moreover, it can also lead to degraded CD uniformity which would have an undesired influence on device properties. Recently, 2-D random contact hole is getting crucial because it normally has very large MEEF and cause asymmetric proximity effect which can cause large CD variation, and misalignment of layer-to-layer. In other words, the method of optical proximity correction and building accurate OPC model for 2-D random contact hole pattern could be key factor obtaining better CD uniformity with enhanced overlay margin. Furthermore, in order to get very tangible performance, design based metrology system (DBM) is used to evaluate process performance. Design based metrology systems are able to extract information of whole chip CD variation. On top of that, OPC abnormality can be identified and design feedback can be also disclosed. In this paper, we will investigate novel method for sub 45nm 2-D random contact hole printing. First, optical proximity effect (OPE) for two dimensional layout will be investigated. Second, the results of Variable Threshold Modeling (VTM) for various slit contact hole patterns will be analyzed. Third, model based verification will be done and analyzed through full-chip before creating full-chip mask. Finally, sub 45nm 2-D random contact hole printing performance will be presented by DBM.
A scalable dynamic model for ionic polymer-metal composite actuators

Ionic polymer-metal composites (IPMCs) have built-in sensing and actuation capabilities which make them attractive in many biomedical and biological applications. In this paper a physics-based but control-oriented dynamic model is proposed for IPMC actuators. The modeling work starts from the governing partial differential equation (PDE) that describes the charge redistribution dynamics under external electrical field, electrostatic interactions, ionic diffusion, and ionic migration along the thickness direction. It is further extended by incorporating the effect of distributed surface resistance. The electrical impedance model is obtained by deriving the exact solution to the governing PDE in the Laplace domain. By assuming a linear electromechanical coupling, an actuation model which relates bending displacement to voltage input is derived. The model is represented as an infinite-dimensional transfer function, which is amenable to model reduction and real-time control design while capturing fundamental physics. It thus bridges the traditional gap between the physics-based perspective and the system-theoretic perspective on modeling of IPMC materials. The model is expressed in terms of fundamental material parameters and dimensions of the IPMC, and is therefore geometrically scalable. The latter has been further confirmed in experiments.
Conditioned place aversion following the central administration of a novel dopamine release inhibitor CGS 10746B.

Abstract Numerous drugs of abuse that elevate brain extracellular dopamine concentrations by either increasing the firing rate of dopaminergic neurons or producing dopamine release have been shown to reliably condition a preference for place. If dopamine release is necessary component for conditioned place preference (CPP), one reciprocal hypothesis may be that inhibition of dopamine release will result in conditioned place aversion (CPA). This hypothesis has been tested pharmacologically by employing CGS 10746B (CGS), a novel neuroleptic known to inhibit the release of dopamine via presynaptic mechanisms. In previous work the peripheral administration of CGS (1.25–20 mg/kg) produced place aversion at doses above 5 mg/kg. However, the contribution of peripheral mechanisms in the production of CGS-induced CPA is unknown. To test whether central administration of CGS would also result in CPA, rats were fitted with chronic intraventricular cannula. Groups of rats subsequently received four conditioning trials with one of four intraventricular (ICV) doses of CGS (1–30 μg) when confined to their preferred side of a place conditioning apparatus. Vehicle was similarly administered on four interspersed days prior to confining these same rats to their nonpreferred side of the apparatus. At the conclusion of these eight conditioning trials, the rats were tested, on separate days, in a nondrugged and a CGS-drugged state. The highest dose of CGS (30 μg) produced a CPA as evidenced by rats spending less time in the environment initially found to be preferred. Locomotor activity was also measured over a 30-min period with and without ICV injection of CGS (1–30 μg). Activity was not reliably decreased at any dose tested in comparison to baseline. In conclusion, centrally administered CGS produces a CPA suggesting that inhibition of dopamine release contributes to place aversion conditioning.
Maximum acceptable weight of asymmetrical lifting and lowering of postal sacks

The asymmetrical lifting of postal sacks without handles was simulated. Type-2 and Type-3 postal sacks (those typically used by the U.S. Postal Service) were loaded and unloaded from and to different cart and conveyor levels. An adjustable table was used to simulate the different conveyor levels. There were six combinations of lift for each of twenty participants (ten male and ten female). A modified version of the psychophysical methodology was used to determine the maximum acceptable weight of lift. A significant difference was found between the weights lifted across cart heights. Specifically, the mean load lifted over the 96.5 cm (38.0 in) cart height was 15.337 kg (33.74 lb) and was significantly greater than the average load lifted across the 20.40 cm (8.0 in) and the 104.20 cm (41.0 in cart heights. However, this difference is not practically significant different (mean difference = 1.44 kg). There was no significant difference (p > 0.05). This lifted across table heights. A significant interaction occurred between cart height and conveyor height (p < 0.05). This interaction indicated that as the vertical distance between the cart height and the conveyor height increased, the acceptable load handling capabilities of the participants decreased. The mean MAWL for Type-2 postal sacks (14.5 kg, 31.91 lb) was similar to the mean weight lifted at the postal distribution center (16.4 kg, 36.0 lg). The mean MAWL for Type-3 sacks (14.5 kg, 31.9 lbs) was less than half of the mean weight lifted at the postal distribution center (24.6 kg, 54.1 lb). The results of this study have direct implication regarding the design of postal operations, the types of lifting and lowering tasks that should and should not be performed, as well as more practical weight limitations than are previously employed in these types of operations.
Micropolitics and Rural School Consolidation: The Quest for Equal Educational Opportunity in Webster Parish

School consolidation in rural districts has been ongoing since the 1800s. Although many district personnel tout economic inefficiency as a reason for consolidation to occur, micropolitics among school board members, parents, and the business community often drive the consolidation process. This article presents a qualitative case study of Webster Parish, which documents the formulation and implementation of school consolidation policy in a rural context. On a macrolevel, I examine the role of micropolitics among district personnel in making the decision to consolidate. I also investigate the role of parish stakeholders—generally the business community and parents—in implementing the plan. On a microlevel, I explore the underlying themes of poverty, race, and educational opportunity as Webster Parish develops and implements a school consolidation plan. I find in the case of Webster Parish that strained community relations and micropolitics among parish stakeholders impeded the progress of providing equal e...
Role of the Primary Care Physician Before and After Weight-Loss Surgery

Obesity spares no organ system and is associated with an increased risk of many diseases, including diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary heart disease, cardiomyopathy, some types of cancer, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and osteoarthritis (OA). Weight-loss surgery (WLS) is currently the most effective intervention for the treatment of severe obesity in terms of magnitude as well as duration of weight loss. WLS produces averages losses of 45–70% of excess weight (actual – ideal weight),1 in contrast to the approximate 10% loss from initial weight with nonsurgical approaches.2,3 WLS results in improvements in many obesity-related comorbidities, including DM2, hypertension, OSA, dyslipidemia, cardiomyopathy, nonalcoholic NASH, symptoms related to OA or back pain, and psychological dysfunction and impaired quality of l ife, and recently has been shown to reduce mortality.1, 4–21 The numbers of weight-loss procedures performed in the United States has increased dramatically in recent years (Fig. 1). As more patients undergo WLS, it will be important for primary care clinicians to understand the procedures performed and the management of patients before and after these procedures. This review focuses on the preoperative and postoperative issues of the WLS patient that are relevant to the primary care provider.
Influence of dietary selenium on metabolism of cadmium and mercury in reproductive tissues of rats

Abstract Dietary selenium supplementation for rats resulted in a greater deposition of 109 Cd in testis, but caused decreased deposition of the isotope in seminal vesicles, epididymis and prostate gland. In contrast, dietary selenium caused increased deposition of 203 Hg in seminal vesicles and prostate gland but drastically reduced the levels of this radioisotope in testis and epididymis. Selenium diverted the binding of 109 Cd in cytosols in testis, seminal vesicles, epididymis and prostate gland, but had minimal effects on the binding of 203 Hg in these reproductive organs. Selenium deficiency caused increased excretion of 109 Cd in feces and urine, and increased excretion of 203 Hg in urine of rats. The biological half-lives of the two radioisotopes in the −Se and +Se rats were calculated to be, respectively, 202 and 219 days for 109 Cd, and 2 and 6 days for 203 Hg.
Rematriating Curriculum Studies

In this article, I discuss potential roles for curriculum studies in upending settler colonialism, which I locate as the anchor system that permits heteropatriarchal White supremacy. As a whole, I ...
Possible formation of crystalline sodium carbene carbonate Na2(CO)CO3 at high pressure

Combined experimental and ab-initio computational studies suggest that at pressures above 20 GPa and temperatures above 1500 K sodium formate deprotonizes under formation of Na+2 [C=O| CO32-]. This new compound involves mesomeric C-O bonds with carbonate plus carbene units as limiting states and CO2 chains as intermediate. Sodium is six-fold coordinated by O-atoms. The formation of this new compound implies nucleophilic addition as reaction mechanism which is consistent with previously observed reduced stability of the H-O bond at these high pressures. The findings suggest further that the sextet state of carbon is energetically less unfavourable at high pressure than at ambient pressure.