cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gas Expanded Liquids for Sustainable Catalysis

The modern-day chemical industry relies mostly on fossil fuel (such as petroleum, natural gas, and coal)–based feedstock. There are several megaton industrial catalytic processes that produce essential commodities for everyday life but present challenges with respect to reducing environmental footprints and enhancing sustainability.
“Motherless Children Have the Hardest Time”: Epigenetic Programming and Early Life Environment

The Blind Willie Johnson blues song “Motherless Children” highlights the maternal bonds that we all know are critical to emotional and cognitive development. Authors of previous work looking at infant stress response have found that these bonds begin in utero and can be influenced by both maternal and paternal influences and across multiple generations.1 The observations of Barker et al2 on the Dutch famine birth cohort of World War II were perhaps the first published observations of this phenomenon.3 Somehow, we carry the benefits and burdens of our childhoods into our adult lives, with impacts made evident on our behavior and also virtually all organ systems. In a new study published in Pediatrics , Lester et al4 evaluate the potential biological factors that underlie these effects. Memory at the cellular level must be a key marker of programming. The idea that, during early development, important physiologic parameters can be reset by environmental events, … Address correspondence to Robert O. Wright, MD, MPH, Department of Environmental Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029. E-mail: robert.wright{at}mssm.edu
H2-induced pressure broadening and pressure shift in the P-branch of the ν3 band of CH4 from 300 to 655 K

Abstract For accurate modelling of observations of exoplanet atmospheres, quantification of the pressure broadening of infrared absorption lines for and by a variety of gases at elevated temperatures is needed. High-resolution high-temperature H2-pressure-broadened spectra are recorded for the CH4 ν3-band P-branch. Measured linewidths for 143 transitions between 2840 and 3000 cm − 1 with temperature and pressures ranging between 300 and 655 K, and 10 and 933 Torr, respectively, were used to find rotation- and tetrahedral-symmetry-dependent coefficients for pressure and temperature broadening and pressure-induced lineshifts. The new pressure-broadening data will be useful in radiative-transfer models for retrieving the properties of observed expolanet atmospheres.
Vulvar lymphangiectasia secondary to gastrointestinal tuberculosis infection in a teenager

We report a rare presentation of vulvar lymphangiectasia that developed secondary to gastrointestinal tuberculosis in a teenager, and its spontaneous resolution after anti-tuberculous treatment was completed.
Kurt Goldstein’s critique of Leo Kanner: understanding autism as an impairment of the abstract attitude

The author argues for a functionalist understanding of autism. Instead of explaining autism as an inborn or otherwise neurological deficit, autism may be understood as a functional disturbance: the...
Towards a Cognitive Science of the Human: Cross-Cultural Approaches and Their Urgency

While a major aim of cognitive science is to understand human cognition, our conclusions are based on unrepresentative samples of the world's population. A new wave of cross-cultural cognitive science has sought to remedy this with studies that are increasing in scope, scale, and visibility. Here, I review the state of this new wave of research. The portrait of human cognition that emerges is one of variations on a theme, with species-typical capacities shaped by culture and individual experience. The new wave has expanded our understanding of processes underlying human variation and cumulative cultural change, including mechanisms of social learning and cultural transmission. Less consensus has been reached, however, on the cognitive foundations of human nature. The promise of cross-cultural cognitive science will not be fully realized unless we continue to be more inclusive of the world's populations and strive for a more complete cognitive portrait of our species.
A SWOT Analysis of Nepalese Hydropower Policy

Hydropower, in which Nepal has comparative advantage, has a potential to contribute to Nepalâ€™s energy security and sustainable development. The government of Nepal enacted the Hydropower Development Policy in 2001 (HDP-2001) as an overarching policy to coordinate all policies forthcoming in this sector. This paper has critically analysed HDP-2001 by applying the Ecosystem services-based Strength, Weakness, Opportunity, and Threat (SWOT) technique. The paper has evaluated peer-reviewed scholarly articles, secondary data, and government publications available in public domain. The strengths and weaknesses of the policy were analysed by applying seven specific indicators. The research indicates that HDP-2001 has been successful in overcoming some of the pertinent challenges in Nepalese hydroelectric industry, however, it also faces several limitations on account of climate change, economic dislocations, effective monitoring, ensuring competitiveness, delivering fair price to the consumers, and institutional governance issues. Designing a practical mitigation plan, while being aware of its limitations, could be helpful in minimizing the impact of these exogenous factors.
Outcomes of labor induction at 39 weeks in pregnancies with a prior cesarean delivery

The optimal timing of induction for those undergoing a trial of labor after cesarean section has not been established. The little data which supports the consideration of induction at 39 weeks gest...
In Situ Temporal Periodic Poling of Lithium Niobate Thin Films

We repeatedly pole and unpole a lithium niobate thin film second harmonic generator while monitoring the switching of the optical output. Increasing asymmetry in the poling waveform results in increasing optical extinction ratio.
Multiple-Surrogate Models for Probabilistic Performance Assessment of Wind-Excited Tall Buildings under Uncertainties

AbstractPerformance-based design (PBD) is becoming a benchmark approach for design and performance assessment of civil structures because it facilitates communication between stakeholders and desig...
Performing Remote Pedagogy: Reductions, Omissions, and Interventions.

In this piece, we contend with what it means to craft a pedagogy during an ongoing global pandemic. Our experience is fluctuating, frenetic, and fragmented. Drawing on our commitment to critical pe...
Dislocation and displacement: An analysis of Wang Jiuliang’s Plastic China

This essay uses the concepts of place and space to analyze Wang Jiuliang’s environmental documentary film Plastic China (2016) by examining three kinds of dislocation and displacement: the importat...
MNE host-country alliance network position and post-entry establishment mode choice

Prior international business research recognizes that networks can affect internationalization decisions, yet our understanding of how networks in the host country do so, especially with respect to establishment mode choices between greenfield and acquisition, remains nascent. Host-country networks become particularly salient after initial entry as the multinational enterprise (MNE) more directly engages with local actors and develops embeddedness in the host country. We draw from network theory to argue that establishment modes of post-entry foreign direct investments into a host country are shaped by the MNE’s position within local alliance networks. We posit that local network centrality increases the likelihood of choosing greenfield because it provides access to broad knowledge flows and higher social status that reduce the MNE’s need to pursue acquisitions of local firms. Conversely, local network brokerage increases opportunities for knowledge recombination, making greenfield a less likely choice vis-a-vis acquisition. Using data on automotive MNEs entering the U.S. over 22 years, we find support for our predictions. Demonstrating that distinct aspects of the MNE’s local network alliance position can operate in different ways to effectuate establishment mode choices, this study advances a more nuanced understanding of how networks shape internationalization into a host country.
Diagnosing collisions in the interior of a wormhole

Two distant black holes can be connected in the interior through a wormhole. Such a wormhole has been interpreted as an entangled state shared between two exterior regions. If Alice and Bob send signals into each of the black holes, then they can meet in the interior. In this paper, we interpret this meeting in terms of the quantum circuit that prepares the entangled state: Alice and Bob sending signals creates growing perturbations in the circuit, whose overlap represents their meeting inside the wormhole. We argue that such overlap in the circuit is quantified by a particular six-point correlation function. Therefore, exterior observers in possession of the entangled qubits can use this correlation function to diagnose the collision in the interior without having to jump in themselves.
Preventing Handheld Phone Distraction for Drivers by Sensing the Gripping Hand.

Handheld phone distraction is the leading cause of traffic accidents. However, few efforts have been devoted to detecting when the phone distraction happens, which is a critical input for taking immediate safety measures. This work proposes a phone-use monitoring system, which detects the start of the driver's handheld phone use and eliminates the distraction at once. Specifically, the proposed system emits periodic ultrasonic pulses to sense if the phone is being held in hand or placed on support surfaces (e.g., seat and cup holder) by capturing the unique signal interference resulted from the contact object's damping, reflection and refraction. We derive the short-time Fourier transform from the microphone data to describe such impacts and develop a CNN-based binary classifier to discriminate the phone use between the handheld and the handsfree status. Additionally, we design an adaptive window-based filter to correct the classification errors and identify each handheld phone distraction instance, including its start, end, and duration. Extensive experiments with fourteen people, three phones and two car models show that our system achieves 99% accuracy of recognizing handheld phone-use instances and 0.76-second median error to estimate the distraction's start time.
Ethics Done Right: Practical Reasoning as a Foundation for Moral Theory

1. Introduction: the method of practical reasoning 2. What's the use of utility? 3. Mill's proof of the principle of utility 4. Does the categorical imperative give rise to a contradiction in the will? 5. Reasonably virtuous 6. Murdoch, practical reasoning, and particularism 7. Was Hume a Humean? 8. Hume on 'is' and 'ought' 9. Hume, political noncognitivism, and the history of England 10. Incommensurability and practical reasoning 11. Commensurability in perspective 12. Varieties of practical reasoning and varieties of moral theory.
Filament support spindle for an intravascular cavopulmonary assist device.

We are developing an intravascular axial flow blood pump to support adolescent and adult Fontan patients. To protect the blood vessel, this pump has an outer cage with radially arranged filaments and a newly designed spindle at the pump outlet. The outlet spindle is included to limit the axial movement of the rotor and to house bearings that support the rotor. This study evaluates the impact of the outlet spindle on pump performance using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experimental testing of a prototype configuration. We measured the pressure–flow performance of the prototype with a protective cage using a blood analog fluid. The pump with the cage filaments and spindle generated 1 to 16 mm Hg of pressure rise for flow rates of 1 to 4 L/min at 4000 to 7000 rpm. The difference between the CFD predictions and experimental results was found to be approximately 9.8%. Scalar stress levels remained below 570 Pa with exposure times on the order of 1.5 s. These results are acceptable and support the continued development of this cavopulmonary assist device with an outlet spindle to reinforce the protective cage filament design.
Sectoral Impacts of Turkish Accession to the European Union: A General Equilibrium Analysis

After major liberalization efforts by Turkish officials in the 1980s, the arguments about full membership in the European Union (EU) have become a priority for Turkey because Turkey's joining the EU will have a strong impact on the macroeconomic structure of both Turkey and the EU. In order to analyze the impacts of Turkish accession to the EU, a computable general equilibrium model has been developed and the results of various policy scenarios have been compared. The model considers the imperfect competition in the Turkish manufacturing sector. Results show that full membership appears to be the most beneficial scenario for the Turkish economy based on domestic production, domestic sales, and private income. However, knowing that this process is political rather than completely economic, appropriate cautions should be taken in utilizing the results of this study.
Searching for geospatial government-produced data

This poster investigates problems and solutions for searching the Web for geospatial data produced by various levels of government. Currently, geospatial data to meet particular needs are difficult to find. We suggest using Internet DBMS and Semantic Web technology to improve search techniques over metadata by using context-oriented search phrases, full query expressions, and semantic mappings. Furthermore, automatic searching for data is possible using an Internet DBMS that ranges over Web published metadata and consults semantic mapping expressions of models and terms.
In-vitro production of ethanol in urine by fermentation

Driving while under the influence of alcohol (DUI) can lead to serious injuries to the intoxicated driver and surrounding individuals, in addition to revocation or suspension of driving privileges. The accuracy and interpretation of the testing procedures may be compromised if an individual's urine contains sugar, and either bacteria or yeast. Under these conditions, ethanol can be produced in vitro, producing a result that may be erroneously indicative of DUI. In this study three yeast species and six bacterial species were added to a blank urine sample devoid of any alcohol or sugar. Samples were incubated at 0, 25, and 35 degrees C for 24, 48, and 144 hours in the presence of one of four different sugars. Ethanol concentrations were assayed using an enzymatic alcohol dehydrogenase assay. Results showed that when glucose was used as a substrate, all yeast species (Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis, and Candida sp. not albicans) and three bacterial species (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Proteus mirabilis) were capable of producing ethanol while the other three (Enterococcus sp., Staphylococcus sp. not aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa) were not. The rate of ethanol production is temperature dependent and can be inhibited by storage of samples at 0 degrees C or the use of approximately 1% sodium fluoroide as an antimicrobial agent. Many of these species were also able to use other substrates (sucrose, fructose, and galactose) to produce ethanol by fermentation.
Plate fixation for management of plantar instability of the distal tarsus/proximal metatarsus in 5 horses

Objective To report plate fixation for management of traumatic injuries resulting in plantar instability of the proximal intertarsal (PIT) and tarsometatarsal (TMT) joints. Study Design Case series. Materials and Methods Medical records (October 1988 to August 2007) of horses that had internal fixation of the distal aspect of the tarsus were reviewed. Horses that had a broad dynamic compression plate (DCP) or broad locking compression plate (LCP) applied on the plantar-lateral aspect of the tarsus extending from the proximal calcaneus to the proximal one third of the metatarsus were included. Signalment, clinical signs, radiographic findings, time to surgery, implant type, postoperative management and complications were recorded. Long-term (>1 year) outcome was obtained for 4 horses. Results Five horses were treated, 4 had DCP fixation and 1 had LCP fixation. Subluxation of the proximal intertarsal joint was treated in 3 horses and 2 horses had fractures of the distal tarsal bones or proximal aspect of the metatarsus. Perioperative complications included peroneus tertius rupture (2 horses) and postoperative infection.1 Four horses were discharged and 1 year after surgery were considered sound at pasture; 3 horses were sound enough for limited riding. Conclusions Plate fixation provides adequate strength and stability for successful management of injuries that result in plantar instability of the tarsus and proximal metatarsus.
Comment: University patenting and scientific productivity

The increasing commercialization of academic science has generated concerns that this trend will negatively affect the research focus and productivity of academic scientists. Breschi et al. analyze a longitudinal data set of Italian academic inventors to empirically examine the impact of patenting on university professors' scientific productivity. They find that academic inventors actually increase their productivity and quality of scientific research post-patenting. This comment considers the social mechanisms that produce the article's key findings, and explore the broader implications for universities and public policy.
SCHOOL PSYCHOLOGIST DIAGNOSTIC DECISION-MAKING: A PILOT STUDY

The current study examined the diagnostic decision-making of school psychologists as a function of a student's disability and academic performance with three research questions using a randomly-selected sample of school psychologists from the state of Texas. Results from the first research question indicated that school psychologists significantly differentiated between what diagnoses were considered most correct according to the DSM-IV and what diagnoses would be in a child's best interest at school. Results from the second research question indicated that this differentiation in diagnostic decision-making was present as significantly associated with academic performance. Results from the third and final research question indicated that school psychologists differed in their diagnostic decision-making according to their perceptions about the particular disability.
Adapting to the Online Teaching Environment: Using Literature To Develop Experiential Exercises for International Management

Abstract This paper proposes that literature (e.g., short stories, folktales, etc.) may be a valuable tool in helping to adapt teaching methods to the online environment, particularly in the case of developing experiential exercises that are compatible with either synchronous or asynchronous online learning. In addition, literature can help students to become better international managers, and builds skills valued by curriculum experts and future employers, including communication skills, team building skills, and contextual understanding of cultural diversity issues. The paper includes an example of how to use the folk tale “Stone Soup” to develop an introductory exercise for an international management class.
Targeting protein ubiquitylation: DDB1 takes its RING off

Ubiquitin E3 ligases of the RING and HECT families are distinct not only in their catalytic mechanisms but also in targeting substrates. Now it seems that one heterodimeric complex can target substrates to both types of E3 ligase.
Instrumented card-gap test.

The card-gap test is a widely used method for evaluating the sensitivity to detonation of explosives and hazardous chemicals. Recent work at the Bureau of Mines has led to modifications of this test which have reduced some of the ambiguities in the interpretation of results using earlier versions. The knowledge gained has led to a reassessment of some of the criteria previously used in establishing the shock sensitivity of liquid explosives. Modifications consist of the addition of an expendable pressure gage to provide a qualitative measure of off-end peak pressures and a probe system capable of continuous determination of detonation velocities. Charge arrangements, construction details, and interpretation of results are given.
A New Approach for WLAN Channel Selection Based on Outage Capacity

This paper introduces a new channel selection metric and its implementation for wireless networks. It is demonstrated that channel utilization and channel quality are two essential performance factors for wireless networks. Then, we define Non-Utilized Outage Capacity (NUOC) as a cross-layer channel metric which provides an intelligent adaptivity between these two performance factors. We also determine steps required for implementation of this new channel selection metric which includes measurement, decision and execution. The proposed mechanism in this paper is easy to implement in IEEE 802.11 standard which makes it very desirable and practical for these networks. Our simulation results show that our new scheme provides better performance compared to other well-known schemes.
Heat treatment behavior and tensile properties of Cr-W steels

Ferritic steels containing Cr, W, and V are being developed for fusion reactor applications. These steels would be alternatives to the Cr−Mo steels that are being considered for structural components. Eight experimental steels were produced. Chromium concentrations of 2.25, 5, 9, and 12 pct were used. Steels with these chromium compositions and with 2 pct W and 0.25 pct V were produced. To determine the effect of tungsten and vanadium, 2.25Cr steels were also produced with 2 pct W and no vanadium, and with 0.25 pct V and zero and 1 pct W. A 9Cr steel containing 2 pct W, 0.25 pct V, and 0.07 pct Ta was also studied. For all alloys, carbon was maintained at 0.1 pct. Tempering behavior of the steels was similar to that of the Cr−Mo steels being considered. Tensile studies indicated that the 2.25Cr−2W−0.25V and 9Cr−2W−0.25V−0.07Ta steels had the highest strengths with properties similar to those of the 9Cr−1MoVNb and 12Cr−1MoVW steels, which are the strongest of the Cr−Mo steels of interest.
Long-lasting effects of a PEGylated mutant cocaine esterase (CocE) on the reinforcing and discriminative stimulus effects of cocaine in rats.

Recent mutagenesis studies have identified a mutant G4C/S10C/T172R/G173Q cocaine esterase (CCRQ CocE) with an in vitro duration of action of >40 days. Although the in vivo duration of CCRQ CocE's action was 30-fold to the right, with significant inhibition of these effects observed for up to 72 h. Although PEG-CCRQ CocE also produced slight reductions in the rates of methylphenidate- and food-reinforced responding, these effects were short-lived, lasting <24 h. Finally, when taken together with the finding that PEG-CCRQ CocE failed to alter the cocaine-like interoceptive effects of either methylphenidate or d-amphetamine, these results suggest that PEG-CCRQ CocE possesses a high degree of pharmacologic specificity for cocaine and a prolonged in vivo duration of action. In conclusion, these studies provide strong evidence to support the further development of long-lasting, highly efficient CocEs, such as PEG-CCRQ CocE, as a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of cocaine abuse in humans.
Skin tattooing as an effective tool for delivering DNA and protein vaccine immunogens

Background Skin is an excellent site for vaccine administration due to the abundance of antigen presenting cells and easy access. When DNA or protein is delivered into the skin, uptake and expression of immunogens can lead to a rapid and robust induction of immune responses.Skin tattooing has been suggested as a useful tool delivering vaccines intradermally. We have chosen to use the skin tattooing technique to deliver both DNA and protein immunogens that are focusing the immune response on the highly immunogenic V3 region of HIV-1 gp120. Methods A GFP-containing plasmid was used first to optimize the protocol for skin tattooing on BALB/c mice. Subsequently, BALB/c mice were immunized using a DNA prime/Protein boost regimen. DNA skin tattooing was used first as the prime to deliver a gp120-encoding DNA plasmid intradermally at weeks 0, 2, and 4. The animals were then given a fusion protein, V3-bearing cholera toxin subunit B (V3-CTB), via skin tattooing (Group1; n=5) or intramuscular injection (Group2; n=5) at weeks 10 and 14. Two weeks after the final immunization, the sera were collected and analyzed. Results GFP expressed in skin cells was visualized by confocal microscopy showing that skin tattooing can effectively deliver DNA into these cells. ELISA assays using sera drawn after the final immunization confirmed that tattoodelivered DNA followed by V3-CTBelicited V3 binding antibodies, and these antibodies have potent neutralizing activities in an HIV pseudovirus neutralization assay. Conclusion Immunization by skin tattooing is an easy, effective, and economical way to administer both DNA and protein vaccines. Interestingly, the needle perforations may serve as a potent and natural adjuvant for the immunization, making skin tattooing a promising vaccine delivery technique.
Scaling Limits of Electrostatic Nanorelays

A model to explore the scaling limits of electrostatically actuated nanorelays is presented, which shows that adhesion in a nanorelay's contact interface limits its performance with respect to operating voltage, contact resistance, and switching energy. For logic applications, we show that an ultimately scaled relay can be more efficient than conventional metal-oxide-semiconductor devices if (1) it is designed with very high contact resistances, leading to ≈ 1-MHz operation due to large RC delays, or (2) its actuation area is extremely large compared with its contacting area, leading to very low voltage operation, which reduces overall CV2 losses. We propose new relay scaling relations that account for the scaling of contact interfaces.
The Scholarly Study of Mexican Politics

This essay reviews the state of the scholarly study of Mexican politics. It focuses on research on political change since 1990. It discusses the political origins of economic problems and policies, including the enactment of NAFTA and the 1994-95 financial panic. It assesses the decline of the PRI, the presidency, and official organized labor; the role of urban protest and the Zapatista insurgency; and the revitalization of Congress, the Supreme Court, and state governments. It synthesizes the principal analytical findings on parties, public opinion, and elections. Este ensayo revisa la situacioon actual de los estudios acadeemicos sobre la poliitica mexicana. Se concentra en la investigacioon sobre los cambios poliiticos desde 1990. Pondera los oriigenes poliiticos de los problemas econoomicos y poliiticas derivadas, inclusive la aprobacioon del TLC y el paanico financiero de 1994-95. Discute el declive del PRI, la presidencia, y el sindicalismo oficial; el papel de la protesta urbana y la insurgencia Zapatista; y la revitalizacioon del Congreso, la Suprema Corte, y los gobiernos estatales. Sintetiza los principales resultados analiiticos sobre los partidos, la opinioon publica y las elecciones.
Pathophysiological and protective roles of mitochondrial ion channels

Mitochondria possess a highly permeable outer membrane and an inner membrane that was originally thought to be relatively impermeable to ions to prevent dissipation of the electrochemical gradient for protons. Although recent evidence has revealed a rich diversity of ion channels in both membranes, the purpose of these channels remains incompletely determined. Pores in the outer membrane are fundamental participants in apoptotic cell death, and this process may also involve permeability transition pores on the inner membrane. Novel functions are now being assigned to other ion channels of the inner membrane. Examples include protection against ischaemic injury by mitochondrial KATP channels and the contribution of inner membrane anion channels to spontaneous mitochondrial oscillations in cardiac myocytes. The central role of mitochondria in both the normal function of the cell and in its demise makes these channels prime targets for future research and drug development.
Reticulospinal Neurons Receive Direct Spinobulbar Inputs During Locomotor Activity in Lamprey

Reticulospinal neurons of the lamprey brain stem receive rhythmic input from the spinal cord during locomotor activity. The goal of the present study was to determine whether such spinal input has ...
Monitoring of ethylene by a pulsed quantum cascade laser

We report on the development and performance of a gas sensor based on a quantum cascade laser operating at a wavelength of ∼10 μm to measure ethylene (C2H4) concentrations by use of a rotational component of the fundamental ν7 band. The laser is thermoelectrically cooled and operates in a pulsed mode. The influence of pulse-to-pulse fluctuations is minimized by use of a reference beam and a single detector with time discriminating electronics. Gas absorption is recorded in a 100-m optical path-length astigmatic Herriott cell. With a 10-kHz pulse repetition rate and an 80-s total acquisition time, a noise equivalent sensitivity of 30 parts per billion has been demonstrated. The sensor has been applied to monitor C2H4 in vehicle exhaust as well as in air collected in a high-traffic urban tunnel.
Parallel QR factorization using the torus-wrap mapping

Abstract We present a parallel algorithm for the QR factorization of a dense matrix without column pivoting on a message passing multiprocessor. The algorithm combines the numerical efficiency of Householder reflections with the excellent communication properties of the torus-wrap mapping. Analytical results indicate that the communication overhead for this algorithm is less than that for other common approaches. Numerical results on an nCUBE 2 confirm the efficiency of our technique.
Diabetic gastroparesis: an abnormality of gastric emptying of solids.

Gastric emptying is delayed in subjects with gastroparesis diabeticorum. To ascertain whether solid or fluid gastric emptying is affected by visceral autonomic neuropathy, ten severe diabetics with gastroparesis and ten nondiabetic disease matched controls were studied. Subjects were screened to identify the presence or absence of autonomic neuropathy. The gastric emptying of fluids and solids was assessed by standard methodology utilizing a simultaneous dual radionuclide technique. If delayed gastric emptying was present on the initial study, metoclopramide (10mg IV bolus) was administered in a repeat study on a separate day. Screening modalities for autonomic neuropathy were markedly positive for the diabetic group, and were negative in the control group. The gastric emptying rate of fluids was normal in both groups and was not statistically different from previous standards developed using the same methodology (p = 0.53, analysis of covariance). The gastric emptying of solids was markedly delayed in the diabetic group in relation to the control group (p = .0035, analysis of covariance). Metoclopramide normalized delayed solid emptying rates without affecting fluid emptying rates.
Hyperoxic Exposure Enhances Contractile Responses of Lower Airways to Endogenously Released Acetylcholine in Maturing Rats |[diams]| 1675

High inspired oxygen contributes to development of bronchopulmonary dysplasia [BPD]. In vitro studies have demonstrated increased contractility of tracheal segments to electrical field stimulation in hyperoxia-exposed infant rats. We sought to develop an in vivo model for evaluating the effects of prolonged hyperoxic exposure on contractile responses of lower airways to endogenously released acetylcholine. Nine day old suckling rat pups were exposed to either room air [n=9] or hyperoxia[>95% O2, n=9] for 5-6 days. Under metofane anesthesia the animals were decerebrated, tracheotomized, paralyzed, and mechanically ventilated in a body plethysmograph for recording airflow and tracheal pressure. Lung resistance was calculated by ANADAT 5.2 software using the least squares technique. Distal ends of both severed vagi were placed on bipolar stimulating electrodes and β-sympathetic blockade achieved with propanolol, 1 μg/g IV. Repeated bilateral vagal stimulation was applied for 5 sec [1 ms pulse duration, 50 mA current] every 3 min with increasing frequencies. Hyperoxia did not alter baseline lung resistance [p=.066] and compliance [p=.07] significantly. The response of pulmonary resistance to vagal stimulation was enhanced in hyperoxic animals vs controls [ANOVA, p=.023] and abolished by atropine [1 μg/g] IV in both groups. We conclude that prolonged hyperoxic exposure in maturing rats results in bronchopulmonary hyperresponsiveness to endogenously released acetylcholine. This model will allow characterization of neural mechanisms underlying airway hyperreactivity during development. Figure
Amelioration of UV-B damage under high irradiance. I: Role of photosynthesis

— Sensitivity to ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B,280–315 nm) is generally reduced when background irradiance is high. We tested the involvement of photosynthesis in the amelioration of UV-B damage by treating plants at high PAR (photosynthetically-active radiation, 400–700 nm; 1000 μmol m-2 s-1) with supplemental UV-B at double ambient levels of biologically-effective radiation (18 kJ m-2d-1) and either “ambient” (450 μmol mol-1) or short term elevated (750 μmol mol-1) CO2 levels. Responses to UV-B were assessed by photosynthetic gas exchange, leaf expansion and production of UV-absorbing compounds (presumptive flavonoids) in cultivars of cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) previously demonstrated to be relatively sensitive (cv. Poinsett) and insensitive (cv. Ashley) to UV-B. Except for marginal leaf interveinal chlorosis observed in Poinsett, both cultivars responded similarly. UV-B had little direct effect on leaf photosynthesis, but it did cause reductions in leaf area and corresponding increases in leaf dry matter per area. Increased CO, stimulated plant growth, counteracting the effect of UV-B on leaf growth and indicating an important role for photosynthesis. In contrast, the accumulation of UV-absorbing flavonoid compounds was enhanced by UV-B exposure but was not affected by COz enrichment.
Strategies for Computed Tomography Radiation Dose Reduction in Pediatric Neuroimaging.

Background Radiation exposure from diagnostic imaging is a significant concern, particularly in the care of pediatric patients. Computed tomography (CT) scanning is a significant source of radiation. Objective To demonstrate that diagnostic quality CT images can be obtained while minimizing the effective radiation dose to the patient. Methods In this retrospective cross-sectional study, noncontrast head CT scan data were reviewed, and indications for scans and estimated radiation dose delivered were recorded. The estimated effective radiation dose (EERD) for each CT protocol was reviewed. Results We identified 251 head CT scans in a single month. Of these, 96 scans were using a low-dose shunt protocol with a mean EERD of 0.82 mSv. The remaining 155 scans were performed using the standard protocol, and the mean EERD was 1.65 mSv. Overall, the EERD was minimized while maintaining diagnostic scan quality. Conclusion Although replacing a CT with magnetic resonance imaging is ideal to completely avoid ionizing radiation, this is not always practical or preferred. Therefore, it is important to have CT protocols in place that minimize radiation dose without sacrificing diagnostic quality. The protocols in place at our institution could be replicated at other academic and community hospitals and imaging centers.
The Structural Plasticity Of Lung Surfactant Peptide KL4 In Lipid Membranes

Surfactant protein B, SP-B, is critical to lung function and is particularly important in the trafficking of lipids within pulmonary surfactant and altering lipid properties at the air-water interface. The N- and C-terminal segments of SP-B have been identified as the most active domains in SP-B and remedial efforts in treating respiratory distress have focused on these domains and synthetic analogs of them. KL4 is a 21-residue peptide mimetic of the C-terminus of SP-B. The periodicity of the lysine residues in KL4 should prevent formation of a canonical amphipathic α-helix at lipid interfaces, yet upon partitioning into membranes CD measurements suggest formation of a helix. Using a suite of ssNMR experiments, in concert with circular dichroism spectroscopies, we are developing a molecular level understanding of the varied structure and function of KL4 and its parent sequence, SP-B59-80. In particular, our results highlight their lipid-dependent plasticity and unusual amphipathic helical secondary structures. We will present structural data obtained with solid-state NMR measurements which can resolve two helical conformations in KL4 with backbone torsion angles that deviate from a traditional α-helix and highlight the adaptive structure of amphipathic helices. We will also present phosphorous and deuterium NMR lineshape data which demonstrate the concentration dependent effects of SP-B related peptides on lipid dynamics in POPC/POPG and DPPC/POPG lipid lamellae. Our observations suggest a means for the peptides to penetrate deeply into lipid environments containing a high percentage of saturated lipids and to bind more peripherally to vesicles containing higher levels of unsaturated lipids. The adaptive structure and penetration depth of SP-B related peptides could explain the mechanism of action of SP-B and demonstrate the structural variability possible for amphipathic helices in lipid bilayer environments
The acid catalyzed rearrangement of adducts formed from lithio cyclopropylphenyl sulfide and enones

Aus den Cycloalkenonen (I) entstehen die Addukte (II), die mit HBr/ZnBr2 thermisch zu den Cycloalkenyl-alkylidenen (III) umgesetzt werden.
Photodynamic inactivation of mammalian dna-dependent rna polymerase by hematoporphyrin and visible light

Abstract 1. 1. Exposure of mouse DNA-dependent RNA polymerase I and II to 1 × 10 −5 M hematoporphyrin and visible light (6328 A) caused extensive enzyme inactivation. 1 × 10 −4 M hematoporphyrin inactivated RNA polymerase I and II in the absence of light. 2. 2. Exposure of both RNA polymerase I and II to visible light in the absence of hematoporphyrin caused no detectable inactivation during the course of the experiment. 3. 3. Increasing concentrations of dithiothreitol caused decreased inactivation of both enzymes. 4. 4. Exposure of template DNA to conditions identical to those which caused extensive enzyme inactivation resulted in no significant changes in viscosity and no changes in template activity for the RNA polymerases.
Test burns for banned pesticides

Abstract EPA's RREL-Cincinnati has been providing technical assistance to the EPA's Headquarters Office of Pesticide Programs (OPP) in recent years relative to the selection and implementation of proper, safe disposal of excess, cancelled and indemnified pesticides. Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA, pre-1988 amendments), when EPA cancelled a pesticide due to findings of imminent health hazards associated with its intended use, EPA has been required to purchase all existing national stocks of the pesticide and become the responsible party or “waste generator” for the storage, treatment and disposal of the material. In all recent cases, the indemnified pesticide inventories became RCRA wastes and represented sizeable quantities. More importantly, for the recent pesticides; ethylene dibromide (EDB), dinoseb, and 2,4,5-T/Silvex, there appeared to be no safe, permitted, economical, and viable waste disposal method readily available. Thus, OPP elected to store the pesticides while assistance from ORD and outside contractors was solicited to identify workable options for disposal. Specifically, the problems concerned: coping with the bromine content in EDB, the significant nitrogen content representing a potential NOx issue in the dinoseb, and the small but significant content of dioxin in the 2,4,5-T/Silvex. All of the foregoing concerns relate to the option of incineration of the pesticides. Though a host of other options were considered (recycling, chemical or biological treatment, deep well injection, etc.), incineration emerged as the most promising, near-term, and economically viable one, but one which required short-term research evaluations as described below before implementing.
Molecular Recognition of Amino Acids, Peptides, and Proteins by Cucurbit[n]uril Receptors

At the forefront of the endeavor to understand and manipulate living systems is the design and study of receptors that bind with high affinity and selectivity to specific amino acids, peptides, and proteins. Cucurbit[n]urils are among the most promising class of synthetic receptors for these targets due to their high affinities and selectivities in aqueous media and to the unique combination of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions that govern binding. The fundamental supramolecular chemistry in this area has been explored in depth, and novel, useful applications are beginning to emerge.
Design considerations for non-intrusive load monitoring hardware platforms in smart building

This paper focuses on the hardware platform design of non-intrusive load monitoring (NILM) system. A comprehensive analysis and comparison on the design of previous smart meters and e-outlets is presented. This study forms the basis of the proposed hardware design manual in this paper. The quantity and quality of the available data for NILM study are always the most critical challenges in this area. Different researchers measure data using different data acquisition devices without a standard and benchmark. This situation also strengths the difficulty to evaluate and compare the identifiers proposed by different researchers. This paper will give a full consideration of the different application situations of the NILM system, and expend the hardware design from the following aspects, sampling frequency selections, sensor selections, power supply solutions, and MCU modules. Typical structures of smart metering infrastructures are presented at the end of the paper. This will not only provide the firsthand materials to new researchers in this area, but also contribute to the establishment of a universal public database.
Photoperiod influences the growth of colon cancer in mice.

Abstract We have developed a mouse colon adenocarcinoma cell line that produces tumors in a dose-dependent manner when injected subcutaneously. Our previous work has demonstrated its sequential pattern of tumor area and weight under 12L:12D (12 hours light, 12 hours darkness) photoperiod. This study investigated whether shorter (6L:18D) or longer (18L:6D) photoperiods alter tumor growth. Significantly greater tumor area, weight, and group mortality were found in mice exposed to 12L:12D photoperiods as compared to either 6L:18D or 18L:6D photoperiods, and difluoromethylornithine (DFMO) was a more effective inhibitor of tumor growth under the if6L:18D photoperiod compared to 12L:12D. These results demonstrate an important role of photoperiod on tumor growth.
Re-visioning, restructuring, and reconciliation : Clinical practice with complex postdivorce families

I address three themes in therapeutic interventions with complex postdivorce families: I begin by deconstructing the “Child of Divorce” as a dispositive narrative, or “script,” that restricts possibilities and becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy for children and parents in divorcing families and for therapists who work with them. I then discuss the gap between preconceptions and possibilities in the “new extended family” created by divorce and new partnerships, addressing such questions as family membership, restructuring workable postdivorce family forms, and how therapists can assist families in building both “good fences” and “good bridges.” I conclude by examining the potential for repairing relationships that have become strained by marital transitions, examining the application of such concepts as “accusatory suffering,”“self-defeating spite,” and “witnessing” to family therapy with this population, with especial emphasis on the relationship between parents and their adult children.
Unification of intermediate energy hadron spectra with small energy losses

Proton beams near 1GeV may serve as prolific generators of secondary neutrons, with some neutron energies near the beam energy. These very energetic secondary neutrons in turn may generate further reactions in thick samples. Direct measurement of the cross sections for GeV-scale neutrons is difficult, leading to uncertainties in flux calculations for many proposed applications. The present work uses a simple kinematic reaction model to form a scaling response suited to compare (p,nx) spectra for a wide range of beam energies, angles and target nuclei, to enable comparisons, interpolations and perhaps extrapolations of these difficult data. If the approximations of the method below are valid, one could also relate (p,nx) and easier (p,px) measurements. The goal of this work is to compare a wide range of (p,px) and (p,nx) spectra with small energy losses for intermediate energy proton beams by way of scaling relations found to be success- ful for the simple (e,ex) reaction. This method must assume incoherent, quasifree factorization of the nuclear response and simple scattering of the proton from a single bound nucleon. Free (off-shell) singly differential cross sections are used for the reaction, and the response is taken to be proportional to the number of nucleons seen once and only once by the projectile, as calculated in the eikonal Glauber manner. This computation uses in-medium total cross sections for proton- nucleon scattering. For low energy losses, the most useful scaling is that due to Bjorken, with the kinematic variable xB = (q 2 − ω 2 )/2Mω, with q the lab frame 3-momentum transfer from the projectile, ω the lab frame energy loss of the projectile and M the free nucleon mass (1). Free proton-neutron charge exchange would occur at xB = 1, and the variable xB can be understood as the fraction of the total nuclear momentum found in that one single struck nucleon. Important corrections for charge and binding energy are used, as presented for the (p,px) spectra in (2). The Bjorken response is then FB = d 2 σ/dω dΩ
A novel family of retrotransposon-like elements in Xenopus laevis with a transcript inducible by two growth factors

A cDNA clone named 1A11 was isolated in a screen for genes that are activated by both mesoderm inducing factors FGF and activin in animal explants of Xenopus laevis embryos. In undisturbed embryos, 1A11 is expressed during the gastrula stage in the entire marginal zone where mesoderm originates, and later in the somites, the tailbud, and at much lower levels in lateral mesoderm. The 1A11 sequence of 4.5 Kb has a 220 bp repeat at its ends, indicative of a retrotransposon-like structure. A long open reading frame encodes a predicted protein with only short homologies to the gag and protease regions of retroviruses and retrotransposons. Multiple copies of 1A11-related sequences were found in the Xenopus genome, constituting solo LTRs (long terminal repeats) of 1267 bp, and unique region copies (i.e., sequences internal to the repeats in the cDNA). Inverted repeats of 5 bp and apparent target site duplications of 5 bp surround the sequenced solo LTR. Thus, 1A11 is a new retrotransposon-like element in Xenopus laevis.