cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application to Copper Oxides

In this chapter we demonstrate how the methods described in this book can be applied to materials used in experiment using the example of copper oxide systems. The interest in the study of oxides was ignited by the discovery of high-T c superconductivity by Bednortz and Muller in 1986. The first works on high-T c were performed on La2CuO4 based samples (T c ≈ 30÷40 K). Lately, large families of other oxide systems were found like YBa2Cu307−x (Y-123) with T c ≈ 90 K, different modifications of BiS-rCaCuO systems (T c ranging up to 120 K). In 1993 Chu et al. reported results for Hg-based compounds HgBa2Ca2Cu3O8+x (Hg-1223) (see Chu 1994 and Chen et al. 1994). These compounds under pressure of 150 kbar show essential increase in T c up to 153 K from the ambient T c ≈ 130 K.
Personality and political preferences: The 2016 U.S. Presidential Election

Abstract This study examined whether personality variables would account for political preferences during the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election using a demographically diverse sample of participants (N = 897). Study A revealed participants’ ratings of their own personality and emotions were weakly associated with political preferences, but their ratings of candidates’ personality showed robust associations, and were far more predictive of voting intention than all of the demographic variables, political affiliation, and racial attitudes combined. In Study B, linguistic analysis of narratives revealed words reflective of liberal values were correlated with positive evaluations of Clinton’s personality, whereas words reflective of conservative values and “populist” sentiment were correlated with positive evaluations of Trump’s personality, suggesting appraisals of candidates may be associated with values.
Distinct communication patterns of trophoblastic miRNA among the maternal-placental-fetal compartments

Abstract Introduction The placenta produces microRNAs (miRNA) that may traffic to the maternal or fetal compartments and influence the physiology of pregnancy. The trafficking patterns of miRNA expressed from the large human chromosome 19 and chromosome 14 clusters (C19MC and C14MC), remains unclear. We interrogated the cross-sectional landscape of miRNA expression within the human placenta, fetal and maternal plasma to elucidate miRNA trafficking. We hypothesized that C19MC and C14MC miRNAs have similar expression patterns across the maternal-fetal compartments. Methods Placental biopsies, maternal and fetal venous plasma were collected from 25 pregnancies, and RNA was quantified using next generation sequencing. We identified expression and correlations differences among the compartments, and uncovered distinct miRNA expression patterns using consensus clustering. Results We found that the placenta exhibits the highest total abundance, average miRNA expression and lowest variance of both C19MC and C14MC miRNAs. The C19MC miRNAs had a comparable expression and variance in fetal and maternal plasma and higher expression in the placenta. In contrast, the C14MC miRNAs had comparable expression between the placenta and fetal plasma, which was higher than the maternal plasma. We also identified 5 distinct groups of trophoblastic miRNAs with different expression patterns in each compartment. Discussion This is the first comprehensive analysis of C19MC and C14MC miRNA expression patterns in the human placental, maternal and fetal compartments. Our findings suggest that C14MC miRNAs are produced by both the fetus and placenta, but C19MC miRNAs are produced primarily in the placenta and are trafficked to the fetal and maternal compartments.
Ten Cases of Divergence in the Seedling Ecology of Dudleya (Crassulaceae)

Dudleya is a genus of succulents consisting of 49 terminal taxa. Many are restricted to narrow geographic ranges with closely related forms living in differing climates. Previously, we found an intriguing set of correlations among nine more or less sympatric Dudleya: species with a smaller mature body size had a lower tolerance for an arid inland climate compared to larger bodied species. Thus, we were motivated to test for rules caused by convergent evolution. We sampled 20 populations from locations across much of the range of the genus. The 20 populations were placed into 10 pairs of close relatives. For each pair, one form was judged to be more mesophilic and the other to be more xerophilic, based on climate-of-origin. We measured germination rate, survival through the summer drought in a coastal garden, and survival through the summer in an inland garden. We hypothesized (among other things) that the xerophilic taxa would have larger mature body sizes and greater rates of survival than mesophilic relatives; however, this and other expected patterns were not repeated across the 10 pairs. Members of pairs have diverged both in various morphological traits and in seedling ecology, but evolution has seemingly not converged on rules. For nearly all taxa, habitat dependence was clear, i.e. plants survived significantly better through the summer at the coastal garden than at the inland garden. Quite possibly the correlations we previously found were caused by divergence between particular lineages coupled with phylogenetic conservatism. Considering the 10 pairs, Dudleya divergences appear to each evolve individualistically.
Systems of Differential Equations

Up until now we have focused upon a single differential equation with one unknown state function. Yet, most physical systems require several state variables to characterize them. Therefore, we are naturally led to study several differential equations for several unknowns. Typically, we expect that if there are n unknown states, then there will be n differential equations, and each DE will contain many of the unknown state functions. Thus the equations are coupled together in the same way as simultaneous systems of algebraic equations. If there are n simultaneous differential equations in n unknowns, we call the set of equations an n-dimensional system.
Molecular studies of genetic disorders affecting the expression of the human beta-globin gene: a model system for the analysis of inborn errors of metabolism.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the molecular studies of genetic disorders affecting the expression of the human β-globin gene. The thalassemias are a heterogeneous group of inherited disorders of hemoglobin synthesis characterized by absent or diminished synthesis of one of the polypeptide chains of human adult hemoglobin. There are three normal nonembryonic human hemoglobins. Hb A is the major hemoglobin component of adult red blood cells and is composed of two α chains and two β chains. Hb A2 is a minor hemoglobin constituent of normal adult red cells, usually accounting for up to 3% of the total hemoglobin. It is composed of two α chains and two δ chains which are similar in structure to the normal β chain of Hb A; the sequence of the δ chain differs from that of the β chain by only 10 out of 146 amino acids. Hb F is the major hemoglobin component of red blood cells in the developing fetus and newborn infant; it is made up of two α chains and two γ chains. The γ chain shares some structural similarities with the β chain but these similarities are less striking than in the case of the δ chain: γ and β chain sequences differ in 39 out of 146 amino acids. During the neonatal period, γ chain synthesis rapidly decreases and is replaced by β chain synthesis in the phenomenon termed the fetal to adult hemoglobin switch. The β-thalassemias are genetically and biochemically heterogeneous. The most common type of s-thalassemia is that in which there is some synthesis of β globin chains but in significantly reduced amounts.
From Inbox Reception to Compliance: A Field Experiment Examining the Effects of E-mail Address and Subject Line on Response and Compliance Rates in Initial E-mail Encounters:

Within text-based computer-mediated communication, individuals use available cues to form and guide initial encounters. The goal of this study was to examine how e-mail cues influence the effective...
Femtosecond Optical Parametric Oscillator Based on Vector Four-Wave-Mixing in Step-Index Fiber

We present a fiber optical parametric oscillator based on polarization-maintaining, step-index fiber. Using birefringence-induced phase-matching, we convert chirped pulses at $1\ \mu \text{m}$ to nanojoule-scale, femtosecond pulses at $0.8\ \mu \text{m}$ and $1.3\ \mu \text{m}$ .
Experimenting with ‘Life’ in Nineteenth-Century Physiology: Brown-Séquard's Method for Characterising Blood

New materialist feminists have long agonised over the constituents of biological ‘life’ or ‘living’ material, by proposing and pursuing questions of ontology: ‘What is matter? What is life? How do ...
Best Study Strategy for the NBME Clinical Science Surgery Exam.

Introduction Providing medical students with effective study strategies is paramount in fostering their success on the NBME Clinical Science Surgery exam. As of yet, there has not been a comprehensive inquiry into a study strategy for this exam. We aim to identify if the following are associated with higher NBME raw exam scores: (1) the use of popular study materials, (2) the number of study materials used, and (3) the amount of time spent studying throughout the clerkship. Methods Over the period of 1 academic year, third-year medical students at our institution were administered a survey during their surgical clerkship inquiring about study materials used and hours spent studying per week. The data were then matched to students’ raw NBME scores and then depersonalized. A total of 82 of 193 (42%) students responded with an overall average raw score of 76.74 on the NBME Clinical Science Surgery exam. By comparing our data to the NBME national average of 70 with a standard deviation of 8, a z test was used to compare the population mean to our sample means. Results When investigating resources used, the combination of using an online question bank and a high yield review book yielded a high z score (6.23) and using 4 resources yielded the highest z score (6.28). Regarding study hours, the highest z scores were seen when students studied for 6 to 10 hours per week during the first half of the clerkship, and 11 to 15 hours per week during the second half of the clerkship (5.76 and 6.02, respectively). Conclusions In conclusion, higher NBME Clinical Science Surgery exam scores were correlated with the use of multiple and varied types of resources and increasing study time closer to the exam date. The resources and methods utilized by students achieving the highest exam scores can be recommended by surgical educators and employed by other medical students to foster academic success.
Alternatives assessment and informed substitution: A global landscape assessment of drivers, methods, policies and needs

Abstract There are increasing policy and market drivers for removing chemicals of concern from manufacturing processes and products. These drivers have centered primarily on developed countries. However, global activities through the United Nations, individual countries, and advocacy organizations are increasing concerns about chemical impacts in developing countries and economies in transition as well. While reducing the use of chemicals of concern is a primary goal, eliminating such substances without thoughtful consideration for their replacements can lead to regrettable substitutions. Against this backdrop there is growing attention to the identification, assessment, and adoption of safer chemicals, as well as product and process design alternatives. Informed substitution is a critical chemical risk management approach, focused on an intentional transition from chemicals of high concern to chemicals and technological processes of lower concern. Alternatives assessment, an interactive, step-defined process, has emerged as a critical approach to support informed substitution. Over the past decade, a number of tools, approaches, and case examples of alternatives assessment and informed substitution have emerged. Policies and practical experience have followed, improving the landscape of alternatives assessment and informed substitution. This article provides an assessment of the state-of-practice of both alternatives assessment and informed substitution methods, policies, and practices. We identify key needs and actions that can be taken by various stakeholder groups moving forward to advance the field. We conclude that there is a critical need for multi-stakeholder, multi-disciplinary collaboration at a global level to build capacity and support networks that can ensure the growth and success of informed substitution efforts in the future.
HIV-1 Proteinase Inhibitor Binding. The Effect of Active Site Conformational Restraints on Calculated free Energies of Ligand Binding

In this article, results are presented for the calculation of the free energy difference between the S and R stereomeric form of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus I proteinase (HIV-PR) inhibitor Val-Ser-Gln-Asn-Ler-Vac-Ile-Val, where Ler-Vac represents the dipeptide Leu ψ [CHOH-CH2]Val, in which the peptide bond has been replaced by the hydroxy-ethylene moiety. The difference in free energy of binding of the two diastereomers was evaluated, using restraint potentials to keep the active site aspartyl diad in a planar conformation. The S-conformation is found to bind stronger to the HIV-PR than the R stereomer by 31.7±0.5 kJ mol-1. However the restraints are found to be of different strengths in the two stereomers. Relaxation of the restraints lowers the free energy of the S-stereomer by 24.6±1.1 kJ mol-1, and the R-stereomer by 34.4±1.9 kJ mol-1. The difference in free energy of binding of the two stereomers is, therefore, only 21.9 kJ mol-1 when the active site diad is not restrained to a planar conformation.
Synthesis of rare sugar isomers through site-selective epimerization.

Glycans have diverse physiological functions, ranging from energy storage and structural integrity to cell signalling and the regulation of intracellular processes1. Although biomass-derived carbohydrates (such as d-glucose, d-xylose and d-galactose) are extracted on commercial scales, and serve as renewable chemical feedstocks and building blocks2,3, there are hundreds of distinct monosaccharides that typically cannot be isolated from their natural sources and must instead be prepared through multistep chemical or enzymatic syntheses4,5. These ‘rare’ sugars feature prominently in bioactive natural products and pharmaceuticals, including antiviral, antibacterial, anticancer and cardiac drugs6,7. Here we report the preparation of rare sugar isomers directly from biomass carbohydrates through site-selective epimerization reactions. Mechanistic studies establish that these reactions proceed under kinetic control, through sequential steps of hydrogen-atom abstraction and hydrogen-atom donation mediated by two distinct catalysts. This synthetic strategy provides concise and potentially extensive access to this valuable class of natural compounds. Various rare sugars that cannot be isolated from natural sources are synthesized using light-driven epimerization, a process which may find application in other synthetic scenarios.
Towards FBG-Based Shape Sensing for Micro-Scale and Meso-Scale Continuum Robots With Large Deflection

Endovascular and endoscopic surgical procedures require micro-scale and meso-scale continuum robotic tools to navigate complex anatomical structures. In numerous studies, fiber Bragg grating (FBG) based shape sensing has been used for measuring the deflection of continuum robots on larger scales, but has proved to be a challenge for micro-scale and meso-scale robots with large deflections. In this letter, we have developed a sensor by mounting an FBG fiber within a micromachined nitinol tube whose neutral axis is shifted to one side due to the machining. This shifting of the neutral axis allows the FBG core to experience compressive strain when the tube bends. The fabrication method of the sensor has been explicitly detailed and the sensor has been tested with two tendon-driven micro-scale and meso-scale continuum robots with outer diameters of 0.41 mm and 1.93 mm respectively. The compact sensor allows repeatable and reliable estimates of the shape of both scales of robots with minimal hysteresis. We propose an analytical model to derive the curvature of the robot joints from FBG fiber strain and a static model that relates joint curvature to the tendon force. Finally, as proof-of-concept, we demonstrate the feasibility of our sensor assembly by combining tendon force feedback and the FBG strain feedback to generate reliable estimates of joint angles for the meso-scale robot.
Abdominal Pain in a Patient with Hypercalcemia

### Case Answer A 56-year-old woman with a medical history of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity presented to the emergency room with abdominal pain. She was on losartan/hydrochlorothiazide and dapagliflogin. Computed-tomography imaging of her abdomen revealed bilateral medullary nephrocalcinosis with a few calyceal tip stones (Figure 1A). She did not have any prior history of kidney stones or a family history of kidney stones. Serum chemistry was remarkable for hypercalcemia at 11 mg/dl, serum phosphorous of 2.9 mg, elevated serum parathyroid hormone level of 74 pg/ml, and normal serum creatinine of 0.82 mg/dl. Her 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was normal at 52 ng/ml (normal, 51–80 ng/ml). The rest of her laboratory results were normal. She underwent a 24-hour urine supersaturation study that showed …
Chapter 22 – Ecoimmunology

Ecoimmunology provides an evolutionary perspective on immunity through the examination of the costs and benefits of investment in the immune system. In this chapter, we review key research areas, techniques and future directions in ecoimmunology, particularly as these pertain to free-living birds. Assays to assess immune function in the field vary depending on the defenses and parasites of interest as well as the ability to repeatedly sample free-living individuals. Several new field assays seek to measure innate immune responses. These include the acute-phase response, which integrates physiological and behavioral changes following infection. Recent work on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in an ecological context has found that MHC diversity correlates with disease dynamics in several free-living bird species. Development of the immune system in free-living birds is still understudied, especially in altricial species that develop slowly in the nest. Maternal antibody transmission remains a critical area of study, as it can provide significant pathogen resistance benefits but may carry significant costs to offspring immune ontogeny. Lastly, we discuss the important role of immune system costs, both in resources and immunopathology, in driving life history trade-offs and variation in sexually selected signals.
Chemoreceptor pleiotropy facilitates the functional coupling of mating pheromone synthesis and perception

ABSTRACT Optimal mating decisions depend on stable, coupled signaling systems because any independent changes in either the signal or its perception could carry a fitness cost. However, since the perception and production of specific mating signals are often mediated by different tissues and cell types, the genetic and cellular mechanisms that drive their coupling on the evolutionary and physiological timescales remain a mystery for most animal species. Here we show that in Drosophila melanogaster, sensory perception and synthesis of an inhibitory mating pheromone is regulated by the action of Gr8a, a member of the Gustatory receptor gene family. In particular, Gr8a acts as a neurosensory receptor for pheromones in males and females and independently regulates their synthesis in the male fat body and pheromone-producing oenocytes. These data provide a relatively simple molecular explanation for how genetic coupling allows for the robust and stable flow of social information at the population level.
Effect of Sparse Array Geometry on Estimation of Co-array Signal Subspace

This paper considers the effect of sparse array geometry on the co-array signal subspace estimation error for Direction-of-Arrival (DOA) estimation. The second largest singular value of the signal covariance matrix plays an important role in controlling the distance between the true subspace and its estimate. For a special case of two closely-spaced sources impinging on the array, we explicitly compute the second largest singular value of the signal covariance matrix and show that it can be significantly larger for a nested array when compared against a uniform linear array with same number of sensors.
Location-specific inhibition of Akt reveals regulation of mTORC1 activity in the nucleus

The mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) integrates growth, nutrient and energy status cues to control cell growth and metabolism. While mTORC1 activation at the lysosome is well characterized, it is not clear how this complex is regulated at other subcellular locations. Here, we combine location-selective kinase inhibition, live-cell imaging and biochemical assays to probe the regulation of growth factor-induced mTORC1 activity in the nucleus. Using a nuclear targeted Akt Substrate-based Tandem Occupancy Peptide Sponge (Akt-STOPS) that we developed for specific inhibition of Akt, a critical upstream kinase, we show that growth factor-stimulated nuclear mTORC1 activity requires nuclear Akt activity. Further mechanistic dissection suggests that nuclear Akt activity mediates growth factor-induced nuclear translocation of Raptor, a regulatory scaffolding component in mTORC1, and localization of Raptor to the nucleus results in nuclear mTORC1 activity in the absence of growth factor stimulation. Taken together, these results reveal a mode of regulation of mTORC1 that is distinct from its lysosomal activation, which controls mTORC1 activity in the nuclear compartment. The role of mTORC1 at the lysosome is well established, but mTORC1 is known to be active in other cellular locations. Here, the authors develop Akt-STOPS to inhibit Akt specifically in the nucleus and identify a new regulatory mode for mTORC1 distinct in the nucleus.
Persistent Hallucinations in a 46-Year-Old Woman After COVID-19 Infection: A Case Report

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has ravaged the world with its novel symptoms, infection rates, and death toll. The research community continues to learn more about the sequalae of the infection as it does not follow the pattern of a typical coronavirus. This is a case of persisting auditory and visual hallucinations in a 46-year-old woman after a COVID-19 induced delirium. The hallucinations remained, despite recovery from the virus, for almost three months with resolution of all other signs and symptoms. The hallucinations eventually disappeared and their persistence was believed to be continued symptomatology after treatment.
Interfacial Reactivity and Speciation Emerging from Na-Montmorillonite Interactions with Water and Formic Acid at 200 °C: Insights from Reactive Molecular Dynamics Simulations, Infrared Spectroscopy, and X-ray Scattering Measurements

Reactive organic fluid–mineral interactions at elevated temperatures contribute to the evolution of planetary matter. One of the less studied but important transformations in this regard involves t...
Bilateral Longus Colli Abscesses as a Complication of Advanced Bacterial Rhinosinusitis

Known complications of acute bacterial rhinosinusitis include retropharyngeal abscess, cavernous sinus thrombosis, intracranial abscess, and associated sequelae. We describe the case of a patient with longus colli abscess formation resulting from acute pansinusitis, complicated by bilateral cavernous sinus thrombosis in the setting of concurrent viral pneumonitis, severe sepsis, and a large area cerebral infarction. The bilateral longus colli abscesses were drained via stereotactic image-guided endonasal sinus surgery, yielding Staphylococcus hominis in culture. The described disease progressed rapidly over a 2-week course amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Alterations of Brain Metabolites in Adults With HIV: A Systematic Meta-analysis of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Studies.

Objective A meta-analysis of proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy studies to investigate alterations in brain metabolites in people with HIV (PWH), the relationship between metabolite alterations and combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), and the relationship between metabolite alterations and cognitive impairment. Methods The PubMed database was searched for studies published from 1997 to 2020. Twenty-seven studies were identified, which included 1255 PWH and 633 controls. Four metabolites (N-acetyl aspartate [NAA], myo-inositol [mI], choline [Cho], and glutamatergic metabolites [Glx]) from 5 brain regions (basal ganglia [BG], frontal gray and white matter [FGM and FWM], and parietal gray and white matter [PGM and PWM]) were pooled separately using random-effects meta-analysis. Results During early HIV infection, metabolite alterations were largely limited to the BG, including Cho elevation, a marker of inflammation. cART led to global mI and Cho normalization (i.e., less elevations), but improvement in NAA was negligible. In chronic PWH on cART, there were consistent NAA reductions across brain regions, along with Cho and mI elevations in the FWM and BG, and Glx elevations in the FWM. Cognitive impairment was associated with NAA reduction and to a lesser degree mI elevation. Conclusions The BG are the primary region affected during early infection. cART is successful in partially controlling neuroinflammation (global mI and Cho normalization). However, neuronal dysfunction (NAA reductions) and neuroinflammation (mI and Cho elevations) persist and contribute to cognitive impairment in chronic PWH. Novel compounds targeting NAA signal pathways, along with better neuroinflammation control, may help to reduce cognitive impairment in PWH.
Mechanistic understanding of support effect on the activity and selectivity of indium oxide catalysts for CO2 hydrogenation

Abstract Herein we present a mechanistic study on the support effect (ZrO2 and CeO2) of In2O3 catalysts in CO2 hydrogenation by a combined experimental and computational approach. Kinetic experiments and surface characterization suggested that the activity of In2O3 catalysts cannot be simply correlated with the abundance of surface oxygen vacancies (Ov) formed by either H2-reduction or thermal treatment, which has been frequently invoked in previous studies. The support effect should originate from the electronic interactions between In2O3 and the support oxide, rather than geometric factors or the difference in the particle size of In2O3. Theoretical modelling revealed that surface Ov facilitate the formation and stabilization of the formate (HCOO*) intermediate. While a carbonate-like structure is favored for CO2 adsorption on CeO2-supported or unsupported In2O3 catalysts, CO2 tends to bind strongly in a bent configuration on the Ov site at the In2O3-ZrO2 interface. The distinct CO2 adsorption structures on different supported In2O3 catalysts may account for the different reaction energy profiles in the subsequent hydrogenation reactions, especially the rate-limiting step, i.e., hydrogenation of HCOO* to CH2O* and methoxy (CH3O*). The relatively higher methanol selectivity of In2O3 catalyst supported on ZrO2 with respect to that on CeO2 is suggested to stem from the greater energy difference (ΔEa) between the parallel hydrogenation and C-O bond cleavage of HCOO*, which leads to the formation of methanol and CO, respectively. This study underlines the important role of metal-oxide-interface in determining the catalytic behavior of oxide-supported In2O3 catalysts in CO2 conversion.
A Multi-Step Machine Learning Approach to Directional Gamma Ray Detection

Directional detection predicts the angular component of a gamma ray source's location by analyzing the distribution of counts received across an array of stationary detectors. The array's response to the source is a function of angle, as well as other factors such as distance, energy, and obstructions. The effectiveness of an angular prediction in a real-world environment is therefore dependent on the inclusion of these phenomena when processing the detector array data. With sufficiently representative training data that captures these variables, it is hypothesized that machine learning algorithms can aid in this angular prediction process due to their success in other complex data processing applications. A multi-step approach is introduced, in which machine learning algorithms are tasked with addressing specific complexities of the overall analysis. Initial results indicate that this multi-step method is a viable option which can be used to analyze different components of the array response. Presented here is a proof-of-concept with simulated datasets of three different isotopes, and measured datasets of two different isotopes. Preliminary results indicate that a multi-step machine learning approach improves the overall angle-prediction accuracy compared to a single phase machine learning algorithm and a least-squares comparison to a reference table.
Dependent Scattering Effects in Aggregates with Touching or Overlapping Non-Absorbing Spherical Particles

Abstract This study evaluates the effect of dependent scattering and particle overlapping on the integral radiation characteristics of fractal aggregates of monodisperse and non-absorbing spherical particles for a wide range of particle and aggregate sizes. It also aims to identify a scattering approximation capable of rapidly predicting these radiation characteristics. The scattering cross-section and asymmetry factor of fractal aggregates with touching or overlapping particles were computed using the T-matrix method or the discrete-dipole approximation, respectively. The simulated aggregates were composed of up to 30,000 spherical particles with size parameter x s varying from 0.03 to 5 for an aggregate size parameter χ s of up to 23. The results established that dependent effects (i) were more significant in the scattering cross-section and asymmetry factor than in the absorption cross-sections and (ii) increased with decreasing particle size parameter x s . In addition, overlapping of particles was found to have a negligible effect on the integral radiation characteristics of the aggregates. Finally, the scattering cross section and asymmetry factor of any aggregates consisting of particles such that x s ≤ 1 could be predicted by the so-called equivalent effective property (EEP) approximation treating the aggregates as equivalent homogeneous spheres with the same diameter and with effective refractive index given by the Maxwell-Garnett effective medium approximation.
Encouraging Charitable Bequests: A Test of Message Effectiveness

This paper explores the effects of four different message types on subsequent charitable bequest intentions using a series of surveys with 4,592 total respondents. Terror Management Theory proposes that mortality salience (as in bequest contemplation) increases support of one’s “in-group” and its social norms as a means of pursing symbolic immortality. Correspondingly, the messages tested were: declarative information that charitable bequest giving reflects “in-group” norms (“American social norms”), declarative information that non-charitable recipients fail to deliver symbolic immortality (“spendthrift heirs”), and life stories of deceased/living bequest donors who achieved/will achieve symbolic immortality (“deceased/living donor stories”). All messages except the “spendthrift heirs” message resulted in significant increases in charitable bequest intentions as compared with a control group. Living donor stories were the most effective messages tested. Both the underlying theoretical proposition in general, and the use of living donor stories in particular, may be valuable in constructing effective bequest fundraising messages.
Online safety control of a class of hybrid systems

In this paper we outline a supervisor synthesis procedure for safety control of a class of hybrid systems. The procedure is conducted online based on a limited exploration of the state space. We establish feasibility conditions for online controllability with respect to the safety specifications, and provide an upper limit for the accuracy error of the online controller.
On the Relation between Direct and Continuation Semantics

The use of continuations in the definition of programming languages has gained considerable currency recently, particularly in conjunction with the lattice-theoretic methods of D. Scott. Although continuations are apparently needed to provide a mathematical semantics for non-applicative control features, they are unnecessary for the definition of a purely applicative language, even when call-by-value occurs. This raises the question of the relationship between the direct and the continuation semantic functions for a purely applicative language. We give two theorems which specify this relationship and show that, in a precise sense, direct semantics are included in continuation semantics.
The repeated DNA sequences of Microtinae. I. Microtus agrestis, Microtus pennsylvanicus and Ellobius lutescens.

Abstract A comparison has been made of the repeated nucleotide sequences from 3 Microtinae which possess varying amounts of constitutive heterochromatin per cell nucleus. Eight repetitive fractions of DNA, ranging in Cot values from 10−3 to 10−3, were obtained by reassociation of sheared, denatured DNA and fractionation on hydroxyapatite. At Cot values of less than 1, 3 fractions were isolated that amounted to 18.7, 10.0 and 7.4 % of the total DNA of Microtus agrestis, Microtus pennsylvanicus and Ellobius lutescens, respectively, in agreement with the amounts of heterochromatin in these species. At Cot values higher than 1, the amounts of repeated sequences were more comparable and constituted about 12 to 14 % of the DNA. Thermal denaturation profiles of all the repetitive fractions showed a good deal of order in the reassociated duplexes, with an average hyperchromicity of 20 %. Upon density gradient centrifugation in neutral CsCl, the fractions from M. pennsylvanicus and E. lutescens yielded almost identical patterns and differed significantly from those of M. agrestis. In M. agrestis a fraction of fast-intermediate repetitiveness (reassociating at Cot values between 10−2 and 1) was isolated, amounting to about 12 % of the total DNA. This fraction has a base composition comparable to that of total DNA and represents the major component of the constitutive heterochromatin of giant sex chromosomes that have been isolated by the disruption of brain and liver nuclei and differential centrifugation.
Implicitly restarted arnoldi/lanczos methods and large scale svd applications

Publisher Summary Implicit restarting is a technique for combining the implicitly shifted QR mechanism with a k-step Arnoldi or Lanczos factorization to obtain a truncated form of the implicitly shifted QR-iteration for eigenvalue problems. The software package ARPACK that is based upon this technique has been successfully used to solve large scale symmetric and nonsymmetric (generalized) eigenvalue problems arising from a variety of applications. This method only requires a pre-determined limited storage proportional to n times the desired number of eigenvalues. Numerical difficulties and storage problems normally associated with Arnoldi and Lanczos processes are avoided. This technique has also proven to be very useful for computing a few of the largest singular values and corresponding singular vectors of a very large matrix. Biological 3-D Image Reconstruction and Molecular Dynamics are two interesting applications. The singular value decomposition (SVD) plays a key roll in a classification procedure that is the computationally intensive portion of the 3-D image reconstruction of biological macromolecules. A relatively new application is to analyze the motions of the proteins using the SVD instead of normal mode analysis. The primary research goal is to pick out the non-harmonic phenomena that usually contains most of the interesting behavior of the protein's motion. This chapter reviews the Implicitly Restarted Arnoldi/Lanczos Method and briefly discusses the biological applications of the SVD.
Techniques for measurement of spin- {1}/{2} and spin-1 polarization analyzing tensors

Abstract Techniques for measurement of spin - 1 2 and spin-1 analyzing tensors with a view to the control or elimination of first-order systematic errors which may arise from misalignments of various types are discussed. The concept of a “proper flip” and a “nonproper flip” is introduced for both spin 1 2 and spin 1. Several methods for measurement of spin-1 analyzing tensors are described and their relative merits are evaluated.
SPIN CORRELATIONS OF THE MAGNETORESISTIVE BILAYER MANGANITE La1.2Sr1.8Mn2O7

We review our recent neutron and X-ray scattering studies of the 40% hole doped bilayer manganite La1.2Sr1.8Mn2O7, which exhibits colossal magnetoresistance above the ferromagnetic transition at TC~113 K. In the paramagnetic region, static diffuse scattering reveals the existence of correlated charges. However, the good agreement of the in-plane spin correlations with the conventional model for quasi two-dimensional XY magnets indicates that the metal-insulator transition is driven by the growth of magnetic correlations. Across the transition, the competition between antiferromagnetic superexchange and ferromagnetic double exchange, observed as canted correlations between spins in neighboring layers within each bilayer, is strongly reduced, indicating a direct link of the double exchange interaction to the hole mobility.
Pleomorphic hamartoma of the subcutis: a lesion with possible myogenous and neural lineages.

The authors report an example of an unusual subcuticular spindle cell tumor with histologic features which were most like those of “pleomorphic fibroma.” However, the tumor cells exhibited bifid differentiation immunohistologically, with conjoint reactivity for vimentin, S-100 protein, Leu-7 antigen (CD57), myelin basic protein, and desmin. A hamartomatous origin was favored for this lesion, given its overall morphologic features, circumscription, and apparently heterogeneous cellular lineages. Although speculative, it is thought that this unusual cutaneous mass may represent a subcuticular analogue of the benign Triton tumor (neuromuscular choristoma) of deep soft tissues.
Effects of fully accessible magnetic resonance imaging in the emergency department.

Background The Joint Commission Comprehensive Stroke Center certification requires that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) be available on site, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for evaluation of stroke in emergency department (ED) patients. Increased access to advanced diagnostic imaging has been shown to increase utilization, ED length of stay (LOS), and health care costs. EDs nationwide face decisions to pursue certification and increase MRI access. Understanding changes in utilization and the downstream effects may inform these decisions. Objectives The objective was to determine changes in emergency MRI utilization following placement of a 24/7 accessible MRI in the ED and its effects on resource utilization for rule-out stroke and neurology consult patients. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study comparing MRI use during the 32 months before and 26 months after MRI acquisition period in the ED of a Level I trauma and stroke center. An interrupted time-series design was used to account for changes in clinical practice patterns following MRI acquisition. Time-series plots and segmented regression analyses are presented to compare utilization patterns pre- and post-MRI and to understand potential confounding due to secular trends. Statistical hypothesis testing was used to determine differences in utilization, demographics, and clinical characteristics for cohorts pre- and post-MRI. Results MRI utilization in the ED increased 38.4% for rule-out stroke and 51.4% for neurology consult patients after MRI acquisition. The proportion of rule-out stroke patients receiving MRI increased from 32.5% pre-MRI to 45.0% post-MRI (p < 0.001). The proportion of neurology consult patients increased from 32.6% pre-MRI to 49.4% post-MRI (p < 0.001). Considering baseline increases in MRI utilization rates for both cohorts over time, segmented regression models detected more substantial and significant changes in utilization after MRI acquisition for the larger neurology cohort (p < 0.001) compared to the rule-out stroke cohort (p = 0.095). However, hospital admission rates declined 16.7% for rule-out stroke patients (68.2% pre, 56.8% post; p < 0.001) and remained constant for neurology patients (56.5% pre, 57.5% post; p = 0.414). Patients who obtained MRI in the ED had increased ED LOS, but decreased hospital LOS (admitted patients), compared to those with no MRI for pre and post cohorts. Conclusions Emergency MRI utilization increased substantially after placement of a fully accessible MRI in the ED. Patients receiving emergency MRI had increased ED LOS, decreased admission rates for some patients (rule-out stroke), and reduced hospital LOS for those admitted. Potential changes in ED patient resource utilization should be considered when determining whether to acquire an MRI for Comprehensive Stroke Center certification.
Amino Acid Transport by the Filamentous Fungus Arthrobotrys conoides

Uptake of l-valine by germinated spores of Arthrobotrys conoides has all the characteristics of a system of transport that requires an expenditure of energy by the cells. It is dependent on temperature and has an energy of activation of 16,000 cal/mole. Uptake is optimal at pH 5 to 6. l-Valine accumulated against a concentration gradient and is not lost from the cells by leakage or exchange. The process requires energy supplied by the metabolic reactions that are inhibited by catalytic amounts of 2,4-dinitrophenol and azide. The kinetics of the system are consistent with a mechanism of transport that depends on a limited number of sites on the cell surface, and the Michaelis constant for the system is 1.5 × 10−5 to 7.5 × 10−5m. Modification of the amino or carboxyl group abolishes l-valine uptake. The process is competitively inhibited by d-valine, glycine, and other neutral amino acids (Ki = 1.5 × 10−5 to 4.0 × 10−5m), indicating a lack of stereospecificity, and also indicating that aliphatic side chain is not required for binding with the carrier. The transport system has less affinity for acidic amino acids (glutamic and aspartic acids) than neutral amino acids, and a greater affinity for basic amino acids (histidine, lysine, and arginine). The range of affinity is in the order of 100, as measured in terms of Ki values for various compounds. The data presented provide suggestive evidence that the uptake by A. conoides of all amino acids except proline is mediated by a single carrier system that possesses an overall negative charge.
Interpretation of cumulants for array processing

Cumulants can increase the effective aperture of an array, and they suppress non-Gaussian noise. Our earlier works showed these properties to be true for fourth-order cumulants. Here we show these properties are also true for third-order cumulants. We have done this because it is usually good practice to work with as lower an order cumulant as possible, if possible, in order to reduce cumulant estimation errors and to work with shorter data lengths. Our Virtual Cross-Correlation Computer (VC/sup 3/), which lets us compute cross-correlations and autocorrelations for all the sensors in an array, as well as for "virtual" sensors, using cumulants, is applicable to third- and fourth-order cumulants. It leads to increased aperture (much greater for fourth-order cumulants than for third-order cumulants), a virtual ESPRIT algorithm, and non-Gaussian noise suppression. >
Phase Behavior of Light Gas Mixtures at High Pressures

If solid surfaces exist beneath the visible clouds of the major planets, they may be expected to exist at depths and pressures at which the component gas mixtures solidify under their own weight. The elucidation of phase behavior in mixtures of light gases at very high pressures is therefore essential to the solution of the problem of deep atmosphere structures in these planets. Available experimental evidence suggests several possible extrapolations of the H2-He phase diagram to high pressures. These have been used to develop a structural model for a H2-He atmosphere. In this model, gravitational separation of coexisting phases results in a layered structure, and it is shown that masses of H2-rich solid can exist in dynamic and thermodynamic equilibrium with a fluid layer of equal density but higher He content. This model forms the basis of a new hypothesis for Jupiter’s Red Spot.
Thinking with Shakespeare: Essays on Politics and Life

Julia Reinhard Lupton's new book straddles two popular critical tracks: reading drama through the political thought of Hannah Arendt and the history of objects. The result is a series of essays tha...
Failure handling in a design expert system

Abstract This paper is concerned with how to handle the failures that occur during design problem-solving. Failure handlers and redesigners are introduced. Failure recovery action and the knowledge involved is presented for each agent. The role of suggestions and redesign strategies is discussed. The handling of plan failures is also presented. The paper concludes by surveying other methods of failure handling from the literature.
Update in nephrology and hypertension.

This year's Update in Nephrology and Hypertension incorporates articles on clinical hypertension; proteinuria, lipids, and renal disease; blood pressure, angiotensin II antagonists, and renal disea...
COLLISION TIMES AND KINETIC THEORY FOR SUPERFLUID HELIUM.

We have found that the low-temperature collision-time kinetic theories of Khalatnikov and Chernikova and of Disatnik are not in agreement with all of the predictions of superfluid hydrodynamics. In particular, they overestimate, by a factor of about 30, the attenuation of hydrodynamic first sound. In addition, they use a hydrodynamic collision time to describe both the hydrodynamic and collisionless regimes, causing disagreement with many-body calculations valid for the collisionless regime. We have constructed a kinetic theory which is in agreement with superfluid hydrodynamics, and we have analyzed the existing kinetic theories in order to find the origins of the disagreement with hydrodynamics and with the many-body theory. To obtain correct transport coefficients (and therefore correct attenuation of hydrodynamic first sound) it is found necessary to ensure that the system relaxes to local, rather than to static, equilibrium. We calculate the transport coefficients within a collision-time model, and point out that for generality one must employ two hydrodynamic collision times ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{l}$ and ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{t}$ (with ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{l}\ensuremath{\ge}{\ensuremath{\tau}}_{t}$) associated with longitudinal and transverse processes, respectively. From this we show that ${\ensuremath{\zeta}}_{2}$ is not necessarily equal to zero. In addition, we discuss difficulties involved in extending the theory to higher frequencies, and present a physical argument which requires the use of a wide-angle collision time to define the (low-frequency) hydrodynamic regime and a small-angle collision time to define the (high-frequency) collisionless regime. This reconciles the disagreement between kinetic theory and many-body calculations upon the collision time which defines the collisionless regime. Various experiments are interpreted on this basis, thereby eliminating certain discrepancies with theory. Measurements in the low-temperature hydrodynamic regime are shown to require relatively large chambers (with linear dimensions \ensuremath{\gtrsim} 10 cm).