cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intrinsic organization of snake lateral cortex.

Lateral cortex is the most laterally placed of the four cortical areas in snakes. Earlier studies suggest that it is composed of several subdivisions but provide no information on their organization. This paper first investigates the structure of lateral cortex in boa constrictors (Constrictor constrictor), garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis), and banded water snakes (Natrix sipedon) using Nissl and Golgi preparations; and secondly examines the relation of main olfactory bulb projections to the subdivisions of lateral cortex using Fink-Heimer and electron microscopic preparations. Lateral cortex is divided on cytoarchitectonic grounds into two major parts called rostral and caudal lateral cortex. Each part is further divided into dorsal and ventral subdivisions so that lateral cortex has a total of four subdivisions: dorsal rostral lateral cortex (drL), ventral rostral lateral cortex (vrL), dorsal caudal lateral cortex (dcL) and ventral caudal lateral cortex (vcL). Systematic analyses of Golgi preparations indicate that the rostral and caudal parts each contain distinct populations of neurons. Rostral lateral cortex contains bowl cells whose dendrites arborize widely in the outer cortical layer (layer 1). The axons of some bowl cells can be traced medially into dorsal cortex, dorsomedial cortex and medial cortex. Caudal lateral cortex contains pyramidal cells whose somata occur in layers 2 and 3 and whose dendrites extend radially up to the pial surface. In addition, three populations of neurons occur in both rostral and caudal lateral cortex. Stellate cells occur in all three layers and have dendrites which arborize in all directions. Double pyramidal cells occur primarily in layer 2 and have dendrites which form two conical fields whose long axes are oriented radially. Horizontal cells occur in layer 3 and have dendrites oriented concentric with the ependyma. Fink-Heimer preparations of snakes which underwent lesions of the main olfactory bulb show that the primary olfactory projections to cortex are bilateral and restricted precisely to rostral lateral cortex. Electron microscopic degeneration experiments indicate that the olfactory bulb fibers end as terminals which have clear, spherical vesicles and asymmetric active zones. The majority are presynaptic to dendritic spines in outer layer 1. These studies establish that lateral cortex in snakes is heterogeneous and contains two major parts, each containing two subdivisions. The rostral and caudal parts have characteristic neuronal populations. Primary olfactory input is restricted to rostral lateral cortex and seems to terminate heavily on the distal dendrites of bowl cells. Axons of some of these cells leave lateral cortex, so that the rostral lateral cortex forms a direct route by which olfactory information reaches other cortical areas. The functional role of caudal lateral cortex is not clear.
Embedded error compensation for energy efficient DSP systems

Algorithmic noise-tolerance (ANT) is an effective statistical error compensation (SEC) technique for designing energy-efficient digital signal processing systems. A conventional ANT system employs an explicit estimator block to compensate for the large magnitude errors in the main block. The estimator presents area and power overheads, as large as 40% of the main block, to the system. In this paper, we propose ARCH-ANT, an architectural level embedded algorithmic noise-tolerance technique. ARCH-ANT achieves the same error compensation functionality as the conventional ANT by embedding the estimator block into the main block. Such embedding eliminates the estimator block and thus improves the system energy efficiency. A general optimization framework is proposed to design ARCH-ANT systems. Simulation results show that when applied to a multiply-accumulate (MAC) unit, 15.9%∼69.4% and 59.2%-72.75% energy savings can be achieved by an 8 ×8 and 16 × 16 ARCH-ANT system, which is 5%∼21.6% more than that of conventional ANT system, with no increase in mean square error (MSE).
Cell transfer studies in cyclophosphamide-induced tolerance.

Abstract Thymectomized, irradiated adult CBA mice were restored with various combinations of bone marrow and thymus cells from nontolerant animals and from animals made tolerant to sheep erythrocytes or to hemocyanin with the drug cyclophosphamide. Mice reconstituted with tolerant marrow and thymus responded as well as those that received nontolerant cells. Thus it is concluded that the tolerant state of the transferred marrow and thymus cells is not a significant factor in the tolerant state of the recipient, and that antigenic diversity is restored in the interaction and proliferation of bone marrow and thymus cells that follow transfer. Thymectomized irradiated mice restored with thymocytes, in contrast to unoperated animals, require multiple antigen injections to demonstrate comparable immune response, but develop tolerance normally when treated with cyclophosphamide and antigen. Reconstitution with tolerant marrow and thymus cells resembles the recovery of immune responsiveness seen after lethal irradiation of tolerant mice; in both instances a complete breakdown of immunological tolerance is observed.
Aiding prediction algorithms in detecting high-dimensional malicious applications using a randomized projection technique

This research paper describes an on-going effort to design, develop and improve upon malicious application detection algorithms. This work looks specifically at improving a cosine similarity, information retrieval technique to enhance detection of known and variances of known malicious applications by applying the feature extraction technique known as randomized projection. Document similarity techniques, such as cosine similarity, have been used with great success in several document retrieval applications. By following a standard information retrieval methodology, software, in machine readable format, can be regarded as documents in the corpus. These "documents" may or may not have a known malicious functionality. The query is software, again in machine readable format, which contains a certain type of malicious software. This methodology provides an ability to search the corpus with a query and retrieve/identify potentially malicious software as well as other instances of the same type of vulnerability. Retrieval is based on the similarity of the query to a given document in the corpus. There have been several efforts to overcome what is known as 'the curse of dimensionality' that can occur with the use of this type of information retrieval technique including mutual information and randomized projections. Randomized projections are used to create a low-order embedding of the high dimensional data. Results from experimentation have shown promise over previously published efforts.
Shock-induced modulation of lymphocyte responsiveness and natural killer activity: Differential mechanisms of induction

The present study was designed to determine the influence of signaled shock on splenic natural killer (NK) activity and nonspecific T-lymphocyte mitogenic responsiveness. Furthermore, experiments were conducted to examine possible mechanisms mediating this suppression. The results demonstrate that a single session of signaled shock induces suppression of splenic NK activity and T-cell response to the mitogens concanavalin A (Con A) and phytohemagglutinin (PHA). However, the suppression of mitogenic responsiveness was attenuated after five daily sessions of shock, while NK activity remained suppressed. The suppression of NK function was prevented by administration of naltrexone prior to the shock session indicating mediation by opiate receptors. However, naltrexone did not prevent the shock induced suppression of mitogenic responsiveness to Con A or PHA. Diazepam was not effective in preventing the shock-induced suppression of mitogenic responses or NK activity. Collectively, these results demonstrate that mononuclear cell populations in the spleen are differentially affected by the same stressor and that the immune alterations are mediated via different pathways.
Peters' Anomaly by the Fetal Transfusion Syndrome

Of identical twins with the fetal transfusion syndrome, the second twin who was anemic and hypoxemic from early gestation had Peters' anomaly by histologic examination of the host cornea excised during corneal transplantation at 7 months of age. The absence of a normally positioned lens with the incorporation of lens epithelium, capsule, and cortex within the posterior corneal stroma suggested a developmental disturbance in the separation of the lens from the cornea. The severe lenticular disturbance, microphthalmos, and fetal growth retardation in this case reflected early anemia and the resultant hypoxemia. To our knowledge, this is the first time that the fetal transfusion syndrome and Peters' anomaly have been associated.
Finding the Door: Vision/Revision and Stereotype in Toni Morrison's Tar Baby

(2004). Finding the Door: Vision/Revision and Stereotype in Toni Morrison's Tar Baby. Critique: Studies in Contemporary Fiction: Vol. 46, No. 1, pp. 12-26.
Reflection and Analysis of How Pharmacy Students Learn to Communicate About Medication Errors

Medication errors are a serious and costly problem. This study focuses on the socialization of pharmacy students regarding medication errors. The qualitative interview protocol contained 28 questions on topics such as communication-related medication errors and training on how to handle medication errors. In-depth interviews were conducted with 44 students enrolled in a 6-year entry-level pharmacy program. Five main themes emerged regarding medication errors and communication: (a) pressure to be perfect, (b) feeling comfortable talking about mistakes, (c) assuming and communicating responsibility for mistakes, (d) learning how processes can contribute to errors and their prevention, and (e) inadequate and inconsistent training on how to handle medication errors. Study results indicate that pharmacy students experience both incomplete and inconsistent socialization to the role of communication in medication errors and in their prevention.
Structure of Ain on Si (111) Deposited with Metal Organic Vapor Phase Epitaxy

The surface morphology and structure of AIN deposited by metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) on Si (111) at growth temperatures ranging from 825 to 1175°C was investigated. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) techniques were used to study the resulting film structure. Growth at high temperatures but less than ≈1100°C, resulted in a wire texture with some degree of in-plane alignment with (0001)AIN //(111)si, AIN // si, and AIN. // si. Deposition at temperatures greater than 1100°C results in single crystal films consisting of domains 60 nm across with an aspect ratio near unity. Growth below 1100°C leads to degraded crystal quality with the grains developing random rotational misalignments around the AIN [0001] axis. Growth at lower temperatures produces islands elongated along the [112¯0] direction. At the growth temperature of 825°C, the aspect ratio of the islands increased to 3 and a width of 25 nm. Cross -sectional TEM reveals that these islands are faceted due to slow growth on the {11¯01} planes.
Beyond Asimov: The Three Laws of Responsible Robotics

Asimov's three laws of robotics have been inculcated so successfully into our culture that they now appear to shape expectations as to how robots should act around humans. However, there has been little serious discussion as to whether the laws really do provide a framework for human-robot interactions. Asimov actually used his laws as a literary device to explore the lack of resilience in the interplay between people and robots in a range of situations. This paper briefly reviews some of the practical shortcomings of each of Asimov's laws for framing the relationships between people and robots, including reminders about what robots can't do. The main focus of the paper is to propose an alternative, parallel set of laws of responsible robotics as a means to stimulate debate about the accountability relationships for robots when their actions can result in harm to people or human interests. The alternative laws emphasize (1) systems safety in terms of the responsibilities of those who develop and deploy robotic systems, (2) robots' responsiveness as they participate in dynamic social and cognitive relationships, and (3) smooth transfer of control as a robot encounters and initially responds to disruptions, impasses, or opportunities in context.
Technology Hurts? Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Youth Perspectives of Technology and Cyberbullying

The present qualitative study explored the perceptions of this group of adolescents regarding what technology they use, what they view as constructive uses of technology, and their perceptions of cyberbullying and cybervictimization. A total of 18 lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adolescents participated in semistructured interviews. Many of the participants indicated that they use texting and social networking forms of technology, while few reported engaging with gaming technology. Results indicated technology provided support for this sample of LGB youth who might otherwise feel more isolated and/or depressed in relation to their heterosexually identified peers. In addition, this sample reported sexual orientation and revenge as reasons why students were targets of cyberbullying. These findings were consistent with prior research with non-LGB samples. Grounded in moral disengagement theory, the findings and implications of this study were interpreted within the context of prior research on technology us...
Endocytic pathway rapidly delivers internalized molecules to lysosomes: An analysis of vesicle trafficking, clustering and mass transfer

Lysosomes play a critical role in intracellular drug delivery. For enzyme-based therapies, they represent a potential target site whereas for nucleic acid or many protein drugs, they represent the potential degradation site. Either way, understanding the mechanisms and processes involved in routing of materials to lysosomes after cellular entry is of high interest to the field of drug delivery. Most therapeutic cargoes other than small hydrophobic molecules enter the cells through endocytosis. Endocytosed cargoes are routed to lysosomes via microtubule-based transport and are ultimately shared by various lysosomes via tethering and clustering of endocytic vesicles followed by exchange of their contents. Using a combined experimental and numerical approach, here we studied the rates of mass transfer into and among the endocytic vesicles in a model cell line, 3T3 fibroblasts. In order to understand the relationship of mass transfer with microtubular transport and vesicle clustering, we varied both properties through various pharmacological agents. At the same time, microtubular transport and vesicle clustering were modeled through diffusion-advection equations and the Smoluchowski equations, respectively. Our analysis revealed that the rate of mass transfer is optimally related to microtubular transport and clustering properties of vesicles. Further, the rate of mass transfer is highest in the innate state of the cell. Any perturbation to either microtubular transport or vesicle aggregation led to reduced mass transfer to lysosome. These results suggest that in the absence of an external intervention the endocytic pathway appears to maximize molecular delivery to lysosomes. Strategies are discussed to reduce mass transfer to lysosomes so as to extend the residence time of molecules in endosomes or late endosomes, thus potentially increasing the likelihood of their escape before disposition in the lysosomes.
Probabilistic analysis of a solid-oxide fuel-cell based hybrid gas-turbine system

The emergence of fuel-cell systems and hybrid fuel-cell systems requires the evolution of analysis strategies for evaluating thermodynamic performance. A gas-turbine thermodynamic cycle integrated with a fuel cell was computationally simulated and probabilistically evaluated in view of the several uncertainties in the thermodynamic performance parameters. Cumulative distribution functions and sensitivity factors were computed for the overall thermal-efficiency due to the uncertainties in the thermodynamic random variables. These results can be used to quickly identify the most critical design variables in order to optimize the design and make it cost effective. The analysis leads to the selection of criteria for gas-turbine performance.
Process strategies for turnaround change agents: Crisis and non‐crisis situations

This paper describes the process strategies that turnaround change agents can use in facilitating change readiness, adoption and institutionalization. Examples of each strategy are taken from actual cases of such notable corporations as British Airways, Chrysler, GE, GM, Toyota, Whirlpool and Xerox. Strategies and tactics useful in facilitating change are discussed in terms of their appropriateness for crisis and non-crisis situations.
Environmental contaminants and learning and memory

Abstract A number of environmental contaminants are known to cause a reduction in IQ in children exposed prenatally or early in life. These effects are well documented for exposure to lead, methylmercury, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and cigarette smoke, all of which can reduce IQ by up to 5–7 IQ points. Similar effects may result from exposure to dioxins and some pesticides. In most or all of these situations there are also behavioral changes as a result of exposure, including shortened attention span and hyperactivity. Recent studies have shown that adverse effects of contaminants such as lead and cigarette smoke on IQ occur at lower levels of exposure than previously thought, and that the dose–response relationship is actually steeper at lower concentrations than what is seen at higher levels. While adults are not as sensitive as children, there is evidence for a rather selective loss of memory function in adults exposed to the same substances. Our group has attempted to determine the mechanisms whereby these effects occur using long-term potentiation (LTP), an electrophysiological measure known to be related to learning and memory, studied in rodent brain slices. We find that lead and PCBs both reduce LTP whether given during gestation and lactation or acutely applied to brain slices of unexposed animals. Surprisingly, these very different contaminants appear to have a similar mechanism of action, that being alteration of the activity of protein kinase C.
Belief and consciousness

Abstract In this paper, I argue that we should not ascribe beliefs and desires to subjects like zombies or (present day) computers which do not have phenomenal consciousness. In order to ascribe beliefs, we must distinguish between personal and subpersonal content. There may be states in my brain which represent the array of light intensities on my retina, but these states are not beliefs, because they are merely subpersonal. I argue that we cannot distinguish between personal and subpersonal content without reference to phenomenal consciousness. I argue for this by examining two attempts to account for belief without reference to phenomenal consciousness, functionalism and Dennett's patterns of behavior theory, and showing that they both fail. In the course of the arguments that these attempts fail, I develop some positive reasons for believing that phenomenal consciousness is indeed necessary.
Adriamycin, BCNU, and cyclophosphamide in drug‐resistant adenocarcinoma of the ovary

Because of an encouraging response rate in a pilot study of adriamycin, BCNU, and cyclophosphamide (ABC), the Southeastern Cancer Study Group conducted a phase II study of ABC in patients with melphalan-resistant ovarian carcinoma. Of 36 evaluable patients, there were only 4 partial responses to therapy, for a partial response rate of 11%. Durations of response were 4 to 50 + weeks, and the overall median survival was 29 weeks. No complete responses were seen. Dose-limiting toxicity was granulocytopenia. We conclude that ABC is generally ineffective in management of alkylator-resistant ovarian adenocarcinoma.
Welfare gains from international risksharing

Abstract This paper uses consumption data to compute yet unexploited welfare gains that can be achieved through risksharing among twenty OECD countries. There is both aggregate national consumption risk and nondiversifiable individual-specific risk. Countries engage in an optimal risksharing arrangement to pool risk associated with the aggregate consumption endowment streams. Welfare gains are associated with reduced consumption variability and with the international pricing of the consumption streams of individual countries. The paper considers the standard VNM time-additive preferences, as well as nonexpected utility and habit formation preferences. Large unexploited gains are found under all sets of preferences, leading to an ‘international risksharing puzzle’.
Rapid onset of pulmonary infiltration due to histiocytic lymphoma.

Five cases demonstrating the rapid onset of pulmonary infiltrates due to hystiocytic lymphoma are presented. In four cases the pulmonary infiltrate occurred at the time of initial presentation and the fifth case occurred 2½ months after the original diagnosis. The radiographic manifestations are nonspecific. Lung biopsy, open or closed, is needed to confirm the diagnosis before initiating appropriate therapy.
Turnpike trusts and property income: new evidence on the effects of transport improvements and legislation in eighteenth‐century England1

Numerous Acts of Parliament changed the financing of transport infrastructure in eighteenth-century England. This paper examines the economic effects of turnpike acts, which greatly improved road infrastructure by introducing tolls. It shows that turnpike trusts increased property income in local areas by at least 20 per cent. The findings shed light on why local property owners promoted and managed turnpikes. They also show that turnpike trusts accounted for at least 20 per cent of the total growth in real land rents between 1690 and 1815, and added at least 1.65 per cent to national income in 1815.
Evaluation of topographic effects on P and S-waves of explosions at the northern Novaya Zemlya Test Site using 3-D numerical simulations

Using a 3-D finite difference simulation, we calculated the effects of surface topography on the amplitudes and waveforms of seismic waves generated by a hypothetical nuclear explosion at the northern Novaya Zemlya test site (Matochkin Shar). The simulation shows substantial azimuthal variations in the amplitude of the downgoing P waveform at shallow depths beneath the source, caused by variations in the amplitude of pP. However, these azimuthal amplitude variations diminish as the wavefront propagates deeper in the crust. Based on these results, we estimate that the topographic scarp considered here produces a maximum azimuthal variation of ±0.05 magnitude units for mb determined from teleseismic P-waves. The sloping topography causes substantial SH motion for azimuths along the strike of the scarp.
CT Radiation Exposure: An Overview

Radiation used in CT examinations needs to be selected on image quality criteria, and also take into account the patient’s exposure. X-ray beam quality is controlled by the X-ray tube voltage (kV), and affects the X-ray beam penetration through a given patient as well as the contrast in the resultant image. CT radiation output can be characterized by the volume CTDI (CTDIvol), is controlled by tube output and CT pitch, and determines the random image noise (mottle). The total amount of radiation used to perform an examination is the dose length product (DLP), which is obtained by multiplying CTDIvol with the corresponding scan length, and is related to the corresponding patient radiation exposure. Optimal choices for CT X-ray beam characteristics (i.e., kV, CTDIvol, and DLP) need to take into account patient physical characteristics as well as the diagnostic imaging task at hand. Because CTDI metrics only describe the radiation incident on the patient, patient organ doses need to be obtained using conversion factors that account for patient size and examination scan length. Organ doses can be converted into organ risks, which can be summed to estimate the patient carcinogenic radiation risks. A 20-year-old adult weighing 75 kg, undergoing an abdominal pelvic CT examination [CTDIvol(L) 15 mGy & DLP 700 mGy-cm], has an estimated cancer induction risk of about 0.1 %. Practitioners need to understand radiation risks to be able to identify indicated examinations, where there is expected to be a net patient benefit, and to comply with the ALARA principle where unnecessary radiation is eliminated.
ITO surface ball formation induced by atomic hydrogen in PECVD and HW-CVD tools

Abstract The formation of granule-like balls on the surface of indium-tin oxide (ITO) films induced by atomic hydrogen (H-) treatment in plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) and hot-wire chemical vapor deposition (HW-CVD) tools is reported in this paper. The ball formation on the film surface is responsible for the reduction in optical transmittance and electrical conductivity of ITO films. The X-ray diffraction patterns have revealed that the H-treated ITO surfaces are composed of complicated compounds, including metallic indium, indium tin oxides, and indium hydroxides. Auger electron spectroscopy has shown that the balls are rich in indium atoms and areas outside the balls are rich in oxygen atoms. Finally, we have shown that by capping the ITO surface with a PECVD silicon oxide thin film, the degradation of ITO films can be completely prevented.
Active learning should not be one-size-fits-all for foundation knowledge courses.

To the Editor. In their study, Rivkin and Gim1 discuss several outstanding conclusions regarding the balance of active-learning and traditional lecture. They point out that using a variety of teaching methods can reach students with different learning styles and that a balance of methods is key to achieving student learning. They conclude that it is essential to incorporate active-learning in relevant courses yet they found that in some circumstances, students find traditional lecture to be the most optimal method for their learning. The results from this study (and others) would argue against a one-size-fits-all application of equal levels of active-learning to all courses in a pharmacy curriculum. Basic sciences instill foundational knowledge and this foundational content may well be most effectively learned through active learning combined with a higher proportion of traditional lecture. Translational disciplines (such as pharmacology) can combine lecture with more active learning and clinical therapeutics content can incorporate even higher proportions of active-learning methods. This reasonable tiered approach is a pattern typically seen in pharmacy education.2 As the implementation of active learning continues to evolve, instructors must have the freedom to design instruction techniques best suited for their discipline and students. The foremost goal should be achievement of optimal student learning rather than conformation to a uniformly dictated mold.
Clinical Evaluation of Free Autogenous Gingival Grafts Placed on Alveolar Bone: Part I. Clinical Predictability

1. Thirty free autogenous gingival grafts were placed on bone and 30 were placed on a periosteal bed. The distribution into the groups was random. All 60 grafts survived, showing that both procedures were predictable. 2. Over one-half (17 of 30) of those on periosteum demonstrated mobility by 6 months postoperatively. No mobility was observed in the group placed directly on bone. 3. Osseous placed grafts demonstrated less swelling and better hemostasis than did the periosteally placed grafts. 4. A healing lag was observed in the grafts placed on bone which lasted only for the first two postoperative visits, approximately 2 weeks. 5. No infections or sequestrations were noted in any case.
Rotamer-specific fluorescence quenching in tyrosinamide: Dynamic and static interactions

We have examined the environments of the three phenol rotamers about the Cα−Cβ bond in tyrosinamide by fluorescence quenching. Steady-state acrylamide quenching yields a nonlinear stern-Volmer plot. With three distinct emitting species and no other information about the system, it is impossible to analyze the data due to the number of variables which have to be determined. We therefore reduced the number of variables by independently determining the fractional intensity and dynamic quenching constant for each rotamer through time-resolved fluorescence quenching studies. These parameters were then used to analyze the steady-state data for any contribution of static quenching. We conclude that the nonlinear Stern-Volmer plot for the quenching of tyrosinamide by acrylamide is a consequence of each rotamer having a distinct dynamic quenching constant and the presence of static quenching. The static quenching can be represented by either the sphere-of-action model involving two of the three rotamers or the ground-state complex model involving all three rotamers.
The hippocampal rate code: anatomy, physiology and theory.

Since the days of Cajal, the CA1 pyramidal cell has arguably received more attention than any other neuron in the mammalian brain. Hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells fire spikes with remarkable spatial and temporal precision, giving rise to the hippocampal rate and temporal codes. However, little is known about how different inputs interact during spatial behavior to generate such robust firing patterns. Here, we review the properties of the rodent hippocampal rate code and synthesize work from several disciplines to understand the functional anatomy and excitation–inhibition balance that can produce the rate-coded outputs of the CA1 pyramidal cell. We argue that both CA3 and entorhinal inputs are crucial for the formation of sharp, sparse CA1 place fields and that precisely timed and dominant inhibition is an equally important factor.
Incorporation of lubrication effects into the force-coupling method for particulate two-phase flow

We investigate the performance of the force-coupling method (FCM) for particulate flow at microscales. In this work, we restrict attention to flows where we may neglect fluid inertia (Stokes flows), particle inertia and Brownian motion. The FCM performs well when distances between solid boundaries are sufficiently large, however it does not capture the local effects of viscous lubrication forces for small gap widths. To improve the results, we develop a parameterization of the lubrication forces for inclusion in the model. This is based on exact results for isolated pairs of particles and single particle-wall configurations. The correction is imposed through the addition of a lubrication barrier force on affected particles. The parameterization is tested for several cases, illustrating both the improvements possible and the limitations.
Studies of the chemical degradation of polysiloxanes by hydrofluoric acid: 1. Poly (tetramethyl-p-silphenylene siloxane)

Abstract Hydrofluoric acid solution selectively degrades poly (tetramethyl- p -silphenylene siloxane) (TM p S) through scission of the SiO bonds. The crystallinity of self-seeded single crystals of TM p S is significantly enhanced on degradation as the fold surfaces are removed. For 48% HF at 30°C the crystallinity change is from 73 to 95%. This corresponds to removal of two or more monomeric units from each crystal surface. Acid concentration and treatment temperature are very significant factors in the degradation reactions. The observed molecular weight change with time also depends on these details. The molecular weight distribution of a fraction at first broadens and then narrows with degradation time. At relatively long reaction times, the molecular weight (by g.p.c.) is reduced by more than an order of magnitude over that of the starting polymer fraction. In the early stages of chemical degradation the reaction is heterogeneous presumably because of poor wetting of the siloxane polymer by the HF reagent.
Cross Engine Database Joining

A standards-based, open-source middleware system was designed and implemented to facilitate the analysis of large and disparate datasets. This system makes it possible to access several different types of database servers simultaneously, browse remote data, combine datasets, and join tables from remote databases independent of vendor. The system uses an algorithm known as Dynamic Merge Cache to handle data caching, query generation, transformations, and joining with minimal operational interference to source databases. The system is able to combine any subset of configured databases and convert the information into XML. The resulting XML is made available to analysis tools through a web service. After the system connects to a remote database, a metadata catalog is created from the source database. The user is able to configure which tables and fields to export from the remote dataset. The user is also able to filter, transform, and combine data. The system was tested with a large fish contaminant database and a second database populated with simulated scientific data.
Mobilization to Achieve Collective Action and Democratic Majority/Plurality Amplification

This article extends the exchange between William Graebner, Miriam Lewin, and Ronald Lippitt concerning the politics and ethics of “democratic social engineering” and “action research.” It proposes the hypothesis that mobilization for collective action in a democracy requires majority/plurality power amplification. Areas of social science research are reinterpreted in light of this hypothesis, focusing on the conflict between mobilizing for collective action through majority I plurality amplification and the democratic injunction to protect minority voices. The ambivalence of those engaged in action research, and the roles social scientists take in these efforts, may reflect this conflict.
Two-color infrared isotopically selective decomposition of UF(6).

Isotopically selective unimolecular decomposition of ambient-temperature UF6 has been observed in depletion measurements with an effusive molecular beam irradiated by two 16-μm frequencies produced in a multiple-pass H2 Raman laser.
A Comparison of the Scaling of Afro-Americans' Life-Change Events

Research using the Recent Life Change Questionnaire is being conducted with various ethnic, economic, and cultural groups. The findings of studies using comparable forms have indicated that economic conditions and cultural differences have a minimal effect upon the overall concordant rankings of most groups. In this paper, cultural and economic variables which influence the rankings of poverty-level Afro-Americans are compared with data from a previous study. The significant items related to employment, health, and family problems were found to influence the subject's life conditions, and those related to interpersonal relationships were found to be based on cultural values. The author discusses the importance of recognizing economic and cultural variables which are salient to the measure of life changes by selecting a scoring system which allows for the influence of these variables.
Synthesis, structure, and electronic properties of a dimer of Ru(bpy)2 doubly bridged by methoxide and pyrazolate.

The heterobridged dinuclear complex cis,cis-[(bpy)2Ru(μ-OCH3)(μ-pyz)Ru(bpy)2]2+ (1; bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine; pyz = pyrazolate) was synthesized and isolated as a hexafluorophosphate salt. Its molecular structure was fully characterized by X-ray crystallography, 1H NMR spectroscopy, and ESI mass spectrometry. The compound 1·(PF6)2 (C44H38F12N10OP2Ru2) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with a = 13.3312(4) A, b = 22.5379(6) A, c = 17.2818(4) A, β = 99.497(2)°, V = 5121.3(2) A3, and Z = 4. The meso diastereoisomeric form was exclusively found in the crystal structure, although the NMR spectra clearly demonstrated the presence of two stereoisomers in solution (rac and meso forms at approximately 1:1 ratio). The electronic properties of the complex in acetonitrile were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and UV−vis and NIR−IR spectroelectrochemistries. The stepwise oxidation of the RuII−RuII complex into the mixed-valent RuII−RuIII and fully oxidized RuIII−RuIII states is fully reversible on the time...
Symmetry breaking by fermions

Abstract When fermions are coupled sufficiently strongly to spinless fields, the zero-point energies of the fermions can move the minimum of the effective potential away from zero thereby breaking symmetries, including supersymmetry, and generating mass.
Win-win search: dual-agent stochastic game in session search

Session search is a complex search task that involves multiple search iterations triggered by query reformulations. We observe a Markov chain in session search: user's judgment of retrieved documents in the previous search iteration affects user's actions in the next iteration. We thus propose to model session search as a dual-agent stochastic game: the user agent and the search engine agent work together to jointly maximize their long term rewards. The framework, which we term "win-win search", is based on Partially Observable Markov Decision Process. We mathematically model dynamics in session search, including decision states, query changes, clicks, and rewards, as a cooperative game between the user and the search engine. The experiments on TREC 2012 and 2013 Session datasets show a statistically significant improvement over the state-of-the-art interactive search and session search algorithms.
The structural elements responsible for contraction in the ciliate Spirostomum.

The surface of the contractile ciliateSpirostomum contains continuous spiral ciliated grooves traversing its length. Bundles of microtubules run parallel to the base of the grooves and appear to be part of a cohesive, semi-rigid cortex. Beneath this, a network of microfilament bundles occurs which is attached to the peristomal membranelle apparatus, also part of the cortex. The possible roles played by these structures during contraction of the organism were examined. During contraction, the entire cortex twists and the spiral arrangement of the grooves and microtubules decreases in pitch and increases in diameter. Simultaneously, the bundles of microfilaments change in distribution and appearance so as to suggest that they are undergoing an active shortening process. Based on these observations, two models for contraction are presented. In one, shortening of the animal arises from a smooth muscle-like contraction of the microfilament network whose attachment to the basal bodies of the membranellar cilia guarantees shortening and widening of the cortex and consequently the whole animal. In the second, a shortening (or sliding) of external microtubules relative to internal ones in the cortical microtubule bundles would result in an increase in diameter, a decrease in pitch, and a decrease in axial length of the bundles, resulting in contraction of the animal. The observations do not allow a choice between these alternatives to be made, and they may not, in fact, be mutually exclusive.
Application of the line-spring model to a cylindrical shell containing a circumferential or axial part-through crack

An approximate solution was obtained for a cylindrical shell containing a part-through surface crack. It was assumed that the shell contains a circumferential or axial semi-elliptic internal or external surface crack and was subjected to a uniform membrane loading or a uniform bending moment away from the crack region. A Reissner type theory was used to account for the effects of the transverse shear deformations. The stress intensity factor at the deepest penetration point of the crack was tabulated for bending and membrane loading by varying three dimensionless length parameters of the problem formed from the shell radius, the shell thickness, the crack length, and the crack depth. The upper bounds of the stress intensity factors are provided by the results of the elasticity solution obtained from the axisymmetric crack problem for the circumferential crack, and that found from the plane strain problem for a circular ring having a radial crack for the axial crack. The line-spring model gives the expected results in comparison with the elasticity solutions. Results also compare well with the existing finite element solution of the pressurized cylinder containing an internal semi-elliptic surface crack.
Role of C-terminal domain phosphorylation in RNA polymerase II transcription through the nucleosome.

End-initiated transcription of a 256 base-pair (bp) template containing a single uniquely positioned nucleosome by yeast and calf thymus nuclear RNA polymerases II (pol II) was analyzed in vitro. The nucleosome-specific pausing pattern is similar to the pattern observed in the case of transcription of the same nucleosome by yeast RNA polymerase III. However, the pausing pattern is clearly different from the patterns observed previously during transcription by promoter-initiated and assembled pol II. This suggests that end-initiated and promoter-initiated RNA polymerases differ in the way they progress through the nucleosome. The rates of transcription through the nucleosome by pol II are significantly lower than the rates observed in the case of SP6 polymerase and RNA polymerase III. Using calf thymus pol II, we have investigated the possibility that phosphorylation of the C-terminal domain (CTD) facilitates transcription through the nucleosome. The rates of transcription through the nucleosome by phosphorylated (IIO) and nonphosphorylated (IIA) forms of calf thymus pol II are very similar. This suggests that CTD phosphorylation is not sufficient to facilitate transcription through the nucleosome by end-initiated pol II. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 68: 528–538, 2003
Depression in children and adolescents two months after the death of a parent.

Abstract Background This study examined depressive symptoms in bereaved children and adolescents two months after the death of a parent. Methods Participants were 325 children and adolescents bereaved of a parent approximately two months prior to the study. They were compared to 129 non-bereaved community controls and 110 non-bereaved depressed controls. Participants and their parents were interviewed regarding the child's depressive symptoms. Possible moderating factors for depression in bereaved children were examined. Results 25% of the bereaved participants experienced a major depressive episode (MDE) compared to 1% of the community controls. An additional 24% of the bereaved participants experienced a sub-syndromal depressive episode, defined as 3 or 4 depressive symptoms, compared to 4% of the community controls. Factors correlated with occurrence of MDE in the bereaved children in exploratory analyses were (1) history of MDE in the child and (2) history of alcoholism in a parent. Guilt/worthlessness, psychomotor disturbance, and low energy in the context of an MDE predicted membership in the depressed control group over the bereaved group. Limitations The relationship between an MDE in the bereaved child and parent history of alcoholism is exploratory, as the p-value for this correlation was greater than the α adjusted for multiple comparisons. The bereaved child's history of MDE was based on the child's and parent's memories of depressive symptoms. Conclusions The death of a parent is a risk factor for depressive symptoms and depressive episodes in children and adolescents two months after the death.
Pigeon guillemots as a sentinel species: A dose-response experiment with weathered oil in the field

Nests of pigeon guillemots (Cepphus columba) were located along the south shore of Kachemak Bay, Alaska, and monitored during the breeding seasons of 1994 and 1995. Rates of nestling growth were measured and blood samples were collected for measurements of serum biomarkers. Haptoglobin, total protein, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and sodium in sera were measured as potential biomarkers of oil ingestion. Differences in mean levels of biomarkers were observed between years, and between nestlings and adults, as well as among locations within Kachemak Bay. During summer 1995, a controlled dose-response experiment was conducted with weathered Prudhoe Bay Crude Oil. Fifty-one nestlings were divided into three groups: controls, nestlings fed 0.05 ml of oil, and nestlings fed 0.20 ml of oil. Each experimental nestling was fed the dose of weathered oil twice: once at approximately day 20, and again 5 days later at approximately day 25 post-hatching. Blood samples were collected immediately before dosing on days 20, 25, and again on day 30 post-hatching. Site-specific differences in some blood variables were observed among treatments. These results suggest that the doses of weathered oil administered to guillemot nestlings were not sufficient to induce a persistent inflammatory response. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd
On the characterization of localized solutions in inelastic solids: an analysis of wave propagation in a softening bar

Abstract This paper presents a study of the solutions characteristic of the localized failures in inelastic solids under general dynamic conditions. The paper is divided into two parts. In the first part, we present a general framework for the inclusion of localized dissipative mechanisms in a local continuum. This is accomplished by the consideration locally of discontinuities in the displacement field, the so-called strong discontinuities, as a tool for the modeling of these localized effects of the material response. We present in this context a thermodynamically based derivation of the resulting governing equations along these discontinuities. These developments are then incorporated in the local continuum framework characteristic of typical large-scale structural systems of interest. The general multi-dimensional case is assumed in this first part of the paper. In the second part, we present in the context furnished by the previous discussion a study of the wave propagation in the one-dimensional case of a localized softening bar. We obtain first the exact closed-form solution involving a strong discontinuity with a general localized softening law. We consider next the approximate problem involving the softening response of the material in a zone of finite length. Closed-form analytic solutions are obtained for the case of a linear softening law. This analysis reveals the properties of the approximation introduced by the spatial discretization in numerical solutions of the problem. Finally, we present finite element simulations that confirm the conclusions drawn from the previous analyses.