cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Query bot for retrieving patients' clinical history: A COVID-19 use-case.

Abstract Objective With increasing patient complexity whose data are stored in fragmented health information systems, automated and time-efficient ways of gathering important information from the patients' medical history are needed for effective clinical decision making. Using COVID-19 as a case study, we developed a query-bot information retrieval system with user-feedback to allow clinicians to ask natural questions to retrieve data from patient notes. Materials and methods We applied clinicalBERT, a pre-trained contextual language model, to our dataset of patient notes to obtain sentence embeddings, using K-Means to reduce computation time for real-time interaction. Rocchio algorithm was then employed to incorporate user-feedback and improve retrieval performance. Results In an iterative feedback loop experiment, MAP for final iteration was 0.93/0.94 as compared to initial MAP of 0.66/0.52 for generic and 1./1. compared to 0.79/0.83 for COVID-19 specific queries confirming that contextual model handles the ambiguity in natural language queries and feedback helps to improve retrieval performance. User-in-loop experiment also outperformed the automated pseudo relevance feedback method. Moreover, the null hypothesis which assumes identical precision between initial retrieval and relevance feedback was rejected with high statistical significance (p ≪ 0.05). Compared to Word2Vec, TF-IDF and bioBERT models, clinicalBERT works optimally considering the balance between response precision and user-feedback. Discussion Our model works well for generic as well as COVID-19 specific queries. However, some generic queries are not answered as well as others because clustering reduces query performance and vague relations between queries and sentences are considered non-relevant. We also tested our model for queries with the same meaning but different expressions and demonstrated that these query variations yielded similar performance after incorporation of user-feedback. Conclusion In conclusion, we develop an NLP-based query-bot that handles synonyms and natural language ambiguity in order to retrieve relevant information from the patient chart. User-feedback is critical to improve model performance.
Hydrogel Cell Cultures

Three-dimensional synthetic gels that mimic the extracellular matrix provide a promising tool for studying cell interactions.
Mimicry and antibody-mediated cell signaling in autoimmune myocarditis.

The mechanisms by which autoantibodies against cardiac myosin (CM) may lead to heart dysfunction is unknown. We show that autoantibodies to CM in anti-CM sera and mAbs derived from experimental autoimmune myocarditis targeted the heart cell surface and induced Ab-mediated cAMP-dependent protein kinase A activity. Ab-mediated cell signaling of protein kinase A was blocked by CM, anti-IgG, or by specific inhibitors of the β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) pathway. mAbs confirmed mimicry between CM and the β-AR. Passive transfer of purified Ab (IgG) from CM-immunized rats resulted in IgG deposition and apoptosis in the heart, leading to a cardiomyopathic heart disease phenotype in recipients. Our novel findings link anti-CM Ab with the β-AR and subsequent Ab-mediated cell signaling in the heart.
Multiple-channel adaptive noise equalizers

This paper presents multiple-channel adaptive noise equalizers (ANE) with the desired noise shaping capability. Narrowband ANE can either amplify or attenuate narrowband noise. The output of the ANE system contains residual narrowband components, the amplitudes of which can be linearly and arbitrarily controlled by adjusting the gain parameter of the equalizer. Broadband ANE can control the residual noise spectrum by designing the shaping filter of the equalizer. These ANE systems are extended to multiple-channel applications.
Home Grown Terrorism in the United States (US) - Causes, Affiliations and Policy implications.

The April, 2013 tragic Boston Marathon bombings by two United States Citizens of Russian origin was a demonstration of the weakness of counter terrorism measures and lapses in the operational mechanisms of the US-Russia counter terrorism task force. The paper uses theoretical and practical inferences to provide a comparative analysis of terrorist operations in the United States and the Russian Federation. Whilst the theoretical aspect outlines a background of terror groups in the US and Russia and their operational strategies, the practical approach provides a comparative analysis of counter-terrorism measures in the US and Russia, terrorist techniques and implications on the joint US-Russia counter terrorism policy. The effectiveness of the US-Russia counter terrorism task force largely depends on the willingness to adopt define common counter-terrorism mechanisms through defensive and preemptive lenses.
Partial discharge patterns of magnet wire samples under voltage stresses

In many high voltage systems, partial discharges are an indication of insulation condition. The partial discharge test is a nondestructive method of identifying possible premature insulation breakdown. Magnet wires are used in various electrical equipments like injection coils, solenoids and small transformers. The aging process of the wire insulation was achieved through the application of high voltages, high temperature and high frequency. The tests were conducted for AWG 30 and AWG 31 twisted magnet wire samples. A high level of stress is present within several turns of coil windings. This paper is focused on the study of partial discharge patterns for magnet wire insulation. The partial discharge inception voltages (PDIV) are measured for different twisted wire samples. An evaluation of the parameters charge intensity, pulse count, and pulse phase position are presented in 2- and 3-dimensional plots.
Classical solutions in quantum field theory : Solitons and Instantons in High Energy Physics

1. Introduction 2. One-dimensional solitons 3. Solitons in more dimensions - vortices and strings 4. Some topology 5. Magnetic monopoles with U(1) charges 6. Magnetic monopoles in larger gauge groups 7. Cosmological implications and experimental bounds 8. BPS solitons, supersymmetry, and duality 9. Euclidean solutions 10. Yang-Mills instantons 11. Instantons, fermions, and physical consequences 12. Vacuum decay Appendixes References Index.
On Heating, Ionization, and Star Formation in the Galactic Center Region

The ionization of interstellar gas and the heating of dust near the galactic center are usually assumed to be dominated overall by the radiation emanating from young, massive stars. This paper questions that assumption by pointing to the paucity of direct evidence for current star formation and by considering alternative sources of ionization and luminosity. It is suggested that star formation can be inhibited by the strong, poloidal magnetic fields observed in the galactic center. The presence of some red supergiants (e.g., IRS7) can be understood if massive star formation occurs episodically.
The Beginnings of Visual Perception: The Retinal Image and its Initial Encoding. Appendix: Fourier Transforms and Shift‐Invariant Linear Operators

The sections in this article are: 1 Scope and Organization 2 Physiological Explanation in Visual Science: Three Classes of Perceptual Phenomena 3 Visual Acuity 3.1 Overview 3.2 The Retinal Image 3.3 Spatial Modulation Detection 3.4 Neural Limits of Visual Acuity 4 Color Vision 4.1 Scotopic Spectral Sensitivity 4.2 Monochromacy 4.3 Dichromacy 4.4 Trichromacy 4.5 Color Blindness 4.6 Seeing Colors 5 Visual Adaptation 5.1 Overview 5.2 Experimental Paradigms 5.3 Identifying Neural Substrates 5.4 Single- Variable Theories 5.5 Concluding Comment 6 Note Added in Proof
Learning with laptops: the impact of one-to-one computing on student attitudes and classroom perceptions

This study examined the ways in which two urban elementary school teachers integrated laptops in their instructional practices. It also investigated the impact of laptop integration on students' attitudes and perceptions of the classroom environment compared to control classrooms. Issues under student perceptions included: a) perceived importance of technology; b) computer enjoyment; c) student-teacher and student-student interactions; and d) motivation toward school and learning. The study used both quantitative and qualitative data. Although some evidence indicated that fourth grade laptop students had more positive attitudes toward school than fourth grade non-laptop students, quantitative data did not reveal significant differences among laptop and control students. Qualitative data, however, painted a positive picture of experiences in laptop classrooms. Laptop students perceived computers as important learning tools and consistently used educational applications to perform academic activities. Such activities influenced classroom interactions and created a sense of pride and empowerment among laptop students. These behaviors were not evident among control students.
Theory of Mind and Children's Trait Attributions about Average and Typically Stigmatized Peers.

Previous research indicates that children hold negative beliefs about peers with foreign accents, physical disabilities, and people who are obese. The current study examined skills associated with individual differences in children's social judgements about these typically stereotyped groups. Theory of mind, memory, and cognitive inhibition were assessed in 3- to 6-year-olds. Then, children were asked to make trait attributions and behavioural predictions about story characters' willingness to help a peer. Results indicated that better theory of mind skills were related to greater positive trait attributions and behavioural predictions about typically stereotyped characters. Younger children made fewer positive behavioural predictions as compared to older children, but both age groups made positive trait attributions. Overall, memory and inhibition had little to no influence on children's responses, although the results varied by story type.
Light Sheet Fluorescence Microscopy (LSFM)

The development of confocal microscopy techniques introduced the ability to optically section fluorescent samples in the axial dimension, perpendicular to the image plane. These approaches, via the placement of a pinhole in the conjugate image plane, provided superior resolution in the axial (z) dimension resulting in nearly isotropic optical sections. However, increased axial resolution, via pinhole optics, comes at the cost of both speed and excitation efficiency. Light sheet fluorescent microscopy (LSFM), a century-old idea made possible with modern developments in both excitation and detection optics, provides sub-cellular resolution and optical sectioning capabilities without compromising speed or excitation efficiency. Over the past decade, several variations of LSFM have been implemented each with its own benefits and deficiencies. Here we discuss LSFM fundamentals and outline the basic principles of several major light-sheet-based imaging modalities (SPIM, inverted SPIM, multi-view SPIM, Bessel beam SPIM, and stimulated emission depletion SPIM) while considering their biological relevance in terms of intrusiveness, temporal resolution, and sample requirements.
Sputter deposition of silicon oxide coatings

Abstract Fused silica and Si–Ox coatings are of interest for use under high flux conditions of laser light. Si–Ox coatings are sputter deposited from silicon and fused quartz targets using planar magnetrons operated in the r.f. mode with a variable working-gas mixture of Argon–Oxygen. A series of coatings are prepared on optically flat, fused quartz substrates. Analysis of surface curvature reveals the deposition process conditions that minimize residual stress. Compressive stress levels that exceed 1.5 GPa can be reduced to less than 0.4 GPa for an optimum working-gas pressure. Characterization using Rutherford backscattering and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that both the fused quartz and silicon targets can be used to sputter deposit coatings with the chemical bonding features of the fused-quartz substrate material.
Early MT-1 MMP expression following elastase exposure is associated with increased cleaved MMP-2 activity in experimental rodent aortic aneurysms

Objective. The objective of this study was to determine the significance of membrane type 1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) activation of MMP-2 in experimental abdominal aortic aneurysms. Methods. Rat aortas were perfused with either saline as a control or elastase, and harvested on 2, 4, or 7 days after perfusion (n = 5 per treatment group/day). Aortic MT1-MMP and MMP-2 expression and protein were determined by real time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting, respectively. Aortic explants were used to measure MMP-2 activity by zymography. Rat aortic smooth muscle cells in vitro were exposed to increasing doses of elastase and analyzed for MT-1 MMP expression. Results. Aneurysms formed in 80% of the elastase-perfused aortas at 7 days, whereas none formed in the saline-perfused aortas. Significantly increased MT1-MMP expression was observed only on day 4, when levels were 6.5-fold higher in elastase-perfused aortas compared with saline-perfused aortas (P <.01). By day 7, MT1-MMP protein was present only in the elastase-perfused aortas (P =.02). By immunohistochemistry, MT1-MMP was detectable only in the elaslase-perfused group at day 7. Cleaved MMP-2 activity (P =.045) was increased in elastase-perfused aortas compared with saline perfused aortas at day 7. In rat aortic smooth muscle cells, MT-1 MMP expression increased in response to elastase (P =.02). Conclusion. The rodent aortic aneurysm model exhibits upregnlation of MT1-MMP expression and protein with subsequent increased conversion of MMP-2 from the latent to the cleaved form.
Occupancy estimation for smart buildings by an auto-regressive hidden Markov model

One of the primary energy consumers in buildings are the Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) systems, which usually operate on a fixed schedule, i.e., running from early morning until late evening during the weekdays. This fixed operation schedule does not take the dynamics of occupancy level in the building into consideration, therefore may lead to waste of energy. An estimate of the number of occupants in the building with time can contribute to improving the control policy of the building's HVAC system by reducing energy consumption. In this paper, the auto-regressive hidden Markov model (ARHMM), is investigated to estimate the number of occupants in a research laboratory in a building using a wireless sensor network deployed. The network is composed of stand-alone sensing nodes with wireless data transmission capability, a base station that collects data from the sensing nodes, and a server to analyze the data from the base station. Experimental results and numerical simulation demonstrate that the ARHMM is more effective in estimating the number of occupants in the laboratory than the HMM algorithm, especially when the occupancy level fluctuates frequently.
Renaming a set of non-horn clauses

Several extensions of the logic programming language Prolog to non-Horn clauses use case anlaysis to handle non-Horn clauses. In this paper, analytical and empirical evidences are presented to show that, by making a set of clauses less “non-Horn” using predicate renaming, the performance- of these case-analysis based procedures can be improved significantly. In addition, the paper also investigated the problem of efficiently constructing a predicate renaming that reduces the degree of “non-Hornness” of a clause set maximally. It is shown that this problem of finding a predicate renaming to achieve minimal “non-Hornness” is NP-complete.
An Introduction to Random Topological Graph Theory

We introduce five probability models for random topological graph theory. For two of these models (I and II), the sample space consists of all labeled orientable 2-cell imbeddings of a fixed connected graph, and the interest centers upon the genus random variable. Exact results are presented for the expected value of this random variable for small-order complete graphs, for closed-end ladders, and for cobblestone paths. The expected genus of the complete graph is asymptotic to the maximum genus. For Model III, the sample space consists of all labeled 2-cell imbeddings (possibly nonorientable) of a fixed connected graph, and for Model IV the sample space consists of all such imbeddings with a rotation scheme also fixed. The event of interest is that the ambient surface is orientable. In both these models the complete graph is almost never orientably imbedded. The probability distribution in Models I and III is uniform; in Models II and IV it depends on a parameter p and is uniform precisely when p = 1/2. Model V combines the features of Models II and IV.
Enzyme regulation during development and aging.

Abstract Glutamine synthetase and ornithine aminotransferase activities have been shown to decrease in aging rats, but the decline varies in degree for the two enzymes in liver and kidney. The responsiveness of the two liver enzymes to glucagon and cyclic AMP demonstrates a similarity in enzyme regulation between developing and aging rats and a contrast in enzyme regulation between these animals and young adults. The results are interpreted as showing a reversion in certain aspects of enzyme regulation during aging to those prevailing in the perinatal state.
Growth hormone regulation of hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes in the mouse.

Abstract Hepatic microsomal hexobarbital hydroxylase and aminopyrine N -demethylase activities increased in adult male mice following hypophysectomy to female-like levels, eliminating the normal sexually dimorphic pattern of these enzymes. Exogenous growth hormone replacement ( 0.08 I.U. 100 g body weight/day) re-established the lower masculine activities only when administered subcutaneously once every 12 hr. Enzyme activities remained elevated at female-like levels when the same total dose of growth hormone was infused continuously using osmotic pumps or was injected once every 6 hr. These data suggest that, despite the reversed orientation of sex differences in hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes between rats and mice (i.e. higher enzyme activities in female mice and male rats), the basic hormonal regulatory axis is similar in the two species. Cyclic fluctuations of systemic growth hormone concentrations masculinize kinetic parameters of hepatic hexobarbital hydroxylase and aminopyrine N -demethylase in both species. Rats and mice differ in that these similar hormonal signals lower the apparent V max in male mice, while markedly increasing the enzyme activities in male rats. It appears more likely, therefore, that species- and sex-specific differences in the total hepatic cytochrome P-450 isoenzyme populations produce the reversed sex-dependent pattern of hexobarbital hydroxylase and aminopyrine N -demethylase.
Gulf of Mexico hydrocarbon seep communities: Part III. aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in organisms, sediments and water

Abstract Organism tissues from areas of natural oil seepage contain significant amounts of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH). Higher concentrations are found in sedentary organisms (i.e. mussels and tube worms) than in more mobile species (i.e. fish). The PAH distributions indicate that the seep organisms are exposed to sediment and/or water associated PAH. The concentration and composition of PAH in sedentary organisms are similar to that of an oyster from a coastal site indicating similar mechanisms of PAH uptake, depuration and accumulation. Tissue PAH concentrations indicate that these organisms are chronically exposed to high levels of petroleum in their environments and yet thriving communities are present at these locations. Microbial biomass in these seep areas is also substantially enhanced, and the carbon isotopic composition of tissues of organisms from higher trophic levels reflects the incorporation of bacterial biomass. The sedimentary sulfur cycle is heavily influenced by the process of natural oil and gas seepage and plays a key role in maintaining these communities. The primary source of isotopically light carbon to the system can be solely derived from chemosynthesis (H2S or CH4). The role of degraded oil as a partial source of light carbon to some organisms cannot be ruled out.
Trends in the anatomical distribution of colorectal carcinoma in Hawaii, 1960–1978

The incidence of colorectal adenocarcinoma increased in the five major ethnic groups in Hawaii, but more in men than women. The highest rates were in the Chinese and Japanese. The site-specific time trend patterns revealed that the greatest increase occurred in rectosigmoid cancer, followed by cancer of the sigmoid colon and the transverse descending colon. Rectal cancer had minimal changes in rates over time. The comparison of site-specific rates between the Japanese in Hawaii and Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, showed that the occurrence of cancer of the rectosigmoid, sigmoid, and transverse descending colon was far greater in Hawaii than Miyagi with minimal differences in the rates of rectal cancer. The findings from this study indicate that the separate anatomical locations of colorectal cancer probably have some distinct etiologies that need further investigation.
The effect of iron on mixed infection of Bacteroides fragilis and Escherichia coli in mice

Abstract Survival of an infected animal is improved in a mixed infection when Bacteroides fragilis is the bacterial species acting as a microbial antagonist against Escherichia coli . The protective effect afforded an animal by B. fragilis against E. coli is altered when ferric ammonium citrate is added to the injected mixed culture. In mice an E. coli concentration of 10 9 produced zero survival; the concentration 10 8 produced 40% survival; the concentration 10 7 and less produced 100% survival. Bacteroides fragilis concentrations of 10 8 and less did not kill the 15- to 20-g mouse within 5 days. Mice were given ip injections of the constant amount of 10 8 E. coli and serially diluted amounts of B. fragilis beginning with 10 8 organisms/ml. There was 40% survival in the 10 8 E. coli controls and 96% survival in the animals receiving 10 8 E. coli plus B. fragilis . The addition of ferric ammonium citrate to 10 8 E. coli plus B. fragilis reduced animal survival from 96 to 63%.
Mode of inheritance of amitraz resistance in a Brazilian strain of the southern cattle tick, Boophilus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae).

The southern cattle tick, Boophilus microplus (Canestrini), has developed resistance to amitraz in several countries in recent years. A study was conducted at the USDA Cattle Fever Tick Research Laboratory in Texas to investigate the mode of inheritance of amitraz resistance with cross-mating experiments. The Munoz strain, a laboratory reared acaricide-susceptible reference strain, was used as the susceptible parent and the Santa Luiza strain, originating in Brazil, was used as the resistant parent. A modified Food and Agriculture Organization Larval Packet Test was used to measure the levels of susceptibility of larvae of the parental strains, F1, backcross, F2, and F3 generations. Results of reciprocal crossing experiments suggested that amitraz resistance was inherited as an incomplete recessive trait. There was a strong maternal effect on larval progeny’s susceptibility to amitraz in both the F1 and the subsequent generations. The values of the degree of dominance were estimated at −0.156 and −0.500 for the F1 larvae with resistant and susceptible female parents, respectively. Results of bioassays on larval progeny of the F1 backcrossed with the resistant parent strain and that of the F2 generations suggested that more than one gene was responsible for amitraz resistance in the Santa Luiza strain. Comparisons of biological parameters (engorged female weight, egg mass weight, and female-to-egg weight conversion efficiency index) indicated significant differences between different genotypes. The differences appeared to be heritable, but not related to amitraz resistance. Results from this study may have significant implications for the management of amitraz resistance.
Note on the thermodynamics of the liquidus and solidus curves in systems with complete solid solubility; the system silver-gold

Abstract A simple, general expression is derived which permits the calculation of ΔF s − ΔF l from the phase diagrams for binary systems with complete solid solubility. In systems with a narrow liquidus-solidus gap good values of Δ ( ΔF ) may be obtained without any use of detailed information on the free energy of formation of the equilibrium phases. For silver-gold the use of this method gives the expression Δ ( ΔF ) = −187 X Au X Ag cal/mole.
Inelastic analysis of panel collapse by stiffener buckling

Abstract A previous paper [1] proposed an elastic tripping model using a Rayleigh-Ritz approach with 4 d.f. This paper extends the elastic model into the inelastic range, using deformation theory and an iterative and incremental formulation. Nonetheless, because of the efficiency of the Rayleigh-Ritz formulation, the solution is very rapid, even for ordinary PCs. The method can be used for analyzing the flexural-torsional and lateral-torsional buckling (“tripping”) behavior of flanged stiffeners subjected to axial compression, end moment, uniform lateral pressure and any combination of these. The effects of cross-sectional distortion, postbuckling behavior of the plate (incorporated by considering the plate effective width) and plasticity are included. Results obtained using the method are shown to be in good agreement with experimental results, and to be more accurate than other methods.
Acute Clinical Recovery from Sport-Related Concussion

Concussion is a highly prevalent injury in contact and collision sports that has historically been poorly understood. An influx of sport-concussion research in recent years has led to a dramatic improvement in our understanding of the injury’s defining characteristics and natural history of recovery. In this review, we discuss the current state of knowledge regarding the characteristic features of concussion and typical acute course of recovery, with an emphasis on the aspects of functioning most commonly assessed by clinicians and researchers (e.g., symptoms, cognitive deficits, postural stability). While prototypical clinical recovery is becoming better understood, questions remain regarding what factors (e.g., injury severity, demographic variables, history of prior concussions, psychological factors) may explain individual variability in recovery. Although research concerning individual differences in response to concussion is relatively new, and in many cases limited methodologically, we discuss the evidence about several potential moderators of concussion recovery and point out areas for future research. Finally, we describe how increased knowledge about the negative effects of and recovery following concussion has been translated into clinical guidelines for managing concussed athletes.
Radio Emission on Subparsec Scales from the Intermediate-Mass Black Hole in NGC 4395

The Seyfert 1 nucleus of NGC 4395 is energized by a black hole of mass 3.6 × 105 M☉, making it one of only two nuclear black holes of intermediate mass, 103-106 M☉, detected in the radio regime. Building on UV and X-ray evidence for outflows from this Seyfert nucleus, the VLBI High Sensitivity Array was used at 1.4 GHz to search for extended structure on scales greater than 5 mas (0.1 pc). Elongated emission was discovered, extending over 15 mas (0.3 pc) and suggesting an outflow on subparsec scales from this intermediate-mass black hole. The Seyfert nucleus is located at the center of an elliptical star cluster, and the elongation position angle of the subparsec radio structure is only 19° from the star cluster's minor axis.
Brominated acetylenic fatty acids from Xestospongia sp., a marine spongebacteria association

Abstract Three new brominated fatty acids, (5E, 11E, 15E, 19E)-20-bromoeicosa-5,11,15,19-tetraene-9,17-diynoic acid (1), (5Z, 11E, 15E, 19E)-6,20-dibromoeicosa-5,11,15,19-tetraene-9,17-diynoic acid (2) and (Z E)-14,14-dibromo-4,6,13-tetradecatrienoate, characterized as the methyl ester, 3, were isolated from Xestospongia sp. from the Indian Ocean. Compounds 1–2 (C20) and 3 (C14) are brominated fatty acids of unusual carbon number that have not been encountered previously in marine invertebrates. Xestospongia sp. is an association of sponge cells and bacteria, the latter accounting for ca. 50% of cellular mass.
A Difference Infrared Study of Hydrogen Bonding to the Z Tyrosyl Radical of Photosystem II

Photosystem II, the photosynthetic water oxidizing complex, contains two well characterized redox active tyrosines, D and Z. D forms a stable radical of unknown function. Z is an electron carrier between the primary chlorophyll donor and the manganese catalytic site. The vibrational difference spectra associated with the oxidation of tyrosines Z and D have been obtained through the use of infrared spectroscopy (MacDonald, G. M., Bixby, K. A., and Barry, B. A.(1993) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 90, 11024-11028). Here, we examine the effect of deuterium exchange on these vibrational difference spectra. While the putative C-O vibration of stable tyrosine radical D downshifts in 2H2O, the putative C-O vibration of tyrosine radical Z does not. This result is consistent with the existence of a hydrogen bond to the phenol oxygen of the D radical; we conclude that a hydrogen bond is not formed to the Z radical. In an effort to identify the amino acid residue that is the proton acceptor for Z, we have performed global 15N labeling. While significant 15N shifts are observed in the vibrational difference spectrum, substitution of a glutamine for a histidine that is predicted to lie in the environment of tyrosine Z has little or no effect on the difference infrared spectrum. There is also no significant change in the yield or lineshape of the Z EPR signal under continuous illumination in this mutant. Our results are inconsistent with the possibility that this residue, histidine 190 of the D1 polypeptide, acts as the sole proton acceptor for tyrosine Z.
Strong intra- and intermolecular aurophilic interactions in a new series of brilliantly luminescent dinuclear cationic and neutral au(I) benzimidazolethiolate complexes.

The structural and photophysical properties of a new series of cationic and neutral Au(I) dinuclear compounds (1 and 2, respectively) bridged by bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dppm) and substituted benzimidazolethiolate (X−BIT) ligands, where X = H (a), Me (b), OMe (c), and Cl (d), have been studied. Monocationic complexes, [Au2(μ-X−BIT)(μ-dppm)](CF3CO2), were prepared by the reaction of [Au2(μ-dppm)](CF3CO2)2 with 1 equiv of X−BIT in excellent yields. The cations 1a−1d possess similar molecular structures, each with a linear coordination geometry around the Au(I) nuclei, as well as relatively short intramolecular Au(I)···Au(I) separations ranging between 2.88907(6) A for 1d and 2.90607(16) A for 1a indicative of strong aurophilic interactions. The cations are violet luminescent in CH2Cl2 solution with a λemmax of ca. 365 nm, assigned as ligand-based or metal-centered (MC) transitions. Three of the cationic complexes, 1a, 1b, and 1d, exhibit unusual luminescence tribochromism in the solid-state, in which ...
Using Internet Technology Tools to Teach about Global Diversity

Students in the United States need diversity skills that enable them to function in an increasingly interdependent and varied world. Internet technology provides an untapped resource for assisting children to understand and value diversity. In this article, the authors present three skills that are important to students as they interact in the global community. In addition, the authors recommend Internet technology-based resources that teachers may use to assist students in acquiring diversity skills.
Mass spectrometry methods for structural determination and analysis of fatty acids

Synthese bibliographique comprenant 180 references concernant l'analyse d'acides gras a ramification, noyaux de cyclopropane, cyclopropene, epoxy ou comprenant des groupes hydroxyl et alcoxyl et des acides gras insatures
Image resampling and constraint formulation for multiframe superresolution restoration

Multi-frame super-resolution restoration algorithms commonly utilize a linear observation model relating the recorded images to the unknown restored image estimates. Working within this framework, we demonstrate a method for generalizing the observation model to incorporate spatially varying point spread functions and general motion fields. The method utilizes results from image resampling theory which is shown to have equivalences with the multi-frame image observation model used in super-resolution restoration. An algorithm for computing the coefficients of the spatially varying observation filter is developed. Examples of the application of the proposed method are presented.
Technology as a Last Resort in Home Birth: The Work of Lay Midwives

This paper considers an example of demedicalization in U.S. society by examining how 10 lay midwives described their work in attending home births. Committed to childbirth as a family event as opposed to a medical one, they tried to accomplish this by reallocating knowledge and responsibility among participants and by working to keep birth at home “natural,” relegating childbirth technology to a position of last resort before transporting women to the hospital. The midwives determined limits to their use of such technology according to their respective interpretations of collectively held norms. This work suggests that definitions of demedicalization rest upon two related bases: (1) participants abandoning their reliance upon the “technological fix;” and (2) experts becoming educators in a context of shared knowledge and responsibility.
Fluorescence of europium and samarium ions in potassium tantalate and mixed crystals of potassium tantalate-potassium niobate

Abstract The fluorescent spectra of Eu 3+ and Sm 3+ ions in crystals ofKTaO 3 , and in mixed crystals of KTaO 3 −KNbO 3 (KTN) have been studied. No energy level splittings or fluorescent intensity changes due to the crystallographic transitions were observed. Instead, extra lines appear as the niobium content is increased. These extra lines are possibly due to distortion caused by the substitution of niobium for tantalum in KTN near rare earth ions. From the ionic size of the activator ions and that of the cations in the host crystals of KTaO 3 and KTN, and comparison of the fluorescent line positions of the Sm 3+ ions with those in BaTiO 3 , it is concluded that the Sm 3+ ions are predominantly substituting at the K sites. The site-symmetry possessed by the Sm 3+ ions in KTaO 3 and KTN is discussed.
Higher-Order Factor Structures for the WISC-IV: Implications for Neuropsychological Test Interpretation

Factor-analytic studies support a hierarchical four-factor model for the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fourth Edition (WISC-IV) with a prominent general, third-order factor. However, there is substantial disagreement on which type of higher-order model best fits the data and how different models should guide test interpretation in clinical practice, with many studies concluding interpretation should primarily be focused on general indicators of intelligence. We performed a series of confirmatory factor analyses with the WISC-IV standardization sample (N = 2,200, ages 6–16 years) to examine model fit and reexamined models used to support test interpretation at the general level. Consistent with previous research, bifactor models were difficult to identify; however, compared with bifactor and hierarchical models, the correlated factors model with no general higher-order factor provided the best fit to the data. Results from this study support the basic four-factor model specified in the WISC-IV t...
Reforming regulation of electric utilities in the USA Priorities for the 1980s

Abstract The electric utility industry in the USA has been forced to face its transition to an era of slower growth while dealing with an increasingly extensive, complex and rigid regulatory framework. Traditional ‘public utility’ regulation is ill-suited to a period of radical change. The addition of environmental regulations, more stringent controls on nuclear power, and in some states separate energy policy agencies has aggravated the task. This article explains this problem and calls for radical reform, preferably placing more reliance on market forces.
Perturbative nature of color superconductivity

Color superconductivity is a possible phase of high density QCD. We present a systematic derivation of the transition temperature T{sub C} from the QCD Lagrangian through study of the di-quark proper vertex. With this approach, we confirm the dependence of T{sub C} on the coupling g, namely T{sub C}{approx}{mu}g{sup -5}e{sup -{kappa}}{sup /g}, previously obtained from the one-gluon exchange approximation in the superconducting phase. The diagrammatic approach we employ allows us to examine the perturbative expansion of the vertex and the propagators. We find an additional O(1) contribution to the prefactor of the exponential from the one-loop quark self energy and that the other one-loop radiative contributions and the two gluon exchange vertex contribution are subleading. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.
Market success as a criterion for assessing player contributions in sports businesses via a regression-based approach using adjusted performance measures and quasi-dummy variables

Using winning percentage as a well-established proxy for market success, this article proposes a method for estimating the relative contributions of players to victories as an assessment of their worth—that is, their value to team owners or their greatness as judged by sports fans. Specifically, the proposed approach regresses winning percentage on adjusted measures of team performance (with the players of interest omitted) plus quasi-dummy variables coded to represent the participation rates of the relevant players. Though this approach lends itself to use across a wide variety of sports (professional or college football, basketball, hockey, baseball, and so on) and situations (such as season, league, and history of team), it is described primarily in the context of major league baseball and is illustrated by means of a specific empirical application to the case of the New York Yankees.
A literature review and inventory of the effects of environment on the fatigue behavior of metals

The current state of knowledge of the effects of gas environments (at atmospheric pressure and below) on the fatigue behavior of metals is reviewed. Among the topics considered are the mechanisms proposed to explain the differences observed in the fatigue behavior of vacuum- and air-tested specimens, the effects of environment on the surface topography of fatigue cycled specimens, the effect of environment on the various phases of the fatigue phenomenon, the effect of prolonged exposure to vacuum on fatigue life, the variation of fatigue life with decreasing gas pressure, and gas evolution during fatigue cycling. Analysis of the findings of this review indicates that hydrogen embrittlement is primarily responsible for decreased fatigue resistance in humid environments, and that dislocations move more easily during tests in vacuum than during test in air. It was found that fatigue cracks generally initiated and propagated more rapidly in air than in vacuum. Prolonged exposure to vacuum does not adversely affect fatigue resistance. The variation of fatigue life with decreasing gas pressure is sometimes stepped and sometimes continuous.
Ventricular papillary fibroelastoma.

![Figure][1] [![Graphic][3] ][3][![Graphic][4] ][4] A 38-year-old man experienced a transient ischemic attack and underwent transthoracic echocardiography. Left ventricular systolic function and wall motion were normal. A broad-based hyperechoic mobile mass was found on the
Brain extracellular space in monkey fetuses subjected to prolonged partial asphyxia

Abstract Rhesus monkey fetuses, closely approaching term, were subjected to episodes of prolonged partial asphyxia while still in utero . Maternal blood presure was gradually decreased by increasing the concentration of inspired fluothane until a moderate degree of fetal compromise, indicated by a pH of 6.9–7.1 and a Po 2 of 15–18 mm Hg was sustained for 3–4 hr. Immediately after delivery by cesarian section, specimens of fetal cerebral cortex were frozen in liquid Freon-22, pre-chilled to —78C for 10 days. Electron micrographs of these specimens were prepared from which the relative volume of extracellular space was estimated stereometrically. A mean extracellular space of 4.1% in fetal animals subjected to prolonged partial asphyxia differed significantly from an extracellular space of 9.1% found in cerebral cortex from normal fetuses, similarly delivered. Additionally, mitochondria from asphyxiated fetuses were swollen and characterized by a dispersed, dilute-appearing matrix. These data suggested that the brain swelling concomitant with prolonged partial asphyxia is associated with a translocation of extracellular fluid, which appears to depend upon an altered mitochondrial metabolism and which results in a reduced volume of extracellular space.
Erik R. Seeman, Death in the New World: Cross-Cultural Encounters, 1492–1800

Erik R. Seeman, Death in the New World: Cross-Cultural Encounters, 1492–1800 (2010), 384 (University of Pennsylvania Press, Philadephia, $45.00). Erik Seeman argues in Death in the New World that t...
Expanding the functional repertoire of macrodomains

Macrodomains are conserved globular domains that can interact with, and in some cases modify, ADP-ribose–based molecules. In this issue, two reports add to the functional repertoire of this domain, by demonstrating that a subset of macrodomain-containing proteins functions to catalyze the removal of protein-proximal ADP-ribose.
Thermoelastic properties and conductivity of carbon/carbon fiber composites

Abstract Unidirectional carbon/carbon composites are modeled as fiber composites with cylindrically orthotropic fibers and matrix. All of the thermoelastic properties and the conductivities are evaluated on the basis of the composite cylinder assemblage (CCA) and the generalized self consistent scheme (GSCS) models. The former for axisymmetric elastic properties, axial shear modulus, thermal expansion coefficients and conductivities; the latter for transverse shear and Young's moduli and Poisson's ratio. Numerical results are given for onion skin, radial and transversely isotropic phase graphitic structures.
Scale-up of gas chromatography columns.

Abstract The effect of the modified Reynolds number, N′Re, and the ratio of column diameter to support particle diameter, Z, have been studied in 5 column sizes and 5 particle sizes at 6 flow rates, for several test mixtures of oxygenated aliphatics. The results indicate that minimum values of the pressure-drop-corrected retention time, TR°, will be obtained at Z values of 20–29, with an average value close to Z = 25.
Can Individual Differences in History of Dominance Explain the Development of Linear Dominance Hierarchies

Observed dominance hierarchies are often more linear than expected from randomly-formed dominance relationships, and in triads of animals attacks are distributed non-randomly. I hypothesize that an individual's history of dominance affects its probability of initiating aggressive interactions in the future and that individuals with winning records are more likely to initiate (winning begets initiating). Consistent with this hypothesis, evidence is presented that dominant individuals are more likely to attack than subordinate individuals. The winning begets initiating hypothesis may also explain why correlations between predicted dominance ranks (based on size, age etc.) and observed dominance ranks can be low: If the cost of engaging in and losing an interaction is high relative to the potential benefits of winning, then a large individual conditioned to be subordinate may refrain from contesting smaller, dominant individuals despite its actual competitive superiority.
Differential effects of cocaine exposure on the abundance of phospholipid species in rat brain and blood.

Abstract Background Lipid profiles in the blood are altered in human cocaine users, suggesting that cocaine exposure can induce lipid remodeling. Methods Lipid changes in the brain tissues of rats sensitized to cocaine were determined through shotgun lipidomics using electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). We also performed pairwise principal component analysis (PCA) to assess cocaine-induced changes in blood lipid profiles. Alterations in the abundance of phospholipid species were correlated with behavioral changes in the magnitude of either the initial response to the drug or locomotor sensitization. Results Behavioral sensitization altered the relative abundance of several phospholipid species in the hippocampus and cerebellum, measured one week following the final exposure to cocaine. In contrast, relatively few effects on phospholipids in either the dorsal or the ventral striatum were observed. PCA analysis demonstrated that cocaine altered the relative abundance of several glycerophospholipid species as compared to saline-injected controls in blood. Subsequent MS/MS analysis identified some of these lipids as phosphatidylethanolamines, phosphatidylserines and phosphatidylcholines. The relative abundance of some of these phospholipid species were well-correlated (R2 of 0.7 or higher) with either the initial response to cocaine or locomotor sensitization. Conclusion Taken together, these data demonstrate that a cocaine-induced sensitization assay results in the remodeling of specific phospholipids in rat brain tissue in a region-specific manner and also alters the intensities of certain types of phospholipid species in rat blood. These results further suggest that such changes may serve as biomarkers to assess the neuroadaptations occurring following repeated exposure to cocaine.
Biological approaches for controlling shellfish-associated pathogens

As the consumption of seafood and shellfish increases around the world, so is the incidence of associated outbreaks of illness. Various postharvest treatments are effective at killing seafood-associated bacteria, but most of these treatments also kill the mollusks. Because consumer preferences for raw live shellfish persist, biological approaches for promoting microbiological safety of live product are being considered. Applications of probiotic bacteria to reduce human pathogens in live shellfish could augment current practices for preharvest monitoring of water quality. Postharvest, biological controls will be important to remove shellfish-associated commensal Vibrio spp. that are pathogenic to humans. Further investigations will reveal whether combining depuration with chemical disruption of bacterial attachment or cell-to-cell signaling may accomplish this goal.
End-user software engineering with assertions in the spreadsheet paradigm

There has been little research on end-user program development beyond the activity of programming. Devising ways to address additional activities related to end-user program development may be critical, however, because research shows that a large proportion of the programs written by end users contain faults. Toward this end, we have been working on ways to provide formal "software engineering" methodologies to end-user programmers. This paper describes an approach we have developed for supporting assertions in end-user software, focusing on the spreadsheet paradigm. We also report the results of a controlled experiment, with 59 end-user subjects, to investigate the usefulness of this approach. Our results show that the end users were able to use the assertions to reason about their spreadsheets, and that doing so was tied to both greater correctness and greater efficiency.