cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Composition and Early Evolution of Earth

A weighted average composition is suggestd as the "Best Bulk Silicate Earth" (BBSE). BBSE, thought to represent Earth's primitive mantle (modern mantle + crust), is a concept based on analyses of oceanic theoleiites and continental flood basalts, oceanic and continental alkali basalts, ultramafic ophiolites, Archean komatiites, and spinel- and garnet-bearing xenoliths from basalts and kimberlites. BBSE shows the combined effects of core formation and volatility, presumably including condensation and sublimation in the solar nebula and volatile loss during the accretion and early evolution of Earth. The abundances of volatile lithophile elements show a volatility trend (VT) when plotted against condensation temperature. The slope of VT suggests that Earth accreted matter that had condensed over a wide range of temperatures, consistent with planet-formation scenarios of G. W. Wetherill (1988, Mercury, pp. 670-691, Univ. of Arizona Press, Tucson; 1990, Annu. Rev. Earth Planet. Sci. 18, 205-256). Using VT, BBSE, and long-standing seismic constraints, we infer the composition of the entire Earth and its core. The bulk Earth's VT closely resembles the average composition of H-chondrites (H3-H6). The 10 most abundant elements in the core nominally include ∼85.55 mass% Fe, 5.18% O, 4.88% Ni, 2.69% S, 0.45% Cr, 0.41% Mn, 0.35% P, 0.22% Co, 0.07% Cl, and possibly 0.02% K. The core may contain most of Earth's heavy alkali and halogen elements, in addition to chalcophiles and siderophiles; alternatively, depletions of alkali halide components in BBSE may have resulted from impact blow-off of an early saline ocean. It is unclear whether the core contains a significant fraction of Earth's K and Pb. Possible partitioning of substantial quantities of O, Rb, and Cs into the core and the partitioning behavior of fourth-period transition metals suggests that metal-silicate equilibration occurred at characteristic pressures of several hundred kilobars or more; if correct, this implies core formation during or after accretion of Earth rather than during the planetesimal stage. The inferred partitioning between core and primitive mantle reflects periodic elemental properties, such as covalent radius; elements that possess covalent radii similar to those of iron are most strongly partitioned into the core. The periodic nature of inferred core/mantle partioning conflicts with models involving simple addition of siderophile elements and volatiles in a late chondritic veneer; however, this aspect is in accord with conceptual models involving an approach toward equilibrium partitioning during core formation. In one model, equilibrium melting and segregation of metal occurs continuously over a range of interior pressures and temperatures as fresh material accretes and mixes into Earth. BBSE may reflect retention of a small amount of the last dregs of metal whose composition was controlled by this "dynamic equilibrium."
Development of a measure of self‐esteem in public speaking

A test of self‐esteem, specific to the classroom public speaking situation, is described. Procedures used in its development, administration, and analysis are presented. Test characteristics of reliability, validity, homogeneity, and economy are discussed.
Optimal ultra wideband conformal arrays

Ultra wideband and conformal antennas have been of interest for many years. Recently, optimal designs of tightly coupled bowtie arrays have been proposed with integrated feeds. These designs achieved practical apertures that reach 14:1 bandwidths (VSWR<;2). This paper traces some of these concepts back to C.H. Walter's book and presents some recent developments.
Novel targeted therapies in the treatment of soft-tissue sarcomas

Systemic therapy options for sarcomas historically have been limited once these tumors become resistant to traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy. Ongoing preclinical research into their biology and clinical trials based on rational biologic targeting have identified novel therapies. For example, the success of imatinib in gastrointestinal stromal tumor has led to the use of other tyrosine kinase inhibitors in other sarcoma subtypes. Other novel therapies include targeting of the mTOR pathway, and IGF-1 receptor. The heterogeneity of these tumors demands intelligently designed protocols in recognizing efficacy that may be restricted to certain histologic subtypes. This article will cover recent trials of new biologic agents in sarcomas that have exhibited promising activity.
Development of an ovine model of pediatric complete heart block.

Background Complete heart block is a significant clinical problem that can limit the quality of life in affected children. To understand the pathophysiology of this condition and provide for development of novel therapies, we sought to establish a large animal model of permanent, pacemaker-dependent atrioventricular block (AVB) that mimics the size and growth characteristics of pediatric patients. Materials and Methods We utilized nine immature lambs weighing 10.5 ± 1.4 kg. After implantation of dual-chamber pacemaker devices with fixed leads, AVB was produced by interrupting His-bundle conduction using radio-frequency ablation at the base of the non-coronary cusp of the aortic valve. Ablations (30 to 60 s in duration) were performed under fluoroscopic guidance with electrophysiological monitoring. Interrogation of pacemakers and electrocardiography (ECG) determined the persistence of heart block. Ovine hearts were also examined immunohistochemically for localization of conduction tissue. Results AVB was produced in eight animals using an atypical approach from the left side of the heart. One animal died due to ventricular fibrillation during ablation proximal to the tricuspid annulus and one lamb was sacrificed postoperatively due to stroke. Four sheep were kept for long-term follow-up (109.8 ± 32.9 d) and required continuous ventricular pacing attributable to lasting AVB, despite significant increases in body weight and size. Conclusions We have created a large animal model of pediatric complete heart block that is stable and technically practicable. We anticipate that this lamb model will allow for advancement of cell-based and other innovative treatments to repair complete heart block in children.
Repositioning of Surgically Placed Peritoneovenous Shunt Catheter by Forming “In Situ” Loop Snare Case Report and Review of Literature

We describe a technique that allows repositioning of malfunctioning peritoneovenous shunt (PVS) catheters. We report a 67-year-old female with refractory ascites, who presented with malfunctioning PVS. The catheter tip was outside the superior vena cava (SVC), possibly in a small mediastinal vein, which makes its tip inaccessible to regular snares and retrieval devices. We used "in situ" loop snare technique to reposition the tip of the catheter into the inferior vena cava (IVC). In situ loop snare technique can be used to reposition malfunctioning PVS catheters caused by a kink or by malposition of its tip. The technique avoids surgical or interventional replacement of these catheters. This technique can be also used for retrieval of foreign body fragments that have no free ends and, therefore, cannot be captured by a snare or other retrieval devices.
Leishmania donovani infection in athymic mice derived from parental strains of the susceptible (Lshs) or resistant (Lshr) phenotype.

Leishmania donovani, the agent of disseminated leishmaniasis, is a vectortransmitted protozoan parasite which multiplies exclusively within tissue macrophages of the infected host [16,25,39]. The etiologic agent is one of several species responsible for human leishmamasis manifested either by cutaneous or systemic disease [25,391. Visceral leishmaniasis is a chronic and life-threatening infection. The parasite is disseminated from the skin to the liver, spleen, and bone marrow, where macrophages serve as obligatory host cells for the amastigote (tissue) form of Leishmania donovani. The genetic basis for resistance or susceptibility to infection has become amenable to analysis primarily by the development of congenic and recombinant inbred strains of mice for use as experimental hosts [3,6,9,32,35,36]. Less than 10 years ago, Bradley et al [6,8,9] performed seminal studies showing that inbred strains of mice can be classified as innately resistant or susceptible to L donovani by the patterns of infection which ensue after challenge. Resistance or susceptibility as measured by the increase in the total parasite burden in the liver after several weeks of infection reveal that some inbred mouse strains restrict intrahepatic multiplication while others permit significant multiplication within macrophages so that a 10-100-fold increase in L donovani amastigotes is evident within 30 days. It was subsequently established that resistance or susceptibility of mice is controlled by a single autosomal gene on mouse chromosome I [9]. The gene designated as Lsh appears to govern macrophage functions so that significant intracellular multiplication of the protozoan parasite in the liver and spleen is either permitted or restricted
Incidence of EGFR Exon 19 Deletions and L858R in Tumor Specimens From Men and Cigarette Smokers With Lung Adenocarcinomas

Purpose EGFR mutations underlie the sensitivity of lung cancers to erlotinib and gefitinib and can occur in any patient with this illness. Here we examine the frequency of EGFR mutations in smokers and men. Methods We determined the frequency of EGFR mutations and characterized their association with cigarette smoking status and male sex. Results We tested 2,142 lung adenocarcinoma specimens for the presence of EGFR exon 19 deletions and L858R. EGFR mutations were found in 15% of tumors from former smokers (181 of 1,218; 95% CI, 13% to 17%), 6% from current smokers (20 of 344; 95% CI, 4% to 9%), and 52% from never smokers (302 of 580; 95% CI, 48% to 56%; P < .001 for ever v never smokers). EGFR mutations in former or current smokers represented 40% of all those detected (201 of 503; 95% CI, 36% to 44%). EGFR mutations were found in 19% (157 of 827; 95% CI, 16% to 22%) of tumors from men and 26% (346 of 1,315; 95% CI, 24% to 29%) of tumors from women (P < .001). EGFR mutations in men represented 31% (157 o...
tassel-less1 encodes a boron channel protein required for inflorescence development in maize.

tassel-less1 (tls1) is a classical maize (Zea mays) inflorescence mutant. Homozygous mutant plants have no tassels or very small tassels, and ear development is also impaired. Using a positional cloning approach, ZmNIP3;1 (a NOD26-like intrinsic protein) was identified as the candidate gene for tls1. The ZmNIP3;1 gene is completely deleted in the tls1 mutant genome. Two Mutator-insertional TUSC alleles of ZmNIP3;1 exhibited tls1-like phenotypes, and allelism tests confirmed that the tls1 gene encodes ZmNIP3;1. Transgenic plants with an RNA interference (RNAi) construct to down-regulate ZmNIP3;1 also showed tls1-like phenotypes, further demonstrating that TLS1 is ZmNIP3;1. Sequence analysis suggests that ZmNIP3;1 is a boron channel protein. Foliar application of boron could rescue the tls1 phenotypes and restore the normal tassel and ear development. Gene expression analysis indicated that in comparison with that of the wild type or tls1 plants treated with boron, the transition from the vegetative to reproductive phase or the development of the floral meristem is impaired in the shoot apical meristem of the tls1 mutant plants. It is concluded that the tls1 mutant phenotypes are caused by impaired boron transport, and boron is essential for inflorescence development in maize.
Residual masses after chemotherapy for metastatic testicular cancer: The clinical implications of the association between retroperitoneal and pulmonary histology

Purpose: We determined the need and sequence of retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and thoracotomy in patients with nonseminomatous testicular cancer, and with residual retroperitoneal and pulmonary masses after chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: We studied 159 patients undergoing retroperitoneal lymph node dissection and a thoracotomy following cisplatin based induction chemotherapy for metastatic testicular nonseminomatous germ cell tumor. Several well-known predictors for residual histology (necrosis, mature teratoma and cancer) were evaluated. Results: As expected, necrosis was found more often at retroperitoneal lymph node dissection if the primary tumor was negative for teratoma, the residual mass was small or the decrease in size was great. Contrary, neither residual mass size nor the decrease in size was predictive of the histological status of the residual lung lesion. Histological findings in the retroperitoneum and lung were strongly correlated, such that necrosis at retroperitoneal lymph node dissection was associated with an 89% probability of necrosis in the lung. Conclusions: Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection should be performed before thoracotomy is considered, since the histological status at dissection is a strong predictor of that at thoracotomy.
Roads not taken

This column examines the considerations that underlie how semiconductor manufacturing technologists determine whether a given technology road is worth pursuing.
Multiple Positive Sweat Chloride Tests in an Infant Asymptomatic for Cystic Fibrosis

Patient: 1-month-old male. Chief Complaint: Multiple positive sweat chloride tests in the absence of signs or symptoms suggestive of cystic fibrosis (CF). History of Present Illness: The patient was referred for sweat chloride testing after a positive newborn screen for immunoreactive trypsinogen (IRT). Immunoreactive trypsinogen is suggestive of CF when the value is within the top 5% of a period-specific floating cutoff value1 (Figure 1). The patient’s sweat chloride levels were elevated (>60 mmol/L). Preliminary screening for CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations using a 40 mutation screen identified 1 mutation in intron 11 (1585 -1G>A, legacy name 1717 -1G>A). Subsequent full gene CFTR sequencing revealed a second CFTR mutation in intron 22. Past Medical History: The infant was full term, weighing 8 lbs 6 oz at birth, and experienced an uncomplicated delivery. The infant was discharged following a standard 2-day stay in the newborn nursery. Physical Exam: A temperature of 36.4°C (axillary), blood pressure of 120/80 mm Hg, heart rate of 148, and respirations of 40 per minute were measured for the patient. The patient’s O2 saturation was 100% on room air. The patient’s length was 61.2 cm (90th percentile), weight 6.27 kg (95th percentile), and head circumference was 39.7 cm (50th percentile). His weight-to-length ratio was at the 50th percentile. The patient appeared healthy with no labored respiration and no apparent digestive issues. Drug History: None Family History: No family history of chronic diseases. Principal Laboratory Findings: The patient underwent sweat chloride testing on sweat collected by pilocarpine iontophoresis from both arms (Table 1). These tests were repeated several weeks later yielding similar results (not shown). 1. What are this patient’s most striking laboratory and clinical findings (Table 1)? 2. How do you explain the patient’s most striking clinical and laboratory findings? 3. What conditions are typically associated …
Monotone maps: a review

The aim of this paper is to provide a brief review of the main results in the theory of discrete-time monotone dynamics.
Spatial Flows and Spatial Patterns

The misspecification of gravity spatial interaction models has recently been described by the author. The bias in parameter estimates that results from such misspecification appears to produce the ‘map pattern effect’ or ‘spatial structure bias’ in estimated distance-decay parameters. A further aspect of the misspecification bias in gravity parameter estimates is explored here. The severity of the bias is shown to vary in a predictable manner with variations in spatial structure. In particular, the bias is shown to be dependent upon the pattern of accessibility that exists within a spatial system. The relevant aspects of this pattern are discussed for intraurban and interurban (or interregional) flow matrices. It is shown that from an examination of the spatial structure of centres in a spatial system it is possible, a priori, to identify whether significant bias will arise in the calibration of a gravity model. Certain configurations of centres are shown theoretically to produce maximal bias. The author ...
Kininogen gene (KNG) variation has a consistent effect on aldosterone response to antihypertensive drug therapy: the GERA study

Recent experimental and clinical studies suggested that apart from playing an essential role in blood pressure homeostasis, aldosterone is involved in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular and rena...
The Medicaid Expansion Is Not Such a Good Deal for States or the Poor

In the wake of the Supreme Court decision, states should not rush to expand eligibility for Medicaid. They cannot be certain that the federal support promised in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act will remain available, and a better deal might be possible after the election. Adding millions more to Medicaid rolls will exacerbate existing problems of access to providers. A more humane policy would give everyone--even the poor --a choice of health plans.
Evaluation and management for carotid dissection in patients presenting after choking or strangulation.

e Abstract—Background: Carotid dissection (CD) is often overlooked as a concern in strangulation and choking cases. When the diagnosis is considered, the question remains what is the best means of evaluation, and which imaging study should be obtained. Objective: To evaluate the literature for evaluation of choking- and strangulation-related injuries and their association with CD. Discussion: This article will review the literature on blunt carotid injuries, with particular attention to subjects with choking and strangulation mechanisms of injury, and will include important physical findings, when and which radiographic evaluations are indicated, and treatment. Conclusion: Although rare, CD can occur after strangulation and choking. When suspected, evaluation should include imaging studies including computed tomography angiography. © 2011 Elsevier Inc.
Molecular epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in a large urban hospital over a 5-year period.

To investigate the dissemination of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF) in a 728-bed tertiary-care hospital, all clinical VREF isolates recovered from June 1992 to June 1997 were typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and the transfer histories of the patients were documented. A total of 413 VREF isolates from urine (52%), wounds (16%), blood (11%), catheter tips (6%), and other sites (15%) were studied. VREF specimens mostly came from patients on wards (66%) but 34% came from patients in an intensive care unit. The number of VREF isolates progressively increased over time, with higher rates of isolation during the winter months and lower rates in the late summer months. Four distinct banding patterns were detected by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis among 316 samples (76%). Strain A (122 samples; 30%) appeared in June 1992 as the first VREF strain and was found until December 1994 throughout the entire hospital. Type B (92 samples; 22%) was initially detected in January 1994 and disappeared in November 1996. Strain C (10 samples; 2%) was limited to late 1996 and early 1997. Strain D (92 samples; 22%) showed two major peaks during March 1996 to August 1996 and January 1997 to February 1997. Unrelated strains (97 samples; 24%) appeared 1 year after the appearance of the first VREF isolate, and the numbers increased slightly over the years. Nosocomial acquisition (i.e., no known detection prior to admission and first isolation from cultures performed with samples retrieved ≥2 days after hospitalization) was found for 316 (91%) of 347 patients. Despite the implementation of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, the proportion of related strains and high number of nosocomial cases of infection indicate a high transmission rate inside the hospital. The results imply an urgent need for stringent enforcement of more effective infection control measures.
Child-feeding practices in children with down syndrome and their siblings.

Objective To compare parental feeding practices and evaluate their relationship to weight status among children with Down syndrome (DS) and their unaffected siblings. Study design Cross-sectional study of sibling pairs, one child with DS (n=36) and one child without DS (n=36), between 3 and 10 years of age. Parents completed the Child Feeding Questionnaire (CFQ), which assesses six aspects of control in feeding, separately for each child. Children's height and weight were measured using standard research procedures for calculation of body mass index (BMI) and BMI Z scores (BMIZ). Results Mean BMIZ was higher among children with DS than their siblings (1.1 ± 0.9 vs 0.1 ± 1.1; P P Conclusions Differences in child-feeding practices may play a role in the development of obesity in DS.
Separation Control Using DBD Plasma Actuators: Designs for Thrust Enhancement

New plasma actuators designed for enhanced flow control authority are made by increasing asymmetry of thrust during the Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) actuation cycle. This is done by a change of circuitry and by adding a semi-conductive layer on top of the dielectric surface, both for effective discharging of the dielectric. Compared to the conventional sinusoidal waveform driven plasma actuators, the new designs increases the thrust by about 70% when operating at the same frequency and voltage. Measurements indicate that increases in conductivity of the semi-conductive layer lead to increasingly higher thrust.
Inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Glutamine Synthetase as a Novel Antibiotic Strategy against Tuberculosis: Demonstration of Efficacy In Vivo

Tuberculosis remains one of humankind's greatest killers, and new therapeutic strategies are needed to combat the causative agent, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, which is rapidly developing resistance to conventional antibiotics. Using the highly demanding guinea pig model of pulmonary tuberculosis, we have investigated the feasibility of inhibiting M. tuberculosis glutamine synthetase (GS), an enzyme that plays a key role in both nitrogen metabolism and cell wall biosynthesis, as a novel antibiotic strategy. In guinea pigs challenged by aerosol with the highly virulent Erdman strain of M. tuberculosis, the GS inhibitor L-methionine-SR-sulfoximine (MSO) protected the animals against weight loss, a hallmark of tuberculosis, and against the growth of M. tuberculosis in the lungs and spleen; MSO reduced the CFU of M. tuberculosis at 10 weeks after challenge by approximately 0.7 log unit compared with that in control animals. MSO acted synergistically with isoniazid in protecting animals against weight loss and bacterial growth, reducing the CFU in the lungs and spleen by approximately 1.5 log units below the level seen with isoniazid alone. In the presence of ascorbate, which allows treatment with a higher dose, MSO was highly efficacious, reducing the CFU in the lungs and spleen by 2.5 log units compared with that in control animals. This study demonstrates that inhibition of M. tuberculosis GS is a feasible therapeutic strategy against this pathogen and supports the concept that M. tuberculosis enzymes involved in cell wall biosynthesis, including major secretory proteins, have potential as antibiotic targets.
SOD Isoforms and Signaling in Blood Vessels: Evidence for the Importance of ROS Compartmentalization

Over the last decade, there has been a growing body of evidence defining the importance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the development of cardiovascular diseases. In blood vessels, ROS have not only been found to be involved in pathologic processes like hypertension, atherosclerosis, restenosis, and diabetic vascular disease, but they also have been shown to work as intracellular messengers that regulate several physiological mechanisms, such as modulation of vessel tone, vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) and endothelial cell (EC) apoptosis, VSMC proliferation, hypertrophy, and migration.1 The level of ROS in cells depends on a delicate balance between their production and destruction. A major source of ROS in VSMCs is the NADPH oxidase,2 but other sources like complex III of the electron transport chain in mitochondria may play an important role in their production.3,4 See page 950 As a result of its short half life (≈10−4 seconds), its low diffusivity through lipid membranes, and its ability to quickly react with NO to produce perxinitrite (ONOO−), superoxide is the most likely ROS to have distinct effects depending on its subcelullar localization. Moreover, VSMCs produce several different superoxide scavenger enzymes located in different …
Inverse Segregation of MgO and MgAI2O4 in Fusion‐Cast Bodies

Rapidly cooled castings formed from certain liquids in the system Mg0-MgA1204 are observed to have an enrichment of the low-melting spinel in the early solidified skin of the casting. Periclase, the high-melting phase, is concentrated in the core of the casting. Following the metallurgical literature, an explanation for this nonequilibrium phenomenon, known as inverse segregation, is advanced which involves volume contraction upon solidification and flow-back of residual, spinel-rich liquids along interdendritic channels to the contraction volumes. The dependence of phase segregation on cooling history is discussed. Inverse segregation is negligible near the eutectic and extreme near the 70 wt% MgO concentration.
Calcium currents in bullfrog sympathetic neurons. I. Activation kinetics and pharmacology.

The calcium current of bullfrog sympathetic neurons activates and deactivates rapidly (tau less than 3 ms). For brief depolarizations, the current can be fit reasonably well by a Hodgkin-Huxley-type model with a single gating particle of charge +3. With 2 mM Ca2+ as the charge carrier, half-maximal activation occurs at approximately -5 mV, near the voltage where activation and deactivation are slowest. When extracellular divalent ion concentrations are reduced, monovalent ions (e.g., Na+ and methylammonium) produce kinetically similar inward currents. Current carried by Ba2+ is blocked by Cd2+ at micromolar concentrations, and by 100 nM omega-conotoxin. Commercially available saxitoxin blocks the current, but different batches have quantitatively different potency. The dihydropyridine agonist Bay K 8644 induces a slight shift in activation kinetics to more negative voltages, with little effect on the peak current. Nifedipine at least partially reverses the effect of Bay K 8644, but has little effect on its own. Muscarinic agonists and other ligands that inhibit the M-type potassium current of frog sympathetic neurons have weak inhibitory effects on the calcium current as well. One interpretation of these results is that the N-type calcium current predominates in these cells, with a minor contribution of L-type current.
Some observations on repeated spring balance weighing designs

Dey [3] has suggested a spring balance weighing design in preference to “repeated designs”, and later, Kulshreshtha and Dey [5] have suggested yet one more weighing design which, they say, would be preferred to “repeated designs” and to those suggested in [3], provided one is interested in estimating the weights of some of the objects with increased precision at the cost of precision for others. It has been shown here that, while the above findings may be true in some situations, one might, in a given problem, prefer “repeated designs” to those suggested in [3] and [5].
Influence of E-Shopping on Shopping Travel: Evidence from Minnesota’s Twin Cities

Research was done to reveal the travel impact of e-shopping in the Minneapolis-St. Paul (Twin Cities) metropolitan area of Minnesota. A sample of Internet users drawn from urban, suburban, and exurban neighborhoods was used to identify the relationship between e-shopping and in-store shopping. An online survey composed of direct and attitudinal questions was used to obtain the data. Ordered probit models were developed to account for the influences of a variety of confounding factors, such as shopping attitudes, shopping accessibility, shopping responsibility, and sociodemographics. The preliminary results, controlled for the confounding factors, show that e-shopping behavior (for online searching and online buying) tends to have a complementarity effect on in-store shopping.
Sexual Harassment in Organizational Context

This study sheds light on the organizational foundations of sexual harassment. The authors evaluated a theoretical model underscoring the influence of worker power, workplace culture, and gender composition using unique data derived from the population of English-language, book-length workplace ethnographies. The authors used ordered and multinomial logistic regression to test whether organizational explanations vary in their capacity to predict three distinct forms of sexual harassment: patronizing, taunting, and predatory conduct. The findings reveal that organizational attributes influence not only the presence of workplace sexual harassment but also the specific form in which it manifests. The result is a more conceptually refined model of sexual harassment in organizational context. The authors conclude with a discussion of the contribution of this study to sociological explanations of sexual harassment, including linkages to more recent qualitative work underscoring its complexity, and with implications for policy in light of current workplace trends.
High-fidelity artifact correction for cone-beam CT imaging of the brain

CT is the frontline imaging modality for diagnosis of acute traumatic brain injury (TBI), involving the detection of fresh blood in the brain (contrast of 30–50 HU, detail size down to 1 mm) in a non-contrast-enhanced exam. A dedicated point-of-care imaging system based on cone-beam CT (CBCT) could benefit early detection of TBI and improve direction to appropriate therapy. However, flat-panel detector (FPD) CBCT is challenged by artifacts that degrade contrast resolution and limit application in soft-tissue imaging. We present and evaluate a fairly comprehensive framework for artifact correction to enable soft-tissue brain imaging with FPD CBCT. The framework includes a fast Monte Carlo (MC)-based scatter estimation method complemented by corrections for detector lag, veiling glare, and beam hardening.The fast MC scatter estimation combines GPU acceleration, variance reduction, and simulation with a low number of photon histories and reduced number of projection angles (sparse MC) augmented by kernel de-noising to yield a runtime of ~4 min per scan. Scatter correction is combined with two-pass beam hardening correction. Detector lag correction is based on temporal deconvolution of the measured lag response function. The effects of detector veiling glare are reduced by deconvolution of the glare response function representing the long range tails of the detector point-spread function. The performance of the correction framework is quantified in experiments using a realistic head phantom on a testbench for FPD CBCT.Uncorrected reconstructions were non-diagnostic for soft-tissue imaging tasks in the brain. After processing with the artifact correction framework, image uniformity was substantially improved, and artifacts were reduced to a level that enabled visualization of ~3 mm simulated bleeds throughout the brain. Non-uniformity (cupping) was reduced by a factor of 5, and contrast of simulated bleeds was improved from ~7 to 49.7 HU, in good agreement with the nominal blood contrast of 50 HU. Although noise was amplified by the corrections, the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of simulated bleeds was improved by nearly a factor of 3.5 (CNR = 0.54 without corrections and 1.91 after correction). The resulting image quality motivates further development and translation of the FPD-CBCT system for imaging of acute TBI.
Enhanced arsenic removal using mixed metal oxide impregnated chitosan beads

Abstract Mixed metal oxide impregnated chitosan beads (MICB) containing nanocrystalline Al 2 O 3 and nanocrystalline TiO 2 were successfully developed. This adsorbent exploits the high capacity of Al 2 O 3 for arsenate and the photocatalytic activity of TiO 2 to oxidize arsenite to arsenate, resulting in a removal capacity higher than that of either metal oxide alone. The composition of the beads was optimized for maximum arsenite removal in the presence of UV light. The mechanism of removal was investigated and a mode of action was proposed wherein TiO 2 oxidizes arsenite to arsenate which is then removed from solution by Al 2 O 3 . Pseudo-second order kinetics were used to validate the proposed mechanism. MICB is a more efficient and effective adsorbent for arsenic than TiO 2 -impregnated chitosan beads (TICB), previously reported on, yet maintains a desirable life cycle, free of complex synthesis processes, toxic materials, and energy inputs.
Heat shock protein 70-1A is a novel angiogenic regulator

Heat shock protein 70-1A (HSP70-1A) is a stress-inducible protein that provides an essential intracellular molecular chaperone function; however, the mechanism of HSP70-1A in angiogenesis has not been clarified. Herein, HSP70-1A gene silencing implicated this protein in angiogenesis. Additionally, recombinant human HSP70-1A (rhHSP70-1A) was able to stimulate human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) migration and tube formation in vitro and microvessel formation in vivo similarly to recombinant human vascular endothelial growth factor (rhVEGF). Furthermore, rhHSP70-1A was tightly bound to the surface of HUVECs and participated in extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK)-dependent angiogenesis. Together, these results implicate HSP70-1A as a novel angiogenic regulator.
A new method for determining the primary energy from the calorimetric energy of showers observed in hybrid mode on a shower-by-shower basis

The energy deposit integral can be used for determining the calorimetric energy of air showers observed with fluorescence telescopes. The invisible fraction of the primary energy, averaged over many showers, is typically estimated from Monte Carlo simulations and later added for the reconstruction of the total primary energy. In this contribution we derive a simple parameterization of the invisible energy correction that ca n be applied to individual events measured with both the fluorescence and the surface detectors. The obtained parame terization is robust with respect to a change of the high energy hadronic interaction model employed in the simulation and has only a very small primary mass dependence, reducing the associated systematic uncertainties of energy reconstructio n.
Concluding Remarks for the Helsingør Ribosome Conference, 13 to 17 June 1999

This chapter presents concluding Remarks for the Helsingor Ribosome Conference, 13 to 17 June 1999. By tradition, ribosome meetings terminate with a summary talk delivered by a senior member of the field. In the closing years of the decade, Ada Yonath began her remarkable effort to crystallize the ribosome, the success of which has led the author and his coworkers to the happy circumstances. The low-resolution structure-mapping experiments begun in the 1970s were largely concluded. Electron microscopists interested in ribosomes continued developing techniques for reconstructing three-dimensional images of single biological particles, and at the same time, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopists and X-ray crystallographers began producing high-resolution structures of individual ribosomal components in increasing numbers. The electron microscopists began generating images of unprecedented resolution, and groups outside Berlin began responding to the challenge posed by Yonath's crystals. The techniques the molecular biologists and biochemists have perfected will be more powerful than ever when both experimental designs and data interpretation are informed by an accurately understood structure. The contributions made by the members of the Organizing Committee to the hard work that made the meeting possible were inversely proportional to the distance between Copenhagen and their places of residence.
Neurons sensitive to interaural temporal disparities in the medial part of the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus

Batra, Ranjan and Douglas C. Fitzpatrick. Neurons sensitive to interaural temporal disparities in the medial part of the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 511–515, 1997...
Preservation of Regional and Global Left Ventricular Function by Intracoronary Infusion with Oxygenated Fluorocarbon Emulsion TheroxTM in Dogs

We tested the oxygen transport and delivery capacity of the novel perfluorocarbon emulsion, TheroxTM (F44E, 1,2-bis-perfluorobutyl-ethylene) by comparing left ventricular regional and global function in dogs during perfusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) with oxygenated Krebs buffer and oxygenated TheroxTM emulsion (20% w/v) at 20 ml/min for two separate 3 min periods. During LAD perfusion with oxygenated Krebs buffer, complete loss of systolic wall thickening in the LAD perfusion area was observed, dP/dt was significantly reduced and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was increased. In contrast, LAD perfusion with oxygenated TheroxTM maintained regional wall thickening at 60–70 % of control and completely preserved global function as measured by dP/dt and LVEDP. Thus, TheroxTM is an effective oxygen carrier in this animal model.
The Nuttiness of State and Local Taxes - And the Nuttiness of the Response Thereto

The author writes that many key elements of state and local taxes can only be described as nutty: he urges uniformity in state and local taxes. Taxes on business that do not reflect benefits of public services provided to the taxpayer should be avoided, the author writes. He suggests that sales and corporate taxes should be uniform, except for the rates.
Precursor Chemistry Effects on Development of Particulate Morphology During Evaporative Decomposition of Solutions

Fine-grained, high surface area MgO, NiO and ZnO powders were synthesized by the evaporative decomposition of solutions (EDS) technique at 1000°C from acetate and nitrate salt solutions. The powder characteristics were similar in all cases; however, aggregated powders were obtained from the nitrate salts and aggregate-free powders were obtained from the acetate solutions when reacted in air. This difference is attributed to the oxidation of the acetate radical and/or its residue and that this process acts to disaggregate the salt droplet/particles that are formed during EDS.
Parasites and Symbionts of Nests of Polistes Wasps

Detailed observations were made on nests of 3 species of Polistes wasps: P. annularis (L.), P. exclamans Viereck, and P. metricus Say. A summary of the records of the associated arthropods observed, together with those previously published, is given in tabular form. Twenty-three species of insects were known to be associated with Polistes nests in the United States; data on 18 additional insects and 1 mite species were gathered during this study. Symbionts and parasites reported for the first time are: Pyemotes sp., Lepinotus reticulatus Enderlein; Liposcelis bostrychophilus Badonnel; Ectopsocopsis cryptomeriae (Enderlein); Lachesilla sp.; the foreign grain beetle, Ahasverus advena (Waltl) ; the brown spider beetle, Ptinus clavipes Panzer; Trogoderma glabrum (Herbst) ; T. inclusum LeConte; the grape leaf skeletonizer, Harrisina americana (Guerin-Meneville) ; Tinea carnariella Clemens; Sarcophaga sp.; Megaselia aletiae (Comstock) ; Phaenolauthia sp.; Melittobia chalybii Ashmead; Perilampus chrysopae Crawford; Monodontomerus minor (Ratzeburg); Dibrachys sp.; and Dialictus zephyrus (Smith). Observations on these and 8 other species are given.
Predicting remission in juvenile rheumatoid arthritis with methotrexate treatment.

Forty-nine children with a polyarticular course of juvenile rheumatoid arthritis treated with methotrexate (MTX) for at least one year were analyzed to identify clinical characteristics that would predict remission of arthritis after MTX treatment. Twenty-two children (45%) bad remission of arthritis after a mean of 13.6 months of treatment and did not differ from the 27 with persistently active arthritis regarding years of disease before starting MTX, age starting MTX, maximum MTX dose, disease onset type, presence of radiographic joint destruction, concomitant treatment with hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine or prednisone, or presence of rheumatoid factor or antinuclear antibodies
Chirp diversity waveform design and detection by stretch processing

Pulse trains are among the most commonly used waveforms in radar. Examples are pulse-Doppler radar, stepped-frequency, up-down chirps, stepped-chirps and frequency-coded waveforms, among others. In this work, we propose a pulse train modeled after chirplet chains where the basic elements of the waveform are contiguous linear chirps of arbitrary chirp rates and offset frequencies without using frequency coding. The receiver structure employs a bank of stretch processors each tuned to different chirps. The beat frequencies are separated from the cross term spectra by tuning the slopes and offsets of the individual chirps. The waveform can also be tuned to remove the range-Doppler coupling common to linear chirps. The detector can handle delays in the fraction of the pulse width, Doppler, as well as clutter suppression by isolating secondary target returns.
Algorithm and Architecture Independent Benchmarking with SEAK

Many applications of high performance embedded computing are constrained by performance or power bottlenecks. We designed a new benchmark suite, the Suite for Embedded Applications and Kernels (SEAK), (a) to capture these bottlenecks in a way that encourages creative solutions, and (b) to facilitate rigorous tradeoff evaluation for their solutions. To avoid biases toward existing solutions, both algorithms and architecture are variables. Thus, each benchmark has a mission-centric (abstracted from a particular algorithm) and goal-oriented (functional) specification. To encourage solutions that are any combination of software or hardware, we use an end-user black-box evaluation. To inform procurement decisions, evaluations capture tradeoffs between performance, power, accuracy, size, and weight. We call our benchmarks future proof because they remain useful despite shifting algorithmic/architectural preferences. To create both concise and precise mission-centric specifications, we introduce two distinct benchmark classes. This paper describes the SEAK suite and presents an evaluation of sample solutions that highlights power and performance tradeoffs.
Trading places: Changes in gender roles within the Iranian immigrant family

(1999). Trading places: Changes in gender roles within the Iranian immigrant family. Critique: Critical Middle Eastern Studies: Vol. 8, No. 15, pp. 51-75.
Methylphenidate Effects on Attention and Learning

The effects of methylphenidate (MPH), in 2 doses (0.3 and 0.8 mg/kg), on an attentional continuous performance task (CPT) and on a nonverbal learning task presented in two levels of difficulty, were evaluated in 23 children, aged 7 to 11 years, with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder treated at the Scottish Rite Children’s Medical Center, Atlanta, GA.
Thermoelectric Properties of ZnO Thin Films Grown by Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition

Thermoelectric (TE) materials have gained renewed interests in last decades for both power generation and energy conservation from waste-heat harvesting. Research in the discovery of best TE materials such as, bulk materials, complex structures, and low dimensional play crucial role to achieve high efficiency TE materials. Wide bandgap materials like ZnO can be promising candidate for high efficiency TE power generation owing to its low-cost, nontoxicity, and stability at high temperatures. In this paper, room temperature TE properties of thin film ZnO grown by metal organic vapor deposition (MOCVD) are reported. TE properties of thin film GaN are also studied as reference to that of thin film ZnO. Moreover, high resolution x-ray diffraction (HRXRD), room temperature photoluminescence (PL) with deep ultraviolet (DUV) spectroscopy (excitation at 248nm), hall effect, and thermal gradient methods have been employed to investigate the effect of structural, optical, electrical, and thermal properties of the samples, respectively. The effect of doping concentrations and structural defects on Seebeck coefficients of thin film ZnO are systematically studied and discussed in this work.
Cooperating to compete: using technology to link the multinational corporation and the country

The new dynamic of the multinational enterprise – the nation/state relationship – is changing, and requires that viable cooperative modes be explored. This paper looks at the preferences and priorities of the multinational and development paradigms, and offers a new analytical construct or synthesis that is neither state–centred nor firm–centred, but spans national boundaries – the 'technological paradigm'. The technological paradigm offers a more competitive mode for operating in the international environment because it does not negate conflicting forces of governance but suggests a new cooperative synthesis that may be practically applied by corporations and developing countries, in particular.
Marijuana use in the context of alcohol interventions for mandated college students

Abstract Objective Concurrent use of marijuana and alcohol among college students is highly prevalent and associated with negative consequences. It remains unclear whether marijuana use is influenced by or lessens the efficacy of alcohol interventions delivered within a stepped-care approach. Method Participants were 530 college students who violated campus alcohol policy and were mandated to an alcohol-focused brief advice (BA) session. Participants who reported continued risky alcohol use (4+ heavy drinking episodes and/or 5+ alcohol-related consequences in the past month) six weeks following the BA session were randomized to a brief motivational intervention (BMI; n =211) or assessment only (AO; n =194) condition. Follow-up assessments were conducted 3, 6, and 9months' post-intervention. Results Multiple regression analyses revealed that marijuana user status did not influence drinking outcomes following the BA session. However, hierarchical linear models suggested that marijuana users who were randomized to BMI or AO reported higher levels of binge drinking, pBAC and consequences compared to non-users, regardless of condition. Despite this, heavy drinking marijuana users and nonusers had equivalent reductions on alcohol use outcomes following the BMI sessions. Marijuana users who received a BMI did not significantly reduce marijuana use frequency compared to participants in the AO group. Conclusion Use of marijuana did not lessen the efficacy of the BA session on alcohol use or consequences. Findings suggest that marijuana users respond similarly to alcohol interventions as do non-users and can benefit from brief or more intensive alcohol interventions. A marijuana-focused intervention may be warranted to facilitate changes in marijuana use.