cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Depot antipsychotic drugs. Place in therapy.

The pharmacokinetics of depot antipsychotic medications are such that an intramuscular injection given at intervals of from 1 to 4 weeks will produce adequate plasma concentrations that are sufficient to prevent relapse over the dosage interval. Such medication is useful in patients who do not reliably take their oral medication. The pharmacokinetics and clinical actions of various depot formulations of antispychotic drugs have been extensively studied. Unfortunately, patients who do not reliably take their oral medications are unlikely to volunteer for controlled studies. This is because the same factors that influence a patient to not cooperate with the physician in taking the medication as prescribed will also interfere with their willingness to volunteer for research protocols. Thus, evidence from blinded controlled trials may not necessarily reflect the actual patient population at risk. We feel that particularly important evidence of efficacy of depot vs oral medication comes from mirror-image studies. In these trials, the number of hospitalisations after initiation of depot medication is compared with that observed when the patient was solely taking oral medication. Studies of this type show that depot medication substantially reduces the rate of relapse. There is considerable evidence about how long depot medications should be used. For many patients, depot medication to prevent relapse in schizophrenia should be used for the life of the patient. As the conventional antispychotic agents are replaced by a new generation of agents, the need for depot formulations will continue, and the knowledge gained about the current formulations should transfer to future generations of drugs.
Geometries of sensor outputs, inference, and information processing

We describe signal processing tools to extract structure and information from arbitrary digital data sets. In particular heterogeneous multi-sensor measurements which involve corrupt data, either noisy or with missing entries present formidable challenges. We sketch methodologies for using the network of inferences and similarities between the data points to create robust nonlinear estimators for missing or noisy entries. These methods enable coherent fusion of data from a multiplicity of sources, generalizing signal processing to a non linear setting. Since they provide empirical data models they could also potentially extend analog to digital conversion schemes like "sigma delta".
Effects of Endogenous Redox-Active Compounds on Coupling of Human Beta2-Adrenergic Receptors

Altered redox states such as metabolic acidosis may impair beta-adrenergic receptor responsiveness. Beta-adrenergic receptor function requires formation of a high affinity, “coupled” state of the receptor. The degree of coupling is reflected in the ratio of dissociation constants, KL/KH, for the low and high affinity states of the receptor. It has previously been demonstrated that 16 mM lactate and pH 7.1 induce independent defects in beta-adrenergic receptor function. The purpose of this study was to examine further how endogenous redox agents might alter high affinity state formation. Normal neutrophil membrane preparations containing beta-adrenergic receptors were exposed to several concentrations of three redox couplets native to plasma: lactate (L)-pyruvate (P), beta-hydroxybutyrate (BOHB)-acetoacetate (AcAc), and glutathione (GSH-GSSG). BOHB, AcAc, and P had no isolated effect on high affinity state formation while 10 mM lactate diminished KL/KH by 30% (p < 0.001). Dropping the pH from 7.4 to 7.1 resulted in a 50% to 70% reduction in KL/KH (p < 0.001), independent of metabolite present. GSH or GSSG exposure resulted in a concentration-dependent fall in KL/KH value. Thus, high affinity state formation is regulated by redox couplets and pH independently. The reduced responsiveness of beta-adrenergic receptors observed in such states as metabolic acidosis could result from direct effects of redox couplets in addition to those of low pH.
Age of learning affects the authenticity of voice‐onset time (VOT) in stop consonants produced in a second language

This study examined whether Spanish-English bilinguals are able to fully differentiate Spanish and English /t/ according to voice-onset time (VOT) if they learn English as a second language (L2) in early childhood. In experiment 1, VOT was measured in Spanish words spoken by Spanish monolinguals, in English words spoken by English monolinguals, and in Spanish and English words spoken by bilinguals who learned English either as young children or as adults. As expected, the Spanish monolinguals produced /t/ with considerably shorter VOT values than the English monolinguals. Also as expected, the late L2 learners produced English /t/ with "compromise" VOT values that were intermediate to the short-lag values observed for Spanish monolinguals and the long-lag values observed for English monolinguals. The early learners' VOT values for English /t/, on the other hand, did not differ from English monolinguals' VOT. The same pattern of results was obtained for stops in utterance-medial position and in absolute utterance-initial position. The results of experiment 1 were replicated in experiment 2, where bilingual subjects were required to produce Spanish and English utterances (sentences, phrases, words) in alteration. The results are interpreted to mean that individuals who learn an L2 in early childhood, but not those who learn an L2 later in life, are able to establish phonetic categories for sounds in the L2 that differ acoustically from corresponding sounds in the native language. It is hypothesized that the late L2 learners produced /t/ with slightly longer VOT values in English than Spanish by applying different realization rules to a single phonetic category.
Cochlear transduction: an integrative model and review

A model for cochlear transduction is presented that is based on considerations of the cell biology of its receptor cells, particularly the mechanisms of transmitter release at recepto-neural synapses. Two new interrelated hypotheses on the functional organization of the organ of Corti result from these considerations, one dealing with the possibility of electrotonic interaction between inner and outer hair cells and the other with a possible contributing source to acoustic emissions of cochlear origin that results from vesicular membrane turnover.
A robust hybrid stabilization strategy for equilibria

For an equilibrium of a general dynamical system, the domain of stability of a linear feedback controller is enlarged by the use of a general "hybrid" or "switching" strategy. The strategy is illustrated for numerical simulations of an inverted double pendulum on a cart. >
Intersection multiplicity of Serre on regular schemes

Abstract The study of the intersection multiplicity function χ O X ( F , G ) over a regular scheme X for a pair of coherent O X -modules F and G is the main focus of this paper. We mostly concentrate on projective schemes, vector bundles over projective schemes, regular local rings and their blow-ups at the closed point. We prove that (a) vanishing holds in all the above cases, (b) positivity holds over Proj of a graded ring finitely generated over its 0th component which is artinian local, when one of F and G has a finite resolution by direct sum of copies of O ( t ) for various t, and (c) non-negativity holds over P R n , R regular local, and over arbitrary smooth projective varieties if their tangent bundles are generated by global sections. We establish a local–global relation for χ for a pair of modules over a regular local ring via χ of their corresponding tangent cones and χ of their corresponding blow-ups. A new proof of vanishing and a special case of positivity for Serre's Conjecture are also derived via this approach. We also demonstrate that the study of non-negativity is much more complicated over blow-ups, particularly in the mixed characteristics.
Interface Dynamics during Indium Antimonide Crystal Growth

Experiments with a stoichiometric InSb compound were first performed at small temperature gradient across the crystal/melt interface of 3 °C/cm and furnace translation velocity, V fru , of 2 μm/sec. Known growth requirements for quality crystals were confirmed. They are, (1) the interface temperature must be close to the congruent melting temperature and, (2) the interface must be located within the adiabatic zone. These requirements can be obtained only through specific settings of the heater temperatures. An X-ray radioscopic system has been modified to accommodate real-time visualization of the crystal/melt interface during vertical Bridgman-Stockbarger growth of InSb. It is shown that asymmetric temperature settings of the heaters can be advantageously used to minimize defect formation. The interface temperature was assessed indirectly with calibrated outside thermocouples. Optical microscopy and electron microprobe analyses provided feedback on crystal-line homogeneity.
Electron-transfer polymers. XXXIV. Redox polyurethanes from p-benzoquinone-2,5-diols and diisocyanates

It is possible to prepare polyurethanes from p-benzoquinone-diols and diisocyanates by using dibutyltin diacetate catalyst at room temperature or below, since the benzoquinone group does not react with isocyanate under these conditions. This permits preparation of new redox polymers. In preparing the polyurethanes excess isocyanate groups must be destroyed at the end of the reaction time in order to prevent crosslinking during work-up. These polymers are readily reduced by aqueous hydrosulfite. Good viscosity numbers are obtained; and, in general, upon reduction the viscosity increases over that of the oxidized form. There is no evidence of crosslinking. When oxidized and reduced forms of these polymers are mixed there is no evidence of charge transfer.
Impacts of Agricultural Drainage Outlets on Great Lakes Coastal Wetlands

Great Lakes coastal wetlands are subject to many types of anthropogenic disturbances. Agricultural non-point source pollution is a major contributor to the eutrophication of coastal aquatic systems and agricultural pesticides and herbicides have been linked to losses of wetland biodiversity. Nutrients and pollutants are washed off the landscape during rain events and often times enter drainage systems that are connected to Great Lakes waters. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect that agricultural drainage systems have on coastal wetlands and to measure the subsequent alterations in coastal wetland biota. We sampled coastal wetland sites in Lake Huron and Lake Michigan near ( 1500 m) from drainage outlets for habitat conditions, aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish. Non-metric multi-dimensional scaling (NMDS) analysis in conjunction with a multi response permutation procedure (MRPP) revealed differences in macroinvertebrate community compositions located near drainage outlets when compared to sites far from outlets. Principal component analysis (PCA) of 16 abiotic parameters exposed variation in habitat conditions between sites near and far from outlets. Increased levels of nitrates, turbidity, and specific conductance were often associated with sites near outlets. These findings demonstrate the strong impact of agricultural drainage ditches on coastal wetlands and stress the importance of protective land use policy.
Synthesis of IL-6 by Hepatocytes Is a Normal Response to Common Hepatic Stimuli

Exogenous interleukin 6 (IL-6), synthesized at the initiation of the acute phase response, is considered responsible for signaling hepatocytes to produce acute phase proteins. It is widely posited that IL-6 is either delivered to the liver in an endocrine fashion from immune cells at the site of injury, or alternatively, in a paracrine manner by hepatic immune cells within the liver. A recent publication showed there was a muted IL-6 response in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-injured mice when nuclear NFκB was specifically inactivated in the hepatocytes. This indicates hepatocellular signaling is also involved in regulating the acute phase production of IL-6. Herein, we present extensive in vitro and in vivo evidence that normal hepatocytes are directly induced to synthesize IL-6 mRNAs and protein by challenge with LPS, a bacterial hepatotoxin, and by HGF, an important regulator of hepatic homeostasis. As the IL-6 receptor is found on the hepatocyte, these results reveal that induction of the acute phase response can be regulated in an autocrine as well as endocrine/paracrine fashion. Further, herein we provide data indicating that following partial hepatectomy (PHx), HGF differentially regulates IL-6 production in hepatocytes (induces) versus immune cells (suppresses), signifying disparate regulation of the cell sources involved in IL-6 production is a biologically relevant mechanism that has previously been overlooked. These findings have wide ranging ramifications regarding how we currently interpret a variety of in vivo and in vitro biological models involving elements of IL-6 signaling and the hepatic acute phase response.
Context and denoising based decoding of non-systematic turbo codes for redundant data

We consider strategies for universal utilization of context based redundancy left in channel coded data to improve channel decoding of non-systematic turbo codes. The statistical parameters of the sequence are extracted using such strategies and passed to an iterative decoder. Simulation results demonstrate significant coding gains obtained by utilization of this redundancy, which usually increase with well designed nonsystematic codes. Different context based strategies are compared
Resonant magneto-optical properties of Fe near its 2p levels: [] Measurement and applications

Resonant magneto-optical properties of Fe are considered across its $2p$ core levels. General equivalence of the classical magneto-optical formalism (dielectric tensor) and the resonant atomic scattering factor in the electric dipole approximation is shown in describing pure charge contributions as well as first- and second-order magnetic contributions. Thickness effects in transmission absorption measurements are considered and shown to be minimized in Faraday magneto-optical rotation measurements. Transmission absorption and Faraday rotation spectra obtained using linear polarization are normalized to the complex refractive index and atomic scattering factor for pure circular modes and their polarization average, showing that the pure magnetic part is roughly 50% of the pure charge part at the ${L}_{3}$ resonance. Magnetic linear dichroism (Voigt effect) measured in transmission is only 2% of the pure charge scattering at resonance. These magneto-optical constants are used to calculate important polarization-dependent experimental quantities including penetration depths, critical angles for total external reflection, Kerr rotation and intensity spectra, and interference and distorted-wave effects that modulate scattering intensities. The results reveal the importance of knowledge of these properties and use of full magneto-optical formalisms in planning and interpreting experiments involving resonant $2p$ optical properties of the $3d$ transition metals.
Explaining the forgetting and recovery of abuse and trauma memories: possible mechanisms.

Much attention has been focused on memories of abuse that are allegedly forgotten or repressed then recovered. By retrospectively surveying more than 1,400 college women, the authors investigated (a) the frequency with which temporary forgetting is reported for child sexual abuse experiences as opposed to other childhood abuse and traumas and (b) exactly how victims characterize their forgetting experiences in terms of various competing cognitive mechanisms. Rates of forgetting were similar among victims who experienced sexual abuse, physical abuse, and multiple types of traumas. Victims of other types of childhood traumas (e.g., car accidents) reported less forgetting than victims of childhood sexual abuse or multiple types of trauma. Most victims' characterizations of their forgetting experiences were not indicative of repression in the classic Freudian sense but instead suggested other more common mechanisms, such as directed forgetting and relabeling. The implications of these findings for psychological theory, clinical practice, and law are discussed.
THE MEASUREMENT OF TRANSMEMBRANE HELICES BY THE DECONVOLUTION OF CD SPECTRA OF MEMBRANE PROTEINS: A REVIEW

The interpretation of the CD spectra of proteins to date requires additional secondary structural information of the proteins to be analyzed, such as x-ray or nmr data. Therefore, these methods are inappropriate for a CD data base whose secondary structures are unknown, as in the case of the membrane proteins. The Convex Constraint Analysis algorithm [A. Perczel, M. Hollosi, G. Tusnady, and G. D. Fasman (1991) Protein Engineering, Vol. 4, 669–679], on the other hand, operates only on a collection of spectral data to extract the common spectral components with their spectral weights. The linear combinations of these derived “pure” CD curves can reconstruct the original data set with great accuracy. For a membrane protein data set, the five-component spectra so obtained from the deconvolution consisted of two different types of α-helices (the α-helix in the soluble domain and the αT-helix, for the transmembrane α-helix), a β-pleated sheet, a class C-like spectrum related to β-turns, and a spectrum correlated with the unordered conformation. The deconvoluted CD spectrum for the αT-helix was characterized by a positive red-shifted band in the range 195–200 nm (+95,000 deg cm2 dmol−l), with the intensity of the negative band at 208 nm being slightly less negative than that of the 222 nm band (−50,000 and −60,000 deg cm2 dmol−1, respectively) in comparison with the regular α-helix, with a positive band at 190 nm and two negative bands at 208 and 222 nm with magnitudes of + 70,000, −30,000, and −30,000 deg cm2 dmol−1, respectively. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Network Effects in Health Information Exchange Growth

The importance of the Healthcare Information Exchange (HIE) in increasing healthcare quality and reducing risks and costs has led to greater interest in identifying factors that enhance adoption and meaningful use of HIE by healthcare providers. In this research we study the interlinked network effects between two different groups of physicians -- primary care physicians and specialists -- as significant factors in increasing the growth of each group in an exchange. An analytical model of interlinked and intragroup influences on adoption is developed using the Bass diffusion model as a basis. Adoption data on 1,060 different primary and secondary care physicians over 32 consecutive months was used to test the model. The results indicate not only the presence of interlinked effects, but also that their influence is stronger than that of the intragroup. Further, the influence of primary care physicians on specialists is stronger than that of specialists on primary care physicians. We also provide statistical evidence that the new model performs better than the conventional Bass model, and the assumptions of diffusion symmetry in the market are statistically valid. Together, the findings provide important guidelines on triggers that enhance the overall growth of HIE and potential marketing strategies for HIE services.
Disinfection of containers and stoppers prior to sterility testing veterinary biological products

Abstract Stoppers on biologics containers were tested for microbial contamination. The types of organisms found were compared with those occurring as contaminants in the biologics themselves. Of the contaminants found on the stoppers, most were Gram-positive rods and next were Gram-positive cocci. From sterility tests of biologics, most contaminants were Gram-positive rods and next were Gram-negative rods. Various disinfectants and procedures were evaluated for the disinfection of stoppers of biologics containers contaminated with different organisms. Submerging the entire biologics container in a 2% peracetic acid solution was the most effective. The next most effective procedure was one that we currently use just prior to sterility testing. The procedure consists of wiping the entire container with a 3% Mikro-Bac (Economics Laboratory, Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota) solution, allowing the container to dry under a laminar flow hood, and then using 70% ethanol and flame on the stopper prior to sterility testing.
Community composition and temporal change at deep Gulf of Mexico cold seeps

Specialized cold-seep communities have been known to exist in the Gulf of Mexico (GOM) since the mid-1980s, but only recently has extensive research been carried out on sites at depths 4 1000 m. This study uses a combination of imagery and analyses within a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) framework to examine the composition of mussel and tubeworm communities at depths between 2200 and 2800 m in the Gulf of Mexico, spatial relations among the fauna, and changes in these communities over time. Photomosaics at three discrete seep communities were obtained in 2006 and a video mosaic of another community was obtained in 1992. Each of these communities was re-imaged in 2007. In addition, quantitative physical collections were made within two of the photomosaic sites and used to confirm the identification of megafauna, quantify the occurrence of smaller and cryptic macrofauna, and allow first-order calculations of biomass within the sites. Substrate type had a significant effect on community composition. Significant associations were identified between live mussels with anemones, shrimp, and sea cucumbers, and between tubeworm aggregations and Munidopsis sp. crabs and encrusting fauna, indicating differences in the composition of megafauna associated with adjacent mussel and tubeworm aggregations. Little change was seen in the total area colonized by foundation fauna (tubeworms and mussels) between years at any site. However, significant changes occurred in the positions of mussels, even over periods of a single year, at all sites, and evidence for the establishment of new tubeworm aggregations between 1992 and 2007 was noted at one site. These photomosaics provide data suggesting that environmental conditions can change over small spatial and temporal scales and mussels move in response to these changes. The successional trends are examined and compared to the patterns that have been documented in shallow (o 1000-m depth) Gulf of Mexico seep communities.
Formation constants of weak complexes. Determination for HgClBr by countercurrent distribution.

Abstract The relationships drawn by Bethune and Kegeles to allow predictions of the countercurrent distribution patterns of chemically reacting systems from assigned values of equilibrium constants have been usefully inverted for a model system involving a weak complex. From experimental countercurrent distribution patterns for the system mercuric chloride, mercuric bromide, mercuric chlorobromide, accurate values for the formation constant for the chlorobromide have been obtained in water and benzene. The formation constant is in agreement with the results of Delwaulle and Francois from Raman spectroscopy. It is hoped that this example may stimulate the application of the countercurrent distribution method to the study of weak complexes of biochemical origin.
Trans fatty acids induce vascular inflammation and reduce vascular nitric oxide production in endothelial cells.

Intake of trans fatty acids (TFA), which are consumed by eating foods made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, is associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. This relation can be explained by many factors including TFA's negative effect on endothelial function and reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. In this study we investigated the effects of three different TFA (2 common isomers of C18 found in partially hydrogenated vegetable oil and a C18 isomer found from ruminant-derived—dairy products and meat) on endothelial NF-κB activation and nitric oxide (NO) production. Human endothelial cells were treated with increasing concentrations of Elaidic (trans-C18:1 (9 trans)), Linoelaidic (trans-C18:2 (9 trans, 12 trans)), and Transvaccenic (trans-C18:1 (11 trans)) for 3 h. Both Elaidic and Linoelaidic acids were associated with increasing NF-κB activation as measured by IL-6 levels and phosphorylation of IκBα, and impairment of endothelial insulin signaling and NO production, whereas Transvaccenic acid was not associated with these responses. We also measured superoxide production, which has been hypothesized to be necessary in fatty acid-dependent activation of NF-κB. Both Elaidic acid and Linoelaidic acid are associated with increased superoxide production, whereas Transvaccenic acid (which did not induce inflammatory responses) did not increase superoxide production. We observed differential activation of endothelial superoxide production, NF-κB activation, and reduction in NO production by different C18 isomers suggesting that the location and number of trans double bonds effect endothelial NF-κB activation.
Litter Size Response to Oestrous Induction with Deslorelin (Ovuplant®) in Dogs

Contents Four German Shorthair Pointer bitches each produced from two to five (total of 14) purebred litters in response to natural matings to either natural oestrus (n = 8) or oestrus induced by Ovuplant®, a sustained-release implant containing 2.1 mg deslorelin (n = 6). All bitches initially produced litters from natural oestrous matings prior to producing litters from induced oestrus, and two of the bitches also produced natural litters subsequent to their Ovuplant® litters. Mean litter size was lower for Ovuplant® litters (5.4 vs 8.6 puppies; p < 0.001) and within each bitch every induced litter was smaller than any of her natural litters.
Using the MMPI to Assess Reported Cognitive Disturbances and Somatization as a Core Feature of Complex PTSD

Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) clinical scales as well as 4 sets of MMPI items known to be sensitive to neurological dysfunction (closed head injury, cerebrovascular disorder) were administered to survivors of childhood physical and/or sexual abuse and to non-abused adults. As predicted, relative to the comparison group of psychiatric patients, the abused participants scored significantly higher on Scale 8 (Schizophrenia) and on all 4 sets of items associated with neurological dysfunction. The results suggest that early abuse/trauma is associated with cognitive disturbances and somatization. Findings appear to support the conceptualization of these psychophysical experiences as a central part of what is often called "complex posttraumatic stress disorder." Limitations and suggestions for further study are discussed.
The influence of large clients on office-level auditor oversight: Evidence from the property-casualty insurance industry ☆

Abstract We analyze the loss-reserving practices of 562 insurance companies in 1993 to assess the relation between client influence and auditor oversight. Consistent with Petroni [1992. Management's response to the differential costs and benefits of optimistic reporting in the property-casualty insurance industry. Journal of Accounting and Economics 15, 485–508.], we find that financially struggling insurers tend to under-reserve. However, this behavior is attenuated when the weak insurer is important to the local practice office of the auditor. This result holds across various measures of client influence and supports the contention of Reynolds and Francis [2001. Does size matter? The influence of large clients on office-level auditor reporting divisions. Journal of Accounting and Economics 30, 375–400.] that auditors allow less accounting discretion to their larger clients.
The genital examination of the infant through adolescence.

The genital examination of the young female is a relatively new procedure for many clinicians. It was not felt important until physicians became involved with the examination of survivors of childhood sexual abuse; from these examinations it is apparent that young females also have a broad array of genital conditions which need clinical evaluation and intervention. This review of the recent literature on the techniques employed by a variety of clinicians demonstrates the limitations placed on our knowledge of pediatric and adolescent gynecologic conditions by technical and psychosocial parameters. Language: en
Clinical symptoms predictive of recurrent urinary tract infections

Objective The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical predictors that will help diagnose women with recurrent urinary tract infections among women with irritative voiding symptoms. Study Design A case control study was performed. Cases were women with the diagnosis of recurrent urinary tract infection and controls were women with irritative voiding symptoms. Symptoms predictive for recurrent urinary tract infection were evaluated. Results Report of symptoms following intercourse (OR 12.4, 95% CI 3, 59), prior history of pyelonephritis (OR 7.4, 95% CI 2.1; 29), prompt resolution of symptoms with antibiotics (OR 3.9, 95 % CI 1.4, 11), and absence of nocturia (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.05, 0.87) are significant predictors for women with recurrent urinary tract infection. Conclusion Among women with irritative voiding symptoms, clinical symptoms can help to identify women with recurrent urinary tract infections at the initial presentation even if urine culture reports are not available.
Fabrication of YBa2Cu3O7-δ Superconducting Film on NiW Alloy Using Electrophoretic Deposition

This work reported on exploring a low cost preparation technology for coated conductor. The epitaxial of La0.4Sr0.6TiO3 conductive buffer layer on NiW substrate was achieved by metal organic deposition. Excellent in-plane and out of plane alignment is confirmed via XRD. YBCO film was fabricated by electrophoretic deposition (EPD). We used buffered (LSTO) Ni-W substrate and Ni plate as cathode and anode respectively. The critical current density of YBCO coating is more than 1000A/cm2 (0T, 77K).
Spatial Mapping of Sub-Bandgap States Induced by Local Nonstoichiometry in Individual Lead Sulfide Nanocrystals.

The properties of photovoltaic devices based on colloidal nanocrystals are strongly affected by localized sub-bandgap states associated with surface imperfections. A correlation between their properties and the atomic-scale structure of chemical imperfections responsible for their appearance must be established to understand the nature of such surface states. Scanning tunneling spectroscopy is used to visualize the manifold of electronic states in annealed ligand-free lead sulfide nanocrystals supported on the Au(111) surface. Delocalized quantum-confined states and localized sub-bandgap states are identified, for the first time, via spatial mapping. Maps of the sub-bandgap states show localization on nonstoichiometric adatoms self-assembled on the nanocrystal surfaces. The present model study sheds light onto the mechanisms of surface state formation that, in a modified form, may be relevant to the more general case of ligand-passivated nanocrystals, where under-coordinated surface atoms exist due to the...
Immune Escape Mechanisms as a Guide for Cancer Immunotherapy

Immunotherapy has demonstrated impressive outcomes for some patients with cancer. However, selecting patients who are most likely to respond to immunotherapy remains a clinical challenge. Here, we discuss immune escape mechanisms exploited by cancer and present strategies for applying this knowledge to improving the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy.
Brain uptake of a food dye, erythrosin B, prevented by plasma protein binding

Although food colors have been held responsible for several behavioral disorders and do affect neuronal function when directly applied, there is no information on whether significant quantities of the dyes appear in the brain after consumption or parenteral administration. [14C]erythrosin B was administered directly into the circulation of mature rats and radioactivity was measured thereafter in brain regions at several times. Although insignificant parenchymal radioactivity was detected in brains perfused with dye in whole blood, significant concentrations of [14C]erythrosin B were detected in all brain regions when perfused with protein-free Ringers, as predicted from the octanol-water partition coefficient of the dye. Thus, significant brain uptake of intravascular dye is normally prevented by its binding to plasma protein (greater than 99% bound) and by the blood-brain barrier impermeability to the dye-protein complex. Sensitivity to food dyes such as erythrosin B in some individuals may reflect altered plasma protein binding capacity, which can vary with age and disease.
Ethanol steam reforming over Co-based catalysts: Investigation of cobalt coordination environment under reaction conditions

Abstract The transformations and the state of cobalt species during steam reforming of ethanol over Co/CeO 2 were investigated using in situ X-ray diffraction, controlled-atmosphere X-ray absorption fine structure, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy as well as steady state activity measurements. The catalyst was pretreated under an oxidizing or reducing atmosphere prior to characterization and activity testing to yield a Co 3 O 4 -rich or a Co 0 -rich surface, respectively. While Co 3 O 4 was found to be inactive for ethanol steam reforming, gradual activation of the oxidation-pretreated catalyst with temperature through reduction in Co 3 O 4 took place under reaction conditions, and, over the activated catalyst, a mixture of both CoO and metallic Co were observed. Over the reduction-pretreated catalyst, metallic Co was partially oxidized to CoO during steam reforming of ethanol. The extent of cobalt reduction was observed to be independent of the initial state of the metal on the catalyst surface, and cobalt phase had the same composition under reaction above 450 °C.
Effects of different dimensions of corporate social responsibility on corporate financial performance in tourism-related industries

Although the stakeholder framework proposes the multidimensionality of corporate social responsibility (CSR) (Clarkson, 1995), previous research has yet to investigate the relationship between certain dimensions of CSR and corporate financial performance (CFP) in tourism-related industries. The purpose of this study was to disaggregate CSR into five dimensions based on corporate voluntary activities for five primary stakeholder issues: (1) employee relations, (2) product quality, (3) community relations, (4) environmental issues, and (5) diversity issues, and examine how each dimension would affect financial performance among firms within four tourism-related industries (airline, casino, hotel, and restaurant). While all CSR dimensions were proposed to have positive financial effects, results revealed that each dimension had a differential effect on both short-term and future profitability and that such financial impacts varied across the four industries. The findings can provide tourism managers with insights into which dimensions of CSR activities would improve their companies’ financial performance.
Blanca Wiethüchter: Unnaming The Landscape. Politics And Poetics of Representation in the 1980s in Bolivia

This article examines the relationship between poetic writing and the discourse of landscape in Madera Viva y arbol difunto (1982) by Blanca Wiethuchter (1947-2004). Landscape is often understood as a modern device of normative representation in which people and places are classified merely as private property. I argue that Wiethuchter’s poetry establishes a counter-narrative of the landscape through the use of a poetic gaze that reinstates social and marginal imaginaries by recognizing the materiality of such landscape and, most importantly, the political role of imagination in shaping the sense of the real. In doing so, I show how Wiethuchter uses poetic language to claim multiple and conflictive realities that lie beneath the names and harmonic appearances of things. Finally, by analyzing Wiethuchter’ poetic and critical work in dialogue with thinkers and scholars such as Garcia Linera, Mamani, Zavaleta Mercado, and Rivera Cusicanqui, this article contributes to the understanding of the politics of representation during the 1980s in Bolivia.
On the field Lagrangians in micromagnetics

Micromagnetic calculations are commonly carried out starting from an expression for the energy of a magnetic body which contains a six-fold integral representing the nonlocal dipole-dipole interactions. This term is responsible for the long running times in numerical applications. There exist two alternative field Lagrangians in which nonlocal terms do not appear; this locality is obtained at the cost of introducing new variables in the equations. Only one of the two Lagrangians has local minima in one-to-one correspondence with those of the energy. The interrelation of the two field Lagrangians with the energy is discussed. Special formulas are derived for the two-dimensional case, and possible numerical applications are discussed.
A Parallel Implementation of the Simplex Function Minimization Routine

This paper generalizes the widely used Nelder and Mead (Comput J 7:308---313, 1965) simplex algorithm to parallel processors. Unlike most previous parallelization methods, which are based on parallelizing the tasks required to compute a specific objective function given a vector of parameters, our parallel simplex algorithm uses parallelization at the parameter level. Our parallel simplex algorithm assigns to each processor a separate vector of parameters corresponding to a point on a simplex. The processors then conduct the simplex search steps for an improved point, communicate the results, and a new simplex is formed. The advantage of this method is that our algorithm is generic and can be applied, without re-writing computer code, to any optimization problem which the non-parallel Nelder---Mead is applicable. The method is also easily scalable to any degree of parallelization up to the number of parameters. In a series of Monte Carlo experiments, we show that this parallel simplex method yields computational savings in some experiments up to three times the number of processors.
Cultural Functions of Reruns: Time, Memory, and Television

This conceptual article connects and extends understandings of television rerun programming, from both industry and audience perspectives, to identify 3 potential cultural functions of reruns: cross-generational informing when multiple generations view the same program at similar life stages; social continuity when reruns are used to cope with high degrees of social change; and collective memory when reruns repeat the shared experiences that define and identify generations and cultures. The stability offered by reruns, in effect, allows viewers to relive the past and know the future.
Identification and characterization of a cell surface marker for embryonic rat spinal accessory motor neurons.

The developing mammalian spinal cord contains distinct populations of motor neurons that can be distinguished by their cell body positions, by the expression of specific combinations of regulatory genes, and by the paths that their axons take to exit the central nervous system (CNS). Subclasses of spinal motor neurons are also thought to express specific cell surface proteins that function as receptors which control the guidance of their axons. We identified monoclonal antibody (mAb) SAC1 in a screen aimed at generating markers for specific subsets of neurons/axons in the developing rat spinal cord. During early embryogenesis, mAb SAC1 selectively labels a small subset of Isl1-positive motor neurons located exclusively within cervical segments of the spinal cord. Strikingly, these neurons extend mAb SAC1-positive axons along a dorsally directed trajectory toward the lateral exit points. Consistent with the finding that mAb SAC1 also labels spinal accessory nerves, these observations identify mAb SAC1 as a specific marker of spinal accessory motor neurons/axons. During later stages of embryogenesis, mAb SAC1 is transiently expressed on both dorsally and ventrally projecting spinal motor neurons/axons. Interestingly, mAb SAC1 also labels the notochord and floor plate during most stages of spinal cord development. The mAb SAC1 antigen is a 100-kD glycoprotein that is likely to be the rat homolog of SC1/BEN/DM-GRASP, a homophilic adhesion molecule that mediates axon outgrowth and fasciculation. J. Comp. Neurol. 439:368–383, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
How valuable could traditional ecological knowledge education be for a resource-limited future?: An emergy evaluation in two Mexican villages

Abstract Emergy is an important evaluative tool to understand the sustainability of ecological systems. This methodology normalizes natural and economic inputs to permit a more holistic evaluation of systems. Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is commonly not included in analyses of traditionally-designed ecosystems, or past evaluation has tended toward a qualitative valuation of TEK. Our research evaluated the emergy in the creation, maintenance, and transfer of TEK at the individual and community levels, as well as the biophysical and cultural resources that support this knowledge system. These evaluations took place within the Lacandon Maya village of Lacanja Chansayab, Mexico and with Zapotec farmers of Lalopa, Mexico. Respondents stressed the importance of inter-generational ties, the local forest, and community in their education. We found that TEK-based labor transformities (1.23E07 sej/J in Lacanja Chansayab, Mexico and 6.54E06 sej/J in Lalopa, Mexico) are similar to past qualitative estimates. TEK labor will result in minimal impact to the environment (i.e., environmental loading ratio) relative to Western education, which has comparable transformities, due to reliance on renewable local ecosystem inputs rather than fossil fuels and physical infrastructure. This research highlights the importance for sustainability of both preserving knowledge transfer systems resulting in TEK and in developing hands-on educational systems that rely upon the natural world as the primary classroom.
Response of grain sorghum to hydroxamate siderophore iron source

Previous work had suggested microbially‐produced chelates as potential sources of plant available iron for crops grown on alkaline‐calcareous soils. A “hot spot”; soil (Pernitas fine sandy loam) which historically produced severe iron stress on field grown grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) was used in this greenhouse study. Iron utilization by grain sorghum was examined where Fe was supplied as three types of ferrated microbially‐produced hydroxamate siderophores; ferrioxamine B (FOB), rhodotorulic acid (RA) and a mixture of ferrichrome‐ferrichrome A (1: 3; Fc‐FcA). Also included in the experiment were ferrated synthetic chelate ethylenediamine [di(o‐hydroxyphenylacetic)acid] (Fe‐EDDHA) and Amaranthus spp plant complexed iron (Fe‐AR). Soil applications were compared with foliar spray treatments using ferrous sulfate, FOB and the Fc‐FcA mixture. Each siderophore source was applied at rates of 1.1 and 3.3 kg Fe ha‐1 soil. The synthetic chelate and Fe‐AR sources were applied at 3.3 kg Fe ha‐l soil. U...
Intrinsic noise sources in superconductors near the transition temperature

Abstract The performance of Transition Edge Sensors (TES) is limited by excess noise that is not predicted by the current theory of microcalorimeters and bolometers. The nature of this noise is currently unknown, but is likely to be dominated by fundamental physics of supeconductors. The University of Miami has recently started a joint effort between the microcalorimeter group and the superconductivity group to study and characterize the noise in TES. In particular, we plan to investigate the effect of flux motion due to self-field and external field and the effect of fluctuating order parameter by measuring the para-conductivity due to fluctuations in the number of Cooper pairs near the transition. We also plan to characterize the fundamental physical parameters of the TES to better predict their properties. In this paper we report our preliminary qualitative assessment of the problem, based on the literature, and we illustrate the experimental techniques that we plan to use for the investigation.
Automated support for encapsulating abstract data types

A software engineer can use a meaning-preserving program restructuring tool during maintenance to change a program's structure to ease modification. One common restructuring action is to create a new abstract data type by encapsulating an existing data structure. Data encapsulation simplifies modification by isolating changes to the implementation and behavior of an abstract data type. To perform encapsulation, a programmer must understand how the data structure is used in the code, identify abstract operations performed on the data structure, and choose concrete expressions to be made into functions. We provide a manipulable program visualization, called the star diagram, that both highlights information partinent to encapsulation and supports the application of meaning-preserving restructuring transformations on the program through a direct-manipulation user interface. The visualization graphically and compactly presents all statements in the program that use the given global data structure, helping the programmer to choose the functions that completely encapsulate it. Additionally, the visualization elides code unrelated to the data structure and to the task, and collapses similar expressions to allow the programmer to identify frequently occurring code fragments and manipulate them together. The visualization is mapped directly to the program text, so manipulation of the visualization also restructures the program. We describe the design, implementation, and application of the star diagram, and evaluate its ability to assist data encapsulation in large programs.
Design and operation of an EEG-based brain-computer interface with digital signal processing technology

We are developing an electroencephalographic (EEG)-based brain-computer interface (BCI) system that could provide an alternative communication channel for those who are totally paralyzed or have other severe motor impairments. The essential features of this system are as follows: (1) EEG analysis in real time, (2) real-time conversion of that analysis into device control, and (3) appropriate adaptation to the EEG of each user. Digital signal processing technology provides the speed and flexibility needed to satisfy these requirements. It also supports evaluation of alternative analysis and control algorithms, and thereby facilitates further BCI development.
CIS-UltraCal: an open-source ultrasound calibration toolkit

We present an open-source MATLAB toolkit for ultrasound calibration. It has a convenient graphical user interface which sits on top of an extensive API. Calibration using three different phantoms is explicitly supported: the cross-wire phantom, the single-wall phantom, and the Hopkins phantom. Image processing of the Hopkins phantom is automated by making use of techniques from binary morphology, radon transform and RANSAC. Numerous calibration and termination parameters are exposed. It is also modular, allowing one to apply the system to original phantoms by writing a minimum of new code.
Fractal error for detecting man-made features in aerial images

A technique is proposed for aiding photointerpreters in detecting man-made features in aerial reconnaissance images. The technique, which uses a metric called fractal error, is based on the observed propensity of natural image features to fit a fractional Brownian motion model. Man-made features usually do not fit this model well, and consequently the fractal error metric may be used as a discriminant function for detecting man-made scene features.