cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
“Imagine All the People”: Imagined Interactions in Virtual Reality When Public Speaking:

This study explores the relationship between public speaking anxiety (PSA) and Imaginary Interactions (IIs). Participants (N = 17) were recruited from the multi-section departmental introductory pu...
Can You Truly Be Happy in Law School

There are many books available to help students navigate the more concrete aspects of law school, such as studying, exam strategies, how to brief a case, making law review, and on campus interviews. Kathryne M. Young, in her 2018 book, How to Be Sort of Happy in Law School, primarily focuses on the more intangible side. The 300-page book dedicates only forty-three pages to the topics of studying and exam strategies. Young’s format frees up space to cover the more amorphous aspects of law school. This review will analyze the book’s coverage of critiques of the law school structure, indoctrination attempts, and how to maintain a healthy perspective.
Implications of Glycopeptide and Lipopeptide Antibiotics on Asthma Exacerbations in a Patient With Hyper-IgE Syndrome and Chronic Severe Asthma: A Case Report:

Objective: To review and consider the immunomodulatory ramifications of glycopeptide and lipopeptide antibiotics in a patient with severe asthma, hyper-immunoglobulin E (IgE) syndrome, and osteonec...
Novel acyl carbamates and acyl / diacyl ureas show in vitro efficacy against Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium parvum

Abstract Toxoplasma gondii and Cryptosporidium parvum are protozoan parasites that are highly prevalent and opportunistically infect humans worldwide, but for which completely effective and safe medications are lacking. Herein, we synthesized a series of novel small molecules bearing the diacyl urea scaffold and related structures, and screened them for in vitro cytotoxicity and antiparasitic activity against T. gondii and C. parvum. We identified one compound (GMG-1-09), and four compounds (JS-1-09, JS-2-20, JS-2-35 and JS-2-49) with efficacy against C. parvum and T. gondii, respectively, at low micromolar concentrations and showed appreciable selectivity in human host cells. Among the four compounds with efficacy against T. gondii, JS-1-09 representing the diacyl urea scaffold was the most effective, with an anti-Toxoplasma IC50 concentration (1.21 μM) that was nearly 53-fold lower than its cytotoxicity IC50 concentration, indicating that this compound has a good selectivity index. The other three compounds (JS-2-20, JS-2-35 and JS-2-49) were structurally more divergent from JS-1-09 as they represent the acyl urea and acyl carbamate scaffold. This appeared to correlate with their anti-Toxoplasma activity, suggesting that these compounds’ potency can likely be enhanced by selective structural modifications. One compound, GMG-1-09 representing acyl carbamate scaffold, depicted in vitro efficacy against C. parvum with an IC50 concentration (32.24 μM) that was 14-fold lower than its cytotoxicity IC50 concentration in a human intestinal cell line. Together, our studies unveil a series of novel synthetic acyl/diacyl urea and acyl carbamate scaffold-based small molecule compounds with micromolar activity against T. gondii and C. parvum that can be explored further for the development of the much-needed novel anti-protozoal drugs.
Latino/a Sociology: Toward a New Paradigm:

Despite the proliferation of significant scholarship on Latinos/as over the past four decades and the formal establishment of a Latina/o sociology section in the American Sociological Association i...
Waveguide-Integrated Blue Light Detector

We demonstrate silicon-based waveguide-integrated blue (405 nm) light photodetectors using alumina waveguides integrated into a silicon photonics platform for the first time. Responsivities above 0.25 A/W are achieved. A novel detector design minimizes back reflections from the waveguide-detector interface.
Slowing Entropy: Instructional Policy Design in New York City, 2011-12

How do policymakers craft policies, particularly centered on the Common Core State Standards, to be more resilient and less likely to disintegrate during enactment? Researcher Jonathan Supovitz in Slowing Entropy: Instructional Policy Design in New York City, 2011-12 examines the design of a New York City Department of Education policy intended to engage teachers and principals across NYC with the instructional challenges of Common Core State Standards (CCSS). This summary provides an instructive backstory to some of the thought processes of the policy architects and provides insight into the way that careful policymaking can be more resilient to decay as it enters the rough-and-tumble reality of school communities. Disciplines Curriculum and Instruction | Educational Methods | Education Policy | Policy Design, Analysis, and Evaluation | Policy History, Theory, and Methods Comments PB #14-3 View on the CPRE website. This policy brief is available at ScholarlyCommons: http://repository.upenn.edu/cpre_policybriefs/3 October 2014 PB #14-3 Slowing Entropy: Instructional Policy Design in New York City, 2011-12 How do policymakers craft policies, particularly centered on the Common Core State Standards, to be more resilient and less likely to disintegrate during enactment? Researcher Jonathan Supovitz in Slowing Entropy: Instructional Policy Design in New York City, 2011-12 examines the design of a New York City Department of Education policy intended to engage teachers and principals across NYC with the instructional challenges of Common Core State Standards (CCSS). This summary provides an instructive backstory to some of the thought processes of the policy architects and provides insight into the way that careful policymaking can be more resilient to decay as it enters the rough-and-tumble reality of school communities. A policy that focuses on implementation assumes that the policymakers know what should be implemented... Learning challenges, by contrast, have less specificity up front, and are intended to foster engagement with a problem, rather than the adoption of a pre-designed set of solutions.
Chorioretinopathy associated with other evidence ofcerebral damage in childhood

Summary The new, quantitative, in vitro, toxoplasma dye and complement fixationtests give a certainty to the diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis that was not possible hitherto. By means of these tests it was found that chorioretinopathy associated with other evidence of ocular and cerebral damage or defects and not due to toxoplasmosis, is not infrequently encountered in infancy and early childhood. When infantile chorioretinopathy was associated with positive, quantitatively significant serologic tests for toxoplasmosis, the incidence of grossly perceptible cerebral calcification in roentgenograms of the skull was approximately 90 per cent of 23 cases, while in a group of twenty children with chorioretinopathy and negative serologic tests for toxoplasmosis the incidence of cerebral calcification was only 5 per cent. Although the syndrome of infantile chorioretinopathy, without associated cerebral calcification or evidence of toxoplasmic infection will probably prove to have a multiple etiology the available data suggest defective development rather than destructive, necrotic lesions as the more probable pathologic basis. Attention is also called to the existence in infancy of a syndrome characterized by extensive destruction of brain tissue with hydrocephalus, diffuse cerebral calcification, and chorioretinopathy, associated with bizarre, “degenerative” changes in the small blood vessels which can be distinguished from that of congenital toxoplasmosis only by serologic tests or pathologic examination. The serologic elucidation of the diagnosis, in the individual case, is of particular importance with regard to the outlook for subsequent children, since the accumulated data indicate that normal subsequent children have been born in all instances in which the diagnosis of congenital toxoplasmosis could be made with certainty either on pathologic or quantitative serologic grounds.
Deflectometry measurement of Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope primary mirror

SCOTS (Software Configurable Optical Test System) is a high-precision slope measurement technique based on deflectometry. It utilizes a well-calibrated commercial LCD screen and a diffraction-limited camera to provide high dynamic range, non-contact and full-field metrology of reflective/refractive optics of high accuracy but low cost. Recently, we applied this metrology method on the fabrication of the primary mirror of Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST), which is a 4.2 meter off-axis parabolic segment with more than 8 mm peak-to-valley aspheric departure. Sophisticated calibrations and compensations including camera mapping, screen nonlinearity and screen shape deformation are performed to achieve high accuracy measurement results. By measuring the mirror at different orientations, non-symmetrical systematic errors are eliminated. The metrology system also includes dual cameras that provide self- verification test. The measurement results are being used to guide the fabrication process.
Ultrafast exciton decay in PbS quantum dots through simultaneous electron and hole recombination with a surface-localized ion pair

Abstract This paper describes the ultrafast decay of the band-edge exciton in PbS quantum dots (QDs) through simultaneous recombination of the excitonic hole and electron with the surface localized ion pair formed upon adsorption of tetracyanoquinodimethane (TCNQ). Each PbS QD (R = 1.8 nm) spontaneously reduces up to 17 TCNQ molecules upon adsorption of the TCNQ molecule to a sulfur on the QD surface. The photoluminescence of the PbS QDs is quenched in the presence of the reduced TCNQ species through ultrafast (⩽15-ps) non-radiative decay of the exciton; the rate constant for the decay process increases approximately linearly with the number of adsorbed, reduced TCNQ molecules. Near-infrared and mid-infrared transient absorption show that this decay occurs through simultaneous transfer of the excitonic electron and hole, and is assigned to a four-carrier, concerted charge recombination mechanism based on the observations that (i) the PL of the QDs recovers when spontaneously reduced TCNQ1− desorbs from the QD surface upon addition of salt, and (ii) the PL of the QDs is preserved when another spontaneous oxidant, ferrocinium, which cannot participate in charge transfer in its reduced state, is substituted for TCNQ.
Ethics in Biomedical and Health Informatics: Users, Standards, and Outcomes

This chapter introduces and reviews scholarship on ethical issues in health information technology. It identifies the ethical foundations of health informatics and then addresses a suite of key challenges, issues and controversies. These include the question of appropriate use and users, including “The Standard View”; standards for education and system developers; system evaluation; privacy and confidentiality; human subjects research; bioinformatics; vendors of electronic health records and their duties; managed care and traditional relationships; consumer health informatics and personal health records; and legal and regulatory matters, including the question of regulation and governance.
Attempted synthesis of 3-hydroxy-2-octadecylindole. Proposed structural revision of previously prepared 3-hydroxy-2-octadecylindole and a proposed structure of fistulosin

Abstract A synthetic route to 3-hydroxy-2-octadecylindole, the putative structure of the novel indole alkaloid fistulosin, starting from 2-nitro-1-iodobenzene was examined. Key steps include formation of a 1-stannylsubstituted 1-methoxy-1-alkene from a Fischer chromium carbene, intermolecular Kosugi–Migita–Stille coupling, and a palladium-catalyzed reductive N-heteroannulation. Demethylation of 3-methoxy-2-octadecylindole, a possible immediate precursor to 3-hydroxy-2-octadecylindole, was unsuccessful and gave instead methyl 2-(1-oxononadecanyl)aminobenzoate. The structure of the isolated alkaloid was suggested to be 2-(1-oxooctadecanyl)aminobenzoate by comparison of analytical data with a synthetic sample. In addition, oxidation of 2-octadecylindole gave a 2,2′-dimer, a compound identical to previously prepared 3-hydroxy-2-octadecylindole.
Durability evaluation of selected solid lubricating films

An investigation was conducted to examine the coefficients of friction, wear rates, and durability of bonded molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), magnetron-sputtered MoS2, ion-plated silver, ion-plated lead, magnetron-sputtered diamondlike carbon (MS DLC), and plasma-assisted, chemical-vapor-deposited DLC (PACVD DLC) films in sliding contact with 6-mm-diameter AISI 440C stainless steel balls. Unidirectional ball-on-disk sliding friction experiments were conducted with a load of 5.9 N and a sliding velocity of 0.2 m/s at room temperature in three environments: ultrahigh vacuum (vacuum pressure, 7 x 10(exp -7) Pa), humid air (relative humidity, approx. 20 percent), and dry nitrogen (relative humidity, less than 1 percent). The main criteria for judging the performance of the solid lubricating films were coefficient of friction and wear rate, which had to be less than 0.3 and on the order of 10(exp -6) cu mm/N.m or less, respectively. The bonded MoS2 and magnetron-sputtered MoS2 films met the criteria in all three environments. The ion-plated lead and silver films met the criteria only in ultrahigh vacuum but failed in humid air and in dry nitrogen. The MS DLC and PACVD DLC films met the requirements in humid air and dry nitrogen but failed in ultrahigh vacuum.
An efficient prebiotic synthesis of cytosine and uracil

In contrast to the purines, the routes that have been proposed for the prebiotic synthesis of pyrimidines from simple precursors give only low yields. Cytosine can be synthesized from cyanoacetylene and cyanate; the former precursor is produced from a spark discharge in a CH4/N2 mixture and is an abundant interstellar molecule. But this reaction requires relatively high concentrations of cyanate (> 0.1 M), which are unlikely to occur in aqueous media as cyanate is hydrolysed rapidly to CO2 and NH3. An alternative route that has been explored is the reaction of cyanoacetaldehyde (formed by hydrolysis of cyanoacetylene) with urea. But at low concentrations of urea, this reaction produces no detectable quantities of cytosine. Here we show that in concentrated urea solution--such as might have been found in an evaporating lagoon or in pools on drying beaches on the early Earth--cyanoacetaldehyde reacts to form cytosine in yields of 30-50%, from which uracil can be formed by hydrolysis. These reactions provide a plausible route to the pyrimidine bases required in the RNA world.
A nongradient minimization algorithm having parallel structure, with implications for an array computer

Abstract An algorithm and FORTRAN program are presented to minimize a function of N variables. Derivatives of the function are not used in the search. For quadratic functions with well-defined minima, the algorithm converges in a single iteration. The algorithm is structured in a way which enables many of the operations to be performed in parallel; the parallelisms in the algorithm have had an impact on the conceptual design of an array computer.
Lognormal block kriging for contaminated soil

Many soil properties are lognormally distributed over a spatial domain of interest, , including contaminants caused by anthropogenic activity. Remediation of contaminated soil is often made at the block level, where the contaminant is averaged over pre-specified spatial regions of called blocks. During the period 1954–1963, devices composed of radioactive material were blown apart by chemical explosives at Area 13 of the Nevada Test Site in the United States. A consequence of the testing was the contamination of the immediately surrounding soil and vegetation with americium (Am). The concentrations are clearly lognormally distributed, and ex situ soil remediation requires prediction of average Am concentration over blocks. Recent developments in geostatistical methodology and computation make optimal lognormal block kriging appealing and tractable. In this article, we apply these to obtain an optimal spatial predictor of block-averaged Am contamination in soil at the Nevada Test Site. The dataset that we analyse has multiple Am observations for certain spatial locations, for which we develop kriging equations that are often unavailable in kriging software. We also show how these multiple observations can be used to obtain an estimate of the measurement error.
Characterization and Distribution of Trace Organic Contaminants in Sediment from Masan Bay, Korea. 1. Instrumental Analysis

Masan Bay, located on the southeast coast of Korea, is a long and narrow inlet of a semi-closed bay that receives industrial and municipal wastewaters from the cities of Masan and Changwon. In this study, sediments collected from 28 locations on Masan Bay were analyzed for total organic carbon (TOC), nonylphenol (NP), octylphenol (OP), bisphenol A (BPA), organochlorine pesticides (HCB, HCHs, CHLs, and DDTs), individual polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, and 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocabons (PAHs) to characterize their spatial distribution and contamination status. Concentrations of NP in sediment ranged from 113 to 3890 ng/g on a dry weight basis (dry wt), whereas concentrations of OP and BPA were, on average, 20−110-fold less than those of NP. PAHs were predominated by 4−6-ring compounds with concentrations in the range of 54.1−1100 ng/g dry wt. Concentrations of PCBs in sediment, which were predominated by tetra- and pentachlorobiphenyl congeners, ranged from 10.3 to 148 ng/g, dry wt. Among dif...
Evaluation of Selected Sampling Methods for Panicle-Infesting Insect Pests of Sorghum

Field studies were conducted to evaluate methods for estimating field abundance of corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea (Boddie), sorghum webworm, Celama sorghiella (Riley), rice stink bug, Oebalus pugnax (F.), and sorghum midge, Contarinia sorghicola (Coquillett), infesting grain sorghum. A “beat-bucket” method for separating panicleinfesting lepidopteran and hemipteran pests from the panicle captured 100% of rice stink bug adults, 95-100% of rice stink bug nymphs, 78-98% of corn earworm larvae, and 77% of sorghum webworm larvae. In situ visual estimates by experienced samplers of sorghum midge densities on panicles were highly correlated with estimates provided by wholepanicle samples ( r 2 = 0.92) and =89% of the insects were detected. Both the in situ and whole-panicle methods appeared suitable for field scouting. A sticky trap for sorghum midge was described and evaluated. Daily average sticky trap catches were significantly correlated with the average number of sorghum midge per panicle as estimated by wholepanicle samples ( r 2 = 0.85).
Divergent Contributions of Conserved Active Site Residues to Transcription by Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases I and II

Multisubunit RNA polymerases (msRNAPs) exhibit high sequence and structural homology, especially within their active sites, which is generally thought to result in msRNAP functional conservation. However, we show that mutations in the trigger loop (TL) in the largest subunit of RNA polymerase I (Pol I) yield phenotypes unexpected from studies of Pol II. For example, a well-characterized gain-of-function mutation in Pol II results in loss of function in Pol I (Pol II: rpb1- E1103G; Pol I: rpa190-E1224G). Studies of chimeric Pol II enzymes hosting Pol I or Pol III TLs suggest that consequences of mutations that alter TL dynamics are dictated by the greater enzymatic context and not solely the TL sequence. Although the rpa190-E1224G mutation diminishes polymerase activity, when combined with mutations that perturb Pol I catalysis, it enhances polymerase function, similar to the analogous Pol II mutation. These results suggest that Pol I and Pol II have different rate-limiting steps.
Abnormal distributions of potassium channels in human neuromas

Twenty-seven human traumatic neuromas were examined immunocytochemically using highly specific antibodies directed against the voltage-gated delayed-rectifier potassium channel, Kv1.1. Normal sural nerves from six of the above-noted patients served as control specimens. Additionally, nine of the neuromas and two of the sural nerves were immunostained for voltage-gated calcium channels using an antibody that reacts with a wide spectrum of calcium channels. Normal myelinated fibers showed Kv1.1 specific immunoreactivity only at the juxtaparanodal regions. In contrast, within the neuromas approximately 30% of the myelinated fibers exhibited Kv1.1 specific immunoreactivity in dense patches along internodal axonal regions. The clustering of Kv1.1 channels along myelin-ensheathed internodal segments of axon was highly specific for the neuromas, and was never seen in normal nerve. Specific calcium channel immunoreactivity was not detectable in either the neuromas or sural nerves. Taken together with prior studies on sodium channels, these results suggest that selective and specific mechanisms control the distribution of ion channels within neuromas. Further investigation of ion channel changes within neuromas should provide a better understanding of the abnormal axonal hyperexcitability that frequently develops after nerve injury.
Tyrosine Phosphorylation of the vav Proto-oncogene Product Links FcεRI to the Rac1-JNK Pathway

Stimulation of high affinity IgE Fc receptors (FcepsilonRI) in basophils and mast cells activates the tyrosine kinases Lyn and Syk and causes the tyrosine phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma, resulting in the Ca2+- and protein kinase C-dependent secretion of inflammatory mediators. Concomitantly, FcepsilonRI stimulation initiates a number of signaling events resulting in the activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), which, in turn, regulate nuclear responses, including cytokine gene expression. To dissect the signaling pathway(s) linking FcepsilonRI to MAPK and JNK, we reconstructed their respective biochemical routes by expression of a chimeric interleukin-2 receptor alpha subunit (Tac)-FcepsilonRI gamma chain (Tacgamma) in COS-7 cells. Cross-linking of Tacgamma did not affect MAPK in COS-7 cells, but when coexpressed with the tyrosine kinase Syk, Tacgamma stimulation potently induced Syk and Shc tyrosine phosphorylation and MAPK activation. In contrast, Tacgamma did not signal JNK activation, even when coexpressed with Syk. Ectopic expression of a hematopoietic-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF), Vav, reconstituted the Tacgamma-induced, Syk- and Rac1-dependent JNK activation; and tyrosine-phosphorylation of Vav by Syk stimulated its GEF activity for Rac1. Thus, these data strongly suggest that Vav plays a critical role linking FcepsilonRI and Syk to the Rac1-JNK pathway. Furthermore, these findings define a novel signal transduction pathway involving a multimeric cell surface receptor acting on a cytosolic tyrosine kinase, which, in turn, phosphorylates a GEF, thereby regulating its activity toward a small GTP-binding protein and promoting the activation of a kinase cascade.
THE EFFECTS OF DELAYED SENSOR REQUESTS ON SENSOR MANAGER SYSTEMS

Current multisensor tracking systems can be easily overwhelmed by incoming data, especially as the number of targets and sensors increases. A sensor management scheme has been proposed in previous work to reduce the computational demand of these systems while minimizing the loss of tracking performance by selecting only enough sensing resources to maintain a desired covariance level for each target, reducing the resource demands on the tracking system. However, the proposed system is sensitive to delays in the execution of sensor assignments. This paper analyzes the effect of that delay and examines methods of eliminating that effect. Because of the lack of a closed form solution for the covariance matrix of the discrete-time Kalman filter, the analysis centers on the performance of the continuous-time scalar Kalman-Bucy filter and then extends those results to the discrete-time case. The analysis shows that for all stable systems and unstable systems under certain conditions, the sensitivity of the covariance estimate to delays of sensing actions decreases steadily with time. Furthermore, when attempting to estimate unknown delays, overestimating the delay will produce smaller covariance prediction errors than underestimating the delay by a similar amount.
On the detection of letters within redundant arrays.

It has been reported (Johnson, 1977) that subjects can detect the presence or absence of a target letter (e.g., B) in a subsequent display more rapidly if the display consists of a single letter (e.g., B or L) than if it is redundant in the sense of containing several instances of the same letter (e.g., BBBBB or LLLLL). Unfortunately, Krueger and Shapiro (1980) reported a series of similar experiments in which that effect was not obtained. The present study reports two experiments in which the original effect was obtained. In the first experiment, the single-letter displays were presented in one block of trials, and multiletter displays were presented in another block of trials, but the latter blocks contained a mixture of redundant (BBBBB) and nonredundant (BQTRZ) displays. To rule out the possibility that the effect was caused by some strategic carryover from the handling of the nonredundant displays to that of the redundant displays, in the second experiment those multiletter items were divided into separate blocks of redundant and nonredundant displays. While the advantage of single-letter displays over redundant displays was reduced somewhat, it was not eliminated.
Radiochromatographic assay for thiol groups of soluble proteins using mercury-203 labeled methylmercury.

Abstract We have demonstrated for the first time that 203Hg(II), [203Hg]CH3Hg+, and [203Hg]methylmercuri-labeled proteins can be continuously monitored by the nondestructive readout of a column chromatographic effluent directed through an anthracene packed flow-cell detector mounted in a liquid seintillation counter. Retention of mercury or methylmercury and methylmercury-labeled proteins on anthracene is abolished or markedly attenuated in the presence of the cationic surfactant, Hyamine 2389. Thiol and disulfide group assays are described for bovine serum albumin and ribonuclease under a variety of esperimental conditions. Between 10−6 and 10−9 mole of protein was rapidly and reproducibly assayed when the specific activity of the mercurial solution was held between 13 and 35 μCi/mmole. In view of the ramifications of mercury and methylmercury poisoning, the automated assay of radiomercury and mercurials described in this paper is sufficiently sensitive to provide the basis for a radiochemical determination of Hg(II) and CH3Hg+ in environmental water.
Neonatal chemical hypoglycemia in newborns from pregnancies complicated by type 2 and gestational diabetes mellitus – the importance of neonatal ponderal index

Objective. To determine the frequency and risk factors associated with neonatal chemical hypoglycemia in neonates of mothers with type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).Research Design and Methods. A retrospective cohort study of women with type 2 diabetes or GDM and their singleton neonates. The primary outcome measure was the presence of neonatal chemical hypoglycemia (capillary plasma equivalent glucose <45 mg/dl) within 1 h of birth. Statistical methods included bivariate and multivariate analyses.Results. 242 mother infant dyads were identified. Sixty-eight (28%) were treated with diet, 110 (46%) with glyburide, and 64 (26%) with insulin. The incidence of neonatal chemical hypoglycemia was 18% (44/242). The incidence was significantly higher in those requiring pharmacotherapy (25% vs. 3%, p < 0.001). The frequency of neonatal chemical hypoglycemia between the glyburide and insulin-treated pregnancies did not differ significantly (23% vs. 27%, p = 0.58). The frequency of neonatal chem...
Molecular weight dependence of calcification of polyethylene glycol hydrogels.

In vivo calcification of polyethylene and glycol diacrylate (PEG DA) hydrogels of mol. wt. (MW) 400, 1000, 4000, 6000 and 10,000 and polyethylene glycol tetraacrylate (PEG TA) of MW 18,500 was investigated using a rat s.c. model. This study was performed in 4-wk-old rats for durations of 1, 3, 6 and 8 wk. The results indicate a strong dependence of calcification upon the MW of the PEG precursor or the MW between crosslinks. Results for gels implanted for 6 wk show that calcification was maximal at a PEG MW of 1000 (224 mg/g) with less at MW = 400 (23.0 mg/g) and considerably less at higher MWs, e.g., for MW = 10,000 (0.23 mg/g). Results for other time periods indicate a similar calcification trend. The extent of calcification of gels from PEG TA (MW = 18,500) was intermediate (1.09 mg/g) between PEG DA (MW = 6000) (1.39 mg/g) and PEG DA (MW = 10,000) at 6 wk, i.e. calcification depended upon the PEG MW between crosslinks. When composite gels were implanted, such that a highly calcifying gel (MW = 400 or 1000) was encapsulated with a gel of low calcification (MW = 4000), the gel inside calcified to at least the same extent as if it had not been encapsulated. Thus, direct contact with tissues is apparently not necessary for calcification to occur. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy was performed on the mineral deposits in the gels and a P:Ca ratio of 0.67 for MW 1000 gels and 0.60 for MW 400 gels was found to be consistent with deposition of Ca3(PO4)2. [on SciFinder (R)]
A medium-speed magnetic core memory

The steady evolution of the state of the art in coincident current magnetic core memories leads constantly in the direction of an all-transistor system of appreciable proportions. Several organizations have been at work in this field, but the system herein described is the first of its type. It is presented to demonstrate one of several possibilities in achieving an all-transistor memory of 150,000 bits.
Enzymatic synthesis of a peptide bond between a tryptic fragment of horse heart cytochrome c and a synthetic model peptide

As a model study for the usefulness of the synthetic action of a proteinase in the semisynthesis of large polypeptides, a heme peptide, comprising the residues 1-38 of horse heart cytochrome-c and bearing protective functions on the ϵ-amino groups, was incubated with trypsin in the presence of H-Orn(Msc)-Trp-NHCH3 in a mixture of water and organic solvents. We found that the proteolytic enzyme catalysed the formation of a peptide bond between the fragment and the dipeptide derivative.
A hippie discography: vinyl records from a Sixties commune

AbstractFifty-five vinyl records were identified among a collection of artifacts found in the fire debris of a Sixties-era commune at Olompali, just north of San Francisco. The Chosen Family, an intentional community loosely associated with the Grateful Dead, lived at Olompali from 1967 to 1969. The structure in which they lived burned to the ground in 1969, thus creating an unintentional time capsule reflective of the contemporary past. The records that were found exhibit a musical range that testifies to the diverse nature of the individuals drawn to the commune and challenges the generally accepted stereotype of the ‘hippie’.
Real-Time Measurement of Correlated Size and Composition Profiles of Individual Atmospheric Aerosol Particles

In this paper, the unique real-time measurement capabilities of aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ATOFMS) for characterizing atmospheric aerosol particles are demonstrated. ATOFMS is used to obtain the aerodynamic size and chemical composition of individual aerosol particles sampled directly into the instrument from outdoors. Such measurements are made in-situ by combining a unique dual-laser aerodynamic particle sizing system to size and track individual particles through the instrument and laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry to obtain correlated single particle composition data. At typical ambient concentrations, the size and chemical composition of 50−100 particles per minute can be measured (up to 600 per minute at high particle concentrations). Presented here for the first time are compositionally resolved particle size distributions of ambient aerosol particles, showing definitive size/composition correlations. A goal of these studies is to ultimately couple data obt...
The Mini-Cog had sensitivity similar to the longer 3MS for detecting cognitive impairment or dementia

Source Citation Holsinger T, Plassman BL, Stechuchak KM, et al. Screening for cognitive impairment: comparing the performance of four instruments in primary care. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2012;60:1027-36....
A computer-based automated reminder increases the percentage of urinary catheters justified by an order and increases urinary catheter discontinuation orders

Use of an automated reminder for an order to continue or to discontinue a urinary catheter resulted in a significant increase in the percentage of urinary catheters justified by an order and the percentage of urinary catheter discontinuation orders increased. This is an essential first step toward reducing inappropriate urinary catheter use.
The Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act: a model for nanomaterials regulation?

Nanomaterials exemplify a new class of emerging technologies that have significant economic and social value, pose uncertain health and environmental risks, and are entering the marketplace at a rapid pace. Effective regimes for regulating emerging technologies generate information about known or suspected hazards and draw on private sector expertise to guide managers’ behavior toward risk reduction, even in the absence of clear evidence of harm. This paper considers the extent to which the federal Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) accomplishes those objectives. It offers the approach of the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) as a possible supplement to TSCA, filling gaps in agency knowledge and private sector capacities. TURA is notable for its focus on chemicals use and hazard and its emphasis on strengthening firms’ internal management systems. Given the current deadlock in Congressional efforts to modernize federal laws such as TSCA, the role of state laws like TURA merit attention. Absent definitive information about risk, a governance strategy that generates information and focuses management attention on reducing hazards is worth considering.
Lethal and sublethal effects of chlorpyrifos exposure on adult and larval stages of the grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio

Abstract This study examined the effects of chlorpyrifos, an organophosphorus insecticide, on newly hatched to adult life stages of the grass shrimp, Palaemonetes pugio. In laboratory experiments, adult and 18‐day old larval grass shrimp were exposed in separate 96‐h acute toxicity tests to establish a range of LC50's for these two life stages. The adult 96‐h LC50 was 0.37 μg/L with the 18‐day old larval 96‐h LC50 being 0.44 μg/L. In order to simulate field conditions, 6‐h pulse exposures of chlorpyrifos at 10‰ salinity were performed every 5 days during the grass shrimp larval life cycle. The test was carried out to metamorphosis of the surviving larvae to postiarvae with four 6‐h pulse doses. The LC50's ranged from 0.94 μg/L after the first pulse exposure to 0.29 μg/L at the end of the study. Among the five chlorpyrifos concentrations and the control, there were no significant differences in larval molting and metamorphosis and growth (postlarval dry weight). An assay method for acetylcholinesterase (AC...
PERCUTANEOUS CATHETER (CATH) SURVIVAL AND COMPLICATIONS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS ON CHRONIC HEMODIALYSIS (HD) 2149

PERCUTANEOUS CATHETER (CATH) SURVIVAL AND COMPLICATIONS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS ON CHRONIC HEMODIALYSIS (HD) 2149
A Hierarchical Security Model for Multimedia Big Data

In this paper, the author proposes a hierarchical security model HSM to enhance security assurance for multimedia big data. It provides role hierarchy management and security roles/rules administration by seamlessly integrating the role-based access control RBAC with the object-oriented concept, spatio-temporal constraints, and multimedia standard MPEG-7. As a result, it can deal with challenging and unique security requirements in the multimedia big data environment. First, it supports multilayer access control so different access permission can be conveniently set for various multimedia elements such as visual/audio objects or segments in a multimedia data stream when needed. Second, the spatio-temporal constraints are modeled for access control purpose. Finally, its security processing is efficient to handle high data volume and rapid data arrival rate.
On stability of minimizers in convex programming

Abstract In this paper, we establish conditions ensuring Holder and Lipschitz continuity of minimizers in convex programming. Lipschitz continuity is proved by establishing and applying a generalized version of the implicit function theorem.
Value analysis of continuous EEG in patients during therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest.

Introduction Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is standard of care after ventricular fibrillation cardiac arrest (CA). Continuous EEG monitoring (cEEG) is increasingly used during TH. Analysis regarding value of cEEG utilization in this population in the context of cost and outcome has not been performed. We compared outcome and EEG charges in CA patients with selective versus routine cEEG. Methods A protocol for TH after CA without routine cEEG was implemented in December 2005, comprising our TH-pre-cEEG cohort. In November 2009, this protocol was changed to include cEEG in all CA–TH patients, comprising our TH-cEEG cohort. Clinical outcome using the Cerebral Performance Category (CPC) at discharge and estimated EEG charges were calculated retrospectively for both cohorts, based on National Charge Data 50th percentile charges expressed in USD per the CMS 2010 Standard Analytical File as reported in Code Correct by MedAssets, Inc. Results Our TH-pre-cEEG cohort comprised 91 patients, our TH-cEEG cohort 62. In the TH-pre-cEEG cohort, 19 patients (21%) had rEEGs, 4 (4%) underwent cEEG. The mean estimated EEG charges for the TH-pre-cEEG cohort was $1571.59/patient, and TH-cEEG cohort was $4214.93/patient (p < 0.0001). Two patients (2.1%) in the TH-pre-cEEG cohort had seizures, compared to five (8.1%) in the TH-cEEG cohort (p = 0.088). There was no difference in mortality or clinical outcome in these cohorts. Conclusions Routine use of cEEG during TH after CA improved seizure detection, but not outcomes. There was a three-fold increase in EEG estimated charges with routine use of cEEG.
Miscellaneous neurologic or neuromuscular disorders in horses

NMD is an important cause of morbidity in horses. Signs of dysfunction could be variable depending on the specific area affected. NM disease can go unrecognized if a thorough evaluation is not performed in diseased horses. Electrodiagnostic testing is an area that has the potential to document and improve our understanding of NM disease yet is uncommonly performed. Keeping an open and observant mind will enhance our ability to search and find answers.
Uniformization and Hybrid Simulation/Analytic Models of Renewal Processes

In this paper we demonstrate the use of uniformization in the simulation of renewal processes. Using uniformization, we represent the continuous random variable of interest as the first passage time of a continuous-time stochastic process associated with a Poisson process. We then use this result to develop a hybrid simulation/analytic method to model renewal processes. The estimators obtained from the hybrid simulation/analytic models have lower variance than the variance of the estimators of the traditional simulation models. We also discuss the possible impact of this method on the future of simulation methodology.
Climate warming could reduce runoff significantly in New England, USA

Abstract The relation between mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual precipitation (MAP) and evapotranspiration (ET) for 38 forested watersheds was determined to evaluate the potential increase in ET and resulting decrease in stream runoff that could occur following climate change and lengthening of the growing season. The watersheds were all predominantly forested and were located in eastern North America, along a gradient in MAT from 3.5 °C in New Brunswick, CA, to 19.8 °C in northern Florida. Regression analysis for MAT versus ET indicated that along this gradient ET increased at a rate of 2.85 cm °C −1 increase in MAT (±0.96 cm °C −1 , 95% confidence limits). General circulation models (GCM) using current mid-range emission scenarios project global MAT to increase by about 3 °C during the 21st century. The inferred, potential, reduction in annual runoff associated with a 3 °C increase in MAT for a representative small coastal basin and an inland mountainous basin in New England would be 11–13%. Percentage reductions in average daily runoff could be substantially larger during the months of lowest flows (July–September). The largest absolute reductions in runoff are likely to be during April and May with smaller reduction in the fall. This seasonal pattern of reduction in runoff is consistent with lengthening of the growing season and an increase in the ratio of rain to snow. Future increases in water use efficiency (WUE), precipitation, and cloudiness could mitigate part or all of this reduction in runoff but the full effects of changing climate on WUE remain quite uncertain as do future trends in precipitation and cloudiness.
Risk factors, classification, and staging of renal cell cancer.

Knowledge about renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has increased exponentially over the last decades. A clear understanding of RCC is of utmost importance to prevent the disease and improve the outcomes. Large epidemiologic studies have identified cigarette smoking, chemical agents, obesity, hypertension, and end-stage renal disease as risk factors associated with RCC. Identification and confirmation of risk factors may be projected into preventive strategies. Genetic studies of inherited disorders associated with an enhanced risk of RCC have elucidated many important targets for anticancer therapy. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently developed a new histologic classification of renal cell tumors that has demonstrated prognostic utility. A refined clinical staging system is improving our ability to prognosticate the outcome of RCC patients. This article provides a practical yet comprehensive review of the risk factors, classification, and staging of RCC focussing on recent updates.
Molecular Weight Effects in Chain Pullout

We have shown that the addition of polyisoprene (PI) tethered chains to a polystyrene (PS) substrate produces a large increase in its adhesion to a PI cross-linked lens over the whole range of crack speeds (10 -10 -10 -7 m/s) that the have investigated. Such an increase cannot be explained by the rate dependence of bulk viscoelastic losses and is believed to be due to the viscous pullout of the PI chains from the network. At low crack speeds the fracture toughness of the interface G c was found to increase linearly with velocity from a threshold value G 0
Energy Dissipation Through Modal Energy Redistribution

A vibration suppression strategy based on passive damping is presented. Modal energy is shifted from low to high frequency modes where it will be rapidly dissipated. This is achieved through the repeated application and removal of constraints. Upon application of the constraint, part of the energy is transferred to the system modes in its new configuration while the remaining energy goes into the unmodeled, high frequency, flexible body modes where it is dissipated. When the constraint is removed, the remaining energy is transferred back to the modes of the unconstrained system. Removal of the constraint allows it to be applied again and the cycle to be repeated until the energy drains away completely. It is shown that the amount of energy lost during one cycle depends on the timing of the constraint application. Special cases where energy is conserved are considered. In one such case, energy is trapped in modes which are unaffected by the application of the constraint. These modes span an invariant subspace where energy remains trapped. Examples of linear systems are presented to illustrate this strategy.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
A distributed scheduling methodology for a two-machine flowshop using cooperative interaction via multiple coupling agents

This paper presents a distributed scheduling methodology for a two-machine flowshop problem. It is assumed that the decision authorities and information are distributed in multiple subproduction systems that must share two machines to satisfy their demands. The associated scheduling problems are modeled using 0/1 integer formulations, and the problem is solved using Lagrangian relaxation techniques modified to work in an environment where very limited information sharing is allowed. Specifically, no global upper-bound is known, no single decision entity has complete view of all the constraints that couple the participating subproduction systems, and there is no disclosure of local objectives and constraints. The main objective of the proposed algorithm is to find a compromise state where all coupling constraints and local constraints are satisfied, and the total sum of weighted completion time of jobs is minimized. The proposed methodology showed promising experimental results when compared to the traditional Lagrangian relaxation with subgradient method.
Density functional theory study of the decomposition of Mg(OH)2: a lamellar dehydroxylation model

Abstract We present a density functional theory investigation of the decomposition of Mg(OH)2. Based on recent experiments indicating a lamellar dehydroxylation process we have calculated the energetics, elastic behavior and structural trends of a series of oxyhydroxide intermediates of composition Mgx+yOx(OH)2y representing a solid solution series between brucite (Mg(OH)2) and periclase (MgO). Using a variationally induced breathing (VIB) ionic approach we find that this broad range of lamellar oxyhydroxide intermediate materials becomes thermodynamically accessible at temperatures near 500 °C. The computed dehydroxylation dependence of the compressibility is found to vary dramatically with the initial formation of periclase-like oxide layers displaying an abrupt jump to a value near that of periclase (∼160 GPa). In contrast to this very non-linear behavior the basal plane lattice parameter a is found to exhibit a nearly linear (Vegard-like) dependence on hydroxyl content.
The diffusion approximation for turbid media with a spatially varying refractive index

In this work we derive the diffusion equation for turbid media with a spatially varying refractive index.
Self-Eating Limits EGFR-Dependent Tumor Growth

Autophagy is a cell-autonomous, catabolic process that plays context-dependent roles in tumor growth and progression. Wei et al. report that EGFR signaling promotes tumor growth through phosphorylation and functional inactivation of Beclin 1 and the consequent suppression of autophagy.