cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Future prospects for elementary particle physics: High and low energy probes

The tremendous progress that has been achieved over the last two decades in our understanding of the elementary particle interactions poses some troubling questions for the future of the field. The standard model for the strong, weak and electromagnetic interactions continues to enjoy verification by experiment. Periodic hints of discrepancies that generate temporary excitement among workers in the field have a tendency to evaporate under closer experimental and/or theoretical scrutiny. Yet the standard model leaves many questions unaswered, and the absence of significant discrepancies leaves us with few signposts that might indicate how to look for their answers. Very generally, one anticipates that measurements resolving increasingly shorter distances will reveal increasingly deeper levels of the laws of nature. The issue is then how to best probe arbitrarily short distances. The most straightforward approach, that has traditionally defined the field of "high energy" physics, is to achieve increasingly high energy for colliding particles, but this route must have some inherent limitation. Alternatives include searches for very rare low energy phenomena, observation of natural high energy collisions provided by cosmic rays, and the more indirect inferrenee based on extrapolation of observational cosmology and astrophysics to the physics of the highest energy laboratory the very early universe. In this article, 1 I will not present any answers but rather I wish to raise some of the questions that will eventually have to be addressed in the planning of future facilities for the study of elementary particle interactions.
Roux-en-Y Hepaticojejunostomy or Choledochojejunostomy

Biliary stricture. Biliary injury. Bile duct tumor. Bypass of nonresectable pancreatic or periampullary malignancy.
Role of Poly(ADP-Ribose) Polymerase in Ribosomal RNA Gene Transcription

Our laboratory has been involved in the identification and characterization of the transcription factors for RNA polymerase I (Pol I)- directed transcription of ribosomal RNA genes (rDNA). To this end, we initially isolated and partially purified a transcriptionally active protein complex which contains RNA polymerase I and the essential Pol I transcription factors (1). Such a fraction was obtained from whole cell extracts (1) or from nuclear extracts (2). Subsequently, we demonstrated that a fraction obtained during chromatography of the cell extract on a heparin sepharose column could prevent nonrandom transcription of cloned rat rDNA in an in vitro system (3). The major protein in this fraction exhibited characteristics of purified poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase. The present report summarizes the properties of this protein, and describes experiments showing the dramatic appearance of accurately initiated transcript in an unfractionated whole cell extract or nuclear extract from a tissue following addition of the protein factor.
Affective Driver State Monitoring for Personalized, Adaptive ADAS

We seek to improve vehicle automation by using the state of the driver to develop an adaptive assistance system. We focus on the problem of measuring the driver state under varying levels of cognitive workload using affective (i.e. emotion) sensing, including thermal facial analysis and electroencephalography (EEG). This information is then used in sensor fusion and machine learning algorithms to help predict the brake reaction time of the driver, a key input in forward collision warning systems. We demonstrate the results in a pilot study, which highlights the benefits of the personalized, adaptive reaction time estimation in collision warning alert performance. A 40–50% improvement in alert precision is observed with the adaptive approach. We conclude with improvements to further strengthen the quality of the reaction time estimation and improve alert performance.
The STEP61 interactome reveals subunit-specific AMPA receptor binding and synaptic regulation.

Striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (STEP) is a brain-specific protein phosphatase that regulates a variety of synaptic proteins, including NMDA receptors (NAMDRs). To better understand STEP’s effect on other receptors, we used mass spectrometry to identify the STEP61 interactome. We identified a number of known interactors, but also ones including the GluA2 subunit of AMPA receptors (AMPARs). We show that STEP61 binds to the C termini of GluA2 and GluA3 as well as endogenous AMPARs in hippocampus. The synaptic expression of GluA2 and GluA3 is increased in STEP-KO mouse brain, and STEP knockdown in hippocampal slices increases AMPAR-mediated synaptic currents. Interestingly, STEP61 overexpression reduces the synaptic expression and synaptic currents of both AMPARs and NMDARs. Furthermore, STEP61 regulation of synaptic AMPARs is mediated by lysosomal degradation. Thus, we report a comprehensive list of STEP61 binding partners, including AMPARs, and reveal a central role for STEP61 in differentially organizing synaptic AMPARs and NMDARs.
Optimizing Josephson-ring-modulator-based Josephson parametric amplifiers via full Hamiltonian control

Josephson parametric amplifiers (JPA) are nonlinear devices that are used for quantum sensing and qubit readout in the microwave regime. While JPAs regularly operate near the quantum limit, their gain saturates for very small (few-photon) input power. In a previous work, we showed that the saturation power of JPAs is not limited by pump depletion, but instead by the fourth-order nonlinearity of Josephson junctions, the nonlinear circuit elements that enables amplification in JPAs. Here, we present a systematic study of the nonlinearities in JPAs, show which nonlinearities limit the saturation power, and present a strategy for optimizing the circuit parameters for achieving the best possible JPA. For concreteness, we focus on JPAs that are constructed around a Josephson ring modulator (JRM). We show that by tuning the external and shunt inductors, we should be able to take the best experimentally available JPAs and improve their saturation power by $\ensuremath{\approx}15\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}\mathrm{dB}$. Finally, we argue that our methods and qualitative results are applicable to a broad range of cavity-based JPAs.
Commutative Properties of Head Direction Cells during Locomotion in 3D: Are All Routes Equal?

Navigation often requires movement in three-dimensional (3D) space. Recent studies have postulated two different models for how head direction (HD) cells encode 3D space: the rotational plane hypothesis and the dual-axis model. To distinguish these models, we recorded HD cells in female rats while they traveled different routes along both horizontal and vertical surfaces from an elevated platform to the top of a cuboidal apparatus. We compared HD cell preferred firing directions (PFDs) in different planes and addressed the issue of whether HD cell firing is commutative—does the order of the animal9s route affect the final outcome of the cell9s PFD? Rats locomoted a direct or indirect route from the floor to the cube top via one, two, or three vertical walls. Whereas the rotational plane hypothesis accounted for PFD shifts when the animal traversed horizontal corners, the cell9s PFD was better explained by the dual-axis model when the animal traversed vertical corners. Responses also followed the dual-axis model (1) under dark conditions, (2) for passive movement of the rat, (3) following apparatus rotation, (4) for movement around inside vertical corners, and (5) across a 45° outside vertical corner. The order in which the animal traversed the different planes did not affect the outcome of the cell9s PFD, indicating that responses were commutative. HD cell peak firing rates were generally equivalent along each surface. These findings indicate that the animal9s orientation with respect to gravity plays an important role in determining a cell9s PFD, and that vestibular and proprioceptive cues drive these computations. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Navigating in a three-dimensional (3D) world is a complex task that requires one to maintain a proper sense of orientation relative to both local and global cues. Rodent head direction (HD) cells have been suggested to subserve this sense of orientation, but most HD cell studies have focused on navigation in 2D environments. We investigated the responses of HD cells as rats moved between multiple vertically and horizontally oriented planar surfaces, demonstrating that HD cells align their directional representations to both local (current plane of locomotion) and global (gravity) cues across several experimental conditions, including darkness and passive movement. These findings offer critical insights into the processing of 3D space in the mammalian brain.
Are Containers Coupled with NetEm a Reliable Tool for Performance Study of Network Protocols

NetEm is a good representative of software-based network emulator often used for testing network protocols and applications under specified network conditions. Many scholars have studied it on physical hosts connected over real networks and observed that NetEm could emulate most network parameters accurately. The popularity of containerization motivates us to investigate the accuracy of NetEm on virtual networks composed of containers. In this paper, we investigate the accuracy of NetEm main functionality on the containers run on Docker, a well-recognized solution for containerization, and compare the results with NetEm performance on a real network connecting physical hosts. We found that NetEm provides the same level of accuracy and stability for packet loss on these two platforms. The TCP throughput under emulated loss and latency was found to be very close when measured on containers and hosts under all circumstances except the scenarios where there is no additional delay combined with packet loss greater than 2%. NetEm offers more accurate delay emulation on physical hosts. On containers, we have observed small additional delay and occasional spikes that can be attributed to time-sharing of CPU in the containerized system. While these must be taken into account when performing a protocol performance study, they are not significant and, therefore, we can conclude that containers coupled with NetEm can be considered a reliable tool for the study of network protocol performance.
4.11 – Dynamic Triggering

Dynamic stresses propagating as seismic waves from large earthquakes trigger a spectrum of responses at global distances. In addition to locally triggered earthquakes in a variety of tectonic environments, dynamic stresses trigger tectonic (nonvolcanic) tremor in the brittle–plastic transition zone along major plate-boundary faults, activity changes in hydrothermal and volcanic systems, and, in hydrologic domains, changes in spring discharge, water well levels, soil liquefaction, and the eruption of mud volcanoes. Surface waves with periods of 15–200 s are the most effective triggering agents; body-wave trigger is less frequent. Triggering dynamic stresses can be < 1 kPa.
Association between self-reported moderate to vigorous physical activity and the rate of outpatient treated COPD exacerbations: retrospective cohort study

Introduction Little has been published regarding the relationship between physical activity (PA) and outpatient treated, mild to moderate acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease exacerbations (AECOPD). The purpose of this study was to determine the association between self-reported PA and outpatient treated AECOPD over 2 years using real-world data obtained from existing electronic medical records (EMRs). Methods We included 44 896 patients with a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease diagnosis from the EMR in this retrospective cohort study. Moderate to vigorous PA was measured via patient self-report, obtained during routine clinical care; patients were classified as inactive (0 min/week), insufficiently active (1–149 min/week) or active (≥150 min/week). AECOPDs were measured using both encounter and prescription fill (antibiotics and/or oral steroids) data. We used Poisson regression models to compare the unadjusted and adjusted rates of outpatient treated AECOPD over 2 years across the PA categories. Results In adjusted models, the 2-year AECOPD incidence rate ratio (IRR) was not different between the inactive and insufficiently inactive groups (IRR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.01) and only marginally meaningful lower for the active group (IRR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95 to 0.98). Sensitivity analyses of patients meeting or not meeting obstructive criteria produced similar results with generally weak or non-significant associations. Conclusion The lack of an association between PA and AECOPD contrasts with previous published findings of a strong relationship between moderate to vigorous PA and hospitalisations for severe AECOPD. This difference could partially be attributed to the imprecision of our measurements for both the exposure and outcome.
Front Pages, Front Lines: Media and the Fight for Women’s Suffrage: Steiner, Linda, Kitch, Carolyn, and Kroeger, Brooke. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 2020, 266 pp., $25.00 (paperback).

It would be difficult to identify a more meaningful year for this important volume about the historical role of the mass media in the long battle for women’s voting rights. Arriving in time for the...
Factors influencing physical activity after cardiac surgery: An integrative review.

Abstract Background Physical activity can optimize patient outcomes after cardiac surgery, but postoperative patients’ physical activity generally has been inadequate. No review studies have focused on factors influencing cardiac patients’ postoperative physical activity. Objectives To identify factors influencing physical activity in patients after cardiac surgery. Methods This study was conducted following Whittemore and Knafl's methodology. CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, Scopus, and Embase were searched and selected studies were analyzed using the Matrix Method. Results In 12 studies, factors facilitating physical activity included personal, socio-environmental, and intervention-related factors. Barriers to physical activity included personal, socio-environmental, and cardiac rehabilitation program-related factors. The most common predictor of physical activity was male sex, and the most frequent barrier was comorbidities. Conclusions This study revealed facilitators and barriers that significantly influenced physical activity after cardiac surgery. Healthcare providers and exercise guideline developers should consider our findings when devising physical activity strategies for postoperative cardiac patients.
With a little help from my friends? How learning activities and network ties impact performance for high tech startups in incubators

Abstract Drawing from the dynamic learning perspective of entrepreneurship, this paper investigates how entrepreneurs' learning activities and new venture performance (early sales and employee growth) are impacted by reliance on different network tie partners (strong and weak ties) for learning. Utilizing a sample of early-stage high technology ventures in incubators, we find weak ties help improve performance when utilized as a source of assistance in certain learning domains, but reduce performance when utilized as a source of help in other learning areas. The relationship between customer learning activities and employee growth is strengthened by entrepreneurs' reliance on weak ties for help with customer learning. On the other hand, the relationship between financial learning activities and employee growth is weakened by entrepreneurs’ reliance on weak ties for help with financial learning. By accounting for the complex interplay between both content (domain learning activity) and process attributes (tie reliance for learning), the paper contributes by developing and testing a theoretical framework more capable of explaining the dynamics of entrepreneurial learning.
Central paradiaphragmatic middle lobe involvement in nonspecific interstitial pneumonia

Nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) lacks specific diagnostic guidelines or criteria for imaging diagnosis, and the need for more reliable computed tomography (CT) characterization remains. We hypothesized that central paradiaphragmatic middle lobe (ML) involvement is present in most patients with NSIP. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of ML involvement and thus to assess its potential as a unique feature of NSIP. We conducted a retrospective CT-imaging review of 40 patients with biopsy-proven (7/40, 18%) or clinically established (33/40, 82%) NSIP. Three subspecialty-trained thoracic radiologists reviewed CTs for ML involvement both independently and in consensus, and additional CT findings previously described in NSIP independently. ML involvement was present in most cases (70%, 28/40, independent review, 78%, 31/40, consensus reading), with substantial agreement among all three readers (κ = 0.65). Fibrosis was present in almost all cases (93%, 37/40). Subpleural sparing occurred in one-third of patients (30%, 12/40). Homogeneity (48%, 19/40), central bronchiectasis (45%, 18/40), and peripheral bronchiectasis (53%, 21/40) were present in about half of patients. Apart from substantial inter-reader agreement on fibrosis (κ = 0.65), the above-mentioned imaging characteristics had fair to slight universal agreement (κ = 0.07–0.30). Central paradiaphragmatic ML ground glass attenuation superimposed on reticulation and traction bronchiectasis occurs in most patients with NSIP, with high interobserver agreement. • Central paradiaphragmatic middle lobe ground glass attenuation superimposed on reticulation and traction bronchiectasis is common in nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP). • This finding occurs more frequently than subpleural sparing and has a better interobserver agreement.
Considerations in Working with Veterans During COVID-19: When the Battle Is at Home

US veterans are uniquely poised to manage a global crisis when it arrives on their doorstep. They are also uniquely triggered. The purpose of this chapter is to explore the resilience and stressors faced by combat veterans during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic based on the writer’s clinical experience. Veterans’ reservoirs of crisis response skills honed in the military have broad applications to managing COVID-19, from assessing and navigating logistics of the crisis to tolerating certain aspects of social isolation and long-term separation from loved ones. On the other hand, some veterans struggle with the helplessness of not being able to save loved ones, loss of identity as protectors, and a reactivation of posttraumatic stress symptoms including survivor’s guilt and moral injuries. The impact of this shared trauma on the therapeutic alliance and self-disclosure between clients and clinician is also considered.
Positive charging of grains in an afterglow plasma is enhanced by ions drifting in an electric field

10.1063/5.0069141.1In a plasma, the polarity of a dust grain's charge is typically negative, but it can reverse and become positive in an afterglow, when the power sustaining the plasma is switched off. This positive charging, which occurs in the afterglow's first few milliseconds, is studied for grains much larger than a few nm. It is hypothesized that the positive charging is enhanced by the presence of a dc electric field, which causes ions to drift through the neutral gas. A larger value of the reduced electric field E/N leads to a larger ion kinetic energy and thus a greater collection of positive charge on a grain. The maximum possible positive charge is attained if the grain's surface potential rises to match the ion kinetic energy, at a time before ions have departed and the grain's charge becomes frozen. Thereafter, when vacuum conditions prevail, the grain will retain its positive residual charge. In an experiment, dust grains were electrically levitated in a capacitively coupled plasma until the power was abruptly turned off. In the afterglow, grains fell faster than expected due to gravity alone, indicating a downward electric force, in the presence of a remaining dc electric field. Acceleration measurements yielded repeatable results for the residual charge's value, which was of the order +104 e and increased with E/N, supporting the hypothesis.
Designing an Environmental Mitigation Banking Institution for Linking the Size of Economic Activity to Environmental Capacity

While institutions are a key determinant of economic behavior and new institutions are often formed as a part of an economic policy, a systematic way to design these institutions and test their potential performance before they are created does not exist. I have attempted in this paper to create and test such a design for an environmental mitigation banking system using system dynamics modeling and computer simulation. Experimentation with my model suggests that a mitigation banking institution established in the market with the mandate of adding value to environment is able to balance human activity with environmental capacity and yield an optimal price for the mitigation credits without inputs from engineering methods connecting price to cost of mitigation. The delays associated with engineering calculations, when they are used to determine price, would curtail human activity by stifling its multiplier effects. Subsidization of mitigation banking would indirectly support human activity by reducing the price of credits, but for the same budget, direct subsidies support human activity more than the market-based subsidies. Connecting credit requirements to environmental conditions introduces instability in all cases due to the delays involved in this process. The experimental method used to test the efficacy of the mitigation banking system in this paper is seen in general to be a valuable process for mobilizing the powerful concept of institutional change for creating operational plans.
A Heuristic Approach to the Multiple Diagnoses Problem

A new heuristic model for the diagnosis of multiple related disorders in a patient case is presented. The model constructs differential diagnoses of single and related disorders, based on a medical knowledge base containing disease descriptions and linkages among diseases in the knowledge base.
Abstract T MP6: The Effect of Proximal Arterial Stenosis on Outcomes Following Interventional Therapy for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the IMS-III Trial

Introduction: In patients undergoing interventional treatment for acute ischemic stroke (AIS), arterial stenosis proximal to the intracranial arterial occlusive lesion (AOL) may decrease the probability of technical success and result in worse outcomes. We examined the impact of proximal arterial stenosis in the Interventional Management of Stroke (IMS)-III trial. Hypothesis: Arterial stenosis proximal to the intracranial AOL impedes successful interventional therapy for AIS resulting in worse outcomes. Methods: A total of 369 patients receiving combination intra-arterial (IA) and intravenous (IV) therapy for anterior circulation AIS in the IMS-III trial were categorized according to the degree of Internal Carotid Artery (ICA) stenosis proximal to the index AOL, as determined by immediate pretreatment digital subtraction angiography. Patients with severe stenosis or occlusion (≥70%, n=37) were compared to patients without severe stenosis ( Results: When compared to those with ≥70% stenosis, patients with Conclusion: In patients receiving combined IV/IA treatment for AIS, ipsilateral ICA stenosis of ≥70% is associated with a statistically significant longer time to reperfusion, and trends favoring larger infarct volumes and worse clinical outcomes despite a lower rate of sICH.
Robust classification of strokes with SVM and grouping

The ability to recognize the strokes drawn by the user, is central to most sketch-based interfaces. However, very few solutions that rely on recognition are robust enough to make sketching a definitive alternative to traditional WIMP user interfaces. In this paper, we propose an approach based on classification that given an unconstrained sketch, can robustly assign a label to each stroke that comprises the sketch. A key contribution of our approach is a technique for grouping strokes that eliminates outliers and enhances the robustness of the classification. We also propose a set of features that capture important attributes of the shape and mutual relationship of strokes. These features are statistically well-behaved and enable robust classification with Support Vector Machines (SVM). We conclude by presenting a concrete implementation of these techniques in an interface for driving facial expressions.
Sinus of Valsalva Aneurysm: A Rare Cause of Dyspnea

Sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SOVA) is a rare clinical entity. Clinical manifestations can vary from an incidental finding on an imaging study to a life-threatening emergency. We report a case of a 51-year-old female with a large symptomatic left SOVA. Echocardiogram and computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the chest revealed marked dilatation of the left sinus of Valsalva, measuring 7.5 cm. This resulted in superior displacement of the left main coronary artery. Surgical repair of the aneurysm with reimplantation of the right and left coronary arteries was performed in addition to aortic valve replacement (Bentall procedure). The patient had an uneventful postoperative course and remains asymptomatic at the three-month follow-up visit.
Emissivity correcting pyrometer for temperature measurement in low pressure chemical vapor deposition

Rapid thermal processing (RTP) low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) requires accurate wafer temperature measurement to control film deposition during processing. The temperature sensor discussed detects a portion of the target radiance as a DC signal. The remainder of the target radiance is chopped, reflected back onto the target, and recollected by the sensor as an AC signal. Two versions of the sensor were developed. Unit 1 separates the pyrometer (DC) and chopper reflector components. Unit 2 combines both components into a single unit. The DC signal is calibrated to target radiance using a blackbody source. The ratio of AC to DC signals is related to target spectral emissivity via a second calibration using a prepared surface of known emissivity. After calibration, both units are evaluated against oxidizing steel surfaces. Unit 1 successfully tracks relative changes in oxidizing steel emissivity. Unit 2 suffers from internal reflections of the modulated AC signal which dominate those reflected off the target, preventing an evaluation of its sensitivity to alignment. >
Critical Update of the 2010 Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for Male Hypogonadism: A Systematic Analysis

“Testosterone Therapy in Men With Androgen Deficiency Syndromes: An Endocrine Society Clinical Practice Guideline” (Guidelines), published in 2010, serves as an important guide for the treatment of hypogonadal men. Using the Guidelines as a basis, we searched for the most recent level 1 evidence that continues to support the recommendations or provide an impetus to modify all or some of them. We performed a systematic analysis with a PubMed query from January 1, 2010, through March 2, 2015, using the following key words: testosterone/deficiency, testosterone/therapeutic use, cardiovascular, morbidity, mortality, screening, sexual function, lower urinary tract symptoms, obstructive sleep apnea, prostate cancer, fertility, bone mineral density, osteoporosis, quality of life, cognitive, erectile dysfunction, and adverse effects. We identified 17 trials representing level 1 evidence that specifically addressed recommendations made in the Guidelines. Trials examining outcomes of testosterone replacement therapy in men with severe lower urinary tract symptoms and untreated obstructive sleep apnea were identified, potentially refuting the current dogma against treatment in the setting of these conditions. Hypogonadal men with type 2 diabetes mellitus and metabolic syndrome were examined in several trials, demonstrating the beneficial effects of therapy on sexual function and insulin sensitivity. Several trials served as reinforcing evidence for the beneficial effects of testosterone therapy on osteoporosis, muscle strength, and symptoms of frailty. As in the Guidelines, inconsistent effects on quality of life, well-being, and erectile function were also noted in publications. Despite controversies surrounding cardiovascular morbidity and treatment in the setting of prostate cancer, no studies examining these issues as primary end points were identified. The low number of eligible studies since 2010 is a limitation of this analysis.
Classical Coulomb three-body problem with collinear configuration

Abstract A simple Coulomb three-body problem with collinear configuration is studied numerically. Some interesting phenomena are reported. When λ, a parameter of the system, is larger than 1.5, the stable periodic orbits cannot be found, while when λ
Effect of murine cytomegalovirus on implantation stage mouse embryos.

AbstractTo investigate the effect of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection on implantation stage embryos, mouse blastocysts were exposed to MCMV in vitro and then surgically transferred to foster mice. When denuded blastocysts were exposed to MCMV, only 1 mother out of 14 gave birth to two live babies. In contrast when intact blastocysts were exposed to MCMV, the percentage of live births occurring in all mothers was not significantly different from that of controls. MCMV was also isolated from uterine washings of five out of seven mice which had received denuded MCMV-exposed blastocysts. Serological and DNA restriction enzyme analyses showed that the stock MCMV and the virus isolates were identical. MCMV microinjected into uterine lumen of pregnant mice at the time of embryo implantation resulted in a fetal loss with occasional inflammation of uteri. Tissue extracts obtained from implantation sites of the mice shed MCMV when cocultivated with mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEF). In contrast, little fetal lo...
Kinetic Modeling of NOx Storage/Reduction on Pt/BaO/Al2O3 Monolith Catalysts

A balance of the complexity of the reactor model and the chemical reaction mechanism has to be made in order to predict the dynamic nature of NOx storage/reduction processes in real time. In this work, a one-dimensional, two-phase model is used to simulate the transient behavior of a monolithic Pt/BaO/Al2O3 catalyst for NOx storage/reduction. The following aspects of the process are discussed: (i) kinetics of NO and NO2 adsorption on BaO sites, (ii) effects of CO2 and H2O on NO/NO2 adsorption, and (iii) reduction of surface nitrates using H2. NOx adsorption with excess oxygen involves two kinetic routes, namely, NO2 disproportionation and direct NO adsorption, both of which form nitrates on the catalyst at 300 °C. A model with two time scales was found to be necessary to describe NO2 adsorption on the 20 wt % BaO catalyst. The model and parameters required to fit the NOx breakthrough curves suggest that CO2 and H2O in the feed reduce the number of sites for NO adsorption by changing the surface morphology...
Soil aggregate isolation method affects measures of intra-aggregate extracellular enzyme activity

Abstract Within soil aggregates, binding of organic matter is known to occlude it from microbial attack. Within aggregate fractions of different sizes, microbial communities and activities have also been shown to differ. As a result the soil physical structure, organic inputs and microbial activity together impact the rate at which organic matter is decomposed and stored within soil. However, methods developed for isolating soil aggregates may affect subsequent biological assays. In this study, we sought to understand how enzyme activity within soil aggregates is influenced by aggregate isolation methodology, including wet, dry, and ‘optimal moisture’ sieving procedures within two contrasting ecosystems (a corn agroecosystem and a 2-yr old, diverse planted tallgrass prairie). Mass distribution of aggregates from wet-sieving was skewed toward small macroaggregates (250–1000 μm) and microaggregates ( 2000 μm). Wet-sieved macroaggregates (>1000 μm) had greater aggregate potential enzyme activity (nmol substrate h−1 g−1 dry aggregate) than smaller aggregate fractions and whole soil, particularly for C-cycling enzymes cellobiohydrolase and β-glucosidase. Also, wet-sieved aggregates from corn systems had higher potential cellobiohydrolase and β-glucosidase activity than aggregates isolated from prairie. Neither of these relationships was observed in dry and optimal moisture aggregates, suggesting that elevated activities are characteristic of water-stable aggregates and possibly stimulated by soil rewetting. The proportional contribution to total enzyme activity observed in water-stable microaggregates accounted for 46–62% of whole soil activity; although water-stable large macroaggregates (>2000 μm) had greater aggregate enzyme activity, they contributed a minority of overall soil activity. In contrast, the proportional contribution of large macroaggregates comprised 70–78% of whole soil activity when dry sieved and 38–66% under optimal moisture sieving. Wet-sieving soil aggregates is most useful to examine long-term changes in soil organic matter and microbial activity between soil types. Optimal moisture and dry sieved aggregates may be useful alternatives to more closely capture short-term in situ measures of seasonal and intra-annual soil microbial activity.
Temperature dependence of the 11H photoreflectance lineshape in an (001) In 0.21 Ga 0.79 As/GaAs single quantum well

The photoreflectance lineshape of the 11H exciton peak in an In 0.21 Ga 0.79 As/GaAs single quantum well was measured from 10 K to 500 K. In contrast to the GaAs/GaAlAs system our 10 K data exhibited no `wings' and can be fit equally well by the first-derivative of a Gaussian or Lorentzian profile. The former is probably relevant since the well material is an alloy. These results indicate that care must be taken in associating spectra without pronounced `wings' with the Lorentzian profile. The temperature dependence of the 11H linewidth, which has been fit to a Bose-Einstein expression, yields important information about the quality of the material and interface. The variation of the energy of 11H with temperature agrees with that of bulk material.
The welfare impacts of an invasive species: endogenous vs. exogenous price models.

Abstract The “fixed-prices” models used to measure damages from invasive species typically overestimate financial impacts. These fixed-price assessments do not address key behavioral modifications that lower costs as people adapt by changing their mix of inputs and outputs given new economic circumstances. Using the invasive emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis) in Ohio as a motivating example, we develop a computable general equilibrium model that accounts for these behavioral responses. We estimate annual damages from the beetle to be about $70 million, an order of magnitude less than the $400–$900 million in damages estimated using a fixed-price model. Damages are lower because people adapt through price and income adjustments that occur after ash trees are devastated from the emerald ash borer.
Identification of Cystathionine β‐Synthase Inhibitors Using a Hydrogen Sulfide Selective Probe

Buzzing with activity: A hydrogen sulfide selective fluorogenic probe, 7-azido-4-methylcoumarin (AzMC), serves as a highly sensitive assay for cystathionine β-synthase activity, and is suitable for the high-throughput discovery of novel enzyme inhibitors.
Crystal and molecular structure of an active carbinolamide: 4-hydro-4-dimethoxymethyl-6-isopropyl-2-oxo-2,3-dihydro(6H)-1,3-oxazine

The crystal and molecular structure of the title compound has been determined by single-crystal x-ray diffraction techniques. The compound is of interest because of its own intrinsic anti-tumor activity and because it is also a common moiety of a series of more active anti-tumor agents, the maytansinoids. The compound crystallizes in the space group PĪ with 2 molecules in a unit-cell of dimensions a = 6.912 A,b = 7.219 A,c = 15.272 A, α = 119.96°, β = 104.30° and γ = 96.04°. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to a final value of R = 0.063.
Enhancement of morphine analgesia after acute and chronic haloperidol.

Abstract In the male rats haloperidol pretreatment caused an enhancement of morphine analgesia. After chronic haloperidol the analgesia enhancing effect of haloperidol was observed up to 10 days after its discontinuation. No analgesia was present in the haloperidol treated rats not given morphine.
Error Estimates for Semidiscrete Finite Element Approximations of Linear and Semilinear Parabolic Equations Under Minimal Regularity Assumptions

Semidiscrete finite element error estimates for linear parabolic equations are derived under minimal regularity with the help of L2 projectors. Then, analogous minimal regularity semidiscrete error estimates for semilinear parabolic equations are derived.
Cucurbiturils as Versatile Receptors for Redox Active Substrates

Research on the chemistry of cucurbit[n]uril (CBn) hosts has picked up and maintained an impressive pace in the last decade, primarily due to the isolation of hosts with relatively larger cavity sizes, such as CB7 and CB8. This review article summarizes our involvement in this research effort, with particular emphasis on the binding of redox active guests by the CB7 and CB8 hosts. The binding of 4,4′-bipyridinium (viologen) derivatives was the starting point of our CB research. While methylviologen is encapsulated by CB7, forming a highly symmetric inclusion complex, more hydrophobic viologens are bound by inclusion of one of the terminal N-substituents inside the host cavity. Cationic ferrocene derivatives reach extremely high binding affinities with CB7. Binding by CB8 offers additional possibilities, since this host may accommodate two aromatic units inside its cavity, which can be utilized to exert redox control on the assembly of suitably dendronized guests. From a purely electrochemical standpoint, CB7-included viologens maintain their voltammetric reversibility, but CB7-included ferrocene residues experience a pronounced attenuation of their electron transfer kinetics. We have also applied these binding and electrochemical properties to the design and preparation of switchable, CB-based pseudorotaxanes.
Deep Brain Stimulation in Children with Dystonia: Experience from a Tertiary Care Center (S28.006)

Objective: To investigate the efficacy and safety of deep brain stimulation (DBS) of globus pallidus internus (GPi) in children with dystonia. Background Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an effective treatment for medically refractory dystonia. A few studies in children have shown utility of DBS in primary > secondary dystonia. More studies are needed. Design/Methods: IRB approved retrospective chart review of patients (≤21 years) with dystonia who underwent DBS of GPi. Optimal stimulation parameters and complications were recorded. Outcome measures assessed were change in the Burke-Fahn-Marsden-Dystonia-Rating-Scale and functional status post-surgery. Results: Eight patients underwent DBS for dystonia. Mean age of onset of dystonia was 7.5 ± 4.8, 7 were male. Mean age at DBS was 14.1 ± 4.6 years. Etiology of dystonia was primary in 6 [DYT-1+ (1), DYT-11 + (1), idiopathic DYT-1 negative (4)], and secondary in 2 [mitochondrial disorder (1), traumatic brain injury (1)]. Six had generalized dystonia, 1 hemidystonia, 1 cranio-cervical dystonia. All underwent GPi implantation, 1 unilateral and the rest bilateral. Mean follow-up was 6.7 ± 2.6 years, 1 lost to follow-up. Mean Burke-Fahn-Marsden-Dystonia-Rating-Scale was 62 ± 32.3 prior to surgery followed by improvement at 6 months (44± 27), 12 months (33± 24.7) and at last follow-up (31.5± 24). Mean DBS parameters at the time of maximal improvement of dystonia-rating-scale were: amplitude 3.2±0.7 volts, pulse width 170± 68 microseconds and frequency 102± 35 Hz. Three patients who were nonambulatory prior to surgery were able to ambulate without assistance after DBS. Hardware problems (electrode dislocation and breakage of cable) were observed in 2 and infection was noted in 1; no other therapy-related morbidity was observed. Conclusions: DBS of the GPi is an effective and safe therapy in pediatric patients with primary as well as selected cases of secondary dystonia. Early neurosurgical intervention seems to be crucial to prevent irreversible impairment of motor function. Disclosure: Dr. Ghosh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Machado has received personal compensation for activities with Intelect Medical, Boston scientific, ATI Pharmacology, Cardionomics and Monteris Medical as a consultant. Dr. Deogaonkar has received personal compensation for activities with Medtronic as a consultant. Dr. Deogaonkar has received (royalty or license fee or contractual rights) payments from Autonomic Technology Inc. Dr. Ghosh has received personal compensation for activities with Merz Pharma as a consultant.
Exact study of charge-spin separation, pairing fluctuations, and pseudogaps in four-site Hubbard clusters

An exact study of charge-spin separation, pairing fluctuations, and pseudogaps is carried out by combining the analytical eigenvalues of the four-site Hubbard clusters with the grand canonical and canonical ensemble approaches in a multidimensional parameter space of temperature $(T)$, magnetic field $(h)$, on-site interaction $(U)$, and chemical potential $(\ensuremath{\mu})$. Our results, near the average number of electrons $⟨N⟩\ensuremath{\approx}3$, strongly suggest the existence of a critical parameter ${U}_{c}(T)$ for the localization of electrons and a particle-hole binding (positive) gap ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}^{e\text{\ensuremath{-}}h}(T)g0$ at $Ug{U}_{c}(T)$, with a zero temperature critical value, ${U}_{c}(0)=4.584$. For $Ul{U}_{c}(T)$, the particle-particle pair binding is found with a (positive) pairing gap ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}^{P}(T)g0$. The ground state degeneracy is lifted at $Ug{U}_{c}(T)$ and the cluster becomes a Mott-Hubbard like insulator due to the presence of energy gaps at all (allowed) integer numbers $(1\ensuremath{\le}N\ensuremath{\le}8)$ of electrons. In contrast, for $U\ensuremath{\le}{U}_{c}(T)$, we find an electron pair binding instability at finite temperature near $⟨N⟩\ensuremath{\approx}3$, which manifests a possible pairing mechanism, a precursor to superconductivity in small clusters. Rigorous criteria for the existence of many-body Mott-Hubbard like particle-hole and particle-particle pairings, spin pairing, (spin) pseudogap, and (spin) antiferromagnetic critical crossover temperatures, at which the corresponding pseudogaps disappear, are also formulated. In particular, the resulting phase diagram consisting of charge and spin pseudogaps, antiferromagnetic correlations, hole pairing with competing hole-rich $(⟨N⟩=2)$, hole-poor $(⟨N⟩=4)$, and magnetic $(⟨N⟩=3)$ regions in the ensemble of clusters near 1/8 filling closely resembles the phase diagrams and inhomogeneous phase separation recently found in the family of doped high-${\mathrm{T}}_{\mathrm{c}}$ cuprates.
Clinicopathologic features of ulcerative‐atrophic sarcoidosis

Background Sarcoidosis is a chronic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Cutaneous disease is common and includes two clinicopathologic categories: granulomatous infiltration or a reactive phenomenon. In the granulomatous infiltrative group, clinical manifestations can be variable. Ulcers in sarcoidosis are uncommonly recognized and have been categorized previously under the rubric of atrophic, necrobiosis-like, or ulcerative sarcoidosis. Patients and methods We evaluated retrospectively sarcoidosis patients presenting to the Johns Hopkins Department of Dermatology between June 1989 and May 2002. Multiple skin biopsies were performed for histopathologic evaluation. Investigation for extracutaneous manifestations, including routine serologic assays, chest radiography, pulmonary function tests, electrocardiogram, and angiotensin-converting enzyme level, and referral for ophthalmologic examination were performed in all patients. Results Of 147 consecutive patients presenting with cutaneous sarcoidosis, seven demonstrated ulcerative-atrophic sarcoidosis lesions. All patients were African-American (five females and two males). All patients had ulcers surrounded by atrophic necrobiosis lipoidica-like plaques on the pretibial areas. All patients had other mucocutaneous manifestations of sarcoidosis, with the majority having evidence of internal disease. Combined immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory therapy was effective in controlling the cutaneous manifestations of all patients with ulcerative sarcoidosis. Conclusions The ulcerative variant is a poorly defined subset of cutaneous sarcoidosis. Trauma, superimposed on atrophic plaques, appears to be the principal mechanism of this rare variant of cutaneous sarcoidosis.
Barriers to implementing protocols for kidney paired donation and desensitization: survey of U.S. transplant programs.

Context—Special types of kidney transplant exist for patients who have willing but incompatible donors. Two types of transplants that circumvent donor-recipient incompatibility are "kidney paired donation" and "desensitization." Lack of access to these protocols limits living donations and shortens the life span of patients with willing but incompatible donors.Objective—To understand potential barriers to implementing kidney paired donation and desensitization, as well as attitudes toward nondirected donation and compatible type O donation, which would maximize the number of kidney paired donation transplants performed via chains.Design—We created a 56-question Web-based survey to elicit information from US transplant program directors about 24 potential barriers to implementing these protocols.Participants—Of 166 programs contacted, 96 responded, including 88 complete and 8 partial responses. After pediatric-only programs and multiple responses from the same program were removed, 84 total (78 complete) r...
Effects of inhibition of nitric oxide synthase on systemic arterial pressure and renal vascular resistance in cats.

These studies were undertaken to examine the systemic and renal effects of the pharmacological inhibition of endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO) in cats. In six healthy cats, the intravenous infusion of nitro-L-arginine at a dose of 100 μg kg−1 bodyweight min−1 resulted in a marked increase (P<0·001) in mean arterial pressure from the control value of 116·7 ± 4·6 mmHg to 154·2 ± 6·8 mmHg and an increase (P<0·05) in renal vascular resistance from the control value of 3·69 ± 0·33 mmHg min ml−1 to 6·83 ± 1·15 mmHg min ml−1. The increase in renal vascular resistance was generalised, with comparable increments in preglomerular and postglomerular vascular resistance. Mean values for glomerular capillary pressure (61·1 ± 61·9 vs 1·9 ± 1·6 mmHg), calculated from the sum of arterial colloid osmotic pressure plus proximal tubule stop-flow pressure, did not change in response to the infusion of nitro-L-arginine. However, there was a marked reduction in renal blood flow (29·4 ± 3·1 to 16·9 ± 2·3 ml min−1, P<0·01) and glomerular filtration rate (5·22 ± 0·57 to 3·52 ± 0·45 ml min−1, P<0·01). These results provide evidence that EDNO plays an important role in the basal regulation of systemic arterial blood pressure and renal haemodynamics in cats.
An American view on the training of teachers of English

(1972). An American view on the training of teachers of English. English in Education: Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 19-26.