cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Catalytic properties of intermetallic platinum-tin nanoparticles with non-stoichiometric compositions

Abstract Intermetallic compounds are unique catalyst platforms for mechanistic studies and industrial applications, because of their ordered structures in comparison to random alloys. Despite the intrinsically defined stoichiometry of intermetallic compounds, compositional deviations can still occur in intermetallic catalysts. The location of the extra metal atoms could differ the catalytic properties of intermetallic compounds with non-stoichiometric composition if those metal atoms end up on/near the surface. In this study, we synthesized PtSn intermetallic compounds with accurate stoichiometry and slightly Pt-/Sn-rich compositions. We used furfural hydrogenation and acetylene semi-hydrogenation as probe reactions to investigate the surface structures of PtSn intermetallic catalysts after reduction at different temperatures. Even though the intermetallic PtSn is the major bulk phase among non-stoichiometric compositions, the intermetallic PtSn surface can only be observed under the high-temperature reduction in Sn-rich PtSn intermetallic nanoparticles (iNPs), while the Pt-rich PtSn iNPs show Pt-rich-surfaces regardless of reduction temperatures. Four structural models were constructed based on the comprehensive surface and bulk characterizations. This work extends the understanding of intermetallic catalysts with non-stoichiometric compositions to tailor the intermetallic surface structures for catalysis.
Assessment of deep inspiration breath hold technique setup reproducibility using mega voltage imaging for left breast cancer radiation therapy-integrated network study.

ABSTRACT We evaluated daily setup reproducibility of deep inspiration breath hold (DIBH) using mega voltage (MV) imaging for left breast cancer radiation therapy. Analysis of 109 left breast cancer patients across UPMC Hillman Cancer Center network treated using DIBH technique with daily MV imaging was done. Patient characteristics, MV imaging procedure used and inter-fraction directional shifts were collected. For the statistical analyses, we separated all patients into 2 groups in each of the following 3 categories; (1) obese (BMI ≥ 30) vs nonobese, (2) mastectomy vs lumpectomy, (3) internal mammary node (IMN) treatment vs no IMN treatment. The group mean inter-fraction directional shifts were as following: (1) 0.7 mm (superior), 0.8 mm (inferior); (2) 0.65 mm (left), 0.64 mm (right); (3) 0.89 mm (anterior), 0.83 mm (posterior). Also, any directional shift ≥ 2 mm, ≥ 3 mm, ≥ 4 mm, ≥ 5 mm, ≥ 10 mm was found to be 52.9%, 37.6%, 30.9%, 21.9%, 3.7% of total fractions, respectively. In the stratified analysis, obese patients had larger directional shifts (p
Performance analysis for nonlinear tomographic data processing

Image quality analysis of nonlinear algorithms is challenging due to numerous dependencies on the imaging system, algorithmic parameters, object, and stimulus. In particular, traditional notions of linearity and local linearity are of limited utility when the system response is dependent on the stimulus itself. In this work, we analyze the performance of nonlinear systems using perturbation response - the difference between the mean output with and without a stimulus, and introduce a new metric to examine variation of the responses in individual images. We applied the analysis to four algorithms with different degrees of nonlinearity for a spherical stimulus of varying contrast. For model-based reconstruction methods [penalized-likelihood (PL) reconstruction with a quadratic penalty and a Huber penalty], perturbation response analysis reaffirmed known trends in terms of object- and location-dependence. For a CNN denoising network, the response exhibits highly nonlinear behavior as the contrast increases - from the stimulus completely disappearing, to appearing at the right contrast but smaller in size, to being fully admitted by the algorithm. Furthermore, the variation metric for PL reconstruction with a Huber penalty and the CNN network reveals high variation at the edge of the stimulus, i.e., perturbation response computed from the mean images is a smoothed version of individual responses due to "jitter" in edges. This behavior suggests that the mean response alone may not be representative of performance in individual images and image quality metrics traditionally defined based on the mean response may be inappropriate for certain nonlinear algorithms. This work demonstrates the potential utility of perturbation response and response variation in the analysis and optimization of nonlinear imaging algorithms.
National Nanotechnology Initiative: A Model for Advancing Revolutionary Technologies

Nanotechnology is based on the ability to measure and manipulate matter on the scale of atoms and molecules. Technical advances, scientific opportunities, and recognition of the potential for diverse applications and benefits led to the launch of the National Nanotechnology Initiative (NNI) in 2000 and signing of the Twenty-First Century Nanotechnology Research and Development Act in 2003. Today, the NNI comprises a portfolio of investments totaling approximately $1.5 billion annually and involves 20 agencies. Unlike most research initiatives, the NNI simultaneously invested in research, education, risk management, workforce development, standards, and public outreach. The following factors contributed to the growth and success of the program. (1) Visionary leaders, many of whom have been involved since inception, articulated the opportunity to policymakers and within their agencies. (2) Prioritization at the highest levels of government, led by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, ensured strong agency participation. (3) Robust coordination, led by an independent coordination office, facilitated engagement and interactions among agencies, industries, international organizations, and the public. (4) Attention to risk from the outset. The NNI advanced understanding of the behavior of nanoparticles in the body and the environment. Engaging regulatory agencies early was essential to identifying and mitigating potential risks. (5) International collaboration, with strong US leadership, facilitated standards development and protection of people and the environment while promoting innovation. The NNI led to multidisciplinary research and other activities that broke through silos in the research community and across government.
Rare presentation of haemobilia and Loeffler's pneumonia in a child by ascaris lumbricoides.

Ascariasis is a soil-sourced, second most common parasitic infection worldwide. Because of its wandering nature, it migrates from the intestine to other organs of the body like the lungs and biliary system. This results in complications such as biliary colic, acute cholecystitis, pyogenic cholangitis, liver abscesses, pancreatitis and loeffler’s pneumonia. We report a unique case of an 8-year-old boy who presented with upper gastrointestinal bleed and chest infection. He was diagnosed as haemobilia and loeffler’s pneumonia caused by ascaris lumbricoides.
Lesson Plan Basics: Teaching in the Classroom With Confidence:

The ability to confidently teach a lesson to students, staff, or families is a skill all school nurses need to have. When a lesson plan is developed, a clear "road map" is created that guides the lesson and documents what is taught. Using the eight components described in this article, school nurses can develop a comprehensive lesson plan and teach with confidence.
Characterization of Cholinesterases From Multiple Large Animal Species for Medical Countermeasure Development Against Chemical Warfare Nerve Agents

Organophosphorus (OP) compounds, which include insecticides and chemical warfare nerve agents (CWNAs) such as sarin (GB) and VX, continue to be a global threat to both civilian and military populations. It is widely accepted that cholinesterase inhibition is the primary mechanism for acute OP toxicity. Disruption of cholinergic function through the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) leads to the accumulation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. Excess acetylcholine at the synapse results in an overstimulation of cholinergic neurons which manifests in the common signs and symptoms of OP intoxication (miosis, increased secretions, seizures, convulsions, and respiratory failure). The primary therapeutic strategy employed in the United States to treat OP intoxication includes reactivation of inhibited AChE with the oxime pralidoxime (2-PAM) along with the muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist atropine and the benzodiazepine, diazepam. CWNAs are also known to inhibit butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) without any apparent toxic effects. Therefore, BChE may be viewed as a "bioscavenger" that stoichiometrically binds CWNAs and removes them from circulation. The degree of inhibition of AChE and BChE and the effectiveness of 2-PAM are known to vary among species. Animal models are imperative for evaluating the efficacy of CWNA medical countermeasures, and a thorough characterization of available animal models is important for translating results to humans. Thus, the objective of this study was to compare the circulating levels of each of the cholinesterases as well as multiple kinetic properties (inhibition, reactivation, and aging rates) of both AChE and BChE derived from humans to AChE and BChE derived from commonly used large animal models.
The Irrepressible Functionalism in U.S. Foreign Relations Law

This essay, written as an introduction to a collection of law review articles, describes the pervasive role of functionalist reasoning in modern Supreme Court decisions relating to foreign relations law. Much of this reasoning consists of “first-order functionalism”—that is, the legal tests themselves are formulated in functionalist terms. For some foreign relations law doctrines, however, the Court has insisted on more categorical rules, and some commentators have suggested that this insistence has become more common in recent years. Even in these instances, the essay explains, the Court has often relied on functionalist reasons for formalizing the doctrine—that is, it has relied on what the essay calls “second-order functionalism.” The essay is intended to be primarily descriptive rather than normative and makes no claim about the persuasiveness of the Court’s functionalist reasoning. Instead, the claim is simply that functionalist reasoning has been a recurring feature of judicial decisions in the foreign relations law area and that this reasoning has persisted, although sometimes in different forms, even when the Court has shifted to more formal legal doctrines.
Comparison of Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) Severity Classifications in a Lung Partners Population

Background: Lung Partners is an in-patient Primary Respiratory Care COPD Disease Management program. Patients were enrolled during an admission for a COPD exacerbation. All patients had spirometry and GOLD staging. Screening for anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, Literacy, and functionality among others were performed. We wanted to learn how the original or revised GOLD staging compared in our more severe population. Methods: All Lung Partner screening data and spirometry were downloaded into a database. Patients were staged both by original and current criteria. We had a population of patients with clinical diagnosis of COPD that had no obstruction (NO) on spirometry. Data tables were created for Stages III, IV, C, D, and NO for comparisons. Results: The number of patients in Stages III, IV, C, D, and NO were 176, 147, 33, 462 and 73. There was a significant difference in both anxiety and depression average scores between C and D patients. Anxiety and depression scores at or above 10 require intervention. Average anxiety scores: C=4.0 D=8. 18, % of patients requiring intervention: C=9. 1% D=30.7%. Average depression scores: C=4.59 D=8.98, % of patients requiring intervention: C=9. 1% D=37.9% (all P Conclusions: Anxiety and Depression are more pronounced as symptoms increase. A high CAT score can be used as an indicator to look for underlying depression and anxiety. Patients with clinical COPD without obstruction on spirometry have significant anxiety and depression. Both GOLD staging criteria are useful in evaluating our population. Disclosures: Acevedo – Sunovion Advisory Board, and Monaghan Medical.
Epifluorescence-based three-dimensional traction force microscopy.

The datasets presented here are intended to be used with the Single-Layer-3D-TFM Matlab and FEniCS code package on the Franck Lab Github page (https://github.com/FranckLab). The datasets include: an example dataset for new users to practice using the code along with the experimental rigid displacement data, synthetic traction validation cases, and experimental cell traction data which can be used to reproduce the figures in the publication.
Designing Oral Health Curriculum That Facilitates Greater Integration of Oral Health Into Overall Health

For several decades, health professions education has been transforming; pedagogical constructs such as active learning, recorded lectures, electronic assessment, asynchronous content delivery, and interprofessional education and practice. However, the typical oral health curriculum has need for further transformation to ensure graduates’ ability to function in an integrated health system. There is significant literature outlining associations between oral health and overall health, therefore, it is paramount that oral health learners develop skills to collaborate in an integrated model. Satcher, in 2000, outlined the gravity of oral health inequities and the importance of oral health. He said, “Too little time is devoted to oral health and disease topics in the education of nondental health professional.” However, on the contrary typical oral health curriculum provide knowledge acquisition of topics related to overall health but isn’t specifically designed to guide integrated care. In order to increase integrated care, groups like the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) have developed competencies for interprofessional education and collaborative practice that guides the training of health professionals. One way to improve integration is accreditation standards that guide transformation as well incorporate IPEC competencies. Having competencies is important to prepare learners to function in clinics like Kaiser Permanente’s medical-dental integration model that rely upon teams and teamwork and clarity of roles and responsibilities. This manuscript outlines principle of oral health curriculum that facilitate graduates ability to work in an integrated health system and how that contributes to the improvement overall health of patients.
Trends in opportunistic salpingectomy following vaginal delivery

Objectives: The fallopian tube has been implicated as the site of origin in up to 70% of ovarian carcinomas. In November 2013, the Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) advised that women of average risk for ovarian cancer undergo opportunistic salpingectomy at the time of abdominal or pelvic surgery, such as hysterectomy or tubal sterilization, to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Opportunistic salpingectomy has previously been incorporated into various surgical procedures including cesarean section, however a paucity of data exists regarding salpingectomy following vaginal deliveries. Our objective was to assess the uptake of opportunistic salpingectomy as a form of postpartum sterilization after vaginal delivery following the 2013 release of the SGO clinical practice statement. Methods: We performed an IRB-approved, retrospective cohort study of all postpartum tubal sterilization procedures performed during delivery admissions between January 2009 and December 2019. All patients undergoing tubal sterilization within 48 hours of vaginal delivery were included. We collected patient demographics, medical history, peripartum and perioperative data. The primary outcome was proportion of sterilization procedures completed as salpingectomies before and after January 1st, 2014. Secondary outcomes included estimated blood loss (EBL), perioperative complications and readmission within 6 weeks postpartum. We used Pearson's c2 test, Fisher's exact and Student's t-test to compare the time periods. We analyzed trends using the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test. Results: A total of 317 postpartum sterilization procedures were performed during the study period. 113 salpingectomies were performed during or after 2014 (p-value Download : Download high-res image (80KB) Download : Download full-size image Conclusions: Postpartum opportunistic salpingectomy rates following vaginal deliveries increased significantly from 2014 to 2019 after the release of the SGO recommendations to consider salpingectomy as an ovarian cancer prevention strategy. This trend in postpartum salpingectomy occurred without an observed increase in complications or readmissions. Opportunistic salpingectomy should be considered a safe and feasible means of potential ovarian cancer risk reduction for patients who undergo vaginal deliveries and desire immediate postpartum sterilization.
Local $${\mathcal {P}}$$ P entropy and stabilized automorphism groups of subshifts

For a homeomorphism $$T :X \rightarrow X$$ of a compact metric space X, the stabilized automorphism group $${\text {Aut}}^{(\infty )}(T)$$ consists of all self-homeomorphisms of X which commute with some power of T. Motivated by the study of these groups in the context of shifts of finite type, we introduce a certain entropy for groups called local $${\mathcal {P}}$$ entropy. We show that when (X, T) is a non-trivial mixing shift of finite type, the local $${\mathcal {P}}$$ entropy of the group $${\text {Aut}}^{(\infty )}(T)$$ is determined by the topological entropy of (X, T). We use this to give a complete classification of the isomorphism type of the stabilized automorphism groups of full shifts.
Damage, Repair, and DNA Synthesis in Radiation Lethality of Mammalian Cells

A number of lines of evidence implicate nuclear DNA, or nuclear structures containing genomic DNA, in mammalian cell killing by ionizing radiation. Among these are the sensitizing effect when thymine in DNA is partially replaced by a halogenated pyrimidine, the enhancement of cell killing which results from the pre- or postirradiation treatment with the DNA intercalator actinomycin D, and the increase in cell killing when the energy of a beam of electrons is increased sufficiently to just penetrate to the cell’s nucleus (see Elkind, 1985, and citations therein). In addition, there is evidence from microorganisms that the genotype of a cell significantly influences radiation response even when the survival curve is exponential (i.e., when a single-hit in the sensitive target is presumed to be sufficient for inactivation; see Elkind, 1977, 1987). Examples are the varying sensitivities of the E. coli K12 isogenic repair mutants (Yatagai and Matsuyama, 1977; Peak et al., 1980), and the genetically controlled repair of radiation damage in yeasts (e.g., Saeki et al., 1980; Reddy and Rao, 1981). Added to observations such as the foregoing is the inference that because genomic DNA has a central biological role, as well as a large target size, it can magnify discrete molecular damage into a lethal effect. This point can be simply illustrated by noting that a cell destined to die (i.e., to lose its ability to yield a clone of cells of unlimited size) may undergo 4–5 divisions before further division ceases and cell lysis becomes apparent (Elkind et al., 1963). During this abortive clonal growth, active DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis takes place as well as active general cell metabolism. The enzymatic and metabolic machinery for these processes represent small targets of which there are multiple copies compared to genomic DNA.
Effects of UV-B on Algal Growth Rate and Trace Gas Production

Cultures of Phaeodactylum tricornutum were exposed to combinations of visible and ultraviolet-B (UV-B) light intensities in the laboratory, the ultraviolet light (UV) sources being fluorescent lamps whose peak emission was at approximately 310 nm. Filters of cellulose acetate and Mylar were used to attenuate the UV-B intensity, the latter absorbing all the radiation in the 310 nm region. The growth rates of the algae were calculated from chlorophyll analyses made during the exponential growth of the cultures, and trace gas measurements were made after a fixed time (44 h). Algal cells exposed to a UV-B flux approximately one-fifth that of average sunlight intensity, with visible light intensities optimal for photosynthesis, underwent a 20 percent reduction in growth rate and were completely inhibited by UV fluxes half that of sunlight. A major finding of the trace gas analyses was that carbon monoxide (CO) formation was relatively constant over the range of UV fluxes imposed. Previous experiments with outdoor exposures had produced CO in concentrations of an order of magnitude higher. It appears that UV-B was not the causative agent for the unsually high CO production resulting from exposure of the algae to sunlight.
The Philosophy of Biology: Some Themes in Recent Philosophy of Biology

Introduction In the main, it was only in the second half of the twentieth century that the philosophy of biology emerged as a distinctive sub-discipline in academic philosophy. Indeed, the philosophy of science as such – as distinct from “natural philosophy” or just philosophy – is a relatively recent phenomenon. At its start, however, with the rise of logical positivism, soon renamed logical empiricism, it was chiefly a philosophy focused on physics, or even, in its extreme reconstructionist forms, a philosophy based on a rather slanted view, even a caricature, of that “fundamental” science. The life sciences were usually ignored, or treated as an embarrassment to be explained away. True, J. H. Woodger produced in the nineteen-thirties what was supposed to be a statement of the principles of biology; but apart from a few followers in Great Britain, his effort had little influence (Woodger 1937). In general, the hope of philosophers of science was that all the sciences would one day (perhaps even soon?) be unified in the terms of, and through the theories of, the most basic level of physics. For example, at one of C. H. Waddington's conferences on theoretical biology, there was one very vocal participant who kept deploring that the Volterra–Lotka equations, which express regularities in populations, could not (yet?) be reduced to terms of quantum mechanics. Nothing else was really science.
Eutrophication and Algae

Nutrient Concentrations, Trophic State, and Algal Biomass Trophic State and Algal Community Structure Factors that Affect the Relationship between Nutrient Concentration and Algal Abundance Keywords: algae; algae and eutrophication; eutrophication; trophic state and algal community structure
Shocdye' as World : Localizing Modernity Through Beer in the Bolivian Amazon

AbstractIn the Bolivian Amazon, social, economic and ecological shifts have led to changes in the livelihood practices of the Tsimane Indians. Subsistence practices are now regularly balanced with market-oriented activities, particularly cash cropping and logging, which in turn transform how and what foods are produced. Shocdye' (beer)—a key food in Tsimane social and religious practices—has embodied these changes. Yet, despite major reshaping of the drink, specifically the shift from manioc to plantain as the primary ingredient, shocdye' continues to be produced and maintains its position as a culturally vital material in Tsimane life. This article demonstrates how modernization, and specifically the expansion of capitalist economies, can be explored through the key foods of historically subsistence populations where social, environmental and economic processes are interwoven with the foods that are produced and consumed. Using the concept of “localized modernity,” this article argues that contemporary s...
Learning to Be a Legal Historian: Reflections of a Non-Traditional Student

Legal historians come from differing academic backgrounds. Some have training in law and history; others have training only in history; but a large number are formally trained only in law. All three groups need to learn to be legal historians. Each person's learning process is likely distinctive and influenced by formal training and actual academic experience. Professor Jonathan Rose began his studies as a legal historian after three decades as an American law teacher. In this essay, Professor Rose reflects upon his learning process as someone in that third group, lessons learned in that process, and whether this learning process has affected his more general thinking about law and what is law. As described in this essay, the learning process consisted of three components; Professor Rose characterizes the first two as utilitarian, calling the first functional and the second informational; the third component might be labeled conceptual. The functional portion of the learning process required learning the tools of the trade. The informational component involved extensive reading to become familiar with the large and ever growing body of relevant literature, the past legal institutions, and the legal culture of the periods of interest. The third element, the conceptual component, involved mindset and thinking; Professor Rose considers how this learning process might have changed his thinking about law and whether it was necessary to think differently than previously about law and legal institutions as he pursued his research.
A purified mariner transposase is sufficient to mediate transposition in vitro

Mariners are a widespread and diverse family of animal transposons. Extremely similar mariners of the irritans subfamily are present in the genomes of three divergent insect host species, which strongly suggests that species-specific host factors are unnecessary for mobility. We tested this hypothesis by examining the activity of a purified transposase from one of these elements (Himar1) present in the horn fly, Haematobia irritans. Himar1 transposase was sufficient to reproduce transposition faithfully in an in vitro inter-plasmid transposition reaction. Further analyses showed that Himar1 transposase binds to the inverted terminal repeat sequences of its cognate transposon and mediates 5' and 3' cleavage of the element termini. Independence of species-specific host factors helps to explain why mariners have such a broad distribution and why they are capable of horizontal transfer between species.
Multiple coordinated views for network attack graphs

While efficient graph-based representations have been developed for modeling combinations of low-level network attacks, relatively little attention has been paid to effective techniques for visualizing such attack graphs. This paper describes a number of new attack graph visualization techniques, each having certain desirable properties and offering different perspectives for solving different kinds of problems. Moreover, the techniques we describe can be applied not only separately, but can also be combined into coordinated attack graph views. We apply improved visual clustering to previously described network protection domains (attack graph cliques), which reduces graph complexity and makes the overall attack flow easier to understand. We also visualize the attack graph adjacency matrix, which shows patterns of network attack while avoiding the clutter usually associated with drawing large graphs. We show how the attack graph adjacency matrix concisely conveys the impact of network configuration changes on attack graphs. We also describe a novel attack graph filtering technique based on the interactive navigation of a hierarchy of attack graph constraints. Overall, our techniques scale quadratically with the number of machines in the attack graph.
Women with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism: cycle characteristics and results of assisted reproductive techniques.

Objective. To present cycle characteristics and results of in vitro fertilization in 27 patients with hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Further, to demonstrate the consequences of advanced age (≥35 years). Methods. Data from 27 hypogonadotropic hypogonadism patients treated with in vitro fertilization in the period from 2000 to 2004 were analyzed and compared with treatment results from 39 patients with unexplained infertility. Moreover, data from hypogonadotropic hypogonadism patients were analyzed according to the age factor. Mann–Whitney U, Chi-square, and Student's t-tests were used for statistical analysis. p<0.05 was considered significant. Results. Higher gonadotropin consumption and a longer stimulation period were observed in the hypogonadotropic hypogonadism group. Peak E2 levels, and the total number of oocytes and metaphase II oocytes were higher in the unexplained infertility group. Although a higher number of grade I embryos were transferred in the unexplained infertility group, the implantatio...
Synthesis of Manganese Oxide Microspheres by Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis and Their Application as Supercapacitors

Manganese oxide (MnO 2 ) microspheres are prepared using an ultrasonic spray pyrolysis (USP) process. A mixed solution of potassium permanganate and hydrochloric acid is nebulized into microsized droplets, which are then carried by air fl ow through a furnace tube. Each microdroplet serves as one microreactor and produces one microsphere. Upon heating, KMnO 4 is decomposed into MnO 2 microspheres; this synthetic process can easily be scaled up. Characterization of the MnO 2 microspheres by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectra is described. Different morphologies of MnO 2 microspheres can be controlled by tuning the precursor concentrations (and ratios) and furnace temperatures. Microspheres synthesized at 150 °C give amorphous MnO 2 while synthesis at 500 °C yields crystalline α-MnO 2 . The electrochemical properties investigated by cyclic voltammetry give specifi c capacitance as high as 320 F g −1 , demonstrating promising properties as supercapacitors. In addition, these microspheres can be directly sprayed on conductive substrates, such as carbon fi ber paper, and may have useful applications as a supercapacitor electrode coating. The supercapacitive properties of MnO 2 microspheres at higher charge and discharge rates can be improved by increasing the surface area coverage or coating them with a thin layer of conductive polymer.
TESTING HYPOTHESES ABOUT THE NUMBER OF FACTORS IN LARGE FACTOR MODELS

In this paper we study high-dimensional time series that have the generalized dynamic factor structure. We develop a test of the null of k 0 factors against the alternative that the number of factors is larger than k 0 but no larger than k 1 > k 0 . Our test statistic equals max k0<k≤k1 (γ k ― γ k+1 )/(γ k+1 ― γ k+2 ), where γ i is the ith largest eigenvalue of the smoothed periodogram estimate of the spectral density matrix of data at a prespecified frequency. We describe the asymptotic distribution of the statistic, as the dimensionality and the number of observations rise, as a function of the Tracy―Widom distribution and tabulate the critical values of the test. As an application, we test different hypotheses about the number of dynamic factors in macroeconomic time series and about the number of dynamic factors driving excess stock returns.
Enflurane effects on acoustic and photic evoked responses

Abstract The effects of incremental doses of the anesthetic agent enflurane, in sensory cortex, mesencephalic reticular formation, inferior colliculus and lateral geniculate body were studied simultaneously on sensory evoked responses in freely behaving rats previously, implanted with 80 μm semimicro-electrodes. Experimentation consisted of EEG recording and averaging of 32 evoked responses before (control), and following 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.5 and 4% enflurane levels. A biphasic dose response pattern of amplitude depression at lower doses which changed to amplitude augmentation at higher doses was observed. The drug level at which the amplitude reversal occurred closely correlated to the initiation of analgesia as determined by sural nerve shock. The reticular formation was most depressed by the lower doses while the sensory cortex was most excited by the higher doses. These effects were best observed with the acoustic evoked responses. The progression of effects with increasing enflurane levels suggests a mechanism of reduced reticular formation control of sensory stimuli coupled with marked cortical neuronal excitability. This study represents the first report of the effects of enflurane on deep, as well as surface CNS structures in the rat, uncomplicated by other anesthetics or paralyzing agents.
The enteropathy of prostaglandin deficiency

Small intestinal ulcers are frequent complications of therapy with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). We present here a genetic deficiency of eicosanoid biosynthesis that illuminates the mechanism of NSAID-induced ulcers of the small intestine. Eicosanoids and metabolites were measured by isotope dilution with mass spectrometry. cDNA was obtained by reverse transcription and sequenced following amplification with RT-PCR. We investigated the cause of chronic recurrent small intestinal ulcers, small bowel perforations, and gastrointestinal blood loss in a 45-year-old man who was not taking any cyclooxygenase inhibitor. Prostaglandin metabolites in urine were significantly depressed. Serum thromboxane B2 (TxB2) production was 4.6% of normal controls (P < 0.006), and serum 12-HETE was 1.3% of controls (P < 0.005). Optical platelet aggregation with simultaneous monitoring of ATP release demonstrated absent granule secretion in response to ADP and a blunted aggregation response to ADP and collagen, but normal response to arachidonic acid (AA). LTB4 biosynthesis by ionophore-activated leukocytes was only 3% of controls, and urinary LTE4 was undetectable. These findings suggested deficient AA release from membrane phospholipids by cytosolic phospholipase A2-α (cPLA2-α), which regulates cyclooxygenase- and lipoxygenase-mediated eicosanoid production by catalyzing the release of their substrate, AA. Sequencing of cPLA2-α cDNA demonstrated two heterozygous nonsynonymous single-base-pair mutations: Ser111Pro (S111P) and Arg485His (R485H), as well as a known single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), Lys651Arg (K651R). Characterization of this cPLA2-α deficiency provides support for the importance of prostaglandins in protecting small intestinal integrity and indicates that loss of prostaglandin biosynthesis is sufficient to produce small intestinal ulcers.
Fracture Signatures On P-wave AVOZ

We studied parallel fracture-induced anisotropy as a function of fracture system configuration and background rock elastic properties using P-wave amplitude versus offset and azimuth (AVOZ). Our modeling incorporates Hudson’s penny-shape crack model with the anisotropic Zoeppritz equations . We derived analytical relation to calculate P-wave AVOZ that works well under and numerically tested a simple the conditions of small contrast, near offset, and weak anisotropy. Both the analytical formula and the numerical modeling results show that: P-wave reflectivity azimuthal variation induced by Hudson’ s cracks is proportional to the crack density; fluid-saturated cracks can induce more gives azimuthal anisotropy in P-wave amplitude than gas-saturated or dry cracks; and lower background larger azimuthal variation in P-wave reflectivity for the same fracture system configuration. Poisson’s ratio
An automated procedure for identifying poorly documented object oriented software components

In this paper, I present a procedure for automating the identification of object oriented software components that may be poorly documented. The proposed procedure uses artificial neural network to learn and estimate the software size and the source code documentation size. The differences in the estimates for software size and actual size, and the estimates for source code documentation size and actual documentation size are used to identify software components that may be poorly documented.
Muon physics with the proposed Pulsed Lepton Source at LAMPF

The proposed pulsed lepton source (PLS) at LAMPF is described, with special attention to the muon area. Important applications to tests of QED and muon capture physics, as well as to materials science, are discussed.
Potential forbidden triples implying hamiltonicity: for sufficiently large graphs

In [2], Brousek characterizes all triples of connected graphs, G1, G2, G3, with Gi = K1,3 for some i = 1, 2, or 3, such that all G1G2G3-free graphs contain a hamiltonian cycle. In [8], Faudree, Gould, Jacobson and Lesniak consider the problem of finding triples of graphs G1, G2, G3, none of which is a K1,s, s ≥ 3 such that G1G2G3-free graphs of sufficiently large order contain a hamiltonian cycle. In [6], a characterization was given of all triples G1, G2, G3 with none being K1,3, such that all G1G2G3-free graphs are hamiltonian. This result, together with the triples given by Brousek, completely characterize the forbidden triples G1, G2, G3 such that all G1G2G3-free graphs are hamiltonian. In this paper we consider the question of which triples (including K1,s, s ≥ 3) of forbidden subgraphs potentially imply all sufficiently large graphs are hamiltonian. For s ≥ 4 we characterize these families.
The diagnosis and treatment of Whipple's disease

1. Whipple's disease probably is not as rare as is generally believed, but merely unrecognized. The PAS-positive material in the macrophages of the villi appears to be intact or disintegrated bacilli; however, the etiology of the disease is yet to be established. 2. Suspected clinically, Whipple's disease is diagnosed on peroral small bowel biopsy. 3. Intensive therapy with antibiotics should result in complete and permanent recovery.
Mutagenesis of the supF gene by stereoisomers of 1,2,3,4-diepoxybutane

1,2,3,4-Diepoxybutane (DEB) is a key metabolite of the important industrial chemical and environmental contaminant, 1,3-butadiene (BD). Although all three optical isomers of DEB, S,S-, R,R-, and meso-DEB, are produced by metabolic processing of BD, S,S-DEB exhibits the most potent genotoxicity and cytotoxicity, followed by R,R- and then meso-DEB. Our previous studies suggested that the observed differences between the biological effects of DEB optical isomers may be structural in their origin. Although S,S- and R,R-DEB produced mainly 1,3-interstrand 1,4-bis-(guan-7-yl)-2,3-butanediol (bis-N7G-BD) cross-links, meso-diepoxide induced equal numbers of intrastrand and interstrand bis-N7G-BD lesions. In the present study, the mutagenicity of the three DEB stereoisomers in the supF gene was investigated. We found that S,S-DEB was the most potent mutagen. Interestingly, mutation specificity and mutant spectra were strongly dependent on DEB stereochemistry. Although A:T to T:A transversions were the major form o...
All-Aromatic, Nanometer-Scale, Gold-Cluster Thiolate Complexes

We report a method to generate and isolate 22 and 29 kDa core mass gold:benzenethiolate monolayer-protected cluster (MPC) molecules and a subsequent reaction to yield [(octyl)4N]2[Au44(SC6H5)28] (8.7 kDa core) clusters from these materials. Characterization methods for these 1.0−1.7 nm molecules include vibrational, electronic, 1H NMR, and mass spectrometry, as well as powder X-ray diffraction. The clusters are anionic and charge balanced by tetraoctylammonium. They possess size-dependent optical absorbance bands consistent with size-quantized gold cores and are susceptible to electrochemical degradation in polar organic solvents. To our knowledge this is the first report of all arylthiolate gold MPC molecules, and they represent ideal materials for crystallization and total structural characterization.
Comparison of Energy Expenditure and Propulsion Characteristics in a Standard and Three Pushrim-Activated Power- Assisted Wheelchairs

Background: Pushrim-activated power-assisted wheelchairs (PAPAWs) reduce the demands of manual wheelchair (WC) propulsion by providing additional force with release of the pushrim. Method: This study compared energy expenditure and propulsion characteristics in individuals with spinal cord injury propelling their own WCs and three commercially available PAPAWs. We hypothesized that PAPAWs would reduce energy expenditure and enhance propulsion characteristics, depending upon the delivery of power-assistance and user ability. Results: PAPAWs reduced the rate of oxygen consumption for most participants; however, the PAPAW that maximized self-selected propulsion velocity and minimized oxygen cost varied. Conclusion: Results of this study would benefit individuals considering use of a PAPAW.
Can We Return to the Concept of Duty in a Culture of Rights? Implications for Morality and Identity

The conception of duty that is outlined by the Moghaddam, Slocum, Finkel, Mor and HarrE (2000) is primarily based on the language of rights. Arights-based code is put into service by many Americans to understand conceptions of duty. There is much to be gained by locating the ‘social psychology’ of duty- and rights-based discourses with present-day India. Currently in India, alongside the multiple duty-based traditions of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, there also exists a discourse about western notions of liberal humanism and secular ideologies of human rights. The discussion suggests that both duty- and rights-based discourses need reexamination because they have implications for how we make meanings about issues of morality and selfhood across cultures.
Conduction in metallic core/shell nanoclusters

The conducting properties of core/shell nanoclusters of two different materials - one with a metal core/ semiconductor shell, and the other with a metal core/ insulator shell have been investigated. Experiments carried out for the two samples under the same conditions demonstrate distinct variations in the conducting properties of both. At increasing temperatures, the metal/semiconductor core/shell sample exhibits a sharp increase in conductivity at certain threshold temperatures, as opposed to the metal/insulator structure sample that displays a gradual, almost exponential increase in conductivity. These results have been discussed in terms of standard models.
Differential effects of feedback sensitivity upon learned control of skin temperature.

Ninety subjects particpated in a skin temperature biofeedback study concerning the effects of feedback sensitivity. Subjects were randomly assigned to a high sensitivity, low sensitivity, or a nofeedback condition. Based upon previous research, it was predicted that the low sensitivity condition would produce superior skin temperature warming and greater reduction of autonomic arousal. Also, it was predicted that both feedback conditions would be superior to the no-feedback condition for skin temperature control and reduction of autonomic arousal. The results indicated that low sensitivity feedback was not superior to high sensitivity feedback for skin temperature control, but did produce greater reduction of autonomic variables. The prediction that feedback was superior to no-feedback was also confirmed.
An integral and differential geometric approach to behavioral information acquisition and integration via binary sensor networks

This work presents an integral and differential geometric approach to acquisition and integration of human behavioral information in their movements via distributed binary sensor networks. In order to tolerate low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and reduce data throughput, each sensor only detects the presence of subject motion within its field of view (FOV). By utilizing multiple sensing modalities and novel sampling geometries, behavioral information of human movements, including dynamic and static features, can be better measured from statistics of binary sensory signals. The novelty of this work lies in three aspects: (1) utilizing the invariant measure density of subject motion group to build geometric probability models that associate subject behaviors with binary measurements; (2) utilizing affine connections of sensor models to achieve behavioral parameter estimation in a sensor-independent way; (3) utilizing belief aggregation methods to integrate behavioral information measured by distributed sensors. Initial results have verified the effectiveness of the proposed method.
PLATE WAVE TRANSMISSION/REFLECTION AT GEOMETRIC OBSTRUCTIONS: EXPERIMENT

This paper reports on the experimental examination of the transmission and reflection characteristics of arbitrarily shaped geometric obstructions in problems of plate wave propagation, such as joints, stiffeners, thickness transitions, and bends. The motivation for this work is noise source location in structures, the specific application being the location of air leaks in spacecraft skins, funded by NASA. In this work, it has been demonstrated that leaks can be located at a distance using array‐based sensors which determine direction of signal propagation at the sensor location. The limiting factor in practice is the influence of geometric obstructions between the leak and sensor. This work reports a quantitative examination of the transmission properties of various obstructions such as stiffening ribs. Surface motions arising from a distance source are recorded over a local array of spatial positions using a scanned laser vibrometer. Spatial Fourier analysis is then applied to determine the individual contributions of the constituent mode types to the measured signals. Transmission properties of intervening geometric obstructions are determined by comparison to unobstructed signals. Comparisons to theoretical predictions of transmission characteristics will be presented for selected cases.
Endocannabinoid-Dependent Long-Term Depression in a Nociceptive Synapse Requires Coordinated Presynaptic and Postsynaptic Transcription and Translation

Endocannabinoids (eCBs) play an important role in long-term regulation of synaptic signaling in both vertebrates and invertebrates. In this study, the role of transcription- and translation-dependent processes in presynaptic versus postsynaptic neurons was examined during eCB-mediated synaptic plasticity in the CNS of the leech. Low-frequency stimulation (LFS) of non-nociceptive afferents elicits eCB-dependent long-term depression (eCB–LTD) heterosynaptically in nociceptive synapses that lasts at least 2 h. Bath application of emetine, a protein synthesis inhibitor, blocked eCB–LTD after afferent LFS or exogenous eCB application, indicating that this depression was translation dependent. Bath application of actinomycin D, an irreversible RNA synthesis inhibitor, or 5,6-dichlorobenzimidazole 1-β-d-ribofurandoside (DRB), a reversible RNA synthesis inhibitor, also prevented eCB–LTD. Selective injection of DRB or emetine into the presynaptic or postsynaptic neuron before LFS indicated that eCB–LTD required transcription and translation in the postsynaptic neuron but only translation in the presynaptic cell. Depression observed immediately after LFS was also blocked when these transcription- and translation-dependent processes were inhibited. It is proposed that induction of eCB–LTD in this nociceptive synapse requires the coordination of presynaptic protein synthesis and postsynaptic mRNA and protein synthesis. These findings provide significant insights into both eCB-based synaptic plasticity and understanding how activity in non-nociceptive afferents modulates nociceptive pathways.