cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Feu vert pour la construction et l’exploitation d’une unité de traitement des nitrates (TDN) à Malvési

Le site New AREVA de Malvesi, situe dans l’Aude, a pour activite la premiere etape de la conversion de l’uranium naturel, qui se situe entre l’extraction des minerais en provenance des differents sites miniers et l’enrichissement de l’uranium. Il est aujourd’hui le seul site de conversion de l’uranium dans le monde a avoir investi massivement dans un nouvel outil industriel aux plus hauts standards de surete et de securite, mais egalement a avoir lance un programme d’envergure de gestion durable de son cycle de vie industriel. Apres 50 ans de fonctionnement, 500 millions d’euros ont ainsi ete investis en 10 ans pour renouveler l’equipement industriel et reduire l’empreinte environnementale du site. Le projet de traitement des nitrates (TDN), objet d’une autorisation administrative de mise en oeuvre en novembre 2017, en est un exemple concret.
Robust transient analysis of multi-server queueing systems and feed-forward networks

We propose an analytically tractable approach for studying the transient behavior of multi-server queueing systems and feed-forward networks. We model the queueing primitives via polyhedral uncertainty sets inspired by the limit laws of probability. These uncertainty sets are characterized by variability parameters that control the degree of conservatism of the model. Assuming the inter-arrival and service times belong to such uncertainty sets, we obtain closed-form expressions for the worst case transient system time in multi-server queues and feed-forward networks with deterministic routing. These analytic formulas offer rich qualitative insights on the dependence of the system times as a function of the variability parameters and the fundamental quantities in the queueing system. To approximate the average behavior, we treat the variability parameters as random variables and infer their density by using ideas from queues in heavy traffic under reflected Brownian motion. We then average the worst case values obtained with respect to the variability parameters. Our averaging approach yields approximations that match the diffusion approximations for a single queue with light-tailed primitives and allows us to extend the framework to heavy-tailed feed-forward networks. Our methodology achieves significant computational tractability and provides accurate approximations for the expected system time relative to simulated values.
Is dopamine a neurohormone of the adrenal medulla? Studies with morphine stimulation.

Dopamine (DA) concentrations in rat adrenals, plasma and brain were variably elevated 1 h after a large parenteral dose of morphine. In adrenals, unlabelled DA increased 2-fold and labelled DA, synthesized from 3H-tyrosine, increased more than 4-fold. The increases could be prevented by inhibition of DA-synthesizing enzymes and spinal cord transection, respectively. Labelled DA in plasma increased 2.7-fold after morphine in intact rats but did not increase in those with spinal cord transection.
Development of Theranostic Perfluorocarbon Nanoemulsions as a Model Non-Opioid Pain Nanomedicine Using a Quality by Design (QbD) Approach

Pain nanomedicine is an emerging field in response to current needs of addressing the opioid crisis in the USA and around the world. Our group has focused on the development of macrophage-targeted perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions as inflammatory pain nanomedicines over the past several years. We present here, for the first time, a quality by design approach used to design pain nanomedicine. Specifically, we used failure mode, effects, and criticality analysis (FMECA) which identified the process and composition parameters that were most likely to impact nanoemulsion critical quality attributes (CQAs). From here, we applied a unique combination approach that compared multiple linear regression, boosted decision tree regression, and partial least squares regression methods in combination with correlation plots. The presented combination approach allowed for in-depth analyses of which formulation steps in the nanoemulsification processes control nanoemulsion droplet diameter, stability, and drug loading. We identified that increase in solubilizer (transcutol) content increased drug loading and decreased nanoemulsion stability. This was mitigated by inclusion of perfluorocarbon oil in the internal phase. We observed negative correlation (R2 = 0.4357, p value 0.0054) between the amount of PCE and the percent diameter increase (destabilization), and no correlation between processing parameters and percent diameter increase over time. Further, we identified that increased sonication time decreases nanoemulsion drug loading but does not significantly impact droplet diameter or stability. We believe the methods presented here can be useful in the development of various nanomedicines to produce higher-quality products with enhanced manufacturing and design control.
Learning-Based Demand Response for Privacy-Preserving Users

Demand response (DR), as a vital component of smart grid, plays an important role in shaping the load profiles in order to improve system reliability and efficiency. Incentive-based DR has been used in many DR programs by incentivizing customers to adapt their loads to supply availability. Note that users’ behavior patterns can be easily identified from fine-grained power consumption when interacting with the load serving entity (LSE), giving rise to serious privacy concerns. One common approach to address the privacy threats is to incorporate perturbations in users’ load measurements. Although it can protect the users’ privacy, yet the usage data modification would degrade the LSE's performance in achieving an optimal incentive strategy due to unknown characteristics of the augmented perturbations. In this paper, we cast the incentive-based DR problem as a stochastic Stackelberg game. To tackle the challenge induced by users’ privacy protection behaviors, we propose a two-timescale reinforcement learning algorithm to learn the optimal incentive strategy under users’ perturbed responses. The proposed algorithm computes the expected utility cost to mitigate the impacts of the random characteristics of the augmented perturbations and then updates the incentive strategy based on the perceived expected utility costs. We derive the conditions under which the proposed incentive scheme converges almost surely to an $\epsilon$ -optimal strategy. The efficacy of the proposed algorithm is demonstrated using extensive numerical simulation using real data.
Peripheral Microvascular Function Reflects Coronary Vascular Function.

Objectives— Coronary endothelial dysfunction is a precursor of atherosclerosis and adverse outcomes. Whether endothelial dysfunction is a localized or generalized phenomenon in humans remains uncer...
The seasonality of suicide attempts: a single poison control center perspective

Introduction: Suicide attempts by poisoning are increasing and suicide occurrence may be associated with seasonality. We performed a retrospective analysis of poisoning exposure data from a single ...
Abstract TP167: Behavioral Change Intervention and Predictors of Self-Management Blood Pressure Control in Underserved Post-Stroke Population

Background: Although stroke is an acute event caused by chronic conditions such as high blood pressure (BP), diabetes and unhealthy lifestyle, 80% of all strokes are preventable through awareness a...
The principle of proportionality: Consequentiality and promises in Mandarin conversation

Abstract In Mandarin conversation, utterances about future actions with severe consequences are observed to correlate with bigger promises, marked by devices indicating greater illocutionary force, as compared with those about actions with less serious consequences. Applying the principle of proportionality proposed by Goffman (1971), I argue that participants’ design of promise is proportional to the severity of the action consequences, which is evaluated by the participants on a moment-by-moment basis. The ad hoc construction of promises shows that promising is a dynamic process, rather than a one-time action. The proportionality principle may also account for the differences between promises in institutional discourse and ordinary conversation.
Hearing preservation with a slim modiolar cochlear implant in a pediatric cohort

Abstract Objectives Recent cochlear implant (CI) electrodes are designed to be atraumatic to inner ear structures. Studies in adults have demonstrated improved hearing preservation rates with the CI532/632 electrode, but none have examined this in children. Our objective is to describe the hearing preservation rate with CI532/632 in pediatric patients and determine factors that influence hearing preservation. Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of children undergoing CI over a three-year period. Inclusion criteria were: CI with the 532/632 electrode, presence of pre-operative low frequency hearing defined by pure tone average (PTA) of ≤80 dB at 250 Hz or at the average of 250 and 500 Hz, and post-operative unaided audiometry. Other data collected included demographics, otologic history, imaging, and surgical details. Results A total of 13 patients and 15 ears were included. Hearing was preserved in 10/15 (66%) ears at an average follow-up of 6 months, similar to that reported in the adult literature. Patients with preserved hearing post-operatively were more likely to have a positive family history of hearing loss. There was a trend towards patients with anatomic inner ear abnormalities being more likely to lose hearing after CI, but this was not statistically significant. Pre-operative thresholds were not predictive of hearing preservation. Patients with preserved hearing had a significantly smaller shift in thresholds after cochlear implantation. Therefore, hearing preserved and non-preserved groups differed more by the magnitude of change in threshold, rather than their preoperative threshold. Other factors such as age, sex, surgeon, and surgery duration were not associated with hearing preservation. Conclusion This study describes low frequency hearing preservation after pediatric CI532/632 implantation. The hearing preservation rate in our cohort was consistent with that reported in the adult literature. Our data suggest that preoperative thresholds do not solely determine which patients will go on to experience hearing preservation. We believe this will aid surgeons with patient-specific device selection and counseling potential pediatric CI recipients with preserved hearing.
Melding Modeling and Morphology: A Call for Collaboration to Address Difficult Questions about the Evolution of Form and Function

The nascent field of evolutionary biomechanics seeks to understand how form begets function, and researchers have taken two tacks toward this goal: inferring form based on function (comparative biomechanics) or inferring function based on form (functional morphology). Each tack has strengths and weaknesses, which the other could improve. The symposium, "Melding modeling and morphology-integrating approaches to understand the evolution of form and function" sought to highlight research stitching together the two tacks. In this introduction to the symposium's issue, we highlight these works, discuss the challenges of interdisciplinary collaborations, and suggest possible avenues available to create new collaborations to create a unifying framework for evolutionary biomechanics.
Survey data and human computation for improved flu tracking

While digital trace data from sources like search engines hold enormous potential for tracking and understanding human behavior, these streams of data lack information about the actual experiences of those individuals generating the data. Moreover, most current methods ignore or under-utilize human processing capabilities that allow humans to solve problems not yet solvable by computers (human computation). We demonstrate how behavioral research, linking digital and real-world behavior, along with human computation, can be utilized to improve the performance of studies using digital data streams. This study looks at the use of search data to track prevalence of Influenza-Like Illness (ILI). We build a behavioral model of flu search based on survey data linked to users’ online browsing data. We then utilize human computation for classifying search strings. Leveraging these resources, we construct a tracking model of ILI prevalence that outperforms strong historical benchmarks using only a limited stream of search data and lends itself to tracking ILI in smaller geographic units. While this paper only addresses searches related to ILI, the method we describe has potential for tracking a broad set of phenomena in near real-time. Digital trace data from search engines lacks information about the experiences of the individuals generating the data. Here the authors link search data and human computation to build a tracking model of influenza-like illness.
A Population-Based Examination of Criterion-Level Disparities in the Diagnosis of Borderline Personality Disorder Among Sexual Minority Adults:

Sexual minority individuals are diagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD) at higher proportions than heterosexual individuals regardless of presenting psychopathology. It is unclear if s...
A Novel Flocked Swab Protocol Proves to Be an Effective Method for Culturing Elevator-Containing Endoscopes

The challenging disinfection process for the elevator mechanism on duodenoscopes and linear echoendoscopes has been identified as a source of clinically significant bacterial transmission. Despite increased awareness, there continues to be a lack of definitive guidelines for bacterial culturing protocols for elevator-containing endoscopes. To compare two different prospective bacterial surveillance protocols for duodenoscopes and linear echoendoscopes with regard to accuracy, efficiency, and cost. Consecutive duodenoscopes and linear echoendoscopes used at a single tertiary care center were reprocessed following hospital and manufacturer guidelines, dried using an automatic endoscope-drying machine, and hung overnight in an upright position. Following reprocessing, culture samples were sequentially obtained from each endoscope using two methods, first, the brush protocol followed immediately by the swab protocol. A total of 532 primary cultures were collected from 17 duodenoscopes and eight linear echoendoscopes. Of these, 266 cultures gathered using the brush protocol were negative, while 266 cultures gathered using the swab protocol resulted in three positive cultures (1.1%). Positive cultures showed Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae from one duodenoscope and two linear echoendoscopes. Yearly, the brush protocol amounts to approximately 520 nursing hours, and the swab protocol takes an estimated 42 nursing hours. Annually, the swab protocol could save over $26,500 and 478 nursing hours. The proposed swab protocol was superior to the brush protocol when evaluating the presence of residual bacteria on elevator-containing endoscopes following reprocessing and saves cost and nursing hours.
Predicting bystander behavior to prevent sexual assault on college campuses: the role of self-efficacy and intent

Bystander intervention has been increasingly applied to prevent sexual violence on college campuses. Its underlying theory assumes unidirectional relationships between variables, predicting that bystander behaviors (i.e., actions taken to intervene in sexual violence situations) will be influenced by bystander intentions (BI; i.e., likelihood to intervene in the future), which in turn will be affected by bystander efficacy (BE; i.e., confidence to intervene). One question for theory is whether a reciprocal relationship exists between BI and BE. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) with longitudinal data to test unidirectional and reciprocal causal relations between BI and BE. Participants (n = 1390) were students at a northeastern US university. Four models were examined using SEM: (1) a baseline model with autoregressive paths; (2) a model with autoregressive effects and BI predicting future BE; (3) a model with autoregressive effects and BE predicting future BI; and, (4) a fully cross-lagged model. Results indicated that reciprocal causality was found to occur between BI and BE. In addition, a final model demonstrated indirect effects of a bystander intervention program on bystander behaviors through both BI and BE at different time points. Implications for theory and practice are described, and directions for future research discussed.
Obtaining research biopsies during pediatric colonoscopy: Safety and adverse events.

CONCLUSION: Patients participating in research requiring acquisition of additional biopsies for research purposes alone, are not at an increased risk of adverse outcomes.
Acalculous Cholecystitis Due to Histoplasma capsulatum in a Patient With HIV Infection

Although acalculous cholecystitis typically occurs in critically ill individuals, it has been described in patients with HIV infection. Recognition of AIDS-related acalculous cholecystitis is important for gastroenterologists to provide optimal therapy, since many different opportunistic pathogens may be involved. Histoplasma capsulatum causes a wide spectrum of infectious sequelae, including disseminated histoplasmosis in patients with HIV infection, but biliary tract involvement has been described infrequently. We present a case of acalculous cholecystitis caused by H. capsulatum in a patient with HIV infection.
Band alignment at AlN/Si (111) and (001) interfaces

To advance the development of III-V nitride on silicon heterostructure semiconductor devices, we have utilized in-situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to investigate the chemistry and valence band offset (VBO) at interfaces formed by gas source molecular beam epitaxy of AlN on Si (001) and (111) substrates. For the range of growth temperatures (600–1050 °C) and Al pre-exposures (1–15 min) explored, XPS showed the formation of Si-N bonding at the AlN/Si interface in all cases. The AlN/Si VBO was determined to be −3.5 ± 0.3 eV and independent of the Si orientation and degree of interfacial Si-N bond formation. The corresponding AlN/Si conduction band offset (CBO) was calculated to be 1.6 ± 0.3 eV based on the measured VBO and band gap for wurtzite AlN. Utilizing these results, prior reports for the GaN/AlN band alignment, and transitive and commutative rules for VBOs, the VBO and CBO at the GaN/Si interface were determined to be −2.7 ± 0.3 and −0.4 ± 0.3 eV, respectively.
Basophil-Derived Platelet-Activating Factor (PAF) as an in Vivo Mediator of Acute Allergic Reactions: Demonstration of Specific Desensitization of Platelets to PAF during IgE-Induced Anaphylaxis in the Rabbit

The anaphylactic response to an i.v. injection of antigen into rabbits making only IgE antibody against the antigen was shown to be preceded by a disappearance of the metachromatic staining properties of the circulating basophils and was accompanied by marked but transient thrombocytopenia. The platelets which returned to the circulation 1 hr after the anaphylaxis were shown to be unresponsive to the secretion-inducing activity of basophil-derived platelet-activating factor (PAF) when compared with platelets examined before antigen challenge. By contrast, platelet responsiveness to other stimuli such as collagen, thrombin, and C3b was unchanged. The specific desensitization to PAF provides strong evidence for the action of this mediator on platelets in vivo during IgE-mediated anaphylaxis and provides a useful tool for detecting the effects of particular cell activators in inflammatory reactions.
Personality types and suicidal behavior: an exploratory study.

This study used cluster analysis to explore prominent personality traits among a sample of suicidal psychiatric patients (n = 86), with a goal of identifying distinct clusters based on descriptive personality traits as measured by the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-II (MCMI-II). Three clusters were identified, accounting for 97% of study participants with available data. Additional analyses were conducted to explore differences and similarities among the three groups. The three clusters were comparable with respect to symptomatology (i.e., depression, anxiety, hopelessness), psychiatric diagnoses, and negative life stress, suggesting that cluster differences were not due to severity of disturbance (i.e., symptom severity) or diagnosis. Although all three clusters evidenced prominent negativistic and avoidant traits and two of the clusters showed prominent borderline traits, each was characterized by a distinct trait with implications for interpersonal functioning. Results are discussed in terms of implications for treatment and future research, particularly the importance of the therapeutic relationship with suicidal patients.
0+-]0-Beta-Decay of C-16

The beta decay of $^{16}\mathrm{C}$ to $^{16}\mathrm{N}$(${0}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, 120 keV) has been observed. The branching ratio is (${0.68}_{\ensuremath{-}0.11}^{+0.09}$)% and the $log {f}_{0}t={6.70}_{\ensuremath{-}0.05}^{+0.07}$. The rate of this ${0}^{+}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}${0}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ transition is dominated by the time component of the axial-vector current, which is expected to receive a large enhancement from pion-exchange currents. An upper limit of 0.1% has also been set for the beta-decay branching ratio of $^{16}\mathrm{N}$(${1}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, 398 keV).RADIOACTIVITY $^{16}\mathrm{C}$ from $^{14}\mathrm{C}(t, p)$: measured $\ensuremath{\beta}(t)$, $\ensuremath{\gamma}(t)$, $n(t)$; deduced branching ratios; first-forbidden transitions.
Thiamine transport by basolateral rat liver plasma membrane vesicles

Hepatic thiamine transport is thought to be a saturable, Na(+)- and energy-dependent process. However, the transport of this organic cation has not been examined in experimental models that allow direct characterization of carrier-mediated processes. Recently, a sinusoidal organic cation/H+ antiport was identified, using N1-methylnicotinamide as a marker. To determine whether thiamine is a substrate for this antiport, the characteristics of thiamine uptake were examined in rat liver basolateral membrane vesicles. An inwardly directed Na+ gradient had no effect on thiamine uptake as compared with an identical K+ gradient. An outwardly directed H+ gradient stimulated thiamine uptake as compared with pH-equilibrated conditions, and H(+)-dependent uptake was not the result of an H+ diffusion potential. Identical pH gradients stimulated uptake under voltage-clamped conditions, consistent with electroneutral thiamine/H+ exchange. Unlabeled intravesicular thiamine trans-stimulated [3H]thiamine uptake. Choline and imipramine cis-inhibited thiamine/H+ exchange; a series of other organic cations and thiamine analogues had no effect. Carrier-mediated [3H]thiamine uptake showed two saturable systems. In conclusion, a thiamine/H+ antiport is present on the sinusoidal membrane, distinct from Na+/H+ and NMN+/H+ exchange.
Movement of spermatocytes from the basal to the adluminal compartment of the rat testis

The progressive movement of primary spermatocytes from the basal to the adluminal compartment of the seminiferous tubule was studied after testes were fixed with standard and hypertonic solutions. In stages VI, VII and VIII of the cycle (classification of Leblond and Clermont, '52), preleptotene spermatocytes were observed within the basal compartment of the seminiferous tubule. Resting on the basal lamina, these cells were bound tightly to neighboring Sertoli cells by desmosome-like junctions. In late stage VIII and early stage IX, basal processes of Sertoli cells were observed between the newly formed leptotene cells and the basal lamina, and in stage IX, the Sertoli processes met to form a junction of the zonula adherens type. This junction formed a permeability barrier which restricted the free access of fixative into the spaces around leptotene cells. Evidence for this was found in the absence of the shrinkage artifact produced with hypertonic solutions in earlier stages. In longitudinal sections, the permeability barrier was first observed in an area of the tubule in which sperm release was also taking place. In mid-stage IX and in stage X, sertoli-Sertoli junctional specializations formed de novo below the leptotene spermatocyte, while those from the preceding stages, present above the leptotene spermatocytes, remained intact. Thus, tight junctions were in evidence for a considerable period of the time, both above and below the leptotene spermatocytes. At no time in the process of germ cell movement toward the lumen did these cells exhibit evidence of amoeboid movement or lose desmosome-like contacts with the surrounding Sertoli cells. From this study it is concluded that the Sertoli cells play an active role in the transfer of spermatocytes to the adluminal compartment. A transient intermediate compartment of the seminiferous tubule is described, one which allows for the continual maintenance of the blood-testis barrier during transit of spermatocytes from the basal to the adluminal compartment.
Concurrent Integration of Science-Based Mechanistic Relationships with Computational Thermodynamics and Kinetic Simulations for Strengthening Magnesium Alloys at Elevated Temperatures

Integrated computational materials engineering approaches to alloy development leverage the hierarchical, interconnected nature of materials systems to rapidly optimize material performance. Particular emphasis is placed on the use of predictive models and simulation tools to elucidate fundamental relationships within the processing-structure-processing materials paradigm. For the current work, computational simulation results were used in combination with mechanistic, science-based models to assist alloy design. Two case studies are presented as illustrative examples that focus on high-temperature magnesium (Mg) alloy development. Solid solution strengthening potency and solute-based effects on creep rate were discussed in the first case study to guide strategies for solute selection in alloy development. This analysis was completed through the identification of composition-sensitive microstructural parameters that were subsequently evaluated in a predictive fashion. The second case study used computational thermo-kinetic simulations to evaluate Mg alloy precipitate systems for their ability to nucleate a high number density of coarsening-resistant particles. This nucleation and growth analysis was then applied to a Mg-Sn-Al alloy to highlight the utility of the current methodology in predicting multicomponent alloy precipitation behavior. This paper ultimately seeks to provide insight into an integrative approach that captures the important underlying material physics through relationships parameterized by descriptive thermodynamic and kinetic factors, where these factors can be readily calculated with a commercially available suite of computational tools in concert with accessible data in the literature.
The system CdOH2O

Abstract The system CdOH 2 O has been studied at high temperatures and water pressures up to 3000 bars, and the p − t curve for the reaction Cd(OH) 2 ⇌ CdO + H 2 O is presented. The kinetics of the dehydration of Cd(OH) 2 in an essentially water-free atmosphere were also investigated. Values of ΔH react. and the activation energy of dehydration have been calculated.
Heritability of BDNF alleles and their effect on brain morphology in schizophrenia

Accumulating evidence suggests that disturbed brain development may play a role in the etiology of schizophrenia, and that the illness is, to a significant degree, heritable. We therefore investigated brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a neurotrophin expressed in fetal brain, as a candidate disease gene for schizophrenia. We also investigated the effect of BDNF on adult brain morphology. All subjects were diagnosed by DSM-IIIR or DSM-IV criteria with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Association of a BDNF polymorphism was examined in 48 proband-parent trios using the haplotype based haplotype relative risk method of case control. In a related group of 63 subjects, relationships between the presence or absence of allele 1 and the volumes of the major cerebral lobes, the ventricles, and the cerebellum were assessed using logistic regression. No association was found between this polymorphism and schizophrenia. Subjects who had at least one copy of allele 1, however, had larger parietal lobes than those who did not when controlling for overall cortical volume and age at the time of magnetic resonance. We did not find support for BDNF as a disease gene for schizophrenia. Allelic variability of the gene may, however, influence brain morphology in these same subjects. Am. J. Med. Genet. (Neuropsychiatr. Genet.) 88:724–728, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Optical motion tracking to improve image quality in MRI of the brain

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain is highly sensitivity to head motion. Prospective motion correction is a promising new method to prevent artifacts resulting from this effect. The image volume is continuously updated based on head tracking information, ensuring that the magnetic fields used for imaging maintain a constant geometric relationship relative to the object. This paper reviews current developments and methods of performing prospective correction. Optical tracking using cameras has major advantages over other methods used to obtain head pose information, as it does not affect the MR imaging process or interfere with the sequence timing. Results show that motion artifacts can be almost completely prevented for most imaging sequences. Despite this success, there are still engineering challenges to be solved before the technique becomes widely accepted in the clinic. These include improvements in miniaturization, marker fixation and MR compatibility.
Differentials of a State Reading Assessment: Item Functioning, Distractor Functioning, and Omission Frequency for Disability Categories

Large data sets from a state reading assessment for third and fifth graders were analyzed to examine differential item functioning (DIF), differential distractor functioning (DDF), and differential omission frequency (DOF) between students with particular categories of disabilities (speech/language impairments, learning disabilities, and emotional behavior disorders) and students without disabilities. Multinomial logistic regression was employed to compare response characteristic curves (RCCs) of individual test items. Although no evidence for serious test bias was found for the state assessment examined in this study, the results indicated that students in different disability categories showed different patterns of DIF, DDF, and DOF, and that the use of RCCs helps clarify the implications of DIF and DDF.
Transient Damped Wave Conduction and Relaxation in Human Skin and Thermal Wear During Winter

Damped wave conduction and relaxation in the human skin layer and thermal fabric layer are modeled with a temperature dependent heat source in the human tissue layer. Steady state temperature profiles are derived from the Fourier heat conduction equation. The general solution for the temperature is assumed to be a sum of the transient temperature and steady state temperature. This makes the boundary conditions in space for the skin and fabric layers homogeneous for the transient temperarature. The hyperbolic PDE is solved for by the method of separation of variables. The use of final condition in time in addition to the initial temperature condition leads to bounded infinite Fourier series solutions. These solutions are bounded and does not violate second law of thermodynamics. The model can be used to interpret experimental observations of maximum heat flux that is a parameter of the warm/cool feeling of human skin in winter. For large relaxation times of human skin tissue, τrs > (1+U*)2(b−a)216π2αs, the transient temperature can be expected to undergo oscillations. These oscillations will be supercritical and grow with time for strong heat sources, U* > 1 and may be subcritical damped oscillatory for weak heat sources, U* a24π2αs, the transient temperature in the thermal fabric layer may be expected to be subcritical damped oscillatory.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Beyond 1Mb/s free-space optical quantum key distribution

We consider the schemes that would lead to the increase in the channel capacity of free space optical links (FSO) and propose a novel orthogonal angular momentum (OAM)- and WDM-based MIMO architecture for highspeed QKD in turbulent FSO channels. We evaluated the dependence of OAM-based interference, which notably affects QBER, from the number of OAM states and the turbulence strength. The scheme is numerically verified to support ≥1Mb/s QKD rates in km-scale turbulent links using 5 OAM states and 80 wavelengths.
STUDIES ON THE OXIDATION OF CERTAIN FATTY ACIDS.

In both plant and animal bodies, under certain conditions, sugars are changed to fats ; and in the plant, if not in the animal, these fats are converted back to sugars for use when a certain other set of conditions is provided. These are well known facts of physiology. It is pretty well established that the point of departure is the fatty acid ; that is, the fatty acid is formed before the neutral fat, and the neutral fat is hydrolized to fatty acid and glycerol before being changed to sugar. Thus we may consider the changes as one between fatty acid and sugar for our present purposes. This reversible transformation is one that is very common and widespread in the plant kingdom, not to mention the animal world. Great quantities of food are put through this process, especially in the ripening and germination of fatty seeds. In these cases the carbon is conducted as a soluble carbohydrate and then stored in the lighter, more compact, and insoluble form of fat. Before being transportable again and ready for use in other parts of the plant it must be made soluble again ; the common transport material of the fatty seedling is sugar. But these very common food transformations are not understood. We know that at one time we have sugar and at another, fat, or vice versa ; but we do not understand how* this remarkable change can be so generally brought about especially at the normal air temperatures. This general biological interchangeability of fats and sugars has no chemical parallel, nor have chemists been able to point out the manner in which such a transformation can be made, although it is a question of much simpler compounds, structurally, than some that have been successfully dealt with in the laboratory. Of course, we know that the formation of the fatty acid requires a reduction of the carbon atom, and the change back to sugar is an oxidation process ; and we know further that in so changing, it has attached an atom of oxygen per carbon atom. Anything further on the intermediate steps is purely hypothetical and not supported by evidence. The fact that enzymes have been isolated which are found to aid in the reactions of many of the known plant processes, naturally suggests that there may be one or more enzymes responsible for the changes here under consideration. It must be remembered, however, that there is probably much to protoplasmic activity that is not to be detached, so to speak, not
Toward a Programmatic Pragmatism: A Response to Naoko Saito

Naoko Saito has made a good case for emphasising the ‘tragic’ dimension within Dewey’s pragmatism. My response suggests ways in which Saito has not gone far enough. She does not adequately move beyond ‘procedural pragmatism’ to a ‘programmatic pragmatism’ which offers substantive articulations about the human good. In addition, her emphasis on ‘Emersonian perfectionism’ is misguided. Both the language of ‘perfectionism’ and the figure of Emerson are unsuitable for the project she intends. Speaking more concretely of a ‘tragic–comic meliorism’ allied to the novelist Hawthorne, it is suggested, provides a more fruitful path.
Revised U.S. Certificate of Birth—New Opportunities for Research on Birth Outcome

The 1989 revision of the U.S. Standard Certificate of Live Birth includes a number of new items on medical and life-style risk factors of pregnancy and birth, obstetric procedures performed, method of delivery, abnormal conditions and congenital anomalies of the infant, expanded information on birth attendant and place of birth, and questions on the Hispanic origin of the parents. This major enhancement of medical and health data available on mothers and infants can greatly expand the scope of research on pregnancy outcome in the United States.
14%-efficient flexible CdTe solar cells on ultra-thin glass substrates

Flexible glass enables high-temperature, roll-to-roll processing of superstrate devices with higher photocurrents than flexible polymer foils because of its higher optical transmission. Using flexible glass in our high-temperature CdTe process, we achieved a certified record conversion efficiency of 14.05% for a flexible CdTe solar cell. Little has been reported on the flexibility of CdTe devices, so we investigated the effects of three different static bending conditions on device performance. We observed a consistent trend of increased short-circuit current and fill factor, whereas the open-circuit voltage consistently dropped. The quantum efficiency under the same static bend condition showed no change in the response. After storage in a flexed state for 24 h, there was very little change in device efficiency relative to its unflexed state. This indicates that flexible glass is a suitable replacement for rigid glass substrates, and that CdTe solar cells can tolerate bending without a decrease in device performance.
Cheesecake-eating rats and the question of food addiction

Rats given extended access to high-fat high-sugar food show behavioral and physiological changes that are similar to those caused by drugs of abuse. However, parallels between drug and food “addiction” should be drawn with caution.
Photosynthetic Characteristics of the Palisade Mesophyll and Spongy Mesophyll in the CAM/C4 Intermediate Plant, Peperomia camptotricha*

Several photosynthetic parameters were examined in the different tissue layers of leaves from the recently characterized crassulacean acid metabolism/C4 intermediate plant, Peperomia camptotricha (Nishio and Ting, 1987). Light appears to control the development of certain photosynthetic characteristics within the tissue layers, while factors other than light seem to dictate others. Analysis of the chlorophyll content (including P700) and chlorophyll-proteins indicated that more light harvesting chlorophylls were associated with reaction centers in the tissues that were shaded by overlying tissue. Electron transport activity and chlorophyll-protein analysis indicated that the ratio of photosystem I to photosystem II in the spongy mesophyll (the abaxial tissue type and hence most shaded) was elevated relative to the overlying chlorophyll-rich median palisade mesophyll. The elevated photosystem I relative to photosystem II in the spongy mesophyll of Peperomia camptotricha may be related to C4 metabolism and an increased requirement for ATP.
Pioneer 10 and 11 observations and the dynamics of Jupiter's atmosphere

Abstract Three new results of the Pioneer 10 and 11 mission are discussed. The first is that effective temperature is the same at the poles and equator in spite of the large differences in solar energy deposition. This is consistent with theories of convection which suggest that an extremely small equator-to-pole temperature difference at the level of infrared emission could suppress the internal heat flux at the equator relative to the pole by an amount sufficient to balance the difference in solar energy deposition. The second result is that the effective temperature of belts is 3 to 4K greater than that of zones, which is almost exactly accounted for by the lower albedo of belts. This result cannot be interpreted uniquely, but is consistent with a model in which the internal heat flux is the same under belts and zones, and the horizontal atmospheric heat flux is zero. The third observation provides evidence of instability along the south edges of zones in the northern hemisphere. These are the latitudes of minimum prograde velocity, where instability is most likely to occur in a barotropic fluid, as pointed out by Ingersoll and Cuzzi (1969) . A more realistic baroclinic stability analysis suggests instability at these same latitudes.
The Moderating Influence of Homophobia and Gender‐Role Traditionality on Perceptions of Male Rape Victims

This study investigated the influence of homophobia and gender-role traditionality (GRT) on perceptions of male rape victims. Victims were assigned more blame in acquaintance rape than in stranger rape, and homosexual victims were blamed more than were heterosexual victims. Homophobia predicted patterns in rape minimization only when the victim was homosexual. Homophobia also predicted patterns of victim blame attribution in both homosexual and heterosexual victims, with a greater impact when the victim was homosexual. GRT predicted patterns of rape minimization in acquaintance rape, but not in stranger rape; and GRT did not predict differences in victim blame attribution.
Experimental investigation of capillary-assisted solution wetting and heat transfer using a micro-scale, porous-layer coating on horizontal-tube, falling-film heat exchanger.

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the effect of a micro-scale, porous-layer coating on solution wetting and heat transfer of a horizontal-tube, falling-film heat exchanger. A uniform layer of a copper powder was sintered onto plain copper tubes to create a micro-scale, porous coating on the tubes. Distilled water was used as solution and heating fluids. When the solution was dripped onto horizontal tubes, the visual observation confirmed that plain tubes were partially wetted, while the porous-layer coated tubes were completely wetted due to capillary action even at low solution flow rates. The comparison of the heat transfer results for two different tube surfaces (plain and porous-layer coated) clearly showed that the porous-layer coated tubes had twice as high evaporation heat transfer rate due to the complete solution wetting and higher heat transfer coefficient due to the thin spreading of the solution liquid.
The intramolecular diels-alder reaction as a route to synthetic lignan lactones

Abstract Methoxy- and methylenedioxy substituted, unsaturated, open-chain esters of the phenylpropargyl phenylpropiolate, trans -cinnamyl phenylpropiolate, and trans -cinnamyl cis -cinnamate types were cyclized in refluxing acetic anhydride to form lignan lactones containing the 1-phenyl-naphthalene nucleus, as well as its 3,4-dihydro and 1,2,3,4-tetrahydro analogs, respectively. By this intramolecular Diels-Alder reaction the derived natural products dehydroanhydropicropodophyllin, dehydrodimethylconidendrin, rac -γ-apopicropodophyllin, and rac -isodesoxypicropodophyllin were readily synthesized. Although the trans -cinnamyl moiety functions only as a diene in these cyclizations, the phenylpropargyl group may serve either as a “diene” or as a dienophile. Structures of products formed were assigned on the bases of spectral characteristics and/or direct comparisons with authentic specimens.
The essential role of the Cu(II) state of Sco in the maturation of the CuA center of cytochrome oxidase: evidence from H135Met and H135SeM variants of the Bacillus subtilis Sco

Sco is a red copper protein that plays an essential yet poorly understood role in the metalation of the CuA center of cytochrome oxidase, and is stable in both the Cu(I) and Cu(II) forms. To determine which oxidation state is important for function, we constructed His135 to Met or selenomethionine (SeM) variants that were designed to stabilize the Cu(I) over the Cu(II) state. H135M was unable to complement a scoΔ strain of Bacillus subtilis, indicating that the His to Met substitution abrogated cytochrome oxidase maturation. The Cu(I) binding affinities of H135M and H135SeM were comparable to that of the WT and 100-fold tighter than that of the H135A variant. The coordination chemistry of the H135M and H135SeM variants was studied by UV/vis, EPR, and XAS spectroscopy in both the Cu(I) and the Cu(II) forms. Both oxidation states bound copper via the S atoms of C45, C49 and M135. In particular, EXAFS data collected at both the Cu and the Se edges of the H135SeM derivative provided unambiguous evidence for selenomethionine coordination. Whereas the coordination chemistry and copper binding affinity of the Cu(I) state closely resembled that of the WT protein, the Cu(II) state was unstable, undergoing autoreduction to Cu(I). H135M also reacted faster with H2O2 than WT Sco. These data, when coupled with the complete elimination of function in the H135M variant, imply that the Cu(I) state cannot be the sole determinant of function; the Cu(II) state must be involved in function at some stage of the reaction cycle.
An Elementary Introduction to the Hopf Fibration

(2003). An Elementary Introduction to the Hopf Fibration. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 76, No. 2, pp. 87-98.
Coherence-enhanced imaging of a degenerate Bose-Einstein gas.

We present coherence-enhanced imaging, an in situ technique that uses Raman superradiance to probe the spatial coherence of an ultracold gas. Applying this technique, we identify the coherent portion of an inhomogeneous degenerate $^{87}\mathrm{Rb}$ gas and obtain a spatially resolved measurement of the first-order spatial correlation function. We find that the decay of spin gratings is enhanced in high density regions of a Bose-Einstein condensate, and ascribe the enhancement to collective atom-atom scattering. Further, we directly observe spatial inhomogeneities that arise generally in the course of extended-sample superradiance.
Fos-activation of FoxP2 and Lmx1b neurons in the parabrachial nucleus evoked by hypotension and hypertension in conscious rats

The parabrachial nucleus (PB) is a brainstem cell group that receives a strong input from the nucleus tractus solitarius regarding the physiological status of the internal organs and sends efferent projections throughout the forebrain. Since the neuroanatomical organization of the PB remains unclear, our first step was to use specific antibodies against two neural lineage transcription factors: Forkhead box protein2 (FoxP2) and LIM homeodomain transcription factor 1 beta (Lmx1b) to define the PB in adult rats. This allowed us to construct a cytoarchitectonic PB map based on the distribution of neurons that constitutively express these two transcription factors. Second, the in situ hybridization method combined with immunohistochemistry demonstrated that mRNA for glutamate vesicular transporter Vglut2 (Slc17a6) was present in most of the Lmx1b+ and FoxP2+ parabrachial neurons, indicating these neurons use glutamate as a transmitter. Third, conscious rats were maintained in a hypotensive or hypertensive state for 2h, and then, their brainstems were prepared by the standard c-Fos method which is a measure of neuronal activity. Both hypotension and hypertension resulted in c-Fos activation of Lmx1b+ neurons in the external lateral-outer subdivision of the PB (PBel-outer). Hypotension, but not hypertension, caused c-Fos activity in the FoxP2+ neurons of the central lateral PB (PBcl) subnucleus. The Kolliker-Fuse nucleus as well as the lateral crescent PB and rostral-most part of the PBcl contain neurons that co-express FoxP2+ and Lmx1b+, but none of these were activated after blood pressure changes. Salt-sensitive FoxP2 neurons in the pre-locus coeruleus and PBel-inner were not c-Fos activated following blood pressure changes. In summary, the present study shows that the PBel-outer and PBcl subnuclei originate from two different neural progenitors, contain glutamatergic neurons, and are affected by blood pressure changes, with the PBel-outer reacting to both hypo- and hypertension, and the PBcl signaling only hypotensive changes.