cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Causality Analysis and Cell Network Modeling of Spatial Calcium Signaling Patterns in Liver Lobules.

Dynamics as well as localization of Ca2+ transients plays a vital role in liver function under homeostatic conditions, repair, and disease. In response to circulating hormonal stimuli, hepatocytes exhibit intracellular Ca2+ responses that propagate through liver lobules in a wave-like fashion. Although intracellular processes that control cell autonomous Ca2+ spiking behavior have been studied extensively, the intra- and inter-cellular signaling factors that regulate lobular scale spatial patterns and wave-like propagation of Ca2+ remain to be determined. To address this need, we acquired images of cytosolic Ca2+ transients in 1300 hepatocytes situated across several mouse liver lobules over a period of 1600 seconds. We analyzed this time series data using correlation network analysis, causal network analysis, and computational modeling, to characterize the spatial distribution of heterogeneity in intracellular Ca2+ signaling components as well as intercellular interactions that control lobular scale Ca2+ waves. Our causal network analysis revealed that hepatocytes are causally linked to multiple other co-localized hepatocytes, but these influences are not necessarily aligned uni-directionally along the sinusoids. Our computational model-based analysis showed that spatial gradients of intracellular Ca2+ signaling components as well as intercellular molecular exchange are required for lobular scale propagation of Ca2+ waves. Additionally, our analysis suggested that causal influences of hepatocytes on Ca2+ responses of multiple neighbors lead to robustness of Ca2+ wave propagation through liver lobules.
How to Choose a Mesh in Hernia Repair

Since the introduction of polypropylene (PP) mesh for hernia repair, surgeons continue to discuss the use of mesh in a variety of settings for one of the most common operations performed by general surgeons—hernia repair. This discussion has involved raw materials, cost, and outcomes and for many years referred to only a few products, as manufacturing was limited. With multiple permanent, absorbable, biologic, and hybrid products on the market, the choice of mesh for a hernia repair can be daunting. Increasing clinical complexity further emphasizes the need for individualizing care, but more frequently, hospital supply chain personnel institute product procurement procedures for cost control, limiting mesh choice for surgeons.
Metal–organic insertion light initiated radical (MILRad) polymerization: photo-initiated radical polymerization of vinyl polar monomers with various palladium diimine catalysts

Controlled insertion polymerization with organometallic catalysts has served as the foundation for the production of polymers with precise control, and has become ubiquitous in industrial settings. We investigate the photoinitiated radical polymerization pathway of metal–organic insertion light initiated radical (MILRad) polymerization towards its ability to polymerize a variety of vinyl polar functional monomers. A series of Pd-diimine catalysts were synthesized and tested in their ability to produce homopolymers of polar vinyl monomers such as acrylates, methacrylates, acrylamides, styrene, vinyl ethers and vinyl acetate in the dark and under photoinitiation at 460 nm. Acrylates and methacrylates were found to polymerize in the light but not in the dark against all catalysts tested. Acrylamides displayed a stronger dependence on the catalysts structure when polymerized in the light. Other monomer families such as styrene, vinyl ether and vinyl acetate, showed either a limited selectivity and conversions, a prefered cationic polymerization pathway or no reaction. Computational studies were conducted to examine the excited states of the catalysts and the energies associated with those transitions. Results of density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) studies indicate low energy metal-to-ligand charge transfer (MLCT) transitions from Pd–Me σ-bonding into ligand π orbitals leads to reduction of the Pd–Me σ-bond. In this work, we illustrate a dormant radical pathway accessible by all diimine cationic Pd(II) catalysts and will expand the scope of MILRad polymerization for the preparation of block copolymers.
Dynorphin-kappa opioid receptor activity in the central amygdala modulates binge-like alcohol drinking in mice.

Although previous research has demonstrated a role for kappa opioid receptor-mediated signaling in escalated alcohol consumption associated with dependence and stress exposure, involvement of the dynorphin/kappa opioid receptor (DYN/KOR) system in binge-like drinking has not been fully explored. Here we used pharmacological and chemogenetic approaches to examine the influence of DYN/KOR signaling on alcohol consumption in the drinking-in-the-dark (DID) model of binge-like drinking. Systemic administration of the KOR agonist U50,488 increased binge-like drinking (Experiment 1) while, conversely, systemic administration of the KOR antagonist nor-BNI reduced drinking in the DID model (Experiment 2). These effects of systemic KOR manipulation were selective for alcohol as neither drug influenced consumption of sucrose in the DID paradigm (Experiment 3). In Experiment 4, administration of the long-acting KOR antagonist nor-BNI into the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA) decreased alcohol intake. Next, targeted “silencing” of DYN+ neurons in the CeA was accomplished using a chemogenetic strategy. Cre-dependent viral expression in DYN+ neurons was confirmed in CeA of Pdyn-IRES-Cre mice and functionality of an inhibitory (hM4Di) DREADD was validated (Experiment 5). Activating the inhibitory DREADD by CNO injection reduced binge-like alcohol drinking, but CNO injection did not alter alcohol intake in mice that were treated with control virus (Experiment 6). Collectively, these results demonstrate that DYN/KOR signaling in the CeA contributes to excessive alcohol consumption in a binge-drinking model.
Simulation and comparative analysis of the DC characteristics of submicron GaN HEMTs for use in CAD software

Bearing in mind the requirements of design engineers, a nonlinear model is developed to simulate the temperature-dependent I–V characteristics of submicron high-electron-mobility transistors (HEMTs). Self- and ambient heating effects are incorporated into the model expression to cater for both the negative and positive conductance of the device, after the onset of the saturation current. It is shown that the accuracy of numerical models previously developed for metal–semiconductor field-effect transistors (MESFETs) deteriorates when simulating the I–V characteristics of gallium nitride (GaN) HEMTs, primarily due to the self-heating effects. The validity of the proposed model is checked for GaN HEMTs with gate length ( $$L_\mathrm{g}$$ ) ranging from 0.12 to 0.7 $$\upmu \hbox {m}$$ in the temperature range of $$T=298$$ to $$T=773$$ K. It is demonstrated that the proposed model simulates, with a good degree of accuracy, the output characteristics of such devices exhibiting negative conductance in the saturation region of operation. It is observed that, for devices exhibiting negative conductance in the saturation region, the peak transconductance ( $$g_\mathrm{m}$$ ) occurs at a relatively higher negative gate bias while the peak value reduces with increasing ambient temperature. The root-mean-square errors reveal that the proposed model is better than other similar models reported in the literature, with an improvement varying from 17 to 50 % depending on the device characteristics.
Comfort care in trauma patients without severe head injury: In-hospital complications as a trigger for goals of care discussions.

Abstract Introduction Many injured patients or their families make the difficult decision to withdraw life-sustaining therapies (WLST) following severe injury. While this population has been studied in the setting of severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), little is known about patients who undergo WLST without TBI. We sought to describe patients who may benefit from early involvement of end-of-life resources. Methods Trauma Quality Improvement Program (2013–2014) patients who underwent WLST were identified. WLST patients were compared to those who died with full supportive care (FSC). Patients were excluded for death within 24 h of admission, or head AIS > 3. Intergroup comparisons were by student’s t tests or Wilcoxon rank sum tests; significance for p Results We identified 3471 total injured patients without major TBI who died > 24 h after admission. Of these death after WLST occurred in 2301 (66% of total). This group had a mean age of 66.8 years; 35.7% were women, and 95.4% sustained blunt injury. WLST patients had a higher ISS (21.6 vs. 12.5, p = 0.001), more in-hospital complications (71.4% vs. 41.6%, p = Conclusion WLST occurs in two-thirds of injured patients without severe TBI who die in the hospital. In-hospital complications are more frequent in this patient group than those who die with FSC. Early palliative care consultation may improve patient and family satisfaction after acute injury when the timeframe to leverage such services is significantly condensed.
Sulfated hafnia as a support for Mo oxide: A novel catalyst for methane dehydroaromatization

Abstract One of the most challenging aspects of modern day catalysis is the conversion of methane. Natural gas is an abundant source of supply of methane and is currently being used mostly for electricity generation, and much of it is simply flared. The potential to convert methane into higher-value hydrocarbons is significant. Among other reactions, direct conversion of methane via dehydroaromatization (MDHA) can be used to produce hydrogen and valuable hydrocarbons like benzene. Mo oxide supported on ZSM-5/MCM-22 has been studied extensively in recent years for MDHA. It has been reported that Mo carbides are responsible for activating methane by forming CHx species. These are dimerized into C2Hy and then oligomerized on the strong ZSM-5/MCM-22 Bronsted acid sites to form benzene. Related work has shown that sulfated zirconia (SZ) provides the acid sites for Mo needed to produce benzene in MDHA [ 1 ]. The similarity of sulfated hafnia (SH) with sulfated zirconia is a logical novel support for MDHA. Although SH has been used for other acid-catalyzed reactions, we are aware of no systematic study of Mo-SH for the MDHA reaction, despite the appeal of such a catalyst. Here, Mo/SH catalysts have been tested and characterized using SEM-EDS, XPS, XANES, DRIFTS, HR-TEM, BET and temperature programmed techniques. DRIFTS confirms that SH acidity is unaffected by the addition of Mo to the catalyst. SEM-EDS and XPS have been used to characterize the loading of Mo and sulfur on SH support. XANES as well as HR-TEM analysis are used to study the formation of molybdenum carbide/ oxycarbide species, which are generally regarded to be the active sites for MDHA. MDHA runs were carried out to study the effect of Mo loading, temperature and space velocity. 5% Mo-SH is catalyst more active than 1% Mo-SH, as measured by methane conversion. Conversion increased with higher temperature and lower space velocity and gradually deactivated with time. This can be attributed to catalytic surface coking, confirmed with subsequent TPO analysis. Products observed were primarily ethylene and benzene. Ethylene selectivity increased with time for higher Mo loading and lower space velocity. Benzene product selectivity increased with higher Mo loading, lower temperature, and lower space velocity, while gradually decreasing with time. A direct experimental comparison of conventional Mo-HZSM5 synthesized here showed that the Mo-SH catalyst is more active than Mo-HZSM5.
Response to Comment on Cheng et al. Trends and Disparities in Cardiovascular Mortality Among U.S. Adults With and Without Self-Reported Diabetes, 1988-2015. Diabetes Care 2018;41:2306-2315.

We thank Manicardi et al. (1) for their insightful discussion of potential factors affecting our study of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality trends in the population with diabetes (2). Changes in diagnostic criteria and early detection of diabetes could indeed have affected the risk level and changes in rates of CVD differentially over time. We further agree that the population today is likely much different from that in the 1980s, perhaps due to the significant …
Outpatient Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy: Are Patients Ready for Same-Day Discharge?

Purpose: Several case series have demonstrated the safety and feasibility of outpatient robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) in well-selected patients; however, the patient perspective of th...
Tranexamic Acid in Aesthetic Facial Plastic Surgery: A Systematic Review of Evidence, Applications, and Outcomes.

Background Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic that has become widely used in aesthetic facial plastic surgery, although its efficacy has not been well investigated. Objectives To evaluate the existing evidence for use of TXA in aesthetic facial plastic surgery, highlighting routes of administration, dosing, surgical applications, and clinical outcomes. Methods Systematic review of primary literature evaluating TXA in aesthetic facial plastic surgery. Results Eleven studies met inclusion criteria: 8 prospective randomized controlled trials, 2 retrospective case series/cohort studies, and 1 clinical opinion. Six studies evaluated TXA in rhinoplasty, 4 in rhytidectomy, and 1 in blepharoplasty. Significant reductions in intraoperative blood loss were found in 5 rhinoplasty studies. Three rhinoplasty and 2 rhytidectomy studies found significantly reduced postoperative edema and ecchymosis. One rhinoplasty and 1 rhytidectomy study reported reduced operative time and time to achieve hemostasis. One rhytidectomy study reported reduced postoperative drain output and faster time to drain removal. No studies reported an adverse outcome directly related to TXA. Conclusions Existing literature investigating TXA in aesthetic facial plastic surgery is sparse with varying levels of evidence and heterogeneous data. Literature suggests systemic TXA reduces intraoperative blood loss during rhinoplasty, although the clinical significance of this blood loss reduction is unclear. TXA may also reduce postoperative edema and/or ecchymosis in rhytidectomy and rhinoplasty, although the lack of validated grading scales yields insufficient evidence to support this claim. Topical and subcutaneously injected TXA are emerging administration routes in rhytidectomy, with evidence suggesting TXA mixed with tumescent may reduce postoperative drain output, thereby expediting drain removal. Level of Evidence 2
Quantitative determination of the optimal temporoparietal fascia flap necessary to repair skull-base defects.

BACKGROUND The ability to reconstruct large cranial base defects has greatly improved with the development of pedicled vascularized flaps. The temporoparietal fascia flap (TPFF) is a viable alternative to the Hadad-Bassagasteguy nasoseptal flap for large ventral skull-base defects. This study aims to characterize the size of the TPFF necessary for optimal ventral skull-base reconstruction. METHODS Eleven formaldehyde-fixed cadaveric heads were used to harvest TPFF of varying heights on each side (total = 22). TPFF was passed through the pterygomaxillary fissure (PMF) to the ventral skull base to assess its coverage. For a subgroup of 12 sides, the TPFF was trimmed to determine the minimum height necessary for coverage. RESULTS The TPFF height was (mean ± standard deviation [SD]) 14.72 ± 1.02 cm (range, 12.5 to 16.5 cm) and width was 8.43 ± 1.05 cm (range, 6 to 10.5 cm). The distance from the TPFF pedicle through the PMF was 5.8 ± 0.5 cm (range, 5 to 6.5 cm). All TPFF flaps provided complete ipsilateral coverage of clival defects, and all but 1 covered the entire clivus. All TPFF flaps, when rotated anteriorly, provided coverage up to the cribriform plate. The minimum TPFF height necessary for complete coverage of cribriform defects and ventral defects up to the planum sphenoidale was 12 cm. TPFF height for specimens with and without complete ventral skull-base coverage was significantly different (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION The TPFF is a versatile alternative to the nasoseptal flap and a height of at least 12 cm can provide enough coverage for all ventral skull base defects.
Performing whiteness on the competition stage: ‘I dance all styles’

This article seeks to reveal and problematize the multi-layered construction of whiteness in dance competition culture by illuminating assumptions about technique embedded in ‘all styles’ competiti...
Dendritic Meshing: LA-UR 11-04075

A mesh is said to be dendritic if it contains elements with mid-side (edge) nodes when the predominant element topology has only corner nodes. A dendritic mesh is illustrated in Figure 1 where the predominant element is a four-node quadrilateral, but has also several five-node quadrilateral elements each with one mid-edge node plus four corner nodes. Such meshes arise when an approximately uniform element size is required across a mesh domain in cases, for example, where domain geometry changes would otherwise cause a significant variation in element size or in an Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) context.
The optimum elastica catenary cable

Abstract The spanning cable which has self-weight and bending stiffness is studied using the heavy elastica equations. It is found that flexural rigidity has considerable effect on the catenary properties. For a given spanning distance and rigidity, the optimum cable lengths for minimal maximum tension are determined.
Design and development of referrals automation, a SMART on FHIR solution to improve patient access to specialty care.

Author(s): Odisho, Anobel Y; Lui, Hansen; Yerramsetty, Ramakrishna; Bautista, Felicisimo; Gleason, Nathaniel; Martin, Edwin; Young, Jerry J; Blum, Michael; Neinstein, Aaron B | Abstract: BackgroundReferring patients to specialty care is an inefficient and error-prone process. Gaps in the referral process lead to delays in patients' access to care, negative patient experience, worse health outcomes, and increased operational costs. While implementation of standards-based electronic referral options can alleviate some of these inefficiencies, many referrals to tertiary and quaternary care centers continue to be sent via fax.ObjectiveWe describe the design process and architecture for a software application that has been developed and deployed to optimize the referrals intake process by automating the processing and digitization of incoming specialty referral faxes, extracting key data elements and integrating them into the electronic health record (EHR), and organizing referrals.MethodsA human-centered design approach was used to identify and describe the inefficiencies in the external referral process at our large, urban tertiary care center. Referrals Automation, an application to convert referral faxes to digital referrals in the EHR, was conceptualized based on key stakeholder interviews and time and motion studies. This application was designed using Substitutable Medical Applications and Reusable Technologies (SMART) and Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource (FHIR) platforms to allow for adaptability into other healthcare organizations.ResultsReferrals Automation software was developed as a healthcare information technology solution to streamline the fax to referral process. The application was implemented into several specialty clinics. Metrics were built-in to the applications to evaluate and guide the further iteration of these features.ConclusionsReferrals Automation will enhance the referrals process by further streamlining and organizing the patient referral process.
Does context moderate physical activity's relations with depression?: A cross-sectional study

Abstract Background Physical activity is a well-established protective factor and treatment for depression. However, past research suggested that the context of physical activity might moderate relations with depression. Addressing this possibility directly, the hypothesis that physical activity occurring during recreation, versus during transportation or work, is more strongly negatively correlated with depression was tested. Method Data were drawn from six, two-year cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (years 2007–2018), yielding a national sample of adults 20 years and older in the United States (N = 26,842). Participants completed structured interviews assessing physical activity in three contexts (work, recreation, and transportation) and depressive symptomatology. The study design was cross-sectional and observational. Results Supporting the hypothesis, substantive physical activity during recreation (e.g., fitness, sports; odds ratio = 0.57) was a stronger predictor of diagnostic-level depressive symptomatology than was physical activity during work (e.g., paid work, unpaid chores; odds ratio = 0.98) or during transportation (e.g., walking, biking to get places; odds ratio = 0.93). Analyses controlled for age, gender, ethnicity, education, income, smoking, body mass index, and employment status. Conclusions The context of physical activity moderates relations between physical activity and depression. These findings raise the possibility that individuals who engage in physical activity only at work or for transportation, but not for recreation, may not receive significant mood benefits from physical activity.
Abortion in Reform Judaism

Reform Jewish ethical deliberation about abortion begins with the assumption that personhood begins not at conception but accrues through time and location. The primary concern in the debate is the mother’s welfare. Discerning what constitutes sufficient risk to merit permitting the termination of a pregnancy is the overriding challenge. On the whole, Reform Jewish ethicists acknowledge physical endangerment to the mother as a non-question-begging reason to abort; however, they are variously skeptical whether compromises to her psychical wellbeing may serve as a similarly permissive rationale.
Time, Energy, Relativity, and Cosmology

One of Einstein’s major messages is that nothing is necessarily a priori; even the most unlikely subjects can be discussed and analyzed, sometimes with revolutionary conclusions. Most notably, he showed that space, time, and of course gravitation, were not at all a priori. Mathematical progress -- at a sophisticated ideational level, rather than at an elementary or classical problem-solving level -- provided the tools for a cogent physical analysis having striking observational consequences, explaining existing anomalies and making predictions which have been precisely confirmed.
Revisiting Gender and Religion

In this presidential address delivered at the 2014 annual meeting of the Religious Research Association, the topic of religion and gender is revisited by focusing on parallel histories of American Protestant ordained clergywomen and social science scholarship on religion, noting that in both cases we have witnessed extraordinary change, but not transformation.
Online Instruction for K-12 Special Education: A Review of the Empirical Literature:

Online environments increasingly are becoming a part of our schools. While online education holds tremendous promise—offering viable and attractive options for advancing student skills, increasing access, and potentially lowering the cost of educational services—there is little research on the efficacy of online instruction for students with disabilities. A comprehensive review of the literature was conducted to determine if the existing literature can provide a research base for delivering evidence-based practices mediated through synchronous or asynchronous online technology for students with disabilities.
Skyshine Considerations for Accelerator Shielding Design

The Special Measurements Group at the Brookhaven Alternating Gradient Synchrotron has conducted detailed experiments to evaluate and understand radiations emanating from the accelerator. As a part ...
Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) assessment of the healthy female canine retina and optic nerve.

Objective To provide normative data for canine whole retinal thickness (WRT), nerve fiber layer thickness (NFL), photoreceptor layer thickness (PR), and outer nuclear layer thickness (ONL) using spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Animal studied: Twelve healthy adult intact female beagles. Procedure Horizontal volume scans through the area dorso-temporal from the optic nerve (superior retina), and the area ventro-temporal from the optic nerve (inferior retina) were used to evaluate the thickness of retinal NFL, PR, ONL, and WRT. Peripapillary circular scans were used to evaluate NFL thickness. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the thickness of the individual layers between the superior and inferior retina (paired t-test). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the thickness of peripapillary NFL between the superior, inferior, temporal and nasal quadrants of the circle scan. Results The WRT, PR, and NFL thickness were greater in the superior than in the inferior retina (198.7 ± 9.6 μm vs. 164.4 ± 6.4 μm, P < 0.0001; 95.5 ± 6.5 μm vs. 78.8 ± 7.4 μm, P < 0.0001; and 26.4 ± 1.6 μm vs. 25.0 ± 1.9 μm, P = 0.0236, respectively). No statistical difference was found between the ONL thickness of the superior and inferior retina (50.1 ± 6.4 μm vs. 44.3 ± 3.6, P = 0.0578). Peripapillary NFL thickness showed a similar tendency as the linear scans, with the superior quadrant having the greatest thickness (91.26 ± 7.0 μm) and the inferior quadrant being the thinnest (76.42 ± 9.2 μm) (P < 0.001). Conclusions Results of our in vivo studies showed significant differences between thickness values for the superior (tapetal) and inferior (nontapetal) retinal regions.
Breastfeeding over two years is associated with longer birth intervals, but not measures of growth or health, among children in Kilimanjaro, TZ.

Objectives Breastfeeding has been associated with numerous health and well-being benefits for both children and their mothers, including prolonging the birth interval to the subsequent sibling. The clearest associations between breastfeeding and health outcomes, per se, reflect exclusive breastfeeding in the first months of postnatal life and are most evident during infancy. Fewer studies explore the consequences of breastfeeding for multiple years. In this article, we ask whether breastfeeding for more than 2 years is associated with discernible health and well-being benefits to children. Methods Data were collected from 315 children, aged 2 to 7, and their caretakers residing in Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Basic demographic and health information was solicited, and anthropometric and blood markers of health were evaluated. Results Our results indicate a strong positive relationship between breastfeeding for 2 or more years and interbirth interval, but little evidence for a relationship between prolonged breastfeeding and several indicators of child growth and health. Conclusions We suggest that these relationships may support the recently rekindled birth spacing hypothesis, positing selection for longer interbirth intervals, rather than, or in addition to, more direct health benefits associated with breastfeeding for 2 or more years. Our results may indicate attenuating health benefits associated with longer breastfeeding. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 27:807–815, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Workshop establishes the Northeastern Soil Monitoring Cooperative

Environmental monitoring is an essential tool for identifying changes in the biosphere. The need for environmental data has led to national programs to monitor atmospheric deposition, the composition and growth of forests, and the chemistry of lakes and streams in regions affected by acidic deposition. However, there has been no organized effort to monitor changes in soils despite their importance to agriculture, forests, wetlands, and water quality. The lack of attention given to soil monitoring can be attributed, in part, to questions regarding its feasibility Do soil changes occur too slowly to warrant monitoring, or is spatial variability too great to detect change? Within the past 15 years, however, changes in soil chemistry have been measured through repeated sampling in eastern North America and in Europe in a variety of soil types, over sampling intervals as short as 5 years. As the number of studies grows, so too does the recognition that methods of sampling and analysis are not always compatible and methods for archiving are not well developed.
Estimates of the ab Initio Limit for Sulfur−π Interactions: The H2S−Benzene Dimer

The interaction between aromatic rings and sulfur atoms in the side chains of amino acids is a factor in the formation and stabilization of alpha-helices in proteins. We studied the H(2)S-benzene dimer as the simplest possible prototype of sulfur-pi interactions. High-quality potential energy curves were obtained using coupled-cluster theory with single, double, and perturbative triple substitutions (CCSD(T)) and a large, augmented quadruple-zeta basis set (aug-cc-pVQZ). The equilibrium intermonomer distance for the hydrogens-down C(2)(v) configuration is 3.8 A with an interaction energy of -2.74 kcal mol(-1). Extrapolating the binding energy to the complete basis set limit gives -2.81 kcal mol(-1). This binding energy is comparable to that of H(2)O-benzene or of the benzene dimer, and the equilibrium distance is in close agreement with experiment. Other orientations of the dimer were also considered at less complete levels of theory. A considerable reduction in binding for the sulfur-down configuration, together with an energy decomposition analysis, indicates that the attraction in H(2)S-benzene is best thought of as arising from a favorable electrostatic interaction between partially positive hydrogens in H(2)S with the negatively charged pi-cloud of the benzene.
dispersive effects in scalar-electromagnetic propagation

Abstract The propagation of electromagnetic waves coupled to scalar waves is shown to lead to two anomalous phenomena; firstly, a splitting or dispersive effect takes place in a background magnetic field because of the coupled oscillations; secondly, plane waves cannot propagate without two independent states of polarization.
Spectral sensitivity of the ocelli of the adult cabbage looper moth,Trichoplusia ni

The spectral sensitivity of the ocellus ofT. ni was studied by electrophysiological techniques. ERG waveform, amplitude-energy functions, spectral sensitivity obtained by criterion response methods and light adaptation experiments were used to study spectral mechanisms. Results indicate two spectral mechanisms with peak sensitivities at 360 and 530 nm. The data supporting two spectral mechanisms are differences in ERG waveform at short and long wavelengths, different slopes in amplitude-response functions at short and long wavelengths, the presence of two peaks in spectral sensitivity curves and the differential effects of UV and green adapting lights on the ocellar ERG response to UV and green stimuli.
Pd(II)-biquinoline catalyzed aerobic oxidation of alcohols in water

Abstract An aqueous palladium catalyst that is stabilized by a water-soluble biquinoline-based ligand was employed for the aerobic oxidation of secondary and primary alcohols. Secondary alcohols afforded the corresponding ketones in high yield with selectivities greater than 90%. Aliphatic primary alcohols were fully oxidized to carboxylic acid products under the same reaction conditions, with various amounts of ester byproduct. Benzyl alcohol can be converted to a mixture of benzaldehyde and benzoic acid, where the relative amounts are dependent on the reaction conditions, while substituted benzylic alcohols gave primarily benzaldehyde derivatives. In contrast to related systems, the catalyst used in this study is tolerant of additional coordinating groups on the benzyl alcohol substrate. In all examples of alcohol oxidation, water is used as the only reaction solvent and air is used as the oxidant, thus these conversions could serve as environmentally benign “green” alternatives to traditional oxidation methods.
Double‐blind, multicenter controlled trial comparing topical dimethyl sulfoxide and normal saline for treatment of hand ulcers in patients with systemic sclerosis

A prospective, randomized, double-blind trial compared topical therapy with 0.85% normal saline, 2% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), and 70% DMSO for treatment of digital ulcers in 84 patients with systemic sclerosis. There were no statistically significant differences among the 3 treatment groups in the improvement in the total number of open ulcers, total surface area of open ulcers, average surface area per open ulcer, number of infected ulcers, number of inflamed ulcers, or patient pain assessment. While some patients improved during the study, improvement could not be attributed to a specific treatment. Over one-quarter of the patients treated with 70% DMSO were withdrawn for significant skin toxicity.
Multimedia digital conferencing: a web-enabled multimedia teleconferencing system

The convergence of the telecommunication and information technologies brings a real revolution to the communications world and hence in the way that people interact and communicate with each other. With the development of the World Wide Web technology for browsing and navigating through the Internet, complemented by the global telecommunication network, new, easy-to-use tools are being developed to simplify and enhance collaboration among people. In this paper, we describe the MultiMedia Digital Conferencing (MMDC) prototype system, which is a Web-enabled teleconferencing system. The MMDC server allows heterogeneous clients to use the Internet and the telecommunication network in order to establish and participate in data and/or audio conferences through the use of a variety of audio systems and computing platforms.
Dispersal of Aerated Water as Related to Prevention of Winterkilll

(1968). Dispersal of Aerated Water as Related to Prevention of Winterkilll. The Progressive Fish-Culturist: Vol. 30, No. 1, pp. 13-18.
Dynamical symmetry breaking and tight bound states in quantum field theory

Abstract Dynamic symmetry breaking in quantum field theory is considered. It is shown that there is an essential difference between the dynamics with small (γm ψ ψ and that with γm⩾1. The latter leads to spinless tight bound states which play an important role in critical scaling laws at short distances. The application of this analysis to computer simulations of lattice quenched QED is considered. Consequences of such dynamics for walking technicolor are discussed.
The infrared and Raman spectra of ClC(CN)3 and the [C(CN)3]− ion

Abstract The infrared spectrum from 70 to 5000 cm−1 and the Raman spectrum with polarizations have been recorded for ClC(CN)3. The results are easily interpreted with a C3v pyramidal model, giving the fundamentals: a1: 2262, 857, 559, 502, 130; e: 2209(?), 1076, 450, 204 and 168 cm−1. The a2 and one e fundamental have not been located. For the [C(CN)3]− ion the infrared spectrum from 135 to 5000 cm−1 and the Raman spectrum with polarizations have been obtained, using the solid potassium salt and aqueous solutions. An assignment can be made easily for either a planar trigonal or a pyramidal model. The spectral evidence supports the planar form. The assignments for it are (D3h symmetry): a1': 2225, 657; a2″: 567, 404; e': 2175, 1243, 608, 483 cm−1. The a2' and e″ fundamentals are not known.
Neural expression of mouse Noelin-1/2 and comparison with other vertebrates

Noelins are secreted glycoproteins with important developmental functions in frogs and birds. Here, we present the expression pattern of the mouse homolog of Noelin-1/2 at E8–10 of development and compare this pattern to other vertebrates. Expression was observed in the neural plate and neural crest, as well as in the cranial ganglia. Later, expression is prominent in brain tissue and in the zone of polarizing activity in the limb.
Unusual broad-line Mg II emitters among luminous galaxies in the baryon oscillation spectroscopic survey

Many classes of active galactic nuclei (AGNs) have been observed and recorded since the discovery of Seyfert galaxies. In this paper, we examine the sample of luminous galaxies in the Baryon Oscillation Spectroscopic Survey. We find a potentially new observational class of AGNs, one with strong and broad Mg II λ2799 line emission, but very weak emission in other normal indicators of AGN activity, such as the broad-line Hα, Hβ, and the near-ultraviolet AGN continuum, leading to an extreme ratio of broad Hα/Mg II flux relative to normal quasars. Meanwhile, these objects' narrow-line flux ratios reveal AGN narrow-line regions with levels of activity consistent with the Mg II fluxes and in agreement with that of normal quasars. These AGN may represent an extreme case of the Baldwin effect, with very low continuum and high equivalent width relative to typical quasars, but their ratio of broad Mg II to broad Balmer emission remains very unusual. They may also be representative of a class of AGN where the central engine is observed indirectly with scattered light. These galaxies represent a small fraction of the total population of luminous galaxies ( 0.1%), but are more likely (about 3.5 times) to have AGN-like nuclear line emission properties than other luminous galaxies. Because Mg II is usually inaccessible for the population of nearby galaxies, there may exist a related population of broad-line Mg II emitters in the local universe which is currently classified as narrow-line emitters (Seyfert 2 galaxies) or low ionization nuclear emission-line regions.
Data replication in static tree structures

1. IntroductionReplication of data can lead to better performancedue to increased availability of data. This paper ex-plores the use of data replication for large, static datasets organized in a tree structure. In static environ-ments, data replication does not have to deal withproblemsarising from maintainingconsistency amongcopies [1,10,12]. Static data sets arise, for example,when updates on the data happen at ﬁxed times andin bulk, and queries are not present at the time ofupdating. We show that in static tree structures datareplication is effective in reducing the amount of I/Oneeded measured in terms of the blocknumber. Ourtechniques determine what data to replicate, how tocontrol the amount of replication, and how to ensuregood block utilization. Our results improve previouslyknown bounds.
The Influence of Foreign Stock Markets on Chinese Stock Markets during the period of Subprime Crisis in 2008

In this paper, several major composite indices from Chinese stock markets and some developed countries are researched. The developed countries belong to the countries who had been highly influenced by the subprime crisis in 2008, including Australia, German, French, Japan, United states of American, United kingdom. Our research shows the Chinese stock markets in mainland have been highly influenced by the stock markets in American, Australia, Japan and Hong Kong. We find that the four countries and region are just the countries who have closed trade relations with China mainland. It also denotes the trade relationship is a major way of financial crisis spreading.
The word “peace” as a weapon of (cold) war

Words can cause violence. Violence can be done to words. Words often cause violence precisely because their true meaning has been violated. Perhaps the most vulnerable and the most potentially lethal word of all is “peace.” If the meaning of peace is sufficiently marred or distorted, peace can be used to justify all sorts of violence. Peace can even be used to wage war.
Developmental changes in blood-nerve transfer of albumin and endoneurial albumin content in rat sciatic nerve

Abstract The rate of entry of albumin into the endoneurial space and its content within that compartment during development were investigated by measuring the permeability coefficient-surface area product to 125 I-albumin (PS A ) of the blood-nerve interface (BNI), endoneurial residual plasma volume (V p ), blood-nerve interface index to albumin, and endoneurial water content in sciatic nerves of rats ranging in age from 1 to 24 weeks. There was a 30-fold reduction in PS A and a 4-fold decrease inV p from 2 to 24 weeks, indicating that the endoneurial capillaries and perineurium become less permeable during development. On the other hand, the Alb-BNI index was relatively small at 1 week, increased to a peak value around 6–8 weeks, and then decreased to adult values by 13 weeks. The smaller Alb-BNI index in the neonatal period is consistent with endoneurial albumin being cleared across a permeable perineurium by epineurial lymphatics. Subsequently, as the perineurium becomes less permeable, endoneurial albumin content increases. It then decreases as the endoneurial capillary permeability also decreases. Additionally, metabolic clearance of albumin, especially during the first 2–3 weeks, by axons and glia to meet the nutritive requirements of rapid axonal growth and myelination could be partly responsible for a lower Alb-BNI index. It is suggested that in the developing nerve, the combination of epineurial lymphatics and a relatively permeable perineurium, together with axonal and glial uptake and protein catabolism aid in the clearance of plasma-derived osmolytes from the endoneurial space, and thus prevent the elevation of endoneurial space, and thus prevent the elevation of endoneurial hydrostatic pressure and onset of oedema that would have been seen in an adult nerve with a comparably permeable BNI.
Historic roots of the management issues at Trap Pond State Park

Trap Pond State Park, considered to be at the northernmost natural extent of the bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) in this country, has several management issues that must be addressed to preserve this unique habitat. There are several short–term explanations for these problems, as well as several proposed short–term solutions. However, historic land use patterns (establishing sawmills, grist mill operation, mining, etc.) have impacted the area for over two centuries and, at the very least, have contributed to the park's present environmental problems. Attempts to address these issues must account for the cumulative effects of both the long–term and short–term uses of the Trap Pond watershed.
Thyroxine metabolism by amphibian skin during metamorphosis and molting.

Both intact segments and crude homogenates of frog and toad skin rapidly form tetraiodothyroacetic acid from thyroxine. Substrate and product addition inhibits the activity in frog skin, but the system in toad skin is not appreciably inhibited by concentrations of thyroxine or of tetraiodothyroacetic acid up to 2600 μ g per cent. Most, if not all, of the activity is localized in the epidermis. Although heat-labile deiodination of thyroxine is undetectable in toad skin and dissociated from oxidative deamination in frog skin, tetraiodothyroacetic acid is partially deiodinated in intact animals. During metamorphosis, heat-labile deiodinating activity markedly decreases in amphibian liver, whereas a phase of increased activity occurs in the skin and tail during the formation of hind leg buds. Tetraiodothyroacetic acid does not appear until metamorphosis is complete. Finally, both regional differences and differences during various days of the molting cycle are observed in deiodination and oxidative deamination by frog skin.
Radiation-associated thyroid carcinoma

Since February, 1977, 735 patients having a history of receiving radiation therapy for benign conditions of the head and neck areas during infancy and childhood were examined in a thyroid screening program, and 159 patients were found to have palpable thyroid nodules. These patients had thyroid function tests and indirect laryngoscopy and were followed closely on suppression therapy consisting of either Cytomel or thyroid extract. Thyroidectomy was advised in those in whom the nodules persisted or increased in size. This study documents the incidence of carcinoma and other benign pathological changes and postoperative complications in this group of patients. So far, 49 patients had either a lobectomy with isthmusectomy or a total thyroidectomy. Eleven patients were found to have carcinoma (six had papillary, four had mixed papillary and follicular, and one had follicular carcinoma). Three patients had a therapeutic modified neck dissection following the documentation of microscopic involvement of paratracheal lymph nodes. A high incidence of chronic nonspecific thyroiditis, postradiation fibrosis, and follicular adenomas were also found in these patients. Three patients had temporary hypocalcemia (two weeks) and none had wound infection, hematoma, or postoperative nerve palsy. Of patients who had surgical resection, 22.4% showed thyroid carcinoma.
Color quality of oregon strawberries- : Impact of genotype, composition, and processing

This investigation was to evaluate fruit color and study the effect of processing on color quality of strawberry products. Three color instruments with different viewing angles, viewing areas, and sample presentation geometries were compared for their effectiveness in measuring CIEL*C*h(o) color values for fresh fruits of 6 strawberry genotypes. There were significant differences between genotypes as well as between instruments. Fruits from the Totem genotype were frozen, canned, and made into jam. Color changes were measured along with the following compositional determinations: total monomeric anthocyanins (ACN), total phenolic content (TPC), and percent polymeric color. ACN in fresh strawberries ranged from 37.1 mg to 122.3 mg per 100 g of fresh fruit. Freezing resulted in an apparent increase in ACN and transfer of 70.2% of the anthocyanins from the berries into juice. Physical transfer of pigments to syrup also occurred with canning: there was approximately 70% loss in ACN, about 20% increase in polymeric color, and 23.5% decrease in TPC. Pronounced color change and substantial losses in ACN and TPC of strawberry jams occurred during processing and 9 wk of storage. Storage of jams at 38 degrees C compared to 21 degrees C over a period of 9 wk resulted in marked losses of ACN and TPC.