cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Visualizing Topological Surface States and their Novel Properties using Scanning Tunneling Microscopy and Spectroscopy

Abstract Topological insulators are materials in which spin-orbit coupling is strong enough as to invert the ordering of bulk bands about the insulating bulk gap. While the bulk properties of these materials are not much different than any other insulating material their topological classification ensures the existence of exotic states on their surfaces. These surface electrons behave as massless relativistic particles obeying Dirac dynamics which locks their spin degree of freedom to their momentum thus reducing by half their phase space relative to any other fermionic state. Furthermore, the helical spin-texture associated with their Dirac nature greatly restricts scattering of surface states as long as time-reversal symmetry is preserved. In particular it forbids backscattering and therefore immunes the topological surface electrons from localizing. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and spectroscopic mappings have played a key role in the characterization of these unique properties of the topological surface states. By visualizing electronic standing wave patterns next to impurities it was verified that the helical surface states do not backscatter. On the other hand, the Dirac electrons were found to be susceptible to the electrostatic charging of these scaterres, which induce spatial fluctuation of the Dirac energy and spectrum. Nevertheless, the unusual resilience of the helical surface states to disorder was strikingly demonstrated by measuring their high transmittance in an atomic-scale Fabry-Perot interferometry set up. The latter is a consequence of the existence of the topological surface states on all surface terminations which stems directly from the bulk topological classification. In the following chapter these insightful contributions of STM to the field of topological insulators will be discussed in detail alongside with future directions.
Abstract 1336: Autophagy inhibition reverses EMT and reduces 3D growth of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo

Pancreatic cancer is the 4th most fatal cancer in US men and women, with 5-year survival rates under 5%. Obesity is one risk factor known to increase pancreatic cancer risk by facilitating tumorigenesis and metabolic processes associated with pancreatic tumor growth and progression. Autophagy is the catabolic process of recycling cellular organelles to provide energy to the cell and is often induced when cells become stressed. Autophagy plays a critical role in cancer growth and metastasis, and in many cancers autophagy inhibition decreases the size of tumors in in vivo models. Our current studies investigate the link between the autophagy inhibition and the invasiveness of pancreatic cancer. To understand the role of autophagy on invasion, EMT and 3D growth in pancreatic cancer, Kras-driven Panc02 mouse pancreatic cancer cells were transduced using CRISPR/Cas9 to cleave the gene encoding autophagy related protein 5 (Atg5). Atg5 deletion resulted in striking morphological alterations, including a more epithelial-like appearance. In addition, Atg5 deletion resulted in increased expression of the epithelial marker E-Cadherin, concurrent with decreased expression of mesenchymal markers N-Cadherin and Snail. Furthermore, Atg5 deletion resulted in significant decreased invasiveness and ability to form colonies under anchorage-independent conditions, with no significant difference in 2D cell growth. Orthotopic, intrapancreatic injection of these cells into C57BL/6 mice resulted in reduced tumor take and growth. Taken together, these results for the first time show that autophagy inhibition results in reduced EMT and 3D growth in pancreatic adenocarcinoma and highlight autophagy9s role in pancreatic adenocarcinoma progression. Citation Format: Jane B. Pearce, Ciara H. O9Flanagan, Stephen D. Hursting. Autophagy inhibition reverses EMT and reduces 3D growth of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1336.
Efficient search of compositional space for hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites via Bayesian optimization

Accelerated searches, made possible by machine learning techniques, are of growing interest in materials discovery. A suitable case involves the solution processing of components that ultimately form thin films of solar cell materials known as hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites (HOIPs). The number of molecular species that combine in solution to form these films constitutes an overwhelmingly large “compositional” space (at times, exceeding 500,000 possible combinations). Selecting a HOIP with desirable characteristics involves choosing different cations, halides, and solvent blends from a diverse palette of options. An unguided search by experimental investigations or molecular simulations is prohibitively expensive. In this work, we propose a Bayesian optimization method that uses an application-specific kernel to overcome challenges where data is scarce, and in which the search space is given by binary variables indicating whether a constituent is present or not. We demonstrate that the proposed approach identifies HOIPs with the targeted maximum intermolecular binding energy between HOIP salt and solvent at considerably lower cost than previous state-of-the-art Bayesian optimization methodology and at a fraction of the time (less than 10%) needed to complete an exhaustive search. We find an optimal composition within 15 ± 10 iterations in a HOIP compositional space containing 72 combinations, and within 31 ± 9 iterations when considering mixed halides (240 combinations). Exhaustive quantum mechanical simulations of all possible combinations were used to validate the optimal prediction from a Bayesian optimization approach. This paper demonstrates the potential of the Bayesian optimization methodology reported here for new materials discovery. A cheaper and more effective optimization method has been developed to screen composition and solvent interactions in organic–inorganic perovskites. A collaborative team led by Matthias Poloczek from University of Arizona, USA, propose a modified Bayesian optimization method to predict the optimal combination of various hybrid organic–inorganic perovskites and solvents. They screen the intermolecular binding energy of 240 possible perovskite-solvent combinations, finding that the maximum occurs for FAPbI2Cl and tetrahydrothiophene 1-oxide. The use of an application-specific kernel overcomes challenges such as data scarcity and reduces the computational cost substantially compared to previous state-of-the-art Bayesian optimization methods. The described method can be extended to study mixed ions and mixed halide/cation systems, and could be applicable to a wide range of materials design and optimization problems.
War and the Economy in the Reign of Vasilii II

This article examines some of the economic dimensions of war in the reign of Vasilii II and argues that Rus’, much like England during the Wars of the Roses, suffered economic stagnation and perhaps even a depression. The combination of war, plague, and famine in Rus’ resulted in a decline in population and strained economic resources evidenced by abandoned agrarian lands, the burden of the Mongol tribute and princely debts, debased silver coinage, and the cessation of urban expansion, Moscow being the major exception. Moscow, like London, prospered, but most of England and northeastern Rus’ did not. Pillage, ransom, and territorial aggrandizement were some of the means Moscow employed to augment its acquisition of silver beyond that supplied by the fur trade. Immunity charters were offered to retain and to attract peasant settlers in an effort to stabilize agriculture and with it a taxable population. The relative prosperity of the eras of Ivan III and Vasilii III should not obscure the economic contraction that occurred in the late fourteenth and first half of the fifteenth centuries.
Fracture Mechanics-Based Study of Stress Corrosion Cracking of SS304 Dry Storage Canister for Spent Nuclear Fuel

Many independent spent fuel storage installations (ISFSI) are located along the coastal regions in the US and the dry storage canisters consisting of spent nuclear fuels are envisioned to undergo chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (SCC) in heat-affected zone. In the present study, we have investigated SCC behavior of sensitized SS304H under substitute ocean water at room temperature using wedge opening loading (WOL) specimens. The alloy was sensitized at 600 °C for 215 h followed by microstructural characterization. The crack growth during the test was monitored using direct current potential drop technique. The crack growth rate for the SS304H alloy was within the same order of magnitude as reported in literature for SS304 alloy under chloride environment.
Tracing and Resolving Microparticle Aquatic Mass Motion and Distribution on Multimode Silicon Carbide Microdisk Resonators

We report on the first experimental exploration of resonant detection and spatial tracing of single microparticle in liquid using silicon carbide (SiC) microdisk resonators, by exploiting the position-dependent multimode frequency responses up to the very high frequency (VHF) band. Through integrating optical tweezers for high-resolution microparticle manipulation into a laser interferometer with ultrahigh displacement sensitivity, multimode frequency shifts in response to single microparticle loading and motion are measured, with responsivities up to $\Re \sim 3$ to 30Hz/fg in liquid. Combining finite element modeling with a neural network, we demonstrate that microscale mass distribution can be resolved by exploiting the devices' multimode responses. These techniques hold promise for ultrasensitive detection and imaging of microscale mobile or distributed masses (e.g., cells) in liquid and may facilitate biophysical studies of cellular and sub-cellular-level behaviors (e.g., proliferation and migration).
Crowdsourced Detection of Emotionally Manipulative Language

Detecting rhetoric that manipulates readers' emotions requires distinguishing intrinsically emotional content (IEC; e.g., a parent losing a child) from emotionally manipulative language (EML; e.g., using fear-inducing language to spread anti-vaccine propaganda). However, this remains an open classification challenge for both automatic and crowdsourcing approaches. Machine Learning approaches only work in narrow domains where labeled training data is available, and non-expert annotators tend to conflate IEC with EML. We introduce an approach, anchor comparison, that leverages workers' ability to identify and remove instances of EML in text to create a paraphrased "anchor text", which is then used as a comparison point to classify EML in the original content. We evaluate our approach with a dataset of news-style text snippets and show that precision and recall can be tuned for system builders' needs. Our contribution is a crowdsourcing approach that enables non-expert disentanglement of social references from content.
VENOUS LEVEL COLLATERALS IN THE CORONARY SYSTEM

This chapter will recount a series of experiments that we have recently performed to evaluate the function of the venous level coronary collateral vessels. In reviewing those studies the hemodynamics of venous level collateral connections in the heart will be explored and their potential nutritional contribution will be evaluated. We will then attempt to discuss those studies in light of work done by others in the field.
Smartphone and algorithms: A platform for hearing study

Popular smartphones are portable devices with useful features such as powerful processor, microphones, speakers, low audio input/output delay, wire and wireless communication capability, graphical user interface (GUI) and easy-to-use touch screen. The smartphone features are improved every year. These features make smartphone a powerful stand-alone device for the development and real-time implementation of novel signal processing algorithms suitable for improving hearing study and hearing aid applications. In this paper, we present our smartphone-based platform and associated tools and documents for hearing study and hearing aid applications. An overview is given of the algorithms/apps developed to run on iOS and Android based smartphones in real time. Summary of the performance of developed algorithms/apps using smartphone is presented in comparison with other devices that are available in the market under different noisy conditions and low SNRs.
Advanced Numerical Simulation of Failure in Solids Under Blast and Ballistic Loading: A Review

Analyses of structural response to blast and projectile penetration require advanced computational modeling. The problems are geometrically and materially nonlinear. Accuracy of the solutions is sensitive to several numerical algorithms: robust contact, air blast/structure coupling, nonlinear error estimation, adaptive mesh, and cohesive element. Description of the damage and failure processes demand high mesh resolution and often extremely small time steps. If the localization phenomenon leads to large-scale plastic yielding and large deformations, the accuracy of the solution tends to depend on our ability to capture the time and space resolved extreme gradients of stress, strain, and other internal state variables. This chapter discusses the computational requirements on the accurate modeling of structure, armor, and projectile responses as well as the blast phenomenon.
Quantifying the pressure-dependence of work of adhesion in silicon-diamond contacts

Continuum mechanics models for contacting surfaces assume a constant interfacial energy, or work of adhesion, between materials. Recent studies have challenged this assumption, instead demonstrating that stress-dependent chemical reactions across the interface modify the work of adhesion. Here, we perform 77 adhesion tests on diamond–silicon contacts using in situ transmission electron microscopy and atomistic simulations to quantify how the adhesion changes as a function of applied pressure. The results show a sevenfold increase in the work of adhesion (from approximately 1 to 7 J/m2) with an increase in the mean applied pressure from 0 to 11 GPa, where the most significant increase occurs above 5 GPa. We rule out alternative explanations for the changing work of adhesion, such as electron-beam artifacts, bulk shape change by inelastic deformation, and time-dependent processes such as creep. Therefore, these results confirm the presence of stress-driven chemical reactions in the contact and quantify the resulting change in the adhesion of these materials with applied pressure.Continuum mechanics models for contacting surfaces assume a constant interfacial energy, or work of adhesion, between materials. Recent studies have challenged this assumption, instead demonstrating that stress-dependent chemical reactions across the interface modify the work of adhesion. Here, we perform 77 adhesion tests on diamond–silicon contacts using in situ transmission electron microscopy and atomistic simulations to quantify how the adhesion changes as a function of applied pressure. The results show a sevenfold increase in the work of adhesion (from approximately 1 to 7 J/m2) with an increase in the mean applied pressure from 0 to 11 GPa, where the most significant increase occurs above 5 GPa. We rule out alternative explanations for the changing work of adhesion, such as electron-beam artifacts, bulk shape change by inelastic deformation, and time-dependent processes such as creep. Therefore, these results confirm the presence of stress-driven chemical reactions in the contact and quantify the ...
Chapter 9 – Magnesium Phosphate Ceramics

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses magnesium phosphate ceramics. Magnesium phosphate ceramics are the most developed and studied CBPCs and also have found several commercial applications. Mg phosphate-based materials are finding application as quick-setting cements for repair of roads, industrial floors, and runways, and for stabilization and solidification of low-level radioactive and hazardous waste streams. The chapter summarizes various magnesium phosphate ceramics that have been produced using either H3PO4 or an acid phosphate. These acid phosphates are produced by neutralizing H3PO4 partially with NH4, Al, or K ions. Because of the increased use of CBPCs during the last decade, some manufacturers are now producing these acid phosphates and supply them commercially. One common characteristic of these ceramics is that a significant amount of MgO is unreacted and left behind in the final product. Thus, one finds a large amount of MgO, and to a small extent, brucite [Mg(OH)2] in the ceramic. There are several other Mg-based phosphate ceramics or cements that use different acid phosphates or salts of magnesium. This chapter concludes that Magnesium titanates have also been used to form cements.
Sex Bias in Laryngology Research and Publishing.

Summary Objective To investigate sex bias in laryngology research and publishing. Materials and Methods Articles published in 2019 in seven mainstream otolaryngology journals were reviewed. Original manuscripts were included. Study type (medical, speech-language pathology, basic science, or pedagogy), subject sex, ≥50% sex-matching (SM≥50), sex-based analysis, and bibliometric data including author sex were recorded. Results Of 1619 publications reviewed, 259 patient-centered original laryngology studies were included, totaling 7,130,991 subjects (3,411,741 [47.8%] male; 3,718,694 [52.1%] female; 556 [0.0%] unreported). 29 studies included subjects of a single sex and 14 did not report sex. 114 (44%) studies met SM≥50, and 95 (37%) used sex-based analysis; no differences were found among study types or location. Sex-based analysis was used less in single-institution (33%) than database studies (62%, P = 0.01). No difference in SM≥50 was found among single or multi-institution, or database. There were 1340 total authors (578 [43%] female). First, corresponding, and senior authors were 47%, 39%, and 35% female, respectively. Studies that had female first and/or senior authors did not differ in rates of SM≥50 or sex-based analysis or mean enrollment of females compared to studies with male first and senior authors. The proportion of female physician first and senior authors did not differ from the proportion of female Association of American Medical Colleges otolaryngology faculty, but was non-significantly smaller than the proportion of female laryngology fellows at four academic institutions. Conclusion Laryngology research exhibits sex bias in subject enrollment and sex-based analysis. Female authorship was representative of national demographics and author sex did not influence the rate of sex bias.
Nucleophilic Thiols Reductively Cleave Ether Linkages in Lignin Model Polymers and Lignin

Lignin may serve as a renewable feedstock for the production of chemicals and fuels if mild, scalable processes for its depolymerization can be devised. The use of small organic thiols represents a bioinspired strategy to cleave the β-O-4 bond, the most common linkage in lignin. In the present study, synthetic β-O-4 linked polymers were treated with organic thiols, yielding up to 90 % cleaved monomer products. Lignin extracted from poplar was also treated with organic thiols resulting in molecular weight reductions as high as 65 % (Mn ) in oxidized lignin. Thiol-based cleavage of other lignin linkages was also explored in small-molecule model systems to uncover additional potential pathways by which thiols might depolymerize lignin. The success of thiol-mediated cleavage on model dimers, polymers, and biomass-derived lignin illustrates the potential utility of small redox-active molecules to penetrate complex polymer matrices for depolymerization and subsequent valorization of lignin into fuels and chemicals.
A dynamic mechanical method to assess bulk viscoelastic behavior of the dentin extracellular matrix

Abstract Objectives To develop a protocol for assessment of the bulk viscoelastic behavior of dentin extracellular matrix (ECM), and to assess relationships between induced collagen cross-linking and viscoelasticity of the dentin ECM. Methods Dentin ECM was treated with agents to induce exogenous collagen cross-linking: proanthocyanidins (PACs) from Vitis vinifera – VVe, PACs from Pinus massoniana - PMe, glutaraldehyde – (GA), or kept untreated (control). A dynamic mechanical strain sweep method was carried out in a 3-point bending submersion clamp at treatment; after protein destabilization with 4 M urea and after 7-day, 6-month, and 12-month incubation in simulated body fluid. Tan δ, storage (E’), loss (E”), and complex moduli (E*) were calculated and data were statistically analyzed using two-way ANOVA and post-hoc tests (α = 0.05). Chemical analysis of dentin ECM before and after protein destabilization was assessed with ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Results Significant interactions between study factors (treatment vs. time points, p Significance Viscoelastic measurements and IR spectroscopy aid in elucidating the role of inter-molecular collagen cross-linking in the mechanical behavior of dentin ECM.
A Task-Based Day-Ahead Load Forecasting Model for Stochastic Economic Dispatch

Load forecasting is one of the most important and studied topics in modern power systems. Most of the existing research on day-ahead load forecasting try to build a good model to improve the forecasting accuracy. The forecasted load is then used as the input to generation scheduling with the ultimate goal of minimizing the cost of generation schedules. However, existing day-ahead load forecasting models do not consider this ultimate goal at the training/forecasting stage. This paper proposes a task-based day-ahead load forecasting model labeled as LfEdNet that combines two individual layers in one model, including a load forecasting layer based on deep neural network (Lf layer) and a day-ahead stochastic economic dispatch (SED) layer (Ed layer). The training of LfEdNet aims to minimize the cost of the day-ahead SED in the Ed layer by updating the parameters of the Lf layer. Sequential quadratic programming (SQP) is used to solve the day-ahead SED in the Ed layer. The test results demonstrate that the forecasted results produced by LfEdNet can lead to lower cost of day-ahead SED at the expense of slight reduction in forecasting accuracy.
Omega-3 fatty acids are associated with blood-brain barrier integrity in a healthy aging population.

In aging populations, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) have been associated with better cognitive function, slower rates of cognitive decline, and lower risk of developing dementia. Animal studies have shown that diets rich in omega-3 PUFAs reduce blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption associated with aging, but this has yet to be observed in humans. Forty-five healthy subjects (mean age, 76 years) were recruited and underwent cognitive assessment (verbal learning and memory, language, processing speed, executive function, and motor control) and measurement of PUFAs. Forty of the same subjects also underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to measure BBB integrity (Ktrans using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI). The long chain omega-3 score (DHA+EPA) was negatively correlated with Ktrans values in the internal capsule, indicating higher omega-3 levels were associated with greater BBB integrity in this region (r = -0.525, p = .004). Trends were observed for a positive correlation between the long chain omega-3 score and both memory and language scores, but not with executive function, speed, or motor control. The omega-6 score was not significantly correlated with any cognitive scores or Ktrans values. The significant correlations between long chain omega-3 levels and BBB integrity provide a possible mechanism by which omega-3 PUFAs are associated with brain health.
Fine‐Feature Modifications to Strained Ruthenium Complexes Radically Alter Their Hypoxic Anticancer Activity†

In an earlier study of π-expansive ruthenium complexes for photodynamic and photochemo-therapies, it was shown that a pair of structural isomers differing only in the connection point of a naphthalene residue exhibited vastly different biological activity. These isomers are further explored in this paper through the activity of their functionalized derivatives. In normoxia, the inactive 2-NIP isomer (5) can be made as photocytotoxic as the active 1-NIP isomer (1) by functionalizing with methyl or methoxy groups, while methoxy variants of the 1-NIP isomer became inactive. In all cases, the singlet oxygen sensitization quantum yield was below 1%. Hypoxic photocytotoxicity was attenuated, with only three of the series showing any activity, notwithstanding the photodissociative ligands. The results here are consistent with the earlier findings in that seemingly minor structural modifications on the non-strained ligand can dramatically modulate the normoxic and hypoxic activity of these strained compounds and that these changes appear to exert a greater influence on photocytotoxicity than singlet oxygen sensitization or rates of photosubstitution in cell-free conditions would suggest.
The Characterization of a Discrete Series of Low Density Lipoproteins in the Disease, Hyper-pre-β-lipoproteinemia IMPLICATIONS RELATING TO THE STRUCTURE OF PLASMA LIPOPROTEINS

Abstract Five separate low density lipoproteins (LD lipoproteins) have been isolated from the plasma of a group of subjects with the disease hyper-pre-β-lipoproteinemia. These lipoproteins have been shown to be discrete, stable components within the LD lipoprotein class which may be isolated repeatedly, by differential density ultracentrifugation, from the serum of these subjects. Immunological study of the delipidized apoproteins shows only a reactivity with the LD lipoprotein antiserum. Electron microscopy reveals spherical macromolecules. Their sedimentation coefficients and hydrated densities have been measured, and their calculated average molecular weights are 4.9, 4.3, 3.2, 2.5, and 1.3 million. Compositional studies show an increasing lipid content with increasing molecular size. Of particular interest is the observation that the mass of protein per mole of lipoprotein remains constant although the molecular weight of these lipoproteins more than doubles, and thus the LD liproprotein components differ only in their lipid content. On the basis of equilibrium-banding experiments in linear density gradients, it is concluded that these lipoproteins exist within the LD lipoprotein class as discrete entities which presumably constitute energetically favorable associations of lipid and protein. Based on the sequential nature of their molecular weights and their known composition, it appears that these lipoproteins may be generated by the addition of specific increments or "packets" of lipid consisting of multiples of 6.25 x 105 g per mole of lipoprotein. It is postulated that the periodicity observed in the molecular weights reflects the structural limitations imposed upon these macromolecules by the apoprotein which determines the amount of lipid which may be bound. The marked density and molecular weight heterogeneity observed within the lipoproteins constituting the LD lipoprotein class in these subjects with the disease hyper-pre-β-lipoproteinemia is in apparent contrast to that observed with LD lipoprotein from normal subjects. It is thus tempting to speculate that a structurally altered apoprotein occurs in these patients which binds lipid in an atypical fashion and thus generates the multiple components found within the LD lipoprotein class of these subjects with this familial disease.
Long-Term Leaching of Irradiated Spent Fuel

Spent light-water reactor (LWR) fuel with burnups of 9, 28 and 54 MWd/kgU were leach tested at 25°C in deionized water in a Paige apparatus. No discernible differences in long term leach rates were observed relative to burnup. An accelerated leaching period was observed during the Paige leach test of the 54 MWd/kgU spent fuel. Additionally, the 28 MWd/kgU fuel was IAEA leach-tested in five different leach solutions. Deionized water gave the highest leach rates, and calcium chloride solution gave the lowest.
Alternatives to Aversive Procedures with Animals in the Psychology Teaching Setting

Every college undergraduate learns in his or her first introductory course that the aims of scientific psychology are understanding, explaining, and predicting behavior. How students are taught about behavior varies depending on the area of psychology involved. But within some major psychology subfields—behavior analysis, learning, experimental, and physiological psychology—teaching students about behavior often means instruction and observation in animal behavior. In some cases, students are asked to study the principles of animal behavior for their own sake. More commonly, however, animals are used in teaching or laboratory settings because they are assumed to be models which serve as approximations for analogous behavior in humans.
Herpes Simplex Vaccines

Prospects for the development of vaccines against herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and other herpesvirus group vaccines are discussed from the scientific, medical, and economic standpoints. Probably, the most practical development will be glycoprotein subunit vaccines, prepared from herpes simples virus types 1 and 2, that will be tested for prophylaxis and therapy of acute viral disease and for cancer that may be caused by these agents.
Tardive and Neuroleptic-Induced Emergencies

Tardive and neuroleptic-induced movement disorders can be among the most dramatic conditions affecting patients. One has only to witness a patient with severe acute jaw dystonia from haloperidol, or watch a patient develop neuroleptic-induced oculogyric crisis to appreciate how sudden and devastating these disorders can be. Fortunately, prompt recognition and treatment are usually effective and, occasionally, lifesaving. This chapter reviews tardive and neuroleptic-induced movement disorder emergencies, and their diagnosis and management.
Introduction to the Implicit Function Theorem

To the beginning student of calculus, a function is given by an analytic expression such as $$ f(x) = {x^3} + 2{x^2} - x - 3 $$ (1.1) , $$ g(y) = \sqrt {{{y^2} + 1}} $$ (1.2) or $$ h(t) = \cos \left( {2\pi t} \right) $$ (1.3) .
Chondrichthyans of the Excello Shale (Middle Pennsylvanian) of Rogers County, Oklahoma

During field and laboratory investigation of the phosphate nodules that are eroding from the Excello Shale of the Senora Formation, Cabaniss Group, Desmoinesian, of Middle Pennsylvanian age of Rogers County in northeastern Oklahoma has produced numerous vertebrate, invertebrate, and plant fossils. The vertebrate material recovered include the dermal denticles of Petrodus patelliformis and Listracanthus hystrix, along with teeth of Cladodus occidentals, Caseodus eatoni, Edestus sp, Lisgodus serratus, and a spine from the spine-brush complex of Stethacanthus sp. Previously, the only known vertebrates reported from the Excello Shale of Oklahoma were Edestus and Petrodus. This report thus increases the number of known vertebrates from the Excello Shale of northeastern Oklahoma.
Economics and “The Possibility of Civilization”: Four Judgments

Introduction, 50. — Clive Bell's Civilization, 54. — Brooks Adams' Law of Civilization and Decay, 59. — Arnold J. Toynbee's Study of History, 61. — T. S. Eliot's Notes Towards the Definition of Culture, 66. — Conclusion, 70.
A Transgenic Mouse for Imaging Caspase-Dependent Apoptosis within the Skin

Apoptosis is an essential process for the maintenance of normal physiology. The ability to noninvasively image apoptosis in living animals would provide unique insights into its role in normal and disease processes. Herein, a recombinant reporter consisting of β-galactosidase gene flanked by two estrogen receptor regulatory domains and intervening Asp-Glu-Val-Glu sequences was constructed to serve as a tool for in vivo assessment of apoptotic activity. The results demonstrate that when expressed in its intact form, the hybrid reporter had undetectable β-galactosidase activity. Caspase 3 activation in response to an apoptotic stimulus resulted in cleavage of the reporter, and thereby reconstitution of β-galactosidase activity. Enzymatic activation of the reporter during an apoptotic event enabled noninvasive measurement of β-galactosidase activity in living cells, which correlated with traditional measures of apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Using a near-infrared fluorescent substrate of β-galactosidase (9H-{1,3-dichloro-9,9-dimethylacridin-2-one-7-yl} β-D-galactopyranoside), noninvasive in vivo imaging of apoptosis was achieved in a xenograft tumor model in response to proapoptotic therapy. Finally, a transgenic mouse model was developed expressing the ER-LACZ-ER reporter within the skin. This reporter and transgenic mouse could serve as a unique tool for the study of apoptosis in living cells and animals, especially in the context of skin biology.
Hypergeometric hypothesis test-based quantification of drug and adverse drug reaction association

The article is intended to launch a discussion on a new method to quantify associations between drugs and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Based on the contingency table for a drug and ADR, we proposed a method to evaluate the strength of a pairwise association using a hypergeometric distributions-based hypothesis test. In contrast to existing frequentists methods, the main advantage is that the interpretation of the drug and ADR inter-relationships is established upon a theoretical statistical distribution without any arguable assumptions. Based on results from experiments with Adverse Event Reporting System (AERS) data, a threshold with P-value = 0.01 is suggested for the hypothesis test, which is comparable to α = .05 for PRR and ROR.
Oncogenic Ras induces inflammatory cytokine production by upregulating the squamous cell carcinoma antigens SerpinB3/B4

Mounting evidence indicates that oncogenic Ras can modulate cell autonomous inflammatory cytokine production, although the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here we show that squamous cell carcinoma antigens 1 and 2 (SCCA1/2), members of the Serpin family of serine/cysteine protease inhibitors, are transcriptionally upregulated by oncogenic Ras via MAPK and the ETS family transcription factor PEA3. Increased SCCA expression leads to inhibition of protein turnover, unfolded protein response, activation of NF-κB and is essential for Ras-mediated cytokine production and tumour growth. Analysis of human colorectal and pancreatic tumour samples reveals a positive correlation between Ras mutation, enhanced SCCA expression and IL-6 expression. These results indicate that SCCA is a Ras-responsive factor that plays an important role in Ras-associated cytokine production and tumorigenesis.
Representation of interaural level difference in the VLVp, the first site of binaural comparison in the barn owl's auditory system

Abstract In the avian auditory system, the posterior division of the ventral nucleus of the lateral lemniscus (VLVp) is the first site where the levels of sound arriving at the two ears are compared. VLVp units are excited by sound at the contralateral ear and are inhibited by sound at the ipsilateral ear, and, as a result, are sensitive to interaural level differences (ILD). In this study, we investigate the functional properties of VLVp units and describe the topography of ILD sensitivity along the dorsoventral dimension of this nucleus. The responses of VLVp units were tested with monaural and binaural noise delivered through earphones. Excitatory and inhibitory responsiveness was quantified using several measures that assessed the effect of contra-ear stimulation and the effect of ipsi-ear stimulation on the contra-ear response. On the basis of these measures, we characterize the map of ILD sensitivity in the VLVp. The temporal pattern of unit responses were also analyzed. The discharges of VLVp units were regular and time-locked to the onset of a stimulus, a pattern of discharge reminiscent of the ‘chopper pattern’ observed in the lateral superior olive (LSO) of mammals. The temporal discharge patterns of a single VLVp neuron often distinguished between equivalent ILDs, resulting from different combinations of contra- and ipsi-ear levels, that were not distinguished by spike count alone. However, the temporal response pattern did not distinguish between all such combinations of contra- and ipsi-ear levels. The additional information was encoded by the pattern of activity across the entire population of VLVp neurons. This study describes similarities in the functional properties of VLVp and LSO units that suggest similar physiological mechanisms in avians and mammals for encoding similar acoustic information.
Stress-Specific Activation of Heat Shock Factor (HSF) and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF) in the Kidney

Stress-Specific Activation of Heat Shock Factor (HSF) and Hypoxia-Inducible Factor (HIF) in the Kidney
Rapid determination of uranium on solid matrices by synergistic in situ chelation supercritical fluid extraction and UV absorption spectroscopy

Abstract The extraction and spectrophotometric quantitation of UO 2 (NO 3 ) 2 · 6H 2 O from different solid matrices is compared using ethanol solutions and supercritical carbon dioxide containing various combinations of 2,2-dimethyl-6,6,7,7,8,8,8-heptafluoro-3,5-octadione (FOD), tri- n -butylphosphate (TBP), and ethanol. The matrix is shown to have a tremendous effect on the extractability of ethanol from different solid matrices with achievable recoveries as follows: polypropylene/polyester > glass wool > cotton > clay. A synergistic increase in the recovery of U(VI) from Kaolin is observed when ethanol is used in combination with FOD or a mixture of FOD and TBP. Compared to liquid extraction, the SFE method yields higher recoveries, is significantly faster, is of equal or greater precision, and greatly reduces the amount of organic solvents used. Additionally, the UV absorption of the uranium · FOD complex is linear over three orders of magnitude in concentration (ppb to ppm) and makes direct UV monitoring of the amount of uranium extracted feasible.
Crystal growth using the heat exchanger method (HEM)

Abstract The progress of the liquid-solid interface during crystal growth of sapphire and spinel using the heat exchanger method (HEM) has been studied and related to processing parameters. Crystal growth has thus been optimized to produce crystals with 95–100% of the material free of voids and scattering centers.
Crossed immuno-electrodiffusion in the diagnosis of immunoglobulin fragment abnormalities

The use of crossed immuno-electrodiffusion in the diagnosis of alpha-chain disease is described. The same basic technique is applicable in diagnosis of diseases in which immunoglobulin fragment abnormalities may occur. Crossed immuno-electrodiffusion is shown to be a superior method for demonstrating the abnormaility by providing more powerful resolution. Immunoselection (an adaptation of the classical method of immuno-electrophoresis) or rocket immuno-electrodiffusion both have limitations which are overcome by the use of crossed immuno-electrodiffusion. Mixture of antibodies is avoided by separating antibody-containing gels with interposition of intermediate gel layers free of antibody. Furthermore, precipitin rockets of some specific proteins can also be identified morphologically.
Haemolytic uraemic syndrome

Abstract Haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) is the most common cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) in children. It is categorized by a triad of clinical features, haemolytic anaemia, thrombocytopaenia and AKI. HUS is subdivided into two broad categories, diarrhoea positive HUS (more than 90% of cases) most commonly caused by Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (also called verotoxin) and the less common diarrhoea negative HUS. HUS is initiated by intestinal colonization with Stx-producing bacteria. HUS results in widespread thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) in renal glomeruli, the gastrointestinal tract, the brain, and the pancreas. The aim of this review is to summarise the latest developments in our understanding of this condition, focussing on epidemiology, pathophysiology and disease course.
Demographic, Socioeconomic, and Psychological Factors Related to Medication Non-adherence Among Emergency Department Patients

Abstract Background: Many Emergency Department (ED) visits are related to medication non-adherence; however, the contributing factors are poorly understood. Objectives: To explore the relative contributions of demographic, socioeconomic, and psychological factors to medication non-adherence in an ED population. Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis enrolling patients with one of three illnesses requiring chronic medication usage (hypertension, diabetes, or seizures). Trained research associates administered a 60-item survey that assessed demographic and socioeconomic information, as well as a variety of psychological factors potentially relevant to adherence (health attitudes, health beliefs, depression, anxiety, social support, and locus of control). Patients rated their overall prescription medication adherence and estimated the number of days in the preceding month on which doses were missed. In addition, treating physicians estimated the degree to which the ED visit was related to medication non-adherence; clinical data were abstracted to help validate patient and physician assessments. The relationships between non-adherence and demographic, socioeconomic, and psychological variables were explored using multivariate statistics and logistic regression. Covariance analysis was performed to validate subscales, and receiver-operator curves were used to define optimal threshold values. Results: A total of 472 patients consented to participate, with good representation for various demographic and socioeconomic groups. Each psychological factor related significantly to both patient and physician ratings of non-adherence ( p
CO adsorption and oxidation studies on nanofabricated model catalysts using multilayer enhanced IRAS technique

Abstract CO adsorption and oxidation studies have been performed on model Pt catalysts using multilayer enhanced infrared reflection absorption spectroscopy (MEIRAS) technique demonstrated in our laboratory. The multilayer model catalysts prepared for this study consist of semitransparent thin Pt films or Pt nanowires over SiO 2 or TiO 2 dielectric films of varying thicknesses with reflecting gold films underneath. CO adsorption results show that different types of oxidation and reduction pretreatments on Pt/SiO 2 /Au thin film catalysts lead to changes in the CO stretch region of the spectra and in morphology of Pt films. Ignition behavior of CO oxidation reaction was studied on these catalysts and a change in the baseline of the spectra was observed as an indication of change in surface oxygen coverage with change in reaction conditions. CO adsorption studies on Pt/TiO 2 /Au nanowires catalysts show a shift in the peak position towards lower wavenumbers with a decrease nanowire width. The results indicate that these spectral changes might be related to the boundary adsorption sites near the edges of Pt particles and nanowires. Further, experiments involving modification of boundary sites at Pt/TiO 2 junctions by applying external voltage to a catalytic nanodiode with Pt nanowires on TiO 2 are in progress.
Generators, relations and coverings of algebraic groups, II

THEOREM 1.1. Let G be the group of rational points of a simply connected simple afine algebraic group defined and split over a fmite j?eld of q elements. Then the Schur multiplier M of G is trivial with the following exceptions: (a) Zf G is A,(4), A,(2), A,(3), C,(2), F,(2) or G,(4) then h4 is Z, (cyclic of order 2); if G is A,(9), B,(3) or G,(3) it is iz,. (b) Zf G is A,(4) (resp. D,(2)) then M is the direct product of Z, (resp. Z,) with itself.
Effect of Sex on Excitation Transfer and Recall of Television News

The effect of transferred arousal from a prior television program was examined in relation to sex of subjects and their recall of television news. Subjects were randomly assigned to four experimental conditions which manipulated hedonic tone (positive/negative) and excitation (low/high) of prime-time television segments. Subjects then viewed a 5-min. television newscast and were tested on news item recall. An independent t test indicated that women recalled significantly more total news items than men. A two-factor analysis of variance showed that, in both low excitation conditions, men and women recalled more news items during time Phase 1 (0:00—1:59). Men and women recalled significantly more news items in both high excitation conditions during time Phase 2 (2:00—3:59). Women recalled significantly more news items than men during Phase 2 of the positive hedonic, low excitation treatment, and in both positive hedonic conditions, women recalled significantly more news items than men. Over-all, men and wom...
Surgical outcomes after posterior fossa decompression with and without duraplasty in Chiari malformation-I

Abstract Introduction Chiari malformation-I (CM) is one of the most controversial entities in the contemporary neurosurgical literature. Posterior fossa decompression (PFD) is the preferred treatment for CM with and without syringomyelia. A variety of surgical techniques for PFD have been advocated in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate our results of surgically treated patients for CM-I with and without syringomyelia; using extradural dura-splitting and intradural intraarachnoid techniques. Methods A retrospective review of the medical records of all the patients undergoing PFD was conducted. Symptomatic patients with tonsillar herniation ≥ 3-mm below the foramen magnum on neuroimaging, and CSF flow void study demonstrating restricted or no CSF flow at the craniocervical junction, were offered surgical treatment. In patients without syringomyelia, extradural decompression with thinning of the sclerotic tissue at the cervicomedullary junction and splitting of outer dural layer was performed. In patients with syringomyelia, the dura was opened and an expansile duraplasty was performed. Results The mean age of 8 males and 34 females was 33.8 years (range, 16–58 years). Headache (39/41; 95%), and/or tingling and numbness (17/41; 42%) were the most common presenting symptoms. The syrinx was associated with CM-I in 5/41 (12%) patients. PFD without durotomy was performed in 29/41 (73%) patients. The mean duration of preoperative symptoms was significantly longer in duraplasty group (4.6 versus 1.7 years, P = 0.005, OR = 0.48, CI = 0.29–0.8). The use of duraplasty was significantly associated with presence of complications (P = 0.004, OR = 0.5, CI = 0.3–0.8) and longer duration of hospital stay (P = 0.03, OR = 2.7, CI = 1.1–6.8). The overall complication rate was 6/41(15%) patients. The overall improvement rate was evident in 84% (36/41); 12% (5/41) were stable; and 5% (2/41) had worsening of symptoms. The history of prior CM decompression was associated with unfavorable outcomes (P = 0.04, OR = 14, CI = 1.06–184). One patient experienced recurrence one year after the PFD with duraplasty. Conclusion The present study reports favorable surgical outcomes with extra-dural decompression of the posterior fossa in patients CM-I without syringomyelia. For patients with syringomyelia and history of prior PFD, intradural intra-arachnoid decompression is required. The prior history of decompression was associated with unfavorable outcomes. The use of duraplasty was associated with longer duration of hospital stay and higher complication rate. Further large cohort prospective study is needed to provide any recommendation on the indication of intra or extradural decompression for a given CM-I patient.