cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tracheostomy and long-term mechanical ventilation in children after veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

OBJECTIVE Our objective is to characterize the incidence of tracheostomy placement and of new requirement for long-term mechanical ventilation after extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) among children with acute respiratory failure. We examine whether an association exists between demographics, pre-ECMO and ECMO clinical factors, and the placement of a tracheostomy or need for long-term mechanical ventilation. METHODS A retrospective multicenter cohort study was conducted at 10 quaternary care pediatric academic centers, including children supported with veno-venous (V-V) ECMO from 2011 to 2016. RESULTS Among 202 patients, 136 (67%) survived to ICU discharge. All tracheostomies were placed after ECMO decannulation, in 22 patients, with 19 of those surviving to ICU discharge (14% of survivors). Twelve patients (9% of survivors) were discharged on long-term mechanical ventilation. Tracheostomy placement and discharge on home ventilation were not associated with pre-ECMO severity of illness or pre-existing chronic illness. Patients who received a tracheostomy were older and weighed more than patients who did not receive a tracheostomy, although this association did not exist among patients discharged on home ventilation. ECMO duration was longer in those who received a tracheostomy compared with those who did not, as well as for those discharged on home ventilation, compared to those who were not. CONCLUSION The 14% rate for tracheostomy placement and 9% rate for discharge on long-term mechanical ventilation after V-V ECMO are important patient-centered findings. This study informs anticipatory guidance provided to families of patients requiring prolonged respiratory ECMO support, and lays the foundation for future research.
Explaining the Shadow Economy in Europe: Size, Causes and Policy Options

This paper examines the drivers, and reestimates the size of shadow economies in Europe, with a focus on the emerging economies, and recommends policies to increase formality. The size of shadow economies declined across Europe in recent years but remains significant, especially in Eastern Europe. In the emerging European economies, the key determinants of shadow economy size are regulatory quality, government effectiveness, and human capital. The paper argues that a comprehensive package of reforms, focused on country-specific drivers, is needed to successfully combat the shadow economy. The menu of policies most relevant for Europe's emerging economies include: reducing regulatory and administrative burdens, promoting transparency and improving government effectiveness, as well as improving tax compliance, automating procedures, and promoting electronic payments.
An Introduction to HeiMAT: The Heidelberg Multimedia Application Toolkit

HeiMAT is a toolkit that supports the development of distributed multimedia applications. It provides adaptable communication services, distribution transparency, and cross platform interconnectivity (between various operating and window systems). HeiMAT makes extensive use of product and prototype level available multimedia communications and operating system environments. This paper motivates the major design decisions and presents the system structure of HeiMAT.
An unprecedented and simple gp120 switch mechanism enables HIV-1 to overcome multiple entry inhibitors and tropism limitations

We previously isolated HIV-1JRCSF variants that efficiently use mutant CCR5 coreceptors, including CCR5(D18) lacking the important tyrosine sulfate-containing amino terminus. The relationship between mutant CCR5 concentrations and HIV-1 infectivities in HeLa-CD4 cell clones implied that multiple virus-associated CCR5s (~3–6) are required. We now describe HIV-1JRCSF variants that efficiently use CCR5(HHMH), a chimera containing murine extracellular loop 2. Interestingly, the adapted virus causes large syncytia and has three gp120 mutations previously found in CCR5(D18)-adapted virus, two in variable region 3 (S298N and V313L) and one eliminating an N-glycan in variable region 4 (N403S). Accordingly, virus adapted to CCR5(HHMH) uses CCR5(D18), but not a double mutant damaged in both regions, whereas wild-type HIV-1s require both regions. This suggests that these adaptive mutations function by lowering the activation energy barrier for infection rather than by increasing viral affinity for specific CCR5 sites. Infectivity assays using HeLa-CD4/CCR5(HHMH) clones with distinct coreceptor quantities and studies with entry inhibitors demonstrate that highly adapted HIV-1s require one coreceptor, whereas maladapted viruses require several. Thus, gp120 adaptations lower the activation energy for membrane fusion, enabling portions of CCR5 to suffice, reducing stoichiometries of CCR5 required in fusion-active complexes, and facilitating infections of cells having low CCR5 concentrations. Stoichiometric shifts caused by a small number of common gp120 substitutions profoundly control cell tropisms and sensitivities to entry inhibitors. These results provide a novel foundation for understanding HIV-1 adaptations and entry inhibitors including antibodies.
Some External Field Problems in Quantum Electrodynamics

A number of recent discoveries and experimental developments have provided renewed stimulus for the study of quantum electrodynamic processes which are essentially linked with intense electromagnetic fields. Most discussions in this direction have been concerned with possibilities raised by the improvement of lasers, flash X-ray xources, and various combinations of these devices with high energy particle beams. However recent estimates [1,2] have merely confirmed earlier conclusions [3,4] that decisive results in this vein are still several orders of magnitude beyond the present experimental capabilities. Much more fruitful lines of investigation are associated with the following developments: (i) In the Summer of 1967 Miss Josephine Bell, who was working at that time at the Mullard Radio observatory, made the discovery of the first star that “ticks”. Within a matter of month, after the publication of this result, astrophysicists decided that it was plausible to identify these objects as spinning neutron “lighthouses” whose illumination is furnished by magnetic Bremsstrahlung. For our present purposes the point of key interest is that these pulsars are supposed to be surrounded by enormous magnetic fields. i.e. 1011⪝H⪝1014G, with injected electron energies in the range 0.1⪝E⪝100 MeV.. Since the essential measure of the most non-linear electrodynamic effects is the critical field m2c3/eh∿4x1013G, it is especially interesting that this value lies within the range of the hypothetical pulsar fields. Of course these pulsar models are only in the preliminary stages of development, and it is at present entirely unclear how these intense fields are sustained and how they were generated by flux compression [5]. A general review of magnetic stars and pulsars may be found in references [6] and [7]. (ii) In November 1970 the first series of trials combining megagauss generators with a high energy accelerator finished running at SLAC. In accordance with previous suggestions [8,9] this experimental work was mainly concerned with magnetic Bremsstrahlung. The principal parameters, and comparisons with previous work, are summarized in Table I. The instrumentation is described in reference [10].
Keynote Address: Putting the Individual Together Again

(1942). Keynote Address: Putting the Individual Together Again. The Journal of Health and Physical Education: Vol. 13, No. 6, pp. 339-340.
Social influence and willingness to pay for online video games

Business models integrating the internet into their value propositions have demonstrated varying levels of viability. In particular, firms offering information-based products via the internet commonly are unable to generate sufficient revenue and, consequently, experience financial losses. Researchers continue to examine factors which motivate individuals' willingness-to-pay for online content. One factor from the marketing literature which has been argued to affect consumer behavior is social influence. The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of the three levels of social influence, micro-, meso-, and macro-, on both willingness-to-pay for online content and each other. This is accomplished by examining social influence in the context of online gaming, which has proven to be one of the most successful industries in integrating the internet as a delivery channel for information-based goods. Our results suggested that all levels of social influence play a considerable role in the product valuation process. While micro-level influences, such as attitude, arguably serve as the best predictors of WTP, we found that macro-level social influence, in the form of reputation, played the greatest role in affecting the formation of individual attitudes and behaviors. This was due not only to its direct effect on WTP, but also a consequence of several significant indirect effects. Our hypothesis that an interaction effect occurs between social influences such that their effect on WTP would be "greater than the sum of their parts" was not supported. Nonetheless, our study demonstrates social influence's ability to affect an individual is not a straight forward process. Only examining the relationships between constructs occurring at different levels of social structure does the magnitude of interaction which occurs between them becomes apparent.
A Patent Misperception

Antitrust and intellectual property laws promote innovation and competition. As long as the costs of promotion do not exceed the benefit to society, then the laws act in harmony. Discord arises when patent holders use public and private ordering to restrain competition, restrict downstream trade, prevent the development of competing products and limit output by competitors. Using the Patent Act and the misperception of antitrust immunity to create a parallel and under-regulated legal system allows a small number of patent holders to coordinate their behavior to maximize profits and minimize competition. The Patent Act provides no shield to prosecution for antitrust violations - such is a patent misperception only. Harmony comes from balancing the costs of protection with the benefit to society. Innovation is best protected through the protection of intellectual property rights and the protection of competition.
Validation of a coupled wave-flow model in a high-energy setting: The mouth of the Columbia River

[1] A monthlong time series of wave, current, salinity, and suspended-sediment measurements was made at five sites on a transect across the Mouth of Columbia River (MCR). These data were used to calibrate and evaluate the performance of a coupled hydrodynamic and wave model for the MCR based on the Delft3D modeling system. The MCR is a dynamic estuary inlet in which tidal currents, river discharge, and wave-driven currents are all important. Model tuning consisted primarily of spatial adjustments to bottom drag coefficients. In combination with (near-) default parameter settings, the MCR model application is able to simulate the dominant features in the tidal flow, salinity and wavefields observed in field measurements. The wave-orbital averaged method for representing the current velocity profile in the wave model is considered the most realistic for the MCR. The hydrodynamic model is particularly effective in reproducing the observed vertical residual and temporal variations in current structure. Density gradients introduce the observed and modeled reversal of the mean flow at the bed and augment mean and peak flow in the upper half of the water column. This implies that sediment transport during calmer summer conditions is controlled by density stratification and is likely net landward due to the reversal of flow near the bed. The correspondence between observed and modeled hydrodynamics makes this application a tool to investigate hydrodynamics and associated sediment transport.
Non-native grass invasion associated with increases in insect diversity in temperate forest understory

Abstract Invasive plants can alter the structure and function of plant communities to such a degree that they can also have significant impacts on the insect communities. Because insects play an important role in many ecosystems, changes in these communities could have important implications, beyond their biodiversity value, for ecosystem function and diversity at other trophic levels. Microstegium vimineum is an annual C4 grass that is invasive in many eastern North American deciduous forests. Because this grass plays an important role in determining the plant community structure in the understory of these forests, it also has the potential to significantly alter understory insect communities. In this study we evaluated the relationship between M. vimineum and understory insect communities in a forest reserve in Kentucky, USA. Total insect abundance, richness and diversity showed a positive association with M. vimineum presence. Trophic analysis showed significantly higher abundances of herbivores where M. vimineum was present. Forb abundance, which serves as the primary food source for herbivorous insects in this system, was lower in sites invaded with M. vimineum. Invasion by this non-native was also associated with significant increases in aboveground plant biomass which was nearly 50% greater in invaded sites. These results indicate that the understory insect community may be responding to increased biomass rather than the loss of native forb food resources, which contradicts other studies that have examined relationships between M. vimineum invasion and insects. Our results provide evidence that invasive plants can provide benefits for other trophic levels, even when native plant biodiversity is lost.
Target scene reconstruction in indoor environment with cognitive OFDM radar

In this paper we discuss the design and experimental results associated with the software-defined ultra-wideband (UWB) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) system, which we aim to configure as a cognitive radar. Frequency-domain likelihood ratios (LR) are obtained via response distribution modeling and statistical parameter estimation on a per-sub-carrier basis. Then the generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) is performed on a composite LR. We propose to enhance this approach via adaptive selection of OFDM signal's sub-carriers to improve the detection performance; exploiting frequency diversity of the target scene by complementing the GLRT-based detection with frequency profile matching. This approach, when applied to a software-defined system, will provide for cognitive radar functionality.
Biodegradation preference for isomers of alkylated naphthalenes and benzothiophenes in marine sediment contaminated with crude oil

Abstract Contamination of coastal marine sediments with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is pervasive, with major sources including anthropogenic activity and natural seepage. Biodegradation serves as a major hydrocarbon sink with evaporation and dissolution responsible for the removal of low boiling range compounds and photo-oxidation acting on many multi-substituted aromatic compounds. In this work, first-order rate constants for aerobic biodegradation were quantified for naphthalene (N), benzothiophene (BT) and their alkylated congeners (1–4 carbon substituents (C1–C4)) in laboratory experiments with oil laden marine sediments from a natural seep. Rate constants were used as proxies for microbial preference, which follows the order: naphthalene > C1N > C2N > C1BT > C2BT > benzothiophene > C3BT > C3N > C4BT > C4N, with some overlap. The application of comprehensive two dimensional gas chromatography further enabled separation and quantification of multiple structural isomers for C2N–C4N and C2BT–C4BT, with 7–12 isomers resolved for each C2N–C4N and 4–7 isomers resolved for each C2BT–C4BT. A strong isomeric biodegradation preference was noted within each of these compound classes, with rate constants varying as much as a factor of 2 for structural isomers of the same compound class. Each isomer was consumed to a low, but non-zero concentration, suggesting that their residual load in sediment may be proportional to the number of structural isomers originally present, in addition to the pattern and the number of alkyl substitutions. The simultaneous first-order biodegradation rates observed for 52 aromatic hydrocarbons resolved in this study, along with reference compounds such as n-alkanes, lends support to the concept of broad scale metabolic specificity during aerobic biodegradation of petroleum.
Pretreatment tumor prostaglandin E2 concentration and cyclooxygenase-2 expression are not associated with the response of canine naturally occurring invasive urinary bladder cancer to cyclooxygenase inhibitor therapy

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which pretreatment prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentration and cyclooxygenase-2 (cox-2) expression could be used to predict the antitumor activity of cox inhibitor treatment in naturally occurring canine transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (TCC). Snap frozen tissues (to measure PGE2) and formalin-fixed TCC samples (for cox-2 immunohistochemistry) were obtained by cystoscopy or surgery. Complete tumor staging was performed before and after one month of treatment with the cox inhibitor, piroxicam (0.3 mg/kg q24 h po). The pretreatment PGE2 concentration ranged from 57 to 1624 ng/g of TCC tissue; n=18 dogs). Cox-2 immunoreactivity was observed in all TCC samples. There was no association between PGE2 concentration, cox-2 expression, and change in tumor volume with piroxicam treatment. In conclusion, cox-2 expression or PGE2 concentration alone, or the combination of the two was not useful in predicting response to piroxicam treatment in canine TCC.
Interactions Between Angiotensin II and Delta Opioid Receptor Subtype Agonists Upon Water Intake in Rats

Abstract Yu, W.-Z. and R. J. Bodnar. Interactions between Angiotensin Ii and delta opioid receptor subtype agonists upon water intake in rats. Peptides 18(2) 241–245, 1997.—Delta opioid receptor agonists, like those of mu and kappa receptors, stimulate water intake. To assess the relative contributions of delta 1 and delta 2 receptors in the modulation of water intake stimulated by Angiotensin II (AII), the present study examined the respective actions of [D-Pen 2 , D-Pen 5 ]-enkephalin (DPDPE: 5–20 ug, icv) and [D-Ala 2 , Glu 4 ]-Deltorphin (Delt II: 5–20 ug, icv) upon water intake per se, and upon AII (0.02–20 ng, icv)-induced hyperdipsia in rats. Both DPDPE and Delt II dose-dependently stimulated spontaneous water intake. An ineffective (5 ug) dose of DPDPE differentially altered water intake when paired with AII, significantly increasing intake at the 0.02 ng dose, not changing intake at the 0.2 ng dose and significantly decreasing intake at the 2 ng dose. In contrast, pairing ineffective doses of Delt II (5 ug) and AII (0.2 ng) significantly increased water intake that persisted when either the Delt II dose (1 ug) or the AII dose (0.02 ng) was lowered. However, neither delta 1 nor delta 2 opioid agonists significantly altered the ED 50 for AII-induced drinking. Thus, delta 2 opioid agonism appeared more consistent and reliable than delta 1 opioid agonism in stimulating water intake when paired with AII, and these data indicate interactions between delta 1 and delta 2 agonists and AII in mediating water intake.
A framework for reducing instruction scheduling overhead in dynamic compilers

Start-up time is a serious concern for high-availability applications such as web servers, transaction managers, and batch processes. Compilation time contributes directly to start-up costs in dynamic compilers. Up to 30% of compilation time is spent scheduling instructions in the IBM® Testarossa just-in-time compiler. In this paper, we describe a scheduling framework that reduces scheduling overhead by up to 61% with little to no degradation in throughput performance. By combining online profile-directed feedback data with information generated during register allocation, our framework identifies code regions that will benefit most from instruction scheduling. We evaluate our framework on typical client-side applications, multi-threaded server applications to production application servers on the IBM® zSeries® 990 and POWER#8482; platforms.
Endoscopic features of smooth muscle tumors in children with AIDS.

Background: Smooth muscle tumors are the second most common malignancy encountered in children with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This study reviewed the incidence and endoscopic appearance of smooth muscle tumors in the gastrointestinal tract of children with AIDS undergoing endoscopy. Methods: Retrospective review of all endoscopic records (n = 70) of children with AIDS from August 1988 to December 1997 at a tertiary care inner city hospital. Results: Three children with advanced AIDS (4%) were found to have smooth muscle tumors, all of which had the typical appearance of submucosal nodules with central ulceration. Some were hemorrhagic. They measured less than 1 to 4 cm in diameter. Two children had multiple tumors. All lesions except for one were located in the colon. Colonic biopsies revealed a leiomyoma in one patient and a smooth muscle tumor of uncertain malignant potential in another. The forceps biopsy of the single gastric mass was not deep enough to make the diagnosis of a smooth muscle tumor. A nonmalignant smooth muscle tumor grew from less than 5 mm to more than 4 cm in 1 year and was removed surgically. All three children are alive without any evidence of local spread or distant metastases despite no specific therapy for the smooth muscle tumor. Conclusions: Smooth muscle tumors in the GI tract of children with AIDS are relatively common. Further study of the long-term outcome for children infected with the human immunodeficiency virus who have these lesions are needed to establish prognosis and management guidelines.
Self-calibration algorithms for cameras and laser range finders

Autonomous systems that navigate through unknown and unstructured environments must solve the ego-motion estimation problem. Fusing the information from many different sensors makes this motion estimation more stable, but requires that the relative position and orientation of these sensors be known. Self-calibration algorithms are the most useful for this calibration problem because the do not require any known feature in the environment and can be used during system operation. Here we give geometric constraints, the coherent motion constraints, that allow a framework for the development of self-calibration algorithms for a heterogeneous sensor system (such as cameras, laser range finders, and odometry). If, for all sensors, a conditional probability density function can be defined to relate sensor measurements to the sensor motion, then the coherent motion constraints allows a maximum likelihood formulation of the sensor calibration problem. We present complete algorithms here for the case of a camera and laser range finder, in the case of both discrete and differential motions.
Platinum-rhodium A-frame and double A-frame complexes bridged by bis(diphenylphosphino)methane ligands

The organoplatinum compounds [PtR(dppm-PP))(dppm-P)]PF6 (R = Me, Et, Ph) react with [Rh2(μ-Cl)2(cod)2] in the presence of carbon monoxide to yield the double A-frame complexes [RPt(μ-Cl)(μ-CO)(μ-ddpm)2Rh(CO)]PF6. These lose CO reversibly to give the corresponding A-frame species [RPt(μ-Cl)(μ-dppm)2Rh(CO)]PF6. The products have been characterized by NMR and IR spectroscopies, the double A-frames exhibiting 13C resonances around 200 ppm, which show couplings to both platinum and rhodium, and ν(CO) bands in the range 1855–1864 cm−1, typical of bridging carbonyls.
Integrative and interdisciplinary challenges in translational bioinformatics

Translational bioinformatics (TBI) is an emerging interdisciplinary field, which aims to bridge the gap between molecular world and clinical world. Translational bioinformatics employs data mining and machine learning techniques to analyze increasingly massive biomedical data and generate knowledge for clinical applications. One of the major challenges in TBI is to integrate multi-dimensional heterogeneous biomedical information sources in order to elucidate new biomedical knowledge. The integrative methodologies that are used to interpret these data require expertise in different disciplines, such as biology, medicine, mathematics, statistics and bioinformatics, and they pose great interdisciplinary challenges. Bioinformatics, system biology and network science together with knowledge engineering and reverse engineering have great potential to push TBI forward. In this paper, we introduce the background of TBI and the great variety of biomedical data, discuss the computational tools for integrative analyses, and summarize several crucial interdisciplinary challenges and future directions in TBI.
Comment on "High-precision determination of the electric and magnetic form factors of the proton".

A Comment on the Letter by J. C. Bernauer et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 105, 242001 (2010). The authors of the Letter offer a Reply.
Binding of JNK/SAPK to MEKK1 is regulated by phosphorylation.

We sought to characterize the role of upstream kinases in the regulation of the MAP3 kinase MEKK1 and the potential impact on signaling to MAP kinase cascades. We find that the MAP4 kinase PAK1 phosphorylates the amino terminus of MEKK1 on serine 67. We show that serine 67 lies in a D domain, which binds to the c-Jun-NH2-terminal kinase/stress-activated protein kinases (JNK/SAPK). Serine 67 is constitutively phosphorylated in resting 293 cells, but is dephosphorylated following exposure to stress stimuli such as anisomycin and UV irradiation. Phosphorylation of this site inhibits binding of JNK/SAPK to MEKK1. Thus, we propose a mechanism by which the MEKK1-dependent JNK/SAPK pathway is negatively regulated by PAK through phosphorylation of serine 67.
Wave packets in discrete quantum phase space

The properties of quantum mechanics with a discrete phase space are studied. The minimum uncertainty states are found and these states become the Gaussian wave packets in the continuum limit. With a suitably chosen Hamiltonian that gives free particle motion in the continuum limit, it is found that full or approximate periodic time evolution can result. This represents an example of revivals of wave packets that in the continuum limit is the familiar free particle motion on a line. Finally we examine the uncertainty principle for discrete phase space and obtain the correction terms to the continuum case.
Co-immunization with an HIV-1 Tat transduction peptide-rotavirus enterotoxin fusion protein stimulates a Th1 mucosal immune response in mice.

Abstract The cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) and a 12 aa HIV-1 Tat transduction peptide were genetically linked to a 90 aa peptide from the murine rotavirus non-structural enterotoxin protein (NSP4) for comparison of receptor directed and transduction peptide mediated antigen targeting to the gut associated lymphoid tissues for enhanced protection against rotavirus infection. Oral immunization with Tat-NSP490 fusion protein isolated from Escherichia coli generated detectable anti-NSP490 IgG titers in mice. CTB-NSP490 fusion protein stimulated higher serum IgG titers than CTB fused to a 22 aa immunodominant epitope NSP422 indicating the presence of additional immunogenic epitopes in the NSP490 peptide. Mice immunized with CTB-NSP422 stimulated high IgG2a antibody levels suggesting a dominant Th1 lymphocyte response. However, mice immunized with CTB-NSP490 generated similar levels of IgG1 and IgG2a suggesting equal stimulation of Th1 and Th2 responses. Mice co-immunized with CTB-NSP490 and Tat-NSP490 fusion proteins generated dominant IgG2a levels indicating that the two ligands co-operate to generate an increased Th1 response.
Formation of Platinum Silicide on a Platinum Nanoparticle Array Model Catalyst Deposited on Silica during Chemical Reaction

Pt nanoparticle model catalysts with 28 ± 2 nm diameters and 100 ± 2 nm square periodicity have been fabricated with electron beam lithography on silica substrates. The reactivity and selectivity of the Pt/SiO2 array favor dehydrogenation for a cyclohexene and hydrogen mixture to hydrogenation at 100 °C. Experiments with silicon deposited on Pt foil reveal the feasibility of platinum silicide formation at the Pt/SiO2 interface under reaction condition.
Interaction of phosphonate analogues of the tetrahedral reaction intermediate with 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase in atomic detail.

The enzyme 5-enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) catalyzes the penultimate step of the shikimate pathway and is the target of the broad-spectrum herbicide glyphosate. Since the functionality of the shikimate pathway is vital not only for plants but also for microorganisms, EPSPS is considered a prospective target for the development of novel antibiotics. We have kinetically analyzed and determined the crystal structures of Escherichia coli EPSPS inhibited by (R)- and (S)-configured phosphonate analogues of the tetrahedral reaction intermediate. Both diastereomers are competitive inhibitors with respect to the substrates of the EPSPS reaction, shikimate-3-phosphate (S3P) and phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP). Remarkably, the (S)-phosphonate (KiS3P = 750 nM), whose configuration corresponds to that of the genuine tetrahedral intermediate, is a much weaker inhibitor than the (R)-phosphonate analogue (KiS3P = 16 nM). The crystal structures of EPSPS liganded with the (S)- and (R)-phosphonates, at 1.5 and...
How do eye size and facet lens size vary by age and sex in Acheta domesticus

Abstract. Vision is essential to interactions with the environment and survival of many animals. House crickets, Acheta domesticus, are nocturnal insects with compound apposition eyes, and thus may have a specialized visual system selected for low-light vision. Here, an analysis of regional variation in facet diameter around the eye of a cricket was conducted. Eye surface area was estimated and facet diameter was spot-sampled across the eyes of 13 adults and 13 juveniles. Juveniles had smaller facets than adults, and there was significant variation among eye regions in facet size. Specifically, larger facets were found in the posterior eye region. Overall, facets were large given the size of this animal's eye, which is consistent with what one might expect from a nocturnal insect under selection for high sensitivity. Furthermore, juveniles had proportionally larger facets than adults, which may indicate that the insects maximize the sensitivity of their ommatidia early in development, prior to increasing ...
Development of cantaloupe (Cucumis melo) juice powders using spray drying technology

Abstract Cantaloupes are a good source of carotenoids and vitamin C. Cantaloupe fruit juice powder containing vitamin C and β-carotene can be produced by spray drying. The objective of this study was to develop cantaloupe fruit juice (CJ) powder and to evaluate its nutritional and physical properties. Fresh cantaloupe fruits purchased from a local store were diced and juiced. CJ with 10% maltodextrin (MD) added was spray dried at inlet temperatures of 170, 180 and /or 190 °C. Three spray dried cantaloupe powders, including CJ dried with MD at 170 °C (CJP1), CJ dried with MD at 180 °C (CJP2), CJ dried with MD at 190 °C (CJP3) were analyzed for moisture, water activity, vitamin C, β-carotene, dissolution, and microstructure. The actual production rate of the cantaloupe juice powders was lower than the estimated production rate. CJP1 had ( p p
Modeling productivity of a salt marsh

A model of primary productivity in a salt marsh is developed and compared to a regression analysis study of data showing dependence of growth on growing season, mean tidal height, and average monthly temperatures for several grass species.
The domain of international management

Abstract Recent domain statements by the International Management Division of the Academy of Management and by the Editors of this journal are critiqued in terms of contents as well as of their lack of definitions of the key terms “international” and “management” and of an analysis of the latter’s interaction. This article emphasizes traditional interpretations of these terms as a starting point for further discussions of international management scholarship whose boundaries are bound to expand and change even though consensus about the International Management field is unlikely in the near future.
The Case: In-Text Ads: Pushing the Lines Between Advertising and Journalism

The Journal of Mass Media Ethics publishes case studies in which scholars and media professionals outline how they would address a particular ethical problem. Some cases are hypothetical, but most ...
Nanoscopy at low light intensities shows its potential

A new form of green fluorescent protein allows super-resolution imaging to be performed faster on living cells with low radiation doses.
Query taxonomy of multimedia databases

There have been tremendous technological advances in the areas of processors, mass storage devices, gigabit networks, and information capturing instruments over the past several years. These advances have made it feasible to access digital libraries and multimedia databases that contain large quantities of high-quality video, images, audio, and textural content by a much broader community through the Internet. The sheer volume of multimedia content, unlike Web pages which are almost exclusively indexed by text, prevents any single company or party from having the full knowledge of all the content available. Given the fact that multiple content repositories are emerging and it is safe to predict no two will be the same in terms of the ways analysis, query and retrieval being made, it is not hard to foresee challenges ahead in interoperability in a heterogeneous environment.
Field Induced Transparency in a Photonic Crystal

We investigate field-induced transparency in a three-level system near a photonic band edge in the Heisenberg picture, beyond the few photon limit, and generalize to a four-level system to include electromagnetically-induced transparency.
Organoboronium amphiphilic block copolymers

A new class of amphiphilic organometallic block copolymers with cationic organoboron pendant groups was developed. Selective replacement of one of the bromine substitutents on each boryl group of the block copolymer PSBBr2-b-PS with an organometallic reagent ArM (ArM = 2,4,6-trimethylphenyl copper, 4-t-butylphenyltrimethyl tin) followed by treatment with 2,2′-bipyridine gave the novel block copolymers [3Ar](Br)n as light yellow solid materials that show good stability in air and moisture and high solubility in most organic solvents. Their structure and composition were confirmed by multinuclear NMR, GPC, and elemental analysis. Highly regular micellar aggregates form in block-selective solvents (e.g., MeOH, toluene) as demonstrated by 1H NMR, dynamic light scattering, and transmission electron microscopy. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 6612–6618, 2009
Doing things with factors

We conducted an experiment to investigate whether a human tutor could employ the CATO model and instructional program to teach legal research and argumentation skills to beginning law stu&nts. The CATO model covem arguments comparing and contrasting casesin terms of factors, abstractionsof facts that tend to strengthen or weaken a party’s position on a legal claim. At the time of the experimen~ the CATO program comprised tools and resources that help apply the CATO model to specific problems, most importantly, a case database and tools for retrieving, displaying, and comparing casesin terms of factors. We compmed human-led itulruction with CATO against more traditional classroom instruction designed to teach the same skills, without the use of the CATO model or tools. The subjects were 17 fmtsemester students from the University of Pittsburgh Law School. We found that human-guided instruction with CATO was as good as classroom instruction, We also found that answers generated by the CATO program were scored higher than the students’ answers, suggestingthat the model can potentially be employed even more effectively to teach students. Examples drawn from protocols of CATO sessionsih.trate that students can use the CATO model to guide and facilitate the construction of arguments and often go beyond the model’s limitations, at least under the guidance of a human tutor.
A Carleman approximation scheme for a stochastic optimal control problem in the continuous-time framework

Abstract The paper investigates the optimal control problem for a stochastic linear differential system, driven by a persistent disturbance generated by a nonlinear stochastic exogenous system. The assumption of incomplete information has been assumed, that is neither the state of the system, nor the state of the exosystem are directly measurable. The standard quadratic cost functional has been considered. The approach followed consists of applying the ν-degree Carleman approximation scheme to the exosystem, which provides a stochastic bilinear system. Then, the optimal regulator is obtained (i.e. the solution to the minimum control problem among all the affine transformations of the measurements). Better performances of the regulator are expected using higher order system approximations.
Cholinesterase inhibitors, β‐amyloid precursor protein and amyloid β‐peptides in Alzheimer's disease

The extracellular deposition of amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) in the form of cerebrovascular amyloid and extracellular plaques is one of the major neuropathological manifestations of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Abeta is generated proteolytically from the large beta-amyloid precursor protein (APP). APP is cleaved by a group of proteases called "secretase" to generate soluble derivatives of APP (sAPP), which are secreted in human plasma, CSF and cultured cells. Neurochemically, there is a severe loss of cholinergic neurons and a decreased synthesis of acetylcholine in neocortex in AD. Current approved AD drugs, such as aricept and tacrine, are based on the use of cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) and have been reported to improve memory deficits and cognitive decline in some patients with AD. To compare the effects of ChEIs on APP processing, we have tested a series of ChEIs such as tacrine, physostigmine, metrifonate, phenserine and cymserine in cultured human neuroblastoma cells. We analyzed levels of sAPP by immunochemical techniques with APP-specific antibodies and assayed levels of Abeta by a sensitive sandwich ELISA. Based on these results, ChEIs can be divided into three groups: the first group of ChEIs had no effect on sAPP secretion, the second decreased the sAPP secretion only, and third group affected the secretion of sAPP and Abeta. The difference in the action of metrifonate, physostigmine, phenserine and tacrine on APP processing is independent of their selectivity for the cholinesterase enzymes. This possibly is due to the different targets that are used by ChEIs. Studying the effects of ChEIs on different targets is useful to maximize the benefit of ChEIs for the treatment of AD subjects.
The Role of Learning in Quilt Making

Abstract During data collection for an ethnography of quilt making in North Carolina, learning was identified as one of the central activities of individuals and quilt guilds. This paper describes that learning in terms of its formal and informal characteristics as well as whether it is more or less social. Eight clusters of learning are developed: learning how to make a specific quilt, learning about tools and how to use them, learning aesthetics, learning how to make any quilt, learning to be part of the quilt making culture, learning that one is a quilt maker, and learning to stretch oneself. Many different structural elements of quilt making and quilt groups promote this learning, but taken as a whole the learning is socially situated. Wenger's (1998) concept of a “community of practice” is used as an explanatory frame for the quilt maker learners in this study. One conclusion is that learning is central to occupation, and may be a basic human need.
Rainbow effect in axial ion channeling.

We have studied the angular scattering distributions produced in axial channeling when incident protons (7 MeV) are well aligned to the axial direction of a thin silicon crystal (1400 A\r{}). Measured angular distributions obtained in the 〈100〉 and 〈110〉 directions using a two-dimensional (2D) position-sensitive detector (resolution \ensuremath{\lesssim}0.015\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}) have been interpreted by comparison with Monte Carlo trajectory calculations for these channels in the momentum approximation. The measured angular distributions show structures at certain off-axis angles which are in good agreement with the calculations. The general shape and structure in the angular contour map for a given channel have been shown to be a consequence of extrema in the 2D classical deflection functions for the two Cartesian scattering angles in the detection plane. The occurrence of the extrema in a very thin crystal (i.e., a rainbow effect in axial channeling) is a consequence of the channeling geometry when atomic strings surrounding the axial channel interact with the projectile simultaneously.
Biomechanical Evaluation of the Axial Compressive Responses of the Human Cadaveric and Manikin Necks

Cervical spine injuries such as wedge, burst, and tear drop fractures are often associated with compressive axial loads delivered to the human head-neck complex. Understanding the injury mechanisms, the kinematics of the anatomic structure, and the tissue tolerances can improve clinical prognosis and facilitate a better design for anthropomorphic devices. The axial compressive response of human cadaveric preparations was compared with the 50th percentile anthropomorphic Hybrid III manikin under various loading rates. Ten fresh human cadavers were used in the study. Intact cadaver torsos, head-cervical spines, and ligamentous cervical columns were tested. The head-neck structure and the neck (without head) of the Hybrid III manikin were also tested. Responses of the human cadaveric preparations and manikin structures were nonlinear at all rates of loading. However, axial stiffness, a measure of the ability of the structure to withstand external force, was higher under all rates of loading for manikin preparations when compared with the human cadaveric tissues.
Lithography With Metallo-Organic Resists

AbstractPhotolithography with metallo- organic resists is a relatively new addition to photo-engraving technology, and involves the chemical incorporation of inorganic constituents intophotopolymerizable organic compounds, so that the photoresist functions not merely as amasking material, as in conventional photolithography, but also as the mass transferencevehicle itself. The deposition of thin structured films of metal oxides with this methodhas been accomplished, the metal -doped resist in each case being the metal acrylate inacrylic acid, except in those cases where the metal acrylate was insoluble. Polymerizationwas effected with uv irradiation. The criteria for depositing other classes of inorganiccompounds are outlined.The conventional photolithographic processThe function of conventional photolithography in the fabrication of electronic and opticalmicrocircuits is to deposit adherent stencil layers on the surface of the substrate material.The process of deposition is carried out by applying a coat of an organic, photopolymerizableliquid, called a photoresist, to the substrate surface, irradiating it through an opticalmask, and subsequently fixing the latent image of the mask on the photoresist layer with aselective solvent, i.e., one that will discriminate between the remaining monomeric and thepolymerized material. The surface that is now covered with the stencil layer is then readyfor the deposition of a film of the desired inorganic material, or alternately, the etchingof a thin layer of material off the exposed areas of the substrate surface. After this masstransference operation, the stencil layer remnants are lifted off by mechanical or chemical
Nano-sized beads and porous fiber constructs of Poly(ε-caprolactone) produced by electrospinning

Nano-sized beads and non-woven porous fiber constructs of poly(e-caprolactone) were produced by electrospinning. Nearly spherical beads with diameters between 900 nm and 5 μm were produced with dilute solutions with less than 3 wt% PCL. In this case, the initial jet of solution may split into many mini jets almost at the end of the needle and each minijet gradually disintegrates into small droplets. Beyond a critical solution concentration of about 4 wt% PCL, the jet may undergo extensional flow, splitting and splaying to produce a web of interconnected fibers with mean diameters on the order of 300 to 900 nm. Intermolecular entanglements play a dominant role in stabilizing the fibrous structure. A uniform fibrous structure was obtained at 40 kV while at 20 kV a large fraction of beads were present in the electrospun polymer. The fiber diameter in the PCL deposited on the collector typically exhibits a bimodal distribution. Electrospinning lowers the degree of crystallinity in the polymer.
Thermoacoustic Sound Generation from Monolayer Graphene for Transparent and Flexible Sound Sources

Transparent and flexible loudspeakers are realized with large-area monolayer graphene. The acoustic performances are characterized according to the supporting substrate effect and geometrical configurations. The substrate effect on the thermoacoustic sound generation from graphene is studied by controlling the surface porosity of various substrates.
Scientific computer simulation review

Abstract Before the results of a scientific computer simulation are used for any purpose, it should be determined if those results can be trusted. Answering that question of trust is the domain of scientific computer simulation review. There is limited literature that focuses on simulation review, and most is specific to the review of a particular type of simulation. This work is intended to provide a foundation for a common understanding of simulation review. This is accomplished through three contributions. First, scientific computer simulation review is formally defined. This definition identifies the scope of simulation review and provides the boundaries of the review process. Second, maturity assessment theory is developed. This development clarifies the concepts of maturity criteria, maturity assessment sets, and maturity assessment frameworks, which are essential for performing simulation review. Finally, simulation review is described as the application of a maturity assessment framework. This is illustrated through evaluating a simulation review performed by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. In making these contributions, this work provides a means for a more objective assessment of a simulation’s trustworthiness and takes the next step in establishing scientific computer simulation review as its own field.