cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pressing Play: Digital Game Techniques and Interactive Art

Interactive art often requires viewers to interact playfully with it in order to experience it fully, so it is reasonable to ask how game techniques and the theory of play can aid in its creation and interpretation. This article introduces the idea of ‘‘magical objects,’’ familiar things given unexpected and fantastical properties by concealed technology, and analyzes certain interactive art installations in this light. As a case study, it uses Fragments, an installation of interactive silk tapestries that whispered verse to the viewer when passed or touched. Fragments drew on techniques from digital games and play to reimagine the materiality of the book and engage contemporary urban experience. In doing so, it offered a model for the incorporation of playful thinking into the design of both installation art and educational displays.
Intraoperative Assessment of Mitral Regurgitation: Role of Phenylephrine Challenge

Objectives We defined the effects of the operative (OP) state and phenylephrine challenge on the assessment of mitral regurgitation (MR) severity. Methods In all, 57 patients underwent transesophageal echocardiographic assessment of MR severity pre-OP (PREOP) and intra-OP. MR severity was assessed PREOP under conscious sedation and intra-OP with general anesthesia, before and after hemodynamic manipulation with vasoactive agents, to match intra-OP and PREOP transesophageal echocardiographic mean arterial blood pressures. Results Intra-OP MR and mean arterial pressure were less than PREOP in 27 patients (both P P = 1.0). Nonetheless, MR severity was still underestimated in 6 patients and overestimated in 7 patients intra-OP. Conclusions Intra-OP transesophageal echocardiography underestimates MR severity. Phenylephrine reduces, yet does not eliminate, intra-OP underestimation of MR severity.
Emotional experience with dyslexia and self-esteem: the protective role of perceived family support in late adulthood.

Objectives: Despite the growing body of evidence that suggests dyslexia persists through the life span, there is a dearth of research that explores the complicating factor of dyslexia in late adulthood. Based upon stress and coping theory, this study examined whether perceived family support protects the impact of negative emotional experience with dyslexia on self-esteem.Methods: Adults aged 21 years and older with diagnosed or self-reported dyslexia were participants in a web-based survey. A total of 224 individuals completed the survey. These findings are from the 50 participants who reported to be 60 years or older. Completed measures include their perception of family support, emotional experience with dyslexia, self-esteem, and demographic variables.Results: Preliminary analysis revealed that negative emotional experience with dyslexia negatively impacts self-esteem. Hierarchical moderated regression analysis demonstrated that positive perceived family support significantly buffers, mitigates, and p...
Evaluation of binding of cytotoxic analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone to human breast cancer and mouse MXT mammary tumor.

The binding characteristics of several cytotoxic analogs of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) developed in our laboratory were examined in membranes from human breast cancer and estrogen independent MXT mammary cancer. Specific binding of [125I]D-Trp6-LH-RH and the cytotoxic LH-RH analog [125I]T-98 ([D-Lys6]LH-RH coupled to glutaryl-2-(hydroxymethyl)anthraquinone) (HMAQG) was demonstrated in membrane preparations from human breast and MXT mammary tumor cells. Ligand binding of T-98 was specific, saturable, and dependent on temperature, time, and plasma membrane concentration. Analysis of the binding data showed that in human breast cancer, interaction of [125I]T-98 was consistent with the presence of two classes of LH-RH receptors, one class showing high affinity and low capacity, and the other class showing low affinity and high capacity binding. In membranes from MXT mammary cancer, T-98 bound to one class of saturable, specific, noncooperative binding sites with high affinity and low capacity. The rates of association and dissociation for [125I]T-98 were calculated to be 4.757×108 M−1 min−1 and 0.016 min−1 (t1/2=38.7) in membranes from MXT mammary cancer. In human breast cancer, association rate constants (K1a and K1b) were 2.3×106 M−1 min−1 for binding to high affinity and 1.8×104 M−1 min−1 for binding to low affinity binding sites. Dissociation rate constants were K−1a=0.0801 min−1 (t1/2a=63.4 min) and K−1b=0.0467 min−1 (t1/2b=23.5 min), respectively. [125I]T-98 was not displaced by either unlabeled somatostatin or epidermal growth factor, but was displaced completely by unlabeled T-98 or [D-Trp6]LH-RH. The analysis of displacement curves of [D-Trp6]LH-RH by cytotoxic agonists and antagonists of LH-RH synthesized in our laboratory showed that T-121, AJ-11, T-120, T-133, and T-98 were the most potent in displacing [125I]D-Trp6-LH-RH from breast and MXT cancer membranes. Binding kinetics and analyses of displacement curves of [125I]D-Trp6-LH-RH and [125I]T-98 in membranes of human breast cancer and estrogen independent MXT mouse mammary cancer suggest that binding of the cytotoxic analog T-98 to the LH-RH receptor proceeds reversibly like that of its congeners without cytotoxic radicals. Our findings may provide a stimulus for further studies with LH-RH analogs carrying cytotoxic radicals. Such analogs could be targeted to breast cancer and other cancers that have membrane receptors for LH-RH. Because the antitumor action may be exerted to a greater degree at more selective sites that have the cell membrane receptors, the peripheral toxicity could be reduced.
Application of AHP model for selection of technology licensor

A major issue in the area of technology licensing is the problem of selection of the potential licensor. This study discusses the application of the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) model for selection of a technology licensor. This is a new application for AHP and can assist companies in the selection of a technology licensor by the use of a quantitative decision aid. The effectiveness of the proposed concept is demonstrated by applying the model to help the management of a large car manufacturer in a developing country select the best partner among available alternatives.
Preparation and Properties of 2,4,8,10-Tetranitro-5H-Pyrido[3′,2′:4,5][1,2,3] Triazolo[1,2–a]Benzotriazol-6-ium Inner Salt as a Thermally Stable High Explosive

The synthesis and explosive properties of 2,4,8,10-tetranitro-5H-pyrido[3′, 2′:4, 5] [1,2,3] triazolo [1,2-a] benzotriazol-6-ium inner salt (7) are given. This material is a very thermally stable high explosive that has a differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) onset of 365°C with fast decomposition occurring at 375°C. The material is readily prepared in three steps from inexpensive starting materials. The final compound is insensitive to initiation by spark and friction and has a drop height of 59 cm (Type 12, 2.5 kg weight, HMX = 23 cm). In addition, it has a failure diameter of less than 3 mm. A detonation velocity of 7.43 km/s and detonation pressure of 294 kbar were determined on 0.5 inch pellets at a density of 1.78 g/cm3.
Perceptions of lung cancer and smoking in an ecomomically disadvantaged population

This study assessed low socioeconomic adults' perceptions of lung cancer and smoking utilizing the Health Belief Model. A random sample of 500 Ohio residents, with an annual household income of less than $18,000, responded to a 45-item telephone survey. Thirty-six percent of respondents were aware of the prevalence of lung cancer. The majority were aware that sidestream smoke and air pollution are lung cancer risk factors (72% and 79% respectively). Forty-one percent believed there was nothing people could do to decrease their risk of developing lung cancer. Thirteen percent perceived themselves as more susceptible to lung cancer than others of their same age and sex though one in five believed that low SES people were more likely to develop lung cancer than higher SES people. Twenty-five percent believed that almost everyone who develops lung cancer dies of it within five years of diagnosis. Benefits of quitting were identified as saving money (95%), feeling healthier (90%), living longer (80%), and eliminating hassles with smoking in pullic (79%). The most common barriers of quitting smoking were addiction (86%), habit (82%), and having friends who smoke (66%).
Sensitivity of Non-Uniform Beams in Depositing Mass Process

This paper deals with the mass deposition influence on the natural frequencies of nonuniform cantilever resonator sensors of linear and parabolic thickness. Resonator sensitivity, defined as fraction of change in frequency per fraction of change in thickness deposition and relative density, was found. A constant thickness mass deposition on all four lateral surfaces of the cantilever of rectangular cross-section was assumed. Euler-Bernoulli theory was used, so only slender beams were considered. Mass deposition on the free end surface of the beams was neglected. The film thickness was considered very small compared to any beam dimension. The film had no contribution to the beam stiffness, only to the mass. Results show that for the same thickness deposition, the sensitivity in the first mode of beams of linear thickness is 2.5 to 3.5 higher when compared to uniform beams. For beams of parabolic thickness variation the relative sensitivity ranges between 1.5 and 2.1.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Near-neighbor configuration and impurity-cluster size distribution in a Poisson ensemble of monovalent impurity atoms in semiconductors

We present some microscopic (atomic scale) structure analysis for Poisson-distributed impurities in semiconductors. Relevant concepts and results, well established in the area of geometrical probability, are employed in the analysis. Monte Carlo results for the distribution of "impurity-cluster" sizes in semiconductor media approximated by their continuum representation are also presented. A closed-form expression for the "impurity-doublet" probability and a general formulation for the impurity-cluster size distribution are also provided.
Total Quality Environmental Management and Total Cost Assessment: An exploratory study

Abstract This study addresses one of the major perceived barriers to Total Quality Environmental Management (TQEM): Total Cost Assessment (TCA). Managers have difficulty assessing the impact of TQEM programs because of the lack of appropriate measures. In order for TQEM investments to be given serious consideration, a process is required for measuring, monitoring and evaluating TQEM by appropriately including all the environmental costs and savings for each investment option. After reviewing the background of TQEM and frameworks for capturing environmental costs, an opportunity emerges for research involving the use of TQEM and TCA. This research presented in this study develops a framework for identifying and formulating a set of cost measures associated with TQEM investments. The framework serves as a basis for comparing environmental cost measures used among several large US companies. Two major outputs yielded by this research are: (1) a catalog of the various cost measures and procedures used to implement and carryout a TQEM–TCA and (2) the TQEM–TCA framework itself. The catalog and framework will be important for later empirical assessment and modeling of TQEM.
Treatment of patent ductus arteriosus after exogenous surfactant in baboons with hyaline membrane disease.

ABSTRACT: The effect of early treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) on the acute course of hyaline membrane disease was tested in a primate model, after intratracheal administration of 100 mg/kg exogenous bovine surfactant phospholipids at mean ages between 2.3-2.4 h. Twentytwo premature baboons were divided into four groups: seven animals were controls (group A); five were treated with surfactant but PDA was not intervened (group B); in five surfactant treatment was followed by three doses of 0.2 mg/kg intravenous indomethacin beginning at a mean age of 5.5 h (group C); and in five surfactant treatment was followed by a surgical ligation of PDA between 5-5.5 h of age. After surfactant instillation in groups B, C, and D, a prompt and sustained improvement was noted in a/APO2, mean airway pressure, ventilator efficiency index and pulmonary compliance. However, no consistent differences were found in the respiratory variables within the surfactant treated groups during the 72-h experiment: the respiratory course in the animals treated for PDA (groups C and D) was generally similar to the animals in which PDA was not treated (group B). In animals treated with surfactant and indomethacin (group C) the mean aortic blood pressure was maintained more optimally as compared to the other three groups. These findings suggest that although a significant early ductal shunting does occur after exogenous surfactant therapy in this animal model, the expected pulmonary deterioration does not occur, and an early abrupt interruption of PDA does not seem to provide additional advantage to the immediate course of hyaline membrane disease.
Early alcohol exposure impairs ocular dominance plasticity throughout the critical period

Animal models of fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) have revealed an impairment of sensory neocortex plasticity. Here, we examine whether early alcohol exposure leads to a permanent impairment of ocular dominance plasticity (OD) or to an alteration in the timing of the critical period. Ferrets were exposed to alcohol during a brief period of development prior to eye opening and effects of monocular deprivation examined during early, mid and late critical period. Single-unit electrophysiology revealed markedly reduced OD plasticity at every age examined. This finding provides evidence that early alcohol exposure does not affect the timing or duration of the critical period of OD plasticity and suggests an enduring impairment of neural plasticity in FAS.
A new algorithm for reducing metaheuristic design effort

The process of designing a metaheuristic is a difficult and time consuming task as it usually requires tuning to find the best associated parameter values. In this paper, we propose a simple tuning tool called EVOCA which allows unexperimented metaheuristic designers to obtain good quality results without have a strong knowledge in tuning methods. The simplicity here means that the designer does not have to care about the initial settings of the tuner. We apply EVOCA to a genetic algorithm that solves NK landscape instances of various categories. We show that EVOCA is able to tune both categorical and numerical parameters allowing the designer to discard ineffective components for the algorithm.
Chemically tuning the optoelectronic properties of terphenylene-containing block copolymers†

A series of partially conjugated polymers containing terphenylene linked by vinylene units were synthesized by Wittig condensation polymerization of the appropriate diphosphonium salts and the dialdehyde monomer. meta-Phenylene, para-phenylene, 1,3,4-oxadiazole- 2,5-diyl-1,4-phenylene, 2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-phenylene and 9,10-anthrylene units were incorporated into the vinylene blocks to control the band gaps. The effect of molecular architecture on optoelectronic and thermal properties of the polymers was investigated. The emission of the copolymers can be tuned by changing the nature of the vinylene blocks to show violet, blue, green and green-yellow. Double-layer LEDs with ITO/PEDOT/polymer/Ca/Al structures were fabricated and, in parallel with the photoluminescence results, the change of emission color was also shown in the electroluminescence spectra.
Aggregation and thermolability of some group V (G protein) and group III (M protein) mutants of vesicular stomatitis virus

Abstract The thermolability and aggregation behavior of a number of group V (G protein) and group III (M protein) temperature-sensitive mutants of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) have been examined. The thermolability of all the thermolabile group V mutants but not the thermolabile group III mutants was altered in a similar manner by increasing salt concentration (decreased thermolability), by decreasing salt concentration, or adding 2% ethanol (increased thermolability). The thermolabile group V mutants all aggregated upon incubation at the nonpermissive temperature, and this aggregation was prevented (in ts 45) by incubating in high salt. It appears that thermolability and aggregation both reflect an irreversible conformational change in the G protein, which results in an alteration of the surface of the VS virion.
Kinetic characterization of unsupported ReS2 as hydroprocessing catalyst

The hydrodesulfurization (HDS) and hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) activities of an unsupported rhenium sulfide and a sulfided CoMo/Al2O3–SiO2 catalyst are compared using 4,6-diethyldibenzothiophene (46DEDBT) and 3-ethylcarbazole (3ECBZ) as probe molecules. The active site densities and adsorption-reaction rate constants are determined from transient experiments. It is found that ReS2 has an unusually high selectivity toward hydrogenation. As such, it has a far higher activity than CoMo/Al2O3–SiO2 for desulfurizing 46DEDBT in the absence of 3ECBZ. The higher activity of ReS2 arises from a higher turnover frequency as the active site density on ReS2 is about one-third that on CoMo/Al2O3–SiO2. Due to ReS2’s higher hydrogenation power, the HDS of 46DEDBT on ReS2 is less resilient to 3ECBZ inhibition than that on CoMo/Al2O3–SiO2. ReS2 shows about a sevenfold activity advantage over the CoMo/Al2O3–SiO2 catalyst in the hydrodenitrogenation of 3ECBZ. The results shed some light on the HDS–HDN interactions in real-feed deep HDS.
Estimates of subtidal volume flux in mid-Chesapeake Bay

Utilizing 20 days of current meter and sea level elevation records taken in two cross-sections in mid-Chesapeake Bay an objective interpolation procedure was devised to allow the computation of vertical profiles of the laterally integrated subtidal volume fluxes at each section, at 3-h intervals over the period of the experiment. The presence of a classical mean estuarine circulation was observed; however, departures from this gravitational circulation were revealed on a shorter time scale, reaching the value of 20 000 m3 s−1 over a day, and featuring behaviors of reverse estuarine, storage and discharge modes. The volume flux computations through each cross-section based on the measured current velocities, the freshwater inflow and the calculated Stokes transport were in agreement with each other. A two-layered box model of the mean subtidal circulation in the segment of the estuary bound by the two cross-sections is offered. A comparison was made between the computations of net volume flux into and out of the Bay above these sections using two independent methods: (1) the accounting of volume continuity based upon direct measurements of volume flux through the sections; and (2) the direct calculation of the time rate of change of volume of the upper Bay obtained from tide gauge records. The agreement between the two results was found to be very good. Further evidence is provided for the upward phase propagation of the oscillations in the residual motion of estuarine waters.
Impaired visual decision-making in individuals with amblyopia

This study examined the effects of amblyopia on perceptual decision-making processes to determine the consequences of visual deprivation on the development of higher level cortical networks outside of the visual cortex. A variant of the Eriksen flanker task was used to measure response time and accuracy for decisions made in the presence of response-selection conflict. Performance of adults with amblyopia was compared to that of neurotypical participants of the same age. Additionally, simple and choice reaction time tasks presented in the visual and the auditory modality were used to control for factors such as feature visibility, crowding, and motor execution speed. A selective deficit in response time for visual decisions was found when individuals with amblyopia used either the amblyopic or non-amblyopic (dominant) eye, and this deficit was independent of visual acuity, motor time, and performance accuracy. In trial conditions that provoked response-selection conflict, responses were significantly delayed in amblyopic relative to neurotypical participants and were not subject to standard trial sequence effects. Our results indicate that, beyond the known effects of abnormal visual experience on visual cortex, suboptimal binocular input during a developmental critical period may also impact cortical connections to downstream areas of the brain, including parietal and frontal cortices, that are believed to underlie decision and response-selection processes.
Are we there yet? Recent progress in the molecular diagnosis and novel antifungal targeting of Aspergillus fumigatus and invasive aspergillosis.

Are we there yet? Every parent has heard this inexorable question, but it is especially wrenching to hear it from a patient with a fatal illness. When someone, or someone's child, is diagnosed with invasive aspergillosis (IA) caused by Aspergillus fumigatus, the outcome has historically been bleak. In 2013, the field is erupting with exciting advances on multiple scientific fronts. But whether those research findings will improve clinical outcomes is still unclear—does your spouse, child, or neighbor now live or die with this disease? Medical breakthroughs over the last few decades surrounding cancer and transplantation, the main underlying conditions of those afflicted with IA, have been nothing short of astonishing. However, this revolution has also spawned a plethora of immunocompromised patients to inhale fungal spores and develop IA. For many patients with an absent immune system, the second leading cause of death, just behind cancer remission or transplant failure, is infection. The leading infectious cause of death is invasive fungal infections, and the most common mortal fungal infection is A. fumigatus. So have we sufficiently advanced scientifically for today's clinical needs in order to diagnose and treat IA—are we there yet? A. fumigatus is both a beautiful and frustrating fungus. The beauty lies in the pathogen's ability to readily adapt its niche based on the host. The same fungus that lives in compost piles can shear pulmonary blood vessels in immunosuppressed patients, masquerade as an allergic trigger in an ectopic individual, or hide as a saprophyte and slowly sap the strength from an unsuspecting normal host. The frustration with this fungus is the current difficulty in early and accurate diagnosis, a limited number of effective antifungal treatments coupled with the growing emergence of antifungal resistance, and some persistent basic mechanistic questions surrounding its growth and regulation.
Replicable item-cluster subcomponents in the NEO Five-Factor Inventory.

The popular NEO Personality Inventory-Revised (NEO-PI-R) has a short form—the NEO Five-Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI)—that taps the five broad factors with fidelity and reliability. However, conventional scoring of this short form does not provide scores on more specific aspects of the broad-bandwidth factors. In this study, 13 item clusters were found to replicate across halves of a sample of self-descriptions by adults (N = 732). Thirteen factor-analytically derived scales were developed for the item clusters. The scales demonstrated reliability and factor structure comparable to that of the 30 facet scales of the NEO-PI-R. Correlation and multiple regression analyses showed that the content coverage of the 13 scales has high overlap with that of the NEO-PI-R facet scales, but that representation of some facet scales, but that representation of some facet scales is more moderate. Archival and existing data involving the NEO-FFI can be easily rescored for these 13 subcomponents, increasing the researcher's g...
Solvent dependence of the one‐electron reduction of substituted benzo‐ and naphthoquinones

Potentials for the one-electron reduction of a series of substituted benzo- and naphthoquinones were measured in 10 aprotic solvents by cyclic voltammetry and used to construct Hammett plots. Hammett reaction constants, ρ, were determined in each solvent and used as indicators of the solvent-mediated stabilization of the charged radical-anion product of the reduction reaction. Correlations of Hammett ρ values with solvent parameters suggest that the Lewis acidity of the solvent, in particular the solvent's ability to donate a partially positive proton, is a consistent predictor of the degree of charge stabilization of the quinone radical anion. Other mechanisms of charge stabilization, including solvent–solute charge transfer complexes and dipole–dipole interactions involving the molecular dipole moment (or an induced dipole moment) of the solvent, were found to be inconsistent predictors of the effect of solvent on one-electron quinone reduction in aprotic media.
Competitive price adjustment

Abstract A study is made of a competitive trading process in which a price-maker calls prices periodically under the obligation of trading for his own account to satisfy excess demand. Characteristics of the price-maker's optimal behavior are derived. The price-maker system is evaluated with respect to an alternative market clearing system.
Prediction of TCP throughput: formula-based and history-based methods

With the advent of overlay and peer-to-peer networks, Grid computing, and CDNs, network performance prediction becomes an essential task. Such predictions are used in path selection schemes for overlay and multihomed networks, dynamic server selection, and peer-to-peer parallel downloads. In this work, we focus on the throughput prediction of a bulk TCP transfer (”target flow”) in a particular network path, prior to starting that flow. We first classify the existing prediction techniques into two categories: Formula-Based (FB) and History-Based (HB). Within each class, we develop representative prediction algorithms that we evaluate empirically over the RON testbed. Our goal is to examine the key issues with each prediction category, evaluate their accuracy under different conditions, and provide insight regarding the factors that affect the predictability of TCP throughput. This note is a summary of [2]; the interested reader can find more details about our approach and results in that paper.
Epidural metastases from a gastrointestinal stromal tumour

A patient with epidural metastases from a gastrointestinal stromal tumour (GIST) is described. We present the clinical course and the literature is reviewed. After standard irradiation and surgical intervention, the tyrosine kinase inhibitor STI571 should be considered for treatment of metastatic GIST.
Subjective religiosity, church attendance, and depression in the National Survey of American Life.

Studies have consistently indicated that blacks report lower rates of depression than whites. This study examined the association between religion and depression and whether religion explained lower rates of depression among blacks compared to whites. Data were drawn from the National Survey of American Life, a multi-ethnic sample of African Americans, Caribbean Blacks, and non-Hispanic whites (n = 6,082). African Americans and Caribbean Blacks reported higher mean levels of subjective religiosity than whites, but there were no significant differences in levels of church attendance. African Americans (OR 0.54; CI 0.45–0.65) and Caribbean Blacks (OR 0.66; CI 0.48–0.91) reported significantly lower odds of depression than whites. Differences in subjective religiosity and church attendance did not account for the association between major depression and African American and Caribbean Black race/ethnicity relative to whites. More research is needed to examine whether there are other factors that could protect against the development of depression.
The effect of repetition upon the serial learning of familiar items

Two experiments were conducted in which serial learning of familiar names with standard repetition was compared to learning under a modified procedure where repetition was eliminated. In the first experiment, the modification involved removal of incorrectly anticipated items and the substitution of new items. In the second experiment the positions of incorrect items were interchanged. In both experiments learning with repetition was significantly faster.
The histophysiology of transplanted corpuscles of Stannius in the killifish Fundulus heteroclitus.

Abstract Removal of the corpuscles of Stannius produced a hypercalcemia in male killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus , which were maintained in sea water with normal calcium content (10 mmoles/liter). When the corpuscles of Stannius were transplanted to the caudal peduncle at the time of stanniectomy, the elevation of serum calcium levels was prevented. After 2 wk in their ectopic position, the transplanted glands were well vascularized and their histological profile was generally typical in appearance. The structural integrity of the cells showed considerable variability. Within the same gland, cells ranged from “degenerating” to “active” in their appearance. The significance of the structure of these transplanted organs in the light of the physiology of the fish is discussed.
Efficacy of intravenous propranolol for suppression of inducibility of ventricular tachyarrhythmias with different electrophysiologic characteristics in coronary artery disease

The efficacy of intravenous propranolol for suppression of inducibility of sustained ventricular tachyarrhythmias (VT) was studied in 24 patients who had failed greater than or equal to 1 membrane-active antiarrhythmic drug (mean 2.2 +/- 1.2 drugs/patient). The response to propranolol was compared in 13 patients who had only stable monomorphic VTs inducible at baseline and another 11 patients who had greater than or equal to 1 episode of electrically unstable VTs (polymorphic VT, ventricular flutter or ventricular fibrillation) at baseline. Seven patients (29%) became noninducible (responders) and 17 patients (71%) remained inducible to sustained VT (nonresponders) after propranolol. The basal heart rate was faster in responders than in nonresponders (101 +/- 14 vs 86 +/- 11 beats/min, p less than 0.01). The magnitude of heart rate reduction was also greater after propranolol in responders (from 101 +/- 14 to 80 +/- 9 beats/min, p less than 0.001) than in nonresponders (from 86 +/- 11 to 74 +/- 9 beats/min, p less than 0.01) (p less than 0.05 between the groups), despite equal plasma propranolol concentrations (84 +/- 50 vs 88 +/- 43 ng/ml, difference not significant). Seven of 11 patients (64%) who had greater than or equal to 1 episode of unstable VTs inducible at baseline responded to intravenous propranolol, whereas none of the patients with only stable monomorphic VTs became noninducible after beta blockade (p less than 0.001). Responders had shorter cycle length of inducible VTs than nonresponders (225 +/- 38 vs 302 +/- 66 ms, p less than 0.001). Thus, intravenous propranolol appears to be efficacious in suppressing fast, electrically unstable VTs, compared to monomorphic VTs with slower rates.
Luttinger liquid of polarons in one-dimensional boson-fermion mixtures.

We use the bosonization approach to investigate quantum phases of boson-fermion mixtures (BFM) of atoms confined to one dimension by an anisotropic optical lattice. For a BFM with a single species of fermions we find a charge-density wave phase, a fermion pairing phase, and a phase separation regime. We also obtain the rich phase diagram of a BFM with two species of fermions. We demonstrate that these phase diagrams can be understood in terms of polarons, i.e., atoms ``dressed'' by screening clouds of the other atom species. Techniques to detect the resulting quantum phases are discussed.
How much is an icon worth

We report a new technique for assessing the amount of information extracted from the icon that follows a briefly presented picture. The problem of how to measure such information was formulated in terms of how much physical exposure of a picture an icon is worth. Consider two types of stimulus presentations, each with a base duration of d ms. The first is a d-ms picture followed by an icon, and the second is a d + a-ms picture not followed by an icon. How large does a have to be so that equivalent amounts of information are extracted in the two cases? To answer this question, we showed people pictures and later tested their memory for the pictures. We found that the physical exposure duration needed to reach a particular level of performance was approximately 100 ms longer when an icon was not permitted versus when the icon was permitted. This value was independent of the base duration and the luminance of the picture. Moreover, the same value was obtained using three different kinds of memory test and four different sets of pictures. We conclude that an icon is worth approximately 100 ms of additional physical exposure duration. A reasonable explanation for this robust equivalence between icon and stimulus is that the same encoding processes are responsible for extracting information from the icon and from the physical stimulus. Therefore, any variable that affects these encoding processes must affect extraction of information from the icon and the physical stimulus in an identical manner. This prediction was confirmed for one such variable, picture luminance.
Testing the limits of rational design by engineering pH sensitivity into membrane active peptides

In this work, we sought to rationally design membrane-active peptides that are triggered by low pH to form macromolecular-sized pores in lipid bilayers. Such peptides could have broad utility in biotechnology and in nanomedicine as cancer therapeutics or drug delivery vehicles that promote release of macromolecules from endosomes. Our approach to rational design was to combine the properties of a pH-independent peptide, MelP5, which forms large pores allowing passage of macromolecules, with the properties of two pH-dependent membrane-active peptides, pHlip and GALA. We created two hybrid sequences, MelP5_Δ4 and MelP5_Δ6, by using the distribution of acidic residues on pHlip and GALA as a guide to insert acidic amino acids into the amphipathic helix of MelP5. We show that the new peptides bind to lipid bilayers and acquire secondary structure in a pH-dependent manner. The peptides also destabilize bilayers in a pH-dependent manner, such that lipid vesicles release the small molecules ANTS/DPX at low pH only. Thus, we were successful in designing pH-triggered pore-forming peptides. However, no macromolecular release was observed under any conditions. Therefore, we abolished the unique macromolecular poration properties of MelP5 by introducing pH sensitivity into its sequence. We conclude that the properties of pHlip, GALA, and MelP5 are additive, but only partially so. We propose that this lack of additivity is a limitation in the rational design of novel membrane-active peptides, and that high-throughput approaches to discovery will be critical for continued progress in the field.
Morality in the computer classroom

We can argue about matters such as the precise definition of computer abuse, the number of unreported and/or undetected computer abuses, and the validity of the frequently made statement that the average loss from a computer-related crime is $450,000, but we cannot ignore the basic issue that conditions are ripe for a surge in computer abuse.
Theoretical investigation of the hydrodeoxygenation of methyl propionate over Pd (111) model surfaces

Esters are one of the key components of lipid-rich biomass feedstocks that are potential raw materials for production of green fuels. We present a thorough density functional theory and microkinetic modeling study of the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of organic esters over Pd (111) model surfaces. Methyl propionate was chosen as our model molecule since it permits the study of the effect of both α- and β-carbon dehydrogenations on the HDO of esters while still being computationally accessible. An extensive network of elementary reactions was investigated and a microkinetic model was developed at reaction conditions of 473 K, a methyl propionate partial pressure of 0.01 bar, and a hydrogen partial pressure of 0.2 bar to identify the dominant pathway and abundant surface species. Our microkinetic model suggests that decarbonylation pathways of methyl propionate are favored over decarboxylation pathways. We found the most dominant pathway to involve methyl propionate to involve two dehydrogenation steps of both α- and β-carbons to form CH2CHCOOCH3, followed by C–O and C–C cleavages to produce C2 hydrocarbons and methoxy that eventually get hydrogenated to ethane and methanol (CH3CH2COOCH3 → CH3CHCOOCH3 → CH2CHCOOCH3 → CH2CHCO + OCH3 → … → CH3CH3 + CO + CH3OH). The most abundant surface intermediates were identified to be H and CO and CH3C. Finally, a sensitivity analysis of our models suggests that the dehydrogenation of the α-carbon of methyl propionate, as well as propanoyl–methoxy bond dissociation control the overall rate on Pd (111).
Thermoelectric properties of the Cu2SnSe3–Cu2GeSe3 solid solution

Abstract We present results on the electrical resistivity, Seebeck coefficient, and thermal conductivity for Cu 2 Sn 1− x Ge x Se 3 alloys, with x ranging from 0 to 0.5. Samples quenched in water from high temperature were found to crystallize in a disordered zincblende-like structure while samples cooled slowly assumed a monoclinic structure. We observed little phonon scattering due to atomic mass fluctuations upon the addition of Ge at room temperature. The thermal conductivity is analyzed using the Debye model with the Gruneisen constant as the only adjustable parameter. An increase in electrical resistivity for the Ge-containing samples was offset by their enhanced Seebeck coefficients. The slow-cooled x = 0.2 sample showed the best thermoelectric properties with dimensionless figure of merit ZT = 0.0353 at 300 K, a relatively large value compared to other Cu-based multinary compounds.
Transitions and Bifurcations in Laminar Buoyant Flows in Confined Enclosures

Revue des progres recents dans les etudes numeriques et experimentales de l'instabilite d'ecoulement, de la bifurcation et de la transition vers la turbulence d'un ecoulement dans des cavites rectangulaires tridimensionnelles chauffees par le bas et les cotes
Xanthones from Frasera albomarginata and F. speciosa

Abstract Seven 1-hydroxyxanthones have been isolated from the roots of Frasera albomarginata . There were 1-hydroxy-3,7-dimethoxy-, 1-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-, 1,8-dihydroxy-3,5-dimethoxy-, 1-hydroxy-2,3,4,7-tetramethoxy-, 1-hydroxy-2,3,4,5-tetramethoxy-, 1-hydroxy-3,4,7-trimethoxy- and 1-hydroxy-2,3,5-trimethoxyxanthone. Six 1-hydroxyxanthones were obtained from the roots of F. speciosa . These were 1-hydroxy-2,3,4,5-tetramethoxy-, 1-hydroxy-2,3,4,7-tetramethoxy-, 1-hydroxy-2,3,5-trimethoxy-, 1,7-dihydroxy-2,3,4-trimethoxy-, 1,7-dihydroxy-2,3-dimethoxy- and 1,3-dihydroxy-4,5-dimethoxyxanthone.
Efficient High-Order Frequency Interpolation of Structural Dynamic Response

A method is presented for interpolating structural dynamic response within a finite frequency band. It is based on a condensation of the equations of motion using the response vectors at interpolation points as a basis. This basis set naturally aligns itself with the eigenvectors whose eigenvalues lie inside the band, resulting in a small condensed model that yields the interpolated response. Combining the Sylvester law of inertia with eigenvalue analysis of the condensed system indicates when the condensation captures the eigenvalues that lie in the band of interest. The high accuracy of the interpolation results from a combination of features: an accurate estimation of eigenvalues and eigenvectors as well as matching the value and slope of the displacement vector projected on the force vector.
Sequence of Limiting Amino Acids in Gelatin for the Growing Chick

Abstract Several 6-day growth assays were conducted to delineate the amino acid limitations of gelatin for chick growth. At a dietary level of 14.5% crude protein, gelatin was observed to be severely deficient in nine essential amino acids. Tryptophan, sulfur amino acids and isoleucine were first, second and third limiting, respectively. Aromatic amino acids, threonine and valine were found to be equally fourth limiting, while leucine, histidine and lysine were seventh, eighth and ninth limiting, respectively. Arginine, glycine-serine and proline were observed to be adequate to super-adequate. Rate and efficiency of gain by chicks fed the completely-supplemented diet were such as to suggest rather high availabilities of amino acids in the protein of gelatin.
Beyond the CXO Deep Surveys: Stacks of Galaxies

At fluxes below the discrete source detection limits of the Chandra Deep Surveys (0.5– 2 keV), the X-ray number counts are predominantly due to normal galaxies. With morphological information from the Hubble Space Telescope, we have shown that we can detect the stacked emission from normal elliptical, spiral and irregular galaxies out to redshifts approaching one. In order to account for the increasing luminosity of spiral galaxies from low to moderate redshift, AGN components may need to be invoked.
Liposome-mediated amplified detection of cell-secreted matrix metalloproteinase-9

A liposome-based amplified detection system is presented for the cancer cell secreted pathogenic enzyme matrix metalloproteinase-9 which does not require the use of biological antibodies.
Sulfur Emissions to the Atmosphere from Natural Sources

Emissions of sulfur gases from both natural and anthropogenic sources strongly influence the chemistry of the atmosphere. To assess the relative importance of these sources we have combined the measurements of sulfur gases and fluxes during the past decade to create a global emission inventory. The inventory, which is divided into 12 latitude belts, takes into account the seasonal dependence of sulfur emissions from biogenic sources. The total emissions of sulfur gases from natural sources are approximately 0.79 Tmol S/a. These emissions are 16% of the total sulfur emissions in the Northern Hemisphere and 58% in the Southern Hemisphere. The inventory clearly shows the impact of anthropogenic sulfur emissions in the region between 35° and 50°N.
Morphological Changes in Breast Tissue with Menstrual Cycle

Whether the breast tissue undergoes morphologic changes in relation to the menstrual cycle had been a subject of debate. Elegant studies performed in the early 1980s provided conclusive evidence of cyclical changes in the normal breast lobules. These studies were almost entirely based on autopsy material and have not been validated in the clinical setting. In the present study, we examine breast tissues from surgical specimens from 73 premenopausal women and use morphological criteria to characterize the stage of the menstrual cycle. Patients taking oral contraceptives or hormonal therapy were excluded from this study. The following histological parameters were used to assess the menstrual stage: number of cell layers in the acini and presence and degree of vacuolation of the myoepithelial cells, stromal edema, infiltrate, mitosis, and apoptosis. The morphological stage was then correlated with the stage of the cycle, as determined by last menstrual period and the usual menstrual cycle length and in some patients with serum estrogen and progesterone levels. The morphologic stage was concordant with dates in 54 of the 73 patients (74%, P =.001). In 31 of these patients, serum levels of estradiol and progesterone at the time of surgery were available for correlation. Twenty-five (80%) of these were phase concordant by morphology and progesterone levels (P =.01), and 25 (80%), by dates and progesterone levels (P =.007). Women with a high morphologic score were seven times as likely to be in luteal phase as were women with a low score (odds ratio, 7.1; 95% confidence interval). Menstrual phase can be determined by the morphology of the normal lobules present within the surgically excised breast specimens. This will permit retrospective analysis of large archival databases to analyze the effect of timing of surgery in relation to menstrual cycle phase. It will also aid the design of epidemiological studies for breast cancer risk assessment.
Operating within the mainstream: Coping and adjustment among a sample of homosexual youths

A sample (N = 37) of African American adolescent homosexual males was administered a questionnaire that focused on four areas of social psychological functioning (self‐identity, family relation, school‐work relations, and social adjustment). The findings contradicted several past studies that reported in general that homosexual males experience crippling cognitive dissonance. Even with the existence of homophobia in the society, the adolescents were found to possess an adequate social psychological attitude and survival skills. The sampled adolescents reported being comfortable with their sexual orientation even though the majority of them had not disclosed their homosexuality. The respondents reported how they managed self‐presentation among heterosexual persons. The adolescents appeared well‐adjusted and stable in their social functioning and disagreed with the idea that they needed professional counseling.
Capsule Commentary on Unroe et al., Hospice Use Among Nursing Home and Non-Nursing Home Patients

A recent Institute of Medicine report called for a major redesign of end-of-life care in the United States, avoiding acute care services unlikely to benefit patients and using the cost savings for services not covered by insurers.1 We know that nursing home residents with advanced dementia often suffer from pain and dyspnea and commonly undergo burdensome interventions in the last three months of life,2,3 and that there is a correlation between these transitions and other markers of suboptimal end-of-life care.3 On the other hand, nursing home residents receiving hospice care are more likely to receive guideline-based pain treatment and have advance directives, and are less likely to have feeding tubes and physical restraints.4 Spurred by rule changes proposed by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) that would reduce payments for hospice patients residing in nursing homes, Unroe and colleagues have completed a study that informs the debate over how to best deliver end-of-life care in a manner that is both patient-centered and cost-effective.5 The authors analyzed Medicare, Medicaid and Minimum Data Set data for almost 4,000 hospice patients from one health system. Half of the patients were in non-nursing home hospice, while one-third used hospice in nursing homes. Nursing home hospice patients were older and more likely to have dementia. Overall, 30 % of hospice patients stayed less than one week, and a “near transitions” group receiving hospice care within 30 days of a nursing home stay was more likely to have a short hospice stay. Hospice patients moving in and out of nursing homes and the “near transitions” group had higher Medicare costs. The identification of this “near transitions” group is notable—this is a group that is incurring higher costs, may be receiving services that are not improving quality of life, and would benefit from comprehensive palliative care beginning earlier in their illness. An increase in funding for palliative care services would also benefit the large number of patients with late hospice referrals. Reducing reimbursement for nursing home hospice patients may result in later enrollment in hospice, potentially increasing costs. These proposed rule changes may have unexpected consequences and merit further study.