cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon concentrations in transportation microenvironments

Abstract This study is one of the first case studies to characterize the exposure of urban residents to traffic-related air pollution across locations and transportation microenvironments during everyday activities. Twenty-four adult residents of Boyle Heights, a neighborhood near downtown Los Angeles, carried a portable air pollution monitor and a Global Positioning Systems (GPS) tracking device for a total of 96 days. We found significant spatial and temporal variation in the particle-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (pPAH) concentrations in transportation microenvironments. Average pPAH concentrations were higher while walking outdoors (190 ng m − 3 ) compared to traveling in private passenger vehicles (138–155 ng m − 3 ) or traveling in public transportation (61–124 ng m − 3 ). Although travel comprised 5% of participant days, it was associated with 27% of overall daily pPAH exposure. Regression models explained 40–55% of the variation in daily average pPAH concentrations, and 40–44% of the variation in 1-min interval concentrations. Important factors included time spent traveling, travel speed, meteorological and nearby land use factors, time of day, and proximity to roadways. Although future research is needed to develop stronger predictive models, our study demonstrates portable tracking devices can provide a more complete, diurnal characterization of air pollution exposures for urban populations.
Malleable Signatures: New Definitions and Delegatable Anonymous Credentials

A signature scheme is malleable if, on input a message and a signature, it is possible to efficiently compute a signature on a related message, for a transformation that is allowed with respect to this signature scheme. In this paper, we first provide new definitions for malleable signatures that allow us to capture a broader range of transformations than was previously possible. We then give a generic construction based on malleable zero-knowledge proofs that allows us to construct malleable signatures for a wide range of transformation classes, with security properties that are stronger than those that have been achieved previously. Finally, we construct delegatable anonymous credentials from signatures that are malleable with respect to an appropriate class of transformations (that we show our malleable signature supports). The resulting instantiation satisfies a stronger security notion than previous schemes while also scaling linearly with the number of delegations.
Preliminary report on Millhon-Crites intraesophageal motility probe.

The Millhon-Battelle esophageal motility probe developed for clinical use in the study of esophageal motility and acid perfusion can accurately measure absolute localized tissue pressures in situ, as well as hydrostatic pressure. It consists of a soft silicone rubber tube with three miniature direct-recording absolute pressure transducers located in its distal portion. Thirty-five individuals have been studied thus far with encouraging initial results.
“Science in a Democracy”: The Contested Status of Vaccination in the Progressive Era and the 1920s

Abstract In the first decades of the twentieth century, a heterogeneous assortment of groups and individuals articulated scientific, political, and philosophical objections to vaccination. They engaged in an ongoing battle for public opinion with medical and scientific elites, who responded with their own counterpropaganda. These ideological struggles reflected fear that scientific advances were being put to coercive uses and that institutions of the state and civil society were increasingly expanding into previously private realms of decision making, especially child rearing. This essay analyzes the motivations and tactics of antivaccination activists and situates their actions within the scientific and social climate of the Progressive Era and the 1920s. Their actions reveal how citizens of varied ideological persuasions, activists and nonactivists alike, viewed scientific knowledge during a period of swift and unsettling change, when the application of biologic products seemed to hold peril as well as ...
Maximum likelihood estimation for noncausal autoregressive processes

F. J. Breidt, R. A. Davis, K.-S. Lii, and M. Rosenblatt. Maximum likelihood estimation for noncausal autoregressive processes. J. Multivariate Anal., 36(2): 175–198, 1991. Reprinted with permission of Elsevier Inc.
Where angels fear to tread and why

The dilemma inherent in all formal standards results from the tension between maintaining quality control, on the one hand, and constraining creativity, on the other.
Radiative lifetime of hydrogenic and quasihydrogenic atoms.

A universal formula for the upper bound of the radiative lifetime of a hydrogenic level is found to be (3\ensuremath{\Elzxh} $^{3}$/2m${\ensuremath{\alpha}}^{3}$${Z}^{4}$${e}^{4}$)${n}^{3}$(l${+(1/2))}^{2}$. When compared with the exact lifetimes, the expression is found to agree within 10%. For quasihydrogenic atoms and ions, experimental lifetimes are generally found to coincide with the upper bound values.
Anti-Inflammatory and Chondroprotective Effect of TSG-6 (Tumor Necrosis Factor-α-Stimulated Gene-6) in Murine Models of Experimental Arthritis

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)-stimulated gene-6 (TSG-6) is up-regulated by various cytokines and growth factors. TSG-6 binds to hyaluronan in inflamed synovial tissue and forms a complex with a serine protease inter-α-trypsin inhibitor (IαI), increasing the protease inhibitory effect of IαI >100-fold. The TSG-6/IαI complex then blocks serine proteases, including the plasminogen-plasmin activation, probably the most important component in the activation processes of matrix metalloproteinases. To gain insight into the mechanisms of TSG-6 action in arthritis, we have used an autoimmune murine model (proteoglycan-induced arthritis) for systemic, and a monoarticular form of arthritis (antigen-induced arthritis) for local treatment of arthritis with recombinant mouse TSG-6 (rmTSG-6). Intravenous injection of rmTSG-6 induced a dramatic reduction of edema in acutely inflamed joints by immobilizing CD44-bound hyaluronan and, in long-term treatment, protected cartilage from degradation and blocked subchondral and periosteal bone erosion in inflamed joints. The intra-articular injection of a single dose (100 μg) of rmTSG-6 exhibited a strong chondroprotective effect for up to 5 to 7 days, preventing cartilage proteoglycan from metalloproteinase-induced degradation. In contrast, rmTSG-6 did not postpone the onset, nor reduce the incidence of arthritis. We were unable to detect any significant differences between control and rmTSG-6-treated animals when various serum markers (including pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, auto- and heteroantibody productions) or antigen-specific T-cell responses were compared, nor when the expressions of numerous cell surface receptors or adhesion molecules were measured. TSG-6 seems to play a critical negative regulatory feed-back function in inflammation, especially in arthritic processes.
Therapeutic enhancement in mice by clinically relevant dose and fractionation schedules of cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) and irradiation

Summary The interaction of cis -diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (c-DDP) and irradiation was investigated in the RIF-1tumor, skin and duodenum in C3H/Km mice. The c-DDP enhanced the effects of fractionated irradiation in the tumor, as measured by both growth delay and cell survival determined by excision and colony formation in vitro. This enhancement was at least additive and possibly supra-additive. The combined treatment was effective in clinically relevant treatment regimens. The same doses of c-DDP failed to enhance acute radiation skin reactions and caused only a moderate enhancement of the radiation-induced cell killing in duodenal crypt cells. The latter was found when c-DDP was administered immediately before each irradiation dose in a fractionated treatment schedule, but not when it was given in a single larger dose 24 h before the start of fractionated radiotherapy. Comparing the effects on tumor with those on normal tissues, the optimum treatment appeared to be c-DDP given once a week 24 h before daily fractionated irradiation.
Phenylpiperazine derivatives with selectivity for dopamine D3 receptors modulate cocaine self-administration in rats.

Abstract This study examined cocaine self-administration after pretreatments with three structurally related compounds that bind selectively to dopamine D3 receptors (D3Rs) relative to the D2 receptor subtype (D2Rs) and exhibit varying intrinsic activities in the forskolin-stimulated adenylyl cyclase assay. The compounds are: a) WC10, a D3R weak partial agonist/antagonist with 42-fold D3R:D2R selectivity, b) WC26, a 51-fold selective D3R partial agonist, c) WC44, a 23-fold selective D3R agonist. Rats were stabilized on a multiple variable-interval 60-s (VI60) schedule with alternating components of sucrose (45 mg pellets) or cocaine reinforcement (0.375 mg/kg, IV) and then tested for effects of the WC compounds (0.0, 1.0, 3.0, 5.6, or 10.0 mg/kg, IP). Another cohort was trained to self-administer cocaine (0.75 mg/kg, IV) on a VI60 schedule then tested with various doses of cocaine available (0.0–1.5 mg/kg, IV) following pretreatment with WC10 (5.6 or 10.0 mg/kg) or WC44 (10.0 mg/kg). WC10 and WC26 decreased both cocaine and sucrose reinforcement rates at the 10.0 mg/kg dose, whereas WC44 decreased only cocaine reinforcement rate at this dose. Furthermore, WC26 and WC44 increased response latency for cocaine but not sucrose. In the cocaine dose–response experiment, WC10 and WC44 flattened the dose-effect function of cocaine reinforcement rate. All compounds decreased spontaneous locomotion. WC10 and WC26 also reduced cocaine-induced locomotion. These results support the targeting of D3Rs for treatments for cocaine dependence. WC26 and WC44, in particular, show promise as they increased the latency to respond for cocaine but not sucrose, suggesting selective reduction of the motivation for cocaine.
Lactate kinetics at the lactate threshold in trained and untrained men.

To understand the meaning of the lactate threshold (LT) and to test the hypothesis that endurance training augments lactate kinetics [i.e., rates of appearance and disposal (Ra and Rd, respectively...
Application of probabilistic methods to characterize soil variability and their effects on bearing capacity and settlement of shallow foundations: state of the art

This paper presents the applications of probabilistic methods to analyze the load-displacement behavior of shallow foundations supported by uncertain and spatially variable soils. The paper describes the types and sources of uncertainties in soil properties that dictate the bearing capacity and settlement of shallow foundations and characterizes their probabilistic distributions. General probabilistic analysis methods that are commonly used in foundation engineering applications such as first order second moment (FOSM) method, tornado diagram method, Monte Carlo (MC) simulation method, random finite element method (RFEM), and reliability-based design (RBD) method are briefly described. A thorough summary of the applications of these methods in determining the probabilistic bearing capacity, settlement, and differential settlement of shallow foundations from the research literature is presented.
SlutWalk as perifeminist response to rape logic: : the politics of reclaiming a name

ABSTRACTQuestions about the meaning and value of SlutWalk have generated considerable public debate. This article explores how SlutWalk subverts rape logic, rendering it apparent and absurd while circulating counterclaims to oppose sexual violence. By reclaiming “slut” through performative protest and political mobilization, SlutWalk offers trenchant critiques of rape logic's conflation of clothes and consent. Although media and feminist commentators alike met this protest strategy with skepticism, I argue that SlutWalk enacts a perifeminist response to rape logic that demonstrates the subversive power of reclaiming a name.
Human-computer cooperative problem solving. II. A theory and an implementation

For pt.I see ibid., p.505-507 (1990). A prescriptive theory of human-computer cooperative problem solving is proposed, drawing on research in the fields of human communication, distributed artificial intelligence, and cognitive systems engineering. The architecture of a computer-based associate system that incorporates the principles of the theory is described. It incorporates specific features associated with the domain of satellite ground control, which have been derived from a case study of the CLEAR expert system. >
Vibrational dynamics of low frequency (<100 cm-1) adsorbate motions

Ultrafast time-resolved studies of the vibrational motions of CO on Cu(111) are described. In particular, the energy transfer rates between substrate electrons and phonons and the frustrated translation of CO are measured. An explicit relaxation model including the temperature dependence of these rates is developed and used in the analysis.
Reflections on Fifty SDM Conferences

This historical overview of the half-century of AIAA SDM Conferences testifies to their vitality as the principal showcase for advances in structural and dynamics analyses and the application of novel materials in the design and operation of aerospace vehicles. A brief history of the first 25 years of these conferences is given, with a reprise of the content of the 25 Conference. The latter part of the paper presents some limited views on selected topics that have been of importance in the past one or two decades, leading up to the 50 Conference.
Intersectional Invisibility: The Distinctive Advantages and Disadvantages of Multiple Subordinate-Group Identities

The hypothesis that possessing multiple subordinate-group identities renders a person “invisible” relative to those with a single subordinate-group identity is developed. We propose that androcentric, ethnocentric, and heterocentric ideologies will cause people who have multiple subordinate-group identities to be defined as non-prototypical members of their respective identity groups. Because people with multiple subordinate-group identities (e.g., ethnic minority woman) do not fit the prototypes of their respective identity groups (e.g., ethnic minorities, women), they will experience what we have termed “intersectional invisibility.” In this article, our model of intersectional invisibility is developed and evidence from historical narratives, cultural representations, interest-group politics, and anti-discrimination legal frameworks is used to illustrate its utility. Implications for social psychological theory and research are discussed.
Accelerating defocus blur magnification

ABSTRACT A shallow depth-of- eld is often used as a creative element in photographs. This, however, comes at the costof expensive and heavy camera equipment, such as large sensor DSLR bodies and fast lenses. In contrast,cheap small-sensor cameras with xed lenses usually exhibit a larger depth-of- eld than desirable. In this casea computational solution is suggesting, since a shallow depth-of- eld cannot be achieved by optical means. Onepossibility is to algorithmically increase the defocus blur already present in the image. Yet, existing algorithmicsolutions tackling this problem su er from poor performance due to the ill-posedness of the problem: The amountof defocus blur can be estimated at edges only; homogeneous areas do not contain such information. However,to magnify the defocus blur we need to know the amount of blur at every pixel position. Estimating it requiressolving an optimization problem with many unknowns.We propose a faster way to propagate the amount of blur from the edges to the entire image by solving theoptimization problem on a small scale, followed by edge-aware upsampling using the original image as guide.The resulting approximate defocus map can be used to synthesize images with shallow depth-of- eld with qualitycomparable to the original approach. This is demonstrated by experimental results.Keywords: defocus blur magni cation, image processing, optimization, depth-of- eld, depth map blur map,computational photography
Coupling between protein-laden films and a shearing bulk flow.

Two-dimensional protein crystallization on lipid monolayers at a quiescent air/water interface is now a well-established process, but it only operates under a very restricted set of conditions and on a very slow time scale. We have recently been able to significantly extend the conditions under which the proteins will crystallize as well as speed up the process by subjecting the interface to a shearing flow. Here, we investigate the two-way coupling between a protein-laden film and the bulk flow that provides the interfacial shear. This flow in a stationary open cylinder is driven by the constant rotation of the floor. Using the Boussinesq–Scriven surface model for a Newtonian interface coupled to the Navier–Stokes equations for the bulk flow, we find that the surface shear viscosity of protein-laden films under most conditions is small or negligible. This is the case for films subjected to constant shearing flow, regardless of the duration of the flow. However, when the film is intermittently sheared, significant surface shear viscosity is evident. In these cases, the surface shear viscosity is not uniform across the film.
Aldehyde Fixation of Thiol-reactive Fluorescent Cytoplasmic Probes for Tracking Cell Migration

Tracking of cell migration plays an important role in the study of morphogenesis, inflammation, and metastasis. The recent development of probes that exist as intracellular peptide-fluorescence dye adducts has offered the possibility of aldehyde fixation of these dyes for detailed anatomic studies of lymphocyte trafficking. To define the conditions for fixation of these cytoplasmic fluorescent probes, we compared fixation conditions containing formaldehyde, glutaraldehyde, paraformaldehyde, zinc formaldehyde, and glyoxylate, as well as fixation by quick-freezing in liquid nitrogen-cooled methylbutane. The efficacy of aldehyde fixation of the cell fluorescence was assessed by quantitative tissue cytometry and flow cytometry. We studied cytoplasmic fluorescent dyes with discrete emissions in the green [5-chloromethylfluorescein diacetate (CMFDA); 492 ex, 516 em] and orange [5-(and-6)-(4-chloromethyl(benzoyl)amino) tetramethylrhodamine (CMTMR); 540 ex, 566 em] spectra. The results demonstrated that aldehyde fixation preserved cell fluorescence for more than 6 months. The primary difference between the aldehyde fixatives was variability in the difference between the yield of the cell fluorescence and the relevant background fluorescence. Formaldehyde and paraformaldehyde were superior to the other fixatives in preserving cell fluorescence while limiting background fluorescence. With these fixatives, both the CMFDA and CMTMR fluorescent dyes permitted sufficient anatomic resolution for reliable localization in long-term cell tracking studies.
RFID in a Computer Engineering Capstone

The capstone experience for computer engineering students at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo provides teams of students with, purposely undefined, design projects of significant scope. Students deal with a real customer and are expected to do a significant amount of independent learning during their time. Students learn of these things on the first day of a two-quarter capstone sequence. Students spend the remaining 19 weeks finding out precisely what they mean. Unique to the course is that it involves a substantial amount of independent learning. Past and current projects are in the area of radio frequency identification (RFID) yet students typically do not select RF and wireless courses as one of their three technical elective courses prior to the capstone sequence. They are therefore required to quickly come up to speed in the area. To this end, students are grouped into Knowledge Teams. Students are expected to become experts in their assigned topic and share their knowledge with other members of their project team and knowledge team. Knowledge teams give weekly oral presentations to the entire class and students write a large technical paper on the subject of their knowledge team. Desired outcomes from the independent learning and both oral and written communication in the capstone include increased technical competence, increased technical communication skills, and an understanding of the importance of lifelong learning. The capstone is currently in its second offering. Surveys administered to students in the first offering are largely in line with expected outcomes. An unexpected outcome, as the knowledge teams were initially formulated to increase technical competence, was that students reported an increase in the ability to work on teams
Fuzzy time series and its models

Based upon the works by Zadeh (1973, 1975), in this paper, a special dynamic process with linguistic values as its observations is defined and studied. This dynamic process is called fuzzy time series. To describe fuzzy time series, fuzzy relational equations are employed as the models. There are two classes of fuzzy time series: time-variant and time-invariant. The definition of fuzzy time series is given, some properties of fuzzy time series are explored, and procedures to develop fuzzy time series models are discussed. Finally, a procedure for using fuzzy time series for foracasting is suggested.
Reliabilty and Field Experience of Electronic Switching Systems

Field experience of electronic switching systems is compared with design objectives expressed in reliability and maintainability parameters, applied from the start of design, for the purpose of meeting stringent customer requirements. A feedback system of field performance was established, reliability analysis was performed, and the results were applied to a reliability model to determine to what degree the established objectives were met.
Examining gyroscopes for 3-D position tracking in a non-destructive evaluation system

This paper describes the use of gyroscopes to provide three-dimensional data acquisition capabilities to an eddy current inspection system. The pprototype combines positional and eddy-current data to produce a C-scan of tested material. The preliminary system consists of an eddy current probe, a position tracking mechanism, and basic data visualization capability. Test results are presented and briefly discussed.
Retrieval of Cirrus Microphysical Properties with a Suite of Algorithms for Airborne and Spaceborne Lidar, Radar, and Radiometer Data

Abstract Algorithms are developed to convert data streams from multiple airborne and spaceborne remote sensors into layer-averaged cirrus bulk microphysical properties. Radiometers such as the Moderate-Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) observe narrowband spectral radiances, and active remote sensors such as the lidar on the Cloud–Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) satellite and the millimeter radar on CloudSat will provide vertical profiles of attenuated optical backscatter and radar reflectivity. Equivalent airborne remote sensors are also routinely flown on the NASA WB-57F and ER-2 aircraft. Algorithms designed to retrieve cirrus microphysical properties from remote sensor data must be able to handle the natural variability of cirrus that can range from optically thick layers that cause lidar attenuation to tenuous layers that are not detected by the cloud radar. An approach that is adopted here is to develop an algorithm suite that has internal consistency ...
Factors associated with implausible estimates of alveolar nitric oxide concentration

INTRODUCTION: The fractional concentration of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) is a biomarker of airway inflammation, typically measured at a 50 ml/s flow rate (FeNO 50 ). FeNO measured at multiple flow rates can be used to non-invasively estimate the concentration of NO in the distal alveolar region (C A NO). Regardless of estimation method, researchers consistently have problems estimating C A NO for some study subjects. Non-physiologic negative C A NO estimates are often set to 0 or excluded. AIMS: To identify factors associated with implausible estimates of C A NO. METHODS: In March-June 2010, multiple flow FeNO was assessed in 1507 schoolchildren, ages 12-15, from the Southern California Children9s Health Study using 3 EcoMedics analyzers (CLD88-SP with DeNOx). C A NO was estimated using 3 methods. An estimate of C A NO was “problematic” if negative or 0 (for constrained methods). Associations between an indicator of problematic C A NO and testing factors/patient characteristics were evaluated using logistic regression. RESULTS: 131 children (8.7%) had problematic C A NO for ≥ 1 method and 77 children (5.1%) had problematic C A NO for all methods. While problematic C A NO was associated with avoidable testing factors (e.g., 1 analyzer with known zero instability) there were also robust associations with: body mass index (odds ratio (OR) of 2.2 per 10 kg/m2 increase, 95% CI: 1.2, 3.9), level of FeNO 50 (OR of 1.3 per 10 ppb increase, 95% CI: 1.2, 1.45), and the slope of the 3-second “plateau” of NO concentration versus time at 300 ml/s. CONCLUSIONS: Exclusion of subjects with negative C A NO may induce selection bias. The study of problematic C A NO may aid the development of guidelines for multiple flow FeNO assessment.
Can We Talk?: Using Facilitated Dialogue to Positively Change Student Attitudes Towards Persons with Mental Illness

Abstract To facilitate the recovery of people with mental illness (consumers of mental health services), social workers must be strengths-focused and believe in the potential for consumer growth and improvement. Unfortunately, social workers often share the negative, stigmatizing view of mental illness held by much of the general population. In this article, the authors describe a facilitated dialogue process between consumers and master's level social work students that had a goal of positively shifting students' attitudes towards consumers. Pre/post-tests using standardised instruments, as well as post-dialogue semi-structured interviews, showed that the dialogue was effective in improving student attitudes towards consumers.
Cerebral metabolic responses and vasopressin and oxytocin secretions during progressive water deprivation in rats

Progressive water deprivation increased plasma osmolality, plasma Na+ concentration, and hematocrit in proportion to the severity of dehydration. With increases of 2% in plasma osmolality (24 h dehydration), glucose utilization increased in the supraoptic nuclei and tended to increase in the neural lobe. With further dehydration, glucose utilization also increased in the paraventricular nuclei. These increases were paralleled by depletion of vasopressin and oxytocin contents in the neural lobe and by the enhanced secretion of both hormones into plasma, with a predominant increase of vasopressin. These changes were proportional to the degree of dehydration. With progression of dehydration, decreases in intracellular and extracellular volumes accentuate. Reductions in extracellular volume result in increased angiotensin II (ANG II) formation. Accordingly, glucose utilization in the subfornical organ (SFO), a primary site of ANG II action, increased after 48 and 72 h of dehydration. The median preoptic nucleus, which receives direct inputs from the SFO, also increased glucose utilization at these times. Glucose utilization also increased in the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis, probably in response to the converging inputs from osmoreceptors, volume receptors, and ANG II receptors. Decreases in glucose utilization were observed in the caudal and rostral ventrolateral medulla, perhaps as compensatory responses to decreased extracellular volume to prevent fall in arterial blood pressure.
Single-Channel Scattering (Three-Dimensional Analysis in Specific Representations)

It is simplest to start the discussion of the integral equations for the scattering-state vectors from the time-dependent point of view again. We are interested primarily in the integral equations (6.15) and (6.17) or (6.21) and (6.22).
Fundamentals of Managing Reference Collections by Carol A. Singer

Fundamentals of Managing Reference Collections is a small, well-organized monograph covering all aspects of collection management including selection, acquisition, weeding, writing policies, and ma...
Nest predation and its relationship to habitat and nest density in dickcissels

L'analyse de la destinee de 500 nids de Spiza americana de l'est du Kansas montre que les nids situes dans des champs abandonnes souffrent plus de la predation que ceux des prairies
Coded Aperture Compressive Spectral-Temporal Imaging

We present a compressive camera that combines mechanical translation and spectral dispersion to compress a multi-spectral, high-speed scene onto a monochrome, video-rate detector. Single-frame reconstructions of 15 spectral channels and 10 temporal frames are reported.
Study on the active constituents and anti-proliferation mechanisms of Nigellae Semen

Objective To study the active constituents and anti-proliferation mechanism of Nigellae Semen.Methods Ethanol,light petroleum,ethyl acetate,n-butanol and water extraction,different fractions from ethyl acetate and n-butanol were separated by using organic solution and macroporous resin.MTT assay for breast cancer cells proliferation capability.Colony formation assay in three-dimensional culture for cells colony formation calculation.Western blot for protein expression.Results Compared with other constituents,total falvones of Nigellae Semen(TFNS) exhibited the strongest suppressing effect on cell proliferation.TFNS showed dose-dependent inhibitory effect on colony formation.The protein expression of p-JAK2 was inhibited by TFNS,too.Conclusion These results suggest that TFNS may provide potential anti-proliferation and inhibitory effect of colony formation through inhibiting JAK2 protein phosphorylation on JAK/STAT signal pathway activation.
Exposure assessment on di-n-butyl phthalate in Chinese population

The purpose of this study was to estimate the body burden of di-n-butyl phthaltate exposure on Chinese population, based on environmental monitoring data and related literatures. Di-n-butyl phthalate could be detected in most of environmental and biological samples collected from the Yangtzi River Delta area. The estimated total intake of di-n-butyl phthalate from various routes was 14.8μg/(kg·d), from which diet and drinking water accounted for 90.2% and 8.6% of total daily intake, respectively. Di-n-butyl phthalate played an important role in environmental pollution in the Yangtzi River Delta area. Policy-makers must make managements to control or decrease the environmental levels of phthalate pollution.
Salivary excretion and pharmacokinetics of sulfapyridine after sulfasalazine

The concentrations of sulfapyridine (SP) and N4-acetylsulfapyridine (AcSP) in the plasma and saliva of 5 healthy male adults (3 slow and 2 rapid acetylators) were determined as a function of time after a single 2.0-gm oral dose of sulfasalazine (salicylazosulfapyridine). SP absorption commenced 3.5 to 6 hr after sulfasalazine administration and occurred slowly (apparent absorption t1/2s ranged from 1.6 to 5 hr) irrespective of acetylator phenotype. Appreciable differences existed between slow and rapid acetylators with respect to the biologic t1/2 and total body clearance of SP. SP concentrations in the saliva correlated well with those in the plasma. The saliva:plasma concentration ratio for SP was 0.559 +/- 0.027 (mean of 5 subjects +/- SE) and was dependent of plasma concentration and saliva pH. The mean saliva:plasma concentration ratio for AcSP was lower (0.246 +/- 0.056), consistent with the pH-partition hypothesis, and showed considerably more intrasubject and intersubject variation than the ratio for SP. These findings suggest that measurement of SP concentrations in the saliva may be a convenient, noninvasive method for monitoring indirectly the steady-state plasma (serum) concentrations of SP in patients with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease who are receiving sulfasalazine.
Biochemical and Pharmacologic Rationale for Synthetic Heparin Polysaccharides

Publisher Summary Heparin (HP) oligosaccharides possess molecular and functional heterogeneity. They contain consensus sequences that have different degrees of affinity to endogenous plasma and cellular ligands. Multiple discrete structural regions within an HP molecule are responsible for its ability to complex with antithrombin (AT) or other macromolecules to promote or modulate a wide range of biological activities. The Kunitz-type protease inhibitor tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is believed to play an important role as an endogenous inhibitor of tissue factor-induced blood coagulation. In an AT-free system, HP derivatives demonstrated a weaker inhibition of thrombin-induced platelet factor and thrombin- and collagen-induced platelet activation of prothrombin than unfractionated HP. Blocking the activity of factor Xa inhibits the generation of thrombin. Fondaparinux produces a dose-dependent inhibition of the amount of thrombin generated and extends the lag phase of thrombin generation. Fondaparinux is effective in inhibiting clot formation in the mesenteric arterioles after intravenous administration to animals. A higher dose than needed to suppress venous thrombosis is required against arterial thrombosis.
Cell-Type-Specific Optogenetics in Monkeys

The recent advent of technologies enabling cell-type-specific recording and manipulation of neuronal activity spurred tremendous progress in neuroscience. However, they have been largely limited to mice, which lack the richness in behavior of primates. Stauffer et al. now present a generalizable method for achieving cell-type specificity in monkeys.
Is truth a normative concept

My answer will be ‘no’. And I’ll defend it by: (i) distinguishing a concept’s having normative import from its being functionally normative; (ii) sketching a method for telling whether or not a concept is of the latter sort; (iii) responding to the antideflationist, Dummettian argument (extended in different directions by Crispin Wright, Huw Price, and Michael Lynch) in favor of the conclusion that truth is functionally normative; (iv) proceeding to address a less familiar route to that conclusion—one that’s consistent with deflationism about truth, but that depends on the further assumption that meaning is intrinsically normative; and (v) arguing that this further assumption is mistaken.
Marketing active transportation to school to improve children’s health: Utilizing parental perspectives from an inner-city environment

Thirty years ago, nearly half of the children in the United States walked or rode their bikes to school. Today, less than 15% of children actively commute to school. With the growing obesity epidemic, encouraging children to walk or bike to school has become a national priority. This research examines factors that influence parental decisions allowing their children to walk to school in an urban environment to identify effective marketing and communication strategies to reach those parents. Results indicate differences in parental perspectives across populations; suggestions for effectively marketing the Safe Routes to School program to minority populations are provided.
Underfilling flip chip packages with transfer molding technologies

This paper focuses on the exposed-die molded underfill (MUF) and overmold as underfill (OMUF) technologies for flip chip in the form of a molded matrix array package. A series of mold compounds were selected for this evaluation. MUF and OMUF parts were successfully assembled and subjected to reliability stress tests. All the materials have high MUF and OMUF assembly process yields. The evaluations showed that OMUF has a better reliability performance than that of MUF. Mold corner crack was observed in MUF. This paper discusses the relationships between package configurations, assembly processes and material physical properties for high performance MUF/OMUF technologies
Non-declarative sentences and the theory of descriptions

This paper shows that Russell’s theory of descriptions gives the wrong semantics for definite descriptions occurring in questions and imperatives. Depending on how that theory is applied, it either assigns nonsense to perfectly meaningful questions and assertions or it assigns meanings that diverge from the actual semantics of such sentences, even after all pragmatic and contextual variables are allowed for. Given that Russell’s theory is wrong for questions and assertions, it must be wrong for assertoric statements; for the semantics of ‘the phi’ obviously doesn’t vary depending on whether it occurs in a question or an assertion or a command.
Thermomechanical Analysis and Its Applications

Thermomechanical analysis (TMA) provides valuable characterization information on the dimensional properties of a wide range of materials. Used either alone or in conjunction with other thermal analysis techniques [differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis, dynamic mechanical analysis, or thermoconductivity], the technique provides a large amount of valuable information on polymers and other materials that is difficult or even impossible to obtain by other analytical techniques. TMA offers a higher degree of sensitivity compared to DSC for the detection of the glass transition temperature of highly filled or highly cross-linked materials, such as composites, printed circuit boards, or brake linings. This chapter provides an outstanding overview of the principles and applications of TMA for both research and quality assurance uses.
Photon Correlation Spectroscopy of Inverted Micellar Aggregates of AOT in Heptane

Inverted micellar aggregates of AOT in heptane with and without added water were investigated as a function of AOT concentration and molar ratio of water to AOT. Experimental techniques used were Fourier Transform I.R., small angle X-ray spectroscopy, capillary viscometry and mostly photon correlation spectroscopy. FT IR results indicate that even in systems without any added water, inverse micelles of AOT contain about 0.2 to 0.4 water molecules for each molecule of AOT. In systems where there is significant amounts of added water the I.R. spectrum of the sulfonate head group is very close to its spectrum in bulk water. From X-ray measurements it was found that the inverse micelles without added water have a radius of gyration of 8A°. Viscosity and density measurements indicate that solutions of AOT in heptane have higher viscosities than predicted by the hard sphere theories. Photon correlation spectroscopy results give a concentration and solvent independent hydroynamic radius of 16A° and an aggregation number of 16 for inverse micelles without added water.
DMT visible light communication using commercial RGBA LEDs

VLC systems using commercial light emitting diode (LED) offer provision of simultaneous data transmission and illumination. However, limited modulation bandwidth and non-linear distortions are the main challenges faced by VLC designs in achieving high transmission data rates. Wavelength-division multiplexing in VLC (WDM-VLC) can improve the data rates to meet gigabit/s data standards. In this paper, we study the VLC data transmission using a commercially available red-green-blue-amber (RGBA) LED model. With quadrature amplitude modulation based discrete multi-tone (QAM-DMT) transmission, we demonstrate that proposed VLC system can achieve aggregate transmission rate of 2.1 Gb/s at bit error rate (BER) well below 2×10-3, which is typical hard-decision forward error correction (FEC) threshold.
Quantum Process Fidelity Bounds from Sets of Input States.

We investigate the problem of bounding the quantum process fidelity given bounds on the fidelities between target states and the action of a process on a set of pure input states. We formulate the problem as a semidefinite program and prove convexity of the minimum process fidelity as a function of the errors on the output states. We characterize the conditions required to uniquely determine a process in the case of no errors and derive a lower bound on its fidelity in the limit of small errors for any set of input states satisfying these conditions. We then consider sets of input states whose one-dimensional projectors form a symmetric positive operator-valued measure (POVM). We prove that for such sets the minimum fidelity is bounded by a linear function of the average output state error. A symmetric POVM with minimal number of elements contains $d+1$ states, where $d$ is the Hilbert space dimension. Our bounds applied to such states provide an efficient method for estimating the process fidelity without the use of full process tomography.
Increased Biliary Lithogenicity Through Cholesterol Supersaturation

Cholesterol monohydrate (ChM) is the major organic component of most gallbladder stones in Western populations [1]. An essential thermodynamic prerequisite for the precipitation of cholesterol (Ch) from bile is that bile becomes supersaturated with Ch [2]. Although Ch is virtually insoluble in water, it is present in high concentrations in the hepatic and gallbladder biles of adult human beings [2], where it is solubilized in thermodynamically stable bile salt (BS) and BS-phospholipid (PL) micelles and dispersed in a thermodynamically metastable state by unilamellar PL-Ch vesicles [3]. Hepatic secretion of vesicles appears to be the principal conduit for PL and Ch secretion into bile [4]. Since the transhepatic flux of BS drives PL-Ch secretion, i.e., vesicle exocytosis [5], the origin of supersaturated bile must perforce lie in the hypersecretion of Ch-enriched vesicles in the face of normal BS secretion or the normal secretion of Ch-enriched vesicles in the face of BS hyposecretion [6].
Temperature-dependent self absorption of the 3P0→3H4 transition in Gd3Ga5O12:Pr3+

Abstract We report on the investigation of self absorption of the 3 P 0 → 3 H 4 transition in gadolinium gallium garnet (Gd 3 Ga 5 O 12 ) doped with Pr 3+ . A model is developed which includes the influence of temperature and distance on the process of reabsorption. We show that our model gives a good agreement with the experimental data in the low temperature regime ( T T > 150 K). We attribute this deviation to spectral diffusion.
Archaean and Proterozoic Stromatolites

The approximately 3400-million-year history of the Archaean and Proterozoic Eons is rich in the fossil remains of organosedimentary structures called stromatolites, built primarily by cyanobacteria. Stromatolites first appear 3500 Ma ago and argue well for the presence and therefore great antiquity of cyanobacteria. The presence of cyanobacteria in such ancient rocks indicates that the evolution of the major prokaryotic phyla had occurred by Early Archaean time.
Sympathetic modulation of the cardiac myocyte phenotype: studies with a cell-culture model of myocardial hypertrophy.

Myocardial hypertrophy is the common endpoint of many cardiovascular stimuli such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, valvular disease, and congestive failure. Catecholamines have long been implicated in the pathogenesis of myocardial hypertrophy, however, it is very difficult to sort out catecholamine mechanisms in vivo. We have developed a cell-culture model which excludes hemodynamic effects and allows the assignment of receptor specificity to catecholamine effects. Utilizing this system, we have shown that stimulation of the α1 adrenergic receptor leads to the development of myocardial hypertrophy and results in the selective up-regulation of the fetal/neonatal mRNAs encoding skeletal α-actin and β-MHC, a pattern similar to that seen with hypertrophy in-vivo. Utilizing a co-transfection assay, we have also obtained data that suggest that the β-PKC isozyme is in a pathway regulating transcription of the β-MHC isogene. β adrenergic stimulation of the cultured cardiac myocytes also results in a modest degree of hypertrophy, however, this effect may be dependent upon myocyte contractile activity and may involve, at least in part, the non-muscle cells present in the culture system.
Understanding Forced Marriage in the United States: Developing Measures, Examining its Nature, and Assessing Gender Disparities:

In Western European countries and Canada, an emerging scholarly literature has helped inform awareness and prevention efforts and justice system responses to address forced marriages. But, little i...
Molecular Order Affects Interfacial Water Structure and Temperature-Dependent Hydrophobic Interactions between Nonpolar Self-Assembled Monolayers

Understanding how material properties affect hydrophobic interactions—the water-mediated interactions that drive the association of nonpolar materials—is vital to the design of materials in contact with water. Conventionally, the magnitude of the hydrophobic interactions between extended interfaces is attributed to interfacial chemical properties, such as the amount of nonpolar solvent-exposed surface area. However, recent experiments have demonstrated that the hydrophobic interactions between uniformly nonpolar self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) also depend on molecular-level SAM order. In this work, we use atomistic molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the relationship between SAM order, water structure, and hydrophobic interactions to explain these experimental observations. The SAM–SAM hydrophobic interactions calculated from the simulations increase in magnitude as SAM order increases, matching experimental observations. We explain this trend by showing that the molecular-level order of the SA...
Impact of Dual-Layer Duraplasty During Hemicraniectomy on Morbidity and Operative Metrics of Cranioplasty: A Retrospective Case-Control Study Comparing a Single-Layer with a Dual-Layer Technique.

Background Dural substitutes used during hemicraniectomy provide a barrier and dissection plane during subsequent cranioplasty. A recent review by our group showed that use of dural substitutes in hemicraniectomy is associated with reduction in estimated blood loss (EBL) and operative time (OT). In our experience, the use of a dual-layer technique facilitates a dissection plane with minimal adhesions. We hypothesized that use of this dual-layer technique would show decreased OT and EBL in patients undergoing cranioplasty. Methods We conducted a retrospective case-control study comparing use of single-layer versus dual-layer duraplasty on cranioplasty operative outcomes. Data on dual-layer cases were collected from patients who underwent cranioplasty from 2013 to 2017. These data were matched to controls from 2008 to 2012. Patients were identified by query of a neurosurgical database of all procedures performed at our institution. Patients were included if they had complete surgical records for cranioplasty. Cases and controls were compared with a Student t test, χ2 test, or Fisher exact test. Results A total of 78 controls and 45 cases met inclusion criteria. All baseline characteristics between cohorts were similar except for surgical indication. Mean OT (102.97 minutes vs. 102.18 minutes) and mean EBL were not significantly different (204.66 mL vs. 190 mL) between cohorts. Conclusions In this study, we did not detect any significant difference between EBL and OT with use of single-layer versus dual-layer duraplasty. Mean EBL was slightly higher in the controls compared with cases but this difference was not statistically or clinically significant. This concept would benefit from a prospective randomized study.