cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infrared (IR) irradiation induced surface and morphology changes in Sn-based multi-segmented metallic nanowires

Abstract In this research, infrared (IR) irradiation has been used as a new heating method for the melting and joining of tin (Sn)-based multi-segmented metallic nanowires. Sn-based nanowires were synthesized by using an electrodeposition method in nanoporous polycarbonate templates. Both Sn nanowires and Sn-based multi-segmented nanowires, which have a barrier layer in the middle and two Sn segments on both ends, were fabricated, and their surface and morphology changes were investigated by IR heating and melting method. The melting behavior and morphology changes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The morphology changes of Sn nanowires and Sn segments on multi-segmented nanowires were observed when optimized parameters were applied, including flux, heating time, peak melting temperature, and substrate. Vapor phase reflow has been realized for these Sn-based nanowires with the assistance of a flux. Finally, the joining and soldering of multi-segmented nanowires has been successfully achieved, which will enable nanowire integration and device fabrication.
Exploration of ICP platforms for measuring elemental impurities in uranium ore concentrates

Abstract Presented here is a look at different inductively coupled plasma (ICP) platforms including sector field, triple quadrupole mass spectrometric configurations, and optical emission spectroscopy. The goal of this manuscript was to convey the feasibility of trace elemental analysis of a uranium ore concentrate with varying ICP-based platforms. It was predicted that low mass elements would be better determined through optical means, or the mass collision/reaction technology of the triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, in comparison to high resolution measurements of magnetic sector-based configurations. Ultimately, it is difficult to achieve an “optimal” analysis of 20+ elements, for numerous samples, on a single platform, especially when time, measurement reproducibility, sensitivity, and robustness should be considered. The work presented here highlights the advantages and disadvantages of the respective trace elemental analysis platforms.
Mistaking an Intention for a Behavior: The Case of Enacting Behavioral Decisions Versus Simply Intending to Enact Them:

Five experiments investigated a previously unrecognized phenomenon-remembering that one enacted a mundane behavioral decision when one only intended to do so-and its psychological mechanisms. The theoretical conceptualization advanced in this research proposes that this error stems from a misattribution when an intention and a behavior are similar. Intentions and behaviors are similar when the physical aspects of the behavior resemble the intention (e.g., both require similar keystrokes) and when the behavior and the intention share mental contents (e.g., both rely on the same criterion). Experiments 1 and 2 introduced a paradigm with similar intentions and enactments and showed misreports and subsequent performance errors even when controlling for guessing. Experiments 3 and 4 demonstrated greater confusion when the physical involvement and mental criteria for intention and behavior were similar. Finally, Experiment 5 indicated that monitoring enactment is highly effective at reducing this error and more effective than monitoring intention.
Weak and Strong Interactions: Asymptotic Properties and Ramification

Dealing with Markov chains having weak and strong interactions, Chapter 6 contains the formulations of three basic models, namely, the chains having recurrent states, the inclusion of absorbing states, and the inclusion of transient states. We have demonstrated that with some modifications, the approach for treating chains with recurrent states can be extended to the other two cases. In view of Remark 6.15 and Remark 6.20, the Markov chain with recurrent states is the most illustrative and representative one. As a result, in the remaining chapters, we only treat problems associated with this model, since such a model brings out the salient features of the underlying problems, and the techniques to be used for other cases will be similar. For brevity, unless otherwise noted, in the rest of the book, whenever the phrase “weak and strong interaction” is used, it refers to the case of singularly perturbed Markov chains with recurrent states. Similar approaches can be used for the other cases as well. Compared with Chapter 6, this chapter concentrates on exploiting detailed structures of the weak and strong interactions. In addition, it deals with convergence of the probability distribution with merely measurable generators.
Brain Abscess Complicating a Traumatic Intracerebral Hemorrhagic Contusion.

A 63-year-old right-handed man was admitted to our hospital after sustaining a traumatic right-sided subdural hematoma, subarachnoid hemorrhage, and temporal lobe hemorrhagic contusion. He was mana...
MEASURING SPACETIME GEOMETRY OVER THE AGES

Theorists are often told to express things in the "observational plane". One can do this for spacetime geometry, considering "visual" observations of matter in our universe by a single observer over time, with no assumptions about isometries, initial conditions, nor any particular relation between matter and geometry, such as Einstein's equations. Using observables as coordinates naturally leads to a parametrization of spacetime geometry in terms of other observables, which in turn prescribes an observational program to measure the geometry. Under the assumption of vorticity-free matter flow we describe this observational program, which includes measurements of gravitational lensing, proper motion and redshift drift. Only 15% of the curvature information can be extracted without long time baseline observations, and this increases to 35% with observations that will take decades. The rest would likely require centuries of observations. The formalism developed is exact, nonperturbative, and more general than the usual cosmological analysis.
Adversarial Perturbations Are Not So Weird: Entanglement of Robust and Non-Robust Features in Neural Network Classifiers

Neural networks trained on visual data are well-known to be vulnerable to often imperceptible adversarial perturbations. The reasons for this vulnerability are still being debated in the literature. Recently Ilyas et al. (2019) showed that this vulnerability arises, in part, because neural network classifiers rely on highly predictive but brittle "non-robust" features. In this paper we extend the work of Ilyas et al. by investigating the nature of the input patterns that give rise to these features. In particular, we hypothesize that in a neural network trained in a standard way, non-robust features respond to small, "non-semantic" patterns that are typically entangled with larger, robust patterns, known to be more human-interpretable, as opposed to solely responding to statistical artifacts in a dataset. Thus, adversarial examples can be formed via minimal perturbations to these small, entangled patterns. In addition, we demonstrate a corollary of our hypothesis: robust classifiers are more effective than standard (non-robust) ones as a source for generating transferable adversarial examples in both the untargeted and targeted settings. The results we present in this paper provide new insight into the nature of the non-robust features responsible for adversarial vulnerability of neural network classifiers.
The diverse bioactivity of α-mangostin and its therapeutic implications.

α-Mangostin is a xanthone natural product isolated as a secondary metabolite from the mangosteen tree. It has attracted a great deal of attention due to its wide-ranging effects on certain biologic...
Role of University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) in Diagnosis of Parkinsonian Syndromes in a Real World Setting (1921)

Objective: To determine the utility of the University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) in predicting Parkinson’s disease (PD) versus non-Parkinson’s disease (non-PD) final diagnosis by a movement disorder specialist Background: UPSIT is a “scratch and sniff” smell test comprised of 40 smells designed to detect hyposmia. Severe olfactory dysfunction is a common early symptom of PD but is not characteristic of other parkinsonian syndromes, rendering UPSIT a potentially useful tool in the early differentiation of PD from non-PD syndromes. Design/Methods: We created a patient database including 81 movement disorder patients who have completed the UPSIT at our academic medical center. Employing logistic regression analyses, we created three models, each with a different combination of independent variables, to predict final diagnosis of PD versus non-PD by a movement disorder specialist. Our first model utilized UPSIT percentile as the sole independent variable. Our second model used initial diagnosis (defined as diagnosis by a movement disorder specialist prior to UPSIT administration and levodopa challenge). Our third model included a combination of both UPSIT percentile and initial diagnosis. We conducted chi-squared goodness-of-fit analyses, evaluated the contributions of each independent variable to each model’s output, and performed a ROC (receiver operating characteristic) analysis for each model. Results: The UPSIT percentile model, the initial diagnosis model, and the combined model were all statistically significant by the chi-squared goodness-of-fit-analyses (p=0.004550365, 9.474786e-07, and 5.907252e-08, respectively). Each independent variable significantly contributed in each of our models. This illustrates all three models were capable of accurately predicting the final diagnosis. The Area Under the Curve determined by our ROC analyses for the first, second, and third models were 0.718, 0.754, and 0.868, respectively. This suggests that UPSIT percentile significantly improves prediction of final diagnosis. Conclusions: UPSIT percentile is a useful, convenient, and low-cost clinical tool for early differentiation of PD from other parkinsonism syndromes. Disclosure: Dr. Pulley has nothing to disclose. Dr. Liebenow has nothing to disclose. Dr. Kishida has nothing to disclose. Dr. Siddiqui has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Boston Scientific and AbbVie. Dr. Siddiqui has received research support from Site PI for clinical trials from Sunovion Pharma, Abbvie Inc, Boston Scientific Inc, Biogen MA Inc, Theravance Biopharma, MJ Fox / Neuropoint Alliance, Impax Laboratories, Sun Pharma..
Green Software Engineering Environments

The term ‘software engineering environment’ (SEE) can be used to describe the network of people, software, hardware and infrastructure involved in the construction of software. In the past, research has focused primarily on the energy consumption of SEEs, including, for example, developer’s computers, networking equipment, mobile devices, and servers. In this chapter, we discuss work that has been conducted in investigating energy sinks in the SEE. This work includes existing methods, metrics and tools geared toward optimising and monitoring SEE energy consumption. However, the environmental impacts of creating software systems include more that just plug load energy consumption. The future of making SEEs ‘green’—that is, reducing their environmental and energetic footprints—relies on investigating impacts that are both indirect and direct, extend beyond just the physical development environment and are part of the entire software engineering life cycle.
Relation between cell growth and cell division. IV. The synthesis of DNA, RNA, and protein from division to division in Tetrahymena.

Abstract The incorporation of 14 C methionine into protein, 14 C adenine into RNA, and tritium-thymidine into DNA has been followed autoradiographically over the cell cycle in small groups of Tetrahymena in synchrony. 14 C methionine incorporation occurs at a constant rate through the entire interphase. The rate of 14 C adenine incorporation into RNA is low during the first half of interphase and high during the last half. The synthesis of DNA, as indicated by tritium-thymidine incorporation, is restricted to the first half of interphase.
The Impact of Multifaceted Questions on Eyewitness Accuracy Following Forced Fabrication Interviews.

ABSTRACTLawyers will frequently use complex-question forms, such as multifaceted questions (single questions that contain both a true and a false proposition), when cross-examining witnesses, and prior research has shown that use of such questions reduces testimonial accuracy. The present study extends this research by using a forced fabrication paradigm (Chrobak & Zaragoza, 2008) to assess how multifaceted questions might affect eyewitness suggestibility after exposure to misleading post-event information. Consistent with prior studies, the use of multifaceted questions led to lower accuracy than simple questions. The novel finding was that multifaceted questions caused larger impairments in performance among fabrication participants (who had earlier been suggestively interviewed), than in control participants (who had not). We also provide preliminary evidence that the impairment caused by multifaceted questions is due to both (a) having to consider two propositions simultaneously, and (b) the shift in ...
Prestressed Concrete Design by Linear Programming

The adequacy of a concrete trial section and the determination of the minimum necessary prestressing steel area for a prestressed concrete requires the satisfaction of multiple design criteria. These equations can be linearized through the use of a reciprocal prestressing force factor in the working stress equation and piecewise linearization of the ultimate strength and maximum reinforcement conditions. These data can be postulated in matrix form for input to a standard linear programming optimization computer code, and the optimal prestressing area can be determined. An example shows the application to a routine design.
"I Would Be Master Still": Dracula as the Aftermath of the Wilde Trials and Irish Land League Policies

This paper explores the intersection of sexual identity, gender, and politics in the specifically Irish context of Bram Stoker's Dracula. Neither Stoker nor Dracula are typically thought of as Irish, but by highlighting Stoker's presentation of "thirdspace" characters, as well as his own "thirdspace" identities, it becomes possible to see the distinctly Irish origins and influence of the author and the novel. Critics have in the last 20 years read Draculaeither as a novel with queer concerns or a novel with political concerns. By looking at these two aspects together and in light of each other, a specifically Irish, postcolonial understanding of the novel becomes possible. In 2001, vampires are often portrayed as bisexual, promiscuous, and androgynous. In 1895, Stoker presented vampires as having blended characteristics of masculinity and femininity. Female vampires have masculine sexual behaviour, while male vampires like Dracula have typically feminine sexual behaviour. This picture of vampires mirrors the way homosexuals were being discussed by some theorists at that time. Particularly in the aftermath of the Oscar Wilde trial, scientists came to see homosexuals as people who possessed both masculine and feminine characteristics, as a third sex. Also as a result of the trial, it became popular to discuss homosexuals as a group that restocked their populations by converting young people. Conversion was also the typical way to conceive of colonial activities during this time. Natives were considered backward or inferior, so converting them to English lifestyles and customs was seemingly the kindest action the English could take. Replacing native customs with industrialisation and technology was considered a progressive type of colonialism. Stoker portrays this conversion method of colonialism in the character of Dracula. The Count threatens to take London not by force, but by slowly converting its citizens to his way of life. This intersection of colonialism and homosexuality in Draculaallows Stoker to re-define the importance of a third position to the contemporary Irish problem of the Land League. Like homosexuals at that time, the Anglo-Irish also occupied a third position, considered neither truly Irish nor truly English. Just as it takes those defined by a third position to defeat Dracula's attempt at colonisation, Stoker seems to suggest it will take the Anglo-Irish to settle colonial issues in Ireland successfully.
CONSERVATIVE TOLERANCE AND CONFIDENCE LIMITS

Abstract : This paper extends the validity of exponential tolerance and confidence limits, under certain restrictions, to the class of distributions with monotone failure rate. In particular, the usual exponential lower tolerance limit is shown to be conservative for the increasing failure rate class of distributions in the range of population coverages and confidence coefficients of practical interest. Conservative confidence limits are also obtained on tail probabilities and moments.
Trickle-Down Bureaucracy

Abstract The study investigated the existence of a “trickle-down” effect, whereby characteristics of a residential service organization affect the client's experience while receiving services. Three transitional housing programs for homeless families in a northeastern US state were studied over a period of two years. The study used a qualitative methodology. On-site observations (n = 110) and document analyses provided data for case studies. An inverse relationship was observed between the extent of bureaucracy and clients' responses to the programs. Residential service organizations with relatively low bureaucracy, indigenous participatory leadership, and personalized, concrete and humane program approaches offered clients more positive experiences than other agency configurations.
Global supervised descent method

Mathematical optimization plays a fundamental role in solving many problems in computer vision (e.g., camera calibration, image alignment, structure from motion). It is generally accepted that second order descent methods are the most robust, fast, and reliable approaches for nonlinear optimization of a general smooth function. However, in the context of computer vision, second order descent methods have two main drawbacks: 1) the function might not be analytically differentiable and numerical approximations are impractical, and 2) the Hessian may be large and not positive definite. Recently, Supervised Descent Method (SDM), a method that learns the “weighted averaged gradients” in a supervised manner has been proposed to solve these issues. However, SDM is a local algorithm and it is likely to average conflicting gradient directions. This paper proposes Global SDM (GSDM), an extension of SDM that divides the search space into regions of similar gradient directions. GSDM provides a better and more efficient strategy to minimize non-linear least squares functions in computer vision problems. We illustrate the effectiveness of GSDM in two problems: non-rigid image alignment and extrinsic camera calibration.
Kinetics of cyclic AMP in toad bladder.

Abstract Tissue distributions of cyclic [3H]AMP and [14C]inulin in toad bladder were determined and their kinetics analyzed. We found that both the epithelial and the other cells of the toad bladder handcle cyclic AMP similarly. Moreover, we found that the distribution of cyclic AMP did not differ from that of inulin, an extracellular marker. Kinetic analysis suggests that the rate of coefficient of cyclic AMP metabolism is much larger than the exchange rate coefficient, which explains why distribution of both cyclic AMP and inulin are similar.
The Myth of the “Collusive Mother”: Variability in the Functioning of Mothers of Victims of Intrafamilial Sexual Abuse

Mothers whose children were sexually victimized by three types of father figures are compared on factors related to the concept of maternal collusion. Categories of mothers are those whose children were abused by bio-fathers married to the mothers, by stepfathers and mothers' live-in partners, and by noncustodial fathers where there is a separation or divorce. Variables related to collusion that were explored are maternal protectiveness when made aware of the sexual abuse, mothers' relationship with the victim, and maternal dependency. Mothers who were separated or divorced from the offender were rated the most positively on all three variables. Mothers in the other two groups were rated about equally, but findings do not support a conclusion that they are collusive in the sexual abuse of their children.
Energy Transfer and Molecule-Radiation Interaction in Optical Microcavities

Laser energy transfer and molecule-radiation interaction in optical microcavity devices are characterized. The device is operated at whispering-gallery modes, and consists of a microcavity and a micro-waveguide coupled by a sub-micrometer air-gap. Emphases are placed on the influences of microcavity size and waveguide compatibility on the energy transfer and storage capability, on the interactions of foreign molecules with the evanescent radiation field surrounding a resonant microcavity. An optimal gap is found for the considered device configuration where maximum energy storage is achieved. This optimal gap is dependent on the resonance mode as well as the morphology. The Q factor increases exponentially with increasing gap and saturates as the gap approaches the optical wavelength. The influence of molecules attachment is demonstrated and the potential in molecular detection is discussed.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
Developmental and tissue-specific control of catalase expression in Drosophila melanogaster: correlations with rates of enzyme synthesis and degradation

The ontogenetic and tissue-specific expression of catalase (E.C. 1.11.1.6) has been determined in a wild type strain of Drosophila melanogaster derived from a natural population. Two distinct peaks of activity are observed during development with the first peak occurring in late third instar larvae just prior to puparium formation, and the second and larger of the two peaks occurring during metamorphosis. These peaks of catalase activity are coincident with the two major peaks of ecdysone titer. Of the tissues assayed, larval malpighian tubules, gut, and fat body demonstrated the highest specific activities. Adult abdomen exhibited a two- to three-fold higher specific activity than either head or thorax. Of the abdominal tissues assayed, malpighian tubules and abdominal wall had the highest specific activities. Malpighian tubules were the only sexually dimorphic tissue with respect to catalase activity and are apparently largely responsible for an overall increase observed in female abdominal activity. Catalase-specific CRM levels parallel the enzyme activity levels indicating that these tissue-specific activity differences reflect differences in the rate of accumulation of catalase molecules. Turnover studies employing the catalase inhibitor 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole were conducted on head, thorax, and abdomen of male adult flies. Rates of catalase degradation were similar in the three body segments with a slightly higher rate in abdominal tissue. Therefore the different steady state levels observed largely reflect different rates of catalase synthesis.
China: Arms transfer policies and practices

(1994). China: Arms transfer policies and practices. Contemporary Security Policy: Vol. 15, Post‐Cold War Security Issues in the Asia‐Pacific Region, pp. 156-173.
Allergy, family history of autoimmune diseases, and the risk of multiple sclerosis.

Objective – Previous reports suggested an association between allergy, autoimmunity, and risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), but results have been inconsistent. The present study assessed the association between history of allergy and autoimmune diseases, and the risk of MS. Methods – We conducted a case–control study nested in the Nurses’ Health Study (NHS) and NHS II cohorts. A total of 298 women with MS were matched with 1248 healthy controls and 248 women with history of breast cancer. A mailed questionnaire gathered information about history of allergic conditions and autoimmune disorders. Results – History of allergy was not associated with MS risk [odds ratio (OR) 1.0, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.8–1.4]. As expected, cases were more likely to have a positive family history of MS than controls (OR 9.7, 95% CI 6.1–15.3). A modest association was found between family history of other autoimmune diseases and MS risk (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.0–1.8). We obtained similar results when we used women with breast cancer as comparison group. Conclusion – Family history of other autoimmune diseases was associated with a higher MS risk, suggesting a common genetic background or shared environmental triggers. There was no clear association between personal history of allergy and risk of MS.
Risk stratification in coronary disease: a contrary viewpoint.

Abstract ▪ Noninvasive stress testing is generally recommended to detect patients who are at increased risk for cardiac death and myocardial infarction. Such tests depend on the presence of a physi...
Overview of Great Vessel Trauma

Traumatic injury to the aorta and the brachiocephalic branches are potentially lethal injuries. Specialized preoperative imaging and medical management can lead to better outcomes in this group of patients. In addition, improved surgical techniques for spinal cord protection have led to decreased morbidity in surgical candidates. Thoracic endovascular stent grafts remain a promising technique; however, long-term data currently are not available.
A Brief Patient Self-administered Substance Use Screening Tool for Primary Care: Two-site Validation Study of the Substance Use Brief Screen (SUBS)

Abstract Background Substance use screening is widely encouraged in health care settings, but the lack of a screening approach that fits easily into clinical workflows has restricted its broad implementation. The Substance Use Brief Screen (SUBS) was developed as a brief, self-administered instrument to identify unhealthy use of tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, and prescription drugs. We evaluated the validity and test-retest reliability of the SUBS in adult primary care patients. Methods Adults aged 18-65 years were enrolled from urban safety net primary care clinics to self-administer the SUBS using touch-screen tablet computers for a test-retest reliability study (n = 54) and a 2-site validation study (n = 586). In the test-retest reliability study, the SUBS was administered twice within a 2-week period. In the validation study, the SUBS was compared with reference standard measures, including self-reported measures and oral fluid drug tests. We measured test-retest reliability and diagnostic accuracy of the SUBS for detection of unhealthy use and substance use disorder for tobacco, alcohol, and drugs (illicit and prescription drug misuse). Results Test-retest reliability was good or excellent for each substance class. For detection of unhealthy use, the SUBS had sensitivity and specificity of 97.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 93.7-99.5) and 95.7% (95% CI, 92.4-97.8), respectively, for tobacco; and 85.2% (95% CI, 79.3-89.9) and 77.0% (95% CI, 72.6-81.1) for alcohol. For unhealthy use of illicit or prescription drugs, sensitivity was 82.5% (95% CI, 75.7-88.0) and specificity 91.1% (95% CI, 87.9-93.6). With respect to identifying a substance use disorder, the SUBS had sensitivity and specificity of 100.0% (95% CI, 92.7-100.0) and 72.1% (95% CI, 67.1-76.8) for tobacco; 93.5% (95% CI, 85.5-97.9) and 64.6% (95% CI, 60.2-68.7) for alcohol; and 85.7% (95% CI, 77.2-92.0) and 82.0% (95% CI, 78.2-85.3) for drugs. Analyses of area under the receiver operating curve (AUC) indicated good discrimination (AUC 0.74-0.97) for all substance classes. Assistance in completing the SUBS was requested by 11% of participants. Conclusions The SUBS was feasible for self-administration and generated valid results in a diverse primary care patient population. The 4-item SUBS can be recommended for primary care settings that are seeking to implement substance use screening.
Changes in the expression of two Epstein-Barr virus-associated antigens, EBNA and RANA, during the cell cycle of transformed human B lymphoblasts.

Two methods of cell synchronization, density-dependent arrest and double thymidine block, were used to assign two Epstein-Barr virus-associated antigens to different parts of the growth cycle of the human B lymphoblastoid cell lines, WI-L2 and Raji. The Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen (EBNA), as detected by anti-complement immunofluorescence, was maximally expressed during early S phase, decreased during the G2 and M phases, and was absent in early G1. In contrast, the rheumatoid arthritis nuclear antigen (RANA), as detected by anti-immunoglobulin immunofluorescence with a prototype serum from a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, was maximally expressed during early G1 phase, progressively decreased during S and early G2, and reappeared during late G2/M.
Measuring School Climate: Factor Analysis and Relations to Emotional Problems, Conduct Problems, and Victimization in Middle School Students

School climate is a complex and multifaceted construct, and there are varying perspectives regarding the precise factors that comprise this construct. The two aims of this study were to examine the empirical structure of an existing school climate measure and to test the relations between specific school climate factors and emotional problems, conduct problems, and peer victimization (i.e., bullying). Using a sample of 2,108 middle school grade students (grades 6–8) from ten schools randomly split into two analytic samples, three factors (Authoritative Structure, Student Order, and Student Support) emerged in exploratory factor analyses and were cross-validated using confirmatory factor analysis. Using the combined sample, student perceptions of classroom orderliness and the authoritative actions of teachers and school staff were each uniquely and inversely related to emotional and conduct problems as well as victimization. Potential theoretical and clinical implications for school-based interventions targeting school climate and related outcomes in middle school are discussed.
Inhomogeneous Fluid Approach to Solvation Thermodynamics. 1. Theory

The solvation energy and entropy at infinite dilution consist of a solute−solvent term and a solvent reorganization term representing the contributions of changes in solvent structure upon solute insertion. In the standard, homogeneous treatment of solutions, changes in solvent structure are expressed through derivatives of the homogeneous pair correlation function, which are very difficult to obtain by simulation. Tractable expressions for the solvation energy and entropy are here derived by viewing the solution as an inhomogeneous system with the solute fixed at a certain point. The solvent reorganization terms in the inhomogeneous view contain two contributions: the local, “correlation” contributions, which are due to correlations between the solute and the solvent and dominate at high densities, and the nonlocal, “liberation” contributions, which are due to the effective dilution of the solvent caused by the thermal motion of the solute and dominate at low densities. The liberation contributions are ...
Algorithms for routing and testing routability of planar VLSI layouts

This paper studies the problem of routing wires in a grid among features on one layer of a VLSI chip, when a sketch of the layer is given. A sketch specifies the positions of features and the topology of the interconnecting wires. We give polynomial-time algorithms that (1) determine the routability of a sketch, and (2) produce a routing of a sketch that optimizes both individual and total wire length. These algorithms subsume most of the polynomial-time algorithms in the literature for planar routing and routability testing in the rectilinear grid model. We also provide an explicit construction of a database, called the rubber-band equivalent, to support computation involving the layout topology.
The structure of Sinorhizobium meliloti phage ΦM12, which has a novel T=19l triangulation number and is the founder of a new group of T4-superfamily phages.

Abstract ΦM12 is the first example of a T=19l geometry capsid, encapsulating the recently sequenced genome. Here, we present structures determined by cryo-EM of full and empty capsids. The structure reveals the pattern for assembly of 1140 HK97-like capsid proteins, pointing to interactions at the pseudo 3-fold symmetry axes that hold together the asymmetric unit. The particular smooth surface of the capsid, along with a lack of accessory coat proteins encoded by the genome, suggest that this interface is the primary mechanism for capsid assembly. Two-dimensional averages of the tail, including the neck and baseplate, reveal that ΦM12 has a relatively narrow neck that attaches the tail to the capsid, as well as a three-layer baseplate. When free from DNA, the icosahedral edges expand by about 5 nm, while the vertices stay at the same position, forming a similarly smooth, but bowed, T=19l icosahedral capsid.
Dynamic interfacial tension and wettability of shale in the presence of surfactants at reservoir conditions

Abstract The production of oil from shale formations often requires the utilization of chemical surfactants as additives in fracturing fluids in order to change the characteristics of oil/brine interfaces and/or induce wettability alteration at the shale surface. Although the effect of some surfactants on the interfacial properties of shale oil systems has been investigated in the past, the limited data available in the literature were mainly obtained at ambient conditions and thus may not be representative of fluid-rock interactions at actual reservoir conditions. In this study, a new framework is proposed to investigate the effect of surfactants on fundamental parameters governing fluid displacement in two brine/oil/shale systems (A and B) at reservoir conditions. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of anionic and nonionic surfactants in brine and their adsorption propensity on shale was first determined by ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy and pendant drop method. Rising/captive bubble technique was validated for ultra-low interfacial tension systems then utilized to measure dynamic interfacial tensions and contact angles in the presence of surfactants in Systems A and B at ambient and reservoir conditions. The effects of pressure and temperature, surfactant concentration, and brine chemistry on the above-mentioned parameters were investigated in a systematic manner. The results revealed that nonionic surfactants adsorb much less on shales than anionic surfactants. As a result, shale samples used in this study remained strongly water–wet with the nonionic surfactant regardless of surfactant concentration and brine chemistry. The lowest work of adhesion was obtained right above the CMC, which represents the optimum surfactant concentration. Moreover the use of tap water instead of reservoir brine in System B was preferred due to a further reduction in IFT.
Examining the 10-Year Rebuilding Dilemma for U.S. Fish Stocks

Worldwide, fishery managers strive to maintain fish stocks at or above levels that produce maximum sustainable yields, and to rebuild overexploited stocks that can no longer support such yields. In the United States, rebuilding overexploited stocks is a contentious issue, where most stocks are mandated to rebuild in as short a time as possible, and in a time period not to exceed 10 years. Opponents of such mandates and related guidance argue that rebuilding requirements are arbitrary, and create discontinuities in the time and fishing effort allowed for stocks to rebuild due to differences in productivity. Proponents, however, highlight how these mandates and guidance were needed to curtail the continued overexploitation of these stocks by setting firm deadlines on rebuilding. Here we evaluate the statements made by opponents and proponents of the 10-year rebuilding mandate and related guidance to determine whether such points are technically accurate using a simple population dynamics model and a database of U.S. fish stocks to parameterize the model. We also offer solutions to many of the issues surrounding this mandate and its implementation by recommending some fishing mortality based frameworks, which meet the intent of the 10-year rebuilding requirement while also providing more flexibility.
Laser-rf double-resonance studies of the hyperfine structure of V 51

The laser-rf double-resonance technique has been used to study the hyperfine structure (hfs) of the excited $3{d}^{4}4s^{4}D$ levels of $^{15}\mathrm{V}$ in a continuation of earlier atomic-beam magnetic-resonance studies of the lower levels. The new results make it possible for the first time to distinguish clearly between the contact hfs due to the $4s$ electron and that due to core polarization associated with the $3d$ electrons. The values found for the radial hfs integrals from a systematic analysis of both the new and earlier results are compared with the relativistic Hartree-Fock values of Lindgren and Ros\'en. The magnetic octopole hfs interaction is measured for one level. Hyperfine constants and lifetime information, deduced from laser-fluorescence studies, are presented for the levels $3{d}^{4}4p^{4}P_{\frac{5}{2},\frac{3}{2},\frac{1}{2}}^{o}$ at \ensuremath{\sim}25000 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ exitation.
Coping effectiveness training during acute rehabilitation of spinal cord injury/dysfunction: a randomized clinical trial.

Purpose To compare coping effectiveness training (CET) with supportive group therapy (SGT) for anxiety, depression, and adjustment to injury in an acute spinal cord injury/dysfunction (SCI/D) rehabilitation population. CET was shown to result in decreased anxiety and depression symptoms when compared to historical no-treatment control groups (Kennedy, Duff, Evans, & Beedie, 2003; King & Kennedy, 1999). The present study sought to extend those findings with a comparison of CET to an alternative active therapy condition, SGT. Research method Participants (N = 40) entering a hospital-based program were assigned to treatment condition using block randomization. Questionnaire mood measures were completed at program admission, program discharge, and 3-month postdischarge follow-up. Adjustment to disability was assessed at follow-up only. Analyses of variance tested for group differences in anxiety, depression, and adjustment to injury. Results Both groups reported reductions in mood symptoms with no differences between treatment conditions. However, similar reductions were obtained after fewer sessions of CET. Symptoms of depression increased in both groups following hospital discharge. Conclusions Clinical and research implications, including innovative interventions during the period after discharge, are discussed.
Enhancement of left ventricular cavity opacification by harmonic imaging after venous injection of Albunex

Venous injection of Albunex does not consistently produce left ventricular (LV) cavity opacification during conventional echocardiography. We postulated that by increasing the signal-to-noise ratio, harmonic imaging will result in more successful LV cavity opacification and provide a better assessment of regional LV systolic function. Forty-two patients with poor baseline endocardial delineation were given 10 ml intravenous injections of Albunex during continuous fundamental and harmonic imaging. Change in segmental wall-thickening scores and the confidence levels for these scores were assessed for 3 observers with various levels of experience. Compared with fundamental imaging, harmonic imaging significantly improved the success of LV cavity opacification (83% vs 62%, p <0.05). The background-subtracted video intensity within the central two thirds of the LV cavity increased threefold (from 10 +/- 15 to 31 +/- 29, p <0.05) with harmonic imaging. The spatial extent of opacification increased from 40% of the LV cavity during fundamental imaging to 65% with harmonic imaging (p <0.001). The confidence level for assessing regional LV systolic function improved (p <0.05) after contrast administration, particularly when observer experience was limited. We conclude that in patients with poor endocardial definition, injection of intravenous Albunex should be combined with harmonic imaging to improve LV cavity opacification.
Herpes Simplex Virus Immediate-Early ICP0 Protein Inhibits Toll-Like Receptor 2-Dependent Inflammatory Responses and NF-κB Signaling

The discovery of the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and their importance in the regulation of host responses to infection raised attention to the complex interplay between viral gene products and the host innate immune responses in determining the outcome of virus infection. Robust inflammatory cytokine responses are observed in herpes simplex virus (HSV)-infected animals and cells. Our studies have demonstrated that Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) activation by HSV results in NF-κB activation with concomitant inflammatory cytokine production and that TLR2 activation plays a critical role in HSV-induced pathology and mortality. Here we demonstrate that the HSV-1 immediate-early ICP0 protein reduces the TLR2-mediated inflammatory response to HSV 1 (HSV-1) infection. Expression of ICP0 alone is sufficient to block TLR2-driven responses to both viral and nonviral ligands at or downstream of the MyD88 adaptor and upstream of p65. ICP0 alone can also reduce the levels of MyD88 and Mal (TIRAP). In HSV-infected cells, the E3 ligase function of ICP0 and cellular proteasomal activity are required for the inhibitory activity. Our results argue for a model in which ICP0 promotes the degradation of TLR adaptor molecules and inhibition of the inflammatory response, much as it inhibits the interferon response by sequestration and degradation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3).
Binding and second messengers of prostaglandins F2α and E1 in primary cultures of rabbit endometrial cells

Several factors and hormones are thought to play a role in the growth control of endometrial cells. We have shown that prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) is a growth factor for primary cultures of rabbit endometrial cells grown in serum-free, chemically defined medium and that prostaglandin E1 (PGE1) antagonizes the PGF2 alpha induction of growth (Orlicky et al., 1986). [3H]PGF2 alpha binds to whole cells in a time (optimal approximately 30 min)- and temperature-dependent (optimal 37 degrees C), disassociable (90% disassociable within 30 min), saturable (Kd1 = 4.9 X 10(-8) M, n1 = 1.2 X 10(5) molecules/cell; Kd2 = 2.6 X 10(-7) M, n2 = 3.0 X 10(5) molecules/cell), and specific manner. [3H]PGE1 binds in a time-dependent (optimal 25 min), disassociable (90% disassociable within 10 min), saturable (Kd = 6.4 X 10(-8) M, n = 1.2 X 10(5) molecules/cell), and specific manner. This specific binding of [3H]PGF2 alpha and [3H]PGE1 is down-regulatable by prior treatment of the cultures with unlabeled ligand, and up-regulatable by prior treatment of the cultures with indomethacin to inhibit endogenous PG synthesis. Proteolytic enzyme treatment for 2 min reduces the specific binding of PGF2 alpha by 75%. PGE1 stimulates intracellular cAMP synthesis and accumulation in a time (optimal 10 min)- and concentration (half-maximal stimulation at 10(-6) M)-dependent manner but has no effect on intracellular cGMP. PGF2 alpha has no effect on either intracellular cAMP or cGMP in this system. We describe here for the first time the analysis at a biochemical level of the interaction between two prostaglandins, antagonistic to each other in terms of growth regulation.
Cuticular proteins of the silkmoth Antheraea polyphemus

Abstract Proteins from untanned pupal and adult abdominal cuticles, as well as pupal wing cuticle and adult wing scales from the oak silkmoth Antheraea polyphemus have been solubilized with denaturing solvents: SDS (2%), urea (8 M) and guanidine hydrochloride (6 M). Up to 50% of the proteins can be extracted by the procedure developed and all the solvents extract an approximately similar complement of proteins from the same cuticle. Both pupal and adult cuticles contain from 30 to 40 polypeptides separable on SDS-PAGE of which about ten in each case make up the major proportion. The major proteins fall in the molecular weight range of 15,000 to 45,000. SDS-PAGE and amino acid analyses indicate that (i) the protein composition of pupal and adult cuticles differ from one another (ii) the protein composition of cuticles, from different regions of the body e.g. wing or abdomen, are similar when derived from a particular stage (iii) proteins extracted from scales of adult wings represent a true reflection of the total adult wing cuticle and (iv) only minor differences exist between the proteins of segment and intersegment cuticle. Some of the major individual proteins have been isolated and analysis of amino acids, as well as the nature of digestion products obtained by limited proteolysis, indicate these to be unique. Immunological analyses, however, indicate some structural component to be common among some of the proteins because of good antibody cross reactivity.
Out-of-hospital use of proton pump inhibitors and hypomagnesemia at hospital admission: a nested case-control study.

Background Case series suggest that long-term use of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) is associated with hypomagnesemia, but the current literature lacks systematically collected data. Our aim was to examine whether hypomagnesemia at the time of hospital admission is associated with out-of-hospital use of PPIs. Study Design Nested case-control study matched for age and sex. Setting & Participants Data were collected retrospectively from a tertiary acute-care facility. Eligible cases consisted of 402 adults with hypomagnesemia (serum magnesium Predictor Out-of-hospital PPI use was identified in the hospital record. An omeprazole equivalent dose was calculated when possible. Covariates included the Charlson-Deyo comorbidity index, diabetes, diuretic use, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and gastroesophageal reflux. Outcome Multivariable conditional logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association of PPI use with hypomagnesemia at the time of hospital admission. Results PPI use was not associated with hypomagnesemia (adjusted OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.61-1.11). Neither PPI type nor omeprazole equivalent daily dose was associated with hypomagnesemia. Sensitivity analyses of PPI use restricted to patients with esophageal disorders (adjusted OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.69-1.45), severe hypomagnesemia (magnesium, ≤1.0 mEq/L; adjusted OR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.13-4.61), or estimated glomerular filtration rate ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 (adjusted OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.53-1.34) were unrevealing. Limitations Exposure misclassification; hospitalized patients on medical services may not be representative of a broader ambulatory-based population. Conclusions In a hospital-based adult population, out-of-hospital PPI use is not associated with hypomagnesemia at the time of hospital admission to medical services. In light of these inconclusive results, prospective cohort studies are needed to address this rare potential medication-related adverse effect.