cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
alpha-Tricalcium phosphate hydrolysis to hydroxyapatite at and near physiological temperature

The kinetics of hydroxyapatite (HAp) formation by direct hydrolysis of α-tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP) [α-Ca3(PO4)2] have been investigated. Transformation kinetics were examined for reactions at 37 °C, 45 °C and 56 °C by isothermal calorimetric analysis. Setting times and morphologies of the resultant HAp were found to be strongly dependent on reaction temperature. XRD analysis accompanied by FTIR confirmed that phase pure calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite (CDHAp) [Ca10-x(HPO4)x(PO4)6-x(OH)2-x] was formed. Complete reaction occurs within 18, 11, 6.5 h at 37, 45 and 56 °C, respectively. The extent of HAp formation differs for particulate slurries and pre-shaped forms of reactant α-TCP. Formation of hydroxyapatite in pre-formed pellets was hindered due to limited water penetration, but enhanced with the presence of NaCl as a pore generator. Regardless of the precursor characteristics and temperature, HAp formation is characterized by an initial period of wetting of the α-TCP precursor, an induction period and a growth period during which the bulk transformation to HAp occurs. The microstructures of the resultant HAp at all temperatures were generally similar and are characterized by the formation porous flake-like morphology. Microstructural coarsening was observed for the CDHAp formed above the physiological temperature. The hardening generated by the hydrolysis reaction was demonstrated using diametrical compression tests. The original tensile strength of 56% dense α-TCP increased from 0.70±0.1 MPa to 9.36±0.4 MPa after hydrolysis to CDHAp at 37 °C, corresponding to a density of 70%. ©2000 Kluwer Academic Publishers
Limiting Temperature, Lifetime, Size of the Centrally Produced Hadronic Matter and Its Astrophysical Implications

Studying the reaction p + Al → p + charged + X we measured the lifetime of the centrally produced hadronic matter1; τ° ≈ 2.2 × 10−24 sec. From the reaction p + p → p + charged we determined2 the limiting temperature (T) and the average transverse momentum at infinite energy ( ); To = 117 ± 4 MeV and = 188 + 5 MeV. Using the same reaction and the intensity interferometer technique we determined the size (r) and lifetime (τ) of the centrally produced hadronic matter; r = 0.73 ± 0.11 fermi τ = 1.97 ± 0.57 × 10−24 sec. From the velocity of sound (v/c) at high densities was determined; v/c ≈ 1 or 0, which can be used to construct the equation of state of neutron stars.
Immunoglobulin Gene Expression in Wasted Mice

In 1982, Shultz et al. (1) reported the discovery of a new mouse mutation called “wasted” (wst) which is characterized by faulty DNA repair, neurologic abnormalities and immunodeficiency. The disease produced by this spontaneous autosomal recessive mutation (wst) is phenotypically manifested in homozygous wst/wst mice at three weeks of age as a neurologic abnormality. The animals develop tremor and uncoordinated movements which is followed by progressive paralysis. At that time, the animals also manifest lymphoid hypoplasia characterized by decreased thymus, lymph node and spleen to body weight. Homozygotes (wst/wst) have been reported to show decreased lymphoproliferative responses to both Con A and LPS with increasing age (2). In addition, wst/wst mice demonstrate increased susceptibility to chromosomal injury (1). The combined neurologic and immunologic dysfunction as well as an increased propensity for chromosome damage has suggested that the “wasted” mutation provides a model for ataxia telangiectasia (1,3–4).
Stage 4: Performing Analyses and the Metrics View

This chapter emphasizes the use of the human-focused data to perform analyses to address stakeholder concerns. The fourth stage of the Human Viewpoint methodology advocates different analyses for both human and technical aspects of the system with the goal of improving system performance while remaining within other constraints, such as cost and schedule. It provides examples of analysis that can be performed with both single and multiple Human Views. This chapter also details the Metrics view and identifying applicable measures to evaluate the socio-technical system.
Is Universe a big pattern? Comment on Newell and Venkataramani's essay

Abstract This note is motivated by the contribution of Alan Newell to this thematic issue of C. R. Mecanique honoring Pierre Coullet. The point of this comment is to show that some ideas in Newell and Venkataramani's essay are already there in the present theory of the ultimate structure of our Universe, although formulated in a completely different way. In particular, the relationship between the structure of the Universe at small scale and the nagging question of the missing mass is present in both theories, whereas a precise link between the observations and either theory is yet to be found.
The Limitations of Compassion in International Volunteering

On April 15, 2013, at 2:49 p.m., two bombs were detonated near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. The effects were physically devastating — three dead and hundreds injured, some requiring ampu...
The Role of Tropical Heating and Internal Variability in the California Response to the 2015/16 ENSO Event

AbstractEnsemble reforecast experiments are performed for the boreal winters of 2015/16 (an El Nino year) and 2016/17 in order to understand the origin of the highly unexpected low precipitation ov...
Childhood maltreatment experiences and problematic sexual outcomes in adult males who have sexually offended: Further evidence of the potency of male caregiver psychological abuse.

Abstract Background Although research on the developmental antecedents of sexual offending has tended to focus on sexual abuse, recent research in juveniles and adults who have sexually offended suggests that psychological abuse perpetrated by a male caregiver may be a particularly important factor in the development of problematic sexual interests and behaviors. Objective This study aimed to extend previous findings by investigating the association between psychological abuse by a male caregiver and problematic sexual outcomes in a sample of adult males who had sexually offended. Participants Participants were 529 adult males incarcerated for sexual offenses, 21% of whom were civilly committed. Methods Childhood maltreatment and problematic sexual outcomes were assessed using the Multidimensional Assessment of Sex and Aggression, a contingency-based inventory that assesses domains related to sexual aggression. Hierarchical regressions were calculated examining the association between childhood abuse types and sexual outcomes. Results Childhood sexual abuse was associated with child sexual (β = .247, p Conclusions These results partially replicate recent findings in a juvenile sample and challenge conventional developmental theories of sexual offending, by suggesting that male caregiver psychological abuse may play a role in the etiology of child sexual interest among males who have sexually offended. This study also suggests a possible gender symmetry effect moderating the developmental consequences of abuse.
Nitrated Lipids in a Murine Model of Sickle Cell Disease at Baseline.

Introduction Sickle cell disease (SCD) is increasingly recognized as a disorder of inflammatory homeostasis. One major focus in recent years has been understanding the role of Nitric Oxide (NO) in the pathophysiology of SCD. NO is a critical mediator of inflammatory pathways and current evidence supports the precept that NO bioavailability is decreased in SCD, resulting in normal concentrations of NO at baseline but an inability to increase NO during stress. Nitrated fatty acids, such as Nitrolinoleate (LNO 2 ), have recently been reported as potent and abundant anti-inflammatory signaling mediators with the ability to cause vasorelaxation and inhibition of platelet and neutrophil activation. Evidence supports their anti-inflammatory signaling is mediated through the release of NO and NO-related products. LNO 2 has not previously been described in patients with SCD and our objective was to quantify LNO 2 in a murine model of SCD at baseline. Methods Whole blood was obtained from transgenic sickle cell and wild type mice (n = 5 and 6, respectively). Blood was centrifuged and separated into plasma and packed red blood cells (RBCs). These biological samples were prepared for lipid analysis by the method of Bligh and Dyer; care was taken so that the pH of the extraction milieu was consistently maintained at 7 so as to avoid artifactual nitration. Samples were analyzed for free LNO 2 content by electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry. Using a hybrid triple quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer, MRM transitions were monitored that specifically identified nitrated linoleic acid species; these species were concomitantly confirmed by the qualitative analytical abilities of the ion trap. The presence of nitrated linoleic acid was confirmed by HPLC chromatographic retention times, MS/MS “fingerprints” and was quantitated by the inclusion of a known quantity of 13 C-labeled LNO 2 . Results LNO 2 concentration was calculated as a function of the ratio of analyte to internal standard peak areas by using an internal standard curve linear over five orders of magnitude. Free LNO 2 in the RBCs and plasma of 5 transgenic sickle cell mice were 3.97 ± 2.56 nM and 12.37 ± 9.83 nM, respectively. Free LNO 2 in the RBCs and plasma of 6 wild type mice were 9.49 ± 8.32 nM and 14.91 ± 10.08 nM, respectively. There were no significant differences in LNO 2 concentration between any of the groups. Conclusions LNO 2 is present in both transgenic sickle cell mice and wild type mice in comparable concentrations at baseline. As a mediator of NO anti-inflammatory signaling, this is consistent with human studies showing comparable concentrations of NO metabolites at baseline between sickle cell patients and healthy controls. Further study of LNO 2 in sickle cell disease is warranted to better understand its role in the inflammatory process associated with acute stress, such as vaso-occlusive pain crisis and acute chest syndrome, when NO bioavailability is decreased.
Teaching Modeling Using Super Mario Maker

Many introductory physics courses begin with the teaching of motion and kinematics. This naturally leads to the use of constant acceleration equations to solve various problems involving common motions (free fall being a notable example). Students can sometimes get the impression that these equations are the only thing they need to remember in order to determine the motion of an object. Indeed students often have trouble understanding what the equations presented to them represent. It can also be difficult to impress upon the students the source of these mathematical tools, and how to distinguish the tools from the science behind them. Often students have difficulty connecting physics concepts to mathematical equations, and instead treat the math as a separate entity. It has been suggested that teaching computational tools and modeling in physics yields better student understanding of these ideas. It has also been suggested that exploring the link between the mathematical equations and the physics concepts behind them can improve students’ problem solving capabilities. The following activity was developed to attempt to introduce modeling concepts to students early on in an introductory course, and in a way that is simple to implement in any course structure.
The Interdecadal Shift of ENSO Properties in 1999/2000: A Review

AbstractFollowing the interdecadal shift of El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) properties that occurred in 1976/77, another regime shift happened in 1999/2000 that featured a decrease of variabili...
A Program in Orientation and Mobility for Visually Impaired Persons over Age 60

This article reports on the development of an assessment instrument and a training curriculum in orientation and mobility, to be used by families or friends of older blind and visually impaired adu...
Fast and Reliable Missing Data Contingency Analysis with Predicate-Constraints

Today, data analysts largely rely on intuition to determine whether missing or withheld rows of a dataset significantly affect their analyses. We propose a framework that can produce automatic contingency analysis, i.e., the range of values an aggregate SQL query could take, under formal constraints describing the variation and frequency of missing data tuples. We describe how to process SUM, COUNT, AVG, MIN, and MAX queries in these conditions resulting in hard error bounds with testable constraints. We propose an optimization algorithm based on an integer program that reconciles a set of such constraints, even if they are overlapping, conflicting, or unsatisfiable, into such bounds. Our experiments on real-world datasets against several statistical imputation and inference baselines show that statistical techniques can have a deceptively high error rate that is often unpredictable. In contrast, our framework offers hard bounds that are guaranteed to hold if the constraints are not violated. In spite of these hard bounds, we show competitive accuracy to statistical baselines.
Acute Limb Ischemia Due to Arterial Thrombosis Associated With Coronavirus Disease 2019

Objectives To describe a case of acute limb ischemia caused by arterial thrombosis due to coronavirus disease 2019. Design Clinical observation of a patient. Setting Academic medical center. Patient A 59-year-old female with history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and prior smoking. Intervention Clinical observation and data extraction from electronic medical records. Measurements and main results We report a case of peripheral arterial thrombosis associated with coronavirus disease 2019, resulting in acute limb ischemia of the right lower extremity. This event was heralded by a sudden and significant elevation in d-dimer levels. At the time of surgery, a long, gelatinous clot was retrieved from the right popliteal artery. Perioperatively, she continued to have absent pedal Doppler signals and after multiple embolectomy attempts, required distal arterial cut down with removal of additional thrombi and resultant improvement of distal arterial flow. Conclusions This case demonstrates the importance of regularly checking d-dimer levels and vigilant monitoring for arterial thrombotic events, as they can rapidly become catastrophic.
A Quantum Dot Nanobiosensor for Rapid Detection of Botulinum Neurotoxin Serotype E

Botulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs) are potent toxins produced by Clostridium bacteria that are responsible for the illness botulism and are listed as bioterrorism agents. BoNT serotype E (BoNT/E) is one of four BoNT serotypes that cause human botulism and is the second most frequent cause of foodborne botulism. Rapid detection and discrimination of BoNT serotypes implicated in human disease are critical for ensuring timely treatment of patients and identifying sources of toxins, but there have been few reported detection methods for BoNT/E and even fewer methods usable for BoNT serotyping. We report a nanobiosensor based on Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots, QDs) and dark quencher-labeled peptide probes to detect biologically active BoNT/E in aqueous media. The peptide probes contain a specific cleavage site for active BoNT/E. QD photoluminescence, which changes intensity due to FRET when the peptide probe is cleaved, was used to indicate toxin presence and quantity. The detection of a BoNT/E light chain (LcE) and holotoxin was observed within 3 h. The limits of detection were 0.02 and 2 ng/mL for LcE and holotoxin, respectively. The nanobiosensor shows good specificity toward the target in tests with nontarget BoNT serotypes. The high sensitivity, simple operation, short detection time, and ability to be used in parallel with probes developed for other BoNT serotypes indicate that the nanobiosensor will be useful for rapid BoNT/E detection and serotype discrimination in food analysis.
Let Them Tremble: Biographical Interventions Marking 100 Years of the Communist Party, USA: by Tony Pecinovsky, New York: International Publishers, 2019, 422 pp., US$19.95 (paperback), ISBN 9780717807697

Pecinovsky adopts a thought-provoking approach to the history of the Communist Party USA. Through profiles of six U.S. party members, he pledges to produce “an easily accessible collection of narra...
Using Stakeholder Engagement, Translational Science and Decision Support Tools for Ecosystem-Based Management in the Florida Everglades

Managing water for competing human and environmental demands in the Greater Everglades is a multi-dimensional challenge that includes managing a complex ecological system while providing water supply and flood control for widespread high-density urban communities and nationally important agricultural lands. Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) in the Florida Everglades is examined at multiple spatial and temporal scales. There is a corresponding increase in the number and diversity of stakeholders involved as the temporal and spatial scales of management across the landscape increases. Therefore, translational science, decision support tools, effective stakeholder engagement, and communication are paramount. This chapter provides a case study of EBM in an aquatic system facing ecological challenges, such as eutrophication and non-indigenous species management, which are framed by complex social, cultural, and political contexts. A framework for navigating multi-agency governance models and competing stakeholder visions using socio-ecological science (i.e., science of interlinked human and natural systems) to address practical and theoretical challenges for managing freshwater wetlands is discussed. By examining best practices in stakeholder engagement and linking translational science with multiple, science-driven decision support tools, important lessons learned can be carried forward in an effort for continually improved governance and collaboration for ecosystem management and restoration.
Digital marketing of smokeless tobacco: A longitudinal analysis of exposure and initiation among young adults

Abstract Objectives This study examines the relationships between recall of exposure to digital marketing of smokeless tobacco, via the internet and social media, and subsequent initiation of smokeless tobacco use at one-year follow-up, among young adult never users of smokeless tobacco in Texas. Methods Data were from waves 6 (Spring 2017) and 7 (Spring 2018) of the Marketing and Promotions Across Colleges in Texas Study (Project M-PACT); a longitudinal study of two- and four-year Texas college students. Participants were 2731 young adult never smokeless tobacco users (ages 20–32) with complete data at both assessment periods. A multi-level, multiple logistic regression model was applied, accounting for school clustering, to examine the relationship between recall of exposure to digital marketing of smokeless tobacco at baseline (wave 6) and smokeless tobacco use initiation at one-year follow-up (wave 7). Analyses controlled for important baseline covariates (socio-demographic factors, other marketing exposure, other tobacco product use). Results Overall, 14.6% of never smokeless tobacco users reported exposure to smokeless tobacco marketing via digital media. Exposure to digital marketing of smokeless tobacco at baseline was associated with greater odds of smokeless tobacco use initiation among young adult never users (AOR: 2.14; 95%CI: 1.12 – 4.06) at one-year follow-up. Conclusions Findings reveal exposure to smokeless tobacco marketing via digital media was common. Further, there appears to be a strong relationship between this exposure and subsequent smokeless tobacco use among young adult never smokeless tobacco users.
Revisiting the Algowrongs of International Arbitration: The Duty of Neutrality and the Centrality of Consent

Keynote Address to the National Bar Association Virtual International Summit. May 12-14, 2021 Forging A Path Forward: Connecting the Diaspora to Attack Global Pandemics COVID/Police Brutality/Voter Suppression/Structural Impediments to Development When I was contacted by President C.K. Hoffler to do this keynote last Wednesday, before she had started I said yes to the boss-woman. We have known each other since she was 6 years old as students together at College du Leman near Geneva, Switzerland. I have been overjoyed to watch her rise on her path. I was so pleased to listen to her bilingual French and English welcome for this summit as to those who spoke one of those languages they were made to think of what was said in the other language and for those like me who speak both, we were able to hear the beauty of her words in her voice done with perfection in both languages. As a person who lived in Paris for 17 years and had my accent raise curiosity when I first got there, I did hear only slightly the Geneva accent that our French shares! Thank you C.K. I have seen that over these days the NBA has addressed and tried to tackle the difficult issues that confront us in a seamless manner that goes from domestic to international and back again while looking to the future. In this keynote, I will attempt to hopefully assist this important effort at dialogue to help humanity progress. Let me start by saying that while I am appalled by the lack of diversity in the international arbitration game, I have no interest in being an arbitrator, a counsel, an expert, an amicus, a part of some effort to draft something, a shareholder in an international arbitration data research firm, an association with any investment or hedge fund group that is investing in international arbitration including, but not limited to, third party funders, any advisory board or leadership position of any international arbitration non-profit, and on and on. If there is something I missed, please note that I am not interested in that. For in academia until my retirement and afterward I enjoy talking about the field. I will not have enough time in these fifteen minutes to go over all the matters which I would like to discuss, but a copy of this will be posted at ssrn.com in due course so you can read my thoughts and give me comments at your leisure.
Loneliness and cravings for sugar-sweetened beverages among adolescents.

Purpose The consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) is associated with weight gain in both children and adults. In addition to environmental factors, such as food availability, psychological variables, including mood states, also impact intake. In the current study, we focus on momentary associations between feelings of loneliness and craving for SSBs among adolescents and explore the moderating role of family functioning. Loneliness has been associated with a wide range of health outcomes, but to date, few studies have examined its association with cravings for SSBs. Methods Using an ecological-momentary assessment design, data were collected on 158 (males = 68, mean age = 15.13 ± 2.27 years) participants. Multilevel mixed-effects models were used to examine the relations between the main and interactive effects of loneliness and family functioning on cravings for SSBs, independent of other negative emotions. Results Results suggest that loneliness in adolescents was associated with a small increase in craving for SSBs. Importantly, the relationship held after controlling for negative emotions, suggesting the unique role of loneliness. However, positive family functioning did not mitigate the relations between loneliness and craving for SSBs. Conclusions Loneliness uniquely contributes to cravings for SSBs. At the same time, family functioning did not buffer the influence of loneliness on cravings for SSBs among adolescents.
Can Surveillance for Unexplained Deaths Be Used as a Public Health Approach for Early Recognition of New Pathogens

Molecular diagnostic methods had recently made it possible to identify and characterize new infectious agents in the absence of in vitro cultivation. The next step was to develop a systematic public health approach to identify illnesses that may be due to new pathogens and subject them to these novel diagnostic techniques. Persons with exposures to toxic agents, ingestions of such agents, trauma, or recent hospitalization were also excluded. Hallmarks of an infectious disease included fever, leukocytosis, cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis, and histopathologic evidence of an infection. The infectious disease death review team (IDDRT) uses antemortem symptoms (e.g., fever and cough) to identify cases with potential pathologic syndromes (e.g., community acquired pneumonia) that warrant an autopsy for infectious agent- or toxin-related etiologies. In turn, the pathologic syndrome helps to define a differential diagnosis, including potential bioterrorism agents (e.g., plague bacillus) and organisms of public health importance (e.g., influenza virus). In 1998, syndrome-specific surveillance for encephalitis was initiated in California. Unexplained death surveillance may serve as a sentinel surveillance system to identify new infectious agents, recognize unique presentations of known pathogens, or detect bioterrorism. The surveillance and diagnostic infrastructures assembled under the UNEX have been used both domestically and internationally for the investigation of unexplained illness and death. Although currently available serologic and molecular techniques may be used to explain a proportion of cases, this approach is limited by the quality and timing of available specimens as well as by the sensitivity and specificity of these tests.
Monoamines and Seizures in Humans

Seizures in humans have many different etiologies. Only when seizures recur is a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy made. The monoaminergic systems of the brain appear to have both diffuse projections and specific projections. Attempts to manipulate the various components, i.e., the norepinephrine, the dopamine, and the serotonin-dependent systems, have resulted in increased or decreased seizure susceptibility in different animal models of epilepsy. Humans appear to have variable responses that may or may not affect their relative susceptibility to seizure.
Expectation states theory.

Expectation states theory is, in many ways, a textbook example of a theoretical research program. It is deductive, programmatic, formalized mathematically, cumulative, precise, and predictive; and its propositions have been subjected to rigorous evaluation. More importantly, however, it is a theory that illuminates core issues in social psychology and sociology more broadly. It is fundamentally a “macro-micro-macro” explanation about one way that categorical inequality is reproduced in society. Cultural beliefs about social categories at the macro level impact behavior and evaluation at the individual level, which acts to reproduce status structures that are consistent with pre-existing macro-level beliefs. Status structures in groups can be thought of as the building blocks of more macro-level structural inequalities in society. For example, to the extent that status processes make it less likely for women in work groups to emerge or be accepted as leaders, in the aggregate we will observe that more men than women hold leadership positions in organizations, a stratification pattern that is reproduced at least partially by the way macro-level beliefs impact individual behaviors and evaluations.
Residential Development and Habitat Fragmentation Effects on Gopher Tortoise (Gophorus polyphemus) Population Densities

Gopher Tortoises (Gophorus polyphemus) rely on the same upland ecosystems as humans, which leads to competition for resources. Habitat loss and associated reduction of forage area is a principal concern for tortoise conservation. Using tortoise populations in Volusia County, Florida, we examined the impacts of habitat fragmentation and reductions in land permeability on burrow densities. Existing research on minimum fragment size is inconsistent, however findings suggest that disruption in landscape continuity negatively affects tortoise population viability. Our study area consisted of seventeen individual and variously sized fragments throughout Volusia County: eleven occupying private residential neighborhoods, and six occupying publicly owned lands. Burrow densities were found to positively correlate with increased land impermeability, suggesting that conservation efforts should not only consider tortoise numbers but also the usable land area available to them.
NMOS realization of ternary functions with digital summation threshold gates

An NMOS circuit realization is proposed for ternary functions based on a digital summation threshold gate. The procedure is systematic and any ternary function can be realized with a single gate. Many ternary functions were realized and the resulting circuits were simulated using the MCNC (Microelectronics Center for North Carolina) tools for VLSI design. The speed and complexity of the gate depend on the weighed sum for a given function. >
Superconductor-insulator transition in the presence of Coulomb disorder

Superconductor-insulator transition driven by the decreasing concentration of electrons $n$ is studied in the case of the disorder potential created by randomly positioned charged impurities. Electrons and Cooper pairs (formed by a non-Coulomb attraction) nonlinearly screen the random potential of impurities. Both electrons and Cooper pairs can be delocalized or localized in the resulting self-consistent potential. The border separating the superconductor and insulator phases in the plane of the concentration of electrons and the length of the Cooper pair is found. For a strong disorder, the central segment of this border follows the Bose-Einstein-Condensation-BCS crossover line defined for a clean sample.
Observer-Based Control of Uncertain Systems with Nonlinear Uncertainties

Global asymptotic stabilization of nominally linear uncertain systems is considered where uncertain elements in the plant are modelled as cone bounded nonlinearities. At first, a linear time-invariant state feedback law ensuring global aymptotic closed-loop stability is obtained. The algorithm which calculates such a feedback law is simple and straightforward. It does not involve repeated solutions of a parameter dependent algebraic Riccati or any such nonlinear equations. Any state feedback law thus developed can then be implemented via an observer specially designed to preserve the global asymptotic stability of the closed-loop system.
Fifty Years of Intercultural Study: A Continuum of Perspectives for Research and Teaching

Reviewing intercultural research since the publication of Halls (1959) The Silent Language, this study identifies five different perspectivesuniversal, national, organizational, interpersonal, and intrapersonaland key scholars associated with them. Three approaches for integrating these perspectives for intercultural studies are proposed: selected lens, sequential hierarchy, and dialogic identity.
Concentrated Capital Losses and the Pricing of Corporate Credit Risk - Online Appendix

This appendix contains the following supplements to the main text: (i) additional facts regarding the size and concentration of the CDS market; (ii) some analysis relating buyer and seller capital to the CDS-bond basis; (iii) a discussion and some support evidence as to why capital might be slow moving in the CDS market; (iv) supportive analysis of the impact of the 2011 Japanese tsunami on CDS markets; and (v) a discussion of why the role of dealers as prime brokers does not impact the stylized facts and results presented throughout the paper.
Temporal binding, segmentation and attention focusing in the olfactory model

A biologically inspired model of the olfactory cortex is proposed which realizes mapping of the input pattern temporal structure to the spatial dynamic of the ensemble of output integrate-and-fire neurons. The temporal-to-spatial mapping and distributed representation of the model allows realization of both rough cluster classification and fine recognition of patterns within a cluster in parallel and as parts of the same dynamic process. The temporal structure of the system provides the base for the modeling of multi-pattern processing. The model is able to extract components of complex odor patterns (which are the spatio-temporal sequences of neural activity), segment and bind them temporally.
Thermal management of microelectronics in the 21st century

The challenges posed by high chip heat fluxes and ever more stringent performance and reliability constraints make thermal management a key enabling technology in the development of microelectronic systems for the 21st century. Thermal packaging efforts must thus be performed in the context of the salient trends and parameters that characterize the IC technology and electronic products industries. Enhanced, air-cooled heat sinks and passive immersion modules are two quite distinct thermal packaging technologies that may play a pivotal role in future electronic systems.
Grain-size dependence of mechanical properties in polycrystalline boron-nitride: a computational study

The field of research in polycrystalline hexagonal boron nitride (PBN) has been enjoying extraordinary growth recently, in no small part due to the rise of graphene and the technical advancement of mass production in polycrystalline 2D materials. However, as the grain size in 2D materials can strongly affect their materials properties and the performance of their relevant devices, it is highly desirable to investigate this effect in PBN and leverage the service capability of PBN-based devices. Here we employ molecular dynamics simulations to explore the effects of grain size in PBN on its mechanical properties such as Young's modulus, yield strength, toughness, and energy release rate as well as its failure mechanism. By visualizing and comparing the tensile failure of PBN with and without a predefined crack we have shown that the grain size of PBN is positively correlated with its elastic modulus, yield strength and toughness. Through inclusion of a crack with varying length in the PBN samples, the energy release rate is determined for each grain size of PBN and it is concluded that the energy release rate increases with an increase in the average grain size of PBN. These findings offer useful insights into utilizing PBN for mechanical design in composite materials, abrasion resistance, and electronic devices etc.
Resolution of pulmonary ventilation-perfusion recovered by enforced smoothing

Multiple inert gas elimination technique was recently proposed for the determination of the ventilation-perfusion ratio distribution of the lung. The authors investigated the effects of varying degrees of smoothing (z) on the errors in the enforced smoothing estimate corresponding to various distributions of the ratio. For a given z, the variability of the estimate is not appreciably different between different distributions, whereas the bias is always greater, the more peaked is the original distribution. Optimal smoothing over all distributions is obtained with z not=0.15, which minimizes the total possible error in the estimate. When applied to data obtained from patients with varying pulmonary diseases, this value of z revealed some interesting features not found in previous estimates. The authors propose that different values of z should be used to identify possible discrepancies in the estimated distribution. >
A policy decision tool for integrated environmental assessment

Abstract The establishment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 1988 and the U.S. Global Change Research Program in 1990 led to the extensive study of complex global change during the past decade, often referred to as integrated assessment (IA). Integrated assessment models (IAMs) are analytical tools for conducting integrated assessments. IAMs include a variety of quantitative models as well as scenario-based approaches, which are more recent attempts to integrate social systems and values into integrated assessment. However, social systems and values change in response to results from policy actions, or in response to new information obtained after such actions are taken. Therefore, full integration of scientific models and concerns about social values can only be achieved in models that incorporate decisions, actions, and information gathered from such actions. It is the inadequate incorporation of the consequences of sequential policy decisions (such as the elimination of currently available policy choices, or the creation of new ones) that limits the usefulness of IAMs in informing policy decisions. This paper proposes the use of Markov decision processes (MDPs) as a policy decision tool for integrated assessment and demonstrates the utility of this approach using a simple numerical example. In addition to proposing a MDP decision model, this paper advocates adaptive management (AM) as the decision-making process to embed the decision model. It is argued that AM is inherently suited as a decision process for integrated assessment, particularly due to its key tenets of experimentalism (“learning by doing”), multi-scalar analysis and place-sensitivity. Thus, this paper makes an important contribution by enhancing the usefulness of integrated assessment as a policy decision tool, rather than merely an analytical one.
Emergency administration of radiocontrast media in high-risk patients

Patients with previous anaphylactoid reactions to radiographic contrast media (RCM) are at increased risk for subsequent reactions on repeat exposure. The most efficacious pretreatment regimens require administration of medications up to 13 hours before the anticipated procedure. Emergency administration of RCM in patients requiring essential procedures precludes prolonged pretreatment. We report results of pretreatment in nine patients requiring emergency administration of RCM. We recommend hydrocortisone, 200 mg intravenously, immediately, and every 4 hours until the procedure is completed, and diphenhydramine, 50 mg intravenously, 1 hour before the procedure. No reactions occurred in these patients, suggesting that this pretreatment regimen may be valuable in prophylaxis for patients requiring emergency administration of RCM who have experienced previous anaphylactoid reactions. Although used in only one additional patient, ephedrine, 25 mg orally, 1 hour before the procedure may also be valuable.
Why Is There No Generic Insulin? Historical Origins of a Modern Problem

Six million U.S. patients with diabetes take insulin, which was discovered in 1921 — yet is available only in brand-name forms. The reasons why an agent discovered almost 100 years ago is still unavailable as a low-priced generic have implications for policy and practice.
Combination chemotherapy of Rauscher leukemia and ascites tumors by narcissus alkaloid with standard drugs and effect on cellular immunity.

SummaryThe therapeutic activity of the narcissus residual alkaloid A-2 against Rauscher leukemia has been compared with 10 standard anticancer drugs, and synergistic or additive combination pairs have been selected using a viral leukemia and two transplantable tumor systems. An increased beneficial effect has been demonstrated by a combination of the alkylating and DNA-binding agents and the alkaloid against the three malignant tumors, while a beneficial effect by combining the alkaloid and the antimetabolites (either 6-MP or 5-azacyti-dine) was seen only against the viral leukemia. The alkaloid has no suppressive activity against cellular immunity as tested by PHA reactivity and allogeneic tumor rejection systems.
A Quadrupole/Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry Study of Trp-Cage’s Conformation

Trp-cage is a synthetic 20-residue miniprotein that uses tertiary contacts to stabilize its native conformation. NMR, circular dichroism (CD), and UV-resonance Raman spectroscopy were used to probe its energy landscape. In this quadrupole/time-of-flight study, electrospray ionization charge state distribution (CSD) and solution-phase H/D exchange are used to probe Trp-cage’s tertiary structure. The CSDs of Trp-cage and its mutant provide spectra showing a pH-dependent conformation change. Solution-phase H/D exchange in 30% deuterated trifluoroethanol solution of the wild type shows increased protection of one labile hydrogen in the native state. Together, CSDs and solution-phase H/D exchange are demonstrated to constitute a simple but effective means to follow conformation changes in a small tertiary protein.
The Isolation and Properties of the Immune Proteins of Bovine Milk and Colostrum and their Role in Immunity: A Review

Summary Colostrum serves a special function in order to enhance the resistance of the newborn to infectious disease. This is shown by the extremely high concentrations of immune lactoglobulins in the colostrum. These globulins are passively transferred to the offspring, where they may persist in the blood stream for many months. The lactoglobulins which have molecular weights near 180,000 pass from the intestinal tract of the calf to its blood stream. The immune lactoglobulins of bovine milk and colostrum, and the γ- and T -globulins of bovine serum, have been isolated and compared with respect to their physical and chemical properties.
Introduction: Character Education Around the World, Part 2: Character Education for World Peace and the Well-Being of All Mankind

When we placed a call for manuscripts about character education, we received an overwhelming response. Our readers and contributors clearly feel the urgency to share their message concerning the im...
Development of potent glucagon antagonists: Structure-activity relationship study of glycine at position 4

We examined the functional role of glycine at position 4 in the potent glucagon antagonist [desHis(1), Glu(9)]glucagon amide, by substituting the L- and D-enantiomers of alanine and leucine for Gly(4) in this antagonist. The methyl and isobutyl side-chain substituents were introduced to evaluate the preference shown by the glucagon receptor, if any, for the orientation of the N-terminal residues. The L-amino acids demonstrated only slightly better receptor recognition than the D-enantiomers. These results suggest that the Gly(4) residue in glucagon antagonists may be exposed to the outside of the receptor. The enhanced binding affinities of analogs 1 and 3 compared with the parent antagonist, [desHis(1), Glu(9)]glucagon amide, may have resulted from the strengthened hydrophobic patch in the N-terminal region and/or the increased propensity for a helical conformation due to the replacement of alanine and leucine for glycine. Thus, as a result of the increased receptor binding affinities, antagonist activities of analogs 1-4 were increased 10-fold compared with the parent antagonist, [desHis(1), Glu(9)]glucagon amide. These potent glucagon antagonists have among the highest pA(2) values of any glucagon analogs reported to date.
Johns Hopkins plagiarism policies.

The title and tone of the short item “Kinder, gentler plagiarism policy?” (Random Samples, 22 Jan. p. 483) not only begs its own question, but also misrepresents the serious and rigorous nature of the process by which the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine handles charges of professional misconduct. Hopkins takes second place to none in the thoroughness of its deliberations and review of alleged plagiarism or other violations of honest investigation and reporting, the very currency of science; moreover, its written policies guiding documentation, testimony, decision-making, recommendations, and other disciplinary action are exceptionally clear. Readers of Science should know that these policies, which were strictly followed in the case discussed, involve a complete review of the facts and testimony by a peer group of faculty members; recommendations as a result of the review with respect to disciplinary action by a standing committee of senior faculty members; and approval of any recommended action by the full advisory board of the medical faculty. The Random Samples piece includes only one of the three components involved in the disciplinary action. In addition, extraordinary care is taken to remove conflicts of interest. In the case discussed, for example, both the Vice Dean for Research and I recused ourselves from any participation in the process because we hold professorships in the department of the faculty members under review. The reported case was managed by the Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Faculty. At every step of the way, faculty members involved in the process behave as if our academic lives depend on the outcome. After all, they do. On their behalf, as well as my own, I take serious exception to the offhanded treatment in Science of this important issue.
Feasibility of Noninvasive Fetal Electrocardiographic Monitoring in a Clinical Setting

Cardiac rhythm is an essential component of fetal cardiac evaluation. The Monica AN24 is a fetal heart rate monitor that may provide a quick, inexpensive modality for obtaining a noninvasive fetal electrocardiogram (fECG) in a clinical setting. The fECG device has the ability to acquire fECG signals and allow calculation of fetal cardiac time intervals between 16- and 42-week gestational age (GA). We aimed to demonstrate the feasibility of fECG acquisition in a busy fetal cardiology clinic using the Monica fetal heart rate monitor. This is a prospective observational pilot study of fECG acquired from fetuses referred for fetal echocardiography. Recordings were performed for 5–15 min. Maternal signals were attenuated and fECG averaged. fECG and fetal cardiac time intervals (PR, QRS, RR, and QT) were evaluated by two cardiologists independently and inter-observer reliability was assessed using intraclass coefficient (ICC). Sixty fECGs were collected from 50 mothers (mean GA 28.1 ± 6.1). Adequate signal-averaged waveforms were obtained in 20 studies with 259 cardiac cycles. Waveforms could not be obtained between 26 and 30 weeks. Fetal cardiac time intervals were measured and were reproducible for PR (ICC = 0.89; CI 0.77–0.94), QRS (ICC = 0.79; CI 0.51–0.91), and RR (ICC = 0.77; CI 0.53–0.88). QT ICC was poor due to suboptimal T-wave tracings. Acquisition of fECG and measurement of fetal cardiac time intervals is feasible in a clinical setting between 19- and 42-week GA, though tracings are difficult to obtain, especially between 26 and 30 weeks. There was high reliability in fetal cardiac time intervals measurements, except for QT. The device may be useful for assessing atrioventricular/intraventricular conduction in fetuses from 20 to 26 and >30 weeks. Techniques to improve signal acquisition, namely T-wave amplification, are ongoing.
Refinements in the Design of the Ares V Cargo Launch Vehicle for NASA's, Exploration Strategy

NASA is developing a new launch vehicle fleet to fulfill the national goals of replacing the shuttle fleet, completing the International Space Station (ISS), and exploring the Moon on the way to eventual exploration of Mars and beyond. Programmatic and technical decisions during early architecture studies and subsequent design activities were focused on safe, reliable operationally efficient vehicles that could support a sustainable exploration program. A pair of launch vehicles was selected to support those goals the Ares I crew launch vehicle and the Ares V cargo launch vehicle. They will be the first new human-rated launch vehicles developed by NASA in more than 30 years (Figure 1). Ares I will be the first to fly, beginning space station ferry operations no later than 2015. It will be able to carry up to six astronauts to ISS or support up to four astronauts for expeditions to the moon. Ares V is scheduled to be operational in the 2020 timeframe and will provide the propulsion systems and payload to truly extend human exploration beyond low-Earth orbit. (LEO).