cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Micro-Wire-EDM

Micro-wire-electro-discharge machining (micro-WEDM) is a widely used non-conventional micromachining process to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) complex micro-features in difficult-to-machine materials. This chapter offers a concise overview on the micro-WEDM process. A brief overview on the process mechanism, system components, parameters and variants of micro-WEDM has been provided in the chapter. In addition, some of the innovative applications and advanced research studies on the micro-WEDM have been discussed in brief. Finally, current challenges that limit the wide application of micro-WEDM in industries, as well as opportunities for future research, have been discussed at the end of the chapter.
Low Power Restricted Boltzmann Machine Using Mixed-Mode Magneto-Tunneling Junctions

This letter discusses mixed-mode magneto tunneling junction (m-MTJ)-based restricted Boltzmann machine (RBM). RBMs are unsupervised learning models, suitable for extracting features from high-dimensional data. The m-MTJ is actuated by the simultaneous actions of voltage-controlled magnetic anisotropy and voltage-controlled spin-transfer torque, where the switching of the free-layer is probabilistic and can be controlled by the two. Using m-MTJ-based activation functions, we present a novel low area/power RBM. We discuss online learning of the presented implementation to negate process variability. For MNIST hand-written dataset, the design achieves ~96% accuracy under expected variability in various components.
Disparities in Health Care-Associated Infections in the NICU.

Objectives This study aimed to examine multilevel risk factors for health care–associated infection (HAI) among very low birth weight (VLBW) infants with a focus on race/ethnicity and its association with variation in infection across hospitals. Study Design This is a population-based cohort study of 20,692 VLBW infants born between 2011 and 2015 in the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative. Results Risk-adjusted infection rates varied widely across neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), ranging from 0 to 24.6% across 5 years. Although Hispanic infants had higher odds of HAI overall, race/ethnicity did not affect the variation in infection rates. Non-Hispanic black mothers were more likely to receive care in NICUs within the top tertile of infection risk. Yet, among NICUs in this tertile, infants across all races and ethnicities suffered similar high rates of infection. Conclusion Hispanic infants had higher odds of infection. We found significant variation in infection across NICUs, even after accounting for factors usually associated with infection.
Association of College & Research Libraries 2019: Recasting the Narrative

Association of College & Research Libraries (ACRL) holds the most prestigious conferences for academic and research libraries in the United States. ACRL 2019 was held April 10–13, 2019, in Cleveland, Ohio. About 3,000 attendees enjoyed more than 500 conference programs and had the chance to meet with representatives from more than 200 major companies.
Modeling Dependent Outages of Electricity Power Plants

We propose a novel framework to model dependence of outages of electricity power plants. Our framework allows for commonality in outages to be driven by weather events and fuel shortages. We calibrate our model for power plants in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas and the Western Electricity Coordinating Council regions using a unique dataset of actual outages that we obtained from the North American Electric Reliability Corporation. We find strong evidence of dependence in power plant outages both system-wide, and based on the input fuel of the plants. We illustrate the consequences of outage dependence on the reliability of electricity supply for both regions and evaluate policy implications; e.g. the impact of building additional capacity.
Educating women about the hidden dangers of alcohol.

Alcohol use is very common in the U.S. population. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition, text revision, (DSM-IV-TR) (American Psychiatric Association [APA], 2000), approximately 90% of all adults in the United States have had some experience with drinking alcohol. According to the APA, a substantial number (60% of men and 30% of women) have experienced at least one alcohol-related adverse life event, such as driving under the influence or missing work or school due to a hangover. Although various studies indicate that alcohol use is more prevalent in men (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2000), a significant number of women in the United States consume alcohol to the extent that they may be considered abusers or dependent on it.
An Attention Enhanced Multi-Task Model for Objective Speech Assessment in Real-World Environments

Computational objective metrics that use reference signals have been shown to be effective forms of speech assessment in simulated environments, since they are correlated with subjective listening studies. Recent efforts have been dedicated towards effective forms of reference-less assessment to make real-world assessment more practical, but these approaches predict a limited number of assessment measures and they have not been evaluated in real-world conditions. In this work, we present a novel reference-less based framework called the attention enhanced multi-task speech assessment (AMSA) model, which provides reliable estimates of multiple objective quality and intelligibility measures in simulated and real-world environments. The multi-task learning (MTL) architecture effectively generates discriminative features that assist in improving our model’s robustness. An attention mechanism is employed to identify key features within the feature space, and it noticeably reduces the estimation errors. A classification-aided module is also included to further suppress prediction outliers. Our model achieves the state-of-the-art performance in simulated and real-world data environments, where the results are strongly correlated with the corresponding reference-based objective scores.
Understanding the influence of “feeling at home” on healthcare travelers’ well-being: a comparison of Airbnb and hotel homescapes

Although there is the saying “there’s no place like home”, research on a traveler’s sense of feeling at home in an accommodation and its influence on their well-being is underrepresented. Particula...
Discovery of novel pyrazole-containing benzamides as potent RORγ inverse agonists

The nuclear receptor RORγ plays a central role in controlling a pro-inflammatory gene expression program in several lymphocyte lineages including TH17 cells. RORγ-dependent inflammation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of several major autoimmune diseases and thus RORγ is an attractive target for therapeutic intervention in these diseases. Starting from a lead biaryl compound 4a, replacement of the head phenyl moiety with a substituted aminopyrazole group resulted in a series with improved physical properties. Further SAR exploration led to analogues (e.g., 4j and 5m) as potent RORγ inverse agonists.
Investigating the utility of a kindergarten number line assessment compared to an early numeracy screening battery

Abstract Drawing from the developmental and cognitive mathematics literature, the purpose of this study was to investigate the reliability, validity, and diagnostic utility of a widely-researched number line task in kindergarten. Specifically, the Number Line Assessment 0−100 (NLA 0−100) as compared to an established kindergarten screening measure was examined using (a) regression models and (b) classification accuracy. Five- and six-year-old students (n = 154) were assessed on numeracy measures in the fall and spring of their kindergarten year. The NLA 0−100 had lower predictive validity and lower classification accuracy compared to an early numeracy screening measure. The findings have implications for practice and future research using number line screening assessments.
Estimating black hole masses in obscured AGN using X-rays

Determining the black hole masses in active galactic nuclei (AGN) is of crucial importance to constrain the basic characteristics of their central engines and shed light on their growth and co-evolution with their host galaxies. While the black hole mass (MBH) can be robustly measured with dynamical methods in bright type 1 AGN, where the variable primary emission and the broad line region (BLR) are directly observed, a direct measurement is considerably more challenging if not impossible for the vast majority of heavily obscured type 2 AGN. In this work, we tested the validity of an X-ray-based scaling method to constrain the MBH in heavily absorbed AGN. To this end, we utilized a sample of type 2 AGN with good-quality hard X-ray data obtained by the nuSTAR satellite and with MBH dynamically constrained from megamaser measurements. Our results indicate that, when the X-ray broadband spectra are fitted with physically motivated self-consistent models that properly account for absorption, scattering, and emission line contributions from the putative torus and constrain the primary X-ray emission, then the X-ray scaling method yields MBH values that are consistent with those determined from megamaser measurements within their respective uncertainties. With this method we can therefore systematically determine the MBH in any type 2 AGN, provided that they possess good-quality X-ray data and accrete at a moderate to high rate.
Transient Investigation of Metal-oxide based, CMOS-compatible ECRAM

Metal-oxide based Electrochemical Random-Access Memory (MO-ECRAM) has shown unique potential as a nonvolatile element for analog in-memory computation of deep learning tasks. Using a specially designed interdigitated device geometry, we investigate transient effects of MO-ECRAM and correlate them with programming speed, read speed and read-after write speed. Programming speed is shown to exponentially increase with programming voltage. Read speed reached the ns range, while read-after-write delay can be limited by decay of write transients in the studied devices. Two mechanisms of channel modulation were found; a prompt field effect and a field-induced memory effect. The charge control of the prompt effect was vastly greater than that of the memory effect. So to reduce and mitigate transient impact, we discuss both device improvements, and learning algorithm engineering strategies.
Utility of high resolution mapping to guide ablation of ventricular arrhythmias from the aortic sinuses of Valsalva.

Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) arrhythmias are commonly targeted from the aortic sinuses of Valsalva (SOV). Both presystolic potentials during ventricular arrhythmia (VA) and late diastolic potentials during sinus rhythm have been recognized as markers of successful ablation sites. The study aimed to evaluate the utility of high resolution mapping (HRM) with small and closely spaced electrodes for guiding ablation of VA from the SOV. Seventeen patients with LVOT VA underwent HRM in the SOV with either PentaRay (13) or Orion (4) catheters. Ablation was guided by low amplitude high frequency potentials that were identified with HRM and tagged on the electroanatomic map. High frequency low amplitude potentials during sinus rhythm (late) or VA (early) were demonstrated with HRM in all 17 consecutive patients; while these potentials were either absent or usually had a far-field appearance in the recordings obtained at the same sites with a 3.5-mm standard ablation catheter. On intracardiac echocardiogram, sites with these potentials corresponded to the bases of the sinuses adjacent to the LV ostium. Ablation was acutely successful in 16 out of 17 patients. Significant reduction in VA burden (≥ 90%) was noted in 15 patients. High frequency low amplitude potentials during sinus rhythm (late) and VA (early) are consistently recorded using HRM in the SOV in patients with VA arising from the aortic sinuses of Valsalva. Standard ablation catheters have limited resolution for detecting these potentials. HRM may potentially improve outcomes of ablation of VA originating from the aortic SOV.
Somatostatin-derived amyloidosis: a novel type of amyloidosis associated with well-differentiated somatostatin-producing neuroendocrine tumours.

OBJECTIVE To report the clinicopathologic and proteomic characteristics of a novel form of amyloidosis derived from the precursor protein somatostatin. MATERIALS AND METHODS Cases were identified by searching the Mayo Clinic amyloid liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) typing database from 1 January 2008 to 1 September 2020 for specimens with the amyloid signature proteins and abundant somatostatin, in the absence of other amyloid precursor proteins. All available medical records and pathologic materials were examined. RESULTS Somatostatin-derived amyloid deposits were found in four patients, two females and two males, with a median age of 61.5 years (range 47-73 years). One patient also had neurofibromatosis-1. The amyloid in each case was associated with a well-differentiated, somatostatin-producing neuroendocrine tumour arising in the small bowel or pancreas. The amyloid deposits were Congo Red-positive and were readily identified by LC- MS/MS analysis. Somatostatin was present exclusively in somatostatin-associated amyloid cases (p < .001), compared to small bowel and pancreas amyloidosis cases of other types. Long-term follow-up is available for one patient who is alive 6 years after initial presentation. CONCLUSION We propose that somatostatin-related amyloidosis is a novel localised human amyloid type that arises in association with well-differentiated somatostatin-producing enteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumours. Treatment of the associated neuroendocrine tumour may be adequate therapy for these patients.
An Analysis of Spain’s Sovereign Debt Risk Premium

This research hopes to answer a few questions. Do macroeconomic variables, specifically unemployment, government debt, and growth levels drive Spain’s SDRP? Of what magnitude is that influence? What impact did the Great Recession have on the variables’ magnitude of influence? This research will use time series analysis to answer these questions. This article is available in The Park Place Economist: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/parkplace/vol22/iss1/15
Skepticism About Deterrence

In this Essay I first review the standard law-and-economics model of how rational potential criminals decide whether to commit a crime, and how rational criminals might be deterred from committing crime by raising the expected costs of crime. I also show how that model has had a deep impact on criminal-justice-system policy in the United States since at least 1980. I then express deep skepticism about the continued effectiveness of this model and its policy implications. First, I show how modern empirical research on deterrence argues that we have gone much too far in our use of incarceration; in brief, we incarcerate far too many criminals and for too long with no discernible social benefit and substantial social costs. Second, I cite evidence from behavioral law and economics to demonstrate that the rationality that the standard deterrence model assumes is highly unlikely to characterize the behavior of those who are committing crimes. Finally, I consider some recent developments in human genome studies to suggest that human behavior generally, and criminal behavior specifically, are likely to be far more complex than the standard deterrence model contemplates.
IV Wave Propagation Theories in Random Media Based on the Path-Integral Approach

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the wave propagation theories in random media based on the path-integral approach. The chapter focuses on the connection between the path-integral technique and different analytical approximations for solutions of the statistical moment equations and other heuristic approaches that are based on the various plane wave expansions. A treatment of the path integral helps to realize the nature of the two-scale approximation. This approximation is not asymptotic. The chapter also examines the probabilistic interpretation of the path-integral representation, and an approach using orthogonal expansions for the path variables is developed on this basis. The orthogonal expansion is obtained, which leads to the Huygens-Fresnel formula for its zero-order term. The same idea of orthogonal expansions can be used for an improvement of any other approximate solution. The whole set of these approximations with the orthogonal expansion corrections will be a good instrument for analytical and numerical solutions for problems connected with fourth and perhaps higher moments.
MtDNA D310insTC variant in tumorigenesis of ovarian serous carcinoma

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 14-18, 2007; Los Angeles, CA 3532 Approximately 80-90% of ovarian tumors arise from the surface epithelium of the ovary and the serous tumors are by far the most common subtype of the epithelial ovarian tumors. Although old age and a positive family history are associated risk factors, the molecular events that underlie the development and progression of the various subtypes and stages of epithelial ovarian cancer is not completely understood. The goal of this study was to assess the significance of the mitochondrial DNA sequence variants associated with the different histologic subtypes and stages of epithelial ovarian cancer. A total of 102 frozen epithelial ovarian tumor tissue samples of serous, endometrioid and mucinous subtypes and stages were selected based on the criteria outlined by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). High-resolution restriction endonucleases and PCR-based sequencing analysis were used to assess the mtDNA sequence variants spanning 3.3 kb fragment that comprised the D-Loop, 12S rRNA- tRNAphe, tRNAval,, tRNAser , tRNAasp, tRNAlys, ATPase 6 ATPase 8, cytochrome oxidase I and II genes. Notably, the incidence of mtDNA instability at np 303-315 were found in 97% of our study samples. Interestingly, a high frequency, 81% (13/16) of TC insertion at np 310 was found only in cystadenomas, 3/3; borderline, 4/4; stage IA, 2/2; stage IB, 0/3 and matched normal tissues, 4/4 of the ovarian serous subtype. Our findings suggest that mitochondrial DNA sequence variant, TC insertion at np 310, in combination with the mtDNA instability at np 303-315, may play a potential role in the tumorigensis of ovarian serous carcinoma.
A QuikSCAT climatology of tropical cyclone size

[1] QuikSCAT data of near-surface wind vectors for the years 1999–2008 are used to create a climatology of tropical cyclone (TC) size, defined as the radius of vanishing winds. The azimuthally-averaged radius of 12 ms−1 wind (r12) is calculated for a subset of TCs (N = 2154) whose centers of circulation were clearly identifiable via subjective analysis of the QuikSCAT-analyzed wind field. The outer radius, r0, is determined from r12 using an outer wind structure model that assumes no deep convection beyond r12. The global median values of r12 and r0 are 197 km and 423 km, respectively, with statistically significant variation across ocean basins. The global distribution of r12 is found to be approximately log-normal, the distribution of r0 is quantitatively much closer to log-normal, and the improvement in fit between r12 and r0 is attributed to the combined effect of the nature of the model employed and the paired distributions of r12 and f. Moreover, the normalization employed by Dean et al. (2009) is found to weaken rather than improve the log-normal fit. Finally, within a given storm, both r12 and r0 tend to expand very slowly with time early in the storm lifecycle and then becomes quasi-constant, though significant variance exists across storms.
Action of biogenic amines on crustacean chromatophores. 3. Antagonism by lysergic acid diethylamide of the effect of serotonin on colour changes in the fiddler crab, Uca pugilator.

Abstract 1. 1. Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) evokes strong concentration of the erythrophoric pigment in intact fiddler crabs, Uca pugilator, but does not evoke pigment concentration in the erythrophores of eyestalkless crabs or legs isolated from intact crabs. 2. 2. LSD has no effect on maximally concentrated erythrophoric pigment. 3. 3. LSD inhibits the red pigment dispersing action of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine), but does not antagonize the action of red pigment dispersing hormone from the eyestalk. 4. 4. LSD does not stimulate the erythrophores directly; its action is mediated by the neuroendocrine system in the crab.
Abstract 20: Role of IRF5-IRF4 Regulatory Axis in Microglial Polarization After Neonatal Stroke

Background: Perinatal arterial ischemic stroke (PAIS) is an important cause of neonatal death and long-term disability. Once PAIS occurs, microglia are activated and innate immune responses are mounted in the brain. Microglial activation is characterized as M1 (pro-inflammatory) or M2 (anti-inflammatory) phenotype depending on the progression of brain injury. Recent studies with adult models of peripheral inflammation have found that interferon regulatory factor 5 (IRF5) regulates expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, while IRF4 controls M2 macrophage polarization. The balance of the IRF5-IRF4 regulatory axis is critical in establishing M1/M2 macrophage phenotypes; however, it is unknown if microglial activation is regulated by the same mechanism in neonatal brains after PAIS. We hypothesize that IRF5-IRF4 regulatory axis directs M1/M2 microglial polarization and manipulation of the axis confers neuroprotection against PAIS. Methods: IRF5/IRF4 inducible conditional knockout (ICKO) mice in which IRF5 or IRF4 was deleted specifically in microglia by Tamoxifen induction were subjected to 60-minute Rice-Vanucci Modeling (RVM) at post-natal day 10 (P10) to induce PAIS. Stroke outcomes were evaluated at 7d of RVM. C57BL6 P10 pups will also be used for examination of microglial activation and IRF5/IRF4 expression by flow cytometry (FC), RT-PCR, IHC, and western blotting. Results: Microglia exhibited high levels of M2 marker CD206 at 3d and M1 marker MHCII at 7d of PAIS by FC analysis (n= 6st, 3sh/gp). IRF4 mRNA in FC-sorted microglia was upregulated 24h after stroke and peaked at 3d, but declined to baseline at 7d. Conversely, IRF5 was not upregulated until 3d and peaked at 7d. Correspondingly, IRF4 and IRF5 expression in the nuclear fraction was increased at 3d and 7d respectively. Similar patterns of IRF5/IRF4 expression was seen in Iba-1 + cells in the brain by IHC (n= 8st, 4sh/gp). IRF4 ICKO mice had worsened stroke outcomes while IRF5 ICKO showed protective effects 7d after PAIS. Conclusions: PAIS led to a transient M2 phenotype of microglia that switched to M1 polarization at a later time. IRF5-IRF4 regulatory axis plays an important role in mediating M1/M2 polarization of microglia and is a promising target of interventional therapy for PAIS.
Relating preschool class size to classroom life and student achievement

Abstract This paper examines the effects of preschool class size on classroom quality and student achievement by drawing upon data from 21 teachers and 354 children that were collected during the 2008–2009 school year. Regular class sizes contained 20 students and reduced class sizes contained 15 students. Either the AM or PM session was randomly assigned to be 15 students for each teacher, so that each teacher taught both a regular and reduced class size. Children who attended reduced size classrooms were found to partake in more one-to-one interactions with teachers than children in regular size classrooms, but there were no differences between groups in the quality of classroom interactions as measured by the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS). Children in smaller classrooms also were found to gain more in literacy skills by the end of preschool. In contrast, there were no significant differences between groups in vocabulary or math gains. These results indicate that an assigned difference of five children in a preschool classroom can benefit children's cognitive development after just one school year. However, these benefits are not explained by differences in a commonly used measure of classroom quality, which were minimal. Future endeavors to reduce class size in preschool might be enhanced if coupled with professional development strategies that aim to maximize teachers' effectiveness with smaller classes.
Angular dependence of Ic(H) in Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3Ox tapes.

Measurements of the critical current, {ital I}{sub {ital c}}, as a function of the angle between the applied magnetic field and the face of a Bi{sub 2}Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub 2}Cu{sub 3}O{sub {ital x}} tape have been performed. Defining {theta} as the angle between the basal plane and the magnetic field but perpendicular to the current, the data do not scale well with {ital H}sin({theta}). For a given value of magnetic field, as {theta} increases {ital I}{sub {ital c}} decreases much faster than would be expected from a simple sin({theta}) law. This paper shows that other scaling functions, based on the anisotropy of the critical field, fit the data much better over the entire angular range.
Mediating environmental enforcement disputes: How well does it work?

Abstract Much has been written about benefits of using mediation to resolve environmental disputes, however little empirical research exists to substantiate these claims. Using 19 mediated environmental enforcement cases involving Florida's primary environmental regulatory agency, we examine settlement rates, settlement quality, and participant satisfaction with the mediation process and the mediator. The results show that mediation is an effective method for settling environmental enforcement disputes — more than 70% of the cases were resolved; participants indicated that they were very satisfied with the mediation process, the final agreement, and the mediator; and that they saved money by using mediation rather than litigation to resolve their disputes.
Recent studies of insulating polymers with high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy

Abstract The application of high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS) to the study of insulating polymer surfaces is reviewed. Such studies require the use of a secondary electron beam to prevent charging and to achieve stable surface potentials. Industrial grade polymers, obtained as thin sheets or cut from rod stock, are also rough and disordered compared to the single-crystal or thin film surfaces normally studied by HREELS. Therefore, the practical application of HREELS to insulating polymer samples has been limited by resolution, intensity and stability under secondary electron beam neutralization. This paper reviews recent progress of a method which combines modern instrumentation, low-energy secondary electron beam neutralization and spectral restoration algorithms. It is demonstrated that this method approaches a practical resolution criterion of 5 meV (40 cm −1 ) at relatively high spectral intensities as shown for polystyrene and polytetrafluoroethylene. The application of HREELS to surfaces modified by low-pressure plasma treatment is also illustrated.
Reduced Na+ Uptake in the NaCl-Hypersensitive sos1 Mutant of Arabidopsis thaliana

Sos1 is an Arabidopsis thaliana mutant with > 20 times higher sensitivity toward Na+ inhibition due to a defective high-affinity potassium-uptake system. We report here that sos1 accumulates less Na+ than the wild type in response to NaCl stress. The Na+ contents in sos1 seedlings exposed to 25 mM NaCl for 2 or more d are about 43% lower than those in the wild type. When assayed at 20 mM external NaCl, sos1 seedlings pretreated with low potassium have 32% lower Na+ uptake than the wild type. However, little difference in Na+ uptake could be measured when the seedlings were not pretreated with low potassium. Low-potassium treatment was shown to induce high-affinity potassium-uptake activity in Arabidopsis seedlings. No substantial difference in Na+ efflux between sos1 and the wild type was detected. The results show that the reduced Na+ accumulation in sos1 is due to a lower Na+ influx rate. Therefore, the sos1 mutation appears to disrupt low-affinity Na+ uptake in addition to its impairment of high-affinity K+ uptake.
Parent relationships and compliance in cystic fibrosis

Abstract Introduction: Marital adjustment, family characteristics, and parent-child stress and compliance with treatment were investigated in 41 families with a preadolescent child (age 3 to 11 years) who had cystic fibrosis (CF). Method: Mothers completed the Dyadic Adjustment Scale, the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scale, and the short form of the Parenting Stress Index. Parents and medical staff completed questionnaires assessing the child's compliance with diet/nutritional intake, vitamins, pancreatic enzymes, other medications (such as oral antibiotics), and chest physiotherapy. Results: Preadolescents with CF were viewed as generally cooperative with most aspects of treatment. Parental ratings of compliance with dietary and nutritional intake were associated with increased marital consensus and decreased parenting stress. Medical staff ratings of dietary compliance, medication compliance, and chest physiotherapy compliance were associated with lower parenting stress. Discussion: Parent-child stress and lack of agreement between parents is associated with problems in compliance with treatment, which may have an adverse impact on the disease and health status of the child with CF.
Quantitative gas-liquid chromatography of sulfur containing amino acids

Abstract This research describes the analytical methods for the preparation, yield, structural confirmation, RMR a.a./phen. values 2 , and substrate interaction for the volatile trimethylsilyl (TMS) derivatives of twelve sulfur amino acids: S-methyl- l -cysteine, taurine, cysteic acid, homocystine, djenkolic acid, ethionine, methionine sulfoxide and sulfone, and l -2-thiolhistidine. For reference and comparison purposes the TMS derivatives for methionine, cysteine, and cystine were also prepared. Bis(trimethylsilyl) acetamide (BSA) and bis(trimethylsilyl) trifluoracetamide (BSTFA) were employed as the silylating reagents. The TMS derivatives were also prepared on a macro scale, and the structural formulae were determined on the basis of elemental analysis and infrared spectra. The synthesized pure reference TMS derivatives were used in yield studies. The yields ranged from 95.5–99.2% with BSA as silylating reagent. Some difficulties due to oxidation of the sulfur atom were encountered during purification of the derivatives for the following sulfur amino acids: cysteic acid, l -2-thiolhistidine, cysteine, cystine, and homocystine. In this case working calibration curves were prepared. The TMS derivatives of the twelve sulfur amino acids can be quantitatively prepared by heating at 150° for five minutes in a closed tube. The silylation reagent-solvent ratio is 1 3 v/v. BSTFA is recommended as the silylation reagent for all of the named sulfur amino acids except methionine, methionine sulfoxide, and S-methyl- l -cysteine. The TMS derivatives were stable with respect to time in a closed tube. Separation of the derivatives was achieved on OV-1 and OV-17 columns. A reduced response was noted for methionine and l -2-thiolhistidine on an OV-22 column, and separation was not achieved for methionine sulfoxide and sulfone. The chromatographic and instrumental conditions were: Column 0.50 w/w% OV-1 coated on 80–100 mesh acid-washed dimethylchlorosilane (DMCS) treated Chromosorb G packed into a 1 m x 3.5 mm I.D. U-shaped column, and temperature programmed from 75°–200° with rise of 4.6°/min.
HeartMapp: a mobile application to improve CHF outcomes and reduce hospital readmissions

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), by its very nature, may lead to frequent hospital visits due to the complexity of managing the risk factors associated with it. Prescribed treatments for discharged patients are usually a combination of medicine, life style changing guidelines, and physical therapy. Treatment compliance is usually challenging and frustrating for both patients and providers. HeartMapp provides a multi-dimensional approach to address these issues combining patient engagement techniques, remote physiological monitoring, automation of traditional clinical protocols, and clinical decision support, all in one patient centered, self-care mobile application.
Introduction: Multichannel communication codes

(1987). Introduction: Multichannel communication codes. Research on Language and Social Interaction: Vol. 20, Multichannel Communication Codes: Part I, pp. 1-3.
Identification of Endohedral Water in Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes by 1H NMR

Water confinement within single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) has been a topic of current interest, due in part to their potential nanofiltration applications. Experiments have recently validated molecular dynamics predictions of flow enhancement within these channels, although few studies have probed the detailed structure and dynamics of water in these systems. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance ( (1)H NMR) is a technique capable of providing some of these details, although care must be exercised in separating the confined water of interest from exterior water. By using controlled experiments with both sealed and opened SWCNTs and by providing a quantitative measure of water content through desorption experiments, a signature for confined water in SWCNTs has been positively identified. This endohedral or interior water is characterized by a relatively broad feature located at 0.0 ppm, shifted upfield relative to bulk water. With the identification of a signature for water inside SWCNTs, further studies aimed at probing water dynamics will be enabled.
Face Recognition by Multi-Frame Fusion of Rotating Heads in Videos

This paper presents a face recognition study that implicitly utilizes the 3D information in 2D video sequences through multi-sample fusion. The approach is based on the hypothesis that continuous and coherent intensity variations in video frames caused by a rotating head can provide information similar to that of explicit shapes or range images. The fusion was done on the image level to prevent information loss. Experiments were carried out using a data set of over 100 subjects and promising results have been obtained: (1) under regular indoor lighting conditions, rank one recognition rate increased from 91% using a single frame to 100% using 7-frame fusion; (2) under strong shadow conditions, rank one recognition rate increased from 63% using a single frame to 85% using 7-frame fusion.
The origin of free brain malonate

Rat brain contains substantial concentrations of free malonate (192 nmol/g wet weight) but origin and biological importance of the dicarboxylic acid are poorly understood. A dietary source has been excluded. A recently described malonyl-CoA decarboxylase deficiency is associated with malonic aciduria and clinical manifestations, including mental retardation. In an effort to study the metabolic origin of free malonate, several labeled acetyl-CoA precursors were administered by intracerebral injection. [2-14C]pyruvate or [1,5-14C]citrate produced radioactive glutamate but failed to label malonate. In contrast, [1-14C]acetate, [2-14C]acetate, and [1-14C]butyrate were converted to labeled glutamate and malonate after the same route of administration. The intracerebral injection of [1-14C]-beta-alanine as a precursor of malonic semialdehyde and possibly free malonate did not give rise to radioactivity in the dicarboxylate. The labeling pattern of malonic acid is compatible with the reaction sequence: acetyl-CoA----malonyl-CoA----malonate. The final step is thought to occur by transfer of the CoA-group from malonyl-CoA to succinate and/or acetoacetate. Labeling of malonate from acetate is most effective at the age of 7 days when the net concentration of the dicarboxylic acid in rat brain is still very low. At this age, butyrate was a better precursor of malonate than acetate. It is proposed that fatty acid oxidation provides the acetyl-CoA which functions as the precursor of free brain malonate. Compartmentation of malonate biosynthesis is likely because the acetyl-CoA precursors citrate and pyruvate are ineffective.
The fine structure of the guinea pig visceral yolk sac placenta

The structure of the guinea pig visceral yolk sac from 26 days of gestation to term was studied by transmission and scanning electron microscopy. Particular emphasis was placed on the columnar endoderm cells of the villous portion of the yolk sac. The apical cytoplasm of the endoderm cells contained numerous membrane invaginations, endocytic vesicles, dense tubules and large vacuoles which appeared to form an interrelated absorptive system. The saccular invaginations of the apical cell membrane were specialized by the development of both an amorphous extracellular coat and an internal coat. Both the endocytic vesicles and dense tubules were thought to be derived from the saccular invaginations following detachment of the latter from the cell surface — the endocytic vesicles forming by fusion of saccules creating progressively larger structures, and the dense apical tubules forming by a process involving fluid loss from the saccules. Large vacuoles were present deeper in the apical cytoplasm; these probably were formed by fusion of smaller vesicles. The supranuclear cytoplasm contained numerous dense droplets and a Golgi zone. The possible relationships of the droplets to the vacuoles was discussed.
Comparative metabolic responses to halogenated anaesthetics.

Halogenated ethers, as well as halothane, cause an appreciable rise in plasma norepinephrine and, perhaps, in plasma epinephrine. The technique of measurements of the biogenic amines in plasma is not sensitive enough to obtain clear-cut comparative data. Nevertheless, the changes are evidently less marked than those occurring with “balanced” anaesthetic techniques. No significant metabolic alteration occurs with the fluorinated ethers except for a rise in blood sugar and plasma cortisol. This probably reflects an unimpaired response to stress. The changes appear to be of a similar order of magnitude to those we have observed with three forms of “balanced” or neuroleptanalgesic techniques. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Halogenierte Ather fuhren, ebenso wie Halothan, zu einern merklichen Anstieg des Plasma-Noradrenalin-Spiegels und vielleicht auch des Adrenalins im Plasma. Die Technik der Messung biogener Amine im Plasma ist nicht empfindlich genug, um eindeutige Vergleichswerte zu erhalten. Nichtsdestoweniger sind die Veranderungen sichtlich geringer als die unter Kombinationsnarkosernethoden auftretenden. Mit den fluorinierten dthern komrnt es zu keinen signifikanten metabolischen Veranderungen, mit Ausnahme eines Anstieges des Blutzuckers und des Plasrnal-Cortisols. Die Antwort auf einen Stress bleibt sornit offenbar unbeeinflulst. Die Veranderungen bewegen sich anscheinend in der gleichen Grasenordnung, die wir bei drei Arten der Kombinations- oder Neuroleptanaesthesie beobachtet hatten.
Factors of teacher beliefs related to integrating agriculture into elementary school classrooms

Elementary students need authentic learning experiences with community-based topics to motivate them, help develop inquiry skills, apply academic content, and connect their learning beyond the context of the classroom. In particular, the study of food, agriculture, and natural resources in elementary classrooms can bring learning to life. Elementary teachers’ decisions to teach non-required topics are informed by their personal beliefs and contextual pressures to teach required content that is aligned with state learning standards. The purpose of this descriptive study is to explore the factors underlying elementary teachers’ beliefs related to the integration of food, agricultural, and natural resources (FANR) topics and activities into their classrooms. Multivariate analyses were conducted to identify factors and determine the relationship between teacher beliefs and behaviors. Two factors explained the extent teachers integrated FANR topics and activities into their classrooms: (1) if they agreed FANR topics fit in academic subjects, and (2) if they saw the educational value of integrating FANR topics and activities into the elementary school curricula. Teachers’ epistemological and motivational beliefs play a role when they consider adopting an enrichment program to integrate non-required topics into their elementary school classrooms. The findings suggest teachers’ perceptions of the educational benefits and fit within academic content areas are more important factors than their views and attitudes of the careers and industry connected to an enrichment program when teachers choose to adopt and integrate topics and activities that would enrich student learning in their classrooms.
Annual variability in upstream migration of glass eels in a southern USA coastal watershed

We investigated the environmental factors that affected temporal variability of eel recruitment and upstream migration in a freshwater coastal river along the southeastern US. Glass eels Anguilla rostrata were collected through ichthyoplankton sampling in the lower Roanoke River, North Carolina. Monthly samples were taken from fixed stations from May 2001 through June 2003. There was no evidence of consistent seasonal migration patterns for glass eels in Roanoke River. From May through December in 2001, glass eels were captured only during August. In 2002, glass eels arrived in February and remained in ichthyoplankton samples through October, with the exception of samples from September. Peak catch occurred in March at 4.02 ± 1.2 and declined through June to 0.18 ± 0.07 (#/1,000 m3). By August, the mean density increased to 0.96 ± 0.82 and to 3.59 ± 2.77 by October. In 2003 from January through June, glass eels were captured only during February and March. Glass eels were routinely collected when river discharge rates were 650 m−3 s−1 resulted in no glass eels in our samples. Upstream migration during 2002 was not correlated with water temperature or related to lunar phase. Glass eel freshwater upstream migration was initiated when water temperatures exceeded a threshold range of 10°C to 15°C; however, glass eels continued to migrate when water temperatures approached 30°C. The overall negative effect of river discharge suggests that changes in the water release schedules of upstream hydroelectric facilities during glass eel migration could strongly influence their recruitment success.
Echocardiographic outcome of infants treated as newborns with inhaled nitric oxide for severe hypoxemic respiratory failure

Abstract Objective: To determine the cardiovascular outcome of a group of term newborns treated with inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) for severe hypoxemic respiratory failure with associated persistent pulmonary hypertension. Study design: We performed echocardiographic evaluations in 40 survivors treated for severe neonatal hypoxemic respiratory failure. Each of the 40 had at least 2 follow-up echocardiograms at 3 or 6 and 24 months. These studies were compared with echocardiograms done in infants in a normal, age-matched control group. Results: Three of 31 infants met echocardiographic criteria for pulmonary hypertension at the 3-month examination. Two of the 3 had associated structural heart disease (1 with an atrial septal defect and 1 with a ventricular septal defect). At 24 months only 1 patient had pulmonary hypertension. This infant had an atrial septal defect that was surgically closed shortly after the 24-month echocardiogram because of the pulmonary hypertension. Group comparisons of 3- and 24-month echocardiographic variables showed no differences between the study and control groups. In the 31 infants in whom serial studies were completed, expected age-related changes were demonstrated between the 3- and 24-month examinations. Conclusions: The incidence of residual pulmonary hypertension in infants treated as newborns for severe hypoxemic respiratory failure is low. The group at highest risk is those with structural heart disease. (J Pediatr 2001;138:349-54)
Determination of major components and trace elements in ancient silver by thermal neutron activation analysis

Thermal neutron activation of minute samples of ancient silver objects has provided useful information concerning their silver, copper and gold content. The results of such analysis of eighteen Sasanian silver objects are discussed together with consideration of the sampling problems involved. In order to extend these measurements to include other elements, an isotopic exchange system has been developed to separate other activities present in irradiated silver specimens quantitatively from the silver, copper and gold activities. Following exchange with cuprous and silver iodides it has been possible to count quantitatively the activity of fourteen additional elements: As, Br, Co, Cr, Fe, Hg, Ir, K, Mn, Na, Sb, Sc, Se and Zn.
Kinetics of the toxicity of metals to luminescent bacteria

Abstract Bioluminescent bacteria are widely used in the toxicity assessment of aqueous solutions of heavy metals. They have also been used to screen wastewater treatment plant influent for toxicity resulting from the presence of heavy metals in the influent. However, some studies have indicated that certain strains of bioluminescent bacteria are not appropriate for influent toxicity screening for wastewater treatment plants. Shk1 is a bioluminescent bacterial strain genetically engineered for the specific purpose of monitoring influent wastewater to wastewater treatment plants for toxicity. Heavy metals at sufficient concentrations are toxic to Shk1 cells as they are to activated sludge microorganisms, and the exposure of Shk1 cells to heavy metal ions results in bioluminescence repression. The kinetics of the toxic effects of the heavy metals to Shk1 can be mathematically described in a manner similar to the non-competitive inhibition of enzymes. We determined the inhibition coefficients K i of seven heavy metals. We arranged K i and EC 50 values (a frequently used indicator of toxicity) of the seven heavy metals in increasing order and found that the sequences were in good agreement. We also show that under appropriate conditions, predictions of toxicity can be made based on EC 50 values that contain kinetic information similar to that contained in predictions using K i .
Calculation of flat-plate collector utilizability

Abstract The “utilizability” or φ-curve method developed by Whillier [1] and later generalized by Liu and Jordan[2, 3], can be a very useful design tool for some types of solar energy systems which utilize conventional flat-plate solar collectors. The generalized φ-curve method in its original form, however, has several drawbacks. The calculation effort required to assess long-term collector performance is significant. The calculations can not be completely automated on a computer or hand calculator because many graphs are needed for which analytical representations are not available. In this paper, the φ-curve method is reviewed and situations for which the method is useful are described. Then, an easier method, using daily φ -charts, rather than the original hourly φ-curves, is presented. The φ -charts greatly reduce the calculations required to determine flat-plate collector utilizability. φ -charts can be easily implemented on a programmable hand calculator. A comparison of the original hourly and the new daily calculation methods is presented. An example demonstrating the use and utility of the φ -charts is also included.