cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bridging Environmental Sustainability and Quality of Life in Metropolitan Atlanta’s Urban Communities

Quality of life (QOL) is a central concern in urban planning, given the profession’s orientation towards advancing the public well-being. This study develops a multi-attribute Quality of Urban Life (QoUL) Index to compare and track place-based amenities and the state of public welfare in cities within the Atlanta region. Of particular interest is the examination of QoUL in relation to an Urban Environmental Sustainability (UES) Index, which offers important insights about whether and how sustainability contributes to quality of life.
Water-Soluble Leaving Group Enables Hydrophobic Functionalization of RNA.

Attachment of hydrophobic groups to RNA is challenging because of their poor aqueous solubility. One-step acylation of RNA 2′-OH groups in water using a water-soluble imidazole leaving group is described. The effect of the hydrophobic groups on hybridization is reported. Furthermore, propargyl-functionalized RNA is shown to be readily labeled with a fluorophore. Lastly, heptyl-functionalized RNA is found to exhibit the unusual property of solubility in organic solvents.
CLINICAL PROFILE AND SIGNIFICANCE OF SUBMAXIMAL DOBUTAMINE ATROPINE STRESS ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY: A META-ANALYSIS

Dobutamine atropine stress echocardiography (DASE) is a widely used alternative to exercise stress in evaluation of suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD). Nearly one-fourth of adults undergoing DASE fail to reach target heart rate (≥85% predicted maximum for age). The latter has been
The Asset Structures of Emerging Technology Providers

The cash reserves of IT firms, which have been important providers of emerging technologies, have undergone increasing scrutiny as their market valuations have reached unprecedented levels. Coincid...
Preliminary Use of Indocyanine Green Fluorescence Angiography and Value in Predicting the Vascular Supply of Tissues Needed to Perform Cloacal, Anorectal Malformation, and Hirschsprung Reconstructions.

Introduction Reconstructive techniques for cloaca, anorectal malformations (ARM), and Hirschsprung disease (HD) may require intestinal flaps on vascular pedicles for vaginal reconstruction and/or colonic pull-throughs. Visual assessment of tissue perfusion is typically the only modality used. We investigated the utility of intraoperative indocyanine green fluorescence angiography (ICG-FA) and hypothesized that it would be more accurate than the surgeon's eye. Materials and Methods Thirteen consecutive patients undergoing cloacal reconstruction (9), HD (3), and ARM repair (1) underwent ICG-FA laser SPY imaging to assess colonic, rectal, vaginal, and neovaginal tissue perfusion following intraoperative visual clinical assessment. Operative findings were correlated with healing at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year postoperatively. Results ICG-FA resulted in a change in the operative plan in 4 of the 13 (31%) cases. In three cases, ICG-FA resulted in the distal bowel being transected at a level (>10 cm) higher than originally planned, and in one case the distal bowel was discarded, and the colostomy used for pull-through. Conclusion ICG-FA correctly identified patients who might have developed a complication from poor tissue perfusion. Employing this technology to assess rectal or neovaginal pull-throughs in cloacal reconstructions, complex HD, and ARM cases may be a valuable technology.
Cancer Awareness Programmes in Urban and Semi-Urban Populations of West Bengal, India

ABSTRACT Background Of the current world estimate of 9 million new cancer cases diagnosed each year, India contributes 7l akhs new cases every year with an overall count of 20 lakhs. Of these, 2.3 lakhs cancer (33%) are obesity and life style related. Objectives Our non-government cancer control program aims to educate the urban and semi-urban population in and around the outskirts of the city of Kolkata about the perils of cancer and its symptoms. Ultimately it aspires to create public awareness regarding the inter-relation between obesity, cancer and lifestyle modification, thus informing them about the benefits of minor lifestyle changes in preventing cancer. Methods A 5 year (Jan‘06–Dec’11), bi-monthly awareness program was conducted by NCRI in Kolkata and its immediate outskirts targeting the urban and semi-urban population. Main concerns were oral, breast and cervical cancers detected by oral examination, self breast inspection, Pap Smear test followed by collecting patient history and lifestyle factors including dietary fat-caloric & tobacco intake, alcohol consumption, and weight of the subject which might act as a pre-determinant disease markers. Positive screening results stage-specific planning of treatment and/or palliative care at our institute. Results Enthusiastic public participation (app.85%) including women was observed. Out of 46,000 screened individuals, cancer was detected in 3840 (8%) cases, of which 58% were female and 42% were male. Incidence of breast cancer in female were predominant (29.99%), followed by cervical carcinoma (23.99%). Tobacco habits predominated among 80% of males and 20% of females. Hence oral cancer was the most common (35.98%) amongst men, followed by lung cancer (29.98 %). Conclusion The results showed a strong association of overweight and obesity with cancer in this group primarily due to life style, dietary and smoking habits. Hence some minor lifestyle choices which encompasses dietary restriction of calorie/fat intake and avoiding animal protein especially red meat, cessation of tobacco and alcohol intake, exercising and maintaining an ideal body-mass index, healthy body weight and composition through a diet rich in fruits and green vegetables reduces the risk of cancer. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Mitochondrial Haplogroup Assignment for High-Throughput Sequencing Data from Single Individual and Mixed DNA Samples

The inference of mitochondrial haplogroups is an important step in forensic analysis of DNA samples collected at a crime scene. In this paper we introduced efficient inference algorithms based on Jaccard similarity between variants called from high-throughput sequencing data of such DNA samples and mutations collected in public databases such as PhyloTree. Experimental results on real and simulated datasets show that our mutation analysis methods have accuracy comparable to that of state-of-the-art methods based on haplogroup frequency estimation for both single-individual samples and two-individual mixtures, with a much lower running time.
Cardioprotective Effect of Anesthetics: Translating Science to Practice

Cardiovascular diseases are the number one cause of mortality in the world, particularly among the aging population. Major adverse cardiac events are also a major contributor to perioperative complications, affecting 2.6% of noncardiac surgeries and up to 18% of cardiac surgeries. Cardioprotective effects of volatile anesthetics and certain intravenous anesthetics have been well-documented in preclinical studies; however, their clinical application has yielded conflicting results in terms of their efficacy. Therefore, better understanding of the underlying mechanisms and developing effective ways to translate these insights into clinical practice remain significant challenges and unmet needs in the area. Several recent reviews have focused on mechanistic dissection of anesthetic-mediated cardioprotection. The present review focuses on recent clinical trials investigating the cardioprotective effects of anesthetics in the past five years. In addition to highlighting the main outcomes of these trials, the authors provide their perspectives about the current gap in the field and potential directions for future investigations.
Three Perceptual Tools for Seeing and Understanding Visualized Data

The visual system evolved and develops to process the scenes, faces, and objects of the natural world, but people adapt this powerful system to process data within an artificial world of visualizat...
DCE-MRI of Brain Fluid Barriers: In Vivo Water Cycling at the Human Choroid Plexus.

Metabolic deficits at brain-fluid barriers are an increasingly recognized feature of cognitive decline in older adults. At the blood-cerebrospinal fluid barrier, water is transported across the choroid plexus (CP) epithelium against large osmotic gradients via processes tightly coupled to activity of the sodium/potassium pump. Here, we quantify CP homeostatic water exchange using dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI and investigate the association of the water efflux rate constant (kco) with cognitive dysfunction in older individuals. Temporal changes in the longitudinal relaxation rate constant (R1) after contrast agent bolus injection were measured in a CP region of interest in 11 participants with mild cognitive dysfunction [CI; 73 ± 6 years] and 28 healthy controls [CN; 72 ± 7 years]. kco was determined from a modified two-site pharmacokinetic exchange analysis of the R1 time-course. Ktrans, a measure of contrast agent extravasation to the interstitial space was also determined. Cognitive function was assessed by neuropsychological test performance. kco averages 5.8 ± 2.7 s-1 in CN individuals and is reduced by 2.4 s-1 [ca. 40%] in CI subjects. Significant associations of kco with global cognition and multiple cognitive domains are observed. Ktrans averages 0.13 ± 0.07 min-1 and declines with age [-0.006 ± 0.002 min-1 yr-1], but shows no difference between CI and CN individuals or association with cognitive performance. Our findings suggest that the CP water efflux rate constant is associated with cognitive dysfunction and shows an age-related decline in later life, consistent with the metabolic disturbances that characterize brain aging.
The Neoliberalization of Higher Education: Paradoxing Students' Basic Needs at a Hispanic-Serving Institution

Millions of college students in the United States lack access to adequate food, housing, and other basic human needs. These insecurities have only been exacerbated in recent decades by the country's neoliberal approach to higher education, with disproportionately negative consequences for historically underserved populations (e.g., racial/ethnic minorities, low-income students, and first-generation college students). For each of these reasons, this study explores organizational paradoxes faced by students attending a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) in southern California. Drawing upon 30 semi-structured interviews with undergraduates who self-identified as historically underserved, our three-stage conceptualization of the data analysis revealed three specific paradoxes: provision vs. dependence, sympathy vs. disassociation, and bootstrapping vs. unattainability. We conclude with practical and theoretical implications for alleviating the repercussions of neoliberal policies on today's college students.
Jurisdiction and the Supreme Court's Orders Docket

This prepared statement formed the basis for testimony before the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on September 29, 2021. The hearing chaired by Senator Durbin was titled "Texas's Unconstitutional Abortion Ban and the Role of the Shadow Docket."
Localization Strategies for Global E-Business

The acceleration of globalization and the growth of emerging economies present significant opportunities for business expansion. One of the quickest ways to achieve effective international expansion is by leveraging the web, which allows for technological connectivity of global markets and opportunities to compete on a global basis. To systematically engage and thrive in this networked global economy, professionals and students need a new skill set; one that can help them develop, manage, assess and optimize efforts to successfully launch websites for tapping global markets. This book provides a comprehensive, non-technical guide to leveraging website localization strategies for global e-commerce success. It contains a wealth of information and advice, including strategic insights into how international business needs to evolve and adapt in light of the rapid proliferation of the 'Global Internet Economy'. It also features step-by-step guidelines to developing, managing and optimizing international-multilingual websites and insights into cutting-edge web localization strategies.
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) Improves Refractory Tremor Caused By Central Pontine Myelinolysis (CPM) (P5.285)

OBJECTIVE: To report successful application of DBS in alleviating a debilitating tremor associated with CPM. BACKGROUND: Major causes of CPM include chronic alcoholism, malnutrition, post liver transplant, and rapid correction of hypernatremia. Tremor is rare in CPM and usually does not respond to pharmacological therapy. CASE SUMMARY: A 51 years old woman with a history of chronic alcoholism and liver cirrhosis, presented with tremor in both hands. Patient had a hospitalization in March of 2011 for encephalopathy and ataxia. MRI showed T2 hyperintensity in the pons consistent with diagnosis of CPM (figure 1). In October 2011, she developed an action tremor with large amplitude which became progressively worse (video no 1). A variety of medications including propranolol, primidone and clonazepam, did not improve patient’s tremor and quality of life. On March 2014 patient underwent DBS surgery during which the stimulator electrode was placed into the ventral intermediate nucleus of the left thalamus. RESULTS: Following DBS the patient demonstrated marked improvement of tremor of the right hand (video no 2- Archimedes’ spiral drawing -handwriting). DBS parameters were set at: PW: 90 Rate: 130 Contacts: C+, 1- AMP: 2.5 V Impedance: 1540 Current: 1.684 CONCLUSION: In a patient with severe and debilitating tremor associated with CPM, deep brain stimulation of VIM nucleus of thalamus resulted in marked improvement of the tremor and quality of life. To our knowledge, this is the first report of efficacy of DBS in CPM-associated tremor. Disclosure: Dr. Gerrard has nothing to disclose. Dr. Safarpour has nothing to disclose. Dr. Machado has nothing to disclose. Dr. Jabbari has received research support from Allergan Inc., Merz Pharma, and Ipsen.
CIVIL PRACTICE Limitations of Actions: Provide for Limitation of Civil Actions for Childhood Sexual Abuse

The Act provides for a limitation period for bringing civil actions for childhood sexual abuse. In order to recover damages as a result of childhood sexual abuse, the plaintiff must commence the action against the abuser no later than five years after the plaintiff attains the age of majority. The Act also defines the term childhood sexual abuse. Finally, the Act specifies that claims which would have been barred prior to the effective date of the Act are not revived.
The bi-graded structure of symmetric algebras with applications to Rees rings

Abstract Consider a rational projective plane curve C parameterized by three homogeneous forms of the same degree in the polynomial ring R = k [ x , y ] over a field k. The ideal I generated by these forms is presented by a homogeneous 3 × 2 matrix φ with column degrees d 1 ≤ d 2 . The Rees algebra R = R [ I t ] of I is the bi-homogeneous coordinate ring of the graph of the parameterization of C ; and accordingly, there is a dictionary that translates between the singularities of C and algebraic properties of the ring R and its defining ideal. Finding the defining equations of Rees rings is a classical problem in elimination theory that amounts to determining the kernel A of the natural map from the symmetric algebra Sym ( I ) onto R . The ideal A ≥ d 2 − 1 , which is an approximation of A , can be obtained using linkage. We exploit the bi-graded structure of Sym ( I ) in order to describe the structure of an improved approximation A ≥ d 1 − 1 when d 1 d 2 and φ has a generalized zero in its first column. (The latter condition is equivalent to assuming that C has a singularity of multiplicity d 2 .) In particular, we give the bi-degrees of a minimal bi-homogeneous generating set for this ideal. When 2 = d 1 d 2 and φ has a generalized zero in its first column, then we record explicit generators for A . When d 1 = d 2 , we provide a translation between the bi-degrees of a bi-homogeneous minimal generating set for A d 1 − 2 and the number of singularities of multiplicity d 1 that are on or infinitely near C . We conclude with a table that translates between the bi-degrees of a bi-homogeneous minimal generating set for A and the configuration of singularities of C when the curve C has degree six.
Snitching for Dollars: The Economics and Public Policy of Federal Civil Bounty Programs

The federal government routinely pays individuals for tips that facilitate its regulatory and law enforcement efforts. However, in the aftermath of public reaction to Linda Tripp's role in bringing the Clinton-Lewinsky affair to light, combined with recent hostility toward IRS informant and collection practices, such bounty programs have fallen out of social and political favor. Indeed, the bounty programs federal agencies offer are vastly inconsistent and devoid of a clear understanding of the incentives facing potential informants. These political and technical shortcomings of bounty programs undermine their effectiveness. In this article, Ferziger and Currell examine four federal bounty schemes--the False Claims Act and the schemes created by the SEC, IRS, and U.S. Customs Service--constructing an economic model to aid agencies and legislators alike in the formulation of more efficient and effective bounty programs. The authors first articulate a framework through which existing programs can be analyzed, elucidating such factors as informant anonymity, bounty award amounts, administrative program costs, and program publicity. Upon this framework, the authors set forth their comprehensive model of the incentives and motives underlying agency-informant interaction throughout the bounty process. Taking into account a host of sociopolitical concerns, the authors then demonstrate the real-world applicability of the economic model they have fashioned.
Vibrational studies of the disulfide group in proteins: Part II. Ab initio force fields and normal mode frequencies of dimethyl, methylethyl, and diethyl disulfides☆

Abstract The geometric parameters and quadratic force constants of dimethyl disulfide, methylethyl disulfide, and diethyl disulfide in all their stable conformations and transition state conformations have been obtained from ab initio Hartree—Fock calculations with a 3-21G* basis set. Thirteen scale factors applied to the ab initio force field allow the reproduction of 62 observed frequencies with an average error of 0.5%. Relationships between the SS and CS stretch frequencies and the conformer internal rotation geometry are obtained. The results reported here provide a good basis for further investigation of the vibrational spectra of proteins containing cystine residues.
Application of the Most-Probable-Number Procedure to Suspensions of Leptospira autumnalis Akiyami A

Various statistical tests are presented as evidence that the most-probable-number (MPN) procedure is a reliable method for estimating the density of washed-cell suspensions of Leptospira autumnalis Akiyami A.
Myosin-I in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: Myosin-I is a nonfilamentous motor protein associated with the actin cytoskeleton and cellular membranes in several cell types. The occurrence and subcellular distribution of myosin-I in mammalian and fish RPE were investigated to examine the possible role of myosin-I in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) motility processes. METHODS: Antibodies directed against myosin-I proteins from bovine adrenal medulla or chicken intestinal brush border were used to examine cultured fetal human RPE cells and freshly isolated bovine or green sunfish RPE by Western immunoblots and immunocytochemistry, using both conventional and confocal fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: The monoclonal antibody directed against bovine adrenal myosin-I identified a single strong immunoreactive band at 116 kD in Western blots of homogenates of cultured human RPE cells and 114 kD in bovine RPE sheets. An immunoreactive band of similar molecular weight was also observed in bovine and rabbit retina. Cell fractionation studies of bovine RPE cells revealed that myosin-I was present in all fractions that included cell membranes. The polyclonal antibody directed against chicken brush border myosin-I identified doublet immunoreactive bands at 115/110 kD in Western blots of homogenates of fish retina but identified a strong predominant immunoreactive band at 140 kD in fish RPE and brain homogenates; minor bands at 115/110 kD were identified in fish RPE homogenates. Immunocytochemistry of cultured human RPE cells using the bovine adrenal myosin-I antibody revealed a broad distribution of myosin-I that appeared to be most concentrated along the length of the lateral membranes; no colocalization was seen with actin-rich stress fibers. CONCLUSIONS: Proteins immunoreactive with myosin-I antibodies are present in both RPE and retina of mammals and green sunfish. In confluent cultures of human RPE cells, myosin-I is concentrated along the lateral cell membranes of the cuboidal cells.
Is Construct Differentiation Loquacity?A Motivational Perspective

Recent studies have indicated that cognitive complexity scores, based on the quantity of constructs embedded in written essays, correlate significantly with the total number of words contained in the response. As a consequence, a controversy involving whether loquacity rather than cognitive complexity has been measured by such scoring procedures has emerged. In this study (1) the premise is advanced that the quantity of constructs approach represents subjects' willingness to write rather than personal construct systems or construal processes, (2) loquacity is explained in terms of motivational variables rather than construal processes and (3) two separate studies test the motivational hypothesis. Results of study J indicate that subjects promised credit for rigor write more words and more constructs than did their non-motivated counterparts. Moreover, the results of study 2 demonstrate that writing apprehension scores and self-reports of situational motivation predict both loquacity and cognitive complexity scores. These findings support a motivational hypothesis regarding loquacity and raise serious questions concerning cognitive complexity measurement.
The Elgar Companion to Hyman Minsky

Contents: 1. Introduction: Minsky on Money, Banking and Finance Dimitri B. Papadimitriou and L. Randall Wray 2. What Would Minsky Have Thought of the Mortgage Crisis? Jan Kregel 3. Minsky and Economic Policy: `Keynesianism' All Over Again? Eric Tymoigne 4. Minsky in the `New' Capitalism: The New Clothes of the Financial Instability Hypothesis Riccardo Bellofiore, Joseph Halevi and Marco Passarella 5. Rational and Innovative Behaviors at the Core of Financial Crises: Banking in Minsky's Theory Eric Nasica 6. What Would Minsky Do? Marshall Auerback, Paul McCulley and Robert W. Parenteau 7. It's the Right Moment to Embrace the Minsky Model Robert J. Barbera and Charles L. Weise 8. Innovation and Equilibrium? Martin Shubik 9. Hyman Minsky and the Dilemmas of Contemporary Economic Method Duncan K. Foley 10. Financial Instability and Agents' Heterogenity: A Post Minskyan Research Agenda Tiziana Assenza, Domenico Delli Gatti and Mauro Gallegati 11. Growth Cycles and the Financial Instability Hypothesis (FIH) Piero Ferri 12. A Spatialized Approach to Asset Bubbles and Minsky Crises Gary A. Dymski 13. The Psychology of Financial Markets: Keynes, Minsky and Emotional Finance Sheila Dow 14. The Generalized `Minsky Moment' James K. Galbraith and Daniel Munevar Sastre Index
Use of supplemental steroids in patients having orthopaedic operations

It is commonly thought that patients receiving exogenous glucocorticoids have suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and need high supplemental doses of exogenous glucocorticoids (so-called stress steroids) to meet the demands of operative stress. Several reports have suggested that clinically important suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is extremely uncommon and that the levels of glucocorticoids required for stress are much lower than previously believed. A prospective study of twenty-eight patients who had thirty-five major orthopaedic operations was conducted. No patient received stress steroids; they were given only the baseline immunosuppressive doses of glucocorticoids (mean dose, ten milligrams of prednisone). Clinical information (based on regular physical examinations for signs and symptoms of hypotension, myalgia, arthralgia, ileus, and fever) and laboratory data (serum sodium levels, eosinophil count, and twenty-four-hour urinary free-cortisol levels, determined at perioperative and non-stress postoperative time-periods) were obtained to document any evidence of adrenocortical insufficiency. There was no such evidence in any of the patients, who were monitored during their entire hospitalization. The levels of twenty-four-hour urinary free cortisol showed that all patients had endogenous adrenocortical function and, when this information was considered together with the clinical outcome, it was concluded that this level of function was sufficient to meet the demands of operative stress. Adrenocortical insufficiency in patients who have orthopaedic operations without receiving supplemental stress steroids appears to be much less common than previously thought. While biochemical testing of the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis may sometimes reveal evidence of adrenal insufficiency, these tests do not predict the clinical outcome and may be too sensitive to guide decisions regarding treatment. Supplemental exogenous stress glucocorticoids may not be needed to meet the demands of operative stress in these patients.
Chiasmatic‐Hypothalamic Masses in Adults: A Case Series and Review of the Literature

Chiasmatic-hypothalamic masses are commonly seen in children with neurofibromatosis type 1 and often demonstrate a benign clinical course. These masses are, however, rare in adults and require tissue sampling for diagnosis. Here, we present four cases of chiasmatic-hypothalamic masses in adults with pathologically proven diagnoses. We also provide a review of the literature and propose a limited differential in this age group.
Exponential stability of shallow water equations with arbitrary time dependent action

In this paper, we examine an exponential stability result in \(L^2-\)norm of the classical solution of shallow water equations. By using Riemann analysis with sub-critical flow condition, we show that only one boundary control law suffices to achieve the exponential stability. For that, we provide a sufficient dissipative condition as second order polynomial inequality with respect to the boundary control law which relies on the setting of a non-increasing arbitrary action.
Scaffolding and Achievement in Problem-Based and Inquiry Learning: A Response to Kirschner, Sweller, and Clark (2006)

Many innovative approaches to education such as problem-based learning (PBL) and inquiry learning (IL) situate learning in problem-solving or investigations of complex phenomena. Kirschner, Sweller, and Clark (2006) grouped these approaches together with unguided discovery learning. However, the problem with their line of argument is that IL and PBL approaches are highly scaffolded. In this article, we first demonstrate that Kirschner et al. have mistakenly conflated PBL and IL with discovery learning. We then present evidence demonstrating that PBL and IL are powerful and effective models of learning. Far from being contrary to many of the principles of guided learning that Kirschner et al. discussed, both PBL and IL employ scaffolding extensively thereby reducing the cognitive load and allowing students to learn in complex domains. Moreover, these approaches to learning address important goals of education that include content knowledge, epistemic practices, and soft skills such as collaboration and sel...
THE MEASUREMENT OF FATIGUE: A NEW INSTRUMENT

Fatigue is a frequent medical symptom which has not been routinely measured. We present a 29-item fatigue assessment instrument, describe its psychometric properties, and use it to differentiate normal fatigue from fatigue related medical disorders. Differences in fatigue across a variety of medical disorders, the reproducibility of the fatigue instrument, and its convergent validity with other fatigue measures are also described.
Direct charged particle imaging sensors

Abstract CMOS image sensors optimized for charged particle imaging applications, such as electron microscopy and particle physics, have been designed and characterized. These directly image charged particles without reliance on performance-degrading hybrid technologies such as the use of scintillating materials. Based on standard CMOS active pixel sensor (APS) technology, the sensor arrays uses an 8–20 μm epitaxial layer that acts as a thicker sensitive region for the generation and collection of ionization electrons resulting from impinging high-energy particles. This results in a 100% fill factor and a far larger signal per incident electron than a standard CMOS photodiode could provide. A 512×550 pixels prototype has been fabricated and used extensively in an electron microscope, including having been used to take sample images. Temporal noise was measured to be 0.9 mV RMS, and the dynamic range was 60 dB. Power consumption at 70 frames/s is 20 mW. The full-width half-maximum of the collected ionization electron distribution was found to be 5.5 μm, yielding a spatial resolution of approximately 2.3 μm for individual incident electrons, and the modulation transfer function of the sensor at the Nyquist limit is to be 32%.
Electronic thermal conductivity of superconducting thin films of lead-indium alloy☆

Abstract The thermal conductivity of thin films of superconducting Pb-3 at. % In alloy is measured in the normal and the superconducting states. The ratio of the electronic thermal conductivity in the superconducting state K es to that in the normal state K en is found to be in good agreement with the Bardeen, Rickayzen and Tewordt theory with 2ϵ O = 4.36 kT c .
Non-adiabatic effects on oxygen atom fine structure populations in the predissociation of the A2Σ+ state of OH

Multichannel scattering calculations are used to evaluate the role of non-adiabatic interactions and interference effect on the predissociation linewidths of several vibrational levels of the A2Σ+ state of OH due to coupling to three different repulsive electronic states. Oxygen atom fine structure branching ratios are calculated as a possible probe of the predissociation pathway. Non-adiabatic effects are found to be very strong for the lower vibrational predissociative A2Σ+ levels and to remain non-negligible even for the higher vibrational states of A 2Σ+.
Pre-ingestive treatment of bombardier beetles by jays: food preparation by “anting” and “sand-wiping”

Evidence is presented, obtained with two species of jays, that these birds differ in the ways in which they prepare bombardier beetles for ingestion. Blue Jays subject bombardiers to “anting,” a procedure by which the beetles are induced to eject their spray into the plumage of the birds. Florida Scrub Jays, in contrast, which live in an area where the soil is sandy, subject bombardiers to “sand-wiping,” causing the beetles to eject their spray into the substrate. Both strategies lend themselves also to pre-ingestive treatment of other chemically protected arthropods. Anting is a strategy widely practiced by birds, possibly because it can be put to use no matter what the nature of the terrain. Sand-wiping, as implied by its name (which we here coin), may be of more restricted occurrence, given that it can be carried out only on loose, penetrable soil.
Topological and thermal properties of surfactant-modified clinoptilolite studied by tapping-mode atomic force microscopy and high-resolution thermogravimetric analysis

Unmodified and surfactant-modified clinoptilolite-rich tuff (referred to here as "clinoptilolite") and muscovite mica were examined with tapping-mode atomic force microscopy (TMAFM) and high-resolution thermogravimetric analysis (HR-TGA) in order to elucidate patterns of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (HDTMA) sorption on the treated surface and to understand the mechanisms of this sorption. TMAFM images were obtained to a scale of 50 nm by 50 nm. The images of unmodified clinoptilolite showed a framework pattern on the ac plane, comparable to previously reported images. Images of modified clinoptilolite at 12.5% and 25% of external cation exchange capacity (ECEC) coverage by HDTMA showed evidence of the HDTMA molecules arranged as elongated, topographically raised features on the ac plane. At 50% HDTMA coverage, the images contained what appeared to be agglomerations of surfactant tail groups. The z-direction thickness of the raised features on the 12.5% coverage sample corresponded to the thickness of the carbon chain of the surfactant tail-group (0.4 nm), whereas the z-thickness on the 25% coverage sample was between 0.4 and 0.8 nm, indicating crossing or doubling of tail groups. Repulsive forces between the modified clinoptilolite and the silicon TMAFM probe increased with increasing HDTMA coverage. HR-TGA showed a 100 degrees C increase in HDTMA pyrolysis temperatures at coverages of less than 50%, probably due to an increased stabilization of the HDTMA due to direct tail interactions with the clinoptilolite surface at lower coverages versus smaller stabilization due to surfactant tail-tail interactions at higher coverages. Our results indicate that buildup of HDTMA admicelles or some form of a bilayer begins before full monolayer coverage is complete.
Inclusive charged-hadron production in 100-400-GeV p-p collisions

Measurements have been made on the single-particle inclusive reactions $p+p\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}, {K}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}, or \overline{p}+\mathrm{anything}$ at 100, 200, and 400 GeV incident proton energies at Fermilab. The data cover a wide range in the radial scaling variable ${x}_{R}(0.05l~{x}_{R}\ensuremath{\le}1.0)$ in the low-${p}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}$ region ($0.25\ensuremath{\le}{p}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}\ensuremath{\le}1.5$ GeV/c). The ${x}_{R}$ and ${p}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}$ distributions are presented. The $\frac{{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}}{{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}}$, $\frac{{K}^{+}}{{K}^{\ensuremath{-}}}$, and $\frac{{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}}{K\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}}$ ratios are shown and are compared with data at higher ${p}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}$. The experimental techniques and the data analysis procedures are described in detail.
Manufacture of the second 8.4 m primary mirror for the Large Binocular Telescope

The second 8.4 m primary mirror and its active support system were delivered to the Large Binocular Telescope in September 2005. The mirror was figured to an accuracy of 15 nm rms surface after subtraction of low-order aberrations that will be controlled by the active support. The mirror was installed into its operational support cell in the lab, and support forces were optimized to produce a figure accurate to 20 nm rms surface with no synthetic correction. The mirror was polished on a new 8.4 m polishing machine that gives the Mirror Lab the capacity to process up to four 8.4 m mirrors simultaneously, with each mirror going through a sequence of stations: casting furnace, generating machine, polishing machine, and integration with its support cell. The new polishing machine has two carriages for polishing tools, allowing use of two 1.2 m stressed laps during loose-abrasive grinding and early polishing, followed by final figuring with a stressed lap and a small tool for local figuring.
Correlation among cirrus ice content, water vapor and temperature in the TTL as observed by CALIPSO and Aura/MLS

Abstract. Water vapor in the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) has a local radiative cooling effect. As a source for ice in cirrus clouds, however, it can also indirectly produce infrared heating. Using NASA A-Train satellite measurements of CALIPSO and Aura/MLS we calculated the correlation of water vapor, ice water content and temperature in the TTL. We find that temperature strongly controls water vapor (correlation r=0.94) and cirrus clouds at 100 hPa (r=−0.9). Moreover we observe that the cirrus seasonal cycle is highly (r=−0.9) anticorrelated with the water vapor variation in the TTL, showing higher cloud occurrence during December-January-February. We further investigate the anticorrelation on a regional scale and find that the strong anticorrelation occurs generally in the ITCZ (Intertropical Convergence Zone). The seasonal cycle of the cirrus ice water content is also highly anticorrelated to water vapor (r=−0.91) and our results support the hypothesis that the total water at 100 hPa is roughly constant. Temperature acts as a main regulator for balancing the partition between water vapor and cirrus clouds. Thus, to a large extent, the depleting water vapor in the TTL during DJF is a manifestation of cirrus formation.
CT pulmonary angiography: a comparative analysis of the utilization patterns in emergency department and hospitalized patients between 1998 and 2003.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of our study was to objectively examine the temporal utilization patterns of CT pulmonary angiography in emergency department and hospitalized patients in an academic tertiary care center.SUBJECTS AND METHODS. Patients who underwent CT examination for suspected pulmonary embolism either through our emergency department or as inpatients during a recent 9-month interval were identified. The absolute number of studies and incidence of positive results and ancillary findings were compared with similar data published from our institution during the corresponding 9-month interval in 1997–1998.RESULTS. The overall number of patients imaged for pulmonary embolism was significantly greater in the 2002–2003 period than in the 1997–1998 period (homogeneity of rates = 88.45, p < 0.0001). The absolute number of scans obtained was significantly greater in both the emergency department (χ2 = 167.03, p < 0.0001) and inpatient (χ2 = 210.62, p < 0.0001) groups in the more recent population. Significa...
Four-point-bend fatigue of AA 2026 aluminum alloys

High-cycle fatigue tests were carried out on a newly developed high-strength AA 2026 Al alloy, which was in the form of extrusion bars with square and rectangular cross sections, using a self-aligning four-point-bend rig at room temperature, 15 Hz, and R = 0.1, in lab air. The fatigue strength of the square and rectangular bars was measured to be 85 and 90 pct of their yield strength, respectively, more than twice that of the predecessor to the 2026 alloy (the AA 2024 Al alloy). Fatigue cracks were found to be always initiated at large Θ′ (Al7Cu2(Fe,Mn)) particles and to propagate predominantly in a crystallographic mode in the AA 2026 alloy. The fatigue fractographies of the square and rectangular extrusion bars were found to be markedly different, due to their different grain structures (fibril and layered, respectively). Fracture steps on the crack face were found in both of these extrusion bars. Since the 2026 alloy was purer in terms of Fe and Si content, it contained much less coarse particles than in a 2024 alloy. This partially accounted for the superior fatigue strength of the 2026 alloy.
Morphological Correlates of the Grooming Claw in Distal Phalanges of Platyrrhines and Other Primates: A Preliminary Study

Grooming claws are present on the second pedal digits of strepsirhines and on the second and third pedal digits of tarsiers. However, their presence in New World monkeys is often overlooked. As such, the absence of a grooming claw is generally considered an anthropoid synapomorphy. This study utilizes a quantitative multivariate analysis to define grooming claw morphology and document its presence in platyrrhine monkeys. Our results show that owl monkeys possess grooming claws similar to those of strepsirhines, while titi monkeys possess grooming claw-like morphology. Therefore, we conclude that anthropoids are not clearly united by the absence of a grooming claw. Furthermore, due to their presence in three major primate clades, we infer that it is likely that a grooming claw was present on the second pedal digit of the ancestor of living primates. Therefore, we advise the reassessment of fossil adapids in light of the anatomical correlates described here. This should increase resolution on the homology and polarity of grooming claw morphology, and, therefore, will help provide a sharper picture of primate evolution.
Rapid determination of [guanidino-15N]arginine in plasma with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry: Application to human metabolic studies

Abstract A rapid gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric method for the determination of 15 N in the guanidino nitrogens of arginine is described. The method is based on formation of the N -tetra-trifluoroacetyl-arginine derivative. Approximately 0.15 mol% excess 15 N can be detected in as little as 50 μl of plasma with an average coefficient of variation of 8.8%. The possible fragmentation pattern of the N -tetra-trifluoroacetyl-arginine derivative is described. The method was applied to determine the appearance of 15 N enrichment in plasma arginine in a healthy adult volunteer during a constant infusion of 15 NH 4 Cl. A plateau level of 0.7 atom% excess was observed 2 h after the 15 NH 4 Cl infusion was started.
From Seeing to Thinking: Reply to Mandler

Abstract In her commentary on our article, Mandler (1999) argues that our notion of a single of process of categorization that operates on increasingly abstract or conceptual information as it becomes available is incorrect. Specifically, she argues against two aspects of our view. First, she characterizes our view of categorization as moving from concrete to abstract. Mandler indicates that we have not dealt adequately with literature demonstrating what she sees as a trend for infants' first forming abstract categories and later forming more specific ones. In fact, our view is not characterized by a shift from one type of category to another, but by gradual changes in the kinds of information infants can use in the process of forming categories. Second, she argues against our position that there is a single categorical process that uses different types of information. In this response, we rephrase these questions to emphasize the process of categorization and clarify our position by responding to these questions.
On the dissipation scale of broadband ELF waves in the auroral region

[1] Whereas turbulent cascades of Alfven waves in the solar wind typically damp at wavelengths near the ion inertial length, in the auroral acceleration region many observers have reported Alfven waves at the much smaller scales of the electron inertial length and the ion gyroradius. Using a technique based on a continuous wavelet transform, we investigate a few examples from FAST data of broadband turbulence, which is typically attributed to Doppler shift of small-scale Alfven waves from low frequencies to much higher frequencies in the spacecraft frame. We find that in some cases the dissipation scale is at the ion gyroradius while in other cases the waves damp at the electron inertial length. We also show evidence for wave damping at plasma frame frequencies of ∼1 Hz, which may be related to the influence of the ionospheric Alfven resonator. We discuss the implications of our results for particle energization in the auroral acceleration region, as well as strengths and limitations of the technique.
Why Waldenström macroglobulinemia is not just another indolent lymphoma

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is an uncommon B-cell malignancy arising from B cells that are arrested after somatic hypermutation in the germinal center and before terminal differentiation to plasma cells [1]. It is characterized by IgM monoclonal gammopathy and bone marrow involvement by a lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma clone. WM accounts for approximately 5% of non-Hodgkin’s lymphomas, although recent data suggest its incidence is declining [2,3]. WM, considered an incurable disease in most cases, is an indolent lymphoma with a median age at diagnosis of 65 years and median survival of 5–10 years [4]. While once thought to closely resemble multiple myeloma, genomic studies of WM have found that this condition genetically clusters with other indolent lymphomas [5]. Morphologically, bone marrow in WM reveals plasmacytoid lymphocytes, small lymphocytes and plasma cells [6]. Characteristic features include the presence of Dutcher bodies (intranuclear pseudo-inclusions of IgM) and Russell bodies (prominent cytoplasmic globules). Cells stain positive for pan-B-cell markers, including CD19, CD20, CD25 and, in most cases, CD79a. Unlike chronic lymphocytic leukemia and follicular lymphoma, cells are usually negative for CD5, CD10 and CD23. One of the unique features of WM is its genetics. Recent studies revealed that deletion of 6q21 occurs in 42–63% of WM cases and over 70% demonstrate MYD88 mutations, which may convey a more aggressive phenotype [7]. In addition, the mutation of CXCR4 is present in 29% of cases and appears to play a critical role in WM biology [8]. WM is associated with a spectrum of disease severity. The presence of IgM monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (serum M spike <3 g/dl and <10% clonal marrow involvement) commonly precedes development of WM. Cytopenias, adenopathy, organomegaly or hyperviscosity syndrome is often absent at diagnosis and approximately a third of patients with WM remain asymptomatic. Patients with asymptomatic disease are considered to have smoldering disease and a watch-and-wait approach is appropriate.
Effects of mechanical drawing on the structure and properties of peek

This study examines the effects of crystallinity and temperature on the mechanical properties of PEEK. Crystallinity in PEEK Increases with annealing temperature up to a maximum of 28 percent with a melting point at 335°C. A minor melting peak also occurs about 10°C above the annealing temperature. In cold drawing the samples exhibited a yield stress and necking followed by homogeneous drawing. The yield stress increases with crystallinity, but there is no change in the modulus. The extension in the necking process also increases with crystallinity, however there is only a slight increase in extension-to-break since necking is compensated by the final amount of homogeneous drawing. The yield stress of PEEK when drawn at Tg (145°C) is significantly lower than at room temperature indicating a reduction in mechanical properties at temperatures approaching Tg. After mechanical drawing the minor melting peak disappears and on heating the material undergoes cold crystallization near the onset of Tg. There is evidence that this minor crystalline component might contribute to the yield stress changes with annealing history. Cold drawing induces crystallization of amorphous PEEK but decreases crystallinity and generates microscopic voids in crystalline PEEK, The various effects of crystallinity on mechanical properties could be important in determining the stress response of PEEK as the matrix in composites.