cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Investigation of levels of perfluoroalkyl substances in surface water, sediment and fish tissue in New Jersey, USA

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substances found in New Jersey (NJ) due to historic and current industrial activities and the use of aqueous film forming foams. This research documents PFAS occurrence in surface water, sediments, and fish tissue at 11 targeted waterbodies in NJ suspected to be impacted by PFAS. Thirteen PFAS compounds were quantified from each media. The profile of detected PFAS differed among media from the same site, with shorter chain PFAS tending to predominate in surface water while longer chain PFAS predominated in fish and sediments. All water samples contained detectable levels of at least four perfluoroalkyl substances. PFOA, PFHpA and PFPeA were detected at every site. ΣPFAS concentrations in water samples ranged from 22.9 to 279.5 ng/L. At least one, and up to eight, PFAS were detected in sediment samples at 10 sites, while there were no detections of PFAS in sediments at the reference site. ΣPFAS concentrations in sediment samples ranged from below detection to 30.9 ng/g. At least one fish of each species at every site had detectable levels of PFAS compounds. ΣPFAS concentrations in fish were highest at sites downstream from a military facility, and lowest at the reference site. PFOS, PFDA, PFUnA and PFDoA were the predominant PFAS detected in fish tissue. PFOS was generally found in fish tissue at higher concentrations than other PFAS, with higher PFOS concentrations found in the tissue of yellow perch, American eel, pumpkinseed, and largemouth bass collected at sites with higher detections of PFOS in surface waters. PFOS levels in nearly all fish species were, on average, high enough to trigger fish consumption advisories. Additional studies are needed to further evaluate the sources and occurrence of PFAS in NJ and to better understand their movement through the environment and potential risks.
Bacteriological monitoring of breathing circuit and nursing intervention on patients with mechanical ventilation

Objective To investigate the high risk factors and etiology character of ventilator-associated pneumonia(VAP)and provide the guidance for preventing and nursing the nosocomial infection.Methods 159 children who have undergone therapy of mechanical ventilation.The pathogens which came from both breath circuit and low respiratory airway have been statistically analysed.The relationships have been observed among relative factors of strains,the lasting time of mechanical ventilation and VAP.Results There were the same constructional ratios of pathogen between breath circuit and low respiratory airway.The ratios from high to low were Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Stenotrophomonas mallophilia,Acinetobaeter and so on respectively.The morbidity of VAP was 37.7%.The time of mechanical ventilation assisted has stated a significant relationship with occurrence of VAP.Conclusions The occurrence of VAP is related with multiple clinical factors.The more assisted time.and the higher incidences.The active measures must be carried out so as to control infection effectively.The nursing intervention should be advanced from all aspects,especially paying attention to sterilizing and managements of the breathing circuit.All of the this are very important. Key words: Mechanical ventilation; Ventilator-associated pneumonia; Pathogen; Nursing interventinn
An indicator-based approach to sustainable management of natural resources

Abstract Assessing the sustainability of natural resource management choices for agricultural and forest lands requires quantification of potential changes to a set of environmental and socioeconomic indicators selected to characterize reference scenarios relative to projected future scenarios. Correctly framing the questions with local stakeholders is a critical first step in the sustainability assessment, and the questions that can be addressed are often limited by data availability. Selecting and prioritizing indicators with stakeholders to address their needs and concerns improves the likelihood of investment in monitoring and evaluation of those indicators over time. Computational techniques for analyzing interactions between the selected indicators are inherently affected by the scales and formats of the assembled indicator datasets. Data analytics have the potential to improve understanding of the potential synergies and tradeoffs involved with meeting multiple environmental and socioeconomic goals simultaneously, but timely and appropriate indicator datasets are not always available—even in this new era of “big data.” Continued improvements in data science and data analytics are needed to broaden understanding and acceptance of problems and to provide valuable information for natural resource management. Advances in these areas will enable society to design future landscapes that meet multiple objectives, including the provisioning of agricultural and forest resources along with a variety of ecosystem services (e.g., clean water and healthy soils).
Supported Decision Making: A Concept at the Margins vs. Center of Autonomy?

In their article, “Supported Decision Making with People at the Margins of Autonomy,” Peterson, Karlawish, and Largent point to the fact that the concept of ‘supported decision-making’ has recently...
Cosmic-Ray-Induced Nuclear Interactions in Meteorites

Nuclear interactions in meteorites induced by cosmic rays studied by radiochemical and mass spectrometric investigation
Language and Myth in American Politics

Politics is quintessentially a linguistic activity, an activity in which language is employed to inform others about political issues and persuade them to adopt courses of action in regard to these issues. However, numerous thinkers have supposed that language is more than just the vehicle for the expression of political views. As the political scientist Murray Edelman (1974) said, language is “not simply an instrument for describing events but [is] itself a part of events” (p. 4). According to this view, the language used to describe political events can influence political perceptions in a way that goes beyond its propositional content. The net effect can be a subtle, largely covert influence of language on political perceptions.1
Structural and Chemical Basis of Histone Acetylation

Histones are the predominant protein components of chromatin and are subject to a variety of specific post-translational modifications that are correlated with transcriptional competence. Among these modifications are reversible acetylation that is mediated by acetyltransferases that mediate transcriptional activation and deactylases that mediate transcriptional repression and gene silencing. Structural studies have provided important insights into the mechanism of substrate specific binding and catalysis by the enzymes that mediate reversible acetylation. In this paper I will review structural work from my laboratory on histone acetyltransferases (HATs) and the Sir2 family of histone deacetylases (HDACs), with a specific focus on catalysis and substrate-specific binding by these enzymes.
The Treatment of SPS Measures Under NAFTA Chapter 11: Preliminary Answers to an Open-Ended Question

NAFTA Chapter 11 permits eligible foreign investors to use binding international arbitration to seek compensation for the harmful economic impacts of most regulatory measures. This mechanism effectiYely provides a second avenue of redress for indiYiduals affected by risk regulation, in addition to any remedies that may be available to their governments acting through the WfO. However, because not all risks are equal, neither are all regulations of equal importance. It follows that the international regimes, which regulate the use of these measures, must be able to differentiate between them. In this regard, there is a need to interpret the more general investment obligations of NAFTA to take into account the importance of regulating risks to human, plant, or animal life or health. This article explains the way in which principles drawn from much more detailed wro sanitary and phyto-sanitary rules can be used to achieve this result. I have been asked to address the question of how science is regarded within the context of a North Atlantic Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) t Chapter 11 investment dispute. This is a very difficult question because no investment tribunal has answered it within the context of a merit award. Moreover, no such award is imminent. This dearth of relevant case law is not surprising, given that (as of the time of writing) there have only been seven final awards issued during the first nine years of NAFTA's existence. Moreover, less than two dozen NAFTA Chapter 11 disputes have proceeded to arbitration thus far. Although there have been hundreds of disputes launched in the * Todd Weiler is an Assistant Professor and the Executive Director of the Canadian American Research Center at the University of Windsor Faculty of Law. He has been involved in four of the NAFTA cases described herein, working for the investor. He also operates the leading Internet resource for NAFTA disputes: www.naftalaw.org. The views expressed in this article are exclusively those of the author, and do not-in any way-reflect the opinions or beliefs of any of his clients, past or present. Todd Weiler can be reached at: tweiler@naftalaw.org. All of the NAFTA documents referred to in this paper can be found on: W\\W.naftalaw.org or W\\W.naftaclairns.com. I North American Free Trade Agreement, Dec. 17, 1992, U.S.-Can.-Mex., 107 Stat. 2057 (1994), 32 I.L.M. 605 (1993) [hereinafter NAFTA].
Insider Trading in Derivative Securities: An Empirical Examination of the Use of Zero-Cost Collars and Equity Swaps by Corporate Insiders

We provide an examination of the use of zero-cost collars and equity swaps by corporate insiders to hedge the risk associated with their personal holdings in the company's equity. These financial instruments have important implications for insider trading and incentive-based contracts. Our analysis indicates that these transactions generally involve high ranking insiders (CEOs, board members and senior executives) and cover over a third of their equity holdings. We also find that insiders appear to initiate hedging transactions immediately following large price runups, prior to increases in stock price volatility, and prior to poor earnings announcements. In addition, abnormal returns following insider hedging activities are more negative than those associated with ordinary insider sales. Overall, the evidence indicates that executives can use these hedging instruments to significantly alter their effective ownership positions in the firm.
Uptake of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHS) by Broad Leaves: Analysis of Kinetic Limitations

A kinetic model for the uptake ofpolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) wasdeveloped from the anatomical structure of broadleaves. The model, which is supported by fielddata, includes the uptake from two pathways: outercuticle pathway and stomatal pathway, and withgrowth rate incorporated as a dilution term. Allthe parameters for the calculation of total masstransfer coefficient, kOL, were estimated fromthe conductance of water vapor diffusion throughleaves. The results indicate that the stomatalpathway is a dominant pathway for dry gaseousdeposition of POPs on leaves and the uptake fromouter cuticle pathway can be neglected for the PAHsof molar volumes larger than phenanthrene becauseof the rate limitation in outer layer cuticle. Model sensitivity analyses demonstrates that withinthe range of environmental conditions and normalleaf structure, the surface area in stomata has themost significant effect on the uptake rate. If thestomatal pathway is closed, the kinetics of uptakeare so slow that accumulation appears independentof compound lipophilicity or molecular size. Ineither case, the leaf growth rate has little effecton the predicted accumulation
Innovation, Globalization, and Catch-Up of Latecomers: Cases of Chinese Telecom Firms

Through case studies of Huawei and ZTE, this paper finds that Chinese telecom firms have followed the general pathway of technological learning of latecomers, that is: they first developed mature foreign technologies; then moved on to higher level technologies in the consolidation stage in advanced countries; and finally progressed from imitation to innovation, generating emerging technologies in mobile communication and data-network fields. The study demonstrates that (1) latecomers caught up successfully by building innovation capability from the beginning, and (2) collaboration with established partners only came later when they had higher level innovation capability. In addition, R&D globalization was an important technological strategy for Huawei and ZTE. The order and pace of development indicate that their R&D globalization strategy is to tap into global resources and markets that would otherwise be unavailable to latecomers. At the beginning of catching-up, unlike Korean firms in the auto, electro...
An Internet-Based Multimedia Highway Information System

As a part of highway infrastructure management, photographic logging systems are used widely in highway departments. However, the technology associated with current photographic logging systems is largely based on analog video technology. New technologies in digital video, the Internet, and database management have provided opportunities to overcome the limitations of analog video and improve the accessibility and functionality of photographic logging and traditional engineering databases. This article describes a newly developed multimedia-based highway information system (MMHIS) and its implementations in the World Wide Web environment. MMHIS is an integrated database system combining traditional highway engineering site data with visual graphic and roadway videos. The objective of developing the Web-based MMHIS was to establish a Web site and a server to provide simultaneous information retrievals of the multimedia database through the Internet and the highway agency's internal computer network. This article presents the capabilities of MMHIS and discusses the implementation of a WWW-based MMHIS. It is concluded that it is cost-effective to establish a Web-based MMHIS for production purposes.
Non-Singular Somigliana Stress Identities in Elasticity

The paper presents two fully equivalent and regular forms of the hypersingular Somigliana stress identity in elasticity that are appropriate for problems in which the displacement field (and resulting stresses) is C1,α continuous. Each form is found as the result of a single decomposition process on the kernels of the Somigliana stress identity in three dimensions. The results show that the use of a simple stress state for regularization arises in a direct manner from the Somigliana stress identity, just as the use of a constant displacement state regularization arose naturally for the Somigliana displacement identity. The results also show that the same construction leads naturally to a finite part form of the same identity. While various indirect constructions of the equivalents to these findings are published, none of the earlier forms address the fundamental issue of the usual discontinuities of boundary data in the hypersingular Somigliana stress identity that arise at corners and edges. These new findings specifically focus on the corner problem and establish that the previous requirements for continuity on the densities in the hypersingular Somigliana stress identity are replaced by a sole requirement on displacement field continuity. The resulting regularized and finite part forms of the Somigliana stress identity leads to a regularized form of the stress boundary integral equation (stress-BIE). The regularized stress-BIE is shown to properly allow piecewise discontinuity of the boundary data subject only to C1,α continuity of the underlying displacement field. The importance of the findings is in their application to boundary element modeling of the hypersingular problem. The piecewise discontinuity derivation for corners is found to provide a rigorous and non-singular basis for collocation of the discontinuous boundary data for both the regularized and finite part forms of the stress-BIE. The boundary stress solution for both forms is found to be an average of the computed stresses at collocation points at the vertices of boundary element meshes. Collocation at these points is shown to be without any unbounded terms in the formulation thereby eliminating the use of non-conforming elements for the hypersingular equations. The analytical findings in this paper confirm the correct use of both regularized and finite part forms of the stress-BIE that have been the basis of boundary element analysis previously published by the first author of the current paper.
Psychological functioning in siblings of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

We examined psychological functioning in siblings of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Siblings of children diagnosed with ADHD (n = 45) between the ages of 9 and 13 and a control group (n = 46) within the same age range composed of siblings of children with no diagnosed disorders completed measures of psychological functioning. A significant multivariate difference was observed on these measures across groups. Post hoc investigation of the univariate means revealed one significant group difference, which occurred on a measure of Trait Anger. This finding suggests that future research on family members of children with ADHD may be warranted.
The meaning of ceraunia: archaeology, natural history and the interpretation of prehistoric stone artefacts in the eighteenth century

Historians of archaeology have noted that prehistoric stone artefacts were first identified as such during the seventeenth century, and a great deal has been written about the formulation of the idea of a Stone Age in the nineteenth century. Much less attention has been devoted to the study of prehistoric artefacts during the eighteenth century. Yet it was during this time that researchers first began systematically to collect, classify and interpret the cultural and historical meaning of these objects as archaeological specimens rather than geological specimens. These investigations were conducted within the broader context of eighteenth-century antiquarianism and natural history. As a result, they offer an opportunity to trace the interrelationships that existed between the natural sciences and the science of prehistoric archaeology, which demonstrates that geological theories of the history of the earth, ethnographic observations of ‘savage peoples’ and natural history museums all played important roles in the interpretation of prehistoric stone implements during the eighteenth century.
Proposed size-effect high-electron-mobility transistor

Abstract We present a theoretical analysis of a high-electron-mobility transistor that uses the quantum size-effect to increase the energy gap of a thin InSb film that forms the channel of the device. The analysis is based on a considerable amount of available data. The device is predicted to have a cut-off frequency of the order of 439 GHz for a gate length of 0.5 μm. It is predicted to have a very high transconductance of 2.4 S per mm gate width, and a very high power handling capability of 1.4 A per mm gate width at a drain-to-source voltage of only 0.083 V, and it operates at 300 K.
Understanding the audiences of a health communication campaign: A discriminant analysis of potential organ donors based on intent to donate

Abstract There is a great need for health communication campaigns that increase the number of individuals who carry signed and witnessed organ donor cards. This article describes one preliminary phase of such a campaign in which three target audiences are identified within the larger population. A discriminant analysis of five relevant variables showed that individuals who have a signed organ donor card have a high level of knowledge about organ donation, are rather altruistic, and do not believe that signing a donor card is a fearful activity. Individuals who are high in intent to sign organ donor cards (but have not done so) have limited knowledge about donation and a positive attitude toward organ donation, but they may find that signing a donor card is a fearful activity. Those who are low in intent to donate tend to have inaccurate knowledge, are not overly altruistic, and feel that signing a donor card would be quite frightening. Effective design of health campaigns depends on an accurate and thorou...
A multi-scale strategy for discovery of novel endogenous neuropeptides in the crustacean nervous system

Abstract The conventional mass spectrometry (MS)-based strategy is often inadequate for the comprehensive characterization of various size neuropeptides without the assistance of genomic information. This study evaluated sequence coverage of different size neuropeptides in two crustacean species, blue crab Callinectes sapidus and Jonah crab Cancer borealis using conventional MS methodologies and revealed limitations to mid- and large-size peptide analysis. Herein we attempt to establish a multi-scale strategy for simultaneous and confident sequence elucidation of various sizes of peptides in the crustacean nervous system. Nine novel neuropeptides spanning a wide range of molecular weights (0.9–8.2 kDa) were fully sequenced from a major neuroendocrine organ, the sinus gland of the spiny lobster Panulirus interruptus. These novel neuropeptides included seven allatostatin (A- and B-type) peptides, one crustacean hyperglycemic hormone precursor-related peptide, and one crustacean hyperglycemic hormone. Highly accurate multi-scale characterization of a collection of varied size neuropeptides was achieved by integrating traditional data-dependent tandem MS, improved bottom-up sequencing, multiple fragmentation technique-enabled top-down sequencing, chemical derivatization, and in silico homology search. Collectively, the ability to characterize a neuropeptidome with vastly differing molecule sizes from a neural tissue extract could find great utility in unraveling complex signaling peptide mixtures employed by other biological systems. Biological significance Mass spectrometry (MS)-based neuropeptidomics aims to completely characterize the neuropeptides in a target organism as an important first step toward a better understanding of the structure and function of these complex signaling molecules. Although liquid chromatography coupled to tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) with data-dependent acquisition is a powerful tool in peptidomic research, it often lacks the capability for de novo sequencing of mid-size and large peptides due to inefficient fragmentation of peptides larger than 4 kDa. This study describes a multi-scale strategy for complete and confident sequence elucidation of various sizes of neuropeptides in the crustacean nervous system. The aim is to fill a technical gap where the conventional strategy is inefficient for comprehensive characterization of a complex neuropeptidome without assistance of genomic information. Nine novel neuropeptides in a wide range of molecular weights (0.9–8.2 kDa) were fully sequenced from a major neuroendocrine organ of the spiny lobster, P. interruptus. The resulting molecular information extracted from such multi-scale peptidomic analysis will greatly accelerate functional studies of these novel neuropeptides.
Hyponatremia in Patients with Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Hyponatremia is the most frequently encountered electrolyte abnormality in critically ill patients. Hyponatremia on admission has been identified as an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH). However, the incidence and etiology of hyponatremia (HN) during hospitalization in a neurointensive care unit following spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) remains unknown. This was a retrospective analysis of consecutive patients admitted to Detroit Receiving Hospital for sICH between January 2006 and July 2009. All serum Na levels were recorded for patients during the ICU stay. HN was defined as Na <135 mmol/L. A total of 99 patients were analyzed with HN developing in 24% of sICH patients. Patients with HN had an average sodium nadir of 130 ± 3 mmol/L and an average time from admission to sodium <135 mmol/L of 3.9 ± 5.7 days. The most common cause of hyponatremia was syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone (90% of HN patients). Patients with HN were more likely to have fever (50% vs. 23%; p = 0.01), infection (58% vs. 28%; p = 0.007) as well as a longer hospital length of stay (14 (8–25) vs. 6 (3–9) days; p < 0.001). Of the patients who developed HN, fifteen (62.5%) patients developed HN in the first week following sICH. This shows HN has a fairly high incidence following sICH. The presence of HN is associated with longer hospital length of stays and higher rates of patient complications, which may result in worse patient outcomes. Further study is necessary to characterize the clinical relevance and treatment of HN in this population.
Price volatility and margin requirements in foreign exchange futures markets

Abstract Recent increased volatility in financial markets has stimulated interest in how minimum margin requirements are determined in financial futures contracts and the effects of changing margins on price volatility. This paper examines the major foreign currencies traded on the International Monetary Mart. Applying a theoretical basis of margins as security deposits, the paper finds that the most important factor for determining the default probability of a contract, price volatility, is the most important determinant of margins. This argues against government replacement of exchanges in the margin setting role. In addition, no consistent relationship is found between margin changes and price volatility which indicates the inability of the government to alter trading behavior by adjusting margin levels.
Act1-ivating IL-17 inflammation

The signaling adaptor Act1 is now shown in vivo to be essential for interleukin 17–mediated inflammation in the brain during experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis and in gut epithelial cells during induced colitis.
Evaluation of terrain parameter estimation using a stochastic terrain model

Autonomous vehicles driving on off-road terrain exhibit substantial variation in mobility characteristics even when the terrain is horizontal and qualitatively homogeneous. This paper presents a simple stochastic model for characterizing observed variability in vehicle response to terrain and for representing transitions between homogeneous terrain with local variability or between heterogeneous terrain types. Such a model provides a means for more realistic evaluation of terrain parameter estimation methods through simulation. A stochastic terrain model in which friction angle and soil cohesion are represented by Gaussian random variables qualitatively represents observed variability in traction vs. slip characteristics measured experimentally. The stochastic terrain model is used to evaluate a terrain parameter estimation method in which terrain forces are first estimated independent of a terrain model, and subsequently, parameters of a terrain model, such as soil cohesion, friction angle, and stress distribution parameters are determined from estimated vehicle-terrain forces. Simulation results show drawbar pull vs. slip characteristics resulting from terrain parameter estimation are within statistical bounds established by the stochastic terrain model.
Nanoindentation of laser micromachined 3C-SiC thin film micro-cantilevers

Abstract Single crystalline thin films of 3C-SiC with a thickness of 1.7 ± 0.2 μm were deposited on Si (100) substrate using atmospheric chemical vapor deposition technique. A Q-switched Nd:YAG laser in the fundamental wavelength with a pulse duration of 100 ns and average power of 1 W was then used to pattern 50 μm wide and 150 μm long cantilever beams in direct-writing mode. Following laser patterning, wet chemical etching using KOH anisotropic etchant was carried out to remove the underlying Si and form free-standing 3C-SiC cantilever beams. The cantilevers were subjected to nanoindentation test to obtain deflection versus load curves. The average Young’s modulus and fracture strength were determined to be 423 GPa and 1.5 GPa respectively which are comparable to those obtained by the reactive ion etching. Laser patterning thus offers nearly identical properties as that of ion etching with the added benefit of much higher etch rates.
Inappropriate Internet Sites: Citizens' Attitudes about Their Computer Skills and the Need for Training

As part of a larger public relations and community service by a collaborative effort of the Midland, Texas Police Department and the University of Texas of the Permian Basin, this study examined the opinions of 425 citizens regarding their computer expertise in determining if inappropriate internet sites were being viewed by their children, and the need for training in this regard provided by the police department and the university. The findings supported the hypotheses that state that compared to parents who have no child using the internet, parents with internet-using children at home are more likely to discuss the dangers of the internet with their children, monitor their internet use, and have computer skills to check for the websites and chat rooms their children are in. Also, non-whites are found to be more likely than whites to want to attend internet training if provided. The study's findings are discussed and cautions for police agencies are included.
Experimental investigation on cubic boron nitride turning of hardened AISI 52100 steel

Abstract This study investigated the performance and wear behavior of different cubic boron nitride (CBN) tools in finish turning of hardened AISI 52100 steel. Tool performance was evaluated based on the part surface finish and the tool flank wear. Wear conditions of CBN cutting tools were primarily characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Machining results showed that low CBN content tools (CBN-L) consistently perform better than high CBN content counterparts (CBN-H), despite the CBN-L has inferior mechanical properties. The flank wear rates were proportional to cutting speed and CBN-H showed accelerated thermal wear associated with high cutting temperatures. Reducing depth of cut would only improve surface finish to CBN-L, but not to CBN-H, despite similar wear rates. The transferred layer on the flank wear land may result in adhesion of the binder compound and significantly affect the tool wear process. The metallic binder in CBN-H has stronger affinity to the transferred layer and may result in plucking-out of CBN particles and consequent severe abrasive wear.
Higher order asymptotic field at the moving crack tip

The higher order asymptotic field at a smoothly curved dynamic crack tip under mixed loading conditions is investigated by the use of a moving coordinate system and the mathematical framework of the complex potential theory. On the basis of the general representation for stress functions in a moving coordinate system, the recurrence formulae for determining the higher order solutions from lower order ones are derived. The calculation in this paper shows that the higher order asymptotic field can be separated into two parts: the steady state asymptotic field which depends on the crack velocity; and the non-steady state asymptotic field which is determined by the time rate of change of the intensity factor, the crack tip acceleration and rotation speed. The second order solution giving the sress distributions at the moving crack tip are presented. The important result that the experimentally observed crack branching velocities are estimated to be much smaller than Yoffe's prediction might be explained by this second order asymptotic solution.
A Novel Synthesis of 2-Arylpyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimid-7-ones and Their Structure–Activity Relationships as Potent GnRH Receptor Antagonists

Abstract In the process of developing GnRH receptor antagonists, a novel base-catalyzed cyclization of compounds 5a–b was discovered, which led to the formation of the 2-aryl pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrimid-7-one core stuctures 6a–b. These intermediates were further modified at positions 1, 2, 4 and 6 to afford a series of potent GnRH antagonists with low nanomolar Ki values.
Preparation and magnetic properties of manganite

Abstract A new hydrothermal synthesis of manganite is described, and the magnetic and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) behavior of the product is reported. The magnetic susceptibility is nearly independent of temperature above 90°K and increases dramatically on cooling to 30°K. The EPR lineshape, linewidth, and g -factor at 296°K are Lorentzian (in the central region), 280 ± 10 G, and 1.997 ± 0.006, respectively. The EPR spectrum is interpreted in terms of nearly one-dimensional interactions between identical Mn moments. The results of this study support the view that all Mn ions are trivalent and that the magnetic interactions between these ions are nearly one dimensional.
Long-range carbon-carbon spin-spin coupling constants from 1-13C-labeled toluene

A sample of 1-13C-labeled toluene was synthesized and studied by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to determine all carbon-carbon spin-spin coupling constants involving the labeled C-1 carbon nucleus. The 1–2, 1–3, 1–4, and 1–7 coupling constants were, respectively: 57.30, 0.78, 9.45, and 44.15 Hz.
A novel optical technique for measuring 5-axis surface movement

This paper describes a novel optical system capable of measuring 5-axis (five degrees of freedom) object surface movement without the need for special surface preparation or stringent alignment. The compact optical system is based on electronic speckle photography (ESP) and is designed to be insensitive to out-of-plane movement. Experiments were conducted to measure the 5-axis motion simulated by a 6-axis motion system. The results show that the optical system accurately resolves the motion on every axis successfully, with the expected insensitivity to out-of-plane displacements. A possible application of the technique in strain measurement is also addressed in the paper.
Detection of bacterial DNA by PCR and reverse hybridization in the 16s rRNA gene

The clinical diagnosis of sepsis is difficult, particularly in neonates. To devise a rapid and reliable method for identifing bacteria in blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), we developed a pair of primers according to the gene encoding 16 s rRNA, found in all bacteria. DNA fragments from different bacterial species and from clinical samples were detected with polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and with reverse hybridization using a universal bacterial probe, a gram-positive probe and a gram-negative probe. Our results showed that a 371 bp DNA fragment was amplified from 20 different bacterial species. No signal was observed when human DNA and viruses were used as templates. The sensitivity could be improved to 10−12 g. All 26 culture-positive clinical samples (22 blood samples and 4 CSF samples), were positive with PCR. The gram-negative and gram-positive probe hybridized to clinical samples and to known bacterial controls, as predicted by Gram’s stain characteristics. Our results suggest that the method of PCR and reverse hybridization is rapid, sensitive and specific in detecting bacterial infections. This finding may be significant in the clinical diagnosis of sepsis in neonates.
Soil carbon pools of reclaimed minesoils under grass and forest landuses

Minesoils are characterized by low soil organic matter and poor soil physicochemical environment. Mine soil reclamation process has potential to restore soil fertility and sequester carbon (C) over time. Soil organic C (SOC) pool and associated soil properties were determined for reclaimed minesoils under grass and forest landuses of varied establishment year. Three grassland sites of 30, 9, and 1 years after reclamation (G30, G9, and G1) and two forest sites, 11 years after reclamation (RF) and undisturbed stand of 40 years (UF), were selected within four counties (Morgan, Muskingum, Noble, and Coshocton) of southeastern Ohio. Soil bulk density (BD) of reclaimed forest (RF) soil was significantly higher than undisturbed forest (UF) soils within 10–40 cm soil depth profile. Reclamation process increased soil pH from slightly acidic to alkaline and decreased the soil EC in both landuses. Among grassland soils, significant changes in SOC and total soil N contents were observed within 0–10 cm soil depth. SOC contents of G30 (29.7 Mg ha−1) and G9 (29.5 Mg ha−1) were significantly higher than G1 soils (9.11 Mg ha−1). Soil N content was increased from G1 (0.95 Mg ha−1) to G9 (2.00 Mg ha−1) site and then the highest value was found under G30 (3.25 Mg ha−1) site within 0–10 cm soil depth. UF soils had significantly higher SOC and total N content than RF soils at 0–10 and 10–20 cm soil depths. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
High resolution method for calculating spectra of solids, — V. life-time effects

Abstract The method discussed in earlier papers is extended to include life-time effects. Explicit formulae for the relevant integrals are presented for systems with cubic symmetry. The simplicity of the present method of calculation admits the possibility of calculating more complex quantities involving multiple summations over k -space.
What Is the Appropriate Antibiotic Course for the Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections in Children

Methods Data Sources The authors searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE from 1966 to 2005, and EMBASE from 1988 to 2005, without language restriction. Study Selection Randomized and quasirandomized controlled trials comparing short-term (2 to 4 days) with standard (7 to 14 days) oral antibiotic therapy in children aged 3 months to 18 years, with culture-proven urinary tract infections. Data Extraction and Synthesis Two authors independently assessed study quality and extracted data from included trials. A random-effects model was used to analyze data. Only randomized controlled trials were included; only 2 clearly described allocation concealment, whereas none of the trials defined appropriate blinding or used an intention-to-treat analysis.
Chemical and textural controls on phosphorus mobility in drylands of southeastern Utah

We investigated several forms of phosphorus (P) in dryland soils to examine the chemical and textural controls on P stabilization on a diverse set of substrates. We examined three P fractions including labile, moderately labile, and occluded as determined by a modified Hedley fractionation technique. The P fractions were compared to texture measurements and total elemental concentrations determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES). Labile P related to the absence of materials involved in P sorption. Moderately labile P was most strongly associated with high total Al & Fe content that we interpret to represent oxides and 1:1 clay minerals. The occluded P fraction was strongly associated with low total Al & Fe environments and interpreted to represent 2:1 clay minerals where ligand exchange tightly sequesters P. The results indicate that the controls on P fraction distribution are initially closely tied to the chemical and physical properties of the bedrock units that contribute to soil formation. Further, these results suggest that the progression of stabilized P forms in dryland areas differs from the progression observed in mesic environments. Soil development in dryland settings, such as the formation of pedogenic carbonates, may lead to differing controls on P availability and the proportional size of the moderately labile fraction.
Effect of metastable atom reactions on the electron energy probability functions in afterglows

Time resolved electron densities, temperatures and energy probability functions (EEPFs) of modulated-power glow discharges through argon and helium in the Gaseous Electronics Conference reference reactor have been measured using an RF compensated Langmuir probe and a microwave interferometer. RF power was capacitively coupled to the glow and square wave amplitude modulated with a 50% duty cycle and 100% modulation depth. We found that a metastable-metastable ionization reaction can produce energetic electrons during the afterglow. This reaction can also cause the electron density to increase during the afterglow despite the RF excitation being off. The electron density as a function of time can be modelled and the result is an estimated metastable atom density as a function of time. The hot electrons in the EEPF can also be modelled, but the modelling result does not fit the experimental EEPF until the smoothing of the EEPF caused by the experimental method is taken into account. This smoothing of the EEPF can be accounted for using the Druyvesteyn method formula and indicates that accurate measurements of the EEPF in very low electron temperature plasmas can become difficult. In effect, one should have some knowledge of the shape of the EEPF before the experiment in order to obtain an accurate measurement. The electron density and EEPF results become self-consistent once the smoothing is taken into account. By moving the Langmuir probe along the diameter of the chamber it was determined that the electron density decreases more quickly between the electrodes than outside the electrode edges. This causes the plasma density profile in argon to becomes doughnut shaped during the afterglow and causes the glow to re-ignite from the edges into the centre. The electron temperature at re-ignition in helium discharges can become larger than that at steady state in the active glow. It quickly relaxes to the steady state value. This last effect is not nearly as pronounced in argon.
The Prospects for Issue-Voting in Contemporary Congressional Elections: An Assessment of Citizen Awareness and Representation

A number of research reports on presidential elections have found evidence for increased issue voting in recent years. This article extends the concern with such possible attitudinal and behavioral changes to midterm Congressional elections. To do so, we focus on one particular requirement for issue voting—the existence of accurate knowledge of candidates' policy positions. With data for 1978, we examine the existence and accuracy of constituents' perceptions of their own representative's positions in five issue domains and on a generalized liberal-conservative dimension. We also consider the quality of representation in these policy areas by comparing representatives' voting with constituents' personal policy preferences. The evidence indicates generally poor knowledge of candidates, but also that both candidates and citizens contribute to this situation. Similarly, there is only modest convergence between the preferences of individual citizens and their representative's voting behavior in Congress on th...
Long‐term‐mean aspect sensitivity of PMSE determined from Poker Flat MST radar data

Results of a long-term study of aspect sensitivity of Polar Mesosphere Summer Echoes (PMSE) are presented using archived Poker Flat MST radar (65°08′N; 147°27′W) data. We have used data from the PMSE region (80- to 90- km) during the months of June and July for the years 1981–84, when three antenna beams were available, one beam pointing vertical and two beams pointing 15° off-vertical. Comparisons of calibrated vertical and 15°off-vertical monthly-average echo power profiles for each of the summer months show that VHF scattering from PMSE is strongly aspect sensitive at the lowest heights (∼80 km), and exhibits a clear decrease of aspect sensitivity with increasing height. Comparison of monthly-average aspect sensitivity profiles during the four-year period shows a reasonable consistency throughout the years. The composite four-year-average aspect sensitivity profile for the months of June and July data suggests a strong tendency to isotropy at the higher mesospheric heights.
Conductance of nanowires: Phonon effects

Continuum models are applied to derive phonon modes for carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of finite length; phonon-confinement and geometrically-determined mode symmetries are taken into account to derive suitable phonon modes for such nanowires. In addition, conductance values are estimated for quantum wires fabricated of a variety of polar semiconductors.
Assessing college students' autonomy over smoking with the Hooked On Nicotine Checklist.

Objective, Participants, and Methods: In this study, the authors explored the psychometric properties of the Hooked on Nicotine Checklist (HONC) among 300 college students who were current smokers. The HONC is a 10-item survey instrument designed to measure diminished autonomy over smoking, a key aspect of dependence. Autonomy is diminished when symptoms present a barrier to cessation. Results: Internal consistency was high (α = .89), as was concurrent validity. Students who began smoking earlier and heavier smokers reported more symptoms than did those who started later and smoked less. After controlling for smoking frequency, the HONC was predictive of the likelihood of a failed cessation attempt, with each additional symptom doubling that likelihood. Conclusions: College health professionals could use the HONC to help new smokers recognize their symptoms of diminished autonomy. The HONC may serve as a recruiting tool for cessation programs, which could benefit such early-phase smokers.
Pulsed dynamic nuclear polarization at 5 T

Abstract A new dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) technique utilizing high frequency, pulsed microwaves is described and demonstrated with observation of an Overhauser enhanced, 13 C magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of a powdered sample of the organic conductor, fluoranthenyl hexafluorophosphate ((FA) 2 PF 6 ). The spectrum was obtained at room temperature in a 5 T magnetic field, where the conduction electron spin resonance frequency is 140 GHz. A simple theory that accounts for the salient aspects of this pulsed DNP technique is presented. In systems where Overhauser mechanisms dominate the DNP, this new pulsed method can produce enhancements which are comparable to or greater than those obtained with conventional cw irradiation techniques, with lower average microwaves powers.
Partial response signaling in a magnetic recording channel

A number of partial-response (PR) systems that are suitable for magnetic recording are discussed. The error probabilities in bit-by-bit detection are obtained as functions of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the playback point under the assumptions of raised cosine equalization, additive Gaussian noise, and the presence of timing errors. Both low- and high-density performances are considered. The effect of narrowband amplitude-modulation noise is also considered. >
Combined advanced finishing and UV-laser conditioning for producing UV-damage-resistant fused silica optics

During the past year, we have focused on optimizing the laser damage performance for fused silica optics at 355-nm, 3-nsec pulse length, via application of magnetorheological finishing (MRF), wet chemical etching, and UV laser conditioning.
Sb-heterostructure diode detector W-band NEP and NEDT optimization

Sb-heterostructure diodes have become the detector of choice for W-band millimeter wave imaging cameras now being commercialized or in prototype development. Here we optimize the diode impedance to yield a minimum noise equivalent power (NEP). The goal is to decrease the gain required of the front-end LNA. Measured W-band sensitivities for two diodes are 3500 and 5500V/W. Their zero bias differential resistance values imply Johnson noise limited NEP's of 0.98 and 0.83pW/Hz1/2, respectively, much less than obtained from conventional biased Schottky diodes. A MMIC version of the diode detector has been simulated with an integrated bandwidth of ~ 30 GHz at W-band. The simulated temperature sensitivity (NEΔT) with an HRL W-band LNA on the front end is <1°K.