cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Band mixing in 74, 76, 78 Kr

A simple two-state mixing model has been applied to members of the two rotational bands containing the two lowest $ 0^{+}$ states in 74, 76, 78Kr . For each even angular momentum J , two physical states are taken to be linear combinations of basis states $ J_{g}$ and $ J_{e}$ . Mixing amplitudes are varied in order to reproduce E2 transition matrix elements. Unique solutions are found for the $ 0^{+}$ and $ 2^{+}$ mixing in all three cases, and for the E2 matrix elements connecting the basis states. The basis-state band containing basis state $ 0_{g}$ is found to be much more collective than the one containing $ 0_{e}$ in 74, 78Kr , and somewhat more collective in 76Kr . From the fit, the amount of basis state $ J_{e}$ in the lower of the two physical J states decreases very rapidly with increasing J . The $ 2^{+}$ wave functions from the fit are used to compute matrix elements for $ 4\leftrightarrow 2$ transitions, some of which are unknown. A sign discrepancy is noted for the $ 2_{2}\rightarrow 4_{1}$ transition matrix element in 74Kr .
The Cooperative Control of Distributed Generation Based on Multi-agent System

As the depletion of traditional fossil energy is getting serious, renewable energy is attracting attention in worldwide. Along with the study of distributed generation from renewable resources, the concept of Micro grid is getting accepted. In this paper, a nonlinear multi-agent voltage control to microgrid with distributed generations is proposed. The feedback linearization is applied to distributed generations of renewable energy resources to eliminate nonlinear characteristics. And the multi-agent system with leadership information is used to cancel output voltage deviation from primary droop control, and to guarantee the accurate reactive power sharing according to DG's capacity. The proposed control method is distributed with little communication and it's proved to be feasible and accurate by theoretical analysis and simulation.
Financial Literacy Education and Responsibilities in Developing Countries Using a Computer Application

The system of teaching financial literacy described in this paper has been developed by an undergraduate electrical engineering student, and the computer application by which it is taught and learned has been developed by an undergraduate software engineering student. This system illustrates the importance of household savings to people in developing countries. The system is actually a game that illustrates how placing a portion of family earnings into a savings account, along with prudent use of loans, can increase available household income over time. This system has been used in a community in rural Honduras composed almost completely of farming families who have access to a local micro-finance institution (MFI). After participating in a session of this financial literacy learning game, the participants had a better understanding of the foundational practices incumbent upon the proper management of household finances through an MFI. Developing this learning system into a computer application enhances and widens its usability in developing countries, particularly for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that teach financial literacy. The importance of the computer application is that it incorporates the rules of the game, which are based on the financial principles required for the success of an MFI, and the rules also take into consideration those conditions unique to rural Honduras. Thus, NGO staff members can quickly learn this game and the principles upon which it has been developed and quickly master this learning system so it can employed in rural communities.
Limits of Cation Solubility in AMg2Sb2 (A = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) Alloys

A M 2 X 2 compounds that crystallize in the CaAl 2 Si 2 structure type have emerged as a promising class of n- and p-type thermoelectric materials. Alloying on the cation (A) site is a frequently used approach to optimize the thermoelectric transport properties of A M 2 X 2 compounds, and complete solid solubility has been reported for many combinations of cations. In the present study, we investigate the phase stability of the AMg 2 Sb 2 system with mixed occupancy of Mg, Ca, Sr, or Ba on the cation (A) site. We show that the small ionic radius of Mg 2 + leads to limited solubility when alloyed with larger cations such as Sr or Ba. Phase separation observed in such cases indicates a eutectic-like phase diagram. By combining these results with prior alloying studies, we establish an upper limit for cation radius mismatch in A M 2 X 2 alloys to provide general guidance for future alloying and doping studies.
REVERSE VENTRICULAR REMODELING IN PATIENTS WITH VALVULAR HEART DISEASE UNDERGOING CARDIAC RESYNCHRONIZATION THERAPY

Patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy are largely regarded to derive superior response to cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT)compared to ischemic patients. Patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM), however, are heterogeneous with multiple different myocardial substrates. We sought to
Attention-based recurrent neural network for multistep-ahead prediction of process performance

Abstract Attention-based RNN modeling technique could be potentially used for investigating a variety of process engineering problems that require multiple step predictions. This type of model consists of an RNN that encodes a sequence of time series data into a new representation form, an another RNN that decodes the representation into a target sequence, as well as an attention model added in between that allows the model to focus on part of the input sequence that are critical to predicting the target sequence. The model with this deep architecture for high-level representations can learn very complex dynamic systems. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the modeling approach, a comparative study on the problem of catalyst activity prediction is illustrated.
Radiation and hormonal therapy for primary treatment of stage I endometrial cancer and long-term survival.

Abstract Objectives Estimate the association between non-surgical management (NSM) (e.g. hormonal or radiation therapy) and overall survival among women with stage I endometrioid endometrial cancer (EEC) and identify patient and facility characteristics associated with receipt of NSM. Methods Women >45 years of age with clinical stage I EEC were identified in the National Cancer Database from 2004 to 2016. Women treated with NSM were compared with women treated initially with hysterectomy. Patient and facility characteristics associated with NSM were evaluated using logistic regression models. Association with overall survival was examined using log-rank tests, Kaplan-Meier curves, and Cox proportional hazards regression models with and without propensity score matching (PSM). Results A total of 112,469 women underwent treatment for stage I EEC between 2004 and 2016. 2776 (3%) received NSM, of whom 1987 (71%) received radiation therapy, 688 (25%) received hormonal therapy, and 101 (4%) received both. Older age, black race, higher Charlson-Deyo scores, Medicaid insurance, and low annual facility hysterectomy volume were associated with receiving NSM. The 5-year survival rate was 40% (95%CI: 37%–42%) for women with NSM compared to 89% (95%CI: 88%–89%) for hysterectomy. Women treated with NSM died at a faster rate than those who underwent primary hysterectomy (HR 7.6, 95%CI: 7.2–8.0; p Conclusions Women treated with NSM had a significantly higher risk of death compared to those undergoing hysterectomy for stage I EEC. Caution should be used when selecting patients for NSM given its worse outcomes.
Color in the Ancestral Pueblo Southwest: edited by Marit K. Munson and Kelley Hays-Gilpin. 192 pp., Figures, Color Plates, Tables, References Cited, Index. Salt Lake City: University of Utah Press, 2019. $50.00 (Hardback), ISBN 9781607817208

In his poem Lamia, John Keats accused Sir Isaac Newton and his “cold philosophy” of “unweaving the rainbow.” Newton's prism research had demonstrated the physics of color, showing that all the colo...
Treatment Strategies in anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) associated Demyelinating Disease in a Pediatric Cohort (933)

Objective: To evaluate clinical features, including demographics, imaging characteristics, anti-MOG titer, treatment course, and treatment response in pediatric patients with MOG-antibody associated demyelinating diease. Background: Episodes of acute demyelinating syndromes occur in approximately 1 per 100,000 children per year and are typically monophasic. However, the presence of autoantibodies to MOG or aquaporin-4 help to predict relapse risk. Treatment strategies for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder have been heavily studied. Treatment strategies in MOG-antibody associated demyelinating disease remain largely anecdotal. Design/Methods: This is a non-randomized longitudinal case control study. Medical records of patients at a single academic center were reviewed and analyzed. Results: In this cohort of 13 children with a mean age of 13.2 years (5–18 years), 7 (54%) were female and 6 (46%) male. Antibody titers were 1:1000 in 1 (8%). On MRI, all subjects less than 10 years old had multifocal lesions. Children older than 10 presented with optic nerve lesion (5 of 9), spinal cord lesion (1 of 9), or multifocal (3 of 9). Acute treatments included IV steroids +/− plasmapheresis (9 received combination therapy). Seven of 13 had clinical relapses. There was no correlation between anti-MOG titer and relapse. Use of steroids did not correlate with risk of relapse (OR 1.2: 95% CI [0.1, 24.5]). Patients with relapses were started on long term immunotherapy: 4 on mycophenolate and 3 on rituximab. Tocilizumab was used for 1 patient with relapses on initial immunotherapy and was well tolerated. Conclusions: Prediction of relapse risk in anti-MOG seropositive patients is difficult. Long term immunotherapy is indicated in relapsing patients. Mycophenolate mofetil, rituximab, IVIG and tocilizumab have been used and are well tolerated. Long term data is necessary to better understand relapse risk and treatment efficacy. Disclosure: Dr. Fletcher has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wright has nothing to disclose. Dr. Sweeney has received personal compensation for consulting, serving on a scientific advisory board, speaking, or other activities with Genentech and Novartis.
Did it make you cry? creating dramatic agency in immersive environments

Making you cry is the folk wisdom test for strong narrative involvement, and has long been proposed as a reachable but distant goal for digital games. Immersion is a related phenomenon which has been difficult to achieve in Virtual Reality and Mixed Reality research projects, but reliably achieved in theme park rides by integrating interactivity with strong narrative elements. For Virtual and Mixed Reality environments to achieve narrative power and strong immersion we can adopt the strategies of theme park rides, with special attention to the creation of threshold objects that take the interactor into the virtual space. Spatial presentation of the world, interactions with characters, and differentiating real from virtual events are design challenges without clear genre conventions. Design choices that locate the interactor in a coherent point of view, limit natural language expectations, and conventionalize the boundaries of the virtual world will reinforce immersion and dramatic agency.
Rogers, Carl R. (1902–87)

Carl Ransom Rogers (1902–87) was one of the most influential American psychotherapists and psychologists of the twentieth century. Born on January 8, 1902 in Oak Park, Illinois, Rogers was most noted for his development of the client-centered, or person-centered, approach to counseling and psychotherapy, and his pioneering efforts in recording complete cases of psychotherapy for teaching and research purposes. Rogers popularized the concept of the core conditions of the psychotherapeutic relationship for positive psychotherapeutic change: empathy, unconditional positive regard, and genuineness. He held faculty appointments in Ohio, Chicago, and Wisconsin before moving to La Jolla, California, where he died on February 4, 1987 at age 85. Rogers earned the American Psychological Association's Distinguished Scientific Research Award and the Distinguished Professional Contribution Award, and was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work with intergroup and international conflict resolution. Keywords: Rogers, Carl; empathy; humanism; humanistic psychology; therapy
Note on a Diophantine inequality in several variables

We establish estimates for the number of points that belong to an aligned box in (R/Z)N in terms of certain exponential sums. These generalize previous results that were known only in case N = 1.
Current Copyright Legislation of the CIS Nations and Its Relevance for U.S. Library Collections: The Laws of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia

ABSTRACT This article is the second in a planned three-part series devoted to an analysis of current copyright legislation in the nations comprising the Commonwealth of Independent States, directed toward U.S. librarians who manage Slavic, East European, and Eurasian collections. It focuses on the principal features of the copyright laws of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia that may bear on copyright determinations in the U.S., and highlights common elements and differences among the laws. It is generally understood that U.S. law governs the use in this country of eligible copyrighted material originating in any country with which the U.S. holds copyright treaty relations. However, some aspects of the foreign national laws are still relevant to a copyright determination in the U.S. The article discusses key points of the laws that are most relevant to use of literary and artistic works originating in Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, provides a description and analysis of important provisions in the curren...
Presumptive hepatotoxicity and rhabdomyolysis secondary to phenazopyridine toxicity in a dog.

Objective – To describe a rare, but potential clinical manifestation of phenazopyridine (PAP) toxicity in a dog. Case Summary – A 6-year-old spayed female Chihuahua was evaluated for ataxia and dysphagia after ingestion of 200 mg (66 mg/kg) of PAP hydrochloride. The dog was presented to the hospital with shifting leg lameness involving all 4 limbs, which progressed to reluctance to walk and severe diffuse muscle hyperesthesia. Clinical laboratory abnormalities included marked increases in serum alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase, mild increases in alkaline phosphatase, and increased c-Tnl-troponin concentration. Treatment included administration of intravenous fluids, muscle relaxants, pain medications, and hepatoprotectants for 5 days in the hospital, and medical management at home for an additional 5 days. Follow-up examinations performed 1 and 6 months after initial presentation revealed the dog to be clinically healthy with serum biochemical profiles within reference intervals. New or Unique Information Provided – The purpose of this report is to describe an unusual manifestation of PAP toxicosis in a dog, which has not been previously reported in the literature. A review of the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center database revealed 347 cases of PAP exposure in dogs during 2000–2009 underscoring the importance of being aware of this toxicity in the dog.
Diet and gender in the Tiwanaku colonies: Stable isotope analysis of human bone collagen and apatite from Moquegua, Peru.

Objectives: Gender and other facets of social identity play important roles in the organization of complex societies. This study reconstructs dietary practices within the Middle Horizon (AD 500–1000) Tiwanaku colonies in southern Peru to increase our knowledge of gendered patterns of consumption within this early expansive state. Methods: We use stable isotope analysis of 43 human bone samples representing 14 females, 20 males, 8 juveniles, and 1 indeterminate individual recovered from burial excavations at the sites of Rio Muerto and Omo in the Moquegua Valley. Data are contextualized by comparisons with previously published Tiwanaku isotope data from the period. Results: Our results find mean values of δ13Capatite = −7.3 ± 1.6% (N = 36, 1SD), δ13Ccollagen = −12.3 ± 1.5% (N = 43, 1SD), and δ15Ncollagen = 8.4 ± 1.6% (N = 43, 1SD). Between the sexes, Mann-Whitney U tests demonstrate significant differences in δ13Ccollagen (U = 74, P = 0.021), but no differences in δ13Capatite (U = 58, P = 0.095) or δ15Ncollagen (U = 116, P = 0.755) values. Conclusions: These data indicate relatively high C4 plant consumption among the Tiwanaku colonies, and support paleobotanical and archaeological evidence that maize (Zea mays) was the staple crop. Dietary values are similar overall between the sexes, but significantly higher δ13Ccollagen values in males is consistent with a model of gendered norms of consumption similar to that of the later Inca (AD 1438–1533), where males consumed more maize than females, often in the form of beer (chicha). Results provide new insights on social dynamics within the Tiwanaku colonies and suggest the increased importance maize consumption for males during the Tiwanaku expansion. Am J Phys Anthropol 158:408–422, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Unsteady combustion of solid propellants

The oscillatory motions of all field variables (pressure, temperature, velocity, density, and fuel fractions) in the flame zone of solid propellant rocket motors are calculated using the finite element method. The Arrhenius law with a single step forward chemical reaction is used. Effects of radiative heat transfer, impressed arbitrary acoustic wave incidence, and idealized mean flow velocities are also investigated. Boundary conditions are derived at the solid-gas interfaces and at the flame edges which are implemented via Lagrange multipliers. Perturbation expansions of all governing conservation equations up to and including the second order are carried out so that nonlinear oscillations may be accommodated. All excited frequencies are calculated by means of eigenvalue analyses, and the combustion response functions corresponding to these frequencies are determined. It is shown that the use of isoparametric finite elements, Gaussian quadrature integration, and the Lagrange multiplier boundary matrix scheme offers a convenient approach to two-dimensional calculations.
STUDENTS' STRATEGIES FOR TAKING CLASSROOM TESTS

A good test-taker is always prepared for the test. He knows what to do before, during and after the test. The study under report aimed at exploring students' strategies for taking classroom tests. A set of structured questionnaire was distributed to thirty-six students of an English Department in Surabaya Indonesia. Likert scales were used to measure the students' test-taking strategies. The students' responses were then analyzed to know how well the students used test-taking strategies. The study reveals that in general the students of the English Department are not always well prepared for classroom tests.
Middle of the road. Wakefield, Ohio, and pre-release planning for mentally-ill inmates.

Say to a blind man, you’re free, open the door that was separating him from the world, Go, you are free, we tell him once more, and he does not go, he has remained motionless there in the middle of...
Dynamic Ridges and Valleys in a Strike-Slip Environment

Strike-slip faults have long been known for characteristic near-fault landforms such as offset rivers and strike-parallel valleys. In this study, we use a landscape evolution model to investigate the longer-term, catchment-wide landscape response to horizontal fault motion. Our results show that strike-slip faulting induces a persistent state of disequilibrium in the modeled landscapes brought about by river lengthening along the fault alternating with abrupt shortening due to stream capture. The models also predict that, in some cases, ridges oriented perpendicular to the fault migrate laterally in conjunction with fault motion. We find that ridge migration happens when slip rate is slow enough and/or soil creep and river incision are efficient enough that the landscape can respond to the disequilibrium brought about by strike-slip motion. Regional rock uplift relative to baselevel also plays a role, as topographic relief is required for ridge migration. In models with faster horizontal slip rates, stronger rocks, or less efficient hillslope transport, ridge mobility is limited or arrested despite the continuance of river lengthening and capture. In these cases, prominent steep, fault-facing facets form along well-developed fault valleys. Comparison of landscapes adjacent to fast-slipping (>30 mm/yr) and slower-slipping (≤1 mm/yr or less) strike-slip faults in California, USA, reveals features that are consistent with model predictions. Our results highlight a potential suite of geomorphic signatures that can be used as indicators of horizontal crustal motion and geomorphic processes in strike-slip settings even after river capture has diminished or erased apparent offset along the fault.
Chronic stimulation increases acetylcholinesterase activity in old Aplysia

In the marine mollusc Aplysia, a reduced level of activity of circulating AChE (acetylcholinesterase) signals the onset of aging [28], as it does in mammals [23,25]. In old Aplysia, coincident with the reduced AChE activity is impaired neuron function [17], which chronically applied sensory stimulation (CSS) improves [35]. As a first step to establish the link between the CSS and improved neuronal function, we investigated if CSS alters the level of AChE activity in old Aplysia. Before and after 4 weeks of CSS of the siphon-gill withdrawal reflex (S/GWR), we measured circulating and neural levels of AChE and behaviors involving the gill in freely moving mature and old Aplysia. Only in old animals did the CSS produce increased AChE activity levels in both the CNS and serum, and the increased levels were correlates of a change in the S/GWR, the behavior elicited by the CSS. This result shows that aging animals are able to up regulate enzymatic activity in response to specific sensory input. It also suggests that age influences how the level of AChE activity responds to persistent changes in sensory input. Parallels exist between the results here and those in higher vertebrates and are discussed.
New concepts of design and utility of large-scale carcinogenicity studies.

This review summarizes salient features of the recently completed large‐scale, long‐term animal carcinogenicity study conducted at the National Center for Toxicological Research.
Modification of retinyl acetate toxicity in rats by coadministration of menhaden oil

Abstract Menhaden oil, which has hypolipidemic and anticarcinogenic activity, reduces the hypertriglyceridemia caused by retinyl acetate. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were dosed daily for 30 days by gavage with either corn oil (CO); menhaden oil (MO); 20, 80, and 250 mg/kg retinyl acetate (ROAc) in CO; or 20, 80, or 250 mg/kg ROAc in MO. Hypertriglyceridemia by ROAc was reduced by coadministration of MO, and serum cholesterol values were reduced to levels similar to those for rats receiving MO alone. Coadministration of MO reduced the ROAc-induced fracture incidence at 80 mg/kg but not at 250 mg/kg. For groups dosed with ROAc and CO or MO, there were no differences in weightgain depression, elevation of serum alkaline phosphatase, or reduction of food consumption, suggesting that reduced absorption of ROAc was not the basis for the activity of MO. The reduction in retinoid toxicity by MO suggests a need for further study of the toxicity and anticarcinogenicity of retinoid/menhaden oil combinations.
Ruthenium-olefin complexes: effect of ligand variation upon geometry.

The development of a model system to study ruthenium-olefin complexes relevant to the mechanism of olefin metathesis has been reported recently. Upon addition of the ligand precursor 1,2-divinylbenzene to [RuCl2(Py)2(H2IMes)(CHPh)] (H2IMes=1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene), two ruthenium-olefin adducts are formed. Based on 1H NMR spectroscopy experiments and X-ray crystallographic analysis, these complexes are assigned as side-bound isomers in which the olefin and H2IMes ligands are coordinated cis to each other. Herein is reported an investigation of the generality of these observations through variation of the N-heterocyclic carbene ligand and the ligand precursor.
Transformation of rabbit arterial smooth muscle cells with simian virus 40.

In vitro studies were carried out to induce viral transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Cultured rabbit arterial smooth muscle cells were infected with simian virus 40 (SV 40), and transformed cultures were produced that exhibit altered morphology, increased growth rate and plating efficiency, growth on semi-solid substrate, and chromosomal abnormalities. Nuclear SV 40 T-antigen was detected in all cells of these cultures. Muscle-specific actin was identified by a specific monoclonal antibody suggesting retention of smooth muscle cell characteristics by the transformed cells. Significant cytoplasmic lipid accumulation occurred in transformed cells incubated with β-very low density lipoprotein, as revealed both by chemical analyses and Nile Red lipid staining of the cultures. The transformed smooth muscle cells grow permanently in cell culture. Our investigations show that arterial smooth muscle cells transformed with SV 40 virus exhibit altered phenotypic properties distinct from that of normal arterial smooth muscle cells.
Glyceride structure of vegetable oils by countercurrent distribution. I. Linseed oil

Linseed oil has been fractionated in a 200-tube countercurrent-distribution apparatus. Iodine values of fractions ranged from 51 to 261. As determined by the weight distribution curve, iodine values and spectrophotometric analyses, 18.2% trilinolenin, 12.3% linoleo-dilinolenin, and 19.5% oleo-dilinolenin combined with 4.1% dilinoleo-linolenin were isolated. Based upon this type of data and upon several methods of analysis and collation of the data, it is concluded that linseed oil glycerides follow essentially the random pattern of distribution.
The nature and inheritance of webbed toes in man

Webbing of toes or fingers in man is produced by a local arrest of development, causing retention of the normal embryonic webbing. This type of digital fusion involves only the skin, the skeleton being unaffected. The extensor tendons of the toes may sometimes be fused. Webbed digits occur normally in some marsupials, rodents, and insectivores, in a number of lemurs and catarrhines, and in the siamang and gorilla. They also may occur in varying degree in other Primates, notably Hylobates. An analysis of five new pedigrees together with those already published demonstrates that webbing of toes in man may be inherited in either a mendelian or sex-linked manner. In one case this character follows the course of the Y-chromosome.
The Effect of Early Growth Retardation of Coturnix (Japanese Quail) on Their Subsequent Sexual Maturity

Abstract Early growth of chickens has been arrested at a physiological age of about 10 days over a period of six months either by severely restricting the intake of a well-balanced diet (McCance, 1960) or by decreasing food intake via tryptophan deficiency (Gordon, 1965) as in the corn-dextrose diet of McRoberts (1965). The subsequent sexual maturity of these birds when fed well-balanced diets was delayed by the approximate length of time that they were kept on the early growth restricting regimens. Similar observations have been made for the Coturnix (Japanese quail) and are reported here. A preliminary study indicated that heavy mortality was observed if an attempt was made to restrict the growth of day-old quail. For this reason, chicks from mixed sources were hatched and, initially, fed a commercial turkey poult starter. At six days of age, the quail chicks were weighed, wing-banded, and divided into 5 treatment groups with…
Being Real and Being Realistic: Chemical Abuse Prevention, Teen Counselors, and an Ethic of Care:

Despite the national goal of “drug-free” schools, recent data suggest that chemical abuse among school-aged children remains a concern. This qualitative case study presents a “unique case” within o...
Immunomodulatory effects of maternal atrazine exposure on male Balb/c mice.

Abstract Atrazine is a widely used herbicide applied to corn, sugar and other crops as a broad leaf weed inhibitor. Using the Balb/c mouse model, we have determined that prenatal/lactational exposure to atrazine alters adult immune function. Pregnant Balb/c dams were exposed subcutaneously for 21 days via time release pellets to 700 μg per day of atrazine beginning between days 10 and 12 of pregnancy. Prenatal/Lactational exposure caused no overt physical malformations in the offspring and had no effect on the number of litters carried to term or the litter size. Upon reaching early adulthood (approximately 3 months of age), the state of their immune system was evaluated. There were no changes in body weight or in the organ to body weight ratio of the spleen. Additionally, no changes were observed in the number of CD8+ T cell, CD4+ T cell, or B220+ B cell subpopulations in the spleen. T cell function was assessed by measuring proliferation and cytolytic activity after in vitro allogeneic stimulation. Male mice which had been prenatally/lactationally exposed to atrazine had an increase in both T cell proliferation and cytolytic activity. The humoral immune response was assessed after immunization with heat killed Streptococcus pneumoniae (HKSP). There was a significant increase in the number of HKSP-specific IgM secreting B cells in the spleen of prenatal/lactational exposed male mice. Inasmuch as atrazine is a widespread environmental contaminant, this immunopotentiation raises concerns that it may potentiate clinical diseases, such as autoimmune disease and hypersensitivity, and needs to be carefully monitored and studied.
Angular collapse of dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates

We explore the structure and dynamics of dipolar Bose-Einstein condensates (DBECs) near their threshold for instability. Near this threshold a DBEC may exhibit nontrivial biconcave density distributions, which are associated with instability against collapse into ``angular roton'' modes. Here we discuss experimental signatures of these features. In the first, we infer local collapse of the DBEC from the experimental stability diagram. In the second, we explore the dynamics of collapse and find that a nontrivial angular distribution is a signature of the DBEC possessing a biconcave structure.
Early planning for clock skew scheduling during register binding

Design decisions made during high-level synthesis usually have great impacts on the later design stages. In this paper, We present a general framework, which plans for the clock skew-scheduling in physical design stages during register binding in high-level synthesis. Our proposed technique pursues the optimality of the native objective functions of the register binding problem. At the same time, it ensures not invalidating the subsequent clock skew scheduling for optimizing the clock period. We use the switching power as the native objective of our register binding problem. The problem is first formulated as a MILP problem. An acceleration scheme based on the concept of weakly compatible edge set (WCES) is proposed to speed up the MILP solver to obtain the optimal solution. Then, we present our heuristic algorithm to reduce the running time further. The experimental results show that on average our acceleration scheme can speed up the solver by 8.6 times, and our heuristic is 70 times faster than the solver with a 5.25% degradation of the native objective. The minimum and maximum degradation among our benchmark set are 0.82% and 12.2%, respectively.
Bringing Ethics to the Realm of Entertainment

Good, H., & Borden, S. L. (2010). Ethics and entertainment: Essays on media culture and media morality. Jefferson, NC: McFarland. 319 pp., $39.95 (Pbk). Any book that begins with a quote from the D...
A cationic surfactant as a soluble ion exchanger in the continuous foam fractionation of nitrate; iodide, and bromide

An experimental investigation is presented of the continuous foam fractionation of NO3− versus Br− and of T− versus Br− with a quaternary ammonium surfactant at concentrations of the order 1.8 × 10−4M. An equation is derived to enable the computation of anion selectivity coefficients from foam fractionation data. The key assumptions of the derivation are verified experimentally. The selectivity coefficient for NO3 versus Br− is 1.56 ± 0.28 and for I− versus Br− is 5.85 ± 1.81, established from 40 continuous-flow experiments. Precipitation of EHDA-I is indicated at the highest ratios of the bulk solution concentrations of I− and Br−. significantly, both selectivity coefficients are independent of the fraction of the exchanger occupied by the preferred ion, indicating an exchanger activity coefficient ratio of unity, and are independent of ionic strength. The counterion present markedly influences the surfactant distribution coefficient. On presente une etude expeiimentale de la separation, par fractionnement continu avec production de mousse, de NO2− de Br− et de I− de Br−; on a utilise a cette fin un agent tensio-actif quaternaire d'ammonium a des concentrations de l'ordre de 1.8 × 10−4M. On a mis au point une equation qui permet de calculer les coefficients de selectivite des anions a partir des resultats de la separation par fractionnement avec production de mousse. On a verifie experimentalement les principales suppositions faites lors de la mise au point de l'equation. On a etabli, au moyen de 40 experiences en courant continu, que le coefficient de selectivite de NO3− par rapport a Br− etait 1.56 ± 0.28 et celui de I− par rapport a Br− etait 5.85 ± 1.81. On indique la precipitation de EHDA-I aux rapports les plus eleves de l'ensemble des concentrations en solution de I− et Br−. Fait significatif, les deux coefficients de selectivite sont independants de la fraction de l'echangeur occupee par l'ion prefere (ce qui indique un rapport de 1 pour le coefficient d'activite de l'echangeur) et de la force ionique. l'ion contraire present exerce un effet notable sur le coefficient de distribution de l'agent tensio-actif.
Diagnosis of Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infections by Computed Tomography

Hypothesis In contrast to previous beliefs, we hypothesize that computed tomography (CT) scanning is sensitive and specific for the diagnosis of necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs). Design Retrospective and prospective case series. Setting Academic medical center. Patients Patients who were clinically suspected of having NSTIs from January 1, 2003, through April 30, 2009, and who underwent imaging with a 16- or 64-section helical CT scanner were studied. The CT result was considered positive if inflamed and necrotic tissue with or without gas or fluid collections across tissue planes was found. The disease (NSTI) was considered present if surgical exploration revealed elements of infection and necrosis of the soft tissues and pathological analysis confirmed the findings. The disease was considered absent if surgical exploration and pathological analysis failed to identify any of these findings or the patient was successfully treated without surgical exploration. Main Outcome Measures Sensitivity and specificity of CT for diagnosing NSTI. Results Of 67 patients with study inclusion criteria, 58 underwent surgical exploration, and NSTI was confirmed in 25 (43%). The remaining 42 patients had either nonnecrotizing infections during surgical exploration (n = 33) or were treated nonoperatively with successful resolution of the symptoms (n = 9). The sensitivity of CT to identify NSTI was 100%, specificity was 81%, positive predictive value was 76%, and negative predictive value was 100%. No differences were found in demographics, white blood cell count on admission, symptoms, or site of infection between those with a false- or true-positive CT result. Conclusions A negative CT result reliably excludes the diagnosis of NSTI. A positive CT result correctly identifies the disease with a high likelihood.
Achievement of USWRP Hurricane Landfall Research Goal.

he purpose of this brief communication is to report that the first research goal of the U.S. Weather Research Program (USWRP) Hurricane Landfall (HL) focus has been achieved. This research goal—to produce tropical cyclone track forecast guidance products with an improvement in accuracy of 20% over a 5-year period—was set following a Hurricane Landfall workshop during November 1997 (reported in the April 1999 Bulletin). Although this 20% goal was considered to be challenging in view of the relatively slow improvement since major advancements in dynamical models had been introduced in 1994 and 1995 (see chapter 4 of the WMO technical document, Global Perspectives on Tropical Cyclones), it was believed that the goal was achievable via advances in understanding of tropical cyclone motion, further improvements in dynamical models, and better use of existing and new observations. The overall goal of the USWRP is to improve forecasts of significant weather impacting the United States; this particular effort was a 5-year research goal, as it was recognized that it might take some additional time for the hurricane specialists at the Tropical Prediction Center/National Hurricane Center (TPC/NHC) to learn how to make effective use of the improved guidance. It should be noted that the degree of difficulty in the track forecast varies in different scenarios (generally easier in the deep Tropics and more difficult when the storm moves poleward, interacts with baroclinic features, and recurves into the midlatitude westerlies). Thus, the annual average error in a tropical cyclone basin with a relatively small number of forecasts may in part reflect the differences in difficulty. Nevertheless, the annual average track error at 72 h will be used as the metric for two of the dynamical models used at TPC/NHC, and a technique called CLIPER (named for a statistical blend of climatology and persistence) will be used as an indicator of the degree of difficulty. For the 1995–2003 period to be discussed here, the average CLIPER 72-h error was about 355 n mi, with a range from about 290 n mi during 1999 to almost 400 n mi during 2001 (Fig. 1). The number of 72-h forecasts also varies, with a range from only 39 during 1997 to 231 during 1995 (Fig. 1). This number is for a homogeneous sample that requires all of the three guidance products and the official forecast to be available so that a fair comparison can be made. Early in the period, the dynamical model guidance was only available at 0000 and 1200 UTC, but by the end of the period all of the guidance was also available at 0600 and 1800 UTC. Because the 0000 UTC dynamical model guidance is not available to the TPC/NHC until after the 0000 UTC forecast is issued, the comparisons here are with interpolated tracks from the previous forecast, which is what is actually available to the hurricane specialist.
Responses of barrel cortex neurons in awake rats and effects of urethane anesthesia.

A “barrel” is an interconnected network of layer IV neurons that is an important component of a functional cortical column in the whisker area of the rodent primary somatosensory cortex. The present study was undertaken in order to resolve apparently conflicting findings from single-unit studies of barrel neurons conducted in rats maintained under different anesthetic conditions. Multiunit responses to controlled deflections of mystacial vibrissae were recorded from the whisker/ barrel cortex of awake, undrugged rats, and responses at the same recording site were reexamined after the animal was anesthetized with urethane. In contrast to the awake condition, stimulus-evoked responses under urethane were characterized by a large late component. Such effects were more pronounced for deflections of noncolumnar or “adjacent” whiskers than for the the columnar whisker. Latencies to peak responses were virtually identical for the columnar whisker in awake and urethane states (11.9 vs 11.8 ms) but were considerably longer for adjacent whisker deflections in urethane-anesthetized animals (15.5 vs 29.0 ms). The magnitudes of adjacent whisker responses, relative to the response evoked by the columnar whisker, varied with the laminar location of the recording site in awake but not in urethane-anesthetized animals; in awake rats, receptive fields were clearly smallest in the layer IV barrels. Results in the awake condition confirm those of previous studies conducted in unanesthetized or lightly sedated animals, and data obtained with urethane are comparable to others' results in urethane-anesthetized rats. The former have important implications for how barrel cortex processes information in behaving animals.
Mammals Reduce Methionine-S-sulfoxide with MsrA and Are Unable to Reduce Methionine-R-sulfoxide, and This Function Can Be Restored with a Yeast Reductase

Methionine is an essential amino acid in mammals at the junction of methylation, protein synthesis, and sulfur pathways. However, this amino acid is highly susceptible to oxidation, resulting in a mixture of methionine-S-sulfoxide and methionine-R-sulfoxide. Whether methionine is quantitatively regenerated from these compounds is unknown. Here we report that SK-Hep1 hepatocytes grew on methionine-S-sulfoxide and consumed this compound by import and methionine-S-sulfoxide reductase (MsrA)-dependent reduction, but methionine-R-sulfoxide reductases were not involved in this process, and methionine-R-sulfoxide could not be used by the cells. However, SK-Hep1 cells expressing a yeast free methionine-R-sulfoxide reductase proliferated in the presence of either sulfoxide, reduced them, and showed increased resistance to oxidative stress. Only methionine-R-sulfoxide was detected in the plasma of wild type mice, but both sulfoxides were in the plasma of MsrA knock-out mice. These results show that mammals can support methionine metabolism by reduction of methionine-S-sulfoxide, that this process is dependent on MsrA, that mammals are inherently deficient in the reduction of methionine-R-sulfoxide, and that expression of yeast free methionine-R-sulfoxide reductase can fully compensate for this deficiency.
Heavy Breathing Hits the Heart

![Figure][1] [![Graphic][3] ][3][![Graphic][4] ][4][![Graphic][5] ][5] A 63-year-old woman was transferred to our institution for idiopathic recurrent flash pulmonary edema (A) , which quickly resolved with topical nitroglycerine and intravenous furosemide. Previous
Aluminum Silicate System: Experimental Determination of the Triple Point

The kyanite-sillimanite-andalusite triple point exists in the pressure-temperature plane at 8 +/- 0.5 kb and 300 +/- 50 degrees C. Reactions are accomplished experimentally with a Bridgman opposed-anvil press (with an external furnace), modified to provide shearing of the sample charges. All three equilibrium boundaries are proved by reversed reactions.
A sense of entitlement to leisure as constraint and empowerment for women

Abstract A number of leisure researchers have indicated that women believe that they have no right to leisure and this belief places a severe limitation on their construction of time for leisure and their attitudes toward leisure. This conceptual article describes entitlement and related background research, offers some reasons why the sense of a lack of entitlement might be so pervasive among women, concludes through an exploratory pilot study that the priority of leisure in a woman's life may be an important aspect of entitlement, and offers suggestions concerning how women may gain empowerment through a sense of entitlement to leisure within their lives. This article raises questions that require further pursuit by other researchers who are attempting to understand more completely the meaning of leisure for women and the constraints that may prevent a full realization of one's potential for leisure.
Search for Trapped Electrons and a Magnetic Moment at Mars by Mariner IV.

The Mariner IV spacecraft on 14-15 July 1965 passed within 9850 kilometers of Mars, carrying a solid-state charged-particle telescope which could detect electrons greater than 40 kiloelectron volts and protons greater than 1 million electron volts. The trajectory could have passed through a bow shock, a transition region, and a magnetospheric boundary where particles could be stably trapped for a wide range of Martian magnetic moments. No evidence of charged-particle radiation was found in any of these regions. In view of these results, an upper limit is established for the Martian magnetic moment provided it is assumed that the same physical processes leading to acceleration and trapping of electrons in Earth9s magnetic field would be found in a Martian magnetic field. On this basis, the upper limit for the Martian magnetic moment is 0.1 percent that of Earth for a wide range of postulated orientations with respect to the rotational axis of Mars. The implications of these results for the physical and biological environment of Mars are briefly discussed.
Heinberg's New Coal Question

Richard Heinberg, Blackout: Coal, Climate and the Last Energy Crisis (Gabriola Island, BC: New Society Publishers, 2009), 208 pages, $18.95, paperback. Coal today lies at the very center of the world predicament over the future of energy and the climate. An indication of this can be found in the November 18, 2010, issue (vol. 468) of the leading scientific journal Nature , which includes an article by Richard Heinberg and David Fridley entitled “The End of Cheap Coal.” The article opens with the startling words: “World energy policy is gripped by a fallacy—the idea that coal is destined to stay cheap for decades to come.” What follows is a short, dramatic discussion of problems (geological, economic, and environmental) constraining future coal production and consumption. Heinberg and Fridley’s argument here has been developed more extensively in Heinberg’s recent book Blackout: Coal, Climate, and the Last Energy Crisis , which provides us with yet another indication of the momentous challenge and burden of our historical time. This article can also be found at the Monthly Review website , where most recent articles are published in full. Click here to purchase a PDF version of this article at the Monthly Review website.
A Note on Small Business Survival Rates in Rural Areas: The Case of Washington State

ABSTRACT Using Washington State Department of Revenue and Employment Security Department data, this article uses non-parametric duration analysis to examine the nine-year time path of rural firm survival and hazard rates. The focus is on a cohort of rural firms that started operations in 1992; the cohort is followed up to the year 2000. Survival rates are estimated by using standard non-parametric (life-table) duration analysis. Using straightforward statistical tests, the study finds evidence that survival rates are statistically higher for firms that start as employers and for firms in the natural resource and service-based sectors.
Hyperkähler metrics from (4,0) superspace

We construct (4,0) supersymmetric non-linear sigma models using the superspace formalism. An explicit expression for hyperkahler metrics in terms of quaternionic structures results. These metrics are vacuum solutions to Einstein's equation, satisfy the tree level equations of motion of the superstring and are analogs of the Calabi-Yau manifolds favored for superstring compactification.