cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monosaccharides and Their Derivatives in Carbonaceous Meteorites: A Scenario for Their Synthesis and Onset of Enantiomeric Excesses.

Carbonaceous meteorites provide the best glimpse into the solar system’s earliest physical and chemical processes. These ancient objects, ~4.56 billion years old, contain evidence of phenomena ranging from solar system formation to the synthesis of organic compounds by aqueous and (likely) low-temperature photolytic reactions. Collectively, chemical reactions resulted in an insoluble kerogen-like carbon phase and a complex mixture of discrete soluble compounds including amino acids, nucleobases, and monosaccharide (or “sugar”) derivatives. This review presents the documented search for sugars and their derivatives in carbonaceous meteorites. We examine early papers, published in the early 1960s, and note the analytical methods used for meteorite analysis as well as conclusions on the results. We then present the recent finding of sugar derivatives including sugar alcohols and several sugar acids: The latter compounds were found to possess unusual “d” enantiomeric (mirror-image) excesses. After discussions on the possible roles of interstellar grain chemistry and meteorite parent body aqueous activity in the synthesis of sugar derivatives, we present a scenario that suggests that most of Earth’s extraterrestrial sugar alcohols (e.g., glycerol) were synthesized by interstellar irradiation and/or cold grain chemistry and that the early solar disk was the location of the initial enantiomeric excesses in meteoritic sugar derivatives.
A Latent Variable Approach to Measuring Social Dynamics in Adolescence.

In the study of adolescent health, it is useful to derive indices of social dynamics from sociometric data, and to use these indices as predictors of health risk behaviors. In this manuscript, we introduce a flexible latent variable model as a novel way of obtaining estimates of social integration and social status from school-based sociometric data. Such scores provide the flexibility of a regression-based approach while accounting for measurement error in sociometric indicators. We demonstrate the utility of these factor scores in testing complex hypotheses through a combination of structural equation modeling and survival models, showing that deviance mediates the relationship between social status and smoking onset hazard at the transition to high school.
HIGH-SENSITIVITY TROPONIN I AND INCIDENT GLOBAL CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS IN A COMMUNITY-BASED COHORT: ATHEROSCLEROSIS RISK IN COMMUNITIES (ARIC) STUDY

Troponin I measured by a high-sensitivity assay (hs-TnI) may be useful for risk assessment for global cardiovascular disease (CVD) primary prevention. Information on differences by race and predictive value above and beyond high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT) is limited. We analyzed data from ARIC
Colectomies in children with inflammatory bowel disease: a national referral centre experience.

Few studies have reported on the utility and efficacy of laparoscopic colectomy in the paediatric population. We aim to compare the characteristics and outcomes of children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who underwent open vs laparoscopic treatment at our centre. A 10-year retrospective review was performed. Collected data included demographics, indication for surgery, operative characteristics, histopathology results, post-operative course and peri-operative complications. A total of 58 patients underwent subtotal colectomy for IBD, with 38 laparoscopic procedures. The cohort included 33 males and 25 females with a mean age at surgery of 12.9 ± 3.3 years. The pre-operative diagnosis was ulcerative colitis in n = 41, Crohn’s disease in n = 5 and indeterminate colitis in n = 11. There was an 84.2% concordance between the pre-operative and the post-operative histological diagnoses. Overall, 34 (58.6%) patients had complications, of which 19 (32.7%) patients required return to theatre. The complication rate was significantly smaller for laparoscopic compared to open procedures (42.1% vs 75%) as well as for elective compared with emergency colectomies (38.4% vs 75%). Four patients (10.5%) required conversion to open approach. Laparoscopic approach is feasible and safe in most paediatric patients with IBD and has a lower complication rate and better recovery than open procedures, especially when performed in an elective setting.
Physiological and psychophysiological responses in experienced players while playing different dance exer-games

Display Omitted The perception of experienced players differs from novices.Greater physical exertion was related to higher engagement and game-flow.Problems with usability detracted from engagement and game-flow.With increased skill, perceived user control may matter more.Higher levels of interface embodiment did not reflect a more positive experience. As exer-game technology is increasingly integrated into workout and rehabilitation programs, it is important to understand how physical exertion, hedonics, and game usability experiences affect the knowledgeable player. In a repeated measures experiment, seven experienced players played five popular dance exer-games on separate days. Exertion was measured using indirect calorimetry. Hedonic experience was measured using questions about engagement and game-flow. Platform and software usability was determined by questionnaire and percent time spent in non-play activities (menu interfaces, software loading). Mean MET levels ranged from 4.26 to 9.18 during gameplay, depending on the game. Player engagement and game-flow were closely related to MET activity. Usability scores were closely related to time spent in non-play activities. Games with increased MET levels and higher usability scores were reflected in higher engagement and game-flow scores. Degree of interface embodiment did not affect these outcomes. Based on these results, problems in usability are barriers to engagement. Designing games that provide a balance of challenge, immersion, and engagement is a difficult task. These results demonstrate the importance of examining players of varying skill levels in order to fully understand the interaction of physical exertion, platform usability and player engagement.
Sleep in Parental Caregivers and Children With Type 1 Diabetes

The purpose of this cross-sectional, descriptive, pilot study was to examine the correlations in sleep between caregivers (≥18 years) and young (6-12 years) children with type 1 diabetes. Sleep was measured in both parent and child over 7 days using actigraphy and a sleep diary. Parents completed questionnaires on sleep, stress, depressive symptoms, and demographics. Children completed pediatric anxiety and fatigue questionnaires, and A1C (Hemoglobin A1c) was documented at clinic. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlations were used to analyze data. Parents (N = 18, mean age: 39.3 ± 5.4 years, 100% Caucasian, 83% mothers) and children (N = 18, mean age: 9.6 ± 2.4 years, diagnosed for mean 3.0 ± 2.4 years, 66% female, mean A1C: 7.5 ± 0.8%) were recruited. Strong to moderate correlations were found for several measures including sleep measures based on actigraphy: mean sleep duration (hours; 7.6 ± 0.7 for parents and 8.8 ± 0.8 for children; r = .638, p = .004), mean sleep efficiency (r = .823, p < .001), and mean daily wake after sleep onset (minutes; r = .530, p = .024).
STOPOVER MONETARISM: SUPPLY AND DEMAND FACTORS IN THE 1972-74 INFLATION

The resurgence of inflation in the United States begun, just perceptibly, in the second half of 1972—exactly where depends upon one's choice of a price index—and continued up to the time of this writing, April of 1974. By the end of 1972, the twelve-month inflation rate in the consumer price index (CPI) had turned around, reversing the slow decline experienced over 1970 and 1971. Wholesale prices quickened markedly in 1972. In June 1973, the twelve-month CPI inflation rate stood at 5.9 percent and less than a year later, it reached 10 percent. This chapter discusses the causes of this episode of inflation, that is, as to which supply factors and demand factors together account for the rise in the inflation rate observed over this period.
Ribonucleotide incorporation characteristics around yeast autonomously replicating sequences reveal the labor division of replicative DNA polymerases

Ribonucleoside monophosphate (rNMP) incorporation in DNA is a natural and prominent phenomenon resulting in DNA structural change and genome instability. While DNA polymerases have different rNMP incorporation rates, little is known whether these enzymes incorporate rNMPs following specific sequence patterns. In this study, we analyzed a series of rNMP incorporation datasets, generated from three rNMP mapping techniques, and obtained from Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells expressing wild-type or mutant replicative DNA polymerase and ribonuclease H2 genes. We performed computational analyses of rNMP sites around early and late firing autonomously replicating sequences (ARS9s) of the yeast genome, from which bidirectional, leading and lagging DNA synthesis starts. We find the preference of rNMP incorporation on the leading strand in wild-type DNA polymerase yeast cells. The leading/lagging-strand ratio of rNMP incorporation changes dramatically within 500 nt from ARS9s, highlighting the Pol δ - Pol ϵ handoff during early leading-strand synthesis. Furthermore, the pattern of rNMP incorporation is markedly distinct between the leading the lagging strand. Overall, our results show the different counts and patterns of rNMP incorporation during DNA replication from ARS, which reflects the different labor of division and rNMP incorporation pattern of Pol δ and Pol ϵ.
Aerobics - decades of data for future hypothesis-testing research

Typically, our mechanistic understanding about links between exercise and mortality come from epidemiological and short-period training studies. An initial transcriptomic study shows that decades-long endurance training shifts skeletal muscle gene activity to favour cellular respiration, upholding the consilience of evidence for ‘aerobic’ as a central feature of health and longevity.
Adolescents’ anticipated emotional and behavioral responses to alcohol and drug offers.

Harold Rosenberg, Advisor Theories of adolescent experimental substance use note that proximal influences, including refusal skills and substance use decisions in response to drug offers, are more amenable to change than distal influences. However, research on adolescents’ responses to offers of alcohol or drugs has not addressed whether resistance responses vary by type of drug, or whether emotional reactions to an offer of drugs or alcohol are associated with adolescents’ intentions to use resistance strategies. Therefore, I assessed whether type of drug (alcohol vs. marijuana), relationship with the offerer (close friends vs. acquaintance), and drug refusal policy (uniform rejection, marijuana-only refusal, open-to-offers) affected anticipated emotional reactions and intended use of a broad range of resistance responses. I administered a questionnaire to high school students to assess resistance responses adolescents have used in the past, resistance responses adolescents expect to use in the future, and expected emotional reactions to drug offers. Although there was statistically significant variation in anticipated use of different types of strategies according to drug and offerer, two particular strategies (“say no,” “say don’t want it”) were endorsed most often regardless of the drug/offerer condition. Participants who had made an a priori decision to refuse offers of alcohol or marijuana more often anticipated that an offer would be a negative experience, and more often anticipated that they would use various types of resistance strategies in response to the offer. Background characteristics such as age, gender, race, grade, locality, grade point average, and intentions of going to college had little association with endorsement of emotional reactions or resistance
Chapter 2.3 Dronning Maud Land Jurassic volcanism: volcanology and petrology

Abstract The Jurassic igneous rocks of Dronning Maud Land represent Karoo flood basalt magmatism in Antarctica. Fifty years of research has documented systematic differences between magmas associated with the Karoo rift-zone (Vestfjella and Ahlmannryggen) and the rift-shoulder (Sembberget, Kirwanveggen) settings. The 189–182 Ma rift-zone tholeiites were chemically diverse and mainly formed compound-braided flow fields which record several magnetic polarity reversals. In contrast, the c. 181 Ma rift-shoulder tholeiites were chemically uniform and formed thick tabular sheet lavas within a single normal polarity period. The volcanic architecture! records a long initial phase of slow eruptions from shield volcanoes in the initial rift and a brief phase of voluminous fissure eruptions flooding the rift shoulder. All of the major magma types in the rift-zone and rift-shoulder settings belong to a Nb-depleted category of Karoo flood basalts and were mainly derived from depleted convective upper mantle by magmatic differentiation. Pyroxenite-rich mantle components may have been significant sources for the most enriched magma types. Geochemical fingerprints of recycled crustal material imply that the Nb-depleted Karoo tholeiites may have been derived from mildly subduction-modified parts of the same overall upper-mantle reservoir which has been associated with the Ferrar tholeiites.
Our Constitutional Constraints: Policing -- Table of Contents & Excerpt

Suitable for the American law school classroom or self-study, this book is about the police—what they can and cannot do in the investigation of crime. There are many sources of such rules, from constitutions to laws to internal regulations to officer norms, but this teaches only the top of that pyramid: the restrictions of the United States Constitution. In particular, it examines the Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable search and seizure, some of the Fifth Amendment’s guarantee of due process and privilege against compulsory self-incrimination, and a bit about the Sixth Amendment’s right to counsel. Together, this is much of the constitutional law that prevents our living in a police state: anti-accuracy norms enshrined in our Constitution to protect our liberty, our humanity, and our dignity. This book is therefore also about the people—We the People—and what rights we can expect, and what rights we should expect, as against those who are (or should be) seeking to keep us safe. For further information, including what makes this book very unique among law school texts (a 'workbook' format), please see the book’s Preface (‘From the Author’). The excerpt here (best viewed in Adobe--View--Page Display--2 Page View) includes the front matter and a sample chapter.
Pandemic Minecrafting: an analysis of the perceptions of and lessons learned from a gamified virtual geology field camp

Abstract. To mimic the 3D geospatial components of geologic mapping usually spotlighted by field camp, we developed a virtual course based in the sandbox video game Minecraft. Paired with audio/video conferencing and real data, students practiced measuring strike and dip, orienteering with a compass, matching landscape features with topographic maps, and tracing geologic contacts within the team structure typically employed in field camp. Open-source programs and tutorials freely available online assisted with constructing the Minecraft worlds. Assignments were aligned to the nine learning outcomes established for geology field camps by the National Association of Geology Teachers (NAGT). A pre-survey and post-survey quantified students' learning of the subject matter as well as perceptions towards Minecraft and online learning. We also held feedback sessions and conducted in-class, live observations to classify students' reactions and experiences during virtual activities. Overwhelmingly, students indicated they would have preferred an in-person field camp, yet they considered the Minecraft assignments exciting, important, interesting, and valuable. Regardless of perceived barriers, scores on subject matter questions increased from the pre- to the post-survey. Finally, observations illustrated how students' experiences in a virtual field camp recreated comparable components that students experience during an in-person field camp (e.g., students discussing career pathways, geological skills, and fostering interpersonal relationships). Because this virtual course achieved the curricular goals as well as the non-curricular goals and was relatively easy to construct, we recommend the usage of Minecraft for virtual geology courses in the future.
No Need to be Granted? Patent Applications, Signaling, and Valuation Events

Most existing studies suggest patent applications as quality signals, but only investigate granted applications with the assumption that patent applications are rarely rejected. However, recent fin...
Ranking-Based Community Detection for Social Networks

Detecting communities in complex networks gives rise to a new data mining challenge known as community ranking. Community ranking can be computed based on the influence of each community on the neighboring communities as well as on the entire network. Our main research question is to verify if there is a significant correlation between community ranking and popular nodes. We address the detection of significant and hidden communities by ranking them based on information flow in data networks. We define the influence of communities based on three key features. The first key feature is the how dense the relationships inside the community are while the second feature is how strong the intra-community links are. The third features extrapolates the centrality of a community in a given dataset. In this paper, several novel community ranker algorithms are introduced. These ranker algorithms quantify the detected communities for further ranking.
An adaptive digital deskewing circuit for clock distribution networks

As clock frequency in CPU designs increases, skew management in the clock network becomes more important. Clock skew reduces the performance of the design and is a function of load, network distribution across the die, and device mismatch as well as temperature, and voltage gradients. This digital deskewing circuit can be used in microprocessor designs to equalize two clock distribution spines by compensating for these mismatches and gradients. The circuit is composed of delay lines in both spines of the microprocessor clock distribution network, a phase detection circuit, and a controller. The phase detection circuit determines the phase relationship between the two spines and generates an output based on the phase relationship. The controller takes the phase detection information and makes a discrete adjustment to one of the delay lines that was determined by the controller to require adjustment.
Design optimization of artificial lateral line system under uncertain conditions

An artificial lateral line consists of a set of flow sensors arranged around a fish-like body which aims at localizing the surrounding moving objects, a common example of which is a vibrating sphere, called a dipole. The presence of diverse sources of uncertainty in the flow environment and flow sensors leads to an error in localization and thus challenges practicability of the underlying idea, especially considering that localization accuracy significantly declines when uncertainties intensify. Accuracy of localization depends on selection of the parameters of the artificial lateral line including the number and the location of the sensors as well as the shape and the size of the lateral line. In this study, different sources of uncertainties are identified and modeled in the problem formulation. A parametric fitness function is defined that addresses computational and practical goals and encompasses the effect of different sources of uncertainties. A bi-level optimization tool is formed to find the optimum artificial lateral. Comparison of the optimized designs in different cases reveals that, the optimized design highly depends on the amount of uncertainties in the problem as well as the number of available sensors. The proposed methodology for handling noisy and nested optimization task can be extended to solve other similar problems.
A Comparison of Accelerated and Traditional MSW Students: Twenty Years Later

Abstract There has been concern about the ideal length of time to effectively offer graduate content. Programs of less than two full years have been suspect. Thus study reports on two groups of social workers in the same program who have been professionally active for over twenty years. They completed the master's requirements under two different time conditions: One group completed study in twelve months; the other in the traditional two year period. The accelerated group reported the five major curriculum areas were more useful in their practice. In addition, they reported higher long-range achievement scores on the identical objectives of both programs.
The economic impact of tourism sales.

A combination of primary data and the U.S.D.A. Forest Service's IMPLAN system are used to estimate the contribution to local income from tourists' spending in six different economic sectors. The pr...
Na(+)/H(+) exchange in mosquito Malpighian tubules.

Fluid secretion and intracellular pH were measured in isolated mosquito Malpighian tubules to determine the presence of Na+/H+ exchange. Rates of fluid secretion by individual Malpighian tubules in...
Is Sovereign Equality Obsolete? Understanding Twenty-First Century International Organizations

This paper explores some of the major changes in the practices of international organizations that have occurred in the decades since The Doctrine of the Legal Equality of States was published. First, much international law-making in contemporary international organizations consists of regulation and administration whose creation, content and application differs significantly from that of traditional forms of international legislation associated with international organizations. Second, in a highly fragmented international legal order, twenty-first century international organizations increasingly interact with each other in a wide variety of law-making and operational capacities. Given these changing roles and activities, it is no longer sufficient to view international organizations primarily as fora through which other actors – typically states – pursue their interests. Rather, twenty-first century international organizations often pursue their own goals and agendas as autonomous actors in international affairs. These developments have rendered traditional debates over sovereign equality within international organizations substantially less salient than they were when Legal Equality was written. In the future, the cutting-edge doctrinal and jurisprudential issues raised by twenty-first century international organizations largely will arise out of interactions among international organizations. As a result, legal scholars should shift their attention from inter-state interactions and processes within any particular IO to interactions and processes among twenty-first century IOs. Of course, decentering sovereign equality does not mean that the international system should celebrate or enshrine legal inequality. Rather, the international community should develop other concepts that incorporate the notions of inclusiveness and egalitarianism associated with sovereign equality, but that are more applicable to the actions of twenty-first century IOs.
Therapist Decisions: Clarifying, Amplifying or Interrupting

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the way a therapist selects the piece of model to be emphasized upon, and decides the time when the focus is to be shifted. It proposes some guidelines about initial selection and subsequent shifts of focus. Doing the most straightforward thing first, the therapist attempts to find procedures that “work;” when they do not, the therapist “does something different.” The aim is to introduce something new, something different from the typical pattern, but not so discrepant from the client's world view that it will be rejected. Clarification of the problem, amplification of the solution, and interruption of the unsuccessful attempted solution, all involve refraining, and all can introduce a novel and useful perspective. Deciding on the kind of novelty to pursue becomes easier when the therapist considers some guidelines. Within the structure of the model, a certain order is implicit: first comes problem clarification; then there is solution amplification, followed by assessment of attempted solutions; finally, there is intervention design. Deciding on the time to Shift to next phase is the highest variable among clients. In the context of doing the most straightforward thing first and starting at the beginning, most strategic solution focused therapy begins with problem clarification. However, it is often apparent when problem clarification inquiry is working. The chapter details the general guidelines associated with the therapist decision and the limitations of problem clarification.
Bladder pressure measurements are an independent predictor of urinary tract infection in trauma patients.

Abstract Purpose: To determine the risk factors for urinary tract infections (UTIs) specific to trauma patients in order to assist in the development of infection control protocols. Methods: Data were collected prospectively from January 2003 until December 2005 by an epidemiology nurse and combined with registry data from our Level 1 trauma center. The trauma patients admitted to the Surgery and Trauma Intensive Care Unit (STICU)(n = 938) who did and did not have UTIs were compared for demographics, Injury Severity Score (ISS), and epidemiologic data, including use of Foley catheters and bladder pressure measurements (BPMs). An open system was used for the measurements in which the catheter was disconnected from the bag to instill 50 mL of saline into the bladder, and an 18-gauge needle was inserted into the catheter to measure the pressure. Results: A total of 50 patients had no Foley catheter or UTIs. Among the 836 patients with catheters but no BPMs, there were 36 UTIs (4.31%), whereas the 52 patients...
The influence of plaque orientation (pericardial or myocardial) on coronary arterial remodeling.

Abstract Background: Many systemic, regional and lesion factors have been identified which may influence arterial remodeling, but little is known about the importance of extravascular resistance to vessel enlargement. As myocardial systolic splinting may significantly affect vessel expansion the effect of plaque orientation on arterial remodeling in eccentric coronary atherosclerotic lesions was examined. Methods: Using intravascular ultrasound imaging to obtain cross-sectional vessel area (VA), plaque area (PA) and lumen area (LA), remodeling in eccentric left anterior descending coronary artery lesions was compared which predominantly involved the pericardial or free arc (P, n =25) and the myocardial side (M, n =40) of the vessel wall. Normalized vessel area (NVA, VA lesion /VA reference ) was compared as a continuous and categorical variable (positive>1.05, intermediate 0.95–1.05, negative lesion −VA reference /PA lesion −PA reference ). Results: The two groups were well matched for clinical and lesion characteristics known to affect remodeling. Reference segments areas were similar in the two groups; while lesion LA was also similar, in the pericardial group there was significantly greater lesion PA (P 12.78±0.72, M 10.26±0.50 mm 2 , P 2 , P P P M (P Conclusions: Remodeling compensates more for plaque growth in eccentric coronary lesions which are surrounded by the pericardium than those surrounded by the myocardium. Extravascular resistance appears to influence arterial remodeling.
Highly asymmetric heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of isophorone on proline modified base-supported palladium catalysts

Abstract A highly effective asymmetric heterogeneous catalytic hydrogenation of isophorone (3,5,5-trimethyl-2-cyclohexenone) by proline-modified base-supported Pd catalysts is described. Effective combination of enhanced proline adsorption and secondary kinetic resolution resulted in very high enantioselectivities ( ee up to 99%). Using ( S )- and ( R )-proline enantiomers as chiral auxiliaries, both enantiomers of the product were obtained with excellent optical yields.
Population dynamics of red brome (Bromus madritensis subsp. rubens): times for concern, opportunities for management

Red brome is a Mediterranean winter annual grass that has invaded south-western USA deserts. Unlike native annuals, it does not maintain a soil seed bank, but exhibits early and uniform germination. Above-average winter precipitation in these regions allows red brome to reach high density and biomass. These are time for concern, as large numbers of easily dispersed seeds increase the likelihood that it may spread into new areas. However, early and uniform germination can also lead to population crashes when drought precludes seed production. Winter droughts dramatically reduce densities of red brome, but provide opportunities for management of this exotic grass.
An ontology-driven ambiguous contexts mediation framework for smart healthcare applications

Ubiquitous (or smart) healthcare applications envision sensor rich computing and networking environments that can capture various types of contexts of patients (or inhabitants of the environment), such as their location, activities and vital signs. Such context information is useful in providing health related and wellness management services in an intelligent way so as to promote independent living. However, in reality, both sensed and interpreted contexts may often be ambiguous, leading to fatal decisions if not properly handled. Thus, a significant challenge facing the development of realistic and deployable context-aware services for healthcare applications is the ability to deal with ambiguous contexts to prevent hazardous situations. In this paper, we propose a quality assured ontology-driven context mediation framework, based on efficient context-aware data fusion using resource constrained sensor network. The proposed framework provides a systematic approach based on dynamic Bayesian network to derive context fragments and deal with context ambiguity in a probabilistic manner. It has the ability to represent contexts according to the applications' ontology and easily composable ontological rules to mediate ambiguous contexts. We have also implemented a demonstration of the use of our model using semantic web language. Through simulation, we demonstrate the effectiveness of our proposed framework.
Suprachiasmatic circadian pacemaker of rat shows two windows of sensitivity to neuropeptide Y in vitro

The geniculohypothalamic tract carries visual information from the intergeniculate leaflet to the suprachiasmatic circadian pacemaker. NPY, found in this projection, has been shown to affect the phase of behavioral rhythms and influence photic entrainment. We now demonstrate that NPY, when briefly applied to the geniculate projection sites of rat SCN in vitro, induces permanent phase-shifts in the rhythm of neuronal electrical activity at two separate phases of the circadian cycle.
High porosity scintillating polymer resins for ionizing radiation sensor applications

Abstract Due to their high sorption capacity, nanoporous polymer resins can be used as an active material for ionizing radiation sensor applications. This contribution reports on the molecular design and synthesis of scintillating styrene-based resins with controlled bead size, porosity and surface functionality. In a working sensor device, the adsorption of radioactive analyte species on the resin can be monitored via incorporation of specially designed fluor molecules to convert ionizing radiation (specifically, α-particles and β-particles) into light. Porous polystyrene (PS) and poly(4-methylstyrene) resins of various compositions and structure were synthesized via suspension polymerization technique. 1,4-Bis(4-methyl-5-phenyl-oxazol-2-yl)benzene (DM-POPOP) was incorporated into the resin by adding it to the dispersed phase. Polymerization conditions were adjusted to achieve a desirable range of polymer beads size and porosity (pore size distribution, specific surface area). The porosity of the resin beads could be controlled by the type and concentration of the porogen, as well as by the degree of PS matrix crosslinking with divinylbenzene. Three different porogens (toluene, n-heptane or span-80 nonionic surfactant) were used to achieve a broad variation of the nanopore size distribution within the same matrix. The structure, porosity and optical fluorescence properties of the synthesized PS beads were analyzed with nitrogen adsorption porosimetry, optical/UV confocal, scanning electron and helium ion microscopy, and fluorescence spectroscopy. A broad variation of the pore size distribution, specific surface area and optical properties within the same system were demonstrated. Findings from this study can be used for the development of more efficient environmental sensors to monitor contamination of ground water with trace amounts of radioactive materials.
An integrated scheduler for manufacturing planning and control (INSCH)

Abstract The most basic problem in a manufacturing process is to create valid scheduling system which determines the sequence of jobs to be processed at each of the series of machine centers. An integrated scheduler (INSCH) is developed for small job shop manufacturing systems while considering high machine utilization, low work-in-process, and reduced job lateness. As an and to understand the interaction of live jobs with the shop, sequence scheduler is developed to complement production scheduler such as Gantt bar chart. INSCH can achieve better performance than simple static models as shown in an example. It is desirable for INSCH to be applied to small job shop manufacturing companies using micro personal computer with relevant modifications discussed.
Radar retrieval of subsurface parameters for layered media with nonsmooth interfaces

The solution to the inverse problem for a three-layer medium representing a large class of natural subsurface structures is developed in this paper using radar data. The retrieval of the layered medium parameters is accomplished as a sequential nonlinear optimization starting from the top layer and progressively characterizing the layers below. The optimization process is accomplished by an efficient iterative technique built around the solution of the forward scattering problem. The forward scattering process is formulated by using the Extended Boundary Condition Method (EBCM) and constructing reflection and transmission matrices for each interface. These matrices are then combined into the generalized scattering matrix for the entire system, from which radar scattering coefficients are then computed. To be efficiently utilized in the inverse problem, the forward scattering model is simulated over a wide range of unknowns to obtain a complete set of subspace-based equivalent closed form models that relate radar cross section coefficients to the sought-for parameters including dielectric constants of each layer and separation of the layers. The inversion algorithm is implemented as a modified conjugate-gradient-based nonlinear optimization. It is assumed that multifrequency radar measurements are available from tower-mounted or airborne platforms, for example at typical radar frequencies of L-band and P-band (UHF). It is shown that this technique results in accurate retrieval of surface and subsurface parameters, even in the presence of noise.
Comparison of long-term mortality across the spectrum of acute coronary syndromes.

Background Data are sparse regarding comparative long-term mortality across the spectrum of patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Methods We identified all patients hospitalized with suspected myocardial ischemia in an urban academic hospital from 1991 to 1992. We compared presenting characteristics, treatment, and long-term mortality between patients with unstable angina (UA), minor myocardial damage (MMD), definite non–ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and STEMI. Results Of 760 patients (mean age 68 years, 35% women), 22% had UA, 35% had MMD, 26% had NSTEMI, and 17% had STEMI. During a mean follow-up of 9.5 years, unadjusted mortality was highest in patients with MMD and NSTEMI (mortality for UA 43%, MMD 68%, NSTEMI 62%, STEMI 44%; P Conclusions Patients presenting with MMD and definite NSTEMI had a worse unadjusted long-term prognosis up to 10 years after index hospitalization than patients with STEMI. This mortality excess for MMD/NSTEMI was associated with more comorbid conditions and decreased use of basic therapies for ACS. After controlling for baseline differences, STEMI patients had the highest mortality.
Evaluating consumer product hazards

A regression analysis is described which correlates the hazard level of a group of consumer products according to several definitions of hazard with potentially dangerous characteristics of products and their use. A surprisingly good fit to the data is observed and various observations are drawn from the analysis, among them that “open flames” are characteristic of high injury potential, but “flammability” is not. Hypotheses and open questions concerning the human factors of product safety and government intervention in the marketplace as a regulator of product safety are discussed.
Relationship between petrographic and chemical properties and coal seam geometry, Hance seam, breathitt formation, southeastern Kentucky

The Upper Hance coal seam in southeastern Kentucy was used as a template to examine the spatial distribution of ash yield, sulfur content and petrographic constituents relative to the geometry of the deposit. Geometric characteristics include thinning and splitting of the two main benches, leaders and riders. Analytical data showed the thick, non-split portions of the coal body to be low in ash and sulfur as well as vitrinite content, whereas the thinned and split margins were higher in ash, sulfur and vitrinite content. These relationships suggest that thick non-split portions of the Upper Hance peat accumulated in areas isolated from detrital influx while thinner marginal peat was subject to intermittent flooding from adjacent channels. Marginal peat was derived from larger trees which flourished at the mire's edge in the presence of adequate nutrients, whereas only stunted vegetation, subsisting in the nutrient-depleted center, contributed to interior peat accumulation. Ponds formed on the sparsely vegetated mature surface of the bog's interior. The petrographic and chemical character of the Hance coal body is analogous to ombrogenous (domed) peats which characteristically contain higher concentrations of inorganics at the periphery of the deposit.
Regulation of the Nijmegen breakage syndrome 1 gene NBS1 by c-myc, p53 and coactivators mediates estrogen protection from DNA damage in breast cancer cells

Abstract. In mammalian cells more than 90% of double-strand breaks are repaired by NHEJ. Impairment of this pathway is associated with cell cycle arrest, cell death, genomic instability and cancer. Human diseases such as Nijmegen breakage syndrome, due to mutations in the NBS1 gene, produce defects in resection of double-strand breaks. NBS1 hypomorphic mutant mice are viable, and cells from these mice are defective in S phase and G2/M checkpoints. NBS1 polymorphisms have been associated with increased risk of breast cancer. We previously demonstrated that estradiol protected estrogen receptor (ER)-positive (+) breast cancer cell lines against double-strand breaks and cell death. We now demonstrate that protection from double-strand break damage in ER + cells is mediated via regulation by c-myc, p53, CBP and SRC1 coactivators in intron 1 of the NBS1 gene. We concluded that NBS1 is responsible for estradiol-mediated protection from double-strand breaks in ER + breast cancer cells. Introduction
Referring Culturally Different Children: Sociocultural Considerations

When culturally different children are referred for suspected emotional/behavioral disorders, their native cultural customs and beliefs must be considered.
The Near-Surface Circulation of the Eastern North Pacific

Abstract A description of the near-surface circulation of the eastern North Pacific during 1976–77 is given. The data for the study are obtained from 23 satellite (Nimbus 6) tracked drifters. The large-scale description obtained from the drifter trajectories is in good agreement with the mean annual dynamic topography. In the interior there is eastward zonal flow with a pronounced northward meander centered around 140°W. It is speculated that the meander, which is also seen in the mean annual dynamic topography, is an occasional feature closely connected with large-scale fluctuations of the surface wind. The trajectories define the eastern portion of the subarctic and subtropical gyres and the split between these gyres which occurs at about 50°N. In addition to these large-scale features, the trajectories show ubiquitous mesoscale activity. However, the mesoscale velocity field is not as strong as that reported for the western Atlantic or western Pacific. Separation statistics for the drifters indicate th...
Kinetics of peptide hydrolysis and amino acid decomposition at high temperature

Abstract Dipeptide hydrolysis and amino acid decomposition appear to follow a first-order rate law. The hydrolysis rate increases exponentially with increasing temperature in aqueous solution at both 265 atm and water steam pressures over the temperature range of 100 to 220°C. Dipeptide hydrolysis has a lower apparent activation energy at 265 atm (44.1 KJ/mol) than at water steam pressure (98.9 KJ/ mol). At lower temperatures ( 200–220°C), however, peptide bond hydrolysis is slower at 265 atm than at water steam pressure. In aqueous solution, amino acid decomposition rates also increase exponentially with increasing temperature. Amino acid decomposition rates are much higher at 265 atm than at water steam pressure over the entire temperature range investigated.
Reduction of friction during wire drawing by electrode control

In wire drawing, the wire is drawn through a series of dies sprayed with or immersed in an emulsion lubricant. The surface conditions of the wire play a vital part in the mechanism of lubrication, and the conditions can be affected by electrochemical parameters.
An Analysis of Cavitated Wave Journal Bearings

A numerical investigation of the two dimensional flow in cavitated wave journal bearings is presented in this paper. An algorithm based on an upwind differencing scheme combined with a Rosenbrock integrator was used to simulate bearing cavitation. The algorithm, which conserves mass throughout the bearing, automatically implements JFO boundary conditions at rupture and at reformation. The numerical predictions are compared with numerical results obtained with other algorithms.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
A comparison of iterative algorithms and a mixed approach for in-line X-ray phase retrieval

Previous studies have shown that iterative in-line x-ray phase retrieval algorithms may have higher precision than direct retrieval algorithms. This communication compares three iterative phase retrieval algorithms in terms of accuracy and efficiency using computer simulations. We found the Fourier transformation based algorithm (FT) is of the fastest convergence, while the Poisson-solver based algorithm (PS) has higher precision. The traditional Gerchberg-Saxton algorithm (GS) is very slow and sometimes does not converge in our tests. Then a mixed FT-PS algorithm is presented to achieve both high efficiency and high accuracy. The mixed algorithm is tested using simulated images with different noise level and experimentally obtained images of a piece of chicken breast muscle.
Human Microbiome and HIV/AIDS

Understanding of the human microbiome continues to grow rapidly; however, reports on changes in the microbiome after HIV infection are still limited. This review surveys the progress made in methodology associated with microbiome studies and highlights the remaining challenges to this field. Studies have shown that commensal oral, gut, vaginal, and penile bacteria are vital to the health of the human immune system. Our studies on crosstalk among oral and gastrointestinal soluble innate factors, HIV, and microbes indicated that the oral and gut microbiome was altered in the HIV-positive samples compared to the negative controls. The importance of understanding the bacterial component of HIV/AIDS, and likelihood of “crosstalk” between viral and bacterial pathogens, will help in understanding the role of the microbiome in HIV-infected individuals and facilitate identification of novel antiretroviral factors for use as novel diagnostics, microbicides, or therapeutics against HIV infection.
In vitro and in vivo percutaneous absorption of retinol from cosmetic formulations: Significance of the skin reservoir and prediction of systemic absorption

Abstract The percutaneous absorption of retinol (Vitamin A) from cosmetic formulations was studied to predict systemic absorption and to understand the significance of the skin reservoir in in vitro absorption studies. Viable skin from fuzzy rat or human subjects was assembled in flow-through diffusion cells for in vitro absorption studies. In vivo absorption studies using fuzzy rats were performed in glass metabolism cages for collection of urine, feces, and body content. Retinol (0.3%) formulations (hydroalcoholic gel and oil-in-water emulsion) containing 3 H-retinol were applied and absorption was measured at 24 or 72 h. All percentages reported are % of applied dose. In vitro studies using human skin and the gel and emulsion vehicles found 0.3 and 1.3% retinol, respectively, in receptor fluid at 24 h. Levels of absorption in the receptor fluid increased over 72 h with the gel and emulsion vehicles. Using the gel vehicle, in vitro rat skin studies found 23% in skin and 6% in receptor fluid at 24 h, while 72-h studies found 18% in skin and 13% in receptor fluid. Thus, significant amounts of retinol remained in rat skin at 24 h and decreased over 72 h, with proportional increases in receptor fluid. In vivo rat studies with the gel found 4% systemic absorption of retinol after 24 h and systemic absorption did not increase at 72 h. Retinol remaining in rat skin after in vivo application was 18% and 13% of the applied dermal dose after 24 and 72 h, respectively. Similar observations were made with the oil-in water emulsion vehicle in the rat. Retinol formed a reservoir in rat skin both in vivo and in vitro . Little additional retinol was bioavailable after 24 h. Comparison of these in vitro and in vivo results for absorption through rat skin indicates that the 24-h in vitro receptor fluid value accurately estimated 24-h in vivo systemic absorption. Therefore, the best single estimate of retinol systemic absorption from in vitro human skin studies is the 24-h receptor fluid value. However, the receptor fluid value from the 72-h extended study may be used in a worst-case exposure estimate. In conclusion, in vivo skin absorption studies can be useful in determining whether to include material in the in vitro skin reservoir as absorbable material in estimates of systemic absorption.