cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Specific Heat of Mg 11 B 2 : Evidence for a Second Energy Gap

Measurements of the specific heat of ${\mathrm{Mg}}^{11}{\mathrm{B}}_{2}$ from 1 to 50 K, in magnetic fields to 9 T, give the Debye temperature, $\ensuremath{\Theta}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}1050\mathrm{K}$, the coefficient of the normal-state electron contribution, ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{n}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}2.6\mathrm{mJ}{\mathrm{mol}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}{\mathrm{K}}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$, and a discontinuity in the zero-field specific heat of $133\mathrm{mJ}{\mathrm{mol}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}{\mathrm{K}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ at ${T}_{c}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}38.7\mathrm{K}$. The estimated value of the electron-phonon coupling parameter, $\ensuremath{\lambda}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}0.62$, could account for the observed ${T}_{c}$ only if the important phonon frequencies are unusually high relative to $\ensuremath{\Theta}$. At low $T$, there is a strongly field-dependent feature that suggests the existence of a second energy gap, about 4 times smaller than the major gap.
Mechanisms for spontaneous changes in QRS morphology sometimes resembling torsades de pointes during reentrant ventricular tachycardia in a canine infarct model.

Changing QRS During Ventricular Tachycardia.Introduction: Spontaneous changes in QRS morphology during sustained reentrant ventricular tachycardia, occurring gradually or abruptly, causing the tachycardia to be polymorphic, have been described in clinical cases. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanism for such changes in a canine infarct model. Methods and Results: Reentrant circuits were mapped in the epicardial border zone during sustained ventricular tachycardia in the canine heart, 4 days after left anterior descending coronary occlusion. In 10 tachycardias, there was either an abrupt change in QRS morphology or a gradual change that took up to 25 cycles. When the latter occurred, the ECG resembled torsades de pointes. Maps showed that the predominant mechanism for the change in QRS was a shift in the exit route by which the impulse left the reentrant circuit to activate the ventricles (9/10 tachycardias). Such shifts resulted from small changes in conduction velocity in segments of the circuit, either speeding or slowing, which modified the length of the functional lines of block. Movement of the circuit to a different region was responsible for the change in QRS in only one of these experiments, in which the reentrant mechanism also changed from functional to anatomic. Conclusion: Subtle changes in conduction in reentrant circuits can alter QRS morphology. Changes in the exit route from a stable reentrant circuit can cause the ECG characteristics to resemble torsades de pointes.
DIADES-a high level synthesis system

The DIADES design automation system is presented. DIADES performs system- and high-level synthesis of digital systems, as well as logic synthesis. It synthesizes a structural hardware description. The need for advances in synthesis and some basic design methodologies are discussed. An overview of DIADES is given with brief explanations of the various parts of the system. The authors discuss the behavior description language and emphasize its ability to describe different kinds of parallelism and to describe digital systems on different levels. Some results are given for a short example with two types of parallelism. >
Characterization of silicon-based molecular resonant tunneling diodes with scanning tunneling microscopy

In recent years, substantial progress has been made in the emerging field of molecular electronics. In particular, metal-molecule-metal junctions have been widely studied. In this paper, charge transport through molecule-semiconductor junctions is considered. The presence of the energy band gap in semiconductors provides opportunities for resonant tunneling through individual molecules, leading to interesting effects such as negative differential resistance (NDR). Furthermore, by doping the substrate, the majority charge carrier can be tailored, thus allowing asymmetry to be intentionally designed into the current-voltage characteristic. Through judicious choice of the molecular species, the bias voltage of the NDR can also be controlled. By demonstrating these effects on the Si(100) surface, semiconductor-based molecular electronic devices have the potential of being directly interfaced to conventional silicon integrated circuit technology. This paper summarizes recent theoretical and experimental work on silicon-based molecular resonant tunneling diodes.
The journey from autologous typing to SEREX, NY-ESO-1, and cancer/testis antigens.

It was 1980 and I was in my last year of medical school in Taiwan. Frustrated by how limited chemotherapy was at helping the terminally ill cancer patients under my care in the ward, I was fascinated by what tumor immunology might potentially offer, as there was an excitement in the air that the newly developed hybridoma technology would produce the “magic bullets” to cure cancer. This fascination brought me to the Sloan-Kettering Institute (SKI) as a Ph.D. student in the fall of 1981. Having read a review on tumor immunology by Herbert Oettgen, Lloyd Old, and Edward Boyse (1) back in Taiwan and additional papers from Dr. Old’s group, I decided to seek out Dr. Old as my Ph.D. mentor. On one sunny afternoon in December 1981, I timidly strolled into his spacious office on the top floor of the Howard Building—he was the vice president of SKI at that time—and was greeted by his secretary Charlotte outside his room. While I nervously started to explain to her why she should make an appointment for this young Asian student to see her boss, Dr. Old happened to walk out of his room, apparently on his way out. Seizing the opportunity, I briefly introduced myself to him and told him that I was interested in studying tumor immunology. Dr. Old replied with a smile, “Me, too,” and turned his head to tell Charlotte to make an appointment for me to see him. That was my first encounter with Dr. Old, who surprised me that afternoon with his kindness toward a young Taiwanese student, a great character of his that I would observe again and again for the next three decades without fail.
Clinical, pathologic, and immunopathologic features of dermatitis herpetiformis: review of the Mayo Clinic experience.

Background Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is a cutaneous manifestation of gluten sensitivity, occasionally associated with other autoimmune disorders, and reportedly associated with an increased risk of lymphoproliferative disorders. We describe a series of patients with DH, focusing on associated disorders (particularly celiac disease), incidence of lymphoma, histopathology, and sensitivity of direct immunofluorescence (DIF) testing and serologic testing with antiendomysium antibodies for the diagnosis of DH. Methods The medical records of 264 patients with DH diagnosed between 1970 and 1996 were reviewed retrospectively. In addition, the records of six patients evaluated before the advent of DIF testing between 1932 and 1969 were reviewed. Results Established celiac disease was present in 12.6% of patients with DH, autoimmune systemic disorders in 22.2%, malignant neoplasms in 10.4%, sarcoidosis in four patients, and ulcerative colitis in six patients. Lymphoproliferative disorders were found in seven patients. The histopathologic examinations showed a marked predominance of neutrophils in the inflammatory infiltrate. DIF testing was positive in 92.4% of the patients tested. Indirect immunofluorescence assay indicated circulating antiendomysial antibodies in the sera of 40 of the 63 patients tested (63.5%). Conclusions In this large series of patients with DH from a single institution, patients had a low incidence of symptomatic gluten-sensitive enteropathy, low risk of lymphoproliferative disorders, and associations with other systemic autoimmune disorders. The value of DIF testing in the diagnosis of DH was confirmed. The detection of antiendomysial antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence was less sensitive than indicated by other reports.
Characterization of an Extracellular Dipeptidase from Streptococcus gordonii FSS2

PepV, a dipeptidase found in culture fluids of Streptococcus gordonii FSS2, was purified and characterized, and its gene was cloned. PepV is a monomeric metalloenzyme of approximately 55 kDa that preferentially degrades hydrophobic dipeptides. The gene encodes a polypeptide of 467 amino acids, with a theoretical molecular mass of 51,114 Da and a calculated pI of 4.8. The S. gordonii PepV gene is homologous to the PepV gene family from Lactobacillus and Lactococcus spp.
A meta-analysis of the effects of conjugated linoleic acid on fat-free mass in humans.

Treatment of laboratory animals with a 50:50 mixture of c9,t11 and t10,c12 conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) re- sults in fat loss and, to a smaller degree, fat-free mass (FFM) gain. In a previous meta-analysis, we found that CLA pro- duced a fat loss, but that humans were not as responsive as mice. We performed a similar meta-analysis in the same 18 studies to test whether CLA increased FFM. Only placebo-controlled trials that measured body composition were in- cluded. We found that FFM increased during CLA treatment (0.3 ± 0.7 kg; p = 0.05), but that the change did not display an effect of length of treatment (0.001 ± 0.005 kgweek -1 ; p = 0.8), or an effect of dosage (0.1 ± 0.1 kgg CLA -1 day -1 ; p = 0.3). We conclude that FFM does increase in humans during CLA treatment, but the onset of the increase is rapid and the total increase is small (<1%).
USDA Updates Nutrient Values for Fast Food Pizza

Consumption of quick service pizza has increased as Americans are spending more on food away from home. Pizza is consistently a primary Key Food in the USDA National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program (NFNAP) because it is a contributor of more than 14 nutrients of public health significance to the U.S. diet. The USDA Nutrient Data Laboratory collected national samples of the two leading fast food pizza chains to monitor and update changes in this popular food. Two brands of pizza - cheese (regular, thick, and thin crust) and pepperoni (regular and thick crust) pizzas were collected in 12 nationwide locations in 2003 and again in 2010. Sample units of pizzas were prepared for analysis of proximates, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids using NFNAP protocols. Analytical samples and quality control materials were analyzed by USDA-qualified laboratories using Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) approved methods. Nutrient data were statistically evaluated (significance set at p<0.05) to compare similar pizzas from different years. Based on these analyses, values for various nutrients changed. For example, both brands of cheese, thin crust pizzas showed a significant increase in sodium (p<0.014). Across all pizza types, brand A pizzas showed a significant increase in iron (p<0.0009-0.036) and potassium (p<0.001-0.013). Total sugars, fiber, cholesterol, and fat values significantly increased or decreased by brand and pizza type. These analyses provide current, accurate, nationally representative data for high consumption foods in the U.S. and are included in the USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference 24 as part of an effort to monitor changes in nutrient profiles for popular foods.
Victims of Intimate Partner Violence More Likely to Report Abuse From In-Laws

The current study of South Asians in the United States was designed to assess quantitatively the association between intimate partner violence (IPV) and emotional abuse by in-laws (n=169) and to qualitatively identify via in-depth interviews with battered women (n=23) forms of abuse perpetrated by in-laws. Quantitative findings demonstrate a significant relationship between IPV and abuse from in-laws (odds ratio=5.7, 95% confidence interval=1.5-21.5). Qualitative data demonstrate that abuse by in-laws includes emotional abuse (e.g., isolation, social and economic control, and domestic servitude), awareness or support of IPV, and direct physical abuse. Domestic violence interventions with South Asian women must consider abuse from in-laws and IPV experiences.
Persistent vertigo and dizziness after mild traumatic brain injury

Vertigo, dizziness, and disequilibrium are common symptoms following concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Dizziness and vertigo may be the result of trauma to the peripheral vestibular system or the central nervous system, or, in some cases, may be due to anxiety, depression, or posttraumatic stress disorder; these mechanisms are not mutually exclusive. While most peripheral vestibular disorders can be identified by testing and examination, those without inner-ear causes that have persisting complaints of dizziness and motion sickness are more difficult to understand and to manage. Some of these patients exhibit features compatible with vestibular migraine and may be treated successfully with migraine-preventative medications. This paper reviews the nonotogenic causes of persisting dizziness, the possible mechanisms, and the pathophysiology, as a framework for patient management and for future research.
Bio-Event Resource Management System (BRMS)

Due to the growing threat of biological weapon use and other bio-events, there is a critical need for bio-defense and bio-response systems. In order to prepare for a bio-event, it is necessary to understand the resources needed for containment and treatment of the biohazard. Further, it needs to be decided where the necessary resources should be positioned in order to best prepare for a bio-event, and how the resources should be moved in order to get them to the affected city or cities as quickly as possible. The bio-event resource management system (BRMS) is meant to be a supplemental component to Mitretek System's already existing bio-event system dynamics model. The current model simulates the effects of a spreading infectious disease on an affected city, but lacks a method for allocating resources. An additional component is necessary to improve the representation of the utilization of resources to aid in the control and treatment of a disease after a bio-event. The proposed component will be used to determine the best way of getting resources to an affected city. In particular, two alternatives are analyzed: an organic supply alternative in which cities are pre-supplied with resources, and a regional depot alternative in which resources are transferred to the affected city from a regional resource warehouse. Due to the many uncertainties concerning the type of bio-event that may occur, a range of disease parameters have been simulated in order to conduct a sensitivity analysis and produce a robust design. This will aid in determining the best overall method of pre-positioning resources. The results of a literature review are also presented. The combined inter-related systems have been simulated and evaluated to provide inputs to the decision process required for bio-event preparation. This paper presents the results of a model to evaluate alternative bio-event resource management system designs
Testosterone and Dihydrotestosterone Tissue Levels in Recurrent Prostate Cancer

Purpose: Prostate cancer eventually recurs during androgen deprivation therapy despite castrate levels of serum androgens. Expression of androgen receptor and androgen receptor–regulated proteins suggests androgen receptor activation in recurrent prostate cancer. Many groups have pursued mechanisms of ligand-independent androgen receptor activation but we found high levels of testicular androgens in recurrent prostate cancer tissue using RIA. Experimental Designs: Prostate specimens from 36 men were procured preserving blood flow to prevent ischemia and cyropreserved immediately. Recurrent prostate cancer specimens from 18 men whose cancer recurred locally during androgen deprivation therapy and androgen-stimulated benign prostate specimens from 18 men receiving no hormonal treatments were studied. Tissue levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone were measured in each specimen using liquid chromatography/electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone levels were compared with clinical variables and treatment received. Results: Testosterone levels were similar in recurrent prostate cancer (3.75 pmol/g tissue) and androgen-stimulated benign prostate (2.75 pmol/g tissue, Wilcoxon two-sided, P = 0.30). Dihydrotestosterone levels decreased 91% in recurrent prostate cancer (1.25 pmol/g tissue) compared with androgen-stimulated benign prostate (13.7 pmol/g tissue; Wilcoxon two-sided, P P > 0.2). Conclusions: Recurrent prostate cancer may develop the capacity to biosynthesize testicular androgens from adrenal androgens or cholesterol. This surprising finding suggests intracrine production of dihydrotestosterone and should be exploited for novel treatment of recurrent prostate cancer.
Preparing residents for future practice: report of a curriculum for electronic patient–doctor communication

Objectives Patients frequently use secure web portals to access their medical record and communicate with their doctors, though few institutions currently train residents for electronic communication. We sought to develop a curriculum for secure messaging between patients and resident physicians, and to assess resident attitudes before and after the curriculum. Methods In 2011, we developed a curriculum for patient–doctor secure messaging using a web-based patient portal within an internal medicine residency programme. We asked all residents to perform a self-assessment of skills, and report attitudes toward electronic communication at the beginning and end of the experience (9 months apart). We enrolled residents who practiced at the hospital-based clinic site into the patient portal, and recorded usage statistics. Results The completed survey response rate was 108/159 (68%). At baseline, 57% of residents had used traditional email with patients, and most residents felt that the portal would increase work for providers but benefit patients. Postintervention questionnaires demonstrated no significant changes among all respondents, but residents who used the portal perceived improvements in care. Most residents were concerned about professional liability. More residents felt comfortable writing electronic messages to patients after the curriculum (80% to 91%, p=0.01). Conclusions Implementing a patient web portal and secure messaging in a residency clinic is feasible and may improve the work and educational experience of trainees. Residents were initially sceptical of secure messaging being an additional burden to their work, but this was not realised among residents who used the portal.
Maintenance of Androgen Receptor Inactivation by S-nitrosylation

Anti-androgens target ligand binding domain of AR and are used as frontline therapeutics to treat patients diagnosed with locally advanced and metastatic prostate cancer. Although initially beneficial as judged with actual tumor mass shrinkage, this therapy invariably fails and the cancer reappears as castration-resistant disease. Here we report that increased intracellular nitric oxide levels leads to growth inhibition of both androgen-dependent and castration-resistant prostate tumors through a mechanism that involves AR function inactivation by S-nitrosylation of a single C601 residue present in the DNA binding domain. AR S-nitrosylation does not impact its subcellular distribution but attenuates its ability to bind AR responsive elements in promoter region of target genes. Mechanistically, AR is transnitrosylated by its partner HSP90 protein. Ubiquitous small molecule nitric oxide donors promote the AR S-nitrosylation and inhibit growth of castration-resistant prostate tumors. These findings reveal a new mechanism of regulating AR function and suggest that sequential targeting of distinct domains of AR may extend therapeutic efficacy for patients with advanced prostate cancer.
Analysis of four‐dimensional variational state estimation of the Hawaiian waters

[1] In this study, we evaluate results from an incremental strong constraint four-dimensional variational data assimilation (IS4D-Var) experiment applied to the circulation around the Hawaiian Islands using the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS). Assimilated observations include (1) satellite-derived high-resolution swath radiometer sea surface temperatures (SST) and along-track altimetric sea surface heights (SSH) and (2) in situ temperature and salinity profiles from Argo floats, autonomous Seagliders, and shipboard conductivity-temperature-depth. Two assimilation configurations are compared: adjusting initial conditions versus adjusting both initial conditions along with atmospheric forcing. In the latter case, we compare two separate forcing products. For all experiments, we investigate how the assimilation alters the tidal, inertial, and mesoscale variability. Significant improvements in the observation-model fit are found for SST and salinity regardless of assimilation configuration or atmospheric forcing; however, significant change to the subsurface temperature is made when adjusting only initial conditions. Baroclinic tides are altered during the assimilation because of changes in the density field in regions of strong internal tide generation. Spurious inertial oscillations are found in assimilation circulations that are associated with the IS4D-Var increment when using either SST or SSH observations; however, this increase in the inertial energy had minimal effect on the mesoscale variability.
Monacans and Miners: Native American and Coal Mining Communities in Appalachia.

Monacans and Miners: Native American and Coal Mining Communities in Appalachia. Samuel R. Cook. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2000.329 pp.
Consideration of soil properties in assessment of human health risk from exposure to arsenic-enriched soils

Encroachment of residential development on agricultural lands in the United States where arsenical pesticides were extensively used prior to the 1990s has increased the potential for human exposure to arsenic (As), a group A carcinogen. Soil ingestion by children is a critical issue in assessing health risks from exposure to As-enriched soils. In the absence of a universal “soil model” on As bioavailability, many baseline risk assessment studies use the assumption that all (100%) As present in soil is bioavailable. However, As exists in many geochemical forms as dictated by soil chemical properties. Because As bioavailability is a function of soil speciation, using total soil arsenic values potentially overestimates human health risk, thereby increasing site cleanup expenses. A laboratory incubation study was conducted to estimate in vitro As bioavailability as a function of soil properties in four chemically variant soil types contaminated with sodium arsenite pesticide. Results demonstrate that As speciation in certain soils translates to significant lowering of As bioavailability and hence potential cancer risk.
Notes on Topography, Climate, and Vegetation of Madagascar

The brief notes presented here are not meant to be exhaustive, but rather to provide some information on the topography, climate, and vegetation of Madagascar pertinent to various aspects of the ecology and distribution of the lemurs. More complete discussions may be found in the sources listed at the end of this chapter.
Do Black Lives Matter to “God”?

In this article the author examines the question “do Black lives matter to ‘God’” in light of recent events pertinent to the “Black Lives Matter” movement in the United States. Sharing his general approach to the question, the author then discusses the insights of Black, North American theologian James Cone and Congolese theologian Ka Mana. Finally, he offers his conclusions in light of recent police killings of African American males in the US.
Linear and Logistic Regression

This chapter covers linear and logistic regression modeling. The two primary functions used in this chapter are lm() and glm(). Functions that support lm() and glm() are also covered, such as summary() to print out model summary statistics and anova() to compare nested linear models.
Computational Thinking Concepts for Grade School.

Early education has classically introduced reading, writing, and mathematics. Recent literature discusses the importance of adding “computational thinking” as a core ability that every child must learn. The goal is to develop students by making them equally comfortable with computational thinking as they are with other core areas of early education. Computational thinking does not come naturally and requires training and guidance. This paper argues for the inclusion of computational thinking in tandem with mathematics. As an example, the paper demonstrates spreadsheet applications that can be utilized concurrently with early mathematical concepts. It demonstrates that at this time, spreadsheets are the best medium for inculcating computational thinking but recognizes that advances in technology may favor other digital approaches in time.
Exploring Positive Psychological Capital in Nonprofit Human Service Organizations

ABSTRACTThis study is the first to examine the use of the construct positive psychological capital (PsyCap) with employees in nonprofit organizations (NPOs). Previously PsyCap has only been tested among private sector employees. The purpose of this exploratory survey design study (N = 177) is to (1) test reliability of a PsyCap instrument with nonprofit employees and (2) better understand the relationship between PsyCap and nonwork-related–quality-of-life factors. Findings indicate that PsyCap is a reliable measure for use with NPO employees, similar to use within the private sector. Further, greater quality-of-life predicts higher levels of PsyCap. Implications for policy-practice are offered.
DEVONIAN AMPHIBIANS: DID THEY EXCRETE CARBON DIOXIDE VIA SKIN, GILLS, OR LUNGS?

An unresolved problem of vertebrate evolution concerns the means by which Devonian amphibians ancestral to the Reptilia excreted the carbon dioxide produced in intermediary metabolism. One school of thought is that a moist integument in these ancient tetrapods was the primary avenue for escape of carbon dioxide (Howell, 1970; Hughes, 1966, 1967; Rahn, 1967; Thomson, 1969); a second school holds that internal gills, which presumably persisted in Devonian amphibians, were the site of carbon dioxide exchange (Romer, 1972a); a third school maintains that the lungs accommodated both the uptake of oxygen and the elimination of carbon dioxide, and that a high rate of pulmonary ventilation prevented the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the body fluids (Gans, 1970a, b); and yet a fourth school contends that the lungs were the primary site for carbon dioxide exchange, but that early amphibians had already acquired a tolerance for high carbon dioxide tensions in arterial blood, thus enabling them to accomplish carbon dioxide exchange without high rates of pulmonary ventilation (see Garey and Rahn, 1970; Johansen, 1971: 595; McMahon, 1970). Each of the first three theories (but not the fourth) has been clearly formulated, and each has won support within the scientific community. Nonetheless, these first three theories can all be criticized on theoretical grounds, and none of the three receives strong support from the large body of physiologic information available for several contemporary fishes which seem to be in transition from water breathing to air breathing. My objectives are to summarize the major objections to each of the first three theories concerning the mode of excretion of carbon dioxide used by Devonian amphibians, and then to offer some very rough calculations in support of the fourth theory-calculations which indicate that a relatively low rate of pulmonary ventilation in these early tetrapods would have been sufficient to eliminate carbon dioxide via the lungs without concomitant acidosis.
VARIATION AND EVOLUTION OF THE PUSH-UP DISPLAYS OF THE SIDE-BLOTCHED LIZARD GENUS UTA (IGUANIDAE)

Ferguson, G. W. (Div. Biology, Kansas State U., Manhattan 66502), 1970. Variation and eivolution of the push-up displays of the side-blotched lizard Genus Uta (Iguanidae). Syst. Zool., 19:79-101.-Push-up displays vary among several populations of the lizard genus Uta and allow new interpretations of the systematics and evolutionary history of the genus. Variation in the displays can be divided into seven geographic zones of push-up similarity; taxonomic recognition of the display variation may require revision of the infraspecific taxonomy of Uta stansburiana. The push-up display characteristic of Uta palmeri is probably primitive to that of other populations; probable evolutionary trends in the modification of the display are discussed. Some of these modifications probably have evolved within the last 12,000 years, and some may have resulted from hybridization or introgression between Uta populations. The push-up display is probably a communicative signal and is performed during intraspecific aggression and mating. Selective or other factors possibly regulating intrapopulation stereotypy and interpopulation divergence of the display are discussed. [Behavior; display; geographic variation; phylogeny; Uta].
Oxidatively Triggered Carbon–Carbon Bond Formation in Ene-amide Complexes

Ene-amides have been explored as ligands and substrates for oxidative coupling. Treatment of CrCl2, Cl2Fe(PMe3)2, and Cl2Copy4 with 2 equiv of {(2,6-iPr2C6H3)(1-cHexenyl)N}Li afforded pseudosquare planar {η3-C,C,N-(2,6-iPr2C6H3)(1-cHexenyl)N}2Cr (1-Cr, 78%), trigonal {(2,6-iPr2C6H3)(1-cHexenyl)N}2Fe(PMe3) (2-Fe, 80%), and tetrahedral {(2,6-iPr2C6H3)(1-cHexenyl)N}2Co(py)2 (3-Co, 91%) in very good yields. The addition of CrCl3 to 1-Cr, and FeCl3 to 2-Fe, afforded oxidatively triggered C–C bond formation as rac-2,2′-di(2,6-iPr2C6H3N═)2dicyclohexane (EA2) was produced in modest yields. Various lithium ene-amides were similarly coupled, and the mechanism was assessed via stoichiometric reactions. Some ferrous compounds (e.g., 2-Fe, FeCl2) were shown to catalyze C-arylation of {(2,6-iPr2C6H3)(1-cHexenyl)N}Li with PhBr, but the reaction was variable. Structural characterizations of 1-Cr, 2-Fe, and 3-Co are reported.
Electromigration in Cu/W Structure

Mass transport by electromigration in sputtered Cu line segments on a continuous W line has been measured using the drift velocity technique at temperatures from 166 to 396 °C. The Ta/Cu/Ta line segments are patterned by dry etching techniques. Cu mass depletion (voids) at the cathode end and accumulation (hillocks) at the anode were measured as a function of time from scanning electron microscope micrographs. The edge displacement of Cu was found to increase linearly with time. The activation energy for Cu electromigration drift velocity, which relates to the product of effective charge number and diffusivity, Z*D, is found to be 0.6 eV.
Evaluation of biometric implementers to investigate a viable return on security investment technique

Within an enterprise-level organization's IT system, ultimately upper-level management approves of new investments and technologies that are to be deployed or tested. One of the key factors that management takes into account is what the overall effect is on the bottom line, or the return on investment. There are various techniques that organizations use to determine this factor; however the process has not been standardized. The term ROSI (Return on Security Investment) was developed a couple of years ago, with exceptional contributions from University of Idaho (using Network Intrusion Detection Systems) and Stanford, MIT, @Stake (developing Secure Software Engineering). The term did strike interest within a variety of different sources. However, the solution of an ample return on security investment is still being asked today. There are multiple technologies that allow an organization to secure their IT system. Biometric security is one of the technologies however; it has been a hard technology to adopt based upon a variety of factors including cost to implement, lack of standards, and lack of large scale published deployments. According to Ernst and Young's 2003 Global Information Security Survey that had responses from over 1,400 organizations, "nearly 60% or organizations say they rarely or never calculate ROI for information security spending."
An Analysis of Causes of Schisms in Ethnic Churches: The Case of Korean-American Churches

to more than 1600 by the end of 1985. Conflicts and schism have accompanied this multiplication of churches. Using detailed case histories of 42 Korean-American churches selected from five different metropolitan areas, this paper attempts to identify the cause of schisms in Korean-American churches. Pastors with high quality professional training seem to be able to reduce strife and conflict in their churches. They often do so by organizing education programs for lay leaders which establish a strong "master-pupil" relationship between the pastor and his/her lay leaders. Formal affiliation with an American denomination such as the Presbyterian Church (US.A.), United Methodist Church, and the like, also appears to deter schisms in the churches. In contrast, competition for lay leadership positions has often developed into fierce factional struggles within the congregation and has led to church schisms.
Fodrin and band 4.1 in a plasma membrane-associated fraction of human neutrophils

Erythrocytes possess a well-characterized submembranous filamentous network which interacts with transmembrane glycoproteins and is composed primarily of spectrin, ankyrin, band 4.1, and short actin filaments. An analogous structure was recently described in platelets. Human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) were examined for the presence and plasma membrane association of similar proteins. Isolated PMNs, free of contamination with erythrocytes or platelets, were disrupted by nitrogen cavitation and separated into subcellular organelles on a discontinuous Percoll gradient. Detergent lysates of plasma membrane vesicles, but not azurophilic or specific granules, contained insoluble actin filaments and associated proteins. Immunoblots of detergent-insoluble plasma membrane fractions contained proteins recognized by antibodies to brain fodrin and erythrocyte band 4.1, whereas blots probed with antibodies to erythrocyte spectrin and ankyrin were negative. Fodrin and band 4.1 were not detected in granule fractions, but some fodrin was present in the cytosol. The association of proteins related to fodrin and band 4.1 with the plasma membrane suggests that PMNs contain a submembranous skeleton structurally analogous to that of erythrocytes and platelets. The specific function of these proteins and their structural organization in human PMNs await further study.
Cognitive Things in an Organization

Consider a consulting organization, which sets up a project team at client locations. The team may work for a couple of months. During that time they find out: What are the organizational functions supported by Cognitive Things? How do Cognitive Things support Smarter Operations? Could the Cognitive Things transform engineering function? How do Cognitive Things support Contextual Marketing? Could the Cogntive Things accelerate smarter care? How do Cognitive Things detect and control theft and fraud?
Predator-Prey Dynamics with Intraspecific Competition and an Allee Effect in the Predator Population

The study of the Allee effect on the stability of equilibria of predator-prey systems is of recent interest to mathematicians, ecologists, and conservationists. Many theoretical models that include the Allee effect result in an unstable coexistence equilibrium. However, empirical evidence suggests that predator–prey systems exhibiting density-dependent growth at small population densities still can achieve coexistence in the long term. We review an often cited model that incorporates an Allee effect in the predator population resulting in an unstable coexistence equilibrium, and then present a novel extension to this model which includes a term modeling intraspecific competition within the predator population. The additional term penalizes predator population growth for large predator to prey density ratios. We use equilibrium analysis to define the regions in the parameter space where the coexistence equilibrium is stable, and show that there exist biologically reasonable parameter sets which produce a s...
Laryngospasm, central and obstructive apnea during seizures: Defining pathophysiology for sudden death in a rat model.

Abstract Seizure spread into the autonomic nervous system can result in life-threatening cardiovascular and respiratory dysfunction. Here we report on a less-studied consequence of such autonomic derangements—the possibility of laryngospasm and upper-airway occlusion. We used parenteral kainic acid to induce recurring seizures in urethane-anesthetized Sprague Dawley rats. EEG recordings and combinations of cardiopulmonary monitoring, including video laryngoscopy, were performed during multi-unit recordings of recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) activity or head-out plethysmography with or without endotracheal intubation. Controlled occlusions of a tracheal tube were used to study the kinetics of cardiac and respiratory changes after sudden obstruction. Seizure activity caused significant firing increases in the RLN that were associated with abnormal, high-frequency movements of the vocal folds. Partial airway obstruction from laryngospasm was evident in plethysmograms and was prevented by intubation. Complete glottic closure (confirmed by laryngoscopy) occurred in a subset of non-intubated animals in association with the largest increases in RLN activity, and cessation of airflow was followed in all obstructed animals within tens of seconds by ST-segment elevation, bradycardia, and death. Periods of central apnea occurred in both intubated and non-intubated rats during seizures for periods up to 33s and were associated with modestly increased RLN activity, minimal cardiac derangements, and an open airway on laryngoscopy. In controlled complete airway occlusions, respiratory effort to inspire progressively increased, then ceased, usually in less than 1min. Respiratory arrest was associated with left ventricular dilatation and eventual asystole, an elevation of systemic blood pressure, and complete glottic closure. Severe laryngospasm contributed to the seizure- and hypoxemia-induced conditions that resulted in sudden death in our rat model, and we suggest that this mechanism could contribute to sudden death in epilepsy.
Safety Lessons from the NIH Clinical Center

The recent crisis at the NIH Clinical Center demonstrates how easy it is for safety to slip out of view. It reminds us that all health care organizations require a culture of safety, appropriate oversight and expertise, and key safety systems and structures.
Adaptive non-backstepping neural control for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems with unknown time-delay

This paper deals with an adaptive robust tracking control using a multilayer neural network (NN) for a class of nonlinear dynamic systems with unknown time varying state delays. Typical adaptive NN backstepping controllers for uncertain nonlinear systems with time-delay give rise to computation complexity caused by the the repeated derivatives of virtual controllers and nonlinear functions. Moreover, the combined techniques usually result in only uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB) stability caused by the inherent NN approximation error. This paper presents a control scheme that uses an integral sliding mode control as a feedback term and an adaptive neural controller as a feedforward term based on the desired compensation adaptive law (DCAL) technique. First, we develop a new DCAL formulation which avoids the explosion of complexity caused by the general NN backstepping scheme to compensate for nonlinear system uncertainties, bounded system disturbances, and unknown state time delays. Then, using a Lyapunov-Krasovskii (LK) functional, it is shown that the proposed controller renders the class of uncertain nonlinear time-delay systems asymptotically stable.
Alemtuzumab/Low Dose Radiation Conditioning Regimen in Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Adult Patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD)

Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) can cure SCD but chemotherapy-based conditioning regimens are associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly in adult patients. A chemotherapy-free, non-myeloablative HSCT with alemtuzumab 1mg/kg divided over 5 days followed by total body irradiation (TBI) 300cGy was recently developed at the National Institute of Health and obtained stable mixed chimerism and clinical cure in 90% of SCD patients receiving an HLA and ABO-matched, related HSCT. The same study was replicated in high risk SCD adult patients at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Thirteen patients aged 17 - 40 years were transplanted between November 2011 and June 2014. Indications included ≥3 vaso-occlusive crises (VOC) per year (n=7), stroke (n=4) and >1 episode of acute chest syndrome (ACS) requiring intensive care (n=2). Unmanipulated, G-CSF mobilized peripheral blood cells were collected from HLA-matched, related donors (MRD) with Hb AS (n=4) or Hb AA (n=9). Four patients had red blood cell (RBC) alloimmunization and 2/13 patients received a graft with major ABO incompatibility. The median number of CD34+ cells infused was 8.1 x 106 cells/kg. Of 13 patients, 10 had severe neutropenia for a median duration of 5 days (range: 1 - 14) and 3 patients had a platelet count < 50 x109/L requiring a platelet transfusion. All patients engrafted and are alive with a median follow-up of 337 days (range: 53 – 986). Cytokine levels involved in T-cell regulation (IL-5, IL-10, and IL-13) increased post-alemtuzumab compared to pre-HSCT levels while no differences were observed in IL-2, IL-4, IL-12 or TNF-α. One secondary graft failure occurred in a patient not compliant with sirolimus and no acute or chronic GVHD has been observed. The median donor chimerism at 1 and 6 months was 96% (range: 63 – 98%) and 84% (range: 41 – 96%), respectively, in blood mononuclear cells; and 48% (range: 20 – 97%) and 25% (range: 20 – 48%), respectively, in CD3+ T cells ([Figure 1][1]a). Median hemoglobin concentration increased from 8.4 g/dL (range: 6.6 – 12.4 g/dL) to 12.9 g/dL (range: 11.0 – 16.8 g/dL) and the median reticulocyte percentage decreased from 12.1% (range: 4.8 – 19.6%) to 1.9% (range: 1.3 – 6.2%). Changes in hemoglobin fractionation in HSCT recipients from Hb AA donors are shown in [Figure 1][1]b. No episodes of ACS or stroke have been observed following hospital discharge after HSCT. Two patients have been tapered off of sirolimus with stable chimerisms, laboratory values, and no repeat episodes of SCD-related complications. Non-myeloablative HSCT from MRD with alemtuzumab and TBI in SCD adult patients provides a clinical cure in the majority of patients with low toxicity and no transplant-related mortality. ![Figure 1][2] Figure 1 Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare. [1]: #F1 [2]: pending:yes
Project-based, collaborative, algorithmic robotics for high school students: Programming self-driving race cars at MIT

We describe the pedagogy behind the MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute Robotics Program, a new high-school STEM program in robotics. The program utilizes state-of-the-art sensors and embedded computers for mobile robotics. These components are carried on an exciting 1/10-scale race-car platform. The program has three salient, distinguishing features: (i) it focuses on robotics software systems: the students design and build robotics software towards real-world applications, without being distracted by hardware issues; (ii) it champions project-based learning: the students learn through weekly project assignments and a final course challenge; (iii) the learning is implemented in a collaborative fashion: the students learn the basics of collaboration and technical communication in lectures, and they work in teams to design and implement their software systems. The program was offered as a four-week residential program at MIT in the summer of 2016. In this paper, we provide the details of this new program, its teaching objectives, and its results. We also briefly discuss future directions and opportunities.
Metal oxide semiconductor nanomaterial for reductive debromination: Visible light degradation of polybrominated diphenyl ethers by Cu2O@Pd nanostructures

Abstract Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), which have found extensive use as flame-retarding additives to many polymer materials, are now environmentally ubiquitous and persistent pollutants that present potential health risks to humans and wildlife. Herein, we report for the first time the use of metal oxide semiconductor nanostructures for photocatalytic reductive debromination of PBDEs using visible light. Well-defined cubic Cu 2 O crystals, surface-decorated with Pd nanoparticles, were prepared via a hydrothermal approach. The Cu 2 O@Pd demonstrated light-activated tandem photocatalysis, in which Cu 2 O produces H 2 from H 2 O under visible light irradiation; the evolved H 2 is subsequently activated by Pd to achieve the reductive hydrodehalogenation of the PBDE. Cu 2 O@Pd demonstrated effective debromination of 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether (BDE-47), one of the PBDEs of greatest environmental concern, with initial pseudo-first-order rate constant of 0.21 h −1 . It is shown that the reaction proceeds via a reductive mechanism with preferential debromination at the para positions. Reaction rates for various monobromo- and dibromo-congeners were evaluated, confirming that the debromination order of preference is para > meta > > ortho , which is opposite to the order reported for direct photolysis. We conclude that Cu 2 O@Pd is a promising photocatalyst for reductive dehalogenation of halogenated organic compounds.
A Social Media Peer Group for Mothers To Prevent Obesity from Infancy: The Grow2Gether Randomized Trial

Abstract Background: Few studies have addressed obesity prevention among low-income families whose infants are at increased obesity risk. We tested a Facebook peer-group intervention for low-income mothers to foster behaviors promoting healthy infant growth. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, 87 pregnant women (Medicaid insured, BMI ≥25 kg/m2) were randomized to the Grow2Gether intervention or text message appointment reminders. Grow2Gether participants joined a private Facebook group of 9–13 women from 2 months before delivery until infant age 9 months. A psychologist facilitated groups featuring a curriculum of weekly videos addressing feeding, sleep, parenting, and maternal well-being. Feasibility was assessed using the frequency and content of participation, and acceptability using surveys. Maternal beliefs and behaviors and infant growth were assessed at birth, 2, 4, 6, and 9 months. Differences in infant growth between study arms were explored. We conducted intention-to-treat analyses usi...