cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Terrorist Attacks Against Healthcare Facilities: A Review

Healthcare facilities play an essential role in response to terrorist attacks, but they also can be "soft targets" due to their accessibility and limited security. In this review, the authors used the Global Terrorism Database to conduct a search on terrorist attacks directed against hospitals and healthcare facilities between 1970 and 2018. Search terms included "healthcare," "doctor," "nurses," "vaccinators," "clinic," and "hospital," which resulted in 2,322 healthcare-related entries. The dataset was then manually searched for attacks on healthcare facilities, resulting in a total of 901 attacks in 74 different countries. The prevalence of healthcare facility attacks has increased, with 57% (515) occurring after 2001. The most common method of attack was bombing, followed by direct attacks on healthcare infrastructure and armed assaults. Healthcare facilities remain vulnerable to violence, and lessons learned in the aftermath of these incidents can be used to raise awareness about important safety-related concerns within the national response framework. Healthcare and security experts must be aware of the vulnerability of this crucial infrastructure and take active steps to prevent attacks.
Chapter 6 Inhibitors and activators of prostaglandin biosynthesis

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the inhibitors and activators of prostaglandin biosynthesis. Peroxidase cosubstrates, particularly phenolic agents, have been reported to increase the synthesis of prostaglandins in vitro . This activation of cyclooxygenase action generally increases the optimal rate of biosynthesis in vitro several fold, thereby providing larger yields of prostaglandins in the same period. Lipid hydroperoxides serve as essential activators of both of the known purified fatty acid oxygenases: soybean lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase. A wide variety of hydroperoxides can facilitate prostaglandin biosynthesis. The demonstrated effectiveness of the generated intermediate hydroperoxide, PGG, provides an explanation for the rapid initial acceleration noted in some experimental conditions. There are four important components involved in the PGH synthase reaction: enzyme, two substrates, and activator. An agent, which interferes with the availability or functioning of any of these components would necessarily inhibit the oxygenation reaction to some degree. The inhibitors are divided into four types depending on whether they interfere with: enzyme availability, fatty acid availability, oxygen availability, or hydroperoxide availability.
Syntactic and semantic dependence of array-arithmetic sentences, with an application to program verification

We present an algorithm that takes a first-order sentence p in full arithmetic with arrays (with quantification over numbers, and with numerical terms serving as array indices), and builds a test formula that can be used to determine which indices of p's constituent arrays “really” occur. We call this concept syntactic dependence. We show how to use syntactic dependence as a test for semantic dependence, i.e., the true dependence of p on the value of an array element. This is useful in truth-maintenance systems or symbolic execution systems, where a sentence may be true in one state but false in the next. More specifically, if we are given an initial state, a sentence (such as p above) that is true in the initial state, and a list of array elements that may be changing value during a state transition, the algorithm can be used to determine whether p must remain true after the state transition.
The design and fabrication of In/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As Schottky barrier mixer diodes for space based heterodyne receivers

The difficulty in obtaining substantial local oscillator (LO) power at very high frequencies places an upper limit on the frequency range of heterodyne receiver systems. LO power can be reduced by using two diodes in an antiparallel configuration, but this requires the diodes to have low turn-on voltages. The design of an In/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As Schottky barrier mixer diode with a turn-on voltage of less than 0.6 eV is presented here. Properties of the In/sub x/Ga/sub 1-x/As material system which make it attractive for use with high-frequency devices are examined, and the dominant current mechanism for various doping levels and values of x (In mole fraction) is determined. A first-order analysis of the RF performance is presented, followed by a discussion of the fabrication procedure and initial results. >
Coupling Through Space in Organic Chemistry

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 FF Systems 3 NF and PF Systems 4 HF, CF, and CP Systems 5 HH Systems 6 F–F Coupling Through Nonbonded Interactions with an Intervening Orbital 7 Biographical Sketches Related Articles
"Recovering identity:" The work of the grandmothers of Plaza de Mayo

Abstract The Association of the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo formed in 1977 in Argentina to seek the restitution of more than 400 children kidnapped or born in captivity during the 1976–1983 dictatorship. In their multilevel work, the Grandmothers seek collaboration with experts to clarify the legal and political contexts in which these children were stolen, assess the medical and psychological condition of each individual child and her or his families, and verify the genetic filiation. This article describes work which has brought both international attention to the plight of these and many other children, as well as legal and scientific expertise to the service of the Grandmothers efforts. It reflects important relations between politics and science, forging new understandings of ethical issues around questions of paternity, maternity, and the right to one's “identity.” The discussion is situated within an ongoing feminist debate concerning reproductive technologies and parenting in hopes of elucidating some of the difficult questions which confront those working in multicultural, international, and interdisciplinary contexts.
The Ethics of Killing: Problems at the Margins of Life

This magisterial work is the first comprehensive study of the ethics of killing, where the moral status of the individual is uncertain or controversial. Drawing on philosophical notions of personal identity and the immorality of killing, McMahan looks carefully at a host of practical issues, including abortion, infanticide, the killing of animals, assisted suicide, and euthanasia.
Multi-UAV exploration with limited communication and battery

We propose a multi-robot exploration algorithm that uses adaptive coordination to provide heterogeneous behavior. The key idea is to maximize the efficiency of exploring and mapping an unknown environment when a team is faced with unreliable communication and limited battery life (e.g., with aerial rotorcraft). The proposed algorithm utilizes four states: explore, meet, sacrifice, and relay. The explore state uses a frontier-based exploration algorithm, the meet state returns to the last known location of communication to share data, the sacrifice state sends the robot out to explore without consideration of remaining battery, and the relay state lands the robot until a meeting occurs. This approach allows robots to take on the role of a relay to improve communication between team members. In addition, the robots can “sacrifice” themselves by continuing to explore even when they do not have sufficient battery to return to the base station. We compare the performance of the proposed approach to state-of-the-art frontier-based exploration, and results show gains in explored area. The feasibility of components of the proposed approach is also demonstrated on a team of two custom-built quadcopters exploring an office environment.
On the geometry of grain and phase boundaries

Abstract Applications of the 0-lattice concept (which has been developed in part I) are discussed, such as the patterns of lattice points in high angle boundaries, the conservation of those patterns on a relative translation of the two lattices and dislocation networks in high angle boundaries.
The effect of nitrogen rate on transgenic corn Cry3Bb1 protein expression

BACKGROUND Combining herbicide-resistant and Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) traits in corn (Zea mays L.) hybrids may affect insect resistance management owing to volunteer corn. Some Bt toxins may be expressed at lower levels by nitrogen-deficient corn roots. Corn plants with sublethal levels of Bt expression could accelerate the evolution of Bt resistance in target insects. The present objective was to quantify the concentration of Bt (Cry3Bb1) in corn root tissue with varying tissue nitrogen concentrations. RESULTS Expression of Cry3Bb1 toxin in root tissue was highly variable, but there were no differences in the overall concentration of Cry3Bb1 expressed between roots taken from Cry3Bb1-positive volunteer and hybrid corn plants. The nitrogen rate did affect Cry3Bb1 expression in the greenhouse, less nitrogen resulted in decreased Cry3Bb1 expression, yet this result was not documented in the field. CONCLUSION A positive linear relationship of plant nitrogen status on Cry3Bb1 toxin expression was documented. Also, high variability in Cry3Bb1 expression is potentially problematic from an insect resistance management perspective. This variability could create a mosaic of toxin doses in the field, which does not fit into the high-dose refuge strategy and could alter predictions about the speed of evolution of resistance to Cry3Bb1 in western corn rootworm Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte. © 2013 Society of Chemical Industry
Degradation of Continuous Fiber Ceramic Matrix Composites Under Constant-Load Conditions.

Abstract : Ten different ceramic matrix composite (CMC) materials were subjected to a constant load and temperature in an air environment. Tests conducted under these conditions are often referred to as stressed oxidation or creep rupture tests. The stressed oxidation tests were conducted at a temperature of 1454 deg C at stresses of 69 MPa, 172 MPa and 50% of each material's ultimate tensile strength. The ten materials included such CMCs as C/SiC, SiC/C, SiC/SiC, SiC/SiNC and C/C. The time to failure results of the stressed oxidation tests will be presented. Much of the discussion regarding material degradation under stressed oxidation conditions will focus on C/SiC composites. Thermogravimetric analysis of the oxidation of fully exposed carbon fiber (T300) and of C/SiC coupons will be presented as well as a model that predicts the oxidation patterns and kinetics of carbon fiber tows oxidizing in a nonreactive matrix.
Correction: Quantitative in situ TEM tensile fatigue testing on nanocrystalline metallic ultrathin films.

Correction for ‘Quantitative in situ TEM tensile fatigue testing on nanocrystalline metallic ultrathin films’ by Ehsan Hosseinian, et al., Nanoscale, 2013, 5, 12532–12541.
Daily fill factor variation as a diagnostic probe of multijunction concentrator systems during outdoor operation

Optimizing a concentrator system which uses multijunction solar cells is challenging because: (a) the conditions are variable, so the solar cells rarely operate under optimal conditions and (b) the conditions are not controlled, so any design problems are difficult to characterize. Any change in the spectral content of direct-beam sunlight as it passes through the concentrator optics is of particular interest, as it can reduce the performance of multijunction cells and is difficult to characterize. Here we show how the fill factor can be used to detect and diagnose this sort of a "spectral skewing" by the concentrator optics during outdoor operation. The work presented here is for GaInP 2 /GaAs tandem cells, but the conclusions are equally valid for GaInP 2 /GaAs/Ge triple-junction cells.
The full automorphism group of a cyclic p-gonal surface

If p is prime, a compact Riemann surface X of genus g⩾2 is called cyclic p-gonal if it admits a cyclic group of automorphisms Cp of order p such that the quotient space X/Cp has genus 0. If in addition Cp is not normal in the full automorphism A, then we call X a non-normal p-gonal surface. In the following we classify all non-normal p-gonal surfaces.
Reduction of portal hypertension by ganglionic blockade.

The effect of the ganglionic blocking agent, trimethaphan camsylate, on the portal venous and systemic arterial blood pressure was evaluated in 58 cirrhotic patients who had esophageal varices secondary to portal hypertension. Portal venous pressure was monitored by splenic-pulp manometry. Trimethaphan induced a mean decrease of 31.0% in portal pressure and 39.3% in arterial pressure. Both decrements were highly significant (P<0.005). Pressure decrements generally were greater in those patients whose initial pressure readings were higher. Reduced levels of portal and arterial blood pressure were maintained throughout the period of drug infusion.
A novel use of ultrasound in pulseless electrical activity: the diagnosis of an acute abdominal aortic aneurysm rupture

We report a case of a patient who presented to the Emergency Department with pulseless electrical activity. A rapid diagnosis of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm was made by Emergency Medicine bedside ultrasonography. On arrival, the patient was without palpable pulses and bradycardic. Therapy with epinephrine, fluids, and atropine was initiated. A bedside ultrasound was immediately performed and revealed coordinated cardiac motion with empty ventricles. A rapid search for signs of blood loss in the abdomen revealed a large abdominal aortic aneurysm. Pulses were restored with fluid, blood, and epinephrine and surgical intervention was begun within 30 min of patient arrival.
Protecting the Guilty

Introduction 1164 I. The Social Cost of the High Standard of Proof .....1166 II. The Principle of Defending the Innocent and Its Grounds of Justification 1167 III. The Violation of the State’s Moral Commitment Toward Both the Innocent and Guilty 1172 IV. The Connection between the High Standard of Proof and Moral Theories 1179 A. A Teleological Concept of the Standard of Proof in a Criminal Trial 1179 B. A Deontological Concept of the Standard of Proof in a Criminal Trial 1183 Conclusion 1187
Outcomes of vitrectomy with inferior retinectomy in patients with recurrent rhegmatogenous retinal detachments and proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Purpose To report the anatomic and functional outcomes of patients treated with vitrectomy and inferior retinectomy for recurrent, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Design Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. Participants Fifty-six patients with recurrent, rhegmatogenous retinal detachments complicated by PVR who underwent an inferior retinectomy for repair. Methods Retrospective review over a 6-year period of patients treated with vitrectomy and inferior retinectomy. Main Outcome Measures The primary outcome was anatomic success, defined as complete retinal reattachment. Secondary outcomes included change in visual acuity, the mean number of operations required for complete retinal reattachment, number of operations before retinectomy, use of silicone oil tamponade, location and extent of retinectomy, whether lensectomy was undertaken, and incidence of postoperative complications. Results Complete retinal reattachment was achieved in 52 of 56 patients (93%), with a mean follow-up of 25 months (range, 6–70 months). After retinal reattachment, visual acuity was improved or stabilized in 39 of 56 patients (70%). The mean number of operations for retinal detachment before diagnosis of PVR requiring retinectomy was 1.8 (range, 1–5). Patients undergoing radical anterior vitreous base dissection and lensectomy at the time of first retinectomy had a higher success rate than those who did not: 74% versus 38%, respectively ( P = 0.011). Furthermore, tamponade with silicone oil had a higher success rate than tamponade with gas: 71% versus 18%, respectively ( P = 0.002). Of the 56 patients, 9 (16%) had 1 or more of the following complications: keratopathy requiring penetrating keratoplasty (n = 4), glaucoma requiring aqueous shunt device (n = 3), and hypotony (n = 3). Silicone oil removal was performed in 26 of 45 patients (58%) before the last follow-up visit, with a 1 in 26 (4%) redetachment rate. Conclusions When combined with anterior base dissection, inferior retinectomy may be useful in the surgical treatment of complex PVR-related retinal detachment. The authors show that with lensectomy, radical anterior base dissection, and inferior retinectomy, anatomic success rates are improved and visual function can be maintained. In addition, silicone oil offers an advantage over gas tamponade in these cases.
Estimation of Cloud Content by W-Band Radar

Abstract W-band (3.2-mm) radars are seeing increasing utilization as a result of improving microwave technologies and the increased research emphasis being given to nonprecipitating clouds. This niche is exemplified by the study of the radiatively important stratus and cirrus clouds, which essentially require the application of Rayleigh and nonspherical scattering solutions, respectively. To increase the utility of such studies, the authors provide the following relations derived from empirical and model-derived particle size distributions that rely on a combination of Rayleigh and conjugate gradient-fast Fourier transform scattering theory approaches to relate (equivalent) radar reflectivity factors (Ze) Z (mm6 m−3) to liquid water content (LWC, g m−3) and ice water content (IWC, mg m−3): Z = (3.6/Nd)LWC1.8 for stratus clouds, where Nd (cm−3) is the droplet concentration, and IWC = 21.7 Ze0.83 for cirrus clouds using the dielectric constant appropriate for ice, which is valid over a IWC range of 3100 mg...
Roles of Gonadal Hormones in Control of Five Sexually Attractive Odors of Meadow Voles (Microtus pennsylvanicus)

The role of gonadal hormones in the production of five odors that are attractive to the opposite sex was investigated in meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus. Preferences of intact male and female voles for the scents of same- versus opposite-sex conspecifics were examined. The attractiveness of opposite-sex scents from feces, mouth, and the posterolateral region was eliminated by gonadectomy of scent donors and was restored by replacement with testosterone in male donors and estradiol-17 beta in female donors. The attractiveness of the scents of urine and the anogenital area was reduced by gonadectomy of scent donors, but was not eliminated. This suggests that the sexually attractive components of urine and the anogenital area do not depend solely on gonadal hormones. The present data suggest that (1) gonadal hormones have an important role in production of sexually attractive components of all scents that we found to be sexually distinctive, but (2) the sexually attractive components of some scents are in addition influenced by other factors, possibly other hormones. Nongonadal influences on these scents may provide sexually distinctive information outside the breeding season when endogenous gonadal hormone concentrations are low.
Differential Rates of Conversion of Testerone to Dihydrotestosterone In Acne and in Normal Human Skin- a Possible Pathogenic Factor in Acne

Dihydrotestosterone has been shown to be a major metabolite of testoterone. Human skin has been shown to actively convert testosterone to dihydrotestoterone. Since the levels of circulating testoterone in normals and in individuals with acne are the same, "end organ sensitivity" has been postulated. To evaluated the possibility that this may be a function of the rate of conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestoterone, a total of 62 biopsies were studied from 32 subjects without and with acne from effected and unaffected areas. Labeled testosterone metabolites were identified by TLC, GLC, and GFP. Acne bearing skin produced from 2 to 20 times more dihydrotestosterone than normal back skin. It thus appears that the previously postulated end organ sensitivity, thought to account in, part for the occurrence and distribution of acne, may indeed exist and may be mediated by differential rats of conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone in the skin.
Series introduction: emerging clinical applications of nucleic acids

Attempts to employ nucleic acids in gene therapy have become commonplace in recent years, but efficient gene transfer methods have proved unexpectedly difficult to devise, and safety concerns linger. At the same time, however, the study of nucleic acids has revealed remarkable properties of DNA and RNA molecules that could make them attractive therapeutic agents, independent of their well-known ability to encode biologically active proteins. Now would seem to be a good time to consider alternative uses of nucleic acids that do not rely on virus-based vectors or even on gene transfer. Accordingly, the strategies explored in this Perspective series exploit a number of different facets of RNA and DNA biochemistry. Certain nucleic acid molecules can bind to and inhibit the function of target proteins, while others provide a source of tumor antigens, and still others can perform catalysis. Recently, therapies that employ nucleic acids in some of these novel ways have passed the stage of in vitro and animal tests and have begun to be evaluated in clinical trials for treating a variety of disorders. This Perspective series offers an update on the progress in this field.
Comments on "A new lower bound on the cost of optimal regulators"

Two errors which invalidate the bound of the ratio of optimal to suboptimal costs for linear regulators are identified. A simple counterexample is given.
Pattern formation on the surface of cationic-anionic cylindrical aggregates

Charged pattern formation on the surfaces of self-assembled cylindrical micelles formed from oppositely charged heterogeneous molecules such as cationic and anionic peptide amphiphiles is investigated. The net incompatibility $\ensuremath{\chi}$ among different components results in the formation of segregated domains, whose growth is inhibited by electrostatics. The transition to striped phases proceeds through an intermediate structure governed by fluctuations, followed by states with various lamellar orientations, which depend on cylinder radius ${R}_{c}$ and $\ensuremath{\chi}$. We analyze the specific heat, susceptibility $S({q}^{*})$, domain size $\ensuremath{\Lambda}=2\ensuremath{\pi}∕{q}^{*}$, and morphology as a function of ${R}_{c}$ and $\ensuremath{\chi}$.
Antigenic properties of subcellular fractions from canine pancreas: development of a zymogen membrane specific antibody.

SummaryImmunization of rabbits with a membrane preparation from dog pancreas produced precipitating antibody against an antigen present in the pancreas of several mammals. This antigen appears to be organspecific but not species-specific and is localized in the pancreatic zymogen granule membrane fraction. It is thought to represent glycoproteins of mol wt 70,000-90,000 as well as a smaller species of mol wt less than 10,000.
Integration of Epidemiologic and Other Types of Data Into Dietary Reference Intake Development

This article will examine issues in the use of epidemiologic and other types of data in dietary reference intake development, and offer an approach toward integration. In1994, the framework to determine revised dietary reference intakes (DRIs) was meant to incorporate the concept of risk reduction of chronic disease (Institute of Medicine, 1994). However, of the 19 estimated average requirements (EARs) that were established, none were able to be set on the basis of a chronic disease end point because of inadequacies in the available data. Adequate intake levels were partially determined by using disease end points for five nutrients: calcium (fracture rates), vitamin D (fracture rates), fluoride (dental carries), potassium (hypertension, kidney stones), and fiber (coronary heart disease). Using chronic disease end points was found to be difficult for setting individual nutrient DRIs for a number of reasons: Chronic diseases have long latencies in their development, which results in almost inevitable incon...
A survey of the potential of an IrSi Schottky barrier MOSFET based on simulation studies

Abstract Schottky barrier MOSFETs are expected to offer certain fabrication advantages, low series resistance and the feasibility to go into submicron technology eliminating short-channel effects and latchup in CMOS circuits. A p -channel MOSFET using IrSi Schottky contacts as source and drain is reviewed theoretically. The limitations of the device arising from the oxide offset between source/channel is studied with the help of a 1-D simulation program SEDAN. Since the process sequence leads to an offset between source and channel, the performance of the SBMOSFETs with and without an offset is estimated using the 2-D device simulation program PISCES for PtSi or IrSi as source and drain materials. The simulation results show a considerable gain improvement for a modified device structure (i.e. without offset: gate overlapping source-drain edges). The gain of the device with an overlapping gate using PtSi and IrSi is 32 and 82% of a conventional MOSFET's gain, respectively.
Inf–sup conditions for twofold saddle point problems

Necessary and sufficient conditions for existence and uniqueness of solutions are developed for twofold saddle point problems which arise in mixed formulations of problems in continuum mechanics. This work extends the classical saddle point theory to accommodate nonlinear constitutive relations and the twofold saddle structure. Application to problems in incompressible fluid mechanics employing symmetric tensor finite elements for the stress approximation is presented.
Energy use by apartment tenants when landlords pay for utilities

Energy costs are included in the rent for many US apartments, giving tenants little incentive to conserve. This apparent market failure has two explanations: the tenants value the utility-included rental contracts more than they value the extra energy they consume, or the landlords value the contracts more than the cost of that extra energy. We use the Residential Energy Consumption Survey and the American Housing Survey to estimate energy consumption and rent premiums for utility-included apartments. While rents are higher than for comparable metered apartments, the difference is smaller than the cost of the energy used, a finding that supports landlord-side explanations.
Remarks on the integrability of first-order complex PDE

Abstract The classical method of characteristics for the integration of real first-order PDE is extended to complex equations, via a symplectic structure on the complex cotangent bundle that is holomorphic along the fibres. Integrability is shown to be equivalent to a variant of Darboux's theorem, i.e., the existence of symplectic “frames” that incorporate the equations. Applications of the linear theory to the associated Hamiltonian system yield integrability results for the nonlinear PDE.
Allergen immunotherapy: novel approaches in the management of allergic diseases and asthma.

Currently available pharmacotherapies for allergic diseases and asthma, which are serious public health problems, are aimed primarily at neutralizing effector molecules and inflammatory mediators such as histamine and leukotrienes or at inhibiting the function of inflammatory cells such as eosinophils and Th2 lymphocytes. While this approach is effective in controlling symptoms, these therapies have a limited capacity to alter the natural course of allergic diseases and asthma, and discontinuation of medications results in the redevelopment of symptoms on reexposure to the offending allergens. In contrast, immune-based allergen immunotherapies modify and correct the underlying pathological immune responses in allergy and asthma in an antigen-specific manner. These immunotherapies replicate the regulatory processes that occur in nonallergic individuals and allow patients to tolerate exposure to allergens. Current and future methodologies for immunotherapy involve immunization with allergen, modified allergen, peptides of allergen, cDNA of allergen, with adjuvants, including immunostimulatory DNA sequences, cytokines, and bacterial products such as Listeria monocytogenes. This form of therapy can provide a long-lasting cure for allergic diseases without the need for continous therapeutic intervention and without causing generalized immunosuppression or immune augmentation.
A preparation method for Aedes aegypti and Aedes atropalpus chorions for protein characterization

Abstract This investigation presents a method of preparation and comparison of the fully-formed eggshells (chorions) of the aedine mosquitoes, Aedes aegypti and Aedes atropalpus, by a gentle lysis-washing protocol. Light and scanning electron micrographs of the prepared chorions display a two-layered structure in the characteristically sculptured endochorion and the tubercle-patterned exochorion. SDS-gel electrophoresis of solubilized whole ovaries and prepared chorions, stained for protein and carbohydrate, show significant differences between the two species mainly in the chorion electrophoresis patterns.
A decentralized quadratic dynamic matrix control algorithm

Abstract This paper shows how a computationally intensive quadratic dynamic matrix control (QDMC) problem can be decomposed to a number of smaller, less demanding problems which can be solved independently. The theoretical development hinges upon reformulating the QDMC optimization so that the computation of the future control moves in decentralized. Examples demonstrate the performance and the CPU time requirements of the proposed algorithm.
Early Development of Scaling Ability.

The map is a small-scaled version of the space it represents. It has been argued that children have difficulty interpreting maps because they do not understand scale relations. Recent research has shown that even preschoolers can solve problems that involve scaling in one dimension. This study examined whether early scaling ability extends to tasks involving two-dimensional maps and referent spaces of different sizes. Results showed that about 60% of the 4-year-olds and 90% of the 5-year-olds tested used distance information presented on a map to locate an object in a two-dimensional spatial layout. Children had more difficulties in solving mapping tasks with a larger referent space. This decrease in accuracy as a function of space size on the mapping task was greater than would have been expected on the basis of performance on a parallel nonmapping task. The results are discussed in terms of their implications for the mechanisms underlying early scaling ability.
Immunoglobulin G subclass values in healthy black and white children.

To determine whether IgG subclass concentrations differed between healthy black and white children, we measured IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, and IgG4 immunoglobulins by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in sera from 246 black children aged 6 to 42 months. We then compared these values with the normal values established for 664 white children aged 6 to 60 months. The IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 subclass concentrations of the black children were lower than those for white children; many of the values were below the 95% confidence limits established for white children: 46 (19%) of 246, IgG2 values and 19 (8%) of 246 IgG4 values for black children were below the normal limits. We compared the geometric mean values for black and white children, as determined for each 6-month age grouping between 6 and 42 months of age; 367 of the 664 white children were less than 42 months of age and were included in this analysis. The geometric mean values for IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 levels were consistently lower for black children than for white children. The differences were significant for IgG1 subclass values of those children older than 24 months and for IgG2 and IgG4 values of those children older than 18 months. No consistent differences were noted for IgG3 subclass values. We conclude that young black children have lower IgG1, IgG2, and IgG4 serum concentrations than are found in white children. It normal IgG values for white children are used, healthy black children may be erroneously classified as IgG subclass deficient. The mechanism and biologic relevance of these population differences need to be evaluated.
Parkinsonism and acquired hydrocephalus

Left hemiparkinsonism was the first symptom of increased intracranial pressure in a 14-year-old girl. The parkinsonism resolved when the increased intracranial pressure was relieved by a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. This is the first case of parkinsonism associated with hydrocephalus caused by non-neoplastic aqueductal stenosis.
Sampling from nanoliter plugs via asymmetrical splitting of segmented flow.

A microfluidic device is developed to sample from oil-segmented fluid plugs of nanoliter volume by passive splitting. In the device, plugs are pumped into a loop where they split according to the f...
The iron sensor: macrophage, hepatocyte, both?

Comment on Makui et al, page [2189][1], and comment on Rivera et al, page [2196][2] The cell type requiring HFE for normal body iron homeostasis is not known. Makui and colleagues demonstrate that wild-type macrophages are capable of partially normalizing the iron homeostasis abnormalities in HFE
Prednisone and azathioprine compared to prednisone plus low‐dose azathioprine and cyclophosphamide in the treatment of diffuse lupus nephritis

A 1-year double-blind crossover study comparing prednisone and azathioprine to prednisone plus low-dose azathioprine and cyclophosphamide was carried out in 14 patients with diffuse lupus nephritis. Low-dose triple therapy had no apparent therapeutic advantage over prednisone plus azathioprine. Cyclophosphamide-induced ovarian failure and hematuria were not avoided by its use in low dose.
Assessment of coal and biomass to liquid fuels in central Appalachia, USA

SUMMARY Liquid fuels from coal and biomass have the potential to reduce petroleum fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. A multi-equation model was developed to assess the economics of a potential coal/biomass-to-liquids (CBTL) fuel plant in the central Appalachian hardwood region, USA. The model minimizes the total annual production cost subject to a series of regional supply, demand, and other constraints. Model inputs include coal and biomass availability, biomass handling system, plant investment, production capacity, transportation logistics, and project financing. The outputs include the required selling price (RSP) and the optimal logistical decision-making associated with feedstock requirement, collection, delivery, and liquid fuel production. Results showed that the RSP of Fischer–Tropsch (FT) diesel for a 40 000 barrel-per-day CBTL plant with coal/biomass ratio (by weight) of 85/15 was $86.45–87.25 bbl−1 using different biomass handling systems. The RSP would vary between $86.45 and $89.81 per barrel according to different coal/biomass mix ratios. In consideration of the carbon offset credits due to the addition of biomass, the RSP was adjusted to $84.19–86.74 with respect to four levels of carbon prices. Sensitivity analyses indicated that the RSP of FT diesel was mostly affected by plant capacity, capital cost, coal price, and liquid fuel yield. The crude-oil-equivalent price of FT fuels must be above $66 bbl−1 for a CBTL plant to be profitable in central Appalachia for the long run. These results can help investors/decision-makers evaluate future CBTL developments in the region. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance Metrics Based on Computational Action

We propose a new performance metric based on computational action. We examine work as it evolves in time and compute computational action as the integral of the work function over time. We compare the action generated at less than full power with the action that could have been generated at full power. We claim that the goal of performance optimization is to minimize lost, or wasted, action. We calculate our metric for some computers in the Top500 list (http://www.top500.org) and propose a new ranking based on least action wasted. When work is a function of the resources applied, we use the classical techniques of the calculus of variations to minimize wasted action. From the result of this exercise, we calculate productivity as the ratio of work produced to resources used.
Numerical study of THz propagation in curved parallel-plate waveguides via the lowest-order transverse-electric (TE 1 ) mode

We numerically model the TE 1 -mode propagation of terahertz radiation inside a parallel-plate waveguide with curved plates. We show that a slight curvature can result in better mode confinement, without sacrificing its favorable dispersive properties.
Efficient loading of identical viral peptide onto class II molecules by antigenized immunoglobulin and influenza virus

Several prior reports have identified peptides that are naturally associated with major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules on presenting cells. We have examined the delivery of a peptide from exogenous sources to MHC class II molecules. The peptide derives from the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) and activates a CD4+ T cell hybridoma. In functional assays of antigen presentation, this epitope is delivered effectively to T cells either in the context of influenza virus or chimeric immunoglobulin (Ig) molecules (Ig-HA) in which the peptide has replaced the CDR3 loop of the heavy chain. We find that the identical 11-mer peptide can be isolated from mouse MHC class II antigens whether the exogenous source of peptide is free HA peptide, the Ig-HA chimera, or ultraviolet-inactivated PR8 influenza virus. The Ig-HA chimera proves to be the most efficient vehicle for charging class II molecules via the exogenous route. Given the fact that self Igs represent natural long-lived carriers, we suggest that antigenized Igs have considerable potential for peptide delivery to MHC molecules in situ.
1,2,3,4-tetrasubstituted isoquinoline acetic acids

Abstract Differentially tetrasubstituted isoquinolines are now conveniently prepared by rearrangement of the readily obtainable indanones.
A vector handheld frequency-domain sensor for UXO identification

The GEM-3D + sensor developed by Geophex, Ltd. is a new incarnation of their widely known GEM-3. The sensor provides the analyst with all three vector components of the secondary magnetic field over a wide range of frequencies. The GEM-3D + features an innovative "beacon-based" positioning system that provides a full description of its location and orientation at every point without requiring any on-sensor hardware beyond an electronic compass. This enhances the usefulness of the instrument for dynamic surveying, This paper presents some methods and results related to UXO identification using the GEM-3D + . Our analyses exploit data provided by the sensor in both grid-based and dynamic measurements to characterize different objects, including metal spheres and actual UXO. For the data analysis we alternate between the dipole model and the more rigorous standardized excitation approach. We review some ill-conditioning issues encountered with the latter model and the different approaches that we use to overcome them. In applications, the availability of horizontal field components in the data allow us to identify UXO vs. non-UXO items while minimizing the nonnegligible effects of ground response.
Dynamic in vivo imaging of postimplantation mammalian embryos using whole embryo culture

Summary: Due to the internal nature of mammalian development, much of the research performed is of a static nature and depends on interpolation between stages of development. This approach cannot explore the dynamic interactions that are essential for normal development. While roller culture overcomes the problem of inaccessibility of the embryo, the constant motion of the medium and embryos makes it impossible to observe and record development. We have developed a static mammalian culture system for imaging development of the mouse embryo. Using this technique, it is possible to sustain normal development for periods of 18–24 h. The success of the culture was evaluated based on the rate of embryo turning, heart rate, somite addition, and several gross morphological features. When this technique is combined with fluorescent markers, it is possible to follow the development of specific tissues or the movement of cells. To highlight some of the strengths of this approach, we present time-lapse movies of embryonic turning, somite addition, closure of the neural tube, and fluorescent imaging of blood circulation in the yolk sac and embryo.
Infant physiological and behavioral responses to loss of maternal attention to a social-rival

Previous research has found that infants respond with more negative/protest as well as approach-type behaviors in response to the loss of maternal attention to a social-rival as compared to a non-social item. The purpose of the current research was to conceptually replicate the maternal inattention research with a different population and to extend on it by examining the relationships between infants' emotional responses and their temperament and physiology (brain activity). A baseline measure of infant EEG was collected after which mother-infant dyads (n=30) participated in two mother-ignoring conditions. Infants demonstrated more approach-style responses (maternal-directed gaze, proximity, and touch), higher reactivity levels (increased arousal, aggression, and disorganization), and more negative affect in the social-rival relative to the nonsocial condition. Approach-style (jealousy) responses were predictive of the infants' greater left frontal baseline EEG activity. Maternal reports of an infant's temperamental sociability and approach were not related to frontal EEG but several temperamental characteristics were associated with approach style responses during the social-rival condition. These findings collectively point to the emotion of jealousy in infants, as only during the social rival condition were associations between approach style responses and negative affect as well as left frontal EEG activity uncovered.
Multi-linked negotiation in multi-agent systems

Multi-linked negotiation describes a situation where one agent needs to negotiate with multiple agents about different issues, and the negotiation over one issue influences the negotiations over other issues. Multi-linked issues will become important for the next generation of more complicated Multi-Agent Systems. However, most current negotiation research only looks at single issue negotiation and thus does not present techniques to reason and manage multi-linked issues. In this paper, we present a technique based on the use of a partial-order schedule and a measure of the schedule, called flexibility, which enables an agent to reason explicitly about the interactions among multiple negotiation issues. We show how an agent uses the partial-order schedule to effectively manage interacting negotiation issues; and how the flexibility is a key measure for ordering and managing negotiation issues. Experimental work is presented which shows this management technique for multi-linked negotiation leads to improved performance.
X-Rays and Beyond

Naked to the Bone. Medical Imaging in the Twentieth Century. BETTYANN HOLTZMANN KEVLES. Rutgers University Press, New Brunswick, NJ, 1997. xvi, 379 pp., illus. $35.95. ISBN 0-8135-2358-3. Sloan Technology Series.
DOT1L-Mediated H3K79 Methylation in Chromatin Is Dispensable for Wnt Pathway-Specific and Other Intestinal Epithelial Functions

Methylation of H3K79 is associated with chromatin at expressed genes, though it is unclear if this histone modification is required for transcription of all genes. Recent studies suggest that Wnt-responsive genes depend particularly on H3K79 methylation, which is catalyzed by the methyltransferase DOT1L. Human leukemias carrying MLL gene rearrangements show DOT1L-mediated H3K79 methylation and aberrant expression of leukemogenic genes. DOT1L inhibitors reverse these effects, but their clinical use is potentially limited by toxicity in Wnt-dependent tissues such as intestinal epithelium. Genome-wide positioning of the H3K79me2 mark in Lgr5(+) mouse intestinal stem cells and mature intestinal villus epithelium correlated with expression levels of all transcripts and not with Wnt-responsive genes per se. Selective Dot1l disruption in Lgr5(+) stem cells or in whole intestinal epithelium eliminated H3K79me2 from the respective compartments, allowing genetic evaluation of DOT1L requirements. The absence of methylated H3K79 did not impair health, intestinal homeostasis, or expression of Wnt target genes in crypt epithelium for up to 4 months, despite increased crypt cell apoptosis. Global transcript profiles in Dot1l-null cells were barely altered. Thus, H3K79 methylation is not essential for transcription of Wnt-responsive or other intestinal genes, and intestinal toxicity is not imperative when DOT1L is rendered inactive in vivo.
Reactive Oxygen Species in Chronic Rhinosinusitis and Secondhand Smoke Exposure

ObjectiveReactive oxygen species (ROS) can potentiate cellular injury and inflammation. This study aimed to (1) assess the presence of reactive oxygen species in the sinus tissue of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) and (2) assess the impact of secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production.Study DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingAcademic medical center.Subjects and MethodsSinus tissue samples from patients undergoing sinus surgery were analyzed using diaminobenzidine (DAB) staining to assess for ROS. Stained specimens were photographed at random by a blinded photographer and then quantified by 3 blinded graders. The patient’s SHS exposure was determined by hair nicotine levels. Results were compared between non–smoke exposed cohorts and those exposed to secondhand smoke and by diagnosis.ResultsSixty-nine adults undergoing sinus surgery were included in the study. For the non-SHS-exposed cohorts, chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) had the highest ...
A Simulation Model of How Life History Strategies Mediate Pollution Effects on Fish Populations

Pollution effects on fish populations were estimated with a simulation model, using Leslie matrices. Results from changing only first-year survival rate (So) have already been published (Schaaf et al. 1987). This paper explores the effects of perturbing both So and the adult survival rate (Si) for 12 spatial-temporal stocks. Most stocks examined are more sensitive to permanent change in Si than to changes in So. The relative importance of these two rates in determining the population growth rate (λ) depends upon the age distribution of the expected lifetime egg production of age i females (Vi). In turn, the vector Vi, as measured by its mean and standard deviation, is shown to vary among geographic or temporal stocks of a single species. Hence, we quantify the impact on population size of destroying a fixed percentage of habitat, relative to where and when it occurs (i.e., relative impact on Si and So). For example, destroying 1% of the Atlantic menhaden habitat would reduce λ by 0.8% and the population by 8.0% in 10 yr, if the impact affected only adults (e.g., offshore in winter). If the 1% habitat destruction all occurred in the estuaries, affecting juveniles as well, λ would be reduced by almost 5%, and in 10 yr drive the population down to 58% of its former equilibrium. We show that knowledge of the mean and variance of the age distribution of Vi permits prediction of relative sensitivity among species to pollution. Within species, this knowledge of Vi permits comparison of the effects of impacting different life stages and at different times and places.
The identification of oxygen related species in the XPS and near edge spectra of the high Tc superconductors

Abstract In this brief note we describe data on various oxygen-metal species as well as near edge data on electron doped superconductors.