cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel superhydrophilic antifouling PVDF-BiOCl nanocomposite membranes fabricated via a modified blending-phase inversion method

Abstract PVDF nanocomposite membranes prepared by the widely used conventional blending-phase inversion method generally suffer from nonuniform distribution and low exposure of additive nanomaterials, resulting in unsatisfactory hydrophilicity and antifouling capability. Herein, we developed a modified blending method that incorporates the water-triggered precipitation (resembles phase inversion) of the nanomaterials into PVDF phase inversion. PVDF-bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) nanocomposite membranes were prepared by dissolving KCl and Bi(NO3)3 in the PVDF dope solution to enable the simultaneous precipitation of PVDF and hydrophilic BiOCl in the coagulation bath. Characterizations demonstrated that the nanocomposite membranes are superhydrophilic, mainly attributed to the surface-preferential precipitation of BiOCl. Crossflow filtration results showed that the nanocomposite membrane had a pure water flux of 854 L m-2 h−1 bar−1 (LMHB) and a humic acid separation flux of 780 LMHB, much higher than 377 and 240 LMHB of the plain membrane. For bovine serum albumin (BSA) separation, the nanocomposite membrane achieved a quasi-steady state flux of 370 LMHB and a rejection ratio of ~90% during three test cycles. In contrast, the hydrophobic plain membrane was severely fouled by BSA, evidenced by a rejection ratio lower than 40%. We proposed a new mechanism that illustrated the effects of protein-membrane interactions and filtration hydrodynamics that well explained the filtration results. The nanocomposite membrane also possessed a 3-fold higher capacity for Cr (VI) adsorption than the plain membrane. These results suggest that this modified blending-phase inversion method could fabricate nanocomposite membranes with great separation and antifouling capability, and multifunctionality.
Evaluation of plastic surgery resident aesthetic clinic websites.

Abstract Background The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the website pages of integrated plastic and reconstructive surgery resident aesthetic clinics in the United States. Methods Website pages dedicated to resident aesthetic clinics in all integrated plastic and reconstructive surgery residency programs (n = 79) were accessed between October and November 2019 and evaluated across several criteria, including: number of pages, procedures offered, faculty participation, respective prices, patient photographs, patient testimonials, contact information, and specific recruitment incentives. Results Seventy-nine integrated and 54 independent residency programs were identified, 31 of which had both an integrated and an independent residency program for a total of 102 distinct programs. Out of these, only 11 programs (10.8%) had a webpage dedicated to their resident aesthetic clinic (Figure 1). Twelve other programs (13.7%) that did not have a dedicated webpage mentioned a resident aesthetic clinic elsewhere on their residency program website. For each of the eleven programs with space for the resident aesthetic clinic, there was exactly one dedicated webpage. None of the programs with dedicated webpages included photographs of before and after cases, nor procedures performed, nor a listing of resident aesthetic clinic prices. Three of the dedicated webpages included information about faculty participation. Out of the 24 ASAPS endorsed aesthetic fellowship programs, 6 (25%) had a webpage dedicated to the fellow aesthetic clinic. Four of these webpages were comprised of a single webpage, while one program had 6 webpages and one program had 8 webpages. Only one program's webpage included before and after pictures. Four programs (16.7%) included information about faculty participation on the webpage. Five out of the 6 programs had a procedure list on the webpage. Discussion Resident aesthetic clinic websites are an important tool in recruiting patients as well as medical students. Addressing the lack and quality of such websites may improve recruitment of patients and students to plastic and reconstructive surgery residency programs. As a primary source of information for potential future residents and patients, plastic and reconstructive surgery programs need to maximize the content and utility of their websites.
Has the Evolution of Pelvic Fixation in Neuromuscular Scoliosis Improved Outcomes

Background/Purpose Spinal fusion for treatment of neuromuscular scoliosis often involves fusion to the pelvis. Pelvic fixation techniques for neuromuscular scoliosis have evolved from rod-based to mostly screw-based fixation. The Marchesi technique is a hybrid method described for Duchenne's-associated scoliosis involving the placement of S1 pedicle screws combined with the insertion of L shaped rods into the Ilium. We present a retrospective series of neuromuscular scoliosis …
Prolonged Exposure Therapy in the Time of COVID-19: Modifying PTSD Treatment for a Military Sexual Trauma Survivor Who Contracted COVID-19 Mid-Treatment

Prolonged exposure (PE) therapy is a gold-standard treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that can be effectively delivered via telehealth modalities. The following case report describe...
Mixed EW-QCD leading fermionic three-loop corrections at O $$ \mathcal{O} $$ (αsα2) to electroweak precision observables

Measurements of electroweak precision observables at future electron-position colliders, such as the CEPC, FCC-ee, and ILC, will be sensitive to physics at multi-TeV scales. To achieve this sensitivity, precise predictions for the Standard Model expectations of these observables are needed, including corrections at the three- and four-loop level. In this article, results are presented for the calculation of a subset of three-loop mixed electroweak-QCD corrections, stemming from diagrams with a gluon exchange and two closed fermion loops. The numerical impact of these corrections is illustrated for a number of applications: the prediction of the W-boson mass from the Fermi constant, the effective weak mixing angle, and the partial and total widths of the Z boson. Two alternative renormalization schemes for the top-quark mass are considered, on-shell and $$ \overline{\mathrm{MS}} $$ .
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Academic Nuclear Medicine: National Survey of Nuclear Medicine Residency Program Directors.

A diverse health care workforce is a necessary component of equitable care delivery to an increasingly diverse US population. In nuclear medicine (NM), there is a paucity of data on the numbers of women and members of racial and ethnic groups that are underrepresented in medicine in the United States (URiMs). This study sought to: 1) characterize the current state of women and URiMs in academic nuclear medicine, 2) describe the demographics of Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited NM residency program faculty and trainees, and 3) assess the extent of nuclear medicine exposure during medical school. Methods: This study was reviewed by the Institutional Review Board and deemed exempt. In this cross sectional study, a link to an online 15-item survey was emailed to 41 ACGME accredited NM residency program directors (PDs) in the United States. Data were collected between 9/2018- 12/2018 using REDCap.TM Results: 23/41 (56.1%) PDs responded to the survey, 18/23 (78.3%) male and 5/23 (21.7%) female. 3/23 (13.0%) PDs reported being URiMs. Of the 60 residents in the 23 NM residency programs whose PDs responded, 37/60 (61.7%) are male (7/37 (18.9%) URiMs) and 23/60 (38.3%) female (5/23 (21.7%) URiMs). 14/60 (23.3%) residents are US medical school graduates (US grads). PDs describe demographics of 121 current NM faculty members: 86/121 (71.1%) are male (8/121 (6.6% URIMs) and 35/121 (28.9%) female (7/121 (5.8% URiMs). 65/121 (53.7%) are US grads. 16/34 (69.6%) divisional chiefs are male, and 7/23 (30.4%) are female. 4/23 (17.4%) divisional chiefs are URiMs. 7/23 (30.4%) of NM PDs report that NM is part of the medical school curriculum. Conclusion: Women and URiMs are underrepresented in NM training programs. This diversity gap is more pronounced among NM faculty and to an even greater extent in leadership positions. A greater proportion of NM trainees are international medical graduates (IMGs) compared to NM faculty members, suggesting declining NM recruitment among US grads. NM is included in the medical school curriculum at fewer than one-third of academic centers with NM residency programs, typically toward the end of medical school. Increased and earlier exposure of NM, especially to women and URiMs, may improve recruitment and mitigate diversity gaps.
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N2 (clade 2.3.4.4) challenge of mallards age appropriate to the 2015 midwestern poultry outbreak

BACKGROUND The 2015 highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) H5N2 clade 2.3.4.4 outbreak in upper midwestern U.S. poultry operations was not detected in wild birds to any great degree during the outbreak, despite wild waterfowl being implicated in the introduction, reassortment, and movement of the virus into North America from Asia. This outbreak led to the demise of over 50 million domestic birds and occurred mainly during the northward spring migration of adult avian populations. OBJECTIVES There have been no experimental examinations of the pathogenesis, transmission, and population impacts of this virus in adult wild waterfowl with varying exposure histories-the most relevant age class. METHODS We captured, housed, and challenged adult wild mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) with HPAIV H5N2 clade 2.3.4.4 and measured viral infection, viral excretion, and transmission to other mallards. RESULTS All inoculated birds became infected and excreted moderate amounts of virus, primarily orally, for up to 14 days. Cohoused, uninoculated birds also all became infected. Serological status had no effect on susceptibility. There were no obvious clinical signs of disease, and all birds survived to the end of the study (14 days). CONCLUSIONS Based on these results, adult mallards are viable hosts of HPAIV H5N2 regardless of prior exposure history and are capable of transporting the virus over short and long distances. These findings have implications for surveillance efforts. The capture and sampling of wild waterfowl in the spring, when most surveillance programs are not operating, are important to consider in the design of future HPAIV surveillance programs.
In Praise of Ostentation: Social Class in Lagos and the Aesthetics of Nollywood's Ówàḿbẹ̀ Genres

New Nollywood’s representation of the social life of Lagos is enacted through Owaḿbẹ as a cinematic strategy that underscores the contradictions inherent in the politics of pleasure and materialis...
Successful Conversion Experiences

Since the Second World war, the United States has experienced several major wind-downs in defense spending, all of which have led to various degrees of conversion from military production to appropriate civilian lines of business.
Injury and Recovery of Yeasts and Molds

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the injury and recovery of yeasts and molds. Yeast extract in a complex medium was apparently a major factor which contributed in the repair of the heat-injured cells. Survival of yeasts subjected to freeze-thawing also depends on the presence or absence of cryoprotective agents and media used during growth, freezing, and recovery. As mentioned in the discussions of injury due to heat or low-temperature treatments, the cell membrane is often reported to be the site of lesions. Therefore, it is interesting to note that some yeasts and molds leak intracellular substances on being suspended in solutions containing basic proteins. It is demonstrated that the lytic effect of basic proteins was related to active metabolism and presented electron photomicrographs showing lesions in the cell membrane after treatment with bovine serum albumin. There are many interesting aspects concerning the manifestations of injury and repair mechanisms in fungi.
Measurement of Serum Vitamin B12 Level Using Radioisotope Dilution and Coated Charcoal

was shown that uncoated charcoal adsorbs both free vitamin B12 and B12 bound to proteins, but charcoal precoated by mixing with saturating quantities of albumin adsorbs only free B12. This finding has been confirmed.4 The charcoal particles may be considered as solid microsponges and the albumin coat as a molecular sieve surrounding each sponge. Small molecules such as B12 pass through the coat and continue to be adsorbed, but large molecules such as proteins are excluded from adsorption. This provides a system akin to, but much more rapid than dialysis for the separation of free from bound B12. This property of coated charcoal has been used in assays for: ( 1 ) intrinsic factor ( IF ) ; (2) unsaturated B12 binding capacity of gastric juice; (3 ) antibody to IF;( 4 ) unsaturated B12 binding capacity of serum.3 These assays suggested the use of coated charcoal for measuring serum B12 levels. The principle of radioisotope dilution is also applied, by using the unknown quantity of nonradioactive B12 released from serum to dilute the specific activity of a known quantity of Co57B12. A solution of intrinsic factor concentrate ( IFC ) with a B12 binding capacity less than the quantity of added Co57B12 is used to bind a portion of the mixture of radioactive and nonradioactive B12-i.e., to “biopsy” the pool of B12. The B12 not bound to IFC is removed by addition of coated charcoal. This series of events is depicted in figure 1. The quantity of radioactive B12 bound to IFC is compared with the IFC control, and the B12 level of the unknown serum is then obtained from a simple equation.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae vaginitis: Transmission from yeast used in baking

Objective: To determine whether vaginitis due to Saccharomyces cerevisiae can be caused by exposure to exogenous sources of baker's yeast. Methods: Eight women with S cerevisiae vaginitis were identified from a cohort of women referred for the evaluation of chronic vaginal symptoms. In those with high-level exposure to exogenous sources of S cerevisiae , isolates from the vagina and those sources were sent in a blinded fashion for contour-clamped homogeneous electric-field electrophoresis. Results: Four women from a cohort of approximately 750 referred patients had high-level exposures to S cerevisiae . In one of these patients, electrophoresis analysis revealed similarities between the strains isolated from her vagina, her husband's fingers, and the yeast he used in his pizza shop. Conclusion: Saccharomyces cerevisiae vaginitis can be the result of the inoculation of this yeast from exogenous sources.
Metabolism of chlorofluorocarbons and polybrominated compounds by Pseudomonas putida G786(pHG-2) via an engineered metabolic pathway.

The recombinant bacterium Pseudomonas putida G786(pHG-2) metabolizes pentachloroethane to glyoxylate and carbon dioxide, using cytochrome P-450CAM and toluene dioxygenase to catalyze consecutive reductive and oxidative dehalogenation reactions (L.P. Wackett, M.J. Sadowsky, L.N. Newman, H.-G. Hur, and S. Li, Nature [London] 368:627-629, 1994). The present study investigated metabolism of brominated and chlorofluorocarbon compounds by the recombinant strain. Under anaerobic conditions, P. putida G786(pHG-2) reduced 1,1,2,2-tetrabromoethane, 1,2-dibromo-1,2-dichloroethane, and 1,1,1,2-tetrachloro-2,2-difluoroethane to products bearing fewer halogen substituents. Under aerobic conditions, P. putida G786(pHG-2) oxidized cis- and trans-1,2-dibromoethenes, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-difluoroethene, and 1,2-dichloro-1-fluoroethene. Several compounds were metabolized by sequential reductive and oxidative reactions via the constructed metabolic pathway. For example, 1,1,2,2-tetrabromoethane was reduced by cytochrome P-450CAM to 1,2-dibromoethenes, which were subsequently oxidized by toluene dioxygenase. The same pathway metabolized 1,1,1,2-tetrachloro-2,2-difluoroethane to oxalic acid as one of the final products. The results obtained in this study indicate that P. putida G786(pHG-2) metabolizes polyfluorinated, chlorinated, and brominated compounds and further demonstrates the value of using a knowledge of catabolic enzymes and recombinant DNA technology to construct useful metabolic pathways.
Efficacy of D-CPPene, a competitive N-methyl-D-aspartate antagonist in focal cerebral ischemia in the rat.

The effect of a novel and potent competitive N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) antagonist d-(E)-4-(3-phosphonoprop-2-enyl)piperazine-2-carboxylic acid (d-CPPene) upon ischemic brain damage has been examined in a rat model of focal cerebral ischemia. Focal cerebral ischemia was produced by permanent occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA). The animals were sacrificed 24 h after MCA occlusion and the amount of ischemic brain damage was assessed at 8 predetermined coronal planes. Pretreatment with d-CPPene (1.5, 4.5 or 15 mg/kg, i.v.), initiated 15 min prior to MCA occlusion (followed by constant infusion at 1, 3 or 10 mg/kg/h), produced dose-dependent reductions in the volumes of infarction; the dose of 4.5 mg/kg being the most effective (reduced by 37%; P<0.01). These results indicate that systemic administration of the competitive NMDA antagonist d-CPPene has neuroprotective effects in a model of focal cerebral ischemia and define the dose dependency of its neuroprotective effects.
Automatic Communication Performance Debugging in PGAS Languages

Recent studies have shown that programming in a Partition Global Address Space (PGAS) language can be more productive than programming in a message passing model. One reason for this is the ability to access remote memory implicitly through shared memory reads and writes. But this benefit does not come without a cost. It is very difficult to spot communication by looking at the program text, since remote reads and writes look exactly the same as local reads and writes. This makes manual communication performance debugging an arduous task. In this paper, we describe a tool called ti-trend-prof that can do automatic performance debugging using only program traces from small processor configurations and small input sizes in Titanium [13], a PGAS language. ti-trend-prof presents trends to the programmer to help spot possible communication performance bugs even for processor configurations and input sizes that have not been run. We used ti-trend-prof on two of the largest Titanium applications and found bugs that would have taken days in under an hour.
Transannular Cyclization in Natural Product Total Synthesis

Transannular reactions are unique in that they take advantage of the conformational constraint imposed by the medium- or macro-cyclic substrates to bring reaction centers close to each other. The results are that reactions with a high activation barrier at intermolecular settings are made possible, and more importantly, the often well-defined conformational bias of cyclic substrates is translated into high regioselectivity and stereoselectivity of the reactions. This tutorial review gives an overview of transannular cyclizations organized by reaction type with an emphasis on applications in natural product synthesis. A section on “memory of chirality,” which focuses on asymmetric transannular transformations with “chiral center-free” transition states, is also given. Keywords: transannular cyclization; natural product; synthesis; regioselectivity; stereoselectivity; total synthesis; ‘memory of chirality’; macrocyclic; polycyclic; CC bond formation; Diels-Alder reaction; transannular photo-cycloaddition; transannular cycloreversion; transannular dipolar cycloaddition; aldol reaction; Michael reaction; radical cyclization; cationic cyclization; desymmetrization
Dopaminergic modulation of ganglion-cell photoreceptors in rat

A novel class of photoreceptors, the intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (ipRGCs), express the photopigment melanopsin and drive non-image-forming responses to light such as circadian photoentrainment, the pupillary light reflex and suppression of nocturnal melatonin production in the pineal. Because dendrites from one subclass of these cells - the M1-type ipRGCs - make presumptive synaptic contacts at sites of dopamine release from dopaminergic amacrine cells, they are prime targets for modulation by dopamine, a neuromodulator implicated in retinal circadian rhythms and light adaptation. In patch-clamp recordings from ipRGCs in intact rat retinas, dopamine attenuated the melanopsin-based photocurrent. We confirmed that this was the result of direct action on ipRGCs by replicating the effect in dissociated ipRGCs that were isolated from influences of other retinal neurons. In these recordings, the D1-family dopamine receptor agonist SKF38393 attenuated the photocurrent, caused a modest depolarization, and reduced the input resistance of ipRGCs. The D2-family agonist quinpirole had no effect on the photocurrent. Single-cell reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction revealed that the majority of ipRGCs tested expressed drd1a, the gene coding for the D1a dopamine receptor. This finding was supported by immunohistochemical localization of D1a receptor protein in melanopsin-expressing ganglion cells. Finally, the adenylate cyclase activator forskolin, applied in combination with the phosphodiesterase inhibitor IBMX (isobutylmethylxanthine), mimicked the effects of SKF38393 on the ipRGC photocurrent, membrane potential and input resistance, consistent with a D1-receptor signaling pathway. These data suggest that dopamine, acting via D1-family receptors, alters the responses of ipRGCs and thus of non-image-forming vision.
¿Jugadores activos o apéndices del ejecutivo? Una evaluación del papel de los legisladores latinoamericanos en la toma de decisiones

Legislatures are critical institutions for the effective functioning of a demo- cratic system and in the policymaking process. They are expected to represent the needs and wishes of citizens, identify problems and adopt statutes to address them, and oversee the implementation of policies. However, the extents to which Latin American legisla- tures fulfill these roles vary greatly from country to country. Despite the recent prolifera-
Combining Attributes for Systems of Systems in Multi-Attribute Tradespace Exploration

One of the principal value propositions for the creation of Systems of Systems (SoS) is the ability to generate stakeholder value beyond that which can be delivered by a single system or even a collection of systems. The dynamic interactions among the component systems in a SoS make conceptual design decisions for SoS more complex compared to traditional system design. There are several heuristics and qualitative guidelines for designing SoS in the literature, but there is a lack of practical quantitative methods for SoS concept exploration. Development of quantitative methods for SoS conceptual design will greatly improve the ability of decision makers to select SoS designs in the concept design phase that will be value robust over time, by allowing them to consider a larger and more complete set of possible alternative SoS designs than is possible with qualitative methods alone. Multi-Attribute Tradespace Exploration has been used in the past to compare large numbers of system alternatives on a common cost-utility basis. In this method, the designer elicits the decision maker’s needs and formulates these as quantified attributes. The systems are then analyzed in terms of their ability to achieve the desired levels of attribute metrics. SoS-level attribute calculations must reflect component system interactions and emergent SoS-level value, as well as the added costs and benefits in the SoS as compared to that of the component systems operating alone. This paper introduces techniques for the SoS attribute combination modeling within the Multi-Attribute Tradespace Exploration method when considering SoS with heterogeneous component systems. Combining the attributes for the SoS-level must take into account the nature of the attributes provided by the component systems as well as the concept of operations for SoS. The techniques used for SoS attribute combination are classified according to the level of coordination between the component systems in the SoS. Using the information about the complexity of the method required along with knowledge about the control structure in the SoS, the SoS architect can estimate the added SoS integration costs. The ability to combine attributes contributes an essential constituent for the extension of the tradespace exploration methodology from the single system to the SoS level, allowing for the comparison of many SoS alternatives on a common cost-utility basis.
First Report of Ramularia didyma Causing a Leaf Spot on Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus) Hybrids in California

Ranunculus or Persian buttercups (Ranunculus asiaticus) are colorful, cool-season perennials or annuals grown as landscape bedding plants and for field-grown bulb and cut flower production in mild winter climates. In March of 2008, tan-to-brown lesions were observed on the foliage of containerized ranunculus growing in a greenhouse at a production and retail nursery in coastal San Mateo County, CA. Approximately 15% of the approximately 150 cv. Bloomingdale mixed shade ranunculus plants had leaf spot symptoms. Symptomatic plants were generally clustered together on two benches, with a double-flowered purple cultivar with picotee markings having the highest disease incidence and severity. Angular to round, necrotic lesions ranged between 0.25 and 1.0 cm in diameter and were often surrounded by chlorotic tissue. Whitish sporulation was observed on abaxial and adaxial sides of the larger lesions. Conidiophores were hyaline, aseptate, measured 45 to 75 × 3 to 5 μm (56 × 3.7 μm average), and were produced in f...
Critical Classroom Discourse Analysis

My primary purpose in this article is to conceptualize a framework for conducting critical classroom discourse analysis (CCDA). I begin with a critique of the scope and method of current models of classroom interaction analysis and classroom discourse analysis, arguing that they offer only a limited and limiting perspective on classroom discourse. I then contend that the concepts of discourse enunciated in Foucauldian poststructuralism and Saidian postcolonialism can be employed to develop a critical framework for understanding what actually transpires in the L2 classroom. Drawing insights from these two discourse traditions, I attempt to construct a conceptual framework for CCDA and present basic principles and procedures that might make CCDA possible. I conclude the article with suggestions for further exploration that CCDA might open up.
Cervical spine injuries and helmet laws: a population-based study.

BACKGROUND: : To assess the incidence of cervical spine (C-spine) injuries in patients admitted after motorcycle crash in states with mandatory helmet laws (MHL) compared with states without helmet laws or selective helmet laws. METHODS: : The Nationwide Inpatient Sample from the Healthcare and Utilization Project for the year 2008 was analyzed. International Classification of Diseases and Health Related Problems, Ninth Edition codes were used to identify patients with a diagnosis of motorcycle crash and C-spine injuries. National estimates were generated based on weighted analysis of the data. Outcome variables investigated were as follows: length of stay (LOS), in-hospital mortality, hospital teaching status, and discharge disposition. States were then stratified into states with MHL or selective helmet laws. RESULTS: : A total of 30,117 discharges were identified. Of these, 2,041 (6.7%) patients had a C-spine injury. Patients in MHL states had a lower incidence of C-spine injuries (5.6 vs. 6.4%; p = 0.003) and less in-hospital mortality (1.8 vs. 2.6%; p = 0.0001). Patients older than 55 years were less likely to be discharged home (57.5% vs. 72.5%; p = 0.0001), more likely to die in-hospital (3.0% vs. 2.1%; p = 0.0001), and more likely to have a hospital LOS more than 21 days (7.7% vs. 6.2%; p = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: : Patients admitted to the hospital in states with MHLs have decreased rate of C-spine injuries than those patients admitted in states with more flexible helmet laws. Patients older than 55 years are more likely to die in the hospital, have a prolonged LOS, and require services after discharge. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: : III. Language: en
Theoretical studies of the phase behavior of DPPC bilayers in the presence of macroions

A molecular theory is developed to assess the effect that the adsorption of a macroion onto a DPPC phospholipid bilayer has on its phase behavior. The proposed theoretical approach considers the molecular details of the phospholipid molecules, including their charge density, size and molecular conformations. It was found that the favorable electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged macroion and the zwitterionic phosphocholine head-groups lead to the stabilization of the DPPC bilayer gel phase. Consequently, the main chain transition temperature from the gel phase to the liquid-crystalline phase is raised by tens of degrees upon adsorption of the negatively charged macroion. The shift in the main transition temperature increases with the surface charge density of the adsorbed macroion. These results are in line with experimental observations and show how changes in the phospholipid bilayer environment can result in profound effects on the structural and thermodynamic behavior of the lipid films.
Self-insurance and worksite alcohol programs: an econometric analysis.

Objective: The worksite is an important point of access for alcohol treatment and prevention, but not all firms are likely to find offering alcohol programs profitable. This study attempts to identify at a conceptual and empirical level factors that are important determinants of the profitability of worksite alcohol programs. A central question considered in the empirical analysis is whether firms' decisions about worksite alcohol programs are related to how employee group health insurance is provided. Method: The data used are from the 1992 National Survey of Worksite Health Promotion Activities (N = 1,389-1,412). The econometric analysis focuses on measures of whether the surveyed firms offer Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), individual counseling, group classes and resource materials regarding alcohol and other substance abuse. Results: Holding other factors constant, the probability that a self-insured firm offers an EAP is estimated to be 59%, compared to 51% for a firm that purchases market group...
Optimal blocked main effects plans

In this paper, we consider the construction of optimal blocked main effects designs where m two-level factors are to be studied in N runs which are partitioned into b blocks of equal size. For N ≡ 2±od4 sufficient conditions are derived for a design to be Φ f optimal among all designs having main effects occurring equally often at their high and low levels within blocks and then this result is extended to the class of all designs for the case when the block size is two. Methods of constructing designs satisfying the sufficient conditions derived are also given.
Chlorine photoelimination from a diplatinum core: circumventing the back reaction.

The d9···d9 Pt2I,I(tfepma)2Cl2 (1) compound (tfepma = ((CF3CH2O)2P)2NCH3), d7−d9 Pt2I,III(tfepma)2Cl4 (2) and d7−d7 Pt2III,III(tfepma)2Cl6 (3), homologous suite of compounds have been prepared. Irradiation of 3 with visible light generates 2 in solution in the presence of 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene with a quantum efficiency of ∼38%. The evolution of Cl2 upon solid-state photolysis of 3 represents the first example of the thermodynamically unfavorable halogen elimination without the use of a chemical trap.
A cryogen-free superconducting magnet design for Maglev vehicle applications

A novel refrigerated superconducting magnet design for application to magnetic levitation vehicles for US transportation is presented. The magnet requires no liquid cryogens and offers improved size, weight, and reliability relative to conventional liquid helium pool cooled magnets. Niobium tin superconductor allows the magnet to be operated at a nominal temperature of 8 K, which is attainable at design heat loads with a conventional Gifford-McMahon cryogenic refrigerator. The magnet and the single thermal radiation shield are cooled by conduction from the two stations of the refrigerator. Higher temperature operation minimizes the likelihood of a magnet quench by virtue of the relatively high material heat capacity. The electromagnetic structural, and thermal design of the magnet and cryostat are presented. >
Target attraction: are developing axons guided by chemotropism?

Abstract A century has elapsed since Ramon y Cajal proposed his chemotropic theory of axon guidance, i.e. the attraction of developing axons by diffusible molecules emanating from their targets. Although the precise contribution of axonal chemoattractants to guidance in vivo remains to be established, two lines of investigation have provided evidence for their existence and importance. First, concentration gradients of nerve growth factor (NGF) have been shown to orient the growth of regenerating sensory axons in vitro . Although NGF does not appear to guide axons during development, these studies show that growth cones can orient in gradients of diffusible molecules. Second, the cellular targets of several different classes of developing neurons have been shown to secret as yet unidentified diffusible factors that can orient axons. We review these studies and discuss the potential contribution of chemotropism to the establishment of axonal projection patterns in vertebrates.
A blend of polyurethane and a urethane substituted polythiophene in the β-position

Abstract A polythiophene containing a urethane side chain in the β-position was blended with a polyurethane. Compatibility of this blend can be achieved by terms of interaction of hydrogen bonding provided by these two polymers.
Non‐custodial Mothers: Thematic Trends and Future Directions

The non-custodial mother is an anomaly. She does not live with her children on a full-time basis, putting her outside of the dominant expectations associated with motherhood. Although there has been an increase in the number of non-custodial mothers in recent years, information on the experience of being a non-custodial mother is minimal. The majority of our knowledge of non-custodial mothers stems from research conducted during the mid-1980s through the 1990s. This research was primarily descriptive in nature, lacking theoretical density. This article provides an overview of research completed on non-custodial mothers over the past two decades, with attention to the family and the role of the courts. After reviewing past research, the current state of the field is discussed, and future research directions are suggested.
Dimerization reaction of copper(II), zinc(II), nickel(II) and manganese(III) porphyrin complexes in aqueous solutions[1]

Abstract Copper, zinc, manganese and nickel were incorporated in the water soluble porphyrin obtained by the addition of four molecules of ethylenediamine to protoporphyrin IX dimethyl ester. Spectrophotometric and temperature-jump relaxation measurements on the aqueous solutions of copper, zinc and manganese porphyrins revealed a monomer-dimer equilibria. At 25°C, the rate constant for dimerization determined by temperature-jump relaxation studies of these three metalloporphyrins are, 4·1 × 10 6 M −1 sec −1 , 7·5 × 10 7 M −1 sec −1 and 4·0 × 10 8 M −1 sec −1 respectively. The dimer dissociation rate constants are 2·0 × 10 1 sec −1 , 3·0 × 10 2 sec −1 , and 1·1 × 10 3 sec −1 . Beer's law studies showed nickel porphyrin to be existing mostly as a single molecular aggregate in aqueous medium. Stopped flow kinetic measurements of nickel porphyrin were done in 20 volume percent alcohol water mixture, in which monomer-dimer equilibrium exists. The rate constants for the dimerization and dimer-dissociation thus obtained are 4·0 × 10 5 M −1 sec −1 and 2·0 sec −1 respectively. The dimerization constants determined spectroscopically under similar conditions are 3·1 × 10 5 M −1 , 2·0 × 10 6 M −1 and 1·0 × 10 6 M −1 for copper, zinc, manganese and nickel porphyrin respectively and these values agree reasonably well with those from the kinetic results. Ethanol shifts the equilibrium toward monomer.
A new look at literal meaning in understanding what is said and implicated

Abstract What role does literal meaning play in language comprehension? This question has been vigorously debated in research on figurative language understanding. The standard pragmatic view proposes that people must analyze the complete literal meaning of indirect and figurative utterances before pragmatic information is consulted to infer speakers’ nonliteral messages. Most of the psycholinguistic research shows, however, that given sufficient context people understand nonliteralmeanings without first analyzing the complete literal meaning of an expression (i.e., the direct access view). Several lines of research have recently attempted to demonstrate that people still analyze aspects of literal meaning when understanding metaphors, irony, idioms, and proverbs. I critically evaluate this new work and suggest that it does not contribute sufficient evidence against the direct access view. Nonetheless, I argue that other research suggests how people analyze aspects of what speakers say as part of inferring what speakers implicate. This conclusion has several implications for specifying the role of pragmatics in ordinary utterance interpretation.
It's "juxta" potassium channel!

Neuronal excitability depends on the appropriate expression and localization of ion channels. Juxtaparanodal Kv1 channels have been used as a model to study the role of neuroglial interactions in regulating the expression and localization of channels in myelinated axons. Recent advances in our understanding of the composition of juxtaparanodal Kv1 channel protein complexes as well as the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying their localization at juxtaparanodes are discussed. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
cis-3-Hexenal production in tobacco is stimulated by 16-carbon monounsaturated fatty acids.

Abstract Transgenic tobacco plants O9 and T16 expressing the yeast acyl-CoA Δ9 desaturase and an insect acyl-CoA Δ11 desaturase, respectively, displayed altered profiles of fatty acids compared to wild-type tobacco plants and marked increases in cis-3-hexenal, a major leaf volatile derived from α-linolenic acid (18:3). As expected, O9 and T16 plants had increased levels of the major unsaturated fatty acid products formed by the transgenic desaturases they expressed, viz., palmitoleic acid (16:1Δ9) and palmitvaccenic acid (16:1Δ11), respectively. In addition, levels of 18:3 lipid declined slightly and the pool of free 18:3, which accounts for about 30% of free fatty acids in wild-type plants, disappeared completely in both transgenics. Both O9 and T16 plants were found to have a two-fold increase in 13-lipoxygenase (13-LOX) activity, which catalyzes the first of two steps leading to hexenal production from 18:3. In O9 and T16 plants, the activity of 9-lipoxygenase and hydroperoxide lyase, the latter catalyzing the formation of cis-3-hexenal from α-linolenic acid hydroperoxide, was significantly different from that of the wild-type plants. Although 16:1Δ9 and 16:1Δ11 had no direct effects on 13-LOX activity in vitro, cis-3-hexenal production increased in tobacco leaves treated with these fatty acids, suggesting that they may act in vivo by stimulating 13-LOX gene expression.
National Heritage and Economic Policies in Free and Sovereign Poland after 1918

Poland, whenever free and sovereign, has since 1918 implemented economic policies that emphasise free markets. This approach has failed to produce a rapid rate of economic growth, so the country is still substantially underdeveloped. Although significant government investment in 1936–9 resulted in strong economic growth and a higher standard of living, today's Poland continues to pursue neo-liberal economic policies. This paper links these policies to the nation's heritage, which stresses limited government. Such beliefs ruled the actions of the nation's ruling class before partitions in the eighteenth century and during the inter-war period, and continue to dominate economic policy now.
Learning to move↔moving to learn: Discussion at the crossroads

(1973). Learning to move↔moving to learn: Discussion at the crossroads. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 12, The Early Years of Childhood, pp. 109-120.
Extreme ultraviolet emission spectrum of CO2 induced by electron impact at 200 eV

We present the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) emission spectrum of CO_2 induced by electronimpact at 200 eV. There are 36 spectral features which are identified with a resolution of 0.5 nmover the wavelength range of 40 to 125 nm. Absolute emission cross sections were obtained for eachof these features. The EUV emission spectrum induced by electron impact consist of atomicmultiplets of CI,II and OI,II,III as well as CO and CO^+ molecular band systems produced bydissociative excitation. The CI (119.4 nm) multiplet is the strongest feature of CI with a peak crosssection of 3.61 x 10^(-19) cm^2 at 200 eV. The strongest feature of OI in the EUV spectrum is theOI (99.0 nm) multiplet with a peak cross section of 3.59 x 10^(-19) cm^2 at 200 eV.
Molecular Imaging of Vasa Vasorum Neovascularization via DEspR-targeted Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound Micro-imaging in Transgenic Atherosclerosis Rat Model

Purpose Given that carotid vasa vasorum neovascularization is associated with increased risk for stroke and cardiac events, the present in vivo study was designed to investigate molecular imaging of carotid artery vasa vasorum neovascularization via target-specific contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEU) micro-imaging.
Inaccurate diagnosis in infants with pertussis. An eight-year experience.

• A review was conducted of all patients seen at Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse, NY, from June 1975, to June 1983, whose nasopharyngeal specimens were positive by specific Bordetella pertussis –fluorescent antibody stain. Sixty-one patients were identified; 46 were hospitalized and 15 were outpatients. The age and Immunization status of the two groups were compared. Admission diagnosis, Indices of illness severity, and clinical course were assessed for the hospitalized patients. Review of the house officers' initial differential diagnoses disclosed that pertussis was considered in the diagnosis in only 45% of the cases. Bronchiolitis was the next most commonly listed diagnosis. Frequent vomiting and severe coughing were the most helpful clinical findings leading to an accurate diagnosis. Abnormal chest roentgenograms and elevated white blood cell counts were present in a minority of our patients, whether the initial diagnosis was correct or not. Younger and less-immunized patients had more severe and prolonged clinical courses. This study demonstrates that the diagnosis of pertussis is often missed or delayed because clinical findings are similar to those of other respiratory infections in infancy. Suspicion of the diagnosis in children with nonspecific respiratory illness is required for early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of spread to susceptible individuals. ( AJDC 1985;139:724-727)
Ruin Minimization for Insurers with Borrowing Constraints

Abstract We consider an optimal dynamic control problem for an insurance company with opportunities of proportional reinsurance and investment. The company can purchase proportional reinsurance to reduce its risk level and invest its surplus in a financial market that has a Black-Scholes risky asset and a risk-free asset. When investing in the risk-free asset, three practical borrowing constraints are studied individually: (B1) the borrowing rate is higher than lending (saving) rate, (B2) the dollar amount borrowed is no more than K > 0, and (B3) the proportion of the borrowed amount to the surplus level is no more than k > 0. Under each of the constraints, the objective is to minimize the probability of ruin. Classical stochastic control theory is applied to solve the problem. Specifically, the minimal ruin probability functions are obtained in closed form by solving Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman (HJB) equations, and their associated optimal reinsurance-investment policies are found by verification techniques.
Zero-temperature relaxation in spin-polarized Fermi liquids

We discuss the effect of zero-temperature attenuation, which has been recently observed in spin dynamics of spin-polarized Fermi liquids, on other Fermi-liquid processes. The transfer of this attenuation mechanism from transverse spin dynamics to longitudinal processes can be caused by the magnetic dipole interaction, namely, by the direct dipole processes and the dipole coupling between the transverse spin dynamics and the longitudinal transport and relaxation processes. We calculated the zero-temperature sound attenuation in spin-polarized Fermi liquids, corrections to the threshold of spin-wave (Castaing) instability, and the effective zero-temperature viscosity and longitudinal relaxation time in low- and high-frequency regimes.
Temperature-induced switching of the bacterial flagellar motor

Chemotaxis signaling proteins normally control the direction of rotation of the flagellar motor of Escherichia coli. In their absence, a wild-type motor spins exclusively counterclockwise. Although the signaling pathway is well defined, relatively little is known about switching, the mechanism that enables the motor to change direction. We found that switching occurs in the absence of signaling proteins when cells are cooled to temperatures below about 10 degrees C. The forward rate constant (for counterclockwise to clockwise, CCW to CW, switching) increases and the reverse rate constant (for CW to CCW switching) decreases as the temperature is lowered. At about -2 degrees C, most motors spin exclusively CW. At temperatures for which reversals are frequent enough to generate a sizable data set, both CCW and CW interval distributions appear to be exponential. From the rate constants we computed equilibrium constants and standard free energy changes, and from the temperature dependence of the standard free energy changes we determined standard enthalpy and entropy changes. Using transition-state theory, we also calculated the activation free energy, enthalpy, and entropy. We conclude that the CW state is preferred at very low temperatures and that it is relatively more highly bonded and restricted than the CCW state.
LiV2O4: a heavy-fermion transition metal oxide?

Abstract We present electron-spin resonance ESR and magnetic susceptibility results and in pure and doped LiV 2 O 4 which provide experimental evidence that this transition-metal oxide is not a pure heavy-fermion system but has to be characterized as a spin-fluctuation compound where magnetic degrees of freedom play an essential role.
Antischistosomal effects of cyclosporin A.

Administration of cyclosporin A, a new selective immunosuppressive agent, to mice infected withSchistosoma mansoni resulted in a significant reduction in the number of mature and immature male and, to a greater extent, female worms. With lower, subeffective, doses a reduction in hemoglobinase activity and protein content of female schistosomes is produced. Evidence available so far suggests that the antischistosomal effects of cyclosporin A are mediated through a stimulation of host mechanisms directed against the parasite.