cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improved conductivity and ionic mobility in nanostructured thin films via aliovalent doping for ultra-high rate energy storage

A high-rate lithium ion battery electrode consisting of nanostructured copper-doped TiO2 films, synthesized using a single-step, template-free aerosol chemical vapor deposition technique, is reported herein. A narrowing of the band gap of the copper-doped films from 2.92 to 1.93 eV corresponds to a large increase in electronic conductivity, overcoming a major drawback of pristine TiO2 in electronic applications. Lithium-ion batteries using copper-doped films as the negative electrode exhibit improved charge retention at ultra-high charge rates, up to 50C. Additionally, over 2000 charge–discharge cycles at a rate of 10C, the copper-doped TiO2 electrodes display higher stable cycling capacities. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) and a galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) provide insight into the chemical diffusion of Li+ in the TiO2 matrix, with copper-doped TiO2 electrodes exhibiting an order of magnitude higher value in CV measurements over pristine TiO2. GITT provided the state-of-charge (SoC) resolved chemical diffusion coefficient of Li+ and suggests that a minimum value occurs at a moderate SoC of 60%, with values near the extremes being over two orders of magnitude higher. Both techniques indicate increased Li+ mobility due to copper-doping, supporting improved electrochemical performance in ultra-high rate battery testing.
Religion and Ritual in Ancient Egypt: The Egyptian Mind

They [the Egyptians] are religious to excess, beyond any nation in the world. – Herodotus This book is about how ancient Egyptians related to and worshipped their gods, and how religion affected their daily lives. It focuses on personal involvement with religion, and how religion and the human response to it – cult actions – formed the Egyptians' material and psychological culture. The text explores what, in the most practical sense, their beliefs meant to the early Egyptians and how they incorporated religion into their lives. A study of Egyptian religious practice – of how religion permeated society and stimulated human action – must include an examination of what the people were like, how they conceived of their gods, and what they apparently (reading backward from their practices) “needed” from their religion, that is, how they approached their own beliefs and responded to those beliefs. We are fortunate to have so many sources that describe both the impact of religion on individual Egyptians and how these individuals incorporated those beliefs into their day-to-day lives. Yet despite this wealth of sources, it is still frustratingly difficult to understand what these people, so removed from us by time, were really like. Did they cringe under the weight of the long tradition of their religion, the manifestations of which were omnipresent both physically and culturally? In many ways, ancient Egypt was one of the most theocratic societies in history.
RoboGrammar: graph grammar for terrain-optimized robot design

We present RoboGrammar, a fully automated approach for generating optimized robot structures to traverse given terrains. In this framework, we represent each robot design as a graph, and use a graph grammar to express possible arrangements of physical robot assemblies. Each robot design can then be expressed as a sequence of grammar rules. Using only a small set of rules our grammar can describe hundreds of thousands of possible robot designs. The construction of the grammar limits the design space to designs that can be fabricated. For a given input terrain, the design space is searched to find the top performing robots and their corresponding controllers. We introduce Graph Heuristic Search - a novel method for efficient search of combinatorial design spaces. In Graph Heuristic Search, we explore the design space while simultaneously learning a function that maps incomplete designs (e.g., nodes in the combinatorial search tree) to the best performance values that can be achieved by expanding these incomplete designs. Graph Heuristic Search prioritizes exploration of the most promising branches of the design space. To test our method we optimize robots for a number of challenging and varied terrains. We demonstrate that RoboGrammar can successfully generate nontrivial robots that are optimized for a single terrain or a combination of terrains.
Transition to telephone genetic counseling services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the delivery of healthcare services, including oncology. To ensure continuity of cancer genetic counseling at a large academic medical center while also promoting the safety of patients and staff, our team transitioned to fully remote telephone genetic counseling and testing services within 48 hr. We compare differences in the six weeks following the shift to telephone genetic counseling (post-COVID) to the six weeks preceding the pandemic (pre-COVID). We maintained 99% of our total visit capacity and saw a decrease in patient no-show rate from 9.5% to 7.3%. Of all patients who received telephone genetic counseling, fewer consented to genetic testing as compared to patients seen in-person prior to the pandemic (79% pre-COVID v. 72% post-COVID; p = .012). Four weeks after this cohort was closed for analysis, 96 out of 303 samples (32%) had not been received by the genetic testing laboratory, despite at least one reminder phone call to the patient. In 13 reported instances, a second sample was required (quality not sufficient, lost or mislabeled sample), thus delaying test results. We conclude that a rapid transition to remote genetic counseling and testing allowed uninterrupted access to cancer genetics services during to the COVID-19 pandemic. Patient compliance with sample return and higher rates of sample failure emerge as potential barriers to timely genetic testing under this service delivery model.
Impact of Race and Socioeconomic Status on Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19.

The impact of race and socioeconomic status on clinical outcomes has not been quantified in patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To evaluate the association between patient sociodemographics and neighborhood disadvantage with frequencies of death, invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission in patients hospitalized with COVID-19. Retrospective cohort study. Four hospitals in an integrated health system serving southeast Michigan. Adult patients admitted to the hospital with a COVID-19 diagnosis confirmed by polymerase chain reaction. Patient sociodemographics, comorbidities, and clinical outcomes were collected. Neighborhood socioeconomic variables were obtained at the census tract level from the 2018 American Community Survey. Relationships between neighborhood median income and clinical outcomes were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression models, controlling for patient age, sex, race, Charlson Comorbidity Index, obesity, smoking status, and living environment. Black patients lived in significantly poorer neighborhoods than White patients (median income: $34,758 (24,531–56,095) vs. $63,317 (49,850–85,776), p < 0.001) and were more likely to have Medicaid insurance (19.4% vs. 11.2%, p < 0.001). Patients from neighborhoods with lower median income were significantly more likely to require IMV (lowest quartile: 25.4%, highest quartile: 16.0%, p < 0.001) and ICU admission (35.2%, 19.9%, p < 0.001). After adjusting for age, sex, race, and comorbidities, higher neighborhood income ($10,000 increase) remained a significant negative predictor for IMV (OR: 0.95 (95% CI 0.91, 0.99), p = 0.02) and ICU admission (OR: 0.92 (95% CI 0.89, 0.96), p < 0.001). Neighborhood disadvantage, which is closely associated with race, is a predictor of poor clinical outcomes in COVID-19. Measures of neighborhood disadvantage should be used to inform policies that aim to reduce COVID-19 disparities in the Black community.
A Survey of Husbandry and Breeding Techniques in the Ball Python (Python regius) Pet Trade

Ball pythons (Python regius) are one of the most popular pet snakes, with >1 million animals currently kept in captivity and zoos. Designer ball pythons with unique “morphs” are highly desirable, leading to a niche market for privately owned captive-bred animals. A survey of ball python breeders across the United States was conducted to quantitatively assess ball python ownership, including husbandry and breeding practices. Survey distribution occurred through a breeder conference and over hobbyist and online marketplaces. Results indicate that, despite this growing market, most snake breeders make no substantial income from the snakes they breed and instead rear snakes as a hobby. Respondents manage a median of 45 animals (range: 7–700), buy and sell 4 and 20 animals per year, respectively, and generate a median of 0% in personal income. The majority use commercial rack systems (62%) with enclosure temperature gradients (83.7%) and humidity management (50%). Females and males are first bred at mean weights of 1,500 and 600 g, respectively, and they are paired for an average of 3.3 days (range: 2–7 days). Eggs are primarily managed in custom incubators (70%), most commonly on vermiculite (42.9%), and at a temperature of 31.7°C (89°F) and humidity of 95%. Assistance during hatching is provided in a majority (55.1%) of cases, and sex determination is primarily (74%) done by hemipenal eversion. Notably, 62% of responding breeders will feed live prey, 59.2% do not regularly screen their collections for parasites, and 71.4% have visited a veterinarian for a snake.
Evaluation of Face Recognition Systems

While face recognition research has been perennial and popular since its inception, there has been a marked escalation in this research in recent years due to the confluence of several factors, primarily the development of advanced machine learning algorithms, free and robust software implementations thereof, ever faster GPU processors for running them, vast web-scraped face image databases, open performance benchmarks, and a vibrant face recognition literature.
Metformin prevents airway hyperreactivity in rats with dietary obesity.

Increased insulin is associated with obesity-related airway hyperreactivity and asthma. We tested whether the use of metformin, an anti-diabetic drug used to reduce insulin resistance, can reduce c...
Studies on the action of insulin in isolated adipose tissue cells. I. Stimulation of incorporation of 32P-labeled inorganic phosphate into mononucleotides in the absence of glucose.

Abstract 1. Insulin stimulated the incorporation of 32P-labeled inorganic phosphate into acid-soluble mononucleotides in isolated fat cells incubated in the absence of glucose in the medium. The specific radioactivity of the ATP increased by approximately 60%. 2. This increase was accompanied by a small but significant increment in steady state concentration of ATP over control. 3. Experiments with previously labeled cells, incubated in the absence of phosphate in the incubation medium, suggest that this stimulation by insulin of mononucleotide labeling was not a result of an effect of insulin on active transport across the plasma membrane. 4. Lipolytic agents, which are known to increase the concentration of cyclic AMP in adipose cells, diminished the incorporation of 32Pi into monucleotides. They also decreased ATP concentration, suggesting that fatty acids, their derivatives, or an unknown factor connected with lipolysis impaired oxidative phosphorylation. Insulin diminished the inhibitory action of lipolytic agents and restored ATP concentration.
Contributor Diagnostics for Anomaly Detection

Anomaly detection in data streams requires a signal of an unusual event, but an actionable response requires diagnostics. Consequently, an important task is to isolate to the few key attributes that contribute to the signal from among a large collection. We introduce this contributor problem to the machine learning community and present a solution for monitoring in modern systems (with nonlinear reference conditions, high dimensions, categorical attributes, missing data, and so forth). The objective is to identify attributes that contribute to a signal, for both individual and multiple anomalies, or from several anomaly groups. Although related to the feature selection problem, the extreme sparseness of anomalies leads to scores that are designed specifically for the contributors problem. Statistical criteria are provided to quantitatively address decision rules and false alarms and the method can be computed quickly. Comparisons are made to traditional contribution plots.
The effect of an airbag on injuries in an automobile crash: report of two cases

This brief article presents a case where use of an airbag by the driver reduced the severity of his injuries in comparison to those sustained by his front seat passenger, who was unrestrained. The two men were driving in a 1990 Cadillac Seville and struck a wall in a head on collision at about 30-35 mph. The car sustained substantial front end damage. Neither passenger nor driver was using a seatbelt, but the driver was protected by a properly functioning airbag. The 79 year old driver sustained a 8 cm laceration of his right thigh associated with a comminuted right midshaft femur fracture and a displaced right intertrochanteric fracture Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 9. His 89 year old passenger (his brother) sustained facial and extremity fractures and severe lacerations. Injuries included a nasal septal fracture and a Le Forte type 2 fracture, multiple right tibia and fibular fractures, comminuted left femur and fibular fractures and a displaced right collar fracture. ISS was 26. He never regained full mobility and remained in hospital 2 weeks longer than his brother, who made a full recovery.
Transcription Factors and Human Disorders

Transcription factors play a major role in the regulation of gene expression which underlies human development, physiology and pathophysiology. Germ-line mutations in genes encoding transcription factors are responsible for a large number of congenital malformation syndromes. Somatic mutations in these genes also play important roles in the pathogenesis of cancer. Keywords: cancer; congenital malformations; DNA-binding proteins
Streptomyces torulosus sp. n., an unusual knobby-spored taxon

Several strains of a streptomycete with unusual spore wall ornamentation were isolated from Iowa soils. They are further characterized by coiled chains of spores, gray aerial mycelium, melanin-like pigments, and the production of antibacterial and antifungal antibiotics. Spore wall ornamentations, as seen with the transmission electron microscope, do not correspond with any of the four generally recognized categories of spore wall ornamentation-smooth, warty, spiny, or hairy-but seem to represent an intermediate position between warty and spiny. This unusual ornamentation consists of blunt projections rising out of an otherwise smooth surface and is termed "knobby." To obtain further information on the nature of the knoblike projections and their possible status in representing a defined spore wall ornamentation category, scanning electron micrographs and transmission electron micrographs representing all sporewall ornamentation categories were compared. Differentiation between the several categories was more difficult with the scanning electron microscope than with the transmission electron microscope.
Nitrogenous air pollutants in a mixed conifer stand of the western sierra nevada, California

Nitrogenous (N) air pollutants were monitored during three summer seasons (1988–1990) a mixed coniferous stand at Whitaker Forest in the western Sierra Nevada, California. In comparison with other forest locations, the recorded levels of nitric acid (HNO3) vapor were elevated: seasonal 12 h daytime averages of 1.11–1.97 μgm−3; highest values of 12h daily averages reached 4.15 μgm−3. Similarly, the concentrations of ammonia (NH3) were high: seasonal 12 h daytime averages of 1.11–1.56 μgm−3; highest values of 12 h daily averages reached 3.75 μ−3. Also the concentrations of nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+) in fine ( < 2.2 μm in diameter) particulate fractions were higher than in the other remote mountain locations in North America. When expressed on a molar basis, NH3 was the most abundant N air pollutant and represented almost 50% of the total N. NO3+and NH4+ deposition fluxes to ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa Dougl. ex Laws.) branches during the three summer seasons ranged from 5.93 to 30.75 and from 1.46 to 5.95 μgm−2 h−1, respectively. The calculated deposition velocities for NO3− and NH4+ to ponderosa pine ranged from 0.054 to 0.327 cm s−1 and from 0.107 to 0.322 cm s−1, respectively. During the 1.990 summer season, NO3− and NH4 washed from branch surfaces provided 24.2 and 19.7 g N ha−1 per month, respectively; estimated foliar internal uptake of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and HNO3 vapor 24.2 g N ha−1 per month; and the estimated internal uptake of NH3 47.2 g N ha−1 per month. The elevated levels of air pollutants and N deposition could adversely affect the natural ecosystems of the western Sierra Nevada.
Effect of preventive interventions for malaria on HIV‐1 disease progression in non‐pregnant adults

Reason for withdrawal from publication Abandoned by authors. To view the published versions of this article, please click the 'Other versions' tab.
Measurement of Differential Cross Sections and Spin Density matrix elements along with a Partial Wave Analysis for γp → pω Using CLAS at JLab

This work presents measurements of differential cross sections, do/d cos$wCM, and spin density matrix elements, PsMM', for the reaction ypâ pw in the energy range 1.72 GeV< s <2.84 GeV. The data were collected at Jefferson Lab, using the CLAS detector, as part of the g11a run period in 2004. Our PsMM' measurements vastly increase the precision of the world s data and extend the large angle measurements by over 400 MeV in s. Our data confirms that for s < 2.1 GeV, the forward angle (small |t|) production amplitude is dominated by t-channel Rs exchange. At higher energies, existing non-resonant models do a poor job of describing our data. In particular, u-channel models fail to reproduce our highest energy backwards PsMM'measurements. A mass-independent partial wave analysis has also been performed. Near threshold, the dominant resonance contributions extracted are the **** F15(1680) and *** D13(1700). Together with the t-channel Rs exchange, these three waves provide a remarka
A new derivation of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation for physically realistic optical fibers

Summary form only given. Almost all published derivations of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation and certainly all those in commonly used textbooks are based on the assumption that optical fibers are perfectly circular and that fiber birefringence can be neglected. In fact, a study of the key length scales that exist in optical fibers shows that optical fiber birefringence-far from being negligible-is a large effect relative to dispersion and nonlinearity since it appears on a shorter length scale. Any physically correct derivation should take this essential fact into account. It is remarkable that no really complete derivation of the nonlinear Schrodinger equation for physically realistic fibers exists in the literature, although pieces can be found scattered throughout it. For example, Kodama (1985) has published a mathematically elegant and correct derivation that neglects birefringence. Others have taken into account birefringence but have made other simplifications like the plane wave approximation. In the contribution, an approach is outlined that allows one to derive the nonlinear Schrodinger equation from first principles in a step-by-step procedure using multiple scale length techniques. This approach not only arrives at the nonlinear Schrodinger equation but elucidates when it is valid and when it is expected to fail.
Paleomagnetic study of late Miocene through Pleistocene igneous rocks from the southwestern USA: Results from the historic collections of the U.S. Geological Survey Menlo Park laboratory

[1] Seventy sites from the southwestern United States provide paleomagnetic results that meet certain minimum criteria and can be considered for the Time-Averaged Field Initiative (TAFI). The virtual geomagnetic poles for these 70 units are circularly distributed, and their mean is nearly coincident with the rotational axis. When other published data for the southwestern United States are included (N = 146), the virtual geomagnetic poles are again circularly distributed, but their mean is significantly displaced from the rotational axis. Whichever of these data sets is used, the mean poles for normal- and reversed-polarity data differ by ∼170° and are not antipodal at greater than 95% confidence. When the data are separated into specific age groups, the 95% confidence limits about the mean poles for the Brunhes, Matuyama, combined Gauss/Gilbert, and late Miocene intervals all include the rotational axis. Angular dispersion about these four mean poles increases systematically with increasing age and is consistent with paleosecular variation Model “G.”
Implications for counseling

The nurse-midwife may be called upon to counsel the victim of a sexual assault many months or years after the crime. It is important to assess which of these women need referral to a licensed therapist and which can benefit from empathy and skilled counseling techniques that nurse-midwives can add to their repertoire of expertise.
China's energy and emissions outlook to 2050: Perspectives from bottom-up energy end-use model

E RNEST O RLANDO L AWRENCE B ERKELEY N ATIONAL L ABORATORY China’s energy and emissions outlook to 2050: Perspectives from bottom-up energy end-use model Nan Zhou, David Fridley, Nina Zheng Khanna, Jing Ke, Michael McNeil and Mark Levine China Energy Group Environmental Energy Technologies Division Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Reprint version of journal article published in “Energy Policy”, Volume 53, February 2013 March 2013 This work was supported by China Sustainable Energy Program of the Energy Foundation through the U.S. Department of Energy under Contract No. DE-AC02- 05CH11231.
Evoked responses: Electrogenesis, models, methodology, and wavefront reconstruction and tracking analysis

This paper has two objectives. First, to present an overview of the electrophysiologial origins of brain waves, i.e, the evoked response (ER) and the electroencephalogram (EEG); to discuss models that have been used to reconstruct the ER and the EEG at the scalp; to describe the methodology of ER data acquisition; and to provide a few ER applications. This first section presents material which is generally common to the other ER papers in this special issue. The second objective is to illustrate how the spatio-temporal ER monitored by a multielectrode scalp array can be analyzed by the frequency-wavenumber (f - k→) spectrum analysis procedure to determine estimates of the velocity (direction and speed) of ER or EEG wavefronts propagating across the array. The problem of estimating the trajectories of multiple planewaves in a noisy environment is analyzed. First, the scalp electrode array is considered planar, a simplifying assumption. Estimates of the number of planewaves and their respective vector velocities are obtained from the f - k→power spectral density. The tracking of specific wavefronts is performed by the application of f - k→digital filters. The three-dimensional fast Filtering transform (FFT) is used in both the spectral estimation and digital filtering procedures. The analysis techniques are evaluated on simulated data and then applied to actual ER data. Next the scalp electrode array is considered to be nonplanar, i.e., three-dimensional, a realistic description due to the curvature of the skull. ER wavefront velocity vectors are reconstructed from their projections onto the planes of the three-dimensional array. Among the unique specific results to be illustrated and discussed are the planar ER vector velocity trajectory patterns and the reconstruction of nonplanar (three-dimensional) ER velocity vectors for various situations, e.g, the presentation of visual stimuli to normal humans. Thus for the first time the vector velocity of the "traveling wave" across the array is estimated as well as the vector velocity component of the wave emanating from within the brain (or along the z-axis). Problems of spatial aliasing and data interpolation are discussed among others. The work is described within the context of the computational complexity required to obtain the results presented.
Changes in soil respiration Q10 during drying-rewetting along a semi-arid elevation gradient

Abstract Wetting induced increases in soil CO 2 efflux (R) from dry soils have been repeatedly reported, however little is known about the sensitivity of the pulse to temperature. To address this knowledge gap changes in temperature sensitivity of soil CO 2 efflux (Q 10 ) during repeated drying–rewetting (DW) events were experimentally quantified for soils collected both under canopy and interspace microenvironments at three elevations on Santa Rosa Mountain in southern California. Five field-replicated surface soil samples for each location were incubated at 13, 19, 25 and 31 °C. At each temperature, three consecutive DW cycles were performed by adding water to 40% water holding capacity. Instantaneous R was measured immediately after wetting and repeatedly until the soils were dry ( i ) was determined using non-linear mixed-level modeling. Soil R at 25 °C (flux25) increased with elevation gradient with a decrease in required E i values. Negative relationship between flux25 and Q 10 supported the carbon-quality hypothesis, whereas, Q 10 values > 2 supported a temperature sensitive metabolic pulse throughout repeated DW events for soils across the mountain. Including variation in Arrhenius temperature kinetics with precipitation patterns has the potential to improve predictions of the precipitation pulse induced C loss across large spatiotemporal scales.
The effects of strain rate and failure modes on the failure energy of fibre reinforced composites

Abstract The utilisation of polymer composite materials in safety critical structures necessitates their full characterisation. This will bring about the much needed boost in confidence for their application to industrial situations, especially where high speed impact is a concern. Impact performance can in some way be measured by the energy absorbed or expended to failure of a material. Hence, establishing the rate effect on energy absorption is of paramount importance when designing for impact. Tensile, shear and 3-point bend tests were conducted on a woven glass/epoxy laminate at increasing rates of strain. The results suggest a linear relationship between expended energy and the log of strain rate in the laminate tested. Furthermore, it was found that a relationship exists between the flexural energy obtained at low strain rate and the high speed (2–4 m s −1 ) test values. Magnified views of the failed specimen surfaces, viewed under a scanning electron microscope, indicate a change in failure modes as strain rate is increased, which brought about the increase in energy observed.
Nucleophilic Attack on Dichloromethane. Synthesis and Structure of mer-[Cu(2-(Aminomethyl)Pyridine)3]2+

Abstract Solutions of copper(II) β-diketone complexes in CH2Cl2 or CHCl3 react with 2-(aminomethyl)pyridine (AMP) to produce Cu(AMP)3 2 +, which precipitates as its chloride salt. mer-[Cu(AMP)3]Cl2·CH2Cl2 is monoclinic, space group P21/c; a = 11.072(1), b = 22.306(3), c = 11.388(2) A; β = 117.39(2)°; Z = 4; R = 0.076; R w = 0.068 for 375 parameters and 3477 reflections with I > I σ (I). The mer-Cu(AMP)3 2 + ion has a tetragonally distorted octahedral geometry; distances from Cu to two trans-oriented pyridine N atoms are elongated (2.420(5) and 2.437(5) A), while the third is normal (2.060(4) A). Distances from Cu to the equatorial NH2 N atoms range from 2.012(5) to 2.048(5) A. The chloride ion in this compound is produced by nucleophilic attack of AMP on the CH2Cl2 solvent.
How Contagious Is Tuberculosis

There are many questions related to the contagiousness of tuberculosis, and unfortunately they are not simply answered. In this review, Dr. Kent Sepkowitz analyzes the literature on factors associated with contagiousness of this condition. He reminds us of the many elegant laboratory and epidemiologic studies conducted all over the world that have helped answer some of these questions. In addition, he highlights the urgent need for future studies to address the many remaining perplexing questions. The availability of molecular techniques holds promise for a clearer understanding of how contagious tuberculosis is.
Longitudinal Effect of Wall Shear Stress on the Amount of Intimal-Medial Thickening of Venous Wall in Arteriovenous Fistula

Arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation failure is mainly due to venous stenosis characterized by significant amount of intima-media thickening (IMT). Although hemodynamic endpoints are believed to play a crucial role in pathogenesis of venous stenosis, the exact mechanism behind this is unclear. Our hypothesis is that longitudinal (temporal) changes of hemodynamic parameters, specifically wall shear stress (WSS), influences amount of IMT in maturation process of AVF. AVFs were created in curved (C-AVF) and straight (S-AVF) configurations between femoral artery and vein of 3 pigs. CT-scans and ultrasound were utilized to calculate WSS at 2D (D: days), 7D, and 28D post-surgery. IMT was measured at 4 histological blocks along the vein of AVFs. It was found that C-AVF underwent outward remodeling characterized by consistent increase in venous diameter and larger IMT. This remodeling process was governed by negative temporal gradient of WSS ( τ·) [-0.99 ± 0.60 dyn/cm 2 /day]. In contrast, S-AVF underwent inward remodeling characterized by temporal decrease in venous diameter and relatively smaller IMT. This remodeling process was governed by positive τ· (0.42 ± 0.6 dyn/cm 2 /day). In summary, temporal gradient of WSS influences IMT . Temporal decrease of WSS in C-AVF resulted in vasodilation and outward growth of wall (favorable to maturation). However, temporal increase in WSS in S-AVF leaded to vasoconstriction and inward growth of wall (detrimental to maturation). Thus, clinically it can be of great importance to surgeons to create AVF in a configuration that can result in favorable hemodynamic parameters and histological end-points.
The prosodic bootstrapping of phrases: Evidence from prelinguistic infants

Abstract The current study explores infants’ use of prosodic cues coincident with phrases in processing fluent speech. After familiarization with two versions of the same word sequence, both 6- and 9-month-olds showed a preference for a passage containing the sequence as a noun phrase over a passage with the same sequence as a syntactic non-unit. However, this result was found only in one of the two groups, the group exposed to a stronger prosodic difference between the syntactic and non-syntactic sequences. Six month olds were tested in the same way on passages containing verb phrases. In this case, both groups preferred the passage with the verb phrase to the passage with the same word sequence as a syntactic non-unit. These results provide the first evidence that infants as young as 6 months old are sensitive to prosodic markers of syntactic units smaller than the clause, and, in addition, that they use this sensitivity to recognize phrasal units, both noun and verb phrases, in fluent speech. This ability to use phrase-level prosodic cues is variable, however, and appears to depend on the strength or number of cues associated with these syntactic units.
Pride and Gratitude: How Positive Emotions Influence the Prosocial Behaviors of Organizational Leaders

This study investigated whether two positive morally relevant emotions, pride and gratitude, were associated with the prosocial behaviors exhibited by organizational leaders. Pride and gratitude were measured as dispositional tendencies in leaders across various types of organizations. The results revealed that a leader's propensity to experience authentic pride was positively related to two types of prosocial behavior—social justice and altruism. Furthermore, the results indicated that leader gratitude mediated the effects of pridefulness on social justice behaviors.
Dietary amino acid requirements of the aphid, Myzus persicae

Abstract Growth experiments with synthetic diets lacking single amino acids established that three, methionine, histidine, and isoleucine, are essential for Myzus persicae . Growth ceased in one generation on omission of methionine. Two generations on deficient diet were necessary to demonstrate the essentiality of histidine and isoleucine. Omission of cysteine halted growth after one generation, but this could be offset by inorganic sulphate or extra methionine, showing that cysteine was needed only as a source of sulphur. No other amino acids were individually required for growth over a test period of two generations, although omission of lysine caused a slowing in growth in the first generation. All twenty amino acids were individually tolerated over a wide concentration range without adverse effect. Phenolic acids appear unnecessary, as growth was unimpaired by the omission together of tyrosine and phenylalanine. Omission of aspartic acid, glutamic acid, asparagine, and glutamine, as a group, largely prevented growth, even though their omission, individually, had been without effect. This group requirement was partially spared by any of the four substances, alone or in various combinations, or by equivalent amounts of alanine or serine, but not by glycine. Very little growth occurred with a mixture of the ten amino acids generally found essential for animals plus cysteine, even when these were at an overall concentration equivalent to that of the routine mixture of twenty amino acids. At double this concentration, the eleven amino acids mixture was toxic. However, the addition of large amounts of glutamate, alanine, or, best of all, serine, allowed growth approaching that of the complete mixture of twenty amino acids. It was confirmed that 3–4 per cent of the routine amino acid mixture was optimal, and the indications were that if methionine and sulphate were kept at a constant high level, growth would then be optimal with as little as 2 per cent of total amino acids. M. persicae is remarkable for the small number of amino acids that are strictly essential to its diet, and for its ability to grow well with dietary amino acid mixtures of limited or widely variable composition. It is suggested that this extraordinary versatility is a function of its possession of profuse intracellular symbiotes.
Metabolomic Profile Associated With Insulin Resistance and Conversion to Diabetes in the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study

Context: Metabolomic profiling of amino acids and acylcarnitines has revealed consistent patterns associated with metabolic disease. Objective: This study used metabolomic profiling to identify analytes associated with insulin sensitivity (SI) and conversion to type 2 diabetes (T2D). Design: A multiethnic cohort from the Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Study. Setting: Community-based. Patients: A total of 196 subjects (European American, Hispanic, and African American) were selected to represent extremes of the SI distribution and conversion to T2D between baseline and followup exams. Main Outcome: Mass spectrometry–based profiling of 69 metabolites. Subjects participated in a frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance test to measure SI and acute insulin response. T2D status was determined by a 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test. Results: Logistic regression analysis from 72 high and 75 low SI subjects revealed significantly decreased glycine and increased valine, leucine, phenylalanine, and combined glu...
Moults of wild Scottish ptarmigan, Lagopus mutus, in relation to sex, climate and status

The three annual moults and plumages of Scottish ptarmigan (Lagopus mutus) were studied from shot specimens but particularly from field observations. Cocks were ahead of hens in showing the grey autumn plumage but hens were ahead of cocks in turning white in winter. Although cocks were ahead in growing summer plumage, after late April the hens passed them. Ptarmigan on the same hill turned dark earlier in mild than in cold springs.
Even harmonic double-balanced active mixer for use in direct conversion receivers

An active double-balanced even harmonic mixer implemented in a 0.35-/spl mu/m SiGe BiCMOS process is described. The effect of local oscillator wave shape and duty cycle on conversion gain are examined. Measured data for an even harmonic mixer is compared to a conventional Gilbert cell mixer and applications to the front-end of a direct conversion receiver are described.
The Ties That Bind: A 20-Year Retrospective of Canada's Municipal Linkages in the Americas

AbstractIn recent years, Canada has moved steadily toward greater approximation with the countries of the Americas. This is evidenced both in diplomatic terms and more concretely through increased trade, investment, and mobility in the form of activity in tourism and study abroad. While such trends have been the subject of considerable investigation and debate, very little attention has been paid to subnational linkages in the form of sister-city relationships in the Americas. This study seeks a partial remedy to this deficiency, through examination of changing patterns of Canadian-Latin American/Caribbean municipal ties over the past two decades. The research reveals that municipal ties are indeed growing across the region. It further suggests that such growth has largely been motivated by the more pragmatic ends of municipalities as subnational units, as opposed to agency linked to a developed world agenda as suggested by existing theoretical models.
Differential Secreted Proteome Approach in Murine Model for Candidate Biomarker Discovery in Colon Cancer

The complexity and heterogeneity of the plasma proteome have presented significant challenges in the identification of protein changes associated with tumor development. We used cell culture as a model system and identified differentially expressed, secreted proteins which may constitute serological biomarkers. A stable isotope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) approach was used to label the entire secreted proteomes of the CT26 murine colon cancer cell line and normal young adult mouse colon (YAMC) cell line, thereby creating a stable isotope labeled proteome (SILAP) standard. This SILAP standard was added to unlabeled murine CT26 colon cancer cell or normal murine YAMC colon epithelial cell secreted proteome samples. A multidimensional approach combining isoelectric focusing (IEF), strong cation exchange (SCX) followed by reversed phase liquid chromatography was used for extensive protein and peptide separation. A total of 614 and 929 proteins were identified from the YAMC and CT26 cell lines, with 418 proteins common to both cell lines. Twenty highly abundant differentially expressed proteins from these groups were selected for liquid chromatography-multiple reaction monitoring/mass spectrometry (LC-MRM/MS) analysis in sera. Differential secretion into the serum was observed for several proteins when Apc(min) mice were compared with control mice. These findings were then confirmed by Western blot analysis.
Infrared studies of H II regions and dust clouds near K3-50

Ground-based infrared observations of the K3-50 region are reported at wavelengths between 2 and 34 microns as well as at 1 mm. The main results are that (1) the visible nebular K3-50 is displaced from its infrared and radio counterparts; (2) component Cl (the OH source ON-3) appears very faint at wavelengths not exceeding 20 microns and is therefore probably obscured by several hundred magnitudes of visual extinction; (3) both K3-50 and component C are associated with separate condensations of molecular hydrogen, each of about 3000 solar masses; and (4) there are no strong sources in this region at 20 microns other than those associated with H II condensations.
The Pharmacist's Role in Promoting Optimal Antimicrobial Use

Optimal use of antimicrobials is essential in the face of escalating antibiotic resistance, and requires cooperation from all sectors of the health care system. Although antibiotic-restriction policies in the hospital setting are important in altering microbial susceptibility patterns, an overall reduction in antibiotic prescriptions in the outpatient setting is more likely to significantly impact antibiotic resistance. Education of providers, application of clinical practice guidelines, audit and feedback activities, and multifaceted interventions all have had an effect in altering antibiotic prescribing in a research setting. Clinicians must alter antibiotic prescribing for the treatment of infectious diseases, and patients must change their perception of the need for these drugs. Pharmacists can play a major role through clinician education and focused clinical services. With cooperation of health care teams, the effectiveness of available antibiotics may be sustained and the threat of resistance minimized.
Double resonance interference in third-order light mixing

Abstract The first observation of interference effects between two sharp resonant contributions to the third-order nonlinear susceptibility χ(3) (ω3=ω0+ω1−ω2) is reported. Using two tunable near ir frequencies, ω0=ω1 and ω2, the was seen in crystalline CuCl when 2ω1 and ω1−ω2 were close to the sharp Z3 exciton at 3.21 eV and the 210 cm-1 Raman line, respectively. Three different tunable visible frequencies were used to observe similar interference effects in a benzene-cyclohexane mixture when ω0−ω2 and ω1−ω2 were close to the 992 cm-1 Raman line of benzene and the 801 cm-1 Raman line of cyclohexane, respectively.
Retinal Function Abnormalities in Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis Type II

Purpose To characterize retinal electrophysiologic and psychophysical abnormalities associated with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II. Methods Three adults with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II were studied. Retinal function was measured psychophysically (automated perimetry, Farnsworth D-15 color vision testing, and dark adaptometry) and electro-physiologically (full-field flash electroretinography and electro-oculography). Results Two symptomatic individuals had prominent drusenlike deposits and retinal pigment epithelial disturbances, findings characteristic of membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II retinopathy. These individuals had mild visual field and color vision abnormalities, prolonged dark adaptation, and delayed electroretinographic dark-adapted dim and bright flash responses of normal amplitude. The electro-oculogram of the most severely affected individual was abnormal. The third individual who was asymptomatic had the mildest fundus abnormalities and exhibited normal psychophysical and electrophysiologic responses. Conclusions Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II retinopathy may be associated with symptomatic and measurable psychophysical and electrophysiologic abnormalities of retinal function.
Site-selective laser spectroscopy of lanthanide-binding sites in calmodulin.

Abstract Site-selective laser spectroscopy has been used to resolve the spectral features of lanthanide fluorescence probe ions in calcium-binding proteins. The capabilities and characteristics of this technique are studied using bovine brain calmodulin where the calcium-binding sites are very similar. Two distinct spectral features are identified. These features were followed during a Eu 3+ titration and were found to fill successively, showing they correspond to the high- and low-affinity sites. One set of spectral features is assigned to domains I and III, which are the high-affinity domains, while the other set is assigned to domains II and IV. Additional nonspecific binding is observed after the domains are filled. Tb 3+ titrations confirmed earlier results that the tyrosine-containing domains fill second and third ( R. W. Wallace, E. A. Tallant, M. E. Duckter, and W. Y. Cheung, 1982 , J. Biol. Chem. X 257 (4), 1845–1854). Site-selective laser spectroscopy was also used to identify the presence of ethylene glycol bis(β-aminoethyl ether) N,N′ -tetraacetic acid contamination that could cause interference in titrations.
Fractured Well Responses in Heterogeneous Systems—Application to Devonian Shale and Austin Chalk Reservoirs

This paper presents new methods to analyze fractured well responses in heterogeneous reservoirs The authors consider wells producing formations that are naturally fractured and use the idealizations proposed by Warren and Root (pseudosteady-state flow in the matrix-system) and by deSwaan-O (unsteady-state flow in the matrix-system) to model the naturally fractured reservoir. Pressure responses are correlated in a manner suitable for direct application of field data. Methods to determine fracture half-length are presented. Two field applications are discussed. The consequences of neglecting the heterogeneous character of the porous medium are also discussed.
TARPs differentially decorate AMPA receptors to specify neuropharmacology

Transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory proteins (TARPs) are the first identified auxiliary subunits for a neurotransmitter-gated ion channel. Although initial studies found that stargazin, the prototypical TARP, principally chaperones AMPA receptors, subsequent research demonstrated that it also regulates AMPA receptor kinetics and synaptic waveforms. Recent studies have identified a diverse collection of TARP isoforms – types Ia, Ib II – that distinctly regulate AMPA receptor trafficking, gating and neuropharmacology. These TARP isoforms are heterogeneously expressed in specific neuronal populations and can differentially sculpt synaptic transmission and plasticity. Whole-genome analyses also link multiple TARP loci to childhood epilepsy, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. TARPs emerge as vital components of excitatory synapses that participate both in signal transduction and in neuropsychiatric disorders.
A new exclusion test

Exclusion tests are a well-known tool for obtaining all solutions of a nonlinear system of equations, see, e.g., the work of Krawczyk or Moore. Recently, Yamamura and collaborators have developed Linear Programming exclusion tests that turned out to be highly successful for nonlinear problems in electrical networking. The author has developed higher order exclusion tests based on Taylor expansions. In the present paper it is shown that the ideas behind both approaches can be combined: We present a new class of higher order Linear Programming exclusion tests, investigate their computational complexity, and illustrate their performance on several examples.
Parent Education in a Children's Hospital:

The effects of a didactic lecture and discussion about their hospitalized child's illness upon parents' knowledge of that illness are evaluated. Parents attending such lectures achieved significantly greater success than those parents of a non-attending group in their ability to recognize true facts about rheumatic fe ver and in their ability to avoid sub scription to contradictory statements.Significant changes in knowledge which also occurred in the non-attending group attest to the value of multiple channels of communication within the hospital as aids in parent education. Fail ure to keep subsequent follow up ap pointments tended to be associated with failure to learn about the child's illness during the course of this study.