cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polymorphism of salts containing complex ions—I: The halides of ammonium and methyl-substituted ammonium

Abstract Thermal transformations in solid ammonium and methyl-substituted ammonium salts of the general formula: [( CH 3 ) n NH 4−n ]X X=Cl, Br, I n=0, 1, 2, 3, 4 have been investigated between −150°C and their melting or decomposition temperatures. The temperatures at which solid phase reactions occur have been determined using DTA techniques. The first three members of the chloride series with n = 0, 1, 2 have two polymorphic phase transitions. The remaining two members (n = 3, 4) exhibit only one transition. Except in the case of NH4Cl, a stepwise increase in the overall lattice symmetry with increasing temperature was observed by X-ray diffraction patterns obtained within the stability range of the various phases. Infrared absorption spectra of all chlorides under investigation have been obtained. They indicate some hydrogen bonding between anion and cation from n = 0–2. Symmetry and size of the ions, as well as packing densities, also affect the temperature at which transition occurs.
The 1st Amendment, 2nd Amendment, and 3D Printed Guns

We are standing at the dawn of the next great industrial revolution. With 3-D printers people can print an infinite number of personalized and customized “things.” However, one manifestation of this bold new technology threatens to cast a specter on innovation: 3D printed guns. This article explores how efforts to regulate, or even ban 3D guns, must satisfy constitutional scrutiny under both the First and Second Amendments. The Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms includes a subsidiary right to acquire arms — what else are you going to keep and bear — which covers both the buyer, and seller in the transaction. Further, the seller has to obtain guns, including newly manufactured firearms. Thus, the Second Amendment supply chain protects a right to make arms. These constitutional guarantees preserve the right to acquire and make firearms, by 3D printer or other means. Prohibitions on sharing and receiving information about 3D guns, in the form of CAD source code files, violate the First Amendment right to free speech. The fact that information about 3D guns is distributed in electronic format does not shield it from the Bill of Rights. Further, the “hybrid” First and Second Amendment right offers heightened constitutional protections when the government attempts to restrict speech about the right to keep and bear arms.I concluded by offering a preliminary analysis of several proposals to regulate 3D guns. First, laws that prohibit the manufacturing and possession of 3D guns, without a showing that the weapons are highly dangerous, would likely be unconstitutional. Second, bans on individuals making and possessing 3D guns for personal use would represent an unprecedented expansion of gun control laws, as there are virtually no regulations on homemade firearms. Third, the application of the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (“ITAR”), designed to keep dangerous weapons and munitions out of the hands of foreign nationals is an an ill-equipped, and as applied unconstitutional means to regulate 3D guns.
Graph-Theoretic Web Algorithms: An Overview

The World Wide Web is growing rapidly and revolutionizing the means of information access. It can be modeled as a directed graph in which a node represents a Web page and an edge represents a hyperlink. Currently the number of nodes in this gigantic Web graph is over four billion and is growing by more than seven million nodes a day--without any centralized control. The study of this graph is essential for designing efficient algorithms for crawling, searching, and ranking Web resources. Knowledge of the structure of the Web graph can be also exploited for attaining efficiency and comprehensiveness in Web navigation. This paper describes algorithms for graph-theoretic analysis of the Web.
Parental Alienation Syndrome

Richard Gardner (1985) first defined parental alienation syndrome (PAS) as a conscious effort on the part of one parent to purposely disrupt and destroy his or her child's relationship with the other biological parent. This process is related to divorce, and Gardner suggested that it was an effort on the part of one parent (according to Gardner, the biological mother in the vast majority of cases) to denigrate the other parent in a way that the child would no longer wish to maintain a relationship with the denigrated parent. Keywords: alienation; child custody; parent-child relationships; parental behavior
International Comparisons of Intensive Care: Understanding the Differences

Since the first steps towards modern critical care during the Copenhagen polio epidemic in 1952, the use of intensive care to treat acutely ill patients has blossomed into an integral part of health care across the globe. Like other aspects of medical care, each country and culture has developed its own approach to building and using intensive care. Yet, little emphasis has been placed on fully understanding the multitude of differences that exist between countries with regard to resources, patients, and outcomes.
Iterative deconvolution in noncoherent systems

The application of iterative deconvolution techniques to the squared-magnitude function of a complex-valued signal degraded by convolution with a known complex function is considered. The observed and desired complex signal phase functions are treated as random processes. One possible iteration for the mean of the squared-magnitude of the desired signal is considered. The role of the probability density functions of the unknown phases is discussed, and the case where all phases are completely random is considered in more detail. It is shown that a computable iteration is obtained only in this special case. The problem has application in areas such as radar where noncoherent sensors are used to receive signals which are inherently complex-valued.
The Automated Measurement of Ascorbic Acid in Serum and Urine

An automated colorimetric method for determination of ascorbic acid has been developed. This method utilizes diazotized 4-methoxy-2-nitroanaline and produces a stable color. It is suitable for direct measurement of ascorbic acid in serum and urine.
Die chemische Grundlage der Vererbung, der genetische Code

In the cell the genetic information contained in a molecule of DNA is transferred to messenger RNA, which in turn acts as a template in the synthesis of protein. The nucleotide sequence in DNA is mirrored as a corresponding nucleotide sequence in the messenger RNA, the latter then determining the primary structure of the proteins (i.e. their amino acid sequence). In this way the language of the nucleic acids, which comprises four letters (the four nucleotide bases), is translated into that of the proteins, which comprises 20 letters (the 20 amino acids). It is supposed that each group of three consecutive nucleotide bases in the template RNA determines an amino acid. Hence the genetic code is a “triplet” code. Polyribonucleotides, which can be synthesized readily from the ribonucleoside-5′-diphosphates with the help of the enzyme polynucleotide phosphorylase, can replace natural template RNA in a cell-free system similar to that used in protein synthesis in which the amino acids are polymerised into polypeptide chains. Since the nature of the amino acids incorporated into the polypeptide chains depends on the base composition of the synthetic polynucleotide, it has been possible to discover the base compositions of a number of the triplets corresponding to the various amino acids. In the Escherichia coli system homopolynucleotides such as polyadenylic acid, polycytidylic acid and polyuridylic acid lead to the incorporation of lysine, proline and phenylalanine. Under these conditions polysine, polyproline and polyphenylalanine, respectively, are formed. Copolynucleotides, which contain two or more different nucleotide bases, direct several different amino acids into the polypeptide chain; for example, polypeptides made in the presence of polyadenylocytidylic acid contain lysine, isoleucine, asparagine, leucine, tyrosine and phenylalanine. A correlation has been made between the base compositions of the individual synthetic polynucleotides which were added to the cell-free E. coli system and the nature and quantity of the amino acids incorporated into the polypeptide chain. In this way the base compositions of 46 of the 68 possible triplets of template RNA, corresponding to the 20 amino acids, have so far been established. Probably all the “meaningful” triplets are not yet known. In some instances it is found that a certain amino acid is coded for by several different triplets; a code with such a property is termed a “degenerate” code. With few exceptions, the actual sequence of bases within a given triplet is not at present known; only the base composition has been determined. There are indications that the genetic code is universal or, in other words, that there is only one code for all forms of life.
How do I prove to the CEO that HR is a profit centre

Too often, HR is the first on the cutting block of retrenchment simply because its value isn’t clearly articulated. Since value is defined by the receiver more than the giver, HR needs to identify what upper managers care about to convince them of its value.
The Element of Surprise: Preparing for the Possibility of Hazardous Materials Within Archival Collections

ABSTRACT Unprocessed archival collections can contain unknown and potentially hazardous materials that can be harmful to other collections and staff. Archival literature largely focuses on collection and personnel dangers posed by environmental hazards such as mold and insect infestation but not on pharmaceutical and chemical hazards. In this article, the author reviews her institution's surprise experience with a radioactive discovery and discusses how institutions can proactively prepare for a hazardous materials discovery. The discussion includes identification of threats, drafting of a hazardous materials portion of an institutional disaster plan, making appraisal and processing decisions, and taking action to contain a hazard.
Endogenous Ouabain-Like Substance (Eols) in Neonatal Urine

The present study was undertaken to define the possible role of EOLS in controlling renal functions. in mediating the renal responses to furosemide(F) and in inducing endocrine reactions in F-treated neonates. Ten newborn infants with mean birthweight of 2752 g and mean gestational age of 37.1 weeks were given F in a dose of 1 mg/kg. Prior to and following F therapy urine was collected for a period of 12 hours and analyzed for creatinine, osmolality, Na and K, as well as for EOLS, AVP, aldosterone and ET-1. In response to F urine flow rate and urinary osmolar, sodium and potassium excretion increased significantly, whereas creatinine excretion remained unchanged. Furthermore, following F therapy there was an increase in EOLS (148.7±70.8 vs 200.1±98.1 pg/kg/h, p<0.01), ET-1 (36.0±5.6 vs 61.4±8.7 fmol/kg/h. p<0.001), AVP (19.5±5.4 vs 27.8±7.8 pg/kg/h, p<0.05) and aldosterone (507±120 vs 751±203 ng/kg/h, p<0.05) excretion, respectively. Prior to F urinary EOLS excretion was found to correlate positively with diuresis, Na, creatinine, osmolar, ET-1 and AVP excretion. After F urinary EOLS excretion significantly correlated only with diuresis ET-1 and AVP. Urinary EOLS proved to be independent of aldosterone excretion irrespective of F administration. It is concluded that urinary EOLS excretion is closely related to neonatal renal functions and it may have a role in controlling diuresis and natriuresis.
Outcomes and Factors Associated with Breastfeeding for <8 Weeks Among Preterm Infants: Findings from 6 States and NYC, 2004–2007

To examine breastfeeding outcomes and factors associated with breastfeeding <8 weeks among preterm infants. Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data for seven sites from 2004 to 2007 were used. Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of short breastfeeding duration among preterm infants. Among preterm infants, short breastfeeding duration (<8 weeks) was associated with maternal age ≤19 years (OR 1.75; 95 % CI: 1.22, 2.50), infant birth weight between 1,500 and 2,499 g (OR 1.29; 95 % CI: 1.01, 1.65), maternal obesity (OR 1.52; 95 % CI: 1.17, 1.98), smoking (OR 2.61; 95 % CI: 1.87, 3.63), and hypertension (OR 1.34; 95 % CI: 1.06, 1.69). Receiving a phone number for breastfeeding help (OR 0.59; 95 % CI: 0.44, 0.78) and not receiving a gift pack with formula (OR 0.64; 95 % CI: 0.47, 0.87) were associated with decreased odds of short duration. Speaking with a provider about breastfeeding prenatally was associated with increased odds of short duration (OR 1.75; 95 % CI: 1.33, 2.30). These findings strengthen the hypothesis that infant and maternal health are determinants of breastfeeding preterm infants and suggest a need to provide additional support to smokers, obese and hypertensive women, and mothers of infants with birth weights between 1,500 and 2,499 g, to help them sustain breastfeeding. Support from hospitals, such as providing a telephone number for breastfeeding help, and not providing a gift pack with formula, can also make a difference. These practices should be adopted by hospitals.
The counterion influence on cationic lipid-mediated transfection of plasmid DNA

Abstract A panel of DOTAP analogs was prepared by altering the anionic counterion that accompanies the trimethylammonium polar domain. The transfection of plasmid DNA into NIH3T3 cells and mouse lung was examined using the counterion analogs. The in vitro transfection activity decreased as follows: DOTAP · bisulfate > trifluoromethanesulfonate ∼ iodide ∼ bromide > dihydrogenphosphate ∼ chloride ∼ acetate > sulfate. A similar activity trend was observed in vivo.
Upper Airway Dynamic Responses in Children with the Obstructive Sleep Apnea Syndrome

Normal children have a smaller upper airway than adults, but, nevertheless, snore less and have less apnea. We have previously shown that normal children have an upper airway that is resistant to collapse during sleep. We hypothesized that this resistance to collapse is due to preservation of upper airway neuromotor responses during sleep. Furthermore, we hypothesized that upper airway responses would be diminished in children with the obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS). We therefore compared the upper airway pressure-flow relationship during sleep between children with OSAS and controls. Measurements were made by correlating maximal inspiratory airflow with the level of nasal pressure applied via a mask. Neuromotor upper airway activation was assessed by evaluating the upper airway response to 1) hypercapnia and 2) intermittent, acute negative pressure. We found that children with OSAS had no significant response to either hypercapnia or negative pressure during sleep, compared with the normal children. After treatment of OSAS by tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy, there was a trend for normalization of upper airway responses. We conclude that upper airway dynamic responses are decreased in children with OSAS but recover after treatment. We speculate that the pharyngeal airway neuromotor responses present in normal children are a compensatory response for a relatively narrow upper airway. Further, we speculate that this compensatory response is lacking in children with OSAS, most likely due to either habituation to chronic respiratory abnormalities during sleep or to mechanical damage to the upper airway.
Progesterone Metabolism by the Ovary of the Pregnant Rat: Discrepancies in the Catabolic Regulation Model112

The intraovarian site of 20α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity (20α-OH-SDH) was determined biochemically by measuring enzyme activity in homogenates of the whole ovary, or of isolated ovarian compartments, during the last third segment of pregnancy in the rat. In agreement with previously reported histochemical evidence, an increase in 20α-OH-SDH activity was observed in isolated corpora lutea, but not in the non-luteal compartment of the ovary. Enzyme activity in corpora lutea was low between days 16 and 22 of pregnancy, but increased markedly (4–6 fold) on day 23. Between days 17 and 20 of pregnancy, serum concentrations of progesterone declined from 130 ±3 to 80 ± 3 ng/ml, while 20α-hydroxypregn-4- en-3-one (20α-OH-P) concentrations declined from 34 ± 3 to 18.5 ± 3 ng/ml. Only later, between days 20 and 22 of pregnancy, was a significant decline in serum progesterone concentrations associated with an increase in serum 20α-OH-P concentrations (50 ± 15 ng/ml at 0800 h and 128.5 ± 15 ng/ml at 1400 h o...
Molecular Mechanism of Specific Ion Interactions between Alkali Cations and Acetate Anion in Aqueous Solution: A Molecular Dynamics Study

Specific ion interactions between alkali cations (i.e., Li(+), Na(+), and K(+)) and an acetate anion in aqueous solution were studied using molecular dynamics simulation techniques and polarizable potential models. The ions-acetate systems were used as a model for understanding the interactions between ions and protein surfaces. We computed free energy profiles for different ion pairs using constrained mean force methods. Upon analyzing the computed free energy profiles for the Na(+)/K(+)-acetate ion-pairs, we observed a deeper contact ion minimum and also a larger association constant for the Na(+)-acetate pair as compared to the corresponding K(+)-acetate pair. These observations help to demonstrate the preferential binding of Na(+) over K(+) to protein surfaces. We also applied various rate theories to study the kinetics of ion pair interconversion.
Cofactor Sharing for Reversible Logic Synthesis

Improving circuit realization of known quantum algorithms by CAD techniques has benefits for quantum experimentalists. In this article, the problem of synthesizing a given function on a set of ancillea is addressed. The proposed approach benefits from extensive sharing of cofactors among cubes that appear on function outputs. Accordingly, it can be considered a multilevel logic optimization technique for reversible circuits. In particular, the suggested approach can efficiently implement any n-input, m-output lookup table (LUT) by a reversible circuit. This problem has interesting applications in the Shor's number-factoring algorithm and in quantum walk on sparse graphs. Simulation results reveal that the proposed cofactor-sharing synthesis algorithm has a significant impact on reducing the size of modular exponentiation circuits for Shor's quantum factoring algorithm, oracle circuits in quantum walk on sparse graphs, and the well-known MCNC benchmarks.
Comparison of the chemical and physical properties of f-element metals and oxides: their dependence on electronic properties

Abstract The chemical and physical properties of an element, its alloys and its compounds are determined largely by the electronic nature (electronic configurations energy levels, etc.) of the materials. Therefore, comparing systematically selected properties of these materials can often provide insight into their electronic structures. The actinide series displays more complex electronic structures than does the lanthanide series; this is reflected in the more complex and variable properties exhibited by the actinides. A limited comparison of the two f-electron series of elements can be made by comparing the behaviors of their metals and oxides. The most notable differences in electronic and material behaviors are found with the metallic state, while with the oxides of these elements, perhaps the most studied compounds, the electronic structures and properties are more consistent. The objective here is to establish trends and differences in selected physicochemical properties of these two materials for each series, which may reflect differences in electronic structures. In this exercise, plutonium appears to occupy a pivotal position in the actinide series with reference to such properties; there does not seem to be a complete counterpart to it in the lanthanide series.
Immobilized algal cells used for hydrogen production

This paper explores the use of the photosynthetic green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii bound to solid support particles to produce hydrogen in a two-step cycle. Bound cells are more easily cycled between growth mode and hydrogen production mode. The data indicate that the presence of silica particles does not inhibit the growth of the algae in the sulfur rich growth media. Filtration experiments reveal that the algae effectively bind to the silica particles, as high removal efficiencies are observed. The silica particles appear to approach saturation algae at a mass-loading ratio of about 0.035. In hydrogen production mode, the bound algae perform about as well as free-floating algae in terms of cumulative hydrogen production. A full-factorial experiment is described in which algae concentration was deemed to have a significant effect on cumulative hydrogen production.
Importance of sagittal MR imaging in nontraumatic femoral head osteonecrosis in children.

In nontraumatic femoral head osteonecrosis, characterization of femoral head collapse is important in staging disease progression and planning treatment. Few prior studies have quantitatively compared the ability of sagittal and coronal MR images to detect femoral head collapse. We hypothesized that sagittal MR images show a greater degree and angular span of femoral head collapse than coronal images. We reviewed 38 hip MRI scans of nontraumatic femoral head osteonecrosis from 34 pediatric patients. In both sagittal and coronal images, the maximal extent and angular location along with the angular span of the femoral head collapse were measured. Differences were evaluated using a paired t-test. The extent of bone and cartilage loss from the femoral head was evaluated. Sagittal MR images showed 29% maximal femoral head radius collapse, whereas coronal images showed 16% collapse (P<0.001). Sagittal images showed a larger angular span of collapse (115°) than coronal images (55°, P<0.001). Sagittal images showed greater epiphyseal bone loss in the anterior than in the posterior portion (P<0.001), whereas coronal images did not show a significant difference in bone loss between the medial and lateral portion (P=0.32). Sagittal images show greater femoral head collapse than coronal images in nontraumatic femoral head osteonecrosis.
A simulation model for managing state highway maintenance

A simulation model is developed in this study for managing state highway maintenance. The purpose of this model is to develop causal links between revenue sources and expense demands of highway maintenance so as to suggest how to formulate cost allocation policies and programming strategies that are fair, economic and sustainable.
Thermal and spectral study of some divalent metal chelates of 2,5-dihydroxy-p-benzoquinone☆

Abstract The thermal and spectral properties of chelates of 2,5-dihydroxy-p-benzoquinone with divalent cobalt, nickel, zinc and copper have been investigated. The properties are compared with those of naphthazarin chelates. Several unsuccessful attempts were made to prepare a beryllium chelate and to study the beryllium-dihydroxybenzoquinone system spectrophotometrically and potentiometrically.
Vector‐mediated release of GABA attenuates pain‐related behaviors and reduces NaV1.7 in DRG neurons

Pain is a common and debilitating accompaniment of neuropathy that occurs as a complication of diabetes. In the current study, we examined the effect of continuous release of gamma amino butyric acid (GABA), achieved by gene transfer of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD67) to dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in vivo using a non-replicating herpes simplex virus (HSV)-based vector (vG) in a rat model of painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN). Subcutaneous inoculation of vG reduced mechanical hyperalgesia, thermal hyperalgesia and cold allodynia in rats with PDN. Continuous release of GABA from vector transduced cells in vivo prevented the increase in the voltage-gated sodium channel isoform 1.7 (NaV1.7) protein that is characteristic of PDN. In vitro, infection of primary DRG neurons with vG prevented the increase in NaV1.7 resulting from exposure to hyperglycemia. The effect of vector-mediated GABA on NaV1.7 levels in vitro was blocked by phaclofen but not by bicuculline, a GABAB receptor effect that was blocked by pertussis toxin-(PTX) interference with Gα(i/o) function. Taken in conjunction with our previous observation that continuous activation of delta opioid receptors by vector-mediated release of enkephalin also prevents the increase in NaV1.7 in DRG exposed to hyperglycemia in vitro or in vivo, the observations in this report suggest a novel common mechanism through which activation of G protein coupled receptors (GPCR) in DRG neurons regulate the phenotype of the primary afferent.
How suite it is : Using combined methodologies to explore dialect questions

L'analyse des differentes prononciation du terme anglais suite (ensemble de mobilier) montre une distribution geographique avec specialisation lexicale aux Etats Unis de /swit/ et /sut/
Changes in desire for control over time: gender differences in a ten-year longitudinal study

Undergraduate students from a predominantly white middle class student body who were administered the Desirability of Control Scale in 1980 completed the scale again in 1990. Males scored significantly higher on the scale than females, indicating a higher desire for control, in the initial sample. The males' scores did not differ significantly over the ten-year period. However, the female subjects' scores increased over the course of the decade to a point not significantly different from that of the males. Possible explanations of this effect concern changes in gender role expectations in the 1980's and changes in the women's preference for control following school and career experiences.
Establishment and maintenance of oral ethanol self-administration in the baboon

Abstract A simple and reliable method was developed to study the self-administration of orally available ethanol by baboons. Two baboons were individually housed in a minimally controlled laboratory environment with visual and auditory access to other baboons and to laboratory technicians. The cages were equipped with standard drinking bottles and spouts. Each baboon was fed his entire daily ration of dry food at the same time each morning, at which time a fresh solution was added to the liquid reservoir. Three hours later, the amount of liquid consumed was measured. This procedure generated high rates of water drinking during the 3-h sessions (“food-induced drinking”). Next, the water available during the sessions was replaced by gradually increasing concentrations of aqueous ethanol (0.5–8%, w/v). When 8% ethanol was reached, the concentration was held constant across daily sessions as session feedings were gradually reduced and shifted to 30 min postsession. Eventually, daily test sessions consisted of simply 3 h access to ethanol, and water was continuously available during the 21-h intersession period. Over a range of ethanol concentrations of 8–32%, ethanol intake (g/kg) and blood ethanol levels remained fairly constant, while volumes (ml) of solution consumed were inversely related to the concentration. Finally, an additional liquid spout was added to each cage and the baboons were provided concurrent access to both ethanol (8%) and water during the sessions. The results indicated clearly that ethanol had come to serve as a positive reinforcer for both of these baboons. This simple preparation should be particularly useful in laboratories that are not equipped with the elaborate technology required in earlier described preparations, and might lend itself to the study of orally effective drugs other than ethanol.
When a testbed does more than testing: The Internet-Scale Event Attack and Generation Environment (ISEAGE) - providing learning and synthesizing experiences for cyber security students.

The importance of laboratory exercises for students is recognized unilaterally by engineering and technology programs. As engineering educators whose academic focus is information assurance and cyber security, we believe students in cyber security need the same type of access to hands on opportunities as their counter parts in hardware design or circuit design. Students should be able to configure and run their own networks, as well as explore the vulnerabilities, exploits, and remediatios needed in a cyber security professional's tool kit. Further, they need exposure to working in the complexity of the Internet. While some might argue that simulation software could be a solution, it often lacks realism. In this paper we show how our institution goes beyond the providing the standard, formalized laboratory activities for our cyber security students by developing a unique, highly configurable testbed called Internet-Scale Event and Attack Generation Environment (ISEAGE - pronounced “ice age”) that allows us to imitate the Internet. ISEAGE provides a controlled environment that allows real attacks to be played out against the students' networks and demonstrates to them real world security concepts. This paper provides an overview of how the ISEAGE security testbed functions, as well as illustrates how ISEAGE provides our students five different types of opportunities for real world experience: support of formalized classroom work; cyber defense competitions for high school, community college and four year students; inquiry-based learning in a playground environment for high school, as well as college students; testing environment for network devices such as firewalls, data loss protection, intrusion detection; research environment for senior and graduate student work.
A method of freeze-drying for electron microscopy

A method has been developed for extremely rapid freezing, and for fairly rapid vacuum sublimation, of specimens to be examined by electron microscopy. A critical evaluation of the currently practised method of freeze-drying shows that it is inadequate in both its freezing and sublimation aspects. The newly developed method reported here provides for impinging high-velocity micro-droplets of suspension upon a collodion-coated copper surface at a temperature from −75 ° C to −170 ° C, and for subliming the resulting thin layers of ice at about −50 ° C. The time taken for such droplets to pass through the freezing point is estimated at about 10−5 seconds. The entire time necessary for a freeze-drying cycle, from spraying to observation in the electron microscope is about 40 minutes. Satisfactory volatile electrolytes for suspending and freeze-drying biological objects appear to be ammonium succinate and ammonium benzoate. Micrographs are shown which indicate that the new method preserves three-dimensional structure, and that negligible surface-tension forces act upon the specimen during sublimation.
Formation of cavity stringers during superplastic deformation

Abstract Zn–22 wt%Al was utilized as a model material to investigate cavity stringer formation during superplastic deformation. The experimental results show that residual phase boundaries, which are referred to as former α boundaries (FαBs), form as a consequence of solution treatment above the eutectoid temperature. A comparison between the behavior of FαBs and the characteristics of cavity stringers indicates a close correspondence between these two substructural features. On the basis of such a correspondence, a mechanism that explains the formation of cavity stringers in Zn–22 wt%Al is proposed. In addition, a general mechanism for cavity stringer formation is introduced by considering the characteristics of FαBs and available information on superplastic flow and cavitation. This mechanism is based on the concept that cavity alignment in the form of stringers is essentially assisted by superplastic flow. The mechanics and predictions of the mechanism are consistent with available experimental evidence.
When more transmission equals less disease: reconciling the disconnect between disease hotspots and parasite transmission.

The assumed straightforward connection between transmission intensity and disease occurrence impacts surveillance and control efforts along with statistical methodology, including parameter inference and niche modeling. Many infectious disease systems have the potential for this connection to be more complicated–although demonstrating this in any given disease system has remained elusive. Hemorrhagic disease (HD) is one of the most important diseases of white-tailed deer and is caused by viruses in the Orbivirus genus. Like many infectious diseases, the probability or severity of disease increases with age (after loss of maternal antibodies) and the probability of disease is lower upon re-infection compared to first infection (based on cross-immunity between virus strains). These broad criteria generate a prediction that disease occurrence is maximized at intermediate levels of transmission intensity. Using published US field data, we first fit a statistical model to predict disease occurrence as a function of seroprevalence (a proxy for transmission intensity), demonstrating that states with intermediate seroprevalence have the highest level of case reporting. We subsequently introduce an independently parameterized mechanistic model supporting the theory that high case reporting should come from areas with intermediate levels of transmission. This is the first rigorous demonstration of this phenomenon and illustrates that variation in transmission rate (e.g. along an ecologically-controlled transmission gradient) can create cryptic refuges for infectious diseases.
Soldiers and Wayward Women: Gendered Citizenship, and Migration Policy in Argentina, Italy and Spain since 1850

Policies that regulate peoples international movement and their state membership have historically made distinctions based on perceived sexual differences, but little is known about the process by which this has happened. This paper explores how and with what consequences migration and nationality policies have been gendered in two quintessential countries of emigration (Italy and Spain), and in a country of immigrants (Argentina) over a 150-year period. I argue that these migration and nationality policies have reflected the dynamics of the political fields in which they have been crafted. Especially before the Great War, laws and official practices that showed a disproportionate interest in men as soldiers and workers, and in women as mothers and as morally suspect subjects mirrored a dynamic of competition over migrants among these countries. A subsequent harmonization of policies reflected a dynamic of accommodation to the realities of a settled emigrant population and dual nationality. In addition, t...
Protective Effect of Milk on Mineral Precipitation by Na Phytate

Sodium phytate was added to milk with and without the addition of Fe or Zn and the solubility of the endogenous Ca and added Fe or Zn was not affected. However, when these experiments were repeated with a model system containing CaCl2 at the same calcium concentration as milk, the addition of Na phytate caused a significant precipitation of each of these minerals. These results suggest that milk exerts a protective effect on the phytate induced precipitation of these minerals and thus their potential bioavailability.
Calming an Escalated Psychiatric Milieu

On inpatient psychiatric units, nurses control the tone, pace, and activity level of the environment. But under the influence of factors such as high patient acuity and negative group contagion, a milieu can become unacceptably loud and chaotic. A volatile milieu is a potentially dangerous environment because patients' anxiety and agitation can quickly lead to acting out and aggression. This article focuses on how nurses can regain control of a milieu spiralling into chaos by tightening the structure of the routine, anticipating potential problems, and maintaining a confident calm manner. The charge nurse orchestrates the staff group's response to escalation through detailed planning, decisive interventions, and strategic use of every available resource.
Clinical variability in congenital fiber type disproportion

Abstract Congenital Fiber Type Disproportion (CFTD) has recently been described as a consistent and stereotyped clinicopathological entity, including congenital non-progressive hypotonia and weakness, contractures, kyphoscoliosis, high arched palate, dislocated hips, short stature, and feet deformities. Our personal experience with this condition suggests a wider disparity in the physical appearance and associated abnormalities of affected individuals than the well-defined clinical syndrome previously described. We are presenting 5 cases, including 2 siblings, whose muscle biopsies satisfy the major histological and statistical criteria for the diagnosis. Although each child clearly had hypotonia and weakness consistent with a congenital myopathy, only 3 had a sufficient number of other similarities to establish the diagnosis clinically. The clinical spectrum of the other cases ranged from one infant whose only abnormality was mild hypotonia in the legs to another whose problems included severe motor impairment, marked mental retardation, growth failure, frontal bossing, abnormal hair, and scoliosis. Even in retrospect, the diagnosis of CFTD could not have been supported on clinical grounds alone. Therefore, CFTD is a congenital myopathy whose diagnosis can be made only by muscle biopsy, rather than a distinct syndrome whose diagnosis can be assumed on the basis of clinical characteristics alone.
Comparative Study: Virtual Fixtures and Shared Control for Rehabilitation of Fine Motor Skills

The work presented here discusses the experimental results from comparing virtual fixtures (VF) and shared control (SC) techniques for rehabilitation of fine motor skills. A prior concept called haptic attributes was used to design the shared control assistance algorithm. Eight trajectories were chosen from the VMI test book and were used to train a candidate's non dominant hand using recorded samples from their dominant hands. The results were analyzed with respect to errors for time of completion, RMS position errors, magnitude of forces and shape of trajectory. Results indicate that VF and SC control sets perform similarly for simple trajectories with SC performing better for more complex trajectories
SIMULATION MODELING OF ELECTRONIC SCREENING AT WEIGH STATIONS

Electronic screening of trucks before reaching points of regulatory compliance checks (typically, weigh stations) would allow for more efficient use of government resources while reducing travel time for motor carriers. A study was done of the effects of electronic screening on reducing travel time and enhancing productivity of the weigh station using a new simulation model. The model illustrates the impact of electronic screening on motor carrier travel time savings and weigh station productivity assuming various levels of transponder-equipped vehicles. The results indicate that as participation grows, enforcement agencies and participating (transponder-equipped) and nonparticipating trucks all share in the benefits afforded by a more efficient system.
Graph time-series mixture models for air traffic prediction

Conclusion and Future Work Network analysis of inter-airport traffic using FAAs traffic flow management data stream Found daily graph clustering properties to differ from previously reported results (due to limits of those data sets) Quantified temporally complex behavior, which contains a significant non-weekly trend Spectral Analysis Dominant eigenvectors are quasi-stationary Low rank spectral models capture bulk of daily network power Preliminary analysis suggests utility of model in forecasting Correlation analysis suggests alternative approach for network decomposition (future work).
Grouping and ordering schemata in competition

Two experiments were performed to determine which is the more powerful, the grouping schema or the ordering schema, when they are placed in competition. It was found that, when free to do either, people tend to group elements rather than order them. It was also found that the two schemata are not inherently antagonistic; people will readily employ both when permitted and they can be mutually facilitory. One exceptional case occurs when people have the choice of augmenting a group or an ordering with an internal gap: filling in the ordering is more attractive than adding to the group.
Structural characterisation of cysteines in a bacterial-binding motif of human salivary mucin MG2

Abstract Human salivary mucin MG2 is a 180 kDa glycoprotein secreted by submandibular/sublingual and minor salivary glands. Secreted MG2 contains a domain with the only two cysteines (Cys45 and Cys50) present in the polypeptide backbone; in native and recombinant MG2 this domain is involved in mucin binding to oral microbes. As the reduction and alkylation of MG2 has been shown to abolish binding, the present study was undertaken to determine whether the cysteine residues exist in the dithiol or disulphide form. Electrophoretic analysis under reducing and non-reducing conditions showed that intermolecular disulphide bonds do not occur between MG2 molecules. The same incorporation of radiolabelled iodoacetamide into MG2 was obtained with or without prior reduction. When radiolabelled alkylated MG2 was digested with Endoproteinase Lys-C and the derived peptides were separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), radioactivity was found in two fractions. Mass spectral analyses of these fractions showed the presence of peptides Cys-Leu-His-Lys and Arg-Cys-Arg-Pro-Lys, both containing carboxymethylated cysteines. These results show that the cysteines in the structural motif associated with bacterial binding exist in the dithiol form, and suggest the potential use of cysteine-containing peptides as agents to modify interactions of MG2 with microbes and oral surfaces.
Impact of Urine Sodium on Urine Risk Factors for Calcium Oxalate Nephrolithiasis

Purpose: Increased sodium intake is thought to promote nephrolithiasis by dietary sodium hypercalciuric effects. However, equivocal data exist on whether increased urine sodium actually increases the nephrolithiasis risk. We examined the relationship between urine sodium and urine risk factors for nephrolithiasis.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 880 patients evaluated at a metabolic stone clinic to determine the relationship between urine sodium and urine calcium, volume and calcium oxalate supersaturation. Patients were separated into sodium excretion quintiles. Tests of linear trend were performed by examining the linear contrast in coefficients and using Cuzick's nonparametric linear trend test. Multivariate linear regression with urine sodium as a continuous variable was done to assess the relationship between urine sodium and other urine variables.Results: Tests of linear trend showed that urine calcium and volume increased with increasing urine sodium (each p <0.01) ...
Advances in herpes simplex virus antiviral therapies

Herpes simplex viruses (HSV) are responsible for usually non-life threatening infections of the oral, ocular and genital regions. The viruses infect a significant percentage of the US population and almost two million new cases are reported each year. Present medicinal agents that treat HSV target the catalytic activity of the virally encoded DNA polymerase. Although these agents have been shown to be safe and efficacious, many possess limited oral bioavailability, must be given early in the disease process for maximum effect and resistance to these agents is a significant problem in immunocompromised individuals. Thus, there is the need for continued development of new anti-HSV agents. This review discusses new anti-HSV agents published in the medical and patent literature during 2004 – 2006 and highlights recent advances in the development of nucleoside and non-nucleoside inhibitors of polymerase, inhibitors of the HSV helicase–primase complex, viral entry inhibitors and anti-HSV compounds that have no ...
The Gan–Gross–Prasad conjecture for U(n)×U(n)

Abstract We prove the Gan–Gross–Prasad conjecture for U ( n ) × U ( n ) under some local conditions using a relative trace formula. We deduce some new cases of the Gan–Gross–Prasad conjecture for U ( n + 1 ) × U ( n ) from the case of U ( n ) × U ( n ) .
Restraint stress fails to modulate cutaneous hypersensitivity responses in mice lacking the adenosine A1 receptor.

Psychological stress has long been associated with effects on immune function and disease. In particular, differential effects of acute and chronic stress on skin immunity occur in the rodent restraint stress model, with acute stress enhancing and chronic stress suppressing cutaneous hypersensitivity. Extracellular levels of adenosine are known to modulate diverse biological activities in the CNS and peripheral tissues and serve an important protective function against physiological stressors such as inflammation and ischemia. In this study, we utilized the restraint stress model and the skin sensitizer dinitrofluorobezene to test the hypothesis that perceived stress influences contact hypersensitivity through an adenosine A1 receptor-mediated mechanism. We subjected hapten-sensitized A1 receptor knockout (A1 KO) mice and their wild-type (WT) littermates to either acute (2.5 h) or chronic (5 h daily × 4 weeks) restraint stress, followed by hapten re-challenge of the pinna. Daily measurements of the resulting pinna swellings from each group were compared to reactions in non-stressed controls. In WT mice, pinna swelling was augmented in acutely stressed mice and suppressed in the chronically stressed group. In contrast, contact hypersensitivity responses in the A1 KO mice failed to be affected by either acute or chronic stress. Absence of the adenosine A1 receptor did not affect levels of plasma corticosterone or urine catecholamines under these stressful conditions but did lead to reduced numbers of circulating neutrophil granulocytes compared to stressed WT animals. These results suggest that the adenosine A1 receptor pathway plays a role in the process by which perceived psychological stress influences the contact hypersensitivity response.
Effects of Soil Type and Cover Condition on Cryptosporidium parvum Transport in Overland Flow

Overland transport kinetics of pathogens is controlled, in large part, by soil and vegetation. With an increasing number of concentrated animal operations, there is becoming a greater need to dispose of a vast amount of manure in a single, localized area. Animal manure contains a substantial amount of microbial pathogens, including Cryptosporidium parvum that may pose a threat of contamination of water resources. This study examines the kinetics of C. parvum in overland transport and critical factors involved in the design of best management practices, especially vegetative filter strips, to prevent the transport of harmful pathogens to water bodies. Three soil types were tested (Catlin silt-loam, Alvin fine sandy-loam, Darwin silty-clay), spanning the entire spectrum of typical Illinois soils. A 20-min rainfall event was produced using a small-scale (1.07 m × 0.66 m) laboratory rainfall simulator over a soil box measuring 0.67 m × 0.33 m. Each soil type was tested for pathogen transport kinetics with bare surface conditions as well as with smooth brome and fescue vegetative covers. Surface runoff, soil cores, and near-surface runoff were each analyzed for infective C. parvum oocysts using cell culture infectivity assays. Results showed that vegetation greatly reduced the recovery of infective oocysts, in addition to delaying the time to the peak recovery. However, there was no clear evidence of any one vegetation type being advantageous over another. The bare soil experiments resulted in a higher recovery of C. parvum oocysts from the Darwin soil compared to other two soils. Analyses of soil cores show a slightly higher recovery of oocysts in the Catlin soil compared to Alvin or Darwin soils.