cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structure-property correlations and scaling in the magnetic and magnetocaloric properties of GdCrO3 particles.

The structure, magnetic, and magnetocaloric (MC) properties of orthorhombic nanocrystalline GdCrO3with six particle sizes: ⟨d⟩ = 87, 103, 145, 224, 318, and 352 nm are reported. The particle size was tailored by annealing under different temperatures and estimated by scanning electron microscopy. With increase in ⟨d⟩, Goldschmidt tolerance factort, orthorhombic strains, and out-of-plane Cr-O1-Cr bond angle first decrease, reaching minimum values for ⟨d⟩ = 224 nm, and then increase for sample with ⟨d⟩ = 318 nm and 352 nm, thus showing a V-shaped variation. Temperature dependence of the magnetization (M) reveals an antiferromagnetic transition atTNCr∼168K for ⟨d⟩ ⩾ 224 nm andTNCr∼167K for ⟨d⟩ < 224 nm and an essentiallyd-independent spin-reorientation atTSR= 9 K.Mmeasured at 5 K and 7 T first increases with increase in ⟨d⟩, reaching maximum value for sample with ⟨d⟩ = 224 nm, and then decreases for samples with ⟨d⟩ = 318 nm and 352 nm, showing an inverted-V variation with ⟨d⟩. Similar ⟨d⟩-dependence is observed for the magnetic entropy change (MEC) and relative cooling power (RCP) showing a close relationship between the structural and magnetic properties of GdCrO3nanoparticles investigated here. The 224 nm sample with the minimum values oft,s, and Cr-O1-Cr bond angle exhibits the maximum value of MEC (-ΔS) = 37.8 J kg-1 K-1at 5 K under a field variation (ΔH) of 7 T and its large estimated RCP of 623.6 J Kg-1is comparable with those of typical MC materials. Both (-ΔS) and RCP are shown to scale with the saturation magnetizationMS, suggesting thatMSis the crucial factor controlling their magnitudes. Assuming (-ΔS) ∼ (ΔH)n, the temperature dependence ofnfor the six samples are determined,nvarying between 1.3 at 5 K ton= 2.2 at 130 K in line with its expected magnitudes based on mean-field theory. These results on structure-property correlations and scaling in GdCrO3suggest that its MC properties are tunable for potential low-temperature magnetic refrigeration applications.
Reducing metal-ion mediated adsorption of acidic peptides in RPLC-based assays using hybrid silica chromatographic surfaces

Abstract In this study we evaluate column hardware exhibiting a novel hybrid silica surface in its ability to mitigate metal-induced adsorption artifacts such as chromatographic peak tailing for acidic amino acid residue containing peptides. Using a conventional reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC)-based method, chromatographic performance of a peptide map was compared using a traditional stainless-steel column and an equivalent column bearing a novel hybrid silica surface. Tailing factors for six peptides containing acidic amino acid residues (Tf ≥ 1.50) were observed to be reduced up to 80% to a nominal value Tf ≤ 1.2 with R.S.D. % ≤ 4%. Furthermore, recovery for two of the identified peptides exhibited increased recovery in addition to reduced peak tailing when using the column bearing the hybrid silica surface. Performance was unaffected for peaks where there were no implications of metal induced effects. Collectively, this study demonstrates that the novel hybrid silica surface can effectively reduce peak tailing for acidic residue containing peptides.
Comparative Investigation of Hot-Applied and Emulsion-Based Chip Seal Treatments Using Image Processing Techniques and Performance Tests

AbstractChip seal can be constructed by using either hot-applied binder or emulsion. Some road agencies use hot-applied binder, whereas others use emulsion. Road agencies sometimes face challenges ...
Perianal Plasmablastic Lymphoma Masquerading as a Buschke-Löwenstein-like Tumour in an HIV-infected Patient with Recurrent Anal Condyloma.

Plasmablastic lymphoma (PBL) commonly presents as a primary (de novo) oral or extraoral mucocutaneous or nodal mass lesion in patients with HIV/AIDS. PBL developing as a secondary malignancy at the same location as a pre-existing tumour is extremely rare and has never been reported in association with longstanding or recurrent anal condyloma. A Buschke-Lowenstein tumour is a rare gigantic, locally destructive condyloma that is usually located in the anogenital region. We report a case of a diagnostically and therapeutically challenging PBL that presented as a rapidly enlarging mass underlying a giant condyloma, thereby mimicking a benign Buschke-Lowenstein tumour. Clinical suspicion was further masked by the co-presence of fistulae in ano and adjacent abscess pockets at the time of diagnosis. By the time of final diagnosis, the lymphoma had disseminated to regional lymph nodes, a month later to pleural cavities and 4 months later to the leptomeninges and bilateral kidneys, leading to permanent deferral of chemotherapeutic intervention. Learning points Plasmablastic lymphoma presenting as a secondary tumour in a patient with pre-existing giant anal condyloma has not been reported previously in the literature.Unusual clinical presentation of a recurrent giant condyloma, especially rapid growth and significant change in physical appearance, should kindle a high index of suspicion for a secondary aggressive tumour.Plasmablastic lymphoma disseminates early and rapidly, which complicates its response to treatment.
Transcultural Entanglements and the Impact of Religion (II)

Max Weber's theory (The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism, 1904), that "culture and religion are the most overlooked ingredients of economic success" resonates with Adam Smith's view in his "Wealth of Nations" (1776) whereby it is postulated that "the wealth of a nation is that of its people, not its government". Hence it is also the responsibility of citizens (and even global citizens whose cultures are linked and associated), to contribute to the sustenance of such national heritage and national treasures. As well as the Vatican, the Notre Dame Cathedral constitutes one of the most iconic religious symbols and is regarded as “a symbol of Christianity in France and around the world.” Its medieval structure which dates back over 850 years, comprises of Gothic design/architecture and its relics are of priceless and irreplaceable value and nature. It played host to Napoleon’s coronation (1804), wedding of Charles (I) and other monarchs and is also instrumental in educational links and institutions – regarded as the “crucible” of University of Paris. Constructed with stone and wooden structure (13,000 trees), with two impressively imposing towers and architecturally renowned stained glass windows, its relics include “the Crown of Thorns” thought to be worn by Jesus during the Crucifixion. The Notre Dame Cathedral dating back to the twelfth century, having survived wars (two world wars) and revolutions, also houses important musical instruments (particularly organs). The North Rose Window (particularly its priceless stained glass windows), managed to survive the fire outbreak which occurred on the 15th April 2019 . Louis (IX) France was considered to have established the South Rose Window (1260) containing themes from the life of Christ, and even though the Tunic of St Louis was saved from the blaze, the Gothic Spire of the Cathedral collapsed and it is hoped that the South Rose Window structures and priceless stained windows have not been considerably damaged by the incident. Cultural relics within the Cathedral do not only have architectural, religious and musical significance but link different cultures across Europe and around the world – particularly in respect of monarchs, music, religious and coronation events. This paper explores these magnificent cultural heritages (also Westminster Abbey, St Paul’s Cathedral, Koelnish Dome, Yorkminster etc), their impact on religion, literature, music, as well as their unifying role and potential in current modern societies.
ESKD Complications: CKD-MBD

In healthy individuals, normal serum concentrations of calcium and phosphorus are maintained through the interaction of three hormones: parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcitriol (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D), which is the active metabolite of vitamin D, and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23). Circulating or soluble klotho also plays a role in mineral homeostasis. These hormones act on four primary target organs: the bone, kidney, intestine, and parathyroid glands. The kidneys play a critical role in the regulation of normal serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations and of the three hormones. Derangements in mineral homeostasis are common and develop early in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). By the time patients reach end-stage kidney disease (ESKD), these abnormalities are universally observed. As CKD progresses, the body attempts to maintain normal serum concentrations of calcium and phosphorus by altering the production of calcitriol, PTH, FGF-23, and klotho. Eventually these compensatory responses become unable to maintain normal mineral homeostasis, resulting in (1) altered serum concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, PTH, calcitriol, FGF-23, and klotho, (2) disturbances in bone remodeling and mineralization (often referred to as “renal osteodystrophy”) and/or impaired linear growth in children, and (3) extraskeletal calcification in soft tissues and arteries. In 2006, the term chronic kidney disease–mineral and bone disorder (CKD-MBD) was developed to describe this triad of abnormalities in biochemical measures, skeletal abnormalities, and extraskeletal calcification (Moe et al. Kidney Int. 69(11):1945–1953, 2006). The abnormalities that constitute CKD-MBD are interrelated in both the pathophysiology of the disease and the response to treatment. All the components of CKD-MBD are associated with increased risk of fractures, cardiovascular disease, and mortality in patients with ESKD. To further understand the complex integration of these abnormalities in CKD-MBD, each component will be independently discussed.
Placental Autophagy and Viral Replication Co-localize in Human and Non-human Primate Placentae Following Zika Virus Infection: Implications for Therapeutic Interventions

Background: Multiple studies have shown both induction and inhibition of autophagy during Zika virus (ZIKV) infection. While some have proposed mechanisms by which autophagic dysregulation might facilitate ZIKV vertical transmission, there is a lack of in situ data in human and non-human primate models. Given the paucity of pre-clinical data, we sought to assess cellular, spatial, and temporal associations between placental ZIKV infection and measures of autophagy in human primary cell culture and congenital infection cases, as well as an experimental non-human primate (NHP; marmoset, Callithrix jacchus) model. Methods: Primary trophoblast cells were isolated from human placentae (n=10) and infected in vitro with ZIKV. Autophagy-associated gene expression (ULK-1, BECN1, ATG5, ATG7, ATG12, ATG16L1, MAP1LC3A, MAP1LC3B, p62/SQSTM1) was then determined by TaqMan qPCR. In in vivo validation experiments, autophagy genes LC3B and p62/SQSTM1 were probed using in situ hybridization (ISH) in the placentae of human Congenital Zika Syndrome cases (n=3) and ZIKV-infected marmoset placenta (n=1) and fetal tissue (n=1). Infected and uninfected villi were compared for mean density and co-localization of autophagic protein markers. Results: Studies of primary cultured human trophoblasts revealed decreased expression of autophagy genes ATG5 and p62/SQSTM1 in ZIKV-infected trophoblasts (ATG5 fold change (±SD) 0.734-fold (±0.722), p=0.036; p62/SQSTM1 0.661-fold (±0.666), p=0.029). Histologic examination by ISH and immunohistochemistry confirmed spatial association of autophagy and ZIKV infection in human and NHP congenital infection cases. When quantified by densitometric data, autophagic protein LC3B and p62/SQSTM1 expression in marmoset placenta were significantly decreased in in situ ZIKV-infected villi compared to less-infected areas (LC3B mean 0.951 (95% CI, 0.930-0.971), p=0.018; p62/SQSTM1 mean 0.863 (95% CI, 0.810-0.916), p=0.024). Conclusion: In the current study, we observed that in the non-transformed human and NHP placenta, disruption (specifically down-regulation) of autophagy accompanies later ZIKV replication in vitro, in vivo and in situ. The findings collectively suggest that dysregulated autophagy spatially and temporally accompanies placental ZIKV replication. These studies have likely implications for both timing of therapeutics with ZIKV and other congenitally transmitted viruses, given the ubiquitous nature of autophagic disruption and dysregulation in host responses to viral infection during pregnancy.
Urticarial vasculitis: A potential signpost for multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children.

Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a rare and serious complication of Sars-Cov-2 infection. Dermatologic manifestations are present in the majority of patients. Skin lesions found in children with MIS-C are classified into four categories: morbilliform, reticulated, scarlatiniform, and urticarial lesions. Clinicopathologic characterization within these categories is limited. Thus, we present a clear example of an urticarial lesion in the context of MIS-C with well-documented clinicopathologic phenomena. A previously healthy 16 year old female presented with three weeks of an itchy, burning rash initially presenting on her right forearm (and lasting greater than 24 hours without migration) before spreading diffusely. She also reported fever, cough, myalgias, nausea, and vomiting of four weeks' duration. Physical examination revealed an edematous, maculopapular, non-blanching, erythematous rash covering the patient's upper extremities, abdomen, back, anterior thighs, and face. The patient tested positive for COVID-19. A low-grade leukocytoclastic vasculitis was noted along with intraluminal fibrin and rare microthrombi in vessels of the mid to deep dermis. The patient was diagnosed with MIS-C and urticarial vasculitis. She was treated with steroids and naproxen for subsequent MIS-C flares. Dapsone treatment was started for the urticarial vasculitis. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Preparing nursing students for home health using an escape room: A qualitative study.

Abstract Background As healthcare continues to shift from hospitals to community settings, it is vital to prepare nursing students for community-based care, including home health. Design and objectives This exploratory descriptive qualitative study examined students' experiences with a home health escape room and their perceptions of how the experience affected their learning. Methods To escape the simulated apartment residence, student teams solved three challenges related to fall risks, food insecurity, and polypharmacy. Sixteen baccalaureate nursing students participated in focus groups and thematic analysis was conducted. Results Four themes emerged: Being in the home and taking it all in; Elements that maximized thinking; Practicing and reflecting on teamwork; and Using lessons learned. Conclusions Simulated escape rooms offer a unique way to provide experiential learning to prepare students for home health clinical experiences.
Global secular dynamics in the planar three-body problem

We use the global construction which was made in [6, 7] of the secular systems of the planar three-body problem, with regularized double inner collisions. These normal forms describe the slow deformations of the Keplerian ellipses which each of the bodies would describe if it underwent the universal attraction of only one fictitious other body. They are parametrized by the masses and the semi-major axes of the bodies and are completely integrable on a fixed transversally Cantor set of the parameter space. We study this global integrable dynamics reduced by the symmetry of rotation and determine its bifurcation diagram when the semi-major axes ratio is small enough. In particular it is shown that there are some new secular hyperbolic or elliptic singularities, some of which do not belong to the subset of aligned ellipses. The bifurcation diagram may be used to prove the existence of some new families of 2-, 3- or 4-frequency quasiperiodic motions in the planar three-body problem [7], as well as some drift orbits in the planar n-body problem [8].
Leveraging 3D-IC for on-chip timing uncertainty measurements

Modern high-performance designs require accurate on-chip timing uncertainty measurements for post-silicon validation of high speed interfaces and clock distribution networks. On-chip timing measurements capabilities must keep up with growing design complexity and process variations to meet competitive product time-to-market. However, enhancing silicon debug capabilities cannot simply be met by proliferating on-chip structures, since the overhead would be prohibitively expensive to deploy. We propose moving on-chip debug and validation structures onto a separate die which would be stacked onto the product die using three-dimensional integration (3D-IC). This paper focuses on achieving observability at clock sinks which are critical for understanding on-chip timing uncertainty. We present a circuit implementation and design flow which realizes high volume on-chip timing measurements for a 2D product die.
A Bayesian Model of Panic in Belief

One common principle in the study of belief is what has been called the “consensual validation of reality”: the idea that persons in highly inbred social networks alter their beliefs regarding the external world by repeated interaction with each other rather than by direct observation. This notion accounts for phenomena such as panics, in which a substantial number of actors in a given population suddenly converge to (typically unsubstantiated) beliefs. In this paper, a Bayesian conditional probability model will be used to explore the conditions necessary for such outcomes, and alternative results will be likewise documented. Finally, suggestions for operationalization of the Bayesian model in experimental research will be given, along with some implications of the theory for common phenomena such as the propagation of ideas by media sources, organizational rumors, and polarization of group opinion.
Glucose transport in fat cell membranes.

Abstract The properties of d-glucose transport by isolated fat cell membrane preparations have been studied by measuring directly the rates of sugar accumulation and efflux. Observations are made under conditions in which zero order kinetics prevails and during which no detectable metabolic alteration of glucose occurs. The initial velocities measured are proportional to the amount of membrane material present. This is a relatively simple model system which permits direct study of glucose transport and insulin action. The rate of d-glucose accumulation is a temperature-dependent process. In contrast to l-glucose accumulation, d-glucose transport rapidly reaches a steady state, displays saturation kinetics with respect to substrate, is inhibited by 3-O-methyl glucose but not by l-glucose, is markedly suppressed by low concentrations of phloretin, and is enhanced by insulin. The transport process is not coupled to energy-producing metabolic processes, and no accumulation occurs against a chemical gradient. The unidirectional efflux of d-glucose from fat cell membranes has been studied separately. This process is also temperature-dependent, energy (metabolic)-independent, stereospecific, saturable with respect to the concentration of glucose inside the membrane, and sensitive to the presence of insulin or phloretin in the medium external to the membrane. The kinetic rate constants for efflux (Kt, 0.2 mm; Vmax, 3.8) differ from those calculated from the influx data (Kt, 3.3 mm; Vmax, 12.3). Although these differences may reflect differences in the biological function of the membrane surfaces, they do not constitute definitive proof of asymmetry of the transport structures or processes. Evidence for the operation of a mobile carrier mechanism of facilitated diffusion was obtained by detecting accelerated exchange diffusion. The unidirectional d-glucose flux from the inside of the membranes into a medium containing negligible glucose is accelerated by the presence of 3-O-methyl glucose in the medium. This suggests that the rate of transfer of free carrier from the outside to the inside phases of the membrane is a limiting process in the outward movement of the d-glucose-carrier complex.
Rapid and sensitive detection of bacteria by gas chromatography.

A gas chromatograph fitted with electron capture and flame ionization detectors was employed for the rapid detection of bacteria by analysis for their metabolic products. The presence of Proteus vulgaris, Streptococcus faecalis, S. liquefaciens, Escherichia coli B, Bacillus cereus, and B. popilliae was detected in 2 to 4 hr in media inoculated with less than 104 cells per ml, whereas a 7- to 12-hr growth period was required for the detection of products formed in cultures of Serratia marcescens, Aerobacter aerogenes, E. coli K-12, Staphylococcus aureus, and Salmonella typhimurium. Metabolites elaborated by the equivalent of less than a single cell of B. cereus, S. faecalis, P. vulgaris, or E. coli B were sensed by the electron capture detector. The flame ionization detector was generally not as sensitive. Volatile metabolites were identified, and their concentrations were determined.
Synthesis and crystal structure of 1,2-bis(phthalimidomethyl)-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12): a precursor to polyamines

Abstract The reaction of 1 equivalent of the dilithium salt of the [closo-1,2-C2B10H10]2− dianion with two equivalents of N-(bromomethyl)phthalimide, in a mixture of anhydrous benzene and diethyl ether, produced a new bis-C(cage)-substituted o-carborane, 1,2-bis(phthalimidomethyl)-1,2-dicarba-closo-dodecaborane(12) (1) in 65% yield.
Yengoyan on Handler's Schneider on Schneider

Schneider on Schneider: The Conversion of the Jews and Other Anthropological Stories. DAVID M. SCHNEIDER as told to RICHARD HANDLER. Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 1995. ix + 241 pp., notes, index.
Corporate culture, related chief executive officer traits, and the development of executive information systems

Executive information systems (EIS) are becoming more and more important to executive decision makers in today's organizations. EIS have gained more popularity in the past few years in the scholarly and practitioner press. However, the researchers and writers have failed to recognize that an EIS is a highly personalized system. In view of this fact, the cognitive traits of the top manager, along with the related culture of the organization, should be taken into consideration in developing these systems. This paper suggests some guidelines for developing EIS in two opposing organizational cultures: a hierarchical culture and an adhocracy culture.
Overpay inequity or self-image as a worker: A critical examination of an experimental induction procedure

Abstract Three recent studies have suggested the possibility that when the perception of overpay inequity is induced by challenging the worker's qualifications for the job, wage inequity responses are confounded by responses in terms of self-image as a worker. The extent of this confounding was examined in this study through the use of a role projection technique. On open-end questions zero out of 80 subjects responded to the induction procedure in terms of wage inequity, while 59 subjects responded in terms of self-image as a worker in that situation. Among 13 structured alternatives, two wage inequity responses to the induction procedure were rated as least plausible while two self-image-as-a-worker responses were rated as most plausible. A job security alternative fell near the middle of the plausibility rankings. It was concluded that new induction procedures are required to test the effects of overpay inequity on productivity. In addition it was suggested that any new induction procedure should be pretested with the role projection technique.
The Prediction of Student First Response Using Prerequisite Skills

A large amount of research in the field of educational data analytics has focused primarily on student next problem correctness. Although the prediction of such information is useful in assessing current student performance, it is better for teachers and instructors to place attention on student knowledge over a longer period of time. Several researchers have articulated that it is important to predict aspects that are more meaningful, inspiring our work here to utilize the large amounts of student data available to derive more substantial predictions over student knowledge. Our goal in this paper is to utilize prerequisite information to better predict student knowledge quantitatively as a subsequent skill is begun. Learning systems like ASSISTments and Khan Academy already record such prerequisite information, and can therefore be used to construct a method of prediction as described in this paper. Using these inter-skill relationships, our method estimates students' initial knowledge based on performance on each prerequisite skill. We compare our method with the standard Knowledge Tracing (KT) model and majority class in terms of the predictive accuracy of students' first responses on subsequent skills. Our results support our method as a viable means of representing student prerequisite knowledge in a subsequent skill, leading to results that outperform the majority class and that are comparably superior to KT by providing more definitive student knowledge estimates without sacrificing predictive accuracy.
Isobaric equation of state for liquid Hg1−xCdxTe

Using experimental data of earlier investigators, we develop an isobaric equation of state for the pseudo-binary liquid Hg1−xCdxTe. This equation of state accounts for the observed nonlinear dependence of density on temperature in a range above the liquidus temperature, as well as the observed linear dependence at higher temperatures in the range of interest in directional solidification of this material.
Toward a Seasonally Ice-Covered Arctic Ocean: Scenarios from the IPCC AR4 Model Simulations

Abstract The sea ice simulations by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report (IPCC AR4) models for the climate of the twentieth century and for global warming scenarios have been synthesized. A large number of model simulations realistically captured the climatological annual mean, seasonal cycle, and temporal trends of sea ice area over the Northern Hemisphere during 1979–99, although there is considerable scatter among the models. In particular, multimodel ensemble means show promising estimates very close to observations for the late twentieth century. Model projections for the twenty-first century demonstrate the largest sea ice area decreases generally in the Special Report on Emission Scenarios (SRES) A1B and A2 scenarios compared with the B1 scenario, indicating large multimodel ensemble mean reductions of −3.54 ± 1.66 × 105 km2 decade−1 in A1B, −4.08 ± 1.33 × 105 km2 decade−1 in A2, and −2.22 ± 1.11 × 105 km2 decade−1 in B1. The corresponding percentage reductions are...
Effects of skewness and kurtosis on production and hedging decisions: a skewed t distribution approach

This paper assumes that the spot price follows a skewed Student t distribution to analyze the effects of skewness and kurtosis on production and hedging decisions for a competitive firm. Under a negative exponential utility function, the firm will not over-hedge (under-hedge) when the spot price is positively (negatively) skewed. The extent of under-hedge (over-hedge) decreases as the forward price increases. Compared with the mean-variance hedger, the producer will hedge more (less) when negative (positive) skewness prevails. In addition, an increase in the skewness reduces the demand for hedging. The effect of the kurtosis, however, depends on the sign of the skewness. When the spot price is positively (negatively) skewed, an increase in kurtosis leads to a smaller (larger) futures position.
Bilateral hand necrosis in Kawasaki syndrome

The case of an infant with bilateral hand loss secondary to Kawasaki syndrome is presented. The peripheral changes in this patient are believed to be related to thrombosed aneurysms that are caused by vasculitis.
Studying how different terminal groups change the motion of H2NSO2C6H4CONH(EG)3R when bound to the active site of human carbonic anhydrase II.

Molecular dynamics simulations have been used to explore the motions of a series of ligands containing coupled benzenesulfonamide and oligoethylene glycol moieties (H2NSO2C6H4CONH(CH2CH2OCH2CH2OCH2...
Evaluation of gender difference in regional brain metabolic responses to lorazepam

Women are prescribed benzodiazepines twice as frequently as men and there is evidence of differences in therapeutic responsiveness to benzodiazepines between genders. In this study we compared the regional brain metabolic response to benzodiazepines between male and female subjects. Sixteen healthy men and 12 healthy women were scanned with positron emission tomography (PET) and [F-18] fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) twice: prior to placebo and prior to lorazepam (30 μg/kg) on separate days. Lorazepam significantly and consistently decreased whole brain metabolism and the magnitude as well as the regional pattern of the changes was comparable for both genders (M=−4.7±3 and F=−3.9±3.8 μmol/100 g/min). Lorazepam effects were largest in thalamus (−12.5±6.2 and−8.6±7.1 μmol/100 g/min) and occipital cortex (−10.5±5.5 and−10.1±6.6 μmol/100 g/min). Lorazepam-induced changes in `relative' metabolism were also similar for both genders except for trend differences (0.01<P<0.05) in rectal gyrus, where lorazepam increased relative metabolism in women (+4.4±9.9%) whereas it decreased in men (−3.2±8.8%, P<0.04) and in cerebellum, where lorazepam-induced decrements were larger in women (−5.9±6%) than in men (−1.1%±6.6%, P<0.05). There were no differences between genders for any of the behavioral effects of lorazepam. In summary, this study does not show differences in the response to lorazepam between the genders as assessed by its behavioral effects and the changes in absolute metabolism; the trend toward a difference in the relative changes in rectal gyrus and cerebellum merits further investigation.
Data Storage Studies on Nanowire Transistors with Self-Assembled Porphyrin Molecules

Detailed memory studies have been carried out based on In2O3 nanowires coated with self-assembled monolayers of porphyrins. Devices with redox-active Co-chelated porphyrin coatings exhibited prominent memory effects, where the bit was represented by the charge stored in the molecules and the nanowire conductance was used as the readout. These devices exhibited reliable operation with on/off ratios of ∼104 and were electronically programmable and erasable. Temperature-dependent retention measurements revealed a thermal activation behavior with a barrier of 264 meV. While devices with Co-porphyrin coatings showed efficient memory operation, analogous protio porphyrin coated nanowire devices exhibited no memory effects. A largely metal-centered oxidation (e.g., Co2+/3+) appears to be important for achieving a memory effect in these devices. Our results have convincingly established a direct correlation between the molecular structure and the observed memory effect, and further in-depth studies may eventually...
Optimal Designs for a Probit Model With a Quadratic Term

This article studies optimal designs to analyze dose-response functions with a downturn. Two interesting challenges are estimating the entire dose-response curve and estimating the ED50. Here, I obtain and compare optimal designs for these objectives, separately and together in a two-stage design. I adopt a probit model with a quadratic term to describe the dose-response. Under the probit model, Yang's method is used to obtain the minimal number of support points that maximize any concave function of the Fisher information matrix. Optimal designs are obtained based on the minimal number of support points, and their efficiencies are compared.
Ultraviolet detection of the nucleus of NGC2440

In a recent report, Atherton et al. (1986) announced the detection of the central, exciting star of the planetary nebula NGC2440 on a narrow-band CCD image. Here, the detection of the same star in ultraviolet spectra taken with the IUE satellite is reported. The stellar parameters derived from these spectra are temperature of about 200,000 K, luminosity of 1500 solar, log g = 7, and mass 0.6 solar. These results are in accord with stellar evolutionary theory.
Characterization of the acid β-d-galactosidases from human urine

Abstract Acid β-D-galactosidases (EC 3.2.1.23) from human urine samples have been characterized using G M1 -ganglioside, asialofetuin, and 4-MU-β-D gaiactopyranoside. Sepharose 6-B column chromatography of crude urine supernatant fluids resolved three forms of acid β-D-galactosidase activity with apparent molecular weights of 500 × 10 3 -700 × 10 3 (I), 90 × 10 3 -120 × 10 3 (II), and 20 × 10 3 - 27 × 10 3 (III), which hydrolyzed 4-MU-β-D-galactopyranoside, G M1 -ganglioside and asialofetuin. The crude urine supernatant fluids and the separated forms of acid β-D-galactosidase exhibited similar apparent k m values for the respective substrates. Starch gel electrophoresis of urine samples at pH 7.0 revealed a slow anodally migrating form of acid β-D-galactosidase which electrophoretically corresponded to form I and a faster anodally migrating form corresponding to form II. Form III migrated as a composite of forms I and II suggesting that aggregation to the larger molecular weight activity forms occurred during starch gel electrophoresis. This report represents the first characterization of urinary acid β-D-galactosidase with respect to naturally occurring glycolipid and glycoprotein substrates. In addition, data is presented to indicate that the enzyme may be composed of an enzymatically active form with an apparent molecular weight of 20 × 10 3 -27 × 10 3 , which is also capable of hydrolyzing the glycolipid and glycoprotein substrates.
Improved survival in p16-positive vaginal cancers across all tumor stages but no correlation with MIB-1.

Objectives: Survival as it relates to p16 overexpression and MIB-1 (Ki-67) proliferation in primary squamous cell vaginal carcinoma was studied. Methods: Retrospective chart review from 1997 to 2006 revealed 43 patients who were treated for primary vaginal cancer at Emory University hospitals. Tissue was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining for the presence of p16 and MIB-1 markers, and survival data were examined. Results: Patients who had primary squamous cell vaginal cancers (n = 31) with a positive diffuse staining of p16 had significantly ( P = .003) improved survival (~49.5 months) compared with p16-negative patients (~25.3 months). Stage-specific analysis with 30 additional reported cases showed a significant survival benefit for p16-positive vaginal cancers compared with p16-negative cancers for stages I and II ( P = .017; hazard ratio [HR] 0.400; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.189–0.850) and stages III and IV ( P = .001; HR, 0.176; 95% CI, 0.066–0.479). No difference was observed in survival for MIB-1–positive tumors ( P = .984; HR, 1.008; 95% CI, 0.483–2.104). Conclusions: The p16 marker has a significant prognostic impact in primary squamous cell vaginal cancers across all tumor stages.
Why software engineering courses should include ethics coverage

Encouraging students to become comfortable exercising ethical discernment in a professional context with their peers.
Environmental affects: NASCAR, place and white American cultural citizenship

What are the cultural logics linking anti-environmentalism with social conservatism and pro-corporate politics? An investigation of NASCAR (the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) reveals the ways in which this sport embodies a relatively common American structure of feeling and corporeal relation to nature. Industrialization and neoliberal globalization have attenuated place-based identities, ecological affordances and subsistence strategies. As an expression of white American cultural citizenship, NASCAR manages this economic and ecological insecurity through a rearticulation of patriarchal familial commodity consumption and mobility. The evacuation of residual meanings and practices tied to specific ecologies makes the heteronormative nuclear family the privileged site for the type of consumption that signifies national belonging. An expectation of mobility underlines this detached consumption and also constitutes an appropriation of national territory. NASCAR thus represents a genre of Ame...
Adaptation of signature-tagged mutagenesis to Escherichia coli K1 and the infant-rat model of invasive disease

With the exception of the polysialic acid capsule (K1 antigen), little is known about other virulence factors needed for systemic infection by Escherichia coli K1, the leading cause of Gram-negative neonatal meningitis in humans. In this work, the functional genomics method of signature-tagged mutagenesis (STM) was adapted to E. coli K1 and the infant-rat model to identify non-capsule virulence genes. Validation of the method was demonstrated by the failure to recover a reconstructed acapsular mutant from bacterial pools used to systemically infect 5-day-old rats. Three new genes required for systemic disease were identified from a total of 192 mutants screened by STM (1.56% hit rate). Gut colonization, Southern blot hybridization, mixed-challenge infection, and DNA sequence analyses showed that the attenuating defects in the mutants were associated with transposon insertions in rfaL (O antigen ligase), dsbA (thiol:disulfide oxidoreductase), and a new gene, puvA (previously unidentified virulence gene A), with no known homologues. The results indicate the ability of STM to identify novel systemic virulence factors in E. coli K1.
Early diagenetic microporosity in the Cotton Valley Limestone of east Texas

Abstract The Upper Jurassic, Cotton Valley Limestone was deposited on a mature ramp where monotonous, regional slopes were punctuated by salt-generated structures and basement topography. The strandline and the crests of paleobathymetric highs were blanketed by oolitic and palletoidal grainstones. The ratio of grainstones to mudstones increases in the upper Cotton Valley, reflecting a regional shallowing phase. Thinner, shoaling-upward sequences are present but they do not correlate easily, especially from basement highs to salt domes, probably because salt movement occurred during deposition of Cotton Valley rocks. The complex diagenetic history of the Cotton Valley, inferred from cross-cutting features observed in thin section and from trace-element and stable-isotope content, includes the origin of “chalky” microporosity, especially in ooids. This intraparticle, intercrystalline porosity occurs in a fabric of equant, subhedral to euhedral, low-Mg calcite micro-rhombs which appear to have developed at the expense of an acicular precursor. Such microporous ooids are present mainly on the crests of paleobathymetric highs; nearby, offstructure ooids contain a mixture of micritic and well-preserved ooids. However, these micritic ooids are different from the micro-rhombic, microporous ones on the highs. The well-preserved low-Mg calcite ooids from offstructure positions exhibit relict acicular microstructures in some of their lamellae. The “chalky” microporosity is crosscut by virtually every other diagenetic feature in the Cotton Valley Limestone. The ϵ13C values from individual microporous ooids range from +1.65 to +2.76% PDB, which is not in the range of values associated with precipitation in a hydrocarbon-rich environment. The formation of microporosity was followed by the formation of embayed grain contacts, pore-filling cementation, grain compaction, stylolite formation, replacements by quartz and rhombic dolomite, fracturing, fracture-filling cementation, saddle dolomite, late leaching, and formation of authigenic sulfides. The microporosity is interpreted to have been formed in the near surface diagenetic environment, early in the burial history of the Cotton Valley. As there is no evidence of vadose diagenesis, the ooids on the crests of calcarenite shoals must have been placed is disequilibrium with their surroundings by a change in water chemistry, probably as a consequence of regression and an influx of fresh water. The introduction of hydrocarbons appears to be contemporaneous with such late diagenetic features as saddle dolomite and authigenic sulfides; however, the extent to which those fluids affected the micro-rhombic calcite crystals appears to be negligible.
The Likely Effects of Radiologist Extenders on Radiology Training

Abstract Manpower shortages have led many radiologists to consider using radiologist extenders, and the American Society of Radiological Technologists and the ACR have responded by formulating the radiology assistant (RA) program. There is no doubt that the RA program is becoming a reality or that it can be a boon to radiologists and physician radiologist trainees in freeing up faculty members' time, freeing trainees from repetitive tasks, and providing limited instruction in RAs' areas of expertise. Patients will likely accept RAs and trainee physicians equally. A financial analysis of using residents and physician extenders in anesthesia suggests that residents may be a cheaper labor source in those institutions not at the cap for resident positions.
Why do all drugs work in animals but none in stroke patients ? 1 Drugs promoting cerebral blood flow

. Medical treatments which presumably alter cerebral blood flow (CBF) have been quite unimpressive in their effect on stroke outcome. In considering experimental and clinical data from the use of haemodilution and of the antiplatelet agent prostacyclin in focal cerebral ischaemia, and the current work with fibrinolytic agents in acute stroke, several lessons are apparent. Often agents hypothesized to affect CBF receive an undeserved reputation based on sparse experimental evidence. Significant even unsuspected differences between species limit application to the clinical setting. Limitations of CBF measurements in experimental models and in humans raise questions about apparent responses to those agents. The failure to confirm a relationship between CBF enhancement and reduction in infarct development experimentally has plagued these approaches. The need for early application of agents which may modulate CBF during cerebral ischaemia is critical. Attention to these general issues and careful application of appropriate models are necessary so that a potentially useful therapeutic intervention is not overlooked.
Rapid coarse-to-fine matching using scale-specific priors

The Gibbs priors with potential equal to the membrane deflection and thin plate bending energies are explored in the Bayesian approach to image matching. Their smoothness properties are qualitatively demonstrated in a matching task. The priors are further evaluated by comparing their effect on the atlas-based localization of several subcortical structures in MRI data. Results of the localization study indicate that the implementation based on the membrane prior assumed over a fine mesh outperforms, both in speed and accuracy of the anatomic labeling, a plate-based approach that uses a comparable number of unknowns.
Shooter localization and weapon classification with soldier-wearable networked sensors

The paper presents a wireless sensor network-based mobilecountersniper system. A sensor node consists of a helmetmountedmicrophone array, a COTS MICAz mote for internodecommunication and a custom sensorboard that implementsthe acoustic detection and Time of Arrival (ToA) estimationalgorithms on an FPGA. A 3-axis compass providesself orientation and Bluetooth is used for communicationwith the soldier's PDA running the data fusion and the userinterface. The heterogeneous sensor fusion algorithm canwork with data from a single sensor or it can fuse ToA orAngle of Arrival (AoA) observations of muzzle blasts andballistic shockwaves from multiple sensors. The system estimatesthe trajectory, the range, the caliber and the weapontype. The paper presents the system design and the resultsfrom an independent evaluation at the US Army AberdeenTest Center. The system performance is characterized by 1-degree trajectory precision and over 95% caliber estimationaccuracy for all shots, and close to 100% weapon estimationaccuracy for 4 out of 6 guns tested.
A comparison of the reverse and power punches in oriental martial arts

In this study, we compared mechanical factors in the reverse and three-inch power punches. Twelve expert male martial artists stood on a force plate, and executed reverse and power punches against a padded target fixed to a wall-mounted force plate. The force plates measured horizontal forces, and subsequently impulses and body centre of mass velocity changes. The motions of four markers attached to the arm were also collected, and were used to compute the horizontal velocities of the knuckle and of the arm centre of mass. The power punch produced smaller velocities immediately before impact than the reverse punch for the whole-body centre of mass (0.14 vs. 0.31 m x s(-1)), for the arm centre of mass (2.86 vs. 4.68 m x s(-1)), and for the knuckle (4.09 vs. 6.43 m x s(-1)). The peak force exerted by the fist was much smaller in the power punch than in the reverse punch (790 vs. 1450 N). However, the linear impulse exerted by the fist during the first 0.20 s of contact was slightly larger in the power punch than in the reverse punch (43.2 vs. 37.7 N x s). The results indicate that the power punch is less potent than the reverse punch, but slightly more effective for throwing the opponent off balance.
Multiple mechanisms contribute to the avoidance of avian epidermis by sensory axons.

Abstract In birds, sensory innervation of skin is restricted to dermis, with few axons penetrating into the epidermis. This pattern of innervation is maintained in vitro, where sensory neurites avoid explants of epidermis but grow readily on dermis. We have used this coculture paradigm to investigate the mechanisms that impede innervation of avian epidermis. The lack of epidermal innervation in birds has been attributed to diffusible chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) secreted by the epidermis, although direct experimental evidence is weak. We found that elimination of CSPG function with either chondroitinase or neutralizing antibodies did not promote growth of DRG neurites onto epidermis in vitro, indicating that CSPGs alone are not responsible for preventing epidermal innervation. Moreover, the failure of sensory neurites to invade epidermis is not due exclusively to soluble chemorepulsive factors, since sensory neurites also avoid dead epidermis. This inhibition can be overridden, however, by coating epidermis with the growth-promoting molecule laminin, but only if the tissue is killed first. Epidermal innervation of laminin-coated epidermis is even more robust when CSPGs are also eliminated. Thus, the absence of growth-promoting or permissive molecules, such as laminin, may contribute to the failure of sensory neurites to invade avian epidermis. Together these results show that the inhibitory character of avian epidermis is complex. Cell- or matrix-associated CSPGs clearly contribute to the inhibition, but are not solely responsible.