cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison between intravascular ultrasound and venography in identifying key parameters essential for iliac vein stenting.

Abstract Objective Deep venous stenting has become the primary treatment option for obstructive venous disease. Precise identification and quantification of the disease as well as localization of optimal landing zones are key elements to success. Compared with venography (anteroposterior projection), intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) seems to be more sensitive in determining those parameters. This study was a blinded comparison of the relative accuracy of venography compared with IVUS in determining key parameters essential for iliac vein stenting. Methods Between October 2013 and November 2015, there were 155 limbs (152 patients) that underwent an endovascular intervention for chronic iliofemoral vein stenosis. Venography and IVUS data were reviewed by vascular surgeons and radiologists, respectively, each blinded to the other to identify location and severity of maximal stenosis, location of iliac-caval confluence, and optimal distal landing zone. Data from venography were compared with data from IVUS. Maximal stenosis was defined as the most severe stenosis found among the four segments—common iliac vein, external iliac vein, common femoral vein, and infrarenal vena cava. IVUS was the “gold standard” for comparisons. Results Venography failed to identify lesion existence in 19% of limbs. The median maximal area stenosis was significantly higher with IVUS than with venography (69% vs 52%; P Conclusions Compared with IVUS, venography substantially and significantly misses stenotic lesions—their location and severity; venography also misidentifies the location of the iliac-caval confluence and the distal landing zone in the majority of limbs. Those differences between IVUS and venography suggest that IVUS is the better diagnostic and procedural tool in iliac-caval stenting.
Self-reported health behaviors and longitudinal cognitive performance: Results from the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer\'s Prevention

Abstract Background Studies have suggested associations between self-reported engagement in health behaviors and reduced risk of cognitive decline. Most studies explore these relationships using one health behavior, often cross-sectionally or with dementia as the outcome. In this study, we explored whether several individual self-reported health behaviors were associated with cognitive decline when considered simultaneously, using data from the Wisconsin Registry for Alzheimer’s Prevention (WRAP), an Alzheimer’s disease risk-enriched cohort who were non-demented and in late midlife at baseline. Method We analyzed longitudinal cognitive data from 828 participants in WRAP, with a mean age at baseline cognitive assessment of 57 (range = 36-78, sd = 6.8) and an average of 6.3 years (standard deviation = 1.9, range = 2-10) of follow-up. The primary outcome was a multi-domain cognitive composite, and secondary outcomes were immediate/delayed memory and executive function composites. Predictors of interest were self-reported measures of physical activity, cognitive activity, adherence to a Mediterranean-style diet (MIND), and interactions with each other and age. We conducted linear mixed effects analyses within an Information-theoretic (IT) model averaging (MA) approach on a set of models including covariates and combinations of these 2- and 3-way interactions. The IT approach was selected due to the large number of interactions of interest and to avoid pitfalls of traditional model selection approaches. Results Model-averaged results identified no significant modifiable behavior*age interactions in relationship to the primary composite outcome. In secondary outcomes, higher MIND diet scores associated with slower decline in executive function. Men showed faster decline than women on delayed memory, independent of health behaviors. There were no other significant interactions among any other health behaviors and cognitive trajectories. Conclusions When multiple covariates and health behaviors were considered simultaneously, there were limited weak associations with cognitive decline in this age range. These results may be explained alone or in combination by three alternative explanations: 1) the range of cognitive decline is in middle age is too small to observe relationships with health behaviors, 2) the putative associations of these health behaviors on cognition may not be robust in this age range, or 3) the self-reported measures of the health behaviors may not be optimal for predicting cognitive decline. More study may be needed that incorporates sensitive measures of health behaviors, AD biomarker profiles, and/or other disease comorbidities.
Four Squares with Few Squares

The classic theorem of Lagrange states that every nonnegative integer n is the sum of four squares. How “sparse” can a set of squares be and still retain the four square property. For any set X of nonnegative integers set Nx(x) = |{i ∈ X, ≤x}|. Let S = {0,1,4,9,…} denote the squares. If \(X \subseteq S\) and every n ≥ 0 can be expressed as the sum of four elements of X then how slow can be the growth rate of Nx(x) ? Clearly we must have = N(x1/4). Our object here is to give a quick proof of the following result of Wirsing[3]
Immunotherapy for extensive stage small cell lung cancer

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is an aggressive malignancy. Until recently the standard of care for newly diagnosed patients with extensive-stage disease was chemotherapy consisting of etoposide plus a platinum (EP). The median overall survival (OS) was only about 10 months with this systemic therapy. Immune checkpoint inhibitors were first evaluated as second or subsequent line treatments in extensive stage disease and later in combination with EP in the first-line setting. Recently two randomized phase III trials have demonstrated statistically improved OS with addition of a programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) inhibitor to EP. As a result, the standard of care for newly diagnosed patients with extensive-stage SCLC has changed for the first time in decades. However, many patients do not derive benefit from the addition of a PD-L1 inhibitor to EP. In this review we discuss first-line trials of chemoimmunotherapy in extensive stage SCLC and summarize data on second and subsequent line treatment with immune checkpoint inhibitors in immunotherapy-naive patients. Additionally, we discuss potential biomarkers that could be utilized to select for which patients derive benefit from addition of a PD-L1 inhibitor to EP and propose ways to improve on first-line chemoimmunotherapy.
Adequacy of Linear Models for Estimating Stormwater Best Management Practice Treatment Performance

AbstractStormwater best management practices (BMPs) are commonly emplaced to remove contaminants to reduce environmental impacts of runoff, in addition to their flood control function. The selectio...
Evaluating the potential for autonomous measurements of net community production and calcification as a tool for monitoring coral restoration

Abstract As coral restoration efforts increase globally, there is a growing need to not only increase post-restoration monitoring, but also advance reef restoration monitoring methods. Utilizing autonomous technology to compliment manual, SCUBA-based monitoring will diversify the types of data available to coral restoration practitioners and aid in determining the efficacy of restoration efforts. This study sought to investigate how existing reef monitoring technologies can be applied to coral restoration to improve monitoring resolution and assess restoration progress. The Benthic Ecosystem and Acidification Measurement System, which uses the gradient flux approach to measure benthic community metabolism, was used to monitor two arrays of nursery grown Acropora cervicornis within an offshore coral nursery in the Florida Keys. The first deployment monitored corals arranged in a density mimicking pre-restoration coral cover, while the second deployment monitored corals arranged in a density mimicking a reef site recently restored with nursery-grown A. cervicornis. The post-restoration density demonstrated a 36% increase in the observed ratio of net community calcification to net community production as compared to the pre-restoration density. Additionally, the post-restoration density demonstrated net accretion throughout the observation period (20 mmol CaCO3 m−2d−1) as compared to the pre-restoration density which experienced net dissolution (−5.0 mmol CaCO3 m−2d−1). Overall, the results of this study are promising indicators that metabolic monitoring could one day be widely utilized within the coral restoration field to remotely monitor benthic composition changes associated with coral restoration progress over time, providing valuable information to restoration practitioners, stakeholders, and resource managers.
Bioprinting better kidney organoids.

Automated extrusion-based bioprinting has been shown to enable human kidney organoid generation with improved throughput, quality control and scale, representing an important step towards macro-scale kidney tissue engineering.
Proximity to crop relatives determines some patterns of natural selection in a wild sunflower.

Abiotic and biotic heterogeneity result in divergent patterns of natural selection in nature, with important consequences for fundamental evolutionary processes including local adaptation, speciation, and diversification. However, increasing amounts of the global terrestrial surface are homogenized by agriculture (which covers nearly 50% of terrestrial vegetated land surface) and other anthropogenic activities. Agricultural intensification leads to highly simplified biotic communities for many taxa, which may alter natural selection through biotic selective agents. In particular, the presence of crops may alter selection on traits of closely related wild relatives via shared mutualists and antagonists such as pollinators and herbivores. We asked how the presence of crop sunflowers (Helianthus annuus) alters natural selection on reproductive traits of wild sunflowers (Helianthus annuus texanus). Across two years and multiple sites, we planted replicated paired populations of wild H. a. texanus bordering sunflower crop fields versus approximately 2.5 km away. We measured fitness, floral traits, and interactions of the plants with insect pollinators and seed predators. We found limited evidence that proximity to crop sunflowers altered selection on individual traits, as total or direct selection differed by proximity for only three of eleven traits: ray length (a marginally significant effect), Isophrictis (Gelechiidae, moth) attack, and Neolasioptera (Cecidomyiidae, midge) attack. Direct (but not total) selection was significantly more heterogenous far from crop sunflowers relative to near crop sunflowers. Both mutualist pollinators and antagonist seed predators mediated differences in selection in some population-pairs near versus far from crop sunflowers. Here, we demonstrate that agriculture can influence the evolution of wild species via altered selection arising from shared biotic interactions, complementing previously demonstrated evolutionary effects via hybridization.
Abstract P692: This is Your Brain on Drugs: The Burden and Severity of Stroke Related to Substance Use and Infective Endocarditis

Background: Substance abuse is a major health crisis in the US, with approximately 20 million people suffering from substance use disorders (SUD). The rate of opioid-related overdose deaths in Kent...
Revenue diversion, the allocation of talent, and income distribution

Abstract We study an equilibrium model of “revenue diversion” by management and its effects on talent allocation and the earnings distribution. In our occupational choice model with “workers” and “managers”, the talent allocation depends on earnings across occupations. Revenue diversion makes the allocation inefficient. It contributes, beyond productivity differentials, to income inequality and the Pareto tail of the income distribution. Any “diverted” revenue accrues to a small fraction of the population, and therefore noticeably impacts inequality, as illustrated in our calibration. We briefly introduce capital, allowing management to divert from both workers and capital, and also complementarity between workers and management.
Love in Unhappy Couples

Defining love as attachment to and caring for the other, I argue that some unhappy couples feel love for one another, a love they may not speak about to one another and that they may not even recognize they feel. To focus the discussion of what might be love in unhappy couples, the chapter offers a fictional short story about a married couple with a long history of difficult marital interaction and who, despite their history, cannot exist apart from each other. The idea that love may be unspoken or not in awareness of partners in unhappy couples contrasts with the view that is common in social psychology and in English language dictionary definitions of “love,” that love must be verbalized and in a person’s awareness in order to be counted as existing. It also contrasts with the view that love cannot coexist with an enduring pattern of strongly negative feelings and prolonged conflict. Although unhappy couples may remain together for reasons other than love (for example, economic dependency, thinking there is no better alternative, a belief that divorce is wrong), I argue that some unhappy couples remain together because of love, even possibly a love that is unspoken and out of their awareness. The chapter offers a number of conceptual paths to understanding how strong negativity may be linked to love, including that in some cultural contexts negativity may be a form of expressing love and not even be perceived as negativity.
Gait disturbances and muscle dysfunction in fibroblast growth factor 2 knockout mice

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is important in musculoskeletal homeostasis, therefore the impact of reduction or Fgf2 knockout on skeletal muscle function and phenotype was determined. Gait analysis as well as muscle strength testing in young and old WT and Fgf2KO demonstrated age-related gait disturbances and reduction in muscle strength that were exacerbated in the KO condition. Fgf2 mRNA and protein were significantly decreased in skeletal muscle of old WT compared with young WT. Muscle fiber cross-sectional area was significantly reduced with increased fibrosis and inflammatory infiltrates in old WT and Fgf2KO vs. young WT. Inflammatory cells were further significantly increased in old Fgf2KO compared with old WT. Lipid-related genes and intramuscular fat was increased in old WT and old Fgf2KO with a further increase in fibro-adipocytes in old Fgf2KO compared with old WT. Impaired FGF signaling including Increased β-Klotho, Fgf21 mRNA, FGF21 protein, phosphorylated FGF receptors 1 and 3, was observed in old WT and old Fgf2KO. MAPK/ ERK1/2 was significantly increased in young and old Fgf2KO. We conclude that Fgf2KO, age-related decreased FGF2 in WT mice, and increased FGF21 in the setting of impaired Fgf2 expression likely contribute to impaired skeletal muscle function and sarcopenia in mice.
Job satisfaction and burnout among peer support specialists: the contributions of supervisory mentorship, recovery-oriented workplaces, and role clarity

This study evaluated whether supervisory mentorship contributed to peer support specialists’ job satisfaction and burnout via pathways of role clarity and psychological empowerment after accounting...
Pregnancy Outcomes Following Minimally Invasive Vs Open Myomectomy

Study Objective The impact of myomectomy on subsequent pregnancies, whether performed open or minimally invasively, is not fully understood. We aim to characterize pregnancy outcomes and complications following myomectomy. Design We performed a retrospective review of all patients who underwent myomectomy from 2010-2018 (n=881) and identified all patients who had a subsequent delivery greater than 24 weeks (n=147). Operative reports and discharge summaries were reviewed to identify surgical factors, including the use of adhesion barriers, and complications at the time of myomectomy, as well as pregnancy complications including rates and severity of adhesions at the time of C-section. Setting A large academic hospital. Patients or Participants Women who underwent myomectomy followed by delivery. Interventions N/A. Measurements and Main Results 85 patients underwent MIS myomectomy and 61 underwent open myomectomy. During pregnancy, there were no statistically significant differences in the rates of placenta accreta (P=0.578, overall rate 0.6%), placenta previa (P=0.546, overall rate 3.4%), EBL during C-section (P=0.546), or rates of complications such as fetal growth restriction (P=0.463, overall rate 1.4%), fetal demise (0.916, overall rate 1.4%), or PPROM (P=0.225, overall rate 1.4%). Adhesions noted at the time of C-section were higher in in the open group compared to the minimally invasive group (P=0.011) and rates of severe adhesions (resulting in bladder or bowel injury or requiring classical C-section) were also higher in the open group as compared to the MIS group (P=0.006). The use of intercede significantly reduced rates of clinically significant adhesions (P= 0.019) whereas the use of Seprafilm or Tisseal did not (P=0.528, 0.323 respectively). Conclusion The use of MIS techniques, as well as the use of the adhesion barrier intercede, reduce the rates of clinically significant adhesions at the time of C-section. Other pregnancy outcomes are not impacted by the use of minimally invasive techniques in our sample.
To Mentor and Control: How the North Bennet Street Industrial School Became a Pioneer of Philanthropy and Americanization at the Turn of the Century

This study explores how Progressivism, and a belief in the benefits of ‘Americanizing’ immigrants, affected educational institutions such as Boston’s North Bennet Industrial School at the end of the nineteenth century.
Ultrasonic Characterization of Defects and Damage in Thick Composites

The fabrication and use of composites in thick sections create special needs for flaw detection and characterization which cannot be met by conventional nondestructive evaluation (NDE). Thick composite sections are susceptible to a variety of fabrication defects and in-service damage. Typical fabrication defects include matrix cracking, porosity, delaminations, fiber misalignment and waviness, fiber fractures, and nonuniform matrix distribution (fiber volume ratio). A consequence of fabrication defects is the variation of mechanical properties through the thickness and the buildup of residual stresses. In-service defects result from environmental factors, such as thermal gradients, and mechanical loading, such as impact.
SU-F-303-08: Four-Dimensional MRI Method Based On Internal Respiratory Surrogate Derived by Dimensionality Reduction

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of constructing 4D MRI using non-navigator, image-based internal respiratory surrogate derived by dimensionality reduction (DR). Methods: DR is a mathematical process that derives a series of scalar indices from the corresponding image frames. We proposed a novel image acquisition scheme (A) designed for the DR- derived internal surrogates (Wachinger, 2012) to better match the temporal pattern of previously established surrogates such as diaphragm position. The idea is to acquire a pair of slices alternatingly so the phase of a slice can be more accurately determined with additional information from the other slice. This scheme was compared with the sequential acquisition scheme (B), the navigator-based approach (C), and a previously proposed method using body area as internal respiratory surrogate (Cai, 2011) (D). Correlation between internal surrogates from all schemes and the diaphragm position was studied using a publicly available 4D MRI dataset (von Siebenthal, 2007). Results: DR did not require any manual preprocessing. It took only a few minutes to process the entire 4D MRI data of 100 respiratory cycles with a common desktop computer. The respiratory surrogate signals were highly correlated with diaphragm positions. Correlation coefficients were 0.996, 0.993, 0.997, and 0.982 and mean absolute phase errors were 1.5%, 2.0%, 1.3%, and 3.3% for A, B, C and D, respectively. With the navigator-based approach C, the sampling rate of the regions of interest was reduced by half. Among those without the need for navigators, the novel acquisition scheme A reflected diaphragm positions better than the sequential scheme B and body area scheme D. Conclusion: The proposed image-based 4D MRI method with a novel acquisition scheme and the DR-derived internal respiratory surrogate compared favorably to the navigator-based approach and has twice the sampling rate. Although tested on sagittal slices, it is potentially applicable to any slice orientation.
Teaching as Asceticism: Transforming the Self Through the Practice

I believe that for many who enter the ranks (myself included), the decision to teach is a moral action, mostly because teaching is understood as a way of being; a way for one to form oneself; a way for one to flourish and to live well. In short, teaching can be understood as a time-honored response to the question, How shall I live my life? In this essay, I would like to focus on an ascetics of teaching. Or, to put it another way, I would like to understand the teacher as an ethical subject through the idea of asceticism.
Theory of Electron-Atom Collisions

The collision of electrons with atoms (including ions as special cases) is not only of interest to atomic physics itself but also has important applications in other fields such as astrophysics, plasma physics, and radiation physics.
Transferring Trust: Reciprocity Norms and Assignment of Contract

This article presents four experiments testing the prediction that assignment of contract rights erodes the moral obligation to perform. The first three studies used an experimental laboratory game designed to model contractual exchange. Players in the games were less selfish with a previously generous partner than with a third-party player who had purchased the right to the original partner's expected return. The fourth study used a web-based questionnaire, and found that subjects reported that they would require less financial incentive to breach an assigned contract than a contract held by the original promisee. The results of these four experiments provide support for the proposition that a permissible and apparently neutral transfer of a contractual right may nonetheless reduce the likelihood or quality of performance by weakening the norm of reciprocity.
A weak beam transmission electron microscopy study of a fatigue crack tip in a 2024 aluminum alloy

ABSTRACT Weak-beam dark field transmission electron microscopy has been used to study the dislocation structure at a fatigue crack tip in 2024 aluminum. The region immediately ahead of the crack tip is characterized by a dislocation cell structure. Changes in the localized stress level at the crack tip are monitored by the measurement of the distribution of bowed out dislocation segments near cell walls.
Modeling Distributed Team Resource Allocation within A Geographical Environment

Decisionmaking functions in many large scale systems are distributed over multiple human decisionmakers who may have access to resources at different locations and are responsible for processing randomly arriving tasks. This leads to a complex team resource allocation and coordination problem. This paper presents a mathematical model and a solution methodology to investigate human team task processing behaviors based on a laboratory experiment. The problem at the current stage of investigation is formulated as a centralized scheduling problem involving multiple tasks and multiple platforms (vehicles equipped with resources). The geographical factors (e.g., locations and velocities) and combination of platforms for task processing are considered. A solution methodology is developed by combining decision tree and the concept of "attractiveness measure." This method is then applied to solve the experimental cases, and the solution methodology generates results similar to those obtained from the human experiment and captures human decisionmaking behaviors. Further model-dats comparison reveals several hidden tendencies in human team behavior, e.g., human teams adapts to tempo by speeding up resource usage but sacrificing efficiency. This model and solution methodology will be extending to a distributed case to resemble the coordination between team members, and a normative-descriptive model will be developed to analyze human decisionmaking.
Synthesis of a Supported Metal Catalyst Using Nanometer-Size Clusters

Abstract A new method for synthesis of supported metal catalysts is described. The steps in this method are: (1) production of nanometer diameter metal clusters by gas aggregation, (2) capture and stabilization of the clusters as a colloidal suspension in an organic solvent, (3) adsorption of the clusters onto a high-surface-area support, (4) removal of the support particles from the solvent, and finally (5) oxidation/reduction treatment to remove residual solvent and surfactant. Ag/SiO 2 catalysts with controlled Ag cluster diameters of 2.4, 4.4, 5.2, 8, and 11 nm were produced by this method. The size distribution of the clusters as characterized by transmission electron microscopy is essentially constant from step 1 to step 5.
Hydrothermal metamorphism in geyser-basins of Yellowstone Park, as shown by deep drilling

The two drill-holes that the Geophysical Laboratory put down in the geyser-basins in Yellowstone Park in 1929 and 1930 gave Information on a number of matters. In the present article only the mineral changes that the rocks have undergone, and their significance, will be discussed. The results of this study fit in most satisfactorily with those that E. T. Allen obtained from his studies of the mineral content of the discharge-waters of the thermal springs.
Disturbance Free Operation of Permanent Magnet Motor Drives Under Short Circuit Faults Using Center-Split Winding

This paper studies permanent magnet (PM) motor drives with centre-split stator windings and auxiliary switches. By proper control algorithm, the proposed configuration guarantees continuous operation under various short-circuit conditions. Each of the stator phases is split at the center into two windings having equal number of turns and a common magnetic axis. Auxiliary switches are used to break the fault current path or to isolate the faulty winding. Under short-circuit fault condition; the current in the healthy half of the phase winding is controlled to cancel the rotor magnetic flux linkage of the shorted turns in the faulty half of the winding belonging to the same phase. This diminishes the detrimental fault currents in the shorted turns and allows the drive to continue operation under faulty condition. The currents in the healthy phases are controlled properly to generate the desired output torque. In this work, an optimal fault-tolerant control method is presented for controlling the healthy phase currents of a general n phase machine. Simulation results of a five phase PM machine are presented for verification of the proposed strategy.
The Role of Cultural Factors in the Development of Latino Preschoolers' Self‐Regulation

This review summarizes the literature on factors that contribute to individual differences in Latino preschool-aged children's self-regulation, which is defined here as the ability to manage one's behavior, emotions, and attention, voluntarily and adaptively. Because Latino children are more likely to live in low-income families, existing studies have embedded developmental models of Latino preschoolers' self-regulation in socioeconomic contexts. However, scholars also highlight the importance of situating ethnic minority children's self-regulation in sociocultural contexts. Existing studies have investigated both mean differences in children's self-regulation by race and ethnicity and the moderating role of race and ethnic group. Also, extant research has begun examining mean differences in children's socioemotional adjustment by immigrant status. Still, the literature has not extensively studied the moderating roles of acculturation or cultural values such as familism in the socialization of Latino preschool-aged children's self-regulation. This article takes a first step toward identifying different types of interaction effects involving familism and acculturation, and concludes with recommendations for future research.
Screening design test for cobalt cementation from zinc electrolyte

Etude de l'influence de certaines variables sur l'elimination du cobalt par cementation pour la purification des solutions d'electrolyse du zinc. Examen de la validite du modele de Plackett-Burman pour definir l'importance de ces variables
Dynamic Simulation of Pump-Storage Power Plants with different variable speed configurations using the Simsen Tool

Pumped storage power plants are playing a significant role in the contribution to the stabilization of an electrical grid, above all by stable operation and fast reaction to sudden load respectively frequency changes. Optimized efficiency and smooth running characteristics both in pump and turbine operation, improved stability for synchronization in turbine mode, load control in pump mode operation and also short reaction times may be achieved using adjustable speed power units. Such variable speed power plants are applicable for high variations of head (e.g. important for low head pump-turbine projects). Due to the rapid development of power semiconductors and frequency converter technology, feasible solutions can be provided even for large hydro power units. Suitable control strategies as well as clear design criteria contribute significantly to the optimal usage of the pump turbine and motor-generators. The SIMSEN tool for dynamic simulations has been used for comparative investigations of different configurations regarding the power converter topology, types of semiconductors and types of motor-generators including the coupling to the hydraulic system. A brief overview of the advantages & disadvantages of the different solutions can also be found in this paper. Using this approach, a customized solution minimizing cost and exploiting the maximum usage of the pump-turbine unit can be developed in the planning stage of new and modernization pump storage projects.
Silicon-on-Insulator MOSFETs Fabricated in Zone-Melting-Recrystallized Poly-Si Films on SiO2

N- and p-channel enhancement-mode MOSFETs have been fabricated in Si films prepared by zone-melting recrystallization of poly-Si deposited on SiO2-coated Si substrates. The transistors exhibit high surface mobilities, in the range of 560–620 cm2/V−s for electrons and 200–240 cm2/V−s for holes, and low leakage currents of the order of 0.1 pA/µm (channel width). Uniform device performance with a yield exceeding 90% has been measured in tests of more than 100 devices. The interface between the Si film and the SiO2 layer on the substrate is characterized by an oxide charge density of 1–2 × 1011 cm−2 and a high surface carrier mobility. N-channel MOSFETs fabricated in Si films recrystallized on SiO2-coated fused quartz subtrates exhibit surface electron mobilities substantially higher than those of single-crystal Si devices because the films are under a large tensile stress.
Formation of etchable tracks in plastics

Abstract It is proposed that etchable tracks in plastics are formed by the interaction of delta-rays with polymer clusters, paralleling the formation of developable tracks in emulsion. We speak of a latent image, a grain count regime, and a track-width regime for the tracks of single particles. We may speak of “ion-kill” and “gamma-kill”, as in radiobiology, when dealing with irradiation by a beam of particles. Existing but incomplete experimental evidence is consistent with these concepts. Such evidence as there is suggests that CR-39 is a 1-or-more hit detector.
Federal Financial Reporting: Some views of R.K. Mautz

A number of proposals would apply Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), as developed for reporting the financial performance of for-profits, to federal financial reporting and budget accounting. Critics of these proposals include R.K. Mautz, a distinguished professor of accountancy. This article summarizes some of Mautz's conceptual objections to the use of private GAAP by not-for-profits and indicates his preferred approach to improved financial reporting by government.
Developing a Platform for Genomic Medicine in Mexico

Mexico is preparing to develop a genomic medicine program focused on national health problems. Modern Mexicans result from an admixture of more than 65 native Indian groups with Spaniards, leading to a unique genetic makeup and a characteristic set of disease susceptibilities. Since 1999, more than 100 experts from different fields have joined efforts with government, academia, and industry to identify priorities and goals for genomic medicine in Mexico. The plan includes establishment of an Institute of Genomic Medicine with strong intramural and extramural programs. This project is expected to ease the social and financial burden of health problems in Mexico.
Computer simulation of Pb and Sr isotope evolution of the Earth's crust and upper mantle

Abstract Isotope evolution in a differentiated (crust and upper mantle) and chemically heterogeneous Earth has been computed for a model with isotopic exchange between crust and mantle at an exponentially decreasing rate. To simulate the effects of subduction, cells of crust and mantle are selected at random, their contents mixed and then redistributed into the cells from which they came—to give new chemically heterogeneous but momentarily isotopically homogeneous systems. Daughter isotopes in each cell grow according to equations appropriate for closed chemical systems. Rock age distributions and isotopic data created by the computer calculation mimic nature. Pb isotope data changes through geologic time are illustrated to demonstrate that two-stage interpretations applied to Pb data for rocks with complex histories may be misleading. The intercept of the Pb ore growth curve and regressions fit to Pb data gives minimum values only for the duration of heterogeneous U Pb systems, not the time when heterogeneous distribution first occurred. An intercept derived time of about 3 b.y., in the Pb system is shown to be quantitatively compatible with an average Rb Sr age of crustal rocks of 1.5 b.y. and with a constant degree of chemical heterogeneity for all of Earth history.
Distribution of cryophilic algae in an arid region, the American Southwest*

Abstract This is the first report in the literature of snow algae found extensively in an arid region. In the American Southwest, species distribution was related mostly to exposure. Chloromonas nivalis was the dominant species found in thirty-one of thirty-four collecting areas containing snow algae. It caused green to orange colouration of snow in mostly shaded regions of the forests. Cryocystis granulosa cell type was most prevalent in the southwestern portion of the study area. It caused orange to orange-red colouration of snow near tree canopies and usually received more irradiation than populations of Chloromonas nivalis. Carteria nivale – Scotiella polyptera cell types dominated in each of the six collecting areas where they were found in shaded regions in the eastern portion of the study. These cell types caused green colouration, usually in horizontal bands up to 25 cm below the surface in residual snowbanks. Chlamydomonas nivalis prevailed above timberline at the northern region of the study. Th...
Expression of human telomerase reverse transcriptase, the catalytic subunit of telomerase, is associated with the development of persistent disease in complete hydatidiform moles

Abstract Objective: This study was undertaken to determine the putative role of telomerase activity and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression in the development of persistent disease in patients with a diagnosis of complete hydatidiform mole. The ribonucleoprotein telomerase has been shown to have a major role in the process of cellular immortality and carcinogenesis. The reactivation of this enzyme that occurs in the development of malignancies appears to be limited by the regulation of its catalytic subunit hTERT. Compared with their somatic counterparts, most human malignancies demonstrate telomerase activity, and this activity is dependent on the cellular presence of hTERT. The role of telomerase in the pathogenesis of complete hydatidiform moles is not clearly understood. Moreover, the role of hTERT in trophoblastic disease, as well as in the development of persistent trophoblastic disease, has yet to be elucidated. Study Design: Telomerase activity and hTERT expression were analyzed in the initial uterine evacuation specimen of 54 complete hydatidiform moles by use of the telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay and reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction methods. The results were compared and then correlated with the development of persistent trophoblastic disease. Results: Among the 54 patients who were examined with a diagnosis of complete hydatidiform mole, persistent trophoblastic disease requiring postevacuation chemotherapy developed in 6. In the remaining 48 patients, spontaneous remission of the disease occurred after uterine evacuation. Both telomerase activity and hTERT expression were detected in all 6 cases of persistent disease on the initial molar tissue sampled. Among the 48 nonpersistent moles, telomerase activity was detected in 29 (60%) and hTERT expression was demonstrated in 26 (54%). The detection of hTERT expression was significantly associated with the presence of persistent disease ( P = .035). Moreover, the absence of hTERT expression in molar tissue obtained from uterine evacuation demonstrated a 100% negative predictability in determining cases of complete mole that were nonpersistent. Conclusions: Compared with telomerase activity, the expression of hTERT is significantly associated with the development of persistent disease in complete hydatidiform moles. The absence of hTERT expression in the initial tissue sample from complete moles may have potential clinical value in determining patients who will eventually undergo spontaneous remission after uterine evacuation. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:1441-6.)
Oxidative addition of 1,4-diisopropyl-1,4-diazabutadiene to hexakisisopropoxydimolybdenum (MM). Mo2(Opri)6(PriNCHCHNPri and Mo2(OPri)5(PriNCHCHNPri)2

Abstract Addition of PriNCHCHNPri (1 equiv) to hydrocarbon solutions of Mo2(OPri)6 (MM) leads to formation of the black crystalline compound Mo2(OPri)6 (PriNCHCHPri) (I), which has been shown to contain a reduced diimine ligand (2−) and an oxidized (MMo)8+ centre, MoMo = 2.539(2) A, supported by a pair of bridging OPriligands. The local coordination geometry about each Mo atom corresponds to a distorted tbp and the PriNCHCHNPri ligand is chelated to one metal atom through axial and equatorial bonds.
Local hyperthermia abrogates the anti‐immunotherapeutic effect of interleukin‐8

The therapeutic efficacy of cellular immunotherapy depends not only on the anti-tumor activity of the administered effector cells but also on their ability to gain access to the tumor by extravasation. Although interleukin-8 (IL-8) has been shown to prevent the vascular leak associated with IL-2, it also abrogates the anti-tumor effect of IL-2. We undertook these studies to determine if LHT could abrogate the anti-immunotherapeutic effect of IL-8, since IL-8 inhibits leukocyte adhesion. C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups of six animals each after induction of MCA-105 fibrosarcoma inoculated into the right bindlimb on day 0 and were treated begining on day 3 as follows: no therapy, IL-2 alone (1.02 × 106 IU ip tid on days 3-7), IL-2 + IL-8 (9.6 ng ip tid on days 3–7), and IL-2 + IL-8 + LHT (45C × 15 min on days 3, 5, and 7). Tumor growth was measured on days 10–21 and analyzed by Wilcoxon rank-sum analysis. IL-2 reduced tumor growth significantly (P 0.05). However, addition of LHT to IL-2 + IL-8 resulted in significantly (P < 0.05) less tumor growth than no therapy or IL-2 + IL-8. Activity of the mice was scored as an indicator of systemic toxicity. We found that IL-8 was able to increase the activity (P = 0.07) of the mice when administered with IL-2. These results suggest that IL-8 may protect the tumorbearing animal from the systemic toxicity of IL-2, while LHT abrogates the anti-immunotherapeutic effect of IL-8. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Testing of static random access memories by monitoring dynamic power supply current

This article presents a correlation between dynamic power supply current and pattern sensitive faults in SRAMs. It is shown that the dynamic power supply current provides a window for observing the internal switching behavior of the memory cells. Switching of the logic state of a memory cell results in a transient current pulse in the power supply rails. A new current-testable SRAM structure is presented which can be used to isolate normal current transients from those resulting from pattern sensitivity. The new structure differs from traditional SRAM structures only in the way that power is distributed to the cells. The new structure allows for very high coverages of disturb-type pattern sensitivity using a simple algorithm of length 5n where n is the number of cells.
Embryos and Larvae of a Lancelet, Branchiostoma floridae, from Hatching through Metamorphosis: Growth in the Laboratory and External Morphology

Florida lancelets were raised in laboratory cultures from the egg to the juvenile stage. At frequent intervals during development, elongation of the embryonic and larval body was measured at room temperature (22.5°C) and at the approximate temperature of the natural environment (30°C). Development was slower at the lower temperature, with metamorphosis commencing during the fifth week as compared to the third week at the higher temperature. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to describe a frequently sampled series of hatched embryos, pre-metamorphic larvae, metamorphic larvae, and juveniles. The advent (and sometimes subsequent disappearance) of the following structures was determined from the SEM data: general epidermal ciliation, peroral pit, mouth, primary gill slits, ciliary tuft, external opening of the club-shaped gland, sense cells, anus, metapleural folds, and preoral cirri. Our SEM did not substantiate the claims of van Wijhe for a transitory larval mouth near the anteriovental end of the larvae. The general epidermal cilation, which is uniformly distributed in the embryos, becomes somewhat reduced in the pre-metamorphic larvae and then disappears almost entirely during metamorphosis. The epidermis includes two distinct sense cell types (I and II) and possibly a third type (the ventral pit cells, to which an adhesive role has alternatively been attributed). The anus first opens on the right-hand side and only later migrates across the mid-ventral line to assume a position on the left-hand side of the larva; this is contrary to the established view that the anus of the larval lancelets opens on the left-hand side and remains there.
Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Facilitates DNA Strand Breaks and 8-Oxo-2′-deoxyguanosine Formation by the Aldo-Keto Reductase Product Benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dione

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) o-quinones produced by aldo-keto reductases are ligands for the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) (Burczynski, M. E., and Penning, T. M. (2000) Cancer Res. 60, 908–915). They induce oxidative DNA lesions (reactive oxygen species-mediated DNA strand breaks and 8-oxo-7,8-dihydro-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-dGuo) formation) in human lung cells. We tested whether the AhR enhances PAH o-quinone-mediated oxidative DNA damage by translocating these ligands to the nucleus. Using the single cell gel electrophoresis (comet) assay to detect DNA strand breaks in murine hepatoma Hepa1c1c7 cells and its AhR- and aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-deficient variants, benzo[a]pyrene-7,8-dione (B[a]P-7,8-dione) produced fewer DNA strand breaks in AhR-deficient cells compared with aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-deficient and wild type Hepa1c1c7 cells. Decreased DNA strand breaks were also observed in human bronchoalveolar H358 cells in which the AhR was silenced by siRNA. The antioxidant α-tocopherol and the iron chelator/antioxidant desferal decreased the formation of B[a]P-7,8-dione-mediated DNA strand breaks indicating that they were reactive oxygen species-dependent. By coupling the comet assay to 8-oxoguanine glycosylase (hOGG1), which excises 8-oxo-Gua, strand breaks dependent upon this lesion were measured. hOGG1 treatment produced more DNA single strand breaks in B[a]P-7,8-dione-treated Hepa cells and H358 cells than in its absence. The levels of hOGG1-dependent DNA strand breaks mediated by B[a]P-7,8-dione were lower in AhR-deficient Hepa and AhR knockdown H358 cells. The AhR antagonist α-naphthoflavone also attenuated B[a]P-7,8-dione-mediated DNA strand breaks. The decrease in 8-oxo-dGuo levels in AhR-deficient Hepa cells and AhR knockdown H358 cells was validated by immunoaffinity capture stable isotope dilution ([15N5]8-oxo-dGuo) liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization/multiple reaction monitoring/mass spectrometry. We conclude that the AhR shuttles PAH o-quinone genotoxins to the nucleus and enhances oxidative DNA damage.
SU(3) Heavy-Quark Potential with High Statistics

The results of a high statistics calculation of the SU(3) heavy quark potential are presented. The validity of scaling is tested quantitatively. New results are given for the string tension and the strength of the long-range Coulomb term in the potential.
Split addition of enzymes in enzymatic hydrolysis at high solids concentration to increase sugar concentration for bioethanol production

Abstract One challenge in making bioethanol production economical is to increase total solids in hydrolysis system while maintaining sugar conversion efficiency. Because the removal of excess water from hydrolysate requires enormous amounts of heat, large volume of reaction towers and high capital expenditure (CAPEX) for equipment, a lengthy operating time, and high operating costs. When solids loading in hydrolysis system increased from 5% to 20% with no mixing strategies, final sugar conversion decreased markedly. If cellulase is mixed with pulp at 5% solids and pressed to 20% solids, then 80% of the cellulase retained in the pulp thinned down the pulp mixture in 2 h. This thinning effect enabled additional cellulase, xylanase, and β-glucosidase to be mixed into the slurry. Sugar concentration was significantly improved; from 26 g/L to 121 g/L, while sugar conversion was remained as enzymatic hydrolysis with 5% total solids enzymatic hydrolysis. A US patent has been granted to NCSU for this concept and licenses have been granted to various companies.
Solubilization of Dodecane, Tetrachloroethylene, and 1,2-Dichlorobenzene in Micellar Solutions of Ethoxylated Nonionic Surfactants

Although surfactants have received considerable attention as a potential means for enhancing the recovery of organic compounds from the subsurface, only limited information is available regarding the micellar solubilization of common groundwater contaminants by nonionic surfactants. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of surfactant properties and environmental fac tors on the solubility of dodecane, tetrachloroethylene (PCE), and 1,2-dichlorobenzene (DCB) in micellar solutions of Witconol 2722, Tergitol NP-15, and Witconol SN-120. A matrix of batch experiments was performed at 10 and 25 °C and in the presence of CaCl2 for surfactant concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 15% by weight. Although the hydrophile−lipophile balance (HLB) values of the surfactants are similar, Witconol 2722 solubilized approximately three times more organic than the other surfactants, which was attributed to the greater alkyl chain length and ethoxylation of Witconol 2722. Results of HLB scans, conducted using Te...