cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Shot but not Silenced: I am Malala

I am Malala: A Girl who Stood Up for Education and was Shot by the Taliban is a compelling autobiography about a 14-year-old girl's campaign for girls' right to education within an oppressive society. The entire book is written from Malala's perspective, each chapter allows the reader to become immersed within the text and invested within human rights oppression. Malala's story seeks to bring awareness to the injustices within education for young girls and women as well as emphasize the power of education. Malala challenges the reader to dig deeper into the oppressiveness and truly examine the value of education.
How to create a cultural species: Evaluating three proposals

This paper summarizes, contrasts, and reviews recent accounts of cultural evolution in our species offered by Cecilia Heyes in Cognitive Gadgets, Kevin Laland in Darwin’s Unfinished Symphony, and M...
Theory, methods, and operational results of the Young Women’s Health History Study: a study of young-onset breast cancer incidence in Black and White women

The etiology of young-onset breast cancer (BC) is poorly understood, despite its greater likelihood of being hormone receptor-negative with a worse prognosis and persistent racial and socioeconomic inequities. We conducted a population-based case–control study of BC among young Black and White women and here discuss the theory that informed our study, exposures collected, study methods, and operational results. Cases were non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and White (NHW) women age 20–49 years with invasive BC in metropolitan Detroit and Los Angeles County SEER registries 2010–2015. Controls were identified through area-based sampling from the U.S. census and frequency matched to cases on study site, race, and age. An eco-social theory of health informed life-course exposures collected from in-person interviews, including socioeconomic, reproductive, and energy balance factors. Measured anthropometry, blood (or saliva), and among cases SEER tumor characteristics and tumor tissue (from a subset of cases) were also collected. Of 5,309 identified potentially eligible cases, 2,720 sampled participants were screened and 1,812 completed interviews (682 NHB, 1140 NHW; response rate (RR): 60%). Of 24,612 sampled control households 18,612 were rostered, 2,716 participants were sampled and screened, and 1,381 completed interviews (665 NHB, 716 NHW; RR: 53%). Ninety-nine% of participants completed the main interview, 82% provided blood or saliva (75% blood only), and SEER tumor characteristics (including ER, PR and HER2 status) were obtained from 96% of cases. Results from the successfully established YWHHS should expand our understanding of young-onset BC etiology overall and by tumor type and identify sources of racial and socioeconomic inequities in BC.
Reclaiming wastewater with increasing salinity for potable water reuse: Water recovery and energy consumption during reverse osmosis desalination

Abstract With reverse osmosis membranes being industry-standard in many potable reuse facilities, an opportunity exists to desalinate higher-salinity streams (e.g., brine and regional brine interceptor streams) to augment traditional wastewater supplies and reduce brine disposal requirements. This study evaluates the energy consumed in recovering water from these streams at advanced water purification facilities. Scenarios without and with seawater inflow and infiltration at coastal wastewater reclamation facilities are considered. It was found that as wastewater salinity increases with increasing seawater inflow and infiltration, base case energy consumption increases, but the percent increase of energy consumption caused by mixing higher-salinity streams decreases. Multiple energy-saving strategies were evaluated, including energy recovery devices, closed-circuit reverse osmosis, and desalination of the higher-salinity streams separately from the treated wastewater. The energy savings was greater for closed-circuit reverse osmosis than for energy recovery devices and increased for both as influent salinity increases. The energy savings from desalinating higher-salinity streams separately increased as the salinity difference between the two streams increased. Addition of higher-salinity streams was also considered within the context of inorganic scaling potential, product water requirements, and discharge permits that may limit recoveries.
Computational Simulation of 4-D Micro-Circular Network in Zebrafish Tail Amputation and Regeneration

Wall shear stress (WSS) in micro-vasculature contributes to biomechanical cues to regulate mechanotransduction underlying vascular development, repair, and homeostasis. We hereby elucidate the interplay between hemodynamic shear forces and luminal remodeling in response to vascular injury and regeneration in the zebrafish model of tail amputation. Using the transgenic Tg(fli-1:eGFP; Gata1:ds-red) line, we were able to track the enhanced green-fluorescent protein (eGFP)-labeled endothelial lining of the 3-D microvasculature for post-image segmentation and reconstruction of fluid domain for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation. At 1 day post amputation (dpa), dorsal aorta (DA) and posterior cardinal vein (PCV) were severed, and vasoconstriction developed in the dorsal longitudinal anastomotic vessel (DLAV) with a concomitant increase in WSS in the segmental vessels (SV) proximal to the amputation site and a decrease in WSS in SVs distal to amputation. Simultaneously, we observed angiogenesis commencing at the tips of amputated DLAV and PCV where WSS was minimal in the absence of blood flow. At 2 dpa, vasodilation occurred in a pair of SVs proximal to amputation, resulting in an increase in flow rate and WSS, whereas in the SVs distal to amputation, WSS normalized to the baseline. At 3 dpa, flow rate in the arterial SV proximal to amputation continued to rise and merged with DLAV that formed a new loop with PCV. Thus, our CFD modeling uncovered a well-coordinated micro-vascular adaptation following tail amputation, accompanied by the rise and fall of WSS and the dynamic changes in flow rate during vascular regeneration.
Major Nucleoid Proteins in the Structure and Function of the Escherichia coli Chromosome

This chapter focuses on the major nucleoid-associated proteins and summarizes one's current knowledge of how these proteins contribute to the structure of the nucleoid and function in specific reactions involving the chromosome. The current view is that the Escherichia coli nucleoid is dominated by five different proteins: HU, integration host factor (IHF), H-NS, StpA and Fis under nutrient-rich exponential growth conditions. HU mutant cells display the most severe and varied phenotypes in comparison to strains containing mutations in the other major nucleoid proteins. Supercoiling of chromosomal and plasmid DNA is partially relaxed in mutants lacking HU, supporting an in vivo role for HU in regulating the degree of supercoiling. HU plays several interconnected roles in DNA replication and appears to be involved in several steps involving initiation of chromosomal DNA synthesis, chromosomal partitioning, and cell division. The genes that were differentially expressed were examined for putative IHF binding sites in the 500 bp upstream of the transcription initiation site. The criteria for identifying high-affinity sites were that the sites must have a 12 out of 13 bp match with the core consensus sequence and that at least 10 of the 15 bp 5' (upstream) to the core consensus must be dA-dT base pairs. The study identified 46 candidates that matched the criteria, some of which were documented in other studies. The study also identified seven genes, including ihfA, that were expressed only when IHF was present and eight genes that were expressed only in IHF-deficient cells.
Effect of implants prepared from tissue culture of dorsal root ganglion neurons and Schwann cells on growth of corticospinal fibers after spinal cord injury in neonatal rats.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the utilization of tissue culture techniques for preparing purified populations of neuronal and nonneuronal cells, combining them in desired proportions, and manipulating the tissue culture environment to achieve the desired level of expression of extracellular matrix components of the nonneuronal cells. Functionally, the implanted rats are not significantly improved over the lesion control rats, and both groups, by three to six months after injury, are almost indistinguishable from normal rats. Thus, implants of cultured sensory neurons and Schwann cells have been shown to survive and, in some instances, fuse with the injured rat spinal cord. Immunocytochemical and electron microscopic studies have demonstrated that Schwann cells did not migrate in any significant number into the injured host spinal cord, but rather glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP + ) cells migrated into the implant, thereby accounting for the apparent fusion. The implants have facilitated the growth of developing corticospinal tract fibers beyond the lesion site, causing fasciculation at the dorsal white matter/gray matter junction, and have a greater and more consistent effect, if they are grafted at the time of injury rather than later. However, the addition of pial elements to the cultures does not have a marked effect on implant survival.
An Organizational Learning Method for Applying Usability Guidelines and Patterns

As usability knowledge and techniques continues to grow, there is an increasing need to provide tools that disseminate the accumulated wisdom of the field. Usability guidelines are one technique that is used to convey usability knowledge. Another is the emerging discipline of usability patterns. This paper presents an approach that combines these techniques in a case-based architecture and utilizes a process to help an organization capture, adapt, and refine usability resources from project experiences. The approach utilizes a rule-based tool to represent the circumstances under which a given usability resource is applicable. Characteristics of the application under development are captured and used to match usability resources to the project where they can be used to drive the design process. Design reviews are used to capture feedback and ensure that the repository remains a vital knowledge source for producing useful and usable software systems.
High rate coded OFDM with channel equalization

We consider the use of wideband systems for the fixed point-to-point transmission of coded data with low bit-error rate requirements. A system is defined which is based on OFDM transmission with PSK and QAM subcarrier modulation, error control coding using low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes, and channel equalization to reduce intersymbol interference from a fading channel. Tradeoffs between modulation parameters and equalization complexity are also discussed. High rate LDPC codes are considered for this system.
Chapter 5 Nonlinear pricing and mechanism design

Publisher Summary This chapter describes methods for solving simple versions that arise in nonlinear pricing and mechanism design. Nonlinear pricing is one instance of a wide variety of problems derived from the principal–agent paradigm and its extensions to mechanism design. The key ingredient of the standard formulation is the representation of an agent's private information as a point in a Euclidean space. Characterization of a solution relies on the necessary conditions derived from the seller's incomplete problem. Computational procedures naturally divide into two phases. In Phase 1, the differential equations are solved with fixed (Dirichlet) boundary values. Straightforward approaches to solving these equations based on discrete approximations encounter inconsistencies. In Phase 2, the boundary values are adjusted to improve the approximation of the boundary conditions imposed by the transversality condition. For both algorithms, the differential condition derived from the integrability condition provides an adequate von Neumann condition on the upper boundary. In the pure relaxation algorithm, the conditions on the lower boundaries can be derived from the welfare–optimality condition.
Brain collection, standardized neuropathologic assessment, and comorbidity in Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative 2 participants.

Abstract Introduction The Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative Neuropathology Core (ADNI-NPC) facilitates brain donation, ensures standardized neuropathologic assessments, and maintains a tissue resource for research. Methods The ADNI-NPC coordinates with performance sites to promote autopsy consent, facilitate tissue collection and autopsy administration, and arrange sample delivery to the NPC, for assessment using National Institute on Aging-Alzheimer's Association neuropathologic diagnostic criteria. Results The ADNI-NPC has obtained 45 participant specimens, and neuropathologic assessments have been completed in 36 to date. Challenges in obtaining consent at some sites have limited the voluntary autopsy rate to 58%. Among assessed cases, clinical diagnostic accuracy for Alzheimer disease (AD) is 97%; however, 58% of cases show neuropathologic comorbidities. Discussion Challenges facing autopsy consent and coordination are largely resource related. The neuropathologic assessments indicate that ADNI's clinical diagnostic accuracy for AD is high; however, many AD cases have comorbidities that may impact the clinical presentation, course, and imaging and biomarker results. These neuropathologic data permit multimodal and genetic studies of these comorbidities to improve diagnosis and provide etiologic insights.
Activation of NRF2 Signaling in HEK293 Cells by a First-in-Class Direct KEAP1-NRF2 Inhibitor

Under basal conditions, the antioxidant transcription factor nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (NRF2) is bound to the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (KEAP1) protein and targeted for proteasomal degradation in the cytoplasm. In response to cellular injury or chemical treatment, NRF2 dissociates from KEAP1 and activates the transcription of protective genes and defends against injury. LH601A is a first-in-class direct inhibitor of the KEAP1-NRF2 protein-protein interaction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether LH601A activates NRF2 signaling in human kidney cells. Human embryonic kidney 293 (HEK293) cells were treated with LH601A or the indirect NRF2 activator, sulforaphane (SFN) for 6 or 16 h. SFN and LH601A upregulated NRF2 target genes heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) (two- to sevenfold), thioredoxin 1 (TRX1) (twofold) and NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) mRNAs (twofold). Both compounds also elevated HO-1 and TRX1 protein expression. Since NRF2 activation can protect tissues from injury, LH601A, a direct inhibitor of the KEAP1-NRF2 interaction may be used to defend against kidney injury and/or diseases.
Maternal, fetal, and amniotic fluid transport of thyroxine, triiodothyronine, and iodide in sheep: a kinetic model.

A mathematical model of iodine kinetics in maternal and fetal sheep has been developed by combining separate iodide, T3, and T4 subsystems. The individual subsystem models were developed from literature studies of maternal-fetal exchange under thyroid-blocked and unblocked conditions. Rates of exchange, concentrations, and spaces of distribution were calculated by the SAAM computer program. The models for each of the subsystems required exchange compartments within the mother and fetus, exchanges between maternal and fetal circulations, and between the fetus and amniotic fluid. The fetal-amniotic fluid exchange was observed directly for iodide and indirectly for T3 and T4. No exchange between mother and amniotic fluid was required. It is possible that the amniotic fluid acts as a reservoir for these and other substances. Maternal-fetal kinetics suggest that low fetal T3 levels are maintained by an active transport of T3 from fetus to mother, a decreased transport from mother to fetus, and a low fetal T3 p...
Investigating idebenone and idebenone linoleate metabolism: in vitro pig ear and mouse melanocyte studies.

Summary Objective The aim of this study was to investigate inherent in vitro permeability, metabolism, and cytotoxicity of idebenone – an active used to protect skin as an anti-aging agent – and compare it to idebenone linoleate. Methods Idebenone and idebenone linoleate were investigated in pig ear skin and melanoma (B16: F10 mouse) cells. Diffusion experiments were conducted at 37 °C (bath temperature) using Franz diffusion cells. Authentic metabolite samples were synthetically prepared. Samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry. Cell viability was determined via the 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Results Idebenone was shown to permeate across viable porcine ear tissue; there was no evidence that idebenone linoleate permeated across porcine ear tissue after 4 h. Idebenone was metabolized to idebenone acid in both pig ear and mouse melanocytes; only minor idebenone linoleate metabolism was observed. Idebenone displayed delayed in vitro toxicity (via MTT assay) in melanocytes, while idebenone linoleate displayed no such in vitro toxicity. Conclusions The in vitro metabolism and cytotoxicity results suggest that metabolic activation of idebenone is the likely culprit that activates the skin irritation mechanism via idebenone in vivo usage. An idebenone ester (e.g. idebenone linoleate) appears to provide a superior in vitro safety profile over idebenone.
The SI+-SI− pair and interplanetary forward-reverse shock ensembles

Abstract On the basis of arguments given by Gold regarding the source of the storm sudden commencement, it follows that the sudden impulse is due to the arrival at the magnetosphere of an interplanetary shock wave. From the general inadmissibility of rarefaction shocks together with the fast decrease in the horizontal component of the Earth's field associated with the SI − , it is argued that the source of this disturbance is a shock wave pointing backward to the Sun and being simultaneously convected outward by the flow of the solar wind. Since the SI − often follows an SI + by several hours, the two shocks are taken to be part of a complex structure in which the two waves are separated by a contact discontinuity, the whole being convected outward by the solar wind. Such shock structures are known to occur in the laboratory under suitable starting conditions and also take place as an aftermath of nuclear explosions. The conditions leading to this situation follow from the over-expansion in an expanding blast wave; they can also result from interaction of an advancing blast wave with a density discontinuity in the solar wind or even from a gradual increase in the velocity of the piston gas pushing out from a solar disturbance. Likely conditions leading to the shock pair are explored, and a procedure is given for examining graphically the change in gas states responsible for the phenomena. For that case where the SI − occurs without being preceded by a positive impulse (SI + ), it is argued that the generation of the pair took place by the expansion of the flow of fresh gas from the Sun and the forward wave dissipated prior to the time of the observation in accord with theoretical requirements on expanding shocked flow.
(Z)-3-nonenol, (Z,Z)-3,6-nonadienol and (S,S)-(-)-epianastrephin: male produced pheromones of the Mexican fruit fly

(Z)-3-nonenol, (Z,Z)-3,6-nonadienol and (S,S)-(-)epianastrephin proved active as male-produced pheromones which elicited behavioral responses from virgin female Mexican fruit flies (Anastrepha ludens) (Diptera: Tephritidae) in laboratory bioassays. All three chemicals elicited attraction and/or locomotor arrest when tested individually. When tested together, (Z)-3-nonenol inhibited the behavioral effect of (Z,Z)-3,6-nonadienol but either of the alcohols synergized the effect of (S,S)-(-)-epianastrephin. Quantities of the pheromones per male abdomen were: (Z)-3-nonenol −100 ng; (Z,Z)-3,6-nonadienol −40 ng; and total epianastrephin (R,R and S,S enantiomers) −700 ng. Relative to the quantities in abdominal extract, males released these chemicals during sexual display in a blend containing a higher proportion of the alcohols. RESUME (Z)-3-nonenol, (Z,Z)-3,6-nonadienol et (S,S)-(-)-e-pianastrephine: Pheromones produites par le mâle de la mouche mexicaine du fruit Le (Z)-3-nonenol, le (Z,Z)-3,6-nonadienol et le (S,S)-(-)-epianastrephine produits par les mâles de la mouche mexicaine du fruit (Anastrepha ludens) (Diptera: Tephritidae) ont attires les femelles lors de tests conduits en laboratoire. Le pouvoir attractif du (Z)-3-nonenol est faible compare a celui des deux autres pheromones. Evalues ensemble, le (Z)-3-nonenol inhibe l'attractivite du (Z,Z)-3,6-nona-dienol mais chacun des deux alcools synergise l'effet attractif de la (S,S)-(-)-epianastrephine. Les quantites recouvrees par mâle dans un extrait abdominal etaient respectivement de 100,40 et 700 ng pour le (Z)-3-nonenol, le (Z,Z)-3,6-nonadienol, et l'epianastrephine totale (R,R et S,S) enantiomeres. Comparees a ces valeurs, le melange emis par les mâles lors de leur cour sexuelle est plus riche in alcools. Le rapport (Z)-3-nonenol (Z,Z)-3,6-nona-dienol est cependant identique dans l'extrait abdominal et dans le melange emis par les mâles.
Desmosome development in normal and reassociating cells in the early chick blastoderm

Abstract Desmosomes have been studied in the 1–2-day chick blastoderm in a strip just lateral to the embryonic axis in normal development and in reaggregating cells. A correlation was found between the time at which desmosomes appear and the degree of cohesion of developing epithelial sheets. Desmosomes in ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm are similar in structure. Development of fine structure appeared to be as follows: first, an electron-dense region in and between cell surfaces; second, condensation of desmosomal plaques; and third, development of an extensive fibrillar system. In reassociating cells, stages appearing to be parallel to those in normal development could be found. In addition, in newly dispersed cells intracellular desmosomal components appeared very frequently in channels or vacuoles within the cell, and after reassociation misaligned desmosomes occasionally occurred at adjacent cell surfaces where aligned desmosomes were also present.
Building capacity in social service agencies to employ peer providers.

Objective While there is evidence that peer providers are valuable to service delivery teams, the agencies where they work face difficulties in fulfilling the potential of including peers on staff effectively. The purpose of this article is to report findings of a pilot test of a workplace strategy that promoted inclusion of peer providers at social service agencies by building organizational capacity to support people with mental health conditions in peer provider roles. The strategy included training, goal setting and ongoing consultation. Methods Seventy-one peer, non-peer and supervisory staff participated from 6 agencies over a one year period. Goal attainment scaling and data from in-depth interviews about perceptions of differences in the ways in which staff are supported, administered prior to and after the consultation period, were used to assess strategy impact. Results Most frequently staff set goals to respond to role conflict or a lack of support. Staff that met or exceeded their goals utilized the formal structure of consultation to improve communication among themselves, had leadership that sanctioned changes and felt that their participation was of value to the organization and contributed to their individual development. Strategy participation promoted inclusion by initiating changes to policies and practices that devalued the peer provider role, increased skill sets, and formalized lines of communication for sharing information and understanding related to peer providers. Conclusions Findings demonstrate that a strategy of training, goal setting and consultation can positively affect perceptions of inclusion, and promote implementation of practices associated with inclusive workplaces.
Does reserpine increase prolactin and exacerbate cancer of prostate? Case control study

Prolactin increases the binding of testosterone to human prostatic tissue. Reserpine increases serum prolactin levels and thus may exacerbate cancer of the prostate. The possible adverse effects of reserpine on prostatic cancer were evaluated in 49 patients who had prostatic cancer and who were treated with reserpine for their hypertension. The survival of the reserpine-treated patients was compared with a matched group who also had prostatic cancer but had not been treated with reserpine. There were more prostatic cancer deaths in patients who did not receive reserpine. These data provide no evidence that reserpine in therapeutic doses exacerbates cancer of the prostate.
Design of 3D FFTs with FPGA clusters

The three dimensional Fast Fourier Transform (3D FFT) is widely applied in various scientific applications. Distributed 3D FFTs require global communication: this becomes a serious concern when strong scaling is required as in long timescale molecular dynamics simulations. In this paper, we propose a parameterized 3D FFT design that targets at a 3D-torus FPGA-based network of various sizes. Characteristics include direct FPGA-FPGA communication links, support for various internal switch designs, and use of table-based routing which saves chip area and routing cycles. We find that even assuming extremely conservative parameters, we are able to run the 163 FFT in 3.9µs, 323 FFT in 5.46µs, 643 FFT in 9.52µs, and 1283 FFT in 25.72µs. These results indicate that clusters based on commodity FPGAs are likely to be appropriate when strong scaling is needed in applications limited by the 3D FFT.
Structural changes in a -Se near the glass transition by thermal relaxation kinetics

A multiple-relaxation-rate approach is used to model the enthalpic relaxation behavior of amorphous selenium ($a$-Se) near its glass-transition temperature (${T}_{g}$). The model parameters are completely determined by matching the behavior predicted by the model to that of the real material as shown in viscosity and heat-capacity measurements. The family of structure-dependent relaxation curves, ${R}_{m}(T)$, derived from this model, provides a new insight on the structural dynamics of $a$-Se. Two distinct regimes are observed, with a transition near the normally observed ${T}_{g}$. For $Tg{T}_{g}$, the relaxation curves are of the form ${R}_{m}^{H}(T)={A}_{m}\mathrm{exp}[a+\frac{b}{(T\ensuremath{-}{T}_{0})}]$, where the range of ${A}_{m}$ is relatively small, and ${T}_{0}\ensuremath{\lesssim}{T}_{g}$. For $Tl{T}_{g}$. the curves are of the form ${R}_{m}^{L}(T)={B}_{m}({c}_{m}+\frac{{d}_{m}}{T})$, where the slowest relaxation rate curve is 4---5 orders of magnitude slower and has an activation energy, ${d}_{m}$ about 50% larger than the fastest curve. The fastest curve is a smooth continuation of its hightemperature counterpart and approximately corresponds in rate and activation energy to viscous relaxation. The local structural inhomogeneity for $Tl{T}_{g}$ implied by the extremely wide spectrum of relaxation times is exactly the behavior expected from the communal entropy model of the glass transition of Cohen and Grest. Previous investigators had not seen this effect so clearly; it was not noticeable in network glasses, and was only of minor importance in polymers. Its importance in $a$-Se is a consequence of its mutable chain structure. In addition, the observation that the relaxation time measured by the viscosity is faster than the thermal relaxation rates implies that the viscosity is not determined by the slippage of entangled chains, as one might imagine by analogy to the sulfur system, but rather by shear in low-density regions; i.e., selenium should be considered to be more like wet sand than like seaweed.
α-Cr 2 O 3 (101̄2): surface characterization and oxygen adsorption

Abstract The composition and ordering of the Cr2O3 (1012) surface has been studied with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy, and low-energy electron diffraction. It has been found that a nearly-stoichiometric, (1×1) surface can be prepared by ion bombardment and annealing in vacuum to 900 K. The results are consistent with a simple non-polar surface termination giving predominantly five-coordinate Cr3+ surface cations. Oxygen exposures at 163 K lead to both dissociative and molecular adsorption. Dissociative adsorption dominates, giving an O-terminated surface with a saturation coverage of nearly one O atom per surface Cr3+ cation. Dissociatively-adsorbed oxygen is stable to over 1100 K and is attributed to a terminal chromyl oxygen species (i.e. Cr O) that caps the single coordination vacancy of the surface cations. On the O-terminated surface formed by dissociative oxygen adsorption, molecular adsorption of O2 occurs, giving a weakly-bound species that desorbs at 220 K. The saturation coverage of the molecular species is low at 163 K and corresponds to 2% or less of the available chromium sites on the ideal, stoichiometric surface. Because of the low coverage, the adsorption sites are attributed to cations at defect sites in the terminating oxide layer.
Biodegradable poly(ether ester urethane)urea elastomers based on poly(ether ester) triblock copolymers and putrescine: synthesis, characterization and cytocompatibility

Polymers with elastomeric mechanical properties, tunable biodegradation properties and cytocompatibility would be desirable for numerous biomedical applications. Toward this end a series of biodegradable poly(ether ester urethane)urea elastomers (PEEUUs) based on poly(ether ester) triblock copolymers were synthesized and characterized. Poly(ether ester) triblock copolymers were synthesized by ring-opening polymerization of epsilon-caprolactone with polyethylene glycol (PEG). PEEUUs were synthesized from these triblock copolymers and butyl diisocyanate, with putrescine as a chain extender. PEEUUs exhibited low glass transition temperatures and possessed tensile strengths ranging from 8 to 20MPa and breaking strains from 325% to 560%. Increasing PEG length or decreasing poly(caprolactone) length in the triblock segment increased PEEUU water absorption and biodegradation rate. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells cultured in a medium supplemented with PEEUU biodegradation solution suggested a lack of degradation product cytotoxicity. Endothelial cell adhesion to PEEUUs was less than 60% of tissue culture polystyrene and was inversely related to PEEUU hydrophilicity. Surface modification of PEEUUs with ammonia gas radio-frequency glow discharge and subsequent immobilization of the cell adhesion peptide Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser increased endothelial adhesion to a level equivalent to tissue culture polystyrene. These biodegradable PEEUUs thus possessed properties that would be amenable to applications where high strength and flexibility would be desirable and exhibited the potential for tuning with appropriate triblock segment selection and surface modification.
Electrostatic force-assisted nanoimprint lithography (EFAN).

We present and demonstrate a novel imprint method, electrostatic force-assisted nanoimprint lithography (EFAN), where a voltage applied between a mold and a substrate generates an electrostatic force that presses the mold into a resist on the substrate. We have successfully used EFAN to pattern nanostructures in a photocurable resist spin-coated on a wafer, with high fidelity and excellent uniformity over the entire substrate, in ambient atmosphere without using a vacuum chamber. In initial tests without any process optimization, 100 nm half-pitch gratings with a residual layer thickness of 22 ± 5 nm were imprinted across a 100 mm diameter wafer in about 2 s. Furthermore, numerical calculations show that the field magnitude experienced by the dielectric layers on the substrate is much less than their breakdown limit. Hence, EFAN is well suited for step-and-repeat nanoimprint lithography, and its simple operation can simplify and speed up multilayer alignment process.
A stick-slip/rouse hybrid model for viscoelasticity in polymers

Abstract A Rouse model for polymer chains is incorporated into the linear continuous stick-slip molecular-based tube reptation ideas of Doi–Edwards and Johnson–Stacer. This treats the physically constrained (PC) molecular stretches as internal strain variables for the overall PC/chemically cross-linked (CC) system. It yields an explicit system of stress–strain equations for the system permitting simple calculations of complex stress–strain relations. The model that is developed here treats PC molecule as entrapped within a constraining tube, which is comprised of both CC and PC molecules. The model is compared with experimental data sets from the literature.
An Outer Boundary Integral Equation Applied to Transient Wave Scattering in an Inhomogeneous Medium

The transient scattering of waves by an island surrounded by a locally variable water depth is solved by a finite-difference integration in the inhomogeneous region terminated at an outer boundary, beyond which the medium is infinite and homogeneous. At this outer boundary, an exact relationship between wave heights and velocities is used in the form of a Kirchhoff time-retarded integral equation. Examples are given for a constant depth, to check against other solutions, and for a parabolic depth with two forms of incident waves, a ramp-step, and a Gaussian.
Iron(III) Complexes as Superoxide Dismutase Mimics: Synthesis, Characterization, Crystal Structure, and Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) Activity of Iron(III) Complexes Containing Pentaaza Macrocyclic Ligands

Iron(III) complexes with four pentaaza macrocylic ligands, [Fe(L)Cl2](PF6), have been synthesized, where the ligand L is 1,4,7,10,13-pentaazacyclopentadecane (L1), 2R,3R,8S,9S-dicyclohexano-1,4,7,10,13-pentaazacyclopentadecane (L2), 2R,3R,8R,9R -dicyclohexano-1,4,7,10,13-pentaazacyclopentadecane (L3), or 2S,5R,8S,11R,14S-pentamethyl-1,4,7,10,13-pentaazacyclopentadecane (L4), respectively. Conductivity measurements in acetonitrile are consistent with two chloro anions coordinated to iron(III). In acetonitrile solution, all four iron complexes exhibit a reversible or quasi-reversible redox couple in the experimental range −1.5 to +1.5 V vs EAg/Ag+, and the redox potentials for those four complexes are similar (from −0.15 to −0.19 V vs NHE). In aqueous solutions, the electrochemical properties of those complexes are different from those in acetonitrile solution; the redox peaks shift more than 0.5 V more positive. The complexes with L1, L2, and L3 display a reversible redox at 0.35, 0.45, and 0.43 V vs NHE, ...
How valid are scholars' departmental rating models for assessing the quality of graduate programs?

The validity of the scholars' departmental rating (SDR) model for determining the quality of an institution's graduate program has been the subject of intense controversy for over a half-century. This study, using the aggregated data from each of four classical rankings of graduate programs in United States universities, found that the rankings of institutions in separate studies correlate significantly with each other and that the results from the SDR model correlate significantly with the objective measures of academic honors, basic research, and research and development awards. The author concludes that the SDR model is valid for the purposes intended.
Running-wheel avoidance behavior in the Wistar/Kyoto spontaneously hypertensive rat

CAMPBELL, R. J. AND L. V. DI CARA. Running wheel avoidance behavior in the Wistar/Kyoto spontaneously hypertensive rat. PHYSIOL. BEHAV. 19(4) 473-480, 1977. - Conditioned avoidance acquisition was studied in the Okamoto-Aoki spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and in the Wistar/Kyoto (WKYN) strain from which SHRs were derived. Results have demonstrated that those rats within the WKYN foundation stock exhibiting higher systolic (tail) blood pressure (BP) also exhibit greater motor activity and superior levels of discriminated active avoidance learning in a running wheel. SHRs, and WKYNs with high BPs, acquired the CAR rapidly during the first of four sessions, taking very few pulsed shocks, whereas those WKYNs with the lowest (i.e., normotensive) BPs ~cquired the task more slowly, if at all. It is hypothesized that the increased pituitary-adrenocortical and sympatho-adrenomedullary activity previously reported for SHRs is genetically determined as an anticipatory hyperreactivity in hypertensive rats of the WKYN stock, is responsible at least in part, for the high level of running-wheel motor activity and CAR performance, and is a major contributing factor in the development of high blood pressure in these animals. Active avoidance Blood pressure Pituitary-adrenocortical axis Running wheel activity Spontaneously hypertensive rat Sympathetic nervous system
A single institution's experience with surgical cytoreduction of stage IV, well-differentiated, small bowel neuroendocrine tumors.

Background Well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) of the gastrointestinal tract are rare, slow-growing neoplasms. Clinical outcomes in a group of stage IV, well-differentiated patients with NETs with small bowel primaries undergoing cytoreductive surgery and multidisciplinary management at a single center were evaluated. Study Design The charts of 189 consecutive patients who underwent surgical cytoreduction for their small bowel NETs were reviewed. Information on the extent of disease, complications, and Kaplan-Meier survival were collected from the patient records. Results A total of 189 patients underwent 229 cytoreductive operations. Ten percent of patients required an intraoperative blood transfusion and 3% (6 of 229) had other intraoperative complications. For all 229 procedures performed, mean (±SD) stay in the ICU was 4 ± 3 days and in the hospital was 9 ± 10 days. Before discharge, 51% of patients had no postoperative complications and 39% of patients had only minor complications. In a 30-day follow-up period from discharge, 85% of patients had no additional complications and 13% had only minor complications. The 30-day postoperative death rate was 3% (5 of 189). Mean survival from histologic diagnosis of NET was 236 months. The 5-, 10-, and 20-year Kaplan-Meier survival rates from diagnosis were 87%, 77%, and 41%, respectively. Conclusions Cytoreductive surgery in patients with well-differentiated midgut NETs has low mortality and complication rates and is associated with prolonged survival. We believe that cytoreductive surgery is a key component in the care of patients with NETs.
Phase transitions in RbCaF3. I: Optical studies☆

Abstract Phase transitions in RbCaF3 have been investigated by optical birefringence measurements and Raman scattering experiments. A near discontinuity in the onset of spontaneous birefringence at 196 K shows that the cubic to tetragonal phase change is “slightly” first order. The Raman spectra of the tetragonal phase support a D184h structure in which two phonons of A1g and Eg symmetry soften as the 196 K transition is approached from lower temperatures. A very slow transition to a lower symmetry structure was observed at about 42 K in the Raman measurements.
20 GHz analog photonic link with 16 dB gain based on a high-power balanced photodiode

We demonstrate 16.2 dB gain in a high-linearity 20 GHz IM/DD analog photonic link by utilizing a quadrature-biased dual-output Mach-Zehnder modulator and a high-power balanced photodiode.
In-situ neutron diffraction study of phase stress evolutions in a Ni-based porous anode solid oxide fuel cells under uniaxial load

Ni/YSZ porous composite is used widely as anode for solid oxide fuel cells. In this study, neutron diffraction patterns were recorded in-situ while a bulk porous Ni-NiO-YSZ anode was loaded under uniaxial compression. Single peak refinement was used to calculate the lattice strains of each phase in the composite, and the local stress state of each phase was derived from the measured lattice strains and the corresponding diffraction elastic constants. An internal triaxial stress state was observed to develop in the bulk of the specimen under plastic deformation, specifically in the Ni phase. Meanwhile, the NiO and YSZ phases are deforming elastically even in the macroscopically plastic regime of deformation. The von Mises equivalent stress was used to quantify the phase stress evolution. A significant stress concentration induced by the presence of pores becomes manifest in all three phase components. The reduction of stress concentration factor in Ni above the yield point of the composite can be attributed to a gradual change of the grains-pores morphology during the plastic deformation.
The formation of carcinogenic nitroso compounds from nitrite and some types of agricultural chemicals.

Abstract Many widely used agricultural chemicals are derivatives of alkylureas and alkylcarbamic acids. All compounds of these types react with nitrite in mildly acid conditions to form a dialkylnitrosamine or an N-nitroso derivative, or both. The interaction of trisubstituted ureas with nitrite in mildly acid solution can lead to two products, the appropriate nitrosourea and, by nitrosative cleavage, the dialkylnitrosamine. Except with N-phenyldialkylureas, the nitrosourea is the major product. Phenyldialkylureas and trisubstituted thioureas give dialkylnitrosamine as the sole N-nitroso product. Tetraalkylureas and bis-(dialkylthiocarbamyl)-disulphides also form dialkylnitrosamines by reaction with nitrous acid. The yields of these carcinogenic nitrosamines are significant at 37°C and at low concentrations of the tertiary amine (0·01 M ). The insecticide, carbaryl, reacts with nitrous acid to form a highly mutagenic N-nitroso derivative.
Antibody production and unresponsiveness produced by DNP-Ficoll

Abstract Immunization with DNP-Ficoll is capable of eliciting IgG1, IgG2. but not IgE anti-DNP antibody in DBA/1 mice. When mice were immunized in such a manner as to produce high titers of IgG1, IgG2, and IgE anti-DNP antibodies, injection of DNP-Ficoll together with the immunizing antigen brought about less antibody production of all classes. This effect was most striking at the beginning of antibody production. It was concluded that the most probable action of the DNP/Ficoll-produced unresponsiveness is due to a B-cell blockade.
INVESTIGATING THE TIME DEPENDENCE OF THE MR EFFECT

Magnetorheological fluids are known to respond in a matter of milliseconds to the application of a magnetic field. To date, however, very little work has been done to study the time dependence of the MR response. The purpose of this study is to investigate the response time of the fluid. Experiments were conducted on a high shear rate rheometer capable of fluid speeds in excess of 35 m/s. With an MR valve length of 6.35 mm, the resulting dwell times were as low as 0.18 ms. For each of three magnetic field strengths, a reduction in yield stress is observed as dwell time decreases. A model is proposed to represent the time response of the fluid to the application of the magnetic field. The experimental data and the proposed model are used to identify the response time of the fluid for each field strength. Results indicate that as the magnetic field increases, the response time of the MR fluid decreases. For the range of magnetic field strengths considered in this study the response time of the fluid ranged from 0.24 ms to 0.19 ms.
Diminished Ca2+ and Ba2+ Currents in Myocytes Surviving in the Epicardial Border Zone of the 5-Day Infarcted Canine Heart

Ventricular arrhythmias frequently occur in patients suffering from ischemic heart disease. In a canine model developed to understand the pathoelectrophysiological mechanisms of the ischemia-related arrhythmias, electrical stimulation can initiate and terminate reentrant ventricular tachyarrhythmias, which arise in surviving subepicardial muscle fibers (epicardial border zone [EBZ] fibers) of the left ventricle 5 days after coronary artery occlusion. Both the structural and electrical changes occurring in the EBZ provide the important substrate for generation of reentrant ventricular tachyarrhythmias. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that abnormalities exist in the electrophysiological properties of macroscopic Ca2+ currents in myocytes isolated from the EBZ of the 5-day infarcted canine heart (IZs). We recorded the T-type (ICa,T) and L-type (ICa,L) Ca2+ currents by using the whole-cell voltage-clamp technique with either Ca2+ or Ba2+ (5 mmol/L) as the charge carrier and under experimental conditions (Na(+)- and K(+)-free solutions, 10 mmol/L intracellular EGTA) that eliminated contamination by other currents. When Ca2+ served as the charge carrier, the density of peak ICa,T in IZs (0.89 +/- 0.5 pA/pF, n = 28) was similar to that in myocytes from normal noninfarcted hearts (NZs) (1.1 +/- 0.5 pA/pF, n = 32). Although no changes existed in the properties of ICa,T, dramatic changes occurred in the density and function of ICa.L in IZs compared with NZs. Density of peak ICa,L at a holding potential of -40 mV (8-second clamp-step interval) was significantly reduced in IZs (4.6 +/- 1.5 pA/pF, n = 40) compared with NZs (7.2 +/- 1.6 pA/pF, n = 53). The reduction in peak ICa,L density was not attributable to altered steady state inactivation relations or a delay in recovery of ICa,L from inactivation. The time course of decay of peak ICa,: was described by a biexponential function in both cell types, with the fast and slow time constants (tau 1 and tau 2, respectively) of decay being significantly faster in IZs (tau 1 12.3 +/- 3.6 ms; tau 2, 55.1 +/- 31.1 ms) than in NZs (tau 1, 16.1 +/- 4.1 ms; tau 2, 85.2 +/- 51.7 ms). In addition, rapid clamp stimulation (at 1-s intervals) of cells produced a larger frequency-dependent decrease of peak ICa,L density in IZs than NZs, suggesting that at more physiologically relevant rates, little ICA.L may be activated. Finally, a significant reduction and acceleration of decay of the ICa,L persisted even when Ca2+ was substituted by equimolar Ba2+ as the charge carrier.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Adverse events following administration to pregnant women of influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine reported to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System.

Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate and summarize reports to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS), a spontaneous reporting system, in pregnant women who received influenza A (H1N1) 2009 monovalent vaccine to assess for potential vaccine safety problems. Study Design We reviewed reports of adverse events (AEs) in pregnant women who received 2009-H1N1 vaccines from Oct. 1, 2009, through Feb. 28, 2010. Results VAERS received 294 reports of AEs in pregnant women who received 2009-H1N1 vaccine: 288 after inactivated and 6 after the live attenuated vaccines. Two maternal deaths were reported. Fifty-nine women (20.1%) were hospitalized. We verified 131 pregnancy-specific outcomes: 95 spontaneous abortions ( Conclusion Review of reports to VAERS following H1N1 vaccination in pregnant women did not identify any concerning patterns of maternal or fetal outcomes.
Reassessment of the Rates at which Oil from Natural Sources Enters the marine environment

Abstract Previous estimates of the world-wide input of oil to the marine environment by natural seeps ranged from 0·2 to 6·0 million (metric) tonnes per year with a ‘best estimate’ of 0·6 million tonnes per year. Based on considerations of the availability of oil for seepage from the world's known and assumed oil resources, we believe that the world-wide natural oil seepage over geological time should be revised to about 0·2 million tonnes per year with a range upward or downward of a factor of ten leading to estimates between 0·02 and 2 million tonnes per year. Our estimate of the amount of oil eroding from the land and being transported to the oceans is about 0·05 million tonnes per year with an order of magnitude uncertainty. Therefore, while the uncertainties are large, we estimate that the total amount of oil entering the marine environment by natural, geological processes, is about 0·25 million tonnes per year, and the estimate may range from about 0·25 to 2·5 million tonnes per year.