cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Apolipoprotein‐B subclasses as acceptors of cholesteryl esters transferred by CETP

Background Five apolipoprotein (apo)-defined apoB-containing lipoprotein (Lp) subclasses designated LpB, LpB:C, LpB:E, LpB:C:E and LpA-II:B:C:D:E are present in human plasma. This study was to determine whether these subclasses functioned equally as acceptors of cholesteryl esters (CE) transferred from high-density lipoproteins (HDL) by CE transfer protein in healthy subjects with normal and mildly increased plasma triglyceride (TG) levels. Materials and methods After 4 h incubation of plasma from 14 subjects at 37 °C, apoB-containing lipoproteins were separated from HDL by heparin-Mn++ precipitation and fractionated by immunochemical methods into these five subclasses. The neutral lipid (NL) composition for each subclass was measured by gas chromatography (GC) and compared between 0 h and 4 h. A subclass was considered to be a CE acceptor if its CE content increased more than 5% at 4 h and a non-acceptor if no change was observed. Results Employing the above definition, TG-rich LpB:C and LpB:E + LpB:C:E functioned as CE acceptors and TG-poor LpB and LpA-II:B:C:D:E as non-acceptors. Both LpB:C and LpB:E + LpB:C:E could only actively accept CE as long as they retained their TG-rich character and displayed neutral lipid profiles similar to those of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) and intermediate density lipoproteins (IDL). When, as a result of lipolysis their TG content dropped below 25%, they ceased to function as CE acceptors. In subjects with elevated plasma TG, LpB:C was the dominant CE acceptor, a condition that may have pro-atherogenic consequences. Conclusions Among the apoB-containing particles, LpB:C and LpB:C:E + LpB:E functioned as CE acceptors while LpB and LpA-II:B:C:D:E did not.
Toward a Model for Engaging Latino Lay Ministers in Domestic Violence Intervention

There is growing recognition that culturally relevant interventions with Latino couples experiencing domestic violence must take place at the community level as well as through clinically-oriented services. This article examines structural and cultural issues related to domestic violence among Latino immigrants living in rural areas of the United States. The authors present a culturally appropriate, environmentally-based model for domestic violence intervention and prevention with rural Latino families. The model identifies Latino church leaders as a potential resource in rural communities and calls upon social workers to collaborate with and support church leaders in preventing and intervening in domestic violence in rural Latino communities.
Uranium: Further investigation of uranium content of Caribbean cores P6304-8 and P6304-9

Abstract Uranium content in P6304-8 and P6304-9 Caribbean cores is determined by thermal neutron activation followed by (1) Delayed neutron counting, and (2)132Te-fission product radiochemistry. The average value obtained by these two methods is 34% higher than that obtained previously by alpha-spectrometry.
"One to three" or "four or more"?: selecting patients for postmastectomy radiation therapy.

A review of randomized trials suggesting an improvement in overall patient survival with postmastectomy radiation therapy revealed that most patients in these studies had three or fewer positive axillary lymph nodes. Therefore, it is logical to consider using postmastectomy radiation therapy in all lymph node positive patients, not just those with four or more positive lymph nodes.
Possibilities for Social Cohesion in Education: Bosnia-Herzegovina

In postwar Bosnia–Herzegovina, segregation along ethno-nationalistic lines and divergent pedagogies within the education system have presented challenges to social cohesion and the long-term stability of a society that is still struggling to rebuild, reconcile, and regain trust (Jancic, 2008). This article examines the current state of the education system within (a) leadership, (b) primary and secondary schooling (i.e., segregation, language of instruction, textbooks, and curriculum), (c) school–community relations (parent–teacher associations and international organizations), and (d) higher education. Within each of the four aspects, the article explores the challenges and possibilities for social cohesion presented within schools and through education at the larger societal level in Bosnia–Herzegovina.
Cayley's formula for multidimensional trees

This paper concerns extensions of Cayley's enumeration formula to a class of multi-dimensional tree-like simplicial complexes.
The effects of vegetative cover on the community structure of prairie rodents

The effect of vegetative cover on a community of glassland rodents was investigated by mowing and adding hay to experimental grids and monitoring changes in the abundance of the rodent species.
Kinematic Synthesis of Spatial R-R Dyads for Path Following With Applications to Coupled Serial Chain Mechanisms

The dimensional synthesis of a spatial two revolute jointed dyad for path following tasks with applications to coupled serial chain mechanisms is presented. The precision point synthesis equations obtained using the rotation matrix approach form a rank-deficient linear system in the link-vector components. The nullspace of this rank-deficient linear system is derived analytically and interpreted geometrically. The nullspace vectors lead to the specification of additional constraints via the so-called auxiliary equations and to the solution of the linear system of equations. The geometry also allows the derivation of a closed form solution for the three design position problem. Finally, optimal path following by coupled R-R dyads is achieved by optimization over the free choice variables. @DOI: 10.1115/1.1370977#
Experimental Infection of Hamsters with Campylobacter jejuni

Campylobacter jejuni is a major cause of diarrhea and enterocolitis in humans and animals. A mammalian model has been developed for studying pathogenesis of the disease in hamsters by colonizing the ileum and cecum with C. jejuni via either oral intubation after purgation or direct surgical inoculation into the cecum. This colonization resulted in production of disease including diarrhea and intestinal lesions that resembles enterocolitis due to C. jejuni in humans and domestic animals. The mucosal lesions observed grossly at autopsy included erythema of the ileum and cecum and distention of the cecum with fluid. The cecal mucosa was edematous. Epithelial lesions observed by light microscopy included focal edema, occasional hyperplasia, diffuse hyperemia, and infiltration of the lamina propria with leukocytes. C jejuni-like bacteria penetrated the epithelium and were observed within the lamina propria of infected animals but not in uninfected controls. Recent developments in isolation and identification
Effects of moonlight on the vertical migration patterns of demersal zooplankton

The diel vertical migration patterns of demersal zooplankton, those organisms which habit bottom substrates but periodically emerge to swim freely in the water column, water determined throughout the lunar cycle. Demersal zooplankton were quantitatively sampled on a subtidal sand flat in the Gulf of California every 2 h for 24-h periods at new, full, first, and last-quarter moons, both as they emerged into the water column and as they returned to the benthos. Demersal zooplankton rarely migrated during daylight. Three general patterns of migration were observed. (1) Polychaetes and cumaceans emerged from the benthos at dusk, regardless of the phase of the moon. Polychaetes returned to the benthos throughout the night while cumaceans returned near dawn. (2) Species of amphipods and isopods exhibited significant avoidance of moonlight, delaying emergence until moonset or returning to the benthos at moonrise. (3) Species of copepods, mysids, shrimp, Branchiostoma (cephalochordate), and tanaids emerged into the water column throughout the night. The timing of migration was highly variable and did not correlate with the presence or absence of moonlight. Large zooplankton migrated less frequently into the water column during moonlit periods than small forms, suggesting that nocturnal predation by visually oriented planktivorous fish may be an important selective pressure. Demersal zooplankton emerged into artificially darkened emergence traps in significantly higher numbers during daylight and during full and quarter moons than into undarkened control traps, demonstrating that absence of light is a major cue stimulating migration. Reentry traps resting on the bottom captured higher densities of demersal zooplankton than either emergence traps or reentry traps suspended off the bottom. Thus, many demersal zooplankton remain near the bottom, rarely swimming far into the water column. Some trap avoidance was observed and current methods for collecting demersal zooplankton are evaluated. Since most demersal zooplankton remained in the water column only a short time, dispersal, particularly over short distances, may be a major advantage of migratory behavior. Migration facilitates rapid recolonization of disturbed or defaunated sites, disrupts and mixes bottom sediments, and results in daily variation in the microdistribution, patchiness, and species composition of the benthic fauna.
Spatial Yield Risk Across Region, Crop and Aggregation Method

A researcher interested in crop yield risk analysis often has to contend with a lack of field- or farm-level data. While spatially aggregated yield data are often readily available from various agencies, aggregation distortions for farm-level analysis may exist. This paper addresses how much aggregation distortion might be expected and whether findings are robust across wheat, canola and flax grown in two central Canadian production regions, differing mainly by rainfall, frost-free growing days and soil type. Using Manitoba Crop Insurance Corporation data from 1980 to 1990, this research, regardless of crop or region analyzed, indicates that (i) spatial patterns in risk are absent; (ii) use of aggregate data overwhelmingly under-estimates field-level yield risk; and (iii) use of a relative risk measure compared to an absolute risk measure leads to slightly less aggregation distortion. Analysts interested in conducting farm-level analysis using aggregate data are offered a range of adjustment factors to adjust for potential bias. Un chercheur qui s'interesse a l'analyse du risque du rendement des cultures doit souvent composer avec un manque de micro-donnees provenant de l'exploitation. Bien qu'il soit possible d'obtenir des donnees sur les rendements spatialement cumulees aupres de divers organismes, ces donnees peuvent comporter des distorsions importantes dues a l'agregation des donnees de base et etre trompeuses si elles sont utilisees pour effectuer des analyses a l'echelle de l'exploitation. Le present article traite de la quantite de distorsion due a l'agregation a laquelle on doit s'attendre et examine si les resultats obtenus pour le ble, le canola et le lin dans deux principales regions productrices canadiennes, ou les precipitations, les jours de croissance sans gel et le type de sol constituent les principales differences, sont robustes ou non. A l'aide des donnees obtenues aupres de la Societe d'assurance-recolte du Manitoba pour la periode 1980–1990, la presente etude, sans egard a la culture ou a la region analysee, indique (i) que les profils regionaux en matiere de risque n'existent pas; (ii) que l'utilisation de donnees agregees sous-estime considerablement le risque de rendement; (iii) que l'utilisation d'une mesure du risque relatif comparativement a une mesure du risque absolu entraine legerement moins de distorsion d'agregation. Afin d'ajuster les donnees pour minimiser un biais eventuel, nous proposons une gamme de facteurs d'ajustement aux analystes interesses a effectuer des analyses a l'echelle des exploitations a l'aide de donnees agregees.
Thermal conversion of α-(BEDT-TTF)2IBr2 to superconducting β-(BEDT-TTF)2IBr2

Abstract Crystals of semiconducting α-(BEDT-TTF) 2 IBr 2 , derived from the sulfur-based organic donor bis(ethylenedithio)tetrahiafulvalene (BEDT-TTF), transform at ambient pressure to the superconducting phase β-(BEDT-TTF) 2 IBr 2 on heating to temperatures near 416 K. This solid-state transformation occurs well below the melting temperature and can be followed in detail by ESR measurements. Inductive studies of the superconducting β-phase product (T c ∼ 2.7 K) indicate an essentially total conversion of the α-phase crystals.
Nuclear data sheets for A = 169

The available nuclear structure information is presented for all nuclei of mass number A = 169. Experimental data are evaluated for these deformed nuclei. Arguments for spin and parity assignments are given for many excited states. Levels are interpreted either as Nilsson states or as vibrational excitations with associated rotational bands. Compilers have checked for inconsistencies in branching ratio and conversion coefficient data from decay and reaction experiments, where comparison can be made.
Risk Factors for Reabuse in Intimate Partner Violence: A Cross-Disciplinary Critical Review

The identification of factors that contribute to reabuse in cases of intimate partner violence is a critical research aim in a variety of disciplines. Such information would have relevance in many contexts where systems or professionals struggle to intervene in such cases, especially in the context of limited resources. This article crosses disciplines to take stock of this body of literature and provide a road map for future research. We include literature in the areas of batterer treatment effectiveness, the effectiveness of criminal and civil court remedies, the evaluation of victim services, and the course of violent relationships over time absent any intervention. We describe the key dimensions along which these studies vary and detail the range of predictors examined by the studies, identifying the most consistent findings. Finally, we make recommendations concerning the methodology and content of future studies.
Direct effect of sodium iodate on neurosensory retina.

Purpose To systematically characterize the effects of NaIO3 on retinal morphology and function. Methods NaIO3 at 10, 20, or 30 mg/kg was administered by retro-orbital injection into adult C57BL/6J mice. Phenotypic and functional changes of the retina were assessed at 1, 3, 5, and 8 days postinjection by fundus imaging, optical coherence tomography (OCT), ERG, and histology. Direct NaIO3 cytotoxicity on ARPE-19 and 661W cells was quantified using lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) apoptosis assay. Effect of NaIO3 on RPE and photoreceptor gene expression was assessed in vitro and in vivo by quantitative PCR. Results While little to no change was observed in the 10 mg/kg NaIO3-injected group, significant retinal anomalies, such as RPE atrophy and retinal thinning, were observed in both 20 and 30 mg/kg NaIO3-injected groups. Gene expression analysis showed rapid downregulation of RPE-specific genes, increase in heme oxygenase 1 expression, and induction of the ratio of Bax to Bcl-2. Electroretinographic response loss and photoreceptor gene repression preceded gross morphological changes. High NaIO3 toxicity on 661W cells was observed in vitro along with reactive oxygen species (ROS) induction. NaIO3 treatment also disrupted oxidative stress, phototransduction, and apoptosis gene expression in 661W cells. Exposure of ARPE-19 cells to NaIO3 increased expression of neurotrophins and protected photoreceptors from direct NaIO3 cytotoxicity. Conclusions Systematic characterization of changes associated with NaIO3 injection revealed a large variability in the severity of toxicity induced. Treatment with >20 mg/kg NaIO3 induced visual dysfunction associated with rapid suppression of phototransduction genes and induced oxidative stress in photoreceptors. These results suggest that NaIO3 can directly alter photoreceptor function and survival.
Interactive parallel programming using the ParaScope Editor

The ParaScope Editor, an intelligent interactive editor for parallel Fortran programs, which is the centerpiece of the ParaScope project, an integrated collection of tools to help scientific programmers implement correct and efficient parallel programs, is discussed. ParaScope Editor reveals to users potential hazards of a proposed parallelization in a program. It provides a variety of powerful interactive program transformations that have been shown useful in converting programs to parallel form. ParaScope Editor supports general user editing through a hybrid text and structure editing facility that incrementally analyzes the modified program for potential hazards. It is shown that ParaScope Editor supports an exploratory programming style in which users get immediate feedback on their various strategies for parallelization. >
A Knowledge-Based Approach to Handling Exceptions in Workflow Systems

This paper describes a novel knowledge-based approach for helping workflow process designers and participants better manage the exceptions (deviations from an ideal collaborative work process caused by errors, failures, resource or requirements changes etc.) that can occur during the enactment of a workflow. This approach is based on exploiting a generic and reusable body of knowledge concerning what kinds of exceptions can occur in collaborative work processes, and how these exceptions can handled (detected, diagnosed and resolved). This work builds upon previous efforts from the MIT Process Handbook project and from research on conflict management in collaborative design.
A Distributed Geotechnical Information Management and Exchange Architecture

Web services can help facilitate the exchange and utilization of geotechnical information. Such data is of critical interest to a growing number of municipal, state, and federal agencies as well as private enterprises. However, the lack of service infrastructures among heterogeneous data sources operating under different administrative organizations or agencies hampers the full use of geotechnical information. This article describes a Web-services-based way to manage geotechnical data via XML
Effects of Temperature and Strain Rate on the Tensile Behavior of Unfilled and Talc-Filled Polypropylene. Part II: Constitutive Equation

Based on the experimental results presented in Part I of this research, a threeparameter nonlinear constitutive model has been proposed to describe the strain rate and temperature dependent tensile behaviors of unfilled and talc-filled polypropylene. One of the parameters is the elastic modulus. The other two parameters in this model are a strain exponent, m, and a compliance factor, p. Their relationships to strain rate and temperature are obtained from the experimental results. The simulated stress-strain cumes from the model are in good agreement with the test data. The analysis of the model shows that the strain exponent rn, which controls the strain softening (or hardening) effect of the material, is not only strain rate independent, but also temperature independent. The compliance parameter, 6, which controls the flow stress level of the material, on the other hand, varies with both strain rate as well as temperature. Results also show that the addition of talc filler in polypropylene reduces the strain exponent m, and increase the compliance parameter, p, which reduces the flow stress level of talc-filled polypropylene to lower than that of unfilled polypropylene.
Radiochemistry, biochemistry, and kinetics of 131I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) and 123I-MIBG: Clinical implications of the use of 123I-MIBG

Metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) is actively concentrated in adrenergic neuroendocrine tissues and tumors by an active, energy- and sodium-dependent, high-affinity, saturable mechanism. This has proved successful, when labeled with 131-I or 123-I, in scintigraphically depicting pheochromocytomas and neuroblastomas. For imaging purposes 123-I has multiple advantages over 131-I; the gamma ray energy is ideal for modern instruments, the decay by electron capture limits the particulate emissions, and the short half-life reduces the radiation burden. It is thus possible to use doses of 123-I-MIBG 20 times as large as doses of 131-I-MIBG with equivalent absorbed radiation doses. Disadvantages of 123-I include the cost and difficulties in the regular delivery of this short-lived radionuclide. For most imaging purposes 123-I-MIBG is the optimal agent if logistical problems in its supply can be overcome.
Phylogenetic diversification patterns and divergence times in ground beetles (Coleoptera: Carabidae: Harpalinae)

Harpalinae is a species rich clade of carabid beetles with many unusual morphological forms and ecological interactions. How this diversity evolved has been difficult to reconstruct, perhaps because harpalines underwent a rapid burst of diversification early in their evolutionary history. Here we investigate the tempo of evolution in harpalines using molecular divergence dating techniques and explore the rates of lineage accumulation in harpalines and their sister group. According to molecular divergence date estimates, harpalines originated in the mid Cretaceous but did not diversify extensively until the late Cretaceous or early Paleogene about 32 million years after their origin. In a relatively small window of time, harpalines underwent rapid speciation. Harpalines have a relative high net diversification rate and increased cladogenesis in some regions of the clade. We did not see a significant decrease in diversification rate through time in the MCCR test, but a model of diversification with two shift points to lower diversification rates fit the harpaline lineage accumulation through time the best. Our results indicate harpalines are significantly more diverse and have higher diversification than their sistergroup. Instead of an immediate burst of explosive diversification, harpalines may have had a long "fuse" before major lineages diversified during the early Paleogene when other taxa such as mammals, birds, and some flowering plants were also rapidly diversifying.
Review : Gene Expression after Cerebral Ischemia

Global and focal ischemias induce a variety of gene families, including immediate early genes, cytokines, neurotransmitter receptors, and heat-shock proteins. The Janus-like effects of several of these gene prod ucts promote neuronal survival and degeneration. Therefore, determining the molecular pathways respon sible for the differential regulation of these genes is of paramount importance. The discovery of apoptosis as a mediator of delayed neuronal death has led to the identification of a number of other genes involved in postischemic brain damage. Future neuroprotective therapies for cerebral ischemia may be directed at preventing alterations in gene expression. NEUROSCIENTIST 5:238-253, 1999
Transvaginal color Doppler sonography of adnexal masses: differences in blood flow impedance in benign and malignant lesions.

The purpose of this study was to assess the blood flow characteristics of adnexal masses before surgical excision and to determine whether color flow Doppler sonography is useful for distinguishing benign from malignant masses.Thirty-one adnexal masses were evaluated with color flow Doppler transvaginal sonography. The pulsatility index and resistive index were calculated from the waveforms generated from blood flow within the ovary. Twenty-five lesions were benign and six were malignant on pathologic examination. Benign lesions included six endometriomas, six mesothelial cysts, three serous and one mucinous cystadenoma, three mature cystic teratomas, two hemorrhagic corpus luteum cysts, one cystadenofibroma, one sclerosing stromal cell tumor, one paratubal cyst, and one ovary that had undergone torsion with infarction. The malignant lesions consisted of three papillary serous cystadenocarcinomas, one granulosatheca cell tumor, one immature teratoma, and one metastasis of colon cancer to the ovaries.Benig...
What the Eyes Say About Speaking

To study the time course of sentence formulation, we monitored the eye movements of speakers as they described simple events. The similarity between speakers' initial eye movements and those of observers performing a nonverbal event-comprehension task suggested that response-relevant information was rapidly extracted from scenes, allowing speakers to select grammatical subjects based on comprehended events rather than salience. When speaking extem- poraneously, speakers began fixating pictured elements less than a second before naming them within their descriptions, a finding con- sistent with incremental lexical encoding. Eye movements anticipated the order of mention despite changes in picture orientation, in who- did-what-to-whom, and in sentence structure. The results support Wundt's theory of sentence production. From a psychological point of view, the sentence is both a simultaneous and a sequential structure. It is simultaneous because at each moment it is present in consciousness as a totality even though individual subordinate elements may occasionally disappear from it. It is sequential because the configuration changes from moment to moment in its cognitive condition as individual constituents move into the focus of attention and out again one after the other. (Wundt, 1900/1970, p. 21)
Self-Concordance at Work: Toward Understanding the Motivational Effects of Transformational Leaders

We extend existing theories by linking transformational leadership to “self-concordance” at work. In two studies using diverse samples and methods, leader behaviors were associated with follower te...
Cervical but not urinary excretion of cytomegalovirus is related to sexual activity and contraceptive practices in sexually active women

The relationship between sexual activity and genitourinary excretion of cytomegalovirus (CMV) was evaluated in 1481 women at a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic. Among 951 who were CMV-seropositive, 16.6% had CMV isolated, from cervix alone in 9.4%, urine alone in 3.8%, and both sites in 4.2%. Isolation rates were highest in young women (P < .001). Compared with those with only cervical infection, women shedding from both cervix and urine were younger, began sexual activity when younger, had more recent partners, and a higher frequency of CMV-specific IgM, suggesting recent CMV infection. By logistic regression, cervical CMV excretion was associated with concomitant gonococcal infection (P = .008) and was less frequent in those using barrier contraception (P = .036). Isolated urinary excretion of CMV was not associated with sexual activity, concomitant cervical infections, or use of contraception. Cervical CMV infection is related to sexual activity, acquisition of other STDs, or exogenous reinfection, and urinary CMV is not.
The impact of agility on a bachelor's degree in computer science

Shippensburg University offers a computer science degree with the choice of five concentrations including software engineering. We first introduced agility as an XP component in part of our two-semester product development sequence. Within the software engineering concentration, agile concepts spread into our course on software metrics and process management. With that experience, our faculty have become interested in including agile concepts into other courses. This paper describes how a number of our undergraduate courses, the content of our computer science core, and our department's general health have been affected by agile techniques and philosophies.
Adaptive vector quantization using generalized threshold replenishment

In this paper, we describe a new adaptive vector quantization (AVQ) algorithm designed for the coding of nonstationary sources. This new algorithm, generalized threshold replenishment (GTR), differs from prior AVQ algorithms in that it features an explicit, online consideration of both rate and distortion. Rate-distortion cost criteria are used in both the determination of nearest-neighbor codewords and the decision to update the codebook. Results presented indicate that, for the coding of an image sequence, (1) most AVQ algorithms achieve distortion much lower than that of nonadaptive VQ for the same rate (about 1.5 bits/pixel), and (2) the GTR algorithm achieves rate-distortion performance substantially superior to that of the prior AVQ algorithms for low-rate coding, being the only algorithm to achieve a rate below 1.0 bits/pixel.
Correspondencia privada e historia pública: las relaciones intelectuales de Pedro de Castro, Antonio de Herrera y el Inca Garcilaso

Este articulo analiza la correspondencia de Pedro de Castro y Quinones con Francisco de Castro y Antonio de Herrera sobre las versiones historicas referentes a los hechos de su padre Cristobal Vaca de Castro frente al gobierno del Peru. Demuestra que, con el proposito de modificar los terminos de la cronica de Agustin de Zarate, Pedro de Castro superviso directamente el texto de las Decadas de Herrera y, a traves del jesuita Francisco de Castro, la version sobre Vaca de Castro que aparece en la segunda parte de los Comentarios reales. La diferente relacion del arzobispo con Herrera y Garcilaso —directa en el primer caso y mediata en el segundo— refleja la dispar autoridad de estos dos historiadores. A pesar de que esta intervencion de Pedro de Castro se esconde a los ojos del lector, deja una huella tangible en la coincidencia de Herrera y Garcilaso en la escritura de la biografia del gobernador Vaca de Castro frente a la discrepancia de estos mismos cronistas en otros asuntos indianos. El estudio concluy...
Individual autonomy and state involvement in health care

This article examines the ethical basis for government involvement in health care. It first provides the case for individual autonomy, focusing on the justifications–particularly ethical ones–for allowing individuals to make their own choices in health care, and to control more of their own resources in doing so. Next, it provides the opposite case–for abridging individual autonomy, and in particular, for redistributing resources from those who are well off to those who are not. The overriding reason for favouring the latter case, which trumps the notion of individual autonomy, is to ensure that individuals who are at a disadvantage have an equal probability of attaining good health. Key Words: Distributive justice • ethics • government • health care
A fully complementary BiCMOS technology for sub-half-micrometer microprocessor applications

A modular process architecture has been adopted to develop a versatile yet manufacturable, single-poly, four-level metal, fully complementary BiCMOS technology for sub-0.5- mu m microprocessor products. Both the poly-emitter vertical n-p-n and p-n-p bipolar transistors are integrated into a dual-poly (n/sup +//p/sup +/) gate CMOS process flow. Using a collector pedestal implant in the emitter window, the n-p-n performance has been enhanced to 26 GHz. Lateral p-n-p and TiSi/sub 2/ Schottky-barrier diode are also available for circuit applications. Stacking of the tungsten-plug contacts and vias are allowed in the multilevel metallization module. Comparing the CMOS and BiCMOS implementation of a 68030 critical path, 40% speed improvement at 3.3-V Vcc and a CMOS/BiCMOS crossover at 2.2 V have been obtained for this logic BiCMOS technology. >
Dynamic seascapes predict the marine occurrence of an endangered species: Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus

Summary Categorical landscapes are powerful environmental partitions that index complex biogeochemical processes that drive terrestrial species distributions. However, translating landscapes into seascapes requires that the dynamic nature of the fluid environment be reflected in spatial and temporal boundaries such that seascapes can be used in marine species distribution models and conservation decisions. A seascape product derived from satellite ocean colour and sea surface temperature partitioned mid-Atlantic coastal waters on scales commensurate with the Atlantic Sturgeon migration. The seascapes were then matched with acoustic telemetry records of Atlantic Sturgeon to determine seascape selectivity. To test for selectivity, we used real-time satellite seascape maps to normalize the sampling of an autonomous underwater vehicle that resampled similar geographic regions with time varying seascape classifications. Our findings suggest that Atlantic Sturgeon prefer one seascape class over those available in the coastal ocean, indicating selection for covarying environmental properties rather than geographical location. The recent listing of Atlantic Sturgeon as Endangered throughout much of their United States range has highlighted the need for improved understanding of marine habitat requirements to reduce interactions with anthropogenic stressors. Narrow dynamic migration corridors may enable seascapes to be used as a daily decision tool by industry and managers to reduce interactions with this imperilled species during coastal migrations.
State Funding Incentives Foster Local Collaboration, But Also Raise Concerns

In 2011, the state of Michigan implemented major policy changes in its statutory revenue sharing program, through which it distributes funding to a subset of Michigan’s 1,856 local governments. The new policy replaced formula-based funding with an incentive program that uses revenue sharing to foster local government reform. The new program, called the Economic Vitality Incentive Program (EVIP), requires local governments to certify that they have met state specified standards for "best practices" in each of three categories (accountability and transparency; intergovernmental collaboration and consolidation; and employee compensation policies) in order to receive their full allotment of incentive-based funds.This report focuses on the second EVIP category (intergovernmental collaboration and consolidation). In order to encourage greater levels of intergovernmental collaboration, the EVIP program withheld the 2nd portion of revenue sharing funds unless eligible jurisdictions submitted a plan to the state by January 1, 2012, documenting their plans to launch new or expanded collaboration or consolidation efforts. Findings in this report are based on statewide surveys of local government leaders in the Fall 2011 wave of the Michigan Public Policy Survey (MPPS), as well as supplementary data from the Fall 2010 MPPS wave which focused on intergovernmental collaboration.
Creationism in the United States: VII. The Lingering Impact of "Inherit the Wind"

I NHERIT the Wind is one of the most popular plays and movies in American history. It appears regularly on Broadway and television, is available as a rental at most video stores, and is a favorite production of amateur theaters across the country. Indeed, Inherit the Wind is performed almost every night somewhere in the world. Inherit the Wind has also been used extensively as an educational film in science, history, and social studies classes to study the Scopes trial; I have vivid memories of spending most of a week's worth of classes in high school watching and discussing Inherit the Wind. At the time, I knew relatively little about the Scopes trial or the issues surrounding the evolution/ creationism controversy, but for many years thereafter I assumed that the film was factually accurate. Others have made similar assumptions. For example, I overheard three conversations about Inherit the Wind at the 1998 annual meeting of the National Association of Biology Teachers; each of these conversations was based on Inherit the Wind being an accurate portrayal of the Scopes trial. Perhaps these perceptions (i.e., that Inherit the Wind is an accurate historical account of the Scopes "monkey trial") are understandable; after all, the book Inherit the Wind claims to describe "the most explosive trial of the century," and posters and other advertisements link the movie version of Inherit the Wind with the Scopes trial by announcing that the movie is "All About the Famous 'Monkey Trial' That Rocked America!" Although Inherit the Wind includes some historically accurate moments,'
Renal Clearance of Intravenously Administered Vitamin B12

SummaryThe erythropoietic stimulating principle present in the filtrate of plasma obtained from anemic rabbits was partially purified by ethanol fractionation. This material was active in increasing Fe59 intake of normal rats and in producing a reticulocytosis and hematocrit elevation in repeatedly injected normal rats. Fe59 uptake was stimulated by as little as 0.08 mg of the fraction representing a concentration of 3,000 fold over that occurring in the plasma.
IN-SITU and High-Resolution TEM Observation of Interfacial Reactions in Metal-Silicon Multilayers

Titanium-silicon and molybdenum-silicon multilayers have been investigated in cross-section using a high resolution TEM with a point-to-point resolution of .22 nm. This resolution has allowed us to confirm the amorphous nature both of the intermixed layers which form at the metal-silicon interfaces on sputter deposition, and of the Ti-Si reaction product which forms at temperatures below which crystalline silicides nucleate. The bulk studies are complemented by in-situ annealing experiments in the high-resolution microscope. Phase reactions in the multilayers can be followed in real time, allowing direct observation of the formation of the amorphous alloy, the appearance of rows of Kirkendall voids, and the crystallization and growth of silicide phases.
Exposure Levels to Manganese in Human Being and Related Control Strategy

Manganese can be detected in air,water and soil but the distribution is not even in the ecosphere.The concentration of manganese in groundwater is higher than in surface water and higher in the southern soil than in the northern.Manganese-related industries and the usage of manganese-containing products(methylcyclopentadisnyl manganese tricarbonyl in gasoline,welding rod,etc)may introduce contamination to environment.Excessive exposure to manganese in human may cause nervous system dysfunction.In this paper,the human exposure and hazards of manganese in China were reviewed.In addition,control measures to manganese were also discussed.
Renal Oncocytoma: A Diagnostic and Therapeutic Dilemma

AbstractFrom 1968 to 1983, 254 patients underwent an operation for presumed renal cell carcinoma. In this retrospective review the pathological diagnosis was renal oncocytoma in 11 patients (4 per cent). Renal oncocytomas were present bilaterally in 2 patients, including 1 with a coexisting renal cell carcinoma. In 2 other patients the oncocytomas were multicentric. The angiographic, computerized tomographic and sonographic findings in these patients typified renal cell carcinoma. Surgical treatment comprised radical or partial nephrectomy for unilateral and bilateral lesions, respectively. Because of the benign nature, multicentricity, possible bilaterality and absence of pathognomonic radiographic features, renal oncocytomas should be considered in the differential diagnosis of solid renal masses.
Mogami manifolds, nuclei, and 3D simplicial gravity

Mogami introduced in 1995 a large class of triangulated 3-dimensional pseudomanifolds, henceforth called “Mogami pseudomanifolds”. He proved an exponential bound for the size of this class in terms of the number of tetrahedra. The question of whether all 3-balls are Mogami has remained open since; a positive answer would imply a much-desired exponential upper bound for the total number of 3-balls (and 3-spheres) with N tetrahedra. Here we provide a negative answer: many 3-balls are not Mogami. On the way to this result, we characterize the Mogami property in terms of nuclei, in the sense of Collet–Eckmann–Younan: “The only three-dimensional Mogami nucleus is the tetrahedron”.
Pertussis Immunization and Convulsions

A follow-up study of 18 infants and children who suffered convulsions (9 cases) or “hypotonic-hyporesponsive“ episodes (9 cases) within 48 hours following DTP immunization was conducted in the Depts of Pediatrics, UCLA Hospital and Clinics, and the Kaiser Permanente Medical Group, Los Angeles, CA.
A novel method for computing element patterns in large/complex periodic circular/cylindrical arrays

As known, element patterns of large planar arrays can be calculated from an infinite array approximation using a Floquet unit cell approach. For large conformal arrays, however, unit cell methods can't be used, and element patterns must be calculated numerically by solving the full boundary value problem, leading to a prohibitively large number of unknowns. In this work we describe a novel method for computing element patterns in large and complex periodic arrays with rotational symmetry. The method is based on phase sequence excitation of the array elements in a radial unit cell, and therefore it is very efficient and reduces the memory requirements. It can be easily implemented using parallel processing, thus it can be interpreted as a domain decomposition method in phase-space.
Management of Complications of Endoscopic Therapy

The volume of upper and lower endoscopy being completed annually, particularly endoscopic ultrasound based other therapeutic procedures, continues to increase at a steady rate. While endoscopy may not play a significant role in every surgeon’s practice, acute care surgeons must understand the evaluation and treatment of common complications associated with both diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopic procedures. This chapter reviews the diagnosis and treatment of such complications including perforation, bleeding, stricture, obstruction, and pancreatitis.
Profound loss of esophageal tissue differentiation in patients with eosinophilic esophagitis

Background A key question in the allergy field is to understand how tissue-specific disease is manifested. Eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) is an emerging tissue-specific allergic disease with an unclear pathogenesis. Objective Herein we tested the hypothesis that a defect in tissue-specific esophageal genes is an integral part of EoE pathogenesis. Methods We interrogated the pattern of expression of esophagus-specific signature genes derived from the Human Protein Atlas in the EoE transcriptome and in EPC2 esophageal epithelial cells. Western blotting and immunofluorescence were used for evaluating expression of esophageal proteins in biopsy specimens from control subjects and patients with active EoE. Whole-exome sequencing was performed to identify mutations in esophagus-specific genes. Results We found that approximately 39% of the esophagus-specific transcripts were altered in patients with EoE, with approximately 90% being downregulated. The majority of transcriptional changes observed in esophagus-specific genes were reproduced in vitro in esophageal epithelial cells differentiated in the presence of IL-13. Functional enrichment analysis revealed keratinization and differentiation as the most affected biological processes and identified IL-1 cytokines and serine peptidase inhibitors as the most dysregulated esophagus-specific protein families in patients with EoE. Accordingly, biopsy specimens from patients with EoE evidenced a profound loss of tissue differentiation, decreased expression of keratin 4 (KRT4) and cornulin (CRNN) , and increased expression of KRT5 and KRT14 . Whole-exome sequencing of 33 unrelated patients with EoE revealed 39 rare mutations in 18 esophagus-specific differentially expressed genes. Conclusions A tissue-centered analysis has revealed a profound loss of esophageal tissue differentiation (identity) as an integral and specific part of the pathophysiology of EoE and implicated protease- and IL-1–related activities as putative central pathways in disease pathogenesis.
Micro Projects: Putting Light and Magic into Learning Computer Systems Concepts (Abstract Only)

Computer systems courses are often challenging to students who must learn the characteristics and behavior of a variety of system components and tools across multiple levels of abstraction. This workshop shows how microcontroller-based projects ("micro projects") can make topics such as data/program representation, bit-manipulation, I/O operation, event-handling, and digital communication more visible, concrete, and motivating. Participants will learn to use a low-cost hardware platform (programming in C/C++) to develop two example micro projects that demonstrate bit manipulation using digital I/O, and event handling with interrupts. We discuss how these projects may be extended or modified to introduce other topics, including microcontroller ISA, assembly language programming, and stack operation. Other project examples will be presented that use serial communication, timers, and a simple multitasking executive to illustrate program/data representation, digital communication, optimization, and operating system principles. We will discuss ways micro projects can be integrated into systems courses at various levels of the curriculum (by varying scaffolding) or used as a framework for an embedded systems/physical computing course. In addition to handouts, we supply participants with the software and hardware for use during the workshop and sources for acquiring them for future classroom use.
Late night essay grading

From the front porch of introduction, the voiceushers me into the creaking clapboard house, through roomsthick with dust. I climb over a rattan sofa that blocksthe entrance to the living room. Fami...
Bromodomain And Extra-Terminal (BET) proteins regulate metabolic and redox function in COPD airway smooth muscle cells

Background: Airway smooth muscle (ASM) thickening in COPD is caused by ASM cell (ASMC) hyperplasia and hypertrophy. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-β and reactive oxygen species (ROS), due to NADPH oxidase and mitochondrial activity, promote ASMC hyperplasia. The transcriptional regulators Bromodomain and Extra-Terminal (BET) proteins drive proliferative and inhibit antioxidant gene transcription in ASMCs. Aims & Objectives: Determine the role of BET proteins in the oxidant-antioxidant balance and mitochondrial activity of COPD ASMCs. Methods: ASMCs were cultured from resected airways of COPD patients (n=7). BET proteins were inhibited using the compound JQ1+ in the absence or presence of TGF-β (1ng/ml) and FBS (2.5%; proliferative conditions). mRNA was measured by real-time PCR, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) by JC-1 staining, and cytoplasmic and mitochondrial ROS by dicholofluorescein diacetate (DCF-DA) and MitoSOX staining, respectively. Results: JQ1+ (300nM) reduced NADPH oxidase 4 mRNA (Baseline: by ~90%; TGF-β/FBS: by ~90%) and cytoplasmic ROS (Baseline: ~30%; TGF-β/FBS: ~30%). JQ1+ increased the mRNA of the antioxidant enzymes MnSOD (Baseline: by ~1.5-fold; TGF-β/FBS: by ~2-fold) and haem oxygenase (Baseline: ~4.5-fold; TGF-β/FBS: ~2-fold). JQ1+ reduced the mRNA expression of the mitochondrial biogenesis activators PPAR-γ co-activator (PGC)-1α (Baseline: by ~90%; TGF-β/FBS: by ~75%) and PGC-1β (Baseline: ~60%; TGF-β/FBS: ~85%). Also, JQ1+ attenuated ΔΨm by ~20% and mitochondrial ROS by ~30% at baseline, but not under TGF-β/FBS stimulation. Conclusion: BET proteins drive oxidant-antioxidant imbalance and mitochondrial biogenesis in COPD ASMCs.
Humor, Truth, and Human Existence

This chapter focuses on that which I believe is missed or compromised when humor is not taken seriously and considered a genuine human capacity. I begin by showing that although laughter is likely to have evolved from play signals of primates, humor is a distinctively human phenomenon that involves the ability to enjoy cognitive shifts and appreciate ambiguities and incongruities. Next, I compare humor to other ways of knowing and understanding and show that it provides us with unique insights about human existence. I then illustrate the uniqueness of humor by focusing on the type of jokes that point to a truth about human existence. Here, I attempt to provide a provisional answer to the question: why do jokes that highlight some fundamental fact of our existence seem to be so appealing to us? The last part of this chapter explores the educational significance of the type of humor that is directed at making fun of human existence.