cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tunable Blocker-Tolerant On-Chip Radio-Frequency Front-End Filter With Dual Adaptive Transmission Zeros for Software-Defined Radio Applications

This paper presents a tunable active bandpass filter (BPF) with adjustable transmission zeros (TZs) close to the passband for software-defined radio (SDR) applications. The RF front-end frequency selectivity is enhanced by the creation of TZs that also improve the out-of-band (OOB) input-referred third-order intercept point (IIP3). The filter is based on two-path signal cancellation and consists of a tunable BPF in parallel with two tunable bandstop filters. This combination ensures the correct amplitude and phase relationships across a wide tuning range to create adjustable TZs without sacrificing the gain of the passband. This paper presents in detail the design considerations and guidelines, as well as analysis of the filter performance in the presence of nonidealities such as parasitics and imperfect clock signal shape. The proposed filter is implemented with high- $Q~N$ -path filter blocks in a 65-nm CMOS process. The passband of the filter is tunable from 0.1 to 1.4 GHz with a 3-dB bandwidth of 9.8–10.2 MHz, a gain of 21.5–24 dB, a noise figure of 3–4.2 dB, and a total power consumption of 50–73 mW. TZs are created on both sides of the passband with a minimal offset of 25 MHz and are tunable across a 20-MHz range with up to a 60-dB rejection. The measured blocker 1-dB compression point is 8 dBm and the OOB IIP3 is 23 dBm. The reported filter provides a promising on-chip filtering solution for multistandard multifrequency SDR applications with improved interference mitigation capabilities.
Effects of Intrauterine Growth Restriction and Female Sex on Future Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease

It is well-established that the age-related increase in blood pressure is augmented after menopause. Yet, the prevalence of hypertension is enhanced in low birth weight women relative to normal birth weight counterparts by 60 years of age suggesting that adverse influences during fetal life heighten cardiovascular risk in later life. A changing hormonal milieu may contribute to increased cardiovascular risk that occurs after the menopausal transition. Low birth weight is associated with early age at menopause. A recent study indicates that a shift towards testosterone excess following early reproductive senescence may contribute to the etiology of age-dependent increases in blood pressure in a rodent model of low birth weight. This review will highlight current findings related to postmenopausal hypertension and discuss potential mechanisms that may contribute to the enhanced cardiovascular risk that develops with age in low birth weight women.
Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Serum Exosomes from Patients with Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer Undergoing Chemoradiotherapy

Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the USA. Despite extensive research, minimal improvements in patient outcomes have been achieved. Early identification of treatment response and metastasis would be valuable to determine the appropriate therapeutic course for patients. In this work, we isolated exosomes from the serum of 10 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer at serial time points over a course of therapy, and quantitative analysis was performed using the iTRAQ method. We detected approximately 700–800 exosomal proteins per sample, several of which have been implicated in metastasis and treatment resistance. We compared the exosomal proteome of patients at different time points during treatment to healthy controls and identified eight proteins that show global treatment-specific changes. We then tested the effect of patient-derived exosomes on the migration of tumor cells and found that patient-derived exosomes, but not healthy controls, induce cell migra...
Results of Cancer Control Education for Primary Care Providers in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Abstract 28Background:The global burden of cancer is growing in low- and middle-income countries where availability of specialists to treat cancer is acutely low. To detect cancer earlier, patients...
Direct Writing of Hydrophobic Sol-Gel Patterns

Solution-based fabrication methods have been widely used for depositing uniform functional coatings. These coatings can be utilized in a variety of applications such as optoelectronics, biomedical, and energy. However, such fabrication techniques are not appropriate for directly depositing patterned micro/nano-scale features, which are required in many contact-based applications such as in MEMS. In this work we propose the direct writing of hydrophobic silica-based sol-gel patterns with sustained functionality and their subsequent tribological characterization. Such an approach may be an advantageous alternative to current lithography-based methods due to the relative ease of processing and low material waste. This investigation involves the abrasive wear and frictional analysis of patterned fluorinated silica sol-gel coatings that are directly printed onto glass substrates with a robotically controlled pneumatic nozzle system. Such work sheds light on the tribological properties of lithography-free processed hydrophobic patterns for applications spanning from micromotors to biomedical fluidic devices.
Sociedad, ciencia y tecnología: Mariano de Rivero, la minería y el nacimiento del Perú como República, 1820-1850

This article studies the relationships between society, science, and technology through an analysis of the personal life of the Peruvian scientist Mariano Eduardo de Rivero y Ustariz. Starting with his education at the Seminario de San Jeronimo in Arequipa, the Highgate School in London, and the Ecole Royale des Mines in Paris, this study focuses on Rivero’s activities related to mining in Peru and its vicissitudes, from the development of Simon Bolivar’s strategy for the country after Independence had been achieved, through to the uncertainties of the subsequent period of caudillaje. Particular attention is given to capital investments, especially foreign and British, and the technology employed in the mining sector (especially in Cerro de Pasco) in this early Republican period.
Manufacturing methodology enhancements for space systems hardware fabrication

NASA satellite missions involve design, fabrication and assembly of numerous complex systems, subsystems, and instruments and require a large team of scientists and engineers. JHU/APL fosters a culture of continuous improvement and the design solutions rarely replicate themselves. In this unique environment, the hardware manufacturing team was challenged with enhancing fabrication and assembly methodologies while also improving automation, quality and high density design techniques. The team also needed to manage the risk associated with manufacturing space flight designs that have limited heritage and little relevant historical build data. If we can understand and quantify the variations and improvements in overall hardware development that various work centers have achieved based on these enhancements, we may be able to define a correlation with reduced risk, improved quality and fewer schedule delays for future programs. After infusing the JHU/APL facilities with an array of state-of-the-art hardware manufacturing and assembly equipment, we subsequently produced a large satellite system and numerous instruments for space flight missions. A detailed analysis of data from a past large satellite system build carried out prior to these enhancements will be compared and contrasted with the data obtained from these most recent builds.
The pump, the exchanger, and the holy spirit: origins and 40-year evolution of ideas about the ouabain-Na+ pump endocrine system.

Two prescient 1953 publications set the stage for the elucidation of a novel endocrine system: Schatzmann’s report that cardiotonic steroids (CTSs) are all Na+ pump inhibitors, and Szent-Gyorgi’s s...
Collision risk analysis for alternate airspace architectures

This paper investigates an airspace architecture in which the core requirement is maintaining a target level of collision risk throughout the airspace, accounting for a diversity of aircraft types and a diversity of collision avoidance capabilities in different regions of the airspace. Because collision risk depends on both the density of aircraft and the collision avoidance capabilities of the aircraft involved, aircraft with better collision avoidance capabilities are able to fly in regions of higher density. Conversely, aircraft with lesser collision avoidance capabilities are restricted to less dense airspace or off-peak hours. This paper provides a framework for evaluating the proposed architecture, including a framework for evaluating collision risk based on the numbers and types of aircraft in the airspace and a framework for specifying the corresponding airspace admittance function. Properties of the airspace admittance function are explored and airspace designs are suggested based on the results. In particular, if high-equipped aircraft are not adversely affected by low-equipped aircraft, from a collision avoidance perspective, then the aircraft should fly together in the same airspace to maximize capacity. But otherwise, it may be better to segregate the aircraft types into distinct regions of airspace.
Neural-net-induced Gaussian process regression for function approximation and PDE solution

Abstract Neural-net-induced Gaussian process (NNGP) regression inherits both the high expressivity of deep neural networks (deep NNs) as well as the uncertainty quantification property of Gaussian processes (GPs). We generalize the current NNGP to first include a larger number of hyperparameters and subsequently train the model by maximum likelihood estimation. Unlike previous works on NNGP that targeted classification, here we apply the generalized NNGP to function approximation and to solving partial differential equations (PDEs). Specifically, we develop an analytical iteration formula to compute the covariance function of GP induced by deep NN with an error-function nonlinearity. We compare the performance of the generalized NNGP for function approximations and PDE solutions with those of GPs and fully-connected NNs. We observe that for smooth functions the generalized NNGP can yield the same order of accuracy with GP, while both NNGP and GP outperform deep NN. For non-smooth functions, the generalized NNGP is superior to GP and comparable or superior to deep NN.
J.C. “Charlie” Martin, C.B.E

At the 3rd IEEE Pulsed Power Conference convened in Albuquerue, New Mexico on June 1–3, 1991, J.C. Martin was presented the initial Erwin Marx Award in recognition of “two decades of consistent, yet extraordinary pioneering innovations in pulsed power technology”. From the proceedings of that conference, we reproduce both a biography and an autobiography, which more than any other comments will prepare you, the reader, for what is to follow in J.C. “Charlie” Martin’s matchless style. A photograph of the presentation is included in Chapter 2.
Checkpoints in the cell cycle from a modeler’s perspective

The cell division cycle is a complex process by which cells grow and divide into two viable daughter cells. So that mistakes are not made in this crucial replication process, cells stop at one or more “checkpoints” in the cycle to query their internal state and external conditions, before proceeding to the next stage of the cycle. In this paper we study some simple mathematical models of cell cycle arrest in G1 (“Start”) and G2. Our models help to relate the molecular mechanisms of these checkpoints with physiological properties of the cell cycle.
Molecular modeling studies of the DCCD-treated cytochrome bc1 complex: predicted conformational changes and inhibition of proton translocation.

Dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCCD) binds covalently to an acidic amino acid located in the cd loop connecting membrane-spanning helices C and D of cytochrome b resulting in an inhibition of proton translocation in the cytochrome bc 1 complex with minimal effects on the steady state rate of electron transfer. Single turnover studies performed with the yeast cytochrome bc 1 complex indicated that the initial phase of cytochrome b reduction was inhibited 25–45% in the DCCD-treated cytochrome bc 1 complex, while the rate of cytochrome c 1 reduction was unaffected. Simulations by molecular modeling predict that binding of DCCD to glutamate 163 located in the cd2 loop of cytochrome b of chicken liver mitochondria results in major conformational changes in the protein. The conformation of the cd loop and the end of helix C appeared twisted with a concomitant rearrangement of the amino acid residues of both cd1 and cd2 loops. The predicted rearrangement of the amino acid residues of the cd loop results in disruptions of the hydrogen bonds predicted to form between amino acid residues of the cd and ef loops. Simultaneously, two new hydrogen bonds are predicted to form between glutamate 272 and two residues, aspartate 253 and tyrosine 272. Formation of these new hydrogen bonds would restrict the rotation and protonation of glutamate 272, which may be necessary for the release of the second electrogenic proton obtained during ubiquinol oxidation in the bc1 complex.
PEDIATRIC EPILEPSY | Epileptogenesis in Childhood

The majority of epilepsies that arise from numerous etiologies commence early in life. Therefore, understanding the special characteristics of epileptogenic processes that take place during infancy and childhood is critical. This understanding requires knowledge of the basis of the unique vulnerability of the developing brain to the inciting or causal events, as well as the age-specific mechanisms that lead to epilepsy early in life. This article will introduce these concepts and review some of the factors that predispose to seizures early in life, as well as those that might contribute to the evolution of these seizures into epilepsy. Mechanisms of epileptogenesis unique to the developing brain will be highlighted, together with the significant gaps in our knowledge.
Sensory Pathways in the Dorsal Columns

The best-studied sensory pathway of the spinal cord is the dorsal column pathway. The part of this pathway that is actually within the cord consists chiefly of the ascending branches of primary afferent fibers entering through the dorsal roots. The dorsal column is subdivided into two components known as the fasciculus gracilis and the fasciculus cuneatus. The fasciculus gracilis includes the ascending branches of afferents from the midthoracic region and caudally, while the fasciculus cuneatus consists of the branches of afferents from midthoracic to upper cervical levels. The fasciculi gracilis and cuneatus terminate in nuclei of the caudal medulla of the same names, nucleus gracilis and nucleus cuneatus. Collectively, these nuclei are often called the dorsal column nuclei (along with the lateral cuneate nucleus). The nuclei gracilis and cuneatus project (among other places) to the contralateral thalamus via the medial lemniscus. For this reason, the dorsal column pathway is sometimes referred to as the dorsal column—medial lemniscus pathway (Fig. 6.1). Although the dorsal column nuclei are sometimes called “relay” nuclei, this term should not be taken to imply a simple organization or function (G. Gordon, 1973). The dorsal columns also contain axons ascending from tract cells in the spinal cord gray matter (second-order dorsal column pathway), and other second-order neurons project to the dorsal column nuclei via the dorsolateral fasciculus.
Toward Conceptual and Concrete Understanding of the Impossibility of Religiously Neutral Public Schooling

ABSTRACTThe public schooling system is supposed to be neutral regarding religion. Constitutional provisions prohibit government from interfering with, or establishing, religion, and ensure equality...
Are Tinder and Dating Apps Changing Dating and Mating in the USA

I use in-depth interviews and a new national survey to examine how people use phone dating apps (such as Tinder and Grindr), how often they use them, and why. Gay men are the most active users of the phone dating apps. Unpartnered heterosexual adults do not use phone dating apps very often and meet few new partners through apps. According to the survey data, more than 80% of unpartnered heterosexual adults have not gone on any dates or met any new people in the past 12 months, which suggests that being unpartnered is a more stable status for heterosexual adults than previously thought.
Anaerobic co-digestion of poultry litter and wheat straw affected by solids composition, free ammonia and carbon/nitrogen ratio.

In this study, the effects of three total solids levels (2%, 5% and 10% TS) of the mixtures of poultry litter and wheat straw at different percent volatile solids from wheat straw (0%, 25% and 50% ...
Processing of microcellular SiC foams

Curing kinetics of commercial polycarbosilane have been measured using differential scanning calorimetry in air between 140 and 220‡C. It was found that the total heat of curing increases linearly with temperature. At constant temperature, the rate of heat release can be described by the sum of a first-order kinetic term, and a transient term of much higher order, both depending on the fraction of remaining reaction enthalpy. Constants for both terms increase according to the Arrhenius law, with roughly the same activation energy of about 1.2 kJ mol−1. The heat released in an additional non-isothermal experiment is well described by integration of the isothermal heat-release equations, suggesting that the rate of reaction can be described solely in terms of the fraction transformed and temperature.
Hale’s argument from transitive counting

A core commitment of Bob Hale and Crispin Wright’s neologicism is their invocation of Frege’s Constraint—roughly, the requirement that the core empirical applications for a class of numbers be “built directly into” their formal characterization. According to these neologicists, if legitimate, Frege’s Constraint adjudicates in favor of their preferred foundation—Hume’s Principle—and against alternatives, such as the Dedekind–Peano axioms. In this paper, we consider a recent argument for legitimating Frege’s Constraint due to Hale, according to which the primary empirical application of the naturals is transitive counting, or answering ‘how many’-questions using numerals. We make two claims regarding Hale’s argument. First, it fails to legitimate Frege’s Constraint in virtue of resting on unsupported and highly contentious assumptions. Secondly, even if sound, Hale’s argument would vindicate a version of Frege’s Constraint which fails to adjudicate in favor of Hume’s Principle over alternative characterizations of the naturals.
Drivers of support: The case of species reintroductions with an ill-informed public

ABSTRACTSuccessful rewilding of large carnivores depends on public acceptance, but the public frequently has little awareness about wildlife and specific reintroduction proposals. This article eval...
Abstract 4412: Piperine enhances the efficacy of 5 FU against liver cancer

Liver cancer is one of the most devastating malignancies. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for >90% of primary liver malignancies and is the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Systemic chemotherapy is one of the most important treatment modalities for advanced HCC. Unfortunately, long-term treatment acquired resistance in HCC due to the activation of drug efflux pumps. A natural compound in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs is a potential approach to combat the side effects. In this study, we have demonstrated whether piperine (natural compound) could increase the effect of 5-FU in HCC cells. The cell viability (MTT) assay was performed to determine the optimal IC50 values of Piperine, 5-FU alone and in combination. Immunofluorescence study confirmed the effectiveness of combined drug; dead nuclei were found more within the cells treated by the combination compared to piperine or 5-FU alone. The combined drug treatment was most effective in inhibiting proliferation and inducing apoptosis; accordingly, it showed noticeable increases in pro-apoptotic (BAK, BID), PARP and decreases in anti-apoptotic genes (BCL-XL) gene in a western blot and RT-PCR analysis. Further, in SK-HEP-1 cells, the combination upregulated the expression of cell cycle inhibitors (p21WAF1/CIP1, p27KIP), which, in turn, inhibited the expression of CDK2/ Cyclin D1 complex. Therefore, it blocks the transition of cells into G0/G1 to S phase. Taken together, we observed that the combination of 5-FU and Piperine resulted in a significant cytotoxicity and apoptosis as compared to alone. Our results suggest that piperine can be a potential agent in enhancing the efficacy of 5-FU in liver cancer treatment. These finding highlights the promising role of natural bioactive compounds and provides the rationale for further transitional researches. Citation Format: David Anwanwan, Santosh Kumar Singh, James W. Lillard, Manoj K. Mishra, Rajesh Singh. Piperine enhances the efficacy of 5 FU against liver cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4412.
A generalization of Lemma 1 in Kotlarski (1967)

Abstract Kotlarski (1967) establishes a fundamental result on identification of marginal distributions of independent random variables X , Y , and Z from the joint distribution of random variables ( U , V ) , where ( U , V ) = ( X + Z , Y + Z ) . We extend this result to the case ( U , V ) = ( X + a Z 1 + b Z 2 , Y + c Z 1 + d Z 2 ) , where Z 1 and Z 2 are identically distributed, and a , b , c , and d are different weights. As an outgrowth of the proof, we also present a complete solution to a generalized version of Cauchy functional equation.
Abstract WP63: AI-Augmented Review of CT Brain Exams to Determine Rate of Missed Diagnoses of Intracranial Hemorrhage by Practicing Neuroradiologists

Background: Radiological diagnosis is error prone, yet accurate error rates are difficult to study. Current literature typically relies on manual review of scans, likely placing an upper limit on a...
Teaching the teachers to teach information literacy: A literature review

Abstract As part of the ongoing debates over the best methods for teaching information literacy, some librarians have argued for a “teach the teachers” strategy. In this approach, librarians concentrate some of their instructional energies on teaching disciplinary faculty to teach information literacy. In this paper, multiple examples of “teach the teachers” efforts are reviewed, in order to provide insight into the impact that taking this approach might have on librarians, faculty, and students. Results indicate that the “teach the teachers” approach shows promise as one method by which librarians can support the integration of information literacy into the curriculum, but that more assessment is needed to determine the long-term impact of such initiatives on faculty teaching practices and students' information literacy development.
Effect of birth season on anthropometrics and diseases of bone mineralization in the US population

Objectives Birth season has been inconsistently associated with anthropometrics, bone fractures, and malocclusion. Our aim was to assess the association between birth season and anthropometrics (height, weight, birth weight), bone fractures and dental malocclusion in the United States. Methods US surveys conducted between 1963-1973 assessed 16 152 6-to-21-year-old participants. Prevalence ratios and mean differences were estimated using linear models using fall as reference. Results Participants born in spring, when compared to fall, were of similar height (mean difference (MD) in height-adjusted Z score 0.03, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): -0.01 to 0.08; P-value = .17), weight (MD for weight-adjusted Z-score 0.00, 95% CI: -0.05 to 0.04; P-value =0.83), had similar rates of bone fractures (Prevalence Rate [PR] 1.07; 95% CI: 0.94 to 1.22; P-value = .28) and similar rates of dental malocclusion (MD of malocclusion index HLD -0.16; 95% confidence interval - 0.39 to 0.07; P = .18). Conclusion We did not find an impact of birth season on anthropometrics, bone fractures, and dental malocclusions.
Recommendations to Safeguard Reconstructive Microsurgeons Performing High-risk Operations during the COVID-19 Pandemic

An unprecedented number of health care providers have been infected and many have died during the COVID-19 pandemic. Reconstructive microsurgeons from different surgical backgrounds often are involved in the care of known COVID-19 and high-risk patients. The need for a magnification loupe/microscope makes it difficult for them to wear recommended personal protection equipment, increasing the risk of exposure. Although advanced technologies are available, they have not been exploited effectively. To date, no safety guidelines are available for safe reconstructive microsurgical procedures in high-risk operations/known COVID-19 patients-particularly, to address operations risk and COVID-19 status of the patients, who would operate, how many should be involved, how to equip the surgeons for the procedure, when to operate as the procedure unfolds, how to adapt surgical techniques to reduce exposure risk, and can advanced technology be used to minimize exposure. A set of safety recommendations were thus developed based on literature review and firsthand knowledge of safety procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic. Current understanding of COVID-19 virology can optimize surgical team buildup and dynamics. Operating smaller teams (in a sequential style), minimizing the use of aerosols-generating devices, and modifying surgical plan and flap selection could aid in diminishing the risk of exposure and in conserving resources. Modifications in loupes design, and the combined wear of surgical mask and N95 respirators, and efficient use of "buddy system" could aid in protecting surgeons during donning and doffing. "Remote operating" is a novel concept of using a surgical robot to maximize surgeons' safety during COVID-19 pandemic.
Assessing Risk and Protective Factors Among High School Students: Development and Reliability of the School Environment Subscale

Background: The health of children and adolescents is strongly impacted by social factors at the individual, peer, family, school, and community levels. Risk and protective factors aid in determining those social factors, either hindering or promoting health-compromising behaviors. A technical report by the American Academy of Pediatrics stressed the importance of school readiness in supporting the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development of the child. However, due to the complex nature of these social factors, honing assessment …
County-level association of COVID-19 mortality with 2020 United States presidential voting.

Abstract Objective The objective of this study was to assess the association between United States county-level COVID-19 mortality and changes in presidential voting between 2016 and 2020. Study design The study design is a county-level ecological study. Methods We analysed county-level population-weighted differences in partisan vote change, voter turnout and sociodemographic and health status characteristics across pre-election COVID-19 mortality quartiles. We estimated a population-weighted linear regression of the 2020–2016 Democratic vote change testing the significance of differences between quartiles of COVID-19 mortality, controlling for other county characteristics. Results The overall change in the 2020–2016 Democratic vote was +2.9% but ranged from a +4.3% increase in the lowest mortality quartile counties to +0.9% in the highest mortality quartile counties. Change in turnout ranged from +9.1% in the lowest mortality counties to only +6.2% in highest mortality counties. In regression estimates, the highest mortality quartile was associated with a −1.26% change in the Democratic 2020–2016 vote compared with the lowest quartile (P Conclusions Higher county-level COVID-19 mortality was associated with smaller increases in Democratic vote share in 2020 compared with 2016. Possible explanations to be explored in future research could include fear of in-person voting in heavily Democratic, high-mortality counties, fear of the economic effects of perceived Democratic support for tighter lockdowns and stay-at-home orders and general exhaustion that lowered political participation in hard-hit counties.
Behaviorally emergent hippocampal place maps remain stable during memory recall

Summary The hippocampus is critical for the formation and recall of episodic memories1, 2 which store past experience of events (‘what’) occurring at particular locations (‘where’) in time (‘when’). Hippocampal place cells, pyramidal neurons which show location-specific modulation of firing rates during navigation3, 4, together form a spatial representation of the environment. It has long been hypothesized that place cells serve as the neural substrate for long-term episodic memory of space5, 6. However, recent studies call to question this tenet of the field by demonstrating unexpected levels of representational drift in hippocampal place cells with respect to the duration of episodic memories in mice7, 8. In the present study, we examined behaviorally driven long-term organization of the place map, to resolve the relationship between memory and place cells. Leveraging the stability of two-photon calcium imaging, we tracked activity of the same set of CA1 pyramidal neurons during learning and memory recall in an operant, head-fixed, odorcued spatial navigation task. We found that place cells are rapidly recruited into task-dependent spatial maps, resulting in emergence of orthogonal as well as overlapping representations of space. Further, task-selective place cells used a diverse set of remapping strategies to represent changing task demands that accompany learning. We found behavioral performance dependent divergence of spatial maps between trial types occurs during learning. Finally, imaging during remote recall spanning up to 30 days revealed increased stabilization of learnt place cell maps following memory consolidation. Our findings suggest that a subset of place cells is recruited by rule based spatial learning, actively reconfigured to represent task-relevant spatial relationships, and stabilized following successful learning and consolidation.
An experimental study of aqueous suspensions containing dissolved polymer: a phase separation

Abstract We present an experimental study of phase separations in aqueous colloidal suspensions caused by dissolved, nonadsorbing polymer. The polymer to particle size ratio and the polymer and particle concentrations were varied independently. A statistical mechanical theory successfully predicts the fluid-solid transition and the density of the coexisting phases for the larger particle to polymer size ratio ( a r s = 6.9 ). For the smaller ratio ( a r s = 1.9 ), the theory anticipates the observed fluid-fluid transition but at a much lower polymer concentration than that measured.
Development and testing of advanced central receivers

The author discusses studies of advanced receiver concepts, such as the molten nitrate salt direct-absorption receivers and volumetric air receivers, which have shown their potential to be simpler and cheaper than conventional tube receivers. In a direct-absorption receiver, the heat-absorbing fluid (a blackened molten nitrate salt) flows in a thin, wavy film down a flat, vertical panel (rather than through tubes) and absorbs the concentrated solar flux directly. The volumetric air receiver design uses a porous absorber, on which the solar energy is concentrated. Air flows through the absorber, convectively transferring energy from the absorber to the air. In this work, the concepts, advantages, status, and test results of both the direct-absorption receiver and the volumetric receiver are discussed. >
Deleuze, Klossowski, Cinema, Immobility: A Response to Stephen Arnott

Stephen Arnott \'Deleuze\'s Idea of Cinema\' _Film-Philosophy_, Deleuze Special Issue vol. 5 no. 32, November 2001
Size and deformation limits to maintain constraint in K{sub Ic} and J{sub c} testing of bend specimens

The ASTM Standard Test Method for Plane-Strain Fracture Toughness of metallic Materials (E399-90) restricts test specimen dimensions to insure the measurement of highly constrained fracture toughness values (K{sub Ic}). These requirements insure small-scale yielding (SSY) conditions at fracture, and thereby the validity of linear elastic fracture mechanics. Recently, Dodds and Anderson have proposed a less restrictive size requirement for cleavage fracture toughness measured in terms of the J-integral (J{sub c}), as given by a, b, B {ge} 200 J{sub c}/{sigma}{sub 0}. The size requirement proposed by Dodds and Anderson increases the applicability of fracture toughness experiments by expanding the range of conditions over which fracture toughness data meeting SSY conditions can be reliably measured. This investigation compares the proposed size requirement with that of ASTM Standard Test Method E399 and, by comparison with published experimental data for various alloys, provides validation of the new requirements.
Effect of anger on colon motor and myoelectric activity in irritable bowel syndrome

The present investigation was designed to study the effect of anger on colon motor and myoelectric activity in irritable bowel syndrome. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome were compared with normal controls during resting and two anger stressors: criticism of performance on an intelligence test and during a delay of assistance for a diagnostic procedure. At rest patients with irritable bowel syndrome had higher motor and spike potential activity than normal subjects; however, the difference was only significant for spike activity. Anger significantly increased colon motor and spike potential activity in the groups compared with the resting state. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome produced significantly higher motor and spike potential activity when angered. They also reported themselves to be more hostile and appeared angrier than normal controls after the study. However, they did not report themselves to be more anxious or depressed, suggesting that the observed changes in colonic function of both groups were due to anger. Patients with irritable bowel syndrome scored significantly higher than controls on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory scales of hypochondriasis, hysteria, and depression, but these personality factors did not significantly influence their anger level before the study. The results are discussed in terms of the role of learning in the colon and the abnormal reinforcement of bowel behavior in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
Combined parenteral and oral immunization results in an enhanced mucosal immunoglobulin A response to Shigella flexneri.

Achieving a vigorous secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA) response in intestinal secretions usually requires multiple doses of antigen given orally, while systemic immunity is more easily attained by parenteral immunization. This study examines the role of combined parenteral and oral immunizations to enhance the early mucosal immune response to an enteropathogen. We have used a chronically isolated intestinal-loop model in rabbits as a probe to monitor kinetically the initial (primary) local immune response to shigella lipopolysaccharide (LPS) following combinations of parenteral immunization intramuscularly (i.m.) and oral stimulation with shigellae. Predictably, effective stimulation of systemic immunity was elicited when heat-killed preparations of Shigella sp. strain X16 were given i.m., as shown by strong serum IgG and weak intestinal IgA activity to shigella LPS. A single oral dose of live Shigella sp. strain X16 given to unprimed rabbits elicited only a typical weak IgA response in intestinal secretions. However, when an i.m. dose of heat-killed shigellae was followed 1 day later by an oral dose of live Shigella sp. strain X16, a hyperstimulation of the early secretory IgA response was elicited, and the response reached levels found previously only after multiple oral administrations of live shigellae. This stimulation did not require the use of an adjuvant. At the same time, the animals receiving this combined oral and i.m. regimen had a lower IgG antishigella LPS activity in serum compared with their response after receiving parenteral antigen in adjuvant alone. These findings indicate that while a dichotomy exists between the systemic and mucosal immune responses, careful orchestration of the stimulatory events can promote a vigorous early local IgA response.
Monte Carlo Simulation for Quantitative Health Risk Analysis

Managing risky opportunities, scenarios, and decisions are the most interesting and challenging aspects of human life. But meaningful characterization of risks is elusive because it relies on information that is incomplete, imperfect, and/or variable across time, space, and populations. And, consequently, informed decision making may be compromised. Probabilistic tools such as Monte Carlo simulation have evolved by which uncertainty and variability are characterized and carried through a process of generating probabilistic estimates of risk. The goal of this article is to introduce basic tools and techniques, and some of the more common extensions practiced in the field. Keywords: Monte Carlo simulation; health risk analysis; uncertainty and variability; probabilistic simulation; Latin hypercube sampling
NIH, Kidney Research, and the Patient with Renal Disease

The first venture of the Federal government into the support of catastrophic illness for almost all Americans afflicted with a disease was made on October 30, 1972, when PL 92-603, Section 299(I), known tersely as the End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Amendment, was enacted. In 33 lines of succinctly worded public law, it was stated that “every individual who ... is medically determined to have chronic renal disease and who requires hemodialysis or renal transplantation for such disease, shall be deemed to be disabled for the purposes of coverage under parts A and B of Medicare subject to the deductible, premium, and copayment provisions of title XVIII.”1
Prediction of Transpired Turbulent Boundary Layers With Arbitrary Pressure Gradients

An integral method, using Coles combined inner and outer law as the velocity profile, is developed for calculation of turbulent boundary layers with blowing or suction and pressure gradients. The resulting ordinary differential equations are solved numerically for the distribution of skin friction coefficient and integral thickness along the surface. Comparisons of predicted skin friction coefficients with experimental data are made for a wide range of blowing and suction rates and for various pressure gradients, including adverse, zero and a strong favorable gradient. In addition to good agreement with experimental data for constant blowing fractions F, the method is also successfully tested on cases where the blowing fraction is variable with position. Predictions, in general, exhibit satisfactory agreement with the data. The integral method predictions are comparable to, or better than, a number of finite difference procedures in a limited number of cases where comparisons were made.
Use, intentions, and beliefs about hormone replacement therapy in women with and without diabetes

Abstract Objectives (1) Describe women's (a) hormone replacement therapy (HRT) use patterns, (b) intentions to use or continue to use HRT among women in the early and late stages of menopause, and (c) beliefs about using HRT and (2) compare these beliefs, patterns, and intentions between women with and without diabetes 10–12 months after news from the women's health initiative was widely publicized. Methods A survey mailed to female enrollees of a not-for-profit managed care organization (MCO) between 46 and 60 years of age and with or without diabetes. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Chi-square analysis was used to determine significant differences between four different HRT use and menopause stage groups, (1) early stage never user, (2) late stage never user, (3) late stage current user, and (4) late stage previous user. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to identify significant belief differences between the four groups. Repeated-measures ANOVA was performed to examine differences between women with and without diabetes. Results Most women did not intend to initiate HRT. About 86% of current HRT users intended to continue. Never users with diabetes were significantly more uncertain about HRT intention than non-diabetic women. All beliefs were significantly different ( p Conclusion Women in different groups hold different beliefs about HRT use. Uncertainty among women with diabetes is not resolved as quickly as among women without diabetes.
Family Allowances and Clearing Funds in France

Introduction. The background out of which family allowances have developed. — I. Family allowances to governmental employees and by firms not affiliated with clearing funds. The payment of allowances for children of governmental employees, 252.—The adoption of this system by local governments, 253. — Family allowances on the railroads, 254. — Coal mines, 255. — II. The growth of clearing funds. — The beginnings of the clearing-fund movement in Grenoble, 257. — Extraordinary growth during 1920, 259. — Extent and scope of clearing funds, 260. — III. Allowances granted under the clearing funds. — Types of allowances given and amounts, 264. — Development of home visiting and social work, 265. — Degree to which allowances are adequate to meet extra expense occasioned by children, 267. — Ratio of allowances to pay-roll, 268. — IV. Further features of allowances, 269. — Rules concerning eligibility of worker and child for benefit, 270. — Practice as regards absenteeism, short time, and unemployment, 271. — V. Structure of the funds. — Trade vs. regional funds, 273. — Reasons for each, 274. — Tendency for regional funds to subdivide into federations of trade funds, 274. — Methods of allocating contributions to be made by the employers, 275. — Payment of allowances by firms or by funds, 280. — Payment to father vs. payment to mother, 281. — VI. The Bokanowski proposal, 284. — Sweeping features of proposed law, 285. — Opposition of employers prevented its enactment, 285. — The system imposed, however, on contractors for State work, 286. — State assistance to large families, 287. — VII. Why employers have introduced the system, 288. — Desire to avoid wage increases for all employees paramount reason, 289. — Attitude of trade unionists at first hostile, but has recently been modified, 292. — Organized labor wants to change system, not abolish it, 293.
Convex crystal x-ray spectrometer for laser plasma experiments

Measuring time and space-resolved spectra is important for understanding Hohlraum and Halfraum plasmas. Experiments at the OMEGA laser have used the Nova TSPEC which was not optimized for the OMEGA diagnostic space envelope or for the needed spectroscopic coverage and resolution. An improved multipurpose spectrometer snout, the MSPEC, has been constructed and fielded on OMEGA. The MSPEC provides the maximal internal volume for mounting crystals without any beam interferences at either 2× or 3× magnification. The RAP crystal is in a convex mounting geometry bent to a 20 cm radius of curvature. The spectral resolution, E/dE, is about 200 at 2.5 keV. The spectral coverage is 2 to 4.5 keV. The MSPEC can record four separate spectra on the framing camera at time intervals of up to several ns. The spectrometer design and initial field-test performance will be presented and compared to that of the TSPEC.
Pediatric critical care management of septic shock prior to acute kidney injury and renal replacement therapy.

Summary A high index of suspicion for bacterial sepsis and recognition of the potential for rapid deterioration is essential for impacting patient outcome. Meningococcemia produces a stereotypical clinical and biochemical constellation of profound septic shock and purpura fulminans with marked inflammatory disturbance and a complex disruption of coagulation. Meningococcal infections preferentially affect infants and young children, but adolescents are also at risk. Aggressive fluid resuscitation, hemodynamic management, and clinical monitoring are based on understanding of pathophysiologic disturbances typical of the pediatric cardiovascular response and guided by evidence-based guidelines. Appropriate antibiotic choice is important, and corticosteroid use may be beneficial. A variety of efforts to manipulate the coagulation abnormalities may be considered, although evidence is lacking. Extracorporeal support remains a consideration both for the failing cardiorespiratory systems but also potentially for the use of plasma exchange. A team approach between the intensivist and subspecialist is important in managing the frequent multiorgan complications seen with meningococcemia.
(18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET imaging of coronary atherosclerosis and plaque inflammation.

The emphasis of current cardiovascular imaging modalities is on the anatomic detection of coronary artery luminal narrowing. However, in the clinical setting, vulnerable plaques that are not flow limiting may account for the majority of cardiovascular events. Thus, the pursuit for developing noninvasive imaging techniques that target vulnerable plaques is a laudable goal. Recent studies have demonstrated the clinical feasibility of direct visualization and characterization of coronary and carotid artery plaques with 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography imaging. In experimental studies, the intensity of FDG uptake has been shown to correlate with macrophage density and inflammatory state of plaques. Vascular plaque FDG uptake has been linked to cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction and stroke. Anti-inflammatory drugs and statins have been shown to attenuate FDG uptake in plaques. Thus, the identification of FDG uptake in vascular plaques may have important clinical implications for predicting and preventing future cardiovascular events.
Achieving Network Availability in a Multilayered Protocol Environment

The software/hardware is available now to quickly construct very large networks. These networks contain various layers of connectivity with the possibility of different vendors providing each layer. Each layer may have its own means of operator management and control. The growth of these networks is starting to outstrip the ability of network operators to effectively recognize and attack problems. Future networking with independent microcomputers provide even fewer tools for network support personnel. What should network management software provide the operator in a multilayered multivendor environment, and what role do network protocols play in solving the problems they created? The author will he expressing his own opinion based on his experience with a large IBM SNA network (28 hosts) connected through a privately owned X.25 network.
Cardiac Rehabilitation and Secondary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease

Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States among men and women.1 It is also a major cause of physical disability, particularly in the rapidly growing population of elderly persons.2,3 In 1997, acute myocardial infarction was diagnosed in 1.1 million Americans, and 800,000 patients underwent coronary revascularization.1 The prevention of subsequent coronary events and the maintenance of physical functioning in such patients are major challenges in preventive care. Cardiac-rehabilitation programs were first developed in the 1960s,4–6 once the benefits of ambulation during prolonged hospitalization for coronary events had been recognized.7 After discharge from . . .