cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Time-Dependent Dielectric Breakdown (TDDB) and Future Directions

More and more attention has been devoted to the thermal and electrical stability of metal–dielectric interfaces in microelectronic devices. One of the major driving forces is the need to understand the mechanisms of dielectric breakdown with different metal–dielectric interfaces. A dielectric will always break down under severe stress, but an unstable metal–dielectric interface will generally cause an early breakdown and thereby shorten the dielectric lifetime. Therefore, it is important to understand the link behind dielectric degradation and interface stability in order to accurately estimate the operating lifetime of electronic devices. Here we will discuss some of the proposed mechanisms regarding this issue, and correlate them with the thermal and electrical stability results of the interfaces presented in the previous chapters.
Risk factors associated with metastatic site failure in patients with high-risk neuroblastoma.

10557Background: This retrospective study sought to identify predictors of metastatic site failure (MSF) in patients with high-risk (HR) neuroblastoma (NB). Methods: Seventy-six patients with HR NB...
Novel ODU4 Path Protection Without Bit Disruption for Low Latency and Resilient Core/Metro Network

We demonstrate novel 100Gbit/s ODU4 path switching without bit disruption at relative delay difference up to 400 km experimentally. We confirmed ITU-T standard-compliant jitter characteristic and applicability for core and metro network by evaluating accommodation rate in European network.
A Hybrid Approach Enabling Large-Scale Glycomic Analysis of Post-Golgi Vesicles Reveals a Transport Route for Polysaccharides

The plant endomembrane system facilitates the transport of polysaccharides, associated enzymes, and glycoproteins through its dynamic pathways. Although enzymes involved in cell wall biosynthesis have been identified, little is known about the endomembrane-based transport of glycan components. This is partially attributed to technical challenges in biochemically determining polysaccharide cargo in specific vesicles. Here, we introduce a hybrid approach addressing this limitation. By combining vesicle isolation with a large-scale carbohydrate antibody arraying technique, we charted an initial large-scale map describing the glycome profile of the SYNTAXIN OF PLANTS61 (SYP61) trans-Golgi network compartment in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana). A library of antibodies recognizing specific noncellulosic carbohydrate epitopes allowed us to identify a range of diverse glycans, including pectins, xyloglucans (XyGs), and arabinogalactan proteins in isolated vesicles. Changes in XyG- and pectin-specific epitopes in the cell wall of an Arabidopsis SYP61 mutant corroborate our findings. Our data provide evidence that SYP61 vesicles are involved in the transport and deposition of structural polysaccharides and glycoproteins. Adaptation of our methodology can enable studies characterizing the glycome profiles of various vesicle populations in plant and animal systems and their respective roles in glycan transport defined by subcellular markers, developmental stages, or environmental stimuli.
Epistemic Labor and the Power in (Fat) Identity: Three Fat Archetypes as Experienced in the Local Bar, the Streets, and Other Public Places

In this paper we utilize standpoint theory to analyze our lived experiences as fat womxn and organizers and use our experiences as fat womxn to contribute to our understandings of standpoint theory...
New Challenges and Driving Forces of Innovational Development of the Russian AIC in the Conditions of the EAEU

Purpose: The purpose of the work is to determine new challenges and driving forces of innovational development of the Russian AIC in the conditions of the EAEU and to develop a conceptual approach to implementing the investment and innovational projects by modern Russian companies of the AIC. Methodology: The authors use the method of systemic, problem, and logical analysis and synthesis, induction, deduction, economic modeling, and formalization. Results: New challenges of innovational development of the Russian AIC in the conditions of the EAEU are determined: growth of competition of R&D institutes in the AIC, growth of competition of manufacturers in the AIC, necessity for observing the regulations during R&D in the AIC, and growth of competition of sellers in the AIC. New driving forces of innovational development of the Russian AIC in the conditions of the EAEU are determined: innovational networks, technological parks in the AIC, transnational clusters in the AIC, state support for R&D in the AIC by all countries of the EAEU, and export of products of the AIC to the countries of the EAEU. Recommendations: It is substantiated that in the conditions of the EAEU companies of the Russian AIC face new challenges and receive new driving forces for innovational development. The offered conceptual approach to implementation of investment and innovational projects by modern Russian companies of the AIC allows for the most effective usage of the possibilities of the EAEU and for maximization of advantages of all interested parties, which—in the national scale—will ensure growth of competitiveness of the Russian AIC, provision of national food security, and increase of export.
A Generated 7GS/s 8b Time-Interleaved SAR ADC with 38.2dB SNDR at Nyquist in 16nm CMOS FinFET

This paper presents a 7GS/s 8-bit time-interleaved SAR ADC instance produced from a generator-based design flow in a 16nm CMOS FinFET technology. Design techniques such as cross-coupled routing and clock delay modulation are utilized for compatibility with a FinFET process. The time-interleaved SAR ADC layout is automatically generated by placing templates and wires on a grid to abstract design rules. The generated ADC instance with digital calibration achieves 38.2dB SNDR, 97.2fJ/conv-step Walden Figure-of-Merit (FoMW), and 150.6dB Schreier Figure-of-Merit (FoMS), consuming 45.2mW from a 0.95V analog supply and a 0.72V digital supply, and occupying 0.157mm2.
Impact of Intramolecular Hydrogen Bonding on the Reactivity of Cupric Superoxide Complexes with O-H and C-H Substrates.

The dioxygen reactivity of a series of TMPA-based copper(I) complexes (TMPA=tris(2-pyridylmethyl)amine), with and without secondary-coordination-sphere hydrogen-bonding moieties, was studied at -135 °C in 2-methyltetrahydrofuran (MeTHF). Kinetic stabilization of the H-bonded [( (X1)(X2) TMPA)CuII (O2.- )]+ cupric superoxide species was achieved, and they were characterized by resonance Raman (rR) spectroscopy. The structures and physical properties of [( (X1)(X2) TMPA)CuII (N3- )]+ azido analogues were compared, and the O2.- reactivity of ligand-CuI complexes when an H-bonding moiety is replaced by a methyl group was contrasted. A drastic enhancement in the reactivity of the cupric superoxide towards phenolic substrates as well as oxidation of substrates possessing moderate C-H bond-dissociation energies is observed, correlating with the number and strength of the H-bonding groups.
#MedToo: A Large-Scale Examination of the Incidence and Impact of Sexual Harassment of Physicians and Other Faculty at an Academic Medical Center.

Background: A landmark National Academies report highlighted the need for rigorous evaluation of sexual harassment in medicine. We examined the prevalence and impact of sexual harassment using the ...
Stringent response regulators (p)ppGpp and DksA positively regulate virulence and host adaptation of Xanthomonas citri.

The bacterial stringent response is a response to nutrition deprivation and other stress conditions. In Gram-negative bacteria, this process is mediated by the small signal molecules guanosine pentaphosphate pppGpp and guanosine tetraphosphate ppGpp (collectively referred to as (p)ppGpp), and the RNA polymerase-binding transcription factor DksA. The (p)ppGpp synthetase RelA and the bifunctional (p)ppGpp synthase/hydrolase SpoT are responsible for cellular (p)ppGpp levels. Here, we investigated the roles of DksA and (p)ppGpp in the virulence traits of Xanthomonas citri subsp. citri (Xcc), the causal agent of citrus canker. ΔdksA and (p)ppGpp-deficient ΔspoTΔrelA strains caused reduced virulence and compromised growth in host plants, indicating that DksA and (p)ppGpp are required for full virulence of Xcc. To characterize the effect of stringent response regulators on gene expression, RNA-seq was conducted using ΔdksA and ΔspoTΔrelA mutant strains grown in hrp-inducing XVM2 medium. Transcriptome analyses showed that DksA and (p)ppGpp repressed the expression of genes encoding tRNAs, ribosome proteins, iron acquisition and flagellum assembly, and enhanced the expression of genes for histidine metabolism, type 3 secretion system (T3SS), type 2 secretion system (T2SS) and TonB-dependent transporters. Phenotypically, the ΔdksA and ΔspoTΔrelA strains displayed altered motility, enhanced siderophore production and were unable to cause the hypersensitive response on non-host plants. In conclusion, stringent response regulators DksA and (p)ppGpp play an important role in virulence, nutrition uptake and host adaptation of Xcc.
Vasculitis in Sjögren's syndrome

Abstract Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is a chronic autoimmune rheumatic disease characterized by lymphocytic infiltration of the exocrine glands and sicca symptoms. In SS a variety of extraglandular manifestations may develop, and vasculitis is one of its most serious complications. Vasculitis in SS typically involves small- and medium-sized vessels. The skin and peripheral nervous system are most commonly affected. Vasculitis in SS is a marker of disease severity and often represents a poor prognostic factor, especially when associated with cryoglobulinemia ( Ramos-Casals et al., 2012 ). Clinical manifestations and treatments are similar to those in other autoimmune rheumatic diseases.
Probing the Theoretical Ultimate Limit of Coaxial Cable Sensing: Measuring Nanometer-Scale Displacements

Open-ended coaxial probes have been widely explored and commercialized for dielectric spectroscopy at microwave frequencies over the past decades. The working principle of the probes relies on the dependence of the fringing field on the complex permittivity of the material in front of the open end. In this article, inspired by the optical fiber extrinsic Fabry–Perot interferometer, we propose a novel sensing scheme based on an open-ended hollow coaxial cable resonator (OE-HCCR). The resonator is constructed using two reflectors along the coaxial line. The first reflector is a metal post at the RF input end, shorting the inner and outer conductors. The second reflector is the open end, where a metal plate is placed parallel and near the open end. The resonance frequency of the open-ended coaxial resonator depends strongly on the gap distance between the metal plate and the open end of the coaxial cable, due to the modulation of the phase of the reflection coefficient that characterizes the open end. Thus, by correlating the resonance frequency to the gap distance between the metal plate and the open end (or the movement of the metal plate), the OE-HCCR can be used as a displacement sensor device. Importantly, the displacement measurement resolution of the OE-HCCR is three orders of magnitude greater than that of the existing coaxial-cable-based displacement sensors within a certain dynamic range (~0.11 mm), affording a resolution that is comparable to fiber-optic sensors. The mathematical model of the OE-HCCR is discussed in detail, followed by a proof of concept for displacement measurements. The novel OE-HCCR device is suitable for sensing applications in harsh environments and will advance the field of physical/chemical sensing.
Chapter 14 – Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

Only a small fraction of drugs (approximately 50) out of over 3,000 prescription drugs require therapeutic drug monitoring; usually 20–30 drugs are routinely monitored in most hospital laboratories. Immunoassays are available for monitoring 26 drugs, while for monitoring less frequently ordered drugs, chromatographic techniques must be used. Usually therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is conducted using a trough specimen, although for TDM of vancomycin and aminoglycosides both peak and trough monitoring may be necessary. TDM must be conducted after a drug reaches its steady state (which requires approximately five half-lives). This chapter will address frequently and less frequently monitored drugs along with basic pharmacokinetics.
Most Often, What Is Transmitted Is Transformed

This short interlude prompts reflection on the transformations involved in data mobilization through a vivid discussion of the changing circumstances of the visualization of data about family histories of mental illness – and their interpretation in relation to questions around inheritability and underpinning biological causes – through graphs and tables produced between the mid-nineteenth century and the early twentieth century.
The Value of Preoperative Speech-Language Pathology Counseling for Candidates for Cochlear Implants

Purpose This article identifies benefits of pre-operative counseling as part of an aural rehabilitation assessment with a speech-language pathologist as part of adult candidacy for cochlear implant...
Ink formulation for organic photovoltaic active layers using non-halogenated main solvent for blade coating process

Abstract Large area processing of organic photovoltaic cells and modules is a key step towards commercialization. At the same time, the scale-up of fabrication entails careful evaluation and selection of solvents, and optimization of processing parameters. It has been proven that using proper processing additives in polymer:PCBM bulk-heterojunction solution is one of the most effective strategies to improve the performance of organic photovoltaic cells. Here we report a new transition solvent strategy of using non-halogenated solvents to fabricate PDTSTPD: PC71BM based active layers. This strategy uses a combination of miscible good main solvent such as 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene and coadditives such as diphenyl ether (DPE) and 1-methylnaphtalene (MeN) for middle molecular weight PDTSTPD, or 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO) and MeN for high molecular weight PDTSTPD to tune the nano-scale morphology of the active layer during the film drying process. Inverted organic photovoltaic cells with an active area of 1cm2 on PET substrate fabricated by a blade coating process using the formulated ink have demonstrated a power conversion efficiency up to 5 %.
Oxy-RVAD support for lung transplant in the absence of inferior vena cava

Cardiopulmonary bypass and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation are commonly used adjuncts to lung transplantation. These techniques are not without associated morbidity and mortality, and the surgeon must be aware of the possibility of aberrant anatomy that could lead to vascular injury during cannulation. In this report, we describe a patient with congenital absence of the inferior vena cava undergoing lung transplantation who required perioperative cardiopulmonary support. A percutaneous dual lumen cannula, Protek Duo, was connected in an Oxy-RVAD configuration to provide right ventricular and oxygenation support both intraoperatively and postoperatively to this patient.
Greenbacks, Green Banks, and Greenwashing via LEED: Assessing Banks' Performance in Sustainable Construction

A number of large banks have widely publicized their construction of green office buildings. While green building is a worthy endeavor, regardless of the banks' rationale for touting their involvem...
The success of crowdfunding projects: technology, globalization, and geographic distance

We explore the implications of geographic distance between founders and backers for reward-based crowdfunding. We argue that the development of crowdfunding platforms in the past decade has expande...
Microstrategy Incorporated: Pipe

In mid-June 2000, MicroStrategy CEO Michael Saylor is considering an investment of $125 million of convertible preferred stock in his firm by a group of private investors including Citadel Investment Group LLC. The offer comes at a difficult time for the company, because only three months earlier, its stock had reached a record price of $300 per share. At that point, the company had registered a $1 billion seasoned equity offering. Shortly thereafter, the company was forced to restate its earnings after running afoul of the SEC for its revenue-recognition practices. Although the restatement did not change the company's cash-flow position, it did result in an SEC investigation and the cancellation of the stock offering. In order to meet Saylor's ambitious plans for MicroStrategy, additional funding must be obtained. With public-market funding sources shut off, students must evaluate what the best course of action is for the firm at this moment. Students are asked to evaluate a new form of venture financing called private investments in public enterprises (PIPE). PIPEs differ from conventional floating-rate convertibles in that the conversion price in most cases can only be adjusted downward. The case considers both the pros and cons of these investments. Excerpt UVA-F-1368 Rev. Dec. 20, 2010 MICROSTRATEGY INCORPORATED: PIPE I just hope I don't get up one day and have to look at myself in the mirror and say: “You had $ 15 billion and you blew it all. There's the guy who flushed $ 15 billion down the toilet.” —Michael Saylor in the New Yorker, April 2000 In the middle of June 2000, Michael Saylor sat in his office thinking about an investment proposal that his company—MicroStrategy—had just received from a private investment group. The group, made up of Citadel Investment Group, Promethean Asset Management LLC, and Angelo, Gordon & Co., had offered to invest $ 125 million in MicroStrategy in the form of a floating-rate convertible bond. This investment constituted a new type of venture investing called private investment in public enterprises (PIPE). While Saylor welcomed the offer, he was concerned that the terms of the deal might put downward pressure on MicroStrategy's stock at the expense of existing shareholders and himself, as owner of 57% of the outstanding shares. . . .
How human factors and ergonomics save lives.

Abstract This work is directed to an understanding as to how the knowledge of, and the application of human factors and ergonomics (HF/E) can save lives. To achieve this, the paper features an assessment of the achievements of one particular scientist, Neville Anthony Stanton, and how his body of contributions has impacted the realm of ground transportation and, in particular, driver behavior assessment. On the widest scale, it is objectively and obviously the case that Stanton is one of the most fecund scientists of our discipline ever. His impact is evident globally and results not simply from the sum total of his written and published works but through an extensive record of international scientific presentations, mutual investigative collaborations across the globe, and mentoring at all levels of the Academy and beyond. As well as mastering and elucidating the HF/E dimensions of a number of content domains, he has generated vital, and even unique tools and methods through which we can explore and understand the problem space of HF/E. Placing those attainments in context permits us a wider window upon how the discipline itself exerts practical and positive influences across the wide swath of real-world systems.
Waste that is not high-level

If high-level waste by definition is restricted to spent fuel rods and the liquid and solid materials that can be directly derived from them, low-level waste (LLW) becomes a wastebasket term that includes all other varieties. The definition of LLW and its many kinds varies from country to country and also from time to time, as governmental bodies revise their regulations about managing different varieties of waste. Most LLW contains very little radioactivity. Some has substantial concentrations, and is often designated ‘medium-level’ (MLW) or ‘intermediate-level’ (ILW), but these terms have no generally accepted definition. In the United States two varieties of the non-high-level waste are singled out for special consideration: transuranic or TRU waste, which is material containing appreciable amounts of the heavy actinide elements (chiefly Np, Pu, Am), most of which is generated during the production and handling of plutonium for military purposes; and the waste or ‘tailings’ from the mining and milling of uranium ore, which has accumulated in large quantities at the many mill sites in the western part of the country. In Europe, medium-level waste is commonly distinguished from LLW on the basis of radioactive content, the definitions varying from country to country; and MLW is subdivided into varieties that do or do not contain transuranic elements.
A note on spatial and temporal price and allocation modeling: Quadratic programming or linear complementary programming?

Abstract This paper presents a clarification of the specific conditions under which the linear complementary programming (LCP) formulation, instead of the quadratic programming (QP) formulation, is applicable in such areas as spatial and temporal price and allocation modeling. An important condition for the use of the LCP formulation is that the coefficient matrix of the demand and/or supply functions is asymmetric. Dynamic formulations can be treated as a LCP but it is demonstrated that the problem can be reformulated in a standard QP format.
Chromosome activity and cell function in polytenic cells. I. Protein synthesis at various stages of larval development.

Abstract RNA synthesis in the salivary glands of Chironomus tentans decreased to about 5% of controls within less than 1 h in larvae treated with actinomycin. In older intermolt larvae glandular protein synthesis continued at a similar rate as before addition of the drug even after RNA synthesis had been inhibited for 24, and for 48 h. Increases in protein synthesis during the experiment were blocked by actinomycin. However, the enhanced rates of protein synthesis again were maintained for at least 24 h, if RNA synthesis was inhibited subsequently. The incorporation of amino acids was completely blocked by inhibitors of protein synthesis, such as cycloheximide and puromycin. During the first day of the last larval instar (the RH-stage) the rate of amino acid incorporation increased about 1 1 2 - to 2-fold. The rate of protein synthesis in RH-larvae which had been treated for 24 h with actinomycin was about 50% of the rate in timed controls, and 60 to 80% of the rate before application of the drug. The degree of inhibition was positively correlated with the relative rate of amino acid incorporation. RH-larvae aged for 6 h showed a higher degree of inhibition than non-aged RH-larvae. The actinomycin-sensitivity of protein synthesis, thus, seems to change during the early stages of the last instar. The rate of protein synthesis did not decrease beyond its level at 24 h in actinomycin, if the treatment was prolonged to 48 h. In 24 or 48 h old larvae protein synthesis was no longer sensitive to actinomycin. Injection of ecdysone into older intermolt larvae increased the rate of glandular protein synthesis, and this effect was prevented by actinomycin. In view of the large variation encountered, no attempts were made to determine the dependence of this protein synthesis on continued RNA synthesis. The results are interpreted in terms of mRNA-stability. Accordingly, it is concluded that glandular protein synthesis is essentially supported by stable mRNA during the last instar. At its beginning however, there is a transient period where protein synthesis is supported by unstable RNA. This pattern of changing stability of RNA is discussed with regard to chromosomal puff activity and to the developmental programming of the cells.
New Estimates of the Value of a Statistical Life Using Air Bag Regulations as a Quasi-Experiment

Due to Federal regulations, automobile air bag availability was a model-specific discontinuous function of model year for used vehicles in the 1990s and early 2000s. We use these discontinuities and the gradual increase in the supply of air bags to trace out the demand curve for air bags and the implied distribution of the Value of a Statistical Life (VSL) across consumers. While imprecise, our preferred point estimates indicate that the median VSL is between $7 million and $13 million, but that a sizable portion of consumers placed negative values on air bags, probably due to distrust of the technology.
Incremental machine learning to reduce biochemistry lab costs in the search for drug discovery

This paper promotes the use of supervised machine learning in laboratory settings where chemists have a large number of samples to test for some property, and are interested in identifying as many positive instances for the least laboratory testing effort. Rather than traditional supervised learning where the chemists would first develop a large training set and then train a classifier, the paper promotes incrementally re-training from each lab test as it completes and then predicting the next best sample to test, as in the field of reinforcement learning. The method outperformed the 2001 KDD Cup thrombin competition winner, partly due to its reduced risk to concept drift from training set to test set.
Diagnosis and Treatment of Smoke Inhalation

Inhalation remains the most frequent and serious comorbid event that occurs in thermally injured patients. A thorough understanding of the pathophysiology enables individualization of therapy and appropriate triage of patients. We summarize our current knowledge of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of inhalation injury, with a focus on newer treatment strategies that are evolving secondary to laboratory research.
Mathematical Modeling of Vertebrate Limb Development

Vertebrate limb development is a model system in developmental biology for the study of tissue growth, pattern formation and differentiation. This paper gives an overview of the development process and experimental results as well as a description of several modeling approaches. In addition, a new model is described. This model incorporates both outgrowth due to growth as well as the production and transport of signaling molecules produced in specialized regions of the limb. Results are shown from several example simulations. These demonstrate the model’s ability to predict key phenomena described in the experimental literature for normal and experimentally manipulated embryos.
Monte Carlo simulation of uncertainties in epidemiological studies: an example of false-positive findings due to misclassification

The 95% confidence intervals for the risk ratios (RR) reported in epidemiological studies reflect only sampling errors and do not include uncertainty caused by misclassification and confounding. Analysis of uncertainties in epidemiological studies can be improved using Monte Carlo simulations. For case-control studies, we show how differential misclassification of exposure status increases the probability of getting a statistically significant positive result. The misclassification error is relatively more important when several studies are pooled together. Simulations enable the uncertainties in epidemiologic results to be reported similarly to natural science where systematic and statistical uncertainties are carefully combined. We illustrate this by showing how false positives can result from misclassification.
AN EVALUATION OF GEOGRAPHICALLY TARGETED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS IN OHIO

Despite the continued popularity of spatially targeted industrial incentives with policymakers, a growing body of scholarship assessing outcomes associated with these policies has called their effe...
Effects of microscopic and macroscopic viscosity on the rate of renaturation of DNA

The effect of solvent viscosity on DNA renaturation rates has been investigated as a function of temperature for a number of solvent systems. The results are all consistent with a microscopic viscosity limitation of the rate determining step. Rates of renaturation in perchlorate and quaternary ammonium salt solutions are also discussed. Increasing the macroscopic viscosity with dissolved neutral or anionic polymers increases, rather than decreases, renaturation rates due to the excluded volume of the dissolved polymers.
Comparative analysis of compact heat exchangers for application as the intermediate heat exchanger for advanced nuclear reactors

Abstract A comparative evaluation of alternative compact heat exchanger designs for use as the intermediate heat exchanger in advanced nuclear reactor systems is presented in this article. Candidate heat exchangers investigated included the Printed circuit heat exchanger (PCHE) and offset strip-fin heat exchanger (OSFHE). Both these heat exchangers offer high surface area to volume ratio (a measure of compactness [m2/m3]), high thermal effectiveness, and overall low pressure drop. Helium–helium heat exchanger designs for different heat exchanger types were developed for a 600 MW thermal advanced nuclear reactor. The wavy channel PCHE with a 15° pitch angle was found to offer optimum combination of heat transfer coefficient, compactness and pressure drop as compared to other alternatives. The principles of the comparative analysis presented here will be useful for heat exchanger evaluations in other applications as well.
The USA and the 1985 space WARC

Abstract This article considers the US policy objectives at the forthcoming WARC-ORB 85 Conference, and argues that with US willingness to modify its position the Conference seems for the first time to provide a good basis for a dialogue between the USA and those countries that feel the existing system is not equitable. Two main problems still need to be considered: the role of common user organizations such as INTELSAT, and the relationship between the Federal Communications Commission and other actors involved in the US international telecommunication decision-making process. Failure to reach agreement at the conference could lead to the USA being the country which suffers most.
Studies on poly(A) sequences associated with regenerating liver RNA

Abstract The labeling of the poly(A) sequences contained in liver nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA was measured in rats previously injected with [ 3 H]adenosine or [ 3 2 P]phosphoric acid. Purification of 3 2 P-labeled RNA with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) was essential for reliable estimations of poly(A) labeling. The labeling of poly(A) sequences in regenerating liver was examined in relation to that of (1) total nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA and (2) nuclear and cytoplasmic RNA species which anneal with repetitive sequences in rat DNA. Our results suggest that although poly(A) sequences may participate in some essential steps of RNA metabolism in cell nuclei these functions are not responsible for the changes in RNA metabolism that have been detected during liver regeneration. Since alterations in the labeling of poly(A) sequences contained in cytoplasmic RNA were found in regenerating livers it is possible that these sequences may participate in an essential process in the cell cytoplasm.
Profiling of a prescription drug library for potential renal drug-drug interactions mediated by the organic cation transporter 2

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are major causes of serious adverse drug reactions. Most DDIs have a pharmacokinetic basis in which one drug reduces the elimination of a second drug, leading to potentially toxic drug levels. As a major organ of drug elimination, the kidney represents an important site for DDIs. Here, we screened a prescription drug library against the renal organic cation transporter OCT2/SLC22A2, which mediates the first step in the renal secretion of many cationic drugs. Of the 910 compounds screened, 244 inhibited OCT2. Computational analyses revealed key properties of inhibitors versus noninhibitors, which included overall molecular charge. Four of six potential clinical inhibitors were transporter-selective in follow-up screens against additional transporters: OCT1/SLC22A1, MATE1/SLC47A1, and MATE2-K/SLC47A2. Two compounds showed different kinetics of interaction with the common polymorphism OCT2-A270S, suggesting a role of genetics in modulating renal DDIs.
SERCA2a Gene Therapy for the Prevention of Sudden Cardiac Death: A Future "Theranostic" for Heart Failure?

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is a common cause of mortality, with an annual incidence in the United States ranging from 180 000 to 450 000 cases annually.1 Given the frequency and gravity of SCD, there has been considerable effort directed toward decreasing the burden of SCD.2 Most of these efforts have focused on those at highest risk for SCD: (1) patients with heart failure (HF), specifically those with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF); and (2) patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction and have reduced EF.2 However, although these groups of patients have the highest rate of SCD, the absolute number of SCDs in patients with overt left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction pales in comparison with the number of SCDs that occur in the general population.3 Many SCD events in the general population likely occur in asymptomatic individuals who have cardiac structural or functional abnormalities, otherwise known as Stage B (subclinical) HF. For example, previous studies have found that structural heart disease (eg, increased LV mass4) without overt LV systolic dysfunction or HF is associated with increased risk of SCD. Article see p 2095 Cardiac remodeling or abnormal myocardial function, which can be associated with electrophysiological dysfunction,5 often predate the development of overt clinical HF. Abnormal electromechanical coupling is likely a common risk factor that predisposes both Stage B (asymptomatic) and Stage C (symptomatic) HF to an increased risk of SCD. For example, hypertension not only leads to LV hypertrophy, but also causes increased myocyte stress, which results in abnormal calcium (Ca 2+ ) handling within the cell and initially gives rise to subtle, subclinical myocardial dysfunction (eg, reduced longitudinal systolic strain), which can only be detected by sensitive imaging modalities (eg, speckle tracking echocardiography6). Ultimately, however, overt cardiac dysfunction occurs and eventually symptomatic HF …
The Role of Classroom Conduct in the Promotion and Retention of Elementary School Children

A group of elementary-school students, who were repeating the current grade, was matched for report card grades in academic subjects with a group that had been promoted. When their report card marks for behavior were compared, the girl repeaters had significantly more disruptive classroom conduct than the promoted girls. The two groups of boys did not differ in conduct. Teachers appear to decide whether or not to promote girls partly on the basis of their behavior and not just on their achievement.
Meningeal involvement in IgD myeloma with cerebrospinal fluid paraprotein analysis

Myelomatous meningitis is a rare occurrence in multiple myeloma. We report 2 cases of documented IgD myeloma with cytologic evidence of meningeal involvement in 1 and detailed paraprotein analysis in both. The occurrence of meningeal involvement in this rare form of plasma cell neoplasm may be more common than previously thought.
Animal Activity and Visitor Learning at the Zoo

ABSTRACTThis study investigated the effect animal activity had on information visitors attended to at three bear exhibits. Attention was used as an indirect measure of what information visitors are consciously processing, or learning. It was hypothesized that visitors would be more likely to attend to specific information about animal behavior when bears were active rather than when inactive or out of sight. Visitor conversations were recorded during observations of polar, sloth and spectacled bears. Conversation was coded according to its content (animal-directed, human-focused, behavior, other) and to the corresponding behavior of the bear (active, inactive, pacing, not visible). The energy level of the activity was also considered. The hypothesis was supported for the polar bears, but less so for the other two bears. Behavior conversation was highest and human-directed conversation was lowest in the presence of highly animated polar bears. Behavior content was limited in the presence of the less animat...
Facility requirements for cockpit traffic display research

It is pointed out that much research is being conducted regarding the use of a cockpit display of traffic information (CDTI) for safe and efficient air traffic flow. A CDTI is a graphic display which shows the pilot the position of other aircraft relative to his or her aircraft. The present investigation is concerned with the facility requirements for the CDTI research. The facilities currently used for this research vary in fidelity from one CDTI-equipped simulator with computer-generated traffic, to four simulators with autopilot-like controls, all having a CDTI. Three groups of subjects were employed in the conducted study. Each of the groups included one controller, and three airline and four general aviation pilots.
Echocardiographic anatomy of the mitral valve: a critical appraisal of 2-dimensional imaging protocols with a 3-dimensional perspective

Objective To highlight the limitations of traditional 2-dimensional (2D) echocardiographic mitral valve (MV) examination methodologies, which do not account for patient-specific transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE) probe adjustments made during an actual clinical perioperative TEE examination. Design Institutional quality-improvement project. Setting Tertiary care hospital. Participants Attending anesthesiologists certified by the National Board of Echocardiography. Intervention Using the technique of multiplanar reformatting with 3-dimensional (3D) data, ambiguous 2D images of the MV were generated, which resembled standard midesophageal 2D views. Based on the 3D image, the MV scallops visualized in each 2D image were recognized exactly by the position of the scan plane. Twenty-three such 2D MV images were created in a presentation from the 3D datasets. Anesthesia staff members (n = 13) were invited to view the presentation based on the 2D images only and asked to identify the MV scallops. Their responses were scored as correct or incorrect based on the 3D image. Methods and Main Results The overall accuracy was 30.4% in identifying the MV scallops. The transcommissural view was identified correctly >90% of the time. The accuracy of the identification of A1, A3, P1, and P3 scallops was Conclusion In the absence of information on TEE probe adjustments performed to acquire a specific MV image, it is possible to misidentify the scallops.
Local electronic structure of LiFePO4 nanoparticles in aged Li-ion batteries

Abstract The advanced LiFePO4 cathode based Li-ion batteries have shown potential for applications in electrification of automobiles. The rate capabilities of these batteries have been improved by the development of LiFePO4 nanoparticles. Here the effect of aging of Li-ion batteries on the local electronic structure of these LiFePO4 nanoparticles has been investigated with high resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy imaging. The local compositional changes within particles from unaged and aged batteries have been measured from electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) on these LiFePO4 nanoparticles. Further, the Z + 1 approximation within the density functional theory (DFT) framework has been employed to theoretically compute the energy loss near edge structure of LiFePO4. The measured EELS spectra are compared with the computed O K edge and Fe L2,3 edge to understand the loss of active Li from the host LiFePO4 structure in the aged battery, which corresponds to loss of capacity of the battery.
A Weiszfeld algorithm for the solution of an asymmetric extension of the generalized Fermat location problem

The Generalized Fermat Problem (in the plane) is: given n>=3 destination points find the point [email protected]?^* which minimizes the sum of Euclidean distances from [email protected]?^* to each of the destination points.The Weiszfeld iterative algorithm for this problem is globally convergent, independent of the initial guess. Also, a test is available, [email protected]? priori, to determine when [email protected]?^* a destination point. This paper generalizes earlier work by the first author by introducing an asymmetric Euclidean distance in which, at each destination, the x-component is weighted differently from the y-component. A Weiszfeld algorithm is studied to compute [email protected]?^* and is shown to be a descent method which is globally convergent (except possibly for a denumerable number of starting points). Local convergence properties are characterized. When [email protected]?^* is not a destination point the iteration matrix at [email protected]?^* is shown to be convergent and local convergence is always linear. When [email protected]?^* is a destination point, local convergence can be linear, sub-linear or super-linear, depending upon a computable criterion. A test, which does not require iteration, for [email protected]?^* to be a destination, is derived. Comparisons are made between the symmetric and asymmetric problems. Numerical examples are given.
Neighborhood-level stressors, social support, and diurnal patterns of cortisol: the Chicago Community Adult Health Study.

Neighborhood disadvantage has consistently been linked to increased rates of morbidity and mortality, but the mechanisms through which neighborhood environments may get “under the skin” remain largely unknown. Differential exposure to chronic environmental stressors has been identified as a potential pathway linking neighborhood disadvantage and poor health, particularly through the dysregulation of stress-related biological pathways such as cortisol secretion, but the majority of existing observational studies on stress and neuroendocrine functioning have focused exclusively on individual-level stressors and psychosocial characteristics. This paper aims to fill that gap by examining the association between features of the neighborhood environment and the diurnal cortisol patterns of 308 individuals from Chicago, Illinois, USA. We found that respondents in neighborhoods with high levels of perceived and observed stressors or low levels of social support experienced a flatter rate of cortisol decline throughout the day. In addition, overall mean cortisol levels were found to be lower in higher stress, lower support neighborhoods. This study adds to the growing evidence of hypocortisolism among chronically stressed adult populations and suggests hypocortisolism rather than hypercortisolism as a potential mechanism linking social disadvantage to poor health.
On the use of computational neural networks for the prediction of polymer properties

A general purpose computational paradigm using neural networks is shown to be capable of efficiently predicting properties of polymeric compounds based on the structure and composition of the monomeric repeat unit. Results are discussed for the prediction of the heat capacity, glass transition temperature, melting temperature, change in the heat capacity at the glass transition temperature, degradation temperature, tensile strength and modulus, ultimate elongation, and compressive strength for 11 different families of polymers. The accuracies of the predictions range from 1–13% average absolute error. The worst results were obtained for the mechanical properties (tensile strength and modulus: 13%, 7% elongation: 12%, and compressive strength: 8%) and the best results for the thermal properties (heat capacity, glass transition temperature, and melting point: <4%). A simple modification to the overall method is devised to better take into account the fact that the mechanical properties are experimentally determined with a fairly large range (due to variability in measurement procedures and especially the sample). This modification treats the bounds on the range for the mechanical properties as complex numbers (complex, modular neural networks) and leads to more rapid optimization with a smaller average error (reduced by 3%).
Accelerometer-based steering-wheel movement monitoring for drowsy-driving detection

Monitoring steering-wheel movements is a well-documented method of detecting driver fatigue and drowsiness. Current methods for monitoring steering-wheel movements are prohibitive for daily use owing to the high costs of implementation and the necessity for complex modifications to be made to accommodate the new setup. These limitations have confined potentially lifesaving drowsiness detection methods based on steering-wheel movements to laboratory and simulator settings. A new method was proposed in this study, which employed a triaxial accelerometer to provide a cost-effective, easy, and efficacious way to monitor steering-wheel movements without requiring any modifications to the existing vehicle setup. Simulations and experimental results showed that the accelerometer-measured rotation angles of the steering wheel were linearly correlated with the actual rotation angles of the steering wheel registered by the potentiometer (R 2≈1; p Language: en
Cosmological Horizons, Quintessence and String Theory

String theory is presently the best candidate for a quantum theory of gravity unified with other forces. It is natural to hope that applications of string theory to cosmology may shed new light on the cosmological conundra, such as singularities, initial conditions, cosmological constant problem and the origin of inflation. Before we can apply string theory to cosmology, there are important conceptual and practical problems which must be addressed. We have reviewed here some of these problems, related to how one defines string theory in a cosinological setting.
Strategic Intellectual Capital Development: A Defining Paradigm for HRD?

The performance paradigm of human resource development (HRD) practice has served the field well, particularly in enhancing the relevance and impact of HRD interventions. However, in this article, i...