cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Placental Dysferlin Expression is Reduced in Severe Preeclampsia

Dysferlin (DYSF) and myoferlin (MYOF), members of the ferlin family of membrane proteins, are co-expressed in human placental syncytiotrophoblast (STB). Although the role of these ferlin proteins in the placenta has yet to be established, it has been suggested that DYSF and MYOF may contribute to the stability of the apical STB plasma membrane. The release of STB-derived cellular debris increases in the setting of preeclampsia (PE), suggesting relative destabilization of the hemochorial interface. To test whether PE was associated with alterations in placental expression of DYSF and/or MYOF, a cross-sectional study was performed using specimens of villous placenta collected form women with severe PE (n=10) and normotensive controls (n=10). DYSF and MYOF expression were examined using quantitative real-time RT-PCR, immunoblotting, and immunofluorescence labeling of tissue specimens. Placental DYSF expression was 57% lower at the mRNA level (p=0.03) and 38% lower at the protein level (p=0.026) in severe PE as compared to normotensive subjects. There were no differences in placental MYOF protein or mRNA expression between these groups. No appreciable changes in the distribution of DYSF or MYOF within placental villi was observed in PE relative to control specimens. We conclude that DYSF expression is reduced in severe PE relative to gestational age-matched controls. As DYSF has a role in membrane repair, these data suggest a role for DYSF in the stability of the apical STB plasma membrane and may account, at least in part, for the increased shedding of microparticles from this membrane in PE.
Effects of intraventricular hemorrhage and socioeconomic status on perceptual, cognitive, and neurologic status of low birth weight infants at 5 years of age

A prospective longitudinal study assessed the effects of intraventricular hemorhage (IVH) and socioeconomic status on the perceptual, cognitive, and neurologic status of preterm infants at 5 years of age. The preterm group consisted of infants with no IVH, grade I to II IVH, and grade III to IV IVH; a control group of normal term infants was also studied. Outcome was evaluated at 3, 4 and 5 years of age. Twenty-four percent of infants with grade III to IV IVH had abnormal neurologic diagnoses at 5 years of age. Correlations of predictor variables including IVH status, latency of visual evoked response, days of hospitalization, and socioeconomic status with 5-year neurologic outcome indicated that IVH status and visual evoked response at 1, 2, and 3 years continued to have an effect on neurologic outcome, but socioeconomic status and days of hospitalization did not; socioeconomic status did have a significant effect on the McCarthy cognitive scores but not on the perceptual scores at 5 years. Multiple regression analyses revealed that duration of hospitalization (reflecting neonatal morbidity), visual evoked response, and socioeconomic status all have independent effects on the cognitive index, whereas only duration of hospitalization has an independent effect on the perceptual index. These data support the concept that a complex interaction of biologic and environmental risk factors determines the degree of recovery from IVH by high-risk preterm infants.
Struggles over health care in the People's Republic of China.

(1981). Struggles over health care in the Peoples' Republic of China. Journal of Contemporary Asia: Vol. 11, No. 1, pp. 91-103.
Determination of the kinetics of diffusion in coals by solvent swelling techniques

Abstract A simple technique has been developed for measuring the kinetics of solvent diffusion in coals at various temperatures. The technique is based on a well-known method for measuring the volumetric swelling of coals by solvents. Several coals have been examined in both pyridine and tetrahydrofuran, at temperatures between 298 and 332 K. The diffusion follows the well-established case II rate law at ambient temperatures, implying that the processes are controlled by relaxation in the coal network structure. As temperatures are increased, the process becomes more Fickian in nature. The activation energies for the diffusion-relaxation processes are in the range 31 to 82 kJ mol −1 .
Effects of ethanol on human fractionated response times

Abstract The effects of ethanol (Et0H) on response components varying along a central vs. peripheral dimension were studied in five subjects. Reaction times (RTs) were fractionated by electromyographical recordings into premotor (central) and motor (peripheral, contractile) components. Highly practiced subjects performed a simple and discrimination RT task and related movement without significant impairment at the moderate blood ethanol concentration (BEC) (0.10%). At the higher BEC (0.17%), all components involving central processing (response time, RT and premotor time) were impaired in both simple and discrimination RT. More peripheral components (contractile time and movement time) were little affected. Contractile time was slowed slightly but significantly, but only in the combination of Et0H and the discrimination task which suggests that the stimulus discrimination stage of information processing can influence the activation of motor units involved in carrying out the movement.
Pion scattering and absorption contributions to proton emission from pion-nucleus collisions at T π =50-295 MeV

Proton spectra of /sup 3,4/He(..pi../sup + -/,p) and /sup 27/Al(..pi../sup + -/,p) have been measured at theta/sub p/ = 20/sup 0/ for T/sub ..pi../ = 50, 100, 150, 200, and 250 MeV, and at theta/sub p/ = 20/sup 0/ and 40/sup 0/ for T/sub ..pi../ = 295 MeV. A small contributor to these spectra is the exclusive pion absorption reaction for which the cross section of /sup 4/He(..pi../sup +/,p)/sup 3/He is reported. Major contributions are identified to come from quasifree ..pi..N..--> pi..p scattering and ..pi..NN..-->..Np absorption for which cross sections are also reported. The quasifree cross sections are compared with those of the free reactions ..pi..N..--> pi..p and ..pi..d..-->..pp. We use these results to assess the contribution of quasifree reactions to the total reaction cross section. The comparison of the quasifree ..pi..NN..-->..Np reaction relative to ..pi..d..-->..pp is discussed in terms of differences in the attenuation and the dynamics of the reactions. This information is of interest for the phenomenological interpretation of complex reactions such as the two-nucleon absorption model of /sup 3/He(..pi../sup -/, n)/sup 2/H, /sup 4/He(..pi../sup -/, n)/sup 3/H, and /sup 4/He(..pi../sup +/, p)/sup 3/He in which ..pi..d..-->..pp is assumed to be an elementary process. This experiment also providesmore » information on the cross section of ..pi../sup -/pp..-->..pn from which we determine the dependence of pion absorption on the isospin of the initial NN state.« less
Studies on the reactivity of the essential cysteine of thymidylate synthetase.

Abstract The reaction of one of the four cysteinyl residues of thymidylate synthetase from methotrexate-resistant Lactobacillus casei with a variety of sulfhydryl reagents results in complete inhibition of the enzyme. Kinetic studies indicate that the rates of reactivity of the reagents tested are N-ethylmaleimide > iodoacetamide > N-(iodoacetylaminoethyl)-S-naphthylamine-1-sulfonic acid > iodoacetic acid. The enzyme is also inactivated by 5-Hg-deoxyuridylate, a compound which reacts stoichiometrically with a single cysteine. Unlike the other reagents, the inhibition produced by this compound can be completely reversed by added thiols. The same cysteine appears to react with all of the sulfhydryl reagents, as shown by competition experiments and by protection against inactivation by deoxyuridylate. Even at a 100-fold excess of the alkylating agents, only one of the four cysteines in the native enzyme was reactive, attesting to the uniqueness of this residue. Carboxypeptidase A inactivation of the enzyme does not affect either the binding of deoxyuridylate to the enzyme or the reactivity of N-ethylmaleimide with the “catalytic” cysteine. Under denaturing conditions, all four cysteinyl residues react with N-ethylmaleimide or iodoacetate, as shown by identifying the reaction products by amino acid analysis. The covalent ternary complex [(+)5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate-5-fluorodeoxyuridylate-thymidylate synthetase] (molar ratio = 2:2:1) revealed only two cysteinyl residues capable of reacting with N-ethylmaleimide or iodoacetate upon denaturation. From these data, it appears that one cysteine is involved in the binding of deoxyuridylate and that two of the enzyme's four cysteines are responsible for binding 5-fluorodeoxyuridylate in the ternary complex.
Changes in Cancer Cell Metabolism Revealed by Direct Sample Analysis with MALDI Mass Spectrometry

Biomarker discovery using mass spectrometry (MS) has recently seen a significant increase in applications, mainly driven by the rapidly advancing field of metabolomics. Instrumental and data handling advancements have allowed for untargeted metabolite analyses which simultaneously interrogate multiple biochemical pathways to elucidate disease phenotypes and therapeutic mechanisms. Although most MS-based metabolomic approaches are coupled with liquid chromatography, a few recently published studies used matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI), allowing for rapid and direct sample analysis with minimal sample preparation. We and others have reported that prostaglandin E3 (PGE3), derived from COX-2 metabolism of the omega-3 fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), inhibited the proliferation of human lung, colon and pancreatic cancer cells. However, how PGE3 metabolism is regulated in cancer cells, particularly human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells, is not fully understood. Here, we successfully used MALDI to identify differences in lipid metabolism between two human non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cell lines, A549 and H596, which could contribute to their differential response to EPA treatment. Analysis by MALDI-MS showed that the level of EPA incorporated into phospholipids in H596 cells was 4-fold higher than A549 cells. Intriguingly, H596 cells produced much less PGE3 than A549 cells even though the expression of COX-2 was similar in these two cell lines. This appears to be due to the relatively lower expression of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) in H596 cells than that of A549 cells. Additionally, the MALDI-MS approach was successfully used on tumor tissue extracts from a K-ras transgenic mouse model of lung cancer to enhance our understanding of the mechanism of action of EPA in the in vivo model. These results highlight the utility of combining a metabolomics workflow with MALDI-MS to identify the biomarkers that may regulate the metabolism of omega-3 fatty acids and ultimately affect their therapeutic potentials.
Shape nesting by coevolving species

In this paper (full version: http://cs.nmu.edu/~jeffhorn/RFS) we extend the work of [3], which introduced a new niching algorithm, resource-based fitness sharing (RFS), and demonstrated its efficacy on shape nesting problems. RFS was applied to the nesting of regular, convex shapes (namely, squares) within a larger, regular, convex shape (specifically, a larger square). Furthermore, the nested pieces were fixed in their orientation to be aligned with the axes of the substrate. We extend that work by applying the RFS approach to nesting of irregular, non-convex polygons, within irregular, non-convex polygon substrates, with full rotation of the pieces. The shaped pieces can be placed anywhere on the substrate, at any angle of rotation, and the task at hand is to maximize the number of such placed pieces such that no pieces overlap with each other or with the substrate boundary. We find that a single population, evolved under RFS, is able to discover a cooperative set of "species" that together "cover" most of the substrate, thus showing that the successful results reported in [3] carry over to the more general case of non-convex polygons with full rotation.
A Precipitator for the Detection of Thiophilic Metals in Aqua

The detection of toxic metals including mercury and lead has become a vital analytical tool for environmental remediation and regulation of food stocks. A prevalent obstacle with the current assess...
The Mechanism of GTP Hydrolysis by Ras Probed by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

Time-resolved Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in combination with photo-induced release of18O-labeled caged nucleotide has been employed to address mechanistic issues of GTP hydrolysis by Ras protein. Infrared spectroscopy of Ras complexes with nitrophenylethyl (NPE)-[α-18O2]GTP, NPE-[β-18O4]GTP, or NPE-[γ-18O3]GTP upon photolysis or during hydrolysis afforded a substantially improved mode assignment of phosphoryl group absorptions. Photolysis spectra of hydroxyphenylacyl-GTP and hydroxyphenylacyl-GDP bound to Ras and several mutants, Ras(Gly12)-Mn2+, Ras(Pro12), Ras(Ala12), and Ras(Val12), were obtained and yielded valuable information about structures of GTP or GDP bound to Ras mutants. IR spectra revealed stronger binding of GDP β- PO32− moiety by Ras mutants with higher activity, suggesting that the transition state is largely GDP-like. Analysis of the photolysis and hydrolysis FTIR spectra of the [β-nonbridge-18O2, αβ-bridge-18O]GTP isotopomer allowed us to probe for positional isotope exchange. Such a reaction might signal the existence of metaphosphate as a discrete intermediate, a key species for a dissociative mechanism. No positional isotope exchange was observed. Overall, our results support a concerted mechanism, but the transition state seems to have a considerable amount of dissociative character. This work demonstrates that time-resolved FTIR is highly suitable for monitoring positional isotope exchange and advantageous in many aspects over previously used methods, such as 31P NMR and mass spectrometry.
Whole slide imaging for teleconsultation and clinical use

A thorough comparison of digital slide diagnosis with glass slide diagnosis is a critical hurdle for clinical use of whole slide scanners. The study by Wilbur et al. titled “Whole-slide imaging digital pathology as a platform for teleconsultation” examined the issue by specifically selecting difficult cases representing a broad spectrum of pathology from a variety of organ systems. The cases were characteristic of material that would often be referred for consultation. They then directly compared the Whole Slide Imaging Interpretation (WSII) with the Glass Slide Interpretation (GSI). A reference diagnosis was rendered on glass slides prior to sending the case for WSII and GSI consultations. Both WSII and GSI were performed at a third party lab by separate pathologists who were given limited clinical information. Thus, the consulting pathologists were forced to make a diagnosis on morphology alone without access to gross examinations, reference diagnosis, or referring physicians. A Zeiss Mirax Desk Scanner was used to create the WSI. However, the scanning magnification was not specified. The authors found an overall concordance of 91% between WSII and GSI, which is in line with other studies comparing these modalities.[1] They further analyzed the results by categorizing diagnoses into neoplastic and non-neoplastic groups. The neoplastic group performed slightly better with 93% concordance in comparison to the non-neoplastic group with 88% concordance, but the difference was not statistically significant. It is important to note that the authors also found three cases (5.7%) where the original glass slide reference diagnosis was discordant with the consultant GSI. Therefore, a built-in glass to glass comparison was performed in the study. It was determined that in these three cases the consultant GSI was most likely to be correct and the original reference diagnosis was incorrect. Assuming that the consultant GSI is the gold standard, WSII had a 90.6% concordance rate while the glass reference diagnosis had a 94.3% concordance rate. This correlates to a 3.7% difference between the consultant WSI concordance and the reference glass concordance to GSI.
A comparison of factor and functional approaches to source credibility

This article explores the efficacy of two approaches to the study of source credibility. The factor approach and its criticisms are reviewed. The functional approach is explained and methods are presented which were developed for operationalizing the approach. A study is reported which compared the two approaches in explaining a multiple‐act set of responses to a speaker. The results indicate that although the factor scales predicted responses to the source, a multidimensional interpretation of the scales did not seem warranted. The functional approach was equally predictive of responses, and with suggested refinements was concluded to be a viable alternative model for studying source credibility.
Bathyal and abyssal Tubificidae (Annelida, Oligochaeta) from the Gay Head-Bermuda transect, with descriptions of new genera and species

Marine Tubificidae (Annelida, Oligochaeta) from an investigation of open ocean benthic communities, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution's Gay Head-Bermuda transect, were examined. The following new taxa are described: (1) Bathydrillus asmmetricus n.gen., n.sp. which is characterised by its lack of prostate glands and of spermatozeugmata; (2) Adelodriloides voraginus n.gen., n.sp. characterised by its small, simple atria lacking prostate glands, and highly modified penial setae; (3) Phallodrillus profundus n.sp. characterised by its thhee paired bundles of large genital setae. Limnodriloides medioporus Cook, 1969 and Peloscolex intermedius Cook, 1969 were found on the continental shelf, Peloscolex aculeatus Cook, 1969, B. asymmetricus and A. voraginus on the lower continental slope and upper abyssal rise, and P. profundus on the abyssal rise. A single individual, tentatively identified as Peloscolex gabriellae Marcus, 1950, occurred on the abyssal plain. The three new species described in this paper, together with Peloscolex aculeatus Cook, 1969, are the only species of Oligochaeta known from the deep-sea.
THE INHIBITION OF UTERINE BLEEDING WITH ESTRADIOL AND PROGESTERONE AND ASSOCIATED ENDOMETRIAL MODIFICATIONS1

The parts played by the follicular and corpus luteum hormones in the development of the endometrium are quite well understood, at least from a general qualitative standpoint. Allen (1) found that the normal phenomena associated with the follicular half of the menstrual cycle of monkeys could be reestablished in castrated animals by daily injections of estrin. It is also known that the normal conditions found in the genital tract during the luteal half of the menstrual cycle can be duplicated in castrated animals by administering progestin (2, 3, 4). The ability of these hormones to inhibit uterine bleeding seems equally well established. Allen (1) demonstrated that estrin would inhibit the postoperative bleeding which usually follows total castration, whereas Hisaw (3) found that the dosage of estrin required to postpone such bleeding depended upon the time during the menstrual cycle at which the ovaries were removed. When castration was performed previous to ovulation, relatively small doses of estrin we...
Diagnostic Role of Serum CA 19-9 for Cholangiocarcinoma in Patients With Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) predisposes to the development of cholangiocarcinoma, a usually fatal complication that is difficult to diagnose. Serum concentrations of CA 19-9, a tumor-associated antigen, are frequently increased in patients with only cholangiocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to assess the value of an increased serum CA 19-9 level for the diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma in patients with preexisting PSC. We analyzed serum samples from 9 patients with PSC and superimposed cholangiocarcinoma and from 28 patients with only PSC. Serum concentrations of CA 19-9 were measured in a blinded manner with use of an immunoradiometric assay. The serum CA 19-9 concentrations were increased in 8 of 9 patients (89%) with PSC and cholangiocarcinoma (mean ± SE, 391 ± 86 U/ml; range, 4 to 677), whereas they were increased in only 4 of 28 patients (14%) with only PSC (mean ± SE, 61 ± 16 U/ml; range, 2 to 370). The sensitivity of a CA 19-9 value greater than 100 U/ml for cholangiocarcinoma in PSC was 89%, and the specificity was 86%. The measurement of serum concentrations of CA 19-9 is a promising test for detecting cholangiocarcinoma in patients with PSC.
Smooth derivations commuting with Lie group actions

N. S. Poulsen, motivated in part by questions from relativistic quantum scattering theory, studied symmetric operators S in Hilbert space commuting with a unitary representation U of a Lie group G . (The group of interest in the physical setting is the Poincare group.) He proved ([ 17 ], corollary 2·2) that if S is defined on the space of C ∞ -vectors for U (i.e. D(S) ⊇ ℋ ∞ ( U )), then S is essentially self-adjoint.
Characterization of the inflammatory response to biomaterials using a rodent air pouch model.

Using a rodent air pouch, the inflammatory responses to biomaterials with distinct physical properties and chemical compositions were compared. The polymers examined were expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (ePTFE), silicone, low-density polyethylene (LDPE), poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), poly(desaminotyrosyl-tyrosine ethyl carbonate) [poly(DTE carbonate)], and poly(desaminotyrosyl-tyrosine benzyl carbonate) [poly(DTBzl carbonate)]. We found that implantation of disks (4.5–4.8 mm) of these materials into rodent air pouches for 2 days had no effect on the number or type of cells recovered relative to sham controls. With each of the materials, macrophages were the predominant cell type identified (60–75%), followed by granulocytes (20–25%) and lymphocytes (10%). Implantation of poly(DTE carbonate), ePTFE, LDPE, or poly(DTBzl carbonate) into the pouches for 2 days caused an increase in release of superoxide anion by the pouch cells. Cells from pouches containing poly(DTE carbonate) also released more hydrogen peroxide and were more phagocytic. In contrast, PLLA and silicone had no effect on the functional activity of cells recovered from the pouches. Prolonging the implantation time of poly(DTE carbonate) or PLLA to 7 days did not alter the number or type of cells isolated from the pouches. However, cells from pouches containing poly(DTE carbonate) for 7 days continued to produce increased quantities of superoxide anion relative to sham control pouch cells. These results suggest that the air pouch model is a highly sensitive method and therefore useful for evaluating the functional responses of inflammatory cells to biomaterials. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 50, 365–374, 2000.
Genomics for health in preconception and prenatal periods.

Purpose: To review and report changes in genomic-based knowledge and care during the preconception and prenatal periods. Design: Integrative review of relevant medical and nursing literature. Findings: Client education and counseling are needed to understand genomic information and provide guidance in interpreting this information and making decisions. The factors that influence decision-making about testing and acting on test results constitute a complex process that has not been well studied. Family history is an important tool for obtaining genomic information and can assist women and families in understanding risk preconceptionally and prenatally. Genomic research has enhanced understanding of the mechanisms of birth defects such as neural tube defect and will likely provide research opportunities to better understand complex perinatal outcomes such as preterm birth. Conclusions: Research, education, advocacy, and anticipatory guidance are needed as women and families obtain more genetic and genomic information before and during pregnancy. All nurses will be involved in helping patients use genetic and genomic information to understand risk and to develop strategies to modify risk, and in translating the expanding array of genomic information to improve birth outcomes.
Optical physics: On-chip synthetic magnetic field

The experimental observation of topologically protected photonic edge transport in a silicon chip paves the way to realizing unprecedented control of light using synthetic magnetic fields and opens up new approaches for optical information processing.
Cellular localization of antiviral polyoxometalates in J774 macrophages

Abstract The cellular localization of the polyoxometalates, K12H2[P2W12O48]·24H2O (JM 1591), K10[P2W18Zn4(H2O)2O68]·20H2O (JM 1596), and [Me3NH]8[Si2W18Nb6O77] (JM 2820) were examined in cultured J774 cells by inhibition of cellular uptake of acetylated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and by electron microscopy. All three polyoxometalates inhibited the cellular uptake of acetylated LDL, suggesting that the polyoxometalates block the association of acetylated LDL with cellular scavenger receptors. Fluorescence microscopy showed increased numbers of vacuoles in the presence of polyoxometalates, suggesting their uptake by cells. Using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), no significant cell surface morphological differences were observed between treated and non-treated J774 cells, suggesting that the compounds are not toxic to J774 cells up to a concentration of 200 μg/ml. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed large amounts of high electron dense granules were observed in the ramifying system of tubular cavities and vacuoles. TEM-energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) X-ray microanalysis was unable to differentiate the dense particles, most likely because the amount of tungsten in the cells was below the limit of detection. X-ray microanalysis conducted using a SEM-wavelength dispersive spectroscopy (WDS) detected tungsten, averaging 0.45 ± 0.16% (mean ± S.D.), in the J774 cells treated with JM 2820, suggesting that this polyoxometalate was taken up by the macrophages or was bound to their surface. Polyoxometalates interact at the cell surface and appear to be taken up by J774 macrophages. The cellular localization of polyoxometalates may be associated with anti-HIV activity.
Elderly narrative reflections on the contradictions in Turkish village family life after migration of adult children

Abstract International and domestic labor migrations are changing the face of many countries. Those economic and demographic transitions collide with cultural expectations and ways of conducting intergenerational relations. This paper is a narrative analysis of some of those changes from the perspective of the elderly who remain behind in a small village in central Turkey. In particular, their narratives focus on filial expectations of sons and daughters, the status of mothers-in-law, health and economic well-being, and the future of village life. While these “left behind” elderly feel a loss of status and control and fear for their futures as their children pursue lifestyles unfamiliar and threatening to them, they are nevertheless gradually negotiating these changes and redefining late life to adapt to new circumstances and maintain their family relations.
Stepwise Solvation of the Intramolecular-Charge-Transfer Molecule p-(Dimethylamino)benzonitrile

This paper presents a systematic study of gas-phase p-(N,N-dimethy1amino)benzonitrile (DMABN) both in a supersonic jet expansion and in a thermalized vapor. From the jet studies, the excited- and ground-state vibrational spectra of the isolated molecule are resolved, and the spectroscopy of the stoichiometric complex with water, methanol, ammonia, and acetonitrile in the beam is reported. It is concluded that 1:l complexes are not sufficient for the local perturbation to cause charge separation. At higher temperatures in the jet, we observe emission that we attribute to DMABN self-complexes. Under high pressure and temperature vapor conditions (>30 mTorr, 60 °C), red-shifted fluorescence from DMABN is observed. This is attributed to the charge-transfer state of DMABN in self-complexes.
TEM studies of anti-wear films/wear particles generated under boundary conditions lubrication

Abstract Friction and wear performance of engine oil were studied in presence of Zinc-dialkyldithiophosphate (ZDDP) and ZDDP–iron fluoride (FeF3) combination using a ball-on-ring wear testing device under boundary conditions. Friction and wear performance of engine oil improves in presence of ZDDP–FeF3 combination. In order to understand the wear mechanisms the microstructure and the chemical composition of wear debris generated during wear process were investigated using TEM together with EDX analyzes. Novel observations on the wear debris generated at different testing loads are presented. Independent of normal loads, amorphous debris containing P, O, Fe and Zn elements and crystalline debris of Fe2O3 are formed. No trace of S is present in amorphous debris under low load (2.32 GPa) conditions while S is a dominating element under high loaded (3.68 GPa) conditions. On the other hand, at lower loads a few iron oxide is formed while at higher loads larger sizes of iron oxides are formed resulting in larger friction and wear.
Agile, open source, distributed, and on-time: inside the eclipse development process

Summary form only given. Eclipse is a widely recognized open source project dedicated to providing a platform for developing integrated tools. Throughout the history of Eclipse the development team was successful in hitting projected delivery dates with precision and quality. This isn't possible without a team strongly committed to ship quality software. How is this really done? How does Eclipse achieve quality and just-in-time delivery? This paper sheds light on the key practices of the Eclipse development process - from the development mantras "always beta", "milestones first", "API first", and "performance first" to practices such as ensuring quality through multiple feedback loops. The author reflects on proven practices for managing a large project performed by geographically dispersed teams and open source contributors in a highly competitive market. Most of these practices have evolved in the open source project, but they are equally applicable to closed source projects and help to improve quality, timeliness and reduce development stress in both types of environments.
Cytotoxic T cell responses against hepatitis B virus polymerase induced by genetic immunization

Abstract Background/Aims: Individuals with chronic hepatitis B may benefit from genetic (DNA-based) immunization through induction of viral clearance by enhancement of suboptimal cellular immune responses. While marked cellular immune responses to hepatitis B virus (HBV) nucleocapsid and envelope proteins occur after genetic immunization in mice, it is unknown whether genetic immunization is capable of eliciting such responses to HBV polymerase. We wished to develop assays for the determination of HBV polymerase specific immune responses in mice and investigate whether genetic immunization may elicit humoral and cellular immune responses to HBV polymerase. Methods: BALB/c (H-2 d ) mice were injected with a DNA expression construct for HBV polymerase. Humoral immune responses to HBV polymerase were analyzed with a newly established ELISA. Cellular immune responses were determined using recombinant vaccinia virus infected target cells expressing HBV polymerase at high levels. Results: Assays for the detection of HBV polymerase-specific immune responses were developed. Immunized animals exhibited substantial polymerase-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses. However, no humoral immune responses to HBV polymerase were detectable. Conclusions: Our study demonstrates that DNA-based immunization will generate substantial CTL responses to HBV polymerase and may be an important component of an immunotherapeutic strategy to combat chronic HBV infection.
Morphology of the carotid sinus wall in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rats

The morphology of the carotid sinus region of the internal carotid artery was studied in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) at 5, 8, 16, and 24 weeks of age. The carotid sinus region occupied the proximal millimeter of the internal carotid artery, and was easily recognizable by the presence of an extensive adventitial capillary plexus, which was absent on adjacent arteries (e.g., common and external carotid arteries). Methylene blue-stained whole-mount preparations showed the extent of baroreceptor nerves over the sinus. Baroreceptor fibers terminated in distinctive bulbous-like endings, which, at the ultrastructural level, were filled with mitochondria. No differences were noted in the sinus adventitial capillary network or baroreceptor distribution between SHR and age-matched Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) normotensive control animals. With the onset of a significant rise in SHR blood pressure, the carotid sinus wall increased in thickness and total vessel size. The wall/lumen ratios were significantly larger in the SHR than in age-matched WKY ratios in all age groups. SHR carotid sinus vessel enlargement was uniform throughout the vessel tunics, with no significant change in the proportion of the tunica media occupied by smooth muscle cells. The increase in the carotid sinus wall thickness associated with increasing hypertension could affect the ability of the sinus to distend and may play a secondary role in the maintenance of hypertension by compromising baroreceptor nerve ending sensitivity.
Taguchi-Based Six Sigma Defect Reduction of Green Sand Casting Process: An Industrial Case Study

In recent years, Six Sigma has become one of the most popular quality control methodologies, enabling many companies to make measurable increases in quality and decreases in variation and defects. This article applies the concept of Six Sigma define-measure-analyze-improve-control (DMAIC) methods to a metal casting industry to systematically identify and solve the major problems faced by the company that uses the green sand casting process. DMAIC phases are used to decrease the defect rate from 31% (baseline) to 4%. A casting industry case study was demonstrated step by step, systematically using Six Sigma in this article.
The bias of three pseudo-random shuffles

Three schemes for shuffling a deck ofn cards are studied, each involving a random choice from [n] n . The shuffles favor some permutations over others sincen! does not dividen n . The probabilities that the shuffles lead to some simple permutations, for instance cycles left and right and the identity, are calculated. Some inequalities are obtained which lead to information about the least and most likely permutations. Numbers of combinatorial interest occur, notably the Catalan numbers and the Bell numbers.
Comprehensive review of stability criteria for DC distribution systems

Power-electronics-based DC power distribution systems, consisting of several interconnected feedback-controlled switching converters, suffer from potential degradation of stability induced by negative incremental impedances due to the presence of constant power loads. For this reason, the stability analysis of these systems is a significant design consideration. This paper reviews all the major stability criteria for DC distribution systems that have been developed so far: the Middlebrook Criterion, the Gain Margin and Phase Margin Criterion, the Opposing Argument Criterion, and the Energy Source Analysis Consortium Criterion. In particular, the paper discusses, for each criterion, the artificial conservativeness characteristics in the design of DC distribution systems, and the formulation of design specifications so that the system would be stable. Finally, the Passivity-Based Stability Criterion is discussed, which has been recently proposed to reduce design conservativeness and improve design-oriented characteristics. While all prior stability criteria are based on forbidden regions for the polar plot of the so-called minor loop gain which is an impedance ratio, the proposed criterion is based on imposing passivity of the overall bus impedance. However, stability is clearly an insufficient requirement for DC power distribution systems; performance is also a requirement. A simulation example is presented to illustrate that the Passivity-Based Stability Criterion guarantees both stability and performance.
Positive linear decomposition for classifying patterns in dynamic measurements: a case study

Abstract The purpose of this article is to show the effectiveness of a positive linear decomposition in the derivation of robust features of high-dimensional dynamic measurements, in order to achieve effective pattern recognition and classification. The method begins with the singular value decomposition, projecting a matrix of dynamic process measurements (taken at uniform intervals over some time-window) onto a low-dimensional subspace. A convex cone, defined by the non-negativity of measurements, is then created. For normalization purposes a polygon, whose corners specify the feature vectors of the data, is formed by intersecting the cone with a plane. This polygon is reduced to a triangle with only the three most representative corners. The net effect of these steps is that the original orthogonal basis of the subspace (consisting of the first three principal components) is replaced by a new, non-orthogonal basis, which offers the advantage of containing only positive measurements and requiring only positive superposition of basis vectors to span the physically meaningful portion of the subspace. One of the vectors in this basis is selected as the feature vector for pattern recognition; a spanning tree created from the feature vectors classifies the patterns. The feature vectors from the new basis are much more robust with respect to changes in the width of the time window, and classification was possible even with feature vectors of differing time windows.
Disgusting Bodies, Disgusting Religion: The Biology of Tantra

Hard-core Tantric practice is disgusting, a point several scholars make. Scholarly interpretations of Tantric disgustingness, however, tend to follow the lead of Mary Douglas in suggesting that what disgusts is ultimately a reflection of social–historical concerns with borders and boundaries. Such interpretations fail to take seriously the Tantric consumption of feces, menstrual blood, urine, semen, and phlegm. Likewise, they fail to take seriously the particular sexual act involved, that is, intercourse with a menstruating, riding-astride, out-of-caste, mother-substitute. Consulting contemporary disgust research, I suggest that hard-core Tantra is literally disgusting because it is literally maladaptive. Disgust was naturally selected to deter the ingestion of bio-toxic pathogens as well as the practice of suboptimal sexual intercourse. Disgust maintains the species' viability. Tantra confounds disgust and thus disgusts. Tantra engages antibiological behaviors in its characteristically religious war against the body. As a disgusting religion, Tantra may be a perfected religion.
Beyond the Steers and Rhodes Model of Employee Attendance

This paper presents a causal model of employee absenteeism which modifies and extends the Steers and Rhodes (1978) process model of employee attendance. A summary and critique of the Steers and Rhodes model is offered. The proposed model integrates diverse literatures regarding organization behavior and occupational health. Sources are provided for the acceptable operationalization of variables.
Penile Prosthesis Implantation: Surgical Implants in the Era of Oral Medication

In patients who are not satisfied with the results of oral agents (phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors) or in whom oral agents or other medical treatment fails to produce an adequate response, penile prosthesis implantation is an excellent treatment modality for restoring erectile function. Patient/partner acceptance, use, and satisfaction rates of penile pros-theses are better than for many other alternatives including pharmacologic injections. In-flatable penile prostheses are most frequently used and have the highest satisfaction rates. Complications of these multipiece prostheses continue to decline, and patient satisfaction rates, tolerability, and longevity continue to increase.
Methods to identify intermittent electrical and mechanical faults in permanent magnet AC drives based on wavelet analysis

Prognosis of failures of electric drives can be achieved through the detection of non-catastrophic faults. As the frequency and severity of these faults increase, the expected working life of the drive decreases, leading to eventual failure. In this work, a method is presented to identify developing electrical and mechanical faults based on analysis of the undecimated discrete wavelet transform of the field oriented currents in PMAC drives. Linear discriminant analysis is used to classify between the fault types.
A novel pathway of intercellular signalling in Bacillus subtilis involves a protein with similarity to a component of type III secretion channels

During spore formation in Bacillus subtilis, sigma(E)-directed gene expression in the mother-cell compartment of the sporangium triggers the activation of sigma(G) in the forespore by a pathway of intercellular signalling that is composed of multiple proteins of unknown function. Here, we confirm that the vegetative protein SpoIIIJ, the forespore protein SpoIIQ and eight membrane proteins (SpoIIIAA through SpoIIIAH) produced in the mother cell under the control of sigma(E) are ordinarily required for intercellular signalling. In contrast, an anti-sigma(G) factor previously implicated in the pathway is shown to be dispensable. We also present evidence suggesting that SpoIIIJ is a membrane protein translocase that facilitates the insertion of SpoIIIAE into the membrane. In addition, we report the isolation of a mutation that partially bypasses the requirement for SpoIIIJ and for SpoIIIAA through SpoIIIAG, but not for SpoIIIAH or SpoIIQ, in the activation of sigma(G). We therefore propose that under certain genetic conditions, SpoIIIAH and SpoIIQ can constitute a minimal pathway for the activation of sigma(G). Finally, based on the similarity of SpoIIIAH to a component of type III secretion systems, we speculate that signalling is mediated by a channel that links the mother cell to the forespore.
The Effect of Annealing Temperature on the Morphology of Stacking Faults in Czochralski Silicon

Nucleation and growth of stacking faults formed in CZ silicon during oxygen precipitation have been studied using x-ray topography, TEM and FTIR. Samples were annealed in argon for various times at 550°C and 750°C followed by a 16 hour anneal in dry oxygen at 1000°C. In samples annealed at 550°C, the stacking faults were several layers thick with colonies of precipitates at their centers. The faults in samples annealed at 750°C contained only one particle and were single in nature. It is proposed that the faults are formed by thin oxygen precipitate platelets and that the different morphologies are due to different oxygen precipitation rates. The platelets are probably a modified cristobalite, as determined by micro-diffraction results.
MIGM: Mobile Interaction Games with Motes

We propose the development of a broad range of exciting mobile interaction games using intermittently-connected wireless devices such as motes. As a concrete application, we describe the implementation of a random walk game, in which players each attempt to hold on to an otherwise itinerant token for as long as possible by running to evade other players in an open field. Besides obtaining the clear entertainment value, we argue that quantifying and analyzing key performance metrics recorded during the game can not only help people to evaluate player ability, but also provide some insights into adversarial behavior in both human and robotic settings. To this end, we present preliminary quantitative results and analysis for the random walk game obtained through real play evaluation.
Fractional order networked control systems and random delay dynamics: A hardware-in-the-loop simulation study

In networked control systems (NCS), the spiky nature of the random delays makes us wonder about the benefits we can expect if the “spikiness”, or what we call “delay dynamics” are considered in the NCS controller design. It turns out that the “spikiness” of the network induced random delays can be better characterized by the so-called α-stable processes, or processes with fractional lower-order statistics (FLOS) which are linked to fractional calculus. Using a real world networked control system platform called the CSOIS Smart Wheel, the effect of modeling the network delay dynamics using non-Gaussian distributions, and compensating for such a delay in closed-loop systems using a FO-PI (fractional order proportional and integral) controller has been experimentally studied. The cases studied include the case when the delay compensated is exactly the same as the actual delay. Other scenarios are the ones when the nature of the estimated delay is similar to the actual delay, but the magnitude is slightly smaller. The effect of phase shifting between the estimated and the original delay is also considered. Finally the order of the fractional order proportional integral controller which gives least ITAE, ISE for a particular distribution of the delay is presented. The conclusion is strikingly stimulating: in NCS, when the random delay is spiky, we should consider to model the delay dynamics using a-stable distributions and using fractional order controller whose best fractional order has shown to be related to the FLOS parameter a as evidenced by our extensive experimental results on a real NCS platform.
Multiple-frequency Tracking Control of Piezoelectrically-driven Micro/Nano-positioning Systems

In this article, a novel modeling and control methodology is proposed for feedforward compensation of hysteresis nonlinearity and dynamical vibrations of piezoelectric actuator in various range of frequency operation. By integrating a modified Prandtl-Ishlinskii hysteresis operator with a second order linear dynamics, a nonlinear dynamic model is developed and experimentally validated for a piezoelectrically- driven nano-positioning system. Based on the inverse hysteresis model and the actuator dynamics, a feedforward controller is then proposed and its stability is discussed. Eventually, the performance of the controller is verified for the nano-positioning system. Experimental results demonstrate that the controller is capable of precisely tracking multiple- frequency reference trajectories in various rates.
Replacement metal gate extendible to 11 nm technology

This paper describes novel Co-Al metal fill capable of filling sub-10nm trenches. Co-Al fill shows advantages in threshold voltage (V TH ) variation. The conductivity of the fill was evaluated using a Co-Al alloy conductance model. By demonstrating better V TH variability, superior conductivity and gap fill, Co-Al shows extendibility to the 11nm metal gate and beyond.
Identity Formation During Early Adolescence

A special issue of the Journal of Early Adolescence has been prepared to address theoretical and research issues concerning identity formation during early adolescence. The issue has been designed to help direct and stimulate interest in research on identity formation during early adolescence. In these introductory comments the major tenets of Erikson's psychosocial theory of identity formation are outlined, the contribution of each Special Issue author is highlighted, and shortcomings to the general research area of identity development are reviewed.
Acoustic analysis of hoarse voice: A preliminary report

Summary Two quantitative parameters of hoarse voice quality (breathiness and strain) were introduced in an attempt to identify more objectively hoarse voice qualities. These two parameters plus jitter were used in the analysis of hoarseness in 39 patients. A significant preliminary finding in this study indicates that high breathiness with high strain suggests the presence of laryngeal carcinoma.