cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TEM Investigations of Aluminum Assisted Crystallization of Amorphous Silicon (α-Si:H)

The Crystallization of amorphous silicon (α-Si:H) at lower temperatures is a challenging area of research these days because it will open up the possibilities of fabricating semiconductor devices like thin film transistors (TFT's), solar cells, active matrix liquid crystal display (AMLCD) devices at considearbly lower cost. Various metals e.g. Ni, Cu, Au, Ag and Al have been used to bring down the crystallization temperature of α-Si. We have found that aluminum assisted crystallization can bring down the temperatures of crystallization to as low as 200 °C. The crystallization behavior of α- Si:H has been studied by scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, XPS spectroscopy and X-Ray diffraction but very little work has been carried out on microstructural investigation of the material using transmission electron microscopy. We have prepared specimen for die TEM study of α-Si:H and that of crystallized Si obtained by aluminum assisted crystallization. A detailed investigation of the crystallization behavior of α-Si:H using TEM have been carried out.
Functional validation of a finding from a mouse genome-wide association study demonstrates that a mutant allele of Azi2 alters sensitivity to methamphetamine

Abstract Methamphetamine is a widely abused psychostimulant. In a previous genome-wide association study (GWAS), we identified a locus that influenced the stimulant response to methamphetamine. That locus was also an eQTL for the gene Azi2. Based on those findings, we hypothesized that heritable differences in the expression of Azi2 were causally related to the differential response to methamphetamine. In this study, we created a mutant Azi2 allele that caused lower Azi2 expression and enhanced the locomotor response to methamphetamine; however, based on the GWAS findings, we had expected lower Azi2 to decrease rather than increase the stimulant response to methamphetamine. We then sought to explore the mechanism by which Azi2 influenced methamphetamine sensitivity. A recent publication had reported that the 3’UTR of Azi2 mRNA downregulates the expression of Slc6a3, which encodes the dopamine transporter (DAT), which is a key target of methamphetamine. We evaluated the relationship between Azi2/Azi2 3’UTR and Slc6a3 expression in the VTA in the mutant Azi2 mice and in a new cohort of CFW mice. We did not observe any correlation between Azi2 and Slc6a3 in the VTA in either cohort. However, RNA sequencing confirmed that the Azi2 mutation altered Azi2 expression and also revealed a number of potentially important genes and pathways that were regulated by Azi2, including the metabotropic glutamate receptor group III pathway and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor signaling pathway. Our results support a role for Azi2 in methamphetamine sensitivity; however, the exact mechanism does not appear to involve regulation of Slc6a3 and thus remains unknown.
Perceived cadre behavior, basic psychological need satisfaction, and motivation of US Army ROTC cadets: A self-determination theory perspective

Since its inception in 1916 the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) has trained and commissioned more than half a million individuals and, therefore, produced more officers for the United State...
Refined functional carbohydrates reduce adhesion of Salmonella and Campylobacter to poultry epithelial cells in vitro.

Abstract The development of interventions to reduce human foodborne pathogens in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract of chickens will be important for improving the microbial food safety of poultry. Saccharomyces-derived prebiotic refined functional carbohydrates (RFC), composed primarily of β-glucans, mannanoligosaccharides (MOS), and D-mannose have been demonstrated to reduce GI colonization of Salmonella and Campylobacter when administered to poultry. Although they are presumed to inhibit adhesion of pathogens to the GI epithelium, this functionality of RFC has not been well characterized. In this study, we investigated the effects of RFC and other prebiotics on the adhesion of Salmonella Typhimurium and Campylobacter jejuni to the LMH chicken epithelial cell line in vitro. The reduction of adherent pathogens was observed to be dose-dependent with C. jejuni being more sensitive than Salmonella to inhibition by RFC. Comparison of the primary constituent carbohydrates of RFC found D-mannose to inhibit both pathogens less effectively than β-glucan and MOS, suggesting that it contributes less to inhibition of pathogen adhesion than the other carbohydrates. Finally, the reduction of adherent pathogens by RFC was compared with that of fructooligosaccharides (FOS), galactooligosaccharides (GOS), and raffinose. All 4 prebiotics inhibited adhesion of both pathogens to chicken epithelial cells. Reduction of adherent Salmonella was greatest with FOS and lowest with GOS, whereas reduction of adherent C. jejuni was greater with RFC and raffinose than with FOS and GOS. These results will inform future research elucidating mechanisms important to adhesion inhibition of pathogens by RFC and other prebiotics.
Patterns and predictors of referrals to allied health services for individuals with Parkinson's disease: A Parkinson's foundation (PF) QII study

Abstract Introduction Rehabilitation therapies are critical for optimizing quality-of-life and daily functions for individuals living with Parkinson's disease (PD). Thus, understanding the patterns of and under what conditions physicians make rehabilitation referrals is important for optimizing care. Method We analyzed data from 5020 participants (4 countries) collected from 1/3/2016 to 4/20/2018 as part of the Parkinson's Foundation Quality Improvement Initiative (PF QII). Data were analyzed for single discipline and multidiscipline referrals to speech language pathology (SLP), physical therapy (PT), and occupational therapy (OT). Group comparisons (referred vs. not-referred) and regression procedures were implemented to determine demographic and clinical variables that were associated with an increased likelihood of rehabilitation referral. Results 35.3% of participants were referred to rehabilitation services. Of these, 25.1% received a multidiscipline referral. There was a statistically significant effect of disease stage on both single discipline (χ2(2) = 45.1, p ≥ 1, Range = 1.08 to 1.62). Conclusions Despite evidence supporting multidiscipline and proactive rehabilitation in PD, the majority of referrals were made to a single service and may be reactions to falls or advancing disease. Data suggest there may be missed opportunities for optimizing care through proactive rehabilitation interventions.
Valuation Implications of Unconditional Accounting Conservatism: Evidence from Analysts' Target Prices

We examine whether financial analysts understand the valuation implications of unconditional accounting conservatism when forecasting target prices. While accounting conservatism affects reported earnings, conservatism per se does not have an effect on the present value of future cash flows. We examine whether analysts adjust for the effect of conservatism included in their earnings forecasts when using these forecasts to estimate target prices. We find that signed target price errors (actual minus forecast) have a significant positive association with the degree of conservatism in forward earnings, suggesting that target prices are biased due to accounting conservatism. Cross-sectional analysis suggests that more sophisticated analysts and superior long-term forecasters adjust for conservatism to a greater extent than other analysts. In additional analyses, we explore the mechanism through which conservatism leads to bias in target prices. We first show that analysts’ earnings forecasts are negatively associated with the degree of conservatism, i.e., analysts include the effect of unconditional conservatism in their earnings forecasts. Based on alternative earnings-based valuation models that analysts may use, our evidence suggests that analysts fail to appropriately adjust their valuation multiple for the effect of conservatism included in their earnings forecasts when using these forecasts to derive target prices. As a consequence, we find that, for extreme changes in conservatism, the bias in analysts’ target prices due to conservatism leads to a distortion of market prices. The evidence highlights the concern that analysts may not appreciate the valuation implications of conservative accounting which could inhibit price discovery.
PatchNet - Short-range Template Matching for Efficient Video Processing.

Object recognition is a fundamental problem in many video processing tasks, accurately locating seen objects at low computation cost paves the way for on-device video recognition. We propose PatchNet, an efficient convolutional neural network to match objects in adjacent video frames. It learns the patchwise correlation features instead of pixel features. PatchNet is very compact, running at just 58MFLOPs, $5\times$ simpler than MobileNetV2. We demonstrate its application on two tasks, video object detection and visual object tracking. On ImageNet VID, PatchNet reduces the flops of R-FCN ResNet-101 by 5x and EfficientDet-D0 by 3.4x with less than 1% mAP loss. On OTB2015, PatchNet reduces SiamFC and SiamRPN by 2.5x with no accuracy loss. Experiments on Jetson Nano further demonstrate 2.8x to 4.3x speed-ups associated with flops reduction. Code is open sourced at this https URL.
Coadministration of a Clinically Relevant Dexamethasone Dosage With Ablative Radiation Therapy Reduces Peripheral Lymphocytes But Does Not Alter In Vivo Intratumoral Lymphocyte Phenotype or Inhibit Efficacy of Radiation Therapy in a Murine Colorectal Tumor Model.

Purpose Dexamethasone is commonly given during radiation therapy (RT) to manage toxicities. Our study examines if dexamethasone coadministration with RT inhibits the RT-induced antitumor T cell response in mouse. Methods and Materials Intramuscularly implanted MC38 tumors were irradiated with 15 Gy after establishing for 7 days. Tumor bearing mice were administered dexamethasone using multiple schedules and doses. Peripheral lymphocyte reduction was monitored by complete blood count and intratumoral and tumor draining lymph node (tdLN) populations by flow cytometry. Effector phenotype and function of ex vivo stimulated tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and naive splenocytes as well as in vivo TILs with or without dexamethasone were monitored by flow cytometry and ELISA. Results Long course high dose, short course high dose, and short course human equivalent dose dexamethasone reduced peripheral lymphocytes yet did not inhibit survival after irradiation. Short course high dose administration decreased TIL and tdLN lymphocyte activation as well as tdLN mass but did not affect TIL frequencies or change tdLN cell population composition. Dexamethasone inhibited effector function of ex vivo stimulated naive splenocytes and TILs, but magnitude of IFN-γ secretion was consistently higher in TILs regardless of dexamethasone dose. In vivo analysis of TILs after irradiation and HE dexamethasone treatment showed that TILs had a similar effector phenotype compared with vehicle controls. Conclusions Dexamethasone reduces blood and tdLN lymphocytes. Dexamethasone also suppresses TIL activation/effector function yet does not affect survival in irradiated MC38 tumor bearing mice, which depend on RT-induced immune responses for therapy efficacy. Additional study in human subjects is warranted.
Comparison of Anesthetic Agents Dexmedetomidine and Midazolam During Mechanical Thrombectomy.

Abstract Objectives The ideal anesthetic for mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is a subject of debate. Recent studies have supported the use of monitored anesthesia care (MAC), but few have attempted to compare MAC neuroanesthetics. Our study directly compares midazolam and dexmedetomidine (DEX) on blood pressure control during thrombectomy and functional outcomes at discharge. Materials and Methods We performed a retrospective review of an MT database, which consisted of 612 patients admitted between 2010-2019 to our tertiary stroke center. 193 patients who received either midazolam or DEX for MAC induction were identified. Primary and secondary outcomes were >20% maximum decrease in mean arterial pressure during MT and functional independence respectively. Results 146 patients were administered midazolam, while 47 were administered DEX. Decrease in blood pressure (BP) during MT was associated with lower rates of functional independence at last follow-up (p=0.034). When compared to midazolam, DEX had significantly higher rates of intraprocedural decrease in MAP at the following cut-offs: >20% (p 30% (p=0.001), and >40% (p=0.006). On multivariate analysis, DEX was an independent predictor of >20% MAP decrease (OR 7.042, p Conclusions Use of DEX during MT appears to be associated with increased blood pressure volatility when compared to midazolam. Further investigation is needed to determine the impact of MAC agents on functional independence.
Effects of Gender Role Beliefs on Social Connectivity and Marital Safety: Findings From a Cross-Sectional Study Among Married Adolescent Girls in India.

PURPOSE The purpose of the study was to examine associations of gender role beliefs with marital safety as well as social and digital connectivity among married adolescent girls in India. METHODS We analyzed cross-sectional survey data from married adolescent girls from rural Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, India in 2015-2016 (N = 4,893). Gender role belief items assessed participants' beliefs regarding appropriateness of female marital choice and economic decision-making, male childcare responsibility, and marital violence. The outcomes were time with friends (social connection), freedom of movement, mobile phone ownership and internet access (digital connection), and safety from marital violence (marital safety). Adjusted regression models examined associations between gender role beliefs and outcomes, caste/religion beliefs related to segregation, and demographics. RESULTS Beliefs supportive of female marital choice (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00-1.88, p = .048) and female economic decision-making (AOR 1.43, 95% CI 1.03-1.99, p = .03) were associated with social connection. Beliefs supportive of female marital choice (AOR 1.88, 95% CI 1.31-2.71, p = .001), female economic decision-making (AOR 1.67, 95% CI 1.03-2.72, p = .04), and male childcare responsibilities (AOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.05-1.94, p = .03) were associated with freedom of movement. Belief supporting female marital choice was associated with mobile phone ownership (AOR 1.23, 95% CI 1.01-1.50, p = .04), and belief supporting male childcare responsibility was associated with internet access (AOR 1.76, 95% CI 1.11-2.77, p = .02). Beliefs supportive of female marital choice (AOR .73, 95% CI .59-.89, p = .003), male childcare responsibility (AOR 1.26, 95% CI 1.03-1.54, p = .02), and unacceptability of marital violence (AOR 1.72, 95% CI 1.38-2.15, p < .001) were associated with safety from marital violence. CONCLUSIONS Progressive gender role beliefs regarding female choice, control, and safety in marriage are associated with greater connectivity and safety for married adolescent girls in India. Future studies that can longitudinally assess these associations are warranted.
Non-insulin Dependent Diabetes in Youth (Type 2Y). † 433

Until recently, almost all diabetes (DM) in children was presumed to be secondary to autoimmune islet cell destruction (Type 1); however, recent studies in at-risk minorities (African-American, Native American) suggest that there may be an increasing number of youth with DM resulting from insulin resistance. As a first step in determining if a similar trend is occuring in the Hispanic population, we have reviewed all patients identified with DM since 1990. To be classified as having DM, a fasting laboratory glucose>140 mg% or a postprandial glucose >200 mg% was required. To be classified as non-insulin dependent, a patient also had to have an elevated fasting insulin and/or C-peptide, be in overall good health, and be on no hyperglycemic agents (e.g. steroids).
A Lunar Surface Operations Simulator

The Lunar Surface Operations Simulator (LSOS) is being developed to support planning and design of space missions to return astronauts to the moon. Vehicles, habitats, dynamic and physical processes and related environment systems are modeled and simulated in LSOS to assist in the visualization and design optimization of systems for lunar surface operations. A parametric analysis tool and a data browser were also implemented to provide an intuitive interface to run multiple simulations and review their results. The simulator and parametric analysis capability are described in this paper.
Directional solidification of PMN0.65PT0.35 ferroelectric crystals at 1 and 7 atm

Abstract Single crystals of 0.65 Pb ( Mg 1 / 3 Nb 2 / 3 ) O 3 – 0.35 PbTiO 3 were directionally solidified from the melt exposed to 7 atm air pressure (7 atm). The X-ray studies show that the obtained crystals have rhombohedral or tetragonal structure depending on the composition. In contrast to the experiments conducted at atmospheric pressure, the experiments conducted under 7 atm of air yielded transparent light-yellow crystals, free of pyrochlore phase. The temperature and frequency dependence of the dielectric constant and dielectric loss demonstrate a relaxor ferroelectric behavior. The room temperature dielectric constant e measured on unpoled (0 0 1) oriented specimens is 8200, demonstrating high crystalline perfection.
Early diagnosis of cancer of the body of the uterus

Abstract 1. 1. Bleeding is the most common symptom of adenocarcinoma of the body of the uterus, having been present in every one of our 71 cases. 2. 2. Three case reports illustrate: the importance of irregular premenstrual bleeding; the significance of postmenopausal microscopic bleeding; and the association of adenocarcinoma and hyperplasia. 3. 3. A chart is presented which stimulates the interest of the patient in bleeding, provides a graphic record, and aids in the interpretation of premenstrual bleeding. 4. 4. Examination of a single fragment of tissue is inadequate. Sections from all the curettings should be studied. 5. 5. Early diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the body of the uterus depends upon the education of the laity to observe and report all irregularities of premenopausal bleeding and all postmenopausal bleeding.
Analysing Concurrent Systems Using the Concurrency Workbench

This paper presents a case study illustrating the different analytical facilities provided by the Concurency Workbench, an automatic verification tool for finite-state systems. The system we consider is the Alternating Bit Protocol, a communications protocol designed to ensure error-free data transfer over lossy media. Using the Workbench we investigate several features of the protocol, and we isolate a crucial property (the assumption of which is unstated in the protocol definition) that media must have in order for the protocol to be deadlock-free.
Differential dynamic programming for optimal estimation

This paper studies an optimization-based approach for solving optimal estimation and optimal control problems through a unified computational formulation. The goal is to perform trajectory estimation over extended past horizons and model-predictive control over future horizons by enforcing the same dynamics, control, and sensing constraints in both problems, and thus solving both problems with identical computational tools. Through such systematic estimation-control formulation we aim to improve the performance of autonomous systems such as agile robotic vehicles. This work focuses on sequential sweep trajectory optimization methods, and more specifically extends the method known as differential dynamic programming to the parameter-dependent setting in order to enable the solutions to general estimation and control problems.
Vibration Tests of Full-Scale Earth Dam

Extensive full-scale dynamic tests, including ambient (unique in earth dam research) and forced vibration as well as popper tests were conducted on the Santa Felicia earth dam in Southern California. For the forced vibration tests, the dam was excited into resonance in both the upstream-downstream and longitudinal directions. During the ambient test, the naturally occurring vibrations of the dam were measured. The popper test involved the use of pressure waves originating from a controlled, submerged release of gas. During the tests, three-dimensional measurements of the motions of approximately 25 stations along the crest and seven stations on the downstream slope were recorded and then analyzed in both time and frequency domains. Modes of vibrations and associated natural frequencies as well as damping ratios were determined.
Inheritance of Resistance to Pear Psylla Nymphal Feeding in Pear (Pyrus communis L.) of European Origin

Pear psylla are serious pests of pear throughout North America and Europe. Inhibition of nymphal feeding has been identified as a key component of resistance, being correlated with inhibition of oviposition, mortality, and delayed development. Breeding for resistance would be aided by knowledge of the inheritance and relative breeding values of resistant parents. Nine seedling populations derived from crosses among five resistant European P. communis cultivars ('Batjarka', 'Erabasma', 'Ilinjaca', 'Spina Carpi', and'Zelinka'),aclone labeled'ObicanVodenac',andtwosusceptibleP. communis parents ('Bartlett' and 'Sunrise') were used in this study. The seedlings, 'Bartlett' as a susceptible control and NY10353 (a P. communis 3 P. ussuriensis backcross hybrid) as a moderately resistant control, were assayed for short-term survival and nymphal feeding after an infestation period of 2 days. There were no significant differences among the progeniesandcontrolsinmeanproportionoflivenymphsafter2days.Thedistributionsof live and feeding nymphs indicated some dominance for susceptibility in some crosses. There were few significant differences among crosses in the proportion of actively feeding nymphs; however, the two crosses involving 'Erabasma' exhibited significantly less feeding, indicating that 'Erabasma' transmitted resistance to nymphal feeding to its progeny to a greater degree than the other four resistant parents.
Pendulum equations for a swept-gain three-level amplifier.

We present new pendulum-type equations for the propagation of two nonoverlapping pulses in a model swept-gain three-level amplifier. The predictions of these equations are compared numerically with corresponding predictions of the two-level Burnham–Chiao equations and with the full coupled three-level Maxwell–Bloch equations.
Identification of Type-II Inhibitors Using Kinase Structures.

Spleen tyrosine kinase is a non-receptor tyrosine kinase, overactivation of which is thought to contribute to autoimmune diseases as well as allergy and asthma. Protein kinases have a highly conserved ATP binding site, thus making challenging the design of selective small molecule inhibitors. It has been well documented that some protein kinases can be stabilized in their inactive conformations (Type-II inhibitors). Herein, we describe a protein structure/ligand-based approach to successfully identify ligands that bind to novel conformations of spleen tyrosine kinase. By utilizing kinase protein crystal structures both in the public domain (RCSB) and within Pfizer's protein crystal database, we report the discovery of the first spleen tyrosine kinase Type-II ligands. Compounds 1 and 3 were found to bind to the DFG-out conformation of spleen tyrosine kinase, while compound 2 binds to a DFG-in, C-Helix-out conformation. In this instance, the C-helix moved significantly to create a large hydrophobic pocket rarely seen in kinase protein crystal structures.
Contributions to activity enhancement via Fe incorporation in Ni-(oxy)hydroxide/borate catalysts for near-neutral pH oxygen evolution

Ni–borate materials are oxygen evolution catalysts that operate at near-neutral pH and have been found previously to improve due to structural changes induced via anodic conditioning. We find that this increased activity after conditioning at 0.856 V vs. SCE, as measured on a turn-over frequency basis (TOF) at 400 mV overpotential (TOF = 0.38 s−1), accompanies significant Fe incorporation (14%). Films conditioned in Fe-free electrolyte exhibit ∼10 times lower activity (TOF = 0.03 s−1). By co-depositing Fe–Ni we demonstrate high activity without conditioning (TOF = 0.24 s−1) which improves further with shortened (∼30 min) conditioning (TOF = 1.4 s−1).
Absorption of far-infrared radiation by random metal particle composites

Measurements have been made of the absorption of far-infrared radiation by Pd small particles randomly embedded in KCl. The small particle specimens had Pd volume fractions between 0.001 and 0.1. At volume fractions of 0.03 and below, the absorption coefficient was proportional to the Pd concentration. The frequency dependence of the absorption coefficient was typically quadratic below 30 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ with a slower dependence above 30 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. The absorption coefficients were about a factor of 10 larger than those calculated from a theory based on electric and magnetic dipole absorption.
Analysis of the rabbit's electroretinogram following unilateral transection of the optic nerve

Abstract The effect of ganglion cell and centrifugal fiber activity on the electroretinogram of adult albino rabbits was investigated by measuring the electroretinogram 2–7 months after unilateral transection of the optic nerve. Histological examination of the denervated eyes showed that about 20% of the ganglion cells still survived. The electroretinograms of the control and optic nerve-severed (denervated) eyes were compared in dark- and light-adapted states, and before and after low doses of nembutal were administered. The electroretinograms from the two eyes (control and denervated) were the same in all cases. Ganglion cells and centrifugal fibers, if the latter are present in the rabbit, do not influence the electroretinogram.
A positive role for histone acetylation in transcription factor access to nucleosomal DNA

Acetylation of the N-terminal tails of the core histones directly facilitates the recognition by TFIIIA of the 5S RNA gene within model chromatin templates. This effect is independent of a reduction in the extent of histone-DNA interactions or a change in DNA helical repeat; it is also independent of whether a histone tetramer or octamer inhibits TFIIIA binding. Removal of the N-terminal tails from the core histones also facilitates the association of TFIIIA with nucleosomal templates. We suggest that the histone tails have a major role in restricting transcription factor access to DNA and that their acetylation releases this restriction by directing dissociation of the tails from DNA and/or inducing a change in DNA configuration on the histone core to allow transcription factor binding. Acetylation of core histones might be expected to exert a major influence on the accessibility of chromatin to regulatory molecules.
An interaction integral method for computing mixed mode stress intensity factors for curved bimaterial interface cracks in non-uniform temperature fields

In finite element analysis the interaction integral has been a useful tool for computing the stress intensity factors for fracture analysis. This work extends the interaction integral to account for non-uniform temperatures in the calculation of stress intensity factors for three dimensional curvilinear cracks either in a homogeneous body or on a bimaterial interface. First, the derivation of the computational algorithm, which includes the additional terms developed by the non-zero gradient of the temperature field, is presented in detail. The algorithm is then implemented in conjunction with commercial finite element software to calculate the stress intensity factors of a crack undergoing non-uniform temperatures on both a homogeneous and a bimaterial interface. The numerical results displayed path independence and showed excellent agreement with available analytical solutions.
Indonesia's Medan Merdeka: national identity and the built environment

Indonesia, among the world's most culturally diverse countries, has long grappled with the issues of national unity. This paper explores the meanings of Medan Merdeka [Independence Square] in central Jakarta, Indonesia - a particular site in which symbols for the abstract ideals of political unity and national identity were constructed in an urban space honoring the struggle for national independence. These symbols, however, also expose the struggle to define “Indonesianness” within the international geopolitical milieu of the post-independence years. As such they offer a glimpse into competing interpretations of identity and the real world struggle to impose meaning on the built environment.
INSTABILITY OF MUTANTS OF BACILLUS SUBTILIS RESISTANT TO PHAGE A-1

Frequency of the appearance of phage A-1-resistant mutants of Bacillus subtilis, an inosine producer, was higher on synthetic media than on natural media.The character of phage resistance in most of the mutants, however, was very unstable and the mutants became sensitive during preservation on the same medium on which they had been isolated. Since A-1-resistant mutants grew slowly on any media used compared to the parental sensitive strain, this type of conversion could be explained by "population change" caused by the increase of phage-sensitive revertant cells during cultivation or successive transfers. To prevent this conversion, the presence of phage A-1 was utilized for eliminating the sensitive cells during the maintenance of resistant strains.Another type of conversion was observed when phage-resistant mutants obtained on a natural medium were transferred to some synthetic media and vice versa. Several saccharides, such as glucose, glucosamine, and ribose, were found to stimulate the conversion when resistant cells were transferred from natural medium to synthetic medium. This conversion was prevented by the isolation of phage-resistant mutants successively on various media.
Cost Analysis and Feasibility of High-fidelity Simulation Based Radiology Contrast Reaction Curriculum

Rationale and Objectives Radiology residents have variable training in managing acute nonrenal adverse reactions to iodinated contrast media because of their rarity. Preliminary results show positive feedback and knowledge gain with high-fidelity simulation-based training. Financial costs and the time required to implement a high-fidelity simulation curriculum are higher than for a lecture series. The objective of this study was to provide a financial and time cost-benefit analysis for high-fidelity simulation training of acute adverse reactions to iodinated contrast media. Materials and Methods Forty-four radiology residents were divided into lecture and simulation groups. Five simulation scenarios were created, with core education content mirrored in the lecture. Lengths of faculty time commitment and resident training were recorded. Financial costs, including manikin and simulation facility rates, were recorded and divided by the number of residents to obtain per resident simulation and lecture costs. A written evaluation of the experience, with Likert-type items and unstructured response items, was conducted. Results Cost per resident for simulation training setup was $259.76, and $203.46 for subsequent years, compared to Conclusions This study illustrates that financial costs of implementation are low compared to the potential cost of morbidity associated with the life-threatening event of an acute adverse reaction to iodinated contrast media.
A change detection strategy for monitoring vegetative and land-use cover types using remotely-sensed, satellite-based data

Abstract Changes to our environment are of critical concern in our world today; consequently, monitoring such changes and assessing their impacts are tasks demanding considerably higher priority. The ecological impacts of the natural global cycles of gases and particulates in the earth's atmosphere are highly influenced by the extent of “change” to vegative canopy characteristics which dictates the need for a capability to detect and assess the magnitude of such changes. The primary emphasis of this paper is on the determination of the size and configuration of the sampling unit that maximizes the probability of its intersection with a “change” area. Assessment of the significance of the “change” in a given locality is also addressed and relies on a statistics approach that compares the number of elemental units (e.g., pixels) exceeding a reflectance threshold when compared to a previous point in time. Consideration is also given to a technical framework that supports quantifying the magnitude of the “change” over large areas (i.e., at regional, continental, and global levels—e.g., the estimated area changing from forest to agricultural land-use). The latter entails a multistage approach which utilizes satellite-based and other related data sources.
Down-regulation of activity and expression of three transport-related proteins in the gills of the euryhaline green crab, Carcinus maenas, in response to high salinity acclimation

The euryhaline green crab, Carcinus maenas, undergoes an annual cycle of salinity exposure, having to adapt to low salinity during its annual spring migration into estuaries, and then having to re-adapt to high salinity when it moves off-shore at the end of summer. Most studies have focused on low salinity acclimation, the activation of osmoregulatory mechanisms, and the induction of transport protein and transport-related enzyme activity and gene expression. In this study we followed the changes in hemolymph osmolality, carbonic anhydrase activity, and mRNA expression of three proteins through a complete cycle of low (15 ppt) and high (32 ppt) salinity acclimation. One week of low salinity acclimation resulted in hemolymph osmoregulation and a four-fold induction of branchial carbonic anhydrase activity. Relative mRNA expression increased for two CA isoforms (CAc 100-fold, and CAg 7-fold) and the α-subunit of the Na/K-ATPase (8-fold). Upon re-exposure to high salinity, hemolymph osmolality increased to 32 ppt acclimated levels by 6 h, and mRNA levels returned to high salinity, baseline levels within 1 week. However, CA activity remained unchanged in response to high salinity exposure for the first week and then gradually declined to baseline levels over 4 weeks. The relative timing of these changes suggests that while whole-organism physiological adaptations and regulation at the gene level can be very rapid, changes at the level of protein expression and turnover are much slower. It is possible that the high metabolic cost of protein synthesis and/or processing could be the underlying reason for long biological life spans of physiologically important proteins.
Stream Spreading in Multilayer Microfluidic Flows of Suspensions

The goal of this experimental study is to quantify the spreading of parallel streams with viscosity contrast in multilayer microfluidic flows. Three streams converge into one channel where a test fluid is sheathed between two layers of a Newtonian reference fluid. The test fluids are Newtonian fluids with viscosities ranging from 1.1 to 48.2 cP and suspensions of 10-mum-diameter PMMA particles with particle volume fractions phi = 0.16-0.30. The fluid interface locations are identified through fluorescence microscopy. The steady-state width of the center stream is strongly dependent on the viscosity ratio between the adjacent fluids and exhibits a near power-law relationship. This dependence occurs for both the Newtonian fluids and the suspensions, although the slopes differ. The high-concentration suspension (phi = 0.30) diverges from Newtonian behavior, while the low-concentration suspensions (phi = 0.16, 0.22) closely approximate that of the Newtonian fluids. The observed suspension behavior can be attributed to shear-induced particle migration.
Lifetime determination of materials that exhibit a stretched exponential luminescent decay

We report frequency- and time-domain luminescent lifetime measurements for materials that exhibit a broad spectrum of lifetimes, specifically, those for which the observed decay dynamics can be described by a stretched exponential function. The spectrum of lifetimes of such materials can be characterized by an average lifetime, and in principle this average can be extracted from either time- or frequency-domain measurements. In practice, this requires some care, because the extent to which the various states are excited depends on how long their lifetime is relative to the excitation pulse width or period. For the complex luminescent materials ZnS:Cu,Al and CdS quantum dots we compare the average lifetime obtained from frequency-domain data and from time-domain data under both pulsed laser excitation and steady-state, dc excitation. The agreement between the average measured lifetimes is good, but not perfect, showing that quoted average lifetimes for complex materials can be dependent on the measurement technique. Finally, a spectrum of lifetimes is given that gives rise to stretched exponential relaxation and this spectrum is used to compute frequency-domain data for a stretched exponential material.
Synchrotron Radiation Spectroscopes For Semiconductor Interface Characterization: Si(111)/SiO 2

Abstract The unique tunability and x -ray energies of synchrotron radiation can be exploited to determine new properties of semiconductor interfaces that are central to current electronicstechnologies. As device dimensions shrink, a microscopic understanding of the growth, extent and composition of semiconductor interfaces becomes key in advancing the state -of-the -art. In this paper, we illustrate the dramatic advances in the scientific exploration of interface properties by an example from the Si -Si02 system which utilizes thephoton energytunability of synchrotron radiation combined with the core electron energy tunability of SoftX -ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (SXPS). While the Si -Si02 interface is one of the mosttechnologically important and well -controlled electronic materials systems today, we show that a detailed description of the interface regions still eludes direct correlation with measured trapping levels in MOS devices. By "fingerprinting" the oxidation states of Si on anatomic scale, we explore the evolution of the interface, determine species which serve asconnective regions between the structurally incompatible materials, and deduce possible
Characterizing Early Events Associated with the Activation of Target Genes by 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 in Mouse Kidney and Intestine in Vivo

In this report, we explore the interaction of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) at regulatory sites within both the Cyp24a1 and the Trpv6 genes using chromatin immunoprecipitation techniques in a mouse model in vivo. We show that exogenous 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) induces rapid VDR and RXR (retinoid X receptor) binding to the Cyp24a1 gene in both the kidney and the intestine and to the Trpv6 gene in the intestine. Separate studies of Trpv6 in vitro suggest that VDR binding occurs directly to VDR response elements located -2 and -4 kb upstream of the TSS. VDR binding is dose-dependent, demonstrating EC(50) values that are comparable with those for the induction of both Cyp24a1 and Trpv6 mRNA. Importantly, interaction of the VDR with these targets results in rapid changes in histone 4 acetylation as well as the recruitment of RNA polymerase II. The presence of both VDR and RNA polymerase II at these sites declines between 3-6 h, whereas the changes observed in acetylation decrease more slowly. Finally, we show that whereas mediator protein 1 is recruited to the Cyp24a1 promoter in the intestine, this coactivator is apparently not required for Trpv6 activation. These studies provide the first evidence for 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced VDR interaction at key target genes in vivo, revealing the consequences of that interaction on the Cyp24a1 and Trpv6 genes.
Transnationalism: the face of feminist politics post‐Beijing*

In this paper, I argue that transnational feminist practices have become the dominant modality of feminist movements around the world, since the Fourth Women's World Conference in Beijing. By transnationalism I mean both organising across national borders as well as framing local, national, regional, and global activism in “transnational” discourses. I review two sites of transnational feminism, the UN and the World Social Forum, especially the emergence of the Feminist Dialogues from the Forum. I argue that the changed socio-political context following Beijing – in particular the continuing hegemony of the neo-liberal economic agenda, the entrenchment of religious fundamentalisms, and the post 9/11 wars and focus on terrorism in the US and around the world – has highlighted the limitations of transnational activism, for both internal movement politics and social transformation. Transnational feminism fragments movement politics as tensions emerge between movement organisations that can actually cross borders versus those that cannot and reproduces inequalities among activists within and between countries in the North and South. More importantly, however, given the spaces within which transnational feminists operate and the modalities of transnational activism, the strategic focus of movements' shifts from outcome to process and from redistribution to policy and discursive changes. Thus, the ironic state of the feminist movements post Beijing, I argue, is that (some) women's agency is visible everywhere even as (most) women's lives remain mired in multiple inequalities. What is needed in this neo-liberal moment is a neo-radical feminist politics that is based on intersectional analysis and democratic practices but devises strategies with other mass movements that can redistribute resources and emancipate women.
Bundle branch reentry ventricular tachycardia with two distinct left bundle branch block morphologies.

Bundle Branch Reentry VT with Two Morphologies. Introduction: Bundle branch reentry ventricular tachycardia (VT) is usually amenable to treatment with radiofrequency ablation. Different QRS morphologies during VT are possible when anterograde ventricular activation is over the left bundle branch. Manifestations of tbis reentrant tachycardia with more than one QRS morphology with anterograde activation via the right bundle have not been reported and would be unusual due to the more discrete anatomy of the right bundle branch. Methods and Results: An electropbysiologic study was conducted in a patient with dilated ventricle and diminished ventricular function with VT, Typical characteristics of bundle branch reentry were noted when VT was induced. The study was notable for the presence of a right bundle recording only during macroreentrant beats or VT and the distal location of the recording. Radiofrequency ablation was performed. Postablation stimulation again induced VT, proven to be of the same bundle branch reentry mechanism but of a different QRS morphology. A second ablation was required for complete ablation of this patient's bundle branch reentry VT. Conclusion: In bundle branch reentry utilizing the left bundle as the retrograde limb and the right bundle branch as the anterograde limb of the circuit, VT of more than one distinct morphology can be seen. Careful evaluation to assess for the persistence of VT of the same mechanism is necessary to ensure complete ablation of the reentrant circuit. Preexisting right bundle disease and a dilated heart with more dispersed distal right bundle branches may predispose to such a phenomenon.
Risks of Catastrophic Derailments Involving the Release of Hazardous Materials

Models are formulated and computed to assess the risks of hazardous materials releases in train derailments in terms of: the probability of any number of fatalities in an accident, the probability of any total number of fatalities from all the accidents in a year, and the frequency of accidents which result in any given number of fatalities. These functions are evaluated using data bases and analytical methods which provide estimates of exposure levels traffic volumes, track conditions and population densities, spill occurrence and spill size probabilities, and fatal spill impacts the size of the lethal area in any given accident scenario. Despite the sparsity of historical data, this methodology enables us to express the potential for catastrophic occurrences in quantitative terms, to compare these numbers with estimates of other risks, and to examine the effects of selective variations in the model inputs.
The role of alkalinity in the mortality of Daphnia magna in bioassays of sediment-bound copper☆

1. The toxicity of copper-bearing sediments polluted by acidic mine drainage was determined with bioassays employing Daphnia magna at various alkalinities. 2. Mortality of Daphnia in 24 hr bioassays was significantly correlated with the concentration of copper in the water, sediment and animal tissues. 3. The alkalinity of the water had a significant effect on mortality. Increasing alkalinity resulted in decreased mortality for a given sediment copper concentration. 4. Bicarbonate ion concentration did not affect the accumulation of copper in the tissues. 5. The 24 hr LC50, for sediments was 1332 ppm copper at 600 mg/l and 1578 ppm at 1000 mg/l alkalinity.
Extrapancreatic effects of L-leucine infusion in leucine-sensitive and control subjects.

We studied the extrapancreatic effects of L-leucine infusion (2.5 mumol/kg/min) in six controls (three females, three males) and three members of a family with leucine-sensitive hypoglycemia (LSH). Total glucose disposal and endogenous glucose production (EGP) rates were assessed after an overnight fast (12 to 14 hour) during somatostatin (SRIF) infusion (500 micrograms/h) with insulin replacement (0.2 mU/kg/min), combined with D-(3-3H)-glucose infusion. Additional studies of forearm arterial-venous (A-V) balances of amino acids, glucose, and other substrates, combined with L-(1-14C)-leucine kinetics, were done in these two groups. L-leucine infusion resulted in a 15% decrease in whole-body total glucose utilization in controls (P less than .05) during SRIF-insulin infusion, but did not affect glucose utilization in LSH subjects. EGP was not affected by L-leucine infusion in either group. Control subjects demonstrated a significant reduction in forearm glucose uptake and greater lactate release during L-leucine infusion, compared to the basal state. In contrast, subjects with LSH showed a slight increase in forearm glucose uptake and significantly less lactate release during L-leucine infusion. Subjects with LSH demonstrated significantly lower forearm leucine uptake, and lower rates of appearance and oxidation of L-(1-14C)-leucine during leucine infusion, compared to controls. Our data suggest that members of this LSH kindred have a defect in intracellular leucine metabolism in skeletal muscle, resulting in a lack of leucine-induced inhibition of glucose utilization. This may contribution to the development of hypoglycemia in these subjects.
The performance of IMPATT diodes under the influence of high-intensity gamma and neutron radiation

IMPATT diodes were tested under the influence of up to 1.5 × 107R/h gamma radiation and 3 × 1012N/cm2/s fast neutrons. Major changes were noted in power output, frequency spectrum, and current-voltage characteristics. Permanent damage and total failure resulted from this test.