cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proteomic Differences and Linkages between Chemoresistance and Metastasis of Pancreatic Cancer Using Knowledge-Based Pathway Analysis

Pancreatic cancer (PC) has been recognized as one of the most life-threatening diseases because of the lack of diagnostic methods in the early stage as well as its rapid progression. The well-known key barriers for the effective cure of PC are chemoresistance and metastasis, which complicate therapeutic strategy. In this study, target molecules related to chemoresistance and metastasis were investigated using network and signaling pathway analysis of previously published and unpublished subcellular proteomics data sets from six PC cell lines. The result indicated that among the total 5766 proteins identified from four cell lines, vimentin and vinculin were the most increased proteins in the gemcitabine resistant group (Panc-1 and MiaPaCa-2) compared with drug-sensitive cell lines (BXPC-3 and Su8686). Interestingly, vimentin also was correlated to metastasis because of significantly increased expression in metastatic site-derived cell lines (Su8686 and Capan-1) compared with primary cancer cell lines (BXPC-3 and Capan-2). Anterior gradient protein 2 was an additional upregulated protein associated with metastasis. Furthermore, various proteins known to be involved in epithelial to mesenchymal transition, which is associated with increased chemoresistance and progression of PC, were found to be differentially expressed in the cell lines. These identified proteins can be further investigated to determine their roles and may serve as therapeutic targets in the development of more effective treatments for PC.
Long-Term Durability of FRP Bond in the Midwest United States for Externally Strengthened Bridge Components

AbstractIn this study, the bond strength of a typical FRP system subjected to long-term natural weathering in the midwest United States is experimentally investigated, and the rate of degradation i...
DISTINCTIVE OF PENTECOSTALISM AND BIBLICAL REVELATION FOR AFRICAN ECCLESIOLOGY

Purpose: Distinctive of Pentecostalism and biblical revelation for African ecclesiology examined a brief historical background of Pentecostalism in America, Asia and Africa, with a view to point out a distinctive of Pentecostal namely: baptism in the Holy Spirit in the light of biblical revelation. Methodology: The work uses historical, theological, descriptive, philosophical, and deductive approaches to elicit information. Findings: Findings revealed that the real Pentecostal are those whose life, and character traits and practices adhered to the scriptures, and not necessarily adherence to waves and emotionalism. The work identified the true position of real Pentecostals as those who radiate the life of Christ in practice. The study also noted that it is clear that speaking in tongues is a gift of the scriptures, but it is not meant to be manipulated, taught, or faked just to sound spiritual. It is a gift of the Holy Spirit. He distributes to individual as He wills. The distributive will belong to the Holy Spirit. It is foul when tongues are taught to people, manipulated, or put into use to sound spiritual so as to deceive the faithful. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommended that Speaking in tongues is a gift of God for the edification of believers as they go about the witness of Christ, yet it should not be used for personal aggrandizement to deceive the people of God or to sound spiritual. True Pentecostalism should be conformed to imaging the character of Christ so as to season the decay in our world today. Emotionalism goes with much of the wave that comes and goes, but genuine Pentecostals will stand the test of time, hence Pentecostal brethren will do well to show the character of Christ like in Acts 11:26.The study also recommends that Gift of the Holy Spirit is a great blessing for the church advancement. Any believer is expected to bless and grow the fellowship with the unique gift or gifts the Holy Spirit has graciously endowed. Speaking in tongues should not be legislated for believers; rather it should be left to the distributive prerogative of the Holy Spirit for genuine seekers of the gifts.
ENHANCED ACCUMULATIONS OF CYCLIC AMP IN BRAIN SLICES ELICITED BY NOREPINEPHRINE AFTER INTRAVENTRICULAR PRETREATMENT OF RATS WITH 6-HYDROXYDOPAMINE

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the enhanced accumulations of cyclic AMP in brain slices elicited by norepinephrine after intraventricular pretreatment of rats with 6-hydroxydopamine. 2,4,5-trihydroxyphenethylamine and certain related compounds cause a selective degeneration of noradrenergic terminals in both peripheral organs and the central nervous system. Concomitant and subsequent to this chemical sympathectomy, of the innervated organ or cell to catecholamines may develop. It is found that with heart, nictitating membrane, and blood vessels, supersensitivity to norepinephrine in 6-hydroxydopamine treated animals appears primarily because of the lack of presynaptic uptake mechanisms and the maximal response is unchanged while the threshold response to norpinephrine is shifted to lower levels. In the central nervous system, both the type of response and threshold for the stereotypical response of rats to apomorphine, a dopaminergic agonist, are altered in animals pretreated with intraventricular 6-hydroxydopamine. Intraventricular injection of 5,6-dihydroxytryptamine or 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine had no significant effect on the responses of the cyclic AMP-generating system to the various stimulatory agents. No responses to dopamine or serotonin were seen in any of these experiments with rat cortical slices. Both α- and β-adrenergic receptor-mediated accumulations of cyclic AMP appear to be potentiated in rats pretreated with 6-hydroxydopamine.
Trigonometric Interpolation Beamforming for a Circular Microphone Array

Polynomial beamforming has previously been proposed for addressing the non-trivial problem of integrating acoustic echo cancellation with adaptive microphone beamforming. This paper demonstrates a design example for a circular array where traditional polynomial beamforming approaches exhibit severe (over 10 dB) directivity index (DI) oscillations at the edges of the design interval, leading to severe DI degradation for certain look directions. A solution, based on trigonometric interpolation, is proposed that stabilizes the oscillations significantly, resulting in a DI that deviates only about 1 dB from that of a fixed beamformer over all look directions.
Show Me the Money! Decreasing Incremental Overtime

Background: Incremental overtime was identified as having a major financial impact on a respiratory department. Incremental overtime (IOT) is defined as 15 to 30 min beyond a 12-hour shift. During the second half of fiscal year 17/18, the total hours of incremental overtime resulted in a financial impact of $6,000 per month. A goal of IOT reduction by 50% was established. Methods: To identify the primary causes of IOT, a sign-off tool was developed to complete when IOT was accrued. This allowed the supervisory team identify opportunities to reduce IOT. Analysis of data found three primary reasons for IOT: Barriers to giving and receiving report, clocking in late and therapist arriving to the unit for report late. Obstacles for giving and receiving report were: geography of institution, reporting to multiple therapists and having a completed hand-off. By providing coverage to therapists that were assigned to multiple areas, a reduction in late reports were seen. The second barrier, clocking in late, had a strong correlation to IOT accrual. Consistent reminders to staff of work time attendance policy and providing verbal feedback to repeat offenders had a significant impact. The third identified barrier was therapists arriving late to assigned units. Resolution of the two above causes directly affected this third area, by correcting the first two causes staff were able to arrive to their assigned areas on time. Results: By identifying the most impactful causations, incremental overtime was reduced by 75% in the first half of the fiscal year. The three barriers impacting staff were identified as receiving/giving report to multiple therapists, clocking in late and arriving to assigned work areas late. Solutions were developed to reduce these barriers resulting in exceeding the goal. Conclusions: The goal was to decrease the frequency of IOT accrued by 50%. An action plan was made to; identify the root causes for the incremental overtime and made a resolution plan for the causes. For fiscal year 17/18, we have seen a reduction of incremental overtime by 75%. This equates to $8,000 a month. The overtime tool is an effective tracking mechanism which has helped narrow the reasons for overtime accrual. Due to the work environment, there will remain a percentage of unavoidable incremental overtime that is deemed acceptable if related to patient care. It is vital for leadership to follow through with staff who are repeat offenders of IOT to maintain these results.
From Deliberation to Counter-Narration: Toward a Critical Pedagogy for Democratic Citizenship.

Best practices in civic education emphasize deliberative pedagogies as one of the most powerful ways to educate enlightened democratic citizens. Yet deliberative pedagogies are rooted in a white no...
Cost-effectiveness of combined atezolizumab/nab-paclitaxel for advanced triple-negative breast cancer.

e19388Background: The IMpassion 130 trial found prolonged progression-free and overall survival among PD-L1-positive, advanced triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients receiving atezolizumab a...
Culture in prison, culture on the street: the convergence between the convict code and code of the street

The convict code guides behaviors, beliefs, and interactions of incarcerated people by encouraging them to mind their own business, never back down, keep to themselves, and not get too close with c...
Direct synthesis of micropillars of vertically aligned carbon nanotubes on stainless-steel and their excellent field emission properties

Abstract Vacuum micro/nano-electronics can greatly benefit from the improved emission current density and temporal stability of the electron beam due to the morphological control and direct contact of cold field-emitters on a conducting substrate. In this work, high-performance vertically aligned carbon nanotube (VACNT) pillar-based field-emitter arrays (VACNT-P-FEAs) were synthesized directly on stainless-steel (SS) via plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition. Nanosphere lithography was employed to limit the growth sites of VACNTs and form VACNT-P-FEAs of different sizes on the SS substrate. The field emission (FE) properties of the VACNT-P-FEAs were dependent on the size of the pillar emitters. Remarkable FE properties, such as low turn-on electric field (ETo = 1.57 V/μm), low threshold electric field (ETh = 2.94 V/μm), high field enhancement factor (β = 4977), and high emission current density (∼33 mA/cm2 at a field of 4 V/μm) were observed from the VACNT-P-FEAs grown using polystyrene microspheres (450 nm diameter) for lithography. The excellent FE performance can be ascribed to the inherent properties of the sample, such as the high conductivity of the SS substrate, low contact resistance between the SS substrate and VACNTs, the suitable number of active VACNT pillar field-emitters, and the reduced screening effect between the VACNT pillars.
New Approach to Beam Diagnostics for High-Power Fiber Lasers

The average propagating power in an optical fiber can be derived from the forward and backward Mie scattered light intensities, and the mode structure can be derived from the interference pattern near the fiber.
Analytical Methods for the Propagation of Uncertainties

An indirect measurement is a measurement where multiple quantities are measured and combined through a model equation to obtain the value of the measurand. This chapter presents analytical methods for determining the uncertainty in the measurand when the individual measured quantities each have their own uncertainty. A full derivation of what is commonly known as the GUM method is provided, for the cases of both uncorrelated and correlated input measurements. Nonlinear models and higher-order terms are also discussed, along with the case where the measurement model results in multiple output quantities. Finally, some limitations and assumptions of this analytical approach are presented.
Legislation and Comment: The Making of the § 199A Regulations

In 2017, Congress passed major tax legislation at warp speed. After enactment, it fell to the Treasury Department to write regulations clarifying and implementing the new law. To assure democratic legitimacy in making regulations, administrative law provides that an agency must issue a notice of proposed rulemaking, followed by an opportunity for the public to comment (so called “notice and comment”). But, after the 2017 tax overhaul, many sophisticated actors did not wait until the issuance of a notice of proposed rulemaking to comment, instead going to Treasury immediately with comments designed to influence the regulations. In this Article, we examine empirically this phenomenon of post-enactment commenting by studying the making of the Code Section 199A regulations—some of the most important regulations implementing the 2017 tax reform. We examined the inputs into the regulatory process from legislative enactment through the regulations’ finalization. We find extensive engagement by sophisticated parties and industry groups prior to the official notice-and-comment period, which helped shape and anchor rulemaking outcomes. Subsequent comments submitted in the official notice-and-comment period led to technical and other discrete changes, but did not fundamentally change the initial rulemaking approach. Throughout the rulemaking process, there was little direct, public-interested engagement. Our study underscores how unorthodoxies in the legislative process bleed into the rulemaking process. Hasty legislation puts pressure on administrative law notice-and-comment procedures, exacerbating problems of unequal access and transparency already endemic to rulemaking, and potentially compromising democratic legitimacy. We propose solutions that may help ameliorate these problems and improve governance.
Reports of Forgone Medical Care Among US Adults During the Initial Phase of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Importance: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused major disruptions in the US health care system. Objective: To estimate frequency of and reasons for reported forgone medical care from March to mid-July 2020 and examine characteristics of US adults who reported forgoing care. Design, Setting, and Participants: This survey study used data from the second wave of the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Civic Life and Public Health Survey, fielded from July 7 to July 22, 2020. Respondents included a national sample of 1337 individuals aged 18 years or older in the US who were part of National Opinion Research Center's AmeriSpeak Panel. Exposures: The initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic in the US, defined as from March to mid-July 2020. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcomes were missed doses of prescription medications; forgone preventive and other general medical care, mental health care, and elective surgeries; forgone care for new severe health issues; and reasons for forgoing care. Results: Of 1468 individuals who completed wave 1 of the Johns Hopkins COVID-19 Civic Life and Public Health Survey (70.4% completion rate), 1337 completed wave 2 (91.1% completion rate). The sample of respondents included 691 (52%) women, 840 non-Hispanic White individuals (63%), 160 non-Hispanic Black individuals (12%), and 223 Hispanic individuals (17%). The mean (SE) age of respondents was 48 (0.78) years. A total of 544 respondents (41%) forwent medical care from March through mid-July 2020. Among 1055 individuals (79%) who reported needing care, 544 (52%) reported forgoing care for any reason, 307 (29%) forwent care owing to fear of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission, and 75 (7%) forwent care owing to financial concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Respondents who were unemployed, compared with those who were employed, forwent care more often (121 of 186 respondents [65%] vs 251 of 503 respondents [50%]; P = .01) and were more likely to attribute forgone care to fear of SARS-CoV-2 transmission (78 of 186 respondents [42%] vs 120 of 503 respondents [24%]; P = .002) and financial concerns (36 of 186 respondents [20%] vs 28 of 503 respondents [6%]; P = .001). Respondents lacking health insurance were more likely to attribute forgone care to financial concerns than respondents with Medicare or commercial coverage (19 of 88 respondents [22%] vs 32 of 768 respondents [4%]; P < .001). Frequency of and reasons for forgone care differed in some instances by race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, and health status. Conclusions and Relevance: This survey study found a high frequency of forgone care among US adults from March to mid-July 2020. Policies to improve health care affordability and to reassure individuals that they can safely seek care may be necessary with surging COVID-19 case rates.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Bureaucratic Structure in Healthcare Organizations

This paper aims to examine the advantages and disadvantages of bureaucratic management in healthcare organizations, specifically how it affects healthcare practice. The paper identifies Max Weber's bureaucratic theory of management (1905), the structure of bureaucracy management, its limitation, and its constraints on today's management practices. The paper reflects on the fact that most organizations both in public and private sectors have been ineffective in management because the bureaucratic systems under which they operate are not flexible despite being confronted with a very dynamic working environment. Change in management practice can create long-lasting advantages and high performance and allows the organization to respond to internal and external opportunities, and use its creativity to include new ideas, processes, or products. It is recommended that organizations should have a well-shared vision and mission rather than being organized through hierarchy and fixed policy and procedures. By minimizing bureaucracy, healthcare employers will be able to provide a conducive environment for innovation within their organizations. Through management innovation, an organization can perform more effectively and efficiently, which provides it with a competitive advantage.
Effect of spironolactone use in pulmonary arterial hypertension - analysis from pivotal trial databases.

Spironolactone, a common diuretic used in the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), improves cardiopulmonary hemodynamics by attenuating the adverse effects of hyperaldosteronism on e...
Advanced Primary Rhinoplasty

What constitutes a difficult rhinoplasty? Traditionally, the answer is whatever rhinoplasty you are doing at that moment, or any operation that pushes you beyond your comfort zone. Objectively, I think the major differences between Level 2 and 3 cases are the following: (1) severity of deformity, (2) complexity of operative technique, and (3) requirement for intraoperative flexibility. Essentially, these cases mandate that something be done to all parts of the nose. One must modify and integrate the entire nose rather than simply lower the profile or refine the tip. The operative plan is often complex consisting of a myriad number of grafts, infrequently performed techniques, and asymmetric design. Intraoperative findings may require one to make major changes in the original plan. How does one progress from Level 2 to Level 3 cases? For many surgeons, it is the challenge of ethnic rhinoplasties which can have a spectrum of deformities that range from Level 2 to Level 3. Also, one will on occasion realize intraoperatively that the problems are g reater than anticipated thereby increasing the grade from Level 2 to Level 3. When frst entering practice, 33% of your rhinoplasty consults may appear to be Level 3 cases. As your gain experience and your comfort zone expands, the percentage of Level 3 cases will decrease. Ultimately, you will enjoy the challenge and the technical demands of these cases.
Efficient Generation of Parallel Quasirandom Faure Sequences Via Scrambling

Much of the recent work on parallelizing quasi-Monte Carlo methods has been aimed at splitting a quasirandom sequence into many subsequences which are then used independently on the various parallel processes. This method works well for the parallelization of pseudorandom numbers, but due to the nature of quality in quasirandom numbers, this technique has many drawbacks. In contrast, this paper proposes an alternative approach for generating parallel quasirandom sequences via scrambling. The exact meaning of the digit scrambling we use depends on the mathematical details of the quasirandom number sequence's method of generation. The Faure sequence is scramble by modifying the generator matrices in the definition. Thus, we not only obtain the expected near-perfect speedup of the naturally parallel Monte Carlo methods, but the errors in the parallel computation is even smaller than if the computation were done with the same quantity of quasirandom numbers using the original Faure sequence.
Self-Management of Depression: A Manual for Mental Health and Primary Care Professionals

Preface 1. The use of self-management for depression 2. Care management of depression: treatment of depression in primary care and the need for a multidisciplinary approach 3. Self-assessment instruments for depression 4. Self-help: the role of bibliotherapy and computerized psychotherapy in self-management for depression 5. Physical exercise as a form of self-management for depression 6. Self-management of depression using meditation 7. Cultivating social support: the role of peer-support in self-management 8. Putting it all together: applying self-management for depression in your practice Index.
Coherent view of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

PURPOSEEven though non-Hodgkin's lymphoma is already sixth in incidence and mortality among malignant neoplasms (and the incidence was increasing at a rate of 3% to 4% per year before the advent of AIDS epidemic-associated lymphomas), most physicians and many oncologists find the disorder arcane. The problem lies in the complexity of human lymphoma, which encompasses more than a dozen neoplasms of the lymphoid system. The goal of this review is to provide user-friendly access to the condition.METHODSThe variety of inputs required for a subdivision of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma that is useful to clinicians includes lymphocyte lineage and sublineage based on microscopic appearance and immunophenotype, clinical behavior manifest in survival and early dissemination, and analysis of molecular genetic and cytogenetic abnormalities, which reflect pathogenic oncogene derangements. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) are important in certain uncommon lymphomas.RESULTS AND CONCLUSIO...
Bacterial Growth Rates and Competition Affect Nodulation and Root Colonization by Rhizobium meliloti.

The addition of streptomycin to nonsterile soil suppressed the numbers of bacterial cells in the rhizosphere of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) for several days, resulted in the enhanced growth of a streptomycin-resistant strain of Rhizobium meliloti, and increased the numbers of nodules on the alfalfa roots. A bacterial mixture inoculated into sterile soil inhibited the colonization of alfalfa roots by R. meliloti, caused a diminution in the number of nodules, and reduced plant growth. Enterobacter aerogenes, Pseudomonas marginalis, Acinetobacter sp., and Klebsiella pneumoniae suppressed the colonization by R. meliloti of roots grown on agar and reduced nodulation by R. meliloti, the suppression of nodulation being statistically significant for the first three species. Bradyrhizobium sp. and “Sarcina lutea” did not suppress root colonization nor nodulation by R. meliloti. The doubling times in the rhizosphere for E. aerogenes, P. marginalis, Acinetobacter sp., and K. pneumoniae were less and the doubling times for Bradyrhizobium sp. and “S. lutea” were greater than the doubling time of R. meliloti. Under the same conditions, Arthrobacter citreus injured alfalfa roots. We suggest that competition by soil bacteria reduces nodulation by rhizobia in soil and that the extent of inhibition is related to the growth rates of the rhizosphere bacteria.
The Psychology of AIDS Denialism: Pseudoscience, Conspiracy Thinking, and Medical Mistrust

More than 34 million people in the world are living with HIV/AIDS. Each year there are nearly three million new HIV infections and nearly two million AIDS-related deaths. In the face of these staggering statistics, there is a vocal group of individuals who deny reality and claim that HIV is harmless or may not even exist at all. Mirroring the AIDS pandemic itself, AIDS denialism is a threat to public health. AIDS denialism propagates the views of a few rogue scientists through press releases, social media, and a significant presence on the Internet. AIDS Denialists aim to undermine HIV testing, prevention, and treatment. Most tragic has been the adoption of AIDS Denialist views by public officials, perhaps none more infamous than former President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki. This article examines the psychology of AIDS denialism, focusing on its emergence from the earliest days of AIDS and its grounding in conspiracy thinking and medical mistrust. The article also describes the tactics and rhetoric of AID...
A smd peptide induces better antibody responses to other proteins within the small nuclear ribonucleoprotein complex than to SmD protein via intermolecular epitope spreading

Autoantibody response against the small nuclear ribonucleoprotein (snRNP) complex is a characteristic feature of systemic lupus erythematosus. The current investigation was undertaken to determine whether activation of SmD-reactive T cells by synthetic peptides harboring T cell epitopes can initiate a B cell epitope spreading cascade within the snRNP complex. T cell epitopes on SmD were mapped in A/J mice and were localized to three regions on SmD, within aa 26–55, 52–69, and 86–115. Immunization with synthetic peptides SmD31–45, SmD52–66, and SmD91–110 induced T and B cell responses to the peptides, with SmD31–45 inducing the strongest response. However, only SmD52–66 immunization induced T cells capable of reacting with SmD. Analysis of sera by immunoprecipitation assays showed that intermolecular B cell epitope spreading to U1RNA-associated A ribonucleoprotein and SmB was consistently observed only in the SmD52–66-immunized mice. Surprisingly, in these mice, Ab responses to SmD were at low levels and transient. In addition, the sera did not react with other regions on SmD, indicating a lack of intramolecular B cell epitope spreading within SmD. Our study demonstrates that T cell responses to dominant epitope on a protein within a multiantigenic complex are capable of inducing B cell responses to other proteins within the complex. This effect can happen without generating a good Ab response to the protein from which the T epitope was derived. Thus caution must be taken in the identification of Ags responsible for initiating autoimmune responses based solely on serological analysis of patients and animals with systemic autoimmune disorders.
Compressive Phase Retrieval

We discuss and provide experimental results on the application of compressive sampling to the problem of quantitative tomographic phase reconstruction. Article not available.
Pressure-induced order–disorder transitions in pyrochlore RE2Ti2O7 (RE = Y, Gd)

Abstract Structure evolution of pyrochlore titanates Y 2 Ti 2 O 7 and Gd 2 Ti 2 O 7 at high pressure was investigated with Raman and X-ray diffraction methods. Pressure-induced order–disorder transitions are found in titanate pyrochlores. The cations and anions in Y 2 Ti 2 O 7 began to be disordered at pressures above 50 GPa and the structure changes from pyrochlore (Fd-3m) to defect fluorite structure (Fm-3m) A 4 O 7 . This transition is not stable in Gd 2 Ti 2 O 7 , and amorphization proceeds at pressure above 32 GPa.
Beta-delayed two-proton decays of /sup 22/Al and /sup 26/P

Beta-delayed two-proton radioactivity has been observed for the two nuclei $^{22}\mathrm{Al}$ and $^{26}\mathrm{P}$. Protonproton coincidence experiments performed at small and large angles show that the dominant two-proton emission mechanism is a sequential process. Decay schemes have been determined for each isotope.
Applied science publishing in the u.s. government: failure of congressional policy

Abstract This article focuses on the period beginning in 1950–1960s, the pre–National Technical Information Service (NTIS) period, during which two key and powerful U.S. congressmen sought to establish a national clearinghouse for federally produced and sponsored applied science literature. The article examines their activities as well as the forces impeding their efforts.
Nitrogen solubility and aluminum nitride precipitation in liquid iron, Fe-Cr, Fe-Cr-Ni, and Fe-Cr-Ni-Mo alloys

The nitrogen solubility and aluminum nitride formation in liquid Fe-Al, Fe-Cr-Al, Fe-18 pct Cr-8 pct Ni-Al and Fe-18 pct Cr-8 pct Ni-Mo-Al alloys were measured by the Sieverts' method. The temperature range extended from 1823 to 2073 K, and the aluminum contents from 1.01 to 3.85 wt pct Al. Increasing aluminum content increases the nitrogen solubility. The effect of molybdenum additions was determined for 2, 4 and 8 wt pct Mo levels. The first and second order effects of chromium, nickel, molybdenum and aluminum on the activity coefficient of nitrogen in iron were determined. The first and second order effects of chromium, nickel and molybdenum on the activity coefficient of aluminum also were determined. The nitride precipitates were identified as stoichiometric aluminum nitride, AIN, by X-ray diffraction analysis. The lattice spacing was in good agreement with the ASTM standard patterns for AIN in both higher and lower Al content solutions. The solubility product of AIN increases with increasing aluminum concentration and with temperature in liquid iron and the iron alloys studied. However, the magnitudes of the solubility products of AIN in those alloys are different because of the effects of chromium and nickel additions. Additions of molybdenum show little effect on the solubility product of AIN. The standard free energy of formation of AIN in liquid iron is: δG‡ = -245,990 + 107.59 \T J/g-molAIN, based on the standard state of the infinitely dilute solution in liquid iron for aluminum and nitrogen, referred to a hypothetical one wt pct solution, and on the pure compound for A1N.
Risk of leukemia in susceptible children exposed to preconception, in utero, and postnatal radiation

Abstract Further statistical analysis has clarified the hypothesis that there exists a susceptible subgroup of children who are prone to develop leukemia after exposure to low doses of diagnostic radiation which have no effect on normal insusceptible children. The susceptible group does not show marked increase in relative risk when there is no report of exposure. The risk of developing leukemia among the susceptible children with any of the three types of radiation exposure is markedly increased in the appropriate age groups. The data are concordant with a latent period of 4–7 years.
Voltage-dependent transient currents of human and rat 5-HT transporters (SERT) are blocked by HEPES and ion channel ligands

The hyperpolarization-activated transient current of mammalian 5-hydroxytryptamine transporters (SERT) expressed in Xenopus oocytes was studied. Human (h) and rat (r) SERT transient currents are blocked by HEPES with changes in the waveform kinetics, and the blockade of hSERT has use-dependent properties. HEPES also changes the time course of the prepriming step, especially for hSERT. Transient currents at hSERT and rSERT are also blocked by spermine and spermidine in the mM range, and by fluoxetine, cocaine, QX-314, and QX-222 in the μM range. These pharmacological and kinetic properties of transient current blockade emphasize the similarities between the transient current and phenomena at ion channels.
The impact of brand trust and satisfaction on retailer repurchase intentions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate spill‐over effects from customer perceptions of trust in and satisfaction with a brand to customer evaluations of a retailer and, ultimately, repurchase intentions.Design/methodology/approach – A conceptual model is developed and tested using structural equation modeling. Specifically, recent procedures for assessing direct and mediated effects are adoped.Findings – The findings demonstrate that customer trust in and satisfaction with a retailer mediate the effects of brand trust and satisfaction on customer repurchase intentions.Research limitations/implications – This research provides a preliminary examination of the relationship between brands, retailers, and consumers. The results suggest that halo effects exist between customer perceptions of brands and retailers. Future research could attempt to discern how this transference from brand to retailer occurs and replicate these findings in other industries or product types.Practical implications – T...
Using Practice Interviews to Predict Interviewer Behaviors

SURVEY researchers recently have shown much interest in interviewer effects.1 A series of studies, most showing effects through evidence such as between-interviewer variation in results, have increased the substantial documentation that interviewers can affect the data they collect. Ideally, one would like to control such effects where they are undesirable and exploit them where they are desirable. However, the available evidence suggests that many years may pass before survey researchers adequately understand the processes through which interviewer effects occur. Since the work by Hyman (1954) and Kahn and Cannell (1957), it has been accepted that most interviewer effects are the result of behaviorally defined interactions between interviewer and respondent; for example, Hyman postulated that interviewer expectation effects are actualized by means of leading probes, failures to probe, errors in recording answers, and other, more subtle behaviors. Few empirical efforts to link behaviors with effects have been successful,2 however, and Duncan and Fiske (1977) and others have suggested that empirical tests are inherently frustrated by the shifting, contextually determined meanings of communication symbols. Until the bases of interviewer effects are better understood, the most feasible way to guard against effects is to minimize nonprogramed
Field versus Farm in Warangal: Bt Cotton, Higher Yields, and Larger Questions

Summary A longitudinal anthropological study of cotton farming in Warangal District of Andhra Pradesh, India, compares a group of villages before and after adoption of Bt cotton. It distinguishes “field-level” and “farm-level” impacts. During this five-year period yields rose by 18% overall, with greater increases among poor farmers with the least access to information. Insecticide sprayings dropped by 55%, although predation by non-target pests was rising. However shifting from the field to the historically-situated context of the farm recasts insect attacks as a symptom of larger problems in agricultural decision-making. Bt cotton’s opponents have failed to recognize real benefits at the field level, while its backers have failed to recognize systemic problems that Bt cotton may exacerbate.
Developing and testing a model of survivor responses to layoffs

Abstract A model of survivor responses to layoffs is developed and tested. Perceptions of global process control, perceived fairness of the layoff, and job security are tested as predictors of job satisfaction, organizational commitment, and behavioral intentions to withdraw. The empirical assessment of a complete latent variable model with covariance structure analyses supported both the measurement and the structural models. Global process control is shown to be a direct antecedent of perceived fairness of the layoff and job satisfaction. Perceived fairness of the layoff and job security also have direct effects on job satisfaction. Job satisfaction acts as a mediating variable between these variables and organizational commitment. Organizational commitment, in turn, has a direct negative effect on behavioral intentions to withdraw. These findings suggest that witnessing a layoff has significant effects on psychological and behavioral responses of layoff survivors. Direction for future research is discussed.
Distribution, Taxonomy, and Boring Patterns of Marine Endolithic Algae

Penetration of calcareous substrates by algae involves different microenvironments. Endolithic algae include two different life forms: (1) algae colonizing existing spaces within the rock, and (2) algae actively boring within the carbonate substrate. Two species of boring Cyanophyta were studied, and their borings were compared in exposed calcite (Island spar). The size and pattern of borings reflect the corresponding properties of the algae and show taxonomic distinctions. The direction of the tunnels and their wall sculptureare determined by the planes of crystal cleavage and twinning. Algal boring is a dissolution process performed by the terminal cells of endolithic filaments. The space dissolved away by an alga has the shape of a miniature calcite crystal. Dissolution proceeds along the crystal twinning lines diagonally to the previous microcrystal space. Thetunnel represents a sequence of such microcrystal-shaped spaces. Both biological and mineralogical determinants should be considered in the interpretation of algal boring patterns.
Hybrid approximate message passing for generalized group sparsity

We consider the problem of estimating a group sparse vector x ∈ R n under a generalized linear measurement model. Group sparsity of x means the activity of different components of the vector occurs in groups - a feature common in estimation problems in image processing, simultaneous sparse approximation and feature selection with grouped variables. Unfortunately, many current group sparse estimation methods require that the groups are non-overlapping. This work considers problems with what we call generalized group sparsity where the activity of the different components of x are modeled as functions of a small number of boolean latent variables. We show that this model can incorporate a large class of overlapping group sparse problems including problems in sparse multivariable polynomial regression and gene expression analysis. To estimate vectors with such group sparse structures, the paper proposes to use a recently-developed hybrid generalized approximate message passing (HyGAMP) method. Approximate message passing (AMP) refers to a class of algorithms based on Gaussian and quadratic approximations of loopy belief propagation for estimation of random vectors under linear measurements. The HyGAMP method extends the AMP framework to incorporate priors on x described by graphical models of which generalized group sparsity is a special case. We show that the HyGAMP algorithm is computationally efficient, general and offers superior performance in certain synthetic data test cases.
A Framework for Distributed Resource Allocation and Admission Control in a Cognitive Digital Home

The advances in radio design and wireless networking, along with the growth of multimedia home entertainment technologies, is creating the concept of a cognitive digital home requiring spectrum coexistence of various devices and networks of networks. A framework for resource allocation in a Cognitive Digital Home (CDH) with a multiplicity of radio access technologies (RAT) such as cognitive radios and legacy radio devices supporting heterogeneous applications is developed. We consider two channel access models in the CDH for addressing spectrum coexistence of legacy devices: (i) Pessimistic Controllability (PC) Model where the Home Genie node (HG) has no influence over legacy devices, and (ii) Switched RAT (SR) Model where the HG has perfect control of legacy devices. Distributed algorithms for maximizing sum rate and maximizing service capacity are designed using partial dual decomposition techniques. A distributed power control scheme is also designed for efficient use of energy. An admission control scheme based on pricing information obtained from the distributed algorithms is used to improve system feasibility.
Grid-Tied PV system energy smoothing

Grid-tied PV energy smoothing was implemented by using a valve regulated lead-acid (VRLA) battery as a temporary energy storage device to both charge and discharge as required to smooth the inverter energy output from the PV array. Inverter output was controlled by the average solar irradiance over the previous 1h time interval. On a clear day the solar irradiance power curve is offset by about 1h, while on a variable cloudy day the inverter output power curve will be smoothed based on the average solar irradiance. Test results demonstrate that this smoothing algorithm works very well. Battery state of charge was more difficult to manage because of the variable system inefficiencies. Testing continued for 30-days and established consistent operational performance for extended periods of time under a wide variety of resource conditions. Both battery technologies from Exide (Absolyte) and East Penn (Advanced Valve Regulated Lead-Acid) proved to cycle well at a partial state of charge over the time interval tested.
Experimental and Theoretical Studies of Silacycloheptatrienyl Cation Formation from Phenylsilane

The formation of C6SiH7+ from phenylsilane was studied using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance spectrometry and by ab initio calculations. The (parent − H or D)+ ions were produced by electron impact (EI) dissociation of C6H5SiH3 and C6H5SiD3, and their bimolecular reactivities toward phenylsilane, cycloheptatriene, benzyl chloride, benzene-d6, and toluene-d8 were examined. The reactive component that abstracts hydride from phenylsilane and cycloheptatriene or chloride from benzyl chloride is mostly the phenylsilyl cation C6H5SiH2+. The identity of the unreactive component was characterized by collision-induced dissociation and bimolecular chemical reactivity. The low-energy collision-induced dissociation of the unreactive C6SiH7+ ion with argon yielded SiH+ with a loss of C6H6 and C6SiH5+ with a loss of H2 as the primary fragments. Vibrationally hot C6SiH7+ ions from EI of C6H5SiH3 reacted with benzene-d6 to form C6D6·SiH+ adducts, which after few seconds of cooling delay remained unreactive towa...
Analytical evaluation in the design of a coating

The surface impedance of a coating is investigated and defined. The surface impedance is governed largely by the bulk modulus and the associated loss factor. The bulk modulus is but one of a number of moduli that characterize the properties of a coating. The bulk modulus and the shear modulus are the most commonly recognized. The normalized forms of the moduli are related by functions of Poisson's ratio. The normalization of a modulus is by the value of the modulus at the lowest frequency of interest. Were Poisson's ratio to be also independent of frequency, the normalized moduli, as functions of frequency, would all be identical. Since the loss factor that is associated with a normalized modulus is causal, when the normalized moduli are identical so are the associated loss factors. Were Poisson's ratio to be dependent on frequency, the normalized moduli, as functions of frequency, might be regionally or even universally different, and so would be the associated loss factors. Primitive descriptions of typical normalized moduli and the associated loss factors illustrate the design of a coating. The provided data set of the bulk and shear moduli of a coating are employed to test these analytical descriptions of the coating. Of particular interest in these tests is the causal relationship between a normalized modulus and the associated loss factor.
Effects of Stator Flow Distortion on Rotating Blade Endurance: Part 1—Aerodynamic Excitation Aspects

Blade vibrations, with the possibility of a failure, are one of the major factors controlling the reliability of all compressors and turbines. Flow disturbances upstream and downstream of rotor/ stator will produce wake pulses that excite the blades. This requires a structural dynamic model of the blade stress response for a given excitation and a method to estimate the pulsating forces acting on the rotating blades by the stationary components and, vice versa, for rotor pulsations acting on the stator. This paper discusses the efforts made to understand the aerodynamic instabilities caused by the vane and its role in generation of blade vibration. Here, comprehensive computational fluid dynamics (CFD) are used to get a better understanding of the stator-rotor flow interactions at different operating conditions and their effect on overall pulsation and vibration levels. This model is based on blade dynamic response measurements and on careful CFD simulations of basic flow altering scenarios. It is found that a surprisingly low misalignment angle (relative) could result in fatigue damage stress levels in most cases. This paper presents several example cases to demonstrate typical flow profiles for axial and radial compressors/ turbines with varying stator flow distortions. It is Part 1 of a two-part high cycle fatigue (HCF) failure analysis procedure, dealing with aerodynamic excitation aspects.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Chordoma: diagnosis by fine-needle aspiration biopsy with histologic, immunocytochemical, and ultrastructural confirmation.

Five cases of chordoma, diagnosed by fine-needle aspiration (FNA) biopsy, are presented. Four cases were histologically confirmed, and in one, immunocytochemical and ultrastructural studies were performed on both the aspirate and tissue specimen. Four cases presented as sacral masses, while in the fifth case, a destructive lesion of the clivus extended into the soft tissues of the lateral neck. A spectrum of cytomorphologic features was encountered including the presence of abundant microtissue fragments and cells in a dissociate pattern, often with abundant metachromatic extracellular matrix. Stellate and cuboidal cells often contained intracytoplasmic vacuoles of varying sizes. Intranuclear inclusions, mitotic figures, and anisonucleosis were prominent features of several cases. Immunoperoxidase studies on a single case demonstrated cytoplasmic staining for low- and high-molecular-weight cytokeratins, vimentin, and epithelial membrane antigen, while glial fibrillary acidic protein and carcinoembryonic antigen were negative. Ultrastructural features included the presence of mitochondrial endoplasmic reticulum complexes, occasional desmosome-like junctions, and abundant extracellular matrix adherent to the tumor cells. We believe the cytomorphologic findings are characteristic and, when taken in concert with immunocytochemical and ultrastructural studies, allow differentiation of chordoma from other primary or metastatic neoplasms occurring in bone. As demonstrated in our series, chordoma is often an unsuspected diagnosis. We believe that FNA biopsy of these lesions can lead to a correct preoperative diagnosis and may also be utilized to document recurrence and thus facilitate the evaluation and management of patients with these lesions. Diagn Cytopathol 1986;2:330–337.
Comparison of ginger oil conversion over MFI, BEA, and FAU

Abstract The catalytic cracking of ginger oil in a fixed-bed tubular reactor with a weight hourly space velocity 1.0 h −1 at temperatures ranging from 300 °C to 450 °C has been accomplished over zeolites MFI, BEA, and FAU having different SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 ratios. Gasoline fraction yields have been observed along with liquid, gas, and coke yields. Trends in the various yields have been correlated to zeolite structure, SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 ratio, and reaction conditions where possible.