cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cost-effectiveness of full coverage of aromatase inhibitors for Medicare beneficiaries with early breast cancer

BACKGROUND Rates of nonadherence to aromatase inhibitors (AIs) among Medicare beneficiaries with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer are high. Out-of-pocket drug costs appear to be an important contributor to this and may be addressed by eliminating copayments and other forms of patient cost sharing. The authors estimated the incremental cost-effectiveness of providing Medicare beneficiaries with full prescription coverage for AIs compared with usual prescription coverage under the Medicare Part D program. METHODS A Markov state-transition model was developed to simulate AI use and disease progression in a hypothetical cohort of postmenopausal Medicare beneficiaries with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer. The analysis was conducted from the societal perspective and considered a lifetime horizon. The main outcome was an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, which was measured as the cost per quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) gained. RESULTS For patients receiving usual prescription coverage, average quality-adjusted survival was 11.35 QALYs, and lifetime costs were $83,002. For patients receiving full prescription coverage, average quality-adjusted survival was 11.38 QALYs, and lifetime costs were $82,728. Compared with usual prescription coverage, full prescription coverage would result in greater quality-adjusted survival (0.03 QALYs) and less resource use ($275) per beneficiary. From the perspective of Medicare, full prescription coverage was cost-effective (incremental cost-effectiveness ratio, $15,128 per QALY gained) but not cost saving. CONCLUSIONS Providing full prescription coverage for AIs to Medicare beneficiaries with hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer would both improve health outcomes and save money from the societal perspective. Cancer 2013;119:2494-2502. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
High-frequency observations of melt effects on snowpack stratigraphy, Kahiltna Glacier, Central Alaska Range

With an increased volume of melt on many of the world's glaciers, study of how meltwater affects the properties of glacial snowpack becomes essential to our understanding of how glaciers will respond to climate change. We address this problem by studying how snow properties changed on sub-daily timescales on the Kahiltna Glacier, Alaska, between May 26 and June 10, 2010. During this period, we dug 1.8-m-deep snow pits twice daily to record the stratigraphy of melt layers, snow hardness, grain size, and density and sampled for hydrogen isotopic composition (δD) on four occasions. From these data, we show that 65% of the melted surface snow infiltrates and refreezes in the snowpack. This leads to a densification of the snow, a 729% increase in volume of melt layers, and a homogenization of isotopic and physical snow properties. From visual and stratigraphic observations, we show that meltwater flow within the snowpack is conducted primarily along lenses and pipes, where melt layers later form, but that more homogeneous capillary-based flow is also important. Finally, we show using isotope ratios that post-depositional alteration is exacerbated with increased melt extent, using the δD profile below a volcanic ash layer as a case study. In the future, similar studies would benefit from this high-frequency monitoring approach to assessing snowpack evolution, as it allows for a greater understanding of short duration processes. New directions for study would include longer-term monitoring efforts over a wider spatial snow pit network. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Novel electrically tunable MSM photodetector for resolving WDM channels

We present a novel MSM (metal-semiconductor-metal) based tunable photodetector for discrimination between two wavelengths with a 365 GHz channel spacing. If integrated with CMOS circuits, this photodetector has the potential to perform high-speed channel switching in WDM-based systems.
Variational Methods in Electron-Molecule Collisions

Variational methods have been used successfully for accurate calculations of cross sections for electron scattering by light atoms. This work has been reviewed in several recent publications (Callaway, 1978; Nesbet, 1977, 1980). It is not necessary to repeat details here. However, in the present context, it is appropriate to examine the applicability of these methods to electron-molecule scattering.
Centralized Sanctioning and Legitimate Authority in the Provision of Public Goods: Evidence from a 'Lab in the Field' Experiment in Uganda

Social sanctioning is widely considered a viable solution to social dilemmas. Public Goods games have provided experimental evidence in support of the role sanctioning plays in sustaining cooperation even when incentives to free-ride are pervasive. Although in real life centralized systems of control are ubiquitous, experimental research has mostly focused on peer-punishment institutions. To test the effect of centralized punishment, we designed a novel adaptation of the public goods game in which sanctioning power is given to an external monitor. Our "lab in the field" experiment involved 1,554 farmers from 50 farmer cooperatives through Uganda and is the first study to provide evidence of the effectiveness of a centralized sanctioning institution. Moreover, we also demonstrate the importance of legitimate authority in fostering cooperation: participants are more responsive to the authority of an elected rather than randomly chosen monitor. Finally, we relate players' behavior in the games to their level of cooperation in the farmer organization and show that farmers' performance in the game setting is consistent with their real life outcomes.
Nocturnal headaches and pulsatile cranial mass: the tip of an iceberg.

Abstract Background Capillary malformation-arteriovenous malformation (CM-AVM) disorder is a newly defined hereditary disorder of the vasculature with typical defining features that include cutaneous capillary malformations associated with high-flow lesions in various other organ systems. Mutations on the RASA1 gene are reported to be associated with a variety of vascular malformations and present with a widely varying phenotype. Patient A healthy 3 year old presented with acute onset of severe nocturnal headaches, nausea, and vomiting associated with a 2-cm pulsatile mass and prominent superficial veins on her forehead. Neuroimaging demonstrated a complex vascular malformation with multiple arteriovenous fistulae and cavernous angiomas present in multiple locations in the brain, but not in any other organ system. Results The patient was found to have a mutation of the RASA1 gene, which has not been previously described in the literature. Conclusions This case describes a new RASA1 mutation with a phenotype that has not been previously described with a combination of pial fistulae and intracranial AV fistula in the absence of arteriovenous malformations.
Fluctuations in testosterone levels of male rhesus monkeys during copulatory activity.

Abstract We examined the effect of copulatory activity on testosterone levels in rhesus monkeys using an animal-worn, radio-activated blood sampling device which enabled us to collect samples without interrupting sexual behavior. Two animals showed significant increases in serum levels of testosterone averaging 108% and 203% above the pre-ejaculation baseline. A third animal showed little change in serum testosterone levels during sexual behavior. The data demonstrate that the technique of remotely activated blood sample collection may prove valuable in psychoendocrine research.
Quantum Zeno effect and the impossibility of determining the quantum state of a single system

The quantum Zeno effect of a single system is the effect of a series of measurements on the unitary time evolution of the system and on the ability to monitor this time evolution using the measurement results. This effect is shown to be equivalent to that of the indetermination of the quantum state of a single system [Phys. Rev. Lett. 74, 4106 (1995)], in which one considers the statistics of the results of a series of measurements performed on a single system, with no time evolution in between successive measurements.
Osteoarthritis in temporomandibular joint of Col2a1 mutant mice.

a b s t r a c t Objective: Col2a1 gene mutations cause premature degeneration of knee articular cartilage in disproportionate micromelia (Dmm) and spondyloepiphesial dysplasia congenita (sedc) mice. The present study analyses the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in Col2a1 mutant mice in order to provide an animal model of TMJ osteoarthritis (OA) that may offer better understanding of the progression of this disease in humans. Design: Dmm/+ mice and controls were compared at two, six, nine and 12 months. Craniums were fixed, processed to paraffin sections, stained with Safranin-O/Fast Green, and analysed with light microscopy. OA was quantified using a Mankin scoring procedure. Unfolded protein response (UPR) assay was performed and immunohistochemistry (IHC) was used to assay for known OA biomarkers. Results: Dmm/+ TMJs showed fissuring of condylar cartilage as early as 6 months of age. Chondrocytes were clustered, leaving acellular regions in the matrix. Significant staining of HtrA1, Ddr2 and Mmp-13 was observed in Dmm/+ mice ( p < 0.01). We detected upregulation of the UPR in knee but not TMJ. Conclusions: Dmm/+ mice are subject to early-onset OA in the TMJ. We observed upregulation of biomarkers and condylar cartilage degradation concomitant with OA. An upregulated UPR may exacerbate the onset of OA. The Dmm/+ mouse TMJ is a viable model for the study of the progression of OA in humans.
Functional adaptability of muscle fibers to long-term resistance exercise.

Purpose: We compared the functional properties of muscle fibers from two groups of subjects that differed widely in their training history to investigate whether long-term resistance exercise alters the intrinsic contractile properties of skeletal muscle fibers. Methods: Vastus lateralis muscle biopsies were obtained from six sedentary males (NT group, age = 23 ′ 1 yr) and six males who had participated in regular resistance exercise training over the preceding 7.6 ′ 1.6 yr (RT group, 22 ′ 1 yr). Chemically skinned muscle fiber segments were activated with a saturating free [Ca 2 + ] to quantify fiber peak Ca 2 + -activated force (P o ), unloaded shortening velocity (V o ), and peak power. Fiber segment myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoform content was identified by gel electrophoresis. Results: Slow and fast fibers from the RT group were larger in CSA and produced greater absolute P o and absolute peak power in comparison with fibers from the NT group. However, these differences were no longer evident after P o and peak power were normalized to fiber CSA and fiber volume, respectively. V o /fiber length was dependent on fiber MHC content but independent of training status. Conclusion: Fiber hypertrophy was sufficient to account for intergroup differences in P o and peak power of slow and fast fibers. There was no evidence that the intrinsic contractility of slow or fast fibers, as evaluated by force, shortening velocity, and power normalized to the appropriate fiber dimensions, differed between RT and NT groups.
Foreign Body Reaction to Bovine Pericardium: A Previously Unreported Complication of Pediatric Chordee Repair

Patching the shortened aspect of the corpora cavernosa is an established method of correcting penile curvature. Pericardium has been successfully used as an off-the-shelf material for tunica albuginea patching in the correction of Peyronie’s disease.1 While this technique is also applicable to the repair of congenital penile chordee, there is relatively little experience with its use in the pediatric population. We report a novel case of foreign body reaction to bovine pericardium in the penis that initially presented as a postoperative penile mass. CASE REPORT A 12-month-old boy underwent operative repair of a 30degree right lateral congenital chordee of the penis. Persistent curvature after complete degloving of the penile skin signified intrinsic corporal disproportion. To avoid penile shortening by plication we elected to graft the shorter concave aspect of the penile shaft. After urethral mobilization, the tunica albuginea of the right corpus cavernosum was incised, allowing straightening of the penis. The resultant defect was repaired with a 9 15 mm. elliptical patch of bovine pericardium (Periguard, Bio-Vascular, Inc., St. Paul, Minnesota). The patch was secured with 5-zero synthetic absorbable monofilament suture. Erectile function was well preserved as demonstrated by spontaneous straight erections postoperatively. A painless subcutaneous nodule was noted on the right side of the penile shaft 11 weeks later (fig. 1, A). No systemic reactions were evident, and observation was elected initially. However, the nodule failed to resolve during the next 6 months and, thus, prompted surgical exploration. The area of the previously placed pericardial graft was found to be occupied by a 1 cm. yellow mass (fig. 1, B). The mass was excised, leaving a defect in the tunica albuginea that was patched with an autologous dermal graft. Pathological evaluation of the lesion revealed xanthogranulomatous reaction, including foamy macrophages, chronic inflammation and foreign body giant cells (fig. 2). To date the cosmetic effect remains excellent, with continued straight spontaneous erections and no recurrence of the mass. DISCUSSION
Paleoclimatic Significance of Bryozoan Metrarabdotos: ABSTRACT

The cheilostome bryozoan genus Metrarabdotos occurs abundantly in late Eocene to Recent sediments in the Gulf and Atlantic coastal provinces, the Caribbean region, Europe, and northern and western Africa. The tropical distribution of Recent populations is apparently a consequence of a temperature tolerance of 61° to 82°F. This stenothermy and the distinctive generic morphology of fossil and Recent species provide a basis for identifying tropical faunal provinces on the sublittoral margins of both sides of the Atlantic during late Paleogene and Neogene times. The northern limit of the genus, congruent in Recent seas with the 70°F. isocryme for surface water, has fluctuated during late Paleogene and Neogene times. The amplitude of latitudinal fluctuation has been 8° in the New World and 34° in Eurafrica. The synchronous latitudinal shifts of this line on both sides of the Atlantic probably reflect variations in Atlantic marine climate. The northern boundary of the genus lay at 31° N. Lat. in the Gulf and Atlantic Coastal Plain and at 40°-48° N. Lat. in Europe from late Paleogene to middle Miocene, at about 26° in America and 28° in Europe in late Miocene, and at its northern maximum of 34° in America and 51° in Europe in the Pliocene; it now lies at 29° in the Gulf of Mexico and at 17 76; in Africa. The greater amplitude in Eurafrica is probably the result of a surface-current gyre similar to the modern one. The pattern of increasing amplitude of fluctuation does not agree with a paleo-climatic model of cooling from early to late Tertiary time. End_of_Article - Last_Page 2163------------
Neutron-neutron effective range parameters from the 3H(2H, 3He)2n and 3He(2H, 3H)2p reactions

The energy spectra of ^3H and ^3He nuclei from the ^3He(^2H, ^3H)2p, ^3H(^2H, ^3He)2n, ^3He(2H, 3He)pn and ^3H(^2H, ^3H)pn reactions were measured between 6° and 20° at a bombarding energy of 11 MeV. An upper limit of 5 µb/sr was determined for the cross section for producing a bound di-neutron at 6° and 7.5°. The ^3H(^2H, ^3He)2n and ^3He(^2H, ^3H)2p data together with previous measurements at higher energies have been used to investigate the reliability of information obtained about the two-nucleon system from such three-body final state reactions. As an aid to these investigations, we have made Born approximation calculations employing realistic nucleon-nucleon potentials and an antisymmetrized final state wave function for the five-particle system. These calculations reproduce many of the features observed in the experimental data and indicate that the role of complex exchange processes cannot be ignored. The results show that previous attempts to obtain information on the neutron-neutron effective range parameters from the ^3H(^2H, ^3He)2n reaction may have seriously overestimated the accuracy that could be obtained.
The effect of plasma on solar cell array arc characteristics

The influence from the ambient plasma on the arc characteristics of a negatively biased solar cell array was investigated. The arc characteristics examined were the peak current during an arc, the decay time as the arc terminates, and the charge lost during the arc. These arc characteristics were examined in a nitrogen plasma with charge densities ranging from 15,000 to 45,000 cu cm. Background gas pressures ranged from 8x1,000,000 to 6x100,000 torr. Over these ranges of parameters no significant effect on the arc characteristics were seen. Arc characteristics were also examined for three gas species: helium, nitrogen and argon. The helium arcs have higher peak currents and shorter decay times than nitrogen and argon arcs. There are slight differences in the arc characteristics between nitrogen and argon. These differences may be caused by the differences in mass of the respective species. Also, evidence is presented for an electron emission mechanism appearing as a precursor to solar array arcs. Occassionally the plasma generator could be turned off, and currents could still be detected in the vacuum system. When these currents are presented, arcs may occur.
Diurnal cycle of liquid water path over the subtropical and tropical oceans

[1] The diurnal cycle of liquid water path (LWP) over the subtropical and tropical oceans is examined using two complete years of TMI (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Microwave Imager) satellite microwave radiometer data. Diurnal amplitudes are a considerable fraction of the mean, especially in low cloud regions to the west of continents, where values of 15–35% are typical. Early morning maxima occur throughout most of the subtropics, consistent with a diurnal cycle driven largely by cloud solar absorption. In deep convective regions of the west Pacific the diurnal cycle is also strong and peaks slightly later. Interestingly, the diurnal amplitude in the SE Pacific and Atlantic stratus regions is considerably larger than in their northern hemisphere counterparts, suggesting differences in the dynamics and structure of low clouds may exist from region to region. The data provide important constraints for models simulating the diurnal cycle of clouds.
SH-wave intromission concept

The existence of an SH-wave incidence angle for which the reflected amplitude is zero (SH-wave intromission angle) is established for the case of plane-wave scattering by a planar interface joining two homogeneous, isotropic, and linearly elastic half-spaces. Such an incidence angle is numerically shown to exist for two combinations of bimaterial interface properties. The SH-wave intromission angle is roughly parallel to the electromagnetic Brewster angle and the acoustic P-wave intromission angle, and the concept should find new applications for non-intrusive characterization of interfaces.
Resistance may be futile: dispersal scales and selection for disease resistance in competing plants

If a host species shares a pathogen with competing species, the disease may provide a net benefit. Selection for resistance will depend on the trade-off between the damage done by the disease and the positive effects resulting from infection of competitors. This paper presents a simple, spatially explicit model of a plant that shares a disease with a superior competitor. The phenotypic evolution of cost-free resistance is studied by using the method of pair approximation to analyse the small-scale spatial structure of the interacting populations. Selection favors lower resistance when disease transmission is spatially local and the damage to the competitor is sufficient to outweigh the direct effects of infection. This suggests that local spatial structure may be critical in determining the coevolution of host-host-pathogen systems.
Children of alcoholics: a role-theoretical perspective.

Summary A review of the literature on children of alcoholics demonstrates a need for a social-psychological study assessing the processes and outcomes of growing up in an alcoholic family. A research strategy was developed using the concepts of role theory and focusing on role conflict, sex-role development, and the acquisition of coping roles. It is believed that viewing the issue from this perspective leads to a sharper analysis of the dynamics of growing up in an alcoholic family than is currently available. It also presents a clearer perspective as to how so many children of alcoholics become alcoholic themselves and suggests strategies for research, treatment, and prevention.
El gaucho como eslabón del proceso nacional en el discurso fundacional de Juana Manuela Gorriti

Abstract The gaucho is an almost mythical character in Argentine Literature, sometimes because of his barbarism and other times as a result of his heroism. In the nineteenth century the gaucho was characterized in very antagonistic ways; the spectrum extends from symbolizing the national backwardness to personifying the country's national identity. Sarmiento describes gauchos in Facundo (1845) as uncivilized and lazy individuals inclined to the savage ways of the caudillos. On the other hand, Jose Hernandez in Martin Fierro (1872) portrays the gaucho as a brave wise man who is worthy of being considered the model citizen for the new nation. Both representations give a glimpse to the lack of objectivity, obscured by the passionate views of the authors in whose works the gaucho is either attacked or mystified. The characterization of the gaucho as a barbarian or national hero are the two more popular and known positions, but they are not the only views. Another nineteenth-century Argentine writer, Juana Man...
Homology Modeling of Opioid Receptor-Ligand Complexes Using Experimental Constraints

Opioid receptors interact with a variety of ligands, including endogenous peptides, opiates, and thousands of synthetic compounds with different structural scaffolds. In the absence of experimental structures of opioid receptors, theoretical modeling remains an important tool for structurefunction analysis. The combination of experimental studies and modeling approaches allows development of realistic models of ligand-receptor complexes helpful for elucidation of the molecular determinants of ligand affinity and selectivity and for understanding mechanisms of functional agonism or antagonism. In this review we provide a brief critical assessment of the status of such theoretical modeling and describe some common problems and their possible solutions. Currently, there are no reliable theoretical methods to generate the models in a completely automatic fashion. Models of higher accuracy can be produced if homology modeling, based on the rhodopsin X-ray template, is supplemented by experimental structural constraints appropriate for the active orinactive receptor conformations, together with receptor-specific and ligand-specific interactions. The experimental constraints can be derived from mutagenesis and cross-linking studies, correlative replacements of ligand and receptor groups, and incorporation of metal binding sites between residues of receptors or receptors and ligands. This review focuses on the analysis of similarity and differences of the refined homology models of μ, δ, and κ-opioid receptors in active and inactive states, emphasizing the molecular details of interaction of the receptors with some representative peptide and nonpeptide ligands, underlying the multiple modes of binding of small opiates, and the differences in binding modes of agonists and antagonists, and of peptides and alkaloids.
Measurement of flame lengths under ceilings

Abstract Measurements of luminous flame extensions beneath ceilings under steady burning conditions are presented. Tests were conducted using both axisymmetric and corner-wall-ceiling configurations for a range of energy supply rates up to 400 kW and burner-to-ceiling heights up to 2·3 m. Flame length observations, which were made both visually and photographically, are expressed in dimensional and in nondimensional terms. Comparisons are made with previous measurements reported in the literature.
Development of predictive models for determining enterococci levels at Gulf Coast beaches.

The US EPA BEACH Act requires beach managers to issue swimming advisories when water quality standards are exceeded. While a number of methods/models have been proposed to meet the BEACH Act requirement, no systematic comparisons of different methods against the same data series are available in terms of relative performance of existing methods. This study presents and compares three models for nowcasting and forecasting enterococci levels at Gulf Coast beaches in Louisiana, USA. One was developed using the artificial neural network (ANN) in MATLAB Toolbox and the other two were based on the US EPA Virtual Beach (VB) Program. A total of 944 sets of environmental and bacteriological data were utilized. The data were collected and analyzed weekly during the swimming season (May–October) at six sites of the Holly Beach by Louisiana Beach Monitoring Program in the six year period of May 2005–October 2010. The ANN model includes 15 readily available environmental variables such as salinity, water temperature, wind speed and direction, tide level and type, weather type, and various combinations of antecedent rainfalls. The ANN model was trained, validated, and tested using 308, 103, and 103 data sets (collected in 2007, 2008, and 2009) with an average linear correlation coefficient (LCC) of 0.857 and a Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) of 0.336. The two VB models, including a linear transformation-based model and a nonlinear transformation-based model, were constructed using the same data sets. The linear VB model with 6 input variables achieved an LCC of 0.230 and an RMSE of 1.302 while the nonlinear VB model with 5 input variables produced an LCC of 0.337 and an RMSE of 1.205. In order to assess the predictive performance of the ANN and VB models, hindcasting was conducted using a total of 430 sets of independent environmental and bacteriological data collected at six Holly Beach sites in 2005, 2006, and 2010. The hindcasting results show that the ANN model is capable of predicting enterococci levels at the Holly Beach sites with an adjusted RMSE of 0.803 and LCC of 0.320 while the adjusted RMSE and LCC values are 1.815 and 0.354 for the linear VB model and 1.961and 0.521 for the nonlinear VB model. The results indicate that the ANN model with 15 parameters performs better than the VB models with 6 or 5 parameters in terms of RMSE while VB models perform better than the ANN model in terms of LCC. The predictive models (especially the ANN and the nonlinear VB models) developed in this study in combination with readily available real-time environmental and weather forecast data can be utilized to nowcast and forecast beach water quality, greatly reducing the potential risk of contaminated beach waters to human health and improving beach management. While the models were developed specifically for the Holly Beach, Louisiana, the methods used in this paper are generally applicable to other coastal beaches.
Muscle sound frequencies of the frog are modulated by skeletal muscle tension

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationships among muscle sound frequencies, muscle tension, and stiffness. Time-frequency transformations of nonstationary acoustic signals provided measures of resonant frequency during isometric contractions of frog (Rana pipiens) semitendinosus and gastrocnemius muscles. A mathematical expression for muscle transverse resonant frequency, elastic modulus and tension, based on elastic beam theory, was formulated by the Rayleigh method adapted for muscles. For thin muscles, the elastic modulus was found to have negligible influence on transverse muscle resonant frequency. Changes in muscle tension were the major determinants of changes in transverse resonant frequency. Consequently, for thin muscles, the time course of muscle tension, but not elastic modulus, can be monitored acoustically during the early phase of contraction when muscles give rise to sounds. Muscles were found to be anisotropic with a modulus of elasticity, EL, measured via length perturbations near 0.1% muscle length peak-to-peak, that was much larger than the modulus of elasticity, Eb, that resists the lateral bending that causes sound production. The elastic and resonant behavior of a thin muscle is similar to a tensioned fibrous cable with distributed mass.
Extending Lactation Records in Progress to 305-Day Equivalent

Abstract The data consisted of 204,558 complete Holstein lactations in 2,100 herds compiled by the New York Dairy Records Processing Laboratory from 1959 to 1969. All lactation records had to have a 9th or 10th test day to be complete. The generalized least squares analysis used a model including mean, herd-year, and season-age-stage as fixed effects. The error term included random effects of cow and residual variation. Means for specified stages of lactation for milk and fat were estimated for lactations 1, 2, 3, and 4 or greater which were grouped by age of freshening, two age groups for the first three lactations and cne for fourth and later lactations. Extension factors differed from current United States Department of Agriculture factors. The new factors emphasize the need to consider lactation number, season, and age at freshening in extending lactation records in progress. Extension factors differ for each lactation, especially between the first two and later lactations. To consider season of freshening is important for early stages of lactation. Age is important for factors for earlv stages of lactation but less so as length of lactation increases. Differences due to age also become less important as lactation number increases. Factors for third and later lactations are only slightly affected by age of cow.
Temperature dependence of Sb-heterostructure millimetre-wave diodes

The current against voltage characteristics of Sb-heterostructure zero-bias millimetre-wave diodes were measured from 15 to 81/spl deg/C. No significant variation in the zero-bias junction resistance or curvature coefficient was found. The new diode is the first that provides temperature independent direct detection capability at and beyond W-band.
The Functional Profiles of School Refusal Behavior Diagnostic Aspects

School refusal behavior is a common problem seen by mental health professionals and by educators but little consensus is available as to its classification, assessment, and treatment. This study assessed 143 youth with primary school refusal behavior and their parents to examine diagnoses that are most commonly associated with proposed functions of school refusal behavior. As expected, results indicated that great heterogeneity in diagnoses marks this population. In general, anxiety-related diagnoses were associated more with negatively reinforced school refusal behavior; separation anxiety disorder was associated more with attention-seeking behavior; and oppositional defiant disorder and conduct disorder were associated more with pursuit of tangible reinforcement outside of school. These results are discussed within the context of classification, assessment, and treatment of this population.
K-Means Inverse Regression

Li suggested the method of sliced inverse regression for dimension reduction in regressions with a univariate response. In this article we extend that method to multivariate regressions by introducing a new way of performing the slicing. This method applies for any number of response variables and may be particularly useful at the outset of an analysis, before positing a multivariate model. The emphasis is on application; no new asymptotic theory is presented.
Flow Behavior of Fe-3%Si Steel at High Temperatures and Strain Rates

Hot deformation behavior of Fe-3%Si steel within temperature range of 1073~1473K and strain rate range of 0.01~5s−1 was investigated by isothermal compression test using thermo-simulation method. Over the applied deformation conditions, steady state flow behavior was well described by the power law relationship with dislocation climb as the rate-controlling mechanism, and the high apparent activation energy can be attributed to the high yield stress. A modified Bergstrom model was proposed by introducing yield stress, and consequently the whole stress-strain curves can be accurately predicted.
Trinitrotoluene and Metabolites Binding to Humic Acid

Systematic studies were conducted to observe the binding interactions between the class of compounds including nitroaromatic munitions pollutants trinitrotoluene (TNT) and certain of its breakdown products and dissolved Aldrich humic acid (HA), which is used as a model soil matrix. Equi librium dialysis followed by HPLC quantitation was used to determine the effect of ligand concentration, HA concentration, pH, and ionic strength on the formation kinetics and ligand binding level of the ligand−HA complex. It was found that TNT and its byproducts 2,6-diamino-4-nitrotoluene (2,6DAmNT) and 2-amino-4,6-dinitrotoluene (2AmDNT) are all able to bind to HA at different binding levels in a slow kinetic process. The HA concentration was observed to have the same inverse effect on the binding of both TNT and 2,6DAmNT, while pH had opposite effects on binding for the two compounds. Nearly a 2-fold increase in binding of TNT to HA was observed for a 5-fold increase in ionic strength of phosphate buffer. A linear bindi...
Spin-lattice relaxation in several molecules containing methyl groups

Abstract The temperature dependences of the spin-lattice relaxation times of the methyl and ring protons of toluene have been measured by the adiabatic fast passage method. The separation of the intramolecular and intermolecular contributions to the relaxation rate has been carried out using a dilution study in toluene- d 8 . The dipolar relaxation provides the sole relaxation mechanism for the ring protons whereas both the dipolar and spin—rotation interactions contribute to the relaxation of the methyl protons. The spin—rotation interaction contribution is discussed in terms of different models for the spin-internal and spin-overall rotation coupling. The T 1 's of the CD 3 and ring deuterons of toluene- d 8 have also been determined. The temperature dependences of the proton T 1 's in 2-butyne and 2,4-hexadiyne have been measured in CS 2 , CCl 4 , benzene- d 6 , and the experimental data are discussed in terms of dipolar and spin—rotation relaxation mechanisms.
A novel method to avoid stale route cache problem of dynamic source routing protocol for mobile ad hoc network

This paper is aspiring to overcome the disadvantages of dynamic source routing (DSR) protocol. The proposed routing scheme is named as Active Source and Opportunistic Routing scheme (ASOR). This proposed scheme mainly aims to avoid stale route cache problem by repair the route failure locally. If any link failure occurs between the nodes means the previous forwarder node uses the opportunistic routing scheme to find the route to reach the destination. The link residual life parameter is considered while reconstructing the route. But initially source routing is used to route the data packets to the destination to eliminate the loops. The route caching mechanism is not necessary for the proposed scheme. So, the proposed routing scheme provides loop free routing and avoids the stale cache information, reduce delay to reconstruct the route if any route failure occurs.
Dynamics of rotating paramagnetic particles simulated by lattice Boltzmann and particle dynamics methods

Novel biochemical sensors consisting of rotating chains of microscale paramagnetic particles have been proposed that would enable convenient, sensitive analyte detection. Predicting the dynamics of these particles is required to optimise their design. The results of lattice Boltzmann (LB) and particle dynamics (PD) simulations are reported, where the LB approach provides a verified solution of the complete Navier-Stokes equations, including the hydrodynamic interactions among the particles. On the other hand, the simpler PD approach neglects hydrodynamic interactions, and does not compute the fluid motion. It is shown that macroscopic properties, like the number of aggregated particles, depend only on the drag force and not on the total hydrodynamic force, making PD simulations yield reasonably accurate predictions. Relatively good agreement between the LB and PD simulations, and qualitative agreement with experimental data, are found for the number of aggregated particles as a function of the Mason number. The drag force on a rotating cylinder is significantly different from that on particle chains calculated from both simulations, demonstrating the different dynamics between the two cases. For microscopic quantities like the detailed force distributions on each particle, the complete Navier-Stokes solution, here represented by the LB simulation, is required.
Corrosion susceptibilities of various metals and alloys in synthetic geothermal brines

The corrosion susceptibilities of various pure metals and alloys were investigated in synthetic geothermal fluids. Rates of corrosion of AISI 1010 steel, types 304 and 316 stainless steels, Monel 400 and nickel were determined at three temperatures (296, 333 and 368 K); and those of the molybdenum, niobium and titanium were determined at 368 K only. Type 304 stainless steel appears to undergo an active-passive transition at a temperature range between 333 and 368 K. In the passive state type 304 steel has essentially the same corrosion rate as type 316. At 368 K the corrosion rate of pure nickel was approximately 2.5 times that of Monel, which in turn was twice that of type 316 stainless steel. The corrosion rates of Mo, Nb and Ti were less than one mdd at the highest experimental temperature.
Geochemistry: A glacial hangover.

The marine geochemical budget of some solutes does not add up. A test case shows that at least part of the reason may lie in the timescale over which continental weathering recovers from glaciations.
Photophysical aspects of CH bond activation in rhodium dicarbonyl complexes

Abstract The solution photochemistry of CH bond activating CpRh(CO)2, Cp∗Rh(CO)2 and (HBPz3∗)Rh(CO)2 complexes ( Cp = η 5 - C 5 H 5 ; Cp ∗ = η 5 - C 5 Me 5 ; HBPz3∗ = tris(3,5-dimethylpyrazolyl)borate) has been investigated at several excitation wavelengths. Quantitative photochemical measurements have been obtained for ligand photosubstitution and intermolecular SiH/CH bond activation reactions through a determination of absolute quantum efficiencies. In each complex the results reveal that the photochemistry is extremely wavelength dependent and two low lying ligand field (LF) excited states are implicated in the mechanism. Population of the upper energy LF excited state leads to effective CO dissociation and subsequent SiH/CH bond activation, whereas excitation into the lower energy LF excited state results in inefficient photochemistry. These experimental observations are related to the electronic absorption characteristics of the molecules and are interpreted on a photophysical scheme involving excited states with quite distinct photochemical reactivities.
Acid Production by Azotobacter vinelandii

Azotobacter vinelandii has been characterized by its lack of acid production in culture1. In fact, most species of Azotobacter do not form acid, but appear to oxidize carbohydrates completely to carbon dioxide and water2. The notable exceptions to this are the acid-tolerant A. indicum (Beijerinckia indica)3 and A. macrocytogenes4 that are characterized by acid production. Other acid-tolerant species are not reported to be acid producers. There have been a few scattered reports of acid production by A. vinelandii, but these usually mention that it occurred during abnormal cultural conditions5, or with little or no growth6.
Androgen synthesis inhibitors in the treatment of castration‑resistant prostate cancer

Suppression of gonadal testosterone synthesis represents the standard first line therapy for treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. However, in the majority of patients who develop castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC), it is possible to detect persistent activation of the androgen receptor (AR) through androgens produced in the adrenal gland or within the tumor itself. Abiraterone acetate was developed as an irreversible inhibitor of the dual functional cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP17 with activity as a 17α-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase. CYP17 is necessary for production of nongonadal androgens from cholesterol. Regulatory approval of abiraterone in 2011, based on a phase III trial showing a significant improvement in overall survival (OS) with abiraterone and prednisone versus prednisone, represented proof of principle that targeting AR is essential for improving outcomes in men with CRPC. Inhibition of 17α-hydroxylase by abiraterone results in accumulation of upstream mineralocorticoids due to loss of cortisol-mediated suppression of pituitary adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), providing a rationale for development of CYP17 inhibitors with increased specificity for 17,20-lyase (orteronel, galeterone and VT-464) that can potentially be administered without exogenous corticosteroids. In this article, we review the development of abiraterone and other CYP17 inhibitors; recent studies with abiraterone that inform our understanding of clinical parameters such as drug effects on quality-of-life, potential early predictors of response, and optimal sequencing of abiraterone with respect to other agents; and results of translational studies providing insights into resistance mechanisms to CYP17 inhibitors leading to clinical trials with drug combinations designed to prolong abiraterone benefit or restore abiraterone activity.
Synthesis and properties of [4,5]dihomotropone (bicyclo[5.1.1]Nona-2,5-dien-4-one)

Abstract The potentially through-bond “dihomoaromatic” title compound has been elaborated by means of a tandem acyloin-ring expansion sequence and shown by spectroscopic means not to possess significant ground-state polarization.
Rapid shell closure in the brachiopods Terebratulina retusa and Terebrataua transversa

Rapid shell closure in articulate brachiopods, occurring by a twitch contraction of the the ‘quick’ adductor muscles, is a response to disturbance or to physiological requirements of the organism. The relative simplicity of the closing system permits a detailed analysis of the functional architecture of the mechanism and the underlying principles of skeleto-muscular organization, in terms of (1) basic kinematic properties of the system (speeds and times of closure), (2) hydrodynamic reactions resisting closure, and (3) considerations of muscle physiology and mechanics.Analyses of shell closure in the brachiopods Terebratulina retusa from the Firth of Lorn, Scotland, and Terebratalia transversa from Puget Sound, USA, reveal (1) shell-closing times of the order of 50 to 70 ms, (2) closing velocities of the order of 3·5 radians s-1, from initial gapes of about 0·05 to 0·2 rad, and (3) muscle moment forces and hydrodynamic reactions with magnitudes of the order of 5 × 10-4 N m (5 g cm). Muscle tensions developed in the ‘quick’ adductor muscle are of the order of 105 N m2, and contraction velocities are of the order of one muscle length per second. Hydrodynamic reactions are a fundamental constraint on the closing mechanism, as determined by the concordance of actual closing events with predictions of a hydrodynamic model.
FEED THE HUNGRY BEE: USING POSITIVE PEER REPORTS TO IMPROVE THE SOCIAL INTERACTIONS AND ACCEPTANCE OF A SOCIALLY REJECTED GIRL IN RESIDENTIAL CARE

We studied how rewarding peers for publicly reporting positive aspects of a socially rejected girl's behavior affected her social interactions and acceptance. The results indicated that positive peer reports reduced negative social interactions (to near zero) and increased positive interactions (to above 70%). In addition, social acceptance ratings of the girl increased from pre- to postintervention.
CATALYTIC AND ACIDIC PROPERTIES OF DIFFERENT METAL-ZEOLITE CATALYSTS

Catalytic and acidic properties of bifunctional catalysts containing faujasite, superhigh-silica zeolite and mordenite have been studied in isomerization of C8-alkylaromatic hydrocarbons.
Urban formations of difference: borders and cities in post-1989 Europe

The devastation of the historical cities of the former Yugoslavia, perpetrated by the contending parties in the civil war, was regarded in Western Europe as an act of destruction against European cities. However, the cultural rhetoric of the European identity of cities, such as Sarajevo, Dubrovnik, and Vukovar displays a stark contrast with the European Union's lack of political engagement with the future of Bosnia and Croatia. This rhetoric is also diametrically opposed to the collective politics of exclusion of Bosnian and Croatian migrants from a United Europe. These ambiguous approaches to the notion of â€˜Europeâ€™ prompt an analytical focus on the concrete, localized and at times contradictory urban sites where Europeanization is taking place.
Inhibition of lignin peroxidase H2 by sodium azide

Abstract The oxidation of veratryl alcohol (3,4-dimethoxybenzyl alcohol) by lignin peroxidase H2 from Phanerochaete chrysosporium and H 2 O 2 was strongly inhibited by sodium azide. Inhibition was competitive with respect to veratryl alcohol ( K i = 1–2 μM ) and uncompetitive with respect to H 2 O 2 . In contrast, sodium azide bound to the native enzyme at pH 6.0 with an apparent dissociation constant ( K D ) of 126 m m . Formation of azidyl radicals was detected by ESR spin trapping techniques. The enzyme is nearly completely inactivated in four turnovers. The H 2 O 2 -activated enzyme intermediate (compound I) reacted with sodium azide to form a new species rather than be reduced to the enzyme intermediate compound II. The new species has absorption maxima at 418, 540, and 570 nm, suggesting the formation of a ferrous-lignin peroxidase-NO complex. Confirmation of this assignment was obtained by low-temperature ESR spectroscopy. An identical complex could be simulated by the addition of nitrite to the reduced enzyme. The enzyme intermediate compound II is readily reduced by sodium azide to native enzyme with essentially no loss of activity.
Infant brain atlases from neonates to 1- and 2-year-olds.

Background Studies for infants are usually hindered by the insufficient image contrast, especially for neonates. Prior knowledge, in the form of atlas, can provide additional guidance for the data processing such as spatial normalization, label propagation, and tissue segmentation. Although it is highly desired, there is currently no such infant atlas which caters for all these applications. The reason may be largely due to the dramatic early brain development, image processing difficulties, and the need of a large sample size. Methodology To this end, after several years of subject recruitment and data acquisition, we have collected a unique longitudinal dataset, involving 95 normal infants (56 males and 39 females) with MRI scanned at 3 ages, i.e., neonate, 1-year-old, and 2-year-old. State-of-the-art MR image segmentation and registration techniques were employed, to construct which include the templates (grayscale average images), tissue probability maps (TPMs), and brain parcellation maps (i.e., meaningful anatomical regions of interest) for each age group. In addition, the longitudinal correspondences between age-specific atlases were also obtained. Experiments of typical infant applications validated that the proposed atlas outperformed other atlases and is hence very useful for infant-related studies. Conclusions We expect that the proposed infant 0–1–2 brain atlases would be significantly conducive to structural and functional studies of the infant brains. These atlases are publicly available in our website, http://bric.unc.edu/ideagroup/free-softwares/.