cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Semiconductor electrochemistry and hydrometallurgical dissolution processes

Abstract The basic concepts of semiconductor electrochemistry are reviewed. In particular, the relationship between atomic orbitals, molecular orbitals and the band model of solids is highlighted. By using the fact that redox couples in aqueous solution can also be assigned energy levels, electrochemical reactions at the solid/aqueous interface can be viewed conveniently in terms of charge transfer between energy levels. Application of these concepts to selected hydrometallurgical dissolution systems then follows, including the role of lattice substitution and nonstoichiometry in the dissolution of oxides and sulfides, the role of surface states (i.e. localized energy levels at the solid/aqueous interface) on the reduction of oxidizing agents during sulfide dissolution, and the electronic structural basis of sulfur versus sulfate formation in sulfide dissolution reactions.
Testing and treatment of arterial graft thrombosis.

Summary The in vivo technique of Sauvage et al for determining prosthetic arterial graft thrombogenicity was employed in the sheep carotid model using 4 mm commercial expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) grafts. Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene was found to be thrombogenic at 4 hours of low flow in this model. At 24 hours all of these grafts were totally occluded at low flow rates. Intravenous use of ibuprofen (Motrin), a thromboxane inhibitor, in this model markedly reduced occlusion and thrombogenicity at 4 and 24 hours. All grafts were patent at 24 hours when ibuprofen was used.
Mixed-RKDG finite element methods for the 2-D hydrodynamic model for semiconductor device simulation

In this paper we introduce a new method for numerically solving the equations of the hydrodynamic model for semiconductor devices in two space dimensions. The method combines a standard mixed finite element method, used to obtain directly an approximation to the electric field, with the so-called Runge-Kutta Discontinuous Galerkin (RKDG) method, originally devised for numerically solving multi-dimensional hyperbolic systems of conservation laws, which is applied here to the convective part of the equations. Numerical simulations showing the performance of the new method are displayed, and the results compared with those obtained by using Essentially Nonoscillatory (ENO) finite difference schemes. From the perspective of device modeling, these methods are robust, since they are capable of encompassing broad parameter ranges, including those for which shock formation is possible. The simulations presented here are for Gallium Arsenide at room temperature, but we have tested them much more generally with considerable success.
The course of depressive symptoms over time for women who completed drug treatment

The purpose of the present study was to (a) describe the trend in depressive symptoms in a sample of postpartum women who used cocaine and who completed drug treatment; and (b) to examine possible correlates of those trends including treatment type and selected pretreatment characteristics. Self-reported levels of depressive symptoms improved from treatment entry to discharge and remained relatively stable through three postdischarge follow-up points. Baseline level of depression was the only pretreatment factor that was correlated with the trend in depressive symptoms. And length of time in treatment, previous drug treatment, and baseline severity of drug use were not.
Synthesis of tritiated bumetanide

Tritium Iabelled bumetanide of high specific activity (16 Ci/mmol) has been prepared in our laboratory by tris(triphenyl-phosphine) rhodium chloride catalyzed reduction of an olefinic precursor with carrier free tritium gas in benzene-ethanol (1:1). The product is labelled in the N-butyl side chain. Comparison of both heterogeneous palladium and homogeneous rhodium catalyzed deuterium reductions as a model for the tritiation revealed that the latter reduction was accompanied by considerably less label scrambling.
Proton spin-lattice relaxation in some paramagnetically adulterated hydrocarbon gases☆

Abstract An experimental study of proton spin-lattice relaxation has been made in the gas mixtures C2H4−O2, C2H6−O2, CH2CF2-02, C2H4-NO, and C2H6-NO. Nitric oxide is found to be very much less effective than oxygen in paramagnetic relaxation of ethane and ethylene mixtures. The proton spin-lattice relaxation rate in oxygen adulterated ethylene exceeds that in oxygen adulterated methane, or ethane, and exhibits a strong inverse temperature dependence. Nitric oxide, on the other hand, is very much less effective in ethylene than in methane. Proton and fluorine spin-lattice relaxation time measurements in CH2CF2-02 mixtures indicate that the formation of a short-lived charge transfer complex in the C2H4−O2 interaction is very unlikely. The striking contrast in the paramagnetic behavior of oxygen and nitric oxide in these hydrocarbon gases may be understood when the paramagnetic moment is considered “in the short time limit” of an intermolecular interaction and due account is taken of the relative strengths of the anisotropic part of the intermolecular potential in the different gas mixtures. We show that on this basis the enhanced paramagnetic relaxation rate in C2H4-O2 gas mixtures and its strong temperature dependence, as well as the greatly reduced relaxation in C2H4-NO mixtures, are compatible with a reduced distance of closest approach in C2H4-02 and C2H4-NO interactions.
The importance of belowground mineral element stores in cattails (Typha latifolia L.)

Abstract We measured the amount of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, B, Mn, Na, Sr, Cu and Zn in above- and belowground parts of cattails ( Typha latifolia L.) every 2 weeks during the growing season (April–October) in plants growing in a marsh on the shore of Lake Mendota, Wisconsin. Elements differed considerably in their distribution between above- and belowground parts and the amount of apparent exchange between parts. The ratio of the amount of an element in aboveground plant parts to that belowground (A:B) was between 1:1 and 2:1 for most elements, as compared with the 2.2:1 ratio of biomass. The maximum amounts of Fe and Zn belowground exceeded their aboveground maxima, while K, Ca and Mn had A:B ratios greater than 2:1. N, P and K in belowground plant parts decreased considerably during the spring, and belowground decreases were large enough to be potentially important sources of these elements for shoot growth. Belowground stores of Ca, Mg, Mn, Na and Sr decreased little in the spring and do not function as reserves.
Preservice Teachers Conducting Action Research in Early Education Centers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of action research by ten preservice teachers earning their associate's degree in early childhood education from a small university in the West. Their goal was to assess the impact of their teaching on student learning with children birth to 8 years of age. This study represents the use of undergraduate action research in early childhood at the associate degree level, and also contributes to the early childhood teacher education knowledge base in the use of the action research method in early learning centers as a means of professional development as well as a tool to guide daily instruction, problem solving, and decision making. Using a variety of informal assessment procedures, the preservice teachers studied the effects of specific learning strategies or activities, first upon the development and learning of the young children they taught, and then upon the results from the assessments in order to guide further instruction.
A new drug against Paragonimus infection.

An oral dose of 50–100 mg/kg b.wt of a new anthelmintic, albendozole, for 2–3 weeks killed adult flukes and stopped shedding of ova of Paragonimus kellicotti in experimentally infected cats. No clinical signs related to treatment were recognized. This low toxicity of albendozole may be useful in treating human paragonimiasis.
Vanadate-induced cell growth regulation and the role of reactive oxygen species.

While vanadium compounds are known as potent toxicants as well as carcinogens, the mechanisms of their toxic and carcinogenic actions remain to be investigated. It is believed that an improper cell growth regulation leads to cancer development. The present study examines the effects of vanadate on cell cycle control and involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in these vanadate-mediated responses in a human lung epithelial cell line, A549. Under vanadate stimulation, A549 cells generated hydroxyl radical (*OH), as determined by electron spin resonance (ESR), and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide anion (O2*-), as detected by flow cytometry using specific dyes. The mechanism of ROS generation involved the reduction of molecular oxygen to O2*- by both a flavoenzyme-containing NADPH complex and the mitochondria electron transport chain. The O2*- in turn generated H2O2, which reacted with vanadium(IV) to generate *OH radical through a Fenton-type reaction (V(IV) + H2O2 --> V(V) +*OH + OH-). The ROS generated by vanadate induced G2/M phase arrest in a time- and dose-dependent manner as determined by measuring DNA content. Vanadate also increased p21 and Chk1 levels and reduced Cdc25C expression, leading to phosphorylation of Cdc2 and a slight increase in cyclin B1 expression as analyzed by Western blot. Catalase, a specific antioxidant for H2O2, decreased vanadate-induced expression of p21 and Chk1, reduced phosphorylation of Cdc2Tyr15, and decreased cyclin B1 levels. Superoxide dismutase, a scavenger of O2*-, or sodium formate, an inhibitor of *OH, had no significant effects. The results obtained from the present study demonstrate that among ROS, H2O2 is the species responsible for vanadate-induced G2/M phase arrest. Several regulatory pathways are involved: (1) activation of p21, (2) an increase of Chk1 expression and inhibition of Cdc25C, which results in phosphorylation of Cdc2 and possible inactivation of cyclin B1/Cdc2 complex.
Institutional Pluralism From The Standpoint of Its Victims: Calling the Question on Indiscriminate (In)Tolerance

AbstractBorrowing from postmodernity, new Right intellectuals have become adept at plucking core terms from the liberal register, stripping away their history and social context, and making them do the conceptual work of backlash. A recent example is the theme of the 2009 annual meeting of the AALS: institutional pluralism. The phrase has a surface resemblance to traditional liberal values but, in truth, acts as a Trojan horse for discrimination projects that many may find troubling. By putting the phrase in its social context, this essay reveals the ideological interests at work in the idea.
On (in)definite articles: implicatures and (un)grammaticality prediction

Since Paul Grice published ‘Logic and conversation’ in 1975, there have been a number of attempts to develop his programmatic remarks on conversational and conventional implicatures further (see Gazdar, 1979; Atlas & Levinson, 1981; Horn, 1985; Sperber & Wilson, 1986; and especially Levinson, 1983, and the references cited therein). The result has been a growing understanding of the relationship between semantics and pragmatics, and more generally of human reasoning in everyday language use. Many aspects of natural language understanding that were previously thought to be part of the conventional meaning of a given expression can now be shown to be the result of conversational inference. And with cancellability as the diagnostic test, a number of traditional problems in the study of meaning are yielding to more satisfactory analyses. Even more ambitiously, implicatures are penetrating into core areas of the syntax, as pragmatic theories of increasing subtlety are proposed for ‘grammatical’ phenomena such as Chomsky's (1981, 1982) binding principles (see Reinhart, 1983, and Levinson, 1987a, b, 1991).
New chain materials from binuclear metal complexes

Abstract Reaction of Ru 2 (O 2 CR) 4 (RH, Me, Et, n-Pr, Ph) and bis(2,5-dimethyl-N,N′-dicyanoquinonediimine) (DMDCNQI) produces blue/black to purple materials. On the basis of analytical and spectral data these compounds are formulated as linear chains of Ru 2 5+ metal centers bridged by radical anionic DMDCNQI ligands.
Video game players excel at change detection

As our everyday lives become increasingly more complex with technological advancements, an important question arises in whether certain experiences can lead to improved cognitive and perceptual abilities. Recent research has demonstrated that action videogame players (VGPs) consistently demonstrate improved performance across a variety of visual and attentional tasks when compared to non-videogame players (NVGPs; e.g., Green & Bavelier, 2003). Videogame exposure is thought to heighten and hone attentional abilities, thus guiding and enhancing performance in visually demanding tasks. Yet, it remains unknown how and why such benefits arise. To explore the causal mechanisms that could underlie the VGPs' improved abilities, we tested VGPs and NVGPs on a modified version of a change-detection ‘flicker task’ (previously used in Mitroff & Simons, 2002). In this paradigm, participants briefly view a scene, which is followed by a blank display, a modified version of the scene, and finally another blank display. Participants are to identify the location of the change between the two scenes. In a typical flicker task, this change sequence continuously repeats until detection, but in this modified version, participants make a localization response after each change presentation. When participants do not detect the change, they are to guess, thus providing several guessed locations leading up to their eventual detection. VGPs successfully detected a higher percentage of changes and did so in fewer presentations than NVGPs, consistent with prior claims of enhanced perceptual abilities in VGPs. Further analyses revealed different strategies wherein VGPs were more diligent in their searching; when participants happened to accurately guess the change location, VGPs were more likely notice the change, whereas the NVGPs were more likely to continue searching for the change without noticing their happenstance detection. These results suggest that both enhanced search strategies and search abilities drive the VGPs' benefits.
Prevention and management of acute hyperuricemia in childhood leukemia.

Massive and rapid destruction of neoplastic cells following institution of corticosteroid therapy is reported in 5 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Severe hyperuricemia resulting from cellular breakdown was prevented by prophylactic regimens with the use of either allopurinol or mannitol diuresis. Intravenous fluids, urinary alkalinization, and mannitol diuresis were successful in reversing severe uric acid nephropathy already present in one patient and hemodialysis reversed renal shutdown secondary to acute uric acid nephropathy in another patient.
How do riparian woody seedlings survive seasonal drought

In semi-arid regions, a major population limitation for riparian trees is seedling desiccation during the dry season that follows annual spring floods. We investigated the stress response of first-year pioneer riparian seedlings to experimental water table declines (0, 1 and 3 cm day−1), focusing on the three dominant cottonwood and willows (family Salicaceae) in California’s San Joaquin Basin. We analyzed growth and belowground allocation response to water stress, and used logistic regression to determine if these traits had an influence on individual survival. The models indicate that high root growth (>3 mm day−1) and low shoot:root ratios (<1.5 g g−1) strongly predicted survival, but there was no evidence that plants increased belowground allocation in response to drawdown. Leaf δ13C values shifted most for the best-surviving species (net change of +3.5 per mil from −30.0 ± 0.3 control values for Goodding’s willow, Salix gooddingii), implying an important role of increased water-use efficiency for surviving water stress. Both S. gooddingii and sandbar willow (S. exigua) reduced leaf size from controls, whereas Fremont cottonwood (Populus fremontii) sustained a 29% reduction in specific leaf area (from 13.4 to 9.6 m2 kg−1). The functional responses exhibited by Goodding’s willow, the more drought-tolerant species, may play a role in its greater relative abundance in dry regions such as the San Joaquin Basin. This study highlights the potential for a shift in riparian forest composition. Under a future drier climate regime or under reduced regulated river flows, our results suggest that willow establishment will be favored over cottonwood.
Optimization of the uidA gene transfer into somatic embryos of rose via Agrobacterium tumefaciens

The effects of different concentrations of kanamycin (10-250 mg l –1 ), carbencillin (250 and 500 mg l –1 ), cefotaxime (250 and 500 mg l –1 ), and combinations of carbencillin and cefotaxime (each at 150 mg l –1 ) on regeneration from different tissues of rose ( Rosa hybrida cv. Carefree Beauty), including leaf, undifferentiated callus, and primary embryogenic callus, were investigated. The pCAMBIA 2301 plasmid, containing the uidA gene coding for � -glucuronidase (GUS) gene expression driven by the CaMV 35S promotor and the npt II gene for kanamycin resistance, was immobilized into Agrobacerium tumefaciensstrain GV3101, and used for transformation of leaf, undifferentiated callus, and primary embryogenic callus. Although all sources of explants showed GUS activity following transformation, transgenic plants were only induced from transformed primary embryogenic callus. Stable integration of the transgene was confirmed by both PCR and Southern hybridization. © 2002 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.
Clinical use of serum CA-125 levels in patients undergoing radical cystectomy for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

Abstract Purpose It has recently been reported that serum CA-125 levels may serve as a prognostic indicator of extravesical disease in patients with bladder cancer. This study evaluated the role of CA-125 as a prognostic marker in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder undergoing radical cystectomy and urinary diversion. Methods Ninety-two consecutive patients underwent planned radical cystectomy and urinary diversion with curative intent (2005–2006). Serum CA-125 levels were obtained in all patients and correlations were made to clinical and operative findings and pathological outcomes. Outcomes were evaluated with regard to normal vs. abnormal CA-125 values and with regard to absolute values of CA-125 levels. Results were also stratified by short-term recurrence rates. Results Mean CA-125 values varied significantly by pathological stage and by resectability. No patient (0/56) with organ-confined disease (≤pT2N0) had an abnormal CA-125, and only 1 patient (1/75 = 1.3%) with ≤pT3N0 disease had an abnormal value. Conversely, 35% of patients with regionally-advanced disease (pT4 or N+) had an elevated CA-125, and all patients with unresectable disease (5/5) had an elevated value. In addition, patients with abnormal values of CA-125 (i.e., Conclusions Serum CA-125 levels may serve as a useful predictor of pathological outcomes in patients undergoing cystectomy for urothelial carcinoma of the bladder. Further studies will be carried out to determine the predictability of CA-125 on long-term recurrence and survival rates, and to evaluate the utility of CA-125 as a marker for disease response in patients with recurrent or advanced disease undergoing systemic therapy.
Simultaneous and Sequential Photosonolysis of TCE and PCE

Aqueous solutions of trichloroethylene (TCE) and tetrachloroethylene (PCE) were treated in a flow-through reactor equipped with ultrasound and ultraviolet light sources. The reactor was operated as sonolysis (US), photolysis (UV), and simultaneous photosonolysis (UV/US) reactors; then as US, UV, and sequential UV/US reactors with the installation of a partition in the reactor. The reactor without the partition was simulated by using one continuously stirred-tank-reactor (1-CSTR) model, and the reactor with the partition was simulated by using the sequential CSTR model. Through model calibration, the decomposition rate constants and reactor efficiencies for the removal of TCE and PCE were evaluated. The results suggest that the combined effect of UV and US on the decomposition of TCE and PCE is synergistic in both the simultaneous and sequential UV/US modes, that the rate constants of sonolysis and photolysis are greater with the sequential combination than with the simultaneous combination, and that overall efficiency is higher for the reactor with the partition than for the one without it.
Effect of heat aging on the properties of a nylon 6,6/poly(phenylene oxide) blend

Accelerated aging of an Initial formulation of a nylon 6,6/poly(phenylene oxide) (PA/PPO) blend resulted in a significant loss in impact strength after a relatively short aging period. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed considerable surface oxidation in air-aged samples. Scanning electron micrographs (SEM) of fracture surfaces showed evidence of embrittlement (glassy skin formation). This brittle skin apparently influenced crack propagation throughout the entire cross section of the test specimens. It was determined by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis that the PPO phase of the blend contained a poly(styrene-butadiene) copolymer, probably added as an impact modifier. The susceptibility of the polybutadiene to oxidation, especially at elevated temperature, is believed to have caused the oxidation and surface embrittlement. However, the surface oxidation also resulted in a large loss in molecular weight of the nylon phase (m-cresol-soluble portion) and considerable cross-linking of the PPO phase (chloroform-soluble portion). Samples aged in inert atmosphere showed no skin formation nor loss in impact properties, thus confirming that oxidative degradation caused the embrittlement.
H2AX Is Required for Recombination Between Immunoglobulin Switch Regions but Not for Intra-Switch Region Recombination or Somatic Hypermutation

Changes in chromatin structure induced by posttranslational modifications of histones are important regulators of genomic function. Phosphorylation of histone H2AX promotes DNA repair and helps maintain genomic stability. Although B cells lacking H2AX show impaired class switch recombination (CSR), the precise role of H2AX in CSR and somatic hypermutation (SHM) has not been defined. We show that H2AX is not required for SHM, suggesting that the processing of DNA lesions leading to SHM is fundamentally different from CSR. Impaired CSR in H2AX−/− B cells is not due to alterations in switch region transcription, accessibility, or aberrant joining. In the absence of H2AX, short-range intra-switch region recombination proceeds normally while long-range inter-switch region recombination is impaired. Our results suggest a role for H2AX in regulating the higher order chromatin remodeling that facilitates switch region synapsis.
Models and Paradigms of Interaction

Objects have inherently greater computation power than functions because they provide clients with continuing services over time. They determine a marriage contract for interactive services that cannot be expressed by a pattern of time-independent sales contracts. Objects express the programming-in-the-large paradigm of software engineering, while functions express the programming-in-the-small paradigm of the analysis of algorithms. Objects have a functional semantics specified by their interface, a serial semantics specified by traces of interface procedures, and a fully abstract semantics that specifies behavior over time for all possible interactions. They assign meaning to the time between the execution of interface procedures as well as to algorithmic effects. Church's thesis that computable functions capture the intuitive notion of effective computation for algorithms cannot be extended to objects.
Density fractionation of forest soils: methodological questions and interpretation of incubation results and turnover time in an ecosystem context

Soil organic matter (SOM) is often separated by physical means to simplify a com- plex matrix into discrete fractions. A frequent approach to isolating two or more fractions is based on differing particle densities and uses a high density liquid such as sodium polytungstate (SPT). Soil density fractions are often interpreted as organic matter pools with different carbon (C) turnover times, ranging from years to decades or centuries, and with different functional roles for C and nutrient dynamics. In this paper, we discuss the development and mechanistic basis of common density-based methods for dividing soil into distinct organic matter fractions. Further, we directly address the potential effects of dispersing soil in a high density salt solution on the recov- ered fractions and implications for data inter- pretation. Soil collected from forested sites at H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest, Oregon and Bousson Experimental Forest, Pennsylvania was separated into light and heavy fractions by floa- tation in a 1.6 g cm -3 solution of SPT. Mass balance calculations revealed that between 17% and 26% of the original bulk soil C and N content was mobilized and subsequently discarded during density fractionation for both soils. In some cases, the light isotope was preferentially mobilized during density fractionation. During a year-long incubation, mathematically recombined density fractions respired ~40% less than the bulk soil at both sites and light fraction (LF) did not always decompose more than the heavy fraction (HF). Residual amounts of tungsten (W) present even in well-rinsed fractions were enough to reduce microbial respiration by 27% compared to the control in a 90-day incubation of Oa material. However, residual W was nearly eliminated by repeated leaching over the year-long incubation, and is not likely the primary cause of the difference in respiration between summed frac- tions and bulk soil. Light fraction at Bousson, a deciduous site developed on Alfisols, had a radiocarbon-based mean residence time (MRT)
People with coexisting diabetes, chronic kidney disease and hypertension report the psychosocial effects of being prescribed multiple medications

Commentary on: Williams A, Manias E. Exploring motivation and confidence in taking prescribed medicines in coexisting disease: a qualitative study. J Clin Nurs 2014;23:471–81.[OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3] Adherence to prescribed medication is estimated to occur in only 50% of patients. As the numbers of comorbid conditions and medications increase, the risk of medication non-adherence also increases. Interventions to improve medication adherence are often complex, multifactorial and individualised.1 Rooted in this individualised approach is a need to understand the behavioural motivations … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DJ%2BClin%2BNurs%26rft.volume%253D23%26rft.spage%253D471%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1111%252Fjocn.12171%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F24028554%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1111/jocn.12171&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=24028554&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febnurs%2F18%2F1%2F18.atom
Charge Recycling Between Virtual Power and Ground Lines for Low Energy MTCMOS

Multi-threshold voltage CMOS (MTCMOS) has emerged as an increasingly popular technique for reducing the leakage energy consumption of idle circuits. The MTCMOS circuits, however, suffer from high energy overhead during the transitions between the active and standby modes. A new circuit technique is proposed in this paper to lower the energy overhead of these mode transitions for effective energy reduction with the MTCMOS circuits. The charge stored at the "virtual power" and "virtual ground" lines are recycled during the active-to-sleep-to-active mode transitions with the proposed technique. Applying the charge recycling MTCMOS circuit technique to a 32-bit Brent-Kung adder reduces the energy overhead due to the mode transitions by up to 36.3% as compared to the conventional MTCMOS circuits. Furthermore, the standby mode power consumption is reduced by up to 91.1% as compared to a standard Brent-Kung adder in a 65nm CMOS technology
Physiological Stress Responses Predict Sexual Functioning and Satisfaction Differently in Women Who Have and Have Not Been Sexually Abused in Childhood

Physiological responses to sexual stimuli may contribute to the increased rate of sexual problems seen in women with childhood sexual abuse (CSA) histories. We compared two physiological stress responses as predictors of sexual function and satisfaction (sympathetic nervous system [SNS] activation and cortisol) in women with CSA (N = 136) and without CSA histories (NSA, N = 102). In CSA survivors, cortisol response to sexual stimuli did not significantly predict sexual functioning; however, in NSA women, cortisol increases were associated with poorer sexual functioning, and cortisol decreases with higher sexual functioning. For women with CSA histories, lower SNS activity was associated with poorer sexual functioning. For CSA survivors with low lifetime trauma, lower SNS activity was associated with higher sexual satisfaction; for women with high lifetime trauma, the reverse was true. Decreased SNS activity during sexual stimuli predicted higher sexual functioning in NSA women with low lifetime exposure to traumatic events, but lower sexual functioning in those with high exposure. Differences between women with and without CSA histories in the association between cortisol and SNS response and sexual functioning and satisfaction suggest that CSA causes disruptions in both short- and long-term stress responses to sexual stimuli that perpetuate into adulthood.
A hardware annealing method for optimal solutions on cellular neural networks

An engineering annealing method, called hardware annealing, for optimal solutions on cellular neural networks is presented. Cellular neural networks have great potential in solving many important scientific problems in signal processing and optimization by use of pre-determined templates. Hardware annealing, which is a parallel version of effective mean-field annealing in analog networks, is a highly efficient method to find optimal solutions on cellular neural networks. It does not require any iterative stochastic procedure and henceforth can be very fast. The landscape of the network energy function is first adapted so that the whole annealing process does not get stuck at a local minimum at the beginning of searching for optimal solutions by adjusting each neuron to a low voltage gain. Then, the hardware annealing searches for the globally minimum energy state by continuously increasing the gain of neurons. The globally optimal equilibrium state is reached when each neuron is at its maximum voltage gain. The robustness of this proposed hardware annealing method for global optimization is assessed by analysis of the eigenvalues in a corresponding dynamical system model.
Driving with Diabetes: Precaution, Not Prohibition, is the Proper Approach

Safety issues posed by driving with diabetes are primarily related to severe hypoglycemia, yet some public authorities rely on categorical restrictions on drivers with diabetes. This approach is misguided. Regulation of all drivers with diabetes, or all drivers using insulin, ignores the diversity of people with diabetes and fails to focus on the subpopulation posing the greatest risk. Advances in diabetes care technology and understanding of safety consequences of diabetes have expanded techniques available to limit risks of driving with diabetes. New means of insulin administration and blood glucose monitoring offer greater ease of anticipating and preventing hypoglycemia, and thus, limit driving risk for persons with diabetes. So too do less sophisticated steps taken by people with diabetes and the health care professionals they consult. These include adoption and endorsement of safety-sensitive behaviors, such as testing before a drive and periodic testing on longer trips. Overall, and in most individual cases, driving risks for persons with diabetes are less than those routinely tolerated by our society. Examples include freedom to drive in dangerous conditions and lax regulation of drivers in age and medical cohorts with elevated overall rates of driving mishaps. Data linking specific diabetes symptoms or features with driving risk are quite uncertain. Hence, there is much to recommend: a focus on technological advances, human precautions, and identifying individuals with diabetes with a specific history of driving difficulty. By contrast, available evidence does not support unfocused regulation of all or most drivers with diabetes.
Upper bounds for electromagnetic transition rates

Abstract A method is presented for calculating the maximum possible electromagnetic transition rate from a state with a given JT to another state with J ′ T ′ achievable by working in a given set of shell-model configurations. Numerical examples are given for the case where one of the states has J = 0, T = 0 and for the case where only one kind of nucleon is active and one of the states has J = 0.
On certain wave transmission coefficients for elliptical and rectangular apertures

It is shown how rapidly convergent series developments may be obtained for the transmission coefficients of elliptical and rectangular apertures.
Body sensor networks and ultra wideband communication

Advances in technology have led to the development of various sensing, computing and communication devices that can be woven into the physical environment of our daily lives. Such systems enable on-body and mobile health-care monitoring, can integrate information from different sources, and can initiate actions or trigger alarms when needed. In this paper, the system architecture of a health-care monitoring application along with its characteristics is outlined. Moreover, several properties of Ultra Wideband communication schemes that are suitable for health-care monitoring applications are illustrated.
Analytical solutions for uniaxial-film-compensated wide-view liquid crystal displays

The uniaxial-film-compensated wide-view liquid crystal displays, with initially homogeneous alignment and vertical alignment, are analyzed. For each compensation scheme, the analytical solutions with the illustration of Poincare sphere representation are derived. Based on the analytical solutions, the 100:1 iso-contrast contours at any viewing angle can be easily achieved for most of the compensation schemes.
SWAMP: Smith-Waterman using associative massive parallelism

One of the most commonly used tools by computational biologists is some form of sequence alignment. Heuristic alignment algorithms developed for speed and their multiple results such as BLAST [1] and FASTA [2] are not a total replacement for the more rigorous but slower algorithms like Smith- Waterman [3]. The different techniques complement one another. A heuristic can filter dissimilar sequences from a large database such as GenBank [4] and the Smith-Waterman algorithm performs more detailed, in-depth alignment in a way not adequately handled by heuristic methods. An associative parallel Smith-Waterman algorithm has been improved and further parallelized. Analysis between different algorithms, different types of file input, and different input sizes have been performed and are reported here. The newly developed associative algorithm reduces the running time for rigorous pairwise local sequence alignment.
The hSNM1 protein is a DNA 5′-exonuclease

The human SNM1 protein is a member of a highly conserved group of proteins catalyzing the hydrolysis of nucleic acid substrates. Although overproduction is unstable in mammalian cells, we have overproduced a recombinant hSNM1 protein in an insect cell system. The protein is a singlestrand 5 0 -exonuclease, like its yeast homolog. The enzyme utilizes either DNA or RNA substrates, requires a 5 0 -phosphate moiety, shows very little activity on double-strand substrates, and functions at a size consistent with a monomer. The exonuclease activity requires the conserved b-lactamase domain; site-directed mutagenesis of a conserved aspartate inactivates the exonuclease.
Paleoclimate Clues: Problem-Based Learning Digital Media for Climate Science

This paper presents an educational system that models global climate change research in a problem-based learning (PBL) framework. Paleoclimate Clues is a web-based application that will engage high school science teachers in generating and analyzing climate data from coral fossils. The design of Paleoclimate Clues aims to engage learners not only in NASA-related climate change data, but in the process of how that data is collected, analyzed, used to make conclusions about changing climate, and with what level of uncertainty, all embedded in a PBL educational framework.
Laboratory testing and diagnostic coding for cytomegalovirus among privately insured infants in the United States: a retrospective study using administrative claims data

Rates of laboratory testing and diagnostic practices for congenital CMV in the United States are unknown. We determined rates of CMV testing and diagnostic coding for CMV among insured infants in the United States using a national healthcare claims database. We analyzed medical claims from 2011 Truven Health MarketScan® Commercial databases for infants who were ≤30 days of age. We used ICD-9-CM codes to identify infants with CMV and CMV-associated conditions. We computed frequencies of infants with CPT codes for CMV testing. A total of 368,266 infants met the study criteria. We identified 61 (0.02%) infants with a diagnostic code for CMV. Among the 368,266 infants, 229 (0.1%) infants had a code for CMV-specific testing, of which 43% had codes for CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or CMV direct florescent antibody (DFA) testing, 44% for CMV serologic testing alone, and 13% for CMV serology and non-specific PCR and/or culture. Over 80% (187/229) with CMV testing had a code for ≥1 CMV-associated conditions. Although infrequently coded for, CMV testing was more common among infants with a code for a condition possibly associated with CMV than infants without these conditions (0.14% (187/ 136,857) vs. 0.02% (42/231,409)). The low rates of CMV testing among infants with symptoms suggestive of congenital CMV infection and the substantial proportion of infants tested with only serologic assays instead of PCR or viral culture suggests gaps in awareness and knowledge of congenital CMV and its diagnosis among healthcare providers. Although claims databases presumably do not capture all diagnosed CMV cases or CMV-specific testing, healthcare claims are a potential source for surveillance and monitoring practices of CMV-specific testing and diagnostic coding for CMV among infants.
Advection-mediated coexistence of competing species

We study a Lotka–Volterra reaction–diffusion–advection model for two competing species in a heterogeneous environment. The species are assumed to be identical except for their dispersal strategies: one disperses by random diffusion only, the other by both random diffusion and advection along an environmental gradient. When the two competitors have the same diffusion rates and the strength of the advection is relatively weak in comparison to that of the random dispersal, we show that the competitor that moves towards more favourable environments has the competitive advantage, provided that the underlying spatial domain is convex, and the competitive advantage can be reversed for certain non-convex habitats. When the advection is strong relative to the dispersal, we show that both species can invade when they are rare, and the two competitors can coexist stably. The biological explanation is that, for sufficiently strong advection, the ‘smarter' competitor will move towards more favourable environments and is concentrated at the place with maximum resources. This leaves enough room for the other species to survive, since it can live upon regions with finer quality resources.
Gestational diabetes: risk of recurrence in subsequent pregnancies

Objective We sought to examine the recurrence risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in a subsequent pregnancy and determine whether recurrence risk is modified by race/ethnicity. Study Design We used the Kaiser Permanente Southern California longitudinally linked records (1991-2008) to study women with first 2 (n = 65,132) and first 3 (n = 13,096) singleton pregnancies. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) were used to estimate the magnitude of recurrence. Results Risks of GDM in the second pregnancy among women with and without previous GDM were 41.3% and 4.2%, respectively (OR, 13.2; 95% confidence interval, 12.0–14.6). The recurrence risk of GDM in the third pregnancy was stronger when women had GDM in both prior pregnancies (OR, 25.9; 95% confidence interval, 17.4–38.4). Hispanics and Asian/Pacific Islanders have higher risks of recurrence. Conclusion A pregnancy complicated by GDM is at increased risk for subsequent GDM. The magnitude of risk increases with the number of prior episodes of GDM. These recurrence risks also showed heterogeneity by race-ethnicity.
Aberrant Expression of Functional BAFF-System Receptors by Malignant B-Cell Precursors Impacts Leukemia Cell Survival

Despite exhibiting oncogenic events, patient's leukemia cells are responsive and dependent on signals from their malignant bone marrow (BM) microenvironment, which modulate their survival, cell cycle progression, trafficking and resistance to chemotherapy. Identification of the signaling pathways mediating this leukemia/microenvironment interplay is critical for the development of novel molecular targeted therapies. We observed that primary leukemia B-cell precursors aberrantly express receptors of the BAFF-system, BAFF-R, BCMA, and TACI. These receptors are functional as their ligation triggers activation of NF-κB, MAPK/JNK, and Akt signaling. Leukemia cells express surface BAFF and APRIL ligands, and soluble BAFF is significantly higher in leukemia patients in comparison to age-matched controls. Interestingly, leukemia cells also express surface APRIL, which seems to be encoded by APRIL-δ, a novel isoform that lacks the furin convertase domain. Importantly, we observed BM microenvironmental cells express the ligands BAFF and APRIL, including surface and secreted BAFF by BM endothelial cells. Functional studies showed that signals through BAFF-system receptors impact the survival and basal proliferation of leukemia B-cell precursors, and support the involvement of both homotypic and heterotypic mechanisms. This study shows an unforeseen role for the BAFF-system in the biology of precursor B-cell leukemia, and suggests that the target disruption of BAFF signals may constitute a valid strategy for the treatment of this cancer.
Purification and general properties of δ-aminolaevulate dehydratase from Nicotiana tabacum L.

1. delta-Aminolaevulate dehydratase (EC 4.2.1.24) was purified 80-fold from tobacco leaves and its properties were studied. 2. The enzyme had optimum pH7.4 in potassium phosphate buffer, K(m)6.25x10(-4)m at 37 degrees and pH7.4, optimum temperature 45 degrees and an activation energy of 11100 cal./mole. 3. The enzyme lost activity when prepared in the absence of cysteine, and this activity was only partly restored by the later addition of thiols. Reagents for thiol groups inactivated the enzyme. 4. Mg(2+) was essential for activity, and EDTA and Fe(2+) were inhibitory; Mn(2+) was an activator or an inhibitor depending on the concentration.
The analysis of human serum lipoprotein distributions.

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews distributions of human serum lipoproteins. Macromolecular distributions such as the human lipoprotein system have for many years been analyzed by utilizing the analytical ultracentrifuge. A biochemically important macromolecular system, exhibiting these special physical characteristics, is the low- and high-density lipoprotein spectrum of human sera. Although the analytical difficulties are considerable, ultracentrifugal analysis provides one of the few available approaches for an extensive quantitative analysis of such macromolecular distributions. Largely because of technical limitations, previous ultracentrifugal methodology for lipoprotein analysis has considered only broad subtractions of the low-density spectra. In the case of the high-density lipoprotein spectrum, this lipoprotein distribution has been divided essentially into two main classes on the basis of hydrated density below and above approximately 1.125 gm/ml, corresponding to high-density lipoprotein HDL 2 and HDL 3 , respectively. Because of the elaborate calculations and data processing required for this kind of mathematical analysis, it has not been feasible to consider potentially useful techniques to accomplish this task manually.
Updated long-term survival for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with liver resection followed by hepatic arterial infusion and systemic chemotherapy

Background and Objectives Patients who undergo liver resection for metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) have reported 5-year survivals ranging from 25% to 50%. The current study updated long-term survival for patients with resected liver metastases treated with adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) and systemic (SYS) chemotherapy. Methods Updated survival and recurrence free survival for patients treated on four consecutive adjuvant protocols with HAI and SYS from 1991 to 2009. Patients were divided into two groups: those treated on protocols before 2003 and after 2003. Median follow-up for all patients was 11 years. Results All 287 patients enrolled in four prospective protocols after liver resection are included. Patients treated before 2003 had a median follow-up of 15 years, 5 and 10-year survivals of 56% [95%CI: 49–64%] and 40% [95%CI: 32–47%], respectively, and median survival of 71 months. Patients treated after 2003 had a median follow-up of 9 years, 5 and 10-year survivals of 78% [95%CI: 70–84%] and 61% [95%CI: 51–70%], respectively, and median survival has not been reached. Conclusions Survival is improving for patients with mCRC who undergo liver resection. These data support the durability of long-term survival in patients who undergo resection followed by adjuvant HAI and SYS therapy. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:477–484. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Influence of phenoxybenzamine on vascular responses to vasoactive agents.

SummaryAcetylcholine, histamine, norepinephrine, epinephrine and serotonin were injected intravenously in varying doses into 20 adult mongrel dogs. Phenoxybenzamine (Phb.) was then administered by intravenous infusion to 15 dogs. One hour after the infusion, the drugs were again administered in the same dosages. Portal vein and systemic artery pressure responses to all drugs were monitored and degree of Phb. blockade was evaluated for each drug used. Results indicate that the greatest number of significantly blocked responses are seen with 5 mg/kg of Phb. for acetylcholine and histamine; with 10 mg/kg Phb. for serotonin, and 5 and 10 mg/kg; Phb. for epinephrine and norepinephrine. The portal venous responses to acetylcholine, histamine and serotonin have a greater number of significant differences than the arterial responses. However, all the drugs tested were partially blocked by phenoxybenzamine. The results of these experiments emphasize the lack of specificity exhibited by this adrenergic blocking age...