cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thermal gradients and anomalous Nernst effects in membrane-supported nonlocal spin valves

Metallic nonlocal spin valves (NLSVs) are important in modern spintronics due to their ability to separate pure spin current from charge current. These metallic nanostructures, often constructed from features with widths in the deep submicron regime, generate significant thermal gradients in operation, and the heat generated has important consequences for spin injection and transport. We use e-beam nanolithography to manufacture NLSVs with Ni-Fe alloy ferromagnetic nanowires and aluminum spin channels on 500-nm silicon nitride (Si-N) membranes to lower the thermal conductance of the substrate dramatically. While this extreme example of thermal engineering in a spintronic system increases the background nonlocal signals in ways expected based on earlier work, it also enhances thermoelectric effects, including the anomalous Nernst effect, and reveals a previously unknown thermally assisted electrical spin injection that results from a purely in-plane thermal gradient. We examine these effects as a function of temperature and, by careful comparison with 2D finite element models of the thermal gradients calculated at a single temperature, demonstrate that the anomalous Nernst coefficient of the 35-nm-thick Ni-Fe alloy, ${R}_{\mathrm{N}}=0.17$ at $T=200\phantom{\rule{4pt}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$, is in line with the few previous measurements of this effect for thin films.
Social worker, law enforcer, and now bill collector: Probation officers’ collection of supervision fees

Probation officers have long had to balance social work and law enforcement orientations to meet the needs of the individuals on probation and to enforce the conditions of probation. In some jurisd...
Vapor-Phase Fabrication and Condensed-Phase Application of a MOF-Node-Supported Iron Thiolate Photocatalyst for Nitrate Conversion to Ammonium

We describe a method for synthesizing a nitrate reduction catalyst within a metal–organic framework (MOF). The MOF NU-1000, a zirconium-based mesoporous material, is exposed by using atomic layer deposition (ALD) to a vaporous iron amidinate coordination complex and subsequently a dodecanethiol ligand to synthesize an iron thiolate cluster grafted on the zirconium oxide nodes. Structural identification of the cluster is conducted through X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and differential envelope density (DED) analyses. Once submerged in an aqueous solution containing nitrate (30 ppm of N) and irradiated with light, the MOF/iron thiolate cluster assembly can photochemically transform the nitrate to ammonium ions. We suggest that sequential, self-limiting, atomic (metal ion), and molecular (ligand) deposition onto the reactive nodes of chemically and thermally stable MOFs could prove to be a versatile and attractive method for obtaining nature-inspired chemical catalysts.
Improving Current ON/OFF Ratio and Subthreshold Swing of Schottky- Gate AlGaN/GaN HEMTs by Postmetallization Annealing

Al2O3-passivated Schottky-gate AlGaN/GaN high electron mobility transistors (HEMTs) with improved subthreshold swing (SS) and drain current ON/OFF ratio by postmetallization annealing (PMA) at 500 °C in N2 ambient are reported. With the PMA, the gate leakage current in the reverse biased region and the OFF-state drain current are reduced by more than three orders of magnitude, leading to a low SS of 84.75 mV/dec and a high drain current ON/ OFF ratio of $2.1\times 10^{7}$ . Through temperature-dependent current–voltage measurements on dual-Schottky-gate structures and capacitance–voltage measurements on Al2O3/AlGaN/GaN metal–insulator–semiconductor (MIS) HEMT capacitors, it is identified that the PMA greatly suppresses both the Al2O3/AlGaN interface leakage current and the reverse gate leakage current by eliminating Al2O3/AlGaN interface trap states with 0.34 eV trap state energy and changing the dominant mechanism of reverse gate leakage conduction from trap-assisted tunneling to Fowler–Nordheim tunneling, respectively. Overall, this work reports on the effectiveness of PMA in improving the performance of Schottky-gate AlGaN/GaN HEMTs and the underlying improving mechanisms.
Keep Your Eye on the Ball or on the Field? Exploring the Performance Implications of Executive Strategic Attention

Scholars have highlighted executive attention as a vital organizational resource. However, as prior studies have examined different facets of attention, a theoretical tension has emerged as to whet...
Left Anterior Thoracotomy Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement Following Left Pneumonectomy.

We report the case of a 59-year-old man referred for aortic valve replacement for severe, symptomatic aortic insufficiency who underwent a minimally invasive left anterior thoracotomy aortic valve ...
Acoustic Microfluidic Separation Techniques and Bioapplications: A Review

Microfluidic separation technology has garnered significant attention over the past decade where particles are being separated at a micro/nanoscale in a rapid, low-cost, and simple manner. Amongst a myriad of separation technologies that have emerged thus far, acoustic microfluidic separation techniques are extremely apt to applications involving biological samples attributed to various advantages, including high controllability, biocompatibility, and non-invasive, label-free features. With that being said, downsides such as low throughput and dependence on external equipment still impede successful commercialization from laboratory-based prototypes. Here, we present a comprehensive review of recent advances in acoustic microfluidic separation techniques, along with exemplary applications. Specifically, an inclusive overview of fundamental theory and background is presented, then two sets of mechanisms underlying acoustic separation, bulk acoustic wave and surface acoustic wave, are introduced and discussed. Upon these summaries, we present a variety of applications based on acoustic separation. The primary focus is given to those associated with biological samples such as blood cells, cancer cells, proteins, bacteria, viruses, and DNA/RNA. Finally, we highlight the benefits and challenges behind burgeoning developments in the field and discuss the future perspectives and an outlook towards robust, integrated, and commercialized devices based on acoustic microfluidic separation.
Kv4 channel expression and kinetics in GABAergic and non-GABAergic rNST neurons

The rostral nucleus of the solitary tract (rNST) serves as the first central relay in the gustatory system. In addition to synaptic interactions, central processing is also influenced by the ion channel composition of individual neurons. For example, voltage-gated K+ channels such as outward K+ current (IA) can modify the integrative properties of neurons. IA currents are prevalent in rNST projection cells but are also found to a lesser extent in GABAergic interneurons. However, characterization of the kinetic properties of IA, the molecular basis of these currents, as well as the consequences of IA on spiking properties of identified rNST cells is lacking. Here, we show that IA in rNST GABAergic (G+) and non-GABAergic (G-) neurons share a common molecular basis. In both cell types, there was a reduction in IA following treatment with the specific Kv4 channel blocker AmmTx3. However, the kinetics of activation and inactivation of IA in the two cell types were different with G- neurons having significantly more negative half-maximal activation and inactivation values. Likewise, under current clamp, G- cells had significantly longer delays to spike initiation in response to a depolarizing stimulus preceded by a hyperpolarizing prepulse. Computational modeling and dynamic clamp suggest that differences in the activation half-maximum may account for the differences in delay. We further observed evidence for a window current under both voltage clamp and current clamp protocols. We speculate that the location of Kv4.3 channels on dendrites, together with a window current for IA at rest, serves to regulate excitatory afferent inputs.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Here, we demonstrate that the transient outward K+ current IA occurs in both GABAergic and non-GABAergic neurons via Kv4.3 channels in the rostral (gustatory) solitary nucleus. Although found in both cell types, IA is more prevalent in non-GABAergic cells; a larger conductance at more negative potentials leads to a greater impact on spike initiation compared with GABAergic neurons. An IA window current further suggests that IA can regulate excitatory afferent input to the nucleus.
Proximity-induced superconducting gap in the quantum spin Hall edge state of monolayer WTe 2

The quantum spin Hall insulator is characterized by a bandgap in the two-dimensional (2D) interior and helical 1D edge states1–3. Inducing superconductivity in the helical edge state results in a 1D topological superconductor, a highly sought-after state of matter at the core of many proposals for topological quantum computing4. In the present study, we report the coexistence of superconductivity and the quantum spin Hall edge state in a van der Waals heterostructure, by placing a monolayer of 1T′-WTe2, a quantum spin Hall insulator1–3, on a van der Waals superconductor, NbSe2. Using scanning tunnelling microscopy and spectroscopy (STM/STS), we demonstrate that the WTe2 monolayer exhibits a proximity-induced superconducting gap due to the underlying superconductor and that the spectroscopic features of the quantum spin Hall edge state remain intact. Taken together, these observations provide conclusive evidence for proximity-induced superconductivity in the quantum spin Hall edge state in WTe2, a crucial step towards realizing 1D topological superconductivity and Majorana bound states in this van der Waals material platform. One way of producing Majorana fermions for topological quantum computing is to induce superconductivity in other topological states. Here, the proximity effect does this for the quantum spin Hall effect state in a 2D material.
Compound Sarcopenia in Hospitalized Patients with Cirrhosis Worsens Outcomes with Increasing Age

Background: There are limited data on outcomes of older patients with chronic diseases. Skeletal muscle loss of aging (primary sarcopenia) has been extensively studied but the impact of secondary sarcopenia of chronic disease is not as well evaluated. Older patients with chronic diseases have both primary and secondary sarcopenia that we term compound sarcopenia. We evaluated the clinical impact of compound sarcopenia in hospitalized patients with cirrhosis given the increasing number of patients and high prevalence of sarcopenia in these patients. Design: The Nationwide Inpatients Sample (NIS) database (years 2010–2014) was analyzed to study older patients with cirrhosis. Since there is no universal hospital diagnosis code for “muscle loss”, we used a comprehensive array of codes for “muscle loss phenotype” in the international classification of diseases-9 (ICD-9). A randomly selected 2% sample of hospitalized general medical population (GMP) and inpatients with cirrhosis were stratified into 3 age groups based on age-related changes in muscle mass. In-hospital mortality, length of stay (LoS), cost of hospitalization (CoH), comorbidities and discharge disposition were analyzed. Results. Of 517,605 hospitalizations for GMP and 106,835 hospitalizations for treatment of cirrhosis or a cirrhosis-related complication, 207,266 (40.4%) GMP and 29,018 (27.7%) patients with cirrhosis were >65 years old, respectively. Muscle loss phenotype in both GMP and inpatients with cirrhosis 51–65 years old and >65 years old was significantly (p 65 years old with cirrhosis and muscle loss phenotype had higher mortality (adjusted OR: 1.06, 95% CI [1.04, 1.08] and CoH (adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.10, 95% confidence interval (CI) [1.04, 1.08])) when compared to >65 years old GMP with muscle loss phenotype. Muscle loss in younger patients with cirrhosis (≤50 years old) was associated with worse outcomes compared to GMP >65 years old. Non-home discharges (nursing, skilled, long-term care) were more frequent with increasing age to a greater extent in patients with cirrhosis with muscle loss phenotype for each age stratum. Conclusion: Muscle loss is more frequent in older patients with cirrhosis than younger patients with cirrhosis and older GMP. Younger patients with cirrhosis had clinical outcomes similar to those of older GMP, suggesting an accelerated senescence in cirrhosis. Compound sarcopenia in older patients with cirrhosis is associated with higher inpatient mortality, increased LoS, and CoH compared to GMP with sarcopenia.
Equilibrium Properties of High Temperature Air for a Range of Pressures

This paper will present a n umber of thermodynamic properties for air in chemical equilibrium at high temperatures. Specifically the temperature range of interest will be from 300 to 30,000 K. The pressure range covered will be from 10 Pa to 101,325 Pa. The emphasis will be on the l ower pressure range. The first properties presented in this paper will be the equilibrium composition presented in terms of the particle number densities. The thermodynamic properties determined will be the constant pressure specific heat, specific interna l energy, specific enthalpy, and specific
Time-of-day changes in physician clinical decision making: A retrospective study

Background Time of day has been associated with variations in certain clinical practices such as cancer screening rates. In this study, we assessed how more general process measures of physician activity, particularly rates of diagnostic test ordering and diagnostic assessments, might be affected by time of day. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of 3,342 appointments by 20 attending physicians at five outpatient clinics, matching appointments by physician and comparing the average diagnostic tests ordered and average diagnoses assessed per appointment in the first hour of the day versus the last hour of the day. Statistical analyses used sign tests, two-sample t-tests, Wilcoxon tests, Kruskal Wallis tests, and multivariate linear regression. Results Examining physicians individually, four and six physicians, respectively, had statistically significant first- versus last-hour differences in the number of diagnostic tests ordered and number of diagnoses assessed per patient visit (p ≤ 0.04). As a group, 16 of 20 physicians ordered more tests on average in the first versus last hour (p = 0.012 for equal chance to order more in each time period). Substantial intra-clinic heterogeneity was found in both outcomes for four of five clinics (p < 0.01). Conclusions There is some statistical evidence on an individual and group level to support the presence of time-of-day effects on the number of diagnostic tests ordered per patient visit. These findings suggest that time of day may be a factor influencing fundamental physician behavior and processes. Notably, many physicians exhibited significant variation in the primary outcomes compared to same-specialty peers. Additional work is necessary to clarify temporal and inter-physician variation in the outcomes of interest.
Path to improving the life cycle and quality of genome-scale models of metabolism.

Summary Genome-scale models of metabolism (GEMs) are key computational tools for the systems-level study of metabolic networks. Here, we describe the "GEM life cycle," which we subdivide into four stages: inception, maturation, specialization, and amalgamation. We show how different types of GEM reconstruction workflows fit in each stage and proceed to highlight two fundamental bottlenecks for GEM quality improvement: GEM maturation and content removal. We identify common characteristics contributing to increasing quality of maturing GEMs drawing from past independent GEM maturation efforts. We then shed some much-needed light on the latent and unrecognized but pervasive issue of content removal, demonstrating the substantial effects of model pruning on its solution space. Finally, we propose a novel framework for content removal and associated confidence-level assignment which will help guide future GEM development efforts, reduce duplication of effort across groups, potentially aid automated reconstruction platforms, and boost the reproducibility of model development.
Using Literature to Improve Writing Skills at B1 Level. A case study in Italy

In the second language classroom, literature has been employed through different methodological approaches. Some of them view literature as a means for deepening language knowledge, while others regard it as a resource to raise multicultural awareness and critical thinking. The purpose of this article is to show that it is possible to enhance students’ writing skills by using literary excerpts as language models. Moreover, in a holistic approach, literature can develop students’ motivation by offering them emotions, reflections, and social contexts they can relate to for meaningful learning experiences. This is demonstrated through the results of a case study conducted with Italian high school students. The novelty of this research is a course syllabus designed for the purpose of using literary excerpts of several genres including articles and songs as a source of language to teach English.
Impact of a Pharmacist-Led Hypertension Management Program for Oral Chemotherapy in a Specialty Pharmacy Setting.

Introduction Oral chemotherapy agents are a growing area of oncology treatment, but some are associated with a high incidence of hypertension. Management of hypertension in oncology patients may be insufficient due to a variety of reasons. A pharmacist-led hypertension management service within the specialty pharmacy setting has the potential to help patients on oral chemotherapy achieve and maintain adequate blood pressure control. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a pharmacist-led hypertension management program on the blood pressure control of patients on oral chemotherapy. Methods This retrospective, single-center study compared data from two groups of patients receiving oral chemotherapy agents from a health systems specialty pharmacy within an academic medical center, before and after the establishment of a pharmacist-led hypertension management program. Results Twenty-one of 50 (0.42) patients in the control group had blood pressure overall at goal, compared to 19 of 29 (0.66) patients in the intervention group who had blood pressures at goal at the end of the specified 3-month time period (p = 0.04). In cases where a pharmacist intervention was necessary per the hypertension management program's protocol, the rate of provider acceptance of recommendations regarding modifying or initiating antihypertensive therapy was high. Conclusion When followed with a pharmacist-led hypertension management program, patients on oral chemotherapy showed improved blood pressure control and reduced mean blood pressure readings over time.
Artificially Intelligent Boards and the Future of Delaware Corporate Law

The prospects for Artificial Intelligence (AI) to impact the development of Delaware corporate law are at once over- and under-stated. As a general matter, claims to the effect that AI systems might ultimately displace human directors not only exaggerate the foreseeable technological potential of these systems, but also tend to ignore doctrinal and institutional impediments intrinsic to Delaware's competitive model – notably, heavy reliance on nuanced and context-specific applications of the fiduciary duty of loyalty by a true court of equity. At the same time, however, there are specific applications of AI systems that might not merely be accommodated by Delaware corporate law, but perhaps eventually required. Such an outcome would appear most plausible in the oversight context, where fiduciary loyalty has been interpreted to require good faith effort to adopt a reasonable compliance monitoring system, an approach driven by an implicit cost-benefit analysis that could lean decisively in favor of AI-based approaches in the foreseeable future. This article discusses the prospects for AI to impact Delaware corporate law in both general and specific respects and evaluates their significance. Section II describes the current state of the technology and argues that AI systems are unlikely to develop to the point that they could displace the full range of functions performed by human boards in the foreseeable future. Section III, then, argues that even if the technology were to achieve more impressive results in the near-term than I anticipate, acceptance of non-human directors would likely be blunted by doctrinal and institutional structures that place equity at the very heart of Delaware corporate law. Section IV, however, suggests that there are nevertheless discrete areas within Delaware corporate law where reliance by human directors upon AI systems for assistance in board decision-making might not merely be accommodated, but eventually required. This appears particularly plausible in the oversight context, where fiduciary loyalty has become intrinsically linked with adoption of compliance monitoring systems that are themselves increasingly likely to incorporate AI technologies. Section V briefly concludes.
Vagotomy as a treatment for marginal ulcer.

Summary 1.Thirty-nine cases are reported in which vagotomy was performed on patients with a diagnosis of marginal ulcer. 2.There were no operative or hospital deaths. 2.Thirty-six patients have been followed for from 6 to 44 months, averaging 23 months. 4.The followed patients have been divided into two groups. a.Thirty-one patients with objective evidence of marginal ulcer. b.Five patients in which no ulcer could be demonstrated, and in which there was no objective history of ulcer. 5.The results following vagotomy in the small group with no objective evidence of marginal ulcer were poor. 6.Good results were obtained in 26 of 31 patients with objective evidence of marginal ulcer.Two patients were improved following treatment, have no evidence of marginal ulcer, but continue to have some atypical abdominal distress.In 2 there have been symptoms suggesting recurrent ulceration but an ulcer cannot be demonstrated.In 1 case a marginal ulcer recurred and required a second operation. 7.In gastrojejunocolic fistula vagotomy coupled with simple repair of the fistula or occasionally combined with gastric resection has proved to be a safe and satisfactory method of treatment. 8.Since results of vagotomy in the treatment of marginal ulcer are at least comparable to those following extensive gastric resection, its safety commends it as a standard treatment of marginal ulcer occurring either after gastric resection or gastroenterostomy.
Selecting surrogate endpoints for estimating pesticide effects on avian reproductive success.

A Markov chain nest productivity model (MCnest) has been developed for projecting the effects of a specific pesticide-use scenario on the annual reproductive success of avian species of concern. A critical element in MCnest is the use of surrogate endpoints, defined as measured endpoints from avian toxicity tests that represent specific types of effects possible in field populations at specific phases of a nesting attempt. In this article, we discuss the attributes of surrogate endpoints and provide guidance for selecting surrogates from existing avian laboratory tests as well as other possible sources. We also discuss some of the assumptions and uncertainties related to using surrogate endpoints to represent field effects. The process of explicitly considering how toxicity test results can be used to assess effects in the field helps identify uncertainties and data gaps that could be targeted in higher-tier risk assessments. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2013;9:600–609. © 2013 SETAC
CARA — The Next Generation

Computer Assisted Workcells need to interact with both CAD information and occasional human intervention. These automated workcell controllers will reduce the amount of reprogramming required in the factory of the future. An interdisciplinary group of students have been given the task of producing such a Computer Assisted Robotics Assembly (CARA) System. An early prototype served the “Blocks World” environment. Current work is being performed with Lincoln Log houses and simple, surface-mounted electronics.
Intraobserver and interobserver variability in computed tomography size and attenuation measurements in patients with renal cell carcinoma receiving antiangiogenic therapy: Implications for alternative response criteria

BACKGROUND Alternative response criteria have been proposed in patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who are receiving vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy, including 10% tumor shrinkage as an indicator of response/outcome. However, to the authors' knowledge, intraobserver and interobserver measurement variability have not been defined in this setting. The objective of the current study was to determine intraobserver and interobserver agreement of computed tomography (CT) size and attenuation measurements to establish reproducible response indicators. METHODS Seventy-one patients with mRCC with 179 target lesions were enrolled in phase 2 and phase 3 trials of VEGF-targeted therapies and retrospectively studied with Institutional Review Board approval. Two radiologists independently measured the long axis diameter and mean attenuation of target lesions at baseline and on follow-up CT. Concordance correlation coefficients and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess intraobserver and interobserver agreement. RESULTS High concordance correlation coefficients (range, 0.8602-0.9984) were observed in all types of measurements. The 95% limits of agreement for the percentage change of the sum longest diameter was −7.30% to 7.86% for intraobserver variability, indicating that 10% tumor shrinkage represents a true change in tumor size when measured by a single observer. The 95% limits of interobserver variability were −16.3% to 15.4%. On multivariate analysis, the location of the lesion was found to significantly contribute to interobserver variability (P = .048). The 95% limits of intraobserver agreement for the percentage change in CT attenuation were −18.34% to 16.7%. CONCLUSIONS In patients with mRCC who are treated with VEGF inhibitors, 10% tumor shrinkage is a reproducible radiologic response indicator when baseline and follow-up studies are measured by a single radiologist. Lesion location contributes significantly to measurement variability and should be considered when selecting target lesions. Cancer 2014;120:711–721. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Evaporation of two-dimensional black holes

We present a detailed analysis of results from a new study of the quantum evaporation of Callan-Giddings-Harvey-Strominger black holes within the mean-field approximation. This semiclassical theory incorporates backreaction. Our analytical and numerical calculations show that, while some of the assumptions underlying the standard evaporation paradigm are borne out, several are not. One of the anticipated properties we confirm is that the semiclassical space-time is asymptotically flat at right future null infinity ${\mathcal{I}}_{\mathrm{R}}^{+}$ yet incomplete in the sense that null observers reach a future Cauchy horizon in finite affine time. Unexpected behavior includes that the Bondi mass traditionally used in the literature can become negative even when the area of the horizon is macroscopic; an improved Bondi mass remains positive until the end of semiclassical evaporation, yet the final value can be arbitrarily large relative to the Planck mass; and the flux of the quantum radiation at ${\mathcal{I}}_{\mathrm{R}}^{+}$ is nonthermal even when the horizon area is large compared to the Planck scale. Furthermore, if the black hole is initially macroscopic, the evaporation process exhibits remarkable universal properties. Although the literature on Callan-Giddings-Harvey-Strominger black holes is quite rich, these features had escaped previous analyses, in part because of the lack of required numerical precision and in part due to misinterpretation of certain properties and symmetries of the model. Finally, our results provide support for the full quantum scenario recently developed by Ashtekar, Taveras, and Varadarajan and also offer a number of interesting problems to the mathematical relativity and geometric analysis communities.
Continuous Loop Double Endobutton Reconstruction for Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation.

Background:Current anatomic methods for reconstruction of the dislocated acromioclavicular (AC) joint show improved clinical results but continue to be associated with significant rates of fixation loss and complications, limiting more widespread use.Purpose:To determine the long-term clinical and radiologic outcomes of a novel surgical technique using a closed-loop double Endobutton device to reconstruct both acute and chronic dislocations.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:Between 2003 and 2012, a total of 35 patients (31 men, 4 women) at a mean age of 42 years (range, 25-70 years) were surgically treated for a Rockwood type III or greater AC joint dislocation with the described technique (26 chronic, 9 acute). Imbrication of the AC joint capsule and deltotrapezial fascia was performed in all patients. Biological bridging across the coracoclavicular (CC) interval was performed in all patients by use of coracoacromial (CA) ligament transfer in 28 patients and primary repair of the CC ...
Federal Bureau of Investigation, 2001 (Abridged)

This is an abridged version of "Federal Bureau of Investigation (A)," HBS No. 707-500.Learning Objective:See original case.
The phenotypic expression of a t6/t6/t6 genotype.

In vivo , embryos which are homozygous for the t 6 mutation die during egg cylinder development (gestation days 5·5–6·5). In vitro , these mutant embryos can be distinguished from their wild-type littermates by their developmental arrest and by the failure of theirtrophoblast cells to transform to giant cells. We have investigated the nature of this lethality by constructing triploid embryos with varying combinations of the t 6 mutant chromosome. The phenotypes of outgrowths from these triploid embryos were examined and compared with the phenotypes of outgrowths from + / +, +/ t 6 , and t 6 / t 6 embryos. The data show 1) that + / t 6 / t 6 embryos are phenotypically wild-type, while t 6 / t 6 / t 6 embryos are phenotyplcally mutant and 2) that t 6 / t 6 / t 6 and t 6 / t 6 embryos are developmentally arrested at the same stage of outgrowth.
Reform and Resistance in Schools and Classrooms: An Ethnographic View of the Coalition of Essential Schools

Reform and Resistance in Schools and Classrooms: An Ethnographic View of the Coalition of Essential Schools. Donna E. Muncey and Patrick J. McQuillan New Haven, CT: Yale University Press, 1996. 320 pp.
Abstract 2706: Crizotinib, a selective c-Met inhibitor, prevents metastasis to the liver and lungs in a primary uveal melanoma mouse model.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Uveal melanoma is the most common primary intraocular malignant tumor in adults. About half of patients with uveal melanoma will develop metastatic disease to the liver and the lung. These tumors are characterized by mutations in G-proteins (GNAQ and GNA11) and also the over-expression of c-Met. Crizotinib is a selective inhibitor for c-Met as well as anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK). We found that crizotinib inhibited cell proliferation of uveal melanoma cell lines in a dose dependent manner with an IC50 in the range of 0.75 μM to 2 μM. Phospho-c-Met was inhibited by crizotinib starting at 10 nM with inhibition of downstream signaling including p-ERK1/2, p-AKT and p-STAT. In our xenograft model there was only a modest inhibition of tumor growth after treatment with doses of ≥ 50 mg/kg crizotinib. As crizotinib also prevented cell migration regardless of G-protein status, we established a primary metastatic uveal mouse model in which we created a GFP-luciferase expressing uveal melanoma cell line that developed liver and lung metastases 6 weeks after primary implantation into the eye. At a dose of 50 mg/kg daily, starting 4 weeks after primary implantation, there was a dramatic reduction in the liver and lungs metastases when compared to untreated controls. These results indicate that the inhibition of c-Met alone may be sufficient to prevent metastasis of uveal melanoma and suggest there may be a potential for using crizotinib as an adjuvant therapy in uveal melanoma. Citation Format: Oliver Surriga, Rajasekhar Vinagolu, Grazia Ambrosini, Gary Schwartz. Crizotinib, a selective c-Met inhibitor, prevents metastasis to the liver and lungs in a primary uveal melanoma mouse model. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2706. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-2706
The Politics of Blame Avoidance

Politicians are motivated primarily by the desire to avoid blame for unpopular actions rather than by seeking to claim credit for popular ones. This results from voters' ‘negativity bias’: their tendency to be more sensitive to real or potential losses than they are to gains. Incentives to avoid blame lead politicians to adopt a distinctive set of political strategies, including agenda limitation, scapegoating, ‘passing the buck’ and defection (‘jumping on the bandwagon’) that are different than those they would follow if they were primarily interested in pursuing good policy or maximizing credit-claiming opportunities. These strategies in turn lead to important policy effects, including a surrender of discretion even when it offers important credit-claiming opportunities.
Serotonin Depletion by Dietary Leucine

MAPLE syrup disease (branched-chain ketonuria) is an apparently familial disease associated with mental retardation and biochemically characterized by enhanced urinary excretion of branched-chain amino-acids and their products.
Ethnic differences in HIV risk behaviors among methadone-maintained women receiving contingency management for cocaine use disorders.

Abstract Objective To identify ethnic differences in HIV risk behaviors among cocaine using women receiving methadone maintenance for opioid dependence, and to evaluate the efficacy of contingency management (CM) for cocaine use disorders in reducing HIV risk behaviors. Methods African American ( N = 47), Hispanic ( N = 47), and White women ( N = 29) were randomized to standard methadone treatment or standard methadone treatment plus a CM intervention. They completed the HIV Risk Behavior Scale (HRBS) indicating frequency of drug use and sexual behaviors across the lifetime, in the month before baseline, and in the 3 months following clinical trial participation. Ethnic group differences and the effect of CM on change in HIV risk behaviors between baseline and follow-up were evaluated. Results White women reported significantly higher lifetime rates of risky drug use and sexual behaviors on the HRBS than African American women; neither group differed significantly from Hispanic women. No ethnic group differences in HIV risk behaviors were identified in the month prior to baseline. At follow-up, African American women reported fewer high-risk drug use behaviors than White or Hispanic women, and Hispanic women reported more high-risk sexual behaviors than White or African American women. CM was associated with reduction in high-risk drug use behaviors regardless of ethnicity, but did not affect high-risk sexual behaviors. Conclusions White women receiving methadone maintenance engage in more lifetime HIV risk behaviors than African American women. CM for cocaine use reduces risky drug use behaviors, but certain ethnic groups may benefit from additional targeted HIV prevention efforts.
Investigation of the photosensitivity of LiNbO 3 :BaFeO 3 crystal

Ferromagnetic resonance (FMR) absorptions from six fine particle-samples of barium ferrite were studied over a temperature range of -195 degree(s)C to 500 degree(s)C. It was found that the shape of the FMR absorption signal is affected by the particle shape and crystalline anisotropy of each sample. From this analysis, the first magnetic anisotropy constant K 1 was estimated approximately as a function of temperature. The estimation suggested that the value of K 1 was sensitive to the condition of preparation of fine powders. In addition the photosensitivity of the LiNbO 3 :BaFe doped crystal was enhanced, suggesting the importance of Barium Ferrite powder as a potential candidate with NOL materials.
The reaction of 2-picolyllithium with schiff bases†

The reaction of 2-picolyllithium with Schiff bases produced N,1-disubstituted 2-(2′-pyridyl)ethylamines in fair to good yields with a few exceptions. Schiff bases derived from N-methylpyrrole-2-carbaldehyde and aniline or 4-chloroaniline undergo addition with 2-picolyllithium followed by spontaneous deamination producing 2-{2′-[2″-(N″-methylpyrryl)]vinyl}pyridine. A similar addition-deamination sequence occurred using 2-quinaldyllithium and N-[4′-(2″-diethylaminoethoxy)benzylidene]-4-chloroaniline. Benzylmagnesium chloride was also reacted with Schiff bases to produce N,1-disubstituted phenethylamines.
Evaluating scalable fuzzy clustering

Clustering large data has the problem of not having all the data fit in the memory at one time. It is a challenge to apply fuzzy clustering algorithms to get a partition in a timely manner. In this paper, we compare the online fuzzy clustering and single pass fuzzy clustering algorithms, which can be used to cluster very large data sets which might be treated as streaming data, with fuzzy c-means. We introduce more meaningful partition comparison measurements based on cluster center location instead of using the difference in R m value. We obtained results on several large volumes of magnetic resonance images which indicate that the online FCM algorithm produces partitions which are very close to what you could get if you clustered all the data at one time. We also show online FCM outperforms single pass FCM and it can process streaming data as it comes without degradation in most cases.
Liquid—liquid—vapor phase equilibria behavior of certain binary ethane + n-alkylbenzene mixtures

Abstract The liquid—liquid—vapor loci for the binary mixtures ethane + n-nonylbenzene, ethane + n-decylbenzene and ethane + n-undecylbenzene were experimentally studied. The pressure, temperature, and compositions and molar volumes of the liquid phases are reported along the loci. n-Nonylbenzene was found to be the first member of the n-alkylbenzene homologous series to exhibit liquid—liquid—vapor immiscibility with ethane. For the three alkylbenzenes studied, the liquid—liquid—vapor loci have the same type of behavior: they extend from a lower critical end point (LCEP) to an upper critical end point (K-point).
SIMD divergence optimization through intra-warp compaction

SIMD execution units in GPUs are increasingly used for high performance and energy efficient acceleration of general purpose applications. However, SIMD control flow divergence effects can result in reduced execution efficiency in a class of GPGPU applications, classified as divergent applications. Improving SIMD efficiency, therefore, has the potential to bring significant performance and energy benefits to a wide range of such data parallel applications.Recently, the SIMD divergence problem has received increased attention, and several micro-architectural techniques have been proposed to address various aspects of this problem. However, these techniques are often quite complex and, therefore, unlikely candidates for practical implementation. In this paper, we propose two micro-architectural optimizations for GPGPU architectures, which utilize relatively simple execution cycle compression techniques when certain groups of turned-off lanes exist in the instruction stream. We refer to these optimizations as basic cycle compression (BCC) and swizzled-cycle compression (SCC), respectively. In this paper, we will outline the additional requirements for implementing these optimizations in the context of the studied GPGPU architecture. Our evaluations with divergent SIMD workloads from OpenCL (GPGPU) and OpenGL (graphics) applications show that BCC and SCC reduce execution cycles in divergent applications by as much as 42% (20% on average). For a subset of divergent workloads, the execution time is reduced by an average of 7% for today's GPUs or by 18% for future GPUs with a better provisioned memory subsystem. The key contribution of our work is in simplifying the micro-architecture for delivering divergence optimizations while providing the bulk of the benefits of more complex approaches.
Roles of p53 and caspases in the induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis by HIV-1 vpr.

The vpr gene from the human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) encodes a 14-kDa protein that prevents cell proliferation by causing a block in the G(2) phase of the cell cycle. This cellular function of vpr is conserved in evolution because other primate lentiviruses, including HIV-2, SIV(mac), and SIV(agm) encode related genes that also induce G(2) arrest. After G(2) arrest, cells expressing vpr undergo apoptosis. The signaling pathways that result in vpr-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis have yet to be determined. The p53 tumor suppressor protein is involved in signaling pathways leading to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in a variety of cell types. In this work, we examine the potential role of p53 in mediating cell cycle block and/or apoptosis by HIV-1 vpr and demonstrate that both phenomena occur independently of the presence and function of p53. Caspases are common mediators of apoptosis. We examined the potential role of caspases in mediating vpr-induced apoptosis by treating vpr-expressing cells with Boc-D-FMK, a broad spectrum, irreversible inhibitor of the caspase family. Boc-D-FMK significantly reduced the numbers of apoptotic cells induced by vpr. Therefore, we conclude that vpr-induced apoptosis is effected via the activation of caspases.
Coral Skeletal Chemistry: Physiological and Environmental Regulation of Stable Isotopes and Trace Metals in Montastrea annularis

A detailed study has been made of the $^{13}$C, $^{18}$O, calcium, magnesium, strontium, and iron contents of a coral skeleton deposited during a two-year period for which environmental data are available. Strong seasonal variations in $^{13}$C and magnesium contents have been found. These appear to be linked to changes in growth rate, and should be considered in future work. $^{18}$O content does not show equilibrium physicochemical temperature effects, and its lack of correlation with $^{13}$C indicates complex metabolic isotope fractionation. Strontium content shows little variation. This difference from magnesium is predicted on grounds of biochemical ion transport. Iron is detrital in origin. Seasonal records of trace constituents in coral skeleton are shown to differ from those predicted by previous investigators, indicating that metabolic effects cannot be ignored in paleoenvironmental interpretation of carbonate skeletal chemistry. Stable isotopes are demonstrated to be useful tools in understanding overall carbon metabolism of photosynthetic calcifying organisms. A model of carbon isotope fractionation is developed, and used to place bounds on the sources of carbon used in photosynthesis and calcification. It is estimated that approximately 40% of the carbon supply is from seawater bicarbonate and 60% from recycled respiratory CO$_{2}$.
Water Content of CO2 in Equilibrium With Liquid Water and/or Hydrates

Experimentally measured water content in CO/sub 2/-rich fluid in the gaseous or liquid state in equilibrium with liquid water or hydrate is presented for pressures ranging from 100 to 2,000 psia (0.69 to 13.79 MPa) and temperatures from -19 to 77/sup 0/F (-28.33 to 25.0/sup 0/C). The water content of the CO/sub 2/-rich phase along the three-phase equilibria, i.e., liquid water/liquid CO/sub 2//gas to the three-phase critical endpoint, is also reported. The experimental results from this study on the water content in the CO/sub 2/-rich phases have been combined with earlier research results of the CO/sub 2//water binary system in the hydrate-free region from 77 to 200/sup 0/F (25.0 to 93.33/sup 0/C) and pressures to 3,000 psia (20.69 MPa) to produce a comprehensive plot. The high degree of complexity in the phase behavior of a CO/sub 2//water binary system, which exhibits several pairs of equilibrium phases for the conditions, is shown. To make the data more intelligible than they are in their raw form, the data are presented in terms of the pressure enhancement of the water content along isotherms. Finally, the activity coefficients of water in the CO/sub 2/-rich phases are summarized.
U-Tube Oxygenation for Economical Saturation of Fish Hatchery Water

Abstract The U-Tube oxygenation process is described with particular application made to saturation of fish hatchery waters. In U-Tube oxygenation, the water is directed down into a chamber about forty feet deep, under a baffle and then rises back to the surface. Air bubbles are injected just beneath the surface as the water starts downward. The downward velocity of the water is designed to be from three to ten feet per second. This is sufficient to drag the air bubbles along with the water down underneath the baffle. The hydrostatic head pressurizes the bubbles making it possible to saturate or supersaturate water in one pass through the U-Tube. A U-Tube installation has been operating continuously for over a year at a Federal fish hatchery. It utilizes a free fall of three feet to entrain sufficient air bubbles to 100% saturate a flow of 300 gallons per minute with no external power requirements.
Surgical repair in children with the Budd-Chiari syndrome

Membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava at the level of the diaphragm is a rare cause of Budd-Chiari syndrome in children. Medical therapy usually fails. Surgical intervention aims at reestablishing patency of the inferior vena cava and hepatic venous outflow to the right atrium. We report on the management of this condition in 19 children of whom 7 were treated surgically. Indications for operation were persistent ascites, deteriorating liver function, and hepatic and inferior vena caval obstruction without significant collateral circulation. Three pathologic types were identified by ultrasonography and cavography and were confirmed at operation. These were type I (4 cases), with a thin membrane occluding the inferior vena cava at the level of the diaphragm; type II (12 cases), with segmental fibrotic obstruction of the inferior vena cava with variable involvement of hepatic veins; and type III (3 cases), with complete absence or nonvisualization of the inferior vena cava. All procedures were done with an extended midline sternotomy incision, cardiopulmonary bypass, core cooling to 16° to 20° C, and periods of circulatory arrest. Type I lesions necessitated membranectomy; type II lesions necessitated transcaval resection of the occluded confluence of the inferior vena cava and the hepatic vein with repair of the defect with an autogenous pericardial patch. One type II lesion, in addition, called for use of a 14 cm polytetrafluoroethylene tube graft to restore inferior vena caval flow. After the operation, marked clinical improvement was observed with an immediate reduction in liver and spleen size and resolution of ascites. Repeat cavography 10 to 30 days after the operation revealed complete patency in four cases and residual stenosis, which required transiliac balloon angioplasty to normalize the inferior vena cava/ right atrial pressure gradient, in 3 cases. Thus eventual relief of hepatic venous outflow obstruction and inferior vena caval flow was restored in all cases. We advocate transcardiac membranectomy and pericardial patch grafting for symptomatic and deteriorating membranous obstruction of the inferior vena cava in children.