cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of incomplete and complete ischemia on mitochondrial functioning measured in intact cerebral cortex of cats

Incomplete and complete cortical ischemia of short duration were compared in terms of their effects on oxidative metabolism of intact cerebral cortex of cats. Redox levels of mitochondrial components were measured in situ by optical techniques. Changes in metabolism in response to direct cortical stimulation were used as a test system to determine the nature and time-course of ischemia-induced alterations in mitochondrial functioning. Incomplete ischemia resulted in a decrease in response amplitude. Complete ischemic insult, however, produced an amplitude decrease but also initially increased and then decreased the rate of NAD re-reduction following tissue activity. We speculate that the former effect is due to “substrate mobilization” possibly resulting from utilization of accumulated lactate. The latter appears due to uncoupling of oxidative phosphorylation which may indicate that vulnerability to ischemia may be the result of a mitochondrial lesion.
Reticle defects on optical proximity correction features

A test mask has been developed and used to characterize automatic defect inspection systems. Characterization was performed on three generations of inspections algorithm and revealed an increase in the detection rate of defects on serifs and jogs with each succeeding algorithm and equipment generation.
An IPMC microgripper with integrated actuator and sensing for constant finger-tip displacement

Ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) is a type of smart material that has gained the interest of many researchers due to its ability to achieve large displacements under small input voltages, usually less than 2.5 V. This has motivated the use of these materials in microsystems and systems in the millimeter scale, such as microgrippers. However, few of the control techniques developed thus far have considered the feasibility of using IPMCs in closed loop systems without the need of oversized external sensors. This paper presents a control scheme for a two-finger IPMC microgripper that accomplishes constant finger-tip displacements without external sensors. This scheme generates a displacement-dependent, time varying reference signal to obtain constant finger-tip displacements applied by a separate actuated IPMC. This actuator uses a PID controller tuned with a model-free approach, and is gain scheduled to span up to 1 mm finger-tip displacements. The microgripper achieves zero steady state error for finger-tip displacements on the tuned values of the PID controller. The gain scheduled PID controller is tested and results show zero steady state error to 0.25 mm displacements, and 15 and 20% steady state error when referenced to deflection of 0.45 and 0.75 mm, respectively. This shows that there is great confidence and validity of the control scheme, especially when tracking small reference deflections.
The human task as reference for system interface design

Effective design of the working interface between humans and computers cannot merely depend on catalogs of respective "characteristics" of each of these two entities, nor on optimizing individual "functions" in the interactions. The proper purpose of a man-machine interface is to benefit a person in performing a task or a collection of goal-related tasks. The entire task, including its goals, is therefore the proper reference for the design, not the attribute lists of humans and computers. An effective design results from trading off sets of variables, including economic and psychological cost factors, in order to optimize resources for achieving task goals.
Hypotension and transient renal impairment induced by lumbar puncture

Raised intracranial pressure (ICP) may induce hypertension through sympathetic mechanisms. Case report. A 55-year-old man was admitted with a symptomatic intracerebral mass and new refractory arterial hypertension. Several antihypertensive medications were necessary to control his blood pressure. A lumbar puncture was performed for diagnostic purposes and raised opening pressure (42 cm H2O) denoted raised ICP. After cerebrospinal fluid extraction, the closing pressure dropped to normal level. Shortly after the lumbar puncture, a sudden and pronounced drop in blood pressure was noted. Over the next day, the patient's serum creatinine rose from 0.9 to 1.9 mg/dL. Blood pressure normalized after discontinuation of all antihypertensive drugs and administration of intravenous fluids. Renal function also completely recovered within 2 days. The patient remained spontaneously normotensive thereafter. Sudden hypotension may occur after lumbar puncture in patients with raised ICP receiving treatment for arterial hypertension.
Nanoparticle, Size, Shape, and Interfacial Effects on Leakage Current Density, Permittivity, and Breakdown Strength of Metal Oxide−Polyolefin Nanocomposites: Experiment and Theory

A series of 0−3 metal oxide−polyolefin nanocomposites are synthesized via in situ olefin polymerization, using the following single-site metallocene catalysts: C2-symmetric dichloro[rac-ethylenebisindenyl]zirconium(IV), Me2Si(tBuN)(η5-C5Me4)TiCl2, and (η5-C5Me5)TiCl3 immobilized on methylaluminoxane (MAO)-treated BaTiO3, ZrO2, 3-mol %-yttria-stabilized zirconia, 8-mol %-yttria-stabilized zirconia, sphere-shaped TiO2 nanoparticles, and rod-shaped TiO2 nanoparticles. The resulting composite materials are structurally characterized via X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). TEM analysis shows that the nanoparticles are well-dispersed in the polymer matrix, with each individual nanoparticle surrounded by polymer. Electrical measurements reveal that most of these nanocomposites have leakage current densities of ∼10−6−10−8 A/cm2; relative permittivities in...
Patient reports of cognitive problems are not associated with neuropsychological test performance in bariatric surgery candidates

Abstract Background Recent work shows that cognitive deficits are common in bariatric surgery candidates and are associated with reduced weight loss at 12 months postoperatively. Because preoperative neuropsychological assessment is not available for all patients at all sites, many care providers ask patients to self-report their level of cognitive dysfunction. However, the accuracy of patient self-report of cognitive abilities has not been empirically examined. Methods Eighty-one bariatric surgery candidates completed self-report measures of cognitive functioning and neuropsychological tests of memory and other cognitive abilities. Results Analyses found no association between subjective report of cognitive function and objective performance on neuropsychological testing. However, persons with history of major depressive disorder reported experiencing greater cognitive deficits. Conclusions These findings suggest that bariatric surgery candidates have little insight into their current level of cognitive function. Future work is needed to confirm these findings and identify brief, objective measures of cognitive function that are sensitive to deficits in bariatric surgery candidates.
Pharmacists and execution

A recent editorial in the New England Journal of Medicine highlighted a case challenging the constitutionality of execution by lethal injection on the basis of the 8th Amendment’s prohibition of “cruel and unusual punishments.”[1][1] Ultimately, the U.S. Supreme Court affirmed a state Supreme
Cholesterol induced palatal clefts in the rat

Abstract The effect of cholesterol injections of 10 mg and 5 mg into female white rats from the eighth to the fourteenth day of pregnancy was studied. Palatal abnormalities in a percentage of 51.7 and 27.0, respectively, of animals treated were produced. Histological study of the heads of the embryos confirmed the gross observation of cleft palate in the offspring. Poor tissue fusion and epithelial rests in the palatal midline were observed. Serum cholesterol levels were determined at the termination of the experiment and compared to control levels. The experimental levels were found to be at least twice that of the control.
Describing the RN-BSN learner perspective: Concerns, priorities, and practice influences*

This focus group study describes the concerns and priorities of women who are Registered Nurse Students (RNs) students (N = 35) enrolled in RN-Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs located within a large metropolitan region. The study also explores the influences of BSN education on the nursing practice patterns of the RN students from the participants' viewpoints. Five focus groups were conducted. Findings revealed that accurate academic advisement, curriculum flexibility, and computer technology are important to RN-BSN students. RNs were concerned about the demands of the changing health care environment, meeting multiple and competing role demands, and meeting the financial demands of school. Although the participants did not believe that BSN education had affected their direct care of patients, they identified changes in indirect care practices. This study suggests that nursing school deans, administrators, and faculties should offer opportunities for RNs to develop skills in assertiveness, problem solving, and communication. Additionally, study findings suggest that RNs need the opportunity to reflect on various strategies for incorporating their new knowledge into their established practice.
Markov Modeling Application to a Redundant Safety System

Redundancy of components and subsystems is part of the design of reliable complex engineering systems used in several industrial applications, including power generation facilities. Such engineering systems may be in one or more intermediate operating states at various times. For example, these systems could continue operating during the repair of failed components and during maintenance intervals. For this reason, they do not lend themselves well to traditional reliability modeling techniques that do not account for a system's progression through various intermediate states. The use of traditional reliability modeling techniques may lead to significantly different estimates of the performance of a complex system required to exhibit high reliability. This paper discusses the application of a Markov modeling approach for the development of reliability estimates of complex engineering systems. This approach is expected to have advantages for modeling reliability for such systems, since they are commonly comprised of redundant sets of components and require a strict set of maintenance operations to ensure their reliability.
Host-compiled simulation of multi-core platforms

Virtual platform models are a popular approach for virtual prototyping of multi-processor/multi-core systems-on-chip (MPCSoCs). Such models aid in system-level design, rapid and early design space exploration, as well as early software development. Traditionally, either highly abstracted models for exploration or low-level, implementation-oriented models for development have been employed. Host-compiled models promise to fill this gap by providing both fast and accurate platform simulation and prototyping. In this paper, we aim to provide an overview of state-of-the-art host-compiled platform modeling concepts, techniques and their applicability and benefits.
Properties of Gallium Disorder and Gold Implants in GaN

Epitaxial single-crystal GaN films on sapphire were implanted 60? off the surface normal with 1 MeV Auor 3 MeV Au over a fluence range from 0.88 to 86.2 ions/nm2 at 180 and 300 K. The implantation damage was studied in-situ using 2 MeV He Rutherford backscattering spectrometry in channeling geometry (RBS/C). The disordering rate in the near-surface region is faster than at the damage peak. In all cases, results show an intermediate stage of Ga disorder saturation at the damage peak. Migration of Au implants in GaN is observed during ion implantation at 300 K. As a result of thermal annealing at 870 K for 20 min, some Au implants in GaN diffuse into the amorphized surface region, while the remaining Au atoms distribute around the mean ion-projected-range. These results suggest a high mobility of both Ga defects and Au implants in GaN. Deeper damage implantation by 3 MeV Au indicates that GaN cannot be completely amorphized up to the highest ion fluence (86.2 ions/nm) applied at 300 K.
WVR-GPS comparison measurements and calibration of the 20-32 GHz tropospheric water vapor absorption model

Collocated measurements of opacity (from water vapor radiometer brightness temperatures) and wet path delay (from ground-based tracking of global positioning satellites) are used to constrain the model of atmospheric water vapor absorption in the 20-32 GHz band. A differential approach is presented in which the slope of opacity-versus-wet delay data is used as the absorption model constraint. This technique minimizes the effects of radiometric calibration errors and oxygen model uncertainties in the derivation of a best-fit vapor absorption model. A total of approximately five months of data was obtained from two experiment sites. At the Cloud and Radiation Testbed (CART) site near Lamont, Oklahoma, three independent water vapor radiometers (WVRs) provided near-continuous opacity measurements over the interval July-September 1998. At the NASA/Goldstone tracking station in the California desert two WVRs; obtained opacity data over the September-October 1997 interval. At both sites a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver and surface barometer obtained the data required for deriving the zenith wet delays over the same time frames. Measured values of the opacity-versus-wet delay slope parameter were obtained at four WVR frequencies (20.7, 22.2, 23.8, and 31.4 GHz) and compared with predictions of four candidate absorption models referenced in the literature. With one exception, all three models provide agreement within 5% of the opacity-versus-wet delay slope measurements at all WVR frequencies at both sites. One model provides agreement for all channels at both sites to the 2-3% level. This absorption model accuracy level represents a significant improvement over that attainable using radiosondes.
Mantle-cell lymphoma: Classification and therapeutic implications

Mantle-cell lymphomas have been recognized in the new Revised European-American Lymphoma Classification as a peripheral B-cell neoplasm that has a distinct morphologic, immunologic, and genetic phenotype. Mantle-cell lymphomas have been subtyped into four categories, termed 'mantle zone', 'nodular', 'diffuse', or 'blastoid'. The incidence of the 'mantle-zone' pattern remains controversial. The fact that patients with the nodular, diffuse, or blastoid subtypes of mantle-cell lymphoma have a high proliferative rate resulting from overexpression of the cyclin D1 and a very short median survival demonstrates conclusively that these patients should be categorized as having an aggressive lymphoma. Most authorities believe that the 'mantle zone' variant pursues a more benign clinical course than the other subtypes. Trials of the new purine analogs are of great interest in these mantle-zone lymphoma patients.
Balance in our technology enterprises: a new perspective

This paper explores the matter of balance in our technology enterprises. Balance is defined and viewed from the perspective of three classes of activities in all such enterprises, namely (1) development of products and services, (2) marketing of the products and services, and (3) the overall management of the enterprise. It is conjectured that in order for a technology enterprise to be excellent over the long haul, it is necessary for the above three features to be in balance. A method for measuring the degree of balance in an enterprise is identified. Data collected in a study of a selected high technology services company are examined in the above context. The matter of balance in terms of presentations in various parts of the literature is also explored. A summary and directions for further research are provided.
A study of achievement and subject matter in general science

University of Minnesota Ph.D. dissertation. June 1923. Major: Education. Advisor: Dr W. S. Miller. 1 computer file (PDF); vi, 162, xiv pages.
Relative location estimation in wireless sensor networks

Self-configuration in wireless sensor networks is a general class of estimation problems that we study via the Cramer-Rao bound (CRB). Specifically, we consider sensor location estimation when sensors measure received signal strength (RSS) or time-of-arrival (TOA) between themselves and neighboring sensors. A small fraction of sensors in the network have a known location, whereas the remaining locations must be estimated. We derive CRBs and maximum-likelihood estimators (MLEs) under Gaussian and log-normal models for the TOA and RSS measurements, respectively. An extensive TOA and RSS measurement campaign in an indoor office area illustrates MLE performance. Finally, relative location estimation algorithms are implemented in a wireless sensor network testbed and deployed in indoor and outdoor environments. The measurements and testbed experiments demonstrate 1-m RMS location errors using TOA, and 1- to 2-m RMS location errors using RSS.
An Architecture for Web Services Authentication and Authorization in a Maritime Environment

We developed an architecture for federated identity management in a maritime environment using SAML and XACML. This paper introduces the architecture, associated use cases for situational maritime awareness, and a general security analysis of the authentication and authorization framework
MODELING HOW TO GROW: AN INDUCTIVE EXAMINATION OF HUMBLE LEADER BEHAVIORS, CONTINGENCIES, AND OUTCOMES

Although a growing number of leadership writers argue leader humility is important to organizational effectiveness, little is known about the construct, why some leaders behave more humbly than oth...
Exercise impacts brain-derived neurotrophic factor plasticity by engaging mechanisms of epigenetic regulation.

We have evaluated the possibility that the action of voluntary exercise on the regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a molecule important for rat hippocampal learning, could involve mechanisms of epigenetic regulation. We focused the studies on the Bdnf promoter IV, as this region is highly responsive to neuronal activity. We have found that exercise stimulates DNA demethylation in Bdnf promoter IV, and elevates levels of activated methyl-CpG-binding protein 2, as well as BDNF mRNA and protein in the rat hippocampus. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assay showed that exercise increases acetylation of histone H3, and protein assessment showed that exercise elevates the ratio of acetylated : total for histone H3 but had no effects on histone H4 levels. Exercise also reduces levels of the histone deacetylase 5 mRNA and protein implicated in the regulation of the Bdnf gene [N.M. Tsankova et al. (2006) Nat. Neurosci., 9, 519–525], but did not affect histone deacetylase 9. Exercise elevated the phosphorylated forms of calcium ⁄ calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and cAMP response element binding protein, implicated in the pathways by which neural activity influences the epigenetic regulation of gene transcription, i.e. Bdnf. These results showing the influence of exercise on the remodeling of chromatin containing the Bdnf gene emphasize the importance of exercise on the control of gene transcription in the context of brain function and plasticity. Reported information about the impact of a behavior, inherently involved in the daily human routine, on the epigenome opens exciting new directions and therapeutic opportunities in the war against neurological and psychiatric disorders.
Extracting geometric models through constraint minimization

The authors propose a methodology that will extract a topologically closed geometric model from a two-dimensional image. This is accomplished by starting with a simple model that is already topologically closed and deforming the model, based on a set of constraints, so that the model grows (shrinks) to fit the feature within the image while maintaining its closed and locally simple nature. The initial model is a non-self-intersecting polygon that is either embedded in the feature or surrounds the feature. There is a cost function associated with every vertex that quantifies its deformation, the properties of simple polygons, and the relationship between noise and feature. The constraints embody local properties of simple polygons and the nature of the relationship between noise and the features in the image. >
“Drunken Curiosity” and “Gay Chicken”: Gender Differences in Same-Sex Performativity

The present study examines experiences of same-sex performativity among heterosexual women and men in relation to attitudes toward women, LGBQ individuals, and same-sex marriage. Participants were 219 women and men who completed an online survey consisting of open-ended questions about their experiences with same-sex performativity and a series of attitude scales. Results indicated that women and men differ in how they engage in, and interpret their experiences with, same-sex performativity. Women were significantly more likely than men to report having been asked to participate in same-sex sexual behavior. Men were more likely than women to report having asked or encouraged others to participate. In addition, men who requested same-sex behavior reported more sexist and homonegative attitudes than men who did not request this behavior from others. Women who complied with men's requests reported significantly more positive attitudes toward lesbian women, bisexual women, and same-sex marriage than women who...
Regadenoson for myocardial perfusion scintigraphy

Importance of the field: Stress myocardial perfusion scintigraphy (MPS) plays a major role in the detection of obstructive coronary artery disease and provides valuable diagnostic and prognostic information to guide clinical decision-making with regard to medical therapy and coronary revascularisation. Current stress techniques for MPS are effective but their use may be limited by reduced tolerability, contraindications and untoward side effects. The recently developed selective adenosine A2A receptor agonists have the potential for improving stress tolerability, hence expanding the indications for functional imaging in the assessment of coronary artery disease.Areas covered in this review: This article reviews the basic principles underlying activation of coronary arteriolar adenosine A2A receptors. It describes the benefits and limitations of current vasodilator stress agents and highlights the effectiveness, side effect profile and tolerability of regadenoson, the only selective adenosine A2A receptor ...
Fibre Channel Switch Modeling at Fibre Channel-2 Level for Large Fabric Storage Area Network Simulations using OMNeT++: Preliminary Results

Medium sized storage area networks using fibre channel have been a common implementation for data storage in enterprise data centers. The ever increasing demand for large storage pools has paved to the idea of implementing large distributed storage area networks also known as large fabrics. The large fabrics seem to experience fabric scaling and fabric stability issues. These scaling and stability issues are related to the performance of various fabric servers of fabric services, such as fabric controller, fabric login, directory, etc., which are part of the fibre channel-2 level of the fibre channel protocol. To determine the extent of scaling and stability issues of a large fabric an adequate tool is required. The tool could be an analytical model, a hardware simulator, or a discrete event software simulator. The discrete event software simulator provides a number of benefits over the analytical model and hardware simulator. In this paper, the modeling of a fibre channel switch using the OMNeT++ discrete event simulator and simulation of large fabric are presented. As a first step, only the fibre channel-2 level of the fibre channel switch is modeled since it is the layer containing various fabric services dealing with fabric building and managing. In this paper, the process of building a fabric and managing and how it is implemented in the simulator are discussed. Also, a preliminary analysis of the results in comparison to the test bed traffic is presented showing the accuracy and representation of an actual large fabric by the simulator.
Minimal head trauma in children revisited: is routine hospitalization required?

OBJECTIVE: Children with a question of occult head injury are routinely hospitalized despite having both normal central nervous system (CNS) and computed tomographic (CT) scan examinations. We determined the incidence of significant CNS morbidity after occult head injury to determine whether or not hospital admission was necessary in children after minimal head trauma. METHODS: We reviewed the records of children admitted to a level I trauma center with a question of closed head injury, an initial Glasgow Coma Scale equal to 15, a normal neurologic exam, and a normal head CT scan. Children with associated injuries requiring admission were excluded. The endpoints were deterioration in CNS exam, new CT findings, and the need for a prolonged hospital stay. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were studied with a mean age of 7 years (range, 1 month to 15 years), and 65% were male. The primary mechanisms of injury were fall (45%) and vehicular crash (23%). The mean injury severity score was 4 +/- 2. The mean length of stay was 1.2 days (range, 1 to 3 days). Prolonged hospitalization occurred in 9 patients (15%). No child developed significant CNS sequelae warranting hospital admission. Total charges for these hospitalizations were $177 874. CONCLUSIONS: Children undergoing emergency department work-up of occult head injury, who have a normal CNS exam and a normal head CT scan, do not seem to be at risk for significant CNS sequelae. These patients can be discharged home with parental supervision and avoid unnecessary and costly hospitalization. Language: en
Peripheral dose from megavolt beams

The peripheral dose (PD), defined as the dose outside of therapeutic radiation beams, has been investigated for 60Co, 4-, 6-, and 10-MV x-ray machines. The measurements have been carried out down to dose levels of about 0.1% of the peak dose in the beam, since that dose level may be of clinical importance in some situations. The PD measurements for the various machines are qualitatively similar, which allows the identification of a simple basic data set which can characterize the PD for any particular machine. The PD has been separated into two components: in-phantom scatter dose and transmission (leakage) dose. Knowledge of the two components is important clinically when shielding is considered.
Ultrafast electron diffraction: determination of radical structure with picosecond time resolution

Using ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) with the temporal diffraction-difference method recently developed in this laboratory, we report accurate determination of the radical (CF_2) structure in the dissociation of diiododifluoromethane (CF_2I_2) with picosecond time resolution. Time-zero was clocked accurately within 2 ps and both iodine atoms were found to be liberated in less than 4 ps. The structure, absolute fraction, and electronic state of the radical were determined. The CF_2 radical was found to be in X^1A_1 ground state with C–F and F⋯F distances of 1.30(±0.02) A and 2.06(±0.06) A, respectively.
Iterative Filtering Decomposition Based on Local Spectral Evolution Kernel

The synthesizing information, achieving understanding, and deriving insight from increasingly massive, time-varying, noisy and possibly conflicting data sets are some of most challenging tasks in the present information age. Traditional technologies, such as Fourier transform and wavelet multi-resolution analysis, are inadequate to handle all of the above-mentioned tasks. The empirical model decomposition (EMD) has emerged as a new powerful tool for resolving many challenging problems in data processing and analysis. Recently, an iterative filtering decomposition (IFD) has been introduced to address the stability and efficiency problems of the EMD. Another data analysis technique is the local spectral evolution kernel (LSEK), which provides a near prefect low pass filter with desirable time-frequency localizations. The present work utilizes the LSEK to further stabilize the IFD, and offers an efficient, flexible and robust scheme for information extraction, complexity reduction, and signal and image understanding. The performance of the present LSEK based IFD is intensively validated over a wide range of data processing tasks, including mode decomposition, analysis of time-varying data, information extraction from nonlinear dynamic systems, etc. The utility, robustness and usefulness of the proposed LESK based IFD are demonstrated via a large number of applications, such as the analysis of stock market data, the decomposition of ocean wave magnitudes, the understanding of physiologic signals and information recovery from noisy images. The performance of the proposed method is compared with that of existing methods in the literature. Our results indicate that the LSEK based IFD improves both the efficiency and the stability of conventional EMD algorithms.
IED data utilization for operations, protection and maintenance

To improve monitoring, control and protection of the power system new intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) have to be installed in substations. IED devices are capable of recording a huge amount of data and providing much more information than earlier when only electromechanical relays and remote terminal units (RTUs) of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system were used. If data from different IEDs is integrated and automatically analyzed, full advantage of the data may be taken. Extracted information obtained from data recorded by each device through automated processing can be merged in customized reports and sent directly to different utility groups. The data may be preprocessed and sent to the control center as additional data for new applications or redundant data for improvement of existing applications. IED data employed in this way can drastically improve efficiency and decision making capabilities of the utility personnel responsible for analyzing faults, reporting nature of disturbances, repairing damaged equipment and restoring the system.
Determination of the minority-carrier base lifetime of junction transistors by measurements of basewidth-modulation conductances

A method for determining the minority-carrier lifetime in the base of a bipolar transistor is described that involves measurement of the low-frequency, small-signal output conductance G o and reverse transconductance G r , which arise from basewidth modulation. It involves also determining the base transit time either from calculations based on the base doping profile or from measurements at the transistor terminals. To illustrate the method, it is applied to transistors having considerably different base lifetimes.
Bacterial genes specifying cytokinin biosynthesis: sructure, function and control of expression

The plant pathogenic, gall-inciting bacteria Agrobacterium tumefaciens and Pseudomonas savastanoi carry homologous genes that specify the synthesis of a prenyl transferase, dimethylallylpyrophosphate: 5′-AMP transferase, responsible for cytokinin biosynthesis. There are two such genes in A. tumefaciens. The first, tmr (ipt), located within the Ti plasmid T-DNA, is under the control of a eukaryotic promoter and is expressed only upon transfer to the host plant. The second, tzs, is associated with the Ti plasmid vir region, is controlled by the same virA-virG cascade responsible for activation of other vir genes, and is significantly expressed in the bacterium only upon exposure to specific phenolic compounds. The homologous gene in P. savastanoi, ptz, is constitutively expressed and, as a consequence, causes the bacterium to secrete high levels of cytokinins into its immediate environment.
Crystal plasticity investigation of the microstructural factors influencing dislocation channeling in a model irradiated bcc material

Abstract A continuum crystal plasticity framework is used to study the effect of microstructure and mesoscopic factors on dislocation channeling and flow localization in an irradiated model bcc alloy. Simulated dislocation channeling characteristics are correlated to the dislocation and defect densities in the substructure, local Schmid factor, and stress triaxiality, in terms of their temporal and spatial evolution. A metric is introduced to assess the propensity for localization and is correlated to the grain-level Schmid factor. It is found that localization generally takes place in grains with a local Schmid factor in the range 0.42 or higher. Surface slip step heights are computed at free surfaces and compared to relevant experiments.
An Evaluation of the Extent of Correlation Between Interharmonic and Voltage Fluctuation Measurements

The existence of a general correlation between measured interharmonics and measured lamp flicker would be very significant. Present measurement and emission limitation standards for voltage fluctuations are based exclusively on the 60 W incandescent lamp's response to amplitude modulation of the power frequency. As use of incandescent lamps declines, the need increases to broaden voltage fluctuation quantification beyond lamp flicker. Amplitude modulation of the power frequency is mathematically equivalent to interharmonics summed with the power frequency. This, with the existence of international standards for measuring interharmonics, has suggested interharmonics as a possible basis for characterizing voltage fluctuations more broadly. Moreover, interharmonic measurements may be inherently extendable to quantify the effects of voltage fluctuations on devices other than incandescent lamps. However, any new method that offers advantages in broadening voltage fluctuation measurement must be capable of matching the results of present practices. Therefore, interharmonic measurements must first be demonstrated to be generally correlated to currently accepted flicker severity measurements. The correlation between these measurements is explored in this paper. It is concluded that by using the techniques in this paper, measured lamp flicker and measured interharmonics are correlated to a large extent for most industrial loads.
CORROSION ASSESSMENT IN KARAN GAS FIELD DEVELOPMENT

The Karan offshore development is expected to produce a large quantity of natural gas but no hydrocarbon condensate. Liquid water is, however, projected to be present through condensation and the presence of CO2 (8%) and H2S (4%) will lead to aggressive corrosion environments. Different inhibition techniques will be implemented to control bottom of the line corrosion. Top of the line corrosion (TLC) is also a potential issue in specific locations in the field as large quantities of organic acids are present in the produced water. This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of the corrosion risk through laboratory simulations performed in a large scale flow loop as well as in a specially designed autoclave equipped for corrosion studies under dewing conditions. Corrosion rates are obtained through weight loss methods and the surface layer is analysed with XRD (X-ray diffraction), EDS (Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy) and SEM (Scanning Electron Microscopy). The TLC rate was found to be low in all conditions tested and no indications of localized corrosion was observed. Mackinawite, cubic iron sulfide, and troilite (stoichiometric pyrrhotite) were identified in the corrosion product layer. The results are used to guide the required corrosion management measures, which are also presented.
A non-Schmid crystal plasticity finite element approach to multi-scale modeling of nickel-based superalloys

Abstract This paper develops non-Schmid crystal plasticity constitutive models at two length scales, and bridges them in a multi-scale framework. The constitutive models address thermo-mechanical behavior of Nickel-based superalloys for a large temperature range, viz. 300 K–1223 K, and include orientation dependencies and tension-compression asymmetry. The orientation dependencies result in tension-compression asymmetry for almost all orientations on the standard unit triangle. However simulations show different trends for the stronger direction (tension or compression) in terms of yield stress and hardening. The multi-scale framework includes two sub-grain and homogenized grain scales. For the sub-grain scale, a size-dependent, dislocation density-based FEM model of the representative volume element (RVE) with explicit depiction of the γ-γ′ morphology is developed as a building block for homogenization. For the next scale, an activation energy based crystal plasticity (AE-CP) model is developed for single crystal Ni-based superalloys. The homogenized AE-CP model develops functional forms of constitutive parameters in terms of characteristics of the sub-grain γ-γ′ microstructural morphology including γ′ shape, volume fraction and γ channel-width in the sub-grain microstructure. This homogenized model can significantly expedite crystal plasticity FE simulations due to the parametrized representation, while retaining accuracy.
The Influence of Surface Pit Shape on 4H-SiC MOSFETs Reliability under High Temperature Bias Tests

The influence of surface pit shape on 4H-SiC double implanted MOSFETs (DMOSFETs) reliability under a high temperature drain bias test has been investigated. Threading dislocations formed two types of pit shapes (deep pit and shallow pit) on an epitaxial layer surface. The cause of the failure was revealed to be an oxide breakdown above the pit generated at the threading mixed dislocation in both pit shapes. Weibull distributions between two types of pits were different. Although the DMOSFETs on the epitaxial layer with the deep pit show longer lifetime than those with the shallow pit, the epitaxial layer with the shallow pit is suitable to estimate the lifetime of the DMOSFETs because of a linearity of the Weibull plot. The lifetime of the DMOSFETs with the shallow pit was dominated by an oxide electric field. The maximum oxide electric field required to obtain the lifetime of more than 10 years was estimated to be 2.7 MV/cm.
Risk-benefit analysis of warfarin therapy in Hancock mitral valve replacement.

The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the thromboembolic and/or major bleeding complications of 124 consecutive but nonrandomized patients who had only mitral valve replacement with the Hancock porcine xenograft between September, 1974 and June, 1979. These patients were treated either with or without anticoagulants. Four basic study groups were created: Group 1, warfarin; Group 2, aspirin; Group 3, no anticoagulants; and Group 4, warfarin and aspirin. Group 5 combined Groups 1 and 4 (warfarin and warfarin plus aspirin) and Group 6 combined Groups 2 and 3 (aspirin and no anticoagulants). The cardiac rhythm, history of embolism, and intraoperative findings of a thrombus in the left atrium were examined as risk factors for later thromboembolism . Follow-up time was 3.03 years (range 2.0 to 4.2 years). The embolic rate was not significantly different in any group (n = NS). In Groups 5 and 6 the embolic rate was 2.97 and 3.25 embolisms per 100 patient-years, respectively. Warfarin therapy resulted in significant major bleeding episodes, including two deaths (p less than 0.05). The number of patients with a history of a previous embolism, the finding of an intraoperative left atrial thrombus, or abnormal cardiac rhythm was insufficient to test embolic risk in the four treatment groups. We conclude that long-term warfarin therapy increases the risk of bleeding complications but may not significantly influence the incidence of thromboembolism arising from the Hancock porcine xenograft mitral valve. Other and larger studies are needed to confirm this last point.
Calculating dietary iron bioavailability: refinement and computerization.

Iron is the first trace mineral for which a model to estimate bioavailability has been developed. Clinical application is discussed.
The family with a member who has cancer.

SUMMARY Optimal medical care for persons with chronic illnesses such as cancer cannot be provided unless the physician adopts a family-oriented approach to patient care. Such an approach requires little additional time or effort but profoundly affects the ability of patient and family to cope with cancer. Physicians should routinely gather data about the family system of their patients with cancer and make use of that data in understanding the unique issues the patient will face in adapting to their illness. The physician's goal should be to anticipate how the illness will affect the family at its current stage of the life cycle and recognize how the patient's family is currently affecting the patient's experience of the illness. The maintenance of clear, open communication among patient, family, and physician is critical to successful adaptation.
Role of addition of Dexamethasone and Ketorolac to lignocaine intravenous regional anesthesia (Bier's Block) to improve tourniquet tolerance and post-operative analgesia in hand and forearm surgery.

OBJECTIVE To compare tourniquet tolerance and postoperative analgesia using lignocaine intravenous regional analgesia alone or with addition of dexamethasone and ketorolac. METHODS The randomised, prospective study was conducted at Mayo Hospital, Lahore, from June 2013 to June 2014. Patients were divided into three groups: group I received lignocaine; group II received lignocaine and 30mg ketorolac; and group III received lignocaine, 30mg ketorolac and 08mg dexamethasone for intravenous regional anaesthesia. A total of 40ml solution was made by diluting it with normal saline. Motor and sensory block and recovery times were noted. Visual analogue scale was used to assess the severity of surgical and tourniquet pain, and total number of analgesic tablets taken in the first 24 hours after surgery were also recorded. RESULTS The 180 patients in the study were divided into three equal groups of 60(33.3%) each, with each group having 30(50%) male and 30(50%) female subjects. In all the three groups, the sensory and motor onset and recovery time was the same (P> 0.05). Lower pain scores were reported in groups II and III compared to group I (p<0.001). Patients of group II and III also required fewer analgesic tablets postoperatively and had longer postop time during which no analgesia was given compared to group I (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Bier block using lignocaine, dexamethasone and ketorolac provides better tourniquet tolerance in patients undergoing hand and forearm surgeries when compared to use of lignocaine alone and lignocaine and ketorolac.
Can an Electron Gun Solve the Outstanding Problem of Magnetosphere‐Ionosphere Connectivity?

Determining the magnetic connectivity between magnetospheric phenomena and ionospheric phenomena is an outstanding problem of magnetospheric and ionospheric physics. Accurately establishing this connectivity could answer a variety of long-standing questions. The most-viable option to solve this is by means of a high-power electron beam fired from a magnetospheric spacecraft and spotted at its magnetic footpoint in the ionosphere. This has technical difficulties. Progress has been made on mitigating the major issue of spacecraft charging. The remaining physics issues are identified, together with the need for a synergistic effort in modeling, laboratory experiments and, ultimately, testing in space. The goal of this commentary is to stimulate awareness and interest on the magnetosphere-ionosphere connectivity problem, and possibly accelerate progress towards its solution.
An examination of a yoga intervention and elementary student's selective attention and executive function in the school setting

OF DISSERTATION AN EXAMINATION OF A YOGA INTERVENTION AND ELEMENTARY STUDENTS’ SELECTIVE ATTENTION AND EXECUTIVE FUNCTION IN THE SCHOOL SETTING The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of yoga on children’s executive function and selective attention. There were three primary aims of this study. The first aim was to examine whether yoga would have a positive effect on children’s selective attention in a school setting. Another aim was to explore if teachers will report an improved change in children’s executive function in the classroom. The final aim was to determine if yoga would be a socially acceptable intervention to teachers and students. Participants included three fifth grade students and two teachers. Mixed methods were used to visually analyze selective attention data using a Multiple Probe Across Participants Multiple Baseline design, as well quantitative analysis of executive functioning data and qualitative analysis of social validity data. Results indicated that no functional relations were found between selective attention and yoga and no significant differences were found on pre-post measures of executive functioning. Improvements were seen when descriptive data was analyzed for dependent variables and the intervention was determined to be socially acceptable to teachers and students. Implications from the findings and recommendations for future research are presented.
Improvement of Patient Satisfaction Through Enhancement of RN Communication Skills: A Quality Improvement Project

Studies have shown that people with low health literacy understand health information less well, obtain preventative healthcare such as screenings for cancer less frequently and use expensive resources such as emergency rooms more often. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), with guidance from Institute of Medicine (IOM) reports, developed quality indicators for individual institutions to demonstrate improvement. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA, 2012) constructed online communication education modules for healthcare professionals including health literacy tools developed by the AHRQ. The purpose of this project was to examine the impact of RN communication education on patient satisfaction. A prepost intervention design was used. Nurses were provided a brief overview and instruction about the HRSA website, use of the online education modules and an explanation of target patient satisfaction scores. The domains studied included five target patient satisfaction questions regarding communication with nurses and communication about medications. Post intervention results (July-December 2015) demonstrate a marked increase in scores when compared to the six months prior to the introduction of the content (January-June 2015). All twenty-two respondents responded agreed or strongly agreed that they would recommend the Effective Communication for Healthcare Professionals 100 course. APRNs have an unprecedented opportunity to support research and education surrounding ethnic differences in communication and aspects of communication that may contribute to patient comprehension, adherence to follow-up care and patient satisfaction.