cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
World-Wide Efficacy of Bone Marrow Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Preclinical Ischemic Stroke Models: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Following extensive, positive results in pre-clinical experiments, Bone Marrow Derived-Mesenchymal Stromal Cells (BM-MSCs) are now being tested as a novel therapy for ischemic stroke in ongoing clinical trials. However, multiple critical questions relating to their translational application remain to be clarified. We performed a comprehensive, systematic review and meta-analysis of pre-clinical studies to evaluate the efficacy of BM-MSCs on functional outcomes after ischemic stroke, as well as the independent role of translational factors on their effect size. Methods: We systematically reviewed the literature and identified articles using BM-MSCs in animal models of focal ischemic stroke. After abstraction of all relevant data, we performed a meta-analysis to estimate the combined effect size of behavioral endpoints after BM-MSC administration. To describe the effect size across many behavioral outcomes, we divided these outcomes into four categories: (1) Composite scores, (2) Motor Tests, (3) Sensorimotor Tests, and (4) Cognitive Tests. We also performed a meta-regression analysis for measuring the effect of individual characteristics of BM-MSC administration on the effect size. Results: Our results from 141 articles indicate a significant beneficial effect on composite, motor, and sensorimotor outcomes after treatment with BM-MSCs compared to control groups. We found no major differences in treatment effect based on delivery route, dose, fresh vs. frozen preparation, or passage number. There were no consistent findings supporting a difference in treatment effect based on time windows from acute periods (0–6 h) vs. later windows (2–7 days). Furthermore, these positive treatment effects on functional outcome were consistent across different labs in different parts of the world as well as over the last 18 years. There was a negative correlation between publication year and impact factor. Conclusions: Our results show worldwide efficacy of BM-MSCs in improving functional outcomes in pre-clinical animal models of stroke and support testing these cells in clinical trials in various ranges of time windows using different delivery routes. The continued growing number of publications showing functional benefit of BM-MSCs are now adding limited value to an oversaturated literature spanning 18 years. Researchers should focus on identifying definitive mechanisms on how BM-MSCs lead to benefit in stroke models.
Piloting Me and My Wishes-Videos of Nursing Home Residents' Preferences.

Abstract Context A key challenge in nursing homes is how to attain and clarify resident preferences for care and then communicate these preferences to family members and staff. Objectives We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of Me & My Wishes— person-centered videos of residents discussing their preferences for daily and end-of-life (EOL) care. Methods For this descriptive study, Me & My Wishes videos were created with residents in three nursing homes in the Pacific Northwest. Feasibility was evaluated by tracking resident enrollment, completing and sharing their video, and conducting debriefing interviews to ascertain residents’ impressions of the recording process and personalized conversation. After viewing the video, staff and family assessed communication quality via survey--the extent to which they perceived messages from the video (e.g., preferences for EOL) to be timely, accurate, adequate, complete, and credible, and items on resident preferences for daily and EOL care. Results Twenty of 33 residents approached created videos; 18 of these residents shared their videos with family or staff. Residents reported that they liked the opportunity to express their wishes. On a scale of 1-7 (lower is better), mean ratings were: 2.0 (family) and 1.3 (staff) for communicating preferences for daily care; 1.9 (family) and 1.2 (staff) for communicating preferences for EOL. Both family and staff reported increased knowledge about resident preferences for daily and EOL care. Conclusion This research supports the feasibility and acceptability of a videotaping approach (Me & My Wishes) for viewing, listening and discussing residents’ preferences for daily and end-of-life care.
Modulation of miRNA in Oxidative Stress-Induced Cardiac Remodeling

Cardiac remodeling is the pathological ramification of myocardium resulting into various cardiac diseases. Oxidative stress represents a self-perpetuating mechanism by producing excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) and plays a critical role in cardiac remodeling. A redox state that maintains the homeostatic balance in the cell is critical in cardiac remodeling. A misbalance of redox state triggers cellular damage and promoting adverse signaling pathways leading to apoptosis. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, 19–21 nucleotides, endogenous noncoding RNAs modulate gene regulation, elicits a vital role in cardiac remodeling including cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, myocardial injury and arrythmia via multiple mechanisms. Recent studies indicated that miRNAs are influencing the generation of ROS and modulate antioxidant defense mechanism by regulating antioxidative enzymes and are termed as “redoximiRs.” Here, I review the current progress and the mechanisms by which “redoximiRs” regulate cardiac remodeling.
Preventive Cancer Screening Among Resettled Refugee Women from Muslim-Majority Countries: A Systematic Review

As refugee populations continue to age in the United States, there is a need to prioritize screening for chronic illnesses, including cancer, and to characterize how social and cultural contexts influence beliefs about cancer and screening behaviors. This study examines screening rates and socio-cultural factors influencing screening among resettled refugee women from Muslim-majority countries of origin. A systematic and integrative review approach was used to examine articles published from 1980 to 2019, using PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. A total of 20 articles met the inclusion criteria. Cancer screening rates among refugee women are lower when compared to US-born counterparts. Social and cultural factors include religious beliefs about cancer, stigma, modesty and gender roles within the family context. The findings of this review, suggest that resettled refugee women underutilize preventive services, specifically mammography, Pap test and colonoscopy screening, and whose perceptions and behaviors about cancer and screening are influenced by social and cultural factors.
Convexity in Linear Spaces

Our purpose in this first chapter is to establish the basic terminology and properties of convex sets and functions, and of the associated geometry. All concepts are “primitive”, in the sense that no topological notions are involved beyond the natural (Euclidean) topology of the scalar field. The latter will always be either the real number field R, or the complex number field C. The most important result is the “basic separation theorem”, which asserts that under certain conditions two disjoint convex sets lie on opposite sides of a hyperplane. Such a result, providing both an analytic and a geometric description of a common underlying phenomenon, is absolutely indispensible for the further development of the subject. It depends implicitly on the axiom of choice which is invoked in the form of Zorn’s lemma to prove the key lemma of Stone. Several other equally fundamental results (the “support theorem”, the “subdifferentiability theorem”, and two extension theorems) are established as equivalent formulations of the basic separation theorem. After indicating a few applications of these ideas we conclude the chapter with an introduction to the important notion of extremal sets (in particular extreme points) of convex sets.
Quaternized poly(arylene ether benzonitrile) membranes for vanadium redox flow batteries

Abstract A series of quaternized poly (arylene ether benzonitrile)s (QAxCN; x = percent quaternization) were synthesized for the vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) application. The presence of highly polar nitrile groups incorporated in the quaternized polymer chain provides desirable polymer properties (low water uptake, high dimensional stability and low VO2+ permeability) without compromising ion conductivity. VRFB single cells using the aforementioned membranes showed excellent performance. The cell using a 15 μm-thick QA50CN membrane exhibited superior coulombic efficiency (98.2%) and comparable energy efficiency (86.5%) at 40 mA cm-2 compared to the single cell using Nafion-212 with a coulombic efficiency of 95.5% and an energy efficiency of 86.2%. The cell cycling stability and membrane oxidative stability data confirmed that the QAxCN membranes have the potential to replace Nafion membranes for energy storage in VRFB applications.
Bilinguals' comprehension of foreign-accented speech

Foreign accents represent a common challenge to successful speech recognition, and while much has been uncovered about the factors contributing to the intelligibility of foreign-accented speech, most of it is based on data from monolingual listeners. There is good reason to believe, however, that bilinguals have a different experience when decoding foreign-accented speech: their two phonologies offer both greater flexibility in phonological-lexical mapping (Samuel and Larraza, 2015) but also greater lexical competition (Marian & Spivey, 2003). Further, they are known to perform more poorly than monolinguals in speech-in-noise comprehension (Rogers et al., 2006). Given these consequences of bilingualism, the current study compares the intelligibility of foreign-accented speech for monolingual listeners and simultaneous bilingual listeners. Spanish-English bilinguals and English monolinguals performed a sentence repetition task for sentences produced by speakers of Mandarin-Chinese accented English with varying levels of proficiency in English. The competing hypotheses for this study are as follows: (1) because bilinguals' have a more flexible phonological-lexical mapping system, they will outperform the monolinguals in foreign-accented speech recognition; or, (2) greater lexical competition due to the bilinguals' L2 lexicon will result in poorer performance. The results will provide insight on bilingual sentence processing, and shed light on the shared and unique experiences of bilinguals and monolinguals.
Effects of the Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act on health insurance coverage, health care access, and use for people with disabilities.

Abstract Background People with disabilities have higher health care needs, service utilization, and expenditures. They are also more likely to lack insurance and experience unmet need for medical care. There has been limited research on the effects of the Affordable Care Act Medicaid expansion on people with disabilities. Objective To examine the effects of the Medicaid expansion on health insurance coverage, access, and service use for working-age adults with disabilities. Methods A retrospective study using 11 years (2007–2017) of data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey - Household Components, linked to Area Health Resource Files and Local Area Unemployment Statistics (N = 40,995). Difference-in-differences multinomial logistic and linear probability models with state and year fixed-effects were used to estimate the effects. Results We found strong evidence of increased Medicaid coverage in expansion states (3.2 to 5.0 percentage points), reasonably strong evidence of reduced private insurance coverage (−2.2 to −2.5 percentage points), and some evidence of reduced uninsured rate (from no effect to −3.7 percentage points). Results suggest that the increase in Medicaid coverage was due at least in part to the “crowd-out” of private insurance in expansion states. No statistically significant effects were detected for access and use outcomes. Conclusions Findings suggest that state Medicaid expansions led to an increase in Medicaid coverage and a decrease in private insurance coverage as well as the uninsured. However, no evidence was found for health care access and use outcomes. Further research into access and use is needed when more data become available for the post-expansion period.
Are AI Ethics Conferences Different and More Diverse Compared to Traditional Computer Science Conferences

Even though computer science (CS) has had a historical lack of gender and race representation, its AI research affects everybody eventually. Being partially rooted in CS conferences, "AI ethics" (AIE) conferences such as FAccT and AIES have quickly become distinct venues where AI's societal implications are discussed and solutions proposed. However, it is largely unknown if these conferences improve upon the historical representational issues of traditional CS venues. In this work, we explore AIE conferences' evolution and compare them across demographic characteristics, publication content, and citation patterns. We find that AIE conferences have increased their internal topical diversity and impact on other CS conferences. Importantly, AIE conferences are highly differentiable, covering topics not represented in other venues. However, and perhaps contrary to the field's aspirations, white authors are more common while seniority and black researchers are represented similarly to CS venues. Our results suggest that AIE conferences could increase efforts to attract more diverse authors, especially considering their sizable roots in CS.
Clinical analysis of adverse drug reactions and pharmacovigilance

Abstract A drug’s risk profile is not fully delineated at regulatory approval as rare adverse drug reactions (ADRs) may be undetected during clinical trials and populations at risk are often unknown. ADRs may resemble natural disease and are challenging to recognize. In clinical practice, understanding ADR characterizations and mechanisms can facilitate detection, assessment, treatment and prevention. ADR monitoring and clinical assessment by prescribers and researchers can generate drug safety signals and suggest a new, potentially causal association between a drug and an adverse event (AE). Pharmacovigilance systems are designed to detect ADRs and surveillance tools including AE report data, published scientific literature, and preclinical, clinical, and pharmacologic knowledge of the drug are used to provide scientific and clinical evaluation of the safety signal. These evaluations can lead to regulatory actions such as revising the drug’s labeling and communicating new information on drug risks and benefits to alert prescribers and patients.
Heregulin-stimulated signaling in rat pheochromocytoma cells. Evidence for ErbB3 interactions with Neu/ErbB2 and p85.

We have reported that overexpression of Neu leads to heregulin-stimulated neurite outgrowth and the tyrosine-phosphorylation of Neu and other cellular proteins in PC12 cells. Considering that Neu/ErbB2 alone is not able to functionally couple to heregulin, we looked for the possible involvement of ErbB3 in these neurite outgrowth and tyrosine phosphorylation responses. We found that heregulin stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of endogenous ErbB3 protein in PC12 cells and that this phosphorylation, like that of Neu, is greatly enhanced in cells that overexpress Neu. Furthermore, overexpression of ErbB3 in PC12 cells led to heregulin-stimulated neurite extension. In addition to becoming tyrosine-phosphorylated, Neu/ErbB2 and ErbB3 associate with each other, and each associates with the 85-kDa regulatory subunit (p85) of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase in a heregulin-dependent manner. Thus, Neu/ErbB2 and ErbB3 appear to cooperate to mediate the heregulin signal in PC12 cells. Like heregulin, epidermal growth factor (EGF) also stimulates the tyrosine phosphorylation of both Neu and ErbB3. However, there are clear differences between the EGF- and heregulin-stimulated phosphorylations of ErbB3. In the heregulin response, two tyrosine-phosphorylated forms of ErbB3 are detected. Of these, only the more quickly migrating form (on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis) is found to be associated with Neu, whereas the other, more slowly migrating form is uniquely capable of forming stable complexes with p85. In the EGF response, at least two tyrosine-phosphorylated forms of ErbB3 are detected, but these phosphoproteins have distinctly lower apparent molecular weights compared with the heregulin-stimulated ErbB3 phosphoproteins and do not complex with p85. Thus the formation of a stable ErbB3-p85 complex in PC12 cells is a unique outcome of heregulin signaling that correlates with the differences in cell morphology induced by the activated EGF receptor and the Neu tyrosine kinase.
Immersive Visualization and Analysis of LiDAR Data

We describe an immersive visualization application for point cloud data gathered by LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) scanners. LiDAR is used by geophysicists and engineers to make highly accurate measurements of the landscape for study of natural hazards such as floods and earthquakes. The large point cloud data sets provided by LiDAR scans create a significant technical challenge for visualizing, assessing, and interpreting these data. Our system uses an out-of-core view-dependent multiresolution rendering scheme that supports rendering of data sets containing billions of 3D points at the frame rates required for immersion (48---60 fps). The visualization system is the foundation for several interactive analysis tools for quality control, extraction of survey measurements, and the extraction of isolated point cloud features. The software is used extensively by researchers at the UC Davis Department of Geology and the U.S. Geological Survey, who report that it offers several significant advantages over other analysis methods for the same type of data, especially when used in an immersive visualization environment such as a CAVE.
6 (p-Hydroxyphenylazo)-Uracil: a Reversible, Selective Inhibitor of the Replication of Deoxyribonucleic Acid of Staphylococcal Bacteriophage P11-M15

6(p-Hydroxyphenylazo)-uracil (HPUra), a selective inhibitor of the semiconservative replication of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) of gram-positive bacteria, was found to inhibit the replication of DNA of bacteriophage P11-M15, a virulent derivative of the temperate Staphylococcus aureus bacteriophage P11. At appropriate concentration, HPUra inhibited DNA synthesis by P11-M15-infected S. aureus immediately and completely, regardless of the stage of the lytic cycle at which infected cells were exposed to drug. The effect of HPUra was reversible since the capacity of inhibited, infected cells to replicate phage DNA and produce mature phage could be restored by removal of HPUra from incubation media. Concentrations of HPUra which completely inhibited the replication of P11-M15 in its drug-sensitive host did not inhibit the replication of this phage or its DNA in several drug-resistant host mutants. HPUra also did not inhibit the replication of two other serologically distinct, virulent staphylococcal bacteriophages, P1 and 44AHJD, in drug-sensitive hosts.
Companion-Cell Specific Localization of Sucrose Synthase in Zones of Phloem Loading and Unloading

An immunohistochemical approach was used in maize (Zea mays) and citrus (Citrus paradisi) to address the previously noted association between sucrose synthase and vascular bundles and to determine the localization of the low but detectable levels of sucrose synthase that remain in leaves after the import-export transition. Sucrose synthase protein was immunolocalized at the light microscope level using paraffin sections reacted with rabbit sucrose synthase polyclonal antisera and gold-conjugated goat anti-rabbit immunoglobulin G. Immunolabel was specifically observed in phloem companion cells of minor and intermediate veins in mature leaves of both species. Similar localization was apparent in the midrib of mature citrus leaves, with additional labeling in selected files of phloem parenchyma cells. A clear companion-cell specificity was evident in the phloem unloading zone of citrus fruit, where high activity of sucrose synthase has been demonstrated in vascular bundles during periods of rapid import. Sucrose synthase protein was not associated with adjacent cells surrounding the vascular strands in this tissue. The companion-cell specificity of sucrose synthase in phloem of both importing and exporting structures of these diverse species implies that this may be a widespread association and underscores its potential importance to the physiology of vascular bundles.
Challenges in programming sensor networks

The proliferation of networked embedded devices such as wireless sensors ushers in an entirely new class of computing platforms. We need new ways to organize and program them. Unlike existing platforms, systems such as sensor networks are decentralized, embedded in physical world, and interact with people. In addition to computing, energy and bandwidth resources are constrained and must be negotiated. Uncertainty, both in systems and about the environment, is a given. Many tasks require collaboration among devices, and the entire network may have to be regarded as a processor. We argue that the existing node-centric programming of embedded devices is inadequate and unable to scale up. We need new service architectures, inter-operation protocols, programming models that are resource-aware and resource-efficient across heterogeneous devices that can range from extremely limited sensor motes to more powerful servers. I will supplement these discussions with concrete examples arising from our own work and the work of others.
Scratch Studies in Boron Rich Lightweight and Ultrahigh Temperature Ceramic

A ZrB2-5wt%SiC composite was processed using a non-conventional plasma pressure compaction technique. Due to the potential application as external heat shields in supersonic vehicles, scratch studies were conducted on virgin and oxidized surfaces of the composite. Scratches on virgin surfaces revealed slip-line patterns representing ductile behavior and transgranular microcracks oriented orthogonal to the scratch direction representing brittle behavior. These inelastic deformation features have been rationalized based on the classical stress field solutions under combined normal and tangential loads. Existence of dislocations within ZrB2 phase has been confirmed from TEM investigations. The readily detectable slip-lines are argued to reflect the metallicity in the bonding present in ZrB2 crystal structure. An analytical framework for measurement of scratch induced-residual stress within SiC particles has been discussed. Preliminary scratch studies on the oxidized surface of the composite revealed that while the oxide layers are necessary for improved oxidation resistance, they can essentially reduce the mechanical integrity of a structure.
Hardness and metallurgical characterization of dental hand-cutting instruments.

Abstract Hardness, chemical analysis, and evaluation of phase distributions are important factors in characterizing dental hand cutting instruments. In this study, the following 3 types of dental instruments, all manufactured by Hu-Friedy, Suter, and American were investigated: binangle chisels, enamel hatchets and straight chisels. Chemical analyses were performed and found to conform with ADA Specification No. 29 for 440A Martensitic Stainless Steel and 1095 Carbon Steel. Knoop microhardness determinations were made on the cutting surface of each instrument at 3 different locations and revealed significant differences between brands and instruments but not effect of location of indentation. Standard metallographic techniques were used to inspect specimen surfaces of sectioned cutting blades which were then used to evaluate phase distributions revealed upon acid etching. Phase distribution analysis of stainless steel instruments showed partly spheroidized particles in a matrix and for carbon steel instruments showed a matrix of fine and unresolved constituents with inclusions of spheroidized particles.
Preventing Groupthink Risk through Deliberative Discussion: Further Experimental Evidence for a Social Identity Maintenance Model

This study examined the role of deliberative discussion strategies in improving group performance under conditions associated with groupthink. Three-person groups solved a complex decision task in one randomly assigned condition of a 2 (collective threat: low vs. high) by 2 (deliberative discussion strategies: none vs. provided) between-subjects design. All groups were also given a manipulation designed to induce high cohesion consistent with a social identity maintenance framework. Highly cohesive groups facing a collective threat produced poorer quality decisions (indicative of groupthink) when not provided with discussion strategies than groups in all other conditions. However, when provided with deliberative discussion strategies, highly cohesive groups facing a collective threat produced the highest quality decisions. Results were consistent with the social identity maintenance model of groupthink.
Friction, wear and elasto-plastic stress analysis of rf-sputtered carbon-nitrogen protective coatings for rigid magnetic storage disks

Abstract Thin carbon protective coatings were deposited on rigid magnetic disks by rf diode sputtering using a mixture of argon and nitrogen gases. A continuous drag test with thin-film head sliders was used to evaluate the performance of carbon coatings. Results significantly show that the carbon-nitrogen coatings have better wear performance than pure argon-sputtered carbon coatings. In addition, an elasto-plastic analysis of the stress distribution strongly indicates that wear damage should more readily occur in carbon overcoats containing large graphite particles and that a durable carbon coating should have a higher percentage of sp 3 bonding.
Technology assessment: a socio-cognitive perspective

Abstract Researchers use different approaches for assessing technologies. We develop this proposition by examining differences in approaches that ‘insiders’ and ‘outsiders’ use in their assessment of health care technologies. We also illustrate how the juxtaposition of these contrasting approaches creates a dynamic technological field and impacts technology selection.
THE EDUCATIONAL ANTECEDENTS OF TEEN FATHERHOOD

In attempting to identify the determinants of teen pregnancy, researchers have focused on risk factors for young women, largely ignoring teen fathers. This study examines the educational antecedents of teen fatherhood using the 1958 National Child Development Study. Results suggest that those less than 20 years old at onset of fatherhood are much more likely than those who had not fathered a child by age 23 to have experienced academic difficulties and that such difficulties antedate teen fatherhood by as much as a decade. Variables measuring parents' lack of interest in their sons' education were strongly associated with the risk of teen fatherhood as were teachers' negative assessment of boys' academic ability, and the boys' own desire to terminate education as early as possible. Social class was modestly important in explaining differences in educational experiences for teen fathers and non-fathers.
Lack of postprandial leptin peaks in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Summary Leptin production by the adipocyte is acutely stimulated by insulin in vitro. In normal individuals, postprandial insulin peaks are not accompanied by corresponding changes in circulating leptin. Postprandial regulation of leptin in individuals with type 2 diabetes, to our knowledge, has not been previously examined in detail. We examined the effect of meals on circulating leptin levels in six patients with type 2 diabetes who were not treated with insulin and in seven normal individuals. After informed consent was obtained, all subjects were admitted to the General Clinical Research Center for 6 days. They consumed four meals daily (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack). Eighteen blood samples were drawn between 7 .40 a.m. and midnight for the determination of serum leptin, insulin and glucose levels. Postprandial peaks were clearly identifiable for glucose and insulin levels both in normal subjects and in those with type 2 diabetes. However, no postprandial peaks of leptin levels were present. Correlation analysis demonstrated a lack of correlation between leptin levels and the levels of glucose or insulin. We conclude that, in spite of the presence of postprandial insulin peaks, there are no acute changes in circulating leptin levels postprandially in patients with type 2 diabetes who are not on insulin therapy. In this regard, in-vivo regulation of leptin by meals in patients with type 2 diabetes is similar to that in normal individuals.
The Crimean Tatars: A Quarter of a Century after Their Return

The article looks at the position of the Crimean Tatars, seventy years after their mass Deportation from Crimea in 1944, and twenty-five years since they were able to begin to return to Crimea in 1989. It concentrates on the politics of their position since Viktor Yanukovych was elected President of Ukraine in 2010, looking at arguments within their ranks and at government attempts to play ‘divide and rule’.
The role of irreversibilities in competitive interaction: behavioral considerations from organization theory

Using behavioral insights from organization theory, this paper examines the significance of the irreversibility of an attacker's competitive move in interfirm competitive interaction. The study suggested that irreversibility is a multifaceted construct that is broadly composed of two dimensions: internal commitment (which is based on organizational inertia) and public commitment (which is based on the degree of publicity or public exposure received). It hypothesized that these two irreversibilities would have opposite effects on competitors' responses. The hypotheses were tested with data on competitive moves and countermoves exchanged by major US airlines. As predicted, the results reveal that internal commitment tended to reduce the likelihood of response, increased the response delay, and decreased the probability that the initial move will be matched; on the contrary, the impacts of public commitment were exactly the opposite. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On tension/compression asymmetry of an extruded nanocrystalline Al–Fe–Cr–Ti alloy

Abstract A multi-phase nanocrystalline Al93Fe3Cr2Ti2 alloy containing 30 vol.% intermetallic particles was prepared via mechanical alloying, followed by hot extrusion. Tensile and compressive tests at ambient and elevated temperatures were performed on this nanocrystalline alloy. The alloy exhibited significant difference in deformation behavior between tension and compression at 25, 200 and 300 °C. However, the strengths obtained in tension and compression were similar at 400 °C. Systematic microstructure examinations and deformation mechanism analyses indicate that the asymmetry of this nc Al93Fe3Cr2Ti2 alloy is related to its dislocation mediated plastic deformation mechanism, its nanoscale grain microstructure, and premature brittle failure in tension tests.
Modern spectral climate patterns in rhythmically deposited argillites of the Gowganda Formation (Early Proterozoic), southern Ontario, Canada

Abstract Rhythmically deposited argillites of the Gowganda Formation (ca. 2.0–2.5 Ga) probably formed in a glacial setting. Drop stones and layered sedimentary couplets in the rock presumably indicate formation in a lacustrine environment with repeating freeze–thaw cycles. It is plausible that temporal variations in the thickness of sedimentary layers are related to interannual climatic variability, e.g. average seasonal temperature could have influenced melting and the amount of sediment source material carried to the lake. A sequence of layer couplet thickness measurements was made from high-resolution digitized photographs taken at an outcrop in southern Ontario, Canada. The frequency spectrum of thickness measurements displays patterns that resemble some aspects of modern climate. Coherent periodic modes in the thickness spectrum appear at 9.9–10.7 layer couplets and at 14.3 layer couplets. It is unlikely that these coherent modes result from random processes. Modern instrument records of regional temperature and rainfall display similar spectral patterns, with some datasets showing significant modes near 14 yr in both parameters. Rainfall and temperature could have affected sedimentary layering in the Gowganda argillite sequence, and climate modulation of couplet thickness emerges as the most likely explanation of the observed layering pattern. If this interpretation is correct, the layer couplets represent predominantly annual accumulations of sediment (i.e. they are varves), and the thickness spectrum provides a glimpse of Early Proterozoic climatic variability. The presence of interannual climate patterns is not unanticipated, but field evidence presented here may be of some value in developing a climate theory for the Early Proterozoic.
Optical frequency conversion in coherently prepared media

We report the results of a numerical experiment which demonstrates the utility of coherently prepared atomic media for efficient conversion of a field at one optical frequency into a signal at a different frequency. The dependence of conversion efficiency on the relevant atom and field parameters is examined, along with the associated spatiotemporal dynamics of the coupled atom and field system.
Method for lipidomic analysis : p53 expression modulation of sulfatide, ganglioside, and phospholipid composition of U87 MG glioblastoma cells

Lipidomics can complement genomics and proteomics by providing new insight into dynamic changes in biomembranes; however, few reports in the literature have explored, on an organism-wide scale, the functional link between nonenzymatic proteins and cellular lipids. Here, we report changes induced by adenovirus-delivered wild-type p53 gene and chemotherapy of U87 MG glioblastoma cells, a treatment known to trigger apoptosis and cell cycle arrest. We compare polar lipid changes in treated cells and control cells by use of a novel, sensitive method that employs lipid extraction, one-step liquid chromatography separation, high-resolution mass analysis, and Kendrick mass defect analysis. Nano-LC FT-ICR MS and quadrupole linear ion trap MS/MS analysis of polar lipids yields hundreds of unique assignments of glyco- and phospholipids at sub-ppm mass accuracy and high resolving power (m/Deltam50% = 200 000 at m/z 400) at 1 s/scan. MS/MS data confirm molecular structures in many instances. Sulfatides are most highly modulated by wild-type p53 treatment. The treatment also leads to an increase in phospholipids such as phosphatidyl inositols, phosphatidyl serines, phosphatidyl glycerols, and phosphatidyl ethanolamines. An increase in hydroxylated phospholipids is especially noteworthy. Also, a decrease in the longer chain gangliosides, GD1 and GM1b, is observed in wild-type p53 (treated) cells.
Identification of urban habitat components which affect eastern gray squirrel abundance

Abstract Differences in eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) abundance were studied in five types of habitat in Springfield, MA, from July 1974 to December 1976. These data were compared with selected habitat variables to determine whether differences in those variables could quantify differences in squirrel abundance. Squirrel abundance ranged from 0.15 squirrel per ha in areas of high urbanization to 1.08 squirrel per ha in parks, college campuses, and cemeteries. Their abundance was not significantly different in three urban habitats. Squirrel abundance was significantly correlated with basal area, tree density, and number of oaks per ha. Pavement, building cover, and the distance to woodlots appeared to have a negative influence on squirrel activity. Height of trees and lawn cover apparently had little or no influence on squirrel abundance. A six-variable stepwise regression model explains 74% of the squirrel variation throughout Springfield.
The Realization of a Virtual Past in Günter Grass's Crabwalk

In his 1999 Nobel lecture, Gunter Grass declares narration to be "a form of survival as well as a form of art." He sets out to demonstrate this declaration in his latest novella Crabwalk (2002), in which he echoes Walter Benjamin's concerns regarding war and information. The twist for Grass, the author who writes exclusively on his Olivetti typewriter, is that he analyzes the Internet as a narrative medium in his most recent work. This paper analyzes Crabwalk as a look at various forms of media—oral memories, historical monographs, film, and a website—through which humans narrate the past, in this case the 1945 sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, a German KdF (Strength Through Joy) ship, by a Russian U-boat. The last medium, the Internet, is the focus of this paper as it serves as the central means of narrative development, as well as the single medium that inextricably intertwines Grass's "historical reality," the sinking of the Gustloff, with his "fictional reality," the murder of a "virtual" Jew by an apparently "virtual" Neo-Nazi. This article is available in Studies in 20th & 21st Century Literature: http://newprairiepress.org/sttcl/vol32/iss1/9 The Realization of a Virtual Past in Gunter Grass’s Crabwalk Paul A. Youngman University of North Carolina–Charlotte What should historians do with old men’s and women’s tales? Should they take them as authentic testimony for a past that must not return, put them into museums as mementos of a shipwreck, or ignore them in favor of more scholarly reconstructions?
Global strong solutions of Navier–Stokes equations with interface boundary in three-dimensional thin domains

Abstract In this article, we study the spectrum of the Stokes operator in a 3D two layer domain with interface, obtain the asymptotic estimates on the spectrum of the Stokes operator as thickness e goes to zero. Based on the spectral decomposition of the Stokes operator, a new average-like operator is introduced and applied to the study of Navier–Stokes equation in the two layer thin domains under interface boundary condition. We prove the global existence of strong solutions to the 3D Navier–Stokes equations when the initial data and external forces are in large sets as the thickness of the domain is small. This article is a continuation of our study on the Stokes operator under Navier friction boundary condition. Due to the viscosity distinction between the two layers, the Stokes operator displays radically different spectral structure from that under Navier friction boundary condition, then causes great difficulty to the analysis.
Improving the heat transfer efficiency of synthetic oil with silica nanoparticles.

Abstract The heat transfer properties of synthetic oil (Therminol 66) used for high temperature applications was improved by introducing 15 nm silicon dioxide nanoparticles. Stable suspensions of inorganic nanoparticles in the non-polar fluid were prepared using a cationic surfactant (benzalkonium chloride). The effects of nanoparticle and surfactant concentrations on thermo-physical properties (viscosity, thermal conductivity and total heat absorption) of these nanofluids were investigated in a wide temperature range. The surfactant-to-nanoparticle (SN) ratio was optimized for higher thermal conductivity and lower viscosity, which are both critical for the efficiency of heat transfer. The rheological behavior of SiO2/TH66 nanofluids was correlated to average agglomerate sizes, which were shown to vary with SN ratio and temperature. The conditions of ultrasonic treatment were studied and the temporary decrease of agglomerate size from an equilibrium size (characteristic to SN ratio) was demonstrated. The heat transfer efficiencies were estimated for the formulated nanofluids for both turbulent and laminar flow regimes and were compared to the performance of the base fluid.
A Molecular Dynamics Model of HIV-1 Reverse Transcriptase Complexed with DNA: Comparison with Experimental Structures

We have built a molecular dynamics model for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) complexed with a 19/18-mer template/primer by combining the structural information of a low resolution crystal structure of a HIV-1 RT/DNA complex (1hmi) with that of a high resolution crystal structure of unliganded HIV-1 RT (1rtj). The process involved slow forcing of the α-carbons of 1rtj onto those of 1hmi using constrained MD simulations, while immersing the protein in aqueous solution. A similar technique was used to build the bent all-atom DNA duplex, which was then docked into the modeled protein. The resulting model complex was refined using molecular dynamics simulation with the Particle-mesh Ewald method employed to accommodate long-range electrostatic interactions. New parameters of the Amber force field that affect DNA twist are tested and largely validated. The model has been used successfully to explain the results of vertical scanning mutagenesis of residue 266 (Trp266). Recently, the low resolution crystal structure of the HIV-1 RT/DNA complex has been refined to a 2.8 A resolution (2hmi) and a crystal structure of a HIV-1/RT/dTTP ternary complex has been determined at 3.2 A resolution (1rtd). A detailed structural comparison of the prior model structure and the two experimental structures becomes possible. Overall, the three structures share many similarities. The root mean square deviations of the α-carbons for the individual subdomains among the three structures are within the same ranges. The secondary structure assignments in the three structures are nearly identical. Key protein-DNA contacts such as those in the region of the primer grip are also similar in the three structures.
Neuroglial Modulation in Peripheral Sensory Systems

Glia are increasingly appreciated as active participants in central neural processing via calcium waves, electrical coupling, and even synaptic-like release of “neuro”-transmitters. In some sensory organs (e.g., retina, olfactory bulb), glia have been shown to interact with neurons in the same manner, although their role in perception has yet to be elucidated. In the organ of Corti, synapses occur between supporting cells and neurons. In one sensory organ, the Pacinian corpuscle (fine touch), glia have been shown to play just as important a role in sensory transduction as they do in neural processing in the brain, and the functional role is quite clear; the modified Schwann cells of the capsule are responsible for the rapid adaptation process of the PCs, integral to its function as a vibration detector. This complex glial/neuronal relationship may be a recent evolutionary phenomenon and may account for much of the relative sophistication of vertebrate nervous systems.
A Comparative Study on the Relationship Between Various Toxicological Endpoints in Caenorhabditis elegans Exposed to Organophosphorus Insecticides

The toxicity of 10 organophophorus (OP) insecticides-acephate, dimethoate, dichlorvos, dicrotophos, monocrotophos, methamidophos, phosphamidon, omethoate, phosdrin, and trichlorfon-was evaluated in Caenorhabditis elegans using lethality, movement, and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity as the endpoints after a 4-hr- exposure period. The OP insecticides tested showed LC50 values ranging from 0.039 mM (for dichlorovs) to 472.8 mM (for methamidophos). The order of toxicity for lethality and movement was not significantly different when tested using the rank order correlation coefficient. AChE activity was markedly affected by all the OP insecticide exposures that caused significant inhibition in movement, indicating that the mechanism of toxicity of OP insecticides in C. elegans is the same as in higher animals. All OP insecticides induced greater than 50% inhibition of AChE at the lowest tested OP insecticide concentration resulting in inhibition in movement. While a significant correlation was evident between LC50 values in C. elegans and the LD50 values in rats for the 10 OP insecticides studied, a correlation was not evident between EC50 values in C. elegans and LD50 values in rats. Overall, the two endpoints, LC50 and movement, were more reliable and easier to perform than measurement of AChE activity in C. elegans for determining the toxicity of OP insecticides. Further, ranking of these endpoints with respect to the OP insecticides studied indicates that these parameters in C. elegans are predictive of OP insecticides mammalian neurotoxicity.
Engineering, management and economics: a case study in alloying disparate elements

Although the Model T went out of production in 1927, its genesis and production had effects lasting long after the car. Its technical production evolution formed the basis for the first High-Volume Mass Production (HVMP) system in the world. This, in turn, engendered competition with General Motors, where the managerial advances by Alfred Sloan brought the modern corporation into being. These two advances, catalysed by the Model T, gave the USA a mature HVMP system, in place and producing, by 1935, when the rest of the world was still stuck in the craft-moving-to-mass-production transition era. The increased productivity that this gave the USA went far in helping to win World War II, forming today's nation and world. Not only the engineering, the management and the economics, but also an interactive mix of the three – and its emergent effects – was responsible.
Interpersonal Factors in Adolescent Television Use

An examination of some interpersonal factors related to adolescents' television viewing is presented, with particular emphasis on dimensions of communication in the family and with peers. Four specific viewing contexts are examined: with parents, with siblings, with friends, and alone. Perceptions of reality and violence are highest while viewing with parents; entertainment is associated more closely with viewing in other contexts. Examination of family communication patterns reveals that adolescents from socio-oriented families tend to vary their viewing patterns more in the direction of their parents than do those in families where this orientation is weak. Analysis of peer communication patterns suggests that strong peer orientations are associated with conformity to peer viewing norms when viewing with friends. Measures of social learning suggest that it is greatest when the child is viewing with parents. The modifying effects of viewing are discussed and new methodologies encouraged for future research.
A computational fluid dynamics study of particle penetration through an omni-directional aerosol inlet

Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to study aerosol penetration through the entrance section of a bell-shaped omni-directional ambient aerosol sampling inlet. The entrance section did not include either an insect screen or a large-particle pre-separator. Simulations of the flow field were carried out for wind speeds of 2, 8, and 24 km/h and a fixed exhaust flow rate of 100 L/min; and, particle tracking was performed for 2 to 20 μ m aerodynamic diameter particles. Penetration calculated from CFD simulations was in excellent agreement with experimental results from previous studies with the root mean square relative error between simulation and experimental data being 3.8%. CFD results showed that the most significant regional particle deposition occurred on the upwind side of a curved flow passage between two concentric axisymmetric shells of the inlet housing and that deposition at the leading edges of the shells and within the exhaust tube was far less significant. At a wind speed of 2 km/h, pen...