cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Compton suppression spectrometry for analysis of short-lived neutron activation products in foods

Compton suppression spectrometry was used to analyze foods for elements with short-lived neutron activation products (half-lives of about 2 minutes to 1.5 days). Analysis conditions were optimized to provide quality assurance analyses for iodine in FDA’s Total Diet Study. Iodine mass fractions (0.075 to 2.03 mg/kg) were measured in 19 of 42 foods analyzed, with limits of detection (LODs) ranging from 0.03 to 1.4 mg/kg, mostly depending on NaCl content. LODs were lowered by up to a factor of 2 for 16 elements. Suppression factors ranged from about 2 to 8 over the energy range 400 to 3200 keV.
The United States Steel Corporation and Industrial Stabilization

The study of the influence of combinations upon industrial stabilization is socially significant, 608. — Growth and general character of the products of the iron and steel industry, 609. — The five-year moving average used as a basis for measuring fluctuations in production, 610. — Comparison of average deviations from our moving average in the cases of pig iron, crude steel, and rolled iron and steel show greater fluctuation in output since the establishment of the Steel Corporation than before it, 612. — Annual fluctuations since 1901 are more abrupt and pronounced in years of depression than in years of expansion, 616. — They average less in the war and post-war years than in the period immediately preceding the war, 616. — Output of rails for the years 1880–1901 and 1902–22 shows less difference in average deviation than steel products generally; but during the period 1902–15, when prices were rigidly fixed, fluctuations were very great, 618. — Average numbers of workers employed each year by the Steel Corporation show less deviation from our moving average than do figures for output, 622. — The larger percentages for variation in production during the period succeeding the establishment of the Steel Corporation are due to large and drastic curtailments in years of depression, 626. — The promptness with which recovery takes place may furnish some support for the contention that in the long run price stabilization makes for industrial stabilization, 630.
A branching-process model for heterogeneous cell populations

Abstract A multitype branching-process model is introduced for the growth of heterogeneous cell populations. This model includes events representing mitosis, death, mutation, and conversion from one cell type to another. Formulas for conditioning on interim events, and generalizations allowing parameters to be functions of time or cell counts, are presented. The probability generating function (p.g.f.) is solved approximately in a way that is both accurate and efficient enough to solve important problems in tumor biology. The uses of the p.g.f. in the setting of clinical oncology are described.
Exploring Trifluoromethylation Reactions at Nickel: A Structural and Reactivity Study

A variety of nickel(aryl)(CF3) complexes supported by a chelating bisphosphine were successfully prepared in order to investigate the possibility of reductive elimination of Ar−CF3. The first structural comparison of a Ni−CF3 complex with a Ni−CH3 complex is also presented. All of the new nickel(aryl)(CF3) complexes were thermally stable and did not produce Ar−CF3 under thermal conditions. Additives had very little effect on the reductive eliminations, although water was found to afford product in 22% yield.
Evaluation of Bonded Piezoelectric AE sensor for Structural Health Monitoring

The development of high sensitivity sensors capable of accurately reproducing propagating Lamb waves is crucial for the success of AE based structural health monitoring applications. Plate like members are the most common elements encountered in structural health monitoring. The stress waves propagate as guided waves or Lamb waves in these members. While the traditional acoustic emission sensors are sensitive to displacements normal to the surface of the structural member, the bonded sensors are sensitive to the surface strains. A calibration procedure specifically for the Lamb wave modes is devised using a Laser Vibrometer. The calibration was performed by observing the stress waves propagating in aluminum plates. Based on this calibration, it is established that the bonded PZT sensors reproduce the stress waveforms in these structures reasonably well. This ability was probably responsible for the success of these sensors in distinguishing different source mechanisms and correlation with crack growth rates seen in past studies. In addition to this calibration, the two simulated AE sources were also modeled using finite element technique. The results of the numerical simulation were found to correlate well with the experimental results.
Reconceiving the Doctrine of Jesus as Savior in Terms of the African Understanding of an Ancestor: A Model for the Black Church

AbstractThe purpose of this essay is to construct an African-centered theological anthropology that can address and correct oppressive features of established Protestant approaches to anthropology appropriated by Black theology and the theology of African-American Christians generally. For the person of African descent, the acceptance of these approaches to anthropology and their accompanying exclusive Christology led to the formation of a Christian identity that is established and maintained at the expense of one's African identity and religious heritage. However, the African concept of "Ancestor-hood" provides a theological category that is indigenous to traditional African religions, offers a doctrine of the human being that is consistent with the dictates of many postmodern and contemporary philosophies and theologies, and jettisons the traditional Protestant model's emphasis on exclusivity and total depravity. In this way, this essay aims to contribute to the ongoing Black theology project and simult...
Female college students' knowledge, perceptions, and use of emergency contraception.

ABSTRACT Objective To examine female college students' knowledge, perceptions, and use of emergency contraception since its availability over-the-counter. Design Exploratory, descriptive survey design. Participants/Setting A convenience sample of female college students between the ages of 18 and 24 in a private suburban university in the Mid-Atlantic region. Results Six hundred and nine students responded to the survey (22% response rate). Findings revealed that 15% of respondents indicated having been pregnant previously; 87% of those pregnancies were unplanned. Ninety-eight percent had heard of emergency contraception; however, nearly 40% were unsure if emergency contraception was the same as RU-486 (the abortion pill). Ninety-five percent of respondents knew that emergency contraception is available in the United States; 33% believed that a prescription was required. Perceived side effects were reported by 71%; 60% did not believe they could obtain emergency contraception. Twenty-eight percent reported previously using emergency contraception; 27% of these purchased it over-the-counter. Conclusions Findings from this study indicated that women who are considered at risk for unintended pregnancies are not aware of the use, availability, and accessibility of an effective means of prevention. In addition, misconceptions regarding emergency contraception, such as its side effects, were also a significant finding. Based on these findings, education about emergency contraception is warranted, particularly in this at-risk population.
Depression and epilepsy, pain and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: Clinical and therapeutic perspectives

The clinical manifestations of depression in people with epilepsy (PWE) are pleomorphic, often associated with anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders. The ongoing debate of whether the clinical presentation of depression in PWE is unique to this neurologic disorder is reviewed. Comorbid depression can impact the recruitment of PWE for pharmacologic trials with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Yet, the impact of depression on the response of the seizure disorder to pharmacotherapy with AEDs and its impact on worse adverse events may bias the interpretation of the trial findings, particularly when depressed patients are included in the AED trials. PWE have a greater suicidal risk than the general population. This risk is mediated by multiple factors, and recent data from the FDA have imputed a potential pathogenic role to all AEDs. The recognition of patients at risk is reviewed. Yet, the validity of the FDA data has been questioned, and the status of this controversial question is analyzed. As in the case of epilepsy, depression and pain syndromes have a relatively high comorbidity. The negative impact of depression on pain is reminiscent of that of depression in PWE; furthermore, the high comorbidity may be also associated with the existence of common pathogenic mechanisms. Neurologists and in particular, epileptologists establish the diagnosis of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) in whom a comorbid depressive disorder is very often identified. The role of depression in the course of PNES and its treatment are discussed. Scarce data are available on the treatment of depression in PWE. Thus, clinicians have had to adopt data from patients with primary depressive disorders. We outline a consensus strategy on the identification and treatment of depressive disorders in adult and pediatric patients with epilepsy.
Effects of an immune-enhancing diet in critically injured patients

Objective: To determine the effects of an immune-enhancing experimental diet (XD = supplemental arginine, trace elements, and increased omega-3 fatty acids) versus standard diet (SD), on immune cell function and clinical outcome of critically injured patients Design: Prospective randomized clinical trial of patients admitted to the surgical intensive care unit after trauma (Injury Severity Score > 13). Materials and Methods: Patients received early enteral nutrition with either XD or SD for a minimum of 5 days. Measurements: Mortality, intensive care unit, ventilator, and hospital days, as well as incidence of adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and infectious complications were recorded. Nutritional parameters were also studied. Peripheral blood leukocytes were isolated from normal volunteers and from patients on days 1, 6, and 10 of feeding. Main Results: Demographics and injury severity were similar in both groups. Both SD (n = 21) and XD (n = 22) groups revealed depressed monocyte function (tumor necrosis factor, prostaglandin E 2 , and procoagulant activity) on day 1 compared with a reference group (p < 0.05). However, monocytes from XD patients began to normalize their response (tumor necrosis factor, prostaglandin E 2 , and procoagulant activity) by day 6. Although ARDS occurred more frequently in the XD group (45 vs. 19%), the majority of ARDS in both groups occurred very early, with only three patients in the XD (13.6%) and one patient in the SD (4.7%) groups developing ARDS after study entry. XD patients remained on the ventilator longer (16.4 vs. 9.7 days) and in the hospital longer (32.9 vs. 22 days) compared with the SD group, but overall mortality was nearly identical (4.5 vs. 5%). Conclusion: The exact role and timing for diets with immune-enhancing effects has yet to be defined.
COPA---cancer outlier profile analysis

Summary: Chromosomal translocations are common in cancer, and in some cases may be causal in the progression of the disease. Using microarrays, in which the expression of thousands of genes are simultaneously measured, could potentially allow one to detect recurrent translocations for a particular cancer type. Standard statistical tests, such as the t-test are not suited for detecting these translocations, but a simple test based on robust centering and scaling of the data to help detect outlier samples, followed by a search for pairs of samples with mutually exclusive outliers, may be used to find genes involved in recurrent translocations. We have implemented this method, termed Cancer Outlier Profile Analysis (COPA) in an R package (that we call the copa package), and show its applicability on a publicly available dataset. Availability: http://www.bioconductor.org Contact: jmacdon@med.umich.edu
Impairment of Prednisolone Disposition in Women Taking Oral Contraceptives or Conjugated Estrogens

Companion studies were designed to determine the effects of oral contraceptives and conjugated estrogens on the pharmacokinetics of prednisolone. Twenty-four normal women entered the studies, including six young women taking oral contraceptives and six age-matched control women, and six postmenopausal women receiving conjugated estrogens and six age-matched postmenopausal women. All received 0.53 mg/kg prednisolone phosphate, iv. Significant decreases (P less than 0.05) in the clearance and volume of distribution and significant increases in the half-life were found for both total and unbound prednisolone in the women taking oral contraceptives compared to values in the young control women. A significant decrease in the unbound clearance and increases in the total and unbound half-lives of prednisolone were found in the women receiving conjugated estrogens compared to values in the postmenopausal control women. Total clearance and volume of distribution were unchanged by conjugated estrogen therapy. Administration of prednisolone to women receiving estrogen-containing oral contraceptives or conjugated estrogens results in exposure of these women to increased concentrations of unbound prednisolone for increased periods of time. Increases in the pharmacological and toxic effects of prednisolone might be expected in these women.
Theory of diffuse X-ray scattering due to orientational correlation in plastic molecular crystals

The X-ray diffuse scattering intensity of plastic molecular crystals due to orientational correlations between molecules is presented. In the case of symmetric simple molecules such as N2, CO2, CCl4, and benzene, the intensity equation is much simplified by the use of symmetry adapted functions. The intensity of powdered samples is also presented. It is suggested that orientational correlations can be estimated from experimentally observed X-ray spectra and computer simulations of plastic molecular crystals are able to test the approximation employed.
Variation of nitrogen concentrations in stormpipe discharge in a residential watershed

: Use of lawn chemicals in residential areas may contribute nonpoint source (NPS) pollutants, such as nutrients, pesticides, and herbicides to streams. We conducted a 2-year screening study of discharge in stormwater pipes in the Wissahickon Valley Watershed (suburban Philadelphia) using nitrogen as an indicator of lawn chemical use. Stormwater samples representing first flush and composite runoff were collected approximately twice a month using automatic samplers triggered by rise in water level during storms. The runoff collected by the stormpipes was from neighborhoods with 15-100 residences, and from 2 to 18 ha (5-45 acres). Several factors were examined to evaluate the effects on nitrate concentration. These factors included time of sampling (season), number of homes, total area, size of the storm, and time since last storm. Nitrate levels were generally less than 5 mg/l, but still above background in typical undeveloped areas. Concentrations were slightly higher in the first summer than during a drought in the second year, but the difference was not statistically significant. There was a positive correlation between size of the neighborhood (capture area) and peak concentration of nitrate. Storm characteristics (size of storm and time since last storm) did not correlate with nitrate concentrations. The variation in both space and time suggests that a more local control may be a factor. Although individual lawn chemical applications were not monitored, they may influence the timing of increased loading. Furthermore, the variability indicates that quarterly monitoring will not capture discharge characteristics of storm basins.
Stress Effects in p-Type AlGaN/GaN Heterostructures

The physics of bulk wurtzite-structure III-nitride materials and of III-nitride heterostructures includes many phenomena that can be modulated by the application of stress. In particular, p- type material is expected to display a rich variety of piezo-resistive and piezo-optic effects that originate from the stress-induced modulation of lattice polarization charges, of valence band energies, and of bulk, surface, and interface defect states in the band gap. Here we focus on the expected effects of in-plane uniaxial on p-channel AlGaN/GaN heterostructures grown along the hexagonal axis on sapphire substrates. The valence band structure in the channel region is calculated self-consistently in the framework of a six-band Rashba-Sheka-Pikus (RSP) Hamiltonian. Stress-effects are included (in linear elastic theory) through deformation potentials and through the modulation of interfacial polarization charges associated with the piezoelectric nature of the constituent materials.
Choosing money over drugs: The underpinnings of rational choice in cocaine addicts

Aims: One way to predict if an adolescent will initiate drug use is whether or not their peers use drugs. In animals, social facilitation of drug taking behavior is only beginning to be understood. Recent work indicated that adolescent rats raised in isolated conditions find social interactions to be highly rewarding, especially in males. In a recent study in our laboratory, we found that individually housed adolescent male rats showed a conditioned place preference (CPP) for a compartment paired previously with a social partner. This social reward reduced amphetamine reward when rats were allowed choice between a socialand drug paired compartment concurrently. The current experiment tested the hypothesis that social interaction may compete with amphetamine reward by activating similar neural systems. Methods:Male adolescent Sprague Dawley rats (28 days of age, n=16) were habituated to a CPP apparatus chamber for 30min on the first session. The next session, half of the subjects were placed into a chamber alone for 30min, while the other half were paired with a same-age male conspecific for 30min. Immediately following the session, brains were dissected intomedial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens (NAcc), and hypothalamus; brain levels of dopamine, DOPAC, 5-HT, and 5-HIAA were quantified by HPLC-EC. Results:Results for dopamine utilization (DOPAC/DA) showed a main effect of brain region [F(3,10) =88.957, p<0.001] and a main effect of socialization [F(1,12) =21.697, p=0.001], with dopamine utilization elevated by social interaction across all regions. No significant effect of social interaction was observed with 5-HT utilization in any brain region examined. Conclusions: These results indicate that social interaction activates mesocorticolimbic dopamine systems and that this neural activation may blunt the rewarding effect of amphetamine in adolescent male rats. Financial support: Funding provided by NIH grants P50 DA05312 and T32 DA016176 and R01 DA12964.
The involvement of two cdc2-related kinases (CRKs) in Trypanosoma brucei cell cycle regulation and the distinctive stage-specific phenotypes caused by CRK3 depletion

Cyclin-dependent protein kinases are among the key regulators of eukaryotic cell cycle progression. Potential functions of the five cdc2-related kinases (CRK) in Trypanosoma brucei were analyzed using the RNA interference (RNA(i)) technique. In both the procyclic and bloodstream forms of T. brucei, CRK1 is apparently involved in controlling the G(1)/S transition, whereas CRK3 plays an important role in catalyzing cells across the G(2)/M junction. A knockdown of CRK1 caused accumulation of cells in the G(1) phase without apparent phenotypic change, whereas depletion of CRK3 enriched cells of both forms in the G(2)/M phase. However, two distinctive phenotypes were observed between the CRK3-deficient procyclic and bloodstream forms. The procyclic form has a majority of the cells containing a single enlarged nucleus plus one kinetoplast. There is also an enhanced population of anucleated cells, each containing a single kinetoplast known as the zoids (0N1K). The CRK3-depleted bloodstream form has an increased number of one nucleus-two kinetoplast cells (1N2K) and a small population containing aggregated multiple nuclei and multiple kinetoplasts. Apparently, these two forms have different mechanisms in cell cycle regulation. Although the procyclic form can be driven into cytokinesis and cell division by kinetoplast segregation without a completed mitosis, the bloodstream form cannot enter cytokinesis under the same condition. Instead, it keeps going through another G(1) phase and enters a new S phase resulting in an aggregate of multiple nuclei and multiple kinetoplasts in an undivided cell. The different leakiness in cell cycle regulation between two stage-specific forms of an organism provides an interesting and useful model for further understanding the evolution of cell cycle control among the eukaryotes.
An imaging genetics approach to understanding social influence

Normative social influences shape nearly every aspect of our lives, yet the biological processes mediating the impact of these social influences on behavior remain incompletely understood. In this Hypothesis, we outline a theoretical framework and an integrative research approach to the study of social influences on the brain and genetic moderators of such effects. First, we review neuroimaging evidence linking social influence and conformity to the brain’s reward system. We next review neuroimaging evidence linking social punishment (exclusion) to brain systems involved in the experience of pain, as well as evidence linking exclusion to conformity. We suggest that genetic variants that increase sensitivity to social cues may predispose individuals to be more sensitive to either social rewards or punishments (or potentially both), which in turn increases conformity and susceptibility to normative social influences more broadly. To this end, we review evidence for genetic moderators of neurochemical responses in the brain, and suggest ways in which genes and pharmacology may modulate sensitivity to social influences. We conclude by proposing an integrative imaging genetics approach to the study of brain mediators and genetic modulators of a variety of social influences on human attitudes, beliefs, and actions.
Captopril Therapy Limits Ventricular Remodeling But Does Not Alter Myocardial Collagen Fiber Morphology of Cardiomyopathic Hamsters

Previous studies of the effect of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors on the process of cardiac remodeling have devoted little attention to potentially beneficial alterations in collagen fiber morphology and microscopic organization. The present work is part of a continuing effort to define mechanisms responsible for changes in microscopic material properties of cardiac tissue that are induced by such pharmacologic therapy. Morphologic evaluation of 11 cardiomyopathic (CM) and 5 control hamsters was performed. Six CM hamsters received captopril for 3 months in their drinking water (2 gm/l), and five other CM hamsters and five normal control hamsters received no treatment. Myocyte and collagen content, organization, and fiber size were defined with the use of circular statistics in fixed sections that were stained with picrosirius red and viewed with polarized light. The scar regions from both treated and untreated CM hearts manifested similar collagen fiber thicknesses, organization (angular deviation 21.1 ± 0.7 degrees vs. 19.2 ± 2.2 degrees, untreated vs. treated, p = NS), and content (65.0% ± 2.2% vs. 65.7% ± 3.7%, untreated vs. treated, p = NS). However, significant muscle fiber disarray was observed in myocytes in the non-necrotic zones near scars for both treated and untreated CM heart, and a strong trend toward normalization of myocyte alignment was observed after captopril therapy. In the present study, captopril exerted no significant effect on collagen content, two-dimensional fiber organization, or fiber thickness in either scar or nonscar regions. Thus, the beneficial effects of captopril on cardiac material properties in ventricular remodeling associated with heritable cardiomyopathy does not appear to be related to alterations in collagen fiber morphology or organization. However, the trend toward normalization of myocyte alignment induced by captopril in non-necrotic zones suggests a possible mechanism for the known beneficial effects of captopril on favorable ventricular remodeling.
Improving electrical properties of pure nickel silicide by employing spike anneal as the second rapid thermal anneal

To create a nickel monosilicide (NiSi) film with superior electrical properties, two-step rapid thermal annealing (RTA) was optimized. Using in-situ chemical dry cleaning and increasing initial RTA temperature makes it possible to macroscopically transform nickel into NiSi without causing oxygen-contamination problems. Nevertheless, the Ni 2 Si remaining on the top surface of the NiSi degrades its electrical properties. Accordingly, to microscopically enhance the integrity of the NiSi, the second RTA was also optimized. It was found that using a spike anneal for the second RTA completely transforms the residual Ni 2 Si into NiSi, thereby improving the electrical properties of NiSi in 65-nm-node logic devices.
The equivariant Steenrod algebra

Abstract This paper presents a generalization of the mod [rgr] Steenrod algebra A ∗ , to G -equivariant cohomology theory for a finite group G . The coefficient ring employed for this generalization is an arbitrary minimal Mackey functor field F ; these coefficients are the proper analogues in equivariant cohomology to finite fields in non-equivariant cohomology. The equivariant Steenrod algebra graded on the real representation ring RO( G ) is then defined as H F ∗ H F , where H F denotes the Eilenberg-MacLane G -spectrum associated to F . In this paper it is shown that the computation of H F ∗ H F reduces to that of the integer graded non-equivariant cohomology ring HF ∗ HF , where F is some Galois extension of the finite field Z ⧸ p . This reduction is such that the bimodule and Hopf algebra structures of H F ∗ H F over π ∗ ( H F ) can be derived from the bimodule and Hopf algebra structures of HF ∗ HF over π ∗ ( HF ). Therefore, to complete the computation, a description of the bimodule and Hopf algebra structures on HF ∗ HF in terms of the structures on A ∗ and Hom( F , F ) is included. Throughout the paper a parallel consideration is also given to the duals of these structures.
The Aspects of Thermal Anneal to Intrinsic Stress and Hicrostructure of Multilayer Thin Films

Adhesion degradation mechanism at the interface of a multilayer thin film was studied as a function of annealing temperature. The multilayer thin films employed for current investigation of the temperature effect were constructed by sputtering 500 A Cr and 10K A Cu on both sides of kapton. A steady decrease of adhesion strength was found as a result of increasing the annealing temperature from 150°C to 350°C. Thin film and interfacial properties in association with degradation of adhesion were characterized by several techniques, including intrinsic stress measurement, Auger, TEM and SIMS. Siveral changes were observed by elevating the annealing temperature. It was found that the intrinsic stress in each layer changed. Both Cu and Cr grain size increased with the annealing temperature. The interface at kapton and metal became more defined. The Cu atoms were found to become mobile and diffused into Cr and kapton layer after a 350 degree annealing. In addition, a change of molecular orientation and chemistry in kapton near the interface was observed by SIMS and XPS studies. A combination of these factors resulted in a decline of adhesion strength.
Classification of POLSAR images using a fast fuzzy c-medians clustering algorithm

The fuzzy c-medians clustering (FCMED) clustering algorithm is known to be a robust l/sub 1/ fuzzy clustering algorithm that works well even in the presence of outliers or remote small clusters. The well-known fuzzy c-means (FCM) clustering algorithm often performs poorly in this environment. Unfortunately, the FCMED has a high space-complexity, which makes its application impractical for large images. A new fast fuzzy c-medians clustering (FFCMED) algorithm is presented, which may be applied to any clustering problem, but is demonstrated here by classifying a POLSAR image. The FFCMED provides a robust clustering tool that works well for large images and data sets. A relative speed up over the FCMED of at least 3-to-1 was observed for the image illustrated in this paper.
Topological pattern recognition for point cloud data

In this paper we discuss the adaptation of the methods of homology from algebraic topology to the problem of pattern recognition in point cloud data sets. The method is referred to as persistent homology, and has numerous applications to scientific problems. We discuss the definition and computation of homology in the standard setting of simplicial complexes and topological spaces, then show how one can obtain useful signatures, called barcodes, from finite metric spaces, thought of as sampled from a continuous object. We present several different cases where persistent homology is used, to illustrate the different ways in which the method can be applied.
Pairwise reduction for the direct, parallel solution of sparse, unsymmetric sets of linear equations

A paradigm for concurrent computing is explored in which a group of autonomous, asynchronous processes shares a common memory space and cooperates to solve a single problem. The processes synchronize with only a few others at a time; barrier synchronization is not permitted except at the beginning and end of the computation. The paradigm maps directly to a shared-memory multiprocessor with efficient synchronization primitives and is applied to the solution of a large, sparse system of linear equations. The algorithm, called pairwise solve (or PSolve), is presented with several variants to address some of the limitations of previous algorithms. On the Alliant FX/8, PSolve is faster than Gaussian elimination and two common sparse matrix algorithms. >
Digging in the “Soil” of the Aorta to Understand the Growth of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms

As described by Schwartz and colleagues over 10 years ago, the unique properties of the “soil” (the cellular responses) of the intima provide for the development of intimal arterial diseases.53 Now a significant amount of evidence points to the likelihood that the SMCs that populate the media of aneurysms are unique and that they directly or indirectly participate in the medial elastin degeneration characteristic of AAA. Because maintenance of a functional aortic matrix depends on the SMC, restoration of the normal activities of these cells may be essential to stabilize and potentially repair the damage that is associated with aneurysmal degeneration. Evidence for this effect can be seen in recent studies in murine models with both repopulation of the aorta with normal SMCs113 and alteration of SMC activities by modifying intracellular inflammatory response pathways.114 Finally, identification of SMC differentiation profiles associated with aneurysms may provide the unique ability to identify those individuals with an increased propensity for aneurysm development prior to the phenotypic expression of the disease.
The distal demonstrative as discourse marker in Beowulf

The literature on the distal demonstrative se in Old English has mainly concentrated on its use as a marker of definiteness (referent identifiability) and deixis. In this article, I focus instead on demonstrative uses that have received much less attention in previous work. Drawing on data from Beowulf, I argue that the distal demonstrative determiner also serves a variety of discourse-pragmatic functions, such as indicating the relative importance of referents; topic continuity; or chapter boundaries.
A fast high accuracy volume renderer for unstructured data

In this paper, we describe an unstructured mesh volume renderer. Our renderer is interactive and accurately integrates light intensity an order of magnitude taster than previous methods. We employ a projective technique that takes advantage of the expanded programmability of the latest 3D graphics hardware. We also analyze an optical model commonly used for scientific volume rendering and derive a new method to compute it that is very accurate but computationally feasible in real time. We demonstrate a system that can accurately produce a volume rendering of an unstructured mesh with a first-order approximation to any classification method. Furthermore, our system is capable of rendering over 300 thousand tetrahedra per second yet is independent of the classification scheme used.
Using wireless telecommunication technology to promote tele-audiology

The purpose of this research is to investigate how wireless telecommunication technologies, more specifically Bluetooth, can be utilized in a tele-audiology assessment system to promote remote hearing diagnosis in the following aspects: supporting multiple hearing test modalities (e.g., pure-tone audiogram and speech test); providing a convenient communication means among three-party (i.e., audiologist, assistant and patient) involved in a typical test session with fairly limited software and hardware resources; and improving its reliability when unexpected scenarios occur during test sessions. This enhanced tele-audiology assessment system is composed of a web server, an integrated console device, and a Bluetooth-enabled audiometer. The console device is the portal to the users, which exchanges numeric commands and responses of various data types between the audiologist and patient, transmits audio and video data among the three parties, and introduces a reliability mechanism. Test results show that this tele-audiology assessment system can satisfy the requirement of clinical diagnostic hearing assessment.
Thermoelastic Contact Problems for the Layer

(a typical one-column figure or table is equivalent to 250 words; a one line equation to 30 words). Brief Notes will be subject to the usual review procedures prior to publication. After approval such Notes will be published as soon as possible. The Notes should be submitted to the Technical Editor of the JOURNAL OF APPLIED MECHANICS. Discussions on the Brief Notes should be addressed to the Editorial Department, ASME, United Engineering Center, 345 East 47th Street, New York, N. Y. 10017, or to the Technical Editor of the JOURNAL OF APPLIED MECHANICS. Discussions on Brief Notes appearing in this issue will be accepted until two months after publication. Readers who need more time to prepare a Discussion should request an extension of the deadline from the Editorial Department.
Alcoholic Hepatitis: A Clinician’s Guide

Alcoholic hepatitis is a frequent reason for admission and a common consultation request for hepatologists and gastroenterologists. Although it seems to occur acutely, it is usually subacute and often superimposed on underlying alcoholic cirrhosis. Typically patients have a background of drinking on a daily basis, but, in response to a life crisis, patients have started drinking massively.
Sleep-Dependent Synaptic Down-Selection (I): Modeling the Benefits of Sleep on Memory Consolidation and Integration

Sleep can favor the consolidation of both procedural and declarative memories, promote gist extraction, help the integration of new with old memories, and desaturate the ability to learn. It is often assumed that such beneficial effects are due to the reactivation of neural circuits in sleep to further strengthen the synapses modified during wake or transfer memories to different parts of the brain. A different possibility is that sleep may benefit memory not by further strengthening synapses, but rather by renormalizing synaptic strength to restore cellular homeostasis after net synaptic potentiation in wake. In this way, the sleep-dependent reactivation of neural circuits could result in the competitive down-selection of synapses that are activated infrequently and fit less well with the overall organization of memories. By using computer simulations, we show here that synaptic down-selection is in principle sufficient to explain the beneficial effects of sleep on the consolidation of procedural and declarative memories, on gist extraction, and on the integration of new with old memories, thereby addressing the plasticity-stability dilemma.
The role of transient ERK2 signals in fibronectin- and insulin-mediated DNA synthesis.

Both the extracellular matrix and growth factors jointly regulate cell cycle progression via a complex network of signaling pathways. Applying quantitative assays and analysis, we demonstrate here that concurrent stimulation of Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells with fibronectin (Fn) and insulin elicits a DNA synthesis response that reveals a synergy far more complex than a simple additive enhancement of response magnitude. CHO cell adhesion to higher Fn density shifts the sensitivity of the DNA synthesis response to insulin concentration from smoothly graded to sharply ‘switch-like’ and dramatically decreases the insulin concentration required for half-maximal response by about 1000-fold. Conversely, treatment with insulin has a milder and less complex effect on the response to varying Fn concentrations. Governing this DNA synthesis response is a common requirement for a transient, cell areaindependent extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) signal. Moreover, we show that the time-integrated value of this ‘pulse’ signal provides an appropriate metric for quantifying the dependence of DNA synthesis on the degree of ERK2 activation. Indeed, in the absence of insulin, the adhesion-mediated response is linearly proportional to ERK2 activation over a broad range of stimulatory Fn and MEK inhibitor amounts. However, in the presence of both Fn and insulin, total integrated ERK2 activity (the sum of Fn- and insulin-mediated signals) no longer serves as a predictor of DNA synthesis, demonstrating that the signaling crosstalk underlying response synergism does not converge at ERK2 activation. Instead, adhesion to higher Fn density enhances insulin stimulation of DNA synthesis, not by increasing insulin-mediated ERK2 activation, but via parallel elevation of at least one other insulin-mediated signal such as IRS-1 phosphorylation. SUMMARY
Knowledge, Awareness, and Perception (KAP)- A Study on Environmental Pollution of Coastal Villages in Kanyakumari District

Through one’s own knowledge, awareness and perception people come to know about everything in their fingertips. One of such knowledge, awareness and perceptions are environment pollution and it is impact on human beings, flora and fauna. Environmental Pollution is the introduction of toxic and chemical substances into the air, water, soil causing serious problems to the health of humans and ecosystem. Human sustainability of this earth depends on the level of pollution. It badly affects the social and economic life of human beings. Therefore this paper aims to tell the readers and policy makers about environment pollution and how it affects the poor people particularly the fishermen in Kanyakumari District. Results from 225 sample respondents indicate the sample respondents have given high mean score for water pollution, plastic pollution and Air pollution with its score of value of 3.74, 3.72 and 3.70 with S.D value of 1.407, 1.329 and 1.384 respectively. Due to these pollutants the respondents are susceptible to diseases like Cancer, Immune deficiency and Skin irritations with its mean value of 3.18, 2.97 and 2.72 respectively. This paper too offer a few suggestions to the government and well wishers of fishermen to take control of this situation and save the life of millions and millions of the people in the world. Otherwise we create our comforts at the risk of our future generation and in the coming days they would curse us irrespective of wealth we leave behind. Hence it is a major issue to be attended immediately. Key words: Knowledge; Awareness; perception; environmental pollution & Diseases
Small Business in American Life

The article reviews the book “Small Business in American Life,” edited by Stuart W. Bruchey.
Integrated Management of Embedded Internet Devices

An integrated management method is presented. With this method, administrator can manage all of the devices using one or a few of applications. It provides the possibility of united management of many devices, and the more options for different administrators to select familiar management tools to manage the same device.
Oncology Nursing Is Evidence-Based Care.

This issue of the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing (CJON) will be the final time that you will see the Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) feature column. Why? Because we have seen oncology nursing evolve in the past 20 years and EBP is everywhere! We use it in our clinics and hospital units, incorporate it into decisions about symptom management, and use evidence to develop survivorship guidelines. We discuss EBP in journal clubs and use applications on mobile devices to find the best interventions for our patients. We have oncology nurses sitting on committees to develop guidelines based on the best evidence and expert opinion. We have come a long way and it is our belief that EBP is included in almost every article in CJON and, therefore, a need no longer exists for an individual column about EBP. .
Ready, set, go! Low anticipatory response during a dyadic task in infants at high familial risk for autism

Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) demonstrate a host of motor impairments that may share a common developmental basis with ASD core symptoms. School-age children with ASD exhibit particular difficulty with hand-eye coordination and appear to be less sensitive to visual feedback during motor learning. Sensorimotor deficits are observable as early as 6 months of age in children who later develop ASD; yet the interplay of early motor, visual and social skill development in ASD is not well understood. Integration of visual input with motor output is vital for the formation of internal models of action. Such integration is necessary not only to master a wide range of motor skills, but also to imitate and interpret the actions of others. Thus, closer examination of the early development of visual-motor deficits is of critical importance to ASD. In the present study of infants at high risk (HR) and low risk (LR) for ASD, we examined visual-motor coupling, or action anticipation, during a dynamic, interactive ball-rolling activity. We hypothesized that, compared to LR infants, HR infants would display decreased anticipatory response (perception-guided predictive action) to the approaching ball. We also examined visual attention before and during ball rolling to determine whether attention engagement contributed to differences in anticipation. Results showed that LR and HR infants demonstrated context appropriate looking behavior, both before and during the ball’s trajectory toward them. However, HR infants were less likely to exhibit context appropriate anticipatory motor response to the approaching ball (moving their arm/hand to intercept the ball) than LR infants. This finding did not appear to be driven by differences in motor skill between risk groups at 6 months of age and was extended to show an atypical predictive relationship between anticipatory behavior at 6 months and preference for looking at faces compared to objects at age 14 months in the HR group.
Cardiac disease in patients with end-stage renal disease.

This article summarizes the role of the cardiac consultant in the management of patients with a broad range of neurologic problems. It emphasizes the importance of anticoagulation in stroke prevention and of the recognition of electrocardiogram abnormalities which may reflect a predominantly neurologic process. A schema is presented that elucidates the mechanisms involved in the myocardial manifestations of central nervous system disease. Additionally, the myocardial involvement associated with neuromuscular diseases is presented, emphasizing the major roles of heart failure, arrhythmias, and sudden death in several of these diseases.
von Willebrand Disease

Abstract The interactions between clinical and laboratory medicine moving to and from bedside, bench, and back to bedside are no more apparent than in our unraveling of von Willebrand Disease. Discovered nearly a century ago, we are still expanding both our clinical and laboratory knowledge of this disorder. There are nearly a dozen laboratory tests and as many types and subtypes of clinical von Willebrand Disease. These variables are carefully and authoritatively spelled out to include criteria for classification, which is of importance as treatment for spontaneous bleeding as well as stresses of surgery and pregnancy vary. Our increasing awareness of acquired von Willebrand Disease also provides it’s own challenges for diagnosis and therapeutics.
Dispatching Information in 911 Teams A Case Study

Recent tragedies in police emergency responses have brought to light the need for a human factors perspective in team information-sharing. Emergency dispatchers, such as police dispatchers on large college campuses, are an information center. Dispatchers obtain information from, and forward information to, multiple members of the response team (e.g., the civilian caller, police officers, medical dispatchers, other local, state, and national departments, language services, investigative units, etc.). In this case study, we take a systems approach wherein we conducted semi-structured interviews with three police dispatchers. Results describing the task, the team, and information sharing are presented through a hierarchical task analysis and a knowledge network representation. Findings document multitasking, communicating in multiple modalities (e.g., verbally, written), bi-directional communications, and quick decision making about information-sharing by dispatchers. Human factors interventions, such as tec...
Persistently curly hair phenotype with the use of nivolumab for squamous cell lung cancer

Increasing use of programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death protein 1 ligand inhibition for the treatment of patients with various malignancies such as advanced lung cancer, kidney cancer, and melanoma has resulted in valuable clinical responses, along with the occurrence of new and often puzzling side effects. Known cutaneous effects of CTLA4 and programmed cell death protein 1/programmed cell death protein 1 ligand inhibitors include generalized pruritus, vitiligo, maculopapular lesions, and lichenoid skin eruptions. Alopecia has been the only hair effect previously associated with this class of agents. We describe herein the first case of a persistent curly hair phenotype with the use of nivolumab in a patient with metastatic squamous cell lung cancer.
Promoting Adipogenesis Using a Collagen VI-Heparin Sulfate Coating: Applications in Tissue Engineering for Wound Healing

Treating burn-related injuries remains challenging, because of donor site morbidity, bacterial infection, and major scarring. Recent advances have led to the development of promising natural and synthetic polymer scaffolds, the objective of which is to regenerate skin using a “top-down” approach, in which the top layers of the skin populated by fibroblasts and keratinocytes are regenerated first. An often-overlooked component of the integumentary system is the subcutaneous adipose tissue, which has been implicated in a variety of activities, including wound healing. We have created a novel coating composed of collagen VI (col VI) and heparin sulfate (HS) that promotes adipocyte attachment and adipogenesis at a rate significantly faster at both early and late time points (5 and 23 days), compared to a noncoated control. In addition, Vicryl, which is a biodegradable surgical implant mesh, was coated with the optimized col VI–HS ratio. Coated Vicryl had an increased number of attached adipocytes with more-pr...