cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of Social Media's Relevance and Targeted Advertisements

American college students in the northeast and southeast were surveyed about Facebook's relevance and advertising. Latent class cluster analysis was used to segment respondents based upon: Facebook...
On seeking first to understand

There are fundamental differences between seeking-to-solve and seeking-to-understand. We are strongly biased toward seeking-to-solve on a number of dimensions. As a result, we are increasingly at risk in a world that is becoming increasingly complex and fast paced. We therefore need to understand these biases so that we can defend ourselves -- we need to develop (moral) concepts and methods of inquiry that transcend our dominant and pervasive analytical presuppositions.
Numerical investigation of radiative heat transfer in internal combustion engines

Abstract The importance of radiative heat transfer in internal combustion engines is studied using Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. The Discrete Ordinates Method (DOM) is implemented and a Spherical surface Symmetrical equal Dividing angular quadrature with order of 2 is selected for the angular direction discretization with
Familiarity and Communication in the Operating Room.

Abstract Background Poor communication is implicated in many adverse events in the operating room (OR); however, many hospitals’ scheduling practices permit unfamiliar operative teams. The relationship between unfamiliarity, team communication and effectiveness of communication is poorly understood. We sought to evaluate the relationship between familiarity, communication rates, and communication ineffectiveness of health care providers in the OR. Materials and methods We performed purposive sampling of 10 open operations. For each case, six providers (anesthesiology attending, in-room anesthetist, circulator, scrub, surgery attending, and surgery resident) were queried about the number of mutually shared cases. We identified communication events and created dyad-specific communication rates. Results Analysis of 48 h of audio-video content identified 2570 communication events. Operations averaged 58.0 communication events per hour (range, 29.4-76.1). Familiarity was not associated with communication rate (P = 0.69) or communication ineffectiveness (P = 0.21). Cross-disciplinary dyads had lower communication rates than intradisciplinary dyads (P Conclusions Team members do not compensate for unfamiliarity by increasing their verbal communication, and dyad familiarity is not protective against ineffective communication. Cross-disciplinary communication remains vulnerable in the OR suggesting poor crosstalk across disciplines in the operative setting. Further investigation is needed to explore these relationships and identify effective interventions, ensuring that all team members have the necessary information to optimize their performance.
Investigation of Excitonic Gates in Organic Semiconductor Thin Films

Exciton gates, with an asymmetry in forward and reverse rates of energy transfer, are a means to overcome the diffusive and subdiffusive nature of exciton transport in organic semiconductors. The impact of multiple gating interfaces on exciton transport must be studied, though, to inform application of such gates in devices. Here a molecular site imbalance is engineered to establish gates, and the impact on exciton transport is examined by optically injecting excitons and detecting those that migrate through the structure. This work offers insight into the design of organic optoelectronic devices based on exciton gates, for $e.g.$ planar heterojunction photovoltaic cells.
Vegetation Comparisons between the Mediterranean Climatic Areas of California and Chile

Summary The topography, climate, soil, and vegetation of central Chile and coastal California between latitudes of 30 to 40° are remarkably similar. In both of these regions there exists a matched sequence of plant communities progressing along an aridity gradient from moist to dry of first, a broad-leaved evergreen forest, then an evergreen scrub, a semi-arid scrub, and finally a semiarid scrub with succulents. The convergence of plant communities at equal positions on the aridity gradient in California and Chile, as well as the equal latitudinal replacements of community types are discussed in terms of the environmental limitations on the evolution of productive systems. Although the coastal sequences of communities in California and Chile are comparable, the altitudinal community sequences are not. The rich montane forests characteristic of the mountains of California are lacking in the Andes of central Chile.
In Vitro Analysis of Myeloid Proliferation Caused by Oncogenic Kras.

Somatic mutations in NRAS and KRAS2 are found in approximately one third of cases of myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), myeloproliferative disorders (MPD) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Cases without RAS mutations frequently demonstrate genetic lesions which result in activation of Ras, such as FLT3 mutations, Bcr-Abl expression, or inactivation of the NF1 tumor suppressor. We have exploited a conditional oncogenic Kras allele that was generated by homologous recombination to directly address the effects of expressing a mutant K-Ras G12D protein from the endogenous promoter in primary hematopoietic cells. We crossed this mutation into the Mx1-Cre strain, and induced Cre recombinase expression by administering polyinosinic-polycytidilic acid. These mice uniformly and rapidly develop a progressive MPD with leukocytosis and massive splenomegaly, and succumb after a median of 84 days. In vitro , myeloid cells expressing an oncogenic allele of Kras from the endogenous promoter demonstrate a dramatic hyperproliferative phenotype and hypersensitivity to hematopoietic growth factors. We have further characterized these findings, and have found that, despite the rapid accumulation of mature myeloid cells in vivo and in vitro , proliferation occurs mainly in immature, Mac1-negative progenitors. Therefore, myelopoiesis in Mx1-Cre, Kras G12D mice is analagous to, but more productive than that in normal mice. Kinetic data is most consistent with a major effect of K-ras G12D on cell cycle activity, with minimal effects on apoptosis. This system provides a novel and tractable platform for determining how oncogenic RAS alters myeloid homeostasis, for investigating how oncogenic RAS influences signaling networks in primary cells, and for preclinical testing of targeted therapeutics in primary cells.
Searching for contact with birth relatives: Search angels and search facilitators:

SummaryReunification or post-adoption contact between adoptees, birth families, and other adoption stakeholders has become a normalized developmental trajectory, yet the process of seeking contact ...
Phase-change heat transfer of sintered-particle wick in downward facing orientation: Particle size and wick thickness effects

Abstract Two-phase cooling systems using wicks offer reliable and high heat flux cooling capability, however, the maximum heat removal capacity is related to capillary pumping limit and wick superheat. In this study, non-uniform wicks are examined to simultaneously enhance the capillary pumping limit and minimize wick superheat. The non-uniform wick consists of a thin evaporation wick for reducing the wick superheat and a thick coolant supply wick for enhancing the coolant supply. Also, it has a phase-separating wick attached to the coolant supply wick to ensure the vapor escape channels. The thin wick is fabricated using sintered-copper particles with 30–200 μm spherical particles, while the post and phase-separating wicks are constructed using 10 and 3 layers of 200 μm copper particles, respectively. To minimize the gravity-driven liquid supply, the liquid reservoir is placed below the wick structure, i.e., downward facing orientation. The heat flux is measured as a function of the wick superheat using different particles sizes and thicknesses of the thin wick, i.e., 30, 60, 100, 200, 60/200, and 100/200 μm with 1–3 layers. The results show that 60 μm particles result in the minimal wick superheat at q
Facilitating a Path to New Teacher Certification Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Unpacking States’ “Unchanged-New Flex” Guidelines

In the United States, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, schools and testing centers were forced to close on-site locations With teacher candidates no longer able to complete clinical teaching or take certification exams in person, states created new recommendations for facilitating a pathway to teacher certification Specifically, 19 states provided guidelines that allowed educator preparation programs (EPPs) flexibility in how teacher candidates completed existing certification requirements By analyzing summaries of these states’ guidelines, themes of time, technology, flexibility/non-flexibility, and EPPs emerged Using a comprehensive lens, this brief examines the role and implications of each of these themes in teacher certification during these unprecedented times © Copyright © 2020 Slay, Riley and Miller
Severe Chin-on-Chest Cervical Spine Deformity in the Setting of Stiff-Person Syndrome: A Case Report.

Case Stiff-person syndrome (SPS) presents with progressive muscle rigidity, postural instability, and periodic debilitating spasms. Reports of axial hyperextension exist, but kyphotic deformities have not been described. We surgically treated a patient with debilitating SPS and severe cervicothoracic hyperkyphosis with posterior spinal fusion and instrumentation. At 1-year follow-up, the patient displayed better upright gait and forward gaze, 18° cervical lordosis, and improved patient-reported outcome scores. Conclusion SPS can lead to extreme spinal deformity and disease, including hyperkyphosis of the cervicothoracic spine, and can successfully be managed with a multidisciplinary team and a posterior-only correction with spinal instrumentation and fusion.
Correlated Wishart Matrices Classification via an Expectation-Maximization Composite Likelihood-Based Algorithm

Positive-definite matrix-variate data is becoming popular in computer vision. The computer vision data descriptors in the form of Region Covariance Descriptors (RCD) are positive definite matrices, which extract the key features of the images. The RCDs are extensively used in image set classification. Some classification methods treating RCDs as Wishart distributed random matrices are being proposed. However, the majority of the current methods preclude the potential correlation among the RCDs caused by the so-called non-voxel information (e.g., subjects' ages and nose widths, etc). Modeling correlated Wishart matrices is difficult since the joint density function of correlated Wishart matrices is difficult to be obtained. In this paper, we propose an Expectation-Maximization composite likelihood-based algorithm of Wishart matrices to tackle this issue. Given the numerical studies based on the synthetic data and the real data (Chicago face data-set), our proposed algorithm performs better than the alternative methods which do not consider the correlation caused by the so-called non-voxel information. All these above demonstrate our algorithm's compelling potential in image set classification in the coming future.
Plasma metabolomic profile associated with fatigue in cancer patients.

Background Metabolomics is the newest -omics methodology and allows for a functional snapshot of the biochemical activity and cellular state. The goal of this study is to characterize metabolomic profiles associated with cancer-related fatigue, a debilitating symptom commonly reported by oncology patients. Methods Untargeted ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry metabolomics approach was used to identify metabolites in plasma samples collected from a total of 197 participants with or without cancer. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) was used to identify discriminant metabolite features, and diagnostic performance of selected classifiers was quantified using area under the receiver operating characteristics (AUROC) curve analysis. Pathway enrichment analysis was performed using Fisher's exact test and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) metabolic pathway database. Findings The global metabolomics approach yielded a total of 1120 compounds of known identity. Significant metabolic pathways unique to fatigued cancer versus control groups included sphingolipid metabolism, histidine metabolism, and cysteine and methionine metabolism. Significant pathways unique to non-fatigued cancer versus control groups included inositol phosphate metabolism, primary bile acid biosynthesis, ascorbate and aldarate metabolism, starch and sucrose metabolism, and pentose and glucuronate interconversions. Pathways shared between the two comparisons included caffeine metabolism, tyrosine metabolism, steroid hormone biosynthesis, sulfur metabolism, and phenylalanine metabolism. Conclusions We found significant metabolomic profile differences associated with cancer-related fatigue. By comparing metabolic signatures unique to fatigued cancer patients with metabolites associated with, but not unique to, fatigued cancer individuals (overlap pathways) and metabolites associated with cancer but not fatigue, we provided a broad view of the metabolic phenotype of cancer-related fatigue.
Evaluation of climate change resilience for Boston’s rail rapid transit network

Abstract Sea level rise (SLR) poses increasing flood risks to coastal cities and infrastructure. We propose a general framework of engineering resilience for infrastructure systems in the context of climate change and illustrate its application for the assessment of SLR impacts on the rail rapid transit network in Boston. Within this framework, projected coastal flood events are treated as exogenous exposure events, which interact with both physical and topological endogenous network characteristics. We consider contextual aspects of resilience by assigning relative importance to links based on passenger flows. Resilience is computed assuming a linear recovery model, neglecting recovery strategies. Using a reference 1–100 year coastal flood event we show decreasing resilience of the rail transit network as projected SLR increases. The proposed framework can be readily extended to consider more sophisticated performance models, recovery strategies, other perturbation events, and additional contextual factors, such as equity considerations.
Caregiver burden in pediatric dialysis: application of the Paediatric Renal Caregiver Burden Scale.

Caring for a child with kidney failure on dialysis profoundly impacts caregivers’ lives, yet the depth of this burden is not well understood. The Paediatric Renal Caregiver Burden Scale (PR-CBS) is a recently validated instrument used to measure caregiver burden in this population. We performed a cross-sectional study of caregiver burden for caregivers of children with kidney failure receiving dialysis at three pediatric centers. Caregivers completed the PR-CBS instrument as part of a larger qualitative study of caregiver experience. We performed descriptive statistics. T-tests were used to examine differences between dialysis modality and within key demographics. Multivariate linear regression was utilized to assess associations between significant factors and total score. Ten caregivers of children receiving peritoneal dialysis (PD) and 21 receiving hemodialysis (HD) participated. Total burden score and mean score for every domain was higher for caregivers of children on HD compared to PD. PR-CBS score was significantly associated with younger child age and married status in caregivers. In adjusted multivariate analysis, dialysis modality and married marital status were significantly associated with PR-CBS score. This study found that dialysis caregivers experience significant caregiver burden and demonstrates the utility of the PR-CBS in an American population. We found higher burdens among HD caregivers, younger children, and married caregivers. While these findings must be replicated on a larger scale, they suggest possible areas for targeted interventions to improve the quality of life of children with kidney failure and their families.
Synthesis and size control via variation of temperature of ZnSe:Fe nanocrystals in a microemulsion assisted hydrothermal system

Abstract A reverse micelle microemulsion assisted hydrothermal approach has been developed for synthesizing iron (Fe2+) doped ZnSe nanocrystals (NCs). The synthetic process contains a two-step procedure, a chemical reaction between Zn2+ and Se using a reducing agent NaBH4 in a Triton X-100 surfactant contained microemulsion, followed by a hydrothermal treatment. The ZnSe NCs have a well-defined crystallinity and the Fe2+ ions have been effectively incorporated into the ZnSe matrix as shown by the compositional mappings from scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM). As revealed by transmission electron microscope (TEM) and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), the as-synthesized nanocrystals have a cubic zinc blende ZnSe structure with high purity and homogeneity. The sizes of the as-synthesized ZnSe:Fe NCs can be well controlled by changing temperature in the hydrothermal treatment procedure. If the temperature in the hydrothermal system is set lower, the synthesized NCs can be rendered smaller. The size of the ZnSe NCs can be controlled over a wide range from 3.6 nm to 10.4 nm with the temperature range from 90 °C to 140 °C, respectively. The correlation of NC size versus temperature is nearly linear, which can be used to predict and tune NC sizes. This manuscript reports for the first time that the size of Fe2+ doped ZnSe nanocrystals can be controlled by hydrothermal treatment after synthesis via a microemulsion process. Controlling size of the ZnSe:Fe nanocrystals is critical for developing new sensor materials and mid-infrared laser media in the infrared region based on tunable optical properties of the nanomaterials.
Hierarchical Composites Containing Carbon Nanotubes

Hierarchical composites containing carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have the potential to possess improved multifunctional properties as well as unique sensing/active capabilities due to the inherent properties of CNTs (i.e., mechanical, electrical, and thermal). The purpose of this chapter is to review the current state of the art in this research area and highlight opportunities for future research. Specifically, three construction schemes used to produce CNT hierarchical composites are reviewed: dispersed systems, fiber coatings, and CNT structures. In these construction schemes, CNTs are used as a performance additive to reduce matrix mobility, as a sizing to improve adhesion between the matrix and the microscale fiber, and as the building blocks of structures such as fibers to more fully exploit the mechanical properties of CNTs, respectively. To date, research results have indicated that these strategies produce composites with improved properties, and most frequently those improved properties are mechanical properties such as strength, modulus, and fracture toughness. Based on these results, further activities aimed at understanding these property increases in terms of modeling as well as more research activity aimed at producing CNT fibers and exploiting other CNT properties will lead to improved approaches to composite design which merit the routine use of CNTs in structural composites.
Status Report on the Linear Drive Coolers for the Department of Defense Standard Advanced Dewar Assembly (SADA)

The Standard Advanced Dewar Assembly (SADA) is the critical module in the Department of Defense (DoD) standardization effort of scanning second-generation thermal imaging systems. DOD has established a family of SADA’s to address high performance (SADA I), mid-to-high performance (SADA II), and compact class (SADA III) systems. SADA’s consist of the Infrared Focal Plane Array (IRFPA), Dewar, Command & Control Electronics (C&CE), and the cryogenic cooler. SADA’s are used in weapons systems such as Comanche and Apache helicopters, the M1 Abrams Tank, the M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, the Line of Sight Antitank (LOSAT) system, the Improved Target Acquisition System (ITAS), and Javelin’s Command Launch Unit (CLU).
Diagnosing an Allergic Reaction: The Avoidance of Marx in Pauline Scholarship

Contemporary study of the New Testament and of Paul more specifically shows symptoms of avoidance of basic categories of Marxist analysis such as economic class, class struggle, and mode of production. The result is that discussions of economic and social realities are often so abstract and sanguine as to be misleading – an expression, from a Marxist point of view, of the shadow cast over biblical studies by capitalist ideology.
Static Scheduling of Parallel Programs for Message Passing Architectures

We discuss the static scheduling and code generation problem for message passing architectures. Using ideas from successful manually written programs for message passing architectures we have developed several new automatic algorithms for scheduling and code generation. These algorithms have been implemented in a preliminary software system named PYRROS. The purpose of this paper is to provide a justification of our approach and choice of algorithms.
The Cardiovascular System

In order to maintain normal metabolic activity, the cells of the human body must ingest oxygen and nutrients and excrete toxic chemical waste products. The cardiovascular system serves the vital function of circulating oxygen and nutrients throughout the body and removing waste products. As we will discuss later in Chapter 5, the cardiovascular system also plays a major role in maintaining internal body temperatures.
Process Specialization: Defining Specialization for State Diagrams

A precise definition of specialization and inheritance promises to be as useful in organizational process modeling as it is in object modeling. It would help us better understand, maintain, reuse, and generate process models. However, even though object-oriented analysis and design methodologies take full advantage of the object specialization hierarchy, the process specialization hierarchy is not supported in major process representations, such as the state diagram, data flow diagram, and UML representations. Partly underlying this lack of support is an implicit assumption that we can always specialize a process by treating it as “just another object.” We argue in this paper that this is not so straightforward as it might seems we argue that a process-specific approach must be developed. We propose such an approach in the form of a set of transformations which, when applied to a process description, always result in specialization. We illustrate this approach by applying it to the state diagram representation and demonstrate that this approach to process specialization is not only theoretically possible, but shows promise as a method for categorizing and analyzing processes. We point out apparent inconsistencies between our notion of process specialization and existing work on object specialization but show that these inconsistencies are superficial and that the definition we provide is compatible with the traditional notion of specialization.
Are Household Food Expenditures Responsive to Entry Into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

Objective This study examines changes in household food expenditures in the months directly around entry into the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Methods Using monthly data on SNAP participation from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID), we estimate food-expenditures-to-food-needs ratio with an event-study specification. Results Upon entering the program, a substantially lower share of out-of-pocket spending accounts for SNAP households’ food budgets. However, these expenditures are largely replaced with SNAP benefits, resulting in little changes in total food expenditures. We also identify the co-occurrence of household economic shocks at the point of SNAP entry. Conclusion SNAP entry is preceded by reduced rates of employment and marriage among heads of households, suggesting that household economic shocks may trigger SNAP entry. We find that SNAP benefits visibly appear to act as an important safety net for households who have recently entered the program, cushioning them from the extent of a negative shock in food expenditures that they might otherwise have faced.
Effects of photoperiod and androgen on pituitary function and neuropeptide staining in Siberian hamsters

Short photoperiods decrease gonadotropin secretion in Siberian hamsters, but it is unknown whether the negative feedback effects of androgens are amplified under such conditions, as is the case in other species. Photoperiod regulates the synthesis and secretion of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), beta-endorphin, and arginine vasopressin (AVP), which influence gonadotropin release and sexual behavior but are themselves regulated by gonadal steroid hormones. To determine the role of androgen in these effects of daylength, immunostaining and gonadotropin concentrations were examined after 8 wk of exposure to long or short days (LD or SD). Animals were either left intact, castrated, or castrated with immediate or delayed replacement of testosterone (T). We also investigated effects of age on photoperiodic influences on brain peptides and serum hormone levels. Serum prolactin concentrations were regulated by photoperiod and by gonadal status in LD hamsters. Effects of T on follicle-stimulating hormone secretion were more pronounced in SD hamsters. Older hamsters were generally less responsive to effects of daylength on pituitary function. Photoperiod and gonadal status regulated the number of AVP-immunoreactive (ir) cells in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis and the medial amygdala. Androgen treatment yielded more AVP-ir neurons in LD than in SD. Photoperiod influenced the number of GnRH-ir cells only in the medial septum of castrated hamsters. Daylength regulated beta-endorphin-ir neurons in intact hamsters, but not in castrates. Only among old hamsters did photoperiod affect the influence of T on beta-endorphin staining in neurons and fibers. Such fiber staining was unaffected by photoperiod in intact and T-treated castrate hamsters, but was reduced in SD castrates. We conclude that daylength modulates the effects of androgen on gonadotropin secretion and influences the effect of T on neuropeptide staining in regionally specific patterns that depend on the age of the animal and its history of prior steroid exposure.
Finding the frame shift: digit loss, developmental variability, and the origin of the avian hand

The origin of the tridactyl hand of crown birds from the pentadactyl hand of those early theropod dinosaurs lying along the avian stem has become a classic, but at times seemingly intractable, historical problem. The point in question is whether the fingers of crown birds represent digits 1-3 as predicted by generalized trends in the fossil record; or digits 2-4, as evidenced by the topology of the embryonic mesenchymal condensations from which the digits develop. The frame shift hypothesis attempted to resolve this paradox by making these signals congruent by means of a homeotic transformation in digital identity, but recently the paleontological support for this hypothesis was questioned. Here, we reassess the frame shift from a paleontological perspective by addressing what predictions a frame shift makes for skeletal morphology, whether the frame shift remains a viable explanation of the known fossil data, and where on the theropod tree the frame shift most likely occurred. Our results indicate that the frame shift remains viable, and based on the inferred pattern of digit loss, the frame shift likely occurred at a deeper position in theropod phylogeny than previously proposed. A new evolutionary model of the frame shift is described in which the early history of the frame-shifted hand is marked by an extended zone of developmental polymorphism. This model provides a new conceptual framework for the role of developmental variability in communicating broad evolutionary patterns on a taxonomically inclusive phylogenetic tree.
PATIENTS WITH ABNORMAL ULTRASOUND OF THE PROSTATE BUT NORMAL DIGITAL RECTAL EXAMINATION SHOULD BE CLASSIFIED AS HAVING CLINICAL STAGE T2 TUMORS

Purpose: The current TNM staging system classifies prostate tumors with abnormal transrectal ultrasound but normal digital rectal examination as clinical stage T2. However, most urologists consider these tumors as clinical stage T1c due to the perceived inaccuracy of transrectal ultrasound in clinical staging. To determine the role of transrectal ultrasound in the clinical staging of prostate cancer we evaluated the pathological stage and disease-free survival of patients undergoing radical prostatectomy who had tumor detected by needle biopsy because of elevated serum prostate specific antigen with or without transrectal ultrasound abnormalities.Materials and Methods: Between 1991 and 1996, 738 patients underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy as monotherapy for clinically localized prostate cancer. Patients were classified into group 1—normal digital rectal examination and transrectal ultrasound (138), group 2—normal digital rectal examination but abnormal transrectal ultrasound (366) and group 3 —abn...
Constraint ranking in Middle English stress-shifting

Developing an idea first articulated by Luick in 1896, Halle & Keyser (1971) posit the introduction of a new accentuation rule in Middle English (ME), the weight-sensitive Romance Stress Rule (RSR). All post-1971 accounts of English stress take the syllable weight principle of the RSR as their starting point. For twenty-five years there has been no scrutiny of the assumption that syllable weight became relevant for stress assignment in ME. It has been claimed, and the claims have not been addressed, that the RSR is part of the phonology of late OE (O'Neil, 1973), that by late ME the RSR had completely replaced the Germanic accentuation patterns (Nakao, 1977), and that the existence of the RSR in ME justifies the reconstruction of analogical pronunciations such as hardi, holi, riding(e), a real shift from the Germanic to the Romance category (Halle & Keyser, 1971; Luick, 1896). The paper refutes these claims on the basis of new evidence and analysis in terms of generalized prosodic constraints.
Self-Image and Congruence in Freshmen, Seniors, and Graduate Students

(1976). Self-Image and Congruence in Freshmen, Seniors, and Graduate Students. The Journal of Genetic Psychology: Vol. 129, No. 2, pp. 301-309.
Chaneling effect measurements of the recrystallization of amorphous Si layers on crystal Si

Abstract The epitaxial regrowth from amorphous layers created by Si implantation into (100) and (110) Si was found to be linear with time with activation energy of 2.3 eV. At 550°C the growth rate on (100) Si is 80 A/min.
Targeting diverse protein–protein interaction interfaces with α/β-peptides derived from the Z-domain scaffold

Peptide-based agents derived from well-defined scaffolds offer an alternative to antibodies for selective and high-affinity recognition of large and topologically complex protein surfaces. Here, we describe a strategy for designing oligomers containing both α- and β-amino acid residues (“α/β-peptides”) that mimic several peptides derived from the three-helix bundle “Z-domain” scaffold. We show that α/β-peptides derived from a Z-domain peptide targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can structurally and functionally mimic the binding surface of the parent peptide while exhibiting significantly decreased susceptibility to proteolysis. The tightest VEGF-binding α/β-peptide inhibits the VEGF 165 -induced proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. We demonstrate the versatility of this strategy by showing how principles underlying VEGF signaling inhibitors can be rapidly extended to produce Z-domain–mimetic α/β-peptides that bind to two other protein partners, IgG and tumor necrosis factor-α. Because well-established selection techniques can identify high-affinity Z-domain derivatives from large DNA-encoded libraries, our findings should enable the design of biostable α/β-peptides that bind tightly and specifically to diverse targets of biomedical interest. Such reagents would be useful for diagnostic and therapeutic applications.
A conserved PTEN/FOXO pathway regulates neuronal morphology during C. elegans development

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway is a conserved signal transduction cascade that is fundamental for the correct development of the nervous system. The major negative regulator of PI3K signaling is the lipid phosphatase DAF-18/PTEN, which can modulate PI3K pathway activity during neurodevelopment. Here, we identify a novel role for DAF-18 in promoting neurite outgrowth during development in Caenorhabditis elegans. We find that DAF-18 modulates the PI3K signaling pathway to activate DAF-16/FOXO and promote developmental neurite outgrowth. This activity of DAF-16 in promoting outgrowth is isoform-specific, being effected by the daf-16b isoform but not the daf-16a or daf-16d/f isoform. We also demonstrate that the capacity of DAF-16/FOXO in regulating neuron morphology is conserved in mammalian neurons. These data provide a novel mechanism by which the conserved PI3K signaling pathway regulates neuronal cell morphology during development through FOXO.
Tests for hyperparathyroidism: tubular reabsorption of phosphate, phosphate deprivation, and calcium infusion.

Concepts of the mechanisms and the manifestations of hyperparathyroidism are still in the process of evolution. This situation is not surprising, for only thirty years have elapsed since the first successful removal of a parathyroid adenoma by Mandl from a patient with osteitis fibrosa cystica. The subsequent demonstration by Albright, Bauer, Ropes and Aub (1) that the parathyroid hormone causes increased urinary excretion of calcium and phosphate led to the recognition of nephrolithiasis as a more common clinical complication of hyperparathyroidism. Furthermore, it has since been shown that chemical hyperparathyroidism can exist without apparent osseous or renal involvement (2).
It Takes a Village: Investigating the Critical Role Clinical Faculty Play in Mathematics Teacher Education

The dispositions of preservice elementary education teachers toward reform-oriented mathematics education were surveyed before and after an extended pre-student teaching practicum. During the practicum, university and school-based personnel served as ‘clinical faculty’ as they supported the preservice teachers’ practicum experiences. The preservice teachers’ perceptions of the clinical faculty’s dispositions were also surveyed. Relationships between changes in the dispositions of the preservice teachers and their perceptions of the clinical faculty were discovered, thus highlighting the important influence clinical faculty wield as mathematics teacher educators.
Circadian variation of thyrotropin in childhood.

We evaluated the circadian variation of serum TSH in 96 normal children, aged 5–18 yr. Blood samples were obtained hourly for 24 h, and serum TSH was measured using an immunoradiometric assay with a sensitivity of 0.2 mU/L and an intraassay coefficient of variation of 4.9%. The nadir serum TSH value, defined by the three consecutive hourly TSH concentrations having the lowest mean, occurred between 1000 and 1900 h, while the peak TSH value, defined by the three consecutive hourly TSH concentrations having the greatest mean, occurred between 2100 and 0600 h. The mean nadir serum TSH was 1.6 ± 0.1 mU/L, and the mean peak TSH was 3.7 ± 0.2 mU/L. The mean nocturnal TSH surge (percent increase in TSH from nadir to peak) was 144% (95% confidence limits, 50–300%) and did not correlate with serum T4, free T4, or T3 concentrations. Seventy-six children were given TRH (7 μg/kg). The mean peak serum TSH after TRH was 16.0 ±1.1 mU/L (95% confidence limits, 9.0–42.0 mU/L), and it occurred by 30 min after TRH administr...
Energetics of nickel and palladium

We present several model calculations involving nickel and palladium using the embedded atom method. Adhesion in the crystalline form of these substances is studied by calculating surface energy as a function of separation of a solid along a crystalline plane, and slip barrier height as a function of displacement. We also investigate a bulk property, Poisson's ratio, as a function of tensile strain. In addition, we examine the equilibrium configuration of metal clusters by finding the minimum energy configuration of clusters consisting of a small number (N = 2–6) of nickel atoms.
Trade-offs between reliability and overheads in peer-to-peer reputation tracking

The success of incentive techniques to motivate freeriders to contribute resources in file-sharing Gnutella-like peer-to-peer networks depends on the availability of peer behavior tracking in terms of resource consumption and contribution. Though many reputation systems have been proposed toward the goal of behavior tracking, the overheads incurred in such tracking have received little attention. Consideration of overheads is an important factor in judging the merits of a practical reputation tracking scheme in order to maintain the scalability of the underlying peer-to-peer network. This paper proposes two methods of reputation tracking: strong and weak reputations. These methods differ in the trade-offs between reliability of reputation tracking and the overheads incurred. We formally specify and verify strong reputations and note that while the scheme yields highly reliable reputation tracking, the reliability and overhead trade-offs in weak reputations present a more viable alternative for large peer-to-peer networks.
An extension of the theory of resonances of biological cells: III. Relationship of breakdown curves and mechanical Q

It has been shown that the experimental breakdown curves are much too sharp to be accounted for simply by a mechanical resonance of the biological cells. A detailed discussion of the coupling of these modes and their action indicate a method of estimating mechanicalQ from the experimental curves. This value agrees with the theoretical predictions.
Development of hydrological indices to aid cumulative impact analysis of riverine wetlands

A hydrological analysis of historic stream data collected with the gauge on the Cache River at Patterson, Arkansas, USA, is presented as the basis for cumulative impact analysis of riverine wetlands. Subtle, long-term changes in hydroperiod, which could collectively have major effects on wetland function, are quantified. Harmonic analysis, time-scale analysis, and conventional methods of hydrological analysis of gauge data, at decade intervals, are employed, showing a steady decline in the magnitude and predictability of the baseflow during low flow periods, beginning with the 1920s and becoming increasingly more pronounced into the 1980s. Complementary information suggests that hydroperiod alterations are associated with increased groundwater pumping to support rice agriculture in the basin. These hydrological methods are simple enough for routine application (when adequate data are available) but sufficiently sophisticated to identify subtle changes in hydroperiod associated with cumulative effects. The changes in hydroperiod identified using these methods may have potential to explain changes in biotic communities or wetlands structure as part of comprehensive wetlands studies. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Robotics engineering program and curriculum development

Robotics, as a multi-disciplinary branch of science and technology, is concerned with a variety of computer-controlled electro-mechanical structures designed for a multitude of applications. Less than a decade ago, robotics was a graduate-level field of research in engineering & computer science offered only at a few large engineering institutions. It has now become an engineering discipline of its own with a small but increasing number of schools offering an undergraduate engineering degree in robotics engineering. This article provides an overview of new undergraduate curricula in robotics engineering and the challenges associated with its curriculum development.
Generation of pyroclastic flows and surges by hot-rock avalanches from the dome of Mount St. Helens volcano, USA

Several hot-rock avalanches have occurred during the growth of the composite dome of Mount St. Helens, Washington between 1980 and 1987. One of these occurred on 9 May 1986 and produced a fan-shaped avalanche deposit of juvenile dacite debris together with a more extensive pyroclastic-flow deposit. Laterally thinning deposits and abrasion and baking of wooden and plastic objects show that a hot ash-cloud surge swept beyond the limits of the pyroclastic flow. Plumes that rose 2–3 km above the dome and vitric ash that fell downwind of the volcano were also effects of this event, but no explosion occurred. All the facies observed originated from a single avalanche. Erosion and melting of craterfloor snow by the hot debris caused debris flows in the crater, and a small flood that carried juvenile and other clasts north of the crater. A second, broadly similar event occured in October 1986. Larger events of this nature could present a significant volcanic hazard.
Adolescence mycosis fungoides: an unusual presentation with hypopigmentation

Mycosis fungoides (M.F.) is a rare cutaneous malignancy of childhood and adolescence. The disease commonly presents with the classic sequence of erythematous patches and plaques. Hypopigmentation as the presenting symptom is distinctly rare. This is the 9th case report of M.F. presenting with hypopigmentation in a patient under 20 years of age. The disease was only partially controlled with PUVA therapy, necessitating nitrogen mustard treatment.
Nmr and esr study of liposome delivery of mn2+ to murine liver

The mechanism of tissue relaxation of liposome-delivered Mn2+ as a contrast agent for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was examined using magnetic resonance and electron spin resonance (ESR) techniques. It is known that liposomes of the size and composition used in this study are taken up by fixed liver macrophages (Kupffer cells). It was determined that Mn2+ must be released from the liposomes in order to affect the water proton relaxation rate in the liver. As long as the Mn2+ was confined to the Kupffer cells, no substantial changes in the relaxation of the majority of the liver water were observed. Unlike other contrast agents delivered to the Kupffer cells (for example, Gd-starch microspheres or magnetite), once the Mn2+ is delivered and released into the Kupffer cells, it can diffuse from the Kupffer cells and be rapidly taken up by the hepatocytes. This seems to be the mechanism for selective relaxation enhancement in the liver. A consequence of this behavior is that the time at which maximum contrast enhancement occurs for MRI can be varied by the choice of liposome phospholipid composition. ESR techniques were used to directly determine the state of Mn2+ and the integrity of liposomes in various stages of processing.
MAINTENANCE OF ANDRODIOECY IN THE FRESHWATER SHRIMP, EULIMNADIA TEXANA: ESTIMATES OF INBREEDING DEPRESSION IN TWO POPULATIONS

Androdioecy is an uncommon form of reproduction in which males coexist with hermaphrodites. Andro- dioecy is thought to be difficult to evolve in species that regularly inbreed. The freshwater shrimp Eulimnadia texana has recently been described as both androdioecious and highly selfing and is thus anomalous. Inbreeding depression is one factor that may maintain males in these populations. Here we examine the extent of ''late'' inbreeding depression (after sexual maturity) in these clam shrimp using two tests: (1) comparing the fitness of shrimp varying in their levels of individual heterozygosity from two natural populations that differ in overall genetic diversity; and (2) specifically outcrossing and selfing shrimp from these same populations and comparing fitness of the resulting offspring. The effects of inbreeding differed within each population. In the more genetically diverse population, fecundity, size, and mortality were significantly reduced in inbred shrimp. In the less genetically diverse population, none of the fitness measures was significantly lowered in selfed shrimp. Combining estimates of early inbreeding depression from a previous study with current estimates of late inbreeding depression suggests that inbreeding depression is substantial ( d5 0.68) in the more diverse population and somewhat lower ( d5 0.50) in the less diverse population. However, given that males have higher mortality rates than hermaphrodites, neither estimate of inbreeding depression is large enough to account for the maintenance of males in either population by inbreeding depression alone. Thus, the stability of androdioecy in this system is likely only if hermaphrodites are unable to self-fertilize many of their own eggs when not mated to a male or if male mating success is generally high (or at least high when males are rare). Patterns of fitness responses in the two populations were consistent with the hypothesis that inbreeding depression is caused by partially recessive deleterious alleles, although a formal test of this hypothesis still needs to be conducted.
Clan Politics and Regime Transition in Central Asia

This book is a study of the role of clan networks in Central Asia from the early twentieth century through 2004. Exploring the social, economic, and historical roots of clans, and their political role and political transformation in the Soviet and post-Soviet periods, it argues that clans are informal political actors that are critical to understanding politics in this region. The book demonstrates that the Soviet system was far less successful in transforming and controlling Central Asian society, and in its policy of eradicating clan identities, than has often been assumed. In order to understand Central Asian politics and their economies, scholars and policy makers must take into account the powerful role of these informal groups, how they adapt and change over time, and how they may constrain or undermine democratization in this strategic region.
Hypoxia induces differential expression of the integrin receptors alpha(vbeta3) and alpha(vbeta5) in cultured human endothelial cells.

The integrins alpha(vbeta3) and alpha(vbeta5) have been implicated in playing a key role in the process of angiogenesis. In this study, we examined the effects of hypoxia, an important stimulus of angiogenesis, on the differential expression of the integrin subunits beta(3) and beta(5). beta(3) and beta(5) messenger RNA (mRNA), protein levels, and alpha(v)beta(3) function were measured in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) cultured under normoxic and hypoxic (1% O(2)) conditions. Cells exposed to hypoxic conditions for up to 72 h showed gradually increased mRNA levels of alpha(V) and beta(3), peaking at 24 h, in comparison with cells cultured under normoxic conditions. However, beta(5) mRNA levels, under the same hypoxic conditions, remained at a constant level. Results from Western blot analysis of HUVECs, cultured under hypoxic conditions, paralleled those of the Northern analysis with an increased expression in alpha(v)beta(3) protein levels, measured by blotting with LM609, evident by 24 h. alpha(v)beta(5) protein levels, measured by blotting with P1F6, did not change for up to 72 h. HUVECs cultured under hypoxic conditions for 72 h showed increased attachment to fibrinogen, an alpha(v)beta(3) mediated process. These results indicate that hypoxia can increase expression of alpha(v)beta(3) in HUVECs, and that hypoxic regulation of alpha(v)beta(3) may be an important regulator of angiogenesis.