cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Compact Current–Voltage Model for 2-D-Semiconductor-Based Lateral Homo-/Hetero-Junction Tunnel-FETs

A fully analytical surface potential and current–voltage model is presented for the first time for both lateral homojunction (HMJ) and heterojunction (HTJ) tunneling-field-effect transistors (TFETs) based on 2-D semiconducting channel materials. The dynamic gate-modulated electrostatic potential at the source/channel tunneling junction is suitably captured by solving a quasi-2-D Poisson’s equation in both source and channel. Subsequently, the band-to-band tunneling current is accurately derived starting from the Landauer’s equation by integrating over all possible carrier energies (or wave-vectors) over which tunneling is possible. The model employs Fermi–Dirac statistics in both the degenerate source and drain to compute the surface potential and net current, which yields more physical results than the commonly employed Boltzmann statistics. Its use in Landauer’s approach for evaluating the net ON-current leads to an analytical model of the TFET, which physically guarantees zero drain current at zero drain–source bias. Input and output characteristics for both HMJ and HTJ TFETs are computed and compared against rigorous nonequilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) simulations for different device parameters to prove the veracity of the model, and the match has been found to be excellent up to ultrashort channel length of 5 nm.
The refill gap: clean cooking fuel adoption in rural India

Author(s): Cabiyo, B; Ray, I; Levine, DI | Abstract: From 2016 to 2019, the Indian Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) distributed over 80 million liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) stoves, making it the largest clean cooking program ever. Yet, evidence shows widespread continued use of the traditional chulha, negating the potential health benefits of LPG. Here we use semi-structured interviews with female and male adults to understand the drivers of LPG usage in Mulbagal, Karnataka, the site of a proto-PMUY program. We find that respondents perceive the main value of LPG to be saving time, rather than better health. We also find that norms of low female power in the household, in addition to costs, delay saving for and ordering LPG cylinder refills. Namely, female cooks controlled neither the money nor the mobile phone required to order a timely refill. These factors together contribute to the ‘refill gap’: the period of non-use between refilling cylinders, which may range from days to even months. Our work reveals how gender norms can amplify affordability challenges in low-income households.
On fiscal and monetary policy-induced macroeconomic volatility dynamics

Abstract This paper studies macroeconomic volatility dynamics induced by government spending and monetary policy changes. The policy level and volatility shocks, which are identified through sign restrictions from a time-varying SVAR model, are used to derive explicit functions of macroeconomic volatility impulse responses and decompositions. The SVAR model is specified with time-varying coefficients and stochastic volatility that is included in the mean equation. The empirical results show that the impact of a shock to uncertainty about monetary policy explains about 40% and 25% of output and inflation historical volatility dynamics, respectively, more than other policy shocks since the mid-1980s. The impact of a one-unit government spending level shock on output and inflation uncertainties is equivalent to the impact of about a half unit of a monetary policy volatility shock in the long run, or of about a quarter unit of a monetary policy level shock in the short run.
This Can Be as Easy as 1-2-3.

Abstract The S1S2S3 pattern, in conjunction with right-dominant forces on a 12-lead electrocardiogram including a tall R-wave in lead V1 (R:S >1), deep S waves in the left precordial leads V5 and V...
‘Helpin’ a buddy out’: Perceptions of identity and behaviour among rural straight men that have sex with each other:

I conducted semi-structured interviews with ten American rural, white, straight-identified men who have sex with men to understand how they perceive their sexual identity and sexual behaviour. All ...
Possibilities for the exportation of production taxes: A general equilibrium analysis

Abstract This paper re-evaluates previous discussions of inter-regional tax incidence and tax exportation. A two region general equilibrium model is developed that allows for inter-regional capital mobility and explicit commodity price determination, where one of the two regions is incompletely specialized. Conditions are determined under which either region will be able to export a production tax. Also, the link between tax exportation and the welfare of the taxing region is analyzed. In the case where taxes are not equal to zero initially, tax exportation may be inadvisable even when it is possible.
RNA Tumour Viruses

It is estimated that 15% of all cancer cases are aetiologically linked to viral infection. In these cancers, genomic instability and subsequent multi-step tumourigenesis is associated with the expression of viral oncoproteins. Human T-cell leukaemia virus type-I (HTLV-I), a prototypic representative of the RNA tumour viruses, is linked to the development of adult T-cell leukaemia. The HTLV-I oncoprotein, Tax, targets the regulators of cell cycle progression and DNA repair, leading to cellular transformation. Keywords: viral transformation; viral-associated cancer; transforming retroviruses; human T-cell leukaemia virus; tax; adult T-cell leukaemia; cell cycle; DNA repair; genomic instability
Assessment of the effects of high summer water temperatures on shovelnose sturgeon and potential implications of climate change.

Rivers worldwide have experienced changes through habitat modifications and are likely further exacerbated with the onset of climate change. The coupling of these anthropogenic disturbances has reduced the ability of river ecosystems and associated biota to adjust. The aforementioned human-induced habitat perturbations coupled with high summer river temperatures have been associated with an increased frequency of fish kills. Recently, shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus have experienced numerous events of excessive summer mortality in rivers across the USA. During the summer of 2012, multiple fish kills occurred on the lower Des Moines River. During one of these events, we collected numerous dead or dying shovelnose sturgeon (N = 132) to explore factors causing mortality. Water temperatures were exceedingly high (29–35°C), while dissolved oxygen levels varied between 4 and 10 mg L−1. Based on population simulation modelling, only ~14% mortality would need to occur to reduce the reproductive potential below sustainable levels, which was likely exceeded. The results of our controlled experiment demonstrate that the high temperature in the Des Moines River was likely the mechanism initiating mortality. Future climate projections indicate that increases in temperature on the Des Moines River are possible; thus, the population may be at risk in the future. Through our microchemistry investigation, immigration from the Upper Mississippi River appears to be common and may be a source population to the Des Moines River. Despite immigration, the influence that these mortality events have on the Upper Mississippi River is unknown. Thus, proactive management efforts are needed to ensure sustainability of this population. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Subunit structure of rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase.

Abstract Peptide mapping of rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase following tryptic digestion gave one-quarter the number of ninhydrin-reactive peptides, arginine-containing peptides, and tryptophan-containing peptides expected from the amino acid composition. Sedimentation velocity studies and disc gel electrophoresis of the enzyme subunits formed in 4 m urea and having one-quarter of the initial molecular weight gave no indication of more than one species. These results indicate that pyruvate kinase contains four highly similar, although not necessarily identical, subunits. About 4 moles of acetate were liberated per mole of enzyme upon acid hydrolysis, and differential hydrazinolysis indicated that these are probably present in the protein as amino acetyl groups. No free amino-terminal residues could be detected. Whereas the 7.3 S species formed in 2 m urea and having one-half of the initial molecular weight retains catalytic activity, the 2.0 S species formed in 4 m urea is inactive. Conditions are described under which the subunits undergo reassociation to a form having the sedimentation constant (10.0 S) and most of the catalytic activity of the native enzyme.
A spatiotemporally controllable chemical gradient generator via acoustically oscillating sharp-edge structures

The ability to generate stable, spatiotemporally controllable concentration gradients is critical for resolving the dynamics of cellular response to a chemical microenvironment. Here we demonstrate an acoustofluidic gradient generator based on acoustically oscillating sharp-edge structures, which facilitates in a step-wise fashion the rapid mixing of fluids to generate tunable, dynamic chemical gradients. By controlling the driving voltage of a piezoelectric transducer, we demonstrated that the chemical gradient profiles can be conveniently altered (spatially controllable). By adjusting the actuation time of the piezoelectric transducer, moreover, we generated pulsatile chemical gradients (temporally controllable). With these two characteristics combined, we have developed a spatiotemporally controllable gradient generator. The applicability and biocompatibility of our acoustofluidic gradient generator are validated by demonstrating the migration of human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HMVEC-d) in response to a generated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gradient, and by preserving the viability of HMVEC-d cells after long-term exposure to an acoustic field. Our device features advantages such as simple fabrication and operation, compact and biocompatible device, and generation of spatiotemporally tunable gradients.
Behavioral Health Protocols and Treatment Plans for Recreational Therapy (2nd Ed) by Karen Grote and Sara Warner

The second edition of Behavioral Health Protocols and Treatment Plans for Recreational Therapy offers updated efficacy-based guidelines to standardize the structure of therapeutic recreation interv...
Oligocene Plotopterid Skulls from Western North America and Their Bearing on the Phylogenetic Affinities of These Penguin-Like Seabirds

ABSTRACT Plotopterids are penguin-like, wing-propelled birds with controversial phylogenetic affinities. They are usually regarded as closely related to Suloidea (gannets, cormorants, and allies), with the penguin-like features considered to be of convergent origin. However, it has also been proposed that the similarities shared by plotopterids and penguins are due to common ancestry. An in-depth assessment of plotopterid affinities has been hampered by the fact that very little data about the skull of these birds were available. New fossils of Tonsala from the Oligocene Pysht Formation in Washington State (U.S.A.) include the first well-preserved cranial remains of this taxon. They show that although plotopterids share derived cranial features with members of Suloidea that are absent in species of Sphenisciformes (penguins), they lack diagnostic derived features of the representatives of crown group Suloidea. To assess the affinities of plotopterids, we performed a phylogenetic analysis that included, fo...
Development of intelligent automated assembly technique

Yamatake-Honeywell is actively promoting intelligent automation, a form of production which ensures that smart products are produced intelligently. The authors have developed key technologies for intelligent assembly automation, involving compliance control with force feedback, assembly force detection and a dedicated robot control language. An assembly cell utilizing these techniques has been implemented on a final assembly line of temperature indicating controllers. This automated assembly line demonstrates that the system enables humans and machines to work synergistically.
On the North-South Asymmetry of Cosmic Radiation

The development of the theory of the latitude and azimuthal effects is reviewed and the significance of Johnson's experiments on the north-south asymmetry is brought out. St\"ormer's critical remarks are commented on with reference to Lemaitre and Vallarta's paper and to recent papers by Lemaitre and by Bouckaert.
Re-treatment of aplastic anemia with antithymocyte globulin or antilymphocyte serum

Abstract Twenty-two patients with aplastic anemia were treated with antilymphocyte serum or antithymocyte globulin at Vanderbilt University and affiliated hospitals from 1980 to 1986. The median age was 42 (eight to 73 years); the male:female ratio was 8:14. Nineteen patients had severe aplastic anemia, and three had moderate disease. Twenty patients received antilymphocyte serum initially while two patients received antithymocyte globulin. Fifteen patients received fluoxymesterone 10 mg by mouth three times a day with antilymphocyte serum, and all received prednisone during the course of antilymphocyte serum or antithymocyte globulin. There were seven responses (31.8 percent) to the first course with four complete responses and three partial responses. Six of 15 patients who received fluoxymesterone showed a response, compared with zero of five treated without androgens (p
Effects of using an external electromagnetic force on transport phenomena and weld quality in laser welding

Welding defects such as undercuts, porosity, irregular beads are frequently observed in laser welds due to the fast cooling rate and no filler metal addition in the process. In addition, increasing penetration depth is a challenging issue in laser welding. Some preliminary experimental studies indicated that applying electromagnetic force in laser welding could be an effective solution to some of these problems. However, the underlying physics behind this electro-magnetically assisted laser welding is not clear and needs further investigation. In this paper, mathematical models are used to study the transport phenomena, such as heat transfer and melt flow, in both spot and 3-D electro-magnetically assisted laser welding. Studies are focused on understanding the effects of electromagnetic forces on heat generation and transfer, weld pool dynamics, cooling and solidification, porosity prevention, weld shape control, and penetration depth.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Self-administered intelligibility practice for esophageal speakers.

Abstract Eight esophageal speakers used multiple-choice intelligibility training materials in a self-administered practice regimen. “Before” and “after” test tapes were made and scored for intelligibility. A naive group and the speakers themselves served as listeners. Both sets of scores showed proportionally similar improvements in intelligibility.
Stroke, Disability, and Unconscious Bias: Interrelationships and Overdetermination in Medical Decisions

Many factors influence what and how we communicate with patients after stroke. As physicians, we have a responsibility to examine our medical decisions and prognostication regarding each stroke patient. We must understand how many factors come into play in decisions regarding care, including perspectives that reflect the specific training of physicians in various specialties. How the physician responds to the patient with a stroke is highly individual. The more familiar the physician is with stroke recovery and the more time he or she has for individualized and less automatic approaches, the less likely decisions will be reflexive, based on bias. By examining our unconscious biases, we can provide individualized care that gives patients more latitude to create their own stories of recovery.
Acculturative Stress in Children: A Modification of the SAFE Scale.

The following is a preliminary report of the psychometric characteristics of a modified version of the Societal, Attitudinal, Familial, and Environmental Acculturative Stress Scale (SAFE). The modi...
Is pituitary failure the real therapeutic target in septic shock

Severe sepsis and septic shock have been part of intensivists' major challenges since the birth of the specialty. This clinical picture is followed by the development of a multiple organ failure syndrome. Our working hypothesis today is that multiple organ failures develop due to a systemic intravascular malignant inflammatory response. This article proposes an alternative understanding of the problem based on some of the recent data and understandings of non glycemic, non insulinemic endocrine dysfunction in severe sepsis and septic shock. Our presentation of selected literature supports the presence of a decreased production and activity in steroids, thyroid hormones, growth hormone, vasopressin and prolactin in septic shock. These hormones have important and synergistic functions. The disruption of which can lead to multiple organ failure in septic shock. Developing research focusing on the broad hypothalamic and pituitary functions could improve our understanding of metabolic derangements in severe sepsis and septic shock and thus provide new therapeutic options. These new therapies based on hormonal replacement are currently available at low cost and could improve outcomes.
The dynamic mobility of vertebral compression fractures.

We have observed that some osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) are mobile. The purpose of this report was to document the existence of dynamic fracture mobility, estimate the frequency of dynamic mobility in patients referred for vertebroplasty, define the magnitude and nature of dynamic mobility, and consider the implications of the dynamic mobility of osteoporotic VCFs. This was a prospective radiographic analysis of 41 consecutive patients with 65 VCFs who underwent vertebroplasty. Preoperative standing lateral radiographs of the fractured vertebrae were compared with supine cross-table lateral radiographs to determine the presence or absence of dynamic mobility. Postoperative standing lateral radiographs were evaluated to document fracture mobility and assess final vertebral height restoration. Radiographs were manually digitized to calculate vertebral body morphometrics. Dynamic fracture mobility was demonstrated in 44% of patients (35% of treated vertebrae) who underwent vertebroplasty. Postoperatively, in mobile fractures, average anterior vertebral height increased 106% compared with initial fracture height (absolute increase, 8.41 ± 0.4 mm). Mean lateral vertebral area increased from 48% to 80% of normal, and kyphotic angle decreased 40%. Mobile fractures dominated at the thoracolumbar junction. Intravertebral clefts were defined and identified in every mobile fracture and were absent from every nonmobile (fixed) fracture. This radiographic series documents the previously unrecognized occurrence of dynamic fracture mobility in many osteoporotic VCFs. Fracture mobility can be substantial and clinically significant. Any intervention that claims vertebral height restoration must control for the occurrence of dynamic fracture mobility.
Development of the statocyst in the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata (Pulmonata, Basommatophora)

The development of the statocyst of the freshwater snail Biomphalaria glabrata has been examined from embryo to adult. Special emphasis was put on the growth of the statoconia in the statocysts. In the statocysts of embryonic snails (90-120 h after oviposition) there is not a single statolith but an average of 40-50 statoconia per statocyst. The number of statoconia increases to 385-400 when the snails reach a shell diameter of 4 mm and remains relatively constant thereafter, irrespective of shell size. Small statoconia are found in supporting cells, which suggests that the statoconia are produced within these cells. The average diameter of statoconia and the total mass of statoconia increase with increasing shell diameter. The average number of large statoconia (diameter greater than 7 micrometers) per statocyst continues to increase from 2 to 10 mm animals while the number of small ones (diameter less than 4 micrometers) initially rises and then decreases after 4 mm. These results demonstrate continuous growth of the statoconia in the cyst lumen of Biomphalaria. The single statoconia vibrate in a regular pattern in vivo, indicating beating of the statocyst cilia. The statoconia sink under the influence of gravity to load and stimulate receptor cells which are at the bottom. The length of cilia and the size of statocyst gradually increase as the animal grows. However, the increase in the volume of the statocyst is relatively small compared with the increase in body weight during normal development.
Exploring the Structure and Dynamics of All-Atom Models for the Plexin Transmembrane Receptor Bound to GTPases and to Lipid Bilayer

Plexins are transmembrane receptors that receive guidance cues (such as binding of Semaphorin ligands) and are activated by them, functioning in cell migration processes in neuronal and cardiovascular development, but also in cancer metastasis. Plexins are unique, as they are the first example of a receptor that interacts directly with small GTPases, a family of proteins that are essential for cell motility and proliferation/survival. We previously determined the structure of the Rho GTPase binding domain (RBD) of several Plexins and also of the entire intracellular region of a Plexin-B1 [1]. Using all atom molecular dynamics we are characterizing how Rho and Ras GTPases influence the dynamics of the receptor [2]. Specifically, microsecond molecular dynamics simulations run on Anton, probe an allosteric network that changes upon plexin-B1 RBD dimerization and Rho GTPase binding. We also built models of the entire intracellular region, starting from several crystal structures linked to transmembrane helices [3], at different lipid membrane bilayers, with and without GTPases bound. The models and simulations reveal the origin of Ras and Rho specificity on plexin's function.References:[1] Hota PK, Buck M. (2012) Plexin structures are coming: opportunities for multilevel investigations of semaphorin guidance receptors, their cell signaling mechanisms, and functions. Cell Mol Life Sci. 69(22):3765-805.[2] Zhang L, Bouguet-Bonnet S, Buck M. (2012) Combining NMR and molecular dynamics studies for insights into the allostery of small GTPase-protein interactions. Methods Mol Biol. 796:235-59.[3] Zhang L, Sodt AJ, Venable RM, Pastor RW, Buck M. (2013) Prediction, refinement, and persistency of transmembrane helix dimers in lipid bilayers using implicit and explicit solvent/lipid representations: microsecond molecular dynamics simulations of ErbB1/B2 and EphA1. Proteins. 81:365-76.
Catalan numbers revisited

Abstract This paper discusses a method of proving that the number of well-formed orderings of n open and n closed parentheses is ( 2n n (n + 1) . More details are provided by D. S. Rubenstein [“Catalan Numbers Revisited and Generalized Catalan Numbers,” 1992].
ADIABATIC INVARIANTS IN STELLAR DYNAMICS .2. GRAVITATIONAL SHOCKING

A new theory of gravitational shocking based on time-dependent perturbation theory shows that the changes in energy and angular momentum due to a slowly varying disturbance are not exponentially small for stellar dynamical systems in general. It predicts significant shock heating by slowly varying perturbations previously thought to be negligible according to the adiabatic criterion. The theory extends the scenarios traditionally computed only with the impulse approximation and is applicable to a wide class of disturbances. The approach is applied specifically to the problem of disk shocking of star clusters.
Serum myoglobin, but not lipopolysaccharides, is predictive of AMPH-induced striatal neurotoxicity

Determinants of amphetamine (AMPH)-induced neurotoxicity are poorly understood. The role of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and organ injury in AMPH-induced neurotoxicity was examined in adult male Sprague-Dawley rats that were give AMPH and became hyperthermic during the exposure. Environmentally-induced hyperthermia (EIH) in the rat was compared to AMPH to determine whether AMPH-induced increases in LPS and peripheral toxicities were solely attributable to hyperthermia. Muscle, liver, and kidney function were determined biochemically at 3h or 1 day after AMPH or EIH exposure and histopathology at 1 day after treatment. Circulating levels of LPS were monitored (via limulus amoebocyte coagulation assay) during AMPH or EIH exposure. Blood LPS levels were detected in 40-50% of the AMPH and EIH rats, but the presence of LPS in the serum had no effect on organ damage or striatal dopamine depletions (neurotoxicity). In both CR and NCTR rats, serum bound urea nitrogen and creatinine levels increased at 3h after EIH or AMPH (2- to 3-fold above control) but subsided by 1 day. Alanine transaminase was increased (indicating liver dysfunction) by both AMPH and EIH at 3 h (2- to 10-fold above control) in CR rats, but the levels were not significantly different between the control and AMPH groups in NCTR animals. Mild liver necrosis was detected in 1 of 7 rats examined in the AMPH group and in 1 of 5 rats examined in the EIH group (only NCTR rats were examined). Serum myoglobin increased (indicating muscle damage) in both CR and NCTR rats at 3h and was more pronounced with AMPH (≈5-fold above control) than EIH. Our results indicate that: (1) "free" blood borne LPS often increases with EIH and AMPH but may not be necessary for striatal neurotoxicity and CNS immune responses; (2) liver or kidney dysfunction may result from muscle damage; however, it is not sufficient nor necessary to produce, but may exacerbate, neurotoxicity; (3) AMPH-induced serum myoglobin release is a potential biomarker and possibly a factor in AMPH-induced toxicity processes.
High incidence of disease recurrence in the brain and leptomeninges in patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma after response to gefitinib.

BACKGROUND Gefitinib is an epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor that induces an early and dramatic response in 10% of patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC). Long- term outcome and patterns of disease recurrence after response have not been described. METHODS The authors evaluated 139 patients with NSCLC treated with gefitinib at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (New York, NY) between 1998 and 2002. They focused on patterns of disease recurrence, risk of brain metastases (BM) and leptomeningeal metastasis (LM), and long-term outcome after initial response to gefitinib. RESULTS Of the 139 patients treated with gefitinib, 21 (15%) achieved a partial response. The median age of the responders was 64 years (range, 38–87 years), the median Karnofsky performance score was 80 (range, 60–90), and 4 of the patients were men. All responders had adenocarcinoma. The central nervous system (CNS) was the initial site of disease recurrence in 7 (33%) patients (BM in 5 and LM in 2). In 9 (43%) patients, the initial site of disease recurrence was the lung and in 1 it was the liver and bone. Four (57%) of the patients with disease recurrence in the CNS had lung disease under control. BM also developed in 2 patients who had initial disease recurrence in the lungs. The actuarial 5-year incidence of CNS metastases was 60%. The median overall survival periods were 15 months and 23 months for patients with and without CNS metastases, respectively (P = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS The CNS was a frequent site of disease recurrence in patients with NSCLC after an initial response to gefitinib, regardless of disease control in the lungs. Patients should be carefully monitored for neurologic symptoms. Intrinsic resistance of metastatic clones, incomplete CNS penetrance of the drug, and longer survival are possible explanations for this high incidence. Cancer 2005. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
Characteristics of soft metals for electrical connexions

Aerospace electrical and electronic equipment reliability requirements with reference to technology of miniature electrical connection devices
Automated selection of anterior and posterior commissures based on a deformable atlas and its evaluation based on manual selections by neurosurgeons

ABSTRACT We are developing and evaluating a system that will facilitate the placement of deep brain stimulators (DBS) used to treat movement disorders including Parkinsons disease and essential tremor. Although our system does not rely on the common reference system used for functional neurosurgical procedures, which is based on the anterior and posterior commissure points (AC and PC), automatic and accurate localization of these points is necessary to communicate the positions of our targets. In this paper, we present an automated method for AC and PC selection that uses non-rigidly deformable atlases. To evaluate the accuracy of our multi-atlas based method, we compare it against the manual selection of the AC and PC points by 43 neurosurgeons (38 attending s and 5 residents) and show that its accuracy is sub-millimetric compared to the median of their selections. We also analyze the ef fect of AC-PC localization inaccuracy on the localization of common DBS targets. Keywords : Automatic predictions, anterior and posterior commissure s, anatomical reference sy stem, target localization
Biochemical and genetic analysis of the nifUSVWZM cluster from Azotobacter vinelandii.

Azotobacter vinelandii genes contained within the major nif-cluster and designated orf6, nifU, nifS, nifV, orf7, orf8, nifW nifZ, nifM, and orf9 are organized into at least two overlapping transcriptional units. Nitrogenase derepressed crude extracts of Azotobacter vinelandii mutant strains having individual deletions located within nifU, nifS, nifV, nif, nifZ, or nifM were examined for nitrogenase component protein activities. The results of these experiments indicated that, in A. vinelandii, the nifU, nifS and nifM gene products are required for the full activation or the catalytic stability of the nitrogenase Fe protein. Deletion of the nifV gene resulted in lower MoFe protein activity, probably resulting from the accumulation of an altered FeMo-cofactor. The nifW and nifZ gene products were required for the full activation or catalytic stability of the MoFe protein. Deletion of nijZ alone or nifM alone did not appear to affect FeMo-cofactor biosynthesis. However, deletion of both niJZ and nifM eleminated either FeMo-cofactor biosynthesis or the insertion of FeMo-cofactor into the apo-MoFe protein. Other genes contained within the nifUSVWZM gene cluster (orf6, orf7, orf8, and orf9) were not required for Mo-dependent diazotrophic growth.
Development of a national evaluation system to evaluate CDC-funded health department HIV prevention programs

This article discusses the recent experience of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in developing a national evaluation system for monitoring and evaluating health department HIV prevention programs that are funded by CDC. The foundation for such a system is evaluation guidance that establishes standardized data elements for a variety of evaluation activities. The article discusses barriers to developing such a system, strategies used to deal with those barriers, the contributions made by stakeholders to the development of the system, the end product, strategies and activities used to meet the capacity building, and technical assistance needs of stakeholders. Lessons learned from this experience should be useful to any organization intending to develop a large evaluation system.
Beam scheduling and relay assignment in wireless relay networks with smart antennas

Relay Stations (RSs) can be deployed in a wireless network to extend its coverage and improve its capacity. Smart (directional) antennas can enhance the functionalities of RSs by forming the beam only towards intended receiving Subscriber Stations (SSs). In this paper, we study a joint problem of selecting a beam width and direction for the smart antenna at each RS and determining the RS assignment for SSs in each scheduling period. The objective is to maximize a utility function that can lead to a stable and high-throughput system. We define this as the Beam Scheduling and Relay Assignment Problem (BS-RAP). We show that BS-RAP is NP-hard, present a Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) formulation to provide optimal solutions and present two polynomial-time greedy algorithms, one of which is shown to have a constant factor approximation ratio.
Does pH Affect Fish Species Richness when Lake Area is Considered

Abstract Numerous surveys have shown that fish species richness (number of species) is positively correlated with lake pH. However, species richness of fish communities is also correlated with lake size, and low-pH lakes are often small. Thus, conclusions drawn from examination of fish community structure relative to spatial (among-lake) variation in pH have been limited by uncertainties regarding the confounded effects of lake area. We used two statistical methods, analysis of covariance and a nonparametric blocked comparison test, to remove effects of lake area and compare fish species richness in low-pH and high-pH lakes. Data from six previous surveys of water chemistry and fish communities in lakes of Ontario and northern Wisconsin were examined. Lakes with low pH (≤6.0) contained significantly fewer fish species than lakes with high pH (>6.0) when the effect of lake area was considered. A simple probabilistic model showed that the ability to detect differences in species richness is low when lake ar...
Modification of human glioma locomotion in vitro by cytokines EGF, bFGF, PDGFbb, NGF, and TNF alpha.

Cytokines expert receptor-mediated control over glia. Up-regulation of receptor expression or cytokine production corresponds with the acquisition of a neoplastic phenotype. A modified radial dish assay was used to determine whether in vitro locomotion of glioma cells is modified by the epidermal growth factor, the basic fibroblast growth factor, the bb dimer of platelet-derived growth factor, the nerve growth factor, or the tumor necrosis factor alpha. Human glioma cells were plated in the center of a petri dish with one of these cytokines in 0.5 ml agar (50 ng/ml if the cytokine was distributed evenly throughout the dish) at one edge, and 0.5 ml plain agar at the opposite edge. After 24 hours, a central zone of cells was established; the agar was gelatinized. Feeding medium was added to the dish, and slow elution from the agar established a cytokine gradient. Cell counts were performed daily over 6 to 10 days at predetermined distances on both sides of the central zone to assess directional cellular movement with respect to the cytokine gradient and the plain agar. The epidermal growth factor caused continuous chemoattraction, whereas the tumor necrosis factor alpha caused slight chemorepulsion for 24 to 48 hours, followed by strong chemoattraction. The bb dimer of platelet-derived growth factor, the basic fibroblast growth factor, and the nerve growth factor all maintained chemorepulsion over the entire 6 to 10 days. Therefore, the cytokines did affect glioma cell motility in vitro, and the modified radial dish assay used in this study provided a useful in vitro model for assessing the impact of the cytokines on glioma cell locomotion. Further understanding of this phenomenon might facilitate the development of therapies to limit glioma cell locomotion and invasion
A Goddess Uncloaked: Magellan reveals Venus' Highlands

The highlands of Venus are large elevated regions over 1000 km across that display the most diverse and extensive volcanic and tectonic features on the planet's surface. The unprecedented details of surface tectonics and volcanism revealed by the Magellan mission have added significantly to our understanding of how these continent-sized regions formed, and shed new light on the tectonic style and interior dynamics of Earth's sister planet. Comparisons between the two planets may help us to better understand how plate tectonics began and how the process operates on Earth. Venusian highlands fall into two distinct categories: volcanic rises and plateaushaped highlands. Volcanic rises were relatively well-understood even before Magellan, although the new images and gravity data will illuminate more of the details of these features. The volcanic rises appear to be the result of large upwellings of hot, buoyant material from deep within Venus' mantle. The upwellings may take the form of mantle plumes, which on Earth are responsible for hotspot features such as the Hawaiian-Emperor seamount chain and Iceland.
Continuous hydrothermal synthesis of lithium iron phosphate particles in subcritical and supercritical water

Abstract We have investigated the continuous hydrothermal synthesis of lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) nanoparticles by reacting iron sulfate, phosphoric acid, and lithium hydroxide in a flow system. The effects of temperature, flowrate of water, and reactant concentration on the size and morphology of particles were investigated. In general, particle size increased with temperature and with increasing reactant concentration. Particle morphology, on the other hand, became more regular at high flowrates of water. Possible reasons for this behavior are given, and differences with batch hydrothermal synthesis of LiFePO4 are highlighted. The different mechanisms in the two methods results in much smaller and more uniform particles being obtained in continuous hydrothermal synthesis than via batch hydrothermal synthesis.
Failure to Enhance the in Vivo Killing of Human Ovarian Carcinoma by Sequential Treatment with Dequalinium Chloride and Tumor Necrosis Factor

Dequalinium chloride (DECA) is a cationic, lipophilic compound with structure similar to the dye rhodamine 123. DECA is selectively accumulated and retained within the mitochondria of carcinoma cells where it acts as a mitochondrial poison by blocking mitochondrial enzymes which can then disrupt cellular energy production, eventually resulting in cell death. In this manner it is similar to the antimitochondrial effects observed with tumor necrosis factor (TNF). We have previously shown that DECA can synergize the in vitro antitumor effects of TNF against a panel of human ovarian cancer cell lines. Those drug studies have been extended to a xenogenic tumor system with a resultant increase in animal survival. Athymic mice were injected intraperitoneally with 2.0 x 10(7) PA-1 human ovarian cancer cells and DECA +/- TNF treatments begun either on Days 3 or 7 postinjection. Peritoneal tumor implantation was not histologically confirmed by Day 3 postinjection but confirmed by Day 7 following tumor cell injection. Single-agent DECA (5 mg/kg; qod) increased animal survival by 37% (P = 0.002) whereas recombinant human TNF (0.5 micrograms/mouse; qod) only increased survival by 13% (P = 0.27) relative to control animals for those animals treated 3 days post-tumor-injection. Sequential DECA/TNF enhanced animal survival by 45% (P = 0.0002) in similarly treated animals. When drug treatment was initiated 7 days following tumor injection, DECA increased survival by 23% (P = 0.04) while TNF had no effect on prolonging animal survival (3% increase; P = 0.79). Combination DECA/TNF increased survival by 23% (P = 0.04). In the UCI-101 ovarian tumor model, single-agent DECA increased survival by 28% (P = 0.04) while TNF treatment stimulated tumor growth (11% decrease in survival; P = 0.006). Combination DECA + TNF resulted in a 41% increase in survival (P = 0.003). No statistical differences were detected between survival rates for single-agent DECA vs DECA + TNF except for the UCI-101 tumor which showed potentiation due to the in vivo stimulatory effects of TNF.
Restoration of piecewise constant images by mean-field annealing

An algorithm is described that removes the noise from images without causing blurring or other distortions of edges. The problem of noise removal is posed as a restoration of an uncorrupted image, given additive noise. The restoration problem is solved by using a new minimization strategy called mean-field annealing (MFA). An a priori statistical model of the image is chosen that drives the minimization toward solutions that are locally homogeneous. The strategy for MFA is derived, and the resulting algorithm is discussed. Applications of the algorithm to both synthetic images and real images are presented.
Teachers' Perceptions of Students' Foreign Language Academic Skills and Affective Characteristics.

Abstract The relationship between teachers' perceptions of students' foreign language (FL) academic skills and affective characteristics and their performance on tests of native language skill and FL aptitude was examined. Students were divided into HIGH, AVERAGE, and LOW groups according to their scores on each of seven native language skill measures and a FL aptitude test. Teachers' perceptions and end-of-the-year FL grades were compared by group. Results showed that students who scored lower on the testing measures were perceived by teachers as having weaker FL academic skills and less positive affective characteristics (i.e., motivation, attitude, anxiety) than students with strong native language skills and FL aptitude. Results also showed that students who scored lower on the testing measures made lower FL grades than did students who scored higher on the measures. Differences in teachers' perceptions of students' FL academic skills and affective characteristics may be associated with their level of...
Lifespan of preserved red cells.

. Forty-four long-term red cell survival studies were performed in 39 patients, the majority of whom had either traumatic injuries or carcinoma. With the aid of a computer, the lifespan and the rate of random destruction of preserved red cells were estimated in each recipient. The 24-hour survival was a satisfactory measurement of the percent of viable red cells in the transfusion. The mean red cell lifespan (97 days) was not affected by either the method of preservation (liquid or freeze preservation) or the length of storage at +4 or — 80°C. Accelerated linear removal of red cells was seen in severely injured patients; improved red cell survival was associated with improvement in the recipient's health. The correlation between the lifespan of transfused red cells and the recipient's general health suggests that the decreased long-term survival noted in these recipients was produced by some extracorpuscular ‘toxic’ factor.
Periconceptional nutrient intakes and risks of neural tube defects in California

Background This study investigated the association of neural tube defects (NTDs) with maternal periconceptional intake of folic acid-containing supplements and dietary nutrients, including folate, among deliveries that occurred after folic acid fortification in selected California counties. Methods The population-based case-control study included fetuses and live born infants with spina bifida (189) or anencephaly (141) and 625 nonmalformed, live born controls delivered from 1999 to 2003. Mothers reported supplement use during telephone interviews, which included a 107-item food frequency questionnaire. For dietary nutrients, intakes or =75th percentile were compared, based on control distributions. Results After adjustment for potential confounders, any versus no supplement intake resulted in ORs of 0.8 (95% CI, 0.5-1.3) for anencephaly and 0.8 (95% CI, 0.6-1.2) for spina bifida. After stratification by maternal intake of vitamin supplements, most factors in the glycemic pathway were not associated with either NTD, with the exception of low levels of fructose and glucose that were significantly associated with anencephaly. Some nutrients that contribute to one-carbon metabolism showed lowered risks (folate, riboflavin, vitamins B(6) and B(12)); others did not (choline, methionine, zinc). Antioxidant nutrients tended to be associated with lowered risks (vitamins C, E, A, beta-carotene, lutein). Conclusions Mothers' intake of vitamin supplements was modestly if at all associated with a lowered risk of NTDs. Dietary intake of several nutrients contributing to one-carbon metabolism and oxidative stress were associated with reduced NTD risk.
Infant neurodevelopment following fetal growth restriction: relationship with antepartum surveillance parameters.

Objectives To evaluate the relationship between fetal Doppler parameters, biophysical profile score (BPP) and neurodevelopmental delay at 2 years of corrected age in infants who had been growth-restricted in utero. Methods This was a prospective observational study including 113 pregnancies complicated by intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) (abdominal circumference 12), gestational age at delivery, birth weight and neonatal morbidity (i.e. bronchopulmonary dysplasia, > Grade 2 intraventricular hemorrhage, or necrotizing enterocolitis) with a 2-year neurodevelopmental delay were evaluated. Best Beginnings Developmental Screen, Bayley Scale of Infant Development II (BSID) and Clinical Adaptive/Clinical Linguistic Auditory Milestone Stage were used. BSID < 70, cerebral palsy, abnormal tone, hearing loss and/or blindness defined neurodevelopmental delay. Results Seventy-two of the 113 pregnancies completed assessment; there were 10 stillbirths, 19 neonatal deaths, three infant deaths and nine pregnancies with no follow-up. Twenty fetuses (27.8%) had UA reversed end-diastolic velocity (REDV), 34 (47.2%) abnormal DV Doppler features and 31 (43.1%) an abnormal BPP. Median gestational age at delivery and birth weight were 30.4 weeks and 933 g, respectively. Twelve infants had acidemia and 28 neonatal morbidity. There were 38 (52.8%) infants with neurodevelopmental delay, including 37 (51.4%) with abnormal tone, 20 (27.8%) with speech delay, 23 (31.9%) with an abnormal neurological examination, eight (11.1%) with a hearing deficit and six (8.3%) with cerebral palsy. Gestational age at delivery was associated with cerebral palsy (r2 = 0.52, P < 0.0001; 92% sensitivity and 83% specificity for delivery at < 27 weeks). UA-REDV was associated with global delay (r2 = 0.31, P = 0.006) and birth weight with neurodevelopmental delay (r2 = 0.54, P < 0.0001; 82% sensitivity and 64% specificity for BW < 922 g). Conclusions Although UA-REDV is an independent contributor to poor neurodevelopment in IUGR no such effect could be demonstrated for abnormal venous Doppler findings or BPP. Gestational age and birth weight remain the predominant factors for poor neurodevelopment in growth-restricted infants. Copyright © 2008 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Les Comptes amoureux de Jeanne Flore: un Texte‐Echo

La critique a souvent souligne les sources classiques des Comptes amoureux de Jeanne Flore au depens des sources nationales qui ne tiennent pas moins une place de choix. Nous examinons done, pour commencer, la part qu'occupe la lyrique medieavale dans le recueil en nous interrogeant plus particulierement sur le curieux choix que Jeanne fait de themes litteraires (“la belle dame sans mercy” et la chanson de la mal mariee), affilies a des courants opposes. On s'apercCoit en fait que cette juxtaposition de veines oppo-sees produit une constante remise en question des traditions litteraires amoureuses et, plus encore, de l'amour proprement cour-tois. En examinant de plus pres la peinture qui nous est offerte d'amour, on est egalement frappe par l'insistance sur les notions d'impuissance et d'asservissement et par le recours a des ma-noeuvres d'intimidation qui visent a imposer une certaine image de la femme (la femme soumise, la femme domptee) et de son role en amour (celui de repondre ou d'agreer). On conclut que dans les Comptes amoureux se lit la distance que l'auteur prend par rapport aux textes qui ont precede, le refus du discours amoureux tel que l'homme l'enonce, refus qui ne saurait cependant s'exprimer qu'indirectement. Si j'ayme cil, que je debvrois hayr, Et hays celuy, que je debvrois aymer, Lon ne s'en doibt autrement esbayr, Et ne m'en deult aucun en rien blasmer. Pernette Du Guillet, Rymes