cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Imperfect Fullerene Molecules. An Ab Initio Study

The design and production of cluster assembled materials is a rapidly growing area in the fields of applied science and technology. Such systems open up a new way of producing materials with unusual properties. The unique properties of fullerene molecules1,2 indicate that they may be widely used in the future for the manufacture of cluster materials.
Palliative and End-of-Life Care

Although refugees tend to have lower mortality rates than the locally born population, they are not immune to terminal illness. When refugees do become ill, they may have particularly challenging paths related to their prior exposures, trauma, and cultural beliefs. Many challenges that refugees face in accessing healthcare can be compounded when it comes to end-of-life care. This chapter reviews definitions of palliative care and then proposes a framework for culturally sensitive assessment and management of end-of-life care issues in refugees. Ethical considerations in end-of-life care are also reviewed.
MyPref: pilot study of a novel communication and decision-making tool for adolescents and young adults with advanced cancer

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer report feeling ill-informed about their cancer treatment options. Tools are needed to inform AYAs about treatment choices and amplify the AYA’s voice in medical decision-making. We developed MyPref, a conjoint-analysis based tool that quantifies AYA preferences for future cancer treatments. We conducted a staged pilot study of MyPref utilizing an intervention mixed methods design. AYAs and their parent or trusted person (PTP) completed MyPref and received a summary report of their preferences for treatment-related factors. Participants later completed the Preparation for Decision Making Scale and MyPref Experience Questionnaire and engaged in semi-structured interviews. Oncologists reported on the perceived accuracy and utility of MyPref. We used a weaving technique for presenting mixed methods data. Fifteen AYAs with advanced cancer, 7 PTPs, and 12 providers participated in this pilot; 32 (94%) completed all study items. AYA/PTPs stated study participation was useful and believed MyPref allowed for improved understanding of treatment factors and consideration, organization, and visualization of preferences. All providers agreed that MyPref made them think about patient’s preferences and 9 (75%) reported they planned to change their approach to discussions about preferences for future treatments. MyPref is an objective way to estimate AYA and PTP preferences for future treatment characteristics. This novel tool may be a useful way to engage AYAs and PTPs in discussions around preferences for treatment and prepare AYAs for future decision-making. We are currently evaluating this tool longitudinally to determine the impact on actual treatment decisions.
How are social determinants of health integrated into epigenetic research? A systematic review.

Abstract Objective We systematically review the literature on social epigenetics, examining how empirical research to date has conceptualized and operationalized social determinants of health (SDOH). Methods Using comprehensive search procedures, we identified studies that consider the impact of SDOH on DNA methylation (DNAm), the most common measure of epigenetic change in research on human adult populations. We analyzed the studies to determine: 1) which populations and environments have been investigated in the literature; 2) how SDOH are defined and operationalized; 3) which SDOH have been linked to DNAm; and 4) what lessons from the SDOH literature can be better integrated into future studies exploring the social determinants of health and epigenetic outcomes. Results We identified 67 studies, with 39 to 8397 participants. The SDOH most commonly considered were early life socioeconomic exposures and early life trauma or mental health. Our review highlights four broad challenges: a) high dependence on convenience sampling, b) limited racial/ethnic, and geographic diversity in sampling frames, c) overreliance on individual sociodemographic characteristics as proxies for broader stratification processes, and d) a focus on downstream social determinants of health and individualized experiences with social stressors. Conclusions Future social epigenetics research should prioritize larger, more diverse and representative population-based samples and employ the SDOH framework to better inform the conceptualization of research questions and interpretation of findings. In particular, the simplified depiction of race/ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status as individual-level characteristics should be updated with an explicit acknowledgement that these characteristics are more accurately interpreted as cues used by society to differentiate subpopulations. Social epigenetics research can then more clearly elucidate the biological consequences of these social exposures for patterns of gene expression, subsequent disease etiology, and health inequities.
A novel posture control device to induce high-rate complex loads for spine biomechanical studies.

Abstract Modern environmental scenarios such as autonomous vehicles, aircrafts, and military vehicles position the human body in a nonstandard posture and induce multiplanar loads; however, current spine alignment methods and loading are based on sagittal and planar loads. The objective of this study is to develop a posture control device and demonstrate its ability to induce multiplanar loads to the human cadaver spinal columns. The inferior end of the device was designed to allow a full six degree-of-freedom control for positioning the specimen via a coupled x-y cross table, vertical lift platform, and triaxial rotation mechanism. The superior end of the device was designed such that the cranial fixation of the specimen could be attached to the piston of the electrohydraulic testing apparatus directly or via a rotary disc through a slider-crank mechanism. The former attachment induces complex forces and moments, while the latter induces controlled moments with minimal forces. The usability of the posture control device was demonstrated by conducting experiments with a thoracolumbar spinal column for combined forces and moments, and with a head-neck column for complex moments, and in both cases, the uniaxial travel of the piston was at a dynamic rate. The posture control device can be used to study the biomechanics of the spine under complex loads and with different postures and develop injury criteria for different field environments.
Improving the deposit efficiency of nano composite deposits on AZ91 magnesium alloy by using a suitable bath composition and operating conditions

Abstract The purpose of applying the nano-coating may be either decorative, functional, or a combination of both. The magnesium alloys specially AZ91 possesses great specific stiffness, less density, and electromagnetic protecting characteristics, which attracts the use of this type of material for several industrial parts. But the surface roughness and hardness is a major weakness of magnesium alloys, limiting their practical uses. Electroless nano-coating is one of the useful techniques for enhancement in these material characteristics. In this research, experimental analysis of various surface properties of magnesium alloy (AZ91) due to electroless nano-composite coating is investigated. The possibility of enhancing the efficiency and the properties of the composite depository material would be a valuable attempt, by finding a suitable chemical bath compositions and operating conditions of electroless nano-coating method. It has been detected that, as the concentration of titanium particles increases, the roughness value, hardness value, and corrosion property of coatings increases. The optimal value of the concentration of titanium particles TiO2 is also explored for gaining better surface property after coating.
Mortality and Morbidity Conference

The Mortality and Morbidity Conference (M&M) is certainly the most important hour of the week for students, residents, and their teachers. Here is the last bastion of medical intellect, competition, showmanship, and debate. And, the most important component in the M&M is the absolutely perfect presentation, which requires extensive preparation, and the honest willingness to accept blame, and/or severe criticism.
Enterovirus Structure and Assembly

This chapter describes the structures of enterovirus capsid proteins and virions and the process by which virions are assembled and the genome is encapsidated. Enterovirus capsid proteins are translated in the order VP4-VP2-VP3-VP1 as part of a large polyprotein and are separated by proteolytic cleavage. The four poliovirus capsid proteins and their precursors have been mapped onto the genome by alignment of its nucleotide sequence with partial amino acid sequences derived from the amino and carboxy termini of these polypeptides. The RNA genomes of poliovirus and other enteroviruses are translated into single large polyproteins that are subsequently proteolytically processed to yield diverse structural and nonstructural proteins. Proteolytic cleavage of enterovirus capsid proteins from the P1 precursor, assembly, and eventual maturation of the virion are regulated, sequential processes that appear to be intimately connected. Two models have been proposed for virion formation. The first involves encapsidation into procapsids and is supported by the reported association of procapsids with the viral replication complex and the conversion of procapsids into virions in pulse-chase experiments. The second model involves the association of pentamers or pentamer assemblies around virion RNA.
Innovation in cultural systems : contributions from evolutionary anthropology

In recent years an interest in applying the principles of evolution to the study of culture emerged in the social sciences. Archaeologists and anthropologists reconsidered the role of innovation in particular, and have moved toward characterizing innovation in cultural systems not only as a product but also as an evolutionary process. This distinction was familiar to biology but new to the social sciences; cultural evolutionists from the nineteenth to the twentieth century had tended to see innovation as a preprogrammed change that occurred when a cultural group "needed" to overcome environmental problems. In this volume, leading researchers from a variety of disciplines--including anthropology, archaeology, evolutionary biology, philosophy, and psychology--offer their perspectives on cultural innovation. The book provides not only a range of views but also an integrated account, with the chapters offering an orderly progression of thought. The contributors consider innovation in biological terms, discussing epistemology, animal studies, systematics and phylogeny, phenotypic plasticity and evolvability, and evo-devo; they discuss modern insights into innovation, including simulation, the random-copying model, diffusion, and demographic analysis; and they offer case studies of innovation from archaeological and ethnographic records, examining developmental, behavioral, and social patterns. ContributorsAndre Ariew, R. Alexander Bentley, Werner Callebaut, Joseph Henrich, Anne Kandler, Kevin N. Laland, Daniel O. Larson, Alex Mesoudi, Michael J. O'Brien, Craig T. Palmer, Adam Powell, Simon M. Reader, Valentine Roux, Chet Savage, Michael Brian Schiffer, Jeffrey H. Schwartz, Stephen J. Shennan, James Steele, Mark G. Thomas, Todd L. VanPool
Activities, Kinetics and Emission Spectra of Bacterial Luciferase‐Fluorescent Protein Fusion Enzymes

A new approach to alter bacterial bioluminescence color was developed by fusing Vibrio harveyi luciferase with the coral Discosoma sp. fluorescent protein mOrange, a homolog of the Aequorea green fluorescent protein. Attachment of mOrange to the N- or C-terminus of luciferase α or β subunit, via a 5 or 10 residue linker, produced fully active fusion enzymes. However, only the fusion of mOrange to the N-terminus of luciferase α produced a new 560 nm emission. The differences in emission color by two such fusion enzymes from that of the wild-type luciferase (λ(max) 490 nm) were evident by eye or photographically with the aid of cut-off optical filters. In nonturnover reactions, light decay rates of fusion enzyme remained the same when monitored as the full-spectrum light or at 480 nm (from the luciferase emitter) or 570 nm (from mOrange). No 560 nm emission component was observed with a mixture of luciferase and free mOrange. These findings support that the 560 nm emission by the fusion enzyme was due to bioluminescence resonance energy transfer from luciferase to mOrange. We believe that the same approach could also alter the bacterial bioluminescence color by covalent attachment of other suitable fluorescent proteins or chromophores to luciferase.
Approximate nearest neighbor algorithms for Hausdorff metrics via embeddings

Hausdorff metrics are used in geometric settings for measuring the distance between sets of points. They have been used extensively in areas such as computer vision, pattern recognition and computational chemistry. While computing the distance between a single pair of sets under the Hausdorff metric has been well studied, no results are known for the nearest-neighbor problem under Hausdorff metrics. Indeed, no results were known for the nearest-neighbor problem for any metric without a norm structure, of which the Hausdorff is one. We present the first nearest-neighbor algorithm for the Hausdorff metric. We achieve our result by embedding Hausdorff metrics into l/sub /spl infin// and by using known nearest-neighbor algorithms for this target metric. We give upper and lower bounds on the number of dimensions needed for such an l/sub /spl infin// embedding. Our bounds require the introduction of new techniques based on superimposed codes and non-uniform sampling.
Fabrication and properties of erbium oxide

Erbium oxide (Er{sub 2}O{sub 3}) is a rare earth oxide of interest because of its chemical and thermal stability and high melting point, 2,430 C. However, there is relatively little information available regarding the relation between the structure and the mechanical properties of this material. A densification study of polycrystalline erbium oxide powders is reported here. Erbium oxide pellets were uniaxially pressed (40--280 MPa) and sintered (1,500--1,800 C) in order to obtain density data for as-received commercial powders. In addition, the particle size and distribution of as-received powders were varied by milling and the effects on densification were studied. The powders were characterized for particle size, phase and impurity content and surface area. The mechanical properties of high density sintered erbium oxide bodies were characterized using indentation hardness and toughness as a function of temperature and microstructure. Relations between the microstructure and mechanical properties are described.
Quantitative PCR method to measure the fungal endophyte in locoweeds.

A fungal endophyte (Undifilum oxytropis) has been implicated in the synthesis of swainsonine in Oxytropis and Astragalus species, commonly known as locoweeds. A quantitative PCR method has been developed to measure the amount of endophyte in Oxytropis and Astragalus species. The limit of quantitation was estimated to be 0.2 pg of endophyte/ng of total DNA. This method of analysis was used to quantify the amount of endophyte in 10 plants each of Oxytropis sericea (white point locoweed), Astragalus mollissimus (wooly locoweed), and Astragalus lentiginosus (spotted locoweed). A significant amount of individual plant variability was observed in endophyte content among individuals in all three species. In one O. sericea and one A. lentiginosus plant swainsonine concentrations were near or below the limit of detection. These plants also had the lowest amounts of endophyte when compared to the other specimens. This method will be a useful tool in further investigating the role the endophyte plays in swainsonine ...
The effect of the short dose schedule of DMBA application in inducing lingual neoplasia in inbred Syrian hamsters

Lingual dysplasia and carcinoma were induced in Lakeview LSH inbred Syrian hamsters by local application of DMBA without the use of trauma in 4 weeks and 6-8 wks, respectively.
An Assessment of Re-Directing Breeding Waterfowl Conservation Relative to Predictions of Climate Change

Abstract The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a long history of habitat conservation in the Prairie Pothole Region (PPR) of the United States that has focused on migratory birds, particularly wat...
DESIGNING KNOWLEDGE-BASE TOOLS FOR PROGRAM COMPREHENSION: A COMPARISON OF EDATS & IMCA

Since software engineers spend a large proportion of their time trying to understand computer programs, many tools have been proposed to help them with this task. The construction of such tools raises a series of specification and design issues and requires a careful choice among alternative user interfaces, tool architectures, and knowledge representations. This paper discusses the information needs of software engineers and describes and compares two such tools, the Extensible Dependency Analysis Tool Set (EDATS) and the Inter-Module Code Analysis system (IMCA). A case study is presented showing how each tool would be used to support typical program comprehension tasks. Though the two tools have quite similar objectives, their designs are radically different, leading to interesting contrasts in flexibility and ease of use.
The end game of chemical genetics: target identification

The use of classical genetic and molecular biology methods along with the sequencing of many genomes has proven crucial for elucidating complex biological processes. Despite being invaluable tools, their limitations have led to a search for more versatile alternatives and, thus, to the use of small molecules. Chemical genetics is a rapidly emerging field that uses small-molecule techniques to probe biological systems and is composed of three parts: natural product or small-molecule libraries, phenotypic screening and target identification. Currently, the biggest hurdle in the overall process of chemical genetics is target identification. Efforts to overcome this obstacle have led to advances in the areas of affinity chromatography, yeast haploinsufficiency, complementary DNA (cDNA) overexpression, DNA microarray, small-molecule microarray and RNA interference (RNAi) technologies. While these technologies continue to undergo further optimization, they have been integral in the identification and/or confirmation of many cellular targets and have seen an increase in applications to the drug-development process.
Only If It Is Convenient Understanding How Convenience Influences Self-Service Technology Evaluation

Self-service technologies (SSTs) can help firms reduce labor costs while providing more channel options, but customers must be convinced of their value before foregoing a full service alternative. ...
Superelastic NiTi thin film small vessel graft for vascular repair

Thin film NiTi produced by sputter deposition was used in the design of small vessel grafts intended to treat small vessel aneurysms. Thin film small vessel grafts were fabricated by "hot-target" DC sputter deposition. Both stress-strain curves and DSC curves were generated for the film used to fabricate small vessel grafts. The films used for small vessel grafts had an Af temperatures of approximately 36 degrees allowing for body activated response from a micro-catheter. Thin film small vessel grafts were tested in a pulsatile flow loop in vitro. Small vessel grafts could be compressed into and easily delivery in < 3 Fr catheters. Theoretical frictional and wall drag forces on a thin film NiTi small vessel vascular graft were calculated and the radial force exerted by thin film small vessel grafts was evaluated theoretically and experimentally. In-vivo studies in swine confirmed that thin film NiTi small vessel grafts could be deployed accurately and consistently in the swine vascular system.
The arc of civil liberation Obama–Tahrir–Occupy

Despite anxieties about the growing power of neo-liberalism, the crisis of the EU and the upsurge of right-wing political movements, it is important to recognize that utopian movements on the left ...
Pancreatic Cancer Screening

Accumulating data indicate that clinically available abdominal imaging tests such as EUS and MRI/MRCP can detect asymptomatic precursor benign (IPMN, PanIN) and invasive malignant pancreatic neoplasms, such as ductal adenocarcinoma, in individuals with an inherited predisposition. These asymptomatic FPCs detected have been more likely to be resectable, compared to symptomatic tumors. The most challenging part of screening high-risk individuals is the selection of individuals with high-grade precursor neoplasms for preventive treatment (ie, surgical resection before development of invasive cancer). Ongoing and future research should focus on formulating and validating a model for FPC risk and neoplastic progression using patient characteristics, imaging, and biomarkers. The comparative cost and effectiveness of various approaches for screening and surveillance of high-risk individuals also deserves study. For now, screening is best performed in high-risk individuals within the research protocols in academic centers with multidisciplinary teams with expertise in genetics, gastroenterology, radiology, surgery, and pathology.
Construction of a broad host range cosmid cloning vector and its use in the genetic analysis of Rhizobium mutants

We have constructed a cosmid derivative of the low copy-number broad host-range cloning vector pRK290 (Ditta et al., 1980) by inserting a 1.6-kb Bg/II fragment containing lambda cos into the unique Bg/II site in pRK290. The new vector, pLAFR1, is 21.6 kb long, confers tetracycline resistance, contains a unique EcoRI site, and can be mobilized into and stably replicates within many Gram-negative hosts. We constructed a clone bank of Rhizobium meliloti DNA in pLAFR1 using a partial EcoRI digest. The mean insert size was 23.1 kb. When the clone bank was mated (en masse) from Escherichia coli to various R. meliloti auxotrophic mutants, tetracycline-resistant (Tcr) transconjugants were obtained at frequencies ranging from 0.1 to 0.8, and among these, prototrophic colonies were obtained at frequencies ranging from 0.001 to 0.007. pLAFR1 cosmids were mobilized from R. meliloti prototrophic colonies into E. coli and then reintroduced into R. meliloti auxotrophs. In most cases, 100% of these latter Tcr transconjugants were prototrophic.
Pseudofractures of the mandible secondary to motion artifact

Abstract The case of a patient with a false-positive fracture on the panoramic view of the mandible is presented. The patient motion produced a spurious image that perfectly mimicked a fracture without any evidence of motion. To better assess motion artifact, panoramic views of a “phantom” human skull were developed with movement during the exposure. These radiographs were analyzed with the assistance of a radiologist, and diagnostic features of motion artifact are discussed. Some radiographs were created by movement that mimicked fractures without the telltale signs of motion artifact. These “motion pseudofractures” are diagnosed clinically if the examiner knows that motion can mimic fractures, and all x-ray findings are carefully correlated with clinical findings. Diagnosis of a motion pseudofracture will avoid the additional expense and time of a specialty consultation.
Library anxiety among international graduate students

While few studies have explored library anxiety among international graduate students in the United States, Jiao and Onwuegnuzie's study (1999) of international graduate and undergraduate students identified mechanical barriers as the greatest source of library anxiety among international students. Building on this, the current pilot study investigated the level of library anxiety among 15 international graduate students in the United States, using a modified version of Bostick's (1992) Library Anxiety Scale (LAS) with a proposed Language & Cultural Barriers subscale. Findings from the pilot study revealed that mechanical barriers were the smallest source of library anxiety, and affective and staff barriers were the greatest sources of library anxiety. No significant gender or disciplinary differences were found in terms of the level of library anxiety among international graduate students. The results of this pilot study also provided the basis for the refinement of instrument.
Correlation of antibody-coated bacteria with intravenous pyelogram in children with refluxing and nonrefluxing units

Abstract A fluorescent technique for detecting immune globulins on the surface of urinary bacteria has been used to differentiate upper from lower urinary tract infections. In an attempt to correlate positive fluorescence with deteriorative changes on the intravenous pyelogram, a total of 79 pediatric patients was studied. Twenty-three had ileal conduits with freely refluxing urine. The remaining 56 children had intact urinary tracts. Thirty of these had vesicoureteral reflux. Urine cultures were studied in conjunction with fluorescent antibody determinations. In patients with significant bacteriuria good correlation was seen with the presence of bacterial fluorescence and positive renal changes. This correlation was 88 per cent in patients with bowel conduits, 71 per cent in patients with vesicoureteral reflux, and 38 per cent in patients without reflux. Possible false positive and false negative results were relatively low, each occurred in 10 per cent of the specimens examined. It is concluded that the combination of urinary tract infection and positive bacterial fluorescence is seen when upper tract deterioration has occurred and is seen most frequently in association with urinary reflux. In these instances aggressive therapy is often indicated.
Marital satisfaction of advanced prostate cancer survivors and their spousal caregivers: the dyadic effects of physical and mental health.

Objective: Coping with the physical and mental side effects of diagnosis and treatment for advanced prostate cancer (APC) is a challenge for both survivors and their spousal caregivers. There is a gap in our current understanding of the dyadic adjustment process on marital satisfaction in this population. The current study sought to: (1) document levels of physical and mental health, and marital satisfaction, and (2) evaluate the relationship between physical and mental health with marital satisfaction in this understudied population. Methods: APC survivors who had undergone androgen deprivation therapy within the past year and their spousal caregiver participated in the study (N = 29 dyads). Physical and mental health was assessed using the MOS SF-36 Health Survey and marital satisfaction was evaluated using the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. Results: The Actor-Partner Interdependence Model revealed strong relations between physical and mental health with marital satisfaction for both survivor and caregiver (actor effects). Furthermore, caregiver physical and mental health was related with the survivor's marital satisfaction (partner effect). Conclusions: Levels of mental health and marital satisfaction were comparable to community-based and prostate cancer samples, while physical health was higher. Marital satisfaction between APC survivors and their spousal caregivers may be influenced by both physical and mental health functioning. In particular, APC survivor functioning may affect his marital satisfaction as well as his spousal caregiver's. This has implications for psychosocial interventions for APC dyads. Further evaluation of the complex nature of survivor/caregiver dyadic adjustment in dealing with APC is necessary. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quality of life (QOL) outcomes from a randomized trial of cisplatin versus cisplatin plus paclitaxel in advanced cervical cancer: A Gynecologic Oncology Group study

Abstract Objective. Chemotherapy can profoundly affect patients' quality of life (QOL), yet few clinical trials in advanced cervical cancer have included QOL outcomes. Our purpose was to assess the impact of cisplatin (C) versus cisplatin plus paclitaxel (CP) on overall QOL and pain in cervical cancer patients. Methods. QOL was assessed using FACT-Cx, consisting of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-G) plus a cervix cancer-specific subscale, the Brief Pain Inventory-Short Form (BPI-SF), and a neurotoxicity subscale. Time points were: baseline (prior to randomization) and prior to chemotherapy cycles 2, 3, and 4. Results. Overall (FACT-G) scores did not differ significantly between arms at the fourth assessment (C = 70.3 (19.6); CP = 72.8 (17.4)). Scores were stable over time and considerably lower than the general population norms. The BPI-SF revealed a decline in pain scores in both arms from the first to fourth assessments. The CP arm produced a significantly higher response rate and progression-free survival (PFS) but not overall survival (OS). Greater myelosuppression was reported in the combination arm. The rate of QOL drop-out for any reason was higher for C (53%) compared to CP (38%) ( P Conclusion. There was no significant difference in overall QOL scores between treatment arms or serially. Combined with QOL results, the significant increase in response and PFS in the CP arm and the higher drop-out rate in the C arm suggest a better outcome for the combination regimen despite its increased myelosuppression.
Pointing control software for the submillimeter array antennas

We present the current status of the antenna control software for the Submillimeter array. This software is responsible for pointing and tracking astronomical sources and four antenna pointing calibration. We describe the various stages of the calculations, starting with source- lookup from catalogs and resulting in antenna coordinates commanded to the servo computers. We also present some preliminary results on the pointing calibration of the antenna mounts using an optical guide-scope.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Separation in topological algebras

One of the basic results from the theory of topological groups is that aT0 topological group is already completely regular. It is also known [1] thatT0 quasigroups are regular. Taylor [8] showed that a fragment of these results holds in any congruence permutable variety, namely that in such a variety aT0 topological algebra is already Hausdorff. Gumm [2] extended this result to 3-permutable varieties and showed that, more generally,T0 topological algebras in congruencen-permutable varieties areT1. In this paper we show thatT0 topological algebras inn-permutable varieties satisfy a separation condition strictly stronger thanT1. We also give some counterexamples that show that some of these separation results are the best possible.
Database generation and parametric study for ultrasonic non-destructive characterization of a single fibre composite interphase

The feasibility of an ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation (NDE) technique for the characterization of an interphase is examined by conducting a parametric study of a database that is based on a computational model developed earlier for elastic wave scattering from a single fibre having an interphase in a specific composite system. The input and output parameters of the database are the geometric and physical properties of the interphase, and typical ultrasonic NDE output stresses, respectively. In an attempt to solve the inverse problem of assessing the input parameters from the output parameters, one or more of the input parameters (interphase properties) are assumed to be known as their respective nominal values. Several observations are made from this simplified parametric study and the relative significance of the interphase properties in their effects on the output stresses is examined. Also, for such simplified cases, a graphical technique for solving the inverse problem is developed and demonstrated.
The isolation of a gene encoding interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein.

Abstract The gene locus for bovine IRBP, as well as several kilobases of sequence flanking the gene on either end, has been cloned. Two of the several clones seem to contain full-length copies of the protein encoding portion of the gene. Using these clones and cDNA clones, we have determined that there are one or perhaps two copies of the IRBP gene per haploid genome in several species. The gene is compact considering the large size of the protein (145 000 daltons) and its large mRNA (about 6·5 kb). Surprisingly, the gene is no more than 14 kb, being fully contained on lambda clones of maximum packaging size 20 kb. Small parts of the gene were sequenced for the purpose of proving the identity of the genomic clones. DNA sequencing of one of the IRBP gene clones demonstrates the existence of an intron in the gene. The sequence analysis of another fragment identified the N -terminus which has been sequenced at the protein level. The DNA sequence analysis showed the existence of a putative signal sequence and the potential existence of a short five amino acid sequence between the signal sequence and the authentic N -terminus of the secreted extracellular IRBP. This confirms and validates the finding of the extra five amino acid sequence that is present on 40–50% of the polypeptides in monkey and human IRBP which have been isolated from the subretinal space. The presence of the appropriate gene sequence for the pentapeptide but its absence in bovine IRBP indicates differences in processing among the vertebrate IRBPs.
A proposed multi-level plan to market sociological competencies

One main purpose of this paper is to encourage sociologists to fully support their sociological association leaders’ efforts to further develop and implement comprehensive plans to improve the image of sociology, especially among those who can employ our graduates, but also among the general populace. Preceding a proposed multi-level plan is an attempt to integrate and present many of the competencies that sociologists and social psychologists have identified through research into a classification of sociological and social psychological skills. The typology can facilitate the selection of competencies appropriate for academic courses or seminars. In brief, the ten categories of this typology are: (1) Communication Skills; (2) Conceptual Tools; (3) Critical Thinking; (4) Problem Solving Strategies; (5) Special Competencies Applicable to Work Organization; (6) Group Dynamics; (7) Group Counseling; (8) Applied Social Research Methodologies; (9) Consulting Expertise; and (10) Competence in Self-Marketing Skills that Students Need. The several examples of skills within each of the ten classifications could be considered by faculty for possible inclusion in their syllabi. A discussion of the necessity to better inform business, industry, foundations, and government agencies of sociological competencies is provided followed by a multi-level public relations proposal, “A Plan to Put Career Vagueness Behind Us.” The plan presented is not intended to bethe plan. It can serve as a check list or supplement to the strategic plans currently being developed and implemented by the ASA and other sociological associations.
The Evolution of the American Urban University

The acclimation of universities to urban sites in urban society is not complete, but has begun.
ISPs as nodes or sets of links

We consider the contract-switching paradigm for studying the inter-domain traffic engineering problem. In the contract-switching paradigm, each ISP in the Internet is abstracted as a set of edge-to-edge contract links. We formulate the optimal routing problem for the contract-switching paradigm by considering three objectives, namely: 1) maximizing throughput, 2) minimizing delay, and 3) minimizing bandwidth usage. We solve the optimization problems on realistic network topologies and show that the routing solutions developed using the contract-switching paradigm provides significant improvement in performance compare to the BGP routing framework with respect to the three objectives. Moreover, our simulation study also reveals that the contract-switching paradigm performs close to the best performance that can be achieved in the Internet in the absence of any abstractions.
Temperature dependent kinetics of the OH/HO2/O3 chain reaction by time-resolved IR laser absorption spectroscopy

This paper presents an extensive temperature dependent kinetic study of the catalytic HO{sub x} ozone cycle, (1) OH + O{sub 3} {r_arrow} HO{sub 2} + O{sub 2} and (2) HO{sub 2} + O{sub 3} {r_arrow} OH + 2 O{sub 2}, based on time-resolved, Doppler limited direct absorption spectroscopy of OH with a single mode ({Delta}{nu} = 0.0001 cm{sup {minus}1}) high-resolution infrared laser. The sum of the two chain rate constants, k{sub 1} + k{sub 2}, is measured over the 190--315 K temperature range and can be accurately described by an Arrhenius-type expression: k{sub 1} + k{sub 2} (cm{sup 3}/s) = 2.26(40) x 10{sup {minus}12} exp[{minus}976(50)/T]. These results are in excellent agreement with studies by Ravishankara et al. and Smith et al. but are significantly higher than the values currently accepted for atmospheric modeling. In addition, these studies also reflect the first such rate measurements to access the 190--230 K temperature range relevant to kinetic modeling of ozone chain loss in the lower stratosphere.
Microwave plasma reactor design for high pressure and high power density diamond synthesis

Abstract The design and performance of an improved microwave plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition (MPACVD) reactor is described. This reactor operates with high power densities and at pressures up to 300 torr. Differences from earlier MPACVD reactor designs [4] include an increase in applicator and dome size and the excitation of the applicator with a new “hybrid “TM0/TEM001” mode. The reactor is experimentally evaluated by synthesizing single crystal diamond (SCD) at pressures from 180 to 300 torr with absorbed power densities between 400 and 1000 W/cm3. Without N2 addition SCD growth rates as high as 75 μm/h were observed. A SCD growth window between 950 °C and 1300 °C was identified and within this growth window growth rates were 1.2 to 2.5 times greater than the corresponding growth rates for earlier reactor designs. SCD characterization by micro-Raman spectroscopy, SIMS, and by IR-UV transmission spectroscopy indicated that the synthesized SCD quality is that of type IIa diamond.
Measuring fractional charge and statistics in fractional quantum Hall fluids through noise experiments

A central long standing prediction of the theory of fractional quantum Hall (FQH) states that it is a topological fluid whose elementary excitations are vortices with fractional charge and fractional statistics. Yet, the unambiguous experimental detection of this fundamental property, that the vortices have fractional statistics, has remained an open challenge. Here we propose a three-terminal ``$T$ junction'' as an experimental setup for the direct and independent measurement of the fractional charge and statistics of fractional quantum Hall quasiparticles via cross current noise measurements. We present a nonequilibrium calculation of the quantum noise in the $T$-junction setup for FQH Jain states. We show that the cross current correlation (noise) can be written in a simple form, a sum of two terms, which reflects the braiding properties of the quasiparticles: the statistics dependence captured in a factor of $\mathrm{cos}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\theta}$ in one of two contributions. Through analyzing these two contributions for different parameter ranges that are experimentally relevant, we demonstrate that the noise at finite temperature reveals signatures of generalized exclusion principles, fractional exchange statistics and fractional charge. We also predict that the vortices of Laughlin states exhibit a ``bunching'' effect, while higher states in the Jain sequences exhibit an ``antibunching'' effect.
Chromosome Banding Patterns in Preimplantation Mouse Embryos

The chromosomes of first cleavage mouse embryos show the same banding patterns after quinacrine mustard staining as do chromosomes of differentiated mouse cells. Whatever feature of chromosome structure the banding pattern reveals thus appears not to be altered during development and differentiation.
Improving Perceptual Quality in Video watermarking using motion estimation

Motion is inherent to video signals, and high perceptual quality cannot be achieved without accounting for motion. Although the information inferred from motion vectors in an encoder does not always represent the true motion of objects, in this paper, we show that it still carries useful information for finding an estimate of motion characteristics. We use the number of copy-mode macroblocks to measure motion intensity, and we use motion history to capture the spatial distribution of motion. By this means, we can identify moving areas in video frames. We do not embed watermark bits in moving areas to avoid watermarking artifacts introduced into P- and B-frames from watermark bits embedded in I-frames. Our simulations show that the proposed algorithm reduces undesirable watermarking artifacts in the video when compared to methods that do not exploit motion information.
The Yersinia pestis type III secretion system: Expression, assembly and role in the evasion of host defenses

Yersinia pestis, the etiologic agent of plague, utilizes a type III secretion system (T3SS) to subvert the defenses of its mammalian hosts. T3SSs are complex nanomachines that allow bacterial pathogens to directly inject effector proteins into eukaryotic cells. The Y. pestis T3SS is not expressed during transit through the flea vector, but T3SS gene expression is rapidly thermoinduced upon entry into a mammalian host. Assembly of the T3S apparatus is a highly coordinated process that requires the homo- and hetero-oligomerization over 20 Yersinia secretion (Ysc) proteins, several assembly intermediates and the T3S process to complete the assembly of the rod and external needle structures. The activation of effector secretion is controlled by the YopN/TyeA/SycN/YscB complex, YscF and LcrG in response to extracellular calcium and/or contact with a eukaryotic cell. Cell contact triggers the T3S process including the secretion and assembly of a pore-forming translocon complex that facilitates the translocation of effector proteins, termed Yersinia outer proteins (Yops), across the eukaryotic membrane. Within the host cell, the Yop effector proteins function to inhibit bacterial phagocytosis and to suppress the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Characterization of long fiber thermoplastic/metal laminates

Long fiber thermoplastic (LFT) composite/metal laminate (LML) is a hybrid composite consisting of alternate layers of metals such as aluminum and an LFT composite, which combines advantages from both the constituents. The LFT/Al laminates (LMLs) were processed by compression molding and were characterized for their Young’s modulus, mechanical strength, and low-velocity impact (LVI) properties. The average values of specific elastic modulus and specific tensile strength were approximately 20 GPa/(gcm−3) and 108.5 MPa/(gcm−3), respectively. Failure mechanisms included delamination between LFT composite and Al, fiber fracture and pullout in LFT composite, and shear fracture of aluminum and LFT composite layers. Rule-of-mixtures (ROM) predictions of laminate properties in tension compared well with the experimental values. Specific perforation energy of the laminates determined by LVI tests was 7.58 J/(kgm−2), which is significantly greater than that of the LFT composite alone, 1.72 J/(kgm−2). Overall, the LML showed significant improvement in the properties as compared to the LFT composite.
SU-FF-T-20: A Method for Evaluation of the Dose Prediction and Optimization Convergence Errors

Purpose:IMRToptimization solutions are influenced by the computation algorithms used in the estimation of the radiation field incident upon the patient as well as the dose calculation algorithm. This work describes a technique for evaluating the dose prediction errors (DPEs) and optimization convergence errors (OCEs) due to inaccuracies in the heterogeneity correction of the optimization dose calculation algorithm. Method and Materials: The heterogeneity‐induced DPE and OCE of convolution‐based optimization are studied by utilizing a sequential deliverable‐based IMRToptimization. Initially, a method (MxOpt) utilizing a Monte Carlo (MC)‐based algorithm to estimate the incident upon a patient fluence (derived from the MLC leaf sequences), coupled to a conventional (convolution) dose calculation algorithm, is used for the optimization. Following the MxOptoptimization convergence, a second method which utilizes MC for both fluence prediction and dose deposition in a patient is performed. DPEs due to patient heterogeneities and incident fluence prediction are evaluated by re‐computing MxOpt converged solution with a full MC (MxOpt+MC) method, while OCEs are evaluated by comparing the MxOpt+MC computed dose with the converged MCOptoptimization result. The technique is evaluated by performing the optimization sequences on two Head‐and‐Neck IMRT patient plans. Dose‐volume indices were evaluated to compare the plans. Results: For the plans assessed, the GTV D98 and CTV D95 indices agree within ±2% for both DPE and OCE estimations. The Nodal‐CTV D90 DPEs and OCEs are within 3%. The DPEs and OCEs in the critical structures (Cord D02, Brainstem D02, and Parotid D50.) are less than 3.5%. When MCOpt follows MxOpt, only 3–4 iterations were required for convergence. Conclusion: A technique for evaluation of the DPEs and the OCEs in the deliverable IMRToptimization has been developed. The feasibility of the proposed technique was demonstrated on two Head‐and‐Neck deliverable IMRT plans. (Supported by NIH‐1R01CA98524).
Expanding Fröebel's garden: the effect of play on adolescents’ cognitive development

This study explored the relationship of play and cognitive development in adolescents. The research design was a quantitative study that consisted of two groups of participants who engaged in either a computer program (work condition) to test cognitive skills or a computer game (play condition) that contains the same tests. The participants were 167 adolescent male students aged 14–19 from urban mid-Atlantic Catholic high schools. The results indicated that adolescent males performed the cognitive tasks of memory and reading better in the play condition than they did in the work condition and performed the cognitive tasks of logic and mathematics better in the work condition than in the play condition. Differences in performance related to age were not present. The findings suggest that play may have a significant effect on adolescents’ cognitive development.