cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optimizing chest compression to rescue ventilation ratios during one-rescuer CPR by professionals and lay persons: children are not just little adults.

Abstract Objective: To estimate the optimum ratio of chest compressions to ventilations for one-rescuer CPR that maximizes systemic oxygen delivery in children. Method: Equations describing oxygen delivery and blood flow during CPR as functions of the number of compressions and the number of ventilations delivered over time were adapted from the former work of Babbs and Kern. These equations were solved explicitly as a function of body weight, using scaling algorithms based upon principles of developmental anatomy and physiology. Results: The optimal compression to ventilation (C/V) ratios for infants and younger children increase sharply as a function of body weight. Optimal C/V ratios are lower for professional rescuers, who take less time to deliver a rescue breath, than for lay rescuers, who interrupt chest compressions for longer to perform ventilations. For professional rescuers the optimal C/V ratio, x*, is approximately 1.6 W where the W is the patient’s body weight in kg. For lay rescuers the optimum C/V ratio is approximately 2.8 W . These values can be approximated for children and teens by the following rules of thumb, based upon the age of the victim: “5 + one half the age in years” for professional rescuers and “5 + age in years” for lay rescuers. Conclusions: Compression to ventilation ratios in CPR should be smaller for children than for adults and gradually increase as a function of body weight. Optimal CPR in children requires relatively more ventilation than optimal CPR in adults. A universal compression/ventilation ratio of 50:2, targeted to optimize adult resuscitation, would not be appropriate for infants and young children.
A Novel Melt Electrospinning System for Studying Cell Substrate Interactions

Controlling cell behavior has generated immense attention in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Particular emphasis has been given to the creation of 3D biomimetic cellular microenvironments that replicate the complex nature of the extracellular matrix (ECM). A key factor that has not been rigorously deconstructed using scalable, layered manufacturing approaches is the structural dimension or scale aspect of in vitro culture models. Melt electrospinning represents a bio-additive manufacturing process that has been relatively under-reported. Although complex in nature, the melt electrospinning process can furnish a 3D cell delivery format with physiologically relevant 3D structural cues. In the present work, poly-e-caprolactone (PCL) has been chosen as the biomaterial substrate. Rheological studies that guide the design phase of the reported system have been performed for the entire PCL melt processing range, implicating the governing effect of the experimental melt temperature on the scale and the topography in the final processed material. Notable challenges that arise from the nature of the process with respect to the electrospun fiber stability and resolution have been overcome through the design of a novel heating element configuration. In this paper, a reliable biofabrication process with tunable processing of the fiber diameter and alignment is reported. Fundamental parametric studies utilizing the major processing parameters demonstrate the potential for the system to precisely fabricate 3D PCL scaffolds with microstructural features.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Game-Theoretic Cold-Start Transient Optimization in DC Microgrids

An interconnected electrical network that has electrical sources and loads makes a small-scale power system (SSPS). These systems have low inertia, which makes the modeling and controlling of them dissimilar to that of traditional large-scale power systems. A differential game-theoretic framework allows for the design of the distributed control structures for SSPS with player dynamics under simultaneous player movement. Under this approach, both loads and sources are defined as players in the system to form a game of energy between them. Game-theory-based modeling is necessary in this case since it optimizes the multiobjective optimization problem based on local control without the need for a communication channel. In this paper, a differential game-theoretic approach is used for path optimization of load players during a cold start that minimizes losses and achieves a desired steady-state operating point. Example simulation cases are obtained for a dc power system that has nine buses and dynamic load players. This power system is used to show the applicability, effectiveness, and performances of the proposed concepts. However, this method can be easily applied to other types of larger dc or ac networks. Finally, experimental results are yielded to validate the theoretical results and show that the proposed controller has higher performance compared with the traditional proportional-integral controller during transients.
Identification of metastable phases: face-centred cubic Ti

First-principles total-energy electronic structure calculations are used to find the epitaxial line of tetragonal Ti, i.e., the line of body-centred tetragonal (bct) structures produced by isotropic epitaxial strain on the (001) plane of tetragonal phases of Ti. An fcc phase and a higher-energy noncubic bct phase are found at minima of the total energy with respect to tetragonal deformations, but the bcc structure is found to be a saddle point of energy. The calculation yields the strained structures, the corresponding stresses, and the elastic stiffness coefficients on the epitaxial line. A segment of the epitaxial line between the two phases is shown to be inherently unstable, so unique meaning can be given to designating a structure as strained fcc Ti. The bulk structure of a film of Ti on Al{001} is shown to be strained fcc Ti, a new phase not on the phase diagram.
Plugging the Democracy Drain in the Struggle for Universal Access to Safe Drinking Water

Privatization of water delivery services has become a global trend as states seek ways to shift both political and economic costs to private actors. The advantage of privatization is that it relieves governments of the daunting expense of repairing and expanding water infrastructure in order to improve quality and reach marginalized communities. But water privatization has also been deeply criticized for corrupt practices, increasing prices to the poor, undermining human rights objectives, and dodging accountability. This note aims to find middle ground, acknowledging that privatization is an important tool to increase freshwater access, but that treating water as a human right coupled with a strong legal framework that fosters transparency, public participation, and accountability will increase individual rights protections as well as the chances for successful privatization projects. South Africa's Promotion of Administrative Justice Act is offered as one example of how administrative law can be used to harmonize these objectives.
Immune response of rabbits to intrarectal injections of particulate and soluble antigens with and without enemas.

Abstract New Zealand and New York State Flemish giant rabbits were immunized by intrarectal injections of intact sheep red blood cells (SRC) or sonicated whole sheep blood, with or without prior enemas, and were challenged intravenously with SRC. Animals receiving seven injections of 20% washed SRC, with or without prior enema, did not show detectable humoral response or produce plaque-forming cells (PFC). The systemic humoral response increased moderately after a greater dose of SRC but increased sharply after immunization with sonicated whole blood. These results suggest that particulate antigens have a restricted intestinal absorption, which can be overcome by some degree of degradation of fragmentation. The consequent sensitization to intact and sonicated SRC at the intestinal level was suggested by a secondary type of immune response (IgA and IgG), as shown by the results of PFC counts and the lack or relatively low production of hemagglutinating and hemolysin antibodies. The immune response to both soluble and disrupted particulate antigens was significantly increased by a preceding enema. These animals responded much faster and produced antibodies to a wider range of plasma proteins and SRC stromata. Our findings suggest that frequent enemas may predispose to infection and immunodeficiency in some homosexual males.
A Juvenile Murine Heart Failure Model of Pressure Overload

Persistent pressure overload can cause cardiac hypertrophy and progressive heart failure (HF). The authors developed a pressure-overload HF model of juvenile mice to study the cardiac response to pressure overload that may be applicable to clinical processes in children. Severe thoracic aortic banding (sTAB) was performed using a 28-gauge needle for 40 juvenile (age, 3 weeks) and 47 adult (age, 6 weeks) C57BL/6 male mice. To monitor the structural and functional changes, M-mode echocardiography was performed for conscious mice that had undergone sTAB and sham operation. Cardiac hypertrophy, dilation, and HF occurred in both juvenile and adult mice after sTAB. Compared with adults, juvenile HF is characterized by greater impairment of ventricular contractility and less hypertrophy. In addition, juvenile mice had significantly higher rates of survival than adult mice during the early postoperative weeks. Consistent with clinical HF seen in children, juvenile banded mice demonstrated a lower growth rate than either adult banded mice or juvenile control mice that had sham operations. The authors first developed a juvenile murine model of pressure-overload HF. Learning the unique characteristics of pressure-overload HF in juveniles should aid in understanding age-specific pathologic changes for HF development in children.
Defining and Evaluating Perceptions of Victim Blame in Antigay Hate Crimes

Victimology research often hinges on attribution of blame toward victims despite a lack of conceptual agreement on the definition and measure of the construct. Drawing on established blame attribution and intent literature, the present study evaluates psychometric properties of the Perceptions of Victim Blame Scale (PVBS) using mock jury samples in a vignette-based capital murder antigay hate crime context. Factor analyses show support for a three-factor structure with the following perceptions of victim blame subscales: Malice, Recklessness, and Unreliability. All factors displayed expected positive associations with homonegativity and authoritarianism. Likewise, all factors displayed null relations with trait aggression and social desirability. Only the Malice factor predicted sentencing decisions after controlling for crime condition and support for the death penalty. Results are reviewed with respect to blame attribution theory and practical application of a revised PVBS.
Modification of vegetable oils

1. Selective hydrogenation, followed by fractional crystallization from a solvent, has been used to prepare from cottonseed oil a hard butter, very similar to cocoa butter. 2. The new product differs somewhat in composition from cocoa butter, due to an unavoidable content of iso-oleic acid. 3. Examination of the new product by a micropenetration technique, by a standard solidification test, and by means of the dilatometer, reveals minor physical differences between it and cocoa butter. 4. The new fat has a slightly longer plastic range than cocoa butter. It supercools less strongly and contracts slightly less upon solidification. It exhibits the phenomenon of polymorphism to a less pronounced degree than cocoa butter. 5. A relatively low yield of the new fat is inherent in the process used for preparing it. In the case of the product most closely resembling cocoa butter, a yield of approximately 28 percent was obtained in the laboratory. The residual 72 percent is suitable for use as a hardening agent in shortening and similar products.
On a moderate rotation theory of laminated anisotropic shells—Part 2. Finite-element analysis

Abstract The finite element model of the moderate rotation theory (MRT) is developed and its application to composite plates and shells is presented. Comparison of results obtained by the moderate rotation theory with the von Karman non-linear theory and continuum 2D theory is made.
Visualizing loops and data structures in Xylem: the code of plants

The visual representation of software data structures is especially relevant to the creation of games which crowd source science problems to a gaming community and to educational games which seek to teach computer science concepts within the context of computer games. Xylem: The Code of Plants is a game designed to crowd source formal software verification via loop invariant specifications. Due to the nature of this project, it was important that the game 1) appeal to a large audience, 2) support a wide variety of data structures and 3) hide any actual data from the source code that was generating the game levels. To these ends, a method of visualizing data structures was developed that features a consistent plant-based narrative metaphor, is flexible enough to accommodate multiple types of data structures while maintaining narrative integrity, and obscures all real data from the target source code.
Costing of transmission outages

The operation of a grid system requires equipment to be taken out of service to complete both maintenance and construction work. When a transmission circuit is taken out of service, the power system's ability to transmit power, the transfer capability, is reduced. If this lower transmission capacity cannot sustain the flows resulting from operating the generation in merit order, a transmission constraint results and the outage impacts on the economic operation of the power system. Under these circumstances, it is necessary to operate plant "out of merit" in order to reduce the flows on the transmission system. When it is necessary to constrain the output from a generator despatched by NGC, compensation payments are made by the electricity pool. The detailed payments are subject to a very complex formula. Here, the author examines the costing of such utility transmission outages.
MICROGRAVITY TISSUE ENGINEERING

Tissue engineering studies were done using isolated cells, three-dimensional polymer scaffolds, and rotating bioreactors operated under conditions of simulated microgravity. In particular, vessel rotation speed was adjusted such that 10 mm diameter x 2 mm thick cell-polymer constructs were cultivated in a state of continuous free-fall. Feasibility was demonstrated for two different cell types: cartilage and heart. Conditions of simulated microgravity promoted the formation of cartilaginous constructs consisting of round cells, collagen and glycosaminoglycan (GAG), and cardiac tissue constructs consisting of elongated cells that contracted spontaneously and synchronously. Potential advantages of using a simulated microgravity environment for tissue engineering were demonstrated by comparing the compositions of cartilaginous constructs grown under four different in vitro culture conditions: simulated microgravity in rotating bioreactors, solid body rotation in rotating bioreactors, turbulent mixing in spinner flasks, and orbital mixing in petri dishes. Constructs grown in simulated microgravity contained the highest fractions of total regenerated tissue (as a percent of construct dry weight) and of GAG, the component required for cartilage to withstand compressive force.
Thermolysis of alternating ethylene-carbon monoxide copolymer

Abstract Alternating ethylene-carbon monoxide copolymer was thermolyzed by flash pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry and the pyrolyzates identified. Main chain scission produces four to ten times more than . Intramolecular H-shifts produce the vinyl alkyl ketone series; intermolecular H abstraction forms crosslinks; intramolecular cyclization and dehydration leaves 20–30% carbonaceous residues. The alternating copolymer is stable up to 325°C; the activation energy for thermolysis increases with the extent of the degradation due to crosslinking and aromatization.
Advanced prostatic carcinoma: flutamide therapy after conventional endocrine treatment.

Abstract Twenty-six patients with advanced prostatic carcinoma refractory to conventional endocrine treatment were treated with a new oral nonsteroidal antiandrogen, flutamide. There were 6 responders and 20 failures. No serious toxicity attributable to flutamide was observed.
Electrospun zirconium hydroxide nanoparticle fabrics as sorptive/reactive media

Good quality adsorbent fabrics were electrospun from slurries of zirconium hydroxide nanoparticles and polyvinyl butyral (PVB) in alcohols. The as-spun fabrics had very high porosity, about 80 vol%, and high zirconium hydroxide content, 50–95 wt%. The porosity and mechanical strength of the fabrics could be modified via compaction and/or exposure to alcohol vapor. SO2 sorption capacity of the fabrics was high at 1.6–1.9 mol/kg and was relatively independent of the sample pretreatment, unlike the capacity of the pristine nanoparticles, which decreased when the powder was stored in a low relative humidity atmosphere. The as-purchased zirconium hydroxide nanoparticles contained about 45 wt% of water, equivalent to the formula ZrO2·5.6H2O. In contrast, the electrospun composite fabrics contained only 25 wt% of mostly coordinated water, leading to the formula ZrO2·2.2H2O. The presence of PVB binder inhibited the rehydration/dehydration processes and stabilized the SO2 sorption capacity of the composite fibers. The electrospun fabrics could find applications as conformable, flexible filters in civilian and military applications.
On Wigner's clock and the detectability of spacetime foam with gravitational-wave interferometers

Abstract A recent paper (gr-qc/9909017) criticizes our work on the structure of spacetime foam. Its authors argue that the quantum uncertainty limit for the position of the quantum clock in a gedanken timing experiment, obtained by Wigner and used by us, is based on unrealistic assumptions. Here we point out some flaws in their argument. We also discuss their other comments and some other issues related to our work, including a simple connection to the holographic principle. We see no reason to change our cautious optimism on the detectability of spacetime foam with future refinements of modern gravitational-wave interferometers like LIGO/VIRGO and LISA.
Application of the IFR portable pendulum for the assessment of the mechanical properties of solid foams

Abstract The use of the IFR portable pendulum, with further instrumentation, for assessment of the mechanical properties of solid foam structures is described. The instrument has been used to measure the resistance to penetration of various solid foamed foods produced by extrusion cooking. These data, obtained under high strain rate conditions of impact, provide an alternative to the use of low strain rate texture measuring apparatus based on tensile testing devices. The instrumented pendulum records the transient penetration of a hammer into the sample using an angular displacement transducer. The signal is acquired using a microcomputer and may be differentiated to obtain the instantaneous retardation. The restitution of the pendulum hammer is also recorded as a function of time to the point of initial contact with the specimen.
Antibiotic Efficacy againstStaphylococcus epidermidisAdherent to Vascular Grafts

Antibiotic bonded grafts may improve the treatment results of vascular graft infections. The purpose of this study was to determine the antibiotic and antibiotic concentration needed to be effective against Staphylococcus epidermidis-infected vascular grafts. The efficacy of four antibiotics (minocycline, cefazolin, vancomycin, and rifampin) against S. epidermidis adherent to Dacron or Teflon vascular grafts was studied in vitro. Kill kinetic studies were performed with 18 and 42 hr of exposure of Dacron-adherent and Teflon-adherent S. epidermidis at 1, 4, 16, and 64 times the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of each antibiotic. Antibiotic efficacy against graft-adherent S. epidermidis at 42 hr was best at concentrations 64x MIC for minocycline, cefazolin, and vancomycin and 4x MIC for rifampin. None of the antibiotics totally eradicated the graft-adherent bacteria. Antibiotics were equally effective for S. epidermidis adherent to Dacron and Teflon grafts. Antibiotic concentrations several times that predicted by the MIC were needed for all antibiotics to achieve significant killing of graft-adherent bacteria, with rifampin the most effective at the lowest concentration.
Hyposmia after paranasal sinus extenteration or laryngectomy

Summary Olfactory acuity has been tested in seventeen patients having paranasal sinus exenteration and thirty-five patients having total laryngectomy performed in the treatment of cancer. In both groups of patients after surgery there was loss of the normal ability to detect and recognize vapors through the olfactory nerve-olfactory epithelium relationship. Only in the patients having sinus exenteration was this interrelationship disturbed surgically. In the patients having laryngectomy loss of olfactory acuity appeared to be unrelated to surgical trauma to the first cranial nerve or to significant changes in air flow. However, in both groups, shortly after surgery, patients were able to detect and in some cases recognize odors through the use of accessory areas of olfaction located in mucosal surfaces on the lateral walls of the nares, oral cavity, and pharynx, these areas being innervated by the fifth, ninth, and tenth cranial nerves. Although the olfactory acuity obtained through use of the accessory areas was markedly depressed compared with that of normal subjects, it could be improved with the oropharyngeal inhalation of vapors. A stable level of olfactory acuity was usually reached by eighteen months after surgery where it remained for as long as eight years after operation.
Clinical presentation, hospital length of stay, and readmission rate in patients with heart failure with preserved and decreased left ventricular systolic function.

Background: Congestive heart failure is the leading cause of hospital admissions for adults in the United States. To our knowledge, there are limited data comparing the clinical presentation, hospital length of stay, and readmission in patients with preserved and decreased left ventricular (LV) systolic function. Hypothesis: The goal of the study was to determine whether there are differences in clinical presentation, hospital length of stay, and readmission in patients with preserved (≥ 50%) and reduced (< 50%) systolic function. Methods: We prospectively evaluated 187 patients admitted with congestive heart failure confirmed by the presence of pulmonary vascular congestion on chest x-ray, and with recent (< 6 months) documentation of LV systolic function by two-dimensional echocardiography. History and physical examination findings, patient demographics, comorbidities, discharge medications, and length of hospital stay data were documented. Readmission rate over a 6-month follow-up period was also documented. Results: Of the 187 patients, 130 (70%) patients had an ejection fraction (EF) < 50%, and 57 (30%) patients had an EF ≥ 50%. Patients with EF < 50% were more likely to be men (54 vs. 37%, p = 0.03), African Americans (79 vs. 60%, p = 0.007), had a higher prevalence of previous stroke (17 vs. 5%, p = 0.03), and were more likely to carry no medical insurance at the time of admission (14 vs. 2%, p = 0.01) and to be discharged on digoxin (60 vs.30%, p<0.001). There were no significant differences in symptoms (exertional dyspnea, rest dyspnea, orthopnea, or paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea), or in physical examination findings (S3, S4, elevated jugular venous pressure, rales, orperipheral edema). According to chest x-ray, patients with EF < 50% had more frequent cardiomegaly (88 vs. 72% p = 0.008), but there were no differences in the presence of pleural effusion or pulmonary vascular congestion (p = NS). The mean length of stay was 5.9 and 5.2 days, respectively (p = 0.34). During the 6-month follow-up period, the readmission rates were 33% (43 patients) and 26% (15 patients), respectively (p = 0.36). Conclusion: The clinical presentation, hospital length of stay, and readmission rate for congestive heart failure are similar in patients with preserved and decreased LV systolic function.
Left-right symmetry with baryon- and lepton-number conservation as gauge symmetries.

An $\mathrm{SU}{(2)}_{L}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{SU}{(2)}_{R}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{U}{(1)}_{B}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathrm{U}{(1)}_{l}$ model is described in which Abelian gauge symmetries are associated with the observed conservation in nature of baryon and lepton numbers. The triangle anomalies of the three families of quarks and leptons in the model are canceled by invoking leptoquark matter which is new fermionic matter that carries baryon as well as lepton numbers. In addition to the standard neutral boson (${Z}^{0}$), the theory predicts two massive neutral gauge bosons. The lower bounds on their masses are in the few hundred GeV mass range which makes these particles prospective candidates for production at CERN LEP, the Fermilab Tevatron, and the Superconducting Super Collider.
Ectrodactyly and proximal/intermediate interstitial deletion 7q

We report on an individual with severe mental retardation, seizures, microcephaly, unusual face, scoliosis, and cleft feet and cleft right hand. The chromosomal study showed a proximal interstitial deletion 7q (q11.23q22). From our review of the literature, 11 patients have been reported with ectrodactyly (split hand/split foot malformation) and proximal/intermediate interstitial deletions or rearrangements of 7q. The critical segment for ectrodactyly seems to be located between 7q21.2 and 7q22.1. This malformation is present in 41% of the patients whose deletion involves the critical segment. 37 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.
Rotational transition and quadrupole coupling measurements on the NNO-HCN complex

Abstract Seven a -dipole and seven b -dipole transitions were measured for one isomer of the NNO-HCN complex using a pulsed-beam, Fourier transform microwave spectrometer. Rotational constants A +Δ K =10326.3(4) MHz, B =2814.32(14) MHz and C =2201.00(12) MHz and distortion constants Δ J =0.014(8) MHz and Δ JK =0.14(6) MHz were obtained by fitting the observed transition frequencies. A quadrupole coupling strength due to the HCN nitrogen of eQq aa =1.97±0.05 MHz was obtained by fitting low- J transitions. Approximate structural parameters are obtained using moments of inertia and quadrupole coupling data.
User interface design for medical imaging workstations: image display and processing

Abstract Conventional diagnostic protocols in radiological viewing require the availability of a large display space, as exemplified by the film alternator (or lightbox). However, the recent trend in medical imaging workstation design is the use of relatively small display screens to present radiological images. In the study, the efficacy of an alternatorfilmstrip metaphor for navigating through and displaying the images of a patient study is evaluated. The metaphor relies on the availability of a ‘pictorial directory’ and accommodates the concurrent display of a variable number of images on the screen. In addition the study also evaluated the utility of two commonly available operations for manipulating the appearance of an image: contrast enhancement and image magnification. The study consisted of two experimental variables: availability of a pictorial directory (yes, no) and number of concurrently displayed images (1, 2, or 4). Twelve radiologists viewed two sets of X-ray computed tomography (CT) studies for each of the six treatment conditions and were asked to record an interpretation for each study. Results indicate that interpretations using the two-image display formats took the least amount of time per study, whereas the single-image format with access to the pictorial directory required the longest mean interpretation time. The image magnification capability was generally not found to be useful for image interpretation, whereas the contrast manipulation operations were judged extremely helpful. Implications of the results for medical imaging workstation design are discussed.
Role of a hospital team at an industrial explosion

The role of hospital personnel at the scene of largescale medical emergencies is controversial. Several authors have reported that on-scene hospital personnel were useful in actual incidents,‘-5 whereas others have cited the theoretical benefit of designated hospital teams”’ ’ or other systems for using medical personnel in the field.“-I5 Opponents of on-site hospital teams, however, say that these teams are unneeded, they are out of their natural environment in the field, and the teams’ deployment may deplete the source hospital of needed personnel.‘6-‘8 This report describes the use of previously designated teams at the scene of an industrial accident with numerous casualties.
Gallbladder cancer in Hispanic new mexicans. II. Familial occurrence in two northern New Mexico kindreds

Abstract Familial cases of carcinoma of the gallbladder have been found in two Hispanic kindred from northern New Mexico. The familial clustering of this cancer in a population with a high degree of American Indian ancestry suggests that this typically Indian disease has a strong genetic component and that its presence in northern New Mexico Hispanics is a result of genetic admixture. In one of the two pedigrees presented, a detribalized, or Hispanicized, Indian is the father and grandfather, respectively, of a mother-daughter pair of those affected.
Plasma conditions at Saturn's magnetopause

Magnetized planets, including Earth and Saturn, are surrounded by a magnetosphere, a magnetic bubble that generally repels the solar wind. Magnetic reconnection—the breaking and rejoining of magnetic field lines—occurs at Earth's magnetopause (the boundary of the magnetosphere), allowing solar wind energy to enter the magnetosphere. At Earth, magnetic reconnection is the main driver of magnetosphere dynamics. At Saturn's magnetopause, however, spacecraft have found limited evidence for magnetic reconnection to date. Theory suggests that magnetic reconnection is more likely to happen when the ratio of plasma pressure to magnetic field pressure, known as plasma beta, is lower.
Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of (Cr4+) doped sol-gels

The low temperature sol-gel process has been used for the preparation of Cr 4 -doped multicomponent gels and olivine group ceramic powders. Although absorption spectra indicate the presence of tetrahedrally coordinated Cr 4+ in the silicate-aluminate and germanate glasses, none exhibit near-IR emissions at room temperature. Cr(III) doping of Mg 2 SiO 4 , Ca 2 GeO 4 and the aluminates MAlO 2 (M = Li, Na and K) yield transparent materials with absorption spectra indicative of octahedrally coordinated Cr(III). Heating these transparent materials produces powders that exhibit absorption and near-IR emissions spectra characteristic of tetrahedrally coordinated Cr(IV).
STRUCTURE OF THE SUNDA TRENCH LOWER SLOPE OFF SUMATRA FROM MULTICHANNEL SEISMIC REFLECTION DATA

Multichannel seismic reflection profiles across the Sunda Trench slope off central Sumatra reveal details of subduction zone structure. Normal faults formed on the outer ridge of the trench offset deep strate and the oceanic crust, but die out upsection under the trench sediments. At the base of the inner trench slope, shallow reflectors are tilted seaward, while deeper reflectors dip landward parallel to the underlying oceanic crustal reflector. Intermediate depth reflectors can be traced landward through a seaward-dipping monocline. We interpret this fold as the shallow expression of a landward-dipping thrust fault at depth. Landward of this flexure, relatively undeformed strata have been stripped off the oceanic plate, uplifted 700 meters, and accreted to the base of the slope. The oceanic crust is not involved in the deformation at the toe of the slope, and it can be observed dipping landward about 25 km under the toe of the accretionary prism.
Adolescent rats exposed to repeated ethanol treatment show lingering behavioral impairments.

Background: Repeated ethanol treatment has been reported to differentially affect water maze performance in adolescent and adult rats. The present study was undertaken to determine the age-specific reversal of ethanol-induced deficit in water maze performance. Methods: Adolescent and adult male rats were subjected to repeated ethanol or saline treatments. Experimental rats were injected daily with 2 g/kg ethanol (intraperitoneally) for five consecutive days (Days 1–5) and tested in the hidden platform task of the Morris water maze 30 minutes after ethanol treatment; control rats received isovolumetric saline. On the last training day, all rats were tested in the probe trial and in the cued visual task. After an ethanol-free period of 4–25 days, rats were retested in the water maze. Results: Adolescent ethanol-treated rats had significantly higher latencies and swam greater distances to find the hidden platform, compared to age-matched saline control rats. Ethanol rats also showed increased hug time, i.e., spent significantly more time near the periphery of the pool than control rats. In the probe trial, compared to adolescent saline rats, ethanol rats spent less time in the target quadrant. However, there was no difference between ethanol- and saline-treated rats in the swim speed or in the visual task performance. Experimental and control rats were retested in the water maze 4 days (Day 9), 7 days (Day 12), and 25 days (Day 30) after the last ethanol/saline treatment; no injections were given on those days. Ethanol-treated rats continued to do poorly on all retest days. Ethanol treatment in adult male rats acutely increased latency and distance to find the hidden platform, but unlike adolescent alcohol rats, their performance in the probe trial did not differ from adult saline rats. Also, swim speed and visual task performance of adult rats were significantly affected by ethanol exposure. During retesting, their performance did not differ from adult control rats. Conclusions: Adolescent rats exposed to ethanol showed deficits in water maze performance, had increased hug time, and failed to catch up with control rats during the weeks after the ethanol treatment period was over. Adult alcohol rats showed some behavioral dysfunction (increased latency and distance to find the hidden platform) but had problems swimming, and in the probe trial they performed as well as control rats. Also, in adult rats, ethanol-induced impairments were quickly reversed after the ethanol treatment was over, a finding that suggests impaired motor coordination more than a true learning deficit. Together, these data indicate that repeated ethanol treatment in adolescent rats, but not adult rats, show long-term impairments in maze performance.
A new algorithm for hybrid hierarchical clustering with visualization and the bootstrap

We propose a hybrid clustering method, hierarchical ordered partitioning and collapsing hybrid (HOPACH), which is a hierarchical tree of clusters. The methodology combines the strengths of both partitioning and agglomerative clustering methods. At each node, a cluster is partitioned into two or more smaller clusters with an enforced ordering of the clusters. Collapsing steps uniting the two closest clusters into one cluster can be used to correct for errors made in the partitioning steps. We implement a version of HOPACH which optimizes a measure of clustering strength, such as average silhouette, at each partitioning and collapsing step. An important benefit of a hierarchical tree is that one can look at clusters at increasing levels of detail. We propose to visualize the clusters at any level of the tree by plotting the distance matrix corresponding with an ordering of the clusters and an ordering of elements within the clusters. A final ordered list of elements is obtained by running down the tree completely. The bootstrap can be used to establish the reproducibility of the clusters and the overall variability of the followed procedure. The power of the methodology compared to current algorithms is illustrated with simulated and publicly available cancer gene expression data sets.
Cytotactin expression in somites after dorsal neural tube and neural crest ablation in chicken embryos.

Abstract The spatiotemporal expression of the extracellular matrix protein cytotactin/tenascin during somitogenesis suggests that it plays a role in the morphogenetic events that give rise to the pattern of neural crest (NC) development. In the present study, the spatial distribution and molecular forms of cytotactin in somites were examined using in situ hybridization, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry during normal development and after injury. In situ hybridization showed that prior to NC cell invasion cytotactin mRNA was restricted to the caudal half of the newly formed epithelial somites. As each epithelial somite matured, giving rise to a sclerotome and dermamyotome, the mRNA was first restricted to the dermamyotome and later restricted to the rostral protion of the sclerotome, consistent with the previously reported protein distribution. Immunocytochemical analysis of the distribution of cytotactin and NC cells in embryos with ablations that removed NC cells, or with simple wounds that left NC cells in place, demonstrated that the presence of NC cells is neither necessary nor sufficient for the correct positioning of cytotactin. Immunoblotting analysis showed that cytotactin synthesized by sclerotomes in the absence of NC cells was of similar molecular mass to that produced in their presence. These findings are in accord with the notion that the abnormalities of cytotactin distribution are related to the wounding process. We conclude that, contrary to the suggestion of Stern et al. [Stern, C. D., Norris, W. E., Bronner-Fraser, M., Carlson, G. J., Faissner, A., Keynes, R. J. & Schachner, M. (1989) Development 107, 309-319], there is no causal link between the presence of NC cells and the distribution and molecular mass of sclerotomal cytotactin.
High PCNA index in meningiomas resistant to radiation therapy.

Purpose: Meningiomas are common intracranial tumors, often well controlled with surgical resection alone. While the efficacy of radiation therapy in improving local control and progression-free survival is well documented, prognostic data substantiate factors that are predictive of poor local control following definitive radiation therapy. PCNA is a DNA polymerase expressed at the highest levels in the S-phase, the most resistant portion of the cell cycle to ionizing radiation in vitro. We investigated the possible correlation between the levels of PCNA expression and the clinical outcome of patients treated with definitive radiation therapy. Methods and Materials: Archival tissue was collected from 33 cases of meningioma treated at our institution for definitive radiation therapy between 1970 and 1990. Age-matched normal meningeal tissue and asymptomatic meningiomas removed at autopsy served as tissue controls. A standard ABC immumoperoxidase technique employing antibodies to PCNA, PC-10 (Dako, California) was used to stain specimen slides for PCNA. PCNA index was defined as the number of positive nuclei per 10 high-power fields at 400× magnification. Two independent observers scored the slides without prior knowledge of the cases at hand. Results: Patients with high PCNA index were less likely to be controlled by therapeutic radiation (p < 0.001, Kaplan-Meier). All patients with a PCNA index greater that 25 failed radiation therapy. Using multivariate analyses, malignant (but not atypical), histology and PCNA index were significant predictors of progression following radiation therapy (p < 0.05, log rank). Conclusion: PCNA index may be a useful adjunct to more standard histopathologic criteria in the determination of meningioma local control and progression-free survival following therapeutic irradiation. Data on a more expanded population evaluated on a prospective basis will be needed before such criteria are routinely employed in the clinical setting.
Linking Folding and Binding

Many cellular proteins are intrinsically disordered and undergo folding, in whole or in part, upon binding to their physiological targets. The past few years have seen an exponential increase in papers describing characterization of intrinsically disordered proteins, both free and bound to targets. Although NMR spectroscopy remains the favored tool, a number of new biophysical techniques are proving exceptionally useful in defining the limits of the conformational ensembles. Advances have been made in prediction of the recognition elements in disordered proteins, in elucidating the kinetics and mechanism of the coupled folding and binding process, and in understanding the role of post-translational modifications in tuning the biological response. Here we review these and other recent advances that are providing new insights into the conformational propensities and interactions of intrinsically disordered proteins and are beginning to reveal general principles underlying their biological functions.
Matrix structure, polynomial arithmetic, and erasure-resilient encoding/decoding

We exploit various matrix structures to decrease the running time and memory space of the known practical deterministic schemes for erasure-resilient encoding/decoding. Polynomial interpolation and multipoint evaluation enable both encoding and decoding in nearly linear time but the overhead constants are large (particularly, for interpolation), and more straightforward quadratic time algorithms prevail in practice. We propose faster algorithms. At the encoding stage, we decrease the running time per information packet from C log2r, for a large constant C, or from r (for practical encoding) to log r. For decoding, our improvement is by the factors C and N/log N, respectively, for the input of size N. Our computations do not involve polynomial interpolation. Multipoint polynomial evaluation is either also avoided or is confined to decoding.
A longitudinal study to determine the effects of mentoring on middle school youngsters by nursing and other college students.

PURPOSE: This study aims to utilize nursing and other college students in conducting a mentoring project aimed at determining outcomes of behavior and attitude of high-risk middle school students over a 5-year period. METHOD: A quasi-experimental study with a sample of fifth and sixth graders was conducted in which mentored subjects were tested using multiple instruments and school data to identify behavioral and attitudinal outcomes. Statistical analyses were conducted using chi-square and one-way analysis of variance. FINDINGS: Academically below-average males in the treatment group were the only cohort demonstrating significant change across all measures. The magnitude of change in this cohort, however, did significantly affect treatment group outcomes overall. Females in both treatment and control groups reflected similar changes. CONCLUSIONS: Mentoring of schoolchildren is difficult to accomplish using college mentors because of time and schedule commitments. When college mentors are used, grade allocation seems to be a stronger incentive than when payment is the sole reward. Males whose grades are below average demonstrated positive outcomes from the mentoring experience.
Generalized separation of the portfolio decision process under uncertain inflation and asset pricing implications

Abstract By way of investigating the portfolio separability and hedging services of assets under uncertain inflation, this paper transforms the Friend-Landskroner-Losq (1976) model into an empirically tractable asset pricing relationship which is linear in the market factor and the inflation factor. This relationship is consistent with a gradual accumulation of empirical evidence which uniformly supports the existence of an additional factor(s) besides the market. The economic source of the additional factor is established in terms of relative hedging services of assets. The testable implications of the model are discussed by way of deriving its ex post analog. Further, due to generalized separability and the attendant mutual funds, the portfolio decision process can be decentralized under an inflationary environment.
Remarks on free boundary problems for the flux equations in plasma physics

(1980). Remarks on free boundary problems for the flux equations in plasma physics. Communications in Partial Differential Equations: Vol. 5, No. 7, pp. 741-751.
Microeconomics of process control in semiconductor manufacturing

Process window control enables accelerated design-rule shrinks for both logic and memory manufacturers, but simple microeconomic models that directly link the effects of process window control to maximum profitability are rare. In this work, we derive these links using a simplified model for the maximum rate of profit generated by the semiconductor manufacturing process. We show that the ability of process window control to achieve these economic objectives may be limited by variability in the larger manufacturing context, including measurement delays and process variation at the lot, wafer, x-wafer, x-field, and x-chip levels. We conclude that x-wafer and x-field CD control strategies will be critical enablers of density, performance and optimum profitability at the 90 and 65nm technology nodes. These analyses correlate well with actual factory data and often identify millions of dollars in potential incremental revenue and cost savings. As an example, we show that a scatterometry-based CD Process Window Monitor is an economically justified, enabling technology for the 65nm node.
When seeing the forest reduces the need for trees: the role of construal level in attraction to choice

Abstract Research has shown that more abstract, higher-level thinking induces a greater focus on similarities when comparing things. Using this framework, I posited that individuals' attraction to choice-sets that included a larger number of options would be reduced when they engaged in more abstract thinking, because a greater focus on similarities would lead people to expect options to be more redundant, thereby lowering the expected benefit of having more of them. As predicted, I found that a more abstract (vs. more concrete) mindset reduced (and sometimes even eliminated) individuals' general tendency to prefer larger choice-sets across various hypothetical situations (e.g., purchases; Experiment 1) as well as two real-world helping situations (Experiments 2–4). Further, this effect appeared to be at least partially mediated by the degree to which people expected the options within a choice-set to be similar to one another (Experiment 4). Implications for choice are discussed.