cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Large Particles During Chemical Mechanical Polishing Based on Numerical Modeling of Abrasive Particle Trajectories and Material Removal Non-Uniformity

A numerical simulation that describes particle trajectories during chemical mechanical polishing by Zhao et al. was extended to account for the effects of larger particles in a slurry, particle location changes due to slurry dispensing and in-situ conditioning. Material removal rate (MRR) and within wafer non-uniformity were determined based on the calculated particle trajectory densities in the absence of chemical activity from the slurry and assuming that the pressure is uniform and constant. The effect of pad-wafer rotary dynamics and reciprocating motion of the wafer carrier on MRR uniformity were evaluated and typically edge-fast MRR profiles were obtained. It was also shown that in-situ conditioning improves the MRR uniformity of the polished wafers. Using the model, we also investigated the effect of particle size distribution and large particles (>200 nm in diameter) on wafer uniformity and scratch growth and compared with some of our wafer level defect data. It was shown that the presence of even 1 wt.% of larger particles can deteriorate the wafer uniformity.
Hearts on Our Sleeves: Emotions Experienced by Service-Learning Faculty

Compared to more traditional pedagogical approaches, service-learning has been shown to offer unique experiences for students and faculty. With the growth of service-learning within higher education, it has become increasingly important to understand service-learning faculty, namely faculty emotions, which can impact students in many ways. Utilizing ecological momentary assessment (EMA) and focus groups, the study discussed in this article assessed the emotions of 17 service-learning faculty with varying levels of experience over the course of one semester. Results revealed that service-learning faculty experience a number of emotional highs and lows related to class logistics, community partners, and student engagement. Additionally, more experienced service-learning faculty handled their emotions differently than newer faculty. The authors also highlight implications and opportunities for service-learning faculty and administrators, based on the study results.
Nitrogen enrichment offsets direct negative effects of ocean acidification on a reef-building crustose coralline alga

Ocean acidification (OA) and nutrient enrichment threaten the persistence of near shore ecosystems, yet little is known about their combined effects on marine organisms. Here, we show that a threefold increase in nitrogen concentrations, simulating enrichment due to coastal eutrophication or consumer excretions, offset the direct negative effects of near-future OA on calcification and photophysiology of the reef-building crustose coralline alga, Porolithon onkodes Projected near-future pCO2 levels (approx. 850 µatm) decreased calcification by 30% relative to ambient conditions. Conversely, nitrogen enrichment (nitrate + nitrite and ammonium) increased calcification by 90-130% in ambient and high pCO2 treatments, respectively. pCO2 and nitrogen enrichment interactively affected instantaneous photophysiology, with highest relative electron transport rates under high pCO2 and high nitrogen. Nitrogen enrichment alone increased concentrations of the photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll a, phycocyanin and phycoerythrin by approximately 80-450%, regardless of pCO2 These results demonstrate that nutrient enrichment can mediate direct organismal responses to OA. In natural systems, however, such direct benefits may be counteracted by simultaneous increases in negative indirect effects, such as heightened competition. Experiments exploring the effects of multiple stressors are increasingly becoming important for improving our ability to understand the ramifications of local and global change stressors in near shore ecosystems.
Chemical Vapor Deposition in Low Pressure Batch Furnaces

A two-dimensional axisymmetric model for low pressure chemical vapor deposition in a multiwafer batch reactor has been developed. The model includes a rigorous description of multicomponent species transport, gas phase chemistry, surface chemistry, convective heat transfer, wafer heat conduction, and surface-to-surface radiative exchange with specular reflection and partially transmitting quartz surfaces. The model is designed to execute rapidly on a small computer workstation so that it may be used by semiconductor manufacturing companies in the selection of optimum processing conditions. The model has been used to simulate the deposition of polysilicon films from silane gas. Predictions from the model are found to be in good agreement with the reactor deposition data from a commercial reactor. Simulations have been performed to explore the aspects of scaling such reactors to larger wafer diameters.
Culture, black men, and prostate cancer: what is reality?

BackgroundThe worldwide incidence of prostate cancer is higher among American black men than any other male group. In the United States, lack of participation in screening for prostate cancer by bl...
A ferroelectric FET based power-efficient architecture for data-intensive computing

In this paper, we present a ferroelectric FET (FeFET) based power-efficient architecture to accelerate data-intensive applications such as deep neural networks (DNNs). We propose a cross-cutting solution combining emerging device technologies, circuit optimizations, and micro-architecture innovations. At device level, FeFET crossbar is utilized to perform vector-matrix multiplication (VMM). As a field effect device, FeFET significantly reduces the read/write energy compared with the resistive random-access memory (ReRAM). At circuit level, we propose an all-digital peripheral design, reducing the large overhead introduced by ADC and DAC in prior works. In terms of micro-architecture innovation, a dedicated hierarchical network-on-chip (H-NoC) is developed for input broadcasting and on-the-fly partial results processing, reducing the data transmission volume and latency. Speed, power, area and computing accuracy are evaluated based on detailed device characterization and system modeling. For DNN computing, our design achieves 254x and 9.7x gain in power efficiency (GOPS/W) compared to GPU and ReRAM based designs, respectively.
Graft-Associated Elizabethkingia meningoseptica Bacteremia Managed With Long-Term Oral Ciprofloxacin and Rifampicin

Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is an uncommon pathogen that has been associated with nosocomial infections and can pose a therapeutic challenge. It is resistant to most conventional agents used in treatment of gram-negative organisms and as such use of these agents may be unfavorable. Oral therapy with the appropriate agents to address this infection in certain patients may be successful. We report a case of graft infection with E. meningoseptica causing bacteremia in a dialysis patient who responded to oral agents. J Med Cases. 2019;10(3):93-95 doi: https://doi.org/10.14740/jmc3274
CNS Infections Caused by Brown-Black Fungi

Central nervous system (CNS) infections caused by brown-black or dematiaceous fungi are distinctly rare and represent a small proportion of infections termed phaeohyphomycoses. However, these are becoming more commonly reported. Though many fungi have been implicated in disease, most cases are caused by only a few species, Cladophialophora bantiana being the most common. Most of the fungi described are molds, and often cause infection in immunocompetent individuals, in contrast to infection with other more common molds such as Aspergillus, which is usually seen in highly immunocompromised patients. Diagnosis is challenging, as there are no specific tests for this group of fungi. In addition, these infections are often refractory to standard drug therapies, requiring an aggressive combined surgical and medical approach to improve outcomes, yet mortality remains high. There are no standardized treatments due to a lack of randomized clinical trials, though guidelines have been published based on available data and expert opinion.
Elucidation of Fe-N-C electrocatalyst active site functionality via in-situ X-ray absorption and operando determination of oxygen reduction reaction kinetics in a PEFC

Abstract In the past decade the notable effort placed on improving intrinsic electrochemical kinetics of platinum group metal (PGM)-free electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) has led to a significant improvement in both performance and understanding of this class of electrocatalysts. However, a limited amount of this development and understanding has been undertaken using operando electrochemical diagnostics at the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) level. In this work, the operando ORR kinetics on an atomically dispersed iron-nitrogen-carbon ((AD)Fe-N-C) PGM-free electrocatalyst have been examined to extract the reaction order and the activation energy of the ORR. The experiments were carefully designed to ensure the stability/predictability of the electrocatalyst during the data collection process and thus validate the relevance of the values obtained for the aforementioned parameters. A kinetic model that considers a potential-dependent availability of active sites (θ) is proposed. Active site availability is shown to be a function of both the change in the oxidation state (nR) and the redox potential at which the metal center transitions from a higher oxidation state to a lower one (). The resulting model fitting parameters for nR and (0.71 and 0.788 V, respectively) obtained from the analysis of operando data correlate well with those from in situ X-ray absorption near edge structure measurements (nR = 0.57) and in situ cyclic voltammetry measurements (0.75 V
Integrating Research, Policy, and Practice to Bring Science to the Classroom: New Leaders’ Perspectives on the Field of Emotional and Behavioral Disorders:

In 1991, the Peacock Hill Working Group provided the field of emotional and behavioral disorders (EBD) a roadmap for improving the quality of services provided to students with EBD. The working gro...
Rurality and differences in pharmacy characteristics and community factors associated with provision of naloxone in the pharmacy.

Abstract Background Pharmacies are the most accessible healthcare settings across urban, suburban, and rural areas of the United States and, thus a key venue in the overdose risk environment. Pharmacy dispensing of naloxone is part of the public health response to the opioid overdose crisis, yet little is known about the pharmacy- and community-level characteristics with which naloxone provision is associated. Methods We conducted a longitudinal analysis of pharmacy-level quarterly naloxone dispensed from one large US community pharmacy chain from the 1st quarter of 2013 to the 2nd quarter of 2017, examining associations between naloxone provision and pharmacy-level characteristics and community factors in two US states, Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Rurality was defined using the rural urban commuting area (RUCA) scale scores, calculated based on US 2010 Census variables. Pharmacy-level characteristics (e.g., 24 h store, average daily volumes of total prescriptions, nonprescription syringe sales, buprenorphine prescriptions) derived from the pharmacy chain; community factors (e.g., RUCA score, ZIP-code level age, race distributions, and median household income) were obtained from the decennial census files. The linear mixed effects methods modeled dispensing history and the number of naloxone doses dispensed through binomial and negative binomial distributions respectively, accounting for trend and covariates. Results Adjusted analyses of dispensing data from 449 pharmacies in two states indicated that more rural pharmacies (i.e., stores in areas with higher RUCA scores), pharmacies with higher volumes of all prescriptions and of buprenorphine, that sell more nonprescription syringes, that have drive-throughs and longer weekend hours, and that are located in communities with younger age distributions were associated with increased likelihood of ever dispensing naloxone and a greater number of naloxone doses dispensed (all p Conclusion Pharmacies are a key evolving element in the overdose risk environment, striving to develop reputations as sources of wellness, prevention, and harm reduction supplies, like naloxone. Pharmacy naloxone dispensing may be an especially effective strategy to alter the overdose risk environment in rural communities.
Online media use and HPV vaccination intentions in mainland China: integrating marketing and communication perspectives to improve public health.

This study investigates the role of media in shaping human papilloma virus vaccination intentions in mainland China by applying both communication and marketing-focused theoretical frameworks in order to better understand ways to increase vaccine uptake across young men and women in China. An online survey (N = 359) revealed direct effects of online information consumption on perceived scarcity of the vaccine, as well as an indirect effect via perceived influence of media on others. Scarcity perceptions, in turn, predicted vaccine attitudes and behavioral intentions. Additionally, gender differences emerged in the data. Compared with women, men's intent to be vaccinated were not high, even if they realized the vaccine shortage. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
The Behavioral Economics of Pierre Bourdieu

This article builds the argument that Bourdieu’s dispositional theory of practice can help integrate the sociological tradition with three prominent strands of behavioral economics: bounded rationa...
Ocular and Lacrimal Gland Lesions in Naturally Occurring Rabies of Domestic and Wild Mammals

Investigations describing the ocular and lacrimal gland lesions associated with rabies are sparse. Here we characterize the pathological changes and distribution of rabies viral antigen in the eye, optic nerve, and lacrimal gland of 18 rabies cases from different mammalian species. Histology and immunohistochemistry for rabies virus, CD3, CD20, and Iba1 were performed on tissue sections of eye, optic nerve, and lacrimal gland. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for rabies was performed on all cases, including 7 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) and 11 frozen tissue samples of eye and lacrimal gland. Pathological changes in the eye consisted of retinal necrosis (12/18 cases) with occasional viral inclusions within ganglion cells (8/12 cases). Immunohistochemically, viral antigen was detected within the nerve fiber layer, ganglion cells, and inner plexiform layer in all 12 cases with retinal lesions and in 2 cases with no retinal lesions, as well as optic nerve (6/18 cases) and lacrimal gland epithelium (3/18 cases). CD3+ T lymphocytes were present in the retina (11/18 cases), optic nerve (2/18 cases), and lacrimal gland (11/18 cases). No CD20+ B lymphocytes or Iba1+ macrophages were detected. PCR for rabies virus was positive in 9 of 11 frozen samples but in only 2 of 7 FFPE samples. Five samples that were negative for rabies by PCR were positive by immunohistochemistry, and 2 samples were negative by both tests. These results provide evidence that rabies virus infection extends to the eye, likely via the ocular nerve, and that the lacrimal gland might be a source of viral infection.
Strategies and Indications for Preimplantation Genetic Testing for Monogenic Disorders (PGT-M)

Preimplantation genetic testing for monogenic disorders (PGT-M) is now an established clinical procedure performed for some indications that have never been considered for prenatal diagnosis, such as common late-onset disorders or preimplantation HLA typing. This chapter presents classification of major PGT-M indications, with required standards and practical details to assure accuracy, based on the authors’ original experience of 6,204 PGT-M cases, which is the world’s largest series in one center. The emphasis is on complicated cases, requiring a comprehensive PGT for two or more conditions, common disorders with inherited predisposition, de novo mutations, and a combined PGT-M and PGT-A.
Collagen fiber interweaving is central to sclera stiffness

The mechanical properties of the microstructural components of sclera are central to eye physiology and pathology. Because these parameters are extremely difficult to measure directly, they are often estimated using inverse-modeling matching deformations of macroscopic samples measured experimentally. Although studies of sclera microstructure show collagen fiber interweaving, current models do not account for this interweaving or the resulting fiber-fiber interactions, which might affect parameter estimates. Our goal was to test the hypothesis that constitutive parameters estimated using inverse modeling differ if models account for fiber interweaving and interactions. We developed models with non-interweaving or interweaving fibers over a wide range of volume fractions (36-91%). For each model, we estimated fiber stiffness using inverse modeling matching biaxial experimental data of human sclera. We found that interweaving increased the estimated fiber stiffness. When the collagen volume fraction was 64% or less, the stiffness of interweaving fibers was about 1.25 times that of non-interweaving fibers. For higher volume fractions, the ratio increased substantially, reaching 1.88 for a collagen volume fraction of 91%. Simulating a model (interweaving/non-interweaving) using the fiber stiffness estimated from the other model produced substantially different behavior, far from that observed experimentally. These results show that estimating microstructural component mechanical properties is highly sensitive to the assumed interwoven/non-interwoven architecture. Moreover, the results suggest that interweaving plays an important role in determining the structural stiffness of sclera, and potentially of other soft tissues in which the collagen fibers interweave. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: The collagen fibers of sclera are interwoven, but numerical models do not account for this interweaving or the resulting fiber-fiber interactions. To determine if interweaving matters, we examined the differences in the constitutive model parameters estimated using inverse modeling between models with interweaving and non-interweaving fibers. We found that the estimated stiffness of the interweaving fibers was up to 1.88 times that of non-interweaving fibers, and that the estimate increased with collagen volume fraction. Our results suggest that fiber interweaving is a fundamental characteristic of connective tissues, additional to anisotropy, density and orientation. Better characterization of interweaving, and of its mechanical effects is likely central to understanding microstructure and biomechanics of sclera and other soft tissues.
Understanding Teacher Agency and Organizational Response to Reform Mandates

This paper reports findings from a study of two beginning English teachers and the relationship between their sense of agency and their respective contexts. The qualitative study followed two teach...
Investigation of Aortic Wall Thickness, Stiffness and Flow Reversal in Patients With Cryptogenic Stroke: A 4D Flow MRI Study

BACKGROUND Stroke etiology is undetermined in approximately one-sixth to one-third of patients. The presence of aortic flow reversal and plaques in the descending aorta (DAo) has been identified as a potential retrograde embolic mechanism. PURPOSE To assess the relationships between aortic stiffness, wall thickness, and flow reversal in patients with cryptogenic stroke and healthy controls. STUDY TYPE Prospective. POPULATION Twenty one patients with cryptogenic stroke and proven DAo plaques (69 ± 9 years, 43% female), 18 age-matched controls (age: 65 ± 8 years, 61% female), and 14 younger controls (36 ± 9 years, 57% female). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE 1.5T; 4D flow MRI and 3D dark blood T1 -weighted turbo spin echo MRI of the aorta. ASSESSMENT Noncontrast aortic 4D flow MRI to measure 3D flow dynamics and 3D dark blood aortic wall MRI to assess wall thickness. 4D flow MRI analysis included automated quantification of aortic stiffness by pulse wave velocity (PWV) and voxelwise mapping of the flow reversal fraction (FRF). STATISTICAL TESTS Analysis of variance (ANOVA) or Kruskal-Wallis tests, Student's unpaired t-tests or Wilcoxon rank-sum tests, regression analysis. RESULTS Aortic PWV and FRF were statistically higher in patients (8.9 ± 1.7 m/s, 18.4 ± 7.7%) than younger controls (5.3 ± 0.8 m/s, P < 0.0167; 8.5 ± 2.9%, P < 0.0167), but not age-matched controls (8.2 ± 1.6 m/s, P = 0.22; 15.6 ± 5.8%, P = 0.22). Maximum aortic wall thickness was higher in patients (3.1 ± 0.7 mm) than younger controls (2.2 ± 0.2 mm, P < 0.0167) and age-matched controls (2.7 ± 0.5 mm) (P < 0.0167). For all subjects, positive relationships were found between PWV and age (R2 = 0.71, P < 0.05), aortic wall thickness (R2 = 0.20, P < 0.05), and FRF (R2 = 0.47, P < 0.05). Patients demonstrated relationships between PWV and FRF in the ascending aorta (R2 = 0.32, P < 0.05) and arch (R2 = 0.24, P < 0.05). DATA CONCLUSION This study showed the utility of 4D flow MRI for evaluating aortic PWV and voxelwise flow reversal. Positive relationships between aortic PWV, wall thickness, and flow reversal support the hypothesis that aortic stiffness is involved in this retrograde embolic mechanism. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 1.
Initial experience of patients treated in a real-world clinical setting with bevacizumab-awwb: The first FDA-approved biosimilar to bevacizumab.

81Background: Bevacizumab-awwb is the first anti-cancer biosimilar and the first biosimilar to bevacizumab approved by the FDA. It was launched in the United States on July 19, 2019. Bevacizumab-aw...
Using virtual simulation and electronic health records to assess student nurses' documentation and critical thinking skills.

Abstract Introduction Electronic health records have become a standard documentation platform to house patient information in most US hospitals. To improve documentation, providers suggest establishing electronic health record user education at the classroom level so students can interact with patient data early. The purpose of this study was to assess student nurses' clinical documentation and critical thinking skills using virtual patients and a simulated electronic health record system. Methods Eighty-four undergraduate nursing students completed assessments on four assigned virtual patients and entered their findings into a simulated electronic health record system. Benner's five stage novice to expert theory was used to evaluate performance of six assessment items. Results Significant differences (p = 0.046) were seen in median scores between the first and second assignments, and between the second and fourth assignments (p = 0.021) with minimal improvements from one assignment to the next. Discussion Data entered in the electronic health record showed that students started at an advance beginner's level and moved to be proficient in documenting basic patient information using critical thinking skills by the end of the first semester. Conclusion It is important to expose students to electronic health record systems before entering the workforce or while training in a hospital setting to enhance readiness for clinical practice with electronic documentation and critical thinking skills.
Conflict of Interest at Microsurgery Conferences: Disclosure of Its Extent and Nature

Background Industry relationships and conflicts of interest can impact research funding, topics, and outcomes. Little research regarding the role of biomedical companies at microsurgery conferences is available. This study evaluates the role of industry at conferences by comparing payments received by speakers at the American Society for Reconstructive Microsurgeons (ASRM) meeting with those received by speakers at the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS) meeting, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) meeting, and an average plastic surgeon. It also compares payments made by different companies. Methods General payments received by speakers at the 2017 ASAPS, ASPS, and ASRM conferences were collected from the Open Payments Database. Mean payments received at each conference were calculated and the Mann–Whitney U test evaluated differences between conference speakers and the average plastic surgeon. The total amount of payments from each company was collected through the Open Payments Database, and Z-tests identified which companies paid significantly more than others. Results The mean (and median) general payments made to conference speakers at ASAPS (n = 75), ASPS (n = 247), and ASRM (n = 121) were $75,577 ($861), $27,562 ($1,021), and $16,725 ($652), respectively. These payments were significantly greater (p Conclusion Payments to physicians at ASRM were significantly higher than those of an average plastic surgeon but not significantly different from those of speakers at ASAPS and ASPS. Certain companies paid significantly more than their peers at each conference. Given these findings, speakers should strive to make clear the nature and extent of their conflicts of interest when presenting at conferences.
Certiorari in Important Cases

The Supreme Court has wide discretion to choose the cases it will decide. These choices matter, as they both shape and are shaped by our national social, political, and economic discourse. So how does the Court exercise its discretion? The Supreme Court’s rules explain that it may hear any case “important” enough for it to decide. Unsurprisingly, commentators have criticized this standard as “murky,” “cryptic,” “hopelessly indeterminate,” and even “intentionally vague.” But the Court has, in fact, said more about how it decides whether to grant review. We simply must look past the terse text of the Supreme Court Rules and to the Court’s merits opinions. These decisions sometimes offer a brief yet informative description of the decision to grant review. In these oft-overlooked statements, the Court sometimes suggests that review is founded on concerns for comity among the branches, or aimed at structuring intrajudicial authority, among other rationales. Viewed in aggregate, these statements are suggestive of trends in the exercise of the Court’s docket-setting discretion. In this article, I present a text and data analysis of thousands of Supreme Court opinions describing the reason for granting review, collectively illuminating which cases are important enough to merit certiorari. This view into the Court’s agenda-setting process is revealing. We can begin to discern which cases earn the Court’s attention, and how the Court’s priorities change over time. I find, for example, that the Court’s docket shifts in response to large events (e.g., depressions and wars) and to significant political developments (e.g., landmark legislation). And, perhaps more concerning, I also find that individual appointments shape the Court’s docket. The Court should thus better explain its decisions to grant review in the mode of a common law of certiorari. Doing so can improve the interbranch dialogue over judicial reform and instill greater confidence in our Supreme Court.
Obesity: Liraglutide--another weapon in the war against obesity?

Liraglutide is an agonist of glucagon-like receptor-1, which is a component of an important biological system that inhibits food intake and enhances insulin secretion from the pancreas in the presence of glucose. This drug can therefore facilitate weight loss and glucose control at the same time.
Torsional resonance active damping in grid tied wind turbines with gearbox, DFIG, and power converters

Two methods for torsional resonance mitigation are tested using the NREL software FAST in the MATLAB/Simulink environment with a 750 kW wind turbine. One mitigation method uses rotor angular acceleration measurements to provide virtual inertia for resonance detuning while the other is an active vibration absorber. The wind turbine representation uses a five mass gearbox model, a doubly fed induction generator model, an interface with the power grid, and an aerodynamic simulation of the tower shadow effect. The two mitigation methods are tested by subjecting the wind turbine to a frequency scan of wind in order to excite the resonant conditions and then to examine the influence of the mitigation methods. The vibration absorber shows better performance with greater shaft oscillation reduction than that of the virtual inertia. This is a continuation of an earlier study where a permanent magnet synchronous generator was included in the turbine model and no grid connection was present. The implementation of the vibration absorber includes a novel means of generator torque control for doubly fed induction generators.
Adipocyte specific VEGF deficient mice show diminished endurance exercise capacity (1162.11)

Reducing vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in adipose tissue alters adipose vascularity and metabolic homeostasis. We hypothesized that this would also affect metabolic responses during exercise-induced stress, and that adipocyte-specific VEGF deficient (adipoVEGF-/-) mice would have impaired endurance capacity. Endurance exercise capacity in adipoVEGF-/- (n=11) and littermate control (n=11) mice was evaluated every 4 weeks between 6 & 24 weeks of age using a submaximal endurance run to exhaustion at 20 m/min, 10-degree incline. Maximal running speed, using incremental increases in speed at 30 second intervals, was tested at 25 weeks of age. Beginning at 6 weeks, and continuing with all time points, endurance run time to exhaustion was 30% lower in adipoVEGF-/- compared to controls (p<0.0001). The age-associated rate of decline in endurance capacity was similar in adipoVEGF-/- vs. control mice (36.7 ± 8.6% vs. 36.6 ± 10.6%), and there was no difference in maximal running speed between the grou...
Regulation of sigma D expression and activity by spo0, abrB, and sin gene products in Bacillus subtilis.

Expression of sigma D protein and of the hag gene, which is transcribed by the sigma D holoenzyme, is not dependent on spo0, abrB, or sin gene products in Bacillus subtilis. Preliminary results, however, suggest that a signal mediated by the spo0K locus may be responsible for the inhibition of sigma D activity during the stationary phase. Images
T-cell tolerance to the developing equine conceptus.

Contents One of the most intriguing and dramatic examples of immunological tolerance is displayed by the mammalian foetal–placental unit, which thrives as a semi-allograft in the mother’s uterus during pregnancy. The success of the so-called foetal allograft stands in stark contrast to the failure of most tissue and organ grafts to survive without genetic matching of donor and recipient or drastic immunosuppression of the recipient’s immune system. Experiments conducted over the past 60 years have revealed multiple mechanisms that enable the conceptus to avoid immunological detection or destruction. Many of these mechanisms are directed towards evading immune-mediated damage by maternal T lymphocytes, and they can be grouped into three classes: (i) downregulation of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene expression in placental trophoblast cells; (ii) local and systemic alterations in maternal immune reactivity; and (iii) innate defence mechanisms of the trophoblast cells that comprise the barrier between foetal and maternal tissues. The redundancy in these protective mechanisms helps ensure the transmission of life from generation to generation and provides a rich field of study of ways in which functional immunological tolerance can be manifest. The variation in placental forms and function among mammalian species present opportunities to discover and understand novel tolerogenic mechanisms that may have broad application in biology, medicine and animal husbandry. This review focuses on the evidence obtained from studies of pregnancy in the mare that support the case for selective T-cell tolerance to the mammalian conceptus.
Target location and tracking using hybrid sensor network

Sensor networks have revolutionized data gathering capabilities and information processing in diverse environments. In this paper we address two fundamental issues; localization and tracking, using a hybrid sensor network. Simulation results using our proposed algorithm show that it is robust in localization and tracking of targets in indoor environments. We have also demonstrated that by using a small set of mobile nodes we can extend the coverage of the sensor grid over a large area and therefore reduce many of the typical problems associated with static sensor networks.
Assertive behavior : theory, research, and training

Part 1 Assertive behaviour: assertion in the societal context conceptualizing assertion conflict assertion - overt behavioural components conflict assertion - covert behavioural components the social validity of assertive behaviour. Part 2 Assertive training: assessment of assertion assertiveness training techniques and strategies target populations clinical issues.
Numerical simulations of wave propagation in heterogeneous wave guides with implications for regional wave propagation and the nature of lithospheric heterogeneity

I present results from elastic finite-difference simulations of regional wave propagation conducted in an effort to characterize, in a statistical sense, the nature of lithospheric heterogeneities required to generate scattered wave fields with characteristics consistent with those observed in regional array data. In particular, regional P , S , and Lg wave trains that are comprised not of the occasional coherent deterministic phase emersed in randomly scattered coda, but of a continuous succession of coherent forward-scattered arrivals. My modeling suggests that lithospheric heterogeneities should be parameterized using spatially anisotropic correlation functions. Models containing spatially isotropic heterogeneities inhibit the extent to which energy is forward scattered and trapped in the crustal wave guide and, consequently, produce regional wave fields whose characteristics are inconsistent with array observations. Models containing spatially anisotropic heterogeneities—which preferentially forward scatter energy that is subsequently trapped in the crustal wave guide—produce wave fields whose characteristics are consistent with regional array observations and provide intuitively appealing representations of subsurface structure.
Alkali- or acid-induced changes in structure, moisture absorption ability and deacetylating reaction of β-chitin extracted from jumbo squid (Dosidicus gigas) pens

Alkali- or acid-induced structural modifications in β-chitin from squid (Dosidicus gigas, d'Orbigny, 1835) pens and their moisture absorption ability (MAA) and deacetylating reaction were investigated and compared with α-chitin from shrimp shells. β-Chitin was converted into the α-form after 3h in 40% NaOH or 1-3 h in 40% HCl solution, and α-chitin obtained from NaOH treatment had higher MAA than had native α-chitin, due to polymorphic destructions. In contrast, induced α-chitin from acid treatment of β-chitin had few polymorphic modifications, showing no significant change (P>0.05) in MAA. β-Chitin was more susceptible to alkali deacetylation than was α-chitin, and required a lower concentration of NaOH and shorter reaction time. These results demonstrate that alkali- or acid-treated β-chitin retained high susceptibility toward solvents, which in turn resulted in good biological activity of β-chitosan for use as a natural antioxidant and antimicrobial substance or application as edible coatings and films for various food applications.
Electron capture by completely stripped positive ions in collision with atomic hydrogen

Abstract The electron capture cross section for completely stripped positive ions in atomic hydrogen peaks when the projectile charge equals the principal quantum number and decreases indefinitely as the projectile charge increases beyond this principal quantum number.
Binding of the Novel Nonxanthine A2A Adenosine Receptor Antagonist [3H]SCH58261 to Coronary Artery Membranes

This study demonstrates quantification of A2A adenosine receptors (A2AAdoRs) in membranes prepared from porcine coronary arteries, porcine striatum, and PC12 cells. Radioligand binding assays were performed using the new selective A2AAdoR antagonist radioligand [3H]-5-amino-7-(2-phenylethyl)-2-(2-furyl)-pyrazolo [4,3-epsilon]-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c)pyrimidine ([3H]SCH58261). Binding of the radioligand to membranes was rapid, reversible, and saturable. The densities of A2AAdoRs in membranes prepared from porcine coronary arteries, porcine striatum, and PC12 cells were 900 +/- 61, 892 +/- 35, and 959 +/- 76 fmol/mg protein, respectively. Equilibrium dissociation constants (Kd values) calculated from results of saturation binding assays were 2.19, 1.20, and 0.81 nmol/L, and Kd values calculated from results of association and dissociation assays were 2.42, 1.01, and 0.40 nmol/L for [3H]SCH58261 binding to membranes prepared from porcine coronary arteries, porcine striatum, and PC12 cells, respectively. The specific binding of [3H]SCH58261 as a percentage of total binding at a radioligand concentration equal to the Kd value was 65% to 90% in the three membrane preparations. The order of ligand potencies determined by assay of competition binding to sites in porcine coronary membranes using [3H]SCH58261, unlabeled antagonists (SCH58261, 8-(3-chlorostyryl)caffeine [CSC], and xanthine amine congener [XAC]), and unlabeled agonists ([3H]2-p-(2-carboxyethyl)-phenethylamino-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoaden osine [CGS 21680], 2-hexynyl-5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine [HE-NECA], [3H]5'-N-ethylcarboxamidoadenosine [NECA], and R(-)N6-(2-phenylisopropyl)adenosine [R-PIA]) was SCH58261 > HE-NECA = CSC = CGS 21680 = XAC > NECA = R-PIA. The Hill coefficients of displacement by A2AAdoR ligands of [3H]SCH58261 binding were not significantly different from unity, indicating that [3H]SCH58261 bound to a group of homogeneous noninteracting sites in all membrane preparations. The order of ligand potencies to compete for [3H]SCH58261 binding sites in porcine striatal and PC12 cell membranes was, in part, different from that for porcine coronary arterial membranes. The different rank orders of potencies for agonists and antagonists at A2A receptors of porcine coronary arteries, striatum, and PC12 cells and significant differences in absolute values of potency of ligands in the three preparations may indicate the existence of different subtypes of A2AAdoRs. The antagonist radio-ligand [3H]SCH58261 should be of value for pharmacological characterization of A2A adenosine receptors in other preparations.
Isolation of a peptide that inhibits the posttranslational arginylation of proteins in rat brain

All eukaryotic cells contain enzymes that are able to catalyze the transfer of Arg from tRNA to the N-terminus of naturally short lived or damaged cytosolic proteins. For certain test proteins, it has been shown that the addition of Arg to the N-terminus leads to their degradation via the ubiquitin proteolytic pathway. The mechanisms used by cells for identifying proteins for arginylation and regulating arginylation are not known. The present study reports the isolation of a peptide from rat brain that is able to inhibit the arginylation of proteins in brain extracts. We suggest that this peptide is the physiological regulator of arginylation in rat brain.
Pro: inhaled prostaglandin as a pulmonary vasodilator instead of nitric oxide.

a a d e e ERIOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT of pulmonary hypertension (PHTN) is important because it significantly affects erioperative outcome. Perioperative PHTN and accompanying ight ventricular (RV) failure are major predictors for mortality fter coronary artery bypass grafting, left ventricular assistevice placement, and heart transplantation.1-3 Inhaled nitric xide (iNO) was the first selective pulmonary vasodilator that llowed selective pulmonary vasodilation with no systemic asodilation. This pharmacologic breakthrough represented a ignificant advance in the perioperative management of PHTN nd RV dysfunction.3-7 iNO has been reviewed in detail.3-7 Although iNO has been ailed as a wonder drug, its widespread clinical application has een limited by multiple considerations, including potential oxicity and the cost of both drug delivery and monitoring for oxic byproducts. The advent of inhaled prostaglandin I2 iPGI2) as a viable clinical alternative to iNO now offers the linician a choice of an inhaled selective pulmonary vasodilaor. It is this choice that has prompted this review which will xamine the case for iPGI2 as a replacement for iNO. The ollowing questions will be addressed: (1) Why is iNO not the deal selective pulmonary vasodilator? (2) Is iPGI2 pharmacoogically equivalent to iNO as a pulmonary vasodilator? (3) hich limitations of iNO are addressed by iPGI2? (4) Which imitations of iNO are not addressed by iPGI2? and (5) What is he overall rationale for selection of iPGI2 instead of iNO?
Impact of altered aminoglycoside volume of distribution on the adequacy of a three milligram per kilogram loading dose

Abstract Background: Sepsis is associated with an increased volume of distribution for aminoglycoside antibiotics. As a result of this increased volume of distribution, 2 mg/kg loading doses have previously been shown to be ineffective in producing adequate aminoglycoside peak plasma levels in critically ill patients. The main objective of this pharmacokinetic observational study was to determine the adequacy of a 3 mg/kg loading dose of gentamicin or tobramycin in attaining an initial peak level of 8 μg/ml or greater. Methods: Fifty-three consecutive patients given gentamicin or tobramycin for documented or suspected life-threatening gram-negative infections were enrolled. Loading doses of either aminoglycoside were administered during 30 minutes, and a peak level was obtained 1 hour after completed infusion. Results: The patient's mean age was 61 ± 2 years, with a male/female ratio of 33:20. The loading dose of 3 mg/kg produced 1-hour peak aminoglycoside levels greater than 8 μg/ml in only 50% of the patients studied. The calculated aminoglycoside volume of distribution was increased by 34%. Conclusions: An aminoglycoside loading dose of 3 mg/kg is inadequate in critically ill patients undergoing operation. The documented increase in volume of distribution is principally responsible for the inadequacy of this dose. Future studies should use a 4 mg/kg loading dose to maximize aminoglycoside bactericidal activity. (Surgery 1998;124:73-8.)
Infrared and NMR Spectroscopic Studies of n-Alkanethiols Chemically Grafted on Dimethylzinc-Modified Silica Surfaces

Transmission infrared and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopies are used to study the surface species formed by sequential reaction of hydroxylated, high-surface-area silica with dimethylzinc (DMZ) and n-alkanethiols of various chain lengths. Reaction of DMZ forms mainly surface methylzinc species. These convert to Zn-bound ethanethiolate surface species by reaction with ethane thiol, evolving nearly identical amounts of methane at each step. Temperature-dependent infrared spectra of these surface thiolate species reveal that they are stable in air and aqueous environments and up to about 400 K in vacuo. The major gas-phase products identified during annealing are diethyl sulfide and ethylene. Longer-chain n-alkanethiols (up to C16) are reacted in benzene solutions and the modified silica powders are characterized by transmission infrared and solid-state NMR spectroscopies. The spectroscopic data demonstrate that the alkanethiolate chains retain their integrity and bind to the surfac...
Hepatic arterial interruption in the fetus—An attempt to simulate biliary atresia

Abstract Investigation of biliary atresia is hampered by the lack of suitable experimental models. The development of a technic of producing biliary atresia artificially would be extremely useful. Extrahepatic biliary atresia can be simulated by ligation of the common bile duct; intrahepatic atresia by selective destruction of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Since the work of Cameron and Mayes, 1 it has been appreciated that the intrahepatic biliary tree and the hepatic parenchyma enjoy different blood supplies, 2 ligation of the hepatic artery should produce selective ischemia of the intrahepatic bile ducts. Such ligation in the postnatal animal has often resulted in necrosis of both hepatic parenchyma and biliary ducts. 3–5 However, the fetal mammal, with highly oxygenated umbilical venous blood in communication with the portal veins, might suffer ischemia of the biliary tree without parenchymal necrosis. Ischemia of a fetal tissue frequently results in atrophy of that tissue without inflammaton; 6,7 therefore, ischemia of the fetal biliary tree might lead to disappearance of the intrahepatic ducts without infarct. This paper reports an effort to test these hypotheses in the fetal rabbit. The rabbit was selected because of efficiency of breeding, with the realization that the anatomy of the hepatic artery and its collateral circulation is variable in the rabbit, that rabbits have poor maternal instincts, and that this animal is susceptible to coccidiosis, a necrotizing disease of bile ducts and liver. Despite these handicaps, the experiments have yielded encouraging results which warrant report.
Landsat 5 to be decommissioned

After orbiting the planet more than 150,000 times since its launch in 1984, the Landsat 5 Earth observing satellite is being decommissioned due to the recent failure of a gyroscope, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) announced on 21 December. The 29-year-old satellite originally had an expected design life of 3 years.
Stability of Detonation Profiles in the ZND Limit

Confirming a conjecture of Lyng–Raoofi–Texier–Zumbrun, we show that stability of strong detonation waves in the ZND, or small-viscosity, limit is equivalent to stability of the limiting ZND detonation together with stability of the viscous profile associated with the component Neumann shock. Moreover, on bounded frequencies the nonstable eigenvalues of the viscous detonation wave converge to those of the limiting ZND detonation, while on frequencies of order one over viscosity, they converge to one over viscosity times those of the associated viscous Neumann shock. This yields immediately a number of examples of instability and Hopf bifurcation of reacting Navier–Stokes detonations through the extensive numerical studies of ZND stability in the detonation literature.
MINERAL FORMULAS, THE CLASSIFICATIONAL SEQUENCE, AND THE AOUELLOUL CRATER*

This communication is a miscellany consisting of notes on “I. Formulas for the Meteoritic Silicates Expressed as Series of Oxides”; “II. Alternative Formulas for Other Meteoritic Minerals”; “III. On the Classificational Sequence of Meteorites”; and “IV. On the Form of the Aouelloul, French West Africa, Crater (CN = 0127,202).”
The Problem of Eastern White Pine (Pinus strobus L.) in Southern New England: Ecophysiology, Site Restriction, and Historical Land-Use Change

One of the most familiar and widespread forest tree species of eastern North America, eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.), is also one of the least well understood. Its current ecology and distribution in southern New England comprise two very different components: even-age pure stands of old-field origin on former agricultural land, but also scattered individuals and small groups occurring in mixed stands on various classes of sites ranging from forested wetlands to dry ridge tops. A review of the historical and ecological literature of the species suggests that white pine in the presettlement forests of southern New England may have been limited to sites of shallow soil depth and low intensity of disturbance.