cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhanced uniformity of III-nitride nanowire arrays on bulk metallic glass and nanocrystalline substrates

Nanowires possess unique strain relieving properties making them compatible with a wide variety of substrates ranging from single crystalline semiconductors, amorphous ceramics, and polycrystalline metals. Flexible metallic foils are particularly interesting substrates for nanowires for both flexible optoelectronics and high throughput manufacturing techniques. However, nanowires grown on polycrystalline metals exhibit grain-dependent morphologies. As an alternative route, the authors demonstrate the growth of highly uniform III-Nitride nanowires on bulk metallic glass (amorphous metal) and nanocrystalline Pt metal films using molecular beam epitaxy. Nanowire arrays on metallic glass substrates show uniformity over length scales >100 μm. The quality of these nanowires is explored by photoluminescence spectroscopy. The electrical characteristics of individual nanowires are measured via conductive atomic force microscopy, and mesoscale light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are fabricated. Nanowires grown on nanocrystalline Pt films showed an increase in output power by a factor of up to 32, and an increase in the overall LED efficiency by up to 13× compared with simultaneously grown nanowire LEDs on bare Si.Nanowires possess unique strain relieving properties making them compatible with a wide variety of substrates ranging from single crystalline semiconductors, amorphous ceramics, and polycrystalline metals. Flexible metallic foils are particularly interesting substrates for nanowires for both flexible optoelectronics and high throughput manufacturing techniques. However, nanowires grown on polycrystalline metals exhibit grain-dependent morphologies. As an alternative route, the authors demonstrate the growth of highly uniform III-Nitride nanowires on bulk metallic glass (amorphous metal) and nanocrystalline Pt metal films using molecular beam epitaxy. Nanowire arrays on metallic glass substrates show uniformity over length scales >100 μm. The quality of these nanowires is explored by photoluminescence spectroscopy. The electrical characteristics of individual nanowires are measured via conductive atomic force microscopy, and mesoscale light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are fabricated. Nanowires grown on nanocrys...
Network Utility Aware Traffic Load Balancing in Backhaul-Constrained Cache-Enabled Small Cell Networks with Hybrid Power Supplies

Explosive data traffic growth leads to a continuous surge in capacity demands across mobile networks. In order to provision high network capacity, small cell base stations (SCBSs) are widely deployed. Owing to the close proximity to mobile users, SCBSs can effectively enhance the network capacity and offloading traffic load from macro BSs (MBSs). However, the cost-effective backhaul may not be readily available for SCBSs, thus leading to backhaul constraints in small cell networks (SCNs). Enabling cache in BSs may mitigate the backhaul constraints in SCNs. Moreover, the dense deployment of SCBSs may incur excessive energy consumption. To alleviate brown power consumption, renewable energy will be explored to power BSs. In such a network, it is challenging to dynamically balance traffic load among BSs to optimize the network utilities. In this paper, we investigate the traffic load balancing in backhaul-constrained cache-enabled small cell networks powered by hybrid energy sources. We have proposed a network utility aware (NUA) traffic load balancing scheme that optimizes user association to strike a tradeoff between the green power utilization and the traffic delivery latency. On balancing the traffic load, the proposed NUA traffic load balancing scheme considers the green power utilization, the traffic delivery latency in both BSs and their backhaul, and the cache hit ratio. The NUA traffic load balancing scheme allows dynamically adjusting the tradeoff between the green power utilization and the traffic delivery latency. We have proved the convergence and the optimality of the proposed NUA traffic load balancing scheme. Through extensive simulations, we have compared performance of the NUA traffic load balancing scheme with other schemes and showed its advantages in backhaul-constrained cache-enabled small cell networks with hybrid power supplies.
An Exploration into the Legitimization Process of a Social Market Intermediary

Market intermediaries are key for startup success including social ventures. As an emergent organizational form, we know little about how social market intermediaries emerge and gain legitimacy in ...
Interspecific Competition between the House Fly, Musca domestica L. (Diptera: Muscidae) and Black Soldier Fly, Hermetia illucens (L.) (Diptera: Stratiomyidae) When Reared on Poultry Manure

Few studies have examined the competitive interaction between the house fly (HF) and the black soldier fly (BSF). The fact that the BSF deters HF oviposition is widely cited in BSF literature, but this interaction has not been assessed in over three decades. In this study, the competitive interaction of BSF and HF larvae was observed on fresh (day 0) and aged poultry manure (manure aged for two, four, six, or eight days). Specifically, a priority effect study was conducted to determine if colonization sequence influences time to first pupariation (HF) or pre-pupation (BSF), survivorship, and weight. Results show >70% of HFs reached pupariation in all treatments except when placed on manure eight days after the initial inoculation with BSF. However, age of the resource negatively impacted time to first pupariation and puparium weight when HFs were reared alone or introduced two to eight days after BSF. No BSF pre-pupae resulted from treatments in which HFs were the pioneering species. BSFs reached the highest percent pre-pupation when reared alone on fresh manure, but BSFs may be more susceptible to the negative impacts of an aging resource, as no pre-pupae were observed when provided with six- or eight-day-old manure. Similar to HFs, age of the resource may have impacted development and survivorship; other factors such as moisture content, chemical composition, and amount of resource provided may have also impacted our results. These data may be useful in implementing BSFs as biological control agents of the HF, as well provide valuable information for facilities mass-producing HFs or BSFs for food or feed.
Mucosal Th17 Cells Are Increased in Pediatric Functional Dyspepsia Associated with Chronic Gastritis

Chronic gastritis is a common histologic finding in children with functional dyspepsia (FD). While Th17 cells have been implicated in other forms of gastritis, they have not been evaluated in chronic gastritis. The aim of the current study was to assess Th17 cells in children with FD with and without chronic gastritis. Densities were determined for Th17 cells, eosinophils, and mast cells, respectively, in both the gastric antrum and the duodenum. Densities were compared between five groups: FD with chronic gastritis (N = 20), FD without chronic gastritis (N = 20), Helicobacter pylori-associated gastritis (N = 10), Crohn’s gastritis (N = 10), and normal controls (N = 10). Th17 densities were also compared between patients with and without early satiety. FD with chronic gastritis was associated with higher Th17 cell density as compared to normal controls and comparable to both H. pylori-associated gastritis and Crohn’s gastritis. Eosinophil and mast cell densities were higher in FD patients with chronic gastritis as compared to either FD without gastritis or normal controls. Th17 density was higher in patients reporting early satiety but not in those with epigastric pain. FD with chronic gastritis is associated with higher Th17 cell, eosinophil, and mast cell density as compared to FD without chronic gastritis or normal controls. Chronic gastritis demonstrated Th17 cell density similar to that seen in other conditions where Th17 cells are believed to play a pathogenic role. Th17 cells may represent another therapeutic target in these patients.
Abstract TMP50: Antihypertensive Medication Trends Among Individuals With History of Stroke and Hypertension: The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005 - 2016

Background: Hypertension (HTN) is a well-established, modifiable stroke risk factor. National HTN management trends among stroke survivors may provide important insight into secondary preventive tr...
Intestinal microbes: an axis of functional diversity among large marine consumers

Microbes are ubiquitous throughout the world's oceans, yet the manner and extent of their influence on the ecology and evolution of large, mobile fauna remains poorly understood. Here, we establish the intestinal microbiome as a hidden, and potentially important, 'functional trait' of tropical herbivorous fishes-a group of large consumers critical to coral reef resilience. Using field observations, we demonstrate that five common Caribbean fish species display marked differences in where they feed and what they feed on. However, in addition to space use and feeding behaviour-two commonly measured functional traits-we find that interspecific trait differences are even more pronounced when considering the herbivore intestinal microbiome. Microbiome composition was highly species specific. Phylogenetic comparison of the dominant microbiome members to all known microbial taxa suggest that microbiomes are comprised of putative environmental generalists, animal-associates and fish specialists (resident symbionts), the latter of which mapped onto host phylogeny. These putative symbionts are most similar to-among all known microbes-those that occupy the intestines of ecologically and evolutionarily related herbivorous fishes in more distant ocean basins. Our findings therefore suggest that the intestinal microbiome may be an important functional trait among these large-bodied consumers.
The effect of under and uninsured status on survival in lung cancer while adjusting for other mortality risk factors.

e21734Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the US. Significant improvements in survival have occurred with improved treatments. Payer status has been recognized as a barr...
The concept of resilience and the evaluation of hybrid courts

In this article, I explore the concept of resilience and its relevance for evaluating hybrid court design and the impact of hybrid courts in societies that have experienced periods of mass violence or repression. I begin by tracing the evolution of the concept of resilience from the fields of materials science and ecology to human responses to natural and human-made disasters. Then, I examine the implications of how one defines the concept for the policy recommendations that should be provided to the architects and staff of hybrid courts. From there, I assess how the way one conceives of resilience shapes the assessment of the circumstances under which hybrid courts are more likely to be beneficial for violence-affected societies. I conclude by reflecting upon the utility of adopting resilience language in the study of hybrid courts. Resilience may be seductive conceptually because it provides a vision of empowerment and autonomy for victims and affected communities. However, resilience thinking is also consistent with neoliberal prescriptions that are contrary to the realization of the type of emancipatory justice that many hybrid court advocates seek.
The Puzzles of Prisoners and Rights: An Essay in Honor of Frank Johnson

Frank Johnson’s landmark opinions in the 1970s recognized prisoners as rights-holders who were entitled to safety, sanitary conditions, health care, activities, and fair decision-making. In 2020, we take these propositions for granted, just as we also take for granted the power of prisoners to seek—and sometimes to win—judicial help in stopping the state from imposing certain forms of punishment on people convicted of crimes. A first purpose of this Essay is to remind readers how radical and recent are the ideas of prisoners as rights-holders and of courts as protectors of those rights. Efforts to reform prisons are hundreds of years old. Yet the many ambitious individuals who sought to ameliorate conditions did not see prisoners as people whom law protected. Judge Johnson’s contributions were to explain and to ensconce the judicial power to override prison officials’ decisions about conditions of confinement. And as miserable as prisons are, those rulings have helped to alter some aspects of prisoners’ daily lives. Second, I bring to the fore more of the people who built that new law of prisons. Doing so entails mapping interactions among federal judges, lawyers, and dozens of prisoners whose names are not (yet) familiar but who deserve pride of place in the annals of the philosophy of punishment and of the law of prisons. Unrepresented, they provided insightful accounts into why the pain of their confinement was unconstitutional. Third, I illuminate both the utility of law and the impact of the retreat from the doctrines that Judge Johnson elaborated. In the 1970s, the U.S. Supreme Court endorsed the precept that the Constitution does not stop at prisons’ gates. But in later decades, the Court limited the application of the Eighth and the Fourteenth Amendments to prisoners. The Court refused to constrain prison overcrowding despite arguments that the intense density was cruel and unusual punishment. Further, the Court crafted a line of Fourteenth Amendment due process doctrine that distinguished between “typical” conditions in prisons, left largely to the unfettered discretion of prison officials, and “atypical” conditions, for which some protection against arbitrary decisions was required. Looking back at prison litigation in the 1960s and 1970s demonstrates the importance of rejecting the “typical” as a normative baseline from which to assess the legally permissible. Prisoners and judges such as Frank Johnson understood that the U.S. Constitution requires more than subsistence warehousing of people convicted of crimes. Amidst the squalor of conditions in the 1960s and 1970s, they saw that states could not use their punishment powers to ruin people and therefore had affirmative obligations to prevent debilitation. Whether a constitutional right to rehabilitation exists is distinct from the proposition that in constitutional democracies, governments cannot set out to cause deterioration as a purpose of their punishment.
Early Outcomes in an Emerging Facial Nerve Center: The Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU) Experience:

Objectives:Nerve transfer (NT) and free gracilis muscle transfer (FGMT) are procedures for reanimation of the paralyzed face. Assessing the surgical outcomes of these procedures is imperative when ...
Mental Health and Behavior of College Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Longitudinal Mobile Smartphone and Ecological Momentary Assessment Study, Part II.

Background: Since late 2019, the lives of people across the globe have been disrupted by COVID-19. Millions of people have become infected with the disease, while billions of people have been continually asked or required by local and national governments to change their behavioral patterns. Previous research on the COVID-19 pandemic suggests that it is associated with large-scale behavioral and mental health changes; however, few studies have been able to track these changes with frequent, near real-time sampling or compare these changes to previous years of data for the same individuals. Objective: By combining mobile phone sensing and self-reported mental health data in a cohort of college-aged students enrolled in a longitudinal study, we seek to understand the behavioral and mental health impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, measured by interest across the United States in the search terms coronavirus and COVID fatigue. Methods: Behaviors such as the number of locations visited, distance traveled, duration of phone use, number of phone unlocks, sleep duration, and sedentary time were measured using the StudentLife mobile smartphone sensing app. Depression and anxiety were assessed using weekly self-reported ecological momentary assessments, including the Patient Health Questionnaire-4. The participants were 217 undergraduate students. Differences in behaviors and self-reported mental health collected during the Spring 2020 term, as compared to previous terms in the same cohort, were modeled using mixed linear models. Results: Linear mixed models demonstrated differences in phone use, sleep, sedentary time and number of locations visited associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In further models, these behaviors were strongly associated with increased interest in COVID fatigue. When mental health metrics (eg, depression and anxiety) were added to the previous measures (week of term, number of locations visited, phone use, sedentary time), both anxiety and depression (P<.001) were significantly associated with interest in COVID fatigue. Notably, these behavioral and mental health changes are consistent with those observed around the initial implementation of COVID-19 lockdowns in the spring of 2020. Conclusions: In the initial lockdown phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, people spent more time on their phones, were more sedentary, visited fewer locations, and exhibited increased symptoms of anxiety and depression. As the pandemic persisted through the spring, people continued to exhibit very similar changes in both mental health and behaviors. Although these large-scale shifts in mental health and behaviors are unsurprising, understanding them is critical in disrupting the negative consequences to mental health during the ongoing pandemic.
The Genesis Solar-Wind Mission: first deep-space robotic mission to return to earth

Abstract The NASA Genesis solar-wind (SW) mission was the first to return to Earth from beyond the Moon, delivering SW ions collected in high-purity substrates (e.g., Si wafers) over 887 days (2001–2004) to study the composition of the Sun. Separate arrays collected different types of SW, and an ion Concentrator increased fluences to a small target. The capsule’s landing was marred by a parachute deployment failure. The samples were still retrieved and analyzed, principally by noble gas and secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS). The analyses revealed that solar oxygen and nitrogen are isotopically lighter than the terrestrial planets due to solar-nebula photochemical self-shielding. Solar noble gases are confirmed as well represented in the lunar regolith. Isotopic compositions of solid elements provide constraints on theories of SW acceleration. Genesis has also measured with unprecedented accuracy the abundances of many elements, clarifying SW fractionation and contributing to a better understanding of solar abundances.
Revolution in Paradise: Veiled Representations of Jewish Characters in the Cinema of Occupied France

Yehuda Moraly's Revolution in Paradise reads much like a detective story. All the meticulously gathered clues point to one culprit–the antisemitism just below the surface of the French films produc...
Poor guideline adherence in a real-world evaluation of hypertensive emergency management.

Abstract Background The American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association define hypertensive emergency (HTN-E) as a systolic blood pressure greater than 180 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure greater than 120 mmHg with evidence of end-organ damage (EOD). Based on expert opinion, current guidelines recommend antihypertensive therapy to reduce blood pressure (BP) at specific hourly rates to reduce progression of EOD, outlined by four criteria. Our goal was to describe compliance with guideline recommendations for early management of HTN-E and to analyze safety outcomes related to pharmacologic intervention. Methods This was a retrospective chart review including patients presenting to the emergency department with HTN-E between September 2016 and August 2020. We excluded patients with a compelling indication for altered therapeutic goals (e.g. acute aortic dissection, hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke, and pheochromocytoma). The primary outcome was complete adherence with guideline recommendations in the first 24 h. Results Of 758 screened records, 402 were included. Mean age was 54 years and majority Black race (72%). Overall, total adherence was poor ( Conclusions Current practice is poorly compliant with guideline criteria and there are risks associated with recommended treatments. Our results favor relaxing the expert opinion-based recommendations.
Micro, Meso, and Macro Processes in Identity Change: The 2020 Cooley-Mead Award Address

I discuss how social psychologists can think about identity change as a nested phenomenon. Identity change occurs at the micro level, but it is embedded in meso and macro levels of social reality. ...
Structured Light Field Design for Correspondence Free Rotation Estimation

Many vision and augmented reality applications require knowing the rotation of the camera relative to an object or scene. In this paper we propose to create a structured light field designed explicitly to simplify the estimation of camera rotation. The light field is created using a lenticular sheet with a color coded backplane pattern, creating a lightfield where the observed color depends on the direction of the light. We show that a picture taken within such a light field gives linear constraints on the $K^{-1}R$ matrix that defines the camera calibration and rotation. In this work we derive an optimization that uses these constraints to rapidly estimate rotation, demonstrate a physical prototype and characterize its sensitivity to errors in the camera focal length and camera color sensitivity.
The zodiacal background in the IRAS data

The IRAS sky survey yielded a very extensive picture of bright diffuse thermal emission from interplanetary dust grains at wavelengths from 12 to 100 micrometers. These data provide insights into the character, spatial distribution, and perhaps origin of these particles which both confirm and expand upon those gained from previous zodiacal light studies. The zodiacal emission is a major component of the large scale infrared brightness of the sky at all IRAS wavelengths. It must therefore be carefully characterized both to facilitate study of large-angular-scale sources in the Galaxy and beyond using IRAS data, and to permit optimum design of future space infrared instrument.
Assessing intern handover processes

Summary Background New standards for resident work hours set in 2011 changed the landscape of patient care in teaching hospitals, and resulted in new challenges for US residency training programmes to overcome. One such challenge was a dramatic increase in the number of patient handovers performed by residents. As a result, there is a renewed focus for clinical teachers to develop educational strategies to optimise the patient handover process and improve the quality of patient care and safety. Methods In order to investigate current gaps in resident handovers, we examined the handover processes performed by medicine interns at two academic medical centres in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. We used trained observers to collect data on whether handovers were conducted face to face, with questions asked, in private locations, with written documentation, and without distractions or interruptions. Results were analysed using chi-square tests, and adjusted for clustering at the observer and intern levels. Results Interns successfully conducted handovers face to face (99.5%), asked questions (85.3%), used private locations (91%), included written handover documentation (95.8%) and did not experience distractions for the majority of the time (87.7%); however, interruptions were pervasive, occurring 41.3 per cent of the time. In order to investigate current gaps in resident handovers, we examined the handover processes performed by medicine interns Discussion Interns conducted patient handovers face to face, with questions asked, in private locations, with written documentation and without distractions the majority of the time; however, interruptions during the handover process were common. Exploring gaps at the individual programme level is a critical first step to develop effective teaching strategies to optimise handovers in residency.
Evaluation of a Dual-Staining Method for Acid-Fast Bacilli

A dual-staining procedure for acid-fast bacilli was found to have poor correlation with the Ziehl-Neelsen and auramine-rhodamine staining techniques.
Did FIN 48 Arrest the Trend in Multistate Tax Aggressiveness

We examine whether state corporate effective tax rates (ETRs) that began trending downward in the 1990s rose in response to FASB Interpretation No. 48 (FIN 48), Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. We find state ETRs increase substantially in 2006 through 2008 for tax aggressive firms. Firm-level cash tax payments also increased over the 2005 through 2008 time period, controlling for federal and foreign ETR changes. Finally, state-level tax collections increased in 2006 and 2007. Consistent with analytic and behavioral theory, our results suggest that FIN 48 helped arrest the trend in multistate tax aggressiveness.
A delay-optimal quorum-based mutual exclusion scheme with fault-tolerance capability

The performance of a mutual exclusion algorithm is measured by the number of messages exchanged per critical section execution and the delay between successive executions of the critical section. There is a message complexity and synchronization delay trade-off in mutual exclusion algorithms. Lamport's (1978) algorithm and Ricart and Agrawal's (1981) algorithm both have a synchronization delay of T, but their message complexity is O(N). Maekawa's (1985) algorithm reduces message complexity to O(/spl radic/N); however, it increases the synchronization delay to 2T. After Maekawa's algorithm, many quorum-based mutual exclusion algorithms have been proposed to reduce message complexity or increase the resiliency to site and communication link failures. Since these algorithms are Maekawa-type algorithms, they also suffer from long synchronization delay 2T. We propose a delay-optimal quorum-based mutual exclusion algorithm which reduces the synchronization delay to T and still has the low message complexity O(K) (K is the size of the quorum, which can be as low as log N). A correctness proof and detailed performance analysis are provided.
Teniposide (VM-26)- and Etoposide (VP-16-213)-induced Augmentation of Methotrexate Transport and Polyglutamylation in Ehrlich Ascites Tumor Cells in Vitro

Teniposide (VM-26) and etoposide (VP-16-213) were evaluated for their effects on methotrexate transport and metabolism in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells in vitro . VM-26 (10 µm) does not alter influx of methotrexate but slows efflux of the drug which leads to an increase in the steady-state level of exchangeable antifolate. VM-26 stimulation of net methotrexate transport occurs within 5 min of exposure of cells to VM-26 concentrations of from 10 to 50 µm; removal of extracellular VM-26 results in a rapid and complete reversal of this effect. As extracellular VM-26 is raised to 50 µm, the progressive rise in net methotrexate uptake observed is due not only to elevated exchangeable antifolate but to an enlarged nonexchangeable pool of intracellular drug as well, a major portion of which is methotrexate polyglutamyl derivatives. VM-26 does not alter the intracellular water or the chloride distribution ratio. Glucose partially reverses the stimulatory effect of VM-26 but to a lesser extent than glucose reversal of the vincristine-induced stimulation of net methotrexate transport. VP-16-213 also stimulates net methotrexate transport in a manner qualitatively similar to that of VM-26. However, 100 µm VP-16-213 is required to yield the same quantitative stimulation as seen for 10 µm VM-26. VP-16-213-induced augmentation of intracellular methotrexate polyglutamate levels is also demonstrated. These results indicate that VM-26 and VP-16-213 enhance net cell accumulation of methotrexate and methotrexate polyglutamyl derivatives in the Ehrlich ascites tumor in vitro at concentrations of these agents which are achieved in vivo . Potential therapeutic synergism between methotrexate and epipodophyllotoxins on this basis is therefore possible and is currently under evaluation in animal tumor systems.
Use of proton pump inhibitors is associated with fractures in young adults: a population-based study.

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are associated with risk for fracture in osteoporotic adults. In this population-based study, we found a significant association between PPIs and fracture in young adults, with evidence of a dose–response effect. Young adults who use PPIs should be cautioned regarding risk for fracture. Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are associated with fracture in adults with osteoporosis. Because PPI therapy may interfere with bone accrual and attainment of peak bone mineral density, we studied the association between use of PPIs and fracture in children and young adults. We conducted a population-based, case–control study nested within records from general medical practices from 1994 to 2013. Participants were 4–29 years old with ≥1 year of follow-up who lacked chronic conditions associated with use of long-term acid suppression. Cases of fracture were defined as the first incident fracture at any site. Using incidence density sampling, cases were matched with up to five controls by age, sex, medical practice, and start of follow-up. PPI exposure was defined as 180 or more cumulative doses of PPIs. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate the odds ratio and confidence interval for use of PPIs and fracture. We identified 124,799 cases and 605,643 controls. The adjusted odds ratio for the risk of fracture associated with PPI exposure was 1.13 (95 % CI 0.92 to 1.39) among children aged <18 years old and 1.39 (95 % CI 1.26 to 1.53) among young adults aged 18–29 years old. In young adults but not children, we observed a dose–response effect with increased total exposure to PPIs (p for trend <0.001). PPI use was associated with fracture in young adults, but overall evidence did not support a PPI–fracture relationship in children. Young adults who use PPIs should be cautioned regarding potentially increased risk for fracture, even if they lack traditional fracture risk factors.
Polymer aerogels for efficient removal of airborne nanoparticles

Abstract This study evaluates the potential of polymer aerogel monoliths in removing airborne nanoparticles. Macroporous monolithic aerogels of δ-form syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) are synthesized for this purpose via thermoreversible gelation of a solution of sPS in a good solvent followed by supercritical drying. The air permeability and airborne nanoparticle removal efficiency are determined as function of the bulk density of aerogels. The data reveal a power-law dependence of particle removal efficiency and air permeability on bulk density. The data also reveal that efficiency greater than 99.95% can be achieved if the bulk density is kept at 0.042 g/cm3 or higher. These materials show air permeability of the order of 10−10 m2. The gradient density aerogels produced via sequential injections of sPS solutions show improvements in filtration efficiency attributed to additional skin layers. This idea is exploited in designing gradient density aerogel filters that offer higher efficiency and higher air permeability at a much lower bulk density than the single density monoliths of the same thickness.
Signal detection for page-access optical memories with intersymbol interference

We propose a technique for data detection in a two-dimensional page-access optical memory. The technique combines sequence detection by the use of the Viterbi algorithm with decision feedback to improve the bit-error-rate performance in a system corrupted by intersymbol interference. It has an advantage in that it can be operated on a row-by-row basis as data are output from the optical detector. Use of the proposed scheme might ease the design tolerances of the optical components or permit the use of large data pages.
Prevalence of perceived dysphagia and quality-of-life impairment in a geriatric population

Dysphagia is an important problem for the elderly. While well characterized in acutely ill populations, the prevalence and quality-of-life changes associated with dysphagia remain poorly defined in the community geriatric population. This study recruited individuals 65 years and older from an independent-living facility. Two validated questionnaires were used: the M.D. Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) and the general health Short Form-12 survey (SF-12v2TM). Each participant also answered two questions: “Do you have difficulties with swallowing?” and “Do you think that swallowing difficulties are a natural part of aging?” Fifteen percent of subjects reported difficulties with swallowing. Of these, over half suffered substantial quality-of-life impairment in one or more domains of the MDADI. With respect to the second question, 23.4% of subjects believed dysphagia to be a normal part of aging, 37.4% did not. The SF-12v2 only weakly correlated with the MDADI in this population. In conclusion, there is a relatively high prevalence of dysphagia in the community-based geriatric population; significant quality-of-life impairment is a frequent finding. General health measures do not appear to be sensitive to swallowing-related quality of life. Finally, individuals may inaccurately ascribe swallowing problems to normal aging, supporting the role of community education about dysphagia in the elderly.
Azole Antifungal Agents

The discovery of the antifungal activity of azole compounds represented an important therapeutic advance. Miconazole, ketoconazole, and fluconazole are currently commercially available, and itraconazole has undergone extensive clinical evaluation. Because of its limited activity and toxicity, miconazole has been replaced by newer agents. Ketoconazole has proven useful in therapy for superficial infections and invasive infections caused by the pathogenic fungi. Among its disadvantages are limited absorption in the absence of gastric acid and its potential for drug-drug interactions. Fluconazole is the only azole available as oral and intravenous preparations. Unlike other azoles, it is only minimally metabolized in the liver and largely excreted in the urine as active drug. It is more effective than ketoconazole against superficial candidal infections and is the drug of choice for maintenance therapy for cryptococcal meningitis in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus. An advantage of itraconazole is its activity against aspergillosis. It is also active against many infections caused by pathogenic fungi. Other azole compounds are at varying stages of preclinical and clinical investigation.
A mandible ofBranisella boliviana (Platyrrhini, Primates) from the oligocene of South America

A mandibular specimen from the Bolivian Early Oligocene is provisionally assigned toBranisella boliviana. The crown anatomy of the single preserved tooth, an M2, indicates platyrrhine affinities and several details of the broken jaw are suggestive of symphyseal fusion. Like the African Oligocene parapithecids,Branisella contrasts with extant anthropoids in the relative shallowness of its mandible.Branisella is the most ancient, and seemingly the most primitive, fossil platyrrhine monkey, lacking any of the derived features of the two major clades of modern ceboids. Taxonomically, it is best regarded as family incertae sedis.
Electron attachment to perfluoromethylcyclohexane (c-C7F14) and perfluoro-1-heptene (1-C7F14)☆

Abstract The results of a swarm study on the attachment of slow (≤3 eV) electrons to c-C7F14 and 1-C7F14 are presented and discussed. For both molecules the attachment cross sections show resonance maxima at 0.07 and 0.25 eV, and they are much larger for the cyciic isomer. The thermal values of the electron attachment rate are 18.3 and 1.33 × 108 s−1 torr−1 for c-C7F14 and 1-C7F14, respectively.
Decontamination of oil-polluted soil by cloud point extraction

An extraction procedure based on cloud point phase separation of nonionic surfactants was used to remove oil contamination from soils. The detergent employed was Triton X-114, and its clouding behavior was monitored by means of a fluorescence probe. Changes in the I (1)I (3) ratio of pyrene indicated gradual dehydration of the detergent micelles upon heating. The rate of phase separation, and the volume and water content of the micellar phase were determined. In the practical clean-up, 85-98% of the oil present in the soil was found to enter the micellar phase of the separated washing liquid. A 15-min washing time with 3-5% detergent was found to be sufficient for this degree of contaminant removal from soil containing 0.009-0.017% oil, using a liquid:solid ratio of 5:2. The extraction efficiency decreased with increasing carbon content of the soil. The process holds promise for large-scale treatment of oil-polluted soils.
Hydraulie Control and Flow Separation in a Multi-Layered Fluid with Applications to the Vema Channel

Abstract Observations from a recent field experiment in the Vema Channel are briefly described. These show a remarkable change in the configuration of isopycnal surfaces within the channel and the development of thick, nearly homogeneous regions near the bottom which are capped by sharp vertical gradients. Contrary to previous speculation that these “bottom boundary layer” result from enhanced vertical mixing, a dynamical mechanism is explored. This involves the hydraulic adjustment of an inertial, semi-geostrophic flow to the channel geometry. First, an active two-layer flow in a rectangular geometry is studied to show that internal flow separation can occur when the flow is accelerated sufficiently by a narrowing channel. Almost always this separation accompanies hydraulic control: the slowest upstream moving Kelvin wave is stopped and upstream and downstream states are not symmetric with respect to the channel width. An active three-layer flow with a variable bottom profile is then presented as a more ...
A quantification of dexterity

Abstract The need for a quantitative measure of dexterity has been reviewed. The interactions of the task being performed and the candidate robotic manipulator to be used have been considered. Intuitive notions of dexterity have been discussed, based on the scaling laws of biological systems. They can be expressed as effector capabilities, independent of task. Task/manipulator interactions have been quantified in the human perspective through design rules and measures of human motor capacity. Machine dexterity is shown to have parallel measures and limitations. A non-dimensional definition of dexterity has been proposed. The definition is independent of scale, and it can provide a quantitative measure between different robotic systems that have varying degrees of dexterity.
Comparison of chlorine and chlorine dioxide for the inactivation of an amoebic cyst

Abstract Studied was the inactivation of the cysts of the amoeba Naegleria gruberi using chlorine at pH 7 and chlorine dioxide at pH 5, 7 and 9. The results indicate that many of the findings with other organisms are also true for the cysts except that ClO2 was somewhat more effective than chlorine. In general, the cysts are much more resistant to disinfection than bacteria or poliovirus.
Reflections on evidence-based rehabilitation practice and applications for chronic pain management

Susan Murphy speaks to Roshaine Gunawardana, Managing Commissioning Editor: Susan Murphy, ScD, OTR, is currently an associate professor in the University of Michigan’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, a research associate professor at the Institute of Gerontology, and a research health science specialist at the VA Ann Arbor Health Care System, GRECC. Dr Murphy is an occupational therapist by training and her research has primarily focused on developing and testing rehabilitation interventions to reduce symptoms and increase physical activity among people with chronic pain.
Minireview series on the thirtieth anniversary of research on O-GlcNAcylation of nuclear and cytoplasmic proteins: Nutrient regulation of cellular metabolism and physiology by O-GlcNAcylation

The dynamic cycling of N-acetylglucosamine (termed O-GlcNAcylation) on serine or threonine residues of nuclear or cytoplasmic proteins serves as a nutrient sensor, both independently and also via its interplay with other post-translational modifications, to regulate signaling, transcription, and cellular physiology. Emerging evidence suggests that dysregulation of this ubiquitous post-translational modification contributes to the etiology of some the most important human chronic diseases.
A New Look at the Old Problem of Altitude Derating of Air-cooled High-Power Broadcast Tubes

An analysis is presented of the effect of altitude on heat transfer from an RCA 8807 power tube. Results of this analysis are included along with a comparison with existing data. A generalization of the results is presented as is a method that allows the design engineer to make use of the results in new and existing transmitter designs.
Computational Modeling of the Electronic Structure of Oligothiophenes with Various Side Chains

Oligothiophenes are promising candidates as organic molecular wires. Density functional theory is employed to investigate eight oligothiophene series with various side chains, end groups, and spacers ranging in length from 3 to 12 monomers. Redox potentials are evaluated for a number of species on the basis of the thermodynamic cycle formalism (J. Phys. Chem. A 2002, 106, 7407) and agree well with the experimental results. It is confirmed that polarons rather than bipolarons play the role of charge carriers for charged oligomers with sufficiently long backbone. Our calculations also shed light on the detailed oxidization processes in cyclic voltammetry experiments and, hence, provide significant implications on the design of novel oligothiophene-based conductive materials.
Synthesis of deuterium labeled polyunsaturated fatty acids

Abstract Compounds containing carbon-carbon double bonds bearing cis deuterium atoms can be prepared conveniently by treating disubstituted acetylenes with bis(2-deuteriocyclohexyl)borane-B-D 1 [DB(Cy) 2 ] followed by reaction with CH 3 CO 2 D. As an example, the preparation of labeled linolenic acid is reported.
Analysis of terahertz generation and control by nanostructured surfaces

In this paper, some of our recent works on the design of different types of nanostructured surfaces, the terahertz generation, terahertz lenses ,and terahertz metamaterials are reviewed and discussed. The mechanism behind the terahertz radiation is the photoelectric emission effect, which leads to the oscillating motions of emitted electrons and are affected by the electric field inside the metal. Furthermore, by using those nanostructured surfaces, terahertz lenses, which are due to the excitation of surface plasmons, and terahertz metamaterials, which results from the effective inductor-capacitor resonator, are also presented.
Does Indication for Destination Therapy Affect Left Ventricular Assist Device Outcomes

s S57 Conclusion: Patients requiring LVAD insertion typically have associated cardiac defects which are often regurgitant valvular lesions. Repairing, replacing or closing insufficient valves is associated with a longer CBP time but does not result in increased operative mortality or decreased survival at 2 years as observed in registry data. Patient informed consent should be based upon treatment center’s specific results and not multicenter registry data.
The nighttime accelerations of the wind in the boundary layer

Blackadar’s inertial relaxation of the nighttime boundary layer is modified to account for the finite scale of the pressure gradient normal to the jet. Even though this horizontal dimension may be several thousand times the depth of the daytime convective layer, it severely reduces the period of the free oscillation in the relaxation process and replaces the harmonic acceleration of the jet with a linear growth rate.
Hydrolase and serum treatment of normal chick embryo cells: Effects on hexose transport

Abstract We have asked whether treatment of normal cultured cells with proteases, other hydrolytic enzymes, or serum can convert them into transient phenocopies of transformed cells with respect to the very high rate of hexose transport characteristic of transformed cells. Treatment of density-inhibited cultures of normal chick embryo fibroblasts with trypsin, plasmin, neuraminidase, or hyaluronidase stimulated their rate of 2-deoxyglucose uptake to a level only marginally higher than that seen in normal exponentially growing cultures, and only 35–45% of that seen in transformed cultures. Addition of the hydrolytic enzymes to growing cell cultures had little effect on 2-deoxyglucose uptake. Serum, however, could stimulate 2-deoxyglucose uptake all the way up to the transformed level. Even though the hydrolases and serum differed in their ability to stimulate 2-deoxyglucose uptake, both reagents were capable of stimulating cell division equally well. Evidence is presented suggesting that the hexose transport rate is controlled by serum factors, and that proteolysis can affect the response of the cells to these factors.
Quantification of Plesiomonas shigelloides in Pure Culture and Clams by Competitive PCR

A quantitative assay for Plesiomonas shigelloides in pure culture and clams based on the competitive polymerase chain reaction was developed. This is the first report for quantitative detection of P. shigelloides by competitive PCR. Forward (PS-F), reverse (PS23RV3), and hybrid primers were designed, and the specificity of the forward and reverse primer for P. shigelloides was proven. An internal standard DNA sequence was synthesized by PCR, with the hybrid primer as the forward primers and PS23RV3 as the reverse primer. A single concentration (0.588 pg/PCR) of internal standard (IS) was used for competitive PCR. The lowest level of detection of P. shigelloides was 80 CFU per PCR in pure culture, 240 CFU/g of clam tissue without enrichment, and 40 CFU/g of clam tissue after 7 hrs. nonselective enrichment at 37°C. There was a linear relationship between the log of the ratio of the relative fluorescent intensities of amplified target DNA bands to the internal standard DNA bands (IS) and the log of the CFU w...
NMR structure determination of a membrane protein with two transmembrane helices in micelles: MerF of the bacterial mercury detoxification system.

The three-dimensional backbone structure of a membrane protein with two transmembrane helices in micelles was determined using solution NMR methods that rely on the measurement of backbone 1H−15N residual dipolar couplings (RDCs) from samples of two different constructs that align differently in stressed polyacrylamide gels. Dipolar wave fitting to the 1H−15N RDCs determines the helical boundaries based on periodicity and was utilized in the generation of supplemental dihedral restraints for the helical segments. The 1H−15N RDCs and supplemental dihedral restraints enable the determination of the structure of the helix−loop−helix core domain of the mercury transport membrane protein MerF with a backbone RMSD of 0.58 A. Moreover, the fold of this polypeptide demonstrates that the two vicinal pairs of cysteine residues, shown to be involved in the transport of Hg(II) across the membrane, are exposed to the cytoplasm. This finding differs from earlier structural and mechanistic models that were based primari...
Helping Families toward the Goal of Self-Support: Montana's EDUFAIM Program:

This article on a self-reliance education program describes the development, implementation, and elements of success of Educating Families to Achieve Independence in Montana (EDUFAIM) as a model fo...