cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of centimeter-scale and geometrically arbitrary vascular networks using in vitro self-assembly.

Abstract One of the largest challenges facing the field of tissue engineering is the incorporation of a functional vasculature, allowing effective nourishment of graft tissue beyond diffusion length scales. Here, we demonstrate a methodology for inducing the robust self-assembly of endothelial cells into stable three-dimensional perfusable networks on millimeter and centimeter length scales. Utilizing broadly accessible cell strains and reagents, we have rigorously tested a state space of cell densities (0.5–2.0 × 106 cell/mL) and collagen gel densities (2–6 mg/mL) that result in robust vascular network formation. Further, over the range of culture conditions with which we observed robust network formation, we advanced image processing algorithms and quantitative metrics to assess network connectivity, coverage, tortuosity, lumenization, and vessel diameter. These data demonstrate that decreasing collagen density produced more connected networks with higher coverage. Finally, we demonstrated that this methodology results in the formation of perfusable networks, is extensible to arbitrary geometries and centimeter scales, and results in networks that remain stable for 21 days without the need for the co-culture of supporting cells. Given the robustness and accessibility, this system is ideal for studies of tissue-scale biology, as well as future studies on the formation and remodeling of larger engineered graft tissues.
Caesar's Funeral in Lucan VIII. 729–735

Cordus, who gave Pompey's body decent burial, is apostrophizing Fortune: Pompey asks no splendid burial, no incense, no loyal Roman shoulders to carry the father of his country, no funeral procession displaying mementos of former triumphs, no solemn music in the fora, no mourning army circling about the pyre and casting their arms in it.
Protective Stabilization in the Dental Setting

Children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) may experience distress during dental appointments and may be unable to cooperate for treatment in the traditional dental setting. Protective stabilization, or temporary restrictive behavior management, may be needed for routine oral hygiene and dental visits. The issue of restraint of any type is controversial due to improper use in controlling general behavior. Oral health providers caring for these patients must understand the historical context of restraint in the intellectual disability community as well as international perspectives. The dentist must consider the indications and contraindications, especially medical considerations, and ensure informed consent before carrying out care. Proper selection and application of protective techniques is essential for safety.
Oxygen sensing and adaptability won the 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine

The 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to three physician scientists, Drs. William G. Kaelin, Jr., Peter Ratcliffe and Gregg Semenza, for their groundbreaking work revealing how cells sense and adapt to oxygen availability. Here, we summarize the history of their discoveries.
EVALUATION OF THE WAVE-RESISTANCE GREEN FUNCTION, PART 2: THE SINGLE INTEGRAL ON THE CENTERPLANE

Effective series expansions are derived for the evaluation of the single integral in the potential of a submerged source which moves with constant velocity, when the source and field point are in the same longitudinal centerplane. In conjunction with the polynomial approximations for the double integral component that were derived in Part 1 of this work, the present results facilitate the computation of the source potential or Green function. Three complementary domains of the centerplane are considered, with different expansions developed for use in each domain.
Right mini-thoracotomy Bentall with traditional and automated suturing devices.

Bentall procedures are traditionally performed through a median sternotomy. However, minimally invasive approaches are increasingly being utilized. A right mini-thoracotomy approach may improve postoperative recovery. A 5-cm mini-thoracotomy is performed in the right 2nd intercostal space. A camera port is placed lateral to this incision. Peripheral cannulation is performed. The ascending aorta is cross-clamped. Cardioplegia is administered and the patient is placed in deep hypothermic circulatory arrest to construct the distal aortic anastomosis. Aortic leaflets are excised and the annulus is sized. Annular and prosthetic sutures are placed using shafted instruments or automated suturing devices. The coronary buttons are reimplanted and a graft-to-graft anastomosis is constructed. The Bentall procedure can be done safely through a right mini-thoracotomy in select patients and we demonstrate our technique in this video tutorial. Automated suturing devices and video guidance may facilitate this procedure.
A 6 bp deletion polymorphism in the 3’UTR of the human thymidylate synthase gene causes message instability and is associated with decreased intratumoral TS mRNA levels

4744 A 6 bp deletion polymorphism in the thymidylate synthase (TS) gene that is encoded into the 3’-untranslated region (3’UTR) of TS mRNA was investigated in order to determine its function. Insertion of the TS-3’UTR containing the +6 bp/1494 polymorphism into the luciferase 3’UTR resulted in a ∼35% decrease in luciferase activity, and a similar decrease in mRNA levels, compared to the empty pGL3-control vector. Insertion of the TS-3’UTR containing the –6 bp/1494 deletion polymorphism resulted in a ∼70% decrease in luciferase activity and a ∼60% decrease in mRNA levels compared to the empty pGL3-control vector, suggesting that the deletion polymorphism caused a decrease in mRNA stability. Moreover, the TS-3’UTR containing the –6 bp/1494 deletion polymorphism had a significantly higher rate of message degradation compared to the +6 bp/1494 construct. Measurement of intratumoral TS mRNA levels demonstrated that individuals homozygous for the insertion (+6 bp/+6 bp) polymorphism had significantly higher intratumoral TS mRNA levels compared to individuals that were homozygous for the deletion (-6 bp/-6 bp) polymorphism (p
A Brief History of the U.K.—NATO Relationship

The History of British and European relations is long and storied, filled with conflicts, bickering, rejections, but also cooperation. It is thus inaccurate to characterize the relationship as solely rejecting; indeed, it has always oscillated between one of integration and distancing. Moreover, the historical baggage of hundreds of years prior to the 20th century cannot be discounted when considering the current relationships between Britain and Continental Europe.
Fallout of Lead over Paris from the 2019 Notre-Dame Cathedral Fire

The roof and spire of Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris that caught fire and collapsed on April 15, 2019, were covered with 460 tons of lead (Pb). Government reports documented Pb deposition immediatel...
Characterization of Exome Variants and Their Metabolic Impact in 6,716 American Indians from the Southwest US

Applying exome sequencing to populations with unique genetic architecture has the potential to reveal novel genes and variants associated with traits and diseases. We sequenced and analyzed the exomes of 6,716 individuals from a Southwestern American Indian (SWAI) population with well-characterized metabolic traits. We found that the SWAI population has distinct allelic architecture compared to populations of European and East Asian ancestry, and there were many predicted loss-of-function (pLOF) and nonsynonymous variants that were highly enriched or private in the SWAI population. We used pLOF and nonsynonymous variants in the SWAI population to evaluate gene-burden associations of candidate genes from European genome-wide association studies (GWASs) for type 2 diabetes, body mass index, and four major plasma lipids. We found 19 significant gene-burden associations for 11 genes, providing additional evidence for prioritizing candidate effector genes of GWAS signals. Interestingly, these associations were mainly driven by pLOF and nonsynonymous variants that are unique or highly enriched in the SWAI population. Particularly, we found four pLOF or nonsynonymous variants in APOB, APOE, PCSK9, and TM6SF2 that are private or enriched in the SWAI population and associated with low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. Their large estimated effects on LDL cholesterol levels suggest strong impacts on protein function and potential clinical implications of these variants in cardiovascular health. In summary, our study illustrates the utility and potential of exome sequencing in genetically unique populations, such as the SWAI population, to prioritize candidate effector genes within GWAS loci and to find additional variants in known disease genes with potential clinical impact.
Functional neuroimaging of sensorimotor cortices in postmenopausal women with type II diabetes.

Significance: Deficits in sensorimotor function in persons with type II diabetes mellitus (PwDM) have traditionally been considered a result of peripheral nerve damage. Emerging evidence has suggested that factors outside of nerve damage due to type II diabetes mellitus, such as impaired hemodynamic function, contribute significantly to both sensory and motor deficits in PwDM. Aim: The focus of the current study was to evaluate functional cortical hemodynamic activity during sensory and motor tasks in PwDM. Approach: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to monitor oxyhemoglobin (HbO) and deoxyhemoglobin (HbR) across the cortex during sensory and motor tasks involving the hands. Results: Decline in HbO across sensory and motor regions of interest was found in PwDM with simultaneous deficits in manual motor tasks, providing the first evidence of functional cortical hemodynamic activity deficits relating to motor dysfunction in PwDM. Similar deficits were neither specifically noted in HbR nor during evaluation of sensory function. Health state indices, such as A1c, blood pressure, body mass index, and cholesterol, were found to clarify group effects. Conclusions: Further work is needed to clarify potential sex-based differences in PwDM during motor tasks as well as the root of reduced cortical HbO indices but unchanged HbR indices in PwDM.
Preventing Extreme Polarization of Political Attitudes.

Extreme polarization can undermine democracy by making compromise impossible and transforming politics into a zero-sum game. Ideological polarization - the extent to which political views are widely dispersed - is already strong among elites, but less so among the general public (McCarty, 2019, p. 50-68). Strong mutual distrust and hostility between Democrats and Republicans in the U.S., combined with the elites' already strong ideological polarization, could lead to increasing ideological polarization among the public. The paper addresses two questions: (1) Is there a level of ideological polarization above which polarization feeds upon itself to become a runaway process? (2) If so, what policy interventions could prevent such dangerous positive feedback loops? To explore these questions, we present an agent-based model of ideological polarization that differentiates between the tendency for two actors to interact (exposure) and how they respond when interactions occur, positing that interaction between similar actors reduces their difference while interaction between dissimilar actors increases their difference. Our analysis explores the effects on polarization of different levels of tolerance to other views, responsiveness to other views, exposure to dissimilar actors, multiple ideological dimensions, economic self-interest, and external shocks. The results suggest strategies for preventing, or at least slowing, the development of extreme polarization.
Validation of numerical models for seismic fluid-structure-interaction analysis of nuclear, safety-related equipment

Abstract Seismic design, qualification, and risk assessment of nuclear safety-related vessels filled with liquid will have to consider the interaction between the vessel (tank), the contained liquid, and submerged components, if any. Seismic fluid-structure-interaction (FSI) analysis of nuclear vessels will rely on numerical models, which are required to be verified and validated. This study validates previously-verified numerical models using test data generated from earthquake-simulator experiments involving a cylindrical tank. Two solvers in LS-DYNA for FSI simulations are used for the numerical analysis: Arbitrary-Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) and Incompressible Computational Fluid Dynamics (ICFD). Numerical and test results are compared for responses critical to seismic design of advanced reactor vessels: hydrodynamic pressures on the tank wall, reactions at the support, and wave heights of the contained liquid. Analysis is performed for one-, two-, and three-directional seismic inputs with a range of intensity, and rocking motions. The accuracy of the numerical results and different methods for outputting wave heights are discussed. Recommendations for validation of seismic FSI numerical models of advanced reactors are provided. The validation exercise presented in this study is broadly applicable to cylindrical tanks, regardless of industry sector.
Description and Pilot Evaluation of a Dreamer Ally Training for Higher Education Staff and Faculty

We describe a Dreamer Ally training provided to staff and faculty on a university campus and present results of a pilot evaluation of this training. The Dreamer Ally training was designed to (a) increase university faculty and staff awareness, understanding, and self-efficacy for working with Dreamer students and (b) stimulate action to make the campus more responsive to the challenges and contributions of Dreamer students. For the purpose of this study we define Dreamer students as inclusive of undocumented students, students with the temporary protection of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), students who qualify for the state’s tuition equity program, and students from mixed legal status families. Study goals were to describe the training, gather pilot data on participant learning goals, post-training satisfaction and self-efficacy for supporting Dreamer students, and generate participant feedback about utility of training components and their plans for subsequent action. Participants completed questionnaires before and after the training. Responses to open-ended questions indicated that most participants attended in order to learn how to better support Dreamer students. Paired samples (pre and post) t-tests indicated significantly higher self-efficacy for supporting Dreamer students at posttest. Participant satisfaction with the training was high and found the information session content and working through different Dreamer student scenarios most useful. Action plans included changing program or unit websites to be more inclusive of Dreamers. Limitations include the absence of a control group. Findings can inform institutional efforts to raise faculty and staff awareness of and responsiveness to the challenges facing Dreamer students.
Comparison of selected serum biochemistry measurements between the Nova Prime Plus VET, Nova pHOx Ultra, and Beckman Coulter AU680 analyzers in dogs

Background Blood gas chemistry analyzers typically produce results faster and use smaller sample volumes than reference chemistry analyzers. However, results may not be comparable between blood gas chemistry analyzers and reference chemistry analyzers or between different models of blood gas chemistry analyzers. This could suggest the use of separate reference intervals and, thus, has implications when making clinical decisions. Objective We aimed to perform method comparison studies to evaluate selected canine serum biochemical values obtained using the Nova Stat Profile Prime Plus VET (Prime Plus VET), Stat Profile Nova pHOx Ultra (Ultra), and Beckman Coulter AU680 (Beckman) analyzers. We hypothesized that the three analyzers would be identical within inherent imprecision. Methods Jugular venous blood samples were collected from 103 endurance-trained sled dogs, and serum was harvested and stored for analysis. Results for serum chloride, potassium, sodium, creatinine, and urea nitrogen concentrations obtained from the Prime Plus VET and Ultra analyzers were compared with results from the Beckman analyzer, which was considered to be a reference method. Results for serum chloride, potassium, sodium, creatinine, urea nitrogen, and L-lactate concentrations obtained from the Prime Plus VET and Ultra analyzers were compared. Passing-Bablok regression and Bland-Altman plots were used for method comparison. Results Significant (P Conclusions Due to the presence of statistically significant differences between all three analyzers that may be clinically relevant, it is recommended that reference intervals be created for new blood gas analyzers, even when similar methodologies are used.
Fighting coronaviruses with natural polyphenols

Few licensed drugs and vaccines are available concerning COVID-19, a disease caused by SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2). Furthermore, numerous recent SARS-COV-2 variants of have arisen globally, demonstrating the need to develop broadly protective interventions for different coronavirus strains. Polyphenols are the largest class of natural bioactive compounds, categorized as flavonoids (catechins, quercetin and kaempferol) and non-flavonoids (gallic acid and resveratrol), and these compounds have been described as effective antiviral agents. This is because they can inhibit coronavirus enzymes, blocking replication and infection. The present short manuscript aimed to summarize and report the current evidence from well-known powerful flavonoid (catechin, quercetin, and kaempferol) and non-flavonoid (gallic acid and resveratrol) polyphenols obtained from plant extracts that inhibit coronavirus strains in in vitro models or by computer modeling. The knowledge of strategies beyond conventional treatments may be helpful in the development of new coronavirus drugs, treatments/medicines, or formulations.
Portable power engineering lab for classroom use

A portable power engineering educational lab system consisting of a low-voltage three-phase variable-speed motor drive, transformer, and rotating machines, a dynamometer, and line and load models, has been constructed. The lab is used for demonstrations in power system and machinery classes in place of, or as a supplement to, student lab experiments. The lab has been well-received by students.
Carnitine acetyltransferase and spermatozoan development in Drosophila melanogaster.

Abstract Carnitine acetyltransferase was examined in developing sperm of different regions of the testis in wild type Drosophila melanogaster. The activity of this enzyme was low in spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and spermatids but extremely high in mature sperm. The level of testicular carnitine acetyltransferase is low in genetically sterile males as well as in males sterile as a result of dietary conditions. Electron microscope observations of spermiogenesis in males raised on a diet in which choline is replaced by carnitine indicate that the appearance of high carnitine acetyltransferase activity during sperm development is dependent upon the development of the mitochondrion and association of the mitochondrion with the axial filament complex. A factor located on the short arm of the Y chromosome is postulated to influence the testicular level of carnitine acetyltransferase, possibly by regulating the number of developing gametes to undergo spermiogenesis. The factor is not identical with either the ks-1 or ks-2 male fertility factors.
Interim Report on Group Work in Adolescent Pavilion

In this report for a staff seminar discussion at Hillside Hospital on January 30, 1958, the author describes the democratic philosophy, as well as the structure and nature, of the strengths-based group work program she has developed with a population of adolescent girls in this long-term, inpatient psychiatric unit.
Family Background and Early Years

Henry Home of Karnes,’1 after his elevation to the bench of the Court of Session, the supreme civil court of Scotland, generally known as Lord Kames, was born on the modest country estate of Kames, in the parish of Eccles in Berwickshire in southeastern Scotland, in 1696.2 He died in Edinburgh on December 27, 1782.
A general framework for probabilistic low-power design space exploration considering process variation

Increasing levels of process variation in current process technologies make it extremely important that design and process decisions be made while considering their impact. This work presents a convex optimization based approach to select supply and threshold voltages to minimize power dissipation in generic multi-Vdd/Vth CMOS designs while considering process variation. We use this probabilistic approach to compare the optimization of different statistical parameters of power dissipation (e.g., mean or high percentile points), and quantify the impact of rising process variations on these power minimization techniques.
Immune network algorithm applied to the optimization of composite SaaS in Cloud computing

In order to serve the different application needs of the different Cloud users efficiently and effectively, a possible solution is the decomposition of the software or so-called composite SaaS (Software as a Service). A composite SaaS constitutes a group of loosely-coupled applications that communicate with each other to form higher-level functionality. The benefits to the SaaS providers are reduced delivery cost and flexible SaaS functions, and the benefit for the users is the decreased cost of subscription. For this to be achieved effectively, the optimization of the process is required in order to manage the SaaS resources in the data center efficiently. In this paper, the optimization task of composite SaaS is investigated using an Immune network optimization approach. The approach makes use of activation and suppression that are mimicked by the natural immune system triggering an immune response not only when antibodies interact with antigens but also when they interact with other antibodies. Experiments are conducted with a series of SaaS configurations and the proposed immune network algorithm is compared with a formerly proposed grouping genetic algorithm. The results show that the immune network algorithm outperforms the grouping genetic algorithm.
The calculus of responsibility and commitment

Ever since Montague (1974 [1970]) laid the foundations for formally precise analysis of natural language (hereafter NL) semantics in the late 1960’s, the typed lambda calculus (hereafter TLC) and certain of its extensions have been the linguists’ tool of choice for representing the meanings of NL expressions. But starting around the turn of the millenium, motivated by a range of linguistic phenomena collectively known as covert movement phenomena, logical grammarians of various persuasions have proposed the use of other semantic term calculi that embody, directly or indirectly, some notion or other of continuation.
Utilization of Preventive Health Care in Adults and Children With Eczema

Introduction Chronic disease is a barrier to delivery of preventive health care and health maintenance. However, health behaviors of adults and children with eczema, a chronic skin disorder, have not been examined. This study examined associations of eczema with vaccination, disease screening, health maintenance, and healthcare utilization. Methods This study investigated 34,613 adults and 13,298 children from the 2012 National Health Interview Survey, a prospective questionnaire-based study. Data were analyzed between August 2014 and January 2015. Results Adult eczema was associated with higher odds of vaccination for tetanus (OR [95% CI]=1.37 [1.22, 1.54]); influenza (1.23 [1.10, 1.37]); hepatitis A (1.21 [1.04, 1.41]) and B (1.21 [1.07, 1.35]); human papilloma virus (1.66 [1.32, 2.08]); and pneumonia (1.35 [1.19, 1.54]), but not herpes zoster virus (1.07 [0.87, 1.31]). Adult eczema was associated with increased measurement of blood glucose (1.29 [1.16, 1.44]); cholesterol (1.19 [1.06, 1.34]); blood pressure (1.84 [1.56, 2.08]); and HIV infection (1.50 [1.34, 1.70]), but not Pap smears (1.11 [0.95, 1.30]); colon cancer screening ( p =0.17); or mammograms ( p =0.63). Adults with eczema were more likely to interact with general doctors, mid-level providers, mental health professionals, eye doctors, podiatrists, chiropractors, therapists, obstetrician/gynecologists, and other specialists ( p ≤0.01). Childhood eczema was associated with higher rates of vaccination for influenza ( p p =0.002); and interaction with most types of healthcare providers ( p ≤0.01). Many associations remained significant in multivariate models controlling for sociodemographics and healthcare interaction frequency. Conclusions Eczema in adults and children is associated with greater utilization of preventive health care and health maintenance, but not cancer screening.
Ecological Mindedness Across the Curriculum

AbstractThis article suggests a framework for evaluating and implementing environmental education (EE) curricula in hopes of furthering EE as a mode of living to be embodied, rather than as a subject to be learned. We argue that the current iterations of EE in K–12 schools stand to benefit by attending to Dewey’s criteria for educative experience: continuity and interaction. Through an analysis of current literature on EE with a comparative analysis of a study of ecologically minded teachers, we discerned three hallmark qualities of ecological mindedness: ecological care, interconnectedness, and ecological integrity. These qualities are both characteristics of the experience as well as sensibilities developed by those engaged in the experience. We argue that ecological mindedness provides the possibility for educative experiences in K–12 curriculum, and we include vignettes and interviews that illustrate such possibilities.
Basket Securities, Price Formation, and Informational Efficiency

This paper investigates the role of basket securities in the efficient price formation process of individual component securities. The study focuses on one type of basket security, exchange traded funds (ETFs), which includes some of the most actively traded securities in the U.S. equity market. A multi-asset variance decomposition methodology is developed to measure the information contributions of the return and trade innovations of ETFs. The results show that a substantial amount of the information incorporated into the efficient price of a component stock originates in the ETF market. More interestingly, ETF trades are found to have permanent impacts on component stock prices. An analysis of ETF introductions reveals that both informational efficiency and market liquidity of the component stocks improve after the ETF starts trading. The findings suggest that seemingly redundant securities can have important informational functions.
Smoking Status, Physical Health–Related Quality of Life, and Mortality in Middle-Aged and Older Women

Introduction Women who smoke, particularly older women, have been relatively neglected in smoking research. There is a lack of knowledge concerning the relation of level of smoking to quality of life and mortality among middle-aged and older women smokers. Methods This study examined the relation of smoking status to physical health-related quality of life (PHRQL) and total mortality in women in the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) Observational Study. Participants were 90,849 postmenopausal women, who were an average age of 63.6 years at baseline. Analyses used multiple linear and Cox proportional hazards regression and controlled for age, educational level, and ethnicity. Never-smokers were the reference group. Results We found that smoking status was significantly related to PHRQL cross-sectionally at baseline and prospectively at a 3-year follow-up, with those who smoked having lower PHRQL. Heavier smokers showed large, clinically meaningful associations with PHRQL and light smokers showed small associations. In addition, we found that the smoking status at baseline was significantly related to 10-year total mortality. Both light and heavier smoking at baseline significantly correlated with higher mortality risk; however, the relationship of smoking to mortality was dose dependent. Among former smokers, those who had smoked longer showed significantly lower PHRQL and significantly increased mortality risk. Conclusions Findings suggest that the risks of smoking may not be evident to light smokers and that educational interventions targeted to middle-aged and older women stressing the consequences of light smoking may be particularly beneficial.
Principal components analysis of sources of variability in retinal ganglion cell responses

An approach to the functional organization of retinal ganglion cell processing in terms of corelation matrices (Levine and Shefner, 1975; 1977a, b; Shefner and Levine, 1979) is extended by applying Principal Components Analysis. This analysis reduces each correlation matrix to a few components which are implicit in the data. The component loadings describe properties of the system in terms of loadings (correlations) of time bins on the underlying components. Each component is identified by the experimental conditions associated with the highest loadings. Mixed conditions are quantitatively interpreted as weighted contributions from the various identified components. This has led to new interpretations of existing data. Several properties of ganglion cell inputs are analyzed in this manner, including ON and OFF processes, center and surround mechanisms, rod and cone inputs, and spatially distinct areas within the receptive field center. Although the details vary, generally one of the components is highly associated with ON processes and the other with OFF and/or MAINTAINED processes. Several advantages may be realized through the use of Principal Components Analysis: (1) all of the data contribute to the analysis, (2) the number and relative importance of contributing processes may be assessed, (3) the relative contribution of underlying processes to mixed responses may be assessed, and (4) the most parsimonious representation of the data is obtained.
A safe and rapid technique for retrograde catheterization of the left ventricle in aortic stenosis

The present report describes our experience in 82 patients with a pigtail-straight guide wire system for crossing stenotic aortic valves. The technique was successful in 95% of all the attempts and the average fluoroscopic time was three minutes. There were no major complications of the procedure. The technique allowed for consistent, high quality ventriculograms in 73 patients enabling us to define the severity of concomitant mitral regurgitation in 27 of the patients, as well as a preoperative ejection fraction in all 73 patients. We conclude that the technique as described is a safe and efficient way to obtain both hemodynamic and angiographic information at minimum risk in patients with severe aortic stenosis.
Equilibrium and non-equilibrium metal-ceramic interfaces

Metal-ceramic interfaces in thermodynamic equilibrium (Au/ZrO{sub 2}) and non-equilibrium (Au/MgO) have been studied by TEM and HREM. In the Au/ZrO{sub 2} system, ZrO{sub 2} precipitates formed by internal oxidation of a 7%Zr-Au alloy show a cubic ZrO{sub 2} phase. It appears that formation of the cubic ZrO{sub 2} is facilitated by alignment with the Au matrix. Most of the ZrO{sub 2} precipitates have a perfect cube-on-cube orientation relationship with the Au matrix. The large number of interfacial steps observed in a short-time annealing experiment indicate that the precipitates are formed by the ledge growth mechanism. The lowest interfacial energy is indicated by the dominance of closed-packed (111) Au/ZrO{sub 2} interfaces. In the Au/MgO system, composite films with small MgO smoke particles embedded in a Au matrix were prepared by a thin film technique. HREM observations show that most of the Au/MgO interfaces have a strong tendency to maintain a dense lattice structure across the interfaces irrespective of whether the interfaces are incoherent of semi-coherent. This indicates that there may be relatively strong bond between MgO and Au.
Transcription factor OTF-1 is functionally identical to the DNA replication factor NF-III

Octamer transcription factor-1 (OTF-1) and nuclear factor III (NF-III) are sequence-specific DNA binding proteins that activate transcription and DNA replication, respectively. It is shown here that OTF-1 is physically and biologically indistinguishable from NF-III. This conclusion is based on the following observations. First, the two proteins have identical mobilities by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Second, OTF-1 binds to the adenovirus origin of DNA replication at the same site and with the same affinity as NF-III. Third, OTF-1 can substitute for NF-III in activating the initiation of adenovirus DNA replication in vitro. Fourth, the ability of OTF-1 to stimulate viral DNA replication is dependent on the presence of an intact NF-III binding site within the origin of replication. Fifth, NF-III can substitute for OTF-1 in activating in vitro transcription from the human histone H2b promoter. These data suggest the possibility that NF-III/OTF-1 is a protein that functions in both cellular DNA replication and transcription.
The effects of flooding, plant traits, and predation on purple loosestrife leaf‐beetles

Classical biological weed control is based on the premise that introducing specialized natural enemies from the native range re-establishes herbivore control of plant invaders, ultimately leading to negative population growth rates. Evidence from past biocontrol programs suggests that herbivores are not solely responsible for shaping plant demography. Diverse environmental conditions in the introduced range may not only affect demography, but also influence top-down control of target plants. We investigated how flooding affects impacts of predators (top-down) and plant quality (bottom-up) on performance of two leaf-beetles, Galerucella calmariensis L. and Galerucella pusilla Duftschmid (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Galerucini), released in North America as biocontrol agents of purple loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria L. (Lythraceae). Predation and flooding regime have been linked to low leaf-beetle recruitment at sites where insects failed to attain outbreak populations. Predator exclusion experiments at adjacent flooded and non-flooded sites indicated a positive effect of flooding on leaf-beetle survival for all developmental stages, whereas predator exposure had little effect. There was no difference in predation rates at sites with successful or failed purple loosestrife control, questioning the importance of predation in limiting growth and impact of these biocontrol agents’ populations. Effect of flooding on purple loosestrife quality was evaluated in a common garden study where plants were grown under different flooding treatments. Plants grown in flooded soil had higher water content and lower tannic acid concentration than plants grown in well-drained soil. Consistent with field observations, leaf-beetle oviposition rate and survival were higher on flooded plants. Results indicate that both bottom-up and top-down forces operate on Galerucella populations, yet their relative strength is mediated by flooding regime. Ignoring intricacies of plant-herbivore and trophic interactions in the introduced range appears to be a major handicap for the improvement of weed biocontrol programs.
Envelope protection and atmospheric disturbances in icing encounters

Research is reported on aircraft performance and control in icing, related to the development of Smart Icing Systems for improved flight safety. Microburst and gravity wave atmospheric disturbances were modeled, and their effects on the aircraft performance and control were compared to that of an icing encounter. Simulations were run using a six degree- of-freedom computational flight dynamics model. The study showed that microbursts could easily be differentiated from icing encounters. On the other hand gravity waves are more difficult to differentiate. A plan was formulated for developing an envelope protection system effective in icing conditions. Two dimensional airfoil data were analyzed and showed promising results for prediction of envelope limit exceedence. Changes in unsteady hinge moments were especially effective in predicting stall. NOMENCLATURE Cd Airfoil drag coefficient Ch Airfoil hinge moment coefficient Ch,RMS Airfoil unsteady hinge moment coefficient Cl
Nitric oxide metabolism following unilateral renal ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury results in decreased glomerular filtration and renal blood flow (RBF) and increased urine output, characterized by natriuresis and impaired concentrating ability. We studied unilateral I/R in rats to assess renal handling of nitric oxide (NO). Prior to I/R, we measured urine flow rate (V), inulin clearance (C IN), para-aminohippuric acid clearance (C PAH), NO clearance (C NOx determined from metabolites NO2 and NO3), tubular transport of NOx (TNOx, filtered load ± urinary excretion), urine sodium and potassium excretion (UNaV, UKV), fractional excretion of sodium (FENa), and fractional excretion of NOx (FENOx) in each kidney. The left renal artery was then ligated for 30 min, followed by 30 min of reperfusion, and all measurements were repeated. C IN and C PAH were decreased in I/R kidneys compared with the contralateral kidney or pre-ischemia controls. V, FENa, and UKV were all significantly increased in I/R kidneys. Plasma NOx concentration was lower after injury in all animals (23.3±2.8 post injury vs. 30.4±7.7 μM pre injury, P <0.05). C NOx was significantly higher in I/R kidneys (0.14±0.05 ml/min per g kidney weight) than in pre-injury kidneys (0.03±0.02 right, 0.04±0.30 left) or the contralateral controls (0.04±0.02) (P <0.05 for all three controls). TNOx showed net tubular reabsorption of NOx in all kidneys (11±6 in post-ischemic left kidneys vs. 25±20 in left pre-ischemia, 33±13 in right pre-ischemia, and 21±4 right post-ischemia, nM/min per g kidney weight, P = NS). FENOx was higher in injured kidneys (28%±18) than in pre-injury (3%±0.6, 5%±3) or contralateral controls (6%±3) (P <0.05 for all three controls). Renal NOx excretion and clearance are increased despite decreased plasma levels of NO metabolites after I/R injury. This increased excretion is not dependent on RBF or glomerular filtration, but may be related to impaired tubular reabsorption of NOx combined with increased intra-renal NO production.
Magnetic and spectroscopic investigation of partially reduced vanadium pentoxides. II. β′-CuxV2O5☆

Abstract The magnetic, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), infrared (ir), and optical properties of the orthorhombic (x ⩽ 0.20) and monoclinic (x = 0.28) phases of (MoxV1−x)2O5 have been measured and interpreted. The magnetic data are interpreted in terms of a ligand-field model in which the octahedral 2T2g term of V4+ is split by the combined perturbations of axial distortion and spin-orbit coupling, with the result that the 2T2g term is split into a magnetic ground level, a weakly magnetic intermediate level, and a magnetic highest level. The g-values and linewidth data are in good agreement with the magnetic results. The susceptibility and EPR studies indicate that the paramagnetic centers are deep-donor V4+OMo6+ pairs and that the oxygen symmetry is more nearly octahedral in the monoclinic phase. The ir spectra indicate a weakening of the shortest metal-oxygen bond in the monoclinic phase, and the optical spectra show a concomitant increase in the octahedral component of the ligand field in this phase. The implications of these results for oxidation catalysis by (MoxV1−x)2O5 are discussed.
Sexual contact tracing outcome in adolescent chlamydial and gonococcal cervicitis cases

Background and Objective: Treatment of sex partners is an essential part of sexually transmitted diseases (STD) control. This study examined the efficacy of contact tracing via patient self-referral in gonococcal and chlamydial cervicitis cases among adolescents, compared with the effectiveness of provider-referral. Study design: Adolescent females with culture-proven chlamydial or gonococcal cervicitis were the study subjects. This cohort study was done in an urban non-STD clinic setting. The subjects chose either provider-notification or self-notification method to inform their sex partner(s) in 2 months preceding the interview date. Results: Two hundred and sixty-five eligible subjects (91% African-American, 9% white) were identified. One hundred and ninety-eight sex contacts were reported by 165 (62%) cases; no contact was elicited in the remaining 100 (38%). The follow-up data revealed that 129/198 (66%) contacts were informed: 63 contacts by 61 index cases, 54 contacts of 47 cases by the case manager, 9 by both methods, and 3 by unspecified means. History of treatment was obtained in 54 contacts, including 37% (23/63) of patient-notified contacts and 50% (27/54) of provider-notified contacts; these 54 contacts constituted 42% of informed contacts, or 27% of all named contacts. The mean number of sexual contacts treated per index case was 0.58 (27/47) for the provider-referral groups and 0.38 (23/61) for the self-referral groups. Successful contact tracing was documented in 19.3% (51/265) of all index cases, resulting in treatment of 54 contacts. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the need for more effective partner treatment strategies in adolescent STD cases.
A hybrid scheme for simulating epitaxial growth

Abstract This article continues the development of a hybrid scheme for simulating epitaxial growth that combines the Burton–Cabrera–Frank (BCF) model with kinetic Monte-Carlo (KMC) simulation. This is the first implementation of the scheme for “2+1” dimensional growth. Other improvements over an earlier version include the use of a more conventional KMC model and some refinement in the handling of the boundary condition between the KMC and continuum regions. The method is used to examine unstable step-flow with direct comparison to KMC simulations. The results are extremely good with respect to computational speed and reveal effects due to fluctuations to a much greater extent than the BCF model alone. This method will be especially useful in scenarios with widely separated steps and high adatom densities, as these are situations that cannot be easily simulated with KMC due to increased computational cost. The hybrid method is extremely flexible and can be coupled interchangeably to any KMC scheme.
Politics and the Russian Army: Civil-Military Relations, 1689-2000

1. Explaining military intervention 2. Cultural change in the Imperial Russian Army, 1689-1914 3. The army and revolution, 1917 4. From revolution to war, 1917-41 5. From victory to stagnation, 1945-85 6. Gorbachev, Perestroika, and the collapse of the Soviet Union, 1985-91 7. Yeltsin and the New Russia, 1992-2000 8. Organizational culture and the future of Russian civil-military relations.
CHARACTERIZATION OF THERMAL POLYMERS OF NEUTRAL ALPHA-AMINO ACIDS WITH DICARBOXYLIC AMINO ACIDS OR LYSINE.

Thermal polymer characteristics of neutral alpha- amino acids with dicarboxylic amino acids or lysine
The Middle Passage, Trauma and the Tragic Re-Imagination of African American Theology

African American Christian consciousness developed in response to the traumatic field in which African American subjectivity took shape. The expression of the faith in the African American tradition is fundamentally tragic as a consequence. The Middle Passage is the existential and symbolic nodal point of this experience. There is a sense in which African Americans remain very much on the water; marginalized and suspended between worlds. There is a deeper sense in which the African American situation and response reflects the condition of modernity and post-modernity in the sense that it is hardly more than modernity becoming conscious of itself. A thorough examination and exploration of its significance is essential to developing a theology that adequately expresses African American Christian consciousness. This paper is an attempt to lay out, what I think, are some of the basic components of the experience and the bare outlines or orientation of such a theology grounded in it.
Erratic Bit Errors in Latches

Erratic bit errors are caused by erratic shifts in Vmin, the minimum supply voltage at which a design can correctly operate, due to trapping/detrapping of electrons and holes in the gate oxide. The authors study the effects of erratic bit errors in latches through SPICE simulation using the gate-to-source resistive short model. The authors demonstrate that a latch structure using a redundant latch and a C-element corrects most latch erratic bit errors and significantly reduces their impact. This structure enables chip-level power reduction by enabling chip operation at low voltage through erratic bit error correction in latches. This structure can also correct radiation-induced soft errors and is referred to as BISER or built-in-soft-error resilience structure.
Photochemistry of 4-thiouridine and thymine

— When thymine is irradiated in aqueous solution with monochromatic 334-nm UV radiation in the presence of 4-thiouridine a photoproduct of thymine is formed, as shown by thin-layer chromatography and autoradiography. The quantum yield for the formation of thymine photoproduct (θ=0.017) is greater than that for cytosine photoproduct formation (θ= 0.0015). The identity of the photoproduct is not known: one possibility is the formation of an adduct between the sensitizer and the base yielding a pyrimidine-pyrimidone type of photoproduct.
Optimal levels of the essential amino acids histidine, lysine and threonine in Caenorhabditis elegans maintenance medium

Current Caenorhabditis elegans Maintenance Medium (C-CeMM) is used to cultivate the free-living nematode, C. elegans. In C-CeMM, ten amino acids (AA) were found to be nutritionally essential. The optimal requirements of seven of these ten essential AA were determined previously. The objectives of the present study were to determine the optimal requirements of the remaining three essential AA: histidine, lysine and threonine. The Optimal Caenorhabditis elegans Maintenance Medium (O-CeMM) was formulated using the levels of all essential AA that supported the optimal population growth for C. elegans from previous quantitative studies and from the results obtained in the first part of this study. The efficacy of O-CeMM, C-CeMM, as well as Egg CeMM (E-CeMM), based on the essential AA ratio in hen's egg, was studied. The optimal requirements (mg ml –1 ) of histidine, lysine and threonine were determined to be 2.26 (8× C-CeMM), 1.03-2.06 (1× to 2× C-CeMM), and 0.717-2.86 (1× to 4× C-CeMM), respectively. It was found that O-CeMM supported a significantly higher (1.55 ∼ 1.60×) population growth (number of nematodes/ml) when compared with C-CeMM and E-CeMM. For both O-CeMM and C-CeMM, the AA efficiency ratio (AAER; g dry weight (wt) gain of C. elegans /g of total AA) was determined to be 0.18, which was significantly higher than the 0.15 that was determined in E-CeMM. Although the O-CeMM supported a significantly higher population growth, a higher level of histidine and consequently higher total AA were used in O-CeMM than in C-CeMM. Therefore, based on the findings on AAER, it was concluded that both the O-CeMM and C-CeMM were equally efficient for the cultivation of C. elegans.