cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cathode Structure Optimization Research for Aluminum Reduction Cell

Different cathode structures were studied with the ANSYS thermo-electric field simulation software. The differences of horizontal current in aluminum pad and cathode voltage drop (CVD) were compared when adopting different techniques, such as partially insulated steel bar, low resistivity steel bar and copper bar technologies. The results showed that the copper bar technology was the best in reducing the horizontal current in the metal and in reducing CVD due to its high conductivity. Furthermore, the current distribution uniformity in cathode is also the best with the copper collector bar technology.
Evaluation and Compaction of Laboratory-Produced Recycled Asphalt Pavement in Cold In-Place Recycling

AbstractCold in-place recycling (CIR) is a pavement rehabilitation technique that can eliminate significant structural distresses while providing a sound, semibound base layer. Although various res...
¡Youth & the Ocean! (¡YO!): Partnering High School and Graduate Students for Youth-Driven Research Experiences

This chapter presents findings from a National Science Foundation-funded pilot project to develop an inquiry-based marine science education programme that engaged high school students from groups underrepresented in the sciences. From 2010–2012, the iYouth & the Ocean! (iYO!): Teaming High School and Graduate Students Together for Coastal Investigations project hosted two cohorts (up to 12 students/year). The students participated in a long-term intertidal monitoring citizen science project during the school year as well as a week-long summer residential research programme at a university marine laboratory. With goals of fostering interest in pursuing a marine science career and a deeper understanding of the nature and practices of science, the programme was designed for high school students to experience an abbreviated version of the full cycle of scientific inquiry, including: generating research questions and hypotheses, conducting literature reviews, collaborating with fellow “scientists”, developing and conducting field and laboratory research protocols, analysing and interpreting data, and presenting findings. Unique features of the project included its youth-driven focus in the generation of science investigations, partnership with a working research laboratory, and graduate student mentors who engaged in substantive professional learning to support the development of youth agency and understanding of nature of science and science practices. Study findings suggest that the programme deepened participants’ understanding of the nature and practices of science; expanded access to practicing scientists; provided valuable opportunities to explore college settings, STEM fields of study, and STEM careers; maintained or deepened interest in pursuing STEM careers; and influenced commitment to ocean conservation and further learning about the ocean.
mHealth Stakeholders: Follow the Money

No business or service organization exists without stakeholders, individuals, or groups with the ability to affect the operations and success of an organization. mHealth developers, investors, and those responsible for commercializing innovative products are well-advised to identify the stakeholders most likely to support or threaten their segment of the industry or their particular product. The Affordable Care Act’s focus on engaging patients in their own health care has placed consumers at the top of the mHealth stakeholder list, but providers such as health systems and physicians are important as well, although their interests (and power) differ from consumers and from each other. Other key players are insurers, investors, and big pharma and biotech companies. And, the US military and the Veteran’s Administration must be considered in light of the scope of their health-care system. The direct and indirect influence of these and other stakeholders, whether they are supportive or non-supportive, the sources of their power, and the likelihood of that power being used are all important considerations in planning tactics for managing the various stakeholders and maximizing their potential benefit or minimizing their potential for harm. Market factors such as the availability of inexpensive technology, partnership opportunities across industry segments, and the growing interest of investors in digital health technologies create a supportive environment for the advancement of mHealth products—if business models can be sustained.
MANIPULATION OF A TOLERANT STATE: CELLS AND SIGNALS

ABSTRACT The state of immunological unresponsiveness induced in mice with a tolerogenic form of the antigen human IgG can be cellularly characterized into phases of either T and B cell tolerance or T cell tolerance. In those circumstances when specific T cells appear tolerant while B cells are not, bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was able to modulate the biological effect of tolerogen from its capacity to induce tolerance to a capacity to induce specific immunity. This property of LPS was demonstrated under conditions where it could also act as a B cell mitogen. In two experimental situations in which LPS could be shown to be non-mitogenic, namely in the C3H/HeJ mouse strain or after chemical modification as a result of base hydrolysis, it could not affect the normal induction process of tolerance.
JOHN W. HARBAUGH'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE EVOLUTION OF STOCHASTIC ANALYSIS AND MODELING IN GEOLOGY

John W. Harbaugh has devoted nearly 40 years of his life to the development of quantitative and computational mechanisms for describing geological phenomena. Throughout much of this period he has struggled to craft an appropriate balance between deterministic and stochastic approaches. An avid learner, and an excellent and prolific writer, Harbaugh has succeeded in establishing an impressive record of research and publications that will continue to alter the course of geological modeling for decades to come. This paper chronicles Harbaugh’s contributions to the evolution of the stochastic approach to modeling and simulation which has come to play a commanding role in many avenues of geological investigation.
Individualization of Drug Dosage Regimens

Individualizing drug dosage regimens is a common application of therapeutic drug monitoring. For drugs with a narrow therapeutic index or variable pharmacokinetic parameters, pharmacokinetic-based dosing can be useful. Pharmacokinetic methods that can aid the clinician in targeting for desired drug serum concentrations have been developed and clinically evaluated. These methods range from single nomograms or pharmacokinetic equations in which no serum concentrations are necessary to more complex techniques requiring serum concentration data and computer support. The most recently developed technique, Bayesian forecasting, may allow for more precise dosage individualization.
Association Between Life Satisfaction and Sexual Risk-Taking Behaviors Among Adolescents

Relationships between perceived life satisfaction and sexual risk-taking behaviors were examined in a statewide sample of public high school students (n = 4,758) using the self-report CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS). Adjusted polychotomous logistic regression analyses and multivariate models (via SUDAAN) constructed separately, revealed a significant race by gender interaction for each race-gender group. Age of first intercourse (≤13), two or more lifetime sexual intercourse partners, alcohol/drug use before last intercourse, no use of contraception at last intercourse, being forced to have sex, forcing someone to have sex, and having beaten up a date in the last 12 months and having been beaten up by a date (in last 12 months) were associated (p = .05) with reduced life satisfaction. Measures of life satisfaction as a component of comprehensive assessments of adolescent sexual risk-taking behaviors in fieldwork, research, and program-evaluation efforts should be considered.
Kinetics of chlorotetracycline uptake in Staphylococcus aureus by a fluorescence technique.

Abstract The antibiotic chlorotetracycline (CTC) is used as a fluorescent chelate probe to investigate the kinetics of its uptake into Staphylococcus aureus . CTC binds to divalent cations in an aqueous solution with enhanced fluorescence. This fluorescence is polarity dependent, being higher in apolar solutions. Upon addition of CTC to dispersions of S. aureus , a time dependent fluorescence enhancement is detected demonstrating that the CTC-divalent cation complex migrates into the apolar regions of the membrane. This uptake, which follows saturation kinetics, is energy dependent. A Km of 162 μ M was obtained for CTC concentration ranges of 0.2–100 μgm/ml.
Enzymatically triggered shape memory polymers.

Cytocompatible shape memory polymers activated by thermal or photothermal triggers have been developed and established as powerful "smart material" platforms for both basic and translational research. Shape memory polymers (SMPs) that could be triggered directly by biological activity have not, in contrast, been reported. The goal of this study was to develop an SMP that responds directly to enzymatic activity and can do so under isothermal cell culture conditions. To achieve this goal, we designed an SMP with a shape fixing component, poly(e-caprolactone) (PCL), that is vulnerable to enzymatic degradation and a shape memory component, Pellethane, that is enzymatically stable - as the shape fixing component undergoes enzymatically-catalyzed degradation, the SMP returns to its original, programmed shape. We quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed material properties, shape memory performance, and cytocompatibility of the enzymatically-catalyzed shape memory response. The results demonstrate enzymatic recovery, as contraction of tensile specimens, using bulk enzymatic degradation experiments and show that shape recovery is achieved by degradation of the PCL shape-fixing phase. The results further showed that both the materials and the process of enzymatic shape recovery are cytocompatible. Thus, the SMP design reported here represents both an enzyme responsive material capable of applying a programmed shape change or direct mechanical force and an SMP that could respond directly to biological activity. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Cytocompatible shape memory polymers activated by thermal or photothermal triggers have become powerful "smart material" platforms for basic and translational research. Shape memory polymers that could be triggered directly by biological activity have not, in contrast, been reported. Here we report an enzymatically triggered shape memory polymer that changes its shape isothermally in response to enzymatic activity. We successfully demonstrate enzymatic recovery using bulk enzymatic degradation experiments and show that shape recovery is achieved by degradation of the shape-fixing phase. We further show that both the materials and the process of enzymatic shape recovery are cytocompatible. This new shape memory polymer design can be anticipated to enable new applications in basic and applied materials science as a stimulus responsive material.
Empowered educators: how high-performing systems shape teaching quality around the world

The lead authors of Empowered Educators include distinguished names in the field of education policy, including Linda Darling-Hammond, author of The Right to Learn (1997) and The Flat World and Edu...
Overweight and obese consumers: shape and sizing to design apparel that fits this specific market

Abstract: Key issues regarding the design of apparel for the overweight and obese population are examined with reference to how the body changes shape as weight is gained, understanding of the different body shapes of the plus sized consumer and sizing requirements for plus sizes. Most importantly, plus size customers are found to be similar to missy sized customers in that they both want stylish and fashionable clothing that fits. Future trends in plus sizes are discussed.
Comparative Analysis of Two Automated Fat-processing Systems.

Plastic surgeons desire more efficient methods of processing lipoaspirate when performing fat grafting procedures. We compared, in a preclinical study, the quantity and quality of lipoaspirate processed by a novel Poloxamer Wash, Absorption, mesh filtration System (PWAS) to a frequently used Ringer's Lactate wash, Decant, and mesh filtration System (RLDS). Methods Lipoaspirate from 10 patients was processed with the RLDS and PWAS systems. The processed lipoaspirate from each device was centrifuged to quantify the amount of fat, free oil, and aqueous components remaining in the fat graft. A trypan blue dye exclusion test assessed cell viability. The processing time for the lipoaspirate was also measured. Results The 10-patient average fat volume processed and available for grafting was similar using both systems. The adipose volume fraction of PWAS was greater (89% ± 3%) than RLDS (76% ± 10%, P = 0.02). The trypan blue exclusion values and processing time were similar for both systems. Oil was efficiently removed from the lipoaspirate, and both systems processed fat efficiently. Conclusion The PWAS effectively cleans lipoaspirate with increased fat concentration.
Psychedelics, but Not Ketamine, Produce Persistent Antidepressant-like Effects in a Rodent Experimental System for the Study of Depression

Psilocybin shows efficacy to alleviate depression in human clinical trials for six or more months after only one or two treatments. Another hallucinogenic drug, esketamine, has recently been U.S. F...
The God That Won: Eugen Kogon and the Origins of Cold War Liberalism:

Eugen Kogon (1903–87) was one of the most important German intellectuals of the late 1940s. His writings on the concentration camps and on the nature of fascism were crucial to West Germany’s fledg...
A case report of a coronary myocardial bridge with impaired full-cycle ratio during dobutamine challenge.

Background A myocardial bridge (MB) is a coronary variant in which an epicardial coronary artery tunnels through the myocardial band. Although MBs have been reported to cause ischaemia, physiological assessment of an MB has not been fully established. Case summary We encountered a case with exertional chest pain who underwent coronary angiography showing an MB at the mid-left anterior descending artery with systolic compression. Optical coherence tomography showed an MB defined as a homogeneous intermediate intensity surrounding the epicardial artery. The full-cycle ratio, defined as the lowest ratio of distal coronary pressure (Pd ) to aortic pressure (Pa ) during the entire cardiac cycle, measured 0.89 at rest and 0.73 with intravenous dobutamine of 20 µg/kg/min with a distinctive waveform pattern (early diastolic Pd drop) during a dobutamine challenge. Metoprolol succinate dosage was increased. The patient has been free from chest pain for 7 months after the discharge. Discussion Optical coherence tomography may contribute to anatomical detections of MBs. Because a systolic compression of the MB and release of the vascular lumen during early diastole leads to an early steep pressure loss, early diastolic Pd drop should be one of the specific haemodynamic characteristics of MBs. On the other hand, in a severe atherosclerotic stenosis, Pd drop is typically observed in late diastole, which could be differentiated from that of MBs. Because full-cycle ratio reflects the whole cardiac cycle including early diastole, this might be more useful than other physiological indices for detection of MB-related ischaemia induced by a dobutamine challenge.
Abstract 301: Aortic and Central Venous Pressure Wave Synchronization in Pseudo-Pulseless Electrical Activity

Introduction: Pseudo-Pulseless Electrical Activity (p-PEA) is a lifeless form of profound cardiac shock characterized by measurable cardiac mechanical activity without clinically detectable pulses....
Reimagining College Sports and Student-Athletes

This chapter summarizes the book by examining the patterns in student-athletes’ challenges, and offers solutions in terms of helping student-athletes graduate, as well as graduate with higher grade-point averages than are currently seen. It pushes for a reimagination of college sports by looking at the course-load requirement student-athletes take while their sport is in season, a new way of allowing student-athletes to register early for classes, and new ways of funding academic excellence for universities and specific teams in terms of grade-point averages and graduation rates.
Influence of Spatial Rainfall Gradients on River Longitudinal Profiles and the Topographic Expression of Spatio-temporally Variable Climate in Mountain Landscapes

Mountain landscapes have dynamic climates that, together with tectonic processes, importantly influence their topographic evolution. While spatio-temporal changes in rainfall are ubiquitous in thes...
The ties that corporatize: A social network analysis of the career paths of university presidents

Herein, we demonstrate how social network analysis can model potential pathways for corporatization in US higher education by tracing the career histories of presidents (n = 215) from a heterogeneo...
Body mass index predicts major bleeding risks in patients on warfarin.

Despite the lack of an optimum dosing strategy in obese patients, warfarin remains the most commonly used anticoagulant. Body mass index (BMI) >30 has been linked to increased time to obtain a therapeutic international normalized ratio on initiation of warfarin as well as higher maintenance dose. Despite higher dosage requirements, few studies have examined the relationship between warfarin and bleeding events in obese individuals. We examined the performance of BMI in predicting the incidence of bleeding at an anticoagulation clinic (ACC) over a 1 year period. Eight hundred and sixty-three patients followed in the ACC over a 1 year period were evaluated for bleeds in relation to BMI [defined as weight (kg)/height (m2)]. Seventy-one of the 863 patients had a bleeding event (8.2 %); mean age 69.5 years and 44 % females. BMI categories were normal weight (21 %), overweight (38 %), obese class I (21 %), II (9 %), and III (11.3 %), respectively. Prevalence of major and minor bleeding events were 4.4 and 3.8 %, respectively. In univariate analyses, hazard ratio (HR) for major bleeding risks increases with higher obesity categories (HR 1.3, 1.85, and 1.93 for classes I, II, III, respectively). In multivariable adjusted model obesity classes II and III significantly increased the risk of major bleeds (HR 1.84, p < 0.001). Bleeding risk is higher in obese compared to normal weight individuals who are on warfarin. These results suggests that BMI plays a role in bleeding events in patients on warfarin.
The mojo of methylation

DNA methylation has a profound effect on gene expression, through regulating transcription1. It serves as an epigenetic 'tag' that enables regulatory factors to distinguish methylated sequences from identical but unmethylated ones. In so doing, it facilitates stable maintenance of gene silencing. It is central to several fascinating processes subject to intense scrutiny and speculation: genomic imprinting, X inactivation in mammals and the repression of endogenous retroviruses2. Exactly how DNA methylation silences gene expression, however, remainsfor the most partan enigma. A substantive clue was provided last year by two groups, led by Alan Wolffe3 and Adrian Bird4, who found that a methyl-binding domain (MBD) protein (MeCP2) forms a complex with a protein that affects chromatin architecture and gene regulation (histone deacetylase; HDAC) and a transcription repressor (Sin3). This finding linked, for the first time, DNA methylation to histone deacetylation, a universal gene-silencing mechanism shared by eukaryotes5. These groups now demonstrate that other MBD proteins associate with other HDAC-containing complexes (see page 58 (ref. 6) and 62 (7) of this issue), suggesting that several MBD/HDAC complexes may be involved in the establishment and maintenance of methylation-mediated gene silencing.
Broken Supersymmetric U(1) Gauge Factor at the TeV Scale

The appearance of a broken supersymmetric U(1) gauge factor at the TeV scale is relevant for several reasons. If it truly exists, then one important consequence is that at the 100 GeV energy scale, the two-doublet Higgs structure is of a more general form than that of the Minimal Supersymmetric Standard Model (MSSM). This is a prime example of tree-level nondecoupling. Furthermore, a particular U(1)_N from the superstring-inspired E_6 model allows for the existence of naturally light singlet neutrinos which may be necessary to accommodate the totality of neutrino-oscillation experiments.
DNA damage during the G0/G1 phase triggers RNA-templated, Cockayne syndrome B-dependent homologous recombination

Damage repair mechanisms at transcriptionally active sites during the G0/G1 phase are largely unknown. To elucidate these mechanisms, we introduced genome site-specific oxidative DNA damage and determined the role of transcription in repair factor assembly. We find that KU and NBS1 are recruited to damage sites independent of transcription. However, assembly of RPA1, RAD51C, RAD51, and RAD52 at such sites is strictly governed by active transcription and requires both wild-type Cockayne syndrome protein B (CSB) function and the presence of RNA in the G0/G1 phase. We show that the ATPase activity of CSB is indispensable for loading and binding of the recombination factors. CSB counters radiation-induced DNA damage in both cells and zebrafish models. Taken together, our results have uncovered a novel, RNA-based recombination mechanism by which CSB protects genome stability from strand breaks at transcriptionally active sites and may provide insight into the clinical manifestations of Cockayne syndrome.
Chick retinal pigment epithelium. A new culture system for studying H2-histamine receptors.

Histamine elevates the intracellular cyclic AMP levels in cultured embryonic chick retinal pigment epithelium. The half-maximal activity is 6 × 10−6 M. The effect of histamine is mediated by H2 receptors, i.e., inhibited by the H2 antagonist cimetidine and not affected by the H1 antagonists diphenhydramine and pyrilamine. The inhibition constant (K 1) of cimetidine is 1.3 × 10−8 M. Thus, the present system offers the opportunity of studying the nature of coupling between histamine receptors and adenylate cyclase under controlled conditions in a homogeneous cell type.
Willingness and Expectations: Intergenerational Differences in Attitudes Toward Filial Responsibility in China

Abstract This paper explores intergenerational differences in attitudes toward willingness to and expectations for parent care based on survey data collected during 1997-1999 with 777 one-child generation students and 110 current familial caregivers. Findings suggest that current caregivers have very low expectations for their children's provision of elder care in the future. Children from one-child families experienced high levels of obligation to provide help although they expressed lower levels of willingness to co-reside with parents than did children from multiple-child families. Socialization factors, such as close contacts with grandparents, were negatively associated with one-child generation respondents' levels of personal obligation for parent care in the future. Structural factors, such as family income and respondents' educational levels, were important factors predicting student respondents' attitudes toward filial responsibility. The author argues that the culture of xiao is not declining; r...
A Phase-Reconstruction Technique for Low-Power Centimeter-Accurate Mobile Positioning

A carrier phase reconstruction technique is presented as an enabler for low-power centimeter-accurate mobile positioning. Reliable carrier phase reconstruction permits the duty cycling of a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver whose outputs are used for precise carrier-phase differential GNSS (CDGNSS) positioning. Existing CDGNSS techniques are power intensive because they require continuous tracking of each GNSS signal's carrier phase. By contrast, the less-precise code-ranging technique that is commonly used in mobile devices for 3-to-10-meter-accurate positioning allows for aggressive measurement duty-cycling, which enables low-power implementations. The technique proposed in this paper relaxes the CDGNSS continuous phase tracking requirement by solving a mixed real and integer estimation problem to reconstruct a continuous carrier phase time history from intermittent phase measurement intervals each having an ambiguous initial phase. Theoretical bounds on the probability of successful phase reconstruction, corroborated by Monte-Carlo-type simulation, are used to investigate the sensitivity of the proposed technique to various system parameters, including the time period between successive phase measurement intervals, the duration of each interval, the carrier-to-noise ratio, and the line-of-sight acceleration uncertainty. A demonstration on real data indicates that coupling a GNSS receiver with a consumer-grade inertial measurement unit enables reliable phase reconstruction with phase measurement duty cycles as low as 5%.
Nucleation and Growth of MOCVD Grown (Cr, Zn)O Films Uniform Doping vs Secondary Phase Formation

We have investigated Cr solubility and secondary phase formation in metallorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) grown (Cr, Zn)O films on Si(100). Simultaneous deposition of 0.15 M Cr(TMHD) and 0.025 M Zn(TMHD) precursors in an oxidizing environment with a flow ratio of 1:10 resulted in secondary phase formation rather than uniform Cr doping. Based on several surface and microstructural techniques, we have identified nanocrystalline ZnCr{sub 2}O{sub 4} and disordered Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} as the secondary Cr-containing phases. Analysis suggests that ZnCr{sub 2}O{sub 4} crystallites are dispersed throughout the film, and that disordered Cr{sub 2}O{sub 3} layer may form at the interface. These results are consistent with the tendency of Cr to exhibit octahedral, rather than tetrahedral coordination with O.
Sialidase and sialate O-esterases promote cooperative mucus foraging by gut bacteria (LB145)

Bacteria can gather nutrition from host secretions rich in carbohydrates (glycans). Sialic acids (Sias) are prominent outermost residues of glycans, and foraging on these molecules is a common them...
Multifocal bootlace lens design concepts: a review

Reflectors and lenses provide two optical mechanisms to magnify small apertures. There are a number of basic differences between the two structures. While the reflector system is less complex, it may, occupy more volume for the same features and suffers from blockage losses. The bootlace or Rotman lenses are more complex, have three multiple-element radiating structures, and offer more degrees of freedom that help in realizing multiple focal points. The three radiating structures are the feed array, the receiving array on one side of the lens, and the radiating array on the other side of the lens. The traditional bootlace lens is two dimensional, with feed points, receiving and transmitting arrays all lying on a plane. While this provides for easy stripline or printed circuit fabrications, there is no physical restriction from extending the formulations to three-dimensional structures. The process of optimizing the lens, aimed at increasing the number of focal points and minimizing the phase errors at other points, has produced lens designs with two to five focal points. The paper reviews some of these designs.
N,N′‐Di­benzyl‐4,7‐phenanthrolinium dibromide methanol solvate

The structure of the phenanthroline-derived viologen, C26H22N22+·2Br−·CH3OH, as the methanol solvate, was determined as part of a fluorescence-quenching study. There is intermolecular π–π stacking of the phenanthroline and benzyl arms as well as methanol hydrogen bonding to a bromide.
Guard cells: a dynamic signaling model

The year 2003 has provided a continuing accretion of knowledge concerning the diverse ways in which guard cells sense and respond to abscisic acid. A deeper understanding of the biochemical mechanisms governing the response of guard cells to blue light has been gained, and new insights have been garnered regarding roles of the extracellular matrix in stomatal regulation.
Hydrogenated sunflowerseed oil: Oxidative stability and polymer formation on heating

The effects of hydrogenation on the stability of pilot plant refined and deodorized northern and southern sunflowerseed oil were studied. Light hydrogenation reduced the iodine value of the northern oil from 134 to 120 and the southern oil from 106 to 102. Hydrogenation increased the overall stability of both oils but did not alter the rate of loss of oxidative stability as represented by a plot of the log of the active oxygen method values versus the number of hours the oil had been heated. Non-gas liquid chromatography eluting material which includes oxidation products, polymers, and unsaponifiables reached a maximum of 4.1%.
Computer simulations of insulator charge neutralisations with a corona ioniser - Influence of initial surface charge distribution

Abstract This is a report of a numerical investigation of the phenomena of charge neutralisations of an insulating plate with different initial surface charge distributions with the use of a continuously balanced DC ioniser. The early phase phenomena of the insulator charge neutralisation are complicated and depend significantly on the relationship between the initial surface charge distribution and ioniser placement. In addition, the results of simulations demonstrate that ionisers themselves can cause over-neutralisation during the early phase of neutralisation; however, when ions can move towards the opposite side of the plate, the ioniser can eliminate the over-neutralised charges. We propose having the ioniser face the charged side of an insulator to avoid such problems.
Synthesis and Characterization of Amorphous Metallic Alloy Thin Films for MEMS Applications

Microstructures of multi-component amorphous metallic glass alloys are becoming increasingly important due to their excellent mechanical properties and low coefficient of friction. In this work, thin films of Zr-Ti-Cu-Ni-Be have been deposited by DC magnetron sputtering in view of exploring their potential technological applications in fields such as Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS). Their structure, composition, surface morphology, mechanical properties viz., hardness and Young's modulus were analyzed using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Nanoindentation. Influence of the deposition parameters of sputtering pressure and power upon the composition and surface morphology of these films has been evidenced by SEM, and AFM analysis, showing that such a process yields very smooth films with target composition at low sputtering pressures. These studies are useful in understanding the multicomponent sputtering process.
Quantitative analysis and feature recognition in 3-D microstructural data sets

A three-dimensional (3-D) reconstruction of an austenitic stainless-steel microstructure was used as input for an image-based finite-element model to simulate the anisotropic elastic mechanical response of the microstructure. The quantitative data-mining and data-warehousing techniques used to correlate regions of high stress with critical microstructural features are discussed. Initial analysis of elastic stresses near grain boundaries due to mechanical loading revealed low overall correlation with their location in the microstructure. However, the use of data-mining and feature-tracking techniques to identify high-stress outliers revealed that many of these high-stress points are generated near grain boundaries and grain edges (triple junctions). These techniques also allowed for the differentiation between high stresses due to boundary conditions of the finite volume reconstructed, and those due to 3-D microstructural features.
Scale Economies and Consolidation in Hog Slaughter: Reply

ratio of factor prices, Ej, is the price elasticity of demand for the jth factor with respect to the ith factor price, and eii is the own price demand elasticity, holding output constant. Our AJAE article, which focused on hog slaughter, is part of a larger project on scale economies and structural change in meatpacking, also including cattle, chicken, and turkey slaughter. We have reported on the larger project in two ERS reports (MacDonald et al.; Ollinger, MacDonald, and Madison). In table 1, we report Morishima substitution elasticities, and the component price elasticities, for livestock and capital in each species class. Thus, in the first row of table 1, ,ii (-0.076) is the own-price elasticity of demand for hogs with respect to the hog price, while ,ji (1.191) is the crossprice elasticity of demand for capital with respect to the price of hogs. In the second row, ii, (-1.385) is the own-price elasticity of demand for capital with respect to the price of capital, while sji (0.108) is the cross-price elasticity of demand for hogs with respect to the price of capital. Table 2 repeats the exercise for animals and labor.
The Sylvester-Chvatal Theorem

The Sylvester-Gallai theorem asserts that every finite set S of points in two-dimensional Euclidean space includes two points, a and b, such that either there is no other point in S on the line ab, or the line ab contains all the points in S. Chvatal extended the notion of lines to arbitrary metric spaces and made a conjecture that generalizes the Sylvester-Gallai theorem. In the present article we prove this conjecture.
Robotic Intracorporeal Orthotopic Ileal Neobladder: Replicating Open Surgical Principles

Abstract Background Robotic radical cystectomy (RC) for cancer is beginning to gain wider acceptance. Yet, the concomitant urinary diversion is typically performed extracorporeally at most centers, primarily because intracorporeal diversion is perceived as technically complex and arduous. Previous reports on robotic, intracorporeal, orthotopic neobladder may not have fully replicated established open principles of reservoir configuration, leading to concerns about long-term functional outcomes. Objective To illustrate step-by-step our technique for robotic, intracorporeal, orthotopic, ileal neobladder, urinary diversion with strict adherence to open surgical tenets. Design, setting, and participants From July 2010 to May 2012, 24 patients underwent robotic intracorporeal neobladder at a single tertiary cancer center. This report presents data on patients with a minimum of 3-mo follow-up ( n =8). Surgical procedure We performed robotic RC, extended lymphadenectomy to the inferior mesenteric artery, and complete intracorporeal diversion. Our surgical technique is demonstrated in the accompanying video. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis Baseline demographics, pathology data, 90-d complications, and functional outcomes were assessed and compared with patients undergoing intracorporeal ileal conduit diversion ( n =7). Results and limitations Robotic intracorporeal urinary diversion was successfully performed in 15 patients (neobladder: 8 patients, ileal conduit: 7 patients) with a minimum 90-d follow-up. Median age and body mass index were 68 yr and 27kg/m 2 , respectively. In the neobladder cohort, median estimated blood loss was 225ml (range: 100–700ml), median time to regular diet was 5 d (range: 4–10 d), median hospital stay was 8 d (range: 5–27 d), and 30- and 90-d complications were Clavien grade 1–2 ( n =5 and 0), Clavien grade 3–5 ( n =2 and 1), respectively. This study is limited by small sample size and short follow-up period. Conclusions An intracorporeal technique of robot-assisted orthotopic neobladder and ileal conduit is presented, wherein established open principles are diligently preserved. This step-wise approach is demonstrated to help shorten the learning curve of other surgeons contemplating robotic intracorporeal urinary diversion.
Adenylyl cyclase 4 does not regulate collecting duct water and sodium handling

Adenylyl cyclase (AC)‐stimulated cAMP is a key mediator of collecting duct (CD) Na and water transport. AC isoforms 3, 4, and 6 are expressed in the CD. Our group demonstrated that AC6, but not AC3, is involved in regulating CD Na and water transport. However, the role of AC4 in such regulation remains unknown. Therefore, we generated mice with loxP‐flanked critical exons in the Adcy4 gene and bred with mice expressing the aquaporin‐2/Cre recombinase transgene to yield CD principal cell‐specific knockout of AC4 (CD AC4 KO). Isolated inner medullary CD showed 100% genomic target gene recombination in CD AC4 KO mice, while microdissected cortical CD and renal papillary AC4 mRNA was significantly reduced in CD AC4 KO mice. CD AC4 KO had no effect on vasopressin (AVP)‐stimulated cAMP generation in the inner medulla. Water intake, urine volume, and urine osmolality were similar between CD AC4 KO and control mice during normal or restricted water intake. Sodium intake, urinary Na excretion, and blood pressure on a normal‐, high‐, or low‐Na diet were not affected by CD AC4 KO. Moreover, there were no differences in plasma AVP or plasma renin concentration between CD AC4 KO and control mice. In summary, these data suggest that CD AC4 does not play a role in the physiologic regulation of CD Na and water handling.
Overexpression of ORC subunits and increased ORC-chromatin association in transformed mammalian cells.

The origin recognition complex (ORC) is a conserved heterohexamer required for the formation of pre-replication (pre-RC) complexes at origins of DNA replication. Many studies of ORC subunits have been carried out in transformed human cell lines but the properties of ORC in primary cells have not been addressed. Here, we compare the expression levels and chromatin-association of ORC subunits in HeLa cells to the primary human cell line, WI38, and a virally transformed derivative of WI38, VA13. ORC subunits 2 and 4 were highly overexpressed in both HeLa and VA13, whereas ORC1 levels were elevated in VA13 but considerably higher in HeLa cells. Cellular extraction revealed that the proportion of ORC2 and ORC4 subunits bound to chromatin was similar in all three cell lines throughout the cell-cycle. In contrast, very little ORC1 was associated with chromatin after extraction of primary WI38 cells, whereas the majority of overexpressed ORC1 in both HeLa and VA13 co-fractionated with chromatin throughout the cell-cycle. Although none of the cell lines displayed significant changes in the levels or chromatin-association of ORC during the cell-cycle, the chromatin-associated fraction of ORC1 displayed an increase in apparent molecular weight during S-phase. Similar experiments comparing immortalized CHO cells to an isogenic virally transformed derivative revealed no changes in levels of ORC subunits but an increase in the proportion of all three ORC subunits associated with chromatin. These results demonstrate a complex influence of cellular immortalization and transformation properties on the expression and regulation of ORC subunits. These results extend the potential link between cancer and deregulation of pre-RC proteins, and underscore the importance of considering the transformation status of cell lines when working with these proteins. J. Cell. Biochem. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Maximizing time-resolved MRA for differentiation of hemangiomas, vascular malformations and vascularized tumors

Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) using time-resolved imaging is a relatively new and increasingly popular technique. We will describe the technique utilized at our institution, Time-Resolved Imaging of Contrast Kinetics (TRICKS; GE Healthcare, Milwaukee, WI), and the parameters that can be adjusted to optimize the exam. We will review key imaging features of hemangiomas and vascular malformations in various modalities, with a special emphasis on the TRICKS appearance.
Antiviral drug resistance mutations in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase occur in specific RNA structural regions.

Abstract A statistically significant correlation exists between the locations of drug resistance mutations (DRMs) observed for various reverse transcriptase inhibitors and features of the secondary structure predicted for the RNA coding for human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase. The known DRMs map onto "unstable" bases, which are predominantly nonhelical regions (i.e., loops, bulges, and bends) of the predicted RNA secondary structure, whereas codons for the key conserved residues of polymerase sequence motifs map onto "stable" paired bases involved in helical regions. On the basis of these results, we hypothesize that the secondary structure of the RNA template (in this case, the reverse transcriptase gene itself) may be a previously unrecognized factor contributing to base misincorporation errors during reverse transcription and that, rather than being randomly distributed, mutations are more likely to occur in specific regions of the genome. The results suggest that these "mutation-prone" regions can be predicted by using a standard algorithm for RNA secondary structure.
ACP Journal Club. Review: Clinical pathways reduce in-hospital complications but not in-hospital mortality or readmissions.

Source Citation Rotter T, Kinsman L, James E, et al. Clinical pathways: effects on professional practice, patient outcomes, length of stay and hospital costs. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010(3):CD...
Ethanol decreases progesterone synthesis in human placental cells : mechanism of ethanol effect

Abstract Fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) is a set of signs and symptoms in offsprings born to mothers who abuse alcohol during pregnancy. We postulated that impairment in the placental endocrine function contribute to FAS. In this study, we examined in vitro effects of ethanol on the placental cells' (cytotrophoblast cells) capacity to synthesize progesterone. Cytotrophoblast cells were isolated from normal term placenta and were incubated (2 × 10 6 ) with 20-, 30-, and 40-mM doses of ethanol for 6 h. Progesterone was measured in the incubate by RIA. The results showed that, at the 20mM dose of ethanol, progesterone synthesis was significantly decreased ( p μ l LDL = 80 μ g cholesterol) and vice versa. The results showed that ethanol effects on progesterone synthesis was dependent on whether ethanol was added prior to or following the addition of LDL in the medium. If ethanol was added in the medium prior to LDL, progesterone synthesis was decreased significantly ( p > 0.01); however, when ethanol was added after the LDL, ethanol had no effect on progesterone synthesis. In the experiment where ethanol and LDL were added simultaneously in the medium, ethanol blunted the stimulatory effect of LDL on progesterone synthesis. To determine whether ethanol affects steroid-producing enzymes localized in the cell organelles mitochondria and microsome were isolated and incubated together with LDL (5 μ l LDL = 40 μ g cholesterol) in the presence of 30 or 40 mM ethanol. Progesterone was isolated, quantitated, and the results showed that ethanol had no affect on progesterone synthesis suggesting that capacity of steroid-producing enzymes was not affected in the presence of ethanol. From these data, we conclude that ethanol decreased progesterone synthesis in the cytotrophoblast cells, and decrease is caused by blocking of substrate (cholesterol) entry into cell organelles.
Dynamic Protein−Water Relationships during β-Sheet Formation

We investigated the polymer−water interaction in a model fibrous protein. Bombyx mori silk fibroin film, a typical model of biodegradable material, was cast from aqueous solution and analyzed in this study. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), its temperature-modulated variant (TMDSC), and the time-resolved technique of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were used for the first time to monitor the detailed structural changes of silk fibroin during heating and during isothermal crystallization above the glass transition temperature, Tg ∼ 451 K (178 °C). Results show that intermolecular bound water molecules, acting as a plasticizer, will strongly affect the secondary structure of silk fibroin. DSC study shows that silk fibroin initially displays a water-induced glass transition around 80 °C during heating, resulting from a temporary bound water-silk structure. Quantitative thermal analysis of the heat capacity changes of this system during heating revealed that no β-sheet crystals were form...
Distinction of follicular hyperplasia from follicular lymphoma in B5-fixed tissues: Comparison of MT2 and bcl-2 antibodies☆

The distinction between follicular hyperplasia (FH) and follicular lymphoma (FL) is one of the classic problems in diagnostic hematopathology. Both MT2 and bcl-2 antibodies have been reported to be useful in making this distinction. To compare the utility of these two commercially obtained antibodies in paraffin-embedded sections, B5-fixed sections from 21 cases of follicular hyperplasia and from 46 follicular lymphomas were immunostained and the follicles evaluated. Neither MT2 nor the bcl-2 antibody showed definite follicular positivity in FH. In contrast, 66% of FLs were MT2 positive and 89% were bcl-2 positive (P 10%) in 26 of 38 bcl-2-positive cases. These results demonstrate the utility of the commercially obtained bcl-2 antibody in distinguishing FL from FH in B5-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections. They also illustrate the superiority of the bcl-2 antibody over MT2, which was less sensitive and more problematic to interpret.
A Suprathreshold Ferry-Porter Law: Implications for the Measurement of Display Flicker

Although there are many papers on the threshold detection of flicker, suprathreshold flicker effects have been relatively unstudied. In this paper, we present a psychophysical matching technique for measuring the magnitude of above-threshold flicker. We have used this technique to measure perceived flicker on CRT displays. Over the range of temporal modulations and luminances studied, we find that suprathreshold perceived flicker increases linearly with log pixel luminance.
The CF Salt Controversy: In Vivo Observations and Therapeutic Approaches

There is controversy over whether abnormalities in the salt concentration or volume of airway surface liquid (ASL) initiate cystic fibrosis (CF) airway disease. In vivo studies of CF mouse nasal epithelia revealed an increase in goblet cell number that was associated with decreased ASL volume rather than abnormal [Cl(-)]. Aerosolization of osmolytes in vivo failed to raise ASL volume. In vitro studies revealed that osmolytes and pharmacological agents were effective in producing isotonic volume responses in human airway epithelia but were typically short acting and less effective in CF cultures with prolonged volume hyperabsorption and mucus accumulation. These data show that (1) therapies can be designed to normalize ASL volume, without producing deleterious compositional changes in ASL, and (2) therapeutic efficacy will likely depend on development of long-acting pharmacologic agents and/or an increased efficiency of osmolyte delivery.
Voluntary HIV Testing Among Adults with Severe Mental Illness: Frequency and Associated Factors

Adults with severe mental illness (SMI) are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. This study describes the frequency and associated factors of HIV testing among psychiatric outpatients (N = 150) in a small Northeastern city. A structured clinical interview assessed demographic, psychosocial, behavioral, and psychiatric factors. In the past year, 41% of participants were HIV tested. A hierarchical linear regression model revealed the following multivariate correlates: lower educational attainment, HIV risk behavior, greater social support, homelessness, non-psychotic disorder, borderline personality disorder, and greater treatment utilization. Psychiatric factors remained significant correlates of HIV testing after accounting for psychosocial and behavioral factors. Although HIV testing occurred among a substantial proportion of participants, 45% of individuals who engaged in HIV risk behavior were not tested in the past year. Adults with SMI are in need of interventions promoting routine HIV testing and risk-reduction counseling.