cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impact of Supplementary Amino Acids, Micronutrients, and Overall Diet on Glutathione Homeostasis

Glutathione (GSH) is a critical endogenous antioxidant found in all eukaryotic cells. Higher GSH concentrations protect against cellular damage, tissue degeneration, and disease progression in various models, so there is considerable interest in developing interventions that augment GSH biosynthesis. Oral GSH supplementation is not the most efficient option due to the enzymatic degradation of ingested GSH within the intestine by γ-glutamyltransferase, but supplementation of its component amino acids—cysteine, glycine, and glutamate—enhances tissue GSH synthesis. Furthermore, supplementation with some non-precursor amino acids and micronutrients appears to influence the redox status of GSH and related antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, lowering systemic oxidative stress and slowing the rate of tissue deterioration. In this review, the effects of oral supplementation of amino acids and micronutrients on GSH metabolism are evaluated. And since specific dietary patterns and diets are being prescribed as first-line therapeutics for conditions such as hypertension and diabetes, the impact of overall diets on GSH homeostasis is also assessed.
Plasma Catecholamine Levels During Anesthesia and Surgical Stress

Studies of plasma catecholamine levels during anesthesia and surgical stress revealed that responses to emotional stress are not blocked by regional anesthesia alone. Local anesthesia combined with intravenous diazepam, however, blocks both the emotional and physical stress responses associated with surgery. The stress of intra-abdominal surgery is not blocked by clinical anesthetic levels of halothane. Low spinal anesthesia blocks afferent surgical stimuli without blocking efferent compensatory responses; i.e., while the block produces vasodilation of the blocked segments, there is a compensatory and essentially equal vasoconstriction above the block level resulting in little change in blood pressure. Stress incurred in the recovery room can be just as pronouced as stress during the surgery. When early versus late recovery levels were compared, a drop in plasma catecholamine levels and mean arterial pressure occurred in the late recovery period (2 hours postsurgery) when anesthesia was decreasing and conscious pain increasing. Arterial blood pressure was found to correlate with the level of plasma norepinephrine and, hence, can be used clinically as an index of perioperative stress.
Enhancing Collaborative Group Processes to Promote Academic Literacy and Content Learning for Diverse Learners Through Video Reflection

Research indicates the benefits of collaborative learning for supporting academic literacy in content classrooms, especially for diverse and exceptional students such as students with learning disa...
Tricyclic-fused bithiophenes and related analogues: Important building blocks for conjugated materials

Abstract Fused-ring heterocyclic species, particularly those based on thiophene backbones, have become successful monomers for the generation of conjugated polymers and other materials. Among these, the insertion of a p-block element between the adjacent rings of 2,2′-bithiophene, thus generating tricyclic-fused bithiophenes, has been an especially popular approach to develop various building blocks that have found widespread use in conjugated materials. Due to the importance of these fused-ring species as monomeric units and the fact that this family of building blocks has seen significant advancements in the last decade, the current chapter will review the synthesis and characterization of the known fused tricyclic bithiophenes and analogous bisthiazoles, with a particular emphasis on the known electronic and optical properties of these fused-ring systems.
Healing the Index Humeral Shaft Nonunion: Risk Factors for Development of a Recalcitrant Nonunion in 125 Patients.

Background Humeral shaft nonunions are challenging to treat, and those that require >1 surgical procedure in order for a nonunion to heal are termed recalcitrant. Most studies on nonunion have evaluated the union rate independent of the number of procedures required to achieve union. The aims of the present study were (1) to compare the healing rates after the index operation for the treatment of a nonunion with conventional versus locked plating with or without graft augmentation, (2) to report the prevalence of recalcitrant nonunion, and (3) to identify risk factors that predict a recalcitrant nonunion. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database of 125 humeral shaft nonunions treated with open reduction and plate fixation by a single surgeon over 25 years. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed to compare healing rates by type of plate fixation and biological augmentation and to identify demographic, injury, and treatment-related risk factors for the development of a recalcitrant nonunion. Results One hundred and five patients (84%) had healing after the index procedure for the treatment of nonunion. Twenty patients (16.0%) required secondary procedures and were defined as having a recalcitrant nonunion. Eight of these patients (6.4% of the overall group) healed after the secondary interventions, and 12 (9.6% of the overall group) had a failure to unite. There were no significant differences in healing rates between conventional and locked plates or between the types of bone graft (autogenous or recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein). Risk factors for the development of a recalcitrant nonunion were plate fixation of the acute humeral fracture, a history of deep infection, and ≥2 prior procedures. Conclusions Plate fixation with bone graft augmentation remains a successful method for the treatment of humeral shaft nonunions. Neither plate type nor graft type reduced the risk of a recalcitrant nonunion. Factors that predicted a recalcitrant nonunion were operative fixation of the acute fracture with a plate, a history of deep infection, and ≥2 surgical procedures. Level of evidence Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Factors associated with positive germline testing results in men with prostate cancer following NCCN guideline expansion.

230Background: Pathogenic variants (PV) in genes associated with hereditary cancer risk account for over 10% of cases in men with metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). NCCN guidelines encouraging germl...
Dwelling forever in the house of the lord: on the terror management function of religion

Abstract A critical function of religion is to manage the potential for terror inherent in living knowing the only certainty in one’s life is the knowledge that it will inevitably end. We first provide an overview of this terror management theory (TMT) account of religion. We discuss how children are socialized into faith in worldviews that allow them to believe they are significant contributors to a meaningful life. We consider how religious worldviews emerged and evolved over human history. We then briefly review empirical support for TMT in general and specifically as an explanation of faith in religions. We cover evidence that religiosity reduces death anxiety, that reminders of mortality increase investment in religion, and that religiosity reduces defensive responses to reminders of mortality. We conclude by considering TMT insights into the constructive and destructive influences of two kinds of religious worldviews.
Enhancement of Fixed-Wing Space Drone Performance Through Thermoelectric Power Generation

The thermal effects of wing color for drones performing in the Martian atmosphere are investigated during the summer and winter seasons. The optimal wing color configuration is identified in each season. This study focuses on two useful consequences of the thermal effects of wing color: the skin friction drag reduction and the thermoelectric generation of power. According to its color, every side has a certain temperature affecting the local skin friction drag. Investigations of various configurations have shown that the thermal effect on the wing boundary layer is insignificant because of the low atmospheric pressure. However, the large temperature difference the top and the bottom of the wing has a great potential of thermoelectric power generation. The maximum temperature differences between the top and bottom surfaces for the summer and winter seasons are, respectively, 65 K and 30 K. The drag reduction and the power generation via thermoelectric generators both contribute to enhancing the endurance of drones. Future drone designs will benefit from the increased endurance through optimizing the wing color configuration.
Intergenerational Mobility in Self-Reported Health Status in the US.

Abstract We present estimates of intergenerational mobility in self-reported health status (SRHS) in the US using data from the PSID. We estimate that the rank-rank slope in SRHS is 0.26. We show that including both parent health and income in models of intergenerational mobility increases the explanatory power of child outcomes. We construct a monetary metric for health and then use this to combine income and health into a measure of welfare and estimate the rank-rank slope to be about 0.4 for this new measure. Finally, we document striking health mobility gaps by race, region and parent education.
The two faces of independence: betweenness and homotheticity

This paper shows that expected utility belongs to the intersection of models satisfying betweenness and a homotheticity condition for risky choice. Betweenness models can accommodate variable risk attitudes, originally highlighted by the Allais paradox, by restricting indifference curves to be linear while allowing non-parallelism. Homotheticity, in contrast, restricts indifference curves to be parallel while permitting non-linearities, such as those highlighted by inverse-S probability weighting. Data from an experiment indicate that approximately 2/3s of participants satisfied homotheticity. Of this group, about half satisfied the expected utility hypothesis. The other half violated expected utility and therefore betweenness. These results indicate that homothetic preferences, and in particular those violating betweenness, can be empirically relevant for decision making under risk.
Dynamic scheduling in make-to-stock production systems with setup times and random breakdowns: performance analysis and improved policies

We study the scheduling of production in a multi-item, failure-prone machine with setup times, with the objective of minimising long-run average inventory and backlog costs. We make two contributio...
Polaris - A Low Cost MEMS Fabrication Platform for Navigation-Grade Inertial Sensors

GE Research has developed a low-cost inertial MEMS process flow for navigation-grade inertial sensor fabrication called the ‘Polaris' process. With a total of six mask layers, GE Polaris features thick silicon on insulation (SOI) with a 20 to 200 µm device layer, 30:1 high aspect ratio etching, and wafer level vacuum sealing with through silicon via (TSV) technology. GE Polaris has demonstrated good TSV ohmic contact, good vacuum seal integrity, high wafer yield with good etch symmetry and uniformity, and proven navigation-grade performance with high temperature reliability. GE Polaris strives to provide the simplest MEMS PNT flow for quick prototyping and low-to-mid volume production.
Urban Agriculture Education and Youth Civic Engagement in the U.S.: A Scoping Review

Urban agriculture education is increasingly used to foster civic engagement among youth, but little is known about this impact. To start closing this gap, we analyzed peer-reviewed journal articles that focus on civic engagement outcomes among high school-aged students in urban agriculture education in the U.S. Using a rapid scoping review, we identified 10 relevant research articles published between 2004 and 2018. These articles show that urban agriculture education programs engage youth in direct civic actions that benefit communities. For example, young participants of these programs created community gardens and donated food. In addition, these programs can prepare youth for future civic engagement, including by enhancing their understanding of social justice and community assets, and by building their leadership skills. Thus, urban agriculture education programs can be instrumental in fostering current and future youth civic engagement.
Integrated SCADA Checkweigher System

The dynamic weighing is a constantly developing field of metrology. The electronic weighing module is vulnerable to many sources of environmental disturbances. Some issues connected with dynamic weighing and the necessity of implementation of signal processing methods are discussed. Implementation of this feature is impossible in majority of SCADA systems. The paper presents integration of three advanced software environments: MATLAB, LabVIEW and iFIX SCADA in prototype dynamic weighing system. They were used for advanced signal processing, data acquisition and visualization/process control. The integration of the three above mentioned environments is an attempt to create the industrial system with capabilities to deal with major dynamic weighing problems. It is innovative because it connects industrial SCADA, laboratory/industrial LabVIEW and MATLAB. Algorithms responsible for process control and data exchange are presented. The paper includes description of capabilities, performance tests, as well as benefits and drawbacks of the system.
Applying Conversation Analysis to Real-world Concerns

A few weeks ago, I sat in the audience of an atypical professional panel at an uplifting conference. The panel and audience members, all enthusiastic alumni and students of my alma mater’s English Department, were discussing the career paths they had (or had not) chosen since college graduation. There were contributions from two lawyers, two English teachers, a global corporate chairman, and a few graduate students, as well as a smattering of undergraduates who were eager and anxious to learn more about possible job opportunities. Despite our diverse backgrounds and at times contentious conversation, we left that conference room having agreed on at least one thing: successful professionals are exceptional analysts. Someone who builds a principled argument in the courtroom, the boardroom, the classroom, or any other room, will go a long way. I had remarked that knowing how to analyze hinges on not only being able to build arguments, but also on being able to break them down. In order to critically engage with or respond to a piece of text, one must understand it in a deep sense, and mull over the connections within or between the lines. From intricate exploration comes enlightening analysis, no matter the context.
Effect of Foster Nursing on the Induction of Mammary and Testicular Tumors in Mice Injected with Stilbestrol

This paper summarizes the results of 5 experiments on male and female mice of 3 strains (C3H C and C57 Black) on the effect of foster nursing on the induction of tumors in mice treated with estrogens. When nursed by their own mothers C3H mice are a high-mammary tumor strain whereas C and C57 Black mice are low strains. Strain C mice are susceptible to breast cancer upon the introduction of the milk factor by foster nursing whereas C57 Black mice are more resistant. The 5 experiments are described: 1) 13 male C3H mice nursed by C3H mothers and 22 male C3H mice nursed by C57 Black mothers were injected with .2 mg of stilbestrol for a total of 4 mg 2) male C3H mice nursed by their own or C57 or C mothers and C males nursed by their mothers or C3H females received a single implant of a 25% stilbestrol-cholesterol pellet weighing 4-6 mg 3) fostered and nonfostered male C3H C and C57 Black mice were implanted with single 10% stilbestrol-cholesterol pellets weighing 608 mg 4) the female litter mates of the males used in experiment 3 were used for a study of the effect of foster nursing on the vaginal response to estrone and 5) C mice fostered by C3H females and who developed a 64% incidence of mammary tumors were bred to their fostered brothers. It was found that: 1) foster nursing of C3H males and females by C57 Black or C mice reduces the incidence of mammary adenocarcinoma 2) foster nursing of C males and females by C3H mice raises the incidence of breast tumors 3) results with C57 Black mice are indefinite probably because of the low survival of the mice after treatment with stilbestrol 4) C3H mice are more resistant to the physiologic and toxic effects of stillbestrol and other estrogens than are C or C57 Black mice and 5) the presence or absence of the milk factor in C mice has no influence on the development of primary interstitial-cell tumors of the testis following stilbestrol administration. The estrogens prepare a suitable substrate in the breast of the mouse for the carcinogenic action of another agent transmitted through the milk of the potentially cancerous mother or foster mother.
What Drives Consumers to Click on Social Media Ads? The Roles of Content, Media, and Individual Factors

Social media has become an ever-expanding realm as more and more consumers are spending tremendous amount of time on it. Businesses are taking advantage of this channel to promote their products and services through social media advertising. In particular, display ads have a prominent presence accompanying social media feeds. This study aims to develop an understanding of the multi-faceted factors that drive consumers to respond to social media advertising. The roles of content, media, and individual factors are examined. A research model is developed and tested using data collected from an online-survey of 613 social media users. Our results show compelling evidence that the effectiveness of display ads on social media is driven by ad content, ad-media congruity, and consumers' individual factors. Practical and theoretical implications are discussed.
Matching alcoholics with treatment: Reliability, replication and validity of treatment typology

Though human service literature often advocates matching clients with their most appropriate treatments, rarely are studies designed to specifically determine which client types benefit most from what treatments. The purpose of this sequence of three cumulative studies is to develop a classification of alcoholics that may help practitioners to match alcoholic types with their most appropriate intervention. The first study uses conceptual and empirical means to classify alcoholics into four types according to prognostic indicators. The second study evaluates inter-rater reliability for classifiers and seeks to replicate the classification's two dimensions at additional sites. The third quasi-experimental study, in still another location, evaluates the classification's validity among 137 subjects. These three cumulative studies span 12 years and involve subjects from 12 treatment facilities in three different Wisconsin-Minnesota regions.
First-pass myocardial perfusion imaging with whole ventricular coverage using L1-SPIRIT accelerated spiral trajectories

Background First-pass perfusion imaging using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has become clinically applicable as an important tool for diagnosing coronary artery disease. We have recently demonstrated that high quality firstpass images can be acquired with an optimized spiral pulse sequence, but this sequence is only capable of imaging 3 short axis slices of the heart for a maximum heart rate of 110 bpm. In order to achieve whole ventricular coverage, we have developed an accelerated spiral sequence using the Paralle lI maging and Compressed Sensing technique L1-SPIRIT. Methods To evaluate and develop the accelerated reconstruction we retrospectively down-sampled data acquired from a fullysampled variable density (VD) spiral perfusion data set acquired on a 1.5T scanner. Pulse sequence parameters included: TE 1.0 ms, TR 11 ms, FOV 320 mm 2 ,i n-plane resolution 1.75 mm, 8 interleaves, readout duration 8.1ms per interleave, saturation time 8 ms. We then designed a 4x accelerated pulse sequence which prospectively collected only 2 of 8 interleaves, and collects two perfusion images after each saturation pulse. Resting perfusion imaging was performed after injection of 0.1 mmol/kg of
High gain, pulsed power {AlGaAs}/{GaAs} HBTs

Abstract A layout to minimize parasitic elements which reduce the common emitter Heterojunction Bipolar Transistor (HBT) gain and efficiency is described. Layout modifications are based upon consideration of the HBT device model that predicts better performance by reducing feedback elements. Reducing the base contacts size to minimize extrinsic base-collector capacitance, and reducing inductance in the ground connection are the primary paths to better performance. The improvements in small signal and power performance for several HBT variations are described. The changes result in a 320 μm 2 emitter area HBT which operating pulsed at 10 GHz delivers 1.25 W output power with 10.5 dB associated gain and 56% power-added efficiency.
Patient Activation is Inconsistently Associated with Positive Health Behaviors Among Obese Safety Net Patients

We examine the association of patient activation and physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption among obese safety net patients. Adult obese patients (n = 198) of three safety net clinics completed a survey assessing patient activation, physical activity, fruit and vegetable consumption, care experiences, and health status. Multivariate logistic regression models incrementally assessed the adjusted relation of patient activation and physical activity and fruit and vegetable consumption. In adjusted analyses, higher activated patients had higher odds [Odds ratio (OR) 1.58, p < 0.01] of consuming fruits and vegetables daily than less activated patients. There was no significant association between patient activation and regular physical activity. Engaging in regular physical activity appears to be difficult, even for highly activated patients. In contrast, additional fruit and vegetable consumption is a relatively easier change. Patient activation was inconsistently associated with two positive health behaviors among obese safety net patients.
Cardiac Repair by Embryonic Stem-Derived Cells

Cell transplantation approaches offer the potential to promote regenerative growth of diseased hearts. It is well established that donor cardiomyocytes stably engraft into recipient hearts when injected directly into the myocardial wall. Moreover, the transplanted donor cardiomyocytes participate in a functional syncytium with the host myocardium. Thus, transplantation of donor cardiomyocytes resulted in at least partial restoration of lost muscle mass. It is also well established that embryonic stem (ES) cells differentiate into cells of ecto-, endo-, and mesodermal lineages when cultured under appropriate conditions in vitro. Robust cardiomyogenic differentiation was frequently observed in spontaneously differentiating ES cultures. Cellular, molecular and physiologic analyses indicated that ES-derived cells were bona fide cardiomyocytes, with in vitro characteristics typical for cells obtained from early stages of cardiac development. Thus, ES-derived cardiomyocytes constitute a viable source of donor cells for cell transplantation therapies.
Length and Structure of Proofs

Etude du probleme de la mesure de la longueur des preuves mathematiques chez Godel, fonde sur le critere du nombre de symboles utilises dans la demonstration. Appliquant les techniques de calcul developpees par R. Parikh dans le domaine de l'arithmetique de Peano au contexte des paradoxes sorites, l'A. compare le nombre des symboles a celui des lignes de la preuve, d'une part, et en mesure les consequences sur les differents moyens de formalisation (systeme schematique, graphique du flux logique), d'autre part. L'A. evoque les travaux recents consacres au lien entre la preuve et les problemes de complexite dans le calcul des propositions selon S. Cook et dans les systemes fregeens
CSF Velocity Imaging

The sections in this article are 1 Introduction 2 MR Techniques Used to Measure CSF Flow 3 Normal CSF Flow in the Brain 4 Abnormal CSF Flow in the Brain 5 Biographical Sketch Related Articles
Adjuvant Therapy of Pancreatic Cancer: Beyond Gemcitabine

There is no consensus on what constitutes “standard” adjuvant therapy for pancreatic cancer. This controversy derives from several studies, each fraught with its own limitations. Standards of care also vary somewhat on the geography as chemo-radiotherapy followed by chemotherapy or vice versa is considered the optimal therapy in North America (GITSG, RTOG) while chemotherapy alone is the current standard in Europe (ESPAC-1, CONKO, ESPAC-3). The high rate of locoregional failure following surgical resection for adenocarcinoma of the pancreas has made it clear that some form of adjuvant therapy should be considered in these patients. A phase II study was presented at the 2011 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium to assess the effect of the addition of algenpantucel-L immunotherapy to standard adjuvant therapy on survival in patients with resected pancreas cancer (Abstract #236). The author reviews the abstract in the context of our previous knowledge. Image: Hyperacute rejection and immunotherapeutic applications.
CB1-receptor knockout neonatal mice are protected against ethanol-induced impairments of DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNA methylation.

The significant consequences of ethanol use during pregnancy are neurobehavioral abnormalities involving hippocampal and neocortex malfunctions that cause learning and memory deficits collectively named fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD). However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these abnormalities are still poorly understood and therefore warrant systematic research. Here, we document novel epigenetic abnormalities in the mouse model of FASD. Ethanol treatment of P7 mice, which induces activation of caspase-3, impaired DNA methylation through reduced DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1 and DNMT3A) levels. Inhibition of caspase-3 activity, before ethanol treatment, rescued DNMT1, DNMT3A proteins as well as DNA methylation levels. Blockade of histone methyltransferase (G9a) activity or cannabinoid receptor type-1 (CB1R), prior to ethanol treatment, which respectively inhibits or prevents activation of caspase-3, rescued the DNMT1 and DNMT3A proteins and DNA methylation. No reduction of DNMT1 and DNMT3A proteins and DNA methylation was found in P7 CB1R null mice, which exhibit no ethanol-induced activation of caspase-3. Together, these data demonstrate that ethanol-induced activation of caspase-3 impairs DNA methylation through DNMT1 and DNMT3A in the neonatal mouse brain, and such impairments are absent in CB1R null mice. Epigenetic events mediated by DNA methylation may be one of the essential mechanisms of ethanol teratogenesis.
A model relating the incidence of meiotic trisomy to maternal age

Abstract A model is developed to explain the well-documented increase in the incidence of meiotic trisomies with increasing maternal age. This theoretical framework applies to all chromosomes, of which trisomy 21 (responsible for Down's syndrome in humans) is considered as a special case; the model can also be readily extended to trisomies of other mammals. The basic mechanism proposed links the hormonal environment of the oocyte to the durations of certain stages of meiosis. Changes in the hormonal environment, especially through aging, can slow the overall rate of meiosis, lengthening the interval from the resumption of meiosis in dictyotene until anaphase I. This extends the period in which homologous chromosomes are vulnerable to premature separation, increasing the probability of an unequal distribution of chromosomes in the first meiotic division. Testable predictions of the model are presented and discussed.
Quantification of the binding tendencies of cholestyramine. I. Effect of structure and added electrolytes on the binding of unconjugated and conjugated bile-salt anions.

The binding of conjugated and unconjugated bile salts to cholestyramine from aqueous media was investigated and the data plotted according to the Langmuir adsorption equation. Higher affinity constants were obtained with the dihydroxy rather than the trihydroxy derivatives. Glycine conjugation was found to alter the affinity constants only slightly, whereas conjugation with taurine markedly increased the affinity of cholestyramine for the bile salt. The addition of bicarbonate or chloride anions to the system produced a significant decrease in the extent of binding of the trihydroxy bile-salt anions; the effect being more pronounced in the case of the chloride ion.
Territorial behavior in primates: A review of recent field studies

Primate field studies of the last decade have reported much information of relevance for understanding primate territoriality. This paper reviews some of that material, considering the primate use of home range and core areas, intertroop vocalizations, and the relevance of these concepts for the analysis of territorial behavior. Finally, several reports of field studies of territorial behavior are reviewed. The data reviewed suggests that there are territory-related spacing mechanisms operating in some primate species. However, territorial relations between primate groups are far from universal even among those species which do establish territories; the significance of territoriality will have to be understood as one of a number of ecological adaptations.
The kinetics of microbial nitrification

Abstract The conversion of organic nitrogen to nitrate was examined to determine the type of reaction of each stage and the effect of operating variables (microbial concentration, pH, temperature) on these reaction rates. The information was correlated into a system of equation which mathematically defined the reaction sequence. The results showed ammonification to be a first order reaction and both nitrification reactions were zero order. Substrate levels ranged from 100 to 1200 mg Nl −1 , pH conditions examined ranged from 6.0 to 8.5 and temperature range from 9 to 35°C. The paper also discussed the use of the kinetic data in design of nitrification systems.
Stories from the lived and living fieldwork process

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a more expansive recounting of the process of fieldwork, taking place over a number of years in diverse locations, in order to show how research design develops through the process of field research, as well as to highlight the complexity of fieldwork, especially issues of access, identity, and power.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is based on the author's fieldwork experiences in Sierra Leone, working from and expanding upon fieldnotes from time in the field. Reflexive, autoethnographic personal narratives of fieldwork experiences are juxtaposed with theoretical writing about ethnographic observation and qualitative research.Findings – The expansive discussion of the process of fieldwork and the development of the research project through time demonstrates and explicates the complexity and temporal dimensions of qualitative field research. Issues of access, identities, and power/privilege are also crucial aspects of the fieldwork process.Research ...
DoubleDip: leveraging thermoelectric harvesting for low power monitoring of sporadic water use

We present DoubleDip, a low power monitoring system for enabling non-intrusive water flow detection. DoubleDip taps into minute thermal gradients in pipes for both replenishing energy reserves and performing low power wakeup. One of the remaining issues with wireless water monitoring in residences and offices is that current solutions require installing sensor nodes with access to electrical wiring or replacing batteries frequently. DoubleDip (DD) significantly extends the lifetime of vibration-based non-intrusive water flow sensors by harvesting thermal energy from hot pipes wherever accessible. DoubleDip requires less than an inch of exposed metal pipe to attach a coupler for gathering sufficient energy to power itself, in some cases, into perpetuity. We observe that water use in homes and offices is incredibly sporadic, making continuous monitoring both impractical and wasteful. Instead, DD puts a thermoelectric harvester into double duty. It uses thermal gradients not only for gathering energy but also for extremely low power (
Systematic review of the literature on assessment, feedback and physicians’ clinical performance: BEME Guide No. 7

Review date: 1966 to April 2003.Background and context: There is a basis for the assumption that feedback can be used to enhance physicians’ performance. Nevertheless, the findings of empirical stu...
Speed-of-sound measurements in liquid and gaseous air

The speed of sound in air has been measured along isotherms for a “standard air” mixture (0.7811 N2+0.2097 O2+0.0092 Ar) in the gas and liquid phases at pressures to 14 MPa. A cylindrical resonator was used in the vapor and supercritical gas phases, and a time-of-flight system was used for measurements of the liquid phase. Data were obtained for the liquid phase at 90, 100, 110, 120, and 130 K. Data were taken at 110, 120, 130, 135, 140, 150, 200, and 300 K in the vapor and supercritical gas phases. These experimental results were compared to a predictive computer model, namely, AIRPROPS.
Reversible steps in the reaction of aldehydes with bacterial luciferase intermediates.

Abstract Aliphatic aldehydes of different chain lengths were found to differ in their reaction at 22 °C with the B. harveyi luciferase peroxyflavin intermediate. Although similar quantum yields were obtained in the luciferase reaction with the different chain-length aldehydes, the catalytic turnover rates differed. The kinetics of a reaction utilizing two aldehydes of different chain lengths can thus indicate the degree to which the aldehyde reaction is reversible. By such criteria the reactions of octanal and decanal were found to be readily reversible, while that of dodecanal was not. This conclusion was supported both by the effects of long-chain alcohols, which are competitive inhibitors, and by the secondary addition of hydroxylamine, an aldehyde trapping agent. The results are consistent with a model in which there are many intermediates along the reaction path. Since the reactions are monitored by decay of luminescence intensity, it is difficult to determine the position of the rate-determining step. For octanal and decanal the rate-limiting step could be at an early reversible stage of the reaction, but later for dodecanal, subsequent to a less reversible step, but still prior to the final irreversible step which populates the excited state.
Modeling calcium-induced solubility in caprine milk caseins using a thermodynamic linkage approach

Abstract The phenomena of calcium-induced precipitation of bovine and caprine whole caseins (salting out) and the resolubilization of these proteins at higher calcium concentrations (salting in) are thermodynamically linked with changes in protein solubility resulting from calcium binding. The differences in calcium sensitivities of caprine whole caseins under various conditions of temperature and ionic strength (KCl) appear to be correlated with the content of the α s1 -casein component. However, the solubility behavior of caprine whole caseins characterized by low content of α s1 -casein (5% of total) is more closely related to solubility properties displayed by bovine casein (38% of total). The properties of whole caprine casein high in or, α s1 -casein content (17% of total) appear to be dominated by the binding of calcium to higher affinity sites (phosphate groups), which results in less stability. Decreasing the temperature to 1°C dramatically altered the salting out of both caprine caseins but not bovine casein. These results suggested that the solubility and calcium-binding properties of caprine whole caseins are in part determined by hydrophobic interactions. However, salting out of both of the caprine caseins is effected by competitive K + -Ca 2+ binding at 1°C, indicating a role for ionic interactions as well. Because such KCl-dependent changes do not occur in whole bovine caseins, protein-protein interactions appear to be stronger in this case. These results show that alteration in casein composition can clearly effect the functionality of the whole casein and that thermodynamic linkage analysis can readily quantitate these differences that are linked to calcium binding.
Attentive Reading and Constrained Summarisation (ARCS) discourse treatment for chronic Wernicke’s aphasia

Background: Emerging evidence suggests that discourse-level treatments can improve microlinguistic processes such as lexical retrieval. Attentive Reading and Constrained Summarisation (ARCS) is a cognitive-linguistic discourse treatment that focuses attention on reading aloud and orally summarising text while constraining from non-specific language use.Aims: The primary aim of the current study was to evaluate the effect of ARCS on improving lexical retrieval abilities in two participants with Wernicke’s aphasia.Methods & Procedures: Two women with chronic moderate and severe Wernicke’s aphasia were administered ARCS for this case study. The study design was comprised of pre-treatment testing followed by 18 times of 50-minute sessions of ARCS therapy over 10 weeks and post-treatment testing immediately after and 2 months after the completion of treatment. Treatment stimuli included abridged versions of news articles. Primary outcome measures of lexical retrieval were the Boston Naming Test 2nd edition and...
Evaluation of liquid silylated resists for 213-nm exposure

We explore the bulk and imaging properties of two commercially available resists, Shipley SAL-601 and AZ 5214, to 213 nm radiation operating in a liquid silylation mode. We use FTIR and thickness measurements to characterize the silicon uptake process, and explore the use of high frequency RIE etching of silylated resists to increase selectivity and reduce post- etch residues. We demonstrate sub quarter micron lithography using 213 nm exposure of a liquid silylation resist process etched in a 60 MHz O2 plasma.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Substituted α-Phenylcinnamonitriles

The synthesis of some new α-phenylcinnamonitriles is reported along with biological results in the areas of chemotherapy, gastrointestinal activity, fertility control, parasitology, and agricultural screening. The compounds showed negative or marginal biological activity in the areas tested.
The structure and dipole moment of the argon·fluorobenzene dimer

Abstract The 1:1 complex between fluorobenzene and argon has been investigated by Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. Rotational transitions of the C 6 D 5 F monomer and C 6 D 5 F·Ar dimer were assigned. The deuterated dimer rotational constants resolve an ambiguity in the position of the Ar in the dimer, placing it more nearly over the center of the fluorobenzene ring. The dipole moments of the monomers and dimers were determined from rotational Stark effects and interpreted in terms of the induced moment in the argon.
The equivocal presence of nuclear androgen binding proteins in mammalian spermatids and spermatozoa

Abstract The presence of nuclear androgen binding proteins measured by nuclear androgen exchange in rat spermatids arid spermatozoa was re-examined. Specific binding was observed to be related to less dense contaminating particles when sonicated testes were fractionated by isopcynic centrifugation through a 40–61% Nycodenz linear gradient. No specific binding was observed in a pure preparation of epididymal spermatozoa collected by retrograde perfusion of the cauda epididymidis, even when a nuclear exchange assay of superior sensitivity [17] was used. Contamination could easily be induced by adding prostatic tissue to epididymal spermatozoa prior to sonication. Despite this strong evidence that the measure of nuclear androgen receptors by nuclear exchange in germ cells is artefactual, the persistence of high endogenous concentrations of 5α-dihydrotestosterone and 5α-diols (but not testosterone) in spermatozoa of castrated rats argues for the opposite conclusion.
Surgical management of late post-traumatic and ischemic neuropathies involving the lower extremities: classification and results of therapy.

Traumatic/ischemic events such as fractures, dislocations, lacerations, compression, vascular injuries, and embolus can result in several degrees of nerve injury with resultant sequelae of paralysis, sensory loss, and irritative phenomena (pain, hyperesthesia, and dysesthesia). Neuroma pain may prevent rehabilitation following amputation or nerve lacerations. Thirty-four patients with the late sequelae of traumatic/ischemic neuropathies underwent 36 neural operations using magnification techniques to define and repair neural lesions. Major bone and joint reconstruction could be performed at the same operation with protection of arterial and venous supply. A recovery score using defined criteria for motor, sensory, and irritative (pain) recovery has been developed to quantify the end results in compression/ischemia, contusion/stretch, laceration, idiopathic/irritative disorder, and painful neuroma. Excellent and good results were found in 39 of the 87 specific deficits analyzed (45%). Thus, there is the po...
Correlated out-diffusion of nitrogen and in-diffusion of self-interstitials resulting in elimination of nitrogen-related deep centres

Abstract Annealing of nitrogen-doped silicon is known to produce deep donors. Prolonged annealing leads to a donor-depleted region that quickly propagates from the surface into the bulk. This effect is very similar to propagation of the region depleted of the substitutional nitrogen evidenced by the depth profile of the total nitrogen. Both effects result from annihilation of the substitutional nitrogen by self-interstitials (I) produced by emission when the out-diffusing interstitial trimers N3 are incorporated into the surface nitride film. The basic source of N3 is the reaction I + VN3 → N3. The I species are consumed by this reaction, but then produced in a greater amount by the created trimers.
Aberrant right subclavian artery-esophageal fistula: A cause of overwhelming upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage

A patient had massive hematemesis due to a fistula between an unsuspected aberrant right subclavian artery and the esophagus, with the fistula caused by prolonged esophageal intubation. Lack of awareness of this complication delayed the correct diagnosis, which was eventually made at a second angiographic study. With knowledge of the fistula, this potentially fatal situation can be promptly diagnosed by endoscopy and emergency angiography. Transcatheter embolization is suggested as a potential alternative to surgery in the treatment of the aberrant right subclavian artery-esophageal fistula.
Interactions between two co-dominant, invasive plants in the understory of a temperate deciduous forest

Negative interactions between non-indigenous and native species has been an important research topic of invasion biology. However, interactions between two or more invasive species may be as important in understanding biological invasions, but they have rarely been studied. In this paper, we describe three field experiments that investigated interactions between two non-indigenous plant species invasive in the eastern United States, Lonicera japonica (a perennial vine) and Microstegium vimineum (an annual grass). A press removal experiment conducted within a deciduous forest understory community indicated that M. vimineum was a superior competitor to L. japonica. We tested the hypothesis that the competitive success of M. vimineum was because it overgrew, and reduced light available to, L. japonica, by conducting a separate light gradient experiment within the same community. Shade cloth that simulated the M. vimineum canopy reduced the performance of L. japonica. In a third complementary experiment, we added experimental support hosts to test the hypothesis that the competitive ability of L. japonica is limited by support hosts, onto which L. japonica climbs to access light. We found that the abundance of climbing branches increased with the number of support hosts. Results of this experiment indicate that these two invasive species compete asymmetrically for resources, particularly light.
Mothers, orphans, and prevention of paediatric AIDS.

This editorial argues that antiretroviral drugs to combat vertical transmission must be chosen and administered without causing eventual drug resistance. The writer states that although active deployment of Petra A or B or HIVNET 012 drug protocols in the developing world may prevent hundreds of thousands of pediatric AIDS infections these same women and their infected children exposed to short-course zidovudine plus lamivudine or single-dose nevirapine will be at substantial risk of treatment failure when antiretroviral therapy becomes available. Given the pending crisis of Africas AIDS orphans policymakers should consider more carefully treatment programs that save the lives of mothers.
Potentiation of sympathetic neurotransmission in bovine isolated irides by isoprostanes.

Isoprostanes (IsoP) are formed by free radical catalyzed peroxidation of arachidonic acid independent of the cyclooxygenase enzyme. In the present study, we examined the effect of IsoP on norepinephrine (NE) release from the bovine isolated iris. Furthermore, we studied the role of IsoP's in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced enhancement of NE release from this tissue. Isolated bovine irides were prepared for studies of [3H]NE release using the superfusion method. Release of [3H]NE was induced via electrical field stimulation. Both 8-iso-prostaglandin E2 (E2-IsoP) and 8-iso-prostaglandin F2α (F2-IsoP) produced a concentration-related enhancement of field-stimulated [3H]NE release from isolated bovine irides, an effect that was mimicked by the thromboxane (Tx) receptor agonist, U46619 and by H2O2. The Tx-receptor antagonist, SQ 29548 inhibited responses to E2-IsoP (10μM) with an IC50 of 370±50 nM. SQ 29548 (10μM) also blocked the enhancement of electrically-evoked [3H]NE release induced by U46619 (10μM) but ...
Efficiency and robustness of threshold-based distributed allocation algorithms in multi-agent systems

In this paper we present three scalable, fully distributed, threshold-based algorithms for allocating autonomous embodied workers to a given task whose demand evolves dynamically over time. Individuals estimate the availability of work based solely on local perceptions. The differences among the algorithms lie in the threshold distribution among teammates (homogeneous or heterogeneous team), in the mechanism used for establishing threshold values (fixed, parameter-based or variable, rule-based), and in the sharing (public) or not sharing (private) of demand estimations through local peer-to-peer communication. We tested the algorithms" efficiency and robustness in a collective manipulation case study concerned with the clustering of initially scattered small objects. The aggregation experiment has been studied at two different experimental levels using a microscopic model and embodied simulations. Results show that teams using a number of active workers dynamically controlled by one of the allocation algorithms achieve similar or better performances in aggregation than those characterized by a constant team size while using on average a considerably reduced number of agents over the whole aggregation process. While differences in efficiency among the algorithms are small, differences in robustness are much more apparent. Threshold variability and peer-to-peer communication appear to be two key mechanisms for improving worker allocation robustness against environmental perturbations.