cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Association of Anxiety With High-Cost Health Care Use Among Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE People with type 2 diabetes vary greatly in their use of high-cost health care resources. We examined the association of anxiety with high-cost use after accounting for depression and medical comorbidity. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Using electronic health record data, we assessed past anxiety diagnosis, health care use and costs, demographics, comorbidities, and diabetes control status and complications during 2008–2012 for 143,573 adult members of an integrated health care system with type 2 diabetes. Multivariable regression models estimated associations between anxiety and emergency department (ED) use, total hospitalization costs, and high-cost status (i.e., incurring total health care costs in the top 20% among all system members). RESULTS During 2008–2011, 12.9% of participants received a diagnosis of anxiety, of whom 52.9% also had received a depression diagnosis. After adjustment for covariates including depression, anxiety was positively related to the number of ED visits in 2012 (incidence rate ratio 1.27; 95% CI 1.21, 1.34), the likelihood of visiting the ED on a chronic, frequent basis during 2010–2012 (odds ratio 2.55; 95% CI 1.90, 3.44), and high-cost status in 2012 (odds ratio 1.29; 95% CI 1.23, 1.36), but anxiety was not related to total hospitalization costs in 2012 (relative cost ratio 1.06; 95% CI 0.94, 1.21; P = 0.33). CONCLUSIONS Anxiety is highly comorbid with depression among individuals with type 2 diabetes and is independently associated with high-cost resource use. Strategies to improve anxiety management among people with diabetes hold the potential to also reduce health care costs.
Susceptibility of Enterovirus-D68 to RNAi-mediated antiviral knockdown.

Abstract Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) represents an emerging pathogen which has demonstrated a capacity for causing epidemic illness in pediatric and immunocompromised patients. With no effective antiviral treatment available, therapeutic interventions are currently limited to supportive care. Utilizing available genomic sequences from the 2014 B3 Epidemic EV-D68 clade and the 1962 Fermon EV-D68 strains, we performed in silico comparative genomic analysis, identifying several islands of phylogenetic conservation within the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene. The effects of transfecting short-interfering double-stranded RNA (siRNA) molecules targeting these conserved sequences were tested in vitro using a human rhabdomyosarcoma cell-based model of EV-D68 infection. Two siRNA sequences demonstrated reproducible ability to abrogate EV-D68-mediated cytopathic effect in vitro. These siRNA sequences were also able to decrease EV-D68 genome replication, VP-2 capsid protein expression, and infectious particle production in vitro. EV-D68 knockdown was sequence-specific and not observed in cells treated with a negative control siRNA lacking sequence homology to the viral genome. The regions targeted by these siRNA's are located in highly conserved regions of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase gene. The most potent siRNA targeted a sequence found in subsequent enzyme crystallographic studies to enhance the enzyme's thermostability (Wang et al., 2017). Topical nebulized siRNAs have recently been utilized as antivirals in human studies, with no adverse effects or toxicities noted (Gottlieb et al., 2016). Sequence selection is likely one primary factor determining the potential efficacy of such therapeutics. These results demonstrate that the identified siRNA sequences are able to suppress EV-D68 replication and cytopathic effect in vitro.
END-OF-LIFE SERVICES IN TRIBAL COMMUNITIES

Terminally ill American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/ANs) are less likely to receive hospice and palliative care than other racial/ethnic groups, with fewer than 1/3 receiving these services compared to over 45% of EuroAmericans (Johnson, 2013; NHPCO, 2017). While some AI/ANs believe that End of Life (EoL) services will hasten their deaths (Colclough & Brown, 2014), claims that Natives reject EoL services due to death taboos are likely overgeneralizations. Rather, extant studies point to barriers to access resulting from lack of financial resources and inadequate service infrastructure, especially in rural areas (Jervis, Jackson, & Manson, 2002; Kitzes & Berger, 2004; Kitzes & Domer, 2004; Weech-Maldonado et al., 2003). While these factors undoubtedly play a role in underutilization, our preliminary research suggests that other factors—such as a lack of tribally based EoL programs and the cultural mismatches that occur when non-Native programs attempt to deliver hospice services to Native clients—may discourage AIANs from seeking and/or retaining these services. In this presentation, we report on results from a nationwide telephone survey of the availability of EoL care across AIAN tribes. We also present findings from in-depth interviews with local service providers on the challenges and successes they experienced in providing EoL care to their AI clients in one tribal community. Together, these findings will add to our growing understanding of the factors that inhibit and facilitate EoL service utilization, and suggest possibilities for improving access.
CHAPTER 6 – DOES GENERAL PURPOSE MEAN GOOD FOR NOTHING (IN PARTICULAR)?

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a summary of the panel discussion that took place at the workshop on algorithmically specialized computer organizations. The panel discussion was centered on whether general purpose means good for nothing. The chapter also presents a more philosophical perspective on some of the issues and questions that remain to be addressed in the field. Much of the discussion that followed centered on the distinctions between general and special purpose systems. In an attempt to distinguish between special and general purpose systems, parameters such as programmability, flexibility, marketability, performance, and general applicability all seemed relevant to some extent. In the discussion, it was pointed out that there are as yet no criteria with which a majority of the participants could agree that categorize machines as special purpose versus general purpose.
Herpesvirus Entry Mediator Binding Partners Mediate Immunopathogenesis of Ocular Herpes Simplex Virus 1 Infection

Ocular herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection leads to an immunopathogenic disease called herpes stromal keratitis (HSK), in which CD4+ T cell-driven inflammation contributes to irreversible damage to the cornea. Herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) is an immune modulator that activates stimulatory and inhibitory cosignals by interacting with its binding partners, LIGHT (TNFSF14), BTLA (B and T lymphocyte attenuator), and CD160. We have previously shown that HVEM exacerbates HSK pathogenesis, but the involvement of its binding partners and its connection to the pathogenic T cell response have not been elucidated. In this study, we investigated the role of HVEM and its binding partners in mediating the T cell response using a murine model of ocular HSV-1 infection. By infecting mice lacking the binding partners, we demonstrated that multiple HVEM binding partners were required for HSK pathogenesis. Surprisingly, while LIGHT-/-, BTLA-/-, and CD160-/- mice did not show differences in disease compared to wild-type mice, BTLA-/- LIGHT-/- and CD160-/- LIGHT-/- double knockout mice showed attenuated disease characterized by decreased clinical symptoms, increased retention of corneal sensitivity, and decreased infiltrating leukocytes in the cornea. We determined that the attenuation of disease in HVEM-/-, BTLA-/- LIGHT-/-, and CD160-/- LIGHT-/- mice correlated with a decrease in gamma interferon (IFN-γ)-producing CD4+ T cells. Together, these results suggest that HVEM cosignaling through multiple binding partners induces a pathogenic Th1 response to promote HSK. This report provides new insight into the mechanism of HVEM in HSK pathogenesis and highlights the complexity of HVEM signaling in modulating the immune response following ocular HSV-1 infection.IMPORTANCE Herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), a ubiquitous human pathogen, is capable of causing a progressive inflammatory ocular disease called herpes stromal keratitis (HSK). HSV-1 ocular infection leads to persistent inflammation in the cornea resulting in outcomes ranging from significant visual impairment to complete blindness. Our previous work showed that herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) promotes the symptoms of HSK independently of viral entry and that HVEM expression on CD45+ cells correlates with increased infiltration of leukocytes into the cornea during the chronic inflammatory phase of the disease. Here, we elucidated the role of HVEM in the pathogenic Th1 response following ocular HSV-1 infection and the contribution of HVEM binding partners in HSK pathogenesis. Investigating the molecular mechanisms of HVEM in promoting corneal inflammation following HSV-1 infection improves our understanding of potential therapeutic targets for HSK.
The Gestalt Switch from Capitalist Competition to Socialistic Cooperation as Socially Desirable and Pragmatically Necessary

Socialist cooperation is as morally preferable as it is pragmatically necessary. For example, given exponential population growth, modest annual growth rates result in comparatively rapidly doubling, which, even absent a modest increases in average global living standards, significantly strains resources and pollution levels, necessitating that capitalist interests in maintaining dependence on “sunken (oil, coal, and gas) assets” give way to the social utility of renewable and non-polluting energy, and the recycling it enables. Moreover, widespread adoption of socialist cooperation would ensure compensation of the workforce at levels adequate to overcoming any impending crisis of overproduction, also eliminating the “free rider” dynamic which holds back cooperatively enhanced R&D as well as the availability of the resulting technological development to all, and educational opportunities. This would result in both a reduction in poverty and an increase in self-actualization, which, in addition to arguably reducing conflict in its own right, would reduce conspicuous consumption which would benefit the environment and reduce conflict and wars over resources.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of mindfulness- and acceptance-based interventions for affect intolerance/sensitivity.

Abstract Affect intolerance/sensitivity, defined as one's sensitivity to, or inability to tolerate, affective states, is a transdiagnostic process implicated in the development and maintenance of numerous forms of psychopathology. Mindfulness and acceptance interventions are posited to improve affect intolerance/sensitivity; however, there has been no quantitative synthesis of this research to date. Seven electronic databases were searched up until November 2018. Hedges' g values, 95% confidence intervals, p-values, and Q-values were calculated for a series of random-effects models. Twenty-five studies (pooled N = 1778) met eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis (n = 22 included in the meta-analysis). There was a small, significant effect of mindfulness and acceptance interventions on improving affect intolerance/sensitivity from pre-to post-intervention (Hedges' g = −0.37, 95% CI = −0.52 to −0.23, p
Lost in the Vortex: Irregularities in the Detention and Deportation of Non-Nationals in South Africa

The Lindela Detention Centre, located approximately 40 kilometres northwest of Johannesburg in Krugersdorp, is a holding facility for the temporary detention of ‘illegal foreigners’ while they await deportation. The centre was established under the Department of Home Affairs’ (DHA) authority to detain and deport illegal foreigners, found in the Immigration Act (No. 13 of 2002). In March 2009, the Forced Migration Studies Programme (FMSP) began conducting a survey at Lindela in order to better inform DHA’s efforts to address administrative problems at the centre. Over the next ten months, FMSP researchers interviewed 734 detainees during two phases. The research team questioned detainees on their arrest, documentation, detention prior to arriving at Lindela, procedural processes at Lindela, prolonged detentions, and conditions of detention, including medical care and basic needs, as well as experiences of corruption and violence. Detainees discussed interactions with the DHA, the police, and Bosasa, the private contractor responsible for daily operations at Lindela. Most of the survey questions were quantitative and tracked adherence to the law. A small number of qualitative questions also afforded detainees the opportunity to talk about their experiences in more detail. The research findings present a comprehensive window onto the experiences of detainees — information that can assist DHA to carry out its mandate in a manner that is both legal and cost effective, while minimizing legal challenges to detention.
Patient perceptions of trust formation in the surgeon-patient relationship: A thematic analysis.

Abstract Objective Trust is crucial to the success of any personal or professional relationship. Literature on trust in the surgeon-patient relationship has been largely explored through quantitative methodologies, primarily examining why trust may or may not exist. We aimed to qualitatively elucidate the mechanisms of how trust develops between otolaryngologists and their patients. Methods Patients were recruited by surgery scheduling staff following an outpatient visit where a decision had been made to proceed with surgery at a tertiary academic medical center. We used qualitative realist thematic analysis of phone interviews to explore participants’ (n = 17) perceptions and conceptualization of trust formation within the surgeon-patient relationship. Results Thematic analysis revealed three themes regarding trust formation in the surgeon-patient relationship: 1) Trust Across Various Contexts; 2) Impact of Prior Knowledge; and 3) Interpersonal Connection during the Clinical Encounter. Conclusion An interpersonal surgeon-patient connection is crucial to the formation of trust. Trust is also influenced by surgeon and institutional reputation and witnessed surgeon interactions with the healthcare team. Practice Implications Patients perceive trust in a surgeon as carrying unique importance. To optimize conditions for trust development in this context, surgical care paradigms should promote meaningful preoperative interpersonal surgeon-patient relationships and positive surgeon and institutional reputations.
A Reliability Evaluation Model of Intelligent Energy Meter in Typical Environment

In order to solve the problem of reliability evaluation of intelligent watt-hour meter in a typical environment of our country, according to the reliability operation data of smart meters in typical areas, the index system which takes the basic error of intelligent energy meter under various typical environmental as the evaluation index is established in this paper. In this paper, an improved grey relation analysis method is used to put forward a comprehensive evaluation model of the reliability of the intelligent energy meter in a typical environment. Finally, the evaluation model is used to evaluate the reliability of a single-phase intelligent watt-hour meter from three manufacturers in a typical environment. The evaluation results show that the evaluation model can be used for reference in the field of reliability evaluation of smart meters.
Prospects for Competition in the Provision of Internet Access Services Over Broadband Local Access Networks: Technology Trends - A Working Draft

As the Internet has emerged as the critical communications platform of modern society, it has generated increasing regulatory attention to achieve societal communications policy objectives associated with availability and affordability. It is therefore important that policy makers understand the anticipated evolution of broadband network technologies over time to support the development of realistic broadband policy goals associated with infrastructure development and deployment. This working paper develops a framework for studying existing and emerging broadband local access network technology options in comparative fashion in order to identify trends in the engineering economics of broadband network infrastructure over the next 5 – 10 years. The results of this paper are to identify key trends in the current evolution of local access network technologies. Future work for this research will be to incorporate an engineering economic analysis into the framework in order to examine the future prospects for prospects given these technology trends.
Characterization of Dosimetric Differences in Strut-Adjusted Volume Implant Treatment Plans Calculated With TG-43 Formalism and a Model-Based Dose Calculation Algorithm.

Purpose To comprehensively characterize dosimetric differences between calculations with a commercial model-based dose calculation algorithm (MBDCA) and the TG-43 formalism in application to accelerated partial breast irradiation (APBI) with the strut-adjusted volume implant (SAVI) applicator. Methods Dose for 100 patients treated with the SAVI applicator was recalculated with an MBDCA for comparison to dose calculated via TG-43. For every pair of dose calculations, dose-volume histogram (DVH) metrics including V90%, V95%, V100%, V150%, and V200% for the PTV_EVAL were compared. Features were defined for each case including (1) applicator size, (2) ratio between PTV_EVAL contour and 1-cm rind surrounding SAVI applicator, (3) ratio between dwell time in central catheter and total dwell time, and (4) mean computed tomography (CT) number within the lumpectomy cavity. Wilcoxon rank sum tests were performed to test whether treatment plans could be stratified according to feature values into groups with statistically significant dosimetry differences between MBDCA and TG-43. Results For all DVH metrics, differences between TG-43 and MBDCA calculations were statistically significant (P Conclusions Investigated dose metrics for SAVI treatments were found to be systematically lower with MBDCA calculation in comparison to TG-43. Plans could be stratified according to several features by the magnitude of dosimetric differences between these calculations.
Development of Brain Behavior Integration Systems Related to Criminal Culpability from Childhood to Young Adulthood: Does it Stop at 18 Years?

The rate at which the brain develops from conception to adulthood, and how that maturational process relates to brain’s product, behavior, has been a major topic for the neurosciences with implications to legal practice, most dramatically in the case of the death penalty. Based partly on neuroscience evidence for protracted maturation of executive brain systems, the US Supreme Court ruled in 2005 that capital punishment is unconstitutional for crimes committed while under the age of 18. Much more data have since been acquired on multiple indices of brain development and behavior, and a question now facing the courts is whether the cutoff age of 18 has a scientific basis or, from the developmental neuroscience evidence, it is arbitrary and in need for re-evaluation. Here, I present methods used by neuroscientists to measure parameters of brain development related to complex behavior, and summarize the major findings to date. Since 2005, there have been several large-scale studies revealing multimodal brain parameters related to major domains of behavior. These studies converge to show protracted development of brain tissue and its connectivity, as well as physiologic parameters of resting-state and task-related activity, which underlie the ability of the brain to process and integrate information. The developmental course of these differences does not reach its apex at 18, indeed it continues into the early 20s. I conclude that this 18 and older population, probably up to around age 23, is therefore just as vulnerable to the effects on behavior (especially behavioral control) of the lack of maturation of these brain structures and functions as are 17-year-olds.
Chicano Images: Refiguring Ethnicity in Mainstream Film

Providing textual analysis of 12 feature films written and directed by filmmakers who explore aspects of the Chicano cultural movement, this book discusses films including Cheech and Chong's Still Smokin' (1983), El Norte (1985), and Break of Dawn (1988). The text analyzes the portrayal of Chicano, or Mexican American, identity in films by chicanos. Part historiography, part film analysis, part ethnography, this book offers a compelling story of how Chicanos challenge, subvert and create their own popular portrayals of Chicanismo. Historical stereotypical images in Hollywood films are discussed alongside contemporary images portrayed by Hollywood studios and independent Chicano filmmakers. The author examines the way in which newer films "construct new representations of Chicano culture" and present a greater variety of images of Chicanos for mainstream audiences. Originally published in 1996, this authoritative volume provides a full history of the Chicano cultural movement beginning in the 1960s as well as information on the development of Mexican American film production.
Is availability of mammography services at federally qualified health centers associated with breast cancer mortality-to-incidence ratios? An ecological analysis

Abstract Objective: Mammography is the most effective method to detect breast cancer in its earliest stages, reducing the risk of breast cancer death. We investigated the relationship between accessibility of mammography services at Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and mortality-to-incidence ratio (MIR) of breast cancer in each county in the United States. Methods: County-level breast cancer mortality and incidence rates in 2006–2010 were used to estimate MIRs. We compared breast cancer MIRs based on the density and availability of FQHC delivery sites with or without mammography services both in the county and in the neighboring counties. Results: The relationship between breast cancer MIRs and access to mammography services at FQHCs differed by race and county of residence. Breast cancer MIRs were lower in counties with mammography facilities or FQHC delivery sites than in counties without a mammography facility or FQHC delivery site. This trend was stronger in urban counties (p=0.01) and among...
Delineation of a Major Worldwide Problem of Arsenic-Contaminated Groundwater

Groundwater contamination of arsenic can occur from various anthropogenic sources such as pesticides, wood preservatives, glass manufacture, and other miscellaneous arsenic uses. These sources can be monitored and controlled. Arsenic contamination was reported as early as 1938; however, skin lesions and cancers attributable to arsenic were rare and ignored until new evidence emerged from Taiwan in 1977. The serious health effects of arsenic exposure that include lung, liver, and bladder cancers were confirmed shortly thereafter by studies of exposed populations in Argentina, Chile, and China. Of the various countries affected by this contamination, Bangladesh and India are experiencing the most serious groundwater arsenic problem. The relative toxicity of arsenic depends mainly on its chemical form and is dictated in part by the valence state. Recently, a great deal of support has been found in the role of microbes in the release of arsenic into groundwater. A brief review of high arsenic concentrations in groundwater and also mechanisms proposed for the release of arsenic into groundwater systems, with particular significance to the possible role of metal reducing bacteria in arsenic mobilization into the shallow aquifers of the Ganges delta, is provided here.
Existence and Uniqueness of Classical, Nonnegative, Smooth Solutions of a Class of Semi-Linear Spdes

In this paper, the regularity and the ψ-semigroup property of the solutions to a class of stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs) derived from a class of interacting superprocesses are investigated.
Part 3.2: Feminine and Masculine Socialization

Part III. Section 2. Feminine and Masculine Socialization: Two main problems are explored: 1) How are girls and boys socialized in contemporary western societies? and 2) What are adult women and men like? Meyers appropriates the main outlines of Simone de Beauvoir's account of feminine socialization in The Second Sex, but she also discusses more recent research.
Homological Mirror Symmetry and Algebraic Cycles

In this chapter we outline some applications of Homological Mirror Symmetry to classical problems in Algebraic Geometry, like rationality of algebraic varieties and the study of algebraic cycles. Several examples are studied in detail.
On clustering of genes

The availability of microarray technology at an affordable price makes it possible to determine expression of several thousand genes simultaneously. Gene expression can be clustered so as to infer the regulatory modules and functionality of a gene relative to one or more of the annotated genes of the same cluster. The outcome of clustering depends on the clustering method and the metric being used to measure the distance. In this paper we study the popular hierarchal clustering algorithm and verify how many of the genes in the same cluster share functionality. Further, we will also look into the supervised clustering method for satisfying hypotheses and view how many of these genes are functionally related.
THE PSYCHOLOGICAL RECORD: REAFFIRMING THE PAST AND EMBRACING THE FUTURE

With gratitude to Charles E. Rice and veneration for the prosperous, nearly BO-year history that the journal has enjoyed, I accept the position of Editor of The Psychological Record. The journal has played an important role in my own upbringing as a researcher and as a contributor to the peerreview process. In its provision of opportunities for newer researchers, the journal has invested wisely in sustaining our field. Under my editorship the journal will continue to support the efforts of newer scientists, much as it did under my predecessor. Following its inception at Indiana University in 1932 (e.g. , Bartlett, 1997; Mountjoy & Cone, 1997), the journal became prominent within the field of experimental psychology. In providing an outlet for manuscripts from all areas of scientific psychology, it was the founders' intentions that authors would experience a more rapid turn-around from submission to publication than was the case with other general psychology journals at the time (Mountjoy & Cone, 1997). Despite difficulties created by World War II , The Psychological Record remained a vehicle for the talents of those, including B. F. Skinner and J. R. Kantor, who would directly impact the course of our discipline. After suspending operation for a period during and after World War II, the journal moved to the University of Wichita, under the editorship of Paul Swartz in the 1950s. This marked the onset of Phase 2 in the journal's history (Wolf, 1976). A 17-year Phase 3 ensued under the editorship of Irvin S. Wolf at Denison University. 1976 saw it relocated to Kenyon College, and Phase 4 began the 30-year leadership of Charles E. Rice (Wolf, 1976). During all of these periods the journal has been committed to publishing meritorious scientific work from all areas of psychology, with a special affinity for conceptual analyses and philosophic deliberations, consistent with the interests and backgrounds of its founders. Rather than rearticulate the journal's past, I wish to emphasize particular ambitions to which the journal has held fast. The field of psychology, behavioral psychology in particular, is at a pivotal point in its development. By reaffirming its goals, The Psychological Record could occupy a prominent role in the future of our discipline.
Name-Based Mapping: Addressing Support for Persistent Objects

Systems supporting persistent objects need to address far more information than can fit in an ordinary virtual memory. The usual approach is to impose an additional level of indirection—an object name is mapped to an object number, which serves as part of a virtual address. The virtual address can then be translated in the normal manner. An attractive alternative is name-based mapping, where objects are referred to by name rather than by address. A set of registers and a cache can be used to translate names directly to physical addresses, bypassing the virtual-address middleman. This scheme effectively removes the limit on the size of a process’s address space, since the number of possible names is essentially infinite. Name-based mapping has a number of other advantages. The cache, which cannot be modified by the programmer, is used to translate all addresses. It can therefore be used to enforce different protection domains within a single process. This permits software systems to be built out of larger but fewer processes, decreasing the overhead of managing large numbers of processes. In addition, name-based mapping removes the need for conventional static or dynamic linking. An architecture using name-based mapping can easily be adapted to support object-oriented languages efficiently. Unlike capability-based systems, name-based mapping requires only a special address-translation mechanism, rather than specially protected segments throughout memory. This paper presents the design and initial performance measurements based on simulation.
Life Cycle Crises

ABSTRACT As couples are worked with in therapy, the issues they bring, both individually and as a couple, may reflect important developmental crises. This paper describes some of these issues from the perspective of Erikson'S epigenetic theory. Brief case examples are provided to illustrate the presentation and therapeutic course with these issues. While these issues will present strains that bring the couple into therapy, their understanding can also provide considerable motivation for strength and growth, particularly when worked with in the therapeutic arena.
Factors influencing the outcome of microsurgical tubal ligation reversals

Abstract Seventy-three patients who underwent a microsurgical tubal reversal were reviewed in an effort to determine what factors influenced outcome. A 64% intrauterine pregnancy rate was achieved 6 months to 4 years postoperatively. There was a 4.4% incidence of ectopic pregnancies in this group. On the basis of a preoperative laparoscopy, no reversals were performed unless a total tubal length of 4 cm or more could be obtained. The final tubal length, the time interval from sterilization to reversal, and the site of reanastomosis did not influence the eventual outcome. The reversals were then evaluated by the type of sterilization procedure performed (Pomeroy, coagulation, falope ring, and Irving). The pregnancy rate was not statistically different in each group. Sterilizations performed by coagulation, however, were only reversible 58% of the time compared to 91% for the noncoagulation procedures because of extensive tubal destruction (p
First-principles study of adhesion at C u / S i O 2 interfaces

The structural, electronic, and adhesive properties of ${\mathrm{C}\mathrm{u}/\mathrm{S}\mathrm{i}\mathrm{O}}_{2}$ interfaces are investigated using first-principles density-functional theory within the local density approximation. Interfaces between fcc Cu (001) and \ensuremath{\alpha}-cristobalite (001) slabs with different surface stoichiometries are considered. Interfacial properties are found to be sensitive to the choice of the termination and the interfacial oxygen density is the most important factor influencing the strength of adhesion. For oxygen-rich interfaces, the O atoms at the interface substantially rearrange after the deposition of Cu layers, suggesting the formation of Cu-O bonds. The large structural rearrangement, site-projected local densities of states, and changes in electron density indicate hybridization between $\mathrm{Cu}\ensuremath{-}d$ and $\mathrm{O}\ensuremath{-}p$ states at the interface. As oxygen is systematically removed from the interface, less rearrangement is observed, reflecting less hybridization and weaker adhesion. Computed adhesion energies for each of the interfaces are consistent with the observed structural and bonding trends, leading to the largest adhesion energy in the oxygen rich cases. The adhesion energy is also calculated between Cu and ${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ substrates terminated with hydroxyl groups, and adhesion of Cu to these substrates is found to be considerably reduced. This work supports the notion that Cu films can adhere well to hydroxyl-free ${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ substrates should oxygen be present in sufficient amounts at the interface.
Getting the most out of your CFD program [for electronics cooling]

Modern CFD codes dealing with air-cooling of electronics components have evolved to the stage where, properly handled, they can produce useful and fairly reliable estimates of coolant flow rates and component temperatures. For the most part, the outputs of these codes are "maps" of flow and temperature distribution. Useful as they are for identifying potential problems, these maps provide little or no guidance as to how to solve the problems they reveal. This paper proposes a set of diagnostic parameters that should be calculated for each critical component. From these parameters, a heat transfer person can tell not only whether an overheating problem exists but what is the most likely cause: low coolant flow, thermal stratification in the coolant, excessive heat conduction or radiation from hot neighbors, or low heat transfer coefficient. The recommended parameters are: (1) operating temperature, (2) adiabatic temperature, (3) mixed-mean temperature of the coolant, (4) net radiation and conduction input, and (5) the heat transfer coefficient, hadiabatic, and (6) the pressure drop. These can all be obtained without undue effort either by integration of values already available over appropriate areas or by "freezing" the flow calculation and sequentially changing the power distribution (relying on the linearity of the energy equation and the fact that hadiabatic does not change when the temperature distribution changes). The principle computational requirement for implementing this method is to develop a method for "freezing" the flow field and sequentially calculating the operating temperatures for different thermal boundary conditions. Techniques for doing this have been discussed by two previous authors. It remains only to complete the task and use that approach to calculate the diagnostic parameters.
Nucleotide Synthesis via Salvage Pathway

The biosynthesis of purine and pyrimidine nucleotides takes place over de novo synthetic pathways from small molecules and by salvage pathways from preformed purine or pyrimidine bases or nucleosides. The pathways of de novo synthesis are the same in animals and microorganisms. Salvage pathways are considerably more energy-efficient than de novo pathways, which require 5 (pyrimidine) or 6 (purine) moles of ATP for each mole of nucleotide produced. Salvage pathways are integral to the cause or treatment of a number of human diseases of purine or pyrimidine metabolism. Among disorders of purine metabolism, the Lesch–Nyhan disease is characterised by overproduction of uric acid, clinical gout, nephropathy, neurologic disease, and unusual self-injurious behaviours. Key Concepts: Salvage of purines is catalysed by adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT) and hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT). Pyrimidine salvage is catalysed by thymidine kinase. Pyrimidine salvage is effective in the treatment of orotic aciduria, a disorder of pyrimidine nucleotide synthesis. Deficiency of APRT leads to renal calculi. Deficiency of HGPRT is the cause of Lesch–Nyhan disease. Keywords: pathways; enzymes; human disorders; purines; pyrimidines; adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT); hypoxanthine guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT)
Nanoparticles and the influence of interface elasticity

In this manuscript, we discuss the influence of surface and interface stress on the elastic field of a nanoparticle, embedded in a finite spherical substrate. We consider an axially symmetric traction field acting along the outer boundary of the substrate and a non-shear uniform eigenstrain field inside the particle. As a result of axial symmetry, two Papkovitch-Neuber displacement potential functions are sufficient to represent the elastic solution. The surface and interface stress effects are fully represented utilizing Gurtin and Murdoch's theory of surface and interface elasticity. These effects modify the traction-continuity boundary conditions associated with the classical continuum elasticity theory. A complete methodology is presented resulting in the solution of the elastostatic Navier's equations. In contrast to the classical solution, the modified version introduces additional dependencies on the size of the nanoparticles as well as the surface and interface material properties.
Control of Herpes Simplex Virus Replication Is Mediated through an Interferon Regulatory Factor 3-Dependent Pathway

The type I interferon (IFN) cascade is critical in controlling viral replication and pathogenesis. Recognition pathways triggered by viral infection rapidly induce the type I IFN cascade, often in an IFN regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3)-dependent fashion. This dependence predicts that loss of IRF-3 would render early recognition pathways inoperative and thereby impact virus replication, but this has not been observed previously with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) in vitro. In this study, HSV-1-infected IRF-3 −/− bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDCs) and macrophages supported increased HSV replication compared to control cells. In addition, IRF-3-deficient BMDCs exhibited delayed type I IFN synthesis compared to control cells. However, while IFN pretreatment of IRF-3 −/− BMDCs resulted in reduced virus titers, a far greater reduction was seen after IFN treatment of wild-type cells. This suggests that even in the presence of exogenously supplied IFN, IRF-3 −/− BMDCs are inherently defective in the control of HSV-1 replication. Together, these results demonstrate a critical role for IRF-3-mediated pathways in controlling HSV-1 replication in cells of the murine immune system.
Nonlocal electrodynamics of two-dimensional wire mesh photonic crystals

We analytically calculate the spectra of plasma waves and electromagnetic waves (EMW's) in metallic photonic crystals consisting of parallel thin infinite metallic cylinders embedded in the dielectric media. The axes of metallic cylinders form a regular square lattice in a plane perpendicular to them. The metal inside the cylinders is assumed to be in the high-frequency regime $\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\tau}\ensuremath{\gg}1,$ where \ensuremath{\tau} is the relaxation time. The proposed analytical theory is based upon small parameters $f\ensuremath{\ll}1,$ where f is the volume fraction of the metal, and $\mathrm{kR}\ensuremath{\ll}1,$ where k is the wave vector and R is the radius of the cylinder. It is shown that there are five different branches of the EMW that cover all frequency ranges under consideration except one very small omnidirectional gap in the vicinity of the frequency of the surface plasmon. However, at some directions of propagation and polarizations the gap may be much larger. The reflection and refraction of the EMW are also considered. A general theory of refraction is proposed which is complicated by the spatial dispersion of the dielectric constant, and one particular geometry of an incident EMW is considered.
Residual Eddies in a Tidal Channel

Persistent residual eddies in a tidal channel in Wassaw Sound, Georgia, were resolved through shipboard observations. The residual eddies appear to be linked to bathymetry and coastlines. The semidiurnal tidal constituent, which explains about 90% of the variability of the data, was found to be a standing wave and the tidal wave propagation induced residual flow was minimal, so the advective nonlinearity was one of the major contributors to the residual eddies. From the vorticity point of view, if the lateral friction is neglected, three terms contribute to the generation of the relative vorticity in the depth-averaged vorticity equation. An important fact is that all these terms include the depth function: the interaction between the advection and bathymetry gradient, the interaction between advection and bathymetry, and the interaction between mean pressure gradient and the bathymetry gradient.
Nonlinear transient response and its sensitivity using finite elements in time.

The bilinear formulation proposed earlier by Peters and Izadpanah to develop finite elements in time to solve undamped linear systems, is extended (and found to be readily amenable) to develop time finite elements to obtain transient responses of both linear and nonlinear, and damped and undamped systems. The formulation is used in the h-, p- and hp-versions. The resulting linear and nonlinear algebraic equations are differentiated to obtain the sensitivity of the transient response with respect to various design parameters. The present developments were tested on a series of linear and nonlinear examples and were found to yield, when compared with results obtained using other methods, excellent results for both the transient response and its sensitivity to system parameters. Mostly, the results were obtained using the Legendre polynomials as basis functions, though, in some cases other orthogonal polynomials namely, the Hermite, the Chebyshev, and integrated Legendre polynomials were also employed (but to no great advantage). A key advantage of the time finite element method, and the one often overlooked in its past applications, is the ease with which the sensitivity of the transient response with respect to various system parameters can be obtained.
Carbon nanotube-based neat fibers

Macroscopic fibers containing only Carbon NanoTubes (CNTs) will yield great advances in high-tech applications if they can attain a significant portion of the extraordinary mechanical and electrical properties of individual CNTs. Doing so will require that the CNTs in the fiber are sufficiently long, highly aligned and packed in an arrangement that is nearly free of defects. Here we review and compare the various methods for processing CNTs into neat fibers. These techniques may be divided into ‘liquid’ methods, where CNTs are dispersed into a liquid and solutionspun into fibers, and ‘solid’ methods, where CNTs are directly spun into ropes or yarns. Currently, these processes yield fibers whose properties are not sufficiently close to optimal; however, the last five years have seen rapid progress, and the production of commercially useful CNT
Gas-Phase Basicity of Glycine: A Comprehensive ab Initio Study

Geometry-optimized structures for the most stable conformers of glycine and protonated glycine were obtained using the Hartree−Fock and second-order Moller−Plesset perturbation (MP2) methods with the 3-21G*, 6-31G*, 6-31G**, 6-31+G**, 6-311G**, 6-311+G**, and 6-311++G** basis sets. Analyses of results indicate that the MP2/6-31G*, MP2/6-31+G**, and MP2/6-311+G** levels of theory are more suited for protonation studies. Considerations were given to potential applications of single-point calculations using higher correlation methods such as MP4, QCISD(T), and CCSD(T) and larger basis sets including 6-311+G(3df,2p) and aug-cc-pVTZ. An ideal gas basicity of 203.5 kcal/mol at 298.15 K, which was calculated at the MP4/6-31+G(2d,2p) composite level for electronic properties and at the MP2/6-31G* level for thermodynamic properties with corrections of basis-set superposition error and conformational equilibrium effect, is shown to be sufficiently accurate by systematic deductions. This theoretical value is in good...
Effect of tunicamycin C2 on the induction of crystal induced chemotactic factor in human neutrophils.

We have investigated the effect of tunicamycin-C2, which specifically inhibits glycosylation of proteins but not their synthesis, in the induction of crystal-induced chemotactic factor (CCF) in human neutrophils by monosodium urate crystals. Tunicamycin C2 appears to impair transport of the CCF to the lysosomal fraction of the cell and its subsequent secretion into the extracellular fluid, resulting in accumulation of nonglycosylated chemotactic proteins in the cytosol. Based on the results of affinity chromatography studies with various lectins, the carbohydrate moeity(ies) of the glycosylated chemotactic peptide contain mannose, N-acetyl-d-galactosamine, galactose, and flucose.
Analysis of the [RNQ+] Prion Reveals Stability of Amyloid Fibers as the Key Determinant of Yeast Prion Variant Propagation

Variation in pathology of human prion disease is believed to be caused, in part, by distinct conformations of aggregated protein resulting in different prion strains. Several prions also exist in yeast and maintain different self-propagating structures, referred to as prion variants. Investigation of the yeast prion [PSI+] has been instrumental in deciphering properties of prion variants and modeling the physical basis of their formation. Here, we describe the generation of specific variants of the [RNQ+] prion in yeast transformed with fibers formed in vitro in different conditions. The fibers of the Rnq1p prion-forming domain (PFD) that induce different variants in vivo have distinct biochemical properties. The physical basis of propagation of prion variants has been previously correlated to rates of aggregation and disaggregation. With [RNQ+] prion variants, we found that the prion variant does not correlate with the rate of aggregation as anticipated but does correlate with stability. Interestingly, we found that there are differences in the ability of the [RNQ+] prion variants to faithfully propagate themselves and to template the aggregation of other proteins. Incorporating the mechanism of variant formation elucidated in this study with that previously proposed for [PSI+] variants has provided a framework to separate general characteristics of prion variant properties from those specific to individual prion proteins.
[123I]HIPDM pulmonary imaging demonstrates elastase-induced pulmonary emphysema.

Because more than 90 percent of [123I]hydroxyiodobenzyl-propanediamine (HIPDM) is localized in the lung after intravenous injection, the radiopharmaceutical has been proposed as a lung imaging agent. Its potential usefulness for the detection of pulmonary emphysema was evaluated in an animal model of elastase-induced emphysema along with [99mTc]MAA lung perfusion imaging. To induce lung emphysema, Long-Evans rats (200–250 g) were given 400 IU/Kg elastase intratracheally under ether anesthesia. Four weeks after elastase treatment, 15 treated and 15 nontreated rats were paired and simultaneously imaged under a scintillation camera immediately following intravenous injection of 0.25–0.3 mCi[99mTc]MAA. The procedure was repeated 48 hr later using 0.25–0.3 MCi[123I]HIPDM. Activity in the region of interest (ROI) over the lungs was recorded after the injections. Total counts per ROI from each rat were measured and normalized by lung volume. The normalized lung activity ratio of treated/nontreated rats was computed. The mean ratios of HIPDM and MAA were 0.847 and 0.802, respectively. The significant decrease in uptake of both HIPDM (p < 0.021) and of MAA (p < 0.025) in the elastase-treated lungs indicates decrease in functioning vascular endothelium and decrease in number of pulmonary capillary vessels, respectively, reflecting damage in capillaries and small arterioles. The decrease in treated/nontreated ratios lung is consistent with a significant alteration in pulmonary function and a significant increase in mean linear intercept (p < 0.005) in treated lung. Since the imaging reflects pulmonary endothelial receptor function, [123I]HIPDM lung imaging may serve as an alternative diagnostic modality for pulmonary emphysema.