cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photoexcitation dynamics in C 60 -doped PPV under bias illumination

KafafiUS. NavaiReserach Laboratory, Washington, DC 20375ABSTRACTWe have studied photoexcitation dynaniics in pristine and C60-doped PPV films under bias illumination by photoinducedabsorption (PA), optically-detected magnetic resonance (ODMR), and electromodulated PA (EPA). Intrachain polaron pairspecies are the dominant excitations under these conditions. The polaron pairs on the polymer chains are identified inODMR by the existence of an anisotropic spin-exchange interaction; their characteristic absorption spectrum is blueshiftedwith respect to that of isolated polarons by -O.4 eV. We also identified the PPV/C60 complexes by EPA spectroscopy.Keywords: Photoinduced absorption, magnetic resonance, ODMR, electroabsorption, PPV, C60-doped2. INTRODUCTION
Mechanisms of PETM global change constrained by a new record from central Utah: COMMENT and REPLY COMMENT

[Bowen and Bowen (2008)][1] proposed increased aridity at the Paleocene-Eocene boundary carbon-cycle perturbation, whereas my study ([Retallack, 2005][2]) found increased rainfall. Their interpretation of climatic drying during a past CO2 spike is also at variance with predictions of increased
The Prevalence of Retinal Vascular Abnormalities in Children and Adolescents With Essential Hypertension

We studied 97 children and adolescents with essential hypertension by evaluating photographs of the optic fundus and fluorescein angiography. Photographs were examined for the presence of arteriolar narrowing, tortuosity, and arteriovenous nicking. Intraobserver and interobserver variability in determination of abnormalities was low with agreement of 75% for narrowing, 90% for tortuosity, and 100% for arteriovenous nicking. The prevalence of abnormalities was 41% (95% confidence interval, 31% to 50%) for arteriolar narrowing, 14% (95% confidence interval, 19% to 21%) for tortuosity, and 8% (95% confidence interval, 5% to 11%) for arteriovenous nicking. Of 97 patients, 50 (51%) had one or more abnormality. Retinal abnormalities are relatively common in young patients with essential hypertension.
Functional classification of ESTs from vernonia (Vernonia galamensis L.) cDNA library

Abstract The Vernonia galamensis (Cass.) Less [synonym: Centrapalus pauciflorus] Compositae, is a source of naturally epoxidized oil. Its commercial use is limited due to presence of a lipase enzyme that produces high free fatty acid levels in vernonia oil. The genomic information and the gene expression patterns of lipase in vernonia has not been studied in detail. The objectives of our studies were to construct a complementary DNA (cDNA) library from vernonia seed to identify expressed sequence tags (ESTs) related to various plant functions. We were successful in constructing a cDNA library from seed tissues of vernonia. A total of 1325 cDNA clones were randomly sequenced and analyzed. A total of 97 high-quality ESTs with an average length of 400 bp were generated. These ESTs indicated the existence of genes involved in varied functions such as defense, protein processing, transcription, translation, signal transduction, and secondary metabolism. Out of the total EST sequences, there were 129 ESTs containing simple sequence repeats (SSRs) from which 63 SSR primer pairs were designed. It is the first transcriptome report from the vernonia that has generated ESTs as well as EST derived SSR markers capable of being used in future oil quality, transformation and germplasm characterization studies.
Real-time estimation of ocean wave fields from marine radar data

This paper discusses methods for using measurements of the backscattered power and the Doppler shift of radar signals scattered from the ocean surface to compute maps of phase resolved ocean wave fields. Results are compared with buoy and lidar measurements of ocean surface waves off the coast of southern California.
Detection of Early Xerophthalmia by Impression Cytology

• Vitamin A deficiency causes blindness, increased systemic morbidity, and increased mortality among preschool children in many developing nations. Presently, there is no simple, reliable test to detect early, physiologically significant vitamin A deficiency. We used conjunctival impression cytology results to evaluate children with early xerophthalmia before treatment and again three to eight weeks later. Subsequently, we modified our technique. We then compared children with early xerophthalmia to normal children. Conjunctival impressions from children with xerophthalmia all showed complete loss of goblet cells and the appearance of enlarged, partially keratinized epithelial cells. Conjunctival impressions from treated and normal children showed normal goblet cells and sheets of small epithelial cells. These results suggest impression cytology may represent the first simple, objective, diagnostic test for the detection of early vitamin A deficiency.
Paravertebral block: an improved method of pain control in percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage.

Background and Purpose Percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage remains a painful procedure in many cases despite the routine use of large amounts of intravenous sedation. We present a feasibility study of thoracic paravertebral blocks in an effort to reduce pain during and following the procedure and reduce requirements for intravenous sedation.
Privacy and Value Co-creation for IT-Enabled Service Systems: Cui Bono?

Almost all IT enabled service systems such as Google, Face book, Apple, Microsoft, Skype are facing criticisms on their use of customer data and their failure to protect customer privacy. These service companies rely on customers to participate actively in the co-creation of value by providing personal information, data and preferences. Such important resources and assets, if mishandled by companies, can cause harm to customers. Misuse and poor privacy protection for customer information can create ethical, legal, and business consequences, diminish trust and inhibit relationship building between customers and service providers, and affect future value co-creation. This paper identifies the different facets of privacy, explores the intersection of privacy and co-creation of value, and offers suggestions for future research regarding how businesses and customers can benefit from the service while ensuring privacy is protected.
Predicting nonlinear effects in superconducting microwave transmission lines from mutual inductance measurements

We demonstrate the use of a new experimental technique based on mutual inductance measurements to quantitatively predict nonlinear effects in microwave devices fabricated from high-temperature superconductor (HTS) materials. The mutual inductance measurements yield the current dependence of the penetration depth (J) in unpatterned HTS thin films. This information is used to calculate third-harmonic generation in coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission lines and compares very well with actual measurements of CPW transmission lines of variable dimensions fabricated from YBa2Cu3O7- thin film samples. The mutual inductance measurements should prove extremely valuable as a screening technique for microwave applications of HTS materials that require very low nonlinear response.
The sample estimation

Statistical research, as a rule, is based on the sample. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the quality of the sample studied. Our sample evaluation is based on a new interpretation of such concepts as a random factor, disturbance factor, homogeneity, representativeness, and population.
Accuracy of JBN Estimates of Relative Permeability: Part 2 - Algorithms

The authors develop algorithms that can be used for computer implementation of the Johnson, Bossler, and Naumann (JBN) method for estimating relative permeabilities from displacement experiments. The developed algorithms differ in the method used to calculate derivatives of measured data. The Monte Carlo error analysis developed in this paper is used to evaluate the performance of the computer algorithms.
Melperone in the treatment of neuroleptic-resistant schizophrenia.

Melperone is an effective antipsychotic drug that has been reported to have atypical properties, i.e. low extrapyramidal side effect liability at clinically effective doses. It also does not increase serum prolactin levels. Its effectiveness for patients with neuroleptic (treatment)-resistant schizophrenia has not been evaluated. In this study, melperone was administered, in an open trial design of 6 weeks' duration, to 44 patients with chronic neuroleptic-resistant schizophrenia. The Global Assessment Scale (GAS), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and measures of extrapyramidal symptoms and other clinical variables were assessed at baseline and 6 weeks. Thirty-seven patients completed the 6-week trial. Melperone significantly improved overall psychiatric status as measured by GAS score for all evaluable subjects [last value carried forward (LVCF) and a completers analysis]. No significant effects on BPRS measures of psychopathology scores were found in the LVCF or completers analysis. Patients who showed > or = 20% decrease in the BPRS Total score (N=7) were more likely to have high baseline psychopathology, as measured by BPRS Total and Anxiety-Depression subscales, than those who showed > or = 20% increase in the BPRS Total score (N=8). Non-responders to melperone generally did not respond to subsequent treatment with clozapine, indicating that this group of patients was very treatment resistant. Melperone was not associated with worsening of extrapyramidal symptoms, elevation in plasma prolactin levels, or an increase in body mass index (BMI). The results suggest that a proportion of neuroleptic-resistant patients with schizophrenia respond to melperone, which requires further controlled study.
Approach to the limit of counterion condensation.

According to counterion condensation theory, one of the contributions to the polyelectrolyte free energy is a pairwise sum of Debye-Huckel potentials between polymer charges that are reduced by condensed counterions. When the polyion model is taken as an infinitely long and uniformly spaced line of charges, a simple closed expression for the summation, combined with entropy-derived mixing contributions, leads to the central result of the theory, a condensed fraction of counterions dependent only on the linear charge density of the polyion and the valence of the counterion, stable against increases of salt up to concentrations in excess of 0.1 M. Here we evaluate the sum numerically for B-DNA models other than the infinite line of B-DNA charges. For a finite-length line there are end effects at low salt. The condensation limit is reached as a flat plateau by increasing the salt concentration. At a fixed salt concentration the condensation limit is reached by increasing the length of the line. At moderate salt even very short B-DNA line-model oligomers have condensed fractions not far from the infinite polymer limit. For a long double-helical array with charge coordinates at the phosphates of B-DNA, the limiting condensed fraction appears to be approached at low salt. In contrast to the results for the line of charges, however, the computed condensed fraction varies strongly with salt in the range of experimentally typical concentrations. Salt invariance is restored, in agreement with both the line model and experimental data, when dielectric saturation is considered by means of a distance-dependent dielectric function. For sufficiently long B-DNA line and helical models, as typical salt concentrations, the counterion binding fraction approaches the polymer limit as a linear function of 1/P, where P is the number of phosphate groups of B-DNA.
Birth Characteristics of Childhood Cancer Cases, Controls, And Their Siblings

Reproductive characteristics of childhood cancer cases, controls, and their siblings were examined using data from a case-control study in the Denver, Colorado metropolitan area, Childhood cancer patients (n=356) diagnosed from 1976 to 1983 were identified, and 242 were interviewed. Controls were selected by random digit dialing, with 212 interviews being completed (60% of eligibles). Extremes of birth weight were more common only among brain cancer cases. Patients were more often born preterm, particularly those with brain tumors [odds ratio (OR) = 6.1; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.6–23.4] and were more likely to have birth defect F (OR = 2.1; 95% CI, 0.9–5.0). Twins were more common among case siblings (OR = 2.6; 95% CI, 0.8–8.2). Low birth weight and preterm delivery among siblings were related only to soft tissue sarcoma. Birth defects were more common among case siblings, particularly leukemia cases (OR = 3.2; 95% CI, 1.3–7.7). Previous reports of elevated birth weight among cases and increased ri...
Reviewing and Revision Times for The Astrophysical Journal

From a study of the editorial log for 251 manuscripts submitted in 2006, we learn that 6% are rejected, 5% are withdrawn, and 88% are eventually accepted for publication. Of the accepted articles, 30% are reviewed once, 58% twice, and 12% are reviewed 3–5 times. The mean time for the first review is 31 days and for the first revision is 44 days. The spread in total reviewing times (dispersion of 16 days) is much shorter than in total revision times (54 days). Important articles, those receiving 31–193 citations in 2 yr, are not reviewed more promptly than others nor revised more promptly. Only in the subfield of high-energy objects do the authors revise their manuscripts marginally more promptly than others.
Disproportionation of O-Benzylhydroxylamine Catalyzed by a Ferric Bis-Picket Fence Porphyrin Complex†

Hydroxylamine (NH2OH) is an important molecule in biology that serves as an intermediate in the nitrogen cycle, and that can also be utilized as a nitric oxide donor in mammals under certain conditions. In light of this, the interaction of NH2OH with hemes in proteins and model systems has gained much attention recently. In this study, we use the more stable, oxygen substituted O-benzylhydroxylamine (NH2OBn) as a model for NH2OH. Here, the reactivity of the ferric bis-picket fence porphyrin complexes [Fe(3, 5-Me-BAFP)(ClO4)] (1) and [Fe(3, 5-Me-BAFP)(PF6)] (2) (3,5-Me-BAFP2– = dianion of tetra(2, 6-bis(3,5-dimethylphenoxy)phenyl)porphyrin)) with NH2OBn is investigated. The product of these reactions is characterized by UV/Vis and EPR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. We found that addition of excess NH2OBn to our ferric porphyrin complexes results in reduction of the heme to the ferrous oxidation state. This is followed by disproportionation of additional NH2OBn to yield the ferrous complex [Fe(3,5-Me-BAFP)(NH3)2] (3) as the final product. The crystal structure of (3) constitutes the first structural characterization of a bis-ammonia complex of a ferrous heme. The stability of this complex may be facilitated by the picket fences of the porphyrin ligand used here.
The dyadic interview as a tool for nursing research

Summary Dyadic interviewing is an efficient, parsimonious, and valuable tool in qualitative research. It can facilitate the production of very rich data sets, enable the researcher to remain in role, protect the credibility of, and produce evidence of the quality of the data.
Genetic evidence for monogamy in the cooperatively breeding red-cockaded woodpecker

We examined the genetic relationship among putative parents, offspring, and helpers in 224 red-cock-aded woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) from the Sandhills of North Carolina. Comparison of DNA similarity with a pedigree constructed from 3,823 individually-marked birds observed from 1979 to 1992 provided verification of observed relatedness in the sampled population (R2 = 0.87, df = 14, P < 0.001). In this population, breeding pairs may or may not have helpers, most of which are males that remain on their natal territory. Our sample included helpers assisting their parents, helpers assisting a related male and an unrelated female, and helpers assisting an unrelated pair. Band by band comparison and examination of similarity among DNA profiles indicated that all offspring from non-helped nests were sired by their putative parents (n = 28 families). Similarly, all but one offspring in helped nests were also sired by their putative parents (n = 16 families). In the exceptional case, the offspring evidently was sired by a male external to the group. Analysis of similarity values supported the conclusion that matings by helpers or extra-group males are rare or non-existent. Our results indicate that in this species advantages gained by individuals remaining on their natal territories as helpers do not generally include siring offspring.
Studies on the role of lipides in mammalian cytochrome C reductase.

Abstract A description is given of a cytochrome system which can be inactivated by extraction with isooctane. Extraction with a 5% solution of chloroform in isooctane proved a more efficient method of inactivation. Several lipides are shown to restore activity to the extracted preparation, leading to a study of the functional role of lipide structure. Findings indicate that a long hydrocarbon chain is a necessary component of reactivators. The lag period seen in the initial phases of the assay is found to be eliminated by the preincubation of the lipide with the extracted preparation. Such treatment was also found to increase the degree of reactivation by the lipide. The effects of hydrogen peroxide on both extracted and unextracted preparations have been assessed. It was found that vitamin E is not able to reverse the effect of antimycin A. The significance of these results in terms of the role of lipides in electron transport is discussed.
A MEMS Thermal Biosensor for Metabolite Measurements

We present a MEMS differential thermal biosensor integrated with microfluidics for metabolite concentration measurements either in flow-injection or flow-through modes. The biosensor consists of two identical freestanding polymer thin membranes, resistive on-chip heaters, and a metal thermoelectric differential temperature sensor between the two membranes. Integrated with polymer microfluidic channels and chambers, the biosensor allows efficient handling and measurements of small volumes (~1 μl) of liquid samples. Calibrated with on-chip resistive heaters, the biosensor shows a sensitivity of 1.2 V/W and time constant of 0.58 s. Enzyme-functionalized beads are packed in the chambers and interacted with metabolite solutions. The heat released from the enzymatic reactions is detected by the temperature sensor and used to measure the metabolite concentration. The biosensor demonstrated a glucose concentration resolution of 0.12 mM for flow-injection mode, and 0.48 mM for flow-through mode with a flow rate of 0.5 ml/h. It is found that there exists an optimal flow rate that corresponds to the maximum thermopile output voltage when the biosensor works in the flow-through mode.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Fast interactive visualization for multivariate data exploration

We are investigating a fast layout method for visualizing and exploring relationships between multivariate data items. We improve on existing works that use the force-directed layout, which has high running time and cannot scale up for large-scale visual analysis. Our method, based on Mean Value Coordinates, has a closed-form solution that can determine items' locations in a single iteration. In addition, it has a fast running time that is linear in the number of items. We are also exploring multiple interactive visualization techniques to help users make sense of the data, such as blending multiple heat maps to simultaneously express multiple types of data distributions; and techniques to create topics, and to merge or split topics in real time.
Welfare and the Dissolution of Child‐Parent Living Arrangements

L'article est un commentaire de l'etude precedente, qui se situe dans les debats sur les effets de la politique de protection sociale : est-il possible qu'une reduction des allocations entraine une dissolution des familles monoparentales existantes? L'accent est mis sur les strategies adaptatives de ces familles en etat de detresse financiere, sur les effets que cela a pour les enfants, et sur la necessite de travaux supplementaires qui prendraient en compte certaines variables negligees par les A.
Latent Heat Release in an Extratropical Cyclone that Developed Explosively over the Southeastern United States

Abstract Using the Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres FGGE Level III-b analyses, the latent heat release (LHR) associated with an extratropical cyclone that deepened explosively over the southeastern United States is investigated. Parameterized LUR was calculated and compared with satellite-derived precipitation estimates and observed precipitation rates. The GOES IR data were used to modify the magnitudes and distributions of the parameterized LHR fields while retaining their vertical structure. Finally, the impact of LHR on the explosive development was diagnosed using the extended height tendency equation. In this comparison, LHR accounted for about one-third of the lower tropospheric height falls in the cyclone domain.
Neutron drops and neutron pairing energy

The ground state energy of a six-neutron drop is computed with variational and Green{close_quote}s function Monte Carlo methods using the Argonne v{sub 18} two-nucleon and the Urbana three-nucleon potentials. Combined with earlier results from investigations of the drops {sup 8}n and {sup 7}n, this energy gives a 1p-shell pairing energy of (1.8{plus_minus}0.4)MeV. The generalized Skyrme effective interaction discussed in the earlier work is applied to these nuclei by calculating, for the open-shell drops {sup 7}n and {sup 6}n, the matrix elements of the Skyrme t matrix directly for the states involved. The pairing energy obtained is 1.50 MeV, in reasonable agreement with the accurate calculations. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Posthumous gamete retrieval and reproduction: would the deceased spouse consent?

Abstract Policy and medical decision-making has been hindered by the absence of reliable data on attitudes toward having one's own gametes retrieved posthumously and used to produce a child in the event of an untimely death. The purpose of this study is to directly and empirically examine whether the presumption against consent is justified in the case of posthumous gamete retrieval following sudden death. Respondents (N = 2064) were contacted using a random-digit dialing method that gave every household telephone in the continental United States an equal probability of being contacted, and were asked: “Suppose you were to experience an early death and your spouse wanted to have a biological child with you. Would you or would you not want your spouse to be able to use your sperm/eggs following your death to have a child with you?” Among reproductive age respondents (18–44 years), 70% of males and 58% of females wanted their spouse to be able to use their gametes and, for the most part, attitudes were fairly consistent across demographic characteristics. Religiosity was the best predictor of attitudes—those who described themselves as more religious were less likely to desire posthumous gamete retrieval—but the majority (58%) of respondents who were very religious approved of retrieval. Overall, these data indicate that abandoning the prevailing presumption against consent in favor of a presumption of consent on the part of the deceased will result in the deceased's wishes being honored two and three times more often for females and males, respectively. Three main arguments against a presumption of consent in this context are discussed: autonomy of the deceased, conflict of interest, and the decision-making capacity of a grieving spouse.
Erosion of phonon critical points in highly doped crystals

Abstract The infrared sideband structure at 15°K of CaF 2 with U-centers is studied as a function of U-center concentration.
Microstructure Control of Silicon Nitride by Seeding with Rodlike β‐Silicon Nitride Particles

The effect of seeding on microstructure development and mechanical properties of silicon nitride was investigated by the use of morphologically regulated rodlike β-Si3N4 singlecrystal particles with a diameter of 1 μm and a length of 4 μm as seed crystals. Silicon nitride with a bimodal microstructure was fabricated under a relatively low nitrogen gas pressure of 0.9 MPa owing to the epitaxial growth of β-silicon nitride from the seed particles. Grain growth from seeds followed the empirical equation Dn–D0n=kt, with growth exponents of 3 and 5 for the c-axis direction and the a-axis direction, respectively, being analogous to the kinetics of matrix grain growth. By seeding morphologically regulated particles, fracture toughness of silicon nitride was improved from 6.3 to 8.4–8.7 MPa·m1/2, retaining high strength levels of about 1 GPa.
Adenoidectomy vs endoscopic sinus surgery for the treatment of pediatric sinusitis.

Objective To assess the polysomnographic outcomes of patients with obstructive sleep apnea undergoing transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty for retropalatal collapse and to compare responders with nonresponders to surgery. Design Retrospective medical record review. Setting Tertiary referral teaching hospital and private practice. Patients Sixty patients undergoing transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty alone at a single sitting with preoperative and postoperative sleep studies were reviewed. Intervention Transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty. Main Outcome Measures Preoperative and postoperative polysomnographic data were analyzed and comparisons were assessed between responders and nonresponders. Results Following surgery, the mean (SD) respiratory disturbance index (RDI) decreased from 37.2 (20.4) to 15.4 (12.3), with an overall change of 21.8 (21.8) (95% confidence interval [CI], 16.2-27.4). Similarly, the mean (SD) arterial oxygen saturation nadir after transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty surgery improved from 83.9% (5.4%) to 87.4% (4.3%), with an overall change of 3.5% (5.9%) (95% CI, 2.0%-5.0%). Between the traditional Gothic arch incision (n = 31) and the propeller incision (n = 29) an observed 31% (95% CI, 7%-51%) difference in success rate in favor of the latter was noted. Conclusions Transpalatal advancement pharyngoplasty appears to be an effective and safe treatment option in selected patients. No preoperative variable was associated with surgical success in this study. The association of the propeller incision and surgical success requires further analysis.
Peripheral and central pathways regulating the kidney: a study using pseudorabies virus

We used the retrograde transneuronal transport of a neurotropic virus, pseudorabies virus (PRV), to identify the neurons in sympathetic ganglia, spinal cord and brain which regulate renal function and renal circulation. PRV was microinjected into the left kidney of 70, pentobarbital-anesthetized, male rats. After an incubation period of 1-4 days, rats were anesthetized and sacrificed. PRV-infected neurons were located immunocytochemically in pre- and paravertebral sympathetic ganglia, the intermediolateral cell column of the T10-T13 segments and several brainstem cell groups: the medullary raphe nuclei, rostral ventrolateral medulla, rostral ventromedial medulla, A5 cell group, and the paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus. In more heavily infected rats, additional labeling was found in the locus coeruleus, periaqueductal gray matter, lateral hypothalamic area, zona incerta, and anterior hypothalamic area. No infected propriospinal neurons were observed in the lateral spinal nucleus or gray matter of the caudal cervical, lumbosacral or thoracic spinal segments not containing infected putative sympathetic preganglionic neurons. The paucity of infected propriospinal neurons in the presence of infected brainstem neurons, even in lightly infected rats, is discussed in reference to the relative importance of descending vs spinal regulation of the sympathetic outflow to the kidney.
Yoda: a framework for the conceptual design VLSI systems

As the complexity of the VLSI design process grows, it becomes increasingly more costly to conduct design in a trial-and-error fashion because the number of possible design alternatives, as well as the cost of a complete synthesis and fabrication cycle, increase dramatically. A conceptual design addresses this problem by allowing the designer to conduct initial feasibility studies, giving guidance on the most promising design alternatives with a preliminary indication of estimated performance. The authors describe a general framework that supports this conceptual design and a particular instance of such a framework, called Yoda, that supports the conceptual design phase for digital signal processing filters. >
Promotion of experimental thrombus formation by the procoagulant activity of breast cancer cells

The routine observation of tumor emboli in the peripheral blood of patients with carcinomas raises questions about the clinical relevance of these circulating tumor cells. Thrombosis is a common clinical manifestation of cancer, and circulating tumor cells may play a pathogenetic role in this process. The presence of coagulation-associated molecules on cancer cells has been described, but the mechanisms by which circulating tumor cells augment or alter coagulation remains unclear. In this study we utilized suspensions of a metastatic adenocarcinoma cell line, MDA-MB-231, and a non-metastatic breast epithelial cell line, MCF-10A, as models of circulating tumor cells to determine the thromobogenic activity of these blood-foreign cells. In human plasma, both metastatic MDA-MB-231 cells and non-metastatic MCF-10A cells significantly enhanced clotting kinetics. The effect of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-10A cells on clotting times was cell number-dependent and inhibited by a neutralizing antibody to tissue factor (TF) as well as inhibitors of activated factor X and thrombin. Using fluorescence microscopy, we found that both MDA-MB-231 and MCF-10A cells supported the binding of fluorescently labeled thrombin. Furthermore, in a model of thrombus formation under pressure-driven flow, MDA-MB-231 and MCF-10A cells significantly decreased the time to occlusion. Our findings indicate that the presence of breast epithelial cells in blood can stimulate coagulation in a TF-dependent manner, suggesting that tumor cells that enter the circulation may promote the formation of occlusive thrombi under shear flow conditions.
Health related quality of life in older Mexican Americans with diabetes: A cross-sectional study

The older Hispanic population of the U.S. is growing at a tremendous rate. While ethnic-related risk and complications of diabetes are widely-acknowledged for older Hispanics, less is known about how health related quality of life is affected in this population. Cross-sectional study assessing differences in health related quality of life between older Mexican Americans with and without diabetes. Participants (n = 619) from the Hispanic Established Population for the Epidemiological Study of the Elderly were interviewed in their homes. The primary measure was the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-36). The sample was 59.6% female with a mean age of 78.3 (SD = 5.2) years. 31.2% (n = 193) of the participants were identified with diabetes. Individuals with diabetes had significantly (F = 19.35, p < .001) lower scores on the Physical Composite scale (mean = 37.50, SD = 12.69) of the SF-36 compared to persons without diabetes (mean = 43.04, SD = 12.22). There was no significant difference between persons with and without diabetes on the Mental Composite scale of the SF-36. Diabetes was associated with lower health related quality of life in older Mexican Americans. The physical components of health related quality of life uniformly differentiated those with diabetes from those without, whereas mental component scores were equivocal.
Commitment along the dorsoventral axis of the sea urchin embryo is altered in response to NiCl2

Few treatments are known that perturb the dorsoventral axis of the sea urchin embryo. We report here that the dorsoventral polarity of the sea urchin embryo can be disrupted by treatment of embryos with NiCl2. Lytechinus variegatus embryos treated with 0.5 mM NiCl2 from fertilization until the early gastrula stage appear morphologically normal until the midgastrula stage, when they fail to acquire the overt dorsoventral polarity characteristic of untreated siblings. The ectoderm of normal embryos possesses two ventrolateral thickenings just above the vegetal plate region. In nickel-treated embryos, these become expanded as a circumferential belt around the vegetal plate. The ectoderm just ventral to the animal pole normally invaginates to form a stomodeum, which then fuses with the tip of the archenteron to produce the mouth. In nickel-treated embryos, the stomodeal invagination is expanded to become a circumferential constriction, and it eventually pinches off as the tip of the archenteron fuses with it to produce a mouth. Primary mesenchyme cells form a ring in the lateral ectoderm, but as many as a dozen spicule rudiments can form in a radial pattern. Dorsoventral differentiation of ectodermal tissues is profoundly perturbed: nickel-treated embryos underexpress transcripts of the dorsal (aboral) gene LvS1, they overexpress the ventral (oral) ectodermal gene product, EctoV, and the ciliated band is shifted to the vegetal margin of the embryo. Although some dorsoventral abnormalities are observed, animal-vegetal differentiation of the archenteron and associated structures seems largely normal, based on the localization of region-specific gene products. Gross differentiation of primary mesenchyme cells seems unaffected, since nickel-treated embryos possess the normal number of these cells. Furthermore, when all primary mesenchyme cells are removed from nickel-treated embryos, some secondary mesenchyme cells undergo the process of “conversion” (Ettensohn, C. A. and McClay, D. R. (1988) Dev. Biol. 125, 396–409), migrating to sites where the larval skeleton would ordinarily form and subsequently producing spicule rudiments. However, the skeletal pattern formed by the converted cells is completely radialized. Our data suggest that a major effect of NiCl2 is to alter commitment of ectodermal cells along the dorsoventral axis. Among the consequences appears to be a disruption of pattern formation by mesenchyme cells.
Are Dislocations Unimportant

Line defects in a crystalline material are known as dislocations (unless they’re disclinations, which we ignore because they’re much more difficult and not nearly as important in ceramics). In contrast to point defects, dislocations never exist in thermodynamic equilibrium because they have formation energies of ~1 eV (or more) per atom along the line and there is no significant balancing entropy contribution as there is for point defects. They are almost always present in crystals because of how the crystal grew or because it was deformed. Dislocations thus usually form due to nonequilibrium conditions, such as thermal and mechanical processing, or for thin films and single crystals, during growth. There are two special types of dislocation.
Understanding the diffusion of ambulatory surgery centers.

Background. Outpatient surgery is increasingly delivered at freestanding ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), which are thought to deliver quality care at lower costs per episode. The objective of this study was to understand potential facilitators and/or barriers to the introduction of freestanding ASCs in the United States. Methods. This is an observational study conducted from 2008 to 2010 using a 20% sample of Medicare claims. Potential determinants of ASC dissemination, including population, system, and legal factors, were compared between markets that always had ASCs, never had ASCs, and those that had new ASCs open during the study. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine characteristics of markets associated with the opening of a new facility in a previously naive market. Results. New ASCs opened in 67 previously naive markets between 2008 and 2010. ASCs were more likely to open in hospital service areas that were urban (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 4.10; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1...
Genetic targeting of the endoderm with claudin‐6CreER

A full description of the ontogeny of the β cell would guide efforts to generate β cells from embryonic stem cells (ESCs). The first step requires an understanding of definitive endoderm: the genes and signals responsible for its specification, proliferation, and patterning. This report describes a global marker of definitive endoderm, Claudin-6 (Cldn6). We report its expression in early development with particular attention to definitive endoderm derivatives. To create a genetic system to drive gene expression throughout the definitive endoderm with both spatial and temporal control, we target the endogenous locus with an inducible Cre recombinase (Cre-ERT2) cassette. Cldn6 null mice are viable and fertile with no obvious phenotypic abnormalities. We also report a lineage analysis of the fate of Cldn6-expressing embryonic cells, which is relevant to the development of the pancreas, lung, and liver.
Middleware for multimedia mobile collaborative system

Although various collaborative systems have successfully improved enterprise work efficiency, mobile collaborative systems, which allow collaboration via wireless networks and mobile devices, still lack robust functionality and content representation support. The paper proposes a novel mobile collaboration framework for multimedia content generation, representation and delivery. A unified file format and a message queue management middleware, designed for, and employed in, a heterogeneous computing environment, are also discussed.
UV light-induced reactivation of herpes simplex virus type 2 and prevention by acyclovir.

UV B light is a potent stimulus for inducing reactivation of latent herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. Patients were enrolled in a double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial to determine whether acyclovir can prevent UV light-induced HSV-2 recurrences. Twenty-four patients with a history of recurrent infection of perigenital sites (e.g., buttock, thigh) were exposed one to four times with 4 minimum erythema doses of UV light. Patients were given acyclovir 200 mg orally five times daily or matched placebo beginning 1 day before each exposure and continuing for 5 days after exposure. There were 13 UV-induced recurrences among 36 placebo treatments and 3 after 38 acyclovir treatments (P = .004). The mean time to recurrence (+/- SE) was 4.8 +/- 0.3 days. HSV-2 lesions developed primarily at the site of UV exposure. The cutaneous distribution and timing of UV-induced recurrences was consistent with a neural localization (dorsal root ganglia) of latent viral infection. This UV light model permits direct examination of events leading to HSV-2 recurrences in humans and can be used to evaluate approaches to prevention.
A Perceptual Traffic Jam on Highway N170 Interference Between Face and Car Expertise

Whether face processing is modular or not has been the topic of a lively empirical and theoretical debate. In expert observers, the perception of nonface objects in their domain of expertise is remarkably similar to their perception of faces, in patterns of both behavioral performance and brain activation, providing some evidence against the modularity of face perception. However, the studies that have yielded these results do not rule out the possibility that object expertise and face processing occur in spatially overlapping, but functionally independent, brain regions. Recent research using an interference paradigm reveals that expert object (car) processing interferes with face processing. The level of interference was proportional to an individual's level of car expertise. These results may provide the most direct evidence to date that face and object recognition are not functionally independent.
Harmonizing the Nation: Margaret Fuller and the Music of Antebellum America

In August of 1846, Margaret Fuller – one of the most influential feminist intellectuals in American history – sailed from New York City to Europe prepared to continue her work as the lead columnist for the New-York Tribune. As it was planned by Fuller and Horace Greeley – the Tribune's editor – while abroad, Fuller would work as an international correspondent and send to the Tribune letters of her travels that recorded her thoughts about Europe, which she did from late 1846 until late 1849, with her final piece appearing in the 6 January 1850 edition of the paper. In ‘Letter No. XI’ (1847) of Fuller's more than 30 European dispatches to the Tribune, she recounted for her readers several of the operas that she attended while in Paris. After first reviewing Robert le Diable, Guillaume Tell, L'Elisire d'Amore and Semiramide in this 31 March letter, Fuller turned her attention to a performance of Mozart's Don Giovanni. Fuller assessed Don Giovanni differently from the other operas in her letter. Rather than highlight the merits of the singers or staging, she prefaced her review with an account of her decision to take ether in an attempt to alleviate the pain she had been suffering as a result of toothache. In some depth, Fuller described the pleasurable sensations that she had experienced because of the ether. As she noted, however, the treatment had not stopped her discomfort. This troubled her on more than one level. For one, she was in acute pain; but Fuller was also worried that her suffering might make it difficult for her to sit through the entirety of Don Giovanni. Fuller had long wanted to attend this opera, so despite her concern she went. Her choice to go would delight her, for as Fuller wrote in her letter, once Don Giovanni began, ‘the music soothed the nerves’ of her toothache ‘at once’. But even more wonderful than this, she explained, was that, after hearing Mozart's music, the pain from her toothache ‘left [her] from that time’ on.
Comparison of tongue muscle characteristics of preterm and full term infants during nutritive and nonnutritive sucking.

Abstract Background Independent oral feeding requires coordination of suck, swallow and breathe and the lingual musculature plays a significant role in this coordinative action. However, clinical benchmarks of lingual function fundamental to successful feeding have not been explored. Aims The present study tests our model for quantifying infant lingual force and size and compares the muscle measures of interest in two cohorts: healthy full-term infants (FT) (N = 5) and healthy preterm infants (PT) (N = 6). Method Using an instrumented pacifier and bottle nipple, we determined the resultant compressive forces applied to the nipple by the tongue during nutritive (NS) and nonnutritive sucking (NNS). Muscle size was estimated from measures of posterior tongue thickness using ultrasonography. Results After controlling for weight and post menstrual age, statistically significant differences were found between FT and PT infants beginning to feed for NNS frequency and NS tongue force. Clinically significant differences were detected for NNS tongue force and posterior tongue thickness. Additionally, PT infants demonstrated a significant difference in mean tongue force between NS and NNS and FT infants did not. FT infants demonstrated a significant difference in mean frequency between NS and NNS and PT infants did not. Linear regression indicated that mean posterior tongue thickness alone predicted 55% of the variance in NS force. Conclusions Results demonstrate the feasibility of our approach and suggest that infant tongue muscle characteristics necessary for successful feeding differ between healthy full term infants and preterm infants who are beginning oral feeding.
Methodologies and tools for pipelined on-chip interconnect

As processes shrink, gate delay improves much faster than the delay in long wires. Therefore, the long wires increasingly determine the maximum clock rate, and hence performance, of more and more chips. One solution to this problem is to pipeline the global interconnect, enabling the whole chip to run at the speed of local operations. While known to work well, this optimization is seldom used because of practical difficulties - it is hard to change the RTL, test vectors become invalid, and it's hard to prove correctness of any changes. Here we look at some ways these difficulties could be overcome.
Active MEMS Valves for Flow Control in a High-Pressure Micro-Gas-Analyzer

We present active electrostatic MEMS gas valves for Micro-Gas-Analyzer (MGA) flow control. These unique valves enable extremely low dead volume, highly integrated flow control chips for the MGA application, and potentially others (e.g., propulsion, pneumatic, and thermodynamic microsystems). We have demonstrated low leak rates ( ; 25 sccm) using control voltages on the order of 100 V. The valve designs presented eliminate charge build-up issues associated with insulating materials and are closely tied to a base-lined microfabrication process (SUMMiT), allowing mass production. Using this process, which incorporates only CMOS compatible materials, eliminates outgassing and absorption problems inherent to microvalve designs that incorporate elastomers or organic bonding layers, and reduces contamination when the valve is part of the chemical analysis flowpath. The results obtained indicate that even higher performance level valves (>; 1.4 × 106 N/m2 or 200 psig operating pressure, at similar control voltage, flow rates, and leak rates) are possible.
Comments on “Effects of Change Interventions: What Kind of Evidence Do We Really Have?”:

This is a very important article that should start an important conversation about the state of research in the field of organization change and development. I agree completely with the premise of the article that change strategies and interventions should ideally be chosen based on evidence, not intuition or values about change. The article does an excellent job of framing the scientific principles by which research should be evaluated. The four-level classification of research based on the extent to which the study is controlled and enables conclusions about internal validity is sensible and grounded in accepted standards of normal science research. Although one might argue with the way in which the sample of studies was chosen, changing the sampling criteria would only make marginal changes in findings. Consequently, the findings that the vast majority of research in organization change does not come close to meeting standards for normal science research is defensible. Indeed, if asked in advance of the study I would have predicted these findings. The conclusion that the wide variety of variables and measures being employed is hindering the convergence of knowledge about what works and does not work is also valid and has been cited by many others as a barrier to progress. The article is, therefore, an important challenge to the field of change management with which I agree. It should cause scholar-consultants who are in a position to encourage senior managers to undertake meaningful research to evaluate their practice. Having said this, I have reservations about some of the implicit and explicit conclusions of the article. I offer these to encourage more complexity in our thinking about the reasons for the current state of intervention research and what might be done about it. Let me start with a critique of the research method the authors employ. The method is too distanced to enable us to learn more about how the poorer research designs were executed. The authors fail to examine a subsample of these studies to learn if the
Education experiments in thermodynamics

Summary form only given. Over the last five years, a series of education experiments were performed in introductory thermodynamics classes for sophomore and junior engineer students at Penn State University, USA. The class sizes ranged from 12 to 70, and students enrolled in the classes were from mechanical, aerospace, nuclear and civil engineering departments. In most cases, these experiments were conducted in standard three period per week formats.