cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Thermal and Wetting Properties of Tin/Silver Alloy Nanoparticles for Low Melting Point Lead-Free Solders

Tin/silver alloy nanoparticles with various sizes were synthesized via a low-temperature chemical reduction method, and their thermal properties were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. The particle size dependency of the melting temperature and the latent heat of fusion was observed. The melting point was achieved as low as 194 °C when the average diameter of the alloy nanoparticles was around 10 nm. The wetting test for as-prepared 64 nm (average diameter) SnAg alloy nanoparticle pastes on a Cu surface showed the typical Cu6Sn5 intermetallic compound (IMC) formation. These low melting point SnAg alloy nanoparticles could be used for low-temperature lead-free interconnect applications.
Nuclear Pairs and Gamma-Radiation from Excited States of O 16

The nuclear pairs and gamma-radiation from the reaction ${\mathrm{F}}^{19}(p\ensuremath{\alpha}){\mathrm{O}}^{16*}$ have been studied at several of the resonances from 840 to 1380-kev proton bombarding energy. The pair spectrum agrees well with that predicted theoretically for nuclear pairs, showing clearly that the pairs observed are not due to internal conversion of gamma-radiation. The end point observed yields 6.04\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03 Mev for the location of the first excited state of ${\mathrm{O}}^{16}$. The gamma-radiation comprises at least two components, with relative intensities differing for the four resonances studied. The energies observed are 6.14\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04 Mev and 6.99\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.05 Mev at the 873.5 and 1381-kev resonances, and 6.14\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04 Mev and 7.09\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06 Mev at the 939-kev resonance.
Familism, Socialism and Political Religion in North Korea

In the eighth volume of Kim Il Sung’s ‘autobiography’, published posthumously in 1998, Kim attributes the successful development of the Soviet Union into a great power to the wise leadership of Sta...
Structural Properties of the Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycans of Brain

The heparan sulfate proteoglycans present in a deoxycholate extract of rat brain were purified by ion exchange chromatography, affinity chromatography on lipoprotein lipase agarose, and gel filtration. Heparitinase treatment of the heparan sulfate proteoglycan fraction (containing 86% heparan sulfate and 10% chondroitin sulfate) that was eluted from the lipoprotein lipase affinity column with 1 M NaCl led to the appearance of a major protein core with a molecular size of 55,000 daltons, as determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Comparison of the effects of heparinase and heparitinase treatment revealed that the heparan sulfate proteoglycans of brain contain a significant proportion of relatively short N-sulfoglucosaminyl 6-O-sulfate [or N-sulfoglucosaminyl](alpha 1-4)iduronosyl 2-O-sulfate(alpha 1-4) repeating units and that the portions of the heparan sulfate chains in the vicinity of the carbohydrate-protein linkage region are characterized by the presence of D-glucuronic acid rather than L-iduronic acid. After chondroitinase treatment of a proteoglycan fraction that contained 62% chondroitin sulfate and 21% heparan sulfate (eluted from lipoprotein lipase with 0.4 M NaCl), the charge and density of a portion of the heparan sulfate-containing proteoglycans decreased significantly. These results indicate that a population of "hybrid" brain proteoglycans exists that contain both chondroitin sulfate and heparan sulfate chains covalently linked to a common protein core.
Human T-lymphocyte cytotoxicity and proliferation directed by a single chimeric TCRzeta /CD28 receptor.

Artificial receptors provide a promising approach to target T lymphocytes to tumor antigens. However, the receptors described thus far produce either an activation or a co-stimulatory signal alone, thus limiting the spectrum of functions accomplished by the genetically modified cells. Here we show that human primary T lymphocytes expressing fusion receptors directed to prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) and containing combined T-cell receptor-ζ (TCRζ), and CD28 signaling elements, effectively lyse tumor cells expressing PSMA. When stimulated by cell-surface PSMA, retrovirally transduced lymphocytes undergo robust proliferation, expanding by more than 2 logs in three weeks, and produce large amounts of interleukin-2 (IL-2). Importantly, the amplified cell populations retain their antigen-specific cytolytic activity. These data demonstrate that fusion receptors containing both TCR and CD28 signaling moieties are potent molecules able to redirect and amplify human T-cell responses. These findings have important implications for adoptive immunotherapy of cancer, especially in the context of tumor cells that fail to express major histocompatibility complex antigens and co-stimulatory molecules.
Mycobacterial arabinan biosynthesis: the use of synthetic arabinoside acceptors in the development of an arabinosyl transfer assay

C]-B-D- d [1-arabinofuranosyl-1-monophosphoryldecaprenol as donorand a variety of O- and 5-aIkyl arabinosides as acceptors.These were: a-D-Ara/-(l—>5)-a-D-Ara/-0- and -5-alkyl di-arabinosides and a-D-Ara/-(l-»5)-a-D-Ara/-(l—»5)-a-n-Araf-O- and -S-alkyI triarabinosides. Whereas the O- and5-alkyl monosaccharide acceptors were inactive, the O- and5-alkyl disaccharide and the O- and 5-alkyl trisaccharideacceptors ( 5) arabinosyltransferase and B-D-arabinofuranosyl-1-monophosphoryl-decaprenol: arabinan B(l—»2) arabinosyl transferase. TheB(l—»2) arabinosyl transferase activity was more in evi-dence in the presence of the O-alkyl disaccharide acceptor,whereas both transferases were about equivalent in thepresence of the 5-alkyl trisaccharide acceptor. The tuber-culosis drug, ethambutol, a known mycobacterial arabino-syl transferase inhibitor, was inactive within these arabi-nosyl transferase/acceptor based assay systems, supportingother evidence that a third activity, responsible for the for-mation of ofl—>3 linkage, is the drug targetKey words: acceptor/arabinan/biosynthesis/glycosyltrans-ferase assay/mycobacteriaIntroductionThe public health problems posed by drug-resistant Mycobac-terium tuberculosis coupled with the global rise in tuberculosisitself present a serious threat to human health (Hueber et al,1995) and necessitate the development of new drug targets anddrugs. The unique D-arabinans of the mycobacterial cell wallare present in two settings, as part of the cell wall complex (i.e.,the mycolylarabinogalactan-peptidoglycan (mAGP) complexand lipoarabinomannan (LAM)), and in view of the xenobioticstatus of D-arabinofuranose (D-Ara/) in the human host (Besraand Chatterjee, 1994; Brennan and Nikaido, 1995; Lee et al.,1996), arabinan synthesis provides an attractive target for thedevelopment of new drugs. We have described the composition(Wolucka et al, 1994) and chemical synthesis (Lee et al.,1995) of the immediate arabinos
Linear constraints in hot clutter cancellation

This paper addresses the use of adaptive array signal processing in airborne radar systems to remove terrain-scattered interference, or hot clutter. Mitigation of terrain scattered interference in airborne radar systems involves cancellation of reflections from a multiplicity of ground reflector locations each having potentially different directions of arrival, time delay, and Doppler. This paper presents a specific methodology for the use of a space-time adaptive processor in which successive time samples from each sensor output are combined adaptively. Multiple constraints are employed to ensure that the desired signal characteristics are maintained. The approach presented achieves effective elimination of hot clutter while simultaneously either maximizing the signal-to-noise ratio of the desired signal or to providing a distortionless time estimate of the signal. Examples are presented using recorded data from the Mountaintop Program to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach and to show comparisons with previous approaches.
3-D seismic modeling for cracked media: Shear‐wave splitting at zero‐offset

Splitting of zero‐offset reflected shear‐waves is measured directly from three‐component finite‐difference synthetic seismograms for media with intersecting vertical crack systems. Splitting is simulated numerically (by finite differencing) as a function of crack density, aspect ratio, fluid content, bulk density, and the angle between the crack systems. The type of anisotropy symmetry in media containing two intersecting vertical crack systems depends on the angular relation between the cracks and their relative crack densities, and it may be horizontal transverse isotropy (HTI), tetragonal, orthorhombic, or monoclinic. The transition from one symmetry to another is visible in the splitting behavior. The polarities of the reflected quasi‐shear waves polarized perpendicular and parallel to the source particle motion distinguish between HTI and orthorhombic media. The dependence of the measured amount of splitting on crack density for HTI symmetry is consistent with that predicted theoretically by the shea...
Metabolic Carbon Fluxes and Biosynthesis of Polyhydroxyalkanoates in Ralstonia eutropha on Short Chain Fatty Acids

Short chain fatty acids such as acetic, propionic, and butyric acids can be synthesized into polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) by Ralstonia eutropha. Metabolic carbon fluxes of the acids in living cells have significant effect on the yield, composition, and thermomechanical properties of PHA bioplastics. Based on the general knowledge of central metabolism pathways and the unusual metabolic pathways in R. eutropha, a metabolic network of 41 bioreactions is constructed to analyze the carbon fluxes on utilization of the short chain fatty acids. In fed-batch cultures with constant feeding of acid media, carbon metabolism and distribution in R. eutropha were measured involving CO2, PHA biopolymers, and residual cell mass. As the cells underwent unsteady state metabolism and PHA biosynthesis under nitrogen-limited conditions, accumulative carbon balance was applied for pseudo-steady-state analysis of the metabolic carbon fluxes. Cofactor NADP/NADPH balanced between PHA synthesis and the C3/C4 pathway provided an independent constraint for solution of the underdetermined metabolic network. A major portion of propionyl-CoA was directed to pyruvate via the 2-methylcitrate cycle and further decarboxylated to acetyl-CoA. Only a small amount of propionate carbon (<15% carbon) was directly condensed with acetyl-CoA for 3-hydroxyvalerate. The ratio of glyoxylate shunt to TCA cycle varies from 0 to 0.25, depending on the intracellular acetyl-CoA level and acetic acid in the medium. Malate is the node of the C3/C4 pathway and TCA cycle and its decarboxylation to dehydrogenation ranges from 0.33 to 1.28 in response to the demands on NADPH and oxaloacetate for short chain fatty acids utilization.
Physics and technology challenges of ultra low emittance synchrotron light sources

The opportunities and challenges presented by the development of ever-higher brightness synchrotron radiation sources are discussed. The use of greater brightness in imaging and orbit stability is discussed. High brightness is also examined for high temporal coherence. >
Use of in vivo-induced antigen technology for identification of Escherichia coli O157:H7 proteins expressed during human infection

Using in vivo-induced antigen technology (IVIAT), a modified immunoscreening technique that circumvents the need for animal models, we directly identified immunogenic Escherichia coli O157:H7 (O157) proteins expressed either specifically during human infection but not during growth under standard laboratory conditions or at significantly higher levels in vivo than in vitro. IVIAT identified 223 O157 proteins expressed during human infection, several of which were unique to this study. These in vivo-induced (ivi) proteins, encoded by ivi genes, mapped to the backbone, O islands (OIs), and pO157. Lack of in vitro expression of O157-specific ivi proteins was confirmed by proteomic analysis of a mid-exponential-phase culture of E. coli O157 grown in LB broth. Because ivi proteins are expressed in response to specific cues during infection and might help pathogens adapt to and counter hostile in vivo environments, those identified in this study are potential targets for drug and vaccine development. Also, such proteins may be exploited as markers of O157 infection in stool specimens.
The Experience of Symptoms of Depression in Men vs Women: Analysis of the National Comorbidity Survey Replication

RESULTS Men reported higher rates of anger attacks/aggression, substance abuse, and risk taking compared with women. Analyses using the scale that included alternative, male-type symptoms of depression found that a higher proportion of men (26.3%) than women (21.9%) (P = .007) met criteria for depression. Analyses using the scale that included alternative and traditional depression symptoms found that men and women met criteria for depression in equal proportions: 30.6% of men and 33.3% of women (P =. 57).
Autonomic Ranking and Selection of Web Services by Using Single Value Decomposition Technique

With the proliferation of Web services as a business solution to enterprise application integration, ranking and selecting the best Web services among the providers become an important factor in the success of the business solution. Quality of service (QoS) determines the quality and usability of a service including its price, performance, reliability, integrity, accessibility, availability, interoperability, and security. Given a set of QoS attributes from a variety of sources, it is a challenge to sort through all of them and be able to get the best services that meet QoS requirement. In this paper, we describe a novel method by which Web services can be ranked and selected automatically based on a number of observed QoS parameters and feedback responses learned from prior knowledge. This new approach treats the observed Web services QoS attributes and target Web services relationship, represented by a matrix, as a statistical problem. Using singular value decomposition (SVD) technique, and an user assisted weighting system, implicit higher order correlations among Web services and their associated QoS attributes are extracted and used to estimate the selection of recommended Web services.
Maximum Temperature Rise in the Reacted Zone of Electrochemical Devices for Space Applications

A model to predict the temperature rise in the reacted zone of discharging electrochemical devices has been developed. The model assumes that electrode kinetics are fast and concentration gradients are negligible. In the reacted zone, a thermal boundary layer grows, and its thickness is proportional to the reacted zone thickness. In the model, the temperature rise is predicted using the one-dimensional heat diffusion equation for a porous medium. The effective heat capacity per unit volume and effective thermal conductivity are defined as a function of electrode porosity. The instantaneous power per unit area dissipated in the reacted zone is used as a source term in the heat diffusion equation. With fixed parameters such as discharge current density, charge capacity per unit volume, electrode electrical conductivity, electrode porosity, and thermophysical properties of the pore-space fluid and electrode, the transient temperature distribution in the reacted zone is derived in closed-form. Subsequently, the maximum electrode temperature is readily obtained, and the maximum electrode temperature at complete discharge is derived. A new dimensionless parameter, the electro-thermal number, emerges as one of the most important parameters controlling the discharge time and maximum temperature rise.
The classification of small weakly minimal sets. III: Modules

Classification des petits ensembles faiblement minimaux. Demonstration d'une conjecture de Vaught
The personal satellite assistant: an internal spacecraft autonomous mobile monitor

This paper presents an overview of the research and development effort at the NASA Ames Research Center to create an internal spacecraft autonomous mobile monitor capable of performing intra-vehicular sensing activities by autonomously navigating onboard the International Space Station. We describe the capabilities, mission roles, rationale, high-level functional requirements, and design challenges for an autonomous mobile monitor. The rapid prototyping design methodology used, in which five prototypes of increasing fidelity are designed, is described as well as the status of these prototypes, of which two are operational and being tested, and one is actively being designed. The physical test facilities used to perform ground testing are briefly described, including a micro-gravity test facility that permits a prototype to propel itself in 3 dimensions with 6 degrees-of-freedom as if it were in a micro-gravity environment. We also describe an overview of the autonomy framework and its components including the software simulators used in the development process. Sample mission test scenarios are also described. The paper concludes with a discussion of future and related work followed by the summary.
Hysteresis parameter identification with limited experimental data

The Preisach operator and its variants have been successfully used in the modeling of hysteresis observed in ferromagnetic, magnetostrictive, and piezoelectric materials. However, in designing with these "smart" materials, one has to determine a density function for the Preisach operator by using the input-output behavior of the material at hand. In this paper, we describe a method for numerically determining an approximation of the density function when there is not enough experimental data to uniquely solve for the actual density function by Mayergoyz's method. We present theoretical justification for our method by establishing links to regularization methods for ill-posed problems. We also present numerical results where we estimate an approximate density function from data published in the literature for a magnetostrictive actuator and two electroactive polymers.
Women's attitudes toward testing for fragile X carrier status: a qualitative analysis.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is primarily due to a repeat expansion mutation found in the FMR1 X-linked gene. We have conducted a qualitative analysis of responses from women concerning their attitudes toward testing for carrier status of the fragile X mutation among reproductive-age women. We obtained responses from focus groups including women with and without FXS in their families. We found the following themes: (1) mothers of children with FXS have difficulty formulating their opinions on population screening because of their unique experiences surrounding their own carrier diagnosis and their relationship with their children with FXS, (2) the motivation for carrier testing and need for information differ by family history of FXS and parental status, and (3) the timing of carrier testing with respect to a woman’s life stage dictates whether carrier information will be viewed as beneficial or detrimental. There was evidence that non-carrier women from the general population would be wholly unprepared for positive carrier results. These findings have significant implications for genetic counseling as well as for population screening.
The Small Leucine-Rich Repeat Proteoglycan Biglycan Binds to α-Dystroglycan and Is Upregulated in Dystrophic Muscle

The dystrophin-associated protein complex (DAPC) is necessary for maintaining the integrity of the muscle cell plasma membrane and may also play a role in coordinating signaling events at the cell surface. The α-/β-dystroglycan subcomplex of the DAPC forms a critical link between the cytoskeleton and the extracellular matrix. A ligand blot overlay assay was used to search for novel dystroglycan binding partners in postsynaptic membranes from Torpedo electric organ. An ∼125-kD dystroglycan-binding polypeptide was purified and shown by peptide microsequencing to be the Torpedo ortholog of the small leucine-rich repeat chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan biglycan. Biglycan binding to α-dystroglycan was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation with both native and recombinant α-dystroglycan. The biglycan binding site was mapped to the COOH-terminal third of α-dystroglycan. Glycosylation of α-dystroglycan is not necessary for this interaction, but binding is dependent upon the chondroitin sulfate side chains of biglycan. In muscle, biglycan is detected at both synaptic and nonsynaptic regions. Finally, biglycan expression is elevated in muscle from the dystrophic mdx mouse. These findings reveal a novel binding partner for α-dystroglycan and demonstrate a novel avenue for interaction of the DAPC and the extracellular matrix. These results also raise the possibility of a role for biglycan in the pathogenesis, and perhaps the treatment, of muscular dystrophy.
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Systems: An Empirical Analysis of Benefits

This paper uses a database, derived from a data repository, in order to do an analysis of enterprise resource planning (ERP) system benefits. ERP benefits are important for a number of reasons, including establishing a match between what ERP systems benefits are—as compared to ERP expectations—setting a benchmark for other firms, and measuring those benefits. ERP benefits also are central to the business case for deciding whether a firm will invest in an ERP system. It is found that some benefits vary across industry, while others seem to be important to firms independent of industry. In particular, tangible benefits are largely industry‐independent, while intangible benefits vary across industry. In addition, when compared to an earlier study by Deloitte Consulting, the results are statistically consistent with their findings, but find substantial additional intangible benefits.
32P Labeling of Protein Phosphorylation and Metabolite Association in the Mitochondria Matrix

Abstract Protein phosphorylations, as well as phosphate metabolite binding, are well characterized post‐translational mechanisms that regulate enzyme activity in the cytosol, but remain poorly defined in mitochondria. Recently extensive matrix protein phosphorylation sites have been discovered but their functional significance is unclear. Herein we describe methods of using 32 P labeling of intact mitochondria to determine the dynamic pools of protein phosphorylation as well as phosphate metabolite association. This screening approach may be useful in not only characterizing the dynamics of these pools, but also provide insight into which phosphorylation sites have a functional significance. Using the mitochondrial ATP synthetic capacity under appropriate conditions, inorganic 32 P was added to energized mitochondria to generate high specific activity γ‐P 32 ‐ATP in the matrix. In general, SDS denaturing and gel electrophoresis was used to primarily follow protein phosphorylation, whereas native gel techniques were used to observe weaker metabolite associations since the structure of mitochondrial complexes was minimally affected. The protein phosphorylation and metabolite association within the matrix was found to be extensive using these approaches. 32 P labeling in 2D gels was detected in over 40 proteins, including most of the complexes of the cytochrome chain and proteins associated with intermediary metabolism, biosynthetic pathways, membrane transport, and reactive oxygen species metabolism. 32 P pulse‐chase experiments further revealed the overall dynamics of these processes that included phosphorylation site turnover as well as phosphate–protein pool size alterations. The high sensitivity of 32 P resulted in many proteins being intensely labeled, but not identified due to the sensitivity limitations of mass spectrometry. These low concentration proteins may represent signaling proteins within the matrix. These results demonstrate that the mitochondrial matrix phosphoproteome is both extensive and dynamic. The use of this, in situ , labeling approach is extremely valuable in confirming protein phosphorylation sites as well as examining the dynamics of these processes under near physiological conditions.
Diagnosing Subtle Forms of Potentially Life-Threatening Diseases⁎

Within the first few months of my practice, I changed the life of a young physician referred for right ventricular (RV) outflow tract ventricular tachycardia (VT) with the diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy/dysplasia (ARVC/D). This was an uncomfortable moment, but not one
Racial/Ethnic Differences in Trajectories of Cognitive Function in Older Adults: Role of Education, Smoking, and Physical Activity.

Objective: The objective of this study is to (a) examine racial/ethnic differences in trajectories of cognitive function and (b) evaluate the role of education and health behaviors (physical activity [PA] and smoking) as mediators of racial/ethnic differences in the rate of decline in cognitive function in older adults. Method: Data for this study came from the Health and Retirement Study (n = 3,424). Hierarchical linear models were used to define the trajectory of cognitive function between 2002 and 2008. Participants were classified based on PA as non–vigorously active, intermittent vigorously active, and consistently vigorously active. Results: After adding education, the Hispanic’s and Black’s disparities in cognitive performance were slightly attenuated (Hispanics, β = −1.049, p < .001; Blacks, β = −3.397, p < .001) but were still different from Whites. Smoking was not associated with the cognition intercept or rate of decline. Discussion: We found education had a partial mediating effect on racial d...
Abstract 2668: Lacunar Strokes In Patients With Symptomatic Intracranial Stenosis

Background and Purpose: Lacunar strokes are conventionally attributed to a distinct microvascular pathophysiology, but the “lacunar hypothesis” has been challenged since some small deep infarcts are identified in patients with sources of cardioembolism or large vessel atherosclerotic disease. We hypothesized that patients with intracranial stenosis with a lacunar stroke presentation would have a lower risk of recurrent stroke than those with an index non-lacunar stroke, and that their recurrent strokes would predominantly be lacunar. Methods: We analyzed subjects enrolled with an index stroke into the Warfarin Aspirin Symptomatic Intracranial Disease (WASID) trial. The index and endpoint strokes were classified as lacunar or non-lacunar by central adjudication. The primary endpoint was recurrent ischemic stroke. Cox proportional hazard models were generated with stratification for severity of stenosis. Results: 347 subjects were enrolled after an index stroke, 38 were lacunar and 309 were non-lacunar. Over a mean follow-up of 1.8 years there was no significant difference in stroke recurrence between patients whose index stroke was lacunar (7/38; 18%) vs. non-lacunar (69/309; 22%) (HR 0.79, 95%CI: 0.36-1.71). Further, no significant differences were found when groups were stratified by 50-69% stenosis (HR 0.50, 95%CI:0.12-2.1) and ≥70% stenosis (HR 0.87, 95%CI: 0.34-2.2) but power was limited. Of the 7 recurrent strokes in patients whose index stroke was lacunar, all 7 were non-lacunar and 3 were in the territory of the stenotic artery. Of the 69 recurrent strokes in patients whose index stroke was non-lacunar, 6 (9%) were lacunar of which 4 were in the territory of the stenotic artery. Conclusions: The risk of recurrent stroke due to intracranial stenosis was similar in patients who presented with lacunar vs. non-lacunar strokes, and all recurrent strokes in patients presenting with lacunar stroke were non-lacunar. These findings suggest that the pathophysiology of index and recurrent strokes in patients presenting with a lacunar stroke and intracranial stenosis is related to the stenosis and not microvascular disease. Therefore, patients with intracranial stenosis who present with lacunar strokes should be included in future trials investigating secondary stroke prevention for symptomatic intracranial stenosis.
Proximal tibial 90-90 traction in treatment of children with femoral-shaft fractures.

The results of skeletal traction for the treatment of eighty-one femoral-shaft fractures in children are described. The traction pin, placed through the proximal end of the tibia, allows traction suspension of the extremity in 90 degrees of flexion at the hip and knee. Position, length, and alignment were easy to obtain, and patient care was very easy. The healing was prompt, and the average time in traction was from three to four weeks followed by a spica cast for an average of from five to six weeks. The average duration of limited activity was from three to four months. In children over ten years old or weighing more than forty-five kilograms, knee pain, angulation, and difficulty in maintaining length were frequent problems. Therefore, 90-90 traction is not recommended for treating such children. No serious complications occurred. Potential complications of treatment were sought, but none was found. Only two significant limb-length inequalities occurred.
Designing the Management System

The article discusses the process of developing a hospital management system. From a systems viewpoint, the hospital under discussion can be considered a total system composed of sub-systems, such ...
Design and Implementation of Hybrid Communication Network in Intelligent Distribution

A variety of communication methods co-exist in intelligent distribution automation system,and it is difficult for any method to cover all the stations.Through the research on the key techniques:seamless connection,rate optimization and network protection,this paper introduces a hybrid communication solution and conducts the typical designs for different distribution lines.
State of Data Guidance in Journal Policies: A Case Study in Oncology

This article reports the results of a study examining the state of data guidance provided to authors by 50 oncology journals. The purpose of the study was the identification of data practices addressed in the journals’ policies. While a number of studies have examined data sharing practices among researchers, little is known about how journals address data sharing. Thus, what was discovered through this study has practical implications for journal publishers, editors, and researchers. The findings indicate that journal publishers should provide more meaningful and comprehensive data guidance to prospective authors. More specifically, journal policies requiring data sharing, should direct researchers to relevant data repositories , and offer better metadata consultation to strengthen existing journal policies. By providing adequate guidance for authors, and helping investigators to meet data sharing mandates, scholarly journal publishers can play a vital role in advancing access to research data.
Host Cell-Directed Interactions with Toxoplasma Influence Pathogenesis

Toxoplasma gondii infects an estimated 1.5 million humans annually in the United States and likely many more around the globe. Although in healthy individuals infection produces few symptoms, bradyzoites form parasite cysts that remain permanently in host tissues. Recrudescence from these cysts in the immunocompromised host can give rise to the lytic tachyzoite stage responsible for overt clinical toxoplasmosis. Thus, transmission to human populations can be dangerous not only to the developing fetus and in AIDS, but also to those undergoing chemotherapy or treatment with immunosuppressive drugs following organ transplant.
Plasticity of Candida albicans Biofilms

Candida albicans, the most pervasive fungal pathogen that colonizes humans, forms biofilms that are architecturally complex. They consist of a basal yeast cell polylayer and an upper region of hyphae encapsulated in extracellular matrix. However, biofilms formed in vitro vary as a result of the different conditions employed in models, the methods used to assess biofilm formation, strain differences, and, in a most dramatic fashion, the configuration of the mating type locus (MTL). Therefore, integrating data from different studies can lead to problems of interpretation if such variability is not taken into account. Here we review the conditions and factors that cause biofilm variation, with the goal of engendering awareness that more attention must be paid to the strains employed, the methods used to assess biofilm development, every aspect of the model employed, and the configuration of the MTL locus. We end by posing a set of questions that may be asked in comparing the results of different studies and developing protocols for new ones. This review should engender the notion that not all biofilms are created equal.
Randomized n-of-1 Trials: Quality Improvement, Research, or Both?

The regulatory demarcations between clinical research and quality improvement (QI) are ambiguous and controversial. Some projects that were undertaken as a form of QI were deemed by regulatory agencies to be research and thus to require institutional review board approval. In the era of personalized medicine, some physicians may ask some patients to participate in n-of-1 trials in an effort to personalize and optimize each patient’s medical treatment. Should such activities be considered research, QI, or just excellent personalized medicine? Experts in research, research regulation, and bioethics analyze these issues.
Social Support, Simpatía, and Hypertension Prevalence in Hispanics/Latinos: Findings from the HCHS/SOL Sociocultural Ancillary Study.

There is a significant burden of hypertension in the United States, which extends to the large and growing Hispanic/Latino population. Previous literature suggests that psychosocial factors are related to hypertension in Hispanics/Latinos. However, cultural factors unique to this population have been largely understudied in this context. The purpose of the current investigation was to examine the association of hypertension prevalence with social support and simpatia, a Hispanic/Latino cultural value emphasizing social harmony. Cross-sectional data from 5,313 adult Hispanics/Latinos, age 18 to 75 years, representing multiple heritage groups were collected as part of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos Sociocultural Ancillary Study. Contrary to predictions, higher social support was related to higher odds of hypertension prevalence across models (OR = 1.11, 95% CI: 1.02, 1.22). In the final main effects logistic regression model, higher simpatia was related to lower odds of hypertension (OR = .83, 95% CI: .77, .90). Sex modified the link between simpatia and hypertension, with significant effects for men but not women. A 1 SD increase in simpatia was associated with 36% lower odds of hypertension in Hispanic/Latino men. The findings suggest that social support was inversely related with hypertension prevalence and that simpatia may be a protective cultural characteristic in relation to hypertension in the Hispanic/Latino population, but only in men. These results contribute to a growing discourse about the role of Hispanic/Latino cultural values in cardiovascular health.
Genetic Transformation of Somatic Embryos

Although DNA can be introduced into virtually any plant cell, several biological constraints still exist for the regeneration of transformed plants. These biological constraints are linked to the ability of an individual cell to respond to both the introduced DNA and to a regeneration stimulus. For transformation success, the plant cell must have certain attributes which include (1) the competence to express the introduced DNA; (2) the competence for stable integration of introduced DNA; and (3) the competence to regenerate into a whole plant. The competence to express introduced DNA at a high level as well as ability to differentiate plants from single cells has made somatic embryogenesis a useful tool in plant transformation. In fact, somatic embryogenesis has been instrumental in the regeneration of transformed plants from recalcitrant species in such divergent plant groups as monocots and gymnosperms. Examples of somatic embryogenesis used in the regeneration of transformed plants are listed in Table 1.
Practical approaches to protein folding and assembly: spectroscopic strategies in thermodynamics and kinetics.

Abstract We describe here the use of several spectroscopies, such as fluorescence emission, circular dichroism, and differential quenching by acrylamide, in examining the equilibrium and kinetic folding of proteins. The first section regarding equilibrium techniques provides practical information for determining the conformational stability of a protein. In addition, several equilibrium‐folding models are discussed, from two‐state monomer to four‐state homodimer, providing a comprehensive protocol for interpretation of folding curves. The second section focuses on the experimental design and interpretation of kinetic data, such as burst‐phase analysis and exponential fits, used in elucidating kinetic folding pathways. In addition, simulation programs are used routinely to support folding models generated by kinetic experiments, and the fundamentals of simulations are covered.
Gender, Rural-Urban Inequality, and Intermarriage in China

This study examines the marriage market in urban China through the lens of intersectionality, investigating how structural inequalities shape rural-urban inter-marriage preferences and opportunities. Using 134 semistructured interviews with participants from migrant-sending and -receiving regions of China, I find that China’s household registration system ( hukou ), which assigns people to “rural” or “urban,” creates a social hierarchy favorable to urban people. This hierarchy, in turn, creates a hukou -based gender system in which various types of masculinities and femininities are constructed along rural-urban lines. These masculinities and femininities then guide preferences for intermarriage among different groups. The urban form of masculinity is revered by most women, while rural migrant men find urban femininity undesirable. Rural femininity is agreeable to most urban and rural hukou holders, yet less so among urban local men for fear of status loss. I find that urban local husbands who marry rural migrant women either live on the social margins or are paired with rural wives that display urban ideals of beauty and manners, compensating for their “rural” disadvantages. Overall, people’s intermarriage preferences illuminate the persistence of hukou barriers and gender inequalities.
Sending and receiving text messages with sexual content: Relations with early sexual activity and borderline personality features in late adolescence

This research examined adolescents' written text messages with sexual content to investigate how sexting relates to sexual activity and borderline personality features. Participants (N = 181, 85 girls) completed a measure of borderline personality features prior to 10th grade and were subsequently given smartphones configured to capture the content of their text messages. Four days of text messaging were micro-coded for content related to sex. Following 12th grade, participants reported on their sexual activity and again completed a measure of borderline personality features. Results showed that engaging in sexting at age 16 was associated with reporting an early sexual debut, having sexual intercourse experience, having multiple sex partners, and engaging in drug use in combination with sexual activity two years later. Girls engaging in sex talk were more likely to have had sexual intercourse by age 18. Text messaging about hypothetical sex in grade 10 also predicted borderline personality features at age 18. These findings suggest that sending text messages with sexual content poses risks for adolescents. Programs to prevent risky sexual activity and to promote psychological health could be enhanced by teaching adolescents to use digital communication responsibly.
Design, construction, and in vivo feasibility of a positioning device for irradiation of mice brains using a clinical linear accelerator and intensity modulated radiation therapy.

AbstractPurpose: The goal of this study was to design a positioning device that would allow for selective irradiation of the mouse brain with a clinical linear accelerator.Methods: We designed and fabricated an immobilization fixture that incorporates three functions: head stabilizer (through ear bars and tooth bar), gaseous anesthesia delivery and scavenging, and tissue mimic/bolus. Cohorts of five mice were irradiated such that each mouse in the cohort received a unique dose between 1000 and 3000 cGy. DNA damage immunohistochemistry was used to validate an increase in biological effect as a function of radiation dose. Mice were then followed with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Results: There was evidence of DNA damage throughout the brain proportional to radiation dose. Radiation-induced damage at the prescribed doses, as depicted by H&E, appeared to be constrained to the white matter consistent with radiological observation in human patients. The severity of...
Physiologic changes of pregnancy: A review of the literature

Throughout pregnancy, the body undergoes a variety of physiologic changes. The cutaneous findings can be most noticeable and often worrisome to both physicians and patients. Obstetricians and dermatologists must be able to differentiate between changes that are benign and those that may be pathologic. Most physicians recognize benign changes that are commonly described in literature such as hyperpigmentation, melasma, striae gravidarum, and telogen effluvium; however, they may be unaware of changes that tend to be less frequently discussed. This comprehensive review provides a broad overview of the physiologic cutaneous changes that occur during pregnancy as described in the literature over the past 10 years.
Breast Cancer Characteristics Associated with 2D Digital Mammography versus Digital Breast Tomosynthesis for Screening-detected and Interval Cancers.

The overall rates of screening-detected and interval cancers are similar with digital mammography (DM) and digital breast tomosynthesis (DBT), but a higher proportion of screening-detected cancers are invasive rather than in situ at DBT compared with DM.
Responding to Fundamentalism: Secularism or Humble Faith?

The prospect of opening management research and practice to religious faith perspectives admits both hopeful possibilities and threatening hazards. Religions envision possibilities for human flouri...
Abstract 16882: Prescribed Flow in 3D Printed Models for Determination of Coronary Ischemia: A Comparison to a Computational Fluid Dynamic-based Assessment

Introduction: Advances in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) imaging and 3D printing have enabled fabrication of physical models of coronary arterial geometry. Computational fluid dyna...
Stochastic Propagation Delay Through a CMOS Inverter as a Consequence of Stochastic Power Supply Voltage—Part II: Modeling Examples

We provide, in detail, three examples of the application of our stochastic model (a companion paper in this journal) that provides analytical expressions for the probability distribution of the propagation delay time of logic signals through a CMOS inverter when the inverter power supply voltage ${V_{{{\text{dd}}}}}$ (more precisely, gate voltage ${V_{\text{GS}}}$ ) is itself probabilistic for some reason (e.g., system noise or a random external electromagnetic disturbance). Since the propagation delay time is a function of the value of ${V_{\text{dd}}}$ , then some values of ${V_{\text{dd}}}$ may produce values of inverter propagation delay time that cause the circuit in which the inverter resides to malfunction (e.g., by resulting in a delay time value not conforming with the delay time margins for that circuit). The examples we present for some possible probability density functions (pdfs) for ${V_{\text{dd}}}$ are 1) Gaussian density, 2) uniform density on a finite interval, and 3) delta density. The Gaussian density is an example of a continuous one, whereas the uniform density is an example of a discontinuous one; the delta density is of interest for providing guidance in handling discrete pdfs—not explicitly treated in the above referenced paper—since such pdfs may be represented as weighted sums of δ -functions. Based upon the derived inverter propagation delay time probability distribution, we derive, for the Gaussian density, a probability for the malfunction of a circuit containing a single inverter subject to such a stochastic ${V_{\text{dd}}}$ .
On the evolution of agency and implications for comprehensively modeling it

The basic premise of this proposed article is that agency is an evolved trait. Agency in nature exists to the degree that organisms can act independently from their environment, and is here considered to be the result of an evolutionary process that takes places hierarchically and in multiple dimensions. The article proposes further discussion on the need to create appropriate simulation methodologies that capture the multiple levels of reality, particularly in the social and biological realms. Such methodologies should allow for the joint representation of micro, meso and macro ontological levels of agency. This work proposes the methodology of Distributed Agency as a means to capture the fractal nature of the agents that may more realistically capture the contextualized interaction present in social and biological phenomena. Agency is proposed as a 'currency' in which we can express structure and information to express and eventually understand the way in which evolutionary processes interact to create the complex world we inhabit.
Stereospecificity in the metabolism of aldosterone in man.

Although stereospecificity is characteristic of the reactions of single enzymes, both optical antipodes are usually metabolized in a qualitatively similar manner in the intact animal (l-4) where numerous possibilities of enzyme attack exist. When dl-aldosterone and other racemic steroids are added to enzyme or microbial systems (5, 6), only the naturally occurring d antipodes undergo reaction, whereas the 1 isomers are recovered unchanged. The fate of the 1 steroids in vivo, however, is not known. Since aldosterone has been available chiefly in racemic form,’ the metabolism of its I antipode was of interest. In the present study, a method for comparing the metabolism of a pair of antipodes has been applied to measure the conversion of I-aldosterone to each of the two known urinary products of the d isomer in man, the conjugate which is hydrolyzed at pH 1 (10) and tetrahydroaldosterone2 (11). The method consisted of administering a known mixture of d- and dl-aldosterone and comparing the ratio of d to dl forms in the administered mixture with that found in the urinary metabolites. Two methods were used to measure the ratio of d-aldosterone to dl-aldosterone. 1. When the endogenous production of aldosterone was negligible, the d isomer was administered in labeled form and racemic aldosterone in unlabeled form. The ratio of d- to racemic aldosterone was determined from the specific activity. 2. Alternatively, d- and racemic aldosterone were each labeled with different isotopes, H3 and CY4. The ratio of d- to racemic aldosterone was determined from the ratio of H3 to Cl*. Both methods demonstrated that over-all metabolism of aldosterone in man is stereospecific. Z-Aldosterone was not converted either to the conjugate hydrolyzed at pH 1 or to tetrahydroaldosterone.
A phase II trial of Q3 week or weekly paclitaxel in combination with bevacizumab for metastatic or unresectable angiosarcoma.

e22513Background: Paclitaxel (P) and bevacizumab (B) are both agents that provide clinical benefit in advanced angiosarcoma. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of P-B...