cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physical and biological responses to Hurricane Katrina (2005) in a 1/25° nested Gulf of Mexico HYCOM

Abstract Recent studies indicated sea surface temperature (SST) cooling of 6–7 °C and a phytoplankton bloom of 3 mg chlorophyll-a m − 3 during the passage of Hurricane Katrina (23–30 August 2005) in a region from 23.5° to 25.5°N and 85° to 83°W in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). Employing a 20-layer, 1/25° horizontal resolution nested GoM HYbrid Coordinate Ocean Model (HYCOM), the evolving three-dimensional ocean response to Hurricane Katrina in the GoM was examined. During the passage of Hurricane Katrina, analysis of model surface and subsurface dynamics in this region revealed strong upwelling/downwelling of 1.5–2 × 10 − 4 m s − 1 , wind-driven currents dominating the surface circulation, and near-inertial oscillations following Hurricane Katrina. Associated with the storm, the 26 °C isotherm was raised by 28 m, generating SST cooling of 3–4 °C and salinity freshening of 0.1–0.2 in less than 24 h. Comparison of model-simulated SSTs with in situ buoy data and satellite observations revealed that model SSTs were cooler by 1–2 °C and had a greater spatial extent of cooling. Analysis of heat budget terms in the mixed layer (20 m) indicated that surface heat flux accounted for pre-storm temperature changes, and wind-driven mixing (− 3375 W m − 2 ) dominated net upper-ocean cooling (− 2464 W m − 2 ) during Hurricane Katrina. At 50 m depth, temperature changes were largely due to vertical advection associated with upwelling and downwelling processes. A temperature–nitrate relationship was derived to illustrate the potential contribution that nitrate influx had upon the satellite-observed phytoplankton bloom associated with Hurricane Katrina. Comparison of calculated nitrate agreed reasonably well with in situ nitrate profiles in the interest region. Nitrate concentrations of 3.7 μM were entrained from 30 m depth during hurricane passage. An approximate nitrate to chlorophyll-a ratio provided a chlorophyll-a value of 3 mg m − 3 , which was consistent with that derived from satellite. Thus, the elevated chlorophyll-a concentration following the passage of Katrina was greatly influenced by nitrate entrainment into the surface layer through vertical mixing and Ekman divergence.
Photoinduced Anisotropic Supramolecular Assembly and Enhanced Charge Transport of Poly(3‐hexylthiophene) Thin Films

The self-organization of organic polymer semiconductors into ordered supramolecular assemblies commensurate with efficient charge transport is achieved by tuning a range of process parameters (e.g., film deposition method (spin vs drop cast), solvent boiling point (low vs high boiling point), polymer-dielectric interface treatment, and post-deposition processing (solvent vapor or thermal annealing)). However, these strategies present limitations for large-scale high-throughput processing due to associated pre- and/or post semiconductor deposition steps. Here, photoinduced anisotropic supramolecular assembly of P3HT chains in solution is demonstrated. UV irradiation provides for enhanced intramolecular ordering of solubilized polymer chains, and thereby effects formation of anisotropic supramolecular polymer assemblies via favorable π–π stacking (intermolecular interaction). Molecular ordering is thus dramatically enhanced with concomitant, enhanced charge transport characteristics of corresponding films. Additional pre- and/or post treatments are avoided.
The popular debate about low fertility: an analysis of the German press 1993-2001.

Despite increasing research on the causes, consequences, and measurement of low fertility, questions about the nature and the extent of popular concerns over low fertility have yielded more speculation than examination. We address this gap in the literature through an analysis of 328 German newspaper and news magazine articles mentioning low fertility from 1993 to 2001. Our analysis reveals a paradox: while fertility rates have remained well below replacement levels and governmental discussions of low fertility have increased, discussion of low fertility as a concern in and of itself has been small and unchanging over time. We find this to be true because the problem of low fertility is rarely invoked as a concern in its own right, but is most often used as a tool in the popular debate to discuss other problems – political, economic, and cultural.
Effect of Hydrostatic Pressure on Polystyrene Diffusivity in Toluene

L'augmentation de la pression entraine une diminution de la diffusivite interpretee par la variation de la concentration (due a la compression) et par la diminution de la fluidite du solvant. Etude de l'influence de la MN et de la concentration du polymere et comparaison avec les predictions theoriques
A primary burn wound does not slow the contraction rate of an adjacent excisional wound.

The response to major burn injury includes systemic release of mediators that may have an effect on wound healing. The authors evaluated the effect of a burn injury on the contraction of an excisional wound adjacent to the burn, and the effect of plasma derived from burn-injured animals on the contraction of the fibroblast-populated collagen matrix (FPCM). Nine rats (90-100 days old) under anesthesia received a standardized 40% total body surface area burn to the dorsum, and eight rats (controls) were sham burned. Immediately thereafter all animals had a square (2.25 cm2) of unburned dermis excised from the dorsum, superior to the burn wound. The excisional wound area was measured at 2 to 3-day intervals postoperatively. Plasma was collected from some animals on postburn day 15; the contraction-stimulating ability of burn vs. control plasma was measured in the FPCM. All animals remained free of sepsis. The excisional wound area in all animals decreased to 50% and then 25% of the initial area after approximately 4 and 8 days respectively. The rate of wound contraction (i.e., wound area reduction) did not differ between burn and control animals. Contraction stimulated by 5% plasma in the FPCM (expressed as a percentage of the original matrix area) was 70.2+/-6.4 (standard deviation) mm2 vs. 62.4 +/-3.9 mm2 for burn vs. control rats respectively (p>0.05). Burn injury in this model did not alter the contraction of an excisional wound at an unburned site. There was no significant difference in the contraction-stimulating ability (FPCM model) of plasma from the burned rats compared with plasma from unburned control rats. Burn injury appears to have an inconsequential effect on the contraction of an adjacent wound.
Lubrication of human and bovine enamel compared in an artificial mouth

Bovine enamel has been a good model for human enamel across a broad range of studies. The present work sought to consider if bovine enamel would be a suitable substitute for human enamel in experiments on simulated oral lubrication. Enamel samples of the same size were prepared from bovine and human teeth for use as maxillary and mandibular elements in a miniature artificial mouth. Sliding speeds from 1.99 to 7.84 mm/s and occlusal forces of 3.8-19.5 N were used. Water and four solutions consisting of a mucin-rich fraction, a statherin-rich fraction, 3[(3-cholamidopropyl)-dimethylammonio]-1-propanesulphonate and sodium dodecyl sulphate were evaluated. The high correlations between widely different lubricants on the two enamel substrates gives confidence in the use of bovine enamel as a model for human enamel in salivary lubrication studies. Knoop hardness indentations on enamel samples were combined with friction data and calculations of the true contact area to give a method for the indirect determination of surface shear. The calculated surface shear value was compared with published values obtained by punch shear testing.
Transient response of finitely long cylindrical cavity with arbitrary cross-section

Abstract A semi-analytical boundary element method is developed for the efficient time-domain dynamic response analysis of a finitely long cylindrical cavity with an arbitrary cross-section geometry. High computational efficiency is achieved by mapping a complex shape of the cross-section into a circular shape. For this purpose a special coordinate transformation equation is presented. This mapping enables us to discretize the boundary element equation only along the longitudinal axis of the cavity. The versatility and accuracy of the method are amply demonstrated through a number of examples. The transient stresses and displacements are found to be considerably influenced by the slenderness ratio, length over diameter of the cavity and the incidence angle of the incident wave.
Subinertial Currents on the Southern Califoinia Shelf

Abstract Subinertial currents on the southern California shelf are investigated using observations from a current meter array deployed near San Diego during the summer, fall and winter of 1978/79. This region is characterized by weak winds (order 1–2 m s−1) and thus other driving mechanisms for the subinertial currents may be important. A simplified depth-averaged longshore momentum equation consisting of a balance between current accelerations, the adjusted sea level (ASL) gradient and the wind and bottom stress is examined. The ASL gradient is estimated using sea level and atmospheric pressure observations separated by 350 km. A linear parameterization of the bottom stress is used with a drag coefficient of 5 × 10−4 m s−1. During fall and winter, the first-order balance of terms in the longshore momentum equation over the inner-shelf (15 m depth) is between the wind and bottom stress. Over the outer-shelf (60 m) the primary balance is between the ASL gradient and the bottom stress. At midshelf (30 m) bo...
Studies of Herbig-Haro objects with the Palomar adaptive optics system

Herbig-Haro objects are bright optical emission-line sources associated with tightly collimated jets ejected from pre-main- sequence stars. Only a few hundred are known. In optical images, they appear to be dense knots of material at the outer ends of the jets, and often exhibit streaming wake morphologies suggestive of bow shocks. Their optical spectra show characteristics of high-velocity shocks, with line-widths typically 100 km/s. HH objects often occur in pairs consistent with the bipolar morphology of outflows from YSOs; when radio maps of NH3 are made, high-density central regions consistent with collimating disks are seen. HH objects also often appear in a series along a jet, presumably where the jet undergoes a particularly energetic interaction with the ambient medium. Adaptively-corrected near-infrared studies of HH objects can reveal much about their workings at fine spatial scales. Narrow-band NIR filters sensitive to transitions of molecular hydrogen and other selected species are excellent tracers of shock excitation, and many HH objects have been observed to show complex structure in these lines down to the arc second level. By pushing to higher spatial resolution with adaptive optics, much more detailed information about the nature of the shock fronts may be obtained. In this paper we describe our first observations of HH objects with the AO system on the Palomar 200-inch telescope.
Tubal ligation and the risk of vertebral fractures

Osteoporosis is a major public problem. More than 35 million Americans are at risk of developing osteoporosis. Nearly half of all women will have an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime. Tubal ligation (tubal sterilization) is used more than any other single method of contraception in the USA and worldwide. In 1995, 34.6% (approximately 7 million) of ever-married US women between ages 35–44 years had undergone tubal ligation. Tubal sterilization may disturb ovarian function and be associated with more menstrual and menopausal symptoms and, thus, may be a risk factor for osteoporosis. The objective of this paper is to examine the possible association between tubal sterilization and osteoporotic fractures. Data are from a questionnaire mailed to a previously identified cohort of college/university alumnae who had graduated between 1926 and 1981. This study was performed during 1996 and 1997, 15 years after the initial study. The subjects were 3,940 women participants in the follow-up study. Their mean age was 53.7 years at time of reporting, ranging from 37 to over 80 years. Excluding deaths and non-deliverables the response rate was 85%. Of the 3,940 subjects, 491 (12.5%), and, of the ever-pregnant women, 15.5%, had undergone tubal sterilization (TS); 899 (22.8%) reported at least one fracture after age 20, and 70 (1.8%) at least one vertebral fracture after age 20, which had been confirmed by X-ray. TS was strongly associated with self-reports of vertebral fractures that had been confirmed by X-ray. The multivariable adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for women 50 years and over and for women 55 years and over were, respectively, 2.7 (1.4, 5.0) and 3.3 (1.5, 7.0). Having had any fracture was not significantly associated with TS: odds ratio (OR) =1.1 for women 50 years and older and OR=1.3 for those 55 years and older. This epidemiological study in a cohort of highly educated, mostly Caucasian women shows an association between past tubal sterilization and self-reported X-ray-confirmed vertebral fractures. These results need to be confirmed in other cohorts—the pathophysiology of this association is worthy of further study.
Survey of the counterflow pipeline processor architectures

The Counterflow Pipeline Processor (CFPP) Architecture is a RISC-based pipeline processor. It was proposed in 1994 as an asynchronous processor architecture. Recently, researches have implemented it as a synchronous processor architecture and later improved its design in terms of speed and performance by reducing average execution latency of instructions and minimizing pipeline stalling. In this paper, we survey the architecture and the key design issues such as implementation as a synchronous and an asynchronous architecture and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these implementations. Further, our research on evaluating the performance of the counterflow pipeline processor architecture in relation to that of the traditional MIPS processor architecture is discussed.
Optical Properties and Morphology of Gan Grown by MBE on Sapphire Substrates

A series of GaN films grown by MBE on sapphire substrates with different nitrogen sources are characterized by optical transmission, spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE), photoluminescence (PL) and cross-sectional atomic force microscopy (AFM). The film thicknesses determined from broad spectral range transmission measurements and the AFM images are used in the analysis of the SE spectra. Interface roughnesses between the constituent layers, such as the substrate, the buffer and GaN layers are included in the modelling of the SE spectra and are also imaged by cross-sectional AFM. An effective medium type model is used for the modelling of interface and surface roughnesses in the SE spectra. The optical constants of the films in the band edge spectral range are determined in such a way as to simultaneously satisfy the transmission and the ellipsometry data.
Some suggestions for revitalizing aggression research.

Aggression research is moribund. Lack of research over the past two decades has left many issues. (1) Understanding varieties of agonistic behaviour in an ethological context: categories diiering in behaviours, target sites and function include oience, defensive attack, and predation. Biological systems must be determined for each of these. (2) Insuring availability of ethologically valid laboratory models of agonistic behaviour and describing (possibly species-speci¢c) standards for these. We shall present models and consider the problematic issue of biting. (3) Use of non-damaging behavioural markers that precede ¢ghts. These should be independently analysed, measured and veri¢ed as potential substitutes for biting attack. (4) Interaction between fear and oiensive aggressive motivation systems must be understood in order to evaluate whether independent variable (e.g. pharmacological, genetic) eiects involve a speci¢c motivational system rather than re£ecting changes in oppositional systems. (5) Knowledge of agonistic systems and their biological basis must be extended to humans, focusing on both normal aggression in each category, and the development of models of aggressive psychopathology. Placing aggression research in an ethological context and focusing on its biomedical relevance may help to counter forces suppressing this work. 2005 Molecular mechanisms in£uencing aggressive behaviours. Wiley, Chichester (Novartis Foundation Symposium 268) p 4^19 Basic research in aggression: ad ying ¢eld? It is a considerable irony that during the past 30 years, a period in which problems of interpersonal and group violence in real world settings have come more and more strongly to the attention of the public and the media, the relative attention of the scienti¢c community to basic experimental research on aggression has sharply declined. This statement is based on data for research on the three rodent
N-acetylcysteine improves group B streptococcus clearance in a rat model of chronic ethanol ingestion.

Background: Sepsis is the most common risk factor associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and results in a 40–60% mortality rate due to respiratory failure. Furthermore, recent epidemiological studies have demonstrated that a history of alcohol abuse increases the risk of ARDS by 3.6-fold. More recently, group B streptococcus (GBS) infections in nonpregnant adults have been increasing, particularly in alcoholics where there is an increased risk of lobular invasion and mortality. We have shown in an established rat model that chronic ethanol ingestion impaired macrophage internalization of inactivated infectious particles in vitro and enhanced bidirectional protein flux across the alveolar epithelial-endothelial barriers, both of which were attenuated when glutathione precursors were added to the diet. We hypothesized that chronic ethanol ingestion would increase the risk of infection even though GBS is less pathogenic but that dietary N-acetylcysteine (NAC), a glutathione precursor, would improve in vivo clearance of infectious particles and reduce systemic infection. Methods: After 6 weeks of ethanol feeding, rats were given GBS intratracheally and sacrificed 24 hours later. GBS colony-forming units were counted in the lung, liver, spleen, and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Acute lung injury in response to GBS was also assessed. Results: Chronic ethanol exposure decreased GBS clearance from the lung indicating an active lung infection. In addition, increased colonies formed within the liver and spleen indicated that ethanol increased the risk of systemic infection. Ethanol also exacerbated the acute lung injury induced by GBS. NAC supplementation normalized GBS clearance by the lung, prevented the appearance of GBS systemically, and attenuated acute lung injury. Conclusions: These data suggested that chronic alcohol ingestion increased the susceptibility of the lung to bacterial infections from GBS as well as systemic infections. Furthermore, dietary NAC improved in vivo clearance of GBS particles, attenuated acute lung injury, and disseminated infection.
Multi-time-scale heat transfer modeling of turbid tissues exposed to short-pulsed irradiations

A combined hyperbolic radiation and conduction heat transfer model is developed to simulate multi-time-scale heat transfer in turbid tissues exposed to short-pulsed irradiations. An initial temperature response of a tissue to an ultrashort pulse irradiation is analyzed by the volume-average method in combination with the transient discrete ordinates method for modeling the ultrafast radiation heat transfer. This response is found to reach pseudo steady state within 1ns for the considered tissues. The single pulse result is then utilized to obtain the temperature response to pulse train irradiation at the microsecond/millisecond time scales. After that, the temperature field is predicted by the hyperbolic heat conduction model which is solved by the MacCormack's scheme with error terms correction. Finally, the hyperbolic conduction is compared with the traditional parabolic heat diffusion model. It is found that the maximum local temperatures are larger in the hyperbolic prediction than the parabolic prediction. In the modeled dermis tissue, a 7% non-dimensional temperature increase is found. After about 10 thermal relaxation times, thermal waves fade away and the predictions between the hyperbolic and parabolic models are consistent.
Discrete dipole approximation for magneto-optical scattering calculations.

Magneto-optical spectra (Faraday effect) for nanometer-scale particles and collections of particles are calculated using a modification of the discrete dipole approximation (DDA). The approximation is used as a finite-element method for non-spherical particles whose dimensions are on the order of or smaller than the incident light wavelength, λ. Also, we use the approximation to calculate scattering from arrangements of spherical nanoparticles with diameters ≪λ. We propose that for scattering from subwavelength magnetic particles, the specific Faraday rotation should be defined as the difference in optical extinction for left- and right-circularly polarized light. We apply the model to calculations of Faraday rotation from magnetite nanowires as well as a binary (two-component) nanoparticle arrangement. Enhancements in Faraday rotation are predicted for composites containing both noble metal and ferrite nanoparticles.
Integrated Java Bytecode Verification

Existing Java verifiers perform an iterative data-flow analysis to discover the unambiguous type of values stored on the stack or in registers. Our novel verification algorithm uses abstract interpretation to obtain definition/use information for each register and stack location in the program, which in turn is used to transform the program into Static Single Assignment form. In SSA, verification is reduced to simple type compatibility checking between the definition type of each SSA variable and the type of each of its uses. Inter-adjacent transitions of a value through stack and registers are no longer verified explicitly. This integrated approach is more efficient than traditional bytecode verification but still as safe as strict verification, as overall program correctness can be induced once the data flow from each definition to all associated uses is known to be type-safe.
Quinapril Prevents Hypertension and Enhanced Vascular Reactivity in Nitroarginine-treated Rats

Long-term inhibition of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) by substituted arginine analogues has previously been shown to induce systemic hypertension in several animal species; however, the precise mechanisms for the elevated blood pressure remain unclear. We hypothesized that a portion of the hypertensive response to arginine analogues was due to direct inhibition of endothelial NOS and resultant functional alterations in the vasculature that contribute to elevated systemic resistance. Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were treated for 2 weeks with an arginine analogue, N omega Nitro-L-arginine (L-NNA), alone or in combination with the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor quinapril. Next, thoracic aortas were removed, cut into rings and suspended in isolated tissue baths for measurement of contractile force in response to vasoactive drugs. Our results showed that oral L-NNA treatment significantly elevated systolic blood pressure in rats that was completely prevented by quinapril. Furthermore, L-NNA treatment increased endothelium-dependent and -independent contractility and attenuated endothelium-dependent vasodilation in the thoracic aorta. These functional alterations were also attenuated by quinapril treatment. Therefore, long-term L-NNA-induced hypertension in rats is associated with enhanced vascular reactivity due both to direct inhibition of endothelial NOS and to stimulation of the renin-angiotensin system.
Rational polynomial representation of ribonucleotide reductase activity

Background Recent data suggest that ribonucleotide reductase (RNR) exists not only as a heterodimer R12R22 of R12 and R22 homodimers, but also as tetramers R14R24 and hexamers R16R26. Recent data also suggest that ATP binds the R1 subunit at a previously undescribed hexamerization site, in addition to its binding to previously described dimerization and tetramerization sites. Thus, the current view is that R1 has four NDP substrate binding possibilities, four dimerization site binding possibilities (dATP, ATP, dGTP, or dTTP), two tetramerization site binding possibilities (dATP or ATP), and one hexamerization site binding possibility (ATP), in addition to possibilities of unbound site states. This large number of internal R1 states implies an even larger number of quaternary states. A mathematical model of RNR activity which explicitly represents the states of R1 currently exists, but it is complicated in several ways: (1) it includes up to six-fold nested sums; (2) it uses different mathematical structures under different substrate-modulator conditions; and (3) it requires root solutions of high order polynomials to determine R1 proportions in mono-, di-, tetra- and hexamer states and thus RNR activity as a function of modulator and total R1 concentrations.
R&D on optoelectronics at OES/ITRI

Optoelectronics research has been established at OES/ITRI since 1981. The R&D program started from compound semiconductor crystal growth. The major contribution is the development of a modified horizontal Bridgman method for growing GaAs single crystals. In the area of optoelectronic devices, both liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) and the metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) are used to fabricate most of the light emitting diodes (LED), laser diodes (LD), and photodetectors (PD). The light sources with emitting light wavelength from visible 0.65 micrometers to 1.3 micrometers were made. Detectors, such as Si PIN and InGaAs PIN were developed. We are focusing on a new material system, i.e., AlGaInP. The LED and LD at the wavelength of 0.67 micrometers were grown by MOVPE. The threshold current is about 60 mA for a ridge-waveguide laser.
Empirical comparisons of proportional hazards and logistic regression models

We compare parameter estimates from the proportional hazards model, the cumulative logistic model and a new modified logistic model (referred to as the person-time logistic model), with the use of simulated data sets and with the following quantities varied: disease incidence, risk factor strength, length of follow-up, the proportion censored, non-proportional hazards, and sample size. Parameter estimates from the person-time logistic regression model closely approximated those from the Cox model when the survival time distribution was close to exponential, but could differ substantially in other situations. We found parameter estimates from the cumulative logistic model similar to those from the Cox and person-time logistic models when the disease was rare, the risk factor moderate, and censoring rates similar across the covariates. We also compare the models with analysis of a real data set that involves the relationship of age, race, sex, blood pressure, and smoking to subsequent mortality. In this example, the length of follow-up among survivors varied from 5 to 14 years and the Cox and person-time logistic approaches gave nearly identical results. The cumulative logistic results had somewhat larger p-values but were substantively similar for all but one coefficient (the age-race interaction). The latter difference reflects differential censoring rates by age, race and sex.
The Strategic Decision Process and Organizational Structure

Contributions from the strategic decision process literature are synthesized and integrated with literature on organizational structure. Propositions emerge that describe how the characteristics of an organization's strategic decision process are affected by its structure. Also discussed are the patterns of strategic process characteristics that are likely to be associated with different types of structures. Conclusions are reached on issues such as the accuracy of alternative models of the strategic decision process, and the appropriate unit of analysis for studying that process.
Innate Immunity in the Small Intestine of the Preterm Infant.

The gastrointestinal tract comprises the largest surface area of the human body. This area is constantly exposed to myriad antigens as well as the large number of bacteria that coexist in the intestinal lumen. To protect against this exposure and help distinguish “self” from “foreign,” the intestinal tract has evolved a sophisticated barrier defense system that includes both innate and adaptive immune systems. However, infants who are born preterm do not have the benefit of an adequate immune response and, therefore, are more susceptible to bacterial injury, inflammation, and intestinal diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis. In this review, we discuss the components of innate immunity that help to protect the small intestine as well as current knowledge about the role of these components in the pathophysiology of necrotizing enterocolitis.
The Jak/STAT pathway.

The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT) signaling pathway mediates cellular responses to cytokines (e.g., IL-6) and growth factors (e.g., EGF).
Democracy, Technology, and Information Societies

Computer systems, like other technologies, are socio-technical systems; they are networks of artifacts together with social practices, social relationships, social institutions and values. Viewing computer systems in this way helps to understand, at a deep level, how democracy can be affected by, and can affect, the design of computer systems. In this paper I will revisit my earlier work on the connections between the Internet and democracy. I will describe how my thinking about technology and ethics has changed and I will present a new set of claims about the ways in which computer systems are and are not related to democracy and democratic practices.
Elevated Biomarkers of Inflammation and Coagulation in Patients with HIV Are Associated with Higher Framingham and VACS Risk Index Scores.

Background Biomarkers of inflammation and altered coagulation are of increasing interest as predictors of chronic disease and mortality in HIV patients, as well as the use of risk stratification scores such as the Framingham index and the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) score. Methods Demographic and laboratory data for 252 HIV patients were assessed for their relationship with 5 biomarkers: hsCRP, D-dimer, Cystatin C, IL-6 and TNF-alpha. Analysis of variance was used to model the association between the number of elevated biomarkers patients had and their Framingham 10 year cardiovascular risk and VACS scores. Results 87% of patients were male and 75.7% were virally suppressed (HIV RNA 75th percentile, while 18.6% had three or more elevated biomarkers. Increased age, cigarette smoking, CD4 counts of <200 cells/mm3, Framingham scores and VACS scores were most strongly associated with elevations in biomarkers. When biomarkers were used to predict the Framingham and VACS scores, those with a higher number of elevated biomarkers had higher mean VACS scores, with a similar but less robust finding for Framingham scores. Conclusions Despite viral suppression and immunological stability, biomarkers of inflammation and coagulation remain elevated in a significant number of patients with HIV and are associated with higher scores on risk stratification indices.
Myanmar: Promise Unfulfilled

Like most young and aspiring nations, Myanmar has been struggling with poor agricultural yields, minimal manufacturing capacity, rapid population growth, poverty, illiteracy, unemployment, and internal unrest. She has also had to contend with conflicts between the Burmans, who have largely controlled the government, and various ethnic minorities, who have had little say in it. Food shortages have occurred regularly in a country which, early in this century, controlled 40 percent of the world’s rice exports. Economic development which appeared so imminent at independence on January 4, 1948, has failed utterly, and the nation has been unable to reconcile peacefully internal political and social rivalries. The duly elected civilian government was headed by Prime Minister U Nu who led with a gentle hand from 1948–1958 and from 1960–1962. In the latter year, the government was overthrown by the army, led by General Ne Win who ruled with an iron fist. Today the army remains in power despite the overwhelming victory of the National League for Democracy at the elections of May 1990.
ORNL Special Form Testing of Sealed-Source Encapsulations

In the United States of America all transportation of radioactive material is regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT), along with input from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Beginning in 2008 a new type of sealed-source encapsulation package was developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL); these packages contain radioactive material and are regulated and transported in accordance with the requirements set for DOT Class 7 hazardous material. DOT provides regulations pertaining to specific package contents categorized as special form designs. The special form designation indicates that the encapsulated radioactive contents have a very low probability of dispersion even when subjected to significant structural conditions. All ORNL DOT designs have been certified by DOT as being special form materials. The special form designs have been shown to simplify the delivery, transport, acceptance, and receipt process. Simplification of the transportation process makes the sealed-source encapsulation designs very advantageous for shipment to various facilities throughout the lifetime of the special form material. To this end, DOT Certificates of Competent Authority (CoCAs) have been sought for the design suitable for containing high-alpha-activity actinide materials. This design consists of a core of porous zirconia matrix pre-encapsulated within triangular canister (ZipCan) tiles that are then enclosed by a spherical shell. This new ZipCan design and a similar rectangular ZipCube design were tested for compliance with the regulations found in Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Section 173.469, Tests for Special Form Class 7 (Radioactive) (49 CFR 173.469) materials. The spherical enclosure was subjected to 9 m impact, 1 m percussion, and 10-minute thermal tests. Before and after each test the designs were subjected to a helium leak check and a bubble test. The ZipCan tiles and core were subjected to the tests required for ISO 2919:1999(E), including a Class 4 impact test and heat test, and were subsequently subjected to helium leakage rate tests [49 CFR 173.469(a)(4)(i)]. The impact tile test unit contained a nonradioactive surrogate; however, the thermal test unit contained a radioactive source. All three designs are still undergoing regulatory special form testing, and all three sealed-source encapsulation designs are to be submitted to DOT for CoCAs.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Teaching with Mindfulness: Pedagogy of Being-with/for and Without Being-with/for

Mindfulness-based practice has growing notability in various disciplines. By examining the four foundations of mindfulness in Buddhist teaching, this paper calls for moving beyond therapeutic and mechanical use of mindfulness; instead, contemplating to the principles of emptiness and non-attachment of Buddhist teaching in mindfulness practice and pedagogy. Also, the paradoxical notions of being-with/for and without being-with/for of Taoism in understanding friendship are introduced to further examine emptiness and nonattachment in human relations. Unfolding important thoughts in Buddhism and Taoism these two Eastern philosophies, I start from exploring mindfulness as experience, the meanings and foundations of mindfulness in Buddhism, then move onto examining the Dao of being-with and being-for of Zhuangzi that emphasizes fasting the mind when attending to friendship. This article ends with pedagogical practices that embody mindfulness teaching of being-with/for and without being-with/for.
The Nature of Tensile Ductility as Controlled by Extreme-Sized Pores in Powder Metallurgy Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

Tensile properties of Ti-6Al-4V titanium alloy, sintered by a new process (sintering, phase transformation, and dehydrogenation of titanium hydride compacts, termed HSPT process), were investigated to determine how the sintering pores influence the tensile strength and ductility. It was found that the ductility in the sintered alloy is severely affected by the size of the largest pore, referred here as extreme-sized pore, even when the average volume fraction of porosity is nearly constant between a large number of samples. It is shown that the rapid decrease in ductility, with an increase in the extreme pore size, is caused by strain localization around the extreme-sized pore and early crack initiation. This crack initiation leads to fracture of the plane containing the pore thereby limiting the extent of uniform plastic strain that can be attained before fracture. Interestingly, the strength properties are, however, found to be independent of the size of the extreme-sized pore. The results are explained on the basis of stress concentration and strain localization around the extreme-sized pores. The work also reveals that if the extreme-sized pores are eliminated, PM Ti-6Al-4V alloy with high strength (~1100 MPa) and good ductility (~12 pct), which is easily comparable to a wrought Ti-6Al-4V alloy, can be achieved even at oxygen levels up to 0.4 wt pct.
Ti3+ in Fluoride Crystals

In general, Ti3+ is more easily incorporated in fluoride crystals than in oxide crystals. The characteristic absorption and emission of Ti3+ has been observed in both K2NaScF6 and SrAlF5, Compared to Al2O3 the spectra are, as expected, red shifted. At cryogenic temperatures the fluorescent quantum efficiency is high and the fluorescent lifetime is appreciably longer than in Al2O3. At room temperature the emission is almost completely quenched in the crystals studied so far.
A Case of Obstructive Ileitis Associated with Obstructing Transverse Colon Cancer

症例は56歳,男性,腹痛,腹部膨満感を主訴に入院.腹部単純X線検査でニボー像がみられた.注腸造影では横行結腸に腫瘍像を認め,それより口側へは造影剤は流入できなかった.大腸内視鏡検査では横行結腸に中央に潰瘍を認めた全周性の腫瘍を認め,それより口側へは内視鏡は挿入できなかった.腫瘍部の生検ではgroup Vであり,横行結腸癌と診断した.術中に回腸末端部に硬結を認めたため,結腸右半切除術を施行した.切除標本にて回腸末端部に数個の潰瘍病変を認め,病理組織学的に閉塞性回腸炎と診断した,本邦における閉塞性回腸炎の報告は自験例を含めて15例であった,閉塞性の大腸癌の手術に際しては,本症の存在を念頭に置く必要があると思われた.
Role of 11 beta hydroxyprogesterone as intermediary in biosynthesis of cortisol and corticosterone.

SummaryTrace amounts of C14-22β-hydroxyprogesterone, C14-progesterone, and C14-DOC were incubated with homogenates of adrenocortical tissue prepared in various media. These homogenates, which synthesize corticoids from endogenous precursors, hydroxylated C14-11β-hydroxyprogesterone at both the C-21 and C-17 positions, producing Cortisol and corticosterone. However, the limited extent of these conversions relative to that of known precursors (progesterone and DOC) indicates that 11β-hydroxyprogesterone is not a major intermediary in the biosynthesis of these corticoids from progesterone.
The Perspective of Unionized Professionals

The F-scale responses of 100 university students were factor analyzed to test propositions about the relations of the items of the scale with underlying factors derived from the exposition of the theory of the scale in The Authoritarian Personality. The centroid method of analysis was used and the centroid matrix rotated to an approximation of a least square fit to a hypothesized factor matrix. It was found that: 1. Seven orthogonal factors, at least, were required to account for a significant portion of the item variances.
Early Summer Response of the East Asian Summer Monsoon to Atmospheric CO2Forcing and Subsequent Sea Surface Warming

The early summer regional climate change of the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) is investigated in the phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5) archive. In the greenhouse gas–forced scenario, reduction of radiative cooling and increase in continental surface temperature occur much more rapidly than changes in sea surface temperatures (SSTs). Without changes in SSTs, the early summer rainfall in the monsoon region decreases (increases) over ocean (land) in most models. On longer time scales, as SSTs increase, rainfall changes are opposite. The total response to atmospheric CO_2 forcing and subsequent SST warming is a large (modest) increase in rainfall over ocean (land) in the EASM region. Dynamic changes, in spite of significant contributions from the thermodynamic component, play an important role in setting up the spatial pattern of precipitation changes. Early summer rainfall anomalies over east China are a direct consequence of local land–sea contrast, while changes in the large-scale oceanic rainfall band are closely associated with the displacement of the larger-scale North Pacific subtropical high (NPSH). Ad hoc numerical simulations with the AM2.1 general circulation model show that topography and SST patterns play an important role in early summer rainfall changes in the EASM region.
Continuous Risk Management for High-tech Enterprise Technological Innovation

The risks during high-tech enterprise technological innovation are mainly decided by technological innovation′s systematization,complexity and high investment.How to effectively manage the entire risks in process of technological innovation and improve the success rate of technological innovation have become very difficult.Based on CRM(Continuous Risk Management) theory,the characteristics of risk management in high-tech enterprise technological innovation,and the Utility of articles,the paper presents a model of high-tech enterprise continuous risk management,which involves the establishment of risk base,the methods of risk assessment and the strategies of risk reduction.
Effect of surgical treatment of tricuspid regurgitation late after valve replacement of left heart

Objective:To investigate the outcome of surgical treatment of tricuspid regurgitation late after valve replacement of left heart.Methods:Twenty five patients with tricuspid insufficiency,with the diagnosis conformed by echocardiogram,were treated surgically after left heart valve replacement from march 2000 to december 2008,including 17 mitral valve replacements and 8 double valve replacements.DeVega was used in 10 patients.Results:Tricuspid repair was performed in 13 patients,tricuspid replacement was done in 12 patients.The mechanical valves were implanted in all patients.There was four death early after operation.The hospital mortality was 16%.The low cardiac output and multiple organ failure were the causes of death.The patients were followed up for 5.1 years(7 months-8 years).Two patients died from the heart disease.Among the survivors,all patients showed improvement of symptoms,while most patients needed medical therapy(The heart functions were upgraded to grade I-Ⅱ).Conclusion:The irreversible right heart impairment and severe pulmonary hypertension and/or unsatisfaction of tricuspid repair in the first operation are responsible for the development of late functional tricuspid regurgitation after left cardiac valvular replacement.The surgical intervention should be earlier before the onset of severe right ventricular failure.Surgical operation is effective on late tricuspid regurgitation after left cardiac valvular replacement due to rheumatic heart disease.
Economic Growth from Technical Advance

This column discusses the book The Rise and Fall of American Growth: The US Standard of Living Since the Civil War by Robert Gordon.
Interband dielectric function of C60 and M6C60 (M=K,Rb,Cs).

We report the room-temperature optical properties of ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ and ${\mathit{M}}_{6}$${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ determined from the near-normal-incidence reflection and transmission experiments. The observed peak positions in ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}}_{2}$(\ensuremath{\omega}) for ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ and ${\mathit{M}}_{6}$${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ compare well with recent band-structure calculations and suggest that the ${\mathit{M}}_{6}$${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ compounds exhibit a weak hybridization between the ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ and M states, consistent with the Raman-scattering studies of ${\mathit{M}}_{6}$${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$. The onset of absorption across the energy gap between the highest occupied molecular orbital (MO) and the lowest unoccupied MO in ${\mathrm{C}}_{60}$ is measured to be 1.7 eV.
Engineering of Ceramic Microstructures for Functionality

Properties and performances of inorganic materials, especially those of glass and ceramics, are essentially a cooperative phenomenon established by the microstructure. In traditional formation of these materials by high temperature thermal processes, thermodynamics (i.e. time, temperature) plays the determining role of the microstructure. On the other hand, in “sol-gel” process inorganic substructures are arranged by chemical forces operating near room temperatures. This fact allows significant non-compositional modification of the ultrastructure leading to formation of stable non-equilibrium materials with unusual properties. In this presentation, some of the methods to achieve such modifications and their technological significance are discussed.
Assessing Microhabitat Cover and Distance Effects on Harvester Ant Intraspecific Seed Preference

Harvester ants have long been known to exhibit interspecific seed preference and this preference has been thought to be associated with distance in a manner analogous with optimal foraging theory. However, little attention has been given to how intraspecific seed preference changes or how microhabitat (i.e. the composition of the terrain that the ants are moving through) impacts seed harvesting preference. We addressed these questions by conducting seed harvesting experiments in three different Ephedra viridis populations that contain harvester ants (Pogonomyrmex occidentalis) by using only E. viridis seeds and conducting trials over multiple distances and varying degrees of microhabitat cover. We found that increased microhabitat cover and increased seed mass decrease the likelihood of E. viridis seeds being harvested much more dramatically than distance. However, we found no effect of distance or microhabitat cover on which E. viridis seeds were harvested. We conclude that harvester ant E. viridis seed preference is distance and microhabitat independent. However, increases in microhabitat cover negatively impacts the likelihood of P. occidentalis harvesting E. viridis seeds of any size. Our findings suggest that harvester ant foraging behavior is influenced by structure of the microhabitat more than by distance. This provides a new context on how harvester ant foraging behavior and effectiveness should be considered.
Coagulation Cascade and Fibrinolysis Pathway: Assessment in the Laboratory

Hemostasis is maintained through interactions between whole-blood cellular components, the vascular endothelium, and pro- and anticoagulant plasma proteins such that net hemostasis is the result of the competing physiology of coagulation and fibrinolysis. Traditional hemostatic assessment involves plasma-based assays of coagulation proteins and evaluation of platelet number and function. This testing may not accurately reflect net hemostasis as each test evaluates variables semi-independently and provides minimal/no information about fibrinolysis. Classic coagulation tests, including the prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), were developed in the mid-twentieth century with little alteration other than automation since then (Martin et al. 1947; Goulian and Beck 1965). The PT measures the activity of the so-called extrinsic and common pathways of coagulation (Fig. 1), while the aPTT measures the intrinsic and common pathways. Thrombin time (TT) measures the common pathway and reflects the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin. The division of the clotting cascade into the intrinsic, extrinsic, and common pathways has little in vivo validity, but has some conceptual utility in the interpretation of the results of laboratory investigation.