cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social work’s response to oppression and injustice: education and practice

When we put forth the call for the special issue in Spring 2016, we noted that, ‘throughout the world, oppression of individuals who do not hold majority identities continues and inhibits people fr...
Obtaining Information from the Patient

Psychiatric evaluation is a process in which the physician seeks to obtain as much relevant information as possible about the patient. This process is, of course, subject to the constraints of time. Even in the most rarefied academic atmosphere, there is rarely sufficient time to do as complete an examination as the clinician might wish. It is helpful for the examiner to begin the interview with some idea of how much time is available, and what specific information will be sought. As a rule, the information garnered in the psychiatric evaluation must also be communicated to other professionals or social agencies. Hence, the physician must also have some idea about how much information will be recorded in the patient’s chart.
Electron neutral elastic collision frequency measurement with the hairpin resonator probe

Electron neutral elastic collision frequency is measured over pressures ranging from 0.1–2.5 Torr in Ar, He, O 2 , Ar-He and Ar$- \mathrm {O}_{2}$ plasmas. Measurements are made with both grounded and fully floating hairpin resonator probes in a symmetric parallel plate capacitively coupled system driven at 13 MHz. Results are compared to hybrid plasma equipment module (HPEM) simulations, showing good agreement with simulated collision frequency. Results between grounded and floating probes are also compared.
RasGRP3 regulates the activation of ras and rap1 and the migration of glioma cells

LB-20 Gliomas are the most frequent primary brain tumors, accounting for more than 50% of all brain tumors. Glioblastomas, the most malignant form, are characterized by increased proliferationand invasion into the surrounding normal braintissue. Signaling pathways coupled to DAG production are highly active in glioma cells mainly downstream of the EGF and PDGF receptors. Similarly, Ras proteins are elevated in gliomas and play a role in their malignant phenotype. Although gliomas express high Ras activity and Ras proteins have been implicated in gliomagenesis, Ras activating mutations have not been identified in these tumors. RasGRP represents a new family of GEF proteins that belongs to the DAG/phorbol ester receptor family and that regulates the dissociation of GDPfrom Ras GTPases to enhance the formation of the active GTP-boundform. We previously found that RasGRP3 is expressed in gliomas and that stimulation with phorbol esters induces translocation of RasGRP3 to the peri-nuclear region and its interaction with PKCδ. We found that EGF also induced translocation of RasGRP3 to the peri-nuclear region, similar to the effect of phorbol esters. To examine the role of RasGRP3 in glioma cell function, we first overexpressed this protein in glioma cells. Overexpression of RasGRP3 increased the activation of both Ras and Rap1 and the phosphorylation of Erk1/2 and AKT. In addition, RasGRP3 significantly increased the migration and invasion of glioma cells and their anchorage-independent growth. The effect of RasGRP3 on cell migration was not dependent on the Erk1/2 pathway, since inhibition of Erk1/2 did not affect the migration of RasGRP3 over-expressing cells. In contrast, inhibition of AKT decreased the migration of both CV and RasGRP3 overexpressing cells. To explore the role of endogenous RasGRP3 in glioma cell functions, we employed siRNA duplexes directed against the RasGRP3 mRNA. Silencing of RasGRP3 in glioma cells that express high levels of this protein, decreased Ras activity, whereas it did not affect the activation of Rap1. In addition, silencing of RasGRP3 decreased the migration of the cells as compared to cells tranfected with control siRNA duplexes. The results of this study demonstrate that RasGRP3 plays a role in the regulation of Ras and Rap1 activation and in the migration of glioma cells. Thus, the RasGRP3 protein is an important link between the DAG and Ras signaling pathways and the astrocytic malignant transformation and may represent a novel therapeutic target in the treatment of gliomas.
Development, implementation, and evaluation of a service-learning series for pharmacy students using a public health tool.

Abstract Background and purpose The purpose of this article is to describe the utility of the Assessment, Development, Assurance: Pharmacist's Tool (ADAPT) during the design, delivery, and assessment of service-learning events by pharmacy students. Educational activity and setting The ADAPT instrument was used to develop a series of five service-learning events that featured a health promotion program delivered by 19 pharmacy students and attended by over 200 senior citizens at local senior centers. Student competence was assessed prior to participating in the service-learning activities and each student completed a reflection following the event. Senior center directors evaluated both the quality of the health promotion program as well as the interaction with the sponsoring college of pharmacy. Findings Pharmacy students reported achievement of health promotion learning objectives based on self-evaluations. Responses to reflections also indicate that students gained insight to and appreciation for several of the public health essential services, which are the basis of the ADAPT instrument. Feedback from the senior center directors was consistently positive. Discussion and summary Use of the ADAPT instrument helped to facilitate the delivery of a high-quality, comprehensive service-learning series at local senior centers that had a solid public health foundation. Colleges and schools of pharmacy should strongly consider consulting the tool prior to planning any future health promotion activities for students.
False Diagnoses of Venous Leak Impotence

Tests for erectile dysfunction using intracavernous injections of vasoactive drugs are currently popular and have resulted in frequent diagnoses of venous leak impotence. Tests used to make this diagnosis, however, have not been validated by study in control subjects. We present 2 cases of false diagnoses of venous leak impotence. Anxiety mediated through the sympathetic nervous system may block the action of intracavernous smooth muscle relaxants. The resulting incidence of false diagnoses of venous leak impotence is unknown.
Citrate Therapy for Calcium and Uric Acid Stones

Despite revolutionary advances in the surgical management of stone disease over the past three decades, recurrence rates without adjuvant medical therapy are high, underscoring the important role of metabolic evaluation and targeted medical therapy. Calcium and uric acid calculi comprise nearly 85–90 % of all kidney stones encountered in common clinical practice. Evidence from clinical trials suggests that alkali citrate pharmacotherapy, alone or in combination with other medical and dietary therapies, is effective for the metaphylaxis of calcium nephrolithiasis occurring in a wide range of clinical settings and of calcium nephrolithiasis-associated conditions. Clinical evidence also supports the use of alkali citrate therapy as first-line treatment of uric acid stones or mixed uric acid and calcium stones. Data from studies on dietary citrate therapy suggest that several beverages including vegetable juices, citrus juices, sports drinks, and various sodas with a high citrate content can induce a citraturic response to varying degrees, but concomitant alkalinizing effects appear to best be achieved with beverages containing potassium citrate rather than citric acid. Further studies on pharmacologic and dietary citrate therapies are needed to more comprehensively define their role in the management of calcium and uric acid nephrolithiasis.
An analysis of internal governance and the role of the General Counsel in reducing corporate crime

This chapter reviews the empirical literature on the factors related to the likelihood and detection of corporate wrongdoing, which increasingly focuses on internal governance, and examines calls to split the traditional tasks of the General Counsel (GC) between the GC and a Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) who reports directly to the Board. The reason for this is to have more independence and expertise in compliance matters than the GC’s office traditionally provides. This chapter argues that although independence is often valuable in reducing wrongdoing, in this context, it is likely to come with additional costs that may make gathering information on wrongdoing more difficult. In particular, some employees may be more reluctant to provide information as easily to a CCO than to the GC and this might sometimes result in increased wrongdoing and weaker operating performance. These deleterious effects, however, might be somewhat ameliorated by institutional and governance design adjustments. This chapter examines what factors may drive likely outcomes and finds that further empirical inquiry would be valuable and suggests some ways in which future research might engage in this inquiry.
Toward a Model for CIS

Being a new and emerging area, CIS lacks a sophisticated and comprehensive set of theories and models that other fields such as IR and information seeking have enjoyed. Therefore, this chapter is not about definitive theories and models relating to CIS; rather, it shows how traditional information seeking models could help us create similar models for CIS. To situate the discussion on theories and models pertaining to CIS, this chapter provides a brief overview on various models developed for collaboration as well as information seeking. An attempt is then made to show how a model for CIS can be developed using Kuhlthau’s information search process (ISP) model. The success and shortcomings of this approach are shown using data from a user study. Further discussion is provided on understanding and incorporating an affective dimension to create a comprehensive model of CIS.
Weekly sleep trajectories and their associations with obesity and hypertension in the Hispanic/Latino population.

Study objectives To identify weekly sleep trajectories (sleep pattern changing by day over a course of week) of specific characteristics and examine the associations between trajectory classes and obesity and hypertension. Methods A total of 2043 participants (mean age 46.9, 65.5% female) completed at least 7 days of actigraphy aged 18-64 from the Sueno ancillary study of the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL). Weekly sleep trajectories for three daily level measures (wake after sleep onset [WASO], daytime napping duration, and intranight instability index) were identified using latent class growth models. The outcomes were obesity and hypertension. Results Using the trajectory with low-stable WASO as reference, the trajectory classes with increasing and high-concave patterns had significantly higher odds for obesity (OR 3.64 [1.23-10.84]) and hypertension (OR 5.25 [1.33, 20.82]), respectively. Compared with individuals with a low-stable napping duration trajectory, those with the high-concave pattern class were associated with hypertension (OR 2.27 [1.10-4.67]), and the association was mediated in part by obesity (OR 1.11 [1.00-1.22]). Individuals in the high intranight instability index trajectory had significantly larger likelihood for both obesity (OR 1.90 [1.26-2.86]) and hypertension (OR 1.86 [1.13-3.06]) compared with those in the low intranight instability index trajectory. Conclusions Weekly trajectories varied for WASO, daytime napping duration, and intranight instability index. The trajectories with relatively larger values for these three measures were associated with greater risk for obesity and hypertension. These findings suggest that a stable pattern with relatively small weekly and nightly variability may be beneficial for cardiovascular health.
Brd4 and P300 regulate zygotic genome activation through histone acetylation

The awakening of the zygote genome, signaling the transition from maternal transcriptional control to zygotic control, is a watershed in embryonic development, but the factors and mechanisms controlling this transition are still poorly understood. By combining CRISPR-Cas9-mediated live imaging of the first transcribed genes (miR-430), chromatin and transcription analysis during zebrafish embryogenesis, we observed that genome activation is gradual and stochastic, and the active state is inherited in daughter cells. We discovered that genome activation is regulated through both translation of maternal mRNAs and the effects of these factors on the chromatin. We show that chemical inhibition of H3K27Ac writer (P300) and reader (Brd4) block genome activation, while induction of a histone acetylation prematurely activates transcription, and restore genome activation in embryos where translation of maternal mRNAs is impaired, demonstrating that they are limiting factors for the activation of the genome. In contrast to current models, we do not observe triggering of genome activation by a reduction of the nuclear-cytoplasmic(N/C) ratio or slower cell division. We conclude that genome activation is controlled by a time-dependent mechanism involving the translation of maternal mRNAs and the regulation of histone acetylation through P300 and Brd4. This mechanism is critical to initiating zygotic development and developmental reprogramming.
Solitary Extrahepatic Intramuscular Metastasis from Cryptogenic Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

ABSTRACTAlthough hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) recurrence after curative resection is not uncommon, it primarily recurs in the liver prior to metastatic progression. We report a case of resected pT2N0 cryptogenic HCC that recurred in the superior paracervical musculature without evident intrahepati
Effect of gastric fluid aspiration on the lung microbiota of laboratory rats.

AbstractAim of the Study: The pulmonary microbiota is important for both normal homeostasis and the progression of disease, and may be affected by aspiration of gastric fluid. The aim of this study...
The DREAMS core package of interventions: A comprehensive approach to preventing HIV among adolescent girls and young women.

In sub-Saharan Africa, adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) are 5 to 14 times more likely to be infected with HIV than their male peers. Every day, more than 750 AGYW are infected with HIV. Many factors make girls and young women particularly vulnerable to HIV, including gender-based violence, exclusion from economic opportunities, and a lack of access to secondary school. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) is dedicating significant resources through the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored, and Safe (DREAMS) partnership to impact the lives of women and girls based on PEPFAR’s mission to help countries achieve epidemic control of HIV/AIDS. The data show that new HIV infections must be reduced in AGYW, or the global community risks losing the extensive progress made towards reaching epidemic control. With support from PEPFAR and private sector partners—the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Gilead Sciences, Girl Effect, Johnson & Johnson and ViiV Healthcare, DREAMS works together with partner governments to deliver a core package of interventions that combines evidence-based approaches that go beyond the health sector, addressing the structural drivers that directly and indirectly increase girls’ HIV risk. Not only is DREAMS an effort to reduce new HIV infections, but it aims to reduce other critical vulnerabilities such as gender-based violence. When girls and young women thrive, the effects are felt throughout their families, communities and countries.
Using Networks to Connect Individual-Level Reproductive Behavior to Population Patterns

We propose an application of network analysis to determine which traits and behaviors predict fertilizations within and between populations. This approach quantifies how reproductive behavior between individuals shapes patterns of selection and gene flow, filling an important gap in our understanding of the connection between evolutionary processes and emergent patterns.
230Th/U burial dating of ostrich eggshell

Abstract Obtaining precise and accurate dates for late Quaternary terrestrial sequences containing Middle Stone Age or Middle Paleolithic archaeological materials (ca. 30–300 ka) can be challenging. Many such sequences lie beyond the limit of radiocarbon dating (∼50 ka) and lack volcanic ashes suitable for 40Ar/39Ar dating. We report a dating approach with about ten times the range of radiocarbon dating (∼500 ka) based on a novel protocol for 230Th/U dating of ostrich eggshell, a common component of African, Near Eastern and Asian archaeological sequences. Uranium in ostrich eggshell, typically at levels of tens to hundreds of ppb, is acquired after burial. However, accurate burial ages can be determined from measured 230Th/U ages when corrected for uranium uptake via diffusion. Using ostrich eggshells from a Pleistocene-Holocene east African site, we have: (1) characterized the spatial distribution of uranium and common thorium (232Th) concentrations in ostrich eggshell by laser ablation ICP-MS, (2) determined apparent 230Th/U ages on outer and inner layers of eggshells by solution ICP-MS analyses of selectively abraded eggshells, and (3) calculated 230Th/U burial ages using a simple model for diffusive uptake of uranium. We assess our method by comparing the 230Th/U burial ages (median uncertainty 2.3%, 1 SD) with radiocarbon dates on carbonate from the same eggshells. We find good agreement in seven out of nine eggshells, confirming the accuracy of their 230Th/U model ages. Eggshells that fail to yield reliable 230Th/U ages may be recognized by anomalous patterns of apparent 230Th/U ages, providing a reliability criterion innate to the 230Th/U data. Ostrich eggshells are resistant to diagenesis simplifying 230Th/U dating compared to bones and teeth. Eggshells of ostrich, emu, rhea and other living and extinct ratites found on six continents share similar structure and composition, suggesting our new approach to 230Th/U dating of eggshell may be applicable in diverse late Quaternary terrestrial settings.
Peripheral threat detection in facial expressions by younger and older adults.

Abstract Everyday threat detection includes recognizing threat cues in facial expressions found in our peripheral visual field. The current study examined age differences in the detection of emotion in low and high intensity angry and fearful facial expressions presented in younger and older adults’ parafoveal (±5°) and peripheral visual field (±10°, ±15°). For both age groups, detection performance was better for higher than for lower intensity stimuli, and detection performance declined with greater peripheral distance. Although younger and older adults displayed a similar pattern of findings for angry facial expressions, younger adults appeared to be more sensitive to lower intensity fearful expressions across all viewing positions. These findings demonstrate that, although threat detection may be partly maintained into older age, neurophysiological changes may accompany aging that selectively reduce older adults’ sensitivity to peripheral facial cues of fear.
G365(P) Sharing best practice in the care of critically ill children across a paediatric critical care network: education, innovation & dissemination

Introduction and aims South Thames Retrieval Service (STRS) is an integrated paediatric critical care transport service based at the Evelina London Children’s Hospital (ELCH); the hub of the South Thames Critical Care Network (STCCN), covering South London, Kent, Surrey and Sussex. STRS receives 1800–1900 calls and performs 900–1000 transfers per year, and provides advice, support, training and education to the 20 acute DGH partners within the network. The traditional outreach model operates a ‘hub-and-spoke’ approach, with education of STRS and network teams forming a large component of service delivery – including STRS-delivered teaching and training at DGHs (over 30 per year) and several regional high-fidelity simulation study days. STRS wishes to further develop and strengthen the network by providing forums to share some of the excellent examples of good practice in the care of unwell children in operation in DGHs. These are often limited to a single hospital or department with no consistent or reliable mechanism for information-sharing that would help facilitate the application of similar models elsewhere. Methods STRS is holding an inaugural Network Best Practice Conference in November 2018 and aims to launch, in association, an accessible online platform for ongoing information-sharing across the network. The conference will include oral and poster presentations from across the network as well as providing evidence-based ‘hot topics’ update sessions. Results Feedback from the conference and opportunities for future learning will be disseminated throughout the network in a variety of media, including via the ELCH website and on Twitter. Discussion and conclusion Paediatric Critical Care Networks provide excellent opportunities to educate, innovate and disseminate. This innovation provides a forum to communicate examples of good practice, share ideas, celebrate successes and explore failures, embrace opportunities, address challenges and seek ways in which the care provided to unwell children and their families can be improved.
Prolactin Acts on Myeloid Progenitors to Modulate SMAD7 Expression and Enhance Hematopoietic Stem Cell Differentiation into the NK Cell Lineage

Numerous cell types modulate hematopoiesis through soluble and membrane bound molecules. Whether developing hematopoietic progenitors of a particular lineage modulate the differentiation of other hematopoietic lineages is largely unknown. Here we aimed to investigate the influence of myeloid progenitors on CD34+ cell differentiation into CD56+ innate lymphocytes. Sorted CD34+ cells cultured in the presence of stem cell factor (SCF) and FMS-like tyrosine kinase 3 ligand (FLT3L) give rise to numerous cell types, including progenitors that expressed the prolactin receptor (PRLR). These CD34+PRLR+ myeloid-lineage progenitors were derived from granulocyte monocyte precursors (GMPs) and could develop into granulocytes in the presence of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in vitro. Moreover, CD34+PRLR+ myeloid progenitors lacked lymphoid developmental potential, but when stimulated with prolactin (PRL) they increased the differentiation of other CD34+ cell populations into the NK lineage in a non-contact dependent manner. Both mRNA and protein analyses show that PRL increased mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 7 (SMAD7) in CD34+PRLR+ myeloid cells, which reduced the production of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1), a cytokine known to inhibit CD56+ cell development. Thus, we uncover an axis whereby CD34+PRLR+ GMPs inhibit CD56+ lineage development through TGF-β1 production and PRL stimulation leads to SMAD7 activation, repression of TGF-β1, resulting in CD56+ cell development.
Survey of Transient Execution Attacks.

Transient execution attacks, also called speculative execution attacks, have drawn much interest as they exploit the transient execution of instructions, e.g., during branch prediction, to leak data. Transient execution is fundamental to modern computer architectures, yet poses a security risk as has been demonstrated. Since the first disclosure of Spectre and Meltdown attacks in January 2018, a number of new attack types or variants of the attacks have been presented. These attacks have motivated computer architects to rethink the design of processors and propose hardware defenses. This paper summarizes the components and the phases of the transient execution attacks. Each of the components is further discussed and categorized. A set of metrics is proposed for each component to evaluate the feasibility of an attack. Moreover, the data that can be leaked in the attacks are summarized. Further, the existing attacks are compared, and the limitations of these attacks are discussed based on the proposed metrics. In the end, existing mitigations at the micro-architecture level from literature are discussed.
Induction of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in vitro and angiogenesis

Objective To study in vitro induction of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) into endothelial cells and blood vessel formation on three-dimensional (3D) media． Methods The 3rd passage ADMSCs were induced in vitro into endothelial cells on conditional medium and grew on Matrigel medium． The cell surface antigens CD31 and CD44 were detected with flow cytometric analysis before and after induction． HE staining， FⅧ-RAg immunohistochemical staining， inverted microscope and transmission electron microscope were used for morphological study.Results The expression of CD44 was positive and CD31 negative in ADMSCs in flow cytometric analysis.After induction,CD31 became positive while CD44 was negative． Paving-stone-like cell appearance was seen under inverted microscope 14 days after induction.The cells were FⅧ-RAg positively stained with immunohistological method,and Weibel-Palade body was observed under transmission electron microscope.On Matrigel media,the induced cells migrated in lumping with pseudopodia protrusion after 24 hours,and formed grid structure on the 7th day.Long vasculature was observed on the 13th day,and the vessels branched on the 20th to 30th day.The vessels stained positive for FⅧ-Rag． Conclusions ADMSCs have the potential to give rise to endothelial cells with in vitro induction and to form vessel structure in 3D media.ADMSCs have potential role in vascularized tissue engineering grafting． Key words: Adipose-derided mesenchymal stem cell; Endothelial cells; Blood vessels
Censorship Can be Counterproductive: Sensitivity and Media Credibility

Censorship constitutes an important pillar of effective governance in China. By drawing a connection between government censorship and media credibility, this paper tries to answer the following question: could government censorship be counter-productive by increasing the credibility of political rumors in China? Using a combination of statistical regression and qualitative interviews, I find mixed evidence on censorship effectiveness in China. On one hand, the results suggest that government censorship can unexpectedly increase the credibility of politically sensitive information because people are more likely to believe in the rumor when they think it is more likely to be censored. On the other hand, the results also hint on censorship effectiveness by increasing people's trust in state media over foreign news when it comes to a public crisis in China, even though citizens understand that the official media is being censored and controlled by the government.
Trends in Antibiotic Use in United States Hospitals During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

We described antibiotic use among inpatients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Most COVID-19 inpatients received antibiotic therapy. We also described hospital-wide antibiotic use during 2020 compared with 2019, stratified by hospital COVID-19 burden. Although total antibiotic use decreased between years, certain antibiotic use increased with higher COVID-19 burden.
The Industrial Revolution and old regime liberalism in Britain, 1760–1880

The British paradox is laid out in Chapter 1: Britain pioneered the Industrial Revolution – the greatest surge in collective power in world history – yet its distributive power relations saw no revolution. On the mainland, excluding Ireland, there was gradual representative reform and national consolidation. Why? Revisionist economic historians have offered the simplest solution to the paradox: They take “Revolution” out of the Industrial Revolution. Industrialization, they say, was also gradual, with only moderate structural change. Some Marxists also downplay industrialization, emphasizing the earlier transition from feudalism to capitalism, now ending with a shift from agrarian-commercial to commercial-industrial capitalism, disturbed by early proletarian stirrings (E. P. Thompson 1963). Whigs see a more diffuse evolutionary modernization, seeing industrial capitalism as interacting with the early achievement of civil rights and constitutional government to develop steadily greater citizenship and democracy (Plumb 1950: 140; Marshall 1963). Moore (1973: chapter 1) combines Whig and Marxian views: Britain evolved through reform to democracy because of the absence of a landholding nobility using labor-repressive agriculture and the presence of a large bourgeoisie. Marxists and Whigs believe industrial capitalism forced democracy on the state. Tories disagree: The old regime still commanded ideology and the state and extracted deference well into the nineteenth century. Its eventual decline came more through its own mistakes and divisions than through pressures exerted by industrial society (Moore 1976; Clark 1985).
Review. Levels of Recirculating Reproductively-related Steroid Hormones in Female Elasmobranchs. Implications for Reproduction in a Captive Environment

Chondrichthyans are a diverse group in terms of reproductive mode, which range from extended oviparity to placental viviparity. Although the reproductive biology of several species has been investigated, the reproductive physiology of only a few species has been reported. Only recently have the physiological factors of reproduction in cartilaginous fishes received attention. The information gained on reproductive cycles (both gonadal and uterine) has shown some similarities as well as differences between species. The serum levels of androgens, oestrogens, and progestins have been examined in several elasmobranch species and it has been shown that they are important in regulating key events in reproduction. The endocrine control of reproduction in elasmobranchs is more similar in many ways to higher vertebrates such as mammals than to teleosts. In general, the role of progesterone becomes more important than that of oestrogen in the transition from oviparity to viviparity. In addition, the roles of peptide hormones such as relaxin and the neurohypophysial hormones become increasingly important in viviparous species as in higher vertebrates. It is vital to understand the environmental and hormonal control of reproduction in elasmobranchs if more success is to be achieved in their reproduction in captivity. Knowledge gained from studies of the endocrine regulation of the reproductive cycle can be used to enhance the reproductive success of captive sharks, skates, and rays.
Production of Nitrous Oxide from Nitrite in Stable Type II Methanotrophic Enrichments.

The coupled aerobic–anoxic nitrous decomposition operation is a new process for wastewater treatment that removes nitrogen from wastewater and recovers energy from the nitrogen in three steps: (1) NH4+ oxidation to NO2–, (2) NO2– reduction to N2O, and (3) N2O conversion to N2 with energy production. Here, we demonstrate that type II methanotrophic enrichments can mediate step two by coupling oxidation of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (P3HB) to NO2– reduction. Enrichments grown with NH4+ and NO2– were subject to alternating 48-h aerobic and anoxic periods, in which CH4 and NO2– were added together in a “coupled” mode of operation or separately in a “decoupled mode”. Community structure was stable in both modes and dominated by Methylocystis. In the coupled mode, production of P3HB and N2O was low. In the decoupled mode, significant P3HB was produced, and oxidation of P3HB drove reduction of NO2– to N2O with ∼70% conversion for >30 cycles (120 d). In batch tests of wasted cells from the decoupled mode, N2O produc...
Space-Time Optimum Combining for CDMA Overlay for Personal Communications Systems

The requirement to suppress narrowband interferences in CDMA communication stems from the overlay concept, i.e., coexistence of different types of signals in the same frequency band. This paper describes the performance analysis of a direct-sequence (DS) CDMA personal communication system sharing a common spectrum with narrowband microwave radio links in the 1.85 to 1.99 GHz band. The coexistence of these two systems within the same frequency band will improve the overall spectrum efficiency, but will also cause interference to both systems. In this paper it is shown that joint spatial and temporal optimum combining provides an efficient means of improving the performance of the DS-CDMA system through cancellation of the narrowband signal and the co-channel interferences. The proposed space-time architecture provides degrees of freedom for both diversity and interference cancellation. It is shown that the joint space-time receiver is robust with respect to the narrowband interference signal bandwidth and its carrier frequency offset from the DS-CDMA carrier frequency.
Temperature-dependent orientation of intraband dipoles of self-assembled InAs/GaAs quantum dot ensembles

The temperature dependence of the orientation of intraband-transition-induced dipoles in self-assembled InAs/GaAs(001) quantum dots (QDs) embedded in n-i(QDs)-n configuration was reported.
Multiuser diversity-mobility tradeoff: modeling and performance analysis of a proportional fair scheduling

We analyze the influence of mobility on downlink performance of a wireless communication system. We first summarize some previously obtained information theoretic results, followed by a review of multiuser diversity systems. Then we introduce several first-order Markov chain models for use with multiuser diversity scheduling algorithms, in order to obtain quantitative performance results. Finally we propose an improved scheduling algorithm and compare its performance against that of a known scheduling algorithm.
Are label-free investigations the best approach to drug discovery?

Label-free techniques, in broad terms, are not new to drug discovery. Before the target-directed approaches took the center stage three decades ago, drugs were mostly discovered through phenotypic assessment of isolated tissues and whole animals without labels. With the rise of combinatorial chemistry, molecular biology, genomics and pharmacology in the past decades, labeling techniques have become dominating in early drug discovery process. Compared with traditional approaches, labeling techniques provide clear advantages in sensitivity, through
Verifying and preventing recurrence in metal defects for VLSI manufacturing

This paper provides several guides for solving or reducing metal defect from sputter stage, photo stage and etch stage. Particles from three stages were detected with KLA inspection and EDX component analysis tool. According to all evidence, the final results point out the criteria of various type defects in this paper. Specially, in our experiment, we get some obvious results, such as solving the resist gel mechanism in TEL coating track; reducing the splashing particle defect in TEL developer track; reducing particle for the new cleaning method in etching machine (dry 8330); reducing particle during the wafer transferring from ADI (photo) to AEI (etch).
“Recipe for a Jury” Revisited: A Balance Theory Prediction

This study examined the relationship of three variables to verdict confidence in an experimental simulation of the jury deliberation process. The three variables were: sex of juror, verdict (guilty or innocent), and the similarity or dissimilarity between juror and confederate verdicts (congruence or incongruence). The subjects were 35 male and 37 female college students. They deliberated in groups containing a male confederate who role-played an obnoxious anti-White or anti-Black juror. Results indicated that before deliberation, male and guilt verdict jurors were more confident than females and innocent verdict jurors. After deliberation, however, sex differences in verdict confidence were absent while innocent verdicts jurors were more confident than guilt verdict jurors. Most important, as predicted from Heider's Balance Theory, males who deliberated with a confederate whose verdict was congruent with theirs' became less confident in their verdicts. Unexpectedly, females became more confident. The study's major hypothesis, then, that it may be advantageous for the defense to accept a juror who zealously advocates a guilty verdict, was only supported for males.
High-Speed Multicast Scheduling for All-Optical Packet Switches

In this paper, we study multicast scheduling in all-optical packet switches. We first propose a novel optical buffer called multicast-enabled Fiber-Delay-Lines (M-FDLs), which can provide flexible delay for copies of multicast packets using only a small number of FDL segments. We then present a Delay-Guaranteed Multicast Scheduling (DGMS) algorithm that considers the schedule of each arriving packet for multiple time slots. We show that DGMS has several desirable features, such as guaranteed delay upper bound and adaptivity to transmission requirements. To relax the time constraint of DGMS, we further propose a parallel and pipeline architecture for DGMS that distributes the scheduling task to multiple pipelined processing stages, with N processors in each stage, where N is the switch size. Finally, by using a simple combination logic circuit, we show that each processor can finish the scheduling for one time slot in O(1) time. The performance of DGMS is tested extensively against statistical traffic models and real Internet traffic, and the results show that the proposed DGMS algorithm can achieve ultra-low average packet delay with minimum packet drop ratio.
De-O-methyldiaporthin, a phytotoxin from Drechslera siccans

Abstract A phytotoxic metabolite has been isolated from cultures of Drechslera siccans and structurally characterized as 6,8-dihydroxy-3-(2′-hydroxypropyl) isocoumarin (de- O -methyldiaporthin).
Theoretical calculation of low-lying states of NaAr and NaXe

Potential curves as well as dipole moments and linking transition moments are calculated for the ground X 2 Sigma + and low lying excited A 2 Pi, B 2 Sigma +, C 2 Sigma +, (4) 2 Sigma +, (2) 2 Pi and (1) 2 Delta states of NaAr and NaXe. Calculations are performed using a self-consistent field plus configuration-interaction procedure with the core electrons replaced by an ab initio effective core potential. The potential curves obtained are found to be considerably less repulsive than the semiempirical curves of Pascale and Vandeplanque (1974) and to agree well with existing experimental data, although the binding energies of those states having potential minima due to van der Waals interactions are underestimated. Emission bands are also calculated for the X 2 Sigma + - C 2 Sigma + excimer transitions of NaAr and NaXe using the calculated transition moments and potential curves, and shown to agree well with experiment on the short-wavelength side of the maximum.
Entropy Generation Minimization, Exergy Analysis, and the Constructal Law

This is a review of the evolution of thermodynamics during the past four decades, from classical (engineering) thermodynamics, to thermodynamic optimization, entropy generation minimization, exergy analysis, and most recently the constructal law of design and evolution in nature. The review shows that the first law and the second law refer to systems as “black boxes”, without configuration. Yet, most of the literature in modern thermodynamics is about systems with configuration and about improving the performance of designs. The systems of nature are not black boxes: they have configurations that evolve ceaselessly. To complete the thermodynamics description of nature, the constructal law was added to the first law and the second law. The result is constructal thermodynamics, which unites the animate, inanimate, and engineered systems.
Tandem mass spectrometry-based detection of c4'-oxidized abasic sites at specific positions in DNA fragments.

Oxidative damage to DNA has been linked to aging, cancer, and other biological processes. Reactive oxygen species and various antitumor agents including bleomycin and ionizing radiation have been shown to cause oxidative DNA sugar damage. Detection of DNA lesions is important for understanding the toxicological or therapeutic consequences associated with such agents. C4′-oxidized abasic sites (C4-AP) are produced by the antitumor drug bleomycin and ionizing radiation. The currently available methods for the detection of C4-AP cannot provide both structural and sequence information. We have developed an LC-ESI-MS-based approach for specific detection and mapping of C4-AP from a mixture of lesions. We show using Fe-bleomycin-damaged DNA that C4-AP can be detected at cytosine and thymine sites by direct MS analysis. Our results reveal that collision-induced dissociation of C4-AP-containing oligonucleotides results in preferential fragmentation at C4-AP sites with the formation of the unique a* ions (18 amu m...
Large deviations for vector-valued Lévy processes

Abstract The large deviation principle is proved for the rescaled and normalized paths of a Levy process taking values in a separable Banach space B , in the uniform topology of D ([0, 1], B ), under an exponential integrability condition. Other results are obtained when this condition does not hold.
Investigation of ribs influence on stability and vibration of imperfect shells

Below are stated the results of the theoretical and experimental investigations on stability and vibration of ribbed shells carried out simultaneously with analogous works of Prof. J. Arbocz's and also in development of his works and in confirming the conclusions obtained in his works by research workers of the department of engineering mechanics of thin-walled constructions of S.P. Timoshenko Institute of Mechanics of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. The purpose of the investigations carried out was to study effects caused by joint influence of a discrete placing of ribs and the presence of technological imperfections. Free vibrations and stability under static loading of shells of revolution strengthened by meridional and circular ribs were considered. Under theoretical investigations, the influence of a discrete placing of ribs and initial deflections are estimated, as a rule, on the basis of a non-linear shell theory. Experimental investigations for estimate of the influence of mentioned factors were also carried out. At the initial stage of shell designing the simple calculation formulas for determination of critical load values were suggested.
Density of fallen ash after the eruption of Tambora in 1815

Abstract A reassessment of the ash density associated with the eruption of the volcano Tambora, Indonesia, in 1815 is presented by examining contemporary reports. This eruption produced the largest known ashfall in historical times. The density of the fallen ash at Makassar, about 380 km north of Tambora, can be safely stated to be 636 kg m−3.
Vehicle systems: coupled and interactive dynamics analysis

This article formulates a new direction in vehicle dynamics, described as coupled and interactive vehicle system dynamics. Formalised procedures and analysis of case studies are presented.An analytical consideration, which explains the physics of coupled system dynamics and its consequences for dynamics of a vehicle, is given for several sets of systems including: (i) driveline and suspension of a 6×6 truck, (ii) a brake mechanism and a limited slip differential of a drive axle and (iii) a 4×4 vehicle steering system and driveline system.The article introduces a formal procedure to turn coupled system dynamics into interactive dynamics of systems. A new research direction in interactive dynamics of an active steering and a hybrid-electric power transmitting unit is presented and analysed to control power distribution between the drive axles of a 4×4 vehicle. A control strategy integrates energy efficiency and lateral dynamics by decoupling dynamics of the two systems thus forming their interactive dynamics.
X-ray studies of relativistic heavy-ion-atom collisions

Abstract X-rays between 4 and 200 keV emitted in collisions between 82 to 670 MeV amu heavy ions ranging in charge from Ne to U and solid targets ranging from Be to U are analyzed. Target and projectile K X-ray production, radiative electron capture, and primary and secondary electron bremsstrahlung are discussed.
Potential of ozonolysis as a pretreatment for energy grasses.

Abstract This study investigated the effect of ozonolysis on Miscanthus × giganteus , Miscanthus sinensis ‘Gracillimus’ , Saccharum arundinaceum and Saccharum ravennae , collectively referred to as ‘energy grasses’. Studies were conducted at three different ozone concentrations (40, 50 and 58 mg/l) using two ozone flow configurations – uni-directional and reversed flow. Pretreatment conditions for each variety were optimized based on lignin content and glucan recovery in ozonated solids. Results showed that ozonolysis was effective in removing up to 59.9% lignin without cellulose degradation. However, subsequent hydrolysis of pretreated solids with Cellic® CTec2 at 0.06 g/g raw biomass provided glucan conversion lower than untreated samples suggesting enzyme inhibition by lignin degradation products formed during ozonolysis. Future studies investigating hydrolysis efficiency of washed pretreated solids with higher enzyme loadings are therefore warranted to optimize the hydrolysis process and make it functionally feasible.
A method of restraining goldfish during conditioning of electric-shock-induced suppression of breathing movements

An efficient method of holding individual fish in position for delivery of visual conditioned stimuli and electrical unconditioned stimuli, and for registration of breathing movements with a thermistor, is described. The holder restrains the fish gently and is readily opened and closed. In addition, a “mechanical fish” signal generator, for assessing thermistor performance in detecting breathing movements, and a safe constant-current electrical shock stimulus generator are described.
Current sexual activity and risky sexual behavior in older men with or at risk for HIV infection

Abstract In a cross–sectional analysis, we investigated frequency of sexual activity and factors associated with risky sexual behavior among 624 oldermen, aged 49–80, with or at risk for HIV infection. During the prior 6 months, 75% reported sexual activity with at least one partner, and one quarter of both the HIV–negative and HIV–positive men had more than one sexual partner. Only 18% of the HIV–negative men and 58% of the HIV–positive men always used condoms with their sexual partners. Factors independently and positively associated with risky sexual behavior included lack of HIV infection, any drug use in the past 6 months, greater importance of sex in one's life, weekly or more frequent sexual activity in the past 6 months, and ever taking sildenafil. These results suggest that older men with or at risk for HIV infection are sexually active, participate in risky sexual behavior, and need safer sex interventions.
Sequentical beamspace beamforming

Beamforming is an array processing technique that is applicable for either radiation or reception. In receiving beamforming an array collects spatial samples of impinging waveforms, and then a set of carefully calculated weights are applied to the multi-channel data to separate the desired signal from unwanted interference. In this paper we describe a sequential beamspace beamforming method using sequential beamspace data instead of element space data. We use a set of orthogonal beams to transfer element space data to beamspace and then apply a beamforming algorithm to obtain a filtered signal highly correlative to the original signal. The advantages of this method include a reduction in the computational burden for element space beamforming using an array with many elements, and the suppression of numerous interferers originating from directions other than the desired direction. The algorithms have been implemented on an 8 element uniform circular array (UCA) and an 8 channel analog beamformer (BF) operating at 5.8 GHz.1 2