cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transforming energy using quantum dots

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) have emerged as versatile and efficient scaffolds to absorb light and then manipulate, direct, and convert that energy into other useful forms of energy. The QD characteristics (optical, electrical, physical) can be readily tuned via solution phase chemistries in order to affect the flow of energy, initially contained in the photons of light, using rational design. Key parameters under control are the size and shape, internal composition (e.g., alloys, core/shell heterostructures, semiconductor/metal interfaces), surface composition (ligand chemistries), and film composition (e.g., QD–QD electronic coupling, bulk heterostructure formation, QD/biological interfaces). In this review, we summarize recent progress using QDs in energy conversion architectures with the express goal of transforming optical energy to other forms of energy, including electricity, photons with different energies, and chemical bonds, i.e., photovoltaics, photon up- or down-conversion, and photocatalytic process, respectively. The advantages of using QDs in absorbing and then directing and converting optical energy over molecular chromophores are highlighted. Finally, we discuss ongoing challenges and opportunities associated with using QDs for absorbing, manipulating and directing the flow of energy.
Uncertainty Quantification of Simplified Viscoelastic Continuum Damage Fatigue Model using the Bayesian Inference-Based Markov Chain Monte Carlo Method:

The simplified viscoelastic continuum damage model (S-VECD) has been widely accepted as a computationally efficient and a rigorous mechanistic model to predict the fatigue resistance of asphalt con...
Divergent effects of myogenic differentiation and diabetes on the capacity for muscle precursor cell adipogenic differentiation in a fibrin matrix.

The development of ectopic adipose tissue in skeletal muscle is associated with several skeletal muscle and metabolic pathologies, including Type II Diabetes Mellitus. The adipogenic differentiation of muscle precursor cells (MPCs) has been postulated to occur in skeletal muscle in vivo in a three-dimensional (3-D) configuration; therefore, it is appropriate to investigate this phenomenon using 3-D matrices in vitro. The capacity for MPC adipogenic differentiation in a 3-D environment was investigated in fibrin hydrogels by treating MPCs derived from healthy or diabetic animals with adipogenic induction medias that differed in their ability to increase lipid accumulation and activate the expression of genes associated with adipogenic differentiation (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG), adiponectin (ADIPOQ), and fatty acid synthase (FAS)). The capacity for adipogenic differentiation was diminished, but not prevented, if myogenic differentiation preceded MPC exposure to adipogenic induction conditions. Conversely, adipogenic differentiation was greater in hydrogels containing MPCs from diabetic rats as compared to those derived from lean rats, as evidenced by an increase in lipid accumulation and adipogenic gene expression. Collectively, the data herein support a role for the MPCs in adipogenesis in a 3-D environment and that they may contribute to the ectopic accumulation of adipose tissue. The observation that the potential for adipogenic differentiation is maintained even after a period of myogenic differentiation alludes to the possibility that adipogenesis may occur during different phases of muscle development. Finally, the increase in adipogenic differentiation in hydrogels containing MPCs derived from diabetic animals provides strong evidence that a pathological environment in vivo increases their capacity for adipogenesis.
Temporary migrants and public space: a case study of Dongguan, China

The development of the labour-intensive manufacturing sector in Dongguan, China, stimulated significant inflows of temporary migrants. However, their temporary status limits migrants’ mobility and ...
Utilizing GPU Performance Counters to Characterize GPU Kernels via Machine Learning

GPU computing kernels are relatively simple to write if achieving the best performance is not of the highest priority. However, it can quickly become a much more daunting task when users try to tune and optimize their kernels to obtain the highest performance. This is due to GPUs’ massive degree of parallelism, complex memory hierarchy, fine grain synchronization, and long memory access latency. Hence, users must carry out the complex tasks of profiling, analyzing, and tuning to reduce performance bottlenecks. Today’s GPUs can generate hundreds of performance events that comprehensively quantify the behavior of a kernel. Instead of relying on experts’ manual analysis, this paper targets using machine learning methods to generalize GPU performance counter data to determine the characteristics of a GPU kernel as they will reveal possible reasons for low performance. We choose a set of problem-independent counters as our inputs to design and compare three machine learning methods to automatically classify the execution behavior of a kernel. The experimental results on stencil computing kernels and sparse matrix multiplications show the machine learning models’ good accuracy, and demonstrate a feasible approach that is capable of classifying a kernel’s characterizations and suggesting changes to a skilled user, who can subsequently improve kernel performance with less guessing.
Molecular View of Cavitation in Model-Solvated Polymer Networks

Cavitation within soft, elastic solids is not well understood despite the role it plays in the failure of materials important to many commercial and biological applications. We examine the elastic ...
Impact of Media Ownership on News Coverage

This paper examines the effect of a change in WSJ’s ownership in 2007 when it was acquired by News Corp., which is owned by Rupert Murdoch. We find that WSJ’s coverage of firms with board connections to News Corp. is 36.5% more positive, relative to New York Times (NYT), after its acquisition. WSJ’s favorable coverage impacts stock prices that are reversed and is associated with higher insider sales, both suggesting positive bias rather than information advantages. Media coverage after 8-K filings of firms shows that positive coverage by WSJ for connected firms is primarily seen when the news is negative. There is no evidence that NYT coverage is more favorable towards its connected firms. We also find that WSJ coverage for firms that compete with its parent News Corp. is significantly negative after 2007. The evidence suggests the importance of ownership structures for media firms and its potential to influence business coverage.
Long-Term Patency and Fluid Dynamics of Recipient Artery after End-to-Side Anastomosis for Free Tissue Transfer.

Background End-to-end microvascular anastomoses sacrifice downstream inline perfusion of the recipient vessels. End-to-side anastomoses, in theory, maintain distal inline flow of the recipient vessel. The proposed benefit of the end-to-side technique depends on patency of the distal vessels and subsequent flow parameters, but maintenance of distal perfusion has not been conclusively demonstrated. Methods Fifteen patients who underwent a successful extremity free flap procedure via end-to-side anastomoses to a noncritical vessel between 2003 and 2017 were enrolled. Recipient artery patency distal to the anastomosis was assessed using pulse volume recordings and duplex ultrasound imaging. Resistance indices, flow velocities, vessel diameters, volumetric flow, and turbulent flow dimensionless number (Reynolds number) were measured. Comparisons were made to the ipsilateral collateral vessel as well as to the vessels on the nonoperative contralateral limb using paired t tests. Results Downstream flow was identified in 14 of 15 patients (93 percent patency). There was no statistical difference in resistive indices comparing the anastomotic vessel (0.859 ± 0.300) and the collateral vessel (0.853 ± 0.179) of the ipsilateral extremity. Ultrasound flows were similar; the anastomotic vessel demonstrated downstream volumetric flows of 139 ± 92.0 cm3/min versus 137 ± 41.6 cm3/min within the same vessel of the nonoperative contralateral limb. The anastomotic vessel had Reynolds numbers well below the turbulent threshold (448 ± 202 and 493 ± 127 for the anastomotic and nonoperative contralateral limb, respectively). Conclusion End-to-side anastomosis to noncritical vessels resulted in a 93 percent long-term recipient vessel patency rate, with no statistically significant changes in volumetric flows, resistive indices, or fluid dynamics in the vessels that remained patent.
FTC Rulemaking: Existing Authorities & Recommendations

The Federal Trade Commission has perhaps the broadest purview of any independent agency or executive branch department. It has been granted wide-ranging discretion to fight flexibly defined “unfair or deceptive acts or practices” and “unfair methods of competition” across nearly the entirety of the American economy. With that area of supervision has come an array of tools to promote compliance, including enforcement actions, voluntary “industry guides,” advisory opinions solicited from outside parties, Commission policy statements, and distribution of litigated cease-and-desist orders to make other companies subject to civil penalties for similar conduct. But one tool is often overlooked: the agency’s broad, discretionary rulemaking powers. The FTC has the authority to issue substantive rules with the force of law proscribing unfair or deceptive acts or practices as well as unfair methods of competition. Rulemaking could thus be a critical tool for the agency in furthering its dual mission of protecting consumers and promoting competition. Following the “Reagan Revolution” at the Commission, though, these authorities have fallen into nearly complete disuse. With such broad and flexible authorities, agency norms and culture become critically important. As this article will demonstrate, the decline in discretionary FTC rulemaking was driven far more by cultural changes at the agency and self-imposed procedural hurdles than by any legislative limitations from Congress. As such, this decline may be reversed. Engaging with the extent of the agency’s rulemaking authorities can lead to immediately actionable insights and position the Commission for effective regulatory action under a majority committed to rulemaking.
The Alcohol Expectancy Process

ABSTRACT Alcohol expectancies are the effects people anticipate from consuming beverage alcohol, whether this entails feelings of pleasure or a sense of interpersonal power. This paper describes the origins, structure, and changing nature of the alcohol expectancy process with special emphasis on the practical use of alcohol expectancies to prevent, assess, and manage problem drinking.
DNA recognition by the FLP recombinase of the yeast 2 mu plasmid. A mutational analysis of the FLP binding site.

Abstract The 2 μ plasmid of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae encodes a site-specific recombination system consisting of the FLP protein and two inverted recombination sites on the plasmid. The minimal fully functional substrate for in-vitro recombination in this system consists of two FLP protein binding sites separated by an eight base-pair spacer sequence. We have used site-directed mutagenesis to generate every possible mutation (36 in all) within 11 base-pairs of one FLP protein binding site and the base-pair immediately flanking it. The base-pairs within the binding site can be separated into three classes on the basis of these results. Thirty of the 36 sequence changes, including all three at seven different positions (class I) produce a negligible or modest effect on FLP protein-promoted recombination. In particular, most transition mutations are well-tolerated in this system. In only one case do all three possible mutations produce large effects (class II). At three positions, clustered near the site at which DNA is cleaved by FLP protein, one of the two possible transversions produces a large effect on recombination, while the other two changes produce modest effects (class III). For seven mutants for which FLP protein binding was measured, a direct correlation between decreases in recombination activity and in binding was observed. Positive effects on the reaction potential of mutant sites are observed when the other FLP binding site in a single recombination site is unaltered or when the second recombination site in a reaction is wild-type. This suggests a functional interaction between FLP binding sites both in cis and in trans. When two mutant recombination sites (each with 1 altered FLP binding site) are recombined, the relative orientation of the mutations (parallel or antiparallel) has no effect on the result. These results provide an extensive substrate catalog to complement future studies in this system.
The attraction of chemokines as a target for specific anti‐inflammatory therapy

Since the identification of the first chemotactic cytokines 20 years ago, the field has mushroomed, with the discovery of approximately 40 ligands, which interact with 20 different cell surface receptors. At the time of writing this review, a PubMed trawl using the word ‘chemokine' will recover over 28,000 manuscripts. In this article, we will give a short history of the discovery of chemokines and provide examples of the potential for therapeutic targeting of the chemokine network in inflammatory disease.
What Can a Multifaceted Program Do for Community College Students: Early Results from an Evaluation of Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP) for Developmental Education Students

In recent years, there has been unprecedented national focus on the importance of increasing the stubbornly low graduation rates of community college students. Most reforms that have been tried are short-term and address one or only a few barriers to student success. The City University of New York’s (CUNY’s) Accelerated Study in Associate Programs (ASAP), launched in 2007 with funding from Mayor Bloomberg’s Center for Economic Opportunity (CEO), is an uncommonly multifaceted and long-term program designed to help community college students graduate.ASAP requires students to attend college full time and provides a rich array of supports and incentives for up to three years, with a goal of graduating at least 50 percent of students within three years. Unlike many programs, ASAP aims to simultaneously address multiple barriers to student success over many semesters. The program model includes some block-scheduled classes for ASAP students for the first year of the program; an ASAP seminar for at least the first year, which covers such topics as goal-setting and academic planning; comprehensive advisement; tutoring; career services; a tuition waiver that covers any gap between a student’s financial aid and tuition and fees; free MetroCards for use on public transportation; and free use of textbooks.This report presents very promising early findings from a random assignment study of ASAP at three CUNY community colleges: Borough of Manhattan, Kingsborough, and LaGuardia. For the study, ASAP targets low-income students who need one or two developmental (remedial) courses to build their reading, writing, or math skills. The study compares ASAP with regular services and classes at the colleges. Key findings include effects on: Full-time enrollment. During the study’s first semester, ASAP increased full-time enrollment by 11 percentage points: 96 percent of the students assigned to ASAP enrolled full time, compared with 85 percent of the comparison group; Credits earned and completing developmental coursework. ASAP increased the average number of credits earned during the first semester by 2.1 credits and increased the proportion of students who completed their developmental coursework by the end of that semester by 15 percentage points; Semester-to-semester retention. ASAP increased the proportion of students who enrolled in college during the second semester by 10 percentage points and increased full-time enrollment that semester by 21 percentage points.ASAP’s early effects are larger than the effects of most of the community college programs MDRC has studied previously. ASAP’s comprehensive package of financial aid, services, and supports, together with its full-time attendance requirement, has resulted in students taking and passing more credits than they would have otherwise. Future reports will show whether these effects can be sustained — or even grow — as students continue in this comprehensive, three-year program.
Quantum Mechanics and 3N‐Dimensional Space

I maintain that quantum mechanics is fundamentally about a system of N particles evolving in three-dimensional space, not the wave function evolving in 3N-dimensional space.
Cellular mechanisms of muscle fatigue

Fatigue, defined as the failure to maintain the required or expected power output, is a complex problem, since multiple factors are clearly involved, with the relative importance of each dependent on the fiber type composition of the contracting muscles(s), and the intensity, type, and duration of the contractile activity. The primary sites of fatigue appear to be within the muscle cell itself and for the most part do not involve the central nervous system or the neuromuscular junction. The major hypotheses of fatigue center on disturbances in the surface membrane, E-C coupling, or metabolic events. The cell sites most frequently linked to the etiology of skeletal muscle fatigue are shown in Figure 1. Skeletal muscles are composed of at least four distinct fiber types (3 fast twitch and 1 slow twitch), with the slow type I and fast type IIa fibers containing the highest mitochondrial content and fatigue resistance. Despite fiber type differences in the degree of fatigability, the contractile properties undergo characteristic changes with the development of fatigue that can be observed in whole muscles, single motor units, and single fibers. The Po declines, and the contraction and relaxation times are prolonged. Additionally, there is a decrease in the peak rate of tension development and decline and a reduced Vo. Changes in Vo are more resistant to fatigue than Po and are not observed until Po has declined by at least 10% of its initial prefatigued value. However, the reduced peak power by which fatigue is defined results from both a reduction in Vo and Po. In the absence of muscle fiber damage, the prolonged relaxation time associated with fatigue causes the force-frequency curve to shift to the left, such that peak tensions are obtained at lower frequencies of stimulation. In a mechanism not clearly understood, the central nervous system senses this condition and reduces the alpha-motor nerve activation frequency as fatigue develops. In some cases, selective LFF develops that displaces the force-frequency curve to the right. Although not proven, it appears likely that this condition is associated with and likely caused by muscle injury, such that the SR releases less Ca2+ at low frequencies of activation. Alternatively, LFF could result from a reduced membrane excitability, such that the sarcolemma action potential frequency is considerably less than the stimulation frequency.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
TEST OF MASS SPECTRA

A mass spectrum recently predicted for elementary particles and resonances seemed to agree very well with experimental values. The spectrum has a constant interval between successive predicted masses. By determining the distribution of observed masses within this constant interval, the predicted spectrum is shown to have little experimental backing. (D.C.W.)
Evaluation of the needle point tracing as a method for determining centric relation

Summary 1. Needle point tracings were obtained from ten subjects at five different degrees of jaw separation. 2. All subjects showed anteroposterior change of the centric relation position as a factor of increases in the vertical dimension between the jaws. The mandibular centric relation position moved posteriorly when the vertical dimension between the jaws was increased. 3. Two subjects showed only negligible lateral deviations at any degree of opening while one subject showed consistent deviations from the midline when the vertical dimension between the jaws was increased. 4. The needle point tracings at a given vertical dimension of jaw separation under the same controlled conditions, on the same individual, at the same sitting, were not significantly different. On the basis of this study, the needle point tracing procedure is reliable.
Independent value of signal-averaged electrocardiography and left ventricular function in identifying patients with sustained ventricular tachycardia with coronary artery disease

To determine if the signal-averaged electrocardiographic detection of late potentials is an independent marker of sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) in patients with documented chronic coronary artery disease (CAD), 57 patients underwent signal-averaged electrocardiography. Mean ejection fraction was 47 +/- 13% in the 14 patients with sustained VT and 56 +/- 19% in the 43 patients without VT (difference not significant). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of late potentials for detecting patients with VT were 64% (9 of 14), 79% (34 of 43), and 75% (43 of 57), respectively. Univariate analysis and stepwise logistic regression of angiographic and electrocardiographic variables identified late potentials as an independent marker of the patient with sustained VT. The odds ratio for late potentials to detect patients with prior sustained VT was 2.6. Six-month follow-up revealed a cardiac mortality rate of 11% and an arrhythmia event rate of 22% in patients with late potentials vs a cardiac mortality rate of 3% and an arrhythmia event rate of 13% in patients without late potentials. Thus, signal-averaged electrocardiographic detection of late potentials is useful in identifying patients with prior sustained VT independent of left ventricular function.
Modular Lagrangians and the theta multiplier

Let V be a free module over Z/4 of rank 2 n and let (,) be a non-singular skew form on V. Let F" denote the reduction of V modulo 2 and let Q be a hyperbolic (i.e. Arf invariant zero) quadratic form on P with (,) as associated bilinear form. We let A(V) denote the set of oriented Lagrangians (i.e. free totally-isotropic submodules of rank n) in V and Ao(V)cA(V) the subset of those L in A(V) whose reductions modulo 2 are totally isotropic for Q. We call such an L an oriented isotropic Lagrangian. We will study a certain function m on Ao(V)x Ao(V) with values in the group of fourth roots of unity. The function m is skew-symmetric (m(M, L)= re(L, M)-t) and is a 1-cocycle. By this
Development of a testbed for flexible a-Si:H photodiode sensing arrays

Large area, flexible sensing arrays for imaging, biochemical sensing and radiation detection are now possible with the development of flexible active matrix display technology. In particular, large-area flexible imaging arrays can provide considerable advancement in defense and security industries because of their inherent low manufacturing costs and physical plasticity that allows for increased adaptability to non-planar mounting surfaces. For example, a flexible array of photodetectors and lenslets formed into a cylinder could image simultaneously with a 360 degree view without the need for expensive bulky optics or a gimbaled mount. Here we report the design and development of a scalable 16x16 pixel testbed for flexible sensor arrays using commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) parts and demonstrate the capture of a shadow image with an array of photodiodes and active pixel sensors on a plastic substrate. The image capture system makes use of an array of low-noise, InGaZnO active pixel amplifiers to detect changes in current in 2.4 μm-thick reverse-biased a-Si:H PIN diodes. A thorough characterization of the responsivity, detectivity, and optical gain of an a- Si:H photodiode is also provided. At the back end, analog capture circuitry progressively scans the array and constructs an image based on the electrical activity in each pixel. The use of correlated-double-sampling to remove fixed pattern noise is shown to significantly improve spatial resolution due to process variations. The testbed can be readily adapted for the development of neutron, alpha-particle, or X-ray detection arrays given an appropriate conversion layer.
Genetic program based data mining to reverse engineer digital logic

A data mining based procedure for automated reverse engineering and defect discovery has been developed. The data mining algorithm for reverse engineering uses a genetic program (GP) as a data mining function. A genetic program is an algorithm based on the theory of evolution that automatically evolves populations of computer programs or mathematical expressions, eventually selecting one that is optimal in the sense it maximizes a measure of effectiveness, referred to as a fitness function. The system to be reverse engineered is typically a sensor. Design documents for the sensor are not available and conditions prevent the sensor from being taken apart. The sensor is used to create a database of input signals and output measurements. Rules about the likely design properties of the sensor are collected from experts. The rules are used to create a fitness function for the genetic program. Genetic program based data mining is then conducted. This procedure incorporates not only the experts' rules into the fitness function, but also the information in the database. The information extracted through this process is the internal design specifications of the sensor. Uncertainty related to the input-output database and the expert based rule set can significantly alter the reverse engineering results. Significant experimental and theoretical results related to GP based data mining for reverse engineering will be provided. Methods of quantifying uncertainty and its effects will be presented. Finally methods for reducing the uncertainty will be examined.
Bremsstrahlung from solitons

One dimensional solitons behave like Newtonian particles if subjected to external forces, as has been shown by Fogel et al. for the case of sine-Gordon solitons. We add here the observation that they also emit free radiation—i.e. Bremsstrahlung—if accelerated by an external force. The radiation spectrum is calculated for the sine Gordon case.
Giant cell tumour of tendon sheath origin at the sinus tarsi

Abstract Giant cell tumours of tendon sheath origin are uncommon in the foot and ankle and extremely rare in the sinus tarsi. For cases that are difficult to evaluate clinically, MR imaging is recommended for diagnosis and assessing the extent of involvement. We report on a case located in the region of the sinus tarsi that was clinically misdiagnosed as a ganglion. In our case a pre-operative misdiagnosis meant that a full radiological assessment was inadequate, which could have resulted in incomplete excision and increased risk of local recurrence. This patient has had no local recurrence at 2 year's follow up.
Currents and voltages of a three-phase unbalanced load

In the computation of the phase voltages and currents of an unbalanced three-phase wye load, the electrical engineer usually employs one of several generally accepted methods.
Inhibition of nuclear uptake and ATP-Sepharose binding of progesterone-receptor complex by aurintricarboxylic acid.

Abstract Aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) was used as a low-molecular-weight chemical probe for the analysis of nuclear binding site(s) of avian progesterone receptor. The cytosol from the oviducts of white Leghorn hens or diethylstilbestrol-primed immature chicks was fractionated with (NH4)2SO4, redissolved and labeled with 3H-labeled R5020 for 2 h at 4 °C. An incubation with 0.1–0.5 m m ATA at 4 °C completely blocked the uptake of progesterone-receptor complex by isolated hen oviduct nuclei. The steroid binding properties of the receptor and the sedimentation characteristics of the progesterone-receptor complex appeared to remain intact under these conditions. The commercially available as well as laboratory-synthesized ATA has been known to be a mixture of several compounds. Eight different components of ATA were separated on silica gel (Kontes) by thin-layer chromatography using a solvent system containing chloroform, formic acid, and acetone (100/5/15, v v ). The components were named according to their migration spot on the silica plates, 8 being the slowest and 1 being the fastest. Components 4–8 blocked the nuclear uptake by 40–70% at 0.1 m m whereas at higher concentration (1.0 m m ) Components 7–8 completely inactivated the progesterone-receptor complex; Components 5–6 also blocked the nuclear uptake significantly. The effects of ATA appeared to be irreversible; dialysis of ATA-treated preparations, or an addition of divalent cations, BSA, or ATP did not remove its inhibitory influence. Further analysis on several compounds structurally related to ATA revealed that the unique aurintriphenylmethane ring system and the carboxylic acid groups are both necessary for its inhibitory effects on progesterone receptor.
Parenteral Trimethoprim/Sulfamethoxazole for Gram Negative Bacillary Meningitis

Three adults with gram-negative bacillary meningitis were treated with an intravenous preparation of trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole. This therapy sterilized the cerebrospinal fluid in each case. The infections occurred as complications of neurosurgery, trauma and chronic otitis media. Serratia marcescens was the causative organism in two patients and Proteus vulgaris in the third. The infecting organism was eradicated within three to 17 days of beginning intravenous trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Followup CSF cultures after completing therapy were sterile. These cases suggest intravenous trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole may be effective treatment for some cases of gram negative bacillary meningitis.
Homozygosity of chromosome 13 in retinoblastoma.

Abstract We studied the frequency of chromosome 13 homozygosity in tumor tissue obtained directly from eyes harboring retinoblastomas. The data indicate that approximately half of all retinoblastom...
On a general scheme in the theory of conflicts

A general model for conflict situations is presented, and balanced strategies are defined. Sufficient and necessary conditions are presented for the existence of balanced strategies. The methodology is based on the theory of linear inequalities.
Association between the α-adducin gene and hypertension in the HyperGEN Study

Abstract This report from the HyperGEN Study, one of four networks participating in the NHLBI-sponsored Family Blood Pressure Program, presents the results of an association study based on 822 white and 572 black subjects (cases and controls) participating in the HyperGEN Network from five geographically diverse field centers. All cases met the Joint National Committee on Detection and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC VI) criteria for hypertension (Stage I or higher). Each subject was clinically examined for risk factors for hypertension as well as genotyped for the point mutation Gly460Trp at the α-adducin locus on chromosome 4p. In the white group, the prevalence of genotypes with one or more Trp alleles was 26% in normotensives, versus 33% in hypertensives randomly selected from the population, and 39% among the multiply affected hypertensive sibships. Overall, in whites, the Trp allele significantly increased the odds of hypertension (P = .0056), with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.73 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.17, 2.54). The α-adducin gene remained a significant independent predictor of hypertension in a multivariate logistic model even after correcting for other risk factors for hypertension, including gender, age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, urine sodium (Na), and urine potassium (K), (OR = 1.55, 95% CI = 1.03, 2.34). Through the use of regression trees, several gene-by-environment interactions were implicated, suggesting that α-adducin appears to be a particularly important risk factor (OR = 4.2) for older (age > 60.5 years), less lean (BMI
On the electrical conductivity of the lower stratosphere

The reality of the decrease of conductivity with height observed at the top of the Explorer IIflight is supported by some measurements made earlier by Idrac. The cause of this decrease is discussed and an hypothesis of convective updraft of Aitken nuclei from troposphere to stratosphere is examined. The hypothesis appears incapable of accounting for a steady-state worldwide population of stratospheric nuclei sufficient to satisfy existing observations. It is urged that Idrac's measurements be repeated on a more extensive basis using more modern sounding techniques.
Gray-scale and contrast compensator for LCDs using obliquely oriented anisotropic network

Birefringent optical compensators containing layers with substantially inclined optic axes can improve not only the contrast but also the gray scale and chromatic stability of 90 degrees twisted nematic LCDs over a large field of view. We present the detailed architecture of such a compensator. It consists of multiple birefringent layers, including one with an in-plane optic axis, one with its optic axis normal to the plane, and two with optic axes inclined at about 40 degrees from the plane. The in-plane and inclined layers are fabricated by photopolymerization of oriented liquid crystal monomers to form anisotropic networks. The precise thicknesses and azimuthal orientations of the various layers are determined by computer optimization. Laboratory measurements of compensated display units show good contrast, gray level, and chromatic stability over a large field of view. The performance is suitable for demanding avionics applications. These compensators are currently being fabricated at the Rockwell Science Center.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
BEHAVIOR OF THE IONIZATION CROSS SECTION IN COLLISIONS OF HIGH-ENERGY ELECTRONS WITH HYDROGENIC ATOMS.

The ionization cross section per unit range of the energy $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ of the ejected electrons for collision of an incident charged particle of high energy $E$ with an atomic system is given by $\frac{\mathrm{dQ}}{d\ensuremath{\epsilon}}={E}^{\ensuremath{-}1}[A(\ensuremath{\epsilon})\mathrm{ln}E+B(\ensuremath{\epsilon})]$, where $A$ and $B$ are functions of $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$, and the total cross section is given by $Q={E}^{\ensuremath{-}1}[{A}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}\mathrm{ln}E+{B}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}]$. The coefficients $A(\ensuremath{\epsilon})$ and $B(\ensuremath{\epsilon})$ for the particular case of the atomic hydrogen are derived analytically as an expansion with respect to $k=\ensuremath{\surd}\ensuremath{\epsilon}$. The expansion converges for all values of $k$. By integrating $A(\ensuremath{\epsilon})$ and $B(\ensuremath{\epsilon})$ with respect to $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$, ${\mathrm{A}}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ and ${B}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ are obtained and compared with the values given by Bethe using a different method. The coefficients of the first two leading terms of the expansion of $\frac{\mathrm{dQ}}{d\ensuremath{\epsilon}}$ with respect to $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ or $\frac{1}{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}$ when $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ is small or large are found. A relationship for the average energy of the ejected electrons is given. Different features of the high-energy impact ionization and a certain connection between the ionization and the discrete level excitation are discussed.
Lyman- alpha emission from H+ impact on rare-gas atoms.

Absolute cross sections for the emission of Lyman-..cap alpha.. radiation have been measured for low-energy H/sup +/ impact on rare-gas-atom targets. Data were obtained for H/sup +/ energies from 2.0 keV down to 1.0 keV for He targets, to 0.5 keV for Ne targets, to 0.05 keV for Ar and Kr targets, and to 0.013 keV for Xe targets. The polarizations of the emitted Lyman-..cap alpha.. radiation were also measured. Using previously measured cross sections for Balmer-..cap alpha.. and Balmer-..beta.. emission for the same collisions, it was possible to make an approximate determination of the cascade contributions to the total Lyman-..cap alpha.. emission, and to extract the cross sections for direct population of the 2p state of hydrogen during the collisions. The results are compared with the work of other investigators at higher H/sup +/ energies in an attempt to deduce the best working values of these cross sections for H/sup +/ energies up to 100 keV.
Schools of Social Work Contribution to Community Partnerships: The Renewal of the Social Compact in Higher Education

ABSTRACT Embracing the concept that the social compact between university and community can provide a cornerstone for true social change. This article details how partnering with outside organizations in collaborative relationships can help fulfill higher education's obligation to educate for the good of a democratic and learned populace. Often the social conscience of a university, schools of social work can serve as leaders in the development or facilitation of university and community partnerships to address or intervene in areas of social need. One research institution of higher education provides successful examples.
BICYCLE RIDING AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

ABSTRACTPurpose: Researchers have suggested that cycling is a hazard to the sexual health of men. Insufficient data have left cyclists skeptical of this claim. We explore risk factors within cyclin...
Protecting conductive polymer wire from oxidation using an air-impermeable polyisobutylene coating

The decay of the electrical conductivity over time under environmental conditions sets restrictions to some possible technical applications of polymer electronics. We report here that a polyisobutylene (PI) coating can act as a protecting layer that prevents the oxidation of polyaniline by oxygen and thereby increase the lifetime of polymer electronics.
The influence of surface dents and grooves on traction in sliding EHD point contacts

Changes in traction, caused by dents and grooves on a highly polished ball, are investigated as these defects approach and go through sliding elastohydrodynamic (EHD) point contacts. The contacts are formed with the ball loaded against a transparent disk. The ball and thus the topographical features are held stationary at various locations in the vicinity and within the contact while the disk is rotating. It is shown that these topographical features can cause substantial changes in the traction when compared to traction obtained with smooth surfaces. Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASME/ASLE Lubrication Conference in Washington, D.C., October 5–7, 1982
Hysteresis, fluctuations, and correlations in electron glass

Quench-condensed ultrathin granular Al films, with normal-state sheet resistance close to 10 kΩ/square, are superconducting below 2.5 K in zero magnetic field. Above a critical field, they are only weakly insulating at mK temperatures. However, in this field-driven normal state, the films demonstrate a glassy electronic behavior such as strong hysteresis and ultraslow, non-exponential relaxation in film resistance when the temperature is varied below 300 mK. The hysteresis is nonlinear and can be suppressed by a dc bias voltage. The relaxation time does not obey the Arrhenius form, indicating the existence of a broad distribution of low energy barriers. Furthermore, large resistance fluctuations, having a 1/f-type power spectrum with a low-frequency cut-off, are observed at low temperatures. With decreasing temperature, the amplitude of the fluctuation increases and the cut-off frequency decreases. We argue that the fluctuation power spectrum reveals a growing correlation length with decreasing temperature in the electron glass.
Magnetotransport properties of double-layer systems in wide single quantum wells

Abstract We report magnetotransport measurements in coupled double-layer electron systems realized in wide quantum wells. In these systems the distance and the coupling between the layers can be changed continuously by varying the electron density in the well. When the coupling between the two electron layers is sufficiently weak, we observe the absence of quantum Hall states at odd filling factors. Our results are qualitatively consistent with a recent theoretical model proposed for the magnetic-field-driven destruction of the quatum Hall effect in double quantum wells.
Mobile Communication and Innovation: More than Convenience

Systems of mobile tools and practices support innovation through access to people and information, the reduction of barriers to the innovation process, and increased engagement. These positive effects can be understood by overlaying the needs for motivation, opportunity, and ability in all forms of performance. We offer illustrations of these relationships, a resulting pair of design recommendations, and ultimately, an empirical examination based on Intuit's Brainstorm system.
Aspiration Pneumonia in the Geriatric Population

Aspiration pneumonia is a common infection in older adults and has a high mortality rate. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is the major mechanism leading to aspiration pneumonia in the older adult. Many conditions that are prevalent in the older adult population such as stroke, parkinsonism, dementia, and institutionalization have an increased incidence of oropharyngeal dysphagia. Aspiration pneumonia is a bacterial pulmonary infection which is dependent upon the amount of bacterial inoculum, the virulence of the organism, and the host immune system. It is treated with antibiotic therapy that is similar to therapies for traditional community-acquired or health-care-associated pneumonia. In the advanced stages of terminal illness, a palliative care approach may be most appropriate. This review seeks to look at aspiration pneumonia focusing on oropharyngeal dysphagia, the microbiology of aspiration pneumonia and the palliative care aspects.
Extended sequence of the turkey MHC B-locus and sequence variation in the highly polymorphic B-G loci

Genetic variation in the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is directly correlated to differences in disease resistance. Immunity is greatly dependent on highly polymorphic genes in the MHC, such as class I, class II, and class III complement genes. Preliminary studies of wild turkey populations show extreme polymorphisms in a family of genes exclusive to the avian MHC, the class IV or B-G genes. Significance of this variation is unclear as there are few and conflicting studies of the expression of these genes. Confounding understanding of B-G variation is the lack of a complete delineation of the number of loci in the turkey genome. Direct 454 sequencing of a clone from the CHORI-260 BAC library was used to extend the turkey MHC B-locus sequence, identifying five additional complete B-locus genes including two B-G loci. Sequences of the new B-G genes were compared with those of other turkey gene (BG1–3) and sequences available for other galliformes. Phylogenetic analysis shows species-specific gene evolution supporting a birth–death model of evolution for the B-G gene family. Analysis of variation within the signal peptide sequence (exon 1) found two clusters of polymorphism among the turkey B-G genes. Resequencing of exon 1 in a diverse sample including wild, heritage, and commercial turkeys confirmed multiple alleles at each B-G gene. Future studies aim to correlate B-G variation with group and individual immunological differences.
Black-band disease dynamics: Prevalence, incidence, and acclimatization to light

Abstract Black-band disease (BBD) is a temperature- and light-dependent syndrome typically found on shallow-dwelling corals. The bacterial consortium that creates BBD contains a photosynthetic cyanobacterium, which is particularly sensitive to light. High light causes the BBD cyanobacteria to self-shade, which encourages the formation of the anoxic microenvironment essential for the BBD consortium. From May to September 2009, a shallow-reef area was monitored to quantify the epizootiology of BBD on the brain coral Diploria strigosa . The prevalence and incidence of BBD were recorded approximately every two weeks. To test the hypothesis that reduced light would increase the rate of disease progression by reducing photoinhibition in the BBD cyanobacteria, shade structures, made out of plastic sheeting on a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) frame, were installed above D. strigosa colonies with BBD. The shade material reduced photosynthetically available radiation (PAR) by > 80%. The progression of BBD on shaded colonies was compared with cage control and control colonies. A pulse–amplitude–modulation fluorometer was used to measure the amount of PAR and maximum excitation pressure ( Q m ) on each colony after two weeks of treatment. Linear progression rates and the band width of BBD were measured weekly and treatments were compared through time. During the summer months, the prevalence of BBD showed a positive, exponential relationship with water temperature, whereas the incidence of BBD displayed a positive linear relationship with the rate of change of water temperature. PAR on, and the Q m of, shaded corals was significantly lower than the two control treatments; however, Q m values did not indicate excessive photochemical pressure on the coral host. The progression rates of BBD and the black-band width on shaded colonies significantly increased after one week of shading, whereas the control treatments did not change. During the second week of manipulation, however, black-band width and progression rates were similar to values prior to manipulation. These results suggest that, even under low-light conditions, a compact and dense ‘black’ band is essential for the persistence of the BBD consortium.
The Making of a Cold Warrior: Karl Gruber and Austrian Foreign Policy, 1945–1953

In the years 1945 to 1953, Karl Gruber exerted an influence over Austrian foreign policy at times resembling the dominant influence of a Kaunitz or a Metternich. But as a diplomatist Gruber did not come close to the finesse and shrewd sense of power that his two great predecessors possessed. Moreover, Gruber had to maneuver in less predictable domestic and international terrain. During his tenure in the Ballhausplatz, foreign policy wassubject to domestic partisan struggle as well as parliamentary control and public opinion. Furthermore, Austria no longer figured as a great power and was locked into the monumental Cold War struggle between East and West on the frontline of the superpower tensions. Gruber operated in an extremely hostile international environment. Instead of the traditional well-balanced nineteenth-century “concert of powers,” which had profited so much from Austrian professional statesmanship, the inexperienced Gruber faced the United States and the Soviet Union, which were in almost total control of international politics. The two superpowers were engaged in a gigantic ideological struggle, each striving for a preponderance of power. A small nation such as Austria was buffeted to and fro between the conflicts in Central Europe and could hardly escape the pull of the global “empires” fashioned at the time. The United States and the Soviet Union confronted each other in spiraling arms races (nuclear and conventional) and rigid alliance systems in an uneasy truce called the Cold War. In this context of a tight bilateral international system, even England and France—the former great powers reduced to the status of middling powers after the ignominious loss of their great colonial empires—had a difficult time holding on to their traditional influence in the international arena. Small powers like Austria were largely impotent, unless they fashioned for themselves some room to maneuver between the superpower blocs.