cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Paradoxical modulation of influenza by intranasal administration of non-replicating adenovirus particles.

Respiratory mucosal infection by airborne microbes is a common event that occurs every day. We report here that intranasal administration of non-replicating adenovirus (Ad) particles to mice could either confer rapid protection against influenza virus (IFV) challenge independent of adaptive immunity, or exacerbate influenza by triggering rapid death. The life-or-death outcome hinges on the time interval between Ad administration and IFV challenge in conjunction with specific mouse/IFV strains. Intranasal instillation of Ad particles 1–47 days prior to IFV challenge conferred rapid protection against influenza in Balb/c mice whereas exposure to Ad 39 days prior to challenge with a specific IFV strain or 1 day post-challenge with that IFV strain induced rapid death in C57BL/6 mice. Notably, consecutive administrations of Ad prior to IFV challenge conferred a synergy in triggering a potent anti-influenza state; even a detrimental Ad exposure 39 days before challenge with the deadly IFV strain was reversed to a beneficial one by subsequent Ad boosts. Results revealed an intricate relationship between infection and innate immunity that is a linchpin around which effects revolve from protective immunity to collateral damage. It is urgent to repeat the experiments with an expanded scope for characterizing the status that defines susceptibility or resistance to IFV infection and subsequently reveal the underlying mechanisms. Whether broad heterologous protective effects induced by AdE and adaptive immunity elicited by vaccination could confer synergy during mitigation of a pandemic remains to be seen.
Threaded Intramedullary Nails Are Biomechanically Superior to Crossed K-wires for Metacarpal Neck Fractures.

BackgroundIntramedullary nail (IMN) fixation of metacarpal fractures is an alternative to Kirschner wire (K-wire) fixation. The goal of this study was to compare the biomechanical properties of K-w...
Conspiração do silêncio: análise bioética a partir de um caso clínico

Introduction: Good communication in palliative care is a powerful instrument. It aims to alleviate suffering without eliciting misunderstandings or fear. It should convey serenity and trust. The collusion of silence is a major barrier to the end of life caring process. For the family, keeping the silence about the situation aims to protect the patient’s psychological well being without undue stress. Caught between the two parties, the health professional must consider the constraints that challenge ethical principles, and legal and deontological norms. Bioethical reasoning helps us to consider the conflicts and problems we face in our professional activity. Aim: To develop a reflection based on the principles of bioethics about a situation of collusion of silence. Materials and Methods: Ethical discussion originating in a clinical case, based in a literature review. Discussion: Ethical reasoning is guided by the respect towards the human being – unique, multidimensional and posessing inherent dignity. Dignity is assumed as an ethical, moral and legal principle. The collusion of silence from the standpoint of ethical principles is the leitmotif of a reflexion on a common situation in clinical practice. This situation deprives the patient from exercising his/her autonomy and from receiving fair and holistic care. Conclusion: Withholding information from the patient challenges the ethical principle of human dignity, depriving him/her of the free use of autonomy to decide on the best course to follow. Ethical principles are indissociable and must be approached as a whole. The right to clear information is essential for conscious choices from the patients.
A Wearable-based Distracted Driving Detection Leveraging BLE

Distracted driving has become a serious problem for traffic safety with the increasing number of fatalities every year. Existing systems have shortcomings of requiring additional hardware or vehicle motion data separation. Moreover, the excessive use of motion sensors can cause fast battery drain which is impractical for everyday use. In this work, we present a wearable-based distracted driving detection system that leverages Bluetooth. The proposed system exploits already in-vehicle BLE compatible devices to track the driver's hand position and infer potential unsafe driving behaviors. Preliminary study shows our system can achieve over 95% detection accuracy for various distracted driving behaviors.
Metal thiolate coordination in the E7 proteins of human papilloma virus 16 and cottontail rabbit papilloma virus as expressed in Escherichia coli.

Abstract The oncogenic E7 proteins of human papilloma virus (HPV 16) and of cottontail rabbit papilloma virus (CRPV) have been purified from an expression system in Escherichia coli. The proteins as purified from E. coli contain one tightly bound Zn(II) ion per molecule. The metal site shows facile exchange with either Cd(II) or Cu(I). The HPV 16 E7 maximally bound one Cd(II) or two Cu(I) ions, while the CRPV E7 bound two Cd(II) or three Cu(I) ions. The Cd(II) and Cu(I) E7 molecules exhibited optical transitions in the ultraviolet suggestive of metal:thiolate coordination. E7 proteins from HPV 16 and CRPV contain 7 and 8 cysteines/molecule, respectively. Reaction of the E7 proteins with the sulfhydryl reagent, dithiodipyridine, revealed that all the cysteinyl sulfurs are present in the reduced thiol state. Cu(I)-E7 molecules are luminescent with maximal emission at 570 nm. The observed emission at room temperature is indicative of metal coordination within a compact protein environment shielded from solvent interactions. The emission maxima occurs at the same wavelength (570 nm) as Cu(I)-cysteinyl sulfur clusters in Cu(I)-metallothioneins. The single Zn(II) atom in each protein can be removed from E7 in the presence of EDTA. The resulting apoE7 molecules remain soluble and can be partially reconstituted with Cd(II) to regain the ultraviolet charge transfer transitions.
Origins of neuroscience: A history of explorations into brain function.

PART I: THEORIES OF BRAIN FUNCTION PART II: SENSORY SYSTEMS PART III: MOTOR FUNCTIONS PART IV: SLEEP AND FUNCTION PART V: INTELLECT AND MEMORY PART VI: SPEECH AND CEREBRAL DOMINANCE PART VII: TREATMENTS AND THERAPIES EPILOGUE APPENDIX: DATES OF BIRTH AND DEATH INDEX
The polynomial degree of recursive Fourier sampling

We present matching upper and lower bounds for the "weak" polynomial degree of the recursive Fourier sampling problem from quantum complexity theory. The degree bound is h + 1, where h is the order of recursion in the problem's definition, and this bound is exponentially lower than the bound implied by the existence of a BQP algorithm for the problem. For the upper bound we exhibit a degree-h + 1 real polynomial that represents the problem on its entire domain. For the lower bound, we show that any non-zero polynomial agreeing with the problem, even on just its zero-inputs, must have degree at least h + 1. The lower bound applies to representing polynomials over any Field.
Compressive orthogonal frequency division multiplexing waveform based ground penetrating radar

Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of transportation infrastructure using ground penetrating radar (GPR) is an active research subject in now days. Impulse radar is one common GPR design scheme for its simple circuit architecture. However its weaknesses include low dynamic range and high cost complicate analog-to-digital converter (ADC) requirement. Stepped frequency continuous wave (SFCW) radar overcomes these obstacles by transmitting/receiving individual frequency tones sequentially, however with a low operating speed. This paper proposes a compressive orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) based GPR architecture to leverage operating efficiency. OFDM technique enables multi-tone frequency transmission/receiving, and CS technique allows sensing with reduced set of frequency tones without compromising sensing accuracy. The proposed compressive OFDM GPR design is evaluated using field data collected with a commercial GPR system.
Structuring a US Federal VAT

On 18 and 19 February 2009, the American Tax Policy Institute (ATPI) sponsored a conference in Washington, DC, on "Structuring a Federal VAT: Design and Coordination Issues." The conference was co-organized by Charles E. McLure, Jr. of Stanford University and the present writer, and featured many of the world's leading VAT experts from academia, government, and the private sector. The purpose of the conference was to lay the ground for a potential future adoption of a federal VAT in the United States by discussing some of the technical issues related to two broad topics: Firstly, how should such a US federal VAT be designed, and secondly, how should it be coordinated with existing state Retail Sales Taxes (RST). The assumption underlying the conference was that, as in other OECD countries, the US federal VAT would be levied in addition to, and not as a replacement for, the existing US federal income tax. This article summarizes the conference papers. The papers are being revised for publication, so what appears below does not necessarily represent the final views of the authors but summarizes the conference proceedings.
Differential Expression of FEZ1/LZTS1 Gene in Lung Cancers and Their Cell Cultures

Purpose : The FEZ1/LZTS1 ( FEZ1) gene, located on chromosome 8p22 (8p22), was identified recently as a candidate tumor suppressor gene. Because loss of heterozygosity at 8p21–22 is a frequent event in lung cancers, we studied FEZ1 alteration in short-term cultures of resected lung cancer tumors and cell lines. Experimental Design : We examined FEZ1 expression in 17 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 19 small cell lung cancer (SCLC) cell lines, and 6 pairs of short-term cultures of resected NSCLCs and accompanying nonmalignant bronchial cells (NBECs) by reverse transcription-PCR and Western blotting. To investigate the mechanism for silencing, cells were cultured with 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine or trichostatin A. We screened for genomic mutations by PCR-single-strand conformational polymorphism. Results : Thirteen of 17 NSCLC (76%) and 3 of 19 SCLC (16%) of cell lines showed absent expression ( P = 0.001). Of the paired NSCLC-NBEC cultures, 3 of 6 showed loss of expression in tumor cell cultures. In the cell lines retaining expression, the amplicon products in SCLCs were more intense than those of NSCLCs and NBECs. Expression of FEZ1 was not restored by 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine and trichostatin A. Although FEZ1 expression was moderately correlated with loss of heterozygosity of specific microsatellite makers at 8p21–22 in NSCLC cell lines, it was strongly correlated to D8S261 and LPL loci in SCLC cell lines. No mutation was found within cording region of FEZ1 by PCR-single-strand conformational polymorphism. Conclusions : We found differential FEZ1 expression in NSCLC and SCLC cell lines, and the absent expression in 3 of 6 short-term cultures of NSCLC tumors. FEZ1 may be related to tumorigenesis of lung cancer.
Tethered Cord Syndrome

The neurologic dysfunction with Tethered cord syndrome (TCS) can be attributed to lumbosacral cord lesions and is reversible if cord-untethering surgery is done at an appropriate time. This chapter seeks to increase urologists’ understanding of TCS and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment in patients with associated urinary incontinence. Patients with TCS usually show hypoactive tendon reflexes in the lower limbs, because the lesions are located in the gray matter and the reflex arcs are inactivated. Storage and emptying are the two fundamental functions in the human lower urinary tract. These are voluntarily controlled by the cerebral centers and by reflex coordination of the spinal cord centers through the parasympathetic and sympathetic systems, which regulate bladder and sphincter contraction. The baseline bladder function of patients who develop TCS is often abnormal, and a significant number of patients who do not respond to untethering surgery will have residual neurogenic bladder dysfunction.
Trapped States and bound states of a soliton in a well

The nature of the interaction of a soliton with an attractive well is elucidated using a model of two interacting point particles. The model explains the existence of trapped states at positive kinetic energy, as well as reflection by an attractive impurity. The transition from a trapped soliton state to a bound state is studied. Bound states of the soliton in a well are also found.
The Experimenter/Participant Relationship: Minimizing Stress in Applied Research Settings:

Applied behavioral researchers working in product development strive to develop products that improve human life. Toward that end, researchers frequently conduct product usability tests with test participants. Since a usability test is a test, it is likely that some participants will undergo some level of stress during a usability test. This paper explores the stress that a usability test participant undergoes and suggests methods to find an appropriate level of stress that is both high enough to answer the research question and low enough not to harm the participant intellectually, physically or emotionally.
Distance-Aware Multi-Carrier (DAMC) Modulation in Terahertz Band Communication

Terahertz Band (0.1-10 THz) communication is envisioned as a key technology to satisfy the increasing demand for ultra-broadband wireless communication. THz Band communication will alleviate the spectrum scarcity and capacity limitations of current wireless systems, and enable new applications both in classical networks and novel nanoscale networks. In this paper, a novel distance-aware multi-carrier (DAMC) modulation scheme is developed for both single-transmitter single-receiver and single-transmitter multiple-receiver cases in THz Band communication. The developed DAMC modulation scheme takes advantage of the distance- and frequency-dependent channel peculiarities, and provides adaptive utilization of the ultra-broad bandwidth in the THz Band. Furthermore, the data rates of the DAMC scheme are analytically investigated, numerically evaluated, and compared with existing single-band pulse-based modulation and fixed-bandwidth adaptive modulation. The results show that data rates can be improved by one order of magnitude by using the DAMC scheme, at the costs of design complexity for the control unit, multi-carrier modulator and channel feedback path.
Molecular characterization of specific heat shock proteins in Bacillus subtilis

Heat shock inBacillus subtilis may induce as many as 66 proteins after temperature upshift from 37° to 48°C. Four induced proteins were analyzed by microsequencing techniques. These were identified as the homologues for GroEL, DnaK, enolase, and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), which are heat shock proteins in other systems. The identities of GroEL and DnaK were confirmed additionally by Western blot analysis. As a control, a protein whose synthesis was repressed approximately threefold by heat shock was identified by microsequencing as flagellin.
Governing with Judges: Constitutional Politics in Europe. By Alec Stone Sweet. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000. 232p. $60.00 cloth, $24.95 paper.

It is evident to any serious observer that the practice of governance in Western democracies is increasingly divergent from traditional theoretical and conceptual models. In West- ern Europe, traditional models of parliamentary democracy no longer accurately describe reality. The neocorporatist literature of the 1970s and 1980s pointed out the key role of organized interests and their (often formally recognized) privileged relationship with the state, creating arrangements that bypassed or subverted usual parliamentary processes.
A Prospective, Randomized, Blinded Comparison of Multiplane and Biplane Transesophageal Echocardiographic Techniques

Although multiplane transesophageal echocardiography has become an accepted diagnostic technique, there is a paucity of literature directly comparing the diagnostic yield of multiplane and biplane transesophageal examinations. This study was designed to compare the ability of multiplane and biplane transesophageal echocardiographic techniques to visualize intracardiac structures. Complete multiplane and biplane transesophageal studies were performed on each of 50 patients (100 total studies) referred to the echocardiography laboratory for elective transesophageal echocardiography. The biplane examinations were performed with a multiplane probe with angles only at 0 and 90 degrees. Images of 29 prospectively selected cardiac structures and valvular function parameters were scored as follows: 0 = not visualized, 1 = visualized well enough to identify structure, 2 = diagnostic quality, and 3 = exceptional quality. The scores for the individual structures were combined to identify total structure visualization quality scores for each of the imaging techniques. A separate subjective score was also determined to assess the overall adequacy of each study for addressing the clinical indication. The total structure visualization quality score was significantly higher for multiplane transesophageal echocardiography than for biplane transesophageal echocardiography (49 +/- 7 versus 45 +/- 7; p = 0.0001). Several individual structures were visualized significantly better (p < 0.05) by the multiplane technique, including the left upper pulmonary vein, fossa ovalis, left main coronary artery, and proximal ascending aorta. The subjective score of overall adequacy of the study for addressing the clinical indication showed a strong trend (p < 0.06) in favor of the multiplane technique, with higher scores in 11 of 50 multiplane studies versus three of 50 biplane studies when the two techniques were compared in individual patients. Therefore multiplane transesophageal echocardiography provides superior overall visualization of intracardiac structures compared with biplane studies, particularly for the left upper pulmonary vein, fossa ovalis, left main coronary artery, and ascending aorta.
Differential effect of clomipramine treatment on m-chlorophenylpiperazine-induced increases in plasma prolactin and corticosterone in rats

Abstract Intravenous administration of m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP, a serotonin agonist) to rats increased plasma prolactin and corticosterone concentrations. Long-term (21-day) and short-term (3-day) treatment with the tricyclic antidepressant, clomipramine, did not have any significant effect on baseline levels of either prolactin or corticosterone. Long-term but not short-term clomipramine,treatment significantly attenuaated m-CPP's effect on plasma prolactin. On the other hand, both long-term and short-term clomipramine treatment significantly attenuated m-CPP's effect on plasma corticosterone. These findings are consistent with other animal and clinical studies demonstrating a differential effect of antidepressant treatment on two different serotonin-mediated neuroendocrine functions.
Photon Scattering Cross Sections of 88 Sr in the Energy Region 8.6 to 12 MeV

Monoenergetic gamma rays from the University of Iliinois bremsstrahlung monochromator have been used to measure the cross sections for both elastic scattering from /sup 88/Sr and inelastic scattering to the first excited state of /sup 88/Sr. The incident &gg rays were selected in energy bins of about 100 keV in the energy region between 8.6 and 12 MeV. There are those observed in similar experiments with /sup 90/Zr. The most prominent maximum in the elastic scattering occurs at about 9.5 MeV. This roughly coincides with the excitation energy of the most prominent E1 state predicted by Goulard, Hughes, and Fallieros. (auth)
Origins of conductive losses at microwave frequencies in YBa2Cu3O7??/LaAlO3/YBa2Cu3O7?? trilayers deposited by pulsed laser deposition

Oriented YBa2Cu3O7−δ/LaAlO3/YBa2Cu3O7−δ trilayers were deposited by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) onto 〈100〉 MgO and LaAlO3. Film thicknesses varied from 2000–5000 A/ layer. A comparision of structure and transport data for the bottom and top superconducting layers indicated a slight decrease in film quality for the top superconducting layer. The critical temperature was lower for the top superconducting layer (90.5 vs. ∼90 K) and the microwave surface resistance was higher (increasing from ∼2 to 18 mω at 36 GHz, 20 K). The resistivity of the dielectric was estimated to be 106 ω cm, and the loss tangent of the dielectric film at microwave frequencies had an upper limit of 0.01. Cross-sectional TEM analysis of the trilayer structure showed a high density of threading dislocations in the dielectric layer that appeared to nucleate at steps in the underlying superconducting layer. The threading dislocations may serve as conduction paths in the LaAlO3 layer.
Relation between cancer and atrial fibrillation (from the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke Study).

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in patients with life-threatening cancer and those undergoing active cancer treatment. However, data from subjects with a history of non–life-threatening cancer and those who do not require active cancer treatment are lacking. A total of 15,428 (mean age 66 ± 8.9 years; 47% women; 45% blacks) participants from the REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study with baseline data on previous cancer diagnosis and AF were included. Participants with life-threatening cancer and active cancer treatment within 2 years of study enrollment were excluded. History of cancer was identified using computer-assisted telephone interviews. AF cases were identified from baseline electrocardiogram data and by a self-reported history of a previous diagnosis. Logistic regression was used to examine the cross-sectional association between cancer diagnosis and AF. A total of 2,248 (15%) participants had a diagnosis of cancer and 1,295 (8.4%) had AF. In a multivariable logistic regression model adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender, race, education, income, and region of residence) and cardiovascular risk factors (systolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, C-reactive protein, body mass index, smoking, diabetes, antihypertensive and lipid-lowering agents, left ventricular hypertrophy, and cardiovascular disease), those with cancer were more likely to have prevalent AF than those without cancer (odds ratio 1.19, 95% confidence interval 1.02 to 1.38). Subgroup analyses by age, sex, race, cardiovascular disease, and C-reactive protein yielded similar results. In conclusion, AF was more prevalent in participants with a history of non–life-threatening cancer and those who did not require active cancer treatment in REGARDS.
Conditional stability for periodic solutions of periodic systems containing a small parameter

Abstract We treat periodic solutions to periodic systems of ordinary differential equations, having a small parameter. Conditional stability and the dimensionality of the asymptotically stable manifolds are determined by the degree of stability of rest points of related iterated average systems. Finally, rates of decay for solutions on these manifolds are found, and for linear systems, the Floquet multipliers are determined.
The effects of hertzian stress and test atmosphere on the friction coefficients of MoS2 coatings

R.f. sputter-deposited MoS2 coatings on 304 stainless steel substrates have been evaluated for different deposition and different storage conditions. For air testing, the friction coefficients of all the MoS2 coatings decreased with increasing hertzian stress up to an intermediate stress and were constant for still larger stresses. Lower friction coefficients were observed for samples stored in the lower (2% in comparison with 98%) relative humidity atmosphere. In addition, the constant friction coefficients with increasing stress were initiated at a lower hertzian stress for storage at 2% relative humidity. The MoS2 films were predominantly crystalline; however, a small amount of amorphous material was present. The coatings containing the larger amounts of amorphous material had the larger friction coefficients. Testing in ultrahigh vacuum lowered the friction coefficients relative to testing in air for both relative humidities; however testing in ultrahigh vacuum did not recover all of the increase in the friction coefficients for air testing that was attributed to high humidity storage. The coatings contained all orientations, but the basal planes were predominantly perpendicular to the substrate surface. The sulfur-to-molybdenum ratio did not decrease significantly with high humidity storage, as has been observed by others for similar storage conditions, although the crystallographic orientation of the films was similar. Hence, these results indicate that factors in addition to orientation affect the oxidation of MoS2 films.
Synaptic structure and connectivity of serotonin terminals in the ventral tegmental area: potential sites for modulation of mesolimbic dopamine neurons

Microinfusion of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine; 5-HT) into the ventral tegmental area enhances the release of dopamine in the nucleus accumbens, a major target of midbrain dopamine neurons. We examined the synaptic basis for 5-HT modulation of neurons in the ventral tegmental area which either (i) project to the nucleus accumbens or (ii) contain the catecholamine synthesizing enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase, a marker of dopamine neurons in this brain region. In the first study, immunoperoxidase labeling of 5-HT in the ventral tegmental area was combined with retrograde transport of gold particles following unilateral injections of the tracer into the nucleus accumbens of adult rats. The gold particles had been previously coupled to wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to inactive horseradish peroxidase. Gold particles were enlarged for visualization using a silver enhancement procedure. By brightfield microscopy, retrogradely labeled neurons contained black punctate granules within their perikarya and proximal processes. The labeled cells were scattered ipsilateral to the injection within the paranigral and parabrachial subdivisions of the ventral tegmental area. Both regions also contained 5-HT immunoreactive varicosities. By electron microscopy, irrespective of the ventral tegmental subdivision, 5-HT labeling was seen primarily in unmyelinated axons and axon terminals. The terminals contained small, clear and large dense core vesicles and ranged from 0.3 micron to 1.4 microns in cross-sectional diameter. 22% (n = 250) of the axon terminals containing 5-HT immunoreactivity formed synaptic contacts with neurons containing the retrograde label. Of these 5-HT terminals, 16% formed asymmetric type contacts and 6% formed symmetric junctions on the retrogradely labeled neurons. The remaining 5-HT terminals were either apposed to (but lacked recognized synapses on) perikarya and large dendrites containing the retrogradely transported protein-gold tracer or contacted unlabeled neurons. In the second set of experiments combining immunoperoxidase of 5-HT and immunogold silver for tyrosine hydroxylase, 32% (n = 250) of the 5-HT-labeled terminals formed synaptic junctions with perikarya or dendrites containing tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity. Of these 5-HT terminals, 23% formed asymmetric type junctions. The remainder were either symmetric or lacked recognized membrane densities. The prominence of asymmetric junctions formed by 5-HT-labeled terminals on neurons projecting to the nucleus accumbens and those containing tyrosine hydroxylase in the ventral tegmental area suggests a cellular basis for serotonergic excitation of mesoaccumbens dopamine neurons. Additionally, the multiplicity of junctions formed by 5-HT terminals on targets with or without retrograde labeling or tyrosine hydroxylase immunoreactivity is consistent with known diverse physiological actions of 5-HT in the tegmental area.
Conference on mathematical aspects of transport theory

Abstract A small, informal conference on the above topic was held on the : ampus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University January 15–18, 1973. The invited participants consisted mainly of persons primarily interested in application of mathematical methods in transport theory and included E. Burniston and C. Siewert of North Carolina State; K. Case, Rockefeller; A. Gibbs, Battelle Northwest; H. Kaper, Argonne; A. Leonard, Stanford; J. Mika, Warsaw; T. Mullikin, Purdue; as well as L. Baird, R. Bowden, K. Hansgen, R. Jones, C. Lingus, L. Mync, S. Sancaktar and P. Zweifel of the host institution. The participants were urged to present work in progress and speculative ideas, with a view towards stimulating discussion. Most participants did exactly that; the discussions were indeed stimulating and informative. The brief report of the conference given here should thus be read as a description of work in progress, much of it still high speculative.
Enhanced spin injection polarization in Co/Cu/Co nonlocal lateral spin valves

Nonlocal spin injection is demonstrated in Co∕Cu∕Co lateral spin valves. Measurement of a series of structures with varying Cu length between the Co electrodes permits a direct determination of both the Cu spin diffusion length λs and the spin injection polarization P at the Co∕Cu interface. The value of λs is 200±20nm at 10K and ⩾110nm at 300K, which is shorter than previously reported, due to the possible presence of impurities in the Cu. However, the value of P is >7%, which is improved compared with previous reports of 2%, which is attributed to a higher interfacial quality.
Geothermal power plants: Evolution and performance assessments

Abstract This paper traces the technical development of geothermal plants from the very beginning, focusing on the efficiency of the geothermal-to-electrical energy conversion. The plants at Larderello (Italy) and Wairakei (New Zealand) are examined in some detail. Included are discussions and analyses of little-known plants in Africa and on the Italian island of Ischia that pioneered the development of geothermal energy conversion systems beyond the dry steam plants in Tuscany. Presented are important milestones in geothermal power plant development that opened the way to worldwide expansion of the use of geothermal resources for electricity generation. It is shown that while there has been a slight trend toward higher efficiency over the years, the improvement is less than has occurred in conventional fossil-fueled power plants. The efficiency gains result mainly from more elaborate conversion systems whose extra capital costs may not be justified in all cases. Nevertheless, the data show that geothermal power plants can be designed and built to achieve high efficiencies, comparable to or even greater than conventional plants when appropriate economic conditions and incentives exist.
Cytosine deaminations catalyzed by DNA cytosine methyltransferases are unlikely to be the major cause of mutational hot spots at sites of cytosine methylation in Escherichia coli.

Abstract Sites of cytosine methylation are hot spots for C to T mutations in Escherichia coli DNA. We have developed a genetic reversion assay that allows direct selection of C to T mutations at a site of methylation. Because the mutant gene is on a plasmid, this system can be used to study mutational effects of biochemical agents in vitro as well as in vivo. Using this system we show that in vitro an E. coli methyltransferase can cause C to U deaminations at a site of methylation. Reaction conditions that are known to inhibit a side reaction of the methyltransferase also suppress reversion frequency, suggesting that this side reaction is required for deamination. Furthermore, a mutation in the enzyme that eliminates its catalytic activity but not its ability to bind DNA eliminates the ability of the enzyme to cause C to U deaminations. Despite this, in vivo experiments strongly suggest that enzyme-catalyzed deaminations of cytosine do not play a major role in making methylation sites in E. coli hot spots for mutations. For example, although uracil-DNA glycosylase (Ung) suppresses the occurrence of mutations due to C to U deaminations, the frequency of C to T mutations at a methylation site remains high in ung+ cells. Furthermore, the reversion frequencies in ung+ and ung- cells are quite similar.
Engagement in School and Out-of-School Contexts: A Multidimensional View of Engagement

This article presents a multidimensional model of engagement (i.e., behavioral, emotional, cognitive) across school and organized out-of-school contexts (i.e., extracurricular activities, community organizations, and after-school programs). First, I describe the reasons why it is important to examine engagement in both school and organized out-of-school contexts. Next, an outline of the different ways involvement in organized out-of-school activities may relate to school is given. Finally, I present a conceptual model that outlines the contextual factors that are related to higher engagement in both school and out-of-school settings. The impact of teacher support, peer relationships, structure, and task characteristics on engagement are outlined. Practical examples of ways teachers can increase engagement in each area are given.
Mean field variations in a statistical sample of heterogeneous linearly elastic solids

Abstract The problem discussed is the determination of the mean (i.e. statistical average) field quantities in a statistical sample of heterogeneous linearly elastic solids. A formulation is obtained that determines {ui(x)}, where ui denotes the displacement field and the braces indicate an ensemble average. This formulation is presented in terms of an infinite sequence of correlation functions associated with the usual material properties. While this formulation is exact only for the case involving infinite solids, an example is used to demonstrate that the effect of a boundary on the formulation is significant only within a layer of the boundary, the thickness of which is determined by the largest correlation length associated with the field describing the material properties. The formulation is investigated in detail for the case of a statistically homogeneous and statistically isotropic sample of locally isotropic solids. An explicit form is obtained for the limiting case of weakly inhomogeneous solids. The case of the slowly varying field; i.e. variations in {ui(x)} which are slow relative to variations in the material properties; is also studied and it is shown that the use of effective material parameters result in a valid first order approximation for this case. The first order correction for this same limit is shown to be similar to that of the first strain gradient theory.
C-Crack Initiation in Quasi-Static and Impact Loading of a Bearing-Grade Silicon Nitride

Silicon nitride balls are used in hybrid precision bearings for a variety of applications. The performance of hybrid bearings is generally superior to all-steel bearings. Two problems, however, have been noted. Large balls of silicon nitride form surface cracks, referred to as C-cracks, during surface finishing or handling. Also, some grades of silicon nitride are more susceptible to cracking than others. This paper describes the results of an experimental study of the critical loads ( P ¯ c ) for C-crack initiation in ball-on-plate loading using silicon nitride plates and tungsten carbide balls. Cumulative distribution plots were generated from multiple indentation tests at varying peak loads to define the critical load at 50 % probability of cracking. The critical load exhibited a ductile-brittle transition at a ball radius R*. For R R*, the material response was elastic and the critical load increased linearly with R. The latter behavior is referred to as Auerbach’s law. The material properties that determine the critical loads in each regime were identified using plasticity and fracture theories. In the elastic regime, the Auerbach constant is directly proportional to the fracture surface energy (γ) or square of the fracture toughness (KIc). The results of the quasi-static tests were employed to predict critical velocities (vc) and drop heights (hc) for C-crack initiation in ball-on-plate and ball-on-ball impact using a general dynamic analysis. The predictions were accurate in the elastic regime (R>R*), the situation most likely to be encountered in practice. It is shown that the material resistance to C-cracking and the maximum force generated in impact can be plotted on figures that are useful as guides in both material selection and handling of silicon nitride balls.
Acetylsalicylic acid and other salicylates in relation to Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis

Aims Various nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are known to increase the risk of Stevens–Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis. The relationship between salicylate treatment and these conditions is not known. Methods A case-control study was conducted in four countries in Europe from 1989 to 1995. Results Among 373 cases and 1720 controls, the multivariate relative risk estimate for any salicylate use in the previous week was 1.3 (95% confidence interval, 0.8–2.2); no statistically significant elevations were observed for single ingredient preparations or for salicylate-containing combination products. Conclusions Acetylsalicylic acid and other salicylates are not associated with a measurable increase in the risk of these rare but severe reactions.
Intertidal distribution and long-term movements of Littorina irrorata (Mollusca: Gastropoda)

The distribution of Littorina irrorata Say on a low-energy barrier beach on the northern Gulf of Mexico is described, and correlated with the presence of Spartina alterniflora and other plants in the upper intertidal zone. The movements of 66 individually tagged snails were followed in the S. alterniflora zone for an average of 226 days, during which time an average of 10.6 positions were recorded per snail. The snails travelled an average total path distance of at least 995 cm, but due to contorted paths, ended up an average resultant distance of only 399 cm away from their original positions. They moved an estimated resultant distance of approximately 20 to 25 cm per activity period. Despite a slight offshore movement during the fall and winter, the snails moved more parallel to the shoreline than perpendicular to it.
Glomerular hypertension, abnormal glomerular growth, and progression of renal diseases

Glomerular hypertension, abnormal glomerular growth, and progression of renal diseases. The development and progression of sclerosis is determined by complex interactions of many mechanisms, including direct hemodynamic actions, modulation of glomerular cell injury, and growth factor actions. The interplay of these factors determines the balance of cell growth and proliferation versus cell death by necrosis or apoptosis, and the balance of matrix accumulation versus degradation. Sclerosis may even be reversed when therapies inhibit these mechanisms and augment matrix degradation processes, both by directly increasing proteolytic activity and by down-regulating inhibitors of matrix degradation. We will focus in this review on the roles of glomerular hemodynamics and growth in the progression of renal diseases.
Inhibition of mitochondrial proton F0F1-ATPase/ATP synthase by polyphenolic phytochemicals

Mitochondrial proton F0F1-ATPase/ATP synthase synthesizes ATP during oxidative phosphorylation. In this study, we examined the effects of several groups of polyphenolic phytochemicals on the activity of the enzyme. Resveratrol, a stilbene phytoalexin that is present in grapes and red wine, concentration-dependently inhibited the enzymatic activity of both rat brain and liver F0F1-ATPase/ATP synthase (IC(50) of 12 - 28 microM). Screening of other polyphenolic phytochemicals using rat brain F0F1-ATPase activity resulted in the following ranking potency (IC(50) in parenthesis): piceatannol (8 microM)>resveratrol (19 microM)=(-)epigallocatechin gallate (17 microM)>(-)epicatechin gallate, curcumin (45 microM)>genistein=biochanin A=quercetin=kaempferol=morin (55 - 65 microM)>phloretin=apigenin=daidzein (approx. 100 microM). Genistin, quercitrin, phloridzin, (+)catechin, (+)epicatechin, (-)epicatechin and (-)epigallocatechin had little effect at similar concentrations. Tannic acid, theaflavins (tea extract) and grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) had IC(50) values of 5, 20 and 30 microg ml(-1), respectively. Several monophenolic antioxidants and non-phenolic compounds were ineffective at concentrations of 210 microM or higher. The inhibition of F0F1-ATPase by resveratrol and genistein was non-competitive in nature. The effects of polyphenolic phytochemicals were additive. Both resveratrol and genistein had little effect on the Na(+)/K(+)-ATPase activity of porcine cerebral cortex, whereas quercetin had similar inhibitory potency as for F0F1-ATPase. In conclusion, the ATP synthase is a target for dietary phytochemicals. This pharmacological property of these phytochemicals should be included in the examination of their health benefits as well as potential cytotoxicity.
Emergency Room Hypnosis for the Burned Patient

Abstract Hypnosis can be a most valuable method in the emergency room treatment of the burn patient. This paper addresses certain issues and methods of hypnotic therapy within such a setting.
Membrane Penetration of Cytosolic Phospholipase A2 Is Necessary for Its Interfacial Catalysis and Arachidonate Specificity

To determine the mechanism of calcium-dependent membrane binding of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2), we measured the interactions of cPLA2 with phospholipid monolayers and polymerizable mixed li...
Normalized Error Estimates for One-Third Octave Band Filter Processing

This paper summarizes numerically derived theoretical estimates of normalized random and normalized bias errors for one-third octave band filters applied to autoregressive processes of order two. It demonstrates that one-third octave band estimates of such processes may have substantial bias errors depending upon (1) frequency location of a true spectra peak relative to the center frequency of the one-third octave band filter and (2) half-power bandwidth of the true spectra. One-third octave band processing error is contrasted with narrowband processing error. It concludes that one-third octave band processing should be avoided whenever external information would indicate that the underlying time history data may have a narrowband character.
Molecular calculations with the nonempirical ab initio modpot, vrddo, and modpot/vrddo procedures. VIII. charge delocalization in the anions of aromatic carboxylic acids and phenolic compounds

Nonempirical ab initio MODPOT/VRDDO calculations were performed on both the neutral molecules and the deprotonated anions of lipophilic aromatic acids and phenolic compounds. MODPOT/VRDDO results agree essentially to the third decimal place for orbital energies and population analyses with completely ab initio results using the same atomic valence basis set. The calculational results supported the hypothesis that there would be significant delocalization of the negative charge in the deprotonated anions. In the neutral aromatic carboxylic acids and phenolic compounds there is already an excess of electron density on the O atom. When the proton is removed from the O atom, the resulting negative charge is considerably delocalized over the molecule and not localized on the O atom from which the proton was removed. Only about 0.06e extra remains on the O atom in a deprotonated anion of phenolic-type compound or on the O in the deprotonated OH of the carboxylic group of an aromatic acid.
The professional estate

General Electric's President Wilson takes his cue from Emerson's essay, “The American Scholar,” in this article in which he points out to the engineer his responsibility, as a thinking man, to the society in which he lives. The professional man cannot, in good conscience, confine himself within the limits of his own technical sphere; he must learn to phrase his ideas in terms of the world.
C1q nephropathy: features at presentation and outcome.

The study population comprised all 20 patients followed since 1990 through December 2004 at the Le Bonheur Children’s Medical Center with diagnosis of C1q nephropathy (55% boys; 60% African Americans). All were aged under 18 years at biopsy (mean 11.2 years, 65% aged 11 or over); the youngest presented at age 10 months and progressed to end-stage renal disease at 14 months. None had clinical or laboratory features of systemic lupus erythematosis or membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis. Clinical features assessed at diagnosis were age, gender, blood pressure, history of macroscopic hematuria, urinary protein to creatinine ratio, serum creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate, renal histology, and pattern for immunofluorescent reactants. At the time of biopsy 40% had nephrotic syndrome and 30% nephrotic range proteinuria without nephrotic syndrome. Three patients with nephrotic syndrome also had chronic renal insufficiency at diagnosis. The most common histological feature was focal segmental glomerulosclerosis in 40%, but 30% had minimal change lesion. Four patients, all with nephrotic syndrome at diagnosis, progressed to end-stage renal disease. Of the 12 patients not presenting with nephrotic syndrome, none had chronic renal insufficiency at last follow-up. Kidney survival was 94% and 78% at 1 and 5 years, respectively, in all patients and 88% and 49% in those presenting with nephrotic syndrome.
Internal hydraulics of an agricultural drainage denitrification bioreactor

Abstract Denitrification bioreactors to reduce the amount of nitrate-nitrogen in agricultural drainage are now being deployed across the U.S. Midwest. However, there are still many unknowns regarding internal hydraulic-driven processes in these engineered treatment systems. To improve this understanding, the internal flow dynamics and several environmental parameters of a denitrification bioreactor treating agricultural drainage in Northeastern Iowa, USA were investigated with two tracer tests and a network of bioreactor wells. The bioreactor had a trapezoidal cross section and received drainage from approximately 14.2 ha at the North East Research Farm near Nashua, Iowa. It was clear from the water surface elevations and the continuous pressure transducer data that flow was attenuated within the bioreactor (i.e., reduction in peak flow as the hydrograph moved down gradient). Over the sampling period from 17 May to 24 August 2011, flow conditions and internal parameters (temperature, dissolved oxygen, oxidation reduction potential) varied widely resulting in early samplings that showed little nitrate removal ranging to complete nitrate removal (7–100% mass reduction; 0.38–1.06 g N removed per m 3 bioreactor per day) and sulfate reduction at the final sampling event. The bioreactor's non-ideal flow regime due to ineffective volume utilization was a major detriment to nitrate removal at higher flow rates. Regression analysis between mass nitrogen reduction and theoretical retention time (7.5–79 h) suggested minimum design retention times should be increased, though caution was also issued about this as increased design retention times and corresponding larger bioreactors may exacerbate detrimental by-products under low flow conditions. Operationally, outlet structure level management could also be utilized to improve performance and minimize detrimental by-products.
Structural Stability of Heat Treated W/B4C Multilayers

The utilization of W/B4C multilayer structures as Bragg diffractors rests in their reflective efficiency and dependability, both of which rely on the stability of the layered structure. The layers within the vapor deposited multilayers, often amorphous, are typically metastable, hence susceptible to thermally induced structural change. In fact, crystallization and compound formation are known to occur in annealed multilayer systems. In this study, multilayers of W/C and W/B4C were vacuum heat treated, then structurally examined. A comparison between the pre- and post- heat treated structures of the two multilayer systems, accomplished using diffraction and electron microscopy, indicate structural stability in the W/B4C multilayers as opposed to structural degradation noted for the W/C system.