cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular Profiling of the Developing Lacrimal Gland Reveals Putative Role of Notch Signaling in Branching Morphogenesis.

Purpose Although normal function of the lacrimal gland is essential for vision (and thus for human well-being), the lacrimal gland remains rather poorly understood at a molecular level. The purpose of this study was to identify new genes and signaling cascades involved in lacrimal gland development. Methods To identify these genes, we used microarray analysis to compare the gene expression profiles of developing (embryonic) and adult lacrimal glands. Differential data were validated by quantitative RT-PCR, and several corresponding proteins were confirmed by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. To evaluate the role of NOTCH signaling in lacrimal gland (LG) development, we used the NOTCH inhibitor DAPT and conditional Notch1 knockouts. Results Our microarray data and an in silico reconstruction of cellular networks revealed significant changes in the expression patterns of genes from the NOTCH, WNT, TGFβ, and Hedgehog pathways, all of which are involved in the regulation of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Our study also revealed new putative lacrimal gland stem cell/progenitor markers. We found that inhibiting Notch signaling both increases the average number of lacrimal gland lobules and reduces the size of each lobule. Conclusions Our findings suggest that NOTCH-, WNT-, TGFβ-, and Hedgehog-regulated EMT transition are critical mechanisms in lacrimal gland development and morphogenesis. Our data also supports the hypothesis that NOTCH signaling regulates branching morphogenesis in the developing lacrimal gland by suppressing cleft formation.
Aeromedical Ultrasound: The Evaluation of Point-of-care Ultrasound During Helicopter Transport.

Abstract Introduction This study correlated the eFAST findings performed in-flight by the flight crew with the findings obtained by the trauma team upon initial evaluation at a level 1 trauma center and with the subsequent CT scans that were performed or the surgeon's operative note. We hypothesize that aeromedical eFAST examinations are highly correlated with the trauma teams findings. Methods This prospective, observational study evaluated 190 traumatically injured patients from June 2014 to December 2015 in Southeast Virginia and Northeast North Carolina. Results For 190 trauma patients the Flight Crew POCUS examinations obtained a Positive Predictive Value (PPV) of 100% and a Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of 98.3% for the identification of pneumothorax, hemothorax, and free abdominal fluid, which is equivalent to that of the Trauma Team's POCUS studies on the same group of patients. Discussion Because the early recognition of potentially life-threatening conditions is critical to providing appropriate care to the traumatically injured patient this study provides solid statistical data that flight crews can adequately perform and interpret POCUS results as well as out trauma team colleagues. This study could lead to a reduction of iatrogenic injuries from unnecessary invasive prehospital procedures, allow for early initiation of Massive Transfusion Protocols (MTP) prior to the patient's arrival at the Trauma Center, and potentially develop a change in trauma systems notification and transportation directly to the operating room. Conclusion Despite this study developing a very positive outlook on performing aeromedical POCUS for the evaluation and care of trauma patients additional research will be required to better understand the potential impact on trauma activation protocols and activation of in-hospital resources.
Choosing the Right Job—How to Find the Right Fit, What Should I Look For?

Choosing a job in surgery is influenced tremendously by an individual’s life experiences, geography, and family as much as it is by their specialty. This chapter helps put the personal choices in context of various practice environments to better guide the job seeker in making an informed decision on various surgical jobs. A description of four types of practice environments is provided: Private Practice, Academic Medicine, Institutional Practice, and Hospital Practice. An outline of each of their varying expectations for surgical practice is provided, touching on differences in teaching, salary, benefits, administrative, research, and clinical commitments.
Prior weight loss exacerbates the biological drive to gain weight after the loss of ovarian function.

Both the history of obesity and weight loss may change how menopause affects metabolic health. The purpose was to determine whether obesity and/or weight loss status alters energy balance (EB) and subsequent weight gain after the loss of ovarian function. Female lean and obese Wistar rats were randomized to 15% weight loss (WL) or ad libitum fed controls (CON). After the weight loss period, WL rats were kept in EB at the reduced weight for 8 weeks prior to ovariectomy (OVX). After OVX, all rats were allowed to eat ad libitum until weight plateaued. Energy intake (EI), spontaneous physical activity, and total energy expenditure (TEE) were measured with indirect calorimetry before OVX, immediately after OVX, and after weight plateau. Changes in energy intake (EI), TEE, and weight gain immediately after OVX were similar between lean and obese rats. However, obese rats gained more total weight and fat mass than lean rats over the full regain period. Post-OVX, EI increased more (P ≤ 0.03) in WL rats (58.9 ± 3.5 kcal/d) than CON rats (8.5 ± 5.2 kcal/d), and EI partially normalized (change from preOVX: 20.5 ± 4.2 vs. 1.5 ± 4.9 kcal/day) by the end of the study. As a result, WL rats gained weight (week 1:44 ± 20 vs. 7 ± 25 g) more rapidly (mean = 44 ± 20 vs. 7 ± 25 g/week; P < 0.001) than CON. Prior obesity did not affect changes in EB or weight regain following OVX, whereas a history of weight loss prior to OVX augmented disruptions in EB after OVX, resulting in more rapid weight regain.
Lipoma arborescens of the bicipitoradial bursa

Lipoma arborescens (LA) is a rare, benign articular lesion that is most commonly found within the suprapatellar recess of the knee. An extremely rare case of LA involving unilateral bicipitoradial bursa is described in this study. A 58-year-old male presented with a superficial soft mass on the volar aspect of the left forearm. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination demonstrated a lobulated complex mass containing multiple frond-like fatty nodules, along the distal biceps tendon in the bicipitoradial bursa. Ultrasound-guided biopsy of the lesion confirmed the diagnosis of LA and patient was scheduled for surgical excision. Recognizing the characteristic imaging of LA, particularly on MRI, is essential for accurate pre-procedural diagnosis.
Results of a Surgical Simulation Course Designed to Improve Surgery Clerkship Performance

Background and Objectives During the 2015-2016 academic year, Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine (RVUCOM) conducted a required 1-week surgical simulation course as the first week of students’ 8-week surgical clerkship. This course was adapted from a pilot RVUCOM surgical simulation course and other surgical simulation courses identified in the literature. The objectives of this course were to teach surgical skills and clinical knowledge, aid students in adjusting to the stress of a surgical clerkship, and improve students’ confidence and abilities during the clerkship. Methods In all, 148 students participated in the surgical simulation course. Subjective assessment of this course included each student completing a daily standardized stress survey and student feedback surveys at the end of the course and at the end of the surgical clerkship. Objective assessment of this course compared precourse and postcourse tests of surgical knowledge and instrument identification, as well as comparison of NBME Surgery Subject Assessment percentile ranks of this class with 3 prior classes. Results Daily stress surveys indicated decreased stress on day 5 compared to day 1 (p NBME Surgery Subject Assessment percentile rank improved significantly (p Conclusion The RVUCOM surgery simulation course significantly improved student performance academically and helped students acclimate to stress, increase their confidence level, and acquire surgical skills needed during the third-year surgery clerkship.
Parental incubation patterns and the effect of group size in a Neotropical cooperative breeder

ABSTRACT In many cooperatively breeding species, young (“helpers”) from one year help other adults raise offspring the following year. In contrast to helper effects during the nestling or postfledging stages of the avian breeding cycle, potential benefits from helpers during incubation are poorly studied. We analyzed 39 clutches and recorded 6,027 off-bouts to document incubation behavior in the White-breasted Thrasher (Ramphocinclus brachyurus), an endangered Neotropical facultative cooperative breeder. Our goal was to test the prediction that cooperation confers benefits during incubation in terms of increased nest attendance and hatching success. We found that 65% of active hours (0500–2100) are spent on the nest, values somewhat lower than average for a tropical passerine with uniparental incubation. Highest incubation constancy was observed at a rare 4-egg clutch, which was attended by putative joint-nesters. Excluding this clutch, differences in incubation behavior between pair and cooperative group...
Thermodynamics and Complex Systems

This chapter describes a generalized thermodynamic construct competent to deal with simple or complex natural field systems, at all levels of organization. The construct applies to cosmic, galactic, stellar, planetary, chemical, biological, and social systems and has the capability to deal not only with the ongoing dynamics of these fields, but also with their slower evolution. To understand motion and change in these field systems, it is necessary to distinguish between fluid processes, which can develop patterns, and condensation processes, which can create more permanent forms. Both processes break symmetry. Although the symmetry-breaking involved in fluid processes is well known, the symmetry-breaking occurring in condensation of matter (self-organization of form) is more obscure. Three properties characterize condensed matter: rigidity, an elastic limit, and flow. Flow processes involved in matter condensation may be either external or internal. Organization of form occurs by an external, in part radial, flow process that brings together atomistic constituents. The constituents develop an elastic limit by giving up an energy of binding. The cooperative binding also enhances the rigidity of the field. The field can be stressed by local processes up to the elastic limit without appreciable change in form. At stresses beyond that limit, the form of the system can be degraded by induced, new flow processes, arising either within the previously bound atomistic constituents or outside.
Simple and Efficient Speaker Comparison using Approximate KL Divergence

We describe a simple, novel, and efficient system for speaker comparison with two main components. First, the system uses a new approximate KL divergence distance extending earlier GMM parameter vector SVM kernels. The approximate distance incorporates data-dependent mixture weights as well as the standard MAP-adapted GMM mean parameters. Second, the system applies a weighted nuisance projection method for channel compensation. A simple eigenvector method of training is presented. The resulting speaker comparison system is straightforward to implement and is computationally simple— only two low-rank matrix multiplies and an inner product are needed for comparison of two GMM parameter vectors. We demonstrate the approach on a NIST 2008 speaker recognition evaluation task. We provide insight into what methods, parameters, and features are critical for good performance. Index Terms: speaker recognition
RES Blockade: Effects on Immunity and Tolerance

The cells of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) are involved in adoptive immunity toward microbial pathogens as well as “endogenous” parasites represented by malignant cells. Macrophages are considered the major cell type in the RES which “digests” and/or processes antigens, especially particulate ones (7, 8, 17, 19). The importance of such “antigen-processing” cells for specific antibody formation is now widely accepted. Non-specific as well as specific activities of macrophages are thought to be important in many types of immune responses (1, 2, 4, 9, 17). In this regard, experimental models designed to study macrophage function have involved the “inactivation” of macrophage function by chemical, physical, and even immunologic methods. For example, removal of macrophages from lymphoid cell suspensions by adsorption procedures or treatment with anti-macrophage serum often markedly reduces immunologic reactivity of the remaining cell populations (7, 17–19).
The Parkfield, California, Prediction Experiment

Moderate-size earthquakes occurred on the Parkfield section of the San Andreas fault in central California in 1881, 1901, 1922, 1934, and in 1966. The earlier Parkfield earthquakes were similar to the 1966 event, leading to the hypothesis of a characteristic Parkfield earthquake with recurring, recognizable source features. A simple recurrence model that explains most of the historic seismicity near Parkfield implies that the next characteristic Parkfield earthquake will occur within a ten year time window centered on 1987–1988. A Parkfield Prediction Experiment, designed to monitor the details of the final stages of the earthquake preparation process is underway. Observations and reports of anomalous seismicity and aseismic slip preceding the last characteristic earthquake in 1966 constitute much of the basis for the design of the Parkfield Prediction Experiment; other design considerations involve testing models of the deformation process leading to failure.
Stages of the Marital and Family Life Cycle: Marital Miracles

The stages of the marital and family life cycle describe the social, emotional, and developmental tasks required to create and maintain coupleness throughout the life of a marriage. This paper will explore the specifically Christian dimensions of these stage tasks. It will view these transitions as marital miracles on the journey of faith which invite couples to experience more of God's presence and healing in their relationship.
The Zadeh Scenario

“I beg of you, Doctor, please don’t let Dr. Moore see my mother again. My sisters and I do not want him talking with us anymore.”
Noninvasive measurement of pulmonary gas exchange: comparison with data from arterial blood gases.

A new noninvasive method was used to measure the impairment of pulmonary gas exchange in 34 patients with lung disease, and the results were compared with the traditional ideal alveolar-arterial Po...
Reliability of single-subject neural activation patterns in speech production tasks

Speech neuroimaging research targeting individual speakers could help elucidate differences that may be crucial to understanding speech disorders. However, this research necessitates reliable brain activation across multiple speech production sessions. In the present study, we evaluated the reliability of speech-related brain activity measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging data from twenty neuro-typical subjects who participated in two experiments involving reading aloud simple speech stimuli. Using traditional methods like the Dice and intraclass correlation coefficients, we found that most individuals displayed moderate to high reliability. We also found that a novel machine-learning subject classifier could identify these individuals by their speech activation patterns with 97% accuracy from among a dataset of seventy-five subjects. These results suggest that single-subject speech research would yield valid results and that investigations into the reliability of speech activation in people with speech disorders are warranted.
Ab initio predictions of graphite-like phase with anomalous grain boundaries and flexoelectricity from collapsed carbon nanotubes

Although large-radius carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are now available in macroscopic quantities, little is known about their condensed phase. Large-scale density functional theory calculations predict a low energy phase in which the same-diameter "dog-bone" collapsed CNTs form a graphite-like phase with complex, anomalous grain boundaries (GBs). The excess GB volume does not prevent the strong van der Waals coupling of the flattened CNT sides into AB stacking. The associated GB energetics is dominated by the van der Waals energy penalty and high curvature bending of the loop CNT edges, which exhibit reactivity and flexoelectricity. The large density and superior mechanical rigidity of the proposed microstructural organization as well as the GB flexoelectricity are desirable properties for developing ultra-strong composites based on large-radius CNTs.
Disparities in Refusal of Locoregional Treatment for Prostate Adenocarcinoma.

PURPOSE:We assessed sociodemographic factors associated with and survival implications of refusal of potentially survival-prolonging locoregional treatment (LT, including radiotherapy and surgery) ...
Site-directed spin labeling-electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy in biocatalysis: Enzyme orientation and dynamics in nanoscale confinement

Summary Site-directed spin labeling (SDSL) in combination with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy probes the otherwise inaccessible structural information in complex biological systems. We recently extended SDSL-EPR to reveal the relative orientation and backbone dynamics of enzymes upon encapsulation in mesoporous nanostructures, which set the structural basis underlying the observed biocatalytic activity. Our strategy had generated interest in the biocatalysis community, and thus in this resource article, we contribute an introduction to the principles and experimental procedure that generalize SDSL-EPR to heterogeneous biocatalysis. We will focus on enzymes in mesoporous materials with examples demonstrating the methods and cautions of potential pitfalls. The ultimate goal is to provide the biocatalysis community with a powerful resource to fill in a long-standing knowledge gap in heterogeneous biocatalysis and the structure-function relationship of enzymes at the interface of enzyme-mesoporous materials and utilize the structural insights to guide the rational design of porous platforms for enzyme immobilization.
Voice assessment of fat injection vs medialization laryngoplasty in nonparalytic dysphonia.

Objective Compare long-term voice outcomes in patients treated with FIM or BML for nonparalytic dysphonia. There is controversy whether fat injection medialization (FIM) is a durable alternative to bilateral medialization laryngoplasty (BML) for nonparalytic dysphonia (atrophy, sulcus, scar, paresis). Both interventions yield improved voice quality, yet comparison of patients' long-term perceptions of their voice after these procedures has not been performed. Methods Retrospective review of patients who underwent FIM or BML for nonparalytic dysphonia was performed from 2008-2018. Charts were reviewed for demographic information, preoperative diagnosis, intervention, Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), and follow-up time. Results Forty-nine patients met our criteria. Fifty procedures were performed (25 FIM, 25 BML). One patient underwent BML with subsequent FIM. There was no significant difference in pre-treatment or post-treatment VHI-10 scores between both groups (Pre-FIM 21 Post-FIM 10.28; Pre-BML 22.48, Post-BML 10.88). Total median follow-up time was 11.3 months (FIM 14.8 months, BML 9.5 months). Using VHI-10 scores recorded at each patient's latest follow-up visit, both groups demonstrated significant decrease (P < .05) compared to preoperative scores: VHI-10 decreased by a mean delta of 10.72 in the FIM group and 11.6 in the BML group. There was no significant difference in pre, post and change in VHI between groups. Conclusions In patients with nonparalytic dysphonia, FIM is a durable alternative to BML. Patients treated in both groups gained substantial improvement in vocal function. For both treatment groups, we should anticipate less than complete satisfaction with surgery and revision procedures in a minority of patients. Level of Evidence IV.
Human Papillomavirus Vaccination Knowledge, Barriers, and Recommendations Among Healthcare Provider Groups in the Western United States.

This study compared human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination occurrences on the same day as provider recommendations at clinics in the Western United States stratified by healthcare provider groups. In addition, the relationships between provider groups' perceived challenges associated with HPV vaccination, HPV vaccination knowledge, HPV recommendation practices, and same-day HPV vaccinations and recommendations are described. Eligible participants included pediatric healthcare providers and staff with influence on patient/parental-level decisions regarding HPV vaccination. Participants filled out a 40-question survey. Results for study participants (N = 99) showed providers reported a higher number of challenges limiting HPV vaccination, higher HPV vaccination knowledge, and more favorable HPV vaccination recommendation practices compared to other healthcare team members (OTM) suggesting providers may have a better overall understanding of the HPV vaccination climate than OTMs. Clinics should examine OTMs' training, expectations, and opportunities to increase the frequency and strength of HPV vaccination recommendations to adolescent patients and parents.
Role of High-Risk HPV Detected by PCR in Malignant Sinonasal Inverted Papilloma: A Meta-Analysis

INTRODUCTION Prior studies suggest that there may be a link between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and malignant sinonasal inverted papilloma (SNIP). This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to further evaluate this potential association. STUDY DESIGN Systematic review with meta-analysis. METHODS The Medline and Embase databases were used to identify case-control studies reporting the risk of malignant SNIP in patients with high-risk HPV subtypes identified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Meta-analysis was performed to determine pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS Twenty-one studies were identified, including a total of 841 subjects with SNIP. Seventeen studies were included in the final analysis, as four studies did not have any HPV-positive tumors in either group. A total of 56 malignant SNIP and 551 benign SNIP were ultimately identified. The pooled log-OR was 1.80 (95% CI: 1.03-2.57) for all high-risk HPV subtypes. Stratification by high-risk HPV subtype showed a log-OR of 1.67 (95% CI: 0.88-2.46) for HPV-16 and log-OR of 2.68 (95% CI: 1.30-4.05) for HPV-18. CONCLUSION Infection with high-risk HPV subtypes may be associated with an increased risk of malignant SNIP. HPV-18 showed the greatest overall average effect size of the common high-risk subtypes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE n/a Laryngoscope, 2021.
Correction to: Ecosystem sulfur accumulation following woody encroachment drives a more open S-cycle in a Subtropical Savanna

In the original version the name of the second author was misspelled. The correct name is Ayumi Hyodo.
Microwave rotational spectral study of SO2–CO

The microwave spectrum of the molecular complex of sulfur dioxide (SO2) with carbon monoxide (CO) has been studied with a pulsed-beam Fourier Transform Microwave Spectrometer (FTMW) from a pair of gas samples of 1 % by volume of SO2 and CO in Ar, and introduced via separate capillary inputs to the flow nozzle. The frequency coverage was about 7 GHz to 16 GHz for various isotopomers. The molecular structure was determined with the aid of spectral studies of isotopically substituted monomers containing 13C, 18O and 34S. The rotational analyses provide the rotational and centrifugal distortion constants for all of the isotopomers analyzed. The structure determination is compared to detailed ab initio structural calculations. The electric dipole moment components along the a- and c-axis were determined from Stark effect measurements.
Professor McMurray and the School of Jurisprudence

HE legal literature of the past decade has been filled with the controversy between the conceptualists and the realists. The realists accuse their opponents of assuming the eternal validity of unproved and unprovable hypotheses and by a process of verbal manipulation drawing conclusions which in their application contradict the facts of experience, common sense, and justice. The conceptualists retort by characterizing realism as visceral jurisprudence, the law depending not on principles but upon whether the judge's breakfast agreed with him the morning he rendered a particular decision. Each school ridicules the absurdities of the other, but neither gives sufficient critical analysis to the validity of its own assumptions. To Professor McMurray such a controversy must seem meaningless, as each view contains some truth but neither alone nor taken together the whole truth and nothing but the truth. It would hardly be possible for one of his experience to believe that life could be included in a system of self-contained concepts. The impact of life itself has been too compelling. He was born in 1869 in that portion of San Francisco affectionately known in later years as "south of the slot." The city itself was a living contradiction of the formulas which men had developed and by which they lived in other communities. Richard Henry Dana, Jr., in his chapter from Two Years Before the Mast, entitled "Twenty-four Years After," pictures vividly the modern city grown up almost over night composed of all the peoples of the earth, possessing something of the magic enchantment of the Arabian Nights. It was this bizarre city of contrasts and contradictions that fired the indolent genius of Bret Harte. It was not as in other migrations the contact of different peoples, each preserving its own law, but in the struggle for gold every individual was out for himself. Rugged individualism was a reality. To live in such a city required a tolerance and recognition of the practical limitations of personal or group beliefs and practices. In such an environment an unchanging rule of law could not square with the facts.
Oxygen depth profiling in prepared by sol-gel method using 16O(α, α)16O resonant backscattering

Abstract In order to find the optimum conditions to obtain films with high photocatalytic property by sol-gel method, depth profiling of oxygen in TiO x film deposited on SiO 2 was carried out using resonant backscattering of 3.045 MeV He ions by the nuclear reaction of 16 O(α, α) 16 O. Depth profiling of hydrogen in the TiO x film was also conducted using elastic recoil detection analysis (ERDA). For the depth profiling by the resonant backscattering analysis, it is necessary to change the incident energy of He ions from about 3.03 to 3.1 MeV in steps of less than 10 keV. In our analyzing system, the ion beam energy of He ++ was scanned by changing a bias voltage supplied to the target holder up to +30 kV without changing the accelerator terminal voltage. The effect of the bias voltage supplied on the sample holder on the energy and the yield of the oxygen peak relative to the titanium and the silicon signal were investigated. The automatic analysis system and the analyzed results are presented.
Origin and Diversity of Fibroblastic Cells From Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

To elucidate cancer-associated fibroblast (CAF) origins and diversity within intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC), we analyzed the phenotypic, cytogenetic, gene expression profiles, growth propert...
ANOMALOUS ORIGIN OF THE LEFT CORONARY ARTERY FROM THE PULMONARY ARTERY (ADULT TYPE) A Case Report

The case of a 7-year-old white female with an anomalous left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is presented. The clinical findings of an asymptomatic patient with a continuous murmur at the left lower strenal border, with left ventricular hypertrophy by roentgenography and electrocardiography raised the suspicion of an aortic fistula, which was then investigated by retrograde aortography. The aortogram demonstrated the anomalous origin of the left coronary artery with retrograde flow into the pulmonary artery. The age and circumstances of death in previously reported cases indicate that the so-called adult type is not a benign disease. The diagnosis of an anomalous coronary artery from the pulmonary artery is at any age an indication for consideration of surgical intervention.
Characterizing Feature Matching Performance over Long Time Periods

Many computer vision applications rely on matching features of a query image to reference data sets, but little work has explored how quickly data sets become out of date. In this paper we measure feature matching performance across 5 years of time-lapse data from 20 static cameras to empirically study how feature matching is affected by changing sunlight direction, seasons, weather, and the structural changes over time in outdoor settings. We identify several trends that may be relevant in real world applications: (1) features are much more likely to match within a few days of the reference data, (2) weather and sun-direction have a large effect on feature matching, and (3) there is a slow decay over time due to physical changes in a scene, but this decay is much smaller than effects of lighting direction and weather. These trends are consistent across standard choices for feature detection (DoG, MSER) and feature description (SIFT, SURF, and DAISY). Across all choices, analysis of the feature detection and matching pipeline highlights that performance decay is mostly due to failures in key point detection rather than feature description.
Bulk-to-surface precipitation and surface diffusion of carbon on polycrystalline nickel

Abstract The time evolution of the KLL Auger spectrum of carbon as a function of temperature is used to derive the kinetics of the surface diffusion and bulk-to-surface precipitation of carbon on polycrystalline nickel. The results show that the activation energy for the surface diffusion of carbon atoms on polycrystalline nickel is 6.9 ± 0.6 kcal mole , and the activation energy for bulk-to-surface precipitation is 9.4 ± 0.6 kcal mole . The dependence on the surface diffusion coefficient Ds (cm2s−1), on the absolute temperature T can be represented, over the experimental temperature range, 350–425° C, by: ln D s = 10.27 − 3568 T .
A reliable technique for marking the location of extracellular recording sites using glass micropipettes

A simple and highly reliable technique is described for marking the locations of extracellularly recorded neurons using double-barreled glass micropipettes. One barrel contains 3 M NaCl for recording; the other contains horseradish peroxidase (HRP) that is iontophoretically ejected using low currents. With appropriate processing of the tissue, small well-localized spots are produced that contain a small number of HRP-filled neurons. The technique is effective in marking sequential recording sites within individual electrode tracks and in multiple penetrations using the same microelectrode.
Enhanced apparent payne effect in a gum vulcanizate at low temperature approaching glass transition

For a vulcanized elastomer compound containing no filler, variation of dynamic moduli with strain was examined in the transition zone approaching glass transition at 0.1, 1, 10, and 15 Hz. In the complete absence of filler-filler/filler-polymer interactions, the nonlinearity in dynamic moduli becomes enhanced upon approaching glass transition regardless of testing frequency. Under the test protocol employed, the extraordinary nonlinearity at 10 Hz and 15 Hz is shown to be associated with a spectacular shear-heating event. At 10 Hz and -19°C, a pronounced yielding-like peak in the in-phase stress component emerges at small strain (< 2%) during testing of increasing strain. However, the corresponding temperature rise here is only about 0.4°C. Interestingly, at or above 0°C, no such peak in the in-phase stress component emerges for compounds filled with reinforcing filler above the percolation threshold. Discussion is also made relating the observations to the sliding friction of rubber materials.
Rabbit Knee Joint Biomechanics: Motion Analysis and Modeling of Forces during Hopping

Although the rabbit hindlimb has been commonly used as an experimental animal model for studies of osteoarthritis, bone growth and fracture healing, the in vivo biomechanics of the rabbit knee joint have not been quantified. The purpose of this study was to investigate the kinematic and kinetic patterns during hopping of the adult rabbit, and to develop a model to estimate the joint contact force distribution between the tibial plateaus. Force platform data and three-dimensional motion analysis using infrared markers mounted on intracortical bone pins were combined to calculate the knee and ankle joint intersegmental forces and moments. A statically determinate model was developed to predict muscle, ligament and tibiofemoral joint contact forces during the stance phase of hopping. Variations in hindlimb kinematics permitted the identification of two landing patterns, that could be distinguished by variations in the magnitude of the external knee abduction moment. During hopping, the prevalence of an external abduction moment led to the prediction of higher joint contact forces passing through the lateral compartment as compared to the medial compartment of the knee joint. These results represent critical data on the in vivo biomechanics of the rabbit knee joint, which allow for comparisons to both other experimental animal models and the human knee, and may provide further insight into the relationships between mechanical loading, osteoarthritis, bone growth, and fracture healing.
Representation of natural numbers in quantum mechanics

This paper represents one approach to making explicit some of the assumptions and conditions implied in the widespread representation of numbers by composite quantum systems. Any nonempty set and associated operations is a set of natural numbers or a model of arithmetic if the set and operations satisfy the axioms of number theory or arithmetic. This paper is limited to $k\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{ary}$ representations of length L and to the axioms for arithmetic modulo ${k}^{L}.$ A model of the axioms is described based on an abstract L-fold tensor product Hilbert space ${\mathcal{H}}^{\mathrm{arith}}.$ Unitary maps of this space onto a physical parameter based product space ${\mathcal{H}}^{\mathrm{phy}}$ are then described. Each of these maps makes states in ${\mathcal{H}}^{\mathrm{phy}},$ and the induced operators, a model of the axioms. Consequences of the existence of many of these maps are discussed along with the dependence of Grover's and Shor's algorithms on these maps. The importance of the main physical requirement, that the basic arithmetic operations are efficiently implementable, is discussed. This condition states that there exist physically realizable Hamiltonians that can implement the basic arithmetic operations and that the space-time and thermodynamic resources required are polynomial in L.
The Mechanical Properties of Modified Fibrin Fibers: Blocking the B-b Knob-Pocket Interaction

Fibrin clot formation has been studied to determine the mechanical properties of fibrin fibers modified by blocking the B-b knob-pocket interaction. Synthetic B-knob peptides AHRPYAAC or AHRPYAAC-Peg have been added to a fibrinogen solution to allow for binding to the b-pockets prior to clot formation. After fibrin clot formation, a combined atomic force microscopic (AFM)/optical microscopic technique was used to study the properties of individual fibrin fibers in buffer. Mechanical testing of fibers was done using the AFM to laterally stretch individual fibers suspended over 13.5μm wide groves in a transparent substrate. The optical microscope, located below the sample, was used to monitor the stretching process. We found that the density and lateral aggregation of fibers was hindered by blocking the b-pockets with the synthetic B-knobs. Fibrin fibers modified with the synthetic peptide AHRPYAAC-Peg were found to stretch to 2.27 times their original length before rupturing compared to unmodified fibrin fibers which were found to stretch to 2.47 times their original length. From these results it is expected that synthetic B-knob concentration impacts the mechanical properties of modified fibrin fibers. The binding constants for AHRPYAAC were found to be 30.3 μM and 80.1 μM while the binding constants for AHRPYAAC-Peg were found to be 1.75 mM and 57.2 μM.
Liver as a target for oligonucleotide therapeutics

Oligonucleotide-based therapeutics are an emerging class of drugs that hold the promise for silencing "un-druggable" targets,thus creating unique opportunities for innovative medicines. As opposed to gene therapy, oligonucleotides are considered to be more akin to small molecule therapeutics because they are small,completely synthetic in origin, do not integrate into the host genome,and have a defined duration of therapeutic activity after which effects recover to baseline. They offer a high degree of specificity at the genetic level, thereby reducing off-target effects.At the same time, they provide a strategy for targeting any gene in the genome, including transcripts that produce mutated proteins.Oligonucleotide-based therapeutics include short interfering RNA (siRNA), that degrade target mRNA through RISC mediated RNAi; anti-miRs, that target miRNAs; miRNA mimics, that regulate target mRNA; antisense oligonucleotides, that may be working through RNAseH mediated mRNA decay; mRNA upregulation,by targeting long non-coding RNAs; and oligonucleotides induced alternative splicing [1]. All these approaches require some minimal degree of homology at the nucleic acid sequence level for them to be functional. The different mechanisms of action and their relevant activity are outlined in Fig. 1. Besides homology,RNA secondary structure has also been exploited in the case of ribozymes and aptamers, which act by binding to nucleic acids or proteins, respectively. While there have been many reports of gene knockdown and gene modulation in cell lines and mice with all these methods, very few have advanced to clinical stages.The main obstacle to date has been the safe and effective intracellular delivery of these compounds in higher species, including humans. Indeed, their action requires direct interaction with DNA/RNA within the target cell so even when one solves the issues of tissue and cellular access, intracellular/intranuclear location represents yet another barrier to overcome. To date,hepatic delivery of oligonucleotides has been the area with greatest progress, and thus we have focused on liver-targeted therapeutics that have shown promise at the preclinical and/or clinical level.The liver is the largest internal organ in the body, playing a central role in metabolism, detoxification, synthesis, and secretion of major plasma proteins (carrier proteins, coagulation factors,complement components, hormones, and apolipoproteins),and iron homeostasis. It is therefore not surprising that a large number of disease targets reside in the liver where they are susceptible to modulation by oligonucleotide therapies.
New world complex societies: Recent economic, social, and political studies

Archaeologists working on the complex societies of Latin America have made impressive empirical advances on a number of fronts during the past five years. This article focuses on economic, social, and political issues, using the following topics for organization: intensive agriculture, demography, exchange, households, urbanism, chiefdoms, and state-level polities. For each topic, I review recent archaeological research and summarize pertinent theoretical issues. Unfortunately, the heavy accumulation of new archaeological results is not matched by the conceptual advances that are needed to explore the analytical significance of the data.
Can information technology revitalize your customer service

Executive Overview The era of mass production and mass merchandising has given us an abundant cornucopia of products but has often done so at a considerable cost to customer service. Progress in information technology permits a return to an earlier era of hometown service, when customers were treated as individuals, products were often tailored to personal needs, and customer support was provided throughout the product's life cycle. In this article, we describe and illustrate several simple conceptual tools that can help in discovering ways that information technology can be used to personalize both products and customer service. A customer service life cycle is presented which can assist in using information technology to revitalize customer service at various stages. For instance, a customer facing a complex range of product choices or features might be provided with an expert system to assist in product specification. Seven basic questions permit us to examine a business as it currently operates and of...
Too many copyrights

Reinstituting formalities---notice of copyright claims and registration requirements---could help address problems related to too many copyrights that last for too many years.
Oxygen activation over engineered surface grains on YDC/YSZ interlayered composite electrolyte for LT-SOFC

Abstract This paper reports the role of surface grain boundaries in enhancing oxygen incorporation kinetics on oxide ion conducting yttria-doped ceria (YDC) ceramic electrolyte. Thin YDC interlayered (∼400 nm) YSZ composite electrolyte was successfully fabricated by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) on the cathode side of 100 μm-thick polycrystalline substrate. Oxygen isotope exchange experiment was conducted employing secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) with high spatial resolution (50 nm). Surface mapping result of 18O/16O shows that high activity at surface grain boundary regions indicating that the grain boundary regions are electrochemically active for oxygen incorporation reaction. In addition, fuel cell current–voltage measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy study were performed in the temperature range of 350–450 °C on surface-engineered electrode-membrane assemblies (MEA) having different YDC surface grain sizes. Results from both dc and ac measurements confirm again that fuel cell MEAs having smaller surface grain size show better performance than large grain surfaces. Up to 4-fold increase was observed in power density and correspondingly lower electrode interface resistance. The collective results of SIMS and electrochemical measurements indicate that the YDC grain boundary regions at the cathode side are electrochemically active for oxygen surface kinetics. The results of this study provide an opportunity and incentive for designing high performing LT-SOFCs by surface engineering of YSZ electrolyte with nano-granular, catalytically superior thin YDC cathodic interlayers.
Imprints offer Moore

The cost of making chip components smaller using photolithographic printing might soon invalidate Moore's law. A new imprinting technique that can reproduce features as small as 10 nm could save it.
Diagnosis, Controversies, and Management of the Syndrome of Hemolysis, Elevated Liver Enzymes, and Low Platelet Count

Hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome has been recognized as a complication of preeclampsia-eclampsia for decades. Recognition of this syndrome in women with preeclampsia is increasing because of the frequency of blood test results that reveal unexpected thrombocytopenia or elevated liver enzymes. The diagnosis of HELLP syndrome requires the presence of hemolysis based on examination of the peripheral smear, elevated indirect bilirubin levels, or low serum haptoglobin levels in association with significant elevation in liver enzymes and a platelet count below 100,000/mm(3) after ruling out other causes of hemolysis and thrombocytopenia. The presence of this syndrome is associated with increased risk of adverse outcome for both mother and fetus. During the past 15 years, several retrospective and observational studies and a few randomized trials have been published in an attempt to refine the diagnostic criteria, to identify risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcome, and to treat women with this syndrome. Despite the voluminous literature, the diagnosis and management of this syndrome remain controversial. Recent studies suggest that some women with partial HELLP syndrome may be treated with expectant management or corticosteroid therapy. This review will emphasize the controversies surrounding the diagnosis and management of this syndrome. Recommendation for diagnosis, management, and counseling of these women is also provided based on results of recent studies and my own clinical experience.
Characterization and optimization of absorbing plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposited antireflection coatings for silicon photovoltaics.

We have optimized plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of SiN-based antireflection (AR) coatings with special consideration for the short-wavelength (<600 nm) parasitic absorption in SiN. Spectroscopic ellipsometry was used to measure the dispersion relation for both the refractive index n and the extinction coefficient k, allowing a precise analysis of the trade-off between reflection and absorption in SiN-based AR coatings. Although we focus on photovoltaic applications, this study may be useful for photodetectors, IR optics, and any device for which it is essential to maximize the transmission of light into silicon. We designed and optimized various AR coatings for minimal average (spectrally) weighted reflectance (〈Rw〉) and average weighted absorptance (〈Aw〉), using the air mass 1.5 global solar spectrum. In most situations 〈Rw〉 decreased with higher n, but 〈Aw〉 increased because k increased with n. For the practical case of a single-layer AR coating for silicon under glass, an optimum refractive index of ∼2.23 (at 632.8 nm) was determined. Further simulations revealed that a double-layer SiN stack with an n = 2.42 film underneath an n = 2.03 film gives the minimum total photocurrent loss. Similar optimization of double-layer SiN/SiO2 coatings for silicon in air revealed an optimum of n = 2.28 for SiN. To determine the allowable tolerance in index and film thickness, we generated isotransmittance plots, which revealed more leeway for n values below the optimum than above because absorption begins to reduce photocurrent for high n values.
A Reconceptualization of the Permanence of Attitude Change

Summary Two levels of audience, commitment, choice, and time were varied in a 2 X 2 X 2 X 2 repeated measures factorial design in an attempt to examine the effects of these variables on attitude change both inside and outside the laboratory. Commitment and choice had no effect on attitude change. Time had a significant effect (p < .001), with a large amount of change occurring immediately after the experimental manipulation and very little change occurring three weeks later. Audience and time also produced a significant interaction (p < .01), with a large amount of attitude change occurring in the audience condition immediately after the manipulation and very little change three weeks later. In the no audience condition some attitude change occurred immediately after the manipulation, but little change remained three weeks later. These findings were interpreted within the framework of Katz's classic conception of an attitude, and it was argued that pressure on the conative dimension of an attitude was not...
Vaccinating against Helicobacter pylori in the developing world

Helicobacter pylori infects more than half the world’s population and in developing nations the incidence can be over 90%. The morbidity and mortality associated with H. pylori-associated diseases ...