cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Review of Adhesion in an Ohmic Microswitch

Due to fundamental scaling laws, the effect of surface forces becomes relatively large for microscale structures, such as MEMS. The operation of an ohmic MEMS microswitch relies on repeated make-and-break contacts, typically between each of two metal tips and a metal drain. Large contact forces are desirable for low contact resistance, but the resulting plastic deformation at this small scale, as well as the breaking through of contaminant films, further increases the adhesion force which can then exceed the restoring force of the actuator. This stuck-closed failure, also known as stiction, is a major hindrance to switch reliability and to the ultimate commercialization of these devices. In this article we review the experimental and modeling efforts which have been directed to achieving an improved understanding of adhesion in an ohmic MEMS microswitch.
Adhesive strips versus subcuticular suture for mediansternotomy wound closure.

Background and Aim: This prospective randomized study was undertaken to compare the use of the 3M™ Steri-Strip™ S Surgical Skin closure system with a running absorbable subcuticular suture technique for skin closure following a mediansternotomy for cardiac surgical procedures. Methods: Thirty-six patients undergoing a mediansternotomy for a cardiac surgical procedure were prospectively randomized to either Steri-Strip S or subcuticular suture for wound closure. The wounds were evaluated on postoperative days 7 and 21 for erythema, edema, pain, cosmesis, and the time taken to close the incision. Results: Skin closure with Steri-Strip S was faster (5.33 ± 1.32 minutes steri-strips vs. 6.07 ± 0.91 sutures; p = 0.06) and resulted in significantly less erythema and edema, but no difference in pain or cosmesis after seven days. Following 21 days, there was no difference in pain, edema, or cosmesis between the groups. However, patients receiving steri-strips continue to have less erythema. Conclusions: Both Steri-Strip S and absorbable sutures are effective techniques for skin closure following a mediansternotomy incision for cardiac surgical procedures. Steri-Strip S can decrease the amount of erythema, but results in no significant difference in pain, cosmesis, or edema compared to the traditional subcuticular wound closure technique. (J Card Surg 2011;26:344-347)
Effect of the composition on the electrical properties of TaSi/sub x/N y metal gate electrodes

In this letter, the effect of silicon and nitrogen on the electrical properties of TaSi/sub x/N/sub y/ gate electrode were investigated. The TaSi/sub x/N/sub y/ films were deposited on SiO/sub 2/ using reactive cosputtering of Ta and Si target in Ar and N/sub 2/ ambient. The thermal stability of TaSi/sub x/N/sub y//SiO/sub 2//p-type Si stacks was evaluated by measuring the flatband voltage and equivalent oxide thickness at 400/spl deg/C and 900/spl deg/C in Ar. It was found that under high temperature anneals, Si-rich TaSi/sub x/N/sub y/ films increased and this was attributed to the formation of a reaction layer at the electrode-dielectric interface. Reducing the Si content alone did not prevent the formation of this reaction layer while removing Si completely by utilizing TaN resulted in work functions that were too high. The presence of both Si and N was deemed necessary and their content was critical in obtaining optimized TaSi/sub x/N/sub y/ gates that are suitable for NMOS devices.
Ultrasound-enhanced penetration of topical riboflavin into the corneal stroma.

PURPOSE To determine whether ultrasound treatment can promote the permeation of topical riboflavin into the corneal stroma. METHODS Fresh cadaveric rabbit eyes with intact epithelium were left for 45 minutes in riboflavin 0.1% solution and divided in the following groups: A--untreated, epithelium-on; B--ultrasound-treated (1 W/cm(2) at 880 kHz for 6 minutes) with epithelium-on; and C--epithelium-off (no ultrasound). Eyes were removed from the riboflavin solution, corneas were excised, and group B was divided into B1 (with epithelium maintained) and B2 (epithelium removed for the fluorescence analysis). Confocal microscopy was performed to quantify the fluorescence intensity in the cornea according to the distance from the surface (with epithelium in groups A and B1; without epithelium in groups B2 and C). RESULTS The average fluorescence intensity of riboflavin at a depth of 100, 150, 200, and 250 μm was 69.97, 58.83, 49.23, and 41.72 arbitrary units (A.U.) in group A, respectively; 255.26, 206.01, 159.81, 124.20 A.U. in group B1; 218.90, 177.90, 141.43, 110.45 A.U. in group B2; and 677.64, 420.10, 250.72 and 145.07 A.U. in group C. The difference in fluorescence was statistically significant between groups A and B1 (P = 0.001) and groups B2 and C (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS Ultrasound treatment increased the entry of topical riboflavin into the corneal stroma despite the presence of a previously intact epithelial barrier. This approach may offer a means of achieving clinically useful concentrations of riboflavin within the cornea with minimum epithelial damage, thereby improving the risk profile of corneal cross-linking procedures.
Age dependency in neophobia: Its influence on taste-aversion learning and the flavor-preexposure effect in rats

Five experiments were conducted to evaluate various aspects of stimulus preexposure effects on conditioned saccharin aversion in rats of three age groups: weanling (19–25 days), young-adult (92–170 days), and old-age (680–850 days). In Experiment 1, flavor neophobia was examined. Only the young-adult and old-age animals showed evidence of neophobia. Furthermore, habituation of the neophobic reaction differed for these two age groups. Using a brief to moderately long flavor-preexposure period and an intense US (Experiment 2), we demonstrated that the youngest age group was most likely to exhibit retarded conditioning as a result of preexposure to the flavor CS. Using a weaker US and a moderately long saccharin-preexposure period (Experiment 3), age differences in conditioning resulting from preexposure to the flavor CS were reduced. When animals were preexposed to saccharin continuously for 48 h (Experiment 4), age differences in the preexposure effect were not evident. In Experiment 5, the intensity of the US was reduced to determine whether floor effects in the previous experiments had masked age differences in the ability of nonpreexposed rats to acquire an aversion to saccharin. Results indicated that taste-aversion learning was directly related to age. Although open to other interpretations, the results support the notion that the flavor-preexposure effect is influenced by the initial level of flavor neophobia. They also suggest that systematic parametric variation is sometimes necessary to obtain an accurate description of age differences in learning.
A Social Adjustment Enhancement Intervention for High Functioning Autism, Asperger's Syndrome, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder NOS.

This paper reports the findings of a 20-week social adjustment enhancement curriculum for boys aged 8–12. The curriculum was designed to address three areas hypothesized to be deficient in persons with HFA, AS, and PDDNOS: emotion recognition and understanding; theory of mind; and executive functions/real life type problem solving. Parents attended a semi-structured concurrent psychoeducational training meeting during children’s sessions. Statistically significant improvements in facial expression recognition, and problem solving were reported for intervention group children compared to waiting list control group children. For the intervention group (the only group for whom data were available), older and less cognitively able boy’s scores on a depression inventory decreased significantly more than younger children’s. Mother’s depression scores tended to decrease and there were significant reductions in child problem behaviors reported. Results are discussed in the context of individual differences in participant cognitive levels and profiles, symptom severity, and affect-related variables.
Doppler echocardiography in cardiac tamponade: Exaggerated respiratory variation in transvalvular blood flow velocity integrals

Pulsed Doppler echocardiography has been used previously to demonstrate marked changes in transvalvular blood flow velocities during cardiac tamponade in laboratory animals and a small number of patients. To further assess the respiratory changes in transvalvular blood flow during tamponade, pulsed Doppler tracings of flow velocity profiles across all four cardiac valves were recorded during inspiration and expiration in 13 patients during cardiac tamponade, in 6 of the 13 patients after relief of tamponade by pericardiocentesis and in 8 normal control subjects. Flow velocity integrals were calculated for each valve during inspiration and expiration. In the setting of cardiac tamponade, inspiration caused an 85 ± 46% increase in the flow velocity integral across the pulmonary valve, an 81 ± 34% increase across the tricuspid valve, a 33 ± 13% decrease across the aortic valve and a 35 ± 8% decrease across the mitral valve. These phasic respiratory changes were markedly reduced after relief of tamponade (p < 0.05 compared with tamponade) and were observed to only a minimal extent in the normal individuals (p < 0.01 compared with tamponade). The exaggerated respiratory variations in transvalvular flow velocity integrals suggest that Doppler evaluation may be a valuable tool in the diagnosis of cardiac tamponade. Transmitral Doppler indexes of left ventricular filling during cardiac tamponade revealed that inspiration caused a shift to increased filling during late diastole, with a greater contribution of atrial systole to total left ventricular filling. These Doppler indexes did not vary significantly with respiration in the group studied after relief of tamponade or in the control group. The change in these indexes during inspiration in cardiac tamponade is consistent with an inspiratory decrease in left ventricular compliance.
Cloning and characterization of the 5'-flanking sequence for the human DNA topoisomerase II beta gene.

Abstract Mammalian cells express two isoforms of type II DNA topoisomerase which are the intracellular targets of many structurally diverse antineoplastic agents. The levels of topoisomerase II isozymes are important determinants for the sensitivity of cells to the cytotoxicity of drugs that target topoisomerase II. To investigate whether the expression of topoisomerase II isoforms is coordinated and the mechanisms governing their expression in the context of drug resistance, the 5′-flanking sequence for the gene of human topoisomerase II β isoform was cloned and characterized. The 5′-flanking region has a very high GC content and contains no canonical TATA box element. Two separate transcriptional start sites are located to an adenine and a guanine, 193 and 89 nucleotides, respectively, upstream from the ATG translation initiation codon. Except for a small region immediately upstream of the translation initiation codon, there is no obvious sequence homology between the 5′-flanking sequences of human topoisomerase II β gene and the previously described α gene. Transient expression assays with different 5′- and 3′-deletions of the 5′-flanking region of the topoisomerase II β gene have delineated regions important for transcriptional regulation of the gene. Interestingly, sequences within the first intron also contribute to the promoter activity. Gel mobility shift studies demonstrate that protein factors from the nuclear extracts can bind specifically to the downstream elements and may participate in transcriptional regulation.
Gas Phase Nanoparticle Integration

We report on two gas phase nanoparticle integration processes to assemble nanomaterials onto desired areas on a substrate. We expect these processes to work with any material that can be charged. The processes offer self-aligned integration and could be applied to any nanomaterial device requiring site specific assembly. The Coulomb force process directs the assembly of nanoparticles onto charged surface areas with sub-100 nm resolution. The charging is accomplished using flexible nanostructured electrodes. Gas phase assembly systems are used to direct and monitor the assembly of nanoparticles onto the charge patterns with a lateral resolution of 50 nm. The second concept makes use of fringing fields. The fringing fields directed the assembly of nanoparticles into openings. The fringing fields can be confined to sub 50 nm sized areas and exceed 1 MV/m, acting as nanolenses. Gas phase assembly systems have been used to deposit silicon, germanium, metallic, and organic nanoparticles.
Interpretation of the near-threshold behavior of cross sections for e-CO 2 scattering

Converged coupled-channel calculations of $e\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$ scattering have been carried out at very low scattering energies. The results are used to show that a virtual state is present in the model static-exchange-polarization $e\ensuremath{-}{\mathrm{CO}}_{2}$ interaction potential used in these calculations. This result provides a possible interpretation for experimental data on total, momentum-transfer, and vibrational-excitation cross sections. A scattering length of $\ensuremath{-}6.17{a}_{0}$ is predicted.
An 8 th sub-harmonic injection locked V-band VCO for low power LO routing in mm-wave beamformers

This paper presents an 8 th sub-harmonic injection locked V-band oscillator for low power LO routing in mm-wave beamformers. The VCO uses an inductively cross-coupled transformer for transconductance boosting. Injection is carried out through a customized three inductor transformer connected to achieve twice the coupling strength between any two inductors. The V-band sub-harmonic injection-locked oscillator (SILO) is implemented in a standard 0.13 μm BiCMOS process and occupies an active area of 200 μm × 100 μm. The proposed SILO operates at 0.5 V supply and consumes a total power of 3.72 to 6.57 mW, including the injection source. The SILO shows a free-running tuning range of 17.9% centered at 53.5 GHz. In the injection locking mode, it achieves a minimum locking range of 450 MHz at high band and 1.4 GHz at low band with just -10 dBm input power. The proposed LO routing scheme shows minimum power consumption among state-of-the-art beamformers and thus is the most suitable candidate for LO routing in mm-wave beamformers.
GENERALIZED O(1,2) EXPANSIONS OF MULTIPARTICLE AMPLITUDES.

Abstract We develop the formalism for making generalized O (1, 2) expansions of multiparticle amplitudes involving particles with arbitrary (nonzero) mass and spin. It is found that such expansions can be made for very general classes of amplitudes; in addition to the requirement of the existence of certain kinematic zeroes, essentially only power boundedness in the expansion variable is required. The physical meaning of the various spin and kinematic variables that occur in the expansion is analyzed in detail. A comparison between the O (1, 2) and usual Regge expansions for two-particle amplitudes is made and a fundamental difference between these two types of expansions is pointed out.
Preparing international students for a successful social experience in higher education

Colleges and universities can increase their retention of international students by providing those students with help in adjusting to U.S. culture.
Remarks on nominal grounding

The problems posed by nominal structure and nominal reference are notoriously subtle and complex. Though fairly extensive, their treatment in Cognitive Grammar (CG) has thus far been partial, preliminary, and scattered in numerous publications. The synthesis attempted here can hardly overcome the first two limitations. It may however provide a useful way of framing the issues and suggest some promising lines of attack.
Prospects for Treatment of Latent HIV

Recent advances in antiretroviral therapy (ART) have drastically improved the quality of life for people with HIV infection. However, owing to the persistence of latent HIV in the presence of therapy, patients must remain on therapy indefinitely. Currently, the solution to the HIV pandemic rests on the prevention of new infections and many decades of ART for the steadily expanding number of people infected worldwide. ART is costly, requires ongoing medical care, and can have side effects, thereby preventing its universal availability. Therefore, to escape the ironic burdens of therapy, efforts have begun to develop treatments for latent HIV infection. Current approaches propose either complete eradication of infection or induction of a state of stringent control over viral replication without ART. This review will discuss these strategies in detail and their potential for clinical development.
The Transition Process in the Early Years: Enhancing Speech-Language Pathologists' Perspectives.

The purpose of this clinical exchange is to provide speech-language pathologists with the basic information needed to participate as active, informed, and effective members of transition teams. A s...
Child Abuse Potential and Work Satisfaction in Day-Care Employees.

Abstract The Child Abuse Potential (CAP) Inventory and a Work Satisfaction Questionnaire were administered to 228 day-care employees at 40 centers to investigate the relationship between potential for child abuse and degree of job satisfaction. In addition, the ability of the CAP abuse scale to distinguish between groups of day-care employees thought to differ in the quality of child care provided was studied. Small, albeit significant, inverse correlations were observed between abuse scores and two job satisfaction items. As clarity of job expectations and as overall job satisfaction increased, abuse scores decreased. Although abuse scores for all day-care employees were not significantly different from norm scores, significantly lower scores were found for employees from “superior” day-care centers and for employees rated “high” by center directors. Abuse scores for employees rated “high” were also significantly below scores for employees rated “low.” While these data indicate only limited relationships between child abuse and job satisfaction, the findings suggest the CAP abuse scale can distinguish some subgroups of day-care employees thought to differ in quality of child care provided.
Transmission of an EM Wave Through the Aperture of a Cylindrical Cavity

The penetration of an electromagnetic wave through an aperture in a cylindrical structure is investigated. By using the moment method, the electrical and magnetic fields in a cavity behind the aperture are determined as a function of frequency of the incident field. The accuracy of the numerical solution is established through tests of satisfaction of the boundary condition, edge condition, and convergence with respect to the number of modes in the aperture. Depending on the frequency and location inside the cavity, the stored electromagnetic energy density varies very rapidly. Its peak value can be two orders of magnitude greater than the incident energy density. The frequencies where the peaks occur can be identified approximately as the resonance frequencies of the cavity when the aperture is closed.
The multiple service needs of drug dependent mothers

Maternal drug use has been the subject of much political discussion. Increases in the foster care population are reported to be a result of drug use by mothers. However, there is little information about the characteristics and service needs of drug using mothers. This study obtained data on drug dependent mothers referred to a child welfare agency, and suggests the need for coordinated treatment.
A centrally active drug that modulates AMPA receptor gated currents

Abstract Systemic administration of the drug 1-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-ylcarbonyl)-piperidine (1-BCP) has been reported to enhance monosynaptic response in the hippocampus in vivo and to improved spatial and olfactory memory in rats. The drug's mechanism of action was investigated in the present study using membrane patches fromm cultured hippocampal slices. The decay time of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid (AMPA) receptor mediated inward currents was greatly increased by 1-CBP in a concentration dependent and reversible fashion; peak current was also enhanced but to a lesser degree. In vitro slice experiments indicated that the drug has a parallel effects on the field of EPSP. It is concluded that 1-BCP is a centrally active modulator of the AMPA receptor.
Silver chlorobromide nanoparticles with highly pure phases: synthesis and characterization

Ternary silver chlorobromide (AgClxBr1−x) nanoparticles with finely tuned compositions have been successfully synthesized through a co-precipitation approach in which silver nitrate reacts with hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in aqueous solutions at room temperature. The synthesized AgClxBr1−x nanoparticles exhibit highly pure crystalline phases with face-centred cubic symmetries and compositional purity without contamination of optically active silver clusters and silver nanodomains. Such high purity enables the determination of indirect bandgap energies of the AgClxBr1−x nanoparticles for the first time. Tuning the composition from chloride- to bromide-rich leads to a decrease in size and the indirect bandgap of the nanoparticles. In addition, preliminary evaluations indicate that the ternary AgClxBr1−x nanoparticles are better in the photocatalytic decomposition of methylene blue molecules with visible light in comparison with the counterpart binary AgCl and AgBr nanoparticles.
An ultrahigh resolution structure of TEM-1 beta-lactamase suggests a role for Glu166 as the general base in acylation.

Although TEM-1 β-lactamase is among the best studied enzymes, its acylation mechanism remains controversial. To investigate this problem, the structure of TEM-1 in complex with an acylation transition-state analogue was determined at ultrahigh resolution (0.85 A) by X-ray crystallography. The quality of the data was such as to allow for refinement to an R-factor of 9.1% and an Rfree of 11.2%. In the resulting structure, the electron density features were clear enough to differentiate between single and double bonds in carboxylate groups, to identify multiple conformations that are occupied by residues and loops, and to assign 70% of the protons in the protein. Unexpectedly, even at pH 8.0 where the protein was crystallized, the active site residue Glu166 is clearly protonated. This supports the hypothesis that Glu166 is the general base in the acylation half of the reaction cycle. This structure suggests that Glu166 acts through the catalytic water to activate Ser70 for nucleophilic attack on the β-lactam...
Population shift bias in tests of space–time interaction

Abstract Common to all tests of space–time interaction is the assumption that the population underlying the events of interest exhibits a trajectory of growth that is consistent through time and across space. In practice, however, this assumption is often untenable and, when violated, can introduce population shift bias into the results of these tests. While this problem is widely recognized, more work remains to compare its effect across tests and to determine the extent to which it is a problem for study short periods. This paper quantifies and compares the population shift bias present in the results of the Knox, Mantel, and Jacquez tests of space–time interaction. A simulation study is carried out which quantifies the bias present in each test across a variety of population movement scenarios. Results show a positive relationship between population shift bias and the heterogeneity in population growth across all the tests. They also demonstrate variability in the size of the bias across the three tests for space–time interaction considered. Finally, the results illustrate that population shift bias can be a serious problem for short study periods. Collectively, these findings suggest that an unbiased approach to assessing the significance of space–time interaction test results is needed whenever spatially heterogeneous population change is identified within a study area.
INDIVIDUAL AND ORGANIZATIONAL DETERMINANTS OF CORRECTIONAL OFFICER ATTITUDES TOWARD INMATES

This paper analyzes the impact of individual attributes and organizational influences in the determination of correctional officers’attitudes toward inmates. Drawing on survey data from 179 line-level correctional officers, the analysis evaluates the expectations of prison reformers that more highly educated, female, and minority officers will hold more positive attitudes toward their inmate clientele. Contrary expectations drawn from the sociology of work literature suggest that the work-role socialization will overshadow the effect of individual attributes in the determination of officer attitudes. The analysis reveals that minority officers hold more positive orientations toward inmates, while education and gender exert no impact. In addition, organizational-level characteristics are also important in the prediction of officer views of inmates. These findings suggest that correctional reforms that focus primarily on changing the demographic composition of correctional officers are quite unlikely to ameliorate significantly the tension in today's prisons. It is necessary for both reformers and social scientists to develop more sophisticated analyses of the interplay between individual attributes and work organization characteristics and their joint effects on behavior in the prison setting.
The enzymic synthesis of disialogangleoside: Rat brain cytidine-5′-monophospho-N-acetylneuramjnic acid: Monosialoganglioside (GM1) sialyltransferase

Abstract An enzyme which catalyzes the transfer of N-acetylneuraminic acid (NANA) from CMP-NANA to galactosyl- N -acetylgalactosaminyl- N -acetylneuraminyl)-ga-lactosyl-glucosyl-ceramide ( G M 1 ) in young rat brain is described. The incorporation of radioactivity is stimulated in the presence of G M1 and is dependent on the quantity added. The detergent Triton CF-54 is required for optimal activity. The radioactive product is identified as N-acetylneuraminyl-galactosyl-N-acetylgalactosaminyl-N-(N-acetyl-neuraminyl)-galactoxyl-glucosyl-ceramide (G D1a ).
Interfacial area, bubble coalescence and mass transfer in bubble column reactors

Relationships are developed for determining interfacial areas as a function of bubble coalescence and for predicting liquid-film-controlled mass transfer in deep seal bubble column reactors. Interfacial area is inversely dependent on mean bubble size; the mass transfer constant is directly dependent on bubble size. A correction for enhancement due to liquid-phase reaction must be applied, and enhancement is shown to decrease with increasing bubble size. Experimental measurements on the catalyzed rate of oxygen absorption from air in aqueous sodium sulfite solutions were made in a 0.299 m diameter × 9.14 m high glass column. Water and aqueous solutions of a surfactant and corn syrup were used to simulate ranges of surface tensions, densities, and viscosities. Perforated plates with 0.00635-m holes and 2.85% open area were inserted at 1.524-m spacing on half of the experimental runs to show the effects of gas redispersion. Two-phase flow velocities were adjusted to cover ranges of interest in full-scale, commercial bubble column reactor design.
Regulation of Vascular Genes by Glucose

Endothelial dysfunction is an early sign of diabetic vascular disease. Due to their unique position at the border between blood and vascular tissue, endothelial cells (EC) are the first vascular cells to sensor humoral changes, and they are able to transmit the information about these changes to other vascular cell types by changing their gene expression profile and producing growth factors, cytokines, adhesion molecules, and other bioactive molecules. These signals alter vascular cell dynamics and interactions, vascular tone and result in inability of the vessel to maintain athrombogenic luminal surface and in alteration of vascular permeability. Although researchers have yet to uncover the precise mechanism(s) that leads to diabetic vascular disease, hyperglycemia has been identified as an independent risk factor for micro- and macrovascular complications. Elevated levels of glucose induce the expression of a variety of genes related to atherogenesis and angiogenesis regulation. However, most of our current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms used by glucose to regulate gene expression is based on studies that used cells with insulin-dependent glucose transport (hepatocytes, adipocytes). Such cells are significantly different than vascular cells, in which glucose uptake is mostly imparted by insulin-independent mechanisms. This review summarizes current information about the effects of hyperglycemia and elevated glucose in in vitro systems on vascular gene expression and molecular transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms that may regulate the changes related to diabetic vascular complications.
A ``dwarf ball'': Design, instrumentation, and response characteristics of a 4π light charged-particle multidetector system

Abstract A 4 π light charged-particle spectrometer is described. The spectrometer consist of 72 fast-low plastic scintillator phoswiches closely packed in a 4 π arrangement. The device is small enough to be enclosed in the spin spectrometer scattering chamber. For each detector that fires, the fast ΔE and slow E pulse heights and a time for each group of 16 detectors are recorded. From this information protons and α particles can be identified and their energies measured over a large dynamic range. The geometry, construction, electronics and data acquisition system are discussed. Examples are given of the performance of this spectrometer from an experiment in which Si ( ΔE , E ) heavy-ion telescopes were used as event triggers and the spin spectrometer detected γ rays and neutrons.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Intervalence Charge Transfer Properties of a Series of Rhenium(I)-Iron(III) Mixed-Valence Compounds.

A series of cyanide-bridged mixed-valence compounds of the form {[dmbReI(CO)3]n-FeIII(CN)6}3-n were synthesized, and their MM‘CT absorptions were modeled using Marcus−Hush theory. The hypsochromic shift of the MM‘CT bands with increasing n is due to the increase in the redox potential of the Fe(III) center as more Re(I) species are bridged to it. The single-crystal X-ray structure of the 3:1 (Re/Fe) species was also determined, and a solvent dependence was performed.
Theory Calculation of Diffussion Coefficient Based on Molten Slag Structure

The diffusion coefficients of slag constituents were calculated using Eyring equation. The Urbain slag viscosity calculation method was modified by improving the constiuents dividing method based on slag depolymerisation degree NBO/T calculation. the amphoteric oxides such as TiO2, Cr2O3, Fe2O3, B2O3 and Al2O3 were specifically dividied into glass former part and modifier part, and the diffusion dimension was calculated according to the value of NBO/T. The results of diffusion coefficients showed that, the modified method is more accurate than the Urbain method within the calculation conditions. Based on the modified diffusion coefficient calculation method, ladle slag composition was optimized to enhance the deoxidization rate.
Platelet-activating factor, eicosanoids, and bradykinin as targets for adjuvant therapies for sepsis

Abstract The term “autocoid” has been used to denote a diverse group of relatively small molecules that are released by cells and function as autocrine or paracrine hormones. Many autocoids, including thromboxane A 2 , various leukotrienes, platelet-activating factor, and bradykinin, are released as part of the inflammatory response and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of sepsis and septic shock. In numerous animal models of sepsis or septic shock, survival, systemic hemodynamics, or organ system function have been improved by administering pharmacologic agents to block the formation of, or the cellular receptors for, various autocoids. Unfortunately, clinical trials of drugs to block prostaglandin formation or the receptors for platelet-activating factor or bradykinin have yielded disappointing results. As a consequence, enthusiasm for this approach for the treatment of sepsis has waned. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
Computation of two-dimensional Fourier transforms for noisy band-limited signals

In this paper, the ill-posedness of computing the two dimensional Fourier transform is discussed. A regularized algorithm for computing the two dimensional Fourier transform of band-limited signals is presented. The convergence of the regularized Fourier series is studied and compared with the Fourier series by some examples.
Competitive interactions between artificial lighting and natural cues during seafinding by hatchling marine turtles

Abstract Artificial lighting disrupts the nocturnal orientation of sea turtle hatchlings as they crawl from their nest to the ocean. Laboratory experiments in an arena were used to simultaneously present artificial light (that attracted the turtles toward “land”) and natural cues (a dark silhouette of the dune behind the beach) that promoted “seaward” orientation. Artificial lighting disrupted seaward crawling in the presence of low silhouettes, but not high silhouettes. Low silhouettes provided adequate cues for seaward crawling when the apparent brightness of artificial light was reduced. Based upon these results, we postulate that artificial light disrupts orientation by competing with natural cues. Current restoration practices at nesting beaches emphasize light reduction. However at many sites some lights cannot be modified. Our results suggest that pairing dune restoration (to enhance natural cues) with light reduction (to the extent possible) should significantly improve hatchling orientation, even at nesting beaches where lighting cannot be entirely eliminated.
Positive affect predicts lower risk of AIDS mortality.

Objective:The objective of this study was to test the association of positive affect as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) with risk of AIDS mortality, controlling for the other CES-D subscales and laboratory measures of disease progression.Methods:Data come fr
Lunar surface temperatures from Apollo 12.

The diurnal variation of temperatures in the lunar surface layer is calculated using the measured properties of the Apollo 12 samples. The results are compared with similar calculations made using data from the Apollo 11 samples and with previous infrared temperature measurements. Comparisons are also made with prior calculations which used assumed properties. These are based on an effective value of the thermal parameter [γ = (kqc)−1/2] of 1034 which is obtained from integrated average values of the specific heat and thermal conductivity of the Apollo 12 fines.
The boundaries of class in preindustrial Appalachia

This article recovers social bases of preindustrial Appalachian regional development during the nineteenth century and specifically middle class formation within the predominantly subsistence economy. Because of Appalachia's social and economic isolation from the emergent US capitalist economy, the preindustrial era is traditionally conceived in terms of arrested development. Relatedly, the absence of commercialization is taken to imply stunted social differentiation. This article attempts to move beyond notions of arrested development by explicating the particular dynamics of localized subsistence social reproduction. Three southeast Kentucky counties are case studies. A descriptive model defines social relations governing differentiation within Southeast Kentucky and between the mountains and the larger political economy. Both internal and external relations were constitutive of the region's development path. Evidence on two common indicators of social differentiation, property ownership and occupational stratification, manifest certain patterns and provide a tentative roll call of local elite membership, but do not represent a class map from which to read historical process. The extended historical geographical analysis shows how property ownership and middle class professional occupation came to intersect socially and geographically within certain family lineages and county seat towns. Lineages of the middle class are traced to settlement, land acquisition and county political practice. Middle class formation was supported by the twin pillars of longevity and kinship and was shored up by Kentucky's internal political geography.
The cbb3 terminal oxidase of Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1: structural and functional implications for the regulation of spectral complex formation.

We have previously shown that the flow of reductant through the cbb3 terminal cytochrome c oxidase of Rhodobacter sphaeroides is essential to the repression of photosynthesis (PS) gene expression in the presence of oxygen by inhibiting the functional activity of the Prr two-component activation system. To gain further insight into the role of the cbb3 oxidase and the cognate ccoNOQP operon in the oxygen regulation of PS gene expression, we constructed nonpolar, in-frame deletions within the ccoN and ccoQ genes. Whereas mutations in ccoN, ccoQ, and ccoP resulted in PS gene expression in the presence of oxygen, only the ccoQ mutation showed both the normal flow of reductant through the cbb3 oxidase and the absence of any alteration in the relative levels of spheroidene and spheroidenone, as is observed for those mutations in the cco operon that result in the loss of terminal oxidase activity. Consistent with these findings is the observation that extra copies of the ccoNOQP operon in trans resulted in the d...
SU‐F‐BRE‐15: Verification of Energy Dependence of MAGAT Polymer Gel at Orthovoltage Energies

Purpose: Investigation of dose response curves of methacrylic acid-based “MAGAT” gel at different effective energies to verify an energy dependence of polymer-gel dosimeters for orthovoltage energy x-rays. Methods: Six small cylindrical MAGAT gel phantoms were exposed to different dose levels; one phantom was unirradiated for background subtraction. This experiment was repeated for three different effective beam energies.24 h post irradiation the spin-spin relaxation times (T2) were measured with a 4.7 T Bruker MR scanner at 2 cm depth inside the gel. The T2 values were converted to relaxation rates (R2) and plotted against the respective dose levels corresponding to the different effective energies. The resulting dose response curves were compared for a 250 kVp beam, the 250 kVp beam filtered by 6 cm of water, and a 125 kVp beam. Results: The passage of the 250 kVp beam through water resulted in a half-value-layer (HVL) change from 1.05 mm Cu to 1.32 mm Cu at 6 cm depth with a change in effective energy from 81.3 keV to 89.5 keV, respectively. The dose response curves showed a shift to higher relaxation rates for the harder beam. The dose response measurements for the 125 kVp beam (HVL: 3.13 mm Al, effectivemore » energy: 33.9 keV) demonstrated even higher relaxation rates than for either of the other beams. Conclusion: The MAGAT dose response curves for three different effective energies demonstrate a complex energy dependence, with an apparent decrease in sensitivity at 89.5 keV effective energy. This energy dependence is consistent with observed discrepancies of depth dose data compared with ion-chamber data. For future investigations of larger volumes, an energy-dependent sensitivity function is needed to properly assess 3-dimensional dose distributions.« less
Solar wind heavy ion abundances

During periods in 1969–1971 when interplanetary flow conditions were quiet, 17 determinations of the solar wind Fe and Si abundances and 7 of the O abundance were made. On the average 〈N(Fe)/N(H)〉 = 5.3 × 10-5, 〈N(Si)/N(H)〉 = 7.6 × 10-5 and 〈N(O)/N(H)〉 = 5.2 × 10-4. Variations from the averages over a total range of factors of ∼4 for O, ∼4 for Si, and ∼ 10 for Fe have have observed. Although Fe and Si abundance variations appear to be correlated, no other element correlation pairs are unambiguously discernible from the present data set.
HUMAN SKELETAL MUSCLE-SPECIFIC ALPHA -ACTININ-2 AND -3 ISOFORMS FORM HOMODIMERS AND HETERODIMERS IN VITRO AND IN VIVO

α-actinins belong to a family of actin-binding and crosslinking proteins and are expressed in many different cell types. Multiple isoforms of α-actinin are found in humans and are encoded by at least four distinct genes. Human skeletal muscle contains two sarcomeric isoforms, α-actinin-2 and -3. Previous studies have shown that the α-actinins function as anti-parallel homodimers but the question of heterodimer formation between two different isoforms expressed in the same cell type has not been explored. To address this issue, we expressed both α-actinin-2 and -3in vitroand were able to detect their interaction by both blot overlay and co-immunoprecipitation methods. We were also able to demonstrate the presence of heterodimersin vivoin human skeletal muscle and in COS-1 cells transiently transfected with both isoforms. Our results clearly demonstrate the potential for α-actinin isoforms to form heterodimers which might have unique functional characteristics.
Monetary donations to an open source software platform

Abstract Online open source software platforms, such as Sourceforge.net, play a vital role in creating an ecosystem that enables the creation and growth of open source projects. However, there is little research exploring the interactions between open source stakeholders and the platform. We believe that the sustainability of the platform crucially depends on financial incentives. While platforms can obtain these incentives through multiple means, in this paper we focus on one form of financial incentives—voluntary monetary donations by open source community members. We report findings from two empirical studies that examine factors that impact donations. Study 1 investigates the factors that cause some community members to donate and not others. We find that the decision to donate is impacted by relational commitment with open source software platform, donation to projects and accepting donations from others. Study 2 examines what drives the level of donation. We find that the length of association with the platform and relational commitment affects donation levels.
Antecedents to alcoholism: Implications for prevention and treatment

The behavioral characteristics associated with the risk for alcoholism are revied. Despite the limited number of studies, there is a high degree of convergence of results across investigations. The results implicating psychological factors are proposed to reflect features of a genetic predisposition to alcoholism.
Molecular epidemiology of hypospadias: review of genetic and environmental risk factors.

Hypospadias is one of the most common congenital anomalies in the United States, occurring in approximately 1 in 125 live male births. It is characterized by altered development of the urethra, foreskin, and ventral surface of the penis. In this review, the embryology, epidemiology, risk factors, genetic predisposition, and likely candidate genes for hypospadias are described. Recent reports have identified increases in the birth prevalence of mild and severe forms of hypospadias in the United States from the 1960s to the present. Studies in consanguineous families and small case series have identified allelic variants in genes controlling androgen action and metabolism that cause hypospadias, but the relevance of these findings to the general population is unknown. Concern has also focused on whether exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDC) with antiandrogenic activity is the cause of this increase. Hypospadias is believed to have a multifactorial etiology in which allelic variants in genes controlling androgen action and metabolism predispose individuals to develop this condition. When genetic susceptibility is combined with exposure to antiandrogenic agents, a threshold is surpassed, resulting in the manifestation of this birth defect. A clear role for exposure to antiandrogenic environmental chemicals has yet to be established in the etiology of hypospadias, although results from laboratory animal models indicate that a number of environmental chemicals could be implicated. Molecular epidemiology studies that simultaneously examine the roles of allelic variants in genes controlling androgen action and metabolism, and environmental exposures are needed to elucidate the risk factors for these anomalies and the causes of the increased rate of hypospadias.
Self‐incompatibilty in gamete recognition: Single self‐recognizing determinants and multiple, non‐self‐recognizing ones function in the same individual

The frameworks (key mechanisms) of the self/non-self-discrimination systems that are found in various organisms have not been actively selected for, but have evolved by genetic drift such that the genetic frequency of random, advantageous mutations has increased within the genomes of these species by natural selection. The passive nature of this process leads to an important conclusion: in the self/non-self-discrimination system, the number of self-recognizing determinants becomes one compared to multiple non-self-recognizing determinants. Thus, the number of determinants is defined not by the character of the determinant, but by the system framework.
Diminution du risque de rejet chronique et de variabilité de l’absorption avec Néoral® par rapport à Sandimmun®

The inter- and intrapatient variability in cyclosporin pharmacokinetics obfuscates the relationship between therapeutic outcome and administered dose. We defined patients with high pharmacokinetic variability and an increased risk of chronic rejection by means of serial pharmacokinetic profiling of 204 renal transplant patients treated for up to 5 years with cyclosporin doses selected to achieve a target average cyclosporin concentration (Cav). Patients were stratified into cohorts according to high versus low pharmacokinetic variability, which was based on the cut-off values of percentage coefficient of variation (%CV) of the dose-corrected Cav (Cav/mg; 35%) or 0-hour concentration (C0/mg; 53%). These values are the inflection points of curves that express the relationships between true positives (patients with high %CV and chronic rejection) versus false positives (patients with high %CV but no evidence of chronic rejection).
Graphs with odd cocliques

In this note we determine the graphs with the ‘odd coclique property’, a generalization of the ‘cotriangle property’. These graphs turn out to be related to orthogonal or symplectic geometries (groups).