cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the thermionic emission from nitrogen-doped diamond films with respect to energy conversion

Thermionic energy converters utilize thermal energy and efficiently transform it into more useful electrical energy. A key aspect in thermionic energy conversion is the emission of electrons at elevated temperatures, where the electron emitter is separated from the collector by a vacuum gap and a voltage is generated due to the temperature difference between the emitter and collector. In this study, nitrogen-doped diamond films with a negative electron affinity surface have been synthesized with plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition, and the electron emission has been imaged using high-resolution electron emission microscopy. This study reports the measurement of a thermovoltage and current, i.e. energy conversion, at temperatures considerably less than 1000 °C.
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TWO-TEMPERATURE VS. MULTI-SPECIES, MULTI-TEMPERATURE MODELING IN NONEQUILIBRIUM RADIATING SHOCK LAYERS

This investigation represents a preliminary effort to characterize the dependence of the radiative behavior in the shock layer of reentry bodies on the thermodynamic state of the flow insofar as it concerns the selection of an appropriate model of the thermal nonequilibrium. This characterization has been advanced by examining the effects of exchanging the popular two-temperature model with the multi-species, multi-temperature model. Radiative intensity at the wall was found to be 65% higher for the latter.
Waiting for microbiologic data to direct therapy against nosocomial infections in febrile surgical patients: are outcomes worsened?

Hypothesis: Allowing adequate time for laboratory and culture results before initial treatment may be associated with a worse outcome in nosocomial infections. Design: Cohort study of all episodes of nosocomial infection from December 10, 1996, to October 28, 1998. Setting: Surgical services at a university hospital. Patients and Methods: In surgical patients presenting with fever, 372 episodes of nosocomial infection were evaluated. Nosocomial infections were divided by time from fever to intervention (≤12, 13-24, and >24 hours). These groups were subdivided by Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) scores into low (≤10 [n = 1141), moderate (11-20 [n = 169]), and high severity of illness (>20 [n = 891). Pneumonia and bloodstream infections were divided by APACHE II scores into low (≤15 [n = 55 and n = 56, respectively]) or high severity of illness (>15 In = 84 and n = 77, respectively]). Main Outcome Measures: Mortality, length of stay. Results: No difference in outcome was seen between different time intervals from fever to intervention for nosocomial infections in patients with APACHE II scores of no more than 10. Patients treated more than 24 hours after fever were significantly younger than those treated at no more than 12 and 13 to 24 hours with APACHE 11 scores of 11 to 20 (P<.05) and more than 20 (P<.05). Mortality and length of stay for patients treated at later time intervals were comparable with those of patients treated earlier with similar APACHE 11 scores. There was no difference in outcome for patients with pneumonia or bloodstream infection. Conclusions: Episodes of infection in which treatment was withheld until initial microbiologic data were available (24 hours) did not have worse outcomes compared with those treated earlier. Waiting for laboratory and culture results to direct antibiotic therapy for nosocomial infections does not appear harmful and may be potentially beneficial.
Model of psychosocial risk factors leading to suicidal ideation in young adolescents

The primary goal of this study was to examine a theoretically based model of psychosocial risk factors and mediators leading to suicidal ideation in a normative sample of young adolescents, ages 12–15 years. Three self-report instruments were employed to tap the constructs of interest, the Self-Perception Profile for Children (Harter, 1985a), The Dimensions of Depression Profile (Harter, Nowakowski, & Marold, 1988), and the Social Support Scale for Children (Harter, 1985b). Utilizing path-analytic techniques, the best-fitting model includes, as potential antecedents, two self-concept clusters—(a) appearance, peer likability, and athletic competence and (b) scholastic competence and behavioral conduct—and two sources of social support — peer approval and parent approval. Paths from each of these constructs lead to a depression composite of affect, global self-worth, and hopelessness. The composite, in turn, functions as a mediator with a direct path to suicidal ideation. Comparisons of two subgroups of depressed adolescents defined by this composite, those with and without suicidal ideation, are also presented. The findings are discussed in terms of the need for theoretically based models that have implications for prevention and intervention in normative populations of adolescents.
Modelling of the dynamics of HgCdTe growth by the vertical Bridgman method

The analysis of Kim and Brown (1989), which described the pseudo-steady state of the HgCdTe melt/crystal system grown by the vertical Bridgman method, is extended to the study of the transients during the crystal growth and, in particular, at the beginning of the growth. The time-dependent numerical simulations developed show the development of a diffusion layer in the melt and the direct relationship between this layer and the intensity and the pattern of convection in the melt. It is shown that the spread of the solute layer occurs on a diffusive time scale, with the initial transient to the steady-state growth rate lasting several hours for the slow growth rates that are typical of the HgCdTe growth. The simulations demonstrate all the features observed experimentally by Szofran et al. (1984).
Light reflective system to monitor movement in room

Systems to monitor the activity and patterns of behavior of people in a room would enable detection of certain behaviors for which an alert for help should be issued, such as a prolonged condition of having fallen down. Many different types of sensing systems could be used to monitor activity, but each has limitations. This project is developing a system using orthogonal photo emitting and detecting sensors to locate opaque objects, such as a human in a room. A scaled down model of a room is being developed and tested. The location of opaque objects can be detected and indicated on a grid of LEDs. Though the preliminary results appear promising, further development and testing is required to access usability of the system to monitor movement in a room for detection of conditions, such as episodes of falling.
On semantic annotation of decision models

The growth of service sector in recent years has led to renewed research interests in the design and management of service systems. Decision support systems (DSS) play an important role in supporting this endeavor, through management of organizational resources such as models and data, thus forming the "back stage" of service systems. In this article, we identify the requirements for semantically annotating decision models and propose a model representation scheme, termed Semantically Annotated Structure Modeling Markup Language (SA-SMML) that extends Structure Modeling Markup Language (SMML) by incorporating mechanisms for linking semantic models such as ontologies that represent problem domain knowledge concepts. This model representation format is also amenable to a scalable Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) for managing models in distributed environments. The proposed model representation technique leverages recent advances in the areas of semantic web, and semantic web services. Along with design considerations, we demonstrate the utility of this representation format with an illustrative usage scenarios with a particular emphasis on model discovery and composition in a distributed environment.
Effects of pH on the Rieske Protein from Thermus thermophilus: A Spectroscopic and Structural Analysis

The Rieske protein from Thermus thermophilus (TtRp) and a truncated version of the protein (truncTtRp), produced to achieve a low-pH crystallization condition, have been characterized using UV−visible and circular dichroism spectroscopies. TtRp and truncTtRp undergo a change in the UV−visible spectra with increasing pH. The LMCT band at 458 nm shifts to 436 nm and increases in intensity. The increase at 436 nm versus pH can be fit using the sum of two Henderson−Hasselbalch equations, yielding two pKa values for the oxidized protein. For TtRp, pKox1 = 7.48 ± 0.12 and pKox2 = 10.07 ± 0.17. For truncTtRp, pKox1 = 7.87 ± 0.17 and pKox2 = 9.84 ± 0.42. The shift to shorter wavelength and the increase in intensity for the LMCT band with increasing pH are consistent with deprotonation of the histidine ligands. A pH titration of truncTtRp monitored by circular dichroism also showed pH-dependent changes at 315 and 340 nm. At 340 nm, the fit gives pKox1 = 7.14 ± 0.26 and pKox2 = 9.32 ± 0.36. The change at 315 nm is ...
O desafio da mensuração nos direitos humanos

Ate ha pouco tempo, o movimento dos direitos humanos relutou em se engajar na questao da mensuracao, diante das dificuldades envolvidas e resistindo a pressao dos patrocinadores para aceitar os padroes de avaliacao de impacto desenvolvidos em outras areas. Este artigo defende que as tecnicas de mensuracao sao, na verdade, muito especificas de cada problema, e tem que estar ligadas a uma refinada compreensao da mecânica de cada um em particular. Considerando a necessidade de avancar nas questoes prementes dos direitos humanos, e da maior importância que as organizacoes da sociedade civil saiam de sua posicao defensiva em relacao a mensuracao e comecem a desenvolver modelos para os dois maiores desafios nesse aspecto: (1) como dimensionamos o problema e entendemos de que modo ele esta se desenvolvendo ao longo do tempo? e (2) de que modo entendemos o impacto que estamos exercendo sobre o proprio problema? Este artigo destaca de que maneira as Organizacoes da Sociedade Civil podem aumentar sua eficacia usando mensuracoes e dados para obter uma ideia mais clara do problema que estao tentando resolver, uma ideia melhor de como marcar seu progresso na consecucao de uma meta, e uma compreensao de que lugar tem os seus esforcos no contexto mais amplo dos solucionadores de problemas da sociedade civil. Alem de tratar das dificuldades especificas que as organizacoes de direitos humanos enfrentam no processo de auto-avaliacao, este artigo propoe passos que podem guiar as organizacoes de direitos humanos no sentido de ampliar seu impacto. (Original em portugues.)
Cantilever couplers for fiber coupling to silicon photonic integrated circuits

Cantilever couplers for fiber coupling to silicon photonic integrated circuits are presented. The couplers consist of silicon inverse width tapers embedded within silicon dioxide cantilevers that are deflected out-of plane by residual stress. Coupling efficiencies of 1.6 dB per connection for TE polarization and 2 dB per connection for TM polarization are achieved. Finite difference time domain simulations are conducted to assess coupling loss as a function of cantilever geometry and fiber-to-cantilever misalignment. The cantilever couplers enable high efficiency propagation of light from optical fibers to photonic integrated circuits directly on a chip surface without dicing or cleaving.
Sulfur cycling in forests

Sulfur is essential for the production of certain amino acids in plants. As amino acid sulfur is the major form of sulfur in trees, there is a strong relationship between organic S and organic N in tree tissue. Sulfur deficiencies occur in parts of southeastern Australia and northwestern North America, remote from pollutant inputs. Since bilogical S requirements of forests are modest (< 5 kg · ha−1 yr−1 for net vegetative increment), however, atmospheric S inputs in polluted regions (10–80 kg · ha−1 yr−1 ) often exceed not only the forest ecosystem S requirement but also its ability to biologically accumulate S. There is some increase in the SO2− 4−S content of forest vegetation in response to elevated atmospheric S inputs, but this capacity is apparently easily saturated. Soil SO2−2 4adsorption is often the dominant feature of S cycling in polluted ecosystems and often accounts for net ecosytem S accumulations.
A Performance Comparison of Japanese and American Hand Saws

This study examined, by measuring the time required and oxygen consumption, the efficiency of three types of hand saws cutting a standardized block of wood. An American saw which cuts on the push stroke was compared to a Japanese saw which cuts on the pull stroke and to a two handled bow saw whose teeth were clearly raked toward one handle. The bow saw was used twice, once cutting with the push stroke only and once with the pull stroke. The results showed no significant difference among saw types in the time it took to cut the wood, but did show differences in the amount of oxygen consumed. By this measure the Japanese saw was most efficient, the push bow saw and American saw second, and the bow saw cutting on the pull stroke the least efficient.
Water stress effects on guard cell anatomy and the mechanical advantage of the epidermal cells

Abstract Vicia faba plants grown under water deficit were found to have guard cells considerably smaller than those of plants grown under well-watered conditions. Stomala of plants adapted to drought conditions have been observed in past studies to maintain opening at plant water potentials lower than those of plants not so adapted. By employing the geometric interpretation of the mechanical advantage (Wu, Sharpe & Spence, 1985), an anatomical/mechanical basis was found that helps explain how such opening in drought conditions can occur. The geometry and resulting mechanical properties of small stomata, in contrast to larger stomata, give them the capability of opening or maintaining open pores with lower guard cell turgor pressures, relative to the turgor of the surrounding epidermal cells.
Evaluation of Cathepsins D and G and EC 3.4.24.15 as Candidate β-Secretase Proteases Using Peptide and Amyloid Precursor Protein Substrates

No single protease has emerged that possesses all the expected properties for beta-secretase, including brain localization, appropriate peptide cleavage specificity, and the ability to cleave amyloid precursor protein exactly at the amino-terminus of beta-amyloid peptide. We have isolated and purified a brain-derived activity that cleaves the synthetic peptide substrate SEVKMDAEF between methionine and aspartate residues, as required to generate the amino-terminus of beta-amyloid peptide. Its molecular size of 55-60 kDa and inhibitory profile indicate that we have purified the metalloprotease EC 3.4.24.15. We have compared the sequence specificity of EC 3.4.24.15, cathepsin D, and cathepsin G for their ability to cleave the model peptide SEVKMDAEF or related peptides that contain substitutions reported to modulate beta-amyloid peptide production. We have also tested the ability of these enzymes to form carboxyl-terminal fragments from full-length, membrane-embedded amyloid precursor protein substrate or amyloid precursor protein that contains the Swedish KM --> NL mutation. The correct cleavage was tested with an antibody specific for the free amino-terminus of beta-amyloid peptide. Our results exclude EC 3.4.24.15 as a candidate beta-secretase. Although cathepsin G cleaves the model peptide correctly, it displays poor ability to cleave the Swedish KM --> NL peptide and does not generate carboxy-terminal fragments that are immunoreactive with amino-terminal-specific antiserum. Cathepsin D does not cleave the model peptide or show specificity for wild-type amyloid precursor protein; however, it cleaves the Swedish "NL peptide" and "NL precursor" substrates appropriately. Our results suggest that cathepsin D could act as beta-secretase in the Swedish type of familial Alzheimer's disease and demonstrate the importance of using full-length substrate to verify the sequence specificity of candidate proteases.
Revisiting the One-Year Geriatric Fellowship Option: A Preliminary Assessment

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain early opinions of geriatric fellowship program directors regarding the 1-year clinical training option. DESIGN: A brief mail survey of the 100 program directors listed in Graduate Medical Education, 1998–1999. MEASUREMENTS: Answers (favorable (+), no effect (0), or negative (-)) to questions regarding the effect on the training program, position of the director, and geriatrics as a discipline. RESULTS: This preliminary assessment produced decidedly mixed results. Seventy-six program directors responded (76% response rate). The clearest positive effect on the program itself was on the quantity of applicants (63% +, 4% -) but less so on their quality (33% +, 15% -). The clearest negative impact was on research aspects of the fellowship (0% +, 67%-). Other effects on the program were either null (clinical aspects and faculty morale) or moderately negative (educational, administrative, and financial aspects and the position of the program director), with few effects on the geriatrics division as a whole. Overall, the 1-year option was felt to have adversely affected geriatrics as a respected professional field (11% +, 41% -). Nevertheless, the majority (61%) answered that introduction of the 1-year option was wise. Although not attributed to this training pathway, program directors overwhelmingly perceived (75% +) that geriatrics has enjoyed enhanced strength and attractiveness as a discipline since introduction of the 1-year option in 1992. CONCLUSIONS: The 1-year geriatric fellowship option has, at best, proved a mixed blessing to program directors. However, optimism regarding the future would seem to justify continuing to offer this option because of several observations and trends: (1) the increase in quantity and also perhaps quality of applicants; (2) growth in numbers of fellows and higher percentage program fill rates; (3) success of both 1-and two-year fellows in passing the Certificate of Added Qualifications examination and consequent increased generation of certified fellowship-trained geriatricians; (4) strong sentiment that geriatrics is gaining strength and attractiveness; and (5) that introduction of the 1-year option was wise. J Am Geriatr Soc 48:686–690, 2000.
Limitations in 10 Gb/s WDM optical-fiber transmission when using a variety of fiber types to manage dispersion and nonlinearities

We analyze the system limitations of WDM transmission when using various types of optical fiber to manage dispersion and nonlinearities. In our model, from two to eight 10 Gb/s WDM channels are transmitted through a cascade of EDFA's experiencing dispersion, stimulated Raman scattering, and self- and cross-phase modulation. The fiber types modeled include: conventional single-mode fiber, dispersion shifted fiber, and dispersion-compensating fiber. These fibers have different dispersion spectral profiles and are combined to manage dispersion to produce a total zero dispersion for a certain fiber span while eliminating four-wave mixing. We find that a system using dispersion-shifted fiber and conventional single-mode fiber exhibits the best performance, with the combination of dispersion and cross-phase modulation as the dominant effects. Furthermore, conventional single-mode fiber combined with dispersion-compensating fiber system exhibits the worst performance, with the combination of dispersion and self-phase modulation as the dominant effects.
An investigation into the solidification of nano-enhanced phase change material for transient thermal management of electronics

Cyclically utilized electronics provide an interesting challenge for thermal management. Phase Change Materials (PCM) are ideal for cyclic operations due to their high capacity to store heat, however, many phase change materials do not exhibit sufficient conductivity to be effective in larger sizes. Conductivity enhancement can be done in a number of ways including the use of foams or nanomaterials. This experimental study examines the thermal behavior of PCMS with carbon nanofibers conductivity enhancement during solidification. The enhanced PCM is found to exhibit lengthened melt times and shortened cool-down times.
The Effects of Uncertainty and Source Credibility on Attitudes about Organizational Change

A substantial portion of the literature on organizational change focuses on the effects of change but fails to consider how information about change is communicated and processed. Social information processing is used as a theoretical framework to guide the development of a causal model in which the impact of uncertainty, source competence, and source similarity were examined as precursors to employees' attitudes about organizational change. The results of this study indicate that social information had its strongest effect on employee attitudes in situations involving high source credibility and high uncertainty. A test of the path model incorporating the interaction between uncertainty and credibility provided a good fit to the data. The implications for research and theory in organizational change are discussed.
Combining Aspirin With Oral Anticoagulant Therapy: Is This a Safe and Effective Practice in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation?

Marc Fisher MD Kennedy Lees MD Section Editors In persons with cerebral ischemia caused by atrial fibrillation (AF) and high risk of stroke based on an overall score of a validated risk stratification scheme such as CHADS2 *, adjusted-dose warfarin is recommended for those who have no clinically significant contraindication.1,2 When there is AF, adjusted-dose warfarin is estimated to reduce the risk of stroke by about 60% or more and by about 45% more than aspirin.1 The combination of adjusted-dose warfarin plus aspirin administered to AF patients may offer theoretical advantages such as enhanced stroke prevention efficacy in high-risk persons or improved protection against myocardial ischemic events in those who have coronary artery disease or diabetes.3 The recently published American Heart Association/American Stroke Association recurrent stroke prevention guideline suggests, however, no data indicate that either increasing the intensity of oral anticoagulation or add-on antiplatelet therapy provides further ischemic protection in AF patients.2 In a post hoc analysis, the Stroke Prevention Using an ORal Thrombin Inhibitor in atrial Fibrillation (SPORTIF) investigators studied the risks and benefits of combining aspirin with oral anticoagulant therapy in patients with AF.3 SPORTIF III and V trials were designed to determine whether the direct oral thrombin inhibitor ximelagatran (36 mg twice daily) was noninferior to vitamin K antagonist therapy with adjusted-dose warfarin (international normalized ratio 2.0 to 3.0) for prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in high-risk patients with nonvalvular AF.3 The SPORTIF studies were multicenter, randomized trials. SPORTIF III was open-label and carried out in Europe, Asia, and Australasia, and SPORTIF V was double-blinded and carried out in the US and Canada. The primary outcome in both studies was the composite of ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes and systemic embolic events. Myocardial infarction was among the secondary events. Bleeding …
Telomerase therapeutics: telomeres recognized as a DNA damage signal: commentary re: K. Kraemer et al., antisense-mediated hTERT inhibition specifically reduces the growth of human bladder cancer cells. Clin. Cancer Res., 9: 3794-3800, 2003.

On the basis of a consolidation of a number of principles that underpin our current understanding of the transformation of normal human cells to malignant tumors, more mechanistic and rationale approaches to cancer therapeutics are emerging. Cancer cell immortality (limitless replicative potential)
TCP for seamless vertical handoff in hybrid mobile data networks

Current trends show that 3G cellular network and WLAN will coexist and work together to support more users with higher data rate services over a wider area. In this hybrid mobile network, the WLAN provides high bandwidth data service over a small area while the 3G cellular network provides a higher mobility with lower bandwidth data service. To provide seamless data service to mobile users, vertical handoff between WLAN and 3G cellular network has to be implemented. We present the challenges in the vertical handoff. We propose a TCP scheme for a seamless vertical handoff, and present a performance evaluation. In the proposed scheme, the TCP sender and receiver use the Handoff (HO) option field in TCP header to recognize an impending handoff and a completing handoff. After a vertical handoff, the sender tries to readjust its data rate, since the new network has drastically different characteristics in contrast with horizontal handoff where keeping the same data rate improves performance. The proposed scheme can be implemented incrementally. It is not necessary to change all of the TCP senders for compatibility since it uses an optional field in TCP header.
Dementia Care Ethics

A comprehensive discussion of the ethics of caring for persons with the syndrome of dementia must be attentive to key issues that arise following the course of the underlying causative disease, which is most likely to be Alzheimer disease (AD). This analysis will therefore focus upon the progressive course of AD, although what is discussed pertains to dementia generally. Ethical issues beginning with prevention and diagnosis and concluding with a good dying are considered. A chronologically ordered discussion of these issues over the course of AD provides a practically useful framework.
Shared disk big data analytics with Apache Hadoop

Big Data is a term applied to data sets whose size is beyond the ability of traditional software technologies to capture, store, manage and process within a tolerable elapsed time. The popular assumption around Big Data analytics is that it requires internet scale scalability: over hundreds of compute nodes with attached storage. In this paper., we debate on the need of a massively scalable distributed computing platform for Big Data analytics in traditional businesses. For organizations which don't need a horizontal., internet order scalability in their analytics platform., Big Data analytics can be built on top of a traditional POSIX Cluster File Systems employing a shared storage model. In this study., we compared a widely used clustered file system: VERITAS Cluster File System (SF-CFS) with Hadoop Distributed File System (HDFS) using popular Map-reduce benchmarks like Terasort., DFS-IO and Gridmix on top of Apache Hadoop. In our experiments VxCFS could not only match the performance of HDFS., but also outperformed in many cases. This way., enterprises can fulfill their Big Data analytics need with a traditional and existing shared storage model without migrating to a different storage model in their data centers. This also includes other benefits like stability & robustness., a rich set of features and compatibility with traditional analytics applications.
Resistance to ursodeoxycholic acid-induced growth arrest can also result in resistance to deoxycholic acid-induced apoptosis and increased tumorgenicity

There is a large body of evidence which suggests that bile acids increase the risk of colon cancer and act as tumor promoters, however, the mechanism(s) of bile acids mediated tumorigenesis is not clear. Previously we showed that deoxycholic acid (DCA), a tumorogenic bile acid, and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a putative chemopreventive agent, exhibited distinct biological effects, yet appeared to act on some of the same signaling molecules. The present study was carried out to determine whether there is overlap in signaling pathways activated by tumorogenic bile acid DCA and chemopreventive bile acid UDCA. To determine whether there was an overlap in activation of signaling pathways by DCA and UDCA, we mutagenized HCT116 cells and then isolated cell lines resistant to UDCA induced growth arrest. These lines were then tested for their response to DCA induced apoptosis. We found that a majority of the cell lines resistant to UDCA-induced growth arrest were also resistant to DCA-induced apoptosis, implying an overlap in DCA and UDCA mediated signaling. Moreover, the cell lines which were the most resistant to DCA-induced apoptosis also exhibited a greater capacity for anchorage independent growth. We conclude that UDCA and DCA have overlapping signaling activities and that disregulation of these pathways can lead to a more advanced neoplastic phenotype.
Bioreactor development for tissue-engineered cartilage.

: The development of tissue engineered cartilage is emerging as a potential treatment for the repair of cartilage defects. By seeding chondrocytes onto poly-glycolic acid (PGA) biodegradable scaffolds within a convective-flow bioreactor, the synthesis of tissue-engineered articular cartilage has been recently demonstrated. The ability to cultivate and manipulate this cell-polymer construct to possess specific dimensions, as well as biochemical and biomechanical properties is critical for potential application as an in vivo therapy of damaged articular surfaces. Bioreactor design requirements for stages from research to development to commercialization are discussed. Advantages and limitations to various bioreactor designs are critiqued. These studies illustrate the ability to synthesize tissue-engineered cartilage under convective-flow conditions for potential human tissue repair.
Nonsuppurative Meningoencephalitis Associated with Aleutian Mink Disease Parvovirus Infection in Ranch Mink

Severe nonsuppurative meningoencephalitis associated with Aleutian mink disease parvovirus (ADV) infection was observed in adult ranch mink. Brain lesions included severe, locally extensive to coalescing lymphoplasmacytic meningoencephalitis with accompanying gliosis, satellitosis, and mild extension of inflammation into the leptomeninges. ADV was identified in mesenteric lymph node, spleen, brain, and liver of affected mink by polymerase chain reaction techniques. Sequences of the ADV isolate (TH5) revealed 2 unique residues in the region of the viral genome that determines pathogenicity. These findings suggest that certain strains of ADV may preferentially cause disease in the nervous system. ADV infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of neurologic disorders in mink.
Paternalism, Battered Women, and the Law

Par analogie avec la critique du paternalisme et de l'interference de l'etat sur la liberte individuelle chez J. S. Mill, qui autorise cependant l'intervention du gouvernement dans le seul cas de la sujetion volontaire, l'A. defend la these selon laquelle la violence domestique est un domaine du comportement humain qui requiert l'intervention de l'autodetermination paternaliste contre l'exercice negatif de l'autonomie. A travers l'exemple des femmes battues, l'A. soutient l'idee d'une restriction de leurs droits afin qu'elles ne puissent s'opposer a la mise en examen de leurs aggresseurs, et afin de briser le cercle vicieux de l'abus et du libre-choix
Gravity‐anomalies and geologic structure

In projecting geologic structure from areas of known geology into regions of unknown geology it appears advisable to use a combination of gravitational and seismic methods. This is because the inherent defects of each considered alone are to a large measure eliminated by the supplementary information supplied by the other when used in conjunction. However, since at the present time the gravitational information represents other factors than just geology, it is necessary that the various components be ascertained so that their effect may be taken into consideration and the anomalies reduced for interpretation to just that portion due to geologic factors. With this purpose in view, a gravitational analysis is presented in which an effort has been made to ascertain the exact nature of the anomaly-control and also a line of attack for future investigation is presented whereby it is hoped that it will be possible to derive gravity-anomalies reflecting only the geologic factors.
Spatial regulation of inflammation by human aortic endothelial cells in a linear gradient of shear stress.

Objective: Atherosclerosis is a focal disease that develops at sites of low and oscillatory shear stress in arteries. This study aimed to understand how endothelial cells sense a gradient of fluid shear stress and transduce signals that regulate membrane expression of cell adhesion molecules and monocyte recruitment. Methods: Human aortic endothelial cells were stimulated with TNF-α and simultaneously exposed to a linear gradient of shear stress that increased from 0 to 16 dyne/cm2. Cell adhesion molecule expression and activation of NFκ B were quantified by immunofluorescence microscopy with resolution at the level of a single endothelial cell. Monocyte recruitment was imaged using custom microfluidic flow chambers. Results: VCAM-1 and E-selectin upregulation was greatest between 2–4 dyne/cm2 (6 and 4-fold, respectively) and above 8 dyne/cm2 expression was suppressed below that of untreated endothelial cells. In contrast, ICAM-1 expression and NFκ B nuclear translocation increased with shear stress up to...
Planar polysilicon TFT low-voltage flash memory cell with Al 2 O 3 tunnel dielectric and (Ti,Dy) O control dielectric for three-dimensional integration

High-density nonvolatile memory applications can benefit tremendously from three-dimensional (3D) integration with low power consumption. Among several proposals, the planar polysilicon thin-film transistor (TFT) with metal nanocrystals (NCs) and high-k gate-stack is one of the promising candidates. Metal NCs were introduced to allow thin tunnel dielectric, lower the program/erase (P/E) voltage and enhance the cycle endurance. One of the key device designs is to achieve a uniform ultra-thin-body channel region without implant dopant activation, where the threshold voltage Vth is less affected by traps in the polysilicon grain boundaries due to the reduced volume to be depleted before inversion. Moreover, reduced surface roughness by full-wafer chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) leads to improved device characteristics and reliable process integration.
Real-Time PCR-Coupled CE-SELEX for DNA Aptamer Selection

Aptamers are short nucleic acid or peptide sequences capable of binding to a target molecule with high specificity and affinity. Also known as “artificial antibodies,” aptamers provide many advantages over antibodies. One of the major hurdles to aptamer isolation is the initial time and effort needed for selection. The systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX) is the traditional procedure for generating aptamers, but this process is lengthy and requires a large quantity of target and starting aptamer library. A relatively new procedure for generating aptamers using capillary electrophoresis (CE), known as CE-SELEX, is faster and more efficient than SELEX but requires laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) to detect the aptamer-target complexes. Here, we implemented an alternative system without LIF using real-time- (RT-) PCR to indirectly measure aptamer-target complexes. In three rounds of selection, as opposed to ten or more rounds common in SELEX protocols, a specific aptamer for bovine serum albumin (BSA) was obtained. The specificity of the aptamer to BSA was confirmed by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSAs), an unlabeled competitor assay, and by a supershift assay. The system used here provides a cost effective and a highly efficient means of generating aptamers.
The use of positive reinforcement in the control of self-destructive behavior in a retarded boy

Abstract Severe self-destructive behaviors in an 8-year-old boy were observed to change as a function of treatment procedures which included both primary and secondary reinforcers and a brief walk across the room. The presentation and withdrawal of a blanket also appeared to exert considerable control over the frequency of self-destructive behaviors. The results were discussed in terms of environmental control through self-injurious behaviors and the development of the blanket as a reinforcing stimulus.
Constitutive models of rubber elasticity: A review

Abstract A review of constitutive models for the finite deformation response of rubbery materials is given. Several recent and classic statistical mechanics and continuum mechanics models of incompressible rubber elasticity are discussed and compared to experimental data. A hybrid of the Flory—Erman model for low stretch deformation and the Arruda—Boyce model for large stretch deformation is shown to give an accurate, predictive description of Treloar's classical data over the entire stretch range for all deformation states. The modeling of compressibility is also addressed.
Are probiotics useful in Helicobacter pylori eradication

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is considered an etiologic factor for the development of peptic ulcer disease, gastric adenocarcinoma, and MALT lymphoma. Therapeutic schemes to eradicate the bacteria are based on double antibiotic therapy and proton pump inhibitor. Despite many therapeutic improvements in H. pylori eradication treatment, it is still associated with high infection rate also in developed countries. Bacterial resistance and adverse events occurrence are among most frequent causes for anti- H. pylori treatment failure. Several studies have reported that certain probiotic strains can exhibit inhibitory activity against H. pylori bacteria. In addition, some probiotic strains can reduce the occurrence of side effects due to antibiotic therapy and consequently increase the H. pylori eradication rate. The results of the prospective double-blind placebo-controlled studies suggest that specific probiotics, such as S. boulardii and L. johnsonni La1 probably can diminish the bacterial load, but not completely eradicate the H. pylori bacteria. Furthermore, it seems that supplementation with S. boulardii is a useful concomitant therapy in the standard H. pylori eradication treatment protocol and most probably increases eradication rate. L. reuteri is equally effective, but more positive studies are needed. Finally, probiotic strains, such as S. boulardii, L. reuteri and L. GG, decrease gastrointestinal antibiotic associated adverse effects.
Hirschsprung’s Disease: A Historical Perspective — 1691–2005

Hirschsprung’s disease is a common cause of neonatal intestinal obstruction that is of great interest to pediatric surgeons throughout the world. Prior reports concerning the historical origins ascribe the initial description of this condition to Fredericus Ruysch, a Dutch anatomist in Amsterdam in 1691 [20, 33, 91, 137]. He described a 5-year-old girl with abdominal pain who did not respond to the “usual treatment of the day to relieve pain, pass wind and kill worms”. She eventually died. The information regarding the patient was incomplete in regard to the events that occurred at the time of her birth and except for enormous dilatation of the colon, the autopsy findings were not clearly described. Although this may have represented a case of Hirschsprung’s disease there was inadequate evidence to be sure of the actual diagnosis [33]. Similarly, Domenico Battini in Italy in 1800 described a child whom he followed for 10 years with severe constipation who eventually died and demonstrated severe colonic dilatation at autopsy consistent with, but not pathognomonic of, megacolon [39]. An additional report by Ebers in 1836 noted a 17-year-old boy with a history of constipation “since early youth” who died [33].
Miniaturized electric propulsion in Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic

Miniaturized propulsion systems are of particular interest in the development of the newer generation of nano-satellites. These small satellites require a low-thrust propulsion system that is highly efficient in the use of propellant. Currently an electric propulsion device is being developed using the unique capabilities of Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic (LTCC) materials to fit this purpose. In addition to being a stable, vacuum compatible material with high temperature capability, LTCC is a high permittivity material, with e r =7.8 and a loss tangent of 0.0061. The antenna design implements an Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) source2 using a spiral antenna embedded in the LTCC. The antenna's spiral is fabricated in silver paste using a direct-write tool, and is in total 11cm long and 1cm in diameter. It is being analyzed for effectiveness in the range of 450MHz–1GHz; the high permittivity causes the length of the antenna's spiral to be approximately one electrical wavelength long with respect to the operating frequency. This gives the antenna interesting characteristics within the 450MHz–1GHz range due to interference patterns generated by the relatively large length of the conductor and its spiraling pattern. As part of this project an analysis of the antenna characteristics and plasma coupling is being done using the COMSOL Multiphysics modeling software3 along with COMSOL's RF and Plasma Modules. The simulation results will be compared with the experimental results for the antenna and thruster assembly including antenna electric field patterns, plasma start power versus frequency and pressure, and plasma density measurements.
Who’s misbehaving? Perceptions of unprofessional social media use by medical students and faculty

Social media use by physicians offers potential benefits but may also be associated with professionalism problems. The objectives of this study were: 1) to examine and compare characteristics of social media use by medical students and faculty; 2) to explore the scope of self- and peer-posting of unprofessional online content; and 3) to determine what actions were taken when unprofessional content was viewed. An anonymous, web-based survey was sent to medical students and faculty in October, 2013 at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, New York. Three-quarters of medical students reported using social media “very frequently” (several times a day), whereas less than one-third of faculty did so (p < .001). Medical students reported using privacy settings more often than faculty (96.5 % v. 78.1 %, p < .001). Most medical students (94.2 %) and faculty (94.1 %) reported “never” or “occasionally” monitoring their online presence (p = 0.94). Medical students reported self-posting of profanity, depiction of intoxication, and sexually suggestive material more often than faculty (p < .001). Medical students and faculty both reported peer-posting of unprofessional content significantly more often than self-posting. There was no association between year of medical school and posting of unprofessional content. Medical students reported spending more time using social media and posting unprofessional content more often than did faculty.
Design of microfluidic channels for magnetic separation of malaria-infected red blood cells

This study is motivated by the development of a blood cell filtration device for removal of malaria-infected, parasitized red blood cells (pRBCs). The blood was modeled as a multi-component fluid using the computational fluid dynamics discrete element method (CFD-DEM), wherein plasma was treated as a Newtonian fluid and the red blood cells (RBCs) were modeled as soft-sphere solid particles which move under the influence of drag, collisions with other RBCs, and a magnetic force. The CFD-DEM model was first validated by a comparison with experimental data from Han and Frazier (Lab Chip 6:265–273, 2006) involving a microfluidic magnetophoretic separator for paramagnetic deoxygenated blood cells. The computational model was then applied to a parametric study of a parallel-plate separator having hematocrit of 40 % with 10 % of the RBCs as pRBCs. Specifically, we investigated the hypothesis of introducing an upstream constriction to the channel to divert the magnetic cells within the near-wall layer where the magnetic force is greatest. Simulations compared the efficacy of various geometries upon the stratification efficiency of the pRBCs. For a channel with nominal height of 100 µm, the addition of an upstream constriction of 80 % improved the proportion of pRBCs retained adjacent to the magnetic wall (separation efficiency) by almost twofold, from 26 to 49 %. Further addition of a downstream diffuser reduced remixing and hence improved separation efficiency to 72 %. The constriction introduced a greater pressure drop (from 17 to 495 Pa), which should be considered when scaling up this design for a clinical-sized system. Overall, the advantages of this design include its ability to accommodate physiological hematocrit and high throughput, which is critical for clinical implementation as a blood-filtration system.
Abstract 564: Adventitial Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells Transplantation Reduces Venous Neointimal Hyperplasia in an Experimental Murine AVF Model

Introduction: Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) used for hemodialysis vascular access will fail because of venous neointimal hyperplasia (VNH) that causes stenosis formation at the venous outflow tract. As a result, only 60% of all AVFs are patent at 1-year. There are several factors which have been hypothesized to contribute to VNH including shear stress, hypoxia, and both local and systemic inflammation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been demonstrated to reduce inflammation while having antiproliferitive properties that aid abrogating vascular injury. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that adventitial transplantation of human adipose derived MSCs to the outflow vein of AVF created in CD1-FoxN1 would attenuate VNH failure by reducing pro-inflammatory mediators including tissue necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), and interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β). Methods: Adventitial transplantation of human MSC was performed in CD1-FoxN1 mice. A carotid artery to ipsilateral jugular AVF was placed and animals were divided into three groups: MSCs (M), CorMatrix ECM scaffold (S, CorMatrix Scaffold, Roswell, GE), or scaffold embedded with 250,000 MSCs (S+M) which were delivered to the adventitia. The mice were then sacrificed at 7 and 28 days post AVF placement and the outflow veins were harvested for histomorphometric and qPCR expression analysis. Results: The average lumen vessel area was significantly increased in the outflow veins removed from the S + M group compared to S or M alone at days 7 and 21 (both, P<0.05). The average area of neointima was significantly decreased in the S+M group when compared to S or M groups (P<0.05) while cell density and Ki-67 index were also significantly decreased at day 7 between S and S+M groups (P<0.05). RNA expression analysis revealed that MCP-1, IL-1β, and TNF-α were all significantly decreased in the outflow vein removed from the S+M group when compared to the S or M group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Adventitial transplantation of MSCs to the outflow vein of the AVF at the time of placement attenuates VNH mediated through a reduction of MCP-1, IL-1β, and TNF-α.
“I React Intensely to Everything”: Russia and the Frustrated Emotions of George F. Kennan, 1933–1958

stirred all the rusty, untuned strings of the past and of my own youth: Riga, and the Russian landscape, and the staggering, unexpected familiarity and convincingness of the Chekhovian world—it stirred up, in other words, my Russian self, which is entirely a Chekhovian self and much more genuine than the American one—and having all this prodded to the surface in me, I sat there blubbering like a child and trying desperately to keep the rest of the company from noticing it.
The Relation of Ulcerative Colitis to Psychiatric Factors: A Review of Findings and Methods

The authors reviewed all known English-language literature on the association between psychiatric factors and ulcerative colitis to ascertain the evidence for such an association and evaluate the methods used in these studies. Most of the 138 studies contained serious flaws in research design, such as lack of control subjects, unspecified manner of data collection, and absence of diagnostic criteria. Analysis revealed that methodological flaws were significantly related to the finding of a positive association between psychiatric factors and ulcerative colitis. Seven studies represented solid systematic investigation, and all seven failed to find such an association.