cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ordered Intermetallic Pt–Sn Nanoparticles: Exploring Ordering Behavior across the Bulk Phase Diagram

Because the bulk phase diagram of Pt–Sn contains five different compounds (Pt3Sn, PtSn, Pt2Sn3, PtSn2, and PtSn4) with very different congruent or incongruent melting points, we chose this system to investigate factors that influence the homogeneity and structure of intermetallic nanoparticles with different compositions prepared by the same solution phase co-reduction reaction. Pt and Sn chloride precursors were reduced by alkali metal borohydrides in tetrahydrofuran. Of the five compositions, only PtSn forms ordered intermetallic nanoparticles (average domain size of 4.3 nm) at room temperature. As-prepared Pt3Sn nanoparticles adopt an alloy FCC structure and ordered into the cubic Cu3Au structure at the unexpectedly low annealing temperature of 200 °C. Despite their low bulk incongruent melting temperatures, the tin-rich compositions (PtSnx, where x = 3/2, 2, or 4), by contrast, form highly disordered products at room temperature and require annealing at ≥200 °C for crystallization and ordering to be o...
The twin-study method in medicine and genetics.

The twin-study method has contributed greatly to our knowledge of the interrelationships of heredity and environment. Studies of monozygotic twins reared together and apart and studies of concordance for certain traits in monozygotic and in dizygotic twins are reviewed.
Three-phase Probabilistic Power Flow Calculation in Distribution Systems with Multiple Unsymmetrical Grid-connected Photovoltaic Systems

A method of three-phase probabilistic power flow for distribution systems with single-phase and three-phase grid-connected photovoltaic(PV) systems is introduced using sequential Monte Carlo techniques.The hourly output power of PV system is simulated considering solar irradiance,random change of weather,efficiency and effective sunlight area of PV arrays,efficiency of maximum power point tracking(MPPT) and inverter,and the reliability of overall PV system.The time-varying load model with randomness is incorporated in the probabilistic power flow and a program is developed.Case studies verify the feasibility and applicability of the method.
Is Interarterial Course a Requisite for Ischemia in Anomalous Origin of Coronary Arteries

Anomalous origin of the left main coronary artery from the noncoronary sinus (LCANS) is a rare variant of anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery that is not characterized by an interarterial course. Despite the absence of an interarterial course, there are rare reports of LCANS presenting with sudden death, life-threatening arrhythmia, exercise-induced myocardial ischemia, premature ventricular contractions, and syncope. We report a patient with LCANS presenting with acute myocardial infarction who recovered completely with emergent surgical unroofing of the coronary artery.
How Brezhnev Maintained Stability

The 18 years of Brezhnev reign was a period of relative social stability. Brezhnev purposefully defended the interests of senior Soviet communist cadres to consolidate his leadership position. This caused not only "gerontocracy,"but also low quality of cadre ranks. Brezhnev used KGB to strengthen thought control,used armed forces and police to suppress social unrests,used massive oil export for U. S. dollars to import food and other goods to meet people's needs in everyday life,and used skewed economic policies in favor of minority regions to ease ethnic contradictions. Social stability was achieved in the Brezhnev era. However,contradictions were accumulated and problems were covered up. The eventual failure of the Soviet Union was inevitable.
Conceiving of Breeding Further Super-high-yield Hybrid Rice

With one after another breakthrough in super-high-yield rice breeding,how is the rice yield potential to be raised to a higher and higher level? The author conceived a new idea of the developing model of plant types,by which rice yield would be constantly raised with the increase of plant height on the basis of current high harvest index(HI).
Numerical Simulation of the Single-side and Diagonal Flow of a Plate Type Heat Exchanger

Based on the control equation in heat transfer and by using the numerical calculation method,analyzed were the flow and heat exchange characteristics of a plate type heat exchanger when a single-side and diagonal flow was adopted.In the process of the analysis,the structural parameters of the heat exchanger were kept unchanged,only the flow mode at the inlet and outlet was changed.It has been found that at a same flow speed,the total convection heat exchange coefficient of the single-side flow is higher than that of the diagonal flow while the total pressure drop of the single-side flow is lower than that of the diagonal flow.Under the condition of the flow speed u=0.6 m/s,the Nusselt number of the single-side flow is 10.87% higher than that of the diagonal flow and the pressure drop of the diagonal flow is 5.13% higher than that of the single-side flow.With an increase of the inlet flow speed,the inlet and outlet temperature differences of the cold and hot fluid in both single-side and diagonal flow will invariably decrease.Furthermore,such a decreasing tendency of the diagonal flow is bigger than that of the single-side flow while the friction factor f and heat transfer factor j will gradually decrease.The flow and heat transfer characteristics of a single-side flow is superior to that of a diagonal flow.
Analysing diseases structure to speed speciality subject construct

Objective By analysing the top ten composing of the diseases in our hospital,the author wish to find out the charac- teristics and changing rule of inpatient and the effect of disease type to the sanitation resource.Methods According the〈Disease classification report on patients in hospital〉,the author collect and classify the disease classification reports from 1996 to2005 using ICD -10 codes.Results In the ten years,though the composing of the diseases vary every year,the 10 kinds of diseases are in the front of all kinds of diseases ordinarily.The sum of patients suffering from the top ten diseases are 69"67 percentage of all inpatient.Conclu. sion The hospital should adjust the medical treatment service construction according to the proportion of disease comparison,get active in introduction and development of the new technique,new item,regard patient as the center,improve medical treatment quality,allo- cate resources reasoningly,lower the depletion and the medical treatment expenses,improve the medical treatment service level.
Analysis of Prevalence of Malignant Tumors in a Coal Mine

[Objective] To survey the prevalence of malignant tumors in a coal mine.[Methods] The malignant tumor patients admitted in hospital from 1992 to 2006 were analyzed by epidemiological investigation.[ Results ] Average crude prevalence was 22.22×10~(-5),in which men accounted for 35.22×10~(-5) and women for 8.51 x 10-5.The top ten malignant tumors were liver cancer,lung cancer,nasopharyngeal career,intestines cancer,esophageal cancer,leukemia,breast cancer,osteogenic sarcoma,and cancer of bile duct.[Conclusions]Liver cancer and lung cancer were the main kinds of malignant tumors in the mine and more attention should be paid on malignant tumor prevention and cure.
Fluorescent Labeling and Confocal Microscopic Imaging of Chloroplasts and Non-green Plastids

While chlorophyll has served as an excellent label for plastids in green tissue, the development of fluorescent proteins has allowed their ready visualization in all tissues of the plants, revealing new features of their morphology and motility. Gene regulatory sequences in plastid transgenes can be optimized through the use of fluorescent protein reporters. Fluorescent labeling of plastids simultaneously with other subcellular locations reveals dynamic interactions and mutant phenotypes. Transient expression of fluorescent protein fusions is particularly valuable to determine whether or not a protein of unknown function is targeted to the plastid. Particle bombardment and agroinfiltration methods described here are convenient for imaging fluorescent proteins in plant organelles. With proper selection of fluorophores for labeling the components of the plant cell, confocal microscopy can produce extremely informative images at high resolution at depths not feasible by standard epifluorescence microscopy.
Decellularization of mammalian tissues: Preparing extracellular matrix bioscaffolds

Abstract Biologic surgical mesh materials composed of mammalian extracellular matrix (ECM) have been successfully used to alter the host default response to injury, and induce functional, site-appropriate tissue regeneration. The choice of decellularization agents, techniques, and post-processing terminal sterilization steps will depend on the intended application, tissue type, and decellularization criteria. An overview of biological, chemical, and physical decellularization methods are presented, with a description of their mechanism and effect upon the ECM. The objective is to achieve cellular removal and sterility while best preserving native ECM structure and function. This balance of factors will ultimately determine the host remodeling response to the material.
Modeling of oropharyngeal articulatory adaptation to compensate for the acoustic effects of nasalization.

Hypernasality is one of the most detrimental speech disturbances that lead to declines of speech intelligibility. Velopharyngeal inadequacy, which is associated with anatomic defects such as cleft palate or neuromuscular disorders that affect velopharygneal function, is the primary cause of hypernasality. A simulation study by Rong and Kuehn [J. Speech Lang. Hear. Res. 55(5), 1438–1448 (2012)] demonstrated that properly adjusted oropharyngeal articulation can reduce nasality for vowels synthesized with an articulatory model [Mermelstein, J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 53(4), 1070–1082 (1973)]. In this study, a speaker-adaptive articulatory model was developed to simulate speaker-customized oropharyngeal articulatory adaptation to compensate for the acoustic effects of nasalization on /a/, /i/, and /u/. The results demonstrated that (1) the oropharyngeal articulatory adaptation effectively counteracted the effects of nasalization on the second lowest formant frequency (F2) and partially compensated for the effects of nasalization on vowel space (e.g., shifting and constriction of vowel space) and (2) the articulatory adaptation strategies generated by the speaker-adaptive model might be more efficacious for counteracting the acoustic effects of nasalization compared to the adaptation strategies generated by the standard articulatory model in Rong and Kuehn. The findings of this study indicated the potential of using oropharyngeal articulatory adaptation as a means to correct maladaptive articulatory behaviors and to reduce nasality.
Analysis of handoff algorithms using both bit error rate (BER) and relative signal strength

Analyzes the performance of handoff algorithms using both bit error rate and relative signal strength measurements. This extends the analysis carried out previously where only signal strength measurements are used. The algorithm considered performs a handoff if the relative signal strength of the new base station exceeds the signal strength from the present base station by a certain hysteresis level and if the current BER performance is not adequate. The model is validated by comparing its performance with the simulations. The choice of the various design parameters-hysteresis margin, BER threshold parameter, and the effect of number of samples required to estimate the BER is discussed. >
Comparison of electric field dependent activation energy for electroformation in TaO x and TiO x based RRAMs

Oxide based resistive switching memories are considered to be one of the front-runners for the next generation non-volatile memories. Forming, the critical one time programming process, is not well understood. In this work, we try to understand the dynamics of forming process in two model systems - TaOx and TiOx, and compare the similarities and the universality in its control parameters. After comparing the time, voltage and temperature dependent dynamics, we find that a 1/E (E being electric field) dependence causes the activation energy to reduce by more than an order of magnitude.
The MicroRNA miR-191 Supports T Cell Survival Following Common γ Chain Signaling.

To ensure lifelong immunocompetency, naive and memory T cells must be adequately maintained in the peripheral lymphoid tissues. Homeostatic maintenance of T cells is controlled by tonic signaling through T cell antigen receptors and common γ chain cytokine receptors. In this study, we identify the highly expressed microRNA miR-191 as a key regulator of naive, memory, and regulatory T cell homeostasis. Conditional deletion of miR-191 using LckCre resulted in preferential loss of peripheral CD4+ regulatory T cells as well as naive and memory CD8+ T cells. This preferential loss stemmed from reduced survival following deficient cytokine signaling and STAT5 activation. Mechanistically, insulin receptor substrate 1 (Irs1) is a direct target of miR-191, and dysregulated IRS1 expression antagonizes STAT5 activation. Our study identifies a novel role for microRNAs in fine-tuning immune homeostasis and thereby maintaining the lymphocyte reservoir necessary to mount productive immune responses.
The variational iteration method for solving systems of third-order Emden-Fowler type equations

In this paper, we employ the variational iteration method (VIM) for solving systems of nonlinear equations of Emden-Fowler type of third-order which arise in many scientific applications. The third-order Emden-Fowler equation is characterized by two models, where the shape factor appears twice in the first model, and once in the second. The VIM handles these kinds of shape factors, and overcomes the singularity at the origin. We will use the proper Lagrange multiplier for each model. We solve several complex numerical examples obtaining a rapidly convergent sequence of approximations as the solution. In all examples investigated, we achieved approximations with a high level, thus confirming that only a few variational iterations can provide an accurate approximation.
Inhibition of Spleen Tyrosine Kinase with Fostamatinib Shows Pre-Clinical Activity Against Models of Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

Abstract 3723 Background: Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM), a lymphoproliferative disorder with marrow infiltration by lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma cells and production of monoclonal IgM, is characterized clinically by good initial responses to standard therapeutic approaches. However, a minority of patients achieve a complete remission, and most inevitably relapse, indicating a need for validation of new, targeted therapies. Notably, B-cell receptor signaling has been linked to clonal evolution in WM, and Spleen tyrosine kinase (Syk) is over-expressed in primary patient cells. Also, a recent phase I/II study of the Syk inhibitor fostamatinib in patients with a variety of non-Hodgkin lymphomas showed evidence of activity in three patients with WM. These findings supported our central hypothesis, which proposed that Syk could be a rational new target for therapy of WM, which we pursued first with pre-clinical studies. Methods: Studies of fostamatinib were performed using the WM cell line MWCL-1, and the IgM-producing cell line BWCM.1, as well as in primary cells from patients with WM, and in a novel murine xenograft model utilizing MWCL-1 cells. Results: Fostamatinib induced a time- and dose-dependent reduction in viability of MWCL-1 and BWCM.1 cells, with median inhibitory concentrations (IC50) that were in the physiologically relevant range of approximately 0.25 and 1 μM, respectively, at 3 days. Cell cycle analysis showed a decrease in cells at S-phase and at G2/M, while an increase was seen in cells in G1, and in the sub-G1fraction, suggesting induction of apoptosis. Consistent with the possibility that there was activation of type I programmed cell death, increased staining was seen in fostamatinb-treated cells with an antibody to Annexin V. Interestingly, evidence was seen of the induction of type II programmed cell death, or autophagy, as measured by an increase in cells staining with the lysotropic dye acridine orange. At the molecular level, fostamatinib blocked signaling through p44/42 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), MAPK kinase (MEK), protein kinase B/Akt, and Zeta-chain-associated protein kinase (ZAP)-70/Syk, as judged by a reduction in the phosphorylated forms of these intermediates by Western blotting. Notably, the viability of primary cells isolated from patients with WM was also reduced in association with blockade of p44/42 MAPK. Finally, a novel murine xenograft model was generated by injection of MWCL-1 cells into immunodeficient mice, which developed measurable tumors. When these were treated with fostamatinib, a delay in tumor growth was demonstrable. Conclusions: Targeting Syk with fostamatinib is an attractive strategy against pre-clinical models of WM both in vitro and in vivo. These findings lend further support for translation of fostamatinib to the clinic for patients with relapsed, and possibly even newly diagnosed WM. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
HRTEM characterization of gold nanoparticles produced by wheat biomass

En este estudio se presenta la bio-reduccion de Au(III) a Au(0) por la biomasa de trigo y la formacion de nanoparticulas de oro. La biomasa de trigo fue lavada, molida y tamizada para incrementar el area de biomasa expuesta a la solucion de Au. La biomasa de trigo fue reaccionada con una solucion 0.3 mM de tetraclorourato de potasio a pH de 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 y 6 por un periodo de tres horas y media a temperatura ambiente. La biomasa fue analizada usando un microscopio JEOL-4000 EX de alta resolucion para caracterizar el tamano y forma de las nanoestructuras obtenidas. Las nanoparticulas observadas fueron: Fcc tetraedral (T), decaedral (Dh), Hexagonal (He), Icosaedral “multitwinned” (I), forma irregular (IRR), y nanoparticulas con forma de columnas. El mayor porcentaje de nanoparticulas obtenidas fueron aquellas de 10-30 nm de diametro
Whether to anticoagulate: Toward a more reasoned approach.

The patient’s life expectancy and personal preferences are important and affect the decision.
New Trends on Strategic Planning: Virtual Environment, Tech Innovation, Globalization & Organizational Performance

Strategic Planning (SP) in today’s dynamic and complex global environment needs to adopt new approaches about the design and implementation phases including major factors like new information technology as it related to Virtual Environment and directing the different stakeholders and people working in different physical locations. The paper will look at key factors that differentiate traditional approach to strategic planning and one that fits virual environment. It will address factors like innovations in the SP process, how to handle the virtual teams, new look at strategic planning from the process perspective compared to traditional goal perspective, impact of SP on high performance organizations in virtual environment, and the role of the three Cs: Cooperation, Collaboration and Coordination in the strategic planning process. The paper also examines a few key components of the new virtual environment that affect SP within the globalization context like the impact of advanced technology in the form of internet, use of personal computer and other mobile devises leading to diversification of work locations, home offices, Tele-working and virtual teams as work units and how new tools needed for Strategic Plan (SP) be utilized for in both planning and implementation phases. Changes in monitoring and accountability mechanisms, use of more flexibility and formidable performance and productivity assessment criteria, leaning towards more process-oriented planning and finally the new perspectives on the applications of the 3Cs (Cooperation, Collaboration, and Coordination) in the planning processes calling for more formidable devises for functional alignment of various parts of the organization, inter and intra-organization communication, boundary spanning are among the relevant key factors to be explored.
Controlled delivery of platelet-derived proteins enhances porcine wound healing

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is widely used for many clinical indications including wound healing due to the high concentrations of growth factors. However, the short half-life of these therapeutic proteins requires multiple large doses, and their efficacy is highly debated among clinicians. Here we report a method of protecting these proteins and releasing them in a controlled manner via a heparin-based coacervate delivery vehicle to improve wound healing in a porcine model. Platelet-derived proteins incorporated into the coacervate were protected and slowly released over 3weeks in vitro. In a porcine model, PRP coacervate significantly accelerated the healing response over 10days, in part by increasing the rate of wound reepithelialization by 35% compared to control. Additionally, PRP coacervate doubled the rate of wound contraction compared to all other treatments, including that of free PRP proteins. Wounds treated with PRP coacervate exhibited increased collagen alignment and an advanced state of vascularity compared to control treatments. These results suggest that this preparation of PRP accelerates healing of cutaneous wounds only as a controlled release formulation. The coacervate delivery vehicle is a simple and effective tool to improve the therapeutic efficacy of platelet-derived proteins for wound healing.
Wingate Test Peak Power is Positively Correlated to Peak Torque and Power in Bilateral Isokinetic Knee Dynamometry

The Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) is a popular and common assessment of muscular anaerobic power and fatigability among power-oriented athletes. Similarly, bilateral, isokinetic knee dynamometry (I...
Entropy Generation Analysis in Convective Ferromagnetic Nano Blood Flow Through a Composite Stenosed Arteries with Permeable Wall

The study of heat transfer is of significant importance in many biological and biomedical industry problems. This investigation comprises of the study of entropy generation analysis of the blood flow in the arteries with permeable walls. The convection through the flow is studied with compliments to the entropy generation. Governing problem is formulized and solved for low Reynold's number and long wavelength approximations. Exact analytical solutions have been obtained and are analyzed graphically. It is seen that temperature for pure water is lower as compared to the copper water. It gains magnitude with an increase in the slip parameter.
Factors and “Toolkits”: Evaluating Multivariate Analyses in Archaeology

This paper explores the potential contribution that the use of simulated data can make in evaluating applications of multivariate analytic technqiues. Production of simulated data and evaluation of...
A Rare Case of Complete Heart Block in a Young Patient

Introduction. Complete heart block (CHB) is considered as one of the dangerous rhythms since it can progress to lethal arrhythmias such as ventricular tachycardia. It can be congenital or acquired. Patients may present with frequent palpitations, presyncope, dyspnea, or chest pain but also may remain asymptomatic. Extensive work-up should be conducted to exclude secondary causes such as infections, cardiac ischemia or myopathies, autoimmune diseases, or endocrinological diseases. In our paper, we would like to present a case of CHB in the setting of aortic abdominal thrombus that nearly occluded both renal arteries. The CHB in this case is thought to be caused by hypertensive cardiomyopathy due to ongoing uncontrolled hypertension, which is caused by bilateral renal artery stenosis. Case Presentation. A 31-year-old male with history of active smoking was incidentally found to have high blood pressure, bradycardia, and CHB on electrocardiogram. The patient was admitted to a cardiology ward and extensive work-up revealed hypokinesia of the left ventricle with low ejection fraction and left ventricle concentric hypertrophy, large abdominal aortic thrombus with bilateral renal artery stenosis, and evidence of arterial collateral connections, which suggest chronicity. The patient then was placed on four antihypertensive medications but eventually, he underwent bilateral renal artery stenting and insertion of permanent pacemaker for his CHB. The patient’s blood pressure then was under control with only one medication, and subsequent CT angiogram showed no evidence of stenosis of both renal arteries. Conclusion. Uncontrolled hypertension can lead to hypertensive cardiomyopathy, which in turn can cause conduction abnormalities such as CHB. Although hypertension can be secondary to a treatable underlying cause, permanent pacemaker is essential to treat CHB.
Glycogen synthase kinase-3β inhibition enhances myelination in preterm newborns with intraventricular hemorrhage, but not recombinant Wnt3A.

Abstract Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in preterm infants results in reduced proliferation and maturation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), and survivors exhibit reduced myelination and neurological deficits. Wnt signaling regulates OPC maturation and myelination in a context dependent manner. Herein, we hypothesized that the occurrence of IVH would downregulate Wnt signaling, and that activating Wnt signaling by GSK-3β inhibition or Wnt3A recombinant human protein (rh-Wnt3A) treatment might promote maturation of OPCs, myelination of the white matter, and neurological recovery in premature rabbits with IVH. These hypotheses were tested in autopsy samples from preterm infants and in a rabbit model of IVH. Induction of IVH reduced expressions of activated β-catenin, TCF-4, and Axin2 transcription factors in preterm newborns. Both AR-A014418 (ARA) and Wnt-3A treatment activated Wnt signaling. GSK-3β inhibition by intramuscular ARA treatment accelerated maturation of OPCs, myelination, and neurological recovery in preterm rabbits with IVH compared to vehicle controls. In contrast, intracerebroventricular rh-Wnt3A treatment failed to enhance myelination and neurological function in rabbits with IVH. ARA treatment reduced microglia infiltration and IL1β expression in rabbits with IVH relative to controls, whereas Wnt3A treatment elevated TNFα, IL1β, and IL6 expression without affecting microglia density. GSK-3β inhibition downregulated, while rh-Wnt3A treatment upregulated Notch signaling; and none of the two treatments affected the Sonic-Hedgehog pathway. The administration of ARA or rh-Wnt3A did not affect gliosis. The data suggest that GSK-3β inhibition promoted myelination by suppressing inflammation and Notch signaling; and Wnt3A treatment failed to enhance myelination because of its pro-inflammatory activity and synergy with Notch signaling. GSK-3β inhibitors might improve the neurological outcome of preterm infants with IVH.
Autoantibodies to scleroderma-associated antigens

Speckled and nucleolar patterns of nuclear fluorescence using mouse liver as substrate were first reported in 60 percent of scleroderma patients by Rothfield and Rodnan in 1968 [1]. Since then the characteristics of the speckles have been defined and many of the autoantigens have been identified. The anti-centromere antibody (ACA) was identified when tissue culture cells in division instead of resting rodent liver or kidney were used as substrate in the indirect immunofluorescence assay [2]. ACA since then have been separated into specific antibodies directed against specific centromeric proteins (CENPs), i.e. anti-CENP-A, anti-CENP-B, and anti-CENP-C [3]. ACA along with anti-topoisomerase I are very specific for scleroderma/ CREST and are the major autoantibodies found in this group of diseases. The autoantibodies are easily detected by assays available in nearly all clinical laboratories. (see also Chapter A and Chapter B.5.2)
The Gauss Map

An oriented n-surface in ℝ n +l is more than just an n-surface S, it is an n-surface S together with a smooth unit normal vector field N on S. The function N:S → ℝ n +1 associated with the vector field N by N(p) = (p, N(p)), p ∈ S, actually maps S into the unit n-sphere S n ⊂ ℝ n +1 since ∥N(p)∥ = 1 for all p ∈ S. Thus, associated to each oriented n-surface S is a smooth map N: S → S n . called the Gauss map. N may be thought of as the map which assigns to each point p ∈ S the point in ℝ n +1 obtained by “translating” the unit normal vector N(p) to the origin (see Figure 6.1).
Metal–Dielectric Diffusion Processes: Fundamentals

There are two main mechanisms by which metal species can migrate into dielectrics. One is diffusion of metal atoms at an elevated temperature driven by the metal concentration gradient. The other is drift of metal-ions as a result of an external electric field. In the latter case, metal-ions have to be generated at the metal–dielectric interface for the drift to begin. The origin of metal-ion generation is related to the chemical interaction between the metal and the dielectric at their interface. For example, a metal oxide may be formed if there is an oxidant residing at the interface. In this chapter, we attempt to describe a coherent treatment of ion generation and drift based on the thermochemistry that occurs at the metal–dielectric interface. The basic formulation of atomic diffusion and ionic drift is reviewed.
Flagging and Tagging Scientific Data

Although indexing of the data content of the scientific literature has been scarcely attempted, its desirability has been acknowledged and experimental projects in nuclear science, in thermodynamics, and elsewhere have shown how concise statements of data content can be constructed and used. There are yet unanswered questions as to whether data indexing will be of enough utility to the scientific community to offset the added cost and--if so-- whether data indexing should be introduced into the primary literature, or the secondary literature, and upon whom the responsibility for their generation will devolve. Should data flags--as an aid to retrieval--or more detailed data tags--as an aid to a fuller description of data content of a paper--be added? Should data flags or tags have both and/or other functions?
Water, Land, and Governance: Environmental Security in Dense Urban Areas in Sub-Saharan Africa

As the demographic shift to an urban society continues, there are often extreme limitations in the abilities of formal municipal governments to plan space, infrastructure, and resources. This leads to issues of large-scale unplanned habitations, extreme stress on environmental resources, uncontrolled sprawl, pollution, informal governance structures, and dangerous power conflicts. This chapter will use specific examples from Accra, Ghana and Kampala, Uganda to discuss Environmental Security in sub-Saharan Africa. Both these cities are mid-size cities experiencing rapid urbanization and both cities have a significant proportion of their population living in informal areas. Environmental security in dense urban areas in sub-Saharan Africa is intricately linked to the complex relationship between water, land, and governance.
Complete Genome Sequence of Hypervirulent Streptococcus pyogenes emm 3 Strain 1838

We report the complete genome sequence for Streptococcus pyogenes strain 1838 (type emm3) isolated from a patient with toxic shock syndrome. The strain lacked the speK- and sla-encoding prophage frequently encountered among emm3 strains and possessed an Arg66His mutation in CovR of the 2-component virulence regulatory system CovRS.
The rights of the Roma in times of Romaphobia

Responses to the perceived migration crisis dominate political debates in Europe, but the wave of insecurity related to the influx of non-European migrants in recent years has by no means replaced ...
Unmasking Hemophilia B After Hip Aspiration: A Case Report.

CASE A 7-year-old boy presented with excruciating hip pain for 1 day, unable to bear weight. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed small hip joint effusion and synovitis, which was treated by urgent operative aspiration to rule out infection. Subsequently, the postoperative site bled continuously, despite compression. The hip wound and blood cultures showed no growth. He was examined by a hematologist and had normal coagulopathy lab results. He was discharged and went home 4 days after aspiration and was scheduled for outpatient hematology work-up. He was readmitted 11 days after aspiration with continued pain and MRI was repeated, showing large hip hemarthrosis. Lab results at that time showed a prolonged partial thromboplastin time of 43.9 seconds. The patient was given fresh frozen plasma. The hip effusion was stable on ultrasound. He was found to have low factor IX <17% consistent with hemophilia B and was given recombinant factor IX (Benefix) of 2,000 units. The following day, his pain was markedly improved and he was discharged. At the 4-month follow-up, the patient was fully ambulatory. CONCLUSIONS This is a case of unexpected bleeding after hip aspiration which led to the life-changing diagnosis of Hemophilia B in a pediatric patient. Orthopedists should be wary of bleeding dyscrasias and involve consultants as needed.
Intramedullary Spinal Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma: Systematic Review of Disease Presentation, Treatment and Prognosis with Case Illustration

Objective Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) metastases to the intramedullary spinal cord carry a grim prognosis. The purpose of this review is to provide the reader with a comprehensive and systematic review of the current literature, and to present an illustrative case that would aid in the future management of similar scenarios. Methods A systematic review of the literature using the PubMed electronic database was made according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. Only human clinical reports of intramedullary RCC metastasis were included. We also present an illustrative case that was treated at our institution. Results We identified 23 reports with a total of 31 patients. Of the tumors, 47% were located at the cervical level. Brain metastases were present in 41% of cases. Limb weakness (72%), urinary incontinence (41%), dysesthesia (47%), and localized spinal pain (38%) were the most frequently reported symptoms. Surgical resection alone was used in 34% of cases, followed by a combination of surgery and radiotherapy (31%), and radiotherapy alone (25%). Spinal metastases were detected an average of 32.1 months after the diagnosis of RCC, and mean patient survival after that was 8 months (range, 0–65 months). Reported survival after radiotherapy appeared to be the longest (11.2 months) compared with surgery (9.1 months) and combination therapy (5 months). Conclusions Intramedullary spinal metastatic RCC is a rare entity with debilitating neurologic potential. Survival appears to be affected by the treatment method but is also likely influenced by the stage of discovery of the disease.
Localization of the News and Urban Unrest: A Media Usage and Protest Location Survey in Cairo

How does disruption of communication effect political unrest? In search for an answer, we examine the news media consumption behavior among Cairo residents in relation to their protest activity during the 18-day Egyptian uprising of 2011. Based on a survey on protest locations and media usage conducted in Cairo, we confirm a significant disparity in the modes of news consumption between steadfast protesters and those who abstained from the protests. Taking the trauma caused by the sudden and ubiquitous censorship of media during the protests as a temporal marker, the survey depicts the approximate dynamics of protest location and media usage in four phases of the Egyptian uprising. We show that dispersion of the protests greatly increased during the first day of the media shutdown on January 28, and that during the second phase of the protests and onwards local news communication between the respondents and their immediate social network neighbors effectively fueled the mobilization. While the nonparticipants mostly used centralized news outlets, including satellite television, the most ardent protesters relied heavily on their local social network for receiving updates on the events.
Drug Affinity Responsive Target Stability (DARTS) Assay to Detect Interaction Between a Purified Protein and a Small Molecule

Drug affinity responsive target stability (DARTS) assay is used to detect the interaction between a ligand and a protein based on the observation that some ligands can protect the target protein from degradation by proteases when mixed in a solution. To set up the assay, a ligand is first mixed with a purified candidate target protein or a total cell lysate that contains a candidate target protein. Then, different amounts of protease are added to the mixture to allow the enzyme to digest the protein in the mixture. After protease digestion, the candidate target protein is detected by assays such as western blot, silver staining, or Coomassie blue staining. In theory, the candidate protein should be protected by the ligand from protease digestion, which is reflected by higher abundance of the candidate protein in mixtures containing the ligand compared with the control treatment. There are a few significant advantages of DARTS: (a) the ligand does not need to be modified so the native ligand could be used; (b) the candidate target protein could be either purified protein or protein that is present in the total cell lysate; and (c) the assay can be used together with proteomics analysis to identify an unknown target protein. The assay is especially valuable to test the interaction between the ligand and membrane proteins that are often challenging to purify. In this chapter, we use Endosidin2 (ES2) and its target protein Arabidopsis thaliana EXO70A1 (AtEXO70A1) as an example to show the step-by-step procedure of the DARTS assay.
Developing Workforce Planning Skills in Human Resource Management Courses: A Data-Driven Exercise:

Workforce planning is prevalent and recognized as a good strategic practice in many organizations. However, business students may have little experience with workforce planning or workforce analyti...
Metabolism and epigenetics in the nervous system: Creating cellular fitness and resistance to neuronal death in neurological conditions via modulation of oxygen-, iron-, and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases

Modern definitions of epigenetics incorporate models for transient but biologically important changes in gene expression that are unrelated to DNA code but responsive to environmental changes such as injury-induced stress. In this scheme, changes in oxygen levels (hypoxia) and/or metabolic co-factors (iron deficiency or diminished 2-oxoglutarate levels) are transduced into broad genetic programs that return the cell and the organism to a homeostatic set point. Over the past two decades, exciting studies have identified a superfamily of iron-, oxygen-, and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases that sit in the nucleus as modulators of transcription factor stability, co-activator function, histone demethylases, and DNA demethylases. These studies have provided a concrete molecular scheme for how changes in metabolism observed in a host of neurological conditions, including stroke, traumatic brain injury, and Alzheimer's disease, could be transduced into adaptive gene expression to protect the nervous system. We will discuss these enzymes in this short review, focusing primarily on the ten eleven translocation (TET) DNA demethylases, the jumonji (JmJc) histone demethylases, and the oxygen-sensing prolyl hydroxylase domain enzymes (HIF PHDs). This article is part of a Special Issue entitled SI: Neuroprotection.
Developments in US Aviation Weather R&D

Improved safety and capacity in the terminal area are major aviation concerns. Weather is a major factor in accidents and delays within the US accounts for 33% of commercial carrier accidents, 27% of general aviation accidents and greater than 70% of the serious delays in the US aviation system. The current safety focus is on the detection and prediction of rapidly changing convective weather weather, icing, and clear air turbulence. Air traffic personnel are reluctant to take on major new responsibilities for the separation of aircraft from hazardous weather, so there are major initiatives underway to providing better information to airline pilots and operations center personnel via the Internet. We discuss how terminal delays due to convective activity and adverse winds have been dramatically reduced at several major U.S. airports through real time integration of various terminal area weather sensors. The extension of this sensor fusion approach to ceiling and visibility prediction and, reducing wake vortex separations on a weather adaptive basis is also reviewed.
Teen Mothers and Welfare Reform: Challenging the Boundaries of Risk

A major component of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (PRWORA) included policies directed to encouraging marriage while discouraging nonmarital births. Teen mothers were of particular concern as policymakers argued that there is a link between teenage childbearing and welfare receipt. This paper seeks to reframe the concept of “at-risk” teen mothers by looking to the socially construction of boundaries—an imagery that brings to the forefront the complex relations between young mothers and welfare reform policy. From this standpoint, we discuss how welfare reform might address the multiple issues facing teen mothers including housing, education and training, child care, transportation, health, healthy relationships and parenting skills.
Current Science and Policy of Bycatch Reduction: An Interview with Professor Larry Crowder

Professor Larry Crowder is the science director at the Center for Ocean Solutions (COS). He is also Ed Ricketts professor of biology at Hopkins Marine Station and a senior fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, both part of Stanford University. Previously, he was the Stephen Toth Professor of Marine Biology at Duke University. Dr. Crowder's research centers on predation and food web interactions, mechanisms underlying recruitment variation in fishes, population and food web modeling in conservation biology, and interdisciplinary approaches to marine conservation. He has studied food web processes in both freshwater and marine ecosystems, and has used observational, experimental, and modeling approaches to understand these interactions in an effort to improve management. He was principal investigator for a number of large interdisciplinary research projects including the South Atlantic Bight Recruitment Experiment (SABRE), OBIS SEAMAP (Spatial Ecological Analysis of Megavertebrate Animal Populations), and Project GloBAL (Global Bycatch Assessment of Long-Lived Species). He has also directed and participated in a number of research, analysis, and synthesis groups at the National Center for Ecological Analysis and Synthesis (NCEAS) and for the National Research Council’s Ocean Studies Board.His recent research has focused on marine conservation, including research on bycatch, spatial ecological analysis, nutrients and low oxygen, sustainable seafood, ecosystem-based management, marine spatial planning, and governance. He is a AAAS Fellow and was awarded Duke University’s Scholar/Teacher of the year award in 2008-2009.
Inlining to Reduce Stack Space

We consider a novel use of inlining, where we reduce the amount of stack space consumed when a program is run. Stack space is a critical resource in functional- and logic-programming implementations, especially parallel implementations. We formulate an optimization problem for inlining, where code size is traded for reduced stack use, and we show that this problem is NP-hard. We then develop several heuristics for stack reduction using inlining, and present the experimental results of their effectiveness in reducing the stack use of some functional programs.
The relation of zincuria to water and electrolyte excretion in patients with hepatic cirrhosis.

Vallee has emphasized the occurrence of increased urinary zinc, decreascd serum zinc, and low hepatic zinc content in postalcoholic cir­ rhosis. He has suggested that high concen­ trations of blood alcohol inhibit the zinc-containing metalloenzyme, alcohol de­ hydrogenasc, and account, in a manner un­ determined, for the increased zincuria. 4 The increase in urine zinc content and decrease in serum zinc concentration might result however, from a primary abnormality in renal function. The nephrotic syndrome is associated with a severe increase in urinary zinc excretion 5 and demonstrates that excess amounts of zinc may bc excreted in the urine secondary to renal disease. The most prominent changes in renal function observed in cirrhotic patients are the abnormalities in sodium and water excretion. The retention of salt and water and associated loss of potassium is thought to result from the effect of aldosterone on the renal tubules. 6
Identification and Functional Role ofβ-adrenergic Receptor Subtypes in Primate and Rodent:In Vivoversus Isolated Myocytes

We determined the relationship between theβ1- andβ2-adrenergic receptor subtypes in isolated myocytes and their physiological responsiveness in chronically instrumented conscious baboons and rats. In conscious baboons, isoproterenol (ISO) (0.02μg/kg) increased left ventricular (LV) dP/dtby 89±6.7% from 2898±370 mmHg/s and only by 13±3.3% from 2491±146 mmHg/s afterβ1-adrenergic receptor blockade, indicating that the predominant physiological response was mediated byβ1-adrenergic receptors. Decreases in mean arterial pressure (−11±0.5 mmHgv−16±4.6 mmHg) and coronary vascular resistance (−3.1±0.4v−3.6±0.4 mmHg/ml/min) induced by ISO were not different before and afterβ1-blockade, indicating thatβ2-adrenergic receptors were not blocked. In conscious rats, ISO (0.4μg/kg) increased LV dP/dtby 50±4.9% from 13 252±2002 mmHg/s and only by 10±3.9% from 10 793±1364 mmHg/s afterβ1-adrenergic receptor blockade; whereas decreases in mean arterial pressure induced by ISO were not different before and afterβ1blockade (−19±2.4 mmHgv−16±2.2 mmHg), i.e. very consistent with the physiological responses in baboons.In vitrostudies of isolated myocytes, using radioligand binding with125I-cyanopindolol (125I-cyp) and the subtypeβ1-selective antagonist betaxolol and theβ2-selective antagonist ICI 118 551 indicated that theβ1/β2ratio of rat myocytes was 92/8; whereas baboon myocytes were more equally distributed (59/41). Thus, in both species the preponderance of effects of ISO on ventricular function wasβ1-adrenergic receptor mediated, which is consistent with theβ1/β2ratio in rat myocytes but not in baboon myocytes, where a significant fraction ofβ2-adrenergic receptors does not appear to exert an effect on conctractilityin vivo.
The use of challenge studies in biobehavioral nursing research

With the rapid growth of biotechnology, developments in psychopharmacology, and advances in the understanding of biobehavioral relationships, psychiatric nursing is presented with exciting new opportunities for research related to clinical practice. Although challenge strategies have been developed largely within the medical subspecialties, this article describes the application of pharmacological challenge testing to assist in the understanding of biobehavioral relationships pertinent to psychiatric nursing. This article presents examples of challenge strategies and their relevance to clinical practice. The use of the challenge method in psychiatric nursing research and future directions are discussed.