cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Integrative Analysis of DNA Methylation and Gene Expression Patterns in Tissues from Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients

Compared to European Americans (EAs), the incidence of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) is higher in African Americans (AAs) and is associated with more advanced tumor stage at diagnosis and lower survival rates. Despite the importance of DNA methylation in neoplastic transformation, the mechanisms of epigenetic disparity between AAs and EAs are yet to be fully realized in HCC. In this paper we present an integrated analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression in a racially diverse cohort of 16 HCC patients using the Illumina MethylationEPIC BeadChip and HiSeq 4000 platforms. A mixed-effects ANOVA model was applied to compare molecular changes between tumors and adjacent non-cancerous liver tissues. In an effort to control for underlying variation in tumor composition, we used DNA methylation to assess measurements of tumor purity and adjusted our analysis to account for potential bias due to cell mixture effects. As a result, we were able to identify 17,249 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and 981 differentially methylated and expressed genes (DM+DE) associated with HCC. Further, 14,912 DMRs and 637 DM+DE genes were identified as being associated with the EA race and 3,257 DMRs and 156 DM+DE genes identified as being associated with the AA race in HCC. We were able to identify 20 candidate genes as potential tumor suppressors in HCC, including TBX15, IGF1R, WDR66, ITPKB, CFTR, KCNA3, CXCL12, EA-specific MT1L, PIK23R5, and AA-specific GHR and ADRA2B. In summary, we have identified differentially methylated and expressed markers of HCC that are specific to AA and EA racial groups. These findings offer insights into the molecular mechanisms of epigenetic regulation in HCC progression as well as identify potential markers to address racial disparity in precision therapy and diagnosis.
An Indian Community's Attempt to Develop a Colonial East African Identity: The Ismaili Muslims in British Colonial Tanganyika

Ismaili Muslims, followers of Aga Khan III, were scattered throughout the British Empire in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and in the years following World War I, many Ismailis migrated from India to East Africa, including Tanganyika. Increasingly, Ismailis from the subcontinent took advantage of established networks of exchanges in commodities, people, cultures and ideas that characterized movement throughout the Indian Ocean. In Tanganyika, Ismailis were politically grouped with other immigrants from India, despite their vast religious differences. The Aga Khan and his representative leaders in East Africa viewed this as a threat to the communitys identity. In turn, Ismailis were encouraged to distance themselves from the other immigrants from the subcontinent in an effort to bolster a sense of communal solidarity in response to this perceived threat. These developments influenced the ways in which Ismailis identified themselves and how others identified them. This paper thus sets out to demonstrate how an Indian community worked to carve out a unique communal identity that was rooted in an East African political, economic, social, and cultural setting.
Feasibility and acceptability of safety screening among patients receiving addiction treatment.

Abstract Introduction Premature mortality associated with opioid-related overdose and suicide is a significant public health problem in the United States. Approximately 20–30% of individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD) have a history of both suicide attempt and unintentional opioid overdose. The objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of a standardized screen for suicide and overdose among patients receiving addiction treatment. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study using a convenience sample of patients (n = 113) recruited from two inpatient treatment programs. We used a modified version of the Patient Safety Screener (mPSS) to screen for suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and overdose. Study staff administered the screen in-person during treatment, and we linked results to administrative clinical data. Subjects (n = 108) and members of their clinical care team (n = 20) completed a screening acceptability survey. We recorded a positive mPSS if a patient reported suicidal ideation in the past two weeks, a suicide attempt, and/or an overdose in the past six months. Results Fifty-eight percent of subjects had a positive mPSS screen, and 30.3% reported suicidal ideation, suicide attempt, and overdose. Subjects and clinical staff reported that it was acceptable to screen for suicide attempt(s) and overdose(s). About a third of the clinical staff reported concerns about administration time (n = 7) and impact on workflow (n = 6). Conclusions Both suicide and overdose are important patient safety factors that should be incorporated into addiction treatment and discharge planning. This study's findings support simultaneously screening for suicide and overdose in OUD inpatient treatment settings. Future research needs to determine whether screening improves provision of services and reduces self-injurious behavior.
Absolute Trends and Accurate and Precise Gas-Phase Binding Energies of 1-Alkyl-3-Methylimidazolium Tetrafluoroborate Ionic Liquid Clusters from Combined Independent and Competitive TCID Measurements.

Ionic liquid (IL) development efforts have focused on achieving desired properties via tuning of the IL through variation of the cations and anions. However, works geared toward a microscopic understanding of the nature and strength of the intrinsic cation-anion interactions of ILs have been rather limited such that the intrinsic strength of the cation-anion interactions in ILs is largely unknown. In previous work, we employed threshold collision-induced dissociation approaches supported and enhanced by electronic structure calculations to characterize the nature of the cation-anion interactions in and determine the bond dissociation energies (BDEs) of a series of four 2:1 clusters of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cations and tetrafluoroborate anions, [2Cnmim:BF4]+. The cation was varied over the series: 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium, [C2mim]+, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium, [C4mim]+, 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium, [C6mim]+, and 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium, [C8mim]+, to determine the structural and energetic effects of the size of the 1-alkyl substituent on the binding. The variation in the strength of binding determined for these [2Cnmim:BF4]+ clusters was found to be similar in magnitude to the average experimental uncertainty in these determinations. To definitively establish an absolute order of binding among these [2Cnmim:BF4]+ clusters, we extend this work here to include competitive binding studies of three mixed 2:1 clusters of 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium cations and tetrafluoroborate anions, [Cn-2mim:BF4:Cnmim]+ for n = 4, 6, and 8. Importantly, the results of the present work simultaneously provide the absolute BDEs of these mixed [Cn-2mim:BF4:Cnmim]+ clusters and the absolute relative order of the intrinsic binding interactions as a function of the cation with significantly improved precision. Further, by combining the thermochemical results of the previous and present studies, the BDEs of the [2Cnmim:BF4]+ clusters are more accurately and precisely determined.
Late-Onset Suicide: A Dementia Prodrome?

ABSTRACT Objectives This study examined whether late-onset (versus early-onset) suicidal behavior is associated with worse cognition. Methods Participants included 278 adults aged 50+ years (56 nonpsychiatric comparison group; 67 nonsuicidal depressed older adults; 63 depressed suicide ideators; and 44 late-onset (55+ years) and 48 early-onset suicide attempters ( Results Both attempter groups displayed worse executive functioning than nonsuicidal depressed older adults. Late-onset attempters additionally displayed poorer global cognition and processing speed than nonsuicidal depressed older adults and poorer memory than early-onset attempters. Conclusions Late-onset suicidal behavior is associated with worse performance in a broad range of cognitive domains, possibly reflective of a dementia prodrome.
Prognostic impact of electrocardiographic left ventricular hypertrophy following transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

Abstract Background Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) develops with both structural and electrical remodeling in response to elevated afterload due to aortic stenosis (AS). This study evaluated the prognostic value of electrocardiographic LVH (ECG LVH) after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Methods A retrospective study including 157 consecutive patients who underwent TAVR was conducted. ECG LVH was defined as Sokolow–Lyon voltage (S in V1 + R in V5/6) before TAVR was ≥3.5mV. We investigated the association between ECG LVH and the 1-year composite outcome comprising all-cause death and rehospitalization related to heart failure. ECG and echocardiographic measurements at 1, 6, and 12 months after TAVR were assessed. Results The baseline characteristics were comparable between the ECG LVH (n = 74) and non-ECG LVH groups (n = 83). The ECG LVH was associated with a significantly greater reduction of Sokolow–Lyon voltage and LV mass index than the non-ECG LVH after TAVR. The absence of ECG LVH was an independent predictor of the 1-year composite outcome [adjusted hazard ratio (HR), 2.27; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.01 – 5.60; p = 0.04]. Furthermore, a reduction of Sokolow–Lyon voltage from baseline to 1-month follow-up, but not a reduction of LV mass index, was associated with a lower cumulative composite outcome from 1 month to 1 year (adjusted HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.15 – 0.86; p = 0.02). Conclusions ECG LVH was associated with a low incidence of adverse clinical outcomes and greater reverse LV remodeling after TAVR. Preprocedural and serial LVH assessment by ECG might be useful in AS patients undergoing TAVR.
Precipitate growth kinetics under inhomogeneous concentration fields using a phase-field model

We investigate precipitation dynamics in the presence of a local solute gradient using phase-field simulations. During the homogenization heat treatment of the solidified Inconel 718 alloy, high Nb concentration within the Laves phases or at the core of the secondary arms results in Nb diffusion into the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$ matrix. The volume fraction and spatial distribution of precipitation during subsequent annealing can be controlled by tailoring the Nb concentration gradient in the matrix during homogenization. We use a surrogate Ni-Fe-Nb alloy for Inconel 718 to explore the growth dynamics of $\ensuremath{\delta}$ precipitates related to the local Nb concentration levels. The simulations indicate that in the presence of a Nb concentration gradient the growth rate of $\ensuremath{\delta}$ precipitates is higher than in a matrix of uniform average Nb concentration. The higher growth rate is a result of the higher local thermodynamic driving force at the interface between the solute-rich matrix and the $\ensuremath{\delta}$ interface. We propose a phenomenological model to describe the diffusion-controlled growth kinetics of the $\ensuremath{\delta}$ phase under a solute concentration gradient.
Theater Arts as a Beneficial and Educational Venue in Identifying and Providing Therapeutic Coping Skills for Early Childhood Adversities: A Systematic Review of the Literature: A Systematic Review of the Literature

This literature review highlights the utility of identifying early childhood adversities through dramatic play and theater arts. Understanding the impact of early childhood education, our focus included beneficial, qualitative observations of the positive therapeutic outcomes when participating in theater arts activities. We chose to search these individually (a) to understand how to identify adversities in early childhood and (b) to learn about the therapeutic effects that theater arts and dramatic play have on children. The findings amongst our articles show similar beliefs that theater arts can have a positive effect on a child’s social and emotional development. Theater arts can be utilized as a venue for children to express themselves. We strongly believe that future studies should be conducted to further explore how theater arts and dramatic play can provide a means for identifying and treating children who have experienced early childhood adversities. Ending our literature review, we feel compelled to further investigate similar studies and/or design a study focused on identifying early childhood adversities using dramatic play and incorporating expressive arts as a therapeutic intervention. Particularly now, as the world determines how to navigate the multiple adversities of the COVID-19 pandemic, research informing educators, community leaders, and families of ways to protect children against the toxicity of pervasive stressors is vital.
Irradiation reduces superficial scald by downregulating ethylene and α-farnesene biosynthetic enzymes in 'Granny Smith' apples

Abstract Superficial scald is a postharvest disorder of apples related to increased ethylene production in stored fruit which leads to α-farnesene accumulation and oxidation. Ionizing irradiation inhibits ethylene production and has been shown to reduce superficial scald, but this phenomenon has not been explored at the molecular level. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of irradiation on gene expression of enzymes related to ethylene and α-farnesene in ‘Granny Smith’ apples. Irradiation at 310 Gy controlled scald severity and incidence and inhibited the rise in AFS1 expression up to 90 d of cold storage followed by 7 d at room temperature, while 1000 Gy suppressed scald symptoms for either 90 and 180 d of cold storage, but showed internal browning. Irradiation at both doses reduced the formation of α-farnesene by more than 50% with concomitant decline of ACO enzyme activity and ethylene production as compared to the control, and suppressed the increase in ACS1 gene expression, but without the same effect on ACO1 gene. Irradiation treatment at 310 Gy and 1000 Gy may reduce superficial scald in ‘Granny Smith’ apples through inhibition of gene expression of enzymes related to ethylene and α-farnesene biosynthesis.
Interaction between 1,2-dichloroethane and tetraethylthiuram disulfide (disulfiram). II. Hepatotoxic manifestations with possible mechanism of action.

Abstract The synergistic hepatotoxicity of dietary disulfiram (DSF) with 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE) subchronically administered by inhalation at three concentration levels (150, 300, and 450 ppm) was studied. The criteria for hepatotoxicity were treatment-related increases in serum activities of sorbitol dehydrogenase, 5′-nucleotidase, and alkaline phosphatase, and in liver-to-body weight ratios. DSF alone did not elicit these responses while DCE at the highest concentration level increased liver-to-body weight ratios and the activity of 5′-nucleotidase. Exposure to DSF alone decreased cytochrome P 450 levels, but in combination with DCE, the decrement of cytochrome P 450 was additive in a DCE concentration-dependent manner. However, depression of cytochrome P 450 by DCE alone was not concentration dependent. Although DSF and DSF/DCE combination increased the activity of glutathione S -transferases (GSTs), both DSF and DCE singly and in combination increased the tissue levels of reduced glutathione (GSH). Evidence is presented showing that the potentiation of the hepatotoxicity of DCE observed in the presence of DSF may be due to an inhibition of microsomal mixed-function oxidase-mediated metabolism of DCE and to a compensatory increase in DCE metabolism to reactive metabolites generated by GST-mediated conjugation of DCE with GSH.
Biological networks: from physical principles to biological insights

A report on the Fourth Georgia Tech and UGA International Conference on Bioinformatics 'Biological Networks: From Genomics to Epidemiology', Atlanta, USA, 13-16 November 2003.
Galactose metabolism in the newborn infant.

A marked increase was noted in the production of labeled carbon dioxide from galactose-1-C14, and a lesser increase from glucose-1-C14, by erythrocytes of newborn infants as compared to those of adults. It is considered that the increased metabolic activity reflects a greater capability of erythrocytes of newborns to phosphorylate the particular sugars. Estimates were made of galactose-1-phosphate uridyl transferase and galactokinase activities of intact erythrocytes by incubation with galactose-1-C14. Intracellular transferase activity, as measured by the ratio of labeled galactose-1-phosphate to labeled uridine diphosphate galactose, correlated with hemolysate measurements, but the amount of labeled nucleotide alone did not. Intracellular galactokinase activity correlated with hemolysate values provided that galactokinase activity was considered to be represented by the sum of the galactose-1-phosphate and nucleotide produced during incubation with galactose. The rate of removal of galactose from the blood of newborns after intravenous administration was slower than with adults. However, the rate of disappearance cannot be considered to reflect galactose utilization until more is known concerning regulatory factors in the newborn infant.
Aspects of Light Production by Photobacterium fischeri

Studies of luminescence in growing cultures of Photobacterium fischeri revealed the characteristic kinetics of light emission, including a minimal phase of bacterial light output. A dialyzable substance present in the nutrient broth medium caused this transient inhibition in light production, although this substance did not affect culture growth. Experiments were carried out to determine the mechanism of action and the chemical properties of the inhibitor. The results suggest that the inhibitor may be binding directly to the luciferase molecules.
Smoking Cessation and Chronic Pain: Patient and Pain Medicine Physician Attitudes

Although previous studies suggest that the clinical setting of an interdisciplinary pain treatment program may provide an optimal environment to promote smoking cessation, currently available smoking cessation interventions may be less effective for adults with chronic pain due, in part, to unrecognized clinical factors related to chronic pain. The specific aim of this qualitative study was to solicit information from adult smokers with chronic pain participating in an interdisciplinary pain treatment program regarding their perceptions of how smoking affects pain symptoms, and how these beliefs, cognitions, and emotions may either impede or facilitate smoking cessation. Similar information was solicited from a group of pain specialty physicians. The study involved 18 smokers with chronic pain, and seven physicians. Patients reported that smoking was an important coping strategy for pain and distress, primarily by offering an opportunity for distraction and avoidance, respectively. The majority of patients using opioids reported that opioid consumption stimulated smoking. Important barriers were identified toward making a quit attempt during pain treatment including quitting smoking while making changes in opioid use, and perceived difficulty managing multiple treatment-related stressors. Several pain-related benefits of smoking cessation were identified by physicians, but important barriers to providing smoking cessation services were recognized including lack of time and knowledge about how to help patients quit smoking. The findings of this study identified several novel and important clinical factors that should be incorporated into a targeted smoking cessation intervention for adults with chronic pain.
Government Intervention in Street Vending Activities in Guayaquil, Ecuador: A Case Study of Vendors in the Municipal Markets

In the past three decades, development economists have not only acknowledged the existence of what has been named the urban informal sector, but have emphasized its impact on rural to urban migration, GDP growth rate and urban poverty. Important questions that economists have about this sector are: how should governments in developing countries approach a growing informal sector? Does affirmative government intervention raise the incomes of participants in this sector who directly benefit from such intervention? Does helping this sector lead to an increase in rural to urban migration? We examine some of these issues by profiling the participants in this sector and analyzing the impact of government policies to organize street vendors in the city of Guayaquil, Ecuador. Seventy-six vendors in the City Council markets were surveyed for this purpose. Our survey analysis reveals some surprising results and confirms some stylized facts about vendors in the informal sector in Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Fads, Fashions, and the Fluidity of Knowledge: Peter Senge's ‘the Learning Organization’

This chapter uses the story of Peter Senge’s The Learning Organization (TLO) and talks about "learning organizations" to illustrate how management fads and fashions affect the spread of knowledge. Some commentators labeled Senge’s successful TLO work a "fad." Implicit in such labeling is derision and suggestion that association with TLO lacks benefit. New management techniques often provoke skepticism and when miracles do not occur, receive the same derogatory "fad" label. Is the negativism associated with management fads and fashions warranted? Analysis of the Senge TLO phenomena portrays fads and fashions as social processes, intrinsic to social change. They erupt from latency periods and may have brief or long lives. In retrospect, their consequences may be beneficial or harmful and may be short-term or long-term. Even brief fads may produce lasting benefits. TLO's story shows the complexity of social change and reveals the fluidity of knowledge, as ever-evolving fads and fashions weave older ideas into new beliefs and ways of problem solving.
The use of silicon microsensors in smart skins for aerodynamic research

A futuristic look at what should be pursued in terms of measurement instrumentation for aerodynamic research is presented. A cursory method is given for incorporating silicon microsensors, signal conditioning, and signal processing into a thin skin which will ultimately become the surface of an airfoil. Polyimide is the candidate material suggested for use as the skin because of its flexibility and IC processing compatibility. Specifications are given for the detection of boundary layer phenomena. >
Ribosome-submembranous density complex. A new specialized cell unit.

Ultrastructural study of a malignant meningioma revealed an organelle complex composed of: (1) A band-like densification of the cell cytoplasm adjacent to and in contact with the cell membrane. (2) An arciform filament immediately subjacent to it, with concavity directed away from the cell membrane. (3) A row of regularly spaced ribosomes located in the concavity, but at some distance from the arciform filament. (4) A pericellular condensation of interstitial ground substance. Occasionally, a second, thinner filament was seen "threading" the ribosomes together. Its morphology was consistent with that described for messenger RNA . It is suggested that the ribosomes are engaged in the synthesis of proteins for other portions of the organelle complex and that the ultimate role of the specialized unit would be that of an attachment device.
Structure/Activity Relationships of 2-haloalkanoic Acids and Their Esters as Antitermitic Agents Against Formosan Subterranean Termites (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Field-collected Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki, foragers were exposed for 2 wk to wood slices containing 5,000 ppm of C10-C22 alkanoic and 2-haloalkanoic acids and esters. A feeding reduction index was established to evaluate effects of these compounds on wood consumption by termites. Termites were maintained for 2 wk after treatment on untreated wood to determine mortality. Unhalogenated acids had minimal effect on C. formosanus mortality and wood consumption, but 2-brominated acids were significantly more toxic and diminished feeding. Methyl esters of haloacids had a variable effect on antitermitic activity that may have been related to carbon-chain length. 2-iodooctadecanoic acid and ester treatments were more toxic and less fed upon than comparable 2-bromo compounds, which, in turn, were more active than their 2-chloro analogs. Methyl-, ethyl-, and isopropyl-2-halooctadecanoates were equally or more toxic than their respective haloacids.
BOUNDS FOR ACCEPTABLE VALUES OF ADSORPTION ENTROPY

Abstract The ‘components“ of a system of an adsorbing—desorbing gas on a surface consist of the pure gas, adsorbed species and the empty site. The standard stales for these components in a system at thermodynamic equilibrium are examined in general, and rational expressions for the entropy of adsorption are obtained for the statistical-thermodynamic limiting cases of completely localized adsorption and adsorption as a two-dimensional gas. These values are suggested as alternatives to those empirically offered by Boudart and coworkers for evaluating the validity of adsorption equilibrium coefficients obtained from kinetic rate data.
The cosmogonical separation of matter and antimatter

Alfven has shown that in the symmetric cosmology of O. Klein, matter and antimatter can be separated as clouds of solar masses. By considering the dynamics of these clouds it is shown that a further separation process driven by the release of rest energy can separate matter on a galactic scale.
Background, rationale, and design of a clinical trial to assess the effects of platelet dose on bleeding risk in thrombocytopenic patients.

Outlined is the background and rationale for the initiation of a randomized prospective platelet transfusion trial to evaluate the effects of platelet dose on hemostasis and platelet utilization rates. This clinical trial is being performed by the newly established Transfusion Medicine/Hemostasis Clinical Trial Network supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health. The trial will randomize 1,350 patients into three platelet transfusion arms based on body surface area (BSA). The lower dose will be 1.1 × 1011 platelets/m2, the medium dose will be 2.2 × 1011 platelets/m2, and the higher dose will be 4.4 × 1011 platelets/m2. The primary outcome measure will be the incidence of Grade 2 bleeding; i.e., gross hemorrhage without the need for red cell transfusion. Major secondary outcome measures will be the total number of platelets transfused, the total number of platelet transfusion events, the highest grade of bleeding, and bleeding severity. It is expected that this clinical trial will change platelet transfusion practice by identifying whether low-dose platelet transfusion therapy provides adequate hemostasis and what is the most cost-effective strategy for providing platelet transfusions. J. Clin. Apheresis 21: 78–84, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effect of sphingomyelin versus dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine on the extent of lipid oxidation

Abstract Phospholipids with sites of unsaturation are targets of peroxidation. We investigated the effect of two types of lipids with identical headgroups, sphingomyelins (SMs) and dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), on the extent of oxidation of stearoyl-arachidonoyl phosphatidylcholine (SAPC) with four double bonds. Peroxidation was induced with tert-butylhydroperoxide and FeCl2 at 35 °C. The decrease of SAPC versus DPPC, or N-palmitoyl SM, or N-stearoyl SM, was monitored by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) at various reaction times. For corresponding molar ratios of DPPC:SAPC and SM:SAPC, SAPC oxidized faster and to a greater extent when DPPC, rather than N-palmitoyl SM or bovine brain SMs, was present. However, at 35 °C the hydrophobic tails in SM mixtures were more disordered than in those of DPPC. The slower oxidation of SAPC in SM-rich vesicles may result from the presence of a tight network of H-bonds that bridge neighboring SM molecules and poses a stronger interfacial barrier to the passage of oxidants.
FREQUENCY OF PROBE REPORTS AND VARIANCE OF TRAVEL TIME ESTIMATES

An important design issue relating to probe-based Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATISs) and Advanced Traffic Management systems is the sample size of probes (or the number of link traversals by probe vehicles) per unit time used in order to obtain reliable network information in terms of link travel time estimates. The variance of the mean of travel times obtained from n probes for the same link over a fixed time period may be shown to be of the form a+b/n where a and b are link-specific parameters. Using probe travel time data from a set of signalized arterials, it is shown that a is positive for well-traveled signalized links. This implies that the variance does not go to zero with increasing n. Consequences of this fact for probe-based systems are explored. While the results presented are for a specific set of links, the authors argue that because of the nature of the underlying travel time process, the broad conclusions would not hold for most well-traveled links with signal control.
Experimental energy bands, exchange splittings, and lifetimes for Ni in the vicinity of the x-point

Abstract Angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy using synchrotron radiation has been used to determine energy band dispersions along the ΓKX and ΓX directions in nickel. A detailed picture of spin-dependent energy levels and band topology around the symmetry point X has been derived. We have measured the exchange splitting for different band symmetries and find the splitting for the X 2 -S 4 band along (110) to be 0.17 eV. For the X 5 -S 3 band we find a splitting of 0.33 eV which is in close agreement with the value found earlier for the Σ 2 band. This can be explained by different self-energy corrections for t 2g and e g -type states respectively. Our values for the energy positions (inverse lifetimes) are the following: X 2↓ = −0.04 eV (0.08 eV, X 2↑ = −0.24 eV (0.19 eV), X 5↑ = −0.11 eV.
Does Armstrong need states of affairs

In 1997, David Armstrong argued that the world is a world of states of affairs. In his latest book, Truth and Truthmakers, he remains strongly committed to the existence of states of affairs, despite now advocating an ontology in which they are not needed, ‘as an ontological extra’. States of affairs remain needed, Armstrong says, ‘to act as truthmakers for predicative truths’. In this paper, I attempt to shed light on what Armstrong might mean by this claim. While there is a straightforward sense in which states of affairs are not needed in Armstrong's amended ontology, I suggest that Armstrong might be charitably interpreted in a manner that justifies his claim. However, in clarifying the manner in which states of affairs remain needed in Armstrong's ontology, it becomes unclear whether they are needed in any ‘deep’ sense, or rather are merely parochial to his ontology. I examine Armstrong's rejection of Resemblance Nominalism on the grounds that it does not provide adequate ‘minimal’ truthmakers. I the...
Dependent failure analysis of NPP data bases

Abstract A technical approach for analyzing plant-specific data bases for vulnerabilities to dependent failures has been developed and applied. Since the focus of this work is to aid in the formulation of defenses to dependent failures, rather than to quantify dependent failure probabilities, the approach of this analysis is critically different. For instance, the determination of component failure dependencies has been based upon identical failure mechanisms related to component piecepart failures, rather than failure modes. Also, component failures involving all types of component function loss (e.g., catastrophic, degraded, incipient) are equally important to the predictive purposes of dependent failure defense development. Consequently, dependent component failures are identified with a different dependent failure definition which uses a component failure mechanism categorization scheme in this study. In this context, clusters of component failures which satisfy the revised dependent failure definition are termed common failure mechanism (CFM) events. Motor-operated valves (MOVs) in two nuclear power plant data bases have been analyzed with this approach. The analysis results include seven different failure mechanism categories; identified potential CFM events; an assessment of the risk-significance of the potential CFM events using existing probabilistic risk assessments (PRAs); and postulated defenses to the identified potential CFM events.
Hundreds of years of diversity: what took us so long?

Until Workforce 2000: Work and Workers for the Twenty‐First Century (Johnston & Packer, 1987), diversity in organizations was largely ignored. Cultural diversity did not appear in the management literature until the civil rights movement of the 1960s brought about an increased awareness of African‐Americans in the workforce. However, the U.S. has been culturally diverse for several hundreds of years. What took us so long to take advantage of this diversity in the workforce? This is a basic question of this manuscript. Therefore, this paper examines workforce diversity dating back to the colonization of the Americas. I will address the origins of cultural diversity and discuss the political, economical, and cultural contexts that impacted the lack of research regarding diversity’s influence on organizations. Finally, I will examine how scholars have viewed cultural diversity and discuss the current status of diversity research.
Evaluation Of Gallbladder Images By Use Of The Radiographic Magnification Technique

With the radiographs shown i Fig.1, the late Dr. Kurt ossmann used to demonstrate some of the fundamentals of radiologic imaging by means of simple test objects and screen-film systems. The plastic beads simulate low-contrast, round objects such as gall stones. The needle corresponds to a high-contrast, long object such as an °pacified blood vessel. The image on the left is made with a sharp, but noisy system; that on the right is made with an unsharp, less noisy system. The speeds of the two systems are identical. Detail visibility of the needle is better in the system on the left; therefore, detail visibility is sensitive to the resolution or sharpness of the system. The detection of plastic beads, however, is easier on the right and therefore is ilfluenced more by the noise or r.diographic mottle. Although these test objects are very simple, Dr. Rossmann was successful in illustrating not only the effect of these b.sic parameters on the radiographic images, but also the complexities involved in diagnostic radiologic imaging.© (1977) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Some Gibsonian perspectives on the ways that psychologists use physics

Abstract The paper begins with a discussion of the influence of physics upon psychology. It is argued that physics has provided psychology both with a role model and with an ontology. Both of these roles are criticized, and it is suggested that this relationship between physics and psychology is maintained by an “absolutist” view of physics. The following sections are attempts to undermine this view. First the philosophical arguments against taking physics as the description of an epistemically independent reality are presented. Next it is demonstrated that even within physics there are various alternative descriptions of reality. Finally, Gibson's notion of an “ecological physics” is briefly discussed.
Stability of silver thin films on various underlying layers at elevated temperatures

The stability of silver thin films on various substrates has been studied and the results are compared to the copper films under the similar conditions. The compatibility of silver with underlying substrate materials is important for device performance and reliability. Ag and Cu films are deposited on various barrier materials such as TiN, Ti(O)N, TaN, TiW and on dielectrics viz. phosphorus silicate glass, boron phosphorus silicate glass, and tetraethylorthosilane. The morphology and effect of thermal stability at high temperatures are studied using backscattering analysis method and also electrical resistance is monitored with four point probe measurements. The silver films are stable on the most of the barrier layer up to 700 °C for 30 min in vacuum while films on dielectrics are less stable. The copper films show similar behavior though in some cases its more stable compared with silver. The film stability seems to be affected by the underlying materials which in turn affects microstructure, diffusion characteristics, and stress levels of the silver or copper films deposited on the top.
Habit formation, adjustment costs, and international transmission of fiscal policy

Abstract The paper studies the effects of fiscal policy in an integrated world economy. The setup is one with habit-forming endogenous rates of time preference and adjustment costs in investment. Most of the predictions of the model are in line with the recent empirical literature on fiscal policy. For instance, in response to a balanced fiscal expansion, we obtain positive long-run output multipliers, long-run increases in employment, short- and medium-run increases in wages and decreases in investment. Our results suggest that short-run government spending multipliers are smaller than tax multipliers. Most importantly, we show that the model can generate positive short- and medium-run consumption responses to a positive fiscal shock. This is relevant as negative consumption responses are considered to be one of the main challenges facing neo-classical models of fiscal policy.
Using baby books to change new mothers’ attitudes about corporal punishment

Abstract Objective Research has found corporal punishment to have limited effectiveness in altering child behavior and the potential to produce psychological and cognitive damage. Pediatric professionals have advocated reducing, if not eliminating its use. Despite this, it remains a common parenting practice in the US. Methods Using a three-group randomized design, this study explored whether embedding educational information about typical child development and effective parenting in baby books could alter new mothers’ attitudes about their use of corporal punishment. Low-income, ethnically diverse women ( n = 167) were recruited during their third trimester of pregnancy and followed until their child was 18 months old. Results Findings from home-based data collection throughout this period suggest that educational baby books compared with non-educational baby books or no books can reduce new mothers’ support for the use of corporal punishment (respective effect sizes = .67 and .25) and that these effects are greater for African-American mothers (effect sizes = .75 and .57) and those with low levels of educational attainment (high school diploma, GED, or less) (effect sizes = .78 and .49). Conclusion Given their low cost and ease of implementation, baby books offer a promising way to change new mothers’ attitudes and potentially reduce the use of corporal punishment with infants and toddlers.
Perspective on "The Role of Adjuvant Radiotherapy After Gross Total Resection of Atypical Meningiomas"

AMs are World Health Organization grade II tumors that demonstrate increased mitotic activity (4 or more mitoses within any 10 consecutive high-power fields under 40 objective magnification) and/or 3 or more of the following properties: sheet-like growth, spontaneous necrosis, hypercellularity, prominent nucleoli, and presence of small cellswith a high nucleus-to-cytoplasm ratio. Four AM variants are reported: atypical, chordoid, clear-cell, and atypical with brain invasion (7).
Central and peripheral dopaminergic mechanisms in the cardiovascular actions of pergolide in neurogenic hypertensive dogs

Abstract The cardiovascular actions of the dopaminergic ergoline, pergolide were examined in pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs. When administered intravenously (i.v.) to dogs made hypertensive by sino-aortic deafferentation, pergolide produced a sustained reduction in blood pressure, dilatation of the hindlinb vasculature and bradycardia. The antihypertensive action of pergolide in neurogenic hypertensive dogs was converted into a pressor action when it was given to dogs pretreated with i.v. sulpiride or hexamethonium plus atropine. Pergolide caused significant impairment of renal vasoconstriction elicited during stimulation of renal sympathetic nerves but not that caused by exogenous norepinephrine. The inhibitory action of pergolide on renal sympathetic nerve function was antagonized by sulpiride suggesting that pergolide activated presynaptic dopamine receptors. Direct administration of pergolide within the central nervous system via the cisterna magna (i.c.) to normotensive dogs also resulted in hypotension, bradycardia and iliac vasodilation. The central actions of pergolide were prevented by sulpiride (i.c.) but not by yohimbine (i.c.), which indicates that specific activation of central dopamine receptors was responsible for these actions of pergolide. The antihypertensive, bradycardic and iliac vasodilatory actions of i.v. pergolide in neurogenic hypertensive dogs were significantly attenuated by i.c. sulpiride. It was determined that while this dose of sulpiride antagonized central dopamine receptors, it did not antagonize peripheral presynaptic dopamine receptors. These results suggest that pergolide exerts antihypertensive and bradycardic actions via simultaneous stimulation of dopamine receptors in the brain and on postganglionic sympathetic neurons. While presynaptic dopamine receptor activation contributes to the blood pressure lowering action of pergolide, stimulation of central dopamine receptors appears to be the dominant mechanism by which pergolide elicits the observed antihypertensive and bradycardic effects. Pergolide appears to lower blood pressure by a novel mechanism of action and may offer an additional therapeutic approach for the treatment of hypertension.
Effect of model vascular trauma on the hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes of the neonatal rat

Abstract Abdominal aorta ligation in neonatal rats was used as a model for pediatrie traumatic injury. Short-term ischemie trauma (24 h) was found to have significant effect on plasma corticosterone levels, and on the specific activity of the drug-metabolizing enzymes FAD-containing monooxygenase and glucuronyl transferase in hepatic microsomes. Ischemie injury was determined to cause a decrease in FAD-containing monooxygenase activity in pre-weaning animals. Glucuronyl transferase activity was increased by this surgical procedure in animals less than 12 days of age, and after weaning; however, glucuronyl transferase activity was decreased by this model in rats between 14 days of age and weaning.
An Iterative LP Algorithm for Quadratic Spatial Equilibria

This paper describes a partitioning algorithm based on the Benders decomposition to solve net import spatial equilibrium models. The method decomposes the problem into a linear master problem and a quadratic subproblem. It is shown that the quadratic subproblem is trivial, and the associated dual variables can be determined through ordinary calculus. Therefore, the quadratic spatial equilibrium problem is solved iteratively by using linear programming software.
Boundary set imbeddings in the Hilbert cube

Abstract We make the following remarks. Every boundary set in the Hilbert cube can be reimbedded as a dense σZ -set whose complement is not l 2 . There exist spaces that can be imbedded as a boundary set in more than one way. We also give a necessary condition for a space to be imbeddable as a boundary set.
The fine structure of elastic fibers in the fibrous periosteum of the rat femur

The fine structure of the elastic fibers found in the fibrous periosteum of the albino rat femur has been described. Tissues were fixed in 3% glutaraldehyde and/or phosphate buffered osmic acid, embedded in Epon, stained with lead citrate and examined in an RCA EMU 3F microscope. The elastic fiber in the layer of fibrous periosteum is found to be composed of an array of longitudinally arranged elastofibrils embedded in a matrix of electron dense amorphous material. On cross section some of these elastofibrils appear to be tubular, presenting a dense cortex and a less dense central or core area. Reasons for these elastofibrils not being clearly and conclusively visualized in previous studies are discussed.
The Subluxation Syndrome: A Condition Whose Time Has Come?

ABSTRACT Controversy surrounds the use of the term ‘subluxation' within the chiropractic profession. This paper suggests that doctors of chiropractic should develop an evidence base that focuses on the clinical entities that are treated in clinical practice. Such effort might include documenting common locally symptomatic subluxations in each joint region and subluxations that cause more distant neurophysiological effects.
Magnetic-Field-Assisted Electrospinning of Aligned Straight and Wavy Polymeric Nanofibers

Electrospinning has emerged as a very attractive approach to the fabrication of nanometer (nm)- and submicron-sized fibers.[1–6] Nanofibers generated using the electrospinning technique have been explored for a wide range of applications such as tissue engineering and bioassay,[5, 7–13] sensing,[14, 15] textile,[16] filtration,[17] electrode,[18] and catalyst supports.[19] In many of these cases, the ability to control the alignment and arrangement of fibers is critical to achieve the designed functions, particularly for tissue engineering that requires the release of proteins and growth factors in a guided fashion.[20–22] Improvements in fiber quality has been achieved in recent year through the optimization of electrospinning conditions and oriented fiber arrays can be produced using either rotating collectors or patterned electrodes.[1, 23–26] Furthermore, when magnetic nanoparticles are mixed with polymers, aligned fibers can also be fabricated.[27]
Severe villus atrophy and chronic malabsorption induced by azathioprine

Azathioprine is commonly prescribed for autoimmune hepatitis and inflammatory bowel disease. An acute gastroenteritis-like syndrome has been ascribed to azathioprine use, but chronic diarrhea has not. We report a patient with autoimmune hepatitis who developed severe small-bowel villus atrophy and chronic diarrhea after azathioprine was initiated (50 mg/day). We present a case report of a patient followed up prospectively. Duodenal mucosal histology and expression of brush border enzyme dipeptidyl peptidase IV and peptide transporter PepT1 messenger RNA levels were determined before and after azathioprine discontinuation. Chronic diarrhea developed several weeks after the initiation of azathioprine and resulted in micronutrient depletion and severe protein-calorie malnutrition, which was unresponsive to oral pancreatic enzyme therapy or a gluten-free diet. Severe malabsorption required parenteral nutrition support for longer than 1.5 years; this was complicated by unstable blood glucose control, acute calculous cholecystitis, catheter sepsis, and severe venous thrombosis. When the temporal association between azathioprine and diarrhea was identified, the drug was tapered while the patient consumed an unrestricted diet. Within 2 weeks after azathioprine was discontinued, diarrhea had completely resolved, and parenteral nutrition was discontinued. Mucosal biopsies obtained before and 4 months after azathioprine discontinuation showed complete reversal of severe duodenal villus atrophy and marked up-regulation of mucosal dipeptidyl peptidase IV and PepT1 messenger RNA. The patient has subsequently maintained normal liver function tests on low-dose prednisone alone, with normal stools and stable nutritional status for longer than 4 years. Azathioprine can induce severe small-bowel villus atrophy, diarrhea, and malabsorption that is reversible with drug discontinuation.