cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Uncertainties in interpretation of high pressure spherical flame propagation rates due to thermal radiation

Abstract It has been suggested that radiation heat loss may be a large source of experimental uncertainty in flame speed measurements using the outwardly propagating spherical flame method. Thermal radiation is usually not considered in interpretation of these experiments, yet it may contribute significantly to uncertainty especially for model-constraining conditions at low flame temperature and high pressure. In the present work, a conservative analytical estimate of the effects of radiation heat loss is derived and validated against detailed numerical simulations. A solver with a graphical interface is provided in the Supplemental material to allow implementation of these analytical results. The analytical estimate considers the radiation induced burned gas motion as well as the decreasing flame temperature due to conduction to the radiating burned gas and radiation loss from the flame zone. The results show that previous measurements of hydrogen flame speeds at low flame temperature by Burke et al. (2010) [3] are minimally affected by radiation, but flames with low flame speeds can be strongly inhibited by radiative loss. Future laminar spherical flame measurements and interpretation of existing determinations with low adiabatic flame speeds must include consideration of radiation effects to avoid large uncertainties.
An Okhotsk Sea water anomaly: implications for ventilation in the North Pacific

Abstract An unusually cold, fresh and oxygenated layer of water centered at a pressure of 800 dbar and σ θ of 27.4 was found at a CI'D station in the western Pacific at 43°5'N. I 53°20'E in August 1985. The anomaly was part of a larger pattern of less dramatic but nevertheless higher variance at densities up to 27.6 σ θ in the mixed water region of the Oyashio and Kuroshio. south of the Bussol' Strait, which connects the Sea of Okhotsk and the open North Pacific. Isopycnal maps indicate that the source of the anomaly, which was emhedded in a cyclonic flow, was the Okhotsk Sea. Surface properties in the Okhotsk Sea, based on all available NODC observations, and isopycnal maps indicate that the layer probably did not originate at the sea surface in open water. Instead, the principal modifying influences at densities of 26.8–27.6 σ θ in the North Pacific are sea-ice formation and vertical mixing. the latter primarily in the Kuril Straits. A simple calculation shows thaI most of the low salinity influence al these densities in the North Pacific can originate in the Okhotsk Sea and that vertical mixing in the open North Pacific may be much less important than previously thought.
Linear programming with partial information

Abstract We study a particular class of linear programming problems in which only ordinal information concerning the objective function coefficients is known. Specifically, we assume the decision maker(s) can place partial orders (possibly incomplete) on the components of the contribution vector. The concept of tangent and polar cones forms the basis for the analytical and solution technique. An example problem is included.
Elementary Students' Learning of Materials Science Practices Through Instruction Based on Engineering Design Tasks

Materials science, which entails the practices of selecting, testing, and characterizing materials, is an important discipline within the study of matter. This paper examines how third grade students’ materials science performance changes over the course of instruction based on an engineering design challenge. We conducted a case study of nine students who participated in engineering design-based science instruction with the goal of constructing a stable, quiet, thermally comfortable model house. The learning outcome of materials science practices was assessed by clinical interviews conducted before and after the instruction, and the learning process was assessed by students’ workbooks completed during the instruction. The interviews included two materials selection tasks for designing a sturdy stepstool and an insulated pet habitat. Results indicate that: (1) students significantly improved on both materials selection tasks, (2) their gains were significantly positively associated with the degree of completion of their workbooks, and (3) students who were highly engaged with the workbook’s reflective record-keeping tasks showed the greatest improvement on the interviews. These findings suggest the important role workbooks can play in facilitating elementary students’ learning of science through authentic activity such as engineering design.
Use of a Western blotting technique in the purification of a cysteine proteinase inhibitor

Abstract In Western blotting procedures, proteins are resolved in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels with subsequent electrophoretic transfer onto nitrocellulose membranes. Although this procedure is generally employed as an analytical technique for assessing interactions of proteins with antibodies, the present report describes the use of Western blotting as a preparative procedure in the purification of a biologically active proteinase inhibitor from the cellular slime mold. Dictyostelium discoideum . The feasibility of using Western blotting for inhibitor purification depended upon the unique stability properties of the inhibitor under denaturing conditions.
Posterior cruciate ligamentreconstruction: tibial inlay technique

Abstract Controversy regarding whether to reconstruct posterior cruciate ligament (PCL)-deficient knees and if so, how best to accomplish this task, continues. The PCL originates on the medial femoral condyle as 2 separate bundles and inserts on the posterior tibia below the joint line. Its key function is to prevent posterior translation of the leg in flexion. Diagnosis is best confirmed with history (blow to anterior tibia), physical examination (posterior drawer test), and imaging (stress radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging). Associated posterolateral injuries must be recognized (external rotation asymmetry). Nonoperative management has been associated with late patellofemoral and medial femoral condylar arthrosis. When operative intervention is elected, we prefer the tibial inlay technique to avoid problems associated with the killer turn seen with standard arthroscopic techniques. The tibial inlay procedure is described and illustrated in this article. Postoperative management (early prone motion), complications, and preliminary results are also discussed. We are encouraged with our early results with this technique and hope to report these in the peer-reviewed literature in the near future.
Accuracy of maximum-likelihood estimates of correlation for a biserial model

Tables are given for the calculation of variances of maximum-likelihood estimates in a multiple biserial model. For the estimates of individual correlations between the dichotomized variable and each of the graduated variables additional calculation is necessary; variances for estimates of the multiple correlation and the point of dichotomy are available directly. The required formulas and notation are those of a recent paper by Hannan and Tate.
How to Make Reminiscence Movies: A Project-Based Gerontology Course

One key to successful gerontological education lies in teaching students to integrate information from diverse academic disciplines into practical contexts. This article describes a project-based course within which students learn to integrate theories by working with older adult partners to make reminiscence movies based on an important event or theme in older adults' lives. Six elements of the course are described: understanding reminiscence theory, practicing interview skills, mastering filmmaking technology, understanding ethical issues, working with older adult partners, and analyzing the filmmaking experience within existing theory, research, and practice.
Preclinical Studies of a New Generation Retroviral Vector for Ovarian Cancer BRCA1 Gene Therapy

Abstract Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the preclinical stability, toxicity, and efficacy of a second-generation complement-resistant retroviral BRCA1 vector, MFG-BRCA1, for ovarian cancer gene therapy. Methods. MFG-BRCA1 was packaged in human 293 renal cells and manufactured and tested under cGMP conditions and is allowed for use in humans by the Food and Drug Administration. Vector stability studies were performed in mice and human serum by PCR analysis. Toxicity in the animals was assessed at necropsy, evaluating for histological signs of inflammation and organ damage. Tissue culture efficacy studies were performed on ovarian and breast cancer cells. Animal efficacy studies were conducted in female nu/nu mice. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cells and tumors were allowed to grow for 4 weeks. Mice were treated intraperitoneally with MFG-BRCA1 or control vectors. Survival of animals was compared in the MFG-BRCA1 versus the control groups. Results. MFG-BRCA1 was more stable in human serum than LXSN-BRCA1sv. Toxicity as demonstrated by an inflammatory peritonitis was minimal. Significantly fewer clones were obtained using the MFG-BRCA1 versus the MFG vector alone in both cell lines. Efficacy studies in animals of MFG-BRCA1 demonstrated a near threefold increase in survival over control vector and twofold increase compared to the first generation LXSN-BRCA1sv vector. Conclusion. The reengineered complement-resistant MFG-BRCA1 retroviral vector is more effective and more stable than the previous generation LXSN-BRCA1sv vector.
Stability of silver nanoparticles for sensor applications

The stability of silver nanoparticles on indium tin oxide coated glass substrates under atmospheric condition was investigated. These nanoparticles were fabricated using electron beam lithography. Energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis revealed a high concentration of sulfur in the silver nanoparticles exposed to laboratory air for 12 weeks at room temperature. Morphological changes in the silver nanoparticles were also observed for nanoparticles stored under the same conditions. In contrast, silver nanoparticles kept in vacuum did not show chemical or morphological changes after 12 weeks. The present work clearly shows the need to consider ambient exposure when using Ag nanoparticles for sensors.
Optical propagation and vibrational energy loss in gaseous waveguide lasers

It is observed that the condition for minimum optical attenuation in a dielectric waveguide laser simultaneously maximizes long range vibrational energy transfer from the upper laser level molecules to the waveguide wall. It is suggested that a specifically chosen thin coating on the waveguide wall could increase gain by both decreasing deactivation of the upper laser level and increasing deactivation of the lower laser level. These ideas are applied to the CO 2 laser.
Synthesis of 2-carboxy-4-methylazetidine. A novel isomeric analog of dl-proline

L-Azetidine-2-carboxylic acid is a naturally occurring azetidine currently used in the synthesis of abnormally high molecular weight polypeptides. The synthesis of 2-carboxy-4-methylazetidine is now reported which is a novel isomeric analog of dl-proline. Reaction of α,β-dibromo carbonyl ester with three molar equivalents of benzylamine yields 1-benzyl-2-carbomethoxy-4-methyl-azetidine. Hydrolysis of the latter compound with barium hydroxide yields 1-benzyl-2-carboxyl-4-methylazetidine which, if subjected to catalytic hydrogenation., yields the title compound in practical yield. The cis configuration is tentatively assigned to the title compound on the basis of previously published arguments.
Indication for emergent gastric bypass in a patient with severe idiopathic intracranial hypertension: case report and review of the literature.

Flavia C. Soto, M.D., Priscila Antozzi, M.D., Samuel Szomstein, M.D., F.A.C.S., Ming Young Cho, M.D., Nathan Zundel, M.D., F.A.C.S., Eduardo Locatelli, M.D., Raul J. Rosenthal, M.D., F.A.C.S. The Bariatric Institute, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, Florida Department of Internal Medicine, Cleveland Clinic Florida, Weston, Florida Manuscript received May 5, 2005; revised June 24, 2005; accepted June 28, 2005 Surgery for Obesity and Related Diseases 1 (2005) 503–505
Too much information--the ethics of self-disclosure.

When a physician encounters a young patient newly diagnosed with a medical condition similar to her own, she finds herself caught: Should she disclose to the patient that the chasm between them isn't so vast? Where should boundaries between doctor and patient be drawn?
Serum thromboxane generation by platelets in calves and adult cows

Baseline values for platelet numbers and thromboxane A2 generation during clotting were established in three age groups of cattle. In phase I when a small number of animals (n=9−11 per group) were sampled mean platelet numbers were significantly lower in adult cows (322.2 ± 21.3 × 109/l) compared to yearling heifers and newborn calves (479.4 ± 31.1 and 529.0 ± 58.1 × 109/l, respectively). Thromboxane A2 generation, as reflected by the concentration of its stable metabolite thromboxane B2 (TxB2), was not significantly different among groups after 1 h of clotting. However, mean serum TxB2 concentrations after 2 h of clotting were significantly higher in yearling heifers and calves compared to adult cows, suggesting that the time of maximal ex vivo generation of thromboxane may be affected by the age of the animal. No linear correlation between platelet number of TxB2 production was detected. These initial data indicated that platelet numbers may be greater and TxB2 production per unit number of platelets following 1 or 2 h of clotting lower in bull calves than in heifer calves, yearling heifers and cows. Sampling of a larger number of young calves (10 heifers, 11 bulls) in phase II, however, failed to confirm an effect of sex on platelet numbers. The data suggest that age and sex have little overall effect on platelet number or ex vivo generations of thromboxane after 1 h of clotting. Therefore, measurement of serum thromboxane concentrations after clotting is a useful and relatively non-invasive method in cattle of assessing arachidonic acid metabolism in platelets and possibly the effects of drugs which modulate this process.
Simultaneous rayleigh-quotient minimization methods for Ax=λBx

Abstract New simultaneous iteration techniques are developed for solving the generalized eigenproblem Ax=λBx , where A and B are real symmetric matrices and B is positive definite. The approach is to minimize the generalized Rayleigh quotient in some sense over several independent vectors simultaneously. In particular, each new vector iterate is formed from a linear combination of current iterates and correction vectors that are derived from either gradient or conjugate-gradient techniques. A Ritz projection or simultaneous iteration process is used to accelerate convergence. For one of the gradient versions, convergence and asymptotic rates of convergence are established. Also, some numerical experiments are reported that demonstrate the convergence behavior of these methods.
The rotational order–disorder structure of the reversibly photoswitchable red fluorescent protein rsTagRFP

The rotational order–disorder (OD) structure of the reversibly photoswitchable fluorescent protein rsTagRFP is discussed in detail. The structure is composed of tetramers of 222 symmetry incorporated into the lattice in two different orientations rotated 90° with respect to each other around the crystal c axis and with tetramer axes coinciding with the crystallographic twofold axes. The random distribution of alternatively oriented tetramers in the crystal creates the rotational OD structure with statistically averaged I422 symmetry. Despite order–disorder pathology, the structure of rsTagRFP has electron-density maps of good quality for both non-overlapping and overlapping parts of the model. The crystal contacts, crystal internal architecture and a possible mechanism of rotational OD crystal formation are discussed.
Systematic estimation of food intakes from food frequency data

To convert food frequency data to food intake figures expressed in grams per day, one needs serving size information specific for that food and subject. A computer-aided procedure is described that adjusts serving size data for age, sex, body size, activity level, pregnancy and lactation.
Seasonal Variability and Estuary–Shelf Interactions in Circulation Dynamics of a River-dominated Estuary

The long-term response of circulation processes to external forcing has been quantified for the Columbia River estuary using in situ data from an existing coastal observatory. Circulation patterns were determined from four Acoustic Doppler Profilers (ADP) and several conductivity–temperature sensors placed in the two main channels. Because of the very strong river discharge, baroclinic processes play a crucial role in the circulation dynamics, and the interaction of the tidal and subtidal baroclinic pressure gradients plays a major role in structuring the velocity field. The input of river flow and the resulting low-frequency flow dynamics in the two channels are quite distinct. Current and salinity data were analyzed on two time scales—subtidal (or residual) and tidal (both diurnal and semidiurnal components). The residual currents in both channels usually showed a classical two-layer baroclinic circulation system with inflow at the bottom and outflow near the surface. However, this two-layer system is transient and breaks down under strong discharge and tidal conditions because of enhanced vertical mixing. Influence of shelf winds on estuarine processes was also observed via the interactions with upwelling and downwelling processes and coastal plume transport. The transient nature of residual inflow affects the long-term transport characteristics of the estuary. Effects of vertical mixing could also be seen at the tidal time scale. Tidal velocities were separated into their diurnal and semidiurnal components using continuous wavelet transforms to account for the nonstationary nature of velocity amplitudes. The vertical structure of velocity amplitudes were considerably altered by baroclinic gradients. This was particularly true for the diurnal components, where tidal asymmetry led to stronger tidal velocities near the bottom.
Effects of Therapeutic Pentobarbital Coma on Multimodality Evoked Potentials Recorded from Severely Head-injured Patients

We sought to determine whether pentobarbital (PB) coma compromises the use of evoked potentials (EPs) in the assessment of brain dysfunction and of the prognosis of severely head-injured patients. Therefore, the effects of therapeutic PB on somatosensory (SEPs, BSEPs), visual (VEPs), and auditory (BAEPs) evoked potentials recorded from 20 patients early after injury were analyzed. Seventeen head-injured patients served as controls. EP studies were obtained shortly after admission (Mean Day 2, PB present) and approximately 2 weeks after injury (Mean Day 15, PB absent). The mean serum level of PB in the treatment group was 1.9 mg/100 ml. The drug effect was assessed by comparisons between the PB and the control groups. Statistical analyses were based on differences observed between two studies in the same patient. Analyses of covariance (F tests) were performed on data from all modalities. Wave form complexity was minimally affected by the drug. Middle and long latency components of the SEP were depressed by PB, and latencies of BSEP peaks and the early components of the SEP were delayed. The amplitude of some VEP peaks was reduced by PB. The BAEP was not significantly altered. All of the observed effects of PB were determined to be due to the hypothermia exhibited by PB-treated patients (mean temperature, 36.1 degrees C), which was not seen in the control group (mean, 37.8 degrees C). It is concluded that, with appropriate interpretation, EPs can be used to monitor brain function in head-injured patients when PB therapy is used.
The Feedback Environment Scale: Construct Definition, Measurement, and Validation:

Managers are increasingly being held accountable for providing resources that support employee development, particularly in the form of feedback and coaching. To support managers as trainers and coaches, organizations must provide managers with the tools they need to succeed in this area. This article presents a new tool to assist in the diagnosis and training of managers in the area of feedback and coaching: the Feedback Environment Scale. This article also discusses the theoretically based definition of this new construct and the development and validation evidence for the scale that measures this construct. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the a priori measurement model, and assessment of relationships proposed in a preliminary nomological network provide initial support for the construct validity of the scale. Results also show evidence for the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and discriminant validity of the facet scores of the Feedback Environment Scale.
Implications for Organizing an Appropriate Language Program

Propositions pour faciliter le developpement du langage dans le cadre scolaire a partir du principe que le langage entoure et ajoute de la signification a chaque activite
An educational intervention for stroke rehabilitation patients and their families: healthy living after stroke.

The education of stroke patients and their families on prevention of recurrent stroke is a rehabilitation challenge. The principal objective of this article is to share a process for creating a stroke education program that improves patient and caregiver knowledge of secondary prevention, stroke signs and symptoms, modifiable risk factors, and maintenance of functional independence. During stroke recovery, patient education is a continuous journey. The education program needs to take into consideration the individual’s readiness to learn, unique learning styles, and timing of sessions. In our educational program, Healthy Living After Stroke, we used the stroke team to develop different venues of learning.
Defining Competitive Sets of Hotel Brands Through Analysis of Customer Brand Switching

Identification of a lodging brand's competitive set is a necessary prerequisite to the formulation of effective marketing strategies. The authors use analytical techniques established in empirical studies of consumer packaged goods markets to analyze market share and brand switching. They show, for the first time, that competitive sets of hotel brands can be characterized in terms of consumer characteristics such as usage context and level, post-purchase satisfaction and demographic measures. The implications of the results for the formulation of marketing strategy are discussed.
A regularized stochastic decomposition algorithm for two-stage stochastic linear programs

In this paper a regularized stochastic decomposition algorithm with master programs of finite size is described for solving two-stage stochastic linear programming problems with recourse. In a deterministic setting cut dropping schemes in decomposition based algorithms have been used routinely. However, when only estimates of the objective function are available such schemes can only be properly justified if convergence results are not sacrificed. It is shown that almost surely every accumulation point in an identified subsequence of iterates produced by the algorithm, which includes a cut dropping scheme, is an optimal solution. The results are obtained by including a quadratic proximal term in the master program. In addition to the cut dropping scheme, other enhancements to the existing methodology are described. These include (i) a new updating rule for the retained cuts and (ii) an adaptive rule to determine when additional reestimation of the cut associated with the current solution is needed. The algorithm is tested on problems from the literature assuming both descrete and continuous random variables.
Effects of bonding types and functional groups on CO2 capture using novel multiphase systems of liquid-like nanoparticle organic hybrid materials

This publication was based on work supported by Award No. KUS-C1-018-02, made by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).
pH effects on cardiac function and systemic vascular resistance in preterm infants.

Objective To investigate the effect of pH on cardiac function and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) in preterm infants. Study design In this prospective observational study, we evaluated hemodynamically stable, ≤30 weeks' gestation preterm infants during the first 2 postnatal weeks. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography at the time of arterial blood draw for clinically indicated blood gas analysis. Data were separately analyzed for the transitional (days 1-3) and post-transitional (days 4-14) periods. Results We evaluated 147 pairs of arterial blood gases and echocardiograms in 29 preterm neonates (gestational age=26.2 ± 1.5 weeks). Arterial pH ranged from 7.02-7.46. There was no linear relationship between pH and shortening fraction or stress-velocity index in transitional or post-transitional periods. We found a weak negative linear relationship between pH and left ventricular output and a positive linear relationship between pH and SVR only during the post-transitional period. These relationships were maintained after adjustment for the degree of base deficit. Arterial CO 2 had effects similar to pH on myocardial function. Conclusions Unlike adults, myocardial contractility remains relatively unaffected by acidosis even at pH values close to 7.00 in hemodynamically stable preterm neonates during the first 2 postnatal weeks. However, as in adults, worsening acidosis in preterm neonates after the immediate transitional period is associated with a decrease in SVR along with an increase in left ventricular output. Thus, although myocardial contractility remains unaffected in preterm neonates during the first 2 postnatal weeks, the vascular response to acidosis undergoes a relatively rapid postnatal maturational process.
Functional interaction of Purα with the Cdk2 moiety of cyclin A/Cdk2 ☆

Abstract Purα is a sequence-specific single-stranded nucleic acid-binding protein and a member of the highly conserved Pur family. Purα has been shown to colocalize with cyclin A/Cdk2 and to coimmunoprecipitate with cyclin A during S-phase. Here we show that this interaction is mediated by a specific affinity of Purα for Cdk2. In pull-down assays GST-Purα efficiently binds Cdk2 and Cdk1, binds Cdk4 less efficiently, and does not display binding to Cdk6. Purα stimulates several-fold the phosphorylation in vitro of histone H1 by cyclin A/Cdk2, produced from baculovirus constructs. Double chromatin immunoprecipitation using antibodies to Cdk2 and Purα reveals that both proteins colocalize in HeLa cells to DNA segments upstream of the c-MYC gene. Pur family member Purγ colocalizes with Cdk2 to a specific DNA segment in this region.
p53-Reactivating small molecules induce apoptosis and enhance chemotherapeutic cytotoxicity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

We evaluate whether p53-reactivating (p53RA) small molecules induce p53-dependent apoptosis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a question that has not been previously addressed in head and neck cancer. PRIMA-1, CP-31398, RITA, and nutlin-3 were tested in four human HNSCC cell lines differing in TP53 status. Cell growth, viability, cell cycle progression, and apoptosis after treatment with p53RA small molecules individually or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents were assessed. Prominent p53 reactivation was observed in mutant TP53-bearing tumor cell lines treated with PRIMA-1 or CP-31398, and in wild-type TP53-bearing cell lines treated with nutlin-3. Cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis induced by p53RA small molecules were associated with upregulation of p21 and BAX, and cleavage of caspase-3. Nutlin-3 showed maximal growth suppression in tumor cells showing MDM2-dependent p53 degradation. High-dose treatment with p53RA small molecules also induced apoptosis in cell lines independent of p53 or MDM2 expression. In combination therapy, p53RA small molecules enhanced the anti-tumor activity of cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, paclitaxel, and erlotinib against HNSCC cells. The p53RA small molecules effectively restored p53 tumor-suppressive function in HNSCCs with mutant or wild-type TP53. The p53RA agents may be clinically useful against HNSCC, in combination with chemotherapeutic drugs.
If you had my brain, where would I be? Children's understanding of the brain and identity.

When do children distinguish a person's subjective identity from their outward bodily characteristics? As adults this distinction is evident in our commonsense recognition that a hypothetical brain transplant would entail a transplant of the mind or self. 4 studies were conducted to examine children's judgments about hypothetical body part transplants, including transplants of the brain, heart, mouth, and face. The results showed that during the elementary school years children are acquiring a firm understanding of the brain as the primary locus of psychological attributes and identity. The early school years, between the ages of 5 and 7 years, appeared to be a transitional phase, with performance being variable and subject to task conditions. While children this age readily imagined the consequences of transplants between themselves and another character of categorically different status (i.e., a pig or baby), they had great difficulty with proposed transplants between themselves and another child of the same status. Knowledge about categorical differences appeared to provide a needed framework for children's budding thinking about psychological differences.
Using absorption spectroscopy to determine the ionization fraction of copper in an ionized physical vapor deposition discharge

Summary form only given. Accompanying the steady increase in the number of components on a given integrated circuit is the increase in the aspect ratio of the features associated with such components. Conventional physical vapor deposition techniques are not suitable to fill such high aspect ratio trenches and vias. Ionized physical vapor deposition (IPVD) offers a promising alternative to traditional physical vapor deposition techniques. Maturation of this technique is important for continued advances in microelectronics technology. This technique entails allowing metal vapor introduced via a sputter source to diffuse through a high density, secondary plasma. The metal ions formed as they pass through the secondary plasma are collected anisotropically under the influence of the electric field present in the sheath of the biased substrate. An important parameter characterizing ionized physical vapor deposition systems is the ionization fraction of the metal vapor. The variations in the copper ionization fraction in a Cu/Ar IPVD plasma has been measured using absorption spectroscopy. The ionization fraction is inferred by determining the changes in the copper neutral concentration at fixed magnetron sputter powers as a function of RF power at 10, 20, 30 and 40 mTorr. It is observed that for a range of RF powers, the maximum ionization fraction occurs at the condition of highest pressure. The effect of antenna sputtering for antennas made of material identical to the magnetron sputter target was also investigated. It was found that significant antenna sputtering can reduce the total copper ionization fraction.
Optical rotatory dispersion and absolute configuration—V. : The absolute configuration of natural plasmalogen

PLAWALOGENS are a group of aldehydogenic substances widely distributed in nature in both the animal and plant kingdom. 4 Their chemical structure is that of a cl thus specific rotations of [aIn -8~6”s” and +6*25”@’ are recorded for I-alkenyl-3-glycerylphosphorylethanolamine, and -7*85”s6 and “less than 2°“2b for I-alkenyl-3glycerylphosphorylcholine. No optical rotations have been reported either for the l-alkenyl(III) or for the I-alkyl-glycerols (II) obtained by hydrolysis and hydrogenation of plasmalogens.
Biochemical characterization of an L-Xylulose reductase from Neurospora crassa.

An l-xylulose reductase identified from the genome sequence of the filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli as a His6 tag fusion protein, purified, and characterized. The enzyme may be used in the production of xylitol from the major pentose components of hemicellulosic waste, d-xylose and l-arabinose.
Shiftwork and Prostate-Specific Antigen in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Background Shiftwork has been implicated as a risk factor for prostate cancer. Results from prior studies have been mixed but generally support an association between circadian disruption and prostate cancer. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between shiftwork and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test obtained as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) study. Methods We combined three NHANES surveys (2005-2010) to obtain current work schedule among employed men aged 40 to 65 years with no prior history of cancer (except nonmelanoma skin cancer). Men who reported working regular night shifts or rotating shifts were considered shiftworkers. We obtained the total and percentage free PSA test results for these men and dichotomized total PSA into less than 4.0 ng/mL or 4.0 ng/mL or greater and total PSA of 4.0 ng/mL or greater combined with percentage free PSA less than or equal to 25%. Using multivariable logistic regression models, we compared PSA level among current shiftworkers and nonshiftworkers. All statistical tests were two-sided. Results We found a statistically significant, age-adjusted association between current shiftwork and elevated PSA at the 4.0 ng/mL or greater level (odds ratio = 2.48, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.08 to 5.70; P = .03). The confounderadjusted odds ratio was 2.62 (95% CI = 1.16 to 5.95; P = .02). The confounder-adjusted odds ratio for those with total PSA of 4.0 ng/mL or greater and free PSA less than or equal to 25% was 3.13 (95% CI = 1.38 to 7.09; P = .01). Conclusions We observed a strong positive association with shiftwork and elevated PSA level. Our data support the notion that sleep or circadian disruption is associated with elevated PSA, indicating that shiftworking men likely have an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. Â© The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
Foreign Direct Investment and Economic Growth: New Evidence from Post-Socialist Transition Countries

In this article, we revisit classic sociological debates regarding the growth effects of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). First, we identify a series of theoretical and empirical issues that halted sociological research on the developmental consequences of FDI. Second, we illustrate that post-socialist transition (PST) provides a historically novel opportunity to reinvigorate the debate. These countries experienced rapid industrialization but nearly zero FDI under socialism, and we can therefore observe changes in output as FDI accumulates in real time and effectively control for alternative sources of underdevelopment that might otherwise become conflated with FDI. We then estimate growth models that correct for biases owing to country- and period-specific heterogeneity and endogeneity in the FDI→ growth link. Our results suggest that FDI penetration reduces economic growth in the short and long term, and are robust to alternative choices of measurement and econometric specification. We conclude by implicating these findings in debates about post-socialist transition and economic growth, and by posing questions for future research.
Parallel Boundary Element Solutions of Block Circulant Linear Systems for Acoustic Radiation Problems With Rotationally Symmetric Boundary Surfaces

We propose a distributed parallel algorithm for the solution of block circulant linear systems arising from acoustic radiation problems with rotationally symmetric boundary surfaces. When large structural acoustics problems are solved using a coupling finite element/boundary element formulation, the most time consuming part of the analysis is the solution of the linear system of equations for the boundary element computation. In general, the problem is solved frequency by frequency, and the coefficient matrix for the boundary element analysis is fully populated and exhibits no exploitable structure. This typically limits the number of acoustic degrees of freedom to 10–20 thousand. Because acoustic boundary element calculations require approximately six elements per wavelength to produce accurate solutions, the formation is limited to relatively low frequencies. However, when the outer surface of the structure is rotationally symmetric, the system of linear equations becomes block circulant. Building upon a known inversion formula for block circulant matrices, a parallel algorithm for the efficient solution of linear systems arising from acoustic radiation problems with rotationally symmetric boundary surfaces is developed. We show through a runtime, speedup, and efficiency analysis that the reductions in computation time are significant for an increasing number of processors.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Maternal concern, social support, and health-related quality of life across childhood

Mothers play a critical role in child and family health yet little is known about the concerns and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of mothers beyond early childhood. The purpose of this study of 234 mothers of children up to 18 years of age was to examine relationships among maternal concern, social support, and HRQOL. Mothers reported a low level of concern, but concern was a significant predictor of HRQOL. The health burden for mothers was demonstrated primarily in the mental health components of HRQOL. The effect of social support was minimal and limited to the mental health domain of HRQOL. Results suggest regular assessment of maternal concerns and mental health coupled with education regarding coping strategies to support HRQOL for all mothers. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 34:297–309, 2011
Fully automated protein complex prediction based on topological similarity and community structure

To understand the function of protein complexes and their association with biological processes, a lot of studies have been done towards analyzing the protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. However, the advancement in high-throughput technology has resulted in a humongous amount of data for analysis. Moreover, high level of noise, sparseness, and skewness in degree distribution of PPI networks limits the performance of many clustering algorithms and further analysis of their interactions. In addressing and solving these problems we present a novel random walk based algorithm that converts the incomplete and binary PPI network into a protein-protein topological similarity matrix (PP-TS matrix). We believe that if two proteins share some high-order topological similarities they are likely to be interacting with each other. Using the obtained PP-TS matrix, we constructed and used weighted networks to further study and analyze the interaction among proteins. Specifically, we applied a fully automated community structure finding algorithm (Auto-HQcut) on the obtained weighted network to cluster protein complexes. We then analyzed the protein complexes for significance in biological processes. To help visualize and analyze these protein complexes we also developed an interface that displays the resulting complexes as well as the characteristics associated with each complex. Applying our approach to a yeast protein-protein interaction network, we found that the predicted protein-protein interaction pairs with high topological similarities have more significant biological relevance than the original protein-protein interactions pairs. When we compared our PPI network reconstruction algorithm with other existing algorithms using gene ontology and gene co-expression, our algorithm produced the highest similarity scores. Also, our predicted protein complexes showed higher accuracy measure compared to the other protein complex predictions.
Educating Managers to Create Healthy Workplaces.

This article provides management educators with a comprehensive, research-based set of concepts they can use to enrich students’ understanding of how to create healthy workplaces. To assist with th...
High and low density complimentary MIM capacitors fabricated simultaneously in advanced RFCMOS and BiCMOS technologies

Two MIM capacitors with capacitance density of 11 and 0.48 fF/um2 were fabricated simultaneously using IBM-s 0.13 um SiGe 8 WL BiCMOS process. Results from DC parametric measurement indicate that these two capacitors compliment each other extremely well.
Therapeutic Effect of Zafirlukast as Monotherapy in Steroid-Naive Patients With Severe Persistent Asthma

Study objectives We evaluated the efficacy of the leukotriene receptor antagonist zafirlukast (Accolate ® ), 20 mg twice daily, as monotherapy in patients with severe persistent asthma (defined by an FEV 1 Design Data were analyzed from a subgroup of 261 steroid-naive patients (zafirlukast, n = 149; placebo, n = 112) from four randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 13-week trials with similar experimental designs, entry criteria, and clinical assessments. Patients These patients were mostly men (57%) older than 30 years (56%) with pulmonary obstruction, ie , FEV 1 /FVC ratio 1 after inhaled bronchodilator use. Results At end point, patients who received zafirlukast monotherapy had significant (p 1 , morning and evening peak expiratory flow (PEF), daytime asthma symptoms, nighttime awakenings, and β 2 -agonist use. A stratified analysis based on the FEV 1 /FVC ratio showed an interaction between treatment and the amount of airflow obstruction for nighttime awakenings and mornings with asthma. Moreover, 37% of patients in both treatment groups had PEF variability ≥ 20% (an indirect measure of airway inflammation). Zafirlukast patients with PEF variability≥ 20% had increases from baseline in the morning and evening PEF of approximately 40 and 11 L/min, respectively. For patients who take zafirlukast and who have a PEF variability of Conclusion Patients with severe persistent asthma who received zafirlukast as monotherapy had clinically significant improvements across all efficacy measures compared with placebo and significant reductions in PEF variability.
Explaining the distribution of breeding and dispersal syndromes in conifers

The evolution of plants exhibiting different sexes, or dioecy, is correlated with a number of ecological and life-history traits such as woody growth form and animal-dispersed seeds, but the underlying causes of these associations are unclear. Previous work in seed plants has suggested that the evolution of fleshy cones or seeds may favour dioecy. In this study, we use a well-sampled molecular phylogeny of conifers to show that although dioecy and fleshiness strongly co-occur at the species level, this relationship has not resulted from numerous separate origins of this trait combination or from differential rates of diversification. Instead, we suggest that two character combinations—the ancestral dry-monoecious condition and the derived fleshy-dioecious condition—have persisted in conifers longer than other combinations over evolutionary time. The persistence of these trait combinations appears to reflect differences in the rate of successful transition into and out of these character states over time, as well as the geographical restriction of species with rare combinations and their consequent vulnerability to extinction. In general, we argue that such persistence explanations should be considered alongside ‘key innovation’ hypotheses in explaining the phylogenetic distribution of traits.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor I Is Essential for Postnatal Growth in Response to Growth Hormone

Insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) is essential for cell growth and intrauterine development while both IGF-I and GH are required for postnatal growth. To explore the possibility of direct GH action on body growth, independent of IGF-I production, we have studied the effects of GH in an IGF-I-deficient mouse line created by the Cre/loxP system. The IGF-I null mice are born with 35% growth retardation and show delayed onset of peripubertal growth, grow significantly slower, and do not attain puberty. Their adult body weight was approximately one third and body length about two thirds that of their wild-type litter mates. Injection of recombinant human GH (rhGH, 3 mg/kg, twice daily, sc) between postnatal day 14 (P14) to P56 failed to stimulate their growth as measured as both body weight and length. In contrast, wild-type mice receiving the same doses of rhGH exhibited accelerated growth starting at P21 that continued until P56, when their body weight was increased by 30% and length by 12% compared with control mice treated with diluent. Despite the lack of response in growth, IGF-I null mice have normal levels of GH receptor expression in the liver and increased liver Jun B expression and liver size in response to rhGH treatment. Our results support an essential role for IGF-I in GH-induced postnatal body growth in mice. (Endocrinology 140: 5178 ‐5184, 1999)
The Vibrio cholerae quorum-sensing autoinducer CAI-1: analysis of the biosynthetic enzyme CqsA

Vibrio cholerae, the bacterium that causes the disease cholera, controls virulence factor production and biofilm development in response to two extracellular quorum-sensing molecules, called autoinducers. The strongest autoinducer, called CAI-1 (for cholera autoinducer-1), was previously identified as (S)-3-hydroxytridecan-4-one. Biosynthesis of CAI-1 requires the enzyme CqsA. Here, we determine the CqsA reaction mechanism, identify the CqsA substrates as (S)-2-aminobutyrate and decanoyl coenzyme A, and demonstrate that the product of the reaction is 3-aminotridecan-4-one, dubbed amino-CAI-1. CqsA produces amino-CAI-1 by a pyridoxal phosphate-dependent acyl-CoA transferase reaction. Amino-CAI-1 is converted to CAI-1 in a subsequent step via a CqsA-independent mechanism. Consistent with this, we find cells release > or =100 times more CAI-1 than amino-CAI-1. Nonetheless, V. cholerae responds to amino-CAI-1 as well as CAI-1, whereas other CAI-1 variants do not elicit a quorum-sensing response. Thus, both CAI-1 and amino-CAI-1 have potential as lead molecules in the development of an anticholera treatment.
A Comparison of Choice Experiments and Actual Grocery Store Behavior: An Empirical Application to Seafood Products

In this paper we compare results from an in-store field experiment and a mail survey choice experiment (CE) to investigate CE’s capacity in predicting grocery store market share. For the comparison, we used three seafood products: freshwater prawns, marine shrimp, and lobster. CE estimates were obtained via four econometric models: the conditional logit, the random parameter logit, the heteroskedastic extreme value, and the multinomial probit. We found that the level of control in the grocery store experiment and the choice of econometric model influenced the capacity of CE to predict grocery store market shares.
Ground bounce in digital VLSI circuits

This paper is concerned with the analysis and optimization of the ground bounce in digital CMOS circuits. First, an analytical method for calculating the ground bounce is presented. The proposed method relies on accurate models of the short-channel MOS device and the chip-package interface parasitics. Next the effect of ground bounce on the propagation delay and the optimum tapering factor of a multistage buffer is discussed and a mathematical relationship for total propagation delay in the presence of the ground bounce is obtained. Effect of an on-chip decoupling capacitor on the ground bounce waveform and circuit speed is analyzed next and a closed form expression for the peak value of the differential-mode component of the ground bounce in terms of the on-chip decoupling capacitor is provided. Finally, a design methodology for controlling the switching times of the output drivers to minimize the ground bounce is presented.