cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Properties of Atomically Thin WSe 2 Grown Via Metal-Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition

Two-dimensional tungsten diselenide (WSe2) is of interest for the next-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices due to its bandgap of 1.65 eV and also its excellent transport properties. However, technologies based on 2D WSe2 cannot be realized without a scalable synthesis process. The first part of this chapter focuses on the scalable synthesis for large-area, mono, and few-layer WSe2 via metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) using tungsten hexacarbonyl (W(CO)6) and dimethylselenium ((CH3)2Se). In addition to the excellent scalability of production, this technique allows for the precise control of vapor-phase chemistry, which is not obtainable though the physical vapor reaction using powder precursors. Growth parameters such as temperature, pressure, Se to W ratio, and selection of the substrates for the growth play important roles on the resultant structure. With optimized conditions, domain size >8 μm is yielded.
Comparative effectiveness analysis of Medicare dialysis facility survey processes

Background To assure and improve the quality and safety of care provided by dialysis facilities, federal oversight has been conducted through periodic survey assessment. However, with the growing number of individuals living with ESRD and dialysis facilities, state survey agencies have faced challenges in time and resources to complete survey activities. Therefore, the survey process ('Basic Survey' used prior to 2013) was redesigned in order to develop a more efficient process ('Core Survey' newly implemented since 2013). The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate and compare dialysis facility survey outcomes between the Core and Basic Survey processes, using a causal inference technique. The survey outcomes included condition-level citations, total citations (condition- and standard-level), and citation rate per survey-hour. Methods For comparisons of non-randomly assigned survey types, propensity score matching was used. Data were drawn from CMS' Quality Improvement Evaluation System (QIES) database from January 1, 2013 through July 31, 2014. Covariates available included survey type, facility characteristics (state, urban, practices catheter reuse, dialysis modalities offered, number of patients, mortality, hospitalization, infection) and survey-related characteristics (number of surveyors, time since last survey). Results Compared to the Basic Survey, the Core Survey identified 10% more total citations (P = 0.001) and identified condition-level citations more frequently, although the latter finding did not reach statistical significance. These findings suggest an increase of 10% in citation rate (i.e. ratio between citations and survey time) with the Core survey process (P = 0.002). Conclusions Greater efficiency has implications for attenuating the time-intensive burden of the state survey process, and improving the safety and quality of care provided by dialysis facilities.
Practical open science: tools and techniques for improving the reproducibility and transparency of your research

Science progresses through critical evaluation of underlying evidence and independent replication of results. However, most research findings are disseminated without access to supporting raw data, and findings are not routinely replicated. Furthermore, undisclosed flexibility in data analysis, such as incomplete reporting, unclear exclusion criteria, and optional stopping rules allow for presenting exploratory research findings using the tools of confirmatory hypothesis testing. These questionable research practices make results more publishable, though it comes at the expense of their credibility and future replicability. The Center for Open Science builds tools and encourages practices that incentivizes work that is not only good for the scientist, but also good for science. These include open source platforms to organize research, archive results, preregister analyses, and disseminate findings. This poster presents an overview of those practices and gives practical advice for researchers who want to increase the rigor of their practices.
Development of a carbon-11 PET radiotracer for imaging TRPC5 in the brain.

The transient receptor potential channel subfamily member 5 (TRPC5) is a calcium permeable cation channel widely expressed in the brain. Accumulating evidence indicates that it plays a crucial role in psychiatric disorders including depression and anxiety. Positron emission tomography (PET) combined with a TRPC5 specific radioligand may provide a unique tool to investigate the functions of TRPC5 in animal disease models to guide drug development targeting TRPC5. To develop a TRPC5 PET radiotracer, the potent TRPC5 inhibitor HC608 was chosen for C-11 radiosynthesis through the N-demethyl amide precursor 7 reacting with [11C]methyl iodide. Under optimized conditions, [11C]HC608 was achieved with good radiochemical yield (25 ± 5%), high chemical and radiochemical purity (>99%), and high specific activity (204–377 GBq μmol−1, decay corrected to the end of bombardment, EOB). The in vitro autoradiography study revealed that [11C]HC608 specifically binds to TRPC5. Moreover, initial in vivo evaluation of [11C]HC608 performed in rodents and the microPET study in the brain of non-human primates further demonstrated that [11C]HC608 was able to penetrate the blood brain barrier and sufficiently accumulate in the brain. These results suggest that [11C]HC608 has the potential to be a PET tracer for imaging TRPC5 in vivo.
QCD evolution of the orbital angular momentum of quarks and gluons: Genuine twist-three part

Abstract We present the numerical solution of the one-loop QCD evolution equation for the genuine twist-three part of the orbital angular momentum (OAM) distributions of quarks and gluons inside a longitudinally polarized nucleon. This is based on the observation that the evolution is identical to that of the Efremov-Teryaev-Qiu-Sterman function for transverse single spin asymmetry. Together with the known evolution of the Wandzura-Wilczek part, the one-loop evolution of OAM distributions is now practically under control. We also study, for the first time, the scale dependence of the potential angular momentum defined as the difference between the Ji and Jaffe-Manohar definitions of OAM.
Gender and representative bureaucracy: A qualitative look at opportunities and barriers for women in local emergency management agencies

Abstract Through the frame of representative bureaucracy, this study examines the experiences of women working in local emergency management agencies. The objective of the chapter is to explore the opportunities and barriers that female emergency managers encounter as employees of these agencies. A nationwide survey collected data on perceptions of representation and discretion, as well as work/life balance, career progression, and discrimination/harassment. Presented here are the qualitative analyses for career progression and discrimination/harassment. Highlighted are the systemic organizational barriers that contribute to limited career progression and the pervasiveness of discrimination and harassment in local emergency management agencies. In addition, structural obstacles and opportunities for change are discussed. Lastly, the author examines cultural shifts in the reporting of sexual misconduct since the study has taken place, prompted by the revolutionary #MeToo movement.
Enhancing Computer Students’ Academic Performance through Predictive Modelling - A Proactive Approach

Through the application of ICT for predictive analytics, proactive strategies can be implemented to improve the quality of education for a country’s development. The study demonstrates the process of predictive modelling of students’ academic performance with a view of identifying strategies that can manage performance drivers. Machine learning algorithms such as Decision trees, Regression and Neural Networks were used in the research for prediction modelling. The results showed that students’ performance can be modelled and predicted with reasonable accuracy that can inform strategies for improving performance. In order to improve the approach, the study recommends scaling the approach to make use of other algorithms, ICT tools, other degree programmes and incorporate other institutions.
The Imaginary Worlds of Cure Proportion Modeling: Survivorship and Reference Case Pricing of Transformative Therapies

On August 6, 2019 the Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) released a set of proposed adaptations to its value assessment framework methods where the intervention under review was considered a ‘single or short-term transformative therapy’ (SST). These adaptations are intended to ‘complement and build upon the upcoming update to the overall ICER assessment framework…’. The purpose of this commentary is to review the proposed cure proportion modeling reference case framework for assessing the value of SSTs together with ICER’s ‘recommendations for fair value-based pricing …’. Following previous commentaries on the ICER value assessment framework, the question raised is whether the proposed cure proportion modeling standards meet those of normal science: is the modeling proposed capable of generating value claims for the intervention that are credible, evaluable and replicable? The proposed standards for transformative therapies do not change the underlying commitment to reference case modeling. At the same time, the cure proportion modeling proposed adaptations have to be seen in the context of the concerns expressed by ICER that their reference case model can be used to justify substantial one-off SST pricing. This follows from the ICER incremental cost per QALY willingness to pay thresholds where the SST QALY gains are sufficient, at even a $50,000 QALY cut-off, to support SST pricing in the millions of dollars. ICER has two options: (i) abandon the imaginary reference case methodology, which is the ICER core business model and would represent an ironic reversal, or (ii) attempt to bolt-on adaptations, possibly incorporating revised survivorship profiles using cure proportion modeling, that supports a modified imaginary reference case ‘rescue’ model for SSTs designed specifically to generate pricing recommendations that may be considered affordable. Article Type: Commentary
Radar Cross Section Reduction of A Foldable Microstrip Patch Array

The Radar Cross Section (RCS) reduction of a foldable microstrip patch array is studied in this work. The proposed array is initially designed with a novel hinge that allows the array to fold approximately 3600. By replacing the ground plane with an appropriately designed Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) an RCS reduction of 10 dB, for both TE and TM polarizations, is achieved in the band where the FSS acts as a passband filter.
Review of Diverse Types of Fault, Their Impacts, and Their Solutions in Smart Grid

For effective operation of grid systems, it is important to understand the major types of power grid failures and the benefits of available renewable energy resources in the system during fault conditions. This paper surveys different types of faults that may occur in the power system, the underlying fault management approaches, offers diverse fault detection and localization techniques used for smart grid systems. Additionally, the impact of renewable energy resources on the stability of the system in the event of power failure is explored. The smart grid model in this paper investigates using Matlab/Simulink to determine the time needed to detect a power failure in the system, and to locate the faulty line by monitoring currents and voltages in the system. Presence of renewable energy resources and storage systems in the smart grid were found to play important roles in improving the reliability of the system.
Cosmopolitanism, Necessary Changes to World Institutions

It is clear from what has been described in the Introduction that human history has taken a terribly wrong turn. The future is more uncertain than ever. In what follows cosmopolitan changes are set forth to put our future and the future of the earth’s biosphere back on the right track.
Controlled Solvent Removal from Antiviral Drugs and Excipients in Solution Enables the Formation of Novel Combination Multi-Drug-Motifs in Pharmaceutical Powders Composed of Lopinavir, Ritonavir and Tenofovir.

Abstract Diverging physicochemical properties of HIV drug combinations are challenging to formulate as a single dosage form. We have found that 2-to-4 hydrophilic and hydrophobic HIV drugs in combination can be stabilized with lipid excipients under a controlled solvent removal process to form a novel pharmaceutical powder distinct from typical amorphous material. This discovery has enabled production of a drug combination nanoparticle (DcNP) powder composed of 3 HIV drugs—water-insoluble lopinavir (LogP = 4.7) and ritonavir (LogP = 5.6) and water-soluble tenofovir (LogP = −1.6). DcNP powder, exhibiting repeating units of multi-drug-motifs (referred to as MDM), is made by dissolving all constituents in ethanolic solution, followed by controlled solvent removal. The DcNP powder intersperses chemically diverse drug molecules with lipid excipients to form repeating MDM units. The proposed MDM structure is consistent with data collected with X-ray diffraction, differential calorimetry, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. The successful assembly of chemically diverse drugs in MDM structure is likely due to a novel process of making drug combination powders. The method described here has successfully extended to formulating other clinically prescribed antiviral drug combinations, and thus may serve as a platform technology for developing drug combination nanoparticles for treating a wide range of chronic diseases.
Simulating hydrological connectivity and water age within a coastal deltaic floodplain of the Mississippi River Delta

Abstract Located at the mouth of large rivers, coastal deltaic floodplains are important ecosystems for trapping sediment and removing excess nitrogen introduced to the river through agricultural and urban runoff. Hydrological connectivity (the percent of river channel water interacting with floodplain wetlands), water age (the time elapsed since water entered the system via the main river channel) and water temperature have strong impacts on the biogeochemical processes controlling the fate of sediment and nutrients at continental margins. A Delft3D hydrodynamic model was used to explore the role of river and tide forcings, hydrogeomorphology, and vegetation roughness on hydrological connectivity, water age, and water temperature of a young, prograding river delta in coastal Louisiana, Wax Lake Delta. Across a simulation period of January to June 2015, an average of 39.9% of river flow entered the delta floodplains and water within the floodplains had an average water age of 0.8 days. In winter and spring, floodplain zones with higher sediment surface elevations (supratidal hydrogeomorphic zones) were characterized by increased water age and warmer water temperatures compared to subtidal floodplains and channels. Our experimental models indicate that the presence of wetland vegetation decreases hydrological connectivity by preventing flow of water into deltaic floodplain, but increases water age by retaining water within the floodplains. Despite small amplitudes (~30 cm), tides create hourly exchange between channels and floodplains, which decreases water age in floodplains, but has little impact on average connectivity. Our results emphasize the role of both hydrological forcings (river and tides) and ecosystem features (vegetation and sediment surface elevation) in regulating channel-floodplain interactions in deltaic systems. Evaluated against field data, which is often difficult to collect at high spatial and temporal frequency in floodplains, this model performs well, highlighting the utility of numerical models in capturing landscape-scale hydrodynamics.
Large-Stroke Capacitive MEMS Accelerometer Without Pull-In

In this study, the feasibility of obtaining electrical read-out data from a capacitive MEMS accelerometer that employs repulsive electrode configuration is demonstrated. This configuration allows for large-stroke vibrations of microstructures without suffering from pull-in failure that exists in conventional accelerometers based on the parallel-plate configuration. With initial fabrication gap of $2.75 \mu {m}$ , the accelerometer can reach a $4.2 \mu {m}$ dynamical displacement amplitude. The accelerometer is tested up to $95 ({V})$ without exhibiting pull-in failure. For comparison, the pull-in voltage of an accelerometer with same dimensions but with conventional parallel-plate electrode configuration is $\textit {0.8} ({V})$ . The MEMS device is fabricated using the POLYMUMPs fabrication standard. An electrical circuit is built to measure the capacitance change due to motion of the accelerometer proof-mass. The accelerometer has a mechanical sensitivity of $35 \frac {\textit {nm}}{g}$ and electrical sensitivity of $5.3 \frac {\textit {mV}}{g}$ . The ability to use large bias voltages without the typical adverse effects on the stability of the moving electrode will enable the design of capacitive MEMS accelerometers with enhanced resolution and tunable frequency range.
Oscillatory interstitial fluid pressure and velocity in a solid tumor with partial surface fluid leakage.

Abstract This work investigates the interstitial fluid flow characteristics in a solid tumor with partial fluid leakage at the tumor surface subjected to oscillatory microvascular pressure. Solutions of the pore fluid pressure and velocity in a spherical tumor are obtained using the poroelasticity theory for small strains. It is found that partial fluid leakage at the tumor surface reduces the pore pressure drop and decreases the fluid velocity near the surface compared with those in a tumor with a fully leaking surface. Both the pore pressure and the fluid velocity decrease dramatically with an increase in the vascular frequency. The pore pressure at a vascular frequency of 1 Hz is two orders of magnitude smaller than the amplitude of the vascular pressure, and the fluid velocity at the same frequency is one order of magnitude smaller than that produced by the steady constant vascular pressure. The pore pressure amplitude may reach that of the vascular pressure under the steady state vascular pressure condition.
Serotonin Syndrome/Serotonin Toxicity.

Objective This review of serotonin syndrome or serotonin toxicity covers the years 2014 to 2019, including information on pathophysiology, etiology, and diagnosis, 3 criteria for diagnosing serotonin syndrome, and criteria for neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Importance The review highlights the potential lethal combinations of commonly prescribed medications used to treat both veteran and nonveteran patients and includes the latest information on offending medications. Conclusions Prevention of serotonin toxicity includes informed clinicians, patient education, careful prescribing and monitoring, and avoidance of multidrug regimens.
DRAGoM: Classification and Quantification of Noncoding RNA in Metagenomic Data

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) play important regulatory and functional roles in microorganisms, such as regulation of gene expression, signaling, protein synthesis, and RNA processing. Hence, their classification and quantification are central tasks toward the understanding of the function of the microbial community. However, the majority of the current metagenomic sequencing technologies generate short reads, which may contain only a partial secondary structure that complicates ncRNA homology detection. Meanwhile, de novo assembly of the metagenomic sequencing data remains challenging for complex communities. To tackle these challenges, we developed a novel algorithm called DRAGoM (Detection of RNA using Assembly Graph from Metagenomic data). DRAGoM first constructs a hybrid graph by merging an assembly string graph and an assembly de Bruijn graph. Then, it classifies paths in the hybrid graph and their constituent readsinto differentncRNA families based on both sequence and structural homology. Our benchmark experiments show that DRAGoMcan improve the performance and robustness over traditional approaches on the classification and quantification of a wide class of ncRNA families.
Aortic arch anomalies, embryology and their relevance in neuro-interventional surgery and stroke: A review.

BackgroundCongenital aortic arch anomalies are commonly encountered during neurointerventional procedures. While some anomalies are identified at an early age, many are incidentally discovered late...
How polygamy became queer

Colonial Natal occupies a curious place in Africanist scholarship, and in broader studies of empire. On one hand, scholars have highlighted colonial Natal as the birthplace of policies of segregati...
MRI evaluation of the knee with non-ferromagnetic external fixators: cadaveric knee model

The advent of MRI-compatible external fixation devices has made the use of MRI possible in patients who have been treated with external fixation. However, although there have been multiple studies determining the safety of MRI scans with external fixator devices, there are no studies determining the artifact effect these devices can have on the MRI image. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the effect of two popular brands (Stryker and Synthes) of MRI-compatible external fixators on the diagnostic capacity of a knee MRI. We hypothesize that (1) MRI images would have higher noise due to the presence of an external fixator and (2) images of high diagnostic capacity will be obtainable in the presence of each external fixator spanning the knee. Using seven cadaveric knees, a study was performed to analyze MRI images taken in the presence each external fixator. Scans taken with no external fixator present served as controls. Signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) were measured at five anatomic structures. These structures were compared as a quantitative measure of image quality. A qualitative analysis was also performed using a five-point grading scale to assess the influence of metal artifact on the quality of the images. Each scan was graded by three blinded musculoskeletal radiologists focusing on six key anatomic structures. A reduction in SNR was identified on the external fixator group compare to the control groups at the patella tendon, MM and PCL. Qualitative scoring by three expert radiologists showed no difference in ability to identify the six key anatomic landmarks between the Stryker, Synthes and control images. Although the presence of external fixation devices does increase the noise artifact in MRI scans, patients treated with these external fixators can undergo MRI of local structures with high likelihood of obtaining diagnostic quality images.
Optimization of strength and ductility in nanotwinned ultra-fine grained Ag: Twin density and grain orientations

Abstract Nanotwinned ultrafine grained Ag thick films with different twin densities and orientations have been synthesized by magnetron sputtering with a wide-range of deposition rates. The twin boundary (TB) spacings and orientations as well as the grain size for the different deposition conditions have been characterized by both synchrotron X-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Structural characterization combined with uniaxial tensile tests of the free-standing films reveals a large increase in the yield strength for films deposited at high deposition rates without any accompanying change in the TB spacing – a behavior that is not reported in the literature. We find that films deposited at lower deposition rates exhibit more randomly oriented grains with a lower overall twin density (averaged over all the grains) than the more heavily twinned grains with strong 〈1 1 1〉 fiber texture in the films deposited at higher deposition rates. The TB spacing in the twinned grains, however, does not show any significant dependence on the deposition rate. The dependence of the strength and ductility on the twin density and orientations can be described by two different soft deformation modes: (1) untwinned grains and (2) nanowinned grains that are not oriented with 〈1 1 1〉 along the growth direction. The untwinned grains provide relatively low resistance to slip, and thus decreased strength, while the nanotwinned grains that are not oriented with 〈1 1 1〉 along the growth direction are softer than nanotwinned grains that are oriented with 〈1 1 1〉 along the growth direction. We have revealed that an ultrafine-grained (150–200 nm) structure consisting of a mixture of nanotwinned (∼8–12 nm spacing) and untwined grains yields the best combination of high strength and uniform tensile ductility.
Purification and properties of the egg plasma membrane.

Publisher Summary The chapter focuses on the preparation of plasma membranes from unfertilized and fertilized eggs that are low in contamination by other organelles and that, in vesicle form, are amenable to biochemical analysis. The chapter describes the details of these methods and presents some of the ways that these membrane preparations can be used. The preparation of plasma membranes from unfertilized eggs is greatly facilitated by the fact that large sheets of plasma membranes with associated cortical vesicles (cell surface complex) can be isolated quickly and in good yield. The cortical vesicles can then be released from the plasma membrane sheets, which are then purified by differential and density gradient centrifugation. This method yields sheets of plasma membrane that retain many vitelline layer components including the sperm receptors. The egg plasma membranes including morphology, enzymatic activity of the egg plasma membrane, and protein composition are characterized. The methods presented in the chapter allow the preparation of useful quantities of plasma membranes from the sea urchin egg. These membranes exhibit enzyme activities and at least some of the transport properties that are characteristic of other eukaryotic plasma membranes. These preparations are routinely used to study fertilization-dependent changes in tyrosine protein kinase activity and they should be useful for other enzymes as well.
Microwave surfing: yard work [Agricultural machinery]

In the early 1970s, researchers at Phytox Corporation of College Station were looking for an environmentally friendly solution to the weed problem. They built a prototype machine with microwave radiator that is bulky and expensive to construct. Recently, a machine with similar concept is under development in the Department of Agriculture at University of Podova, Italy. This article presents an overview of this machine for controlling weeds
Use of the departure enhanced planning and runway/taxiway assignment system (DEPARTS) for optimal departure scheduling at busy airports

The DEPARTS research project has developed a laboratory simulation model to develop and evaluate optimization models that can be used in future surface traffic management systems. Operational benefits of different modeling approaches can be evaluated over several days of simulated operation using desired performance metrics. Research also shows a significant benefit in improving the current accuracy of push-back time estimates. The objective of DEPARTS research is to develop computer algorithms that could be incorporated into future surface traffic management systems, and to build a research tool that can be used to simulate different surface traffic management operational concepts in the laboratory.
An integrated scheme for address assignment and service location in pervasive environments

We propose an efficient scheme called CoReS (Configuration and Registration Scheme) that integrates address assignment and service location for ad hoc networks prevalent in pervasive computing environments. CoReS exploits node heterogeneity such that more capable and stable nodes serve others. CoReS allocates addresses to individual nodes locally, but employs global allocation states to handle network merge situations. In addition, CoReS exploits the positive features of distributed directory services to perform service location in a centralized manner resulting in minimal communication overheads. We analyze the characteristics of CoReS architecture, evaluate its performance and compare with other schemes. Through the evaluation and comparison, we demonstrate that the integrated CoReS system exhibits high efficiency and cross-layer optimization.
Specificity of Neurons and their Interconnections

The sections in this article are: 1 The Individuality of Nerve Cells and the Precision of Connections 1.1 Invertebrates 1.2 Vertebrates 2 Genetic Approaches to Connectivity and Nerve Function 2.1 Development Without Experience 2.2 Precision of Connectivity in Genetically Identical Organisms 2.3 Mutant Analysis 3 Experimental Analysis of the Specification of Connections 3.1 Examples of Nonspecific Synapse Formation 3.2 Specificity of Neuromuscular Connectivity in Vertebrates 3.3 Specification of Properties of Neuromuscular Connections and Their Regeneration in Invertebrates 3.4 Specificity of Regeneration of Sensory Nerves to Peripheral Structures 3.5 Specificity of Regeneration of Retinotectal Connections in Lower Vertebrates 4 Plasticity in Connectivity; Critical Periods 4.1 Effects of Visual Deprivation 4.2 Critical Period 4.3 Evidence for Competition Between Lateral Geniculate Neurons 4.4 Role of Experience in Development 4.5 Function of the Critical Period 4.6 Xenopus Ipsilateral Projection 4.7 Theoretical Need for Coherence of Activity 4.8 Morphological Correlates of Deprivation and Plasticity 5 Chemoaffinity and the Specificity of Neural Development and Regeneration 5.1 Gradients and Developmental Timing 5.2 Tissue Culture Approaches 5.3 Electron-microscopic Reconstruction of Development and Glial Guidance 5.4 Chemical Interactions Governing Differentiation 5.5 Cell-specific Macromolecules and Selective Adhesion 6 Summary
Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 colonization ameliorates human rotavirus diarrhea and modulates B cell responses in a neonatal gnotobiotic pig disease model (VIR7P.1064)

Microbiota regulate gut immune homeostasis, but the role of gram positive (G+)/negative (G-) commensals/probiotics in modulating human rotavirus (HRV) diarrhea and immunity is largely undefined. Gnotobiotic (Gn) piglets, the only animal model susceptible to HRV diarrhea, were colonized with G- Escherichia coli Nissle 1917 (EcN), G+ Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG (LGG) or LGG+EcN and challenged with virulent HRV (VirHRV) to assess probiotic effects on HRV pathogenesis and immunity. EcN+VirHRV piglets had significantly lower mean peak virus shedding titers and significantly reduced mean cumulative fecal scores and duration of diarrhea compared to LGG+VirHRV or control (uncolonized)+VirHRV piglets. LGG+VirHRV pigs had lower, but statistically similar fecal scores compared to control+VirHRV pigs. Combining LGG+EcN did not moderate VirHRV shedding or diarrhea more than EcN alone. Coinciding with reduced HRV infection, EcN+VirHRV piglets had significantly lower small intestinal (SI) HRV IgA antibody titers and HRV IgA and IgG antibody secreting cells (SC) compared to control+VirHRV piglets. Though not significantly different, SI HRV IgA antibody titers were 2-4-fold lower in the LGG+EcN+VirHRV and LGG+VirHRV piglets. Notably EcN+VirHRV piglets had higher SI total IgA levels and IgA SC compared to LGG+VirHRV piglets. Our results indicate that EcN alone was more effective than LGG or LGG+EcN in ameliorating HRV diarrhea and modulating B cell responses in a Gn piglet disease model.
Measurements of reactor-relevant electromagnetic effects with the FELIX facility

In predicting the electromagnetic consequences of a plasma disruption in a tokamak reactor design, a two-dimensional electromagnetic model of the first wall, blanket, and shield (FWBS) system is typically used. The response to a decaying plasma current is then found to be dominated by a single eddy-current mode, with a single L/R time. Recent experiments with the Fusion ELectromagnetic Induction eXperiment (FELIX) facility at Argonne National Laboratory suggest that such modeling can be used to design against electromagnetic forces and torques, but only if a range of values is used for both tau, the plasma decay time, and tau/sub 0/, the L/R time of the FWBS system.
Purification and reversible inactivation of the isocitrate dehydrogenase from an obligate halophile.

Purification and reversible inactivation of isocitrate dehydrogenase /ICDH/ of Halobacterium cutirubrums, overcoming difficulties in purifying halophilic enzymes
VLSI manufacturing in Japan and the United States

Very-large-scale integration (VLSI) manufacturing techniques in Japan are compared with those in the United States. Factory design, employment practices, random vs. causal yield fluctuations, process control and productivity, and computer integrated manufacturing (CIM) systems are discussed. >
MHC1 A Model of Primary Care Treatment of Major Depressive Disorder

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is one of the most prevalent mental disorders in the US with social costs up-wards of $43 billion. The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research has disseminated diagnosis and management guidelines for MDD in primary care. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to develop a simulation model to evaluate clinical and economic consequences of following AHCPR treatment recommendations. A secondary objective was to create a tool that could be used by health plan decision-makers to assess the value of alternative treatments for MDD. METHODS: A discrete state simulation model was developed to evaluate primary care management of adults with MDD following the AHCPR guidelines. The perspective of the model was that of the health plan; the time horizon was 1 year from the initiation of pharmacotherapy. Uncertainty was evaluated using Monte Carlo simulation techniques. Endpoints included clinical remission, hospitalization for MDD, or psychiatric referral for treatment failure. Efficacy and safety data were drawn from published randomized, nonrandomized, and synthesized studies, and cost data were derived from modal reimbursement rates from a large managed care organization in Washington state. RESULTS: The results of the base case simulation demonstrated that initial treatment of MDD with serotonin reuptake inhibitors provided better clinical outcomes at similar costs when compared to tricyclic antidepressants. CONCLUSION: Simulation models of treatment guidelines are an important and useful extension of outcomes research because they can simultaneously account for costs and effectiveness not otherwise available from a single published study. Further, models such as this can prove useful to health plan decision-makers interested in the ex ante evaluations of individual antidepresant agents for formulary decisions.
Impact of micropapillary urothelial carcinoma variant histology on survival after radical cystectomy.

Abstract Objectives The role of micropapillary urothelial carcinoma (MUC) variant histology as an independent prognostic factor for survival after radical cystectomy has not been studied. Our aim was to examine the impact of MUC on survival. Materials and methods A retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from the University of Southern California (USC) Bladder Cancer Database was performed. Between 1985 and 2008, 1,380 patients underwent radical cystectomy and superextended pelvic lymph node dissection for bladder cancer. All surgical specimens underwent central pathologic review by dedicated genitourinary pathologists. Histologic type was categorized as urothelial carcinoma (UC; n = 1,347) or MUC (n = 33). The outcomes were overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS). The Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional regression models were used to analyze survival data. Results The median follow-up duration was 10 years (range, 0–25 years). Baseline characteristics were similar between histologic types except MUC was associated with advanced clinical (cTanyN1–3: 2% vs. 9%, P = 0.03) and pathologic (pTanyN1–3: 22% vs. 46%, P = 0.01) TNM stage, multifocality (38% vs. 58%, P = 0.02), and high nuclear grade (83% vs. 97%, P = 0.03). The predicted 5-year OS (61% and 67%, Log rank P = 0.96) and RFS (69% and 58%, Log rank P = 0.33) rates did not differ between patients with UC and MUC. Multivariable analysis showed that histologic type was not independently associated with OS (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.55–1.49, P = 0.70) or RFS (HR 0.97, 95% CI 0.55–1.73, P = 0.92). Conclusions Outcomes of radical cystectomy for patients with MUC are similar to those with UC when controlling for other clinical and pathologic factors.
An Investigation Into the Association Between Liver Damage and Metastatic Uveal Melanoma

We examined the effect of liver damage induced by carbon tetrachloride on the incidence of hepatic metastasis in the Greene hamster melanoma. Nine of 17 animals with liver damage had melanoma growth in the liver after the intraportal vein injection of tumor cells, whereas tumor growth occurred in four of 27 control animals (P
Achilles tendons from decorin- and biglycan-null mouse models have inferior mechanical and structural properties predicted by an image-based empirical damage model

Achilles tendons are a common source of pain and injury, and their pathology may originate from aberrant structure function relationships. Small leucine rich proteoglycans (SLRPs) influence mechanical and structural properties in a tendon-specific manner. However, their roles in the Achilles tendon have not been defined. The objective of this study was to evaluate the mechanical and structural differences observed in mouse Achilles tendons lacking class I SLRPs; either decorin or biglycan. In addition, empirical modeling techniques based on mechanical and image-based measures were employed. Achilles tendons from decorin-null (Dcn−/−) and biglycan-null (Bgn−/−) C57BL/6 female mice (N=102) were used. Each tendon underwent a dynamic mechanical testing protocol including simultaneous polarized light image capture to evaluate both structural and mechanical properties of each Achilles tendon. An empirical damage model was adapted for application to genetic variation and for use with image based structural properties to predict tendon dynamic mechanical properties. We found that Achilles tendons lacking decorin and biglycan had inferior mechanical and structural properties that were age dependent; and that simple empirical models, based on previously described damage models, were predictive of Achilles tendon dynamic modulus in both decorin- and biglycan-null mice.
Statistical description of slope‐dependent soil transport and the diffusion‐like coefficient

[1] For hillslopes undergoing “diffusive” soil transport, it is often assumed that the soil flux is proportional to the local land-surface gradient, where the coefficient of proportionality is like a diffusion coefficient. Inasmuch as transport involves quasi-random soil particle motions related to biomechanical mixing and similar dilational processes, a slope-dependent relation arises from a balance between particle fluxes that tend to loft a soil and gravitational settling of particles into available pore space. A specialized form of the Fokker-Planck equation adapted to such particle motions clarifies how the particle flux involves advective and diffusive parts. This in turn contributes to a kinematic description of the diffusion-like coefficient. Ingredients of this coefficient include an active soil thickness, a characteristic particle size, the porosity in excess of a consolidated porosity, and the rate of particle activation as a function of depth. These last two ingredients, vertical porosity structure and activation rate, in effect characterize the magnitude and frequency of settling particle motions related to biological activity and thereby set the rate constant of the transport process. The significance of land-surface slope is that it is a measure of the downslope component of slope-normal lofting that is balanced by settling. Because the diffusion-like coefficient contains the soil thickness, the analysis suggests that the soil flux is proportional to the “depth-slope” product. The analysis is consistent with published profiles of soil creep displacement and with published estimates of soil flux obtained by downslope integration of soil production rates for hillslopes in California and Australia.
Activation of the metallothionein-I gene promoter in response to cadmium and USF in vitro

To elucidate the molecular mechanism of metallothionein (MT) gene activation in response to various inducers, we constructed a G-less mouse MT-I promoter and transcribed in HeLa nuclear extract. The MT-I gene was transcribed efficiently in this extract and initiation of transcription occurred at the correct site (+1). Transcription of the MT-I gene was stimulated three- to fivefold in the nuclear extract from the cadmium-treated cells relative to the extract from the untreated cells. The MT-I promoter was also activated three- to fourfold by recombinant USF1, a helix-loop-helix-leucine zipper DNA binding transcription factor that recognizes the major late transcription factor (MLTF) binding site on the MT-I promoter. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the activation of MT-I promoter in vitro by a toxic metal and by the transcription factor USF.
Short-term forgetting of item and order information.

Short-term retention of four or five consonants presented in a variety of temporal patterns was tested at delays ranging from 6 to 30 seconds. The use of rehearsal and other control processes was reduced through instructions to forget the presented consonants and through emphasis upon a simultaneous task requiring detection of tones in white noise. Forgetting was shown to take place over time, with an instantaneous rate dependent upon the number of consonants present in short-term store at that moment. Recall of consonants in incorrect serial positions was increased by increasing the temporal spacing between the consonants, a finding suggesting that position information is retained relationally rather than absolutely (i.e., “time tags”). A quantitative model was fit to the data.
Ultrathin metal films and particles on oxide surfaces: structural, electronic and chemisorptive properties

Abstract Ultrathin metal films on clean and well-defined oxide surfaces have been prepared by several groups using vapor deposition techniques in ultrahigh vacuum, and the structural, electronic and chemisorptive properties of these films have been characterized using a variety of surface science techniques. Those studies will be reviewed here, and trends in these properties will be identified. While films of mid- or late-transition metals can sometimes be grown in a quasi-layer-by-layer fashion at very low temperatures where kinetics prevail, heating these usually leads to thickening into the thermodynamically preferred structure: three-dimensional metal particles that cover only a fraction of the oxide surface. This occurs in two stages: individual island thickening, then Ostwald ripening. The kinetics of growth, nucleation and thickening will be examined. In some cases, this thermodynamic preference can be shifted to favor complete spreading of the metal film by adding gas molecules. This is driven by the higher adsorption energy of the molecule on the metal sites. Early transition metals which have very stable oxides can partially reduce the substrate oxide, and themselves become oxidized. The chemisorption properties of metal overlayers correlate well with their structural and electronic properties. Sites formed by neutral metal adatoms in these films on oxide surfaces often have chemisorption properties resembling that of some bulk metal crystalline plane. Surprisingly, this is even true for metal islands that are only one atom thick, in which case they resemble a very open or coordinatively unsaturated plane. However, the sites on and in the nearby oxide can alter the final surface chemistry, because adsorbates, especially hydrogen adatoms, can diffuse rapidly from the metal particles to these sites (spillover). While some real advances have already been made, many fundamental questions which are of great importance in oxide-supported metal catalysis and other fields remain to be addressed with this approach.
Sialolithiasis Sonographic Detection of Salivary Duct Stones

Sialolithiasis is a rare condition characterized by the presence of stones within the salivary gland or duct. Salivary duct stones have an incidence of 1% at autopsy, but only 50 in 1,000,000 prese...
Developing the basis for target injection and tracking in inertial fusion energy power plants

Abstract Fueling of a commercial Inertial Fusion Energy (IFE) power plant consists of supplying about 500,000 fusion targets each day. The most challenging type of target in this regard is for laser-driven, direct drive IFE. Spherical capsules with cryogenic DT fuel must be injected into the center of a reaction chamber operating at temperatures as high as 1500 °C and possibly containing as much as 0.5 Torr of xenon fill gas. The DT layer must remain highly symmetric, have a smooth inner ice surface finish, and reach the chamber center at a temperature of about 18.5 K. This target must be positioned at the center of the chamber with a placement accuracy of ±5 mm. The accuracy of alignment of the laser driver beams and the target in its final position must be within ±20 μm. All this must be repeated six times per second. The method proposed to meet these requirements is injecting the targets into the reaction chamber at high speed (∼400 m/s), tracking them, and hitting them on the fly with steerable driver beams. The challenging scientific and technological issues associated with this task are being addressed through a combination of analyses, modeling, materials property measurements, and demonstration tests with representative injection equipment. Measurements of relevant DT properties are planned at Los Alamos National Laboratory. An experimental target injection and tracking system is now being designed to support the development of survivable targets and demonstrate successful injection scenarios. Analyses of target heating are underway. Calculations have shown that the direct drive target must have a highly reflective outer surface to prevent excess heating by thermal radiation. In addition, heating by hot chamber fill gas during injection far outweighs the thermal radiation. It is concluded that the dry-wall, gas-filled reaction chambers must have gas pressures less than previously assumed in order to prevent excessive heating in the current direct drive target designs. An integrated power plant systems study to address this issue has been initiated.