cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Interfacial Layers on the Performance of Cu-In Liquid Phase Sintered Composites as Thermal Interface and Interconnect Materials

In this study, a novel architecture composed of uniformly distributed high melting phase (HMP, e.g. Cu) in a low melting phase (LMP, e.g. In) matrix, which can be produced via liquid phase sintering (LPS), is proposed to produce next generation thermal interface materials (TIMs) and interconnect (IC) materials. The LMP determines the shear compliance of these composites whereas the HMP determines its thermal and electrical conductivities. The volume fraction of In was optimized to produce a Cu-In solder with suitable mechanical, electrical and thermal properties for TIM and IC applications. Since, Cu and In react to form several Cu-In intermetallic compounds (IMCs), which may deteriorate the long-term performance of these solders, interfacial-layers of Au and Al2 O3 were applied on Cu to further improve the performance of the Cu-In solders. The effect of interfacial-layers on the reaction between Cu and In, during sintering at 160°C and during aging at 125°C, was studied and its impact on the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties was evaluated. Au interfacial layer (50∼200nm) quickly reacted with In to form AuIn2 IMC, which acted as a tenacious diffusion-barrier and slowed down the reactions between Cu and In. 8-monolayer thick Al2 O3 did not react with either Cu or In and inhibited reactions between Cu and In. During short-time sintering, the effect of interfacial layer on the thicknesses of IMCs was insignificant to affect the yield strength of the as-sintered composites. However, IMC layer thickened rapidly in the Cu-In composites without an interfacial-layer, which led to a drastic decrease in the volume fraction of unreacted In leading to an increase in the yield strength of the solder. On the other hand, the interfacial-layers effectively suppressed the growth of IMCs during aging and hence the yield strength of such composites increased at slower rates. Since, the IMCs formed at the interface radically affect the contact resistance, significant differences in the thermal and electrical conductivities were recorded for the solders with different interfacial-layers.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Lack of additivity in mass-190 superdeformed bands

We investigate the independent quasiparticle picture for superdeformed nuclei of the mass-190 region, which is expected to lead to additivity in certain physical quantities. Obvious deviations from additivity are found from both experimental data and projected shell model calculations. The cause of the deviation can be decomposed and identified through this model. Our study suggests that the independent quasiparticle picture may not be fully appropriate for this mass region. {copyright} {ital 1998} {ital The American Physical Society}
Hydrodynamic behaviour of a draft tube gas-liquid-solid spouted bed

Abstract Experiments were conducted using various types of solid particles to investigate the hydrodynamic properties of a gas-liquid-solid spouted bed with a draft tube. The hydrodynamic properties under study include flow modes, pressure profile and pressure drop, bubble penetration depth, overall gas holdup, apparent liquid circulation rate and bubble size distribution. Three flow modes were classified: a packed bed mode, a fluidized bed mode and a circulated bed mode. It was found that the friction factor accounting for the friction loss in the bed varies linearly on a logarithmic scale with the Reynolds number defined based on the apparent liquid circulation rate. The bubble penetration depth in the annular region, overall gas holdup and apparent liquid circulation rate increase with an increase in gas or liquid velocity. At high gas flow conditions an optimal solids loading exists which yields a maximum apparent liquid circulation rate. A model was proposed to describe the liquid circulation behaviour in the draft tube three-phas spouted bed. The average bubble size in the draft tube region is higher than that in the annular region for both the dispersed bubble regime and the coalesced bubble regime in the draft tube region.
Double-blind, randomized trial of scheduled use of a novel barrier cream and an oil-containing lotion for protecting the hands of health care workers

Abstract Context: Many health care workers suffer severe hand irritation, with cracking and bleeding, as a consequence of frequent handwashing and glove use. Integumentary breakdown has major implications for nosocomial infection control and promotes the spread of bloodborne viruses. The potential benefits of scheduled use of hand-care agents—lotions or creams—in health care workers has not been established by controlled trial. Objective: To compare the value of an oil-containing lotion with a novel barrier skin cream in health care workers with severe hand irritation. Design: Prospective, randomized, double-blind trial. Setting: University medical center. Participants: Fifty-four health care workers from multiple departments with severe hand irritation, 74% with one or more full-thickness cracks or other integumentary breaks. Main Outcome Measures: Objective and subjective parameters for scaling, cracking, weeping, bleeding, and pain were scored by two blinded investigators weekly for 4 weeks, and the hands of subjects were cultured quantitatively at the onset and after 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Results: Subjects in both groups experienced marked improvement in overall hand condition (each, P P =.006). In 18 (69%) of 26 persons who used the control lotion, all full-thickness integumentary breaks were healed and pain was totally resolved, compared with 14 (52%) of 27 persons who used the barrier cream ( P =.26). Use of the two agents in a scheduled fashion had no effect on the levels or profile of the transient hand flora. However, by the fourth week of use, handwashing frequency was 50% higher in subjects randomized to use the control lotion than it was in subjects randomized to use the barrier cream (17.8 vs 11.7 times per day, P =.04). Conclusion: Use of an oil-containing lotion or a barrier cream on a scheduled basis can substantially protect the hands of vulnerable health care workers against drying and chemical irritation, preventing skin breakdown and promoting more frequent handwashing. (AJIC Am J Infect Control 2000;28:302-10)
Infrared spectroscopy of surface species; instrumental considerations

Abstract The experimental problem of measuring the i.r. spectra of a single surface monolayer is examined and some spectra of stearate films obtained with a specially designed spectrometer are reported.
The three-dimensional global properties of the minflex laurent, generalized leontief, and translog flexible functional forms

Abstract We use the Caves and Christensen procedure to produce the regular regions of three flexible functional forms: generalized Leontief, translog, and Barnett's new minflexLaurent model. We display the regular regions in six cases with three goods using both three-dimensional color graphics and two-dimensional sections. We find that minflex Laurent generally has the largest regular region. In addition, the regular regions of that model are the most stable in shape across the six cases and always expand as real income increases. Consequently that model is especially well suited for use with income-trended time series data.
Enhancing the antiproliferative effect of topoisomerase II inhibitors using a polypeptide inhibitor of c-Myc.

Abstract Topoisomerase II inhibitors are widely used in cancer chemotherapy. However, their use is limited by severe adverse effects to normal tissues, including cardiotoxicity. One approach to reduce the cytotoxicity in normal tissues may be to sensitize cancer cells to the toxicity of these agents, allowing them to be administered in a lower and safer dose. A hallmark of many types of cancer is overexpression of c-Myc, and a molecule which targets c-Myc will affect the cancer cells more significantly than the normal tissues. This report demonstrates that pretreatment of cells with a polypeptide, which inhibits c-Myc transcriptional function causes cells to be more susceptible to the topoisomerase II inhibitors doxorubicin and etoposide. Inhibition of c-Myc and Max dimerization by this polypeptide leads to as much as a 2-fold reduction in the doxorubicin and etoposide IC 50 in three different cell lines tested. Furthermore, the c-Myc inhibitor affects the cell cycle distribution of MCF-7 breast cancer cells by enhancing the G 0 /G 1 accumulation induced by doxorubicin and etoposide. We have shown that this effect is not due to enhanced drug accumulation or inhibited drug efflux. Rather, it is likely due to the transcriptional consequences of c-Myc inhibition, specifically reduction in the levels of the polyamine synthesizing enzyme ornithine decarboxylase. In summary, our results suggest that polypeptides, which inhibit c-Myc transcriptional function, may prove to be a useful tool in combination therapy with topoisomerase II inhibiting drugs.
Growth and Characterization of Iron Nanoparticle Catalysts for Nanomaterial Synthesis

The properties and structure of nanoscale particles can vary widely from their bulk counterparts. In order to use nanoparticles effectively one must first have an understanding of their composition. In this study, Fe nanoparticles were grown on fused quartz substrates using a method that allows for varying particle size and surface coverage by altering the particle deposition time. The resulting particles were analyzed using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in order to understand how nanoparticle composition evolves as a function of deposition time. In addition, atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to correlate the changes in size and surface density of the Fe particles with the changes in the XPS spectra as deposition time was varied. Knowledge gained through this study will be used to optimize the growth of Fe nanoparticles for single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) synthesis.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Collision Course: Ronald Reagan, the Air Traffic Controllers, and the Strike that Changed America. By Joseph A. McCartin. (New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2011. Pp. 375. $29.95.)

Historians have good reason to regard a seminal clash of labor and management three decades ago as a “switching point” in modern American history. In 1981 the Reagan administration fired nearly twe...
Polyoma virus nephropathy with simian virus 40 antigen–containing tubular basement membrane immune complex deposition

Polyoma nephropathy is an increasingly prevalent complication in kidney transplant recipients. We identified tubular basement membrane immune complexes in allograft recipients with polyoma nephropathy. To evaluate this lesion, biopsies demonstrating polyoma infection over a 2-year period were assessed for the presence, localization, and composition of tubular basement membrane immune complexes including simian virus 40 (SV40) antigen and for histologic classification according to Drachenberg. Charts were reviewed for clinical information. Thirteen of 26 biopsies from 11 of 20 patients demonstrated tubular basement membrane immune complexes, all of which contained C3, immunoglobulin G, and SV40 antigen. Deposits were in all nephron segments associated with tubular cell viral infection and tubulointerstitial inflammation; no SV40 antigen was in glomeruli. The Drachenberg histologic classification tended to be more advanced in biopsies with tubular basement membrane immune complexes, but not significantly so. There were no differences in patients with and without immune complexes with respect to age, sex, time after engraftment, and plasma viral load. Tubular basement membrane immune complexes were present in 5 of 6 patients who lost renal function and in 5 of 12 with currently functioning grafts (P < .1). Polyoma-associated tubular basement membrane immune complexes seem to be a local phenomenon, likely related to viral antigen shedding. The clinical significance is uncertain but may portend a worse prognosis.
Trait expectancies and stereotype expectancies have the same effect on person memory

Two studies examined whether trait expectancies and stereotype expectancies similarly affected memory for expectancy-relevant behaviors. The results of both studies showed that, when activated in identical ways, trait expectancies and stereotype expectancies had similar effects on recall. Better recall was obtained for expectancy-incongruent items when expectancies were activated in relatively overt ways, while better recall for expectancy-congruent items was obtained when expectancies were activated in less overt ways. Additional analyses examining the order of events that emerged in the recall protocols provided little evidence that participants attempted to reconcile the items, as would be predicted by some earlier models of person memory (e.g., Srull, 1981). The implications of these findings for how social expectancies guide social information processing are discussed.
Surgical treatment of esophageal achalasia

The last two decades have witnessed an extraordinary evolution in the treatment of esophageal achalasia. Nowadays, laparoscopic Heller myotomy with partial fundoplication is considered in most centers the standard of care, while pneumatic dilatation is mainly reserved for the management of patients unfit for surgery or in case of surgical failure. Recently, the peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has been proposed as a new approach to achalasia.
Defining the implant treatment volume for patients with low risk prostate cancer: does the anterior base need to be treated?

Abstract Purpose: An increased incidence of acute urinary retention has been reported after interstitial prostate radiation therapy when the anterior base of the prostate gland receives 100% of the prescription dose. The frequency of prostate cancer in this location as a function of the pre-treatment prostate specific antigen (PSA), biopsy Gleason score, and 1992 American Joint Commission on Cancer Staging (AJCC) was determined. Methods and Materials: One hundred four men treated at the Brigham and Women's Hospital with radical prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer between 1995–1996 comprised the study population. Prostatectomy specimens were whole mounted and the location of each tumor foci enumerated. Results: Of 269 foci of prostate cancer found in 39 low-risk prostate cancer patients (PSA 1c,2a ), a single focus (0.37%) was noted in the anterior base. Conversely, 20/355 (5.6%) and 18/251 (7.2%) tumor foci were noted in the anterior base in 43 patients with intermediate risk and 24 patients with high-risk disease, respectively. Conclusions: A new definition of the treatment volume excluding the anterior base for low-risk prostate cancer patients may be justified.
Bayesian nonparametric clustering in relational and high dimensional settings with applications in bioinformatics

Recent advances in high throughput methodologies offer researchers the ability to understand complex systems via high dimensional and multi-relational data. One example is the realm of molecular biology where disparate data (such as gene sequence, gene expression, and interaction information) are available for various snapshots of biological systems. This type of high dimensional and multi-relational data allows for unprecedented detailed analysis, but also presents challenges in accounting for all the variability. High dimensional data often has a multitude of underlying relationships, each represented by a separate clustering structure, where the number of structures is typically unknown a priori. To address the challenges faced by traditional clustering methods on high dimensional and multi-relational data, we developed three feature selection and cross-clustering methods: 1) infinite relational model with feature selection (FIRM) which incorporates the rich information of multi-relational data; 2) Bayesian Hierarchical Cross-Clustering (BHCC), a deterministic approximation to Cross Dirichlet Process mixture (CDPM) and to cross-clustering; and 3) randomized approximation (RBHCC), based on a truncated hierarchy. An extension of BHCC, Bayesian Congruence Measuring (BCM), is proposed to measure incongruence between genes and to identify sets of congruent loci with identical evolutionary histories. We adapt our BHCC algorithm to the inference of BCM, where the intended structure of each view (congruent loci) represents consistent evolutionary processes. We consider an application of FIRM on categorizing mRNA and microRNA. The model uses la- tent structures to encode the expression pattern and the gene ontology annotations. We also apply FIRM to recover the categories of ligands and proteins, and to predict unknown drug-target interactions, where latent categorization structure encodes drug-target interaction, chemical compound similarity, and amino acid sequence similarity. BHCC and RBHCC are shown to have improved predictive performance (both in terms of cluster membership and missing value prediction) compared to traditional clustering methods. Our results suggest that these novel approaches to integrating multi-relational information have a promising future in the biological sciences where incorporating data related to varying features is often regarded as a daunting task.
Fine tuning of growth factor signals depends on fibrillin microfibril networks

Growth factors, potent regulators of cell differentiation, tissue morphogenesis, tissue homeostasis, and cellular response to injury, reside in the extracellular matrix. Genetic evidence in humans and mice as well as biochemical data implicate fibrillins and LTBPs in the extracellular control of TGFβ and BMP signaling. Fibrillins and LTBPs form tissue-specific and temporally regulated microfibril networks. In the developing embryo, three fibrillins and four LTBPs contribute molecular heterogeneity to microfibril networks, and provide different templates upon which TGFβ-related growth factors can be positioned. By accommodating this molecular heterogeneity, microfibril architecture can orchestrate a variety of different signals in very specific tissue locations. Human fibrillinopathies display a broad phenotypic spectrum from tall to short stature, from hypermobile joints to joint contractures and stiffness, and from severe to mild or no cardiovascular manifestations. A spectrum of growth factor dysregulation may be caused by differential effects of mutations in fibrillins on microfibril architecture, thus altering appropriate targeting or positioning of growth factors within microfibril networks. Growth factor dysregulation may help to explain the broad phenotypic spectrum of the fibrillinopathies. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 72:37–50, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Function and Reliability of the Orogranulocytic Migratory Rate as a Measure of Oral Health

The phenomenon of leukopedesis in gingival and periodontal tissues was measured by counting the number of orogranulocytes migrating into the mouth during repeated intervals of 30 seconds. Measurements were carried out with a computerized electronic cell grading system and classified as a non-subjective laboratory routine for indexing oral inflammation. For orogranulocytic migratory rate (OMR) readings above 1.2 X 106/30 sec, a minimum of three determinations is required for reliability. Single readings suffice for OMR's below 0.5 X 106/30 sec, which indicates that the system is suitable for mass screening purposes.
Hydrogen-bonding pincer complexes with two protic N-heterocyclic carbenes from direct metalation of a 1,8-bis(imidazol-1-yl)carbazole by platinum, palladium, and nickel.

Pincer protic N-heterocyclic carbene (PNHC) complexes were synthesized by direct metalation, the formation of a metal carbon bond from an unfunctionalized CH bond in a single synthetic step. Significantly, direct metalation succeeded even for a first-row metal, nickel. The chloride complexes were isolated and then converted to the acetate, triflate, or in the platinum case, a hydride analogue. Crystal structures and (1) H, (13) C, and (15) N NMR data, as well as IR spectra, document the effects of intramolecular hydrogen bonding and the planar but flexible pincer framework. Anti-Markovnikov addition of OH bonds to alkynes, including catalyzed alkyne hydration, were demonstrated on the Pt triflate analog.
Allocation policies and cost approximations for multilocation inventory systems

Consider a central depot that supplies several locations experiencing random demands. Periodically, the depot may place an order for exogenous supply. Orders arrive after a fixed leadtime, and are then allocated among the several locations. Each allocation reaches its destination after a further delay. We consider the special case where the penalty-cost/holding-cost ratio is constant over the locations. Several approaches are given to approximate the dynamic program describing the problem. Each approach provides both a near-optimal order policy and an approximation of the optimal cost of the original problem. In addition, simple but effective allocation policies are discussed.
Fracture behavior of electronic ceramics

Abstract This paper reviews the fracture behavior, e.g., the strength, fracture toughness and susceptibility to environmentally enhanced crack growth, in electronic materials such as barium titanate, lead zirconate titanate (PZT), capacitor ceramics, and the new, high temperature superconductors. All of these materials are known to exhibit critical fracture toughness, KIC , which depends on grain size, chemical composition and crystal structure. The microstructure of these electronic ceramics has a direct effect on both their strength and fracture toughness. The paraelectric to ferroelectric phase transformation in barium titanate, PZT, and related ceramics induces internal stresses into the materials which can provide an additional driving force for flaw extension. The magnitude of such stresses calculated from strength data is in good agreement with that predicted by dielectric measurements. Crack-domain interactions in the ferroelectric structure as well as crack deflection, etc. give rise to increased...
Family, Education, and Sources of Wealth Among the Richest Americans, 1982-2012

We examine characteristics of the 400 wealthiest individuals in the U.S. over the past three decades as tabulated by Forbes Magazine, and analyze which theories of increasing inequality are most consistent with these data. The Forbes 400 in recent years did not grow up as advantaged as in decades past. They are more likely to have started their businesses and to have grown up upper-middle class, not wealthy. Today’s Forbes 400 were able to access education while young, and apply their skills to the most scalable industries: technology, finance, and mass retail. Most of the change occurred by 2001.
Genetics of Depression: An Overview of the Current Science

Most psychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder (MDD), are known to involve complex interactions between genetic and environmental influences that impact the development and severity of symptomatology. Health care practitioner competencies have been expanded to include application of genetic knowledge in mental health. Yet this information is difficult to decipher and apply. To assist with these challenges, this article synthesizes recent literature related to the genetics of MDD and illustrates the genetic pathways for major depression.
The Genetic Inheritance of the Blue-eyed White Phenotype in Alpacas (Vicugna pacos)

White-spotting patterns in mammals can be caused by mutations in the gene KIT, whose protein is necessary for the normal migration and survival of melanocytes from the neural crest. The alpaca (Vicugna pacos) blue-eyed white (BEW) phenotype is characterized by 2 blue eyes and a solid white coat over the whole body. Breeders hypothesize that the BEW phenotype in alpacas is caused by the combination of the gene causing gray fleece and a white-spotting gene. We performed an association study using KIT flanking and intragenic markers with 40 unrelated alpacas, of which 17 were BEW. Two microsatellite alleles at KIT-related markers were significantly associated (P < 0.0001) with the BEW phenotype (bew1 and bew2). In a larger cohort of 171 related individuals, we identify an abundance of an allele (bew1) in gray animals and the occurrence of bew2 homozygotes that are solid white with pigmented eyes. Association tests accounting for population structure and familial relatedness are consistent with a proposed model where these alleles are in linkage disequilibrium with a mutation or mutations that contribute to the BEW phenotype and to individual differences in fleece color.
Gdnf signaling pathways within the mammalian spermatogonial stem cell niche

Mammalian spermatogenesis is a complex process in which male germ-line stem cells develop to ultimately form spermatozoa. Spermatogonial stem cells, or SSCs, are found in the basal compartment of the seminiferous epithelium. They self-renew to maintain the pool of stem cells throughout life, or they differentiate to generate a large number of germ cells. A balance between SSC self-renewal and differentiation in the adult testis is therefore essential to maintain normal spermatogenesis and fertility. Maintenance and self-renewal are tightly regulated by extrinsic signals from the surrounding microenvironment, called the spermatogonial stem cell niche. By physically supporting the SSCs and providing them with growth factors, the Sertoli cell is the main component of the niche. In addition, adhesion molecules that connect the SSCs to the basement membrane and cellular components of the interstitium between the seminiferous tubules are important regulators of the niche function. This review mainly focuses on glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (Gdnf), which is produced by Sertoli cells to maintain SSCs self-renewal, and the downstream signaling pathways induced by this crucial growth factor. Interactions between Gdnf and other signaling pathways that maintain self-renewal, as well as the role of novel SSC- and Sertoli cell-specific transcription factors, are also discussed.
Mineralization of Organic Material and Bacterial Dynamics in Mississippi River Plume Water

Net remineralization rates of organic matter and bacterial growth rates were observed in dark-bottle incubation experiments conducted in July–August and February with water samples collected from sites in the Mississippi River plume of the Gulf of Mexico. Our objectives were to measure site-specific degradation rates of labile dissolved and particulate organic matter, quantify the potential importance of bacteria in these processes, and examine the kinetics of degradation over time. Unfiltered samples, and samples treated to remove (or dilute out) particles larger than bacteria, were enclosed in 9-1 bottles and incubated in the dark for 3–5 d. Respiration rates and inorganic compound accumulation rates were higher in summer than in winter and were highest in unfiltered surface samples at sites of intermediate salinities where phytoplankton were most abundant. The ratio of ammonium accumulation to oxygen removal in summer experiments suggested that the mineralized organic material resembled “Redfield” stoichiometry. Chemical fluxes were greater in bottles containing large (>1–3 μm) particles than in the bottles with these particles removed, but bacterial activities were generally similar in both treatments. These results suggest that particle consumers were an important component of total organic matter degradation. However, these experiments may have underestimated natural bacterial degradation rates because the absence of light could affect the production of labile organic substrates by phytoplankton. In agreement, with this hypothesis, bacterial growth rates tended to decrease over time in summer in surface plume waters where phytoplankton were abundant. In conjunction with other data, our results indicate that heterotrophic processes in the water column are spatially and temporally dependent on phytoplankton production.
Oxidation of 7-Dehydrocholesterol and Desmosterol by Human Cytochrome P450 46A1

Cytochrome P450 (P450 or CYP) 46A1 is expressed in brain and has been characterized by its ability to oxidize cholesterol to 24S-hydroxycholesterol. In addition, the same enzyme is known to further oxidize 24S-hydroxycholesterol to the 24,25- and 24,27-dihydroxy products, as well as to catalyze side-chain oxidations of 7α-hydroxycholesterol and cholestanol. As precursors in the biosynthesis of cholesterol, 7-dehydrocholesterol has not been found to be a substrate of P450 46A1 and desmosterol has not been previously tested. However, 24-hydroxy-7-dehydrocholesterol was recently identified in brain tissues, which prompted us to reexamine this enzyme and its potential substrates. Here we report that P450 46A1 oxidizes 7-dehydrocholesterol to 24-hydroxy-7-dehydrocholesterol and 25-hydroxy-7-dehydrocholesterol, as confirmed by LC-MS and GC-MS. Overall, the catalytic rates of formation increased in the order of 24-hydroxy-7-dehydrocholesterol < 24-hydroxycholesterol < 25-hydroxy-7-dehydrocholesterol from their respective precursors, with a ratio of 1:2.5:5. In the case of desmosterol, epoxidation to 24S,25-epoxycholesterol and 27-hydroxylation was observed, at roughly equal rates. The formation of these oxysterols in the brain may be of relevance in Smith-Lemli-Opitz syndrome, desmosterolosis, and other relevant diseases, as well as in signal transduction by lipids.
Preserved Cognition in Patients With Early Alzheimer Disease and Amnestic Mild Cognitive Impairment During Treatment With Rosiglitazone: A Preliminary Study

Objective Insulin resistance (impaired insulin action) has been associated with Alzheimer disease (AD) and memory impairment, independent of AD. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ) agonists improve insulin sensitivity and regulate in-vitro processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP). Authors evaluated the effects of the PPAR-γ agonist rosiglitazone on cognition and plasma levels of the APP derivative β-amyloid (Aβ) in humans. Methods In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, parallel-group pilot study, 30 subjects with mild AD or amnestic mild cognitive impairment were randomized to a 6-month course of rosiglitazone (4 mg daily; N = 20) or placebo (N = 10). Primary endpoints were cognitive performance and plasma Aβ levels. Results Relative to the placebo group, subjects receiving rosiglitazone exhibited better delayed recall (at Months 4 and 6) and selective attention (Month 6). At Month 6, plasma Aβ levels were unchanged from baseline for subjects receiving rosiglitazone but declined for subjects receiving placebo, consistent with recent reports that plasma Aβ42 decreases with progression of AD. Conclusions Findings provide preliminary support that rosiglitazone may offer a novel strategy for the treatment of cognitive decline associated with AD. Future confirmation in a larger study is needed to fully demonstrate rosiglitazone's therapeutic potential.
Export Agriculture and Agrarian Crisis Salvadoran Peasants and the Global Market

Integration of El Salvador's agrarian resources into the global economy has contributed to periodic agrarian crises, including the 1932 massacre of 10,000 peasants and the civil war of the 1980s, in which 75,000 perished. The formation of the state, the emergence of an oligarchy, the role of the military, and the poverty of the peasants are shaped by commercial agricultural production for the global market. Recent neoliberal and “free-trade” policies are a neglected part of this history. Whereas coffee exports dominated the Salvadoran economy throughout much of the twentieth century, emigration of rural people is now the nation's main export, and there are significant problems with remittances as a development strategy. Liberal theory generally fails to recognize that integrating resources of a poor country into the global economy is as much a political project as it is an economic one.
Hydrophobic forces in the foam films stabilized by sodium dodecyl sulfate: effect of electrolyte.

Further studies of the hydrophobic force in foam films were carried out, including the effect of added inorganic electrolyte. We used a thin film balance of Scheludko-Exerowa type to obtain the disjoining pressure isotherms of the foam films stabilized by 10(-4) M sodium dodecyl sulfate in varying concentrations of sodium chloride. The results were compared with the disjoining pressure isotherms predicted from the extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek theory, which considers contributions from hydrophobic force in addition to those from double layer and van der Waals dispersion forces. The double layer forces were calculated from the surface potentials (psi(s)) obtained using the Gibbs adsorption equation and corrected for the counterion. binding effect, while the dispersion forces were calculated using the Hamaker constant (A(232)) of 3.7 x 10(-20) J. The hydrophobic forces were calculated from the equilibrium film thickness as described previously. The predicted disjoining pressure isotherms were in good agreement with the experimental ones. It was found that the hydrophobic force is dampened substantially by the added electrolyte.
Multi-layer fuzzy controller for control of power networks

In this paper, a multilayer fuzzy logic controller (MLFC) is proposed for the stability enhancement of the electric power system making use of a dynamic braking strategy. The proposed controller has two layers. The first layer, termed the supervisory layer, specifies the region of operation of the subcontrollers (SCs) within the second layer, called the execution layer. The outputs of the SCs are then fuzzily combined to achieve the overall objective of the system. The MLFC was found to be very "robust"-insensitive to changes in the network configuration. The scheme was tested on a nine-bus system with three generators and three loads and also on the IEEE four-generator test system. A comparison with a two-level hierarchical controller was made to show the effectiveness of the proposed method. The simulation results obtained support the concept of the multilayer fuzzy-logic-based braking resistor control scheme and that it is also a valuable tool for short-term and long-term stability crisis management.
Infectivity and Pathogenicity of a Novel Baculovirus, CuniNPV from Culex nigripalpus (Diptera: Culicidae) for Thirteen Species and Four Genera of Mosquitoes

The infectivity and pathogenicity of newly discovered baculovirus, CuniNPV (family Baculoviridae, genus Nulclepolyhedrovirus) originally isolated from the mosquito Culex nigripalpus Theobald, was evaluated in laboratory bioassys against thirteen species and four genera of mosquitoes native to the northeastern U.S. PuriÞed virus at a dosage rate of 1.6 10 7 occlusion bodies/ml with 10 mM Mg 2 added was used in exposures with second through fourth instars at temperatures ranging from 17 to 27C. High infection rates and accompanying mortality were achieved in Cx. pipiens L. (83.0 Ð14.4%), Cx. pipiens f. molestus (80.4% infection), and Cx. salinarius Coquillett (48.0 Ð 43.1%). Cx. restuans Theobald was also susceptible but infection rates were lower (21.3Ð12.5%). The gross pathology associated with infection was identical to that reported in Cx. nigripalpus. Infected larvae were lethargic and were often suspended at the water surface. Development of CuiNPV was observed in the nuclei of the midgut epitheial cells in the gastric caeca and posterior region of the stomach of host larvae. One hundred percent mortality was observed in all larvae that exhibited gross symptoms of infection within 4-d p.i.Cx.territans Walker (subgenusNeoculex Dyar) was the onlyCulex mosquito that was not susceptible. No infections were obtained with any species ofAedes (Ae.vexans (Meigen)), Culiseta (Culiseta morsitans (Theobald)) or Ochlerotatus (Ochlerotatus canadensis (Theobald), Oc. cantator (Coquillett), Oc. communis (De Geer), Oc. excrucians (Walker), Oc. japonicus (Theobald), Ochlerotatus stimulans (Walker), and Ochlerotatus triseriatus (Coquillett)). The host range of Cun- iNPV appears to be restricted to Culex mosquitoes within the subgenus Culex. An inhibitory effect on transmission of CuniNPV was observed when a liver powder/BrewerOs yeast mixture was used as a source of food reinforcing the critical role of Mg 2 and sensitivity of the infection process to the presence other divalent cations (Cu 2 ,F e 2 , and Zn 2 ) in the larval medium that interfered with the infection process. The high infectivity and pathogenicity of CuniNPV for the principal vectors of West Nile virus in North America make CuniNPV an attractive candidate for future development as a biopesticide.
3-(4-Chloro-benzene-sulfonamido)-5-methyl-cyclo-hex-2-en-1-one.

For the title compound, C13H14ClNO3S, geometrical parameters, determined using X-ray diffraction techniques, are compared with those calculated by density functional theory (DFT), using hybrid exchange-correlation functional, B3LYP methods. The dihedral angle between the benzene ring and the conjugated part of the cyclo­hexene ring is 87.47 (5)°. The cyclo­hexene ring and its substituents are disordered over two conformations, with occupancies of 0.786 (3) and 0.214 (3). In the crystal, mol­ecules are linked into chains in the c-axis direction by inter­molecular N—H⋯O(C=O) hydrogen bonds. C—H⋯O inter­actions are also observed.
Passive Aggressive Education: Infusing Passive House Principles into the Curriculum

In 2006, recognizing the impact of buildings on global climate, the American Institute of Architects adopted the 2030 Challenge1― an initiative to reduce the building sector’s dependence on fossil fuels and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions. Recent professional training in the building methods of the Passive House concept in the U.S. promises to reduce space-conditioning energy use by 90% compared with conventional buildings. The Passive House method sets target performance criteria that must be met during construction. Education and training for design professionals involve intensive classes on building science principles of envelope construction, thermal comfort, heat gain/loss, ventilation, shading, orientation, and calculations of total primary energy use. Implementing Passive House principles into the curriculum suggests a variety of educational opportunities for enhanced student involvement, engagement and understanding of ways to address the 2030 Challenge. The intent of this paper is not to describe software platforms or passive cooling/heating concepts. This paper describes and explores the workings of courses and examples of faculty-student discourse at 3 institutions (Miami University, North Dakota State University and the University of Oregon) to infuse the curriculum through seminars and design-build studios for a real world community project. The delivery process of curricular innovation reveals several barriers to embedding concepts into the curriculum, but greater dialogue on concepts and principles, construction techniques, energy targets, and the need for collaboration among building professionals (designers, contractors, engineers, and consultants).
Persistence of Helicobacter pylori in Conventionalized Piglets

Gnotobiotic piglets were challenged at 3 days of age with Helicobacter (Campylobacter) pylori and then transferred to conventional housing at 24 days of age. Piglets were sacrificed 43-45, 57-60, and 87-90 days after challenge. H. pylori was recovered from the stomachs of all piglets challenged except for two piglets sacrificed 45 days after challenge. H. pylori was not recovered from uninfected control piglets. In addition to H. pylori, Lactobacillus and Bacillus species were recovered from conventionalized piglets. Serum from infected piglets contained H. pylori-specific IgG, IgM, and IgA. IgM titers peaked at 14 days after challenge and then declined. IgG and IgA titers continued to rise over the course of the experiment. Piglets in both uninfected control and challenged groups demonstrated lymphofollicular gastritis, but the gastritis was more severe in challenged piglets.
Connexin46fs380 causes progressive cataracts.

Purpose. Although many connexin46 (Cx46) mutants have been linked to inherited human cataracts, there are no adequate animal models for their study. The current experiments were designed to characterize the consequences of expression of one such mutant, Cx46fs380, in the mouse lens.
Ethanol Stimulates Endoplasmic Reticulum Inositol Triphosphate and Sigma Receptors to Promote Withdrawal-Associated Loss of Neuron-Specific Nuclear Protein/Fox-3.

Background Prior studies demonstrate that ethanol (EtOH) exposure induces the release of intracellular calcium (CA2+) in modulation of γ-aminobutyric acid-ergic tone and produces concomitant alterations in sigma (σ)-1 protein expression that may contribute to the development EtOH dependence. However, the influence of CA2+ released from endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-bound inositol triphosphate (IP3) and σ-1 receptors in regulating hippocampal function has yet to be delineated. Methods Rat hippocampal explants were subjected to chronic intermittent EtOH (CIE) exposure with or without the addition of IP3 inhibitor xestospongin C (0 to 0.5 μM) or σ-1 receptor antagonist BD-1047 (0 to 80 μM). Hippocampal viability was assessed via immunohistochemical labeling of neuron-specific nuclear protein (NeuN)/Fox-3 in CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG) subregions. Results Exposure to CIE produced consistent and significant decreases of NeuN/Fox-3 in each primary cell layer of the hippocampal formation. Co-exposure to xestospongin reversed these effects in the CA1 subregion and significantly attenuated these effects in the CA3 and DG regions. Xestospongin application also significantly increased NeuN/Fox-3 immunofluorescence in EtOH-naive hippocampi. Co-exposure to 20 μM BD-1047 also reversed the loss of NeuN/Fox-3 during CIE exposure in each hippocampal cell layer, whereas exposure to 80 μM BD-1047 did not alter NeuN/Fox-3 in EtOH-treated hippocampi. By contrast, 80 μM BD-1047 application significantly increased NeuN/Fox-3 immunofluorescence in EtOH-naive hippocampi in each subregion. Conclusions These data suggest that EtOH stimulates ER IP3 and σ-1 receptors to promote hippocampal loss of NeuN/Fox-3 during CIE.
Response to Kaya and Yildirim's Letter: "Choroidal Thinning May Change Scleral Architecture".

We would like to thank Drs Kaya and Yildirim1 for their interest in our article.2 We agree that choroidal atrophy may allow intraocular pressure to affect the sclera. However, choroidal atrophy alo...
ReMAM: Low energy Resistive Multi-stage Associative Memory for energy efficient computing

The Internet of things (IoT) significantly increases the volume of computations and the number of running applications on processors, from mobiles to servers. Big data computation requires massive parallel processing and acceleration. In parallel processing, associative memories represent a promising solution to improve energy efficiency by eliminating redundant computations. However, the tradeoff between memory size and search energy consumption limits their applications. In this paper, we propose a novel low energy Resistive Multi-stage Associative Memory (ReMAM) architecture, which significantly reduces the search energy consumption by employing selective row activation and in-advance precharging techniques. ReMAM splits the search in the Ternary Content Addressable Memory (TCAM) to a number of shorter searches in consecutive stages. Then, it selectively activates TCAM rows at each stage based on the hits of previous stages, thus enabling energy saving. The proposed in-advance precharging technique mitigates the delay of the sequential TCAM search and limits the number of precharges to two low-cost steps. Our experimental evaluation on AMD Southern Island GPUs shows that ReMAM reduces energy consumption by 38.2% on average, which is 1.62X larger than using GPGPU with conventional single-stage associative memory.
Electrospun elastic acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer fibers

Abstract Nitrile rubber (NBR) is an unsaturated copolymer of acrylonitrile and butadiene. Due to its excellent oil-resistance, NBR products are widely used such as in the automotive and aerospace industries. This paper discusses the fabrication of acrylonitrile butadiene copolymer fibers via electrospinning. A transition from electrospray to electrospinning mechanism was observed and investigated by varying the solution composition. Diameter distributions and average diameters of the electrospun fibers from solutions of various copolymer weight concentrations were determined and compared. Water contact angles of both raw material and electrospun fiber mats were measured. Results indicated that the copolymer material was intrinsically hydrophobic, and the electrospun fiber mats showed higher hydrophobicity due to increased surface roughness. These properties were found to be strongly dependent upon the solution concentration. As the solution concentration increased, average fiber diameter increased and water contact angle decreased. Fiber mats of three different basis weights prepared from solutions of 5% copolymer concentration were prepared. Some of the mats were rolled into yarns. The flat mats and yarns were tested for uniaxial tensile strength to obtain data on their stress-strain performance. Comparison the stress-stain data for the flat mats and yarns showed similar properties. Evaluations of the performances of the fiber mats and yarns accounted for the fiber mat basis weights (mass of fibers per area of mat) and mat porosities through application of an idealized parallel fiber mat model. For small strains the stress-strain curves followed similar paths, but at large strains the paths deviated as fiber-fiber bonds slipped or fibers ruptured. For different basis weights, maximum tensile strengths of the flat mats and yarns were close, but slightly varied due to the more complex fiber structures compared to the idealized model. The yarns held larger stresses before rupture and possessed higher maximum tensile strengths than the flat mats attributed to the lower porosity of the yarns and additional bonds between fiber layers that are absent in the flat mats.