cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Resistivity and adhesive strength of thin film metallizations on single crystal quartz

Resistivity and adhesive strength were measured for the thin films 450 /spl Aring/ Cr-1800 /spl Aring/ Au, 450 /spl Aring/ Cr-1000 /spl Aring/ Mo-1800 /spl Aring/ Au, 450 /spl Aring/ Cr-1000 /spl Aring/ Ni-1800 /spl Aring/ Au, 450 /spl Aring/ Mo-1800 /spl Aring/ Au, 1800 /spl Aring/ Au, and 2000 /spl Aring/ Al on z-and AT-oriented single crystal quartz substrates in the as-deposited condition as well as after thermal annealing at 380/spl deg/C and 450/spl deg/C for 30 min in air or vacuum. The Cr-Au films exhibited significant resistivity increases after thermal annealing which were caused by the interdiffusion of Cr and Au. Barrier layers of Mo or Ni limited such increases after heat treatment. The Mo-Au, Au, and Al films exhibited resistivity decreases following thermal annealing. The mean adhesive strengths of the Cr-Au, Cr-Mo-Au, and Cr-Ni-Au films were excellent in the as-deposited and annealed conditions, ranging from 41 MPa to 70 MPa. The Mo-Au and Au films maintained relatively poor adhesion under all circumstances. Heat treatment improved the poor adhesive strength of the as-deposited Al films to values exceeding 63 MPa. Resistivity and adhesive strengths did not differ significantly between the z- and AT-oriented substrates.
Andalucía, el travestismo y la mujer fálica : plumas de España, de Ana Rossetti

Plumas de Espana de Ana Rossetti denuncia la ausencia tanto de la mujer como de Andalucia en el espacio publico durante la dictadura y la transicion, asi como su fetichizacion. Frente a personajes femeninos estereotipados, como el de la “senorita cursi” sobre la cual se focaliza la narracion, Rosseti contrapone las figuras de sus personajes travestidos y transexuales, como modelos para el surgimiento de nuevas identidades a traves de la explotacion de lo kitsch y lo folclorico, y proponiendo una feminidad hiperbolica que excluye a las mujeres al fetichizarlas, por medio de un relato que saca a la luz los mecanismos por los cuales las mujeres, sobre todo andaluzas, han sido tradicionalmente controladas, devaluadas e incluso castradas.
The Microbial Ecology and Immunology of the Adenoid: Implications for Otitis Media

The nasopharyngeal tonsil, or adenoid, is a major inductive site for the synthesis of J-chain-positive B cells that may migrate to other areas of the upper respiratory tract, such as the nasal mucosa, the parotid gland, the lacrimal gland, and the middle ear during inflammation. The production of secretory IgA by both the nasopharyngeal tonsil and the nasal mucosa plays a major role in local immune protection against bacteria and viruses. The release of cytokines from Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes must be appropriate for B cells to produce IgA. The factors or mechanisms responsible for this are not, at present, known, but it appears that there is a difference in the profiles of cytokine secretion by Th1 and Th2 lymphocytes in the adenoids in both otitis-prone, as well as nonotitis-prone children. We have suggested that if this specific immune system does not protect the host from invasion by potential pathogens, there are other modalities of therapy to protect the nasopharynx from colonization with pathogenic bacteria or viruses. These include the production of specific antibodies against bacterial surface proteins that have been identified as mucin-binding proteins. Alteration of the microbial flora with commensal organisms such as viridans streptococci can be utilized. These alpha-hemolytic streptococci probably function by producing an acid environment that prevents colonization of organisms such as nontypeable H. influenzae. Finally, the induction of specific SIgA by conserved outer membrane protein antigens of potential pathogens may be another strategy in the prevention of colonization of potential bacterial pathogens in the nasopharynx.
Optimal distribution power flow for systems with distributed energy resources

Recently, there has been great interest in the integration of large numbers of small generation and storage resources at the distribution level. This will require new control strategies for efficient system performance. One issue that has not been addressed sufficiently is the coordinated dispatch of large numbers of these units. In this paper, an optimal distribution power flow strategy is proposed and implemented. The algorithm decomposes the overall system problem into two components: economic dispatch for energy and ancillary services based on market prices at the system level; and loss minimization at the distribution level. A combined quadratic programming and sectioning algorithm is used to find the solution. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the approach.
A MEMS resonant strain sensor operated in air

This paper describes a double-ended tuning fork (DETF) strain sensor that operates in resonance at atmospheric pressure. The sensor was driven with non-integrated, surface mount electronics that successfully mitigates the effects of feed-through capacitance. The MEMS strain sensor achieves a resolution of 0.1 microstrain (/spl mu//spl epsiv/) in a bandwidth of 10 Hz to 20 kHz. The measured phase noise floor at 300 Hz offset from the resonant frequency (217 kHz) is -100 dBc/Hz and the Allan variance for time intervals of 2 seconds is 0.0043 Hz. The measured strain sensitivity is 39 Hz//spl mu//spl epsiv/. These results are commensurate with current state-of-the-art sensors that are integrated with electronics and packaged in vacuum.
Cyclophosphamide-Induced Cystitis Increases Bladder CXCR4 Expression and CXCR4-Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor Association

Background Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a pro-inflammatory cytokine involved in cystitis and a non-cognate ligand of the chemokine receptor CXCR4 in vitro. We studied whether CXCR4-MIF associations occur in rat bladder and the effect of experimental cystitis. Methods and Findings Twenty male rats received saline or cyclophosphamide (40 mg/kg; i.p.; every 3rd day) to induce persistent cystitis. After eight days, urine was collected and bladders excised under anesthesia. Bladder CXCR4 and CXCR4-MIF co-localization were examined with immunhistochemistry. ELISA determined MIF and stromal derived factor-1 (SDF-1; cognate ligand for CXCR4) levels. Bladder CXCR4 expression (real-time RTC-PCR) and protein levels (Western blotting) were examined. Co-immunoprecipitations studied MIF-CXCR4 associations.Urothelial basal and intermediate (but not superficial) cells in saline-treated rats contained CXCR4, co-localized with MIF. Cyclophosphamide treatment caused: 1) significant redistribution of CXCR4 immunostaining to all urothelial layers (especially apical surface of superficial cells) and increased bladder CXCR4 expression; 2) increased urine MIF with decreased bladder MIF; 3) increased bladder SDF-1; 4) increased CXCR4-MIF associations. Conclusions These data demonstrate CXCR4-MIF associations occur in vivo in rat bladder and increase in experimental cystitis. Thus, CXCR4 represents an alternative pathway for MIF-mediated signal transduction during bladder inflammation. In the bladder, MIF may compete with SDF-1 (cognate ligand) to activate signal transduction mediated by CXCR4.
On evaluation of the characteristic polynomial for large molecules

Existing schemes for evaluation of the characteristic polynomial of a graph suffer from limited practicality. Their application to large molecules inordinately increases the amount of labor. Here a procedure is outlined which is useful even for large molecules. It is based on a not widely known property of the collection of characteristic polynomials for Ulam's subgraphs, which, when added, give the derivative of the characteristic polynomial of the initial graph. The characteristic polynomials for Ulam's subgraphs are, as a rule, easier to derive due to the presence of many pending bonds in graphs of chemical interest. The last step requires an integration of a polynomial (which is a straightforward step) and determining the constant of integration, which represents the determinant of the adjacency matrix. The available methods for determing the additive constant (the determinant) are combinatorially much simpler than the initial task of finding all of the coefficients of the characteristic polynomial. The approach is illustrated on selected benzenoid hydrocarbons, nonbenzenoid, and nonalternant systems. Construction of the characteristic polynomials can be accelerated by considering auxiliary fragments and irreducible subgraphs separately and combining them in the final expression. Many auxiliary fragments allow their characteristic polynomials to be expressed in a closed form using recursive relations. The results for complex molecules can thus be written in a relatively compact form. Finally, the derivative of the characteristic polynomial, expressed in terms of selected auxiliary functions and irreducible components, can be integrated directly to give the result in terms of contributions signifying various fragments rather than as an explicit function of x.
Safety and Security of Older Persons in Tehran, Iran: A Sociological Appraisal of Elder Abuse

The article explores and evaluates the quality of life, safety, and security of elderly people in Tehran City in Iran. In that, different dimensions of material and social well-being, and abuse of people of the age 65 and above, are assessed. Besides the human rights, the dignity, and the gradual decline of the elderly's social security are reflected. The research also aims to study the elder age-groups in order to find out how these people gradually lose their physical and mental reliance, and as a result, how their dependence on others and various services enhances. The method of research mainly being empirical, it is preceded by theoretical and literature review. Five hundred elderly people were randomly selected for the study. Findings suggest that the aging pyramid shrinks and narrows at the age of 65 or even before in the present study. Research reached the conclusion that the young elderly with new needs and expectations are highly different from those of their pervious generations.
Relationship Between the Prognostic Expectations of Seriously Ill Patients Undergoing Hemodialysis and Their Nephrologists

Importance Patients undergoing hemodialysis have an annual mortality rate exceeding 20%, comparable to many types of cancer. Past research has shown that patients with cancer overestimate their likelihood of survival relative to their physicians, but this relationship has not been examined in patients with noncancer diagnoses. Perceptions of prognosis and transplant candidacy may influence goals of care. Objectives To compare the perceptions of hemodialysis patients and their nephrologists concerning prognosis and the likelihood of transplant; to follow actual survival; and to explore the relationship between patients’ expectations and their goals of care. Design We completed a medical record abstraction to estimate 1-year mortality risk among patients who underwent dialysis at any time from November 1, 2010, through September 1, 2011. We then conducted in-person interviews with eligible patients whose predicted 1-year mortality, based on validated prognostic tools, was at least 20%. We also interviewed their nephrologists. We compared patients’ and physicians’ expectations about 1- and 5-year survival and transplant candidacy and measured the association between patients’ expectations and goals of care. We then followed actual survival using Kaplan-Meier methods. Setting and Participants Two dialysis units in Boston. Two hundred seven patients undergoing hemodialysis included in the medical record review, with 62 eligible patients interviewed. Main Outcomes and Measures Predicted 1-year mortality risk using validated prognostic tools; actual survival; patients’ and physicians’ expectations about 1-year survival and likelihood of transplant; and patients’ goals of care. Results Of the 207 hemodialysis patients, 72.5% had a predicted 1-year mortality of at least 20%. Of the 80 patients eligible for interview, 62 participated (response rate, 78%). Patients were significantly more optimistic than their nephrologists about 1- and 5-year survival ( P P = .008]). Of the 81% of patients reporting a 90% chance or greater of being alive at 1 year, 18 (44%) preferred care focused on extending life, even if it meant more discomfort, compared with 1 (9%) among patients reporting a lower chance of survival ( P = .045). Actual survival was 93% at 1 year but decreased to 79% by 17 months and 56% by 23 months. Conclusions and Relevance Hemodialysis patients are more optimistic about prognosis and transplant candidacy than their nephrologists. In our sample, patients’ expectations about 1-year survival were more accurate than those of their nephrologists, but their longer-term survival expectations dramatically overestimated even their 2-year survival rates. Patients’ prognostic expectations are associated with their treatment preferences. Our findings suggest the need for interventions to help providers communicate effectively with patients about prognosis.
Structural probing of the HIV-1 polypurine tract RNA:DNA hybrid using classic nucleic acid ligands.

The interactions of archetypical nucleic acid ligands with the HIV-1 polypurine tract (PPT) RNA:DNA hybrid, as well as analogous DNA:DNA, RNA:RNA and swapped hybrid substrates, were used to probe structural features of the PPT that contribute to its specific recognition and processing by reverse transcriptase (RT). Results from intercalative and groove-binding ligands indicate that the wild-type PPT hybrid does not contain any strikingly unique groove geometries and/or stacking arrangements that might contribute to the specificity of its interaction with RT. In contrast, neomycin bound preferentially and selectively to the PPT near the 5’(rA)4:(dT)4 tract and the 3’ PPT-U3 junction. Nuclear magnetic resonance data from a complex between HIV-1 RT and the PPT indicate RT contacts within the same regions highlighted on the PPT by neomycin. These observations, together with the fact that the sites are correctly spaced to allow interaction with residues in the ribonuclease H (RNase H) active site and thumb subdomain of the p66 RT subunit, suggest that despite the long cleft employed by RT to make contact with nucleic acids substrates, these sites provide discrete binding units working in concert to determine not only specific PPT recognition, but also its orientation on the hybrid structure.
Genetic diversity and population structure of sickleweed (Falcaria vulgaris; Apiaceae) in the upper Midwest USA

Sickleweed (Falcaria vulgaris), an introduced species native to Europe and Asia, grows as an aggressive weed in some areas of the upper Midwest in the United States. We are reporting genetic diversity and population structure of sickleweed populations using microsatellite markers and nuclear and chloroplast DNA sequences. Populations showed high genetic differentiation but did not show significant geographic structure, suggesting random establishment of different genotypes at different sites was likely due to human mediated multiple introductions. Three genetic clusters revealed by microsatellite data and presence of six chlorotypes supported our hypothesis of multiple introductions. Chloroplast DNA sequence data revealed six chlorotypes nested into two main lineages suggesting at least two introductions of sickleweed in the upper Midwest. Some individuals exhibited more than two alleles at several microsatellite loci suggesting occurrence of polyploidy, which could be a post-introduction development to mitigate the inbreeding effects. High genetic variation in the introduced range attributable to multiple introductions and polyploidy may be inducing the evolution of invasiveness in sickleweed. Results of this study provide valuable insights into the evolution of sickleweed and baseline data for designing proper management practices for controlling sickleweed in the United States.
Batch Production Scheduling for Semiconductor Back-End Operations

A good production schedule in a semiconductor back-end facility is critical for the on time delivery of customer orders. However, the scheduling process is usually difficult due to the wide product mix, large number of parallel machines, product family-related setups, and high weekly demand consisting of thousands of lots. In this paper, we present a new mixed-integer-linear-programming (MILP) model for the batch production scheduling of a semiconductor back-end facility with serial production stages. Computational results are provided for finding optimal solutions to small problem instances. Due to the limitation on the solvable size of the MILP formulation, a deterministic scheduling system (DSS), including an optimizer and a scheduler, is proposed to provide suboptimal solutions in a reasonable time for large real-world problem instances. Small problem instances are randomly generated to compare the performances of the optimization model and the DSS. An experimental design is utilized to understand the behavior of the DSS under different production scenarios.
Fast timing-driven partitioning-based placement for island style FPGAs

In this paper we propose a partitioning-based algorithm for FPGAs. The method incorporates simple, but effective heuristics that target delay minimization. The placement engine incorporates delay estimations obtained from previously placed and routed circuits using VPR according to V. Betz and J. Rose (1997). As a result, the delay predictions during placement more accurately resemble those observed after detailed routing, which in turn leads to better delay optimization. An efficient terminal alignment heuristic for delay minimization is employed to further optimize the delay of the circuit in the routing phase. Simulation results show that the proposed technique can achieve comparable circuit delays (after routing) to those obtained with VPR while achieving a 7-fold speedup in placement runtime.
Perceived fit with an academic environment: Attitudinal and behavioral outcomes

Because person–organization fit relates to important outcomes, and because fit is a time-dependent process, there exists a need to model longitudinal data related to fit. In a multi-university sample (N = 1174), we tested hypotheses concerning person–organization fit and various behavioral and attitudinal outcomes; correlations between changes in these variables over time, and the correlates of these changes. Using autoregressive modeling and latent growth curve modeling, results indicated that academic fit leads to academic satisfaction, which in turn leads to turnover intent, and to a lesser extent GPA and class absenteeism. Changes in academic fit correlated highly with similar changes in satisfaction and GPA and with opposite changes in turnover intent. Academic satisfaction did not correlate with subsequent organizational citizenship behavior (OCB) as predicted; changes across these domains were significantly related, but were small. Consistent with our hypotheses, Realistic interests correlated negatively with changes in academic fit and satisfaction. Investigative interests were correlated positively with changes in fit and initial satisfaction levels. We conclude by discussing implications, limitations, and future research concerning the longitudinal analysis of person–organization fit.
Healthcare providers' perceptions of breastfeeding peer counselors in the neonatal intensive care unit.

In this qualitative descriptive study we examined the perceptions of 17 neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) healthcare providers (nurses, neonatologists, lactation consultants, and dietitians) about the role of breastfeeding peer counselors who were mothers of former NICU infants and who provided primary lactation care in the NICU. Findings revealed that the healthcare providers respected the peer counselors’ lactation expertise and identified three critical elements that contributed to the effectiveness of the peer counseling program: having a champion for the program, counselors being mothers of former NICU infants, and a NICU culture supportive of using human milk. Healthcare providers thought the peer counselors enhanced care of the infant by empowering mothers to provide milk and by facilitating and modeling positive patterns of maternal-infant interactions.
Discrete Conservation Properties of Unstructured Mesh Schemes

Numerical methods with discrete conservation statements are useful because they cannot produce solutions that violate important physical constraints. A large number of numerical methods used in computational fluid dynamics (CFD) have either global or local conservation statements for some of the primary unknowns of the method. This review suggests that local conservation of primary unknowns often follows from global conservation of those quantities. Secondary conservation involves the conservation of derived quantities, such as kinetic energy, entropy, and vorticity, which are not directly unknowns of the numerical system. Secondary conservation can further improve physical fidelity of a numerical solution, but it is typically much harder to achieve. We consider current approaches to secondary conservation and techniques used outside of CFD that are potentially related. Finally, the review concludes with a discussion of how secondary conservation properties might be included automatically.
Fabrication of Semiconductor Nanostructures With an Atomic Force Microscope

An AFM-based nanolithography process is described. We employ the local electric field of a metal-coated AFM tip which is operated in air to selectively oxidize regions of a H-passivated Si surface. The resulting oxide, ∼ 3 nm thick, is used as a mask for selective etching of the unoxidized regions of Si. This AFM-based fabrication process is fast, reliable, simple to perform and is well suited for device fabrication. We apply this technique to the fabrication of Si and GaAs nanostructures, as well as to the fabrication of a nanometer-scale Si side-gated transistor. In addition, we discuss the ultimate resolution limits of the technique.
A Review of the Handbook of Research on Science Education, Volume II: New Topics and New Information

Early in my career in science education, I was introduced to the Handbook of Research on Science Teaching and Learning (Gabel 1994). This volume became outdated, and I was very excited when Handbook of Research on Science Education (Abell and Lederman 2007) was published. However, the first question that came to my mind when asked to review this second volume of the Handbook of Research on Science Education (Lederman and Abell 2014) was ‘‘I wonder what new information might be in this volume? Is it worth to science educators to purchase a second volume?’’ I went into the review with that question in my mind. Therefore, I decided to compare similarities and differences between the volume I am reviewing and the Handbook of Research on Science Education (Abell and Lederman 2007).
Segregation as a Factor in the Racial Identification of Negro Pre-School Children

In conjunction with an investigation (1,2) of racial identification of Negro pre-school children as indicative of a phase in the de velopment of consciousness of self, some Negro children from mixed New York nurs ery schools were compared with the main group of Negro children from segregated Washington, D. C. nursery schools. It was believed that such a comparison would give an indication of the possible effects of segre gation as a factor affecting the problem investigated.
On Gelbaum's Algorithm for Computing the Minimal Polynomial of a Matrix

B. Gelbaum [1] recently gave an algorithm for computing the minimal polynomial of an n X n matrix A by embedding the matrix in row-major form in C n and then applying the Gram-Schmidt process. The purpose of this note is to compare the complexity of his algorithm with existing algorithms. We use Gelbaum's notation as follows. Let +(A) denote the embedding of A in Cn , by spreading out the n-rows into one long row, and let
Nonprofits’ Expectations in PR Service–Learning Partnerships:

Little scholarly evidence exists about the communication needs of nonprofit community partners and what they think constitutes an ideal service–learning (SL) relationship. This study seeks to fill ...
Analysis on potentially dangerous driving behavior in Guizhou

Objective The aim of this study was to know the present situation of safe driving behavior in Guizhou province, in order to provide scientific basis for prevention and control of road traffic injuries. Methods Nine thousand two hundred and eighty residents over 18 years old from 12 counties(area) in Guizhou province were investigated using a stratified cluster sampling methodology. Data including age, gender, height and other basic information, and various driving conditions were collected Results35.8% of the drivers did not wearing helmets in 30 days. 39.7% of drivers did wear a safety belt in 30 days. 22.2% of drivers experienced fatigue driving. 10.9% of drivers conducted drunk driving. 34.3% of drivers did not have a driving license. 49% of driver had alcoholic drinking experience within 30 day, and 18.3% of diver drank daily. There were 3.6% and 1.8% drivers had vision of blackening and balance disturbances. The driver beyond 60 years old accounted for 17.8%. 10.1% of the driver was less than 155 cm in height. The driver slept for less than 6 hours a day accounted for 12.9%. 7.1% of the driver had blood glucose less than 4mmol/L. Conclusion It can't be ignored that various factors are affecting the driving safety. Regular physical examination and safety knowledge propaganda should be promoted to prevent various factors affecting the safe driving.
Adrenal Incidentaloma and Subclinical Hypercortisolism

Incidentally found adrenal masses are frequently found in patients undergoing work-up for unrelated medical problems. A minority of these masses may be malignant and many more may be autonomously functioning, producing cortisol, aldosterone, androgens, or catecholamines. In this chapter we review a case of adrenal “incidentaloma” and subclinical hypercortisolism. The appropriate work-up of adrenal incidentalomas, including serial imaging and biochemical evaluation is discussed. Subclinical hypercortisolism and its sequelae are reviewed and issues surrounding this diagnosis and its treatment are discussed.
CHAPTER 11 – Filters and Resonance

This chapter discusses filters and resonance. A filter allows ac of some frequencies to pass through it with the amplitude essentially unchanged, but the amplitudes of other frequencies are decreased. The chapter essentially focuses on simple RC filters and compares and contrasts Low–Pass RC and High–Pass RC. It also provides details regarding RL Butterworth Filters and Second Order LC Filters. Resonance and its significance are also discusses in the chapter. It also presents an experiment on Parallel LC Resonator.
Development of dopant-free conductive bioelastomers

Conductive biodegradable materials are of great interest for various biomedical applications, such as tissue repair and bioelectronics. They generally consist of multiple components, including biodegradable polymer/non-degradable conductive polymer/dopant, biodegradable conductive polymer/dopant or biodegradable polymer/non-degradable inorganic additives. The dopants or additives induce material instability that can be complex and possibly toxic. Material softness and elasticity are also highly expected for soft tissue repair and soft electronics. To address these concerns, we designed a unicomponent dopant-free conductive polyurethane elastomer (DCPU) by chemically linking biodegradable segments, conductive segments, and dopant molecules into one polymer chain. The DCPU films which had robust mechanical properties with high elasticity and conductivity can be degraded enzymatically and by hydrolysis. It exhibited great electrical stability in physiological environment with charge. Mouse 3T3 fibroblasts survived and proliferated on these films exhibiting good cytocompatibility. Polymer degradation products were non-toxic. DCPU could also be processed into a porous scaffold and in an in vivo subcutaneous implantation model, exhibited good tissue compatibility with extensive cell infiltration over 2 weeks. Such biodegradable DCPU with good flexibility and elasticity, processability, and electrical stability may find broad applications for tissue repair and soft/stretchable/wearable bioelectronics.
Chemoprevention of Rat Mammary Carcinogenesis by Apiaceae Spices

Scientific evidence suggests that many herbs and spices have medicinal properties that alleviate symptoms or prevent disease. In this study, we examined the chemopreventive effects of the Apiaceae spices, anise, caraway, and celery seeds against 17β-estrogen (E2)-mediated mammary tumorigenesis in an ACI (August-Copenhagen Irish) rat model. Female ACI rats were given either control diet (AIN 93M) or diet supplemented with 7.5% (w/w) of anise, caraway, or celery seed powder. Two weeks later, one half of the animals in each group received subcutaneous silastic implants of E2. Diet intake and body weight were recorded weekly, and animals were euthanized after 3 and 12 weeks. E2-treatment showed significantly (2.1- and 3.4-fold) enhanced growth of pituitary gland at 3 and 12 weeks, respectively. All test spices significantly offset the pituitary growth by 12 weeks, except celery which was effective as early as three weeks. Immunohistochemical analysis for proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in mammary tissues showed significant reduction in E2-mediated mammary cell proliferation. Test spices reduced the circulating levels of both E2 and prolactin at three weeks. This protection was more pronounced at 12 weeks, with celery eliciting the highest effect. RT-PCR and western blot analysis were performed to determine the potential molecular targets of the spices. Anise and caraway diets significantly offset estrogen-mediated overexpression of both cyclin D1 and estrogen receptor α (ERα). The effect of anise was modest. Likewise, expression of CYP1B1 and CYP1A1 was inhibited by all test spices. Based on short-term molecular markers, caraway was selected over other spices based on its enhanced effect on estrogen-associated pathway. Therefore, a tumor-end point study in ACI rats was conducted with dietary caraway. Tumor palpation from 12 weeks onwards revealed tumor latency of 29 days in caraway-treated animals compared with first tumor appearance at 92 days in control group. At the end of the study (25 weeks), the tumor incidence was 96% in the control group compared with only 70% in the caraway group. A significant reduction in tumor volume (661 ± 123 vs. 313 ± 81 mm³) and tumor multiplicity (4.2 ± 0.4 vs. 2.5 ± 0.5 tumors/animal) was also observed in the caraway group compared with the control group. Together, our data show dietary caraway can significantly delay and prevent the hormonal mammary tumorigenesis by modulating different cellular and molecular targets.
Flow Interactions with Dendritic Mushy Zones

Cast shops have found that reduced grain size can be obtained in a finished casting if stirring velocity and melt temperature are carefully controlled. Forced convection in the melt causes fragmentation of dendrites in the mushy zone. A model system has been developed that allows independent control of concentration, temperature, and fluid flow velocity while viewing the mushy zone with an optical microscope. Initial results indicate an underlying mechanism associated with a decreasing interfacial area per unit volume of mushy zone combined with recalescence. This mechanism causes the dendrite side branches to pinch off at their bases, where they connect to the primary dendrite stem. Crystal fragments are then transported by convection in the melt and can either develop into independent equiaxed grains or remelt. Preliminary results indicate that the velocity of the flow dramatically alters the mushy zone causing both a change in the amount of fragmentation and the fragmentation rate.
The effect of translational variance in training and testing images on supervised buried threat detection algorithms for ground penetrating radar

A large body of recent research has focused on the development of supervised buried threat detection algorithms for ground penetrating radar (GPR) data. Such algorithms learn to automatically identify landmines in GPR data based on threat data and non-threat data examples. Training data typically consists of small 2-dimensional images that are extracted from a larger image, or volume, of GPR data. Currently, the most popular criterion for choosing training (or testing) patches is high GPR signal energy. In this work, we investigate translational variance in the patches, which occurs when relevant GPR signals (e.g., hyperbolic landmine signals) are not consistently centered, or aligned, in the extracted patches. In this work, we (i) provide evidence suggesting that translational variance is introduced into the data when popular energy based patch extraction methods are employed, and (ii) estimate the classification performance loss in supervised algorithms due to this effect. We present a simple method to help alleviate the translational variance problem. We hypothesize that reducing translational variance prior to supervised learning may facilitate the use, and success, of image features.
THE ACOUSTIC PROPERTIES OF METAL-AMMONIA SOLUTIONS

The existing data on the propagation of ultrasound through lithium-, potassium-, sodium-, calcium-, and barium-ammonia solutions are collected and summarized with particular attention paid to the structural properties of these solutions which can be obtained from acoustic measurements. It was found that a structural change accompanies the metal-non-metal transition in these materials. The boundary of the mixed phase region in lithium-ammonia solutions was investigated by monitoring the sound velocity as a function of temperature and concentration. The acoustic properties of the metal-ammonia solutions are compared to those of the pure liquid metals.
Assay of Phospholipases

The purpose of this chapter is to describe briefly some of the most commonly used assays for the different classes of phospholipases. Also, some less frequently used assays are described that potentially could be of use under certain conditions. In the following chapters, mention is made of the specifics of the assay used in a particular study and reference to Chapter 1 can be useful as a general reference. Some chapters focus on substrate-enzyme interaction and therefore give better insight into the molecular mechanism of the assays used; this is particularly true of Chapter 10.
A New Diagnostic Approach to the Adult Patient with Acute Dizziness.

Abstract Background Dizziness, a common chief complaint, has an extensive differential diagnosis that includes both benign and serious conditions. Emergency physicians must distinguish the majority of patients with self-limiting conditions from those with serious illnesses that require acute treatment. Objective of the Review This article presents a new approach to diagnosis of the acutely dizzy patient that emphasizes different aspects of the history to guide a focused physical examination with the goal of differentiating benign peripheral vestibular conditions from dangerous posterior circulation strokes in the emergency department. Discussion Currently, misdiagnoses are frequent and diagnostic testing costs are high. This relates in part to use of an outdated, prevalent, diagnostic paradigm. The traditional approach, which relies on dizziness symptom quality or type (i.e., vertigo, presyncope, or disequilibrium) to guide inquiry, does not distinguish benign from dangerous causes, and is inconsistent with current best evidence. A new approach divides patients into three key categories using timing and triggers, guiding a differential diagnosis and targeted bedside examination protocol: 1) acute vestibular syndrome, where bedside physical examination differentiates vestibular neuritis from stroke; 2) spontaneous episodic vestibular syndrome, where associated symptoms help differentiate vestibular migraine from transient ischemic attack; and 3) triggered episodic vestibular syndrome, where the Dix-Hallpike and supine roll test help differentiate benign paroxysmal positional vertigo from posterior fossa structural lesions. Conclusions The timing and triggers diagnostic approach for the acutely dizzy patient derives from current best evidence and offers the potential to reduce misdiagnosis while simultaneously decreases diagnostic test overuse, unnecessary hospitalization, and incorrect treatments.
Gauge theories in three dimensions (= at finite temperature)

We have seen that 3-dimensional gauge theories offer much interesting insight into the workings of gauge-invariant quantum field theory. Many further investigations can be envisioned: one wants techniques for studying possible non-analytic terms in gauge invariant amplitudes. Since these can occur only in high orders, our direct resummation method becomes prohibitively lengthy. The approach through dimensional regularization" seems promising. It would be worthwhile to establish in greater detail the relation of this method to condensed matter procedures. 17 The topological mass terms and the associated Chern-Simons structures give evidence that gauge theories in odd-dimensional spaces offer unexpected possibilities. Since odd-dimensional gauge theories are of interest in supersymmetry, in supergravity, in Kaluza-Klein theory and in other attempts at dimensional reduction, there is obvious interest in understanding the gauge theoretic options in this context. Quantization of parameters for consistency of the quantum theory is familiar from the Dirac monopole example. The 3-dimensional massive gauge theory and the 4-dimensional chiral SU(2) theory are novel instances of this phenomenon. One would like to settle the question whether the former is indeed relevant in a high temperature reduction, as we have conjectured, and one wants to ascertain whether there are any physically interesting applications of the latter. [The usual constraint that axial vector anomalies be absent already seems to eliminate 4-dimensional theories which are globally inconsistent.] Yet another interesting thread connects the present work with the general question of massive, yet gauge invariant vector fields. Since the advent of unification schemes based on Yang-Mills models, this question has become phenomenologically important. Most frequently it is addressed in the context of the Higgs mechanism, which however is frequently viewed to be aesthetically and phenomenologically unattractive. Attempts to replace the scalar Higgs fields by fermion, anti-fermion bound states have not produced thus far convincing and acceptable models.32 It is therefore interesting to observe that in the two examples of gauge invariant, massive vector fields without Higgs scalars -- viz. the original Schwinger model of massless, 2-dimensional spinor electrodynamics and the present 3-dimensional, topologically massive gauge fields - the vector meson mass arises from a topological mechanism and not directly from fermion condensates.33 Is there a topological reason, as yet undiscovered, for massive, gauge invariant vector particles in 4-dimensions?
Historical Perspective on the Treatment of Choledocholithiasis: Lessons Learned and Techniques Prior to the Laparoscopic Era

This chapter mentions briefly the history of gallbladder disease and the early stages of gallstone diagnostic techniques. The major focus of this chapter is the description and impact of intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) as well as the value of decreasing the occurrence of bile duct injuries. There are significant improvements in early detection (during primary surgery) with avoidance of additional severe complications. The other major item reviewed is the use of improved intraoperative choledochoscopy in the removal of common bile duct (CBD) stones. The aim of this communication is that hopefully surgeons will consider using proper IOC during biliary surgery and reduce the high incidence of bile duct injuries (BDI) as well as perform removal of CBD stones (10% of cholecystectomies) in one surgery instead of two procedures.
Isotropic solutions of phospholipid bicelles: a new membrane mimetic for high-resolution NMR studies of polypeptides.

In order to illustrate the utility of phospholipid bicelles [Sanders, C.R. and Schwonek, J.P.(1992) Biochemistry, 31, 8898–8905] as a membrane mimetic for high-resolution NMRstudies, we have recorded two-dimensional 1H NMR spectra of the tetradecameric peptidemastoparan Vespula lewisii in an isotropic aqueous solution of dimyristoyl and dihexanoylphosphatidylcholine. Mastoparan is largely unstructured in water, but assumes a well-definedhelical conformation in association with the bilayers. A pronounced periodicity of thesequential NH chemical shifts provides strong evidence that the helix axis of this shortpeptide is parallel, rather than perpendicular, to the bilayer plane. The bicellar solutions stillrequire in-depth morphological characterization, but they appear to be ideal media for NMRdetermination of the mode of binding and the structure of membrane-associated peptides andproteins.
Remanufacturing: An Alternative for End of Use of Wind Turbines

The fast expansion of the wind power industry has positioned wind turbines (WTs) as a low environmental impact technology with a promising future. Although the useful life of WTs is relatively long, since 2005 a significant number of WTs have reached their end-of use (EOU) phase. The market for WT technology is in the growth phase and recovery of value from these used WTs is an unrealized economic opportunity. Remanufactured WTs will play a key role in supplying the burgeoning demand and unattended markets. This paper examines and discusses the economic and environmental benefits of remanufactured WTs, and how this resource can be effectively utilized.
A framework for model-based repair

We describe IRS, a program that combines partial-order planning with GDE-style, model-based diagnosis to achieve an integrated approach to repair. Our system makes three contributions to the field of diagnosis. First, we provide a unified treatment of both information-gathering and state-altering actions via the UWL representation language. Second, we describe a way to use part-replacement operations (in addition to probes) to gather diagnostic information. Finally, we define a cost function for decision making that accounts for both the eventual need to repair broken parts and the dependence of costs on the device state.
Strain-specific response to ampicillin in Wolbachia-infected mosquito cell lines

Wolbachia pipientis (Rickettsiales; Anaplasmataceae) is an obligate intracellular alpha proteobacterium that occurs in arthropods and filarial worms. Some strains of Wolbachia can be maintained as persistent infections in insect cell lines. C/wStr1 cells from the mosquito Aedes albopictus maintain a robust infection with Wolbachia strain wStr, originally isolated from the planthopper, Laodelphax striatellus. To explore possible functions of penicillin-binding proteins expressed from the wStr genome, C/wStr1 cells were exposed to ampicillin. Absolute levels of Wolbachia increased 3.5-fold in ampicillin-treated cells and fivefold in naive cells newly infected with wStr. Because cell numbers were depressed by ampicillin treatment, Wolbachia yield on a per-cell basis increased by 15-fold. The absence of a similar effect on wAlbB in Aa23 host cells suggests that the Wolbachia strain, the presence/absence of genes encoding penicillin-binding proteins, or the interaction between wAlbB and its host cells may modulate the effects of ampicillin.
Fecal microbiota transplantation for refractory immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated colitis

We report the first case series of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI)-associated colitis successfully treated with fecal microbiota transplantation, with reconstitution of the gut microbiome and a relative increase in the proportion of regulatory T-cells within the colonic mucosa. These preliminary data provide evidence that modulation of the gut microbiome may abrogate ICI-associated colitis.
Abstract 554: Mitochondrial Biomarkers for Assessing Early Tobacco Product Induced Cardiovascular Injury in Human Participants

Smoking is a major cause of preventable cardiovascular deaths worldwide. A number of new and emerging tobacco-related products including electronic(e)-cigarettes have become readily available as tobacco cigarette alternatives and are often marketed as being less harmful despite growing evidence that toxic aldehydes are absorbed into the circulation following use. However, there is insufficient scientific data to develop policy to regulate and evaluate the claims and toxicity of new tobacco-related products. Prior studies suggest that tobacco cigarette smoking induces cardiovascular oxidative stress which may be linked to mitochondrial abnormalities. Mitochondria are key cellular organelles that are sensitive to environmental toxins and are essential for maintaining cardiovascular health. Upon exposure to environmental stressors, mitochondria become damaged characterized by elevated oxidant production which drives further damage and oxidative stress. Hence, measures of mitochondrial function and damage may...
Physical Health, Mental Health, and Fear of Crime Among College Students: A Consideration of Sex Differences:

This article examines how physical health and mental health affect college students’ fear of crime. Few studies have examined the influence of fear of crime on both objective and subjective measure...
Neurodevelopmental Delay After the Neonatal Repair of Coarctation and Arch Obstruction

Background Although single ventricle physiology and cyanosis are known risk factors for neurodevelopmental delay (NDD), the impacts of isolated coarctation (Iso CoA) repair or arch reconstruction (AR) are less understood. Methods The Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, third edition, prospectively evaluated children without a genetic syndrome. An overall composite score, normalized to age and sex, was generated from individual domain scores. NDD was defined as a composite or domain score at least 1 SD less than the established mean. Iso CoA was repaired using a left thoracotomy, whereas AR was performed using a sternotomy and cardiopulmonary bypass. Children with a structurally normal heart and without previous surgery were used as control patients. Results Of 60 children, 50 required neonatal repair (12 for Iso CoA, 38 for AR), and 10 were control patients. From the entire cohort of children who required neonatal coarctation repair (Iso CoA + AR) composite (93.9 ± 15.9 vs 105.0 ± 7.4; P = .004) and all domain scores were significantly lower than control patients. NDD was present in 25 of 50 children after repair and in 0 of 10 control patients (P = .003). Similarly, the prevalence of NDD was significantly greater after Iso CoA repair (58.3% vs 0%; P = .005) and AR (47.3% vs 0%; P = .007) than in the control population, but no significant difference was found between the Iso CoA and AR groups (P = .74). Conclusions In this small cohort, half of the neonates who required either Iso CoA repair or AR exhibit NDD at an intermediate-term follow-up.