cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Origin of replacement cells for the anterior cruciate ligament autograft.

A rabbit model for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using autogenous avascular patellar tendon (PT) was utilized to study the early events of graft incorporation. Histological observations demonstrated that autografts were centrally acellular with a peripheral rim of cells at 2 weeks, a central focal proliferation of cells at 3 weeks, and a cellular homogeneous distribution by 4-weeks postoperation. Graft necrosis followed by cellular proliferation suggested that a different population of cells other than the native PT fibroblasts may be inhabiting the graft. The extrinsic contribution of cells was studied by selective destruction of native PT cells with liquid nitrogen immersion prior to reconstruction of the ACL. The intrinsic contribution of cells was evaluated by sequestration of the PT graft in a semipermeable membrane before it was used to reconstruct the ACL. Histological analysis of tissue that was liquid N2 treated, used as an autograft, and then harvested 3-weeks post-operation revealed fibroblastic incorporation of the graft. In contrast, no cells were observed in semipermeable membrane sequestered autografts. These data suggest that autogenous ACL autografts of PT origin are repopulated by cells of external origin. In vitro control studies that were carried out in parallel demonstrated that PT fibroblasts could survive in tissue culture, but not in the synovial environment of the ACL. This suggests that fibroblasts from different sources have different, tissue-specific nutritional requirements.
Ionization of tetramethylsilane by alpha particles

Abstract The yield of electrons formed on exposure of liquid tetramethylsilane to 5.48 MeV alpha particles has been measured as a function of electric field. The number of electrons released per alpha was determined by pulse height analysis using a charge sensitive detector. The yields are low and increase with field. At 40 kV/cm the yield is 4100 electrons/alpha (G = 0.075 electrons/100 eV). The results are shown to be consistent with the major source of electrons being delta rays.
Study of the (p, t) reaction on the even-A titanium isotopes

Abstract The ( p , t ) reaction on the nuclei 50,48,46 Ti has been studied at bombarding energies of 27, 23, and 19 MeV. The angular distributions (5°–110° lab) of approximately 30 transitions at 27 MeV with L = 0, 2, 3, 4 were examined for characteristic features which could be uniquely associated with the L transfer. Both the empirical systematics and the comparisons with distorted-wave Born aproximmation (DWBA) calculations were found to provide less reliable L -value determinations, other than for L = 0, than is often assumed. The DWBA theory of the ( p , t ) reaction is discussed and theoretical expressions employed in the calculations are given in an appendix. The DWBA calculations were extensively investigated for sensitivity to input parameters and assumed transfer configuration. It is shown that the relative phases of the form factor terms can affect angular distribution shapes at forward angles. A successful element of the theory was the description of the energy dependence in the differential cross sections of the 50 Ti( p , t ) 48 Ti (ground state) transitions between 27 and 19 MeV when a recently developed energy dependent mass-3 potential was employed. Magnitudes of the reaction differential cross sections were expressed in terms of a “single pair unit” defined relative to a local, zero-range, DWBA calculation assuming a single transfer configuration. In comparing our strength values with those of a similar study at 51 MeV, we find differences up to a factor of four. Our measurements provide some new spin-parity information. Several new 0 + states as well as states with 2 ⩽ J ⩽ 6 in 48,46,44 Ti are identified. Some rather striking disagreements with other studies were encountered.
The Alaska Pipeline as an Internal Improvement, 1969-1973

Over four years after oil companies first applied for a permit, Congress authorized the Alaska Oil Pipeline in November 1973. Running from the Arctic Ocean to the Pacific, the pipeline crossed 600 miles of federal land, which made it a "major action significantly affecting the environment," thus triggering an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). Standard accounts tell of revolutionary environmental laws running into the economic reality of the 1970s. What has been lost in the telling is that the pipeline approval offered Congress an opportunity to investigate the wisdom of a proposed internal improvement. The pipeline controversy was not just the first battle of the environmental decade. It also continued nearly two centuries of debate over internal improvements, public financing of private investments, federal incorporation, monopoly charters, and national security. The pipeline approval was as much a decision about political economy as it was an environmental policy decision.
Computed tomography in bronchial atresia.

Computed tomography (CT) is a very sensitive method of visualizing subtle differences in density. We present a case where CT aided in diagnosis of bronchial atresia with mucoid impaction and emphysema, a rare disease [1 ]. A similar case was subsequently discovered, suggesting that bronchial atresia may be very amenable to diagnosis by CT. This could have significant implication in considering conservative management.
Intraperitoneal Administration of Sulfanilamide; Concentration in Peripheral Blood in Dogs

ConclusionsSulfanilamide is promptly absorbed from the peritoneal cavity in dogs. Following the intraperitoneal injection of sulfanilamide the levels of concentration of the drug in the peripheral blood are not as high as those reported by other investigators following the oral or subcutaneous administration of smaller doses.
High-Resolution Radar Imaging Through a Pipe Via MUSIC and Compressed Sensing

Techniques for high-resolution radar imaging through a pipe are explored. To improve the angular resolution imposed by the pipe diameter, two high-resolution processing methods, MUSIC and compressed sensing (CS), are adapted for through-pipe radar imaging. First, the signal model, for propagation through the pipe, is formulated such that MUSIC and CS can be used. Then, methods for forming radar images from scattering collected through a pipe are derived. The methods are then demonstrated through electromagnetic simulation and verified with measurement data. It is shown that both methods provide high angular resolution in comparison with matched filter processing. The primary difference between the methods is that MUSIC requires multistatic data collection, while monostatic data collection is sufficient for CS. The performance of the two methods in terms of the number of targets and the signal-to-noise ratio is also evaluated. It is found that both methods can be used to image a complex scene composed of multiple point scatterers. CS, however, requires fewer number of data points than MUSIC. On the other hand, MUSIC is found to be less susceptible to noise than CS.
Speaking up and stepping back: Examining the link between employee voice and job neglect

Abstract How does an employee attempts (or lack thereof) to improve or change work related circumstances influence one's ability to do one's job? This longitudinal study sought to examine this question by testing the relationship between employee voice and two distinct forms of job neglect (active and passive neglect) among child welfare workers at baseline (time 1: n = 359) and six month follow-up (time 2: n = 187). Path analysis results revealed significant yet unexpected relationships between employee voice and the forms of job neglect. At time one, results showed that as employees voiced, they engaged in active neglect; yet this relationship shifted over time. In that, employees who exercised voice at time 1 were less likely to engage in active job neglect at time 2. With respect to passive neglect and voice, employees who indirectly limited their work effort at baseline were more likely to speak up at time 2. This study examines this unique finding and the role that both employee voice and job neglect play as workers attempt to manage dissatisfying work conditions or promote positive organizational change.
Have confidence in your coronagraph: statistical analysis of high-contrast coronagraph dynamics error budgets

We have combined our Excel-based coronagraph dynamics error budget spreadsheets with DAKOTA scripts to perform statistical analyses of the predicted dark-hole contrast. Whereas in the past we have reported the expected contrast level for an input set of allocated parameters, we now generate confidence intervals for the predicted contrast. Further, we explore the sensitivity to individual or groups of parameters and model uncertainty factors through aleatory-epistemic simulations based on a surrogate model fitted to the error budget. We show example results for a generic high-contrast coronagraph.
Selective Evaluation and Recall During the 1980 Reagan‐Carter Debate1

To assess the effects of the 1980 Reagan-Carter presidential debate, samples of college students were surveyed in the laboratory and in the field before and after watching the debate. Responses were consistent across groups, indicating that both selective recall and selective evaluation occurred. The plurality of subjects in both groups (i.e., field and laboratory) were better at recalling their preferred candidate's arguments than those of the opposition. In addition, judgments of who won were biased in favor of predebate presidential preference. Commitment was not significantly related to either process (i.e., selective evaluation or selective recall), indicating that both strongly committed and weakly committed individuals may selectively encode and selectively evaluate incoming political information. These findings are discussed in light of the timing of the debate.
Modelling of strain fields in quantum wires with continuum methods and molecular statics

The maximum and minimum principal strains of an InAs quantum wire (QWR) buried in a GaAs matrix are computed using the boundary element method (BEM), the inclusion method, and molecular statics, and the results from each method are compared with each other. The first two methods are based on continuum mechanics and linear elasticity, while the third is atomistic. The maximum principal strains are largely in agreement among the different methods, especially outside the QWR, though in the centre of the QWR, the discrepancy between the continuum and atomistic methods can be as large as 11.9%. The gradients of the strain tensor are in agreement among the methods. The inclusion method is faster than the BEM, and both continuum methods are an order of magnitude faster than molecular statics. Although the inclusion method, unlike the BEM, ignores the difference in material properties between the QWR and its surrounding matrix, its results are in better agreement with the molecular statics results than the results from the BEM. The rough quantitative and qualitative agreements indicate the utility of classical continuum methods for estimating strain profiles in nanoscale structures.
The timing to and risk factors associated with child welfare system recidivism at two decision-making points

Abstract This paper examines a variety of demographic, socio-economic, and case characteristics associated with the risk of a first known re-report to Child Protective Services for children at two stages in the child welfare system. In an attempt to establish if risk factors operate differentially depending on where the case is within the system, the first group had open investigations, and the second group had substantiated index cases. Data came from the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-Being, a nationally representative, longitudinal survey of children reported to Child Protective Services. Discrete time survival analysis was employed to examine the timing to the first known re-report. Consistent with the literature on regional samples and research using other methods, results indicate that prior involvement with the child welfare system strongly predicted re-report in both groups. In addition, childhood vulnerability, caretaker disadvantage, and poverty predicted re-reports. Findings suggest that some discrepancies in the prior literature may be due in part to study sampling strategies and to the effects of risk exposure and also that risk assessment tools need to attend to the stage within the child welfare system when the case is being assessed.
Dissecting Adrenal and Behavioral Responses to Stress by Targeted Gene Inactivation in Mice

To define the molecular pathways modulating adrenal and behavioral responses to stress, we have generated mice with inactivation of hypothalamic neuropeptides and signaling pathways. Studies in mice deficient in corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) have revealed the essential role for CRH in adrenal glucocorticoid production in response to many physiological and psychological stressors. Immune system activation in CRH-deficient mice provides a unique exception to the necessity for CRH in stimulating adrenal glucocorticoid production. By analyzing mice deficient in interleukin-6 (IL-6) and CRH, we find that restoration of glucocorticoid output with inflammation is largely mediated by dysregulated IL-6 production. Current studies focus on identifying cellular and gene targets by which glucocorticoids regulate immune system function. In contrast to impaired adrenocortical responses to stress, CRH-deficient mice exhibit normal behavioral responses to stress. To determine signaling pathways that may contribute to the behavioral responses to stress, we have generated and analyzed mice deficient in adenylyl cyclase type 8 (AC8). AC8 deficient mice have intact adrenocortical responses to stress, but an inability to undergo stress-induced alterations in behavior.
Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity to allogeneic but not autologous erythroblasts in vitro.

Antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) is a very sensitive mechanism for immune injury of target cells, which utilizes extremely low concentrations of antibody. We have developed a method for demonstrating this type of cytotoxicity to normal human erythroblasts. The latter were enriched 3- to 4-fold and were then labeled with59Fe. Blood lymphocytes from the same donor were enriched to 93% and were added as effector cells at a 60:1 ratio to the target cells. After 4 hr at 37°C, a 5- to 10-fold increase in the release of59Fe occurred when the plasma or IgG from patients with pure red-cell aplasia was present. This activity was not present when the effector cells were absent. However, this activity was found in the remission plasmas of patients and was not found when autologous erythroblasts were used. These studies demonstrate a method for detecting ADCC to allogeneic normal human erythroblasts. This ADCC does not appear to be related to the disease since a similar autoimmune activity to the patients' own erythroid cells was not detected. Further studies are suggested using other effector cells in this system.
Olanzapine-associated myoclonus

Olanzapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug that infrequently has been reported to cause seizures and myoclonus despite a small proconvulsant risk. This is the first report of generalized myoclonus induced in a patient who had been maintained on low dose olanzapine for over seven years without any change in her dose. Olanzapine was discontinued, and the myoclonic jerks completely resolved within 48 h.
A Novel Prospective Three-Dimensional Analysis of Nasolabial Fold Augmentation

Background: There are many products approved for aesthetic soft tissue augmentation. Despite this abundance, there is limited objective data regarding safety, longevity, and complication rates. Instead, most reports rely on subjective measures to report volume changes and outcomes, making product comparison difficult. Objectives: The authors developed and validated a mathematical model to prospectively calculate and analyze three-dimensional (3D) volumetric changes associated with nasolabial fold augmentation based on human acellular dermis. Methods: Seven consecutive patients were included in this prospective review. The patients underwent nasolabial fold treatment with BellaDerm (Musculoskeletal Transplant Foundation, Edison, NJ), administered by a single surgeon. 3D photographs were obtained and analyzed with a novel mathematical model to determine absolute volumetric changes and objective longevity. Results: Mean preoperative nasolabial fold volume was 0.17 mL. The mean one-, three-, and six-month postoperative fill volumes were 0.35, 0.19, and 0.07 mL, respectively. Fill volumes and contour changes returned to baseline by 24 weeks postoperatively in the majority of patients. Conclusions: The mathematical model utilized in this study provided prospective and objective data regarding longevity and volumetric changes associated with nasolabial fold augmentation. The analysis demonstrated minimal objective filler permanence beyond six months, with peak volume enhancement between one and three months. Adoption of objective 3D mathematical metrics into the assessment of soft tissue filler outcomes is critical to obtaining more accurate product-to-product comparisons.
Simulation of solar air heating at constant temperature

Solar space heating with warm air in typical air collectors and rock bed storage systems involves constant air flow rates and varying the temperature of supply to rooms and to storage. This practice results in undesirable fluctuations in comfort levels in the living space, excessive storage size, useful but inaccessible heat in storage, and unnecessarily high energy consumption for air circulation and auxiliary heat. These drawbacks can be avoided by use of a practical controller and variable speed fan to provide heated air from the collector at constant temperature and a continually varying flow rate. Collector manufacturer`s data, confirmed by seasonal tests on a solar air heating system in Solar House II at Colorado State University, have been used in simulations at constant hot air supply temperatures of 40{degree}, 50{degree}, and 60{degree}C, and at one typical constant flow rate of 49 kg/h per m{sup 2} through a 50 m{sup 2} collector and rock bed storage unit, providing approximately half the seasonal heating requirements of a residential building. Auxiliary heat requirements and fan power use in the 40{degree}C and 50{degree}C constant temperature operations were significantly reduced from the levels prevailing under constant flow conditions. Collection efficiency and solar heat supply atmore » constant flow were slightly higher than values at the 60{degree}C constant temperature level. 8 refs., 8 figs., 1 tab.« less
LABORS INFLUENCE ON THE BALANCE OF THE USA'S MERCHANDISE ACCOUNTS

The results found here indicate that American labor does influence importantly the level of imports and exports of manufactures in the US. In particular, imports tend to be lower and exports tend to be higher in those industries in which higher skilled American workers are used more abundantly. Moreover, labor efficiency and productivity also influence inversely the level of imports and directly the level of exports.
Acculturation and physical activity among North Carolina Latina immigrants.

Abstract The objective of this study was to examine the association between acculturation and physical activity among first generation Latina (Hispanic women) immigrants living in North Carolina. As part of the multi-site Women's Cardiovascular Health Network, 671 first generation Latina immigrants 20–50 years of age completed in-person interviews on physical activity, acculturation (measured by a language scale, length of residence in the US, and age at arrival in the US) and other potential individual and contextual correlates of physical activity. All statistical models were adjusted for age, general health, number of children in the home, marital status, and education, with self-reported physical activity as the dependent variable. Among participants, 37.4% met recommendations for physical activity, 41.9% reported insufficient activity, and 20.7% reported no moderate or vigorous activity. Latinas with higher English language acculturation were more likely to be physically active than women with lower English language acculturation. Likewise, women who arrived to the US when they were younger than 25 years were more likely to be physically active than women who arrived when they were 25 years or older. Length of residence in the US was not associated with physical activity. These relationships persisted when restricting the sample to Mexican born women. We conclude that among first generation immigrants living in North Carolina, those with higher English language acculturation or who arrived to the US at younger ages were more likely to report being physically active. These findings suggest that future epidemiologic studies and physical activity interventions should measure and tailor programs based on English-language use and age of arrival to the US among Latina immigrants.
Delinquency, control maintenance, and the negation of fatalism

To account for the malicious and non-utilitarian character of much delinquent behavior, many theorists interpret delinquency as a symbolic statement of personal independence. In particular, they argue that delinquency represents a functional device or maneuver that enables youths to maintain a sense of personal control in the face of adult constraints and impositions. This study presents an empirical evaluation of this claim based on analyses of longitudinal data from a national survey of male adolescents. The findings are largely consistent with the “control-maintenance” argument. Data indicate that male adolescents tend to respond to adult constraints with a diminished sense of personal control (or fatalism). Delinquent involvement, however, negates the effect of such constraints. Implications for criminological theory, delinquency control, and future research are discussed.
Perceptions of the learning environment and associations with cognitive achievement among gifted biology students

This study assessed the perceptions of 146 gifted and 115 non-gifted high school biology students and investigated associations between student perceptions and cognitive achievement. The What Is Happening In this Class? (WIHIC) was used to assess perceptions of actual and preferred learning environments. Data indicated that all students preferred a more favourable environment than the one that they were currently experiencing, but gifted students perceived their actual environment more positively than non-gifted students. Statistically significant associations between the actual learning environment and achievement on a standardised biology test were found for the majority of scales. Teacher Support, Investigation and Equity were all statistically significant independent predictors of student achievement, while Student Cohesiveness had a negative association with achievement. Interviews revealed that students interpreted some WIHIC items differently from how the developers had intended.
Effect of the κ opioid agonist R-84760 on cocaine-induced increases in striatal dopamine levels and cocaine-induced place preference in C57BL/6J mice

While the effects of several kappa opioid receptor agonists on cocaine-induced reward have been studied, such effects of R-84760, a novel non-peptidic, potent and selective kappa opioid agonist that has been studied in humans, are not yet known. To study the effects of R-84760 on basal levels of dopamine, cocaine-induced increases in dopamine levels, cocaine-induced conditioned place preference and locomotor activity in mice. In the first experiment, R-84760 was administered i.p. (0, 0.01, 0.05 or 0.1 mg/kg) to C57BL/6J mice. Its effect on basal dopamine levels in the caudate putamen was measured with in vivo microdialysis. In the second experiment, the effect of pretreatment with 0.1 mg/kg R-84760 on cocaine-induced increases in dopamine levels was studied. The third experiment examined the effect of R-84760 (0.1 mg/kg) on the development of cocaine-induced conditioned place preference and locomotor activity in the conditioning chamber. R-84760 decreased dopamine levels in a dose-dependent manner. The highest dose of R-84760 (0.1 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly decreased dopamine levels relative to vehicle, an effect completely blocked by pre-injection with 10 mg/kg of the kappa-opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine (nor-BNI). The same dose of R-84760 blocked cocaine-induced increases in dopamine levels, cocaine-induced conditioned place preference and attenuated cocaine-induced locomotor response. These findings suggest that R-84760 decreases dopamine levels in the caudate putamen through kappa-opioid receptors. The inhibitory effect of R-84760 on striatal dopamine may contribute to its blockade of cocaine-induced increases in dopamine levels, cocaine-induced conditioned place preference and the associated increases in locomotor activity.
RNase-sensitive DNA polymerase activity in cell fractions and mutants of Neurospora crassa.

RNase-sensitive DNA polymerase activity (RSDP) was tested in different cell fractions of Neurospora crassa cell types and its morphological mutants. This RSDP was found localized in the microsomal pellet fraction and absent in the purified nuclear pellets isolated from different N. crassa cell types: conidia, germinated conidia, and mycelia. This enzyme is capable of synthesizing a DNA product only in the presence of all four deoxyribonucleoside-5′-triphosphates and Mg2+. Removal of RNA from the pellet fraction by RNase strongly inhibited the DNA synthesis. The endogenous synthesis of DNA in the microsomal pellet fraction was associated with the formation of an RNA:DNA hybrid as analyzed by Cs2SO4 equilibrium density gradient centrifugation. The DNA product after alkali hydrolysis hybridizes with the RNA isolated from the same pellet fraction, as analyzed by elution from hydroxylapatite column at 60 C. This DNA product did not hybridize with poly(A). A few mutants tested showed this RNase-sensitive DNA polymerase activity.
Dietary patterns associated with fat and bone mass in young children

Background: Obesity and osteoporosis have origins in childhood, and both are affected by dietary intake and physical activity. However, there is little information on what constitutes a diet that simultaneously promotes low fat mass and high bone mass accrual early in life. Objective: Our objective was to identify dietary patterns related to fat and bone mass in children during the age period of 3.8–7.8 y. Design: A total of 325 children contributed data from 13 visits over 4 separate study years (age ranges: 3.8–4.8, >4.8–5.8, >5.8–6.8, and >6.8–7.8 y). We performed reduced-rank regression to identify dietary patterns related to fat mass and bone mass measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry for each study year. Covariables included race, sex, height, weight, energy intake, calcium intake, physical activity measured by accelerometry, and time spent viewing television and playing outdoors. Results: A dietary pattern characterized by a high intake of dark-green and deep-yellow vegetables was related to low fat mass and high bone mass; high processed-meat intake was related to high bone mass; and high fried-food intake was related to high fat mass. Dietary pattern scores remained related to fat mass and bone mass after all covariables were controlled for (P < 0.001–0.03). Conclusion: Beginning at preschool age, diets rich in dark-green and deep-yellow vegetables and low in fried foods may lead to healthy fat and bone mass accrual in young children.
Analysis of actuator faults in a cooperative team consensus of unmanned systems

This work presents results on performance analysis of a team of agents in the presence of team members faults for three types of faults, i.e. loss of effectiveness, float, and lock-in-place faults. The team goal is to accomplish a cohesive motion in a modified leader-follower architecture using a semi-decentralized optimal control. This controller that is recently proposed by the authors is designed based on minimization of individual cost functions using local information. It is shown that a loss of effectiveness (LOE) fault does not deteriorate the stability or the consensus seeking goal of the team and would only result in a different transient behavior, e.g. a change in the agent's convergence rate, without a change in the consensus value. On the other hand if the fault in one or more of the agents is of the float type, either in the leader or the followers, the team does not maintain its consensus anymore but stability of the team can be guaranteed. Moreover, the leader and the healthy followers adapt themselves to the followers changes when a float fault occurs in one of the agents. Finally, the behavior of the team in the presence of a lock-in-place (LIP) fault is also discussed. Simulation results are provided to demonstrate the performance of the team in the presence of the above faults.
Tumor cell entry into the lymph node is controlled by CCL1 chemokine expressed by lymph node lymphatic sinuses

Lymphatic vessels are thought to contribute to metastasis primarily by serving as a transportation system. It is widely believed that tumor cells enter lymph nodes passively by the flow of lymph. We demonstrate that lymph node lymphatic sinuses control tumor cell entry into the lymph node, which requires active tumor cell migration. In human and mouse tissues, CCL1 protein is detected in lymph node lymphatic sinuses but not in the peripheral lymphatics. CCR8, the receptor for CCL1, is strongly expressed by human malignant melanoma. Tumor cell migration to lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) in vitro is inhibited by blocking CCR8 or CCL1, and recombinant CCL1 promotes migration of CCR8+ tumor cells. The proinflammatory mediators TNF, IL-1β, and LPS increase CCL1 production by LECs and tumor cell migration to LECs. In a mouse model, blocking CCR8 with the soluble antagonist or knockdown with shRNA significantly decreased lymph node metastasis. Notably, inhibition of CCR8 led to the arrest of tumor cells in the collecting lymphatic vessels at the junction with the lymph node subcapsular sinus. These data identify a novel function for CCL1–CCR8 in metastasis and lymph node LECs as a critical checkpoint for the entry of metastases into the lymph nodes.
Intelligence in Human Computation Games

Human computation is a field that studies the employment of humans' computing ability to solve complex problems that computers cannot easily solve in time. Games present one plat form for human computation in an entertaining manner. Pioneered by Luis Von Ahn and his colleagues, many games "with a purpose (GWAP) systems have been developed in recent years, such as ESP, GWAP for the Semantic Web, and CityExplorer. Computational tasks, including image tagging, building the Semantic Web, and collecting geo spatial data for cities, are "crowd sourced" to the players and solved by human power.
Intragranular Tungsten/Zirconium Carbide Nanocomposites via a Selective Liquid/Solid Displacement Reaction

A selective liquid/solid displacement reaction has been used, for the first time, to convert non-oxide ceramic solid solutions into composites comprised of intragranular metal nanoparticles embedded within non-oxide ceramic microcrystals. The reaction of (ZrxW1−x)C microparticles with a Zr–Cu liquid at 1300°C resulted in the formation of W/ZrC microparticles with a core-shell morphology. The internal microparticle core was comprised of W nanoparticles embedded within a single crystal ZrC matrix, whereas the W-free shell was comprised of an epitaxial layer of ZrC. Such a selective liquid/solid reaction process may be used to generate a variety of intragranular metal/ceramic-matrix composites.
Membrane lipid regulation of the tumor suppressor phosphatase PTEN

The neutral sphingolipid ceramide has been implicated in the apoptotic death of cells by a number of different mechanisms and we now present evidence that one of its actions is to activate the tumor supressor protein PTEN (phosphatase and tensin homolog deleted from chromosome 10). PTEN is mutated in multiple advanced cancers, is absent from many tumor cells such as gliomas, and functions largely as a polyphosphoinositide phosphatase. PTEN with a red-fluorescent protein (RFP) tag was overexpressed in both a human cell line derived from oligodendroglioma (HOG) and a rat pheochromocytoma cells line (PC12) by means of an inducible promoter system (tet-OFF). Induction of the gene by removal of doxocycline showed a generalized (cytosolic) distribution of PTEN which was changed to a more membrane-associated pattern following treatment with C2-ceramide. Activation of the cell death pathway with either staurosporine, wortmannin or C2-ceramide was facilitated by PTEN expression while lowering PTEN expression with antisense constructs partially blocked cell death. The staurosporine-induced increase in ceramide was localized to the Raft (detergent-resistant-membrane fraction) where active PTEN is also found. We propose that formation of ceramide during apoptosis results in the translocation of PTEN to the plasma membrane, where it can hydrolyze the polyphosphoinositides which normally activate the key antiapoptotic protein, phospho-Akt (protein kinase B). Since ceramide may also activate a Phospho-Akt phosphatase, this may further explain the high pro-apoptoic potential of ceramide.
Longitudinal Motion of the Beam in the Fermilab Booster

When the Fermilab Booster Accelerator is operated at or above 1.5 × 1012 protons per pulse (extraction current about 155 mA) large amplitude coupled bunch longitudinal dipole oscillations occur between transition and extraction times. The oscillations do not contribute to beam loss in the booster but, because the beam is transferred synchronously into preexisting buckets in the Main Ring, the oscillations contribute to a deterioration of beam quality in the main ring. Two mode numbers have been established for the instabilities and the primary source frequencies have been isolated, although the offending objects have not. Operation of one of the eighteen accelerating cavities at a harmonic number one unit lower than the operating value (83 instead of 84) effectively damps the motion by the introduction bunch to bunch synchrotron tune spread.
The effect of statins on perioperative inflammation in cardiac and thoracic surgery

Statins are being used with increasing frequency for indications beyond lipid-lowering therapy. In the perioperative setting, the use of statins as anti-inflammatory agents has been an area of growing interest. Despite the early clinical adoption, the data are controversial. Herein we review the available clinical trials examining the effects of statin therapy on perioperative markers of inflammation in cardiac and thoracic surgery.
36-GHz static digital frequency dividers in AlInAs-GaInAs HBT technology

Summary form only given. Static divide-by-four circuits have been fabricated that operate up to 36 GHz using AlInAs-GaInAs heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) IC technology processing an f/sub t/ and f/sub max/ of 110 and 73 GHz, respectively. The transistors used consisted of an abrupt emitter-base junction design which incorporated a low-temperature p-GaInAs spacer as part of the base to inhibit beryllium diffusion. The AlInAs-GaInAs HBT device layers were grown lattice-matched to semi-insulating InP substrates by solid-source molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). >
Metaproteomic evidence of changes in protein expression following a change in electrode potential in a robust biocathode microbiome

Microorganisms that respire electrodes may be exploited for biotechnology applications if key pathways for extracellular electron transfer can be identified and manipulated through bioengineering. To determine whether expression of proposed Biocathode-MCL extracellular electron transfer proteins are changed by modulating electrode potential without disrupting the relative distribution of microbial constituents, metaproteomic and 16S rRNA gene expression analyses were performed after switching from an optimal to suboptimal potential based on an expected decrease in electrode respiration. Five hundred and seventy-nine unique proteins were identified across both potentials, the majority of which were assigned to three previously defined Biocathode-MCL metagenomic clusters: a Marinobacter sp., a member of the family Chromatiaceae, and a Labrenzia sp (abbreviated as MCL). Statistical analysis of spectral counts using the Fisher's exact test identified 16 proteins associated with the optimal potential, five of which are predicted electron transfer proteins. The majority of proteins associated with the suboptimal potential were involved in protein turnover/synthesis, motility, and membrane transport. Unipept and 16S rRNA gene expression analyses indicated that the taxonomic profile of the microbiome did not change after 52 h at the suboptimal potential. These findings show that protein expression is sensitive to the electrode potential without inducing shifts in community composition, a feature that may be exploited for engineering Biocathode-MCL. All MS data have been deposited in the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD001590 (http://proteomecentral.proteomexchange.org/dataset/PXD001590).
Older rural women as recipients and providers of social support

Abstract The literature on serving the rural elderly has focused on rural elders primarily as passive recipients of care. This article views rural older women as active manipulators of the social support system within which they meet their perceived needs and the needs of others in their social network. It is based on the findings of a multi-phase qualitative study of 30 older women in central Minnesota. Data were collected through life history interviews, in-depth structured interviews, observation and network analysis profiles. The informants relationships with family, friends, neighbors and formal service providers are discussed. Implications for formal service delivery to rural elders are explored.
Coordination Through Geospatial Web Service Workflow in the Sensor Web Environment

The Sensor Web connects live sensors and Earth Science models (ESM). A workflow is one approach for designing, implementing, and constructing a live link between sensors and ESM. The Sensor Web consists of many individual Web services. A workflow coordinates them to enable bi-directional connectivity between sensors and ESMs. This study uses Business Process Execution Language as the base scripting language to design, author, deploy, and execute workflows. Message-level coordination mechanisms are developed, implemented, and demonstrated in two scenarios-bird migratory modeling and georeferenceable imagery workflow. The advantage of message-level coordination is short-cutting the data flow.
Acute elevation of NEFA causes hyperinsulinemia without effect on insulin secretion rate in healthy human subjects.

Increased circulating levels of nonesterified free fatty acids (NEFA) have been observed in such hyperinsulinemic states as obesity, impaired glucose tolerance, diabetes, and dyslipidemia where they have been causally linked to the development of insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia. The concentration of NEFA in plasma is believed to have direct modifying effects on insulin secre- tion and clearance. It remains controversial whether acute increases in NEFA potentiate insulin secretion in human subjects. We studied the effect of an acute elevation of NEFA during lipid-heparin infusion compared to a glycerol-only control on glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and clearance during a 120-min hyperglycemic (10 mM) clamp in 7 healthy normoglucose-tolerant volunteers. The metabolic clearance rate of C-peptide (MCRCP) was measured in each subject during the study by simultaneous infusion of C-peptide. Insulin secre- tion rate (ISR) was calculated from deconvolution of C-peptide data after cor- rection for the rate of C-peptide infusion. Clearance rate of insulin (MCRINS) was calculated based upon endogenous ISR. Plasma glucose (mg/dL): basal (90-115 min) 90.2 ± 2.8 vs. 90.2 ± 2.3; clamp (150-240 min) 180.5 ± 2.8 vs. 180.9 ± 1.3. Plasma insulin (pmol/L): prebasal (fasting) 29.6 ± 10.0 vs. 29.8 ± 10.6; basal (90-115 min) 30.1 ± 9.2 vs. 34.5 ± 12.1; second phase clamp (210-240 min) 127.6 ± 18.2 vs. 182.5 ± 17.3*. Plasma NEFA (mM): prebasal 0.47 ± 0.08 vs. 0.52 ± 0.09; basal 0.35 ± 0.05 vs. 0.98 ± 0.02*; clamp (122- 240 min) 0.06 ± 0.02 vs. 0.77 ± 0.06*. ISR (pmol/min): prebasal 72.7 ± 7.5 vs. 72.0 ± 7.9; second phase clamp (210-240 min) 268.5 ± 27.2 vs. 200.2 ± 23.7. MCRINS (mL/min): prebasal 3393 ± 488 vs. 3370 ± 511; clamp 2284 ± 505 vs. 1214 ± 153* (*p < 0.05 glycerol vs. intralipid/heparin). This study demonstrates that acute NEFA elevation causes hyperinsulinemia due to a significant decrease in systemic insulin clearance without increasing rates of insulin secretion.
Nursing as if the Future Matters

Issues related to environmental nursing science are presented in an interview with Patricia Butterfield. She addresses the importance of thinking about the future from an environmental macro perspective in terms of science, teaching and practice.
Activity of SiC Particles in Al-Based Metal Matrix Composites Revealed by SECM

Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) is used to image variations in electrochemical activity over the surface of an aluminum-based metal matrix composite (MMC) in contact with buffered or unbuffered neutral solutions. The composite consists of an Al-13.5% Si-9% Mg alloy matrix and reinforcing silicon carbide particles (SiC p ). Feedback-mode SECM imaging using ferrocenemethanol as a redox mediator in 0.1 M NaCI solution and in buffer solution (pH 6.8) revealed that the SiC particles are electrochemically active. The data suggest that the electronic conductivity at these sites is higher than that of the Al 2 O 3 film covering the alloy matrix surface. The reduction of dissolved oxygen on the silicon carbide particles was investigated by in situ SECM images of samples and current vs. tip-substrate distance curves. The results with samples of SiC p /Al composites immersed in distilled water alone or in either 0.1 M NaCI or boric acid/borax buffer containing ferrocenemethanol as mediator demonstrate that the silicon carbide particles are conductive and act as local cathodes for the reduction of oxygen.
Zero Estimates on Abelian Varieties

We give two proofs that a principally polarized abelian variety with maximally singular theta divisor must split into a product of elliptic curves. Both proofs are based on a systematic use of intersection theory, applied to derivatives of the theta divisor. The second of the two proofs, inspired by zero estimate techniques of transcendental number theory, is closely related to the study of Seshadri contants.
Recurrent Prolonged Erections and Priapism as a Sequela of Priapism: Pathophysiology and Management

AbstractVeno-occlusive priapism may be associated with prolonged corporeal ischemia, subsequent fibrosis of the corpora and impotence. We report on 6 patients who presented with an unusual sequela of veno-occlusive priapism, recurrent episodes of prolonged erections or priapism. In all cases the subsequent episodes were idiopathic and veno-occlusive, occurred with a frequency ranging from several times per day to once per month and were symptomatically disabling. Pharmacocavernosometry ruled out mechanical occlusion of corporeal venous drainage by demonstrating elevated flows to maintain intracavernosal pressures following smooth muscle contraction and markedly decreased flow rates following smooth muscle relaxation. Treatment of the recurrent episodes with intracavernous self-injection of phenylephrine resulted in successful detumescence. The use of oral phenylpropanolamine reduced the frequency and duration of the recurrences, and markedly reduced the need for adrenergic self-injection. It is proposed t...
Innovative Interventional and Imaging Registries: Precision Medicine in Cerebrovascular Disorders

Background: Precision medicine in cerebrovascular disorders may be greatly advanced by the use of innovative interventional and imaging-intensive registries. Regi
Taxonomy of Television Programs Based on Viewing Behavior

Development of classification systems of television programs has been a major interest to marketing researchers as well as networks. Past attempts at deriving classification systems utilized either viewing behavior data [4, 5] or program preference data [6]. But, these studies had not taken into account the effects of prior knowledge about television viewing as it relates to the audience characteristics or television scheduling. Frank et al. [2] developed a methodology based on regression to correct for this deficiency in previous research and employed it for developing program types with use of preference data from TvQ for a period of three years. This methodology encountered Ehrenberg's criticism of previous research [1]. This article is a replication of the study by Frank et al. using the viewing behavior data rather than preference data (which may be confounded by past behavior of individuals). The study attempts to compare the classification schemes of television programs before and after removing the effect of prior knowledge on viewing behavior. Prior knowledge was measured in this study by two sets of variables: (1) socioeconomic, demographic, and television ownership characteristics of individuals and (2) variables describing the scheduling of the television programs. The method employed for forming program types is the same as that employed in past research, namely, factor analysis.
Risk Handling Strategies in Industrial Vendor Selection Decisions

This article approaches the industrial buyer's vendor selection decision process as one of problem solving in the face of probabilistic outcomes, i.e., risk. The findings of the national experiment...
Tri-Gate Graphene Nanoribbon Transistors With Transverse-Field Bandgap Modulation

The CMOS-compatible double-spacer lithography demonstrates a scalable approach to fabricate the tri-gate graphene nanoribbon (GNR) transistor with self-aligned side gates, controllable GNR width, and reduced variations in line-edge roughness and GNR width. The electrical characteristics show bandgap modulation with transverse fields and ambipolar conduction with perpendicular fields. Bandgap modulation parameters are extracted from various GNR devices, but the experimental results show lower critical fields than those in the theoretical calculation. By integrating the bandgap modulation effect into CMOS device designs, the device switching performance can be improved. The subthreshold region and ON-state characteristics are investigated by simulation with the extracted parameters to purge the parasitic effects in the present fabrication process. The extra side-gate dependence achieves drain current enhancement in both saturation and linear regions, and the decreasing bandgap by the increasing transverse field results in the sharp switching of 37 mV/decade close to the threshold voltage. This FET switching improvement can be directly used for low-power operation without sacrificing ON current. In addition, the low-linear-region resistance makes bandgap modulation a promising concept for power gating devices.
The Logistics-Marketing Interface: Marketer Views on Improving Cooperation

Previous research has identified that the marketing and logistics functions come into conflict and disagreement on a number of issues. The present paper discusses marketer views for improving cooperation with the logistics function, and finds that the most frequently used cooperation techniques are top management support, information sharing, and a philosophy of cooperation. These are rather simple concepts, and their implementation can be accomplished at a relatively low cost and with minimal organizational disruption.