cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of genetic algorithms for the design of ozone control strategies.

ABSTRACT Designing air quality management strategies is complicated by the difficulty in simultaneously considering large amounts of relevant data, sophisticated air quality models, competing design objectives, and unquantifiable issues. For many problems, mathematical optimization can be used to simplify the design process by identifying cost-effective solutions. Optimization applications for controlling nonlinearly reactive pollutants such as tropospheric ozone, however, have been lacking because of the difficulty in representing nonlinear chemistry in mathematical programming models. We discuss the use of genetic algorithms (GAs) as an alternative optimization approach for developing ozone control strategies. A GA formulation is described and demonstrated for an urban-scale ozone control problem in which controls are considered for thousands of pollutant sources simultaneously. A simple air quality model is integrated into the GA to represent ozone transport and chemistry. Variations of the GA formulat...
Crustal radiogenic heat production and the selective survival of ancient continental crust

It is pointed out that the oldest terrestrial rocks have so far revealed no evidence of the impact phase of earth evolution. This observation suggests that processes other than impact were dominant at the time of stabilization of these units. However, a use of the oldest terrestrial rocks as a sample of the early terrestrial crust makes it necessary to consider the possibility that these rocks may represent a biased sample. In the present study, the global continental heat flow data set is used to provide further evidence that potassium, uranium, and thorium abundances are, on the average, low in surviving Archean crust relative to younger continental crust. An investigation is conducted of the implications of relatively low crustal radiogenic heat production to the stabilization of early continental crust, and possible Archean crustal stabilization models are discussed.
Extracorporeal Left Ventricular Assistance with Prostacyclin and Heparinized Centrifugal Pump

Abstract A temporary left ventricular assist system utilizing an improved left atrial catheter and centrifugal pump was developed and tried in 22 anesthetized sheep to test the hypothesis that prostacyclin (PGI 2 ) and ionically bound heparin-coated surfaces could prevent thrombosis in this perfusion system without inhibiting soluble, circulating coagulation factors. Sheep were perfused at 53.6 ml/kg/min (standard error, 1.5) from left atrium to aorta for two hours. The pump maintained flow at left atrial pressures of 3 to 4 mm Hg. As expected, systemic heparin inhibited coagulation, mildly activated platelets, and prevented thrombosis in uncoated perfusion circuits and wounds. Infusion of PGI 2 (30 ng/kg/min) without systemic heparin or heparin-bonded extracorporeal surfaces prevented platelet activation and did not alter coagulation measurements; however, bleeding times increased and thrombi formed in every circuit. When heparin was ionically bound to all extracorporeal surfaces, infusion of PGI 2 completely prevented thrombosis within the circuit, inhibited platelet activation, and did not alter coagulation measurements. Blood spontaneously clotted in three of six thoracotomy wounds during perfusion. When PGI 2 infusion was stopped, heparin-coated surfaces alone failed to prevent thrombosis within the system in 3 of 5 animals. The combination of PGI 2 infusion and heparin-coated extracorporeal surfaces prevents thrombosis within the perfusion circuit without inhibiting soluble coagulation factors. This method, using the assist system, overcomes many of the implementation and bleeding problems associated with other temporary left ventricular assist devices.
Vicarious and Persuasive Influences on Efficacy Expectations and Intentions To Perform Breast Self-Examination.

Abstract How should public health campaign messages be designed to reach young women about the importance of practicing breast self-examination throughout their lives? To answer this question, an experiment was conducted by testing the impact of symbolic modeling and persuasive efficacy information on self-efficacy beliefs and intentions to perform breast self-examination. The effects of these modes of efficacy induction on fear arousal and response-outcome expectations also were assessed. Overall, symbolic modeling engendered greater efficacy expectations and behavioral intentions than did persuasive efficacy information, which in turn exceeded the control condition. Hypothesized differences among conditions on fear arousal and response-outcome expectations were not obtained. Theoretical implications for designing and pretesting breast self-examination messages during the planning and programming phase of the public relations campaign-management process are discussed. Ron Anderson is associate professor of advertising and faculty coordinator of the Program in Public Relations at the University of Texas at Austin.
A reinvestigation of 4-hydroxyindole-6-carboxylate synthesis from pyrrole-2-carboxaldehyde: A facile synthesis of indoles and indolizines

Cyclization of the Stobbe product 3 under the literature conditions (acetic anhydride/sodium acetate) affords both the indole 6 and the indolizine 8. The presence of base promotes the formation of indolizine products, and using acetic anhydride/triethylamine leads to indolizine products in good yield. Improved conditions for conversion to indoles 2, 5, and 6 are reported, and inconsistencies in some of the literature structure assignments and characterization data are noted.
Wash and wean: Bathing patients undergoing weaning trials during prolonged mechanical ventilation

Background Bathing is a fundamental nursing care activity performed for or with the self-assistance of critically ill patients. Few studies address caregiver or patient–family perspectives about bathing activity during weaning from prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV). Objective To describe practices and beliefs about bathing patients during weaning from PMV. Methods Secondary analysis of qualitative data (observational field notes, interviews, and clinical record review) from a larger ethnographic study involving 30 patients weaning from PMV and the clinicians who cared for them using basic qualitative description. Results Bathing, hygiene, and personal care were highly valued and equated with “good” nursing care by families and nurses. Nurses and respiratory therapists reported “working around” bath time and promoted conducting weaning trials before or after bathing. Patients were nevertheless bathed during weaning trials despite clinicians' expressed concerns for energy conservation. Clinicians recognized individual patient response to bathing during PMV weaning trials. Conclusion Bathing is a central care activity for patients on PMV and a component of daily work processes in the intensive care unit. Bathing requires assessment of patient condition and activity tolerance and nurse–respiratory therapist negotiation and accommodation with respect to the initiation or continuation of PMV weaning trials during bathing. Further study is needed to validate the impact (or lack of impact) of various timing strategies for bathing patients who are on PMV.
Condensation in hypersonic nitrogen wind tunnels

Experimental observations and a theoretical model for the onset and disappearance of condensation are given for hypersonic flows of pure nitrogen at M = 10, 14 and 18. Measurements include Pitot pressures, static pressures and laser light scattering experiments. These measurements coupled with a theoretical model indicate a substantial non-equilibrium supercooling of the vapor phase beyond the saturation line. Typical results are presented with implications for the design of hypersonic wind tunnel nozzles.
Removal of amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal extension peptides from procollagen during synthesis of chick embryo tendon collagen

Abstract Matrix-free chick embryo tendon cells were incubated with [14C]proline for 60 minutes and protein synthesis was stopped by the addition of cycloheximide. Newly synthesized collagen precursors recovered in the incubation medium were mostly intact procollagen molecules which contain both amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal extensions. If the cells were further incubated for 2 hours in the presence of cycloheximide, most of the procollagen was converted to precursor molecules which were devoid of amino-terminal extensions. Removal of the carboxy-terminal extensions from procollagen was not observed. Similar experiments with intact tendons demonstrated that procollagen synthesized by the intact tissues in vitro was readily converted to an intermediate form devoid of amino-terminal extensions and then to collagen. The results suggest that the removal of the amino-terminal and carboxy-terminal extensions from procollagen is catalyzed by two separate enzymic activities.
Fumaric and citric acids as feed additives in starter pig diets: effect on performance and nutrient balance.

The effect of dietary citric acid (CA) and fumaric acid (FA) on pig weight gain (ADG) and gain/feed (G/F) was studied in two trials using 192 crossbred, 4-wk-old weaning pigs. Three dietary levels (0, 1.5 or 3.0%) of either FA (Trial 1) or CA (Trial 2) with or without an antibiotic supplement (110 mg chlortetracycline, 110 mg sulfamethazine and 55 mg penicillin/kg diet) formed six treatment combinations in each trial. These six diets were fed to two replicate pens of eight pigs each for a 4-wk period. In Trial 1, ADG was improved (P less than .01) during wk 1, and G/F was improved during wk 1 (P less than .01) as well as during wk 1 to 2 (P less than .05) for pigs consuming FA-supplemented diets. In Trial 2, CA had no beneficial influence on ADG during the 4-wk trial. However, feed intake during wk 1 was depressed (P less than .05) by adding CA, as was G/F during wk 1 to 2 (P less than .05). Based on these results, FA was selected to be used in a nutrient balance study. Twelve 4-wk-old weanling pigs were fed one of three diets: control (C), C + 1.5% FA, or C + antibiotic supplement (A). Diet digestible energy (DE), ME and N-corrected ME (MEN) were not different among treatments. Nitrogen balance, percentage N retained and apparent N digestibility were not affected by dietary treatment. Calcium balance and percentage of Ca retained were unaffected by diet.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Tetraspanin Cd9 Associates with Transmembrane TGF-α and Regulates TGF-α–Induced Egf Receptor Activation and Cell Proliferation

Transforming growth factor-α (TGF-α) is a member of the EGF growth factor family. Both transmembrane TGF-α and the proteolytically released soluble TGF-α can bind to the EGF/TGF-α tyrosine kinase receptor (EGFR) and activate the EGFR-induced signaling pathways. We now demonstrate that transmembrane TGF-α physically interacts with CD9, a protein with four membrane spanning domains that is frequently coexpressed with TGF-α in carcinomas. This interaction was mediated through the extracellular domain of transmembrane TGF-α. CD9 expression strongly decreased the growth factor– and PMA- induced proteolytic conversions of transmembrane to soluble TGF-α and strongly enhanced the TGF- α–induced EGFR activation, presumably in conjunction with increased expression of transmembrane TGF-α. In juxtacrine assays, the CD9-induced EGFR hyperactivation by transmembrane TGF-α resulted in increased proliferation. In contrast, CD9 coexpression with transmembrane TGF-α decreased the autocrine growth stimulatory effect of TGF-α in epithelial cells. This decrease was associated with increased expression of the cdk inhibitor, p21CIP1. These data reveal that the association of CD9 with transmembrane TGF-α regulates ligand-induced activation of the EGFR, and results in altered cell proliferation.
Genetic analyses of sweet taste transduction

A genetic analysis of sweet taste transduction was initiated using fruitflies and humans. In flies, behavioral and receptor cell electrophysiology data indicate different mechanisms for fructose and glucose in or before the receptor cells. Fructose nontasters (FN) and glucose nontasters (GN) were selected from natural populations of adults and larvae. The FN are the first fructose taste variants isolated in any species. There were no significant differences between male and female frequencies for either variant type, and no observable differences in banding patterns between wildtype and FN X-chromosomes. These and preliminary cross-breeding data suggested a polygenic trait, either completely autosomal, or including coding by a defective X-chromosomal gene for which an autosomal gene(s) can compensate. In humans, psychophysical functions also indicated different fructose and glucose mechanisms. Variability analysis suggested separate signals for the monosaccharides and an additive sucrose signal. Potential GN were identified by elevated glucose thresholds. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd
Electrophysiology of L-lysine entry across the brush-border membrane of Necturus intestine.

Abstract Microelectrode measurements of apical membrane potentials ( V a ) in absorptive cells of isolated Necturus intestine showed that, in the presence or absence of external Na + , 10 mM lysine added to the mucosal medium caused rapid depolarization followed by slower repolarization of V a . In Na + -free media the effects of 10 mM lysine on V a were abolished by 10 mM leucine which alone had no effect on V a under these conditions. This indicates that uncoupled electrodiffusion of lysine plays little or no role in lysine entry across the brush-border membrane. When external Na + was > 10 mM the maximum depolarization of V a ( ΔV ′ a ) induced by [Lys] ranging from 5 to 30 mM was a simple saturable function of [Lys]. In Na + -free media, the relationship between ΔV ′ a and [Lys] was biphasic. At first, ΔV ′ a increased with increasing [Lys] reaching a maximum at 10 mM lysine. When [Lys] was further increased, ΔV ′ a declined progressively to reach zero or near zero values. A single transport pathway model is proposed to account for rheogenic lysine entry across the brush-border membrane in the presence and absence of Na + . This postulates an amino acid transporter in the membrane with two binding sites. One is an amino acid site specific for the α-amino-α-carboxyl group. The other is a Na + site. Neutral amino acids (e.g. leucine) compete with lysine for the amino acid site. The Na + site has some affinity for the e-amino group of lysine. When external Na + is high the Na + site is essentially ‘saturated’ with Na + and formation of a mobile complex between an amino acid and the transporter depends in a saturable fashion on amino acid concentration. In Na + -free media or in media containing low [Na + ]; (i) at low external [Lys] the e-amino group of a lysine molecule (simultaneously attached to the amino acid site) interacts with the Na + site to form a mobile complex, (ii) as external [Lys] is increased, attachment of different lysine molecules to each site of an increasing number of transporters to form nontransported or poorly transported complexes results in substrate inhibition of the rheogenic lysine transport process.
Expectations and outcomes of prolonged mechanical ventilation.

Objective: Prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) provision is increasing markedly despite poor patient outcomes. Misunderstanding prognosis in the PMV decision making process could provide an explanation to this phenomenon. Therefore, we aimed to compare PMV decision makers' expectations for long-term patient outcomes with prospectively observed outcomes.
Modeling film-coat non-uniformity in polymer coated pellets: a stochastic approach.

The objective of the present study is to include coating thickness non-uniformity in the development of a drug release model using coated ion-exchange pellets through the use of stochastic approaches. Drug release from ion-exchange resins was described using a Nernst–Plank model. Complexes of a model drug (dextromethorphan) and Dowex® 50WX4-200 were prepared using a modified batch method and coated with Kollicoat® SR 30D polymer. The deterministic model, validated using experimental drug release profiles for different coating thicknesses at 0%, 10%, 15%, 20% (w/w), was in agreement with the experimental data with a maximum root mean square error (RMSE) of 2.4%. An arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian approach was pursued to develop models of spherical pellets with non-uniform coating thicknesses. The Monte Carlo method was used to simulate the effect of the level of coating deformity on the cumulative drug release profile. Considering the co-existence of equal percentages of deformed and undeformed pellets in a batch, the cumulative release profile can vary by approximately ±6% as a result of coating non-uniformity. The release profile obtained for a model of an arbitrary pellet with an actual non-uniform coating profile was in good agreement with the average release profile for the models of the theoretical randomly deformed pellets. The developed mathematical model is a useful tool to evaluate and predict release profiles of polymer coated ion-exchange resin complexes.
A Calcium/Calmodulin-dependent Activation of ERK1/2 Mediates JunD Phosphorylation and Induction of nur77 and20α-hsd Genes by Prostaglandin F2α in Ovarian Cells *

We have previously demonstrated that prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) induces a rapid and transient expression of Nur77 in luteal cells. We have shown that Nur77 plays an important role in ovarian physiology by mediating the PGF2α induction of 20α-HSD, a steroidogenic enzyme involved in the catabolism of progesterone. In this report we established, using luteinized granulosa cells, that PGF2αstimulates in vitro nur77 expression in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Serial 5′-deletion of thenur77 promoter revealed that the necessary and sufficient elements for PGF2α induction of Nur77 promoter activity are located between the nucleotides −86 and −33 upstream of the transcription start site, this region containing two AP1 elements. JunD binds to these AP1 sites, but its binding is not stimulated by PGF2α. However, mutation of the AP1 sites as well as a dominant-negative JunD abolished nur77 induction by PGF2α. PGF2α induces phosphorylation of JunD bound to the nur77 promoter. Stimulation ofnur77 expression and JunD phosphorylation were prevented by inhibitors of calcium, calmodulin, or ERK1/2 kinase. PGF2α-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation was prevented by calcium/calmodulin inhibitors. We conclude that activation of JunD through a calmodulim-dependent activation of ERK1/2 mediates nur77 induction by PGF2α. Finally, we demonstrated that this molecular mechanism also mediates20α-hsd induction.
Ethics for engineers falls in an unstructured gray zone

As engineering is a profession, engineers must consider the impact of ethics in their behavior. The design and application of technology include the responsibility to provide quality products and services. Professional engineering includes the responsibility of creating a positive impact on society and the quality of life. The trust places a greater responsibility on the engineering profession to assure personal safety and national security. This underscores the need for engineers to understand ethical behavior and to establish ethical conduct as a foundation of their career. In fact, engineering ethics is as important to good engineering practices as mathematics, physics, design skills, and other engineering fundamentals. Thus many Professional engineering organizations such as the IEEE have developed codes of ethics as a guide for their members
Cultural differences in neural function associated with object processing

Behavioral research suggests that Westerners focus more on objects, whereas East Asians attend more to relationships and contexts. We evaluated the neural basis for these cultural differences in an event-related fMRI study. East Asian and American participants incidentally encoded pictures of (1) a target object alone, (2) a background scene with no discernable target object, and (3) a distinct target object against a meaningful background. Americans, relative to East Asians, activated more regions implicated in object processing, including bilateral middle temporal gyrus, left superior parietal/angular gyrus, and right superior temporal/supramarginal gyrus. In contrast to the cultural differences in object-processing areas, few differences emerged in background-processing regions. These results suggest that cultural experiences subtly direct neural activity, particularly for focal objects, at an early stage of scene encoding.
Adenosine A1 and A3 receptors: Distinct cardioprotection

Adenosine is released in large amounts during myocardial ischemia and exerts potent cardioprotective effects in the heart. Although these observations on adenosine have been known for a long time, how adenosine acts to achieve its antiischemic effect remains incompletely understood. Recent advances in the chemistry and pharmacology of adenosine receptor ligands have provided important and novel information on the function of adenosine receptor subtypes in the cardiovascular system. The development of model systems for the cardiac actions of adenosine has yielded important insights into its mechanism of action and have begun to elucidate the sequence of signaling events from receptor activation to the actual exertion of its cardioprotective effect. The goal of the current article is to review recent advances on the cellular and molecular mechanisms that mediate the cardiac actions of adenosine and to show the cardioprotective effect of novel adenosine ligands.
Auditory compensation for early blindness in cat cerebral cortex

Single-neuron activity was recorded in the caudal part of the anterior ectosylvian (AE) cortex of cats that had been deprived of vision for several years by means of binocular lid suture shortly after birth and in normal control animals. Over 300 neurons were tested in each group with auditory, visual, and somatosensory stimuli. We confirmed the existence of an anterior ectosylvian visual area (AEV) in the fundus and ventral bank of the AE sulcus. Neurons in AEV had purely visual responses in normal cats. In visually deprived cats, by contrast, only a minority of cells in this area still responded to visual stimulation. Instead, most cells reacted vigorously to auditory and, to some extent, somatosensory stimuli. The few remaining visual neurons were also driven by auditory or somatosensory stimuli. No increase in the number of unresponsive neurons was found. It appears, therefore, that a cortical region that normally represents visual activity can become driven by auditory or somatosensory activity as a result of visual deprivation. Our results imply that early blindness causes compensatory increases in the amount of auditory cortical representation, possibly by an expansion of nonvisual areas into previously visual territory. In particular, they provide evidence for the existence of neural mechanisms for intermodal compensatory plasticity in the cerebral cortex of young animals. The changes described here may also provide the neural basis for a behavioral compensation for early blindness described elsewhere.
Lack of BRAF mutations in hyalinizing trabecular neoplasm

The hyalinizing trabecular neoplasm (HTN) of the thyroid is an unusual and controversial lesion. Some consider it a peculiar type of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) because of its nuclear features and presence of psammoma bodies. Others consider it an adenoma. Molecular studies have found RET/PTC translocations in some examples, supporting HTN as a PTC; however mutations in BRAF (another marker for PTC) have not been found. We report two cases of classic HTN and a case of trabecular PTC and show BRAF mutations in the latter and not in HTN. Trabecular growth pattern is insufficient for a diagnosis of HTN and lesions with such a pattern and nuclear features of PTC are cancers. Morphologically classic HTN are not associated with metastatic potential and should be considered adenomas.
Tsunami surges around the Hawaiian Islands from the 1 April 2014 North Chile Mw 8.1 earthquake

The 1 April 2014 Iquique Mw 8.1 earthquake ruptured a segment of the megathrust fault offshore of northern Chile and generated a moderate-size tsunami across the Pacific. Tide gauges in Hawaii recorded over 1 m of wave height despite the long distance from the source and position away from the main radiated energy lobe. Inversion of global teleseismic body waves combined with forward modeling of the tsunami at four near-field DART stations arrives iteratively at a self-consistent finite-fault model with very compact dimensions. The slip distribution produces a NNE-SSW trending seafloor uplift patch that enhances the tsunami directionality in the WNW, resulting in good matches to observed DART and tide gauge records around the Hawaiian Islands. The relatively large waves at selected locations in Hawaii can be attributed to a combination of the spatial slip distribution and the resulting short-period waves that triggered localized resonance over the insular shelves. This event highlights the importance of characterizing detailed slip distributions in analysis or forecasting of tsunamis even for a compact source.
Polyp Guideline: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Surveillance for Patients with Nonfamilial Colorectal Polyps*

• Objective: To outline the preferable approach to the management of patients with nonfamilial colorectal polyps. • Data Sources: The human subject English language literature for the past 15 years, searched using MEDLINE and the terms "polyp-," "adenoma-," and 1' polypectomy-colorectal.'' • Study Selection: The titles and abstracts of all per­ tinent articles were reviewed. All randomized controlled trials and large case-control and cohort studies related to colorectal polyps were reviewed in depth. • Data Synthesis: Evidence was evaluated along a hierarchy with randomized controlled trials receiving the greatest weight. Conclusions and recommenda­ tions were reviewed by a large group of experts in gastroenterology, radiology, and pathology and were circulated for comment to primary care medical societ­ ies. • Conclusions: Most patients with polyps should un­ dergo colonoscopy to excise the polyp and search for synchronous neoplasms. Small polyps (<0.5 cm) re­ quire individualization. A hyperplastic polyp found dur­ ing proctosigmoidoscopy is not an indication for colonoscopy. Large sessile polyps require careful fol­ low-up to ensure complete resection. The need for further treatment of a resected polyp with invasive carcinoma depends on several well-defined clinical and pathologic criteria. Follow-up surveillance after polypectomy should be tailored to the individual risk assessment for each patient. Initial follow-up should be performed at 3 years for most postpolypectomy pa­ tients. After one negative result of a 3-year examination, the interval can be increased to 5 years. Patients with one small tubular adenoma do not have an increased risk for cancer, and therefore follow-up surveillance may not be indicated. Adoption of these recommenda­ tions should substantially reduce the cost of postpoly­ pectomy surveillance and of screening for colorectal cancer.
Simulation and modeling of phase noise in open-loop oscillators

This paper presents a discussion about the definition of phase noise for general oscillation waveforms; a numerical method for transistor-level simulation and characterization of phase noise in open-loop (free running) oscillators; application of the phase noise simulation method to harmonic, relaxation and ring oscillators and a technical discussion of the phase noise characterization results; comparisons of the results of phase noise simulations for harmonic, relaxation and ring oscillators with the results of related work in the literature.
THE RELATION OF A MODULUS OF GRAIN SIZE TO THE MECHANICAL STRENGTH OF SAGGER MIXTURES1

A series of sagger mixtures is prepared with grain size varied on a calculated fineness modulus. Both dry and fired strength are related to grain size and a striking maximum point is obtained.
Fatty acid modulation of MCF-7 human breast cancer cell proliferation, apoptosis and differentiation ☆

Epidemiological studies suggest that dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) may influence breast cancer progression and prognosis. In order to study potential mechanisms of action of fatty acid modulation of tumor growth, we studied, in vitro, the influence of n-3 and n-6 fatty acids on proliferation, cell cycle, differentiation and apoptosis of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Both eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) inhibited the MCF-7 cell growth by 30% and 54%, respectively, while linoleic acid (LA) had no effect and arachidonic acid (AA) inhibited the cell growth by 30% (p < 0.05). The addition of vitamin E (10uM) to cancer cells slightly restored cell growth. The incubation of MCF-7 cells with PUFAs did not alter the cell cycle parameters or induce cell apoptosis. However, the growth inhibitory effects of EPA, DHA and AA were associated with cell differentiation as indicated by positive Oil-Red-O staining of the cells. Lipid droplet accumulation was increased by 65%, 30% and 15% in the presence of DHA, EPA and AA, respectively; (p < 0.05). These observations suggest that fatty acids may influence cellular processes at a molecular level, capable of modulating breast cancer cell growth.
Staphylococcus aureus subacute bacterial endocarditis superimposed on a congenital heart lesion with recovery

Abstract A case of subacute bacterial endocarditis caused by the Staphylococcus aureus , with recovery and a four-year period of observation, is reported. The possible beneficial effect of staphylococcus antitoxin in the treatment in this case is discussed.
Virtual Probe: A Statistical Framework for Low-Cost Silicon Characterization of Nanoscale Integrated Circuits

In this paper, we propose a new technique, referred to as virtual probe (VP), to efficiently measure, characterize, and monitor spatially-correlated inter-die and/or intra-die variations in nanoscale manufacturing process. VP exploits recent breakthroughs in compressed sensing to accurately predict spatial variations from an exceptionally small set of measurement data, thereby reducing the cost of silicon characterization. By exploring the underlying sparse pattern in spatial frequency domain, VP achieves substantially lower sampling frequency than the well-known Nyquist rate. In addition, VP is formulated as a linear programming problem and, therefore, can be solved both robustly and efficiently. Our industrial measurement data demonstrate the superior accuracy of VP over several traditional methods, including 2-D interpolation, Kriging prediction, and k-LSE estimation.
Calculated electronic, transport, and bulk properties of zinc-blende zinc sulphide (zb-ZnS)

Abstract We present the results from ab initio, self-consistent, local density approximation (LDA) calculations of electronic and related properties of zinc-blende zinc sulphide (zb-ZnS). We employed the Ceperley and Alder LDA potential and the linear combination of atomic orbital (LCAO) formalism. Our calculations are non-relativistic. The implementation of the LCAO formalism followed the Bagayoko, Zhao, and Williams (BZW) method, as enhanced by Ekuma and Franklin (BZW-EF). The BZW-EF method includes a methodical search for the optimal basis set that yields the minima of the occupied energies. This search entails increasing the size of the basis set and related modifications of angular symmetry and of radial features. Our calculated, direct band gap of 3.725 eV, at the Γ point, is in excellent agreement with experiment. We have also calculated the total (DOS) and partial (pDOS) densities of states, electron and hole effective masses and the bulk modulus that agree very well with available, corresponding experimental results.
Critical Applications and Proposals for Improvement of the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act and the Federal Full Faith and Credit for Child Support Orders Act

This article reviews the interplay of two statutes, the Uniform Interstate Family Support Act and the Full Faith and Credit for Child Support Orders Act. These jurisdictional statutes relating to family support are somewhat redundant of one another and may fail to operate perfectly in tandem, as a series of hypothetical fact patterns illustrates.
Association of the Duration of Active Pushing With Obstetric Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE:To estimate the associations between the duration of active pushing during the second stage of labor and maternal and neonatal outcomes.METHODS:We performed an observational study in which data were obtained by trained abstractors from maternal and neonatal charts of deliveries at 25 hospi
"The Pronounced Impact of Subtle Factors in Negotiations: Pre-meetings, Handshakes, Anger, & Asking"

Seemingly subtle acts and feelings of negotiators, whether having a 5 minute pre-meeting together or offering a hand to shake prior to a negotiation, choosing to feel anger, or asking a simple ques...
Abstract 2448: Development of a red fluorescent labeled agent for assessing HER2 expressionin vitroandin vivo

Upregulation of tumor HER2 occurs in approximately 25% women with breast cancer and is often associated with poor prognosis. We developed a red fluorescent imaging agent to non-invasively image and quantify tumor-associated HER2 expression in vivo. A red fluorescent dye (VivoTag 645; α=210,000 μ/cm; abs/em max 643/660 nm) was used to label trastuzumab, which is currently used to treat breast and stomach cancer. The red-labeled trastuzumab (VM4003) preferentially labeled HER2+ SKOV-3 human ovarian adenocarcinoma cells over HER2− human colorectal adenocarcinoma Colo-205 cells (10 fold), and the specificity of binding was confirmed by control experiments using free dye, labeled non-specific IgG, and competitive blockade with unlabeled excess trastuzumab. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed the expected membrane localization of fluorescence. In vivo and ex vivo imaging by fluorescence molecular tomography (FMT), showed significantly higher signal within the tumors, peaking at 6-72 hours following intravenous injection of 2 mg/kg VM4003, decreasing thereafter with a tissue half-life of 3 days. In vivo quantification of tumor signal in nude mice showed significantly higher tumor signal in HER2+ than in HER2− tumors (14.36 + 4 versus 2.39+ 0.74 pmol, at 6h imaging time, p=0.007; 18.77 + 4.45 versus 3.50+ 0.98 pmol, at 24h, p=0.001). Specificity of targeting was confirmed by competition with excess intravenous unlabeled trastuzumab, which achieved 70% signal inhibition in the tumors (tumor signal 16.12 + 3.03 versus 4.72 + 1.96 pmol, p=0.022 at 24h). Tumor volumes, as determined by direct measurements of tumor size, were comparable between both groups of mice (p=0.193). Fluorescence microscopy of ex vivo frozen tissue sections confirmed tumor fluorescence and signal localization associated to cell membranes and cytoplasm. In summary, red fluorescent-labeled trastuzumab selectively targets αER2, allowing both imaging in vitro and the non-invasive real-time tomographic imaging and quantification in vivo of HER-2 expression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2448. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2448
Building a National Security Program at a Small School: Identifying Opportunities and Overcoming Challenges

ABSTRACTThis article offers insights into the overall program development process and—institutional obstacles and constraints notwithstanding—successful introduction of a new national security program at a small liberal arts university at a time of growing institutional prioritization of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) programs. The successful launch of the program at a time of rising institutional resource constraints provides valuable suggestions for colleges and universities of similar size to University of Mount Union on how to develop programs in national security and/or intelligence studies that not only remain solidly grounded in the social sciences but are also tailored to a specific career path. Although aspiring to build the ideal program may be a natural inclination, the ability and willingness to settle for what is feasible rather than optimal and to devise creative ways to leverage existing resources and to align as best as possible with institutional direction is a p...
Providing Choice in Middle Grade Classrooms: An Exploratory Study of Enactment Variability and Student Reflection

Employing descriptive and interpretive analyses of classroom videos and focus group data, this study details how the provision of choice was enacted in instruction, and the subsequent messages stud...
Study on Microbicidal Effects of Electrolyzed Oxidizing Water and its Application on Disinfection of Food Processing and Utensils

Objective To study the microbicidal effects of electrolyzed oxidizing water(EOW) and its application on disinfection of food manufacture and utensil. Methods E.coli, S.aureus , B.subtis , A.flavus , P.islandicum and F.moniliforme were tested by standard methods to determine the microbicided effects. Utensils and purified water bottle(PWB),the apparatus surfaces and worker's hands in purified water factories and health food processing factories were tested to identify the disinfection effects. Results Bactericidal rates of Eow were 100% for E.coli and S.aureus (10 6CFU/ml) with in 30sec.,99.99% for B.subtis(10 6CFU/ml) with in 30 min. ,100% for A.flavus , P.islandicum , and F.moniliforme(10 5CFU/ml) with in 5 min.After the 18.9L PWB treated with EOW for 2 min.the steriliznq rates wtre and 99.97% for contaminated bacteria and 99.88% for fungi,For utensils,the sterilizing rate of coliform bacteria was 100% treatea with EOW for 5 min.The disinfection rate for bacteria and fungi on the apparatus surfaces and worker's hands in purified water factories and food processing factories was 93.84%. Conclusion EOW was a high effective disinfectant and can be applied on the disinfection of utensil and food processing.
Graphene-aluminum nitride NEMS resonant infrared detector.

The use of micro-/nanoelectromechanical resonators for the room temperature detection of electromagnetic radiation at infrared frequencies has recently been investigated, showing thermal detection capabilities that could potentially outperform conventional microbolometers. The scaling of the device thickness in the nanometer range and the achievement of high infrared absorption in such a subwavelength thickness, without sacrificing the electromechanical performance, are the two key challenges for the implementation of fast, high-resolution micro-/nanoelectromechanical resonant infrared detectors. In this paper, we show that by using a virtually massless, high-electrical-conductivity, and transparent graphene electrode, floating at the van der Waals separation of a few angstroms from a piezoelectric aluminum nitride nanoplate, it is possible to implement ultrathin (460 nm) piezoelectric nanomechanical resonant structures with improved electromechanical performance (>50% improved frequency×quality factor) and infrared detection capabilities (>100× improved infrared absorptance) compared with metal-electrode counterparts, despite their reduced volumes. The intrinsic infrared absorption capabilities of a submicron thin graphene–aluminum nitride plate backed with a metal electrode are investigated for the first time and exploited for the first experimental demonstration of a piezoelectric nanoelectromechanical resonant thermal detector with enhanced infrared absorptance in a reduced volume. Moreover, the combination of electromagnetic and piezoelectric resonances provided by the same graphene–aluminum nitride-metal stack allows the proposed device to selectively detect short-wavelength infrared radiation (by tailoring the thickness of aluminum nitride) with unprecedented electromechanical performance and thermal capabilities. These attributes potentially lead to the development of uncooled infrared detectors suitable for the implementation of high performance, miniaturized and power-efficient multispectral infrared imaging systems. Researchers in the United States have developed an ultrathin nanoelectromechanical resonant thermal detector that could outperform standard microbolometers. The team, led by Matteo Rinaldi at Northeastern University, Boston, used a monolayer graphene sheet, in lieu of a bulky metal film, as an electrode on top of a piezoelectric aluminum nitride nanoplate resonator. This virtually massless graphene electrode, floating a few angstroms above the nanoplate, not only boosts the vibration frequency and electromechanical performance of the resonator but it also enables effective infrared absorption in such a vibrating structure with reduced volume and enhanced thermal sensitivity. The achievement of high infrared absorptance, in nanomechanical vibrating structures with reduced volume and improved electromechanical performance, addresses one of the most fundamental challenges in the field enabling the development of fast and high-resolution uncooled nanoelectromechanical resonant infrared detectors.
Widowhood and Depression in a Cross-National Perspective: Evidence from the United States, Europe, Korea, and China.

Objectives We explore marital and depression trajectories over time for men and women, and distinguish between mood and somatic depression across contexts. Method We use longitudinal data from 2002 to 2013 from the United States, England, Europe, Korea, and China to explore depression among individuals married at baseline and follow their trajectories into widowhood with married as the reference group. We use random effects models to estimate these trajectories using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) or EURO-D scales for men and women. Results Depression peaks within the first year of widowhood for men and women, but women recover to levels comparable to married counterparts in all countries. Men sustain high levels of depression even 6-10 years post-widowhood everywhere except Europe. Widowed women have higher somatic depression compared to men, who have higher mood depression. Family plays differential roles in mediating depression across countries. Discussion Our research shows the complex global relationship between widowhood and depression. Studies that do not compare depression trajectories over time may make incorrect inferences about the persistence of depression by gender and country. Interventions should target different components of depression: mood-related symptoms for men and somatic-related symptoms for women for most effective recovery.
Psychiatrists in Combat: From the Deckplates to Division

A Retired Navy Medical Officer reflects on personal experiences as Division Surgeon, First Marine Division, during the invasion of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) in 2003. Family history of military service and combat exposure are discussed. Aspects of preparation for deployment, deployment, and return from deployment are explored. Lessons Learned and Clinical Pearls are provided.
Intraperitoneal Disease Dissemination Patterns Are Associated With Residual Disease, Extent of Surgery, and Molecular Subtypes in Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Abstract Objective To investigate the association between intraperitoneal (IP) disease dissemination patterns, residual disease (RD), surgical complexity, and molecular subtypes in advanced high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC). Methods 741 patients with operable stage III-IV HGSOC undergoing primary debulking surgery at Mayo Clinic from 1994 to 2011 were categorized into four mutually exclusive IP disease dissemination patterns: upper abdominal (60%), miliary (16%), lower abdominal (15%), and pelvic (9%). Surgical complexity was classified as high, intermediate, or low; RD status was defined as 0, 0.1–0.5, 0.6–1.0, or >1cm; molecular subtype assignments were derived from expression profiling of tumors from 334 patients. Results Patients with either miliary or upper abdominal dissemination patterns were less likely to achieve RD0 compared to patients with pelvic and lower abdominal dissemination patterns (25% vs. 9% and 62%, each P P P Conclusions IP disease dissemination patterns are associated with RD, surgical complexity, and tumor molecular subtypes. Patients with upper abdominal or miliary dissemination patterns are more likely to have mesenchymal HGSOC and in turn achieve lower rates of complete resection. This provides a plausible model for how the biologic behavior of molecular subtypes is manifest in disease and oncologic outcomes.
Non-invasive peripheral nerve stimulation via focused ultrasound in vivo

Focused ultrasound (FUS) has been employed on a wide range of clinical applications to safely and non-invasively achieve desired effects that have previously required invasive and lengthy procedures with conventional methods. Conventional electrical neuromodulation therapies that are applied to the peripheral nervous system (PNS) are invasive and/or non-specific. Recently, focused ultrasound has demonstrated the ability to modulate the central nervous system and ex vivo peripheral neurons. Here, for the first time, noninvasive stimulation of the sciatic nerve eliciting a physiological response in vivo is demonstrated with FUS. FUS was applied on the sciatic nerve in mice with simultaneous electromyography (EMG) on the tibialis anterior muscle. EMG signals were detected during or directly after ultrasound stimulation along with observable muscle contraction of the hind limb. Transecting the sciatic nerve downstream of FUS stimulation eliminated EMG activity during FUS stimulation. Peak-to-peak EMG response amplitudes and latency were found to be comparable to conventional electrical stimulation methods. Histology along with behavioral and thermal testing did not indicate damage to the nerve or surrounding regions. The findings presented herein demonstrate that FUS can serve as a targeted, safe and non-invasive alternative to conventional peripheral nervous system stimulation to treat peripheral neuropathic diseases in the clinic.
ResearchGate and Academia.edu as networked socio-technical systems for scholarly communication: a literature review

ResearchGate and Academia.edu have been increasingly acknowledged as the most popular academic social network sites (ASNS) for scholarly communication. Along with their benefits for supporting communication and knowledge sharing within academic communities, concerns over quality and credibility remain a pertinent issue. In terms of research investigation, ASNS have attracted strong attention for new scholarly practice and their potential for building, maintaining and enhancing reputation. However, a thorough understanding is still lacking of how these sites operate as networked socio-technical systems reshaping scholarly practices and academic identity. This article analyses 39 empirical studies published in peer-reviewed journals with a specific focus on ResearchGate and Academia.edu. The aim is to describe the status of the research and to identify gaps and priorities in the areas of scholarly networked learning and shared knowledge. Results show that the number of studies focusing on ResearchGate was more than double those dedicated to Academia.edu. While both sites have attracted attention in the library and information sciences as deployments for reputation building and alternative ranking systems, such as ResearchGate metrics, there is a dearth of research investigating practices and new modes of communication in the light of a networked participatory approach to scholarship. Most of the studies analysed focused on the general uptake or impact assessment of alternative metrics, while very few investigated individual and collective scholarly practices. This study points to the need for specific research on open and distributed learning achieved in ASNS according to a networked learning perspective. Published : 20 February 2018 Citation : Research in Learning Technology 2018, 26 : 2008 - https://dx.doi.org/10.25304/rlt.v26.2008