cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Finite-difference time-domain numerical study of ultrashort pulse propagation across sub-micron scale distances in Al:ZnO/ZnO at the epsilon near-zero spectral point

The epsilon-near-zero (ENZ) spectral region in metamaterials has shown unique opportunities for enhancing light-matter interactions, particularly due to the large variation of dielectric permittivity over a small frequency range. In this work, ultrashort pulse propagation at the ENZ point is investigated using both the split-step method approach to solving Nonlinear Schrodinger’s equation (NLSE) and the one-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. We use an estimation for chromatic dispersion at the ENZ for the NLSE, and low input powers for the initial pulse to minimize nonlinearities for both methods. The permittivity for the AZO/ZnO structure was varied only in the AZO layer, which we estimated using Drude model. We found that the damping frequency, γ, in the Drude model has the most influence on pulse shaping during propagation as it relates to losses within the material. Results from our 1D FDTD simulations have shown soliton-like behavior for incoming ultrashort pulses with duration 100 fs in the ENZ region up to 300 nm lengths for γ = 1x1011 and 1x1012 Hz.
Prosperity and PeacePresidential Address

Not only are peace and prosperity highly desirable goals independently, they may be linked causally to each other. There is evidence that many outbreaks of violent international conflict are a result of a loss of prosperity. Plans for war may be set in motion under the frustrations of economic recession or depression, even though they may not materialize as actual war until economic recovery has begun. This article outlines some of the theory and evidence that suggest the plausibility of this hypothesis, linking it with the authoritarian character of many states. Research must be pursued at the level of the international system and in the behavior of particular nation-states.
Thermal atomic layer deposition of Sn metal using SnCl4 and a vapor phase silyl dihydropyrazine reducing agent

This work explores a novel, thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD) process to deposit tin metal at a low temperature. The authors employ 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,4-dihydropyrazine (DHP) to reduce SnCl4 on silicon substrates. The authors explored a range of temperatures between 130 and 210 °C to determine the ALD window, which was found to be 170–210 °C. The authors show that this process yields a growth rate of ∼0.3 A per cycle at 190 °C. Furthermore, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed that the film impurities are reduced for depositions within the ALD window. The reaction mechanism was explored using in situ mass spectrometry and in situ quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). Within the ALD temperature window, the QCM results showed a saturated mass gain during the SnCl4 exposure and a net mass loss during the DHP dose. Consistent with the QCM results, in situ mass spectroscopy data indicate that the DHP exposure step removes surface Cl via formation of volatile trimethylsilyl chloride and pyrazine by-products, effectively reducing the oxidation state of surface-bound Sn. This work is the first thermal Sn metal ALD process to be reported in literature and the oxidation/reduction chemistry presented here may be applied to other metal precursors, increasing the applicability of metal ALD use in industry.This work explores a novel, thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD) process to deposit tin metal at a low temperature. The authors employ 1,4-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1,4-dihydropyrazine (DHP) to reduce SnCl4 on silicon substrates. The authors explored a range of temperatures between 130 and 210 °C to determine the ALD window, which was found to be 170–210 °C. The authors show that this process yields a growth rate of ∼0.3 A per cycle at 190 °C. Furthermore, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed that the film impurities are reduced for depositions within the ALD window. The reaction mechanism was explored using in situ mass spectrometry and in situ quartz crystal microbalance (QCM). Within the ALD temperature window, the QCM results showed a saturated mass gain during the SnCl4 exposure and a net mass loss during the DHP dose. Consistent with the QCM results, in situ mass spectroscopy data indicate that the DHP exposure step removes surface Cl via formation of volatile trimethylsilyl chloride and pyraz...
Expanding Conceptions of Utility: Middle School Students' Perspectives on the Usefulness of Mathematics.

This research explores how adolescents conceptualize the usefulness of mathematics. Integrating sociocultural theory with the study of utility value, this study uses open-ended survey items and int...
Melting the Earth's Upper Mantle

Abstract The magmas that erupt from volcanoes on Earth originate primarily through partial melting processes initiated in the Earth's mantle. This chapter will discuss the structure and physical properties of the Earth's upper mantle that influence magma generation, physical mechanisms leading to melting, and the chemical compositions of mantle melts.
Abstract 4575: IL17 signaling modulates tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer

Pancreatic cancer is the one of the most devastating malignancies and the 5-years survival remains below 10% for decades. The pancreatic tumor microenvironment is very complex with tumor cells surrounded by a dense fibro-inflammatory stroma with fibroblasts and immune-suppressive cells which are known to play a pivotal role in the whole process of tumorigenesis, and contributing to the lack of responses to most therapies. We have previously described that IL17, a cytokine secreted from immune cells recruited to the pancreas in response to Kras and inflammation, is involved in the initiation and development of pancreatic premalignant lesions, in part by promoting stemness on the oncogenic epithelium. In this study, we aim to dissect the role of IL17 on the stroma in established pancreatic adenocarcinoma. To this end, we blocked the IL17 signaling pathway with monoclonal antibodies and also used a parallel genetic approach which consisted in IL17RA deletion from the cancer cells using CRISPR-Cas9. RNA sequencing analysis, flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, and opal-multiplex immunofluorescence were performed on tumors and cellular compartments. We uncovered that neutrophils recruitment was the main pathway altered by IL-17. Using flow cytometry, IHC and opal-multiplex we found that Gr1+ cells were significantly modulated by Il17 in the tumor microenvironment, as not only the numbers of these cells were altered but also their spatial distribution with respect to CD8+T cells, which may contribute to the generation and maintenance of the immunosuppressive microenvironment that characterizes pancreatic cancer. Moreover, we found that reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was also evidently downregulated by IL17 signaling blockage.Therefore, we conclude that IL17 plays an important role in remodeling the pancreatic cancer immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Citation Format: Yu Zhang, Erick Marcelo Riquelme Sanchez, Michelle Annabel Zoltan, Florencia McAllister. IL17 signaling modulates tumor microenvironment in pancreatic cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4575.
Teen Girls' Reproductive Attitudes and the Timing and Sequencing of Sexual Behaviors.

Abstract Purpose Teen girls consider not only health outcomes, such as pregnancy or contracting a sexually transmitted infection (STI), but also social outcomes, such as guilt or embarrassment, when making decisions about sexual behaviors. Methods Following a sample of female virgins aged 15–18 years from wave I through wave IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (N = 2,376), we tested whether adolescent girls' attitudes toward sex, contraception, pregnancy, and STIs influence the timing of coital debut, using discrete time event history logistic regression, and whether oral sex precedes coital debut, using logistic regression. Results Concerns about negative social consequences of sex were associated with later coital debut (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=.79, p = .000), whereas perceived physical benefits of sex and positive attitudes toward contraception were associated with earlier coital debut (AOR = 1.09, p = .049 and AOR = 1.17, p = .002, respectively). Worries about pregnancy were not associated with the timing of coital debut but did predict having oral sex before vaginal sex (AOR = 1.33, p = .007). Favorable birth control attitudes and positive attitudes toward sex also increased the odds of oral sex before vaginal sex (AOR = 1.38, p = .008 and AOR = 1.47, p = .000, respectively). Conclusions Teen girls' worries about the emotional and social consequences of sex may be a more salient predictor of the timing of coital debut than concerns about the risk of pregnancy or STIs. Teen girls' fears coexist with positive views about sex and contraception, which are associated with earlier sex and sexual sequencing.
Molecular Genetic Tools for the Identification and Analysis of Drug Targets in Toxoplasma gondii

Chemotherapy for acute toxoplasmosis has classically relied on inhibitors of the folate metabolic pathway (Brooks et al. 1987), typically a synergistic combination of sulfonamides (inhibitors of dihydropteroate synthase, which produces folic acid) and inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase (e.g., pyrimethamine). Unfortunately, the combination of pyrimethamine and sulfonamides has been less successful against toxoplasmic encephalitis associated with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (Luft and Remington 1992). Chronic treatment must be maintained to guard against the re-emergence of parasites from latent tissue cysts, as the bradyzoite forms are insensitive to most metabolic inhibitors. Long-term sulfonamide administration often produces a severe hypersensitivity response, however, and pyrimethamine alone is usually insufficient to prevent relapse; prolonged pyrimethamine therapy may also result in bone marrow depression (Haverkos 1987; Leport et al. 1988; Tenant-Flowers et al. 1991). Moreover, reliance on chronic treatment raises the fear that drug-resistant parasites may emerge. These concerns have lent renewed impetus to the development of improved treatment protocols, the identification of novel parasiticidal agents, and studies on the metabolism of the parasite, with an eye toward more effective drug therapy (Laughon et al. 1991).
Pattern of symptoms in head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors treated with radiation therapy (RT): Association with systemic therapy.

5589 Background: We sought, in a large, long-term follow-up cohort, to determine benchmark cross-sectional analysis of HNC patient (pt) symptom profiles as a function of chemotherapy (CT)/RT strate...
Bacterial Pathogens of Patients with Urinary Tract Infections and Antibiotics Susceptibility in Taiz Governorate-Yemen

One of the most prevalent bacterial infections are urinary tract infections (UTIs), which affect any age of individuals and they appear higher in women than men, the major problem regarding UTIs are the difficult of antibiotics treatment, due to bacterial pathogens resistance. So, the current study aimed to detect the types of bacterial pathogens and their antibiotics susceptibility of UTIs in Taiz Governorate – Yemen. In this cohort study, one hundred and ten (110) mid-stream urine samples were collected from a symptomatic UTIs patient, the type of bacterial pathogens was identified by using standard bacteriological media and biochemical tests and determine the antibiotics sensitivity to these bacteria using disk diffusion tests. Out of one hundred and ten of urine samples:: 65 of patients were females and 45 were males and the bacterial growth in these patients were sixty-four [46(58.2%)] : (33.7%) were females and (24.5%) were males. Our findings showed that the types of bacterial pathogens include: Escherichia coli (32.7%), Klebsiellapneumoniae (9.1%), Staphylococcus aureus (6.4%), Proteus mirabilis (5.5%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (4.5%). The majority (57.9%) of the isolates were from female. The prevalence of UTIs is high among patients with age between 16-30 years with the incident rate 20.9 %, age groups 1-15 years have the lower incidence rate 5.5%. UTIs were more prevalent among the rural area population, there were 50% than the population of the city center, there were 8.2% and the rate of infections were more prevalent among illiterate (no read and write) patients with incidence rate 44.5% , compared to literate (read and write) patients 13.6%. Also, our results showed that the sensitivity test against bacterial pathogens as All bacterial isolates was more sensitive to Ciprofloxacin, followed by Amikacin, Gentamycin , Cefotaxime (except Staphylococcus aureus Cefotaxime (42.9%) and Ceftriaxone (except Staphylococcus aureus) (28.6%). Staphylococcus aureus isolated also were sensitive to Erythromycin, Rifampicin, and Cephalothin. Finally, all isolates showed very high rate of resistance against Amoxicillin, ampicillin and penicillin G.
Growth parameters of Liberibacter crescens suggest ammonium and phosphate as essential molecules in the Liberibacter -plant host interface

Liberibacter crescens is the closest cultured relative of four important uncultured crop pathogens. Candidatus. L. asiaticus, L. americanus, L. africanus cause citrus greening disease, while Ca. L. solanacearum causes potato Zebra chip disease. None of the pathogens grows in axenic culture. L. crescens grows in three media: a BM-7, a serum-free Hi® Grace’s Insect Medium (Hi-GI), and a chemically-defined medium called M15. To date, no optimal growth parameters of the model species L. crescens have been reported. Studying the main growth parameters of L. crescens in axenic culture will give us insights into the lifestyle of the Ca. Liberibacter pathogens. The evaluation of the growth parameters—pH, aeration, temperature, and buffering capacity—reflects the optimal living conditions of L. crescens. These variables revealed that L. crescens is an aerobic, neutrophilic bacterium, that grows optimally in broth in a pH range of 5.8 to 6.8, in a fully oxygenated environment (250 rpm), at 28 °C, and with monosodium phosphate (10 mM or 11.69 mM) as the preferred buffer for growth. The increase of pH in the external media likely results from the deamination activity within the cell, with the concomitant over-production of ammonium in the external medium. L. crescens and the Ca. Liberibacter pathogens are metabolically similar and grow in similar environments—the phloem and the gut of their insect vectors. The evaluation of the growth parameters of L. crescens reveals the lifestyle of Liberibacter, elucidating ammonium and phosphate as essential molecules for colonization within the hosts. Ammonium is the main driver of pH modulation by active deamination of amino acids in the L. crescens amino acid rich media. In plants, excess ammonium induces ionic imbalances, oxidative stress, and pH disturbances across cell membranes, causing stunted root and shoot growth and chlorosis—the common symptoms of HLB-disease. Phosphate, which is also present in Ca. L. asiaticus hosts, is the preferred buffer for the growth of L. crescens. The interplay between ammonium, sucrose, potassium (K+), phosphate, nitrate (NO3−), light and other photosynthates might lead to develop better strategies for disease management.
Characteristics of the near wake of a compressor or fan rotor blade

Research reported in this paper covers an experimental investigation of the rotor wake. The experimental investigation included a study of the mean velocity, turbulence intensity, and Reynolds stress variations across the wake of a lightly loaded rotor blade at various axial and radial locations. Only the mean velocity data and their interpretation is presented in this paper. Measurements were carried out with a triaxial probe; rotating with the rotor and stationary behind the rotor. Also, measurements were made with a spherical head static pressure probe rotating with the rotor. Wakes were measured at various incidences to discern the effect of blade loading on the rotor wake. The wake is found to be three dimensional in nature with appreciable radial velocity. The measurements close to the blade trailing edge indicate that the decay of the wake is rapid in this region. The wake data is correlated to derive expressions for the profile and decay of all the components.
A concise clinician's guide to therapy for hidradenitis suppurativa.

Abstract Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic, often debilitating, skin condition that historically does not respond well to treatment. Although there is no cure for HS, symptoms can be managed if the appropriate diagnosis is made. HS most commonly develops in postpubertal women and manifests as painful, deep-seated, inflamed lesions, including nodules, sinus tracts, and abscesses. HS flares are marked by increased pain and suppuration at varying intervals and can occur in women before menstruation. HS is commonly misdiagnosed; physicians might mistake a lesion for an infection, abscess, or sexually transmitted infection. Incision and drainage of these lesions often leads to recurrence. Given that management of this chronic disease is often difficult, we sought to outline current diagnosis and management strategies for HS.
Evolution of Other Comprehensive Income

ABSTRACT This paper traces the historical development of Other Comprehensive Income (OCI) and Comprehensive Income (CI), analyzing how this evolution has unfolded. The emphasis is on examination of...
Machining of composite materials. Part I : Traditional methods

Composite materials are more difficult to machine than metals mainly because they are anisotropic, non-homogeneous and their reinforcing fibres are very abrasive. During machining, defects are introduced into the workpiece, and tools wear rapidly. Traditional machining techniques such as drilling or sawing can be used with proper tool design and operating conditions. A review of traditional machining methods applied to organic and metal matrix composites is presented in this article. The use of non-traditional machining methods such as waterjet, laser and ultrasonic machining will be discussed in the second part.
Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes by Degree of Maternal Serum Analyte Elevation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective The aim of this study was to evaluate rates of preterm birth (PTB) and obstetric complication with maternal serum analytes > 2.5 multiples of the median (MoM) by degree of elevation. Study Design Retrospective cohort study of singleton live-births participating in the California Prenatal Screening Program (2005–2011) examining PTB and obstetric complication for α-fetoprotein (AFP), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), unconjugated estriol (uE3), and inhibin A (INH) by analyte subgroup (2.5 to Results The risk of obstetric complication increased with increasing hCG, AFP, and INH MoM, and were greatest for AFP and INH of 6.0 to Conclusions In euploid, structurally normal fetuses, all analyte elevations > 2.5 MoM confer an increased risk of PTB and, except for uE3, obstetric complication, and risks for each are not uniformly linear. These data can help guide patient counseling and antenatal management.
Correction: Mild deprotection of the N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl (N-Boc) group using oxalyl chloride

Correction for ‘Mild deprotection of the N-tert-butyloxycarbonyl (N-Boc) group using oxalyl chloride’ by Nathaniel George et al., RSC Adv., 2020, 10, 24017–24026, DOI: 10.1039/D0RA04110F.
Understanding Health Economics in Spine Surgery.

» The United States has faced substantial increases in health-care expenditure, with specifically large increases in spine surgery costs. » Many different formulas are utilized to determine value in spine surgery, including cost- benefit analyses, cost-effectiveness analyses, and cost-utility analyses, with the overall determination of value being quality/cost. » Quality often is calculated indirectly using either process measures or outcome measures and represents the potential benefit of a given intervention, usually over a specific time period to yield quality-adjusted life years. » Costs are particularly difficult to calculate given the interhospital, regional, national, and global variability, as well as indirect costs of an intervention, and many different methods are utilized to estimate costs. » Spine surgeons should be familiar with the elements that compose cost-effectiveness and their potential shortcomings in order for providers and health-care policy makers to identify the highest-quality studies and interventions that provide the greatest benefit to patients.
Chemotactic Reaction Enhancement in One Dimension

Chemotaxis, the directional locomotion of cells towards a source of a chemical gradient, is an integral part of many biological processes - for example, bacteria motion, single-cell or multicellular organisms development, immune response, etc. Chemotaxis directs bacteria's movement to find food (e.g., glucose) by swimming toward the highest concentration of food molecules. In multicellular organisms, chemotaxis is critical to early development (e.g., movement of sperm towards the egg during fertilization). Chemotaxis also helps mobilize phagocytic and immune cells at sites of infection, tissue injury, and thus facilitates immune reactions. In this paper, we study a PDE system that describes such biological processes in one dimension, which may correspond to a thin channel, the setting relevant in many applications: for example, spermatozoa progression to the ovum inside a Fallopian tube or immune response in a blood vessel.
Improved Block-Sparse Recovery Bound Using Cumulative Block Coherence

Block coherence extends the conventional notion of coherence to capture the interdependence of blocks in a given dictionary. This measure is the basis for various recovery bounds of block-sparse signals, i.e., signals with clustered support, from under-determined systems of equations. In this paper, we extend the block coherence measure by introducing the notion of cumulative block coherence, which measures the maximum coherence between a block and a collection of other blocks. We show analytically that the cumulative block coherence yields relaxed sufficient conditions on the sparsity level for exact recovery of a block-sparse signal.
Microfluidic devices for imaging and manipulation of C. elegans

Abstract The nematode Caenorhabditis elegans is a model organism widely used to study development, neuroscience, disease modeling, and aging. Due to their small size, transparent body, and fast growth, these animals have seen an increased use in answering questions related to fundamental biological processes. Nevertheless, the manipulation of C. elegans for culturing, imaging, and other routine techniques is labor-intensive, time-consuming, and not suitable for high-throughput approaches. Microfluidic devices and platforms are powerful and robust tools capable of improving C. elegans research by facilitating handling, strengthening experimental control, and increasing screening throughput. Microfluidic features such as immobilization channels, culture chambers, pillar structures, and versatile geometries are combined with hardware and software components to enable complex platforms with the ability to perform multiple experimental techniques. In this review, we will discuss microfluidic approaches that have emerged to improve the control and throughput of the imaging and manipulation of C. elegans. The first few sections discuss platforms developed to perform techniques such as immobilization, imaging, and culturing while the latter sections will delve into microfluidic technologies aimed at improve screening and stimuli delivery as well as studying development and behavior.
Cybersecurity in the Private Sector

The U.S. government and the private sector (upon which it greatly relies for security work) regularly experience a significant number of cyberattacks perpetrated by foreign agents. However, despite the dangers posed by these attacks — both actual and potential — little has been done to reduce the vulnerability of U.S. digital infrastructure. This paper attempts to explain this inaction by pointing to various economic and political tendencies within the United States. First, it argues that the incentives structure of the market fails to yield adequate protection, as defending against cyberattacks is associated with two categories of market failure (freeriding and externalization of risk). Next, the paper describes the ways in which corporate influence has thwarted government efforts to curb cyberattacks. Finally, it argues that libertarian ideology plays a significant role in undermining the sort of regulation necessary to secure the digital infrastructure.
Determination of spondylolisthesis in low back pain by clinical evaluation.

Aim: Current guides recommend to evaluate the patients with low back pain complaints with initial clinical assessment and history, and to utilize radiological or other imaging technics, in case of possible diagnosis. The aim of this study was to compare the findings of radiological and clinical assessment, and validate the reliability of spondylolisthesis diagnosed with clinical assessment. This study is conducted on 100 patients with, and 30 patients without (control group) radiological diagnosis of spondylolisthesis, who had applied to Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Haydarpasa Numune Hospital with low back pain complaints in one and a half year. Clinic assessment was consisted of 20 parameters including examinations of motor system such as, sign of slipping observed on palpation and inspection, extension of trunk and increase in lumbar lordosis. Antero-posterior, lateral, oblique and lateral flexion/extension radiographies were used for radiological assessment. Slipping degree and lumbar lordosis angle were measured. Results: Women/men patients ratio was 91/9 in spondylolisthesis group and 22/8 in control group. Age of 69% of patients were 50 and over. In both groups, sciatalgia was observed in more than half of the patients, and no significant difference was detected in localization ( p> 0.05). In clinical assessment, weak and drooping abdominal wall, paravertebral muscle hypertrophy, increase in lumbar lordosis, sign of slipping observed on palpation and inspection, hamstring muscle spasm, pain during lateral trunk flexion-extension tasks and during double leg raising task were found to be positively correlated with radiological assesment ( p< 0.05). Conclusion: In our study, a systematic clinical assessment was proved to be useful in determination of possible spondylolisthesis cases. Radiological assessments are required in order to make the diagnosis clear and to determine the grade and prognosis of spondylolisthesis. Advanced imaging techniques like MRI and CT have to be used when neurological symptoms are present, and when surgical intervention is indicated.
Inhibition of Mouse Skin Tumor Promotion and of Promoter-stimulated Epidermal Polyamine Biosynthesis by α-Difluoromethylornithine

Application of the tumor-promoting agent 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) to mouse skin leads to a manifold induction of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity within 5 hr and an increased accumulation of putrescine. The relevance of these TPA-induced changes to the mechanism of tumor promotion was investigated using alpha-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an irreversible inhibitor of ODC. DFMO applied to mouse skin (0.3 mg in 0.2 ml of solvent) or administered in the drinking water (1%) in conjunction with skin tumor promotion by TPA inhibited the formation of mouse skin papillomas by 50 and 90%, respectively. TPA-induced ODC activity and the accumulation of putrescine were almost completely inhibited. DFMO given in the drinking water decreased spermidine levels, but DFMO treatment by any route did not alter the spermine levels of mouse epidermis. DFMO decreased TPA-induced hyperplasia by 25 to 40%, and the TPA-caused increases in DNA synthesis and mitotic index were inhibited by 60 and 50%, respectively. Therefore, in mouse epidermis, enhanced cell proliferation can be dissociated from ODC induction and the accumulation of putrescine. At the tested dose levels and routes of administration, DFMO did not inhibit the inflammatory response to TPA in several tissues. These results provide evidence for an essential role of ODC induction and the accumulation of putrescine in tumor promotion by TPA and add strength to the proposal that DFMO may be a promising drug for the prevention and treatment of cancer in human beings.
Motivating Salespeople: What Really Works

Companies fiddle constantly with their incentive plans - but most of their changes have little effect. Here's a better approach.
Postural Stability in Veterans with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Disequilibrium (P7.161)

OBJECTIVE: To measure static and dynamic postural stability in combat veterans with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) who suffer from chronic disequilibrium. BACKGROUND: Persistent post-concussive neurologic symptoms, including disequilibrium, are reported by up to 15[percnt] of those who experience mTBI. Identifying a neurologic basis for these symptoms has been challenging, but there have been few detailed physiological studies of such patients. In this study, we applied quantitative postural kinetic measurements to investigate post-concussive chronic disequilibrium in veterans with combat-related mTBI. Our hypothesis was that mTBI veterans with disequilibrium have less postural stability than those without disequilibrium. DESIGN/METHODS: Body sway at the waist and at the upper trunk was recorded using infrared motion tracking. First, static posture was assessed during quiet standing on firm and compliant surfaces, with eyes both open and closed. Next, we measured the postural response when the body was abruptly perturbed by a linear motor connected to a waist belt via a rope. We compared the length of the two-dimensional sway path in veterans with mTBI and disequilibrium (mTBI-D) to those with a history of mTBI who did not report imbalance (mTBI-ND). RESULTS: The mTBI-D group demonstrated greater postural sway during standing, especially on a compliant surface with eyes closed, compared to mTBI-ND veterans and to non-veterans without mTBI (p < 0.0002). They also had abnormally elevated motion of the upper trunk (p < 0.05) and larger postural oscillations (p < 0.02) after perturbations. CONCLUSIONS: Veterans who report persistent disequilibrium after mTBI have impaired static and dynamic postural stability. The findings are similar to those in other patients with balance disorders that affect the vestibular system, and they support a physiological basis for this post-concussive symptom. Study Supported by: the Department of Defense (CDMRP W81XWH-08-2-0188), the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Armington Fund. Disclosure: Dr. Walker has nothing to disclose. Dr. Pan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Liao has received research support from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Dr. Roenigk has nothing to disclose. Dr. Daly has nothing to disclose.
Adiabatic quantum pumping in an Aharonov-Bohm loop and in a siliconlike nanowire : The role of interference in position space and in momentum space

We study the consequences of interference effects on the current generated by adiabatic quantum pumping in two distinct one-dimensional lattice models. The first model contains an Aharonov-Bohm (AB) loop within a tight-binding chain of lattice sites. The static AB phase is shown to strongly affect interference between the two arms of the loop, serving as an on-off switch and regulator for the pumped current. The second model simulates pumping in semiconductors with indirect band gaps by utilizing a tight-binding chain with next-nearest-neighbor coupling. The model exhibits signatures of interference between degenerate conduction band states with different Fermi wave vectors.
Characteristics, Management, and Outcomes of 5,557 Patients Age ≥90 Years With Acute Coronary Syndromes : Results From the CRUSADE Initiative

Objectives The goal of this work was to explore the treatment and outcomes of patients with non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes (NSTE-ACS) age ≥90 years. Background The elderly are often excluded from clinical trials of NSTE-ACS and are underrepresented in clinical registries. Methods We used data from the CRUSADE registry to study 5,557 patients with NSTE-ACS age ≥90 years and compared their baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and in-hospital outcomes with a cohort age 75 to 89 years (n = 46,270). Results Although both groups had much in common, compared with the younger elderly, the older elderly were less likely to be diabetic, smokers, or obese. Among patients without contraindications, the older elderly were less likely to receive glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors and statins during the first 24 h and were less likely to undergo cardiac catheterization within 48 h. The older elderly were more likely to die (12.0% vs. 7.8%) and experienced more frequent adverse events (26.8% vs. 21.3%) during the hospitalization—differences that persisted after adjustment for baseline patient and hospital characteristics. Increasing adherence to guideline-recommended therapies was associated with both increased bleeding and a graded reduction in risk-adjusted in-hospital mortality across both age groups. Conclusions In this large population of nonagenarians and centenarians with NSTE-ACS, increasing adherence to guideline-recommended therapies was associated with decreased mortality. These findings reinforce the importance of optimizing care patterns for even the oldest patients with NSTE-ACS, while examining novel approaches to reduce the risk of bleeding in this rapidly expanding patient population.
Issues and approaches to safely transporting children with special healthcare needs

This article provides information for specialists in physical medicine and rehabilitation who may be called on to provide information about transporting children with special health care needs (CSHCN). The authors review the basic principles of child passenger safety for CSHCN, including types of child occupant restraints, the use of child occupant restraint devices (CRD) for selected CHSCN, and how to locate or, if needed, develop programs to train child passenger safety technicians (CPST) to help with safe transportation of CSHCN. They cover specific child occupant restraint devices such as car beds, car safety seats, travel vests, specialized medical seats, and seat belts. Their review is adapted from the resource manual of the National Center for the Safe Transportation of Children with Special Health Care Needs. A final section discusses behavior challenges, ambulance transport, and the use of community resources to provide support for this special population.
Unusual Growth Characteristics of a Methionine-Cyano-B12 Auxotroph of Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli K-12, strain AB1172, substrain 2276, a methionine−-cyano-B12− auxotroph grew poorly when placed in a medium containing optimal levels of cyano-B12 and suboptimal amounts of l-methionine. A marked depression of N5,10-methylene-H4-folate reductase was observed in the inhibited cells, although no significant alterations in other enzymes involved in the metabolism of N5,10-methylene-H4-folate were observed. Guanosine was effective in preventing the growth inhibition.
Influence of steroids on human myometrial contractility and myometrial response to catecholamines.

Abstract Clinical studies involving administration of estrogens to human pregnant subjects have indicated an enhancement of uterine contractility. On the other hand, limited observations of human myometrial contractility in vitro have suggested that estrogens have a depressant effect. This current study, designed to eliminate the potentially misleading effects of time and steroid solvents on spontaneous contractility of isolated preparations of human myometrium indicates that 17β-estradiol, testosterone, and progesterone are myometrial depressants. On a weight basis, estradiol has greater inhibitory activity than progesterone. However, myometrial preparations incubated with small concentrations of estradiol demonstrate a significant increase in stimulatory response to norepinephrine—a known alpha receptor agonist. Preparations incubated with testoterone and progesterone failed to demonstrate an altered response to norepinephrine.
Prisons and Religion in the Americas

Since the 1970s and Michel Foucault's work discipline and power, scholars of religion in the Americas have looked to prisons to track changing ideas about human behavior, wrongdoing and reconciliation, social organization, and citizenship. This article provides a brief transatlantic history of the prison and scholarship on prisons and religion. It surveys work by historians, sociologists and anthropologists, and theologians and ethicists. It shows that religions have served as not only the material from which societies construct their disciplinary forms but also a resource upon which individuals draw when labeled criminal and communities invoke when seeking reform.
Automated radiosynthesis of [18F]SPA-RQ for imaging human brain NK1 receptors with PET

[18F]SPA-RQ is an effective radioligand for imaging brain neurokinin type-1 (NK1) receptors in clinical research and drug discovery with positron emission tomography. For the automated regular production of [18F]SPA-RQ for clinical use in the USA under an IND we chose to use a modified commercial synthesis module (TRACERlab FXF-N; GE Medical Systems) with an auxiliary custom-made robotic cooling–heating reactor, after evaluating several alternative radiosynthesis conditions. The automated radiosynthesis and its quality control are described here. [18F]SPA-RQ was regularly obtained within 150 min from the start of radiosynthesis in high radiochemical purity (>99%) and chemical purity and with an overall decay-corrected radiochemical yield of 15±2% (mean±S.D.; n=10) from cyclotron-produced [18F]fluoride ion. The specific radioactivity of [18F]SPA-RQ at the end of synthesis ranged from 644 to 2140 mCi/µmol (23.8–79.2 GBq/µmol). Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Organometallic vapor phase epitaxial growth of p-type ZnSe using phenylhydrazine as the dopant source

Abstract The growth and nitrogen doping of ZnSe by photo-assisted organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE) have been investigated using phenylhydrazine (PhHz) as the dopant source. The layers were characterized using photoluminescence (PL), secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) and capacitance-voltage ( C-V ) measurements. A high incorporation of nitrogen was observed over the growth temperature range between 350 and 400°C, even when extremely low dopant partial pressure of 10 -8 atm was used. Typical layers had active acceptor concentrations of (1–2)X10 15 cm -3 . Low temperature growth kinetics with the above dopant source were investigated and a possible model for the nitrogen incorporation is presented.
Correlates of invalid neuropsychological test performance after traumatic brain injury.

Primary objective: To investigate external correlates of invalid test performance after traumatic brain injury, as assessed by the California Verbal Learning Test – Second Edition (CVLT–II) and Word Memory Test (WMT).Research design: Consecutive 2-year series of rehabilitation referrals with a diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (n = 87).Methods and procedures: Logistic regression analysis was used to determine which demographic and neurological variables best differentiated those with vs. without actuarial CVLT–II or WMT evidence for invalid responding.Main outcomes and results: Twenty-one participants (about 24%) performed in the invalid range. The combination of a premorbid psychiatric history with minimal or no coma was associated with an approximately four-fold increase in the likelihood of invalid performance.Conclusions: Premorbid psychosocial complicating factors constitute a significant threat to validity of neuropsychological test results after (especially mild) traumatic brain injury. At the sa...
Analytical solution to 3D SPECT reconstruction with non-uniform attenuation, scatter, and spatially-variant resolution variation for variable focal-length fan-beam collimators

In the past decades, analytical (non-iterative) methods have been extensively investigated and developed for the reconstruction of three-dimensional (3D) single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT). However, it becomes possible only recently when the exact analytic non-uniform attenuation reconstruction algorithm was derived. Based on the explicit inversion formula for the attenuated Radon transform discovered by Novikov (2000), we extended the previous researches of inverting the attenuated Radon transform of parallel-beam collimation geometry to fan-beam and variable focal-length fan-beam (VFF) collimators and proposed an efficient, analytical solution to 3D SPECT reconstruction with VFF collimators, which compensates simultaneously for non-uniform attenuation, scatter, and spatially-variant or distance-dependent resolution variation (DDRV), as well as suppression of signal-dependent non-stationary Poisson noise. In this procedure, to avoid the reconstructed images being corrupted by the presence of severe noise, we apply a Karhune-Loeve (K-L) domain adaptive Wiener filter, which accurately treats the non-stationary Poisson noise. The scatter is then removed by our scatter estimation method, which is based on the energy spectrum and modified from the triple-energy-window acquisition protocol. For the correction of DDRV, a distance-dependent deconvolution is adapted to provide a solution that realistically characterizes the resolution kernel in a real SPECT system. Finally image is reconstructed using our VFF non-uniform attenuation inversion formula.
Optimization of wind turbines operation and maintenance using failure prognosis

Advances in high performance sensing and signal processing technology enable the development of failure prognosis tools for wind turbines to detect, diagnose, and predict the system-wide effects of failure events. Although prognostics can provide valuable information for proactive actions in preventing system failures, the benefits have not been fully utilized for the operation and maintenance decision making of wind turbines. This paper presents a generic failure prognosis informed decision making tool for wind farm operation and maintenance while considering the predictive failure information of individual turbine and its uncertainty. In the presented approach, the probabilistic damage growth model is used to characterize individual wind turbine performance degradation and failure prognostics, whereas the economic loss measured by monetary values and environmental performance measured by unified carbon credits are considered in the decision making process. Based on the customized wind farm information inputs, the developed decision making methodology can be used to identify optimum and robust strategies for wind farm operation and maintenance in order to maximize the economic and environmental benefits concurrently. The efficacy of proposed prognosis informed maintenance strategy is compared with the condition based maintenance strategy and demonstrated with the case study.
A problem in diagnosis of primary versus secondary microcephaly.

Twenty-six primary and 21 secondary microcephalics were compared on the criteria of family and birth factors and clinical examinations. The two groups were similar in respect to their birthweights and parental ages at the time of birth. The group characteristics of primary microcrphalics that appear to be useful in distinguishing them from secondary cases are: (1) consanguinity in two of 13 families, (2) significantly increased number (18.9%) of pregnancy losses, (3) almost normal conditions of gestation, delivery and postnatal periods, (4) apparent microcephaly at birth in 50%, (5) relative absence of neurological problems, (6) relatively normal developmental milestones, and (7) increased frequency of subnormal intelligence in first degree relatives.
Engaging Students in the Social Context of the Engineering Profession Through a Mock Congressional Hearing Exercise

This research project investigates the benefit of a mock Congressional hearing exercise in facilitating students’ reflections on the role of engineers and scientists in society and government and how technological solutions are shaped by society and the government. The benefit is assessed by student survey responses and by instructor experiences throughout the exercise. The hypothesis is that the mock Congressional hearing will prove to be an active and engaging exercise that will result in greater awareness of the interaction of science and technology with society, greater confidence processing these issues, and increased knowledge of where to look for information on contemporary technological issues. In evaluation of the exercise, students noted that their awareness of the social and environmental dimensions of technical issues improved. They also indicated that they were introduced to several governmental websites for Congress and the agencies relevant to their topic. However, students did not feel that the mock hearings contributed significantly to their confidence in performing analysis of current technical issues facing society. Improvements for future mock hearing exercises, such as tying it more closely to the course content, are also presented.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Factors associated with reductions in patients' analgesia at hospital discharge.

Objective: To describe the patterns of opioid prescribing and the factors associated with reductions in the potency of patients' analgesic medications at the time of hospital discharge. Design: Pro...
Multiparadigm modeling of dynamical crack propagation in silicon using a reactive force field

We report a study of dynamic cracking in a silicon single crystal in which the ReaxFF reactive force field is used for several thousand atoms near the crack tip, while more than 100 000 atoms are described with a nonreactive force field. ReaxFF is completely derived from quantum mechanical calculations of simple silicon systems without any empirical parameters. Our results reproduce experimental observations of fracture in silicon including changes in crack dynamics for different crack orientations.
Evaluating the Occurrence of Escherichia albertii in Chicken Carcass Rinses by PCR, Vitek Analysis, and Sequencing of the rpoB Gene

Escherichia albertii is a recently described species that has been associated with gastroenteritis in humans and with healthy and ill birds. Most recently, it has been identified as the causative agent in a food-borne outbreak in Japan. The distribution and clinical importance of E. albertii are not well studied because its importance is unclear. Culture methods for clinical isolation frequently miss E. albertii or incorrectly identify it as Shigella spp., Escherichia coli, or Hafnia alvei. This study was designed to determine if E. albertii could be recovered from chicken carcass rinses collected at slaughter during a 1-year period from November 2009 until October 2010. Colonies were isolated from chicken carcass rinses and tested by PCR for the presence or absence of clpX, lysP, mdh, intimin (eae), Shiga toxins 1 and 2 (stx1, stx2, and stx2f), heat-stable enterotoxin A (staA), and cytolethal distending toxins 1 and 2 (cdtB) genes. Sixty-five isolates were analyzed by sequencing a section of the rpoB gene. Analysis of the rpoB gene sequences revealed 14 fixed differences between E. albertii and other, closely related organisms. The fixed differences found in the rpoB gene could aid in future discrimination of E. albertii from closely related bacteria.