cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heating of Rayleigh surface acoustic wave devices in 128°YX LiNbO 3 and ST X quartz substrates

Heating of surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices can be utilized for micro-heating and in microreactor applications, but is a disadvantage in biosensing. In this contribution, we fabricate SAW devices in 128° YX LiNbO 3 and ST X quartz substrates with same physical dimensions, having center frequencies approximately of 96 MHz and 78 MHz, respectively to study heating at several power levels. We demonstrate droplet heating is caused by acoustic wave streaming resulting from the coupling between fluid and solid. A 10 μm water droplet on a 128° YX LiNbO 3 device can be heated up by 3.3 °C with 15 dbm power level, whereas, the ST X quartz device is only heated up by 0.7°C. Our work illustrates that the 128° YX LiNbO 3 substrate shows great potential for liquid heating applications. The ST quartz substrate is better suited for removal of non-specifically bound (NSB) proteins in biosensing applications, especially if shear horizontal SAWs propagating in the orthogonal direction are utilized for biosensing.
The BET inhibitor INCB054329 reduces homologous recombination efficiency and augments PARP inhibitor activity in ovarian cancer.

Abstract Objective Homologous recombination (HR)-proficient ovarian tumors have poorer clinical outcomes and show resistance to poly ADP ribose polymerase inhibitors (PARPi). A subset of HR-proficient ovarian tumors show amplification in bromodomain and extra-terminal (BET) genes such as BRD4. We aimed to test the hypothesis that BRD4 inhibition sensitizes ovarian cancer cells to PARPi by reducing HR efficiency and increasing DNA damage. Methods HR-proficient ovarian cancer cell lines (OVCAR-3, OVCAR-4, SKOV-3, UWB1.289+BRCA1) were treated with BRD4-targeting siRNA, novel (INB054329, INCB057643) and established (JQ1) BET inhibitors (BETi) and PARPi (olaparib, rucaparib). Cell growth and viability were assessed by sulforhodamine B assays in vitro, and in SKOV-3 and ovarian cancer patient-derived xenografts in vivo. DNA damage and repair (pH2AX, RAD51 and BRCA1 foci formation, and DRGFP HR reporter activity), apoptosis markers (cleaved PARP, cleaved caspase-3, Bax) and proliferation markers (PCNA, Ki67) were assessed by immunofluorescence and western blot. Results In cultured cells, inhibition of BRD4 by siRNA or INCB054329 reduced expression and function of BRCA1 and RAD51, reduced HR reporter activity, and sensitized the cells to olaparib-induced growth inhibition, DNA damage induction and apoptosis. Synergy was observed between all BETi tested and PARPi. INCB054329 and olaparib also co-operatively inhibited xenograft tumor growth, accompanied by reduced BRCA1 expression and proliferation, and increased apoptosis and DNA damage. Conclusions These results provide strong rationale for using BETi to extend therapeutic efficacy of PARPi to HR-proficient ovarian tumors and could benefit a substantial number of women diagnosed with this devastating disease.
Modeling and Validating Public–Private Partnerships in Disaster Management

This paper applies game theory and expected utility theory models to study the optimal public–private partnerships (PPPs) in disaster preparedness considering the uncertain consequences of the disa...
Numerical simulation of magnetohydrodynamic Jeffrey nanofluid flow and heat transfer over a stretching sheet considering Joule heating and viscous dissipation

The purpose of the present study is to numerically examine the impact of silver, titanium oxide and alumina nanoparticles on the steady 2D magnetohydrodynamic boundary layer flow and heat transfer of Jeffrey fluid over a stretching sheet with Joule heating and viscous dissipation. The governing non-linear partial differential equations (PDEs) are reduced to the non-linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs) by using some appropriate dimensionless variables and then solved numerically by using the Keller-box technique. The impacts of nanoparticle volume fraction, magnetic parameter, Deborah number, Prandtl number and Eckert number on the velocity and temperature profiles, local Nusselt number and skin friction are investigated through graphs and tables. The results indicate that the silver-water nanofluid has comparatively less velocity, skin friction and local Nusselt number than those of the base fluid. However the temperature is enhanced due to the inclusion of the nanoparticles. Furthermore, it is concluded that both the skin friction and the Nusselt number are increased by increasing the Deborah number whereas these are decreased by increasing the magnetic parameter.
Contraception for Women with Diabetes

Today, diabetic women have an increasing variety of safer and effective contraceptive methods. While more contraceptive trials in diabetic women are needed, data from existing studies and extrapolation from clinical trials in healthy women support the use of most contraceptive methods. This chapter will review contraception in women with type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2) diabetes mellitus, with or without sequelae. It will also review contraception in prediabetic women, e.g., with previous gestational diabetes mellitus to augment the limited studies in women with DM2. The goal will be to provide a simple question-based approach to individualized counseling, considering diabetic sequelae and comorbidities, metabolic effects, and lifestyle demands.
Derangements of Biosynthesis, Production and Secretion of Mucus in Gastrointestinal Injury and Disease

The derangements in production and secretion of gastric mucus consist of: 1) Quantitative changes in concentration and output of mucus; 2) Qualitative changes in its composition; 3) Increased shedding of the mucus-containing surface epithelial cells and excessive extrusion of the mucus from the cells; 4) Abnormalities in the biosynthesis of glycoproteins of the mucus.
Adrenal Surgery for Cushing’s

In order to safely resect the adrenal glands in the setting of Cushing’s disease or syndrome, it is imperative that the surgeon has a good understanding of the anatomy of these glands. The two adrenal glands are located in the retroperitoneum above and slightly medial to the upper poles of the kidney. The weight of a normal adrenal gland is usually in the range of 3–5 grams. On sectioning, adrenal glands are seen to grossly consist of an outer cortical and an inner medullary layer. The blood supply to each adrenal gland is supplied by branches of the inferior phrenic artery, the aorta and the renal artery. Practically, these tend to manifest as inferior, middle, and superior vascular bundles approaching the adrenal gland from the medial side. On the right, venous drainage is primarily through the very short adrenal vein originating from the medial aspect of the adrenal gland and draining directly into the vena cava. The surgeon needs to be especially wary of an occasional vein originating from the superior medial aspect of the adrenal gland and draining into the right hepatic vein. The primary venous drainage from the left adrenal gland is via a long left adrenal vein draining into the superior aspect of the left renal vein. There can also be significant venous drainage into diaphragmatic branches of the phrenic vein running along the medial aspect of the left adrenal gland and additional venous branches draining into the renal vein can occur on both the right and left sides.
The Perineural Invasion Paradox: Is Perineural Invasion an Independent Prognostic Indicator of Biochemical Recurrence Risk in Patients With pT2N0R0 Prostate Cancer? A Multi-Institutional Study.

Abstract Purpose Perineural invasion (PNI) is a histologic feature that is present in as many as 84% of patients with prostate cancer. The prognostic significance of PNI is controversial, with recent studies yielding contradictory results. This study aims to assess whether PNI, on the surgical pathology of patients with pT2N0M0 disease and with negative surgical margins, is an independent prognostic indicator of the risk of biochemical recurrence. Methods and materials We identified 1549 patients who received a diagnosis of margin-negative pT2N0M0 prostate cancer at 3 separate institutions between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2014. We reviewed the electronic medical records of these patients and collected clinical and histologic data. A multivariable analysis was performed to assess the association between PNI and biochemical recurrence. Results Of the 1549 patients identified, 936 (60.4%) had PNI and 96 (6.2%) had biochemical recurrence. The median time until recurrence was 16 months. The median follow-up in patients without recurrence was 26.5 months. PNI was associated with pT2c disease. The proportion of patients with pT2c was 89% in patients with PNI compared with 79% in patients without PNI (P Conclusions We found that PNI was not an independent indicator of the risk of biochemical recurrence. Instead, PNI may be an indicator of unfavorable histology such as a high Gleason score or diffuse disease within the prostate in pT2N0 patients.
West with the Night

After a year at the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, I return to Caltech as a Fairchild visiting scholar, reenergized for new lab experiment studies. Charlie Plott and I will teach the first experimental seminar at Caltech, and that will launch their exceptional contributions to the development of experimental political economy. It will be a time of growth for us all. I will begin a research investigation of incentive compatible procedures for public good provision. Joyce will return to the East as an important figure in the ministry, eventually becoming the head of ministry in Boston. I will move to the University of Arizona with Carol Breckner for new laboratory adventures that were neither anticipated nor imaginable.
Chapter 13 – Practical Management of Variable and Distributed Resources in Power Grids

Direct current power transmission was at the vanguard of the electrical industry. Whilst in the early part of the twentieth century transmission of electricity by direct current was supplanted by alternating current transmission new technologies are enabling the benefits of direct current. With the changes brought about to the electricity network as a consequence of the integration of renewable sources there will be important benefits to integrating direct current transmission into the electrical network. In this chapter the basic concept of electrical transmission via direct current will be introduced along with modern day developments.
A Multi-Channel Asynchronous Neurostimulator With Artifact Suppression for Neural Code-Based Stimulations

A novel neurostimulator for generating neural code-based, precise, asynchronous electrical stimulation pulses is designed, fabricated, and characterized. Through multiplexing, this system can deliver constant current biphasic pulses, with arbitrary temporal patterns, and pulse parameters to 32 electrodes using one pulse generator. The design also features a stimulus artifact suppression (SAS) technique that can be integrated with commercial amplifiers. Using an array of CMOS switches, electrodes are disconnected from recording amplifiers during stimulation, while the input of the recording system is shorted to ground through another CMOS switch to suppress ringing in the recording system. The timing of the switches used to block and suppress the stimulus artifact are crucial and are determined by the electrochemical properties of the electrode. This system allows stimulation and recording from the same electrodes to monitor local field potentials with short latencies from the region of stimulation for achieving feedback control of neural stimulation. In this way, timing between each pulse is controlled by inputs from an external source and stimulus magnitude is controlled by feed-back from neural response from the stimulated tissue. The system was implemented with low-power and compact packaged microchips to constitute an effective, cost-efficient, and miniaturized neurostimulator. The device has been first evaluated in phantom preparations and then tested in hippocampi of behaving rats. Benchtop results demonstrate the capability of the stimulator to generate arbitrary spatio-temporal pattern of stimulation pulses dictated by random number generators (RNGs) to control magnitude and timing between each individual biphasic pulse. In vivo results show that evoked potentials elicited by the neurostimulator can be recorded ∼2 ms after the termination of stimulus pulses from the same electrodes where stimulation pulses are delivered, whereas commercial amplifiers without such an artifact suppression typically result in tens to hundreds of milliseconds recovery period. This neurostimulator design is desirable in a variety of neural interface applications, particularly hippocampal memory prosthesis aiming to restore cognitive functions by reinstating neural code transmissions in the brain.
Subsistence of ice-covered lakes during the Hesperian at Gale crater, Mars

Abstract Sedimentary deposits characterized by the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity rover provide evidence that Gale crater, Mars intermittently hosted a fluvio-lacustrine environment during the Hesperian. However, estimates of the CO2 content of the atmosphere at the time the sediments in Gale crater were deposited are far less than needed by any climate model to maintain temperatures warm enough for sustained open water lake conditions due to the low solar energy input available at that time. To reconcile some of the in-situ sedimentological evidence for liquid water with climate modeling studies, we perform the water budget of evaporation against precipitation to estimate the minimum lifetimes and the rainfall requirements for open water and ice-covered lakes in Gale crater, for a wide range of pressures and temperatures. We found that both open water and ice-covered lakes are possible, and that ice-covered lakes provide better consistency in regards of the low erosion rates estimates for the Hesperian. We incrementally test the existence of open water conditions using energy balance calculations for the global, regional, and seasonal temperatures, and we assess if the preservation of liquid water was possible under perennial ice covers. We found scenarios where lacustrine conditions are preserved in a cold climate, where the resupply of water by the inflow of rivers and high precipitation rates are substituted by an abutting glacier. For equatorial temperatures as low as 240 K–255 K, the ice thickness ranges from 3 to 10 m, a value comparable to the range of those for the perennially ice-covered lakes in Antarctica (3–6 m). The ice-covered lake hypothesis is a compelling way to decouple the mineralogy and the climate by limiting the gas exchanges between the sediment and the CO2 atmosphere, and it eliminates the requirement for global mean temperatures above the freezing point. Not only do ice-covered lakes provide a baseline for exploring the range of possible lake scenarios for Gale crater during the Hesperian that is fully consistent with climate studies, but also they might have been ideal environments to sustain life on Mars.
Transport of artificial virus-like nanocarriers through intestinal monolayers via microfold cells

Compared with subcutaneous or intramuscular routes for vaccination, vaccine delivery via the gastrointestinal mucosa has tremendous potential as it is easy to administer and pain-free. Robust immune responses can be triggered successfully once the vaccine carrying an antigen reaches the mucosal associated lymphoid sites (e.g., Peyer's patches). However, the absence of an efficient delivery method has always been an issue for successful oral vaccine development. In our study, inspired by mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV) transport into the gut mucosal lymphoid tissue via Microfold cells (M cells), artificial virus-like nanocarriers (AVNs), consisting of gold nanocages functionalized with the σ1 protein from mammalian reovirus (MRV), were tested as an effective oral vaccine delivery vehicle targeting M cells. AVNs were shown to have a significantly higher transport compared to other experimental groups across mouse organoid monolayers containing M cells. These findings suggest that AVNs have the potential to be an M cell-specific oral vaccine/drug delivery vehicle.
Race and Tort Law

Although Richard Delgado published the first critique of tort law from a critical race perspective in 1982, the role of race remains undertheorized in torts scholarship and torts theory, taking a back seat to the dominant approaches that rarely mention race or other social identities. This leave the misimpression that tort law is race-neutral and bears little connection to constitutional or civil rights law, where issues of racial justice are more frequently analyzed and debated. This chapter contests that conventional wisdom and demonstrates that the shape of contemporary tort law has been affected by the social identities of the parties and cultural views on race and ethnicity. The significance of race is not confined to a particular doctrinal area but crops up in intentional tort, negligence and strict liability cases and spills over into debates about the proper measure of damages. It enters tort law through a variety of pathways, sometimes explicitly, but more often the influence of race is beneath the surface and can be gleaned only by looking closely at judicial rhetoric or at implicitly biased assumptions relied on by judges and juries. This overview of the contemporary “race and torts” legal landscape borrows frames from critical race and interdisciplinary scholarship to organize the key cases, issues and debates into four, somewhat overlapping categories: (1) racial discrimination, harassment and insult; (2) stereotyping and racialized contexts; (3) racial devaluation; and (4) racially disparate effects. The portrait that emerges is of a flawed system that tends to reproduce rather than ameliorate racialized harms, while never quite losing its potential to change course and advance racial justice.
From 180nm to 7nm: Crosstalk Computing Scalability Study

Crosstalk computing is a novel computing technology that relies on interference between adjacent interconnects to achieve logic function. By engineering coupling capacitance in an innovative circuit scheme, all primitive cells and custom logic can be implemented with significant gain. In this paper, we report on the scalability aspects of this technology and show for primitive circuits how the circuit properties evolve from one node to other. We also present comparison results for several benchmarking circuits. Some significant results are: for primitive NAND gate, designed in 180nm, 65nm, 32nm, and 7nm technology nodes, the average reduction in power is 42.5% and an average reduction in performance is 34.5% comparing to CMOS for all mentioned nodes. For benchmarking circuits designed at 7nm, there are 48%, 57%, and 10% improvements against CMOS designs in terms of density, power, and performance respectively.
The impact of vedolizumab on COVID-19 outcomes among adult IBD patients in the SECURE-IBD registry.

INTRODUCTION: The impact of immune-modifying therapies on outcomes of Coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is variable. The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of vedolizumab (VDZ), a gut-selective anti-integrin, on COVID-19 outcomes in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. METHODS: Using data from the Surveillance of Coronavirus Under Research Exclusion for IBD (SECURE-IBD), an international registry of IBD patients with confirmed COVID-19, we studied the impact of VDZ on COVID-19 hospitalization and severe COVID-19 (intensive care unit stay, mechanical ventilation and/or death). RESULTS: Of 3,647 adult patients on any IBD medication in the registry, 457 (12.5%) patients were on VDZ. On multivariable analyses using backward selection of covariates, VDZ use was not associated with hospitalization or severe COVID-19 when comparing to patients on all other medications [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.87; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.71, 1.1 and aOR 0.95; 95% CI 0.53; 1.73, respectively]. On comparing VDZ monotherapy to anti-TNF monotherapy, the odds for hospitalization, but not severe COVID-19, were higher (aOR CI 1.39; 95% CI 1.001, 1.90 and aOR 2.92; 95% CI 0.98, 8.71, respectively). In an exploratory analysis, VDZ monotherapy, compared to anti-TNF monotherapy, was associated with new-onset GI symptoms at the time of COVID-19, especially among patients whose IBD was in remission. CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 outcomes among IBD patients on VDZ are comparable to those on all other therapies. Hospitalization, but not severe COVID-19, is more likely with VDZ monotherapy than with anti-TNF monotherapy. Overall, VDZ appears to be safe in IBD patients with COVID-19.
The effects of mixing multi-component HLW glasses on spinel crystal size

Abstract The Hanford Waste Treatment and Immobilization Plant will vitrify radioactive waste into borosilicate glass. The high-level waste (HLW) glass formulations are constrained by processing and property requirements, including restrictions aimed at avoiding detrimental impacts of spinel crystallization in the melter. To understand the impact of glass chemistry on crystallization, two HLW glasses precipitating small (∼5 μm) spinel crystals were individually mixed and melted with a glass that precipitated large (∼45 μm) spinel crystals in ratios of 25, 50, and 75 wt%. The size of spinel crystals in the mixed glasses varied from 5 to 20 μm. Small crystal size was attributed to: (1) high concentrations of nuclei due to the presence of ruthenium oxide and (2) chromium oxide aiding high rates of nucleation. Results from this study indicate that the spinel crystal size can be controlled using chromium oxide and/or noble metal concentrations in the melt, even in complex mixtures like HLW glasses. Smaller crystals tend to settle more slowly than larger crystals, therefore smaller crystals would be more acceptable in the melter without a risk of failure. Allowing higher concentrations of spinel-forming waste components in the waste glass enables glass compositions with higher waste loading, thus increasing plant operational flexibility. An additional benefit to the presence of chromium oxide in the glass composition is the potential for the oxide to protect melter walls against corrosion.
Tribocatalytically-activated formation of protective friction and wear reducing carbon coatings from alkane environment.

Abstract Minimizing the wear of the surfaces exposed to mechanical shear stresses is a critical challenge for maximizing the lifespan of rotary mechanical parts. In this study, we have discovered the anti-wear capability of a series of metal nitride-copper nanocomposite coatings tested in a liquid hydrocarbon environment. The results indicate substantial reduction of the wear in comparison to the uncoated steel substrate. Analysis of the wear tracks indicates the formation of carbon-based protective films directly at the sliding interface during the tribological tests. Raman spectroscopy mapping of the wear track suggests the amorphous carbon (a-C) nature of the formed tribofilm. Further analysis of the tribocatalytic activity of the best coating candidate, MoN-Cu, as a function of load (0.25–1 N) and temperature (25 °C and 50 °C) was performed in three alkane solutions, decane, dodecane, and hexadecane. Results indicated that elevated temperature and high contact pressure lead to different tribological characteristics of the coating tested in different environments. The elemental energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy analysis and Raman analysis revealed formation of the amorphous carbon film that facilitates easy shearing at the contact interface thus enabling more stable friction behavior and lower wear of the tribocatalytic coating. These findings provide new insights into the tribocatalysis mechanism that enables the formation of zero-wear coatings.
Some Aspects of the Veterinary Medical Education in India

OF CREDITS Foundation Science Courses •.........•... Humanities •.••••.• •....•.•.••. Core Courses •..• •...••.•.•••.......
Regulated ubiquitination and SUMOylation of pregnane X receptor (1062.10)

Highly expressed in the entero-hepatic system, pregnane X receptor (PXR, NR1I2) is a well-characterized nuclear receptor that regulates the expression of genes encoding key drug metabolizing enzyme...
Monitoring airborne fungal spores in an experimental indoor environment to evaluate sampling methods and the effects of human activity on air sampling

Aerobiological monitoring was conducted in an experimental room to aid in the development of standardized sampling protocols for airborne microorganisms in the indoor environment. The objectives of this research were to evaluate the relative efficiencies of selected sampling methods for the retrieval of airborne fungal spores and to determine the effect of human activity on air sampling. Dry aerosols containing known concentrations of Penicillium chrysogenum spores were generated, and air samples were taken by using Andersen six-stage, Surface Air System, Burkard, and depositional samplers. The Andersen and Burkard samplers retrieved the highest numbers of spores compared with the measurement standard, an aerodynamic particle sizer located inside the room. Data from paired samplers demonstrated that the Andersen sampler had the highest levels of sensitivity and repeatability. With a carpet as the source of P. chrysogenum spores, the effects of human activity (walking or vacuuming near the sampling site) on air sampling were also examined. Air samples were taken under undisturbed conditions and after human activity in the room. Human activity resulted in retrieval of significantly higher concentrations of airborne spores. Surface sampling of the carpet revealed moderate to heavy contamination despite relatively low airborne counts. Therefore, in certain situations, air sampling without concomitant surface sampling may not adequately reflect the level of microbial contamination in indoor environments.
Independent interaction of alprazolam and caffeine under chronic dose regimens on differential reinforcement of low-rate (DRL 45-s) performance

In previous research, we found an independent interaction of alprazolam and caffeine in rats under acute dose regimens using two measures (reinforcement rate and shorter-response rate) of a differential reinforcement of low rate performance (DRL 45-s) in 3-h sessions. Applying the same behavioral endpoints, the present study investigated the alprazolam-caffeine interaction under chronic dose regimens. Both drugs were administered by the oral route. Acute alprazolam and caffeine dose-response curves (DRCs) were characterized and were then used to determine the maintenance dose for the respective chronic dose regimens. Both drugs decreased the reinforcement rate and increased the shorter-response rate in a dose-related fashion. An alprazolam DRC also was determined during chronic-caffeine, chronic-alprazolam, and concurrent chronic-caffeine-alprazolam dose regimens. Complete tolerance to caffeine-induced rate changes was observed on the second day. Incomplete tolerance occurred only at higher alprazolam doses (7-12.5 mg/kg). Cross tolerance was not found between alprazolam and caffeine. Upon discontinuation of both drugs, performance progressively returned to baseline. The four alprazolam DRCs as well as the effect-time profiles demonstrated that caffeine altered neither the magnitudes nor the patterns of alprazolam effects on the two rates under chronic dose regimens. The Poch DRC method further confirmed the independent interaction of alprazolam and caffeine. Thus, the independence of the interaction held for both the acute and chronic dose regimens despite the development of tolerance in the latter regimens.
Massive ovarian edema in the pediatric patient : a rare solid tumor

Abstract Solid ovarian masses in children are considered malignant until proven otherwise. The authors report two cases of an unusual, benign, solid ovarian tumor found during ultrasound examination for evaluation of acute abdominal pain. Both patients were found to have a torsed nonviable ovary at the time of laparotomy. Patient 1 was a premenarcheal 10 year old who had undergone a lengthy evaluation for intermittent chronic abdominal pain. The ultrasound examination showed a 9- × 5-cm ovarian mass. Patient 2 was a virilized menarcheal 11 year old with a very large tumor (10 × 7 × 16 cm). The final pathology for both tumors was massive ovarian edema—a rare, stromal, virilizing tumor caused by chronic venous and lymphatic obstruction. Contralateral oophoropexy is a controversial treatment for the remaining ovary. A review of the literature regarding this uncommon tumor is provided.
New route toward high-energy-density nanocomposites based on chain-end functionalized ferroelectric polymers

The synthesis and characterization of novel ferroelectric polymer based nanocomposites with high energy density is described. The approach includes the preparation of the ferroelectric polymers with phosphonic acid end-groups and subsequent utilization of the reactive terminal groups of the polymer for direct coupling with oxide fillers. The prepared nanocomposites have been carefully characterized by solid-state NMR, DMA, DSC, XRD, and TEM. The formation of covalent coupling between the polymer matrix and ZrO2 fillers renders the nanocomposites with great stability and uniform filler dispersion. As a result of the intimating coupling, the interfacial interaction regions between the nanoparticles and the polymer matrix, which is responsible for high polarization under the applied fields, have been clearly observed in the dielectric spectra of the nanocomposites. Excellent breakdown strength and substantial enhancement in the energy density have been demonstrated in the nanocomposites. The improvement in t...
Ovarian activity in progesterone treated mares following administration of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin.

Twelve non-pregnant, non-lactating mares were randomly assigned to four treatment groups using a 2x2 factorial arrangement with three replicates per group. Mares were administered PGF(2alpha) (10 mg, IM) on days -14 and 0, followed by HCG (3000 IU, IM) on day 5. The following treatments were administered: Group A received PMSG on days 2 (4000 IU, IM) and 5 (1000 IU, IV); Group B received PMSG (4000 IU, IM) on day 2; Group C received PMSG (1000 IU, IV) on day; Group D received no PMSG. Mares received progesterone (25 mg, IM) on days 1 through 4. Reproductive tracts were recovered at necropsy on day 16 (10 days post-ovulation). Ovaries were weighed, CL number and weight determined, follicles counted and measured, and volume of follicular fluid quantified. Mean ovarian weight (g) and number of CL per mare, respectively were: Group A, 100.0+/-15.6, 1.7+/-.7; Group B, 128.6+/-40.4, 1.3+/-.7; Group C, 92.4+/-21.0, 2.0+/-.0; Group D, 93.3+/-12.3; .3+/-.3. Mean number of follicles >10 mm and total volume (ml) of follicular fluid per mare, respectively, were: Group A, 9.4+/-2.0, 21.8+/-10.9; Group B, 1.3+/-.3, 32.2+/-28.9; Group C, 4.3+/-1.8, 5.4+/-2.3; Group D, 6.0+/-4.5, 24.0+/-10.3. There was no difference (P>.05) in mean ovarian weight, CL number, CL weight, follicular fluid volume, number of follicles, or size of follicles between treatment groups. These results show no significant effect on ovarian activity in progesterone treated mares following administration of exogenous PMSG.
Perception of Dialect Variation by Young Adults with High-Functioning Autism

The linguistic profile of people with Autism spectrum disorders typically involves intact perceptual processing, accompanied by deficits in the social functions of language. In a series of three experiments, the impact of this profile on the perception of regional dialect was examined. Young adults with High-Functioning Autism exhibited similar performance to a typically developing comparison group in regional dialect classification and localness rating tasks, suggesting that they can use indexical information in speech to make judgments about the regional background of unfamiliar talkers. However, the participants with High-Functioning Autism were less able to differentiate among the dialects in a language attitudes task, suggesting that they do not share social stereotypes related to dialect variation with the typically developing comparison group.
Longitudinal Approaches to Migration in Social History

The use of data from population registers in Western Europe to examine historical trends in migration back to the beginning of the nineteenth century is considered. The authors attempt "to show how such sources can be utilized to yield rich historical detail on migration by making use of some well established demographic techniques particularly those deriving from life-table methods." The methods described are illustrated using data from the Italian town of Casalecchio di Reno for the period 1865-1921. (EXCERPT)
Quality of life: A process view

Abstract The use of quality of life assessments in clinical trials and general medical settings has proliferated, though the conceptualization of quality of life, and the cognitive processes underlying its judgement, have been neglected. To meet the needs of outcome assessments, available assessment tools currently mix function, affect, and quality of life items within the same scales. A process-oriented approach to quality of life disentangles determinants of quality of life (such as affect and function) from judgements of quality of life. The process model addresses three issues: (1) how patients attribute symptoms, emotions, and functioning to disease or treatment; (2) how individuals interpret and assign meaning to physical and emotional sensations; and (3) how patients integrate their assessments into overall quality of life judgements. Thus, in this model, the very same symptoms can be interpreted by one patient as detracting from quality of life, while another patient may see them as positively con...
An efficent clustering algorithm for low power clock tree synthesis

Clocks are known to be major source of power consumption in digital circuits, especially in high performance microprocessors. With the technology scaling, the increasingly capacitive interconnects contribute to more than 40% of the local clock power. In this paper, we propose a clustering algorithm for them inimization of the power in local clock tree, which is shown to be equivalent to the minimization of interconnect capacitance in the tree. Given a set of sequentials and their locations, clustering is performed to determine the clockbuffers that are required to synchronize the sequentials, where a cluster implies that a clock buffer drives all the sequentials in the cluster. The clustering algorithm uses minimum spanning tree (MST) metric to estimate the interconnect capacitance and ensures the optimality of the solution, when no capacity constraints are applied. The buffers are then sized and clock nets arerouted to minimize the delay, slope, and skew constraints. We compare the clocktrees obtained by our clustering and the competitive approaches on several blocks from a microprocessor design in 65nm technology. The comparison shows that our algorithm improves the clock tree capacitance consistently by up to 21%.
A Beamforming Approach for Distributed Wireless Sensor Networks

We present an energy-aware approach for enabling communication between a wireless ground-based sensor network, and an overhead unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Specifically, we present a technique for assembling a subset of sensor nodes into a distributed antenna array useful for beamforming. A small subset of sensor nodes receives and aggregates information gathered by the network, and forms a distributed antenna array, concentrating the radiated transmission into a narrow beam aimed towards the UAV. Although, in general, the relative orientations of the elements in a distributed antenna array have an effect on antenna performance, our proposed approach can be employed in scenarios where the individual sensor nodes do not have knowledge of their location within an absolute coordinate system.
Measurement of active phase dispersion in molybdenum sulfide/carbon catalysts using toluene chemisorption

Abstract A range of carbon-based molybdenum sulfide catalysts has been prepared which have high activities for the hydrotreating of coal asphaltenes into oils. In general, their coking tendency was extremely low. Ammonia pretreatment of some of the carbons enhanced the activity of the catalysts for hydrotreating asphaltenes. In the current work toluene adsorption, complemented by X-ray diffraction, was used as a probe for molybdenum sulfide dispersion. The amount of chemisorbed toluene gave an indication of the extent of molybdenum sulfide dispersion. As determined by this technique, molybdenum sulfide dispersion was qualitatively related to catalytic activity for coal-asphaltene hydrogenation.
Argon laser effect on demineralization of human enamel

Previous studies have recorded the reduction of caries-like lesions in extracted human teeth that have been irradiated with CO2 laser. Other studies have shown a decrease in dissolution rate of enamel that has been irradiated with CO2 laser and acid resistance. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Argon laser irradiation on acid resistance and demineralization of dental enamel. Human enamel was laser irradiated with approximately 60 J/cm2 and 120 J/cm2. The amount of demineralization was determined in a rotating disk assembly (0.1 M acetate buffer, pH-4.5) for 24 hours and the results determined and plotted against the nonlased control using microradiographs and computerized imaging. The amount of dissolution of tooth structure lost to demineralization in 4.5 pH acid bath in a 24 hour period was reduced from approximately 140 micrometers to approximately 70 micrometers . This study show that demineralization is reduced when human enamel is exposed to Argon laser irradiation.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Comparative phytochemistry of eleven species of Vigna (Fabaceae).

A survey of the biochemical constituents of 11 species of Vigna indicates the absence of the non-protein amino acid canavanine in their seeds, and absence of proanthocyanidin (polyphenol) in their leaves. Proanthocyanidin was found in the seeds of all, except Vigna subterranea. The constitutive leaf flavonoids of four genotypes of the pantropic V. subterranea were also studied and compared with those from three other cultivated species. The flavonoid kaempferol seems to be most prevalent as it was found in all of the four cultivated species and genotypes. The glycoside kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside was found present in the four genotypes of V. subterranea and other cultivated Vigna species. However, the flavonoid kaempferol-3-O-glucoside-7-rhamnoside is restricted to V. subterranea. This study questions the inclusion of V. subterranea in the genus Vigna on account of absence of seed proanthocyanidin and restricted accumulation of kaempferol-3-O-glucoside-7-rhamnoside in the leaves.
Vector model phenomenology

Abstract We review the vector model, a low-energy effective theory of QCD based upon a novel realization of chiral symmetry incorporating vector mesons. After discussing some of the problems with the lowest-order phenomenological results of this model, we compute the leading log corrections to the theory's tree level predictions. The corrections are found to significantly improve the agreement between values for several physical meson observables from the vector model and experiment.
High-resolution genotyping of HLA-DQA1 in the GoKinD study and identification of novel alleles HLA-DQA1*040102, HLA-DQA1*0402 and HLA-DQA1*0404.

Abstract: In order to achieve high-resolution HLA-DQA1 genotyping, it is necessary to identify polymorphisms in exons 1, 2 and 3. We present a high-resolution sequence-based typing (SBT) strategy for genotyping exons 1, 2 and 3 of the polymorphic HLA-DQA1 locus. This method is an improvement upon previously presented methods, because it utilizes the minimum number of SSP-PCR assays to obtain clear DNA sequence in both the forward and reverse directions of all three exons. All known HLA-DQA1 alleles are resolved with the exception of HLA-DQA1*010101 and HLA-DQA1*010102 for which the distinguishing polymorphism is located in exon 4 and does not result in an amino acid change. This method has enabled our laboratory to identify three new HLA-DQA1 alleles – HLA-DQA1*040102, HLA- DQA1*0402 and HLA-DQA1*0404 – in the Genetics of Kidneys in Diabetes (GoKinD) study population. Additionally, we present single-allele amplification methods, which identify the coding sequences of HLA-DQA1 exons 1, 2, 3, intron 2 and 300 bp of the HLA-DQA1 promoter (QAP). This study, also describes the QAP for most of the known HLA-DQA1 alleles, three HLA-DQA2 promoter sequences and the intron 2 sequences for HLA-DQA1*040101, HLA-DQA1*040102, HLA-DQA1*0402 and HLA-DQA1*0404.
Student hiring: why not make it an event?

Managing student employees is like raising a family. Like most parents, seeing their child grow and move away to school is hard. One of the more difficult things about managing students is when you watch the employee, who you've seen change from student to adult, leave or graduate. For the ITS group at Iowa State University, this happens each semester.This spring we needed to fill twenty positions to be fully staffed for the fall. Before going through a number of applicants and interviews, we decided to take a different approach to the hiring process, so we made an event out of it. We offered a mass interview process and had twenty applicants respond. Once applicants arrived, we explained that they would be interviewing each other, based on the guidelines we had created, for a set amount of time. Then we divided them into small groups and put a current employee in each group that took notes on interactions and responses.The applicants who felt comfortable meeting new people and were able to carry a friendly conversation excelled. They were able to see potential peers and get a jumpstart on building work relationships. We found this form of hiring to be successful and extended an offer to about 50% of the applicants. We also found a few applicants that most likely would have been hired through the "normal" interview process, but did not blend well during the interview event, causing them to be taken out of the applicant pool.
Success and complications of endoscopic removal of giant duodenal and ampullary polyps: a comparative series

Background Increasing reports suggest that endoscopic removal of benign ampullary and duodenal polyps is safe and frequently definitive; however, most reported polyps have been small in size ( Patients Fifty-one cases of endoscopic removal were attempted and grouped according to size: group A (n = 22) polyps 1 to 3 cm and group B (n = 29) polyps 3 cm or larger, including 7 cases larger than 5 cm. When the ampulla was involved, biductal sphincterotomy and prophylactic pancreatic duct stent placement was performed first, followed by saline solution–assisted piecemeal polypectomy, argon plasma coagulation, selective endoclip placement, and recovery of all polyp fragments. Interventions Endoscopic removal of duodenal and ampullary adenomas. Results The outcomes of small and large adenoma removal include mean number of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies required for complete removal (2.09 vs 2.56, P = .392), number of complications (4.5% vs 13.9%, P = .375), discovery of unsuspected cancer (0% vs 10.3%, P = .242), and final definitive resolution (100% vs 86.2%, P = .124). Complete removal was achieved in 92.2% of all patients. Limitations This was a single center retrospective study. Conclusions Large (≥3 cm) ampullary and duodenal polyps comprised 56.9% of our endoscopically treated cases and present special challenges to definitive endoscopic removal. Successful removal of even very large sessile lesions is possible with minimal increase in risk.
Computed tomography guidance for skeletal biopsy

Computed tomographic (CT) guided biopsy and abscess drainage of multiple organ systems have been well described. Reports of spinal and skeletal applications have been less common. This study describes the use of CT guidance in the biopsy of various skeletal lesions in 46 patients. Forty-one patients had skinny needle aspirations (18 or 22 gauge) and 23 patients had trephine core biopsies. Sites of the lesions included: thoracic spine-15 patients, lumbosacral spine-17 patients, bony pelvis-6 patients, rib-2 patients, and long bones-6 patients. Fast scanners capable of rapid image reconstruction have overcome many constraints. With CT guidance, the physician who performs the procedure receives virtually no ionizing radiation. The exact location of the needle tip is accurately visualized in relation to the lesion being biopsied and to the vital organs.
Frequency-dependent myosin light chain phosphorylation in isolated myocardium

A specific light chain subunit (P-light chain) of myosin from striated and smooth muscles is phosphorylated by Ca2+ calmodulin-dependent myosin light chain kinase. Phosphorylation of cardiac P-light chain was examined in isolated perfused rabbit ventricular septae to determine the effect of contraction frequency on this Ca2+-dependent reaction. Muscles stimulated at 42 beats/min had 0.23 mol phosphate/mol P-light chain which decreased to 0.12 mol phosphate/mol P-light chain when the muscles were made quiescent (0 beats/min in the presence of 22 mM K+ for 30 min). Rephosphorylation of P-light chain to 0.24 mol phosphate/mol P-light chain occurred in muscles stimulated at 84 beats/min for 90 min but not in muscles stimulated at 42 beats/min for 30 min (0.15 mol phosphate/mol P-light chain). Stimulation at frequencies ranging from 0 to 126 beats/min for 30 min produced a frequency-dependent increase in P-light chain phosphorylation from 0.1 to 0.4 mol phosphate/mol P-light chain. Increased inotropy for 30 s with isoproterenol was not associated with significant increases in P-light chain phosphorylation in muscles stimulated at 42 beats/min. The rates of myosin P-light chain phosphorylation and dephosphorylation in ventricular muscle are much slower than the reported rates of phosphorylation in either fast-twitch skeletal or smooth muscles. The extent of cardiac P-light chain phosphorylation appears dependent upon the steady-state frequency of contraction.
The Paninian approach to natural language processing

Abstract This article reviews the Paninian approach to natural language processing (NLP) and compares it with the current computer-based understanding systems. It is argued that Paninian-style generative rules and meta-rules could assist in further advances in NLP.
Social scientists, documents and cyberinfrastructure: the cobbler's children or the missing masses?

A limited understanding of the distributed work practices of social scientists impedes current efforts to develop cyberinfrastructure (CI) that meets the needs of these scholars. In this paper we review literature on the theory, organization, collaborative practices, and epistemic cultures of the social sciences to summarize fundamental characteristics about the nature of their work practices. Building off these insights, we advance a document-centered articulation of social scientists' distributed work practices derived from a pilot study of scholars in the field of information studies. We use a mixed-methodological approach involving the mapping of digital and physical documents, automated tracking of desktop and online repositories, participant-generated images of physical documents and desktop, behavioral queries, along with interviews and participant observation. Our findings suggest that an approach focused on documents offers a tangible entree into understanding the distributed work practices of social scientists. This study aims to help further discussion surrounding the uptake of CI in the social sciences and the role of academic disciplines in the design of CI tools and projects.