cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation and characterization of microvessels from normal brain and brain tumors

We describe a new technique for isolating microvessels from both brain and brain tumors. This method is relatively quick and provides a microvessel preparation free of contamination by other brain tissue. Using this method, structurally intact microvessels from normal rat brain and from a malignant rat astrocytoma were isolated and characterized with light microscopy, scanning electron microrscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In contrast to microvessels derived from normal rat brain, rat astrocytoma microvessels had endothelial cells with multilayered basement membranes, extensive microvilli on the cell surfaces, and a significant increase in the number of pinocytes in the cytoplasm. Furthermore, astrocytoma microvessel endothelial cells had pleomorphic electron dense nuclei with pale perichromatin, whereas the nuclei of endothelial cells of microvessels derived from normal brain tissue were finely granular and homogeneous with characteristically electron dense perichromatin. The morphologic characteristics of the astrocytoma microvessels are similar to the histologic changes seen in astrocytoma tissue in situ, and correlate well with the known altered functions of brain tumor neovasculature.
Thermo-mechanical modeling of a shape memory alloy heat engine

Two thirds of the energy generated in the United States is currently lost as waste heat, representing a potentially vast source of green energy. Low Carnot efficiency is an inherent limitation of extracting energy from low-grade thermal sources (temperature gradients near or below 100C), and SMA heat engines could be useful for those applications where low weight and packaging are overriding considerations. Although many shape memory alloy (SMA) heat engines have been proposed to harvest this energy, and a few have been built and demonstrated in past decades, they have not been commercially successful. Some of the barriers to commercialization include their perceived low thermodynamic efficiency, high material cost, low material durability, complexities when using fluid baths, and the lack of robust constitutive models and design tools. Recent advances, however, in SMA longevity, reductions in materials costs (as production volumes have increased), and a better understanding of SMA behavior have stimulated new research on SMA heat engines. The L ightweight T hermal E nergy R ecovery S ystem (LighTERS) is an ongoing ARPA-E funded collaboration between General Motors, HRL Laboratories, Dynalloy, Inc., and the University of Michigan. In the LighTERS engine (a refinement of the Dr. Johnson engine), a closed loop SMA spring element generates mechanical power by pulling itself between alternating hot and cold air regions. The first known thermo-mechanical model for this type of heat engine was developed in three stages. First, the constitutive and heat transfer relationships of an SMA spring form were characterized experimentally. Second, those relationships were used as inputs in a steady-state model of the heat engine, including both convective heat transfer and large-deformation mechanics. Finally, the model was validated successfully against measurements of a experimental heat engine built at HRL Labs.© 2011 ASME
THE SAGE ENTREPRENEUR: A REVIEW OF TRADITIONAL CONFUCIAN PRACTICES APPLIED TO CONTEMPORARY ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Currently, the West is experiencing a surge in the popularity of Eastern philosophies and wisdom and their application to everyday life. This paper applies the philosophies from ancient China as expressed by Confucius and subsequent scholars in the Confucian tradition to contemporary entrepreneurship, Specifically, we explain the notion of the Confucian sage and the attempt to attain sagehood in general terms. We also elaborate on methodologies used by adherents to the Confucian tradition. Next, we introduce the concept of the contemporary sage entrepreneur and suggest traditional Confucian practices for facilitating the transformation of contemporary entrepreneurs into sage entrepreneurs. In addition, we focus on benefits of the entrepreneur's transition to sagehood. Propositions describing the benefits of Confucian practices and eventual sagehood are presented throughout the paper.
A data envelopment analysis of gas utilities' efficiency

This study examines the Natural Gas Policy Act of 1978 and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) policies that culminated in Order 636 in 1992. The regulatory environment in which natural gas distribution utilities operate was altered. FERC policies forced local gas distribution utilities into an increasingly competitive environment. Restructuring of the industry may affect economic efficiency. Data Envelopment Analysis is used to examine the economic efficiency of gas distributors during 1975–94. Federal policy appears to lead to a reduction in scale due to restructuring and more competition. Reduced scale economies have not altered the economic efficiency of the utilities.
Auditory distortion products measured with averaged auditory evoked potentials.

The purpose of this investigation was to describe the properties of averaged auditory evoked potential distortion products (AEP-DPs) in guinea pigs. This study provided a step toward developing a c...
Transmittance of Water Vapor—14 to 20 Microns*

Experimental transmittance data are given for mixtures of water vapor and nitrogen for the 14–20 μ region of the pure rotation band of water vapor. These data yield a set of transmittance functions for 55-cm−1 intervals in agreement with a theoretical curve of Benedict. Average transmittance is plotted as a function of the parameter U = WP*, in which W is the vapor optical path in precipitable centimeters and P* an effective pressure. This effective pressure is the sum of the total pressure and the water vapor partial pressure multiplied by a variable self-broadening factor. The set of transmittance functions in turn yields a generalized absorption coefficient for the region.
Carboxypeptidase H in bovine pituitary gland: Soluble forms are not processed at the C-terminus

Carboxypeptidase H (CP-H) has been characterized in anterior and posterior lobes of bovine pituitary with regard to subcellular distribution, enzymatic properties, nature of membrane association, number of forms and C-terminal processing. Anterior lobe contained both soluble and membrane forms of CP-H with similar enzymatic properties after extraction at pH 5.5. The soluble forms represented about 70% of the total activity. Two soluble and two membrane forms, of 53 and 56 kDa, were demonstrated by immunoblotting and after purification. The amount of the 56 kDa soluble form increased with the salt content of the extraction buffer. Endoglycosidase digestions showed that the difference in size was not due to differential N-linked glycosylation and also showed that CP-H oligosaccharides do not become resistant to endoglycosidase H. CP-H in posterior lobe was also composed from about 70% soluble and 30% membrane forms. Only 53 kDa CP-H was detected in soluble and membrane fractions of posterior lobe. All forms of CP-H from both lobes reacted with antiserum directed to the C-terminus. These results do not support previous observations that soluble and membrane forms of CP-H can be distinguished by size and C-terminal processing.
Receiver-operating characteristic curves for taboo and neutral words

Some investigators have applied signal-detection theory to the recognition of such emotional stimuli as taboo words (Dorfman, Grossberg, & Kroeker, 1965; Dorfman, 1967). Although the theory was applied to these stimuli, no good evidence exists to support such an application. The present study evaluated signal-detection theory with respect to its application to the recognition of taboo words. The theory was fitted to rating-method data by means of the method of maximum likelihood, and the chi-square test of goodness of fit was used to evaluate the theory. The data were found to be in reasonably good agreement with signal-detection theory.
The deChristianization of Christian hospital chaplaincy: some bioethics reflections on professionalization, ecumenization, and secularization.

The traditional roles of Christian chaplains in aiding patients, physicians, nurses, and hospital administrators in repentance, right belief, right worship, and right conduct are challenged by the contemporary professionalization of chaplaincy guided by post-Christian norms located in a public space structured by three defining postulates: the non-divinity of Christ, robust ecumenism, and the irrelevance of God’s existence. The norms of this emerging post-Christian profession of chaplaincy make interventions with patients, physicians, nurses, and hospital administrators in defense of specifically Christian bioethical norms and goals unprofessional, because the chaplain is now directed as a professional to support health care services held to standards articulated within a secular morality. These changes are exemplar of the profound recasting of the dominant moral culture with wide-ranging implications for bioethics.
ASPECTS OF KHMER MEDICINE AMONG REFUGEES IN URBAN AMERICA

1974 Opium Smoking in Laos: A Survey of 40 Addicts. American Journal of Psychiatry 131:165 170. 1979 Medical and Nonmedical Treatment for Narcotic Addicts: A Comparative Study from Asia. Journal of Nervous and Mental Disorders 167(4):205-211. 1980 Treatment for Narcotic Addiction in a Buddhist Monastery. Journal of Drug Issues 10:221-227. Westermeyer, J., and V. Walzer 1975 Drug Usage: An Alternative to Religion? Diseases of the Nervous System 36(9):492 495. Whithead, P. C. 1978 Acupuncture in the Treatment of Addiction: A Review and Analysis. Interestermeyer, J. 73 Folk Treatment for Opium Addiction in Laos. British Journal of Addic-
Novel Adenovirus Component System That Transfects Cultured Cardiac Cells With High Efficiency

Although it is clear that gene transfection is a potentially valuable approach in the study of cardiac cell function and differentiation, classic transfection methods are limited by their poor efficiencies in cardiac cells. Recent studies show that recombinant replication-defective human adenovirus can transfect primary cardiac cultures with near 100% efficiency. Since such recombinants are time consuming to prepare, the goal of this study was to develop a plasmid/viral transfection system that would capitalize on the advantages of adenovirus. We have found that a "component system" formed by preincubation of Ad5dl312 adenovirus, poly-L-lysine, and an expression plasmid (lacZ reporter gene under control of the human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) major immediate early promoter) can transfect cultured cardiac cells. Optimal conditions were determined by quantifying beta-galactosidase expression. Histochemical analysis of cultures revealed that the component system transfected 70% of the cells under these conditions. LacZ-positive myocytes could be identified in intact myocytes with the fluorescent substrate C12-fluorescein di-beta-galactopyranoside. Functional studies with such cells indicated that contractile behavior was maintained in transfected cardiocytes. Furthermore, the component system was used to transfect a DNA vector expressing a physiologically relevant protein, protein kinase C delta. In summary, this powerful and simple approach can promote the expression of heterologous genes that can be studied at the biochemical and cellular level in cardiac cells.
Particle swarm over scene matching

Advances in a scene matching approach based on objects spatial relationships are discussed. Objects spatial relationships are captured using force histograms, which are used as affine-invariant image descriptors. Object mapping across images is performed by finding the best correspondence map between image descriptors. Due to a very large search space, the particle swarm optimization method is used to facilitate more efficient search. The image descriptors map is then translated into an object map identifying the correspondences between objects in the two images.
Modulation of myocardial energetics: emerging evidence for a therapeutic target in cardiovascular disease.

The traditional paradigm for heart failure management centered on mitigating the hemodynamic changes that occur in response to the failing heart. Subsequently, pharmacological modulation of neurohormonal activation and more recently cardiac resynchronization have been shown to reverse ventricular remodeling and to slow disease progression. Despite these advances in therapy, successful treatment of heart failure remains challenging, with rates of hospitalization in the United States exceeding 1 million per year and the annual number of heart failure–related deaths increasing steadily.1 Unfortunately, the history of drug development for heart failure has been marked by many disappointments, most notably the excess mortality associated with oral positive inotropes that were targeted at improving hemodynamics. In addition, more recent interventions aimed at interrupting endothelin and cytokine signaling or reducing oxidative stress have yet to fulfill hopes for novel biological therapies. Thus, new therapeutic strategies are needed to alter the natural history of the disease and to slow or reverse current epidemiological trends. The report by Lee and colleagues2 in this issue of Circulation points toward the promise of an alternative approach based on favorably influencing the efficiency of myocardial energetics, thereby increasing cardiac performance without depending on changes in oxygen consumption or improvement in hemodynamics. Article p 3280 The study of agents aimed at enhancing myocardial energy efficiency has focused principally on shifting myocardial substrate use toward more oxygen-efficient pathways.3 Although the complete oxidation of fatty acids to CO2 yields more adenosine triphosphate (ATP) per molecule of CO2 produced than does complete oxidation of glucose, a greater amount of oxygen is required to completely oxidize a fatty acid of equivalent carbon-chain length. Therefore, for a given amount of oxygen consumed, metabolism of glucose is more “oxygen efficient,” producing ≈15% more ATP (Figure).3,4 Production of ATP and consumption of …
A Model of Structural Relaxation in Glass

Study of the time dependence of physical properties in the transformation range of glass is complicated by the “memory effect” and the inherent nonlinearity which are characteristic of structural relaxation. A multiparameter model of structural relaxation is presented that differs from earlier models in that it takes account of both these effects. This model fits available experimental data well; these data were obtained for the most part by observing the evolution of properties (such as density or refractive index) following a step change in temperature. The present model also permits prediction of the physical properties of glass subjected to arbitrary and more complex temperature-time histories. It should, therefore, also be useful in the rational design of heat treating processes such as annealing.
Controller and Power Hardware-In-Loop Methods for Accelerating Renewable Energy Integration

This paper describes the basic concepts behind controller hardware-in-the-loop (CHIL) and power hardware-in- the-loop (PHIL) experimental testing from a renewable energy system integration perspective. An entire power apparatus or sub-system such as a power electronics converter for a fuel cell system or a variable speed wind power generator system can be tested in a controlled laboratory environment such as the 5 MW rated hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) test facility established at the Center for Advanced Power Systems at Florida State University.
Anthropology about the Future: Limits and Potentials

The need for more—and more reliable—knowledge about the future is a pressing social problem. Knowledge about the sociocultural future, both as object and as subject, in general and in specific cases, is a problem for anthropology. Predictive methods and the kinds of images they project are assessed. The alternative, analysis of ethnographically elicited images of the future and the implicated model of a "cybersentient" actor, is also assessed. Limits to what we can and can't know, with implications for what we can and can't do, about the future are identified.
Effects of crowding and wave exposure on penis morphology of the acorn barnacle, Semibalanus balanoides

Wave action and low population density can strongly reduce the ability of sessile acorn barnacles to find mates and copulate. For Semibalanus balanoides, penis morphology varies with wave exposure and with characteristics of the mating neighborhood. Field experiments were conducted at five intertidal sites on Long Island, New York, USA from July to December 2005 to determine how wave exposure and aggregation structure influence the length, diameter, mass, and number of annulated folds of the penis. Sparsely crowded barnacles had more annulations in the penis and are inferred to have greater ability to stretch. At higher wave exposure, the diameter of the penis was greater, but the mass was not. This study identifies density of crowding as the most important cue that barnacles respond to when perceiving their mating group and details how penis morphology varies in response to wave exposure.
Controversy over beached whales affects operation of seismic research cruise

The finding of two beached beaked whales on 24 September in Mexico's Gulf of California has raised concerns among some scientists about a possible link to the research being undertaken by a U.S. science vessel, and has prompted changes in that ship's operating procedures. The whales subsequently died. At the time of the strandings on Isla San Jose in the gulf, the R/V Maurice Ewing was conducting seismic research with an airgun array in the general vicinity as part of a 17 September–4 November seismic and geological study of gulf rifting and magmatism. The $1.6-million project is part of the MARGINS research program, funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation.
Ion-beam induced disordering and onset of amorphization in spinel by defect accumulation

Ion-irradiation induces amorphization in many intermetallics and ceramics, but spinel (MgAl2O4) is considered a “radiation resistant” ceramic. Spinel was irradiated with 1.5 MeV Kr+ at 20 K and observed in situ by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The spinel remained crystalline to a high dose of 1 × 1016 ions/cm2, without any evidence of amorphization. Another spinel was preimplanted with Ne (400 keV and 50 keV). The microstructure revealed a still crystalline material with 8 nm interstitial loops. After irradiation with 1.5 MeV Kr+ (20 K), amorphization, a result of cation disordering, initiated at a dose of 1.7 × 1015 ions/cm2. At a dose of 1 × 1016 ions/cm2, the spinel was partially amorphous and the remaining crystalline domains disordered. These results show that spinel can be disordered and that amorphization can be triggered by the introduction of stable defects, followed by ion irradiation at low temperature.
Acyl group specificity at the active site of tetrahydridipicolinate N‐succinyltransferase

Tetrahydrodipicolinate N-succinyltransferase (DapD) catalyzes the succinyl-CoA-dependent acylation of L-2-amino-6-oxopimelate to 2-N-succinyl-6-oxopimelate as part of the succinylase branch of the meso-diaminopimelate/lysine biosynthetic pathway of bacteria, blue-green algae, and plants. This pathway provides meso-diaminopimelate as a building block for cell wall peptidoglycan in most bacteria, and is regarded as a target pathway for antibacterial agents. We have solved the X-ray crystal structures of DapD in ternary complexes with pimelate/succinyl-CoA and L-2-aminopimelate with the nonreactive cofactor analog, succinamide-CoA. These structures define the binding conformation of the cofactor succinyl group and its interactions with the enzyme and place its thioester carbonyl carbon in close proximity to the nucleophilic 2-amino group of the acceptor, in support of a direct attack ternary complex mechanism. The acyl group specificity differences between homologous tetrahydrodipicolinate N-acetyl- and N-succinyltransferases can be rationalized with reference to at least three amino acids that interact with or give accessible active site volume to the cofactor succinyl group. These residues account at least in part for the substrate specificity that commits metabolic intermediates to either the succinylase or acetylase branches of the meso-diaminopimelate/lysine biosynthetic pathway.
An experimental method for the measurement of two phase liquid hydrocarbon-hydrate equilibrium

Abstract A modified Clausius-Mossotti experimental method was generated and proven for the measurement of the water content of a liquid hydrocarbon which is in equilibrium only with hydrates. The method was used to determine the water content of pure components and mixtures of liquid propane and liquid ethane when hydrates were present, without the presence of a free water phase. Equilibrium of hydrates with a quaternary NGL mixture was also studied. These data represent the first measurements for such two phase equilibria, which contain explicit planning for the presence of hydrates.
How do engineering educators take student difference into account

This paper addresses the extent to which, and the ways in which, engineering educators take student differences into account when making teaching-related decisions. We have found that educators deal with multiple types of student differences, although rarely in the way research recommends (e.g., focusing on learning styles). More often, educators differentiate students in terms of class standing, level of interest in a subject matter, and behavior. Our findings, illustrated by three case studies, demonstrate a variety of ways in which educators differentiate students. Generally, data such as this works against the perception that engineering educators at research universities are not taking into account educationally relevant student differences. However, to improve engineering education we should recognize and learn from the ways in which educators differentiate their students.
CpG island methylation in gastroenterologic neoplasia: A maturing field

Fifteen years after the first demonstration of epigenetic tumor-suppressor gene inactivation associated with promoter methylation, the field has reached a level of understanding that threatens a rewriting of established biologic concepts. In gastrointestinal malignancies, epigenetic analysis has led to novel hypotheses regarding the etiology of age-associated cancer susceptibility and the interactions between environmental exposures and neoplasia. Methylation profiling has uncovered a distinct pathway to colorectal neoplasia that may arise from a hitherto underestimated precursor lesion, the proximal hyperplastic polyp-serrated adenoma pathway. Epigenetic information has shown promise in clarifying susceptibility to cancer and defining poor prognosis groups in gastrointestinal cancers. Finally, the field has engendered renewed interest in therapeutic targeting of epigenetic regulatory molecules, and several such drugs are currently in clinical trials. It is likely that epigenetic pathways will be integrated in the routine management of gastrointestinal malignancies over the next decade.
Locally-gated, suspended silicon nanowire FETs for biomolecular sensing

Globally-backgated nanowires have been used extensively for label-free bio- or immunodetection [1]. Many of these sensors have been limited by their poor FET characteristics, high threshold voltages, low carrier mobility and poor noise characteristics. Further, the lack of local gate control over individual devices has prohibited simultaneous operation of complementary devices. We have fabricated individually-gated suspended nanowire sensors on SOI with subthreshold slope, mobility, and noise characteristics comparable to bulk silicon MOSFETs. Local gate control enables inversion and accumulation mode devices on the same chip, allowing complementary circuits for differential sensing. In addition, local gating will allow individual trimming of each device on a chip to maximize sensitivity. Suspended wires have greater surface area exposed for sensing and may also avoid some of the sensitivity limitations inherent to surface bound nanowires sensors in laminar flow [2].
Role of the NF-κB axis in immune modulation of osteoclasts and bone loss

NF-κB is a vital component of the molecular programs for immune cell development and activation, inflammatory responses, and osteoclast differentiation. This transcriptional regulatory family is activated by diverse immunological and inflammatory stimuli and contributes to both positive feedback of the immune and osteolytic responses as well as their resolution. The ubiquilous expression of NF-κB components in osteoclasts and other immune cells creates an opportunity to gain a better understanding of the complex interplay between the immune and skeletal systems in physiological and pathological conditions and also makes NF-κB an important target in the treatment of autoimmune, inflammatory, and osteolytic diseases. Indeed, many genetic murine models have recently been developed which highlight the importance of NF-κB in basic processes including lymphocyte development, macrophage activation, and osteoclast differentiation. Furthermore, inhibition of NF-κB signaling has been demonstrated to ameliorate tiss...
The mRNA Encoding τCstF-64 Is Expressed Ubiquitously in Mouse Tissues

Polyadenylation is a process of endonucleolytic cleavage of the mRNA, followed by addition of up to 250 adenosine residues to the 3 end of the mRNA. Polyadenylation is essential for eukaryotic mRNA expression, and CstF-64 is a subunit of the CstF polyadenylation factor that is required for ac- curate polyadenylation. We discovered that there are two forms of the CstF-64 protein in mammalian male germ cells, one of which (CstF-64) is expressed in all tissues, the other of which (CstF-64) is expressed only in male germ cells and in brain (albeit at significantly lower levels in the brain). Therefore, we were surprised to find that, using reverse transcription-PCR, cDNA cloning, and RNA blot analyses, CstF-64 mRNA was expressed at higher levels in brain than in testis. Also, CstF-64 mRNA was expressed at lower but detectable levels in all tissues tested, including epididymis, heart, kidney, liver, lung, muscle, ova- ry, spleen, thymus, and uterus. These results suggest the hypothesis that CstF- 64 mRNA is regulated at the translational or post-translational level.
The Importance of Ignoring: Alpha Oscillations Protect Selectivity

Selective attention is often thought to entail an enhancement of some task-relevant stimulus or attribute. We discuss the perspective that ignoring irrelevant, distracting information plays a complementary role in information processing. Cortical oscillations within the alpha (8-14 Hz) frequency band have emerged as a marker of sensory suppression. This suppression is linked to selective attention for visual, auditory, somatic, and verbal stimuli. Inhibiting processing of irrelevant input makes responses more accurate and timely. It also helps protect material held in short-term memory against disruption. Furthermore, this selective process keeps irrelevant information from distorting the fidelity of memories. Memory is only as good as the perceptual representations on which it is based, and on whose maintenance it depends. Modulation of alpha oscillations can be exploited as an active, purposeful mechanism to help people pay attention and remember the things that matter.
Numerical Analysis of the Joule Heating Effect on Plasma Heat Transfer

The application of thermal plasmas particularly in the field of plasma chemistry and plasma material processing requires a basic understanding of the heat transfer process. This paper is concerned with an analysis of the heat transfer to a positively biased body exposed to a plasma flow. Because of the induced current flow due to the biasing potential, the plasma surrounding the biased body will experience an increase in temperature caused by Joule heating. The fraction ? of the dissipated heat which is transferred to the body is calculated for an atmospheric argon plasma flow at temperatures between 104 and 2 × 104K and Reynolds numbers of 40 and zero. The results indicate that ? increases with increasing plasma temperature for Re = 40 and decreases slightly with increasing plasma temperature for Re = 0. As the Re number increases at constant plasma temperature ? decreases.
Comparing discriminative validity between a disease-specific and a general health scale in patients with moderate asthma

Abstract Health-related quality of life scales such as the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Medical Outcomes Study Short-form General Health Survey SF-36 have become important measures of health status in clinical asthma trials. The discriminative properties of these scales, however, have not been extensively evaluated and compared. The purposes of this study were to assess and compare scale and discriminative properties of the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire (AQLQ) and the SF-36 in a group of patients with moderate asthma using a patient-rated global measure of disease activity as the criterion variable. Patients were interviewed in-person with a series of questionnaires including the AQLQ and the SF-36, and were also asked the global question "How active is your asthma now?" with possible responses of "extremely," "very," "moderately," "mildly" or "not active." Discriminative properties were determined using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves with responses to the global question as the criterion variable and mean domain scale scores as the independent variables. Relative validities for the AQLQ and SF-36 domains were also compared. A total of 230 patients, mean age of 41 years, were enrolled. Scores were lower and ranges were narrower for the AQLQ compared to the SF-36. In general, the AQLQ and the SF-36 were highly correlated, with r = 0.69 for the AQLQ overall score and the SF-36 Physical Component Summary (PCS) score. According to ROC analyses, both scales had excellent discriminative properties; however the area under the ROC curve was higher for the AQLQ overall score (0.81) than for the PCS (0.75). When ranked according to ROC area, the symptoms domain (0.83) had the greatest area under the ROC curve, followed by the emotional (0.76) and activities (0.76) domains of the AQLQ. However, in some cases, the area under the curve was less for an AQLQ domain (for example, 0.71 for the environmental domain) than for SF-36 domains (for example, 0.75 for the role physicial, and 0.75 for the social domain). Similarly, the AQLQ overall had a higher relative validity (5.2) compared to the PCS (2.2), and the symptoms domain of the AQLQ had the highest relative validity (6.0). Thus, both the Asthma Quality of Life Questionnaire and the SF-36 were able to characterize patients with moderate asthma in our cross-sectional study. In addition, both scales had strong discriminative properties when assessed with a global patient rating of current disease activity.
Emerging investigators series: pyrolysis removes common microconstituents triclocarban, triclosan, and nonylphenol from biosolids

Reusing biosolids is vital for the sustainability of wastewater management. Pyrolysis is an anoxic thermal degradation process that can be used to convert biosolids into energy rich py-gas and py-oil, and a beneficial soil amendment, biochar. Batch biosolids pyrolysis (60 minutes) revealed that triclocarban and triclosan were removed (to below quantification limit) at 200 °C and 300 °C, respectively. Substantial removal (>90%) of nonylphenol was achieved at 300 °C as well, but 600 °C was required to remove nonylphenol to below the quantification limit. At 500 °C, the pyrolysis reaction time to remove >90% of microconstituents was less than 5 minutes. Fate studies revealed that microconstituents were both volatilized and thermochemically transformed during pyrolysis; microconstituents with higher vapor pressures were more likely to volatilize and leave the pyrolysis reactor before being transformed than compounds with lower vapor pressures. Reductive dehalogenation products of triclocarban and suspected dehalogenation products of triclosan were identified in py-gas. Application of biosolids-derived biochar to soil in place of biosolids has potential to minimize organic microconstituents discharged to the environment provided appropriate management of py-gas and py-oil.
Theorizing Environmental Governance of the World System: Global Political Economy Theory and Some Applications to Stratospheric Ozone Politics

This paper incorporates world-systems perspectives into an analysis of global environmental politics, thus adjoining a political economic analysis of scale with studies of global environmental policy. It is the ability of some social groups and institutions to jump scale that determines how global environmental policies are shaped. The United States’ carbon-intensive economy is seen to face larger short-term costs from global environmental agreements than many other countries in the core of the world-system, but what remains unexplored in the environmental politics literature is the question of why the United States sees its long-term economic condition hindered by these agreements. This analysis points to the ways industry actors intervene at multiple scales of global environmental negotiations to affect national policy positions as well as larger discourses about science and risk. The article reviews the methyl bromide controversy in the Montreal Protocol to explain why this agreement has recently failed to live up to expectations in removing ozone-depleting substances. The United States is particularly responsible for this impediment: rather than innovate in response to new information and changing international contexts, industry actors have drawn upon US hegemony to enforce their dominant market positions. As the parties to the Montreal Protocol remain polarized over questions of methyl bromide use, this analysis calls for attention to the ways capital, states, and other social institutions are embedded in international environmental agreements and how they use such arrangements to obstruct successful multilateral agreements. I conclude by suggesting that environmental and other social movements might strategize in two ways: 1) by helping support an emergent ‘green hegemony’ (most apparent in Chinese policy) as a counterhegemonic alternative, and 2) by developing strategies that account for the ways industry interests overlap with declining US hegemony in a shifting world-system.
The False Promise of Discretionary Imposition of the Death Penalty in South Africa

(1993). The False Promise of Discretionary Imposition of the Death Penalty in South Africa. South African Journal on Human Rights: Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 255-263.
Public Health Informatics and Health Information Exchange

Health information exchange (HIE) describes both (1) the act of sharing of clinical and administrative health care data between interested stakeholders and (2) the actual health information technologies and systems that facilitate this sharing. There have been multiple iterations of this concept over the past three decades, starting with the Community Health Information Networks of the 1980s, the Regional Health Information Organizations of the late 1990s - early 2000s, and now the health information exchanges that exist in various forms and offer services ranging from basic connectivity to more advanced functions such as master patient indexes, provider directories, trust services, e-prescribing, and public health reporting. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009 has helped to promote HIE by including HIE reporting as a Meaningful Use Stage 2 measure and funding the State HIE Cooperative Agreement Program which provides funding for a state designated entity (SDE) to plan and build HIE capacity. There are many challenges to address. Data and messaging standards are required for semantic interoperability. The complexity of information privacy and security policies and regulations increases proportionately with the number of HIE participants. Governance and sustainability are also major challenges that must be met. The future of HIE is promising. The increasing adoption of EHR systems creates a pool of electronic health data that can support public health needs, such as automated reporting for communicable diseases, predictive analysis for syndromic surveillance, and population health reporting.
Professional Liability after Quantum Leaps in Technology: The Advent of Autonomous Vehicles and Technology's Uncertain Fit within Existing Tort Law

The clash between “technocratic regulatory aspirations and the legal culture” that pervades the technology industry has been the locus of political debate, the darling of scholarly intrigue, and the thorn in industry’s side since before the release of Henry Ford’s Model-T. This paper embraces the idea that the 'clash' is not necessarily a problem of rapid innovation, but one of slowly developing law in the United States. The historically-proven reluctance of government to adapt to, and evolve with, progressing technologies is belied by the predictable eventuality that such radical innovations are deemed household items. Jerry Mashaw articulated this point, stating: 'The problem may not be that law misunderstands and misapplies science, but that we have misunderstood law.' This paper proceeds on the assumption that there is a workable adaption of the existing legal framework to usher in this new era of technological advancement. Government needs but choose a complimentary path to facilitate safely these creations which ultimately enhance the quality of human life.
Fabrication and Characterization of Cd1-xMgxTe Thin Films and Their Application in Solar Cells

We present our work on development of Cd1-xMgxTe (CMT) polycrystalline thin film for solar cells for tandem cell applications. CMT thin films were fabricated by co-evaporation of CdTe and Mg at a substrate temperature of 400˚C. The spatial separation of the two sources resulted in a compositional gradient, which allowed the deposition of a wide range of compositions from fewer runs. Stable films for compositions up to x=0.73 were fabricated. The structural analysis showed that the as-deposited films have a sphalerite structure and are preferentially oriented in the direction, and the lattice constant varies linearly with composition. Optical analysis of the samples shows that the optical bandgap varies linearly with composition. The optical absorption coefficient of the alloy films for the entire composition range (up to x=0.73) is over 6×104/cm-1 for energies above the bandgap, indicating a direct-gap semiconductor. We have fabricated solar cells using these films with the following structure: glass / SnO2 / CdS / CMT / back contact. Using the same processing conditions used for CdTe solar cells, the device efficiency was less than 2%. With modified contact processing, we were able to improve efficiencies to over 5%. Post-deposition chloride heat-treatment in oxygen ambient resulted in partial dissociation of the CMT alloy and loss of Mg. With modified chloride processing, we were able to reduce alloy decomposition and further improve the efficiencies. We have obtained devices with open-circuit voltages of up to 845 mV and efficiencies of 8% for CMT devices with a bandgap in the range of 1.6-1.62 eV which are highest reported values for CMT alloys.
Differential effects of dorsomedial medulla lesion size on ingestive behavior in rats.

Previous studies indicate that rats with lesions centered on the area postrema (AP) drink more saline and consume abnormally large amounts of water after treatment with subcutaneous isoproterenol (Iso) or angiotensin II. In addition, lesioned rats lose a significant amount of body weight immediately after surgery. Nonetheless, there are disparate reports on the effects of lesions of the AP on fluid intake and body weight. These reports suggest that the adjacent nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS) may play a role in the effects observed subsequent to the lesion. In this study we evaluated the effects of varying lesion size on body weight, fluid intake, and the baroreflex. As the lesion included more of the NTS, the effect on body weight was reduced. Moreover, water intake induced by Iso increased as more NTS was involved in the lesion. Conversely, 3-h ad libitum saline intake and saline intake after sodium depletion decreased with more involvement of the NTS in the lesion. These data suggest that the neural population in the NTS bordering the AP may play a critical role in the control of water and saline intake as well as the regulation of body weight.
ROS1 Rearrangement in Thyroid Cancer

Background: Aberrations involving the ROS1 gene have not been reported in thyroid cancer. Here, a case of ROS1-associated thyroid cancer with unique and aggressive characteristics is presented. Patient findings: A 24-year-old athlete presented with a 3.5 cm left paramedian upper neck mass. Open biopsy demonstrated a papillary thyroid carcinoma arising in the pyramidal lobe. Additional imaging revealed involvement of her cricothyroid membrane, thyroid laryngeal cartilage, and left vocal cord. Complete en bloc surgical resection of the thyroid with cricothyroid membrane and endolarynx was performed with negative surgical margins. Microscopically, the tumor was largely solid with microfollicular architecture with focal cytoplasmic clearing and nodular invasion with rare true papillae, extending posteriorly through the cricothyroid membrane into the deep soft tissue of the left anterior vocal cord (pT4a). Metastases were present in 5/11 lateral neck and pretracheal lymph nodes with a size up to 0.4 cm (pN1b) ...
Increasing gender diversity amongst intending engineering majors using social networks: A work in progress

Interventions aimed at increasing gender diversity within the engineering workforce have proven insufficient in aggregate to yield transformative outcomes on a national scale. This is in contrast with results disseminated from numerous discrete intervention efforts implemented across the K-16 continuum, which have proven effective in enhancing awareness and increasing motivation for participation in STEM fields amongst participating females. One possible explanation for this apparent paradox is that the success of individual disjoint interventions is attenuated in time by a lack of contextual and temporal continuity between adjacent efforts. While such a proposed mechanism may be addressed by expanding resource allocations in order to increase the magnitude of such offerings or to improve coordination between them through a centralized administrative framework, appropriately constructed virtual social networks may offer an effective low-cost alternative for addressing this deficiency. Namely, by providing virtual access to an array of potential female colleagues at various stages of the educational and professional pathway, such networks may help support potential STEM enrollees between exposures to in-person interventions, thus increasing the efficacy of the aggregate intervention system. Our current work seeks to identify the feasibility of such an approach by examining the behaviors of targeted females at various stages of the educational and professional spectrum as it relates to their utilization of social networks. In particular, we seek to identify the feasibility of supporting such interactions through participants' existing social networking activities. In addition, we seek to explore potential objections to participation which may arise on the basis of perceived privacy concerns.
Estimation Method of Nozzle Exit Speed for Torpedo Turbine Engine

Open loop cycle underwater engine system is more sensitive to variable working condition than a piston engine system.In order to maintain the efficiency of the turbine engine system,higher nozzle efficiency is necessary.In this paper,by analyzing the working characteristics of an open loop cycle turbine engine system in a multi-speed torpedo,the parameters relationship is obtained,and the nozzle working characteristics in non-designed working condition is determined.According to the theories of thermodynamics and aerodynamics,the flow behavior when the gas passes the pressure wave at the nozzle exit section is analyzed,and an estimation method of the exit speed of a supersonic nozzle in an underwater turbine engine system is presented concerning the changes of gas speed and the direction.This method may be applicable to the turbine engine system optimization design and system modeling.
Influence of different interval charge on seism effect of blasting

Study and practice show that different interval charge can produce the different blasting seismic effect.However,for the decked charge structure and the same decked medium,what kind of decked fashion can make damping seismic effect is better? The comparison between the different seismic effects caused by bottom,middle and top decked charge structures was investigated in the paper.The particle vibration velocity amplitude,vibration frequency and vibration duration have been compared.The damping seismic effect produced by bottom decked charge was best.Next is that of top decked charge.The damping seismic effect caused by middle decked charge was little.
Tracking Epidermal Nerve Fiber Changes in Asian Macaques: Tools and Techniques for Quantitative Assessment

Quantitative assessment of epidermal nerve fibers (ENFs) has become a widely used clinical tool for the diagnosis of small fiber neuropathies such as diabetic neuropathy and human immunodeficiency virus–associated sensory neuropathy (HIV-SN). To model and investigate the pathogenesis of HIV-SN using simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected Asian macaques, we adapted the skin biopsy and immunostaining techniques currently employed in human patients and then developed two unbiased image analysis techniques for quantifying ENF in macaque footpad skin. This report provides detailed descriptions of these tools and techniques for ENF assessment in macaques and outlines important experimental considerations that we have identified in the course of our long-term studies. Although initially developed for studies of HIV-SN in the SIV-infected macaque model, these methods could be readily translated to a range of studies involving peripheral nerve degeneration and neurotoxicity in nonhuman primates as well as pr...
SU-F-T-93: Breast Surface Dose Enhancement Using a Clinical Prone Breast Board

Purpose: The use of specialized patient set-up devices in radiotherapy, such as prone breast boards, may have unwanted dosimetric effects. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of a clinically used prone breast board on skin dose due to buildup. Methods: GafChromic film (EBT3) was used for dose measurements on the surface of a solid water phantom shaped to mimic the curvature of the breast. We investigated two setup scenarios: the medial field border placed at the medial edge of the board and 1 cm contralaterally from that edge. A strip of film was taped to the medial surface of the phantom. Gantry angles varied from 10 to 30 degrees below the lateral gantry position, representing anterior oblique fields. The measurements were performed with and without the presence of the board; the ratio of their corresponding doses (dose enhancement) was evaluated. Results: For the cases where the field edge is at the edge of the board, the dose enhancement is negligible for all the tested angles. When the field edge is 1 cm inside the board, the maximum surface dose enhancement varies depending on the gantry angle between 2.2 for 30 degrees and 3.2 for 20 degrees. The length on the film at which the presence of the board is detectable (i.e. where there is dose enhancement) is longer for the shallower angles. Conclusion: Even the low-density, thin carbon fiber board with a thin soft foam pad on the top can produce significant dose enhancement on the skin in prone breast treatment due to loss of buildup. However, it happens only when the patient mid-sternum is over the board, i.e. the medial edge of the field traverses through the board and pad. Even then, the effect occurs only at the field edge, i.e. the penumbral region.