cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ionic conductivity of composite electrolytes based on oligo(ethylene oxide) and fumed oxides

The effects of fumed oxide fillers (SiO2, Al2O3, TiO2) and binary mixtures of oxide fillers (SiO2/Al2O3) on ionic conductivity of composite electrolytes based on poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) oligomers (Mw=250, 500, 1000, and 2000)+lithium bis(trifluromethylsulfonyl)imide [LiN(CF3SO2)2] (LiTFSI) (Li/O=1:20) are studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the attenuated total reflectance mode (FTIR-ATR). Fillers show similar effect on conductivity in all systems: no distinguishable effect is found with filler type, and addition of filler decreases conductivity at temperatures above the melting point but increases conductivity at temperatures below. The addition of fillers stiffens polymer segments, as evidenced by enhancement in Li+–polymer interactions above the melting point seen in the IR spectra and an increase in Tg found from the DSC analysis. No reduction in ion-pairing upon addition of filler is observed from the IR spectra. The increase in conductivity at temperatures below the melting point is believed to be due to faster ion transport along the filler surface rather than through enhanced mobility of polymer segments. The insulating nature of fillers and stiffening of the polymer solvent in the presence of fillers cause a decrease in conductivity at temperatures above the melting point and is correlated solely with volume fraction of the filler.
Differences Between African American and White Research Volunteers in Their Attitudes, Beliefs and Knowledge Regarding Genetic Testing for Alzheimer’s Disease

Genetic susceptibility testing for common diseases is expanding, but little is known about race group differences in test perceptions. The purpose of this study was to examine differences between African Americans and Whites in knowledge, attitudes, and motivations regarding genetic susceptibility testing for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Before enrolling in an AD genetic testing research trial, 313 first-degree relatives of AD patients (20% African American; 71% female; mean age = 58 years) were surveyed regarding: (1) knowledge about genetics and AD risk; (2) concerns about developing AD; and (3) reasons for seeking testing. In comparison to Whites, African Americans were less knowledgeable about genetics and AD risk (p < .01) and less concerned about developing AD (p < .05), with lower levels of perceived disease risk (p = .04). The results suggest that African Americans and Whites differ notably in their knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes regarding genetic testing for AD. Additional research with more representative samples is needed to better understand these differences.
INFOTRAC and WILSONDISC: A Comparison of New Technologies

With the introduction of optical disc technologies in the mid‐1980s, access to periodical literature has entered a new era. Although librarians perceive inadequacies with some of the new systems and the means by which they deliver information, users have embraced them enthusiastically.
Intramolecular Motion in Peptides Determined by 13C NMR: A Spin-Lattice Relaxation Time-Study on MSH-Release-Inhibiting Factor,

Abstract : Spin-lattice relaxation time measurements have been undertaken on Pro--Leu--Gly--NH2 (MSH-R-IF), a peptide which was suggested to be the natural factor responsible for the inhibition of the release of melanocyte-stimulating hormone from the pituitary; the factor is released from oxytocin by enzymes present in the hypothalamus. NMR spectra of 13C in natural abundance were obtained. Spin-lattice relaxation times were measured using the inversion--recovery method.
Synthesis, structure and properties of Pb2CuB2O6

Abstract Single crystals of Pb2CuB2O6 were grown from a PbO/CuO/B2O3 flux, and crystallize in a monoclinic cell of dimensions a = 5.6311(6), b = 8.7628(9), c = 6.2025(6) A, and β = 115.7060(10)° with Z = 2; the space group is P21/c (no. 14). The structure was determined from 662 unique reflections and refined to the final residuals R1 = 0.0217, w R2 = 0.0586. The structure is characterized by the two-dimensional layer of interconnected rectangular planar CuO4 and triangular planar BO3 groups. The results of quantitative analysis ICP, DTA, vibrational spectroscopy, and magnetic investigations are also presented.
Intraplane to interplane optical interconnects using LiNbO3-based electro-optically modulated switch array for high-density holographic memory

A ne optical interconnect architecture for a 3D switch array using multiple LiNbO3-based electro-optically modulated gratings in conjunction with substrate guided waves is reported. First the operating mechanism of the system is studied in detail, and the momentum mismatch in the operating process of the system is also demonstrated. Then, a new method for calculating coupling efficiency is derived by introducing a compensation for the mismatch. With the new calculation method and by introducing a substrate guided wave with 45 degree bouncing angle and 100-V applied voltage, an optimized coupling efficiency is obtained even though it is under the case of momentum-mismatch. Finally, the experimental result of coupling efficiency of the electro-optically modulated grating is provided, and agreements between the experimental results and the theoretical prediction are obtained.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Energy exchange in a coherently coupled ensemble

Abstract The effect of energy transfer between translationally inequivalent molecular sites on spin coherence in photoexcited triplet states is investigated using density matrix techniques. Starting with the theoretical description of triplet—triplet transfer given by Dexter, in which the spatial alignment of the donor spin is conserved in the transfer, it is found that the triplet density matrix produced at the acceptor site depends not only on the angles relating the spin axes at the two sites, but also on the point within the Larmor period of oscillation at which the transfer occurs. This is interpreted in terms of the relationships between the off-diagonal elements of the density matrix and the components of triplet magnetization along molecular spin axes. When it is assumed that the spins transfer randomly with respect to the Larmor oscillation, it is found that (a) the populations of the donor sublevels are transferred into the acceptor sublevels with relative probabilities given by the squared cosines of the angles relating the spin axes at donor and acceptor sites (in agreement with previous studies), and (b) the coherent terms are multiplied by a geometrical factor F which depends explicitly on the Euler angles relating the two sites. Unless the sites are equivalent, F is less than one, so that even when exchange occurs between molecules with identical zero-field splittings, the spin coherence decays. The contribution of inequivalent site exchange to coherence decay in a variety of experimental techniques, e.g. spin echoes and spin locking, is evaluated.
Formation of CdS Nanoparticles within Modified MCM-41 and SBA-15

Cadmium sulfide nanoparticles were formed within both modified mesoporous aluminosilicate MCM-41 and siliceous SBA-15. Syntheses involved the formation of a monolayer of silylation reagent, (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane, on the surfaces of both MCM-41 and SBA-15, which served to preposition the sulfide source within the mesoporous channels. A source of Cd ions was then added, leading to reaction with the prepositioned sulfide and with added H2S to result in occluded CdS nanoparticles. The average diameters of nanoparticles of CdS formed within the mesochannels of MCM-41 and SBA-15, as characterized by XRD and UV−vis diffuse reflectance, were ca. 2.1 and 3.4 nm, respectively. The thicker wall and larger pore size of SBA-15 compared to MCM-41, represents a more stable matrix for forming the occluded nanoparticle, as indicated by the stability of the XRD patterns for the nanocomposite utilizing SBA-15 versus that when MCM-41 was used. Also, from Raman spectra for the CdS/MCM-41 system, the relative inte...
Ionic changes associated with lead stimulation of DNA synthesis in Balb/c3T3 cells.

Lead at slightly subtoxic concentrations markedly stimulated the rate of DNA synthesis in cultured animal cells. This stimulation was closely correlated with formation of a precipitate that was adsorbed and taken up by the cells under certain medium conditions. Data suggest that a precipitate-induced perturbation of the surface membrane leads to intracellular changes responsible for stimulation of DNA synthesis. Maximum stimulation of3H-thymidine incorporation by optimum concentrations of lead is delayed about 8 h compared to that in serum stimulation. In cells stimulated significantly by lead, but not in unstimu-lated cells, a reproducible rise of about 13% in intracellular magnesium occurred over a 24 h period, with an 8 h lag in the increase compared to that observed in serum stimulation. In view of the increases in intracellular magnesium consistently associated with and preceding stimulation of DNA synthesis by several different mitogens including serum and insulin, the present time-coordinated positive correlation between magnesium and DNA synthesis provides evidence for the primary involvement of this divalent cation in growth stimulation produced by lead.
ENDOSCOPIC TRANSNASAL MANAGEMENT OF FRONTAL MUCOCELES

Abstract The transnasal endoscopic approach is currently our surgical method of choice for the management of frontal sinus mucoceles. It is usually performed on an ambulatory basis; compared with open procedures, it significantly reduces morbidity. There is increasing epidemiologic, clinical, histologic, and physiologic evidence that this approach is successful, with recurrence rate at or close to 0%. Classification of frontal and frontoethmoid mucoceles as well as surgical technique is presented.
A comparison of gradient ascent, gradient descent and genetic-algorithm-based artificial neural networks for the binary classification problem

: We compare log maximum likelihood gradient ascent, root-mean-square error minimizing gradient descent and genetic-algorithm-based artificial neural network procedures for a binary classification problem. We use simulated data and real-world data sets, and four different performance metrics of correct classification, sensitivity, specificity and reliability for our comparisons. Our experiments indicate that a genetic-algorithm-based artificial neural network that maximizes the total number of correct classifications generally fares well for the binary classification problem. However, if the training data set contains inconsistent decisions or noise then the log maximum likelihood maximizing gradient ascent may be the best classification approach to use. The root-mean-square minimizing gradient descent approach appears to overfit training data and has the lowest reliability among the approaches considered for our research. At the end of the paper, we provide a few guidelines, including computational complexity, for selection of an appropriate technique for a given binary classification problem.
Navigation for an intelligent mobile robot

A navigation system is described for a mobile robot equipped with a rotating ultrasonic range sensor. This navigation system is based on a dynamically maintained model of the local environment, called the composite local model. The composite local model integrates information from the rotating range sensor, the robot's touch sensor, and a pre-learned global model as the robot moves through its environment. Techniques are described for constructing a line segment description of the most recent sensor scan (the sensor model), and for integrating such descriptions to build up a model of the immediate environment (the composite local model). The estimated position of the robot is corrected by the difference in position between observed sensor signals and the corresponding symbols in the composite local model. A learning technique is described in which the robot develops a global model and a network of places. The network of places is used in global path planning, while the segments are recalled from the global model to assist in local path execution. This system is useful for navigation in a finite, pre-learned domain such as a house, office, or factory.
Force-flow and back-pressure relationships in mitochondrial energy transduction: An examination of extended State 3-State 4 transitions

Abstract Liver mitochondria were incubated through extended State 3-State 4 transitions (B. Chance and G. N. Williams (1955) J. Biol. Chem.217, 409–423) in the presence of high concentrations of adenine nucleotides and in presence and absence of a protonophore. In the terminal phase of these transitions (the region of respiratory control), (a) there was a proportional relationship between the phosphorylation potential and membrane potential (Δψ); and (b) the rate of phosphorylation (Jp) was proportionately and inversely related to the back-pressure of Δψ (reflective of proton-motive force (Δp); (c) when phosphorylation was limited by the magnitude of Δψ in the presence of increasing [protonophore], Jp was proportionately and directly related to Δψ. The slopes of these two dependencies (a and c) were approximately equal, but opposite in sign. Protonophore or ADP, added separately, decreased Δψ but the extent of decrease in Δψ by ADP added after increasing amounts of protonophore decreased in a manner proportional to Jp. These data are in all respects consistent with bulk-phase Δp being the central intermediate driving (or suppressing) the phosphorylation reaction.
PRIMARY EWING'S SARCOMA OF THE BLADDER ASSOCIATED WITH AN ELEVATED ANTINUCLEAR ANTIBODY TITER

Lower urinary tract malignancy is an uncommon cause of hematuria in children. The most common pediatric bladder malignancies are rhabdomyosarcoma, leiomyosarcoma and transitional cell carcinoma. To our knowledge primary Ewing's sarcoma of the bladder has not been previously reported in any age group. We report a case of primary Ewing's sarcoma of the bladder associated with elevated antinuclear antibody titer. CASE REPORT A previously healthy 15-year-old white girl presented for evaluation of painless gross hematuria and clot urinary retention. Physical examination was normal and medical history was unremarkable. Urinalysis revealed numerous isomorphic erythrocytes but no pyuria or bacteriuria. Creatinine, serum electrolytes, liver function tests, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, hematocrit and coagulation studies were normal. An antinuclear antibody titer that was obtained to rule out nephrological hematuria was elevated at 1:10,240 (normal up to 1:15). Excretory urogram showed normal kidneys and an unremarkable upper urinary tract. However, a filling defect was noted in the bladder. Cystoscopic examination revealed a 2 x 2 cm. bleeding, sessile globular tumor with focal areas of necrosis and no papillary features. The lesion was at the right anterolateral bladder wall. Transurethral resection was incomplete and biopsy specimens were not consistent with transitional cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemical and electron microscopy studies revealed small round blue malignant cells (fig. 1). Staging chest, abdomen and pelvis computerized tomography (CT) failed to reveal intra-abdominal or retroperitoneal pathology.
Coexistence of cellular CDMA and FSM: interference suppression using filtered PN sequences

The spectrum sharing between a direct sequence code division multiple access personal communications network (DS CDMA PCN) and the fixed service microwave (FSM) radio links in the 1850 to 1990 MHz band is investigated. The spectrum coexistence of the two systems will improve spectral efficiency, but it will cause interference to both systems. To reduce the interference, the spread spectrum (SS) technique is used in the PCN. In addition a CDMA PCN transmitter is designed, employing filtered pseudonoise (PN) sequences, that reduce the interference to the FSM systems. The performance of the FSM under the overlaid filtered PCN is studied. Next, a CDMA PCN receiver is designed, employing filtered PN sequences, and the performance of the filtered PCN, under FSM interference, is evaluated in terms of the CDMA capacity reduction. >
Managing Emotional Manhood Fighting and Fostering Fear in Mixed Martial Arts

Based on two years of fieldwork and over 100 interviews, we analyze mixed martial arts fighters’ fears, how they managed them, and how they adopted intimidating personas to evoke fear in opponents. We conceptualize this process as ‘‘managing emotional manhood,’’ which refers to emotion management that signifies, in the dramaturgical sense, masculine selves. Our study aims to deepen our understanding of how men’s emotion work is gendered and, more generally, to bring together two lines of research: studies of gendered emotion management and studies of emotional identity work. We further propose that managing emotional manhood is a dynamic and trans-situational process that can be explored in diverse settings.
Percutaneous Removal of a Metallic Foreign Body from the Wall of the Thoracic Aorta

This report details the percutaneous removal of a metallic foreign body from the wall of the thoracic aorta. The foreign body was presumably swallowed and migrated from the esophagus into the aortic lumen progressively during a period of 10 months. The patient had no adverse consequences from the procedure immediately or in the subsequent 18 months of follow-up.
Factors limiting seed production of Taxus brevifolia (Taxaceae) in Western Oregon.

Seed production of Pacific yew (Taxus brevifolia), an understory conifer, was studied at four sites in western Oregon over 2 yr. The effects of pollen supplementation, overstory canopy, and predator exclusion on ovule attrition were examined. Supplemental hand-pollination of ten trees at two sites resulted in significantly increased rates of ovule development and a doubling of seed efficiency (ratio of seeds to ovules). However, seed efficiency still averaged ,15% on branches receiving supplemental pollen, so pollination was not a primary factor limiting seed production. The number of developing ovules was positively associated with overstory openness, but seed production was not. Seed efficiency was negatively associated with overstory openness. Branches bagged to exclude vertebrate seed predators had higher seed production than unbagged branches at three of four sites for 2 yr. In contrast to unbagged branches, seed production on bagged branches was positively associated with overstory openness, as was the effectiveness of bagging. Therefore, both vertebrate predation and overstory were important in limiting seed production, and these factors interacted. Factors limiting seed production varied in importance among the four sites and between years, illustrating the importance of examining multiple limiting factors over several sites and years.
Internal time formalism for spacetimes with two Killing vectors.

The Hamiltonian structure of spacetimes with two commuting Killing vector fields is analyzed for the purpose of addressing the various problems of time that arise in canonical gravity. Two specific models are considered: (i) cylindrically symmetric spacetimes and (ii) toroidally symmetric spacetimes, which respectively involve open and closed universe boundary conditions. For each model, canonical variables which can be used to identify points of space and instants of time, i.e., internally defined spacetime coordinates, are identified. To do this it is necessary to extend the usual ADM phase space by a finite number of degrees of freedom. Canonical transformations are exhibited that identify each of these models with harmonic maps in the parametrized field theory formalism. The identifications made between the gravitational models and harmonic map field theories are completely gauge invariant; that is, no coordinate conditions are needed. The degree to which the problems of time are resolved in these models is discussed.
New views of glutamate transporter structure and function: Advances and challenges

Neuronal and glial glutamate transporters limit the action of excitatory amino acids after their release during synaptic transmission. Recent structural and functional investigations have revealed much about the transport and conducting mechanisms of members of the sodium-coupled symporter family responsible for glutamate clearance in the nervous system. In this review we summarize emerging views on the general structure, binding sites for substrates and coupled ions, and transport mechanisms of mammalian glutamate transporters, integrating results from a large body of work on carrier structure-function relationships with several crystal structures obtained for the archaeal ortholog, Glt(Ph).
The ORF1 Protein Encoded by LINE-1: Structure and Function During L1 Retrotransposition

LINE-1 or L1 is an autonomous non-LTR retrotransposon in mammals. Retrotransposition requires the function of the two L1-encoded polypeptides, ORF1p and ORF2p. Early recognition of regions of homology between the predicted amino acid sequence of ORF2 and known endonuclease and reverse transcriptase enzymes led to testable hypotheses regarding the function of ORF2p in retrotransposition. As predicted, ORF2p has been demonstrated to have both endonuclease and reverse transcriptase activities. In contrast, no homologs of known function have contributed to our understanding of the function of ORF1p during retrotransposition. Nevertheless, significant advances have been made such that we now know that ORF1p is a high-affinity RNA-binding protein that forms a ribonucleoprotein particle together with L1 RNA. Furthermore, ORF1p is a nucleic acid chaperone and this nucleic acid chaperone activity is required for L1 retrotransposition.
Trends in Clinical Presentation, Management, and Mortality of Blunt Aortic Traumatic Injury Over an 18-Year Period

Background:The purpose of our study was to assess whether the trends in management of blunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) have changed its outcomes over the years.Methods:We reviewed data of 88 (0....
Measurement-Based Non-Quasi-Static Large-Signal FET Model Using Artificial Neural Networks

A new measurement-based FET model is presented which combines non-quasi-static dynamics formulated with constitutive relations derived using adjoint and conventional artificial neural networks (ANN). The new model features smoother constitutive relations than spline-based methods while maintaining the non-quasi-static dynamics for accurate distortion simulations. Additionally, this work demonstrates, for the first time, the construction of an adjoint-trained ANN-based "high-frequency drain current" constitutive relation (accounting for dispersion due to traps and thermal effects in III-V FETs), along with drain and gate terminal charges from measured bias-dependent data. The model is implemented in Agilent ADS and validated with nonlinear measurements on a 0.25?m GaAs pHEMT device.
Ammonia- and Nitrite-Oxidizing Bacterial Communities in a Pilot-Scale Chloraminated Drinking Water Distribution System

Nitrification in drinking water distribution systems is a common operational problem for many utilities that use chloramines for secondary disinfection. The diversity of ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria (NOB) in the distribution systems of a pilot-scale chloraminated drinking water treatment system was characterized using terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis and 16S rRNA gene (ribosomal DNA [rDNA]) cloning and sequencing. For ammonia oxidizers, 16S rDNA-targeted T-RFLP indicated the presence of Nitrosomonas in each of the distribution systems, with a considerably smaller peak attributable to Nitrosospira-like AOB. Sequences of AOB amplification products aligned within the Nitrosomonas oligotropha cluster and were closely related to N. oligotropha and Nitrosomonas ureae. The nitrite-oxidizing communities were comprised primarily of Nitrospira, although Nitrobacter was detected in some samples. These results suggest a possible selection of AOB related to N. oligotropha and N. ureae in chloraminated systems and demonstrate the presence of NOB, indicating a biological mechanism for nitrite loss that contributes to a reduction in nitrite-associated chloramine decay.
Vancomycin and Daptomycin Pharmacodynamics Differ against a Site-Directed Staphylococcus epidermidis Mutant Displaying the Small-Colony-Variant Phenotype

Catheter-related bloodstream infections due to slow-growing Staphylococcus epidermidis small-colony variants (SCVs) are extremely difficult to treat. Daptomycin and vancomycin pharmacodynamics were evaluated against a site-directed hemB mutant of S. epidermidis displaying the SCV phenotype and compared to that of the parental strain. The maximal killing effect decreased by 7.7-fold for vancomycin and 1.5-fold for daptomycin against the SCV mutant and were well characterized by a Hill-type mathematical model (R2 > 0.97).
Chaos, fractals and self-organization in coastal geomorphology: simulating dune landscapes in vegetated environments

Complex nonlinear dynamic systems are ubiquitous in the landscapes and phenomena studied by earth sciences in general and by geomorphology in particular. Concepts of chaos, fractals and self-organization, originating from research in nonlinear dynamics, have proven to be powerful approaches to understanding and modeling the evolution and characteristics of a wide variety of landscapes and bedforms. This paper presents a brief survey of the fundamental ideas and terminology underlying these types of investigations, covering such concepts as strange attractors, fractal dimensions and self-organized criticality. Their application in many areas of geomorphological research is subsequently reviewed, in river network modeling and in surface analysis amongst others, followed by more detailed descriptions of the use of chaos theory, fractals and self-organization in coastal geomorphology in particular. These include self-organized behavior of beach morphology, the fractal nature of ocean surface gravity waves, the self-organization of beach cusps and simulation models of ripples and dune patterns. This paper further presents a substantial extension of existing dune landscape simulation models by incorporating vegetation in the algorithm, enabling more realistic investigations into the self-organization of coastal dune systems. Interactions between vegetation and the sand transport process in the model—such as the modification of erosion and deposition rules and the growth response of vegetation to burial and erosion—introduce additional nonlinear feedback mechanisms that affect the course of selforganization of the simulated landscape. Exploratory modeling efforts show tantalizing results of how vegetation dynamics have a decisive impact on the emerging morphology and—conversely—how the developing landscape affects vegetation patterns. Extended interpretation of the modeling results in terms of attractors is hampered, however, by want of suitable state variables for characterizing vegetated landscapes, with respect to both morphology and vegetation patterns. D 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Carbon content and radioactivity of marine rocks

The radioactivity and carbon content of eight geological formations have been determined. Included were two sandstones, two limestones, and four shales. An increasing linear relation was observed between the net beta count and the carbon content.
Low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, epithelial cell abnormality-adjusted workload, and the ThinPrep imaging system.

Previous studies have shown a negative correlation between screening sensitivity using the ThinPrep Imaging System (TIS) and epithelial cell abnormality (ECA) adjusted workload (ECA rate × actual slides screened/day) at the thresholds of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (HSIL). We sought to determine if a similar correlation could be shown at the threshold of low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL). Using data in seven manuscripts from the literature that contain sufficient information, the change in screening sensitivity using the TIS compared with manual screening was negatively correlated with ECA adjusted workload (y = −3.75x + 54, R2 = 0.104). Using the sensitivity of manual screening of 79% for manual screening at a threshold of LSIL from the original TIS trial, 100% sensitivity could be achieved at an ECA adjusted workload of approximately seven slides/day, the same workload that achieves 100% sensitivity at a threshold of ASCUS and slightly higher than the threshold for HSIL. We conclude that the ECA adjusted workload is a valuable method to assess workload for the TIS at the threshold of LSIL. Laboratories using the TIS should restrict workload to seven ECA adjusted slides/day (maximum actual slides/day = 700/ECA percentage). Diagn. Cytopathol. 2012. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Development of conductive adhesives with novel corrosion inhibitors for stabilizing contact resistance on non-noble lead-free finishes

As a potential alternative to lead-bearing soldering technology, conductive adhesive technology has attracted more and more attention of the electronics industry. This new technology can offer numerous advantages over traditional soldering technology. However, some critical limitations of this technology, such as lower electrical conductivity and unstable contact resistance during elevated temperature and humidity aging, have slowed its potentially wide applications in electronics industry. In this study, innovative organic corrosion inhibitors were discovered and introduced into a typical ECA formulation. With the incorporation of small amount of the additives, obviously lower bulk resistivity of ECAs and significantly stabilized contact resistance on Sn surfaces could be achieved. Contact angle and FTIR characterization indicated the affinity and interaction between the corrosion inhibitors and the metal surfaces. A barrier passivation layer could form on Sn surfaces during the processing for ECA with the effective corrosion inhibitors. X-ray diffraction analyses confirmed that such a passivation layer could protect the Sn surface and prevent oxidation and corrosion under the elevated temperature and humidity environment.
The Psychological Assessment of Impulsivity: A Review:

A review of the clinical assessment of impulsivity with common psychological tests is presented. Although the term impulsivity is well known in the field of psychology and psychiatry, there are oft...
IFN-γ-Dependent Regulatory Circuits in Immune Inflammation Highlighted in Diabetes

We demonstrate diverse roles of IFN-γ in the induction and regulation of immune-mediated inflammation using a transfer model of autoimmune diabetes. The diabetogenic CD4 + BDC2.5 (BDC) T cell clone upon transfer into NOD.scid mice induced destruction of islets of Langerhans leading to diabetes. Administration of a neutralizing Ab to IFN-γ (H22) resulted in long-term protection (LTP) from diabetes, with inflammation but persistence of a significant, albeit decreased, number of β cells. BDC T cells were a mixture of cells expressing high, intermediate, and low levels of the TCR. Clonotype low BDC T cells were required for LTP. Furthermore, islet-infiltrating leukocytes in the LTP mice contained Foxp3 + CD4 T cells. Islet inflammation in both diabetic and LTP mice was characterized by heavy infiltration of macrophages. Gene expression profiles indicated that macrophages in diabetic mice were M1 type, while LTP mice contained M2 differentiated. The LTP was abolished if mice were treated with either Ab-depleting CD4 T cells or a neutralizing Ab to CTLA-4, in this case, only at a late stage. Neutralization of IL-10, TGF-β, glucocorticoid-induced TNF receptor (GITR), or CD25 had no effect. Transfer of only clonotype high - expressing BDC T cells induced diabetes; in contrast, H22 Abs did not inhibit diabetes. While clonotype high T cells induced diabetes even when IFN-γ was neutralized, paradoxically there was reduced inflammation and no diabetes if host myeloid cells lacked IFN-γ receptor. Hence, using monoclonal CD4 T cells, IFN-γ can have a wide diversity of roles, depending on the setting of the immune process.
A Dilation Theory for Polynomially Bounded Operators

Abstract In this paper we construct a special sort of dilation for an arbitrary polynomially bounded operator. This enables us to show that the problem whether every polynomially bounded operator is similar to a contraction can be reduced to a subclass of it.
‘Women of the Diaspora’: A Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis of migration narratives of dual career Zimbabwean migrants

This study explores the establishment and maintenance of gendered ideologies and practices within the household of dual career Zimbabwean migrants in the Diaspora, viewed from the lens of Feminist Critical Discourse Analysis. With a limited sample, the study explores the construction of gendered identities by analysing language use in responses to photographs of men engaged in activities that, in normative gender discourses, are considered ‘women’s work’. Drawing on qualitative data in the form of responses to inter-discursive photographs, the findings suggest that patriarchal norms significantly influence responses, which may reflect the establishment and maintenance of gendered ‘cultural’ identities and roles regarding household tasks. On the one hand, household tasks are viewed as indexical of femininity and the upholding of African cultural value systems, thus naturalizing the association of women with the home. Some women ‘collude’ in reinforcing divisive patriarchal and familial beliefs about female and male roles and view any potential reconstruction of gendered identity within the household as a transgression of socioculturally prescribed behavioural norms for women while others contest such stereotypes. On the other hand, when confronted with the need to take on childcare and other domestic duties traditionally ascribed to women, while at the same time being under considerable pressure to live up to accepted masculine ideals of their home countries, male migrants experience a loss of identity as family provider, leading to a redefinition and reproduction of a ‘new’ patriarchal position within the household based on remembered significance.
Discovery of L-162,313: a nonpeptide that mimics the biological actions of angiotensin II

L-162,313 (5,7-dimethyl-2-ethyl-3-[[4-[2(n- butyloxycarbonylsulfonamido)-5-isobutyl-3-thienyl]phenyl]methyl]- imadazo[4,5-b]pyridine) is a nonpeptide that mimics the biological actions of angiotensin II (ANG II). The intravenous administration of L-162,313 increased blood pressure in the rat. The maximum increase in mean arterial pressure (MAP) was not different from the maximum response to ANG II in the same preparation. However, the duration of the pressor response after L-162,313 greatly exceeded that of ANG II. Pretreatment with ANG II receptor antagonists, L-158,809 (AT1 selective) or saralasin, blocked the L-162,313-induced increase in MAP. Enalaprilat, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, failed to block the MAP response to L-162,313. In vitro, L-162,313-activated phosphoinositide turnover in rat aortic smooth muscle cell cultures was also blocked by L-158,809 and losartan (DuP-753). Therefore, L-162,313 is the first reported nonpeptide ANG II receptor agonist.
Bacteroides Fragilis Perinephric Abscess

Although urinary tract infection caused by Bacteroides fragilis has been recognized since the turn of the century it is not frequently recognized in clinical practice. Only a small number of significant upper urinary tract infections in which Bacteroides fragilis has had a significant pathogenic role have been reported previously. The use of systemic metronidazole in the treatment of this rare and unusually refractory form of urinary tract infection is described.
Myeloperoxidase--H2O2--halide system: cytotoxic effect on human blood leukocytes

Myeloperoxidase, H2O2, and a halide form a potent antimicrobial and cytotoxic system of the polymorphonuclear leukocyte. A cytotoxic effect of this system on human blood leukocytes is demonstrated, employing 51Cr release and dye exclusion assays. Cytotoxicity is dependent on enzymatically active myeloperoxidase, H2O2, or a peroxide-generating enzyme system and either chloride or iodide. Cell damage is rapid, with maximal levels of 51Cr release occurring within 30--60 min. Approximately equal sensitivity to the peroxidase system is observed for polymorphonuclear leukocytes and mononuclear leukocytes. Since myeloperoxidase and H2O2 are released from polymorphonuclear leukocytes under certain conditions, such as during particle ingestion, it is suggested that peroxidase-mediated leukocyte injury may be an important feature of the inflammatory response.
UAV flight test programs at georgia tech

This paper describes the design, development, and operation of research Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) that have been developed at the Georgia Institute of Technology in the Schools of Aerospace and Electrical/Computer Engineering. This includes a description of flight test experiences and lessons learned over the past 10 years, with emphasis on recent work. Specifically in 1998, Georgia Tech acquired a Yamaha R-Max Remotely Piloted Helicopter (RPH) for use in the DARPA Software Enabled Control and other research programs. An open system UAV testbed was developed based on this vehicle that is referred to as the GTMax. The use of a variety of simulation configurations has been of considerable benefit. Flexible data communication systems, models for all hardware components, and a flexible simulation software infrastructure are important. The use of a modular avionics architecture and the use of a vehicle with a relatively large payload capacity also allow these UAVs to be configured quickly for a variety of experiments.
Evaluation of KAP Effects among Diabetic Patients by Different Intervention Models

Objectives To evaluate the KAP effects among diabetic patients by different intervention models.Methods A community-based random controlled trial was conducted among 210 volunteer diabetic patients who were divided into self-management group(n=106)and health education group(n=104).Results 1Nine(the knowledge about diabetes;the self-efficacy about diet management,exercise management,blood-sugar monitoring,foot care and blood-sugar exception handling;the behavior about lifestyle intervention,blood-sugar monitoring and foot care)of the ten indicator scores were significantly improved compared to those before intervention for self-management group(P0.05).Five indicator(the knowledge about diabetes;the self-efficacy about diet management,foot care and blood-sugar exception handling;the behavior about lifestyle intervention)scores were significantly higher than those before intervention for health education group(P0.05).2For the comparison of two groups,the score changes of five indicators(the knowledge about diabetes;the self-efficacy about diet management,bloodsugar monitoring and foot care;the behavior about foot care)for self-management group were more than those for health education group(P0.05).Conclusions Both of two intervention models were helpful to control diabetes.The effects of the self-management group were better than that of the health education group in knowledge of diabetes,part of self-efficacy and parts of self-management behaviors.
Improving initial conditions for cosmological N-body simulations

National Science Foundation [AST-1313285, 1228509]; US Department of Energy [DE-SC0013718]; FAS Division of Science, Research Computing Group at Harvard University
Social phobia: A clinical overview.

Mood disorders are characterized as the diseases of the 1980s, and anxiety disorders as the diseases of the 1990s. Of the anxiety disorders, social phobia is the least studied and most misunderstood. Recently, however, social phobia has been the focus of intense clinical investigation, and an increasingly clearer picture is emerging. The National Comorbidity Survey (NCS) data reveal a lifetime prevalence for social phobia of 13.3% in the adult population (15 to 54 years). First onset is early in life, usually before age 18, and the clinical course is chronic and unremitting. The central clinical feature is intense irrational fear in response to or in anticipation of feeling scrutinized and/or evaluated by others. This results in the severe or absolute avoidance of small social groups (57%), meeting strangers (42.1%), eating in public (24.7%), or even cashing checks or using public rest rooms. High lifetime comorbidity with other disorders is common: simple phobia (59%), agoraphobia (45%), major depression (17%), dysthymia (12%), alcohol abuse (19%), and drug abuse (13%). Despite the presence of significant disability (as many as 20% of social phobics are on welfare), there is a strong tendency by the public, and at times even for mental health professionals, to trivialize this disease.
S-phase cells of rapidly growing and resting populations. Differences in response to methotrexate.

The effects of methotrexate on L5178Y cells from logarithmically growing cultures and from resting cultures were studied. Methotrexate killed cells 6.7 times faster and produced 20-fold greater inhibition of deoxyuridine incorporation into DNA in the cells from logarithmic as compared to resting cultures. The antifolate also acutely suppressed the incorporation of thymidine into DNA by cells from logarithmic cultures but had no effect on that by cells from resting cultures. These differences in the effects of methotrexate on the S-phase cells from cultures of different growth rates are interpreted in the light of current hypotheses relating cell kinetics to the cytocidal effects of antimetabolites.
Detecting SMS Spam in the Age of Legitimate Bulk Messaging

Text messaging is used by more people around the world than any other communications technology. As such, it presents a desirable medium for spammers. While this problem has been studied by many researchers over the years, the recent increase in legitimate bulk traffic (e.g., account verification, 2FA, etc.) has dramatically changed the mix of traffic seen in this space, reducing the effectiveness of previous spam classification efforts. This paper demonstrates the performance degradation of those detectors when used on a large-scale corpus of text messages containing both bulk and spam messages. Against our labeled dataset of text messages collected over 14 months, the precision and recall of past classifiers fall to 23.8% and 61.3% respectively. However, using our classification techniques and labeled clusters, precision and recall rise to 100% and 96.8%. We not only show that our collected dataset helps to correct many of the overtraining errors seen in previous studies, but also present insights into a number of current SMS spam campaigns.
Cardiac Electrical and Structural Changes During Bacterial Infection: An Instructive Model to Study Cardiac Dysfunction in Sepsis

Background Sepsis patients with cardiac dysfunction have significantly higher mortality. Although several pathways are associated with myocardial damage in sepsis, the precise cause(s) remains unclear and treatment options are limited. This study was designed to develop a new model to investigate the early events of cardiac damage during sepsis progression. Methods and Results Francisella tularensis subspecies novicida ( Ft.n ) is a Gram‐negative intracellular pathogen causing severe sepsis syndrome in mice. BALB/c mice (N=12) were sham treated or infected with Ft.n through the intranasal route. Serial electrocardiograms were recorded at multiple time points until 96 hours. Hearts were then harvested for histology and gene expression studies. Similar to septic patients, we illustrate both cardiac electrical and structural phenotypes in our murine Ft.n infection model, including prominent R9 wave formation, prolonged QRS intervals, and significant left ventricular dysfunction. Notably, in infected animals, we detected numerous microlesions in the myocardium, previously observed following nosocomial Streptococcu s infection and in sepsis patients. We show that Ft.n ‐mediated microlesions are attributed to cardiomyocyte apoptosis, increased immune cell infiltration, and expression of inflammatory mediators (tumor necrosis factor, interleukin [IL]‐1β, IL‐8, and superoxide dismutase 2). Finally, we identify increased expression of microRNA‐155 and rapid degradation of heat shock factor 1 following cardiac Ft.n infection as a primary cause of myocardial inflammation and apoptosis. Conclusions We have developed and characterized an Ft.n infection model to understand the pathogenesis of cardiac dysregulation in sepsis. Our findings illustrate novel in vivo phenotypes underlying cardiac dysfunction during Ft.n infection with significant translational impact on our understanding of sepsis pathophysiology.
PCSM-07SYMPTOM BURDEN OF PATIENTS IN FOLLOW-UP FOR PRIMARY BRAIN TUMOR

BACKGROUND: Primary Brain Tumor (PBT) patients present with symptoms unique from other solid tumor patients because of the location in the central nervous system. After completing therapy they are considered to be in follow-up but are never considered to be in remission because of the high rate of recurrence. The purpose of this study is to compare the symptom experience of patients in follow-up (FU) for PBT with those of patients undergoing active treatment (OT). METHODS: Cross-sectional patient-reported outcome (PRO) symptom data was obtained on outpatients at MD Anderson Cancer Center. The survey tool used was the M.D.Anderson Symptom Inventory-Brain Tumor which measures both core oncology and PBT-specific symptoms. OT and FU groups were compared for each of the 22 symptom items. Symptom item scores were also categorized as "low" or "moderate/severe." Aggregate scores were also obtained for six functional symptom groupings. Group comparisons by symptom item were conducted with the chi-square test, while the t test for independent samples was used to compare aggregate scores. FINDINGS: 446 patients (216 OT and 230 FU) were included in the sample. No significant demographic differences were found between treatment and follow-up groups. The sample was primarily white (82.9%) and male (58.5%). Mean symptom severity was not significantly different between groups [OT 1.52 (0-7.35), FU 1.75 (0-6.82), p = 0.09]. No significant difference between groups was found in frequency of moderate/severe symptoms for 20 of 22 items. It was found that follow up patients reported more moderate/severe difficulty with remembering (p = 0.0087) and drowsiness (p = 0.0157). CONCLUSION: This preliminary analysis shows that patients in follow-up for PBT have a symptom burden that is as significant as patients who are receiving treatment for active disease. Additional research is needed to determine factors that explain symptom pattern or severity over time.
Characterization of end-of-life electroencephalographic surges in critically ill patients

ABSTRACTNeuromonitoring devices to assess level of sedation are now used commonly in many hospital settings. The authors previously reported that electroencephalicgraphic (EEG) spikes frequently occurred after the time of death in patients being neuromonitored at the time of cessation of circulation. In addition to the initial report, end-of-life electrical surges (ELES) have been subsequently documented in animal and human studies by other investigators. The frequency, character, intensity, and significance of ELES are unknown. Some have proposed that patients should not be declared dead for purposes of organ donation prior to the occurrence of an ELES. If clinical practice were altered to await the presence of an ELES, there could be detrimental consequences to donated organs and their recipients. To better characterize ELES, the authors retrospectively assessed the frequency and nature of ELES in serial patients. To better document ELES, they collected neuromonitoring, demographic, and clinical data on...