cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electronic and optical properties of lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (Conference Presentation)

The growing attention to perovskite nanocrystals is connected with their unusual and potentially useful electronic and optical properties. I will discuss the bulk energy band structure of CsPbX3 (X = I, Cl, and Br) perovskites and show that all of them have the band edge at R-point of the Brillouin zone. To describe electronic and optical properties of perovskite nanocrystals we have derived the four band effective mass Hamiltonian, which describes the electronic properties of electron and holes near the band edge. Using this Hamiltonian we calculate the lowest quantum confined levels of electrons and holes and the spectra of the allowed optical transitions. The calculations takes into account the cubic shape of the perovskite nanocrystals, that results into inhomogeneous electric field of emitted and absorb photons. The symmetry of the ground exciton state has been analyzed and the radiative decay time has been calculated. The results of our theoretical calculations have explained 200 ps radiative decay time and polarization properties measured in single CsPb(BrCl2) quantum dot experiments .
The Anterior Cingulate Cortex, Akinetic Mutism, and Human Volition

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)has been identified as part of a supervisoryattentional network for selecting alternativemotor programs in response to top-down corticalprocessing, particularly in situationsinvolving conflicting cognitive tasks.Bilateral lesions to the ACC may be causallyassociated with akinetic mutism, where patientsare unable to voluntarily initiate responses.The clinical and neuroanatomical evidence forthis presumed causal association is examined atlength. However, given the many reciprocalprojections between cerebral, motor, limbic andparalimbic structures within the executivesupervisory network, the association ofvoluntary behavior with a particular structure(the ACC) is highly controversial and thereforepremature at this time. Also considered is theclaim that our subjective sense of voluntarycontrol and free will is simply due toour not having conscious access to theunderlying neural computations that precede our decisions and actions. On thecontrary, the distinction between voluntary and involuntary thoughts and actions mayrather be a matter of temporal and directionallag between parallel computations in differentneural areas. Finally, with reference toDennett, there is an extended discussion ofwhether patients with akinetic mutism are (i) conscious automata, (ii)non-intentional systems, and (iii) in azombie-like state. The relevance of (i)–(iii) for the cognitive neuroscientificliterature is then briefly addressed.
Genetics of Virulence of Enteropathogenic E. coli

Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) are a major cause of diarrhea in infants throughout the world. Although this pathogen was described 50 years ago, it is only recently that the pathogenic mechanisms employed by this organism have been elucidated. The characteristic histopathology induced by this organism, called “attaching and effacing”, consists of intimate adherence of the bacterium to the epithelial cell with marked cytoskeletal changes including effacement of microvilli. A 35 kb region of chromosomal DNA, called the LEE for locus of enterocyte effacement, has recently been described which contains all known genes necessary for production of this characteristic histopathology. Within this region is the eae gene encoding intimin, a 94 kDa OMP involved in intimate adherence. Also within this region are genes encoding proteins secreted extracellularly by EPEC (esp) and a type III secretion apparatus (sep) which shares homology with similar systems in Yersinia, Shigella, and Salmonella. Additional genes on a 60 MDa plasmid encode a type IV pilus (BFP) and a positive transcriptional activator (per) of multiple chromosomal and plasmid virulence genes.
Cytochrome P450-Dependent Monooxygenase: An Overview

In early studies on liver microsomes it was noticed that the heme content, measured by the pyridine hemochrome method, yielded values about double that of the content of the only known microsomal hemoprotein, cytochrome b5 (1). Reduction of the microsomes with sodium dithionite yielded, in the presence of carbon monoxide a “carbon monoxide-binding pigment” which was rationalized as not to be a hemoprotein (1, 2). The reasons cited for the CO-binding pigment not to be a hemoprotein included a) the absence of a reduced minus oxidized difference spectrum in the Soret region, b) lack of α- and β-peaks for the reduced, C0-complex, c) displacement of the CO-reduced absorption peak much further to the red than other carbon monoxy-hemoproteins, and d) the CO-complex showed no photodissociation. P450 was coined as a tentative name for the CO-complex, which was first reported to be hemoprotein in nature, in 1962 (3). Within the next few years cytochrome P450 was demonstrated to be the terminal oxidase in a number of microsomal monooxygenation reactions (4, 5).
Transformation of Human Labour from Stone Age to Information Age

Over the past few years, the labour market in general has been caught up in different financial and economic crises worldwide. Unemployment has grown to record levels. Our life is an odd mixture of different moments of action and inaction, work and rest. Work provides us with inner creative joy. Usually, it saves us from the dullness and boredom of life, puts our energy to proper use, provides us with money for our livelihood, and makes our lives meaningful and peaceful. We think that two things are necessary for really useful and happy work: skill and constructiveness. Work is not only an important part of our daily lives, but we have come to a point where it has taken over our lives. It is also an important political issue at the present time. Human labour is changing according to socio-ecological and technological transitions. These transitions are expected to have many far-reaching implications for human labour. To understand this situation, we have evolved a simple scheme that can be applied to the timeline of human evolution from the Stone Age to the Information Age. Using this device, we have tried to explore the historical relationships between changed regimes and the changes in human labour.
Revisiting Belligerent Reprisals in the Age of Cyber

This article critically explores the legal landscape of belligerent reprisals and considers whether the use of these measures is a viable enforcement mechanism under International Humanitarian Law (IHL) in the context of cyber operations. Because of the layered approach to this inquiry, the article has seven parts that build upon each other. Part II of the article provides an overview of the history of belligerent reprisals under IHL. Part III discusses belligerent reprisals in the context of today's understanding of IHL. Part IV further explores cyber operations and belligerent reprisals. Countermeasures (at one time known as peacetime reprisals) under the law of state responsibility forms the basis of Part V. Part VI provides an analytical framework for considering how cyber means and methods could effectively facilitate an expand use of belligerent reprisals for some States under certain conditions. Additionally, this section serves as the lens for re-examining the propriety and practicality of breathing life back into this controversial enforcement mechanism under IHL. Lastly, Part VII summarizes and concludes the article.
Salvage of rib stabilization hardware with antibiotic beads.

Abstract Background Surgical stabilization of rib fractures (SSRF) can be used to improve pulmonary mechanics; however, hardware infection is a morbid complication. Antibiotic impregnated beads have been used to suppress infection in orthopedic practices. We aimed to determine the efficacy of antibiotic beads for infected and at-risk SSRF hardware. Methods This is a single institution retrospective review of adults (18 years or older) that received SSRF between 2009 and 2017. Infected and at-risk hardware were managed with antibiotic beads. The primary outcome was bony union of rib fractures. Results There were 285 SSRF patients. Infection rate was 3.5%. Antibiotic beads were placed in 17 patients – 9 for infected hardware and 8 for prophylaxis. Increased body mass index (p = 0.04) and hemorrhagic shock at admission (p = 0.03) were risk factors for infection. There was 100% bony union post-operatively. Conclusion SSRF hardware infection is morbid. Antibiotic beads can salvage SSRF hardware until bony union.
Endoscopic evaluation of NSAID ulceration

The first endoscopic observation of gastric mucosal injury due to aspirin occurred in 1938 [1]. Subsequently, numerous anecdotal observations of similar injury were reported in the medical literature. The advent of fibreoptic endoscopy and photography in the 1960s made it much easier to evaluate the effects of aspirin and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) on the gastric and duodenal mucosa. In 1975 we reported the first double-blind controlled endoscopic study of mucosal injury due to these agents [2]. In that study, we developed a 0 to 4 grading system which primarily dealt with mucosal haemorrhages and ulcer. In recent years, improved fibreoptic bundles and more sophisticated photographic and video-endoscopic techniques have led us to appreciate the incidence and significance of erosions as well as haemorrhages and ulcers. At the present time, there is a huge body of well-controlled endoscopic studies in the literature evaluating this injury both in normal volunteers and patients [3]. Most of these studies utilize the 0 to 4 rating scale, however, many other scoring systems have also been employed. At the present time, it is generally felt that erythema and mucosal haemorrhages are of no clinical significance. The significance of erosions depends upon their numbers and depth and whether or not they ultimately develop into ulcers. Ulcers are always highly clinically significant, since, without the ulcer lesion, the complications of haemorrhage and perforation, and the therapy-limiting occurrence of intractable pain cannot occur.
Measuring Global and Local Structural Free Energy Changes in Staphylococcal Nuclease by NMR-Observed Hydrogen Exchange

Publisher Summary This chapter explores the measurement of global and local structural free energy changes in staphylococcal nuclease by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-observed hydrogen exchange. Hydrogen exchange has been used to estimate the free energy change of global unfolding, both in the presence and absence of the active site ligands Ca 2+ and pdTp. The studies described in the chapter establish a baseline level of stabilizing free energy conferred by ligand binding. A region exhibiting increases in protection above this baseline value has been identified. This has been attributed to inhibitor-induced perturbation of the P117 cis ⇋ trans equilibrium to the more exchange-stable cis conformation. The known properties of the cis ⇋ trans equilibrium about the K116–P117 peptide bond are consistent with it being the additional mechanism for facilitating exchange in a region of SNase. Mutational analysis has shown the position of the cis ⇋ trans equilibrium to be strongly correlated with the stability of the protein toward guanidine hydrochloride denaturation, with the trans-P117 isomeric form being much less stable than the cis. The protein containing trans-P117 is somewhat more expanded than the protein with P117 in the cis orientation.
Structure and properties of dicarboxylic acids at hexane/water interface: A molecular dynamics study

Abstract Reduction of interfacial tension caused by surfactants at oil/water interfaces plays a crucial role in many technological processes and industrial applications such as detergency, food processing, cosmetics and personal care, wastewater treatment, pharmaceutical and oil industries. The properties and behavior of dispersions, foams, and emulsions are determined by the interfacial properties stabilized by the surfactants. We carried out molecular dynamics simulations to study the interfacial properties, structure and dynamics of dodecanedioic dicarboxylic acids at hexane/water interface over a wide range of surface coverage (area per molecule). Unlike monocarboxylic acid whose hydrocarbon tail points to the oil phase normal to the oil/water interface, the two carboxyl groups of the dicarboxylic acid are attached to the aqueous phase while its slightly curved carbon backbone lies parallel to the interface. The dodecanedioic dicarboxylic acid adopts a slightly curved linear conformation in the interfacial region. The adsorbed acids undergo a first-order gas-to-liquid phase transition as the density of acid increases. The characteristic thickness of the acid layer remains practically constant at large area per molecule (or, low surface density) until surface coverage reaches a “critical” value above which the thickness of the acid layer increases markedly deviating from its low density value. This layering transition has a significant influence on the spreading pressure, interfacial structure, and lateral diffusion coefficient of the acids. Additionally, we modeled a system of fully deprotonated negatively charged acids balanced by positively charged sodium counterions. We found that the interfacial tension of the charged acid interface is consistently lower than uncharged acid at moderate to higher surface density; however, at low densities, we observe little difference in interfacial tension between these two systems within the accuracy of the MD results. Additionally, we found that the rotational relaxation of the charged acids is significantly slower than that of uncharged acids owing to strong electrostatic interactions between the carboxyl groups COO−and sodium Na+cations which restrain the rotational motion of the acid. This molecular dynamics study has provided information and insights at the molecular level on the structure, equilibrium, and dynamic properties of dicarboxylic dodecanedioic acids at hexane/water interface.
Using Augmented Reality to Support Collaborative Problem Solving in Computer Debugging Practice

Augmented reality (AR) is a visualization technology allowing virtual information to be imposed on physical objects. The contiguity of two-channel representations can enhance understanding of information by reducing extraneous cognitive load resulted by aligning information from different sources. For example, in chemistry, AR can be used to visualize the reaction of catalysts and provides relevant information like molecules and formulas during a lab experiment in real time. AR also makes user interaction with the content more natural compared to traditional computer-based interfaces, e.g., a user can easily share the content with others by pointing a new device to the same target. There has been much research exploring how these AR affordances can support learning of abstract concepts, invisible or unobservable phenomena, and improve interaction. However, the use of AR is less explored in learning computer programming which actually shares similar challenges: the integration of programming logic and the produced outcome is invisible and the interaction between students is usually limited due to the restricted access to computer keyboards and mice. To fill this gap, this study is aimed to explore how AR can support programming problem solving and group collaboration by multimodal analytics including program snapshots and group conversation. I developed a mobile app, Ogmented, which is able to present collaborative programming tasks by AR visualization and meanwhile collect student's conversation during the tasks for multimodal behavior analysis. The result of a pilot study provides an insight into student's reaction on Ogmented and provides a path to further investigation.
Assessing Physical Function and Mobility following Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury with the NIH Toolbox Motor Battery: A Feasibility Study.

Aims: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) can impair physical function in children. The NIH Toolbox Motor Battery (NIHTB-M) was designed to be a brief assessment of physical function, but no studies have ...
How Do Clinicians of Different Specialties Perceive and Use Opioid Risk Mitigation Strategies? A Qualitative Study

In response to the opioid crisis, states and health systems are encouraging clinicians to use risk mitigation strategies aimed at assessing a patient’s risk for opioid misuse or abuse: opioid agree...
Emotional arousal in the facilitation of aggression through communication

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a report of a program of research on emotional arousal in the facilitation of aggression through communication. It focuses on emotional arousal that many communication messages, especially those presented in highly dramatic format, can elicit in most viewers, and suggests that this arousal can play a significant role in the degree to which the individual will engage in aggressive behavior. Because a major factor motivating the present research is to test an alternative model to account for previous findings, the same basic methodological format has been adopted in the research program as well. The chapter discuses the elementary arousal model, which focuses on the degree of emotional arousal, and it contends that physiological excitation serves to activate or energize behaviors without channeling itself toward any particular behavior. It proposes a more sophisticated theory to incorporate the various cognitive and arousal factors into a single model and demonstrates more specifically how they interact to determine the behavior. As this program of theoretical speculation and research has evolved, three different facets of the problem of the effect of communications on subsequent aggressive behavior have arisen. Each addresses a different phase of the experimental procedure, thus focusing on a different component of the process.
Use of sodium borohydride to detect acyl-phosphate linkages in enzyme reactions.

This chapter describes protocols for detecting both covalently and noncovalently bound acylphosphate (acyl-P) compounds. There are several classical methods for detecting the presence of acyl-P compounds in enzyme reactions, including the well-known susceptibility to attack by hydroxylamine. Even so, borohydride reduction has become a standard method for demonstrating acyl-P formation in an enzyme-catalyzed reaction. Reductive cleavage with sodium borohydride of myelin proteolipid proteinacylated in vitro or in vivo yielded [ 3 H] hexadecanol, thereby identifying at least one of the acyl linkages as a thiolester with palmitate. The formation of acyl-P intermediates enhance nucleophilic substitution on the carboxyl carbonyl. In these mixed anhydrides, the unlikely OH − leaving group of the carboxyl is replaced by phosphate to the effect that reactivity is enhanced enormously. It is therefore not surprising that acyl-P compounds are the chief intermediates in reactions involving carboxyl-group activation. In earlier studies. myelin proteolipid protein has been acylated nonenzymatically on incubation with acyl-CoA as the fatty acid donor. The phosphorylation is transient and has a much shorter half-life than that expected for a typical acyl-P intermediate, suggesting that the sequence and conformation of the protein are designed to achieve a rapid hydrolysis.
Visualizing discrepancies from nonlinear models and computer experiments

Plutonium-238 is an important specialized power source that radiates heat, which can be converted into electricity. This case study models the thermal output of samples of Pu-238, in which the underlying theoretical model of its decay summarizes a large portion of the observed behavior. A discrepancy function is used to account for missing structure seen in the observed data, but is not included in the physical model. The model combines the assumed physics model, discrepancy and experimental error with an expression of the form, f(x,θ) + δ(x) + ɛ. The combined model improves prediction of new observations in the future by accounting for shortcomings or omissions in the physical model and provides quantitative summaries of the relative contributions of the discrepancy and physics model. In this work, we illustrate how to visualize the discrepancy function when it is modeled using a Gaussian process. With the visualization, scientists can gain understanding about the differences between the observed data and the current scientific model and develop proposals of how to potentially improve their model. A secondary example illustrates how the visualization methods can help with understanding in higher dimensions.
An EF3 Multivortex Tornado over the Ionian Region: Is It Time for a Dedicated Warning System over Italy?

AbstractThe possibility offered by the Internet to share pictures of tornadoes, and the storm-report archiving in the European Storm Weather Database, have made it apparent that the occurrence of tornadoes over Europe has been underestimated. Together with weak waterspouts and tornadoes, large and intense vortices are occasionally observed. Among these, an EF3 multivortex tornado with a path width of some hundreds of meters affected southeastern Italy on 28 November 2012, causing one casualty and estimated damage of 60M to the largest steel plant in Europe. A tide gauge positioned near the location of tornado landfall and a vertical atmospheric profile available a few hours later near the affected region represent unique sources of information for these events in the Mediterranean. During its transit across the port of Taranto, a waterspout, which was to become the tornado, was observed to have induced a sea level rise of about 30 cm. The supercell responsible for the tornado developed from convective ce...
Are you friendly or just polite? - analysis of smiles in spontaneous face-to-face interactions

This work is part of a research effort to understand and characterize the morphological and dynamic features of polite and amused smiles. We analyzed a dataset consisting of young adults (n=61), interested in learning about banking services, who met with a professional banker face-to-face in a conference room while both participants' faces were unobtrusively recorded. We analyzed 258 instances of amused and polite smiles from this dataset, noting also if they were shared, which we defined as if the rise of one starts before the decay of another. Our analysis confirms previous findings showing longer durations of amused smiles while also suggesting new findings about symmetry of the smile dynamics. We found more symmetry in the velocities of the rise and decay of the amused smiles, and less symmetry in the polite smiles. We also found fastest decay velocity for polite but shared smiles.
Direct gas chromatographic resolution of enantiomers on optically active mesophases : IV. Effect of structure on selectivity and liquid crystalline behavior

Abstract The liquid-crystalline thermal properties of a variety of carbonyl-(a-amino esters) are found to depend strongly upon the substitution of the amino ester side-chains, and to a lesser degree upon the presence of appropriate central carbonyl moieties. Further evidence for a mechanism of the enantiomeric separation of perfluoroacyl amides of optically active amines on carbonyl-bis-((S)-valine isopropyl ester) involving fewer than three hydrogen bonding interactions is presented, along with a new synthesis of this class mesomorphic stationary phases.
Spinal Vascular Lesions

Spinal vascular lesions are discussed in this chapter. These include the arteriovenous fistulas and the more complex vascular malformations, which can be classified into dural arteriovenous fistula (dAVF), intramedullary arteriovenous malformation (AVM), juvenile AVM, and intradural perimedullary AVF. These conditions are discussed, including their prevalence and epidemiology, clinical features, pathophysiology, and diagnostic workup and management, including surgical and endovascular considerations. Less common spinal vascular lesions such as extradural arteriovenous fistulas and spinal cord aneurysms are also briefly discussed. There is growing awareness of spinal cord ischemic stroke especially in the setting of aortic aneurysm repair, and the diagnosis and management of this vascular condition is also discussed.
Optimal control of airport operations with gate capacity constraints

The mitigation of airport surface congestion is an important step towards increasing the efficiency of the air transportation system, and decreasing flight delays. This paper proposes a strategy to control the release of departing flights from their gates with the specific objective of reducing their taxi times and fuel consumption, while limiting the impact on airport throughput. The proposed strategy also explicitly accounts for the practical constraints that arise due to limited gate resources at the airport. A stochastic network abstraction of the airport surface is used to model aircraft movement, and the optimal release time for each aircraft is calculated using dynamic programming. Simulations of operations at Boston's Logan International Airport in the US are used to illustrate the advantages of the proposed policies.
How Skilled are Hedge Funds? Evidence from their Daily Trades

We examine the trading skill of hedge funds using transaction-level data. After accounting for trading commissions, we find no evidence that the trades of the average hedge fund outperform across holding periods ranging from one month to one year. However, bootstrap simulations indicate that the trading skill of the top 10% of hedge funds cannot be explained by luck. Similarly, we find that the performance of top hedge funds persists and much of this persistence stems from intra-quarter trading skill. Skilled hedge funds tend to be short-term contrarians and their profits are largely concentrated in smaller, more illiquid stocks. Our findings suggest that while the average hedge fund is unskilled, there are a small minority of skilled funds who persistently create value through liquidity provision.
Defending Associative Duties

In Defending Associative Duties, Jonathan Seglow defends a view of our responsibilities, qua social beings, that has garnered growing attention over the last few decades. This view, associativism, ...
Emergence patterns in male checkerspot butterflies: Testing theory in the field

Abstract Recent theoretical models predicting the emergence patterns of male butterflies are tested with extensive field data. Previous models suggest that at evolutionary equilibrium the curve of male emergence will be truncated; no males will emerge after a certain date during the flight season. No truncation of male emergence was found for Euphydryas editha in 10 years of detailed mark-recapture data in a homogeneous habitat. In general, a poor fit between theoretical and observed emergence patterns was found, suggesting that the models do not provide useful insights to the natural situation. Possible reasons for this failure are discussed.
The abortion decision: A qualitative choice approach

Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey, Youth Cohort, logistic regression models are estimated to show the impact of various sociodemographic and economic factors on the abortion decision for 1867 pregnancies occurring between 1983 and 1985 in the data set. The results suggest a profile of a woman choosing the abortion decision as being White, unmarried, residing in the Northeast or West, relatively well-educated, and either in-school or working. Additionally, the female is likely to have a relatively high person income and, if present, a relatively low spousal income. Being Baptist or Catholic appears to have no significant influence on the abortion decision, and the same is true for Baptists and Catholics who are religious (attend church more than two times per month). The degree of religiosity is a predictor of abortion outcome, irrespective of religious affiliation. Finally, it is found that for low income women, access to Medicaid funding does significantly increase the probability of choosing the abortion option.
Meteoritic steel as a construction resource on Mars

Abstract In the long term, settlement of Mars will require local refining of industrial and construction materials. One of the most significant industrial materials is steel. It is proposed that steel can be harvested on Mars in the form of reduced iron available on the surface from meteoric nickel–iron. This may be one of the most easily available resources on Mars.
Early social deprivation in nonhuman primates: long-term effects on survival and cell-mediated immunity

Abstract %Background: Early differential social experience of nonhuman primates has resulted in long-term alterations in behavior and neurobiology. Although brief maternal separation has been associated with changes in immune status, the long-term effects on survival and immune function of prolonged early social deprivation are unknown. Methods: Survival rates were examined in rhesus monkeys, half of which had been socially deprived during their first year of life. Repeated measures of immune status were tested in surviving monkeys (18–24 years old). Peripheral blood T, B, and natural killer lymphocytes, macrophages, and monocytes were measured by flow cytometry. Functional cellular immune activity measures included T-cell proliferative responses to mitogens (concanavalin and phytohemagglutinin), T-cell memory response to tetanus toxoid antigen, T-cell–dependent B-cell proliferative responses to mitogen (PWM) and natural killer cell cytotoxic activity. Results: Despite identical environments following isolation, early social deprivation resulted in a significantly decreased survival rate, males being particularly vulnerable to early death. Early social deprivation was associated with a decrease in the ratio of helper to suppressor T cells, and a significant increase in natural killer cell number and in natural killer cell activity in the surviving monkeys. No differences in T- or B-lymphocyte proliferation following mitogen or tetanus toxoid antigen stimulation were observed. Conclusions: Prolonged early social deprivation of nonhuman primates profoundly affected mortality and resulted in lifelong effects on cell-mediated immune status.
Marxism, the Theory of Complementarity, and Medical Care

Excerpt Niels Bohr, the Danish 1922 Nobel Laureate in Physics, advanced the theory of complementarity to explain light as a wave or a pulse. Although theories of physics are tested by precise instr...
Range profiles of low-energy (100 to 1500 eV) implanted 3He and 4He atoms in tungsten I. Experimental results

Abstract The range profiles of low-energy (100 to 1500 eV) 3He and 4He atoms implanted in situ, parallel to the [110] direction (±5°) of tungsten, at 60 K have been measured employing an atom-probe field-ion microscope. The absolute depth of each deposited helium atom, from the irradiated surface, was measured directly to within one (110) interplanar spacing (27middot;24 A). At 60 K both 3He and 4He were found, in other research, to be immobile; thus, the range profiles were determined in the complete absence of any diffusional effects. The mean range (α) of the 3He and 4He range profiles increases monotonically, although non-linearly, as the implantation energy was increased from 100 to 1500 eV; the value of x varies from 33 to 158 A and from 19 to 195 A for the 3He and 4He profiles, respectively. The straggling (Δx) of the 3He and 4He range profiles also increases monotonically, although non-linearly, as the implantation energy was increased from 100 to 1500 eV; the value of Δx varies from 23 to 97 A an...
Adherence to oral chemotherapy in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: an evolutionary concept analysis.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To clarify the concept of adherence to daily oral chemotherapy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), to examine its implications for clinical practice, and to provide a foundation for further research and knowledge development. DATA SOURCES Published literature identified through the MEDLINE®, CINAHL®, PsycINFO, and ERIC databases. DATA SYNTHESIS Identified attributes of adherence to oral chemotherapy in childhood ALL included motivation, persistence, collaboration, mindfulness, cognitive capacity, flexibility, active participation, and identification of key participants in the process. Identified antecedents included a diagnosis of leukemia, the perceived value of adherence, and patient, family, and healthcare system-related factors. Identified consequences included the potential for maintaining optimal drug levels and improving disease outcome, as well as increased patient and caregiver esteem through active participation in the process. Adherence in the context of childhood ALL is defined as the active self-care behavior of taking (or having the responsibility for administering) daily oral chemotherapy, in collaboration with and according to the instructions of the healthcare provider over a defined, prolonged treatment period. CONCLUSIONS Adherence to oral chemotherapy in childhood ALL is a complex, multidimensional behavior that involves not only a willingness to follow the prescribed regimen over a prolonged period, but also the cognitive capacity and psychomotor skills to carry out the process. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Nurses should recognize the importance of clear communication of medication instructions, reinforcement of adherence-related behaviors, and assistance with common issues such as pill-swallowing skills and reminder systems in caring for children with ALL.
Plasma wakefield generation and electron acceleration in a self-modulated laser wakefield accelerator experiment*

A self-modulated laser wakefield accelerator (SM-LWFA) experiment was performed at the Naval Research Laboratory. Large amplitude plasma wakefields produced by a sub-picosecond, high intensity laser pulse (7×1018 W/cm2) in an underdense plasma (ne≈1019 cm−3) were measured with a pump–probe coherent Thomson scattering (CTS) technique to last for less than 5 ps, consistent with the decay of large amplitude plasma waves due to the modulational instability. A plasma channel was observed to form in the wake of the pump laser pulse, and its evolution was measured with the pump–probe CTS diagnostic. The trailing probe laser pulse was observed to be guided by this channel for about 20 Rayleigh lengths. High energy electrons (up to 30 MeV) have been measured using an electro-magnetic spectrometer, with the energy spectra and divergence of lower energy (up to 4 MeV) electrons obtained using photographic films. Highly nonlinear plasma waves were also detected using forward Raman scattering diagnostics and were obser...
Aseismic roof isolation system: analytic and shake table studies

Presented are the features of a roof isolation system that is proposed as a device to reduce the seismic response of buildings. Presented also are the details of and results from analytical and experimental studies conducted with a small-scale laboratory model to assess the feasibility and effectiveness of such a device. The roof isolation system entails the insertion of flexible laminated rubber bearings between a building's roof and the columns that support this roof, and the installation of viscous dampers that are connected to the roof and a structural element below the roof. It is based on the concept of a damped vibration absorber and on the idea of making the roof, rubber bearings, and viscous dampers respectively constitute the mass, spring, and dashpot of such an absorber. The model considered in the analytical and experimental studies is a 2.44-m high, five-storey, moment-resisting steel frame, with a fundamental natural frequency of 2.0 Hz. In the experimental study the frame is tested with and without the proposed roof isolation system on a pair of shaking tables under a truncated version of one of the accelerograms from the 1985 Mexico City earthquake. In the analytical study, the frame is also analysed with and without such a system and under the same ground motion except that the ground motion accelerations are properly magnified to study the effectiveness of the roof isolation system when the frame is stressed beyond its linear range of behavior. It is found that the suggested device effectively reduces the seismic response of the frame, although the extent of this reduction depends on how large its non-linear deformations are. Based on these findings, it is concluded that the proposed roof isolation system has the potential to become a practical and effective way to reduce earthquake damage in low- and medium-rise buildings.
An ultrastructural study of periderm granules in the regenerating feather of the jungle fowl

Periderm granules in the support cells of regenerating feathers of mature male Jungle Fowls were studied ultrastructurally and histochemically. Histochemical results showed the absence of carbohydrate and lipid, and the presence of protein in the periderm granules. The periderm granules were measured at successive levels of feather regeneration. The mean size of the periderm granules increased significantly as the regenerating feather matured, and this observation was suggestive of a storage function, perhaps of surplus or waste protein. The cells in which the periderm granules are found also contain glycogen. There are numerous desmosomal junctions on their interdigitating plasma membranes. These transient cells may collect waste, provide nutrition, and serve as a protective barrier for the definitive cells of the regenerating feather.
Measurement of Asymmetric Flux in the Gap of an Induction Accelerator Module

A unique transverse field probe is used to determine the effect of feed and load current asymmetries on the axial magnetic field symmetry in the acceleration gap of a linear induction accelerator module. The special probe was used to quantitatively measure transverse pulse magnetic fields down to one gauss in the presence of large common mode noise signals and 107V/M pulse electric fields. Module tests using the probe provided a direct measure of the asymmetric fields produced when unbalanced conditions occurred. It also verified that under normal balanced operation the on-axis transverse-field is less than one gauss.
Optimal policies for the Prisoner's Dilemma.

An optimal model for the Prisoner’s Dilemma game is suggested. The model is normative in the sense that given few assumptions about the way the game is perceived by the players, an optimal policy is prescribed to each player maximizing his long-run expected gain. The dilemma is “resolved” by restructuring the game as a supergame composed of several component games such that transitions among them are possible. Dynamic programming is used to derive the optimal policy.
Rationing health care to disabled people

Combining a political economic perspective with a case study approach, this paper examines the intent, process, and consequences of rationed care for disabled people under the U.S. managed care system. Two disabled persons were followed over a three-year period as they sought care for major episodes relating to chronic depression and post-polio syndrome. The findings illustrate a marked disparity between the concept and goals of rationed care and the experience of consumers of services. For these people, care is rationed at the service level and also in terms of restricted access to, and payment for, the care sought. This often results in inadequate treatment and inflated costs. These problems are due in large part to the competitive nature of the major stakeholders, institutional coalitions that work against patients, emphasis on profit maximisation, devaluing of the lives of disabled people and the weak bargaining position that disabled persons hold as consumers.
Dependence of cardiac trabeculation on neuregulin signaling and blood flow in zebrafish

Maturation of the developing heart requires the structural elaboration of the embryonic ventricle through the process of trabeculation. Trabeculae form as the ventricular myocardium protrudes into the lumen of the chamber, thereby increasing muscle mass and altering functional output. Little is understood about the cellular basis for trabeculation and its genetic regulation. Here, we establish the utility of the zebrafish embryo for the analysis of the mechanisms driving trabeculation. In zebrafish, we can follow trabeculation in four dimensions and define morphologically discrete stages for the initiation, propagation, and network elaboration that form the ventricular trabeculae. We find that Neuregulin/ErbB signaling is required for the initial protrusion of the myocardium into the ventricular lumen. Additionally, we demonstrate that optimal blood flow through the ventricle is important for the advancement of trabeculation. Thus, our results indicate that the zebrafish provides a valuable model for investigating possible causes of congenital defects in trabeculation. Developmental Dynamics 240:446–456, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Stress and HIV Disease Progression: Psychoneuroimmunological Framework

Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) is the study of the interrelationships among behavior, neural and endocrine function, and the immune system. PNI investigates the relationships among stress, physiological dysregulation, and health outcomes. Research has supported the theory that emotional distress and the resultant neuroendocrine activation can induce immune system suppression. This suppression has significant implications for disease susceptibility and progression. HIV disease and its extensive immunological consequences are explored within this framework. Potential physiological pathways that may mediate stress-induced dysregulation within the context of HIV disease are identified. Key HIV-related PNI research studies are reviewed and critically analyzed. Implications for nursing practice and research are discussed.
Understanding the relative acyl-transfer reactivity of oxoesters and thioesters: computational analysis of transition state delocalization effects.

Computational studies were performed in an effort to understand the relative reactivity of oxoesters and thioesters in nucleophilic acyl transfer reactions. Transition state models were developed for the reactions of methyl acetate and methyl thioacetate with hydroxide, ammonia, and methylcyanoacetate carbanion. Quantum mechanical calculations based on these models reproduced experimental observations that oxoesters and thioesters have similar reactivity toward hydroxide while thioesters are about 100-fold and at least 2000-fold more reactive than oxoesters toward amine and carbanion nucleophiles, respectively. NBO analysis was performed to elucidate the role of electron delocalization in reactant and transition state stabilization. These calculations indicate similar losses of delocalization energy for the oxoester and thioester in going from the reactants to the transition state in reaction with hydroxide while the loss of delocalization energy is significantly greater for the oxoester in reactions with...
A comparison of the antimicrobial efficacy of NaOCl/Biopure MTAD versus NaOCl/EDTA against Enterococcus faecalis.

Abstract The purpose of this investigation was to compare the antimicrobial efficacy of irrigating with 1.3% NaOCl/Biopure MTAD versus irrigation with 5.25% NaOCl/15% EDTA in the apical 5 mm of roots infected with Enterococcus faecalis. Bilaterally matched human teeth were sterilized and inoculated with E. faecalis. After chemomechanical root canal preparation, the root-ends were resected and pulverized in liquid nitrogen to expose E. faecalis in dentinal tubules or other recesses away from the main root canal system. The number of colony forming units (CFU) of E. faecalis per mg was determined from the pulverized root-ends. No significant differences were seen (t = 0.70, p = 0.495) between the number of colony forming units of E. faecalis for teeth irrigated with 5.25% NaOCl/15% EDTA (mean 131 ± 291 CFU/mg) versus those teeth irrigated with 1.3% NaOCl/Biopure MTAD (mean 187 ± 237 CFU/mg). This study demonstrated that there is no difference in antimicrobial efficacy for irrigation with 5.25% NaOCl/15% EDTA versus irrigation with 1.3% NaOCl/Biopure MTAD in the apical 5 mm of roots infected with E. faecalis.
Thickness reduction rate of plastically compressed metal plate by hardened rollers

Abstract The rate at which a solid deforms permanently depends on the load history, geometry and material properties. When a metal plate is compressed between two hardened rollers, its thickness reduces continuously if the material elements are deformed beyond their elastic limits. Those near the region of contact will experience more distortion as compared with those interior to the plate. This effect is analyzed incrementally in time by the theory of plasticity coupled with the strain energy density criterion. Failure is examined by assuming that the location of crack initiation coincides with the maximum of the minimum strain energy density function, (dW/dV)minmax, when reaching its critical value. This is found to occur at the center of the plate depending on the rate of deformation. An increase in plate thickness reduction without failure can be achieved by taking smaller loading steps. Displayed graphically are numerical results for five different load histories that provide useful insights into the rate dependent process of metal forming.
Geriatric Rehabilitation and Resilience from a cultural perspective

Resiliency is a key aspect to aging successfully. Promoting healthy lifestyles, strong social bonds, enhancements to one's environment, accessibility to quality care and rehabilitation are critical in a positive aging experience. Issues of personal, social, medical, and rehabilitative care are addressed in the context of resiliency from a cultural perspective. Various research studies explore resiliency through the progression of aging within changing environments, medical needs, and social conditions. Findings suggest that a strong connection to culture, accessibility to medical attention, and comprehensive assessment of a patient's background can effectively improve the rehabilitation for an aging individual. This article addresses aspects of caregiving that are essential in raising cultural sensitivity and resiliency, discussing three case studies (i.e. fall risk; stroke; congestive heart failure) in the geriatric patient. Resiliency in culture and rehabilitation has a connection needed to advance the quality of care and quality of life for an aging patient population.
Involving reflective users in design

We draw on the idea of the reflective practitioner to consider how end users can directly contribute to user experience design discussions in open source projects. People with expertise in their own use context but without programming or user experience analysis and design skills can provide reflections on personal experiences.
A self-stabilizing algorithm to maximal 2-packing with improved complexity

In self-stabilization, each node has a local view of the distributed network system, in a finite amount of time the system converges to a global setup with desired property, in this case establishing a 2-packing set. Using a graph G=(V,E) to represent the network, a subset [email protected]?V is a 2-packing if @[email protected]?V:|N[i]@?S|=<1. In this paper, we first propose an ID-based, constant space, self-stabilizing algorithm that stabilizes to a maximal 2-packing in an arbitrary graph. We show that the algorithm stabilizes in O(mn) moves under any scheduler (such as a distributed daemon). Secondly, we show that the algorithm stabilizes in O(n^2) rounds under a synchronous daemon where every privileged node moves at each round.