cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Density functional theory analysis of the effect of structural configurations on the stability of GaAsBi compounds

Abstract The aggregation of Bi atoms exhibits significant influence on the stability and electronic properties of GaAsBi compounds. Here, density functional theory calculations are used to probe stabilities of different configurations of Bi atoms substituted for As at concentrations below 4% of available As sites. The configurations examined include ensembles of four or eight Bi atoms with large Bi-Bi distances (dispersed configuration) or Bi atoms occupying contiguous As sites (aggregated configurations) in periodic supercells of different sizes. The stabilities of GaAsBi compounds decrease with increasing Bi concentration. This decrease in stability is more significant for dispersed than aggregated configurations, which leads to increased favorability for the aggregation of Bi atoms at higher concentration. Among the aggregated arrangements, the linear and planar ones are much more stable than the three-dimensional arrangements at all concentrations. The stabilities also depend significantly on ensemble sizes of Bi atoms, with enhanced stability for linear [1 0 1] and planar (1 1 1) configurations in eight atom ensembles than in four atom ensembles of similar concentration. These results demonstrate distinct effects of concentration and ensemble size on the preferred configuration and suggest that accurate large-scale simulations of doped GaAs compounds require models that incorporate not only atom-pair interactions but also long-range interactions among aggregates.
A Biomarker Signature to Predict Complete Response to Itacitinib and Corticosteroids in Acute Graft Versus Host Disease

BACKGROUND: Acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) represents a serious and potentially life-threatening condition in patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Development of aGVHD is characterized by increased levels of inflammatory mediators and activated T cells in circulation, leading to tissue and organ damage. Previously, we demonstrated that a panel measuring ST2, REG3A, and TNFR1 poorly predicted response to the combination of corticosteroids and itacitinib, a potent and highly selective JAK1 inhibitor, in a parallel-cohort phase 1 trial (NCT02614612). In this study, we utilized broad proteomic analysis to identify potentially predictive biomarkers of therapeutic response to the combination treatment. METHODS: Plasma samples were collected from 25 patients enrolled in the Phase 1 clinical trial prior to and at designated times following treatment. Broad proteomic analysis was conducted by OLINK Proteomics using a proximity extension assay. Selected biomarkers were quantitated by the same method based on standard curves generated using recombinant proteins. Statistical differences were identified using unpaired T tests and significance conferred when p RESULTS: The 25 patients in this study were stratified based on overall response to treatment with itacitinib and corticosteroid at day 28 (based on CIBMTR). Patients included 10 complete responders (CR), 1 very good partial responder (VGPR), 8 partial responders (PR) and 6 patients with progressive disease and/or death (PD/death) prior to day 28. Novel biomarkers were identified and associated with therapeutic response by comparing the levels of approximately 1000 proteins in the CR (N=10) and PD/Death (N=6) cohorts specifically. The initial analysis identified 50 proteins significantly upregulated (P Novel biomarkers include macrophage chemotactic protein 3 (MCP3/CCL7), stem cell factor (SCF/KIT-L), interleukin 8 (IL8), and tumor necrosis factor receptor super family 6B (TNFRSF6B). Each of these candidate biomarkers demonstrated a significant (P CONCLUSION: Potentially novel biomarkers may be useful in predicting complete responses to treatment with a combination of corticosteroids and itacitinib in patients with aGVHD post HSCT. Download : Download high-res image (87KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures Pratta: Incyte Research Institute: Employment. Liu: Incyte: Employment, Equity Ownership. Owens: Incyte Corporation: Employment, Equity Ownership. Yan: Incyte Corporation: Employment. Arbushites: Incyte: Employment. Howell: Incyte: Employment.
To Route or To Ferry: A Hybrid Packet Forwarding Algorithm in Flying Ad Hoc Networks

The capabilities and roles of unmanned aerial vehicles, a.k.a. drones, have been rapidly evolving as a result of the advances in processing, sensing, communicating, and networking technologies of robotic systems. Because of the versatility, flexibility, easy installation, and relatively small operating expenses of drones, Flying Ad Hoc Networks (FANETs) consisting of a fleet of drones endowed with sensing, computing, and wireless communicating capabilities are promptly proliferating and representing a key enabler for Internet-of-Drones and its applications. Unfortunately, reliable packet forwarding in FANETs is not always guaranteed because of unstable link quality and intermittent connectivity caused by high mobility of drones. In this paper, we propose a hybrid packet forwarding algorithm, named $HYBD^{fwd}$ , to efficiently and reliably deliver data packets to ground destination in FANETs. The $HYBD^{fwd}$ consists of two schemes: end-to-end routing and delay-tolerant forwarding. In end-to-end routing, the drone initiates a route discovery procedure to find an end-to-end routing path to deliver data packets to ground destination. In case no end-to-end routing path exists, delay-tolerant forwarding is applied, where the drone forwards data packets to the ferry drone that is moving to ground destination or it carries data packets and moves to ground destination to deliver data packets. We evaluate the proposed hybrid packet forwarding algorithm through extensive simulation experiments using OMNeT++ and compare its performance with a prior motion-driven packet forwarding algorithm, and experimental results indicate that the proposed hybrid packet forwarding algorithm can be a viable approach in FANETs.
Fentanyl Preference among People Who Inject Drugs in West Virginia

Background: Overdose fatality rates in rural areas surpass those in urban areas with the state of West Virginia (WV) reporting the highest drug overdose death rate in 2017. There is a gap in unders...
Pacing related proarrhythmia

A 78-year-old man with ischemic cardiomyopathy (NYHA Class IV, left-ventricular ejection fraction 14%) and renal failure underwent implantation of a prophylactic, cardiac-resynchronization ICD in 2005. He had sinus rhythm with first degree AV block and left bundle branch block. His heart failure improved to Class III and ejection fraction improved to 21%. Bradycardia pacing parameter changes are discussed.
Urban Air Pollution May Enhance COVID-19 Case-Fatality and Mortality Rates in the United States.

Abstract Background The novel human coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has claimed more than 600,000 lives worldwide, causing tremendous public health, social, and economic damages. Although the risk factors of COVID-19 are still under investigation, environmental factors, such as urban air pollution, may play an important role in increasing population susceptibility to COVID-19 pathogenesis. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional nationwide study using zero-inflated negative binomial models to estimate the association between long-term (2010–2016) county-level exposures to NO2, PM2.5, and O3 and county-level COVID-19 case-fatality and mortality rates in the United States. We used both single- and multi-pollutant models and controlled for spatial trends and a comprehensive set of potential confounders, including state-level test positive rate, county-level health care capacity, phase of epidemic, population mobility, population density, sociodemographics, socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, behavioral risk factors, and meteorology. Results From January 22, 2020, to July 17, 2020, 3,659,828 COVID-19 cases and 138,552 deaths were reported in 3,076 US counties, with an overall observed case-fatality rate of 3.8%. County-level average NO2 concentrations were positively associated with both COVID-19 case-fatality rate and mortality rate in single-, bi-, and tri-pollutant models. When adjusted for co-pollutants, per interquartile-range (IQR) increase in NO2 (4.6 ppb), COVID-19 case-fatality rate and mortality rate were associated with an increase of 11.3% (95% CI 4.9%–18.2%) and 16.2% (95% CI 8.7%–24.0%), respectively. We did not observe significant associations between COVID-19 case-fatality rate and long-term exposure to PM2.5 or O3, although per IQR increase in PM2.5 (2.6 μg/m3) was marginally associated, with a 14.9% (95% CI 0.0%–31.9%) increase in COVID-19 mortality rate when adjusted for co-pollutants. Discussion Long-term exposure to NO2, which largely arises from urban combustion sources such as traffic, may enhance susceptibility to severe COVID-19 outcomes, independent of long-term PM2.5 and O3 exposure. The results support targeted public health actions to protect residents from COVID-19 in heavily polluted regions with historically high NO2 levels. Continuation of current efforts to lower traffic emissions and ambient air pollution may be an important component of reducing population-level risk of COVID-19 case fatality and mortality.
Invited Article: Topological crystalline protection in a photonic system

Topological crystalline insulators are a class of materials with a bulk energy gap and edge or surface modes, which are protected by crystalline symmetry, at their boundaries. They have been realized in electronic systems: in particular, in SnTe. In this work, we propose a mechanism to realize photonic boundary states topologically protected by crystalline symmetry. We map this one-dimensional system to a two-dimensional lattice model with opposite magnetic fields, as well as opposite Chern numbers in its even and odd mirror parity subspaces, thus corresponding to a topological mirror insulator. Furthermore, we test the robustness of the boundary modes depending on their mirror parity by performing time dependent evolution simulations in a photonic setting with realistic experimental parameters.
A Survey on Sensor-Based Threats and Attacks to Smart Devices and Applications

Modern electronic devices have become “smart” as well as omnipresent in our day-to-day lives. From small household devices to large industrial machines, smart devices have become very popular in every possible application domain. Smart devices in our homes, offices, buildings, and cities can connect with other devices as well as with the physical world around them. This increasing popularity has also placed smart devices as the center of attention among attackers. Already, several types of malicious activities exist that attempt to compromise the security and privacy of smart devices. One interesting and noteworthy emerging threat vector is the attacks that abuse the use of sensors on smart devices. Smart devices are vulnerable to sensor-based threats and attacks due to the lack of proper security mechanisms available to control the use of sensors by installed apps. By exploiting the sensors (e.g., accelerometer, gyroscope, microphone, light sensor, etc.) on a smart device, attackers can extract information from the device, transfer malware to a device, or trigger a malicious activity to compromise the device. In this paper, we explore various threats and attacks abusing sensors of smart devices for malicious purposes. Specifically, we present a detailed survey about existing sensor-based threats and attacks to smart devices and countermeasures that have been developed to secure smart devices from sensor-based threats. Furthermore, we discuss security and privacy issues of smart devices in the context of sensor-based threats and attacks and conclude with future research directions.
Kinetics study on the effect of bamboo shell flavonoid extract on tyrosinase activity

Tyrosinase is key enzyme for the biosynthesis of melanocyte.In order to explore the effects of flavonoid on the activity of tyrosinase,we extracted flavonoid from bamboo shells by ethanol ultrasonication and purified it by AB-8 macroporous resin.The inhibitory effects of bamboo shell flavonoid extract on the monophenolase and diphenolase activities of tyrosinase were studied by an enzyme kinetic method.The concentration of bamboo shell flavonoid extract which caused the enzymatic activity loss of 50% was 5.6 mg /mL for monophenolase and 4.6 mg /mL for diphenolase.Bamboo shell flavonoid extract of 8.0 mg /mL extended the time of delay in monophenolase from 1.4 to 4.2 min.An analysis of inhibition kinetics suggested that bamboo shell flavonoid extract was a reversible mixed inhibitor for the oxidation of L-DOPA,and the inhibition equilibrium constants for inhibitor binding with free enzyme Ki and with enzyme-substrate complex Kis were 3.1 mmol /L and 5.7 mmol /L,respectively.The results indicate that the bamboo shell flavonoid extract can inhibit the monophenolase and diphenolase activities of tyrosinase.
Prenatal Alcohol and THC E-Cigarette Exposure Effects on Motor Development

Abstract It has been well established that prenatal alcohol exposure can lead to a wide range of neurological and behavioral deficits, including alterations in motor domains. However, much less is known about the effects of prenatal cannabis exposure on motor development, despite the fact that cannabis is the most commonly consumed illicit drug among women. Cannabis use among pregnant women has become increasingly popular given the wide-spread perception that consumption is safe during pregnancy. Moreover, alcohol and cannabis are commonly used together, even among pregnant women. Yet, few studies have explored the potential consequences of combined prenatal exposure on behavioral domains. Using our previously established model, pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to vaporized alcohol, THC via e-cigarettes, the combination, or a vehicle from gestational days 5-20. Following birth, offspring were tested on early sensorimotor development, adolescent motor coordination, and adolescent activity levels. Prenatal e-cigarette THC exposure delayed sensorimotor development early in life and impaired motor coordination later in adolescence. However, combined prenatal alcohol and THC exposure produced hyperactivity among male offspring. These data suggest that prenatal cannabis exposure may lead to impaired motor skills throughout early development, and that combined exposure with alcohol during gestation may also lead to hyperactivity in adolescence. These findings have important implications for pregnant women and public policy.
Neurological Autoantibody Prevalence in Epilepsy of Unknown Etiology -APE Study (S21.002)

Objective: To determine the prevalence of neurological auto-antibodies (Abs) among adult patients with epilepsy of unknown etiology. Background: Identifying patients with an underlying autoimmune etiology is critical, as these patients may remain refractory to conventional anti-seizure medications but may respond to immunotherapy. Design/Methods: We identified consecutive patients presenting to the neurology clinic/inpatient services with epilepsy of unknown etiology. Serum was tested for autoimmune encephalopathy panel, as well as TPO and GAD-65 Abs. Based on clinical characteristics, an Ab prevalence in epilepsy of unknown etiology (APE) score was assigned to estimate the probability of autoimmune etiology prior to antibody test results. Results: A total of 127 patients were enrolled in the study, 15 were subsequently excluded after diagnosis of an alternative etiology or psychogenic non-epileptic spells. Serum Abs suggesting a potential autoimmune etiology were detected in 34.8% cases. Seven patients had more than one Ab detected [TPO and VGKCc Abs (3), GAD-65 and VGKCc (2), TPO and GAD-65 (1), anti-Hu and GAD-65 (1)]. Among patients with one Ab marker, TPO Ab was detected in eleven, GAD-65 in ten, VGKCc in seven (4 LGI-1 Ab positive), and NMDA-R Ab in four. Even after excluding TPO and low titer GAD-65 Abs, the prevalence of autoantibodies strongly suggesting an autoimmune cause of epilepsy was 20.5%. Autonomic dysfunction, neuropsychiatric changes, viral prodrome, facio-brachial-dystonic spells/facial dyskinesias and MRI mesial temporal abnormality correlated with sero-positivity. APE score with cut off ≥4 (specificity 82.2%, sensitivity 82.6%) was a useful tool in predicting positive serology. Ab positive cases were more likely to have good seizure outcome compared to the other patients with epilepsy of unknown etiology (65.2% vs 21.1%, p Conclusions: Among adult patients with epilepsy of unknown etiology, a significant minority have detectable serum antibodies suggesting a potential autoimmune etiology. APE-score could be used to identify patients at highest probability of harboring neurological auto-antibodies. Disclosure: Dr. Dubey has nothing to disclose. Dr. Alqallaf has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hays has nothing to disclose. Dr. Freeman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chen has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ding has nothing to disclose. Dr. Agostini has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vernino has received personal compensation for activities with Lundbeck and Athena Diagnostics for serving on the advisory board and scientific consulting. Dr. Vernino has received personal compensation in an editorial capacity with JAMA Neurology.
Perspectives on Invasion in East Asia

Countries have invaded countries throughout history—even before there were nation states—and Asian countries are no exception. Behind each invasion, there are motives such as the desire for natural resources, economic expansion, and increased political power. It is unlikely that invasions ever occur in a peaceful manner. They are almost without exception accompanied by war and death, as well as destruction of society and human life. How do people justify it? Is attainment of natural resources, economic expansion, or political ideology worth killing and injuring humans? How do today’s East Asians consider invasions? How do they think of invasions from a moral perspective?
African Americans, Mental Health, and Aging

A critical examination of the literature suggests that older African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with depression, anxiety, and dementia. Assessment is complicated by potential differences in symptom presentation or reporting and a lack of assessment instruments validated for use with ethnically diverse older populations. Disparities in treatment are exacerbated for several reasons, including failure to access formal treatment, differences in symptomatology response to treatment, lack of available mental health resources, and stigma. Results indicate an enhanced awareness and training of the cultural context of mental health should be considered in clinical practice and research.
Data Stewardship: An Actionable Guide to Effective Data Management and Data Governance, by David Plotkin

Data is the lifeblood of organizations today, as demonstrated by the increasing allocation of resources in its management. Data governance is an important aspect of improving the quality, understan...
The impact of a schema on comprehension and memory

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a schema based model of encoding and retrieval. Schemas are generic knowledge structures that guide the comprehender's interpretations, inferences, expectations, and attention. A schema consists of knowledge in that its properties typically apply to its referent. Thus, its components, attributes, and relationships may normally apply to a specific referent, but need not apply out of necessity. The content of a schema is highly structured, rather than being simply a list of features or properties. It is convenient to view schemas as having variables, which are eventually filled as a schema guides the comprehension of specific input. These variables are filled with contextually specific referents when someone comprehends a specific restaurant experience. A schema is instantiated when variables have been filled and conceptually interrelated in a specific context. The actions that characters perform in a script are ordered logically, conventionally, or in a manner constrained by the environment.
Academic, Social, and Behavioral Profiles of Students with Emotional and Behavioral Disorders Educated in Self-Contained Classrooms and Self-Contained Schools: Part I—Are They More Alike than Different?:

It is assumed that students with EBD who have more severe deficits in academic, behavior, and/or social domains are placed in more restrictive settings. However, this assumption has not been empiri...
Interfacial Characterization of SiC Fiber/M-D-F Cement Matrix Composites

The nature of adhesion at the fiber/matrix interface of modified Nicalon SiC fiber/M-D-F cement matrix composites was investigated. Using a nano-indentation method, in which load-displacement curves were generated from individual fibers, interfacial shear strengths were evaluated. AES and XPS studies were performed on the modified fibers to determine the chemical nature of the fiber surface. The fiber surface chemistry was then correlated to the interfacial shear strengths for each composite.
Intracortical sources and surface topography of the motor potential and somatosensory evoked potential in the monkey.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the intracortical sources and surface topography of the motor potential and somatosensory evoked potential in the monkey. The neural sources and functional significance of the components of the human motor potential (MP) have been inferred principally from their timing and scalp topography. In the absence of direct intracerebral recordings, however, the scalp data may be misleading because of the complex spatial relations of the MP generators that include the cortex forming the banks of the central sulcus. MP components reflecting efferent and afferent processes have positive or negative polarities at the cortical surface, depending on the specific cellular population involved. They also overlap in time, and are volume conducted to the scalp in a direction determined by the orientation of their sources. As a consequence, some potential summate and others cancel, yielding a “resultant” morphology and scalp distribution. Since it is unlikely that the extensive intracranial recordings necessary to elucidate these interactions can be performed in man, one examines the sources and surface topography of the MP in monkeys trained to perform self-initiated wrist extension movements.
A routine activity perspective on online victimisation: Results from the Canadian General Social Survey

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to test a comprehensive routine activity framework on three types of online victimization. Prior research has utilized routine activity theory to explain varied online forms of victimization, but most have focused on its person-based forms. The present study, therefore, expands upon this research to examine the effects of online exposure, online target suitability and online guardianship upon phishing, hacking and malware infection victimization. Design/methodology/approach – Secondary data from the 23rd Cycle of the Canadian GSS were used to address the study’s research questions using binary logistic regression analyses. Findings – Particular online behaviors were consistently and positively related to all three types of online victimization, including booking/making reservations, social networking and having one’s information posted online. Other online routines exhibited unique effects on online victimization risk. Originality/value – In support of the theory, the results suggest that online exposure and target suitability increase risks for phishing, hacking and malware victimization. Online guardianship was also positively related to victimization, a finding that runs counter to theoretical expectations.
An Enzymatic Method for Glucose Determination in Body Fluids

1. Details are given for the qualitative detection of glucose in urine and for its quantitative determination in urine and blood filtrates by an enzymatic procedure. 2. The method, which is highly specific, is based upon the release of hydrogen peroxide from glucose during its oxidation by glucose oxidase. The peroxide is detected by a suitable indicator in the presence of horseradish root peroxidase. 3. The results yielded by the new procedures have been compared with those obtained by other accepted methods.
Zero and negative masses in finite element vibration and transient analysis

Abstract Mass matrix lumping by quadrature is considered. Accuracy requirements seem to dictate the use of zero or negative masses for multidimensional higher-order elements. It is shown that the zero and/or negative masses do not destroy the essential algebraic properties of the discrete eigenproblem, in spite of the negative or infinite eigenvalues which may result. Explicit transient methods require positive-definite lumping which, for some elements, may only be achieved by sacrificing accuracy to avoid the negative or zero masses that would render the lumping indefinite. An implicit-explicit time integration method based on quadratic triangles with optimal lumping is devised, analyzed, and tested. It treats the nodes with nonzero masses explicitly and the nodes with zero masses implicitly. Analysis and numerical tests show that this formulation is optimally accurate and less costly than a similar method with nonzero masses, based on optimally lumped biquadratic rectangles. The method is also found to be substantially more accurate than the fully explicit method based on lumping the triangular elements in an ad hoc fashion to retain nonzero masses.
Periodic mesoporous organosilicas with multiple bridging groups and spherical morphology.

Bi- and trifunctional periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) with phenylene, thiophene, and ethane bridging groups were synthesized using 1,2-bis(triethoxysilyl)ethane (BTEE), 1,4-bis(triethoxysilyl)benzene (BTEB), and 2,5-bis(triethoxysilyl)thiophene (BTET) organosilica precursors and a poly(ethylene oxide)−poly(d,l-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid)−poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO−PLGA−PEO) triblock copolymer template under low acidic conditions. The PMO samples with different concentrations of organic bridging groups were obtained in the form of spherical particles having average diameters of 2−3 μm and 2D hexagonal (p6m) mesostructure with pore diameters of 7.3−8.4 nm. The particle morphology and chemistry of pore walls were tailored using different mixtures of organosilica precursors. Adsorption and structural properties of the aforementioned PMOs have been studied by nitrogen adsorption and small-angle X-ray scattering, whereas their framework chemistry was quantitatively analyzed by solid-state 13C and 29Si...
Zinc‐blende MnTe: Epilayers and quantum well structures

Epilayers of the previously hypothetical zinc‐blende MnTe have been grown by molecular beam epitaxy. Epitaxial layers (0.5 μm thick) of MnTe were characterized using x‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy; optical reflectance measurements indicate a band gap of ∼3.2 eV. A series of strained single quantum well structures was fabricated with zinc‐blende MnTe forming the barrier to CdTe quantum well regions; photoluminescence spectra indicate optical transitions corresponding to strong electron and hole confinement.
The Destgn and Development of Multi-Megawatt Beam Dumps

The next generation of U.S. fusion experiments which includes TFTR, MFTF, and Doublet III, will utilize neutral-beam injection for plasma heating. TFTR, for example, desires 20 MW of 120-keV deuterium atoms in pulses of 0.5-sec duration. In order to meet these requirements, a 15-A, 120-keV, 0.5-sec pulse per minute module is presently under test at the neutral-beam test facility at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. A 65-A, 120-keV, 0.5-sec module is under construction and is scheduled for assembly in April of this year. Some of the features of a calorimeter/beam dump that is presently being used in the testing and evaluation of these neutral beam sources are discussed.
Some observations on the role of added supplements of sodium and lithium in the pathophysiology of corticoid and metacorticoid hypertension in the rat.

S INCE THE discovery that certain adrenal corticoids are capable of causing hypertension which, together with the associated vascular aberrations, is aggravated by increasing sodium intake,‘p4 much interest has centered upon the role of this cation in various forms of clinical and experimental hypertensive disease. This was given further impetus by the findings of Sapirstein5 Meneely,6 Koletsky,7 and others, that sodium chloride alone, if chronically consumed in sufficient quantity, caused hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The type and distribution of vascular lesions caused in the rat by sodium excess cannot be distinguished from those produced more rapidly by simultaneous treatment with sodium surfeit and desoxycorticosterone acetate (DCA) . On the other hand, the complete elimination of sodium from the diet protects the rat from the cardiovascular effects of steroid overdosage.s These data, collectively, indicate that sodium, or some aspect of its metabolism, may be the protagonist in the genesis of these experimental forms of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, a conclusion supported by the findings that DCA hypertension is minimized or prevented by agents which facilitate renal excretion of sodium or retard its absorption in the gut. Lithium chloride was considered useful in the treatment of hypertensive patients on a low sodium diet until its toxic effects became apparent. Freglyg has shown that adrenalectomized rats demonstrate no appetite for lithium chloride (LiCl), and that the electrolyte fails to protect against adrenal insufficiency. However, DulierelO demonstrated that LiCl could be substituted for NaCl in frog heart perfusion media. Radomsky et al.” noted that the simultaneous administration of DCA failed to influence the serum electrolyte profile, serum lithium levels or lithium toxicity in dogs fed LiCl. Thus, although Li can replace Na in some biologic processes it cannot in others. Because of the close chemical relationship between the cations, it seemed of value to ascertain what effect the substitution of LiCl for NaCl would have on the course of DCA overdosage in the uninephrectomized rat. The third experiment herein reported deals with another aspect. Recently we have reported that it is possible to produce hypertensive cardiovascular disease in hypophysectomized rats by DCA and NaC1.12 It was of interest to determine whether this condition was dependent upon continued administration of steroid and salt, or whether a true “self-sustained” or metacorticoid hypertension could be developed and sustained in the absence of added dietary sodium.
Tunable photonic crystal structures

We present a review of recent studies into the tunability of 2D PC slab waveguides designs. The properties of dynamic, static and hybrid superlattice photonic crystals are reviewed and the mechanism of tunability and its impact on tuning the refractive and dispersion and propagation properties are presented.
AMNIOTIC FLUID INDEX AND FETAL BLADDER OUTLET OBSTRUCTION. DO WE REALLY NEED MORE

ABSTRACTPurpose: With the constant advances in technology and expertise of prenatal diagnosis, necessity of early counseling in cases of bilateral obstructive uropathy has become of paramount impor...
Rappin' reader and say say oh playmate: Using children's childhood songs as literacy scaffolds in computer-based learning environments

This paper describes two computer-based learning environments, Rappin' Reader and Say Say Oh Playmate, that use the prior knowledge African-American children bring to classrooms as scaffolds for early literacy instruction. The study reports the results of using Rappin' Reader and Say Say Oh Playmate with low-SES African-American first-through fourth-grade students attending after-school tutoring/mentoring programs. This study seeks to investigate the benefits of using culturally responsive reading material and a computer-based learning environment in literacy instruction.
Outcomes of assistive technology use on quality of life

The results from many research efforts on the use of assistive devices are reviewed and summarized. Further, conceptual and methodological issues related to the use and abandonment of assistive technologies are discussed. Overall, this review should be helpful to professionals making device recommendations, documenting the need for a device, and assessing short- and long-term device utilization. The available literature lends support to a model of matching person and technology that considers environments of device use, characteristics of the user's preferences and expectations, and device features and functions. To ensure that assistive technologies enhance users' quality of life, future emphases should focus on consumer involvement in the selection and evaluation of appropriate assistive technology, and ways to make technologies more widely available and affordable.
Rel/NF-κB transcription factors and the control of apoptosis

The process of apoptosis is used to eliminate unwanted cells from a wide variety of organisms. Various extracellular signals, often converging in common intracellular pathways, can induce apoptosis in a cell-type-specific fashion. Recent work from several laboratories has demonstrated that Rel/NF-kappa B transcription factors regulate apoptosis in many cell types. In most cells, Rel/NF-kappa B transcription factors appear to mediate survival signals that protect cells from apoptosis; however, under some circumstances, activation of these factors may also promote apoptosis.
Increased nitrogen availability influences predator–prey interactions by altering host-plant quality

Little is known about how plant nutritional and defensive qualities interact to influence predator–prey interactions. To address this need, we provided the neo-tropical milkweed, Asclepias curassavica, with two levels of nitrogen availability and examined how altered host-plant quality influenced the responses of a specialist aphid, Aphis nerii, and a coccinellid predator, Harmonia axyridis. Aphis nerii uses A. curassavica for multiple resources, including nutrition and sequestration of cardenolides for defense against natural enemies. Increased nitrogen availability improved A. curassavica quality by decreasing carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratios and cardenolide concentrations, resulting in A. nerii that also had lower C:N ratios and cardenolide concentrations. Aphis nerii population growth was higher on plants with high nitrogen availability, compared with aphids on plants with low nitrogen availability. In no-choice feeding trials, Harmonia axyridis consumed more high C:N ratio aphids, suggesting a potential compensatory response to reduced aphid nutritional quality. Additionally, H. axyridis were able to consume more low-quality aphids at the expense of increasing exposure to increased cardenolide concentrations, suggesting that interactions between H. axyridis and A. nerii may be strongly influenced by prey nutritional quality. This work highlights the need to consider how variation in plant quality influences herbivore nutritional and defensive quality when examining mechanisms that influence predator–prey interactions.
Purification, crystallization and preliminary X-ray crystallographic studies of S. cerevisiae Hsp40 Sis1

Heat-shock protein 70 (Hsp70), one of the major molecular chaperones, has been shown to play a central role in many cellular processes. Heat-shock protein 40 (Hsp40) works as a co-chaperone for Hsp70. Hsp40, bound by unfolded polypeptide, can interact directly with Hsp70 to stimulate the ATPase activity of Hsp70. Hsp40 can also bind to unfolded polypeptides and prevent them from aggregating in vitro, thus acting as an independent molecular chaperone. The S. cerevisiae Hsp40 Sis1 C-terminal peptide-binding domain has been crystallized. The crystals diffract to 2.7 A and belong to space group P41212 or P43212 with a = 73.63, c = 80.16 A. The structure determination by the MAD method is under way.
EXPERIMENTS ON STAGE III ANNEALING IN THE NOBLE METALS

High purity copper, silver, and gold specimens have been irradiated with 10-MeV protons near 80\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. An integrated flux of 1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{17}$ p/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ produced a resistivity increase of 3.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ \ensuremath{\Omega}-cm in copper, 7.4\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ \ensuremath{\Omega}-cm in silver, and 16.6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ \ensuremath{\Omega}-cm in gold. The specimens were isothermally annealed in steps of 20\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K for 64 min at each temperature from 143 to 363\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. The recovery in stage III follows second-order kinetics with an activation energy of 0.71\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04 eV for copper, 0.67\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.03 eV for silver, and 0.80\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04 eV for gold. Distribution curves of the fractional concentration of defects annealing with a given activation energy have been calculated. In the case of copper and silver they show a complex structure followed by a large broad maximum at 0.71 eV for copper and 0.67 eV for silver. In gold there is only one large peak at 0.80 eV. The relationship of these results to the various models is discussed.
Fast Server Deprovisioning through Scatter-Gather Live Migration of Virtual Machines

Traditional metrics for live migration of virtual machines (VM) include total migration time, downtime, network overhead, and application degradation. In this paper, we introduce a new metric, "eviction time", defined as the time to evict the entire state of a VM from the source host. Eviction time determines how quickly the source host can be taken offline, or the freed resources re-purposed for other VMs. In traditional approaches for live VM migration, such as pre-copy and post-copy, eviction time is equal to the total migration time, because the source and destination hosts are coupled for the duration of the migration. Eviction time increases if the destination host is slow to receive the incoming VM, such as due to insufficient memory or network bandwidth, thus tying up the source host. We present a new approach, called "Scatter-Gather" live migration, which reduces the eviction time when the destination host is resource constrained. The key idea is to decouple the source and the destination hosts. The source scatters the VM's memory state quickly to multiple intermediaries (hosts or middleboxes) in the cluster. Concurrently, the destination gathers the VM's memory from the intermediaries using a variant of post-copy VM migration. We have implemented a prototype of Scatter-Gather in the KVM/QEMU platform. In our evaluations, Scatter-Gather reduces the VM eviction time by up to a factor of 6 while maintaining comparable total migration time against traditional pre-copy and post-copy for a resource constrained destination.
The Power Behind the Throne: Information Integration in the Age of Data-Driven Discovery

Integrating data has always been a challenge. The information management community has made great progress in tackling this challenge, both on the theory and the practice. But in the last ten years, the world has changed dramatically. New platforms, devices and applications have made huge volumes of heterogeneous data available at speeds never contemplated before, while the quality of the available data has if anything degraded. Unstructured and semi-structured formats and no-sql data stores undercut the old reliable tools of schema, forcing applications to deal with data at the instance level. Deep expertise in the data and domain, in the tools and systems for integration and analysis, in mathematics, computer science, and business are needed to discover insights from data, but rarely are all of these skills found in a single individual or even team. Meanwhile, the availability of all these data has raised expectations for rapid breakthroughs in many sciences, for quick solutions to business problems, and for ever more sophisticated applications that combine and analyze information to solve our daily needs. These expectations raise the bar for integration technology, while opening the door for it to play a broader role. Integration has always been a key player in handling data variety, for example, but now more than ever must deal with scale (in the number of types as well as in the volume and speed of data). While data cleansing has been one step of an integration pipeline, this technology must be leveraged throughout data integration, so that the integration process is better able to deal with the uncertainty in data, offering means to eliminate or reduce it, or, to elucidate it by linking important contextual information, such as provenance and usage. The complexity of today's data-driven challenges in fact suggests that the integration process should be context-aware, so that data sets may be combined differently depending on the proposed usage. In the Accelerated Discovery Lab, we support data scientists working with a broad range of data as they try to find the insights to solve problems of business or societal importance. Clearly, integration is essential to insight. However, integration has to be across more than just datasets and schemas, and it has to be done more dynamically and flexibly than the standard tools allow. It is needed at multiple levels: (1) to build rich (but flexible) collections of diverse data, (2) to tightly bind individual data points into entities, allowing deeper explorations and (3) to bring together data and context to enable re-use by users with differing expertise. We think of the environment we are building as an integration hub for data, people and applications. It allows users to import, explore and create data and knowledge, inspired by the work of others, while it captures the patterns of decision-making and the provenance of decisions. I will describe the environment we are creating, the advances in the field that enable it, and the challenges that remain.
Reduction of Midgut Luminal pH in Gypsy Moth Larvae (Lymantria dispar L) Following Ingestion of Nuclear or Cytoplasmic Polyhedrosis Virus/Fluorescent Brightener on Natural and Artificial Diets

Abstract When larval gypsy moths (Lymantria dispar L.) ingest polyhedra of the nuclear polyhedrosis virus (LdMNPV) in combination with the fluorescent brightener, Tinopal LPW, midgut luminal pH drops from the normal alkaline range (ca. 10.0-10.5) to values near neutrality, and larval feeding stops. Once manifested, these effects appear to be irreversible and high larval mortality results. In the current study, we determined dose-dependent effects of LdMNPV/Tinopal ingestion on gut appearance, midgut luminal pH, and larval weight in gypsy moths reared on artificial diet. We also investigated the effect of host plant on the LdMNPV/Tinopal system, by rearing larvae exclusively on red oak foliage that had been treated with Tinopal and varying concentrations of LdMNPV. We found that treatment-associated changes in gut appearance and midgut luminal pH were similar to those observed in larvae reared on artificial diet, and larval survivorship curves were dose-dependent. In separate experiments, gypsy moth larvae were fed diet treated with cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (LdCPV), which undergoes early replication in midgut epithelial cells. Larval infection, as diagnosed by a change in gut tissue color from the normal tan to white, occurred concomitantly with a significant reduction in midgut luminal pH, and this phenomenon was advanced in larvae fed LdCPV/Tinopal vs. LdCPV alone.
7,12-Dimethylbenz[a]anthracene inhibition of steroid production in MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells is not directly linked to induction of CYP1B1.

Testosterone, which is essential for spermatogenesis, is synthesized in the Leydig cells of the testis. This study addresses whether male reproductive toxicity from exposure to polycyclic or polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons, such as 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) or 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), may be due to direct effects on Leydig cell function. Using a cell-based assay, the effects of TCDD, benz[a]anthracene (BA), and DMBA on steroid production and cytochrome P4501B1 (CYP1B1) expression in treated MA-10 mouse Leydig tumor cells or primary cultures of rat Leydig cells was determined. (Bu)(2)cAMP-stimulated steroid production was inhibited approximately 25% and approximately 80% by DMBA treatment of MA-10 cells and rat Leydig cells, respectively, while BA or TCDD were without effect. Conversely, male Sprague-Dawley rats treated with TCDD displayed a 75% decrease in serum testosterone levels, while DMBA-treated rats had circulating testosterone levels comparable to control rats. Injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) 1 h prior to euthanasia restored testosterone levels in TCDD-treated rats to 79% of the hCG-stimulated levels in control rats. Steady-state levels of CYP1B1 mRNA, as detected by RT-PCR, are present in the MA-10 cells and treatment with TCDD, BA, DMBA, or the cAMP analog (Bu)(2)cAMP induced CYP1B1 mRNA expression levels. CYP1B1 was constitutively expressed in rat testis, adrenal, liver, and kidney tissues while CYP1A1 was undetectable. TCDD treatment induced CYP1B1 expression in the adrenal and liver and CYP1A1 in the kidney and liver. DMBA treatment induced only CYP1A1 levels in kidney and liver. In sum, DMBA or a reactive DMBA metabolite, but not TCDD, has a direct effect on steroidogenesis in isolated Leydig cells. CYP1B1 expression levels, however, cannot be directly correlated to potential in vitro or in vivo toxic effects of TCDD or DMBA.
Diuretic therapy for mild hypertension: the "real" cost of treatment.

Abstract The benefit of any medical intervention, particularly drug therapy, must be weighed against its cost. These costs are not only dollar expenditures but effects on lifestyle and overall health. Diuretic therapy for hypertension has been in use long enough to allow long-term clinical evaluation. It is clear from the numerous prospective drug intervention trials involving hypertensive patients that diuretic therapy is not free of “costs.” Aside from the fact that 15 to 20% of diuretic-treated patients reportedly drop out of trials because of side effects, including exertional dyspnea, fatigability, lethargy and impotence, numerous metabolic derangements have been reported with these drugs, i.e., potassium, uric acid, lipid, sodium, glucose and magnesium alterations. Perhaps most important are the changes in lipid fractions, which may be responsible for the failure of antihypertensive therapy to decrease the risk of coronary heart disease. Thus, although diuretics are somewhat less expensive than other antihypertensive drugs in terms of dollars, their overall costs are high. The major alternatives, such as the α-blocker prazosin or the central nervous system agent clonidine, are preferable, do not impair a patient's lifestyle and are recommended to be used along with changes in diet and an exercise program for control of mild to moderate hypertension.