cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Room-temperature epitaxy of metal thin films on tungsten diselenide

Abstract The orientation of selected metals (Pd, Ni, Al, and Co) deposited on WSe2 by physical vapor deposition was examined using transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction. We discovered that Ni demonstrates room-temperature epitaxy, similarly to other face centered cubic (FCC) metals Au, Ag, and Cu. These epitaxial metals exhibit the following orientation relationship, where M stands for metal: M ( 111 ) || WSe2 ( 0001 ); M [ 2 2 ¯ 0 ] || WSe2 [ 11 2 ¯ 0 ]. Hexagonally close-packed Co, and FCC Pd and Al, were not epitaxial on deposition; however, Pd became epitaxial after annealing at 673 K for 5 h. To uncover critical variables for epitaxial growth, we correlated our experimental work and reports from the literature on Cu, Ag, and Au with density functional theory calculations of the energetics of metal atoms on the surface of WSe2 and thermodynamic calculations of metal-W-Se phase equilibria. Furthermore, we compared the findings to our previous work on metal/MoS2 systems to draw conclusions more generally applicable to epitaxial growth of metals on transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). We observed that epitaxy of metals on TMDs can occur when there is a match in crystallographic symmetry, even with a large lattice mismatch, and it is favored by metals exhibiting a low diffusion barrier on the TMD surface. However, reaction processes between the metal and WSe2 can prevent epitaxy even when the other factors are favorable, as occurred for Al/WSe2 with the formation of aluminum selenide, tungsten aluminide, and elemental tungsten. Consideration of crystallographic symmetry, surface diffusion barriers, and reactivity can be used to predict room-temperature epitaxy in other metal/TMD systems.
Etiology of nocturia response in men with diminished bladder capacity

AIMS To test the hypothesis that patients with nocturia owing to diminished global or nocturnal bladder capacity improve via increased bladder capacity. METHODS This is a retrospective analysis of voiding diaries completed at a VA urology clinic between 2008-2017. Inclusion required patients aged at least 18 years, male, undergoing treatment for nocturia, and having completed at least two 24-hour voiding diaries ≥1 month apart. Patients were divided into two cohorts: responders (any decline in nocturia) and non-responders (no change or any increase in nocturia). Patients were further sub-stratified as having low global bladder capacity (maximum voided volume [MVV] <200 mL) versus low nocturnal bladder capacity (nocturnal maximum voided volume [NMVV] <200 mL and MVV ≥200 mL). Wilcoxon rank-sum was applied with a Bonferroni correction to test significance. RESULTS Forty pre- and post-treatment diaries from 27 patients, and 19 pre- and post-treatment diaries from 17 patients were identified as having low global and low nocturnal bladder capacity, respectively. Nocturia responders with low global bladder capacity demonstrated significant decline compared to non-responders in nocturnal urine volume (NUV) (-140 vs +75, P < 0.01) and nocturnal bladder capacity index (NBCi) (-0.59 vs +0.23, P < 0.01). Patients with low nocturnal bladder capacity similarly demonstrated decreased NUV (-30 vs +160, P = 0.04) and NBCi (-1.4 vs +0.33, P < 0.01). There was no significant change in MVV or NMVV for either group. CONCLUSIONS Treatment directed at lowering nocturnal urine production and enabling patients to consistently void at capacity is a rational strategy to treat nocturia in patients with low bladder capacity.
Incorporating Unidentifiable Cyberattacks into Power System Reliability Assessment

With the ongoing power grid modernization initiative, more cyber technologies are being deployed in the modern cyberphysical power systems. However, as a result higher cyberattack risks will be brought about. Unidentifiable attacks, which are a type of emerging false data injection attacks, could affect the outcomes of State Estimation (SE) by compromising some meter measurements and thus misleading the power dispatch. Thus, it is necessary to analyze the impact of unidentifiable attacks on the power supply reliability. Here an optimal strategy for constructing the attack vector is studied. The procedure for incorporating the unidentifiable attacks into the power system reliability assessment framework using Monte Carlo Simulation (MCS) is proposed. Simulation studies are conducted based on the IEEE 14-bus system. According to the simulation results, it is found that the long-term reliability of the power system could be impacted by the cyberattacks if they occur frequently. This study could provide some useful insights into the cybersecurity study of smart grid.
Analysis of exposure to ambient air pollution: Case study of the link between environmental exposure and children’s school performance in Memphis, TN

Abstract Publications link various health outcomes and several elements of the physical environment, including environmental exposures such as air pollution, built-up environment, as well as social environment. The local neighborhood context is important in studies on health impacts. For example, associations have been found between neighborhood physical and social environments and diabetes. Since the physical environment is an element of the neighborhood’s overall environment, the focus of the chapter is on environmental exposure. Specifically, the present chapter focuses primarily on one important environmental hazard, air pollution, by examining the links between an outside and inside environment and health, as well as the extent that socioeconomic factors play in the association between exposure to air pollution and health outcomes. The chapter concludes with an empirical case study, which considers the links between air pollution exposure from stationary facilities and children’s performance in schools.
Time trends and predictors of survival in surgically resected early‐stage non–small cell lung cancer patients

Background The improvement in the management of lung cancer have the potential to improve survival in patients undergoing resection for early-stage (stage I and II) non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but few studies have evaluated time trends and identified predictors of overall survival (OS). Methods We identified surgically resected early-stage NSCLC between 1998 and 2016. The 3-year OS (1998-2014) and 5-year OS (1998-2012) rates were calculated for each year. Joinpoint regression was used to calculate annual percentage changes (APC) and to test time trends in OS. Multivariable Cox regression was used to identify predictors of OS. Results There was a significant upward trend in the 3-year (1998, 56%; 2014, 83%; APC = 1.8) and 5-year (1998, 47%; 2012, 76%; APC = 3.1) OS. Older age; male sex; history of diabetes, coronary artery disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; high ASA score; smoking pack-years; high-grade tumor; pneumonectomy; thoracotomy; neoadjuvant therapy; nodal disease; and positive tumor margin were predictors of poor OS. Conclusion The upward time trend in OS suggests that improved staging, patient selection, and management have conferred a survival benefit in early-stage NSCLC patients. The prediction model of OS could be used to refine selection criteria for resection and improve survival outcomes.
The impact of BRAF mutation status on clinical outcomes with single-agent PD-1 inhibitor versus combination ipilimumab/nivolumab.

10024Background: Nearly half of all metastatic melanoma patients possess the BRAF V600 mutation. Several therapies are approved for BRAF mutant metastatic melanoma, but it is unclear if there is a ...
The Loyal Republic. Traitors, slaves, and the remaking of citizenship in Civil War America: by Erik Mathisen, Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina Press, 2018, 240 pp., $34.95 (hardback), ISBN: 978-1-4696-3632-0

As the battle over Reconstruction took center stage in the reunited nation’s politics, Frederick Douglass, in his usual fashion, put his fingers on the problem: a nation, he observed, which ‘cannot...
In-Vitro Assessment of the Effects of Transcatheter Aortic Valve Leaflet Design on Neo-Sinus Geometry and Flow

Transcatheter aortic valve (TAV) leaflet thrombosis is a clinical risk with potentially fatal consequences. Studies have identified neo-sinus flow stasis as a cause of leaflet thrombosis. Flow stasis is influenced by the TAV leaflets, which affect the local fluid dynamics in the aortic sinus and neo-sinus. This study evaluated the effects of TAV leaflet features on the neo-sinus flow as a measure of leaflet thrombosis risk. Five TAVs of varied leaflet length and insertion height were tested in a simulator. Hydrodynamics and leaflet kinematics through en-phase imaging were quantified. Velocity fields were assessed using high-speed particle image velocimetry. Regions of flow stasis and particle residence times (PRTs) were quantified. TAVs with shorter leaflet length exhibited larger orifice areas and lower transvalvular pressure gradients. Shorter leaflet length and increased leaflet insertion TAVs additionally exhibited lower neo-sinus PRTs (0.44 ± 0.21 vs 2.83 ± 0.48 cycles, p < 0.05) and higher neo-sinus peak velocities (0.15 ± 0.009 vs 0.07 ± 0.005 m/s, p < 0.05) than TAVs with longer leaflet length and lower leaflet insertion. The average neo-sinus volume positively correlated with PRT(r = 0.810, p < 0.001), and extent of flow stasis (r = 0.682, p < 0.05). These results suggest that a small neo-sinus volume may reduce flow stagnation and particle residence, potentially reducing the risk of leaflet thrombosis. We propose that leaflet design features might be proactively controlled in the design of future transcatheter aortic valves.
Measuring psychological pain: psychometric analysis of the Orbach and Mikulincer Mental Pain Scale

Suicide is a public health concern, with an estimated 1 million individuals dying each year worldwide. Individual psychological pain is believed to be a contributing motivating factor. Therefore, establishing a psychometrically sound tool to adequately measure psychological pain is important. The Orbach and Mikulincer Mental Pain Scale (OMMP) has been proposed; however, previous psychometric analysis on the OMMP has not yielded a consistent scale structure, and the internal consistency of the subscales has not met recommended values. Therefore, the primary purpose of this study was to assess the psychometric properties of the OMMP in a diverse sample. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) on the 9-factor, 44-item OMMP was conducted on the full sample (n = 1151). Because model fit indices were not met, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted on a random subset of the data (n = 576) to identify a more parsimonious structure. The EFA structure was then tested in a covariance model in the remaining subset of participants (n = 575). Multigroup invariance testing was subsequently performed to examine psychometric properties of the refined scale. The CFA of the original 9-factor, 44-item OMMP did not meet recommended model fit recommendations. The EFA analysis results revealed a 3-factor, 9-item scale (i.e., OMMP-9). The covariance model of the OMMP-9 indicated further refinement was necessary. Multigroup invariance testing conducted on the final 3-factor, 8-item scale (i.e., OMMP-8) across mental health diagnoses, sex, injury status, age, activity level, and athlete classification met all criteria for invariance. The 9-factor, 44-item OMMP does not meet recommended measurement criteria and should not be recommended for use in research and clinical practice in its current form. The refined OMMP-8 may be a more viable option to use; however, more research should be completed prior to adoption.
OR4. Emphasis on Post-Acute Care Shows Improved Guideline Adherence in Three Metro Markets

Background Nearly 6.5 million Americans are living with heart failure. Heart failure remains a leading cause of hospital admission and contribution to healthcare expenditure. It is projected that by the year 2030, the total cost of heart failure will increase by 127%. Participation in a quality improvement initiative aimed at improving adherence to evidenced based guidelines can assist in reducing cost and improving patient outcomes. While hospital participation in an in-hospital quality improvement initiative, such as Get With the Guidelines® Heart Failure (GWTG-HF), has been well-studied, few studies evaluate post-hospital discharge adherence to guideline directed medical therapy. Objective/Purpose The objective of this initiative was to create a streamlined easy-to- use post hospital discharge data collection tool, provide quality consultation to utilize data, and form learning collaboratives to share best practice for improving quality of care. Methods A multidisciplinary learning collaborative consisting of 40+ hospitals and post-acute care organizations (home health, community paramedicine, skilled nursing facilities, assisted living) was established in three metro markets: St. Louis, Milwaukee, and Chicago. Utilizing feedback from these collaborative groups, a post-acute care data collection form aimed in tracking adherence to guideline- based care was created in GWTG-HF. Hospitals abstracted data into this form beginning with Quarter 3 2019. Data collected was used to guide collaborative group discussion and individual hospital quality consultation aimed at improving patient outcomes across the care continuum. Additional educational guideline-based resources were provided including webinars, conferences, pocket cards, podcasts, order set examples and follow-up phone call templates. Results Hospitals entered baseline data from Quarter 3 2019. Data was reviewed from Quarter 3, 2020 for follow-up comparison. Compliance with post-acute measures improved from baseline Q3, 2019 to Q3, 2020 as follows: ACEI/ARB/ARNI 76.9% to 82.4% (+5.5%), Aldosterone Antagonist 58.2% to 64.9% (+6.7%), and Participation in either Cardiac Rehab or Disease Management 58.7% to 66.1% (+7.4%). Conclusions Before this initiative, few of the hospitals in the learning collaborative were focusing on post-acute follow up care or collecting data to review. Once a streamlined, easy-to-use post-acute care data collection form was created, all the hospitals in the collaborative were required to use it. Reviewing data, providing education, establishing collaborative teams across the care continuum, and sharing best practices moderately improved post-acute care. Future studies should consider including post-acute care organizations performing data collection to improve data accuracy and provide a comprehensive portrayal of patient follow-up care. Future studies should also consider evaluating post-acute care beyond 30 days of hospital discharge.
Adnectin-Targeted Inhibitors: Rationale and Results

Adnectins are a family of binding proteins derived from the 10th type III domain of human fibronectin (10Fn3), which is part of the immunoglobulin superfamily and normally binds integrin. The 10Fn3 has the potential for broad therapeutic applications given its structural stability, ability to be manipulated, and its abundance in the human body. The most commonly studied adnectin is CT-322, which is an inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2. A bispecific adnectin, El-Tandem, has also been developed and binds to epidermal growth factor receptor and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor simultaneously. Pre-clinical studies have shown promising results in relation to reducing tumor growth, decreasing microvessel density, and promoting normalization of tumor architecture. The phase I trial with CT-322 demonstrates relatively low toxicities. However, the phase II study done with CT-322 in recurrent glioblastoma does not reveal as promising results.
Predominantly Spinal Phenotype of Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis (P5.197)

OBJECTIVE: To analyze patients with RRMS whose relapses were isolated to episodes of transverse myelitis. BACKGROUND: The presentation, relapse pattern, and disease course of MS is highly variable. While certain phenotypes of RRMS, such as optico-spinal, have been previously described, characterization of a form of RRMS that presents with primarily spinal cord disease has not been published. DESIGN/METHODS: Retrospective database review, comparing relapsing-remitting patients displaying primarily spinal cord pathology (Spinal MS, or SMS) with age and sex-matched controls with typical RRMS. Criteria for patients to be included in the SMS group included clinical transverse myelitis and spinal cord imaging showing 蠅 2 lesions, along with either a normal brain MRI, the presence of non-specific T2 hyperintensities, or the presence of fewer lesions in the brain compared to the spinal cord. In all subjects, MS was confirmed after initial presentation by either a second relapse, or by the presence of a new spinal cord lesion and positive OCBS or an elevated IgG index in the CSF after alternate diagnosis, such as NMO, was ruled out. RESULTS: 28/483 (6.3%) patients met the criteria for SMS; 13 additional patients with typical RRMS served as controls. The female:male ratio was 11:3 for SMS, age at onset 35 years versus 31 years; ARR was 1.8 versus 2; mean EDSS at last visit was 2.34 versus 1.77; and mean time to diagnosis was 39 months versus 26 months when compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrates that in Spinal MS, relative to relapsing-remitting MS in general, the F:M ratio is higher, the time to diagnosis is longer, and the EDSS at last follow-up indicates a greater level of disability. This study helps to further the general understanding of disease mechanisms in MS. Our study also highlights that atypical presentations of RRMS should be kept in mind, and appropriate diagnostic work up initiated for prompt diagnosis. We intend to extend this analysis to 800 additional database patients. Disclosure: Dr. Cogan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ternopolska has nothing to disclose. Dr. Vargas has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gauthier has received personal compensation for activities with Genzyme and Biogen Idec as a consultant, and Biogen Idec and Teva Neuroscience as a speaker. Dr. Gauthier has received research support from Biogen Idec, Novartis, EMD Serono, and Pfizer Inc. Dr. Nealon has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec and Serono Inc. Dr. Vartanian has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec, Genzyme Corp., and Teva Neuroscience as a consultant/member of the speaker9s bureau. Dr. Vartanian has received research support from Teva Neuroscience. Dr. Perumal has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec as a consultant, and with Biogen Idec and Teva Neuroscience as a speaker.
Highly-Bursty Sources and their Admission Control in ATM Networks

In this paper we focus on highly-bursty heterogeneous sources, their heavy traffic multiplexing behavior and their admission control in ATM networks.
Computing with thalamocortical ensembles during different behavioural states

A series of recent studies have indicated that ensembles of neurones, distributed within the neural structures that form the primary thalamocortical loop (TCL) of the trigeminal component of the rat somatosensory system, change the way they respond to similar tactile stimuli, according to both the behavioural strategy employed by animals to gather information and the animal's internal brain states. These findings suggest that top-down influences, which are more likely to play a role during active discrimination than during passive whisker stimulation, may alter the pattern of neuronal firing within both the distinct layers of the primary somatosensory cortex (S1) and the ventral posterior medial nucleus (VPM). We propose that through this physiological process, which involves concurrent dynamic modulations at both cellular and circuit levels in the TCL, rats can either optimize the detection of novel or hard to sense stimuli or they can analyse complex patterns of multiwhisker stimulation, during natural exploration of their surrounding environment.
Symbolic tree transducers

Symbolic transducers are useful in the context of web security as they form the foundation for sanitization of potentially malicious data. We define Symbolic Tree Transducers as a generalization of Regular Transducers as finite state input-output tree automata with logical constraints over a parametric background theory. We examine key closure properties of Symbolic Tree Transducers and we develop a composition algorithm and an equivalence decision procedure for linear single-valued transducers.
Technology for active photonic integrated circuits-based on semiconductor microresonators

Technology choices for highly integrated whispering gallery mode microresonator photonic integrated circuits (PICs) will be discussed. Tradeoffs between technology complexity and performance of these PICs will be discussed.
A quantitative X-ray diffraction inventory of the tephra and volcanic glass inputs into the Holocene marine sediment archives off Iceland: A contribution to V.A.S.T.

This paper re-evaluates how well quantitative x-ray diffraction (qXRD) can be used as an exploratory method of the weight percentage (wt%) of volcaniclastic sediment, and to identify tephra events in marine cores. In the widely used RockJock v6 software programme, qXRD tephra and glass standards include the rhyodacite White River tephra (Alaska), a rhyolitic tephra (Hekla-4) and the basaltic Saksunarvatn tephra. Experiments of adding known wt% of tephra to felsic bedrock samples indicated that additions ≥10 wt% are accurately detected, but reliable estimates of lesser amounts are masked by amorphous material produced by milling. Volcaniclastic inputs range between 20 and 50 wt%. Primary tephra events are identified as peaks in residual qXRD glass wt% from fourth-order polynomial fits. In cores where tephras have been identified by shard counts in the > 150 µm fraction, there is a positive correlation (validation) with peaks in the wt% glass estimated by qXRD. Geochemistry of tephra shards confirms the presence of several Hekla-sourced tephras in cores B997-317PC1 and -319PC2 on the northern Iceland shelf. In core B997-338 (north-west Iceland), there are two rhyolitic tephras separated by ca. 100 cm with uncorrected radiocarbon dates on articulated shells of around 13 000 yr B.P. These tephras may be correlatives of the Borrobol and Penifiler tephras found in Scotland. The number of Holocene tephra events per 1000 yr was estimated from qXRD on 16 cores and showed a bimodal distribution with an increased number of events in both the late and early Holocene. Keywords: X-ray diffraction; tephras; Iceland Holocene (Published: 26 February 2013) To access the supplementary material for this article, please see the supplementary files in the column to the right (under Readers Tools). Citation: Polar Research 2013, 32 , 11130, http://dx.doi.org/10.3402/polar.v32i0.11130
Numerical Simulation and Experimental Study of Powder Flow Distribution in High Power Direct Diode Laser Cladding Process

High power direct diode laser (HPDDL) offers a rectangular laser beam with top-flat intensity distribution making it an ideal tool for wide-clad deposition. In the HPDDL-based cladding process, the powder is commonly fed laterally through a wide nozzle into the molten pool by means of a carrier gas. In order to successfully utilize this cladding technique, the powder feeding behavior needs to be carefully controlled. In this study, based on an investigation of commercial powder feeding nozzles, a 3D computational fluid dynamics (CFD) based gas-powder flow model was developed. The effects of the nozzle exit geometry, powder properties (particle size, density and shape), and powder feeding parameters (powder feeding rate and carrier-gas flow rate) on the characteristics of the powder flow were studied. A high-speed CCD camera was used to capture the powder flow characteristics such as the particle velocity and particle distribution. Deposition experiments are also performed to verify the predicted powder catchment efficiency and to check the clad geometry.
Risk and Opportunity in the Coca/Cocaine Economy of the Bolivian Yungas

Bolivia is one of the poorest countries of the hemisphere and its rural people have among the lowest life expectancy, health-care standards and educational levels of all Latin Americans. It is the only country in South America with a ranking of ‘low’ on the Human Development Index for 1991 compiled by the United Nations, a measure combining the per capita product with such factors as longevity and access to education. At the same time, the most valuable export of the country, cocaine, depends on the coca supplied by peasant cultivators in the regions where it grows. The explosion of the international cocaine trade has had profound repercussions, both positive and negative, on the lives of the campesinos of the Bolivian Yungas, who happened to supply, since colonial times and before, the coca destined for traditional consumption within the country; it was their most reliable cash crop. The conversion of their ancient crop to an illicit commodity of high, concentrated value has created the opportunity for some to experience a marginally enhanced standard of living (at a time when other rural Bolivians were seeing their own abysmal standard depressed even further), but at the same time has increased the risks they would run if they entered the lucrative but illegal cocaine trade.
The effect of long N-ITR intervals upon the PRE

Six groups of male albino rats were given one trial a day for 19 days in a straight runway according to a 3 by 2 design. Schedule of reinforcement was varied in three ways: partial reinforcement with intertriai reinforcement (ITR) after nonrewarded (N) trials, which preceded rewarded (R) trials, partial reinforcement with ITR following selected R trials, and consistent reinforcement with ITR given according to one or the other of the above ITR schedules. The administration of ITR occurred either 2 or 24 h after four designated trials, The results of 24 extinction trials did not support predictions based on the view that the aftereffects of nonreward remain readily replaceable over long periods of time.
Privatization And Prayer: The Challenge of Charitable Choice

The “Charitable Choice” provisions of 1996 welfare reform legislation inaugurated a policy debate that continues with President George W. Bush’s “faith-based initiative.” Proponents of greater reli...
Anthropical Structures in Coastal Sediments

Intense human activity in the coastal zone has resulted in widespread deformation of coastal features. Vehicular and pedestrian traffic are the primary means of creating anthropical structures. While the long-term preservation potential for these structures is generally quite low, geologic investigations have shown that a large number of modern environments contain deformed layers in their sedimentary records.
Human Operator Control of a Bilateral Teleoperator in Part-Simulation of Zero Gravity:

Remote manipulators (teleoperators) are defined as mechanical devices which extend human manipulative ability to operational environments which are either hostile to or remote from the human operator. Teleoperation involves the explicit and active inclusion of the human operator (HO) in the system control loop. An investigation of human/teleoperator control interactions in the orbital operational environment has been conducted, taking into account the employment of a model describing human neuromotor control as a linear damped harmonic oscillator. The application of this model for the specification of the end point position in teleoperator control is explored, and two experiments are conducted. The results indicate the potential utility of relatively simple models of neuromotor control processes in investigating the interaction of the human operator and controller in teleoperation.
Age-related alterations in T-lymphocytes modulate key pathways in prostate tumorigenesis

BACKGROUND The primary risk for prostate cancer is aging, often associated with inflammation. Evidence implicates progressive age-related immune dysfunction with increased prostate cancer incidence and mortality. The aged T-cell response is characterized by increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which could significantly contribute to prostate tumorigenesis through induction of key inflammation-mediated pro-survival factors. METHODS T-cell function of the young ( 22-month-old) mouse. Serum and splenic T-lymphocytes from young GPAT-1−/− (6 months) and aged wild type (22 months) mice were collected for in vitro studies, including a cytokine immunoarray for serum cytokine levels, luciferase assays for NF-κB activation and Western blot analyses for protein expression. RESULTS The T-cell cytokine profile of the GPAT-1−/− mice mirrored that observed in aged wild type mice, including higher expression levels of IL-17. Serum- and T-cell-derived factors induced NF-κB activity in normal, non-transformed and prostate cancer epithelial cells, correlating with re-localization of NF-κB and increased protein expression of downstream targets of NF-κB. CONCLUSION The aging and aging-mimic mice produced circulating factors that induce pro-inflammatory pathways in prostate cells, most notably NF-κB. These findings provide evidence that an aged T-cell may directly contribute to the increased risk for prostate cancer in the elderly and establish that the GPAT-1−/− model, which mimics many of the characteristics of an aged immune system, is a viable tool for investigating this novel area of cancer risk. Prostate 73: 855–864, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Nonviral delivery for genomic therapy of cancer.

We have developed improved liposomal nanoparticles that efficiently condense nucleic acids, proteins, viruses, drugs, and mixtures of these agents on the interior of bilamellar invaginated structures (BIVs) produced by a novel extrusion procedure. The liposomal complexes have extended half-life in the circulation, serum stability, and broad biodistribution; are targetable to specific organs and cell types; can penetrate through tight barriers in several organs; are fusogenic with cell membranes and avoid endosomes; are optimized for nucleic acid:lipid ratio and colloidal suspension in vivo; can be size fractionated to produce totally homogeneous populations of complexes prior to injection; are nontoxic, nonimmunogenic, and can be repeatedly administered; and they are stable in liquid suspensions and freeze-dried formulations. We can add specific ligands either by ionic interactions or by covalent attachments to the surface of these nucleic acid–liposome complexes to accomplish targeted delivery to specific cell surface receptors. Furthermore, the charge on the surface of these complexes can be modified to avoid uptake by nontarget cells using our novel technology called “reversible masking.” We have also achieved high-dose systemic delivery of these complexes without toxicity in vivo by further purification of plasmid DNA. At present, these complexes are injected intravenously into patients in clinical trials to treat lung cancer and will be used in upcoming trials to treat breast, pancreatic, and head and neck cancers. Notably, BIV complexes are being injected intravenously into patients with non-small-cell lung carcinoma who have failed to respond to chemotherapy. These patients are living longer and have demonstrated objective responses, including tumor regression.
Rapid down-regulation of serotonin2 receptor binding during combined administration of tricyclic antidepressant drugs and α2 antagonists

Recent studies have shown that chronic, but not acute, treatment with several different antidepressant drugs decreases the density of serotonin2 (5HT2) receptors in the cerebral cortex (Peroutka and Snyder, 1980a). It was found that combined administration of antidepressant drugs with alpha 2 antagonists could accelerate this down-regulation of 5HT2 receptors induced by antidepressants. Amitriptyline (10 mg/kg, twice daily) in combination with yohimbine (5 mg/kg, twice daily) decreased 5HT2 receptor binding after 4 days of treatment, whereas amitriptyline alone required 10 days to decrease the density of 5HT2 receptors. Other antidepressant--alpha-antagonist combinations which rapidly decreased the density of 5HT2 receptors were desipramine-phenoxybenzamine, amitriptyline-phenoxybenzamine, iprindole-phenoxybenzamine, mianserin-phenoxybenzamine and desipramine-dihydroergotamine. Treatment with desipramine in combination with prazosin, an alpha 1 antagonist, did not accelerate the down-regulation of 5HT2 receptors induced by antidepressants. These results suggest that blockade of central alpha 2 receptors can accelerate the down-regulation of 5HT2 receptors by antidepressants. A combination of antidepressant and alpha antagonist treatment could represent a new, rapid onset antidepressant drug therapy.
Electro-Mechanical Analysis of a DEAP Actuator Coupled to a Negative-Rate Bias Spring Mechanism

This paper presents the design and analysis of a Negative-rate Bias Spring (NBS) paired with a Dielectric Electro-Active Polymer (DEAP). A NBS is a bi-stable mechanism with a negative slope region between its two stable configurations. The objective of this work is to demonstrate the increased stroke output of a DEAP actuator when biased by such a bistable mechanism. Possible devices that could use this actuation technology are lightweight, miniature pumps and valves. First, the NBS is mechanically tested and its bi-stable behavior is observed along with the negative slope region between the stable configurations. Then the NBS is coupled with a circular DEAP actuator (to provide the bias force) and is experimentally tested under a variety of loading conditions with a focus on the force and stroke capabilities. The stroke output of the device was approximately 1mm for a range of electrical loading rates (0.1Hz, 1Hz, and 10Hz). The measured force and stroke are then correlated to the force vs. displacement data observed during the mechanical characterization experiments. Additionally, the force vs. displacement behavior of the NBS-DEAP is analytically modeled and showed good comparison with the results.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Force Field Development and MD Simulations of Poly(ethylene oxide)/LiBF4 Polymer Electrolytes

Quantum chemistry-based force fields with many-body polarizable interactions and two-body effective polarizability parameters have been developed for the interaction of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) with Li+ and BF4-. The Li+/ether repulsion parameters were found to be transferable to another polyether, such as poly(methylene oxide), that is interacting with a Li+ cation. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have been performed for PEO (Mw = 2380)/LiBF4 for EO:Li = 15:1 at three temperatures: 363, 393, and 423 K. The Li+ environment was found to be in reasonable agreement with that measured for other lithium salts that have been doped in PEO. MD simulations employing the many-body (MB) polarizable force field predicted ion conductivity, self-diffusion coefficients, and the slowing of the PEO dynamics upon the addition of LiBF4 salt that were in good agreement with experiments. MD simulations employing the two-body (TB) force field yielded polymer and ion dynamics that were slower than those from the simulati...
Cortical Graph Smoothing: A Novel Method for Exploiting DWI-Derived Anatomical Brain Connectivity to Improve EEG Source Estimation

The electroencephalography source estimation problem consists of inferring cortical activation from measurements of electrical potential taken on the scalp surface. This inverse problem is intrinsically ill-posed. In particular the dimensionality of cortical sources greatly exceeds the number of electrode measurements, and source estimation requires regularization to obtain a unique solution. In this work, we introduce a novel regularization function called cortical graph smoothing, which exploits knowledge of anatomical connectivity available from diffusion-weighted imaging. Given a weighted graph description of the anatomical connectivity of the brain, cortical graph smoothing penalizes the weighted sum of squares of differences of cortical activity across the graph edges, thus encouraging solutions with consistent activation across anatomically connected regions. We explore the performance of the cortical graph smoothing source estimates for analysis of the event related potential for simple motor tasks, and compare against the commonly used minimum norm, weighted minimum norm, LORETA and sLORETA source estimation methods. Evaluated over a series of 18 subjects, the proposed cortical graph smoothing method shows superior localization accuracy compared to the minimum norm method, and greater relative peak intensity than the other comparison methods.
Analysis of the Linewidth-Enhancement Factor of Long-Wavelength Tunnel-Injection Quantum-Dot Lasers

We have studied the linewidth-enhancement factor of 1.3-mum tunnel-injection quantum-dot (QD) lasers utilizing a rate-equation model that takes into account the injection of electrons directly into the QDs from a coupled quantum well, the presence of wetting layer states, and nonequilibrium carrier relaxation in the QDs. In a conventional separate confinement heterostructure QD laser, plasma effects, which result from a large portion of the injected carriers preferably occupying the barrier and wetting layer states, largely determine the values of the linewidth-enhancement factor and lead to a strong dependence of the linewidth-enhancement factor on injection current. In a tunnel-injection QD laser, however, due to the injection of "cold" electrons directly into the lasing states of the QDs, both the values of linewidth-enhancement factor and the dependence on injection current are substantially reduced. The calculated linewidth-enhancement factors of conventional separate confinement heterostructure and tunnel-injection QD lasers are in excellent agreement with reported experimental values. Our analysis elucidates the role of tunnel injection in achieving near-zero alpha-parameter, which would be important in the design of chirp-free high-speed QD lasers
Effect of samarium doping on electrodeposited CeO2 thin film

Samarium-doped cerium oxide (CeO2:Sm) and undoped cerium oxide (CeO2) thin films were fabricated by electrodeposition on biaxially textured Ni–3% W substrates. The electrodeposited layers were annealed for several hours at temperatures ranging from 910 to 980 °C. The resulting crystalline films were investigated by XRD and SEM. The CeO2 crystallite size was correlated to the formation of microcrack in CeO2 and CeO2:Sm using the Scherrer equation of XRD analysis. Crack-free films with an average grain size of about 28 nm were obtained for both Ce0.92Sm0.08O2–δ and Ce0.8Sm0.2O2–δ films. Sm doping strongly affects the crystallite size, crystal structure, texture, and crack formation in ceria films. The lattice parameter a increases and crystallite size is reduced with increased Sm doping. All electrodeposited films are highly biaxially textured. When compared to Ni-based substrates, improvements in the out-of-plane and in-plane texture in ceria- and Sm-doped ceria films were achieved. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
The synthesis and characterization of nucleotide complexes involving an asymmetric metal

Abstract The synthesis of cobalt and chromium complexes of H 4 ATP and H 4 GTP in which the metal is asymmetric are reported. These compounds were characterized by visible spectroscopy, fast atom bombardment mass spectroscopy (FAB MS), and 31 P NMR. The mass spectral data allow identification of the complexes to be made from ions in the molecular weight region. The effect of an asymmetric metal greatly alters the appearance of the 31 P NMR spectra in comparison to complexes which do not have this feature. Complexes of uridine diphosphoglucose, UDPG, are also reported. The effect of an asymmetric metal ion on the chromatographic and spectral properties of the complexes are discussed.
A vasopressin/oxytocin-related conopeptide with γ-carboxyglutamate at position 8

Vasopressins and oxytocins are homologous, ubiquitous and multifunctional peptides present in animals. Conopressins are vasopressin/oxytocin-related peptides that have been found in the venom of cone snails, a genus of marine predatory molluscs that envenom their prey with a complex mixture of neuroactive peptides. In the present paper, we report the purification and characterization of a unique conopressin isolated from the venom of Conus villepinii, a vermivorous cone snail species from the western Atlantic Ocean. This novel peptide, designated γ-conopressin-vil, has the sequence CLIQDCPγG* (γ is γ-carboxyglutamate and * is C-terminal amidation). The unique feature of this vasopressin/oxytocin-like peptide is that the eighth residue is γ-carboxyglutamate instead of a neutral or basic residue; therefore it could not be directly classified into either the vasopressin or the oxytocin peptide families. Nano-NMR spectroscopy of the peptide isolated directly from the cone snails revealed that the native γ-conopressin-vil undergoes structural changes in the presence of calcium. This suggests that the peptide binds calcium, and the calcium-binding process is mediated by the γ-carboxyglutamate residue. However, the negatively charged residues in the sequence of γ-conopressin-vil may mediate calcium binding by a novel mechanism not observed in other peptides of this family.
The central nucleus of the inferior colliculus in the cat

The central nucleus of the inferior colliculus in the cat is distinguished by its unique neuropil. In Golgi-impregnated material, it is composed primarily of neurons with disc-shaped dendritic fields arranged into parallel arrays, or laminae, complemented by the laminar afferent axons from the lateral lemniscus. Large, medium-large, medium, and small varieties of disc-shaped cells are distinguished on the basis of the size of the dendritic field and cell body size, dendritic diameter, and dendritic appendages. A second major class of neurons in the central nucleus are the stellate cells with dichotomously branched, spherical-shaped dendritic trees. Simple, complex, and small stellate cells can be distinguished by their size and by the complexity of the dendritic and axonal branching. Laminar afferent axons are recognized by the nests of collateral side branches and the grapelike clusters of terminal boutons – thick, thin, and intermediate-sized varieties are apparent. Other axon types include local collaterals of central nucleus neurons, some of which are distinguished by their frequent and complex collaterals. In the central nucleus, the configuration of the fibrodendritic laminae, the presence of subdivisions, and the banding of afferent axons suggest levels of organization which are superimposed on the synaptic arrangements of the individual cell and axon types. The laminar pattern, as studied in serial Golgi-impregnated sections, differs from previous reports. The central nucleus contains subdivisions which can be distinguished by their laminar pattern, different proportions of cell types, and the packing density of the cell bodies and axonal plexus. The patterns of degeneration observed in Nauta-stained material after lesions of caudal auditory pathways show that thick and fine afferent fibers form dense bands of degeneration separated by sparse, fine-fiber degeneration. The bands are thicker than individual laminae but smaller than the subdivisions. The intrinsic organization of the neurons and axons, combined with the laminar organization, subdivisions, and banding patterns, each may contribute different aspects to the processing of auditory information in the central nucleus.
A Portable Miniature Transistorized Radio-Frequency Coupled Cardiac Pacemaker

A miniature, transistorized radio-frequency-coupled cardiac pacemaker was developed to eliminate wires penetrating the skin when electrodes are placed on the heart to drive it. The design also eliminates the need for totally implanting a pacemaker with its batteries. The stimulating impulse is transmitted via amplitude modulation to a tuned circuit and detector assembly implanted below the skin. The output of the detector is connected to electrodes directly on the heart, making external control of the heart rate possible. In operation, the pacemaker transmitter is placed on the surface of the body above the receiver implant. The size of the unit is 4×13/4 ×13/2 inches. It weighs three ounces.
Effect of the centrifugal forces on the finite element eigenvalue solution of a rotating blade: a comparative study

In this study, the effect of the centrifugal forces on the eigenvalue solution obtained using two different nonlinear finite element formulations is examined. Both formulations can correctly describe arbitrary rigid body displacements and can be used in the large deformation analysis. The first formulation is based on the geometrically exact beam theory, which assumes that the cross section does not deform in its own plane and remains plane after deformation. The second formulation, the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF), relaxes this assumption and introduces modes that couple the deformation of the cross section and the axial and bending deformations. In the absolute nodal coordinate formulation, four different models are developed; a beam model based on a general continuum mechanics approach, a beam model based on an elastic line approach, a beam model based on an elastic line approach combined with the Hellinger–Reissner principle, and a plate model based on a general continuum mechanics approach. The use of the general continuum mechanics approach leads to a model that includes the ANCF coupled deformation modes. Because of these modes, the continuum mechanics model differs from the models based on the elastic line approach. In both the geometrically exact beam and the absolute nodal coordinate formulations, the centrifugal forces are formulated in terms of the element nodal coordinates. The effect of the centrifugal forces on the flap and lag modes of the rotating beam is examined, and the results obtained using the two formulations are compared for different values of the beam angular velocity. The numerical comparative study presented in this investigation shows that when the effect of some ANCF coupled deformation modes is neglected, the eigenvalue solutions obtained using the geometrically exact beam and the absolute nodal coordinate formulations are in a good agreement. The results also show that as the effect of the centrifugal forces, which tend to increase the beam stiffness, increases, the effect of the ANCF coupled deformation modes on the computed eigenvalues becomes less significant. It is shown in this paper that when the effect of the Poisson ration is neglected, the eigenvalue solution obtained using the absolute nodal coordinate formulation based on a general continuum mechanics approach is in a good agreement with the solution obtained using the geometrically exact beam model.
Exploring the cycle behavior of electrodeposited vanadium oxide electrochemical capacitor electrodes in various aqueous environments

Abstract Electrodeposited vanadium oxide has emerged as a potential electrochemical capacitor material due to its attractive initial pseudocapacitive performance. However, it suffers from capacitive degradation upon charge/discharge cycling in aqueous electrolytes. Possible degradation mechanisms, including material dissolution, are discussed. To test these possible mechanisms, an agar gel coating is deposited on the films to reduce mass transport between the electrode/electrolyte interface. The electrochemical cycling behavior of vanadium oxide films with various surface treatments is investigated at different pH. Quantitative compositional analysis and morphological studies provide additional insight into the mechanism responsible for capacitive degradation.