cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ignition Time Measurements in Repetitive Nanosecond Pulse Hydrogen–Air Plasmas at Elevated Initial Temperatures

Ignition time is measured in premixed preheated hydrogen-air flows excited by a repetitive nanosecond pulse discharge in a plane-to-plane geometry. ICCD images of the plasma and the flame demonstrate that mild preheating of the fuel-air flow greatly improves plasma stability and precludes filament formation. At the initial temperatures of T0 = 100-200°C, hydrogen-air plasmas remain stable and uniform up to at least P = 150 torr, and ignition occurs in a large volume. In contrast, ignition in less uniform preheated ethylene-air plasmas occurs locally, near the electrode edges, with flame propagating toward the center of the plasma. Ignition time in hydrogen-air mixtures is measured at initial temperatures of T0 = 100-200°C, pressures of P = 40-150 torr, equivalence ratios of φ = 0.5-1.2, and pulse repetition rates of ν = 10-40 kHz. The results of ignition time measurements are compared with the predictions of the hydrogen-air plasma chemistry model, showing good agreement. Nitrogen emission spectra are used to measure time-resolved temperature in air and hydrogen-air plasmas. The results show that ignition begins at the plasma temperature of T ≈ 700 K and results in a rapid temperature rise. By turning off dominant plasma chemical radical generation processes in kinetic modeling calculations, while keeping discharge energy loading the same, it is demonstrated that ignition is driven by additional energy release in reactions of plasma-generated radicals with hydrogen. To determine if plasma-generated radicals may reduce ignition temperature, discharge pulse burst was terminated before the onset of ignition, and ignition delay time was measured versus plasma temperature at the end of the burst. Experimental ignition delay time is in reasonably good agreement with kinetic modeling calculations. The kinetic model predicts significant plasma-assisted ignition threshold temperature reduction at the present conditions compared to thermal ignition, up to ΔT = 180 K.
Stability and Function of Secondary Th1 Memory Cells Are Dependent on the Nature of the Secondary Stimulus

Following acute infection in some mouse models, CD4+ memory T cells steadily decline over time. Conversely, in humans, CD4+ memory T cells can be maintained for many years at levels similar to CD8+ T cells. Because we previously observed that the longevity of Th1 memory cell survival corresponded to their functional avidity, we hypothesized that secondary challenge, which enriches for high functional avidity Th1 responders, would result in more stable Th1 memory populations. We found that following a heterologous secondary challenge, Th1 memory cells were maintained at stable levels compared with primary Th1 memory cells, showing little to no decline after day 75 postinfection. The improved stability of secondary Th1 memory T cells corresponded to enhanced homeostatic turnover; enhanced trafficking of effector memory Th1 cells to tissue sites of infection, such as the liver; and acquisition or maintenance of high functional avidity following secondary challenge. Conversely, a weaker homologous rechallenge failed to induce a stable secondary Th1 memory population. Additionally, homologous secondary challenge resulted in a transient loss of functional avidity by Th1 memory cells recruited into the secondary response. Our findings suggest that the longevity of Th1 memory T cells is dependent, at least in part, on the combined effects of primary and secondary Ag-driven differentiation. Furthermore, they demonstrate that the quality of the secondary challenge can have profound effects on the longevity and function of the ensuing secondary Th1 memory population.
A modular molecular photovoltaic system based on phospholipid/alkanethiol hybrid bilayers: photocurrent generation and modulation

Monolayer quantities of 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), incorporated with either fullerenes or ruthenium tris(bipyridyl) (Ru(bpy)32+) complexes, were formed on ferrocene-terminated C11-alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) through lipid fusion. Thus formed hybrid structures are characterized by quartz crystal microbalance, UV-vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry and impedance analysis. In comparison to lipid monolayers deposited on C12-alkanethiol SAMs, photocurrent generation from these ferrocene-based structures is significantly modulated, displaying attenuated anodic photocurrents and enhanced cathodic photocurrents. While a similar trend was observed for the two photoagents studied, the degree of such modulations was always found to be greater in fullerene-incorporated bilayers. These findings are evaluated in the context of the film structure, energetics of the involved photo(electrochemical) species and cross-membrane electron-transfer processes.
Design methodology for global resonant H-tree clock distribution networks

Design guidelines for resonant H-tree clock distribution networks are presented in this paper. A distributed model of a two level resonant H-tree is presented, supporting the design of low power, low skew, and low jitter resonant H-tree clock distribution networks. Excellent agreement is shown between the proposed model and SpectraS simulations. A case study is presented that demonstrates the design of a two level resonant H-tree network, distributing a 5 GHz clock signal in a TSMC 0.18 /spl mu/m CMOS technology. The design methodology enables tradeoffs among design variables to be examined, such as the operating frequency, size of the on-chip inductors and capacitors, the output resistance of the driving buffer, and the interconnect width.
A randomized, controlled trial of osteopathic manipulative treatment for acute low back pain in active duty military personnel

AbstractObjectiveAcute low back pain (ALBP) may limit mobility and impose functional limitations in active duty military personnel. Although some manual therapies have been reported effective for ALBP in military personnel, there have been no published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) in the military. Furthermore, current military ALBP guidelines do not specifically include OMT.MethodsThis RCT examined the efficacy of OMT in relieving ALBP and improving functioning in military personnel at Fort Lewis, Washington. Sixty-three male and female soldiers ages 18 to 35 were randomly assigned to a group receiving OMT plus usual care or a group receiving usual care only (UCO).ResultsThe primary outcome measures were pain on the quadruple visual analog scale, and functioning on the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire. Outcomes were measured immediately preceding each of four treatment sessions and at four weeks post-trial. Intention to treat analysis found signific...
De novo infection and serial transmission of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus in cultured endothelial cells

Infection by Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is central to the pathogenesis of the endothelial neoplasm Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and is also linked to the rare B-cell tumor known as primary effusion lymphoma (PEL). Latently infected PEL cell lines can be induced to enter the lytic cycle and produce KSHV virions. However, such cells do not support de novo infection or serial propagation of KSHV. These limitations have prevented the development of systems for the genetic analysis of KSHV and have impeded a deeper understanding of KS pathogenesis. Here we show that human dermal microvascular endothelial cells immortalized by expression of telomerase can be readily infected by KSHV virions produced by PEL cells. Infection is predominantly latent, but a small subpopulation enters the lytic cycle spontaneously. Phorbol ester (tetradecanoyl phorbol acetate [TPA]) treatment of latently infected cells leads to enhanced induction of lytic KSHV replication, resulting in foci of cytopathic effect. There is no cytopathic effect or viral DNA expansion when infected TIME cells (telomerase-immortalized microvascular endothelial cells) are TPA induced in the presence of phosphonoacetic acid (PAA), an inhibitor of herpesvirus replication. Supernatants from phorbol-induced cultures transfer latent KSHV infection to uninfected cells, which can likewise be induced to undergo lytic replication by TPA treatment, and the virus can be further serially transmitted. Serial passage of the virus in TIME cells is completely inhibited when TPA treatment is done in the presence of PAA. Latently infected endothelial cells do not undergo major morphological changes or growth transformation, and infection is lost from the culture upon serial passage. This behavior faithfully recapitulates the behavior of spindle cells explanted from primary KS biopsies, strongly supporting the biological relevance of this culture system. These findings suggest that either the stability or the growth-deregulatory potential of the KSHV latency program in endothelial cells is more limited than might be predicted by analogy with other oncogenic viruses.
Recombinant Gene Transfer of Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase Augments Coronary Artery Relaxations During Hypoxia

Background —Coronary arteries respond to hypoxia with transient relaxations, which increases coronary blood flow, in part, by release of nitric oxide. We hypothesized that increased expression of nitric oxide synthase might further augment blood vessel relaxation during hypoxia. The present study examined the effect of adenovirus-mediated transfer of bovine endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) on hypoxia-induced transient relaxations in canine coronary arteries. Methods and Results —Paired segments of coronary arteries were exposed to vehicle (phosphate-buffered saline with albumin) or an adenovirus encoding either E coli β-galactosidase (Ad.CMVLacZ, viral control; 10 10 pfu/mL) or eNOS (Ad.CMVeNOS; 10 10 pfu/mL) for 2 hours at 37°C. Immunohistochemistry with a monoclonal antibody specific for eNOS documented both endothelial and adventitial expression in Ad.CMVeNOS arteries, whereas vehicle and viral controls demonstrated only constitutive expression. Levels of cGMP were increased 5-fold in Ad.CMVeNOS arteries compared with controls. In arteries exposed to Ad.CMVeNOS, maximum contraction to prostaglandin F 2α was reduced compared with viral controls, and this effect was eliminated by pretreatment with a competitive inhibitor of eNOS ( N G -monomethyl-l-arginine, 10 −3 mol/L). Hypoxia-induced transient relaxation (95% N 2 -5% CO 2 ) in Ad.CMVeNOS arteries (45.2±8.8%, n=6) was augmented compared with vehicle (26.3±6.0%) or viral (27.2±7.1%) controls. Conclusions —Adenovirus-mediated gene transfer of nitric oxide synthase reduces receptor-dependent contractions and augments hypoxia-induced relaxations in canine coronary arteries; this method of augmentation of NO production might be advantageous for reduction of coronary artery vasospasm.
Integrating the Actin and Vimentin Cytoskeletons Adhesion-Dependent Formation of Fimbrin–Vimentin Complexes in Macrophages

Cells adhere to the substratum through specialized structures that are linked to the actin cytoskeleton. Recent studies report that adhesion also involves the intermediate filament (IF) and microtubule cytoskeletons, although their mechanisms of interaction are unknown. Here we report evidence for a novel adhesion-dependent interaction between components of the actin and IF cytoskeletons. In biochemical fractionation experiments, fimbrin and vimentin coprecipitate from detergent extracts of macrophages using vimentin- or fimbrin-specific antisera. Fluorescence microscopy confirms the biochemical association. Both proteins colocalized to podosomes in the earliest stages of cell adhesion and spreading. The complex is also found in filopodia and retraction fibers. After detergent extraction, fimbrin and vimentin staining of podosomes, filopodia, and retraction fibers are lost, confirming that the complex is localized to these structures. A 1:4 stoichiometry of fimbrin binding to vimentin and a low percentage (1%) of the extracted vimentin suggest that fimbrin interacts with a vimentin subunit. A fimbrin-binding site was identified in the NH2-terminal domain of vimentin and the vimentin binding site at residues 143–188 in the CH1 domain of fimbrin. Based on these observations, we propose that a fimbrin–vimentin complex may be involved in directing the assembly of the vimentin cytoskeleton at cell adhesion sites.
Gender differences in the relationship between emotional intelligence and right hemisphere lateralization for facial processing.

The present study examined relationships between emotional intelligence, measured by the Mayer–Salovey–Caruso Emotional Intelligence Test, and right hemisphere dominance for a free vision chimeric face test. A sample of 122 ethnically diverse college students participated and completed online versions of the forenamed tests. A hierarchical regression was performed to test for the hypothesized interaction between gender and EI on the right hemisphere bias score. No significant main effects were found for gender or total EI score. However, when entered into the model, the interaction term contributed an additional 4.5% of the variance in right hemisphere dominance for the processing of facial emotions. Descriptively, men with greater EI were associated with higher right hemisphere dominance in the free vision test, while no association was observed for women.
A Failure Time Prediction Method for Condition-Based Maintenance

ABSTRACT Due to uncertainties in material properties and use conditions, reliability predictions are often subject to considerable error. Such inaccurate predictions lead to maintenance decisions that are expensive or not able to prevent failures. This article proposes a Bayesian approach for failure time prediction of degrading components from condition data that accounts for uncertainties and incorporates prior information on degradation behavior via prior distributions. The approach is based on posterior sampling to handle more general statistical models. Simulation examples are presented to show that by incorporating condition monitoring data or including prior knowledge the effectiveness of maintenance decisions can be significantly improved. Application of the approach in a real setting is illustrated using data from the literature.
Early Changes in Pulmonary Gene Expression following Tobacco Exposure Shed Light on the Role of Estrogen Metabolism in Lung Carcinogenesis

This perspective on Meireles et al. (beginning on p. 707 in this issue of the journal) discusses the increasing evidence for the role of female steroid hormones in lung cancer development and progression. The novel work of Meireles et al. is the first evidence for the rapid upregulation by tobacco smoke of a key cytochrome P450 gene that can metabolize estrogens such as β-estradiol to potentially carcinogenic catechol and quinine forms, as well as the first evidence for the colocalization of β-estradiol and estrogen receptors in murine airway epithelium. Actions of estrogens that contribute to lung carcinogenesis, especially in the presence of tobacco smoke, may involve both reactive intermediates that damage DNA and steroid hormone receptor signaling that promotes growth. Cancer Prev Res; 3(6); 692–5. ©2010 AACR.
WEIGHT MULTIPLICITY FREE REPRESENTATIONS, g-ENDOMORPHISM ALGEBRAS, AND DYNKIN POLYNOMIALS

is called the t-endomorphism algebra of type λ. Both Cλ(t )a ndCλ(g) are free graded k[g] G -modules of the same rank, and there exists an injective homomorphism of k[g] G -modules ˆλ : Cλ(g) −→ C λ(t). Moreover, k[g] G is a subalgebra in both Cλ(t) and Cλ(g), and ˆλ is a monomorphism of k[g] G -algebras. We show that ˆλ becomes an isomorphism after inverting the discriminant D ∈ k[g] G .
The analysis of hospital infection data using hidden Markov models

SUMMARY Surveillance data for communicable nosocomial pathogens usually consist of short time series of lownumbered counts of infected patients. These often show overdispersion and autocorrelation. To date, almost all analyses of such data have ignored the communicable nature of the organisms and have used methods appropriate only for independent outcomes. Inferences that depend on such analyses cannot be considered reliable when patient-to-patient transmission is important. We propose a new method for analysing these data based on a mechanistic model of the epidemic process. Since important nosocomial pathogens are often carried asymptomatically with overt infection developing in only a proportion of patients, the epidemic process is usually only partially observed by routine surveillance data. We therefore develop a ‘structured’ hidden Markov model where the underlying Markov chain is generated by a simple transmission model. We apply both structured and standard (unstructured) hidden Markov models to time series for three important pathogens. We find that both methods can offer marked improvements over currently used approaches when nosocomial spread is important. Compared to the standard hidden Markov model, the new approach is more parsimonious, is more biologically plausible, and allows key epidemiological parameters to be estimated.
Information driven optimization search filter: predicting tabu regions

Many search techniques fail to account for the information obtained from previous objective function evaluations when determining a new set of control parameters. We present an empirical study of a neural net prescreener using a random and grid search however one may use the prescreener in combination with any search procedure. A single neural network model is extended through the usage hierarchical clustering to organize the search space into groups with a corresponding neural network model. Empirical tests indicate that a neural network prescreener is beneficial in significantly reducing the number of probes with a minimal cost to accuracy, an acceptable tradeoff given the high cost of executing complex objective functions. Specifically, a single neural network model is optimal given a random search. Hierarchical clustering using m separate neural network models outperforms, in terms of deviance and number of probes, the usage of a single model with respect to a grid search. The grid search provides a broader coverage of the search space, yielding more information regarding the search space
Glucocorticoids and Hippocampus: Receptors in Search of a Function

In 1968 we reported that the hippocampus of adrenalectomized rats takes up and retains 3H-corticosterone (McEwen et al. 1968). This and subsequent studies, which were intended to identify and localize sites of adrenal steroid feedback in the central nervous system in terms of putative receptor mechanisms, were stimuli for a variety of investigations into the role of the hippocampus in adrenal steroid feedback on ACTH secretion and on behavior. In this respect, the identification of putative receptor sites was the impetus for the search for the function of glucocorticoids in hippocampus and in the rest of the brain. That search now seems to be coming to fruition. This article is a summary of the highlights of the search and the new Information and perspectives which are coming out of it.
So which score on the LibQual+¿ tells me if library users are satisfied?

Abstract Scores on the LibQual+™, a standardized measure of academic library service quality grounded in Expectation Confirmation–Disconfirmation theory, were analyzed to determine whether the perceived score, a direct rating of service quality, is a more valid indicator of user satisfaction than the superiority gap score, which is the simple difference between the perceived performance rating assigned to the service and a desired level of performance. According to the theory underlying the LibQual+™, the score with the highest correlations to eight validity indicators should have been the superiority gap score, but this study found that the perceived score is a better predictor of satisfaction than the superiority gap score. Once the perceived rating is partialled-out from the correlation between the superiority gap score and the validity criterion, the value of the gap score becomes almost nil. The data call into question the use of the superiority gap score to infer satisfaction.
A novel renaming scheme to exploit value temporal locality through physical register reuse and unification

Hardware renaming schemes provide multiple physical locations (register or memory) for each logical name. In current renaming schemes, a new physical location is allocated for each dispatched instruction regardless of its result value. However, these values exhibit a high level of temporal locality (result redundancy). This paper proposes: Physical Register Reuse. To reuse a physical location whenever it is detected that an incoming result value matches a previous one. This is performed during register renaming and requires some VALUE-IDENTITY DETECTION hardware. By mapping several logical registers holding the same value to the same physical register, Physical Register Reuse gives the opportunities: SHARING-exploit the high level of value-redundancy in the register file to either reduce the file size and complexity, or effectively enlarge the active instruction window. Our results suggest reduction factors of 2 to 4 in some cases. Performance is increased either by the enlarged instruction window or by the higher frequency enabled by a smaller register file requiring fewer ports. RESULT REUSE AND DEPENDENCY REDIRECTION-move the responsibility of generating results: (1) From the functional units to the register renamer, resulting in the possible elimination of processed instructions from the execution stream. (2) From one instruction to an earlier instruction stream, possibly allowing instructions to be scheduled earlier. This way, large performance speedups are achieved. 2. Unification. To combine the memory renamer with the register renamer in order to extend the above-stated sharing and result reuse and dependency redirection ideas to both registers and memory locations. This allows even greater hardware savings and performance improvements. This also simplifies the processing of store instructions.
Path Dependence, Sequence, History, Theory

Paul Pierson has undertaken an important theoretical venture for comparative politics, and for social science more broadly. Recognizing the historical turn in the social sciences, and taken with the theoretical power of path dependence, Pierson hopes to generate “portable” mid-range theoretical constructs to align history and social science more closely. Were we to have an armament of arguable hypotheses about timing, sequence, and “temporal processes” our understanding of politics and political development would be much advanced. This is a tempting prospect.
Amphotericin B-Induced Interleukin-1β Expression in Human Monocytic Cells is Calcium and Calmodulin Dependent

Amphotericin B remains the agent of choice for treatment of severe fungal infections. Its use is hindered by adverse effects, including infusion-related fever, chills, and hypotension, as well as nephrotoxicity with secondary anemia, hypokalemia, and hypomagnesemia. Amphotericin B‐induced transcription and expression of interleukin (IL)‐1b by human monocytes is believed to be involved in mediating infusion-related adverse effects. It is shown here that agents that increase intracellular calcium [Ca ++ ]i (A23187 and thapsigargin) in human monocytic cells also induce IL-1b expression. Furthermore, amphotericin B‐induced IL-1b expression is attenuated by the calmodulin antagonist calmidazolium. Amphotericin B 5.41 mM increases [Ca ++ ]i by up to 300 nM in these cells. In the presence of a nominal calcium buffer or EGTA, amphotericin B‐induced IL-1b expression is attenuated. Thus, amphotericin B acts as an ionophore to increase [Ca ++ ]i and activates calmodulin-mediated expression of IL-1b in human monocytes. Amphotericin B, an intravenously administered polyene antifungal antibiotic, has been in clinical use for more than 3 decades and remains the treatment of choice for severe fungal infections [1]. Its use is unfortunately accompanied by a number of adverse drug reactions, including dose-dependent nephrotoxicity with secondary anemia, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, and cardiac arrhythmias, as well as infusion-related fever, chills, hypotension, and nausea [2, 3]. Infusion-related reactions are observed in up to 70% of patients receiving this drug [4]. Based on in vitro and in vivo data, amphotericin B‐associated infusion-related adverse drug reactions appear to involve the release of interleukin (IL)‐1b [5‐7], tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐a [5, 8], and prostaglandin E2 [9] from monocytes. Recent data suggest that IL-1b is the primary cytokine involved in infusion-related reactions [7, 10]. Little is known about the mechanism by which amphotericin B induces cytokine release. Amphotericin B binds to sterols in cell membranes. Fungal cell membranes containing ergosterol are more susceptible to amphotericin B than are cholesterol-containing mammalian cell membranes [11‐13]. Amphotericin B appears to cause forma/
Dispersal of Adult Diatraea grandiosella (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) and Its Implications for Corn Borer Resistance Management in Bacillus thuringiensis Maize

Dispersal of the southwestern corn borer,Diatraea grandiosella Dyar, was examined by release and recapture of dye-marked adults and by capture of feral adults in and around 50-ha center pivot irrigated Þelds of Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) maize. Pheromone and blacklight traps were used to capture the adults. In 1999, 2000, and 2001, a total of 177, 602, and 1,292 marked males, and 87, 231, and 1,045 marked females were released in four irrigated Bt maize Þelds, respectively. Recapture beyond release point was 2.13, 6.17, 3.16, and 17.91% for males and 0, 0, 2.23, and 4.18% for females in the four Þelds, respectively. One male was recaptured over native vegetation outside the Þeld perimeter, and one was caught in a neighboring maize Þeld, 457 m from the release point. An exponential decay function explained recapture of marked adults across the dispersal distance. More than 90% of adults were recaptured within 300 m of the release point. Large numbers of feral adults were captured throughout the study Þelds and over native vegetation between Þelds. The feral adult dispersal could be described with a linear model. Virgin females (38% marked and 14% feral) were captured throughout the study Þelds. The recapture of marked insects suggests that the dispersal was limited. However, capture of feral adults throughout Bt maize Þelds indicates that the actual dispersal may be more extensive than indicated by recapture of marked adults. Potential refuge sources for the feral adults were 587Ð1,387 m from the edge of the Þelds. There seems to be some dispersal of D. grandiosella from the nontransgenic "refuge" Þelds into the transgenic Þelds, which may allow for some genetic mixing of the Bt-resistant and -susceptible insects to help suppress potential evolution of pest resistance to transgenic maize. However, it is not clear whether the dispersal recorded in this study is sufÞcient to support the current resistance management strategy for corn borers.
President Obama, the Tea Party Movement, and the Crisis of the American Party System

This paper examines the reasons that, in the US, the first major mass movement in response to the economic crisis that began in 2007 was from the right, and assesses the possibility that the labor protests in Madison WI in the winter of 2011 may be the beginning of a similar movement on the left.
Why it Matters Who Runs the IMF and the World Bank

Increasing integration has made the great challenge of reducing poverty and advancing human development more achievable than ever, and more dependent than ever on good global economic governance. In this paper I set out the economic logic for why good global economic governance matters for reducing poverty and inequality in the world, and then develop several arguments for how better representation of developing countries in the IMF, the World Bank, and other multilateral institutions would make those institutions more effective in that task. The arguments include the long-run viability of new financing of the institutions, and their effectiveness in managing the political economy challenges of using conditionality. To illustrate the possible link between better representation and effectiveness, I discuss the example of the Inter-American Development Bank, where the developing country borrowers control 50 percent of the votes and the Presidency. I close with a discussion of the dilemma of reconciling the need for sustaining the financial and political support of the rich country members of these global institutions, with stronger poor country representation to ensure their long-run legitimacy and effectiveness.
Role of endoscopy in gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a condition due to reflux of stomach content in the esophagus causing trouble symptoms or complications or both. GERD is a clinical diagnosis and typically presents with a heartburn and/or regurgitation and a positive response to antacid secretory medications. GERD is the leading outpatient diagnosis among all gastrointestinal disorders in the United States. Approximately 40% of population report occasional symptoms of GERD whereas 10-20% of patients will have symptoms at least once in a week. Recent guidelines from gastrointestinal societies such as American College of Gastroenterology, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and American College of Physicians have laid out specific indications regarding role of esophagogastroduodenoscopy in GERD. Despite these recommendations, studies have revealed that one-fifth to two-fifth EGDs may not be clinically indicated, especially where open access endoscopy referral system is used. Traditionally, GERD has been thought to be a disease of the western world. Prevalence rates had been estimated to be lower in Asia when compared to that of the Western Countries. Few recent epidemiological studies in India showed the prevalence of reflux disease in India to be between 8-24%, which is comparable to the western world. The use of EGDs becomes more critical for developing countries such as India where prevalence of GERD and BE is comparable to the western countries but have limited resources. In addition to direct cost for an EGD, it burdens economy with indirect costs such as time off from the work, transportation and any procedural complications. Risk stratifying patients with GERD may therefore prevent unnecessary procedures, harms and costs. The aim of this paper is to review the existing evidence on the role of endoscopy in GERD.
Report of the Special Rapporteur on Extreme Poverty and Human Rights: Participation of People Living in Poverty in Decision Affecting Their Lives

In this report, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights focuses on the right to participation of people living in poverty. Participation is a basic human right in itself, a precondition or catalyst for the realization and enjoyment of other human rights, and of fundamental importance in empowering people living in poverty to tackle inequalities and asymmetries of power in society. The report presents the human rights approach to participation and a framework based on human rights for how to include people living in poverty in the design, implementation and evaluation of policies and programmes in a meaningful and effective way, taking into account the obstacles they face.
Promoting Endochondral Bone Repair Using Human Osteoarthritic Articular Chondrocytes.

Introduction: Current tissue engineering strategies to heal critical-size bone defects through direct bone formation are limited by incomplete integration of grafts with host bone and incomplete graft vascularization. An alternative strategy for bone regeneration is the use of cartilage grafts that form bone through endochondral ossification. Endochondral cartilages stimulate angiogenesis and are remodeled into bone, but are found in very small quantities in growth plates and healing fractures. We sought to develop engineered endochondral cartilage grafts using osteoarthritic (OA) articular chondrocytes as a cell source. Such chondrocytes often undergo hypertrophy, which is a characteristic of endochondral cartilages. Materials and Methods: We compared the ability of unmodified human OA (hOA) cartilage and cartilage grafts formed in vitro from hOA chondrocytes to undergo endochondral ossification in mice. Scaffold-free engineered chondrocyte grafts were generated by pelleting chondrocytes, followed by cul...
How I Found Jobs for My Students: One Professor's Story

Six years ago, for the first time, I taught a course called “Estate Planning.” It grew out of my Wills and Trusts course and was designed for students who were interested in entering the field. The idea was to teach them how to draft the most common documents created by estate planners, and how to modify those documents to suit the needs of individual clients. I had no idea if any student would be interested in this course. My law school emphasizes “educating for justice,” as well as litigation. It turned out that, in fact, quite a few students did want to take the course, about fifteen, if my memory serves. It also turned out that they were amazingly dedicated, taking tremendous care with their documents and generating huge numbers of pages for me to read. About a month into the course, several of the students asked to meet with me to discuss how they might actually find jobs in the estate planning field. They said that they had been to the Office of Career Planning, but that it did not have a list of graduates of our law school who were practicing estate planning. They wanted to know if I could introduce them to practitioners. I wondered why the Office of Career Planning did not have a list of graduates in the estate planning field who might provide leads for jobs for our students. So, I visited the office. As during any era of constricting job opportunities, they were overwhelmed with student demand. Their focus was much broader than what we had in mind. They held large “mixers,” which a variety of lawyer-types attended. As it happened, my little group of potential estate planners consisted of five students. As we discussed these issues, someone came up with the idea of forming a student group dedicated to estate planning—if we were not going to get help from the Career Development Office, perhaps the answer was to form our own interest group. It seemed like a good idea to us, but whether there would be any wider interest was an open question. Despite the unknowns, everyone was excited and full of ideas. We would have panels of speakers, parties of practitioners and students, and an advisory panel to connect our group with the outside world of estate planning. We would bring the field of estate planning into the heart of the law school!
Phase resolved imaging of nonlinear focal fields using heterodyne Four-wave mixing microscopy

Heterodyne four-wave mixing microscopy of nanoparticles is used to image complex nonlinear focal excitation fields of a high-NA objective lens. The capability of this technique to phase resolve shaped beams is also demonstrated.
Frequency Distribution of Citrus Rust Mite Damage on Citrus Fruit

When damage by Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmead) was expressed as fraction of fruit surface area, the distribution was found to fit a beta distribution for immature ‘Valencia’ oranges, mature ‘Pineapple’ oranges, and mature ‘Duncan’ grapefruit. Eight observed distributions were tested having means ranging from 0.139 to 0.509 and sample sizes ranging from 699 to 2050. Gamma and normal distributions were compared with the data, but they did not fit the data as well as the beta distribution. A ‘modified’ beta distribution having the mean as its only parameter also agreed very well with the data. A simple approximation formula relating fraction of ‘undamaged’ fruit to mean fraction of surface damage was obtained from the beta distribution. If undamaged fruit is defined as fruit having up to a fraction r (r ‘small’) of the surface damaged then the proportion of fruit in this category is given by P ≃ rμ/(1-μ) where μ is mean fraction of surface damaged.
Visual Cues in Maze Running by the Albino Rat

*Recommended by Ralph H. Gundlach and received for publication by Carl Murchison of the Editorial Board, November 23, 1929. 1This experiment was directed by Dr. Ralph H. Gundlach.
Plus-minus of Banxia Xiexin Decoction in the Treatment of Chronic Gastritis,Peptic Ulcer and Prevention of Carcinogenesis

Objective:To observe the feasibility plus-minus of Banxia xiexin decoction of in the treatment of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer and reversion ability in disease carcinogenesis.Method: 170 gastritis and peptic ulcer patients were randomly divided into 2 groups: one was TCM group of 90 patients and Banxia Xiexin decoction was given;Another was western medicine group of 80 patients and omeprazole capsule,amoxicillin,metronidazole were given by oral administration.Comparison of their clinical symptoms and physical signs after 2-4 weeks treatments,and carried out retrospective investigation after 3 years.Results:Total effective rate was 93.33% in TCM group and 85% in western medicine group,they were statistically significant(P0.05).As to prevention or reversion of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer in disease carcinogenesis,they were statistically significant(P0.01).Conclusion: Banxia Xiexin decoction can improve CG and CU patients' clinical symptoms and gastric mucosal lesion and have relatively strong bacteriostasis.The fellow-up results indicate Banxia Xiexin decoction has some effectiveness in impeding and reversing chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer carcinogenesis.
Study on non-line-of-sight single-scatter atmospheric propagation model

In order to study the impact of geometry of the transceiver in the non-line-of-sight system working at the wavelength of 1.06μm, based on a single-scatter atmospheric propagation model, the impact of the field-of-view (FOV) of the transceiver, pitching angle and transmitting distance on the received signal power and path loss was studied by means of numerical calculation. It is shown that a larger FOV may significantly enhance the detected laser power, while the increase of transmitter beam divergence does not make any difference. It is also indicated that decreasing either the apex angle of the transmitter or receiver makes the detection of the weak scattering signal more difficult while other parameters remain the same. It is shown that decreasing the apex angle of the transmitter appropriately helps the signal detection for a certain scattering angle and transmitting distance. These results are valuable in system design.
Lidar Characterization of Boundary Layer Transport and Mixing for Estimating Urban-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emissions

A compact commercial Doppler lidar has been deployed in Indianapolis for two years to measure wind profiles and mixing layer properties as part of project to improve greenhouse measurements from large area sources. The lidar uses vertical velocity variance and aerosol structure to measure mixing layer depth. Comparisons with aircraft and the NOAA HRDL lidar generally indicate good performance, although sensitivity might be an issue under low aerosol conditions.
Asymmetric Colloidal Janus Particle Formation Is Core-Size-Dependent

Colloidal particles with asymmetric surface chemistry (Janus particles) have unique bifunctional properties. The size of these particles is an important determinant for their applications in diverse fields from drug delivery to chemical catalysis. The size of Janus particles, with a core surface coated with carboxylate and a partially encapsulating silica shell, depends upon several factors, including the core size and the concentration of carboxylate coating. The role of the carboxylate coating on the Janus particle size is well-understood; however, the role of the core size is not well defined. The role of the carboxylated polystyrene (cPS) core size on the cPS–silica Janus particle morphology (its size and shape) was examined by testing two different silica sizes and five different cPS core sizes. Results from electron microscopy (EM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis indicate that the composite cPS–silica particle acquires two distinct shapes: (i) when the size of the cPS core is much smalle...
Laser emission at 413 and 730 nm in upconversion-pumped YLiF 4 :Nd 3+

Recently, there has been considerable progress in the development of rare-earth lasers pumped by upconversion excitation.1-4 In particular, laser operation at visible wavelengths shorter than those of the pump was demonstrated in YAlO3:Er3+ and YLiF4:Er3+ at 550 nm,1 and in LaF3:Nd3+ at 380 nm4 using either sequential two-photon absorption or energy transfer processes for upconversion pumping. Here we report two new laser transitions of the neodymium ion at 413.0 and 729.5 nm using upconversion pumping of YLiF4:Nd3+ at low temperatures.
Polarization switching and mixing with non-Lagrangian nonlinearity in birefringent Kerr-like and photorefractive media

Although the theory and practice of optical wave mixing mediated energy and polarization exchanges in nonlinear optical media appear to have been standardized for many years, new principles and phenomena continue to emerge as the underlying nonlinear interactions. The material properties are reexamined. In this paper, we present a detailed theoretical analysis bused on experimentally obtained material parameters of polarization switching and beam amplification in two general classes of nonlinear materials.
Vacuum Erection Device Training

The vacuum erection device (VED) is a long-standing treatment for ED which is attractive to patients because it is a drug-free and surgery-free alternative for their ED. However, for some patients, the device may be too cumbersome to use or difficult to integrate into their sexual activity. The device works by using a vacuum to draw blood into the penis. A constriction band is then placed on the base of the penis to hold the blood in place.
Scheduling Challenges and Opportunities in Integrated CPU+GPU Processors

Heterogeneous processors with architecturally different devices (CPU and GPU) integrated on the same die provide good performance and energy efficiency for wide range of workloads. However, they also create challenges and opportunities in terms of scheduling workloads on the appropriate device. Current scheduling practices mainly use the characteristics of kernel workloads to decide the CPU/GPU mapping. In this paper we first provide detailed infrared imaging results that show the impact of mapping decisions on the thermal and power profiles of CPU+GPU processors. Furthermore, we observe that runtime conditions such as power and CPU load from traditional workloads also affect the mapping decision. To exploit our observations, we propose techniques to characterize the OpenCL kernel workloads during run-time and map them on appropriate device under time-varying physical (i.e., chip power limit) and CPU load conditions, in particular the number of available CPU cores for the OpenCL kernel. We implement our dynamic scheduler on a real CPU+GPU processor and evaluate it using various OpenCL benchmarks. Compared to the state-ofthe- art kernel-level scheduling method, the proposed scheduler provides up to 31% and 10% improvements in runtime and energy, respectively.
Enhanced dielectric properties of polymer matrix composites with BaTiO3 and MWCNT hybrid fillers using simple phase separation

Abstract Poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix hybrid nanocomposites, featuring ferroelectric barium titanate (BT) nanoparticles and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) embedded in the polymer, were fabricated by a miscible-immiscible coagulation method followed by hot pressing. SEM images showed good distribution of the ceramic nanoparticles with very little particle agglomeration. The conductive MWCNT increased the charge storage ability of the matrix polymer by serving as a polarized charge transport phase for the ferroelectric nanoparticles, while the small MWNT amounts used prevented the formation of conductive networks. The simple processing method utilized resulted in composites with high real permittivity and low dielectric loss over a wide range of frequency (10–1 MHz). The dielectric properties of the polymer matrix nanocomposites with hybrid fillers (BT with and without MWNT) were improved by optimizing the synergistic effects between the charge storage behavior of the ferroelectric phase and the charge transport behavior of the conductive phase. The best combination of real permittivity and dielectric loss properties (71.7 and 0.045 respectively) were obtained for the nanocomposites containing 37.1 vol% of BaTiO3 and 3 vol% of MWCNT. In addition to achieving reliable dielectric properties, the nanocomposites also displayed flexibility making these composites potentially useful for many flexible electronic devices and electrostatic energy storage devices.
Cardiac Muscle Cell Proliferation and Cell Differentiation in Vivo and in Vitro

Terminal differentiation of the cardiac muscle cell can be viewed as a series of events. These events can be broadly separated into two divisions. One is the activation of specific genes and acquisition of cell specific functions such as the synthesis and assembly of the contractile proteins and the establishment of contractile force. The other division can be viewed as the inactivation of specific genes and the loss of specific functions such as the loss of enzymes and other proteins which are needed to replicate DNA and cessation of DNA replication and cell division. There are a multitude of changes which occur in the biochemistry, physiology, pharmacology and morphology of the cardiac muscle cell as it differentiates and in the intact heart in general, during early growth and development. This review will be confined to the ventricular cardiac muscle cell of the laboratory rat and will be concerned with selected aspects of cellular proliferation, differentiation, morphology and metabolism and will deal primarily with studies carried out in this laboratory.
Untuned But Not Irrelevant: A Role For Untuned Neurons In Sensory Information Coding

In the sensory systems, most neurons9 firing rates are tuned to at least one aspect of the stimulus. Other neurons are untuned, meaning that their firing rates appear not to depend on the stimulus. Previous work on information coding in neural populations has ignored the untuned neurons, based on the tacit assumption that they are unimportant. Recently, me and other researchers have begun to question that assumption. Using theoretical calculations and analyses of iin vivo neural data, I show how untuned neurons contribute to neural information coding. Ignoring untuned neurons can lead to severe underestimates of the amount of stimulus information encoded, and in some cases population codes can be made more informative by replacing tuned neurons with untuned ones.
Warm Communication Style Strengthens Expectations and Increases Perceived Improvement.

Communication, both verbal and nonverbal, between healthcare providers and patients has been shown to affect treatment outcomes in clinical settings. Separately, accumulating research suggests a ro...
Correlation of Failure Times for Iodine Stress Corrosion Cracking of Zircaloy

A crack-growth model of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) has been successfully applied to predict times-to-failure of Zircaloy specimens exposed to iodine vapor. Data for two types of tests were ana...