cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanical vs. electrical failure mechanisms in high voltage, high energy density multilayer ceramic capacitors

Causes of breakdown, both mechanical and electrical, in high voltage, high energy density, BaTiO3 capacitors were studied. The flexural strength of the capacitors was 96 MPa. Failure was due to surface defects or pores close to the surfaces of the samples. The dielectric breakdown strength of the samples was 181 kV/cm. The causes of breakdown were either electrode end effects or pores between the dielectric and electrode layers. Weibull statistics were used to determine if there was a correlation between mechanical failure and dielectric breakdown. A strong correlation between the two types of failure was not found in the study, in contrast to earlier studies of single dielectric layer capacitor materials.
Effect of Atomic Layer Deposition Support Thickness on Structural Properties and Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane on Alumina- and Titania-Supported Vanadia

Engineered solid supports for vanadium catalysts were prepared by atomic layer deposition (ALD) of alumina and titania layers on silica. The thickness of these layers was found to have a significant effect on the structure of the solid supports, their interaction with vanadia, and their catalytic performance with regard to oxidative dehydrogenation of propane. The catalytic performance of supported vanadia catalysts is reported for both ALD-engineered and conventional solid supports (γ-Al2O3 and TiO2). The analysis results indicated that the engineered supports behave as a separate phase rather than a cross between the base silica and the deposited alumina or titania.
Optical coherence tomography of the airways

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high-resolution imaging modality that uses near infrared light reflected from the tissue optical interfaces to generate real-time images with near-histology resolution. Bronchoscopic use of OCT has potential applications in the study, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of asthma, COPD, and histologically benign and malignant central airway disorders. This paper provides an overview of the rationale and principles of OCT imaging, describes the limitations of current technology, and summarizes potential future developments that may overcome the existing challenges.
Plasma Nitric Oxide Concentrations in Broilers After Intravenous Injections of Lipopolysaccharide or Microparticles

Abstract Nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator synthesized from l -Arg by NO synthase (NOS). Constitutive NOS in endothelial cells (eNOS) produces transient bursts of NO in low but physiologically effective levels. Activated monocytes and macrophages express inducible NOS (iNOS), which produces copious quantities of NO. Previous studies showed that NO attenuates pulmonary hypertensive responses induced by i.v. injections of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or cellulose microparticles (MP). The present study determined whether changes in plasma NO concentrations could be used to assess the time course of NO production in response to LPS or MP injections. Broilers were injected i.v. with 1 mL of PBS (control), 1 mL of LPS (1 mg/mL), or 0.4 mL of MP (0.02 g/mL). Plasma samples were collected from 10 different broilers per group at 15, 30, 45, and 60 min and at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h postinjection. Total plasma NO concentrations were analyzed by nitrate + nitrite assay. After PBS or MP injection, plasma NO levels did not change throughout the 12-h period. Nitric oxide measured in the plasma increased in LPS-injected broilers from 4.8 ± 0.8 μM at 15 min to 46.6 ± 5.7 μM by 4 h postinjection, reached peak levels of 85.1 ± 10.6 μM at 5 h, and returned to baseline levels similar to PBS-injected broilers by 12 h postinjection. We conclude that LPS triggered widespread iNOS expression by circulating monocytes and macrophages, resulting in copious NO production as reflected by significant increases in total plasma NO. Proportionally few monocytes and macrophages responded to MP entrapped in pulmonary arterioles. Consequently, NO produced by iNOS in activated leukocytes or by eNOS in the pulmonary vasculature had a minimal impact on total plasma NO. Total plasma NO from broilers did reflect the time course of massive iNOS activation in response to LPS, but biologically relevant quantities of NO produced by iNOS and eNOS activated during the local inflammatory response to entrapped MPs were too low to affect total plasma NO concentrations.
Actin filaments, localized to the region of the developing acrosome during early stages, are lost during later stages of guinea pig spermiogenesis.

The presence and localization of actin was investigated in guinea pig spermatogenic cells and cauda epididymal sperm (CauE). Staining with rhodamine-phalloidin demonstrated the presence of actin filaments in the region of the developing acrosome in guinea pig spermatids. The actin filaments were visualized predominantly in the region of the inner acrosomal membrane in both round and elongating sperm atids. As development progressed, the intensity of the staining diminished. No rhodamine-phalloidin staining was found in testicular sperm lacking a residual body or in CauE sperm. Analysis of actin levels by immuno blotting with an anti-actin monoclonal antibody showed that the disappearance of actin filaments is accompanied by a decrease in the level of actin per cell. By using immunoblotting techniques, actin was readily detected in preparations of purified spermatogenic cells, but not in preparations of purified CauE sperm. Actin was also not detected in cauda sperm antibodies or examination of whole cell extracts by
Emergency department evaluation and treatment of hip and thigh injuries.

The emergency physician (EP) commonly encounters injuries to the hip and thigh. The combination of an increasing life expectancy and the preponderance of high-velocity trauma in our society are the main causes. Hip fractures alone account for over 250,000 hospital visits in the United States annually, 107 almost twice the number reported in the 1960s. 57 The incidence is expected to quadruple worldwide in the next 60 years. 31 There is often significant morbidity and mortality associated with these injuries, with the 1-year mortality rate for elderly patients with hip fracture ranging from 14% to 36%. 107 The incidence of hip fractures and dislocations also is increasing among young patients who sustain high-energy trauma. 28 These patients often have other associated injuries, which can mask their orthopedic injuries. Most hip and thigh injuries are diagnosed easily on the basis of clinical findings and standard radiographs; however, some may be subtle, thus requiring a high degree of clinical suspicion. In addition to injuries to native bone and joints, the emergency physician is often required to evaluate the patient with postprosthetic implant complaints. This article focuses on the clinical and diagnostic evaluation of patients with injuries to the hip and thigh, with an emphasis on the history and physical examination, appropriate imaging strategies, complications and associated injuries, analgesia, treatment, and appropriate patient disposition.
Low temperature during infection limits Ustilago bullata (Ustilaginaceae, Ustilaginales) disease incidence on Bromus tectorum (Poaceae, Cyperales)

Abstract Ustilago bullata is frequently encountered on the exotic winter annual grass Bromus tectorum in western North America. To evaluate the biocontrol potential of this seedling-infecting pathogen, we examined the effect of temperature on the infection process. Teliospore germination rate increased linearly with temperature from 2.5 to 25°C, with significant among-population differences. It generally matched or exceeded host seed germination rate over the range 10–25°C, but lagged behind at lower temperatures. Inoculation trials demonstrated that the pathogen can achieve high disease incidence when temperatures during infection range 20–30°C. Disease incidence was drastically reduced at 2.5°C. Pathogen populations differed in their ability to infect at different temperatures, but none could infect in the cold. This may limit the use of this organism for biocontrol of B. tectorum to habitats with reliable autumn seedling emergence, because cold temperatures are likely to limit infection of later-emergi...
Effects of Insulin and Fatty Acids on Gluconeogenesis in the Rat

The present study was undertaken to examine the mechanism of insulin action on gluconeogenesis in the rat. Conversion of pyruvate to glucose was estimated by measuring the radioactivity of the blood glucose and liver glycogen at short intervals, usually between 5 min and 1 hour, after injection of pyruvate-3-14C. In alloxan-diabetic rats insulin at high dosage markedly lowered incorporation of pyruvate-3-14C into blood glucose, but also stimulated its incorporation into liver glycogen. However, total incorporation into blood glucose and liver glycogen was decreased by insulin. When insulin was withdrawn from insulin-treated, alloxan-diabetic rats, the incorporation rose gradually over 3 days to the untreated diabetic level. Insulin lowered the incorporation of pyruvate-3-14C into blood glucose of fasted or fat-fed rats, and also lowered incorporation in liver glycogen. Octanoate injected intraperitoneally into normal, carbohydrate-fed rats markedly enhanced pyruvate-3-14C incorporation into blood glucose. This effect was accompanied by lowered liver glycogen and increased blood glucose levels, but was without effect on the incorporation of pyruvate-3-14C into liver glycogen. On the basis of present knowledge of insulin action, taken in conjunction with known effects of long chain acyl coenzyme A esters and acetyl-CoA on intermediary metabolic reactions in liver, these results suggest that the high hepatic gluconeogenesis of fasting and diabetes is promoted by high hepatic acyl-CoA levels, and that the prompt and marked suppression of hepatic gluconeogenesis by insulin is due to its antilipolytic action on adipose tissue.
A Case Study of Apparent Gravity Wave Initiation of Severe Convective Storms

Abstract A detailed study of an outbreak of severe convective storms is presented which investigates the interaction between subsynoptic scale gravity waves and the convective activity. The gravity waves were isolated by passing digital forms of nearly 130 National Weather Service and FAA barograph traces through a normal weighted band pass filter and then analysing pressure perturbation p′ fields for the Midwest region at 15-minute intervals. The waves had periods of about 3 h, trace speeds between 35 and 45 m s−1and amplitudes between 0.5 and 2.5 mb. Analyses of surface weather reports, radar data, surface wind convergence, and surface p′ fields revealed that the intensity of the convective systems pulsated with periods ranging frown 2 to 4 h; and that the gravity waves were a precursor to storm development in Iowa and Wisconsin and appeared to initiate convection in those areas. Reintensification of preexisting storm cells or the development of new cells generally followed the passage of the wave troug...
Whys and Hows of the Parameterized Interval Analyses: A Guide for the Perplexed

Novel elements of the parameterized interval analysis developed in [1, 2] are emphasized in this response, to Professor E.D. Popova, or possibly to others who may be perplexed by the parameterized interval analysis. It is also shown that the overwhelming majority of comments by Popova [3] are based on a misreading of our paper [1]. Partial responsibility for this misreading can be attributed to the fact that explanations provided in [1] were laconic. These could have been more extensive in view of the novelty of our approach [1, 2]. It is our duty, therefore, to reiterate, in this response, the whys and hows of parameterization of intervals, introduced in [1] to incorporate the possibly available information on dependencies between various intervals describing the problem at hand. This possibility appears to have been discarded by the standard interval analysis, which may, as a result, lead to overdesign, leading to the possible divorce of engineers from the otherwise beautiful interval analysis.
WEATHER FORECASTING | Wildfire Weather

Weather across timescales influences wildland fires, from microscale temperature and humidity effects that determine whether a fire ignites, to thermal diurnal wind and humidity patterns and topographic flow effects on the wildfire spread rate and direction, to seasonal and interannual weather patterns favoring large fire growth. Dynamic feedback of heat and momentum fluxes between a fire and the atmosphere creates universally observed fire phenomena as fires create their own weather. Fires affect weather and the environment, as fire emissions reduce air quality through increased particulate levels and gases that chemically evolve to degrade regional air quality. Fires contribute to climate, as they release greenhouse gases and particulates that affect cloud microphysics and radiative properties.
Vulcanization: Conventional and Dynamic

Abstract Conventional vulcanization, has a history of over 150 years, during which there have been increasing needs for technology to permit more and more rapid processing before the vulcanization ...
Big Bird Lays an Egg

The estate of legendary puppeteer Jim Henson encountered some problems when it tried to deduct amounts paid to Henson's estranged wife under a separation agreement as a claim against the estate.
Modeling and Assessment of Weather-Induced Landslide Activity

In this paper, we use a data-driven modeling approach to examine the predominant contributing factors of precipitation-induced landslide activity, and the impacts those landslides have on anthropogenic systems. We forecast the occurrence of slides from a combination of variables derived from remote sensing data such as weather conditions, slope, soil density, vegetation, and drainage area. Supervised learning methodologies are used to identify long term and short term weather patterns that correlate with landslide occurrence. Landslide impacts are modeled using similar techniques applied to population density, land cover, land use, and other features of the anthropogenic environment surrounding each landslide event.
Preliminary Orbit Determination of a Tethered Satellite Using the p-Iteration Method

The possibility of the future deployment of tethered satellites has created a need for a preliminary orbit determination method capable of determining whether or not a satellite is tethered to another satellite. Classical preliminary orbit determination methods, which are used for untethered satellites, typically require two or more position vectors along with their respective observation times in order to determine a preliminary orbital element set. However, these conventional methods can’t distinguish between an untethered satellite and a tethered one, whose motion is modified due to the presence of a tether force. The use of conventional methods on a satellite which is part of a tethered satellite system will result in the calculation of inaccurate orbital elements. Modifications have been made to the p-iteration preliminary orbit determination method in order to allow for the identification of these tethered satellites. The modifications allow for the calculation of a modified gravitational parameter, which can be used to distinguish between a tethered satellite and an untethered one. This paper applies this modified p-iteration method to the problem of the quick identification of a tethered satellite. The performance of this method is evaluated through scenarios of differing tether lengths, levels of observation error, and orbital eccentricities. Due to the need for the preliminary orbit determination to be achieved quickly, only short time intervals between observations were considered. The manner in which this preliminary orbit information can be used to obtain tether parameters for the subsequent differential correction process is also described.
Measurement of the conduction velocity of the dorsal nerve of the penis.

AbstractWe describe an orthodromic nerve conduction technique of the dorsal nerve of the penis in 27 normal men. The mean compound nerve action potential was 12.0 plus or minus 6.1μV. The nerve conduction velocity was 24.4 plus or minus 3.2 milliseconds when the penis was at rest. Gentle stretch of the penis with a 1-pound weight increased the conduction velocity to 33.0 plus or minus 3.8 milliseconds. Since the dorsal nerve of the penis has an important role in erection the new methodology may be useful in the evaluation of male impotence.
p53-Dependent Signaling in Response to DNA Damage or Arrest of DNA Synthesis and its Role in Cell Cycle Control

p53 has a vital role in the normal cellular response to DNA damage or other stress (Michalovitz et al., 1990; Lowe et al., 1993; Vogelstein and Kinzler, 1992). p53 function is lost during the evolution of a diverse group of human malignancies (Hollstein et al., 1991; Greenblatt et al., 1994). Homozygous inactivation of p53 predisposes mice to neoplasia and hemizygous inactivation of p53 in humans is the basis of the hereditary cancer syndrome first described by Li and Fraumeni (Donehower et al., 1992; Malkin et al., 1990; Li and Fraumeni, 1969). The tumor suppressor function of p53 is likely to be based on its ability to mediate cell cycle arrest or apoptosis. Overexpression of a temperature-sensitive mutant allele of p53 in rodent fibroblasts causes them to arrest mainly in G1 at a permissive temperature (Michalovitz et al., 1990). Using dexamethasone-regulated p53, Lin et al. (1992) showed that human glioblastoma cells arrest late in G1 when p53 is active. In addition to G1 arrest, regulation by p53 of the other major cell cycle checkpoint, G2/M, has recently been reported in two different systems (Stewart et al., 1995; Agarwal et al., 1995).
Active Voices: Social Capital, Dialogue, and Collective Action in Black Neighborhoods

In this paper, we analyze the results of a 2013 on-line survey of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which had an N of 693 respondents. We empirically test the proposition that along with other factors – such as neighborhood attachment, social capital, and racial trust – respondents, especially African American respondents, who report talking about politics with their neighbors also those more likely to engage in various forms of collection action. This finding is confirmed. We then examined some of the qualitative data we have collected from an on-going 2015 community-based participatory research method called “Photovoice.” From the image-centered dialogues of a neighborhood focus group, we derived possible substantive explanations that further illuminated our quantitative findings. Our use of this mixed-method approach lends further (if still limited) evidence to the social capital assumptions of Ostrom {,1998 #1} and others scholars who assert that face-to-face communication is critical to fostering the trust, reciprocity, and reputational expectations necessary for collective action. We are convinced that these findings are of particular relevance to students who study urban and/or African American communities and their politics.
Curvature-driven assembly in soft matter

Control over the spatial arrangement of colloids in soft matter hosts implies control over a wide variety of properties, ranging from the system’s rheology, optics, and catalytic activity. In directed assembly, colloids are typically manipulated using external fields to form well-defined structures at given locations. We have been developing alternative strategies based on fields that arise when a colloid is placed within soft matter to form an inclusion that generates a potential field. Such potential fields allow particles to interact with each other. If the soft matter host is deformed in some way, the potential allows the particles to interact with the global system distortion. One important example is capillary assembly of colloids on curved fluid interfaces. Upon attaching, the particle distorts that interface, with an associated energy field, given by the product of its interfacial area and the surface tension. The particle’s capillary energy depends on the local interface curvature. We explore this coupling in experiment and theory. There are important analogies in liquid crystals. Colloids in liquid crystals elicit an elastic energy response. When director fields are moulded by confinement, the imposed elastic energy field can couple to that of the colloid to define particle paths and sites for assembly. By improving our understanding of these and related systems, we seek to develop new, parallelizable routes for particle assembly to form reconfigurable systems in soft matter that go far beyond the usual close-packed colloidal structures. This article is part of the themed issue ‘Soft interfacial materials: from fundamentals to formulation’.
Reward from bugs to bipeds: a comparative approach to understanding how reward circuits function.

AbstractIn a complex environment, animals learn from their responses to stimuli and events. Appropriate response to reward and punishment can promote survival, reproduction and increase evolutionary fitness. Interestingly, the neural processes underlying these responses are remarkably similar across phyla. In all species, dopamine is central to encoding reward and directing motivated behaviors, however, a comprehensive understanding of how circuits encode reward and direct motivated behaviors is still lacking. In part, this is a result of the sheer diversity of neurons, the heterogeneity of their responses and the complexity of neural circuits within which they are found. We argue that general features of reward circuitry are common across model organisms, and thus principles learned from invertebrate model organisms can inform research across species. In particular, we discuss circuit motifs that appear to be functionally equivalent from flies to primates. We argue that a comparative approach to studying...
Paradox and Promise: Hick’s Solution to the Problem of Evil

John Hick has written extensively concerning the problem of evil.1 His writings on the problem are set within two general restraints. First, he holds constant the conception of God as omnipotent and perfectly good. Hick does not pursue the question of whether the facts about evil necessitate some drastic revision of our conception of God. In my discussion of his work, I shall accept this restraint. Secondly, Hick distinguishes the question of whether the existence of God is logically consistent with the facts about evil from the question of whether the facts about evil render belief in God unreasonable or irrational. It is the second of these questions that is the focus of Hick’s attention. Some philosophers hold that the facts about evil do not provide any rational grounds or evidence for disbelief in God. Thus, for them, the only serious problem is the question of logical consistency. I side with Hick on this issue. The proposition that a given man is seventy-five years old and has an arthritic knee is logically consistent with his winning the next Boston marathon. But surely the fact that he is seventy-five and has an arthritic knee gives us good rational grounds for believing that he won’t win the next Boston marathon. So too, although the free-will defence may establish that the facts about evil are logically consistent with the existence of God, there remains the serious problem of the extent to which the facts about evil render it unreasonable or irrational to believe in God.
A Historical Overview of the Epidemiology of HIV/AIDS in the United States

One of the worst public health crises facing humanity, the HIV/AIDS epidemic has had and continues to have profound social, political, economic, and health impact on individuals, their communities, our nation, and the world. In the United States, over the past 35 years, we have significantly changed our public health and epidemiologic surveillance systems of infectious diseases, implemented new policies for keeping our blood supply safe, developed new procedures and guidelines for HIV testing and treatment, intervened in people’s most private behaviors, attempted to mitigate the devastating and relentless stigma, developed and tested numerous vaccines—although at present, none have proven effective—developed safe and effective antiretroviral drug therapies that treat HIV disease and are now being used to prevent HIV infection, and recently—in 2010 and updated in 2015—established a National HIV/AIDS Strategy. We have made significant and innovative gains in terms of new knowledge generated, cases averted and length and quality of life for those afflicted; yet HIV/AIDS remains as the most serious, national public health crisis in the United States with incidence remaining at approximately 50,000 people newly infected each year (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] 2013a).
The Incidence and Socioeconomic Impact of Periprosthetic Joint Infection: United States Perspective

Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) following total joint arthroplasty leads to prolonged hospitalization, considerable morbidity, loss of productivity in the workplace, and a significant financial burden. The incidence of PJI domestically is rising yearly at an alarming rate, and deep infection is among the most frequent indications for performing revision hip or knee arthroplasty in this country. Revision for infection has been shown to cost more than double that of a revision procedure performed for aseptic loosening or mechanical failure. Infection with resistant organisms has also becomes more prevalent, which is associated with worse treatment outcomes and a higher cost of care. The government is the primary payer for the majority of cases of PJI, through Medicare spending, and several proposals for various reimbursement strategies are on the horizon that will impact provider compensation for physicians and hospitals. This chapter explores the clinical and financial implications of the rising incidence of PJI in this country, and considers the future impacts these trends may have on the American healthcare system.
The Role of Rheology in Polymer Processing

Polymer processing operations have typically been classified in one of two ways, by process or by the type of unit building blocks involved. Classifying operations by process is reminiscent of the unit processes concept found in the chemical engineering literature and in this approach we think of operations along the lines of specific polymers and whether the process is one of extrusion, injection molding, compression molding, blow molding and so on. Classifying operations according to the unit building blocks involved is, in some respects, similar to the unit operation concept and here we would cite as examples, pressurization and pumping of molten polymers, devolatilization, heat transfer, and polymer filtration. In either case, the analysis and design of polymer processes requires a knowledge and understanding of both the transport modes which are operative in a given process, and the rheological behavior of a given polymer under the conditions at which the process is being conducted.
Making connection in the magnestosphere

Using a new interpretation of data from a cheap low-altitude satellite, Michael Lockwood of the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in the UK and collaborators have derived quantitative information about dynamical processes taking place in the Earth's magnetopause. Their results address controversial issues about how the Earth interacts with the solar wind, the stream of charged plasma particles that flows outwards from the Sun (M Lockwood et al. 1994 Geophys. Res. Lett. 21 2757). The magnetopause forms the boundary between the solar wind and the Earth's magnetosphere, the region where the Earth's magnetic field controls the motion of the solar wind.
Isolation, Purification, and Characterization of Glutathione S-Transferase from Oat (Avena sativa) Seedlings

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) from oat seedlings was purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation and glutathione (GSH) affinity chromatography. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed the presence of two major protein subunits with molecular masses of 29 and 31 kDa, respectively. Isoelectric focusing revealed a major band with pI of 3.43 and a minor band with pI of 7.42. Kinetic analysis with respect to 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) as substrate revealed a K m of 1.18 mM and V max of 0.94 μmol/min and a specific activity of 17.96 μmol/min/mg. Inhibition studies indicated that oat GST is strongly inhibited by chlorophyllin, hemin, and anthocyanin and only weakly by bilirubin and biliverdin.
Safe Robot Navigation Among Moving and Steady Obstacles [Bookshelf]

This book presents navigation solutions in the regime of reactive controllers that take into account the limitations in sensing and computation abilities as well as the nonholonomic motion of the robot in environments cluttered with moving and static obstacles. Since the objective of the navigation can be divided into target reaching and collision avoidance, the reactive controllers are designed as switching controllers between the two modes. The resulting system exhibits sliding-mode behavior. The major contribution of the book lies in the justification of the global convergence of the system using the proposed controllers via rigorous mathematical analysis under certain assumptions about the geometry of the problem.
Sequence-specific DNA solid-phase extraction in an on-chip monolith: Towards detection of antibiotic resistance genes

Antibiotic resistance of bacteria is a growing problem and presents a challenge for prompt treatment in patients with sepsis. Currently used methods rely on culturing or amplification; however, these steps are either time consuming or suffer from interference issues. A microfluidic device was made from black polypropylene, with a monolithic column modified with a capture oligonucleotide for sequence selective solid-phase extraction of a complementary target from a lysate sample. Porous properties of the monolith allow flow and hybridization of a target complementary to the probe immobilized on the column surface. Good flow-through properties enable extraction of a 100μL sample and elution of target DNA in 12min total time. Using a fluorescently labeled target oligonucleotide related to Verona Integron-Mediated Metallo-β-lactamase it was possible to extract and detect a 1pM sample with 83% recovery. Temperature-mediated elution by heating above the duplex melting point provides a clean extract without any agents that interfere with base pairing, allowing various labeling methods or further downstream processing of the eluent. Further integration of this extraction module with a system for isolation and lysis of bacteria from blood, as well as combining with single-molecule detection should allow rapid determination of antibiotic resistance.
Strategies for Decreasing Screening Mammography Recall Rates While Maintaining Performance Metrics.

Rationale and Objective This study aimed to determine the impact of interventions designed to reduce screening mammography recall rates on screening performance metrics. Materials and Methods We assessed baseline performance for full-field digital mammography (FFDM) and digital breast tomosynthesis mammography (DBT) for a 3-year period before intervention. The first intervention sought to increase awareness of recalls from screening mammography. Breast imagers discussed their perceptions regarding screening recalls and were required to review their own recalled cases, including outcomes of diagnostic evaluation and biopsy. The second intervention implemented consensus double reading of all recalls, requiring two radiologists to agree if recall was necessary. Recall rates, cancer detection rates, and positive predictive value 1 (PPV1) were compared before and after each intervention. Results The baseline recall rate, cancer detection rate, and PPV1 were 11.1%, 3.8/1000, and 3.4%, respectively, for FFDM, and 7.6%, 4.8/1000, and 6.0%, respectively, for DBT. Recall rates decreased significantly to 9.2% for FFDM and to 6.6% for DBT after the first intervention promoting awareness, as well as to 9.9% for FFDM after the second intervention implementing group consensus. PPV1 increased significantly to 5.7% for FFDM and to 9.0% for DBT after the second intervention. Cancer detection rate did not significantly change with the implementation of these interventions. An average of 2.3 minutes was spent consulting for each recall. Conclusion Reduction in recall rates is desirable, provided performance metrics remain favorable. Our interventions improved performance and could be implemented in other breast imaging settings.
Fentanyl-Induced Brain Hypoxia Triggers Brain Hyperglycemia and Biphasic Changes in Brain Temperature

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid used extensively in humans for general anesthesia and analgesia. Fentanyl has emerged as a recreational drug, often in combination with heroin, and can result in lethality during overdose. Fentanyl is well characterized as an anesthetic, but the basic physiological effects of fentanyl in the brain when taken as a drug of abuse are largely unknown. We used high-speed amperometry in freely moving rats to examine the effects of intravenous fentanyl at doses within the range of possible human intake (3–40 μg/kg) on oxygen and glucose levels in nucleus accumbens (NAc). Fentanyl induced a rapid, dose-dependent decrease in NAc oxygen followed by a more delayed and prolonged increase in NAc glucose. Fentanyl induced similar oxygen decreases in the basolateral amygdala, indicating that brain hypoxia could be a generalized phenomenon. We used oxygen recordings in the subcutaneous space to confirm that fentanyl-induced brain hypoxia results from decreases in blood oxygen levels caused by drug-induced respiratory depression. Temperature recordings in the NAc, muscle, and skin showed that fentanyl induces biphasic changes in brain temperature, with an initial decrease that results primarily from peripheral vasodilation, and a subsequent increase driven by metabolic brain activation. The initial vasodilation appears caused by respiratory depression-induced hypoxia and a subsequent rise in CO2 that drives fentanyl-induced increases in NAc glucose. Together, these data suggest that fentanyl-induced respiratory depression triggers brain hypoxia and subsequent hyperglycemia, both of which precede slower changes in brain temperature and metabolic brain activity.
Post-LGM Grounding-Line Positions of the Bindschadler Paleo Ice Stream in the Ross Sea Embayment, Antarctica

The West Antarctic Ice Sheet (WAIS) retreated more than 1000 km since last grounding at the Ross Sea outer continental shelf. Here, we show an interpretation of former grounding line positions from a new large-area multibeam survey and a regional grid of chirp cross-section data from the Whales Deep Basin in eastern Ross Sea. The basin is a paleo-glacial trough that was occupied by the Bindschadler Ice Stream when grounded ice advanced to the shelf edge during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). These new geophysical data provide unambiguous evidence that the WAIS occupied at least seven grounding line positions within 60 km of the shelf edge. Four of seven grounding zone wedges (GZWs) are partly exposed over large areas of the trough. The overlapping stratal arrangement created a large-volume compound GZW (CGZW). Some of the grounding events involved local re-advance of the grounding line. Subsequent to these seven outer continental shelf groundings, the ice sheet retreated more than 200 km toward Roosevelt Island on the middle continental shelf. The major retreat across the middle continental shelf is recorded by small-scale moraine ridges that mantle the top of GZW7 and these are suggestive of relatively continuous grounding line recession. The results indicate that retreat was considerably more complex than was possible to reconstruct with reconnaissance-level data. The added details are important to climate models, which must first be able to reproduce the recent retreat pattern in all of its complexities to improve confidence in model predictions of the system's future response.
An efflux pump (MexAB-OprM) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa is associated with antibacterial activity of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG)

Abstract Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a notorious multidrug resistant nosocomial pathogen. An efflux pump (MexAB-OprM) is the main contributor to the multidrug resistance in clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa . Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenolic compound extracted from green tea, exhibits antibacterial activity. It is unclear that molecular details of the antibacterial activity of EGCG, EGCG-effect on antibiotic susceptibility, and clinical relevance of EGCG in bacteria. Purpose This study aimed to determine the roles of the efflux pump and an efflux pump inhibitor (phenylalanine-arginine β-naphthylamide; PAβN) in the antibacterial activity of EGCG and the EGCG-effect on antibiotic susceptibility. Methods Twenty-two multidrug resistant clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa and a wild type P. aeruginosa PAO1 were used to determine antibacterial activity of EGCG and EGCG-effect on antibiotic susceptibility. An efflux pump (MexAB-OPrM) mutant strain, its complemented strain carrying an intact mexAB-oprM , and their parental strain were used to determine roles of MexAB-OprM in the antibacterial activity of EGCG and EGCG-mediated antibiotic susceptibility. PAβN was also used to evaluate EGCG as a possible efflux pump inhibitor. Results EGCG inhibited cellular growth and killed 100% of cells at 64–512 µg/ml and at 256–1024 µg/ml, respectively, in all tested 22 clinical isolates including the wild type strain. A subinhibitory concentration of EGCG significantly enhanced susceptibility to antibiotics, unexceptionally to chloramphenicol and tetracyclines (≥4-fold) of the clinical isolates. Both the antibacterial activity of EGCG and the EGCG-mediated antibiotic susceptibility were enhanced more in the efflux pump mutant strain ( mexB ::Gm) than the parental strain, suggesting additionally accumulated-EGCG produced the more antibacterial activity in the mutant strain. EGCG was synergistically interacted with PAβN with enhancing susceptibility to all tested antibiotics (up to >500-fold) at higher levels than either EGCG alone or PAβN alone, suggesting EGCG may also inhibit the efflux pump with additional accumulation of the antibiotics. Conclusion The results demonstrate that EGCG exhibits antibacterial activity and enhances antibiotic effects against clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa . EGCG may inhibit the efflux pump (MexAB-OprM) through which are associated with the antibacterial activity of EGCG and the EGCG-mediated antibiotic susceptibility in P. aeruginosa .
An experimental test of alternative population augmentation scenarios

Human land use is fragmenting habitats worldwide and inhibiting dispersal among previously connected populations of organisms, often leading to inbreeding depression and reduced evolutionary potential in the face of rapid environmental change. To combat this augmentation of isolated populations with immigrants is sometimes used to facilitate demographic and genetic rescue. Augmentation with immigrants that are genetically and adaptively similar to the target population effectively increases population fitness, but if immigrants are very genetically or adaptively divergent, augmentation can lead to outbreeding depression. Despite well-cited guidelines for the best practice selection of immigrant sources, often only highly divergent populations remain, and experimental tests of these riskier augmentation scenarios are essentially nonexistent. We conducted a mesocosm experiment with Trinidadian guppies (Poecilia reticulata) to test the multigenerational demographic and genetic effects of augmenting 2 target populations with 3 types of divergent immigrants. We found no evidence of demographic rescue, but we did observe genetic rescue in one population. Divergent immigrant treatments tended to maintain greater genetic diversity, abundance, and hybrid fitness than controls that received immigrants from the source used to seed the mesocosms. In the second population, divergent immigrants had a slightly negative effect in one treatment, and the benefits of augmentation were less apparent overall, likely because this population started with higher genetic diversity and a lower reproductive rate that limited genetic admixture. Our results add to a growing consensus that gene flow can increase population fitness even when immigrants are more highly divergent and may help reduce uncertainty about the use of augmentation in conservation.
CD1c caves in on lipids.

Autoreactive T cells exclusively recognize the roof of the binding groove of the antigen-presenting molecule CD1c after it has caved in on short headless self lipids.
Facilitate active learning: The role of perceived benefits of using technology

The authors examine factors influencing student active learning and the ensuing class learning experience in the context of applying technologies in the classroom. The results suggest that the psyc...
Coupled FE/BE for periodic acoustic systems

While coupled finite element and boundary element (FE/BE) codes are used regularly in acoustics—particularly structural acoustics—and periodic boundary conditions are common, the combination of the three is rare. However, such calculations have been performed in the electricity and magnetism community for quite some time. This talk presents a fully coupled FE/BE framework for acoustics with doubly-periodic boundary conditions, accomplished by way of the Ewald transformation of the appropriate periodic Green’s function. This method is likely of primary interest to the acoustic metamaterials community and it is used to analyze an example problem drawn from this field. Both the internal acoustic field within the FE mesh as well as the system’s radiation characteristics are examined.
Totality of Circumstances in Sexual Harassment Decisions: A Decision-Making Model

Writing the majority opinion in Harris v. Forklift Systems, Inc. (1993), Justice O’Connor emphasized the circumstances surrounding an employee’s complaint in determining whether it reaches a violation of Title VII. The Supreme Court rejected the proposition that a hostile work environment requires a showing of a particular outcome, in this case psychological harm, in favor of careful consideration of the entirety of the work environment. The truth is that hostile work environment claims are as diverse as the complainants and organizations in which they arise. Simple, or for that matter, complex rules that draw bright lines of law around the boundaries of hostile work environment harassment are doomed to failure. The Supreme Court in Harris reiterated (see Meritor Savings Bank v. Vinson, 1986, p. 67) that the best that could be done was to look to the circumstances surrounding an allegation and craft a test that acknowledged the almost limitless variability in unwelcome sexual conduct at work that could contribute to a hostile work environment. The Supreme Court has repeated this basic logic in years following Harris and Meritor and required a demonstration of hostile work environment harassment to consider all the circumstances in Faragher v. Boca Raton (1998, p. 787), Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services, Inc. (1998, p. 81), and most recently in Pennsylvania State Police v. Suders (2004, p. 2350). This chapter begins to ask the question, “How do decision makers make judgments about sexual harassment that takes into consideration the totality of the circumstances?”
Excess Light-Induced Molecular Responses of Chloroplast Rieske FeS Protein

Under drought stress in the presence of high light, limited entry of CO2 into the leaf causes the suppression of photosynthetic carbon fixation, and the electron transport chain is liable to be over-reduced, leading to the increased risks of oxidative damages in photosynthetic apparatus. To gain insights into the regulation of photochemistry under such conditions, we analyzed changes in the proteome of the membrane fraction in the leaves of wild watermelon under drought stress. From twodimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) analysis and mass spectrometry, we found the number of spots for the chloroplast Rieske FeS protein, a subunit of cytochrome b 6 f complex (Cyt b 6 f), increased under the stress. We showed that the Rieske protein is encoded by single gene in wild watermelon, and the total amount of the Rieske protein was not changed under drought stress. These results suggest that the Rieske FeS protein would undergo posttranslational modification under stress. Western blot analysis using 2DE revealed that there were multiple spots for the Rieske protein with very similar molecular weights but with different isoelectric points under unstressed conditions. The new spots of the Rieske protein with more acidic pI values emerged under drought stress, and these spots disappeared upon resuming irrigation. These new spots were also observed in the leaf which was subjected to high light stress. It is proposed that the post-translational modification of the Rieske FeS protein may regulate electron transport to avoid over-reduction under stress conditions.
Impurity Nanostructures and Quantum Interference in Superconductors

Impurity Nanostructures and Quantum Interferences: A detailed study of impurities in superconductors is presented including many impurity structural effects. Of particular interest are resonant ( Kondo like ) states and many impurity states in superconductors.The dependence on impurities of various properties of s- and d-wave order parameter superconductors is studied. Experimental- and theoretical results are compared.
Computerized Weight Loss Intervention Optimizes Staff Time: The Clinical and Cost Results of a Controlled Clinical Trial Conducted in a Managed Care Setting

Abstract Objective To evaluate the costs and effects of incremental components of a weight-loss program. Design A 3-arm, 12-month randomized controlled clinical trial to evaluate 3 incremental levels of intervention intensity. Subjects/setting The study included 588 individuals (BMI > 25kg/m2) in a freestanding health maintenance organization and achieved an 81% completion rate. Intervention Using a cognitive behavioral approach for tailoring lifestyle modification goals, the incremental levels of intervention included a) a workbook alone, b) the addition of computerized tailoring using onsite computer kiosks with touch screen monitors, and c) the addition of both computers and staff consultation. Main outcome measures Endpoints included weight parameters, lipid profile, plasma glucose, blood pressure, intervention costs, dietary intake, and physical activity. Statistical analysis performed Study endpoints were analyzed using analysis of variance for normally distributed variables and analysis of covariance to control for any baseline differences. Regression and correlation analysis assessed the relationship between weight loss and other variables. Results For the increasing levels of intervention intensity, the mean 12-month weight losses were 2.2, 4.7, and 7.4 pounds, with the respective cost per participant being $12.33, $41.99, and $133.74. The decreases in mean BMIs for these respective intervention levels were 0.4, 0.9 and 1.2. All groups reported a decrease in energy and fat intake and an increase in blocks walked ( P Applications/conclusions In a weight-loss program, computers can facilitate selecting behavioral change goals. More frequent usage resulted in greater weight loss. Staff counseling to augment the computer intervention achieved the most weight loss. J Am Diet Assoc. 2001:101:1155-1162.