cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Macro- and Microtribology of Information Storage and Retrieval Devices

Information storage and retrieval devices include tape, flexible disk and rigid disk drives used for audio, video and data processing applications. These devices are based on magnetic and optical recording principles, the dominant being magnetic recording. The magnetic recording process involves relative motion between a magnetic medium (tape or disk) against a stationary or rotating (audio, video and data processing) read/write magnetic head. As an example of a magnetic storage device, schematic of a rigid disk drive is shown in Figure 1. In a rigid disk drive, a stack of disks is mounted on a sealed, grease lubricated ball bearing spindle. The disk stack is rotated by a DC motor at speeds ranging from a few thousand to a maximum speed to about 15,000 RPM. A head slider is supplied for each disk surface. The slider-suspension assembly is actuated by a stepping motor or a voice-coil motor for read-write operation (Bhushan, 1996a, 2000). For construction and materials used in magnetic head and medium components, refer to Bhushan (1996a, 1999a, 2000).
Impact of adherence to pomalidomide on medication adherence in pre-existing chronic conditions in patients with multiple myeloma.

e20010Background: Oral oncolytics have increased survival in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) but the extent to which initiating these medications impacts adherence to medications for pre-existi...
Prognostic value of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), serum albumin and sequence of immunotherapy (Immuno.) on overall survival (OS), and progression free survival (PFS) in patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with ramucirumab plus docetaxel (RD).

e21163Background: High (NLR) has been associated with inferior (OS) in patients (pts) with advanced stage NSCLC. Case series suggest potentially improved benefits of cytotoxic chemotherapy administ...
Design and Evaluation of a Wearable Haptic Feedback System for Lower Limb Prostheses During Stair Descent

We designed a wearable haptic feedback system to assist stair descent for users of lower limb prostheses. Our haptic feedback system consists of a custom insole with four force sensors, a thigh band with four vibrotactile actuators, and an on-board embedded processor. The loss of sensation and range of motion in the foot-ankle complex presents a challenge to lower limb prosthesis users during stair descent. By providing force information through haptic feedback, we restore access to sensory information of the stair edge. We tested our system on 2 subject experiments. In the first experiment, 15 subjects wearing the thigh band were tasked to report the perceived position of stimulation on the sensor insole. All subjects were able to detect the stimulation position in terms of the actuator that was vibrating with a minimum of 82% accuracy for all four positions. In the second experiment, 13 subjects wore the haptic feedback system and the sensor insole and stepped on a visually obstructed staircase step of variable depth. Overall, the provision of haptic feedback reduced error in reporting the step edge position. Our haptic feedback system demonstrates the capability to provide sensory information that is otherwise absent, enabling a more natural stair descent. Future work includes performing the experiments on subjects with lower limb amputation and a complete stair descent performance assessment wearing the haptic feedback system.
A mixed-methods approach to evaluate fit and comfort of the hospital patient gown

We identified fit and comfort issues in the hospital patient gown (HPG) that evoke the patients’ physical and psychological discomfort caused by wearing an ill-fitting garment. This research inquir...
Nuclear Resonance Vibrational Spectroscopy (NRVS)

Nuclear Resonance Vibrational Spectroscopy (NRVS) utilizes the simultaneous excitation of the Mossbauer nucleus and vibrational quanta. Vibrational features appear as sidebands on the recoilless resonance. NRVS reveals the complete vibrational spectrum of the probe nucleus with the resolution almost equal to that of Raman or infrared. Major advantages include selectivity to vibrations of the Mossbauer isotope with quantitative information on vibrational amplitudes, as well as frequencies. Single crystal measurements are selective for motion along the exciting X-ray beam. NRVS is equally applicable to all ligation and oxidation states. Questions that can be addressed include the strength of metal coordination, the energetic cost of probe displacement, discrimination of metal-ligand vibrations from cofactor or peptide vibrations, and the local vs. global character of active site vibrations. Keywords: vibrational spectroscopy; vibrational dynamics; iron modes; nuclear resonance vibrational spectroscopy; hemes; heme proteins; iron–histidine
The influence of green space on the short-term effects of particulate matter on hospitalization in the U.S. for 2000–2013

Although a few studies have identified positive association between green space and reduced mortality rate, the effect modification of green space for the impact of air pollution on health outcomes is under studied. We quantified whether green space modifies associations between short-term exposure to particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5) and hospitalization across 364 urban U.S. counties for 2000-2013. Green space was measured by normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). Daily number of hospital admissions for cardiovascular or respiratory diseases from Medicare enrollees (≥65yrs) and air quality monitoring data for each county were used to assess risks, as percent change in hospitalization related to 10μg/m3 increase in particulate matter. We computed an absolute change in county-specific relative risks explained by difference in county-level NDVI. The study results found that the association between air pollution and health was less in areas with more green space. We estimated that an interquartile range increase in NDVI corresponds to a 1.68% (95% CI: 0.43, 2.91) decrease in the association between PM10 and cardiovascular hospitalization and 10.40% (95% CI: 7.34, 13.34) decrease in the PM10-hospitalization association of acute myocardial infarction. For hospitalization associated with PM2.5, a 0.18% (95% CI: -0.39, 0.73) absolute decrease in relative risk was found for cardiovascular hospitalizations. In results stratified by age, younger age groups (65-74, 75-84yrs) had larger reductions for the PM10-hospitalization association with increase in NDVI than older populations (≥85yrs) but not for the PM2.5-hospitalization association. These findings add evidence for health benefits of green space in diminishing the health impacts of particulate matters on hospitalizations for older populations in the U.S.
MRSA colonization and acquisition in the burn unit: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Abstract Background Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is one of the most commonly encountered bacteria in the burn unit. In order to investigate the magnitude of this challenge, we assessed the prevalence of MRSA colonization on admission and the incidence of MRSA acquisition within burn units. Methods We searched PubMed and EMBASE for studies reporting MRSA colonization among patients admitted in burn units. Results We identified 16 articles that fulfilled our inclusion criteria and found an overall pooled prevalence of MRSA colonization upon the first 72 h of admission (colonization on admission) to the burn unit of 4.1% (95% CI: 2.7%–5.7%). MRSA acquisition in studies without a decolonization protocol was 21.2% (95% CI: 13.2%–30.5%) with a statistically significant downward trend over the years. Studies that implemented a decolonization protocol yielded a MRSA acquisition incidence rate of 4.5% (95% CI: 0.9%–10.6%). MRSA acquisition was higher among patients that have had inhalation injury (OR 3.96, 95% CI: 2.51–6.23), flame burns (OR 1.85, 95% CI: 1.25–2.73), or ICU admission (OR 3.12, 95% CI: 2.18–4.47). Conclusion Our study yielded that among burn victims, MRSA colonization prevalence on admission is not negligible and the risk of becoming MRSA colonized during hospitalization is higher when no decolonization protocols are implemented. Flame burns, admission to ICU, and inhalation injury were found to be associated with MRSA acquisition.
Socioeconomic Differences in Access to Neighborhood and Network Social Capital and Associations With Body Mass Index Among Black Americans.

Purpose:To examine associations between socioeconomic status and two forms of social capital, namely, neighborhood and network measures, and how these distinct forms of capital are associated with ...
Marriage Decline in Korea: Changing Composition of the Domestic Marriage Market and Growth in International Marriage

Explanations for the substantial decline in rates of marriage in East Asian countries often emphasize the role of rapid educational expansion for women in reducing the desirability of marriages characterized by a strong gender-based division of labor. Focusing on South Korea, we consider a very different scenario in which changing educational composition of the marriage market reduces the demographic feasibility of such marriages. Analyses of 1% microsamples of the 1990 and 2010 Korean censuses show that changes in the availability of potential spouses accounted for part of the decline in marriage rates over a period of 20 years (1985–1989 to 2005–2009) for highly educated women and less-educated men. We also show that growth in international marriages played a role in preventing an even more dramatic decline in marriage among low-educated men. These findings support the general relevance of marriage market mismatches in gender-inegalitarian societies and highlight the declining feasibility of marriage for low-educated men in such contexts. Findings also hint at important implications for inequality in a society such as Korea, where marriage remains a symbol of social success and is closely related to women’s economic well-being and men’s health and subjective well-being.
Obesogenic Toxicants in Breast Milk of Lactating Women: Investigation of a Risk Factor for Childhood Obesity:

Background:Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), dispersed in all environmental compartments, are associated with increased adipogenesis and body weight. These lipophilic toxicants bioaccumulate in...
Proton pump inhibitors and risk of liver cancer and mortality in patients with chronic liver disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Epidemiological studies investigating the use of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) on the risk of liver cancer and/or mortality among persons with chronic liver disease (CLD) have reported conflicting results. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the impact of PPI use on liver cancer and/or death among patients with CLD. The core databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane library were searched through January 2020. We included studies, evaluating the association between PPIs and liver cancer or mortality among patients with CLD including randomized controlled, nonrandomized controlled, and observational studies. We used inverse-variance random-effects models to estimate the pooled relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for liver cancer or mortality. Eleven studies including 173,894 patients were selected. In three studies, individuals with CLD who used PPIs had a 67% greater risk of developing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) compared to nonusers (RR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.12–2.50; I2 = 92%). Combining data from the eight studies relating PPI to overall mortality, we observed a 57% increased risk of mortality in PPI users with CLD compared to CLD nonusers (RR: 1.57; 95% CI, 1.24–1.99; I2 = 69%). PPI use was associated with an increased risk of HCC and mortality in patients with CLD suggesting that PPI prescriptions in patients with CLD should be considered carefully.
Ecotourism for wildlife conservation and sustainable livelihood via community-based homestay: a formula to success or a quagmire?

Community-based tourism (CBT) is a popular approach to tourism development in developing countries. Community-based homestays are a form of CBT initiative that involves tourists staying with host f...
Nuclear fuel cycle and decommissioning

Abstract Global energy demand is expected to increase substantially in the next few decades. This mainly due to the projected growth in world population, and the economic and industrial growth of developing countries such as China and India. Powerful imperatives drive the continued need for nuclear power, among them the need for reliable, baseload electricity and the threat of global climate change. As the only large-scale source of nearly greenhouse gas-free energy, nuclear power is an essential part of our all-of-the-above energy strategy, generating about 20% of our nation's electricity and more than 60% of our low-carbon energy. Along for demand on electricity production comes nuclear power plant to play as source of energy to meet such demand and consequently comes with it issue of nuclear fuel cycle and eventually decommissioning of such facilities as per their life cycle or natural or manmade disaster. Thus, the focus in this chapter is on the management of nuclear fuel cycle and radioactive waste management, including decommissioning.
Supplementation to Meet Metabolizable Protein Requirements of Primiparous Beef Heifers: I. Performance, Forage Intake, and Nutrient Balance

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the response of supplementing primiparous heifers based on the metabolizable protein (MP) system during pregnancy and lactation. In Exp. 1, 12 pregnant, March-calving heifers (432 +/- 10 kg) grazing Sandhills range were randomly allotted to one of two treatments: supplementation based on either the MP system (MPR) or the CP system (CPR). Supplements were fed to individual heifers from October to February and no hay was offered. Grazed forage organic matter intake (FOMI) was measured in November, January, and February. In Exp. 2, 18 heifers (424 +/- 8 kg) were randomly allotted to one of three treatments: 1) supplementation based on the MP system with hay fed in January and February (average 2.0 kg/d; MPR/hay), 2) supplementation based on the CP system, with hay fed in January and February (CPR/hay), or 3) supplementation based on the MP system, with no hay fed (MPR/no hay). Supplements were fed from October to February, and FOMI was measured in December and February. In Exp. 3, lactating 2-yr-old cows (394 +/- 7 kg) maintained on meadow hay were supplemented to meet either 1) MP requirements (LMPR) or 2) degradable intake protein requirements (LDIPR). Body weight (BW) and body condition score change, hay intake, and milk production were measured. In Exp. 1, grazed FOMI decreased (P = 0.0001) from 1.9% of BW in November to 1.2% in February, but no differences among treatments were detected for FOMI or BW change. In Exp. 2, grazed FOMI declined (P = 0.0001) from 1.7% of BW in December to 1.1% in February, with no differences among treatments. Heifers on the MPR/hay and CPR/hay treatments had higher (P = 0.0018) total intake (grazed forage + hay intake) in February (1.7% BW) than the MPR/no hay heifers (1.1% BW). Heifers on the MPR/no hay treatment had a lower weight (P = 0.02) and tended (P = 0.11) to have a lower BCS than heifers on other treatments. In Exp. 3, the LMPR cows had higher (P = 0.02) ADG than LDIPR cows (0.41 and 0.14, respectively), but treatment did not affect milk production. Organic matter hay intake averaged 2.4% of BW. We conclude that supplementation to meet MP requirements had little benefit to heifer performance during gestation, but increased weight change during lactation. Because grazed forage intake decreased from 1.9 to 1.1% of BW with advancing gestation, supplemental energy is necessary to reduce weight and condition loss of gestating hefiers grazing dormant Sandhills range.
Revisiting IMF expenditure conditionality

We study the long-run relationship between expenditure conditionality in IMF programmes and the composition of public spending. We compile a granular dataset on government expenditure conditions in...
Capturing emotion coherence in daily life: Using ambulatory physiology measures and ecological momentary assessments to examine within-person associations and individual differences

While emotion coherence has long been theorized to be a core feature of emotion, to date, studies examining response coherence have been conducted in laboratory settings. The present study used a combined approach of ambulatory physiology measures and ecological momentary assessment conducted over a 4-week period to examine the extent to which emotional experience and physiology show coherence in daily life within-persons; and whether individual differences in response coherence are associated with between-person differences in well-being, negative emotionality, and gender. Results revealed that, on average, individuals exhibited coherence between subjective experience and physiology of emotion, but that there was substantial between-person variation in coherence in daily life. Exploratory analyses revealed no credible link between levels of response coherence and well-being, negative emotionality, or gender. Findings contribute to the literature by demonstrating a novel methodological approach to measuring coherence in daily life and supporting the generalizability of coherence to ecologically valid contexts.
Epigenomic Regulators Elongator Complex Subunit 2 and Methyltransferase 1 Differentially Condition the Spaceflight Response in Arabidopsis

Background: Plants subjected to the novel environment of spaceflight show transcriptomic changes that resemble aspects of several terrestrial abiotic stress responses. Under investigation here is whether epigenetic modulations, similar to those that occur in terrestrial stress responses, have a functional role in spaceflight physiological adaptation. The APEX-04-EPEX (Advanced Plant Experiment-04 – Epigenetic Expression) experiment examined the role of cytosine methylation in spaceflight adaptation. The experiment was conducted onboard the International Space Station (ISS), and evaluated the spaceflight-altered, genome-wide methylation profiles of two methylation-regulating gene mutants (methyltransferase 1 (met1-7) and elongator complex subunit 2 (elp2-5)) along with wild-type Col-0 control. Results: The elp2-5 plants suffered in their physiological adaptation to spaceflight in that their roots failed to extend away from the seed and the overall development of the plants was greatly impaired in space. The met1-7 plants suffered less, with their morphology affected by spaceflight in a manner similar to that of the Col-0 controls. The differentially expressed genes in spaceflight were dramatically different in the elp2-5 and met1-7 plants compared to Col-0, indicating that the disruptions in these mutants resulted in a reprogramming of their spaceflight responses, especially in elp2-5. Many of the genes comprising the spaceflight transcriptome of each genotype were differentially methylated in spaceflight. In Col-0 the majority of the differentially expressed genes were representative of the now familiar spaceflight response, which includes genes associated with cell wall remodeling, pathogen responses and ROS signaling. However, the spaceflight transcriptomes of met1-7 and elp2-5 each presented patterns of differentially expressed genes that are almost completely different than Col-0, and to each other. Further, the differentially expressed genes of the mutant genotypes suggest a more severe spaceflight stress response in the mutants, particularly in elp2-5. Conclusion: Arabidopsis physiological adaptation to spaceflight engages differential DNA methylation in an organ-specific manner, and disruption of methylation mechanisms adversely affects the spaceflight response. Disruption of methyltransferase function does not dramatically affect spaceflight growth or morphology, yet met1-7 reprograms the spaceflight transcriptomic response in a unique manner. Disruption of elp2-5 results in poor development in spaceflight grown plants, together with a diminished, dramatically reprogrammed transcriptomic response.
Somaesthetics and Dance

Dance is proposed as the most representative of somaesthetic arts in Thinking Through the Body: Essays in Somaesthetics and other writings of Richard Shusterman. Shusterman offers a useful, but incomplete approach to somaesthetics of dance. In the examples provided, dance appears as subordinate to another art form (theater or photography) or as a means to achieving bodily excellence. Missing, for example, are accounts of the role of dance as an independent art form, how somaesthetics would address differences in varying approaches to dance, and attention to the viewer’s somaesthetic dance experience. Three strategies for developing new directions for dance somaesthetics are offered here: identify a fuller range of applications of somaesthetics to dance as an independent art form (e.g. Martha Graham); develop somaesthetics for a wider range of theatre dance (e.g. ballet, modern and experimental dance); and relate somaesthetics to more general features of dance (content, form, expression, style, kinesthetics) necessary for understanding the roles of the choreographer/dancer and the viewer.
Stress protein formation: gene expression and environmental interaction with evolutionary significance.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the gene expression and environmental interaction with evolutionary significance for the stress protein formation. Specific changes in gene expression in response to environmental stresses are brought about by heat, chemical reagents, starvation, anoxia, and wounding. The alterations of gene activity have been observed in a wide range of eukaryote species. At the molecular level, the general stress response is a stimulation of the transcription of specific mRNAs and the repression of translation of normal mRNAs. This stimulation of transcription may require cytoplasmic factors as sources of information. Stress proteins are one of the few systems where a hostile environment mediates the synthesis of a select few polypeptides. Physiological function of stress protein production can be deduced from root anaerobiosis studies. The stress proteins possess alcohol dehydrogenase activity that can be useful in maintaining respiration under conditions where oxygen is limiting. The stress protein response illustrates that environmental parameters can exert a specific influence on gene expression through transcriptional and translational events.
Low-grade glioma.

Low-grade gliomas are slower growing than their high-grade counterparts. They account for 10–20 % of all primary brain tumors. Median survival is between 4.7 and 9.8 years. The goal of treatment is to prolong overall survival while maintaining good quality of life (QOL). Recent data favors early surgical resection. EOR is associated with delayed tumor recurrence and improved survival. Additional therapy with chemotherapy or radiation is indicated in patients with high-risk features. Lower doses (between 45 and 50.4 Gy) have been shown to be as effective without adverse effects compared to higher doses. Recent trials have shown benefit in combining chemotherapy with radiation compared to radiation alone. The optimal chemotherapeutic regimen (PCV or temozolomide (TMZ)) remains unknown, although TMZ is easier to administer and better tolerated by patients. Novel molecular markers including 1p/19q chromosomal codeletion and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1) mutation have been correlated with treatment response and survival.
An Examination of the Dumb Jock Stereotype in Collegiate Student-Athletes: A Comparison of Student versus Student-Athlete Perceptions

AbstractA common stereotype is that athletes are not as capable academically; they are “dumb jocks.” In this study, two surveys were used to examine other students’ perceptions of collegiate student-athletes’ academic abilities, their perception of how they are treated by their professors and other students, as well as how they view the academic abilities of their athletic peers. The student body survey was designed to determine if students perceive student-athletes as being less academically inclined because they are athletes. Survey participants included 493 college students. Results indicated that students report having lower academic expectations of student-athletes and perceived their professors to have lower academic expectations for athletes. The student-athlete survey addressed their perceptions of prejudice of their instructors and non-athlete peers as well as their views about other student-athletes’ academic achievement. Participants included 180 student-athletes. Student-athletes perceived pro...
The Phenomenon of Conglomerate Crystallization. XVI. Spontaneous Resolution in Coordination Compounds. XIV. The Conglomerate Behaviour of The Cobalt(III) Amine Oxalates. Crystallographic Data for NH4[trans-(NH3)2Co(NO2)2(oxalato)] AND [cis-β-Co(trien)(NO2)2][trans-(NH3)2Co(NO2(oxalato)], and the Crystal Structure of [trans-Co(en)2)2] [trans-(NH3)2Co(NO2)2(oxalato)]

Abstract The title compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group PI with cell constants a = 6.534(6) b = 10.922(9), c = 14.905(7) A, α = 94.44(5) β = 94.69(7) and γ = 105.41(1)°, V= 1016.61 A3 and d(calc; Z = 2) = 1.778 g cm−3. A total of 3824 data were collected over the range of 4° ≤ 2 0 ≤ 50°; of these, 2994 were independent and had I ≥ 3σ(I); these were used in the solution and refinement of the structure. The final R(F) and Rw(F) residuals were 0.072 and 0.108, respectively. The molecule crystallizes with two half cations at inversion centres and the anion in a general position. The two independent Co-N(NO2) distances of the cations are 1.954(2) and 1.921 (2) A, respectively, while in the anion, they are 1.901 (2) and 1.901(2); the Co-N(—NO2) distances in the cation, being trans to another NO2, are noticeably longer than those in the anion which are trans to oxalato oxygens and thus, we observe a trans influence. The Col-N(NH2) distances in the cations are 1.956(2) and 1.948(2) A while those for...
Abstract P089: Adiposity and risk of stroke: body shape matters more than body weight

Background: Higher body mass index (BMI) and larger waist circumference (WC), characteristics of increased adiposity, are associated with greater risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, an obesity paradox (improved survival in those with history of stroke) has been observed in some populations. We hypothesized that BMI would be associated with decreased risk of stroke but that this association would be attenuated after accounting for WC. Methods: The REasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study recruited 30,239 black and white participants age 45 years and older from across the United States between 2003 and 2007. WC, height and weight were measured during a baseline in home visit and participants were followed every 6 months. Strokes were adjudicated by physicians after review of medical records. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess stroke risk. BMI and WC were modeled in quintiles. Results: We observed 1047 incident and recurrent strokes over a mean of 6....
Practical Estimates of the Errors Associated with the Governing Shearography Equation

In a series of papers Hung[1–3] pioneered the development of shearography, an optical NDE technique that detects gradients of surface displacements. Its utility for qualitative flaw characterization has been demonstrated, and while there is a need for using shearography in NDE for quantitative analysis, a large amount of the research[2–7] has concentrated on the qualitative evaluation of structures and materials. The purpose of this paper is to begin building upon a foundation for the newly emerging quantitative shearography[8].
Gastroduodenal regulation of common duct bile flow in the dog.

Abstract We investigated the relationship between the entry of individual drops of bile into the duodenum and gastroduodenal motor activity in the fasted state in 10 conscious dogs. The common bile duct was transected and a catheter was inserted through each end. The exteriorized catheters were connected to a photometric drop-flow meter. During phase III activity, bile entered the duodenum in single drops, only in between two consecutive contractions, or as a series of drops during transient inhibition of duodenal contractions by antral phase III contractions. During phase II activity bile also entered the duodenum, usually in between contractions or when the duodenum was intermittently quiescent. Bile entered the duodenum during a duodenal contraction only when the contraction amplitude was
THE MORAL STATUS OF ENABLING HARM

According to the Doctrine of Doing and Allowing, it is more difficult to justify doing harm than it is to justify allowing harm. Enabling harm consists in withdrawing an obstacle that would, if left in place, prevent a pre-existing causal sequence from leading to foreseen harm. There has been a lively debate concerning the moral status of enabling harm. According to some (e.g. McMahan, Vihvelin and Tomkow), many cases of enabling harm are morally indistinguishable from doing harm. Others (e.g. Foot, Hanser) support the Equivalence Hypothesis, according to which enabling harm is morally equivalent to allowing harm. Here I argue that there is every reason to embrace, and no reason to reject, the Equivalence Hypothesis.
CP-101,606, a potent neuroprotectant selective for forebrain neurons

Abstract The neuroprotective activity of (1S,2S)-1-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-4-phenylpiperidino)-1-propanol (CP-101,606), an N-methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist structurally similar to ((±)-(R*,S*)-α-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-β-methyl-4-(phenylmethyl)-1-piperidineethanol (ifenprodil), was investigated in neurons in primary culture. CP-101,606 potently and efficaciously protected hippocampal neurons from glutamate toxicity but was >900-fold less effective for cerebellar granule neurons. The neuroprotective activity in the hippocampal neurons is mediated through a high affinity binding site distinct from the agonist and thienylcyclohexylpiperidine (TCP) binding sites of the NMDA receptor. Autoradiography indicates the CP-101,606 binding site is localized in forebrain, most notably in hippocampus and the outer layers of cortex. The functional selectivity for hippocampal neurons, forebrain localization of binding sites, and structural relation to ifenprodil suggest that CP-101,606 is an NMDA antagonist highly selective for NR2B subunit containing receptors.
Application of Factor Analysis to the Prediction of Activity Coefficients of Nonelectrolytes

Abstract The mathematical technique of factor analysis is employed in the prediction of infinite-dilution solute activity coefficients for solutions of non-electrolytes.
Energy abundance and economic progress

There was a time, not too long ago, when it wasn't necessary to make speeches about the benefits of abundance in energy availability and use; it was just one of those facts oflife that seemed to be self-evident. If one were to probe this belief a bit further it would be found to depend upon two other more-or-less 'selfevident' propositions : one that saw a strong connection between more intensive energy use and the growth in productive efficiency at work and in the home, and another which saw a strong linkage between the growth in the per capita production of goods and services and overall improvements in human welfare. With the passage of time this set of beliefs is no longer as widely accepted as it used to be. Ideas that emerged with great force in the recent past, especially during the decade of the 1970s, seem to have destroyed the implicit societal consensus that previously supported both of the main underlying propositions linking energy abundance to the growth in human welfare. The focus of attention shifted, instead, in the direction of concern about the societal costs of energy use. Under these changed circumstances, it is probably well to revisit the benefit side of the societal calculus, and I am pleased to have been invited to do so in a setting where all the other papers will deal with societal costs. I propose to examine the factual basis for the beliefs that were previously accepted almost on faith. My major emphasis will be on analyzing the presumed linkage between energy abundance and economic growth--the economic component of social progress, so to speak. But I would like also to make a few comments about the other of the two linkages--that between economic progress and the growth in human welfare.
A single physician's experience with four thousand six hundred genetic amniocenteses.

Abstract Objective: We sought to assess changes in indications, technique, successful fluid aspiration, and pregnancy outcomes in a large cohort of genetic amniocenteses performed by a single physician. Study Design: Records were reviewed regarding 4600 women who underwent genetic amniocentesis by a single physician between 1972 and 2000. Changes in indications, procedural technique, ease of performance, amniotic fluid reports, and pregnancy loss rates were tabulated and compared over time. Results: The indications for amniocentesis changed significantly ( P Conclusions: Successful aspiration of clear amniotic fluid increases with amniocentesis experience. Pregnancy outcome did not change significantly with increasing amniocentesis experience. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;279-88.)
The Project Manager and Project Team Involvement: Implications for Project Leadership

Executive Summary Team leadership is vital to the successful performance of a project team. One important factor that influences the success of team leadership efforts is the structure of the proje...
A Systematic Review of the Prevalence of Herb Usage Among Racial/Ethnic Minorities in the United States

Clinical studies display a wide range of herb use prevalence among racial/ethnic minorities in the United States. We searched databases indexing the literature including CINAHL, EMBASE, Global Health, CAB Abstracts, and Medline. We included studies that reported herbal medicine prevalence among ethnic minorities, African American, Hispanic, or Asian adults living in the United States. Data from 108 included studies found the prevalence of herb use by African Americans was 17 % (range 1–46 %); for Hispanics, 30 % (4–100 %); and for Asians, 30 % (2–73 %). Smaller studies were associated with higher reported herb use (p = 0.03). There was a significant difference (p = 0.01) between regional and national studies with regional studies reporting higher use. While herb usage surveys in racial/ethnic minorities show great variability, indications suggest high prevalence. More research is needed to understand herb use among ethnic/racial minorities, reasons for use, and barriers to disclosure of use to clinicians.
A Gauss map and hybrid degree formula for compact hypersurfaces in Minkowski space

A compact oriented hypersurface in four-dimensional Minkowski space contains a locus where the induced metric is degenerate. We show that if certain transversality conditions are satisfied then the degree of the hypersurface Gauss map is determined by the Euler characteristic of the degeneracy locus. This leads to a total curvature inequality with lower bound determind by the Betti numbers of the hypersurface. Equality characterizes particularly simple hypersurfaces.
Influence of the AlAs mode fraction on the luminescence efficiency of ?As quantum well structures

Abstract We have investigated the photoluminescence properties of GaAs/Al x Ga 1− x As multiple quantum well structures grown on (100) GaAs substrates by molecular beam epitaxy as a function of the AlAs mole fraction. We find that as the AlAs mole fraction in the Al x Ga 1− x As barriers is increased, the corresponding photoluminescent peak intensity of the quantum well structures increases and reaches a maximum at an AlAs mole fraction of about 45%. Further increases in the AlAs content of the barriers beyond 45% results in a decrease of the luminescence efficiency. At the maximum intensity, the peak luminescence from the quantum well structures is enhanced by about two orders of magnitude (at room temperature) when compared with the luminescence from such structures with an AlAs mole fraction of 20% in the barriers.
Kinetics of the gas-phase reaction of OH with chlorobenzene.

The kinetics of the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with chlorobenzene was studied experimentally using a pulsed laser photolysis/pulsed laser induced fluorescence technique over a wide range of temperatures, 298−670 K, and at pressures between 13.33 and 39.92 kPa. The bimolecular rate constants demonstrate different behavior at low and high temperatures. At room temperature, T = 298.8 ± 1.5 K, the rate constant is equal to (6.02 ± 0.34) × 10−13 cm3 molecule−1 s−1; at high temperatures (474−670 K), the rate constant values are significantly lower and have a positive temperature dependence that can be described by an Arrhenius expression k1(T) = (1.01 ± 0.35) × 10−11 exp[(−2490 ± 170 K)/T] cm3 molecule−1 s−1. This behavior is consistent with the low-temperature reaction being dominated by reversible addition and the high-temperature reaction representing abstraction and addition−elimination channels. The potential energy surface of the reaction was studied using quantum chemical methods, and a transition sta...
Older adults' beliefs about the timeline of type 2 diabetes and adherence to dietary regimens.

The common-sense model posits that behavioural coping with illness is shaped by a complex combination of individuals’ abstract and concrete beliefs about their illness. We investigated this theoretical assumption in a study of 116 older adults diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who completed in-person interviews at baseline and six and 12 months later. Specifically, we examined (1) the interaction of patients’ abstract and concrete beliefs about the timeline of their diabetes as a predictor of change in adherence to a healthy diet and (2) whether these interactive effects differ among male and female patients. Abstract timeline beliefs were conceptualised as those pertaining to disease duration; concrete timeline beliefs were conceptualised as those pertaining to variability of disease symptoms (i.e. symptoms are stable versus fluctuating). As predicted, duration beliefs were positively associated with improvement in adherence among patients who viewed disease symptoms as stable, but not among those who viewe...
The role of surface forces in drug-receptor interactions☆

Abstract Many properties of biological membranes have been explained in terms of the concepts of surface chemistry. The particular case of drug-receptor interactions, i.e. , the interaction of specific chemicals with membranes that leads to changes in membrane permeability, has been treated successfully in terms of the mass action approach of the Langmuir adsorption equation. Because of various exceptions to the general equation, several changes have been proposed in the formulation. However, if one considers that the effective drug concentration at a membrane is the surface concentration, some of the exceptions can be shown to be compatible with the Langmuir equation. The use of surface concentrations also suggests an explanation of “cooperativity” in membrane systems, and of the mechanism by which “conformational changes” in membrane proteins control reaction rates.
On the Use of Regression and Verbal Protocol Analysis in Modeling Analysts’ Behavior in an Unstructured Task Environment: A Methodological Note

Abstract We use two techniques—linear regression (LR) and verbal protocol analysis (VPA)—to model the decision behavior of four experienced financial analysts performing an unstructured valuation task. The research examines the structure and implied data use for each model type. We also assess the conclusion of prior research that the two techniques are complementary. This research also claims that these techniques are interchangeable in most decision contexts, in effect treating them as substitutes. Our results suggest that the techniques are complementary; however, each adds unique contributions to model development.
Stress Reaction of the Humerus in a High School Baseball Player

The patient was an 18-year-old high school baseball pitcher with a chief complaint of right (dominant) arm pain in the region of his right distal humerus that began 8 weeks earlier. Conventional radiographs were obtained, which were interpreted as normal. As a result, magnetic resonance imaging was obtained, which showed a hyperintense bone marrow signal in the distal humerus on fluid-sensitive sequences, which was consistent with a stress reaction of the distal humerus.
The Border Poll Crew: Engaging Bilingual Youth in Local Elections in El Paso, Texas

Understanding the cultural and linguistic dynamics between voters and poll workers is helpful in training and incorporating bilingual poll workers in the electoral process. The November 2006 mid-term elections required an estimated 1.5 million poll workers nationwide. National Public Radio's Pam Fessler (October 2006) reported on how the increase use of voting technology has contributed to the complexity and challenges of hiring well-trained election poll workers. The use of ethnographic methods can serve as useful strategies for examining local dynamics between voters and poll workers, while the collaborative processes involved in applying anthropology can help facilitate future poll worker training programs to outreach to diverse voting populations at the polls.
Comparative cytotoxicity of alachlor, acetochlor, and metolachlor herbicides in isolated rat and cryopreserved human hepatocytes

Noncancerous adverse effects observed at the lowest dose for chloroacetanilide herbicides alachlor [2-chloro-2',6'-diethyl-N-(methoxymethyl)-acetanilide] and acetochlor [2-chloro-2'-methyl-6'-ethyl-N-(ethoxymethyl)acetanilide], but not metolachlor [2-chloro-2'-ethyl-6'-methyl-N-(1-methyl-2-methoxymethyl)acetanilide], are hepatotoxicity in rats and dogs. Liver microsomal N-dealkylation, a step in the putative activating pathway, of acetochlor exceeds that of alachlor and is negligible for metolachlor. In the present investigation, cytotoxicity of the three chloroacetanilides was ranked using isolated rat and cryopreserved human hepatocytes to correlate this endpoint with CYP3A-dependent metabolism. Chloroacetanilide cytotoxicity in rat hepatocyte suspensions was time dependent (e.g., LC(50 - alachlor/2 h) vs. LC(50 - alachlor/4 h) = 765 vs. 325 muM). Alachlor and acetochlor were more potent than metolachlor after 2 and 4 h, times when N-dealkylated alachlor product 2-chloro-N-(2,6-diethylphenyl)acetamide (CDEPA) formation was readily detectable. Alachlor and acetochlor potencies with cryopreserved human hepatocytes at 2 h were comparable to freshly isolated rat hepatocytes, and alachlor metabolism to CDEPA was likewise detectable. Unlike rat hepatocytes, metolachlor potency was equivalent to acetochlor and alachlor in human hepatocytes. Furthermore, chloroacetanilide cytotoxicity from two sources of human hepatocytes varied inversely with CYP3A4 activity. Collectively, while cytotoxicity in rat hepatocytes was consistent with chloroacetanilide activation by CYP3A, an activating role for CYP3A4 was not supported with human hepatocytes.
Alternative “safe” test of hysteretic power converters

This paper presents a novel alternative “safe” test method for line and load regulation specifications of hysteretic controlled switching power converters. These specifications have not been tested in production before because the conventional measurement techniques lead to huge voltage spikes during switching transients. Those voltage spikes are caused by energy accumulation from parasitic inductances of ATE interface board to input capacitance of the device under test (DUT) and can damage DUT's internal circuitries. The proposed alternative test approach offers a “safe” manufacturing test of load/line regulation specifications of hysteretic controlled switching power converters through a carefully altered feedback circuit and a current-limited load. Through injecting the altered feedback circuit with a carefully crafted stimulus, the load and line regulation specifications of DUT are accurately predicted. This test approach is facilitated by the use of a DAC for stimulus generation and ADC for DUT response capturing. Both simulated data and hardware measurements are used to demonstrate the viability of the proposed ”safe”testing method.
Detailed scaling analysis of low-force polyelectrolyte elasticity.

Single-molecule force-extension data are typically compared to ideal models of polymer behavior that ignore the effects of self-avoidance. Here, we demonstrate a link between single-molecule data and the scaling pictures of a real polymer. We measure a low-force elasticity regime where the extension $L$ of chemically denatured single-stranded DNA grows as a power law with force $f$: $L\ensuremath{\sim}{f}^{\ensuremath{\gamma}}$, with $\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\approx}0.60--0.69$. This compares favorably with the ``tensile-blob'' model of a self-avoiding polymer, which predicts $\ensuremath{\gamma}=2/3$. We show that the transition out of the low-force regime is highly salt dependent, and use the tensile-blob model to relate this effect to the salt dependence of the polymer's Kuhn length and excluded-volume parameter. We find that, contrary to the well-known Odijk-Skolnick-Fixman theory, the Kuhn length of single-stranded DNA is linearly proportional to the Debye length of the solution. Finally, we show that the low-force elasticity becomes linear $(\ensuremath{\gamma}=1)$ at $\ensuremath{\approx}3\text{ }\text{M}$ salt, and interpret this as a $\ensuremath{\Theta}$ point of the polymer. At this point, the force-extension data is best described by the wormlike chain model, from which we estimate the bare (nonelectrostatic) persistence length of the polymer to be $\ensuremath{\approx}0.6\text{ }\text{nm}$.
MicroRNA-29b regulates the expression level of human progranulin, a secreted glycoprotein implicated in frontotemporal dementia.

Progranulin deficiency is thought to cause some forms of frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a major early-onset age-dependent neurodegenerative disease. How progranulin (PGRN) expression is regulated is largely unknown. We identified an evolutionarily conserved binding site for microRNA-29b (miR-29b) in the 3′ untranslated region (3′UTR) of the human PGRN (hPGRN) mRNA. miR-29b downregulates the expression of luciferase through hPGRN or mouse PGRN (mPGRN) 3′UTRs, and the regulation was abolished by mutations in the miR-29b binding site. To examine the direct effect of manipulating endogenous miR-29b on hPGRN expression, we established a stable NIH3T3 cell line that expresses hPGRN under the control of the cytomegalovirus promoter. Ectopic expression of miR-29b decreased hPGRN expression at the both mRNA and protein levels. Conversely, knockdown of endogenous miR-29b with locked nucleic acid increased the production and secretion of hPGRN in NIH3T3 cells. Endogenous hPGRN in HEK 293 cells was also regulated by miR-29b. These findings identify miR-29b as a novel posttranscriptional regulator of PGRN expression, raising the possibility that miR-29b or other miRNAs might be targeted therapeutically to increase hPGRN levels in some FTD patients.