cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characterizing Electron Transport through Living Biofilms

Here we demonstrate the method of electrochemical gating used to characterize electrical conductivity of electrode-grown microbial biofilms under physiologically relevant conditions.1 These measurements are performed on living biofilms in aqueous medium using source and drain electrodes patterned on a glass surface in a specialized configuration referred to as an interdigitated electrode (IDA) array. A biofilm is grown that extends across the gap connecting the source and drain. Potentials are applied to the electrodes (ES and ED) generating a source-drain current (ISD) through the biofilm between the electrodes. The dependency of electrical conductivity on gate potential (the average of the source and drain potentials, EG = [ED + ES]/2) is determined by systematically changing the gate potential and measuring the resulting source-drain current. The dependency of conductivity on gate potential provides mechanistic information about the extracellular electron transport process underlying the electrical conductivity of the specific biofilm under investigation. The electrochemical gating measurement method described here is based directly on that used by M. S. Wrighton2,3 and colleagues and R. W. Murray4,5,6 and colleagues in the 1980's to investigate thin film conductive polymers.
Plasma binding and the affinity of propranolol for a beta receptor in man

The effects of plasma drug binding on the relationship between propranolol concentration and the antagonism of isoproterenol tachycardia have been investigated in 8 normal subjects and 8 hypertensive patients. During chronic intravenous infusion of propranolol giving a narrow range of total plasma concentrations (22.5 to 50 ng/ml), there was, at best, a poor correlation with effects. On the other hand, there was excellent correlation between efficacy and free drug concentration, which fitted the predictions of the receptor theory of competitive antagonism. The true affinity constant for the binding of propranolol to its receptor can be calculated in terms of free drug concentration (KAfree) and was found to vary 2-fold compared to the affinity constant in terms of total plasma concentration (KAtotal) which varied 4-fold, the greater variation being due to plasma binding differences. Compared to normal subjects, KAfree and KAtotal were smaller in hypertensive subjects, implying lesser sensitivity to the drug, and plasma propranolol binding was greater. There was no difference in KAfree between high- and low-renin essential hypertensives, but KAtotal was smaller in the high-renin group due to increased plasma binding which did not reach statistical significance. It is concluded that the effect of propranolol on heart rate is a predictable function of free drug concentration in man and that the contribution of individual variation in receptor sensitivity to differences in oral dosage requirement is minor compared to that of variations in bioavailability.
Energy band engineering of InGaN/GaN multi-quantum-well solar cells via AlGaN electron- and hole-blocking layers

In this paper, we perform a comprehensive study on energy band engineering of InGaN multi-quantum-well (MQW) solar cells using AlGaN electron- and hole-blocking layers. InGaN MQW solar cells with AlGaN layers were grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition, and high crystal quality was confirmed by high resolution X-ray diffraction measurements. Time-resolved photoluminescence results showed that the carrier lifetime on the solar cells with AlGaN layers increased by more than 40% compared to that on the reference samples, indicating greatly improved carrier collections. The illuminated current-density (J–V) measurements further confirmed that the short-circuit current density (Jsc) of the solar cells also benefited from the AlGaN layer design and increased 46%. At room temperature, the InGaN solar cells with AlGaN layers showed much higher power conversion efficiency (PCE), by up to two-fold, compared to reference devices. At high temperatures, these solar cells with AlGaN layers also delivered superior photovoltaic (PV) performance such as PCE, Jsc, and fill factor than the reference devices. These results indicate that band engineering with AlGaN layers in the InGaN MQW solar cell structures can effectively enhance the carrier collection process and is a promising design for high efficiency InGaN solar cells for both room temperature and high temperature PV applications.
Data-driven human driver lateral control models for developing haptic-shared control advanced driver assist systems

Abstract In order to improve road safety, many advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) have been developed to support human-decision making and reduce driver workload. Currently, the majority of ADAS employ a single, often very simple, driver model to predict human-driver interaction in the immediate future (e.g., next few seconds). However, there is tremendous variability in how each individual drives, necessitating personalized driver models, based on data collected from observed actual driver actions. Yet, because we currently lack sufficient knowledge of the high-level cognitive brain functions, traditional control-theoretic driver models have difficulty accurately predicting driver actions. Recently, machine-learning algorithms have been utilized to predict future driver control actions. We compare several of these algorithms used to predict the lateral control actions of human drivers. Specifically, we compare these algorithms in terms of their suitability to develop haptic-shared ADAS, which share the control force with the human driver. To this end, we need to know how the steering torque is provided by the driver. However, low-cost driving simulators typically measure steering angle but not steering torque. Thus, this work also proposes a methodology to estimate the steering-wheel torque. Using the estimated steering torque, we train several machine learning driver control models and compare the performance using both simulated and real human-driving data sets.
Responsiveness of hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis to leptin is impaired in diet-induced obese rats

Diet-induced obese (DIO) rats have altered stress (HPA) axis activity compared to diet-resistant (DR) rats when chronically exposed to a high-fat (HF) diet. Since stress axis is tightly regulated by leptin, an adipocyte-secreted hormone that is important for controlling body weight, we hypothesized that leptin action is impaired in DIO rats leading to alterations in HPA axis activity. We intraperitoneally injected selectively bred DIO and DR rats with either saline or recombinant rat leptin. HPA axis activity was assessed by measuring norepinephrine (NE) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) in the median eminence, and serum corticosterone (CORT). To test if HF exposure duration and the corresponding increase in leptin differentially affects HPA axis activity, we placed animals on a chow or HF diet for 1 or 6 weeks. Leptin injection significantly increased serum leptin levels in both DIO and DR animals. It also reduced PVN NE in both groups, indicating that noradrenergic neurons in both groups remain responsive to leptin. HF diet duration-dependently increased serum leptin only in DIO animals whereas PVN NE increased in both groups. While DR rats responded to HF diet by increasing CRH and CORT at both time-points, responses in DIO rats varied, suggesting that they have altered HPA axis activity that may be dependent on HF-induced leptin levels and/or signaling. To understand the underlying mechanisms, we measured pSTAT-3, a marker of leptin signaling, in brainstem noradrenergic neurons and found reduced pSTAT-3 in A1 region of HF-fed DIO rats. We also found higher serum free fatty acids (FFAs) and a pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-1β. Collectively, these findings reveal that DIO rats have inherent neuroendocrine impairment in NE-HPA axis circuitry that worsens with the extent of HF diet exposure, possibly due to brainstem leptin resistance and/or elevated circulating FFAs and IL-1β.
What Evidence Do We Need Before Recommending Routine Screening for Social Determinants of Health

Social determinants have a large effect on patients' health and well-being. Primary care clinicians need more evidence about their role in addressing social determinants of health, and community resources and public health support are needed to help patients with unmet social needs.
Ferroptosis in nervous system diseases

Ferroptosis is a non-apoptotic form of regulated cell death characterized by iron-dependent accumulation of lethal lipid peroxidation. First identified in cancer cells in 2012, ferroptosis has significant implications in several nervous system disorders. Studies have revealed the presence of iron accumulation, lipid peroxidation, glutathione reduction, and glutathione peroxidase 4 inhibition in various brain diseases, and ferroptotic inhibitors have been shown to protect neurons and improve cognitive function in experimental cellular and/or animal models. In this chapter, we describe the role that ferroptotic mechanisms play in different brain diseases and discuss how this knowledge can be harnessed to prevent and treat nervous system diseases.
Married to a Marriage Therapist: An Insider Perspective

Semi-structured interviews conducted with 14 spouses of licensed practicing marriage therapists were analyzed using descriptive phenomenology. Participants described benefits that their spouse’s ex...
'We are all in the image of God': reproductive imaginaries and prenatal genetic testing in American Jewish communities.

Abstract How are we to understand the complexities of prenatal genetic testing across social and cultural worlds? Availability and uptake of this biotechnology is variable, deeply influenced not only by national frameworks but also by local regimes of value. We argue that these intersections of genetic testing and local cultural worlds must be understood as part of broader 'reproductive imaginaries', including everything from kinship, pregnancy and gender norms to children’s links to specific community norms of national and cultural futures. In the USA, preconceptual/prenatal genetic testing is widely available, driven by a neoliberal market-based model of consumer choice. In contrast, such tests are far more restricted by bioethical laws and medical regulations in France. This article will examine how particular cultural and religious communities – primarily American orthodox Jewish communities – shape prenatal genetic testing in their own distinct ways.
Abylay Zhexembay's Discussion on “Agricultural Insurance Ratemaking: Development of a New Premium Principle,” by Wenjun Zhu, Ken Seng Tan, and Lysa Porth, Volume 23(4)

Professors Zhu, Tan, and Porth are to be thanked for this article, which is centered around evaluating (D.1) E[L[a,b] w(Y)]E[w(Y)]=E[L[a,b]×w(Y)E[w(Y)]] for various w. In this discussion I will foc...
Multi-Phase Galaxy Formation: High Velocity Clouds and the Missing Baryon Problem

The standard treatment of cooling in Cold Dark Matter halos assumes that all of the gas within a ``cooling radius'' cools and contracts monolithically to fuel galaxy formation. Here we take into account the expectation that the hot gas in galactic halos is thermally unstable and prone to fragmentation during cooling and show that the implications are more far-reaching than previously expected: allowing multi-phase cooling fundamentally alters expectations about gas infall in halos and naturally explains the bright-end cutoff in the galaxy luminosity function. We argue that cooling should proceed via the formation of high-density, 10^4 K clouds, pressure-confined within a hot gas background. The background medium has a low density, and can survive as a stable corona with a long cooling time. The fraction of baryons contained in the residual hot core grows with halo mass because the cooling density increases, and this leads to an upper-mass limit in quiescent, non-merged galaxies of ~10^11 Msun. In this scenario, galaxy formation is fueled by the infall of pressure-supported clouds. For Milky-Way-size systems, clouds of mass ~ 5x10^6 Msun that formed or merged within the last several Gyrs should still exist as a residual population in the halo, with a total mass in clouds of ~ 2 x 10^10 Msun. The mass of the Milky Way galaxy is explained naturally in this model, and is a factor of two smaller than would result in the standard treatment without feedback. We expect clouds in galactic halos to be ~ 1 kpc in size and to extend ~150 kpc from galactic centers. The predicted properties of clouds match well the observed radial velocities, angular sizes, column densities, and velocity widths of High Velocity Clouds around our Galaxy. The clouds also explain high-ion absorption systems at z<1.
Pharmacist-Managed Helicobacter pylori Treatment Service Within a Gastroenterology Clinic: Workflow and Real-World Experiences.

BackgroundTreatment eradication rates of Helicobacter pylori, a gastrointestinal infection, are 70% to 90% in clinical studies but lower in real-world settings. Potential barriers include multidrug...
Bridging scientific and experiential knowledges via participatory climate adaptation research: A case study of dry farmers in Oregon

In western Oregon’s Willamette Valley, small fruit and vegetable growers have traditionally relied on irrigation to produce their crops. However, they are increasingly experiencing issues with water availability and access due to precipitation pattern changes associated with climate change. In 2016, the Dry Farming Collaborative (DFC) was developed as a participatory model for facilitating research, social networks, and resource-sharing among agricultural stakeholders to test the efficacy of dry farming as an adaptation strategy. Dry farming differs from irrigated cropping systems in that growers do not irrigate their fields and instead utilize a suite of practices to conserve soil moisture from winter rains for summer crop growth. To better understand how to meaningfully engage stakeholders in participatory climate adaptation research, this study explored how the participatory process facilitated the adoption of dry farming as a climate adaptation strategy among participants. Drawing on interviews with 20 DFC participants, including farmers, gardeners, and researchers, results indicate that the integration and use of different knowledge systems within the participatory research process made it easier for participants to integrate dry farming into their operational contexts. Processes designed to encourage interactions and information-sharing between participants and nonhierarchical researcher-grower relationships facilitated the exchange of these knowledge systems among participants, thus providing them with the trusted and salient information they needed to adopt new practices. Results indicate that these features could be useful for enacting future participatory climate research projects that lead to the adoption of effective adaptation strategies.
Diffeomorphic Registration with Density Changes for the Analysis of Imbalanced Shapes

This paper introduces an extension of diffeomorphic registration to enable the morphological analysis of data structures with inherent density variations and imbalances. Building on the framework of Large Diffeomorphic Metric Matching (LDDMM) registration and measure representations of shapes, we propose to augment previous measure deformation approaches with an additional density (or mass) transformation process. We then derive a variational formulation for the joint estimation of optimal deformation and density change between two measures. Based on the obtained optimality conditions, we deduce a shooting algorithm to numerically estimate solutions and illustrate the practical interest of this model for several types of geometric data such as fiber bundles with inconsistent fiber densities or incomplete surfaces.
A Centripetal Theory of Democratic Governance

This book outlines the importance of political institutions in achieving good governance within a democratic polity and sets forth an argument to explore what sorts of institutions do the job best. By focusing on 'centripetal institutions', which maximize both representation and authority by bringing political energy and actors toward the centre of a polity, the authors set forth a relatively novel theory of democratic governance, applicable to all political settings in which multi-party competition obtains. Basing their theory on national-level political institutions, the authors argue that there are three types of political institutions that are fundamental in securing a centripetal style of democratic governance: unitary (rather than federal) sovereignty, a parliamentary (rather than presidential) executive, and a closed-list PR electoral system (rather than a single-member district or preferential-vote system).
Late adult onset MELAS, presenting as non-convulsive status and atypical strokes. (P2.257)

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of MELAS of late adult onset presenting with non-convulsive status and atypical strokes. BACKGROUND: MELAS is a mitochondrial disorder, characterized by stroke-like episodes, seizures, encephalopathy and muscle weakness [1]. The reported age of onset ranges from 3 to 40 years [2]. The majority of cases are due to A3G mutation at position 3243 of the mitochondrial DNA. [2] METHODS: A 58 year old Hispanic woman presented with acute mental status change. Exam was significant for a Wernicke’s aphasia without any motor or sensory deficits. MRI Brain showed left temporal lobe cortical edema and laminar necrosis. Video EEG showed non-convulsive seizures with left central-temporal focus. Initial blood workup showed lactic acidosis. CSF showed no cells, an elevated lactate level of 4.6. HSV-PCR was negative. Her sister had died after two strokes at the age of 53. RESULTS: The patient was successfully treated with Valproate and Levetiracetam for non-convulsive status epilepticus. However, her neurologic condition worsened and she became lethargic and unresponsive. Repeat EEG and CSF analysis were normal. Repeat MRI showed new areas of abnormality in the right insular cortex and bilateral hippocampi. Cerebral angiogram was normal. Brain biopsy showed laminar necrosis and muscle biopsy showed COX-negative Ragged Red Fibers. Patient eventually became alert and was discharged to a rehabilitation facility with persistent Wernicke’s aphasia. Genetic analysis of muscle biopsy specimen showed heteroplasmic A3243G mutation in the mitochondrial tRNA. Ten weeks after discharge, patient remained seizure free with a persistent Wernicke’s aphasia and memory difficulty. CONCLUSIONS: Adult-onset strokes due to MELAS have rarely been described and are usually suspected in the setting of recurrent strokes. Our patient was diagnosed at her initial attack because of her unique presentation. We believe that MELAS should be considered in all adult patients presenting with atypical strokes and seizures. Disclosure: Dr. Raval has nothing to disclose. Dr. El-Ghanem has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hillen has nothing to disclose.
Organophosphorus Cholinesterase Inhibitors: Detoxification by Microbial Enzymes

Numerous organophosphorus compounds of importance in agriculture, medicine, military defense, and research have been shown to be potent inhibitors of cholinesterases and other enzymes with active serine residues in their active sites. Over the past 45 years a variety of enzymes that catalytically hydrolyze and detoxify these compounds have been described and characterized to varying degrees. Enzymes of this type have been found in both procaryotes and eucaryotes, but microbial sources have been of increased interest for a variety of reasons. These include their potential for production through large-scale fermentation, the relative ease of their physical and chemical manipulation, and their generally simpler genetic makeup which makes cloning of the enzyme genes potentially easier and more straightforward.
Transfer of technology: computer equipment selection and staff training protocols computerized retrieval systems

The choice of equipment for computerized retrieval systems is discussed in the light of training requirements for present staff. It is emphasized that the acceptance of purchased systems is highly dependent on the training effort made. Elements of systems networks, hardware and software are being related to the training techniques which are needed.
Effects of radiation during space flight on microorganisms and plants on the Biosatellite II and Gemini XI Missions.

The results of recent experiments with the lysogenic bacteria, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium, the bread mold Neurospora crassa and the flowering plant Tradescantia on the Biosatellite II and Gemini XI Missions will be summarized. In the lysogenic bacteria experiment (Dr. Rudolf H.T. Mattoni, NUS Corporation) on the Biosatellite II mission significant effects of space flight were found on both growth rate and the induction of prophage. In that part of the Neurospora experiment on both the Biosatellite II and Gemini XI Missions (Dr. J.F. de Serres), utilizing non-dividing and inactive spores, no difference was found in the genetic effects of radiation between the flight and ground samples. In that portion of the Neurospora experiment on the Gemini XI mission utilizing rapidly-metabolizing spores the genetic effects of radiation were less serious in the flight samples than the ground samples. In the Tradescantia experiment (Dr. A.H. Sparrow, Brookhaven National Laboratory) on the Biosatellite II Mission, the irradiated flight material, in general, produced increased rates of cell death, abortion of pollen, loss of reproductive integrity, as well as other abnormalities in cell structure and function. In some of the experiments there were found significantly genetic effects of space flight alone, and the enhancement of various genetic effects of radiation under weightlessness was no more than 2- or 3-fold.
Conservatism and book-tax differences

I investigate the relation between conservatism and book-tax differences (BTDs), where “conservatism” refers to conservatism in the financial statement context (as opposed to the taxable income context). Specifically, “conservatism” refers to conditional and unconditional conservatism per Basu (1997). The primary objective of my study is to further the use of BTDs in financial statement analysis. I find that, on average, the conditional and unconditional financial statement conservatism of firm-years with large positive BTDs (book income is greater than taxable income) is similar to that of other sample firm-years, while the conditional and unconditional conservatism in taxable income of firm-years with large positive BTDs is greater than that of other sample firm-years. Thus, contrary to teachings in popular accounting textbooks, my main findings suggest that large positive BTDs do not, on average, reveal information about a firm's relative level of financial statement conservatism. I additionally find t...
Consequences of Low Dose Ionizing Radiation Exposure on the Hippocampal Microenvironment

The response of the brain to irradiation is complex, involving a multitude of stress inducible pathways that regulate neurotransmission within a dynamic microenvironment. While significant past work has detailed the consequences of CNS radiotherapy following relatively high doses (≥ 45 Gy), few studies have been conducted at much lower doses (≤ 2 Gy), where the response of the CNS (like many other tissues) may differ substantially from that expected from linear extrapolations of high dose data. Low dose exposure could elicit radioadaptive modulation of critical CNS processes such as neurogenesis, that provide cellular input into hippocampal circuits known to impact learning and memory. Here we show that mice deficient for chemokine signaling through genetic disruption of the CCR2 receptor exhibit a neuroprotective phenotype. Compared to wild type (WT) animals, CCR2 deficiency spared reductions in hippocampal neural progenitor cell survival and stabilized neurogenesis following exposure to low dose irradiation. While radiation-induced changes in microglia levels were not found in WT or CCR2 deficient animals, the number of Iba1+ cells did differ between each genotype at the higher dosing paradigms, suggesting that blockade of this signaling axis could moderate the neuroinflammatory response. Interestingly, changes in proinflammatory gene expression were limited in WT animals, while irradiation caused significant elevations in these markers that were attenuated significantly after radioadaptive dosing paradigms in CCR2 deficient mice. These data point to the importance of chemokine signaling under low dose paradigms, findings of potential significance to those exposed to ionizing radiation under a variety of occupational and/or medical scenarios.
Prediction of imbibition in simple porous media

Pore level processes in porous media, such as drainage or imbibition of wetting phase, are of great importance in different branches of soil science, petroleum engineering and water research. In this work we describe a new way of modeling imbibition, based upon a physically consistent dynamic criterion for the imbibition of a pore. We illustrate this approach in a simple but physically representative porous medium, the “ideal soil” (a dense random packing of equal spheres). The results of geological processes, such as cementation (e.g., quartz overgrowth), are simulated in the sphere pack to yield a model of sedimentary rock. Complete knowledge of the pore space geometry in the model rock then allows making a priori predictions of pore level processes. Imbibition is simulated in a network that faithfully represents the pore-level geometry of the model rock. This approach allows studying the effects of contact angle, initial conditions (for example, different drainage endpoints), and sample geology (amount of cement). It also provides a basis for a mechanistic understanding of phenomena such as “snap-off” of nonwetting phase in the pore throats. The simulations show that the capillary pressure curve is very sensitive to the wettability conditions (value of contact angle) and geological features of the sample. Predicted capillary pressure curves are compared to experimental data, presented in the literature, and found consistent with most of them.
Performance of an adaptive blind equalizer for QAM signals

This paper presents a performance study of a blind adaptive channel equalization scheme. This scheme is based on a single cost function, which is created by combining two well-defined cost functions, the constant modulus algorithm (CMA) and the alphabet-matched algorithm (AMA). The combined cost function considers both the amplitude and the phase of the equalizer output, which allows for more efficient equalization of QAM signals. We present results that compare equalization of a 16-QAM signal using the new cost function with that obtained using the CMA cost function alone. The performance measures used for the comparison are the average mean-squared error (MSE) and the average symbol error rate (SER)
Evidence-Based Practice in the Social Services

Abstract Evidence-based practice integrates individual practitioner expertise with the best available evidence while also considering the values and expectations of clients. Research can be categorized into two broad areas: primary (experiments, clinical trials, and surveys) and secondary research (overviews of major studies, practice guidelines, and decision and economic analyses). One of the major challenges to incorporating research evidence into organizational life is the absence of an evidence-based organizational culture within human service agencies. This article identifies multiple strategies and case examples for creating such an organizational culture. Three major implications emerge from this analysis: (a) agency-university partnerships to identify the data to support evidence-based practice, (b) staff training (in the agencies and on campuses) that features problem-based learning approaches to support the introduction and utilization of evidence-based practice, and (c) the modification of agen...
Bromide space determination using anion-exchange chromatography for measurement of bromide

A high-pressure liquid chromatographic method for bromide measurement is used to determine extracellular water volume in humans. The method uses 5 microL serum ultrafiltrate and has a sensitivity of 7.5 pmol. Because of the extreme sensitivity of this method, relatively small quantities of Br can be administered and small amounts of blood are needed for the analysis. By this method, the mean corrected Br space in 82 healthy adults representing a wide range of body weights was 0.218 +/- .034 L/kg (mean +/- 1 SD) with a range of 0.153-0.295 L/kg, which is consistent with reported values. There was a significant, inverse relationship between corrected Br space per kilogram and obesity as measured by body mass index. The corrected Br space in six children aged 3-36 mo was 0.335-0.394 L/kg, which is also consistent with reported values in children of this age. This method for Br measurement can easily and readily be applied for the determination of extracellular water volume.
Xanthine oxidase injurious response in acute joint injury

Abstract Background While acute trauma is a major cause of osteoarthritis, its etiology is poorly understood. We sought to determine whether xanthine oxidase (XO), a major producer of reactive oxygen species, plays a role in the early events of acute joint injury. Methods We analyzed synovial fluid from 23 subjects with recent severe acute knee injury. As a control we evaluated SF from 23 individuals with no or minimal knee osteoarthritis. We measured XO activity, reactive oxygen + reactive nitrogen species (ROS + RNS), protein oxidative damage (carbonyl), the type II collagen synthesis marker procollagen II c-propeptide (CPII) and the type II collagen degradation marker collagen type II telopeptide (CTx-II). We also measured the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6. Results XO and ROS + RNS were higher (p = 0.02 and p = 0.001 respectively) in acute injury than control and were strongly positively associated (r = 0.62, p = 0.004). Carbonyl was higher in acute injury than control (p = 0.0002) and was positively correlated with XO (r = 0.68, p = 0.0007) as well as with ROS + RNS (r = 0.71, p = 0.004). CPII was higher in acute injury than control (p Conclusions These results are consistent with a potentially injurious effect of XO activity in acute joint injury characterized by excess free radical production and oxidative damage. These effects are associated with an inhibition of type II collagen production that may impede the ability of the injured joint to repair.
Coping with Negative Emotions: The Cognitive Strategies of HIV-infected Gay/Bisexual Men

While the managing of negative emotions has been identified as a central adaptive task for those living with chronic illnesses such as HIV/AIDS, little is known about the specific coping strategies used to achieve this task. The present study employed unstructured interviews to examine illnessspecific cognitive strategies used by an ethnically diverse sample of HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) in their attempts to manage the negative emotions associated with the illness. Fourteen specific cognitive strategies were identified, many of which were specific to coping with chronic illness or HIV/AIDS. These strategies were categorized into four major conceptual categories: (1) distancing the threat of death; (2) reducing the sense of victimization; (3) gaining a sense of control; and (4) mentally preparing for emotional upset. The findings have implications for what coping assessments may be neglecting and may provide insights for therapeutic application.
Imaging of the Scrotum: Textbook and Atlas

Type of Book: A comprehensive text that encompasses all the currently available modalities for imaging of the scrotum. Scope of Book: This book provides a complete review of the radiologic evaluation of the scrotum, including ultrasonographic, computed tomographic, magnetic resonance imaging, and nuclear medicine techniques.
Othering Obama: Racial Attitudes and Dubious Beliefs about the Nation’s First Black President

The literature on descriptive representation indicates that the election of black political leaders may prompt white enmity. We assess this claim by examining the relationship between whites’ racia...
112 INCREASED OXYGENATION IN INFANTS WITH CANOTIC CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE DURING EXPOSURE TO 100% 02

Oxygen therapy is seldom recommended in infants with cyanotic congenital heart disease (CCHD) because of the small change in PaO2 that occurs with increased inspired oxygen concentrations. Arterial PO2 was measured in 25 infants with CCHD and C02 production (VC02) in 17 of them while breathing 21 and 100% 02. Pa02 increased from 31±7.9 to 41.4±17.3 mmHg within 3 minutes of breathing 100% 02. (P<0.001) This determined an increase in 02 content of 12 to 20%, depending on the initial Pa02 and the position of the Hb-O2 dissociation curve. Although the change in PaO2 was small, the increase in O2 content was considerable because it occurred in the steep part of the Hb-O2 dissociation curve. The increase in PaO2 cannot be explained solely by an increase in dissolved O2 in the blood perfusing the lungs but must be related to either an increase in pulmonary blood flow or to an increase in 02 saturation of the pulmonary venous blood. The latter would occur in case of an increased A/aO2 gradient due to co-existing pulmonary pathology. VCO2 increased from 7.6 before to 8.5 ml/minxkg 30 minutes after breathing 100% O2 (P< 0.005). This increase indicates that the basal metabolic rate may be depressed in infants with severe chronic hypoxemia and this can be at least partially reversed by a small increase in PaO2. These results suggest that 02 therapy may improve tissue oxygenation in some infants with CCHD.
Transient analysis of a flow-through porous electrode at the limiting current

The equations governing the transients in the concentration, current and potential response of a porous flow-through electrode at the limiting current for a single reactant in a well-supported electrolyte have been solved. It was assumed that a potentiostatic step was applied to an electrode with a uniform feed concentration. The dispersive flux of reactant was assumed to be negligible but double-layer charging effects were taken into consideration. If the double-layer time constant is much less than the fluid residence time (νC/ɛϰ ≪ 1), it is quantitatively shown that the capacitive current may be neglected in interpreting the current-time response of the electrode when examined in the fluid residence time frame. If the entire electrode is to operate at the limiting current, it is quantitatively shown that the solution phase ohmic drop can become significant early in the transient such that secondary reactions may become important. The ability to interpretI versust data in terms of the limiting current species mass transfer coefficient is removed under these conditions. The results support the qualitative arguments made by Newman and Tiedemann in their comprehensive review article on porous flow-through electrodes. Finally, it is shown that ln(Faradaic current) versust can be approximately linear in a limited time span, although no useful information can be obtained from such a plot.
On the structure of self-similar detonation waves in TNT charges

A phase-plane method is proposed to model flow fields bounded by constant-velocity detonation waves propagating in TNT charges. Similarity transformations are used to formulate the problem in the phase plane of non-dimensional sound speed Z versus non-dimensional velocity F. The formulation results in two coupled ordinary differential equations that are solved simultaneously. The solution corresponds to an integral curve Z(F) in the phase plane, starting at the Chapman-Jouguet (CJ) point and terminating at the singularity A, which is the sonic point within the wave. The system is closed by computing thermodynamic variables along the expansion isentrope passing through the CJ point, forming, in effect, the complete equation of state of the thermodynamic system. The CJ condition and isentropic states are computed by the Cheetah thermodynamic code. Solutions are developed for planar, cylindrical, and spherical detonations. Species profiles are also computed; carbon graphite is found to be the predominant component (≈10 mol/kg). The similarity solution is used to initialize a 1D gas-dynamic simulation that predicts the initial expansion of the detonation products and the formation of a blast wave in air. Such simulations provide an insight into the thermodynamic states and species concentrations that create the initial optical emissions from TNT fireballs.
Liver function tests after ligation of hepatic artery.

Nine patients with unresectable primary and secondary malignancy of the liver underwent ligation of the hepatic artery (HAL) distal to the gastroduodenal artery as a therapeutic measure. Another patient had a similar operation for hepatic artery aneurysm. Their postoperative liver function tests are studied in detail, and the patterns of change are compared with three other patients who had extensive resection of tissues but without HAL. It appears that liver function tests rarely became abnormal after major operations, whereas HAL produced an immediate rise of lactic dehydrogenase and transaminase (up to 5–60 times normal value), and creatine phosphokinase (4–15 times normal). All elevated enzymes returned to preoperative levels within a week. Alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin rose mildly after HAL and returned to preoperative range in about one week. However, if the patient had repeated surgical stress, anoxic insult, or maximal loss of the hepatic parenchyma, serum enzymes rose only slightly after HAL.
Thermal measurement method for multi-chip packages

Semiconductor industry is constantly improving. Package technology are getting more and more complicated with the industry trying to squeeze passive components and more dies in a package to increase functionality of products. [1] Emerging names for these packages are for example multi-chip packages, package on package, package in package, modules and etc. [2] With the increasing number of die per package, semiconductor industry is facing thermal challenges with increase of power which generates more heat in package. [3] Question is how do we characterize and perform thermal measurement to decide if those packages will meet thermal performance? Conventional methods are available for single chip packages. This paper will describe thermal measurement approach of multi-chip packages using linear super-position method. 16 lead SOIC package mounted on a 2 layer standard JEDEC thermal test board is employed as test vehicle for this study under still air environment. Its accuracy will be validated through finite element modeling using ANSYS software simulation tools. Wiring connection method implemented in this study will be demonstrated as well.
The latency-associated nuclear antigen tethers the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus genome to host chromosomes in body cavity-based lymphoma cells

Viruses that establish latent infection must maintain their DNA in the host nucleus through many cellular generations. Here we identify a novel mechanism by which the gammaherpesvirus Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) may achieve this persistence in latently infected body cavity-based lymphoma (BCBL) cells. We find that KSHV genomic DNA is associated with host chromosomes and colocalizes with the latency-associated nuclear antigen (LANA). Furthermore, a region at the left end of the KSHV genome binds strongly to LANA and can colocalize to the host chromosomes with LANA. Additionally, we found that LANA associates with histone H1 in KSHV-infected BCBL cells. We propose that this chromosomal association of the KSHV genome is mediated by LANA and involves a tethering mechanism by which viral episomes are linked to host chromatin through simultaneous interaction with host chromosomal proteins including histone H1 and cis-acting KSHV DNA elements. This strategy may be employed by other viruses in establishment of latency in the infected cells.
Stimulated Raman scattering measurements of H2 vibration–vibration transfer

Abstract We present a new set of V–V rate coefficients for vibrational levels 0–5 in H2 at 300 K, measured using a stimulated Raman–spontaneous Raman pump/probe apparatus. The measured rate of the non-resonant process, H2(v = 1) + H2(v = 1) → H2(v = 0) + H2(v = 2), is consistent with the previously reported experimental value of Kreutz et al. However, semi-classical predictions of such non-resonant processes, using the identical inter-molecular potential and methodology to that given by Cacciatore and Billing, results in rates which are too slow, by a factor of approximately 3. For the “resonant” V–V process, H2(v = 1) + H2(v = 0) → H2(v = 0) + H2(v = 1), the semi-classical rate is found to be too slow by an even larger factor, of approximately 30, compared to the experimental rate, but consistent with the previously reported experimental result of Farrow and Chandler. Further, unlike the semi-classical model prediction in which the (1, 1 → 2, 0) process rate is predicted to exceed that of the (1, 0 → 0, 1) process, the experimental data shows it to be a factor of approximately 2.5 less, suggesting that semi-classical methods that treat the rotational motion classically are unsuitable for the highly anharmonic H2 molecule. The ratio of pure rotation and rotation–vibration Raman cross sections for scattering from levels 0 and 1 is also determined, with results which agree with calculations of Schwartz and LeRoy, but are somewhat larger than previous experimental results of Cureton.
The detailed modeling of premixed, laminar steady-state flames. I. Ozone

Abstract We have employed species-dependent input coefficients for the test case ozone in a one-dimensional model of a premixed, laminar, steady-state flame. Convenient expressions for the input coefficients are developed. These coefficients are based on independent measurements, that is, no arbitrary parameters are used in the model. The governing equations are solved using a relaxation technique and the partial differential equation package, PDECOL, developed by Madsen and Sincovec. Species and temperature profiles and the burning velocities are found over the range of initial ozone mole fraction of 0.25 to 1.00. The computed burning velocities are no more than 30% greater than the measurements of Streng and Grosse. Comparison with the computed results of Warnatz shows agreement within ±12%; even though he used quite different expressions for some of the kinetic coefficients. These differences are manifest in the atomic oxygen and temperature profiles at an initial ozone mole fraction of unity. A comparison of the model profiles indicates a need for measurements or ab initio calculations for the rate coefficient for the reaction O3 + O → 2 O2 at temperatures in the range 1500–2000°K.
Peer Victimization and Prosocial Experiences and Emotional Well-Being of Middle School Students.

This study investigated the relationships among different forms of peer victimization and prosocial experiences and early adolescent emotional well-being. A total of 571 students in grades 6–8 were administered the Positive and Negative Affect Scale–Children, Multidimensional Students' Life Satisfaction Scale, and the Children's Self Experience Questionnaire–Self Report. Females reported more prosocial experiences; males reported more overt and relational victimization. Differential predictors were observed for the emotional well-being variables of life satisfaction, positive affect, and negative affect in a series of hierarchical multiple regression equations. Overt victimization experiences added significant variance to all three well-being equations. Relational victimization experiences added significant variance to the negative affect equation. After accounting for overt and relational experiences, prosocial experiences added significant variance to the life satisfaction and positive affect equations. The experience of prosocial peer interactions thus appears to serve as a protective factor with respect to the relationship between victimization and life satisfaction and positive affect for early adolescents. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 44: 199–208, 2007.
Extraction of intended palpation times from facial EMGs in a mouse model of active sensing

The rodent whisker system is a common model for somatosensory neuroscience and sensorimotor integration. In support of ongoing efforts to assess neural stimulation approaches for future sensory prostheses, in which we deliver optogenetic stimulation to the somatosensory cortex of behaving mice, we must coordinate feedback in real time with active sensing whisker motions. Here we describe methods for extracting the times of whisker palpations from bilateral bipolar facial electromyograms (EMG). In particular, we show onset times extracted offline from EMG envelopes lead whisker motion onsets extracted from high speed video (HSV) by ≈ 16 ms. While HSV provides ground truth for sensing motions, it is not a feasible source of real time information suitable for neurofeedback experiments. As an alternative, we find the temporal derivative of the EMG envelope reliably predicts whisker motion onsets with short latency. Thus EMG, although providing noisy and partial information, can serve well as an input to control algorithms for testing neural processing of active sensing information, and providing stimulation for artificial touch experiments.
Degradability of Poly(Lactic Acid)-Containing Nanoparticles: Enzymatic Access through a Cross-Linked Shell Barrier

Comparative studies of bulk samples of hydrolytically degradable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) vs core–shell block copolymer micelles having PLA cores revealed remarkable acceleration in the proteinase K enzymatic hydrolysis of the nanoparticulate forms and demonstrated that even with amidation-based shell cross-linking the core domain remained accessible. Kinetic analyses by 1H NMR spectroscopy showed less than 20% lactic acid released from enzymatically catalyzed hydrolysis of poly(l-lactic acid) in bulk, whereas ca. 70% of the core degraded within 48 h for block copolymer micelles of poly(N-(acryloyloxy)succinimide-copolymer-N-acryloylmorpholine)-block-poly(L-lactic acid) (P(NAS-co-NAM)-b-PLLA), with only a slight reduction to ca. 50% for the shell cross-linked derivatives. Rigorous characterization measurements by NMR spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, atomic force microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were employed to confirm core excavation. These studies provide...
Thin layer spectroelectrochemistry of a regenerative mechanism

Abstract The utility of thin-layer spectroelectrochemical techniques for studying a regenerative electrode mechanism is demonstrated with chlorpromazine (CPZ). Thin-layer chronoabsorptometry with open-circuit relaxation and thin-layer chronoabsorptometry give characteristically different spectral results for a regenerative mechanism. Electrogenerated CPZ + in 3 M sulfuric acid gave an overall reaction stoichiometry consistent with regeneration of CPZ by a second-order Process with a rate constant of 4.3 M −1 s −1 .