cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of an innovative behavioural change strategy and small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements on stunting and obesity in children in Baja Verapaz, Guatemala: protocol for a randomised control trial.

Introduction In Latin America, a rapid increase in obesity alongside persistent malnutrition has resulted in a double burden of disease that affects the most vulnerable segments of the population. Infant and young child feeding practices are important factors that affect both sides of the growth curve. Interventions such as behavioural change strategies and home fortification using products like small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNS) have the potential to reduce the presence of both these conditions, especially if they are implemented during the first 1000 days of life. This paper details the protocol for Sustained Programme for Improving Nutrition (SPOON), an innovative strategy to prevent stunting and reduce risk for obesity in children under 24 months old in high-poverty areas in Baja Verapaz, Guatemala. Methods and analysis SPOON Guatemala is a three-arm randomised control trial: treatment group 1 will receive the SPOON behavioural change strategy and SQ-LNS, treatment group 2 will receive the SPOON behavioural change strategy and micronutrient powders; the control group will receive the standard of care provided by the Ministry of Health, which includes micronutrient powders. A modified formula of SQ-LNS has been especially developed for this trial. A total of 76 communities are included in the study and 1628 households with a pregnant woman in the third trimester or a child under 4.5 months were recruited at baseline. Baseline data were collected between September and November 2018. Follow-up data will be collected 2 years after the start of the intervention. The primary outcomes of interest are related to mothers’ infant feeding knowledge and practice, and indicators of children’s nutritional status and growth including height, weight, weight gain rate and prevalence of stunting, overweight, obesity and anaemia. After follow-up data have been collected, differences of simple means and regression models including covariates such as child’s age and sex, characteristics of the primary caregiver and household socioeconomic indicators will be estimated. Heterogeneous effects will also be estimated within subgroups of age at exposure, sex, caregiver characteristics and household socioeconomic status. Ethics and dissemination This study was approved by the National Health Ethics Committee of the Ministry of Health of Guatemala (resolution 10–2018). Informed consent was obtained from all mothers and caregivers prior to enrolment in the programme. Results will be submitted to a peer-reviewed medical or public health journal, and disseminated internally at the Inter-American Development Bank, with the Government and Stakeholders in Guatemala and through international conferences and seminars. Trial registration number NCT03399617
Star Formation in Low Radio Luminosity Active Galactic Nuclei from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

We investigate faint radio emission from low- to high-luminosity active galactic nuclei (AGNs) selected from the Sloan Digital Sky Survey. Their radio properties are inferred by co-adding large ensembles of radio image cut-outs from the FIRST survey, as almost all of the sources are individually undetected. We correlate the median radio flux densities against a range of other sample properties, including median values for redshift, [O III] luminosity, emission-line ratios, and the strength of the 4000 A break. We detect a strong trend for sources that are actively undergoing star formation to have excess radio emission beyond the ~1028 ergs s-1 Hz-1 level found for sources without any discernible star formation. Furthermore, this additional radio emission correlates well with the strength of the 4000 A break in the optical spectrum, and may be used to assess the age of the star-forming component. We examine two subsamples, one containing the systems with emission-line ratios most like star-forming systems, and one with the sources that have characteristic AGN ratios. This division also separates the mechanism responsible for the radio emission (star formation vs. AGNs). For both cases we find a strong, almost identical correlation between [O III] and radio luminosity, with the AGN sample extending toward lower, and the star formation sample toward higher luminosities. A clearer separation between the two subsamples is seen as function of the central velocity dispersion σ of the host galaxy. For systems at similar redshifts and values of σ, the star formation subsample is brighter than the AGN in the radio by an order of magnitude. This underlines the notion that the radio emission in star-forming systems can dominate the emission associated with the AGN.
Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention

Cardiac catheterization is the gold standard diagnostic procedure for assessing cardiac function and coronary anatomy. It is also a platform for the treatment of coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease and, increasingly, structural heart disease and advanced heart failure.
Examining Current and Future Ecuadorian Educators' Experiences Using Action Research in the English as a Second Language Classroom.

This paper reports on Ecuadorian pre-service and in-service teachers’ ability to conduct action research in the classroom as well as their skills to efficiently adjust instruction to address students’ cultural and linguistic diversity. A qualitative case study approach was implemented to collect information from teacher candidates in 2015, in-service teachers from a public school in 2017, and in-service teachers from a private school in 2019. Data were collected through focus groups and interviews conducted in Spanish. Findings suggest that training teachers to conduct action research will improve their ability to analyze data and improve students’ learning outcomes.
Sialic acid ligands of CD28 block co-stimulation of T cells

Abstract Effector T cells comprise the cellular arm of the adaptive immune system and are essential for mounting immune responses against pathogens and cancer. To reach effector status, co-stimulation through CD28 is required. Here, we report that sialic acid-containing glycans on the surface of both T cells and APCs are alternative ligands of CD28 that compete with binding to its well-documented activatory ligand CD80 on the APC, resulting in attenuated co-stimulation. Removal of sialic acids enhances T cell activation and enhances the activity of effector T cells made hypofunctional via chronic viral infection through a mechanism that is synergistic with antibody blockade of the inhibitory PD-1 axis. These results reveal a previously unrecognized role for sialic acids in attenuation of CD28 mediated co-stimulation of T cells. One Sentence Summary Sialic acids attenuate the second signal required for T cell activation.
Experimental Measurements and Optimized Iida Model Estimations of Viscosity in Vanadium Slag with Different FeO Content

The viscosity evolution of vanadium slag using photovoltaic cutting waste as a reductant during the pre-reduction process was very important to kinetic condition and separation of Fe. However, there was little work reported on viscosity and model of FeO−SiO2−V2O3−CaO−MnO−Cr2O3−TiO2 system for the pre-reduction process of vanadium slag. In this study, the viscosity of FeO−SiO2−V2O3−CaO−MnO−Cr2O3−TiO2 system was experimentally measured by the cylinder method, and the Iida model was optimized by fitting experimental viscosity data. The results showed that the viscosity of the slag system increased from 0.120 to 0.473 Pa s as the FeO mass fraction decreased from 37 to 11% at 1873 K. Besides, the optimized Iida model estimated the viscosity, which had an average error value (Δ) of less than 11.40% from the experimentally measured viscosity, and the optimized Iida model also well predicted its subsidiary system of FeO−SiO2−V2O3−TiO2−Cr2O3 and FeO−SiO2−V2O3−TiO2, with Δ below 13.62% and 11.25%, respectively. For the vanadium slag with Cr2O3 mass% less than 5, the optimized Iida model could provide theoretical viscosity and it had a satisfactory agreement with experimentally measured results.
Overview of the Structure-Dynamics-Function Relationships in Borohydrides for Use as Solid-State Electrolytes in Battery Applications.

The goal of this article is to highlight crucial breakthroughs in solid-state ionic conduction in borohydrides for battery applications. Borohydrides, Mz+BxHy, form in various molecular structures, for example, nido-M+BH4; closo-M2+B10H10; closo-M2+B12H12; and planar-M6+B6H6 with M = cations such as Li+, K+, Na+, Ca2+, and Mg2+, which can participate in ionic conduction. This overview article will fully explore the phase space of boron–hydrogen chemistry in order to discuss parameters that optimize these materials as solid electrolytes for battery applications. Key properties for effective solid-state electrolytes, including ionic conduction, electrochemical window, high energy density, and resistance to dendrite formation, are also discussed. Because of their open structures (for closo-boranes) leading to rapid ionic conduction, and their ability to undergo phase transition between low conductivity and high conductivity phases, borohydrides deserve a focused discussion and further experimental efforts. One challenge that remains is the low electrochemical stability of borohydrides. This overview article highlights current knowledge and additionally recommends a path towards further computational and experimental research efforts.
Sex Differences in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting Techniques: A STS Database Analysis.

Abstract Background Females with coronary artery disease (CAD) have inferior outcomes compared with males, including higher mortality following coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). We aimed to evaluate the association of female sex with the use of guideline-concordant CABG revascularization techniques. Methods The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Adult Cardiac Surgery Database was queried for adult patients who underwent first-time isolated CABG in the US from 2011-2019. The association between female sex and the odds of (1) receiving a left internal mammary artery (LIMA) graft for revascularization of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, (2) undergoing complete revascularization, and (3) undergoing multi-arterial grafting was assessed, adjusting for procedural anatomy. Results Among 1,212,487 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 75% were male (n=911,178) and 25% were female (n=301,309). Female sex was associated with lower unadjusted rates of revascularization with an IMA (93.9% vs 95.9%, P Conclusions Female sex was associated with a 14-22% lower odds of undergoing guideline concordant revascularization including LIMA to LAD grafting, multi-arterial grafting, and complete revascularization. Further investigation is necessary to determine why revascularization approaches differ by sex and to what degree sex disparities in CAD outcomes are due to surgical approach.
Core Clinical Nurse Specialist Practice Competencies

Professional practice standards and competencies have been created by a variety of international organizations for the purpose of guiding clinical nurse specialist (CNS) practice, education, and credentialing. Competencies also address knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment required to safely carry out one’s profession. The focus of this chapter included a review and examination of definitions and purposes of competencies, use of competencies in nursing practice, evolution of competencies with respect to CNS practice, similarities and differences in international conceptualizations of CNS practice with respect to advanced practice nursing, comparison of published CNS competencies, and examination of the relationship of research-based themes of CNS practice to published competencies. Much consistency in international competency domains of CNS practice existed regardless of the methods used to develop them. Common core competency domains included direct care, research and evidence-based practice, quality improvement, education and teaching, communication, consultation, collaboration, leadership, and policy. Published research reports supported the existence of these competency domains. Although international variability is present regarding whether or not CNSs are considered to be advanced practice nurses, competencies and domains of practice are actually stable and can be used internationally to articulate the CNS role with clarity and consistency.
Threshold and Group Size Uncertainty in Common-Pool Resources

Threshold common pool resource dilemmas, such as fisheries or groundwater reserves, are important topic for policy-makers. Uncertainty about the threshold for sustainable use or number of resource users may exacerbate the overconsumption problem. We are first to investigate the joint impact of threshold and group size uncertainty in this setting. Overall, we find that threshold uncertainty increases the likelihood of the resource being destroyed and reduces earnings from it. Group size uncertainty makes it more likely that the resource will survive and increases earnings. We find a heterogeneous interaction effect of threshold and group size uncertainty. This highlights the importance of joint analysis. The main policy implication is that a one size fits all approach to tackling uncertainty is not suitable.
An Introduction to the American Legal Profession in the Year 2000

This piece attempts to develop a comprehensive survey of the one million practicing lawyers in the United States today. It describes the practice of the solo practitioner, the middle size and large firm lawyer, the government lawyer and the house counsel. It discusses the fields of practice, the economics and salaries of each. It distinguishes the rural lawyer from the urban, the litigator from the transactional lawyer. It briefly describes legal education, admission, the role of bar associations. It ends with predictions about the future including multi-disciplinary practice. The audiences for the piece include the many, many law students I have counseled who seemed to know nothing about the profession and had no idea of where to begin in deciding career choice. I hope career services people might find it useful. Another audience might be the foreign lawyer who seeks a short but comprehensive introduction to American lawyers.
Gefitinib in definitive management of esophageal or gastroesophageal junction cancer: a retrospective analysis of two clinical trials.

The role of epidermal growth factor receptor inhibition in resectable esophageal/gastroesophageal junction (E/GEJ) cancer is uncertain. Results from two Cleveland Clinic trials of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and surgery are updated and retrospectively compared, the second study differing only by the addition of gefitinib (G) to the treatment regimen. Eligibility required a diagnosis of E/GEJ squamous cell or adenocarcinoma, with an endoscopic ultrasound stage of at least T3, N1, or M1a (American Joint Committee on Cancer 6th). Patients in both trials received 5-fluorouracil (1000 mg/m(2) /day) and cisplatin (20 mg/m(2) /day) as continuous infusions over days 1-4 along with 30 Gy radiation at 1.5 Gy bid. Surgery followed in 4-6 weeks; identical CCRT was given 6-10 weeks later. The second trial added G, 250 mg/day, on day 1 for 4 weeks, and again with postoperative CCRT for 2 years. Preliminary results and comparisons have been previously published. Clinical characteristics were similar between the 80 patients on the G trial (2003-2006) and the 93 patients on the no-G trial (1999-2003). Minimum follow-up for all patients was 5 years. Multivariable analyses comparing the G versus no-G patients and adjusting for statistically significant covariates demonstrated improved overall survival (hazard ratio [HR] 0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.45-0.91, P = 0.012), recurrence-free survival (HR 0.61, 95% CI = 0.43-0.86, P = 0.006), and distant recurrence (HR 0.68, 95% CI = 0.45-1.00, P = 0.05), but not locoregional recurrence. Although this retrospective comparison can only be considered exploratory, it suggests that G may improve clinical outcomes when combined with CCRT and surgery in the definitive treatment of E/GEJ cancer.
Studies of the mechanisms for the induction of in vivo tumor immunity. I. Induction of primary and secondary cell-mediated cytotoxic responses by adoptive transfer of lymphocytes.

Abstract Cell-mediated immunity to FBL-3, a syngeneic Friend virus-induced leukemia in C57BL/6 mice, could be adoptively transferred. Characteristic primary and secondary cytotoxic responses could be induced by adoptive transfer of normal and presensitized lymphocytes, respectively. In vivo tumor immunity could also be produced by adoptive transfer of presensitized lymphocytes. Both the primary and secondary cell-mediated cytotoxic reactions were T-cell dependent. The specificity of these reactions was primarily directed against F (Friend) type-specific antigen and FMR (Friend, Moloney, Rauscher) common antigen. The cytotoxic responses produced by adoptive transfer experiments gave better correlation to in vivo tumor immunity than those generated by in vitro mixed lymphocyte tumor cell culture reactions.
Automated face identification using volume-based facial models

Face represents complex, multi dimensional, meaningful visual stimuli. Computational models for face recognition represent the problem as a high dimensional pattern recognition problem. This paper introduces an innovative facial identification method using eigenface approach on volume-based graphics rather than 2D photo-images. We propose to convert polygon mesh surface to a volumetric representation by regular sampling in a volumetric space. Our motivation is to extend existing 2D facial analysis techniques to a 3D image space by taking advantage of use of the volumetric representation. We apply principle component analysis (PCA) for dimensionality reduction. Face feature patterns are projected onto a lower dimensional PCA sub-space that spans the known facial patterns. 3D eigenface feature space is constructed for face identification.
Scan-based testing: the only practical solution for testing ASIC/consumer products

Over the last 2-3 years, there has been a major change in the IC industry from being predominantly "functional-based testing" to being predominantly "scan-based testing" (for new design starts). The question has now changed to: "can we completely avoid functional testing?" The same trends that are driving companies toward scan-based testing will also drive them to completely avoid functional-based testing. The advantages of structural testing cannot be fully exploited unless at-speed functional testing is avoided. The move away from functional testing will happen in stages. Some companies are already avoiding functional test for some test insertions - but not all. For example, some products are currently tested with scan-based, reduced pincount testing at wafer level - but still require full pincount, scan+functional testing at package test.
Total Abdominal Hysterectomy

Hysterectomy is one of the most common operations performed in the United States. The National Center for Health Statistics estimates that 649,000 hysterectomies were performed in 1980. Based on death to case rates of 1 to 2 deaths per 1,000 hysterectomies of all types and for all indications, an estimated 600 to 1,200 hysterectomy-related deaths occurred in 1980.12 In one large multicenter series, for women of reproductive age undergoing abdominal hysterectomies, the overall complication rate was 42.8 per 100.10 Attention to specific detail greatly decreases the morbidity from this operation, and this chapter outlines precise measures to minimize injury to the adjacent structures and tissue trauma during total abdominal hysterectomy (Fig. 15-1).
Molecular analysis of avirulence gene avrRpt2 and identification of a putative regulatory sequence common to all known Pseudomonas syringae avirulence genes.

The avrRpt2 locus from Pseudomonas syringae pv. tomato causes virulent strains of P. syringae to be avirulent on some, but not all, lines of Arabidopsis thaliana and Glycine max (soybean). We determined the DNA sequence of the avrRpt2 locus and identified the avrRpt2 gene as a 768-bp open reading frame encoding a putative 28.2-kDa protein. Deletion analysis and transcription studies provided further evidence that this open reading frame encodes AvrRpt2. We found that the avrRpt2 gene also has avirulence activity in P. syringae pathogens of Phaseolus vulgaris (common bean), suggesting that disease resistance genes specific to avrRpt2 are functionally conserved among diverse plant species. The predicted AvrRpt2 protein is hydrophilic and contains no obvious membrane-spanning domains or export signal sequences, and there was no significant similarity of AvrRpt2 to sequences in the GenBank, EMBL, or Swiss PIR data bases. A comparison of the avrRpt2 DNA sequence to nine other P. syringae avirulence genes revealed a highly conserved sequence, GGAACCNA-N14-CCACNNA, upstream of the translation initiation codon. This motif is located 6 to 8 nucleotides upstream of the transcription start site in all four P. syringae avirulence genes for which a transcription start site has been determined, suggesting a role as a binding site for a novel form of RNA polymerase. Regulation of avrRpt2 was similar to other P. syringae avirulence genes; expression was high in minimal medium and low in rich medium and depended on the hrpRS locus and an additional locus at the opposite end of the hrp cluster of P. syringae pv. tomato. Images
The carboxyl-terminal domain of lipoprotein lipase binds to the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor (LRP) and mediates binding of normal very low density lipoproteins to LRP.

Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) binds with high affinity to the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein/alpha 2-macroglobulin receptor (LRP) and promotes binding, uptake, and degradation of normal triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in a process mediated by LRP (Chappell, D. A., Fry, G. L., Naknitx, M.A., Muhonen, L. E., Pladet, M. W., Iverius, P-H., and Strickland, D. K. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 14168-14175). To localize the portion of LPL that is responsible for interacting with LRP, fragments of LPL were expressed in bacteria. A fragment of human LPL containing the COOH-terminal domain (residues 313-448, designated LPLC) which lacks the catalytic site was able to bind to LRP. Purified LRP bound specifically to microtiter wells coated with LPL or LPLC with KD values of 2.8 and 5 nM, respectively. The effects of several mutations of LPLC were tested. Mutation of Lys407 to Ala reduced the affinity of LPLC for LRP by approximately 10-fold. Like native LPL, LPLC prevented the binding of activated alpha 2-macroglobulin and the 39-kDa receptor-associated protein to LRP and inhibited the internalization and degradation of activated alpha 2-macroglobulin and receptor-associated protein in cultured fibroblasts. LPLC also bound to 125I-labeled human normal triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and promoted their binding to purified LRP and to cultured cells. Mutation of Trp393 and Trp394 to Ala completely abolished the ability of LPLC to bind to lipoproteins, but had little effect on its interaction with LRP. These data indicate that the COOH-terminal domain of LPL may function both in binding lipoproteins and mediating their interaction with LRP.
Comment on review of exploring Space, exploring Earth

The review of Exploring Space, Exploring Earth in Eos (7 January 2003, p. 6–7 ) included a number of factual errors that should be corrected. l. The reviewer states that the remote sensing chapter “never discusses the type or resolution of orbital sensors or how they can be used, beyond their application to lineament analysis.”
Psychophysical functions for perceived and remembered size

Separate groups of people estimated the sizes of perceived or of remembered objects. In three independent experiments, both sets of data were well fit by power functions, and the exponent was reliably smaller by remembered than for perceived size.
The role of dihydroxybenzenes and oxygen on the corrosion of steel in black liquor

Abstract The effects of substituted phenols on the electrochemical and corrosion behavior of A-283 Gr C steel in alkaline solutions at 65 °C have been determined. Dihydroxybenzenes with adjacent hydroxyl groups increased the critical current density for passivation substantially. Homogeneous oxidation of dihydroxybenzenes by dissolved oxygen can lead to dramatic increases in the corrosion potential of the steel due to the formation of quinones. In the presence of sulfide ions, this altered solution can lead to pitting at elevated potentials. Higher concentrations of 1,2-dihydroxybenzenes prevent passivation upon aeration, leading to high rate, uniform corrosion. The implications of these results on the corrosion of steel storage tanks in the pulp and paper industry are discussed.
Local and global anomalies in the stochastic quantization method

Abstract The commutativity of the limits of the fermion mass going to zero and the stochastic time going to infinity in the derivation of local and global anomalies by the stochastic quantization method is analyzed. For the case of chiral anomalies the limits are shown to commute, contrary to the parity anomaly case where the limits do not commute and no anomaly is apparent when the massless limit is taken first. This does not mean, however, that stochastic quantization cannot reproduce parity anomalies, or that parity can be preserved in such theories. The physical interpretation of this result is shown to be the fact that a statistical mixture of two theories is obtained in this limit as opposed to a pure theory.
Systemic and intraventricular naloxone administration: Effects on food and water intake

Previous research has demonstrated that systemic administration of the opiate antagonist naloxone suppresses consummatory behaviors in rodents. This study was conducted to compare the effects of systemic and intraventricular administration of naloxone on food and water intake in rats. Intraperitoneal injections of naloxone (0.5–5.0 mg/kg) significantly decreased both food and water intake following 24 hr of deprivation. However, no significant effects on either food or water intake were observed following administration of naloxone (0.5–50 μg) into the lateral ventricles. These results indicate that additional studies into the site(s) and mechanism(s) of naloxone's effects on consummatory behaviors are required.
Alterations in gut microflora populations and brush border functionality following intra-amniotic daidzein administration

Daidzein is an isoflavone found primarily in soybean and various soy-based products such as tofu. In the intestines, daidzein is reductively transformed to its constituent metabolites equol and O-desmethylangolensin. Although the ingestion of daidzein has been associated with marked physiological improvements in various pathological states, namely cancer, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease, further understanding into the tissue-level effects of daidzein ingestion is needed. In this study, broiler chickens (Gallus gallus, n = 50) were injected in ovo (day 17 of embryonic incubation) with varying concentrations of a 1.0 mL pure daidzein in saline solution. Three treatment groups (0.5, 2.5, 5.0 mg mL−1) and two controls (saline and non-injected) were utilized. Upon hatching, blood was taken for hemoglobin and total body iron hemoglobin determination, and chicks were then euthanized. Hepatic, duodenal, and caecal tissues were excised for ferritin analysis, mRNA gene expression of relevant brush border membrane and iron transporters/proteins, and PCR quantification of three bacterial genera (Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Clostridium) and one bacterial species (E. coli). Results revealed no significant differences in hemoglobin, total body hemoglobin iron, or ferritin between the groups (p > 0.05). Aminopeptidase and Na+K+ATPase were upregulated in daidzein-treated groups when compared to controls (p < 0.05). Additionally, daidzein administration increased the expression of Dcyt B, an iron-specific cytochrome reductase (p < 0.05). Further, daidzein injection resulted in the increased caecal abundance of E. coli in the 2.5 mg mL−1 group (p < 0.05). Taken together, these results suggest a physiological role for daidzein administration in improving the functionality and development of the brush border membrane, as well as for influencing the abundance of certain bacterial communities in the colon.
Opsonic effect of frog yolk.

THERE is evidence that at least some yolk proteins of vertebrates originate in the liver and are transported to developing oocytes through the circulation, for example in the fish1, frog and chicken2. Marked pinocytotic activity during oocytic yolk accumulation has been noted in a variety of organisms and is probably related to protein uptake3. In view of the apparent ready uptake of yolk proteins by oocytes, we became interested in the responses of phagocytic cells of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) to frog yolk protein and found that yolk of Rana pipiens, labelled with fluorescein and solubilized with sodium chloride, is readily cleared from the blood of mice4. In addition, however, we noted that yolk injected intravenously also seemed to increase the rate of clearance of other materials. We have therefore investigated the opsonic effect of frog yolk.
The 3 Ps

Abstract In this brief paper-intended to provoke continuing thought and debate on a myriad of definitions of e-government-the author offers a perspective on the critical elements he believes are necessary for any working definition of e-government. This perspective is based on the 3Ps of e-government. These are: (1) participants, (2) purposes, and (3) processes. The author concludes by offering a holistic definition of e-government, with a cautionary note: as has been evidenced in the areas of e-business and e-commerce, the lines, it is argued, will eventually blur between e-government and government. Thus, the author concludes, in the not too distant future-and certainly within a de-cade-e-government will simply be the way government works.
The effects of the simultaneous addition of diborane and ammonia on the hot-filament assisted chemical vapor deposition of diamond

Abstract The effects of the simultaneous addition of diborane and ammonia on the nucleation density and growth rate of diamond prepared by hot-filament assisted chemical vapor depositions were examined. The diamond nucleation density and growth rate decreased as the B/C and N/B input ratios were increased owing to poisoning of the diamond surface and depletion of methyl radicals. This reduction in the amount of diamond could be compensated for by increasing the substrate and filament temperatures, and increasing the concentration of diamond growth species. Up to a B/C input reactant gas ratio of approximately 0.1, faceted diamond particles and an amorphous BCN continuous film were codeposited. For B C >0.1 , only the BCN film was formed.
Nonspecific lymphocyte cytotoxicity in patients with malignant melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, and sarcomas, and in nontumor patients

Mononuclear cell-mediated tumor cell destruction was studied in 114 patients with malignant melanoma, renal cell carcinoma, or sarcomas, and in 122 non-tumor-bearing control subjects, with the use of the microcytoxicity assay. Cytotoxic reactions were found in all patients and control groups against melanoma, renal carcinoma, sarcoma, and fibroblast-derived cell cultures; mean levels of cytotoxicity against allogeneic combinations of tumor cells and fibroblasts were similar in tumor-bearing and control patients. These results support the concept that the reactions found represent nonspecific cytotoxicity.
Update on Device Technologies for Monitoring Heart Failure

Congestive heart failure (CHF) affects more than 5 million people in the United States and is one of the most common reasons for recurrent hospitalizations. Since the majority of admissions related to CHF are secondary to progressively worsening congestion, many clinicians are quick to initiate aggressive diuresis once early signs of impending heart failure develop. These signs are based in large measure on patient-reported symptoms. Unfortunately, recent trials have shown that traditional ambulatory monitoring of heart failure using patient symptoms or body weight do not reduce episodes of decompensated heart failure requiring hospitalization. This has led to great interest in developing monitoring systems that can detect impending episodes of CHF even prior to the development of symptoms. Some of the these systems utilize existing implantable cardioverter defibrillators and cardiac resynchronization therapy devices to monitor electrophysiologic parameters including the presence of ventricular arrhythmias, heart rate variability and even transthoracic impedances. Other more recent developments have focused on more invasive hemodynamic monitoring systems that can measure pressures in the right ventricle, pulmonary arteries and the left atrium. The data on the utility of such systems is limited but encouraging. While none of these systems are currently FDA approved, they have been applied in a number of clinical trials. This paper highlights the currently available monitoring systems for heart failure and reviews the evidence supporting its use.
Ultrafiltration coefficients of glomeruli from human biopsies

Ultrafiltration coefficients of glomeruli from human biopsies. Ultrafiltration coefficient (K f ) was measured in vitro using glomeruli isolated from 28 human renal biopsies in order to assess both the relationship between glomerular structure and filtration characteristics and the relationship between K f and patients' clinical state. The patients, ages 1 to 72 years, had a wide variety of renal diseases and serum creatinines of 1 to 16 mg/dl. Glomeruli were examined by light, immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, and glomerular alterations were measured. Filtration was induced in isolated glomeruli by an oncotic gradient and K f calculated. Glomerular diameter (D), averaged for each patient, varied from 131 to 315 µm, and K f varied from 5.7 to 51 nl/min · mm Hg. Hydraulic conductivity (L p ) in 15 biopsies averaged 1.45 µ · min -1 · mm Hg -1 · cm -2 . In order to identify the significant predictors of K f and delineate their relationships, stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed. K f increased with increasing glomerular size and with increasing degree of glomerular hypercellularity. D, in turn, increased with body surface area, urinary protein, and degree of capillary damage, and decreased with percent senescent glomeruli and degree of epithelial foot process broadening. K f did not significantly correlate with clinical measures of renal function.
Effects of the transition zone on the surface tension of Ar near the triple point

The effect of the transition zone on the surface tension of Ar near the triple point is reexamined. The surface tension is calculated from the Kirkwood-Buff formula for the cases of a linear density profile and also a cubic profile and the formulas differ from those previously obtained by Fitts. The realistic Barker-Fisher-Watts potential is used and the radial distribution function in the bulk liquid is taken from experiment. Several approximate representations of the distribution function in the transition zone are used. The results indicate that the surface tension is a slowly varying function of the thickness of the transition zone, and that Fowler's step-function profile does not introduce substantial error. When this value is combined with the three-body nonadditivity contribution, the total tension is significantly smaller than the experimental value.
Temperature dependence of spatially heterogeneous dynamics in a model of viscous silica.

Molecular dynamics simulations are performed to study spatially heterogeneous dynamics in a model of viscous silica above and below the critical temperature of the mode coupling theory, ${T}_{\mathit{MCT}}$. Specifically, we follow the evolution of the dynamic heterogeneity as the temperature dependence of the transport coefficients shows a crossover from non-Arrhenius to Arrhenius behavior when the melt is cooled. It is demonstrated that, on intermediate time scales, a small fraction of oxygen and silicon atoms are more mobile than expected from a Gaussian approximation. These highly mobile particles form transient clusters larger than that resulting from random statistics, indicating that the dynamics are spatially heterogeneous. An analysis of the clusters reveals that the mean cluster size is maximum at times intermediate between ballistic and diffusive motion, and the maximum size increases with decreasing temperature. In particular, the growth of the clusters continues into the crossover to Arrhenius behavior for the transport coefficients. These findings imply that the structural relaxation in silica cannot be understood as a statistical bond breaking process. Although the mean cluster sizes for silica are at the lower end of the spectrum of values reported in the literature for other model liquids, we find that spatially heterogeneous dynamics in models of strong and fragile glass formers are similar on a qualitative level. However, unlike the results for fragile liquids, we show that correlated particle motion along quasi-one-dimensional, stringlike paths is of little importance for the structural relaxation in this model of silica, suggesting that stringlike motion is suppressed by the presence of a network structure. To study transient clusters of localized particles, we calculate a generalized susceptibility corresponding to the self-part of a four-point time dependent density correlation function. We find that this generalized susceptibility is maximum on the time scale of the structural relaxation, where a strong increase of the peak height indicates a growing length of spatial correlations between localized particles upon cooling. Characterizing the local structural environments of the most mobile and the most immobile particles, respectively, we show that high particle mobility is facilitated by, but not limited to, the vicinity of defects in the network structure.
Three-Dimensional Numerical Modeling of Dam-Break Flows with Sediment Transport over Movable Beds

AbstractA three-dimensional (3D) numerical model has been developed to simulate dam-break flows with sediment transport over movable beds. The hydrodynamic model solves the 3D Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations using a finite-volume method on collocated hexahedral meshes. The volume-of-fluid (VOF) technique with the compressive interface capturing scheme for arbitrary meshes is used to track the water surface boundary. The sediment transport model solves the nonequilibrium transport equations of suspended load and bed load separately, and in turn calculates the resulting bed change. A moving mesh technique is adopted to track the time evolution of bed topography. The grid moving velocity and computational cell volume change due to the moving mesh are taken into consideration when the hydrodynamic and sediment transport equations are discretized. The developed model has been tested using several experimental dam-break flows over movable beds. The calculated temporal and spatial variations of water a...
Few Good Frequencies for Power-Constrained Test

In the a periodic clock testing method, power is kept at the specified limit by stretching or contracting the clock periods according to circuit activity. As reported, the test time of power constrained test can be reduced by 40-50%. Considering the capability of the test equipment and simplicity of test program, the number of clock periods should be kept low. In this paper, we give algorithms to find the optimum clock periods. Using the well known relation that the test time equals total energy for the entire test divided by the average power, the kth-root solution maximizes the average power for k test clocks and given maximum power constraint. This solution uses a piece-wise linear approximation for the sorted pseudo-energy profile of test cycles obtained from power estimation and timing analysis tools. For small k, the kth-root solution is optimized by a numerically efficient locally exhaustive search (LES) algorithm. Results show that close to maximum attainable test time reduction is achievable by as few as four to ten selected clocks.
Survey of the Philosophic Discipline

The academy is widely reported to be going through a period of transformation: not just changes to what is taught, but threats to tenure and internal funding, perhaps balanced by new possibilities for external funding and interdisciplinary projects. This article discusses a recently conducted survey of US and Canadian Philosophy departments, in an effort to understand one discipline’s perspective on and reaction to these changes. The survey found that, for the majority of departments, Philosophy has largely not changed over the last decade in terms of shifts in subfields, tenure and tenure criteria, internal funding and external grant awards. However, a minority of departments are demonstrating potentially transformative possibilities, especially as related to interdisciplinarity.
Rapid Rise in Transcription Factor mRNAs in Rat Brain After Electroshock‐Induced Seizures

Recent studies have demonstrated that several transcription factor genes are rapidly activated by neuronal stimulation. For example, we have found that prolonged and repeated seizure activity produced by administration of chemical convulsants induces a rapid and transient increase in mRNA levels of four immediate early genes in rat brain. These genes, zif/268, c-fos, c-jun, and jun-B, encode sequence specific DNA binding proteins thought to act as transcription regulatory factors. To ascertain whether a brief electrically induced seizure discharge of the type utilized in clinical electroconvulsive treatment is sufficient to induce a similar genomic response, we have examined the response of these mRNAs in rat brain following single and repeated electroshock-induced seizures. After electroshock, mRNA levels of each of these genes increase within 15 min, and all except c-jun return to near baseline levels within 4 h. Although this response is most prominent in granule cell neurons of the hippocampus, increases are also apparent in neocortex and pyriform cortex. The rapid mRNA response persists in animals receiving a chronic electroshock protocol similar to that used in clinical electroconvulsive therapy. Intrahippocampal infusion of the sodium channel antagonist tetrodotoxin blocks hippocampal mRNA responses without blocking seizures, indicating a role for electrical excitation in the electroshock-induced mRNA response. By contrast, pretreatment with anticonvulsants or selective NMDA antagonists, which reduce seizure intensity and block hindlimb extension, fails to alter mRNA responses, suggesting that seizure induction, rather than spread, is linked to these mRNA responses. Because electroshock induces robust, highly reproducible mRNA responses, it may be useful to study the neuronal genomic response to stimulation.
Thermal ablation therapy for focal malignancy: a unified approach to underlying principles, techniques, and diagnostic imaging guidance

Percutaneous image-guided ablative therapies using thermal energy sources such as radiofrequency, microwave, high intensity focused ultrasound, and laser have received much recent attention as minimally-invasive strategies for the treatment of focal malignant disease. Potential benefits of these techniques include the ability to ablate tumor in non- surgical candidates, reduced morbidity as compared to surgery, and the potential to perform the procedure on an outpatient basis. This manuscript proposes a unified framework using the `Bioheat equation' for discussing aspects of thermal ablation therapies as they relate to the treatment of focal malignancies. Briefly, these include an understanding of under which conditions heat induces cellular damage, the types of energy sources which can supply this heat, and tissue properties such as perfusion mediated cooling which modify tissue response to the heat deposited. Additionally, the various facets of diagnostic imaging which are required to direct thermal ablation therapy are discussed. These include modalities which can be used for targeting of the lesion to be treated, determination of an optimal treatment plan, and assessment of results at long term follow-up.
Software development on Internet time

There is probably little debate that Internet software companies must use more flexible development techniques and introduce new products faster than companies with more stable technology, established customer needs, and longer product cycles. Internet and PC software firms favor a more flexible style. The basic idea is to give programmers the autonomy to evolve designs iteratively but to force team members to synchronize their work frequently and then periodically stabilize their design changes or feature innovations. Studying two companies, the authors found that Netscape was using a version of the Microsoft-style synchronize and stabilize process for PC software, but adapting it to build Internet browser and server products. They also found that Microsoft's Internet groups were modifying their standard process to increase development speed and flexibility. The goal was to balance flexibility and speed with professional engineering discipline.
Real divisors algebraically equivalent to zero

defined on the group Z k (X) of algebraic cycles on X of codimension k:for any closed subvariety V of X of codimension k, the cohomology class cR(V )i s Poincare dual to the homology class in Hn−k(X(R), Z/2) represented by V (R )i f dim V (R )= n − k (cf. (4) or (2, Section 11.3) for the definition of this homology class) and cR(V )=0i f dimV (R) <n − k. Of fundamental interest in real algebraic geometry is the image H k alg (X(R), Z/2) = cR(Z k (X)) of Z k (X) via cR (cf. (3) for a short survey of its properties and applications). Recently also the subgroup Alg k (X(R)) = cR(Z k (X)) of H k (X(R), Z/2), where Z k alg (X) is the subgroup of Z k (X) consisting of all
Congruency of preferences for family-based gender roles and family satisfaction in two-generation farm families

The present study examines the congruency of family-based gender-role preferences among adult members within intergenerational farm families, and tests the effects of congruency on family satisfaction. From a sample of 71 families (284 adults), results showed that the adult children hold more modern gender-role preferences and that disparities in gender-role preferences impact the satisfaction of the younger generation. The results suggest that to fully understand gender-role preferences in intergenerational relations, gender-roles need to be examined within the context of the entire family.
A correlation for the collector efficiency of Brownian particles in clean-bed filtration in sphere packings by a Lattice-Boltzmann method.

In this paper, we develop a new correlation for the clean-bed filter coefficient (λ0) for Brownian particles, for which diffusion is the main deposition mechanism. The correlation is based on numerical Lattice-Boltzmann (LB) simulations in random packings of spheres of uniform diameter. We use LB methods to solve the Navier−Stokes equation for flow and then the advection−diffusion equation for particle transport. We determine a correlation for an “equivalent” single-collector diffusion efficiency, ηD, so that we can compare our predictions to “true” single-collector correlations stemming from unit-cell modeling approaches. We compared our new correlation to experiments on the filtration of latex particles. For small particle diameters, 50 nm < dp < 300 nm, when gravity and interception are negligible, our correlation for ηD predicts measurements better than unit-cell correlations, which overestimate ηD. The good agreement suggests that the representation of three-dimensional transport pathways in porous m...