cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevention of hepatitis B virus vertical transmission: time for the next step.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) continues to be a worldwide public health concern. There are more than 240 million people with chronic infection across the globe and 780 000 deaths each year as a result of acute or chronic HBV.1 Infants born to mothers with chronic HBV infection are at very high risk of acquiring the virus and progressing to chronic infection.2,3 In the 1970s–1980s, HBV vaccine and high-titer HBV immune globulin (HBIG) were effective in preventing vertical transmission (VT), and the combination was ∼90% effective.4–6 Prevention programs have since focused on universal screening of pregnant women for HBV surface antigen to identify those requiring prophylaxis. In this issue of Pediatrics , Schille and Murphy7 share data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on efforts to identify HBV-infected pregnant women from selected sites … Address correspondence to Ravi Jhaveri MD, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, 2242 Genome Sciences Building, CB 7231, 250 Bell Tower Dr, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7231. E-mail: ravi.jhaveri{at}unc.edu
Descending inputs to octopus cell area of the cat cochlear nucleus: An electron microscopic study

Large, unilateral lesions of the superior olivary complex (SOC) were made in 18 adult cats. Terminal degeneration was studied electron micrsocopically in the octopus cell area (OCA) of the caudal cochlear nuclei both ipsilateral and contralateral to lesions, after 1 to 14 postoperative days. Three synaptic types (OCA types 1, 2, and 3) have been previously described upon octopus cell somas and dendrites and types 1 and 2 identified as cochlear in origin. The present study shows a new synaptic ending (OCA type 4) on small octopus cell dendrites as well as dendrodendritic contacts. Following SOC ablations, type 4 endings degenerated in the OCA ipsilateral to the lesion. In the COA contralateral to the same lesion, however, degeneration was found in type 3 terminals ending upon more proximal octopus cell dendrities and upon somas. Ipsilateral terminal degeneration occurred between two and four postoperative days, was rare by seven days, and was gone by 14 days after these lesions. However, contralateral terminal degeneration was rare until four days, was most abundant after seven days, and was still present after 14 postoperative days. The different synaptic types and time courses of degeneration in the ipsilateral versus the contralateral OCA, suggested that type 4 endings originate from an ipsilateral source, such as the lesioned periolivary region, while type 3 endings originate from the contralateral SOC or from higher contralateral nuclei. Other evidence for these sources and possible functions of these descending inputs are briefly discussed.
Single-mode pulsed tunable dye laser.

The specifications are given for an updated version of the grating incidence puled dye laser. (AIP)
The modulus of randomly-crosslinked poly(dimethylsiloxane) networks

Abstract In several published studies, randomly crosslinked networks were prepared from poly(dimethylziloxane) by the selective crosslinking of vinyl side chains with a silicon-hydride crosslinking agent. Stress-strain measurements on these elastomers gave values of the elongation modulus in the limits of small and large deformations which exceeded those predicted by the Flory-Erman theory. Although these unexpectedly large values at the small-strain limit have frequently been attributed to contributions from trapped entanglements, the present analysis interprets them as simply arising from contributions from short chains inadvertently introduced from the silicon-hydride crosslinking agent. In this interpretation there is a bimodal distribution of network chain lengths and, possibly, of crosslink functionalities as well. The present analysis gives results in good agreement with experiment.
Genetic Analysis Workshop 15: simulation of a complex genetic model for rheumatoid arthritis in nuclear families including a dense SNP map with linkage disequilibrium between marker loci and trait loci

Data for Problem 3 of the Genetic Analysis Workshop 15 were generated by computer simulation in an attempt to mimic some of the genetic and epidemiological features of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) such as its population prevalence, sex ratio, risk to siblings of affected individuals, association with cigarette smoking, the strong effect of genotype in the HLA region and other genetic effects. A complex genetic model including epistasis and genotype-by-environment interaction was applied to a population of 1.9 million nuclear families of size four from which we selected 1500 families with both offspring affected and 2000 unrelated, unaffected individuals all of whose first-degree relatives were unaffected. This process was repeated to produce 100 replicate data sets. In addition, we generated marker data for 22 autosomes consisting of a genome-wide set of 730 simulated STRP markers, 9187 SNP markers and an additional 17,820 SNP markers on chromosome 6. Appropriate linkage disequilibrium between markers and between trait loci and markers was modelled using HapMap Phase 1 data http://www.hapmap.org/downloads/phasing/2005-03_phaseI/. The code base for this project was written primarily in the Octave programming language, but it is being ported to the R language and developed into a larger project for general genetic simulation called GenetSim http://genetsim.org/. All of the source code that was used to generate the GAW 15 Problem 3 data is freely available for download at http://genetsim.org/gaw15/.
"What happens to dismissed CEOs: Human, reputational, and social capital in CEO re-employment"

CEO dismissal is an increasing phenomenon; however, little research examines what happens to the careers of CEOs following dismissal. Extant research indicates few CEOs regain employment following ...
Climate, Not Atmospheric Deposition, Drives the Biogeochemical Mass-Balance of a Mountain Watershed

The Author(s) 2013. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com Abstract Watershed mass-balance methods are valuable tools for demonstrating impacts to water quality from atmospheric deposition and chemical weathering. Owen Bricker, a pioneer of the mass-balance method, began applying mass-balance modeling to small watersheds in the late 1960s and dedicated his career to expanding the literature and knowledge of complex watershed processes. We evaluated long-term trends in surface- water chemistry in the Loch Vale watershed, a 660-ha. alpine/subalpine catchment located in Rocky Mountain National Park, CO, USA. Many changes in surface-water chemistry correlated with multiple drivers, including summer or monthly temperature, snow water equivalent, and the runoff-to-precipitation ratio. Atmospheric deposition was not a sig- nificant causal agent for surface-water chemistry trends. We observed statistically signif- icant increases in both concentrations and fluxes of weathering products including cations, SiO2 ,S O 4 2- , and ANC, and in inorganic N, with inorganic N being primarily of atmo- spheric origin. These changes are evident in the individual months June, July, and August, and also in the combined June, July, and August summer season. Increasingly warm summer temperatures are melting what was once permanent ice and this may release elements entrained in the ice, stimulate chemical weathering with enhanced moisture availability, and stimulate microbial nitrification. Weathering rates may also be enhanced by sustained water availability in high snowpack years. Rapid change in the flux of weathering products and inorganic N is the direct and indirect result of a changing climate from warming temperatures and thawing cryosphere.
How to negotiate with high-pressure vendors.

Anyone who has worked in the healthcare technology management (HTM) field has likely had to deal with a high-pressure vendor eager to make a sale—either of equipment or a service contract. The current economic climate has intensified that pressure. Equipment manufacturers may not be seeing a lot of capital equipment being purchased, compared to earlier years, because many hospitals are struggling to contain costs and typically have less money to spend on capital purchases. This decline in capital equipment sales is likely to drive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to make money through service agreements with hospitals, parts sales, and winning back specific services from competing third-party vendors. We need the vendors to be profitable and successful in order to stay in business and provide their technology to best service our patients. The manner in which that profit margin is maintained is a delicate balancing act between the vendor and the hospital. Vendor representatives can’t be faulted for strong sales pitches and even getting creative with sales strategies since that is their job. However, the clinical or biomedical engineering department has a job to do as well—managing the overall medical equipment program within the budget and according to expectations set by the hospital. It is totally appropriate for a sales representative to sell products and service. It is also totally appropriate for a HTM department to perform in-depth research related to every financial, technical, and logistical detail of the purchase under consideration.
From Concept to Reality: A Decade of Progress in Regional ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Systems

> Perseverance is not a long race: it is many short races one after another. > > —Walter Elliott, 19th Century spiritual writer The treatment and outcome of patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) has improved dramatically over the 30 years since I graduated from medical school. In 1982, bed rest, treatment of complications such as ventricular arrhythmias or mural thrombus and prayer (for those so inclined) were the standard of care. In the first decade, pharmacological therapy was developed, and the open artery hypothesis was confirmed. The Second International Study of Infarct Survival (ISIS-2) trial demonstrated the benefit of not only aspirin, but also the combination of aspirin and streptokinase1 leading to a series of randomized clinical trials to determine the preferred fibrinolytic and adjunctive medications. The second decade was filled with trials that compared fibrinolytic therapy with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), which ultimately confirmed primary PCI as the preferred method of reperfusion if performed in a timely manner in high-volume centers.2 European trials extended the benefits of PCI to STEMI patients who presented to non-PCI centers requiring transfer for primary PCI.3,4 In particular, the Danish Multicenter Randomized Study on Thrombolytic Therapy versus Acute Coronary Angioplasty in Acute Myocardial Infarction (DANAMI-2), a well-designed, multicenter, randomized trial including 24 referral hospitals and 5 PCI centers in Denmark, was stopped early when it demonstrated a significant reduction in the primary end point of death, reinfarction, and stroke at 30 days (8% for primary PCI versus 13.7% for fibrinolysis, P <0.001).4 Article see p 189 These randomized clinical trials stimulated interest in regional STEMI systems in the United States, but many believed it would be challenging to replicate the results seen in a small European country with short-duration transfers (mean, 34 miles) and an organized national emergency medical system (EMS).5 In 2002, …
iBench: Quantifying interference for datacenter applications

Interference between co-scheduled applications is one of the major reasons that causes modern datacenters (DCs) to operate at low utilization. DC operators traditionally side-step interference either by disallowing colocation altogether and providing isolated server instances, or by requiring the users to express resource reservations, which are often exaggerated to counter-balance the unpredictability in the quality of allocated resources. Understanding, reducing and managing interference can significantly impact the manner in which these large-scale systems operate. We present iBench, a novel workload suite that helps quantify the pressure different applications put in various shared resources, and similarly the pressure they can tolerate in these resources. iBench consists of a set of carefully-crafted benchmarks that induce interference of increasing intensity in resources that span the CPU, cache hierarchy, memory, storage and networking subsystems. We first validate the effect that iBench workloads have on performance against a wide spectrum of DC applications. Then, we use iBench to demonstrate the importance of considering interference in a set of challenging problems that range from DC scheduling and server provisioning, to resource-efficient application development and scheduling for heterogeneous CMPs. In all cases quantifying interference with iBench results in significant performance and/or efficiency improvements. We plan to release iBench under a free software license.
Design and development of back reflectors for improved light coupling and absorption enhancement in thin MQW solar cells

Optimization of non-planar antireflective coating and back- (or front-) surface texturing are widely studied to further reduce the reflection losses and increase the sunlight absorption path in solar cells. Back reflectors have been developed from perfect mirror to textured mirror in order to further increase light path, which can significantly improve the efficiency and allow for much thinner devices. A Lambertian surface, which has the most random texture, can theoretically raise the light path to 4n2 times that of a smooth surface. It’s a challenge however to fabricate ideal Lambertian texture, especially in a fast and low cost way. In this work we have developed a method to overcome this challenge that combines the use of laser interference lithography (LIL) and selective wet etching. The approach allows for a rapid wafer scale texture processing with sub-wavelength (nano)- scale control of the pattern and the pitch. The technique appears as being particularly attractive for the development of ultra-thin III-V devices, or in overcoming the weak sub-bandgap absorption in devices incorporating quantum dots or quantum wells. Preliminary results on the application of the technique for the development of back reflector for 1-1.3 eV (MQW bearing) GaAs solar cells are presented.
II—Wendy S. Parker: Confirmation and adequacy-for-Purpose in Climate Modelling

Lloyd (2009) contends that climate models are confirmed by various instances of fit between their output and observational data. The present paper argues that what these instances of fit might confirm are not climate models themselves, but rather hypotheses about the adequacy of climate models for particular purposes. This required shift in thinking—from confirming climate models to confirming their adequacy-for-purpose—may sound trivial, but it is shown to complicate the evaluation of climate models considerably, both in principle and in practice.
Factors affecting aluminum depletion during cyclic oxidation of Fe-base alumina-forming alloys

In order to develop an improved oxidation-limited lifetime model, experiments are being conducted to assess the critical factors that affect the rate of Al loss from Fe-base alumina-forming alloys during cyclic oxidation. Both wrought and dispersion strengthened ferritic and intermetallic Fe–Al±Cr alloys are being investigated at exposure temperatures from 1100–1300°C. Higher temperatures, thinner specimens and cycle frequency are used to accelerate degradation during oxidation. However, the effects of these experimental choices often have not been critically assessed in prior work. Electron probe microanalysis has been used to measure the residual Al content under various conditions and at various stages of life. For 0.5–2mm thick specimens, lifetime repeatedly showed a linear relationship to thickness. Increasing the oxidation temperature appears to be the most viable strategy to accelerate the evaluation of oxidation resistance for comparing and developing alloys.
A plant species of suspected accumulator behaviour

17 plant species growing near Bombay, India, were analysed for 26 trace elements by neutron activation analysis. Out of these onlyAlternanthera sessilis was found to be an accumulator plant for Al, V, Ti and Sc.
An assessment of utility and competitive superiority in the video entertainment industries

The authors examine the satisfactions obtained by audiences from different video media (broadcast television, cable television, videocassette recorders, premium cable television, and pay‐per‐view cable services) and examine the extent to which the different media compete in meeting those satisfactions. The study illustrates how merging niche theory with gratifications research can be used to effectively study competitive relationships.
The Role of Siblings During Pediatric Hospitalization

Based on interview data from 56 families, the authors describes parents’ views of how siblings participate in and respond to a short-term pediatric hospitalization. Specific patterns of sibling contact with the hospitalized child are presented and the role of siblings in the family's overall adjustment to the situation is explored. Data revealed that most siblings maintained regular, direct contact with the hospitalized child. Almost half the siblings participated actively in accommodating family life to the hospitalization by assuming additional responsibilities in only 16 percent (n=17) of the siblings. Negative responses clustered in those siblings cared for outside their own home and in the 4 to 11 year age range.
Paramyxovirus Fusion Protein: Characterization of the Core Trimer, a Rod-Shaped Complex with Helices in Anti-Parallel Orientation

Abstract The fusion (F) protein of the paramyxovirus SV5 contains two heptad repeat regions, HRA adjacent to the fusion peptide and HRB proximal to the transmembrane domain. Peptides, N-1 and C-1, respectively, corresponding to these heptad repeat regions form a thermostable, α-helical trimer of heterodimers (S. B. Joshi, R. E. Dutch, and R. A. Lamb (1998).Virology 248,20–34). Further characterization of the N-1/C-1 complex indicated that the C-1 peptides, which are predicted to residue on the outside of the complex, are resistant to digestion by several proteases when present in the complex. Only proteinase K digested most of the C-1 peptide, though the small remaining protease protected fragment of C-1 confers extreme thermostability on the proteinase-K-resistant N-1 trimeric coiled-coil. Carboxypeptidase Y digestion of the N-1/C-1 complex indicates that the C-1 peptides associate in an antiparallel orientation relative to the N-1 peptides. Electron microscopy of the N-1/C-1 complex showed a rod-shaped complex with an average length of 9.7 nm, consistent with all of N-1 existing as an α helix. Mutations at heptad repeataanddresidues of N-1, positions that are predicted to point inward to the center of the N-1 trimeric coiled-coil, were found to have varying effects as analyzed by circular dichroism measurements. The mutation I137M did not affect the helical structure of the isolated N-1 peptide but did affect the thermostability of the N-1/C-1 complex. Mutations L140M and L161M perturbed the helical structure formed by N-1 in isolation but did not affect formation of a thermostable N-1/C-1 complex. Finally, a peptide, SV5 F 255-293, corresponding to a proposed leucine zipper region, was analyzed for effects on N-1, C-1, or the N-1/C-1 complex. Circular dichroism analysis demonstrated that while the presence of peptide 255-293 increased the helical signal from either N-1 or the N-1/C-1 complex, no change in thermostability was observed, indicating that this region is not a component of the final, most stable core of the F protein.
Task-based modeling and optimization of a cone-beam CT scanner for musculoskeletal imaging

Purpose: This work applies a cascaded systems model for cone-beam CT imaging performance to the design and optimization of a system for musculoskeletal extremity imaging. The model provides a quantitative guide to the selection of system geometry, source and detector components, acquisition techniques, and reconstruction parameters. Methods: The model is based on cascaded systems analysis of the 3D noise-power spectrum (NPS) and noise-equivalent quanta (NEQ) combined with factors of system geometry (magnification, focal spot size, and scatter-to-primary ratio) and anatomical background clutter. The model was extended to task-based analysis of detectability index (d') for tasks ranging in contrast and frequency content, and d' was computed as a function of system magnification, detector pixel size, focal spot size, kVp, dose, electronic noise, voxel size, and reconstruction filter to examine trade-offs and optima among such factors in multivariate analysis. The model was tested quantitatively versus the measured NPS and qualitatively in cadaver images as a function of kVp, dose, pixel size, and reconstruction filter under conditions corresponding to the proposed scanner. Results: The analysis quantified trade-offs among factors of spatial resolution, noise, and dose. System magnification (M) was a critical design parameter with strong effect on spatial resolution, dose, and x-ray scatter,more » and a fairly robust optimum was identified at M {approx} 1.3 for the imaging tasks considered. The results suggested kVp selection in the range of {approx}65-90 kVp, the lower end (65 kVp) maximizing subject contrast and the upper end maximizing NEQ (90 kVp). The analysis quantified fairly intuitive results--e.g., {approx}0.1-0.2 mm pixel size (and a sharp reconstruction filter) optimal for high-frequency tasks (bone detail) compared to {approx}0.4 mm pixel size (and a smooth reconstruction filter) for low-frequency (soft-tissue) tasks. This result suggests a specific protocol for 1 x 1 (full-resolution) projection data acquisition followed by full-resolution reconstruction with a sharp filter for high-frequency tasks along with 2 x 2 binning reconstruction with a smooth filter for low-frequency tasks. The analysis guided selection of specific source and detector components implemented on the proposed scanner. The analysis also quantified the potential benefits and points of diminishing return in focal spot size, reduced electronic noise, finer detector pixels, and low-dose limits of detectability. Theoretical results agreed quantitatively with the measured NPS and qualitatively with evaluation of cadaver images by a musculoskeletal radiologist. Conclusions: A fairly comprehensive model for 3D imaging performance in cone-beam CT combines factors of quantum noise, system geometry, anatomical background, and imaging task. The analysis provided a valuable, quantitative guide to design, optimization, and technique selection for a musculoskeletal extremities imaging system under development.« less
A mindful education.

The implicit "no pain, no gain" understanding of traditional education is contrasted with a view of education that encourages mindfulness. The former relies on a static conception of information typically communicated in absolute language. Here, "facts" are given as truth, free of context or perspective. The latter relies on variability, communicated through conditional instruction. Here, facts are perspective dependent. Evidence is presented that suggests that mindfulness is not only more effective, but is also more enjoyable.
A review of the surgical treatment of internal hydrocephalus.

Summary The procedures that are enjoying popularity today in the treatment of noncommunicating hydrocephalus are the ventriculocisternostomy of Torkildsen and the third ventriculostomy of Dandy. Torkildsen's procedure has met with the satisfaction of most surgeons. In selecting the third ventriculostomy, there is one essential prer-requisite. It must be determined that the cerebral subarachnoid spaces are open before this procedure may be used. In the case of communicating hydrocephalus,perhaps, the coagulation of the choroid plexus has been most universally used and has been sucessful in about 50 per cent of selected cases. However, many ingenious methods for shunting the excess cerebrospinal fluid from the ventricle and lumbar subarachnoid spaces have been devised and are replacing removal of the choroid plexus as the procedure of choice. The follow-up is still too short to determine which shunt will finally be the most successful. In evaluating the results, one must remember that a small percentage of patients undergo spontaneous recovery.
An Improved Technique for Enhancing Small Periodic Contrast Changes in Television Fluoroscopy

A highly accurate electrical subtraction technique has been developed for detecting and imaging very small periodic contrast changes in a video signal. The process uses two electrical-in electrical-out vidicon-like cathode ray tubes. The first tube puts out a video difference signal only when there is a change in the input video signal. The second, a silicon target storage tube, is used for integrating the difference signal. This storage tube is alternately operated above and below the first crossover point on the secondary emission characteristic for increased common mode rejection in the integrated difference signal. Periodic signals occupying .06 percent of the full scale video scene have been detected. This represents a factor of 10 increase in sensitivity over previously reported results.' The technique has been successfully used for detecting and imaging very small concentrations of non-radioactive iodine and xenon in x-ray phantoms using a conventional television fluoroscopy system. The details of the image subtraction electronics will be described.
Quantitative control mechanisms for the synthesis of RNA in vitro using frog embryo chromatin and DNA as primers.

Abstract Chromatin and high-protein DNA isolated from gastrulae and larvae of Rana pipiens have been used as primers for RNA synthesis in vitro . In the systems utilizing chromatin without added RNA polymerase, the levels of RNA synthesis seem to depend upon the amount of RNA polymerase present in the chromatin. When RNA polymerase is added to systems in which DNA is used as the primer, the amount of RNA bound to DNA seems to control the level of RNA synthesis. With higher RNA/DNA ratios, RNA synthesis decreases in these in vitro systems containing added RNA polymerase.
Expression of a novel sodium-hydrogen exchanger in the gastrointestinal tract and kidney

We have recently cloned a novel Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE-2) from rat small intestinal cDNA library. The present report characterizes the expression of (NHE-2) mRNA in the rat small intestine, stomach, and kidney using Northern blot analysis and in situ hybridization techniques. NHE-2 mRNA was detected in the surface epithelium of the stomach, villus but not crypt epithelial cells of the small intestine and in the distal convoluted, but not in the proximal tubules of the kidney. This distribution suggests a functional role in the transport of sodium across the apical membrane of the gastrointestinal tract and the kidney.
WE‐G‐BRC‐01: A Model for Clinically Focused Physics Education

Purpose: To provide a model for a comprehensive and collaborative program to enhance the effectiveness of physics education for residents in radiology. Methods and Materials: It is a major effort to address many of the existing challenges that exist today with physics education for radiology residents. Development of physics knowledge that will enhance clinical practice is best achieved through a synergistic combination of learning activities, each of which has specific values. The three specific elements of the progressive learning process are: 1. Class discussions on general topics conducted by physicists early in the residents program, 2. Focused learning activities in the clinical environment as residents begin specific clinical rotations coordinated by clinical faculty with on‐line modules or appropriate literature assignments, 3. Individual and group interactions, investigations, and study by residents. The physics faculty can enhance this phrase by providing study guides, learning objectives, and especially by participating in discussions and consultations. Results: The model relates to an evolution that is underway, in a variety of forms, in the various radiology residency programs and is actively being developed and applied by the authors. Fundamental to this evolution are existing challenges with scheduling, changes in the board examination process, and the rapidly increasing availability of web‐based resources. The two major sources at this time are the RSNA/AAPM modules and the resources provided by the Sprawls Educational Foundation both to provide high‐quality visuals for classroom discussion and modules for individual study. The content of these collections is currently being expanded. Conclusions: This model for clinically focused physics education for radiology residents provides a plan for highly effective programs that combine the values of three distinct types of learning activities to enhance physics education and utilizes the rapidly expanding web‐based resources to enhance human performance of both physics faculty and individual residents.
Dual-port RAMs simplify processor communications

Abstract Conventional memory blocks have a single address input and a single, usually bidirectional, data output. Dual-port memories have two address inputs and two data ports. These memories have been designed to facilitate the exchange of data between CPUs within a multiprocessor system. Each microprocessor can access the multiport memory and therefore read the data of another processor or leave data for another processor. There are two problems in the design of multiport memory systems. The first, and more trivial, concerns the way in which each processor supplies an address to the memory and how it accesses the memoryś data bus. This is not a particularly complex problem and the designerś biggest worry is how to design the interface with the least number of multiplexers and buffers. Whenever a processor wishes to access the multiport memory, it takes control of the address and data bus and then accesses the memory. A more fundamental design problem is posed when two or more processors try to access the memory nearly simultaneously. Memory contention is solved by the use of an arbitration circuit that arbitrates between the contending processors, grants access to only one processor and forces the others to wait. Fortunately, it is no longer necessary for all designers to construct their own dual-port memories from discrete components, since several manufacturers now put the memory, address and data multiplexers plus arbitration circuits on chip. IDT's application note shows how its dual-port memory operates and how it is used in multiprocessor systems.
Phenotypic Determination of Epithelial Appendages: Genes, Developmental Pathways, and Evolution

Epithelial appendages are derivatives of epithelia that elaborate to form specialized structures and functions. The appendage can protrude out, such as in teeth and feathers, or invaginate in, such as in glands. The epithelia can be ectodermal, such as in hairs, or endodermal, such as in livers. Using feather as a prototype of epithelial appendage, we study the molecular signals involved in the successive stages of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during morphogenesis. We propose that these form the basics of gene networks, which can be integrated to gene supernetwork and totinetwork. Because the unit of development is molecular pathway rather than single molecule, and the unit of morphogenesis is cell group rather than single cell, we make the analogy between genes/developmental pathways and words/sentences. The study of developmental pathways in epithelial appendage organogenesis will help us to understand the grammar of genes and the basic rules in constructing regulated new growth. This knowledge may contribute to the study of cancer biology (deregulated new growth) and organ regeneration.
Analysis of Nanowire Heat Pumps for Local Hot Spot Cooling

Conventional cooling techniques cannot be effectively employed in thermal management of high flux microscale to nanoscale hot spots that will occur in new generations of nanoelectronics and interconnects. Solid-state nanoscale heat pumps based on the Peltier effect have been proposed to alleviate the hot spot by producing a localized cooling effect in the vicinity of the hot spot. The proximity to the hot spot is expected to lead to efficient hot spot removal. In addition, such nanowire heat pumps may have higher coefficients of performance than their bulk materials counterparts due to enhanced thermoelectric figure of merit in optimized nanostructures. In this work nanoscale heat pumps are assumed to be assembled either parallel or perpendicular to the substrate around the hot spot with the cold junctions in contact with the hot spot and the hot junctions distributed at a constant distance from the hot spot. The objective of this work is to quantify and optimize the heat transfer rate of the nanoscale heat pump devices. An analytical model is employed to predict the heat transfer rate attainable with nanowire devices and their dependence on nanowire and hot spot dimensions, the junction temperature, and heat flux from the heat spot. Experimental efforts are on the way to demonstrate such devices.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Activation of caspase 3 during shear stress-induced neutrophil apoptosis on biomaterials

Within the complex environment of an implanted cardiovascular device comprised of dynamic flow and foreign materials, phagocytic neutrophils may be ineffective in combating infection due to cellular responses to shear stress. This may be explained, in part, by our recent reports of apoptosis of biomaterial-adherent leukocytes induced through exposure to shear stress. Here we utilize a rotating disk system to generate physiologically relevant shear stress levels (0–18 dynes/cm2) at the surface of a polyetherurethane urea (PEUU) and investigate neutrophil intracellular pathways involved in shear-induced apoptosis. In situ detection of activated caspases, the enzymatic mediators of the apoptosis cascade, showed qualitatively that these proteases participate in shear-induced apoptosis and are activated in a shear-dependent manner. The involvement of caspase 3 was confirmed through immunoprecipitation and immunoblotting of extracted neutrophil proteins. Comparative studies with neutrophils adherent under static conditions demonstrated time-dependent activation of caspases in TNF-α/cycloheximide-induced apoptosis, for which caspase-3 also was implicated. These findings are the first steps toward elucidation of the mechanisms behind the inappropriate induction of apoptosis by adhesion to biomaterials, which may contribute to the development and persistence of device-related infections. ©2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 62: 163–168, 2002
Doing the project and learning the content: Designing project-based science curricula for meaningful understanding†

Project-based science curricula can improve students' usable or meaningful understanding of the science content underlying a project. However, such curricula designed around “performances” wherein students design or make something do not always do this. We researched ways to design performance project-based science curricula (pPBSc) to better support the meaningful understanding of science content. Using existing curriculum design frameworks, we identified the learner's need to “create the demand” for the science content, anticipating how to use it in the performance, and to “apply” the science content, both being necessary to ensure meaningful understanding. Designing the pPBSc I, Bio we discovered how these guiding principles manifested as curriculum design challenges. We generalized from the design of I, Bio and related literature design approaches for addressing each challenge. Finally, we measured the extent to which a pPBSc incorporating these design approaches developed meaningful understanding. 652 middle grades students using I, Bio completed pre- and posttests on the science content behind the I, Bio performance. Our findings provide preliminary evidence that a pPBSc that incorporates these design approaches is consistent with gains in meaningful understanding. We discuss how the results of this work can be used to improve systematic experiments on instructional supports. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Sci Ed94:525–551, 2010
Informed Consent: How Much Does the Patient Understand?

Comprehension and recall of the information contained in the informed consent statement was tested in clinically hypertensive patients entering a controlled trial comparing hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol. The consent statement was the primary vehicle for conveying the information to the patient. The average of correct answers to a multiple-choice quiz was 71.6% at 2 hr and 61.2% at 3 mo after the consent procedure. The effectiveness of recall did not correlate with level of education. Patients exhibited greater comprehension of the action of the drugs than of their side effects. Nearly all patients indicated their belief that they would receive the best possible care. While 95% wanted to be informed about the trial, 75% stated they would have given their consent even without this information.
Navigating the Measurement and Monitoring Maze

Assessment of students with disabilities is a critical component of special education. In addition to the complexity of assessment (e.g., high-stakes assessments, progress monitoring, diagnosis), the issue is complicated further by the use of acronyms. This can make both explaining and understanding important information related to students very difficult. Acronyms related to assessment create a virtual alphabet soup that can be confusing for parents, teachers, and school personnel. Assessment acronyms include terms related to both state testing and progress monitoring such as AYP, AA-AAS, AA-MAS, AA-GLAS, RTI, CBA, and CBM. Educators must understand not only the nature and purpose of the various assessments, but they must also be familiar with the assessment acronyms in order to select appropriate assessments to measure the academic progress and performance of students, and to communicate effectively with families and related school professionals. The purpose of this article is to describe common assessm...
Baseline Geography Competency Test: Administered in Indiana Universities

Abstract A baseline geography test was administered to over 3,000 Indiana college students enrolled in introductory geography courses. The National Council for Geographic Education Competency-Based Geography Test, Secondary Level, Form II, was used to measure the 1987 level of geographic ability in the areas of map skills, place-name location, physical geography, and human geography. Personal information gathered from each respondent included age, sex, travel experience, and level of geographic education. Older students scored better while geographically immobile groups scored lower. A strong correlation was found between travel and geographic knowledge. Findings show low overall geographic ability and that factors of age, travel experience and gender are correlated with certain aspects of geographic knowledge and skills.
Inflammatory breast cancer: The evolution of multimodality treatment strategies

Inflammatory breast cancer is an aggressive subtype of invasive breast cancer. Early attempts to control the disease with local treatment modalities alone had a minimal impact on survival. More recently, multimodality treatment approaches that integrate systemic chemotherapy, surgery, and radiotherapy have resulted in improved local disease control and prolonged survival. Better systemic therapies need to be developed since metastatic disease develops in the majority of patients. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Trigger and data acquisition: The bytes start and stop here!

The modern trigger and data acquisition systems that instrument discovery experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN are very complex digital systems that select, reduce, and process enormous volumes of data in real-time to match the resources of state-of-the-art distributed computing available to researchers. Never before in particle physics have such powerful digital reconstruction and filtering systems been matched to a world-wide distributed system of computing of unprecedented scale. The goal of these massive aggregate computing systems is to extract as much physical information as possible from collision events at the LHC with well understood selection criteria and biases. Current strategies and future challenges in providing these aggregate real-time and offline computing systems are described.
Characterization and oxidation of chromium(III) by sodium hypochlorite in alkaline solutions

Abstract Chromium exists in nuclear waste sludges and is a problematic element in the vitrification process of high-level nuclear wastes. It is therefore necessary to treat the waste sludges to remove chromium prior to vitrification, by caustic leaching or oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI). The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of oligomerization of Cr(III) on its oxidation by hypochlorite in alkaline solutions. Monomeric, dimeric and trimeric Cr(III) species in solution were separated by ion exchange. The kinetics of the oxidation of the separated species by hypochlorite in alkaline solutions was studied by UV/Vis absorption spectroscopy, and compared with the oxidation by hydrogen peroxide previously studied. Results indicate that hypochlorite can oxidize Cr(III) to Cr(VI) in alkaline solutions, but the rate of oxidation by hypochlorite is slower than that by hydrogen peroxide at the same alkalinity and concentrations of oxidants. The rate of oxidation of Cr(III) by both oxidants decreases as the concentration of sodium hydroxide is increased, but the oxidation by hypochlorite seems less affected by the degree of oligomerization of Cr(III) than that by peroxide. Compared with the oxidation by hydrogen peroxide where the major reaction pathway has an inverse order with respect to C NaOH , the oxidation by hypochlorite has a significant reaction pathway independent of [OH − ].
Overcoming fixation with repeated memory suppression

Fixation (blocks to memories or ideas) can be alleviated not only by encouraging productive work towards a solution, but, as the present experiments show, by reducing counterproductive work. Two experiments examined relief from fixation in a word-fragment completion task. Blockers, orthographically similar negative primes (e.g., ANALOGY), blocked solutions to word fragments (e.g., A_L_ _GY) in both experiments. After priming, but before the fragment completion test, participants repeatedly suppressed half of the blockers using the Think/No-Think paradigm, which results in memory inhibition. Inhibiting blockers did not alleviate fixation in Experiment 1 when conscious recollection of negative primes was not encouraged on the fragment completion test. In Experiment 2, however, when participants were encouraged to remember negative primes at fragment completion, relief from fixation was observed. Repeated suppression may nullify fixation effects, and promote creative thinking, particularly when fixation is c...
Restructuring the Engineering and Engineering Technology Relationship

The pattern of engineering education, which typically requires four years for completion of a degree that allows entry to practice, is put in perspective by comparing it with educational requirements for other professions. Driving forces for change in the current pattern are examined, with accreditation proposed as the mechanism to effect appropriate change. The growth of engineering technology programs is seen as one major stimulus for change, and several possible scenarios for future development of these two interrelated fields are explored. One scenario, which recommends significant upgrading of engineering education, is proposed for adoption by the profession. The comprehensive engineering profession model proposed includes modifications to current norms in education, recognition, and practice.
Marketing considerations for improved protein food products.

The conventional approach to marketing of improved products in the retail commercial markets of highly industrialized Western countries is of little utility in meeting presently unfulfilled protein needs of the underdeveloped countries. To be effective and accepted by the target consumers, improved protein foods must be classless, and must be introduced simultaneously at all levels of the economy. This can rarely be accomplished by the conventional business approach. New enterprise structures must be developed in which private companies can participate in joint ventures with governments, cooperatives and voluntary agencies. Successful market development in the less developed countries demands a systems approach in which interrelationships among food availabilities, nutritional needs, acceptability factors and purchasing power are evaluated in the context of the total food system of the country.
Earth-vibrations from dynamite blasts

As is pretty generally known by now, there has developed in recent years a commercial activity which involves the setting up of elastic vibrations in the Earth by means of dynamite blasts. This work, generally known as “Seismic prospecting,” has for its aim the study of subsurface geologic structure by means of these vibrations, following the theory by which seismology offers means to a study of the Earth's deeper interior. The greater part of such commercial investigations, however, has had for its more limited objective the location of salt-domes as favorable structures for the accumulation of oil.
Impact of a patient-centered, computer-based health information/support system

Abstract Background: Consumer health information systems potentially improve a patient's quality of life and activate patient self-care. Objectives: Test a computerized system (CHESS: Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System), which, in this application, provided HIV-positive patients with information, decision support, and connections to experts and other patients. Would patients given in-home access to computers use the system, improve their quality of life, reduce health-risk behaviors, and use medical services more efficiently? Research Design: Randomized controlled trial: CHESS computers in experimental subjects' homes in Madison or Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for 3 or 6 months; controls received no intervention. Subjects were compensated for self-report surveys completed before, during, and after CHESS installation. Subjects: Of 204 HIV-positive patients recruited (90% male, 84% white, average education some college, and 65% experiencing HIV-related symptoms), 90% completed the study. Measures: Self-reports of quality of life and frequency and duration of use of medical services. Results: CHESS was used daily with little difference between demographic subgroups. While CHESS was in the home, its users reported quality-of-life improvements: active life, negative emotions, cognitive function, social support, and participation in health care. They also reported spending less time during ambulatory care visits, making more phone calls to providers, and experiencing fewer and shorter hospitalizations. Conclusions: A computer-based personal health support system can improve a patient's quality of life and promote more efficient use of health care.