cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
John Paul II’s Theology of the Suffering Body

This article evaluates the experience of suffering and its redemptive value in the light of St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. It begins by exploring how man was created in “the beginning,” before the experience of evil and sin. Man’s “original experiences” of solitude, unity and nakedness help man to understand himself as a being who is always in relation and is called to transcendence. These experiences continue to resonate within man, though sin can blind him from interpreting them correctly. Instead of man’s body opening him to relations and receiving the love of God and neighbor as a gift, he often experiences shame for his disordered desires, which enclose man within himself. While shame can be a negative experience, it is also a “boundary experience,” in that it points man to an original goodness that is now lacking due to the experience of evil. Suffering, likewise, can be a boundary experience that opens man, through his vulnerability, to recognizing his need for communion with God and neighbor. Christ, therefore, does not eliminate suffering but redeems it, transforming it into a revelation of God’s love. Suffering has become a path to conversion, to rebuilding goodness in man’s heart, and to liberation from evil. Redemption occurs when man freely opens himself to Christ’s love in the midst of suffering, making up for what is “lacking” in Christ’s suffering: our participation. Suffering isn’t a problem to be solved so much as a mystery to enter into. Through participation in Christ’s suffering, not only is man able to experience his own redemption, he can also offer his body with Christ for the redemption of the world.
A Survey of Online Learning Platforms with Initial Investigation of Situation-Awareness to Facilitate Programming Education

With the advancement of today's ubiquitous technology, and due to the increasing number of technologies supported by the Internet, a variety of Online Learning Platforms have rapidly grown as modern learning methods. This fast-emerging learning option interests researchers to study and investigate the main features and functionality of the most popular Online Learning Platforms. This paper surveys the state-of-the-art Online Learning Platforms that aim to teach computer programming, in terms of principles, design, and implementations. In addition, the paper investigates the feasibility of incorporating human-oriented Situation-Awareness as the driving factor to facilitate the delivery of improved user learning experiences.
Real time voltage stability prediction of smart grid areas using smart meters data and improved Thevenin estimates

Abstract One of the important factors of power delivery disruption is voltage instability. As loads increase, the grid is pushed toward instability and the voltage drops. Once instability is reached, the area will experience a blackout. Many methods exist which can be used to determine grid stability. One popular technique used for estimating the maximum available power as well as grid area stability, without knowing the grid model, uses the concept of the Thevenin equivalent circuit. The maximum power can be used to support demand response methods. In addition, it is possible to use the Thevenin parameters to determine how reactive power compensation affects the maximum power. Existing Thevenin equivalent techniques use aggregate load measurements, which provide poor estimates of the Thevenin equivalent parameters. This affects the accuracy of the available maximum power estimate. The objective of this paper is to take advantage of individual load measurements from smart meters to provide improved estimates of the Thevenin parameters. Additionally, a new real time stability index that alerts utilities when the system approaches instability is proposed. The proposed improved Thevenin estimates and stability index were tested using an IEEE 30 bus power system. The simulation results show that the new estimator is capable of generating better Thevenin parameters estimate than the classical method. The results also show the ability of the proposed stability index in predicting voltage instability ahead of time to give utilities the chance to react properly before a blackout takes place.
One of Us

One of Us Susan Moore, Chaniece Wallace, Breonna Taylor. In 2020, even as Black people continued to die and get killed at disproportionate rates, Black health professionals continued to show up eve...
Oral fluoroquinolones for definitive treatment of gram-negative bacteremia in cancer patients

Bloodstream infections (BSI) are significant causes of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. These patients often receive 10 to 14 days of intravenous (IV) antibiotics. The objective of this study was to compare the outcomes of cancer patients transitioned from IV to oral (PO) therapy compared to continuation of IV treatment. This was a single-center, retrospective cohort study of hospitalized adult cancer patients with gram-negative bacteremia. Patients transitioned to a PO fluoroquinolone (FQ) within 5 days were allocated to the IV-to-PO group, while the remaining patients comprised the IV group. The primary outcome was the composite of treatment failure, defined as infection-related readmission, infection recurrence, or inpatient mortality. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to account for confounding variables. Secondary outcomes assessed included infection-related length of stay (LOS), hospital LOS, and adverse events, such as Clostridioides difficile infection and catheter-related complications. The IV-to-PO group included 78 patients, while the remaining 133 patients were allocated to the IV group. Differences at baseline included more hematologic malignancy, neutropenia, ICU admissions, and higher Pitt bacteremia scores in the IV group. The rate of treatment failure was significantly higher in the IV group (24% vs 9%; p < 0.01), which persisted in the logistic regression (aOR 3.5, 95% CI 1.3–9.1). The IV-to-PO group had decreased infection-related and hospital length of stay, as well as fewer catheter-related complications. The use of PO FQ may be considered for the definitive treatment of uncomplicated Enterobacterales BSI in cancer patients.
In-Game Social Interactions to Facilitate ESL Students' Morphological Awareness, Language and Literacy Skills

Video games that require players to utilize a target or second language to complete tasks have emerged as alternative pedagogical tools for Second Language Acquisition (SLA). With the exception of vocabulary acquisition, much of the prior research in game-based SLA fails to gauge students' literacy skills, specifically their morphological awareness or understanding of the smallest meaningful linguistic units (e.g., prefixes, suffixes, and roots). Given this shortcoming, we utilize a two-player online game to facilitate social interactions between Native English Speakers (NES) and English as a Second Language (ESL) students as a mechanism to generate ESL students' written output in the targeted language and draw attention to their morphological awareness. Analysis of chat logs demonstrates the game's potential to enhance ESL students' morphological awareness and other important L2 literacy skills such as word reading accuracy. Both NES and ESL students' reflections of their gameplay experiences suggest game design modifications that promote ESL students' willingness to communicate with NES while developing their morphological awareness and practicing their L2 communication and literacy skills.
DNA stretching as a probe for nucleic acid interactions: Reply to Comments on "Biophysical characterization of DNA binding from single molecule force measurements" by Kathy R. Chaurasiya, Thayaparan Paramanathan, Micah J. McCauley, Mark C. Williams.

We would like to thank the authors of the thoughtful commentaries on various aspects of our review. These commentaries represent a diverse set of opinions on the field of single molecule force spectroscopy. We are unable to address all of the detailed issues brought up in the commentaries due to space constraints. Therefore what follows is a more general view of the most commonly addressed issues.
ERK2 Alone Drives Inflammatory Pain But Cooperates with ERK1 in Sensory Neuron Survival.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) are highly homologous yet distinct components of signal transduction pathways known to regulate cell survival and function. Recent evidence indicates an isoform-specific role for ERK2 in pain processing and peripheral sensitization. However, the function of ERK2 in primary sensory neurons has not been directly tested. To dissect the isoform-specific function of ERK2 in sensory neurons, we used mice with Cre-loxP-mediated deletion of ERK2 in Nav1.8+ sensory neurons that are predominantly nociceptors. We find that ERK2, unlike ERK1, is required for peripheral sensitization and cold sensation. We also demonstrate that ERK2, but not ERK1, is required to preserve epidermal innervation in a subset of peptidergic neurons. Additionally, deletion of both ERK isoforms in Nav1.8+ sensory neurons leads to neuron loss not observed with deletion of either isoform alone, demonstrating functional redundancy in the maintenance of sensory neuron survival. Thus, ERK1 and ERK2 exhibit both functionally distinct and redundant roles in sensory neurons. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT ERK1/2 signaling affects sensory neuron function and survival. However, it was not clear whether ERK isoform-specific roles exist in these processes postnatally. Previous work from our laboratory suggested either functional redundancy of ERK isoforms or a predominant role for ERK2 in pain; however, the tools to discriminate between these possibilities were not available at the time. In the present study, we use new genetic knock-out lines to demonstrate that ERK2 in sensory neurons is necessary for development of inflammatory pain and for postnatal maintenance of peptidergic epidermal innervation. Interestingly, postnatal loss of both ERK isoforms leads to a profound loss of sensory neurons. Therefore, ERK1 and ERK2 display both functionally distinct and redundant roles in sensory neurons.
Electron flow in positive-polarity multigap inductive accelerators

We study the electron flow in multi-gap inductive accelerators, such as Hermes III operating in positive polarity by numerical simulation and modeling. The objective of this work is to determine the operating principles such that an optimally efficient design of the Hermes-type machine can be achieved for intense ion beam generation. We employ a 2-D fully electromagnetic particle in cell code, MASK†, to represent the electrons emitted in the accelerating gaps and their dynamics. Because the electrons emitted in different gaps have different energies and canonical momenta, the simple theory of magnetic insulation[l] has to be extended to such multi-component electron flows. In order to understand the effects of load impedance on the electron flows in the multi-gap accelerator and on the coupling of power to the load, MASK has been used to simulate an accelerator with a small number of gaps for various load impedances. For load impedances below the self-limited impedance Z SL of the last segment of the accelerator, the electron flow in both segments is well insulated. The overall current efficiency is over 90% and is insensitive to the load impedance Z L for Z L SL · Beyond Z SL , the current efficiency decreases rapidly with increasing load impedance. Because of this rapid decrease in efficiency, the power delivered to the load also falls off rapidly as load impedance is increased. To better understand these results, a simple theoretical model for multi-component electron flows has been developed to predict the distribution of electron flows. The model will be compared with existing multi-component models[2] and simulations. For both high and low impedance loads the electron flow from the leading edge of each cathode is unsteady, producing an intermittent train of diamagnetic electron vortices. These vortices are not circular but elongated with an aspect ratio near one half. The center of each vortex E × B drifts along with the local electron flow. In each vortex, electrons E × B drift about the vortex center along the potential contours of the vortex's self-electric field in a reference frame moving with the vortex center. These vortices were compared to a self-consistent solution of a cylindrically symmetric fluid model which showed good agreement with data observed from the runs.
Analysis of sphingomyelin and ceramide levels and the enzymes regulating their metabolism in response to cell stress.

Publisher Summary This chapter provides clear and well-documented protocols for investigators who are interested in assessing the role of ceramide and ceramide-metabolizing enzymes in their particular cell model. It discusses the cellular ceramide levels regulating by the concerted action of many different enzymes involved in its formation and metabolism. A prime emphasis of this chapter is on basic methods of lipidology with which many cell biologists may be unfamiliar and clarifying several critical misconceptions present in the literature regarding methods for the measurement of this bioactive lipid metabolite. The chapter also provides a discussion of current understanding on the regulation of sphingomyelin (SM), and ceramide-metabolizing enzymes and the availability of molecular probes, antibodies, and inhibitors where applicable. Metabolic radiolabeling of cellular lipids is one of the easiest and most manageable methods for measuring SM and ceramide levels. However, metabolic labeling does not provide an accurate measure of mass and therefore can only give qualitative results.
Sugars and Citric Acid Differently Modulate DPPH Antioxidant Activity in Polyphenol-rich Fruit Juices

The objective of this study was to further characterize the interactions of citric acid, sorbitol, sucrose on the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) antioxidant activity of polyphenol-rich juices. Polyphenols were isolated from aronia, raspberry, apple, grape, and cherry juices. Polyphenols were recombined with various levels of citric acid (0 to 1%, w/v) and sugars (0 to 30%, w/v) and DPPH scavenging was subsequently measured near the IC50 value of polyphenol fractions. Sorbitol and citric acid inhibited DPPH activity up to 15 and 10%, respectively in aronia polyphenols. Sorbitol had differential effects on DPPH activity of juice polyphenols. Sorbitol increased DPPH inhibition by 1, 4, and 5% for cherry, grape and raspberry polyphenols, while it was decreased apple juice by 58.1%. Sucrose reduced DPPH inhibition of apple and grape polyphenols 25 and 29% while it increased by 8.0 and 5.6% for raspberry and cherry polyphenols. Citric acid increased apple and raspberry juice polyphenol antioxidant activit...
An automated method for defining microtubule length distributions.

Publisher Summary This chapter presents two examples of automated data acquisition and evaluation and examines various statistical problems, with examples of actual experiment data and a detailed program listing for implementing this automated method. Length distribution measurements often provide the only available way to determine important parameters in the study of biological polymers. For example, because most polymerization mechanisms tend to be endwise, it is necessary to know the number of polymer ends in solution to study polymerization or depolymerization kinetics. This can be determined from knowledge of the total protein in polymer form (usually determined by turbidity) and the average polymer length. The initial rates determined by turbidity have agreed with the electron microscopic number concentration measurements to within a few percent. Accurate determinations of microtubule distribution shapes have enabled theoretically predicting the entire time course of the depolymerization reaction on the basis of these electron microscopic measurements. These results demonstrate that electron microscopy can be used to accurately determine microtubule lengths in solution. In addition, length distribution techniques may be used to determine the mode of action of other microtubule assembly effectors.
Teaching computing courses - computer literacy, business microcomputer applications, and introduction to programming online utilizing webCT

Three faculty present their experiences with online instruction utilizing the WebCT distance learning facilitator program. The courses discussed are Computer Literacy (for non-majors), Business Microcomputer Applications (Windows Operating System, Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint for non-majors), and Introduction to Programming (for majors and non-majors). Each faculty member discusses the design, implementation, problems and possible solutions, and comparisons with traditional on-campus courses. The Computer Literacy course is intended for non-computing majors and is a breadth first approach to computer terminology, theory, concepts, hands-on use of popular applications, and exposure to networks, the Internet, and programming. The Business Microcomputer Applications course is a hands-on course providing real world training and experience in the Windows Operating System, database, spreadsheet, and word processing applications. The Introduction to Programming course is the first semester of C++ programming for both major and non-majors covering both structured and object-oriented programming concepts. Each course is discussed in terms of the following topics: student required materials; textbooks; preparation of the WebCT component; teaching the courses; testing; pros, cons and solutions; comparison with traditional course sections; and conclusions.
Targeting the Endothelium

The endothelium is an active organ with paracrine-endocrine capabilities that directs a multitude of physiological actions both locally and remotely. Cardiac arrest and resuscitation is a model of whole body ischemia reperfusion injury, interventions that have their basis in cytoprotection, reduction of the inflammatory cascade, fibrinolysis and improvement of microvasculature blood flow target the endothelium. This presentation will review pharmacologic, cell targeted therapies and periodic acceleration (pGz) interventions that have the endothelium in part as the target organ. The clinical potential of such interventions as preconditioning, conditioning and postconditioning strategies associated with cardiac arrest will
Polemics on Public Education: What Are the Facts about Control of P-12 Education?:

The Linguistics, Neurology, and Politics of Phonics: Silent “E” Speaks Out, by Steven L. Strauss, and Marketing Fear in America’s Public Schools: The Real War on Literacy, edited by Leslie Poynor and Paula M. Wolfe, both have the same essential thesis: Education in U.S. schools is a mess; it was not a mess when whole language (variably referred to as meaning-centered reading) dominated reading instruction, and an artificial literacy crisis was manufactured to push whole language from the curriculum and replace it with instructional practices controlled by the government, corporatebusiness, and thepolitical and religious right.Theauthorsareunstinting in their condemnation of the rhetoric and tactics of those in this conspiracy to take over U.S. public education. These books are not for the faint of heart. JOURNAL OF LITERACY RESEARCH, 38(3), 345–355 Copyright © 2006, Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Inc.
STRATEGIES TO REDUCE BARRIERS TO RECRUITMENT AND PARTICIPATION.

Purpose To identify barriers encountered and solutions employed to improve research recruitment and retention of rural subjects for participation in the Promoting Heart Health in Rural Women (PHH) study. Methods This article provides an examination of experiences encountered by nurse researchers in recruiting rural women from two locations to a randomized, controlled trial. Problem solving through broadening recruitment areas and inclusion criteria, community liaison assistance, identification of rural-specific strategies in the literature, and perseverance helped to overcome barriers to subject recruitment and retention in this rural Phase-II nurse-run intervention study. Clinical Relevance Research studies need to be conducted in order to build a body of evidence for nursing interventions to reduce cardiovascular disease risk factors in rural women. A study is strengthened by a robust sample that provides power to statistical analysis. Without discussion of real-world experiences and appropriate and effective recruitment and retention strategies in nursing research, there is little chance of conducting research with appropriate power to build evidence-based practice.
Next Generation Optimization for Electric Power Systems

This chapter contains sections titled: Introduction Structure of the Next Generation Optimization Foundations of the Next Generation Optimization Applications of Next Generation Optimization to Power Systems Grand Challenges in Next Generation Optimization and Research Needs Concluding Remarks and Benchmark Problems Acknowledgments Bibliography
Pharmacokinetics of N-4-hydroxyphenyl-retinamide and the effect of its oral administration on plasma retinol concentrations in cancer patients.

Concurrent with a phase-II trial of 4HPR in patients with various cancers, we studied the plasma pharmacokinetics of both 4HPR and its major metabolite 4MPR as well as the effect of 4HPR administration on plasma retinol concentrations using a simple, specific and sensitive HPLC procedure. Initial estimates of plasma pharmacokinetic parameters after oral administration of 4HPR (300 mg/day) [corrected] in 3 cancer patients were the following: 4HPR, t beta 1/2 = 13.7 hr, AUC = 3.49 micrograms.hr/ml, CL = 56.57 L/hr/m2; 4MPR, t beta 1/2 = 23.0 hr, AUC = 1.15 micrograms.hr/ml, CL = 239.29 L/hr/m2. We also found that oral administration of 4HPR resulted in a rapid, profound and significant reduction in plasma retinol concentrations. The mean plasma retinol concentrations for 9 patients decreased 60% from baseline to below 200 ng/ml within 1-2 weeks of 4HPR dosing initiation. In addition, there was a concurrent, significant reduction in plasma retinol-binding protein levels in these patients. The mechanism whereby 4HPR reduces plasma retinol levels in vivo has not been determined. The addition of 4HPR to pooled human plasma at 37 degrees C in vitro did not reduce endogenous retinol levels, suggesting no direct chemical interaction between these 2 retinoids.
First principles investigation of electronic structure, magnetic properties and spin polarized conductance of self assembled molecular monolayers (SAMs) on Ni

Using first principles gradient corrected density functional theory and supercell approach we have investigated electronic structures, magnetic properties, and density of states for self assembled CH 3 S monolayer on a magnetic Ni
Entanglement-assisted quantum convolutional coding

We show how to protect a stream of quantum information from decoherence induced by a noisy quantum communication channel. We exploit preshared entanglement and a convolutional coding structure to develop a theory of entanglement-assisted quantum convolutional coding. Our construction produces a Calderbank-Shor-Steane (CSS) entanglement-assisted quantum convolutional code from two arbitrary classical binary convolutional codes. The rate and error-correcting properties of the classical convolutional codes directly determine the corresponding properties of the resulting entanglement-assisted quantum convolutional code. We explain how to encode our CSS entanglement-assisted quantum convolutional codes starting from a stream of information qubits, ancilla qubits, and shared entangled bits.
Kinetics of complex isothermal reversible first‐order reaction systems involving three components

A new calculation method presented here for interpreting batch or tubular-flow reactor data (and also CSTR data) on three-component, three-reaction reversible systems is based upon the general analyses of Jost and of Wei and Prater. With advance knowledge of the pertinent equilibria, even a very few experimental points can be matched easily and rapidly to the given figures and equations. The simplification involved when one reaction disappears, with the divariant system thus becoming monovariant, is also described. Representative concentration-time curves are given for design purposes.
Erratum: "The Carnegie Hubble Program: The Leavitt Law at 3.6 μm and 4.5 μm in the Large Magellanic Cloud" (2011, ApJ, 743, 76)

Due to an error at the publisher, an incorrect version of Table 3 appeared in the published article. The updated version of Table 3 is given.
Modeling animal habitats based on cover types: a critical review.

The simplest type of model describing animal habitats is a “cover-type model,” in which a species is assumed to be present in certain vegetation types and absent in others. Ecologists and managers use these models to predict animal distributions for gap analysis and conservation planning. Critics, however, have suggested that the models are overly simplistic and inaccurate. We reviewed the use of cover-type models including assessing their error rates, diagnosing the problems with these models, and determining how they should best be used by managers. To determine models’ accuracy rates, we conducted a meta-analysis of 35 studies in which cover-type models were tested against data on animal occurrences. Models had a mean accuracy rate of 0.71 ± 0.18 (SD). Rates of commission error averaged 0.20 ± 0.16, and omission errors averaged 0.09 ± 0.11. A review of the effects of errors in conservation planning suggests that the observed error rates were high enough to call into question any management decisions based on these models. Reasons for the high error rates of cover-type models include the fallibility of expert opinion, the fact that the models oversimplify how animals actually use habitats, and the dynamic nature of animal populations. Given the high rate of errors in cover-type models, any conclusions based on them should be taken with extreme caution. We suggest that these models are best used as coarse filters to identify locations for further study in the field.
Usefulness of the aldosterone synthase gene polymorphism C-344-T to predict cardiac remodeling in African-Americans versus non-African-Americans with chronic systolic heart failure.

A common polymorphism exists for the aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) gene at position 344 (C-344-T). The 344-C allele has been associated with increased aldosterone synthase activity. We hypothesized that the aldosterone synthase gene polymorphism is associated with adverse cardiac remodeling in an ambulatory, chronic heart failure population. The CYP11B2 C-344T genotype was determined in 104 patients with heart failure who were in New York Heart Association classes I to IV, had left ventricular ejection fractions
An approach to the mathematical biophysics of biological self-regulation and of cell polarity

In a cell, in which the permeability to a metabolite is a function of the concentration of that metabolite, situations may occur, in which the diffusion field will exhibit certain assymetric patterns, even though the cell may possess geometrically spherical symmetry. This pattern results in a polarity of the cell. Moreover, the pattern being the result of a dynamic equilibrium, it possesses the property of self-regulation. Dividing the cell in two results in the appearance of a similar patterns in each half-cell. Another case when such self regulation and polarity occur is given by considerations of the action of the diffusion forces upon colloidal particles, which affect catalytically the metabolic reactions. A simple case is treated mathematically.
A comparison of the color stability of conventional and titanium dental porcelain

Abstract Simulation of naturally appearing enamel in fixed prosthodontics is best achieved with porcelain. This study investigated the color stability of two different dental porcelains, Ceramco and Procera, after they were exposed to 900 hours of accelerated aging. Twenty titanium plates provided the substrate to which the Procera porcelain samples in shades A3, A3.5, C3, and D3 were fired, five in each shade. An equal number of metal-ceramic alloy (Olympia) plates were cast to the same dimensions to form the 20 substrates to which Ceramco porcelain was fired. The four shades of porcelain were again added to each of the samples. Commission International de l'Eclairage L * a * b * readings were recorded with a Minolta Chroma Meter II before and after exposure to 900 hours of accelerated aging simulation. After the aging process the color differences between the pretest and posttest condition were calculated. Although statistical comparisons demonstrated a differences in color change (p
EFFECTS OF BACTRACHOTOXIN ON ELECTROPLAX Na+‐K+‐ATPase AND LEVELS OF ATP IN RAT MUSCLE

—Batrachotoxin (BTX) in low concentrations (20 nm) depolarizes electrically excitable membranes (Albuquerque, Daly and Witkop, 1971). At these levels, BTX does not inhibit Na+-K+-ATPase. At much higher concentrations (60 μm) BTX partially inhibits Na+-K+-ATPase from electroplax of Electrophorus electricus. In contrast to inhibition by cardiac glycosides, the inhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase by batrachotoxin is not antagonized by KCl. BTX had no effect on ATP levels in stimulated nerve muscle preparations at the time when sustained contracture was initiated by the drug. Phosphocreatine levels were decreased and levels of glucose-6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate were increased, while levels of fructose-1,6-diphosphate and α-ketoglutarate were unchanged. It is concluded that the inhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase or lowering of ATP levels by BTX is not significantly involved in the membrane depolarization produced by the toxin.
Effect of geometry variation of LTCC distributed air-gap filter inductor on light load efficiency of DC-DC converters

A low profile power inductor fabricated using low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) technology has been demonstrated to improve the light load efficiency of a converter, without the use of additional control circuitry. This is brought about by means of a distributed air gap design, which causes a change in inductance with load current. Variation in inductor geometry is performed experimentally to study the effects on the light load efficiency of a converter. By decreasing the conductor width of the inductor, the light load efficiency can be further improved by 30% compared with using commercial inductors of similar inductance. Variation in the number of parallel conductors in a multi-conductor structure does not have significant effect on light load efficiency improvement.
Electrodeposition of low-resistivity Y-doped ZnO and its thermal stability

Y-doped ZnO films have been electrochemically deposited on ITO-coated glass and Ag-coated stainless steel substrates. Without Y doping, the sheet resistance of the ZnO/ITO stack is 6.8 kΩ/sq. After adding a Y precursor to the deposition solution, the sheet resistance of the ZnO/ITO stack is reduced to as low as 1.5 Ω/sq, measured by four-point probe. This sheet resistance is obtained after annealing the 400-nm Y-doped ZnO film on ITO in 1 ATM N 2 ambient at 300 °C for 3 hours. The corresponding resistivity for the ZnO film is 6.3×10−5 Ω-cm, extracted by considering the ZnO/ITO stack as a parallel circuit. Even with possible measurement errors considered, the corresponding resistivity is only 1×10−4 Ω-cm. The low-resistivity Y-doped ZnO also shows high transmittance (above 80%) and low absorbance (below 10%) by UV-vis spectroscopy. Y-doped ZnO deposited on Ag-coated stainless steel substrates shows stable resistivity (1×10−4 Ω-cm) and high reflectance (∼60%) after annealing in 1 ATM N 2 ambient at 500 °C for 1 hour.
Bremsstrahlung and Fulling-Davies-Unruh thermal bath.

The bremsstrahlung effect associated with a point charge with constant proper acceleration is discussed from the point of view of the frame coaccelerating with the charge. In this frame the charge is immersed in the so-called Fulling-Davies-Unruh thermal bath. It is shown that the emission of a photon from the source as described by the inertial observer can be interpreted the accelerated frame as either the emission or the absorption of a zero-energy Rindler photon in the thermal bath. It is shown by explicit calculations that the emission rate of photons with fixed transverse momentum in the inertial frame agrees with the combined rate of emission and absorption of zero-energy Rindler photons with the same transverse momentum in the accelerated frame. A discussion on the issue of the detectability of these zero-energy Rindler particles is provided.
Dependent and problem drinking over 5 years: a latent class growth analysis.

Understanding the long-term course of problematic drinking is a fundamental concern for health services research in the alcohol field. The stability of, or change in, the course of drinking-especially heavy drinking-has both theoretical and applied relevance to alcohol research. We explore the application of latent class growth modeling to 5 years of survey data collected from dependent and problem drinkers-some not in treatment at baseline-in an attempt to uncover prototypical longitudinal drinking patterns. Results indicated that five profiles of drinkers can be used to represent their longitudinal course of alcohol consumption: early quitters (N = 88), light/non-drinkers (N = 76), gradual improvers (N = 129), moderate drinkers (N = 229), and heavy drinkers (N = 572). Significant baseline factors included ASI drug severity, dependence symptoms, and marital status. Attendance at AA meetings, the size of one's heavy drinking and drug using social network, past treatment, receiving suggestions about one's drinking, and contacts with the medical system were significant influences. The size of heavy drinking and drug using social networks was noticeably larger for the heavy drinkers. Findings also support the usefulness of a semi-parametric latent group-based approach as a tool for analyzing alcohol-related behaviors. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
ANTIPROTEINS IN HORSE SERA : II. ANTIBODIES TO PNEUMOCOCCUS NUCLEOPROTEIN AND THEIR REACTION WITH ANTIGEN.

The antiprotein in an antipneumococcus horse serum resulting from intravenous injections of infected pleural exudate showed a precipitin type of reaction with pneumococcus nucleoprotein rather than the antitoxin type of response.
Twin Weddings; Twin Research Summaries; Twin Events; Professor Phil S. Holzman

People are intensely interested in factors underlying earning power and what can be done to enhance it. A recent study using monozygotic male twins adds to knowledge in this area. Based on data from 136 twin pairs, the investigators favored a correlational hypothesis, namely that simply being married raises salaries by 19 to 26%. Following a review of this research, summaries of twin studies presented at the biennial meeting of the International Society for Human Ethology in Ghent, Belgium (July 27-30, 2004) and at the annual meeting of the Human Behavior and Evolution Society in Berlin, Germany (July 21-25, 2004) are presented. The final section of this article provides information of general interest to twin researchers, physicians and others working in twin-related fields.
An accurate numerical model for calculating the equilibration rate of a hanging-drop experiment

A numerical model of the equilibration of a hanging-drop experiment has been developed and tested. To obtain accurate calculations with a given precipitant, the vapor pressure of water over water/precipitant solutions must be known for various concentrations of the precipitant. The calculations of the model are in excellent agreement with all available experimental data on hanging-drop equilibration when the necessary vapor pressures are known (ammonium sulfate and sodium chloride). By varying each of the relevant rate constants in the model, the rate-limiting step in the equilibration of a hanging drop is determined. This analysis clearly shows that the rate-limiting step is the diffusion of water vapor from the drop to the reservoir, which agrees with experimental findings. Since the diffusion of water vapor is the rate-limiting step, there is virtually no precipitant concentration gradient in the drop during equilibration. As a result, there is no gravity-induced convection owing to the equilibration. Thus, whereas gravity might have an effect during crystal growth, gravity does not affect the equilibration rate of a hanging-drop experiment to a significant extent, and the diffusion of water vapor will remain the rate-limiting step in the absence of gravity. Finally, the effects of several of the parameters, such as initial drop volume, drop-to-reservoir distance and temperature, are considered quantitatively. The equilibration rate was found to vary nearly linearly with drop volume. The equilibration rate decreases roughly by a factor of three as the temperature decreases from 293 to 276 K. This decrease in the equilibration rate is greater than would be expected when just considering the change in the diffusion coefficient of water vapor in air. This large dependence can, however, be attributed to the change in water-vapor pressure. Most surprisingly, a linear dependence on drop-to-reservoir distance is found, a result that agrees very well with experiment.
Through Her Eyes: Insights into Colombian History 1920–1950 from the Travel Accounts of Three North American Women

The purpose of this essay is to review books written by three North American women who traveled to Colombia between 1920 and 1950 in order to assess their potential value as a source of information for historians of the first half of the twentieth century. The three authors and their books are: Blair Niles, Colombia: Land of Miracles (New York: D. Appleton-Century, 1939), Virginia Paxton, Penthouse in Bogota (New York: Reynal & Hitchcock, 1943), and Nancy Bell Bates, East of the Andes and West of Nowhere: A Naturalist's Wife in Colombia) New York: Charles Scribner's sons, 1947). After examining the books the essay concludes that although the authors did not always understand what they observed, they each recorded valuable data that might otherwise have been lost.
Sulfur Induced Coordination at Phosphorus and Silicon

Abstract Recent work has shown that a sulfur atom is capable of inducing higher coordination geometries for both phosphorus and silicon. These geometries serve as models for activated states in nucleophilic substitution reactions.
Treating sexually abused children: 1 year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.

Abstract Objective: To measure the durability of improvement in response to two alternative treatments for sexually abused children. Method: Eighty-two sexually abused children ages 8–15 years old and their primary caretakers were randomly assigned to trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) or non-directive supportive therapy (NST) delivered over 12 sessions; this study examines symptomatology during 12 months posttreatment. Data analysis: Intent-to-treat and treatment completer repeated measures analyses were conducted. Results: Intent-to-treat indicated significant group × time effects in favor of TF-CBT on measures of depression, anxiety, and sexual problems. Among treatment completers, the TF-CBT group evidenced significantly greater improvement in anxiety, depression, sexual problems and dissociation at the 6-month follow-up and in PTSD and dissociation at the 12-month follow-up. Conclusion: This study provides additional support for the durability of TF-CBT effectiveness.
Interaction of estrogen replacement therapy with the thrombophilic 20210 G/A prothrombin gene mutation for atherothrombotic vascular disease: a cross-sectional study of 275 hyperlipidemic women.

Abstract In a consecutive case series, cross-sectional study of 275 women referred for therapy of hyperlipidemia, (75 [27%] on estrogen replacement therapy [ERT]), our specific aim was to determine whether ERT-mediated thrombophilia and heterozygosity for the thrombophilic 20210 G/A prothrombin gene mutation interacted as risk factors for atherothrombotic cardiovascular disease (ATCVD). Of the 275 women, 100 (36%) had ATCVD; 10 (3.6%) were heterozygous for the 20210 G/A prothrombin gene mutation. In women without the 20210 G/A prothrombin gene mutation, 15 of 71 (21%) on ERT had ATCVD versus 78 of 194 (40%) not on ERT (X 2 = 8.31, P = .004). By stepwise logistic regression, in 261 women with ATCVD risk factor data, positive explanatory variables for ATCVD included the 20210 G/A prothrombin mutation (risk odds ratio, 5.8; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 1.4 to 30.2; P = .021) and a 20210 G/A prothrombin gene mutation*ERT interaction term (risk odds ratio, 2.70; 95% CI, 1.4 to 5.4; P = .004). ATCVD events were more likely in 2 subgroups of women (ERT minus [−] and 20210 G/A prothrombin gene mutation −) or (ERT plus [+] and 20210 G/A prothrombin gene mutation +), P = .004. Other positive explanatory variables for ATCVD events included age ( P = .004), triglycerides ( P = .012), lipoprotein (a) ( P = .03), and homocysteine ( P = .032). ERT may be protective against ATCVD when the thrombophilic 20210 G/A prothrombin gene mutation is absent, whereas the 20210 G/A prothrombin gene mutation may increase risk for ATCVD, particularly in the presence of ERT. We suggest that the 20210 G/A prothrombin gene mutation be measured in all women on ERT or before beginning ERT to identify those heterozygous for the thrombophilic prothrombin gene mutation (4%) in whom ERT is contraindicated because of increased risk for ATCVD and thromboembolism, and a second, much larger group of women without the 20210 G/A prothrombin gene mutation (96%) in whom ERT may possibly reduce risk for ATCVD.
The nasogastric tube syndrome in infants

This series of three patients is the first description of the presentation, clinical course, and endoscopic findings of nasogastric tube-related airway distress, or nasogastric tube syndrome, in infants. We identify key differences in disease features from those described in adults, based on our literature review. Specifically, infant nasogastric tube syndrome presented as significant respiratory distress and postcricoid inflammation without vocal fold immobility. Symptoms resolved more quickly (mean±SD, 2±1 days) than reported in adults. We suggest that nasogastric tube syndrome should be considered in infants with otherwise unexplained respiratory distress, even in the absence of impaired vocal fold mobility.
Origin of the Ocean and Continents: A Unified Theory of the Earth

The time period from the formation of the Earth (4.5 Ga) to the establishment of plate tectonics at the beginning of the Proterozoic (2.5 Ga) remains largely hidden and unknown. During this time period, the ocean, atmosphere, and continents formed, and the geochemical and physical processes that allowed the development and evolution of life were established. Our knowledge of these beginnings is scant, with theories changing as each new line of evidence emerges. Perhaps most troubling is that we have no coherent, unified theory that simplifies our understanding of the Earth's beginnings. The key idea necessary for the development of a unified theory that explains the origin of the ocean and continents is the recognition that the timing of the growth of continental crust is an earmark for the presence of abundant water on the surface of the Earth and its entry into the mantle by subduction. Strontium isotopes, europium anomalies, and zircon populations all suggest that rapid growth of the continental crust ...
Expression of Ebolavirus glycoprotein on the target cells enhances viral entry

Entry of Ebolavirus to the target cells is mediated by the viral glycoprotein GP. The native GP exists as a homotrimer on the virions and contains two subunits, a surface subunit (GP1) that is involved in receptor binding and a transmembrane subunit (GP2) that mediates the virus-host membrane fusion. Previously we showed that over-expression of GP on the target cells blocks GP-mediated viral entry, which is mostly likely due to receptor interference by GP1. In this study, using a tetracycline inducible system, we report that low levels of GP expression on the target cells, instead of interfering, specifically enhance GP mediated viral entry. Detailed mapping analysis strongly suggests that the fusion subunit GP2 is primarily responsible for this novel phenomenon, here referred to as trans enhancement. Our data suggests that GP2 mediated trans enhancement of virus fusion occurs via a mechanism analogous to eukaryotic membrane fusion processes involving specific trans oligomerization and cooperative interaction of fusion mediators. These findings have important implications in our current understanding of virus entry and superinfection interference.
Chylothorax in chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is rarely complicated by chylothorax: we present a 93-year-old woman with CLL who developed recurrent pleural effusions that were ultimately found to be chylous in nature. Despite eight repeated thoracenteses, she continued to experience re-accumulation of fluid, and therefore, video-assisted thoracotomy with mass ligation of the thoracic duct region plus pleurodesis was performed to resolve the chylothorax. Despite her age and underlying disease, she did well during follow-up. The etiology and management of chylothorax are also reviewed.
Effect of a Single Oral Dose of Triiodothyronine on the Subsequent Response to TRH in Normal Individuals

The TSH response to the iv administration of 400 μg TRH in euthyroid subjects was slightly inhibited by the ingestion of 50 μg liothyronine (L-T3) 1 hr earlier. Serum T3 concentration was elevated following liothyronine ingestion in all subjects at the time of TRH testing. These results do not confirm previous observations that TRH responsiveness is completely abolished under similar conditions.
SUPERIOR SAGITTAL SINUS THROMBOSIS DIAGNOSED BY COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

Superior sagittal sinus thrombosis is an often unrecognized clinical condition. This is due to its variable clinical presentation and its association with other serious disease states. The following cases demonstrate that, in the infant, thrombosis of the superior sagittal sinus can be diagnosed quickly and noninvasively by computed tomography (CT). In those clinical situations in which thrombosis of the superior sagittal sinus may occur and neurological changes exist, axial and coronal CT scans may be quite specific in detecting its occurrence.
TPDS Information for authors

Distributed peer-to-peer systems rely on voluntary participation of peers to effectively manage a storage pool. In such systems, data is generally replicated for performance and availability. If the storage associated with replication is not monitored and provisioned, the underlying benefits may not be realized. Resource constraints, performance scalability, and availability present diverse considerations. Availability and performance scalability, in terms of response time, are improved by aggressive replication, whereas resource constraints limit total storage in the network. Identification and elimination of redundant data pose fundamental problems for such systems. In this paper, we present a novel and efficient solution that addresses availability and scalability with respect to management of redundant data. Specifically, we address the problem of duplicate elimination in the context of systems connected over an unstructured peer-to-peer network in which there is no a priori binding between an object and its location. We propose two randomized protocols to solve this problem in a scalable and decentralized fashion that does not compromise the availability requirements of the application. Performance results using both large-scale simulations and a prototype built on PlanetLab demonstrate that our protocols provide high probabilistic guarantees while incurring minimal administrative overheads