cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Robust fluidic connections to freestanding microfluidic hydrogels

Biomimetic scaffolds approaching physiological scale, whose size and large cellular load far exceed the limits of diffusion, require incorporation of a fluidic means to achieve adequate nutrient/metabolite exchange. This need has driven the extension of microfluidic technologies into the area of biomaterials. While construction of perfusable scaffolds is essentially a problem of microfluidic device fabrication, functional implementation of free-standing, thick-tissue constructs depends upon successful integration of external pumping mechanisms through optimized connective assemblies. However, a critical analysis to identify optimal materials/assembly components for hydrogel substrates has received little focus to date. This investigation addresses this issue directly by evaluating the efficacy of a range of adhesive and mechanical fluidic connection methods to gelatin hydrogel constructs based upon both mechanical property analysis and cell compatibility. Results identify a novel bioadhesive, comprised of two enzymatically modified gelatin compounds, for connecting tubing to hydrogel constructs that is both structurally robust and non-cytotoxic. Furthermore, outcomes from this study provide clear evidence that fluidic interconnect success varies with substrate composition (specifically hydrogel versus polydimethylsiloxane), highlighting not only the importance of selecting the appropriately tailored components for fluidic hydrogel systems but also that of encouraging ongoing, targeted exploration of this issue. The optimization of such interconnect systems will ultimately promote exciting scientific and therapeutic developments provided by microfluidic, cell-laden scaffolds.
A Case Study: Using GIS to Analyze Flood Zones in Gulf Coast

This paper demonstrates the application of a Geographic Information System (GIS) research project. This project aids in the learning and application of GIS through Environmental Systems Research Institute, Inc (ESRI) software, specifically ArcGIS. The project utilized GIS by creating maps with the ESRI ArcGIS software. These maps aimed to help potential real estate consumers evaluate the estimated flood risk and related flood insurance costs based on current efforts to reclassify flood zones for the Gulf Coast; using St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana as an example. This paper will detail the criteria and basis for the research project, and exemplify the benefits and contributions in the results.
An innovative method for dead time correction in nuclear spectroscopy

All nuclear spectroscopy systems, whether measuring charged particles, X-rays, or gamma-rays, exhibit dead time losses during the counting process due to pulse processing in the electronics. Several techniques have been employed in an effort to reduce the effects of dead time losses on a spectroscopy system including live time clocks and loss-free counting modules. Live time extension techniques give accurate results when measuring samples in which the activity remains roughly constant during the measuring process (i.e., the dead time does not change significantly during a single measurement period). The loss-free counting method of correcting for dead time losses, as introduced by HARMS and improved by WESTPHAL (US Patent No. 4,476,384) give better results than live time extension techniques when the counting rate changes significantly during the measurement. However, loss-free counting methods are limited by the fact that an estimation of the uncertainty associated with the spectral counts can not be easily determined, because the corrected data no longer obeys Poisson statistics. Therefore, accurate analysis of the spectral data including the uncertainty calculations is difficult to achieve. The Ortec® DSPECPLUS™ implements an improved zero dead time method that accurately predicts the uncertainty from counting statistics and overcomes the limitations of previous loss-free counting methods. The uncertainty in the dead-time corrected spectrum is calculated and stored with the spectral data (Patent Pending). The GammaVision-32® analysis algorithm has been improved to propagate this uncertainty through the activity calculation. Two experiments are set up to verify these innovations. The experiments show that the new method gives the same reported activity and associated uncertainties as the well-proven Gedcke-Hale live time clock. It is thus shown that over a wide range of dead times the new ZDT method tracks the true counting rate as if it had zero dead time, and yields an accurate estimation of the statistical uncertainty in the reported counts.
Private information structures of A with respect to B

Abstract In an earlier note we proposed some notion of common and private information structure. We continue this exploration here and make precise the colloquial notion of ‘ private information ’ of A with respect to B. It turns out that two possible definitions can be given.
Inhibition of host and viral translation during vesicular stomatitis virus infection. eIF2 is responsible for the inhibition of viral but not host translation.

In cells that allow replication of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), there are two phases of translation inhibition: an early block of host translation and a later inhibition of viral translation. We investigated the phosphorylation of the α subunit of the eIF2 complex during these two phases of viral infection. In VSV-infected cells, the accumulation of phosphorylated (inactivated) eIF2α did not begin until well after host protein synthesis was inhibited, suggesting that it only plays a role in blocking viral translation later after infection. Consistent with this, cells expressing an unphosphorylatable eIF2α showed prolonged viral protein synthesis without an effect on host protein synthesis inhibition. Induction of eIF2α phosphorylation at early times of viral infection by treatment with thapsigargin showed that virus and host translation are similarly inhibited, demonstrating that viral and host messages are similarly sensitive to eIF2α phosphorylation. A recombinant virus that expresses a mutant matrix protein and is defective in the inhibition of host and virus protein synthesis showed an altered phosphorylation of eIF2α, demonstrating an involvement of viral protein function in inducing this antiviral response. This analysis of eIF2α phosphorylation, coupled with earlier findings that the eIF4F complex is modified earlier during VSV infection, supports a temporal/kinetic model of translation control, where at times soon after infection, changes in the eIF4F complex result in the inhibition of host protein synthesis; at later times, inactivation of the eIF2 complex blocks VSV protein synthesis.
Changes of inositol phosphates during decapitation‐induced lateral bud break of Malus domestica

An increase in phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidyl-ethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylplycerol (PG), and phosphatidylinositol (PI) occurred during bud break induced by decapitation. Inositol-1-phosphate [Ins(1)P 1 ], inositol-1,4-bisphosphate [Ins(1,4)P 2 ], and inositol-1,4,5-triphosphate [Ins(1,4,5)P 3 ] were found in apple buds and increased propressively following decapitation. Ins(1)P 1 and Ins(1,4)P 2 peaked 48 h after decapitation and Ins(1,4,5)P 3 peaked 72 h after decapitation during the metabolic transition when buds emerged from dormancy. Ins(1,4)P 2 and Ins(1,4,5)P 3 levels declined thereafter. The lateral buds on shoots with intact terminals and decapitated shoots treated with indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) in the terminals tip remained dormant and there were no significant changes in phospholipid and inositol phosphate contents
A human peptidyl-prolyl isomerase essential for regulation of mitosis

The NIMA kinase is essential for progression through mitosis in Aspergillus nidulans, and there is evidence for a similar pathway in other eukaryotic cells. Here we describe the human protein Pin1, a peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans isomerase (PPIase) that interacts with NIMA. PPIases are important in protein folding, assembly and/or transport, but none has so far been shown to be required for cell viability. Pin1 is nuclear PPIase containing a WW protein interaction domain, and is structurally and functionally related to Ess1/Ptf1, an essential protein in budding yeast. PPIase activity is necessary for Ess1/Pin1 function in yeast. Depletion of Pin1/Ess1 from yeast or HeLa cells induces mitotic arrest, whereas HeLa cells overexpressing Pin1 arrest in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. Pin1 is thus an essential PPIase that regulates mitosis presumably by interacting with NIMA and attenuating its mitosis-promoting activity.
A Liquid Argon Ionization Chamber Measurement of the Shape of the Beta-Ray Spectrum of K 40

A liquid argon ionization chamber has been used to compare the shape of the beta-ray spectrum of ${\mathrm{K}}^{40}$ with those of ${\mathrm{Y}}^{91}$ and ${\mathrm{P}}^{32}$. The ${\mathrm{K}}^{40}$ spectrum is found to be consistent with the shape factor ${D}_{2}={p}^{6}+7{p}^{4}{q}^{2}+7{p}^{2}{q}^{4}+{q}^{6},$ in agreement with recent measurements.
The Development of Bioenergetics

Living systems, being built of matter, and being driven by energy, their analysis can be approached from two sides: that of matter or from the side of energy. This division is analogous to the division into structure and function, or, anatomy and physiology. This division may be very convenient but is artificial, and exists only in our mind, not in nature. Structure and function, essentially, are identical, two sides of the same coin. Structure generates function and function generates structure. A deeper understanding can be achieved only by a fusion of the two.
High-speed imaging chopper polarimetry

The Stokes method provides a seminal method for the determination of the state of polarization of a beam of light using measurable quantities. This paper presents a methodology for the rapid acquisition of the four Stokes parameters. We have been able to acquire images at the rate of 500 images per second using a high-speed video camera. Using the camera, an optical chopper, a computer system containing a framegrabber, and software to coordinate all elements of the system, the four Stokes parameters have been acquired in 6 ms. Included in this paper is a description of all elements of the system, the calibration of the camera and polarization elements, the design of the imaging chopper polarimeter, and corrections related to rotation of polarization elements during exposure. A discussion of errors includes variations in pixel sensitivity, ill-conditioning of the Stokes parameters, aperture clipping, quasimonochromatic approximation, and variations in the Stokes parameters during data acquisition. Validation and testing of the methodology includes a comparison of empirical and theoretical skylight polarization parameters and values related to known, rapidly changing polarization states using several different bandwidth filters.
Conserved proteins as immunogens: Glutathione S-transferase of Schistosoma

Although some immunogenic proteins of parasites evolve rapidly and seem to have no function other than the eliciting o f an immune response, others are proteins that are ordinarily conserved because of functional constraints. The 26 kDa and 28 kDa glutathione S-transferases (GSTs) of Schistosoma would seem to fall in the latter category. However, in the generally more conserved N-terminal portion o f the molecule, the 28 kDa GSTs have evolved over twice as fast at nor-synonymous nucleotide sites as have the 26 kDa GSTs. It is possible that this accelerated rate o f evolution results from natural selection by the host immune system, as discussed here by Austin Hughes.
Involvement of physician extenders in ambulatory otolaryngology practice

Objectives/Hypothesis: Determine the penetration and point-of-care patterns for physician extenders in ambulatory otolaryngology practice. Study Design: Cross-sectional analysis of national database. Methods: The National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey was examined for 2008 and 2009, extracting all cases of ambulatory visits to an otolaryngology outpatient setting. Visit types were then segregated according to providers seen including physician, advanced practice clinicians (APCs) (nurse practitioner and/or physician assistant) and nurses. Visit types were determined (physician alone, physician with APC, or APC alone) as well as type of patient seen (new vs. established patient). The top 10 diagnoses were compiled according to provider visit type. Results: An estimated 38.6 ± 3.7 million outpatient office otolaryngology visits were studied. An APC was seen in 6.3 ± 2.0% of visits (physician assistant, 4.6 ± 1.9% visits; nurse practitioner, 1.7 ± 0.9% of visits), and a nurse was involved in 25.1 ± 7.6% of visits. Nurse practitioners were more likely see patients independently (47.7%) than were physician assistants (23.3%). APCs were more likely to be involved with established patient visits (7.2 ± 2.3%) rather than new patient visits (4.3 ± 1.8%, P = .08). Disorders of the external and middle ears were the most common diagnoses seen by APCs. Conclusions: Although APCs are expected to expand numbers in otolaryngology, contemporary data indicate that current penetration of APCs into ambulatory otolaryngology care remains relatively limited. These data provide an initial assessment for future modeling of APCs and otolaryngologic care.
A premutational state induced in yeast by ethidium bromide.

Ethidium Bromide (EB) has been known to be an effective and irreversible mutagen in converting wild-type (ϱ+) yeast cells to the cytoplasmic petite (ϱ−) state. The effects of EB may be reversed by incubation of treated cells in phosphate buffer at elevated temperatures (≥ 42°). The temperature dependence of mutagenesis is different from that of reversal. It is proposed that reversal is related to a heat-induced alteration in a membrane-mtDNA-EB complex.
Lower Energy Endovenous Laser Ablation of the Great Saphenous Vein with 980 nm Diode Laser in Continuous Mode

To assess clinical outcomes, complication rates, and unit energy applied using 980 nm diode endovenous laser treatment at 11 watts for symptomatic great saphenous vein (GSV) incompetence and reflux disease. Thirty-four consecutive ablation therapies with a 980 nm diode endovenous laser at 11 watts were studied. The diagnosis of GSV incompetence with reflux was made by clinical evaluation and duplex Doppler examinations. The treated GSVs had a mean diameter of 1.19 cm (range 0.5–2.2 cm). The patients were followed with clinical evaluation and color flow duplex studies up to 18.5 months (mean 12.19 months ± 4.18). Using 980 nm diode endovenous laser ablation in continuous mode, 100% technical success was noted. The mean length of GSVs treated was 33.82 cm (range 15–45 cm). The mean energy applied during the treatment was 1,155.81 joules (J) ± 239.50 (range 545.40–1620 J) for a mean treatment duration of 90.77 sec ± 21.77. The average laser fiber withdrawal speed was 0.35 cm/sec ± 0.054. The mean energy applied per length of GSV was 35.16 J/cm ± 8.43. Energy fluence, calculated separately for each patient, averaged 9.82 J/cm2 ± 4.97. At up to 18.5 months follow-up (mean 12.19 months), 0% recanalization was noted; 92% clinical improvement was achieved. There was no major complication. Minor complications included 1 patient with hematoma at the percutaneous venotomy site, 1 patient with thrombophlebitis on superficial tributary varices of the treated GSV, 24% ecchymoses, and 32% self-limiting hypersensitivity/tenderness/“pulling” sensation along the treatment area. One patient developed temporary paresthesia. Four endovenous laser ablation treatments (12%) were followed by adjunctive sclerotherapies for improved cosmetic results. Endovenous laser ablation treatment of GSV using a 980 nm diode laser at 11 watts in continuous mode appears safe and effective. Mean energy applied per treated GSV length of 35.16 J/cm or mean laser fluence of 9.82 J/cm2 appears adequate, resulting in 0% recanalization and low minor complication rates.
Single channel recordings of Ca2+-activated K+ currents in rat muscle cell culture

Many nerve and muscle cells possess a Ca2+-activated K+ conductance which gives rise to a long-lasting hyperpolarization following Ca2+ entry during an action potential and which appears different from the classical Hodgkin and Huxley voltage-activated K+ conductance1–7. Using the extracellular patch clamp technique8–12 to record the currents from patches of intact and isolated plasma cell membrane from rat myotubes, we have observed single channel currents that would give rise to this Ca2+-activated K+ conductance. The channels are highly selective to K+ and have a conductance near 100 pS at physiological [K+], a value 10–20 times greater than that of the classical voltage-activated K+ channels. The frequency with which these channels open and effective open times are controlled in a reversible manner by the free [Ca2+] on the intracellular side of the membrane; the channel seldom opens when the [Ca2+]i is <10−8 M, but opens with increasing frequency as the [Ca2+]i exceeds 5 × 10−7 M. With 0.5 µM Ca2+i both opening frequency and effective open times depend on membrane potential, increasing as the intracellular side of the membrane is made more positive. At higher levels of Ca2+i (50 µM), the channel is almost continuously active, even at hyperpolarized membrane potentials.
Grain morphology, texture, and microhardness gradients in aluminum diffusion-bonded to aluminum oxide

Abstract The evolution of grain morphology, crystallographic texture, and microhardness in Al bonded to Al 2 O 3 is dealt with. Specimens of a bilayer Al–Al 2 O 3 and symmetric trilayer Al 2 O 3 –Al–Al 2 O 3 were produced by solid-state diffusion bonding. Metallographic examination revealed the size and shape of grains in the Al layer, and the X-ray diffraction technique was used to measure the crystallographic texture at various through-thickness and in-plane locations. The results showed the existence of gradients in grain size, grain shape, texture, and microhardness through the thickness of the Al. Away from the interface, the aluminum grains were equiaxed, with a sharp cube recrystallization texture. Near the interface elongated and slanted grains, with a rotated cube texture, were observed. The microhardness was seen to correlate with the distribution of grain size. Finite element analyses employing crystal plasticity models were carried out to simulate the polygranular flow of Al during diffusion bonding. The interface constraint imposed by the Al 2 O 3 layer was found responsible for the evolution of the observed gradients in microstructure in the Al layer. The predicted grain morphology trend was also in agreement with experimental observations.
Suckling induced cortisol secretion in young beef cows.

The profiles of plasma cortisol concentration in response to suckling were determined in 10 young, postpartum beef cows between days 25 and 85 postpartum. Two trials, comprised of five cows each, were conducted in the fall (I) and spring (II), respectively. In both trials, plasma cortisol rose within 10 minutes after suckling began and was significantly higher than pre-suckling concentrations (P .10) as days postpartum lapsed. Finally, there was a significant difference (P<.01) in mean plasma cortisol between the cows in trial I compared to the cows in trial II.
Growth hormone receptor antagonist improves insulin resistance in acromegaly.

Abstract Growth hormone hypersecretion is a known cause of insulin resistance. This change in insulin sensitivity is believed to be mediated directly by growth hormone binding to its receptor. Five subjects ages 28–55 years who were participating in a clinical study that had been designed to assess the effects of a growth hormone receptor antagonist (Pegvisomant) on disease activity in acromegaly were evaluated to determine the role of growth hormone hypersecretion in inducing changes in insulin sensitivity. These subjects were treated with the 15–30 mg/day of Pegvisomant for periods ranging from 14 to 23 months. These doses were adequate to normalize IGF-I in four of the five subjects. The subjects were monitored to ensure that there were no significant changes in diet, exercise, or weight. Mean pretreatment IGF-I was 1104±277 ng/ml and decreased to a nadir of 355±157 ng/ml on treatment. After a 6-week withdrawal period, mean IGF-I had increased to 549±142 ng/ml. Fasting insulin was 35.2±16 uU/ml prior to treatment then decreased to a nadir of 19.9±14.6 uU/ml on treatment and then increased to 24.5±11.3 uU/ml. Fasting glucose decreased from 187±68 to 122±38 mg/dl and then increased to 159±41 mg/dl. Hemoglobin A 1 C decreased from 8.1±1.7 to 6.3±1.5%. Two subjects with overt type II diabetes had decreases in hemoglobin A 1 C from 8.3 to 5.9% and from 11.4 to 8.6%. These changes were associated with decreases in the amount of medication needed to control blood glucose. Weight remained stable throughout the study. The results show that the Pegvisomant is an effective agent for improving insulin resistance in subjects who have acromegaly and that this effect is independent of weight loss. The results suggest a potential role for Pevisomant in the treatment of insulin resistant states other than acromegaly.
Measures of net oxidant concentration in seawater

Abstract Dissolved oxygen deficits in the ocean have been used as a measure of the organic matter oxidized in a volume of water. Such organic matter is usually assumed to be predominantly settled particles. Using dissolved oxygen concentration in this way has two problems: first, it does not differentiate between oxidant consumed by the pool of dissolved organic matter present near the ocean surface and oxidant consumed by organic matter contained by falling particles; second, it does not account for other oxidant sources, such as nitrate, which can be as important to organic matter decay as oxygen in low-oxygen water, such as off Peru or in the Southern California submarine basins. New parameters provide better measures of the net oxidant concentration in a water parcel. One such, NetOx, is changed only by gaseous exchange with the atmosphere, exchange with the benthos, or the production or consumption of sinking particles. A simplified version of NetOx, NetOx = [O2] + 1.25[NO3−] − [TOC], where TOC (total organic carbon), the dissolved organic carbon (DOC) plus the suspended particulate organic carbon (POC), provides an index based on the usually dominant variables. Calculation of NetOx and a second property, NetOC ([O2] − [TOC]), for data from GEOSECS and ourselves in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans using property-property graphs show differences from those from oxygen deficits alone. Comparison of NetOx and NetOC concentrations at high and low latitudes of the Pacific Ocean shows the difference in surface water oxidant concentrations is even larger than the difference in oxygen concentration. Vertical particle fluxes off Peru calculated from NetOx gradients are much greater than those calculated from oxygen gradients. The potential value of NetOx and NetOC as parameters to understand particle fluxes implies that determination of TOC should be a routine part of hydrographic measurements.
c-kit + cells minimally contribute cardiomyocytes to the heart

If and how the heart regenerates after an injury event is highly debated. c-kit-expressing cardiac progenitor cells have been reported as the primary source for generation of new myocardium after injury. Here we generated two genetic approaches in mice to examine whether endogenous c-kit(+) cells contribute differentiated cardiomyocytes to the heart during development, with ageing or after injury in adulthood. A complementary DNA encoding either Cre recombinase or a tamoxifen-inducible MerCreMer chimaeric protein was targeted to the Kit locus in mice and then bred with reporter lines to permanently mark cell lineage. Endogenous c-kit(+) cells did produce new cardiomyocytes within the heart, although at a percentage of approximately 0.03 or less, and if a preponderance towards cellular fusion is considered, the percentage falls to below approximately 0.008. By contrast, c-kit(+) cells amply generated cardiac endothelial cells. Thus, endogenous c-kit(+) cells can generate cardiomyocytes within the heart, although probably at a functionally insignificant level.
Physical functional performance in persons using a manual wheelchair.

Study Design Descriptive study. Objectives To develop a performance-based physical functional measure for people using a manual wheelchair, and to evaluate the feasibility and reliability of the administration of the new procedure. Background Most performance-based measures of physical function focus on balance and ambulation impairments. Recent developments of performance measures fail to produce a valid and reliable performance-based measure to quantify physical function in people who must rely on upper-body function to mobilize. Methods Eighteen adults (ages 18 to 67 years) who used a nonmotorized wheelchair participated in this study. Volunteers performed selected tasks from the Continuous Scale Physical Functional Performance (CS-PFP) test, modified for persons using a wheelchair. Outcome measures included scores on the Wheelchair Physical Functional Performance (WC-PFP) test and the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP) questionnaire. Results Participants had substantial disability (mean total SIP > 20). To...
Generating a quick first draft

A tape recorder helps an author produce a fast first draft of a document. The tape is transcribed on a word processor and the transcripts are developed and revised by the author and an editor. The strategy saves time, helps authors and editors work as a team, and has proved cost-effective in these applications.
The dynamics of innovations and development in catalyst based technologies. Catalytic reforming, cracking, and ammonia production

It is proposed that major progress in catalysis occurs in the step-wise manner. Breakthroughs which revolutionize technology occur every five to ten years. After such a breakthrough there are extended periods during which fundamental research investigating the underlying phenomena leads to better understanding and gradual improvements of the new technology. During such periods it may appear that a field or even the whole of catalytic technology is relatively mature. This is, however, a misconception because history teaches us that fields which appear mature are suddenly revitalized by a major new discovery. This is illustrated with three case histories.
Microarrays of vertically-aligned carbon nanofiber electrodes in an open fluidic channel

Fabrication and electrochemical characterization of microarrays of individually addressable vertically aligned carbon nanofiber electrodes contained within an open fluidic channel are described. Compatibility of the deterministic synthesis of vertically aligned nanofibers with conventional microfabrication techniques enables the development of relatively complex, functional multilevel devices that may be produced efficiently in large numbers. The vertical orientation of nanofibers provides a basis for small volume electroanalyses in probing regions elevated above the planar substrate, which can enable applications including electroanalysis within and around live cell matrixes, high aspect ratio probing structures for scanning electrochemical microscopy, and channel-resident electrodes with high capture efficiency for electrochemical detection of microfluidic chemical separations.
Gifted Children and their Families

Gifted children and their families may be considered a population with unique needs. In this column, the characteristics of gifted children and the impact of giftedness on the family are presented....
Extraction of higher-order modes in open microstrip lines via FDTD and joint time-frequency analysis

An analysis of the higher-order modes in open microstrip lines is presented based on the finite-difference--time-domain (FDTD) electromagnetic simulation in conjunction with the joint time-frequency processing of the resulting data. The wavelet transform is applied to the simulation data to distinguish the various higher-order modes in the joint time-frequency plane. Then, a technique that extracts the field information at a unique time-frequency point is used to construct the spatial field distribution of each mode. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Thermodynamic states of classical systems

The existence of a unique thermodynamic state for dilute classical systems is proved for a class of regular multi-particle potentials. The method relies on integral equations for “modified” correlation functions.
Environment, vulnerability, and gender in Andean ethnomedicine

This case study of Cuyo Cuyo in northern Peru applies the techniques of critical interpretive medical anthropology to an investigation of the interrelationship of gender work and health to determine how the ethnomedical system reinforces norms that consider women more vulnerable than men and thus justify the relegation of women to subsistence household and community work in the highlands region. Ethnomedical data for the study were collected over 17 months from 1) semistructured interviews with heads of 20 households in two communities that resulted in 1149 health symptom reports for 107 individuals; 2) participant observation in homes work sites and community events; and 3) key informant interviews. Results are presented to describe 1) the impact on humans of the suprahuman environment with an emphasis also on the political economy; 2) gender relations; 3) the practice of ethnomedicine; 4) gender as expressed through the Andean ethnomedicine; and 5) the implications of ethnomedical beliefs for womens lives. The discussion emphasizes that the ethnomedical beliefs about womens inherent physical inferiority and cultural concepts of womens socioeconomic inferiority reinforce gender inequalities that women also perpetrate. Womens access to cash is denied through denial of their access to gold mining and through excess fertility that limits crop production. The concept of womens weakness also makes them more susceptible to domestic violence and illness while the fact that society relies on the unpaid labor of women for survival is ignored.
Chaos and Contamination: Water Pollution and Economic Upheaval in Hamburg, 1919—1923

This study explores the effects of economic upheaval on water quality in the Hamburg region during the early 1920s. Drawing upon internal memoranda, newspaper reports, and minutes of the Hamburg City Council, this essay demonstrates that economic change and upheaval increased certain kinds of wastewater in the river Elbe, while undermining the ability of municipal experts to shield local water supplies from pollution. It also shows that prevailing definitions of pollution—which focused on the threats of waterborne pathogens—diverted attention from the kinds of industrial and agricultural wastes that made water taste bad, without immediately making people sick. Accordingly, the improvement of drinking water supplies only became a priority in the mid-1920s, when economic and political stability enabled cities in the region to construct new water works. Finally, I suggest that a class-based approach to the German inflation oversimplifies the question of who won and who lost during this chaotic period: almost...
Effect of Gestational Age on the Biochemical Composition of Porcine Placental Glycosaminoglycans

AbstractThe effect of increasing gestational age on the biochemical composition of porcine placental glycosaminoglycans (pGAG) was investigated. Glycosaminoglycans (GAG) were isolated from placentas obtained surgically at 20-day intervals during the second half of gestation (Days 50-110) and were characterized by anion-exchange chromatography and cellulose acetate electrophoresis. The dried, defatted porcine placenta contained approximately 60 μg GAG/mg. Isolated pGAG contained heparin, chondroitin sulfates-dermatan sulfate, heparan sulfate, and hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid was the predominant pGAG throughout the second half of gestation and increased from 7.3 μg on Day 50 to 10.4 μg uronic acid/mg dried, defatted placenta on Day 110 (P < 0.05) and from 45.6% of total pGAC isolated on Day 50 to 63.9% on Day 110 (P < 0.05). Chondroitin sulfates-dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate decreased (P < 0.05) both absolutely and on a percentage basis as gestation progressed. Neither the absolute amount nor the...
Fission gas induced swelling in uranium at high temperatures and pressures.

The effect of externally applied hydrostatic pressures from 0–1000 bar at 900 °C on the fission gas induced swelling in uranium has been studied. The swelling is a sensitive function of pressures below 110 bar and relatively insensitive to pressures above 110 bar. Metallography of the samples show that the average diameter of the bubbles is reduced from 3300 to 1800 A and the total number increased from 0.9 to 4.2 × 1012/cm3 as the annealing pressure is increased from 0–110 bar respectively. Further increases in pressure from 110–1000 bar have little effect on the average bubble size and density. The mechanism of pressure reduced swelling is discussed in terms of the equilibrium number of vacancies that can be associated with fission gas atoms under stress. It is also shown, both experimentally and theoretically, that there is a loss of surface area when bubbles coalesce under pressure.
Of heliotropes and hemorrhoids. St. Fiacre, patron saint of gardeners and hemorrhoid sufferers.

During the Middle Ages, an integral part of the therapy for certain ailments included supplication to “patron” saints for possible divine intervention. Through legends surrounding his life, St. Fiacre, a 7th century Irish monk, has become the patron saint for hemorrhoid sufferers.
Feasibility, reliability, and validity of a smartphone based application for the assessment of cognitive function in the elderly.

While considerable knowledge has been gained through the use of established cognitive and motor assessment tools, there is a considerable interest and need for the development of a battery of reliable and validated assessment tools that provide real-time and remote analysis of cognitive and motor function in the elderly. Smartphones appear to be an obvious choice for the development of these "next-generation" assessment tools for geriatric research, although to date no studies have reported on the use of smartphone-based applications for the study of cognition in the elderly. The primary focus of the current study was to assess the feasibility, reliability, and validity of a smartphone-based application for the assessment of cognitive function in the elderly. A total of 57 non-demented elderly individuals were administered a newly developed smartphone application-based Color-Shape Test (CST) in order to determine its utility in measuring cognitive processing speed in the elderly. Validity of this novel cognitive task was assessed by correlating performance on the CST with scores on widely accepted assessments of cognitive function. Scores on the CST were significantly correlated with global cognition (Mini-Mental State Exam: r = 0.515, p Language: en
Institutional Review Boards and Institutional Researchers.

Do institutional researchers need to get approval from their Institutional Review Boards (IRBs)? Are IRBs difficult to work with? This chapter explains the functioning of IRBs and offers suggestions for enhancing cooperation between IRBs and institutional researchers.
Toward the development of a documentary standard for derived-point to derived-point distance performance evaluation of spherical coordinate 3D imaging systems

Abstract This paper describes ongoing research work at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in support of the development of a documentary standard for derived-point to derived-point distance performance evaluation of spherical coordinate 3D imaging systems (laser scanners). The proposed standard is being developed by the subcommittee E57.02 on Test Methods within the ASTM E57 committee on 3D Imaging Systems. The overall approach of the testing strategy is to compare derived-point to derived-point distances obtained by an instrument under test against those obtained by a reference instrument (such as a laser tracker) through the measurement of reference artifacts. This paper presents a geometric error model and a sensitivity analysis based approach to identify sensitive test positions (i.e., where to place targets in space) for performance evaluation. We show that it is not only important for target spheres to allow repeatable determination of their centers, but it is also necessary they have good form. We highlight key issues pertaining to processing laser scanner data, such as segmenting the data, identification and removal of outliers, and choice of algorithms to determine sphere centers. An SMR walking method to establish reference distance and its uncertainty is discussed. All of these are key components of the proposed documentary standard.
Genograms in counselling practice: Constructing a genogram (part 2)

In Genograms in counselling practice: a review (part 1), recent literature on the use of genograms was reviewed and the efficacy and utility of genograms in counselling practice was examined. This paper outlines how a family genogram is constructed in a counselling setting. An approach to introducing the relevance of a genogram to the client is described as is the method of gathering and using information. The therapeutic use of genograms is also discussed.
Use of an Anaerobic Granule Biosensor (AGB) as Upset Early Warning Detection (UEWD) Devices

Many of municipal wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are operated by biological process with their excellent performances. However, the early warning system in the influent line is required to avoid the process malfunction because the biological wastewater treatment system has serious drawback to toxic chemicals in the influent. In order to develop a new type of biosensor using anaerobic granules in an online device for rapid detection of toxic inhibitory to the biological process, a porous pot reactor and an anaerobic granule biosensor (AGB) were demonstrated as an upset early warning device (UEWD) in this study. In the first group of toxic loading tests, the prepared cupric chloride solutions were separately injected into both the porous pot and AGB systems at six different concentrations, and phenol solutions were used at three different concentrations in the second group of tests. The results showed the chemical oxygen demand (COD) and ammonia nitrogen (ammonia-N) removal efficiency from porous pot reactor decreased dramatically in response to the addition of Cu2+ and phenol with the variation of the oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) in AGB. The response of AGB system was 6 to 20 h in advance of porous pot reactor performance response, which suggests that the AGB could potentially be used as an online UEWD.
Exciton luminescence and the screened coulomb interaction in CdS

Abstract A simple theoretical model describing the screening effects of free carriers on the electronhole Coulomb interaction predicts a decrease in exciton binding energy with increasing free carrier concentration. Within the framework of this model, then, one would expect to observe shifts in the energy of the exciton photoluminescence for different levels of exciting light. Experimental observations of photoluminescence as a function of exciting light intensity for CdS reveal that such shifts exist, thus supporting the screening model.
Trochanteric Slide for Revision Total Hip Arthroplasty: Opening the Barn Door

A trochanteric osteotomy offers extensile exposure of the hip on both the acetabular and femoral sides. The classical trochanteric osteotomy, which is transverse and involved a release of the vastus lateralis muscles, is complicated by a significant incidence of trochanteric nonunion, and more importantly, trochanteric migration. The trochanteric slide was designed to avoid trochanteric migration by keeping the trochanteric fragment in continuity with the abductors and the vastus lateralis. This exposure provides an extensile exposure of the pelvis and femur. If femoral component removal is anticipated to be difficult, then we use exactly the same approach but we extend the trochanteric fragment down as in an extended trochanteric osteotomy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our clinical and radiographic results of the modified trochanteric slide osteotomy exposure.
Rapid sampling of reactive Langevin trajectories via noise-space Monte Carlo.

A noise-space Monte Carlo approach to sampling reactive Langevin trajectories is introduced and compared to a configuration based approach. The noise sampling is shown to overcome the slow relaxation of the configuration based method. Furthermore, the noise sampling is shown to sample multiple pathways with the correct probabilities without any additional work being required formally or algorithmically. The path sampling proceeds without any introduction of fictitious interactions and includes only the parameters appearing in Langevin’s equation.
Annotated bibliography of Toxorhynchites (Diptera: Culicidae).

This annotated bibliography of references to Toxorhynchites contains 1295 citations. Extensive cross-indexing to taxonomic categories, key words (i.e., systematics, morphology, bionomics, ecology, biocontrol, behavior, genetics, laboratory studies, virus studies, etc) and distribution is included. A separate section is included for information on all journal abbreviations used, and a gazetteer to all areas in which Toxorhynchites has been recorded is presented. This bibliography is designed to serve the broadest possible user community and entries are designed for eventual entry in an electronic information storage and retrieval system.
EMBRYONIC STEM CELLS AND HEMATOPOIETIC STEM CELL BIOLOGY

Two advances in murine embryonic stem (ES) cell technology and their applications for the study of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are discussed in this article. First, ES cells induced to differentiate in vitro form hematopoietic lineages in a fashion that recapitulates the ontogeny of blood formation in the embryo. This system offers a unique opportunity to isolate, examine, and manipulate the most primitive hematopoietic progenitors. Second, targeted gene ablation (knockout) studies in ES cells have identified several genes that are required for normal hematopoiesis and may function in the formation, maintenance, and differentiation of HSCs. Insights into murine hematopoiesis gained through the study of ES cells generally should be applicable to other vertebrates, including humans.
USING THE HYGIENE VISIT TO DELIVER A TOBACCO CESSATION PROGRAM: RESULTS OF A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL

To examine the effectiveness of advising patients who use tobacco to quit, the authors conducted a randomized clinical trial to test a brief office-based intervention with all tobacco users in 75 fee-for-service dental practices in Oregon. The authors found that the dental hygienist-delivered intervention was effective in getting smokeless tobacco users to quit at three and 12 months and to sustain abstinence at both three and 12 months. They found that the program was not effective for cigarette smokers. The authors discuss the public health implications of program dissemination and widespread program adoption.
Presenilins and Alzheimer disease: the calcium conspiracy.

Most early-onset familial Alzheimer disease is caused by presenilin mutations. A recent paper reports that the presenilins act as calcium leak channels in the endoplasmic reticulum and thus may regulate intracellular calcium homeostasis.
The Changes of Electromyography in the Upper Trapezius and Supraspinatus of Women College Students According to the Method of Bag-carrying and Weight

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in upper extremity muscle activities of women college students' due to method of bag-carrying and weight. [Subjects] Thirty healthy adult females participated in this study. The exclusion criteria were orthopedic or neurologic disease, or a dominant left side. [Methods] Electromyographic activities of the supraspinatus and upper trapezius were recorded bilaterally under two conditions: crossbody bag, ipsilateral bag. [Results] There were no significant differences in the supraspinatus and upper trapezius muscles according to the weight carried; however, there was significant difference in the right supraspinatus and both upper trapezius muscles according to the method of carrying. [Conclusion] An effective backpack safety program for female college students is necessary to educate them how to prevent possible musculoskeletal pain related to the weight carried and the method of carrying from the perspective of an ergonomical approach.
Hybrid modeling attacks on current-based PUFs

Physically Unclonable Functions have emerged as a possible candidate to replace traditional cryptography. However, majority of the strong PUFs are vulnerable to modeling attacks. In this work, we take a closer look at the possible attacks on one of the strong PUF architectures known as Current-based PUFs, which exploit irregularities in transistor currents to generate unique signatures. We demonstrate that the fault-injection attacks when coupled with a machine learning (ML) algorithm can considerably push the limits of prediction accuracies. Based on simulations, we observed that the stand-alone ML algorithms suffer from error prone CRPs especially for higher length PUFs. In such scenarios, hybrid attacks exploiting the unreliable responses pushed the prediction accuracies up to 99% for higher length Current-based PUF circuits.
Effects of high molecular weight species on shear-induced orientation and crystallization of isotactic polypropylene

Abstract In situ rheo-SAXS (small-angle X-ray scattering) and—rheo-WAXD (wide-angle X-ray diffraction) techniques were used to investigate the role of high molecular weight species on the evolution of oriented microstructure in isotactic polypropylene (iPP) melt under shear flow. The two iPP samples, designated as PP-A and PP-B, respectively, had the same number-average (Mn) but different weight-average (Mw) and Z-average (Mz) molecular weights. Molecular weight distribution (MWD) of PP-A and PP-B was such that for MW
Housing Vouchers, Benefits and Allowances (VBAs): Comparing Rental Tools in the US, England and the Netherlands

Abstract This paper compares rental housing tools in the US, Britain and the Netherlands in order to determine the best strategy for enhancing rental housing accessibility. In doing so, the authors employ a ‘tools approach’ of governance paradigm, based on the work of Salamon's The Tools of Governance (2002). Rental housing tools are called housing vouchers in the US, housing benefits in Britain and housing allowances in the Netherlands. Overall, it was found that Britain and the Netherlands can learn from the US on means and ways of designing more efficient and fiscally responsible housing vouchers, benefits, and allowances (VBAs). The US, in turn, can learn from Britain and the Netherlands on means and needs of achieving higher equity and effectiveness. This analysis contributes in a meaningful way by addressing the missing middle link between policies and programs – namely, the tools perspective.
Massively parallel neural signal processing: System-on-Chip design with FPGAs

This work discusses the architectural layout and performance results of a SoC design for parallel neural signal processing. Architectural framework for scalability and scalar reconfigurability are presented. Architectural requirements for massive parallelism in neural recordings are presented. Prototype architecture with dual processors and multi-level reconfigurable platform design is presented. Functional modules of the platform include real-time spike detector and sorter for several hundreds of neural channels. Performance of the platform for a 300 channel interface is also discussed.