cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early findings from a pharmacokinetically designed double-blind and placebo-controlled study of lithium for adolescents comorbid with bipolar and substance dependency disorders.

Abstract 1. 1. This manuscript reports the early findings from a National Institute on Drug Abuse funded study of lithium for adolescents dually diagnosed with bipolar and substance dependency disorders. The authors elected to publish early findings in the hope that it would accomplish a twofold mission. 2. 2. The first part would be to encourage other investigators to participate in research in this area and the second would be to heighten the awareness of clinicians that adolescents presenting with either one of these disorders might also have the other. 3. 3. The early findings demonstrated the feasibility of recruiting, retaining and monitoring this complex population on an outpatient basis. 4. 4. Steady-state serum lithium levels were pharmacokinetically placed in the study range, 0.9–1.3 mEq/L. Preliminary results are encouraging in finding lithium more effective than placebo for alleviating both the substance dependency and the mood disordered symptomatology. 5. 5. The characteristics of the study population to date have been chronicity of both disorders, impairment in the severe range in multiple areas of functioning, and strong family histories for both affective and substance use disorders. The substance dependency was to both alcohol and marijuana; but all subjects also had marked polydrug abuse. 6. 6. In order to best monitor lithium compliance and drug/alcohol use during protocol, randomly timed weekly serum and urine assays were obtained. 7. 7. The implications of these early findings for the outcome of this acute phase study and for the development of longitudinal treatment strategies are discussed.
Staphylococcal biofilms impair wound healing by delaying reepithelialization in a murine cutaneous wound model

Bacterial biofilms have gained increasing visibility in recent years as a ubiquitous form of survival for microorganisms in myriad environments. A number of in vivo models exist for the study of biofilms in the setting of medically relevant implanted foreign bodies. Growing evidence has demonstrated the presence of bacterial biofilms in the setting of a number of chronic wound states including pressure sores, diabetic foot ulcers, and venous stasis ulcers. Here we present a novel murine cutaneous wound system that directly demonstrates delayed reepithelialization caused by the presence of a bacterial biofilm. We established biofilms using either Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus epidermidis in splinted cutaneous punch wounds created on the backs of normal C57Bl6/J mice. Wound reepithelialization was significantly delayed by bacterial biofilms. This effect was specifically dependent on the ability of the bacteria to form biofilms as demonstrated by exogenous administration of biofilm inhibiting peptides and the use of mutant Staphylococcus spp. deficient in biofilm formation. This represents the first direct evidence for the effect of bacterial biofilms on cutaneous wound healing.
Computerized energy management systems—why and how

Abstract This paper discusses why computerized energy management systems have displaced the time clocks and mechanical controllers, and how these new systems perform. A brief review of the development of computerized energy management systems and how they compare with hard-wired digital controllers is presented first. Then the energy management needs of a facility are discussed. Various factors include size of operation, type of equipment and process, and geographical location. Four levels of energy management functions and the corresponding systems are identified. These are: (i) Level 1 system — basic energy management, (ii) Level 2 system — advanced energy management, (iii) Level 3 system — total energy management, and (iv) Level 4 system — total engineering applications. The hardware used in these systems range from simple demand controllers to minicomputers. The evaluation criteria for energy management systems (EMS) are discussed. A classification of EMS hardware and features is presented. This also includes discussion on the plant size and type, computer facility, number of control points and features.
Abstract 2013: Interferon gamma receptor 2 (IFNgR2) has a ligand (IFNg)-independent activity as a Bax inhibitor in cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Bax is a pro-apoptotic member of Bcl-2 family proteins playing a pivotal role in cell death induction of cancer cells. Using a yeast-based functional screening system, we identified interferon gamma receptor 2 (IFNgR2) as a novel Bax suppressor. IFNgR2 is known to heterodimerize with IFNgR1 to form a functional IFNg receptor complex. In addition to this function, we showed that the C-terminal cytoplasmic domain of IFNgR2 can bind to Bax and inhibit the conformational change that is required for Bax activation. Furthermore, this anti-Bax activity does not require IFNgR1 or Jak-STAT signaling, which suggests that IFNgR2 has a previously unrecognized biological identity as an apoptosis inhibitor that is independent to its function as an IFNg receptor subunit. In this study, the physiological significance of anti-Bax activity of IFNgR2 was determined in prostate cancer and melanoma. Using immunocytochemistry and subcellular cell fractionation, we found that IFNgR2 was mainly detected in the intracellular membranes (i.e. ER, mitochondria, and Golgi apparatus), whereas IFNgR2 expression in the plasma membrane was barely detectable in all of the cancer cell lines (8 cell lines) examined. Strong immunostaining of IFNgR2 localizing in the intracellular space of malignant cells was also observed in prostate cancer and melanoma tissue sections. We examined the expression levels of IFNgR2, IFNgR1, Bax, and Bcl-2 by Western blot and ELISA. The approximate concentrations were IFNgR2=100-600 pg/ug total protein, IFNgR1=0.1-1 pg/ug total protein, Bax=100-800 pg/ug total protein, and Bcl-2=30-100 pg/ug total protein. IFNgR2 expression levels were significantly higher than IFNgR1, much more than the 1:1 ratio required for functional IFNg receptors. Importantly, IFNgR2 levels were comparable to that of Bax and Bcl-2. These results suggest that there are abundant IFNgR2 molecules free from IFNgR1 in cancer cells, and IFNgR2 is expressed at a sufficiently high level to function as a Bax inhibitor. Furthermore, short hairpin-RNA-mediated knockdown of IFNgR2 significantly stimulated apoptosis induction triggered by taxol, cisplatin, doxorubicin, and ABT-737 (Bcl-2 inhibitor) in prostate cancer (PC3) and melanoma cell lines (WM164 and A375). These results support our hypothesis that IFNgR2 has a physiological role as a Bax inhibitor in cancer cells. We propose that (1) IFNgR2 may become an useful diagnostic marker to predict cell death resistance of prostate cancer and melanoma, and that (2) new technologies suppressing the anti-apoptotic activity of IFNgR2 may be able to improve efficiency of apoptosis induction in these cancer cells. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2013. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2013
Tension-free vaginal tape: poor intraoperative cough test as a predictor of postoperative urinary retention

The purpose of this study was to determine if the quality of the intraoperative cough test could help to predict which patient would fail the post void residual test (PVR) immediately after a tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure. Patients undergoing a TVT procedure only, under spinal or local anesthesia were enrolled. Patients were divided into two groups based on the outcome of the first postoperative PVR, failure group (FG) vs successful group (SG). Before adjusting the tape, patients underwent a standardized cough test. The quality of the cough test was determined to be either good or poor based on whether every cough produced a spurt of urine or not. Variables analyzed between the FG and SG were demographic and urodynamic data. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the adjusted odds ratios. Twenty-six (60.5%) women passed and 17 (39.5%) failed the initial postoperative PVR evaluation. There was a 4.89-fold greater odds of failing the postoperative PVR for women 65 and older compared to younger women (OR 4.89, 95% CI [1.07–26.45]). In addition, there was an 8.63-fold greater odds of failing postoperative PVR for patients with poor quality cough test (OR 8.63, 95% CI [1.54–54.66]). However, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that poor quality cough test was the only significant predictor for failing a postoperative PVR (OR 6.83, 95% CI [1.39–33.49], P = 0.018). A poor quality intraoperative cough test at the time of TVT procedure is a predictor of immediate postoperative urinary retention.
Community Policing: A Preliminary Assessment of Environmental Impact With Panel Data on Program Implementation in U.S. Cities

This article examines the environmental impact on the programmatic implementation of community-oriented policing (COP) in large municipal police agencies during the 1990s. Three waves of nationwide surveys (1993, 1996, and 2000) based on a random sample of 281 municipalities and the corresponding police agencies were used for our analysis. Based on one-way generalized least square (GLS) panel data analysis, we found that post-Crime Control Act of 1994 federal funding and council-manager forms of government are significant predictors of COP implementation. To the contrary, other environmental factors such as personnel resources, city socioeconomic status, and mechanisms for citizen participation did not yield any statistically significant effects.
NADPH- and adriamycin-dependent microsomal release of iron and lipid peroxidation

Abstract In a previous study (Minotti, G., 1989, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 268, 398–403) NADPH-supplemented microsomes were found to reduce adriamycin (ADR) to semiquinone free radical (ADR ⨪ ), which in turn autoxidized at the expense of oxygen to regenerate ADR and form O 2 − 2 . Redox cycling of ADR was paralleled by reductive release of membrane-bound nonheme iron, as evidenced by mobilization of bathophenanthroline-chelatable Fe 2+ . In the present study, iron release was found to increase with concentration of ADR in a superoxide dismutase- and catalase-insensitive manner. This suggested that membrane-bound iron was reduced by ADR ⨪ with negligible contribution by O 2 − 2 or interference by its dismutation product H 2 O 2 . Following release from microsomes, Fe 2+ was reconverted to Fe 3+ via two distinct mechanisms: (i) catalase-inhibitable oxidation by H 2 O 2 and (ii) catalase-insensitive autoxidation at the expense of oxygen, which occurred upon chelation by ADR and increased with the ADR:Fe 2+ molar ratio. Malondialdehyde formation, indicative of membrane lipid peroxidation, was observed when approximately 50% of Fe 2+ was converted to Fe 3+ . This occurred in presence of catalase and low concentrations of ADR, which prevented Fe 2+ oxidation and favored only partial Fe 2+ autoxidation, respectively. Lipid peroxidation was inhibited by superoxide dismutase via increased formation of H 2 O 2 from O ⨪ and excessive Fe 2+ oxidation. Lipid peroxidation was also inhibited by high concentrations of ADR, which favored maximum Fe 2+ release but also caused excessive Fe 2+ autoxidation via formation of very high ADR:Fe 2+ molar ratios. These results highlighted multiple and diverging effects of ADR, O ⨪ , and H 2 O 2 on iron release, iron (auto-)oxidation and lipid peroxidation. Stimulation of malondialdehyde formation by catalase suggested that lipid peroxidation was not promoted by reaction of Fe 2+ with H 2 O 2 and formation of hydroxyl radical. The requirement for both Fe 2+ and Fe 3+ was indicative of initiation by some type of Fe 2+ Fe 3+ complex.
Age and gender effects on 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3-regulated gene expression

Several factors involved in regulation of bone mineral metabolism were compared in male and female Fischer 344 rats of different ages (1, 2.5, 6, and 18 months). Plasma 1,25-(OH)2D3 concentrations decreased with age in rats of both genders. Abundance of calbindin-D28K and its mRNA in kidney and calbindin-D9K and its mRNA in duodenum also decreased with age in both male and female rats. Renal 24-hydroxylase activity and 24-hydroxylase mRNA content were elevated significantly in 18-month-old males and females, compared with younger ages. These data suggest that increased renal catabolism of 1,25-(OH)2D3 may be responsible for low plasma 1,25-(OH)2D3 concentrations observed in older animals. Plasma PTH and 1,25-(OH)2D3 concentrations, renal 24-hydroxylase enzyme activity and 24-hydroxylase mRNA content, duodenal 24-hydroxylase mRNA abundance, and duodenal calbindin-D9K and calbindin-D9K mRNA content were greater in males than in females at 2.5 months of age. Lower plasma 1,25-(OH)2D3 concentrations in females seem to explain observed gender differences in expression of 1,25-(OH)2D3-stimulated genes. The combined effects of these gender differences at ages when peak bone density is being developed may contribute to the greater incidence of osteoporosis in females than in males.
Resolution of elliptically averaged small-angle scattering data

Abstract The elliptical average of small-angle scattering data requires the two-dimensional detector to be divided into concentric elliptical rings of some width with an eccentricity and orientation determined from the data. A modified scattering vector which contains the elliptical dependence is defined, and an expression is derived for the resolution of the elliptically binned data which has a form similar to that for the circularly averaged data. The optimization conditions are such that the appropriate binning width depends on the spectrometer apertures and on the eccentricity of the data.
Evaluation of an Alaskan streptococcal control program: Importance of the program's intensity and duration

Prospective follow-up information from the throat culturing results of 1,653 Eskimo children in 12 Alaskan villages was used to evaluate the effect of duration and intensity of a streptococcal control program begun in 1971 while controlling for several other risk factors related to streptococcal colonization. Relative risks of colonization for each of the subsequent study years relative to the first year indicate that the risk of colonization decreased over the duration of the study by 42% in Year 2 to 55% in Year 4 (P < 0.0001). Cost-cutting measures such as lengthening the time interval between routine throat cultures led to a 37% increase in the risk of colonization (P = 0.0002). A comparison of the number of cases of acute rheumatic fever during the 5-year period before the streptococcal control program with the number of cases during the 5-year program period showed that cases in villages with the program decreased from 11 to 0. In a similar group of comparison villages without the program, the number of cases decreased from 7 to 4. A benefit-cost study of the program indicates that benefit exceeds cost. These findings and the changes in the carriage of streptococcal organisms during the control program underscore the importance of such long-term programs with regularly scheduled culturing in high-risk populations of children.
Teaching parallelism without programming: a data science curriculum for non-CS students

The goal of our work is to develop an open and modular course for data science and big data analytics that is accessible to non-programmers. The course is designed to cover major concepts that are useful to understand the benefits of parallel and distributed programming while not relying on a programming background. These key concepts focus more on algorithmic aspects rather than architecture and performance issues. A key aspect of our work is the use of workflows to illustrate key concepts and to allow the students to practice.
Extrathoracic carotid reconstruction: The subclavian-carotid artery bypass ☆

Although the predominant location of symptomatic carotid artery occlusive disease is the carotid bifurcation, proximal common carotid artery lesions cause similar symptoms. Common carotid artery lesions occur as isolated disease or in tandem with carotid bulb disease. Restoration of carotid artery inflow from subclavian based extraanatomic bypasses should provide adequate reconstruction of these lesions. To evaluate subclavian-carotid artery bypass, a retrospective review of all patients undergoing this procedure from Jan. 1, 1977, to Feb. 20, 1989, was performed. Twenty patients (14 men, 6 women) with a mean age of 60 years were treated. Fifteen patients (75%) were admitted with transient ischemic attacks. Five (25%) had nonfocal symptoms (e.g., dizziness, syncope). Arteriographic evaluation demonstrated severe proximal occlusive disease of the common carotid artery in all cases. Reconstruction bypasses were performed to the carotid bulb (45%), internal carotid artery (30%), and external carotid artery (25%). Four patients underwent endarterectomy of the internal carotid artery in conjunction with subclavian-carotid artery bypass. Bypass conduits included saphenous vein (75%) and prosthetic grafts (25%). Asymptomatic phrenic nerve neuropraxia was identified by postoperative chest radiography in four cases, with no resultant respiratory disease. No perioperative strokes occurred. One postoperative death (5%) resulted from a myocardial infarction. Long-term results were available for 18 patients (90%), with a mean follow-up of 50 months (range, 1 to 122 months). Four patients have died of causes unrelated to carotid vascular disease. Serial duplex scans have documented graft patency in all 18 patients. A single patient returned with focal neurologic symptoms as a result of a posterior circulation infarct.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Electro-optic contribution to Raman scattering from alkali halides.

The electro-optic contributions to second-order Raman scattering and field-induced first-order scattering from alkali halides are calculated explicitly in terms of the ionic hyperpolarizability coefficients. The relevant local-field corrections are evaluated. Illustrative numerical results are presented.
CXXC Finger Protein 1 Is Required for Normal Proliferation and Differentiation of The PLB-985 Myeloid Cell Line

CXXC finger protein 1 (CFP1) binds to unmethylated CpG motifs in DNA, is a component of the mammalian Set1 histone methyltransferase complex, and is essential for zebrafish hematopoiesis. Transfection of the human PLB-985 myeloid cell line with a short hairpin RNA directed against the transcript encoding CFP1 results in 80% fewer colonies compared to a vector control, suggesting that CFP1 is required for survival of PLB-985 cells. One clone, CFP1–AS1, exhibits a 70% decrease in CFP1 protein levels and a slower doubling time due to an increase in the proportion of cells in G1 and G2 and a decrease of cells in S phase. CFP1–AS1 cells exhibit a 40% reduction of DNA methyltransferase 1 protein but contain normal levels of global genomic cytosine methylation. The CFP1–AS1 clone suffers from a defect of granulocytic differentiation, as approximately half of the cells fail to obtain a terminally differentiated nuclear architecture and fail to generate a respiratory burst. Similar results were obtained upon induc...
Genetic and sensory aspects of mating success of phototactic strains of Drosophila melanogaster.

In female choice experiments,Drosophila melanogaster males from a selected photonegative strain show a highly significant mating advantage over males from a photopositive strain. While photonegative behavior is sex linked in this species, the X chromosome is not involved in the mating advantage seen for this strain. The degree of the photonegative male advantage changes when tests are conducted with females mutant for olfaction and auditory perception but not when females are blind.
"The Power of Words: Legitimacy, Impact and the Death of Management Research as We Know It"

Stakeholders continue to question the value of higher education policies, practices and costs in an era of declining enrollments and shrinking budgets. In addition, they question the very nature of the knowledge creation mechanisms (e.g., research) that lie at the heart of the value proposition for post-secondary institutions. One might assume that these questions would be vigorously and loudly responded to by members of the academy; one would be wrong. Increasingly, we tell ourselves (via academic journals) that our research lacks legitimacy, impact and value. In a word, we are told that most of what constitutes management research today is “crap”. This paper is an attempt to describe legitimacy and impact as mission-specific words that require the appropriate context in order to be meaningful. It is also an attempt to turn back the tide of criticism and self-defeating language that does more harm than good to many good people with good intentions. Words, it seems, do have power after all.
Permanent Radiation Effects in Hardened Al2O3 MOS Integrated Circuits

Complementary-symmetry metal-oxide semiconductor (COS/MOS) inverter circuits have been fabricated with aluminum oxide as channel insulator. This oxide was formed either by plasma-anodization of Al or by vapor deposition at 450°C using Al-isopropoxide. The RCA CD-4007 circuit configuration was used for these studies. The inverters were subjected to ionizing radiation with the applied gate biases encountered under normal operation (0 and +10 volts). For all units tested, the shifts in the inverter characteristics were due to shifts in the threshold voltages of the individual transistors. No measurable deterioration in gain due to interface state generation was observed. These results confirm the expected radiation hardness measured previously with MOS capacitors. Based on the net voltage shifts in the transfer characteristics of the complementary inverters, plasma-grown A12O3 shows an increase of more than an order of magnitude in hardness over units with SiO2 channel oxide. The hardness of units with deposited A12O3 was found to be intermediate to these. The increased hardness of A12O3 over SiO2 is attributed, at least in part, to the presence of trapping centers for negative charge. This serves to balance the positive trapped oxide charge so that a considerable reduction in the net oxide charge is attained.
Spatial and temporal variation in hexachlorocyclohexane isomers in a temperate estuary.

Abstract Hexachlorocylcohexanes (HCHs) are pesticides that persist in air and water of the Northern hemisphere. To understand the spatial and temporal variability in HCH levels in estuarine surface waters we measured concentrations of two HCH isomers (α-HCH and γ-HCH) at six sites in the York River estuary at bimonthly intervals for a year. Bacterial abundance and activity were also monitored using acridine orange direct counts and uptake of tritiated substrates, respectively. α-HCH was consistently observed to be significantly higher in marine water compared to river water entering the estuary, suggesting that the Chesapeake Bay or Atlantic Ocean is a larger source of this compound to the York River estuary compared to riverine input. Moreover, following periods of high freshwater flow into the estuary during spring and early summer, both α- and γ-HCH mixing curves indicated an additional source of these pollutants to the estuary such as land-derived runoff or groundwater discharge. In contrast, during low freshwater flow (late summer and fall) the estuary was a sink for HCHs, with γ-HCH more rapidly removed from the estuary than α-HCH. During the period of low freshwater flow, concentrations of both α- and γ-HCH were negatively correlated with bacterial activity. Bacterial activity as opposed to abundance appears to control HCH degradation in estuarine surface waters.
Single-step, quantitative x-ray differential phase contrast imaging using spectral detection in a coded aperture setup

In this abstract we describe the first non-interferometric x-ray phase contrast imaging (PCI) method that uses only a single-measurement step to retrieve with quantitative accuracy absorption, phase and differential phase. Our approach is based on utilizing spectral information from photon counting spectral detectors in conjunction with a coded aperture PCI setting to simplify the x-ray “phase problem” to a one-step method. The method by virtue of being single-step with no motion of any component for a given projection image has significantly high potential to overcome the barriers currently faced by PCI.
Partitioning of solar and net irradiance in mixed and chamise chaparral in southern California

The partitioning of solar and net total irradiances between the canopy and soil was measured in mixed and chamise chaparral in southern California. The solar and net total irradiance absorbed within the canopy was a relatively constant fraction throughout the year. Variations can be explained by the changing path length of the solar beam as the solar altitude varies. The increased fraction of solar irradiance in winter, combined with the lower incident solar irradiance, produced a wide fluctuation of solar irradiance at the soil surface through the year. Although incoming solar irradiance on the bare soil surface is less on the north-facing slope than on the south-facing slope, the absorption of solar irradiance is greater in the canopy of the mixed chaparral on the north-facing slope because greater leaf and stem area has developed.
Ethanol dependence in mice: direct and correlated responses to ten generations of selective breeding.

With the goal of producing an animal model of alcohol dependence, genetic selection in mice for severity of the alcohol withdrawal syndrome is underway. Ten generations of selection have been completed, and the lines selected for severe or mild expression of the withdrawal syndrome following a 9-day ethanol treatment period are significantly different from each other. The index of selection is the unrotated first-principal-component score derived from the intercorrelations among seven different measures of severity of ethanol withdrawal. Across the generations, mice from all six closed mating populations have increased their mean consumption of alcohol considerably. This seems to be the result of natural selection operating concurrently with artificial selection. When animals from generation 9 were used to test for possible correlated responses to selection, there was an indication that animals selected for mild expression of withdrawal symptoms are also less sensitive to an acute dose of ethanol.
Expression of PrPC on cellular components of sheep blood.

PrPC, a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-linked glycoprotein, plays a central role in the pathogenesis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), undergoing a conformational alteration to the disease-associated isoform, commonly designated PrPSc. PrPC is expressed in many tissues other than the nervous system, although its precise function(s) remains unclear. It has previously been demonstrated that TSEs can be transmitted by blood transfusion in sheep. The aim of this work was to identify which components of blood carried the infection. As an initial step, the distribution of PrPC on cellular components of sheep blood was examined to identify potential targets for infection. Cell-surface expression of PrPC was found only on peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs); however, platelets also contained significant amounts of intracellular PrPC. The level of PrPC expressed on the cell surface of PBMCs was influenced by PrP genotype, with the highest levels found in scrapie-susceptible VRQ/VRQ sheep and the lowest levels in scrapie-resistant ARR/ARR sheep. In susceptible sheep, PrPC was expressed at varying levels on all major subsets of PBMCs, with the highest levels on the CD21+ subset of B cells, and PrP expression was upregulated dramatically on CD21+ B cells in some scrapie-infected sheep.
Convergence properties of generalized benders decomposition

Abstract This paper addresses two major issues related to the convergence of generalized Benders decomposition which is an algorithm for the solution of mixed integer linear and nonlinear programming problems. First, it is demonstrated that a blind application of generalized Benders decomposition to nonconvex problems does not always lead to the global optimum for these problems; it may not even lead to a local optimum. It is shown that this happens because every local optimum of a nonlinear program gives rise to a local optimum in the projected problem of Benders. Subsequently, it is proved that a mixed integer nonlinear programming formulation with zero nonlinear programming relaxation gap requires only one Benders cut in order to converge, namely the cut corresponding to the optimal solution. This property indicates the importance of tight formulations for integer programs. Examples are given to illustrate the above properties.
Pendeoepitaxy of GaAs and In0.15Ga0.85As using laterally oxidized GaAs/Al0.96Ga0.04As templates

Abstract A technique is presented to achieve pendeoepitaxy of GaAs and In 0.15 Ga 0.85 As. GaAs/Al 0.96 Ga 0.04 As templates were formed by etching patterns into the surface and oxidizing the exposed Al 0.96 Ga 0.04 As to form AlO x , which acts as a mask material. Experiments were performed for the homoepitaxial GaAs growth while varying the growth rate, AsH 3 partial pressure, and the growth temperature to find conditions that produce near vertical sidewalls and smooth surfaces. In 0.15 Ga 0.85 As heteroepitaxy was performed to evaluate if any improvement in crystal quality could be achieved for growth on the engineered template compared to planar heteroepitaxy.
PERMEABILITY SPECIFICATIONS FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE CONCRETE DECKS

Durable concrete exposed to the environment requires a proper air-void system for protection against cycles of freezing and thawing. Durable concretes also must have low permeability to resist the infiltration of harmful solutions into concrete. Work was conducted by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) on the permeability of concretes. Information is provided on permeability, recent VDOT efforts with a low-permeability specification, and the field application of the low-permeability specification.
"A Young Girls Dream": Examining the Barriers Facing Female Electric Guitarists

Critics who locate the instrument’s inaccessibility to women solely in its physical design overlook cultural reasons for the lack of great female electric guitarists. The same barriers that prevent women from succeeding in other male-dominated fields also apply to the electric guitar, such as a scarcity of role models, a lack of access to education, and the masculinization of prestigious technologies. Despite allusions to rebellion, rock ‘n’ roll often promotes traditional gender roles. This paper examines the creation of along with efforts to break down these barriers, which have included women’s music festivals, riot grrrl, and rock camps for girls.
Preimplantation genetic diagnosis by fluorescence in situ hybridization of reciprocal and Robertsonian translocations

Abstract Objective The presence of reciprocal and Robertsonian chromosomal rearrangement is often related to recurrent miscarriage. Using preimplantation genetic diagnosis, the abortion rate can be decreased. Cases treated at our center were reviewed. Materials and methods A retrospective analysis for either Robertsonian or reciprocal translocations was performed on all completed cycles of preimplantation genetic diagnosis at our center since the first reported case in 2004 until the end of 2010. Day 3 embryo biopsies were carried out, and the biopsied cell was checked by fluorescent in situ hybridization using relevant informative probes. Embryos with a normal or balanced translocation karyotype were transferred on Day 4. Results Thirty-eight preimplantation genetic diagnosis cycles involving 17 couples were completed. A total of 450 (82.6%) of the total oocytes were MII oocytes, and 158 (60.0%) of the two-pronuclei embryos were biopsied. In 41.4% of the fluorescent in situ hybridization analyses, the results were either normal or balanced. Embryos were transferred back after 21 cycles. Three babies were born from Robertsonian translocation carriers and another two from reciprocal translocation carriers. The miscarriage rate was 0%. Among the reciprocal translocation group, the live delivery rate was 8.3% per ovum pick-up cycle and 18.2% per embryo transfer cycle. Among the Robertsonian translocation group, the live delivery rate was 14.3% per ovum pick-up cycle and 20.0% per embryo transfer cycle. Conclusion There is a trend whereby the outcome for Robertsonian translocation group carriers is better than that for reciprocal translocation group carriers. Aneuploidy screening may possibly be added in order to improve the outcome, especially for individuals with an advanced maternal age. The emergence of an array-based technology should help improve this type of analysis.
Geochemical controls on microbial nitrate-dependent U(IV) oxidation

After reductive immobilization of uranium, the element may be oxidized and remobilized in the presence of nitrate by the activity of dissimilatory nitrate-reducing bacteria. We examined controls on microbially mediated nitrate-dependent U(IV) oxidation in landfill leachate-impacted subsurface sediments. Nitrate-dependent U(IV)-oxidizing bacteria were at least two orders of magnitude less numerous in these sediments than glucose- or Fe(II)-oxidizing nitrate-reducing bacteria and grew more slowly than the latter organisms, suggesting that U(IV) is ultimately oxidized by Fe(III) produced by nitrate-dependent Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria or by oxidation of Fe(II) by nitrite that accumulates during organotrophic dissimilatory nitrate reduction. We examined the effect of nitrate and reductant concentration on nitrate-dependent U(IV) oxidation in sediment incubations and used the initial reductive capacity (RDC = [reducing equivalents] - [oxidizing equivalents]) of the incubations as a unified measurement of the ni...
Prediction of storm/normal beach profiles

Using the results of large‐scale wave tank tests of monochromatic waves breaking on sandy beaches, Larson and Kraus have shown that storm (barred) and normal (nonbarred) equilibrium beach profiles can be segregated in terms of two‐dimensionless parameters, which involve wave and sediment characteristics. Here, by rearranging their results, a single dimensionless parameter is developed that predicts the occurrence of storm or normal profiles. The profile parameter (P=gH02/(w3T)) uses deep‐water wave characteristics to distinguish the two profile types. Using shallow‐water data the shallow‐water Dean number, Hb/(wT) can serve the same purpose. Further, a Froude number representation of the sediment fall velocity, w2/(gH0), is shown to be an important parameter for equilibrium profiles.
Solvent cavitation under solvophobic confinement

The stability of liquids under solvophobic confinement can tip in favor of the vapor phase, nucleating a liquid-to-vapor phase transition that induces attractive forces between confining surfaces. In the case of water adjacent to hydrophobic surfaces, experimental and theoretical evidence support confinement-mediated evaporation stabilization of biomolecular and colloidal assemblies. The macroscopic thermodynamic theory of cavitation under confinement establishes the connection between the size of the confining surfaces, interfacial free energies, and bulk solvent pressure with the critical evaporation separation and interfacial forces. While molecular simulations have confirmed the broad theoretical trends, a quantitative comparison based on independent measurements of the interfacial free energies and liquid-vapor coexistence properties has, to the best of our knowledge, not yet been performed. To overcome the challenges of simulating a large number of systems to validate scaling predictions for a three-dimensional fluid, we simulate both the forces and liquid-vapor coexistence properties of a two-dimensional Lennard-Jones fluid confined between solvophobic plates over a range of plate sizes and reservoir pressures. Our simulations quantitatively agree with theoretical predictions for solvent-mediated forces and critical evaporation separations once the length dependence of the solvation free energy of an individual confining plate is taken into account. The effective solid-liquid line tension length dependence results from molecular scale correlations for solvating microscopic plates and asymptotically decays to the macroscopic value for plates longer than 150 solvent diameters. The success of the macroscopic thermodynamic theory at describing two-dimensional liquids suggests application to surfactant monolayers to experimentally confirm confinement-mediated cavitation.
Use of a cloud sensing radar and microwave radiometer as a stratus cloud profiler

Combining stratus cloud measurements from a K alpha -band radar and a microwave radiometer can give profiles of liquid water and droplet distribution. In addition, in drizzle, the radar measurements can be used to estimate drizzle parameters such as number concentration, liquid water, and droplet distribution.
Parametric Studies on a Coal-Fueled Diesel Engine

Abstract The ignition and combustion processes of coal-water slurry (CWS) in a prechamber type diesel engine were investigated in this work. Specific engine and fuel parameters studied included: (I) needle lift pressure; (ii) inlet air temperature; (iii) fuel injection timing; and (iv) percent coal loading in the slurry fuel. Analysis of the experimental data utilized a numerical simulation of the combustion process using submodels for the key physical and chemical processes. Energy release schedules were determined using a one-zone thermodynamic analysis with measured cylinder pressure as a function of time. Successful operation of the engine using the coal slurry required modifications to the engine and support systems. These modifications are briefly discussed in this paper. The major conclusions of the work include: (I) higher needle lift pressures led to shorter ignition delay times for the CWS fuel; (ii) increasing the inlet air temperature shortened ignition delay times and improved burning rates o...
Cosmology and therapy.

Sociological concepts are used to demonstrate applications of views of the cosmos to everyday living. Optimal recovery in therapy is defined as increased participation and increased life-satisfaction in family and society, with meaningful motivation and orientation to the universe. Cosmology and therapy concepts are applied to five different kinds of marital relationships in or der to clarify possibilities and define contrasts. Family processes which evolve as shifts in views of the cosmos, beliefs, and behavior occur are described. Strengths and weaknesses of this therapy are discussed, and attention is paid to ways in which beliefs provide motivation, meaning, and di rection for behavior. There are many competing and conflicting theologies and cosmologies.1 For the purpose of this study, cosmology is defined as a belief system based on a view of the universe as an orderly system characterized by complex interacting processes of energy or life-force.2 When this energy or life-force is assigned meaning through traditional religious symbols, cosmology and theology be come synonymous as frames of reference for values and beliefs. It is only in relatively recent years that sociological perspectives have been applied to therapy.3 Sociological concepts redefine, broaden, and modify pre senting problems in therapy. When patterns of behavior are viewed in a social context, the probability that people can be more objective about their relation ship with each other is increased: spouses can more easily change their percep tion of each other when they view self and the other as actors in society.4 In addition to considering family influences on spouses' behavior, an exami nation of religion, reference groups, social class, and culture is used to consider the spouses in relation to society, and to articulate some of the broader pur poses they may attribute to their daily lives.5 Individual belief systems may or may not appear to be directly linked to particular religious groups in society. In general, however, personal beliefs are thought of as representations of the degree to which an individual is related to social values and social structure. Spouses are encouraged to construct a model of the universe during the course of therapy, and contradictions and inconsistencies within each person's view of the cosmos are examined and discussed. The therapist directs attention to differences in the views of the cosmos of spouses, and to differences in behav ior and life-styles which flow from their beliefs in these views. Exchanges be tween the spouses about their values are encouraged in therapy and outside the clinical setting.6 Therapy based on sociological perspectives facilitates the construction of personal views of the cosmos. The articulation of a broad view of the universe,
Conceiving Wholeness Women, Motherhood, and Ovarian Transplantation, 1902 and 2004

Scholars have shown that organ transplantation may transform ideas about one's body, with recipients feeling that they are receiving not just a body part but also a part of the donor's identity. This article focuses on a different way in which organ transplantation shapes recipient identity: the idea of becoming whole. We present the case studies of two women separated by a century (one in 1902 and the other in 2004) who sought ovarian transplantation, and examine how ovarian transplantation can engender a sense of wholeness on the individual, the familial, and the cultural levels, due to its ability to enable a recipient to naturally conceive and experience pregnancy.
Criterion-Referenced Assessment Without Measurement How Accurate for Special Education?

This study sought to measure the accuracy of special education teachers' judgments of student performance when those judgments are based on unsystematic observation. Subjects were 20 special education teacher trainees and 20 special education cooperating teachers who, following the implementation of instructional lessons, estimated levels of children's performance. Chi-square analyses and t tests on teachers' estimates suggested that, despite confidence in their own judgments, teachers tended to be inaccurate and to overrate their students' performance. Implications for evaluating student progress and program effects are discussed.
Cerebral Air Embolism Associated with Spontaneous Pneumothorax

A review of current and past literature reveals that the occurrence of air embolism following spontaneous pneumothorax is sufficiently rare to justify reporting. Myers et al,’ in 1938 presented a comprehensive paper on the subject of air embolism and spontaneous pneumothorax complicating artificial therapeutic pneumothorax but cited no instance where an air embolism and spontaneous pneumothorax occurred simultaneously. Blumberg2 in 1940 described a case in which there was cerebral embolization as well as subcutaneous emphysema resulting from spontaneous pneumothorax. In contrast to Blumberg’s patient, where the diagnosis was established primarily by autopsy, the diagnosis in this case was established by clinical and laboratory methods.
Mitigation of intra-array SRAM variability using adaptive voltage architecture

SRAM cell design is driven by the need to satisfy static noise margin, write margin and read current margin (RCM) over all cells in the array in an energy-efficient manner. These constraints determine both the minimum cell size and supply voltage. RCM is set by the maximum read access time over the array. The randomness of transistor threshold voltages, and thus read times, makes maximum read time follow extreme order statistics, specifically, the Gumbel distribution which is characterized by long tails. Thus, the margin specification needs to be met at the high sigma corners in order to reach acceptable yield, resulting in oversizing and increased VDD. In this work, we demonstrate that a reduced-area bitcell design is achievable by reducing the impact of intra-array randomness through a new architecture that employs an adaptive voltage scheme in a partitioned SRAM array. The key idea is to be able to shift empirical distributions (realizations) of read time in a set of rows that form a single partition to meet the target. Because the partition is smaller than the whole array, the tail of the Gumbel distribution is significantly reduced. The adaptive voltage tuning policy is driven by the worst partition access time. For the blocks whose delay violates access time constraints, a higher voltage is selected out of the available set to gain yield, otherwise voltage is reduced for power saving. This permits smaller cell area and lower V DD at identical yield. The cost of adaptivity is in generation and routing of a small number (in our experiments, four) voltage levels and the area of one-per-partition set of PMOS switches. We demonstrate that through the voltage tuning architecture we propose, it is possible to obtain mean power consumption reduction on average by 21% iso-area. Alternatively, bitcell area can be reduced on average by 7% iso-power compared to the existing design strategy.
Dressage training affects temporal variables in transitions between trot and halt

The gaits of the dressage horse have been described, but less information is available regarding the transitions between gaits. The objective was to describe and compare temporal variables during transitions from trot to halt (TH) and halt to trot (HT) in horses competing in different levels of dressage competitions. The experimental hypothesis was that a higher level of training is associated with the ability to make more direct transitions with fewer non-trot steps. Video recordings of TH and HT transitions were made during novice (n ¼ 15 horses), medium (n ¼ 15 horses) and advanced (n ¼ 15 horses) dressage competitions and were analysed to determine the timing of footfalls and lift-offs. Duty factors, diagonal dissociations and suspension durations were calculated for eight diagonal steps preceding and following the halt. The steps were classified as trot or non-trot based on diagonal synchrony of the footfalls. Statistical analysis using a general linear model ANOVA with Tukey B post hoc tests indicated that advanced horses changed their limb coordination patterns more abruptly, and that they maintained positive diagonal dissociation and a suspension phase in the steps in closer proximity to the halt than the novice horses. There was no preference between left/right and fore/hind limbs in the order of limb placements in the TH transition. The first limb to move off from the halt was always a forelimb, with a significant preference for the right forelimb in the advanced horses.
Progress in liver transplantation.

Since the first clinical orthotopic liver transplant was performed 13 years ago, approximately 275 patients have undergone this procedure. The Denver series constitutes about 40% of this total experience. In our series, the overall 1-year survival has been 29%; the longest survivor is now 6 2/3 years posttransplantation. Most of the early deaths have been caused by technical complications, frequently related to difficulties in establishing and maintaining adequate biliary drainage. The late deaths have been from a variety of causes, including recurrent tumor, hepatitis, bile duct obstruction, and chronic rejection. Favorable indications for liver transplantation include biliary atresia, chronic aggressive hepatitis, inborn errors of metabolism, and certain other benign hepatic diseases. Alcoholic cirrhosis is a less favorable indication and primary hepatic malignancy is a relative contraindication. The immunologic criteria for donor-recipient selection are much less rigid than for renal transplantation. Biliary reconstruction is the principal technical problem encountered with orthotopic liver transplantation. Guidelines for the establishment of biliary drainage, its evaluation, and the management of postoperative biliary complications are discussed.