cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Experimental analysis of current and deformation of ion-exchange polymer metal composite actuators

In this paper we describe the experimental analysis of a novel ion-exchange polymer metal composite (IPMC) actuator under large external voltage. The experimental analysis is supplemented with a coupled thermodynamic model, which includes mass transport across the thickness of the polymer actuator, chemical reactions at boundaries, and deformation as a function of the solvent (water) distribution. In this paper, the case of large electrode potentials (over 1.2 V) has been analyzed experimentally and theoretically. At these voltage levels, electrochemical reactions take place at both electrodes. These are used in the framework of overpotential theory to develop boundary conditions for the water transport in the bulk of polymer. The model is then simplified to a three-component system comprised of a fixed negatively charged polymeric matrix, protons, and free water molecules within the polymer matrix. Among these species, water molecules are considered to be the dominant species responsible for the deformation of the IPMC actuators. Experiments conducted at different initial water contents are described and discussed in the context of the proposed deformation mechanism. Comparison of numerical simulations with experimental data shows good agreement.
Cisplatin versus carboplatin based regimens for the treatment of patients with metastatic lung cancer. An analysis of Veterans Health Administration data

Background: While platinum-based doublet chemotherapy is standard of care for patients presenting with metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer, the optimal platinum agent (cisplatin versus carboplatin) is unclear. We therefore compared survival and toxicity among persons receiving these agents at Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals. Methods: We used the Veterans Affairs Central Cancer Registry to identify veterans presented between 2001 and 2008 with metastatic non–small-cell lung cancer, then selected those receiving initial platinum doublet chemotherapy. We compared survival between those receiving cisplatin and carboplatin using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models and propensity score analyses to adjust for imbalances in demographics and clinical characteristics. Results: We identified 4352 eligible persons; 4061 (93%) received carboplatin. Patients treated with cisplatin were younger (median age 61 versus 63, p 2, 7.7% versus 12.8%, p = 0.01) and higher eGFR (87 versus 84 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ). Median survival was similar for persons receiving cisplatin and carboplatin (8.1 versus 7.5 months, p = 0.54). In an adjusted survival analyses, the use of cisplatin was not associated with a better survival (hazard ratio 0.98, 95% confidence interval 0.84–1.14, p = 0.79). We performed subgroup analysis defined by histology and second agent, the hazard ratio for mortality ranged spanned 1 and none of these approached statistical significance (all p values > 0.20). Cisplatin-treated patients were more likely to have more hospitalization (1.7 versus 1.3, p p p p Conclusions: Patients receiving cisplatin and carboplatin-based doublets did not have significantly different survival, but cisplatin use was associated with an increase morbidity and healthcare use.
Preparation and properties of BaS–Ga2S3–GeS2 glasses

Abstract A new class of sulfide glasses based upon the BaS–Ga 2 S 3 –GeS 2 system has been investigated. Glass compositions were prepared in graphite or vitreous carbon crucibles, encapsulated in silica ampoules, and cooled from a melt temperature of 1000°C. These glasses have good glass stability, with T x − T g in the range of 100 to 200°C, glass transition temperatures between 400 and 500°C, and infrared transmission to wavelengths of about 12 μm. Thermal, optical and mechanical properties of these glasses are reported and the effects of materials purity and processing on these properties are discussed. Their thermal stability and optical transmission band make these glasses candidate materials for rare earth doped lasers and fiber amplifiers, infrared fiber sensors and optical components for infrared systems.
Polynucleotide recognition by DNA of α-polymerase

Abstract In a survey of template-primer preference of a mouse myeloma DNA alpha-polymerase, the fastest rate of DNA synthesis was with poly(dT) as template and (rA)24 as primer. Such a preference for poly(dT).oligo(rA) was not observed with other DNA polymerases of mouse origin. DNA synthesis in this system resulted in formation of oligo(dA) chains, not template-length poly(dA); thus, the average enzyme molecule bound to a poly(dT).(rA)24 complex and initiated a new oligo(dA) chain many times during the incubation. Binding experiments revealed that the alpha-polymerase had high affinity for poly(dT). Although the alpha-polymerase did not bind to poly(dl) and failed to replicate it inreactions with a base pair complementary primer, poly(dl) was replicated after a (dT) block had been grafted to its 3'-end and the oligo(rA) primer had been added. In similar experiments, the (dT) block was found to be much more effective than other 3'-terminal blocks in promoting replication of denatured calf thymus DNA. The results indicate that specific base sequences may regulate initiation of DNA syntehsis by this alpha-polymerase.
Glucose Response to an Oral Glucose Tolerance Test Predicts Weight Change in Non-diabetic Subjects

Objective Glucose exerts a dual action in the regulation of energy balance, consisting of inhibition of energy intake and stimulation of energy expenditure. Whether blood glucose affects long-term regulation of body weight in humans remains to be established. We sought to test the hypothesis that the post-challenge glucose response is a predictor of weight change.
The fidelity of the ligation step determines how ends are resolved during nonhomologous end joining

Nonhomologous end joining (NHEJ) can effectively resolve chromosome breaks despite diverse end structures; however, it is unclear how the steps employed for resolution are determined. We sought to address this question by analysing cellular NHEJ of ends with systematically mispaired and damaged termini. We show NHEJ is uniquely proficient at bypassing subtle terminal mispairs and radiomimetic damage by direct ligation. Nevertheless, bypass ability varies widely, with increases in mispair severity gradually reducing bypass products from 85 to 6%. End-processing by nucleases and polymerases is increased to compensate, although paths with the fewest number of steps to generate a substrate suitable for ligation are favoured. Thus, both the frequency and nature of end processing are tailored to meet the needs of the ligation step. We propose a model where the ligase organizes all steps during NHEJ within the stable paired-end complex to limit end processing and associated errors.
Dietary restriction protects hippocampal neurons against the death-promoting action of a presenilin-1 mutation

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an age-related disorder that involves degeneration of synapses and neurons in brain regions involved in learning and memory processes. Some cases of AD are caused by mutations in presenilin-1 (PS1), an integral membrane protein located in the endoplasmic reticulum. Previous studies have shown that PS1 mutations increase neuronal vulnerability to excitotoxicity and apoptosis. Although dietary restriction (DR) can increase lifespan and reduce the incidence of several age-related diseases in rodents, the possibility that DR can modify the pathogenic actions of mutations that cause AD has not been examined. The vulnerability of hippocampal neurons to excitotoxic injury was increased in PS1 mutant knockin mice. PS1 mutant knockin mice and wild-type mice maintained on a DR regimen for 3 months exhibited reduced excitotoxic damage to hippocampal CA1 and CA3 neurons compared to mice fed ad libitum; the DR regimen completely counteracted the endangering effect of the PS1 mutation. The magnitude of increase in levels of the lipid peroxidation product 4-hydroxynonenal following the excitotoxic insult was lower in DR mice compared to mice fed ad libitum, suggesting that suppression of oxidative stress may be one mechanism underlying the neuroprotective effect of DR. These findings indicate that the neurodegeneration-promoting effect of an AD-linked mutation is subject to modification by diet.
Impact of future climate change on a genetic plantation of hybrid pine

European black pine (Pinus nigra Arnold) and Japanese red pine (Pinus densiflora Siebold & Zucc.) are nonnative conifers that have been introduced into the United States and have the ability to hyb...
The Development and Deploymentof Electronic Personal Health Records: a Strategic Positioning Perspective

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of strategic position on the ability of an entrepreneurial firm to successfully develop and deploy electronic personal health records technology within the US healthcare industry. Design/methodology/approach – This study uses an in-depth longitudinal case study methodology. Findings – The study contributes by juxtaposing a longitudinal view of how the focal firm proposed and acted on different strategic positions in an attempt to achieve development and deployment success. In doing so, the study also elaborates on Porter's recognition that firms need to make trade-offs when choosing a strategic position, as the purposeful limitation of service offerings can protect against the degradation of existing value creating activities. Research limitations/implications – The authors' study highlights the enormous challenge of facilitating the adoption and diffusion of technology enabled interventions in the US healthcare ecosystem. Future research that c...
A highly active gastric secretagogue extracted from a metastasis of a Zollinger-Ellison tumor. Report of a case.

A highly potent gastric secretagogue has been extracted from a metastasis of a pancreatic tumor of the Zollinger-Ellison type using extraction procedures which were different from those reported by others. The response to various fractions of the tumor material in dogs with fistulas was characterized by prolonged secretion times, by output of acid which was greater than could be obtained with large single doses of histamine, and by a very marked stimulation of pepsin secretion which was in the range seen with insulin stimulation. The latter phenomenon distinguishes the active substance we tested from the gastrin or gastrin-like material extracted by others from either hog antrum or from Zollinger-Ellison tumors.
Unusual histology and morphology of the ribs of mosasaurs (Squamata)

We report the presence of two previously unrec- ognized features in the dorsal ribs of mosasaurs: first, the presence of extremely dense, pervasive extrinsic fibres (anchoring soft tissue to bone, sometimes called Sharpey's fibres); and second, high intraspecific variation in costal bone compactness. Extensive extrinsic fibres are developed in the dorsal ribs of the mosasaurs Tylosaurus proriger and Eonatator sternbergi. The dorsal ribs of these mosasaurs are also characterized by a longitudinally ridged texture that almost completely covers the bone. Pervasive extrinsic fibres and ridged textures are absent in the mosasaur Selmasaurus russelli as well as the dorsal ribs of extant semi-aquatic rep- tiles (e.g. crocodyliforms) and mosasaurs' close extant rela- tives and analogues (e.g. snakes and varanids). Similar ridged textures characterize the dorsal ribs of several other mosa- saur taxa but are developed to a lesser extent (e.g. Mosasau- rus, Clidastes, Platecarpus and Ectenosaurus), but in no other taxa have pervasive extrinsic fibres been reported. We inter- pret these osteohistological features in T. proriger and E. sternbergi as evidence of tendinous attachment of exten- sive and highly differentiated axial musculature capable of producing great stresses, most likely related to stabilization of the trunk relative to contralateral movements of the tail during carangiform locomotion. We also report the com- pactness indices (percentage of space occupied by bone rather than cavities) for these large mosasaur ribs, which are much higher than previously reported. This suggests high intraspecific variation in bone compactness that complicates its use in reconstructing mosasaur palaeoecology.
Becoming Interested In Experiments: American Igneous Petrologists and the Geophysical Laboratory, 1905-1965

The establishment of the Carnegie Institution of Washington's Geophysical Laboratory in 1905 and the pathbreaking work conducted there by Norman L. Bowen in the 1910s and 1920s are commonly considered to have rendered igneous petrology an experimental science. A closer examination of the work of American igneous petrologists outside the Laboratory reveals, however, that consideration of experimental data did not become an integral part of petrological practice until after World War II. To be sure, igneous petrologists celebrated the Geophysical Laboratory and its experimental approach in speeches and historical reviews throughout the interwar period. In their actual research, though, most igneous petrologists ignored the large body of experimental results gathered by the Geophysical Laboratory and treated Bowen's theory of differentiation as merely another speculative petrogenetic hypothesis to be tested against field data. These petrologists, many of whom were engaged in mapping for state and federal sur...
The variogram sill and the sample variance

The relationship between the sill of the variogram and the sample variance is explored. The common practice of using the sample variance as an estimate of the variogram sill is questioned, and a conceptual framework for determining the appropriateness of this heuristic is constructed.
A New species of Vernonia (Compositae) from Ecuador

Frutex vel arbor, caulibus tomentosis. Folia alterna 3-8 x 1-2.5 cm (ca 3-plo longiora guam latiora), anguste elliptica, supra glanduloso-punctata et strigosa, infra glanduloso-punctata et pannosa et hirsuta, apice acuta vel acuminata, basi cuneata, marginibus denticulata et revoluta; petioli 0.5-1.2 cm longi. Inflorescentiae terminales paniculatae 5-10 cm diametro. Capitula uniflora, sessilia vel brevipedunculata, arcte fasciculata. Involucra tubulosa, 5-7 x 1.4-1.9 mm. Phyllaria glabra vel tomentulosa, imbricata, interiora anguste oblonga, ca 5 x 1-1.5 mm, externa ovata, ca 1.5 x 1.2-1.7 mm, apice acuta. Corolla (6.5) 7 (8) mm longa, tubulo 3-3.5 mm longo glanduloso, lobis 3.6-4 mm longis ad apicem glandulosis. Antherae ca 2.7 mm longae. Achaenia (imperfecte matura) 2 mm longa, ca 8nervia, glandulosa. Pappi setae 25-35 albae, 6 mm longae.
Heat transfer in the splash zone of a bubbling fluidized bed

Abstract The heat transfer in the splash zone of a bubbling fluidized bed is measured for six different geometries of horizontal tube bundles over a range of superficial velocities. The heat transfer decreases exponentially with vertical distance above the expanded bed surface. The results are correlated by use of a nondimensional vertical distance XU mf L(U-U mf ) where L is the horizontal pitch of tubes in a staggered array. The same correlation gives reasonable agreement with other data reported in the literature taken for large particle bubbling beds. The splash zone heat transfer is proportional to the measured local particle density in the splash zone.
Transfer and expression of the human multiple drug resistance gene as potential human gene therapy.

The human multiple drug resistance (MDR) gene has been used as a model for human gene transfer which could lead to human gene therapy. MDR is a transmembrane protein which pumps a number of toxic substances out of cells including several drugs used in cancer chemotherapy. Normal bone marrow cells express low levels of MDR and are particularly sensitive to the toxic effects of these drugs. There are two general applications of MDR gene therapy: (1) to provide drug-resistance to the marrow of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, and (2) as a selectable marker which when co-transferred with a non-selectable gene such as the human beta globin gene can be used to enrich the marrow for cells containing both genes. We demonstrate efficient transfer and expression of the human MDR gene in a retroviral vector into live mice and human marrow cells including CD34+ cells isolated from marrow and containing the bulk of human hematopoietic progenitors. MDR gene transduction corrects the sensitivity of CD34+ cells to taxol, an MDR drug substrate, and enriches the marrow for MDR-transduced cells. The MDR gene-containing retroviral supernatant used has been shown to be safe and free of replication-competent retrovirus. Because of the safety of the MDR retroviral supernatant, and efficient gene transfer into mouse and human marrow cells, a phase 1 clinical protocol for MDR gene transfer into cancer patients has been approved to evaluate MDR gene transfer and expression in human marrow.
Readiness potential, vertex positive wave, contingent negative variation and accuracy of perception

Abstract The readiness potential (RP), contingent negative variation (CNV) and vertex positive wave (P302) were recorded in a situation where subjects were asked to present themselves with brief visual stimuli, to attempt to perceive them correctly and subsequently, on cue, to report their perceptions. The results show that the RP preceding the button press leading to the presentation of the stimulus was a reliable index of the neural events associated with subsequent correct or incorrect perception. P302, although showing clear localization at the vertex, was not reliably correlated with the behavioral response. The CNV was shown to be related in this situation to motivation/expectancy/attention factors following the perception and preceding the report. These results are discussed in relation to other work with these phenomena, and the conclusion is drawn that the RP and the CNV reflect common underlying neural processes when both are studied in complex (global) psychological situations.
Plutonium, uranium and rare earths in the phosphates of ordinary chondrites—the quest for a chronometer

Abstract The distributions of Pu, U and the REE (in particular Nd) in single crystals of the calcium phosphates, merrillite and apatite, of ordinary chondrites were studied to establish whether 244 Pu can be used to determine time differences in meteorite formation. Uranium was measured by an induced-fission track technique and the REE by secondary ion mass spectrometry. Limits on Pu concentrations (at the time of track retention) were inferred from fossil track measurements. It is argued here that most previous estimates of Pu concentrations, obtained from fossil tracks in phosphates, failed to correct adequately for spallation-induced tracks and were probably not correct. Plutonium is preferentially enriched in merrillite relative to apatite. In contrast, U concentrations are on the average 15 times higher in apatite than in merrillite. There are grain to grain variations, in the same phosphate phase from a given meteorite, for both elements. On the other hand, in the merrillite of a given meteorite, the REE concentrations are remarkably constant (typical grain to grain variations for type 5 and 6 chondrites are in most cases less than 10%). Average Nd concentrations in the merrillite of 15 different chondrites range from 96 to 164 ppm. REE abundances in apatite show more variations. Average Nd concentrations in the apatite of 13 chondrites range from 8 to 54 ppm and the ratios of Nd concentrations in merrillite relative to apatite range from 2.7 to 11. Despite the higher affinity of both Pu and the REE for merrillite than for apatite, there is no quantitative correlation between the abundances of these elements in merrillite grains from a given ordinary chondrite. Because of this lack of geochemical coherence between Pu and any of the REE, it is concluded that 244 Pu cannot be used to determine the relative formation times of chondrites. Bulk measurements that avoid the problems associated with fossil track measurements are discussed, however they have so far proven to be of little utility.
Designing and redesigning cellular manufacturing systems to handle demand changes

This paper presents a model for cell formation that allows for period-to-period demand variability and considers the size of the cell when determining the cost to process each part. The model also allows the composition of a cell to be changed from period to period. Five heuristic procedures are presented and tested. The best procedure is also compared with two other traditional approaches. The results show that considering demand variability and changing the cell composition during the planning horizon can result in better solutions.
Policy based Network Operations and Management for Transformational Networks

Emerging Tactical Edge Networks (TEN) that extend GIG services to the individual warfighter require consistency in their enforcement of end-to-end Service Level Agreements (SLA), Quality of Service (QoS), routing, encryption, and other network access and control parameters for Joint interoperability. Policy Based Management (PBM) approaches provide the mechanisms to control and optimize the employment of resources within TENs to best meet mission needs. This optimization can ensure timely delivery of information from sensor to shooter to shorten the kill chain and foster information dominance for network-centric operations. As part of a holistic approach to NETOPS from GIG core to tactical edge, PBM enables the rapid, automated configuration and maintenance of large, heterogeneous dynamic networks without requiring operator expertise in a variety of device-unique configurations. Operators express commander's intent and mission plan information into a broad set of electronic policies that define which resources need priority and under what conditions or time periods that priority applies. These policies are then dynamically interpreted to produce device-specific configuration directives that are automatically activated at the appropriate time in order to support the stated mission goals. This paper explores the variations of policies that apply to disparate tactical environments (e.g., Terrestrial, Maritime, Airborne, and Space) and platforms types (e.g., satellite terminals, gateways, installations, mobile tactical platforms) that feature a variety of software defined radios. These policies must interact to ensure joint interoperability in the transformational battlespace. We articulate a service oriented architecture approach to provide policy definition and management services to network operations systems.
MO‐B‐213A‐01: Magnitude of Radiation Exposure to US Population (NCRP Report ♯160) with Focus On CT Dose

National Council of Radiation of Protection (NCRP) recently released a long awaiting report (NCRP report ♯ 160) on the radiation exposure of the US population from various sources including medical exposure. This new report replaces the current NCRP report ♯ 93 published in 1987. According to the newly released NCRP report ♯ 160 (March 2009), the medicalradiation exposure to US population has increased by nearly 6 times compared to the previous NCRP publication (NCRP 93). The previous pie‐chart published in 1987 (NCRP report ♯93) indicated contribution of 3 mSv from background radiation, 0.53 mSv from medical exposure and 0.07 mSv from other sources (consumer products, occupational and other sources) exposure while the new pie‐chart published in March 2009 (NCRP report ♯160) indicates contribution of 3.1 mSv from background radiation and 3.0 mSv from medical and 0.1 mSv from all other sources (consumer products, occupational and other sources). The largest contributor to the collective dose to US population is from CT and Nuclear Medicine.CT scanning has increased nearly 10–11% annually in the US in the past two decade. The number of CT procedures has increased from 3 million CT scans in 1980 to more than 69 million CT scans in 2007. The purpose of this talk is to provide an overview of the newly released NCRP report ♯160. As a member of the NCRP scientific committee 6‐2 that developed the above report, the author will also focus on the medicalradiation exposure including CT. Learning Objectives: 1. To become familiar with the NCRP report number 160. 2. To learn about the various sources and magnitude of radiation exposure including medicalradiation exposure to US population 3. To familiarize with the types and distribution of medical imaging procedures in US. 4. To examine the various aspects related to CT use and CT dose.
Open Access: An Evolving Alternative

Open access impacts both the general public's good will and the ability to satisfy the public good that is inherent in creating new scholarship. Although it offers an alternative to the traditional publishing model that makes scholarship freely available digitally without common copyright and licensing restrictions, open access has garnered significant debate.
The Political Benefits of Adult Literacy: Presumed and Real Effects

This article reviews the research literature on political impacts linked to adult literacy. Despite the enormous importance of literacy, few studies exist on their interconnection. The majority of quantitative studies indicate higher levels of political participation by former adult literacy program participants compared to their non-participant counterparts. The qualitative studies have focused on the uses and practice of literacy rather than its political impact. A common and robust finding is that of increased self-esteem among literacy participants, particularly women. Because self-esteem is linked to self-efficacy, which predicts social action, and literacy effects have been found to persist several years after program participation, literacy can be surmised to be associated with political engagement. Program designers for adult literacy are advised to consider self-esteem components explicitly in the production of those programs.
Quantum monte carlo methods for electronic structure of nanosystems

We provide a brief review of recent applications of quantum Monte Carlo (QMC) methods to the electronic structure of nanosystems. We report on calculations of carbon rings with second-order Jahn-Teller effect, energy ordering of silicon clusters, dissociation enthalpies of protonated hydrogen clusters, and other interesting challenges. We point out the QMC accuracy and outline a few ideas that characterize the current position of QMC among the electronic structure methods and its future development.
5, 4, 3, 2, 1: embryologic variants of pentalogy of Cantrell

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience with pentalogy of Cantrell and the various embryologic variants. Materials and methods Patient charts and diagnostic imaging studies of all fetuses evaluated at Texas Children's Fetal Center for pentalogy of Cantrell between April 2004 and June 2014 were reviewed retrospectively. Data collected from patient charts included demographic information, clinical presentation, fetal and postnatal imaging findings, operative treatment, pathologic evaluation, and outcomes. Results There were 10 patients who presented with embryologic variants of pentalogy of Cantrell over a 6-y period. Two cases displayed the full range of embryologic defects observed, and eight cases exhibited variants of the classic pentalogy. Sternal and pericardial defects were each present in 40% of patients. Additional anomalies present included pulmonary hypoplasia, pulmonary artery stenosis, and chromosomal abnormalities. Four patients presented with diaphragmatic defects but no defect in the pericardium, and one patient presented with a defective pericardium but no associated diaphragmatic defect, suggesting highly specific losses of somatic mesoderm during embryologic development. One patient was lost to follow-up, and a second patient underwent termination of pregnancy. Five of the remaining eight patients survived, one of which had the full range of embryologic defects and now attends preschool but requires speech and occupational therapy. The remaining surviving patients have developed without serious sequelae. Conclusions This report highlights the spectrum of anomalies observed in the pentalogy of Cantrell and demonstrates that these fetuses can survive but with substantial morbidity.
The Impact of Late Pleistocene—Early Holocene Climatic Changes on Humans in Southwest Asia

The aim of this chapter is to provide basic evidence for the impact of climatic fluctuations on human cultures in southwest Asia during the terminal Pleistocene and early Holocene. Climatic evidence is drawn from deep sea cores in the eastern Mediterranean and terrestrial pollen records mainly from Turkey and northwest Iran, with fewer from Syria and Israel (Fontugne et al. 1994 van Zeist and Bottema 1991). Geomorphological and chemical information concerning paleolakes and river terraces is available from the Levant. Archaeological information comes from the most intensive archaeological investigations of this period conducted in the southern Levant (Israel and Jordan), with fewer data from the northern Levant (Lebanon and Syria) and fragmentary information from neighboring countries. It should therefore be noted that this geographic bias may impair the validity of the more general conclusions.
Effect of Electronic Performance Monitoring on Job Design and Worker Stress: Review of the Literature and Conceptual Model

An approach to electronic performance monitoring is developed that examines job design and worker stress theories and consequently defines the critical job elements of stress response in an electro...
Reliability characteristics of Hebbian-type associative memories in network implementation

The performance of Hebbian-type associative memories (HAMs) in the presence of faulty interconnections is examined, and equations for predicting network reliability are developed. Optical and VLSI implementations of HAMs are introduced, and the distributions of faulty interconnections in both implementations are discussed. The interconnection faults considered are the equivalent of open-circuit and short-circuit synaptic interconnections. Equations relating the probability of direct one-step convergence (Pdc) to the percentage of failed interconnections are developed for both types of interconnection faults. Monte Carlo simulations indicate that the equations considered can estimate Pdc accurately. Based on the equations, network performance with failed interconnections can be predicted and trade-offs in network design can be determined before proceeding to implementation. The performance of networks with clustered failed interconnections is also discussed and compared with that of networks with randomly distributed faults. The results are discussed from the implementation point of view. >
Combining material and model pedigree is foundational to making ICME a reality

With the increased emphasis on reducing the cost and time to market of new materials, the need for analytical tools that enable the virtual design and optimization of materials throughout their processing-internal structure-property-performance envelope, along with the capturing and storing of the associated material and model information across its life cycle, has become critical. This need is also fueled by the demands for higher efficiency in material testing; consistency, quality, and traceability of data; product design; engineering analysis; as well as control of access to proprietary or sensitive information. Fortunately, materials information management systems and physics-based multiscale modeling methods have kept pace with the growing user demands. Herein, recent efforts to identify best practices associated with these user demands and key principles for the development of a robust materials information management system will be discussed. The goals are to enable the connections at various length scales to be made between experimental data and corresponding multiscale modeling toolsets and, ultimately, to enable ICME to become a reality. In particular, the NASA Glenn Research Center efforts towards establishing such a database (for combining material and model pedigree) associated with both monolithic and composite materials as well as a multiscale, micromechanics-based analysis toolset for such materials will be discussed.
Catechol Estrogen Formation and Metabolism in Brain Tissue: Comparison of Tritium Release from Different Positions in Ring A of the Steroid*

Catechol estrogens labeled with 3H at different positions in rings A and B of the steroid were synthesized by chemical or enzymatic methods, and their oxidative transformation by male rat brain microsomes was followed by the transfer of 3H into 3H2O. This reaction was shown to occur more readily with the catechol estrogens than with the parent steroid and was also influenced by the position of the radiolabel. Tritium was displaced less readily from C-1 than from C-2 or C-4 of the aromatic ring. Spermine, which is known to increase cytochrome P-450-mediated hydroxylation reactions, had no effect on the release of 3H from ring A of either estradiol or 2-hydroxyestradiol with rat brain microsomes in contrast to liver. Glutathione and other thiols were able to cause a rapid loss of 3H from labeled catechol estrogens, even in the absence of tissue, but in double label experiments with [4-3H]- and [4-14C]2-hydroxyestradiol, the isotope ratio in the recovered catechol estrogen was unchanged. The results illustra...
A fuzzy approach to the transshipment problem

The transshipment problem in which the projected demand and supply at different locations on different days are known in fuzzy quantities is presented. The formulation of the model follows that of fuzzy linear programming in that the solution is a shipment schedule which satisfies the objective at a 'reasonable cost'. Priorities for satisfying requirements at demand points and supply points on selected days are incorporated by multiplying corresponding weights to h, the level of satisfaction. The presentation follows from the general to the specific formulation with an example. >
Negotiating sexual meanings: Global discourses, local practices, and Sri Lanka’s Free Trade Zone (FTZ) factory workers

Utilizing extensive ethnographic research in Sri Lanka’s Katunayake Free Trade Zone (FTZ), this article analyzes women workers’ engagement in sexual banter on city streets. It argues that these acts and the sexualized vocabulary associated with them are contextually negotiated and, by challenging the dominant mores of respectability, also empower its practitioners. The article further argues that by uncritically adopting Western notions of sexual harassment to condemn sexual banter NGOs have unintentionally colluded in the capitalist global scheme to produce docile working-class women and thereby ensure an ideal assembly line workforce. The article comments on how women workers refused to be governed by technologies of self, which were disseminated by the media and NGO workshops as appropriate for modern, educated, and urban women, and how this refusal not only marks their difference from the middle classes but also represent one way in which they participate in subaltern politics.
The influence of an insulin pump experience on nursing students’ understanding of the complexity of diabetes management and ways to help patients: A Qualitative Study

Background: Worldwide, 78,000 children develop type 1 diabetes annually with European cases increasing every year. In the United States, 215,000 children under 20 years of age have type 1 diabetes and over 6.5 million adults with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes need daily administration of insulin. Misunderstanding the complexity of diabetes management on the part of health care providers can affect their attitudes and negatively affect patient outcomes. The purpose of this descriptive qualitative study was to explore family nurse practitioner and undergraduate nursing students’ perceptions of diabetes management while using an insulin pump in order to more effectively prepare them to understand the complexities of diabetes management faced by patients with diabetes and, therefore, provide better patient care. Methods: Nurse practitioner and undergraduate students, who participated in a week long diabetes simulation experience, were asked to participate. Consents were obtained allowing analysis of journals detailing their experiences. The journals were analyzed for common themes according to qualitative methodology. Results: Three themes emerged from the data: 1) handling self-management issues, 2) living with an insulin pump, and 3) gaining an appreciation for those who live with diabetes. Self-management subthemes included making dietary changes and monitoring blood glucose levels. Making dietary changes included carbohydrate counting, eating a balanced diet, and not snacking all day. Issues related to the monitoring of blood glucose levels included the pain of poking their fingers, difficulty getting enough blood, forgetting to check blood glucose, and not wanting to check blood glucose in front of people. Living with an insulin pump subthemes included learning where to wear the pump, having the pump get in the way, interfering with daily activities, including changing clothes or using the bathroom, interfering with intimacy, and having to change the needle site. Subthemes of gaining an appreciation for those who live with diabetes included having empathy for patients related to complying/not complying with treatment regimes, understanding the inconveniences of required lifestyle changes, and obtaining support from others having the same experience. Conclusions: Diabetes requires many lifestyle changes. Study participants cited an increased understanding of the hassles and inconvenience of living with diabetes, particularly dietary changes, monitoring blood glucose, and living with an insulin pump. Undergraduate and graduate nursing students caring for patients with diabetes would benefit from a similar simulation experience in order to gain an understanding of the complexity of diabetes management and learn ways to help their patients. Nursing faculty should consider implementing a similar simulation experience in their curriculum.
Dispositional Coping, Personality Traits, and Affective Style Relating to Conflict between Work and Family Domains

Relations between dispositional characteristics (e.g., personality traits, affective style, and coping styles) and work-family conflict (WFC) and family-work conflict (FWC) were investigated. Participants were employed adults recruited through Amazon’s Mechanical Turk. Results showed conscientiousness and extraversion related to emotion-focused coping (EFC), positive affect positively related to problem-focused coping (PFC) and EFC, and neuroticism related to avoidance-focused coping (AFC). Additionally, AFC, conscientiousness, and negative affect related to FWC, and positive affect related to more WFC. Results highlight the importance of personality and affect relating to dispositional coping, yet coping styles added little to understanding of conflict. Overall, finding that negative affect and AFC related to conflict suggests that interventions that target these dispositional traits would likely be beneficial to reducing conflict between domains.
The thermal set point of water vapor and life in the condensed state

Application of the Planck–Benzinger thermal work function to biological systems has demonstrated a basic pattern for life processes, in that there is a lower cutoff point, Th, where entropy is favorable but enthalpy is unfavorable, i.e. ΔH0(Th)(+) = TΔS0(Th)(+), and upper cutoff, Tm, above which enthalpy is favorable but entropy unfavorable, i.e. ΔH0(Tm)(−) = TΔS0(Tm)(−). Only between these two limits, where ΔG0(T) = 0, is the net chemical driving force favorable for interacting biological processes. In the case of water vapor condensation, the compensatory temperatures, Th and Tm, are 30 K and 380 K. As water is a part of every living system, this suggests that the single point at which the system is its most stable, defined as the thermal set point, TS, must fall between the limits defined by the compensatory temperatures, 30 K and 380 K. We find that each interacting biological system will exhibit a negative minimum of Gibbs free energy change at a single well-defined temperature, TS, where the bound unavailable energy TΔS0 = 0. At this point, ΔH0(TS)(−) = ΔG0(TS)(−)minimum, the maximum work can be accomplished. For water vapor condensation, the thermal set point falls at 260 K and TCp at ΔCp0(T) = 0 is 130 K. In examining interacting protein systems, it would appear that the heat capacity change of reaction of water within the system determines the behavior of the other thermodynamic functions. It is clear that the requirements for the existence of a condensed state of water and the existence of life are essentially the same, and are uniquely linked to a characteristic thermal set point. Without the existence of a condensed state, life would not exist. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Quantum Chem, 2008
Modulation of Type 1 Inositol (1,4,5)-Trisphosphate Receptor Function by Protein Kinase A and Protein Phosphatase 1α

Type 1 inositol (1,4,5)-trisphosphate receptors (InsP3R1s) play a major role in neuronal calcium (Ca2+) signaling. The InsP3R1s are phosphorylated by protein kinase A (PKA), but the functional consequences of InsP3R1 phosphorylation and the mechanisms that control the phosphorylated state of neuronal InsP3R1s are poorly understood. In a yeast two-hybrid screen of rat brain cDNA library with the InsP3R1-specific bait, we isolated the protein phosphatase 1alpha (PP1alpha). In biochemical experiments, we confirmed the specificity of the InsP3R1-PP1alpha association and immunoprecipitated the InsP3R1-PP1 complex from rat brain synaptosomes and from the neostriatal lysate. We also established that the association with PP1 facilitates dephosphorylation of PKA-phosphorylated InsP3R1 by the endogenous neostriatal PP1 and by the recombinant PP1alpaha. We demonstrated that exposure of neostriatal slices to 8-bromo-cAMP, dopamine, calyculin A, or cyclosporine A, but not to 10 nM okadaic acid, promotes the phosphorylation of neostriatal InsP3R1 by PKA in vivo. We discovered that PKA activates and PP1alpha inhibits the activity of recombinant InsP3R1 reconstituted into planar lipid bilayers. We found that phosphorylation of InsP3R1 by PKA induces at least a fourfold increase in the sensitivity of InsP3R1 to activation by InsP3 without shifting the peak of InsP3R1 bell-shaped Ca2+ dependence. Based on these data, we suggest that InsP3R1 may participate in cross talk between cAMP and Ca2+ signaling in the neostriatum and possibly in other regions of the brain.
Dominant Regimes and the Demise of Urban Democracy

Theorists of democracy assert that government is held accountable and responsive to citizens through the electoral process. Elections can offer citizens representative government, but only when certain conditions are met. I provide evidence that when elections become uncompetitive for long periods of time and political coalitions establish dominant regimes the distribution of government benefits changes. Examining twentieth-century political patterns in nine of the United States' largest cities, I find that dominant regimes establish electoral control, then target core supporters and powerful interests at the expense of the larger community.
Solvent-Free Electrolytes with Aqueous Solution-Like Conductivities

Aqueous solutions are generally assumed to be superior electrolytic conductors because of the unique dielectric and fluid properties of water. We show that their conductivities can be matched by liquid electrolytes that contain no solvent. These are proton transfer salts that are liquid at ambient temperature. The high conductivities are due to the high fluidity and ionicity rather than some sort of Grotthus mechanism, although in certain cases a mobile proton population may make a non-negligible contribution. The highest conductivities have been obtained when both cations and anions contain protons. At 25°C, values of >150 millisiemens per centimeter (mS cm–1) appear possible; at 100°C, 470 mS cm–1 has been measured. Because of the combination of high ionicity and proton exchange kinetics with low vapor pressure, the systems we describe also make excellent fuel cell electrolytes.
How Disgust Affects Romantic Attraction: the Influence of Moods on Judgments of Attractiveness

Facial attractiveness is an important part of our initial judgments of people. Relatedly, the emotion disgust is one of the most adaptive emotions as it helps keep us away from potentially dangerous objects. The current experiment examined whether or not being disgusted created an avoidance behavior, in the form of lower attractiveness scores, of non-disfigured individuals similar to avoidance behavior towards individuals who are disfigured. Disgust was induced by showing participants a series of disgusting photos prior to making attractiveness ratings of potential mating targets. It was found that individuals who were disgusted rated photos significantly lower than participants who received a neutral mood induction. Potential explanations for this finding are discussed.
Clinical Study on Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection in Newborn Infants

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics of neonatal congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection,and evaluate the efficiency of Ganciclovir therapy and its effect on prognosis.Methods The 73 neonates with congenital CMV infection were divided into experimental group (n=32) and control group (n=41).The patients of two groups were given Yinzhihuang,blue-light exposured and gammaglobulin treatment.The patients of experimental group were cured with ganciclovir [7.5 mg/(kg·time)],but not in control group.The negative rates of clinical symptom,assistant examination,pathogenic examination of experimental group (n=32) and their prognosis after treated with formal Ganciclo-vir therapy were observed.Results 1.Clinical characteristics:All of the 73 patients observed in our study had symptoms after the infection.Most of them had infection all over their body (80.8%).The digesting system infection was the most frequent (95.89%).Pathological jaundice was the major first-appearing symptom and major clinical symptom (95.89%).Infections by other microbial pathogens during disease progression were also observed,chance bacterial sepsis was most often seen (14.1%).The chance of having born defection complication was 6.4%.2.Clinical effect:After the treatment,the vanishment of clinical symptom,assistant examination,pathogenic examination of experimental group differs from the control group significantly(Pa0.001,0.005).3.Prognosis:In experiment group,26 infants were cured (81.3%),6 infants showed effectiveness (18.7%).In control group,14 infants showed effectiveness (34.1%),27 infants showed no effectiveness (65.9%).There was significant difference of curative effect in two groups(P0.005).Conclusions The major symptom of neonatal congenital CMV infection is whole body infection,and formal Ganciclovir treatment is effective in clinic,it can remarkably improve the prognosis of the disease.
C&RL Spotlight

The C&RL Spotlight column offers an opportunity to step outside of the current issue of C&RL and consider how it might be received not just by the current readership of C&RL but to contemplate what the broader intended audience of ACRL members or academic librarians might want to know. This venue is a chance for C&RL to reach out to those who may not be regular readers and demonstrate that the journal has something for almost every library perspective.
PICSAR: Long Noncoding RNA in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

It is increasingly evident that long noncoding RNAs may play the roles of both oncogenes and tumor suppressors during cancer development. A new study from Piipponen et al. provides evidence that a long noncoding RNA, PICSAR, promotes cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma development through activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase signaling. Because specific inhibition of PICSAR suppresses tumor growth, this long noncoding RNA may serve as a useful diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.