cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tricuspid and aortic valve and ventricular septal defect endocarditis: an unusual presentation of acute Q fever.

Q fever is a rare systemic infection caused by Coxiella Burnetii. The presentation with endocarditis is insidious, with negative blood cultures, and oftentimes it is not obvious in diagnostic imaging studies until hemodynamic changes or valve destruction is reached [1]. We report a case of Q fever endocarditis involving the tricuspid and aortic valves and a congenital ventricular septal defect. Surgical treatment and distinct aspects of this unusual case are herein described.
Providing for the elderly in eighteenth-century England

In 1776, in the parish of Puddletown, Dorset, Sarah Dibben, an elderly, impoverished widow, was examined as to her place of settlement by the local justice of the peace to determine whether the parish should pay for her poor relief. At the same time, the JP interviewed her son, Melchizedeck, with whom Sarah had been living, to shed further light on Sarah's situation. Melchizedeck told the justice that because Sarah was his mother he ‘thought it his Duty to assist her if he could without injuring his family’. However, he was at the marginal level of poverty himself, ‘having nothing but what he can earn to support his family’. As a consequence of these examinations, Sarah was removed to the neighbouring parish of Piddlehinton, where she had borne her children over forty years earlier.The case of Sarah Dibben's settlement highlights the main issues surrounding provisions for the elderly in eighteenth-century England. (Here, the elderly are defined as those aged 60 and above.) The provisions of the poor law of 1601 meant that both the local community and the family had a legal obligation to support the aged. This law stated that ‘the aged and decrepit’ of every parish were to be supported by a tax, collected from all those who held property in the parish. At the same time, the law dictated:The father and grandfather, mother and grandmother, and children of every poor, old, blind, lame and impotent person, or other person not able to work, being of sufficient ability, shall at their own charges, relieve and maintain every such poor person, in that manner, and according to that rate, as by the justices in sessions shall be assessed: on pain of 20s. a month. [I will be referring to this clause as the family-support section of the poor laws.]
THE IMPROVED f/10 SWEEPING-IMAGE CAMERA: A VERSATILE MODEL FOR EXPLOSIVE RESEARCH

The previously described f/10 sweeping-image camera has been equipped with a series of refined accessories to adapt it for a wide variety of explosive research problems. In order that the camera may be used with an assortment of objective lenses, it has been equipped with the following adjustable accessories: camera and lens mounts, demountable lenses, remote-control focusing, slit holder mount, field lens mount and viewfinder. Attachments which help in obtaining the correct relative adjustment between the object and the final image are an illuminated-slit projector, a precision mount for the astigmatism correcting lens, and a sweeping-image viewer. To safeguard personnel in the event of a mirror explosion during camera operation, an armor plating has been installed. This work was done under the auspices of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission.
Magnetic trapping of rare-earth atoms at millikelvin temperatures

The ability to create quantum degenerate gases has led to the realization of Bose–Einstein condensation of molecules1,2,3,4, atom–atom entanglement5 and the accurate measurement of the Casimir force in atom–surface interactions6. With a few exceptions7,8,9, the achievement of quantum degeneracy relies on evaporative cooling of magnetically trapped atoms to ultracold temperatures. Magnetic traps confine atoms whose electronic magnetic moments are aligned anti-parallel to the magnetic field. This alignment must be preserved during the collisional thermalization of the atomic cloud. Quantum degeneracy has been reached in spherically symmetric, S-state atoms (atoms with zero internal orbital angular momentum). However, collisional relaxation of the atomic magnetic moments of non-S-state atoms (non-spherical atoms with non-zero internal orbital angular momentum) is thought to proceed rapidly. Here we demonstrate magnetic trapping of non-S-state rare-earth atoms, observing a suppression of the interaction anisotropy in collisions. The atoms behave effectively like S-state atoms because their unpaired electrons are shielded by two outer filled electronic shells that are spherically symmetric. Our results are promising for the creation of quantum degenerate gases with non-S-state atoms, and may facilitate the search for time variation of fundamental constants10,11,12 and the development of a quantum computer with highly magnetic atoms13.
Regulation of Vein Graft Hyperplasia by Survivin, an Inhibitor of Apoptosis Protein

Objective— Survivin (SVV) is an inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) that is upregulated in cancer and has recently been implicated in vascular injury. We sought to investigate the role of SVV in vein graft hyperplasia. Methods and Results— Adenoviral constructs expressing a dominant-negative (AdT34A) and wild-type (AdWT) SVV were used. Proliferation and apoptosis were assayed on endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) from human saphenous vein. A rabbit carotid interposition vein graft model (N=31) was used, with adventitial gene transfer of SVV constructs. In vitro, overexpression of SVV was associated with protection from cytokine-induced apoptosis in ECs and SMCs; conversely, AdT34A directly induced apoptosis in these cells. SMC proliferation was increased by AdWT infection, whereas AdT34A reduced proliferation; both effects were serum-dependent. Expression of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) in SMCs was regulated by functional SVV expression in analogous fashion. In vivo, prolifer...
Pharmacological strategies in the prevention and management of bronchopulmonary dysplasia

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a disease of complex and multifactorial etiology and a major cause of morbidity in premature infants. Contributing factors include infection, exposure to toxic oxygen levels, and ventilator-induced lung injury, resulting in arrested lung development and impaired lung function. Several preventive and therapeutic strategies have been employed and include lung protective ventilator strategies, pharmacological and nutritional interventions. These strategies target different components and stages of the disease process, and their success has been variable. This review intends to bring together prior and current pharmacological interventions and future therapeutic modalities that appear promising in the prevention and management of BPD. Better understanding of the pathogenesis has given hope for newer treatment options. Newer studies need to be designed to assess the efficacy of combination therapies that target multiple steps of the disease process.
Frequency planning for multi-core processors under thermal constraints

The objectives of this paper are (1) to develop a frequency planning methodology that maximizes the total performance of multi-core processors and that limits their maximum temperature as specified by the design constraints; and (2) to establish the implications of technology scaling on the performance limits of multi-core processors. Given the intricate designs and workloads of multi or many-core processors, it is computationally exhaustive to develop models that accurately calculate the temperature and performance of a given processor under various operating conditions. To abstract the underlying design complexity, we propose the use of supervised machine learning techniques to develop versatile models that capture the thermal characterization of multi-core processors under various input conditions and workloads. We then use the developed models to create a framework where various design constraints and objectives are expressed and solved using combinatorial optimization techniques. Using established power modeling and thermal simulation tools, we show that it is possible to boost the performance of multi-core processors by up to 11.4% at no impact to the maximum temperature.
System Dynamics Modeling for SOA Project Management

Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) has the potential to vastly improve IT's efficiency. But to implement one at an organization, enterprises need more than just technical know-how: the leadership team has to be skilled in management as well. Especially, SOA implies different emphasis of project management. This paper describes in brief the use of system dynamics models for managing large scale SOA projects. System dynamics is a methodology for studying and managing complex feedback systems, such as one finds in business and other social systems. In fact it has been used to address practically every sort of feedback system including project management. In this paper, we will present a framework of managing SOA projects and show how system dynamics model can be used to enhance the effectiveness and agility of SOA project management. A general SOA project lifecycle is presented and two examples are used to illustrate the needs and effectiveness of adopting quantified simulation method such as system dynamics into large-scale SOA projects.
Ethical Supernaturalism and the Problem of Evil

Consider the following argument (I shall call it ‘the atheist's argument’) for the non-existence of God:(1) Some men are morally reprehensible for failing to perform certain actions, e.g. actions of abolishing suffering which is destructive of character.(2) Concentrate, for simplicity, just on actions of this latter sort. If there is an omnipotent and omniscient being, then he, too, fails to perform actions of this sort, and, hence, he is also morally reprehensible unless some such difference obtains between him and the men mentioned in (1) (call them ‘M’) as his being unable to abolish this suffering, while M is able to abolish it, or his not knowing that this suffering is in fact destructive of character, while M does know this.(3) But being omnipotent and omniscient is incompatible with any such difference obtaining. (For example, being omnipotent is incompatible with being unable to abolish the suffering under discussion and being omniscient is incompatible with failing to know that a given instance of suffering which is destructive of character does in fact have that property.)
Coarse-Grained Modeling of the Dynamics and Allosteric Modulation of Hras Protein

HRAS acts as molecular switch by cycling between active (GTP-bound) and inactive (GDP-bound) state during signal transduction processes associated with cell growth and differentiation. The wealth of biochemical and structural data available for HRAS has identified critical regions in protein structure that plays crucial role in signalling. However, the mechanism by which active and inactive state transition occurs is not yet completely understood due to lack of experimentally determined intermediate structures. Also, the timescale at which these processes occur is currently beyond the reach of all-atom molecular dynamics simulations. In this talk, I will describe the dynamics of GDP and GTP bound form of HRAS with and without GEFs, using a transferable intermediate resolution model developed by us. In the model, the backbone is represented with atomic resolution but the sidechain with single bead and it has sufficient predictive power so that-- Starting from random initial configurations, the model properly folded 19 proteins (including a mutant sequence) in to native states containing β-sheet, α-helices and mixed α/β. The model is then used to predict the dynamics of HRAS. The predictions of the coarse-grained model are tested with different 100 ns simulations. We present intermediate states and demonstrate, among other results, that the opening of Switch I/β-2 region in HRAS-GTP is a thermally activated process and occurs in the absence of GEF.
An annotated checklist of the bryophytes of Nevada, with notes on collecting history in the state

A checklist of the 310 bryophyte taxa (two hornworts, 46 liverworts and 262 mosses) reported to occur within the political boundaries of the state of Nevada is presented. 238 new county records are also listed. Notes are provided for species with complex synonymies, taxonomic difficulties or interesting histories. This checklist is intended to improve efforts towards a complete bryophyte flora of the state by identifying those species, habitats and geographic regions that have been neglected or poorly sampled.
Insights into the health effects of nanoparticles: why numbers matter

We find that nanoparticle numbers do matter when estimating risk. Previous reports by others establish that particle surface area is related to changes in biological function of exposed cells. Many of these reports describe the impact of particle surface area on the alveolar macrophage (the primary cell involved in the clearance of particles deposited in the gas exchange region of the lung). For these cells, the change in function is indicated by a decrease in the macrophage's ability to clear particles. However, when macrophages are exposed to nanoparticles, this change in function may not be strictly due to surface chemistry: Instead, the cumulative projected area of the particles may reflect the degree to which the inner or outer surface of the macrophage is shielded from other objects or molecules. We apply this alternative interpretation to in vitro measurements of macrophage uptake of 26 nm diameter fluorescent beads and to in vivo data presented for TiO2 nanoparticles. We show that the observed decrease in macrophage-mediated alveolar clearance of polystyrene test particles can be directly related to the potential for TiO2 particles to mask the surface of the macrophage. We further confirm this observation by a series of confocal laser scanning microscopy in vitro studies. Both nanoparticle number and surface area are relevant; they help predict the potential for obstruction of molecular mechanisms.
Relativism and views in a conceptual data base model

The purpose of the Pingree Park Workshop was to bring together practitioners from the fields of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Database Management (DB), and Programming Languages (PL), to discover common issues, and to explore commonalities and differences in approaches to these issues. At the risk of being superficial let me try to summarily characterize the three fields and point to where I think they may fruitfully interact.It seems to me that at its best, AI is an interdisciplinary science of cognition. It attempts to understand the bases for natural cognition, primarily by developing models of structures and processes that underlie cognition. By incorporation into interactive systems these models can be both exploited as artificially intelligent technology and explored for their adequacy in explaining natural cognition.
D1 dopamine receptor stimulation increases GluR1 phosphorylation in postnatal nucleus accumbens cultures

Postsynaptic interactions between dopamine and glutamate receptors in the nucleus accumbens are critical for acute responses to drugs of abuse and for neuroadaptations resulting from their chronic administration. We tested the hypothesis that D1 dopamine receptor stimulation increases phosphorylation of the AMPA receptor subunit GluR1 at the protein kinase A phosphorylation site (Ser845). Nucleus accumbens cell cultures were prepared from postnatal day 1 rats. After 14 days in culture, GluR1 phosphorylation was measured by western blotting using phosphorylation site-specific antibodies. The D1 receptor agonist SKF 81297 increased Ser845 phosphorylation in a concentrationdependent manner, with marked increases occurring within 5 min. This was prevented by the D1 receptor antagonist SCH 23390 and the protein kinase A inhibitor H89, and reproduced by forskolin. The D2 receptor agonist quinpirole attenuated the response to D1 receptor stimulation. Neither D1 nor D2 receptor agonists altered GluR1 phosphorylation at Ser831, the site phosphorylated by protein kinase C and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. In other systems, phosphorylation of GluR1 at Ser845 is associated with enhancement of AMPA receptor currents. Thus, the present results suggest that AMPA receptor transmission in the nucleus accumbens may be augmented by concurrent D1
Mutational analysis of morphogenesis of the maize embryo

Summary Morphogenesis of the maize embryo is controlled by many genes. A group of 51 embryo-specific (emb) mutations representing at least 45 independent mutation events and many different gene loci have been isolated from active Robertson's Mutator stocks. The authors have reported previously that the embryo phenotype of 27 of these mutations, characterized by examining mature embryos in fresh dissection. The maximal development capacity of the 24 emb mutations are reported here which have not been reported previously. All result in retarded embryos that are morphologically abnormal. Three of the mutants are blocked during the first phase of morphogenesis, the period in which the basal-apical asymmetry is established and the embryo is regionalized into suspensor and embryo proper. Nineteen mutants are blocked during the second phase, the period in which radial asymmetry appears, the embryonic axis is established at a different angle than the original basal-apical axis of the zygote and the vegetative organ primordia of the adult plant make their first appearance. Two mutants are blocked or altered during the third phase, the period in which vegetative structures are elaborated. Some of the mutants affected in the first phase of morphogenesis may have defective mechanisms for establishing basal-apical asymmetry, including possibly the asymmetric distribution of morphogenic determinants. Similarly, some of the mutants affected in the second phase may be altered in the mechanisms establishing radial asymmetry and the origin of the meristems. Mutations of the first type may act as early as the first cell division when the zygote undergoes a transverse division, while mutations of the second type are likely to act during the proembryo and transition stages. Both types include mutations affecting embryo pattern formation. Mutations affecting the third phase of morphogenesis may identify genes regulating reiterative morphogenic processes of vegetative plant development and events of embryo maturation. This group of 24 mutations is like that reported previously in representing genes that are crucial to embryo morphogenesis.
Recent progress in synthetic biology for microbial production of C3-C10 alcohols

The growing need to address current energy and environmental problems has sparked an interest in developing improved biological methods to produce liquid fuels from renewable sources. While microbial ethanol production is well established, higher-chain alcohols possess chemical properties that are more similar to gasoline. Unfortunately, these alcohols (except 1-butanol) are not produced efficiently in natural microorganisms, and thus economical production in industrial volumes remains a challenge. Synthetic biology, however, offers additional tools to engineer synthetic pathways in user-friendly hosts to help increase titers and productivity of these advanced biofuels. This review concentrates on recent developments in synthetic biology to produce higher-chain alcohols as viable renewable replacements for traditional fuel.
Twenty-four-hour ambulatory recording of cerebral hemodynamics, systemic hemodynamics, electrocardiography, and actigraphy during people’s daily activities

The feasibility and utility of wearable 24-h multimodality neuromonitoring during daily activities are demonstrated. We have developed a fourth-generation ambulatory near infrared spectroscopy device, namely NINscan 4. NINscan 4 enables recording of brain function (via cerebral hemodynamics), systemic hemodynamics, electrocardiography, and actigraphy simultaneously and continuously for up to 24 h at 250-Hz sampling rate, during (and with minor restriction to) daily activities. We present initial 24-h human subject test results, with example analysis including (1) comparison of cerebral perfusion and oxygenation changes during wakefulness and sleep over a 24-h period and (2) capturing of hemodynamic changes prior, during and after sudden waken up in the night during sleep. These results demonstrate the first ambulatory 24-h cerebral and systemic hemodynamics monitoring, and its unique advantages including long-term data collection and analysis capability, ability to catch unpredictable transient events during activities of daily living, as well as coregistered multimodality analysis capabilities. These results also demonstrate that NINscan 4's motion artifact at 1-g head movement is smaller than physiological hemodynamic fluctuations during motionless sleep. The broader potential of this technology is also discussed.
Optimised transmission of H.264 scalable video streams over multiple paths in mobile networks

Consumer demand for portable wireless devices such as smartphones or tablets capable of receiving high quality video content has risen sharply in recent years. This paper considers the real-time delivery of streamed H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC) content to users of such devices within mobile networks (e.g. situations where they are part of a group moving together on a bus or a train). We propose a novel scheme for the multipath delivery of H.264 SVC content to users in multihomed mobile networks .By implementing our scheme on a realistic testbed, we show that it offers a significant improvement in received video quality over previously proposed alternative schemes.
Induction of Hepatic Glutathione S-Transferases in Male Mice by Prototypes of Various Classes of Microsomal Enzyme Inducers

The underlying need for glutathione S-transferase (Gst) induction is thought to be an adaptive response to chemical stress within the cell. Classical microsomal enzyme inducers (MEIs) increase the expression of biotransformation enzymes (phase I and II) and transporters through transcription factors, such as the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), constitutive androstane receptor (CAR), pregnane X receptor (PXR), peroxisome proliferator–activated receptor (PPAR) α, and nuclear factor erythroid-derived 2–related factor 2 (Nrf2). The effects of MEIs on the induction of hepatic Gsts in mice have not been comprehensively characterized. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of 15 MEIs on the mRNA expression of 19 mouse Gsts. Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with three different activators each for AhR, CAR, PXR, PPARα, and Nrf2. In general, the Gsts are readily induced. All five transcription factors appear to play a role in Gst induction. The Nrf2 activators induced most Gsts (10), followed by the CAR, PXR, and PPARα activators (6–7), whereas the AhR ligands induced the least (1). Clofibrate, a PPARα agonist, induced most of the Gsts; however, all three PPARα agonists decreased Gstp1/2 mRNA. None of the 15 inducers was able to increase or only minimally increased eight of the Gsts (Gsta3, Gstk1, Gstm6, Gsto1, Gstp1/2, Gstt3, Gstz1, and MGst1). Thus, the protection afforded by a ligand for one of these transcription factors will depend on the activator, as well as which Gst that detoxifies the chemicals of interest.
Pulse propagation in dispersive media

We give a simple formula for the calculation of the moments of a propagating pulse in a dispersive medium. Both the spatial and time moments are considered. Explicit formulas are derived for the spatial spreading of a propagating pulse and also for the duration of the pulse at a fixed position in space. In addition, we give formulas for the calculation of the instantaneous frequency of a pulse at a given position. A number of simple examples are used to illustrate the formulas derived.
Factors influencing signal profiles in microsecond pulsed glow discharge atomic emission spectrometry

The effects of discharge conditions on the temporal profiles of sputtered atoms and gas species in a microsecond (µs) pulsed glow discharge (GD) plasma were investigated. A sequential scanning monochromator accompanied with a gated detection system was used to measure the spectral intensity. Substantial improvement in signal intensity has been realized compared with that of dc operation. Among the parameters investigated, voltage and pressure are dominant factors affecting emission profiles. The results are useful for describing various spectrochemical properties of the pulsed glow discharge and for parameter optimization.
Schemes and Scenes of Reading the Timaeus

Plato has an undisputed “seminal” role in western thought and is often both credited with much—witness Whitehead’s famous “history of philosophy as a footnote to Plato” comment—and blamed for much: the origins of logocentrism, phallocentrism, the turning away of philosophy from its true path of searching for Being. 1 Plato was capable both of writing derisively
Infectious mononucleosis in the athlete Diagnosis, Complications, and Management

Although almost always a benign, self-limiting disease, infectious mononucleosis accounts for considerable symptomatic illness in the young athlete and can, on occasion, be truly life-threatening. Recognition of the syndrome "glandular fever," vis-a-vis infectious mononucleosis--fever, pharyngitis, lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly, with characteristic changes in the peripheral blood leukocytes--dates back over a half a century. However, seroepidemiologic studies have only recently established its viral causation and epidemiology. This acute infection by the Epstein-Barr virus is unique pathophysiologically--an acute, self-limiting, lymphoproliferative disorder with autoimmune features--and may well be the cause or one of the causes of several malignant neoplasms, Burkitt's lymphoma, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma. This review (1) describes infectious mononucleosis, pathophysiologically, clinically, and epidemiologically; and outlines its most frequent and serious complications; (2) discusses how to reliably diagnose infectious mononucleosis and evaluate the heterophile-negative case; and (3) addresses management, especially the thorny issues of the use of corticosteroids and restriction from athletic training and participation.
Gynogenesis and triploidy in the viviparous fish Poeciliopsis.

Three all-female strains of the viviparous fish Poeciliopsis occur in the Rio Fuerte of Sinaloa, Mexico. Poeciliopsis lucida, a bisexual species, provides sperm for these monosexual forms which I designate as Cx, Cy, and Cz. Form Cy is a triploid that when test-mated to males of various species produces all-female, triploid offspring devoid of paternal characters. Both Cx and Cz are diploid and express characteristics of both parents.
Movies: The Aesthetic Interdisciplinary Device for Bridging Diversity Gap

In the course of Exploring Social and Cultural Perspectives on Diversity, a course required for all students of education major, to enhance the teaching of the concepts of multicultural education, and the differentiation of culturally responsive strategies, the author as teacher educator and her students as teacher candidates supplement movies in this course conceptualizing pragmatics, semiotics and aesthetics into literacy education by inviting students of diversity to watch movies, talk about movies, write movies, and act movies. Pragmatics is the study of how language is used for communication in various social and cultural contexts; semiotics is the study of signs like languages, arts, music, dance, drama, films, and paralinguistics which includes the nonverbal communication signals, etc., that human created to mediate the world; and aesthetics is the artistic stance that learners take for responses to literacy experiences. The purposes of this study are multi-functional: to develop the multisensory acquisition of five literacy skills in thinking, listening, speaking, writing and reading in a pleasant and authentic discourse setting. Both students from diversity and mainstream cultures acquire natural language for social interaction. Based on research, most students from diversity need two years to develop the social language, while needing five years to obtain the academic language. The results from this research reveal that audio-visual approach in terms of movies fosters students’ cultural awareness, expedites English as second language acquisition for social function toward academic success and globalization.
Smart Preprocessing Improves Data Stream Mining

Most studies on stream mining frameworks handles model retraining and preprocessing together. We propose Smart Preprocessing for Streaming Data (SPSD) approach which separates normalization of each numeric features from model retraining. The goal of SPSD is to reduce the number of new models needed in a stream mining framework while maintaining comparable quality. The approach re-normalizes data based on two metrics calculated with min-max value in each chunk of data. In experiments with real world data we showed that SPSD is able to maintain quality of classification in approximately 50% of all data chunks by only re-normalize the data without building new classification models. In our comparison with traditional stream mining frameworks we showed that traditional frameworks can benefit from SPSD in approximately 30% to 50% of total data chunks. Benefits include eliminating training cost of new models in these chunks and reducing overall total number of models.
Computer Simulation of Deep Drawing Process for a Laminated Composite Cup

The anisotropic nature of laminated composites creates a unique opportunity and also a great challenge for tailoring their behavior during the forming processes according to the design requirements. In this work, design and simulation of a deep drawing process for fiber-reinforced laminated composites were conducted by using finite element analysis. The effects of the fiber orientation and stacking order on the deep drawing process were investigated based on the basic understanding of forming process of the isotropic aluminum alloy (Al-1100) and laminated composite material (Grilon RVZ-15H nylon/glass). A three dimensional finite element model incorporating layered structural laminates with various fiber orientations was developed. The load-stroke relationship, changes in thickness, and stress-strain distribution were investigated and compared for both aluminum alloy and laminated composites of [0]12 , [0/90]6 and [0/90/45/135]3 , which can be employed for detailed design and process optimization.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Strategic Alignment for the New Normal Collaboration, Sustainability, and Deliberation in Local Government Across Boundaries

Local government is assuming a new and transformational leadership role in this era of the “new normal,” which is highlighted by structural resource scarcity and the assumption of new missions in our federal structure. These new missions mandate regional governance, both in planning and in service delivery. Planning in the twenty-first century must be strategic, regionally based, and founded on the principles of community sustainability. Service delivery, while maintaining its traditional emphasis on public safety and service, must move into areas that address the growing social and economic needs of our citizens. The foundation for mission success will see regionalism, deliberative democracy, and strategic sustainability as foundation for local governance.
In vitro antiviral drug sensitivity of the Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus

Objective Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), or human herpesvirus 8, has been implicated as the causative agent of Kaposi's sarcoma. Retrospective studies show that the risk of development of Kaposi's sarcoma is significantly lower in AIDS patients who received ganciclovir or phosphonoformic acid (PFA) therapy. Therefore, in vitro antiviral drug sensitivity of KSHV was studied. Methods The KSHV genome is a latent episome in lymphoma cells such as the BCBL-1 cell line. Lytic KSHV DNA synthesis is induced by the phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoyl phorbol-13-acetate in BCBL-1 cells; this system was used to evaluate the effects of antiviral drugs on KSHV DNA synthesis. Results Linear (lytic) KSHV DNA synthesis and virus secretion was inhibited in BCBL-1 cell cultures by cidofovir (median inhibitory concentration, 0.05 microM), ganciclovir (5.1 microM) and PFA (97 microM), and by aciclovir (75 microM). Prolonged incubation of BCBL-1 cells with antiviral drugs had no effect on episomal KSHV DNA synthesis. Conclusions The antiviral drug assay developed shows that KSHV is very sensitive to cidofovir, moderately sensitive to ganciclovir and PFA, and weakly sensitive to aciclovir. Therefore, low doses of cidofovir, or high doses of PFA or ganciclovir could suppress clinical reactivation of KSHV. Antiviral drugs did not inhibit episomal virus DNA synthesis, suggesting that the latent form of viral DNA is replicated by host DNA polymerases. Consequently, no benefit can be expected from antiviral drugs in KSHV-positive B-cell lymphomas or during latency.
Abstract B91: Long-term aspirin use and the risk of total, fatal and aggressive prostate cancer in a prospective cohort of health professionals, 1988-2004.

Abstracts: Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research 2008 B91 Background Experimental studies support aspirin in the chemoprevention of prostate cancer and an increasing body of epidemiological evidence supports a modest inverse association between regular aspirin use and prostate cancer risk, with stronger and more consistent associations for advanced disease. Methods In a prospective cohort study of 48,834 health professionals aged 40-75 years at baseline, we evaluated long-term aspirin use and the incidence of total, fatal and aggressive (Gleason 8-10 or T3b-T4 or N1 or M1) prostate cancer from 1988-2004. We used Cox proportional hazards regression to evaluate the risk of prostate cancer associated with cumulative averages of aspirin frequency (days/week), quantity (adult-strength tablets/week), and total duration (years) after multivariable adjustment for age, race, family history and other predictors of prostate cancer risk and mortality in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study cohort. Combined aspirin patterns were evaluated through the number of aspirin tablet-years, a measure of adult-strength tablets/day multiplied by number of years in frequent users (> 6 days/week). Results A total of 4,437 men were diagnosed with prostate cancer over 697,669 person-years of follow-up during the 16-year study period. Aspirin use was not associated with total prostate cancer risk, although non-significant inverse associations were observed for longer durations (> 5 years, HR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.80, 1.02) after excluding PSA-detected disease (T1c). For fatal disease (n=347), mixed patterns emerged but there were no significant associations with aspirin frequency, quantity or duration. For aggressive prostate cancer (n=619), when compared to non-users, men who took aspirin > 4 days/week experienced a non-significant 20% reduction in risk (95% CI: 0.49, 1.32), while those taking > 4 adult-strength tablets had a non-significant 19% lower risk (95% CI: 0.57, 1.15) and men with a duration of > 5 had a non-significant 17% reduction (95% CI: 0.65, 1.05). A lower number of days/week, tablets/week and shorter durations yielded estimates that were similar in magnitude and statistically significant (p<0.05) but there was no evidence of a dose-response effect. Single and combined parameters (aspirin tablet-years) both suggest a threshold, rather than dose-response effect of aspirin on aggressive prostate cancer risk. Analytical approaches to address a potential bias from higher PSA screening among aspirin users, including stratification, adjustment for screening, and exclusion of screen-detected disease, did not change the overall conclusions. Conclusions We observed a suggestive reduced risk of aggressive prostate cancer associated with measurements of aspirin use in a large, prospective cohort of health professionals. Our data support earlier observations of modest inverse associations with advanced prostate cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2008;1(7 Suppl):B91.
Directional Sputter Deposition for Semiconductor Applications

The deposition of metal and compound films from ions rather than neutrals allows a high degree of control over the incident particle’s direction and energy. Metal-rich plasmas have been produced using large magnetrons (30 cm dia., 20 kW) and in-flight ionization of the sputtered atoms by means of a dense, inductively coupled rf plasma. This plasma is generated by a multi-turn antenna inside the chamber located between the cathode and the sample. The nature of the deposition, including the ion-to-neutral ratio and the ion energy are controllable. Relative ionization of the metal has been measured at over 80%. Ion energy is controlled by a negative dc sample bias. Metal films of Cu and AlCu have been deposited on 200 mm Si wafers at room temperature into moderate aspect ratio wafer features with no voids. The features used are trenches and vias of width ¾3500A, and the technique has also been used to fill 2-level, “dual damascene” features. The films are highly (111) oriented and have low stress and low Ar content. The effects of ion direction as well as resputtering of the film topography are readily observed, and are consistent with computer model predictions. High quality TiN films (40 micro-Ohm-cm, gold colored) have also been deposited at room temperature into trenches and vias for applications as diffusion barriers.
Chemistry of reduced monomeric and dimeric cobalt complexes supported by a PNP pincer ligand.

The reduction chemistry of cobalt complexes with HPNP (HPNP = HN(CH2CH2PiPr2)2) as a supporting ligand is described. Reaction of [(HPNP)CoCl2] (1) with n-BuLi generated both the deprotonated Co(II) species [(PNP)CoCl] (2) along with the Co(I) complex [(HPNP)CoCl] (3). Products resulting from reduction of 2 with KC8 vary depending upon the atmosphere under which the reduction is performed. Monomeric square planar [(PNP)CoN2] (4) is obtained under dinitrogen, whereas dimeric [(PNP)Co]2 (5) is formed under argon. Over time, 5 activates a C–H bond in the PNP ligand to form the species [Co(H)(μ-PNP)(μ-iPr2PCH2CH2NCHCH2PiPr2)Co] (6). We also observed the oxidative addition of H–Si bond to complex 3 to form [(HPNP)CoCl(H)SiH2Ph] (7). 1H NMR studies showed that species 7 is in equilibrium with 3 and silane in solution. Complex 3 can be oxidized with AgBPh4 to generate {(HPNP)CoCl}BPh4 (8), a square planar species with a formal electron count of 15 electrons.
Critical Thinking Master Student Preferred Learning Aids: An Experimental Study

Case Analysis is not new in the realm of learning, use of learning aids and assessment. Critical Thinking requires product design/course, paper completion, and research/citations in support of the student statements and specific parameters of the paper. Teaching and learning theories (inductive and deductive) and critical thinking are the benchmarks in determining the success of teaching techniques in a course. The deductive method includes a preset assessment. The “Table of Contents” structures student learning. A student’s critical thinking becomes self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored and self-corrective. Textbooks and lectures are often barriers to learning for many students. A study, of three online Master student cohort groups, was designed to test for (no) preferences of student course aids with respect to critical thinking, learning and assessment. The aids included the text, sample report paper, subject handouts, specific end of course paper preset table of contents, and group work. A survey questionnaire was administered to the cohort groups of Master of Business Administration candidates. A sample of 65 students were surveyed and 53 students responded. The course delivery format was an online setting only. Chi Square Goodness of Fit Testing suggested that a preset Table of Contents (a list or in the shape of a tree diagram) for the course assessments, was most preferred by the responders. The five course aids (in student preferred rank order) are: Preset table of contents/tree flow diagram Rubric/sample report Subtopic handouts Student sharing/group work Textbook readings There was a statistically significant difference in student learning aid preferences at alpha a priori .05 percent. Many responders reported that the course aid, table of contents (tree diagram), would generally be helpful in their “follow on” courses.
Aging, memory loss, and Alzheimer’s disease: What do refugees from the former Soviet Union think?

ABSTRACTSince the mid-1970s, approximately 700,000 emigres from the former Soviet Union (FSU), most of Jewish descent, settled in the United States. Now, 25 or more years post-emigration, they have “aged in place” in the United States, but their values, beliefs, and attitudes about growing old, memory changes, and Alzheimer’s disease remain grounded in their earlier life experiences. Based on findings from a study of the social and cultural factors affecting beliefs about Alzheimer’s disease, aging, and memory loss, this article examines how past life experiences, the immigration experience, and cultural values affect Russian-speaking refugees’ beliefs and views about aging, memory loss, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Upbuilding Professional Accreditation Guideline System of Educational Technology

The Professional Accreditation is new evaluatal item of higher education teaching quality. The Professional Accreditation can criterion Professional run a school mechanism all. Increasing run a school and quality. This paper referen a great deal Professional Accreditation guideline system of fremdness and china, depend on methods and based rules of upbuilding Professional Accreditation guideline system. Integrating run a school specialty of Educational technology. Drawed 《The Professional Accreditation guideline system of Educational technology 》. Main include 10 stair Professional Accreditation guidelines (Spcialty train target、Teachers team、 Teaching files、Teaching condition、Teaching course、Practice teahing、Quality ensure and teaching manage、Students studying state、 Thesis(design)、Obtain employment and students source)、a specialty trait item(specialty advantage) and 52 two class Professional Accreditation guideline and attestation standard. Confirm Modulus of Professional Accreditation and grade standard. Upbuilding guideline system of Professional Accreditation for Educational technology.
Can metamodels link development to design intent

Developers of enterprise software are often admonished to be more aware of where the output of their programming tasks fit within the outcomes of the business which they serve. However, despite recent progress in adopting agile development techniques and promotion of architecture frameworks for greater traceability between IT efforts and business outcomes, such insight is still elusive. Meanwhile the renaissance of design thinking is not well represented in those same "modern" frameworks. We review components of current metamodels for development and architecture frameworks and point out tools from service design thinking that could be paired with the frameworks. Some extensions are proposed to align metamodels to improve the conceptual orientation of developers and other participants in the development process. The linkage between design intent and development is possible, but not clearly apparent in current metamodels.
Cryopreservation of zygotes and early cleaved human embryos.

Zygotes and 2- to 5-cell human embryos were frozen in 1,2-propanediol and sucrose; results of the first 50cycles (45 patients) are presented. A total of 41 zygotes (17 attempts at thawing) were thawed, resulting in six singleton clinical pregnancies (15% per embryo; 35% per cycle), of which three delivered, one aborted, and two are ongoing. Fifty-seven cleaved embryos were thawed in 33 other cycles, resulting in four singleton and one twin pregnancy (11% per embryo; 15% per cycle), of which four delivered and one is ongoing. Depending on the cell stage, 61% to 81% of embryos survived cryostorage, but 2-cell embryos did not implant. One fifth of cryoinjury was due to the formation of cracks in the zona pellucida. The incidence of implantation was not enhanced when more than one freeze/thawed embryo was replaced, most pregnancies being obtained from single embryo replacements. At least 8% more births are expected in addition to conventional in vitro fertilization methods when the current policy of replacing three fresh embryos and freezing the remainder using this technique is applied. This method will result in two to four times more pregnancies per spare embryo, compared with other cryopreservation methods using older embryos.
The effects of heat treatment on very high cycle fatigue behavior in hot-rolled WE43 magnesium

Abstract The role of crack initiation and short crack growth on fatigue life in the very high cycle fatigue regime (VHCF) is investigated for three heat treatments of the wrought magnesium alloy WE43. As-received (T5) WE43 with a relatively fine grain size was solution treated and aged to produce precipitation strengthened coarse-grained microstructures in the underaged and peak-aged (T6) conditions. Ultrasonic axial fatigue tests with a cyclic frequency of 20 kHz were conducted using smooth specimens. Heat treatment was shown to have a strong effect on fatigue strength, with the fine-grained, strain-hardened T5 condition exhibiting much higher values than the coarse-grained conditions. No significant difference in fatigue strength was observed between the underaged and peak-aged microstructures of equivalent grain size. Crack initiation and short crack growth behaviors in each condition were investigated to determine if one of these behaviors dominated the VHCF lives. It was found that average short crack growth rates for the three conditions were similar and had no clear dependence on microstructural condition. Crack initiation was shown to occur through cyclic slip deformation in particularly large and favorably oriented grains in each condition. Subsurface crack initiation was observed at low stresses and high lifetimes in the coarse-grained conditions, but not in the fine grained T5 condition. Crack growth rates in vacuum were investigated using a unique combination of ultrasonic fatigue instrumentation and scanning electron microscopy (UFSEM) in order to simulate subsurface crack propagation. Environment was shown to have a significant effect on crack growth rate, with rates in vacuum nearly two orders of magnitude lower than in laboratory air.
The Cultural Meaning of Brands

In this monograph, we introduce a conceptual framework to understand: (1) How globalization is changing the marketplace and the way consumers bring cultural meanings and identities to the fore of their minds, (2) the mechanisms by which brands acquire cultural meanings (i.e., from simple country-(or region-)-of-origin associations to the more complex enactment of cultural authority), (3) the tools that marketers have to purposefully imbue brands with cultural meanings that can resonate with culturally-diverse consumers (i.e., the tools to create cultural equity), and (4) how consumers respond to the cultural meanings in brands for fulfilling their goals.