cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Separation of gelation from vitrification in curing of a fiber-reinforced epoxy composite

Prepregs of a mixture of the tetrafunctional epoxy tetraglycidyl 4,4-diaminodiphenyl methane (TGDDM) and the tetrafunctional amine 4,4'-diaminodiphenylsulfone (DDS) were characterized with temperature-modulated DSC (TMDSC) as well as dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA). The baseline shift of the glass transition was separated from the curing exotherm by using temperature-modulated and step scan DSC temperature scans. Likewise, the baseline shift in heat capacity due to vitrification was isolated using TMDSC isotherms. Using the TMDSC glass transition temperature, degree of conversion, and vitrification results, combined with the gelation data generated from DMA, a time-temperature-transformation (TTT) diagram was constructed, providing information necessary for optimization of industrial processing of the epoxy prepreg. Thus, effects of storage, preprocessing, and postprocessing on the overall curing process are taken into account.
Flow disruptions in trauma care handoffs.

Abstract Background Effective handoffs of care are critical for maintaining patient safety and avoiding communication problems. Using the flow disruption observation technique, we examined transitions of care along the trauma pathway. We hypothesized that more transitions would lead to more disruptions, and that different pathways would have different numbers of disruptions. Methods We trained observers to identify flow disruptions, and then followed 181 patients from arrival in the emergency department (ED) to the completion of care using a specially formatted PC tablet. We mapped each patient’s journey and recorded and classified flow disruptions during transition periods into seven categories. Results Mapping the transitions of care shows that approximately four of five patients were assessed in the ED, transferred to imaging for further diagnostics, and then returned to the ED. There was a mean of 2.2 ± 0.09 transitions per patient, a mean of 0.66 ± 0.15 flow disruptions per patient, and 0.31 ± 0.07 flow disruptions per transition. Most of these (53%) were related to coordination problems. Although disruptions did not rise with more transitions, patients who went directly to the operating room or needed direct admission to intensive care unit were significantly more likely ( P = 0.0028) to experience flow disruptions than those who took other, less expedited pathways. Conclusions Transitions in trauma care are vulnerable to systems problems and human errors. Coordination problems predominate as the cause. Sicker, time-pressured, and more at-risk patients are more likely to experience problems. Safety practices used in motor racing and other industries might be applied to address these problems.
The English factory in Japan, 1613-1623

This is the story of the English East India Company's factory, or trading post, in Japan during the early years of the Edo period. Although the factory survived for only 10 years, it left an unrivalled archive documenting British struggles to establish a viable international trade.
Molting in the blue crab Callinectes sapidus: a collaborative study of intermediary metabolism, respiration and cardiovascular function, and ion transport preface

The process of shedding the exoskeleton in adult crustaceans is a subject of intense fascination on the part of any biologist who has either witnessed this extraordinary event, or who has merely reflected on its profoundly traumatic nature. Understandably, scientific inquiry into the process has focused upon the important areas of neuroendocrine control and associated growth phenomena. In the reports of these investigations a number of observations pose somewhat less obvious questions of considerable interest to respiratory, metabolic, and transport physiologists. Some of the original observations were extremely casual, even conjectural; they may not present substantial problems. Others include documentation, of various degrees of solidity, but they were made on distantly related species, held under disparate conditions, and in isolated physiological contexts. My own interest in molting was aroused by the recognition that, in intermolt stage C blue crabs (Callinectes sapidus Rathbun) and also in many other aquatic brachyurans, the performance of the 02 transport system is severely limited by the 02 carrying capacity, or the hemocyanin concentration, of the blood. Moreover, the system can fail and, when it does, the animal lacks the capability of sustaining life for even an hour by means of an 02 independent mode of metabolism. How, then, does a crab survive the molt, much less fuel the added metabolic load of postmolt growth and restoration of the cuticle-epidermis complex to its intermolt condition? The answer to this question clearly requires thorough investigation of respiratory gas exchange and transport and of critical aspects of anaerobic metabolism, throughout the intermolt cycle and in a single species. In addition, the interdependence between mechanisms of respiration and other physiological processes has made it clear that an answer to my question requires examination of carrier molecules other than 02 transporters, and of processes other than respiration and energy metabolism. I succeeded in recruiting a group of individuals with different interests and capabilities to investigate molting in the blue crab. The reader will find that we were able to decide a number of questions, both positively and negatively, and that we were unable to answer others. Because our failures define the problems more clearly, however, we also regard them as successes. THE SITE To take advantage of an ample supply of crabs in various intermolt stages that could be transported to the laboratory with minimal disturbance, we spent one or more of the summers of 1981-1983 at the Eastern Shore Laboratory of the Virginia Institute of Marine Science at Wachapreague, Virginia. During the monthlong periods of experimentation and collection of samples for later analysis, the water temperature was 25.7?C (+0.9 SE) in 1981, 21.1?C (?1.1) in 1982, and
Efficient tag detection in RFID systems

Recent technological advances have motivated large-scale deployment of RFID systems. However, a number of critical design issues relating to efficient detection of tags remain unresolved. In this paper, we address three important problems associated with tag detection in RFID systems: (i) accurately detecting RFID tags in the presence of reader interference (reader collision avoidance problem); (ii) eliminating redundant tag reports by multiple readers (optimal tag reporting problem); and (iii) minimizing redundant reports from multiple readers by identifying a minimal set of readers that cover all tags present in the system (optimal tag coverage problem). The underlying difficulties associated with these problems arise from the lack of collision detection mechanisms, the potential inability of RFID readers to relay packets generated by other readers, and severe resource constraints on RFID tags. In this paper we present a randomized, distributed and localized Reader Collision Avoidance (RCA) algorithm and provide detailed probabilistic analysis to establish the accuracy and the efficiency of this algorithm. Then, we prove that the optimal tag coverage problem is NP-hard even with global knowledge of reader and tag locations. We develop a distributed and localized Redundant Reader Elimination (RRE) algorithm, that efficiently identifies redundant readers and avoids redundant reporting by multiple readers. In addition to rigorous analysis of performance and accuracy, we provide results from elaborate simulations for a wide range of system parameters, demonstrating the correctness and efficiency of the proposed algorithms under various scenarios.
Modeling of viscoelastic and structural relaxation in glass

Contemporary relaxation models, as formulated by means of kinetics, irreversible thermodynamics and the theory of viscoelasticity are reviewed. While they are successful in describing the main relaxations in the vicinity of Tg, or in the vicinity of the main maximum of relaxation times distribution, none of them accounts quite satisfactorily for both the main and secondary (sub-Tg, β-, short-times-tale-) relaxations. This area along with the response of glass to the high amplitude influences are viewed as most promising for future modeling efforts.
Would hydrogen pairing at high temperatures account for nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation anomalies in metal hydrides

Abstract Recent research on the chemistry of transition metal complexes has identified pairing of hydrogen atoms on or adjacent to the metal ion. These pairs provide the mechanism for fast 1H nuclear-spin-lattice relaxation rates in these systems. Following a suggestion that similar pairing might occur at very high temperatures in the bulk metal hydrides, and thus explain the anomalously fast relaxation rates observed there, the mechanism has been given further consideration. A simple model is developed assuming relaxation occurs in some excited state in the bulk hydrides. If this state were a pairing state, H-H spacing would need to be less than that in the normal H2 molecule under all but the most favorable assumptions. Based on this model, pairing is an unlikely relaxation mechanism in bulk metal hydrides at high temperatures, but it cannot be excluded.
Obesity and dehydroepiandrosterone/dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate relationships in lean, obese, and meat-type cross-bred boars: responses to porcine growth hormone.

As so many variables can affect obesity (age, genetics, health status), new directions, other than reducing or altering diet, are being pursued in controlling obesity in our society. Both dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and GH have reported antiobesity effects; thus, the possible interaction of these hormones was investigated in genetically lean, obese, and meat-type cross-bred male pigs (boars) administered implants that released 0, 2, or 4 mg/day recombinant porcine GH (pGH) for 42 days. Subcutaneous fat was determined by measurement of back fat depth at 2-week intervals, and blood samples were obtained 0, 7, 14, 28, and 42 days post-implant. The weight of perinephrenic fat, an index of abdominal fat, was obtained at death. The obese line had higher DHEA/DHEA sulfate (DHEA-SO4) serum concentrations than the lean and cross-bred boars. Treatment with pGH reduced sc and perinephrenic fat in all lines at both doses (P < 0.01). There was no relationship between day 42 concentrations of DHEA/DHEA-SO4 and indexe...
Selection of metrology and manufacturing process for a functional surface

With the rapid evolution of new engineered surfaces, there is a strong need for developing strategies for selection of right manufacturing and metrology tools, in order to manufacture and measure/characterise these surfaces at different scales. Recent technology trends like miniaturisation and multi–scale modelling have further increased the need to better understand manufacturing and metrology equipments to provide functional surfaces. Amplitude–wavelength (AW) diagrams have been used to characterise instruments and processes in a common domain. Typically AW diagrams are generated assuming that within the limiting lines, the capability of the system is uniform. But various studies have revealed non–linearity in the capabilities, which can be included in the AW diagrams using a third axis and developing 3D AW diagrams. This paper discusses the proposed methodology to develop 3D AW diagrams for measurement systems, using instrument transfer function (ITF) as a main contributor to system capability.
Increasing dynamic range of a fibre Bragg grating edge-filtering interrogator with a proportional control loop

We present a fibre Bragg grating (FBG) interrogator that uses a microcontroller board and a tunable optical filter in a proportional control loop to increase dynamic range and achieve high strain sensitivity. It is an edge-filtering interrogator with added proportional control loop that locks the operating wavelength to the mid-reflection point on the FBG spectrum. The interrogator separates low-frequency (LF) components of strain and measures them with extended dynamic range, while at the same time measuring high-frequency (HF) strain without loss in strain sensitivity. In this paper, we describe the implementation of the interrogator and analyse the characteristics of individual components, such as the speed and voltage resolution of the microcontroller and the tunable optical filter. We measure the performance of the proportional control loop at frequencies up to 1?kHz and characterize the system using control theory. We illustrate the limitation of the conventional interrogator to measure strains greater than 40 ?? and demonstrate successful application of the proposed interrogator for simultaneous measurement of 450 ?? LF strain at 50?Hz superimposed with 32?kHz HF strain.
Traffic steering between a low-latency unswitched TL ring and a high-throughput switched on-chip interconnect

Growth in core count creates an increasing demand for interconnect bandwidth, driving a change from shared buses to packet-switched on-chip interconnects. However, this increases the latency between cores separated by many links and switches. In this paper, we show that a low-latency unswitched interconnect built with transmission lines can be synergistically used with a high-throughput switched interconnect. First, we design a broadcast ring as a chain of unidirectional transmission line structures with very low latency but limited throughput. Then, we create a new adaptive packet steering policy that judiciously uses the limited throughput of this ring by balancing expected latency benefit and ring utilization. Although the ring uses 1.3% of the on-chip metal area, our experimental results show that, in combination with our steering, it provides an execution time reduction of 12.4% over a mesh-only baseline.
Disproportionation reactions catalyzed by Leuconostoc and Streptococcus glucansucrases.

Abstract Glucansucrases from Leuconostoc mesenteroides NRRL B-512F and Streptococcus mutans 6715 were found to utilize a number of d -gluco-oligosaccharides as d -glucosyl donors and as acceptors. These donors included isomaltotriose and its homologs, panose, maltotriose, and dextran. In each case, d -glucosyl groups were transferred from the donor to an acceptor sugar. When the donor sugar also acted as an acceptor, disproportionation reactions occurred. Isomaltotriose, for example, gave rise to isomaltose and isomaltotetraose initially, and to a series of isomalto-oligosaccharides eventually. In addition to forming α- d -(1→6) linkages in these reactions, dextransucrase from S. mutans 6715 was capable of forming α- d - (1→3)-linked products.
Moved by the Spirit Contextualizing Workplace Empowerment in American Spiritual Ideals

The authors begin by showing the close links between the discourse of workplace empowerment and spirituality. They then identify these spiritual influences historically in Puritan and evangelical C...
Experiments on the Stability of Viscous Flow between Rotating Cylinders. I. Torque Measurements

Measurements of the hydrodynamic stability of viscous flow between concentric cylinders have been made with a small rotating cylinder viscometer. The inner cylinder is rotated and the outer cylinder is freely suspended on a torsion fibre. The onset of instability is characterized by a discontinuity in the measured effective viscosity. The results for the case of a small annular gap between cylinders agree to within 1$\cdot $3% with the theory for an infinitesimal gap. The results for the case of a wide annular gap agree to within 0$\cdot $50% with the exact theory given by Chandrasekhar in the preceding paper. Detailed measurements of the torque above the onset of instability have been made in both cases.
Regulation of antidepressant activity by cAMP response element binding proteins.

Depression is a clinically and biologically heterogeneous disease that is one of the most prevalent and costly psychiatric disorders. It is theleading cause of disability regarding job performance and burden on family members in the United States and worldwide. (1). Although the therapeutic efficacy of antidepressant drugs has been recognized for years, the exact molecular mechanisms of action remain elusive, making the systematic approach to the development of new drugs difficult. The acute increases in levels of monoamines brought about by various classes of antidepressants cannot account for the requirement of repeated, chronic administration for up to 2–6 wk before treatment benefits become evident. Furthermore, despite their efficacy, current antidepressant drugs improve symptoms in only 60% of patients treated (2). The development of new and better therapies depends on a thorough understanding of the neurobiology of depression and the molecular mechanisms underlying antidepressant drug action. Early studies focusing on alterations in the levels of receptors and second messengers helped define the important signaling pathways initiated by these drugs, whereas recent molecular studies suggested that long-term adaptations in cellular signaling mechanisms may be required for the onset and/or maintenance of antidepressant effects. Attention has now focused on downstream targets of Ca++ and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) in the cell, such as the activation of transcription factors. This article discusses the transcription factor cAMP response element binding protein and a related protein, cyclic AMP response element modulator, and their role as molecular mediators of antidepressant action.
Inhibition of Hatching of Mouse Blastocysts in vitro by Prostaglandin Antagonists

The escape of the blastocyst from the zona pellucida in vitro is probably the result of expansion due to fluid accumulation in the blastocoele. This fluid accumulation is mediated by the epithelial trophectoderm. Since prostagiandins of the E series are involved in the control of water movement across epithelia, the effect of prostaglandin antagonists on the hatching of mouse blastocysts has been examined. Protein-free culture media have been used to overcome the complicating effects of protein bindings of the drugs on their activities. 7-Oxa- 13-prostynoic acid, meclofenamic acid, indomethacin and pheniodone inhibit hatching, but the properties of their dose-response lines vary. 7-Oxa-1 3-prostynoic acid and meclofenamic acid have steep dose-response lines. The median inhibitory doses (lD5Os) and confidence limits (P =0.05) are: 7-oxa-13-prostynoic acid 0.81 MM (0.55-1.20); meclofenamic acid 7.72 MM (3.43-17.4). Indomethacin and phenidone have very flat dose-response lines indicating wide variability of response. The ID5Os and the confidence limits are: indomethacin 9.08 �M (1-67); phenidone 20MM (92-263). Thus, 7-oxa-13-prostynoic acid has much greater activity than the other three compounds. The results provide circumstantial evidence that endogenous prostaglandins are involved in blastocyst expansion and may play a role in the process of implantation. Interference with blastocyst expansion with antiprostaglandins administered in a medicated I.U.D. may be a useful means of contraception.
Brain injury, neuroinflammation and Alzheimer's disease.

With as many as 300,000 United States troops in Iraq and Afghanistan having suffered head injuries (Miller 2012), traumatic brain injury (TBI) has garnered much recent attention. While the cause and severity of these injuries is variable, severe cases can lead to lifelong disability or even death. While aging is the greatest risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), it is now becoming clear that a history of TBI predisposes the individual to AD later in life (Sivanandam and Thakur 2012). In this review article, we begin by defining hallmark pathological features of AD and the various forms of TBI. Putative mechanisms underlying the risk relationship between these two neurological disorders are then critically considered. Such mechanisms include precipitation and ‘spreading’ of cerebral amyloid pathology and the role of neuroinflammation. The combined problems of TBI and AD represent significant burdens to public health. A thorough, mechanistic understanding of the precise relationship between TBI and AD is of utmost importance in order to illuminate new therapeutic targets. These mechanistic investigations and the development of preclinical therapeutics are reliant upon a clear understanding of these human diseases and accurate modeling of pathological hallmarks in animal systems.
Strategies for emission controls to mitigate snowmelt acidification

[1] Elevated atmospheric deposition of strong acids contributes to short-term/seasonal acidification of surface waters draining sensitive northern forests of North America and Europe during high flow. Reducing atmospheric deposition of NO3− and/or SO42−, therefore, could improve the health of aquatic ecosystems by mitigating episodic acidification. We used an integrated biogeochemical model (PnET-BGC) to simulate the effects of acidic deposition on seasonal variations in surface water chemistry, and to evaluate emission control scenarios to decrease acidification during snowmelt. Model calculations suggest that historical long-term inputs of acidic deposition have altered the seasonal patterns in surface water chemistry. Although short-term increases in NO3− coincide with snowmelt acidification, model simulations indicate reductions in SO42− deposition result in larger benefits than an equivalent reduction in NO3− deposition. Year-around reductions in NO3− deposition are also more beneficial to the acid-base status of stream water than summer-only reductions.
Spin States and Stability of FeIII Complexes of Ligands with Carboxamido Nitrogen and Phenolato Oxygen Donors

As part of our attempts to prepare FeIII complexes with “tunable” spin states, we have synthesized three novel six-coordinate FeIII complexes containing both carboxamido nitrogen (Namido) and phenolato oxygen (Ophen) donors in their ligand framework. Since it has already been shown that carboxamido nitrogen donors usually stabilize FeIII in a low spin configuration, while phenolato oxygens tend to stabilize FeIII in a high spin state, we have incorporated both donor groups in our designed ligands. The syntheses and structures of FeIII complexes with either one or two Namido and Ophen donors are reported in this paper. The properties of these complexes have been compared with the properties of analogous FeIII complexes. The competing effects of Namido and Ophen on the spin state of the FeIII center are discussed in terms of the stabilities of the overall complexes. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2002)
Immunolocalization and Functional Analysis of Human Glutathione Reductase Targeted to the Mitochondria

Immunolocalization and Functional Analysis of Human Glutathione Reductase Targeted to the Mitochondria
Mountain clothing and thermoregulation: a look back.

At the time humans began exploring the upper reaches of the world’s highest mountain ranges in the early 20th century, knowledge about survival in extreme climates was undergoing rapid development. Early polar exploration provided a bedrock of understanding that mountaineers were able to build on. Whereas Norwegians such as Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen seemed to have perfected the art of travel in the Arctic and Antarctic by the late 19th/early 20th century, British polar explorers such as Dr John Rae and Francis McClintock respected the lessons of cold weather native living and travel before 1850. Some early Himalayan mountaineers, such as Martin Conway, also went to the Arctic. It thus seems reasonable to suggest that some early synergy existed between polar exploration and mountaineering regarding clothing and equipment. By the end of the second decade of the 20th century, tailored Burberry windproof climbing suits were becoming somewhat commonplace, having been advertised in publications such as the Alpine Journal since 1901. As uch, it is a misperception that tweed jackets and knickrbockers were standard attire for high altitude Himalaan exploits up through the period of the Everest expeitions of the early 1920s. Burberry gabardine windproof uits were actually ideal for mountaineering, as they ere lightweight, tough, and breathable. Harold Raeurn, one of the most distinguished mountaineers of his eneration and in charge of the climbing clothing and quipment for the 1921 Everest reconnaissance, recomended the use of gabardine, not least for its power to epel snow. This essay offers a look at just how effective such clothing likely was for the early Himalayan pioneers operating in the hostile environment found on the world’s highest peaks.
Computing the visibility polygon from an edge

Abstract We consider the problem of computing the visible region of a simple polygon from a line segment in the polygon. The region, called the visibility polygon , is the area that can be illuminated by a tubular light source represented as a line segment. We present an O(n log n) algorithm for computing the visibility polygon, where n is the number of vertices of the polygon. The algorithm has been implemented in Pascal and some computer output samples are also included.
Effect of tetrahydrocannabinols on pubertal body weight spurt and sex hormones in developing male rats.

Chronic administration ofΔ8- andΔ9-tetrahydrocannabinols (4 mg/kg b.wt. i.p.) to sexually developing male rats every alternate day from age day 16 to age day 87 resulted in a significant decrease in pubertal growth spurts, especially the second peak. Endogenous tstosterone, dihydrotestosterone, LH and FSH concentration in blood declined significantly from those of the control animals. When the drugs were withdrawn at mid-puberty (age day 40) the “catch-up” phenomenon in body growth was evident although testosterone level continued to be suppressed but dihydrotestosterone level recovered. Withdrawal of the drugs resulted in better recovery in LH level compared to that of FSH. Administration of LH-RH to the animals receiving drugs until day 87 resulted in significantly (P < 0.001) lower levels of gonadotropins than those in the control animals. The inhibition inΔ9-THC-treated animals was more severe than inΔ8-THC-treated ones. When the drug was withdrawn,Δ8-THC-treated animals responded to LH-RH stimulation better than did those treated withΔ9-THC. These findings suggest that the tetra-hydrocannabinols perhaps mainly affect pituitary function.
Effects of secretagogues on net and unidirectional liquid fluxes across porcine bronchial airways

Rates of liquid secretion and absorption across the bronchopulmonary airways are important for regulating airway surface liquid volume and maintaining mucociliary transport. The current study demon...
Modelling biological processes using workflow and Petri Net models.

Motivation: Biological processes can be considered at many levels of detail, ranging from atomic mechanism to general processes such as cell division, cell adhesion or cell invasion. The experimental study of protein function and gene regulation typically provides information at many levels. The representation of hierarchical process knowledge in biology is therefore a major challenge for bioinformatics. To represent high-level processes in the context of their component functions, we have developed a graphical knowledge model for biological processes that supports methods for qualitative reasoning. Results: We assessed eleven diverse models that were developed in the fields of software engineering, business, and biology, to evaluate their suitability for representing and simulating biological processes. Based on this assessment, we combined the best aspects of two models: Workflow/Petri Net and a biological concept model. The Workflow model can represent nesting and ordering of processes, the structural components that participate in the processes, and the roles that they play. It also maps to Petri Nets, which allow verification of formal properties and qualitative simulation. The biological concept model, TAMBIS, provides a framework for describing biological entities that can be mapped to the workflow model. We tested our model by representing malaria parasites invading host erythrocytes, and composed queries, in five general classes, to discover relationships among processes and structural components. We used reachability analysis to answer queries about the dynamic aspects of the model. Availability: The model is available at http://smi.stanford. edu/projects/helix/pubs/process-model/
Seeing is saving: The benefit of 3D imaging in gynecologic brachytherapy

Despite a concerning decline in the use of brachytherapy over the past decade, no other therapy is able to deliver a very high dose of radiation into or near a tumor, with a rapid fall-off of dose to adjacent structures. Compared to traditional X-ray-based brachytherapy that relies on points, the use of CT and MR for 3D planning of gynecologic brachytherapy provides a much more accurate volume-based calculation of dose to an image-defined tumor and to the bladder, rectum, sigmoid, and other pelvic organs at risk (OAR) for radiation complications. The publication of standardized guidelines and an online contouring teaching atlas for performing 3D image-based brachytherapy has created a universal platform for communication and training. This has resulted in a uniform approach to using image-guided brachytherapy for treatment and an internationally accepted format for reporting clinical outcomes. Significant improvements in survival and reductions in toxicity have been reported with the addition of image guidance to increase dose to tumor and decrease dose to the critical OAR. Future improvements in individualizing patient treatments should include a more precise definition of the target. This will allow dose modulation based on the amount of residual disease visualized on images obtained at the time of brachytherapy.
Observer based feedback controllers on stochastic time scales

We study the problem of stabilization via state feedback where the time between sampling points is not known a priori, but has known statistical properties. In particular, we assume that the distance between sampling points is an independent sequence of random variables with known mean and variance. We consider the cases where the state is known outright and where the state is estimated via an observer.
Object exploration at 6 and 9 months in infants with and without risk for autism

During the first year of life, infants spend substantial amounts of time exploring objects they encounter in their daily environments. Perceptuo-motor information gained through these experiences provides a foundation for later developmental advances in cognition and language. This study aims to examine developmental trajectories of visual, oral, and manual object exploration in infants with and without risk for autism spectrum disorder before the age of 1 year. A total of 31 infants, 15 of whom had an older sibling with autism and who were therefore at heightened risk for autism spectrum disorder, played with sounding and nonsounding rattles at 6 and 9 months of age. The results suggest that heightened-risk infants lag behind their low-risk peers in the exploration of objects. The findings are discussed in terms of how delays in object exploration in infancy may have cascading effects in other domains.
AN EXPLORATION OF THE MEANING OF SPIRITUALITY VOICED BY PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV DISEASE AND HEALTHY ADULTS

Spirituality has been documented in several studies as having a positive effect on chronic disease progression and as being efficacious in improving quality of life and well being. In many studies, researchers have used predetermined definitions of spirituality and have proscribed the variable by the selection of measures. This study examines the meaning of spirituality as voiced by participants in two ongoing intervention studies, a sample of healthy adults and a sample of persons living with HIV disease. The findings resulted in six themes for each sample. Exhaustive statements were written depicting the summary relationships of themes. The findings support spirituality as an essential human dimension.
The grand impact of the Gates Foundation. Sixty billion dollars and one famous person can affect the spending and research focus of public agencies.

In an ideal world, scientific research would be free from constraints; the professional interests of the scientific community and individual scientists would determine research topics and directions, and funding would be limitless. In the real world, however, factors such as the economy, health and social interests also have an influence and eventually limited financial resources must be prioritized. Public agencies and private benefactors support research with the expectation that the results will translate into tangible benefits such as economic growth, health products, or solutions to social problems. Given that much of academic research is predominantly funded by public money, funding agencies frequently determine the direction of research. > The foundation frequently stated that the goal was not only to solve global health challenges, but also to attract new scientists to the field In the USA, the National Institutes of Health (NIH; Bethesda, MD, USA) has an annual budget of approximately US$30 billion and influences biomedical research extensively by setting funding priorities. Given that the NIH distributes taxpayers' money, it predominantly supports research that targets health problems affecting US citizens. However, more recently, the US Federal Government's funding allocations through the NIH have been influenced by private foundations, shifting their focus and resources towards addressing the problems of global health. Most notable of these foundations has been the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF; Seattle, WA, USA; www.gatesfoundation.org), which was set up by the couple in 2000. Here, we review the impact of the Grand Challenges for Global Health (GCGH) initiative that was started by the BMGF in 2003 and that managed to influence the NIH's funding priorities. We found that the NIH supplemented the GCGH with increased funding of approximately US$1 billion for global health issues at a time when the overall NIH budget experienced little growth. Interestingly, this redirection of …
Spectroscopy of third-harmonic generation: evidence for resonances in model compounds and ligated hemoglobin

We report on third-harmonic generation (THG) of biomolecular solutions at the fluid/glass interface as a means to probe resonant contributions to their nonlinear absorption spectra that could serve as contrast mechanisms for functional imaging. Our source was 100 fs laser pulses whose center wavelength varied from 760 to 1000 nm. We find evidence of a two-photon resonance in the ratio of third-order susceptibilities, χ(3)sample (3ω)/χ(3)glass, for aqueous solutions of Rhodamine B, Fura-2, and hemoglobin and a three-photon resonance in χ(3)sample (3ω)/χ(3)glass for solutions of bovine serum albumin. Consistent with past work, we find evidence of a one-photon resonance of χ(3)sample (3ω)/χ(3)glass for water, while confirming a lack of resonant enhancement for benzene. At physiological concentrations, hemoglobin in different ligand-binding states could be distinguished on the basis of features of its THG spectrum.
The neointimal response to endovascular injury is increased in obese Zucker rats

BACKGROUND Restenosis after revascularization procedures is accelerated in persons with type 2 diabetes. AIM The current study tested the hypothesis that the neointimal response to endovascular injury is enhanced in female obese Zucker (OZ) rats, a model of type 2 diabetes. METHODS Animals were randomized to receive either a standard diet (SD) or a diabetogenic diet (DD) for 6 weeks. Four weeks later, balloon injury of the right common carotid artery was induced. All rats were euthanized 2 weeks after injury. Lean Zucker (LZ) rats served as controls. RESULTS At the time of death, plasma glucose was elevated in OZ rats fed a SD (208 +/- 13 mg/dl) and a DD (288 +/- 21 mg/dl) compared to corresponding LZ rats (SD: 153 +/- 8; DD: 132 +/- 7 mg/dl). The ratio of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) to total cholesterol (Totc), an index of atherogenicity, was reduced in OZ rats on both diets (SD: 0.77 +/- 0.06; DD: 0.80 +/- 0.09) compared to LZ controls (SD: 1.11 +/- 0.02; DD: 1.20 +/- 0.05). Histomorphometric analysis of injured arteries showed that the intima to media (I : M) ratio was significantly increased in OZ (1.37 +/- 0.07) compared to LZ (0.79 +/- 0.08) rats. Elevations in plasma glucose and triglycerides (Tg) correlated positively and decreases in HDLc negatively with an increased I : M ratio. Administration of the DD did not further enhance the I : M ratio in LZ (0.87 +/- 0.06) or OZ (1.29 +/- 0.09) rats. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that neointima formation following endoluminal injury of the carotid artery is enhanced at an early stage in the development of diabetes mellitus.
Agglomeration and Industrial Location: An Econometric Analysis of Japanese-Affiliated Manufacturing Establishments in Automotive-Related Industries

Abstract This paper examines the role of a particular type of agglomeration, the co-location of backward- and forward-linked manufacturing enterprises, in the process of industrial location. It does so by an econometric analysis of Japanese-affiliated manufacturing establishments in automotive-related industries. We advance the hypothesis that proximity to Japanese-affiliated automotive assemblers is the major consideration in the choice of location by Japanese-affiliated automotive suppliers and related manufacturing establishments. We develop econometric models to test this hypothesis in light of a series of measures of agglomeration and other area characteristics such as manufacturing density, unionization, wages, minority concentration, and taxes. The empirical findings confirm this hypothesis. Japanese automotive-related manufacturing establishments reveal a preference for locations in close proximity to Japanese automotive assemblers, with larger populations, a higher manufacturing density, a more educated work force, and better transportation. Furthermore, in contrast to the prevailing literature, Japanese automotive-related manufacturing establishments are found to prefer locations with higher wages and higher concentrations of minorities.
Neural evidence for a multifaceted model of attachment security

The sense of attachment security has been linked with a host of beneficial outcomes related to personal and relational well-being. Moreover, research has demonstrated that the sense of attachment security can be enhanced via cognitive priming techniques. Studies using such techniques have shown that security priming results with similar outcomes as dispositional attachment security. The way security priming leads to these effects, however, is yet to be unveiled. Using fMRI we took one step in that direction and examined the neural mechanisms underlying enhanced attachment security. Participants were exposed to explicit and implicit security- and insecurity-related words. Security priming led to co-occurring activation in brain areas reflective of cognitive, affective, and behavioral processes (e.g., medial frontal cortex, parahippocampus, BA 6). There were activation differences based on attachment style. This research serves as an important step in mapping out the security process and supports a conceptualization of security as part of a behavioral system with multiple components.
On the Consistent Use of Sign Convention in Thermodynamics

In thermodynamics, various sign conventions are used for energy transfers in the form of heat and work. Regardless of the sign convention introduced, thermodynamics texts subsequently abandon their established conventions in favor of magnitudes or absolute values. This article illustrates the importance of consistent use of a sign convention throughout a text and applies it to power-producing and power-consuming engineering devices. Additionally, using a selected sign convention, a substantive proof is presented showing why the ratio of energy added/rejected in the form of heat equals the ratio of the absolute temperatures of the energy source/sink, respectively.
Real-Time Implementation of a STATCOM on a Wind Farm Equipped with Doubly Fed Induction Generators

Voltage stability is a key issue to achieve the uninterrupted operation of wind farms equipped with doubly fed induction generators (DFIGs) during grid faults. This paper investigates the application of a static synchronous compensator (STATCOM) to assist with the uninterrupted operation of a wind turbine driving a DFIG, which is connected to a power network, during grid faults. The control schemes of the DFIG rotor- and grid-side converters and the STATCOM are suitably designed and coordinated. The system is implemented in real-time on a real time digital simulator. Results show that the STATCOM improves the transient voltage stability and therefore helps the wind turbine generator system to remain in service during grid faults.
Evolution and evaluation of lateral cystic neck masses containing thyroid tissue : lateral aberrant thyroid revisited

The usual differential diagnosis of a lateral cystic neck mass places emphasis on benign entities. This is particularly true in the evaluation of patients under the age of 40. Generally included in the differential are branchial cleft cyst, lymphangioma, hemangioma, laryngocele, pharyngeal diverticulum, and infectious adenopathy or abcess. While metastatic cervical adenopathy is also included in the differential, it is generally placed quite low on the list. Metastasis from thyroid carcinoma is often not mentioned at all. Delayed or missed diagnosis can occur if malignancy is not considered in the differential. This report reviews the historical evolution of scientific thinking regarding thyroid gland embryology and the origin of lateral neck masses of thyroid histology. An illustrative case is described in which metastatic papillary thyroid carcinoma presented in the typical manner of a branchial cleft cyst. The preoperative evaluation and management of such patients is discussed.
Concentrations of LTB4, LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4 in bronchiolitis due to respiratory syncytial virus

Fifty-five infants with bronchiolitis due to respiratory syncytial virus were evaluated for the presence of leukotriene B4, C4, D4 and E4 in nasopharyngeal secretions. An attempt was made to correlate concentrations of leukotrienes to arterial oxygen tension. Forty participants received conventional therapy consisting primarily of aerosolized albuterol and occasional aminophylline therapy. The other 15 individuals received ribavirin therapy in addition to conventional therapy, and leukotriene concentrations were compared among individuals in these groups. RSV infection was documented by standard methods, and leukotrienes were measured by reverse-phase high pressure liquid chromatography. The leukotriene detected most commonly was LTC4 (up to 83% of subjects); LTD4 and LTB4 were present in approximately 30% of individuals. The mean partial pressure of oxygen was found to be lower in those individuals with detectable LTB4 than in those without detectable LTB4 (p < 0.025), and an overall inverse correlation of LTB4 concentrations with initial pO2 values was observed (r = 0.318, p < 0.05). The presence and quantity of other leukotrienes did not correlate with the severity of illness. During the first week of illness, the concentration of leukotrienes declined sharply in ribavirin recipients. Individuals receiving conventional therapy during the same time interval exhibited stable or increasing leukotriene concentrations. These observations suggest that LTB4 may be important in the pathogenesis of bronchiolitis, and that ribavirin therapy may inhibit leukotriene release in the respiratory tract.
REP3-Mediated Silencing in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In yeast the Sir proteins and Rap1p are key regulators of transcriptional silencing at telomeres and the silent mating-type loci. Rap1 and Sir4 also possess anchoring activity; the rotation of plasmids bound by Sir4 or Rap1 is constrained in vivo , and Rap1 or Sir4 binding can also correct the segregation bias of plasmids lacking centromeres. To investigate the mechanistic link between DNA anchoring and regulation of transcription, we examined the ability of a third defined anchor in yeast, the 2μ circle REP3 segregation element, to mediate transcriptional silencing. We find that placement of the REP3 sequence adjacent to the HML locus in a strain deleted for natural silencer sequences confers transcriptional repression on HML . This repression requires the Sir proteins and is decreased in strains lacking the REP3 -binding factors Rep1 and Rep2. The yeast cohesin complex associates with REP3 ; we show that REP3 silencing is also decreased in strains bearing a mutated allele of the MCD1/SCC1 cohesin gene. Conventional silencing is increased in some strains lacking the 2μ circle and decreased in strains overexpressing the Rep1 and Rep2 proteins, suggesting that the Rep proteins antagonize conventional silencing.
cDNA microarray analysis of endothelial cells subjected to cyclic mechanical strain: importance of motion control.

Microarrays were utilized to determine gene expression of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) subjected to mechanical stretch for insight into the role of strain in vascular pathophysiology. Over 4,00...
Post-esophagectomy gastric outlet obstruction: role of pyloromyotomy and management with endoscopic pyloric dilatation

Objective: Gastric outlet obstruction is common after esophagectomy. Our goal was to determine the incidence of gastric outlet obstruction after esophagectomy with or withoutpyloromyotomy and analyzeits management by endoscopic pyloric dilatation.Methods:Two hundredfortytwo patientsunderwentesophagectomy with gastricconduit fromJanuary 2002to June 2006.Subjects were dividedintotwo groups:GroupA had no pyloromyotomy (n = 83) and Group B had a pyloromyotomy (n = 159). Gastric outlet obstruction was strictly defined to include patients with clinical delayed gastric emptying supported by symptoms, barium swallow studies, persistent air—fluid level and dilated conduit on radiography, or endoscopic or surgical intervention to improve gastric drainage. Results: The groups were similar except for a higher percentage of cervical anastomosis and olderage (64- vs 61-year-old) in Group A. The overallincidenceof gastric outlet obstruction was 15.3% (37/242). Pyloromyotomy did not reduce the incidence of gastric outlet obstruction (Group A 9.6% vs Group B 18.2%, p = 0.078). One patient required a late pyloroplasty. Successful management of gastric outlet obstruction with pyloric dilatation (96.7%, 28/29) was unaffected by pyloromyotomy. There was no difference in length of stay, pneumonia (Group A 27.7% vs Group B 19.5%, p = 0.15), respiratory failure or anastomotic stricture. There was no difference in anastomotic leaks when controlling for the anatomic location of the anastomosis (p = 0.36). Mortality was equivalent between groups (2.4 vs 2.5%, p = 0.96). Conclusion: Pyloromyotomy does not reduce the incidence of symptomatic delayed gastric emptying after esophagectomy. Post-operative gastricoutletobstructioncan beeffectivelymanagedwith endoscopicpyloricdilatation.Routine pyloromyotomy for the prevention of post-esophagectomy gastric outlet obstruction may be unwarranted. # 2007 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.