cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intimate Partner Violence Screening in the Emergency Department: U.S. Medical Residents' Perspectives:

Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is physical, psychological, or sexual harm committed by a current or former partner, spouse, boy/girlfriend. In the United States, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (2003) estimates that 1.5 million women experience physical assault each year while the lifetime prevalence rate of IPV for women reaches almost 30%. Given the frequency and range of injuries and other health-related problems that result from IPV, the medical system shows promise as a central source of service provision for large numbers of abused women and their children. However, identification rates of IPV in many medical settings are low. This article describes a study that examined focus group data from 25 physicians in residency training at an urban hospital in the United States. Physicians discussed their knowledge and attitudes about IPV screening in the emergency department (ED) setting and suggestions to address perceived barriers to such screening. These data depict multiple barriers to physician screening of IPV in the ED. Findings substantiate previous research and provide new direction for enhancing IPV identification, referral, and treatment mechanisms in the ED setting including alternatives to physician mandated universal screening. Language: en
Bidirectional synonym ratings of 464 noun pairs

Each of 464 noun pairs was rated for synonymy on a 7-point scale by 100 college students. The purpose of this study was twofold. First, it was designed to provide memory and psycholinguistic researchers with extensive synonym norms. Second, it was designed to evaluate the effects of encoding order on perceived synonymy. The hypothesis that limited semantic-memory access can cause synonym pairs to be rated as more synonymous in one word-order than in the other was tested by presenting each noun pair to 50 judges in one order and to another 50 judges in the reverse order. Mean synonym ratings (averaged across word orders) ranged from 6.79 to 2.24, thus demonstrating the need for normative data on synonyms. A significant number of noun pairs showed strong directional effects such that perceived synonymy was significantly changed by word encoding order. The practical and theoretical importance of these directional effects are discussed.
Corticosteroid elimination in simultaneous liver-kidney transplantation recipients.

: Background: Simultaneous liver–kidney transplantation (SLK) has more than doubled since 2002. While less common in kidney transplant alone recipients (KTA), corticosteroid discontinuation is performed routinely in liver transplantation, raising the question of optimal immunosuppression for SLK recipients. Methods: A retrospective case series of 16 SLK recipients under a steroid withdrawal protocol was performed to compare short-term outcomes to a contemporaneous cohort of 32 KTA recipients. Results: In 69% of SLK recipients, corticosteroids were eliminated compared to 3% of KTA recipients, p < 0.0001. When comparing SLK and KTA recipients one yr post-transplant, there were no significant differences in renal graft rejection (23.1% vs. 6.3%), death-censored renal graft survival (100% vs. 97%), estimated glomerular filtration rate (74.4 vs. 62.6 mL/min), serum creatinine (1.10 vs. 1.39 mg/dL), or maintenance immunosuppression, respectively. Conclusions: Corticosteroids may be withdrawn safely in SLK recipients with one-yr renal outcomes comparable to a KTA cohort.
Videoendoscopic thoracic aorta-to-femoral artery bypass in the pig.

Background. The thoracoscopic approach to the aorta has the advantages of easy aortic dissection, excellent inflow, improved exposure in the thorax without insufflation, and ability to employ both laparoscopic and traditional instruments. Our aim was to develop a thoracoscopic technique for descending thoracic aorta-to-femoral artery bypass (TAFB) in the pig that results in acceptable short-term survival and graft patency. Materials and methods. Thoracoscopic TAFB was performed in 11 pigs. Using two-lung ventilation, the animals were placed in a 45° left lateral semidecubitus position. A fan lung retractor, two dissecting ports, intercostal artery loops, and camera were placed through five 10- to 20-mm thoracoscopic incisions. After aortic dissection, an 8-mm graft was passed through a retroperitoneal tunnel. Rumel tourniquets were used for aortic occlusion after placement of a shunt. End-to-side endoscopic anastomosis was completed with knots tied extracorporeally. The left femoral anastomosis was completed under direct vision. Duplex ultrasound of the graft was done on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7. Results. Thoracoscopic TAFB was completed in all animals. Mean aortic anastomosis time was 57 min (range, 34–145); and mean cross-clamp time, 74 min (range, 53–155). Mean operative time was 310 min; the first six operations lasted longer than the last five (338 min vs 276 min, P < 0.04). Average blood loss was 611 ml (range, 250–1300). Two animals died due to anesthetic complications. One (11%) of the nine surviving pigs died on day 2 due to bleeding. Complications were paraplegia in one (11%) and graft thrombosis in another (11%). Conclusions. Videoendoscopic TAFB can be completed in pigs with acceptable short-term patency and survival. Further experience in thoracoscopic techniques can make TAFB a feasible and low-risk option for selected patients with aortoiliac occlusive disease.
A spiking recurrent neural network

A spiking recurrent neural network implementing an associative memory is proposed. The circuit including four integrate-and-fire (IF) and Willshaw-type binary synapses is designed with the AMI 0.5/spl mu/m CMOS process. A large-scale network is simulated with Matlab and its storage capacity is calculated and analyzed.
Balance—A Team Effort

As we open a new chapter in The Spine Journal, I am privileged to share some thoughts on the past and future. Under the superb stewardship of Dr. Tom Mayer, The Spine Journal has risen from a concept to a significant scientific publication in just a few short years. While the editorial and publication teams deserve credit for this rapid ascent, truly the authors who chose to submit their scientific manuscripts for publication in this fledgling journal deserve the greater recognition. While critics may have expressed concern over the paucity of manuscripts with superior science or methodology, the recognition by Index Medicus validates a credible publication that is passing from infancy toward maturity. The recent implementation of an electronic editorial and submission system is enhancing the manuscript submission and review process. Realignment of leadership under Pamela Towne in the editorial office at the North American Spine Society will bring new focus and energy to the publication process. The appointment of Deputy Editors Gene Carragee and Dan Resnick, respected orthopedic and neurological surgeons respectively, along with a new Editor-in-Chief, gives the journal a sense of newness that builds upon its already established solid foundation. As Editor-in-Chief, my mission is to insure and protect the quality of the scientific communication published in The Spine Journal. Yet, a parallel mission is to help the journal achieve a balance that keeps this journal readable and relevant. Balance is an unparalleled aspiration in life. It is also a highly desirable quality in any medium of communication. It is imperative that The Spine Journal be the most reliable
Redox-Dependent Transcriptional Regulation

Reactive oxygen species contribute to the pathogenesis of a number of disparate disorders including tissue inflammation, heart failure, hypertension, and atherosclerosis. In response to oxidative stress, cells activate expression of a number of genes, including those required for the detoxification of reactive molecules as well as for the repair and maintenance of cellular homeostasis. In many cases, these induced genes are regulated by transcription factors whose structure, subcellular localization, or affinity for DNA is directly or indirectly regulated by the level of oxidative stress. This review summarizes the recent progress on how cellular redox status can regulate transcription-factor activity and the implications of this regulation for cardiovascular disease.
Random Rough Surface Effects on Wave Propagation in Interconnects

To address the rough surface effects in high-speed interconnects on printed circuit boards (PCBs) and microelectronic packages, we study the electromagnetic wave propagation in a rough surface environment. In our model, the rough surface is characterized by a stochastic random process with correlation function or spectral density. This paper reviews the analytical theory, numerical simulations and experimental results based on such a model. We describe the rough surface characterization and the extraction of roughness parameters from 3D profile measurements. Initially we study the 2D case with the rough surface height function varying in only one horizontal direction and consider the case of plane wave incidence. Analytic second-order small perturbation method (SPM2) was used to obtain simple closed-form expressions for the absorption enhancement factor. The numerical transfer matrix (T-matrix) method and the method of moments (MoM) were also used. We next consider the case of the 3D problem with the rough surface height varying in both horizontal directions. We also used SPM2 to obtain a simple closed form expression for the enhancement factor. In interconnect problems, electromagnetic (EM) waves propagate in a guided wave environment. Thus, we next considered a waveguide model to study the effects of random roughness on wave propagation and compare with results from the plane wave formulation. Analytic SPM2 and numerical finite element method (FEM) with mode matching were used to obtain the enhancement factor. We also describe experimental results and correlation with the theoretical models. Finally, we explain how the enhancement factor concept used throughout lends itself to direct inclusion of rough surface effects in a wide variety of modeling problems.
Electromagnetic modes in dielectric equilateral triangle resonators

Resonant electromagnetic modes are analyzed inside a dielectric cavity of equilateral triangular cross section and refractive index n, surrounded by a uniform medium of refractive index n′. The field confinement is determined only under the requirements needed to maintain total internal reflection of the internal electromagnetic fields, matched to external evanescent waves. Two-dimensional electromagnetics is considered, with no dependence on the coordinate perpendicular to the cross section, giving independent TE and TM polarizations. Generally, the mode spectrum becomes sparse and the minimum mode frequency increases rapidly as the index ratio N=n/n′ approaches 2. For specified quantum numbers and N, the TM modes are lower in frequency than the TE modes. Quality factors are estimated by supposing that evanescent boundary waves leak cavity energy at the triangle vertices; diffractive effects are not included. At an index ratio that is large compared with a mode's cutoff ratio, this method predicts greater field confinement for TE polarization and higher quality factors than for TM polarization.
The political dimension of national capabilities: Concepts and measurement

Three oft‐cited dimensions of national power are material capabilities, the political capacity to mobilize and use this potential, and its actual use (behavioral power). Effective power is a function of the latter two, the political capability both to mobilize human and material resources and to use these resources coherently in the pursuit of national objectives. Work by Gurr and others on political capabilities since c. 1800 points to four strongly intercorrelated indicators of performance: Effective decision‐making and the maintenance of civil order and legitimacy pay off in the form of institutional durability. This research suggests the need to focus greater attention on developing indicators of (1) the durability of polities, which in turn implies both persistence and adaptability, and (2) the basis of durability, namely, the coherence of the polities’ authority patterns. Annualiz‐ing scores on these variables for the period since c. 1800 are the ongoing tasks of the Polities project.
Pulse-front matching of ultrabroadband near-infrared noncollinear optical parametric amplified pulses

Noncollinear optical parametric amplifiers (NOPAs) pumped with ultrashort subpicosecond pulses often suffer from pulse-front tilting, resulting in angular dispersion and noncompressibility of the amplified signal pulses. We show that pulse-front matching (PFM) with a prism-telescope setup corrects for pulse-front tilts in a near-IR NOPA. We discuss the conditions that lead to pulse-front tilt and angular dispersion in NOPA-amplified signal pulses, thus requiring pulse-front mismatch correction. We review the method of PFM and describe the application of PFM to an 800 nm pumped near-IR NOPA based on a 2-mm-thick bulk potassium-titanyl phosphate (KTP) crystal. The introduction of pulse-front matching into the KTP-NOPA reduces the signal pulse angular dispersion significantly over the >35 THz bandwidth, thus nearly removing the pulse-front tilt. Compression of 1200 nm pulses to ~25 fs can be readily achieved with a fused-silica prism pair compressor.
Design and Validation of PATRICIA for the Mitigation of Network Flooding Attacks

A recent trend in Internet denial-of-service attacks is to distribute the attack sources among a large number of compromised computers. To effectively control such attacks, the attack traffic must be stopped at an early stage, which means those edge networks that host the attack sources must be given proper incentives and mechanisms to stop undesirable traffic. We previously proposed an architecture called PATRICIA, where edge networks cooperate to prevent misbehaving sources from flooding traffic in both control and data channels. In this paper, we flesh out the details of the control protocols in PATRICIA and propose an important revision to the previous design to make it more robust against collusion attacks. Furthermore, we present the results from extensive simulation experiments to validate our design.
A Microbead-based System for Identifying and Characterizing RNA-Protein Interactions by Flow Cytometry

We present a high throughput, versatile approach to identify RNA-protein interactions and to determine nucleotides important for specific protein binding. In this approach, oligonucleotides are coupled to microbeads and hybridized to RNA-protein complexes. The presence or absence of RNA and/or protein fluorescence indicates the formation of an oligo-RNA-protein complex on each bead. The observed fluorescence is specific for both the hybridization and the RNA-protein interaction. We find that the method can discriminate noncomplementary and mismatch sequences. The observed fluorescence reflects the affinity and specificity of the RNA-protein interaction. In addition, the fluorescence patterns footprint the protein recognition site to determine nucleotides important for protein binding. The system was developed with the human protein U1A binding to RNAs derived from U1 snRNA but can also detect RNA-protein interactions in total RNA backgrounds. We propose that this strategy, in combination with emerging coded bead systems, can identify RNAs and RNA sequences important for interacting with RNA-binding proteins on genomic scales.
Cell, matrix changes and alpha‐smooth muscle actin expression in repair of the canine meniscus

Processes in the repair of a crevice in the knee joint meniscus were investigated in 10 dogs. Two 2-mm cylindrical plugs from each medial meniscus were removed, rendered acellular by freezing and thawing, and then reinserted into the meniscus. Dogs were euthanized at intervals of 3-52 weeks after surgery. The crevice between the plug and meniscus at 3 weeks after surgery was filled with a tissue containing alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells. One year after surgery, the plug had remodeled and was populated with spindle-shaped and fibrochondrocyte-like cells. The plug had an appearance intermediate between that of hyaline and fibrocartilage at this time, with a seamless integration in sites between the remodeled plug and the surrounding meniscus. alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells were concentrated at the interface of the remodeled plug and adjacent meniscus and at the surface of the plug. Therefore, remodeling of both the plug and meniscal tissue and the participation of alpha-smooth muscle actin-positive cells appear essential for integration of the plug into the adjacent meniscal tissue. Cells in the superficial zone of the meniscus seem to be active in the repair process. A change in both the phenotype of the cells and the quality of the matrix toward a more hyaline state appears to be an integral part of the remodeling process in the meniscus.
The MODIS land cover product: multi-attribute mapping of global vegetation and land cover properties from time series MODIS data

Data from MODIS provide a rich source of information for vegetation and land cover mapping applications. In particular, multi-spectral and multi-temporal information supplied by MODIS allows a variety of vegetation properties to be mapped and monitored at global scales in a fashion that was not previously possible. We describe the algorithms and databases being used to produce the MODIS global land cover parameter, focusing particular attention on the suite of vegetation properties that are being mapped from MODIS data as part of this product. Specifically, we describe a set of internally consistent maps, each depicting different vegetation attributes that have wide utility for studies of ecosystem dynamics at continental to global scales. The set of parameters being mapped include permanence of above ground biomass, leaf longevity, leaf type, and phenologic dynamics, among others. The methodology used to create these maps exploits a database of site data that includes detailed information related to ecosystem properties at global scales. To illustrate the utility and information content of the maps being produced from MODIS data, specific examples at regional scales that include a range of climate and ecosystem types are presented.
CB1 cannabinoid receptor inhibits synaptic release of glutamate in rat dorsolateral striatum.

CB1 cannabinoid receptors in the neostriatum mediate profound motor deficits induced when cannabinoid drugs are administered to rodents. Because the CB1 receptor has been shown to inhibit neurotran...
Geometrically Nonlinear Stress Recovery in Composite Laminates

A procedure is presented to compute the interlaminar stresses in laminated plates using the intralaminar stresses and cross-section rotations from a plate analysis for cases in which geometric nonlinearities are important. The procedure is based on integrating the geometrically nonlinear equilibrium equations from the theory of elasticity simplified for the case of moderate rotations. Integration is accomplished numerically by using the intralaminar stresses and cross-section rotations from a finite-element plate analysis, finite-difference representations of the derivatives of these intralaminar stresses and rotations, and an iteration procedure (iteration being required because of the nonlinear nature of the problem). For purposes of illustration, the procedure is applied to two semi-infinite isotropic, cross-ply, and angle-ply plate example problems. One problem considers a transverse load acting on a portion of the plate, and the other considers a follower-type shear load. The problems are selected because they exhibit a variety of interlaminar stress responses, thereby providing a test for the developed procedure. The interlaminar stresses computed with the developed procedure are compared with the stresses computed using a three-dimensional finite-element analysis that serves as a benchmark. Comparisons are also made by using closedform expressions for the intralaminar stresses in the developed procedure. The interlaminar stresses computed using the developed procedure agree well with the stresses as computed by both comparison approaches. Extensions of the procedure are discussed.
THE SHORT-RUN RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INCOME AND FREEDOM: EVIDENCE FROM 128 COUNTRIES.

From a review of the literature, I develop possible short-run relationships between a country’s income per capita, economic freedom, political rights, and civil liberties while taking into consideration broad institutional differences across countries. From a structural vector autoregression, I estimate impulse responses for the full sample of 128 countries between 1994-2009 as well as key sub-samples. From this relatively atheoretical approach, results indicate that improvements in economic freedom benefit more developed countries relative to less developed countries, as do improvements in income per capita. Improvements in political rights improve economic freedom in highly developed countries and low developed countries but impr ove income the most in countries with medium development. Improvements in civil liberties have somewhat the opposite effect as political rights. Implications of these results are discussed with an eye toward their practical relevance for business as well as policymakers.
Spectrum Analysis of Digital Magnetic Recording Waveforms

Closed form expressions have been obtained for the power density spectra of signal waveshapes in use for digital magnetic recording. The ``signal'' is the magnetization versus distance profile imposed on the magnetic medium to encode binary ones and zeros. Two general classes of signals are distinguished in terms of neighboring bit-to-bit correlation. Standard recording methods such as saturation NRZ and phase modulation are considered, as well as techniques requiring bias current, such as sinusoidal frequency-shift modulation. The spectra are compared with frequency response curves for the reading head at several recorded bit densities. The more ideal bandwidth characteristics of the newer phase- and frequency-modulation techniques help to explain their improved performance at high bit densities.
Microstructurally Induced Ductile Deformation Mechanisms and Grain-Boundary Effects in Polycrystalline Aggregates

Dislocation-density based multiple-slip constitutive formulations and specialized computational schemes are introduced to account for large-strain ductile deformation modes in polycrystalline aggregates. Furthermore, new kinematically based interfacial grain-boundary regions and formulations are introduced to account for dislocation-density transmission, absorption, and pile-ups that may occur due to grain-boundary misorientations and properties.
The acquisition of stimulus equivalence in individuals with fragile X syndrome

Background Few studies have employed stimulus equivalence procedures to teach individuals with intellectual disabilities (IDs) new skills. To date, no studies of stimulus equivalence have been conducted in individuals with fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common known cause of inherited ID. Method Five adolescents with FXS were taught basic math and geography skills by using a computerized stimulus equivalence training programme administered over  days in  -h sessions. Results Four of the five participants learned the math relations, with one participant demonstrating stimulus equivalence at post-test. Three of the five participants learned the geography relations, with all three of these participants demonstrating stimulus equivalence at post-test. Conclusions These data indicate that computerized stimulus equivalence procedures, conducted in timelimited sessions, may help individuals with FXS learn new skills. Hypotheses concerning the failure of some participants to learn the training relations and to demonstrate stimulus equivalence at post-test are discussed.
Evaluation of myocardial viability using stress echocardiography

Stress echocardiography is a commonly employed technique for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease and for determining patient prognosis. More recently, it has been shown to be a valuable tool for determining myocardial viability in both acute and chronic ischemic coronary syndromes. The response of myocardial segments that are dysfunctional at rest to low dose stimulation with dobutamine predicts eventual recovery of function with a level of accuracy equivalent to that of the competing radionuclide techniques. Identification of patients with significant areas of viable myocardium plays a valuable role in decision making for high risk intervention and multivessel bypass surgery. Additionally, identification of viable myocardial carries significant prognostic implications for future cardiac events.
Distributed Optimization Strategies for Mining on Peer-to-Peer Networks

Peer-to-peer (P2P) networks are distributed systems in which nodes of equal roles and capabilities exchange information and services directly with each other. In recent years, they have become a popular way to share large amounts of data. However, such an architecture adds a new dimension to the process of knowledge discovery and data mining -- the challenge of mining distributed (and often) dynamic sources of data and computing. Furthermore, effective utilization of the distributed resources needs to be carefully analyzed. In this paper, we study the problem of optimization of resources to enable efficient and scalable mining on a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. We develop a crawler based on the Gnutella protocol and use it to simulate a P2P network on which we run a classification task. Our results from the case-study indicate that not only do we have an effective utilization of resources but also the accuracy of the distributed mining algorithm is likely to be close to the hypothetical scenario where all data in the network is stored in a central location.
PERFORMANCE DIMENSIONS OF SUPERVISORY POSITIONS

Summary This study was directed at the identification of the performance characteristics of administrative and general supervisors. The present study was one of a series of research projects conducted at Sandia Corporation in order to determine independent performance dimensions in a variety of job families. Four hundred and fourteen supervisors submitted essays describing the performance of the best supervisor they knew at Sandia Corporation. The essays were analyzed and, after editing and the removal of duplicate statements, a final check-list questionnaire of 303 statements depicting supervisory performance was obtained. Three hundred and seventy-two supervisors described on a check-list scale the best and worst supervisor they knew by checking each statement on a five-point applicability scale. The statements were subjected to a factor analysis by the Wherry-Winer method. Seven factors emerged from the analysis. The factors were identified as follows: Establishment of Work Climate, Management Ethics, Practice of Self and Subordinate Development, Personal Maturity and Sensitivity, Knowledge and Execution of Corporate Policies and Procedures, Technical Job Knowledge, and a general bias factor.
Timing of magnetite formation in basaltic glass: Insights from synthetic analogs and relevance for geomagnetic paleointensity analyses

Absolute paleointensity estimates from submarine basaltic glass (SBG) typically are of high technical quality and accurately reflect the ambient field when known. SBG contains fine-grained, low-Ti magnetite, in contrast to the high-Ti magnetite in crystalline basalt, which has lead to uncertainty over the origin of the magnetite and its remanence in SBG. Because a thermal remanence is required for accurate paleointensity estimates, the timing and temperature of magnetite formation is crucial. To assess these factors, we generated a suite of synthetic glasses with variable oxygen fugacity, cooling rate, and FeO* content. Magnetic properties varied most strongly with crystallinity; less crystalline specimens are similar to natural SBG and have weaker magnetization, a greater superparamagnetic contribution, and higher unblocking temperatures than more crystalline specimens. Thellier-type paleointensity results recovered the correct field within 1σ error with 2 (out of 10) exceptions that likely result from an undetected change in the laboratory field. Unblocking and ordering temperature data demonstrate that low-Ti magnetite is a primary phase, formed when the glass initially quenched. Although prolonged heating at high temperatures (during paleointensity experiments) may result in minor alteration at temperatures < 580°C, this does not appear to impact the accuracy of the paleointensity estimate. Young SBG is therefore a suitable material for paleointensity studies.
A Psychophysiological Comparison of Type A and B Men Exposed to Failure and Uncontrollable Noise

The present study examined resting levels of and stress-related changes in blood pressure, peripheral vasomotor activity, heart rate, heart rate variability, electrodermal activity, and serum lipids in young men classified as Type A (coronary prone) or Type B (non-prone) by a structured interview method. Stress was induced during two preliminary tasks by the occurrence of noise alone, failure alone, or noise plus failure. The results showed that during rest the groups differed only in vasomotor activity, the A's being more constricted than the B's. During work on the tasks, the groups were substantially the same in heart rate and blood pressure; however, the A's showed greater sympathetic arousal than B's in skin conductance level and spontaneous response rate. Extreme A's showed higher serum cholesterol than B's both before and after testing, and also showed a larger effect of noise on triglyceride levels than did B's.
Filamentous Influenza A Virus Infection Predisposes Mice to Fatal Septicemia following Superinfection with Streptococcus pneumoniae Serotype 3

Previous studies have demonstrated that animals exposed to Streptococcus pneumoniae while recovering from influenza A virus infection exhibit exacerbated disease symptoms. However, many of the current animal models exploring dual viral and bacterial synergistic exacerbations of respiratory disease have utilized mouse-adapted influenza virus and strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae that in themselves are highly lethal to mice. Here we describe a mouse model of bacterial superinfection in which a mild, self-limiting influenza virus infection is followed by mild, self-limiting superinfection with S. pneumoniae serotype 3. S. pneumoniae superinfection results in rapid dissemination of the bacterium from the respiratory tract and systemic spread to all major organs of the mice, resulting in fatal septicemia. This phenomenon in mice was observed in superinfected animals undergoing an active viral infection as well as in mice that had completely cleared the virus 7 to 8 days prior to superinfection. Neutrophils were the predominant cellular inflammatory infiltrate in the lungs of superinfected mice compared to singly infected animals. Among other cytokines and chemokines, the neutrophil activator granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was found to be significantly overexpressed in the spleens, lungs, and brains of superinfected animals. High G-CSF protein levels were observed in sera and lung lavage fluid from superinfected animals, suggesting that G-CSF is a major contributor to synergistic exacerbation of disease leading to fatal septicemia.
Materials and Component Development for Advanced Turbine Systems

Future hydrogen-fired or oxy-fuel turbines will likely experience an enormous level of thermal and mechanical loading, as turbine inlet temperatures (TIT) approach 1425–1760°C with pressures of 300–625 psig, respectively. Maintaining the structural integrity of future turbine components under these extreme conditions will require durable thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), high temperature creep resistant metal substrates, and effective cooling techniques. While advances in substrate materials have been limited for the past decades, thermal protection of turbine airfoils in future hydrogen-fired and oxy-fuel turbines will rely primarily on collective advances in TBCs and aerothermal cooling. To support the advanced turbine technology development, the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) at the Office of Research and Development (ORD) has initiated a research project effort in collaboration with the University of Pittsburgh (UPitt), and West Virginia University (WVU), working in conjunction with commercial material and coating suppliers, to develop advanced materials, aerothermal configurations, as well as non-destructive evaluation techniques for use in advanced land-based gas turbine applications. This paper reviews technical accomplishments recently achieved in each of these areas.
Unzipped and loaded : The role of DNA helicases and RFC clamp-loading complexes in sister chromatid cohesion

It is well known that the products of chromosome replication are paired to ensure that the sisters segregate away from each other during mitosis. A key issue is how cells pair sister chromatids but preclude the catastrophic pairing of nonsister chromatids. The identification of both replication factor C and DNA helicases as critical for sister chromatid pairing has brought new insights into this fundamental process.
Lagrangian measurement of subsurface poleward flow between 38°N and 43°N along the West Coast of the United States during summer, 1993

Subsurface Lagrangian measurements at about 140 m showed that the path of the California Undercurrent lay next to the continental slope between San Francisco (37.8°N) and St. George Reef (41.8°N) during mid-summer 1993. The mean speed along this 500 km path was 8 cms−1. The flow at this depth was not disturbed by upwelling centers at Point Reyes or Cape Mendocino. Results also demonstrate the ability to acoustically track floats located well above the sound channel axis along the California coast.
Configurable computing: the catalyst for high-performance architectures

Recent trends in the cost and performance of application-specific hardware relative to conventional processors discourage investing much time and energy in special-purpose architectures except for niche applications. These trends, however, may be reversed by the increasing complexity of computer architectures and the advent of configurable computing. Configurable computers have attracted considerable attention recently because they promise to deliver the performance of application-specific hardware along with the flexibility of general-purpose computers. In this paper, we discuss some of the forces driving configurable computing, and we argue that new configurable architectures are needed to realize the enormous potential of configurable computing. In particular, we believe that the commercial FPGAs currently used to construct configurable computers are too fine-grained to achieve good cost-performance on computationally-intensive applications that demand high-performance hardware. We then describe a new architecture called RaPiD (Reconfigurable Pipelined Datapaths), which is optimized for highly repetitive, computationally-intensive tasks. Very deep application-specific computation pipelines can be configured in RaPiD that deliver very high performance for a wide range of applications. RaPiD achieves this using a coarse-grained reconfigurable architecture that mixes the appropriate amount of static configuration with dynamic control.
Substitutions in the Presumed Sensing Domain of the Bacillus subtilis Stressosome Affect Its Basal Output but Not Response to Environmental Signals

The stressosome is a multiprotein, 1.8-MDa icosahedral complex that transmits diverse environmental signals to activate the general stress response of Bacillus subtilis. The way in which it senses these cues and the pathway of signal propagation within the stressosome itself are poorly understood. The stressosome core consists of four members of the RsbR coantagonist family together with the RsbS antagonist; its cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM) image suggests that the N-terminal domains of the RsbR proteins form homodimers positioned to act as sensors on the stressosome surface. Here we probe the role of the N-terminal domain of the prototype coantagonist RsbRA by making structure-based amino acid substitutions in potential interaction surfaces. To unmask the phenotypes caused by single-copy rsbRA mutations, we constructed strains lacking the other three members of the RsbR coantagonist family and assayed system output using a reporter fusion. Effects of five individual alanine substitutions in the prominent dimer groove did not match predictions from an earlier in vitro assay, indicating that the in vivo assay was necessary to assess their influence on signaling. Additional substitutions expected to negatively affect domain dimerization had substantial impact, whereas those that sampled other prominent surface features had no consequence. Notably, even mutations resulting in significantly altered phenotypes raised the basal level of system output only in unstressed cells and had little effect on the magnitude of subsequent stress signaling. Our results provide evidence that the N-terminal domain of the RsbRA coantagonist affects stressosome function but offer no direct support for the hypothesis that it is a signal sensor.
Evaluation of Rate-Based, Force-Reflecting Teleoperation in Free Motion and Contact

This research focuses on improved control for force-reflecting teleoperation systems in free motion and contact tasks. Specifically, the Naturally Transitioning Rate-to-Force Controller (NTRFC) is implemented in an Air Force experimental force-reflecting teleoperation system to achieve a unified controller with no mode switches from free motion to contact, and to reduce the wrench exerted on the environment by the slave manipulator during remote teleoperation tasks. In an effectiveness evaluation experiment, the experimental hypothesis is validated: the NTRFC with force reflection performs the best amongst four teleoperation control modes with respect to minimal wrench exertion on the environment. A negligible difference was found in total task-completion times amongst the four modes. The NTRFC with force reflection has the potential to improve task performance in remote, hazardous, teleoperation tasks in which minimal exerted wrench is desirable.
A precision broadband rectifier in CMOS technology

An implementation of a floating CMOS diode is introduced and its working principle experimentally demonstrated. The diode can be used in a wide variety of circuits, such as piecewise linear function synthesizers, peak detectors, absolute value circuits, etc. The utilization of the CMOS diode to implement a broadband voltage rectifier circuit is discussed. Simulations on this circuit have shown its potential for operating at frequencies on the order of 50 MHz for 3- mu m CMOS-technology. >
Diffusion: Models for Diffusion

If a few crystals of a colored material like copper sulfate are placed at the bottom of a tall bottle filled with water, the color will slowly spread through the bottle. At first the color will be concentrated in the bottom of the bottle. After a day it will penetrate upward a few centimeters. After several years the solution will appear homogeneous. The process responsible for the movement of the colored material is diffusion, the subject of this book. Diffusion is caused by random molecular motion that leads to complete mixing. It can be a slow process. In gases, diffusion progresses at a rate of about 5 cm/min; in liquids, its rate is about 0.05 cm/min; in solids, its rate may be only about 0.00001 cm/min. In general, it varies less with temperature than do many other phenomena. This slow rate of diffusion is responsible for its importance. In many cases, diffusion occurs sequentially with other phenomena. When it is the slowest step in the sequence, it limits the overall rate of the process. For example, diffusion often limits the efficiency of commercial distillations and the rate of industrial reactions using porous catalysts. It limits the speed with which acid and base react and the speed with which the human intestine absorbs nutrients. It controls the growth of microorganisms producing penicillin, the rate of the corrosion of steel, and the release of flavor from food.
In Their Own Words: Assessing Global Citizenship in a Short-Term Study-Abroad Program in Bangladesh.

ABSTRACTThe article examines whether short-term study-abroad (STSA) experiences can cultivate the cultural understandings and ethical commitments entailed by a cosmopolitan civic education. We examine students’ critical reflections on their participation in a two-week study-abroad program titled Climate Change and Sustainable Development in Bangladesh. Based on our analysis of student reflective essays, we argue that a well-designed STSA with multiple dialogical encounters with diverse constituents in the host county can provide students with significant opportunities to deepen and complicate their understanding of themselves as citizens with local, national, and global responsibilities. We use the study trip to Bangladesh as a “high impact” case study exploring the possibilities of STSA as a form of “dialogical cosmopolitan education.”
CFTR trafficking and signaling in respiratory epithelium.

research in cystic fibrosis (CF) remains at the leading edge of investigations employing human genetics and molecular and cellular biology. In the 12 years since the discovery of the gene encoding the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl− channel ([14][1]), translation of such efforts
Effectiveness of Insecticides Against the Corn Earworm in Sorghum Heads

Of 12 chemicals tested against the corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie), in sorghum heads, carbaryl, DDT, mevinphos, Telodrin® (1,3,4,5,6,7,8,8-octachloro-1,3,3a,4,7, 7a-hexahydro-4,7-methanoisobenzofuran), and naled gave the best control. The addition of pyrethrum to DDT emulsion spray did not increase the effectiveness of this insecticide. When comparable dosages and gallonages of the same insecticides were applied, control was usually better against the smaller larvae. A residue test with carbaryl showed residues well within the accepted tolerance on grain and forage.
Male Psyllids Differentially Learn in the Context of Copulation

In the Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, stimulatory cuticular hydrocarbons act as sex pheromone attractants. Male psyllids locate aggregations of females using those olfactory cues, as well as vibrational communication on the plant surface. Although previous research has indicated that learning plays a role in modulating female reproductive behaviors in psyllids, it is unknown whether males similarly use learning to increase the likelihood of copulatory success. We used an olfactometer-based bio-assay to study the effects of experience on male response to female odor. First, we compared male attraction to female odor in virgin and previously mated males. Second, we tested the effect of several modes of experience with a novel odor, vanillin, to determine whether mating, feeding, or general environmental exposure elicited a learned response. We found that male attraction to female odor significantly increased after mating experience. In addition, we found that males learn about odor specifically in the context of mating, rather than feeding or general exposure. Electrophysiological measurements of antennal response to odorants confirmed that mating status did not affect the sensitivity of the peripheral nervous system to volatile stimuli implicating learning at the level of the central nervous system. These results suggest that male response to female odor is not an entirely innate behavior. Males may require mating experience with female conspecifics to develop attraction to those olfactory cues produced by the female and in association with the female’s habitat. This adaptive plasticity may allow males to detect females in an ever-changing environment and promote diversification and further specialization on different host genotypes.
Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumor in Tail of Pancreas with Splenic Vein Thrombus and Sinistral Portal Hypertension

Pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) originate from the pancreatic islet cells. They are rare and account for approximately 2–4% of pancreatic neoplasms. Approximately one-quarter of PNETs are nonfunctional, in that they do not cause a syndrome related to hormonal hypersecretion. As a result, they may be diagnosed at a later stage and present with symptoms of mass compression. Tumors in the tail of the pancreas can cause splenic vein thrombosis, which complicates pancreatic neoplasms in 7% to 10% of patients. Gastric varices can form as a result secondary to sinistral portal hypertension. Patients are at risk for gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Patients should undergo distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy for oncologic resection and decompression of the left-sided portal hypertension.
Neutrophil activation : an alternative to prostaglandin inhibition as the mechanism of action for NSAIDs

Experimental findings suggest that inhibition of neutrophil activation rather than suppression of prostaglandin formation may represent the principal mechanism of action of antiinflammatory drugs. This theory would account for the effectiveness of prostaglandin preserving agents, such as the nonacetylated salicylate salsalate, in the treatment of rheumatic disease. Results of the controlled clinical trials described in other papers contained in this supplement indicate that salsalate is equally effective as aspirin and the newer NSAID naproxen in relieving the signs and symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. The damage to the gastric mucosa associated with NSAID use is believed to be attributable to impairment of mucosal defense mechanisms resulting from the inhibition of gastroprotective prostaglandins. Confirmation of neutrophil activation as the mechanism of action of NSAIDs would explain the efficacy of salsalate in light of its lower incidence of gastrointestinal side effects in controlled clinical trials with aspirin and naproxen. Establishment of such a mechanism would also suggest that the other adverse effects related to prostaglandin inhibition, such as hypersensitivity reactions, platelet dysfunction, and a reduction in renal function, are not necessary correlates of effective antiinflammatory therapy.