cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydrophobically modified inulin-based micelles: Transport mechanisms and drug delivery applications for breast cancer

Abstract Carbohydrate-based polymers are gaining interest as drug delivery materials with improved safety profile and cost effectiveness. Understanding the cellular uptake mechanisms of nanoparticle prepared with carbohydrate-based polymers is very critical in advancing them as drug delivery vehicles. In the current study, we utilized self-assembling nano-micelles of lauryl carbamate derivative of plant-based polymer inulin (Inutec-SP1®, INT) to deliver single or a combination of chemotherapeutic drugs for breast cancer. INT micelles loaded with doxorubicin (DOX) and/or paclitaxel (PTX) were prepared using thin-film hydration method. INT formed micelles with a large core as shown by transmission electron microscopy and are 302.3 ± 16.3 nm in diameter. The efficiency of drug encapsulation was very high with INT micelles (89.5% with DOX and 76.6% for PTX). The in-vitro drug release from the micelles was sustained for >72 h at pH 7.4. Clathrin-mediated endocytosis was the predominant pathway involved in the internalization of INT micelles as studied using pharmacological inhibitors of various endocytosis pathways and flow cytometry. The internalized micelles were transported to lysosomes as evident from localization studies with Lysotracker-Green. Both DOX and PTX were more efficient (~100–250 folds) in inhibiting the cell viability when delivered through INT-micelles compared to respective drugs in soluble form. Furthermore, combination micelles containing both DOX and PTX were more efficient than micelles with individual drugs. With reported enhanced circulation time in-vivo along with the availability of a network of functional groups for active targeting, INT-micelles offer a unique delivery system for a single/combination of chemotherapeutic agents.
Criminal Law and Penal Law: The Wrongness Constraint and a Complementary Forfeiture Model

Antony Duff’s The Realm of Criminal Law offers an appealing moral reconstruction of the criminal law. I agree that the criminal law should be understood to predicate punishment upon sufficient proof that the defendant has committed a public wrong for which she is being held to account and censured. But the criminal law is not only about censoring people for public wrongs; it must serve other purposes as well, such as preventing people from committing serious crimes and more generally from violating reasonable regulations. These purposes, and perhaps retributive justice, require the criminal law also to mete out harsh treatment, but only insofar as such treatments are proportional to the culpable wrong committed. The problem for the criminal law is that many mala prohibita crimes consist of a minor wrong but also call for a relatively severe punishment. To accommodate that mismatch, it is necessary to complement the criminal law, as Duff and I conceive of it, with what I call “penal law.” Penal law relies on forfeiture to explain why hard treatment is permissible. The forfeiture must be fair, and it comes with its own proportionality limits. But those limits are not as strict as the limits implicit in the criminal law. It allows for penalties that are harsher than the punishments that could justifiably be meted out for many mala prohibita offenses. One and the same act can count as a crime and a penal infraction, and one and the same criminal justice system can and should handle both crimes and the penal infractions. It is, I think, only in that way that we can accommodate both the need to prevent public wrongdoing and the distinct importance of holding people accountable for the commission of public wrongs.
Design of Steel Frames for Minimum Weight

A procedure for obtaining minimum weight of plastic designed, rigid jointed steel frames, is presented and beam-column interaction is considered. Zonal linearization of the nonlinear relationship between unit weight and plastic-moment capacity of standard rolled shapes allows linear programming. Convergence to a minimum-weight design by considering a limited number of feasible solutions is discussed.
A latent class analysis of acculturation and depressive symptoms among Latino immigrants: Examining the role of social support

Abstract Drawing upon Berry’s (1980) bi-dimensional model of acculturation and using data from a community-based sample of adults in Miami-Dade, Florida, the current investigation compared various immigrant acculturation profiles in their levels of depressive symptoms and assessed the mediating role of social support in explaining mental health differences across these acculturation profiles. Latent class analysis specified separated, partial separated, bicultural and marginal profiles of acculturation among Latino immigrants. Notably, our findings identified a small, albeit significant, marginal class among Latino immigrants, and both bivariate and multivariate findings demonstrated that those in marginal class reported the poorest mental health. Our findings further revealed that the observed mental health disadvantage among the marginal class relative to other immigrants was due to their disadvantage in family support . Overall, this investigation further underscores the importance of family support as an element of immigrant acculturation experience and mental health. From a policy perspective, social support, specifically family support, is critical for immigrant mental health, and a lack of family support may increase the risk for developing a marginal experience and mental health problems among a growing population of Latino immigrants in the United States.
Optimal Partial Pressure of Oxygen Affects Outcomes in Patients With Severe Traumatic Brain Injury.

Introduction Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability. Not all neuronal damage occurs at the time of primary injury, but rather TBI initiates a cascade of events that leads to secondary brain injury. Oxygenation is one crucial factor in maintaining brain tissue homeostasis post-injury. We performed a retrospective review of patients admitted to a single trauma center after TBI. Statistical analysis was performed to ascertain if the measured partial pressure of oxygen (PaO₂) affected overall outcome at the time of discharge from the hospital. Materials and Methods Statistical analysis was performed retrospectively on patients admitted with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) < 8 and a diagnosis of TBI. GCS and Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS) were calculated from physical examination findings at the time of hospital discharge or death. Patient data were separated into two groups: those with consistently higher average PaO₂ scores (≥ 150 mmHg; n = 7) and those with lower average PaO₂ scores (< 150 mmHg; n = 8). The minimum requirement to be categorized in the consistently higher group was to have an average hospital day 1 through 5 PaO₂ value of ≥ 150 mmHg. Results Patients with consistent hospital Day 1 through 5 PaO₂ scores of ≥ 150 mmHg had statistically significant higher GCS scores at the end of intensive care unit (ICU)-level care or hospital discharge (mean = 12, p = 0.01), compared to those in group 2 with lower PaO₂ levels (mean = 7.9). There was no statistically significant difference in GOS when comparing the two groups (p = 0.055); however, the data did show a trend toward significance. Discussion and Conclusion In our study we analyzed patients diagnosed with TBI and stratified them into groups based on PaO₂ ≥ or < 150 mmHg. We demonstrate overall outcome improvement based on GCS with a trend toward improved GOS. The GCS showed statistical significance in patients with PaO₂ consistently ≥ 150 mmHg versus those in group 2 over the first five days of hospitalization.
Melkerrson Rosenthal Syndrome: A Rare Neurologic Disorder (5500)

Objective: Not Applicable Background: Melkerrson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is a rare neuro-mucocutaneous disease characterized by a triad of persistent or recurrent oro-facial edema, facial nerve palsy and fissured tongue. Approximately 300 cases have been reported so far in the literature. Design/Methods: Not Applicable Results: A 25-year-old Caucasian female with no significant past medical history presented to the emergency department for 2-day history of sudden onset right facial weakness, numbness and lip swelling. On examination patient had decreased sensation on the right side of face, lower motor neuron type right facial paralysis and lip swelling on the right side. She had normal vision, hearing and taste sensations. Her rest of the neurological exam and laboratory work up was normal. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of brain, angiogram of head and neck revealed no abnormalities. Patient was diagnosed with Bell’s palsy and discharged on oral steroids with taper and Valacyclovir. Her symptoms resolved after one month but recurred with similar presentations at 2 months and an year later. Each episode lasted for 4–5 days and resolved spontaneously. Repeat MRI Brain during those episodes was also unremarkable. She was diagnosed with Melkerrson Rosenthal syndrome after the third episode. Conclusions: MRS is a rare neurologic disorder, it is uncommon to observe the complete triad of symptoms at the time of initial presentation, making this condition difficult to diagnose. In a retrospective study done with MRS patients, only 13 percent of them presented with full triad of symptoms. Recurrence rate of Bell’s palsy is also low, thus, in patients presenting with recurrent idiopathic peripheral facial nerve palsy, additional careful mucocutaneous exam may lead to a diagnosis of MRS. This can reduce the number of the additional imaging studies that are done and also lead to earlier diagnosis of MRS. Disclosure: Dr. Thottempudi has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hamouda has nothing to disclose. Dr. Wu has nothing to disclose.
Topological Twists in Nature

The first entangled protein was observed about 30 years ago, resulting in an increased interest for uncovering the biological functions and biophysical properties of these complex topologies. Recently, the Pierced Lasso Topology (PLT) was discovered in which a covalent bond forms an intramolecular loop, leaving one or both termini free to pierce the loop. This topology is related to knots and other entanglements. PLTs exist in many well-researched systems where the PLTs have previously been unnoticed. PLTs represents 18% of all disulfide containing proteins across all kingdoms of life. In this review, we investigate the biological implications of this specific topology in which the PLT-forming disulfide may act as a molecular switch for protein function and consequently human health.
National Institutes of Health Advancing Multimorbidity Research.

Background Multimorbidity, the co-occurrence of 2 or more chronic diseases, is more common than having a single chronic disease, especially among persons age 65 years and older. The routine measurement of multimorbidity can facilitate a better understanding of potential causes and interactions and promote more effective treatment and improved outcomes. Objectives To present a multimorbidity research framework and identify gaps in the research literature related to multimorbidity. Design In preparation for an expert panel workshop convened in September 2018, planning committee members reviewed the literature and developed a guiding framework that informed the selection of topics and speakers. Results The framework, grounded in a patient-centered approach, incorporates the concept of concordant and discordant comorbidity, and includes potential causes, interactions, and outcomes. This work informed workshop presentations and discussion related to identifying and selecting the best available multimorbidity instruments and determining future research needs. Conclusions Multimorbidity research can be advanced by addressing gaps in study design and target populations, and by increasing attention to universal outcome measurement.
The Spatial Extensions of the Right to Seek Asylum: The Eastern Mediterranean Refugee Route

Abstract: The spatial extensions of the right to seek asylum is a project to investigate the first response of the European mainland to the humanitarian refugee crisis of 2015 through critical mapping. The site of exploration is the Eastern Mediterranean Route (EMR), a passage expanding from Greece to Germany through the Balkans, used for many years as an entry path into Europe. During the first quarter of 2015, the European Union temporarily formalised the EMR. It was the first time after the Second World War that Europe addressed statelessness in its territory. This essay discusses the spatial articulations of the EMR political reality through the analytical frame of the ethics of admissions. It unfolds its institutional geography, infrastructure, programme, and strategies and unveils the EMR territory as a transnational space of exception with its own rules and principles. Keywords: Syrian Refugee Crisis, Eastern Mediterranean Route, Ethics of Admissions, Critical Cartography, Border Management, Camp
Biology of an Adventive Population of the Armored Scale Rhizaspidiotus donacis, a Biological Control Agent of Arundo donax in California.

Arundo donax (giant reed) is invasive in Mediterranean, sub-, and tropical riparian systems worldwide. The armored scale Rhizaspidiotus donacis is approved for biocontrol in North America, but an adventive population was recently discovered in southern California. We documented this population’s distribution, phylogeny, phenology, potential host spillover to Phragmites spp., and potential for parasitism by a common biocontrol parasitoid of citrus scale. The adventive scale was found within a single watershed and is genetically closest to Iberian scale genotypes. Rhizaspidiotus donacis developed on Phragmites haplotypes but at much lower densities than Arundo. The adventive population is univoltine, producing crawlers from March-June. Aphytis melinus parasitoids exhibited sustained interest in R. donacis during choice and no-choice trials and oviposition resulted in a small second generation. Rhizaspidiotus donacis appears limited in distribution by its univoltinism and sessile adult females. This presents challenges for broad biocontrol implementation but allows for targeted application. The genetic differentiation between imported biocontrol samples and adventive populations presents an opportunity for exploring benefits of hybrids and/or alternative genotypes where establishment has been difficult. While unlikely to occur in situ, spillover to vulnerable endemic Phragmites or deleterious parasitoid effects on scale biocontrol agents warrants consideration when planning use of R. donacis.
Multidisciplinary intervention highly effective in decreasing restraint use in paediatric acute care.

Commentary on : Dalton EM, Herndon AC, Cunliff A, et al . Decreasing the use of restraints on children admitted for behavioral health conditions. Pediatrics 2021;1481:e2020003939. The increased number of children diagnosed with mental health conditions has resulted in increased admissions to children’s hospitals where staff are ill prepared to care for children with mental health conditions.1 2 Dalton et al 3 discovered four key drivers that informed a multidisciplinary intervention to decrease the use of physical restraints in children (1) de-escalating agitated patients, (2) …
High temperature superconductivity with repulsive pairing interactions

A pairing Hamiltonian HðCÞ with an interaction kernel C characterized by ½� C0; � a0� , where C0 denotes the separable part and a0 the degree of non-separability, produces high temperature superconductivity for both attractive C0 > 0 and repulsive C0 0. For C0 > 0, typical HTS properties, e.g. cuprate, are produced. Repulsive C0 < 0 produces a distinct difference in the kinetic energy dependence of the SC gap, significantly altering thermodynamic properties. 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Radical prostatectomy and adjuvant radioactive gold seed placement: results of treatment at 5 and 10 years for clinical stages A2, B1 and B2 cancer of the prostate.

AbstractBetween 1977 and 1988, 131 patients with adenocarcinoma of the prostate underwent combined radical prostatectomy and intraoperative radioactive gold seed placement. Of these 131 patients 80 were clinically assessed as having stage A2 (12), B1 (43) or B2 (25) cancer and they are the subject of this review. The average dose of radioactivity administered to each patient was 96.6mCi. and mean followup was 65 months (median 64 months). No patient in this series received any other form of adjuvant therapy until disease recurrence was demonstrated. Local recurrences were observed in 2 patients (2.5%) in this series while distant recurrences were observed in 10 (12.5%). Cancer specific survival free of disease at 5 years was 100% for clinical stage A2, 91% for B1 and 75% for B2 cancers. The 10-year survival free of disease was 100% for clinical stage A2, 82% for B1 and 68% for B2 cancers. Covariants of clinical stage and seminal vesicle involvement influenced survival free of disease in a statistically si...
Asymptotic efficiency of a blind maximum likelihood sequence detector

In this paper, we consider the performance of blind maximum likelihood sequence detection (MLSD) when the recursive least-squares (RLS) algorithm is used to update channel estimates. We employ asymptotic efficiency analysis to characterize the performance of the detector as the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) approaches infinity. Asymptotic efficiency analysis allows us to quantify the loss in performance due to the presence of intersymbol interference (ISI) and the lack of channel knowledge. We show that, under certain conditions, the asymptotic efficiency of the detector depends only on a single most-likely noise realization. Our results indicate that the performance of the RLS-based detector is strongly dependent on both the magnitude of the ISI and the number of data samples available.
How Do Communities Come Together

Ecological Assembly Rules Perspectives, advances, retreats. Evan Weiher and Paul Keddy, Eds. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1999. 430 pp. $90, £55. ISBN 0-521-65235-9. Although it fails to present any major breakthroughs or new syntheses, this collection of articles does a good job demonstrating the increasingly sophisticated use of null models to test assembly patterns of community ecology.
How Do Treatment-Seeking Overweight Youth and Their Parents Describe Weight Promoting Factors in Their Family?

The aim of this pilot study is to describe youth and parents' perceptions of potential weight-promoting factors among families seeking treatment for youth overweight. We identified 2 important gaps in the vast multidisciplinary literature: (a) a lack of studies addressing both the youth and the parent perceptions about family factors that are potentially weight-promoting and (b) a lack of interventions that community health nurses could deliver specifically targeting families seeking treatment for overweight youth. Focus group data were content analyzed. Broad themes included: (a) mixed messages, (b) food and exercise as battleground, (c) problem solving, and (d) social aspects of youth overweight. We conclude that youth and parents could benefit from community health nursing interventions to implement healthcare professionals' recommendations incorporating all family members and creating and maintaining an accepting and demanding family climate.
A Study of STEM Assessments in Engineering, Science, and Mathematics for Elementary and Middle School Students

The purpose of this study was to develop, scale, and validate assessments in engineering, science, and mathematics with grade appropriate items that were sensitive to the curriculum developed by teachers. The use of item response theory to assess item functioning was a focus of the study. The work is part of a larger project focused on increasing student learning in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM)-related areas in grades 4–8 through an engineering design-based, integrated approach to STEM instruction and assessment. The fact that the assessments are available to school districts at no cost, and represent psychometrically sound instruments that are sensitive to STEM-oriented curriculum, offers schools an important tool for gauging students' understanding of engineering, science, and mathematics concepts.
Performance of TOA- and RSS-based indoor geolocation for cooperative robotic applications

Recently, cooperative robotic applications have attracted considerable attention. Cooperative assignments for robots demand accurate localization. Since in an indoor environment localization using GPS does not render a satisfactory result, we need to resort to different approaches for indoor geolocation. Precise localization information means better coordination that enables us to manipulate robots more effectively for variety of tasks. In this paper, the cooperative localization performance accuracy for a multi-robot operation is examined using empirical models for ranging estimates in an indoor environment scenario at the third floor of the Atwater Kent Laboratory (AKL) in the Worcester Polytechnic Institute. The two widely used ranging techniques are Time Of Arrival (TOA) using Ultra-wideband (UWB) and Received Signal Strength (RSS) using WiFi signals. We use empirical statistical models for UWB TOA-based and WiFi RSS-based operations in order to determine the Cramer-Rao-Lower-Bound (CRLB) on the performance of localization techniques in our multi-robot operation scenarios. We determine the performance of the localization of robots when they are localized individually versus when they are benefited from cooperative localization.
TODOS LOS CLIENTES NO SON IGUALES: UNA PERSPECTIVA FINANCIERA SOBRE SERVICIO AL CLIENTE PARA LOS GERENTES DE MERCADEO

Los gerentes colombianos estamos pensando en Servicio al Cliente como la proxima ventaja competitiva y una ayuda para contrarrestar los efectos de la recesion actual. Estamos cansados de buscar siempre en nuestra caja de herramientas de mercadeo y encontrar solamente el martillo del precio. Para diferenciamos de la competencia, hacerle al cliente menos sensible una diferencia en precio y encontrar una ventaja verdaderamente sostenible, sobre todo cuando le ofrecemos los beneficios de un producto o servicio muy parecidos a los del competidor, un programa bien disenado de Servicio al Cliente puede ser la clave.
Role of cyclooxygenase in sex-specific cerebrovascular responses to hypoxia (708.2)

Animal data suggest females rely more on cyclooxygenase (COX) than males to achieve increases in cerebral blood flow. Our aim was to determine the contribution of COX to hypoxia-mediated increases ...
Characterization of the complex pdxH-tyrS operon of Escherichia coli K-12 and pleiotropic phenotypes caused by pdxH insertion mutations.

Abstract We report the first molecular genetic analysis of a pyridoxine 5'-phosphate oxidase, the PdxH gene product of Escherichia coli K-12. Chromosomal insertions in and around pdxH were generated with various transposons, and the resulting phenotypes were characterized. The DNA sequence of pdxH was determined, and the promoters of pdxH and the downstream gene tyrS, which encodes tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, were mapped by RNase T2 protection assays of chromosomal transcripts. These combined approaches led to the following conclusions: (i) pdxH is transcribed from a sigma 70-type promoter and shares its transcript with tyrS; (ii) tyrS is additionally transcribed from a relatively strong, nonconventional internal promoter that may contain an upstream activating sequence but whose expression is unaffected by a fis mutation; (iii) PdxH oxidase is basic, has a molecular mass of 25,545 Da, and shares striking homology (greater than 40% identity) with the developmentally regulated FprA protein of Myxococcus xanthus; (iv) mild pyridoxal 5'-phosphate limitation of pdxH mutants inhibits cell division and leads to formation of unsegregated nucleoids; (v) E. coli PdxH oxidase is required aerobically and anaerobically, but second-site suppressors that replace pdxH function entirely can be isolated; and (vi) pdxH mutants excrete significant amounts of L-glutamate and a compound, probably alpha-ketoisovalerate, that triggers L-valine inhibition of E. coli K-12 strains. These findings extend earlier observations that pyridoxal 5'-phosphate biosynthetic and aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase genes are often members of complex, multifunctional operons. Our results also show that loss of pdxH function seriously disrupts cellular metabolism in unanticipated ways.
Networklike metric spaces

Abstract Two distinctive and fundamental metrical properties of a network (conceived as an infinite point set with a metric) are: (a) it is a tree if and only if its metric is convex, and (b) it decomposes into finitely many treelike segments on which the metric is convex. We show that (a) and (b) are intimately related by proving that equivalence (a) holds in a class of networklike or ‘reticular’ metric spaces that are characterized by decomposability into treelike segments and whose finite models exhibit many of the important metrical properties of networks.
Solid-solution nanoparticles : Use of a nonhydrolytic sol-gel synthesis to prepare HfO2 and HfxZr1-xO2 nanocrystals

A nonhydrolytic sol−gel process closely following that of Hyeon et al. for the synthesis of ZrO2 nanocrystals (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2003, 125, 6553−6557) was used to synthesize highly crystalline and monodisperse HfO2 nanoparticles. Reactions of hafnium isopropoxide with hafnium halides at high temperature in a strongly coordinating solvent yield nanometer-sized particles of HfO2. The size, shape, and crystalline phase of the hafnia particles depend on both the reaction temperature and the halide. The nonhydrolytic cross-condensation method was also extended to the binary metal oxides nanocrystals, i.e., HfO2−ZrO2, ZrO2−TiO2, and HfO2−TiO2. Efforts to prepare nanocrystals of HfxZr1-xO2 over a wide range of x were successful; however, this method could not be used to prepare either ZrxTi1-xO2 or HfxTi1-xO2. In conjunction with X-ray powder diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy identifies the structural phase of the nanocrystals and also proves the formation of th...
Testing five color‐appearance models for changes in viewing conditions

Five color-appearance transformations were compared in a series of psychophysical experiments under a variety of viewing conditions. These transformations included the Hunt model, the Nayatani model, RLAB, CIELAB color space, and von Kries chromatic adaptation. Observers compared original printed images viewed under one set of viewing conditions to reproductions viewed on a monitor with differing conditions. These conditions varied in white point, luminance level, background reflectance, and surround. Reproductions were produced using the various color-appearance models and observers decided which reproduction was the closest match to the original. RLAB was found to produce the most acceptable reproductions, except for changes in surround. CIELAB and von Kries adaptation also performed well. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Col Res Appl, 22, 165–173, 1997.
Zeeman-effect studies of the electronic absorption spectrum of octachlorodirhenate(2−) (ReRe) in pulsed 50-Tesla magnetic fields

Electronic absorption spectra have been measured for crystals of (Bu4N)2[Re2Cl8] at 3.8 K is pulsed magnetic fields (pulse duration ca. 10 ms; field strength to 50 T). Spectra were measured in the 530–600 nm (‘Band I’) and 435–500 nm (‘Band II’) regions, where well resolved vibrational fine structure had been noted in previous spectroscopic studies. Application of magnetic fields up to 50 T caused no measurable splittings or shifts in these two absorption bands. This indicates that both bands are attributable to spin-allowed electronic transitions, since spin-forbidden transitions would be expected to show Zeeman splitting. Possible assignments for Bands I and II include transitions to two 1Eg excited states [1(π,δ∗) and1(δ,π∗)], as previously suggested by Bursten et al. (B.E. Bursten, F.A. Cotton, P.E. Fanwick and G.G. Stanley, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 105 (1983) 3082), and to two formally doubly excited states, 1A1g [1(δδ,δ∗δ∗)] and 1Eu [1(πδ,δ∗δ∗)].
Composition of the lipids from the guts of termite queens

Abstract Lipids from guts of an unidentified species of Macrotermes queens were extracted with chloroform-methanol and investigated by thin-layer, column, and gas-liquid chromatography. Separation on silicic acid yielded 63% of neutral and 37% phospholipids. Neutral lipids contained 28% of free fatty acids, while the rest consisted mainly of triglycerides and smaller quantities of hydrocarbons, diglycerides, and esters. Phospholipids consisted mainly of phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidyl ethanolamine with smaller quantities of phosphatidyl inositol. Fatty acids from free fatty acids, diglycerides, triglycerides, and phospholipids contained C 18:1 as the predominant acid with lesser quantities of C 18:0 and C 18:2 . Monoglycerides contained C 14:0 as the major acid and smaller quantities of C 16:0 and C 18:0 . Some of the fractions contained fatty acids with an odd number of carbon atoms. The sterol fraction consisted of cholesterol and lesser quantities of cholestanol and campesterol.
Wigner distribution for operators at different times

The paper considers the problem of finding the joint probability distribution of position, P(q 0,q 1,…, qN ), at the different times t 0,t 1, …, tN . The problem is addressed both classically and quantum mechanically. The characteristic function approach is used and it is shown that for certain cases the quantum mechanical answer is the same as the classical answer with replacement of the initial classical probability distribution by the Wigner distribution of the initial wave function. This is the case for taking a certain form of the quantum characteristic function. Other choices are also discussed.
Formation and enrichment mode of Jiaoshiba shale gas field, Sichuan Basin

Abstract The Silurian Longmaxi shale gas play in Jiaoshiba Structure in the southeast margin of the Sichuan Basin is studied to discuss the key controlling factors of shale gas enrichment in complex tectonic zone with high evolution. Jiaoshiba Structure is a faulted anticline which experienced multiphase tectonic movements. The Longmaxi Formation has high thermal evolution degree with Ro more than 2.2%, 35-45 meters thick high-quality shale (TOC > 2%) in its lower part. The reservoir is overpressure with a pressure coefficient of 1.55, and the shale gas production and pressure are stable. Structure type, evolution and geochemical analyses show that there are several stages of hydrocarbon generation, migration and accumulation in the Longmaxi Formation. The joint action of two groups (two stages) of fault systems and the detachment surface at the bottom of the Longmaxi Formation control the development of reticular cracks and overpressure preservation, and it is the key to the shale gas accumulation and high yield. The sealed box-like system in the Longmaxi Formation ensures the gas reservoir dynamic balance. The model of high yield and enrichment of Jiaoshiba shale gas play is “ladder migration, anticline accumulation, fault–slip plane controlling fractures, and box shape reservoiring”. Like in conventional gas plays, good preservation and tectonic conditions are also required to form high yield shale plays in areas which have complex structures, multi-stage tectonic movements, and have high evolution shale.
Teaching the World Health Organization’s How to Handrub and Five Moments for Hand Hygiene in a health care delivery course at a new school of pharmacy

Abstract Objective To implement and evaluate instruction of hand rubbing with alcohol-based products using the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines and indications. Design Newly matriculated P1 students were required to attend a 75-minute class during which an instructor presented hand hygiene in the context of professionalism and the incidence of health care-associated infections and community-acquired antimicrobial-resistant infections in pharmacy practice settings. Students then practiced the eight-step World Health Organization (WHO) method using a WHO infographic and alcohol-based hand sanitizer and watched a New England Journal of Medicine video to reinforce skill instruction and to introduce the WHO indications for hand hygiene. Assessment Individual hand rubbing skill was assessed by individual observation using a ten-point rubric. Knowledge was tested by exam. Change in student attitudes and motivation to perform hand hygiene were measured by survey. All students ( n = 77) demonstrated mastery of WHO hand rubbing. Correct answers to exam questions ranged from 83% to 100% per question. Student attitudes and motivation to perform hand hygiene increased significantly. Conclusions Mastery of WHO hand rubbing can be achieved with limited class time. This skill may protect both students and patients from health care-associated infections and community-acquired infections while providing a strong visual demonstration of professionalism to patients and other providers.
Small Protein Folding using Weighted Ensemble Simulation: A Case Study of Trp-Cage

The 20-residue protein Trp-cage is a rapidly folding protein ideal for testing different strategies in folding simulations. The system was studied via the weighted ensemble (WE) approach where trajectories evolved according to Langevin dynamics in implicit solvent. In the WE method [Huber and Kim, Biophys. J., 1996], the configuration space is divided into arbitrary regions called bins. Trajectories arriving to new bins are replicated into identical daughter trajectories that inherit the history and a corresponding fraction of the parent's weight. In general, WE is a parallel method that forces a system to explore timescales and regions of configuration space typically inaccessible in regular simulations. Unbiased estimates of rates and other properties are produced. Appropriate selection of bins remains a challenging aspect of WE, however, especially in non-trivial systems such as proteins. For Trp-cage, different binning strategies are explored using 1D and 2D binning coordinates with the goal of improving efficiency. Rate constants calculated in both the high and low friction regimes are compared with independent estimates.
Polar cap formation on Ganymede

It is argued that Ganymede's polar caps are the remnants of a more extensive covering of water ice that formed during a period in which the satellite was geologically active. It is inferred that the initial thickness of this covering was a significant fraction of the gardening depth since the covering formed. This suggests an initial thickness of at least a few meters over heavily cratered regions such as the south polar grooved terrain. The absence of similar polar caps on Callisto apparently reflects the absence of comparable geologic activity in the history of this satellite.
N-Job, One Machine Sequencing Problems Under Uncertainty

N jobs simultaneously arrive at a machine where they are to be processed. It is assumed that the processing times and due dates for the jobs are independent random variables whose distributions are known. The problem is to determine the optimal sequences of jobs, before processing begins, for various criteria of tardiness. It is shown that solutions are obtainable by ascertaining the optimal paths through a particular deterministic network. Furthermore, one may utilize a branch and bound technique to find these paths. For special classes of distributions, the solution procedure degenerates, whereby the optimal sequences may be determined by inspection.
Isolated tricuspid insufficiency. Report of a case with valve replacement.

Abstract We have described a case of isolated tricuspid insufficiency in a 34 year old man with a history of prior chest trauma. Clinical, radiologic and laboratory evaluation firmly established the diagnosis of tricuspid insufficiency which was successfully treated surgically by the implantation of a Starr-Edwards valve.
Psychological Needs, Personal Control, and Political Participation

Political theorists have long argued that political participation has been a minimal requirement of democratic political systems.1 More recently, social scientists have turned their attention to understanding the factors that impede or promote participation.2 This paper examines several such hypotheses which lie within the framework of personality and social-psychological theory. Briefly stated, this author's contention is that: (1) each individual has a need to have sufficient
To Weight or Not to Weight: The Role of Domain Importance in Quality of Life Measurement.

Although there are problems associated with thepractice of deriving weighted satisfactionscores by multiplying importance ratings andsatisfaction ratings of life domains, theseproblems do not seem sufficient to justify theabandonment of incorporating domain importanceweighting into quality of life (QoL)instruments. This paper shows that domainimportance as a weighting mechanism in QoLinstruments can be conceptually,psychometrically and empirically reasonable. Given the lack of conceptual or theoreticaldevelopment regarding the role of domainimportance in QoL instruments, it is importantto focus our attention on how to weight.
Towards a theory of local and global in computation

Abstract We formulate the rudiments of a method for assessing the difficulty of dividing a computational problem into “independent simpler parts”. This work illustrates measures of complexity which attempt to capture the distinction between “local” and “global” computational problems. One such measure is the covering multiplicity , or average number of partial computations which take account of a given piece of data. Another measure reflects the intuitive notion of a “highly interconnected” computational problem, for which subsets of the data cannot be processed “in isolation”. These ideas are applied in the setting of computational geometry to show that the connectivity predicate has unbounded covering multiplicity and is highly interconnected; and in the setting of numerical computations to measure the complexity of evaluating polynomials and solving systems of linear equations.
Acute Effects of Dexfenfluramine (d-FEN) and Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) before and after Short-Course, High-Dose Treatment.

The acute behavioral effects of methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and dexfenfluramine (d-FEN) were assessed in six rhesus monkeys using performance in the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) Operant Test Battery (OTB); three additional animals served as controls for neurochemical endpoints. The OTB consists of five food-reinforced tasks designed to model aspects of learning, short-term memory and attention, time estimation, motivation, and color and position discrimination. Shortly after the acute effects of each drug were determined, three of the monkeys received a short-course, high-dose exposure (2x /day x 4 days, intramuscular (i.m.) injections) of MDMA (10 mg/kg), while three monkeys were exposed to an identical regimen of d-FEN (5 mg/kg). Approximately one month later, the acute effects of each drug were again determined. In monkeys exposed to high-dose d-FEN, the sensitivities of the OTB tasks to acute disruption by either MDMA or d-FEN were essentially unchanged. Conversely, monkeys treated with high-dose MDMA were less sensitive to the acute behavioral effects of both drugs, although such an effect was seen more frequently for d-FEN and was OTB task specific. Thus a residual behavioral tolerance to the acute behavioral effects of MDMA and d-FEN was noted after high-dose MDMA exposure, but not after high-dose d-FEN exposure. These findings are surprising, as similar neurochemical effects (i.e., significant decreases of ca. 50% in serotonin in frontal cortex and hippocampus) were observed in all monkeys approximately six months after short-course, high-dose MDMA or d-FEN treatment.
Plant Anticancer Agents III: Isolation of Indole and Bisindole Alkaloids from Tabernaemontana holstii Roots

Certain active antileukemic and cytotoxic fractions prepared from Tabernaemontana holstii roots were investigated, resulting in the isolation of the known indole alkaloids conoduramine, conodurine, coronaridine, gabunine, 19-oxocoronaridine, pericyclivine, perivine, and vobasine. Two new alkaloids were assigned the structures 19-oxocono- durine and 19-(2-oxopropyl)conodurine. Both gabunine and 19-(2-oxo-propyl)conodurine showed significant inhibitory activity against P-388 cell culture. All of the alkaloids are reported for the first time from T. holstii; conodurine, conoduramine, gabunine, perivine, and pericyclivine are reported for the first time from any Tabernaemontana species.
Analogue photonic link design charts for microwave engineering applications

A set of unique design charts for intensity-modulation direct-detection microwave photonics links is presented. The charts facilitate link design and analysis, clearly demonstrating performance trade-offs in terms of standard microwave performance metrics.
Physiological observations on developing rainbow trout, Salmo gairdneri (Richardson), exposed to low pH and varied calcium ion concentrations

The extinction of piscine populations in waters acidified by atmospheric fallout of pollutants and runoff from coal strip mines usually occurs through recruitment failure. To determine mechanisms of recruitment failure, several physiological parameters of developing rainbow trout were monitored while fish were exposed to conditions of low pH and varied calcium ion concentrations. Cardiac rate, ossification, growth, tissue calcium concentrations, protein maturation, hatching, and mortality were examined. Results indicate a decreased cardiac rate, decreased rate of ossification, slower growth, less pigmentation, delayed hatching and increased mortality under conditions of low pH. Cardiac rate, hatching and mortality varied with the external calcium concentration.
Antihypertensive effect of the combination of fosinopril and HCTZ is resistant to interference by nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAID) are frequently reported to interfere with the blood pressure lowering actions of various antihypertensive medications. We studied 17 women with arthritis and hypertension who were receiving fosinopril and HCTZ, and administered sequentially in random order ibuprofen, sulindac, and nabumetone for 1 month each, with an intervening 2-week washout period between each treatment period. During the washout period, subjects received acetaminophen. Blood pressure at the end of 2 weeks of acetaminophen was compared with blood pressure after 1 month of treatment with each of the NSAID. Mean blood pressure was unchanged before and after all NSAID: 108 ± 7 v 107 ± 9 for nabumetone, 108 ± 9 v 108 ± 9 for sulindac, and 108 ± 8 v 107 ± 9 for ibuprofen. The 24-h urinary sodium excretion was not significantly different. We conclude that the three NSAID did not neutralize the antihypertensive effect of the combination of fosinopril and HCTZ, and hence the blood pressure lowering action of the combination may not be prostaglandin dependent.
Mediating Between Thick Invocations of the Common Good and Thin Apeals to Human Rights: The Case of South Africa

AbstractHow shall we think of our public reasoning in modern, pluralist societies? Is the most reasonable doctrine a “thin” public morality, e.g., a “moral Esperanto” of rights? Or as Michael Walzer urges, must we concede that “morality is thick from the beginning, culturally integrated” in particular narrative traditions? Benjamin Gregg offers an incisive and original response in Thick Moralities, Thin Politics: Social Integration Across Communities of Belief. In responding to Gregg, I explore the role of human rights in the public, political discourse of modern, pluralist polities, drawing, in particular, on victims’ narratives in the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). For, despite its limitations, the TRC offers an illuminating exercise in social integration among diverse communities.
VALVE MORPHOGENESIS IN THE MARINE ARAPHID DIATOM GEPHYRIA MEDIA (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE)

Valve morphogenesis in the marine araphid diatom Gephyria media W. Arnott was studied using dense populations epiphytic on red algae. Valves begin as a narrow sternum with virgae (pinnate lateral outgrowths). The apical pore fields and rimoportulae at each end of the concave valve are produced early in valve morphogenesis. The rimoportulae of the convex valve are also formed early and the virgae are branched at the apex. The timing of rimoportula formation well after formation of the virgae appears to contradict the hypothesis that the raphe system may have evolved from rimoportulae of araphid diatoms. Formation of the bi- and triseriate striae begins at the sternum with the lateral outgrowth of forked vimines, which then fuse. Completion of valve morphogenesis involves the development of an internal silica sheet. When the sheet is fully extended it forms an internal zigzag pattern of foramina near the valve margin in both kinds of valves, thus producing chambers. The rimoportula lengthens internally and ...
A variable closure differential approximation for anisotropic radiation

Abstract Spatially varying closure based on ellipsoidal intensity modeling is used to describe the anisotropic radiation field by means of a modified differential approximation. Singular behavior in region corners is identified and accounted for, and a self-consistent boundary condition suggested for the ratio of lowest order moments of intensity. Completed examples indicate removal of virtually the entire differences between Milne-Eddington and exact results.
Residual Stress Characterization with AN Ultrasonic/magnetic Technique

A potentially useful new technique for residual stress characterization in ferromagnetic material is described. The unique feature of this technique is the measurement of small changes in ultrasonic wave velocity by the application of external dc magnetic field in the material under various stress conditions. It was found, in steel, that the fractional change in the natural velocity Delta W/W of waves propagating along the external field direction is affected by the uniaxial stress applied in the same axis. External compression lowers the slope of the Delta W/W curve in the low field region, while external tension generally does the opposite. For most cases, the slope in this region falls below zero under external compression. The result of measurements in specimens with residual stress shows exactly the same tendency.
Safety and Human Factors Considerations in Control Rooms of Oil and Gas Pipeline Systems: Conceptual Issues and Practical Observations

All oil and gas pipeline systems are run by human operators (called controllers) who use computer-basedworkstations in control rooms to “control” pipelines. Several human factor elements could contribute to thelack of controller success in preventing or mitigating pipeline accidents/incidents. These elements exist in boththe work environment and also in the computer system design/operation (such as data presentation and alarmconfiguration). Some work environment examples include shift hours, shift length, circadian rhythms, shiftchange-over processes, fatigue countermeasures, ergonomics factors, workplace distractions, and physicalinteraction with control system computers. The major objective of this paper is to demonstrate the critical effectsof human and organizational factors and also to highlight the role of their interactions with automation (andautomated devices) in the safe operation of complex, large-scale pipeline systems. A case study to demonstratethe critical role of human organizational facto...