cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural and magnetic properties of the Dy1−xThxFe3 system and some compounds of the form M0·1Th0·9Fe3*

The structural and magnetic properties of the pseudobinary Dy1−xThxFe3 system, crystallizing in PuNi3 type structure, have been investigated. For x<0·4 the magnetization vs temperature behavior can be understood on a ferrimagnetic coupling between the dysprosium and iron sublattices. For X=0·6 to 0·9 the magnetization vs temperature data show a marked transition at temperatures above 100°K. Lattice constants indicate a discontinuity in the lattice parameter c between X=0·6 and 0·5. Similar anomalies in the M vs T behavior were observed in M0·1Th0·9Fe3 (where M=Sc, Y, Pr, Lu) compounds. These results can be explained on the basis of Friedel's model of transition metal d-bands.
Testing of complex gates

A systematic scheme for testing NMOS complex gates is presented. A minimal complete test set for all single and multiple detectable s-open, s-on and bridging faults is obtained. The scheme can easily be extended to test any general NMOS complex gate.
Inflation of a bonded non-linear viscoelastic toroidal membrane

Abstract The inflation of a bonded viscoelastic toroidal membrane under finite deformations is considered. Three new variables, viz. the two principal stretch ratios and the angle between the normal vector of a deformed membrane and the axis of symmetry are introduced as dependent variables. The governing equations are reduced thereafter to a set of three first-order partial differential integral equations. The constitutive equation developed by Pipkin and Rogers for the non-linear response of a viscoelastic material is used. The creep phenomenon for an inflated viscoelastic toroidal membrane under a constant pressure is presented.
Government Inequality Reduction in Comparative Perspective: A Cross-National Study of the Developed World

This article offers an empirical assessment of a number of aspects of the reduction of market income inequality as a result of government taxes and transfers, and of the distributive effect of wage-bargaining institutions and minimum wages, in thirteen developed countries over the last twenty five years. It considers five broad themes in the literature: the median voter approach, which argues that government redistribution is associated with inequality of pre-government income; the power resources approach, which emphasizes partisan political contestation and electoral participation; the institutional approach, which focuses on political institutions such as the electoral system; the labor organization approach, which argues that labor unions play a key role in government efforts to achieve a more egalitarian distribution of market income; and the economic globalization approach, which argues that integration into the global economy has undermined public social protection efforts. The article finds consistent positive relationships between direct government redistribution and four variables: the extent of pre-government inequality; the level of electoral turnout; the share of the labor force that is unionized; and the presence of proportional representation electoral systems. As to wage-bargaining institutions, the article confirms that there is a positive relationship between the degree of coordination of wage bargaining and a relatively egalitarian distribution of earnings across various income groups, and (more weakly) between the level of statutory minimum wages in a country and the earnings share of the lowest-income group.
Affect and memory in young children

The state-dependent theory of the relationship between affective states and memory holds that recall will be best when the affective state at recall matches that during learning. Sequential happy, neutral, and sad affective states that were either consistent (e.g., Happy-Happy) or inconsistent (e.g., Sad-Neutral) were experimentally induced in preschool children prior to encoding and then again prior to retrieval (free and cued recall, recognition memory). Facial ratings indicated that the inductions were effective in inducing affect. Nevertheless, emotional states did not influence children's ability to recall items under free or cued conditions, and recognition memory was essentially perfect for all subjects. Thus, there was no evidence for state-dependent learning or for a “positive loop” between subjects' positive affect at retrieval and memory for positively rated information. Results are discussed in terms of the generally inconsistent findings in the literature on the role of affect in children's memory and factors that may limit affective state-dependent learning in children.
Optical modeling and aging characteristics of thermally stable black chrome solar selective coatings

Abstract A combination of experimental and theoretical studies have been made on the optical properties of electrodeposited black chrome coatings. The experimental measurements have included spectral reflectance and Auger sputter profile composition vs. depth analysis for films aged from 200 to 450 °C for a number of different aging times. These data were utilized to define the solar absorptance as a function of film oxide content. In addition, spectral reflectance measurements were made on both sides of several films which had been stripped from their substrates. Optical reflectance calculations have been made utilizing a model in which chrome metal and Cr2O3 concentrations vary continuously with depth throughout the film. Various effective medium theory models for the dielectric function of a composite system of Cr metal, Cr2O3 and void volume have been utilized in these calculations. Our results show that a Maxwell Garnett (MG) dielectric function for Cr spheres surrounded by Cr2O3 coatings and distributed in an air matrix provides the best overall agreement between theory and experiment for both free standing films and for films deposited onto Ni substrates. In particular, our model yields good agreement for the dependence of solar absorptance on the volume ratio of Cr to Cr + Cr2O3. Both experiment and theory show that the solar absorptance, αs, will decrease from its initial value, αs ≈ 0.96, to αs ≈ 0.89 when the relative volume fraction of chrome in the film decreases to ≈ 10%.
Conductance of Cs+ ion in water: Molecular dynamics simulation

The continuum theory of Hubbard-Onsager predicts for the friction coefficients Δζ the following behavior: Δζ>0 and ∂Δζ/∂P 0. To explain the observed behavior of Δζ Nakahara et al. proposed the passage through cavities (PTC) mechanism. We performed a molecular dynamics computer simulation to determine if the PTC mechanism is responsible for the observed behavior of Δζ. No passage through cavities was observed. Molecular dynamics computer simulations were performed on Cs+ ion in water at temperature of 268 K and densities of 1.00 and 1.083 g-cm−3. Our results indicate that the observed behavior of Δζ for Cs+ ion is related to the difference in the reorientation times of water molecules in the solvation shell and in the bulk.
Ultrastructure of hypothalamic and medullary lesions caused by an aliphatic triamine.

The administration of an aliphatic triamine, 3,3′-methylimino-bis-(N-methylpropylamine), was used to produce non-necrotizing lesions in the hypothalamus and medulla oblongata of rats. The distribution of the lesions in the hypothalamus was similar to that produced by goldthioglucose, and consisted ultrastructurally of marked distention and edema of the extracellular space, with no evidence of vascular occlusion. In the medulla, the lesions were similar and were confined to the dorsal aspect, in the region of the area postrema. The data suggest that the absence of blood-brain barrier in these sites plays a role in the production of lesions, at least in the initial stages, as has been proposed for goldthioglucose lesions.
Jose Triana and the Tragic Mode: Three plays

In three early plays, the Cuban playwright Jose Triana (b. 1931) chose to emulate the most notable Greek tragedians. But he opted for assimilation of technique rather than crass imitation, seeking to portray the social, political and religious aspects of his island's society in tragic terms that aligned his works with the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, who had similarly viewed their societies. Triana saw parallels between 1950s Cuba and ancient Greece; he used the tragic framework but without eschewing the characteristics of the land and people he was depicting. Consequently, he wrote the three plays assessed here – El mayor general hablara de teogonia (The Major General Will Speak on Theogony, 1957), Medea en el espejo (Medea in the Mirror, 1959), and La noche de los asesinos (The Night of the Assassins, 1964) – as contemporary pieces in the tragic mode.
Distribution of messenger RNA for the vasopressin V1a receptor in the CNS of male and female rats.

Abstract The distribution of cells expressing mRNA encoding a vasopressin V 1a receptor (V 1a R) was examined in Long-Evans male and female rats by in situ hybridization using a [ 35 S] cRNA probe. Specific hybridization to the vasopressin V 1a R mRNA was evident in cells of the frontal cortex, piriform cortex, internal granular layer and the medial, dorsal, ventral and lateral portion of the anterior olfactory nucleus, zona limitans of the islands of Calleja, suprachiasmatic nucleus, CA1, CA2, CA3 and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, arcuate nucleus, lateral habenular nucleus, and the molecular and granular cell layers of the cerebellum. The cerebellum, olfactory nucleus and the dentate gyrus appeared to be the most intensely labeled areas, while all other areas exhibited a lower level of expression. The anatomical distribution and the amount (as measured by optical density) of V 1a R mRNA labeling was identical between male and female rats. This indicates that unlike the vasopressin gene itself, the expression of the vasopressin V 1a R mRNA does not exhibit sexual dimorphism. These data demonstrate a wide spread distribution in the expression of the vasopressin V 1a R mRNA in the CNS of male and female rats. This information on the anatomical distribution of the V 1a R mRNA when combined with data concerning the anatomical distribution of the V 1a binding sites, provides new information on the possible pre- and post-synaptic location of these neuropeptide receptors.
A multiple stream generator based on de Bruijn digraph homomorphisms

We propose a method to obtain several streams of pseudorandom numbers based on a backbone generator of the generalized shift register type. The method is based on inverting one cycle in a de Bruijn digraph into many sequences in a higher-order de Bruijn graph via an appropriate graph homomorphism. We apply this technique to twisted generalized feedback shift register generators and to the Mersenne Twister MT19937. Positive results of statistical testing are reported.
IMPACT OF PROGRESSION OF ANTHROPOMETRIC AND METABOLIC VARIABLES ON CAROTID INTIMA-MEDIA THICKNESS DURING 5 YEARS IN THE EARLY DIABETES INTERVENTION PROJECT STUDY POPULATION

Carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) is used as a surrogate measure of atherosclerotic burden. The purpose of this study is to evaluate effects of progression of anthropometric and metabolic variables in determining progression of carotid IMT during 5-year follow-up in the Early Diabetes
Subsurface optical stimulation of rat prostate cavernous nerves using a continuous wave, single mode, 1490 nm diode laser

Successful identification of the cavernous nerves (CN’s) during radical prostatectomy requires detection of the CN’s through a thin layer of overlying fascia. This study explores the 1490 nm infrared (IR) diode laser wavelength for rapid and deep subsurface CN stimulation in a rat model, in vivo. A 150-mW, 1490-nm diode laser providing an optical penetration depth of ~ 520 μm was used to stimulate the CN’s in 8 rats through a single mode fiber optic probe with 1-mm-diameter spot and 15 s irradiation time. Successful ONS was judged by an intracavernous pressure response (ICP) in the rat penis. Subsurface ONS at 1490 nm was also compared with previous studies using 1455 and 1550 nm IR diode laser wavelengths. ONS was observed through fascia layers up to 380 μm thick using an incident laser power of ~ 50 mW. ICP response times as short as 4.6 ± 0.2 s were recorded using higher laser powers bust still below the nerve damage threshold. The 1490-nm diode laser represents a compact, low cost, high power, and high quality infrared light source for use in ONS. This wavelength provides deeper optical penetration than 1455 nm and more rapid and efficient nerve stimulation than 1550 nm.
Archaeometry into Archaeology

field better known as archaeometry. The term archaeometry, unfortunately, carries many negative connotations. Most archaeologists consider ar chaeometry to be a field populated by physical scientists who are more concerned with the adaptation of scientific methods to the analysis of ar chaeological materials than with the actual use of analytical instrumentation for the development, clarification, and refinement of archaeological theo ries. This may have been true 10 years ago, but the field has changed con siderably since then. It is now archaeologists who are predominately using scientific instru mentation for the examination of artifacts. These individuals chafe at the labeling of their work as archaeometry, believing that these techniques are not adjuncts to the field but additional core methodologies for the analysis of archaeological sites. Many archaeologists are currently attempting to de velop new terms for archaeometry to emphasis the link between their work and archaeology. Archaeological science is the most recent term advanced. This term is unsuitable, however, because archaeology itself is a science (i.e., the development and refinement of theories by the systematic use of analytical techniques). Thus, the term archaeological science does not dis tinguish the use of standard archaeological techniques from scientific in strumentation for the analysis of artifacts to help elucidate the archaeological record. If anything, the use of this term only seems to irritate more archaeologists. As opposed to arguing semantics, it would probably be more beneficial for archaeologists to devote their energies to proving that archaeometry is such an integral part of archaeology that the distinc tion, and the term itself, is meaningless.
Supersonic jet expansions in analytical spectroscopy

Abstract Supersonic jet expansions allow gas phase molecules to be cooled to very low temperatures without condensation. At these temperatures, electronic absorption and emission spectra consist of sharp lines rather than broad bands. The narrow bandwidth character of the spectra provides a highly selective method for the detection of individual compounds.
Distal Margin Requirements After Preoperative Chemoradiotherapy for Distal Rectal Carcinomas: Are ≤ 1 cm Distal Margins Sufficient?

Background:Sphincter-sparing alternatives to abdominoperineal resection (APR) in the treatment of rectal cancer often are underused out of concern for inadequate distal margins and local failure. The present study addresses whether sphincter-sparing techniques with distal margins ≤ 1 cm adversely influence oncological outcome in patients given preoperative chemoradiotherapy.
5E-6 Analysis of a Vibrating Interventional Device for 3D ColorMark Tracking

Ultrasound guidance of interventional devices during minimally invasive surgical procedures has been investigated by many researchers. Previously, we extended the methods used by the ColorMark tracking system to several interventional devices using a real-time 3D ultrasound system [Fronheiser, MP, et al., 2004; Smith, SW, et al., 2002]. These results showed that we needed to improve the efficiency and reliability of the tracking. Here, we describe an analytical model to predict the transverse vibrations along the length of an atrial septal puncture needle to enable design improvements of the tracking system. The initial results show an ability to predict the natural nodes and anti-nodes along the needle. Simulations show that applying a forcing function to the device at a natural anti-node yields an order of magnitude larger vibration than when driving the device at a node. 3D pulsed wave spectral Doppler data was acquired along the distal portion of the needle in a water tank using 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) transducer probe. This data was compared to simulations of forced vibrations from the model. These initial results suggest that the model is a good first approximation of the vibrating device in a water tank. It is our belief that knowing the location of the natural nodes and anti-nodes will improve our ability to drive the device, which should improve our ability to track the device in vivo
The Mountains Roar: The Alps during the Great War

AbstractThis article sheds light on the relationship between the environment and war by examining the role the Alps played for Germans and Austrians in the First World War. The historiography of th...
Strategic competitiveness in the 1990s: challenges and opportunities for U.S. executives

Executive Overview U.S. firms face a major global competitiveness challenge. Although the problems relate, in part, to differences in the economic structure, history and cultural differences between the U.S. and foreign rivals, these factors may not explain as much of the variance in competitiveness as they did in the past. Competitiveness problems are also linked to a number of strategic factors under the control of managers. Among them are the absorption of managerial energy in mergers and acquisitions, increasing levels of debt, increasing firm size, greater firm diversification, lack of investment in human capital and inappropriate corporate culture. In response to these problems, many firms are restructuring. When executed properly, restructuring can help managers regain strategic control and improve the competitiveness of their companies. However, restructuring efforts must be accompanied by a renewed emphasis on competitive strengths, improvements in human resource development programs, a refocus o...
An informational approach to likelihood of malnutrition

Abstract Unidentified protein-energy malnutrition (PEM) is associated with comorbidities and increased hospital length of stay. We developed a model for identifying severe metabolic stress and likelihood of malnutrition using test patterns of albumin (ALB), cholesterol (CHOL), and total protein (TP) in 545 chemistry profiles. Pattern classes were derived by converting decision values to a number code using cutoff values for nonmalnourished (0), moderate (1), and severe (2) of: ALB 35, 27 g/L; TP 63, 53 g/L; and CHOL 3.9, 2.8 μmol/L. Patterns defined by combinations of normal and abnormal laboratory results had decreased the likelihood of PEM from an all-2 to all-0 pattern. They were compressed to four final classes. ALB (F = 170), CHOL (F = 21), and TP (F = 5.6) predicted PEM class (r2 = 0.806, F = 214; P
Biographical Sketch: Ruth Jackson, MD, FACS 1902–1994

This biographical sketch on Ruth Jackson corresponds to the historic text, The Classic: The Cervical Syndrome, available at DOI 10.1007/s11999-010-1278-8.
The orbit space of the p-subgroup complex is contractible

We show that the quotient space of the p-subgroup complex of a finite group by the action of the group is contractible. This was conjectured by Webb.
Leukotriene antagonists attenuate thromboxane-inducible pulmonary hypertension.

ABSTRACT: Leukotrienes C4 and D4 and thromboxane A2 are potent vasoconstrictors that may mediate pulmonary vasoconstriction in many clinical situations. There is a complex interaction among leukotrienes and thromboxane A2, because inhibition of thromboxane synthesis prevents some of the hemodynamic effects of exogenous leukotrienes. Similarly, if leukotrienes mediate thromboxane A2- induced pulmonary vasoconstriction, then leukotriene antagonists should attenuate the effects of a thromboxane A2-mimetic such as U46619. First, dose response curves for the hemodynamic effects of U46619 were performed on seven spontaneously breathing newborn lambs. Then a putative leukotriene receptor antagonist, FPL57231,1 mg/kg/min, or a putative leukotriene synthesis antagonist, U60257, 30 mg/kg, was given before infusing U46619 (1 μg/kg/min). U46619 caused significant dose-dependent increases in pulmonary and systemic arterial pressures (p < 0.05) and significant dose-dependent decreases in cardiac output and heart rate (p < 0.05). A 1 μg/kg/min infusion of U46619 increased pulmonary arterial pressure by 155.4% ± 8.9 and systemic arterial pressure by 8.9% ± 7.7 and decreased cardiac output by 19.7% ± 12.2 and heart rate by 9.9% ± 10.6. FPL57231 attenuated the effects of U46619. U60257 had similar effects. Therefore, the hemodynamic effects of thromboxane A2, an important mediator of the pulmonary vasoconstriction produced, for example, by group B streptococci and Escherichia coli, may be mediated by the secondary production of leukotrienes.
Ion transport membrane reactors for oxy-combustion–Part II: Analysis and comparison of alternatives

Abstract In order to design ITM-based oxy-combustion power cycles, various reactor engineering analyses must be conducted with detailed modeling and simulation. An intermediate-fidelity ITM model is used to explore the dependence of ITM performance on reactor geometric structure, flow configuration, operating conditions, membrane material properties, and uncertainty in key modeling assumptions, such as the dominant fuel conversion mechanism. Many operational constraints are presented that are usually overlooked by black-box modeling strategies, and the implications of these constraints are explored. Further, a comparison is made between reactive and separation-only ITMs to assess the relative merits and disadvantages of each. The results show that although a reactive ITM significantly improves the partial pressure driving force, practical reactor engineering considerations indicate that this concept is not superior to counter-current separation-only ITMs, mainly because of the stringent temperature limitations of the membrane material. A Second Law assessment of certain ITM configurations is performed to evaluate the potential of ITM technology to reduce the air separation penalty, and to provide insight for effective systems-level integration. Overall, the results of our analyses capture the essential characteristics of ITM air separation systems for power cycles, and enable detailed systems-level studies to be performed.
An econometric assessment of the effect of mental illness on household spending behavior

Abstract This paper examines the relationship between individuals’ mental health status and their spending behavior. Compared to individuals without mental health problems, individuals with mental health problems may have higher discount rates and derive greater utility from spending (i.e., retail therapy). If the mentally ill have these characteristics, we would expect them to purchase goods and services that give immediate enjoyment, sacrificing longer-term savings goals. However, mental health disorders may result in a sense of worthlessness and lethargy such that less utility is derived from spending and less energy is available for spending, which would give us the opposite prediction. Using the Panel Study of Income Dynamics, we generally find a negative effect of mental illness on household spending, although the specific effects vary by the measure of mental illness, by the expenditure category, and by gender and couple status. Of particular concern, single and married women with mental illness reduce spending on education, which suggests a long-term financial cost of mental illness. In addition, we find some evidence of retail therapy with respect to a mental health screen for single and married women and with respect to a mental diagnosis for married men.
Self-organization of myosin II in reconstituted actomyosin bundles.

Cells assemble a variety of bundled actomyosin structures in the cytoskeleton for activities such as cell-shape regulation, force production, and cytokinesis. Although these linear structures exhibit varied architecture, two common organizational themes are a punctate distribution of myosin II and distinct patterns of actin polarity. The mechanisms that cells use to assemble and maintain these organizational features are poorly understood. To study these, we reconstituted actomyosin bundles in vitro that contained only actin filaments and myosin II. Upon addition of ATP, the bundles contracted and the uniformly distributed myosin spontaneously reorganized into discrete clusters. We developed a mathematical model in which the motion of myosin II filaments is governed by the polarities of the actin filaments with which they interact. The model showed that the assembly of myosins into clusters is driven by their tendency to migrate to locations with zero net actin filament polarity. With no fitting parameters, the predicted distribution of myosin cluster separations was in close agreement with our experiments, including a −3/2 power law decay for intermediate length scales. Thus, without an organizing template or accessory proteins, a minimal bundle of actin and myosin has the inherent capacity to self-organize into a heterogeneous banded structure.
Transform recipes for efficient cloud photo enhancement

Cloud image processing is often proposed as a solution to the limited computing power and battery life of mobile devices: it allows complex algorithms to run on powerful servers with virtually unlimited energy supply. Unfortunately, this overlooks the time and energy cost of uploading the input and downloading the output images. When transfer overhead is accounted for, processing images on a remote server becomes less attractive and many applications do not benefit from cloud offloading. We aim to change this in the case of image enhancements that preserve the overall content of an image. Our key insight is that, in this case, the server can compute and transmit a description of the transformation from input to output, which we call a transform recipe. At equivalent quality, our recipes are much more compact than JPEG images: this reduces the client's download. Furthermore, recipes can be computed from highly compressed inputs which significantly reduces the data uploaded to the server. The client reconstructs a high-fidelity approximation of the output by applying the recipe to its local high-quality input. We demonstrate our results on 168 images and 10 image processing applications, showing that our recipes form a compact representation for a diverse set of image filters. With an equivalent transmission budget, they provide higher-quality results than JPEG-compressed input/output images, with a gain of the order of 10 dB in many cases. We demonstrate the utility of recipes on a mobile phone by profiling the energy consumption and latency for both local and cloud computation: a transform recipe-based pipeline runs 2--4x faster and uses 2--7x less energy than local or naive cloud computation.
The use of oscillating laminar flow streaming potential measurements to determine the zeta potential of a capillary surface

Abstract The determination of the electrokinetic properties of continuous surfaces has traditionally been accomplished by measuring the streaming potential or current during Hagen-Poiseuille flow, a procedure with inherent difficulties due to electrode potential drift and asymmetry. We have now developed an absolute method of measuring the streaming potential which avoids these difficulties. In this method a sinusoidally oscillating pressure was applied across the capillary and the resulting oscillating streaming potential was measured. The classical theory of electrokinetics and Uchida's solution for laminar oscillating viscous flow were used to derive an equation relating the oscillating streaming potential to the zeta potential. The zeta potential calculated from the streaming potential was demonstrated to be independent of frequency, capillary radius, and capillary length.
Synchrotron Self-Absorption in Radio Supernovae

The radio emission from supernovae has been modeled as synchrotron emission from the interaction between the supernova and a presupernova stellar wind. The emission shows a late power-law decline and early rise due to a low-frequency absorption process, which, in some cases (SN 1979C and SN 1980K), is well modeled as free-free absorption by the external wind. However, the flux rises in many radio supernovae (e.g., SN 1987A and Type Ib and Type Ic supernovae) have not been sufficiently well observed to define the absorption mechanism. The assumption of synchrotron self-absorption yields an approximate radius of the emission region at the time of peak flux. If another mechanism is dominant, the radius must be even larger. The large radii implied for SN 1987A and the observed Type Ib and Type Ic supernovae make external free-free absorption unlikely, given what else is known about these systems, so that synchrotron self-absorption is the probable absorption mechanism. Synchrotron self-absorption may play a role in the radio emission from SN 1981K (type unknown) and SN 1978K (Type IIn). Model supernova light curves with synchrotron self-absorption are presented. A combination of synchrotron self-absorption and external free-free absorption may be relevant to SN 1993J. The radii implied for the Type II supernovae SN 1979C and SN 1980K in the synchrotron self-absorption model are smaller than the radii expected for circumstellar interaction and are thus consistent with the free-free absorption mechanism.
Pretransplant gastroesophageal reflux compromises early outcomes after lung transplantation.

Objectives Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is implicated as a risk factor for bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation, but its effects on acute rejection, early allograft function, and survival are unclear. Therefore, we sought to systematically understand the time-related impact of pretransplant GERD on graft function (spirometry), mortality, and acute rejection early after lung transplantation. Methods From January 2005 to July 2008, 215 patients underwent lung transplantation; 114 had preoperative pH testing, and 32 (28%) had objective evidence of GERD. Lung function was assessed by forced 1-second expiratory volume (FEV 1 ; percent of predicted) in 97 patients, mortality by follow-up (median, 2.2 years), and acute rejection by transbronchial biopsy. Results Pretransplant GERD was associated with decreased FEV 1 early after lung transplantation ( P = .01) such that by 18 months, FEV 1 was 70% of predicted in double lung transplant patients with GERD versus 83% among non-GERD patients ( P = .05). A similar decrease was observed in single lung transplantation (50% vs 60%, respectively; P = .09). GERD patients had lower survival early after transplant ( P = .02)—75% versus 90%. Presence of GERD did not affect acute rejection ( P = .6). Conclusions For lung transplant recipients, pretransplant GERD is associated with worse early allograft function and survival, but not increased acute rejection. The compromise in lung function is substantial, such that FEV 1 after double lung transplant in GERD patients approaches that of single lung transplant in non-GERD patients. We advocate thorough testing for GERD before lung transplantation; if identified, aggressive therapy early after transplant, including fundoplication, may prove efficacious.
Anything is possible - Teaching Entrepreneurship in an interactive K-12 workshop

The Center for Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (CEED) at the Penn State Berks Campus conducts Entrepreneurship Workshops facilitated by college student mentors for middle and high school students from inner-city Reading, PA. These workshops serve to incubate early entrepreneurship exposure, promote creative problem solving, and to highlight how entrepreneurship attracts students from multidisciplinary backgrounds. Following an overview of business planning, the Penn State Berks Engineering Entrepreneurship students create their own condensed business model presentations that examine the simulated exercise of “Problems with Pizza.” In this paper, we explore how the mentor-taught workshops influence K-12 students' perceptions of entrepreneurship as a feasible, alternate career choice and how to creatively approach common problems. The paper builds on the current literature of influencing students' entrepreneurial self-efficacy and provides a successful example of student mentor teaching, specifically the positive effect that it has on students' attitudes towards entrepreneurship. The paper also further builds the case for entrepreneurship exposure starting at the middle and high school levels.
“Real-Time” Case Studies in Organizational Communication

Objective: This activity integrates theory and application by examining the multiple communication events affecting a single organization in “real time” over the course of an academic term Course: Advanced-Level Organizational Communication Course
Testing Quantum Consciousness

We give here a review of the experiments that we performed in the last few years to conclude that mentals states follow quantum mechanics. As theoretical basis we give explanation of the contextual dependence of probabilities in the theoretical basis that was introduced by A. Khrennikov. In this case the classical formula of total probability does not hold true in quantum systems unless an interference terms is added that moves in analogy with quantum mechanics in which the formula of probability is violated inducing the well known effects of interference. All the experiments were carried out on normal subjects during perception and cognition of ambiguous figures. All they confirmed the presence of such quantum like interference also for mental states. From here our unequivocal conclusion that mental states follow quantum mechanics. A position of quantum mechanics as Giano Bifronte, the two faced God of mythology, is discussed with respect to its role in the analysis and characterization of mental entities.
NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF COLLEGE MALES WHO SHOW ATTENTION DYSFUNCTION

400 male college students were screened on a measure of vigilance, the Continuous Performance Test. A Good Attention Group (upper 5% of the CPT score distribution) and a Poor Attention Group (lower 5%) were selected and compared on a series of perceptual and motor tests. The Good Attention Group was superior to the Poor Attention Group on most of the measures. The largest differences were found on tests assessing perceptual-motor organization. Attention dysfunction in this non-patient sample seems to be associated with performance deficits. Over-all, the pattern of neuropsychological results seen in the Poor Attention Group is not similar to the pattern seen in patients with lateralized brain damage but appears more similar to that seen in those with bilateral and diffuse cortical damage.
Tunable transition from hydration to monomer-supported lubrication in zwitterionic monolayers revealed by molecular dynamics simulation

The tribology of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine monolayers in water is studied using molecular dynamics simulations. Our results show two distinct shear regimes where the first is dominated by hydration lubrication, exhibiting near zero friction coefficients, and the second by chain-chain interactions, resembling monomer-supported lubrication. These results provide insight into the hydration lubrication mechanism - a phenomena thought to underlie the extremely efficient lubrication provided by surfaces functionalized with polyzwitterionic polymer brushes and the mammalian synovial joint.
Cardiovascular status in young patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUNDAlthough the existence of diabetic cardiomyopathy in adults is firmly established, the presence of cardiac abnormalities in young diabetic patients is not universally accepted. We sought to determine the early stages of cardiac derangement and whether they are associated with renal dysfunction.METHODS AND RESULTSThirty-nine patients (29 boys; mean age, 17.6 +/- 3.4 years) with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus underwent echocardiography and timed overnight urine collection. Echocardiographic evaluation consisted of left ventricular mass, performance (shortening fraction, velocity of circumferential fiber shortening, stroke volume, and cardiac index), preload (end-diastolic dimension and volume), after-load (end-systolic wall stress and systemic vascular resistance), and contractility (velocity of fiber shortening relative to wall stress). Creatinine clearance and albumin excretion were measured from the urine sample. Glycosylated hemoglobin levels were measured; height and weight were measured...
Multiscale surveillance of Riemannian manifolds

When surveying a surface, such as a spherical shell around a planet or a mine field, it is often desirable to survey a pre-chosen distribution while simultaneously respecting all its length scales. We review the Mix Norm developed by Mathew and Mezic [4] and their application for a multiscale coverage algorithm on the unit square and torus.We then develop tools to do multiscale surveillance on arbitrary Riemannian manifolds (M, g). Next, we study the effects of applying the mix norm algorithm to more realistic scenarios where we have vehicles with different maximum speeds and frequency responses. We demonstrate this by applying the algorithm on the unit square to the case of a slow vehicle and a fast vehicle simultaneously exploring different spatial scales; we then test how well the uniform coverage algorithm allows a vehicle to estimate a function in a least squares sense. We also study the effects of varying the parameter s in the definition of mix norm for (M, g). In future work, we plan to apply a motions primitive based approach and explore ways of working with more general surfaces using triangular meshes.
A Comparison of Whole Mouth Resting and Stimulated Salivary Measurement Procedures

Methods for collection and stimulation of whole mouth saliva were compared. Resting salivary flow values were roughly equivalent for draining, spitting, suction, and swab collection techniques, but the swab technique was less reliable. Gustatory and masticatory stimuli induced significantly higher salivary flow compared to resting levels, but the between- and within-subject variances were also higher. Stimulation produced a fairly constant addition of saliva whether individual resting flow levels were low or high.
Efficacy of office fulguration for recurrent low grade papillary bladder tumors less than 0.5 cm.

ABSTRACTPurpose: Recurrent superficial papillary bladder tumors are most commonly treated with transurethral resection with the patient under anesthesia. We report our experience with office fulguration of small, recurrent, low grade papillary tumors using flexible cystodiathermy.Materials and Methods: We conducted a prospective single institution analysis of 267 consecutive patients with superficial bladder cancer undergoing routine bladder cancer surveillance between January 1998 and December 2001. Cytological and histological recurrences were recorded. Selection criteria for office fulguration were less than 5 low grade appearing papillary tumors, tumor size less than 0.5 cm, negative urine cytology and patient desire. All patients completed initial treatment (transurethral resection, partial cystectomy and/or intravesical therapy) and a minimum of 6 months on surveillance without recurrence (median 11.57 months).Results: Flexible cystodiathermy for small, low grade, recurrent papillary tumors was effi...
Myocardial metabolism during increased work states in the porcine left ventricle in vivo.

It is not known whether myocardial energy requirements can be increased to the degree that they exceed myocardial O2 availability in the absence of abnormalities of coronary blood flow or coronary reserve. To determine whether this form of "demand ischemia" occurs, 10 swine were subjected to pressure overload induced by aortic constriction, inotropic and chronotropic stimulation by dobutamine, and the combination of these interventions. In an additional 9 animals, intravenous adenosine was administered during the combination of constriction and dobutamine to determine whether further increases in coronary flow could be achieved and if they would attenuate the metabolic changes. Left ventricular anterior wall transmural blood flow was measured by radioactive microspheres. Energy phosphates were assessed by 31P magnetic resonance spectroscopy using the Fourier series window technique to increase the proportion of signal derived from the subendocardium. Myocardial lactate release was quantified independent of net lactate uptake using an isotopic tracer technique. The three interventions produced 39% to 195% increases in myocardial O2 uptake from control measurements. The phosphocreatine to ATP ratio (PCr/ATP), uncorrected for partial saturation, fell significantly, from 1.39 +/- 0.10 at control conditions to 1.25 +/- 0.10 with dobutamine alone and 1.15 +/- 0.08 with dobutamine plus constriction (P < .05 for both). Myocardial lactate release rose from 0.21 +/- 0.03 mumol.g-1.min-1 at control conditions to 0.45 +/- 0.05 and 0.59 +/- 0.10 mumol.g-1.min-1, respectively (P < .05 for both), with these two interventions. Although transmurally averaged left ventricular blood flow rose from 0.97 +/- 0.09 mL.g-1.min-1 at control conditions to 3.25 +/- 0.47 mL.g-1.min-1 (P < .001) and subendocardial blood flow increased from 1.02 +/- 0.09 to 2.92 +/- 0.45 mL.g-1.min-1 (P < .001) at the highest of the three increased work states, the subendocardial to subepicardial flow ratio declined progressively from 1.13 +/- 0.08 to 0.87 +/- 0.04 (P < .05). With a further increase in aortic constriction, myocardial O2 uptake and subepicardial blood flow rose, whereas subendocardial blood flow did not change, and there was a further decline in PCr/ATP and a rise in lactate release. Although adenosine increased the average myocardial blood flow during high work state from 3.79 +/- 0.91 to 6.29 +/- 1.08 mL.g-1.min-1 (P < .001), the further rise in subendocardial flow from 3.08 +/- 0.62 to 3.78 +/- 0.68 mL.g-1.min-1 was not significant, nor were the accompanying changes in PCr/ATP or lactate metabolism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
The effects of SFAS 133 on foreign currency exposure of US-based multinational corporations

Abstract This study examines the change in foreign currency exposure of US-based multinational corporations (MNCs) upon implementation of SFAS 133—Disclosure of Derivative Instruments. We attempt to answer the question of whether this accounting requirement, which seeks to eliminate earnings surprises associated with derivatives, actually impacts earnings volatility and hedging strategies of exporting firms. Our results indicate that firms who were hedged prior to SFAS 133, i.e., those which managed their exposure using operational hedges, derivatives, or both, were able to decrease exposure to exchange rates following SFAS 133. However, those that were hedged prior to SFAS 133 and remained hedged following SFAS 133 did so without significantly changing their imbalances, i.e., without using operational hedges. These firms also experienced an increase in earnings volatility and a decrease in earnings predictability, as predicted by critics of the regulation. However, market value does not change following SFAS 133, implying that investors do not equate accounting regulation changes and EPS volatility with changes in cash flow.
A NEW APPROACH TO DECODING LIFE: Systems Biology

▪ Abstract Systems biology studies biological systems by systematically perturbing them (biologically, genetically, or chemically); monitoring the gene, protein, and informational pathway responses; integrating these data; and ultimately, formulating mathematical models that describe the structure of the system and its response to individual perturbations. The emergence of systems biology is described, as are several examples of specific systems approaches.
Considerations and challenges for eliminating asthma disparities in children

Evaluation of: Woods ER, Bhaumik U, Sommer SJ et al. Community asthma initiative: evaluation of a quality improvement program for comprehensive asthma care. Pediatrics 129(3), 465–472 (2012).The Community Asthma Initiative is an evidence-based asthma intervention that is effective in improving quality of life for inner-city African–American and Latino children, while showing a return on investment of US$1.46, due to lower asthma-related hospital costs. The program provides an example of a comprehensive asthma management model that could be disseminated nationally with the goal of reducing asthma disparities. The health of children disproportionately affected by asthma could also be improved by integrating a broad range of housing policies into evidence-based asthma interventions in communities with high-pediatric asthma morbidity. Such interventions will be costly, but are likely to achieve long-term sustainable health benefits for children with asthma.
Fundamental Processes of Mechanical Designers Based on Empirical Data

SUMMARY The fundamental processes of problem solving during the mechanical design activity are presented based on a study of human designers. The designers in this study solve problems by applying 10 specialized actions, called operators, which are grouped into the categories of ‘generate’, ‘evaluate’ and ‘decide’. These operators are applied in unique sequences of which 95% constitute the following four local methods: ‘generate and test’ (23%), ‘generate and improve’ (8%), ‘deductive thinking’ (33%) and ‘means end analysis’ (36%). Furthermore, cognitive activity is reduced to a hierarchical architecture of tasks and episodes which reflect the goal structure of the designer. These descriptions demonstrate the abilities and limitations of the human designer's problem-solving performance, yielding an insight into how the man-machine interaction of design automation can be improved.
Regio- and stereospecific oxidation of fluorene, dibenzofuran, and dibenzothiophene by naphthalene dioxygenase from Pseudomonas sp. strain NCIB 9816-4.

The regio- and stereospecific oxidation of fluorene, dibenzofuran, and dibenzothiophene was examined with mutant and recombinant strains expressing naphthalene dioxygenase from Pseudomonas sp. strain NCIB 9816-4. The initial oxidation products were isolated and identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. Salicylate-induced cells of Pseudomonas sp. strain 9816/11 and isopropyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside-induced cells of Escherichia coli JM109(DE3)(pDTG141) oxidized fluorene to (+)-(3S,4R)-cis-3,4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydrofluorene (80 to 90% relative yield; > 95% enantiomeric excess [ee]) and 9-fluorenol ( 95% ee) and (3S,4R)-cis-3, 4-dihydroxy-3,4-dihydrodibenzofuran (30 to 40% yield; > 95% ee). Induced cells of both strains, as well as the purified dioxygenase, also oxidized dibenzothiophene to (+)-(1R,2S)-cis-1,2-dihydroxy-1, 2-dihydrodibenzothiophene (84 to 87% yield; > 95% ee) and dibenzothiophene sulfoxide (< 15% yield). The major reaction catalyzed by naphthalene dioxygenase with each substrate was stereospecific dihydroxylation in which the cis-dihydrodiols were of identical regiochemistry and of R configuration at the benzylic center adjacent to the bridgehead carbon atom. The regiospecific oxidation of dibenzofuran differed from that of the other substrates in that a significant amount of the minor cis-3,4-dihydrodiol regioisomer was formed. The results indicate that although the absolute stereochemistry of the cis-diene diols was the same, the nature of the bridging atom or heteroatom influenced the regiospecificity of the reactions catalyzed by naphthalene dioxygenase.