cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Triphase Catalytic Saponification

Abstract Poly(ethylene glycol)s grafted to cross-linked polystyrene are active and stable triohase catalysts for the saponifi-cation of esters.
Structural advantages of disk magnets for SMES

A simple reorientation of the strip solenoid allows improvements in the support of an SMES magnet. A large diameter storage magnet is the focus of the study, but smaller applications are discussed. For large diameters, the peak field and energy storage are nearly the same for a strip solenoid and a disk magnet. The characteristics and benefits of the disk magnet arrangement are discussed. The disk geometry allows improved access for maintenance, reduces excavation and facilitates the repair of conductors. Shimmed radial support at the outer edge allows controlled thermal contraction and control of conductor strains and is a simplification over rippled solutions proposed independently. Winding pack radial loads produce compressive stresses, no out-of-plane loads develop and there are no bending or shear loads in the winding pack.
An introduction to psychologic factors inorthodontic treatment: Theoretical and methodological issues

Abstract The influence of Psychologic factors on both the process and the outcome of orthodontic treatment is a topic of substantial clinical and scientific importance. Research in this area, as reviewed in this issue of Seminars in Orthodontics , has focused primarily on 3 themes (1) compliance with orthodontic treatment, (2) psychosocial factors influencing decisions about treatment, and (3) Psychologic outcomes following orthodontic or orthognathic treatment. This article discusses several methodological and theoretical issues relevant to these lines of research. In addition, recommendations for applying psychologic principles to clinical practice are also provided.
GREENPRINT: a graphic representation of structured programs

To improve the readability of programs over existing techniques, a new program representation termed GREENPRINT has been developed and is discussed in this paper. GREENPRINTs (the name taken from the phosphor fluorescence of certain display terminals and paralleling the term blueprints) are tree-structured diagrams together with source code statements that represent the control structure of programs. Discussed in this paper are the diagramming conventions, control flow methodology, presentation graphics, and practical experience with GREENPRINTs.
Atrioventricular pacing in congenital heart disease

We have attempted to optimize cardiac performance in patients with congenital heart disease requiring artificial pacing by using pacemakers capable of both sensing and pacing both the atrium and the ventricle (DDD). We reviewed our results with 88 patients receiving DDD devices to determine the safety and dependability of these devices in children. Age ranged from 1 hour to 25 years. Endocardial leads were used in 68 patients, whereas epicardial leads were used in 20 patients. Previous cardiac procedures had been done in 30 patients. There were nine deaths but none due to pacemaker malfunction. Endocardial leads functioned better than epicardial leads. Ninety-eight percent of patients with endocardial leads and 62% of patients with epicardial leads were maintained in the DDD mode. Complications were infrequent and all were corrected without long-term sequelae. The DDD mode may offer considerable benefits to children who require artificial pacing. Our data allow us to conclude that most children can be paced safely and dependably in the DDD mode.
Gas-phase silicon micromachining with xenon difluoride

Xenon difluoride is a gas phase, room temperature, isotropic silicon etchant with extremely high selectivity to many materials commonly used in microelectromechancial systems, including photoresists, aluminum, and silicon dioxide. Using a simple vacuum system, the effects of etch aperture and loading were explored for etches between 10 and 200 micrometers . Etch rates as high as 40 micrometers /minute were observed. Initial characteriation of wafer surface temperature during the etch indicates tens of degrees of self-heating, which is known to cause substantial decrease in etch rate.
Neuropsychological manifestations of the genetic mutation for Huntington's disease in presymptomatic individuals.

A triplet repeat (CAG) expansion mutation in the huntingtin gene on chromosome 4 is responsible for Huntington's disease (HD). Presymptomatic genetic testing for this mutation has identified clinically normal persons who are virtually certain to develop this dementing illness if they live a normal lifespan. The present study sought to determine whether these “mutation-positive” persons have impairments in cognitive functioning. Seventy-five mutation-positive persons did not differ from 128 mutation-negative persons on tests selected for their sensitivity to early-stage HD. Interestingly, however, those with the mutation viewed themselves as more likely to develop HD than did those without the mutation. Among mutation-positive subjects, having a longer CAG repeat mutation was likewise not associated with cognitive impairment. However, being closer to estimated disease onset (a product of repeat length and parent's age at onset) was associated with selected cognitive impairments. When viewed in light of previous studies showing atrophy of the caudate nucleus and putamen in mutation-carriers who are close to onset but not those far from onset, these results suggest that subtle changes in brain and behavior may be detected shortly before subjects with the HD mutation develop sufficient signs and symptoms for diagnosis. Conceptual and methodological problems associated with the search for presymptomatic cognitive and behavioral indicators of dementing illness are discussed. (JINS, 2002, 8, 918–924.)
Multilingual aphasia examination: Norms for children

Abstract Use of the Multilingual Aphasia Examination with children in clinical settings provided the impetus for the development of normative standards for the test battery in elementary school children. The findings of a study of 229 children within the roughly average range of verbal intelligence showed a progressive increase in performance level from kindergarten (6 years) to the sixth grade (12 years). The average performances of the 12-year-old children were generally at the borderline level for adults.
ELECTRON MOTIONS IN AQUEOUS SYSTEMS—A SURVEY*

— This paper reviews current experimental and theoretical information about the immediate fate of electrons generated in aqueous systems by ionizing radiation or photolysis of solutes. The applications of spur diffusion theory to pulse radiolysis and flash photolysis results are considered, with brief accounts of related developments in connection with time-dependent rate constants, the radiation sensitivity of large biological targets, and long-range electron interactions including tunneling.
Effects of ionizing irradiation and hydrostatic pressure on Escherichia coli O157:H7 inactivation, chemical composition, and sensory acceptability of ground beef patties.

Abstract A randomized complete block design with three replications was utilized to determine the effects of ionizing irradiation and hydrostatic pressure on the inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7, volatile composition, and consumer acceptability (n = 155) of frozen ground beef patties. E-beam and X-ray irradiation (2 kGy) inactivated E. coli O157:H7 below the limit of detection, while hydrostatic pressure treatment (300 mPa for 5 min at 4 °C) did not inactivate this pathogen. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was used to extract volatile compounds from treated ground beef patties. Irradiation and hydrostatic pressure altered the volatile composition (P 0.05) consumer acceptability of ground beef patties when compared to untreated samples, but hydrostatic pressure caused decreased acceptability (P
Exposure science: a need to focus on conducting scientific studies, rather than debating its concepts.

Exposure science: A need to focus on conducting scientific studies, rather than debating its concepts
Need for dental hygiene and dental care in Veterans Administration patients

The Periodontol Treatment Needs System (PTNS) was used to classify needs of 102 patients, 97 males and five females, at the VAMC Dental Service. The PTNS is based on the presence or absence of plaque, calculus or overhangs, inflammation, and pocket depth. In addition, need for restorative and prosthetic care was added to the PTNS based on dentists' diagnosis. All classification was done by quadrant. All subjects required dental hygiene or periodontal care; 45% of the subjects need restorative treatment, prosthetic treatment, or both. Differences in numbers of patients requiring each type of treatment were highly significant. Multiple regression showed that age was positively related to type of treatment needed, with a significant difference in dental hygiene or periodontal needs by quadrant. The results of this study show greater need for dental hygiene and periodontal treatment than for dental treatment in these patients.
A Hybrid Estimate for the Finite-Time Ruin Probability in a Bivariate Autoregressive Risk Model with Application to Portfolio Optimization

Abstract Consider a discrete-time risk model in which the insurer is allowed to invest a proportion of its wealth in a risky stock and keep the rest in a risk-free bond. Assume that the claim amounts within individual periods follow an autoregressive process with heavy-tailed innovations and that the log-returns of the stock follow another auto regressive process, independent of the former one. We derive an asymptotic formula for the finite-time ruin probability and propose a hybrid method, combining simulation with asymptotics, to compute this ruin probability more efficiently. As an application, we consider a portfolio optimization problem in which we determine the proportion invested in the risky stock that maximizes the expected terminal wealth subject to a constraint on the ruin probability.
δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol and Endogenous Cannabinoid Anandamide Directly Potentiate the Function of Glycine Receptors

Anandamide (AEA) and delta9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) are endogenous and exogenous ligands, respectively, for cannabinoid receptors. Whereas most of the pharmacological actions of cannabinoids are mediated by CB1 receptors, there is also evidence that these compounds can produce effects that are not mediated by the activation of identified cannabinoid receptors. Here, we report that THC and AEA, in a CB1 receptor-independent manner, cause a significant potentiation of the amplitudes of glycine-activated currents (I(Gly)) in acutely isolated neurons from rat ventral tegmental area (VTA) and in Xenopus laevis oocytes expressing human homomeric (alpha1) and heteromeric (alpha1beta1) subunits of glycine receptors (GlyRs). The potentiation of I(Gly) by THC and AEA is concentration-dependent, with respective EC50 values of 86 +/- 9 and 319 +/- 31 nM for alpha1 homomeric receptors, 73 +/- 8 and 318 +/- 24 nM for alpha1beta1 heteromeric receptors, and 115 +/- 13 and 230 +/- 29 nM for native GlyRs in VTA neurons. The effects of THC and AEA are selective for I(Gly), because GABA-activated current in VTA neurons or in X. laevis oocytes expressing alpha2beta3gamma2 GABA(A) receptor subunits were unaffected by these compounds. The maximal potentiation by THC and AEA was observed at the lowest concentration of glycine; with increasing concentrations of glycine, the potentiation significantly decreased. The site for THC and AEA seems to be distinct from that of the alcohol and volatile anesthetics. The results indicate that THC and AEA, in pharmacologically relevant concentrations, directly potentiate the function of GlyRs through an allosteric mechanism.
OxyR Activation in Porphyromonas gingivalis in Response to a Hemin-Limited Environment

Porphyromonas gingivalis is a Gram-negative obligately anaerobic bacterium associated with several forms of periodontal disease, most closely with chronic periodontitis. Previous studies demonstrated that OxyR plays an important role in the aerotolerance of P. gingivalis by upregulating the expression of oxidative-stress genes. Increases in oxygen tension and in H2O2 both induce activation of OxyR. It is also known that P. gingivalis requires hemin as an iron source for its growth. In this study, we found that a hemin-limited growth environment significantly enhanced OxyR activity in P. gingivalis. As a result, expression of sod, dps, and ahpC was also upregulated. Using a chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative PCR (qPCR) analysis, DNA binding of activated OxyR to the promoter of the sod gene was enhanced in P. gingivalis grown under hemin-limited conditions compared to excess-hemin conditions. Cellular tolerance of H2O2 was also enhanced when hemin was limited in the growth medium of P. gingivalis. Our work supports a model in which hemin serves as a signal for the regulation of OxyR activity and indicates that P. gingivalis coordinately regulates expression of oxidative-stress-related genes by this hemin concentration-dependent pathway.
Sexual isolation of male moths explained by a single pheromone response QTL containing four receptor genes

Long distance sexual communication in moths has fascinated biologists because of the complex, precise female pheromone signals and the extreme sensitivity of males to specific pheromone molecules. Progress has been made in identifying some genes involved in female pheromone production and in male response. However, we have lacked information on the genetic changes involved in evolutionary diversification of these mate-finding mechanisms that is critical to understanding speciation in moths and other taxa. We used a combined quantitative trait locus (QTL) and candidate gene approach to determine the genetic architecture of sexual isolation in males of two congeneric moths, Heliothis subflexa and Heliothis virescens. We report behavioral and neurophysiological evidence that differential male responses to three female-produced chemicals (Z9-14:Ald, Z9-16:Ald, Z11-16:OAc) that maintain sexual isolation of these species are all controlled by a single QTL containing at least four odorant receptor genes. It is not surprising that pheromone receptor differences could control H. subflexa and H. virescens responses to Z9-16:Ald and Z9-14:Ald, respectively. However, central rather than peripheral level control over the positive and negative responses of H. subflexa and H. virescens to Z11-16:OAc had been expected. Tight linkage of these receptor genes indicates that mutations altering male response to complex blends could be maintained in linkage disequilibrium and could affect the speciation process. Other candidate genes such as those coding for pheromone binding proteins did not map to this QTL, but there was some genetic evidence of a QTL for response to Z11-16:OH associated with a sensory neuron membrane protein gene.
Remote sensing and mountaintop mining

Coal mining in Appalachia has undergone dramatic changes in the 1990s. Large‐scale surface mining practices known as mountaintop mining (MTM) and valley fills (VF) are at the center of an environmental and legal controversy that has spawned lawsuits and major environmental investigations. Current MTM/VF operations are a major source of low‐sulfur, less‐air‐polluting coal, which is desired for much of the energy production in the United States. MTM/VF techniques extract multiple coal seams by removing entire tops of mountains through the use of explosives and massive earth‐moving equipment. Overburden rock debris is inevitably deposited in nearby valleys that are often ephemeral headwater streams. These mining practices have drawn criticism from residents and the environmental community, but are supported by unions and the mining industry. Although MTM/VF techniques will continue to be debated from legal and environmental perspectives, one fact is clear to both sides; the long‐term ecological effects are u...
Modeling radical changes in technology within strategy-oriented business simulations

A review of business-policy simulations demonstrates that their focus is on strategic planning, but with a primary emphasis on "incrementalism. " They do not address "radical changes in technology " and the impact that such change may have on an industry. There is a need to provide students of strategy the opportunity to experience some of the complex issues of technology management. This article provides an approach to designing a technology-oriented game which requires student teams to analyze the risk, uncertainty, and the financial trade-offs associated with budgeting large sums of money to new product research and development. The article reviews the key strategic issues of technology management and includes a framework for modeling some of the issues. This framework is composed of five parts and involves both the demand and the cost side of a typical strategy simulation. The article concludes with a mini-simulation which demonstrates how the framework works and how the structure of an industry can b...
Blast Performance of Sandwich Composites with In-Plane Compressive Loading

An experimental investigation was conducted to evaluate the dynamic performance of E-glass Vinyl Ester composite face sheet / foam core sandwich panels when subjected to pre-compression and subsequent blast loading. The sandwich panels were subjected to 0 kN, 15 kN and 25 kN of in plane compression respectively, prior to transverse blast wave loading with peak incident pressure of 1 MPa and velocity of 3 Mach. The blast loading was generated using a shock tube facility. During the experiments, a high-speed photographic system utilizing three digital cameras was used to acquire the real-time 3-D deformation of the sandwich panels. The 3D Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique was used to quantify the back face out-of-plane deflection and in-plane strain. The results showed that in-plane compressive loading facilitated buckling and failure in the front face sheet. This mechanism greatly reduced the blast resistance of sandwich composites.
Temporal dynamics of stream water chemistry in the last free-flowing river draining the western Sierra Nevada, California

Temporal patterns of stream water chemistry were analyzed across the Cosumnes River Watershed (1989 km 2 ) for water years 1999‐ 2002 to quantify hydrobiogeochemical dynamics in the last free-flowing watershed draining the western Sierra Nevada, California. The Mediterranean climate of California produces a distinct annual hydrologic pattern with three seasons: baseflow, stormflow, and meltflow. The baseflow season (July ‐ October) is dominated by groundwater chemistry that primarily originates from high elevations, and thus does not vary much across the basin. During the baseflow season discharge is negatively correlated to ionic concentration, and sediment and nutrients are generally below detection levels. The stormflow season (November ‐ March) is separated into a flushing period (where discharge is positively correlated to river water conductivity) and a dilution period (where discharge is negatively correlated to conductivity). During average flow years, virtually the entire annual load of nutrients and sediment moves through the watershed during the stormflow season. Because stormflow hydrologically links the land with local waterways, the stormflow season shows the greatest variance among sites across the diverse landscape of the Cosumnes Watershed. Chemistry of the meltflow season (April ‐ June) is dominated by dilute upland snowmelt, and there is little chemical variation across the watershed. Storm-scale analysis in water year 2002 revealed that progressive flushing occurs with each storm event and that source area dynamics play an important role in chemograph response. With 19 of the 20 major rivers in the western Sierra Nevada having dams, these data provide scientists and regulators with a valuable reference to address how impoundment affects water quality. q 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Experiments in Web Storytelling

AbstractRecognized as one of our oldest yet still vital forms of communication, storytelling offers new opportunity when it takes place on the web. Even our every day activities of writing email, creating presentations, or participating in social media can become more dynamic when considered stories. A digital storyteller from outside the museum field discusses three experiments in web-based storytelling activities that museum educators might adopt as strategies for communication with audiences.
The variety of cytosolic calcium responses and possible roles of PLC and PKC

A model of ligand-induced intracellular calcium (Ca2+) responses incorporating phospholipase C (PLC) and protein kinase C (PKC) is developed for the purpose of understanding the mechanisms underlying the observed temporal patterns of intracellular calcium (Ca2+i) under sustained agonist stimulation. Some studies have suggested that inhibition of ligand receptors and PLC by PKC could generate sinusoidal Ca2+ oscillations, while PKC-independent Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release (CICR) via IP3-gated Ca2+ channels on the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is believed to be responsible for baseline spiking. However, some evidence also indicates that baseline spiking can be observed under high-PKC activity, or under low-PKC activity with low agonist stimulus, as well. Insight into the basis of these observations regarding the role of PKC in Ca2+i response patterns can be gained by developing and analyzing a mathematical model of Ca2+i responses. We do this herein and find that (1) interaction of CICR and the sarcoplasmic/endoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase (SERCA) pump is enough to generate both types of Ca2+i oscillations, (2) there exist four possible Ca2+i response patterns under sustained agonist stimulus: a sub-threshold response (SR), baseline spiking, sinusoidal oscillations (SO) and transient with plateau, and (3) the IP3 concentration, which is controlled by the strength of the interaction between PKC and PLC, can be used to predict the Ca2+i response patterns. From this analysis we conclude that the different patterns of Ca2+i oscillations can be understood as a generic consequence of the interactions between CICR via the IP3-gated Ca2+ channels in response to changes in the level of IP3, and re-uptake into the ER/SR via the SERCA pump. PKC, in conjunction with PLC, can act as a switch between different Ca2+i response patterns by modulating the cytosolic IP3 level, which determines the Ca2+i patterns.
Sequence of Events Underlying the Allosteric Transition of Rod Cyclic Nucleotide–gated Channels

Activation of cyclic nucleotide–gated (CNG) ion channels involves a conformational change in the channel protein referred to as the allosteric transition. The amino terminal region and the carboxyl terminal cyclic nucleotide–binding domain of CNG channels have been shown to be involved in the allosteric transition, but the sequence of molecular events occurring during the allosteric transition is unknown. We recorded single-channel currents from bovine rod CNG channels in which mutations had been introduced in the binding domain at position 604 and/or the rat olfactory CNG channel amino terminal region had been substituted for the bovine rod amino terminal region. Using a hidden Markov modeling approach, we analyzed the kinetics of these channels activated by saturating concentrations of cGMP, cIMP, and cAMP. We used thermodynamic mutant cycles to reveal an interaction during the allosteric transition between the purine ring of the cyclic nucleotides and the amino acid at position 604 in the binding site. We found that mutations at position 604 in the binding domain alter both the opening and closing rate constants for the allosteric transition, indicating that the interactions between the cyclic nucleotide and this amino acid are partially formed at the time of the transition state. In contrast, the amino terminal region affects primarily the closing rate constant for the allosteric transition, suggesting that the state-dependent stabilizing interactions between amino and carboxyl terminal regions are not formed at the time of the transition state for the allosteric transition. We propose that the sequence of events that occurs during the allosteric transition involves the formation of stabilizing interactions between the purine ring of the cyclic nucleotide and the amino acid at position 604 in the binding domain followed by the formation of stabilizing interdomain interactions.
Seismic Response Control Using Shape Memory Alloys: A Review

Shape memory alloys (SMAs) are a class of alloys that possess numerous unique characteristics. They offer complete shape recovery after experiencing large strains, energy dissipation through hysteresis of response, excellent resistance to corrosion, high fatigue resistance, and high strength. These features of SMAs, which can be exploited for the use in control of civil structures subjected to seismic events, have attracted the interest of many researchers in structural engineering over the past decades. This article presents an extensive review of seismic applications of SMAs. First, a basic description of two unique effects of SMAs, namely shape memory and superelastic effect, is provided. Then, the mechanical characteristics of the most commonly used SMAs are discussed. Next, the material models proposed to capture the response of SMAs in seismic applications are briefly introduced. Finally, applications of SMAs to buildings and bridges to improve seismic response are thoroughly reviewed.
Micropinion generation: an unsupervised approach to generating ultra-concise summaries of opinions

This paper presents a new unsupervised approach to generating ultra-concise summaries of opinions. We formulate the problem of generating such a micropinion summary as an optimization problem, where we seek a set of concise and non-redundant phrases that are readable and represent key opinions in text. We measure representativeness based on a modified mutual information function and model readability with an n-gram language model. We propose some heuristic algorithms to efficiently solve this optimization problem. Evaluation results show that our unsupervised approach outperforms other state of the art summarization methods and the generated summaries are informative and readable.
Physiological insights gained from gene expression analysis in obesity and diabetes.

Microarray technology permits the interrogation of nearly all expressed genes under a wide range of conditions. Patterns of gene expression in response to obesity and diabetes have yielded important insights into the pathogenesis of diabetes and its relationship to obesity. In muscle, microarray studies have motivated research into mitochondrial function. In adipose tissue, clues have pointed to the importance of inflammation in obesity. New adipocyte-derived hormones involved in insulin resistance have been found; a notable example is retinol binding protein 4. In liver, genes responsive to master regulators of lipid metabolism have been identified. In β-cells, genes involved in cell survival, cell proliferation, and insulin secretion have been identified. These studies have greatly expanded our understanding of mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of obesity-induced diabetes. When combined with genetic information, microarray data can be used to construct causal network models linking gene expression with disease.
Mesenteric Venous Thrombosis

Intestinal infarction due to mesenteric vascular occlusion was reported in the 19th century (l,2), but mesenteric venous thrombosis was not described as a clinical entity distinct from arterial occlusion until 1935 (3,~). It is now appreciated that occlusion of the mesenteric veins not only may complicate a number of disease processes, but also may occur without apparent coexisting disease. Several more recent reports also have focused on a possible relationship between this disorder and the use of oral contraceptives. In this review we will consider the entire spectrum of cases of mesenteric venous thrombosis except for those in which it is associated with either arterial thrombosis or mechanical bowel obstruction (e.g., strangulation, volvulus, or intussusception).
Recent Advances in Silicon Photonic Components

This paper will survey recent developments in Silicon-based light emitters, waveguide structures, ultrafast modulators, routers, direct-bandgap GeSn/Ge/SiGeSn/Si structures, photonic-crystal devices and subwavelength-plasmonic devices. Components can be designed for a wavelength within 0.3 to 100 μm.
Viewing Online Instructor Evaluation via Multiple Vantages: the Evaluator, the Instructor, the Academic Department, the Administration, and the Student Perspective

The prospect of being observed while teaching can provoke anxiety even in the most experienced instructors; however, many institutions of higher learning annually observe all faculty members on the basis of content and andragogical approach. What value does the instructor evaluation process add to the institution? This paper provides some insight by offering vantages of online instructor evaluation from a variety of roles: the evaluator, the instructor/evalutee, the academic department, the university administration, and the student. Each role is deconstructed by experienced online evaluators. From the evaluator's perspective, the relationship between the evaluator and the person evaluated (evalutee) is discussed, and mentorship and evaluation are distinguished. From the instructor view, potential pitfalls are introduced. Student surveys are presented as a vehicle to gather data on the student perspective.
Chronic etoposide schedules in the treatment of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Although non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is one of the most chemotherapy-sensitive malignancies, further improvements in treatment are necessary. With current therapy, approximately 50% of the intermediate and high grade lymphomas can be cured [1,2]. Therapy remains palliative for most patients with low grade lymphoma. Many cytotoxic drugs have activity against lymphoma; however, the best combination remains unknown, and most current regimens use cyclophosphamide and doxorubicin as the principal drugs.
Aptamers as Therapeutics

Aptamers are single-stranded nucleic acid molecules that bind to and inhibit proteins and are commonly produced by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Aptamers undergo extensive pharmacological revision, which alters affinity, specificity, and therapeutic half-life, tailoring each drug for a specific clinical need. The first therapeutic aptamer was described 25 years ago. Thus far, one aptamer has been approved for clinical use, and numerous others are in preclinical or clinical development. This review presents a short history of aptamers and SELEX, describes their pharmacological development and optimization, and reviews potential treatment of diseases including visual disorders, thrombosis, and cancer.
Time-dependent density-matrix theory

The mass fluctuations in damped reactions of16O+16O are studied in an extended time-dependent Hartree-Fock theory. The theory determines the time evolution of a two-body density matrix as well as that of a one-body density matrix, providing us with a microscopic way to calculate the fluctuations of one-body quantities. The results of the theory are compared with those obtained in a transport model. It is found that the dispersions in fragment mass calculated in the two models are of the same order of magnitude and much larger than those calculated in the time-dependent Hartree-Fock theory. The differences between the microscopic theory and the transport model are also discussed.
Concentration measurement and counting efficiency of the aerodynamic particle sizer 3321

Abstract The aerodynamic particle sizer (APS) model 3321 (TSI, Inc., St. Paul, MN) aims to resolve issues identified with an earlier APS, model 3320. These issues include discrepancies between concentrations measured in summing and in correlated modes, and the creation of “anomalous”, large particles caused by recirculation within the detection region. In the present work, the number concentration of a laboratory aerosol was measured with the APS 3321 to be statistically the same in summing mode and in correlated mode for all particles except those in bin 1, μm . Further, anomalous large particles were not measured with the APS 3321. The counting efficiency of the APS 3321 was lower than that for the APS 3320 and ranged from 40% to 60% for particles from 0.8 to 4 μm , respectively. Thus, concentrations reported by the APS 3321 were lower than those measured by the impactor. However, because counting efficiencies were roughly constant with particle size and anomalous particles were absent, the shape of the size distribution was similar to that obtained using the impactor.
Solidification Kinetics of Graphite Nodules in Cast Iron and Shrinkage Porosity

The shrinkage porosity of castings made from cast iron with spherical graphite (SGI) depends on a combination of intrinsic (density and volume of phases, solidification kinetics) and extrinsic conditions related to casting-mold thermo-mechanical interactions. Precipitation of graphite nodules increases the specific SGI volume, and control of the nucleation rate in solidified castings can be used for improving casting soundness. In this article, the method of structural reconstruction of solidification kinetics was used to link the nucleation rate of graphite nodules to experimentally observed shrinkage porosity in a specially designed test casting. An automated SEM/EDX system was used to determine the “true” two-dimensional graphite nodule distributions in the casting sections. These two-dimensional distributions were converted into the volume particle distribution functions (PDF), and the solidification kinetics were reconstructed by applying inverse simulations. The experiments were performed with variations in inoculation and pouring temperature. The shrinkage porosity was compared to the restored sequence of graphite nodule nucleation in the specific casting volumes. It is shown that the second nucleation wave in low-temperature poured and inoculated SGI eliminated interdendritic microporosity. The suggested method could be used in industry to improve the soundness of SGI castings.
Embryonic death in early pregnancy: a new look at the first trimester.

Objective To examine the frequency of pregnancy loss following successful development of anatomical embryonic landmarks identified with endovaginal ultrasound. Methods Two hundred thirty-two women with positive urinary pregnancy tests and no antecedent history of vaginal bleeding had endovaginal sonography performed at the initial visit and at subsequent visits as indicated clinically. The presence of anatomical and embryonic structures (gestational sac, yolk sac, embryo) and cardiac activity was recorded. Patients were followed until delivery unless sonographic evidence of nonviability was seen or spontaneous loss occurred. Results Twenty-seven losses occurred during the embryonic period, four losses occurred in the fetal period, and there were 201 live births. If a gestational sac developed, subsequent loss of viability in the embryonic period occurred in 11.5%; loss rates were 8.5% with a yolk sac, 7.2% for an embryo up to 5 mm, 3.3% for an embryo of 6-10 mm, and 0.5% for an embryo larger than 10 mm. No pregnancies were lost between 8.5 and 14 menstrual weeks. The fetal loss rate after 14 weeks was 2.0%. Conclusions The rate of early pregnancy loss decreases successively with gestational age and is virtually complete by the end of the embryonic period (70 days after onset of the last menstrual period). Subsequent pregnancy losses in the fetal period occur between 14 and 20 weeks. This pattern of early pregnancy death suggests a period of embryonic loss distinct from one of fetal loss. Based on these data, the physiologic significance of the traditional boundary of the first trimester as an appropriate dividing time line for early pregnancy may be questioned.
Managing the Hemorrhagic Complications of Heparin Therapy

Heparin provides a powerful therapeutic ally for the clinician challenged by patients with thromboembolic disorders. A wide range of complications, however, has been observed in patients receiving heparin for thromboembolic disorders considered to be serious or life-threatening. This article addresses the management of heparin-associated bleeding. In doing so, the author examines the factors affecting levels of heparin that could lead to inappropriate or excessive administration-namely, heparin metabolism, heparin administration, laboratory monitoring, and a major contributing complication, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Unfortunately, attempts to manage anti-coagulant bleeding in the presence of thrombosis can often create additional difficulties that continue to challenge the clinician.
Lipopeptide delivery of siRNA to the central nervous system.

RNA interference is a relatively new tool used to silence specific genes in diverse biological systems. The development of this promising new technique for research and therapeutic use in studying and treating neurological diseases has been hampered by the lack of an efficient way to deliver siRNA transvascularly across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) to the central nervous system (CNS). Here we describe the generation of three different liposomal siRNA delivery vehicles to the CNS using the thin film hydration method. Utilizing cationic or anionic liposomes protects the siRNA from serum nucleases and proteases en route. To deliver the siRNA specifically to the CNS, the liposomes are complexed to a peptide that acts as a neuronal address by binding to nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAchRs). When injected intravenously, these liposome-siRNA-peptide complexes (LSPCs) or peptide addressed liposome encapsulated therapeutic siRNA (PALETS) resist serum degradation, effectively cross the BBB and deliver siRNA to AchR-expressing cells to suppress protein expression in the CNS.
Conclusion: Lessons from the German Energiewende

In the concluding chapter, Stefes highlights the uniqueness of the German energy transition as a bottom-up project in a country that is otherwise known for top-down policymaking. He further points that the Energiewende has remained incomplete, as the promotion of energy efficiency and renewable energy in the transport and heating sectors—in contrast to the electricity sector—has been slow. The chapter ends with a comparison of the German case with the other three countries analyzed in this book, assessing to what extent energy transitions are possible in the USA, China, and Japan.
Discharge Against Medical Advice in the United States, 2002-2011

Abstract Objective To describe the national frequency, prevalence, and trends of discharge against medical advice (DAMA) among inpatient hospitalizations in the United States and identify differences across patient- and hospital-level characteristics, overall and in clinically distinct diagnostic subgroups. Patients and Methods We conducted a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of inpatient hospitalizations (≥18 years), discharged between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2011, using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Descriptive statistics, multivariable logistic, and joinpoint regression were used for statistical analyses. Results Between January 1, 2002, and December 31, 2011, more than 338,000 inpatient hospitalizations were discharged against medical advice each year, with a 1.9% average annual increase in prevalence over the decade (95% CI, 0.8%-3.0%). Temporal trends in DAMA varied by principal diagnosis. Among patients hospitalized for mental health- or substance abuse-related disorders, there was a −2.3% (95% CI, −3.8% to −0.8%) average annual decrease in the rate of DAMA. A statistically significant temporal rate change was not observed among hospitalizations for pregnancy-related disorders. Multivariable regression revealed several patient and hospital characteristics as predictors of DAMA, including lack of health insurance (odds ratio [OR], 3.78; 95% CI, 3.62-3.94), male sex (OR, 2.40; 95% CI, 2.36-2.45), and northeast region (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.72-2.11). Other predictors included age, race/ethnicity, income, primary diagnosis, severity of illness, and hospital location/type and size. Conclusion Rates for DAMA have increased in the United States, and key differences exist across patient and hospital characteristics. Early identification of vulnerable patients and preventive measures such as improved patient-provider communication may reduce DAMA.
The magnetic storms of 3–4 August 2010 and 5–6 August 2011: 1. Ground- and space-based observations

We have used total electron content (TEC) values from low, middle, and high latitudes recorded over the American continent and density and ion temperature measured in situ by the DMSP-F15 and F17 satellites during the geomagnetic storms of 3–4 August 2010 and 5–6 August 2011 to study the formation and dynamics of plasma density enhancements that developed during these two storms. Common to both storms are the timing of the main phase that extends between 20 and 24 UT and their seasonality with both storms occurring near the end of the Northern Hemisphere summer solstice. During both storms, TEC data show incipient equatorial anomalies lacking a poleward expansion beyond 20° magnetic latitude. Two large-scale TEC enhancements were observed at middle latitudes showing a complicated pattern of structuring and merging. The first TEC enhancement corresponds to a storm-enhanced density (SED) seen between 21 and 01 UT on the following day. The second TEC enhancement was observed over Central America, located equatorward of the SED and apparently moving northward. However, careful analysis of the TEC values indicates that this second TEC enhancement is not transported from lower latitudes through a superfountain effect. Instead, the enhanced plasma has a local origin and is driven by a southward directed meridional wind that moves plasma up the tilted magnetic field lines. DMSP flights passing over the second TEC enhancement show a reduction of the ion temperature, confirming an adiabatic expansion of the plasma as it moves up the field lines. It is concluded that the midlatitude TEC enhancements do not arise from a low-latitude ionospheric fountain effect.
Therapy of Childhood Leukemia: Understanding Success and Failure

The treatment of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia has revolutionized our concepts of what is possible in the management of all disseminated malignancy. From the cautious use of single—agent chemotherapy in the 1950s, therapy has evolved to include the aggressive use of multiple agents. The results have been a progressive increase in remission frequency and remission duration. However, the most important outcome has been the increased cure rate, which approximates 60% in many large studies. Progress has been slower in recent years, which has fostered the careful study of reasons for failure and the exploration of novel diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic techniques. We have been far less successful in acute myeloid leukemia, with cure rates of about 20%. We offer two examples of approaches to overcome the failures. We are studying pharmacodynamic variability because some failures may be due to ineffective dose-time exposure of leukemia cells; if so, more targeted dosage adjustment might improve results. Second, we are studying the application of growth factors in mitigating the negative effect of chemotherapy on normal marrow, as well as in influencing the growth of leukemia cells, particularly myeloid cells. We anticipate continued improvement in treatment outcome by empirical protocol modification, albeit at a slow rate, and potentially major improvements with help from the basic science laboratory.
Essay #16: The Testability of the Identity Theory

The main thesis of this essay is the claim that it is conceivable that one can empirically test the psycho-physical identity theory. The dialectical target of the essay is Jaegwon Kim’s contention that “There is no conceivable observation that would confirm or refute the identity but not the associated correlation.” (American Philosophical Quarterly, 1966, 227–228). In an essay “The Logic of the Identity Theory” Richard Brandt and Jaegwon Kim offered a criterion for event identity, which I employ in making a case for the empirical testability of the identity theory. Employing a second level version of W.V.O. Quine’s axiom of identity, I demonstrate how one can test the event identity, without having any bearing upon the associated psycho-physical correlation. The argument essentially turns upon the issue of second-order properties, i.e., upon the question of whether two allegedly identical properties both share all of their second-order properties.
Elderly Workers in Japan The Need for a New Approach

Under demographic pressures, efforts to delay labor market withdrawal have replaced early retirement policies as a management tool of labor supply in many countries. In Japan, as the country is facing a dramatic demographic transition, the employment of elderly workers up to the age of 65 has become mandatory since 2006. This article discusses the recent developments in this field in Japan and their impact on the employment of elderly workers. It focuses more specifically on how the traditional win-win way of managing elderly employment is evolving under the impact of demographics, the socio-cultural context, the regulatory environment and the consequential need for changes in the social security system. Based on a case study of five Japanese companies, and on other research findings, this paper examines empirically how organisations in that country develop human resource management practices to cope with these environmental transformations and prolong employees’ work-life.
Reporting Without Knowledge: the Absence of Human Rights in US Journalism Education

Journalists play an important role in the realization and protection of human rights worldwide, framing and shaping the public’s understanding of issues. In the United States, however, studies show that media coverage of human rights is inadequate and frequently inaccurate, with US journalists typically framing human rights as an exclusively international issue. This study helps to explain why this is the case through an examination of the human rights content of journalism education in the United States. Journalism education is dominated by undergraduate programs in the United States, yet data from this study show that human rights education is not part of journalism training programs at the undergraduate level (at the top 10 schools, ranked according to the number of graduates, there are no human rights courses for journalism majors) and is not a focus of most graduate-level training programs. Those schools that do teach human rights do so largely with a focus on events and violations abroad. The fact that journalists are not educated about international human rights law and standards or taught to view events through a human rights lens means that crucial opportunities are missed to frame topics as human rights issues, to inform the public, and to hold governments and other human rights violators accountable.