cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Minimum nurse staffing legislation and the financial performance of California hospitals.

In the past decade, 15 states and the federal government have proposed or enacted legislation or adopted regulations addressing nurse staffing in acute care hospitals; only California has legislation mandating minimum nurse staffing ratios (American Nurses Association 2010a,b). Staffing ratios are controversial because it is unknown whether the benefits outweigh the costs of complying with the standards (Buerhaus 2010). The potential cost is substantial. Direct costs of nursing, 80 percent of which are salaries and benefits, have been shown to comprise approximately 44 percent of the total direct costs of inpatient care (Kane and Siegrist 2002) and 30 percent of all hospital expenditures (Welton 2002). Moreover, it has been shown that the staffing regulations were accompanied by increases in nurse wages (Mark, Harless, and Spetz 2007). If mandated staffing standards put additional financial pressure on hospitals, unintended consequences such as unit or hospital closures, lower technology or infrastructure investments, or reductions in quality or access may ensue. Proponents argue that legislating nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals will improve both working conditions for nurses and safety and quality of care for patients. In turn, some of the hospital costs of complying with the ratios should be offset by fewer complications, shorter patient stays, and fewer readmissions; less need for temporary and traveling nurses; and lower nursing staff turnover (Coffman, Seago, and Spetz 2010; Steinbrook 2004). However, opponents cite insufficient evidence that nurse staffing ratios improve patient safety and quality of care (Institute of Medicine 1991; Lang et al. 2008). Research also suggests that nurse staffing ratios alone may be insufficient to reduce nurse turnover (Coffman, Seago, and Spetz 2010), and even when turnover declines, the financial benefits are less than the costs of increasing nursing hours (Needleman 2003). Existing evidence is insufficient to say with certainty whether minimum nurse staffing legislation positively or negatively affects hospital financial performance; thus, research is needed to inform nurse staffing debates going forward. Evidence on the financial implications may influence states’ decisions about nurse staffing laws, or the design of alternative approaches for addressing nurse staffing (Azam 2002). California's experience provides an opportunity to assess the effect of state-wide mandatory ratios on hospitals’ financial performance. Using data from 2000 to 2006, we investigate the impact of the staffing regulation on California hospitals’ financial performance compared to a group of hospitals in 12 states that do not have such staffing regulations.
A Young's modulus study of n- and p-type porous silicon

With the number of MEMS based applications utilizing porous silicon increasing, it has become more important to know the mechanical properties of the material. Using nanoindentation, the Young's modulus of various n-type and p-type mesoporous silicon samples has been measured. The porous silicon samples were produced by electrochemical anodization in an ethanoic hydrofluoric acid solution. Anodization conditions were varied to study the impact on Young's modulus due to porosity and pore morphology. The current densities of the p-type samples were varied between 20 mA/cm 2 and 60 mA/cm 2 and the n-type samples current densities were varied between 3 mA/cm 2 and 60 mA/cm 2 . The investigation demonstrated a strong morphological change for n-type samples which caused a much broader range of Young's modulus values measured. It was also observed that the p-type samples pore morphologies did not significantly change over the range of current densities used, therefore the changes in the Young's modulus can be attributed to a change in porosity.
Long-range ordering in the early stages of precipitation—a brief review

Local order adjusts more rapidly than long-range order for several reasons, and this local order need not mimic the low-temperature precipitate (although it does in many cases). This may drastically alter the activation energy for nucleation. Strain energy can play a key role in determining whether precipitation, ordering, or a displacive transformation occurs and in determining not only the shape but also the compositions of the phases. Long-range ordering in the matrix may develop prior to precipitation of an ordered phase. A plate-like morphology for ordered precipitates can occur for several reasons,e.g. strain, anisotropic interfacial energy, or planar antiphase boundaries in an ordered matrix.
Light-shade adaptation by the oceanic dinoflagellates Pyrocystis noctiluca and P. fusiformis

Species-specific rates of photosynthetic carbon uptake (P), chlorophyll a content and P versus irradiance (P-I), have been measured for cells of Pyrocystis noctiluca and P. fusiformis isolated from natural populations collected in the euphotic zone within and below the surface mixed layer in the Sargasso Sea. These same measurements and the assay for ribulose bis-phosphate carboxylase (RuBP-Case), have been made for cultures of P. noctiluca in a 12 h L: 12 h D photoperiod at 9 different constant or at changing light intensities. In nature chl a cell-1 was constant throughout the euphotic zone. The photosynthetic capacity (Pmax), of cells captured below the surface mixed layer was lower by a factor of 10 compared with cells collected from the surface mixed layer. The Pmax for P. noctiluca collected and incubated within the surface mixed layer was the same as for cell cultures grown under high light, non nutrient-limiting conditions, suggesting that photosynthesis in the natural system was not nutrient limited. In laboratory cultures under constant low light intensities, chl a cell-1 increased by a factor of 5 while both Pmax and RuBPCase activity decreased by a factor of ca 4 compared with high light intensities. In changing light intensities both Pmax and RuBPCase activities were decreased by factors of 4 during low light intervals while chl a cell-1 approached a constant intermediate value. The change in chl a cell-1 in response to prolonged exposure to constant low light intensities was first order with a rate constant of 0.33 d-1. For all irradiance conditions in culture, the P-I dependence could be described by the simple Michaelis-Menten formula. The ratio of Pmax to KI, (the light intensity where P=Pmax/2) was a constant with a Coefficient of Variation of 12%: The constancy of this ratio, the parallel changes in RuBPCase activity with Pmax and the constant chl a cell-1 in the Sargasso Sea imply that for P. noctiluca and presumably P. fusiformis in nature, a dark enzymatic step rather than changes in photosynthetic pigment concentrations may regulate the photosynthetic capacity in the changing photic environment.
Determination of the fracture toughness of polycarbonate using an energy approach

Abstract A number of polycarbonate (PC) specimens, having the same compact tension type configuration but with different initial crack lengths, was tested at −12°C under Mode I type loading. The pop-in loads and corresponding displacements at the loading pins were plotted and connected by a common curve. The value of K IC was determined using the method first proposed by Gurney and Hunt and was in close agreement with values reported by others. It is concluded that the pop-in load versus displacement curve is equivalent to a locus describing crack propagation under plane-strain conditions and suggests a new approach for determining K IC for ductile solids.
Design of Conical Shaped Charges for Prompt Initiation of TNT Chemical Munition Bursters

The Explosive Destruction System (EDS) has been designed at Sandia National Laboratories for the disposal of chemical munitions (phosgene, mustard gas, sarin etc.), many dating back to World War I. EDS is a portable system that is trailer mounted and consists of a vessel into which a chemical munition can be loaded and neutralized with linear and conical shaped charges. Gases are contained within the sealed chamber. The linear shaped charges split the munition in two and the conical is aimed at the explosive burster, in each munition, which is detonated by the shaped charge jet. Toxic chemicals remaining in the vessel following detonation are neutralized and disposed of. This paper documents the development of a new conical shaped charge (CSC) needed to reliably detonate explosive bursters in an expanding array of chemical munitions that are beyond what the device was originally designed to neutralize. Design of this new CSC was controlled by the need to deliver energy above the detonation threshold into the explosive after penetrating the outer steel casing, fluid, the burster casing and finally the explosive. Design considerations were driven by jet conditions at the steel/explosive interface inside the burster. Parameters to consider in CSC design include: 1) diameter, 2) liner thickness, 3) liner position in body, 4) explosive weight, and 5) liner shape or interior angle. The effects of these parameters on final CSC performance are examined in detail. CSC’s meeting the design specifications have been manufactured and tested. The performance of these charges is compared with the original design requirements.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY OF IRRADIATED BeO

Abstract Electron microscopy has been used to study the effects of nuclear irradiation on the microstructure of sintered BeO. The effects observed can be grouped into two categories, grain boundary separation, and gas bubble formation. Grain boundary separation occurs during low-temperature (~ 100° C) irradiations and has been correlated with orientation of the grains comprising the sample. This separation, caused by the anisotropic lattice expansion of irradiated BeO, is quite noticeable in specimens with randomly oriented grains, and is less common in specimens exhibiting a preferred orientation. High-temperature irradiation produces little grain boundary separation because of thermal annealing effects. Gas bubbles, consisting of helium and tritium, are formed during high-temperature irradiations of BeO, and have been observed to occur chiefly at grain boundaries. Such bubbles are commonly seen in specimens irradiated at temperatures above 800° C, but evidence of their existence has also been seen in specimens irradiated at temperatures as low as 360° C. Gas bubbles often tend to develop crystallographic shapes, and have been seen to coalesce with one another and with sintering pores. Both preirradiation density and grain size have an effect on bubble formation in high-temperature irradiated BeO. Bubbles are less abundant in low-density specimens, which contain many sintering pores to absorb the gas, than in high-density specimens, which contain few pores. The size and abundance of gas bubbles noticeably increases with increasing grain size of the BeO. This effect is related to the amount of available grain boundary surface area over which the gas may be distributed. Intragranular stringer-type formations, possibly composed of gas bubbles, have been seen in the microstructure of high-temperature irradiated BeO after etching.
Use of the Electronic Flash to record the Activity of Small Animals

DURING field-observations of mosquitoes (Aedes caspius Pall.) in Abu Ghraib, Iraq, it was found that the insects were not disturbed when being photographed by means of an electronic flash; in this they resemble birds, small mammals and diurnal insects. The firing of ordinary flash bulbs will always cause resting mosquitoes to fly away; and swarming males will disperse for a period of several minutes after a flash-bulb exposure. The firing of an electronic flash, even from as close as 30 cm., did not appear in any way to disturb resting or feeding mosquitoes, and not the slightest change in pitch of male swarms was discernible when they were photographed by the same device. It is not known if the insects react differently to the two light sources because of differences in the duration of light, or whether the disturbance produced by the ordinary flash bulb results from the considerable emission of radiant heat. But whatever the reason, it seemed that this indifference to the electronic flash could be used for recording photographically the activity of small and light insects.
Characterization of Gels Composed of Blends of Collagen I, Collagen III, and Chondroitin Sulfate

Type I collagen is explored heavily for use in biomaterials, but the role of other extracellular matrix components in regulating collagen organization is gaining attention. We show that as the ratio of type III to type I collagen increases, fibril diameter decreases. A mixture of the two collagen types results in a more open structural network, corresponding to a more compliant material, as compared to a material composed of only one collagen type. Glycosaminoglycans also affect collagen organization and tissue properties. We show that chondroitin sulfate decreases the collagen fibril diameter. Additionally, chondroitin sulfate (CS) increases the void space of a collagen I or collagen III gel, resulting in a more compliant material, but the interactions between types I and III collagen negate the effects of CS. The simple combination of these components results in materials with unique structural, mechanical, and biological cues that can be useful in tailoring biomaterials for tissue engineering.
Organizational structure, employee problem solving, and lean implementation

Purpose – The aim of this study was to understand the relationship between organizational structure and lean implementation success and to explore the impact of a lean implementation on the development of employee problem-solving skills. Organizations that implement lean manufacturing strategies experience widely differing results, with unexpected outcomes for some organizations. Design/methodology/approach – This study was conducted using qualitative research methodologies. Specifically, a case study was performed at an electronics manufacturer in the northwestern USA over a three-month time period. The researchers collected data from a variety of sources at the manufacturing site. Findings – Two significant findings emerged. First, the lack of dedicated personnel for the lean implementation inhibited the widespread adoption of lean practices. Second, evidence supported the role of the lean implementation in positively affecting employee problem-solving skills. Research limitations/implications – This pa...
Homologous blood transfusion in patients with prostate cancer: No effect on tumor progression or survival

Objective. To determine the effect of perioperative blood transfusions in patients with prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy, we analyzed 1,785 patients with a follow-up of five years or more who were treated during a twenty-one-year period (1966 to 1987). Methods. Patients were divided into three groups according to the number of units transfused during the perioperative period: group 1, 0 units (n = 440), group 2, 1 to 2 units (n = 746), and group 3, 3 or more units (n = 599). Results. With univariate analysis, no statistically significant differences were found among the three groups in overall survival rate (71%, 75%, and 71% at ten years; p = 0.48), cause-specific survival rate (89%, 88%, and 86% at ten years; p = 0.36), or progression-free survival rate (61%, 68%, and 68% at ten years; p = 0.83). Adjusting for tumor grade, pathologic stage, and hormonal therapy using the Cox statistical model, we found no significant association between the blood-use group and overall survival rate (p = 0.45), cause-specific survival rate (p = 0.17), or progression-free survival rate (p = 0.34). The estimated relative risk and 95 percent confidence interval associated with blood transfusion (three or more units versus none) were as follows: 1.03 and 0.76 to 1.38 for total mortality, 1.56 and 0.95 to 2.56 for cause-specific death, and 1.20 and 0.91 to 1.57 for disease progression, respectively. Conclusions. According to these findings, withholding homologous blood transfusion, except for infectious precautions, should not be based on the suspicion that it can accelerate death from cancer in patients who undergo radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer.
The metabolism of (1-14C) stearic acid in rat testicular tissue.

Abstract 1. (1) The metabolism of stearic acid was studied in vivo following intratesticular injection of [1- 14 C]stearate. Soon after injection 14 C activity was found mainly in the free fatty acid pool. This was followed at later time periods by transfer of label primarily to the phosphatide pool. During each time period significant amounts of label were recovered as 14 CO 2 . 2. (2) Analysis of 14 C-labeled fatty acids from the injected testes demonstrated an initial rapid rate of oxidation and desaturation of [1- 14 C]stearate followed by a slower steady state rate. It was concluded that the initial rate was due to the rapid turnover of the highly labeled free fatty acid pool followed by a much slower rate as [1- 14 C]stearate was esterified to the more metabolically stable phospholipids. Elongation of the labeled stearic or its desaturated derivative was not observed. 3. (3) The rate of desaturation in vitro of stearic acid was measured in microsomal preparations from rat testes and found to be 12.0 ± 0.5 pmol/min/mg compared to the estimated in vivo value of 22 pmol/min/mg and the value of 390 pmol/min/mg for hepatic microsomal desaturase.
A Study of the Phosphorus Requirement of Dairy Cattle: I. Phosphorus Requirement for Growth and Reproduction from Three Months of Age to First Calving1

Summary (1)This experiment was designed to determine the phosphorus requirement of dairy cattle when a ration of alfalfa hay with less than 0.2 percent phosphorus, corn silage, and corn was fed. (2)The low phosphorus ration caused an immediate lowering of the inorganic blood phosphorus.These values remained lower than normal during the first eighteen months of age. (3)The blood calcium values were highest during the time that the phosphorus values were lowest. The calcium values were slightly higher than the normal values during the first 18 months of age but were still within normal range. (4)Other symptoms of phosphorus deficiency exhibited by the heifers in lot I (low phosphorus ration) were depraved appetite and a reduced appetite for hay and silage. (5)The ration fed' the heifers in lot I which contained from 5.7 to 9.9 grams of phosphorus per day from three to 18 months of age was insufficient when the calcium-phosphorus ratio was from 4:1 to 5:1 and when the sources of vitamin D were five pounds of sun-cured alfalfa hay and sunshine. (6)Ten and three tenths grams of phosphorus per day appeared to furnish sufficient phosphorus for the heifers in lot II fed the basal ration supplemented with bone meal from three to six months of age. (7)Ten to 12 grams of phosphorus daily furnished sufficient phosphorus for normal growth, maintenance, and for the development of the fetus from 18 months of age to first calving as indicated by blood phosphorus and the strength and size of calves at birth. (8)During gestation the blood calcium and phosphorus values were normal for both groups. The blood phosphorus values of both groups decreased markedly immediately prior to parturition. (9)The phosphorus requirement for growth is not directly proportional to body weight but probably depends on the rate of growth. Consequently, the method used in this experiment of feeding about 0.2 per cent of the dry matter as a low phosphorus ration to the animals in lot I and 0.41 per cent phosphorus as optimum phosphorus level to those in lot II is not a satisfactory method of studying phosphorus requirement for growth. However, under practical farm conditions in which alfalfa hay and the cereal grains furnish protein and energy, calves consume more food as they grow older even though the rate of growth declines.
The Rise of Epicene They

A pronoun pattern that is common in both spoken and written English is some form of they with singular, generic antecedents, as in, “Everyone was so pleased with themselves.” This article addresses the question of how long such a pattern has been in the language and how a pattern that clearly violates number agreement could become so ubiquitous. An examination of recent scholarship as well as the historical record reveals that the origins of this usage rest in the fourteenth century and that its frequency has increased since then. Using current theories of agreement, the author presents a hypothesis for how and when this pattern could have entered the language. Further examination of the historical record supports the hypothesis that loss of grammatical gender in the thirteenth century was crucial for the introduction of generic they into the language.
Strain enhancement of elastic modulus in fine fibrin clots

Abstract Fine fibrin clots, prepared at pH 8.5, ionic strength 0.45, with minimal lateral aggregation of protofibrils, and ligated (cross-linked) by factor XIIIa, were subjected to constant static shear strain (γ) with superposed small oscillating strains. The incremental shear modulus (dynamic storage modulus) measured in the oscillating deformations was strain-independent at small static strains (up to about 0.1) and approximately equal to the static modulus. At higher static strains, it increased rapidly, up by a factor of 5 to 8 at γ =0.35. Comparison with earlier data on unligated clots showed that the enhancement of stiffness was independent of ligation except at very high strains. The enhancement is attributed to additional forced contacts between network fibers as the strands are bent and oriented. When the static strain was maintained for up to one day, in a clot ligated by factor XIIIa the enhanced incremental modulus remained constant or decreased slightly, and after removal of stress the clot returned almost to its original shape. This contrasts with the behavior of unligated clots, where most of the enhancement was progressively lost as the incremental modulus fell toward its small-strain value, and there was a substantial permanent deformation after the removal of stress. The latter behavior has been attributed to gradual severance of network strands at high strains, followed by their rejoining in relaxed configurations, but leaving some structural damage that is only very slowly recovered in the resting state. Ligation of protofibrils evidently eliminates the possibility of strand rupture.
Three-dimensional modeling of capsule implosions in OMEGA tetrahedral hohlraums

Tetrahedral hohlraums have been proposed as a means for achieving the highly uniform implosions needed for ignition with inertial confinement fusion (ICF) [J. D. Schnittman and R. S. Craxton, Phys. Plasmas 3, 3786 (1996)]. Recent experiments on the OMEGA laser system have achieved good drive uniformity consistent with theoretical predictions [J. M. Wallace et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 82, 3807 (1999)]. To better understand these experiments and future investigations of high-convergence ICF implosions, the three-dimensional (3-D) view-factor code BUTTERCUP has been expanded to model the time-dependent radiation transport in the hohlraum and the hydrodynamic implosion of the capsule. Additionally, a 3-D postprocessor has been written to simulate x-ray images of the imploded core. Despite BUTTERCUP’s relative simplicity, its predictions for radiation drive temperatures, fusion yields, and core deformation show close agreement with experiment.
Cross-Cultural Validity in Malingering Assessment: The Dot Counting Test in a Rural Indian Sample

With the ever-increasing cultural diversity in the United States, the need for malingering assessment instruments that are valid in diverse cultures and languages has become increasingly apparent. Although language-based tests are obviously problematic when applied to non-English speaking individuals, even nonverbal tests may have subtle (or blatant) biases that render normative data from U.S. samples inaccurate. This study focused on the applicability of a nonverbal malingering test, the Dot Counting Test, in a non-Western population undergoing forensic evaluation for a civil lawsuit. The DCT was administered to 105 Punjabi Sikh litigants, and the distribution of scores and associations with clinical and demographic variables was analyzed. Results demonstrated that a large proportion of seemingly honest respondents (based on clinician ratings) were misclassified as likely malingering based on the DCT. The implications for malingering assessment are discussed.
IMPROVED LINEAR PROGRAMMING MODELS FOR DISCRIMINANT ANALYSIS

Discriminant analysis is an important tool for practical problem solving. Classical statistical applications have been joined recently by applications in the fields of management science and artificial intelligence. In a departure from the methodology of statistics, a series of proposals have appeared for capturing the goals of discriminant analysis in a collection of linear programming formulations. The evolution of these formulations has brought advances that have removed a number of initial shortcomings and deepened our understanding of how these models differ in essential ways from other familiar classes of LP formulations. We will demonstrate, however, that the full power of the LP discriminant analysis models has not been achieved, due to a previously undetected distortion that inhibits the quality of solutions generated. The purpose of this paper is to show how to eliminate this distortion and thereby increase the scope and flexibility of these models. We additionally show how these outcomes open the door to special model manipulations and simplifications, including the use of a successive goal method for establishing a series of conditional objectives to achieve improved discrimination.
On comparison of peak flow reductions, flood inundation maps, and velocity maps in evaluating effects of restored wetlands on channel flooding

Abstract With growing interest in using restored and/or new constructed wetlands as additional flood mitigation systems, it has become essential to investigate the effectiveness of wetlands in reducing the risk of flood hazards. This study examines and compares evaluation techniques based on peak flow estimation, flood inundation area estimation, and velocity maps to assess the performance of wetlands in reducing flood hazards in a Midwestern watershed affected by changing precipitation patterns. School Branch, one of the main branches of Eagle Creek watershed, located in central Indiana, was selected as a study area. A coupled hydrologic-hydraulic model approach was proposed to simulate the outflow generated by various design storms. Then the water profile and water velocity in the river were calculated and finally the inundation and velocity maps were generated. Also, the effect timing of storm on runoff modulated by wetlands was investigated by applying design storms to different months of year. The results of this study show that wetlands can reduce the peak flow up to 42%, flood areas up to 55% and maximum velocity up to 15%. Additionally, a sub-basin that had maximum peak flow reduction for a specific design storm did not necessarily have a simultaneous maximum reduction in flood inundation area, indicating the variability in how wetlands mitigate flooding in different sub-basins of a watershed. Also, deeper wetlands are more effective in reducing the impacts of storms with higher return periods. For example, at the study site, deeper wetlands ( D = 1.8 m) were able to reduce peak flows up to 20% for a 500 year storm whereas shallow wetlands ( D = 0.5 m) reduced the peak flow by 11% for the same storm.
Ionizing Radiation Effects on GaAsP MIS Capacitor Structures

This paper reports the effects of ionizing radiation on GaAsP MIS capacitor structures fabricated using a thermally grown dielectric and a chromium gate. The devices were irradiated with both Co60 gamma rays and high-energy (0.5 < E < 2.2 MeV) electrons at doses ranging from 104 to 108 rads(GaAsP). Results of studies of charge buildup show that a net negative charge is trapped in the dielectric during irradiation; this contrasts with the positive radiation-induced charge trapping observed in silicon dioxide. Flatband voltage shifts were less than 2 volts up to a dose of 108 rads(GaAsP). This compares favorably with shifts of greater than 10 volts which are noted in typical unhardened silicon structures under similar irradiation conditions.
Protoporphyrin and Long-Wave Ultraviolet Light Modulate Metabolic Events in Rat Peritoneal Mast Cells

Abstract We have previously shown that protoporphyrin (PP) plus long-wave ultraviolet light (UVA) has an inhibitory effect on the release of histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells in response to various stimuli, without compromising cell viability. In the present study, we observed that protoporphyrin at a noncytolytic dose (3 ng/ml) plus UVA irradiation (0.038 J/cm 2 ) is also able to suppress prostaglandin D 2 generation by rat peritoneal mast cells in response to calcium ionophore A23187, compound 48/80, or anti-IgE antibody by 64%, 92%, and 100%, respectively. Because of the participation of protein kinase C in stimulus-secretion coupling in mast cells, we also investigated the effect of PP plus UVA on the release of histamine induced by the protein kinase C activator, phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA). PP plus UVA inhibited histamine release induced by PMA. The release of histamine induced by the synergistic combination of PMA (50 nM) and a low dose of calcium ionophore A23187 (0.1 μM) was also inhibited. PP plus UVA inhibited the release of histamine induced by the non-fluorescent calcium ionophore, 4-Br-A23187, by 47.8%, but had essentially no effect on changes in intracellular calcium induced by this stimulus. In contrast, both the release of histamine and changes in intracellular calcium stimulated by compound 48/80 were inhibited. We conclude from these results that PP plus UVA may affect both early and late biochemical events involved in mast cell mediator release.
Shear band formation and cracking of a metallic glass irradiated with high energy laser pulses

A concentric deformation pattern, shear bands and cracks are produced in Fe80B14.8Si3.5C2 glass, irradiated with 12 msec duration ruby laser pulses, ranging in power densities between 105 and 107 W cm−2. This deformation front propagates through a steep temperature gradient and a partially crystallized heat-affected zone, giving rise to variations of the macroscopic deformation mode as a function of radial distance from the centre of the laser spot. For the first time, a direct experimental mapping of crack tip plasticity, in the form of an elliptical shear band zone, has been recorded. A theoretical model, which predicts such a shear band zone at the crack tip, is used to discuss the elastic-plastic response of the metallic glass.
Transcending Alcoholic Denial

Denial is a characteristic of alcoholism and other drug addictions that must be appreciated in order to understand the recovery process. The purpose of this field study was to describe the internal processes that alcoholics experience as they transcend denial. Grounded theory methods guided data collection and analysis. The author observed and interviewed 42 patients in an inpatient alcoholism treatment facility, then followed 30 participants over a 3-year period. Using the constant comparison method of data analysis, a basic social process theory of transcending alcoholic denial emerged. The theory has five progressive stages: reacting to the critical event; role disaffiliation; ambiguous anticipation; peer affiliation; and acceptance. The theory also elucidates consequences of unresolved stages.
Stimulation of plasminogen activator expression and induction of DNA synthesis by microtubule-disruptive drugs

Abstract Treatment of confluent Swiss 3T3 cells in serum-free medium with colchicine, a drug known to depolymerize microtubules, results in a dose-dependent increase in both released and cell-associated plasminogen activator levels. Other anti-microtubule drugs (vinblastine and nocodazole) are also active in stimulating plasminogen activator expression. In contrast, cytochalasin B, a microfilament-disruptive drug, has no effect. In addition, treatment with colchicine, vinblastine or nocodazole, but not cytochalasin B, also results in a dose-dependent induction of DNA synthesis in both confluent and quiescent sparse 3T3 cells in the absence of serum. Furthermore, colchicine treatment also mediates a marked morphologic change. Thus, disruption of microtubules may be sufficient to render 3T3 cells in an “activated” state characterized by morphologic alteration, enhanced plasminogen activator expression and induction of DNA synthesis.
Wulff shape of strontium titanate nanocuboids

Abstract Here we describe the Wulff shape of strontium titanate nanocuboids prepared by a hydrothermal method and annealed at high temperature. Transmission electron microscopy was used to measure the faceting ratios d(110):d(100) which are compared with surface energy ratios γ(110):γ(100) from first-principles calculations. Internal voids attributed to the Kirkendall effect were also measured and show agreement with the external faceting. Experiment and theory are shown to agree strongly within statistical and density functional theory error.
The Gleason-Prange theorem

The Gleason-Prange theorem describes a nontrivial automorphism of an extended quadratic residue code. By using the Fourier transform in an appropriate extension field, methods of digital signal processing are used to make the proof transparent and the automorphism intuitive. The theorem is proved both in a field of characteristic tow and in an arbitrary field and is stated simply as a general property of the discrete Fourier transform. >
5‐Alpha Reductase Inhibitors and Erectile Dysfunction: The Connection

ABSTRACT Introduction Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common problem affecting middle‐aged and elderly men. First‐line medical therapy includes α 1blockers and 5α‐reductase inhibitors (5ARIs), such as finasteride and dutasteride. 5ARI use has been associated with adverse sexual outcomes, including erectile dysfunction (ED), ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD), and decreased libido. Aim To clarify the association between sexual adverse effects (AEs) and 5ARIs through review of literature concerning 5ARIs and to review the proposed mechanisms of these effects. Methods A comprehensive literature review, using MEDLINE and PUBMED search engines, was conducted for all publications concerning 5ARIs and sexual AEs. Main Outcome Measure Sexual adverse effects, such as ED, EjD, and decreased libido, were the measured outcomes of this literature review. Results Sexual AEs are reported in clinical trials at rates of 2.1% to 38%. The most common sexual AE is ED, followed by EjD and decreased libido. These effects occur early in therapy and attenuate over time. A proposed mechanism for sexual dysfunction involves decreased nitric oxide synthase activity due to decreased dihydrotestosterone. Conclusion The connection between 5ARIs and sexual dysfunction is apparent upon review of the literature. Though theories have been proposed, little is known about the exact mechanisms behind 5ARI‐related sexual dysfunction. Since the connection between 5ARIs and sexual AEs is established in the literature, future research should be directed toward deciphering the pathophysiologic mechanisms. When more basic science knowledge is attained in this area, the focus can shift toward prevention and treatment. Erdemir F, Harbin A, and Hellstrom WJG. 5‐alpha reductase inhibitors and erectile dysfunction: The connection. J Sex Med **;**:**–**.
Specific binding of crotoxin to brain synaptosomes and synaptosomal membranes.

Abstract Specific binding of crotoxin to brain synaptosomes and synaptosomal membranes. Toxicon 29, 973–988 1991.—Crotoxin, the presynaptic neurotoxin from Crotalus durissus terrificus , was iodinated and used to demonstrate high affinity, specific binding to guineapig ( Cavia porcellus ) brain synaptosomes and synaptosomal membrane fragments. 125 I-crotoxin binding to the membrane fragments displays two binding plateaus, ( K d1 = 4 nM and K d2 = 87 nM, B max1 = 2 and B max2 = 4 pmoles/mg membrane protein), but binding to whole synaptosomes revealed only one plateau ( K d = 2 nM and B max = 5 pmoles/mg membrane protein). Rosenthal analyses of Scatchard plots yielded similar binding constants in the presence or absence of 0.025% Triton X-100. In addition to equilibrium analyses, kinetic analyses of 125 I-crotoxin binding to synaptosomal membrane fragments gave a K d -value of 3 nM. The K d value was not significantly changed by the exclusion of added calcium, but the binding site number was lowered. Crotoxin binding was inhibited by the acidic subunit of crotoxin and several presynaptic neurotoxins, which were classified according to their inhibitory properties as, strong (acidic subunit of crotoxin, Mojave toxin, concolor toxin, taipoxin and pseudexin), moderate (ammodytoxin A and textilotoxin), weak (notexin and scutoxin A), very weak (notechis II-5) and non-inhibitory (basic subunit of crotoxin, β-bungarotoxin, Crotalus atrox and porcine pancreatic phospholipases A 2 , dendrotoxin, and notechis III-4). Purified acidic subunit of crotoxin, the most potent competitor of crotoxin binding, was somewhat more competitive than intact crotoxin and the other strong inhibitors on a molar basis. Strong, moderate and weak inhibitor groups each differed from the preceding group by requiring about a ten fold increase in concentration to effect a 50% inhibition of crotoxin binding. The weak group was therefore at least two-orders of magnitude less effective than the strong inhibition shown by the acidic subunit of crotoxin. Treatment of synaptosomal membranes with protease K lowered 125 I-crotoxin binding, whereas treatment with trypsin did not. Iodinated, phospholipase A 2 from C. atrox venom showed no specific binding to whole synaptosomes. Our results demonstrate the presence and describe some of the properties of high affinity, specific binding sites in brain tissue for crotoxin and related presynaptic neurotoxins.
Statistical Tolerance Limits for Ground-Water Monitoring

Statistical tolerance limits can play a useful role in ground-water detection monitoring programs at waste disposal facilities; however, their properties are often misunderstood or confused with statistical prediction limits. The purpose of this paper is to describe when, where, and why statistical tolerance limits should be used in ground-water monitoring applications and how they relate to alternatives, such as statistical prediction limits. In addition, a two-stage procedure that involves the use of both tolerance and prediction limits is described and is shown to have particularly desirable properties for waste disposal facilities for which large numbers of statistical comparisons are performed on a regular basis (e.g., 100 or more comparisons per quarter).
In-vivo effects of prostaglandin E1 and lysine-bradykinin on rat salivary secretions elicited by parasympathomimetic stimulation.

Abstract Intravenous injections of either prostaglandin E 1 or lysine bradykinin (kallidin) modified the secretory response of the submandibular, parotid and sublingual glands of the rat to intravenous infusions of acetylcholine. The two substances caused reductions (of from 16 to 67 per cent) in salivary flow rates when administered in concentrations ranging from 10 to 50 μg/kg body weight. The effect lasted for 20–30 min, followed by a return to pre-injection levels and in general, depended on the concentration of the secretory stimulator and on the dose of test substance used. In the submandibular and sublingual gland, both substances generally caused a concomitant increase in the salivary Na + concentrations. This effect depended on the concentrations of acetylcholine and of test substance and varied from 10 to 117 per cent. The effect was more marked in submandibular saliva. Absolute increaes in salivary Na + concentration were not observed in the parotid gland, but the reductions in salivary Na + concentrations (from 2.5 to 31.7 per cent) were smaller and did not parallel the simultaneous reduction in flow rate, which was between 16.4 and 60.4 per cent. As both kinins and prostaglandins are present in the glands and may be activated as a result of secretory or metabolic activity, the results suggest that they act as modulators; of the secretory response to cholinergic stimulation. The divergent effects on flow rate and on salivary Na + concentration suggest that kinins and prostaglandins have specific and independent effects on acinar and duct cells.
Sorption and transport of methanol and ethanol in H+-nafion

Abstract Methanol and ethanol sorption and transport in 1100 equivalent weight H+Nafion were compared to water sorption and transport. Sorption isotherms for methanol and ethanol were fit to a solvation shell model, with four molecules in the first solvation shell. The larger molar volume of alcohols resulted in greater swelling from sorption. Proton conductivity is five times greater for water saturated Nafion than alcohol saturated Nafion. Alcohol pervaporation and alcohol vapor permeation is slower than water pervaporation and water vapor permeation. The Nafion/vapor interfacial transport coefficients for alcohols and water scale with vapor pressure. The diffusivity of water is 3–4 times greater than the diffusivity of methanol and ethanol. The results indicate that alcohols sorb by solvating the sulfonic acid groups, similar to the interaction of water with Nafion. Larger alcohol molecules diffuse slower in the hydrophilic channels of Nafion than the smaller water molecules.
MEMS-based semi-packed gas chromatography columns

Abstract Separation of complex gaseous mixtures using gas chromatography (GC) is an important process in analytical systems for environmental monitoring, medical diagnosis, and forensic sciences. Miniaturizing GC columns using microfabrication techniques is an important step in achieving micro-total analytical systems (μTAS) as complete lab-on-a-chip devices. This paper reports the fabrication and performance of a new generation of silicon-on-glass MEMS-based GC columns named “semi-packed.” These columns, fabricated on a 1.8 cm square die in a double square spiral layout, are 1-m long, 150-μm wide, and 180-μm deep and contain embedded square posts which are 20 μm on a side. The posts increase the overall surface area of the columns and reduce the effective width of the column to 126 μm. The semi-packed columns achieved a higher separation efficiency and sample capacity as compared to their open rectangular counterparts without significant eddy diffusion effects or drops in pressure which are common issues with conventional packed columns. The semi-packed column achieved a separation efficiency of about 10,000 plates/m which is the highest reported, to date, by a MEMS-based column with comparable outer dimensions.
New insights into tumor suppressors

A report of the Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory meeting 'Mechanisms and Models of Cancer', Cold Spring Harbor, USA, 13-17 August 2008.
Prescribing gaussian curvatures on surfaces with conical singularities

We consider prescribing Gaussian curvatures on surfaces with conical singularities. In a critical case, we obtain the best constant in an inequality. Then, by using the “distribution of mass” analysis, we are able to provide some sufficient conditions for a function to be the Gaussian curvature of some pointwise conformai metric.
Regional geology and radon variability in buildings

Radon concentrations in dwellings vary by more than two orders of magnitude. Predicting where and when concentrations are likely to be high requires studying the variability of the contributors to radon in buildings. Among common sources, geological factors (water supply and substrate) are the most variable, whereas building materials are much less variable. Ventillation variation among houses is generally responsible for radon variations comparable to those introduced by building materials, but it is more significant at lower ventilation rates. In some regions with relatively high proportions of houses with elevated radon concentrations, mappable geological factors are associated with most cases of high radon concentrations. However, a priori identification of rock types likely to be implicated is likely to be successful in only a few cases.
Workshop assesses 1997”1998 El Niño from Pacific climate perspectives

As the 1997–1998 El Nino was drawing towards its apparent end, researchers from various disciplines at the 15th Pacific Climate (PACLIM) Workshop recognized several significant features of this El Nino. First, a confident and credible long-term climate forecast was issued well in advance of the event, and, more importantly, it was taken seriously by the public. Second, the recent El Nino was remarkable in its magnitude and duration. Third, although globally costs and damages were attributable to the El Nino, in the western United States, costs were counterbalanced by positive effects such as the relatively mild winter and adequate precipitation for the arid West. Several speakers reported that the long-range cool-season forecasts for North America were of unprecedented skill and usefulness. In a keynote address to the workshop, Martin Hoerling of the NOAA/Climate Diagnostic Center showed, with a judicious blend of historical analyses and climate-simulation experiments, that much of this success is attributable to the unusual magnitude of the tropical forcings during this El Nino, a magnitude that was large enough to overcome much of the uncertainty that historically has been typical of the extratropical outcomes of weaker El Ninos.
Determinism and locality in quantum systems

Models of the EPR-Bohm experiment usually consider just two times, an initial time, and the time of measurement. Within such analyses, it has been argued that ‘locality’ is equivalent to determinism, given the strict correlations of quantum mechanics. However, an analysis based on such models is only a preliminary to an analysis based on a complete dynamical model. The latter analysis is carried out, and it is shown that, given certain definitions of ‘locality’ and ‘determinism’ for completely dynamical models, locality implies, but is not implied by, determinism. Further, it is suggested that a local deterministic model has not been ruled out by Bell's theorem. It is suggested that such a model could naturally deny the independence of initial complete states from the settings of the apparatuses (a crucial assumption in the derivation of Bell's inequality).
The toxicity and mutagenicity of S-3-iodo-N-(1-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinyl)methyl-2-hydroxy-6-methoxybenzamide (IBZM), a new CNS D-2 dopamine receptor imaging agent.

ABSTRACTIBZM is one of several benzamide derivatives showing a high affinity for the CNS D-2 dopamine receptor. Carrier-free [123I] IBZM is potentially useful as a nuclear medicine imaging agent for investigating CNS D-2 dopamine receptor in humans. This study describes the acute toxicity of IBZM in the rat and rabbit, its subchronic toxicity in the rabbit and its mutagenicity measured by the Ames test.IBZM had a 24 hour LD50 of 400 mg/kg in the rat and 50 mg/kg in the rabbit when administered i.v. Deaths occurred within minutes of dosing. Some necrosis was evident at the injection site in IBZM treated animals which was not found in the controls. No gross or histological differences between experimental animals and controls were evident in surviving animals when necropsied 14 days after dosing. Repeated exposure of rabbits to IBZM at a total cumulative dose of 100,000 times the expected clinical dose revealed no consistent changes in hematology, blood chemistry, blood enzymes or tissue pathology.IBZM was ...