cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blockchain Technology Application in Improving of Energy Efficiency and Power Quality

This article presents one of the many uses of blockchain technology in the power grid, especially for improving energy efficiency and power quality. As a key element, it will show you how to use the blockchain technology to store in a decentralized way the data collected by existing intelligent sensors or which can be mounted in the power system. The purpose of this article is to present the point of view of the need to improve the energy system generated by the many problems arising from its age and its incompatibility with new production and consumption technologies.Blockchain implementation will be low and medium voltage, where the most affected are final consumers (whether household or industrial) that have started to have new energy-efficient technologies but have an unpredictable consumption that cannot be anticipated, thus increasing network losses.The article also contains data on energy efficiency in a decentralized energy system through the use of new IT technologies and, in particular, by involving consumers who will have a double role as part of the blockchain.
Symptom variability throughout the day in patients with gastroparesis.

Background Symptoms of gastroparesis (Gp) can fluctuate at different times of the day. Our aims are (1) To characterize Gp symptom variability throughout the day and in relation to meals and (2) to compare the daily symptom variability in subtypes of Gp-diabetic gastroparesis (DGp) and idiopathic gastroparesis (IGp). Methods Patients with Gp filled Patient Assessment of Gastrointestinal Symptoms (PAGI-SYM) and completed a modified GCSI-DD seven times a day (GCSI-Throughout the Day [GCSI-TTD]; before and after meals, and before going to bed) over a 2-week period. KEY RESULTS: A total of 44 patients participated (86% females), including 29 (66%) with IGp, 13 (30%) with DGp, and 2 (4%) with postsurgical Gp. Using the GCSI-TTD, patients with Gp reported significant postprandial worsening of overall symptom severity, as well as severities of nausea, early satiety, stomach fullness, and abdominal pain. Patients also had progressive worsening of the overall symptom severity, early satiety, stomach fullness, and abdominal pain during the day; however, nausea severity did not differ during the day. Number of vomiting and retching episodes did not show significant variations postprandially or during the day. Patients with IGp had greater symptom severity throughout the day and greater postprandial increase in symptoms compared to patients with DGp. CONCLUSIONS AND INFERENCES: Patients with Gp experience postprandial worsening of overall symptom severity, as well as severities of nausea, early satiety, stomach fullness, and abdominal pain. These symptoms also progressively worsen during the day, except for the severity of nausea which persists throughout the day. Understanding the symptom variability in patients with Gp throughout the day and postprandially may be useful in treatment of patients with Gp.
Multidisciplinary Approach to Sleep Apnea Management

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is one of the more common, yet least appreciated of the common chronic conditions in the United States. OSA is a syndrome with multifactorial pathophysiology, and is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, with many patients living with OSA for years before diagnosis. Because of the efficacy of CPAP, it has been considered a first-line therapy and OSA care has been primarily organized around it. However, several factors are converging that provide a sound argument for a multidisciplinary approach to OSA management. Over 35 therapeutic options exist for OSA, but they tend to be underutilized especially for patients with mild-to-moderate OSA. Most OSA care is provided by pulmonary physicians, without reference to the inclusion of other disciplines in the evaluation and therapeutic process. Finally, with increased recognition of both OSA phenotypes and non-anatomical causes of OSA, the field has now commenced in increasing the understanding of subgroups of OSA patients, and the new era of personalized, tailored treatment approach has begun. OSA healthcare services will need to either organize multidisciplinary clinics physically, virtually, or via some combination to care for the large number of OSA patients in the United. States.
Mu-opioid receptor activation promotes in vitro and in vivo tumor growth in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract Aims In vitro and in vivo studies suggest that the mu-opioid receptor (MOR) is involved in tumorigenesis, and metastasis in cancer. In humans, the use of MOR agonists (opioids) is associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) progression. In the present study, we aimed to examine the role of MOR activation in MOR (+) HNSCC. Main methods FaDu, MDA686Tu and UMSCC47 cell lines were used in in vitro and in vivo experiments. Cells and animals were treated with a highly selective MOR agonist DAMGO, [D-Ala (2), Me Phe (4), Glycol (5)]-enkephalin] or saline 0.9%. Key findings MOR activation significantly increased the proliferation, colony formation, invasion, and migration of FaDu and MDA6868Tu cells and promoted tumor growth in vivo. Significance These findings suggest that MOR is implicated in tumorigenesis of HNSCC. Overall, our findings identify that MOR could be used as a potential therapeutic target in patients with MOR (+) HNSCC.
Mechanisms by which predators mediate host-parasite interactions in aquatic systems.

It is often assumed that predators reduce disease prevalence and transmission by lowering prey population density and/or by selectively feeding on infected individuals. However, recent studies, many of which come from aquatic systems, suggest numerous alternative mechanisms by which predators can influence disease dynamics in their prey. Here, we review the mechanisms by which predators can mediate host–parasite interactions in aquatic prey. We highlight how life histories of aquatic hosts and parasites influence transmission pathways and describe how such pathways intersect with predation to shape disease dynamics. We also provide recommendations for future studies; experiments that account for multiple effects of predators on host–parasite interactions, and that examine how predator–host–parasite interactions shift under changing environmental conditions, are particularly needed.
A Millimeter-Wave, Transformer-Based, SiGe Distributed Attenuator

This letter presents a millimeter-wave silicon-germanium (SiGe) distributed attenuator which uses a transformer-based attenuation core. The nonlinearities of the SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) are managed using an RC-load, which linearizes the device impedance versus bias. In addition, a dual-resonance transformer is used to support broadband operation, while providing control over the attenuator insertion phase. Two attenuators, one using transmission line-based impedance transformers, and one using transformer-based impedance transformers, were designed and fabricated in a 180-nm SiGe bipolar and CMOS (BiCMOS) technology platform. The attenuators achieve competitive performance in terms of bandwidth and phase error, but with low insertion loss and large attenuation range.
The Theory of Weak Stabilization

We investigate a new property of computing systems called weak stabilization. Although this property is strictly weaker than the well-known property of stabilization, weak stabilization is superior to stabilization in several respects. In particular, adding delays to a system preserves the system property of weak stabilization, but does not necessarily preserve its stabilization property. Because most implementations are bound to add arbitrary delays to the systems being implemented, weakly stabilizing systems are much easier to implement than stabilizing systems. We also prove the following important result. A weakly stabilizing system that has a finite number of states is in fact stabilizing assuming that the system execution is strongly fair. Finally, we discuss an interesting method for composing several weakly stabilizing systems into a single weakly stabilizing system.
Clinical Trials Involving Oral Diseases

Oral health clinical trials have mainly focused on the diseases of dental caries and periodontal disease, but a limited number have involved other oral diseases and conditions. These include chronic facial pain, particularly associated with the temporomandibular joint, acute pain after extraction of third molars (wisdom teeth), xerostomia (dry mouth), and various oral mucosal diseases. This article focuses on phase III oral health clinical trials in terms of design and analyses, regulatory and management issues, and challenges of conducting trials involving specific oral diseases. Keywords: oral health clinical trials; dental caries; periodontal disease; statistical analysis
Digital free marketplace [telemedicine]

The author discusses some of the larger implications of what is being done in the Department of Defense (DOD). To do that, one needs to look at some of the issues at the federal government level. There is discussion on how the American society is going to achieve the goals of health care reform. These goals are to improve access and reduce costs, while improving quality. Telemedicine potentially offers a way to achieve these three seemingly mutually exclusive objectives. Telemedicine is so new, that the government and the American society are still trying to determine exactly what the government's role in this should be. And when the author says government, the author means government with a big "G"; this is beyond the purview of the DOD. One of the big questions being asked is, "Who is going to pay for what?" There is a great deal of money that needs to be going into building the national information infrastructure and providing all of the services that one would like to have. There is a tremendous amount of investment needed within people's homes. The real impact of telemedicine will occur when one can get into people's homes and keep them healthy. But who decides what services are going to be available, and what kinds of investments are going to be made? The author gives a perception of how some of these questions might be addressed as society moves forward. The author thinks that one is going to see new kinds of marketplaces emerging. As a result, organizations are going to change, and one will need to change one's thinking about how one manages those organizations.
Room-temperature serrated-flow behavior in Fe-rich FeAl under vacancy supersaturation

In Fe-rich FeAl, serrated plastic-flow behavior has been observed for the first time at room temperature. Serration on the tensile stress-strain curve occurs in single crystals that retained supersaturation of thermal vacancies after fast-cooling from the annealing temperature of 1173 K. In contrast to conventional serrated flow, the serrated flow in FeAl is associated with work hardening, and it becomes more pronounced with increasing Al content from 33 to 44 mol.%. The experimental results are interpreted in terms of the dynamic interaction of ({bar 1}01)[111] superdislocations with the excess thermal vacancies and their clusters, and the successive double cross-slip of screw superdislocations at the moving front of a slip band. The strong dependence on alloy composition and the lack of strain-rate sensitivity are discussed.
Finite time horizon robust performance analysis

Robust performance problems for linear time varying systems considered over a finite horizon, are reduced to the computation of the structured singular value of a finite matrix. Connections are established between the time domain and frequency domain tests. >
Ring-opening polymerization of ∈-caprolactam and ∈-caprolactone via microwave irradiation

A novel process for synthesizing nylon-6 and poly(ϵ-caprolactone) by microwave irradiation of the respective monomers, ϵ-caprolactam and ϵ-caprolactone, is described. The ring opening of ϵ-caprolactam to produce nylon-6 was performed in a microwave oven by the forward power being controlled to about 90–135 W in the presence of an ω-aminocaproic acid catalyst (10 mol %) and for periods of 1–3 h at temperatures varying from 250 to 280 °C. The ring opening of ϵ-caprolactone to produce poly(ϵ-caprolactone) was performed in a microwave oven by the forward power being controlled to about 70–100 W for a period of 2 h in the presence of stannous octoate with and without 1,4-butanediol over a temperature range of 150–200 °C. The yields, conditions of the reactions, and properties of the products generated relative to the thermal processes are discussed. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 40: 2264–2275, 2002
Stereology- and Morphology-Based Pore Structure Descriptors of Enhanced Porosity (Pervious) Concretes

In the structural and functional performance of enhanced porosity concrete (EPC) (or pervious concrete) and other macroporous materials, porosity, pore sizes and their distribution, connectivity, and specific surface area and other pore structure features play dominant roles. Analysis of such EPC features is dealt with in this paper using mathematical morphology and stereological techniques. Similar porosity values for the studied mixtures were provided by a morphological method based on two-point correlation and stereological methods based on area and line fractions. Lower porosity was shown by single-sized aggregate EPC mixtures than blended aggregate mixtures. Smaller pore sizes are found to result from higher proportions of smaller sized aggregates in the mixture. There is definition of an effective pore diameter based on a critical size based on opening granulometric density function, a two-point correlation based characteristic size, and pore size distribution of equivalent diameters. The pore sizes of the blended aggregate mixtures lie in between those of mixtures in which single-sized aggregates make up the blend. Good correspondence is seen between the inverse of the specific surface areas of pores and the effective pore diameter and correlation lengths, whereas there is linear relation of the mean free spacing between pores and these quantities. There is comparison of stereology-based three-dimensional pore distribution density indicating preconnectivity and a hydraulic connectivity factor for permeability, and the latter is shown to be a more sensitive parameter through which EPC specimens made with different size aggregates can be distinguished.
XKCM1 acts on a single protofilament and requires the C terminus of tubulin

The stability of microtubules during the cell-cycle is regulated by a number of cellular factors, some of which stabilize microtubules and others that promote breakdown. XKCM1 is a kinesin-like protein that induces microtubule depolymerization and is required for mitotic spindle assembly. We have examined the binding and depolymerization effects of XKCM1 on different tubulin polymers in order to learn about its mechanism of action. Zinc-induced tubulin polymers, characterized by an anti-parallel protofilament arrangement, are depolymerized by XKCM1, indicating that this enzyme acts on a single protofilament. GDP-tubulin rings, which correspond to the low-energy state of tubulin, are stable only under conditions that inhibit XKCM1 depolymerizing activity, but can be stabilized by XKCM1 bound to AMPPNP. Tubulin polymers made of subtilisin-treated tubulin (lacking the tubulin C-terminal tail) are resistant to XKCM1-induced depolymerization, suggesting that the interaction of the acidic tail of tubulin with basic residues in XKCM1 unique to Kin I proteins is required for depolymerization.
Quantum yield, relative specific absorption and fluorescence in nitrogen-limited Chaetoceros gracilis

Decreases in cell-nitrogen quota resulted in changes in the carbon-based quantum yield of photosynthesis, the chlorophyll a-specific absorption coefficient, and in vivo fluorescence in the marine diatom Chaetoceros gracilis in laboratory experiments performed in 1983 and 1984. The three parameters were independently determined for the two spectral regions dominated by either chlorophyll a or fucoxanthin absorption. As cell-nitrogen quota decreased, the quantum yield for both pigments decreased; the specific absorption coefficient for chlorophyll a and the in vivo chlorophyll a fluorescence excited by each pigment increased. The observed increase in the in vivo fluorescence per chlorophyll a could be partially attributed to the increased specific absorption coefficient for chlorophyll a; the remainder of the fluorescence increase was related to a decline in photosystem activity. Energy transfer efficiency between light-harvesting pigments appeared to be maintained as cell-nitrogen quota decreased. The decrease in a fluorescence index [(F DCMU-F O)/F DCMU] with nitrogen starvation suggested a decrease in Photosystem II activity. These results imply that decreases in reaction center and/or electron-transport system activity were responsible for the decline in rates of photosynthesis under conditions of notrogen deficiency.
Abnormal Function of High-Density Lipoprotein Is Associated With Poor Disease Control and an Altered Protein Cargo in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objective To characterize the antiinflammatory function of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to identify specific differences in HDL-associated proteins and enzymes that distinguish proinflammatory HDL from normal, antiinflammatory HDL. Methods We studied 132 RA patients. The antiinflammatory function of HDL was assessed by a cell-free assay, and proinflammatory HDL was defined by an HDL inflammatory index ≥1. Plasma and HDL-associated protein levels of apolipoprotein A-I (Apo A-I), haptoglobin, hemopexin, hemoglobin, and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were measured by direct and sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, respectively. Lecithin:cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity was measured by a commercially available assay. Results Age, disease activity, the presence of erosive disease, non-Caucasian race, and smoking were significantly associated with proinflammatory HDL on multivariate analysis. Patients with proinflammatory HDL had higher measures of systemic inflammation, and a significant correlation was observed between RA disease activity (using the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints) and the HDL inflammatory index (r = 0.54, P < 0.0001). Compared with patients with antiinflammatory HDL, patients with proinflammatory HDL had significantly higher levels of haptoglobin, hemoglobin, Apo A-I, and MPO associated with HDL (P < 0.05 for all comparisons except MPO, which was P = 0.05). LCAT activity was lowest in patients with proinflammatory HDL, but was also significantly reduced in RA patients with antiinflammatory HDL as compared with healthy controls (P = 0.001). Conclusion Proinflammatory HDL in this RA patient cohort was associated with active disease and an altered protein cargo as compared with antiinflammatory HDL in RA patients and in healthy controls. The antiinflammatory function of HDL was inversely correlated with systemic inflammation in RA patients and may warrant further investigation as a mechanism by which active RA increases cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
Microwave properties of twisted and supertwisted nematic liquid crystals with weak anchoring

The phase-shift per unit-length (PSL) of microwave radiation is calculated when it is passed through a cell containing a twisted nematic liquid crystal (NLC) with weak anchoring energy at the boundaries. It is shown that the PSL induced by a given applied voltage is strongly increased as the anchoring energy at the boundaries is decreased. The effect of weak anchoring is therefore important to consider when designing real devices, such as phase shifters. The calculation is then extended to treat supertwisted NLC cells with weak and strong anchoring energy. It is shown that the effective permittivity of such cells may have high sensitivity to the thickness of the cell, with potential application to new microwave filters.
The Impact of Influence Tactics in Information System Development Projects: A Control-Loss Perspective

Information systems development (ISD) projects are prone to high levels of failure. One of the major reasons attributed to these failures is the inability to harmonize values held by a diverse set of participants in an environment that is characterized by uncertainty due to changing requirements. In this paper, we focus on a relational approach to achieve congruence between a project manager and a team member with respect to influence tactics. Constructs of perceptual congruence and communication congruence that reflect a level of agreement and degree of shared understanding between the project manager and team members are described. A congruence model is constructed and tied to an intermediate outcome variable of control loss. One hundred and thirteen dyadic pairs of project managers and team members are surveyed in order to test the model. The results indicate that having strong relational equity and common understanding can minimize control loss. It is important to consider the perspectives of both the...
Reviewing, Categorizing, and Analyzing the Literature on Black–White Mean Differences for Predictors of Job Performance: Verifying Some perceptions and Updating/Correcting Others

In both theoretical and applied literatures, there is confusion regarding accurate values for expected Black–White subgroup differences in personnel selection test scores. Much confusion arises because empirical estimates of standardized subgroup differences (d) are subject to many of the same biasing factors associated with validity coefficients (i.e., d is functionally related to a point-biserial r). To address such issues, we review/cumulate, categorize, and analyze a systematic set of many predictor-specific meta-analyses in the literature. We focus on confounds due to general use of concurrent, versus applicant, samples in the literature on Black–White d. We also focus on potential confusion due to different constructs being assessed within the same selection test method, as well as the influence of those constructs on d. It is shown that many types of predictors (such as biodata inventories or assessment centers) can have magnitudes of d that are much larger than previously thought. Indeed, some predictors (such as work samples) can have ds similar to that associated with paper-and-pencil tests of cognitive ability. We present more realistic values of d for both researcher and practitioner use. Implications for practice and future research are noted.
Outcome Measures to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Pain Management in Older Adults With Cancer

Purpose/objectives To identify the most appropriate outcome measures to determine the effectiveness of pain management plans in older adults with cancer. Data sources PubMed literature searches, medical and nursing textbooks, and clinical experience. Data synthesis Unrelieved chronic pain can have a significant impact on older adults' activity levels and their ability to function. Hence, effective pain management in older adults requires a comprehensive approach, including assessment of functional outcomes. Because the goals of pain management are broad, healthcare professionals should use an array of functional outcome measures along with pain intensity ratings to better assess the effectiveness of analgesic medications. Conclusions Particularly in older adults, evaluation of functional outcomes provides a better indication of the effectiveness of pain management strategies than pain intensity ratings. Appropriate outcome measures for older adults in the outpatient setting include pain relief, physical functioning, emotional functioning, patients' ratings of global improvement and satisfaction with treatment, and symptoms and adverse effects associated with analgesic medications. Implications for nursing Healthcare providers should manage pain in older adults with cancer in an interdisciplinary environment with pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions. The primary goals are decreasing pain and improving function and quality of life.
Issues in clinical trial design I Use of natural history controls. A protagonist view

The health care community is actively debating the ethics of placebo-controlled trials in diseases with uniform or high mortality. This debate, which has been particularly active for AIDS and breast cancer, now involves ALS trials. Patients are increasingly reluctant to enter randomized placebo-controlled trials (RPCTs), particularly when the drug being tested is safe and available through other sources. The ramifications of what appears to be a significant shift in societal attitudes is more than an academic debate and poses a serious threat to successful evaluation of promising therapeutic agents. We believe that a careful reassessment of current clinical trial design in ALS is necessary, and it is appropriate to explore the role of alternatives to randomized placebo control subjects, alternatives that could meet both scientific and humanitarian needs. In this report, we extend our studies on the natural history of ALS and suggest ways in which a natural history database can be used in phase II trials. Over the years, an inordinate number of drugs have been reported to be effective in ALS, only to …
Managerial Behaviors and Job Performance: A Successful Manager in Los Angeles May Not Succeed in Hong Kong

Few studies have attempted to examine how American managers actually manage while on assignment in foreign countries or the effectiveness of these managerial behaviors. This study compared the self-reported managerial behaviors of American expatriate managers in Hong Kong to a sample of American managers in the U.S. and Hong Kong Chinese managers in Hong Kong. The results from the study indicated that American expatriate managers in Hong Kong exhibit very similar managerial behaviors to the sample of managers in the U.S. However, while these managerial behaviors were positively related to job performance for the managers in the U.S., they were not related to job performance for the expatriates in Hong Kong, nor were these managerial behaviors related to job performance for Hong Kong Chinese managers in Hong Kong.
The Consensual Definition of Social Objects

(1962). The Consensual Definition of Social Objects. The Sociological Quarterly: Vol. 3, No. 2, pp. 107-113.
Dynamic expression of TSC-22 at sites of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions during mouse development

Abstract The leucine zipper transcription factor TSC-22 (TGF-β1 Stimulated Clone-22) was first isolated from a mouse osteoblast cell line as an immediate-early target gene of TGF-β1. However, work with other cell lines, as well as with a Drosophila homolog, bunched, suggests that it is an effector gene of various growth factors and potentially involved in the integration of multiple extracellular signals. Throughout mouse embryogenesis TSC-22 is expressed in a dynamic pattern. Although early TSC-22 expression is ubiquitous in 6.5 day embryos, as development proceeds TSC-22 expression is upregulated at sites of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions such as the limb bud, tooth primordiurn, hair follicle, kidney, lung, and pancreas. TSC-22 is also expressed in many neural crest-derived tissues including the mesenchyme of the branchial arches, the cranial, dorsal root, and sympathetic ganglia, as well as the facial cartilage and bone. Other areas of expression are the otic and optic vesicles, the heart, and cartilage and bone forming regions throughout the embryo.
Highlights of the New U.S. energy policy plan

Abstract This paper gives the highlights of the New U.S. Energy Policy Plan, a reformulation of policies affecting energy, as part of President Reagan's comprehensive Program for Economic Recovery. A survey is given of the different energy sources and their importances now and in the future along with a definition of the government's and the private sector's roles in energy production.
Differential effects of peroxynitrite on the function of arginine vasopressin V1a receptors and alpha1-adrenoceptors in vivo

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to provide evidence that peroxynitrite may differentially affect the function of arginine vasopressin (AVP) V1a receptors and α1-adrenoceptors in vascular smooth muscle of the rat Methods The vasoconstrictor responses elicited by AVP, or the α1-adrenoceptor agonist, phenylephrine, were determined in anesthetized rats before and after injections of (i) peroxynitrite, the thiol chelator, para-hydroxymercurobenzoic acid (PHMBA), or the electron acceptor, nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT). The ability of the reducing agent, glutathione, to reverse the loss of response to phenylephrine and AVP in peroxynitrite-treated rats was also examined. Results The AVP-induced responses were suppressed 10–20 min but not 60–70 min after the administration of peroxynitrite. Glutathione reversed the above loss of response to AVP at 10–20 min. The responses elicited by phenylephrine were suppressed 10–20 min and 60–70 min after administration of peroxynitrite. Glutathione did not reverse the above losses of response to phenylephrine. In addition, the vasoconstrictor actions of AVP and phenylephrine were markedly suppressed after administration of PHMBA or nitroblue tetrazolium. Conclusions The above findings provide evidence that exogenously administered peroxynitrite may differentially affect the function of AVP V1a receptors and α1-adrenoceptors in vascular smooth muscle of the rat. The possibility that peroxynitrite impairs AVP V1a receptor function by transient oxidation events whereas peroxynitrite impairs α1-adrenoceptor function by transient oxidation and permanent nitration events will be discussed.
Increasing safety belt use in a secondary enforcement state: evaluation of a three-county special enforcement program

Special enforcement programs to increase belt use present a unique challenge in states with secondary enforcement laws. This paper reports findings from an evaluation of a combined public information and education/enforcement program to increase restraint use along a highly traveled corridor in three Michigan counties. This program (US-31 SAVE) was successful in increasing belt use at least temporarily along the special enforcement corridor. Observed belt use increased from a baseline rate of 56.7% to 65.1% during the program before slipping slightly to 62.7% after the intensive enforcement and PI&E declined (all differences significant at p less than .05). This paper details program and evaluation activities and suggests future research needs to better understand the most effective mix of public information and enforcement efforts in states with secondary belt use laws.
Methods for Reducing Induced Voltages in Secondary Circuits

The protection of control and instrumentation cables in a high-voltage switchyard is becoming more essential as higher magnitudes of system voltage, load and fault currents, or overall power levels are handled. Concurrently with these increases in transient severity in the switchyard, a greater need is developing for more sophisticated control involving components more easily damaged by induced voltages. When the problem is recognized early enough so that proper circuit configurations and metallic sheaths can be incorporated into the initial installation, it can be solved quite effectively. Two criteria developed for control circuit protection are radial circuits where all conductors are contained within one cable (no large loops formed), and conductive sheaths of low resistance connected to the grounding grid at both ends.
Identification of a Negative Regulatory Surface within Estrogen Receptor α Provides Evidence in Support of a Role for Corepressors in Regulating Cellular Responses to Agonists and Antagonists

Several lines of evidence have indicated that the estrogen receptor (ER) can recruit the corepressors, nuclear receptor corepressor (NCoR) and silencing mediator of retinoid and thyroid receptors (SMRT), to target genes in the presence of tamoxifen, suggesting a possible role for NCoR/SMRT in regulating ER pharmacology. However, a tamoxifen-dependent, direct interaction between NCoR/SMRT and ER in vitro has not been demonstrated. To investigate the possible involvement of different corepressors in the actions of antiestrogen-bound ER, we have constructed a phage display library that expresses 23-amino acid peptides containing the canonical CoRNR box motif in an otherwise random background. Screening of the CoRNR box library with apo-ER or ER treated with tamoxifen or ICI 182,780 led to the isolation of peptides whose ability to interact with ER was influenced by the nature of the bound ligand. Using a series of ERα mutants, we found that helix 12 was not required for the binding of CoRNR box peptides, whe...
920-52 Are Provider Profiles Affected by Risk-adjustment Methodology? Results from the Cooperative Cardiovascular Project

Health care payors and consumers have a growing interest in risk-adjusted provider profiles. Using chart-abstracted clinical data from the Cooperative Cardiovascular Project, we ranked 28 hospitals performing bypass surgery in Alabama and Iowa by their risk-adjusted surgical mortality rates using three published risk-adjustment methodologies: Parsonnet (PI, O’Connor (a) and Hannan (H). In total. 3653 bypass surgery cases performed from 6/92 to 3/93 were reviewed (mean 130 cases/hospital). The discriminatory abilities of each method for predicting surgical mortality were quite similar (area under ROC curves 0.72–0.75). Below, we display the risk-adjusted hospital rankings (comparing observed with expected mortality) by these three riskadjustment techniques: Download : Download high-res image (98KB) Download : Download full-size image In terms of hospital rankings, there was generally close correlation between any two of the methods (Spearman's R = 0.87,0.88, and 0.93, comparing P-O, P-H, and H-O). Rankings for an individual hospital varied, however, an average of ± 3.3 ranks (range 0–12 ranks) depending on which riskadjustment methodology was used. Conclusion In general. published methods of risk-adjustment for bypass surgery accurately identify institutions with low, moderate and high adjusted mortality outcomes. The precise ranking of an individual hospital. however, may vary depending on the risk adjustment method applied.
Socio-demographic and behavioral correlates of herpes simplex virus type 1 and 2 infections and co-infections among adults in the USA ☆

Summary Objectives Although herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 and HSV-2 may co-exist and interact, some epidemiologic features including geographical distribution, secular trends, route of transmission, and established risk factors may distinguish these HSV sub-types. With recent data indicating a link between genital herpes and either strain, a re-evaluation of risk factors for HSV-1/HSV-2 infection and co-infection is needed. Methods We used the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Study (NHANES) data and logistic regression modeling to identify socio-demographic and behavioral risk factors that can independently predict HSV-1/HSV-2 infection and co-infection. Results Approximately 48% were positive for HSV-1 alone, 7% were positive for HSV-2 alone and 12% were co-infected with HSV-1 and HSV-2. History of genital herpes was found in individuals infected with either or both HSV sub-types. Whereas age, sex, race, and level of education independently predicted all three outcomes, lifetime sexual activity as well as use of tobacco products and recreational drugs mainly correlated with HSV-2 infection and HSV-1/HSV-2 co-infection. Lifetime use of alcohol was not consistently associated with HSV-1/HSV-2 infection and co-infection. Conclusions Sexual activity played an important role for HSV-2 and was potentially important for HSV-1, with implications for healthcare practice and vaccine development.
Measurement of the Polarization of Synchrotron Radiation

Equations are given for the amplitude of light whose plane of polarization is in the synchrotron plane and is perpendicular to it. Measurements were made for both directions of polarization of the angular intensity variation with respect to the synchrotron plane, of the light emitted during acceleration processes of peak energy-700 Mev. Experimental and theoretical intensities are shown graphically. The differences shown in the corresponding curves are due to electron oscillations, radiation band-width. and the finite slit-width, all of these effects being intrinsicallymore pronounced in the perpendicular component. The measurements of magnitude and angular dependence of polarization show good agreement with theory in its general shape. (B.O.G.)
EMBRYONIC RAT HIPPOCAMPAL NEURONS AND GABAA RECEPTOR SUBUNIT-TRANSFECTED NON-NEURONAL CELLS RELEASE GABA TONICALLY

We used patch-clamp recording techniques to investigate the contribution of GABA to baseline membrane properties in cultured embryonic rat hippocampal neurons. Almost all of the neurons recorded with Cl−-filled pipettes and clamped at negative potentials exhibited baselines that were noticeably noisy, with microscopic fluctuations superimposed on the macroscopic holding current. A gentle steam of saline applied to the neuronal surface rapidly and reversibly reduced the baseline current and fluctuations, both of which were completely eliminated by bicuculline. Fluctuation analysis showed that the variance in the baseline current signal was exponentially distributed with estimated kinetics comparable to those activated by submicromolar concentrations of exogenous GABA. The kinetics of Cl− channels activated by endogenous GABA displayed a potential sensitivity comparable to those activated by exogenous GABA. Non-neuronal cells stably transfected with α1 and γ2 GABAA receptor subunits exhibited little baseline current variance when recorded with Cl−-filled pipettes. Addition of micromolar GABA to the extracellular saline or to the pipette solution induced a saline- and bicuculline-sensitive baseline current signal comparable to that recorded in hippocampal neurons. Thus, both intra- and extracellular sources of GABA could contribute to the baseline properties recorded in these cultured neurons.
Electron spin resonance melting of chemically spin-labeled nucleic acids

Abstract Conformational transitions of nitroxide labeled and unlabeled nucleic acids were analyzed by esr and uv spectroscopy to evaluate potential perturbation effects caused by chemical modifications of nucleic acids with spin labels. The melting temperature ( T m ) determined by uv or esr melting profiles of 2 → 1 or 3 → 1 transitions is similar for labeled and unlabeled polyadenylic acid [(A) n ] and polyuridylic acid [(U) n ] complexes provided spin-labeled (A) n with a nitroxide to nucleotide ratio of 0.002 is used. Complexes formed with spin-labeled (A) n of greater spin-labeling extent display a noticeable perturbation of their thermal melting profiles. The studies reconfirm the existence of a low temperature esr transition at about 20 °C with calf thymus and T4 DNA duplexes spin-labeled with a nitroxide to nucleotide ratio of about 0.006. The uv melting profiles of the spin-labeled duplexes reveal no low-temperature discontinuity, but the T m values reflecting the 2 → 1 transitions were reduced by several degrees versus those of the unlabeled duplexes. Thus, these studies suggest that with homopolymers, chemically modified to a low extent with nitroxides, the monitoring of local conformational transitions of duplexes or triplexes reflect the overall 2 → 1 or 3 → 1 transitions. In the case of the heteropolymers the possibility that the chemical modification is responsible for the low-temperature phenomenon cannot be ruled out.
Framing the Public Health of Caregiving

Caregiving has only recently been acknowledged by the nation as an important topic for millions of Americans. A psychological or sociological approach to care-giving services has been most often applied, with little attention to the population-based public health outcomes of caregivers.We conceptualize caregiving as an emerging public health issue involving complex and fluctuating roles. We contend that caregiving must be considered in the context of life span needs that vary according to the ages, developmental levels, mental health needs, and physical health demands of both caregivers and care recipients.
The influence of petrochemicals and stress on the immune system of seabirds

There is increasing attention directed to the role of environmental pollutants in altering immune function. Only with the identification of the responsible environmental toxicants, and an understanding of their mechanisms of action, can we hope to treat immunotoxic injuries. This situation is exemplified by the exposure of wild birds to oil spills, the subsequent potential for direct toxicity from the oil, and the secondary toxicity of stress-induced immune modulation. Immunosuppressive mechanisms related to oil ingestion and handling stress are implicated in the morbidity and mortality of seabirds during care and following reentry into the wild. This does suggest that improvements in the treatment of these affected animals will enhance their survival and well-being. However, a survey of the literature shows that the implementation of better techniques are hampered by inadequate information on the immunological consequences of oil contact with seabirds. Marine oil pollution is a constant occurrence and will continue as long as oil and oil products are important commodities transported by sea routes. Among the numerous negative consequences of oil pollution are its effects on marine wildlife. There is much evidence that oil spills are responsible for massive seabird deaths. However, the constant, low level releases of petrochemicals probably contribute to the harmful effects of oil pollution on seabird populations. In an attempt to rectify the damage inflicted on seabirds by accidental oil discharge, rehabilitation centers are established for the cleaning and care of affected wildlife. Unfortunately, there is evidence that the ingestion of oil by preening and the handling stress undergone by birds in these centers lowers their ability to survive and reproduce following release to their native habitats. Although the reasons for this are unclear, there is the suggestion that both oil and handling will induce immunosuppressive mechanisms that ultimately predispose birds to infections and immune-mediated diseases, as well as reproductive, behavioral, and other problems. Thus, there are questions concerning the effectiveness of intervention measures currently being used in the rehabilitation of seabirds.
The Method of Distributed Volumetric Sources for Calculating the Transient and Pseudosteady-State Productivity of Complex Well-Fracture Configurations

The method of Distributed Volumetric Sources (DVS) is developed to solve problems of transient and pseudo steady state fluid flow. The basic building block of the method comprises calculation of the analytical response of a rectilinear reservoir with closed outer boundaries to an instantaneous volumetric source, also shaped as a rectilinear body. The solution also provides the well-testing derivative of the response to a continuous source in analytical form. This can be integrated over time to provide the pressure response to a continuous source. For production engineering applications, we cast the results into a transient/pseudo-steady productivity index form. The new method is validated through comparison to results of some of the well known well-testing solutions for simple configurations such as vertical wells with full and partial penetration, horizontal wells with unform flux and infinite conductivity, and fractured wells with uniform flux, finite or infinte conductivity. The results show a very good agreement with the existing models. The main advantage of the new solution is its applicability over the more complex fracture/well configurations, some of which is studied in the paper. The new method has shown to provide a fast, robust, and reliable way to pressure transient analysis, and well performance prediction whenever complex well/fracture configuration is considered.
Equivalent-crystal theory of metal and semiconductor surfaces and defects.

A method is proposed for computing material defect and surface properties accurately at the atomic level. The method is both simple and accurate and treats both semiconductors and metals. Lattice defect and surface energies are determined via perturbation theory on a crystal whose lattice constant is chosen to minimize the perturbation. The energy of the equivalent crystal as a function of its lattice constant is given by a universal energy relation. This simple method is tested via predictions of surface energies, surface reconstructions, and bulk distortions of metals and semiconductors. Good agreement is obtained with the results of both experiment and first-principles calculations.
Comparison of echocardiographic assessment of cardiac hemodynamics in the intensive care unit with right-sided cardiac catheterization.

Abstract Estimation of left ventricular filling pressure and cardiac index is important in the management of patients requiring right heart catheterization. Doppler echocardiograpny can provide a noninvasive measure of these parameters, but its accuracy in individual measurements, predicting hemodynamic subgroups, and in tracking serial changes in critically ill patients remains to be elucidated. Left ventricular filling pressure and cardiac index were assessed in 49 critically ill patients requiring right heart catheterization and Doppler echocardiographic studies. Two or more serial studies were performed in 18 of these subjects. Patients were placed into 1 of 4 hemodynamic subgroups for each technique based on the acquired hemodynamic parameters. Left ventricular filling pressure ana cardiac index by Doppler echocardiography and right heart catheterization were similar (21 ± 8 vs 20 ± 8 mm Hg; 3.0 ± 1.2 vs 2.9 ± 1.2 L/min/m2, respectively) and correlated well with each other (left ventricular filling pressure, r = 0.88; cardiac index, r = 0.92). The Doppler technique accurately placed 73 of 76 studies into the correct hemodynamic subgroup. The noninvasive technique also reliably tracked serial hemodynamic measurements. We conclude that Doppler echocardiography accurately assesses left heart hemodynamics in critically ill patients. Since this technique can be readily acquired, it can be ideal for the rapid assessment of hemodynamic parameters in critically ill patients, especially when right heart catheterization is delayed or is problematic.
Doing newsmaking criminology from within the academy

Newsmaking criminology refers to the conscious efforts and activities of criminologists to interpret, influence or shape the representation of `newsworthy' items about crime and justice. In this re...
The atomic structure of a Σ=5[001]/(310) grain-boundary in an Al-5% Mg alloy by high-resolution electron microscopy

A symmetrical tilt Σ=5[001]/(310) grain-boundary and its surrounding matrix in an Al-5% Mg alloy, as prepared by cold rolling and annealing, have been studied by conventional transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution electron microscopy, and analytical electron microscopy. EDS measurements of the Mg concentration in the bulk and at grain boundaries indicate variations of Mg content ranging between 4 to 11 atomic percent. This variation is attributed to local ordering of Mg atoms in the alloy. HREM images show that the boundary runs parallel to the median of (310) and contains segments primarily composed of two types of structural unit. One unit contains seven atomic sites, while the other contains eight. In both types of unit, the grain-boundary coincident site lattice is continuous across the interface and exhibits periodicity in its core structure. The core structure, which is characterized by “kite-like” structural units containing seven atoms, conforms well with the structure of Σ=5 grain boundaries in pure FCC materials. The presence of atomic-scale ordering of Mg atoms along [001] of the boundary core is associated with the existence of the structural unit possessing eight atomic sites.