cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nursing home safety matters, but it's not an easy matter.

The study by Lapane and Quilliam published in this issue of Journal of the American Medical Directors Association explores an important issue in social science methodology, namely, how to distribute resident safety perception questionnaires among nursing home employees in a manner that will yield the highest response rate (and presumably the most reliable data). From a social policy and clinical practice perspective, however, we might vigorously inquire about this research, “So what?” Does it matter what workers perceive about nursing home safety and, even more fundamentally, does the nursing home safety situation itself really matter? As to the latter question at least, we would all respond resoundingly in the affirmative: nursing home safety is an incontrovertibly significant concern indeed. However, getting a firm analytic handle on that concern and, more significantly, actually doing something positive about it is an exceedingly difficult task. Making the care of nursing home residents safer is, first and foremost, an ethical imperative. It is driven by the fundamental moral precepts of beneficence (helping or doing good for others) and nonmaleficence (preventing harm) and the nursing home’s fiduciary responsibility to protect the welfare of vulnerable, dependent individuals who have placed their trust in the facility’s promise to care for them safely. Moreover, achieving a safe environment for residents, staff, and visitors is an important and necessary component of a nursing home’s overall legal and financial risk management strategy in a contemporary climate of escalating professional negligence and workers’ compensation litigation being brought against the nursing home industry; in the absence of personal injury, there is no basis for litigation or liability. In addition, an effective safety program can help facilities avoid administrative sanctions for being out of compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. Finally, there is a viable business case for improving safety in nursing homes (just as there is for error prevention in the hospital and medical office settings). In the modern longterm care marketplace, nursing homes now have to compete
Oxygen Is Electroreduced to Water on a "Wired" Enzyme Electrode at a Lesser Overpotential than on Platinum

The first enzyme-based catalyst that is superior to platinum in the four-electron electroreduction of oxygen to water is reported. The smooth Pt cathode reached half and 90% of the mass transport-limited current density at respective overpotentials of −0.4 and −0.58 V in 0.5 M sulfuric acid, and only at even higher overpotentials in pH 7.2 phosphate buffer. In contrast, the smooth “wired” bilirubin oxidase cathode reached half and 90% of the mass transport-limited current density at respective overpotentials as low as −0.2 and −0.25 V. The mass transport-limited current density for the smooth “wired” enzyme cathode in PBS was twice that with smooth Pt in 0.5 M sulfuric acid. Under 1 atm O2 pressure, O2 was electroreduced to water on a polished carbon cathode, coated with the “wired” BOD film, in pH 7.2 saline buffer (PBS) at an overpotential of −0.31 V at a current density of 9.5 mA cm-2. At the same overpotential, the current density of the polished platinum cathode in 0.5 M H2SO4 was 16-fold lower, only...
Addressing the business of discharge: building a case for an electronic discharge summary.

Hospitalists are increasingly involved in implementing quality improvement initiatives around patient safety, clinical informatics, and transitions of care, but may lack expertise in promoting these important interventions. Developing a sound business case is essential to garnering support and resources for any quality improvement initiative. We present a framework for developing a business case using a structured approach to exploring qualitative and quantitative costs and benefits and describe its application in the experience of developing an electronic discharge summary at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). At our institution, we found that the primary financial benefits are the cost reductions in eliminating transcription needs and decreasing billing delays, as well as reducing the cost of tracking completion of and dissemination of discharge summaries. Costs incurred from a new information technology (IT) infrastructure, programmer time, maintenance and training must also be accounted for. While benefits may be apparent to front line providers (improved communication, efficiency of data transfer, and increased referring physician satisfaction), implementing and sustaining such an innovation depends on articulating a sound business case with a detailed costbenefit analysis to institutional decision making. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;000:000–000. V C 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Topological invariants in non-critical string theories

It is shown that 2D topological models can be interpreted as non-critical strings with some unusual BRST structure. The formalism permits to identify operators in these c<1 string theories whose correlation functions are topological invariants. In some cases such operators belong to the usual physical space of the conformal theory. As an application, we analyse some minimal models coupled to gravity in the continuum approach and argue that the cases c = −2 and 0 correspond to topological theories. Finally we discuss a possible correspondence with the series of multi-critical points of the one-matrix model.
Nihilism in the Twentieth Century: A View from Here

Nihilism has been present in Western culture for many centuries, but no century has been so permeated by nihilism as has our own. With perceptive insight Alexander Salzhenitsyn recently observed that Western democracy is in its “last decline,” has no ethical foundation, and consists only of “parties, and social classes engaged in a conflict of interests, just interests, nothing higher.” Solzhenitsyn's observation can hardly be brushed aside. His words describe a nihilism that is prominent in more than Western democracy, Nihilism reaches as far back as Ecclesiastes in our Old Testament and Nargarjuna in Buddhism. Perhaps no century has been without it, but in our century it has become pervasive, finding expression not only in a flood of literature but in virtually every phase of our existence. The Nazi holocaust, Vietnam, the “death of God,” and Watergate fall within its scope. It is so pervasive that it merits attention, especially from church historians.
Significance of the trace fossil Zoophycos in Pliocene deposits, Antarctic continental margin (ANDRILL 1B drill core)

Zoophycos is a complex three dimensional trace fossil that is abundant in deep ocean sediments worldwide, but has not been described previously from Cenozoic continental margin deposits of Antarctica. In the ANDRILL 1B core drilled through the north-west McMurdo ice shelf, Zoophycos occurs in a 17 m thick unit of interglacial sediments bounded above and below by glacial surfaces of erosion. This unit was deposited during the transition from the relatively warm Early Pliocene characterized by productive open waters to the cooler Late Pliocene with fluctuating subpolar ice sheets. Globally, Late Cenozoic Zoophycos are most abundant at great depths (> 1000 m), and where sedimentation rates and TOC levels are low; the Zoophycos producer, probably a worm-like animal, was (is) a slow colonizer. Application of these preferences to the ANDRILL 1B core indicates that the Zoophycos-bearing unit was deposited episodically, with sufficient time between events to allow for the slow processes of colonization and construction. The foray of Zoophycos producer into the relatively shallow ANDRILL 1B depths (200–1000 m) during the Pliocene documents “emergence” of benthic animals, supporting suggestions that the unique modern Antarctic and Southern Ocean faunas result from both “emergence” and “submergence” during the Cenozoic.
Improvement of venous leg ulcers with androgen replacement therapy in a patient with undiagnosed Klinefelter syndrome

Klinefelter syndrome (KS) is the most common genetic form of male hypogonadism. The majority (80-90%) of patients have 47, XXY karyotype while mosaicism is seen in only 10-20% of patients. Leg ulcers may be a presenting symptom of KS with a prevalence of 6-13%. Treatment with testosterone has been reported to improve the ulcers.
A Pediatric Soft Palate Mass

A teenage girl presented with a 3-month history of a gradually enlarging soft palatemass associatedwith a change in her voice. She had no associated pain, difficulty swallowing, or difficulty breathing. She was otherwise healthy, with no medical or surgical history. Findings fromher physical examinationwere unremarkable with the exception of a 2 × 2-cm firm, nontender, submucosal posterior soft palatemass just left of theuvula. There was no overlying ulceration or discoloration. Flexible nasopharyngoscopy was normal. Prior to presentation, a computed tomographic scan andbiopsyhadbeenperformedat anoutside hospital. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the face with contrast was also performed (Figure, A-C). Imaging showed a well-circumscribed solid lesion with no evidence of infiltrationof soft-tissuestructures, thepterygopalatine fossa,orpalatinenerve foramina.There wasnocervical lymphadenopathy.The lesionwas resectedviaa transoral approachandwas easily dissected fromthe surrounding tissue (Figure,D). Theoverlyingmucosawas spared. Quiz at jamaotolaryngology.com A
Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of sulfur-containing glycosides

A synthesis of sulfur-containing glycosides based on interaction of allyl derivatives of acetylated carbohydrates-glucose, maltose, and lactose-with phenylsulfenechloride is described. The bactericidal properties of the resulting compounds were studied. Compounds were found to have different levels of inhibitory activity against microorganisms.
Translating Research Into Practice: Targeting Negative Thinking as a Modifiable Risk Factor for Depression Prevention in the College Student Population

This article describes the effects of an evidence-based depression prevention intervention on the depressive symptomatology, negative thinking, and self-esteem in college students. A feasibility study was conducted using pre-test post-test design sampling a total of 12 college students. Participants underwent 4-weeks of psychological treatment using Peden's cognitive behavioral group intervention. The Beck Depression Inventory, Crandell Cognitions Inventory, and Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale were administered at two time points: prior to the intervention (T1) and 4 weeks later (T2). Paired t-test analysis found participants had significantly decreased depressive symptoms and negative thinking, and significantly increased self-esteem from T1 to T2.
A Role for the Renin‐Angiotensin System in the Evolution of Cardiac Memory

Angiotensin II and Cardiac Memory. Introduction: We studied the role of the cardiac renin-angiotensin II system in the genesis of cardiac memory, in which T wave changes induced by ventricular pacing (VP) accumulate and persist during subsequent sinus rhythm. Methods and Results: Anesthetized dogs were instrumented via a thoracotomy and three 20-minute runs of VP were interspersed with periods of normal sinus rhythm sufficient to permit T wave recovery to 90% of control. Memory was quantified as the change (δ) in T wave vector angle showing accumulation over the three monitoring periods. In five control dogs T wave vector = - 27 ± 49°, and this shifted by 104° (P < 0.05) over the three postpacing recovery periods. In seven dogs infused with the receptor blocker saralasin, five infused with the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor captopril, and four infused with the tissue protease inhibitor chymostatin, there were significant reductions in the incidence and the accumulation of memory. In four other experiments, we used isolated, blood-perfused canine hearts to demonstrate that VP used to induce memory alters the contractile pattern of the left ventricle. Conclusions: We propose that the alteration in myocardial stretch induced by pacing activates angiotensin II synthesis by cardiac cells. We propose, further that the endogenous cardiac renin-angiotensin II system (blocked by saralasin, captopril and by chymostatin) is an important contributor to the induction of memory.
Studies on the distribution of potassium in the rat liver cell and the mechanism of potassium accumulation.

Abstract The distribution of potassium and sodium in rat liver cell components has been studied. The supernatant fraction contained about 75% of the total liver potassium and sodium. The rest of the potassium was distributed among the nuclei, mitochondria and microsomes. Each of these particulate fractions retained potassium despite repeated washings with 0.25 M sucrose or 0.012 M NaCl solutions. Factors influencing the loss and accumulation of mitochondrial potassium have been studied. Uncoupling agents and surface-active agents resulted in loss of potassium from mitochondria. Sodium ion alone had no effect; when added to surface active agents it enhanced the loss of potassium. This did not occur with uncoupling agents. The potassium loss was not compensated by sodium uptake. Calcium ion caused a loss of potassium. Magnesium had much less effect. When mitochondria which have been treated with dinitrophenol or desoxycholate were washed free of these agents and incubated with an excess of KCl only a small amount of potassium was taken up. The addition of buffers at pH 7.4 increased potassium accumulation. ATP additions were more effective in that the original potassium concentration in the mitochondria was restored.
Identification of comment-on sentences in online biomedical documents using support vector machines

MEDLINE (R) is the premier bibliographic online database of the National Library of Medicine, containing approximately 14 million citations and abstracts from over 4,800 biomedical journals. This paper presents an automated method based on support vector machines to identify a "comment-on" list, which is a field in a MEDLINE citation denoting previously published articles commented on by a given article. For comparative study, we also introduce another method based on scoring functions that estimate the significance of each sentence in a given article. Preliminary experiments conducted on HTML-formatted online biomedical documents collected from 24 different journal titles show that the support vector machine with polynomial kernel function performs best in terms of recall and F-measure rates.
The Effectiveness of Coursework and Onsite Coaching at Improving the Quality of Care in Infant-Toddler Settings.

Research Findings: This study evaluated the effectiveness of 2 professional development interventions aimed at improving the quality of care provided by caregivers in ordinary infant–toddler child care settings, both center- and home-based. In all, 183 participants in a community college course on infant–toddler theory and practice, an in-service community model of a 48-hr course plus various levels of 1-on-1 coaching (participants were randomly assigned to 0, 5, or 15 hr), or a no-intervention comparison group were compared on their changes across 3 time points in their job-related self-efficacy, their knowledge of best practices, and the quality of their interactions with children as assessed by objective observers. Results indicated that the group with the most intensive intervention (course plus 15 hr of coaching) displayed the most consistent pattern of improvements, which met multiple analytical criteria for substantiveness. Furthermore, these findings were most apparent in the quality of interactio...
Bandgap radiation induced photodesorption from titanium oxide surfaces

Abstract A polycrystalline titanium ribbon was initially exposed to research grade oxygen at one atmosphere of pressure in an ultrahigh vacuum system, after which the pressure was reduced 2 × 10−10 Torr. The sample surface was illuminated with radiation in the 290 to 520 nm wave-length region. Carbon dioxide was observed to be the only desorption product. There was no CO2 photodesorption signal detected above the 400 nm wavelength, which corresponds to a photon energy of 3.10 eV. The CO2 signal showed a linear dependence on the photon intensity. The photodesorption signal decays as 1 √t , where t is the illumination time. A photon with an energy equal to or greater than the bandgap energy of the semiconductor surface oxide layer is required to initiate the desorption.
Ethical Considerations in the Use of Technology for Marriage and Family Counselors

Given increases in the use of technology in all levels of counseling, family counselors have to become aware of the ethical considerations for infusing technology in their training and practice met...
A Denjoy-Wolff theorem for Hilbert metric nonexpansive maps on polyhedral domains

For a polyhedral domain , and a Hilbert metric nonexpansive map T:S?S which does not have a fixed point in S, we prove that the omega limit set ?(x;T) of any point x S is contained in a convex subset of the boundary ?S. We also identify a class of order-preserving homogeneous of degree one maps on the interior of the standard cone which demonstrate that there are Hilbert metric nonexpansive maps on an open simplex with omega limit sets that can contain any convex
New method for sensor data fusion in machine vision

In this paper, we propose a new scheme for sensor data fusion in machine vision. The proposed scheme uses Kalman filter as the sensor data integration tool and hierarchical B- spline surface as the recording data structure. Kalman filter is used to obtain statistically optimal estimations of the imaged surface structure based on external sensor measurements. Hierarchical B-spline surface maintains high-order surface derivative continuity, may be adaptively refined, possesses desirable local control property, and is storage efficient. Hence, it is used to record the reconstructed surface structure.
Methylenedioxyphenyl compounds as inducers of cytochrome P-450 and monooxygenase activity in the southern armyworm (Spodoptera eridania) and the rat

Abstract Exposure of sixth-instar southern armyworm larvae ( Spodoptera eridania ) to each of five methylenedioxphenyl (MDP) compounds (0.05%, w/v in the diet) led to increased levels of cytochrome P -450 and aryl hydrocarbon (benzo[ a ]pyrene) hydroxylase (AHH) activity in preparations of midgut microsomes. Isosafrole, the most potent compound evaluated, resulted in AHH levels almost 30-fold higher than in controls; it also enhanced levels of ethoxycoumarin O -deethylase activity (∼ 15-fold) but did not induce ethoxyresorufin O -deethylase or aldrin epoxidase. MDP-induced AHH activity was highly sensitive to inhibition by α-naphthoflavone ( I 50 = 0.4 μM ) but was not inhibited by 1-phenylimidazole at 150 μ M . Analysis of the major metabolites of benzo[ a ]pyrene in control and isosafrole-induced midgut microsomes established that MDP compounds promote the formation of the 3-hydroxy, 9-hydroxy, and 7,8-dihydrodihydroxy metabolites. In contrast, the metabolite pattern resulting from pentamethylbenzene induction indicated enhanced formation of the 9,10-dihydrodiol of benzo[ a ]pyrene. These metabolite patterns indicate the presence of armyworm midguts of distinct isozymes with different regiospecifities toward benzo[ a ]pyrene, and establish that the isozymes are different from those present in hepatic microsomes from control and phenobarbital-, β-naphthoflavone-, and dihydrosafrole-induced rats.
Visual thinking in organizational analysis

The ability to visualize the relationship among elements of large complex databases is a trend which is yielding new insights into several fields. The author demonstrates the use of 'visual thinking' as an analytical tool to the analysis of formal, complex organizations. Recent developments in organizational design and office automation are making the visual analysis of workflows possible. An analytical mental model of organizational functioning can be built upon a depiction of information flows among work group members. The dynamics of organizational functioning can be described in terms of six essential processes. Furthermore, each of these sub-systems develop within a staged cycle referred to as an enneagram model. Together these mental models present a visual metaphor of healthy function in large formal organizations; both in static and dynamic terms. These models can be used to depict the 'state' of an organization at points in time by linking each process to quantitative data taken from the monitoring of the flow of information in computer networks.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
THE SURVIVAL OF THE TUBERCLE BACILLUS IN SUSPENSION IN PHYSIOLOGICAL SALT SOLUTION

Three suspensions of tubercle bacilli in physiological salt solution were still virulent for guinea pigs after 310, 325, and 330 days at refrigerator temperature. One of these cultures on which recent tests had been made had lost very little, if any, of its virulence for guinea pigs in 325 days.
Assessing Brazil's carbon budget: II. Biotic fluxes and net carbon balance☆

Abstract The global carbon cycle is affected by the annual addition of 7.0 × 10 9 Mg CO 2 C to the atmosphere from deforestation and burning of fossil fuels. Because of its large area of high C density forests and high deforestation rate, Brazil may play an important role in the global C cycle. The study reported here developed an annual C budget for Brazil for the year 1990. The budget was based on a simple conceptual model of ecosystem C storage and flux, a newly developed vegetation map based on remote sensing data, and published information on carbon densities and flux parameters. The analysis presents an estimate of net anthropogenic flux from land use change and includes an estimate of C accumulation in secondary forests. Net CO 2 C emission estimates ranged from 174 × 10 6 to 233 × 10 6 Mg C year −1 . Timber harvest in plantations and burning fossil fuels contributed additional emissions of about 107 × 10 6 Mg C year −1 . Brazil's combined net C emissions represented 4–5% of the global total.
Dynamic analysis of structural deformation and metal forming

Abstract In the dynamic analysis of the deformation of bodies and structures it is often found that the duration of significant loads and high stresses is such that stress waves traverse the body and reflect from the surfaces many times in the period of interest for stress and deformation analysis. This circumstance can even apply in impact problems such as those arising in automobile collisions and hammer forging. In many problems, particularly when plastic flow occurs, numerical methods of solution must be utilized. The equations governing the dynamic deformation of a continuous medium are of wave type, but if dynamic elastic-plastic computer codes, such as those developed for ballistics problems which analyse wave propagation, are used for problems of the type considered here, excessive computing effort and round-off errors can be expected. Finite difference schemes for the wave equation are examined to select a scheme which is stable for long time steps and which adequately encompasses both wave analysis and long time solution, avoiding in the latter the complexity of the wave interactions. Economical computation is then achieved. This approach is applied to the study of dynamic deformation of a porous metal using the finite element method.
Regulation of Inwardly Rectifying K+ Channels in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells by Intracellular pH

Inwardly rectifying K+ (Kir) channels in the apical membrane of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) play a key role in the transport of K+ into and out of the subretinal space (SRS), a small extracellular compartment surrounding photoreceptor outer segments. Recent molecular and functional evidence indicates that these channels comprise Kir7.1 channel subunits. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Kir channels in the RPE are modulated by extracellular (pHo) or intracellular pH (pHi), both of which change upon illumination of the dark-adapted retina. The Kir current (IKir) in acutely dissociated bovine RPE cells was recorded in the whole-cell configuration while altering pHo or pHi. In cells dialysed with pipette solution buffered to pH 7.2, step changes in pHo from 7.4 to 8.0, 7.0 or 6.5 had little effect on IKir. Acidification to pHo 6.0, however, caused a transient activation of IKir followed by a slower inhibition. To determine the dependence of IKir on pHi, we altered pHi within individual RPE cells at constant pHo by imposing transmembrane acetate concentration gradients. These experiments revealed a biphasic relationship between IKir and pHi: IKir was maximal at about pHi 7.1, but decreased sharply at more acidic or alkaline levels. To evaluate the role of Kir7.1 channels in the pHi-dependent changes in IKir, we tested the effect of transmembrane acetate concentration gradients on Rb+ currents, which are 10-fold larger than K+ currents for this channel subtype. Inwardly rectifying Rb+ currents were maximal at about pHi 7.0 and were inhibited by intracellular alkalinization or acidification. We conclude that the Kir conductance in the RPE is modulated by intracellular pH in the physiological range and that this reflects the behaviour of Kir7.1 channels. This sensitivity to pHi may provide an important mechanism linking photoreceptor activity and RPE function.
A novel use of passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags as nest markers

ABSTRACT Double-observer methodology requires independent collection of data to accurately estimate population parameters. Use of visual nest markers to facilitate matching, relocating, and monitoring nests as part of a double-observer study violates this assumption, but few reliable alternatives exist, especially when working with cryptic nests and high nest densities in homogeneous habitat. We used passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags to nonvisually mark the nests of ground-nesting birds at the Yukon Delta National Wildlife Refuge in western Alaska in a double-observer study of nest density. We marked 70 nests with PIT tags and naive observers subsequently detected tags at 44 of 50 re-scanned nests (88% correct identification). Failed detections were likely due to either suboptimal tag orientation or tags falling through nest material, and such failures may be an inherent, but uncommon, feature of this nest-marking technique. PIT tags facilitated nest monitoring among independent observers, uniquely and reliably marked nests, provided a minimum of cues to potential nest predators, and allowed us to estimate densities in a double-observer framework while not violating assumptions. These tags should be useful in other studies of nesting birds where nonvisual, reliable nest markers are needed, and they provide a new tool for double-observer studies. SINOPSIS El metodo de doble observador require el tomar datos de forma independiente para estimar con precision parametros poblacionales. El uso de marcadores visuales en nidos para facilitar el pareo de observaciones, relocalizar y monitorear nidos, como parte de un estudio de doble observador, viola la premisa basica. Sin embargo, hay pocas alternativas confiables, particularmente cuando se trabaja con nidos cripticos, alta densidad de nidos y habitat homogeneos. Utilizamos bitacoras electronicas pasivas integradas (SPI) para marcar de forma no-visual nidos de aves que anidan en los suelos en el Refugio de Vida Silvestre de Yukon Delta. Esto como parte de un estudio de doble observador con el objetivo de determinar la densidad de nidos. Marcamos 70 nidos con las bitacoras de los cuales 44 o el 88% (de 50 nidos) fueron localizados por observadores sin adiestramiento en la identificacion de los nidos.Los seis nidos que no fueron encontrados fueron posteriormente identificados una vez se discutieron asuntos particulares entre los observadores independientes. Las SPI facilitaron el monitoreo de los nidos por observadores sin adiestramiento, marcaron los nidos de forma confiable, y ofrecieron muy pocas pistas a depredadores potenciales. No menos importante permitieron estimar la densidad de los nidos utilizando la tecnica de doble observador sin violar la premisa basica. Los SPI deben ser de utilidad en otros estudios de anidamiento de aves, en donde son necesarios marcadores que no sean visuales y ademas proveen de una nueva herramienta para estudios de doble-observador.
Origin of galanin-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the rat paracervical autonomic ganglia and uterine cervix

Retrograde axonal tracing with fluorogold in conjunction with immunohistochemistry was used to examine the source of galanin-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the paracervical ganglia and uterine cervix of the female rat. Immunohistochemistry revealed galanin-immunoreactive neuron somata in lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia and around the central canal of the lumbosacral spinal cord (lamina X). Injection of fluorogold into the paracervical ganglia resulted in labelled cells in dorsal root ganglia and the sacral parasympathetic nucleus of the spinal cord; but fluorogold-labelled, galanin-immunoreactive cells were found only in dorsal root ganglia. Injection of the tracer in the cervix resulted in labelled cells in the paracervical ganglia and dorsal root ganglia; however, fluorogold-labelled, galanin-immunoreactive cells were again evident only in dorsal root ganglia. It is suggested that the galanin-immunoreactive nerve fibers and varicosities in the paracervical ganglia and uterine cervix are sensory fibers from spinal dorsal root ganglia. The galanin-immunoreactive varicosities in the ganglia could play a role in the modulation of pelvic visceral activity, while those in the musculature of the cervix could influence contractility.
Determination of Free Carbon in Rubber Goods

Abstract The carbon black analysis should not be made without a consideration of the nature of the original stock. The size of the sample must be related to the black content. To lessen time consumed in this analysis, preliminary extraction of the sample should be omitted. The correction factor for clay must be applied. By the revised method greater accuracy is obtained, although there is still a tendency for the results to be higher than calculated. Precision in this method seems to depend mainly upon accuracy of weighing and avoiding the loss of small particles of black.
F-Spondin Regulates Chondrocyte Terminal Differentiation and Endochondral Bone Formation

This study examines the role of F-spondin, an extracellular matrix protein of osteoarthritic cartilage, during chondrocyte maturation in embryonic growth plate cartilage. In chick tibia, F-spondin expression localized to the hypertrophic and calcified zones of the growthplate.FunctionalstudiesusingtibialorganculturesindicatedthatF-spondininhibited(� 35%,p ¼0.02),andantibodiestoF-spondin increased (� 30%, p <0.1) longitudinal limb growth relative to untreated controls. In cell cultures, induction of chondrocyte maturation, by retinoic acid (RA) or transforming growth factor (TGF)-b treatment led to a significant upregulation of F-spondin (p <0.05). F-spondin transfection increased mineral deposition, alkaline phosphatase (AP) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13 mRNA levels (p <0.05), and APactivityfollowingRA stimulation, compared tomocktransfected controls.UsingAP asa differentiation markerwe theninvestigatedthe mechanismofF-spondinpromaturationeffects.BlockingendogenousF-spondinviaitsthrombospondin(TSR)domaininhibitedRAinduced AP activity 40% compared to controls (p <0.05). The stimulatory effect of F-spondin on AP expression was also inhibited following depletion of TGF-b from culture supernatants. Our findings indicate that F-spondin is expressed in embryonic cartilage, where it has the capacity to enhance chondrocyte terminal differentiation and mineralization via interactions in its TSR domain and TGF-b dependent pathways. 2010 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res
The effects of analog micro-mirror arrays in an adaptive flat computational imaging sensor architecture

An adaptive computational imaging system utilizing analog micro-mirror arrays at the pupil of an imaging sensor is discussed. The effects of the analog micro-mirror arrays are investigated. Analysis, simulation and experimental results are presented.
Magnetic phase diagram of CsMnCl3 · 2H2O

Abstract The magnetic phase diagram of CsMnCl3 · 2H2O has been determined for external fields up to 100 kOe using magnetothermal techniques. The critical spin-flopping field was found to vary with temperature according to the relationship Hc(kOe) = 16.10 + 1.02 T.
Reflections on a double negative: misarticulation and inconsistency.

The results of recent work on the so-called inconsistency of misarticulations of certain speech sounds are examined in terms of previous knowledge available to speech pathologists and of some of th...
Platelet rich plasma enhances tissue incorporation of biologic mesh.

Abstract Background High recurrence rates because of poor tissue incorporation limit the use of acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) in ventral hernia repair (VHR). Platelet rich plasma (PRP) is a growth factor–rich autologous blood product known to enhance tissue repair through cellular proliferation and neovascularization. We sought to study the effect of PRP on a porcine noncross-linked ADM in an in vivo model of VHR. We hypothesized that PRP would enhance ADM-tissue incorporation in a rat model of VHR. Methods Whole blood was extracted from Lewis rats followed by PRP isolation and characterization. Using a rat model of VHR, a noncross-linked ADM (Strattice) was implanted and activated PRP applied before closure. Rats were sacrificed at 2, 4, and 6 wk. Immunohistochemical staining of CD 31 on endothelial cells was used to quantify neovascularization. Hematoxylin eosin stained tissues were measured to quantify tissue deposition. Results Platelet concentration of PRP was standardized to 1 × 10 6 platelets/μL. Grossly, vessels were more evident in PRP-treated rats. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated neovascularization was significantly greater in the PRP-treated ADMs at all time points. This increase in neovascularization correlated with an increased thickness of tissue deposition at 4 and 6 wk. Conclusions PRP enhanced neovascularization and incorporation in a rat model of VHR. Enhanced neovascularization was associated with earlier and greater tissue deposition on the ADM. This suggests that PRP could be used as an adjunct to VHR in clinical scenarios where poor wound healing is anticipated and enhanced neovascularization and early tissue deposition are desired.
Modeling the pressure dependence of DC bias voltage in asymmetric, capacitive RF sheaths

A semianalytical model for capacitively coupled radio frequency (RF) sheaths of asymmetric (unequal electrode area) systems has been developed. It can be applied in the high-frequency (/spl omega/ > /spl omega//sub pi/) regime at different pressures. An analytical approximation to the pressure-dependent ion density profile is used. The time-varying electric field and potential within the sheath are obtained by solving Poisson's equation. The current balance and zero net DC current conditions are applied to solve for the RF sheath parameters and DC bias voltage. The DC voltage ratio between the powered and grounded electrode sheaths increases as the pressure decreases, which results in a larger DC bias voltage at lower pressures.
Poliovirus CRE-Dependent VPg Uridylylation Is Required for Positive-Strand RNA Synthesis but Not for Negative-Strand RNA Synthesis

The cis-acting replication element (CRE) is a 61-nucleotide stem-loop RNA structure found within the coding sequence of poliovirus protein 2C. Although the CRE is required for viral RNA replication, its precise role(s) in negative- and positive-strand RNA synthesis has not been defined. Adenosine in the loop of the CRE RNA structure functions as the template for the uridylylation of the viral protein VPg. VPgpUpUOH, the predominant product of CRE-dependent VPg uridylylation, is a putative primer for the poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. By examining the sequential synthesis of negative- and positive-strand RNAs within preinitiation RNA replication complexes, we found that mutations that disrupt the structure of the CRE prevent VPg uridylylation and positive-strand RNA synthesis. The CRE mutations that inhibited the synthesis of VPgpUpUOH, however, did not inhibit negative-strand RNA synthesis. A Y3F mutation in VPg inhibited both VPgpUpUOH synthesis and negative-strand RNA synthesis, confirming the critical role of the tyrosine hydroxyl of VPg in VPg uridylylation and negative-strand RNA synthesis. trans-replication experiments demonstrated that the CRE and VPgpUpUOH were not required in cis or in trans for poliovirus negative-strand RNA synthesis. Because these results are inconsistent with existing models of poliovirus RNA replication, we propose a new four-step model that explains the roles of VPg, the CRE, and VPgpUpUOH in the asymmetric replication of poliovirus RNA.
KNOW Why your access was denied: regulating feedback for usable security

We examine the problem of providing useful feedback about access control decisions to users while controlling the disclosure of the system's security policies. Relevant feedback enhances system usability, especially in systems where permissions change in unpredictable ways depending on contextual information. However, providing feedback indiscriminately can violate the confidentiality of system policy. To achieve a balance between system usability and the protection of security policies, we present Know, a framework that uses cost functions to provide feedback to users about access control decisions. Know honors the policy protection requirements, which are represented as a meta-policy, and generates permissible and relevant feedback to users on how to obtain access to a resource. To the best of our knowledge, our work is the first to address the need for useful access control feedback while honoring the privacy and confidentiality requirements of a system's security policy.
Individual, Group, and Organizational Instructional Systems Development Models

Contrary to the growing popularity of learning at group and organizational levels, instructional systems development (ISD) models and processes have been primarily focused only on individual-centered learning while lacking in reflection about group and organizational learning processes. Moreover, most instructional and facilitation processes at group and organizational learning levels continue in a state of general prescription such as a problem-solving approach which needs to be translated into specific instructional processes. For addressing the problems, this paper presents exploratory individual, group, and organizational learning ISD models based on four conditions: 1) integration of the questions of what and why in instruction and learning, 2) reflection of impacts of environmental factors, 3) non-linear and flexible instructional processes, and 4) future-centeredness in instruction and learning. The proposed exploratory ISD models provide a framework as an alternative ISD approach to group and organizational learning, as well as individual learning.
Recent Innovations in Small-N Designs for Research and Practice in Professional School Counseling

This article illustrates an innovative small-N research design that researchers and practitioners can use to investigate questions of interest in professional school counseling. The distributed criterion (DC) design integrates elements of three classic small-N research designs—the changing criterion, reversal, and multiple baseline. The DC design is well suited to situations in which students or school counselors must allocate, prioritize, and adjust time or effort to complete multiple tasks in response to changing situational demands. The article includes practical examples of how the DC design can be used by practitioners.
The variability of the total flux density and polarization of Jupiter's decimetric radio emission

Results are presented for a continuing program to monitor the Jovian 13-cm flux at weekly intervals and for an observational program to measure the linear polarization on an annual basis. The initial results of these programs are compared with existing data. Some implications about the radiation belts are discussed. When the new data are combined with previously published 11- and 21-cm measurements, it is found that the nature of the time variations during the past 13 years is similar but not identical at these wavelengths and that there is no convincing evidence that the variations are correlated with either solar activity or Jupiter's distance from the sun. The peak degree of polarization of the synchrotron has not changed more than 1% from the mean value of 24.5% during the 12-year interval considered.
Seizures in hydranencephaly: Mechanisms of subcortical epilepsy

Epileptic seizures are generally considered a cortically based phenomenon, with motor expression mediated through the corticospinal tracts, yet half of patients with hydranencephaly have seizures. The mechanisms mediating expression of seizures in hydranencephalic infants have not been well studied, but they are assumed to reflect subcortical networks or represent non-epileptic brainstem release phenomena. Children with hydranencephaly thus provide a useful model for studying the clinical features of subcortically mediated seizures. We studied two infants with hydranencephaly using video-electroencephalogram in order to determine if the seizures arose from remnants of cortical tissue or subcortical structures, and to analyze features of seizures of subcortical origin.
Inverted Hybrid Inorganic–Organic Light-Emitting Diodes With Balanced Charge Injection

Green phosphorescent inverted hybrid inorganic-organic light-emitting diodes (IHyLEDs) based on a simplified organic layer/ ${\hbox{WO}}_{3}$ structure have been demonstrated. The ${\hbox{WO}}_{3}$ layer enabled facile hole injection and transport, which was balanced by efficient electron injection from the indium-tin-oxide (ITO) cathode overcoated with nanometer-thick Ca. The IHyLEDs had a turn-on voltage of 6 V. At 20 ${\hbox{mA}}/{\hbox{cm}}^{2}$ , it reached a luminance of 8133 ${\hbox{cd}}/{\hbox{m}} ^{2}$ and a current efficiency of 40 cd/A, which were 43% higher than a similar IHyLED with a conventional Al/LiF electron injection layer. The IHyLEDs with Ca also exhibited improved reliability under constant-current stressing at 20 ${\hbox{mA}}/{\hbox{cm}}^{2}$ .
Communicator Effectiveness in Relation to the Strength of the Communication

Abstract : Two experiments were carried out to determine if source effectiveness is dependent in part on the inherent cogency of the communication. Neither study provided any evidence of an overall interaction effect between source and strength of communication; also, a suggestive finding in the first study of a differential source effect among initially favorable Ss exposed to the stronger communication was not replicated in the second one. (Author)
Structural behavior of fracture zones symmetric and asymmetric about a spreading axis: Mid-Atlantic Ridge (latitude 23°N to 27°N)

Two classes of fracture zones are distinguished on the basis of their orientations with respect to a spreading axis and length of associated ridge-ridge transform offset. (1) Minor fracture zones associated with transform faults of short offset ( 50 km); the major fracture zones exhibit a symmetric configuration with respect to a spreading axis following small circles about poles of plate rotation. Recognition of the coexistence of the two classes of fracture zones with different orientations on a slow-spreading oceanic ridge raises questions regarding the significance of the different orientations and nature of the intervening structural transition. A systematic narrow-beam bathymetric and magnetic investigation was performed to answer these questions in an area encompassing the change from minor fracture zones asymmetric with respect to the axis of the rift valley of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at lat 26°N between major fracture zones, and a major fracture zone, the Kane, symmetric with respect to the axis of the rift valley at lat 24°N. The investigation delineated an intervening transitional region where structural features have continuously undergone geometric adjustments that have accommodated the discrepancy in orientation between the two classes of fracture zones for at least the past 6 m.y. A hypothesis of differential structural stability determined by thickness of lithosphere within transform offsets is advanced to explain the observed differences in behavior of the two classes of fracture zones. The orientation of a major fracture zone is constrained to follow small circles along a trajectory of relative plate motion by a long section of thick lithosphere in the associated transform fault. The orientation of a minor fracture zone is susceptible to reorientation in the short section of thin lithosphere in the associated transform fault; the reorientation reflects response to intra-plate and interplate stresses. The geometric adjustments that occur as a consequence of differential structural stability continuously accommodate any discrepancy in orientation that may develop between coexistent major and minor fracture zones, so that an ocean basin such as the Atlantic can open symmetrically.
Microscopic impedance imaging of small tissues

Methods that can reveal the electrical properties of cells have the potential to provide new information of cell anatomy and cell function and could play a useful role in several medical applications such as cancer diagnosis. Electrical impedance imaging is an imaging modality that estimates the spatial variation of the impedance at the interior of an object from electrical measurements made on its surface. In this paper, we apply electrical impedance imaging to small tissues and provide a theoretical analysis. We develop a feasible micro-scale system of electrical impedance imaging using scanning techniques and non-contact configurations, which is described as scanning impedance imaging (SII). Two more feasible designs are proposed including rotated bi-probe (RBP) system and probe-array (PA) setup. Also included is an experimental setup of SII. The measurement results show that electrical impedance imaging has the potential to become an alternative method for cellular studies.
Comparative Study of Silica-, Nanoclay-and Carbon Black-Filled EPDM Rubbers

Silica-, nanoclay-, and carbon black (CB)-filled ethylene-propylene-diene terpolymer (EPDM) mixtures were prepared and subsequently vulcanized. Rheological properties and cure characteristics of the mixtures and mechanical properties of vulcanizates were measured. Rheological property measurements indicated the storage modulus, loss modulus, and complex dynamic viscosity of silica-filled EPDM mixtures were much higher than those of CB-filled EPDM mixtures while tan 8 values were lower. The optimum cure time of silica- and nanoclay-filled EPDM mixtures increased with filler loading, whereas the values for CB-filled mixtures slightly decreased with loading. The hardness, modulus, elongation at break, and tensile strength of all the vulcanizates increased with increasing filler loading. The elongation at break of CB-filled EPDM vulcanizates increased insignificantly with CB loading. Among the three fillers, the increase of the tensile strength and elongation at break was most significant for silica-filled EPDM vulcanizates. Remarkably, for 30 phr silica-filled EPDM vulcanizates, a tensile strength and elongation at break of 23.5 MPa and 1045% was achieved, respectively.