cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Who represents healthcare engineers

The critical role of the engineer in the healthcare delivery system is discussed. It is noted that health care engineers must adapt to this changing environment while still pursuing the professional goals of autonomy, job satisfaction, professional pride, recognized status, and proper compensation. It is suggested that health care engineers would be better served through an examination of the professionalization process itself, placing greater emphasis on the basic, essential elements of professional development clearly presented in the literature. >
John Witherspoon and the Founding of the American Republic

John Witherspoon and the Founding of the American Republic. By Jeffry H. Morrison. Notre Dame: University of Notre Dame Press, 2005. 240p.In his The Origins and Progress of the American Revolution, loyalist Peter Oliver spoke of the New England clergy as the “black regiment” of the Revolution who, “tinctured with republicanism,” supported the war for independence. John Witherspoon was a New Jersey Presbyterian, but he might well fit Oliver's description. He brought Princeton University to the side of the Revolution, mentored the first generation of the new regime's leadership, served in the Continental Congress, signed the Declaration of Independence, and was an active supporter of the Constitution. Yet while Witherspoon was highly praised by his contemporaries, who predicted that he would be honored by later generations of Americans, he instead became a neglected figure with few memorials erected in his name. Somehow, despite credentials that compared favorably to Washington, Jefferson, Madison, and Hamilton, fame deserted him. Jeffry H. Morrison's engaging and enthusiastic study of John Witherspoon attempts to redeem him as a “forgotten founder.”
Recombinant factor viia for control of hemorrhage: early experience in critically ill trauma patients

Abstract Study objective To examine our institutional experience with recombinant Factor VIIa (rFVIIa) as a treatment for exsanguinating hemorrhage in critically ill trauma patients. Design Retrospective case review. Setting A specialized trauma and critical care hospital, serving as the quaternary referral center for trauma and surgical shock in the state of Maryland. Patients All patients with diffuse coagulopathy and impending exsanguination, given rFVIIa in an effort to control life-threatening hemorrhage. Patients were in the intensive care unit (ICU) or operating room (OR) and included both acute admissions and late-stage patients with multiple organ system failure. Interventions Patients of interest were those that had received rFVIIa. Measurements Examination of medical records, including pharmacy data, laboratory results, and the institutional trauma registry. Main results Administration of rFVIIa contributed to successful control of hemorrhage in three of five patients. Failure in two patients was mostly likely due to overwhelming shock and acidosis. Conclusions Administration of rFVIIa shows promise in the treatment of exsanguinating hemorrhage. Prospective, controlled clinical trials of this therapy are strongly recommended.
Combined Preemption and Adaptation in Next Generation Multiservice Networks

Preemption and adaptation are two common techniques for controlling inelastic traffic such as streaming media. Adaptation policies dynamically increase or decrease the transmission rate of the stream in response to the presence or absence of network congestion. On the other hand, preemption policies select streams to be removed from the congested route. The removed streams may be rerouted through less favorable paths in the network. Adaptation causes a "virtual increase in network capacity" at the cost of reducing the client perceived stream quality (since rate reduction is achieved through lossy compression). Preemption permits improved blocking probabilities and traffic alignment on shortest paths for high priority traffic at the expense of performance degradation for low priority traffic. In this paper, we demonstrate the aforementioned performance trade-offs and the increased efficacy of control achievable through the combined use of preemption and adaptation policies.
Spodosol-Alfisol intergrades: bisequal soils in NE Michigan, USA

Abstract Twenty three well-drained Boralfs, most of which exhibit bisequal soil morphology, were described and sampled in NE lower Michigan, where they occur on landscapes shaped by Greatlakean ice ca 12 ka. Bisequal soils in Michigan are intergrades between Orthods and Udalfs, with a spodic-like upper sequum (A-E-Bs) overlying a sequence of E′-Bt-C horizons. Thus, they frequently occupy a pedogenic “ecotone”. The purpose of the study was to characterize these soils, which have been little-studied, and to determine if parent material homogeneity and texture are correlated with various aspects of their morphology. The soils have formed in coarse-loamy and fine-loamy materials, often with a distinct lithologic discontinuity between the two sequa. The lower material, interpreted as glacial till, is strongly calcareous and slightly coarser-textured, with considerably more dolomitic gravel than the upper material. Water flowing through the material above may “hang” at the discontinuity and deposit illuvial clay; Bt horizons are found at or immediately below the discontinuity. Statistical correlations indicate that bisequal sola and their eluvial horizons are thicker when developed in coarser-textured materials. Finer-textured pedons contain more extractable Fe and Al in the spodic sequum, but have thinner eluvial zones which have not been as completely stripped of metal cations. In the finest-textured pedons, the E′ horizon may be completely lacking.
Effect of Sodium Thiosulfate on the Pharmacokinetics and Toxicity of Cisplatin

Concurrent administration of sodium thiosulfate (STS) can protect against the nephrotoxic effects of even very-high-dose cisplatin (CDDP) (i.e., 270 mg/m2 given intraperitoneally). The effect of STS on the pharmacology and toxicity of CDDP was investigated in patients receiving at each treatment 90 mg of CDDP/m2 intraperitoneally, with STS given concurrently on alternate cycles by the intravenous route. The patients received a total of 38 courses of therapy, 21 without STS and 17 with STS. STS reduced the total exposure to diethyldithiocarbamate-reactive CDDP for the peritoneal cavity and plasma by 36% and 25%, respectively. When given alone, CDDP caused a statistically significant acute reduction in creatinine clearance levels; this reduction was less evident when STS was given. We conclude that, whereas STS does reduce systemic exposure, the magnitude of this effect was not sufficient to account for the ability of STS to protect against high-dose CDDP.
Acral Metastases From Laryngeal Carcinoma

Case Report A 69-year-old man presented with painful swelling of several finger tips over a period of 2 months that interfered with activities of daily life and had not responded to topical or oral antibiotics prescribed by his primary care physician. The patient was diagnosed with locoregionally advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma 18 months before this presentation, which was initially treatedwithtotallaryngectomyandpostoperativeconcurrentchemoradiotherapy but had recurred with lung metastases. On examination,thepatienthadhard,erythematous,andtenderswellingof several finger pulps in both hands (Fig 1A, arrows), most pronounced in the third finger of both hands. There was no fluctuationorwarmth.A3-cmerythematousmasswasalsopresentinthe left thigh (Fig 1B). Cytologic examination from a fine-needle aspiration of an involved digit confirmed metastatic squamous cell carcinoma (Fig 2A, diff quick stain; Fig 2B, papanicolaou stain). The patient expired as a result of myocardial infarction before initiation of palliative chemotherapy.
Maternal seizure disorder and risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes

Objective We sought to estimate the association between maternal seizure disorder and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Study Design We performed a retrospective cohort study of singleton, nonanomalous pregnancies. Women with self-reported seizure disorder were compared to women without medical problems. The primary outcome was intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) Results Of 47,118 women, 440 reported a seizure disorder. Women with seizure disorder were not at increased risk of IUGR Conclusion Our results suggest women with a seizure disorder are not at increased risk of IUGR, stillbirth, preeclampsia, or preterm delivery.
Writing Patient-Centered Functional Goals

Motor learning research, health care policies, reimbursement practices, and the standards of accrediting bodies all support writing patient-centered functional goals of physical therapy. This article defines patient-centered functional goals within the context of the Guide to Physical Therapist Practice and provides a rationale for incorporating functional goals into physical therapy for patients in all areas of practice. The article also describes how physical therapists can collaborate with patients to identify functional goals that are meaningful to them and describes a 5-step process for writing functional goals that are measurable.
Traffic models in broadband networks

Traffic models are at the heart of any performance evaluation of telecommunications networks. An accurate estimation of network performance is critical for the success of broadband networks. Such networks need to guarantee an acceptable quality of service (QoS) level to the users. Therefore, traffic models need to be accurate and able to capture the statistical characteristics of the actual traffic. We survey and examine traffic models that are currently used in the literature. Traditional short-range and non-traditional long-range dependent traffic models are presented. The number of parameters needed, parameter estimation, analytical tractability, and ability of traffic models to capture marginal distribution and auto-correlation structure of the actual traffic are discussed.
Efficacy of a denitrification wall to treat continuously high nitrate loads

Abstract Denitrification walls have been proven as an effective, long-term method for remediating nitrogen in groundwater underneath agricultural lands. Utilizing walls to provide large N load reductions requires targeting a significant portion of agricultural effluent. One approach for more efficient application of walls is to locate them adjacent to zones with high groundwater flow, although treatment efficacy in these conditions is uncertain. In this study, a large wall (168 m3) receiving high N loads was assessed using a well transect array for hydraulic and water quality evaluations and media were collected from within the wall to evaluate enzyme activity with flow distance. Porewater velocity through the wall was rapid (1.7 m day−1) with short detention times (1.7–1.9 days), yet the wall treated 100 ± 28 m3 of groundwater per day, effectively removing 228 ± 155 kg of total N per year. Maximum nitrate-N removal rates per media volume (4.9–5.5 g-N m−3 d−1) were at the upper end of published values. Rapid reduction of potential denitrification rates in media samples from 4.89 g N m−3 d−1 to undetectable within a quarter of the wall length suggests that nitrate-N depletion drove a rapid reduction in denitrifying enzymes. Based on a carbon mass balance, dissolved organic C leaching was initially the largest C export process and the longevity of total bioavailable C was estimated as 23 ± 5.9 years. These results indicate the ability of walls to reduce high N-loads over long timespans.
Acceptance of Precooked Frozen Chicken Reheated by Microwave Energy

Abstract Chicken pieces, which had been breaded and precooked under pressure in corn oil and frozen, were reheated in a microwave oven and evaluated for acceptability. The pieces were dipped in an egg wash, breaded, browned and cooked at 1.05 Kg./cm.2 for 9.5 min. Cooked pieces were frozen using air blast (−37°C.), nitrogen (−57°C.) or Freon®-12 (−43°C.), packaged in polyethylene bags and stored at −18°C. for periods up to six months. Some samples were subjected to fluctuating storage temperatures. After storage, the chicken was reheated for l.5 to 2.0 min. per piece or 1 min. per 100 g. and evaluated by a taste panel. Microwave energy provided a rapid method for thawing and reheating precooked and frozen chicken. Optimum reheating time for the oven used was 1 min. per 100 g. product. Products remained acceptable for more than four months when stored under constant −18°C. temperatures. Rapid freezing rates (nitrogen vapor, Freon®-12) did not increase acceptability of product over that frozen in air at −37°C.
Exercise with calorie restriction improves insulin sensitivity and glycogen synthase activity in obese postmenopausal women with impaired glucose tolerance

Our objective was to compare the effects of in vivo insulin on skeletal muscle glycogen synthase (GS) activity in normal (NGT) vs. impaired glucose-tolerant (IGT) obese postmenopausal women and to ...
Resolution and Instrument Line Shape Function

The factors that determine the resolution of monochromators operating in both the non-diffraction-limited and diffraction-limited modes are discussed. The instrument line shape function of a monochromator (often called the spectral slit function) operating above the diffraction limit is a triangle, whereas in the diffraction-limited case it is sinc2 ([sin x]2/x2) function. For Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometers, the instrument line shape function is a sinc ([sin x]/x) function unless the interferogram is multiplied by an apodization function. In this case, the instrument line shape function is the Fourier transform of the apodization function. Common apodization functions that are discussed include the triangular function and the three Norton–Beer functions. The effect of a diverging (noncollimated) beam, passing through the interferometer of a FT-IR spectrometer, on the resolution and instrument line shape function is discussed at the end of the article. Keywords: resolution; instrument line shape function; spectral slit function; monochromator; non-diffraction-limited resolution; diffraction-limited resolution; sinc function; sin c2 function; Fourier transform infrared spectrometers; apodization function; triangular apodization; Norton–Beer apodization functions; effect of a diverging beam
Asymptotically Optimal Distributed Censoring

We consider the problem of Bayesian decentralized binary detection in a sensor network in which the sensors have access to some side information that affects the statistics of the measurements they make. Sensors can decide whether or not to make a measurement and transmit a message to the fusion center ("censoring"), and also have a choice of the transmission function from measurements to messages. We consider the case of a large number of sensors, characterize the optimal error exponent, and derive asymptotically optimal strategies. We show that the optimal strategy consists of dividing the sensors into two groups, with sensors in each group using the same policy.
Use of structural equation modeling in operations management research: Looking back and forward ☆

Abstract This paper reviews applications of structural equation modeling (SEM) in four major Operations Management journals ( Management Science , Journal of Operations Management , Decision Sciences , and Journal of Production and Operations Management Society ) and provides guidelines for improving the use of SEM in operations management (OM) research. We review 93 articles from the earliest application of SEM in these journals in 1984 through August 2003. We document and assess these published applications and identify methodological issues gleaned from the SEM literature. The implications of overlooking fundamental assumptions of SEM and ignoring serious methodological issues are presented along with guidelines for improving future applications of SEM in OM research. We find that while SEM is a valuable tool for testing and advancing OM theory, OM researchers need to pay greater attention to these highlighted issues to take full advantage of its potential.
Accelerating large-scale protein structure alignments with graphics processing units

Large-scale protein structure alignment, an indispensable tool to structural bioinformatics, poses a tremendous challenge on computational resources. To ensure structure alignment accuracy and efficiency, efforts have been made to parallelize traditional alignment algorithms in grid environments. However, these solutions are costly and of limited accessibility. Others trade alignment quality for speedup by using high-level characteristics of structure fragments for structure comparisons. We present ppsAlign, a p arallel p rotein s tructure Align ment framework designed and optimized to exploit the parallelism of Graphics Processing Units (GPUs). As a general-purpose GPU platform, ppsAlign could take many concurrent methods, such as TM-align and Fr-TM-align, into the parallelized algorithm design. We evaluated ppsAlign on an NVIDIA Tesla C2050 GPU card, and compared it with existing software solutions running on an AMD dual-core CPU. We observed a 36-fold speedup over TM-align, a 65-fold speedup over Fr-TM-align, and a 40-fold speedup over MAMMOTH. ppsAlign is a high-performance protein structure alignment tool designed to tackle the computational complexity issues from protein structural data. The solution presented in this paper allows large-scale structure comparisons to be performed using massive parallel computing power of GPU.
Efficient infrared-to-electrical conversion with semiconductor heterojunction thermophotovoltaic devices

A novel heterojunction thermophotovoltaic device, converting infrared radiation to electricity, has been demonstrated with a room-temperature open-circuit voltage of 360 mV, the highest demonstrated for a 0.54-eV-bandgap device.
The Perfect Storm: Defective Calcium Cycling in Insulated Fibers With Reduced Repolarization Reserve

See related articles, pages 1039–1048 and 1049–1057 Primary electrical diseases of the heart such as the Long QT Syndrome (LQTS), Short QT Syndrome (SQTS), Brugada Syndrome (BrS), and Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) are inherited monogenic disorders caused by mutations in ion channel genes (ie, channelopathies), calcium handling proteins, or related molecules that occur in the absence of overt structural abnormalities.1 Because these disorders are typically associated with a high incidence of ventricular tachyarrhythmias and sudden cardiac death (SCD), they are the subject of intense investigation. Although collectively, monogenic diseases underlie a minority of SCD cases in the general population, elucidation of the underlying mechanisms by which they promote electrical instability has provided a wealth of knowledge regarding the role of ion channel dysfunction in electrical remodeling and arrhythmogenesis at multiple levels of integration, linking single amino acid mutations in ion channel genes to electrical dysfunction at the intact cell, organ, and system levels. In recent years, numerous investigations have focused on mechanisms by which altered ion channel function and action potential properties can promote arrhythmias at the multi-cellular network level in various animal models of LQTS, SQTS, and BrS.2 In this issue of Circulation Research , Cerrone et al3 provide a strong mechanistic link between a known CPVT causing mutation and electrical instability arising from the His-Purkinje network of the intact heart in a tour de force study using high-resolution optical mapping, cellular electrophysiological measurements, a variety of pharmacological tools, and numerical simulations. CPVT is a heritable disorder that presents clinically as exercise- or stress- induced ventricular arrhythmias, syncope, or SCD.1 Electrocardiographically, patients with CPVT exhibit polymorphic VT (PVT), bidirectional VT with an alternating QRS axis (Bi-VT), and ventricular fibrillation (VF). Several mutations in the cardiac Ryanodine Receptor (RyR2) and Calsequestrin (CSQ) have been …
New Separation of Variables Method for Composite Electrodes With Galvanostatic Boundary Conditions

The separation of variables method is extended to obtain concentration profiles in a particle electrode under galvanostatic boundary conditions. The method is also used to find exact analytical solutions for composite slab and spherical electrodes. Finally, the method is used to obtain a solution for a lithium/polymer cell model that was presented previously by Doyle and Newman.
Randomized controlled trial comparing tailoring methods of multimedia-based fall prevention education for community-dwelling older adults.

OBJECTIVE: We attempted to determine whether multimedia fall prevention education using different instructional strategies increases older adults' knowledge of fall threats and their fall prevention behaviors. METHOD: Fifty-three community-dwelling older adults were randomized to iwo educational groups or a control group. Multimedia-based educational interventions to increase fall threats knowledge and encourage fall prevention behaviors had two tailoring strategies: (1) improve content realism for individual learners (authenticity group) and (2) highlight program goals and benefits while using participants' content selections (motivation group). Knowledge was measured at baseline and 1-mo follow-up. Participants recorded prevention behaviors for 1 mo. RESULTS: Intervention group participants showed greater knowledge gains and posttest knowledge than did control group participants. The motivation group engaged in more prevention behaviors over 1 mo than did the other groups. CONCLUSION: Tailoring fall prevention education by addressing authenticity and motivation successfully improved fall threats knowledge. Combining motivational strategies with multimedia education increased the effectiveness of the intervention in encouraging fall prevention behaviors. Language: en
Measurement and simulation of prey-uptake by marine planktonic ciliates fed plastidic and aplastidic nanoplankton

A laboratory study was conducted to investigate the food preferences of two marine planktonic ciliates, especially the importance of aplastidic nanoplankton in their diets, and the influence of prey quantity and composition on prey uptake. Ingestion, growth, and conversion efficiencies of these ciliates were measured while they fed on single- and multiprey assemblages of aplastidic and photosynthetic (plastidic) nanoplankton. Both tintinnid and “naked” oligotrich ciliates ingested and grew on diets of aplastidic nanoplankton. In single-prey experiments with plastidic and aplastidic nanoplankton of similar size and C : N, ingestion of and growth on aplastidic nanoplankton could exceed those of ciliates fed phytoplankton. The highest growth rates, however, especially in tintinnid ciliates, generally occurred when they were fed nutritious phytoplankton. On multiprey diets, patterns of prey uptake depended on the total spectrum of available food. When ciliates were fed various concentrations of nutritionally acceptable plastidic and aplastidic nanoplankton, each prey was ingested according to relative abundance. However, when offered acceptable prey in combination with apparently nutritionally inadequate or less preferred prey, ciliates showed differential uptake of prey. The experimental data were fit to a feeding model derived from theory describing simple linear competitive inhibition of enzyme-catalyzed reactions. This was used in conjunction with an encounter model as a diagnostic tool to evaluate the possibility that the measured responses could be due to differences in encounter, capture, handling, and digestion among prey. Results indicated that encounter and capture rates and handling times did not differ sufficiently to account for observed patterns in prey-uptake. Rather, “poor” prey apparently are ingested at lower rates either because they are actively rejected or digested at lower rates or with reduced efficiency.
Marathon Group Therapy with Users of Illicit Drugs: Dimensions of Social Learning

A research study is described which uses the Hill Interaction Matrix to analyze the group process of a 16-hour-long marathon group conducted with users of illicit drugs. The group quadrant scales and the 16 cells of the HIM-G are used to provide an indication of the types of interactions among members that occurred during this group. This group rated high on scales with strong loadings on the work and interpersonal threat dimensions of the HIM-G.
Preservice Teachers' Use of the Technology Integration Planning Cycle to Integrate iPads Into Literacy Instruction

AbstractThe purpose of this case study was to examine preservice teachers' use of the Technology Integration Planning Cycle (TIPC; Hutchison & Woodward, 2014) to integrate iPads into literacy instruction. Analysis revealed two findings related to using the TIPC to plan instruction: (a) Though the TIPC provides a structured approach to planning that guides teachers in using their Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge (TPACK), the preservice teachers still used a technocentric approach to planning instruction and did not fully engage in all elements of the planning cycle; (2) even with the structured planning approach, preservice teachers had difficulty aligning their lesson content with the instructional goals of the lesson; and (3) preservice teachers rely on recommendations from their university classes when selecting apps to use in instruction, rather than independently seeking out resources. The implications of this research suggest the need to support preservice teachers in developing a pr...
Creating a high‐skills society during recession: issues for policy makers

The present study looks at the skill formation policies adopted by policy makers in Greece in order to create a high‐skills society. It examines empirically the demand side of the skill creation process within 300 small enterprises in order to understand how far supply‐side measures have influenced the demand for well‐trained staff within small businesses. The article draws on empirical data from 650 interviews with workers and small firm owners that explored owner demand for higher level skills and training. The study questions the effectiveness of the measures put forward by policy makers in order to encourage an up‐skilling strategy in the country. The analysis reveals that this policy agenda has been supported predominantly by various skills supply‐side initiatives including investments in higher education and subsidized accredited company training. Yet the empirical evidence indicates that such initiatives have not so far influenced owner demand for higher level skills and training, suggesting a new agenda for policy intervention may be necessary. The study provides valuable lessons for policy makers across the advanced capitalist world on the development of a high‐skills society.
Abstract 40: Updating White Matter Hyperintensity Visual Scoring: Incorporating Research Advances, Improving Reproducibility and Correlation with Automated Volumes

Introduction: White Matter Hyperintensities (WMH) have been implicated as a risk factor for motor and cognitive decline, dementia and stroke. A standard for use in clinical settings is needed to identify which cases are advanced or meet thresholds with implications for degree of impairment. The system of Fazekas is a promising candidate due to its simplicity and strong correlation with outcomes. The original Fazekas categorized deep and periventricular WMH separately. Advanced periventricular and deep WMH were later shown to have equivalent pathology and etiology. Subsequent work by De Carli showed the classification of deep and periventricular WMH on axial images to be arbitrary and suggested a common etiology for lesser degrees of WMH as well. We therefore adapted the Fazekas criteria to consider deep and periventricular WMH jointly. Questions persist about low reproducibility of grading systems. In a preliminary analysis we found frequent disagreement classifying lesions less than 3mm in diameter and decided to incorporate this threshold into our criteria to determine the effect on reproducibility and correlation of our final model with automated volumes. Hypothesis: Modification of the Fazekas grading system to consider deep and periventricular WMH jointly is less arbitrary. Simple modifications of such a system will result in a high degree of reproducibility and high correlation with automated WMH volumes. Methods: Axial 3T FLAIR MR images of the brain were obtained from community dwelling subjects. Grading measurements were applied to diameter of deep WMH and thickness of periventricular WMH. The initial system defined Grade 0 as no WMH, Grade 1 as =10mm but =20mm. 52 studies were read separately by 2 reviewers. We then revised grade 0 to include intensities =3mm but Results: After modifications, inter-rater agreement for Fazekas white matter score increased from 72% to 89% with kappa increased from 0.45 to 0.78. There was good correlation of grade and automated volume (ANOVA R-Square: 0.52 P Conclusion: Advances in understanding of White Matter Hyperintensities suggest periventricular and deep lesions should be rated jointly. This modification was applied to the Fazekas system with excellent reproducibility after implementation of a 3mm size threshold as well as high agreement with automated volumes ammong community dwelling subjects.
eBay Auctions of Repossessed Motor Vehicles - A Template for Commercial Reasonableness Under Revised Article 9

Secured parties with motor vehicle collateral are disposing of their repossessed collateral on eBay Motors, the internet auction site of eBay.com. Article 9 of the Uniform Commercial Code does not validate or invalidate internet dispositions of collateral, nor does it adopt any specific requirements for internet dispositions. Thus, a secured creditor selling repossessed collateral on eBay Motors must satisfy the universal standards of Article 9 for a valid disposition - reasonable notification of the disposition and commercial reasonableness of all aspects of the disposition. Article 9 adopts detailed provisions for notification, but the boundaries of commercially reasonable are determined mainly by the courts.In his article, eBay Auctions of Repossessed Motor Vehicles - A Template for Commercial Reasonableness Under Revised Article 9, Professor Nowka analyzes how the Article 9 standards for disposition sales of collateral affect secured creditors selling repossessed motor vehicles on eBay Motors. He articulates a rationale that upholds the commercial reasonableness of eBay Motors auctions, details the steps a secured creditor should take to achieve a commercially reasonable auction, and provides form notices and agreements a secured creditor can use to help ensure the auction complies with Article 9's standards.
Improving Judicial Settlement Conferences

Professors Molot, Fuller, Fiss, and Resnik, among others, have expressed concerns about the unbounded, unchecked, unbridled, and virtually unfettered judicial discretion of American trial court judges who preside over civil case settlement conferences. I am also concerned. But the best response is not to abolish or severely restrict judicial settlement conferences. Rather, it is to add more formality and more written guidelines. New guidelines would discourage each trial court judge from marching to the beat of her own drummer. These guidelines should involve, as suggested by Professor Fuller, both more adversary control and more detailed and written criteria. In addition, new guidelines should expressly recognize that the claims and interests that might be discussed at judicial settlement conferences are far broader than the justiciable claims that might be discussed at trial preparation conferences. Thus, civil case settlement talks and civil case settlements subject to same-case judicial enforcement can involve many more claims, interests, and people than would have been involved in any adversarial proceedings. New written guidelines for federal and state courts should follow existing rules and statutes of general and particular applicability already operating in some American trial courts. As with pleading and discovery, new settlement conference guidelines should speak to differences between civil actions, including some distinctions between significant cases and routine cases and between civil cases based upon the amounts in controversy.
Targeted overexpression of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in endothelial cells improves cerebrovascular reactivity in Ins2Akita-type-1 diabetic mice:

Reduced bioavailability of nitric oxide due to impaired endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity is a leading cause of endothelial dysfunction in diabetes. Enhancing eNOS activity in diabetes is a potential therapeutic target. This study investigated basal cerebral blood flow and cerebrovascular reactivity in wild-type mice, diabetic mice (Ins2(Akita+/-)), nondiabetic eNOS-overexpressing mice (TgeNOS), and the cross of two transgenic mice (TgeNOS-Ins2(Akita+/-)) at six months of age. The cross was aimed at improving eNOS expression in diabetic mice. The major findings were: (i) Body weights of Ins2(Akita+/-) and TgeNOS-Ins2(Akita+/-) were significantly different from wild-type and TgeNOS mice. Blood pressure of TgeNOS mice was lower than wild-type. (ii) Basal cerebral blood flow of the TgeNOS group was significantly higher than cerebral blood flow of the other three groups. (iii) The cerebrovascular reactivity in the Ins2(Akita+/-) mice was significantly lower compared with wild-type, whereas that in the TgeNOS-Ins2(Akita+/-) was significantly higher compared with the Ins2(Akita+/-) and TgeNOS groups. Overexpression of eNOS rescued cerebrovascular dysfunction in diabetic animals, resulting in improved cerebrovascular reactivity. These results underscore the possible role of eNOS in vascular dysfunction in the brain of diabetic mice and support the notion that enhancing eNOS activity in diabetes is a potential therapeutic target.
Tales from the Mat Narrating Men and Meaning Making in the Mixed Martial Arts Gym

Based upon five years of observant participation, I examine how participants justify their engagement with the controversial but increasing popular practice of mixed martial arts. Several themes em...
Pharmacological treatment strategies targeting cognitive impairment associated with aging

Amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) is associated with increased activation in the CA3-dentate region of hippocampus. Excess CA3 activity also occurs in aged rats with memory impairment. Therapies to counter such excess activity might include antiepileptics or agonists for GABA(A) α5 receptors, which regulate tonic inhibition. Use of GABA(A) α5 agonists may seem unexpected because GABA(A) α5 inverse agonists were developed as cognitive enhancers. We found that inverse agonists, while yielding benefit in normal young adult rats, are not effective in treating memory loss in aged rats. Instead, aged rats showed improved memory after treatment with selective GABA(A) α5 agonists and with certain antiepileptics. These benefits of treatment are consistent with the concept that excess activity in the CA3 of the hippocampus is a dysfunctional condition contributing to age-associated memory impairment. Because excess hippocampal activation is also observed in aMCI, our findings support the use of antiepileptic or GABA(A) α5 agonist therapy in aMCI. Such therapy, in addition to memory improvement, may also have disease modifying potential because hippocampal overactivity in aging/MCI predicts further cognitive decline and conversion to Alzheimer's disease.
The association of lupus anticoagulant and anti-DNA binding in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

A study was undertaken to ascertain the association of lupus anticoagulant and anti-DNA binding in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The sera of 67 patients who had positive antinuclear factor were studied to determine whether antibodies to DNA are associated with lupus anticoagulant and if so whether anticoagulant and anti-DNA properties reside on the same immunoglobulin. Binding to native DNA was determined by a modified Farr’s assay, and lupus anticoagulant activity was determined by modified kaolin-activated partial thromboplastin time. Of 67 patients, 14 had positive findings for circulating anticoagulant, 37 had antibodies to DNA, and 30 did not. All 14 patients who had circulating anticoagulants had anti-DNA, and conversely, no patient without DNA binding had a lupus anticoagulant. Furthermore, absorption of the test sera with the phospholipid phosphatidyl serine was capable of removing DNA binding in every sera demonstrating lupus anticoagulant and anti-DNA activity. Although it is not clear whether anti-DNA binding and lupus anticoagulant activity coexist in the same immunoglobulin in SLE, lupus anticoagulant and anti-DNA showed a strong positive association in patients with SLE.
A 14nm FinFET transistor-level 3D partitioning design to enable high-performance and low-cost monolithic 3D IC

Monolithic 3D IC (M3D) shows degradation in performance compared to 2D IC due to the restricted thermal budget during fabrication of sequential device layers. A transistor-level (TR-L) partitioning design is used in M3D to mitigate this degradation. Silicon validated 14nm FinFET data and models are used in a device-to-system evaluation to compare the TR-L partitioned M3D's (TR-L M3D) performance against the conventional gate-level (G-L) partitioned M3D's performance as well as standard 2D IC. Extensive cell-level and system-level evaluation, including various device and interconnect process options, shows that the TR-L M3D provides up to 20% improved performance while still maintaining around 30% power saving compared to standard 2D IC. Additionally, the TR-L partitioning design enables M3D with a simplified process flow that leads to 23% lower cost compared to that of G-L partitioning scheme.
Development of Recombinant Arenavirus-Based Vaccines

The development of arenavirus reverse genetics has provided investigators with a novel and powerful approach for the investigation of the arenavirus molecular and cell biology. The use of cell-based minigenome systems has allowed examining the cis- and trans-acting factors involved in arenavirus replication and transcription, and the identification of novel anti-arenaviral drug targets without requiring the use of live forms of arenaviruses. Likewise, it is now feasible to rescue infectious arenaviruses entirely from cloned cDNAs containing predetermined mutations in their genomes to investigate virus-host interactions and mechanisms of pathogenesis. These advances in arenavirus genetics have also facilitated screens to identify anti-arenaviral drugs and the pursuit of novel strategies to generate live-attenuated arenavirus vaccine candidates. Moreover, the generation of tri-segmented (r3) arenaviruses expressing foreign genes of interest (GOI) has opened the possibility of implementing live-attenuated arenaviruses-based vaccine vector approaches. In this chapter, we will summarize the implementation of plasmid-based reverse genetics techniques for the development of r3 arenaviruses expressing foreign GOI for their implementation as vaccine vectors.
The Determination of Stellar and Planetary Astrophysical Parameters

Stellar characterization is an old and established field within astronomy—which is not to say that it is easy or that stars are sufficiently well understood in general. Many determinations of stellar parameters rely, by necessity, on indirect measurements and/or assumptions, especially if direct data are sparse, such as is the case for low-mass stars, by which we mean here stars whose outer layers are fully convective, making energy transport to the stellar surface poorly understood. Calibrations linking non-observable quantities to directly determined parameters have to constantly be revised and improved. Constraints imposed by new data on the hugely important stellar models serve to increase their predictive power. In this Chapter, we briefly describe our methods used for the direct determination of stellar astrophysical parameters, elaborate on their usefulness, and discuss the applicability of the parameters to other insights into exoplanet science.
Evidence for complex life cycle constraints on salamander body form diversification

Metazoans display a tremendous diversity of developmental patterns, including complex life cycles composed of morphologically disparate stages. In this regard, the evolution of life cycle complexity promotes phenotypic diversity. However, correlations between life cycle stages can constrain the evolution of some structures and functions. Despite the potential macroevolutionary consequences, few studies have tested the impacts of life cycle evolution on broad-scale patterns of trait diversification. Here we show that larval and adult salamanders with a simple, aquatic-only (paedomorphic) life cycle had an increased rate of vertebral column and body form diversification compared to lineages with a complex, aquatic-terrestrial (biphasic) life cycle. These differences in life cycle complexity explain the variations in vertebral number and adult body form better than larval ecology. In addition, we found that lineages with a simple terrestrial-only (direct developing) life cycle also had a higher rate of adult body form evolution than biphasic lineages, but still 10-fold lower than aquatic-only lineages. Our analyses demonstrate that prominent shifts in phenotypic evolution can follow long-term transitions in life cycle complexity, which may reflect underlying stage-dependent constraints.
The preparation of accelerator targets by evaporation of acetate-organic solutions in the presence of NH3 gas

The chemical methods described in this paper have been developed for preparation of isotopic targets for bombardment by accelerator-produced ions. Three systems are compared: nitrate-, chloride-, and acetate-organic solutions. The best method was found to be the metallic acetate-organic solution system, evaporated onto the substrate in the presence of ammonia gas. A detailed procedure is given for this method. The targets obtained by the acetate-organic solution system are uniform and adherent. The hydroxide forms fine crystals of good quality for target thicknesses from a few ..mu..g/cm/sup 2/ to several mg/cm/sup 2/. Thicknesses up to 5 mg/cm/sup 2/ of Eu as the oxide were obtained by this method. The process is simple and fast. 18 refs., 1 tab.
The Frequency-Domain Moment-Tensor Inversion: Retrieving the Complete Source Moment-Tensor Spectra and Time Histories

When the wavelength of a seismic signal of interest is much longer than the dimension of the internal seismic source that generates the signal, whether it is an earthquake, an underground explosion or an underground mine collapse, the seismic source may be represented by a symmetric second-order moment tensor.
Closure Approximations for Three-Dimensional Orientation Structure Tensors

A tensor description of the orientation structure in a fiber suspension provides an efficient way to compute flow-induced fiber orientation, but the scheme requires an accurate closure approximation for the higher-order moments of the orientation distribution function. This presentation evaluates a number of different closure approximations, comparing transient orientation calculations using the tensor equations to a full calculation of the distribution function.
Toward a global theory of {f,g}-invariant distributions with singularities

In this paper, I outline a program, initiated in independent and in joint efforts by A.J. Krener, A. Isidori, and myself, whose goal is to extend the linear (A,B)-invariant subspace theory to nonlinear problems beyond the existing local theory, including particularly those problems which are either globally formulated or which require an analysis of singular control systems. Perhaps most significant is that the analysis of certain of the local singular problems requires, in part, a global formulation of the local theory and for this reason I first present some global results. Next, it is shown how certain local singular problems may be recast as a nonsingular but now global problems by the method of resolution of singularities, as applied to real analytic foliations. The observation that this singular-global transition is applicable is perhaps the most novel point here, and its generality is currently under study ([3],[4],[5]), requiring both an analysis of the "resolution of singularities" of real analytic foliations, which would make significant contact with Hironaka's fundamental contribution [7], and an analysis of a categorical "leaf space" M/Δ for quite general foliations Δ of M [3]. As an illustration, in this paper, certain low-dimensional, singular problems are analyzed by a combination of Morse Theory, blowing-up, and global techniques from differential and algebraic topology. Indeed, as applications, new results on global disturbance decoupling in the presence of singularities are systematically presented for the first time. It is our expectation to have more to say about the general case in the future.
The course of HIV disease in renal allograft recipients.

The clinical course of HIV seropositive renal allograft recipients is ill defined. Thus, a retrospective analysis of mortality, morbidity and graft survival was performed in two groups of HIV-positive patients. Group 1 (nine patients), seropositive for an indefinite period of time prior to transplantation (eight IV drug abusers, one homosexual), all lost their grafts after a mean period of 23±11 months from chronic rejection (six), complicated by focal glomerular sclerosis and nephrotic syndrome in three cases, sepsis (two) and death with a functioning graft (one). Four patients died, two from sepsis, one from Kaposi’s sarcoma and one from fluid overload. Of the remaining five patients, all on hemodialysis, one had AIDS and four were asymptomatic after a mean period of 44 months following graft failure. Prolonged hospitalizations for both infections and acute rejection were common. Group 2 (six patients) seroconverted in the perioperative period, and two had functioning allografts at 78 and 100 months post-transplant. Causes of allograft loss, patient death and infection-related complications were similar to those of group 1, but acute rejection was rare. In conclusion, HIV infection in renal allograft recipients was associated with poor allograft survival due mainly to rejection, mostly chronic, often complicated by glomerular sclerosis and nephrotic syndrome. Infectious complications requiring hospitalization were also increased.
Neonatal Cardiac Emergencies

Abstract Congenital heart disease is a relatively common birth defect that can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Although many emergency department visits have potential cardiac complaints, some of these signify critical cardiac disease (ie, cardiac emergencies) requiring urgent triage and management. Neonatal cardiac emergencies represent a unique subset of cardiac emergencies that can be difficult to distinguish from other critical neonatal pathologies such as sepsis and metabolic crisis. In this article, we review current approaches to the neonate with a potential cardiac emergency, highlighting common modes of presentation and providing strategies to distinguish cardiac from noncardiac etiologies. Rapid identification of a potential neonatal cardiac emergency allows for the most efficient and appropriate use of resources in this patient population while ensuring that life-threatening cardiac disease is aggressively managed to ensure the best possible outcome. Unique to the neonate is the “ductal dependent circulation” and a common feature of the cardiac lesions reviewed below. Although there is overlap, other lesions that can result in shock (and are not ductal dependent) are reviewed elsewhere in this issue of Clinical Pediatric Emergency Medicine.