cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluations of Ethical Situations by University Faculty: A Comparative Study

Abstract This article reports the results of a pilot study comparing ethical situation evaluations by nonbusiness faculty with those of business faculty at five colleges at a southern university. Data were collected from 231 faculty members; 73 from liberal arts, 49 from pure and applied sciences, 38 from pharmacy, 37 from education, and 34 from business. Each faculty member was asked to rank 30 ethical situations on a scale ranging from very unethical (1) to not at all unethical (5). Though a t test of significant differences of combined means did not produce significant differences at the.05 level, business faculty were significantly less ethically sensitive on many individual items than were faculty from other disciplines.
Selective inactivation of rabbit muscle glycerophosphate dehydrogenase by diazotized 3-aminopyridine adenine dinucleotide.

Abstract Rabbit muscle glycerophosphate dehydrogenase was rapidly and irreversibly inactivated at pH 7.0 and 4 °C by low concentrations of diazotized 3-aminopyridine adenine dinucleotide. The enzyme was protected from inactivation by the presence of NAD. During the inactivation process, 2 mol of diazotized 3-aminopyridine adenine dinucleotide was covalently attached per 1 mol of enzyme or one diazotized 3-aminopyridine adenine dinucleotide per active site. The selective modification of an active-site cysteine residue was indicated by the observation that one sulfhydryl group per active site was lost during the inactivation process. Diazotized 3-aminopyridine adenine dinucleotide did not irreversibly inactivate bovine lactate dehydrogenase, M 4 isozyme, or bovine heart mitochondrial malate dehydrogenase, presumably due to the inaccessibility of active-site sulfhydryl groups. Diazotized 3-aminopyridine adenine dinucleotide was selectively bound to the lactate dehydrogenase as a coenzyme-competitive inhibitor.
The University of Iowa Nursing Collaboratory: a partnership for creative education and practice.

This article describes a comprehensive partnership between a college of nursing and its corresponding department of nursing services. The Nursing Collaboratory was created to provide an infrastructure for the generation, dissemination, and application of knowledge to improve nursing practice and patient outcomes. In addition to creative problem solving, the Collaboratory serves as an "incubator" of ideas and innovation, engaging nursing staff, faculty, and students in the development of new products and services to enhance nursing education and practice. J Prof Nurs 17:114-120, 2001.
The effects of dose and repeated administration on the longer-term hypophagia produced by amphetamine in rats.

Abstract Rats are hypophagic approximately 1–3 and 13–27 h after receiving amphetamine (2.0 mg/kg). This study examined how these short- and longer-term phases of hypophagia were affected by repeated administration of different amphetamine doses. Throughout eight five-day tests, the rats could lever press for food pellets for 1-hour periods beginning every three hours. On test day 1, the rats were treated with saline, and on test day 3, they were treated with a dose of amphetamine. Across tests, for one group, treatment on day 3 alternated between 0.0 (saline) and 0.5 mg/kg amphetamine; for a second, group treatment on day 3 alternated between 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg amphetamine; and for a third group, treatment on day 3 was always 1.0 mg/kg amphetamine. The patterns of food intake following day 1 saline and day 3 treatment were compared. Short-term food intake was abolished by 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mg/kg amphetamine, and no tolerance was observed to this effect. Longer-term hypophagia was produced by 1.0 and 2.0 but not by 0.5 mg/kg. Tolerance to longer-term hypophagia was seen when 1.0 mg/kg alone was used as the day 3 treatment, but not when 1.0 and 2.0 mg/kg were alternated across tests as the day 3 treatment. Short- and longer-term hypophagia were dissociated by threshold doses for elicitation and by differential tolerance. Occasional receipt of a higher amphetamine dose may sometimes increase the longer-term hypophagia produced by a lower dose.
An Envelope Approach to Time-Dependent Reliability Analysis for Mechanisms

This work is concerned with the time-dependent mechanism reliability defined over a period of time where a certain motion output is required. An envelope approach is proposed to improve the accuracy of the time-dependent mechanism reliability analysis. The envelope function of the motion error over the time period is created. Since the envelope function is not explicitly related to time, the time-dependent problem is converted into a time-independent problem. Then the envelope function is approximated by piecewise hyper-planes. To find the expansion points of the hyper-planes, the approach linearizes the motion error at the means of random dimension variables, and this approximation is accurate because the tolerances or the variances of the dimension variables are small. Then the expansion points are found with the maximum probability density at the failure threshold. The time-dependent mechanism reliability is then estimated by a multivariable normal distribution function at the expansion points. As an example, analytical equations are derived for a four-bar function generating mechanism. The numerical example shows the significant accuracy improvement.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Advanced statistics: developing a formal model of emergency department census and defining operational efficiency.

Background: Emergency department (ED) crowding has been a frequent topic of investigation, but it is a concept without an objective definition. This has limited the scope of research and progress toward the development of consistent and meaningful operational responses. Objectives: To develop a straightforward model of ED census that incorporates concepts of ED crowding, daily patient surge, throughput time, and operational efficiency. Methods: Using 2005–2006 patient encounter data at a Level 1 urban trauma center, a set of three stylized facts describing daily patterns of ED census was observed. These facts guided the development of a formal, mathematical model of ED census. Using this model, a metric of ED operational efficiency and a forecast of ED census were developed. Results: The three stylized facts of daily ED census were 1) ED census is cyclical, 2) ED census exhibits an input-output relationship, and 3) unexpected shocks have long-lasting effects. These were represented by a three-equation system. This system was solved for the following expression, Censust = A(·) + B(·) cos(vT +e) + a(et), that captured the time path of ED census. Using nonlinear estimation, the parameters of this expression were estimated and a forecasting tool was developed. Conclusions: The basic pattern of ED census can be represented by a straightforward expression. This expression can be quickly adapted to a variety of inquiries regarding ED crowding, daily surge, and operational efficiency.
Venereal transmission of hepatitis B virus.

To the Editor.— The observations of Kiernan and Powers (241:585, 1979), that patients who are carriers for hepatitis B surface antigen often have inappropriate responses to questions about transmission risks, represent an important clinical point of information. Regardless of the small size of their study, the inference can be made that patients are often not clearly informed as to the infectious nature of their illness. This in part may be due to the rapidly growing mass of information surrounding hepatitis B and the changing clinical concepts associated with that growth. Although the venereal nature of this infection has long been recognized, 1 there have been few attempts to study its sexual transmission in a systematic fashion. The high rate of infection in homosexual men (238: 2625, 1977) is probably partially related to the dearth of public health measures aimed at patient education and prevention of spread. To this end, the
Ionic Conduction in Polyphosphazene Solids and Gels: 13C, 31P, and 15N NMR Spectroscopy and Molecular Dynamics Simulations

Polyphosphazene single-substituent polymers were synthesized with the general formula [NP(OCH2CH2OCH2CH2XCH3)2] where X = oxygen for polymer 5 or X = sulfur for polymer 6. Characterization of these...
Recognizing and Responding to Retirement Obligations Other Postemployment Benefits in Florida Cities and Counties

With the implementation of recent accounting standards (GASB 43 and 45), local governments began reporting their liabilities and funding levels for postemployment benefits other than pensions—so-called OPEBs. In this article we pose three questions: (a) What factors affect the size of a government’s OPEB liability? (b) How did the OPEB standards affect the way governments manage their OPEB plans? and (c) What factors explain government responds to the OPEB standards? We draw data directly from audited financial reports in Florida counties and cities to examine those questions. Our results suggest that benefit policies, personnel characteristics, and actuarial cost methods are the most influential factors in determining a size of a government’s OPEB liability. Our results also provide evidence that many governments responded to the OPEB standards by reducing their benefits and changing their funding approaches. We show preliminary evidence of differences in governments that changed their policies or fundin...
Local and metastatic tumor growth and membrane properties of LM fibroblasts in athymic (nude) mice

Abstract LM fibroblasts grown in a chemically-defined, serum-free medium readily incorporated choline or one of three analogues of choline, namely N,N- dimethylethanolamine , N- monomethylethanolamine , or ethanolamine into membrane phospholipids. The effect of these phospholipid manipulations in vitro on tumor growth and metastasis was examined in nude mice. Serum and choline-fed cells most frequently metastasized (74% and 68%, respectively), while frequency of lung metastasis was 46%, 42% and 17% in mice injected with cells fed with dimethylethanolamine, monomethylethanolamine, and ethanolamine, respectively. Metastases from cells cultured with serum, choline or dimethylethanolamine, but not from monomethylethanolamine or ethanolamine, were extensive and highly invasive. The specific activity of the ( Na + + K + )-ATPase but not of 5′-nucleotidase was significantly decreased in local tumor plasma membranes from choline analogue-fed cells as compared to tumor plasma membranes from choline-fed cells. When compared to the choline-fed tumor cells, the specific activities of three mitochondrial enzymes, namely NADH dependent, rotenone insensitive NADH-dependent, and rotenone sensitive NADH-dependent cytochrome -c reductase, were significantly increased in the choline analogue-supplemented cells. The arachidonic acid content of phosphatidylcholine in plasma membranes, microsomes, and mitochondria was significantly decreased in tumor membranes from choline analogue-fed cells as compared to tumor membranes from choline-fed cells. As compared to local tumor plasma membranes, the lung metastasis plasma membranes had elevated ( Na + + K + )-ATPase specific activity, phospholipid oleic and arachidonic acid content, and fluidity. In contrast, the 5′-nucleotidase specific activity, the content of cholesterol, phospholipid, and phosphatidylethanolamine were decreased in lung metastasis plasma membranes. In summary, membrane alterations of LM tumor cells in vitro (1) were not completely reversed in vivo, and (2) affected metastatic ability.
Volatile Methoxybenzene Compounds in Grains with Off-Odors

More than 20 volatile methoxybenzene compounds were found in a set of 745 corn, sorghum, soybean, and wheat samples obtained from official grain inspectors. Most samples containing methoxybenzenes ...
Quenching of singlet oxygen by nickelocene

Abstract The rate constants k Δ q for the quenching of singlet oxygen by nickelocene were determined in various solvents at 295 K by employing the competition technique based on 532 nm laser flash photolysis and 1,3-diphenyl-isobenzofuran bleaching kinetics. Contrary to the behavior of paramagnetic nickel(II) complexes in general, nickelocene is an efficient quencher of singlet oxygen ( k Δ q = (2.8 – 6.8) × 10 9 M −1 s −1 ). The quenching mechanism involves both energy transfer and reversible charge transfer interactions.
Formation of the Earth

The origin of the earth is discussed in the context of the formation of the sun and the planets, and a standard model for such a formation assuming gravitational instability in a dense interstellar molecular cloud is outlined, along with the most significant variant of the model in which the loss of the nebular gas occurred after the formation of the earth. The formation of the sun and solar nebulae is addressed, and the coagulation of grains and the formation of small planetesimals are covered, along with the gravitational accumulation of planetesimals into planetary embryos and final stages of accumulation - embryos of planets. It is pointed out that the final stage of accumulation consists of the collision of these embryos; because of their large size, particularly after their further growth, these collisions represent giant impacts. It is concluded that the earth was initially an extremely hot and melted planet, surrounded by a fragile atmosphere and subject to violent impacts by bodies of the size of Ceres and even the moon.
Cold Suppresses Agonist-induced Activation of TRPV1

Cold therapy is frequently used to reduce pain and edema following acute injury or surgery such as tooth extraction. However, the neurobiological mechanisms of cold therapy are not completely understood. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) is a capsaicin- and heat-gated nociceptive ion channel implicated in thermosensation and pathological pain under conditions of inflammation or injury. Although capsaicin-induced nociception, neuropeptide release, and ionic currents are suppressed by cold, it is not known if cold suppresses agonist-induced activation of recombinant TRPV1. We demonstrate that cold strongly suppressed the activation of recombinant TRPV1 by multiple agonists and capsaicin-evoked currents in trigeminal ganglia neurons under normal and phosphorylated conditions. Cold-induced suppression was partially impaired in a TRPV1 mutant that lacked heat-mediated activation and potentiation. These results suggest that cold-induced suppression of TRPV1 may share a common molecular basis with heat-induced potentiation, and that allosteric inhibition may contribute, in part, to the cold-induced suppression. We also show that combination of cold and a specific antagonist of TRPV1 can produce an additive suppression. Our results provide a mechanistic basis for cold therapy and may enhance anti-nociceptive approaches that target TRPV1 for managing pain under inflammation and tissue injury, including that from tooth extraction.
The Funding of Research in Social‐Cultural Anthropology at the National Science Foundation

The National Science Foundation is the largest single source of finds for research targeted in cultural anthropology. The patterns of funding for “senior” research (post-Ph.D.) since 1956 are described and analyzed. Total dollars spent have increased, but the average grant size has decreased in recent years. The chances of getting funding are found not to be different if one is female or more senior, has resubmitted a previously declined proposal, or has a Ph.D. from an “elite” program. Smaller proposals and proposals from “elite” institutions have a slightly higher probability of getting funded. Differences in funding across research areas (geographical and substantive) are also discussed.
Heat conduction in silicon thin films: Effect of microstructure

A study was made of the thermal properties of low pressure chemical vapor deposition (LPCVD) silicon thin films with amorphous and polycrystalline microstructures, produced by varying the substrate temperature. Thermal diffusivity measurements were conducted using a thermal wave technique. The thermal diffusivity of the polycrystalline films was found to be about three times that of the amorphous films, but about one eighth that of bulk silicon single crystals. There was also an indication that the diffusivity increased with deposition temperature above the transition temperature from the amorphous to the polycrystalline state. The relationships between the thermal properties and microstructural features, such as grain size and grain boundary, are discussed.
Mass Producing Food Traditions for West Africans Abroad

In this article, I examine West African foods sold mainly in specialty grocery stores, focusing on how technologies used in food production in West Africa are referenced in the brand names and packaging of processed African foods sold in the United States. Through their association with “timeless” West African food-processing techniques, such foods evoke memories of childhood and home. Yet the transformation of West African foods through new technologies of processing, packaging, and branding reflects different time and health concerns of West African immigrants living in the United States. Through their purchase of time-saving, mass-produced, and hygienically packaged foodstuffs, which are ideologically similar to but technologically very different from the production processes and cooking in Africa, West Africans in the United States use food to maintain social relations with their particular families, hometown associations, and religious groups, while also constituting national, regional, and global connections through the reinvention of food traditions.
Preference-free optimal hedging using futures

Abstract This paper provides an alternative formulation and proof of the conditions under which optimal hedge ratios are independent of risk preference and points out that the conditions are satisfied by a wide class of models of spot and futures returns.
Battery powered thought: Enhancement of attention, learning, and memory in healthy adults using transcranial direct current stimulation

This article reviews studies demonstrating enhancement with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of attention, learning, and memory processes in healthy adults. Given that these are fundamental cognitive functions, they may also mediate stimulation effects on other higher-order processes such as decision-making and problem solving. Although tDCS research is still young, there have been a variety of methods used and cognitive processes tested. While these different methods have resulted in seemingly contradictory results among studies, many consistent and noteworthy effects of tDCS on attention, learning, and memory have been reported. The literature suggests that although tDCS as typically applied may not be as useful for localization of function in the brain as some other methods of brain stimulation, tDCS may be particularly well-suited for practical applications involving the enhancement of attention, learning, and memory, in both healthy subjects and in clinical populations.
The photodissociation of water by doped iron oxides: The unblased p/n assembly

Abstract Mott-Schottky capacitance measurements are used to locate semiconductor band edges for a short-circuited p-type/n-type α-Fe 2 O 3 assembly in aqueous solution. The thermodynamic feasibility of the catalytic photodiscussion of water without external bias is verified for this assembly from an energy level diagram obtained for the electrode/electrolyte interfaces. Photocurrent stability and Auger analysis of the electrode show no evidence of electrode dissolution. Oxygen evolution is monitored from an assembly using mass spectrometry and H 2 18 O enriched water.
Temporary Hemiplegia from Cerebral Injection of Diodrast during Catheter Aortography

Brain damage manifested by convulsions, hemiplegia, or death may result whenever concentrated Diodrast is injected into the cerebral circulation. Reactions are fairly common following cerebral giography but may follow contrast visualization of the thoracic aorta by any method. The greatest danger is in aortography when the maximum dye concentration is in the aortic arch. The reactions probably do not result from vascular spasm but from an alteration in the blood-brain barrier. It is possible to minimize the danger of reactions in aortography by observing certain simple precautions. Treatment of brain damage when it occurs, however, is not satisfactory.
Efficiently binding data to owners in distributed content-addressable storage systems

Distributed content-addressable storage systems use self-verifying data to protect data integrity and to enable graceful scaling. One feature commonly missing from these systems, however, is the ability to identify the owner of a piece of data in a non-repudiable manner. While a solution that associates a certificate with each block of data is conceptually simple, researchers have traditionally claimed that the cost of creating and maintaining certificates is too great. In this paper, we demonstrate that systems can, in fact, efficiently map data to its owner in a secure and non-repudiable fashion. To reduce the cost of creating and maintaining certificates, we extend the traditional content-addressable interface to allow the aggregation of many small data blocks into larger containers. The aggregation is performed in a way that also supports self-verifying data at the granularity of the block and container, fine-granularity access, and incremental updates. We describe two prototype implementations and present preliminary performance results from deployments on PlanetLab and a local cluster
Preliminary report on microamorphous silica as a suspending agent in calamine lotion.

Two and four per cent aqueous suspensions of microcrystalline silica are described. These suspensions were substituted for 5 per cent aqueous bentonite suspension in Calamine Lotion and Chalk Mixture. Four per cent silica suspension appears to be superior to 5 per cent bentonite suspension in Calamine Lotion. Substitution of 5 per cent bentonite by 4 per cent silica suspension in Chalk Mixture proved to be unsatisfactory.
Trends in the Prescribing of Oral Agents for the Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in the United States, 1990-2001 Does Type of Insurance Influence Access to Innovation?

The objectives of the present study were (1) to discern trends in the prescribing of oral pharmacotherapy for the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in the United States during the years 1990 through 2001 and (2) to examine the mediating role of primary health insurance coverage on patients' access to pharmaceutical innovation for the management of type 2 DM.Data from the US National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS) for the years 1990 through 2001 were used for this analysis.National estimates of the number of office-based visits documenting a diagnosis of type 2 DM and the prescribing of an oral medication for glycemic control increased from 7 871 283 in 1990 to 13 730 886 in 2001 (a 74.4% increase). A significantly higher proportion of patients covered by private health insurance were prescribed a newer agent, either alone or as part of a combination regimen of oral agents, as compared to patients covered by either Medicare or Medicaid (chi(2) < or = .001).Over the time frame of 1995 through 2001, access to pharmaceutical innovation for the management of type 2 DM was mediated by the patient's primary source of health insurance coverage. Future research will need to discern the effect of observed differences in the prescribing of oral agents for the management of type 2 DM on both clinical and economic outcomes and, in light of ongoing discussion regarding health care reform in the United States, to foster clinically rational and equitable access to pharmaceutical innovation.
A universal optical heterostructure for photonic integrated circuits: a case study in the AlGaAs material system

An approach for the realization of a single heterostructure for multiple optical device applications in a photonic integrated circuit environment is addressed from the standpoint of building into the heterostructure separate device features. In particular, a low compositionally graded depressed cladding laser structure is shown to have a large mode, compared to a structure optimized for maximum confinement factor, and a radiation loss an order of magnitude lower than for a structure without the inner cladding, features which are important for fiber coupling and for compact bends. By incorporating a narrow gap section into the barrier layer, a bulk electroabsorption modulator can be integrated into the same structure that contains quantum wells for optical amplifiers. Data are presented on the device properties of a single heterostructure when used as large optical cavity lasers, s-bends, and bulk electroabsorption modulators. The only laser parameter affected by the incorporation of the modulator is the transparency current density which is increased 25% over standard structures. The performance of rib delineated s-bends is exceeded only by native oxide defined small optical cavity laser structures. The electroabsorption modulator, which was activated in a disordered section under reverse bias, had a modulation depth approximately 1/3 that predicted by model studies which was attributed to the depletion electric field profile. Methods for improving the modulation depth while lowering the transparency current density are outlined.
Morbidity and mortality in cirrhotic Patients undergoing anesthesia and surgery

Background: Patients with cirrhosis have a reduced life expectancy. Anesthesia and surgery have been associated with clinical decompensation in patients with cirrhosis. Metbods: The authors retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients with the diagnosis of cirrhosis who underwent any surgical procedure under anesthesia at their institution between January 1980 and January 1991 (n = 733). Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to identify the variables associated with perioperative complications and short- and long-term survival. Results: The perioperative mortality rate (within 30 days of surgery) was 11.6%. The perioperative complication rate was 30.1%. Postoperative pneumonia was the most frequent complication. Multivariate factors that were associated with perioperative complications and mortality included male gender, a high Child-Pugh score, the presence of ascites, a diagnosis of cirrhosis other than primary biliary cirrhosis (especially cryptogenic cirrhosis), an elevated creatinine concentration, the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, preoperative infection, preoperative upper gastrointestinal bleeding, a high American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status rating, a high surgical severity score, surgery on the respiratory system, and the presence of intraoperative hypotension. Conclusion: Risk factors have been identified for patients with cirrhosis who undergo anesthesia and surgery.
Acute Fluoride Toxicity from Ingesting Home-use Dental Products in Children, Birth to 6 Years of Age

Objectives: This paper analyzes reports to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC) of suspected overingestion of fluoride by children younger than 6 years of age between 1989 and 1994, and estimates the probably toxic amounts of various home-use fluoride products in children younger than 6 years of age. Methods: Annual incidence rates of reported fluoride exposures attributed to dietary supplements, toothpaste, and rinses were calculated. Probably toxic amounts of each product were calculated using the frequently cited dose of 5 mg/kg. Results: Children younger than 6 years of age accounted for more than 80 percent of reports of suspected overingestion. While the outcomes were generally not serious, several hundred children were treated at health care facilities each year. A 10 kg child who ingests 50 mg fluoride (10.1 g 1.1% NaF gel; 32.7 g 0.63% SnF2 gel; 33.3 g 1,500 ppm F toothpaste; 50 g 1,000 ppm F toothpaste; and 221 mL 0.05% NaF rinse) will have ingested a probably toxic dose. Conclusion: Overingestion of fluoride products in the home is preventable. Dentists and other health care providers should educate parents and child care providers about the importance of keeping fluoride products out of reach of children. Manufacturers should be encouraged by the ADA and the FDA to use child-resistant packaging for all fluoride products intended for use in the home.
Probing Protein Interactions of Cyanylated Acyl Carrier Proteins using Vibrational Spectroscopy

Acyl carrier proteins (ACPs) are highly conserved protein domains involved in the synthesis of polyketides, natural products essential to pharmaceutical drug development. ACPs are part of a multicomponent modular system known as polyketide synthases (PKSs). Understanding these systems permits the manipulation of PKSs to produce “unnatural” natural compounds essential for combating health issues. ACPs interact with PKS domains through a flexible 4′phosphopantetheine (4′-Ppant) prosthetic arm that undergoes important and fast conformational changes difficult to track with NMR and X-ray crystallography. We installed a thiocyanate (-SCN) probe on the terminal thiol of a 4′ Ppant arm to observe these conformations on a picosecond time scale. The method enables the identification of factors affecting 4′ Ppant arm movement. We observed the effects on 6-deoxyerythronolide B synthase (DEBS) and fatty acid synthase (FAS) ACP conformation when titrated with their respective catalytic ketosynthase (KS) partners. Vibrational spectroscopy reveals that dynamic protein-protein interactions as well as substrate chain length perturb the conformation and location of the 4′ Ppant arm.
The structure and function of the rous sarcoma virus RNA stability element

For simple retroviruses, such as the Rous sarcoma virus (RSV), post-transcriptional control elements regulate viral RNA splicing, export, stability, and packaging into virions. These RNA sequences interact with cellular host proteins to regulate and facilitate productive viral infections. One such element, known as the RSV stability element (RSE), is required for maintaining stability of the full-length unspliced RNA. This viral RNA serves as the mRNA for the Gag and Pol proteins and also as the genome packaged in progeny virions. When the RSE is deleted from the viral RNA, the unspliced RNA becomes unstable and is degraded in a Upf1-dependent manner. Current evidence suggests that the RSE inhibits recognition of the viral gag termination codon by the nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) pathway. We believe that the RSE acts as an insulator to NMD, thereby preventing at least one of the required functional steps that target an mRNA for degradation. Here, we discuss the history of the RSE and the current model of how the RSE is interacting with cellular NMD factors.
Comparison of Shiga Toxin Production by Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome-Associated and Bovine-Associated Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Isolates

There is considerable diversity among Shiga toxin (Stx)-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) bacteria, and only a subset of these organisms are thought to be human pathogens. The characteristics that distinguish STEC bacteria that give rise to human disease are not well understood. Stxs, the principal virulence determinants of STEC, are thought to account for hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe clinical consequence of STEC infection. Stxs are typically bacteriophage encoded, and their production has been shown to be enhanced by prophage-inducing agents such as mitomycin C in a limited number of clinical STEC isolates. Low iron concentrations also enhance Stx production by some clinical isolates; however, little is known regarding whether and to what extent these stimuli regulate Stx production by STEC associated with cattle, the principal environmental reservoir of STEC. In this study, we investigated whether toxin production differed between HUS- and bovine-associated STEC strains. Basal production of Stx by HUS-associated STEC exceeded that of bovine-associated STEC. In addition, following mitomycin C treatment, Stx2 production by HUS-associated STEC was significantly greater than that by bovine-associated STEC. Unexpectedly, mitomycin C treatment had a minimal effect on Stx1 production by both HUS- and bovine-associated STEC. However, Stx1 production was induced by growth in low-iron medium, and induction was more marked for HUS-associated STEC than for bovine-associated STEC. These observations reveal that disease-associated and bovine-associated STEC bacteria differ in their basal and inducible Stx production characteristics.
Revisiting the Issue of Performance Enhancement of Discrete Event Simulation Software

New approaches are considered for performance enhancement of discrete-event simulation software. Instead of taking a purely algorithmic analysis view, we supplement algorithmic considerations with focus on system factors such as compiler/interpreter efficiency, hybrid interpreted/compiled code, virtual and cache memory issues, and so on. The work here consists of a case study of the SimPy language, in which we achieve significant speedups by addressing these factors
Experimental evaluation of a chatter free sliding mode control for lateral control in AHS

Presents the design and experimental evaluation of a vehicle lateral controller for automated highway systems (AHS) based on sliding mode control (SMC). The primary control objective is to track the lane center line. The dynamic model of the, vehicle is nonlinear and has parametric uncertainties. SMC, a robust control technique is used to take care of the nonlinearities and parametric uncertainties in the model. Importance is given to reduction or elimination of the control chatter inherent in the SMC systems involving switching functions. An SMC based controller is designed such that asymptotic tracking is assured without chatter. A robust observer is designed for lateral velocity estimation. Closed loop experiments done on a passenger car are presented.
Improving TCP performance over mobile ad hoc networks by exploiting cross-layer information awareness

TCP performance degrades significantly in mobile ad hoc networks because most of packet losses occur as a result of route failures. Prior work proposed to provide link failure feedback to TCP so that TCP can avoid responding to route failures as if congestion had occurred. However, after a link failure is detected, several packets will be dropped from the network interface queue; TCP will time out because of these losses. It will also time out for ACK losses caused by route failures. In this paper, we propose to make routing protocols aware of lost data packets and ACKs and help reduce TCP timeouts for mobility-induced losses. Toward this end, we present two mechanisms: early packet loss notification (EPLN) and best-effort ACK delivery (BEAD). EPLN seeks to notify TCP senders about lost data packets. For lost ACKs, BEAD attempts to retransmit ACKs at either intermediate nodes or TCP receivers. Both mechanisms extensively use cached routes, without initiating route discoveries at any intermediate node. We evaluate TCP-ELFN enhanced with the two mechanisms using two caching strategies for DSR, path caches and a distributed cache update algorithm proposed in our prior work. We show that TCP-ELFN with EPLN and BEAD significantly outperforms TCP-ELFN under both caching strategies. We conclude that cross-layer information awareness is key to making TCP efficient in the presence of mobility.
Correlation and prediction of the viscosity of defined and undefined hydrocarbon liquids

A new method based on the effective carbon number is presented for the correlation and prediction of the viscosity of liquid hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon mixtures. It is proposed that the effective carbon number for the substance of interest be obtained from a single viscosity datum in the liquid range. The viscosity-temperature relationships of sixty-nine hydrocarbons, eleven defined hydrocarbon mixtures and eight crude oil fractions were studied in the present work. In general, calculated viscosities compared favorably with experimental data for all the systems studied. The calculated viscosities were also found to compare favorably with the results of the widely-used TRAPP method.
Self-Assembled Resonance Energy Transfer Keys for Secure Communication over Classical Channels.

Modern authentication and communication protocols increasingly use physical keys in lieu of conventional software-based keys for security. This shift is primarily driven by the ability to derive a unique, unforgeable signature from a physical key. The sole demonstration of an unforgeable key, thus far, has been through quantum key distribution, which suffers from limited communication distances and expensive infrastructure requirements. Here, we show a method for creating unclonable keys by molecular self-assembly of resonance energy transfer (RET) devices. It is infeasible to clone the RET-key due to the inability to characterize the key using current technology, the large number of input–output combinations per key, and the variation of the key’s response with time. However, the manufacturer can produce multiple identical devices, which enables inexpensive, secure authentication and communication over classical channels, and thus any distance. Through a detailed experimental survey of the nanoscale keys...
TARGET PROFIT PRICING WITH THE WEB-BASED BREAKEVEN ANALYSIS PACKAGE

The web-based Breakeven Analysis Package enables competing participant teams to consider cost and demand factors when setting price. Participants set target profit and desired margin or price for each strategic business unit (SBU). The fixed and variable costs are computed based on inputs extracted from the simulation results. Based on these inputs, the unit and dollar sales needed to achieve the target profit at the set price are computed for each SBU. Participants can adjust the desired profit and margin or price until the unit and dollar sales needed to achieve the target profit at the set price are realistic. Cell comments clarify input variables used and calculations made.
Postoperative Complications in Elderly Patients Undergoing Head and Neck Surgery: Opportunities for Quality Improvement.

ObjectiveTo assess the frequency and nature of postoperative complications that occur in elderly patients, as compared with younger patients, following head and neck surgery.Study DesignCohort study of national database.SettingAmerican College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program from 2005 to 2013.Subjects and MethodsWe identified 29,891 patients who had head and neck surgery during the study period and classified them as having upper aerodigestive tract surgery (n = 8383) or endocrine/salivary gland (n = 21,508) surgery. We analyzed patients stratified by age categories: young (<65 years), intermediate age (65-75 years), and elderly (≥75 years). Risk-adjusted 30-day morbidity and mortality outcomes were compared across age categories with multivariable logistic regression models to adjust for patient characteristics, comorbidities, and surgical procedure.ResultsElderly patients had increased odds for morbidity (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.22-1.78; OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1....
Using surface-wave methods for static corrections: a near-surface study at Spring Coulee, Alberta

Irregularities in thickness and velocity of near-surface layers may adversely affect seismic reflection images. Static corrections, calculated from near-surface velocity models, are used to remove the effects of the variable near surface. In this paper near-surface layers are characterized using a method known as Multi-Channel Analysis of Surface Waves (MASW). This method is mainly used for geotechnical engineering applications and is based on the dispersion properties of Rayleigh-waves. Here, it is used for calculating S-wave statics for a site located at Spring Coulee, Alberta. The results are compared to those generated by applying Generalized Linear Inversion (GLI) of first arrival times; a widely used and proven method for obtaining near-surface velocity and statics models for both Pand S-waves.
Azeotropy in refrigerant mixtures

Abstract Azeotropic mixtures are attractive as refrigerants because they behave very nearly as pure materials. A simple correlative scheme that allows one to judge whether or not an azeotrope is likely in a binary refrigerant mixture is developed. The existence of 65 azeotropes in the 300 possible binary mixtures of 25 selected refrigerants is predicted. Of those, 23 have been reported in extensive compilations of such information. Among the remainder, for which there is apparently no experimental information, are mixtures that might offer promise as alternative refrigerants.
A Fatal Case of Acute Myeloid Leukaemia—Methotrexate Related or Primary Autoimmune Disease Related: A Rare Case Report

Methotrexate is being used for many years in the treatment of chronic medical disorders e.g. rheumatoid arthritis since 1951. It has been associated with various systemic toxicities and complications including bone marrow suppression and lymphomas. The development of leukaemia in a patient of chronic rheumatoid arthritis is either related with the primary disease or due to the drugs which are used in the treatment like cyclophosphamide. In our present case, a 70-year-old female who was a known case of Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and was on methotrexate once a week orally for the past 20 years presented with complaints of loss of appetite, loss of weight and anaemia since 2 months. After thorough examination and investigation, she was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML-M4) with bilateral chest consolidation.
Cooperation Revenue,Public participation and Social Harmony——based on the perspective of the evolution of public administration

In the development of public administration theory,there have been three representative opinions and modes of governance.Because the three modes are based on individualist thinking,there are a number of limitations to tackling the problems of formation and allotment of cooperation revenue and citizens' political participation.Political science of public benefit formed in the 1980s realized transformation of the starting point of research.However,the emergence of the theory of discourse democracy in the 1990's laid down a new thought foundation and theoretical framework to deal with this topic.This paper considers that,with discourse democracy as a guide,it is feasible to impel social harmony by exploring the construction of a platform of the conditions and system for cooperation revenue and citizens' participation.
Management of stroke risk factors during the process of rehabilitation. Secondary stroke prevention.

Epidemiologic and prospective cohort studies have shown a strong correlation between risk factors and stroke morbidity and mortality. The reduction or control of risk factors, on the other hand, can reduce stroke morbidity and mortality. Rehabilitation professionals involved in comprehensive rehabilitation of stroke patients may include the management of risk factors in the scope of their practice and thus contribute to longer life expectancy and improved quality of life of these patients. Decreasing disability, improving quality of life, and prolonging life are chief goals of the rehabilitation process. This article reviews the rationale for risk manangement and stresses the value of aerobic and conditioning exercises and is intended to supplement the article on stroke prevention co-authored by Daryl Gress and Vineeta Singh.
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF CATHETER-RELATED INFECTIONS IN CHILDREN

There is no standardized approach to exit site care and the treatment of catheter-related infections. In this study 32 children (age range 1 month -15 years) receiving chronic peritoneal dialysis r...
“Eloquence is Power”: Hobbes on the Use and Abuse of Rhetoric

Thomas Hobbes is a severe critic of rhetoric but he is also a careful student and skillful practitioner of the art of persuasion. Many critics have therefore argued that Hobbes9s views of rhetoric are both conflicted and inconsistent. In contrast, I argue that Hobbes9s conception of rhetoric displays remarkable consistency. While he rejects the abuses of rhetoric abundant in political oratory he nevertheless embraces the power of eloquence. In Leviathan Hobbes reconciles his appreciation of eloquence with his distrust of oratory by refashioning rhetoric into a private, rather than public art, which fulfills many of the traditional duties of rhetoric.
Moral distress in physicians and nurses: Impact on professional quality of life and turnover.

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate moral distress (MD) and turnover intent as related to professional quality of life in physicians and nurses at a tertiary care hospital. Method Health care providers from a variety of hospital departments anonymously completed 2 validated questionnaires (Moral Distress Scale-Revised and Professional Quality of Life Scale). Compassion fatigue (as measured by secondary traumatic stress [STS] and burnout [BRN]) and compassion satisfaction are subscales which make up one's professional quality of life. Relationships between these constructs and clinicians' years in health care, critical care patient load, and professional discipline were explored. Results The findings (n = 329) demonstrated significant correlations between STS, BRN, and MD. Scores associated with intentions to leave or stay in a position were indicative of high verses low MD. We report highest scoring situations of MD as well as when physicians and nurses demonstrate to be most at risk for STS, BRN and MD. Both physicians and nurses identified the events contributing to the highest level of MD as being compelled to provide care that seems ineffective and working with a critical care patient load >50%. Conclusion The results from this study of physicians and nurses suggest that the presence of MD significantly impacts turnover intent and professional quality of life. Therefore implementation of emotional wellness activities (e.g., empowerment, opportunity for open dialog regarding ethical dilemmas, policy making involvement) coupled with ongoing monitoring and routine assessment of these maladaptive characteristics is warranted. (PsycINFO Database Record
The Impact of Patent Wars on Firm Strategy: Evidence from the Global Smartphone Market

We examine how patent wars affect firm strategy during ecosystem competition. Using data from the global smartphone industry, we show that smartphone vendors, even if they are not directly involved...
Profitable Destruction between Experimentality and Governmentality: A theoretical perspective

Despite the “post-neoliberal” predictions of neoliberalism’s demise triggered by the recent “great recession” of 2007-11, the political economy of contemporary capitalism has continued to operate as a formidable engine of social transformation and the selective accumulation of wealth. It is generally recognized that the interpretation and meaning of these claims of change and continuity varies with the political perspective of the observer as well as the participants.