cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alzheimer’s Disease Legislation And Policy—Now And In The Future

Recent studies have pointed to the large and increasingly complex issues surrounding dementia in American society in general and health care in particular. The initial foray into the federal policy arena, the National Alzheimer’s Project Act, is a good first step but remains limited in scope and resources. Seeing the need for greater effort, thirty-three states have convened advisory groups and published their own plans for coordinating state-level activity to address Alzheimer’s disease across service systems. This article examines the current federal and state policy statements on dementia-related issues and offers an outlook and suggestions for next steps along with the imperative for action on a significant scale. This is necessary to address issues in a meaningful way today instead of simply holding out hope for a treatment or cure in the future. Dementia in general and Alzheimer’s disease in particular affect individuals and every facet of families, health care, business, states, and communities. Wh...
Piezotensegritic structures for transducer applications

Piezoelectricity and tensegrity have been coupled into an electrically active device. This concept, hereby known as piezotensegrity, can be used to sense or actuate. A composite sensor has been tested using compression elements stabilized with tensioning bands. The piezoelectric elements are arranged on the face diagonals with perimeter tension bands. Experimental piezoelectric response from this design was 1200 pC/N in air testing with peak hydrostatic response of 700 pC/N. The good device sensitivity as compared to properties of the base piezoelectric material is attributed to the internal arrangement of the piezoelectric elements and the tensioning system.
Assumptio Mosis and the Eschatology of Despair

Assumptio Mosis is an early first-millennium Jewish work framed as a farewell discourse from Moses to Joshua. The work rewrites the ending section of Deuteronomy, and includes within it a prophecy describing events in the distant future, alternative or supplementary to the predictions offered in Deuteronomy proper. This new twist on Moses’s prophetic vision may derive from a certain despair faced by the community of which this author was a part, perhaps, as the article suggests, the Hadrianic persecution. According to this visionary re-interpretation of Deuteronomy, there is nothing for the Jews to do but suffer and wait for redemption until the world is undone and they leave it for a better place; an eschatology of defeat and despair, at least in this world.
Critical grain size for nanocrystalline-to-amorphous phase transition in Al solid solution

This study reports experimental results and analysis of the amorphization reaction in an engineering Al alloy (Al >94 wt%) during mechanical milling in a liquid nitrogen environment (cryomilling). We propose that the amorphization reaction occurred as a result of the magnitude of the strain field during cryomilling and the presence of a low temperature (e.g., 88 K). These two factors provided the driving force for the crystalline-to-amorphous transition and helped maintain the amorphous phase below the glass transition temperature.
Scanning electron microscopic examination of the egg of the pubic louse (Anoplura: Pthirus pubis).

Objective The purpose of the study was to examine the eggs of pubic lice with consideration of their clinical relevance. Study design Pubic lice eggs were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results The egg is totally encased by a proteinaceous sheath, except for the operculum, by which oxygen exchange occurs. Conclusion Pubic lice have proved resilient to human therapies through the ages. The anatomical target of topical insecticides for ovicidal kill is the operculum and the protective layers that surround the developing embryo. More research into these structures is warranted.
Assembly line system dynamic behaviour for high priority job order processing

Very often in a manufacturing plant, an important job order must be processed with higher priority than other regular jobs. It is vital for management to understand the impact on production performance of these high priority job orders. In this paper, this dynamic behaviour of assembly line systems is studied using computer simulation and derived metamodels in the form of mathematical expressions. An extensive computer simulation study is first conducted off-line. Next, analytical representations of the system lmetamodels) are fitted to the dynamic behaviour as simulated. These relatively simple equations can then be used on-line to estimate the impact of high priority job order processing when it occurs. The results indicate that the system response to this dynamic event can be described by first-order exponential delay functions captured in metamodels from simulation results. Using only the metamodels, the finish time of high priority jobs can be predicted and the number of delayed regular assembly prod...
Investigation of ultraviolet photolysis vapor generation with in-atomizer trapping graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of mercury

Abstract Generation of mercury vapor by ultraviolet irradiation of mercury solutions in low molecular weight organic acid solutions prior to measurement by Atomic Absorption Spectrometry is a cheap, simple and green method for determination of trace concentrations of mercury. In this work mercury vapor generated by ultraviolet photolysis was trapped onto a palladium coated graphite furnace significantly improving the detection limit of the method. The system was optimized and a detection limit of 0.12 µg L − 1 (compared to 2.1 µg L − 1 for a previously reported system in the absence of trapping) with a precision of 11% for a 10 µg L − 1 mercury standard (RSD, N = 5).
Bacterial luciferase requires one reduced flavin for light emission

Abstract Recent reports revive a hypothesis that the bacterial bioluminescence reaction involves two reduced flavin mononucleotide molecules per enzyme turnover. A two-flavin mechanism requires that the two flavins bind simultaneously or sequentially to the same or different sites on luciferase during a catalytic cycle. Measurements using equilibrium techniques show that the luciferase dimer has only a single reduced flavin binding site. Quantum yield results demonstrate that bioluminescence requires only one reduced flavin per luciferase, ruling out mechanisms involving either two reduced flavins or one reduced flavin plus one oxidized flavin per catalytic cycle.
The effects of stimulus dimensionality on the rate of gain of information.

Hick's paradigm as extended to an absolute judgment task by Doherty was used to study the effects of dimensionality on the rate of stimulus identification in two experiments. Two undimensional conditions, size and brightness, and two bidimensional conditions, size-brightness redundant and size-brightness non-redundant, were employed. The significant linear components of the regression of choice reaction time on transmitted information for the undimensional and bidimensional stimuli supported and extended Hick's law. The finding of nearly identical slopes for the two undimensional and redundant bidimensional condition regression lines suggests a stage of processing which has a constant capacity in bits/s and which is independent of stimulus dimensionality. An increase in slope for the non-redundant condition is attributed to a difference in response requirements.
Susceptibility of Mammalian (Hamster) Cell Culture to Infection with Type II Leukosis Virus (JM)

Abstract Type II leukosis virus (JM) infected and replicated in hamster kidney (HK) cells as evidenced by cytopathic effects (CPE), intranuclear inclusions, and by the presence of herpesvirus particles as seen by electron microscopy. Further evidence for the replication of JM virus in cell cultures was determined by the serum neutralization (SN), complement fixation (CF), and the fluorescent antibody (FA) tests.
Cross sections for the 11.08 (3+) and 11.096 MeV (4+) states in 16O by 12C(6Li, d) and 13C(6Li, t)☆

Abstract Particle and particle-γ measurements were performed to determine the cross sections for population of the 8.87 (2 − ), 10.35 (4 + ), 11.08 (3 + ) and 11.096 MeV (4 + ) states in 16 O by the 12 C( 6 Li, d) and 13 C( 6 Li, t) reactions in the energy range from 20—34 MeV. In general, statistical compound nuclear calculations correctly predict the magnitude of the cross sections of the unnatural parity states and underpredict those for the natural parity states. The population of the 10.35 MeV 4 + state in the 13 C( 6 Li, t) reaction is correctly predicted by these calculations. These measurements support earlier claims that the large 12 C( 6 Li, d) cross section to the 11.096 MeV 4 + state is a result of multistep processes.
Organizational strategy, managerial decision‐making, and market‐based environmental policies: utility company bidding behavior in the sulfur dioxide allowance trading auctions

An environmental policy approach gaining increasing acceptance among regulators, industry, and environmental groups is the use of market-based instruments. The growth of such programs results in an important research need to understand how organizations respond to these tools. Our managerial and organizational decision-making study examines the sulfur dioxide allowance trading program, part of the effort to reduce acid rain in the United States. This is one of the most visible and significant environmental market-based approaches as it is being implemented on a nationwide scale and impacts an important corporate sector-the utility industry. Our study seeks to understand why utility company participation in this program, as measured by bidding for allowances in auctions, has been under 10% of utilities able to bid, despite the low price of the allowances relative to alternative sulfur dioxide control measures. We utilize the organizational strategy literature to develop and structure our hypotheses. Our data collection method involves a mail survey to management's of 142 utility companies to assess their attitudes concerning a number of variables which were hypothesized to influence company bidding in the March 1994 allowance auctions. This attitudinal approach was selected since the newness of the sulfur dioxide allowance trading program results in utility decision-making significantly depending on management's perceptions of factors, such as future retaking rulings, state regulations, and public opinion, which are not easily observable or measurable by other methods. The study finds that a range of organizational strategy models-economic, behavioral, stakeholder, and learning-are useful for understanding the observed behavior. A number of variables consistent with each model are shown to influence managerial decision-making to bid in the auctions. These variables include the expected treatment of the carrying costs of the allowances by public utility commissions, the costs of the allowances relative to other compliance strategies, an auction design characteristic, public opinion in the utility's service area, the importance of the allowances to meet demand growth, the competitive environment in which the utility operates, and the innovativeness of the utility. The findings are useful for gaining greater insight into managerial decision-making and organizational strategy as well as for improving both this specific market-based policy tool and the increasing number of market-based policy tools applied to other environmental issues. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Studies on the Synthesis of Reidispongiolide A: Stereoselective Synthesis of the C(22)-C(36) Fragment

A highly stereoselective synthesis of the C(22)-C(36) fragment 2 of reidispongiolide A is described. This synthesis features the highly stereoselective mismatched double asymmetric crotylboration reaction of the aldehyde derived from 5 and the new chiral reagent (S)-(E)-7 that provides 12 with >15:1 d.r. Subsequent coupling of the derived vinyl iodide 3 with aldehyde 16 provided allylic alcohol 17, that was elaborated by three steps into the targeted reidispongiolide fragment 2.
Assessment of social skills in visually-handicapped adolescents

The present study provided a comprehensive behavioral assessment of social skill in visually-handicapped adolescents. Role-play tests, standardized interviews, parent ratings and judgements of physical attractiveness were employed to evaluate level of social functioning among: (1) 18 visually-handicapped adolescents in a residential school; (2) 17 visually-handicapped adolescents in public schools; and (3) 17 sighted adolescents in public schools. Results indicated that visually-handicapped adolescents exhibited deficits on selected verbal components of social skill. Moreover, these deficiencies were most apparent in visually-handicaped Ss from a residential setting. Findings are discussed in terms of the utility of social skills training for a subset of visually-handicapped adolescents and the importance of additional controlled research with visually-handicapped persons.
Concentrations of Total Dissolved Solids Preferred or Avoided by Endangered Colorado River Fishes

Abstract Juveniles (age 0–1) of three endangered Colorado River fishes were subjected to a gradient of total dissolved solids (TDS) to determine the concentrations that they preferred or avoided. Preferred and avoided TDS concentrations, respectively, for juveniles of each species were: Colorado squawfish Ptychocheilus lucius, 560–1,150 mg/liter and greater than 4,400 mg/liter; humpback chub Gila cypha, 1,000–2,500 mg/liter and greater than 5,100 mg/liter; and bonytail Gila elegans, 4,100–4,700 mg/liter and less than 560 mg/liter or greater than 6,600 mg/liter. Colorado squawfish and humpback chubs selected TDS concentrations that were similar to those in waters they now inhabit, but bonytails selected concentrations four times higher. Future increases of TDS in the Colorado River system would degrade municipal, industrial, and agricultural water uses before these endangered fishes would be affected. Received November 1, 1982 Accepted June 5, 1983
THE EFFECTS OF VARYING DEGREES OF ANONYMITY ON RESPONSES TO DIFFERENT TYPES OF PSYCHOLOGICAL QUESTIONNAIRES

Though many studies of the influence of extraneous variables on test scores have appeared in recent literature, surprisingly few investigations have dealt with the relative effects of anonymity on respondents' answers to psychological instruments. A great deal of research in higher education is done by means of different types of questionnaires, and, for various reasons, identifying information is frequently required. Under these circumstances the sincerity of the subjects' responses quite naturally becomes a matter of concern. Many investigators criticize all psychological data gathered in situations where complete anonymity is not the case, while still others minimize the effect of identification on responses, and frequently ask the respondent to indicate various kinds of identifying information. The scanty research that is available in the area has not provided consistent conclusions. Olsen (1936), using the Woodworth-Matthews Personal Data Sheet in a testretest situation with the same students, concluded that there is a high probability that more symptoms will be reported when names are omitted. Findings in a similar vein are reported by Fischer (1946), using the college form of the Mooney Problem Check List. Like Olsen, Fischer administered the instrument to the same students on two different occasions asking for names on the first occasion and no identifying information on the second. He concluded that the mean number of problems did not vary significantly under the two conditions of administration, but the number of serious problems did tend to be greater under conditions of anonymity, i.e., when names were withheld. Different conclusions have been reached by Corey (1937) and Gerberich and Mason (1948). Using a measure of attitude toward cheating and an inventory of study habits respectively, these two investigators concluded that requiring respondent identification had minimal effect on their responses to these instruments. Without knowing the exact nature of the latter instruments, it would appear that a partial explanation for the difference in findings is the type of instrument involved.
Caring in nursing: a different interpretation.

Caring in nursing: a different interpretation Aim. To apply Habermas’ (1995) Theory of Moral Consciousness and Communicative Action to the nurse–patient relationship, offering a different interpretation to the nurse–patient relationship that is caring in nursing. Rationale. Many authors have described the nurse–patient relationship, but Habermas’ theory synthesizes the components into a complex matrix that is caring in nursing. Findings. The theory offers three claims to normative validity: the claim to truth which is the factual objective knowledge; the claim to truthfulness which refers to the intrasubjective self; and the claim to right which is the intersubjective interaction. The validity claims explain the patient’s personal and illness self, the nurse’s personal and professional self, and the interaction/discourse. The interaction is situation specific, and is identified as moral because dialogue/discourse requires a ‘considerateness’ of each for the other. ‘Considerateness’ in discourse requires certain rules, including that each participant has an equal voice, be followed in order for the Principle of Universalization to occur. Habermas draws on Kohlberg’s (1981), and Selman’s (1980) work to develop three levels of moral maturity of communication. These are preconventional, conventional, and postconventional. Initial moral maturity is egocentric, subjective, and obedient to authority. Maturity develops with recognition of other and reciprocity. At the postconventional level there is mutuality and the ability for abstract reasoning. There is a third person objectivity combining speaker and addressee/listener perspectives. Norms are not just accepted, they are reasoned through. This leads to justification of the norm, which is then accepted as valid. When the three validity claims are met and there is genuine ‘considerateness’ in the interaction there is communicative action. The reverse is strategic action, where the communication is coercive. When there is communicative action both patient and nurse are validated with a sense of fulfillment or . Conclusion. Habermas’ (1995) theory offers a new paradigm for caring in nursing.
The diffuse reflectance spectra of zinc oxide and zinc peroxide

Abstract Visible and near ultraviolet optical absorption spectra of mixtures of zinc oxide and zinc peroxide, obtained by the diffuse reflectance method, show that a strong absorption occurs in the peroxide at an energy at least 1.3 eV higher than a similar absorption in the oxide. The absence of any evidence of crystal field splitting denies the presence of Zn 4+ (3 d 8 ) ions in the peroxide as suggested by earlier X-ray absorption results.
AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet light emitting diodes with reflection layer

ABSTRACT We report on the effect of reflection layer on electrical and optical characteristics of AlGaN-based multiple-quantum well deep-UV flip chip light-emitting diodes. Relatively thick Al metal as a reflector layer was deposited on the p-contact of deep-UV LEDs by e-beam evaporat or at a nominal chamber pressure of 2 u 10 -6 mtorr. AlGaN-based flip chip deep-UV LEDs using Ni/Au/Al/Ti/Au compos ite reflection layers exhibited a significant improvement in their optical output power and extraction efficiencies. Efforts have also been involved to improve the reflection properties of the packaged devices without increase their fo rward voltages. Present results suggest that, for efficient deep-UV flip chip LEDs, the deposited Al-reflection layer should have an optimal thickness of  200 nm. Keywords: Multiple-quantum well, flip-chip, reflection layer, extraction efficiency, resistivity, forward voltage 1. INTRODUCTION AlGaN-based deep-ultraviolet (DUV) light emitting diodes (LEDs) have received tremendous attention over the past several years due to an increased demand for their high performance, and thermal stability for numerous applications for backside lighting in liquid crystal displays (LCDs), bio-chemi cal identification, air- and water-purification, high-density optical data storage, solid state lighting and short distance communication links [1-4]. For deep-UV LEDs, major challenges are a short wavelength, high luminance intensity, longer life-time and thermal stability [5-6]. Presently, research for improving the light extraction efficiency and brightness in the LEDs has been intense [7]. Recently, milliWatt output power of AlGaN based deep-UV LEDs have been demonstrated [8]. This not only involves the structural improvement of the grown material and the device process optimization but also the innovative approaches towards the contact metallization for their high extraction efficiency. Despite of this progress, the efficiency of these shorter wavelength devices is still fairly low. Flip chip light emitting diodes (FCLEDs) have been extremely successful in improving the light extraction efficiency and reduced thermal dissipation [9 ], however, the issue such as the reflectivity of their p-type Ohmic contact of the deep-UV FCLEDs still need to be resolved. One of the continuing challenges facing the high-power deep-UV LEDs is the selection of appropriate metal layers composition that can withstand low forward voltage at 20 mA. The understanding of the proposed metals alloy formation is very important for improving the FCLEDs optical and electrical performance. It has been found that the optical proper ties of the coated layers are strongly related to the deposition process as well as the metallization temperature [10]. Further, the high deposition temperatures generally lead to coatings with larger grain size and lower damage thresholds. The already proposed contacts on p-GaN is a Ni/Au bilayer that is rapid thermal annealed at about 500
Effect of the geometric phase on the possible measurement of the electron’s electric dipole moment using molecules confined by a Stark gravitational trap

We derive an effective Hamiltonian to account for the geometric phase that occurs in the adiabatic separation of center-of-mass and internal motion of a molecule moving in external fields. We then apply this Hamiltonian to the determination of the coherence time of molecules confined in a region of space by an anisotropic electric field. We show that the coherence time is expected to scale as the load temperature of the molecules squared and that milli-K temperatures are likely to be required for a trapped molecule experiment to compete with a more conventional Ramsey beam resonance experiment.
Proteolytic Regulation of Nuclear Factor of Activated T (NFAT) c2 Cells and NFAT Activity by Caspase-3

The nuclear factor of activated T (NFAT) cell family of transcription factors is important in regulating the expression of a broad array of genes, including cytokines, T cell surface receptors, and other transcription factors. NFATc1 and NFATc2 are two principal NFAT members that are expressed in peripheral T cells. Levels of NFAT expression in T cells are partly transcriptionally regulated, but less is understood regarding their post-transcriptional control. We show here that NFATc1 and NFATc2 are rapidly degraded in apoptotic T cells. NFATc2 is highly sensitive to cleavage by caspase-3, whereas NFATc1 is only weakly sensitive to caspase-3 or caspase-8. Two potential caspase-3 cleavage sites were identified in the N-terminal transactivation domain. These sites were confirmed by in vitro caspase cleavage assays. Abolition of NFATc2 cleavage by mutation of these two cleavage sites resulted in augmented NFAT transcriptional activity. Furthermore, NFAT activity could be augmented in wild-type effector T cells by inhibition of caspase activity. Of particular interest was that non-apoptotic T cells from cellular FLIP long transgenic (c-FLIP(L)-Tg) mice that manifest elevated caspase activity have greatly reduced levels of NFATc2 protein and NFAT transcriptional activity. Our findings reveal a new post-transcriptional regulation of NFATc2 that operates, not only during apoptosis, but also in non-apoptotic effector T cells.
Multimedia technology in the radiology department

In this paper we describe a set of multimedia tools for use in a filmless radiology department. The purpose of these tools is to create multimedia radiology reports, containing text, images, and voice annotations. The text part of the reports is transcribed from dictations made by the radiologists while they use an advanced multi monitor diagnosis workstation to read the radiological studies. At the base of the system we implemented an object oriented distributed database system. A collection of clients and servers control the acquisition and processing of the multimedia information.
On a supposed advantage of realistic systems

In The Structure of Appearance' Nelson Goodman at one point considers the respective merits of two kinds of systems which he calls 'particularistic' and 'realistic'. A particularistic system is one where 'concrete spatially or temporally bounded particulars (such as phenomenal events) are taken as basic units', a realistic system one where 'nonconcrete qualitative elements (such as qualia)' are taken as basic units.2 An example of a particularistic system is the one presented in Carnap's Der Logische Aufbau der Welt;3 an example of a realistic system is Goodman's own, presented in Chapters 6-11 of SA. Although proponents of realism and particularism sometimes offer arguments designed to show, in advance of any constructions, that their kind of system is more likely to be ultimately satisfactory than the other kinds, Goodman is inclined to be tolerant: he counsels patience, pointing to the value of having systems of various sorts developed, given what we learn from the exercise. But he does point out, in his exposition of the Aufbau, that Carnap's system runs afoul of two kinds of difficulty which he christens the 'companionship difficulty' and the 'difficulty of imperfect community.'4 Later,5 he shows how adoption of a nominalistic framework based on the calculus of individuals will save a particularistic system from the difficulty of imperfect community, but not from the companionship difficulty. But, he argues, a realistic, nominalistic system does avoid the companionship difficulty, and so,
Lipoprotein lipase correlates positively and hepatic lipase inversely with calcific atherosclerosis in homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia.

Homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a rare genetic disorder that leads to premature atherosclerosis due to a defective LDL receptor. There is, however, a large degree of phenotypic heterogeneity at the level of atherosclerosis even in patients with identical mutations of the LDL receptor protein. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) are crucial enzymes in lipoprotein metabolism, and both have been proposed as having proatherogenic as well as antiatherogenic effects. To evaluate a potential role for these enzymes in the severity of atherosclerosis, we correlated postheparin LPL mass and activity as well as HL activity with the volume of total calcific atherosclerosis (heart and thoracic aorta), coronary artery calcific atherosclerosis, and Achilles tendon width as measured by computed tomography in 15 FH homozygotes. LPL dimer and total mass were positively correlated with all three parameters ( r =.65 to .87, P <.01) as was LPL activity ( r =.52 to .63, P <.05). HL activity was negatively correlated with total and coronary artery calcified lesion volume ( r =−.55 to .57, P <.05). In a multiple regression model of the coronary artery lesion volume, LPL dimer mass and HL activity together accounted for 84% of the variability ( r =.92, P< .0001). In a multiple regression model of the total calcified lesion volume, HL activity, total cholesterol, age, and LPL dimer mass together accounted for 85% of the variability ( r =.92, P =.0005). These data demonstrate a significant correlation of LPL mass and activity with the extent of calcific atherosclerosis in homozygous FH. It is not clear whether LPL is the cause or consequence of the observed correlation, but if the association between LPL and coronary artery lesions is also present in patients with other genetic dyslipoproteinemias, LPL could constitute a new risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Determination of aerosol extinction-to-backscatter ratios from simultaneous ground-based and spaceborne lidar measurements

A technique that determines the aerosol extinction-to-backscatter ratio (lidar ratio) as well as extinction and backscatter coefficients from simultaneous downlooking and uplooking lidar measurements is described. The feasibility of this technique is demonstrated by applying the technique to data acquired by the cloud-aerosol lidar pathfinder satellite observation (CALIPSO) lidar measurements and ground-based lidar measurements made at Hampton University (37.02 degrees N, 76.34 degrees W).
Intensification of hot extremes in the United States

[1] Governments are currently considering policies that will limit greenhouse gas concentrations, including negotiation of an international treaty to replace the expiring Kyoto Protocol. Existing mitigation targets have arisen primarily from political negotiations, and the ability of such policies to avoid dangerous impacts is still uncertain. Using a large suite of climate model experiments, we find that substantial intensification of hot extremes could occur within the next 3 decades, below the 2°C global warming target currently being considered by policy makers. We also find that the intensification of hot extremes is associated with a shift towards more anticyclonic atmospheric circulation during the warm season, along with warm-season drying over much of the U.S. The possibility that intensification of hot extremes could result from relatively small increases in greenhouse gas concentrations suggests that constraining global warming to 2°C may not be sufficient to avoid dangerous climate change.
Morbidity and Mortality after Liver Resection: Results of the Patient Safety in Surgery Study

Background Liver resection is performed with increasing frequency. Nearly all of the published information on operative mortality and morbidity rates associated with liver resection is derived from studies that rely on retrospective data collection from single centers. The goal of this study is to use audited multiinstitutional data from the private sector of the Patient Safety in Surgery Study to characterize complications after liver resection and to identify variables that are associated with 30-day morbidity and mortality. Study Design Prospectively collected data on liver resection patients from 14 hospitals were collected using National Surgical Quality Improvement Program's methodology. Rates of occurrence of 21 defined postoperative complications were measured. Bivariate analyses and stepwise logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with 30-day morbidity and mortality. Results At least one complication occurred in 22.6% of patients within 30 days. Stepwise logistic regression identified several preoperative factors associated with morbidity, including serum albumin, SGOT > 40, previous cardiac operation, operative work relative value unit, and history of severe COPD. Mortality within 30 days was observed in 2.6% of patients. Factors associated with mortality were found to be male gender, American Society of Anesthesiologists class 3 or higher, presence of ascites, dyspnea, and severe COPD. Only 0.7% of patients without any complications died, compared with 9.0% of patients with at least 1 complication (p Conclusions Prospective, standardized, audited, multiinstitutional data were analyzed to identify several preoperative and intraoperative factors associated with morbidity and mortality after liver resection. These factors should be considered during patient selection and perioperative management.
Digital calibration of RF transceivers for I-Q imbalances and nonlinearity

As radio frequency (RF) devices become more complex, the specifications become more stringent. In order to guarantee successful operation and compliance to certain specifications, digital correction techniques that compensate the device impairments are needed. In this paper, we present an analytical digital in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) imbalance and non-linear compression correction methodology that improves the system bit error rate (BER). The gain and phase imbalances are corrected by using the gain and phase imbalance test data obtained during the product testing. The non-linear compression term is removed using Newton's method. The proposed test methodology is applicable for both burst based systems and continuous systems. Simulation results indicate that the proposed method improves the BER even under harsh noise contamination. The computational overhead of the compensation technique is minimal.
SVAw - a web-based application tool for automated surrogate variable analysis of gene expression studies

Background Surrogate variable analysis (SVA) is a powerful method to identify, estimate, and utilize the components of gene expression heterogeneity due to unknown and/or unmeasured technical, genetic, environmental, or demographic factors. These sources of heterogeneity are common in gene expression studies, and failing to incorporate them into the analysis can obscure results. Using SVA increases the biological accuracy and reproducibility of gene expression studies by identifying these sources of heterogeneity and correctly accounting for them in the analysis.
Modeling mechanical contact and lubrication in Direct Numerical Simulations of colliding particles

Abstract We developed a model for inexpensive Direct Numerical Simulations of particle-laden flow by fully resolving the hydrodynamics at all times except when the gap between colliding particles becomes comparable to the grid step. The resolved hydrodynamics were obtained with a previously developed pressure boundary integral method for direct fluid–particle simulations on Cartesian grids. The unresolved part of the lubrication pressure/shear force in the subgrid gap was predicted using theoretical Stokes flow models. Singular lubrication forces were avoided by postulating that contact begins when the gap distance between the particles becomes equal to the size of micro-asperities. The mechanical contact between particles is dynamically resolved and particle interactions are both inelastic and frictional. The proposed numerical model was validated through resolution tests and comparison with experimental data for immersed binary collisions.
Pillbox organizers are associated with improved adherence to HIV antiretroviral therapy and viral suppression: a marginal structural model analysis.

Incomplete adherence is the most common cause of suboptimal response to medical therapy [1]. Adherence to antiretroviral treatment among HIV-infected individuals is closely associated with viral suppression [2–4], and incomplete adherence is associated with the development of drug-resistant infection, disease progression, and death [5–7]. Pillbox organizers (or medisets) are the least expensive and most widely used adherence aid for medical therapy of chronic diseases. However, the extent to which this simple, inexpensive, and widely used aid impacts adherence to antiretroviral therapy is unknown. We examined the relationship between pillbox organizer use and adherence to HIV antiretroviral therapy in a population of HIV-positive, urban poor individuals in San Francisco. We studied individuals recruited from single-room occupancy hotels, homeless shelters, and free-meal programs because of the common barriers to adherence in this population, such as mental illness and active substance use. Adherence was measured using unannounced pill counts at the participant’s usual place of residence, as described elsewhere [8]. This method has a close association with concurrent viral load [2], electronic pill cap adherence assessment [8], and progression to AIDS [5]. Unlike electronic pill cap assessment, however, unannounced pill count does not interfere with the use of pillbox organizers and does not require multiple devices to measure adherence to all antiretroviral medications. Furthermore, unannounced pill count results in a more complete count of pills in the participant’s possession than does clinic-based pill count, and the unannounced nature of the visit makes it more difficult for participants to empty their pill bottles (or “pill dump”) prior to the assessment. Because pillbox organizers are a routine part of standard medical care, a randomized, controlled trial would raise ethical challenges. Instead, we relied on observational data to estimate the effect of pillbox organizers on adherence, employing marginal structural models to mimic the results of a randomized trial. Marginal structural models are a well-established statistical tool for estimating causal effects on the basis of observational data [9, 10]. Three distinct marginal structural model estimators are available: G-computation, inverse probability-of-treatment weighted, and double robust. Marginal structural models are based on the statistical estimating function methodology, which maximizes robustness to model misspecification. Concordance in effect size and direction of the 3 estimators adds further to the robustness of conclusions.
Fetal and neonatal iron deficiency reduces thyroid hormone-responsive gene mRNA levels in the neonatal rat hippocampus and cerebral cortex.

Copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and thyroid hormone (TH) deficiencies produce similar defects in late brain development including hypomyelination of axons and impaired synapse formation and function, suggesting that these micronutrient deficiencies share a common mechanism contributing to these derangements. We previously demonstrated that fetal/neonatal Cu and Fe deficiencies lower circulating TH concentrations in neonatal rats. Fe deficiency also reduces whole-brain T3 content, suggesting impaired TH action in the developing Fe-deficient brain. We hypothesized that fetal/neonatal Cu and Fe deficiencies will produce mild or moderate TH deficiencies and will impair TH-responsive gene expression in the neonatal cerebral cortex and hippocampus. To test this hypothesis, we rendered pregnant Sprague Dawley rats Cu-, Fe-, or TH-deficient from early gestation through postnatal d 10 (P10). Mild and moderate TH deficiencies were induced by 1 and 3 ppm propylthiouracil treatment, respectively. Cu deficiency did not significantly alter serum or tissue TH concentrations or TH-responsive brain mRNA expression. Fe deficiency significantly lowered P10 serum total T3 (45%), serum total T4 (52%), whole brain T3 (14%), and hippocampal T3 (18%) concentrations, producing a mild TH deficiency similar to 1 ppm propylthiouracil treatment. Fe deficiency lowered Pvalb, Enpp6, and Mbp mRNA levels in the P10 hippocampus. Fe deficiency also altered Hairless, Dbm, and Dio2 mRNA levels in the P10 cerebral cortex. These results suggest that some of the brain defects associated with Fe deficiency may be mediated through altered thyroidal status and the concomitant alterations in TH-responsive gene transcription.
Can antidepressant medication relieve agitation in Alzheimer’s disease?

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are a major concern in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Historically, NPS are difficult to treat effectively due to a high side-effect burden associated with commonly used medications, such as atypical antipsychotics. Non-pharmacological treatment approaches have become the first line option. However, when such treatment fails, pharmacological options are often used. Thus, a push toward finding safer alternative pharmacological treatments has occurred. Antidepressants, particularly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have shown promise in clinical trials for alleviating the burden of NPS. Lower overall agitation and caregiver stress has been reported to correlate to treatment with the SSRI citalopram. However, certain side effects of citalopram, such as QTc interval prolongation and increased cognitive decline, carry clinical concern and should be weighed when prescribing their use.
The Survival of Bacteria in Dust. I. The Distribution of Bacteria in Floor Dust.

The viable bacteria in 10 mg. portions of dust were estimated by shaking with 5 ml. of Ringer's solution in 1 oz. bottles containing glass beads. The extract was allowed to stand for a few minutes, and 0·1 ml. amounts were then plated out at suitable dilutions. Successive portions from the same sample of dust showed very great variation in the bacterial counts, and this variation has been examined in series of twenty such portions. The distribution of the counts for three groups of organisms appears to approximate to a log-normal form, and the graphical estimate of the log-median is taken as a suitable parameter for the study of the influence of environmental factors on the survival of dust flora.
Preparation of Large Monodisperse Vesicles

Preparation of monodisperse vesicles is important both for research purposes and for practical applications. While the extrusion of vesicles through small pores (,100 nm in diameter) results in relatively uniform populations of vesicles, extrusion to larger sizes results in very heterogeneous populations of vesicles. Here we report a simple method for preparing large monodisperse multilamellar vesicles through a combination of extrusion and large-pore dialysis. For example, extrusion of polydisperse vesicles through 5-mm-diameter pores eliminates vesicles larger than 5 mm in diameter. Dialysis of extruded vesicles against 3-mm-pore-size polycarbonate membranes eliminates vesicles smaller than 3 m mi n diameter, leaving behind a population of monodisperse vesicles with a mean diameter of ,4 mm. The simplicity of this method makes it an effective tool for laboratory vesicle preparation with potential applications in preparing large monodisperse liposomes for drug delivery.
Radial diffusion simulations of the 20 September 2007 radiation belt dropout

Abstract. This is a study of a dropout of radiation belt electrons, associated with an isolated solar wind density pulse on 20 September 2007, as seen by the solid-state telescopes (SST) detectors on THEMIS (Time History of Events and Macroscale Interactions during Substorms). Omnidirectional fluxes were converted to phase space density at constant invariants M = 700 MeV G−1 and K = 0.014 RE G1/2, with the assumption of local pitch angle α a 80° and using the T04 magnetic field model. The last closed drift shell, which was calculated throughout the time interval, never came within the simulation outer boundary of L* = 6. It is found, using several different models for diffusion rates, that radial diffusion alone only allows the data-driven, time-dependent boundary values at Lmax = 6 and Lmin = 3.7 to propagate a few tenths of an RE during the simulation; far too slow to account for the dropout observed over the broad range of L* = 4–5.5. Pitch angle diffusion via resonant interactions with several types of waves (chorus, electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves, and plasmaspheric and plume hiss) also seems problematic, for several reasons which are discussed.
A coupled mode description of the backward&#8211;wave oscillator and the Kompfner dip condition

The start oscillation condition for the backward-wave oscillator and the operation of the traveling-wave tube amplifier at the Kompfner dip point are described from the point of view of the coupling of two modes of propagation. Growing waves are not involved. Two waves are sufficient when the tube is more than a half plasma wavelength long. Operation in this "large space charge" domain is inherently simpler than in the "low space charge" domain. The start oscillation condition and the Kompfner dip condition are simply expressed in terms of the coupling constant between modes, HL = (2n ± 1) π/2, where n is an integer. In addition, the uncoupled modes must have the same velocity. The result is also expressed in terms of the more familiar parameters CN and hL. The effect of loss in the circuit mode is calculated. When the two waves carry energy in opposite directions, growing waves result. This case is discussed briefly.
Assessment of flexible backbone protein design methods for sequence library prediction in the therapeutic antibody Herceptin-HER2 interface.

Computational protein design methods can complement experimental screening and selection techniques by predicting libraries of low-energy sequences compatible with a desired structure and function. Incorporating backbone flexibility in computational design allows conformational adjustments that should broaden the range of predicted low-energy sequences. Here, we evaluate computational predictions of sequence libraries from different protocols for modeling backbone flexibility using the complex between the therapeutic antibody Herceptin and its target human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) as a model system. Within the program RosettaDesign, three methods are compared: The first two use ensembles of structures generated by Monte Carlo protocols for near-native conformational sampling: kinematic closure (KIC) and backrub, and the third method uses snapshots from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. KIC or backrub methods were better able to identify the amino acid residues experimentally observed by phage display in the Herceptin–HER2 interface than MD snapshots, which generated much larger conformational and sequence diversity. KIC and backrub, as well as fixed backbone simulations, captured the key mutation Asp98Trp in Herceptin, which leads to a further threefold affinity improvement of the already subnanomolar parental Herceptin-HER2 interface. Modeling subtle backbone conformational changes may assist in the design of sequence libraries for improving the affinity of antibody–antigen interfaces and could be suitable for other protein complexes for which structural information is available.
South Korean and Taiwanese development and the new institutional economics

The publication of books by both Alice Amsden and Robert Wade provide an opportune moment to reflect on the study of East Asian development.' After an initial surge of interest beginning in the 1970s, the field has reached a plateau, and scholars recently have cast a wide net in searching for ways to extend the field. In assessing the "state of the art" regarding the economic development of the East Asian newly industrialized countries (NICs), this review will treat three themes. First, I will argue that the focus on states versus markets is becoming stale and that much of the scholarly interest lies in the politics behind the economics. Second, I argue that political scientists have underexplored the historical origins of Korean and Taiwanese capitalism and that such attention promises to strengthen both theories and explanations of development. Third, I argue that the international system has been more important in promoting development in East Asia than accounts in the "first wave" have recognized. The purpose of this review is to assess the field, reveal