cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and correlates of self-reported medication non-adherence among older adults with coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and/or hypertension.

Abstract Background Information about the prevalence and correlates of self-reported medication nonadherence using multiple measures in older adults with chronic cardiovascular conditions is needed. Objective To examine the prevalence and correlates of self-reported medication nonadherence among community-dwelling elders with chronic cardiovascular conditions. Methods Participants ( n = 897) included members from the Health, Aging and Body Composition Study with coronary heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and/or hypertension at Year 10. Self-reported nonadherence was measured by the 4-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-4) and 2-item cost-related nonadherence (CRN-2) scale at Year 11. Factors (demographic, health status, and access to care) were examined for association with the MMAS-4 and then for association with the CRN-2 scale. Results Nonadherence per the MMAS-4 and CRN-2 scale was reported by 40.7% and 7.7% of participants, respectively, with little overlap (3.7%). Multivariable logistic regression analyses found that black race was significantly associated with nonadherence per the MMAS-4 ( P = 0.002) and the CRN-2 scale ( P = 0.005). Other correlates of nonadherence per the MMAS-4 (with independent associations) included having cancer ( P = 0.04), a history of falls ( P = 0.02), sleep disturbances ( P = 0.04) and having a hospitalization in the previous 6 months ( P = 0.005). Conversely, being unmarried ( P = 0.049), having worse self-reported health ( P = 0.04) and needs being poorly met by income ( P = 0.02) showed significant independent associations with nonadherence per the CRN-2 scale. Conclusions Self-reported medication nonadherence was common in older adults with chronic cardiovascular conditions and only one factor – race – was associated with both types. The research implication of this finding is that it highlights the need to measure both types of self-reported nonadherence in older adults. Moreover, the administration of these quick measures in the clinical setting should help identify specific actions such as patient education or greater use of generic medications or pill boxes that may address barriers to medication nonadherence.
Energetics of Euphausia pacifica. II. Complete carbon and nitrogen budgets at 8° and 12° C throughout the life span

Complete carbon and nitrogen budgets at 8° and 12° C over the life span of Euphausia pacifica were constructed from data published in the foregoing publication. The relative magnitudes of physiological functions such as metabolism and growth for the different life history stages were compared. The carbon net growth efficiency (NGE) for E. pacifica increased to a maximum of 60 to 74% at Calyptopis 3 (a larval stage) and then decreased rapidly to a level of 10 to 12% for adults. The cumulative amount of assimilated carbon or nitrogen in reproductive products was equal to that in growth. The cumulative net production efficiency (tissue plus molts plus reproductive products) is 24 to 29%, and is slightly higher for nitrogen than for carbon. For juveniles and adults, the largest proportion (40 to 65%) of assimilated material is used in metabolism, and is about 10% higher at 8° than 12° C. The difference between measured and predicted ingestion (the sum of metabolism, leakage, defecation, growth, molting and reproduction) probably results from poorly understood aspects of zooplankton physiology (e.g. the effect of body weight on leakage). Nitrogen budgets at 8° C for furcilia bulanced the best, with deviations of less than 10%. In general, predicted ingestion was increasingly less than measured ingestion as body weight and temperature increased. Possible omissions or errors in assumptions or methods that may cause the imbalances are discussed.
An evaluation of pretreated natural zeolites for ammonium removal

Abstract Clinoptilolite has been widely studied for ammonium removal in the past 2 yr. However, many investigators have reported variations in the measured capacities of samples of clinoptilolite. These studies and the factors believed to influence measured zeolite capacity are reviewed. In addition no studies to evaluate other natural zeolites for ammonium removal have been reported. In this study samples of clinoptilolite, erionite, mordenite and phillipsite provided by the Anaconda Company were evaluated for ammonium removal from wastewaters. In addition, samples of clinoptilolite were pretreated in various ways to determine whether an improvement in ammonium removal performance could be realized. Total exchange capacities, capacities for ammonium removal from a synthetic waste, packed bed densities and crushing strengths were measured. Phillipsite was found to have almost twice the weight capacity for ammonium removal from synthetic waste compared to that of clinoptilolite. The volumetric capacity was 26% better than that of clinoptilolite. However, the phillipsite sample was extremely friable and it could not be used for water treatment unless it was strengthened with a binder. Pretreatment of clinoptilolite with NaOH, HNO 3 and steam did little to improve the zeolite's performance. However, heat pretreatment (600°C for 1 h) improved the zeolite's selectivity for ammonium significantly. Ammonium removal capacities were increased by approximately 17% for heat treated zeolite samples although the total exchange capacity of the zeolite was reduced somewhat.
In defense of “slacktivism”: The Human Rights Campaign Facebook logo as digital activism

This paper examines the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) Marriage Equality logo as an example of a meme to further understandings of memetic transmission in social media technologies. The HRC meme is an important example of how even seemingly insignificant moves such as adopting a logo and displaying it online can serve to combat microaggressions, or the damaging results of everyday bias and discrimination against marginalized groups. This article suggests that even small moves of support, such as changing one’s Facebook status to a memetic image, assist by demonstrating a supportive environment for those who identify with marginalized groups and by drawing awareness to important causes. Often dismissed as “slacktivism,” I argue instead that the digital activism made possible through social media memes can build awareness of crucial issues, which can then lead to action.
EM AND IP RESPONSE OF A STEEL WELL CASING FOR A FOUR‐ELECTRODE SURFACE ARRAY. PART II: NUMERICAL RESULTS*

Some numerical results for the apparent resistivity of a homogeneous half space containing a vertical steel well casing as measured by a dipole-dipole array are presented. The basic model includes the electromagnetic and induced polarization effects by allowing for frequency dependent eddy currents and an electrochemical boundary of the well casing. It is shown that the well casing produces an apparent complex resistivity response that could be mistaken for an induced polarization anomaly existing above a hydrocarbon deposit. This response of the well casing is strongly dependent on frequency.
Israelite, Moabite and Sabaean War-h&#803&#275rem Traditions and the Forging of National Identity: Reconsidering the Sabaean Text RES 3945 in Light of Biblical and Moabite Evidence

In the biblical conquest accounts,hērem signifies ritual destruction and consecration to the deity of entire enemy populations and towns. The root hrm also appears in two extrabiblical conquest accounts: the Mesha Inscription and the Sabaean text, RES 3945. This article revisits the interpretation of the Sabaean text in light of recent scholarship in South Arabian Studies, and argues that RES 3945 should be placed on equal footing with the Mesha Inscription for its relevance for understanding the biblical hērem. Taken together, these sources situate the war-hērem in the context of early state formation, and suggest that the tripartite relationship between people, land and god, expressed in terms of b&ebrever&icaront, or &#147covenant,&#148 in ancient Israel, may in fact have found expression more widely, in a tribal, inland Palestinian setting with cultural connections extending into the South Arabian Peninsula.
Paraxial mesoderm specifies zebrafish primary motoneuron subtype identity

We provide the first analysis of how a segmentally reiterated pattern of neurons is specified along the anteroposterior axis of the vertebrate spinal cord by investigating how zebrafish primary motoneurons are patterned. Two identified primary motoneuron subtypes, MiP and CaP, occupy distinct locations within the ventral neural tube relative to overlying somites, express different genes and innervate different muscle territories. In all vertebrates examined so far, paraxial mesoderm-derived signals specify distinct motoneuron subpopulations in specific anteroposterior regions of the spinal cord. We show that signals from paraxial mesoderm also control the much finer-grained segmental patterning of zebrafish primary motoneurons. We examined primary motoneuron specification in several zebrafish mutants that have distinct effects on paraxial mesoderm development. Our findings suggest that in the absence of signals from paraxial mesoderm, primary motoneurons have a hybrid identity with respect to gene expression, and that under these conditions the CaP axon trajectory may be dominant.
Array self-calibration with large initial errors

A self-calibration algorithm is presented for direction finding in the presence of unknown complex sensor gains. The method jointly estimates the directions of arrival of all the sources as well as the unknown gains. Existing self-calibration techniques are iterative and require sufficiently good initial estimates in order to converge to a correct solution. These techniques are ineffective in the presence of large calibration errors which make it difficult to reliably initialize the algorithm. The method presented here is non-iterative, does not require initialization, and is able to handle large sensor gain errors. The Cramer-Rao bound for the joint estimation problem is derived.
Conditions For The Uniqueness Of Phases And Correlation Functions In Wave Propagation

Phase retrieval is concerned with the problem of finding the phases of a complex function from its absolute value. The square of the absolute value of a function may be considered as an energy density. Thus phase retrieval can be considered also as the problem of obtaining a field function from an energy density. Usually, in the one-dimensional case, one uses the method of Hilbert transforms on the logarithm of the Fourier transform. However, use of the Hilbert transform requires knowledge of the position of the zeros of the Fourier transform. From an operational point of view it is difficult to obtain the zeros in the complex plane. Moreover, the phase may be unstable with respect to errors in the position of the zeros. The present talk will concentrate on the problem of obtaining phases from energy densities only. A theorem will be given which shows that knowledge of the density in physical space (i.e., x-space) and a certain type of energy in frequency space is sufficient to determine the phase uniquely within a constant. One can also introduce energies in spaces other than in frequency space. An example is the energy associated with the Mellin transform. It is easy to give a meaning to energy density in frequency space as the energy associated with the frequency after the wave goes through a grating. The grating Fourier transforms the wave form. Other spaces, as the Mellin transform space, would need to have a physical interpretation analogous to that for the Fourier transform. Such an interpretation is given for the Mellin transform. Finally we consider generalization to electromagnetic fields in two and three dimensions. Here the phase retrieval problem is replaced by the problem of finding autocorrelation functions from suitable energy densities. A uniqueness theorem is given.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
WRITING IN MATHEMATICS: MAKING IT WORK.

ABSTRACT This paper examines various issues surrounding the use of writing in the teaching and learning of mathematics using the voice and experiences of a licensed High School teacher instructing introductory college mathematics as a graduate teaching assistant. In general, we detail the journey taken by this teacher to explore the push for writing by major mathematical organizations, to learn about options for implementing writing as well as the benefits of doing so, and then to actually implement writing in her own classroom on a weekly basis. In particular, the teacher we studied employed three major types of writing activities: mathematical biographies, minute papers, and journaling. We include descriptions of the specific writing assignments she used, examples showing the range of student responses, and a discussion of the teacher's reaction to her student's submissions. We make many arguments for the use of writing in the teaching and learning of mathematics using this teacher's experience but reco...
Recent deep-seated coastal landsliding at San Onofre State Beach, California

Abstract Airborne LiDAR collected during the period 1998–2010 and differential GPS surveys conducted over 2008–2013 show recent reactivation and movement of a large deep-seated coastal landslide at San Onofre State Beach, San Diego County, California. The overall slide complex extends about 700 m alongshore, 150 m inland, and an unknown distance offshore. Differencing digital elevation models and tracking field monuments (benchmarks) provide time series of quantitative topographic landslide changes and new insight in to the slide motion sequences and mechanics. The slide contains several distinct primary and secondary regions moving and deforming at different rates. Primary slide motion includes slow seaward translational motion, rotational slipping, and upward offshore movement. Secondary processes of basal wave erosion and new inland cliffline failures contribute to primary landslide destabilization. The landslide exhibits lithologic and structural controls, is driven by a combination of marine and subaerial processes, influences local beach morphology, and deviates from typical southern California coastal cliff processes which mostly involve shallow landslides and topples. Large-scale, cross-shore slide rotation has recently created new nearshore reefs. Eroded cliff sediments provide a local beach sand source and probably influence local nearshore ecosystems. All known time periods of major historical landslide activity were preceded by elevated seasonal rainfall and analysis suggests elevated rainfall generated primary slide motion as opposed to wave action. As of spring 2013, landslide activity has slowed, but continued positive feedbacks including toe removal by wave activity suggest that future landsliding will probably threaten coastal infrastructure.
Pure Deep Blue Light-Emitting Diodes from Alternating Fluorene/Carbazole Copolymers by Using Suitable Hole-Blocking Materials

The influences of the carbazole content on the photophysical, electrochemical, and electroluminescent properties of alternating fluorene/carbazole copolymers PFnCz (n = 1, 2, 3) with well-defined c...
Effect of tumor necrosis factor α and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression on immunogenicity of murine liver cells in mice

Adhesion molecules such as intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various inflammatory liver disease states, including viral and autoimmune hepatitis as well as liver allograft rejection. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) is an inflammatory cytokine known to up-regulate adhesion molecules as well as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I expression, and has been demonstrated to be important in the rejection of vascularized organ allografts. The current studies address the effect of TNF-alpha and the role of ICAM-1 expression on liver cell immunogenicity in vitro in mixed lymphocyte hepatocyte culture (MLHC), in vitro in mixed lymphocyte liver nonparenchymal cell culture (MLNPC), in vivo in hepatocyte sponge matrix allografts (HC-SMA), and in vivo in liver nonparenchymal cell sponge matrix allografts (NPC-SMA). Purified allogeneic hepatocytes (HC) and liver nonparenchymal cells (NPC) under naive, unstimulated conditions demonstrated different profiles of MHC antigen and adhesion molecule expression, but both liver cell populations stimulated the proliferation and development of allospecific cytotoxic effectors in vitro and in vivo. Despite significant up-regulation of MHC class I and ICAM-1 on both HC and liver NPCs by in vivo treatment with TNF-alpha, the immunogenicity of TNF-alpha-stimulated liver cells was not appreciably different from naive, unstimulated liver cells. In contrast, ICAM-1-negative HC and NPCs were significantly less immunogenic both in terms of lymphocyte proliferative responses and the generation of allospecific cytolytic effectors. These results suggest that constitutive expression of ICAM-1 enhances the immunogenicity of "donor" liver cells but is not absolutely required to elicit immune responses to allogeneic liver cells. Further studies to determine the role of adhesion molecule expression on trafficking of host immune cells to the liver and the role of adhesion molecule expression by host cells are required to clarify their role in immune responses to liver cells.
A clash of two cultures.

Physicists come from a tradition of looking for all-encompassing laws, but is this the best approach to use when probing complex biological systems?
Single filters for combined image geometric manipulation and enhancement

This paper presents algorithms for simultaneous image geometric manipulation and enhancement. Single filters are developed for combined image translation, resizing, rotation, and enhancement of both single channel and multichannel/color images. Single filters have advantages for real time implementation and for minimizing artifacts produced by the sequential operations on the images. A filter structure is proposed for image sharpening, softening, blurring, and edge emphasis filtering. With the appropriate choice of the parameters, it is shown that the proposed structure can implement unsharp masking, local statistical filtering, and edge emphasis filtering. Image translation, resizing, and rotation geometric operations are combined with the structure in developing single filters. Closed form expressions are developed for real time implementation of the filters through lookup tables with different types of interpolations and for both linear and nonlinear enhancement kernels. A multichannel generalization of the algorithm is presented for simultaneous color image geometric manipulation and enhancement. Schemes are proposed for adapting the degree of enhancement based on local image information. The algorithm is applied for a number of electronic imaging applications and the evaluation results are presented.
Frederick Douglass : new literary and historical essays

Introduction 1. 'Ironic tenacity': Frederick Douglass' seizure of the dialectic Sterling Stuckey 2. From Wheatley to Douglass: the politics of displacement Henry Louis Gates, Jr 3. Writing freely? Frederick Douglass and the constraints of racialized writing Wilson J. Moses 4. Faith, doubt, and apostasy: evidence of things unseen in Frederick Douglass' narrative Donald B. Gibson 5. Franklinian Douglass: the Afro-American as representative man Rafia Zafar 6. Reading slavery: the anxiety of ethnicity in Douglass' narrative David Van Leer 7. The punishment of Esther: Frederick Douglass and the construction of the feminine Jenny Franchot 8. Race, violence, and manhood: the masculine ideal in Frederick Douglass' 'The Heroic Slave' Richard Yarborough 9. 'We hold these truths to be self-evident': the rhetoric of Frederick Douglass' journalism Shelley Fisher and Carla L. Peterson 10. The Frederick Douglass-Gerrit Smith friendship and political abolitionism in the 1850s John R. McKivigan 11. The shadow of slavery: Frederick Douglass, the savage South, and the next generation Wayne Mixon 12. Frederick Douglass' life and times: progressive rhetoric and the problem of constituency Kenneth W. Warren 13. Images of Frederick Douglass in the Afro-American mind: the recent Black freedom struggle Waldo E. Martin, Jr. Selected bibliography Notes on contributors Index.
Has Relapse Prevention Received a Fair Shake? A Review and Implications for Future Transfer Research

As learning and performance improvement continues to dominate the training research landscape, so does the need to justify the results of relevant interventions. One area in training research that has continued to elude practitioners and researchers is enhancing the use of trained skills back on the job (i.e., training transfer). Relapse prevention (RP) is a posttraining transfer intervention that has been studied for decades but associated findings lack consistency in transfer research. In this article, the authors review studies using RP as a transfer intervention, examine the weaknesses of study design and methods, and suggest improvements for future research to seek a fair test of its ultimate effectiveness.
New insights into high temperature superconductivity from a computational solution of the two-dimensional Hubbard model

The Cray X1 in the Center for Computational Sciences at Oak Ridge National Laboratory as well as algorithmic improvements over the past decade enable significant new science in the simulation of high-temperature "cuprate" superconductors. We describe the method of dynamic cluster approximation with quantum Monte Carlo, along with its computational requirements. We then show the unique capabilities of the X1 for supporting this method and delivering near optimal performance. This allows us to study systematically the cluster size dependence of the superconductivity in the conventional two-dimensional Hubbard model, which is commonly believed to describe high-temperature superconductors. Due to the non-locality of the d-wave superconducting order parameter, the results on small clusters show large size and geometry effects. In large enough clusters, converged results are found that display a finite temperature instability to d-wave superconductivity. The results we report here demonstrate for the first time that superconductivity is possible in a system of strongly correlated electrons without the need of a phonon mediated attractive interaction.
Lattice dynamics and origin of ferroelectricity in BaTiO3: Linearized-augmented-plane-wave total-energy calculations.

Phonon frequencies and eigenvectors have been computed from first principles for the three optic ${\mathit{F}}_{1\mathit{u}}$ modes in ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$ using the full-potential linearized-augmented-plane-wave method. We find that the ferroelectric instability in ${\mathrm{BaTiO}}_{3}$ can be understood from calculations for a perfect crystal with periodic boundary conditions. The energy wells for the soft-mode distortion are deeper for rhombohedral [111] displacements relative to tetragonal [001] displacements, but they are relatively shallow and comparable to the transition temperature. The nonrigid part of the charge-density distortion is centered around the Ti ion rather than the O, and the Ti charge is closer to 2.9+ than 4+. There is significant hybridization between the Ti and O, but the Ba is quite ionic and is well described as a ${\mathrm{Ba}}^{2+}$ ion. The Ti-O hybridization is essential to the ferroelectric instability.
Structural damage identification for thin plates using smart piezoelectric transducers

An impedance-based structural damage identification method for thin plates is presented in this paper using piezoelectric ceramic (PZT) transducers. The local damages are characterized by introducing a damage parameter in each finite element. A two-dimensional electromechanical impedance model is proposed to predict the electric admittance of the PZT transducer bonded to the plates. The general equations for generating structural dynamic stiffness from normal modes are formulated based on finite element analysis. The first-order perturbation method is introduced to obtain the electric admittance change on PZT transducers due to damage. A damage identification scheme for solving nonlinear optimization problem is proposed to locate and quantify the damage by matching the numerical and experimental electric admittance change on PZT transducers. The proposed technique is verified through numerically simulated damage identification tests.
The pricing and allocation of electrical energy

Abstract Realizing that development planning is a continuous and sequential process utilizing the mobilization and efficient use of resources over space and time, this paper develops a suitable model to enhance the likelihood that economic efficiency will be obtained in the pricing and allocation of electrical energy in the USA. Within the structure developed, what will happen to the generating capacity profile is shown, as well as what will happen to the consumption and price over the period 1980–1990.
Family-Based Interventions for the Prevention of Substance Abuse and Other Impulse Control Disorders in Girls

Standardized family-based interventions are the most effective way of preventing or treating adolescent substance abuse and delinquency. This paper first reviews the incidence of adolescent substance abuse worldwide emphasizing gender and causes by etiological risk and protective factors. New epigenetic research is included suggesting that nurturing parenting significantly prevents the phenotypic expression of inherited genetic diseases including substance abuse. Evidence-based family interventions are reviewed including family change theories behind their success, principles and types of family-based interventions, research results, cultural adaptation steps for ethnic and international translation, and dissemination issues. The author's Strengthening Family Program is used as an example of how these principles of effective prevention and cultural adaptation can result in highly effective prevention programs not only for substance abuse, but for other impulse control disorders as well. The conclusions include recommendations for more use of computer technologies to cut the high cost of family interventions relative to youth-only prevention programs and increase the public health impact of evidence-based prevention programs. The paper recommends that to reduce health care costs these family-based approaches should be applied to the prevention and treatment of other impulse control disorders such as obesity and type 2 diabetes, sexually transmitted diseases, and delinquency.
Evolutionary Changes in Promoter and Enhancer Activity During Human Corticogenesis

Human higher cognition is attributed to the evolutionary expansion and elaboration of the human cerebral cortex. However, the genetic mechanisms contributing to these developmental changes are poorly understood. We used comparative epigenetic profiling of human, rhesus macaque, and mouse corticogenesis to identify promoters and enhancers that have gained activity in humans. These gains are significantly enriched in modules of coexpressed genes in the cortex that function in neuronal proliferation, migration, and cortical-map organization. Gain-enriched modules also showed correlated gene expression patterns and similar transcription factor binding site enrichments in promoters and enhancers, suggesting that they are connected by common regulatory mechanisms. Our results reveal coordinated patterns of potential regulatory changes associated with conserved developmental processes during corticogenesis, providing insight into human cortical evolution.
Rates of heat and smoke release of wood in an ohio state university calorimeter

Particleboard, Douglas fir plywood and red oak were tested for heat and smoke release rates under different heat flux levels, piloted and unpiloted conditions, and vertical and horizontal orientations in an Ohio State University calorimeter. The chamber was instrumented to obtain heat release data by both the standard thermal and oxygen consumption methods simultaneously. Heat and smoke release data obtained by both methods are reported. The heat release rates by the thermal method are consistently lower than those by the oxygen consumption method. Variability in results is consistently lower using the oxygen consumption method. The heats of combustion calculated by oxygen consumption are close to those calculated from measurements with the oxygen bomb. The heat release rates measured on particleboard using the standard thermal method are in agreement with measurements on the same material in other Ohio State University calorimeters.
The Split Coefficient Matrix method for hyperbolic systems of gasdynamic equations

The Split Coefficient Matrix (SCM) finite difference method for solving hyperbolic systems of equations is presented. This new method is based on the mathematical theory of characteristics. The development of the method from characteristic theory is presented. Boundary point calculation procedures consistent with the SCM method used at interior points are explained. The split coefficient matrices that define the method for steady supersonic and unsteady inviscid flows are given for several examples. The SCM method is used to compute several flow fields to demonstrate its accuracy and versatility. The similarities and differences between the SCM method and the lambda-scheme are discussed.
Better to be Lucky Than Good

This paper describes various factors that are to be considered in selecting a variable speed drive and a steam turbine for any process equipment. To better illustrate the process of selecting a drive from both VFD and turbine options, two example cases were created that represented actual applications already installed and operating. The specific applications are a boiler feedwater pump (BFW) and an FD fan. It is necessary to consider and include all the costs for either type of drive system. The VFD and motor costs were obvious but the existing surplus distribution and transformer capacity, had it not been available, would have altered the economics considerably. Similarly, the cost of steam piping and lube oil supply, cooling, and filtration, which was available at the BFW pump but not at the FD fan, was not discussed but could have had significant cost impact.
Water softening using microbial desalination cell technology

article i nfo Microbial desalination cells (MDCs) are an emerging concept that uses bioelectric potential produced from organics via microbial metabolism to accomplish desalination. MDCs consist of three compartments, the anode, the cathode, and a salt compartment, which is between the anode and the cathode. This study reported a bench-scale laboratory experiment for evaluating the effectiveness of using MDC technology to re- move hardness from several different hard water samples collected from across the United States, ranging in concentrations from 220 to 2080 mg/L as CaCO3. It was found that the MDC generally removed more than 90% of the hardness from the tested water samples driven by electron movement in the batch operation. Elec- tricity production was highly related to the conductivity of the hard water samples. It was found that the MDC removed 89% of the arsenic, 97% of the copper, 99% of the mercury, and 95% of the nickel at the testing concentrations in a synthetic solution. These results provided a proof-of-concept that MDCs can be used to soften hard water that is driven by an electric current. Further development of the MDC softening process should optimize reaction configuration and reduce the volumetric ratio between wastewater and hard water. © 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Corvid response to human settlements and campgrounds : Causes, consequences, and challenges for conservation

Abstract Human development often favors species adapted to human conditions with subsequent negative effects on sensitive species. This is occurring throughout the urbanizing world as increases by generalist omnivores, like some crows and ravens (corvids) threaten other birds with increased rates of nest predation. The process of corvid responses and their actual effects on other species is only vaguely understood, so we quantified the population response of radio-tagged American crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos), common ravens (Corvus corax), and Steller’s jays (Cyanocitta stelleri) to human settlements and campgrounds and examined their influence as nest predators on simulated marbled murrelet (Brachyramphus marmoratus) nests on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula from 1995 to 2000. The behavior and demography of crows, ravens, and jays was correlated to varying degrees with proximity to human development. Crows and ravens had smaller home ranges and higher reproduction near human settlements and recreation. Annual survival of crows was positively associated with proximity to human development. Home range and reproduction of Steller’s jays was independent of proximity to human settlements and campgrounds. Local density of crows increased because home ranges of neighboring breeding pairs overlapped extensively (6× more than ravens and 3× more than Steller’s jays) and breeders far from anthropogenic foods traveled 10s of kilometers to access them. Corvids accounted for 32.5% of the predation events (n = 837) we documented on artificial murrelet nests. Small corvids (jays) were common nest predators across our study area but their contribution as predators did not vary with proximity to settlements and campgrounds. In contrast, large corvids (crows and ravens) were rare nest predators across our study area but their contribution varied greatly with proximity to settlements and campgrounds. Managers seeking to reduce the risk of nest predation need to consider the varied impacts and variable behavioral and population responses of potential nest predators. In our situation, removing large corvids may do little to reduce overall rates of nest predation because of the diverse predator assemblage, but reducing anthropogenic food in the landscape may be effective.
Risk Factors for Suicidal Ideation Among African American and European American College Women

Given that suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students, it is important to identify risk factors that may contribute to college students' suicide. Our study examined the differences in risk factors of suicidal ideation between 99 African American and 529 European American college women (18-24 years old). The only significant difference that was reported between the two groups of women was on hopelessness, with African American women having lower hopelessness scores. In hierarchical regression analyses, reports of hopelessness, depression, and perceived burdensomeness, but not thwarted belongingness, significantly predicted suicidal ideation in college women. Furthermore, race moderated the relationship between hopelessness and suicidal ideation such that hopelessness was a stronger predictor for African American women than it was for European American women. Race also moderated the depression-suicidal ideation association, with depression emerging as a stronger predictor of suicidal ideation for European American than for African American women. When assessing risk for suicide, our results suggest that practitioners may need to focus more on hopelessness in African American women and more on depression in European American women while also considering perceived burdensomeness in college women regardless of race. In addition to assessment, prevention programs which target these identified risk factors for suicidality should be developed specifically for African American and European American college women. Language: en
Effect of venting on myocardial protection by hypothermic cardioplegic arrest.

Myocardial rewarming between cardioplegic (CP) infusions is in part attributable to blood circulating through the heart from collateral channels. This experiment was performed to determine if the type of left ventricular (LV) venting affects myocardial temperature (temp) or alters myocardial protection. Twelve dogs underwent cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) at 37°C and were subjected to 100 min of cardioplegic arrest by intermittent coronary infusion of 300 ml 0–4°C CP solution. Arterial, central venous, left atrial, and LV pressures; cardiac output; systemic, septal (S), right ventricular (RV), and LV temp; myocardial ATP and glycogen were measured; LV pressure/volume curves and LV dp/dt were calculated. Group A (6 dogs) had an LV vent during CPB, and Group B (6 dogs) had the aorta vented via the CP line. CP infusion lowered LV temp to 8°C in Group A vs 13°C in Group B (P < 0.000002); S temp was lowered to 7°C in Group A vs 11°C in Group B (P < 0.00007); and RV temp was lowered to 16°C in Groups A and B. Ten minutes after CP, LV and S temp increased to 20–21°C in Groups A and B, and RV temp to 24–25°C in Groups A and B. Twenty minutes after CP all temperatures were the same. Hemodynamics and myocardial metabolic studies were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Hearts vented via the LV cooled to a lower temperature vs those vented via the aorta. Venting did not affect myocardial rewarming, myocardial metabolites, or ventricular function.
The focal point method for solving systems of linear equations

The Focal Point method of solving systems of linear equations is based on the linearity of matrix transformations and the fact that each equation in the system defines a hyperplane of solutions. As with Gaussian elimination the number of multiplications is a cubic polynomial inn with leading coefficientn3/3. Some of the benefits of this new method are that it needs approximatelyn2/4 storage registers and that the zeroes of the system are preserved. Thus for sparse systems the operation count can be significantly reduced. Numerical examples using initial segments of the Hilbert matrix demonstrate that this new method can be very accurate.
PERSPECTIVES ON VIOLENCE

Abstract. Violence is in its broadest sense the deliberate creation of “bads” or negative goods as opposed to production, which is the deliberate creation of good. Its two major sources are malevolence and threat. Malevolence is the situation where A's perception that B is worse off increases A's welfare or utility. Threat systems are probably the largest source of violence. Four responses to threat are: compliance or submission: defiance: flight; and counter-threat, which is stable in the short run, but must eventually break down and is the major source of violence in the modern world.
A new mandate for operations managers

Labor planning is a key component of production/operations management. A productive organization needs a workforce that is of the right size, is competent and is well‐motivated. Production/operations managers need to understand the tools and techniques at their disposal to create such a workforce. This paper examines some of the key issues relating to labor planning and management, and introduces some of the available approaches and tools that can help shape and direct a workforce to productive ends.
Mutations in the H1 and 1A Domains in the Keratin 1 Gene in Epidermolytic Hyperkeratosis

In the autosomal dominant disorder epidermolytic hyperkeratosis, the structural integrity of the keratin intermediate filaments is altered in the suprabasal layers of the epidermis. We and others have used genetic linkage studies and mutation analysis to establish that single amino acid substitutions in either the keratin 1 or keratin 10 chains can cause epidermolytic hyperkeratosis. However, a larger database of mutations is required to better understand the relationship between specific mutations in these keratin chains and their effect on keratin filament structure. A larger database will also provide a catalog that may be useful for genetic counseling purposes. In this paper, we report the identification of three new mutations of the keratin 1 chain of epidermolytic hyperkeratosis probands in highly conserved residues in the H1 or beginning of the 1A rod domain segments. These correspond to regions involved in molecular overlaps between neighboring molecules in keratin filaments. Using an in vitro assay, synthetic peptides bearing these substitutions show diminished capacity to disassemble preformed filaments in vitro in comparison to the wild type peptides. Moreover, analyses of all mutations in epidermolytic hyperkeratosis known to date demonstrate remarkable clustering in the molecular overlap region. We conclude that non-conservative substitutions in the overlap region are likely to interfere with normal keratin filament structure and function, leading to pathology.
TE- and TM-polarized optoelectronic properties of HgCdTe quantum wells

A systematic investigation of the strength of TE-polarized and TM-polarized intersubband and interband transitions in narrow-gap HgCdTe quantum wells is performed using an eight-band finite-element k·p formalism. Effects of varying the well composition, well width, and applied electric field are explored for both polarizations, and the possibility of fabricating low-threshold quantum cascade lasers using this system is pointed out. Especially promising are the prospects for optically-pumped terahertz lasers based on interband transitions. Lasers emitting in the 30–45 µm wavelength range (falling in the phonon bands of III–V quantum wells), are projected to operate above liquid-nitrogen temperature.
Case-matched comparison of clinical and financial outcome after laparoscopic or open colorectal surgery.

ObjectiveComparison of outcome and costs after laparoscopic and open colectomy.Summary Background DataPrevious studies comparing laparoscopic and open colectomy report conflicting results with regard to clinical outcome and costs.MethodsLaparoscopic colectomy patients from a prospective database wer
Goodpasture's syndrome

A 59-year-old white man with a history of recurrent pleural effusions, coal worker's pneumoconiosis, and a positive PPD presented with hemoptysis beginning on the morning of admission. The patient had coughed up small amounts of dark blood totaling approximately 4 ounces; although this was his first episode of hemoptysis, he had experienced epistaxis approximately once weekly in the previous year. The patient was married, had smoked one pack of cigarettes/day for 30 years, but had quit four years ago. He occasionally drank alcoholic beverages, and he was a retired coal miner who had worked directly in the mines. He denied fever, chills, night sweats, weight loss, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, or cough. The patient complained of a transient nonspecific rash in the previous weeks that had resolved. The medical history was notable for a recurrent left-sided pleural effusion 5 years previously with a negative workup for collagen-vascular disease, malignancy, and infection. He had had nephrotic-range proteinuria four years prior to admission; renal biopsy then demonstrated focal segmental glomeruloselerosis. Treatment with an angiotensin-convertingenzyme inhibitor reduced the proteinuria to below 400 mg/24 hours. The family history was negative. Physical examination revealed a well-appearing white man in no apparent distress. His temperature was 37°C; respirations, 20/mm; pulse, 80 beats/mm; and blood pressure, 120/60 mm Hg. The head, eyes, ears, nose, and throat were normal, as was the neck. The lungs were clear to auscultation. Cardiac examination was unremarkable. His abdomen was soft, nontender, and his extremities showed no evidence of clubbing, cyanosis, or edema. Neurologic examination was normal. Laboratory evaluation revealed a white blood cell count of 9700/mm3; hematocrit, 41%; and platelets, 192,000/mm3. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was 40 mgJdl and serum creatinine concentration 2.3 mg/dl; two months ago, the BUN was 25 mg/dl and the serum ereatinine, 1.4 mg/dl. Total
An improved solution of open-region scattering problems using the finite element method

A method for reducing the total number of unknowns while enhancing the radiation boundary condition is introduced in connection with the use of the finite-element method to solve open-range scattering problems. The asymptotic form of the scattering field, described as an outgoing spherical wave or cylindrical wave modulating a scattering amplitude, is extended inward throughout the scattering region. The general scattering amplitude may vary with radial distance, although it is mainly nonoscillatory. The Helmholtz equation is rewritten in terms of scattering amplitude and is solved by the finite-element method. Due to the smooth nature of the scattering amplitude, the density of the finite-element mesh can be greatly reduced in the radial direction, decreasing the total number of unknowns. As a result, with this method the use of local boundary conditions becomes more attractive. >
Russian Foreign Policy in the 21st Century

Roger E. Kanet (ed.), Russian Foreign Policy in the 21st Century. Houndmills: Palgrave Macmillan, 2011, xiv + 296pp., £60.00 h/b. This is an important and timely book, due both to the subject matte...
A micromachined, silicon mass-air-flow sensor for automotive applications

A micromachined, monolithic silicon mass-air-flow sensor has been developed for measuring engine intake air flows in the range of 1-60 m/s. It has a response time of under 1 ms and can be temperature compensated to a deviation of +or-3.5% error or less in indicated flow over a temperature range of -30 degrees C to +40 degrees C. The device can withstand bombardment by particles up to 50- mu m in size in the air stream, or larger ones if elements with reduced accuracy are used. A more rugged design, using larger silicon beams but retaining good temperature compensation capability, can be achieved by modifying the beam ends and their support to increase the thermal isolation between the beams and the rest of the silicon chip. >
Phospholipase A2-responsive antibiotic delivery via nanoparticle-stabilized liposomes for the treatment of bacterial infection

Adsorbing small charged nanoparticles onto liposome surfaces to stabilize them against fusion and payload leakage has resulted in a new class of liposomes capable of environment-responsive drug delivery. Herein, we engineered a liposome formulation with a lipid composition sensitive to bacterium-secreted phospholipase A2 (PLA2) and adsorbed chitosan-modified gold nanoparticles (AuChi) onto the liposome surface. The resulting AuChi-stabilized liposomes (AuChi-liposomes) showed prohibited fusion activity and negligible drug leakage. However, upon exposure to either purified PLA2 enzyme or PLA2 secreted by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria in culture, AuChi-liposomes rapidly released the encapsulated payloads and such responsive release was retarded by adding quinacrine dihydrochloride, a PLA2 inhibitor. When loaded with doxycycline, AuChi-liposomes effectively inhibited H. pylori growth. Overall, the AuChi-liposomes allowed for smart “on-demand” antibiotic delivery: the more enzymes or bacteria present at the infection site, the more drugs will be released to treat the infection. Given the strong association of PLA2 with a diverse range of diseases, the present liposomal delivery technique holds broad application potential for tissue microenvironment-responsive drug delivery.