cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fatty liver: The metabolic syndrome increases major hepatectomy mortality.

Abstract Background As the obesity epidemic worsens, the prevalence of fatty liver disease has increased. However, minimal data exist on the impact of combined fatty liver and metabolic syndrome on hepatectomy outcomes. Therefore, the aim of this analysis is to measure the outcomes of patients who do and do not have a fatty liver undergoing hepatectomy in the presence and absence of the metabolic syndrome. Methods Patients with fatty and normal livers undergoing major hepatectomy (≥3 segments) were identified in the 2014 to 2018 American College of Surgeon National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Patients undergoing partial hepatectomy and those with missing liver texture data were excluded. Propensity matching was used and adjusted for multiple variables. A subgroup analysis stratified by the metabolic syndrome (body mass index ≥30 kg/m2, hypertension and diabetes) was performed. Demographics and outcomes were compared by χ2 and Mann-Whitney tests. Results Of 2,927 hepatectomies, 30% of patients (N = 863) had a fatty liver. The median body mass index was 28.6, and the metabolic syndrome was present in 6.3% of patients (N = 184). After propensity matching, 863 patients with fatty and 863 with normal livers were compared. Multiple outcomes were significantly worse in patients with fatty livers (P Conclusion Fatty liver disease is associated with significantly worse outcomes after major hepatectomy. The metabolic syndrome confers an increased risk of postoperative mortality.
Medial Clavicle Fracture Fixation Including the Sternum: A Case Report.

CASE A 29-year-old man presented with a displaced medial clavicle fracture. Surgical repair was performed using a precontoured plate designed for the contralateral distal clavicle, and medial fixation was accomplished at the sternum. The patient had no complications and demonstrated full strength and range of motion at the 8-month follow-up. CONCLUSION Medial clavicle fractures with a small medial fragment can be immobilized using a plate designed for the contralateral distal clavicle that crosses the sternoclavicular joint to obtain medial fixation in the sternum. This technique may provide a viable treatment modality for this unique fracture pattern.
Interrogation of genome-wide, experimentally dissected gene regulatory networks reveals mechanisms underlying dynamic cellular state control

Abstract Pooled CRISPRi-mediated silencing of >1,000 transcriptional regulators expressed in single colorectal adenocarcinoma cells, followed by single-cell RNA-seq profiling at two timepoints, 1 day and 4 days, allowed reverse engineering the underlying tumor context-specific, causal regulatory network. Furthermore, the availability of experimentally derived, highly multiplexed gene reporter assays for each regulator, as identified by this analysis, allowed accurate assessment of differential protein activity following silencing of each regulator, thus providing proof-of-concept for generating comprehensive, tissue-specific networks of transcriptional and post-translational interactions. Analysis of this causal network allowed elucidation of complex autoregulatory mechanisms that have eluded previous computational approaches and supported systematic elucidation of cooperative mechanisms, where one regulatory protein can modulate the activity of another regulatory protein, as well as transcriptional mimicry, where one regulatory protein can phenocopy others.
Persistent attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder predicts socially oriented, but not physical/physiologically oriented, alcohol problems in early adulthood.

Background Although individuals with histories of childhood attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) report more alcohol-related problems in adulthood than those without ADHD, it is unknown whether there are group differences in certain types of alcohol problems. We tested whether the nature of alcohol problems differed for individuals with and without childhood ADHD, as well as adulthood-persistent ADHD, to facilitate a personalized medicine approach for alcohol problems in this high-risk group. Methods Data were drawn from a prospective, observational study. Children diagnosed with ADHD and demographically similar individuals without childhood ADHD were followed prospectively through young adulthood (N = 453; 87.6% male). ADHD symptom persistence was assessed using self-reports and parent reports. Alcohol problems and heavy drinking were assessed repeatedly from 18-30 years old to construct lifetime measures. Results Full-sample confirmatory factor analyses identified 5 alcohol problem "types:" interpersonal problems/risky behaviors, occupational/academic impairment, impaired control/treatment seeking, tolerance/withdrawal, and drinking to blackout. Latent class analyses of items within each type yielded the best fit for 3-class solutions for all sets of items except blackout drinking, for which 2 classes emerged. Children with ADHD were more likely than those without ADHD to belong to high-risk latent classes for interpersonal problems/risky behaviors, occupational/academic problems, and impaired control (the high-risk class that indexed treatment-seeking behavior). These effects were driven by individuals whose ADHD symptoms persisted into adulthood. Few group differences emerged for tolerance/withdrawal and blackout drinking, except that individuals with only childhood ADHD (no persistence) were more likely to belong to the low-risk groups than those with adulthood-persistent ADHD and without ADHD. Conclusions Individuals with ADHD histories whose symptoms persist into adulthood may be more likely to experience socially oriented alcohol problems and impaired control/treatment seeking than individuals without an ADHD history and those with childhood ADHD only. Tailored alcohol prevention and treatment programs may benefit this high-risk population.
Carceral urbanism: Reconstructing the architecture of punitive space in post-genocide Rwanda:

In this article I make the argument that the prison in post-genocide Rwanda is an architectural artefact and a problem-space around which to examine the transitional dilemmas of the post-genocide p...
The quest for gender equality: Understanding and measuring gender responsiveness in Colombia's municipal planning

Abstract Governments and urban planners still struggle to create a strategy where women's interests are well served (Fainstein & Servon, 2005). In Colombia, a country recognized by its progress on critical aspects of the feminist agenda, mayors hold significant planning power. Using a sample of 248 Colombian cities, this article combines content and regression analysis to understand the factors linked to gender responsiveness. Results indicate that the civic groups and city's demographics are key elements on serving women's interest. This study provides an analysis that can help planners, public administrators, and decision makers not only understand the variables determining gender responsiveness, but also define strategies to reduce gender inequality. It also helps to corroborate and dismiss different assumptions that planners and local governments/public administrators have followed in terms of advancing gender equality.
Educational Debt and Material Hardship: The Role of Disability

In 2020, student loan debt in the United States totaled $1.55 trillion. Policy proposals to address the high level of debt have ranged from incremental approaches, such as legislative proposals to forgive up to $10,000 of debt for individuals, to sweeping proposals that would cancel all debt through executive action by the President. Several aspects of the student loan policy debate touch on the disabled population in the United States, especially individuals who receive benefits from the Social Security Administration. In this study, I use new data from the 2018 Survey of Income and Program Participation to examine the characteristics of Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability beneficiaries with educational debt and compare their characteristics to disability beneficiaries without debt and to the broader population in the United States. Material hardship is widespread among disability beneficiaries, especially among those with educational debt. Hardship is less common among persons without a disability, even among those with educational debt. I apply these results to inform policy debates on educational debt, with a particular focus on the issue of targeting loan forgiveness to individuals with limited economic means.
Combustion, Friction and Fuel Tolerance improvements for the IDI Diesel Engine

Fuel economy, emission and power capability of IDI Diesel engines were defined from mapping surveys of 12 production engines. Improved fuel economy, lower emissions and increased tolerance for lower quality fuels were obtained from reductions in friction and modifications to the combustion system. A 16% reduction in friction obtained with low tension piston rings, low friction coating on the piston skirt and roller followers provided an 8% reduction in fuel consumption. Combustion system modifications consisting of a smaller throat prechamber and an air cell provided 26% and 41% reductions in particulates, respectively. Reductions in cetane number from 47.5 to 32.5 resulted in a 31% increase in particulates, but addition of a cetane improver reduced the increase to only 4%. Both combustion system modifications, when operated on 32.5 cetane fuel without the cetane improver, provided lower particulates relative to the baseline combustion system operated on 47.5 cetane fuel.
Two dimensional clutter: a new definition

A great deal of interest has recently been shown in defining clutter for infrared images. Clutter plays an important role in the detection of targets in infrared images. Different research workers have proposed different definitions for clutter. A number of these definitions are based on the variance of cells comprising the image. To the best of author's knowledge no one has so far proposed a two dimensional definition of clutter. The objective of this paper is to propose a new definition of clutter called clutter matrix. A clutter matrix is a matrix based on the correlation matrix obtained from subcells of an image. The notion of subcells and subcells level is introduced. Under the conventional definitions for clutter, two different images may have same clutter value, but under the proposed definition the distinction between the two images is conspicuous from the two clutter matrices for the images. The central diagonal element of the clutter matrix gives the average of cell variance, i.e. measure for the conventional clutter value for the image. An algorithm for determining clutter matrix is proposed in this paper. The procedure is illustrated with the help of examples made of synthetic and real images. >
Locational security impact factors for risk-constrained AC OPF

Probabilistic risk-based approaches to system security provide a quantitative measure to evaluate the security of system operation. However, incorporating the risk-based security index as a constraint into the optimal power flow problem results in a complex optimization problem, which is difficult to solve in a centralized manner for large-scale power systems. In this paper, the application of so-called locational security impact factors to the AC model of a power system in order to decouple this optimization problem is studied. Locational security impact factors quantify the impact that the generation pattern has on system security, playing the same role for security as locational marginal prices do for economics. The IEEE 24-bus test system is used to compare the results obtained by the decoupled and centralized approaches with respect to the solution accuracy and simulation time.
Early Diversification of the TNF Superfamily in Teleosts: Genomic Characterization and Expression Analysis

The TNF superfamily (TNFSF) of proteins are cytokines involved in diverse immunological and developmental pathways. Little is known about their evolution or expression in lower vertebrate species. Bioinformatic searches of Zebrafish, Tetraodon, and Fugu genome and other teleost expressed sequence tag databases identified 44 novel gene sequences containing a TNF homology domain. This work reveals the following: 1) teleosts possess orthologs of BAFF, APRIL, EDA, TWEAK, 4-1BBL, Fas ligand, LIGHT, CD40L, RANKL, and possibly TL1A; 2) the BAFF-APRIL subfamily is enriched by a third member, BALM, unique to fish; 3) orthologs of lymphotoxins α and β were not clearly identified in teleosts and are substituted by a related ligand, TNF-New; 4) as many as four TRAIL-like genes are present in teleosts, as compared with only one in mammals; and 5) T cell activation ligands OX40L, CD27L, CD30L, and GITRL were not identified in any fish species. Finally, we characterize mRNA expression of TNFSF members CD40L, LIGHT, BALM, APRIL, Fas ligand, RANKL, TRAIL-like, and TNF-New in rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss , immune and nonimmune tissues. In conclusion, we identified a total of 14 distinct TNFSF members in fishes, indicating expansion of this superfamily before the divergence of bony fish and tetrapods, ∼360–450 million years ago. Based on these findings, we extend a model of TNFSF evolution and the coemergence of the vertebrate adaptive immune system.
Muscle-specific activity of the skeletal troponin I promoter requires interaction between upstream regulatory sequences and elements contained within the first transcribed exon.

Abstract Expression of the skeletal troponin I (sTnI) gene is regulated transcriptionally in a muscle-specific fashion. We show here that the region of the sTnI gene between -160 and +61 (relative to the transcription initiation site) is able to direct expression of the bacterial chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene is muscle cultures at a level approximately 100 times higher than in fibroblast cultures. RNA analysis demonstrated that transcription of the CAT gene was initiated at the same site as transcription of the endogenous sTnI gene and that CAT activity levels were approximately proportional to CAT mRNA levels. Deletion analysis demonstrated that the region between nucleotides -160 and -40 contained sequences essential for full promoter activity. Surprisingly, 3' deletion analysis indicated that the first exon (-6 to +61) of the sTnI gene was also required for full activity of the sTnI promoter in skeletal muscle cells. Chimeric promoter experiments, in which segments of the sTnI and the herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase promoter were interchanged, indicated that reconstitution of a muscle-specific promoter required inclusion of both the upstream and exon I regions of the sTnI gene. Exon I, and the region immediately upstream, showed DNase protection over sequence motifs related to those found in other genes, including the tar region of human immunodeficiency virus type 1. These results demonstrate that expression of the sTnI promoter in embryonic skeletal muscle cells requires complex interaction between two separate promoter regions, one of which resides within the first 61 transcribed nucleotides of the gene.
Algorithm for agile assembling-to-order in the automotive industry

Traditional automotive assembly initiates the assembly of a vehicle based on a specific order and keeps that order coupled with the vehicle as it moves through the plant. However, due to parallel stations and rework loops in the plant, the build sequence becomes scrambled by the time it enters final assembly. The sequence that reaches final assembly may not be suited for efficient assembly because it might cause very unlevel material usage and workload. Conventional scheduling optimizes the build sequence before the body shop, attaches an order to a physical vehicle as it enters the body shop, and keeps the order and vehicle coupled throughout the plant. Decoupled assembly allows the plant to change the customer order associated with a particular physical vehicle. An algorithm is presented for scheduling and matching customer orders to vehicles to take advantage of this decoupling and quantify its advantages via simulation.
Isolation and chromosomal localization of the human glutathione peroxidase gene.

Abstract We have isolated cDNA clones for the gene, termed GPX1 , encoding the major human selenoprotein, glutathione peroxidase. Sequence analysis confirmed previous findings that the unusual amino acid selenocysteine is encoded by the opal terminator codon UGA. Southern blot analysis of human genomic DNA with the GPX1 cDNA showed that restriction endonucleases without sites in the probe sequence produced three hybridizing bands at standard stringency, diminishing to one strongly and one weakly hybridizing band at high stringency. In situ hybridization localized the human GPX1 gene to a single site on chromosome 3, at region 3q11–13.1. Thus, three genomic sites bear sequence homology to the GPX1 cDNA, and the one most homologous maps to 3q11–13.1.
Respiratory physiotherapy to prevent pulmonary complications after abdominal surgery: a systematic review.

Objectives To examine the efficacy of respiratory physiotherapy for prevention of pulmonary complications after abdominal surgery. Methods We searched in databases and bibliographies for articles in all languages through November 2005. Randomized trials were included if they investigated prophylactic respiratory physiotherapy and pulmonary outcomes, and if the follow-up was at least 2 days. Efficacy data were expressed as risk differences (RDs) and number needed to treat (NNT), with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Thirty-five trials tested respiratory physiotherapy treatments. Of 13 trials with a "no intervention" control group, 9 studies (n = 883) did not report on significant differences, and 4 studies (n = 528) did: in 1 study, the incidence of pneumonia was decreased from 37.3 to 13.7% with deep breathing, directed cough, and postural drainage (RD, 23.6%; 95% CI, 7 to 40%; NNT, 4.3; 95% CI, 2.5 to 14); in 1 study, the incidence of atelectasis was decreased from 39 to 15% with deep breathing and directed cough (RD, 24%; 95% CI, 5 to 43%; NNT, 4.2; 95% CI, 2.4 to 18); in 1 study, the incidence of atelectasis was decreased from 77 to 59% with deep breathing, directed cough, and postural drainage (RD, 18%; 95% CI, 5 to 31%; NNT, 5.6; 95% CI, 3.3 to 19); in 1 study, the incidence of unspecified pulmonary complications was decreased from 47.7% to 21.4 to 22.2% with intermittent positive pressure breathing, or incentive spirometry, or deep breathing with directed cough (RD, 25.5 to 26.3%; NNT, 3.8 to 3.9). Twenty-two trials (n = 2,734) compared physiotherapy treatments without no intervention control subjects; no conclusions could be drawn. Conclusions There are only a few trials that support the usefulness of prophylactic respiratory physiotherapy. The routine use of respiratory physiotherapy after abdominal surgery does not seem to be justified.
State, voluntary and private sector partnerships for slum upgrading and basic service delivery in Nairobi City, Kenya

Abstract Chronic shortages of low-income housing and basic services have bedeviled Third World cities for decades. Effective models for meeting these needs continue to be scarce. This paper argues that tri-sector partnerships involving the state (or public), voluntary, and private sectors, are a promising way of addressing the issues. While difficult to initiate and maintain, such partnerships have unique and mutually reinforcing strengths that could enable participants to increase effectiveness in meeting poor people’s urban housing and service needs. The paper uses a case study of an ongoing slum upgrading and service provision project in the Mathare 4A area of Nairobi, Kenya, to demonstrate the strengths, weaknesses, and potential of tri-sector partnerships. Primary data from 1996–1997 field study in Nairobi City and more recent secondary data are used.
A consumer view of inflation and the economy

Americans must band together to “beat” inflation. All social groups must make a strong commitment to improved productivity and new zest in consumer, competition, and energy policies.
Early Intervention to Promote Medical Student Interest in Surgery and the Surgical Subspecialties

Objective Concerns about projected workforce shortages are growing, and attrition rates among surgical residents remain high. Early exposure of medical students to the surgical profession may promote interest in surgery and allow students more time to make informed career decisions. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of a simple, easily reproducible intervention aimed at increasing first- and second-year medical student interest in surgery. Design Surgery Saturday (SS) is a student-organized half-day intervention of four faculty-led workshops that introduce suturing, knot tying, open instrument identification, operating room etiquette, and basic laparoscopic skills. Medical students who attended SS were administered pre-/post-surveys that gauged change in surgical interest levels and provided a self-assessment (1-5 Likert-type items) of knowledge and skills acquisition. Participants First- and second-year medical students. Outcome Measures Change in interest in the surgical field as well as perceived knowledge and skills acquisition. Results Thirty-three first- and second-year medical students attended SS and completed pre-/post-surveys. Before SS, 14 (42%) students planned to pursue a surgical residency, 4 (12%) did not plan to pursue a surgical residency, and 15 (46%) were undecided. At the conclusion, 29 (88%) students indicated an increased interested in surgery, including 87% (13/15) who were initially undecided. Additionally, attendees reported a significantly (p Conclusions SS is a low resource, high impact half-day intervention that can significantly promote early medical student interest in surgery. As it is easily replicable, adoption by other medical schools is encouraged.
Types of educational leadership in a postindustrial society

As school improvement efforts shift to emphasis on restructuring, the types of leadership required to effectively develop new patterns of shool structure and relationships also are being questioned. This discussion examines transactional, transformational, cultural, and critical types of leadership, compared on the dimensions of the roles of formal school leaders, the roles of teachers and other school staff, and the value system of leadership (which would include the goals and purpose of leadership and perceptions of the standards by which performance will be evaluated). Critical leadership is suggested to be the most promising approach through combining the pursuit of democratic value with explicit examination of structural and cultural dimensions of school organization.
Managing Soil Water to Improve Rainfed Agriculture in India

ABSTRACT Rainfed agriculture is practiced on two-thirds of the total cropland area of 162 million hectares (Mha) in India. While yield and total productivity of irrigated crops have improved since the 1960s, those of rainfed crops or dry farming have stagnated. Yet, the average crop yield under rainfed conditions in research and demonstration plots is two to four times higher than the national average crop yields. Low crop yields under rainfed conditions are due to recurring drought stress, high soil temperatures, widespread soil degradation and desertification, and poor management. Soil-related constraints that exacerbate drought stress include crusting and compaction, low water infiltration rate, low water retention capacity, high surface runoff, and high losses due to soil evaporation. India receives about 400 × 106 ha-m of rainfall annually, most of which is received in 100 hours over a span of 25 nonconsecutive rain days. Thus, 45% (or 180 × 106 ha-m) is lost as runoff or blue water. Some of the wate...
The action of stimulant and depressant agents on local cerebral impedance and circulation.

The effect of typical stimulant and depressant drugs on local cerebral impedance patterns has been studied in unanesthetized, intact cats with indwelling electrodes. Blood flow variations have been deduced from changes in amplitude of the pulsatile electrical impedance recorded across the electrodes. Amphetamine produced bradycardia and a selective increase in cortical impedance and blood flow. At subcortical sites there was a tendency toward decreased flow with minimally effective doses and increased flow with maximally effective doses. Caffeine also showed a similar, but less marked selective increase in cortical flow but with an accompanying tachycardia. Sedation with pentobarbital was typically accompanied by generalized reduction in cerebral blood flow and tachycardia, except that the hypothalamus retained considerable vasomotor activity in the early post-drug period. Chlorpromazine, on the other hand, had little effect on general cerebral circulation but selectively depressed hypothalamic blood flow and vasomotor responsiveness. Ether anesthesia was associated with large increases in subcortical blood flow and little or no increase in cortical flow. Stimulant and depressant drugs were compared with intravenously injected epinephrine and with natural states of alertness in their effects on local cerebral blood flow. Circulatory patterns after amphetamine did not resemble those of arousal or of epinephrine, and those of pento-barbital differed from the patterns of natural sleep.
Optimal Force Distribution for Payload Positioning Using a Planar Dual-Arm Robot

This paper presents a parameter optimization technique for deciding the force distribution on a payload being transported along a predetermined trajectory using two planar manipulator arms. The methodology begins by transforming the singular dynamics of two-arm transport to an ordinary set of differential equations and then proceeds to obtain a relation between the torques exerted by each arm. This relation is then used in a quadratic torque cost which is subsequently minimized to yield an optimal torque distribution. Significant savings in energy were found to occur when the arms were allowed to interact by transmission of forces through the payload. Even more significant are the savings found over one-arm transport of payloads where the arm torques are fixed by the prescribed trajectory.
Mechanical Strain Generated by RNA Polymerase during Transcription Initiation can Drive Structural Changes in DNA Topology that Relieve Repression

DNA in cells is often topologically closed, and in some cases, tightly looped by proteins typically associated with transcriptional repression. During transcription initiation, RNA polymerase (RNAP) is challenged to open duplex DNA, wherein RNAP generates torque that consequently overtwists DNA flanking the melted promoter. As initiation proceeds, the transcription bubble expands as RNAP synthesizes downstream RNA while maintaining upstream DNA contacts. We hypothesized that the mechanical strain imparted to DNA during initiation would repress transcription from DNA templates that restrict the relief of torsional stress. To test our hypothesis, we constructed circular DNA templates that are 100 to 108 bp in size (i.e., each initially twisted to various degrees) and quantified transcription initiation by the bacteriophage T7 RNAP. We find that transcriptional repression during initiation is dependent on the sign and magnitude of initial twist within the DNA templates. Surprisingly, however, we observe that for the most overtwisted templates, repression is relieved at positions beyond the promoter that are dependent on the initial DNA twist. To interpret these results, we used elastic rod and molecular dynamics simulations to predict the structures of both the RNAP and the circular DNA template during initiation. Our modeling studies confirm that RNAP is capable of overtwisting the circular DNA template to the point of buckling from a planar into a supercoiled conformation. Further analysis reveals that initial DNA twist determines at what position along the template supercoiling will occur during initiation and that adopting a supercoiled structure substantially relieves the torque encountered by the RNAP. Our results demonstrate that repression of RNAP during initiation is determined not only by the initial mechanics of the DNA template, but also by the torque generated by RNAP itself.
Influence of Response Variability on the Coding Performance of Central Gustatory Neurons

We explored how variability in responding to taste stimuli could impact the signaling of taste quality information by neuron types and individual cells in the nucleus of the solitary tract. One hundred sixty-two neurons recorded from anesthetized rats were grouped using multivariate analysis of taste responses to the following (in m): 0.5 sucrose, 0.1 NaCl, 0.01 HCl, and 0.01 quinine-HCl. Neurons fell into one of three groups corresponding to cell types that responded optimally to sucrose, NaCl, or HCl. A statistical model was used to examine whether responses observed among neurons within each group could be correctly attributed to the optimal stimulus or another tastant on the basis of spike count. Results revealed poor classification performance in some cases attributable to wide variations in the sensitivities of neurons that compose a cell type. This outcome leads us to question whether neuron types could faithfully encode a single taste quality. We then theoretically explored whether a hypothetical observer of individual neurons could discriminate between spiking rates to different tastants during the first second of stimulus processing. Spike rate was found to be an unreliable predictor of stimulus quality for each neuron tested. However, additional analyses suggested that taste stimuli could be identified by a reader that attends to the relative spiking activities of different kinds of neurons in parallel. Rather than assigning meaning to individual neurons or categories of them, central gustatory circuits may signal quality information using a strategy that involves the relative activities of neurons with different sensitivities to tastants.
Supertransferred hyperfine interaction: Perturbed angular correlation of 111 Cd m in antiferromagnetic NiO, CoO, and MnO

The time-differential perturbed angular correlation of $^{111}\mathrm{Cd}^{m}$ substituted as a dilute impurity into antiferromagnetic NiO, CoO, and MnO has been observed. The following magnetic fields are found at the Cd nucleus (4\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K): NiO (191.1 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 2.5 kOe), CoO (170.8 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 3.0 kOe), MnO (194.7 \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{} 2.5 kOe). They are compared with the Cd hyperfine fields in the antiferromagnetic perovskites KNi${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$:Cd, KCo${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$:Cd, and RbMn${\mathrm{F}}_{3}$:Cd reported earlier. The oxides are found to be more covalent than the fluorides. From the ratio of the hyperfine fields in MnO:Cd and NiO:Cd a new value of the spin density parameter ${f}_{\ensuremath{\sigma}}(\mathrm{Mn}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{O})=8.1%$ has been estimated.
The magnitude and reliability of equity capital cost estimates: A statistical approach

The purpose of this paper is to illustrate a simple technique of estimating the cost of equity capital as well as a statistical measure of its reliability. The approach specifies a probability structure that is readily estimated from company dividend data, and front that structure both the estimated cost of capital and its standard error are calculated.
Did comets form from unaltered interstellar dust and ices? The evidence from infrared spectroscopy

IR spectroscopy data are the bases of the present comparative study of cometary and interstellar dust compositions, allowing the vibrational bands of molecular components to be directly compared at IR wavelengths. Significant organic and silicate band profile differences are noted between comets and molecular clouds' interstellar grains; attention is given to the range of observational efforts, such as the determination of comets' formation temperature from the ortho/para ratio of H2O, which may serve to resolve the question as to whether interstellar dust and ices were the bases for cometary formation without alteration.
Methylxanthine-facilitated shock-induced aggression in the rat

The methylxanthines caffeine and aminophylline, in daily doses of 100 mg/kg, facilitated shock-induced aggression in the rat. Under the limited parameters of this study, there was no induction of mouse-killing behavior or alteration of jump thresholds. Additional studies showed the optimal dose and time course for the facilitation of shock-induced aggression by caffeine to be 50 mg/kg administered i.p. 4 h prior to testing. Facilitation of a central adrenergic system may be the mechanism of action.
Jewish power and powerlessness: Prague Zionists and the Paris Peace Conference

This article explores how perceptions of Jewish power shaped the negotiations between Czechoslovak leaders and Jewish minority representatives at the time of the Paris Peace Conference. In the aftermath of the First World War, Prague-based Zionists embarked on a mission to convince Czechoslovak elites that attacks on Jews were detrimental to the internal stability of the new state and to Czechoslovak interests abroad. As Edvard Benes, the head of the Czechoslovak delegation in Paris, worked to cultivate an image of the new state as more “Western” and “civilised” than other successor states – a strategy meant to garner international support for Czechoslovak territorial demands and its projected absorption of large minority populations – Jewish activists encouraged his uncertainty with regard to Jews' influence on Western audiences and statesmen. They did so in order to convince him to accept their demands for special protection clauses for the new country's Jews. The paper thus shows that the unprecedented...
Cerebral Autoregulation and Acute Ischemic Stroke

Cerebral autoregulation tightly controls blood flow to the brain by coupling cerebral metabolic demand to cerebral perfusion. In the setting of acute brain injury, such as that caused by ischemic stroke, the continued precise control of cerebral blood flow (CBF) is vital to prevent further injury. Chronic as well as acute elevations in blood pressure are frequently associated with stroke, therefore, understanding the physiological response of the brain to the treatment of hypertension is clinically important. Physiological data obtained in patients with acute ischemic stroke provide no clear evidence that there are alterations in the intrinsic autoregulatory capacity of cerebral blood vessels, except perhaps in infarcted tissue. While it is likely safe to modestly reduce blood pressure by 10-15 mm Hg in most patients with acute ischemic stroke, to date, there are no controlled trial data to indicate that reducing blood pressure is beneficial. There may be subgroups, such as those with persistent large vessel occlusion, large infarcts with edema causing increased intracranial pressure or local mass effect, or chronic hypertension, in which blood pressure reduction may lead to impaired cerebral perfusion in noninfarcted tissue.
Effect of Substituents in Directing the Formation of Benzochlorins and Isobacteriochlorins in Porphyrin and Chlorin Systems

A first synthesis of free-base fluorinated benzochlorins by acid-catalyzed cyclization of 20-(2-trisiloxy-trifluoromethylvinyl)octaethylporphyrin is achieved. Under similar reaction conditions, the purpurin-18-N-hexylimide analogues produced the corresponding fluorinated and nonfluorinated ethylidene-substituted isobacteriochlorins and fluorinated chlorin, respectively. The structure of the porphyrin based fluorinated benzochlorin was also confirmed by X-ray analysis.
Characterization of free volume changes associated with shear band formation in Zr- and Cu-based bulk metallic glasses

Abstract The free volume model for flow in metallic glasses predicts a significant increase in free volume at the onset of plastic deformation. The details of these structural changes are unclear, however, particularly during strain localization in shear bands. In this study, the free volume changes associated with inhomogeneous plastic deformation of a Cu-based bulk metallic glass were examined using positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS). PAS results indicated that there was a distribution of free volume site sizes in both the as-quenched and rolled glasses, and that the concentration of larger sites increased with deformation. Differential scanning calorimetry was also used to observe the glass transition behaviors of Cu- and Zr-based glasses after rolling and annealing. Annealing resulted in an increase in the height of the endothermic glass transition peak, consistent with structural relaxation relative to the as-quenched material. Deformation resulted in both a lower endothermic peak height and an earlier and deeper exothermic peak associated with structural relaxation, indicating a more disordered structure with more free volume.
Elements in fish and sediment from the Pacific Coast of the United States : Results from the National Benthic surveillance Project

Element concentrations were determined in sediment and fish at 51 sites along the Pacific Coast of the United States as part of the National Benthic Surveillance Project (NBSP). For the period covering 1984 through 1988, several elements in sediment from urban sites were frequently found in excess over that expected in relatively pristine sediment. Some of the highest concentrations in liver and stomach contents occurred in fish from reference sites, which generally contained low TOC and low concentrations of elements. This pattern may have been due to enhanced bioavailability of elements at sites with low TOC.
Factors That Enable and Challenge International Engineering Communication: A Case Study of a United States/British Design Team

Research problem: In recent years, many businesses have become involved in internationalized projects, yet understanding the dynamics of engineering communication in virtual dispersed teams is limited. Research questions: How do the factors mentioned in the literature function in an international engineering project? Are there factors that enhance or constrain the work in an engineering setting that are not mentioned in previous studies? Literature review: Existing knowledge on the contextual factors that affect virtual international professional communication is mainly built on the study of the communication practices of students or business professionals who are not engineers. Results of that literature have identified factors that enhance communication for dispersed virtual teams (which include cross-cultural training, using appropriate communication technology, face-to-face communication opportunities, respect for partners, regularly scheduled meetings, a common language, a common discipline, and cross-cultural understandings though popular media). There are factors that challenge communication for dispersed virtual teams (which include differing cultural assumptions, differing cultural communication styles, US Government export control regulations, proximity and time issues, and differing levels of perceived power and influence). Methodology: This study involved observing international engineer meetings in the US and the UK and interviewing 19 engineers leading an international design team. The participants worked for the same international company with about half from the US and half in Great Britain. Results and discussion: Many of the factors identified in general professional communication studies held true for this context. But some features were unique to an engineering environment that the literature had not previously mentioned, including iplanning for and working with intercultural dispersed virtual engineering teams and that people need to consider many complexities of culture that affect communication practices. Because this study observed one team in the context of only two cultures, future research may determine whether these factors are more widely found in other teams, workplaces, and cultures. Future research may also determine the relative levels of influence of the contextual factors on international dispersed virtual engineering teams. In addition, the study of engineers learning to communicate in international settings may be illuminating.
Plastic deformation of pentagonal silver nanowires: Comparison between AFM nanoindentation and atomistic simulations

The plastic deformation of a pentagonal silver nanowire is studied by nanoindentation using an atomic force microscope (AFM). AFM images of the residual indent reveal the formation of a neck and surface atomic steps. To study the microscopic deformation mechanism, the indentation force-depth curve is converted to an indentation stress-strain curve and compared to the tensile stress-strain curves predicted by the atomistic simulations of pentagonal silver nanowires. The indentation stress-strain curve exhibits a series of yielding events, attributed to the nucleation and movement of dislocations. The maximum stress measured during nanoindentation (2 GPa) is comparable to the tensile yield strength predicted by atomistic simulations.
Product Design Success Through Early Application of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly Workshops

Declining budgets and shortened schedules leave engineers little room for error in choosing a successful and profitable design concept. A redesign at any point in the program will destroy the product schedule, budget, and design cost goals. One tool for choosing a cost effective, fully compliant design is the Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) Workshop. Although DFMA Workshops are most frequently applied to existing products, the process is most effective when applied during the initial design phase eliminating the need for costly redesigns. The DFMA Workshop involves a team that includes all the stakeholders in the success of the design, including customers and suppliers. During the Workshop, the team applies the 11 DFMA Principles and brainstorms ideas to meet the product requirements. The team then evaluates the ideas for technical risk and feasibility and then choosing the most promising ideas to be implemented into the design.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
The Positive Impact of Preceptors on Recruitment and Retention of RNs in Long-Term Care: A Pilot Project

Nearly 100,000 nursing positions in long-term care (LTC) are vacant on any given day, and the nurse turnover rate exceeds 50%. In addition, recruitment of and orientation programs for new nurses are costly for facilities. Preceptor programs have been successful in recruitment and retention of acute care nurses, but no recent literature addresses preceptor programs in LTC. The Expanding the Teaching-Nursing Home Culture in the State of Illinois project explored the development of a preceptor program to fit the LTC environment in which an RN was chosen to serve as the preceptor and mentor and orient all new nurses. Although the LTC environment presents social and economic challenges, a structured preceptor program allows nurses new to LTC to meet these challenges. By retaining nurses, residents receive continuity of care. This strategy for recruitment and retention of nurses results in professional growth, competent and stable staff, and a stronger bottom line.
LHRH neurons in the medial septal‐diagonal band‐preoptic area do not project directly to the hippocampus: A double‐labeling immunohistochemical study

While neurons containing immunoreactive luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) are scattered primarily in the medial septal-diagonal band of Broca-medial preoptic area (mS-dbB-PO) complex, autoradiographic studies have demonstrated dense concentrations of LHRH receptors in the hippocampus. The route by which LHRH is transported to its hippocampal receptors is unknown. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that LHRH-containing neurons in the mS-dbB-PO complex project to hippocampal sites containing LHRH receptors, thereby serving as a source of innervation to these receptors. Large (0.10 microliters) or small (0.02 microliters) volumes of the retrograde tracer wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) were injected unilaterally into four separate hippocampal locations in six ovariectomized female rats. In an additional five females, a 0.15 microliter volume of the retrograde tracer fluorogold (FG) was similarly injected. After a five day survival period, the animals were sacrificed. Vibratome sections of the brain were stained for both WGA and LHRH with a dual immunohistochemical technique. Since FG is a fluorescent chromagen, brains of animals injected with FG only required processing for LHRH immunofluorescence. As a positive control, some sections containing retrogradely labeled cells filled with either WGA or FG were processed for choline acetyltransferase (CHAT) immunoreactivity. The WGA and FG injections covered targeted hippocampal sites and neurons containing retrogradely transported WGA or FG were found in abundance in the mS-dbB-PO complex. In accord with previous reports, many CHAT-positive and fewer LHRH-positive neurons were found in this complex. Approximately 5-10% of the CHAT-positive neurons also contained WGA or FG; however, no neurons were found to co-localize LHRH and either of the retrograde tracers. The results indicate that LHRH neurons in the mS-dbB-PO complex do not project directly to hippocampal sites containing LHRH receptors.
Intestinal obstruction in infants and children

Abstract Infants and young children who arrive in the emergency department with intestinal obstruction can usually be recognized by history alone or by sorting through the presenting signs and symptoms. Intestinal obstruction will present with 1 or more of the typical triad; colicky abdominal pain, vomiting, and/or abdominal distension. Because surgical intervention may be required emergently, delays in diagnosis must be avoided. This report covers surgically correctable intestinal obstructions in infants and children that are commonly encountered or require an astute clinician skilled to make a timely diagnosis.
Geographic routing with constant stretch in large scale sensor networks with holes

Geographic routing is well suited for large scale sensor networks deployments, because the per node state it maintains is independent of the network size. However, due to the “local minimum” caused by holes/obstacles, the path stretch of geographic routing can grow as O(c2), where c is the length of the optimal path. Recently, VIGOR, a geographic routing protocol based on the visibility graph, shows that a constant path stretch can be achieved. This, however, is possible with increased overhead. To address this issue, we propose GOAL (Geometric Routing using Abstracted Holes), a routing protocol that provably achieves a constant path stretch, with lower message, space and computational overhead. We develop a novel distributed convex hull construction (DCC) algorithm that compactly describes holes. This compact representation of a hole is leveraged by nodes to make locally optimal routing decisions. Our theoretical analysis proves the constant stretch property and average stretch of GOAL. Through extensive simulations and a hardware implementation, we demonstrate the effectiveness of GOAL and its feasibility for large-scale sensor networks. In our network settings, GOAL reduces the energy consumption by up to 32%, routing table size by an order of magnitude, when compared with VIGOR.