cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of 2-Aminopurine-Labeled Dinucleoside Monophosphates Reveal Multiscale Stacking Kinetics.

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of 2-aminopurine (2Ap)-labeled DNA dinucleoside monophosphates (DNMPs) were performed to investigate the hypothesis that base stacking dynamics occur on timescal...
Inspissated cyst fluid in endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration of pancreatic cysts.

Background Inspissated cyst fluid may be identified on pancreatic cyst aspiration cytology. We report on the cytomorphologic characteristics of inspissated cyst fluid on EUS-FNA of pancreatic cysts and correlate this finding with histopathology or multimodal (cytology, cyst fluid analysis, molecular pathology, imaging) classification of cyst type. Methods The department archives were searched for pancreatic cyst fine-needle aspiration biopsies that contained dessicated, crystalline or inspissated material on cytologic preparations. Results Twenty-eight cases of pancreatic cysts containing inspissated material were identified. The cytomorphology of the inspissated material ranged from fibrillary fan-like structure (54%), ball-like structures (57%), and granular material (43%). When present, the fibrillary inspissated material was associated with neoplastic mucinous cysts in 11/15 (73%) cases, but was also seen in 2 pseudocysts, 1 serous cystadenoma, and 1 cyst of uncertain type (suggestive of mucinous cyst on EUS). The presence of fibrillary inspissated cyst material on cytology had a positive predictive value of 79% and a specificity of 63% for a neoplastic mucinous cyst. Conclusion Although not highly specific, the presence of inspissated cyst fluid with fibrillary architecture should be recognized by cytopathologists and interpreted as at least "atypical" given the potential association with neoplastic mucinous cysts of the pancreas.
Internalized Colonization, Unearthed: Student Activism for Social Change

“Internalized colonization, unearthed: Student activism for social change” uncovers the historical documentation of identities for Mesoamerican-descent peoples in the United States, under the coloniality of power and its intersections with student agency and adult support. MEChA, a student-led organization provided the community for participants to discover their strength in a critical consciousness while nurturing a collective ancestral identity. Together, they forged a path of self-discovery and collective action toward el vivir comunitario, or a healthier neighborhood.
The Cosmic Ray Nucleonic Component: The Invention and Scientific Uses of the Neutron Monitor – (Keynote Lecture)

The invention of the neutron monitor pile for the study of cosmic-ray intensity-time and energy changes began with the discovery in 1948 that the nucleonic component cascade in the atmosphere had a huge geomagnetic latitude dependence. For example, between 0° and 60° this dependence was a ∼ 200–400% effect – depending on altitude – thus opening the opportunity to measure the intensity changes in the arriving cosmic-ray nuclei down to ∼1–2 GeV nucl−1 for the first time. In these measurements the fast (high energy) neutron intensity was shown to be a surrogate for the nuclear cascade intensity in the atmosphere. The development of the neutron monitor in 1948–1951 and the first geomagnetic latitude network will be discussed. Among its early applications were: (1) to prove that there exists interplanetary solar modulation of galactic cosmic-rays (1952), and; (2) to provide the evidence for a dynamical heliosphere (1956). With the world-wide distribution of neutron monitor stations that are presently operating (∼ 50) many novel investigations are still to be carried out, especially in collaborations with spacecraft experiments.
Accelerating RNN on FPGA with Efficient Conversion of High-Level Designs to RTL

Recurrent Neural Network (RNN) is a powerful Deep Learning algorithm which has been widely used for speech recognition, handwriting recognition, context clustering, etc. Deep learning involves a large number of floating-point computations and requires a large amount of computing resource. Currently, software-based RNN implementations running on generalpurpose processors like CPU and GPU take a long execution time and an excessive amount of energy. FPGA provides a low-power and highly parallel platform for accelerating RNN training and inference. With massive reconfigurable logics, FPGA can be customized to achieve dramatic speedup and energy efficiency for various deep learning applications. However, implementing RNN algorithms at the Register Transistor Level (RTL) is timeconsuming, while existing tools for converting RNN code written in high-level languages to RTL designs are not efficient. In this paper, we present a design flow by which high-level RNN implementations (for example, in Python) can be converted to RTL designs efficiently and automatically. Experimental results show the generated RTL code that is deployed on an FPGA device is 7.87 times faster than the Python code run on CPU while achieving the same accuracy.
Using a Comprehensive Proximal Stress Model to Predict Alcohol Use

Purpose: The gender minority stress model has been proposed by researchers to explain the high rates of substance use found within transgender communities, but its explanatory power has never been ...
Cautionary Notes on the Use of Arabinose- and Rhamnose-Inducible Expression Vectors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The Pseudomonas aeruginosa virulence factor regulator (Vfr) is a cyclic AMP (cAMP)-responsive transcription factor homologous to the Escherichia coli cAMP receptor protein (CRP). Unlike CRP, which plays a central role in E. coli energy metabolism and catabolite repression, Vfr is primarily involved in the control of P. aeruginosa virulence factor expression. Expression of the Vfr regulon is controlled at the level of vfr transcription, Vfr translation, cAMP synthesis, and cAMP degradation. While investigating mechanisms that regulate Vfr translation, we placed vfr transcription under the control of the rhaBp rhamnose-inducible promoter system (designated PRha) and found that PRha promoter activity was highly dependent upon vfr. Vfr dependence was also observed for the araBp arabinose-inducible promoter (designated PBAD). The observation of Vfr dependence was not entirely unexpected. Both promoters are derived from E. coli, where maximal promoter activity is dependent upon CRP. Like CRP, we found that Vfr directly binds to promoter probes derived from the PRha and PBAD promoters in vitro. Because Vfr-cAMP activity is highly integrated into numerous global regulatory systems, including c-di-GMP signaling, the Gac/Rsm system, MucA/AlgU/AlgZR signaling, and Hfq/sRNAs, the potential exists for significant variability in PRha and PBAD promoter activity in a variety of genetic backgrounds, and use of these promoter systems in P. aeruginosa should be employed with caution. IMPORTANCE Heterologous gene expression and complementation constitute a valuable and widely utilized tool in bacterial genetics. The arabinose-inducible ParaBAD (PBAD) and rhamnose-inducible PrhaBAD (PRha) promoter systems are commonly used in P. aeruginosa genetics and prized for the tight control and dynamic expression ranges that can be achieved. In this study, we demonstrate that the activity of both promoters is dependent upon the cAMP-dependent transcription factor Vfr. While this poses an obvious problem for use in a vfr mutant background, the issue is more pervasive, considering that vfr transcription/synthesis and cAMP homeostasis are highly integrated into the cellular physiology of the organism and influenced by numerous global regulatory systems. Fortunately, the synthetic PTac promoter is not subject to Vfr regulatory control.
Local anesthetic systemic toxicity in children: a review of recent case reports and current literature - an infographic.

Local anesthetic systemic toxicity (LAST) in children is an understudied complication of regional anesthesia but is uniquely different in many ways when compared with adult LAST. The estimated risk of LAST in children is 8/100,000 (95% CI, 0.3 to 1.6) whereas that risk in adults is approximately 27/
The unique and moderated relationships across repetitive negative thinking and disordered eating behaviors in adolescent girls.

Abstract Objective Repetitive negative thinking (RNT) is associated with eating disorder (ED) symptoms, but few studies have evaluated how RNT may relate to specific ED behaviors (e.g., fasting, binge eating). Furthermore, little research has examined RNT in adolescent girls, a critical population for ED development. Concern over mistakes perfectionism (i.e., preoccupation with and overvaluation of errors) and social appearance anxiety are transdiagnostic risk factors for EDs that may be amplified by RNT, contributing to the development of ED behaviors. Method The current study (N = 332 female high school students) explored RNT in an adolescent sample and tested whether RNT was uniquely associated with fasting/binge eating and moderated the relationships between social appearance anxiety/perfectionism and fasting/binge eating. Results RNT was not associated with fasting and did not significantly moderate the relationship between social appearance anxiety/perfectionism and fasting. RNT was positively associated with binge eating but did not moderate the relationship between social appearance anxiety/perfectionism and binge eating. Conclusions RNT may contribute differentially to specific ED behaviors such as fasting and binge eating during ED development. If replicated in prospective data, these findings suggest targeting RNT in adolescence may decrease binge eating.
Mental health services and psychotropic medications provided to children at risk for placement instability in foster care

Children at risk for placement instability are subpopulation in out-of-home care with a critical need for enhanced mental health services, but little is known about the types and adequacy of the me...
Current Clinical Concepts: Clinical Management of Patellar Tendinopathy.

Patellar tendinopathy is a common, yet misunderstood pathoetiology afflicting a variety of patient populations. This lack of unified understanding affects the capability of clinicians to provide effective treatment interventions. Patients with tendinopathy often report long-term and low to moderate levels of pain, diminished flexibility, and strength, as well as decreased physical function. Load-management strategies combined with exercise regimens focused on progressive tendon loading are the most effective treatment option for patients with patellar tendinopathy. This review will provide an evidence-based approach to patellar tendinopathy, including its pathoetiology, evaluation, and treatment strategies.
Rare Case of Autoimmune GFAP Astrocytopathy-Associated LETM (P1.2-057)

Objective: To report a rare case of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy-associated longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (LETM). Background: Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) astrocytopathy is an immune mediated inflammatory disorder, occasionally associated with malignancy, with manifestations of meningitis, optic neuritis, encephalitis or myelitis. Design/Methods: A 44-year-old woman presented with progressive weakness and numbness in the legs with no clear sensory level, areflexia in the legs, urinary retention and constipation over two weeks. These symptoms were preceded by a prodrome of fever and gastroenteritis. Results: MRI of the spine was notable for a T2 hyper-intense lesion at C4 level with enhancement of the cauda equina. CSF analysis showed lymphocytic pleocytosis (114 cells/mm3) with elevated protein (68 mg/dL) and normal glucose (65 mg/dL) levels. The patient received solumedrol 1gm daily for five days with intravenous immunoglobulins. However, her weakness progressed to involve her arms. Repeat MRIs of spine in one week and three weeks showed enhancing lesions in the T1–T8 and C4–C6 levels, respectively. MRI brain showed enhancing lesion in the dorsal medulla extending to the cervicomedullary junction. CSF showed three oligoclonal bands with the meningitis panel, with negative Lyme antibody, aquaporin-4 antibody, CSF culture and cytology. CSF autoimmune panel revealed antibodies to GFAP. There was no evidence of malignancy in CT-chest/ abdomen/pelvis. She received two cycles of plasmapheresis with gradual improvement of symptoms over six weeks. She was nearly back to baseline in the follow up visit in four months and there was improvement in the spinal cord lesions on MRI with no post-gadolinium enhancement. Conclusions: This case is interesting as the patient with autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy did not have characteristic contrast enhancement in the brain MRI. She also did not have improvement of symptoms with steroids and required plasma exchange. Autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy should always be considered in the differential diagnosis while evaluating patients with idiopathic LETM. Disclosure: Dr. Gadani has nothing to disclose. Dr. Rath has nothing to disclose. Dr. Mahatoo has nothing to disclose. Dr. Nouh has nothing to disclose.
Power Consumption Characterization and Modeling of Embedded Memories in XILINX VIRTEX 400E FPGA

To increase their flexibility, latest FPGA devices integrate processors, arithmetics elements and memories; but these programmable circuits have a significant power consuming, which grows up at each process generation. Then it is necessary to develop reliable high-level power consumption models in order to estimate and reduce the power budget as soon as possible in the design flow. Among the FPGA modeling methods, none has integrated the embedded memory yet. We propose here a power model of embedded memory for the Xilinx Virtex 400E based on physical measurements combined with algorithmic and architectural parameters. This simple model is validated in comparison to Xilinx's estimation tool XPOWER and an example of memory architecture design illustrates the interest of such an approach.
Document Image Applications

The analysis of document images is a difficult and ill-defined task. Unlike the graphics operation of rendering a document into a pixmap, using a structured page-level description such as pdf, the analysis problem starts with the pixmap and attempts to generate a structured description. This description is hierarchical, and typically consists of two interleaved trees, one giving the physical layout of the elements and the other affixing semantic tags. Tag assignment is ambiguous unless the rules determining structure and rendering are tightly constrained and known in advance. Although the graphical rendering process invariably loses structural information, much useful information can be extracted from the pixmaps. Some of that information, such as skew, warp and text orientation detection, is related to the digitization process and is useful for improving the rendering on a screen or paper. The layout hierarchy can be used to reflow the text for small displays or magnified printing. Other information is useful for organizing the information in an index, or for compressing the image data. This chapter is concerned with robust and efficient methods for extracting such useful data. What representation(s) should be used for image analysis? Empirically, a very large set of document image analysis (DIA) problems can be accurately and efficiently addressed with image morphology and related image processing methods. When the image is used as the fundamental representation, and analysis (decisions) are based on nonlinear image operations, many benefits accrue: (1) analysis is very fast, especially if carried out at relevant image scales; (2) analysis retains the image geometry, so that processing errors are obvious, the accuracy of results is visually evident, and the operations are easily improved; (3) alignment between different renderings and resolutions is maintained; (4) pixel labelling is made in parallel by neighbors; (5) sequential (e.g., filling) operations are used where pixels can have arbitrarily long-range effects; (6) pixel groupings are easily determined; (7) segmentation output is naturally represented using masks; (8) implementation is simplified because only a relatively small number of imaging operations must be implemented efficiently; (9) applications can use both shape and texture, at multiple resolutions, to label pixels; and (10) the statistical properties of pixels and sets of pixels can be used to make robust estimation. Table 1 depicts document image analysis (DIA) as occupying a high to intermediate position in terms of constraints, which depend on the accuracy of the statistical models representing the collection of images. Bayesian statistical models are the most constrained. Analysis is performed by generation from the models, using maximum a posteriori (MAP) inference. These techniques have been used for OCR [7] and for locating textlines [6], and can be implemented efficiently using heuristics despite the fact that they require matching all templates at all possible locations [9].
Exploration of FTIR-Based PAS for On-Site Analysis of Volatile Contaminants in Air

The use of FTIR-based PAS to quantify low concentrations of volatile organics in air has been examined. Band intensities are accurately proportional to concentration and sensitivities are good. Typical limits of detection are a few parts per million.
Modeling and Measuring Russian Corporate Governance: The Case of Russian Preferred and Common Shares (Russian Version)

This paper examines governance explanations for the discount of preferred shares to common shares in the Russian market. Conflicts between shareholder classes may help explain the discount. However, for this to be the sole explanation the estimated models suggest that the magnitude of future adverse shareholder events would have to be very high. Nevertheless, evidence of a common factor potentially related to governance seems evident in the data, implying that corporate control issues may at least be partially responsible for the observed preferred share discount.
Matrix Elements and Density Matrices for Many-Electron Spin Eigenstates Built from Orthonormal Orbitals

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses matrix elements and density matrices for many-electron spin eigenstates built from orthonormal orbitals. For an important class of many-electron problems, namely, those governed by spin-free or nearly spin-free Hamiltonians, it is practically and theoretically useful to formulate many-electron wavefunctions that, in addition to being antisymmetric, are also eigenfunctions of the total spin operators. The most widespread method of constructing antisymmetric wavefunctions is by an expansion in terms of Slater determinants of orthonormal orbitals. Thereby quantum mechanical problems are transformed into matrix problems and the matrix elements are integrals involving two Slater determinants and certain dynamical operators. Slater determinants have, however, one shortcoming: In general, they are not eigenfunctions of the total spin operator. A second route can be considered as originating with Dirac's vector model. A third route is to construct spin eigenfunctions with the help of projection operators that are not derived from group theory. In all of these methods, the construction of wavefunctions with the desired characteristics is the simpler task. It is in the evaluation of the expectation values and matrix elements of the many-electron operators that complexities and complications arise.
A Bragg crystal based method of X-ray mammography

In Connecticut there are currently over 60,000 mammograms performed each year, with 1800 resulting in a diagnosis of cancer. The breast cancer death rate is currently about 600 per year in the state. Studies have shown that early detection can greatly increase the chance of survival, so the mammogram is an essential tool in saving nomen's lives. The researchers are currently developing a new method of mammography that will permit smaller tumors to be found before they have a chance to spread. The new method is similar to conventional X-ray mammography, but here the X-rays are focused into a narrow, intense line image that contains only one energy of radiation. This is important since tumors and healthy tissue look very similar under conventional X-ray exposure, where a broad range of X-ray energies are used. The researchers can select X-ray energies at which the contrast between healthy and cancerous tissue is the greatest This makes the tumors stand out more clearly in radiographic pictures, allowing doctors to find them earlier. The method has already been demonstrated in limited laboratory testing, using an ACR certified breast phantom, and the resulting radiographs indicate the great potential of the technique.
Non-invasive detection of liver fibrosis: MR imaging features vs. MR elastography

Purpose To compare accuracy of morphological features of liver on MRI and liver stiffness with MR elastography (MRE) for detection of significant liver fibrosis and cirrhosis.
Particle size and shape of calcium hydroxide.

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the particle length, width, perimeter, and aspect ratio of calcium hydroxide powder using a flow particle image analyzer (FPIA). Five sample groups each with 10 mg of calcium hydroxide were mixed with 15 mL of alcohol and sonicated. Digital images of the particle samples were taken using the FPIA and analyzed with a one-way analysis of variance. The overall averages ± standard deviation among the five groups for particle length (μm), width (μm), perimeter (μm), and aspect ratio were 2.255 ± 1.994, 1.620 ± 1.464, 6.699 ± 5.598, and 0.737 ± 0.149, respectively. No statistical significance was observed among the groups for all parameters. When the total of 46,818 particles from all five groups were classified into the five length categories of 0.5-μm increments, there were significant differences in width, perimeter, and aspect ratio (all p values
Effect of Natural Convection on Thermal Energy Storage in Supercritical Fluids

Heat transfer to the storage fluid is a critical subject in thermal energy storage systems. The storage fluids that are proposed for supercritical thermal storage system are organic fluids that have poor thermal conductivity; therefore, pure conduction will not be an efficient heat transfer mechanism for the system. The current study concerns a supercritical thermal energy storage system consisting of horizontal tubes filled with a supercritical fluid. The results of this study show that the heat transfer to the supercritical fluid is highly dominated by natural convection. The buoyancy-driven flow inside the storage tubes dominates the flow field and enhances the heat transfer dramatically. Depending on the diameter of the storage tube, the buoyancy-driven flow may be laminar or turbulent. The natural convection has a significant effect on reducing the charge time compared to pure conduction. It was concluded that although the thermal conductivity of the organic supercritical fluids are relatively low, the effective laminar or turbulent natural convection compensates for this deficiency and enables the supercritical thermal storage to charge effectively.© 2013 ASME
Financial strategy: Planning and managing the corporate leverage position

Among the important elements of a company's strategic plan is its decision about the degree of financial leverage it elects to imbed in its capital structure. A simple operational framework that can assist in framing that decision, which concentrates on the likelihood of being unable to meet fixed financial charges, is presented. The model is tested empirically, and support for its potential usefulness in the financial planning process is found.
Longitudinal gompertzian analysis of stomach cancer mortality in the U.S., 1962–1987: A thermodynamic analogy of its declining mortality

Age-adjusted mortality rates for stomach cancer (SC) in the United States from 1962 to 1987 were subjected to longitudinal Gompertzian analysis. Age-adjusted SC mortality rate distributions between age 50 and 85 years were highly Gompertzian for each and every year for both men and women. The environmental 'temperature' or intensity factor declined (improved) 1.55-fold for men and 2.04-fold for women in 1987 as compared to 1962. If the environmental 'pressure' or frequency factor had remained constant, the age at the theoretical common intersect point would have been 56.0 years for men and 80.0 years for women and overall SC mortality would have increased. However, between 1962 and 1987, non-age-standardized annual crude SC mortality rates decreased 46.8% for men and 44.0% for women. The thermodynamic analogy for this apparent discrepancy is that the environmental 'pressure' factor has not remained constant, but rather declined 51.7% for men and 60.9% for women between 1962 and 1987. This suggests that the overall frequency of environmental challenges that contribute to SC mortality has become significantly reduced.
Direct Syntheses of Ordered SBA-15 Mesoporous Silica Containing Sulfonic Acid Groups

A simple procedure has been developed for the syntheses of functionalized mesoporous materials with sulfonic groups involving the co-condensation of tetraethoxysilane and mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane in the presence of block copolymers and hydrogen peroxide under acidic conditions. The modified SBA-15 materials show hexagonal mesoscopic order and pore sizes up to 60 A, with acid exchange capacities ranging from 1 to 2 mequiv of H+/g of SiO2, surface areas up to 800 m2/g, and excellent thermal and hydrothermal stabilities. The formation of the sulfonic groups during co-condensation of the silica species coincides with enhanced mesoscopic ordering and changes in the adsorption properties of the final materials. 31P MAS NMR measurements of chemically adsorbed triethylphosphine oxide confirm the presence of Bronsted acid centers that are stronger that those found in Al-MCM-41. Finally, this procedure has been generalized to prepare functionalized mesoporous solids containing sulfonic groups and other organi...
Critical evaluation of low-order moment expansions for the bonding energy of lattices and defects.

An exact evaluation of the cohesive energy ${E}_{\mathrm{coh}}$ in a large number of model defect and bulk systems is used to assess the accuracy of truncated moment approximations for ${E}_{\mathrm{coh}}$. The results show that ${E}_{\mathrm{coh}}$ is characterized to within a few percent by the first four moments of the density of states, over a wide range of band fillings and electron temperatures. Comparison of several types of truncated moment approximations shows that the best results are obtained with the ``maximum entropy'' and recursion methods.
Cui-Ui Reproductive Success from Potential Egg Deposition to Larval Emigration

From 1985 to 2006, we tracked cui-ui, Chasmistes cujus, survival from potential egg deposition of migrating spawners to emigrating larvae. Tahoe sucker larvae emigrated to Pyramid Lake the same time as cui-ui larvae, but cui-ui was the predominant catostomid larvae we captured. Survival of cui-ui larvae ranged from 0.46% to 21.17%, declining significantly with decreased flow and increased number of spawners (P < 0.01). Mean total length of emigrating larvae ranged from 11.5 to 12.6 mm and may have been affected by stream flow. Removal of impediments to upstream migrating cui-ui spawners, along with sufficient stream flows, may enhance early life-stage survival.
The impact of health maintenance organizaitons on health and health care costs

It is found that health maintenance organizations (HMOs) initially increase, but will eventually significantly decrease, a population's health care costs. Thus, HMOs appear to require a significant amount of time to control effectively physician and patient behaviour and achieve reductions in costs. Unlike health care costs, HMOs are found to have no significant impact on a population's aggregate health in either the short- or the long-run. Thus, HMOs are found to achieve savings in health care costs in the long-fun and they apparently do so with no resultant decline in health. The paper also has important implications for the National Health Service (NHS) in Great Britain given the similarities that exist between HMO physician reimbursement and NHS funding of its general practitioners.
New Nonparametric Rank-Based Tests for Paired Data

We propose a new nonparametric test based on the rank difference between the paired sample for testing the equality of the marginal distributions from a bivariate distribution. We also consider a modification of the novel nonparametric test based on the test proposed by Baumgartern, Weiβ, and Schindler (1998). An extensive numerical power comparison for various parametric and nonparametric tests was conducted under a wide range of bivariate distributions for small sample sizes. The two new nonparametric tests have comparable power to the paired t test for the data simulated from bivariate normal distributions, and are generally more powerful than the paired t test and other commonly used nonparametric tests in several important bivariate distributions.
A five-year experience with severe injuries in elderly patients

Recent reports of injury in elderly patients document that aggressive care is justified. Our experience indicates that geriatric injury differs from that of other trauma patients. All patients entered into a large urban trauma center registry over a five-year period were analyzed. Variables reviewed included demographics, trauma indices, mechanism of injury, mean number of hospital days, and morbidity and mortality for patients under 60 years old and for geriatric patients defined as those aged 60 and above. There were 3,064 patients in the reviewed group, of whom 243 qualified for geriatric analysis. Blunt injuries in males were the most typical scenario. Failure to use safety belts and alcohol intoxication persist into the geriatric age group (83% and 13%, respectively). Trauma indices including Injury Severity Score (ISS) were slightly greater in the geriatric group (27 versus 23) as compared to younger patients; plus geriatric patients tolerated head injury less well (GCS in those who died 6.7 versus 4.6, respectively; p < 0.001). Mortality in the geriatric group was 31% while being 17.1% in the younger group (p < 0.005). Days in the hospital were 20 for the geriatric compared to 13 for the younger group (p < 0.025). Infections and chest complications were twice as common in the elderly and dysrhythmias were five times more frequent. Elderly patients constitute 8% of the trauma population and suffer a magnitude of injury at least comparable to the general population. Their mortality is approximately 50% above the population as a whole and morbidity twice as common, accounting for the prolonged hospital stay.
Trail following, speed and fractal dimension of movement in a marine prosobranch, Littorina littorea, during a mating and a non-mating season

We quantitatively studied movement behaviour in the gastropod Littorina littorea in laboratory experiments during periods of their non-mating season (November 1992) and their mating season (April–May 1993). Snails were collected in 1992 and 1993 from one boulder shore on the north west coast of Sweden. In a comparison between the two seasons (one non-mating and one mating) we measured trail complexity of unsexed snails using fractal dimesion, the degree of mucus trail following (coincidence index of marker and tracker trails) and average movement speed of marker and tracker snails. We found no differences in fractal dimension and coincidence index of trails between the two seasons. Tracker snails moved, however, significantly faster than marker snails during both seasons. This could not be explained by trackers, when locomoting, using the mucus trail deposited by the marker to increase their speed, since there was no correlation between coincidence index and tracker speed. During the mating season we also conducted trail complexity, trail following and speed experiments comparing the behaviour of males and females. There was no difference between males and females in the fractal dimension of movement, nor was there any difference between the mean speed of male and female snails, although male marker snails tended to move faster than female marker snails. Males tracking other males, females tracking other females and females tracking males followed trails about equally long distances (i.e., coincidence indices did not differ). In contrast, males following female mucus trails showed a significantly higher degree of trail following than the other sex combinations. This new finding may suggest that females of L. littorea release pheromones in their mucus trails and that males are able to identify them.
The rate of oxidation of rhenium at elevated temperatures in air

Abstract The oxidation resistance in air of rhenium was measured in the temperature range 600°–1300°C. Two types of samples were used: as-cast and powder metallurgy. The effect of air flow on the oxidation rate was studied at 800–1200°C. In all cases at all temperatures, the linear weight loss law was obeyed. No difference was observed between the specimens produced by casting or powder metallurgy. As the air flow increased, the oxidation rate increased rapidly for a given temperature, reached a maximum, and then was independent of air flow.
Three-dimensional mapping of spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias in a canine thrombotic coronary occlusion model.

Spontaneous Arrhythmias in Acute Ischemia. Introduction: Ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (VF) induced by thrombotic coronary occlusion were mapped in three dimensions in ten dogs. Methods and Results: Thrombotic occlusion was induced using a wire to deliver current to the proximal left circumflex artery (LCX). In nine doss, nonsustained VT (NSVT) anise from numerous focal sites. Sustained VT was initiated in six dogs (VT group) by a focus near or in the ischemic region. VT was maintained by a focus in the ischemic border in three dogs and by macroreentry that involved both the ischemic and nonischemic regions in the other three dogs. In five dogs, VT degenerated into VF due to intramural reentry in different locations. Mean total activation time (AT), the time for activation to traverse the ventricles, for a sinus heat when LCX current was first applied was 40 ± 4 msec. In the four dogs in which VT occurred 3 to 7 minutes after total occlusion, sinus AT increased to 98 to 146 msec just before VT. Sinus VT in the four dogs without VT was always < 98 msec. Mean AT of the first ten cycles of VT was significantly longer in those VTs that degenerated into VF (169 ± 29 msec) than in those that did not (81 ± 12 msec). Conclusion: Thrombotic LCX occlusion induced NSVT in 9%, VT in 60%, and VF in 50% of dogs, Focal mechanisms caused most NSVTs and VT initiation. VT was maintained by a focus near or in the ischemic region or by macroreentry involving both the ischemic and nonischemic regions. AT identified animals in which VT occurred soon after LCX occlusion and in which VT progressed to VF.
Sodium-directed selective cleavage of lactones: a method for structure determination of cyclodepsipeptides

Abstract A strategy is presented for the determination of amino-acid sequences of cyclodepsipeptide antibiotics. A highly specific sodium-ion interaction with the backbone lactone opens the depsipeptide ring to form a linear acylium ion or isomeric equivalent. When activated by high energy collisions on a tandem mass spectrometer or by low energy collisions on an ion trap, the acylium ion undergoes sequence-specific fragmentation to yield a simple product-ion mass spectrum. Fragmentation is charge-driven, and amino acid residues are sequentially deleted from the C-terminus of the acylium ion. Interferences from indiscriminate ring opening at backbone amide bonds are eliminated. The method is suited to the structural analyses of various cyclodepsipeptides, including those with linear peptide moieties. Results are presented for beauvericin, didemnin B, and enniatin B1, representing the three commonly encountered structural variations in cyclodepsipeptide antibiotics.
Interventions with neuroprotective agents: Novel targets and opportunities

Several antiepileptic drugs have demonstrated neuroprotective properties in animal models by inhibiting the components of the excitotoxic cascade. The process of neurodegeneration appears to be dependent on the mitochondria, with their central role as regulators of both energy metabolism and apoptotic pathways during seizures. Excess cytosolic Ca(2+) during periods of excitotoxicity disrupts homeostasis in the mitochondria, causing inhibition of adenosine triphosphate synthesis and increased production of reactive oxygen species, with resultant oxidative damage, leading to neuronal cell death. The Ca(2+)-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction in epilepsy may be the main target for neuroprotective intervention by antiepileptic drugs.
Some conformal map constructs for numerical grids

We develop some special conformal maps and related strategies for grid generation in certain ‘difficult’ domains. Of particular interest are non-convex domains, and domains with corners and cusps.
Characterization of the Kinetics of Cardiac Cytosolic Malate Dehydrogenase and Comparative Analysis of Cytosolic and Mitochondrial Isoforms

Because the mitochondrial inner membrane is impermeable to pyridine nucleotides, transport of reducing equivalents between the mitochondrial matrix and the cytoplasm relies on shuttle mechanisms, including the malate-aspartate shuttle and the glycerol-3-phosphate shuttle. These shuttles are needed for reducing equivalents generated by metabolic reactions in the cytosol to be oxidized via aerobic metabolism. Two isoenzymes of malate dehydrogenase (MDH) operate as components of the malate-aspartate shuttle, in which a reducing equivalent is transported via malate, which when oxidized to oxaloacetate, transfers an electron pair to reduce NAD to NADH. Several competing mechanisms have been proposed for the MDH-catalyzed reaction. This study aims to identify the pH-dependent kinetic mechanism for cytoplasmic MDH (cMDH) catalyzed oxidation/reduction of MAL/OAA. Experiments were conducted assaying the forward and reverse directions with products initially present, varying pH between 6.5 and 9.0. By fitting time-course data to various mechanisms, it is determined that an ordered bi-bi mechanism with coenzyme binding first followed by the binding of substrate is able to explain the kinetic data. The proposed mechanism is similar to, but not identical to, the mechanism recently determined for the mitochondrial isoform, mMDH. cMDH and mMDH mechanisms are also shown to both be reduced versions of a common, more complex mechanism that can explain the kinetic data for both isoforms. Comparing the simulated activity (ratio of initial velocity to the enzyme concentration) under physiological conditions, the mitochondrial MDH (mMDH) activity is predicted to be higher than cMDH activity under mitochondrial matrix conditions while the cMDH activity is higher than mMDH activity under cytoplasmic conditions, suggesting that the functions of the isoforms are kinetically tuned to their individual physiological roles.
Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 deficiency has renal benefits but some adverse systemic consequences in diabetic mice.

Background: Elevated plasma levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) are observed in patients with obesity, hypertension and diabetes, and several observations suggest tha
The long good-bye: The dissolution of customer-service provider relationships

Our research examines customer-service provider relationship dissolution. We conducted in-depth interviews with five women who recently took at least several months to terminate a service relationship. The data provide a holistic perspective on why consumers take a long time to exit, how they exit, and their expectations about rekindling their relationships. Based on our data, we conceptualize a model of the long exit, a process that includes a dissolution stage, an exit stage, and a post-dissolution stage. Our model offers a theoretical framework of service dissolution, as well as practical implications for service providers. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Corrigendum to “Laboratory studies of perchlorate phase transitions: Support for metastable aqueous perchlorate solutions on Mars” [Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 312 (3–4) (2011) 371–377]

Abstract Perchlorate salts, recently discovered on Mars, are known to readily absorb water vapor from the atmosphere and deliquesce into the aqueous phase at room temperature. Here we study the deliquescence (crystalline solid to liquid transition) and efflorescence (liquid to crystalline solid transition) of perchlorate salts at low temperatures relevant to Mars. A Raman microscope and environmental cell were used to determine the deliquescence relative humidity (DRH) and efflorescence relative humidity (ERH) of NaClO4 and Mg(ClO4)2 as a function of temperature and hydration state. We find that the deliquescence of anhydrous NaClO4 is only slightly dependent on temperature and occurs at ∼38% RH. The DRH of NaClO4⋅H2O increases with decreasing temperature from 51% at 273 K to 64% at 228 K. The DRH of Mg(ClO4)2⋅6H2O also increases with decreasing temperature from 42% at 273 K to 55% at 223 K. The efflorescence of both NaClO4 and Mg(ClO4)2 salt solutions occurs at a lower RH than deliquescence due to the kinetic inhibition of crystallization. For all temperatures studied, the ERH values of NaClO4 and Mg(ClO4)2 are 13% and 19%, respectively. These results indicate perchlorate salts can exist as metastable, supersaturated solutions over a wide range of RH and temperature conditions. Summer diurnal temperature and relative humidity cycles at low latitudes on Mars could allow the surface salts to be aqueous for several hours per day.
PROPERTY TAXATION IN RELATION TO INVESTMENT IN URBAN AREAS (Discussion)

A FEW POINTS of a footnote character are about all that I can add to Dr. Mitchell’s paper. The imposition of any tax will affect, to some extent, the pattern of consumption, saving, and investment and thus exercise some influence on the allocation of resources. Certain taxes, of course, will have less effect than others and this appears to be the case with the property tax, except for investment in urban rental housing. While there are significant variations in effective rates on different types of property and property in different locations, the factor of deductibility of property tax in computing income tax tends to minimize somewhat the effect of differentials between effective tax rates in different localities; Thus, this factor would simply contribute to the neutral effect of property tax on investment. For manufacturing industry, the tax appears to have exercised little, if any, influence on the incentive to expand plant and equipment. Dr. Mitchell points out that investment in residential rental housing and rental office loft space is probably the most sensitive to property tax burdens. It would seem that the chronic shortage of housing at reasonable prices is, to a significant extent, due to high effective taxes on real estate. The cost of housing now includes a good part of the cost of local government financed through the property tax. Recognizing that an indeterminate part of the tax on land has been capitalized, there is nevertheless some degree of differential tax burden on housing that probably has deterred investment in this field. A few governmental units have attempted to deal with this problem through temporary tax exemptions or exemptions for a limited period for industrial and housing purposes, but apparently these exemptions have not stimulated investment. The discouragement to private investment would seem to be a factor contributing somewhat to the development of public housing projects. People are more aware of a capital value tax in depression than in prosperous years. As Dr. Mitchell observes, the property tax “is in nothing like the exposed position” of the 1930’s; but a decline in the
Self-assessed emergency readiness and training needs of nurses in rural Texas.

Objective: Nurses, particularly public health nurses, play a key role in emergency preparedness and response in rural areas. To prepare rural jurisdictions for unforeseen disastrous events it is imperative to assess the public health emergency readiness and training needs of nurses. The objective of this study was to assess the self-reported terrorism preparedness and training needs of a nurse workforce. Design and Sample: Cross-sectional prevalence of practicing nurses in regions of North Texas. 3,508 rural nurses practicing in North Texas participated in the study. Measurements: Data were collected through a mailed survey; analyses included multinominal logistic regression and descriptive statistics. Results: A total of 941 (27%) nurses completed the survey. The majority of respondents reported limited bioterrorism-related training. Fewer than 10% were confident in their ability to diagnose or treat bioterrorism-related conditions. Although only 30% expressed a willingness to collaborate with state and local authorities during a bioterrorism event, more than 69% indicated interest in future training opportunities. Preferred training modalities included small group workshops with instructor-led training, and Internet-based training. Conclusions: Licensing agencies, professional organizations, and community constituencies may need to play a stronger role in improving the bioterrorism-related emergency preparedness of rural nurses.
The regulation of IGF-I receptor gene expression

The insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) receptor mediates most of the biological effects of IGF-I and -II. Despite its structural similarity to the insulin receptor, the IGF-I receptor is mainly involved in the transduction of growth and differentiation types of signals. The IGF-I receptor gene is constitutively expressed by most cells in the organism as well as in culture, consistent with the role of the IGFs as survival factors. In addition, the expression of the IGF-I receptor gene is modulated by a number of physiological and pathological factors, including developmental stage, nutritional status, hormones, growth disorders and malignancy. The regulatory region of the IGF-I receptor gene has been characterized and shown to display a high level of basal promoter activity. Transcription factor Sp1 is a strong activator of IGF-I receptor gene expression, whereas tumor suppressor WT1 represses its activity. The biological implications of these findings in both normal development and disease are described in this review.
Effect of multiple injections of antigen on prolonged IgE antibody production in hypersensitive mice

Abstract Multiple injections of ovomucoid were given to mice with ongoing prolonged IgE antibody production to that antigen. Two inbred strains and antigen doses ranging from 0.05 to 5 μg each injection, given intradermally and subcutaneously, were used. Mice treated in this manner showed a marked diminution of the IgE antibody booster response as compared to controls. This decrease in booster response was antigen-specific. In addition, a protective effect from anaphylaxis was indicated. The mouse model continues to be a valuable tool for studies of certain IgE-mediated diseases.
The effect of physical disturbance on the relative abundances of two filter-feeding insects in a small stream.

We examined the importance of disturbance in determining the relative abundances of two lotic filter-feeders, Simulium virgatum and Hydropsyche oslari, in a small, coastal stream in southern California, USA.