cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study and gendered math teaching in Kuwait

This paper argues for a more complex literature around gender and math performance. In order to argue for this complexity, we present a small portion of data from a case study examining the perform...
Longitudinal characterisation of function and structure of Bietti crystalline dystrophy: report on a novel homozygous mutation in CYP4V2

Background Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD) is a rare inherited disorder characterised by fine crystalline deposits in the corneal limbus and retinal posterior pole. In 2004, mutations in the CYP4V2 gene were identified as the cause of BCD. Here, we describe the report of a homozygous point mutation in a patient with BCD and provide detailed characterisation of functional and structural changes over 20 years. Methods At regular intervals, the patient underwent repeat ophthalmic evaluations. DNA was extracted from buccal swabs, amplified by standard PCR and analysed for homology to the CYP4V2 sequence. Homology modelling was conducted using Iterative Threading ASSEmbly Refinement and molecular dynamics simulations using GROningen MAchine for Chemical Simulations. Results The proband, a 47-year-old woman of German ancestry was diagnosed with crystalline retinopathy at age 25. Over the next 20 years, visual acuity and function gradually declined with progression of retinal pigment epithelium and choroidal atrophy. When first tested at 39 years of age, the multifocal electroretinogram (ERG) was markedly abnormal, more so for the right eye, whereas the full-field ERG was more symmetrical and lagged other measures of visual function. Gene sequencing showed a single C>T point mutation in exon 9 encoding a R400C amino acid change. Computational modelling suggests the mutation impairs function due to loss of a hydrogen bonding interaction with the propionate side chains of the haeme prosthetic group. Conclusion This is the first report of a homozygous R400C mutation in CYP4V2 with protein modelling showing high likelihood of enzyme dysfunction. The comprehensive long-term clinical follow-up provides insight into disease progression and highlights possible anti-inflammatory modulation of disease severity.
β ℕ Revisited

We have obtained two results since leaving Chapter 3 which make this return to βℕ possible. The first of these was Corollary 4.30 in which we found, under the assumption of the Continuum Hypothesis, that ℕ* contains a dense subset of 2C P-points. The second was Corollary 6.30 in which we saw that no point of ℕ* has its own type as a relative type with respect to any copy of ℕ contained in ℕ*. Here we will make use of these two properties of ℕ* to continue the investigation of βℕ and especially of ℕ*.
The American College of Physicians Is Working Hard to Achieve Gender Equity, and Everyone Will Benefit.

The American College of Physicians position paper provides recommendations aimed at eliminating gender inequities in compensation and career advancement opportunities and providing a more inclusive...
Mössbauer and EPR studies of the binuclear iron center in ribonucleotide reductase from Escherichia coli: A new iron-to-protein stoichiometry

57Fe-enriched ribonucleotide reductase subunit B2 from Escherichia coli strain N6405/pSPS2 has been characterized by Mossbauer and EPR spectroscopy in its native diferric state and in a new differous form. The native protein exhibits two Mossbauer doublets in a 1:1 ratio with parameters that are in excellent agreement with those reported for the wild-type protein (Atkin, C. L., Thelander, L., Reichard, P., and Lang, G. (1983) J. Biol. Chem. 248, 7464-7472); in addition, our studies show the absence of adventitiously bound iron. The iron content in the present samples approached 4 per B2 subunit, and the tyrosyl radical content exceeded 1 per B2 subunit. The higher values are attributed to the use of a new epsilon 280 for the protein and more efficient methods for iron extraction. We thus propose that subunit B2 has two binuclear iron clusters, each associated with its own tyrosyl radical, in contradistinction from the prevailing model. Reduction of the native protein with dithionite or reconstitution of the apoprotein with Fe(II) afforded a protein complex with Mossbauer parameters, delta EQ = 3.13 mm/s and delta = 1.26 mm/s at 4.2 K, and a low field EPR signal associated with an integer spin system. These spectral properties resemble those of methane monooxygenase in its diferrous form. Upon exposure to O2, the reduced subunit B2 readily converts to the diferric state and yields active enzyme.
P71: Nitrite and nitric oxide supplementation during erythrocyte storage

Background Several studies have shown that aging red blood cells (RBCs) during storage reduces their ability to improve microvascular perfusion and oxygenation after transfusion. In this study we investigated the role of nitric oxide (NO) and nitrite supplementation during storage of RBCs. In order to study the roles of NO and nitrite in the various biochemical changes during RBC storage, NO-releasing agents, NO releasing nanoparticles (NO-nps) and nitrite were used. Methods Rat cells were stored for 14 days at 4 °C in CDPA-1, during storage NO-releasing agents, NO-nps and nitrite were supplemented at various doses. Biochemical and biomechanical changes were quantified and compared to fresh cells. Additionally, rats were instrumented and exchange transfused with stored cells with and without NO supplementation. Results During the storage duration 2,3-DPG concentration and pH decreased, and increased lactate. NO supplementation with NO-nps slowed down the biochemical changes including the depletion on important antioxidant factors, such as GSH, NADP and NADPH. NO supplementation with NO-nps decreased proteolytic enzymes, including connective tissue-activating peptide III, which participates in tissue remodeling and inflammatory process. Lastly, NO supplementation preserved static and dynamic red cell mechanics, which affect cell-to-cell and cell-to-wall interaction. Transfusion of stored cells without NO supplementation affected small arterioles hemodynamics, including diameter, velocity, blood flow, and oxygen delivery. While, infusion of cells stored under NO supplementation presented superior microvascular hemodynamics and oxygenation. Conclusions Although both NO and its donors and/or their decomposed products may have biological activities, most of the cellular responses to these donors have been postulated to reflect NO-dependent events. NO supplementation during storage preserved cell deformability, preserved antioxidant capacity and preserved microvascular endothelial cell mechanotransduction, and red cell hydrodynamics. Most of the storage changes were prevented or slowed down by NO, NO induced protection seems to be related to decrease oxidative stress in the storage conditions. Therefore, NO supplementation prevents ROS irreversible lesions in the early period of storage, rather then intervening a posteriori through the addition of rejuvenating solutions. Disclosure There is not financial interest. Supported by R01HL052684 P01HL11090.
Impedance Variations Due to a Single Cylindrical Hole in a Rubber Sheet

The absorption of acoustic energy by a rubber sheet containing a single cylindrical hole was reported in reference 1. In that case, the hole was sited so that the top of the hole was located in the middle of the rubber sheet and the bottom of the hole was against an infinitely hard surface upon which the sheet was mounted. There were two resonant systems, the first being the walls of the holes vibrating radially as the thickness of the rubber varied and the second being the motion of the top of the hole normal to the hard surface, similar to a drum-head. We have extended this work to the case where the hole entends through the rubber sheet and is capped with a steel plate. The additional mass of the steel plate causes the resonant frequency of the rubber-steel-hole system to be at a much lower frequency than the rubber alone and also eliminates the drum-head resonance. We have analyzed this system using a dedicated, time dependent finite element program and have also verified the results of the finite element program by use of a small water-filled guided wave tube. The results show that the impedance is a useful parameter which is both sensitive to the geometry of the entire system and is a good descriptor of the resonant system.
Thermoregulation by Individual Honeybees

Honeybee workers warm up by shivering prior to flight until thoracic temperature (Tth) reaches near 35°C. Patterns and levels of endothermy of bees not in flight depend on tasks, caste and apparently motivation. External vibrations of the thorax are not always evident during shivering, but the indirect flight muscles are mechanically active during heat production whether the bees are in flight or not. There is little or no thermoregulation during flight until high (greater than 35°C) air temperatures when evaporative cooling from the head withdraws heat from the working flight muscles in the thorax. Thermoregulation by individual bees appears to involve a lower set-point (near 35°C) in the thorax that regulates the onset of heat production, and a higher set-point (near 44°C) the head that regulates the onset of heat loss. The circulatory system contains loops in the petiole that conform to a counter-current heat exchanger that should aid to conserve heat in the thorax. Other hypotheses for the functions of these loops are presented. Indirect evidence suggests that drones have different patterns of endothermy and different mechanisms of heat loss than workers. However, this remains to be explored.
Variable Stars and the Cosmic Distance Scale

For three quarters of a century pulsating variable stars have lain at the foundation of the extragalactic distance scale. The construction of larger telescopes, advances in detector technology, hard work by observers, and our understanding of stellar structure have all contributed to the expansion of the realm of the Cepheids to the distance of M101. Now, with the advent of Hubble Space Telescope (HST), we can look forward to the detection of Cepheids in the Virgo cluster and the removal of much of the remaining uncertainty in the Hubble constant.
Integrating sustainability into CS/IS

This panel seeks to share ideas about the integration of sustainability concerns into CS and IS curricula. An existing approach using a sustainability "theme" in CS1-style courses will be discussed, along with other ideas about how sustainability can be incorporated into computing courses and other areas. Finally, we will discuss why we feel it is important for students to understand sustainability, as both future computing professionals and as individual citizens.
O,O‐Diethyl phthalimidophosphono­thio­ate (Ditalimphos)

The crystal structure of O,O-diethyl phthalimidophosphono­thio­ate (also known as Ditalimphos, Laptran® and Plondrel®), C12H14NO4PS, contains two mol­ecules per asymmetric unit. The ring systems of the two mol­ecules are at a van der Waals distance from each other, are nearly parallel, and are twisted by ∼21° with respect to each other.
Data quality improvement for field-portable gas chromatography-mass spectrometry through the use of isotopic analogues for in-situ calibration

Environmental context Quantitative field-based sampling of airborne volatile organics continues to be a challenge because of the absence of laboratory supplies and facilities. Approaches are required to overcome poor data arising from difficulties with calibration of fielded instruments. This method normalises responses across portable thermal desorption gas-chromatography mass spectrometers and requires no advance calibration, enabling accurate and precise use of previously established response factors ported from the laboratory to fielded instruments. Abstract Sorbent capture provides a process for collecting airborne volatile organic compounds (VOCs) for analysis by thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). Under typical laboratory conditions, analytical standards are readily available and calibration of instrumentation is a routine process. In contrast, field-portable instruments are standardised using a representative curve prepared on a limited number of instruments and then applied to fielded units. The performance of field-portable TD-GC-MS systems when deployed to multiple remote sites was studied, and a large variability in sensitivity and performance was observed when using the manufacturer-prescribed methods for calibration of instruments and normalisation of the data. This variability was remedied by the implementation of a non-interfering calibration that is pre-incorporated onto the sorbent media. Use of an in-situ calibration curve constructed using stable isotope labelled standards provided robust quantification, accuracy of measurement and diagnostic capabilities for malfunctioning fielded equipment. Pre-incorporation of isotopic analogues onto thermal desorption tubes in advance of field distribution greatly improves the accuracy and reproducibility of analyses and demonstrates, for the first time, definitive quantification of target analytes using field-portable GC-MS in an operational theatre.
Never shy from infectious-disease mysteries.

Patricia Brasil is head of the Laboratory of Acute Febrile Illness of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases Evandro Chagas, Fiocruz, and professor of tropical medicine and clinical research in the postgraduate programs of Fiocruz in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Archipelagos of Total Bound and Free Entanglement

First, we considerably simplify an initially quite complicated formula -- involving dilogarithms. It yields the total bound entanglement probability ($\approx 0.0865542$) for a qubit-ququart ($2 \times 4$) three-parameter model, recently analyzed for its separability properties by Li and Qiao. An "archipelago" of disjoint bound-entangled regions appears in the space of parameters, somewhat similarly to those recently found in our preprint, "Jagged Islands of Bound Entanglement and Witness-Parameterized Probabilities". There, two-qutrit and two-ququart Hiesmayr-L{o}ffler "magic simplices" and generalized Horodecki states had been examined. However, contrastingly, in the present study, the entirety of bound entanglement--given by the formula obtained--is clearly captured in the archipelago found. Further, we "upgrade" the qubit-ququart model to a two-ququart one, for which we again find a bound-entangled archipelago, with its total probability simply being now $\frac{1}{729} \left(473-512 \log \left(\frac{27}{16}\right) \left(1+\log \left(\frac{27}{16}\right)\right)\right) \approx 0.0890496$. Then, "downgrading" the qubit-ququart model to a two-qubit one, we find an archipelago of total non-bound/free entanglement probability $\frac{1}{2}$.
Deligne's conjecture and mirror symmetry

Abstract In this paper, we will study the connections between the mirror symmetry of Calabi-Yau threefolds and Deligne's conjecture on the special values of the L-functions of critical motives. Using the theory of mirror symmetry, we will develop a method to compute the Deligne's period for a Calabi-Yau threefold in the mirror family of a one-parameter mirror pair. We will give two examples to show how this method works, and we will express the Deligne's period in terms of the classical periods of the threeform. Using this method, we will compute the Deligne's period of a Calabi-Yau threefold studied in a recent paper by Candelas, de la Ossa, Elmi and van Straten. Based on their numerical results, we will explicitly show that this Calabi-Yau threefold satisfies Deligne's conjecture. A second purpose of this paper is to introduce the Deligne's conjecture to the physics community, and provide further evidence that there might exist interesting connections between physics and number theory.
Phototunable Viscoelasticity in Hydrogels Through Thioester Exchange.

Mechanical cues are delivered to resident cells by the extracellular matrix and play an important role in directing cell processes, ranging from embryonic development and cancer metastasis to stem cell differentiation. Recently, cellular responses to viscoelastic and elastic mechanical cues have been studied; however, questions remain as to how cells identify and transduce these cues differently. We present a synthetic cell culture substrate with viscoelastic properties based on thioester exchange chemistry that can be modulated in situ with the photoinitiated thiol-ene ‘click’ reaction. With this method, stress relaxation in thioester hydrogels with an average relaxation time of 740,000 s can be switched off in the presence of cells without change to the elastic modulus. NIH 3T3 fibroblasts, cultured for 48 h on viscoelastic compared to elastic thioester substrates, displayed increased cell area (660–560 μm2) and increased nuclear to cytoplasmic YAP/TAZ ratios (2.4 to 2.2) when cultured on elastic compared to viscoelastic hydrogels, respectively. Next, when the viscoelasticity was switched off after 24 h, the fibroblasts responded to this change and exhibited an average cell area of 540 μm2, and nuclear to cytoplasmic YAP/TAZ ratio of 2.1, approaching that of the control elastic gels. Phototunable viscoelastic thioester hydrogels provide a tunable materials system to investigate time-dependent cellular responses to viscoelasticity and should prove useful for understanding the dynamics of mechanoresponsive cellular pathways.
Acetaminophen poisoning: reclaiming the definition of recovery.

Dear editor,Acetaminophen (APAP) overdose remains one of the most frequent poisonings reported to US poison control centers. While most cases are nonfatal, many require hospitalization and treatmen...
Electrochemical characteristics of antifouling coated steel structure submerged in Florida natural waters to mitigate micro- and macrofouling

Abstract Recent findings in a Florida bridge indicated that there are synergistic effects of surface fouling to facilitate biocorrosion. Coatings that have anti-microbial, anti-fouling and barrier-characteristics are applied to steel elements in natural waters to mitigate degradation including corrosion and marine fouling. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was utilized to identify the performance of a commercially-available anti-fouling coating exposed in three test sites for ~200 days. The results showed that complete prevention of fouling was not attained. EIS showed impedance dispersion associated with surface heterogeneities indicating the coating degradation and biofilm formation as result of reduced coating biocide efficacy.
Similarity-driven multi-view embeddings from high-dimensional biomedical data.

Diverse, high-dimensional modalities collected in large cohorts present new opportunities for the formulation and testing of integrative scientific hypotheses. Similarity-driven multi-view linear reconstruction (SiMLR) is an algorithm that exploits inter-modality relationships to transform large scientific datasets into smaller, more well-powered and interpretable low-dimensional spaces. SiMLR contributes an objective function to identify joint signal regularization based on sparse matrices representing prior within-modality relationships and an implementation that permits application to joint reduction of large data matrices. We demonstrate that SiMLR outperlforms closely related methods on supervised learning problems in simulation data, a multi-omics cancer survival prediction dataset and multiple modality neuroimaging datasets. Taken together, this collection of results shows that SiMLR may be applied to joint signal estimation from disparate modalities and may yield practically useful results in a variety of application domains. Analysis and interpretation of relationships across different modalities of biomedical datasets is a critical but challenging task. SiMLR is a joint dimensionality reduction algorithm that is designed to perform this task.
Complications of ulcer surgery: prevention and reoperative management

Reoperative gastric surgery is technically challenging and is fraught with pitfalls. The dissection may be difficult because of dense adhesions to surrounding structures including the spleen, the transverse colon, pancreas, and structures of the porta hepatis. With appropriate preoperative management and an effective operative plan, the risks of reoperative ulcer surgery can be minimized.
How to Evaluate a Letter of Offer or Contract

This chapter reviews the process of evaluating the official contract or letter of offer that concludes the recruitment process. It frames how to navigate the search process with the final negotiation phase in mind, which includes accurate self-assessment of personal and career goals; meeting with mentors; preparing questions for the interview day; accumulating institutional information before, during, and after the interviews; and creating decision grids. The chapter reviews what to look for in the contract or letter of offer and what are the most common negotiable components. Components of the legally binding contract or letter of offer that are commonly not reviewed in enough detail include job-specific responsibilities articulated in amendments and employee handbooks. Contract components covered include terms, terminations, and restrictive covenants; academic rank; duties and responsibilities; and compensation. The components and importance of employee handbooks are discussed. The rationale for retaining legal counsel is reviewed and depends on the complexity of the job, rights related to intellectual property, and an individual’s personal situation. A sample is included.
Myocardial blood flow in coronary artery disease: Correlation with severity of disease and treadmill exercise response

Abstract The severity of cinearteriographically demonstrated coronary artery disease was correlated with nutrient myocardial blood flow response to either right atrial pacing or isoproterenol infusion in 28 patients. Severity of coronary disease was estimated by percent of the 3 coronary vessels remaining patent, and a numerical rating based on a possible 300 was assigned to each patient. Myocardial blood flow was measured using a coincidence counting technique and a single “bolus” of 84 rubidium. Response of the S-T segment during treadmill exercise was also recorded. The results show good correlation between the severity of coronary artery disease and the response of myocardial blood flow to demand. In those patients with less severe disease (coronary artery indexes of greater than 200), myocardial blood flow increased to within the normal range with stress from either right atrial pacing or isoproterenol. Patients with more severe disease (coronary artery indexes of less than 200) were unable to increase myocardial blood flow with either form of stress. The response to treadmill exercise paralleled the myocardial blood flow results, being positive in the patients showing a decreased flow reserve.
18 – Friction and Lubrication Forces

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a discussion on friction and lubrication forces. Friction and lubrication forces act in different ways. They have no force law and arise only as a reaction to motion or another force. They are referred to as nonconservation forces because they involve energy loss or dissipation or transfer of energy from one body or form to another. There are four friction mechanisms that include load-controlled friction, adhesion-controlled friction, elastohydrodynamic friction, and rolling friction. Friction forces are generally not symmetrical on exchanging the stationary and moving surfaces. The chapter begins with an overview of the origin of friction and lubrication forces. Relationships between adhesion and friction forces are then explained. The chapter presents a discussion on Amonton's laws of friction. Concepts of smooth and stick-slip sliding as well as lubricated sliding are then explained. Detailed study of transitions between liquid- and solid-like films is then presented. The chapter concludes with introducing a theoretical model for friction mechanisms.
Low complexity blind frequency-offset estimator for OFDM systems over ISI channels

Most previously reported carrier frequency off-set (CFO) estimation algorithms for OFDM systems rely on the assumption of sufficient cyclic prefix (CP) - i.e. the channel length is less than the length of CP. In practice, this can be violated leading to significant performance degradation characterized by an irreducible error floor due to model mismatch. This paper focusses on CFO estimation for uncompensated ISI channels - it introduces a modified signal model and by exploiting the special structure of the filtering matrix due to CP and virtual carriers, a novel subspace CFO estimator is proposed. The method is attractive for its low complexity by avoiding SVD computation and potential to achieve high channel utilization by decreasing the length of CP in ISI channels. Preliminary computer simulations illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Dialysis addition of trehalose/glycerol cryoprotectant allows recovery of cryopreserved mouse spermatozoa with satisfactory fertilizing ability as assessed by yield of live young.

Mouse sperm cryopreservation provides a means for storing the genetic information in genetically modified mice (mu- tants, transgenics, and ''knockouts'') in a cost- and space-effective manner. Sperm from this species are highly sensitive to cryoda- mage, which has impeded their cryopreservation in the past. The cryoprotectant used in this study was 6% glycerol (0.65 M) plus 7.5% trehalose (0.22 M), which was added to a concentrated sus- pension of sperm from B6SJLF1/J mice in bicarbonate-free buffer by dialysis to minimize osmotic stress on the cells. Sperm suspen- sions were frozen in 0.25 mL straws and stored in liquid N2. Eggs were obtained from B6SJLF1/J superovulated females. For in vitro fertilization (IVF), 15-25 L of sperm suspension post-thaw from one straw was added directly to each of three 1.5 mL drops of fertilization medium containing 30 eggs each, for 3 replicates per experiment. The fertilized eggs were scored for blastocyst forma- tion, after which 12 blastocysts from each drop were implanted into pseudopregnant CD-1 females. The number of live pups were then scored at birth. Ten experiments yielded 21.7 1.4 (SD) blasto- cysts per 30 eggs inseminated (72%) and 7.3 0.4 (SD) live pups per 12 blastocysts implanted (61%). The overall yield of live pups was 44 per 100 eggs inseminated (44%). This yield should be sat- isfactory for maintaining a mouse strain through sperm cryostora- ge, with restart of the strain through IVF and embryo transfer. The method should also provide improvement in human sperm cryo- preservation, as human sperm are less sensitive to cryodamage than are mouse sperm.
An empirical analysis of software evolution profiles and outcomes

If anything good can be said to have come from the Year 2000 systems problem, it is that it has created a heightened awareness of how-long lived most software is and how extensively software maintenance efforts span a system’s productive life. One of the most important maintenance processes deserving study is software evolution,described as the dynamic behavior, growth and change of software systems over their productive lives. Due to the difficulties in obtaining longitudinal data for empirical analysis of software evolution, little scientific knowledge is available about how software systems evolve and the consequences of different evolutionary patterns. Our objectives in this program of research are to identify software evolution profiles (or patterns of maintenance activities) and to link these evolution profiles to important maintenance outcomes such as software errors and costs. Traditionally, researchers classified software maintenance activities in three major categories: corrective, adaptive and enhancement. We expand this classification scheme to identify six enhancement subcategories related to major software functions (data handling, control flow, initialization, user interface, computation and module interface). After building software lifecycle maintenance profiles described by these classifications, we link these profiles to maintenance outcomes by developing a two-stage model. The first stage links software complexity to variables such as application size, maintenance team size, and the influence of purchased (vs. in-house) software applications; The second stage links software errors to software maintenance profiles, application usage and software complexity. We conducted an empirical study of the software lifecycle maintenance activities in a large Midwestern retailer, examining 21 batch applications over 31 months. Results indicate that lifecycle maintenance profiles do affect software outcomes. A significant portion of software errors can be explained by enhancements to control flow during the current time period, and enhancements to initializations and computations from the prior period. Our investigation of the effects of software lifecycle maintenance profiles, or evolutionary patterns, demonstrates the importance of increased understanding of software evolution. Continued work will include research on assessing the effects of maintenance profiles on maintenance costs as well as software errors. In addition, detailed examinations of a greater number of maintenance types and maintenance team characteristics, and incorporation of software stability measures, are expected to be completed.
Density Functional Tight-Binding Studies of Carbon Nanotube Structures

A density functional tight-binding self-consistent charge approach has been used to study the structures and elastic properties of nine model carbon nanotubes of different helicities and diameters between 5.5 and 10.8 A. The systems contain from 112 to 268 atoms and were optimized under periodic boundary conditions in the axial direction. Both the carbon networks and the overall tube dimensions were optimized. Most of the C—C bond lengths are slightly lengthened relative to graphene (two-dimensional graphite); the others remain essentially the same or are shorter. There is overall a longitudinal compression of the tube. The strain energy per atom, relative to graphene, varies inversely with the square of the tube radius. The Young's moduli decrease with increasing radius but do not depend upon chirality. The Poisson ratios are nearly constant. The consequences of removing an electron from each system were also investigated. In most instances, the tube dimensions were little affected; in only a few cases is there a change in length or radius (positive or negative) as large as 0.10%. The Young's moduli remain the same as for the neutral systems, but the Poisson ratios tend to increase for metals and semimetals and to decrease for semiconductors.
Inauthenticity, flight from freedom, despair

Existential novels and plays, not unlike most folklore, have a revolutionary, unstructuring, and restructuring core. 2 Everyday concepts and images are extended into extraordinary ones and convey concealed messages concerning the deeper origins, conditions, and goals of the human being and his culture. Since these messages appeal to the whole experiencing, feeling, and striving individual, they transcend mere rationality. They can provide a wider understanding of basic existential problems. If well chosen and introduced into the psychotherapeutic dialogue at the proper time, they promote genuine and lasting insights. This paper aims at elucidating some characteristics of inauthenticity on the basis of Kafka's The Trial and at showing how the discussion of some of the novel's themes proved useful in clarifying the meaning of a significant dream. Mr. T is an exceedingly bright, fortyish, well-groomed, and attractive physicist. For nearly twenty years he has done excellent work for his company, has advanced to a high position, and is both liked and highly regarded by most of his subordinates, colleagues, and superiors. He earns more than he needs~ has a fine modern house, and drives a luxury car. His avocation is history, and he is better versed in this field than most high school or college instructors. Mr. T consulted me because he could no longer swallow. For weeks he had limited himself to frequent small sips of liquids and consequently had lost some forty pounds. Before he became ill, his time was spent either in the plant where his functions were interesting but well defined, or in his home where an intelligent but chronically neurotic, depressed, and alcoholic wife rendered impossible all social outings and all entertaining. Sexual intimacies had
Resource allocation for demand surge mitigation during disaster response

Large-scale public health emergencies can result in an overwhelming demand for healthcare resources. Regional aid in the form of central stockpiles and resource redistribution can help mitigate the resulting demand surge. This paper discusses a resource allocation approach for optimizing regional aid during public health emergencies. We find that, optimal response involves delaying the distribution of resources from the central stockpile as much as possible. Also, smaller counties stand to benefit the most from mutual aid. And finally, policy level decisions that alter the objectives of pandemic relief efforts can significantly impact the allocations to affected regions.
Local density studies on transition‐metal clusters, surfaces, and the oxide defect state

Aspects of recent local density (LD) studies on transition-metal clusters, surface complexes, and oxide defect structures are presented. The evolution of the LD theory as a reliable means of predicting spectroscopic and structural properties of transition-metal systems is explored. As specific examples we consider the magnetic impurity problem, the chemisorption of simple molecules, and the effect of oxide vacancies on x-ray absorption cross sections.
Role of Antimicrobial Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics in Surgical Prophylaxis

The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of antimicrobial agents used for surgical prophylaxis are reviewed. Since levels in tissue homogenates depend on the amount of drug present intracellularly, they do not accurately describe the relation between concentrations in serum and those in interstitial fluid. Levels of free drug in serum are good predictors of the time course of concentrations of unbound drug in interstitial fluid. An increase in protein binding does not reduce the area under the curve (AUC) of free drug for beta-lactam agents eliminated predominantly by glomerular filtration. Pharmacodynamic studies of persistent growth suppression and bactericidal activity predict that the period for which the free-drug concentration exceeds the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) is an important parameter in the efficacy of beta-lactam antibiotics. In contrast, the AUC is the major parameter in the efficacy of aminoglycosides and quinolones. Although studies with animals support the above concepts, data for humans are limited. Until additional clinical trials dictate other conclusions, the goal of prophylaxis with beta-lactam agents should be to provide serum levels of free drug above the MIC for common contaminating bacteria for the entire surgical period.
Noninfective mitral valve vegetations identified by transesophageal echocardiography as a cause of stroke

Backround : Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is a useful procedure to evaluate selected stroke patients for cardiac sources of embolism. To date, noninfective valvular vegetations have not been described in large studies using transesophageal echocardiography to detect cardiac sources of embolism. We sought to investigate the frequency of noninfective valvular vegetations in patients with unexplained stroke referred for TEE and to determine the relationship of these vegetations to unrecognized thrombophilic disorders. Methods : We evaluated 641 consecutive patients referred for TEE as a result of unexplained stroke or transient ischemic attack for the presence of valvular vegetations. Of those with vegetations identified, serial blood cultures were obtained to evaluate for an infectious etiology. Patients also had serum testing for thrombophilic disorders and selected patients underwent cerebral angiography. Results : Thirteen patients (2%) who underwent TEE evaluation for unexplained stroke or transient ischemic attack were found to have noninfective valvular vegetations, all involving the mitral valve; none were identified by transthoracic echocardiography. Antiphospholipid antibodies were identified in 8 of these 13 patients (62%) and a protein C deficiency in 1 patient (8%). Conclusions : Noninfective valvular vegetations are a potential cardiac source of embolism in patients with unexplained stroke that can be better identified using transesophageal echocardiography. A large percentage of these individuals have a previously unrecognized thrombophilic disorder.
An Integrated Quantitative Proteomics and Systems Biology Approach to Explore Synaptic Protein Profile Changes During Morphine Exposure

Morphine is a classic analgesic for the treatment of chronic pain. However, its repeated use is known to produce tolerance, physical dependence, and addiction; these properties limit its long-term therapeutic use and this has led to a quest for therapeutics without these unwanted side effects. Understanding the molecular changes in response to long-term use of morphine is likely to aid in the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of pain. Studies examining the effects of chronic morphine administration have reported alterations in gene expression, synapse morphology, and synaptic transmission implying changes in synaptic protein profile. To fully understand the changes in protein profiles, proteomic techniques have been used. Studies using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of various brain regions combined with mass spectrometry have found alterations in the levels of a number of proteins. However, neither the changes in brain regions relevant to morphine effects nor changes in the abundance of synaptic proteins have been clearly delineated. Recent studies employing subcellular fractionation to isolate the striatal synapse, combined with quantitative proteomics and graph theory-inspired network analyses, have begun to quantify morphine-regulated changes in synaptic proteins and facilitate the generation of networks that could serve as targets for the development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of chronic pain. Thus, an integrated quantitative proteomics and systems biology approach can be useful to identify novel targets for the treatment of pain and other disorders of the brain.
The effect of a telephone counseling intervention on self-rated health of cardiac patients.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a telephone-based intervention on psychological distress among patients with cardiac illness. Methods: We recruited hospitalized patients surviving an acute coronary syndrome with scores on the Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) indicating mild to severe depression and/or anxiety at 1 month postdischarge. Recruited patients were randomized into either an intervention or control group. Intervention patients received up to six 30-minute telephone-counseling sessions focused on identifying cardiac-related fears. Control patients received usual care. For both groups, we collected patients’ responses to the HADS and to the Global Improvement (CGI-I) subscale of the Clinical Global Impressions (CGI) Scale at baseline and at 2, 3, and 6 months postbaseline using Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR) technologies. We used mixed-effects analysis to estimate patients’ changes in CGI-I measures over the three time points of data collection postbaseline. Results: We enrolled 100 patients, and complete CGI-I measures were collected for 79 study patients. The mean age was 60 years (standard deviation = 10), and 67% of the patients were male. A mixed-effects analysis confirmed that patients in the intervention group had significantly greater improvements in self-rated health (SRH) between baseline and month 3 than the control group (p = .01). Between month 3 and month 6, no significant differences in SRH improvements were observed between the control and intervention groups. Conclusions: Study patients reported greater SRH improvement resulting from the telephone-based intervention compared with control subjects. Future research should include additional outcome measures to determine the effect of changes in SRH on patients with comorbid physical and emotional disorders.
Fluorescence Polarization Analysis, Lipid Composition, and Na+, K+‐ATPase Kinetics of Synaptosomal Membranes in Feline GM1 and GM2 Gangliosidosis

Neurochemical studies were performed on synaptosomal membranes from cats with GM1 or GM2 gangliosidosis to examine possible mechanisms of neuronal dysfunction in these disorders. The basic hypothesis tested was that deficient ganglioside catabolism causes increased ganglioside content of synaptosomal plasma membrane which in turn disrupts normal function. Fluidity characteristics of synaptosomal membranes were examined using fluorescence polarization. Results showed markedly reduced membrane fluidity in both GM1 and GM2 gangliosidosis. These results were supported by a second study which revealed that isolated synaptosomal membranes of GM1 gangliosidosis cats had a 24-fold increase in total ganglioside content caused predominantly by excess GM1, a 2.3-fold increased cholesterol content, and a 1.4-fold increased phospholipid content. Finally, kinetic analysis of synaptosomal plasma membrane Na+,K+-ATPase from cats with GM1 gangliosidosis showed negligible differences in kinetic parameters compared with controls. Thus, the enzyme appeared protected from the global membrane changes in fluidity and composition. These observations provide evidence for a pathogenetic mechanism of neuronal dysfunction in the gangliosidoses while demonstrating protection of certain vital functional components, such as Na+,K+-ATPase.
Enhanced lever rule for high-precision phase diagram determination

A description is given of the conditions under which high-precision phase boundary determinations result from the application of the lever rule. This high precision results from a multiplication factor to the lever rule ratio, which is present only for experiments sampling one elemental site at a time. The multiplication factor is larger for smaller solubility limits. Precision of tenths of a percent can be readily attained under the indicated conditions. An example involving the115In nuclear magnetic resonance for the determination of the solubility of AuIn2 in AuAl2 is presented.
Between Memory and Desire: Gender and the remembrance of war in doi moi Vietnam

This article explores how memory and desire narrate the remembrance of war in doi moi Vietnam through gendered representations. Based on a reading of texts, including fiction and a film shown on television, I argue that memory in wartime texts evokes a landscape of gendered desire and longing. Using Judith Butler's theory of gender melancholy, the article looks at how these texts serve a political project cultivated by the state to displace its own ideal authority. Entre la memoria y el deseo: genero y la remembranza de la guerra en Doi Moi Vietnam Este articulo explora como la memoria y el deseo relata la remembranza de la guerra en ‘doi moi’ Vietnam a traves de representaciones de genero. Haciendo uso de textos que incluyen literatura y una tele-pelicula, argumento que la memoria en los textos de la epoca de la guerra evoca un paisaje de deseo y anoranza de genero. Utilizando la teoria de Judith Butler de melancolico del genero, el articulo examina como le sirvan los textos a un proyecto politico que es...
Role of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) in mediation of dopamine's effects in the kidney.

We have recently demonstrated that intrarenal dopamine plays an important role in preventing the development of systemic hypertension. Similarly, renal cytochrome P-450 (CYP)-epoxygenase-derived ar...
MRI biomarkers for evaluation of treatment efficacy in preclinical diabetic retinopathy

Introduction: One sober consequence of the current epidemic of diabetes mellitus is that an increasing number of people world-wide will partially or completely lose their sight to diabetic retinopathy. Clinically, the sight-threatening complications of diabetes are diagnosed and treated based on visible retinal lesions (e.g., dot-blot hemorrhages or retinal neovascularization). However, such anatomical microvascular lesions are slow to respond with treatment. Thus, there remains an urgent need for imaging biomarkers that are abnormal before retinal lesions are visibly apparent and are responsive to treatment. Areas covered: Here, the development of new MRI methods, such as manganese-enhanced MRI, for evaluating early diabetes-evoked retinal pathophysiology, and its usefulness in guiding new treatments for diabetic retinopathy are reviewed. Expert opinion: In diabetic retinopathy, not all important diagnostic and prognostic needs are well served by optical methods. In the absence of gross anatomy changes, ...
Private cleanup cost recovery and compliance with the national contingency plan

Private parties engaging in voluntary cleanup operations who seek cost recovery under CERCLA must be scrupulous in complying with all requirements of the applicable version of the National Contingency Plan to avoid losing the right to recover from all responsible third parties. The distinction between removal actions and remedial actions must be carefully considered. While recovery may be had when there is “substantial compliance”; with the NCP, the requirement of public notification is mandatory. In removal actions the public must be notified of the removal action and given an opportunity to comment, whereas in remedial actions a community relations plan must be developed, interviews must be conducted, and the public must be involved in the process.
A spin-reduction assay for lipoxidase

Spin-label signals are reduced when the nitroxide is present in a lipoxidase reaction mixture. This spin reduction can be used as an assay for enzyme activity in turbid systems where the conventional uv assay cannot be used. Data taken with the spin-reduction assay show that phospholipid preparations containing cholesterol are more resistant to oxidation by lipoxidase than are cholesterol-free preparations.
Differential scanning calorimetric and Fourier transform infrared spectrometric investigations of the influence of silica on the liquid crystalline properties of 4′-cyano-4-biphenyl[4-(4-pentenyloxy) ]benzoate

Abstract The influence of surface effects on the thermotropic and microscopic properties of the liquid crystal, 4′-cyano-4-biphenyl[4-(4-pentenyloxy)]benzoate (CBPB), have been studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Multiple endothermic events were observed for CBPB coated silica, which demonstrate that the liquid crystal exists as several different microstructures on the surface. This was further confirmed by infrared studies which show that the nitrile stretching band is made up of four spectral components that correspond to hydrogen bonded, randomized, surface crystalline and bulk crystalline species. A redistribution of the physically coated liquid crystal occurs on the surface as the result of thermal preconditioning, which is reflected in the shapes of both the DSC curves and infrared spectra.
A visual proof of amortised-linear resizable arrays

We demonstrate visually why doubling capacity is the better strategy when resizing arrays. The visual proof makes simple amortised analysis more accessible to a CS2 audience.