cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Managing congestion in a multi-modal transportation network under biomass supply uncertainty

This research presents a two-stage stochastic programming model that is used to design and manage a biomass co-firing supply chain network under feedstock supply uncertainty. The model we propose extends current models by taking congestion effects into account. A non-linear cost term is added in the objective function representing the congestion factor which increases exponentially as flow of biomass approaches the capacity of multi-modal facility. We first linearize the model and then use a nested decomposition algorithm to obtain a feasible solution in a reasonable amount of time. The nested decomposition algorithm that we propose combine constraint Generation algorithm with a sample average approximation and Progressive Hedging (PH) algorithm. We apply some heuristics such as rolling horizon algorithm and variable fixing technique to enhance the performance of the PH algorithm. We develop a case study using data from the states of Mississippi and Alabama and use those regions to test and validate the performance of the proposed algorithm. Numerical experiments show that the proposed algorithm can solve large-scale problems with a larger number of scenarios and time periods to a near optimal solution in a reasonable amount of time. Results obtained from the experiments reveal that the delivery cost increases and less hubs with higher capacity are selected if we take congestion cost into account.
Medical and Obstetric Complications Among Pregnant Women With Liver Cirrhosis.

Objective To evaluate clinical characteristics and obstetric outcomes in pregnant women with liver cirrhosis. Methods This was a retrospective matched cohort study of women with liver cirrhosis between January 2005 and January 2016 in a university hospital. Women in a case group were matched to women in a control group according to year of delivery, age, body mass index, and parity in a 1:4 ratio. Bivariable and multivariable analyses were performed to compare the prevalence of the primary composite outcome, which included any one of the following: fetal or neonatal demise, placental abruption, preeclampsia, preterm delivery at less than 37 weeks of gestation, and small-for-gestational age neonate between women in the case group and those in the control group. Results During the study period, the number of deliveries was approximately 110,000. Of these, 33 women with liver cirrhosis were identified, yielding an estimated frequency of cirrhosis of 1 per 3,333 pregnancies [95% confidence interval (CI) 3,313-3,353]. Thirty-one of these 33 women met all inclusion criteria. The most common etiology of cirrhosis was alcoholic liver disease. The rate of the primary outcome was 61% in women with cirrhosis and 12% in women in the control group. There were no cases of maternal death, and the livebirth rate was 97%. Women with cirrhosis were more likely to be non-Hispanic black, have chronic hypertension, and use alcohol. Multivariable logistic regression demonstrated that cirrhosis in pregnancy was associated with the composite outcome (adjusted odds ratio 9.4, 95% CI 3.4-26.2). Conclusion Despite lower rates of maternal and fetal mortality compared with earlier studies, pregnancy in women with liver cirrhosis is still associated with a high risk of adverse obstetric outcomes.
Stories of New Generations and Social Justice

This chapter examines two widely popular television drama series in addition to the case of Super Girl, Dwelling Narrowness and Naked Wedding. Their titles joined a list of newly coined terms in the first decade of the twenty-first century to describe new life situations experienced by China’s young generations. On the one hand, China is suffering from enlarging wealth gaps, prevalent resentment held by ordinary citizens toward the rich, and lack of public trust in social justice. On the other hand, audience discussions about the dramas exhibited moral ambiguities. While viewers expressed deep-seated anger toward harsh consequences of China’s postsocialist developments, they also revealed sympathy toward the characters that are corrupt public officials and envy for people who take shortcuts to privileges. Such contradictions are emblematic of the despair with a lack of social mobility in contemporary China. Discussions of Super Girl echoed such sentiments. The public showed their mistrust toward the producers as suspect manipulators on the show. Newspaper contributors and online discussants alike composed an overarching thesis about today’s Chinese society and voiced genuine concerns that it is drifting away from valuing true talents, most disturbingly by such cultural institutions as TV networks. Furthermore, the public speculated and researched about the contestants’ family wealth and connections in making sense of their success on Super Girl. Overall, entertainment materials provided a platform for the viewers to voice their cynicism about frequent violations of social justice by the new rich in China and the monopoly they hold over life opportunities.
The Insurance Value of Progressive Taxation with Heterogeneous Risk Aversion

Investment in human capital is lower when the returns to it are subject to uninsurable risk. Progressive income taxation offers a degree of insurance against such risk. Offsetting this effect are the two well-known distortions imposed by progressive taxation: lower expected net-of-tax returns to human-capital acquisition and distortion of the labor-supply decision. The net efficiency effect of progressive income taxation is therefore ambiguous, but there is a presumption that some degree of progressivity can be welfare-improving for risk-averse individuals. To derive the degree of progressivity that may be desirable on efficiency grounds, I construct a general-equilibrium model of an economy with two sectors, calibrated to approximate the U.S. labor market, that differ in terms of the productivity of human capital and the variability of lifetime earnings. Individuals, who differ only in terms of their risk aversion, sort themselves into the two sectors. The simple version of this model, which ignores the labor-leisure choice, suggests that a relatively high degree of income-tax progressivity maximizes aggregate welfare as measured by workers’ willingness to pay for the insurance being provided. When each workers’ supply of labor is allowed to vary in response to marginal tax rates, the efficient degree of progressivity is similar to that of the U.S. tax code.
Approximate Time Independent Methods for Polyatomic Reactions

In this chapter I review approximation methods to describe the quantum reactive scattering of polyatomic molecules. These methods are known generically as “reduced dimensionality” approximations. I will review several versions of this method, and focus on the so-called J-shifting approximation and very recent developments of it. These new developments are reviewed for the OH + H2reaction, where apparent discrepancies between coupled-states and standard J-shifting rate constants are resolved. I also present new expressions in the spirit of J-shifting for reactions that proceed via complex formation.
e-Learning: A Programmatic Research Construct for the Future

The Internet and its applications in education and industry have significantly influenced how we teach and learn. This has all occurred as a consequence of emerging technologies and the demands for...
Integrating the Epigenome to Identify Drivers of Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Disruption of epigenetic mechanisms has been intimately linked to the etiology of human cancer. Understanding how these epigenetic mechanisms (including DNA methylation [5mC], hydroxymethylation [5hmC], and histone post-translational modifications) work in concert to drive cancer initiation and progression remains unknown. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is increasing in frequency in Western countries but lacks efficacious treatments. The epigenome of HCC remains understudied. To better understand the epigenetic underpinnings of HCC, we performed a genome-wide assessment of 5mC, 5hmC, four histone modifications linked to promoter/enhancer function (H3K4me1, H3K27ac, H3K4me3, and H3K27me3), and transcription across normal, cirrhotic, and HCC liver tissue. Implementation of bioinformatic strategies integrated these epigenetic marks with each other and with transcription to provide a comprehensive epigenetic profile of how and when the liver epigenome is perturbed during progression to HCC. Our data demonstrate significant deregulation of epigenetic regulators combined with disruptions in the epigenome hallmarked by profound loss of 5hmC, locus-specific gains in 5mC and 5hmC, and markedly altered histone modification profiles, particularly remodeling of enhancers. Data integration demonstrates that these marks collaborate to influence transcription (e.g., hyper-5hmC in HCC-gained active enhancers is linked to elevated expression) of genes regulating HCC proliferation. Two such putative epigenetic driver loci identified through our integrative approach, COMT and FMO3, increase apoptosis and decrease cell viability in liver-derived cancer cell lines when ectopically re-expressed. Conclusion: Altogether, integration of multiple epigenetic parameters is a powerful tool for identifying epigenetically regulated drivers of HCC and elucidating how epigenome deregulation contributes to liver disease and HCC.
Appetite stimulants in chronic kidney disease

Poor appetite is a common clinical complaint in patients with chronic kidney disease. Nurses can play an important role by helping to perform regular nutritional assessment to identify patients that require intervention. This article aims to discuss the importance of this clinical problem and the different mechanisms by which appetite may become abnormal in chronic kidney disease. Recent research on pharmacologic options for appetite stimulation offer new options such as mirtazapine for cats and capromorelin for dogs.
Molecular and Morphological Identifications Reveal Species Composition of Lygus (Hemiptera: Miridae) Bugs in Potatoes Fields in the Lower Columbia Basin of the United States

Lygus bugs are highly polyphagous insect pests. In recent years, Lygus bugs have become more conspicuous on potato, Solanum tuberosum L., fields in the Pacific Northwest, particularly in the Lower Columbia Basin. There are concerns that direct feeding damage or potential pathogen transmission can reduce yield. Lygus species on potatoes in the region are collectively identified as 'Lygus bugs'. Overlapping physical traits and the fact that the same species exhibit morphological variations across a geographic range makes it difficult to identify Lygus to species level. Thus, in this study we used DNA barcodes in combination with morphological characters to identify Lygus species on potatoes. Three species were identified in the Lower Columbia Basin: Lygus hesperus (Knight) and Lygus elisus L. were the most common, whereas Lygus keltoni L. was the least common. Interspecific genetic distances among Lygus species were relatively low, ranging from 0.013 to 0.004. Neighbor-joining (NJ) tree clustered L. hesperus and L. elisus into two major clades, with L. keltoni forming a subclade within L. hesperus clade. Statistical parsimony analysis corroborated findings from phylogenetic analysis with L. keltoni and L. hesperus sharing one haplotype. Our study demonstrates the utility of integrating morphology and molecular markers in identifying morphologically similar species such as Lygus bugs. The study also serves as a fundamental step in contributing to developing suitable management strategies against Lygus bugs on potato.
Application of 3D T1 Black-Blood Imaging in the Diagnosis of Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis: Potential Pitfall of Slow-Flowing Blood.

I read the publication “Application of 3D Fast Spin-Echo T1 Black-Blood Imaging in the Diagnosis and Prognostic Prediction of Patients with Leptomeningeal Carcinomatosis” by Oh et al[1][1] with a great interest. The authors concluded that black-blood imaging showed a significantly higher
The Supersonic Boom of a Projectile Related to Drag and Volume

The Whitham theory predicting the far-flow field around a projectile is used to derive body shapes which produce extreme bow shock-wave pressure jump or "boom," subject to constraining conditions regarding the drag due to the bow shock and fineness ratio of the bodies. I t is found that the minimum drag body is also the minimum boom body. The body-volume effect and the effect of discontinuities in slope of the body meridian section on the boom intensity is investigated. As a general result of the investigation, it can be said that the boom of a projectile for given Mach number and flight altitude is primarily determined by its length and fineness ratio. The maximum variation in the boom intensity for pointed bodies with given length and fineness ratio is of the order of 10 per cent. The geometry of the bodies is thus found to play a minor role.
Charging decisions, legal framing and transitional justice: the prosecution of Wouter Basson

Charges brought against an alleged human rights abuser vary, with some charged with core international crimes and others with ordinary crimes rooted in domestic law. This article examines such vari...
Male gender and unemployment are associated with lower levels of perceived social support in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Abstract Objective Adults with cystic fibrosis (CF) face unique challenges with regard to the attainment and maintenance of social support. Although social support has been shown to improve treatment outcomes in other patient-populations, research on social support in adults with CF is limited. In fact, no studies have examined factors associated with less perceived social support in this population. The current study aimed to fill this gap, thus providing CF care teams with empirical evidence about who may be most likely to lack support and inform future intervention. Methods Participants in this cross-sectional study included 233 adults with CF who were part of a larger, longitudinal study. Participants completed the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List, a measure of social support, and attended routine clinical visits where measures of disease severity were obtained. Results Being female and employed were associated with greater perceptions of social support in this sample. Age, income, education, marital status, and disease-severity were not related to perceptions of social support. Conclusion The present study revealed that individuals with CF who are unemployed and those who are male perceived having lower social support, perhaps identifying subgroups for whom targeted interventions may be appropriate.
Puberty and Transdiagnostic Risks for Mental Health.

Puberty in girls represents a notable period of vulnerability for different psychological disorders. The research literature has primarily considered external and contextual factors that might explain these rises in symptomatology. In the present study, we investigate relations of pubertal status and timing with individual cognitive, emotional, and behavioral tendencies, commonly identified as transdiagnostic processes, in a sample of N = 228 girls (Mage = 11.75 years). We also test whether these transdiagnostic processes mediate associations of pubertal status and pubertal timing with depressive symptoms. Results support greater endorsement of rumination, co-rumination, negative urgency, and both anxious and angry rejection sensitivity in girls with more advanced pubertal status, as well as in girls with early pubertal timing. Higher levels of transdiagnostic processes fully mediated associations of pubertal status and timing with depressive symptoms at significant and marginally significant levels, respectively. Although the data are cross-sectional, these findings offer promising preliminary evidence that transdiagnostic processes represent an important mental health risk in early adolescent girls.
Prospects for photon-pair generation using silicon microring resonators with two photon absorption and free carrier absorption

Silicon microring resonators are being recently used for high-brightness and efficient photon-pair generation at telecommunication wavelengths. Here, based on detailed theoretical and numerical modeling, we study the impact on pair generation of increasing the optical pump power, which generally causes nonlinear impairments such as free-carrier and two-photon absorption in silicon micro-resonators. Contrary to expectation, the pair generation properties of such devices may seem to be preserved at increasing pump powers, although not better than at a moderate pump power. These results suggest that silicon microrings can be used for pair generation over a wide range of pump powers, which may benefit applications in remotely pumped architectures, where the pump level might not be known a priori.
Computational electrophysiology: the molecular dynamics of ion channel permeation and selectivity in atomistic detail.

Useful discussions with F. Khalili-Araghi and J. C. Gumbart are gratefully acknowledged. B.R. is supported by National Institutes of Health grant GM062342.
Optimal Timing of Cardiac Catheterization In Patients With Newly Diagnosed Systolic Heart Failure. Is It Time To Rethink Our Approach

Background Heart failure (HF) affects more than 5.1 million Americans and is responsible for more than 1 million hospitalizations each year. The Framingham Heart Study data suggests that a combination of hypertension and CAD increases the risk of HF approximately double in men and 25% in women compared to their counterparts with only hypertension. However, there is limited literature evidence with regard to the optimal timing of routine coronary angiography in the newly diagnosed HF population. Methods This is a single-center, retrospective analysis of 106 patients who were admitted with newly diagnosed acute HF exacerbation between 2016-2018. All patients underwent a transthoracic echocardiogram to identify systolic or diastolic heart failure, which was followed by a coronary angiogram. We defined ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) as ≥ 2 vessel disease on coronary angiography and determined a temporal trend of ICM in the newly diagnosed HF group in contemporary practice. Results Among 106 patients, 59% were male (Table 1). The patients' age ranged from 39 to 83 years with a mean age of 61. HTN and diabetes mellitus were present in 89 and 56 individuals respectively. The mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 28% with a left ventricular internal diameter in systole of 4.8 cm. ICM was diagnosed in 9 patients out of 106 (8.4%). Conclusion The incidence of ICM in contemporary practice could be lower than what we thought in the past. Further studies are needed to evaluate the optimal timing of coronary angiography in newly diagnosed HF patients
Causes and Consequences of Age-Related Hearing Loss

Hearing loss in older adults is a national and global health priority. Fifty percent of adults over the age of 60 years are impacted by a clinically meaningful hearing loss, with that number increasing to every two out of three adults over the age of 70. There is also growing recognition that hearing loss is associated with increased risk for health conditions including dementia and falls. This chapter describes what is known about age-related hearing loss from population-based epidemiologic studies, including the prevalence (burden of existing hearing loss) and incidence (new cases of hearing loss), and describes patterns of severity and trends by demographics and over time. Risk factors for hearing loss are discussed, including those for acquired (and therefore potentially preventable) hearing loss, such as noise exposure, environmental exposures, medications, and cardiovascular-related factors. Also included is epidemiologic evidence for possible consequences of age-related hearing loss, beginning with a framework for understanding how epidemiologic and clinical research is synthesized and evaluated to determine the relationship between an exposure and an outcome. Evidence is then presented for the association between age-related hearing loss and communication and functional geriatric outcomes, including dementia, cognitive impairment and decline, depression, physical function and disability, social engagement, and healthcare utilization. A theoretical biological mechanistic rationale is also provided as to why age-related hearing loss may possibly be related to these important functional outcomes in older adults.
Men at work: Independent documentary and male bodies

Much has been written about the evolution of the “New Chinese Documentary Film Movement”—its shift from public and implicitly political topics to a more private and politically agnostic position, i...
Retrospective and Current Peer Victimization in College Students with Disabilities: Examining the Intersectionality of Sexual Orientation and Gender.

The present, exploratory study examined retrospective and current peer victimization in a multi-university sample of 58 college students with disabilities, 18 (31%) of whom identified as sexual minorities. Fifty-seven participants reported peer victimization during childhood, and approximately half reported experiencing peer victimization in the past 2 months. Students who identified as sexual minorities reported more retrospective victimization but current victimization did not differ between the two groups. Current and retrospective peer victimization were significantly correlated with present psychological distress. Professionals who work with students with disabilities should be aware of the high prevalence of peer victimization and its psychological correlates in this population.
Visible-Light Induced Sustainable Water Treatment Using Plasmo-Semiconductor Nanogap Bridge Array, PNA

The development of sustainable methods for energy-intensive water treatment processes continues to be a challenging issue. Plasmonic-semiconductor nanoparticles, which absorb large amounts of sunlight in the visible range for conversion into chemical energy efficiently, can form the basis of a sustainable water treatment method. However, the potential uses of plasmonic semiconductor particles for water treatment have not been fully explored yet because of the limitations associated with the imbalance between light capture, charge transfer, and the required recycling steps for the particles themselves. Herein, a significantly improved visible-light-induced water treatment method that uses a plasmo-semiconductor nanogap bridge array (PNA) is reported. As an arrangement of antenna-reactors, the PNA enables the balancing of the largely enhanced electromagnetic field in the plasmonic nanogap coupling region and optimal separation of charge carriers in the semiconductor. The simultaneous effects of visible-light absorption and charge transfer lead to the generation of a highly enhanced visible-light-induced OH radical (•OH). Consequently, visible-light-induced 5-log N/N0 water disinfection and 100% chemical decomposition for sustainable water treatment were demonstrated. Owing to the large light absorption, charge carrier utilization, and array-oriented scalability, the PNA will be valuable in various sustainable energy and environmental applications.
Weak lensing scattering transform: dark energy and neutrino mass sensitivity

As weak lensing surveys become deeper, they reveal more non-Gaussian aspects of the convergence field which require statistics beyond the power spectrum to extract. In Cheng et al. (2020), we showed that the scattering transform, a novel statistic borrowing concepts from convolutional neural networks, is a powerful tool to perform cosmological parameter estimation. Here, we extend this analysis to explore its sensitivity to dark energy and neutrino mass parameters with weak lensing surveys. We first use image synthesis to show visually that the scattering transform provides a better statistical vocabulary to characterize lensing mass maps compared to the power spectrum and bispectrum. We then show that it outperforms those two estimators in the low-noise regime. When the noise level increases and non-Gaussianity is diluted, though the constraint is not significantly tighter than that of the bispectrum, the scattering coefficients have much more Gaussian likelihood, which is essential for accurate cosmological inference. We argue that the scattering coefficients are preferred statistics considering both constraining power and likelihood properties.
Effects of COVID-19 on Disaster Planning in Academic Libraries

Disasters have always occurred in libraires, generally confined to regional areas, or singular buildings. However, COVID-19 has affected libraries across the globe. This research looks at the effec...
Association between driver and child passenger restraint: Analysis of community-based observational survey data from 2005 to 2019

Abstract Introduction: Crash data suggest an association between driver seatbelt use and child passenger restraint. However, community-based restraint use is largely unknown. We examined the association between driver seatbelt use and child restraint using data from a state-wide observational study. Methods: Data from Iowa Child Passenger Restraint Survey, a representative state-wide survey of adult seat belt use and child passenger safety, were analyzed. A total of 44,996 child passengers age 0–17 years were observed from 2005 to 2019. Information about driver seatbelt use and child restraint was directly observed by surveyors and driver age was reported. Logistic regression was used to examine the association between driver seatbelt use and child restraint adjusting for vehicle type, community size, child seating position, child passenger age, and year. Results: Over the 15-year study period, 4,114 (9.1%) drivers were unbelted, 3,692 (8.2%) children were completely unrestrained, and another 1,601 (3.6%) children were improperly restrained (analyzed as unrestrained). About half of unbelted drivers had their child passengers unrestrained (51.8%), while nearly all belted drivers had their child passengers properly restrained (92.3%). Compared with belted drivers, unbelted drivers had an 11-fold increased odds of driving an unrestrained child passenger (OR = 11.19, 95%CI = 10.36, 12.09). The association between driver seatbelt use and child restraint was much stronger among teenage drivers. Unbelted teenage drivers were 33-fold more likely (OR = 33.34, 95%CI = 21.11, 52.64) to have an unrestrained child passenger. Conclusion: These data suggest that efforts to increase driver seatbelt use may also have the added benefit of increasing child restraint use. Practical applications: Enforcement of child passenger laws and existing education programs for new drivers could be leveraged to increase awareness of the benefits of seatbelt use for both drivers themselves and their occupants. Interventions aimed at rural parents could emphasize the importance of child safety restraints.
Chromatography of sugars in body fluids. II. Paper chromatographic pattern of urinary sugars in five solvents.

Abstract A method for chromatographic separation on Whatman No. 17 and 3 MM filter papers is described by means of which at least 21 identified and 5 unknown neutral sugars regularly present in the normal human urine may be revealed. The pattern of their resolution is compared in five solvent systems of different nature. The procedure uses Whatman No. 17 in ascending multiple modification for urine specimens corresponding to a 10–20-minute diuresis. For smaller aliquots of urine Whatman No. 3 MM and descending repeated developments are proposed. The former modification has an advantage of revealing better the minor constituents and possessing superior reproducibility.
Agility to INBONE: Anterior and Posterior Approaches to the Difficult Revision Total Ankle Replacement

Total ankle replacement is now acknowledged as a viable alternative to ankle arthrodesis for end-stage ankle arthritis. The authors present a series of 14 patients who were converted from the Agility total ankle replacement to an INBONE total ankle replacement. This report is unique in that anterior and posterior approaches are discussed and detailed. Although the authors present successful conversion of the Agility total ankle replacement to an INBONE total ankle replacement, the difficulty of this procedure is demonstrated by the high complication rate and 2 early failures.
Analysis of Flour and Food Samples for cry9C from Bioengineered Corn

StarLink corn is a variety of yellow corn that has been genetically modified by the insertion of an altered cry9C gene into the plant genome, resulting in expression of the insecticidal Cry9C protein. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved StarLink corn for use in animal feed but not in food intended for human consumption. Therefore, under the U.S. Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, any food intended for human consumption in which the presence of StarLink corn is indicated by the presence of either the Cry9C protein or the cry9C gene would be considered adulterated. Extraction and PCR-based methods were used to detect the presence of the cry9C DNA initially in corn flour and corn meal, and then these methods were extended to the analysis of processed corn products, including taco shells, cereals, baby foods, party snacks, and chips, for the presence of this modified genetic material. In a survey of 63 products, the cry9C transgene was detected in 4 taco shells.
Mobility Limitations in the Medicare Population: Prevalence and Sociodemographic and Clinical Correlates

Objectives: To examine the prevalence of and clinical markers associated with mobility limitations in Medicare Current Beneficiary Community Survey (MCBS) respondents. Design: Cross-sectional analysis of a community survey. Setting: Community. Participants: Twelve thousand seven hundred sixty-nine respondents from the 2001 MCBS, aged 65 and older. Measurements: Four questions from the MCBS were used to create four levels of mobility limitation: none, mild, moderate, and severe. Sampling weights were used to calculate estimates of means and proportions of the entire Medicare population for each mobility limitation category. A polytomous logistic regression analysis was used to model the association between four levels of mobility limitation and sociodemographic and clinical variables. Results: Prevalence of mobility limitations ranged from 9.5 million (mild) to 1.2 million (severe). Increasing severity of mobility limitation was associated with older age, being female, reporting fair or poor health, being overweight, smoking, having a greater number of comorbidities, having an annual income below $25,000, having less than a high school education, being unmarried, and living with others. Conclusion: National prevalence estimates suggest that functional mobility limitation is a significant problem for many older adults and is associated with some potentially modifiable characteristics.
Kinetics and Mechanisms of Action of Antibiotics on Microorganisms III.: Inhibitory Action of Tetracycline and Chloramphenicol on Escherichia coli Established by Total and Viable Counts

The generation rate constants, k from N = N 0 e kt , k > 0, for viable counts of Escherichia coli growth have been shown to be linearly dependent on the concentration, A , of the antibiotics tetracycline and/or chloramphenicol, k = k 0 – k A A . Alternative mechanisms of action are by inhibition of E. coli generation or by kill superimposed on an invariant generation rate. Methods and techniques have been developed to obtain reproducible total counts by the Coulter counter and have been statistically evaluated. For the case where k > 0, total and viable counts are equivalent in the presence of the antibiotics studied, and the mode of action is inhibitory. The dependence of E. coli generation rate constants on antibiotic concentration has been shown to be independent of the inoculum size over a range of 10 3 microorganisms/ ml. Studies in media of double and half the nutrients, metal-free, reduced, and increased phosphate concentrations demonstrated no significant effects on E. coli generation rates.
The State Against Teachers

State monopoly in education and medicine is paradoxically supported by many teachers and doctors. Andrew Melnyk argues that they should use the insights of ‘public choice'to push for the removal of state domination of their employment.
Hole transport in p-channel Si MOSFETs

Abstract Using a Monte Carlo method, we investigate hole transport in ultrasmall p-channel Si MOSFETs with gate lengths of 25 nm. The device simulator couples a 2D Poisson solver with a discretized 6×6 k·p Hamiltonian solver that handles the valence band-structure and includes the effect of the confining potential under the gate, thereby providing the subband structure in the channel region. Carriers in the source and drain regions are treated as quasi-3D particles and the band-structure information is included by solving for the eigenenergies of a more compact 6×6 k·p Hamiltonian. It is seen that band-structure calculations are needed in order to describe accurately the high field transport in ultrasmall nano-scale MOSFETs.
Correlation between phase and optical properties of yttrium-doped hafnium oxide nanocrystalline thin films

Abstract Yttrium-doped hafnium oxide (YDH) nanocrystalline films were produced by sputter-deposition at a substrate temperature of 400 °C. The deposition was made onto Si (1 0 0) and optical grade quartz substrates with variable deposition time to produce YDH films in a wide range of thickness, d YDH ∼ 25 nm to 1.1 μm. The effect of d YDH on the crystal structure, surface/interface morphology and optical properties of YDH films was investigated. X-ray diffraction analyses revealed the formation of monoclinic phase for relatively thin films ( d YDH is observed. The scanning electron microscopy results indicate the dense, columnar structure of YDH films as a function of d YDH . Spectrophotometry analyses indicate that the grown YDH films are transparent. The band gap was found to be ∼5.60 eV for monoclinic YDH films while distinct separation and an increase in band gap to ∼6.03 eV is evident with increasing d YDH and formation cubic YDH films. A correlation between growth conditions, phase evolution, and optical properties of the YDH nanocrystalline films is established.
A numerical model of landform development by glacial erosion

The jagged peaks, knife-edged ridges, and steep-sided valleys of alpine landscapes are well known products of glaciation, yet little is known about how the dynamics of ice flow and glacial erosion give rise to such landforms. By linking a finite-element model for ice flow through a valley with a model for glacial erosion, we have simulated the gradual evolution of one of the most striking of glacial landforms, the U-shaped valley. Incorporating realistic glacier sliding laws and spatial variations in rock resistance, our simulations illustrate how ice flow, erosion patterns and topography interact in the long term evolution of glacial landforms. In addition, our results indicate for the first time that the formation of a steady-state U-shaped valley takes approximately 105 years.
A Body Condition Scoring Chart for Holstein Dairy Cows

Abstract A chart for body condition scoring of freely moving Holstein dairy cows was developed using an iterative process consisting of literature review, interviews with experts, field testing, statistical analysis, and comments from chart users. The chart consists of text and diagrams that detail changes in conformation with body condition change for eight body locations identified as important in body condition scoring. The precision with which a prototype chart was used to give location specific condition scores to cows was examined, and the variability among the assessors described. This chart gave consistent results with small variability among assessors, no significant difference attributable to experience of assessors, and no significant cow assessor interaction. Minor modifications were made to the chart, which was then used to assess location specific and overall body condition scores. Assessors scored cows in the eight body locations and rescored the cows in a different order to assign an overall score. The chart produced consistent scores over a wide range of body conditions with small variance among assessors. The overall score was most closely related to the condition scores of the pelvic and tailhead areas of the cow. Both location specific scores within cows and the overall body score for a cow were strongly correlated, demonstrating that the chart was internally consistent. The chart is an effective field tool for body condition scoring Holstein cows.
Does this patient have myasthenia gravis

ContextClinicians must be able to diagnose myasthenia gravis, since delays in establishing the diagnosis may put patients at risk for complications from this treatable disease.ObjectiveTo determine if items in the history and examination or results of simple tests change the likelihood of myasthenia gravis as a diagnosis.Data SourcesMEDLINE search of English-language articles (January 1966-January 2005) using the terms myasthenia gravis, diagnosis, and test, and a search of bibliographies of retrieved articles.Study SelectionStudies evaluating a particular symptom or sign in patients both with and without myasthenia gravis. Of 640 articles retrieved, 33 were eligible for review. Of these, 15 met inclusion criteria and form the basis of this review.Data ExtractionTwo authors independently reviewed each study to determine eligibility, abstracted data using a standardized instrument, and classified study quality using previously published criteria.Data SynthesisA history of “speech becoming unintelligible during prolonged speaking” and the presence of the peek sign increase the likelihood of myasthenia gravis (likelihood ratio [LR], 4.5; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.2-17.0 and LR, 30.0; 95% CI, 3.2-278.0, respectively). Their absence does not significantly reduce the likelihood of myasthenia gravis. The identified studies only assessed 1 other historical feature and sign each (“food remaining in the mouth after swallowing” and quiver eye movements, respectively), and neither of these significantly changes the likelihood of myasthenia. The ice test is useful when the response is abnormal (summary positive LR, 24.0; 95% CI, 8.5-67.0) and diminishes the likelihood of myasthenia gravis when the response is normal (summary negative LR, 0.16; 95% CI, 0.09-0.27). A positive response to an anticholinesterase medication (mainly edrophonium test) increases the probability of a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis (summary positive LR, 15.0; 95% CI, 7.5-31.0), and a negative response reduces the diagnostic probability of myasthenia (summary negative LR, 0.11; 95% CI, 0.06-0.21). An abnormal sleep test result is useful in confirming the diagnosis (LR, 53.0; 95% CI, 3.4-832.0). The rest and sleep tests make the probability of myasthenia unlikely when results are normal (LR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.29-0.95 and LR, 0.01; 95% CI, 0.00-0.16, respectively).ConclusionsItems in the history and physical examination along with results of certain simple tests performed in the office (ice test, sleep test, and edrophonium test) are useful in predicting the likelihood of myasthenia gravis. These results must be interpreted with caution, however, given the high prevalence of disease in the populations reported in clinical studies. This review is limited by the small number of signs and symptoms scientifically studied and reported in the literature. Future studies evaluating the value of common historical features and easy maneuvers commonly known and practiced by experts in the clinical diagnosis of myasthenia are needed.
Comparison of Endoproteinases of Various Grains

ABSTRACT Two-dimensional isoelectric focusing (IEF) × PAGE gels were used to compare the endoproteolytic (gelatinase) activities of germinated barley with those of bread and durum wheat, rye, triticale, oat, rice, buckwheat, and sorghum. Barley was used as the standard of comparison because its endoproteinase complement has been studied previously in the greatest detail. The characteristics of the grain proteases were appraised from their migration patterns and by how they were affected by pH levels. All of the germinated grains contained multiple enzyme activities and their separation patterns and pH levels were at least similar to those of barley. The proteinases of the bread and durum wheats, rye, oat, and sorghum were most similar to those of barley, whereas the other grains provided more varied patterns. The rice and buckwheat proteinases developed much more slowly than those of the other grains. The activity patterns of the triticale resembled those of the parents, wheat and rye, but the triticale c...
SPECIAL SECTION: Training Academics From an Evidence-Based Perspective? A Special Review Section on Hard Facts, Dangerous Half-Truths, and Total Nonsense: Profiting From Evidence-Based Management.

An introduction to a special section titled: “Training Academics From an Evidence-Based Perspective? A Special Review Section on 'Hard Facts, Dangerous Half-Truths, and Total Nonsense: Profiting Fr...
Relationship between metabolic rate and energy expenditure for lactation in Peromyscus

Abstract 1. 1. The rate of energy expenditure for lactation is correlated with the rate of basal metabolism among five species of laboratory-reared mice of the genus Peromyscus . 2. 2. A higher rate of metabolism in both the mother and her offspring may synergistically permit a higher rate of conversion of maternal food into offspring tissue. 3. 3. The potential ecological significance and organismic consequences of interspecific differences in metabolic rate are briefly discussed.
Wireless laser spectroscopic sensor node for atmospheric CO2 monitoring—laboratory and field test

We developed a low-power, portable, wireless laser spectroscopic sensor for atmospheric CO2 monitoring. The sensor is based on tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy with a 2-μm wavelength VCSEL as a source and wavelength modulation technique for spectroscopic signal detection. The sensor allows measurement of CO2 concentration changes with a 1σ sensitivity of 0.14 ppmv Hz−1/2. This sensor was both laboratory and field tested under varying environmental conditions. It was used to measure a soil respiration rate of topsoil in the lab and of forest floors in the field. Measurement results are compared with those of commercial non-dispersive infrared sensors and very good agreement is found.
Corpus callosum and bimanual coordination in multiple sclerosis.

Bimanual actions are ubiquitous in daily life. Many coordinated movements of the upper extremities, and in particular the hands, rely on precise timing of movements and interhemispheric communication via the corpus callosum. However, not all bimanual coordination tasks involve the corpus callosum.
Gingival Findings in Spontaneous Scurvy: A Case Report

This case report presents clinical observations of alterations in periodontally diseased soft tissues associated with the development of scurvy. The sudden clinical appearance of the gingival lesions suggested a differential diagnosis of scurvy, acute leukemia and diabetes. Such lesions may develop prior to or simultaneous with extraoral findings. Coordination of systemic and local therapy effectively resolved the disease state. The dentist may be the first source of consultation for the patient with scurvy. An appreciation for this rare but potentially devastating condition is necessary for satisfactory management of the disease.
Release of drinking water contaminants and odor impacts caused by green building cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) plumbing systems

Green buildings are increasingly being plumbed with crosslinked polyethylene (PEX) potable water pipe. Tap water quality was investigated at a six month old plumbing system and chemical and odor quality impacts of six PEX pipe brands were examined. Eleven PEX related contaminants were found in the plumbing system; one regulated (toluene) and several unregulated: Antioxidant degradation products, resin solvents, initiator degradation products, or manufacturing aides. Water chemical and odor quality was monitored for new PEX-a, -b and -c pipes with (2 mg/L free chlorine) and without disinfectant over 30 days. Odor and total organic carbon (TOC) levels decreased for all pipes, but odor remained greater than the USA's Environmental Protection Agency's (USEPA) secondary maximum contaminant level. Odors were not attributed to known odorants ethyl-tert-butyl ether (ETBE) or methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE). Free chlorine caused odor levels for PEX-a1 pipe to increase from 26 to 75 threshold odor number (TON) on day 3 and affected the rate at which TOC changed for each brand over 30 days. As TOC decreased, the ultraviolet absorbance at 254 nm increased. Pipes consumed as much as 0.5 mg/L as Cl2 during each 3 day stagnation period. Sixteen organic chemicals were identified, including toluene, pyridine, methylene trichloroacetate and 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol. Some were also detected during the plumbing system field investigation. Six brands of PEX pipes sold in the USA and a PEX-a green building plumbing system impacted chemical and drinking water odor quality.
Tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen: An extracellular matrix protein that selectively regulates tubulogenesis vs. glomerulogenesis during mammalian renal development

Tubulointerstitial nephritis antigen (TIN-ag) is an extracellular matrix protein and is expressed in the renal tubular basement membranes. Its role in metanephric development was investigated. TIN-ag cDNA, isolated from the newborn mouse library, had an ORF of 1,425 nucleotides, a putative signal sequence, and an ATP/GTP-binding site. The translated sequence had approximately 80% identity with rabbit TIN-ag. Among various tissues, TIN-ag mRNA was primarily expressed in the newborn kidney. In the embryonic metanephros, TIN-ag expression was confined to the distal convolution or pole of the S-shaped body, the segment of the nascent nephron that is the progenitor of renal tubules. Treatment with TIN-ag antisense oligodeoxynucleotide induced dysmorphogenesis of the embryonic metanephroi, malformation of the S-shaped body, and a decrease in the tubular population, whereas the glomeruli were unaffected. Treatment also led to a decrease of TIN-Ag mRNA, de novo synthesis of TIN-ag protein, and its antibody reactivity. The mRNA expression of glomerular epithelial protein 1 (a marker for renal podocytes), anti-heparan-sulfate-proteoglycan antibody reactivity, and wheat germ agglutinin lectin staining of the metanephros were unaffected. The anti-TIN-ag antibody treatment also caused deformation of the S-shaped body and a reduction in the tubular population, whereas the glomeruli were unchanged. The data suggest that the TIN-ag, unlike other basement membrane proteins, selectively regulates tubulogenesis, whereas glomerulogenesis is largely unaffected.
Distribution of Inorganic Elements in Poultry House Dust

Distribution of inorganic elements was measured in poultry house dust from five types of poultry houses during either winter, spring, or summer. With varied environmental conditions at the time of sampling, the levels of calcium, sodium, iron, zinc, magnesium, and aluminum were higher than the other elements found in dust samples from the five types of poultry houses. The most abundant element in poultry house dust was calcium. The level of this element samples from the mechanically ventilated house used for research purposes corresponded closely to the level found in the feed fed at sampling time. High zinc levels in layer houses may be attributed to either the abrasive actions of feathers and feet of layers against the galvanized wire cages on the high zinc content in feathers. The ash content of dust from the five types of poultry houses ranged from .31 to 3.54%. Air particulate counts for particles ranging in size from .5 to 10 micro meter were much higher in the layer house used for commercial purposes (ranged from 34.9 to 66.3 X 10(6) /m3) than in the layer houses used for research purposes (ranged from 5.8 to 9.8 X 10(6)/m3) than the level during summer (66.3 X 10(6)/m3). The commercial broiler house was dustier than the commercial layer house during the summer.