cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Challenge of Predicting Economic Crises

Given the global integration of financial markets over the last decade, large capital flow reversals can occur quite quickly, considerably shortening the time policymakers have to respond. As a consequence, and motivated in part by the recent crises in Europe, Mexico and Asia, researchers are taking a fresh look at the determinants of currency and banking crises and are attempting to develop early warning systems to signal when trouble may be brewing in currency markets and banking systems. The lack of transparency in the operation of financial systems, especially in emerging markets, considerably complicates this risk. This paper questions whether it is possible to develop early warning signals to help them anticipate incipient problems in currency markets and banking systems. In the end, the holy grail of crisis prediction may be intrinsically unattainable.
The Borderline Patient: Update on the Diagnosis, Theory, and Treatment from a Psychodynamic Perspective

This paper presents an overview regarding the borderline patient including historical background, diagnosis, developmental theory, prognosis, and psychotherapy, all from a psychodynamic perspective. The overview is succinct, current, and practical; it is comprehensive although certainly not all-inclusive. Five clinical vignettes are presented, reflecting various aspects of borderline patients. These vignettes are used to illustrate phenomena elaborated later in the paper. Regarding diagnosis, an approach based on ego strengths and ego weaknesses is detailed. This "ego-psychological diagnostic approach" leans on the ideas of Kernberg, but simplifies and occasionally modifies his work, in addition to including aspects of the borderline patient not stressed by him. It provides a simple, integrated summary of current psychodynamic diagnostic thinking. The paper compares and contrasts two of the most useful developmental theories regarding the borderline patient, those of Kernberg and Adler. The clinical usefulness of the two theories is noted, as is their relationship to etiology. Relying on the work of Stone, there is a brief section on prognosis, followed by an even briefer discussion of referral yield. The paper concludes with a discussion of psychotherapy. A continuum of psychodynamically related psychotherapies is detailed, then related to borderline individuals.
Axisymmetric fluid-structure interaction model of the left ventricle

Publisher Summary This chapter demonstrates the feasibility of a commercial finite element code in a linear elastic axisymmetric fluid-interaction model of the left ventricle. A fluid-structure interaction model of the left ventricle and the immersed boundary method have proven to be very useful tools in ventricular modeling, the greatest limitation is the in-house development of the code, limiting its widespread use among cardiac mechanics research groups. Therefore, researchers make use of a commercial code and extend its capabilities through customized user-supplied coding to allow the modeling of the active behavior of cardiac tissue. While a fluid-structure interaction model of diastolic filling was not possible in the past through a commercial code, researchers have demonstrated the feasibility of ADINA in cardiac modeling.
Peripheral Sound Processing in Odontocetes

A decade ago two divergent theories describing peripheral sound processing in odontocetes had been formulated. Their differences were unresolved. One view held that sounds were generated in the larynx, radiated through the soft tissue of the throat or transmitted up through the skull and rostrum. Reception was thought restricted to the region of the external auditory meatus, a pinhole in most odontocetes. Sounds gathered at this region were thought to be transmitted to the middle ear via the narrow and sometimes occluded external auditory canal and the tympanic ligament (Fraser and Purves, 1959; Purves, 1966). The second view suggested quite radical modification of both sound reception and transmission paths. Sounds were envisioned as being produced by extra-laryngeal structures adjacent to the nasal passages in the forehead, and transmitted and transduced into the water via the fatty melon of the odontocete forehead, or through the mesorostral canal of the odontocete snout.
Fast de Bruijn Graph Compaction in Distributed Memory Environments

De Bruijn graph based genome assembly has gained popularity as short read sequencers become ubiquitous. A core assembly operation is the generation of unitigs, which are sequences corresponding to chains in the graph. Unitigs are used as building blocks for generating longer sequences in many assemblers, and can facilitate graph compression. Chain compaction, by which unitigs are generated, remains a critical computational task. In this paper, we present a distributed memory parallel algorithm for simultaneous compaction of all chains in bi-directed de Bruijn graphs. The key advantages of our algorithm include bounding the chain compaction run-time to logarithmic number of iterations in the length of the longest chain, and ability to differentiate cycles from chains within logarithmic number of iterations in the length of the longest cycle. Our algorithm scales to thousands of computational cores, and can compact a whole genome de Bruijn graph from a human sequence read set in 7.3 seconds using 7680 distributed memory cores, and in 12.9 minutes using 64 shared memory cores. It is $3.7\times$ 3 . 7 × and $2.0\times$ 2 . 0 × faster than equivalent steps in the state-of-the-art tools for distributed and shared memory environments, respectively. An implementation of the algorithm is available at https://github.com/ParBLiSS/bruno .
Phonological Awareness Trajectories: Young Spanish–English and Cantonese–English Bilinguals

This study focused on the phonological awareness skills of 72 Spanish-English and 86 Cantonese-English bilinguals, all enrolled in bilingual and mainstream classrooms in the same schools. Bilinguals were assessed on phonological awareness, decoding, vocabulary, and knowledge of book reading each year from kindergarten until second grade. Individual growth modeling analysis revealed no difference in growth trajectories of English phonological awareness between (a) Spanish-English and Cantonese-English bilinguals and (b) children enrolled in bilingual and mainstream programs. Within-language decoding, vocabulary, and knowledge of book reading were associated with the estimated average initial levels of phonological awareness skills, while only knowledge of book reading had significant effects on the estimated growth trajectory of phonological awareness skills. These findings suggest that young bilinguals with different home languages may have similar growth trajectories in English phonological awareness skills during early elementary school years. The findings have implications for early educational practices.
Kinematic Geometry of the Wrist: Preliminary Report

This research significantly advances the state of the art in our ability to visualize the dynamic kinematics of the wrist. Beginning 150 years ago, investigations into the kinematics of the wrist were anatomical descriptions5,6,8,10,20,21 with observations made by the eye and including the earliest use of the x-ray after its discovery in 1895. It was not until much later that McConail12 began to apply basic mechanical laws to the curiosities and movement of the wrist and its complex of eight carpal bones. Motion studies began with cineradiography1,26 and moved parallel with technological development of optical and electronic methods of measuring minute distances accurately while the joint is moving. Use of LED path generation on photographic plates was used in conjunction with both cineradiographic and cinematographic (movie film)26 methods in an attempt to improve and automate the laborious and error prone requirement of hand digitizing data. With the introduction of the spark gap, or sonic digitizer, 3-D positional data could be taken automatically from moving joint components.3,4,27 Experimental error associated with the sonic digitizing equipment, its dependency on acoustic related environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, air movement) and the physical size of the spark gap apparatus itself still left much to be desired. Because of these concerns, recent investigators have attempted to return to basic approaches (manual analysis of biplanar radiographs) to increase precision even at the expense of fewer data points and increase in digitization error.7,9,14
Use of a speech generating device and various prompting procedures might facilitate vocalizations in minimally verbal children with autism spectrum disorder1

Q Will a speech-generating device intervention package, including time-delay, differential reinforcement and an echoic prompt, increase the vocalizations of children with autism spectrum disorder (...
Toward a Wonderland of Comparative Education.

The publication of Noah & Eckstein's Toward a Science of Comparative Education (1969, Macmillan, NY) marked the beginning of an increasingly narrow research trajectory in comparative education, cla...
Cerebrospinal fluid macrophage migration inhibitory factor: a potential predictor of cerebral vasospasm and clinical outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage.

OBJECTIVE In patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH), poor outcomes have been shown to be correlated with subsequent cerebral vasospasm (CV) and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). The identification of novel biomarkers may aid in the prediction of which patients are vulnerable to developing vasospasm, cerebral ischemia, and neurological deterioration. METHODS In this prospective clinical study at North Shore University Hospital, patients with aSAH or normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) with external ventricular drains were enrolled. The concentration of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in CSF was assessed for correlation with CV or DCI, the primary outcome measures. RESULTS Twenty-five patients were enrolled in the aSAH group and 9 were enrolled in the NPH group. There was a significant increase in aggregate CSF MIF concentration in patients with aSAH versus those with NPH (24.4 ± 19.2 vs 2.3 ± 1.1 ng/ml, p < 0.0002). Incidence of the day of peak MIF concentration significantly correlated with the onset of clinical vasospasm (rho = 0.778, p < 0.0010). MIF concentrations were significantly elevated in patients with versus those without evidence of DCI (18.7 ± 4.93 vs 8.86 ± 1.28 ng/ml, respectively, p < 0.0025). There was a significant difference in MIF concentrations between patients with infection versus those without infection (16.43 ± 4.21 vs 8.5 ± 1.22 ng/ml, respectively, p < 0.0119). CONCLUSIONS Preliminary evidence from this study suggests that CSF concentrations of MIF are correlated with CV and DCI. These results, however, could be confounded in the presence of clinical infection. A study with a larger patient sample size is necessary to corroborate these findings.
Neutral glycolipid abnormalities in a t-complex mutant mouse embryo.

The content of neutral glycolipids was studied in normal andtwl/twl mutant mouse embryos at embryonic day 11 (E-11). Thetwl mutation is part of theT/t complex on chromosome 17 and causes embryonic lethality from defects in the developing neural tube. Previous studies suggested that the mutation could involve a defect in ganglioside biosynthesis. Although the total neutral glycolipid content was similar in the normal and mutant whole embryos (approximately 80 nmol glucose/100 mg dry weight), marked differences were detected for the distribution of specific glycolipids. The content of lactosylceramide, globotriaosylceramide, and globotetraosylceramide was significantly higher in the mutant than in the normal embryos, whereas that of glucosylceramide was significantly reduced. The Forssman glycolipid was slightly elevated. The neutral glycolipid composition was similar in embryonic head and body regions of normal embryos, suggesting that the glycolipid abnormalities observed in the mutants are expressed in most embryonic cells and tissues. These and the previously reported ganglioside abnormalities in thetwl/twl mutants could result from an inherited defect in glycolipid biosynthesis.
Body mass and cardiorespiratory fitness are associated with altered brain metabolism

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy provides measures of brain chemistry that are sensitive to cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition. The concentration of N-acetyl aspartic acid (NAA) is of interest because it is a marker of neuronal integrity. The ratio of NAA to creatine, a standard reference metabolite, has been shown to correlate with measures of both cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition. However, previous studies have explored these effects in isolation, making it impossible to know which of these highly correlated measures drive the correlations with NAA/Cr. As a result, the mechanisms underlying their association remain to be established. We therefore conducted a comprehensive study to investigate the relative contributions of cardiorespiratory fitness and percent body fat in predicting NAA/Cr. We demonstrate that NAA/Cr in white matter is correlated with percent body fat, and that this relationship largely subsumes the correlation of NAA/Cr with cardiorespiratory fitness. These results underscore the association of body composition with axonal integrity and suggests that this relationship drives the association of NAA/Cr with physical fitness in young adults.
3 – Operational Statistics

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses operational statistics. In axiomatic quantum mechanics, one attempts to establish a rigorous foundation for quantum theory by postulating physically motivated axioms. The axioms should be mathematically consistent and results derived from them should describe a large class of physical phenomena, have predictive power, and agree with experiment. In the past, various approaches have been taken toward axiomatizing quantum mechanics. Traditional Hilbert space quantum mechanics is one such approach. However, there are more basic approaches that do not rely on the unmotivated Hilbert space structure. The most basic approaches are the operational statistics approach and the quantum logic approach. Two other important approaches are the algebraic approach and the convexity approach. A physical operation means a set of instructions for executing a well-defined, physically realizable, reproducible procedure. These instructions include the specification of a set of symbols corresponding to the possible outcomes of the procedure and each execution of the procedure should result in precisely one symbol.
A Graphical Toolkit for the Validation of Requirements for Detect and Avoid Systems

Detect and Avoid (DAA) systems are safety enhancement software applications that provide situational awareness and maneuvering guidance to aid aircraft pilots in avoiding and remaining well clear from other aircraft in the airspace. This paper presents a graphical toolkit, called DAA-Displays, designed to facilitate the assessment of compliance of DAA software implementations to formally specified functional and operational requirements. The toolkit integrates simulation and prototyping technologies allowing designers, domain experts, and pilots to compare the behavior of a DAA implementation against its formal specification. The toolkit has been used to validate an actual software implementation of DAA for unmanned aircraft systems against a standard reference algorithm that has been formally verified.
Transboundary marine mammal management in the Northern Bering-Chukchi Sea Large Marine area

Indigenous arctic communities access terrestrial and marine wildlife. This access contributes to their food sovereignty. Ineffective management of wildlife that migrate internationally jeopardizes ...
Pre-operative atrial fibrillation and early right ventricular failure after left ventricular assist device implantation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Right ventricular failure (RVF) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality after left ventricular assist device (LVAD). Atrial fibrillation (AF) is known for its deleterious effects on cardiac function and hemodynamics. The association of pre-operative AF with the risk of early post-LVAD RVF has not been well described. Method A comprehensive literature search was performed through April, 9 2021. Cohort studies comparing the risk of post-operative RVF and/or need for right ventricular assist device (RVAD) after LVAD in patients with or without AF were included. Pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) and I2 statistic were calculated using the random-effects model. Results Six studies were included in the analysis. Post-operative RVF was reported in 5 studies (1,841 patients) and RVAD use was reported in 4 studies (1,355 patients). There is a non-significant trend toward a higher risk of post-operative RVF in the AF group (pooled OR=1.25, 95%CI=0.99-1.58). No significant association between AF and RVAD use is noted (pooled OR=1.17, 95%CI=0.82-1.66). Conclusions Pre-operative AF is not significantly associated with higher risks of post-operative RVF and RVAD use after LVAD implantation, although the trend toward higher post-operative RVF is observed in patients with pre-operative AF. Additional research using a larger study population is warranted to better understand the association of pre-operative AF and the development of post-LVAD RVF.
A non-canonical convergence of carbohydrate and glutamine metabolism is required after metabolic rewiring in 3D environment

The fate of pyruvate, which is modulated mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) activity, is a defining metabolic feature in many cancers. Diffuse large B-cell lymphomas (DLBCLs) are a genetically and metabolically heterogenous cancer. Although MPC expression and activity differed between DLBCL subgroups, mitochondrial pyruvate oxidation was uniformly minimal. Mitochondrial pyruvate was instead robustly consumed by glutamate pyruvate transaminase 2 to support -ketoglutarate production as part of glutamine catabolism. This led us to discover that glutamine exceeds pyruvate as a carbon source for the TCA cycle, but, MPC function is required to enable GPT2-mediated glutamine catabolism. Furthermore, we found that MPC inhibition only decreased DLBCL proliferation in a solid culture environment, but not in a suspension environment. Thus, the non-canonical connection between the consumption and assimilation of carbohydrates and glutamine in DLBCLs enables their proliferation in a solid 3D environment. HIGHLIGHTSO_LIMitochondrial pyruvate supports glutaminolysis in DLBCLs by supplying pyruvate for GPT2-mediated -KG production. C_LIO_LIGlutamine, but not glucose, is a major carbon source for the TCA cycle in DLBCLs. C_LIO_LICitrate is minimally oxidized in the TCA cycle in DLBCLs. C_LIO_LI-KG production is important for DLBCLs proliferation in a 3D ECM environment. C_LIO_LIThe mitochondrial pyruvate carrier supports DLBCL proliferation in a 3D ECM environment. C_LI
Electrophysiological studies of arthropod chemoreception—II: Responses of labellar chemoreceptors of the blowfly to stimulation by carbohydrates

Abstract The effects of 23 carbohydrates were tested upon the labellar chemoreceptors of the blowfly, Phormia regina Meigen. Results of electrophysiological analysis of receptor activity in single labellar hairs were compared with behaviour evoked by the same chemicals when applied to single hairs of intact flies, as studied by Dethier . There is a close correlation between the presence of afferent impulses from the S receptor and occurrence of a feeding response (proboscis extension). Absence of a feeding response may be caused by failure of the chemical to stimulate the S receptor, by strong stimulation of the L receptor, or by inactivity of both S and L receptors. The distinction between “repellent” and “inhibitory” compounds has some basis in terms of the effects of the two categories of compounds upon the labellar receptors. Since the S and L receptors do not operate completely independently, however, any chemical which strongly stimulates one receptor cell appears to always inhibit the other receptor cell. This mechanism is believed to enhance the contrast between “acceptable” and “unacceptable” stimuli activating the labellar hairs, and consequently increases the effectiveness of the peripheral discrimination mechanism.
Do young women engage in greater sexual risk behaviour with biological fathers of their children

Objectives Qualitative research suggests that young women9s relationships with the biological fathers of their children (BFRs), known colloquially as ‘baby daddy’ relationships, enable risk for pregnancy and STI/HIV. Our study compared partner characteristics and sexual risk within dyads based on BFR, among a sample of young women in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Methods We conducted secondary analysis of survey data collected in 2011–2013 from heterosexually experienced youth ages 15–24 in Baltimore, Maryland, USA. Analyses are limited to women with at least one recent (past 6 months) sex partner (n=171 participants, reporting on 271 relationships). Using generalised estimating equations with logit function for correlated binary responses, we evaluate associations of BFR with partner characteristics, sexual risk behaviour and contraceptive non-use. Results At least one BFR partner was reported by 25.2%. Male partners in BFRs were more likely to have been incarcerated or arrested. BFRs were more often characterised by women as ‘main’ versus ‘casual’ partners (adjusted OR (AOR) 3.92, 95% CI 1.19 to 12.9). In adjusted analyses, BFR was associated with condom non-use for vaginal (AOR 12.3, 95% CI 3.92 to 38.7) and anal (AOR 3.32, 95% CI 1.34 to 8.22) intercourse. While BFR was associated with contraceptive non-use (AOR 2.21, 95% CI 1.01 to 4.84), this association attenuated to non-significance after adjusting for partnership type (AOR 2.06, 95% CI 0.91 to 4.67). Conclusions While few differences in BFR partner characteristics emerged, significantly greater risk for unprotected intercourse was identified within BFR relationships. Findings suggest that the relationship context of a shared child heightens sexual risk for the young women most affected by STI.
Behavioral economics and social marketing campaign increases selection and consumption of school lunch garden bar Items among elementary school students (1019.19)

The current study assessed the effects of behavioral economics (BE) and social marketing (SM) on the selection and consumption of garden bar fruits and vegetables in elementary school students. A q...
Lymphoma models for B-cell activation and tolerance: II. Growth inhibition by anti-μ of WEHI-231 and the selection and properties of resistant mutants☆

Abstract Regulation of the growth of murine B-cell lymphomas has been used as a model for tolerance induction. The inhibition by anti-immunoglobulin reagents of the growth of WEHI-231 and several variant clones has now been studied. The parental line is exquisitely sensitive to growth inhibition by heterologous or monoclonal anti-μ or anti- K reagents and ceases to incorporate thymidine within 24–48 hr of exposure to anti-immunoglobulin reagents. Growth inhibition is initially reversible, but prolonged exposure to anti-μ results in cell death. This inhibition is specific for immunoglobulin light and heavy chains since growth is not inhibited by antibodies directed at either class I or class II histocompatibility antigens. In order to study the mechanism of growth inhibition, we have mutagenized WEHI-231 with ethylmethane sulfonate and cloned the surviving colonies in the presence of anti-μ. Such variants, which have been repeatedly recloned, are able to grow normally in the presence of anti-μ up to 100 μg/ml. These “resistant” clones, while expressing amounts of surface IgM similar to that observed on WEHI-231, do not differ markedly in their ability to cap their immunoglobulin receptors compared to the parental line but appear to have lost class II antigens. Cell cycle analysis revealed that anti-μ causes a block in the transition of WEHI-231 from G 1 to S phase. The relevance of these processes to models of B-cell tolerance induction are discussed.
Long-term monitoring reveals carbon-nitrogen metabolism key to microcystin production in eutrophic lakes.

The environmental drivers contributing to cyanobacterial dominance in aquatic systems have been extensively studied. However, understanding of toxic versus non-toxic cyanobacterial population dynamics and the mechanisms regulating cyanotoxin production remain elusive, both physiologically and ecologically. One reason is the disconnect between laboratory and field-based studies. Here, we combined three years of temporal data, including microcystin (MC) concentrations, 16 years of long-term ecological research, and 10 years of molecular data to investigate the potential factors leading to the selection of toxic Microcystis and MC production. Our analysis revealed that nitrogen (N) speciation and inorganic carbon (C) availability might be important drivers of Microcystis population dynamics and that an imbalance in cellular C: N ratios may trigger MC production. More specifically, precipitous declines in ammonium concentrations lead to a transitional period of N stress, even in the presence of high nitrate concentrations, that we call the “toxic phase.” Following the toxic phase, temperature and cyanobacterial abundance remained elevated but MC concentrations drastically declined. Increases in ammonium due to lake turnover may have led to down regulation of MC synthesis or a shift in the community from toxic to non-toxic species. While total phosphorus (P) to total N ratios were relatively low over the time-series, MC concentrations were highest when total N to total P ratios were also highest. Similarly, high C: N ratios were also strongly correlated to the toxic phase. We propose a metabolic model that corroborates molecular studies and reflects our ecological observations that C and N metabolism may regulate MC production physiologically and ecologically. In particular, we hypothesize that an imbalance between 2-oxoglutarate and ammonium in the cell regulates MC synthesis in the environment.
Kinetic studies on the substrate reduction of xanthine oxidase.

Abstract The rapid anaerobic reduction of xanthine oxidase by substrate has been studied using rapid freeze electron paramagnetic resonance, stopped flow spectrophotometry, and steady state kinetic analyses. Four major points have been resolved. The two types of molybdenum EPR signals which appear in the rapid phases of reduction are interconvertible by a prototopic equilibrium. The rapid optical bleaching which occurs during reduction has identical kinetics to the appearance of the non-heme iron-sulfur group signals determined by rapid freeze EPR studies. This rate of reduction is identical to the Vmax determined by steady state kinetic analysis implying that the oxygen independent steps must be rate limiting during catalysis. There are significant deuterium kinetic isotope effects on all of the EPR-detectable species as well as specific deuterium effects on the line shape of the molybdenum EPR spectrum. These are strong pieces of evidence that substrates transfer a hydride ion to molybdenum in the course of reducing the enzyme.
Native Membranes from Dog Kidney Outer Medulla, Enriched in Na,K-ATPase and Vesicular in Nature

Publisher Summary The outer medulla of mammalian kidney is exceptionally rich in Na,K-ATPase; but while it has been extensively employed as a source from which to purify the enzyme, the native microsomal membranes have not been well characterized , nor has their potential as “sided” membrane vesicles been exploited. The chapter (1) examines the purity of Na,K-ATPase in purified fraction of native membranes from dog kidney outer medulla, (2) isolates a population of “tight” membrane vesicles, and (3) tests the hypothesis that detergent activation of Na,K-ATPase is a result of increased permeability of membrane vesicles. The chapter also provides the materials and results used to make membrane vesicles permeable, thus “activating” Na,K-ATPase activity by making ligands accessible to both sides of the membrane. Membrane vesicles which are “tight” to small molecules have been found to float at low densities in isotonic dense centrifugation media, due to a trapped volume of less dense medium. The graphical representation of sucrose gradient centrifugation of the crude microsomal fraction from dog kidney outer medulla is also provided in the chapter.
Sex on the edge: reproductive patterns across the geographic range of the Syrrhopodon involutus (Calymperaceae) complex

Abstract In seed plants, populations located at the margins of species distributions are often characterized by reduced sexual reproduction and an increased reliance asexual reproduction. The degree to which this pattern applies to reproductive traits in haploid–dominant, non–seed plants was assessed in the Syrrhopodon involutus Schwaeg complex, a group of closely related tropical mosses with unisexual gametophytes. The second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of the nuclear ribosomal DNA was sequenced for samples from throughout the range of the Syrrhopodon involutus Schwaeg complex and a maximum likelihood analysis was performed on the sequence data to infer phylogenetic history. Reproductive data were collected from 270 herbarium vouchers representing at least 337 individuals, and analyzed to test for geographic or phylogenetic differences in sex expression and sexual reproduction. Female sex expression was significantly lower among marginally distributed individuals compared to individuals collected ...
¿Cuantas enfermeras son suficientes? Estudio piloto diseñado para evaluar la relación horas de cuidado a cargo de enfermeras y mejoría de los pacientes, por día

In this article, the author presents research and findings of correlations between patient outcomes and staffing mix, in particular, the proportion of Registered Nurses and its impact on quality of care. In examining the relationships among nursing quality indicators of care, the investigator focused on the mix of Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, and unlicensed staff; the maintenance of skin integrity; and the link between nosocomial urinary tract infections and patient satisfaction for patient outcomes. The results indicate that adequate nurse staffing and appropriate skill mix is an important factor to consider when making critical staffing decisions. The study also demonstrated statistically significant relationships among the proportions of Registered Nurses and nosocomial urinary tract infections and patient satisfaction
Depletion of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide in normal and xeroderma pigmentosum fibroblast cells by the antitumor drug CC-1065

CC-1065 is an extremely potent antitumor antibiotic that forms a well-defined adduct with DNA in which the molecule lies within the minor groove and is covalently attached through N3 of adenine. Addition of CC-1065 to human fibroblast cells produced a prolonged depletion of the nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) pool even at extremely low drug concentrations (0.01 microgram/mL). The depletion of NAD by CC-1065 was blocked by 3-aminobenzamide, which is consistent with a NAD depletion mechanism involving poly-(ADP-ribose) synthesis in response to a repair-induced DNA strand breakage event. Significantly, similar extents of NAD depletion were also evident in xeroderma pigmentosum cells of complementation groups A and D following exposure to CC-1065. Since this NAD depletion is presumably associated with repair-induced incision, the repair of CC-1065-DNA adducts can probably take place by a pathway distinct from that involved in repair of more conventional bulky DNA adducts. The prolonged depletion of NAD, even at low doses of drug, suggests that CC-1065 causes DNA damage that results in a delay or block in DNA excision repair between the excision and ligation steps.
Oscillatory functions affecting outcome of coronary heart disease: the hazard of too much or too little stability.

The objective was to identify physiological and behavioral indicators predictive of sudden arrhythmic death in patients who had experienced myocardial infarction in the past. In a 10-year prospective study of 79 patients, 59 men and 20 women aged 36 to 76 who had suffered a well-documented myocardial infarction (MI) at some time in the past (6 weeks–5 years) were individually matched with healthy controls for age, sex, race, height, weight, educational background and type of job. Both patients and controls were reexamined and retested at intervals of 6-8 weeks throughout the first 7 years of the study. Fifty-three patients died, 7 of noncardiac disorders, 2 died of suicide. Forty-four, 31 men and 13 women died suddenly of apparent MI. Thirty-one, or 70% of them were autopsied. Eleven were found to have experienced a recent MI and 20 had only an old scar. Age was not a determinant of cardiac mortality among the patients. The average age of those who died was 56 and of survivors 53. Neither was the level of serum cholesterol concentration, the LDL/HDL ratio, or the treadmill test a significant determinant of death. The measured physiological data that did significantly correlate to the cardiac deaths at the 0.01 level of confidence were low RR variability or wide mean RR variation month to month, prolonged QT interval or wide mean QT variability month to month. The findings support the view that proper physiological balance requires some degree of instability, but not too little or too much. Walter Cannon in his first paper on homeostasis (Cannon, 1926), credited Charles Richet with this perception “The living being is stable. . . . In a sense it is stable because it is modifiable—the slight instability is the necessary condition for the true stability of the organism” (Richet, 1900).
Adding zinc reduces bone strength of rats fed a low-calcium diet.

This experiment examined skeletal effects of moderate zinc (Zn) supplementation of a low-calcium diet. Male weanling rats were fed experimental diets for about 4 wk. One diet was adequate (control), whereas two others were calcium-deficient, but otherwise adequate. One of the low-calcium (Ca) diets was supplemented with Zn. Dimensions, weight, mineral content, and mechanical properties of femurs were measured. Ca deficiency reduced bone mineral content and strength markedly. Adding Zn to the low-Ca diet further reduced bone strength and elasticity, compared with the unsupplemented low-Ca diet. When the Ca intake is low, possible benefits of Zn supplements should be weighed against risk of deterioration of mechanical properties of bone.
Enhanced mini-channel forced convection with encapsulated phase-change particles

In this study we propose a new cooling concept using encapsulated phase-change particles flowing in a parallel-plate mini-channel. This novel concept is inspired by the gas exchange process in alveolar capillaries, where red blood cells (RBCs) flow with blood plasma, yielding very high gas transfer efficiency. Another important characteristic of alveolar capillary blood flow, which is related to the high efficiency of the lungs, is the snug fitting of the RBCs into the capillary. Hence, we conjecture that using particles similar to RBCs, i.e. with diameter similar to the spacing between the parallel plates, is likely to lead to high heat transfer efficiency as well. We report here experimental results of preliminary tests performed with octadecane paraffin (C18H38), a phase-change material, encapsulated in a thin melamine shell, flowing with water through a heated parallel-plate channel test module. We measured the temperature distribution along the heated surface of the channel for various water flow rates, with and without particles, and varying the number of particles. Results are reported in terms of the channel heated surface average temperature and the average Nusselt number.© 2008 ASME
The presence of an additional protein associated with membrane-bound ribosomes of Azotobacter vinelandii.

Abstract Membrane-bound 70-S ribosomes of Azotobacter vinelandii contain an additional protein which is absent in the free cytoplasmic ribosomes and the cytoplasmic supernatant fluid. The extra protein is lost upon formation of ribosomal subunits from membrane-bound ribosomes. It is likely that the extra protein is a component of the membrane and is concerned with binding the ribosomes to the membrane.
Improving pharmaceutical aerosol delivery during noninvasive ventilation: effects of streamlined components.

Aerosol delivery efficiency during noninvasive ventilation (NIV) is known to be low (~10%) and is associated with poor outcomes of aerosol therapy. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the benefit of redesigning ventilation circuit components using a streamlining approach to improve aerosol delivery during nasal high flow therapy in adults with a conventional-sized aerosol from a mesh nebulizer. The ventilation circuit consisted of a humidifier, mesh nebulizer, mixing T-connector (with 90° angle), 10 mm tubing, and nasal cannula interface. In vitro experiments and computational fluid dynamics analyses were used to evaluate depositional losses in a system of existing components and a newly proposed streamlined T-connector and cannula at flow rates of 30 and 45 LPM. Streamlined designs reduced deposition in the T-connector by a factor of 4. In the nasal cannula, the streamlined designs reduced depositional losses by factors of 1.25–2.0. With the streamlined designs, the highest emitted dose achieved was >40% for a conventional-sized aerosol at 30 LPM. Streamlined geometries offer an effective method to significantly improve the delivery of aerosols through components of NIV systems. This increase in delivery efficiency is important for new inhaled medications with narrow therapeutic windows, increased costs, or long delivery times.
Depositional subenvironments in an arid closed basin; the Wilkins Peak Member of the Green River Formation (Eocene), Wyoming, U.S.A.

The Wilkins Peak Member of the Green River Formation is a non-marine dolomitic deposit that formed in an arid, hydrologically closed basin. A transect from the margin to the centre of the Wilkins Peak basin was examined in outcrop exposures in the south-eastern corner of the basin and was supplemented with published core descriptions. The rocks were divided into seven facies based upon lithology, layering style and sedimentary fabrics: (1) AF facies—quartzose conglomerates and sandstones representing sandy alluvial fans coming from the Uinta Mountains. (2) SF facies—quartzose, peloidal, dolomitic sandstones which represent sheet flood deposits extending basinward from the alluvial fans. (3) DM facies—irregularly laminated dolomitic mudstones with abundant mudcracks which represent sheet flood deposits on a subaerially exposed mudflat. (4) EL facies—dolomitic mudstones with regular lamination and fewer but larger mudcracks representing sporadically exposed lake margins or shallow ponds. (5) PL facies—finely laminated oil shales and dolomitic mudstones with rare mudcracks which represent shallow perennial lakes. (6) SM facies—trona or halite deposits with dolomitic mudstone partings or dolomitic mudstones and sandstones disrupted by evaporites of varied morphology. These represent a central salt pan and the surrounding saline mudflat. (7) AS facies—arkosic sandstones, siltstones and mudstones which represent braided river and more basinal deltaic plain deposits. The five dolomitic facies form poorly defined cycles representing the intersection of sheet floods with a lake which transgressed and regressed in response to climatic variations. There are at least forty 3–4 m thick cycles in the Wilkins Peak and one large-scale cycle comprising the whole member, which mimics the facies changes of the smaller cycles. This is compatible with the transitions of the Wilkins Peak Member to the Tipton and Laney members as climatic responses and not shifts in drainage. The sheet flood sandstones, actively aggrading subaerial mudflats, and bedded evaporites of the Wilkins Peak are apparently unique within the Green River Formation. They reflect the unusual provenance and hydrology of the Wilkins Peak and suggest chemical and sedimentary models established for the other Green River members will not be applicable.
Finding the question for evaluation research

Classification is one useful way to set about finding the question for research. There are other ways to find a question curiosity, luck, inspiration, genius but these are not ways to set about finding it. There are still other ways that questions are identified but neither are they ways of identifying one copying a question from the literature, being assigned one, answering someone else's question as posed.
Isodiscrimination contours in a three-parameter texture space

α = p p Specification of the textures is completed by requiring that they are maximum entropy, subject to the constraints specified by the parameters γ , θ, and α . Such maximum-entropy textures may be constructed by a two-dimensional Markov process, provided that γ, θ, and α are within a 3-dimensional domain, illustrated to the right. In the coordinate planes, the equations that bound the domain are: γ4-(1-|γ|)4≤α≤γ4+(1-|γ|)4, |α|+|θ|≤1, |θ+3γ|≤1+3γ2, and |θ-γ|≤1-γ2. Third-order parameter:
Expression and protein chemistry yielding crystallization of the catalytic domain of ADAM17 complexed with a hydroxamate inhibitor.

Abstract The membrane-anchored metalloproteinase ADAM17 (TNF-α converting enzyme; TACE; EC 3.4.24.86) continues to be an attractive drug target in inflammatory diseases and cancer. Cocrystallization of its catalytic domain with a lead compound was complicated by the tenacious retention of the prodomain that has been shown to be enhanced if ADAM17 is expressed without the disintegrin/cysteine-rich domain that normally follows the N-terminal metalloproteinase. When a truncated form of ADAM17 composed of the signal peptide with the pro- and catalytic domains was expressed in baculovirus-infected insect cells, the major secreted product was a ternary complex of two prodomain fragments with the catalytic domain. The component polypeptides of the ternary complex were characterized by N-terminal analysis and mass spectrometry. Internal cleavage of the propeptide occurred following Arg-58, and a carboxypeptidase variably removed up to three basic residues from the newly created C-terminus. Cleavage at the C-terminus of the propeptide occurred after Arg-214. To prepare ADAM17 for crystal growth, a drug-like inhibitor was used to displace the propeptide and the complex of the catalytic domain with the inhibitor was isolated by size-exclusion chromatography and crystallized.
Identity Discourses and Diasporic Aesthetics in Black Paris: Community Formation and the Translation of Culture

Diasporic African communities in France are a byproduct of the demise of the colonial enterprise and the social and economic reconfiguration of France after World War II. Prior to the 1960s, Africa...
Syntheses, structural characterization and properties of transition metal complexes of 5,5′-(1,4-phenylene)bis(1H-tetrazole) (H2bdt), 5′,5′′-(1,1′-biphenyl)-4,4′-diylbis(1H-tetrazole) (H2dbdt) and 5,5′,5′′-(1,3,5-phenylene)tris(1H-tetrazole) (H3btt)

The hydrothermal chemistry of a variety of M(II)SO4 salts with the tetrazole (Ht) ligands 5,5′-(1,4-phenylene)bis(1H-tetrazole) (H2bdt), 5′,5′′-(1,1′-biphenyl)4,4′-diylbis(1H-tetrazole) (H2dbdt) and 5,5′,5′′-(1,3,5-phenylene)tris(1H-tetrazole) (H3btt) was investigated. In the case of Co(II), three phases were isolated, two of which incorporated sulfate: [Co5F2(dbdt)4(H2O)6]·2H2O (1·2H2O), [Co4(OH)2(SO4)(bdt)2(H2O)4] (2) and [Co3(OH)(SO4)(btt)(H2O)4]·3H2O (3·3H2O). The structures are three-dimensional and consist of cluster-based secondary building units: the pentanuclear {Co5F2(tetrazolate)8(H2O)6}, the tetranuclear {Co4(OH)2(SO4)2(tetrazolate)6}4−, and the trinuclear {Co3(μ3-OH)(SO4)2 (tetrazolate)3}2− for 1, 2, and 3, respectively. The Ni(II) analogue [Ni2(H0.67bdt)3]·10.5H2O (4·10.5H2O) is isomorphous with a fourth cobalt phase, the previously reported [Co2(H0.67bat)3]·20H2O and exhibits a {M(tetrazolate)3/2}∞ chain as the fundamental building block. The dense three-dimensional structure of [Zn(bdt)] (5) consists of {ZnN4}tetrahedra linked through bdt ligands bonding through N1,N3 donors at either tetrazolate terminus. In contrast to the hydrothermal synthesis of 1–5, the Cd(II) material (Me2NH2)3[Cd12Cl3(btt)8(DMF)12]·xDMF·yMeOH (DMF = dimethylformamide; x = ca. 12, y = ca. 5) was prepared in DMF/methanol. The structure is constructed from the linking of {Cd4Cl(tetrazolate)8(DMF)4}1− secondary building units to produce an open-framework material exhibiting 66.5% void volume. The magnetic properties of the Co(II) series are reflective of the structural building units.
In-vivo measuring of blood-flow changes using diffusing wave correlation techniques

We have non-invasively measured in vivo blood flow changes using photon correlation spectroscopy with a simple correlation diffusion model to study and quantify blood flow in the human arm during cuff ischemia. The method utilizes the Doppler broadening of light that arises in a multiply scattering dynamic media, and is also responsive to changes in absorption and scattering coefficients. Our measurements clearly show blood flow changes with cuff pressures, including the hyperemic overshoot after cuff release, that qualitatively agree with the physiological behavior of the cardiovascular system. In this paper, we present our method, results and discuss the clinical relevance of our findings.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Educational Technologists: Leading Change for a New Paradigm of Education.

The transition from the industrial age to the information age has happened and is still happening in our society (Duffy, 2009). However, our current educational systems still operate based on the needs of the industrial-age society (Watson, Watson, & Reigeluth, n.d), making them among the least impacted organizations (Reigeluth & Joseph, 2002). This misalignment between schools and society takes the form of a discrepancy between what and how we teach students in schools and how schools are organized and operated (Banathy, 1991; Hargreaves, 1999; Wagner et al., 2006). Educational systems should address current students’ needs to facilitate their learning process and better preparethem for their future lives in society (Collins & Halverson, 2009). In this article, we explain how we envision the new paradigm of education and what roles educational technologists should play to help transform educational systems to this new paradigm.
Engineering of a Wet-End Additives Program Relative to Process Parameters and to the Physical and Optical Properties of Filled Paper

In the manufacture of a paper product, the application of wet-end additives and the adjustments of various conditions can have major effects on the physical and optical properties of the final paper. In this study, we prepared paper handsheets and investigated the effects of many process variables, including the type and amounts of cationic polyacrylamide and colloidal silica, in addition to temperature, duration of mixing, hydrodynamic shear, pH, and variations in electrical conductivity due to salt addition. The most important effects were attributable to variations in the amount, ionic charge, and molecular weight of cationic polyacrylamide, as well as the type and amount of colloidal silica. Many of the observed effects could be explained in terms of fiber flocculation, and the adverse effect of flocculation on the uniformity of the paper, a factor that significantly affected the physical properties. An understanding of the relationships between chemical variables, hydrodynamic shear, and other system...