cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vectorcardiography as a prognostic tool in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Abstract Background Vectorcardiography (VCG) has demonstrated diagnostic value in the assessment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), however, determining its prognostic value over time has not yet been investigated. This study sought to assess the correlation of VCG parameters with the progression of HCM. Methods A retrospective chart review of 119 pediatric patients with diagnosis of HCM at the University of Minnesota. Eighty-three cases were excluded because of age, presence of congenital heart disease, not meeting criteria for HCM or negative phenotype. Sample was divided into 2 groups based on the presence or not of cardiac events (ventricular tachycardia, cardiac arrest, ventricular assist device, heart transplant). Derived vectorcardiography from standard 12‑lead ECG was obtained for the first ECG and last available or prior to sentinel event. Results Of the 36 cases that met inclusion criteria, 9 (25%) developed a sentinel event. The median age for the event group was 10.1 ± 7.5 years and for the non-event group was 8.7 ± 6.35 years. There was no significant difference in age or sex between the groups. The T wave vector magnitude value was significantly smaller in the event group than in the non-event group (0.302 ± 0.146 mV Vs. 0.561 ± 0.305 mV, p 0.002), with a hazard ratio of 0.651 (95% CI 0.463 to 0.915). No other parameter showed significant difference between the two groups. Conclusions The T wave vector magnitude may predict sentinel events in HCM. Prospective studies are necessary to evaluate the utility of the evolution of VCG parameters.
Drosophila Solute Carrier 5A5 Regulates Systemic Glucose Homeostasis by Mediating Glucose Absorption in the Midgut

The small intestine is the initial site of glucose absorption and thus represents the first of a continuum of events that modulate normal systemic glucose homeostasis. A better understanding of the regulation of intestinal glucose transporters is therefore pertinent to our efforts in curbing metabolic disorders. Using molecular genetic approaches, we investigated the role of Drosophila Solute Carrier 5A5 (dSLC5A5) in regulating glucose homeostasis by mediating glucose uptake in the fly midgut. By genetically knocking down dSLC5A5 in flies, we found that systemic and circulating glucose and trehalose levels are significantly decreased, which correlates with an attenuation in glucose uptake in the enterocytes. Reciprocally, overexpression of dSLC5A5 significantly increases systemic and circulating glucose and trehalose levels and promotes glucose uptake in the enterocytes. We showed that dSLC5A5 undergoes apical endocytosis in a dynamin-dependent manner, which is essential for glucose uptake in the enterocytes. Furthermore, we showed that the dSLC5A5 level in the midgut is upregulated by glucose and that dSLC5A5 critically directs systemic glucose homeostasis on a high-sugar diet. Together, our studies have uncovered the first Drosophila glucose transporter in the midgut and revealed new mechanisms that regulate glucose transporter levels and activity in the enterocyte apical membrane.
Motion of Suspended Bridge Spans under Gusty Wind

The buffeting response of suspended-span bridges can be calculated if certain wind-tunnel section model data, plus wind spectral information, are provided. The needed wind tunnel data are the self-excited aerodynamic (flutter) coefficients. The meteorological data required are vertical and horizontal gust spectra of the natural wind at the bridge site. The natural mechanical modes of vibration in bending (vertical and lateral) and torsion are assumed known, and the response of each of these with postulated negligible aerodynamic coupling between modes, is calculated. Some examples are then given of the calculated vertical and torsional buffeting responses of a flexible long-span bridge (Golden Gate type) and a stiff, medium-span type (Sitka Harbor). The wind velocity range covered is 60 mph to 90 mph (27 m/s to 40 m/s).
Community health monitoring: taking the pulse of America's children.

Objective: To describe the development, content, enablers/barriers, and impact of child health reports in nine communities participating in the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funded Child Health Initiative (1991–1996). Methods: A qualitative, prospective, multiyear, longitudinal evaluation using a multiple case-study methodology. Three waves of structured in-per-son and telephone interviews of the project staff, community leaders, and key participants tracked the development of child health reports in all nine communities. A mailed survey of project directors was administered to assess accomplishments at the completion of the project. Content analysis of each community health report was conducted using different conceptual frameworks for health measurement and reporting. Results: All communities succeeded in creating a report that contained a broad set of outcome indicators reflecting children's health and well-being. The process of creating these reports, their content, level of analysis, presentation formats, and dissemination varied across sites based on available resources, data and analysis capacity, and other political considerations. While commonly accepted outcome measures were used in most reports (e.g., infant mortality, teen births, immunization rates), process indicators, important for quality monitoring and community health improvement, were notably lacking. In each community the reports were credited with providing a more comprehensive and integrated view of the health needs of children. Conclusions: Additional conceptual and technical work is needed to improve the ability of community health reports to capture key indicators of interest. Community reports can serve an important role in building the consensus needed to create program and policy changes. Community reports may have additional utility in monitoring the impact of health systems change on population health. Community reports can also facilitate a shared learning process for the participants and the community, and can be a useful tool to advance a children's health policy agenda.
Ca2+-independent hypoxic vasorelaxation in porcine coronary artery.

To demonstrate a Ca2+-independent component of hypoxic vasorelaxation and to investigate its mechanism, we utilized permeabilized porcine coronary arteries, in which [Ca2+] could be clamped. Arteries permeabilized with β-escin developed maximum force in response to free Ca2+ (6.6 μm), concomitant with a parallel increase in myosin regulatory light chain phosphorylation (MRLC-Pi), from 0.183 ± 0.023 to 0.353 ± 0.019 MRLC-Pi (total light chain)−1. Hypoxia resulted in a significant decrease in both force (–31.9 ± 4.1% prior developed force) and MRLC-Pi (from 0.353 to 0.280 ± 0.023), despite constant [Ca2+] buffered by EGTA (4 mm). Forces developed in response to Ca2+ (6.6 μm), Ca2+ (0.2 μm) + GTPγS (1 mm), or in the absence of Ca2+ after treatment with ATPγS (1 mm), were of similar magnitude. Hypoxia also relaxed GTPγS contractures but importantly, arteries could not be relaxed after treatment with ATPγS. Permeabilization with Triton X-100 for 60 min also abolished hypoxic relaxation. The blocking of hypoxic relaxation after ATPγS suggests that this Ca2+-independent mechanism(s) may operate through alteration of MRLC-Pi or of phosphorylation of the myosin binding subunit of myosin light chain phosphatase. Treatment with the Rho kinase inhibitor Y27632 (1 μm) relaxed GTPγS and Ca2+ contractures; but the latter required a higher concentration (10 μm) for consistent relaxation. Relaxations to N2 and/or Y27632 averaged 35% and were not additive or dependent on order. Our data suggest that the GTP-mediated, Rho kinase-coupled pathway merits further investigation as a potential site of this novel, Ca2+-independent O2-sensing mechanism. Importantly, these results unambiguously show that hypoxia-induced vasorelaxation can occur in permeabilized arteries where the Ca2+ is clamped at a constant value.
Retention of the herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) UL37 protein on single-stranded DNA columns requires the HSV-1 ICP8 protein.

Abstract The UL37 and ICP8 proteins present in herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1)-infected-cell extracts produced at 24 h postinfection coeluted from single-stranded-DNA-cellulose columns. Experiments carried out with the UL37 protein expressed by a vaccinia virus recombinant (V37) revealed that the UL37 protein did not exhibit DNA-binding activity in the absence of other HSV proteins. Analysis of extracts derived from cells coinfected with V37 and an ICP8-expressing vaccinia virus recombinant (V8) and analysis of extracts prepared from cells infected with the HSV-1 ICP8 deletion mutants d21 and n10 revealed that the retention of the UL37 protein on single-stranded DNA columns required a DNA-binding-competent ICP8 protein.
Abstract 1773: Phosphodiesterase 10A: A novel target for selective inhibition of colon tumor cell growth and Wnt/β-catenin signaling

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA The cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase10A (PDE10) has been studied as a therapeutic target for certain psychiatric and neurological conditions, although a potential role in tumorigenesis has not been reported. Here we report that PDE10 is elevated in human colon tumor cell lines compared with normal colonocytes. Similarly, PDE10 is elevated in colon tumors from human clinical specimens as well as intestinal tumors from the ApcMin/+ mouse model compared with non-involved tissue or normal intestinal mucosa, respectively. An isozyme and tumor-selective role of PDE10 was evident by the ability of specific inhibitors and siRNA knockdown to suppress colon tumor cell growth without significantly affecting the growth of normal colonocytes. Stable knockdown of PDE10 by shRNA also inhibits colony formation and increases doubling time of colon tumor cells. Inhibition of PDE10 results in the selective activation of cGMP/PKG signaling in colon tumor cells to suppress β-catenin levels and T-cell factor (TCF) transcriptional activity. Conversely, ectopic expression of PDE10 in normal and precancerous colonocytes increases proliferation and activates TCF transcriptional activity. These observations demonstrate that PDE10 is essential for colon tumor cell growth and suggest that inhibitors may have therapeutic potential for the treatment or prevention of colorectal cancer. Citation Format: Nan Li, Kevin Lee, Yaguang Xi, Bing Zhu, Bernary D. Gary, Veronica Ramirez-Alcantara, Evrim Gurpinar, Joshua C. Canzoneri, Alexandra Fajardo, Sara Sigler, John T. Piazza, Xi Chen, Joel Andrews, Wenyan Lu, Yonghe Li, Suzanne Russo, Larry Yet, Adam B. Keeton, William E. Grizzle, Gary A. Piazza. Phosphodiesterase 10A: A novel target for selective inhibition of colon tumor cell growth and Wnt/β-catenin signaling. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1773. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1773
Hobartian voluntarism and epistemic deontologism

Mark Heller has recently offered a proposal in defense of a fairly strong version of doxastic voluntarism. Heller looks to the compati- bilist theory of free will proposed by R.E. Hobart in the first half of the twentieth century for an account of doxastic control. Heller's defense of Hobartian Voluntarism is motivated by an appeal to epistemic deontolo- gism. In this paper I argue that Heller's defense of a version of strong or direct doxastic voluntarism ultimately fails. I finally argue that the failure of his theory of epistemic agency does not imply the untenability of epis- temic deontologism.
Self-Knowledge and Its Discontents

INTRODUCTION On Apollo’s ancient temple at Dephi three Greek maxims were inscribed whose importance was reaffirmed in Roman times, preserved in gilt letters. The most famous of these, “Know thyself,” forms the focus of this essay and constitutes one of philosophy’s most central ideals. If Heraclitus gave the injunction to selfknowledge its earliest surviving expression, recommending “to all men to know themselves and use moderation,” it was Socrates who established it at the core of philosophy. Acclaimed by the Delphic oracle as the wisest of all men, he claims his superior wisdom is only the self-knowledge of his ignorance, while others falsely believe themselves wise and knowledgeable. He even argues that the oracle declared him wisest so as to prompt his critical search for wiser men and thus show that the most reputed “human wisdom is worth little or nothing.” Rather than engaging in lofty speculations, Socrates confesses “I am still unable, as the Delphic inscription orders, to know myself; and it really seems to me ridiculous to look into other things before I have understood that.” Deploying the injunction of self-knowledge to remind the arrogant Alcibiades of his current limitations, Socrates affirms such knowledge as the necessary spur for cultivating oneself for the political leadership his ambitious young lover seeks. “Trust in me and in the Delphic inscription and ‘know thyself’,” Socrates tells him, for “every human being needs self-cultivation, but especially us.”
Bringing culture into relief: cultural contributions to the development of children's planning skills.

Publisher Summary Several of the key ideas on which it is based have been in the developmental literature for a while, such as a sociocultural perspective, the Vygotskian approach, and collaborative learning. This chapter is an effort to use these ideas in conjunction with research findings in one area of cognitive development to illustrate how a cultural contribution may advance understanding of the development of this particular cognitive capability. Observation of children as they engage in collective, collaborative activities in sustained. It is possible to specify dimensions of culture that are relevant to cognitive development and that, by so doing generate unique questions, observations, and insights about the course of intellectual growth. to the chapter illustrates how some organized contributions of culture might provide leverage for studying the link between the social world and cognitive development in one specific area of growth.
A unique arrangement: organizing collections for digital libraries, archives, and repositories

Digital libraries increasingly host collections that are archival in nature, and contain digitized and born-digital materials. In order to preserve the evidentiary value of these materials, the collection organization must capture the general context and preserve the relationships among objects. Archival processing is a well-established method for organizing collections this way. However, the current archival workflow leads to artificial boundaries between materials and delays in getting digitized content online because physical and born-digital materials are processed independently, and digitized materials not at all. In response, this work explores the approach of processing materials in a digitized form using a large multi-touch table. This alternative workflow provides the first step towards integrating the archival processing of digital and physical materials, and can expedite the process of making the materials available online. However, this approach demands high quality digitization and requires that archivists perform additional tasks like matching multi-sided, multi-paged documents.
Security and Infiltration of Networks: A Structural Controllability and Observability Perspective

This paper examines the role of structural controllability (s-controllability) in the design of secure linear-time-invariant networked systems. We reason about secure network design in the face of two attack vectors: a “Disrupt” attack where the infiltrator’s objective is to perturb the network to render it unusable, and a “Highjack and eavesdrop” attack to actively control and probe the network. For the former attack, strong s-controllable input sets are chosen to control the network to provide robustness to these attacks. Weak s-controllable input sets are selected by infiltrators for the “Highjack and eavesdrop” attack so as to generically guarantee a successful attack. We provide necessary and sufficient conditions for weak and strong s-controllability involving matchings over a bipartite graph representation of the network. We also provide a brief analysis of s-controllability over special families of networks.
Transgender Identity, Textualism, and the Supreme Court: What is the 'Plain Meaning' of 'Sex' in Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

Federal courts are split on the question of whether Title VII applies to transgender employees. This article traces the history of changes in the meaning of the word “sex”, arguing that textualist judges, including those on the Supreme Court, should find that sex includes transgender identity. The article reviews the historical changes in the meaning of the terms "transgender" and "sex." It argues that the meaning of "sex" has come to include "gender identity." It also suggests that the judicial philosophy of "textualism" requires Title VII protection under the rubric of "sex discrimination" for a transgender employee.
Performance of Encounternet Tags: Field Tests of Miniaturized Proximity Loggers for Use on Small Birds.

Proximity logging is a new tool for understanding social behavior as it allows for accurate quantification of social networks. We report results from field calibration and deployment tests of miniaturized proximity tags (Encounternet), digital transceivers that log encounters between tagged individuals. We examined radio signal behavior in relation to tag attachment (tag, tag on bird, tag on saline-filled balloon) to understand how radio signal strength is affected by the tag mounting technique used for calibration tests. We investigated inter-tag and inter-receiver station variability, and in each calibration test we accounted for the effects of antennae orientation. Additionally, we used data from a live deployment on breeding barn swallows (Hirundo rustica erythrogaster) to analyze the quality of the logs, including reciprocal agreement in dyadic logs. We evaluated the impact (in terms of mass changes) of tag attachment on the birds. We were able to statistically distinguish between RSSI values associated with different close-proximity (<5m) tag-tag distances regardless of antennae orientation. Inter-tag variability was low, but we did find significant inter-receiver station variability. Reciprocal agreement of dyadic logs was high and social networks were constructed from proximity tag logs based on two different RSSI thresholds. There was no evidence of significant mass loss in the time birds were wearing tags. We conclude that proximity loggers are accurate and effective for quantifying social behavior. However, because RSSI and distance cannot be perfectly resolved, data from proximity loggers are most appropriate for comparing networks based on specific RSSI thresholds. The Encounternet system is flexible and customizable, and tags are now light enough for use on small animals (<50g).
‘Indigenous Peoples’ and land: Comparing communal land titling and its implications in Cambodia and Laos

In 2001 a new Land Law was adopted in Cambodia. It was significant because - for the first time - it recognised a new legal category of people, 'Indigenous Peoples' or chuncheat daoem pheak tech in Khmer, and it also introduced the legal concept of communal land rights to Cambodia. Indigenous Peoples are not mentioned in the 1993 constitution of Cambodia or any legislation pre-dating the 2001 Land Law. However, Cambodia's 2002 Forestry Law also followed the trend by recognising 'Indigenous Peoples'. These laws have been both symbolically and practically important, as they have provided government-mandated legitimacy to Indigenous identities and associated land and forest rights, including communal land rights, and have been ontologically significant in dividing Indigenous and non-Indigenous Peoples on legal grounds. Over a decade after the 2001 Land Law was promulgated,this article considers some aspects of its effects.In particular,when compared with the potential for developing communal land rights in Laos, one has to wonder how advantageous it is to adopt Indigenous identities and the types of communal land rights and community forestry rights presently possible in Cambodia.
High-performance size exclusion chromatography of sea worm chlorocruorin and other large proteins, viruses and polysaccharides on a TSK G5000 PW preparative column

Abstract The elution parameters of large enzymes, viruses, ribosomes and other “supramolecular” structures are studied using the preparative TSK G5000 PW type column. The pigmented protein, chlorocruorin, isolated from the sea worm Potamilla leptochaeta , was found to serve as an excellent high-molecular-weight marker for size exclusion liquid chromatography. This is due to its high degree of molecular stability and a molecular weight, found to be 2.9·10 6 by sedimentation velocity analysis, which is located in a zone formed between viruses and enzymes that is largely devoid of macromolecular markers. Calibration constants for this chromatography column are found for both molecular weight and molecular radii. The data found for hydrodynamic molecular radii are further extended to non-globular, swollen macromolecules, such as polysaccharides, using dextran fractions sized by alcohol precipitation.
The thermal degradation of polyacrylonitrile

The thermal degradation of polyacrylonitrile was studied in vacuum. A very rapid, explosive type of chemical transformation was found at 265°C., as indicated by sudden changes in color, infrared absorption, x-ray diffraction, solubility, density, weight loss, and appearance. This reaction is discussed in terms of a free-radical, branched-chain mechanism and also in relation to a possible means of measuring degree of isotactic order along the polymer chain.
Motor pre-programming in the control of disparity vergence eye movements

Disparity vergence eye movements are oppositely directed eye rotations in response to target depth changes. This oculomotor system has been thought to be controlled by a simple feedback mechanism; however, results presented here of finding multiple or biphasic waveforms during open-lop vergence responses and the dynamic similarity of vergence responses (P < 0.18) evoked by briefly presented step stimuli, indicate an initial component which is under pre-programmed control.
The Financial Services Modernization Act: Evolution or Revolution?

The Gramm–Leach–Bliley Act (GLBA) removed the barriers that separated commercial banking from investment banking, merchant banking, and insurance underwriting, potentially allowing U.S. universal banks to capture synergies. Despite high expectations, we find that within-firm profitability and productivity were largely unchanged after BHCs became FHCs. In addition, universal banks significantly underperformed peer banks in profitability and productivity in the post-GLBA period. Our evidence fails to find significant synergies between commercial banking, insurance underwriting, and merchant banking. The synergies between commercial banking and investment banking are much stronger, but these gains were likely captured in the 1990s by banking organizations with Section 20 affiliates.
Portal frame inertia and stiffness matrices by substructure synthesis

Generic expressions of mass and stiffness matrices of the portal frame are presented. These are derived by means of the substructure synthesis method. This method is exceptionally characterised by low-order eigenvalue problems and highly accurate eigensolutions.
Development of assertive responses: Clinical, measurement and research considerations

Abstract The development of assertive responses in unassertive individuals is surveyed in terms of clinical application, measurement techniques and experimental study. Case reports indicate that assertive training is an effective technique for a large variety of disorders as it enables patients to overcome deficits in inter-personal functioning. Some of the effective elements in assertive training have been identified by using analogue research designs. In most of these investigations the major focus has been on expressing hostile feelings and thoughts. However, more efforts at instigating positive responses (clinically and experimentally) are warranted. In addition, there is a need to assess the effects on ‘clinically’ unassertive subjects of techniques in which the transfer of training is programmed rather than expected.
Collision-Induced Dissociation and Theoretical Studies of Mg+ Complexes with CO, CO2, NH3, CH4, CH3OH, and C6H6

The sequential bond energies for complexes of Mg+ with CO, CO2, NH3, CH4, CH3OH, and C6H6 are determined by collision-induced dissociation (CID) with xenon or argon in a guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer. The kinetic energy dependence of the CID and ligand exchange cross sections are analyzed to yield 0 and 298 K bond energies for Mg+−L after accounting for the effects of multiple ion−molecule collisions, internal energy of the reactant ions, and dissociation lifetimes. Bond energies (in eV) to Mg+ at 0 K are determined for L = Ar (0.10 ± 0.07), Xe (0.32 ± 0.12), 1−2 CO (0.43 ± 0.06 and 0.40 ± 0.03), 1−3 CO2 (0.60 ± 0.06, 0.50 ± 0.03, and 0.46 ± 0.06), 1−5 NH3 (1.60 ± 0.12, 1.27 ± 0.07, 0.99 ± 0.09, 0.45 ± 0.11, and 0.58 ± 0.12), 1−2 CH4 (0.29 ± 0.07 and 0.15 ± 0.07), 1−3 CH3OH (1.51 ± 0.07, 1.25 ± 0.07, and 0.95 ± 0.09), and one C6H6 (1.39 ± 0.10 eV). As expected for largely electrostatic interactions, the sequential bond energies generally decrease monotonically with increasing number of ligands....
N-Terminal Disulphide Knot of Human Fibrinogen

The three peptide chains in fibinogen are cross-linked at the N-terminal end of the molecule in a firm disulphide knot. The fibrinogen molecule is probably a dimeric structure with two identical disulphide knots located at opposite poles perpendicular to an axis of symmetry.
High-valent intermediates in the reaction of Nα-acetyl microperoxidase-8 with hydrogen peroxide: Models for compounds 0,I and II of horseradish peroxidase

Summary N-acetyl microperoxidase-8 (Ac-MP-8) is a water soluble, ferric heme model for the peroxidases. The reaction of Ac-MP-8 with H 2 O 2 in 10 mM potassium phosphate over the pH range of 7–11 gives rise sequentially to relatively stable green and red species with properties that closely mimic those of HRP compounds I and II, respectively. Low-temperature stopped-flow studies of this reaction carried out in 50% v/v methanol/10 mM potassium phosphate, pH * 9.1 at -25.8°C indicate that the pseudo-first-order rate constant, k obs , that describes the formation of the green intermediate exhibits saturation kinetics as a function of [H 2 O 2 ] with k obs max = 95 s −1 and K M = 87 mM. Rapid-scan studies carried out with [H 2 O 2 ] = 200 mM at -38.0°C show that a compound 0 species with a characteristic band near 340 nm is formed whose conversion to the green species is rate limiting. Thus, Ac-MP-8 has high-valent forms that are models for all three known intermediates in the peroxidase cycle of horseradish peroxidase.
The specificity of histones in nucleated erythrocytes

Dagli eritrociti del pollo, dellaRana cateasbeiana e del pesceCaranx hippos sono stati isolati gli istoni nella ipotesi che gli eritrociti forniti di nucleo contengano una frazione di istone funzionante come repressore permanente della sintesi degli acidi nucleici. Detti istoni sono stati frazionati ed analizzati nella loro composizione in amino-acidi. In tutte e tre le speci su menzionate e stata trovata una frazione relativamente ricca in lisina, arginina, alanina, e serina che e stata denominata F2c. L'assenza di detta frazione negli altri tessuti incluso il midollo osseo indica che la frazione F2c puo costituire un repressore genetico permanente.
The dips in the directivity of a planar rectangular array

This paper describes a simple, mathematically rigorous method for computing the directivity broadside to a homogeneous, rectangular antenna array in terms of the interelement spacing and the number of elements in each side. The finite extent of the array is accounted for by explicit correction terms, and the limiting value of the directivity as the number of elements becomes infinite is shown to agree with the accepted value deduced by physical arguments. The mathematically rigorous argument predicts the well-known 'dips' observed in the directivity as a function of the ratio of element spacing to wavelength.
Ion Beam Analyses of Carbon Nanotubes

The utility of ion beam analysis (IBA) techniques to quantitatively determine impurities in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) over a wide range of atomic numbers is demonstrated. Such techniques have not previously been used to monitor impurities and their effects in this unique material. Despite the difficulty in mounting the samples (which generally are formed into a powdery aggregate rather in a thin film), it is shown that reliable and accurate measurements of impurity concentrations can be achieved. Particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) and elastic recoil detection (ERD) analyses were used to characterize both metallic and very light (e.g., hydrogen) impurities in CNTs. This paper reports the first direct measurement of hydrogen in CNTs using an IBA technique. This is significant because CNTs are being actively investigated for hydrogen storage technology for energy applications.
Impact of Preoperative Chronic Lung Disease on Survival After Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement

Background An increasing number of patients requiring surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) present with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD). The purpose of this study was to compare patients who had a range of COPD from normal to severe and were undergoing SAVR. Methods Retrospective review of 2,379 patients undergoing SAVR ± coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) from January 2002 to April 2012 at a US academic institution was performed. COPD was defined according to the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) adult cardiac database: normal (forced expiratory volume [FEV] > 75% predicted), mild (FEV in 1 second [FEV 1 ] 60%–75%), moderate (FEV 1 50%–59%), and severe (FEV1 Results One thousand five hundred seventeen of 2,379 patients (63.8%) had isolated SAVR, whereas 862 of 2,379 (36.2%) patients underwent SAVR + CABG. Preoperative COPD was common among patients (21.9%) undergoing SAVR ± CABG and included 332 (14.0%) patients with mild COPD, 89 (3.7%) patients with moderate COPD, and 101 (4.2%) patients with severe COPD. Unadjusted in-hospital mortality rose significantly with COPD class, from 3.9% for those with no COPD to 9.6% to patients with severe COPD. After adjustment, in-hospital mortality was not statistically different in normal patients and in those with COPD. In contrast, when compared with normal patients, adjusted long-term survival was worse across levels of COPD: mild (AHR, 1.70; p p p Conclusions Preoperative COPD is common in the SAVR population and is associated with diminished long-term but not short-term survival.
Understanding User Dissatisfaction: Exploring the Role of Fairness in IT-Enabled Change

This paper examines the role of fairness and how it shapes a user's view in IT-enabled change. Drawing from several fairness theories, components of fairness are identified and examined in two studies. The first study examines the role of fairness through user interviews and finds that all five components of fairness are considered by users in enterprise system implementations. The second study operationalizes and analyzes the components of fairness through a questionnaire distributed to users. This second study finds that fairness is comprised of all five components that were proposed and a significant relationship exists with user dissatisfaction. The two studies lead to a new theoretical perspective and provide practical implications regarding the role of fairness in IT-enabled change and their strategic implications.
Flash memory-magnetic disk replacement?

The author begins with an examination of the flash storage cell and how it works. From this one will be able to see the characteristics of flash and how they compare to the mass data storage requirements of portable computing. >
COMPARISON OF GASOLINE AND DIESEL AUTOMOBILE FUEL ECONOMY AS SEEN BY THE CONSUMER

This paper looks at fuel economy, in the broad sense of the term, from the consumer's perspective. The analysis is based on EPA-measured fuel economy in model year 1980, actual on-road fuel economy for 1975-1980 automobiles, and recent fuel price data for gasoline and Diesel fuel. Comparisons of gasoline and diesel fuel economy that account for these three variables are presented. Also considered is the way that gasoline and diesel fuel economy comparisons may change in the future with changes in fuel prices, emission standards, and engine design.
Changes in the binding of concanavalin A and wheat germ agglutinin to human lymphocytes during in vitro transformation.

Abstract Concanavalin A binds to human circulating lymphocytes in a complex manner suggesting the presence of multiple binding sites. Saturation of one or more of these binding sites is observed at concentrations of concanavalin A which induce blast transformation in lymphocytes. In contrast, only one saturable binding site is observed for wheat germ agglutinin. During in vitro transformation, the amount of concanavalin A which can be bound by lymphocytes increases, whereas the amount of wheat germ agglutinin which can be bound remains unchanged. Since the size increases during transformation, there must be a fall in the density of surface receptors for wheat germ agglutinin whereas the density of concanavalin A receptors remains unchanged.
Group and phase velocity coupling of colliding pulses in a nanostructure.

It is generally accepted that, in a laser cavity, the group delay—responsible for the round trip time—and the phase delay both have a linear dependence on the cavity length. We show that nanostructures, such as quantum wells, can create a coupling between phase and group velocities, resulting in a periodic dependence of the repetition rate on the laser cavity length.
Radical empiricism, intersubectivity and the importance of praxis in the philosophy of Gabriel Marcel

The philosophy of Gabriel Marcel is informed by the classical tradition of American philosophy – most notably William James, William Ernest Hocking and Josiah Royce. At a time when Marcel scholarsh...
Novel effects of Brefeldin A (BFA) in signaling through the insulin receptor (IR) pathway and regulating FoxO1-mediated transcription

Brefeldin A (BFA) is a fungal metabolite best known for its ability to inhibit activation of ADP-ribosylation factor (Arf) and thereby inhibit secretory traffic. BFA also appears to regulate the trafficking of the GLUT4 glucose transporter by inducing its relocation from intracellular stores to the cell surface. Such redistribution of GLUT4 is normally regulated by insulin-mediated signaling. Hence, we tested whether BFA may intersect with the insulin pathway. We report that BFA causes the activation of the insulin receptor (IR), IRS-1, Akt-2, and AS160 components of the insulin pathway. The response is mediated through phosphoinositol-3-kinase (PI3K) and Akt kinase since the PI3K inhibitor wortmannin and the Akt inhibitors MK2206 and perifosine inhibit the BFA effect. BFA-mediated activation of the insulin pathway results in Akt-mediated phosphorylation of the insulin-responsive transcription factor FoxO1. This leads to nuclear exclusion of FoxO1 and a decrease in transcription of the insulin-responsive gene SIRT-1. Our findings suggest novel effects for BFA in signaling and transcription, and imply that BFA has multiple intracellular targets and can be used to regulate diverse cellular responses that include vesicular trafficking, signaling and transcription.
Postoperative complications and implications on patient-centered outcomes

Abstract Background Postoperative complications increase patient morbidity and mortality and are a target for quality improvement programs. The goal of this study was to review the world's literature on postoperative complications in general surgery patients and try to examine the effect of these complications on patient-centered outcomes. Methods A comprehensive search of the current literature identified 18 studies on the topic of postoperative complications in general surgery patients. Results Postoperative complications are common in general surgery patients and contribute to increased mortality, length of stay, and need for an increased level of care at discharge (decline in disposition). Conclusions Although the concept of patient-centered outcomes is not new, it has not been applied to postoperative complications. It is likely that the effect of complications on length of hospital stay and postoperative discharge reflects an impact of complications on these patient-centered outcomes. Future studies should consider the effect of complications on those outcomes that are most important to the individual patient.
Modulation of MMP‐2 (gelatinase A) and MMP‐9 (gelatinase B) by interferon‐γ in a human salivary gland cell line

Gelatinases have been shown to be regulated by many cytokines and growth factors, and have been implicated in the pathogenesis of certain autoimmune diseases via tissue destruction. High levels of several cytokines, including IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, have been demonstrated in the salivary gland microenvironment of patients with Sjogren's syndrome (SS). How these cytokines may be contributing to the pathogenesis of this disease is not well understood. We hypothesized that IFN-gamma with or without (+/-) TNF-alpha could be playing a role in the pathogenesis of SS via the regulation of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) levels. This study examined the role of IFN-gamma and (+) TNF-alpha in the regulation of the matrix metalloproteinases, MMP-2 (72 kD gelatinase A) and MMP-9 (92 kD gelatinase B). A human salivary gland cell line (HSG) has been used as a possible in vitro model to study the role of IFN-gamma + TNF-alpha in the pathogenesis of SS. The HSG cell line, in the presence of IFN +/- TNF-alpha, displays increased MMP-2 and MMP-9 gelatinolytic activity, protein and RNA levels. The increase in MMP activity was partially blocked with an antibody against the IFN-gamma receptor, and this was associated with a complete inhibition of the previously described IFN-gamma +/- TNF-alpha antiproliferative effect. However, incubation of IFN-gamma treated HSG cells with the synthetic MMP inhibitor BB94 did not alleviate this antiproliferative effect. In addition, we demonstrate that there are very high levels of MMP-9 in the saliva of patients with SS when compared to healthy control subjects. These data suggest that cytokines could be regulating MMP production by salivary epithelial cells and thus indicate a potential role for these cells in the pathogenesis of SS.
Transnational Normative Struggles and Globalization: The Case of Indigenous Peoples in Bolivia and Ecuador

Since the 1990s, the indigenous rights movement has catapulted from resource-poor, local activists to global activists. The rise of transnational indigenous rights movements has paralleled and interfaced with significant structural developments at the international and state-systemic level, raising questions about the interplay between global and local politics as arenas of social change. To trace these transnational networks to the articulation of norms supportive of indigenous claims, we examine two cases of transnational indigenous activism and domestic responses in the Andean region of South America. We find that the additional dimension of domestic and transnational mobilization that first contests existing international norms, such as neoliberalism and individual rights, and then seeks to diffuse normative changes at both the domestic and international levels provides new insight about norm formation, transformation, and diffusion in international politics in favor of anti-globalization and communit...
High-throughput chromatographic approaches to liquid chromatographic/tandem mass spectrometric bioanalysis to support drug discovery and development

Due to the fast paced nature of pharmaceutical research and development, and the important role that drug analysis plays in supporting this venture, significant resources have been invested in minimizing the time spent performing bioanalysis to support in vivo studies. These efforts have focused on sample preparation and chromatographic techniques, because mass spectrometric detection is usually not rate limiting. In this paper, liquid chromatographic strategies used to facilitate high-throughput liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) bioanalysis to support drug discovery and development are reviewed. Different analytical approaches that focus on chromatographic sample preparation and on reduction of the LC/MS cycle time are discussed. The techniques reviewed include the use of high flow rates and fast (ballistic) gradients, restricted access media (RAM), monolithic columns, turbulent flow chromatography (TFC), and column switching. Specific applications of each of these techniques are also reviewed.
Marx's Social Ontology, his Critical Method and Contemporary Social Economics

A recent literature has emerged largely, although not exclusively, in this Review which addresses the question of whether or not Karl Marx was a social economist. [See e.g., Rooth 1978, Hunt 1978, Stanfield 1978, and December 1979 edition of this Review] The purpose of this essay is to support Marx's status as a social economist by presenting a critical interpretation of his position on the relation of production to distribution. The intent is to show that this crucial analytical relation embodies both an ontological perspective and a scientific method which are well-suited to the set of characteristics described below as the major methodological tenets of contemporary social economics.1 The method employed will be to begin with a brief discussion of the major methodological tenets of contemporary social economics. Next, the logical compatability between these tenets and Marx's political economy will be established through the development of a critical interpretation of Marx's position on the relation of production to distri? bution. In order to simplify the discussion, the development of this interpretation will proceed in a series of steps. It begins with a brief examination of Marx's social ontology, wherein the logical connections which exist between his notion of labor and his (i) theory of alienation; (ii) scientific method, and (iii) position on the relation in question are established. Next, the complexity of his dialectical, synthetic method is outlined. This philosophical groundwork complete, the internalization of both his social ontology and scientific method into the specification of
Trajectory Browser: An online tool for interplanetary trajectory analysis and visualization

The Trajectory Browser is a web-based tool developed at the NASA Ames Research Center for finding preliminary trajectories to planetary bodies and for providing relevant launch date, time-of-flight and ΔV requirements. The site hosts a database of transfer trajectories from Earth to planets and small-bodies for various types of missions such as rendezvous, sample return or flybys. A search engine allows the user to find trajectories meeting desired constraints on the launch window, mission duration and ΔV capability, while a trajectory viewer tool allows the visualization of the heliocentric trajectory and the detailed mission itinerary. The anticipated user base of this tool consists primarily of scientists and engineers designing interplanetary missions in the context of pre-phase A studies, particularly for performing accessibility surveys to large populations of small-bodies. The educational potential of the website is also recognized for academia and the public with regards to trajectory design, a field that has generally been poorly understood by the public. The website is currently hosted on NASA-internal URL http://trajbrowser.arc.nasa.gov/ with plans for a public release in early 2013.
Effect of flapless implant surgery on soft tissue profile: a randomized controlled clinical trial.

Background: Flapless implant surgery has been suggested as one possible treatment option for enhancement of implant esthetics.Methods: Twenty-four patients with a missing tooth in the premaxillary region were randomly assigned to one of two groups (12 each): immediate loading (IL) or delayed loading (DL) (loading after 4 months). An endosseous implant was placed in each patient via a flapless surgery. Clinical measurements including the papillary index (PPI) (0, no papilla; 1, less than half; 2, more than half but not complete fill; 3, complete fill; and 4, overfill), marginal levels of the soft tissue (ML), probing depths (PDs), modified bleeding index (mBI), modified plaque index (mPI), and the width of the keratinized mucosa (WKM) were performed at baseline (at the time of loading) and at 2, 4, and 6 months.Results: The soft tissue profile remained stable up to 6 months, without significant differences between the two groups (mean PPI and ML at 6 months, 2.16 and 0.30 mm, respectively). Mean PPI in the...
Epitaxial growth and microstructure of RF sputtered CuAu films

Abstract The epitaxial growth of equiatomic CuAu films using rf sputtering was investigated. The lowest epitaxial temperature was found to be 220 +− 10 °C for deposition rates ranging from 40 to 170 A/min. The chemical composition of the sputtered films was found to be the same as that of the target. The initial stages of epitaxial growth of the alloy films follow the typical classical behavior for evaporated films: the nucleation stage, the coalescence stage, the channel stage, and the continuous film. The microstructure of the films was studied by electron transmission and diffraction microscopy. The phases present in the alloy films change as the substrate temperature varies. Extra reflections were identified as {111} twin spots and double diffraction spots which originated from {101} twins in the ordered phase. Other internal defects were also studied and are reported.
Multiple objective evaluation and prioritization under risk with partial preference information

Much current interest surrounds the design and development of interactive multi-criterion decision support processes. We consider a finite alternative course of action, a single-stage, decision situation model under risk with multiple attributes, criteria or objectives. In this approach, a decision-maker is able to select interactively and iteratively a mixture of complete judgement (e.g. intuitive affect), heuristic elimination (e.g. elimination by aspects), and holistic assessment (e.g. expected utility theory) of partial preference information to enable aggregation of some, but not necessarily all, criteria or attributes. We consider three dominance relations on the alternative set : expected-value score dominance, first-order stochastic dominance, and second-order stochastic dominance. Two important issues are resolved here. The first of these involves establishment of the impact of various forms of partial objective aggregation information, in the form of attribute weights, upon dominance relations f...