cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Influence of polyimide precursor synthesis route and ortho-position functional group on thermally rearranged (TR) polymer properties: Pure gas permeability and selectivity

Abstract Pure gas permeability coefficients of CH 4 , N 2 , O 2 , CO 2 , and H 2 are reported for thermally rearranged (TR) polymers derived from polyimides based on 3,3′-dihydroxy-4,4′-diamino-biphenyl and 2,2′-bis-(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl) hexafluoropropane dianhydride (HAB-6FDA). These HAB-6FDA polymers were prepared with hydroxyl, acetate, propanoate, and pivalate groups in the ortho -position to the imide ring. Polymers with acetate ortho -position groups were synthesized via either thermal or chemical imidization. Pure gas permeability was approximately five times higher after rearrangement at 450 °C in TR polymers from polyimides with acetate, propanoate, and pivalate ortho -position groups relative to TR polymers prepared from polyimides with hydroxyl ortho -position groups. In samples with non-hydroxyl ortho -position groups, those with larger ortho -position groups had higher gas permeability for TR conversions less than roughly 60%, but permeability increased to similar values as conversion exceeded 60%. In all samples, the CO 2 /CH 4 selectivity also approached a similar value as TR conversion increased. Despite their higher permeability, fractional free volume was not significantly higher in TR polymers from polyimides bearing non-hydroxyl ortho -position groups than in samples with hydroxyl ortho -position groups. Therefore, average free volume alone cannot explain this behavior, suggesting that free volume distribution is likely affected by these groups.
Living Arrangements among Older Persons A Multilevel Analysis of Housing Market Effects

This study examines the effects of housing market conditions on the living arrangements of non-Hispanic White and African American persons 60 years old and older. The multilevel models include indicators of local housing market affordability and availability, as well as individual-level resources, evaluated for unmarried women, unmarried men, and married couples. The results indicate that older persons' and couples' living arrangement decisions are responsive to housing affordability in that those who live in areas with high housing costs experience increased likelihoods of living with nonnuclear adults. For married couples, housing availability is also associated with living arrangement decisions, and for single men and women, the relative share of the housing market composed of small rental units is positively associated with residential independence. In addition, housing availability and affordability are positively associated with the likelihood of living alone as compared to living in group quarters ...
OH versus CH bond scission sequence in ethanol decomposition on Pd(111)

Abstract The low temperature reaction sequence of ethanol adsorption and decomposition on Pd(111) has been studied using temperature programmed desorption and high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy. The goal of these studies was to experimentally determine whether O H or C H bond scission occurs first. This was accomplished by examining the reaction of two partially deuterated ethanol molecules (only the fully deuterated version has been studied previously); a deuterium atom at the hydroxyl (CH 3 CH 2 OD) or two deuterium atoms at the α-carbon (CH 3 CD 2 OH). To support the experiment, density functional theory was used to calculate vibrational spectra for the respective adsorbed alcohols, alkoxides and hydroxyethyl intermediates. Based on the thermal evolution of vibrational spectra together with the sequence of desorption of D 2 O and H 2 O during TPD, we conclude that the decomposition of adsorbed ethanol proceeds directly to ethoxide (not hydroxyethyl) on Pd(111).
Workplace Violence, Employer Liability, and Implications for Organizational Research:

Organizations face potential liability whenever workplace violence occurs inside their boundaries. Focusing on violent behaviors between employees, the authors examine the major legal theories that apply most often in workplace violence scenarios—negligence (state law), sexual harassment law (federal law), and the Americans with Disabilities Act (federal law). The purpose is to highlight avenues for organizational research that arise because of the legal issues that employers face. For each source of liability, the authors identify major research questions that should be studied in organizational science, particularly by aggression and violence researchers.
The critical role of interleukin 4 but not interferon gamma in the pathogenesis of colitis in T-cell receptor α mutant mice

Abstract Background & Aims: T-cell receptor α mutant (TCRα −/− ) mice spontaneously develop colitis resembling ulcerative colitis (UC). The role of interleukin (IL)-4 and interferon (IFN)-γ in the pathogenesis of colitis was examined by creating IL-4– or IFN-γ–deficient TCRα −/− mice. Methods: Double-mutant mice were created by crossing TCRα −/− mice with IL-4– or IFN-γ–deficient mice. Colitis was grossly and histologically assessed at 6 months of age, and the cytokine profile in the mesenteric lymph nodes and colons in these mice was analyzed. Results: The lack of IL-4 dramatically suppressed the development of colitis at 6 months of age. In contrast, IFN-γ −/− × TCRα −/− mice developed colitis similar to that present in TCRα −/− mice. Furthermore, proliferation of colonic epithelial cells was markedly increased in TCRα −/− mice and IFN-γ −/− × TCRα −/− mice compared with IL-4 −/− × TCRα −/− mice. Continuous administration of recombinant IL-4 led to increased colonic epithelial cell proliferation in IL-4 −/− × TCRα −/− mice. Conclusions: IL-4 plays an important role in the development of colitis in TCRα −/− mice. In contrast, severe colitis in TCRα −/− mice can develop in the absence of IFN-γ. GASTROENTEROLOGY 1999;116:320-326
Human Factors in the Design of Communities of Practice

Social networks are emerging as a powerful tool in a variety of Internet and Intranet domains. Social networking web sites are a popular destination for teenage social groups (Myspace), online dating (Tickle), and business networking (Ryze). A less well-known application is the Community of Practice (CoP). These networks are groups of people with common professional interests who are linked with the intention to enhance their professional practice related to these interests. CoP are often supported through a company Intranet and can be very effective in linking geographically dispersed professionals within an organization. By providing a venue for engagement of like-minded professionals who can communicate, share best practices, and in some cases collaborate on specific activities, CoP can significantly increase the productivity of knowledge workers. Usability is essential to overcome limitations due to participant unfamiliarity with each other, geographic dispersion, the importance of context in the appl...
Television news and democratic change in India

This article examines the impact of India’s ‘television news revolution’, or the rapid growth of privately owned television news channels, on substantive democracy, or the ability of ordinary citiz...
Acute Bacterial Meningitis in Children

Despite advances in recent decades in management, including new and effective antimicrobials, children with bacterial meningitis still incur significant morbidity and mortality. Pathophysiologic processes including colonization and migration of the bacteria to blood, seeding of the meninges, and meningeal and brain inflammation have been largely elucidated, but more specific knowledge could lead to new effective therapies. Outside of the neonatal period, the most common causative organisms have been Haemophilus influenzae, Streptococcus pneumoniae, and Neisseria meningitidis. However, conjugate vaccines, especially the H influenzae type b preparation, have contributed significantly to steep declines in the incidence of meningitis. Optimal management consists of rapid diagnosis and administration of bactericidal antibiotics with properties allowing adequate penetration of the inflamed blood-brain barrier. Recently, development of microbial resistance has resulted in changes to recommended empiric antibioti...
Effect of amniotic fluid on platelet thromboxane production

We have studied the effect of amniotic fluid on thromboxane A 2 (TXA 2 ) production as an initial step in an evaluation of the role of this metabolite as the mediator of the pulmonary hypertension that accompanles perinatal aspiration. Term amniotic fluid enhanced platelet thromboxane B 2 (TXB 2 ) production in the presence of the aggregating agents thrombin and arachidonic acid, activity being confined to the lipid fraction. Compared with a baseline production of 1.4±0.45 pmol TXB 2 /10 6 platelets in response to thrombin (1 U/ml), unfractionated amniotic fluid or its lipid fraction enhanced TXB 2 production to 2.87±0.53 and 2.81±0.62 pmol, respectively (P 2 production was observed in amniotic fluid obtained at 15 to 17 weeks. Similar activity was observed with either adult or neonatal platelets. This thromboxane enhancing property of amniotic fluid appears to be distinct from its thrombin generating property. Following perinatal aspiration, in situ production of thrombin and proaggregatory TXA 2 could recruit more platelets, enhance local TXA 2 production, and be responsible for the platelet thrombi that have been documented at autopsy in the pulmonary microcirculation in infants with perinatal aspiration syndrome. (
Imaging system with modified-pressure chamber for crack detection in shell eggs

To detect checks and/or cracks in shell eggs, the egg industry is using high-speed acoustic systems. Prior to shipment, human graders candle a small subset of eggs to ensure that the high-speed systems are operating within specifications for a given grade of egg (e.g., Grade A large eggs). In addition to visual inspection, graders also listen for a dull, flat sound as an indicator of a crack when tapping eggs together. However, very small cracks, or micro-cracks can go undetected by the human graders. A method to detect egg checks/cracks with an imaging camera was developed. The system consisted of an imaging camera positioned above a clear inspection chamber that housed an egg and was illuminated from underneath. The chamber was designed so that a short, quick vacuum could be pulled to enhance the crack detection. High-resolution monochromatic images were collected at atmospheric pressure and under negative pressure. The negative pressure gradient was used to briefly open any existing cracks without inducing any new cracks in an intact egg. Initially, eggs were manually rotated three times to image the whole surface of the egg. The ratio of a negative-pressure image divided by an atmospheric-pressure image was used to highlight the cracks and simple image processing was used to identify a crack. A total of 80 cracked and 80 intact eggs were imaged with the system. Only one cracked egg was not detected, and this was because the crack was located on the air-cell end of the egg and was not visible by the camera. Thus, the system was 98.75% accurate in identifying cracked eggs and 100% accurate in identifying intact eggs. This initial phase of the research was successful and the system is being scaled up to image multiple eggs at a time.
Hip prostheses during pelvic irradiation: Effects and corrections

Treatment of pelvic malignancies frequently includes the use of lateral, arc, or rotational fields. The presence of hip prostheses in these treatment fields will perturb the dose distribution. Correction factors for metal-based alloys used in artificial hips have not previously been reported. Prostheses constructed from frequently used alloys were obtained and measurements were made of the transmission of 4MV and 10MV photons. These measured data were compared with computed correction factors. The computer uses the "ratio of tissue-maximum ratios (TMR's)" method of heterogeneity correction. The computer was provided with both the physical density and the relative electron density of each prosthesis for comparison purposes, since electron densities for hip prostheses are not widely known. Correction factors determined from electron densities demonstrated better agreement with measured data. The "ratio of TMR's" correction algorithm does not consider the contribution of scattered radiation in the dose computations. Consequently, a small adjustment to the relative electron density of the prosthetic hip was required at lower X ray beam energies. Agreement was satisfactory for higher energy X rays, and thus no adjustment was necessary. Relative electron densities and adjusted electron densities for alloys used in artificial hips are provided for computer-aided treatment planning. Recommendations for incorporating the hip prosthesis into the treatment planning process are also provided.
Charge Ordering and Long-Range Interactions in Layered Transition Metal Oxides

We study the competition between long-range and short-range interactions among holes within a continuum formulation of the spin density wave picture of layered transition metal oxides. We focus on the problem of charge ordering and the charge phase diagram. The main interactions are the long-range Coulomb interaction and a magnetic dipolar short-range interaction generated by short-range antiferromagnetic fluctuations. Four different phases depending on the strength of the dipolar interaction and the density of holes exist: Wigner crystal, diagonal stripes, horizontal-vertical stripes (loops). and a glassy-clumped phase. The effect of temperature, disorder, and lattice effects on these phases are discussed.
The influence of reactant vibrational excitation on the O(3P) + O†3 bimolecular reaction rate

Atomic resonance fluorescence has been used to monitor the disappearance rate of oxygen atoms in the presence of vibrationally excited ozone produced by a pulsed CO2 laser. An upper limit has been determined for the rate coefficient of the O(3P) + O†3 bimolecular reaction. Comparison with a previously measured rate coefficient for deactivation of O†3 by O(3P) indicates that at most a small fraction (<30%) of the O†3 relaxation is due to the laser enhanced reaction.
THE PROPORTIONAL RELIEF LANDFORM MAP1

THE problem of representing surface configuration in the plane of a map remains a major challenge to the cartographer. For many purposes, pictorial methods of terrain mapping have proved successful as a means of coping with this problem.2 Some useful techniques are available for the construction of pictorial terrain maps. The physiographic diagram of Lobeck, stressing structural influences in terrain formation, and the more refined landform map of Raisz,3 emphasizing the existing product of geomorphic processes, are splendid devices for orienting the viewer to the physiographic patterns of broad regions. Both techniques are based upon the use of symbols to represent general landform types and are designed for use in small-scale maps. Generally these maps are drawn at scales less than 1: 1,000,000. However, the map reader is often interested in detail which cannot be drawn into smallscale maps nor depicted by noncommensurable symbols. Robinson and Thrower have elaborated on a technique introduced by Tanaka Kitiro which utilizes "inclined traces" to preserve planimetry in the pictorial terrain map.4 This method is especially valuable for overlay work where continuous planimetry is essen-
Similar myogenic functions for myogenin and MRF4 but not MyoD in differentiated murine embryonic stem cells

The emergence of four genes encoding myogenic bHLH transcription factors in the stem vertebrate is a unique feature of vertebrate evolution that led to the acquisition of new target genes and novel regulatory circuits for skeletal muscle formation. One unresolved question is the extent to which each factor has evolved specialized functions for regulating muscle gene transcription. We have developed a system using differentiated myogenin (-/-) embryonic stem (ES) cells to determine whether other myogenic factors can replace myogenin's function in muscle differentiation. Previously, we showed that constitutively expressed myogenin restores myofiber formation in differentiated myogenin (-/-) ES cells, but constitutively expressed MyoD does not. Here, we confirm the distinction between myogenin and MyoD using another expression vector and show that constitutively expressed MRF4 leads to myofiber formation in myogenin's absence. Our analysis reveals a correlation between the levels of myogenin plus MRF4 and the extent of myofiber formation, suggesting a synergy between these factors. The results indicate that unlike MyoD, MRF4 plays a role similar to myogenin in skeletal muscle differentiation.
Is submission of remaining tissue necessary when incidental carcinoma of the prostate is found on transurethral resection

We examined 151 entirely submitted transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) specimens that showed incidental prostate cancer. Fifty-one (34%) showed > 15% involvement of the specimen by tumor; these were not reviewed because submission of more tissue would not convert these cases from stage T1b (> or = 5% of tumor) to stage T1a ( < 5% of tumor). Sixty-six cases (44%) that were totally submitted in < or = nine cassettes also were excluded because most laboratories would totally submit these specimens from the outset. The remaining 34 cases (22%) had < or = 15% tumor and required 10 or more cassettes for total submission. The first eight slides were reviewed and percentage of tumor involvement and grade was calculated. The remaining slides were then reviewed to see if the overall tumor percentage or grade changed. Because in one case the tumor grade was significantly increased in the remaining slides and of the infrequency with which more than eight cassettes needs to be submitted, we recommended submission of all remaining tissue in stage T1a lesions. There is no need to submit additional tissue in stage T1b lesions because the percentage will not decrease with greater sampling.
Greenhouse gas dynamics of municipal solid waste alternatives.

ABSTRACT Previous greenhouse gas studies comparing landfilling with combustion of municipal solid waste (MSW) are limited to examinations of the emissions weighted by their relative radiative activity. This paper adds another dimension by analyzing the atmospheric response to these emissions. The heart of the analysis is a time-dependent model using a perturbation analysis of the IS92a results of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Using as inputs the emissions from the two technologies, the model calculates atmospheric concentration histories. Scenarios for a landfill and a combustor envision each accepting 1000 Mg refuse/day for a 30-year operating period followed by a 70-year postclosure period. The baseline scenario examines the basic greenhouse impact of each technology. The other scenario adds active gas collection at the landfill and energy offset credits for avoided power plant carbon emissions. For both scenarios, CH4 and trace gases from the landfill persist in the atmosphere, ...
The quality metric prolonged length of stay misses clinically important adverse events

Background The National Quality Forum endorses prolonged length of stay of more than 14 days (PLOS) as a quality metric for lobectomy for lung cancer. Because PLOS rates are lower than complication rates, we hypothesized that PLOS misses a significant proportion of clinically important events. Methods A retrospective study was performed on patients undergoing lobectomy (2000 to 2009). The severity of adverse events was based on the National Cancer Institute common terminology criteria for adverse events (grade 2 or higher indicates symptoms or need for medical intervention; grade 5 indicates death). Results Among 2,667 patients, 163 (6%) experienced PLOS and 773 (29%) experienced an adverse event. Although the frequency of adverse events was higher among the PLOS group (99% [161 of 163] versus 24% [612 of 2504]), 79% (612 of 773) of adverse events occurred in the non-PLOS group. Whereas PLOS was associated with more severe events, 89% of those in the non-PLOS group experienced a grade 2 or higher event. Likewise, although PLOS was associated with the lowest 5-year survival rate (31%), patients in the non-PLOS group who had an adverse event had significantly lower survival rates than patients in the non-PLOS group who did not have any adverse events (55% versus 68%, p Conclusions The PLOS missed a high proportion of adverse events defined by the need for ongoing inpatient therapy and an association with poor long-term survival. These findings have implications for efficient and fair performance assessment in the setting of a quality improvement program.
Influence of limb restraint on the thermal response of bone marrow CFU-GM heated in situ.

The method used to restrain anaesthetized (sodium pentobarbital) mice for in situ heating of tibial marrow affects the survival response of CFU-GM. Three methods of limb restraint, in addition to ischaemia induced by tourniquet, were examined for their relative effect on the thermal response of CFU-GM. The three methods of restraint were to secure only the toes with suture material to a submersion post in the water bath, to tape the foot, or to tape the leg. Temperatures in the lumen of the tibia were measured with a 100 micron (tip diameter) microthermocouple during representative experimental conditions. After heating in situ, bone marrow was extruded and CFU-GM cultured in standard soft agar conditions in lung-conditioned medium. The most restrictive restraining method, i.e. taping the leg, produced the greatest thermal response among the three restraining methods examined. The D0 (+/- 95% CI) of the 42 degrees C survival curve for CFU-GM was 22 +/- 4, 46 +/- 8, or 94 +/- 53 min for restraint of leg, foot, or toes, respectively. Survival reached a plateau by 100 min of heating indicative of the development of thermotolerance. The D0 of the 44 degrees C survival curve was 3 +/- 1, 6 +/- 2 and 16 +/- 6 min for restraint of leg, foot, or toes respectively. Ischaemia produced the most pronounced effect on the thermal response of tibial CFU-GM with D0 values of 2 +/- 1 or 3.6 +/- 1.5 min after exposure to 44 degrees C or 42 degrees C, respectively. The method of limb restraint affects the thermal sensitivity of CFU-GM most probably by blood flow obstruction and resultant pH decrease. Thus, precautions must be taken to ensure that limb restriction does not introduce artifacts in the hyperthermia response of normal tissues or tumours during heating in situ.
Radiation Therapy for Pediatric Low-Grade Gliomas: Survival and Sequelae

Pediatric low-grade gliomas are the most common form of childhood brain tumor, comprising approximately 40% of all primary central nervous system neoplasms in patients less than 18 years of age. The management of these tumors depends on multiple factors, including the location of the tumor, age of the patient, histologic grade, and associated confounding factors, primarily the presence or absence of neurofibromatosis type 1 [1]. There is general agreement that for most low-grade tumors located in regions amenable to extensive resection, the treatment of choice is gross total removal [2]. Multiple series have demonstrated that such resections can be performed safely for most patients with cerebellar juvenile pilocytic astrocytomas and for those with cortical lesions not arising from or infiltrating eloquent areas of brain, such as the motor cortex or language areas. After total resection, most patients can be safely observed with 5and 10-year progression-free survival rates, and apparent cure, ranging between 90% and 100%. The optimal therapy for patients whose tumors are not deemed totally resectable is less clear. For some tumors, observation alone is elected. However, a recent prospective trial suggests that 5-year progression-free survival is only between 50% and 60% for children after partial resection [3]. Until the mid-1980s, the only proven option for patients with residual/progressive low-grade gliomas was radiation therapy. However, there was a significant shift in management for younger children with partially resected, progressive, low-grade gliomas when studies disclosed that a variety of different chemotherapeutic approaches were active in children with low-grade glial tumors and could delay the need for radiotherapy or attempts at aggressive re-resections [4–7]. The primary rationale for the chemotherapeutic treatment of children with progressive lowgrade gliomas who had not been treated with radiotherapy was to delay the need for radiotherapy until they were older, theoretically to reduce the risk of radiation-induced sequelae. A secondary goal was to determine whether a subset of children with low-grade gliomas could be treated with surgery and chemotherapy without ever requiring radiotherapy. During the same time chemotherapy was being used more widely for children with low-grade gliomas, there were significant advances in radiotherapeutic techniques [8, 9]. Radiotherapy could be delivered to a more exact region of the brain, with the hope this would significantly decrease the incidence of long-term sequelae. However, most reported series of patients treated with radiotherapy date back decades and used varying radiotherapeutic techniques. Also, they were not completely done during the era when chemotherapy was more extensively used. In this context, the two articles published by Merchant et al. describing their experience at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital provide extremely useful information.
Normal alpha2-adrenergic responses in platelets from patients with asthma

Abstract Recent in vivo studies suggest that alpha-adrenergic responses are exaggerated in asthmatic subjects. We studied alpha 2 -adrenergic responses in platelets from 12 healthy subjects and 10 patients with asthma who had taken no medication for at least 9 days prior to study except low-dose ( 2 -adrenergic inhibition of prostaglandin E 1 -stimulated adenosine 3′:5′ cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) accumulation was normal in platelets from subjects with asthma. The time course of inhibition, the extent of inhibition, and the dose-response relationship did not differ between the groups. Results from allergic and nonallergic patients did not differ, and alpha 2 -adrenergic responses were not correlated with age, sex, peak flow rates, or total eosinophil counts. Platelet alpha 2 -adrenergic cAMP responses are normal in subjects with asthma.
Cyclotron resonance revisited

Cyclotron resonance experiments in metals have in the past been performed at very low signal levels. In this paper the large signal behavior is studied theoretically in the light of modern developments in nonlinear dynamics. Conditions that should favor observation of specific nonlinear effects, including chaos, are derived Les experiences de resonance cyclotron dans les metaux ont ete effectuees dans le passe sur des signaux de faible niveau. Dans cet article, le comportement en fort signal est etudie theoriquement a la lumiere des derniers developpements de la dynamique non lineaire. Les conditions qui pourraient permettre l'observation d'effets specifiquement non lineaires, y compris le chaos, sont derivees
Identifying altered softball bats and their effect on performance

Progress in bat design has increased the disparity between the potential and allowed performance of baseball and softball bats. This disparity has motivated some players, particularly at the amateur softball level, to have their bats altered to increase performance. This study reviews the mechanisms contributing to bat performance and how alteration techniques take advantage of these mechanisms. The study involves 28 bats that were altered by adding weight, reducing the wall thickness, artificially breaking in the barrel, or painting a non‐certified bat to appear as an approved bat. The average hitting performance of the altered bats increased by nearly 5 per cent. Bat performance was observed to improve with decreasing natural frequency and radial stiffness of the barrel. However, variations between bat performance and these measures of barrel stiffness appear to make them unreliable indicators of alteration. Three comparable bats were hit in a batting cage to measure performance change from normal use. ...
Fever and leukocytosis: Physical manifestations of bipolar affective disorder?

Abstract 1. 1. Fever and leukocytosis are occasionally observed in patients with psychiatric disorders. A thorough medical evaluation does not always reveal the origin of these abnormalities. 2. 2. We report the case histories of three patients with bipolar affective disorder and an abnormal DST who had fever and leukocytosis during the acute phase of their illness. No organic etiology could be found. 3. 3. All three patients responded to ECT with resolution of the depression, the fever, and the leukocytosis, and normalization of the DST. 4. 4. We propose that fever and leukocytosis may be rare physical manifestations of bipolar affective disorder, particularly in patients with abnormal DST.
Some Perceptual and Cognitive Factors in Mirror Tracing: Their Limits

Abstract Three mirror tracing experiments were conducted to investigate the connection between perception and motor behavior. In the first experiment, some subjects traced a hex-maze, other subjects traced a hex-maze after observing a model trace, others traced a hex-maze after reading instructions on mirror images, and others traced a hex-maze after having observed a model and heard the instructions. There were no significant differences between the groups' error scores, but their time scores differed significantly, although not always in the predicted direction. In Experiment 2, the subjects were to trace selected letters of the alphabet. Error scores for the second experiment did not differ much from those for the first experiment. In Experiment 3, the experimenter gave each subject commands for the correct directions of movement, using the subject's body as a frame of reference. There was little improvement in motor performance. These results suggest that the visual information presented in the mirror...
The society of equals: Restoring democratic equality in relations

Leading political philosopher Pierre Rosanvallon outlines a reformation of the idea of equality that takes its inspiration from the revolutionary visions of France and the United States while embracing what is good about our modern individualism and diversity.
Biochemical markers of renal osteodystrophy in pediatric patients undergoing CAPD/CCPD

Biochemical markers of renal osteodystrophy in pediatric patients undergoing CAPD/CCPD. Serum intact PTH [1–84] levels were evaluated as a potential non-invasive method for the diagnosis of renal osteodystrophy in children treated with CAPD/CCPD. Sixty-eight bone biopsy samples were obtained from 55 patients, aged 13 ± 5 (X ± SD) years, undergoing CAPD/CCPD for 29 ± 13 months; osteitis fibrosa was present in 34 cases, mild lesions of secondary hyperparathyroidism in six, 15 had adynamic lesions, and 13 were classified as normal histology. Serum calcium levels were higher in patients with adynamic bone or normal bone histology than in those with secondary hyperparathyroidism, whereas serum phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and PTH levels were greater in patients with osteitis fibrosa. The combination of a serum PTH level >200 pg/ml and a serum calcium value 10 mg/dl. Higher serum calcium levels and serum PTH values within or below the normal range characterize patients with the adynamic lesion of renal osteodystrophy. Serum PTH levels of approximately 200 pg/ml are useful for distinguishing patients with low-turnover lesions of renal osteodystrophy from those with secondary hyperparathyroidism.
PPLATE: a computer program for analysis of parallel-plate flow chamber experimental data.

PPLATE is a computer program developed to analyze raw cell adhesion data obtained from the parallel-plate flow chamber. It is based on a mathematical model described elsewhere (Zhang and Neelamegham, 2003). The objective of this software is to analyze raw data on cell rolling, firm-arrest and cell transmigration to determine four frequency and probability parameters, namely, primary capture frequency, firm-arrest frequency, cell–cell capture probability and rolling-release frequency. These parameters are analogous to the ‘‘adhesion efficiency’’ used to quantify the rate of cellular aggregation in suspension. Overall, while the raw cell rolling and firm-arrest data are a function of the physical features of the experiment system that control the rate of cell–substrate and cell–cell collisions such as inlet cell concentration and wall shear stress, the frequency and probability parameters are purely functions of the biological adhesivity of cells and their response to fluid shear
Back to the future: the renaissance of whole-blood transfusions for massively hemorrhaging patients.

RESUSCITATION OF HEMORRHAGIC SHOCK is undergoing a renaissance. Whole blood, the original and only blood product available for the first 250 years of transfusion practice, was given for a myriad of conditions, including ‘‘Pleurisies, the Small Pox, Leprosies, Cancers, Ulcers, St. Anthonies fire, Madness, Dotage, and other maladies arising from the malignity of the blood,’’ in addition to hemorrhage. This practice was sustained for the resuscitation ofmassively hemorrhaging soldiers throughout the two World Wars as well as the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. The boom in modern technology, however, changed this practice.No longer waswhole blood the only option for transfusion. Instead, constituent blood products, such as packed red blood cells (pRBCs), plasma, and platelets, could be packaged into separate units. This massive change in practice improved dramatically the logistics of transfusion by prolonging storage times, increasing resource use, and decreasing waste, as well as allowing for individualized tailoring to the specific
Distribution of norepinephrine released from adrenergic motor terminals in arterial wall.

Abstract The distribution of tritiated material remaining in the wall of the rabbit aorta previously soaked in 3H-NE and then washed, changes as a consequence of prolonged electrical stimulation of the motor nerve plexus. The increase in medial radioactivity is not uniform, but is highest towards the adventitia. This increase could not be demonstrated after exposure to a dose of nicotine causing a contractile response of similar magnitude.
The episodic memory model of conceptual development: An integrative viewpoint

Recent trends toward the integration of prototypic and logical theories of concept representation have been combined with Anderson's (1983) ACT* model of cognition to produce the episodic memory model of conceptual development. The episodic memory model suggests that the memory episode is the basis for concept representation. Semantic memory forms spontaneously when constellations of attributes are associated with each other in more than one episode. These attributes may gain enough strength so that they can be activated simultaneously in isolation of the original episodes, through the mechanism of spreading activation. Concepts are said to exist when any two or more objects, situations, or states share common associates in memory. The representation of a concept consists of those associates of the concept node that are currently part of working memory. Classification of a novel instance as a member of a particular concept depends upon whether the attributes of the concept that the subject encodes match associates of the concept node sufficiently to activate the concept node. Under this model, concept reasoning may be based on central tendency information, logical rules, or single episodes, depending upon which of these is activated in a particular task situation. Discussion focuses on the ramifications of the episodic memory model of concept development for such phenomena as Keil and Batterman's (1984) characteristic to defining feature shift and the influences of context information on concept definitions.
Regional treatment options for patients with ocular melanoma metastatic to the liver

Ocular melanoma is the most common primary ocular malignancy and has a significant predilection for metastasis to the liver. More than 40% of patients have hepatic metastases present at initial diagnosis, and the liver becomes involved in up to 95% of individuals who develop metastatic disease. The median survival of patients after diagnosis of liver metastasis ranges from 2 to 7 months. Metastatic disease localized to the liver has proven to be resistant to most available chemotherapy and immunotherapy regimens. Recognition of the grave prognosis associated with liver metastasis from ocular melanoma has led to the evaluation of new regional treatment modalities primarily designed to control tumor progression in the liver, including hepatic arterial chemotherapy, hepatic artery chemoembolization, regional immunotherapy, isolated hepatic perfusion, and percutaneous hepatic perfusion. This article reviews the efficacy, outcomes, and morbidities of the multiple locoregional therapies available today.
Knowledge building using visualizations

In this paper, we describe our efforts in knowledge building by creating visualizations. Our efforts include problem-based learning. We have identified a problem that the students have in learning OOP. To solve that problem we engage our students in the classroom using existing visualizations created by students of the earlier class, then we have the currents students improve the existing visualizations, or create new visualizations for future use in the same class. We describe the process of building knowledge, problem based learning, the details of the visualizations, our observations and the merits of this approach.
Hydrogen-related defects in sodium alanate

We present first-principles simulations to elucidate the role of hydrogen-related point defects in the hydrogen absorption/desorption processes in sodium alanate. In particular, we investigate the energetics and structural properties of crystal imperfections caused by addition or removal of hydrogen atoms. We specifically take the various charge states of the defects into account. We find that charged hydrogen-related defects are energetically more favorable than neutral defects; these systems have a negative effective correlation energy U. Significant local lattice relaxations are involved in stabilizing the hydrogen-related defects.
IR spectroscopy of Nb+(N2)n complexes: coordination, structures, and spin states.

Infrared photodissociation spectroscopy in the N−N stretching region is reported for gas-phase Nb+(N2)n complexes (n = 3−16). The coordination of nitrogen to the metal cation causes the IR-forbidden N−N stretch of N2 to become active in these complexes. Fragmentation occurs by the loss of intact N2 molecules, and the yield as a function of laser wavelength produces an IR excitation spectrum. The dissociation patterns indicate that Nb+ has a coordination of six ligands. The infrared spectra for all complexes contain bands red-shifted from the N−N stretch in free nitrogen, consistent with ligand−metal charge-transfer interactions such as those familiar for metal carbonyl complexes. Using density functional theory, we investigated the structures and ground electronic states for each of the small cluster sizes. Theory indicates that binding to the low-spin triplet excited state of the metal ion becomes progressively more favorable than binding to its high-spin quintet ground state as additional ligands are ad...
Quantum superposition of high spin states in the single molecule magnet Ni4

Quantum tunneling of the magnetization in a single molecule magnet has been studied in experiments that combine microwave spectroscopy with high sensitivity magnetic measurements. By monitoring spin-state populations in the presence of microwave radiation, the energy splittings between low lying superpositions of high-spin states of single molecule magnet ${\mathrm{N}\mathrm{i}}_{4}$ ($S=4$) have been measured. Absorption linewidths give an upper bound on the rate of decoherence. Pulsed microwave experiments provide a measure of energy relaxation time, which is found to increase with frequency.
Ultrasonic Powered Resonance Tube Actuators for Flow Control Applications

The present work is an experimental investigation of normal and oblique impingement of a high subsonic jet on a flat ground plate. The experiments are carried out for various inclinations angles of a ground plate. The novel feature of this work is the use of eight miniature ultrasonic frequency actuators known as powered resonance tubes that were located around the periphery of the main nozzle. The frequency of ultrasonic acoustic excitation from these actuators was 25 kHz. The acoustic excitation of these miniature actuators was used for active flow and noise control of a jet impinging on a ground plate. The maximum tonal suppression levels were as high as 18 dB and the maximum OASPL suppression observed was 6 dB. Phase averaged pressure measurements show a decrease in the strength of the pressure perturbations present in the shear layer of the jet and near a ground plate when active control is turned on. The total mass flow rate from the powered resonance tubes is of the order of 1 to 2% of the mass flow rate from the main jet.
Functional significance of post-myocardial infarction left ventricular hypertrophy: a beneficial response.

Abstract Hypertrophy of noninfarcted myocardium occurs as a chronic response to myocardial infarction, but no previous study has related the changes in wall thickness to serial changes in left ventricular function. Thus the functional significance of postinfarction hypertrophy is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the development of postinfarction hypertrophy and the resting left ventricular ejection fraction measured by two-dimensional echocardiography. After occlusion of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery in 11 dogs, the ejection fraction fell acutely (0.63 ± 0.08 to 0.33 ± 0.10, p p p r = 0.79, p = 0.007) and wall thickness ( r = 0.71, p = 0.025). Hypertrophy of the noninfarcted myocardium correlated with the magnitude and approximately paralleled the time course of the improvement in the ejection fraction and therefore may have had a beneficial effect on resting left ventricular function as a chronic adaptation to myocardial infarction.
Narrow hybrid zone between two subspecies of big sagebrush (ARTEMISIA TRIDENTATA: Asteraceae). IX. Elemental uptake and niche separation

The concentrations of selected elements and their biological absorption coefficients were determined for leaves from plants in native stands and reciprocal transplant gardens to determine whether niche differentiation occurs among the parental taxa and their hybrids in the big sagebrush hybrid zone in Utah. The bounded hybrid superiority model predicts such niche differentiation, while the ecologically neutral dynamic equilibrium model predicts complete niche overlap, at least in the vicinity of the hybrid zone. The concentrations of elements in the leaves of site-indigenous sagebrush and the biological absorption coefficients differed significantly between the subspecies and between either parental taxon and hybrids. Within reciprocal transplant gardens, both the elemental concentrations and the biological absorption coefficients differed among the gardens and taxa. Significant genotype-by-environment interactions were observed for several essential elements. Niche differentiation was evident as correspondence analyses ordinated the parental taxa and hybrids into separate groups even when raised in the same garden. These findings support the ecologically based bounded hybrid superiority model and suggest that the big sagebrush parental taxa and their hybrids have adapted to their respective unique habitats.
Calcium storage and function in apicomplexan parasites.

Calcium is relevant for several vital functions in apicomplexan parasites including host cell invasion, parasite motility, and differentiation. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and calcium-rich acidocalcisomes have been identified as major calcium stores. Other potential calcium storage organelles include the Golgi, the mitochondrion, the apicoplast, and the recently described plantlike vacuole in T. gondii. Compared to most eukaryotic systems, apicomplexan parasites contain a reduced number of calcium-related genes, a vast majority of which remain uncharacterized. Several Ca 2+ -ATPases have been described in apicomplexans, several of which are annotated in the different genomes. There is experimental evidence for an inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)dependent calcium response in Plasmodium spp. and T. gondii although no IP3 or ryanodine receptors have been identified. Genes encoding potential calcium channels are present in T. gondi but not in Plasmodium spp. and Cryptosporidium spp. Effector calcium binding proteins including calmodulins and calcium-dependent protein kinase (CDPK) genes mainly found in plants have also been described. The characterized CDPKs were found to play important roles in protein secretion, host cell invasion and parasite differentiation. Together, the available information on calcium storage and function in apicomplexans, although fragmented, suggest the existence of unique calcium-mediated pathways in these parasites. An in-depth functional characterization of the apicomplexan calcium-related genes could lead to the identification of novel therapeutic targets, and will improve our understanding of the role of calcium in parasite development and virulence.
How Can I Connect With Thee? Let Me Count the Ways

Two studies were conducted to examine mental representations of loneliness and social connectedness. In Study 1, young adults (N = 2,531) completed the revised UCLA Loneliness Scale (R-UCLA scale) and demographic questionnaires. An exploratory factor analysis of the R-UCLA scale on half the sample revealed a three-dimensional conceptual structure that generalized across gender. This mental representation consisted of correlated facets labeled Isolation, Relational Connectedness, and Collective Connectedness. A confirmatory factor analysis on the other half of the sample corroborated this three-factor solution. In Study 2, a population-based sample of 197 older males and females (M(age) = 57.5 years) completed the R-UCLA scale and measures of objective social circumstances. The confirmatory factor analysis supported the three-factor structure in this diverse and older adult sample. Each facet was uniquely predicted by theoretically related social circumstances. These findings suggest how humans make meaning of their social relationships in their mental representations of loneliness and connectedness.
Two-Stage Translation: A Combined Linguistic and Statistical Machine Translation Framework

We propose a two-stage system for spoken language machine translation. In the first stage, the source sentence is parsed and paraphrased into an intermediate language which retains the words in the source language but follows the word order of the target language as much as feasible. This stage is mostly linguistic. In the second stage, a statistical MT is performed to translate the intermediate language into the target language. For the task of English-to-Mandarin translation, we achieved a 2.5 increase in BLEU score and a 45% decrease in GIZA-Alignment Crossover, on IWSLT-06 data. In a human evaluation of the sentences that differed, the two-stage system was preferred three times as often as the baseline.