cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carbon isotope effects in carbonate systems

Abstract Global carbon cycle models require a complete understanding of the δ13C variability of the Earth’s C reservoirs as well as the C isotope effects in the transfer of the element among them. An assessment of δ13C changes during CO2 loss from degassing magmas requires knowledge of the melt-CO2 carbon isotope fractionation. In order to examine the potential size of this effect for silicate melts of varying composition, 13C reduced partition functions were computed in the temperature range 275 to 4000 K for carbonates of varying bond strengths (Mg, Fe, Mn, Sr, Ba, Pb, Zn, Cd, Li, and Na) and the polymorphs of calcite. For a given cation and a given pressure the 13C content increases with the density of the carbonate structure. For a given structure the tendency to concentrate 13C increases with pressure. The effect of pressure (‰/10 kbar) on the size of the reduced partition function of aragonite varies with temperature; in the pressure range 1 to 105 bars the change is given by: (1) Δ 13 C p average =−0.01796+0.06635∗ 10 3 T +0.006875∗ 10 6 T 2 For calcite III the pressure effect is on average 1.4× larger than that for aragonite at all temperatures. The nature of the cation in a given structure type has a significant effect on the carbon isotope fractionation properties. The tendency to concentrate 13C declines in the series magnesite, aragonite, dolomite, strontianite, siderite, calcite, smithonite, witherite, rhodochrosite, otavite, cerrusite. For divalent cations a general expression for an estimation of the reduced partition function (β) from the reduced mass (μ = [MCation × MCarbonate]/[MCation + MCarbonate]) is: (2) 1000 ln β=(0.032367−0.072563∗ 10 3 T −0.01073∗ 10 6 T 2 )∗μ−14.003+29.953∗ 10 3 T +9.4610∗ 10 6 T 2 For Mg-calcite the 13C content varies with the Mg concentration. The fractionation between Mg-calcite (X = mole fraction of MgCO3) and calcite is given by: (3) 1000 ln (α Mg Calite − Calcite )=[0.013702−0.10957× 10 3 T +1.35940× 10 6 T 2 −0.329124× 10 9 T 3 +0.0304160× 10 12 T 4 ]× X 1.5 The results of the computations were used together with previously published experimental vaporous CO2-silicate melt fractionations to determine, at 1200°C, a relationship between melt-CO213C fractionation and melt composition, expressed as molecular proportions of the cations Mg, Fe, Mn, Ca, Na, K and Si and Al: (4) 1000 ln α Melt − CO 2 =5.14× Mg + Fe + Mn + Ca + Na + K Si + Al +0.86 A conceptual model to understand this relationship was developed. The results of the computations approximate closely the experimentally determined vaporous CO2-CaCO3 fractionations at high temperatures. Empirically derived dolomite-calcite and calcite-graphite 13C isotope geothermometers agree with results of the present work.
The New Central Cities: Implications of the New Definition of the Metropolitan Area

The new definition of the metropolitan area changes the definition of central cities to one based on employment centrality, with no limits on the number of central cities in any metropolitan area. ...
Relational exchange: A review of selected models for a prediction matrix of relationship activities

Abstract Four models of relational exchange are reviewed because they provide the foundation for a prediction matrix of partnering activities. Works by Anderson and Narus (1990), Dwyer, Schurr, and Oh (1987); Mohr and Spekman (1994); and Morgan and Hunt (1994) are reviewed to introduce relevant theoretical constructs and to illustrate the ways in which relationships have been deductively studied in marketing. A series of research conjectures are proposed and summarized in a prediction matrix of activities for firms in partnering and typical distributor-manufacturer relationships.
Preferred designs, outcomes, and analysis strategies for treatment trials in idiopathic recurrent acute pancreatitis

Approximately 80% of acute pancreatitis is caused by alcohol or gallstones, but there remains a significant proportion of these patients who do not have an apparent etiology. Although noninvasive imaging has improved for the biliary tree, including the gallbladder, and for pancreatic-ductal anatomy, research is still required to see if acting on the abnormalities detected on these tests (such as pancreas divisum or occult microlithiasis) actually improves outcomes. In addition, although some literature exists that supports minor papilla therapy for divisum, sphincterotomy for sphincter of Oddi dysfunction (SOD), and ursodeoxycholic acid and/or sphincterotomy and/or cholecystectomy for gallbladder crystals or sludge, follow-up is variable, cointerventions interfere with interpretation, and skeptics, who call for more data on therapies, which, in themselves, carry significant risks (including more pancreatitis), exist. 1 Also, there remain specific questions regarding the role for ‘‘empiric’’ cholecystectomy (when gallbladder imaging is normal), sphincter manometry, and dual sphincterotomies in those patients with pancreatic sphincter hypertension among other important questions. These questions should ideally be answered within the context of a randomized trial and, for that, an appropriate primary outcome needs to be chosen. Because of the variable natural history of recurrent pancreatitis and the intermittent (often transient) effect the disease has on the quality of life, questions remain as to what should be the most important outcome or measure of treatment success. In addition, in patients who have a genetic predisposition underlying to the possible reversible factors (eg, ductal obstruction, microlithiasis), removing one factor, while leaving the genetics and biochemistry the same, will likely not completely ‘‘cure’’ the problem. Therefore, a reduction in the number and/or severity and/or frequency of attacks becomes important; recurrence does not necessarily mean ineffective therapy. Current diagnostic and treatment strategies for recurrent pancreatitis are widely variable. 2 Basedon this, a multicenter group of pancreatic experts (Idiopathic Recurrent Acute Pancreatitis [IRAP] Interest Group) have had a series offace-to-facemeetingstodebateseveralissuesinthisarea, including the future of clinical research to guide diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms in this disease, which culminated in the construction of a multicenter patient registry. After a mail survey and 3 meetings, there was consensus that a registry would be extremely important for many reasons:gainingnaturalhistorydata,obtainingapoolofpotential recruits for future trials, and initiating multicenter collaboration. The group also agreed that what is ultimately needed is a series of randomized trials that address several issues for which there exists clinical equipoise.
The tridurylsilylium and tridurylstannylium cations: free and not so free.

Allyltridurylsilane has been prepared and converted to the tridurylsilylium cation by treatment with electrophiles. Allyltridurylstannane has been prepared and converted to the tridurylstannylium cation under similar conditions. The 29Si chemical shift of the silylium cation indicates that it is free and tricoordinate, whereas the 119Sn chemical shift of the stannylium cation indicates that it maintains loose fourth coordination with the solvent or the anion.
Big five parental personality traits, parenting behaviors, and adolescent behavior problems: A mediation model.

Abstract The direct links between mothers’ and fathers’ personality, parenting behaviors, and adolescent behavior problems were examined, as well as the potential mediating influence of parenting behaviors on links between parental personality and child adjustment. This longitudinal, prospective study included 111 adolescents and their mothers and fathers. Results based on mothers’, fathers’, and adolescents’ reports of behavioral adjustment concurred: adolescents with more conscientious mothers had fewer externalizing behaviors. Additionally, mothers and fathers who rated themselves as more conscientious reported greater ease in setting limits for their adolescents. For both parents, parenting behaviors related to their adolescent’s externalizing behavior problems. Maternal limit setting mediated the direct relation between maternal personality and adolescent adjustment. These findings highlight parental conscientiousness as a personality trait related to parents’ ease in setting limits in their parental role and corroborate the significant relation between limit setting as a parental behavior potentially facilitating adolescents’ behavioral adjustment.
A Method to Compress Schema-Based XML Metadata for Mobile Environments

Efficient and error-free packaging and communication of XML metadata are critical in achieving seamless mobility. This paper describes an XML binary compression technology using both schema knowledge (to separate the structural and value portions of XML metadata) and suitable compression techniques for different metadata portions. The compression results are superior to comparable XML compression mechanisms. In addition, the compression efficiency has much less dependency on the metadata size. This compression technology also goes beyond existing metadata compression technologies by providing a direct mapping of XML metadata into a database interface so that the decoded metadata can be directly queried for retrieval. Finally, error resilient features are an integral part of the compressed metadata bitstream so that data corrupted during transmissions can be detected within isolated groups and exclusively retransmitted for efficient network resource utilization.
Laboratory Simulation of Y-TZP All-ceramic Crown Clinical Failures

Clinically, zirconia-supported all-ceramic restorations are failing by veneer-chipping without exposing the zirconia interface. We hypothesized that mouth motion step-stress-accelerated fatigue testing of standardized dental crowns would permit this previously unrecognized failure mode to be investigated. Using CAD software, we imported the average dimensions of a mandibular first molar crown and modeled tooth preparation. The CAD-based tooth preparation was rapid-prototyped as a die for fabrication of zirconia core porcelain-veneered crowns. Crowns were bonded to aged composite reproductions of the preparation and aged 14 days in water. Crowns were single-cycle-loaded to failure or mouth-motion step-stress- fatigue-tested. Finite element analysis indicated high stress levels below the load and at margins, in agreement with only single-cycle fracture origins. As hypothesized, the mouth motion sliding contact fatigue resulted in veneer chipping, reproducing clinical findings allowing for investigations into the underlying causes of such failures.
Surgical Palliation for Taussig-Bing Anomaly with Multiple Lesions:

A successful surgical palliative procedure, consisting of an arterial switch operation, pulmonary artery banding, and arch repair, was performed in a neonate with Taussig-Bing anomaly and aortic arch interruption, subaortic stenosis, and multiple muscular ventricular septal defects. Such anatomical complexity made treatment difficult. This palliative procedure allows future biventricular repair.
Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma 38 years after primary repair of esophageal atresia.

The authors report a case of a 38-year-old man with an esophageal squamous cell carcinoma after repair of esophageal atresia with tracheoesophageal fistula. This carcinoma occurred at a young age, near to the scar of the old anastomosis, in a patient with no other apparent risk factors. It is hypothesized that stasis caused by impaired esophageal motility may be the underlying cause. A single case is not enough to unequivocally prove a possible relationship between esophageal atresia and the development of esophageal cancer. Now that the first generation of survivors of esophageal atresia is reaching middle aged adulthood, one should, however, be aware of a possible increased incidence in these patients. J Pediatr Surg 36:629-630.
The effects of marker-related temporal cues on auditory gap-duration discrimination

In three experiments, we examined the ability of listeners to discriminate the duration of temporal gaps (silent intervals) and the influence of other temporal stimulus properties on their performance. In the first experiment, gap-duration discrimination thresholds were measured either in continuous noise or with noise markers with durations of 3 and 300 ms. Thresholds measured with 300-ms markers differed from those measured in continuous noise or with 3-ms markers. In the second experiment, stimuli consisting of a gap between two discrete markers were generated such that the gap duration, the onset-to-onset duration between markers, and the duration of the first marker were pseudorandomized across trials. Listeners’ responses generally were consistent with the cue that was identified as the target cue from among the three cues in each block of trials, but the data suggested that the onset-to-onset cue was particularly salient in all conditions. Using a modified method-of-adjustment procedure in the third experiment, subjects were instructed to discriminate between the durations of gaps in discrete markers of different durations in two intervals, where the gap duration in one interval was adapted to measure the point of subjective equality. Without feedback, listeners tended to equate the onset-to-onset times of the markers rather than the gap durations. Overall, the results indicated that listeners’ judgments of silent gaps between two discrete markers are strongly influenced by the onset-to-onset time, or rhythm, of the markers.
DNA Microarray Profiling to Identify Angiotensin-Responsive Genes in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells. Potential Mediators of Vascular Disease

Angiotensin II (Ang II) induces changes in vessel structure by its capacity to activate genes that are coupled to signaling pathways such as extracellular signal–regulated kinase (ERK), p38, and ph...
New insights into the versatile roles of platelet FlnA

Recent findings have identified critical roles for the actin filament-crosslinking protein filamin A (FlnA) in platelets and megakaryocytes. This short review focuses on the structure of FlnA and its interaction with the Von Willebrand Factor receptor GPIb-IX-V complex and the fibrinogen receptor, the integrin αIIbβ3 in platelets.
Experimental design and analysis in functional MRI

As the experimental diversity of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) has grown since introduction of the technique in 1991, the appropriate application of statistical evaluation has become a significant research need. Advances in our understanding of both the dynamics of the underlying neurophysiology and the measurement process make fMRI a fertile ground for novel signal and image processing research. Recent analysis procedures seek to incorporate knowledge of the temporal and spatial characteristics of the blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) response measured by fMRI. Efforts that incorporate the nonstationary aspects of the BOLD response will become more important as future applications of fMRI are likely to be in conjunction with additional imaging modalities (e.g., fMRI combined with EEG) to acquire more complete physiologic data and permit greater refinement of our characterization of the central nervous system responses arising due to an applied stimulus.
Cultural Brands from Emerging Markets: Brand Image Across Host and Home Countries

Abstract Cultural brands embody a sum total of a group's cultural identity, including a surrounding myth, a tie to its cultural roots, and associations of its past and aspired future. The authors focus on two cultural brands from Mexico and analyze whether their brand images remain consistent when they cross the border into the United States. Data were collected from random samples drawn from Mexico City and the Latino community (of Mexican descent) in the Dallas–Fort Worth area. Respondents were asked to evaluate two television media brands using a brand personality scale. The results indicate that the association between the brand personality dimensions and the cultural brands from Mexico is stronger among Latinos residing in the Dallas–Fort Worth area than among their counterparts in Mexico City. This study contributes to brand personality literature and presents an important insight into the brand image of cultural brands from emerging markets.
Violations of Implicit Theories and the Sense of Prediction and Control: Implications for Motivated Person Perception

Beginning with the assumption that implicit theories of personality are crucial tools for understanding social behavior, the authors tested the hypothesis that perceivers would process person information that violated their predominant theory in a biased manner. Using an attentional probe paradigm (Experiment 1) and a recognition memory paradigm (Experiment 2), the authors presented entity theorists (who believe that human attributes are fixed) and incremental theorists (who believe that human attributes are malleable) with stereotype-relevant information about a target person that supported or violated their respective theory. Both groups of participants showed evidence of motivated, selective processing only with respect to theory-violating information. In Experiment 3, the authors found that after exposure to theory-violating information, participants felt greater anxiety and worked harder to reestablish their sense of prediction and control mastery. The authors discuss the epistemic functions of implicit theories of personality and the impact of violated assumptions.
A dimensional decomposition method for stochastic fracture mechanics

This paper presents a new dimensional decomposition method for obtaining probabilistic characteristics of crack-driving forces and reliability analysis of general cracked structures subject to random loads, material properties, and crack geometry. The method involves a novel function decomposition permitting lower-variate approximations of a crack-driving force or a performance function, Lagrange interpolations for representing lower-variate component functions, and Monte Carlo simulation. The effort required by the proposed method can be viewed as performing deterministic fracture analyses at selected input defined by sample points. Compared with commonly-used first- and second-order reliability methods, no derivatives of fracture response are required by the new method developed. Results of three numerical examples involving both linear-elastic and nonlinear fracture mechanics of cracked structures indicate that the decomposition method provides accurate and computationally efficient estimates of probability density of the J-integral and probability of fracture initiation for various cases including material gradation characteristics and magnitudes of applied stresses and loads.
Hydrothermal Origin of the Clays from the Upper Slopes of Mauna Kea, Hawaii

The soils of the summit region of Mauna Kea are similar to the soils of the high mountain deserts and to the soils of cold deserts. Dramatic differences, however, exist between the soils of the summit and other neighboring cones and the soils of the glaciated terrain. The soils of some of the cones of the summit area are clay rich and contain phyllosilicate minerals; the soils of the glaciated terrain are sandy and contain X-ray amorphous clay. Montmorillonite and a Mg-rich trioctahedral mineral identified as saponite are the clay minerals of the summit. Because the summit area of Mauna Kea supported an ice cap at the time of the formation of the cones, the origin of the smectite minerals could have resulted from the alteration of the tephra by steam and water released in the melting of the ice. Hypogene fluids are, however, more likely to be responsible for the genesis of the phyllosilicate minerals.
Polysomnography and Sleep Disorders

The classification of sleep disorders is based both on clinical and neurophysiological criteria and is undergoing constant refinement. Sleep disorders can be caused by either a primary disorder of a mechanism controlling sleep or inadequate function of an end organ, such as the upper airways and lungs. Understanding the physiology and pattern of normal sleep is an important foundation for interpreting the clinical symptoms, signs, and neurophysiological abnormalities observed in patients with sleep disorders. The term polysomnography refers to the simultaneous recording of multiple sleep parameters, including a limited electroencephalogram, respiratory parameters, chest excursion, limb movements, and the electrocardiogram. Polysomnography is important for assessing a variety of sleep disturbances, including disorders such as sleep-related breathing disorders (including obstructive sleep apnea), rapid eye movement behavior disorder, and periodic movements of sleep. The multiple sleep latency test and maintenance of wakefulness test are studies that are especially useful in the evaluation of narcolepsy and other hypersomnias.
Use of a reciprocal transplant study to measure the rate of plant community change in a tidal marsh along a salinity gradient

Abstract In a tidal marsh on the Savannah River (Georgia, USA), rate of plant community change along a salinity gradient was measured using a reciprocal transplant study. Donor sods were moved in all possible combinations from freshwater to brackish sites and from brackish to freshwater sites at four different locations. The reciprocal aspect of the experiment also allowed the determination of how the rate of plant community change is affected by the direction and level of displacement along the salinity gradient. Stem densities of each species were counted in each transplanted plot in June and October for a 30-month period. Plant community structure and composition changed by a significantly measurable amount within 6 to 18 months of a change in salinity. However, the time required for the transplanted sods to resemble their surrounding communities (at the p ≤ 0.05 level) ranged from 6 to more than 30 months, with some transplanted sods never resembling the surrounding plant communities during the study ...
Origin of Birds: The Final Solution?1

SYNOPSIS. The origin of birds has been discussed since the discovery and description of Archaeopteryx in Bavaria in 1861. By 1868, Thomas Henry Huxley realized its significance as a connecting form, which illustrated how birds might have evolved from dinosaurs. A century later John Ostrom articulated a convincing modern case for the origin of birds from theropod dinosaurs. Recent cladistic analyses of theropod, bird and bird-like fossils seem to confirm this scenario of bird origins. The purpose of this paper is to examine both the philosophic principles and the practice of cladistic analysis upon which the dinosaur-bird link is currently based. Cladistics is based on a Popperian philosophy that emphasizes the hypothetical nature of all knowledge. Such a philosophy seems more suitable for analyzing idealized characters unrooted in time or space rather than real objects. A philosophy of critical realism seems more congenial for analysis of evolutionary biological individuals having a real history. Cladistics uses parsimony as a first principle, which may be rejected on the grounds that nature is prodigal in every regard. Parsimony based on morphology suffices only when there are no other data sets to consider. Cladistics systematically excludes data from stratigraphy, embryology, ecology, and biogeography that could otherwise be employed to bring maximum evolutionary coherence to biological data. Darwin would have convinced no one if he had been so restrictive in his theory of evolution. The current cladistic analysis of bird origins posits a series of outgroups to birds that postdate the earliest bird by up to 80 million years. This diverts attention from the search for real bird ancestors. A more coherent analysis would concentrate the search for real avian ancestors in the Late Jurassic.
Experimental Assessment of Transport and Chemical Kinetic Impacts on Critical Flame Initiation Radius in Outwardly Propagating Premixed Flames

This work experimentally and numerically investigates the effects of fuel specific chemistry and transport properties on the critical flame initiation radius and associated critical strain rate. To isolate the effects of chemistry from those of transport, two sets of fuel comparisons are performed. Transport effects are varied without altering chemistry by comparing n-decane with n-heptane, chemical kinetic effects by comparing the C9 alkylated benzene isomers, 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene vs. n-propylbenzene. Measurements and simulations are performed using outwardly propagating spherical flames in air at 1 atm and 400 K preheat. A considerable kinetic effect is identified as a lower critical strain rate and larger critical radius for 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene as compared to n-propylbenzene. Transport effects in n-alkanes appear only for the critical radius, but were minimal for critical strain rates. A linear relationship is found between the critical strain rate and the maximum OH radical in the stretched flame, confirming that fuel specific chemical kinetics and its subsequent impact on radical pool population drive the behavior of the critical strain rate at the conditions investigated. A radical index for premixed flames has been further derived based on the rate of OH production and incorporated with transport-weighted enthalpy to interpret the behaviors of the critical radius for all tested fuels. It is found that that the critical radius is a fundamental property of unsteady premixed flame propagation specific to the chemical kinetics of fuel oxidation.
The Materials Science of Pathological Crystals

Aberrant crystallization within the human body can lead to several disease states, although traditionally the pathogenesis of such diseases has not been studied from a materials science perspective. A fundamental understanding of the nucleation and growth, sometimes followed by aggregation and adhesion of crystals to tissue, is essential for the elucidation of the mechanisms directing the pathogenesis of these diseases. The quest for a greater understanding of these in vivo events has prompted the use of innovative experimental approaches aimed at understanding them at a microscopic level, often under conditions thought to emulate a physiological environment. Real-time, in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been used to elucidate the effect of urinary substituents on calcium-containing crystals that aggregate to form kidney stones, demonstrating the role of anionic proteins, synthetic polymers and small molecules on crystal growth regulation. Through an understanding of the structure of l-cystine crys...
Consistency of Performance of Concretes With and Without Fly Ash

Fly ash and other pozzolans are increasingly used in concretes that must consistently achieve high compressive strength and other measures of performance. In contemporary design and construction practice, however, there is some concern as to whether or not use of commercial fly ash materials contribute to or reduce variations observed in field compressive strengths and properties of the fresh concrete. Regardless of its potential for improving the performance of the concrete, if the daily ongoing use of commercial fly ash will decrease the consistency of the concrete produced, the use of fly ash will be curtailed. In this paper, the experiences of geographically diverse, specific concrete suppliers using their respective sources of fly ash are summarized in detail. The nominal compressive strength of concretes, made with and without fly ash, are analyzed statistically. Special attention is given to moderate- and high-strength concretes. In conclusion, it is shown that concretes made with fly ash may not be more consistent than concretes with only portland cement.
considerations for importing live genetically modified mice from academic laboratories

Genetically modified mice have been an invaluable tool for the study of gene function in an intact biological system. Researchers frequently obtain genetically modified mice from other academic institutions. This form of collaboration between laboratories comes with a unique set of challenges, and a clear set of guidelines for navigating the process has yet to be defined. The author provides suggestions for how to initiate an exchange of animal resources and steps for ensuring a successful collaboration. Both parties should be clear about their expectations. The importing lab should prepare in advance for potential animal health considerations and breeding and colony management strategies prior to importation. The number, gender, age and genotype of the imported animals should be confirmed as soon as possible by the importing lab. It is in the best interest of all parties to be courteous, forthright and thorough when sharing animal resources so that everyone can benefit from the resulting research.
Some Aspects of the Relation of Nutrition and Pregnancy

The possible teratogenic effect of dietary deficiencies in pregnancy appears to be negligible on any but very poor diets. Critical evidence indicates that diet during pregnancy can vary widely without demonstrable impairment of the health of the mother or baby.A reasonably sound diet which would insure a proper state of nutrition in the United States seems to be adequate for pregnancy. Studies indicate, however, that the influence of nutrition on pregnancy may be very marked in the lower range of quantitative or qualitative intakes, with the effect rapidly diminishing as an adequate nutritional level is approached.
Animal assisted therapy for elderly residents of a skilled nursing facility

There is a growing population of those with dementia and other cognitive impairments that affect the quality of life. This is attributed to advances in science, technology and medicine leading to reductions in maternal mortality, infectious and parasitic diseases, occupational safety measures, and improvements in nutrition and education of the global population. According to the Administration on Aging (AoA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in 2000, approximately 605 million people were 60 years or older. By 2050, that number is expected to be close to 2 billion. Animal assisted therapy (AAT) has been used as a therapeutic activity among the elderly to help improve well being and quality of life, but there has been limited research to demonstrate its effectiveness among those with dementia. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of AAT versus human interaction only on social behaviors and engagement among elderly patients with dementia in long-term care facility. Following random assignment to groups, the participants experienced two visits per week over a two-week time period of either animal therapy visits or human interaction visits. One week with no activities then followed then with alternate animal therapy and human interaction visits. The human interaction visits consisted of conversation and reading from and looking at pictures in a newspaper. During animal visits, participants were encouraged to touch, pet, brush, and talk to the dogs. In this study, AAT increased positive social behaviors resulting in fewer incidents requiring staff intervention. AAT coincides with current goals in long-term care settings - improving and enhancing socialization behaviors among older adults with dementia.
Prevalence of HIV,syphilis infection among men who have sex with men in Changsha,China

Objective To investigate the prevalence of HIV,syphilis infection among men who have sex with men(MSM)in Changsha city,Hunan province of China.Methods Two tubes of 10 ml each with or without EDTA-K2-anticoagulated whole blood samples were collected to test HIV antibody,syphilis antibody and HIV RNA.Meanwhile,a questionnaire including questions like age,marriage,education level,sexual behavior were asked in a MSM individual gathering places like public bath,KTV or bar.Results Most of the 800 MSM entered in this study were students and young people(13 years old)with high school or higher education.The positive rates of HIV and syphilis antibodies were 8.00% and 10.75%,respectively;5 acute HIV infections(0.68%)were found.Conclusions The prevalence of HIV and syphilis infection among MSM in Changsha city of China are considerably high;attention and measures should be taken to control the spread of HIV and syphilis in this special population.
Epidemiological Study on Clonorchis Sinensis in Yongxing County

Objective To observe the infection situation and epidemiological characteristics of Clonorchis sinensis in Yongxing County.Methods We selected 5 villages and small towns with group sampling methed to investigate 1,992 resi- dents over 2-year-old.The Kato-katz's stool method was used to examine the fluke ova in the faeces and ascertain the infectious route by interviews,and also investigated the intermediate host through surveying the spiral shells,fishes and shrimps to find the larva.Results Of the 1,992 residents 69 were infected with Clonorchis sinensis.The infection rate was 3.46%,and 51 patients(73.91%)ranged in age from 20 to 50 years.No gender difference was found.Only the pseudorobora parva was confirmed to be the intermediate host.Conclusion The infection rate of Clnorchis sinensis is low but it is an important parasitic disease that need to be controlled.
Parental Warmth and Risks of Substance Use in Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: Findings from a 10-12 Year Longitudinal Investigation.

Objective: The study examined factors in the risk trajectory for substance use disorder (SUD) over a 10–12-year period in children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Method: N = 145 children between the ages of 7 and 16 with ADHD and healthy controls (HCs) were assessed every 2 years for 10–12 years as part of a larger, longitudinal investigation. Onset of SUD was examined using Cox proportional hazards modeling, and included child and parent psychopathology, and parental warmth as well as other key factors. Results: Low paternal warmth and maternal SUD were predictors of SUD in n = 59 ADHD participants after adjusting for gender, child oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), paternal SUD, maternal/paternal ADHD, maternal/paternal major depressive disorder, maternal/paternal anxiety and low maternal warmth in the Cox model. Conclusions: Longitudinal study findings suggest that in addition to the established risk of ADHD and maternal SUD in development of child SUD, low paternal warmth is a...
Characteristics of apneas and hypopneas during sleep and relation to excessive daytime sleepiness.

Study objectives One of the most important symptoms in patients evaluated for possible obstructive sleep apnea syndrome is excessive daytime sleepiness, but the measures of apnea severity and of sleepiness used most commonly have not generally shown strong associations. We explored whether information recorded during standard polysomnography, other than the overall rate of apneas and hypopneas per hour of sleep (AHI), might help explain the measured severity of sleepiness. Design Observational Setting A clinical sleep laboratory in a university hospital Patients N = 1,146 patients evaluated for suspected sleep-disordered breathing with nocturnal polysomnograms and multiple sleep latency tests. Results The AHI during supine sleep (recorded in a subgroup of n = 169 subjects), the rate of apneas (n = 1,146), and the rate of obstructive apneas (n = 1,146) were particularly useful in explaining variation in measured levels sleepiness; rates of hypopneas and central apneas were less useful (n = 1,146). In addition, the minimum recorded oxygen saturation (n = 1,097) was as important as the AHI to the level of sleepiness. Conclusions In an attempt to explain excessive daytime sleepiness among patients evaluated for sleep-disordered breathing, additional insight is provided by observation of supine sleep during polysomnography, by emphasis on apneas rather than hypopneas, by emphasis on obstructive rather than central events, and by consideration of the minimum oxygen saturation.
Collecting tubule adaptation to respiratory acidosis induced in vivo.

To examine the effects of respiratory acidosis in vivo on the adaptation of acidification in the collecting tubule, New Zealand White rabbits were exposed to a 6.7% CO2-93.3% O2 gas mixture in an environmental chamber for 0, 6, 24, or 48 h before obtaining collecting tubules for in vitro study. These collecting tubules were then perfused and bathed in vitro in identical Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solutions. After 1 h equilibration total CO2 flux (JtCO2) was measured. The urine pH of the rabbits fell, whereas the blood bicarbonate rose as CO2 exposure time increased. In cortical collecting tubules, JtCO2 in vitro correlated with length of animal exposure to hypercarbia (y = 1.14174 + 0.1437x, r = 0.57, P = 0.002), and with the blood bicarbonate of the animal (y = 26.8471 + 0.0858x, r = 0.59, P less than 0.05). In vitro JtCO2 in medullary collecting tubules from rabbits that had been in hypercarbic atmosphere for 48 h (23.2 +/- 4.9 pmol.mm-1.min-1) did not differ from JtCO2 in control tubules (25.0 +/- 3.2 pmol.mm-1.min-1, not significant). Thus the cortical collecting tubule exhibits an adaptive increase in JtCO2 in response to hypercarbia, whereas the medullary collecting tubule does not.
A Politics of the Commons or Commoning the Political? Distinct Possibilities for Post-Capitalist Transformation

The Commons is celebrated for its role in linking anti-capitalist struggles across the world, as demonstrated by the myriad local and regional attempts to reclaim shared access and decision-making over collective resources, spaces, and knowledge. However, despite its success as a rallying point for diverse initiatives, the Commons faces critique from within the anti-capitalist Left. First, there is evidence that Commons initiatives are vulnerable to cooptation by capitalism's pervasive political forms and do not impede its continued expansion. Second, there is doubt as to whether the radical political principles and practices embraced by Commons movements, including open-endedness, pluriversality, and prefigurative politics are sufficient for spurring system change. Despite the soundness of these critiques, this paper argues that it is both possible and worthwhile to defend the Commons as one of many strategies for moving beyond capitalism. Doing so necessitates distinguishing between transformational and non-transformational variants of the Commons. The paper will delineate and contrast two ideal-typical variants of Commons approaches, thereby responding to critiques and emphasizing the Commons' potential. The first variant, a "politics of the commons," includes initiatives that bring people together to build collective forms for sharing resources, spaces, and knowledge, in response to situational threats to survival or well-being. This non-transformational variant faces temporal and geographical limitations and is vulnerable to cooptation because it does not confront structural, long- term, and systemic causes of enclosure and expropriation. In contrast, in the second variant, "commoning the political," what is held in common is the anti-capitalist political processes itself. This second approach goes beyond traditional state-based, Euro-centric, or universalistic Leftist models to allow for a pluriversal and long-term transformation by combining radical political processes with antagonistic strategies for confronting capitalist domination.
Rethinking Force Majeure in a World of Anthropogenic Climate Change

This article addresses the question of whether extreme weather events should work as an excuse for private parties or even nation states from having to perform their legal obligations.The old, but still very viable, doctrine of force majeure/"act of God" may enable both companies and nation states to avoid their responsibilities and duties. The doctrine covers unforeseeable events outside the control of a party such as natural disasters. But in a world with proven anthropogenic climate change, are such disasters truly "natural"? Does it make legal and factual sense to continue to allow parties to escape legal liability when modern science has proved that in all likelihood, people – not any mysterious universal power – have created most of the problems for which we also seek to avoid responsibility?Force majeure rests on the notion that "man" is somehow separated from "nature." This article challenges that notion and argues that in many cases, it does not make sense to apply the doctrine anymore. At least, judges should be very careful in doing so for reasons of public policy and risk allocation just as contractual parties should be careful when they think they may be able to escape future liability by invoking force majeure/"act of God" clauses.
One-trial cardiac conditioning in dogs

Our interest in cardiovascular conditioning, particularly the fact that conditional tachycardia has been observed in many dogs after only one or two combinations of conditional and unconditional stimuli, led us to investigate conditioning using a single application of an unconditional stimulus. Initially we studied the effect of orienting stimuli (soft tones) on the heart rate in 9 dogs. After 30–100 presentations of the tones alone, each dog received on one occasion a 25-volt shock (sufficient to cause yelping and struggling) to a leg as unconditional stimulus immediately following a tone. Thereafter 30–100 additional tones were presented with no further shock. Little or no heart rate change occurred during the orienting tones (before shock). Three types of cardiac changes occurred during experimental sessions after the shock: 1) Increased heart rate during the tones in 5 dogs; 2) Generalized lowering of heart rate during all experimental sessions after shock in 4 dogs; 3) Electrocardiographic changes during tones in 3 of the dogs also showing the generalized decrease in heart rate. No motor flexion conditional reflexes developed. Tones an octave different in pitch from the one associated with the shock also caused approximately the same heart rate changes, indicating lack of differentiation. This one-trial cardiac conditioning persisted after the single conditioning trial for more than a month in 2 dogs and for at least 3 to 5 sessions in the other dogs.
Some Paradoxes Mostly Resolved

This chapter gives the payoff for our theory of the infinite: the resolution of the paradoxes of Chapter 3 (at last!). I assume here that the reader has read Chapter 3, and thus that only brief reminders of each of the paradoxes are required.
Dynamics of Thrombin Generation and Flux from Clots during Whole Human Blood Flow over Collagen/Tissue Factor Surfaces

Coagulation kinetics are well established for purified blood proteases or human plasma clotting isotropically. However, less is known about thrombin generation kinetics and transport within blood clots formed under hemodynamic flow. Using microfluidic perfusion (wall shear rate, 200 s−1) of corn trypsin inhibitor-treated whole blood over a 250-μm long patch of type I fibrillar collagen/lipidated tissue factor (TF; ∼1 TF molecule/μm2), we measured thrombin released from clots using thrombin-antithrombin immunoassay. The majority (>85%) of generated thrombin was captured by intrathrombus fibrin as thrombin-antithrombin was largely undetectable in the effluent unless Gly-Pro-Arg-Pro (GPRP) was added to block fibrin polymerization. With GPRP present, the flux of thrombin increased to ∼0.5 × 10−12 nmol/μm2-s over the first 500 s of perfusion and then further increased by ∼2–3-fold over the next 300 s. The increased thrombin flux after 500 s was blocked by anti-FXIa antibody (O1A6), consistent with thrombin-feedback activation of FXI. Over the first 500 s, ∼92,000 molecules of thrombin were generated per surface TF molecule for the 250-μm-long coating. A single layer of platelets (obtained with αIIbβ3 antagonism preventing continued platelet deposition) was largely sufficient for thrombin production. Also, the overall thrombin-generating potential of a 1000-μm-long coating became less efficient on a per μm2 basis, likely due to distal boundary layer depletion of platelets. Overall, thrombin is robustly generated within clots by the extrinsic pathway followed by late-stage FXIa contributions, with fibrin localizing thrombin via its antithrombin-I activity as a potentially self-limiting hemostatic mechanism.
Understanding churn: Predictors of reentry among families who leave the child care subsidy program in Maryland

Abstract Child care subsidies provide an important work support for low-income families, yet children often receive subsidies for only a short period of time and may cycle on and off the program. Much of the research to date on patterns of subsidy participation has focused on the duration of participation, and less attention has been paid to the dynamics of how often and how quickly children return to the program. This paper uses administrative data from Maryland to analyze the patterns of returns to the subsidy program after a break in subsidized care. We find that half of children who exited the program return to subsidy within five years, and most of those return within a few months. Returns to subsidized care are related to family circumstances, type of care, child age, and program policies related to eligibility redetermination. These factors have differential effects on the probability of returning to the same provider or a different provider, which may have important implications for the stability of children's care.
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT (ED) OVERCROWDING: EVIDENCE-BASED ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS☆

SUMMARY Overcrowding in emergency departments is a problem in many countries around the world, including the United States and Chile. Emergency department (ED) overcrowding causes problems for patients and staff, including increased waiting times, increased ambulance diversion, increased length of stay, increased medical errors, increased patient mortality, and increased harm to hospitals due to financial losses. This article aims to describe the etiology of ED overcrowding and potential solutions through an examination of the evidence. Ultimately, ED overcrowding originates from hospital overcrowding and thus the solutions to this complex problem lie in the ED itself as well as outside of the ED.
Abstract 250: Role of First Degree Atrioventricular Block and Long Term Mortality in U.S. Veterans With Atherothrombotic Risk Factors

Background: First-degree atrioventricular (AV) block [PR interval exceeding 200 milliseconds (ms)] on a 12-lead electrocardiogram is a common finding. Previous studies suggested that first-degree A...
Untangling Cultural Evolution and Economic Development

The geography-institutions-income hypothesis is re-examined and the importance of cultural beliefs and practices in influencing economic development is presented as an additional link in the chain of causality from geography to economic development. The work of behavioural ecologists, anthropologists and cross-cultural psychologists is examined to support the notion that certain cultural traits are influenced by environmental factors such as climate, ecology and topography. Connections are also made between culture and institutions. An empirical analysis using anthropological data on cross-cultural traits demonstrates a link between geography and culture.