cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Selective Surgical Approach to Superficial Barrett’s-Associated Adenocarcinoma

Over the past two decades a dramatic change has occurred in the epidemiology of esophageal cancer [1]. Adenocarcinoma has replaced squamous cell carcinoma as the most common esophageal malignancy in most centers, as the incidence of adenocarcinoma has risen faster than any other malignancy in the United States [2]. Description of the relation between Barrett’s esophagus (a known complication of gastroesophageal reflux disease) and adenocarcinoma of the distal esophagus and gastroesophageal junction has linked one of the most deadly malignancies known to humans to the most common upper gastrointestinal disorder in Western civilization. Recognition of this relation has resulted in increased detection of early esophageal cancers through early endoscopy in patients with reflux symptoms and the performance of surveillance endoscopy in those with Barrett’s esophagus.
Next-Generation Sequencing to Diagnose Suspected Genetic Disorders

Clinical Next-Generation Sequencing — A Wild Frontier The technologies and chemistries underlying next-generation sequencing of DNA are evolving rapidly. This review describes the three main approa...
The Role of Citizenship Behaviors in the Resolution of the Team-level Innovation Paradox

The generation of novel and useful ideas and the implementation of those ideas constitute fundamental innovation activities. But oftentimes, factors that promote one of these two activities often i...
Mechanism of Hexose Transport in Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes

Cellular functions of human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNL) including phagocytosis, motility, and bactericidal activity require energy derived from glucose. Whereas insulin does not stimulate hexose transport in human PMNL, we have recently reported that chemotactic factors such as complement-derived C5a, the synthetic oligopeptide N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (fMLP), or the calcium ionophore A23187 stimulates transport of deoxyglucose (DOG) into human PMNL1,2. FMLP with an EC50 of 1.2 nM, C5a with an EC50 of 1 nM, and A23187 with an EC50 of 10 nM all cause at least a 5-fold stimulation of DOG uptake.
Cannabis abuse and dependence in kidney transplant candidates.

Abstract Objective Cannabis is the most commonly used non-alcohol intoxicant in the general population. There are no consistent guidelines on the implications of cannabis abuse and dependence (CAD) in kidney transplant candidates. The aims of this study were to characterize kidney transplant candidates with comorbid CAD and examine the implications of CAD on transplant candidacy. Method This was a retrospective cohort study of kidney transplant candidates meeting diagnostic criteria for CAD at a tertiary center from 2012 to 2016. Candidates were reviewed for psychiatric and substance use disorders (SUDs), family history, and medical variables. The cohort was divided by severity of CAD and transplant listing status for comparisons. Statistical analysis included Kruskal-Wallis tests for continuous variables and Fisher's Exact Test for categorical variables. Results Sixty-one of 2067 (3%) kidney transplant candidates met criteria for CAD, and 13/61 (21%) underwent transplantation. Of 61, 58% smoked cannabis daily, 47% had alcohol dependence history, 31% had other illicit drug dependencies, 38% were smokers, 60% had a SUD family history, and 42% and 27% had depressive and anxiety disorders, respectively. Severity of CAD was inversely associated with transplant listing; those with cannabis abuse were more often listed than those with dependence (67% vs 33%, p = .02) by study end. Three case presentations illustrate cannabis-related issues. Conclusion In this cohort, kidney transplant candidates with comorbid CAD have high prevalence of other substance use disorders, psychiatric comorbidities, and strong family histories of addictions that resemble other SUD populations. These findings have implications for pre-transplant screening and treatment and post-transplant monitoring.
Review of Problems Associated with Conventional Geodetic Datums

After discussing the parameters needed to define a horizontal geodetic datum, the paper reviews the development of the major geodetic datums. The problem of determining the interrelationships betwe...
How Massive Gravitons (and Gravitinos) may Affect and Modify The Fundamental Singularity Theorem (Irrotational Geodestic Singularities from the Raychaudhuri Equation)

The author presents the consequences of what if Gravitinos in the Electroweak era, all 10^8 to 10^12 of them have an (almost) invariant energy from the beginning of cosmology. This in turn may lead to massive Gravitons. This invariant energy constitutes an initial energy value at the start of the universe which can be used to obtain, at the onset of inflation Kauffman’s lower bound to a non zero initial radius of the universe. We reference Theorem 6.1.2 of the book by Ellis, Maartens, and MacCallum in order to argue that if there is a non zero initial scale factor, that there is a partial breakdown of the Fundamental Singularity theorem which is due to the Raychaudhuri equation. The arguments for why the scale factor may not go to zero are reviewed, with suggestions as to linkage as to how to avoid the Anthropic principle in having continuity of from a prior to the present universe. We also look at how different models of contributing vacuum energy, initially may affect divergence from the first singularity theorem and its results. This document implicitly uses Salvoy’s (1983) results
Resilience Following Child Maltreatment: Definitional Considerations and Developmental Variations:

Resilience following childhood maltreatment has received substantial empirical attention, with the number of studies on this construct growing exponentially in the past decade. While there is ample interest, inconsistencies remain about how to conceptualize and assess resilience. Further, there is a lack of consensus on how developmental stage influences resilience and how protective factors affect its expression. The current systematic review uses a developmental lens to synthesize findings on resilience following child maltreatment. Specifically, this article consolidates the body of empirical literature in a developmentally oriented review, with the intention of inclusively assessing three key areas-the conceptualization of resilience, assessment of resilience, and factors associated with resilience in maltreatment research. A total of 67 peer-reviewed, quantitative empirical articles that examined child maltreatment and resilience were included in this review. Results indicate that some inconsistencies in the literature may be addressed by utilizing a developmental lens and considering the individual's life stage when selecting a definition of resilience and associated measurement tool. The findings also support developmental variations in factors associated with resilience, with different individual, relational, and community protective factors emerging based on life stage. Implications for practice, policy, and research are incorporated throughout this review.
Design and Analysis of High-Voltage Blocking in Drain–Source Synchronous Rectifier Controllers for kV Operation

Traditionally, standalone closed-loop drain–source sensed synchronous rectification (SR) implementation has been limited by the voltage limits of commercial IC controllers. Commercially available SR controllers have low maximum voltage limits, necessitating a high-voltage blocking mechanism for use in higher voltage rectifiers. Therefore, in this article, a board-level blocking method to protect drain–source voltage sensed SR controllers from high voltage and currents at the board level is presented. This method allows for the high-voltage operation of drain–source SR controllers. This method is self-biasing and allows for SR controller operation far beyond the datasheet voltage limits (kV+). The mechanisms of operation are analyzed, and design criteria created for selecting an optimal clamp is proposed. The proposed solution is simple and low in cost and component count, making closed-loop, cyclically adaptive SR a practical solution for high-voltage rectifiers. The blocking circuit is presented, analyzed, and tested for use with commercially available drain–source SR controller integrated circuits (ICs). Hardware SR testing is completed on two LLC-DCX (dc-transformer) modules with 300 V, and over 1-kV output voltages to demonstrate the voltage blocking capabilities.
Religion and Early German Romanticism

This chapter explores the reception of Kant’s understanding of consciousness by both romantics and idealists from 1785 to 1799, tracing its impact on the theory of religion. Kant’s understanding of consciousness as developed in the first Critique is analyzed, and two fundamental strategies in the reception of Kant regarding his understanding of consciousness and its relation to the Absolute are examined. The first is that of the early German Romantics: Novalis, Schlegel, Schleiermacher, and Holderlin, for whom the Absolute exceeds all possibility of conceptualization. The second is that of the German idealists: Fichte, Schelling, and Hegel, for whom the logic that makes possibility intelligible precedes actuality and thereby conditions the ground of Being itself. Lastly, the development of the first strategy by Friedrich Schleiermacher is explored.
An integrated emotional and physiological assessment for VR-based active shooter incident experiments

Abstract Unfortunately, active shooter incidents are on the rise in the United States. With the recent technological advancements, virtual reality (VR) experiments could serve as an effective method to prepare civilians and law enforcement personnel for such scenarios. However, for VR experiments to be effective for active shooter training and research, such experiments must be able to evoke emotional and physiological responses as live active shooter drills and events do. The objective of this study is thus to test the effectiveness of an active shooter VR experiment on emotional and physiological responses. Additionally, we consider different locomotion techniques (i.e., walk-in-place and controller) and explore their impact on users’ sense of presence. The results suggest that the VR active shooter experiment in this study can induce emotional arousal and increase heart rate of the participants immersed in the virtual environment. Furthermore, compared to the controller, the walk-in-place technique resulted in a higher emotional arousal in terms of negative emotions and a stronger sense of presence. The study presents a foundation for future active shooter experiments as it supports the ecological validity using VR for active shooter incident related work for the purposes of training or research.
Mortality in Patients With Late-Onset Epilepsy: Results From the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study.

Background and Objectives To determine the risk of mortality and causes of death in persons with late-onset epilepsy (LOE) compared to those without epilepsy in a community-based sample, adjusting for demographics and comorbid conditions. Methods This is an analysis of the prospective Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study, initiated in 1987–1989 among 15,792 mostly Black and White men and women in 4 US communities. We used Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services fee-for-service claims codes to identify cases of incident epilepsy starting at or after age 67. We used Cox proportional hazards analysis to identify the hazard of mortality associated with LOE and to adjust for demographics and vascular risk factors. We used death certificate data to identify dates and causes of death. Results Analyses included 9,090 participants, of whom 678 developed LOE during median 11.5 years of follow-up after age 67. Participants who developed LOE were at an increased hazard of mortality compared to those who did not, with adjusted hazard ratio 2.39 (95% confidence interval 2.12–2.71). We observed excess mortality due to stroke, dementia, neurologic conditions, and end-stage renal disease in participants with compared to without LOE. Only 4 deaths (1.1%) were directly attributed to seizure-related causes. Conclusions Persons who develop LOE are at increased risk of death compared to those without epilepsy, even after adjusting for comorbidities. The majority of this excess mortality is due to stroke and dementia.
COVID-19 and Sexual Dysfunction in Men: SARS-CoV-2 in the Testes

Summary Objectives Mortal severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been known to cause many signs/symptoms reported by authors from Wuhan (China), but none of these early reports and papers has specifically included male sexual dysfunction as one of these major symptoms until mid-2020. The primary aim of this interesting research study is to examine and investigate the possible relationship between the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the sudden temporary sexual dysfunction in adult males during the pandemic. Some other secondary hypotheses will be also investigated. Material and methods With the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, we have noticed an intense increase in the number of male patients who have presented to andrologists with new sudden onset of various moderate to severe sexual dysfunction problems (e.g., erectile dysfunction/impotence, infertility, and hypogonadism) in Egypt and USA hospitals and clinics along with telemedicine consultations. The high frequency with which patients present with these sexual problems was extremely unusual. Herein, we described patients who have presented with unexpected moderate to complete loss of their sexual abilities (which did not happen before in that unreasonable way) with the presence of normal and intact sexual desire during a five-week period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results Most of these male patients had either no COVID-19 symptoms or very mild-to-moderate respiratory symptoms known in COVID-19 patients. Although most of patients had normal otolaryngologic exam results, but, surprisingly, almost all tested positive for COVID-19. A strong relationship between COVID-19 and sudden sexual dysfunction in men should certainly be considered and investigated during the pandemic. Conclusion We mainly deduced, for the first time, that SARS-CoV-2 invasion of the male's reproductive system may directly cause sudden temporary sexual dysfunction problems ranged from unobserved moderate to irritatingly severe and complete in their pathologic outcomes, hence sex should be avoided during the pandemic peaks.
Microbial utilization of lignin-derived aromatics via a synthetic catechol meta-cleavage pathway

Lignin is an abundant organic reservoir from plant biomass that is underexploited. Microbial utilization of lignin represents a sustainable approach for a biorefinery. In this study, we diversified the bioproduction from lignin-degraded aromatic compounds based on a catechol meta-cleavage metabolism. To establish an efficient downstream ligninolytic pathway, debottlenecking of the rate-limiting protocatechuate decarboxylation and evaluation of the alternative meta-cleaving pathways at the enzymatic and metabolic levels have been conducted. As a carbon flux indicator and showcase of versatility, we devised a new synthetic route towards 1,3-BDO, resulting in 0.343 g g−1 product accumulation from protocatechuate. We further extended the pathway to successfully assimilate commonly present depolymerized lignin monomers, isoeugenol, vanillin and vanillate, to central metabolites pyruvate and acetyl-CoA, as demonstrated by biocatalysis of up to 0.153 g g−1 citramalate from these aromatic monomers. The established synthetic ligninolysis via catechol meta-cleavage can serve as an efficient platform for expanded spectrum for lignin utilization.
In the Case of Manipulation

This article reports on the findings of research into the manipulative tendencies of 289 professional social workers in Michigan. Utilizing the Machiavellian scale and comparing the results with other studies, the author concludes that social workers, contrary to the conventional wisdom, have strong manipulative tendencies. Additionally, the more manipulative social workers are not isolated in any specific field or area of practice, but are scattered throughout the profession. Rather than be alarmed by this recognition, the author feels the profession must accept this reality and acknowledge that these manipulative tendencies are mitigated by a compassionate, humanistic value system. IN THE CASE OF MANIPULATION Certain words have such a negative connotation within the social work profession that their mere utterance immediately impugns the credibility of the source. Probably the most representative of this category of words in social work is
Review of James D. Hester and J. David Hester, eds., Rhetorics in the New Millennium: Promise and Fulfilment. Studies in Antiquity and Christianity. New York: T & T Clark International, 2010.

This is a book review of James D. Hester and J. David Hester, eds., Rhetorics in the New Millennium: Promise and Fulfilment. Studies in Antiquity and Christianity. New York: T & T Clark International, 2010.
Debugging model-transformation failures using dynamic tainting

Model-to-text (M2T) transforms are a class of software applications that translate a structured input into text output. The input models to such transforms are complex, and faults in the models that cause an M2T transform to generate an incorrect or incomplete output can be hard to debug. We present an approach based on dynamic tainting to assist transform users in debugging input models. The approach instruments the transform code to associate taint marks with the input-model elements, and propagate the marks to the output text. The taint marks identify the input-model elements that either contribute to an output string, or cause potentially incorrect paths to be executed through the transform, which results in an incorrect or a missing string in the output. We implemented our approach for XSL-based transforms and conducted empirical studies. Our results illustrate that the approach can significantly reduce the fault search space and, in many cases, precisely identify the input-model faults. The main benefit of our approach is that it automates, with a high degree of accuracy, a debugging task that can be tedious to perform manually.
IDEA Amendments of 1997: Promise or Pitfall for Special Education Reform?

Abstract The IDEA Amendments of 1997 introduced some of the most sweeping changes in the federal law since the enactment of P.L. 94-142 in 1975. Because the practice of school psychology remains strongly linked to special education, understanding the implications of these changes is critical for school psychologists. This article examines the degree to which major provisions of the IDEA Amendments of 1997 are likely to advance or retard the progress of special education reform, a movement characterized by practices that: (a) promote instructionally valid assessment techniques, (b) provide access to service without labels, (c) address child and family assets rather than deficits, (d) provide for a seamless delivery system, and (e) foster the achievement of quality outcomes through high expectations and empirically validated instructional techniques. Implications for school psychological practice and research are described.
Dissection of macrophage tumoricidal and protozoacidal activities using T-cell hybridomas and recombinant lymphokines

Macrophage (M phi) phenotype and function can be modulated by various T-cell lymphokines (LK). The alteration of M phi phenotype is a result of LK concentration, duration of exposure, and the level of M phi activation when obtained from in vivo sources through elicitation by either sterile irritants or cellular immune mechanisms. To dissect M phi activation into discrete signals, we constructed T-cell hybridomas by fusing hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine-sensitive BW5147 cells with nylon wool-purified, concanavalin A-stimulated T cells. The resulting T-cell hybrids were screened for their ability to (i) protect M phi from the cytopathic effect of Naegleria lysates, (ii) induce class II major histocompatibility complex gene product (Ia antigen) expression, (iii) increase tumoricidal and cytostatic activity, and (iv) alter ectoenzyme profiles on either resident or thioglycolate-elicited M phi. Two hybridomas (T-3 and T-9) were selected for further evaluation because of their activity patterns. Supernatants from T-3 and T-9 were compared with cloned gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma) for alterations of biological activities. Both T-3 and T-9 were able to protect resident-M phi cells from Naegleria lysate but had no protective effect on thioglycolate-induced M phi. T-9 supernatant had patterns of activity similar to IFN-gamma, whereas T-3 patterns were different. The addition of anti- IFN-gamma removed T-9 cytostatic activity while not affecting T-3-induced activity. The LK inducing protection from the cytopathic effect of Naegleria lysate is not IFN-gamma but another molecular moiety. We conclude that the activation of M phi for the destruction of tumor cells and amoebae may occur via different mechanisms.
Technihadron Production and Decay Rates in the Technicolor Straw Man Model

We present hadron collider production rates for the lightest color-singlet technihadrons in a simple ``straw-man'' model of low-scale technicolor. These rates are presented in a way to facilitate their encoding in PYTHIA. This document is a companion to my paper, ``Technihadron Production and Decay in Low-Scale Technicolor''.
Beaufort Gyre sea ice thins in recent decades, impacts climate

The accumulation and melting of sea ice in the Arctic has an enormous impact on local climate, which in turn can affect global climate. As the climate warms and Arctic sea ice retreats, it has become crucial to understand the complex ice-atmosphere–ocean dynamics within the Arctic. One major component in this dynamic is the Beaufort Gyre, a wind-driven sea ice circulation and freshwater reservoir in the Arctic's Beaufort Sea.
Data mining and KDD: promise and challenges

Abstract Databases are growing in size to a stage where traditional techniques for analysis and visualization of the data are breaking down. Data mining and knowledge discovery in databases (KDD) are concerned with extracting models and patterns of interest from large databases. Data mining techniques have their origins in methods from statistics, pattern recognition, databases, artificial intelligence, high performance and parallel computing, and visualization. In this article, we provide an overview of this growing multi-disciplinary research area, outline the basic techniques, and provide brief coverage of how they are used in some applications. We discuss the role of high performance and parallel computing in data mining problems, and we provide a brief overview of a few applications in science data analysis. We conclude by listing challenges and opportunites for future research.
Placement and routing optimization in the brain

Given that brains and computers are similar in many respects, can vast experience in computer engineering help us understand brain design? Here we apply tools developed for physical design of computer chips to understand the layout of the nervous system. Starting with the known wiring diagram of the C. elegans nervous system, we predict the locations of synapses and extent of neurons that minimize the total wiring length. Comparing predicted locations of C. elegans neuronal cell bodies with the actual locations, we find reasonable agreement. Therefore, minimization of wiring length is an important consideration both in chip design and brain architecture. Furthermore, wire length minimization can be used to infer functional roles of neuronal components.
Treatment of malignancy arising in pilonidal disease.

The presence of occult metastases in the lymph nodes, bone marrow, or both of these compartments may not only define patients who are at higher risk for recurrence and death but also may identify biologically distinct mechanisms of tumor spread (e.g., lymphatic vs. vascular dissemination). Use of techniques to detect occult metastases may also allow the identification of a biologically important population of cells, i.e., those cells constituting the earliest metastatic population of tumor cells. Thus, techniques that identify occult metastases may be valuable in furthering our understanding of the events regulating tumor dissemination.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Secondary Structure Determination of a Silk-Inspired, Self-Assembling Peptide: A Laboratory Exercise for Organic and Biochemistry Courses

This laboratory experiment gives upper-division organic or biochemistry undergraduate students a comprehensive look at the synthesis, chemical characterization, self-assembly, and secondary structure determination of small, N-acylated peptides inspired by the protein structure of silkworm silk. All experiments can be completed in one 4 h lab period, followed by two 3 h lab periods, but can be easily tailored to a particular course curriculum, time restraints, or instrument availability. Students synthesize a peptide using solid-phase techniques and characterize the product using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. Unique from other available peptide-based experiments, self-assembly of the peptide is induced in organic solvent, resulting in the formation of a gel. Following solvent evaporation, FTIR spectroscopy is used to evaluate the secondary structure of the peptide before and after assem...
Are There Any Rewards for Teaching

(1982). Are There Any Rewards for Teaching/ Improving College and University Teaching: Vol. 30, No. 3, pp. 105-110.
Murine leptin injections increase intracellular fatty acid-binding protein in green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus)

Green sunfish (Lepomis cyanellus) were injected daily with either murine leptin, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), or simply handled without injection for 14 days. At the end of the experiment, fish were assayed for intracellular indicators of fatty acid metabolism. Intracellular fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) expression in heart ventricle was twofold higher in the leptin treated group (87.2±5.6 Leptin; 47.2±6.8 PBS; 28.9±3.9 Handled; percent relative expression, Prob.>F F=0.08; HOAD: 1.34±0.28 Leptin, 0.76±0.12 PBS, 0.86±0.25 Handled; U/gm wet weight; Prob.>F=0.18). Percent change in total weight, body fat (as a percent of dry weight), cardiosomatic index, and hepatosomatic index were not significantly different among treatments. These results suggest that fish respond to murine leptin injections by increasing fat metabolism, however many of the hallmarks of leptin treatment in mammals (loss of total weight and body fat) were not observed. This lack of response may be due to incompatibility of mouse leptin with fish receptors or an inadequate dose of leptin. We also suggest that leptin’s action may be slower in ectotherms due to their lower metabolic rate.
Jasmonate in Lepidopteran Larvae

Jasmonic acid (JA) is a key molecule initiating plant defensive responses to herbivory. Our previous work has shown that this phytohormone is often present at high concentrations in eggs and neonates of lepidopteran species. In this work, we document the concentrations of JA found in various tissues of larval H. virescens fed on artificial diets with varying JA concentrations and on transgenic tobacco lines with different capabilities of producing JA. At high JA concentrations, excess jasmonate appeared to be voided in frass, but significant amounts were found in most larval tissues we analyzed as well as in regurgitant. At lower concentrations, caterpillars excreted less JA and appeared to accumulate relatively greater amounts of JA in their tissues. In both experiments, substantial amounts of JA were found in labial salivary glands, a notable result since JA is an important signaling molecule involved in the induction of plant defenses.
A High-Reliability High-Linearity High-Power RF MEMS Metal-Contact Switch for DC–40-GHz Applications

This paper presents an mN-level contact and restoring force RF microelectromechanical systems metal-contact switch exhibiting high reliability, high linearity, and high power handing for dc-40-GHz applications. The device, which is insensitive to stress and temperature effects, achieves 1.2-1.5 mN of contact force (per contact) from 80 to 90 V and 1.0 mN of restoring force (per contact). The up-state capacitance is 8 fF, resulting in an isolation of 46, 31, and 14 dB at 1, 6, and 40 GHz, respectively. Measured results show switch resistances of 1-2 Ω and a reliability of >; 100 million cycles at 2-5 W under cold switching at 100 mW under hot-switching conditions, in an unpackaged and standard laboratory environment. Furthermore, the device was tested under prolonged hold-down conditions and demonstrated excellent RF power handling (>;10 W) and dc current handling (>;1 A) capability.
The Master's Program in Information Systems (IS): A Survey of Core Curriculums of U.S. Institutions

This author investigated the present state of information systems (IS) master's programs in the United States. A total of 273 institutions were surveyed and 99 institutions were included in the final study population. The results show that 5 out of 8 master of science in information systems (MSIS) 2006 courses are required by less than 50% of institutions, but a descriptive model of the core of IS master's programs differs from MSIS 2006 by only one course. It is also found that the widely required core courses have not changed over the past 10 years. The results suggest that in the dynamic field of IS, institutions may have converged upon a set of IS core courses that they deem as essential to their graduates.
Position Reversal: Isolating the Key Factor in Assimilation and Contrast

Abstract We examined the effects of placing perceived distance and perceived similarity, the two critical aspects of assimilation and contrast, in conflict. In a two-phase experiment, 115 subjects twice indicated their position on imposing the death penalty on convicted rapists. In Phase 2, they indicated their view after hearing a position moderately opposed to their own and a position extremely supportive of their own. A change in position was indicated by a difference in subjects' Phase 1 and Phase 2 scores. The hypothesis that subjects who originally held moderate positions would forsake these positions and assimilate a position moderately opposed to their own in Phase 2 was confirmed, suggesting that perceived distance is more important than perceived difference for those with moderate views. In addition, the movement of more extreme groups was found to regress toward moderation.
Laser-Induced Fluorescence Detection of Rhodamine-6G at 6 × 10−15 M

We have demonstrated sensitive fluorescence detection of rhodamine-6G in aqueous solutions down to ∼10−15 M with a detection limit of 6 × 10−15 M. The working curve was observed to be linear over four orders of magnitude and could be extended to higher concentrations. Single molecules of rhodamine-6G had a transit time of 1.8 ms through the 11 pL, probe volume. At 2 × 10−14 M, the probability of a molecule being in the 11 pL probe volume is ∼0.1. Analysis of the data indicates that the signal-to-noise ratio for the detection of a single molecule of rhodamine-6G is ∼1.
Effects of antibacterial drugs on the total cholesterol balance of cholesterol-fed mice.

Abstract Mice were fed a diet containing 1.5% cholesterol, and the total cholesterol balance and the distribution of the consumed sterol among excreta, liver, and carcass were determined, using experimental periods of 9–14 days. It was observed that an average of approximately 12% of the cholesterol was either destroyed or chemically modified. When, however, 1% sulfasuxidine and 0.04% streptomycin were added to the diet, all the sterol “put in” was recovered, within the limits of error of the method. These results were tentatively interpreted to indicate that under the conditions of these experiments, microorganisms of the intestine were primarily responsible for the destruction or modification of the consumed sterol, as observed in the absence of antibacterial drugs.
Endotoxin Interaction with Canine Platelets Fails to Stimulate Thromboxane Production

AbstractEndotoxin (0.2-20 μg/ml) induced a limited, dose-dependent change in light transmission when incubated with canine platelet-rich plasma. This response differed from that induced by collagen and ADP in its magnitude (ca. 25%) and by its insensitivity to a wide variety of inhibitors. However, endotoxin (20-1000 μg/ml) did not induce detectable aggregation of canine platelets in citrated whole blood under conditions where collagen and ADP were effective. In addition, thromboxane production was not stimulated. These data are consistent with the occurrence of an immune adherence reaction between endotoxin and canine platelets, as has been previously described for other species, but without platelet activation (aggregation, mediator, and thromboxane release).
Defect-Induced Rigidity Enhancement in Layered Semiconductors

Abstract We discuss the mechanism responsible for the observed improvement in the structural properties of In-doped GaSe, a layered material of great current interest. Formation energy calculations show that by tuning the Fermi energy, In can substitute for Ga or can go as an interstitial charged defect ( In i 3+ ) . We find that In i 3+ dramatically increases the shear stiffness of GaSe, explaining the observed enhancement in the rigidity of In-doped p-GaSe. The mechanism responsible for rigidity enhancement discussed here is quite general and applicable to a large class of layered solids with weak interlayer bonding.
Precision measurements of recoil-free fraction and interference with hundred Curie sources

We discuss our experiences with exceptionally intense Mossbauer sources (of order 100 Ci) and their use in making precision determinations of line shape parameters. We review our measurements of interference and recoilless fraction using conventional transmission geometry. Fitting simultaneous sets of data with known constraints greatly improves the efficiency of line-shape determination. Measurements of interference have been made using a two-absorber technique first introduced by Mossbauer and coworkers. Our results indicate that the method can be useful for determining interference, but that incorrect line shape parameters are obtained if powder samples are used which do not comply well with the assumption of thickness uniformity in the absorber.
Plasma Volume and Its Regulatory Factors in Congestive Heart Failure After Implantation of Long-term Left Ventricular Assist Devices

Background Congestive heart failure is associated with blood volume expansion caused by stimulation of the renin-aldosterone system and arginine vasopressin. The use of left ventricular assist devices as bridges to heart transplantation has improved the survival of patients during this critical period. In studying heart failure physiology on support devices, we hypothesized that improvement of cardiac function by a left ventricular assist device is associated with normalization of volume load secondary to normalization of its regulatory substances. Methods and Results We studied 15 patients (13 men, 2 women; age, 51±8 years) with end-stage heart failure who were cardiac transplant candidates eligible for HeartMate implantation. We measured plasma volume and plasma levels of atrial natriuretic peptide, aldosterone, renin, and arginine vasopressin sequentially before HeartMate implantation (baseline), after HeartMate implantation (weeks 4 and 8), and after transplantation. Baseline plasma volume was 123±20%...
Dioxanates of Cadmium Chloride

DIOXANATES of cadmium chloride were precipitated from a solution of the anhydrous salts (certified purity) in acetal-free dioxane, prepared from Eastman Kodak technical 1,4-dioxane by the method of Eigenberger1. The crude dioxanate (that is, wet with dioxane) was placed in the bulb of the isotenoscope of Smith and Menzies2, and oil of paraffin, U.S.P., was employed as the levelling liquid. The isotenoscope was immersed in a water-bath maintained at 25.5° ± 0.1° C. The system was evacuated and the pressure values were taken continuously until the lowest value was obtained. The pressures were read on a Zimmerly gauge by means of a cathetometer.
Including Students with Severe Disabilities in All Levels of School-Wide Positive Behavior Support

Throughout its evolution, school-wide positive behavior support (SWPBS) has explicitly promoted the perspective that it should involve all students in a given school setting. However, the literatur...
Teaching networking hardware

We present our experience with the design and teaching of a graduate-level networking hardware course in which students design and build an Internet router. Each team of two students (one proficient in hardware and one proficient in software) design and develop a fully functional router that routes live Internet traffic and inter-operates with other students' routers via a simple routing protocol. Hardware is designed in Verilog using an industry-standard design flow on a specially designed platform, called NetFPGA. Software is written in user-space using a high-level language. Software and hardware are combined and tested using real network traffic over arbitrary private topologies using a custom tool, called VNS. Our approach is distinguished in that both hardware and software can be designed, tested and deployed remotely over the Internet. Our goal is to give students experience in the design of complex networking systems. In our initial course offering in Spring 2004, all teams successfully implemented fully functional routers in less than ten weeks. We will pilot courses outside of Stanford using the remote teaching infrastructure presented in this paper.
Social Perspectives on Wind-Power Development in West Texas

Since 2000, U.S. wind-energy capacity has increased 24 percent per year, with Texas emerging as the leading state. Multidimensionality, economic decline, and ownership-participation hypotheses domi...
Photoluminescence spectra of NeO in a solid matrix

Photoluminescence of NeO excimers produced in a Ne matrix by photodissociation of N2O with synchrotron radiation are reported. An anomalous blue-shift of the (1S → 1D) band was observed. Also, the spin-forbidden (1D → 3P) band was seen for the fust time in a matrix.
Neuroma pain model: Correlation of motor behavior and body weight with autotomy in rats

A rat pain model was investigated by examining the correlation of autotomy (self-mutilation) score with motor behavior and body weight change after sciatic nerve transection, encapsulation and neuroma formation. Observations of motor behavior and body weight changes (e.g. feeding behavior) as an index of pain were considered to have several advantages over scoring the degree of autotomy. Motor activity of 14 rats (12 neuroma, 2 sham), measured using a stabilimeter, was compared on a weekly basis to autotomy scores for a total of 7 weeks after surgery. Additionally, body weight of 26 rats (20 neuroma, 6 sham surgery) was monitored for 4 weeks following surgery. While autotomy, changes in body weight and abnormalities in motor behavior were observed after surgery, no significant Spearman rank correlation coefficients were determined for any week and thus no significant relationships were found between autotomy score and motor activity or body weight. However, it was observed that rats after sham surgery gained significantly more weight than rats after sciatic nerve transection. Therefore, these results cast doubt on the validity of autotomy score as the sole index of pain.
Effects of Injector Nozzle Inclusion Angle on Extending the Lower Load Limit of Gasoline Compression Ignition Using 87 AKI Gasoline

Gasoline Compression Ignition (GCI) is a promising single-fuel advanced combustion concept for increased efficiency and reduced emissions in comparison with current conventional combustion modes. Gasoline fuels are advantageous in premixed combustion concepts because of their increased volatility and reduced reactivity compared to diesel. These qualities help reduce emissions of particulate matter (PM) and oxides of nitrogen (NOx), while making combustion phasing (and therefore combustion noise reduction) easier to manage. One of the challenges of using a gasoline with an anti-knock index (AKI) of 87 in a premixed combustion concept is being able to achieve stable low load operation. (Note that AKI is equivalent to (RON + MON)/2.) With such small injection quantities of a relatively more volatile and less reactive fuel than diesel, the injection timing of minimum load fueling needs to be early enough to allow the auto-ignition chemistry enough time, but late enough to keep the fuel from over-mixing and losing ignition propensity. The objective of this study was to investigate the advantages and disadvantages of reducing the injector nozzles’ inclusion angle from 148° to 120° on the combustion and emissions performance of GCI at 850 RPM and low load. To assess these effects, minimum fueling injection timing sweeps were performed with a 3% coefficient of variance of indicated mean effective pressure with each injector nozzle angle at 500 and 250 bar injection pressure. The results from these experiments revealed that both reduced injector nozzle angle and reduced injection pressure increased ignition propensity and allowed for reduced fueling and stable low load extension to 1 bar brake mean effective pressure using 87 AKI gasoline without any external boosting or heating. Combustion characteristics (such as noise) and emissions are discussed.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Noncardiac surgery following percutaneous coronary intervention

Patient with coronary artery disease (CAD) undergoing major noncardiac surgery (NCS) are at increased risk of serious perioperative cardiac complications. At the same time, safety of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) before noncardiac surgery has been questioned. This paper reviews the available literature regarding the safety of PCI before NCS. At the same time, cardiac evaluation before NCS, perioperative medical management of patients undergoing NCS, and percutaneous coronary intervention and timing of NCS is also discussed.
Convergence in higher mean of a random schrödinger to a linear boltzmann evolution

We study the macroscopic scaling and weak coupling limit for a random Schrodinger equation on \(\mathbb{Z}^3\). We prove that the Wigner transforms of a large class of “macroscopic” solutions converge in r th mean to solutions of a linear Boltzmann equation, for any 1 ≤ r < ∞. This extends previous results where convergence in expectation was established.
A technique for generating approximate solutions and it's application to Coulomb interactions

This paper presents a technique for applying evolutionary computation techniques, particularly genetic algorithms, to the generation of approximate solutions of equations and sets of equations. The technique is applied to the solution of an eigenvalue differential equation of physical significance, the Schrodinger equation, which is addressed for two- and three- center Coulomb potentials. The technique is found to be effective for the two-center case. Consideration of the three-center case reveals a constraint which is different from the constraints used by other techniques to address the same problem. The issue of parasitic solutions is addressed, and a reformulation of the technique is found to avoid this issue and produce reasonable results.
Improved High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Determination of Chlorzoxazone and its Hydroxy Metabolite in Human Serum and Urine

Abstract Methods for the high performance liquid chromatographic determinations of chlorzoxazone and its 6-hydroxy metabolite in human serum and urine are presented. The separation of the analytes is achieved within 15 min on an octadecylsilane column with a mobile phase of 30:70 v/v acetonitrile - aqueous 0.05 M sodium dihydrogen phosphate at a pH 4.4 flow rate of 1 mL/min. The serum procedure utilized an octadecylsilane solid-phase extraction clean-up step with injection of the eluent onto the analytical column and detection at 280nm. The urine method uses a buffer dilution of the urine sample and direct injection onto the analytical column with detection at 295nm. Recoveries of chlorzoxazone and metabolite from serum and urine samples are in the 88–103% range. Drug to internal standard peak height ratios are linear in the 0.5 – 50 μg/mL and 5–100 μg/mL ranges for both analytes in serum and urine, respectively. Limits of quantitation for chlorzoxazone are 0.12 μg/mL in serum and 0.62 μg/mL in urine. Lim...
How does information about sleeping arrangements contribute to nurse practitioners' assessment of development?

Purpose To explore how information about children's sleeping arrangements contributes to nurse practitioners’ (NPs) assessment of children's developmental progress at toddlerhood. Data sources Selected research articles and a survey of NPs’ assessments of development for toddlers engaged in solitary and shared sleeping arrangements. Conclusions Research does not provide definitive information regarding the connection between children's engagement in different sleeping arrangements and children's development. In this study, information about how sleeping arrangements played a role in NPs’ ratings of toddlers’ current and predicted social development and autonomy, but not toddlers’ language skills, is presented. NPs’ ratings of the development of boys who engaged in shared sleeping arrangements suggested that NPs’ viewed this sleeping arrangement as a risk factor for both social development and autonomy. Shared sleeping arrangements for girls were not identified as a risk factor, with some analyses suggesting that shared sleep may have a positive impact on girls’ social development. Implications for practice Assessing children's developmental progress is one task completed by Family and Pediatric NPs. NPs gather information across many sources in making these developmental assessments. Type of sleeping arrangement can be one of these sources as it has been connected to children's developmental progress. However, information available in the literature is inconclusive and often contradictory in regard to how sleeping arrangements impact development. To help clarify how NPs currently use information concerning sleeping arrangements to assess developmental progress, this report describes how sleeping arrangements influenced ratings of 18-month-old toddlers’ current and later predicted levels of development. This information can help NPs develop strategies for assessing development in light of information regarding sleep arrangements.
Detection of Copy Number Variation by SNP-Allelotyping

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) is caused by an abnormal copy number variation (CNV) with a trisomy of chromosome 17p12. The increase of the DNA-segment copy number is expected to alter the allele frequency of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) within the duplicated region. We tested whether SNP allele frequency determined by a Sequenom MassArray can be used to detect the CMT1A mutation. Our results revealed distinct patterns of SNP allele frequency distribution, which reliably differentiated CMT1A patients from controls. This finding suggests that this technique may serve as an alternative approach to identifying CNV in certain diseases, including CMT1A.