cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The history of urban fiscal politics in America, 1830-1930: what was supposed to be versus what was and the difference it makes

Across the social sciences in America analysts routinely employ the so-called “functional“ model of the urban political machine in their explanations of the development of American urban government. They do so, however, with little knowledge of the intellectual history of this model or the actual history of American urban politics. This essay reviews the development and spread of the functional model through the social sciences and argues that it is an historical construct developed in the nineteen fifties by analysts who were admittedly more interested in creating a “usable past” for liberal political economy than in understanding urban political history. Having done this the essay then reviews recent work by urban historians and sociologists which have put the propositions of this model to the test in its ideological, political, and fiscal contexts for the years from 1830-1930. This work reveals that the image of the “all-powerful” political machines is demonstrably false. On this basis the essay argues...
Electrostatic capacitances for carbon nanotube interconnects

Carbon nanotubes are promising candidates for futuristic nanoelectronic applications. In this article, we present a comprehensive modeling and calculation of electrostatic capacitances for various metallic carbon nanotube systems that can be used to model interconnects in nanotechnology circuits. Capacitance results are provided for single walled, multiwalled and bundles of single-walled carbon nanotubes as functions of the various design parameters. Numerical computations were performed using the method of moments in conjunction with a Green's function appropriate for the geometry of these interconnects. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 51: 2374–2378, 2009; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/mop.24664
NO and NO2 Adsorption on Barium Oxide: Model Study of the Trapping Stage of NOx Conversion via Lean NOx Traps

The use of NOx traps is one strategy being pursed to enable the implementation of more fuel-efficient lean-burn gasoline engines. Materials development to enhance NOx storage capacity and sulfur tolerance will be necessary for performance improvement. Progress in these areas will benefit from a more detailed understanding of the base metal oxide−precious metal surface chemistry involved in the trapping, release, and reduction of NOx. In this work, we have focused on the adsorption of NO and NO2 on in-situ evaporated thin films of barium oxide, the primary storage material in lean NOx traps, to accentuate the details of the trapping stage of NOx conversion using these systems. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy has been used to identify the species formed and their relative abundance following room-temperature adsorption. Annealing experiments were performed to follow changes in adsorbed species with temperature. For NO, our results are consistent with nitrites forming as a result of molecular adsorption. In...
Aerosolized Red Tide Toxins (Brevetoxins) and Asthma: Continued health effects after 1 hour beach exposure.

Abstract Blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis , produce potent neurotoxins in marine aerosols. Recent studies have demonstrated acute changes in both symptoms and pulmonary function in asthmatics after only 1 h of beach exposure to these aerosols. This study investigated if there were latent and/or sustained effects in asthmatics in the days following the initial beach exposure during periods with and without an active Florida red tide. Symptom data and spirometry data were collected before and after 1 h of beach exposure. Subjects kept daily symptom diaries and measured their peak flow each morning for 5 days following beach exposure. During non-exposure periods, there were no significant changes in symptoms or pulmonary function either acutely or over 5 days of follow-up. After the beach exposure during an active Florida red tide, subjects had elevated mean symptoms which did not return to the pre-exposure baseline for at least 4 days. The peak flow measurements decreased after the initial beach exposure, decreased further within 24 h, and continued to be suppressed even after 5 days. Asthmatics may continue to have increased symptoms and delayed respiratory function suppression for several days after 1 h of exposure to the Florida red tide toxin aerosols.
The Place of Nature in Twelfth‐Century Spirituality

This essay considers recent scholarship on nature and spirituality in the twelfth century, the period when Europeans ostensibly ‘discovered’ nature. In doing so, it demonstrates the ways in which certain developments in twelfth-century Christian spirituality can participate in and enlarge the emerging conversation on the material conditions of human spirituality that is presently taking place in religious studies more generally as a result of our current ecological consciousness. Twelfth-century Christian spiritualities illuminate how people have created a material context through which they can better achieve spiritual experiences. Experiments in twelfth-century Christianity can help us greatly in thinking about how individuals and communities have crafted a place in the natural world as a technique for enhancing the experience of god's presence.
Investigating Active Deep-water Sedimentation Near a Gas Hydrate System With High-resolution Seismic Data

A series of 27 2-D profiles of subbottom chirp sonar data were acquired over Mississippi Canyon Block 118 as part of the Gulf of Mexico Hydrate Research Consortium’s gas hydrate seafloor observatory. This dense grid of highresolution seismic lines provides a unique view of the modern seafloor, recent geology and active processes in a known gas hydrate zone. Because chirp sonar data is acquired with frequencies of 2-8kHz, the temporal resolution of these data allows for interpretation and analysis of events not resolvable with a conventional seismic survey. Using traditional seismic stratigraphy methods, we performed a detailed analysis to understand the morphology of the strata and fault systems, infer a reconstruction of the recent geological history of the area at the sub-meter scale, and link these small-scale features to geologic processes occurring at a larger scale.
Oxidation and Water Tree Formation in Service-Aged XLPE Cable Insulation

The insulation from six 5 kV power cables, which has been in service underground for 6 to 8 years, was examined by infrared (IR) spectroscopy and oxidation induction time (OIT) analysis. Sections of insulation containing water trees were found to contain high levels of ionic contaminants. All insulation samples showed evidence of oxidative degradation in service and frequently there was a higher than average level of oxidation in the treed regions of the insulation. Sections of the insulation containing water trees had appreciably shorter OIT's than untreed regions, indicating that they were more prone to subsequent oxidative degradation. A model for water tree formation and electrical breakdown of the insulation is described where oxidative degradation during prolonged service reduces the ability of the insulation to withstand stress concentrations at defects, and water trees are initiated. Some localized oxidation may accompany the tree propagation step. Extensive localized oxidation then takes place in the treed regions, catalyzed by ionic contaminants, and insulation failure occurs.
Environmental science: Poisoned waters traced to source

South Asia's well-water is widely polluted with arsenic, but no one has located the source. A study on the Mekong River finds that contamination begins in pond sediments, and is spread by groundwater flow to wells.
Changes in interocular axial length after pediatric cataract surgery.

Purpose To explore the hypothesis that preoperative interocular axial length difference changes after pediatric cataract intraocular lens implantation surgery to meet the measurement of the fellow eye. Methods Retrospective chart review. Eyes with traumatic and secondary cataract, lens subluxation, or postoperative glaucoma were excluded. In bilateral cataract cases, only right eye data were included. In addition, eyes were included only if axial length data for both eyes were available before surgery and at follow-up equal to or greater than the age at surgery. Results Forty-seven eyes fit the inclusion criteria. Average age at surgery and follow-up was 2.2 ± 2.2 and 5.6 ± 2.9 years, respectively. Three groups were formed based on the preoperative interocular axial length difference: 0.2, group 3. Average age at surgery between these three groups was not significantly different ( p = 0.82), nor was age at follow-up between the groups ( p = 0.66). The change in interocular axial length difference (postoperative interocular axial length difference minus preoperative interocular axial length difference) was significant between the three groups (0.3, 0.2, −0.4 mm, respectively; p = 0.02). The average rate of axial length growth was significantly different between three groups (3.7, 2.4, 2.5 mm, respectively; p = 0.03). Conclusions Eyes with a shorter axial length than the fellow eye showed postoperative rate of axial growth that exceeded the growth rate of eyes with a longer interocular axial length. These growth rates resulted in a postoperative trend of intraocular axial length difference toward zero.
Condensation of N interacting bosons: a hybrid approach to condensate fluctuations.

We present a new method of calculating the distribution function and fluctuations for a Bose-Einstein condensate (BEC) of $N$ interacting atoms. The present formulation combines our previous master equation and canonical ensemble quasiparticle techniques. It is applicable both for ideal and interacting Bogoliubov BEC and yields remarkable accuracy at all temperatures. For the interacting gas of 200 bosons in a box we plot the temperature dependence of the first four central moments of the condensate particle number and compare the results with the ideal gas. For the interacting mesoscopic BEC, as with the ideal gas, we find a smooth transition for the condensate particle number as we pass through the critical temperature.
A SURVEY OF THE QUALITY OF SIX RETAIL BRANDS OF BONELESS, SKINLESS CHICKEN BREAST FILLETS OBTAINED FROM RETAIL SUPERMARKETS IN THE ATHENS, GEORGIA AREA*

To assess the variation in quality of chicken breast fillets available from retail supermarkets, six brands of boneless, skinless fillets without additives were obtained from the fresh counter at grocery stores in Athens, GA, and the surrounding area during fall of 2005. The samples were stored at −20C and subsequently cooked using a Henny Penny MCS-6 combi oven (Henny Penny Corp., Eaton, OH). Quality parameters of the fillets were measured on the cooked chicken breast fillets including cook yield, descriptive sensory flavor and texture profiling, and Warner–Bratzler (WB) shear force. Our results show that the average cook yield ranged from 78.1 to 80.9%, the average intensity of individual descriptive sensory characteristics was less than 5.4 in a 0–15 universal scale, and WB shear force values were less than 5.2 kg. There were no significant differences in the intensity among brands of all flavor attributes and the texture characteristics associated with moisture. However, significant differences were found among the brands for cook yield, mechanical properties of texture (including springiness, cohesiveness, hardness and chewiness) and WB shear force values. The variation of WB shear force measurements (coefficient of variation) depended on brand. These results indicate that differences exist in the quality and shear force consistency among market brands of boneless, skinless chicken breast fillets available in Athens, GA, and the surrounding area. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This study is the first survey reported to evaluate the quality of boneless, skinless chicken breast products without additives in U.S. retail market. This study supplies the evidence that the intensity of sensory quality is mild of cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast products and there are the differences in the quality among the different retail brands obtained by consumers.
Photogeneration of superoxide and decarboxylated peptide radicals by carboquone, mitomycin C and streptonigrin. An electron spin resonance and spin trapping study.

— Visible light (405–615 nm) excitation of carboquone, mitomycin C, and streptonigrin dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide in the presence of oxygen generates superoxide anion radicals (O2−). The quantum yields for these reactions range from 4.2 times 10−2 (carboquone, λ= 615 ± 10 nm) to 7.3 times 10−6 (streptonigrin, λ=545 ± 10 nm). O2− radicals were spin trapped with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO) and identified by electron spin resonance (ESR). The efficiency of DMPO to spin trap O2− in dimethylsulfoxide was determined and indicated that 91% of the O2− present in dimethylsulfoxide is trapped by DMPO. The oxidation of the photoexcited drug molecules occurs via a direct electron transfer to dissolved oxygen in solution. Ultraviolet irradiation (λ= 313 ± 10 nm) of the aminoquinone drug solutions (80% H2O, 20% dimethylsulfoxide) in the presence of peptides results in the decarboxylation of the peptides. In this case the photoexcited drugs are reduced, abstracting an electron from the C-terminal carboxyl group of the peptides. The reaction is specific to the C-terminal amino acid of the peptide. The decarboxylated peptide radicals were spin trapped with 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane (MNP) and identified by ESR.
Mechanistic-Based Approach to Evaluate Rutting Susceptibility of Hot-Mix Asphalt Mixtures by Use of Dynamic Triaxial Testing

Designing appropriate asphalt mixture type and properties is an important task that pavement engineers perform routinely. For many years, this key decision has been made by relying on empirical procedures that might not be representative of the specific project condition. Therefore, there is a need to develop an advanced yet simplified approach to assessing, on the basis of closely simulated field conditions, the rutting susceptibility of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures under a given set of traffic loads and environmental conditions. This paper presents a new mechanistic-based approach that evaluates asphalt mixtures by using the repeated load triaxial (RLT) test at field-representative testing conditions to determine the critical temperature of the HMA. An HMA mixture was considered appropriate for a specific project location when the determined critical temperature was greater than the effective asphalt pavement temperature for rutting determined by using the Mechanistic-Empirical-Pavement Design Guide s...
Variation in Dube3a expression affects neurotransmission at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction.

ABSTRACT Changes in UBE3A expression levels in neurons can cause neurogenetic disorders ranging from Angelman syndrome (AS) (decreased levels) to autism (increased levels). Here we investigated the effects on neuronal function of varying UBE3A levels using the Drosophila neuromuscular junction as a model for both of these neurogenetic disorders. Stimulations that evoked excitatory junction potentials (EJPs) at 1 Hz intermittently failed to evoke EJPs at 15 Hz in a significantly higher proportion of Dube3a over-expressors using the pan neuronal GAL4 driver C155 -GAL4 ( C155 -GAL4>UAS- Dube3a ) relative to controls ( C155 >+ alone). However, in the Dube3a over-expressing larval neurons with no failures, there was no difference in EJP amplitude at the beginning of the train, or the rate of decrease in EJP amplitude over the course of the train compared to controls. In the absence of tetrodotoxin (TTX), spontaneous EJPs were observed in significantly more C155 -GAL4>UAS- Dube3a larva compared to controls. In the presence of TTX, spontaneous and evoked EJPs were completely blocked and mEJP amplitude and frequency did not differ among genotypes. These data suggest that over-expression of wild type Dube3a, but not a ubiquitination defective Dube3a-C/A protein, compromises the ability of motor neuron axons to support closely spaced trains of action potentials, while at the same time increasing excitability. EJPs evoked at 15 Hz in the absence of Dube3a ( Dube3a 15b homozygous mutant larvae) decayed more rapidly over the course of 30 stimulations compared to w 1118 controls, and Dube3a 15b larval muscles had significantly more negative resting membrane potentials (RMP). However, these results could not be recapitulated using RNAi knockdown of Dube3a in muscle or neurons alone, suggesting more global developmental defects contribute to this phenotype. These data suggest that reduced UBE3A expression levels may cause global changes that affect RMP and neurotransmitter release from motorneurons at the neuromuscular junction. Similar affects of under- and over-expression of UBE3A on membrane potential and synaptic transmission may underlie the synaptic plasticity defects observed in both AS and autism.
RNA-binding protein AUF1 promotes myogenesis by regulating MEF2C expression levels.

ABSTRACT The mammalian RNA-binding protein AUF1 (AU-binding factor 1, also known as heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein D [hnRNP D]) binds to numerous mRNAs and influences their posttranscriptional fate. Given that many AUF1 target mRNAs encode muscle-specific factors, we investigated the function of AUF1 in skeletal muscle differentiation. In mouse C2C12 myocytes, where AUF1 levels rise at the onset of myogenesis and remain elevated throughout myocyte differentiation into myotubes, RNP immunoprecipitation (RIP) analysis indicated that AUF1 binds prominently to Mef2c (myocyte enhancer factor 2c) mRNA, which encodes the key myogenic transcription factor MEF2C. By performing mRNA half-life measurements and polysome distribution analysis, we found that AUF1 associated with the 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of Mef2c mRNA and promoted MEF2C translation without affecting Mef2c mRNA stability. In addition, AUF1 promoted Mef2c gene transcription via a lesser-known role of AUF1 in transcriptional regulation. Importantly, lowering AUF1 delayed myogenesis, while ectopically restoring MEF2C expression levels partially rescued the impairment of myogenesis seen after reducing AUF1 levels. We propose that MEF2C is a key effector of the myogenesis program promoted by AUF1.
Role of the immune system in aging.

Since the turn of the century, there has been a continuum of medical breakthroughs controlling life-shortening diseases. As a consequence, more people are now living longer than they were at the turn of the century. Unfortunately, life extension means chronic disorders to many of the elderly. This has created a trememdous socio-economic burden throughout the world. Thus, during the past decade, there has been a growing emphasis in biomedical research towards control of age-related chronic disorders, in order to enable the elderly to extend their healthy years of life.
Aquanet: a hypertext tool to hold your knowledge in place

Hypertext systems have traditionally focused on information management and presentation. In contrast, the Aquanet hypertext system described in this paper is designed to support knowledge structuring tasks. Aquanet is a browser-based tool that allows users to graphically represent information in order to explore its structure. In this paper, we discuss our motivations for developing Aquanet. We then describe the basic concepts underlying the tool and give an overview of the user interface. We close with some brief comments about our initial experiences with the tool in use and some of the directions we see the Aquanet research moving in the near future.
Computer aided two-dimensional analysis of the junction field-effect transistor

A two-dimensional analysis is presented of the mechanisms of operation for a junction field-effect transistor. Particular emphasis is placed upon the process of electric current saturation in both wide gate and narrow gate structures. It is shown that velocity saturated carrier transport in a source-drain channel produces heretofore unreported mechanisms of device operation. Comparisons made between the conclusions derived from this two-dimensional analysis and the conventional one-dimensional theory of JFET operation are presented in graphic form.
Marketing's lead role in total quality

Abstract This article maintains that many industrial firms' lack of success in achieving customer satisfaction and profitability may be attributed to their continued orientation to the sales-buying concept. It specifies the marketing concept as an appropriate strategy and proposes adoption of the total quality concept as critical to its successful application. The quality function deployment process is presented as a mechanism both for determining exchange partner requirements and assuring conformance to those requirements, and we propose that the marketing function have a leadership role in administering the process.
Variances and frequency distributions of genetic distance in evolutionary phylads

Previously introduced deterministic models about mean genetic distances in evolutionary phylads are extended to predictions about variances and frequency distributions of genetic distance. Variance ratios in living members of species-rich versus species-poor phylads are contrasted under two competing assumptions: (1) genetic differentiation is a function of time, unrelated to the number of cladogenetic events and (2) genetic differentiation is proportional to the number of speciation events in the group. When genetic distance is a function of time, the ratio of variances of genetic distance in speciose versus depauperate phylads of equal evolutionary age is usually less than one, and generally decreases as the difference in rates of speciation in the two phylads increases. On the contrary, when genetic distance is a function of the number of speciations in the history of a phylad, the ratio of variances in speciose versus depauperate phylads of equal evolutionary age is greater than one, and increases as the difference in rates of speciation in the two phylads increases. The predictions about ratios of skewness and kurtosis of genetic distances are not different in the “time-divergence“ and “clad-divergence“ models. Nonetheless, genetic distances among living representatives of evolutionary phylads are consistently skewed toward lower genetic distances. This finding suggests that most observed distances between closely related species may be relatively uninformative about the amount of genetic differentiation involved in speciation.
Chomsky’s New Horizons

Book reviewed in this article: Noam Chomsky, New Horizons in the Study of Language and Mind.
Respiratory medications and sleep

Respiratory physiology is affected by sleep. Patients with chronic lung disease often complain of poor sleep quality. Sleep disturbances may result from poor control of underlying lung disease, thereby disrupting sleep. Sleep disruption may result from hypoventilation resulting in worsened gas exchange. Sleep quality may also be affected by the respiratory medications used to treat certain lung diseases. These medications can have positive effects on sleep by providing better control of underlying respiratory abnormalities and therefore offering better sleep quality. These medications may also have undesirable side effects which can worsen sleep, such as hyperarousal resulting from corticosteroid use. Knowledge of medication effects on sleep is important in management of patients with underlying lung disease. As with all medications, it is important to balance potential benefits with possible negative side effects. This article discusses the effects of common medications used to treat respiratory diseases and their impact on sleep.
Erk1/2- and p38 MAP kinase-dependent phosphorylation and activation of cPLA2 by m3 and m2 receptors.

This study examined the upstream signaling pathways initiated by muscarinic m2 and m3 receptors that mediate sustained ERK1/2- and p38 MAP kinase-dependent phosphorylation and activation of the 85-...
High resolution estimation of directions of arrival

In this paper, we propose a novel system architecture that employs the flexible tree search based orthogonal matching pursuit (FTB-OMP) algorithm for direction of arrival estimation. It is shown by simulation results that the FTB-OMP algorithm has high estimation performance and resolution capability when compared to the MUSIC and OMP algorithms. The proposed system does not require a priori knowledge on the number of directions to be resolved and uses very small amount of snapshots for convergence. It is also superior to the ESPRIT algorithm since ESPRIT cannot resolve angles that are separated more than a threshold.
Risk factors for periprosthetic femoral fracture

Periprosthetic femur fractures are associated with high patient morbidity and are difficult reconstructive challenges. Early identification and appropriate intervention are critical to prevent this complication. Studies varying from case reports to national arthroplasty registry databases have demonstrated that certain factors are associated with an increased risk of fracture. These include trauma, patient-specific problems, and technical issues related to the hip replacement itself. Recent evidence from large registries has shown that the key to prevention of periprosthetic femur fractures is routine follow-up with radiographic studies.
Potential Chemical Markers for the Identification of Irradiated Sausages

Hydrocarbons, gas compounds, and off-odor volatiles were determined for irradiated (0 or 5 kGy) commercial sausages with different fat contents (16% and 29%) during a 60-d storage period at 4 ◦C. Total of 4 hydrocarbons (C14:1, C15:0, C16:2, and C17:1) were detected only in irradiated sausages: the amount of C16:2 was the highest, followed by C17:1, C14:1, and C15:0. The concentrations of hydrocarbons decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with storage, but were still detectable at the end of 60-d storage. Irradiated sausages produced significantly higher amounts of CO than the nonirradiated ones. CH4 was detected only in irradiated sausages. Dimethyl disulfide was detected only in irradiated sausages and its concentration decreased significantly (P < 0.05) with storage. Fat content of sausages showed a significant effect on the production and retention of hydrocarbons, gas compounds, and sulfur volatiles in irradiated sausages during storage. Some hydrocarbons (C16:2, C17:1, C14:1, and C15:0), CH4, and dimethyl disulfide were only found in irradiated sausages indicating that these compounds can be used as potential markers for irradiated sausages.
Pollution prevention education in chemical reaction engineering

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the current status of pollution-prevention courses in the chemical engineering curriculum and focuses on implementing pollution prevention case studies in the reaction-engineering course. Most universities have instituted environmental courses that can be taken by all university students to fulfill their humanities requirements. These courses typically have titles such as Man and the Environment or Environmental Ethics and have a goal of making students more aware of their actions in a global environment. These courses are valuable and are useful to show students the environmental impact of lifestyle, along with giving students a technological background for their future courses. Many universities have placed topics on environmental issues in freshman engineering courses. A typical method employed is to invite environmental engineers to give a lecture on their profession. Pollution-prevention examples are also incorporated within the more traditional chemical-engineering courses.
Endothelin acts as a paracrine regulator of stretch-induced atrial natriuretic peptide release.

Several lines of evidence suggest a paracrine regulatory role for endothelin (ET) in the release of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP). To investigate this possibility, we used the ET A-type receptor...
Zwitterionic cryogels for sustained release of proteins

This work reports the preparation of zwitterionic cryogels for the sustained release of proteins for up to 4 months. In addition, high protein loading efficiency of up to 80% was achieved. Control studies with different hydrogels (such as non-ionic cryogels and non-ionic and zwitterionic gels prepared at room temperature) were performed to understand the mechanism behind the excellent protein loading and release properties of the zwitterionic cryogels.
Unipolar Switching Behavior in Highly Crystalline Hexagonal Boron Nitride

We observed resistive switching in highly crystalline layered insulator hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) under electric field in a nano-device configuration. Two distinct resistive states were observed in the 2D material heterostack. Electrical characterization using capacitance-voltage approach further revealed the role of h-BN as the active switching element. The switching behavior could be attributed to substitutional doping of h-BN under electric field present in the active region, possibly resulting in the formation of multi-element complex in which electrical conductivity depends on the amount of substituted dopant in the boron nitride crystal lattice. Since switching is observed independent of the direction of electric field, it is unipolar in nature. The observed memristance phenomenon in layered insulator may be potentially used in the form of NVM, providing possible direction to implement information storage or reconfigurable logic applications.
Introduction: Ancient Skepticism, Voluntarism, and Science

In this introduction, I motivate the project of examining certain resonances between ancient skeptical positions, especially Pyrrhonism, and positions in contemporary epistemology, with special attention to recent work in the epistemology of science. One such resonance concerns the idea of suspension of judgment or belief in certain contexts or domains of inquiry, and the reasons for (or processes eventuating in) suspension. Another concerns the question of whether suspension of belief in such circumstances is voluntary, in any of the senses discussed in current work on voluntarism in epistemology, which informs recent discussions of how voluntarism regarding epistemic stances may shed light on positions like scientific realism and antirealism. The aim of this special issue is thus to explore certain analogies and disanalogies between ancient and contemporary debates about skepticism, and to consider whether and to what extent the former can provide insight into the latter.
Acetmainophen Effect on Prostaglandin E2; A Mechanism for Patent Ductus Arteriosus Closure

The patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) has long been a treatment dilemma in the field of neonatology. Standard treatment regimens have considerable side effect profiles and surgical treatment carries significant risk to the neonate. Recent studies have demonstrated that acetaminophen may be a safe and effective alternative treatment to indomethacin for PDA closure. Currently, there are very few studies that have examined safety and pharmacologic mechanisms of acetaminophen in premature infants. We conducted a …
Diversities in structures and functions of WD-repeat proteins superfamily in Arabidopsis

WD-repeat proteins are conserved,however,their amino acid sequences,the typical structural domains and biological functions differ significantly among eukaryotes.The article describes systemically many kinds of WDR proteins and their diverse biological functions in Arabidopsis thaliana.
Preparation and application of 10% Beta-cypermethrin thermal fog formulation

Objective To manufacture a thermal fog formulation utilized Beta-cypermethrin as active ingredient. Methods Aaccording to relevant methods of national criterion of China and methods reported in literature to try on solvent,latent solvent,stabilizer etc.Results The thermal fog formulation flash point was moderate,degree of viscosity was low,toxicity was low,the cold and heat storage was stabilized.The effectiveness of killing fly and mosquito exceeded 95% by spot application as 2.5~5.0 mg ai/m3. Conclusion The property of thermal fog formulation is stable, fly and mosquito control are effective,safe and efficacy.
Simulated instrument augmentation of USDA yield grade application to beef carcasses.

Because no instrument technology has been shown to predict beef carcass composition better than USDA yield grades, this study was conducted to determine whether an instrument could be used to augment and improve the accuracy of USDA yield grade placement. Adjusted preliminary yield grade (PYG), ribeye area (REA), estimated percentage of kidney, pelvic, and heart fat (KPH), hot carcass weight (HCW), and USDA yield grade (called and computed) were determined by five on-line USDA graders and two USDA grading supervisors for beef carcasses (n = 550) selected randomly in a commer- cial beef packing plant. Data were compared (2,737 comparisons) to Gold Standard yield grades and yield grade factors determined by an expert panel of carcass evaluators (unrestrained in access or time to evaluate carcasses). On-line USDA grader PYG were closely related (mean absolute error of .15 ± .14 yield grade units; r = .91), and on-line REA and KPH were nominally related (mean absolute error of .51 ± .35, .06 ± .07 yield grade units and r = .48 and .66, respectively), to Gold Standard yield grade factors. On-line USDA graders determined adjusted PYG effectively, but they may require instrument as- sistance to evaluate carcass muscling traits and perform time-sensitive computations. To explain why instrument technology may not estimate beef carcass fatness as accurately as USDA yield grades, the absolute mean difference between Gold Standard measured PYG and adjusted PYG were compared. Only 5.6% of the sample population required no PYG adjustment, 94.4% required some adjustment, and 11.0% required over a .5 yield grade unit adjustment. Yield grades for beef carcasses, called by the USDA graders and supervisors at chain speeds, resulted in greater accuracy (absolute mean error of .24 ± .43 yield grade units; r = .82) than when yield grades were computed for carcasses using the yield grade factors determined by on-line USDA graders and supervisors at chain speeds (absolute mean error of .52 ± .41 yield grade units; r = .75). Gold Standard yield grade factors were sequentially substituted into the short-cut USDA yield grade equation for the yield grade factors determined at chain speeds by the USDA graders and supervisors. Results suggested that in- strument augmentation would improve accuracy and precision of yield grade placement if on-line USDA graders determined PYG and an instrument deter- mined REA and performed the necessary computa- tions, incorporating KPH and actual HCW ( P < .05).
Death Defused: Rilke’s Duino Elegies

Rainer Maria Rilke’s Duino Elegies has been long recognised as a profound philosophical poem. It has been said that Rilke translated Nietzsche into poetry and that Heidegger translated Rilke into prose. This remark alerts us to the likelihood of finding common elements in all three thinkers, and we may indeed conclude that Rilke’s views are reminiscent of Nietzsche and anticipate Heidegger. But an examination of Rilke’s thought will disclose that he pursued his own course and did so in a unique manner.
Physical mesh data structures

In this work, we demonstrate that existing mesh data structures in computer graphics can be used to categorize physical polygonal models. Based on this categorization, we develop a system to unfold any polygonal mesh based on widely used mesh-data structures. Using our system, any shape can be constructed by using laser-cut developable panels based on one of the existing mesh data structures. This categorization is also useful for the creation and classification of geometric toys. It is particularly useful to develop new construction methods for complicated sculptural and architectural shapes.
Relationship between physician and patient assessment of performance status and survival in a large cohort of patients with haematologic malignancies

Few studies have investigated the relationship between physician and patient-assessed performance status (PS) in blood cancers. Retrospective analysis among 1418 patients with haematologic malignancies seen at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute between 2007 and 2014. We analysed physician–patient agreement of Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group PS using weighted κ-statistics and survival analysis. Mean age was 58.6 years and average follow-up was 38 months. Agreement in PS was fair/moderate (weighted κ=0.41, 95% CI 0.37–0.44). Physicians assigned a better functional status (lower score) than patients (mean 0.60 vs 0.81), particularly when patients were young and the disease was aggressive. Both scores independently predicted survival, but physician scores were more accurate. Disagreements in score were associated with poorer survival when physicians rated PS better than patients, and were modified by age, sex and severity of disease. Physician–patient disagreements in PS score are common and have prognostic significance.
Causal inference and longitudinal data: a case study of religion and mental health

We provide an introduction to causal inference with longitudinal data and discuss the complexities of analysis and interpretation when exposures can vary over time. We consider what types of causal questions can be addressed with the standard regression-based analyses and what types of covariate control and control for the prior values of outcome and exposure must be made to reason about causal effects. We also consider newer classes of causal models, including marginal structural models, that can assess questions of the joint effects of time-varying exposures and can take into account feedback between the exposure and outcome over time. Such feedback renders cross-sectional data ineffective for drawing inferences about causation. The challenges are illustrated by analyses concerning potential effects of religious service attendance on depression, in which there may in fact be effects in both directions with service attendance preventing the subsequent depression, but depression itself leading to lower levels of the subsequent religious service attendance. Longitudinal designs, with careful control for prior exposures, outcomes, and confounders, and suitable methodology, will strengthen research on mental health, religion and health, and in the biomedical and social sciences generally.
A Perioperative Patient Support System Was Unable to Mitigate the Risk of Hospital Readmission for Total Hip Arthroplasty Patients With High American Society of Anesthesiologists Grades

Abstract Background Utilization of a patient support system including a patient "navigator" to maintain patient engagement upon discharge home has successfully reduced the number of hospital readmissions after arthroplasty procedures. Although successful in a general patient population, the ability of the support system to reduce readmissions in subsets of "high-risk" patients has not been evaluated. Methods We identified 878 primary total hip arthroplasties (THAs) performed at a single institution between 2013 and 2015. A binary regression was used to determine if a model of patient factors could accurately predict readmission, and the individual effects of each factor on readmissions were assessed. Results No combination of patient factors was able to accurately predict the need for hospital readmission. However, those with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grades 3 or 4 (32/375 [8.8%]) were twice as likely to be readmitted than those with ASA grades 1 or 2 (23/503 [4.4%], P = .02; odds ratio = 2.0 [95% CI = 1.2-3.6], P = .01). Conclusion Maintaining routine communication with the patient and surgeon's office throughout the postoperative period successfully reduced readmission rates for those with low ASA grades; however, implementing this program did not lessen the risk of readmission for patients with greater comorbidity burdens. Future studies are necessary to determine if interventions to medically optimize patients with high ASA grades can reduce readmission rates, but until such time, risk adjustment methodologies are necessary to avoid financial penalties for readmissions for high-ASA grade patients that have been repeatedly demonstrated to be at an inherently increased risk.
Associação entre os inibidores da bomba de protões e o risco de demência

INTRODUCAO Os farmacos que influenciam o risco de demencia em idosos podem ser relevantes para a prevencao desta patologia. Os inibidores da bomba de protoes (IBP) sao amplamente utilizados para o tratamento de doencas gastrointestinais, mas tambem tem sido potencialmente implicados no declinio cognitivo. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a associacao entre o uso de IBP e o risco de demencia em idosos. METODOS Foi realizado um estudo coorte prospetivo, utilizando dados observacionais de 2004 a 2011, obtidos a partir da maior seguradora de saude alema, Allgemeine Ortskrankenkassen . Os diagnosticos dos pacientes internados e em ambulatorio (codificados pela versao alema da Classificacao Estatistica Internacional de Doencas e Problemas Relacionados com a Saude, Decima Revisao) e a prescricao de medicamentos (categorizados de acordo com o The Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System ) estavam disponiveis trimestralmente. A analise dos dados foi realizada entre agosto e novembro de 2015. A intervencao avaliada foi a prescricao de omeperazol, pantoprazol, esomeprazol ou rabeprazol. O outcome primario foi o diagnostico de demencia. A associacao entre o uso de IBP e o risco de demencia foi analisada utilizando o modelo de regressao Cox dependente do tempo. O modelo foi ajustado para possiveis fatores de confundimento, incluindo a idade, sexo, comorbilidades (depressao, acidente vascular cerebral, doenca cardiaca isquemica e diabetes) e polifarmacia (definida como cinco ou mais farmacos adicionalmente ao IBP). RESULTADOS Foram analisados um total de 73 679 participantes com idade igual ou superior a 75 anos e sem o diagnostico de demencia no inicio do estudo. Os pacientes que receberam a medicacao com IBP de forma regular (n = 2 950; media [ DP ] idade, 83,8 [5,4] anos; 77,9% do sexo feminino) tinham um risco significativamente aumentado de demencia em comparacao com os pacientes que nao receberam medicacao com IBP (n = 70 729; media [ DP ] idade, 83,0 [5,6] anos; 73,6% do sexo feminino) ( hazard ratio [95% CI, 1,36-1,52] 1,44; P <0,001). Foram realizadas analises de subgrupos para os tres IBP mais usados (omeprazol, pantoprazol e esomeprazol) tendo-se detetado risco semelhante com o uso de omeprazol e pantoprazol e um risco ligeiramente mais elevado com o uso de esomeprazol. DISCUSSAO A prevencao primaria (reducao do risco de demencia) e a intervencao com maior impacto na reducao de ocorrencia desta patologia. Desta forma, uma medida efetiva para a prevencao da demencia e a detecao de fatores de risco em individuos com maior risco (idosos). Este estudo aponta para um risco significativamente aumentado de demencia com o uso de IBP, pelo que a eviccao pode prevenir o desenvolvimento desta patologia. Esta conclusao e corroborada por analises recentes farmacoepidemiologicas e esta de acordo com os achados em modelos animais nos quais a utilizacao de IBP aumentou os niveis de β-amiloide no cerebro de ratos. Contudo, sao necessarios ensaios clinicos prospetivos e randomizados para examinar esta associacao com maior detalhe.
Integrating Data Mining and Simulation Optimization for Decision Making in Manufacturing

Manufacturers are facing an ever-increasing demand for customized products on the one hand and environmentally friendly products on the other. This situation affects both the product and the process life cycles. To guide decision-making across these life cycles, the performance of today’s manufacturing systems is monitored by collecting and analyzing large volumes of data, primarily from the shop floor. A new research field, Data Mining, can uncover insights hidden in that data. However, insights alone may not always result in actionable recommendations. Simulation models are frequently used to test and evaluate the performance impacts of various decisions under different operating conditions. As the number of possible operating conditions increases, so does the complexity and difficulty to understand and assess those impacts. This chapter describes a decision-making methodology that combines data mining and simulation. Data mining develops associations between system and performance to derive scenarios for simulation inputs. Thereafter, simulation is used in conjunction with optimization is to produce actionable recommendations. We demonstrate the methodology with an example of a machine shop where the concern is to optimize energy consumption and production time. Implementing this methodology requires interface standards. As such, this chapter also discusses candidate standards and gaps in those standards for information representation, model composition, and system integration.
Management of asymptomatic pediatric umbilical hernias: a systematic review.

Abstract Introduction Uncomplicated pediatric umbilical hernias are common and most close spontaneously. No formal practice guidelines exist regarding the optimal timing and indications for repair. The objective of this review is to examine the existing literature on the natural history of pediatric umbilical hernias, known complications of repair and non-operative approaches, and management recommendations. Study design A systematic literature search was performed to identify publications relating to pediatric umbilical hernias. Inclusion criteria comprised studies addressing recommendations for optimal timing of repair, evidence examining complications from hernias not operatively repaired, and research exploring the likelihood of pediatric umbilical hernias to close spontaneously. In addition, the websites of all pediatric hospitals in the United States were examined for recommendations on operative timing. Results A total of 787 manuscripts were reviewed, and 28 met criteria for inclusion in the analysis. Studies examined the likelihood of spontaneous closure based on child's age and size of hernia defect, complications of unrepaired umbilical hernias including incarceration, strangulation and evisceration based on child's age and size of defect, incidence of postoperative complications and current recommendations for timing of repair. In addition, 63 (27.5%) of the United States pediatric hospital websites published a wide range of management recommendations. Conclusion Despite the high prevalence of pediatric umbilical hernias, there is a paucity of high quality data to guide management. The literature does suggest that expectant management of asymptomatic hernias until age 4–5years, regardless of size of hernia defect, is both safe and the standard practice of many pediatric hospitals. Type of study Review Article. Level of evidence Level IV.
Interactions in Entomology: Enhanced Infectivity of Entomopathogenic Viruses by Fluorescent Brighteners

Fluorescent brighteners or optical brighteners, chemicals that absorb energy from ultraviolet light (UV) and emit it as visible light, have been studied as UV protectants for entomopathogens to extend their effectiveness in the field as biocontrol agents. Some stilbene fluorescent brighteners have been demonstrated both to provide some protection from UV degradation and to enhance infectivity independently of the UV protection for several entomopathogenic viruses. Although the mode of action of this enhanced infectivity is not fully understood, enhanced infectivity of 10 nucleopolyhedroviruses and a granulovirus (Baculoviridae), a cypovirus (Reoviridae), an iridovirus (Iridoviridae), and an entomopoxvirus (Poxviridae) has been demonstrated. The enhanced infectivity produced by the fluorescent brighteners generally resulted in earlier mortality and in some cases extended infectivity of the virus to older instars. In a few cases the host range was extended, i.e., viruses which were not infective for a parti...