cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
95 MALPROCESS, NOT MALPRACTICE.

The present medical malpractice (med-mal) tort system is intended to accomplish two goals: deter wrongdoers and help victims. It does neither. Many widely held assumptions about med-mal are in error, including the bad apple theory. Consequences of the current system include huge and underestimated costs; strong risk aversion constraining innovation; increasing shortages of providers; and lack of appropriate compensation to injured patients. Detailed analysis of 86 med-mal lawsuits shows that only 31 cases (38%) were preventable adverse outcomes caused by mistakes. Nine percent of cases were initiated by an erroneous autopsy conclusion. Most injured patients received no or inadequate compensation. There are three reasons for bad medical outcomes: (1) providers are human, that is, imperfect; (2) medical knowledge is incomplete and individual patient outcomes are not predictable; and (3) the system is inherently flawed, sometimes frankly contradictory, and fails to protect both patient and provider from error. The United States has a malprocess rather than a malpractice problem.
Revisiting the Reverse Sural Artery Flap in Distal Lower Extremity Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Risk Analysis.

Background The reverse sural artery flap (RSAF) is a popular option for patients with distal lower extremity defects who are not ideal candidates for free flap reconstruction. This is the first systematic review and pooled analysis of surgical characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of the RSAF. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted. All studies reporting on patients undergoing RSAF reconstruction and their outcomes were included. Outcomes were pooled and analyzed using Fisher exact or χ test. Results Forty-three studies (479 patients, 481 flaps) were analyzed. The majority of patients were male (70.3%), and average ± SD age was 46.9 ± 16.7 years. Rates of smoking, diabetes mellitus (DM), and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) were 34.6%, 35.4%, and 12.3%, respectively. Defect etiologies were largely traumatic (60.4%). The most common defect location was the heel (40.8%). Flap modifications were reported in 123 flaps (25.6%). The most common modification was adipofascial extension (20.3%).Overall, the partial and total flap loss rates were 15.4% and 3.1%, respectively. Partial flap loss was significantly increased in smokers (28.9% vs 12.2% in nonsmokers, P = 0.0195). Technical modifications decreased the odds of partial necrosis by almost 3-fold compared with traditional RSAF reconstruction (7.2% vs 17.9%; odds ratio, 2.8 [1.4-5.8]; P = 0.0035). Patient age, DM, and PVD were not significantly associated with flap loss. Conclusions The RSAF remains a safe salvage option for patients with DM or PVD but should be used with caution in smokers. Technical modifications to minimize pedicle compression significantly reduce rates of partial necrosis.
Case Studies in Atypical Advertising Regulation

This is Chapter 18 of our Advertising and Marketing Law casebook, a chapter we are publishing only online. It focuses on the regulation of two specific advertising situations: (1) discriminatory advertising, principally in the housing context, and (2) political advertising.
Pollution exposure and willingness to pay for clean air in urban China

Rapid industrialization and urbanization are often accompanied by deteriorating air quality that imposes substantial health and productivity costs on the local population. However, existing studies have generally found low marginal willingness to pay (WTP) for mitigating such damages. To understand the determinants and the extent of WTP for air quality improvements, we collected comprehensive socio-demographic and stated preference information from more than 3000 random respondents in three cities in China. Combining the survey data with air quality data from ground-level monitoring stations, we find that exposure to persistent air pollution is a significant determinant of the extent individuals are willing to pay for cleaner air. On average, urban residents are willing to pay 65 CNY (~10 USD) each year to improve air quality to World Health Organization standards. Males and individuals that are younger and more educated tend to have higher WTP. We also find that individuals with more knowledge of sustainability and who engage in more pro-environmental behaviors are willing to pay more. Compared to existing government monetary incentives to reduce air pollution, the public's total WTP for cleaner air is much higher. Overall, these results highlight the potential welfare gain for policymakers to implement more stringent air quality regulations to reduce pollution.
Total hip arthroplasty in patients with fibrous dysplasia: a modern update

Background: Fibrous dysplasia (FD) results from an abnormality in lamellar bone formation and most frequently involves the proximal femur. This can lead to the development of osteoarthritis requiring total hip arthroplasty (THA). Such cases are challenging, and there is a lack of information guiding best management. As such, we devised a study assessing the outcomes and complications in patients with FD undergoing THA with modern implant technology, and we outlined our preferred surgical technique. Methods: A search of our institutional arthroplasty database was performed to identify patients who underwent THA for FD between January 2001 and July 2018 at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada. Data regarding implants used and the use of allograft material or metal augments or both were obtained. Complications and revision requirements were noted. Radiographic and clinical leg length discrepancies were assessed. Results: A total of 10 hips in 9 patients who underwent THA for FD were identified. Mean follow-up time was 6.0 years (range 0.5 to 10.3 yr). The majority of patients underwent THA using uncemented femoral and acetabular components with large femoral heads on highly cross-linked polyethylene liners. Most cases (80% of hips) required allograft to the proximal femur. A single complication requiring revision was noted. In 90% of hip surgeries, the patient required transfusion of packed red blood cells. Mean radiographic and clinical leg length discrepancies were 0.9 cm (range −2.4 to 2.4 cm) and 0.9 cm (range −4 to 0 cm), respectively. Conclusion: Contrary to previous reports, low complication and revision rates were observed with cementless components and routine use of allograft material. The challenging nature of such cases warrants use of an experienced arthroplasty treatment team.
Assessing structural reliability using real-time hybrid sub-structuring

While numerical simulations can be used to predict the dynamic performance of structural systems, there are some instances where the dynamical behaviour and uncertainties of specific system components may be difficult to accurately model. In these instances, structural reliability assessments may be conducted by employing the cyber-physical real-time hybrid sub-structuring (RTHS) test method. In this approach, a numerical model of a larger structural system, incorporating uncertainty in specific parameters, is coupled with a physical test specimen of a system component to fully capture system-level dynamic interactions and facilitate uncertainty propagation. This paper specifically details a study performed to experimentally validate the previously proposed adaptive Kriging-Hybrid simulation (AK-HS) structural reliability method. The AK-HS method combines Kriging metamodeling, an adaptive learning algorithm, Monte Carlo simulation, and RTHS testing to iteratively estimate a structural system's probability of failure given random parameters in the numerical model. The method is validated with a series of bench-scale RTHS tests on a viscous damper connecting two adjacent 6-degree-of-freedom rigid body structures. The AK-HS method is shown to accurately predict probabilities of failure for systems with up to 24 random variables using a reasonable number of RTHS tests.
Safety and Accuracy of Robot-Assisted Placement of Pedicle Screws Compared to Conventional Free-Hand Technique: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract BACKGROUND CONTEXT The introduction and integration of robot technology into modern spine surgery provides surgeons with millimeter accuracy for pedicle screw placement. Coupled with computer-based navigation platforms, robot-assisted spine surgery utilizes augmented reality to potentially improve the safety profile of instrumentation. PURPOSE In this study, the authors seek to determine the safety and efficacy of robotic-assisted pedicle screw placement compared to conventional free-hand (FH) technique. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING We conducted a systematic review of the electronic databases using different MeSH terms from 1980 to 2020. OUTCOME MEASURES The present study measures pedicle screw accuracy, complication rates, proximal-facet joint violation, intraoperative radiation time, radiation dosage, and length of surgery. RESULTS A total of 1,525 patients (7,379 pedicle screws) from 19 studies with 777 patients (51.0% with 3,684 pedicle screws) in the robotic-assisted group were included. Perfect pedicle screw accuracy, as categorized by Gerztbein-Robbin Grade A, was significantly superior with robotic-assisted surgery compared to FH-technique (Odds ratio [OR]: 1.68, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20–2.35; p=.003). Similarly, clinically acceptable pedicle screw accuracy (Grade A+B) was significantly higher with robotic-assisted surgery versus FH-technique (OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.01–2.37; p=.05). Furthermore, the complication rates and proximal-facet joint violation were 69% (OR: 0.31, 95% CI: 0.20–0.48; p CONCLUSION This meta-analysis corroborates the accuracy of robot-assisted pedicle screw placement.
Vitamin D Insufficiency Reduces Grip Strength, Grip Endurance and Increases Frailty in Aged C57Bl/6J Mice

Low 25-OH serum vitamin D (VitD) is pervasive in older adults and linked to functional decline and progression of frailty. We have previously shown that chronic VitD insufficiency in "middle-aged" mice results in impaired anaerobic exercise capacity, decreased lean mass, and increased adiposity. Here, we examine if VitD insufficiency results in similar deficits and greater frailty progression in old-aged (24 to 28 months of age) mice. Similar to what we report in younger mice, older mice exhibit a rapid and sustained response in serum 25-OH VitD levels to differential supplementation, including insufficient (125 IU/kg chow), sufficient (1000 IU/kg chow), and hypersufficient (8000 IU/kg chow) groups. During the 4-month time course, mice were assessed for body composition (DEXA), physical performance, and frailty using a Fried physical phenotype-based assessment tool. The 125 IU mice exhibited worse grip strength (p = 0.002) and inverted grip hang time (p = 0.003) at endpoint and the 8000 IU mice transiently displayed greater rotarod performance after 3 months (p = 0.012), yet other aspects including treadmill performance and gait speed were unaffected. However, 125 and 1000 IU mice exhibited greater frailty compared to baseline (p = 0.001 and p = 0.038, respectively), whereas 8000 IU mice did not (p = 0.341). These data indicate targeting higher serum 25-OH vitamin D levels may attenuate frailty progression during aging.
Reviving an R&D pipeline: a step change in the Phase II success rate

The pharmaceutical industry has faced declining research and development (R&D) productivity for decades. During the early 2010s, Pfizer saw its R&D productivity drop even more sharply than did its industry peers. As impactful medicines the company had developed and brought to patients in previous years lost exclusivity, Pfizer faced a steep patent cliff with a cumulative revenue impact of >US$28 billion through 2018. Since 2010, the company has embarked on a focused turnaround effort to improve R&D productivity. Although some efforts will need more time to prove themselves, there are early signs of a turnaround now, particularly in terms of Phase II success rates. Here, we share some learnings from a decade of experience as one of the largest R&D organizations in the industry.
Use of low dose vaginal misoprostol in office hysteroscopy: a pre-post interventional study.

A pre-post interventional study of patients undergoing office hysteroscopy alone and in combination with endometrial biopsy was performed during October 2015–March 2018 to evaluate the effect of lo...
Pathways to Homeownership: An Analysis of the Residential Location and Homeownership Choices of Black Households in Los Angeles

Recent studies have documented substantially depressed levels of homeownership among African-American households. While prior analyses have focused largely on racial disparities in household financial characteristics, few studies have assessed the potential role of location choice and locational attributes in the homeownership choice decision. This research applies individual-level Census data from the Los Angeles area to explicitly model the residential location and tenure choice decisions of African-American households. Research findings indicate that there is substantial variation across African-American and white households in the determinants of locational choice among South Central LA, other parts of Los Angeles, and Inland Empire (San Bernardino County) areas. In addition, African-American and white households are found to differ in how location characteristics impact in their tenure choices. Overall, after accounting for location, the empirical analysis served to explain three-fourths of the 23 percentage point gap in homeownership rates between Los Angeles white and black households, whereas models that lack controls for location accounted only for about one-half of the observed gap.
Electrical design-for-manufacturability (DFM) checks for reducing layout-induced circuit variability of analog designs

Electrical Design-for-Manufacturability (DFM) checks are developed to quantify layout enhancements and their impact on circuit performance for analog designs. A database containing circuit topologies of analog matched devices is built. Then, connectivity checks scan the schematics for topologies from the database. If a matching topology were detected, the matched devices are mapped to layout for layout matching checks. If layout mismatches are detected, electrical DFM checks are used to quantify the imbalance in terms of parasitic resistance and capacitance. The electrical DFM checks are applied to quantify the impact due to routing, fill, and DFM fixing on three, 22nm analog design blocks. Fill insertion’s contribution to RC change is the greatest followed by routing and DFM fixing, with a maximum change of 7%, 5%, and less than 1%, respectively. Symmetry-aware layout insertions preserve the matching of electrical parameters, showing zero mismatch. All designs pass electrical DFM checks as results are within the expected design tolerances.
A study of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli in beef cow-calf herds in Mississippi and Nebraska

The objective of this study was to describe the probability of detecting seven serogroups of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC-7) of public health importance in fecal samples from beef cow-calf herds and to identify explanatory factors.
Resource Exhaustion Models

Resource exhaustion models represent a special class of mineral and energy models that constitute extensions of econometric models and programming models as well. Since programming models inherently feature optimization, the latter are considered additionally here as an extension of the controlledmarket models defined earlier. To better explain this methodology, we begin with the previously given monopolist models and then advance to Stackelberg, Nash-Cournot and modified optimization models. While resource exhaustion models can be constructed for competitive markets, the analysis is restricted primarily to the noncompetitive case of crude oil. Nonetheless, other market and commodity configurations are possible.
Normative Jurisprudence: An Introduction

Normative Jurisprudence aims to reinvigorate normative legal scholarship that both criticizes positive law and suggests reforms for it, on the basis of stated moral values and legalistic ideals. It looks sequentially and in detail at the three major traditions in jurisprudence – natural law, legal positivism and critical legal studies – that have in the past provided philosophical foundations for just such normative scholarship. Over the last fifty years or so, all of these traditions, although for different reasons, have taken a number of different turns – toward empirical analysis, conceptual analysis or Foucaultian critique – and away from straightforward normative criticism. As a result, normative legal scholarship – scholarship that is aimed at criticism and reform – is now lacking a foundation in jurisprudential thought. The book criticizes those developments and suggests a return, albeit with different and in many ways larger challenges, to this traditional understanding of the purpose of legal scholarship.
Biaxial Failure Testing of a Transverse Isotropic Brittle Material

The paper is concerned with the finite element design of test specimens which were failed in biaxial stress fields. The test procedure used, and the resulting data are included. A fine grained AGOT-EGCR extruded graphite, which is brittle and transversely isotropic, was used in the tests. Data was generated for all quadrants with the emphasis placed on the compression-compression area. Uniaxial compression and tensile tests were also conducted to aid with a failure envelope curve fit.
Racial differences in access to hierarchical authority : An analysis of change over time, 1972-1994

Using national data from the General Social Surveys, I examined race differences in the magnitude of the black-white gap among men in the odds of gaining access to positions of hierarchical authori...
Crustal fluids and earthquakes

The mechanical behavior of the upper crust over time periods of hours to thousands of years depends strongly on whether it is saturated with water or is primarily dry. There is much evidence to suggest that the crust, at least in some places, is saturated with water, possibly as deep as the brittle-ductile transition zone. If this is so, then the poroelastic behavior of the upper crust must be considered in studies of earthquake physics. The presence of fluid in an elastic, porous medium introduces a time-dependent element which cannot be dismissed as a secondary or insignificant factor. After briefly reviewing some of the arguments for the ubiquitous presence of crustal pore fluids, we will look at the physics of poroelastic materials, how it differs from elastic materials and the significance for earthquake physics. Computer simulations of poroelastic response following the large 1992 Landers, California earthquake will be presented and compared with postseismic data (aftershock occurence and deformation) to demonstrate the potential significance of pore fluids on the evolution of the physical state of the crust.
Union Relative Wage Effects: New Evidence and a Survey of Their Implications for Wage Inflation

The measurement of any excess of the wage rate of union workers over nonunion workers no longer stimulates much controversy in the US. The measure-ment methods have been standardised and there is now a broad consensus on how these union wage effects have moved over time and even how they differ as between black and white or male and female workers.2 This end to con-troversy has undoubtedly resulted for a variety of reasons: for one thing, as George Johnson [6] has remarked, the mere existence of trade unions is no longer a serious question of public policy. In addition, the quality of the measurement devices and of the microeconomic data available to researchers has made it possible to eliminate some of the ambiguity of measurement present in the earliest studies.3
A nurse-led paediatric head injury follow-up service.

Scand J Caring Sci; 2013; 27; 51–56 A nurse-led paediatric head injury follow-up service Aim: The aim of this study was to describe a nurse-led follow-up service, duration of children’s late head injury symptoms and parent/child informational needs. Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in children. In Sweden; 7200 children and adolescents are hospitalized every year because of head trauma, and 90% of all head traumas are considered a mild head injury. Although the head injury may be mild, 5–15% of children report sequelae (headache, dizziness, fatigue or memory problems), and the need for a follow-up service has been proposed several times. Methods/Design: An empirical descriptive study of a nurse-led follow-up service to improve the quality of care among children with mild-to-moderate head injuries. The data were collected in the period 2003–2005 at a Swedish University Hospital. Findings: In total, 149 children (mean age: 9.3 years) received the follow-up service. In 92% of cases, one follow-up visit was performed. Eight per cent needed several visits to ensure symptom resolution. Ninety-one per cent of all children described late symptoms [headache (75%) and tiredness (74%)] at the follow-up visits. The mean symptom duration was 5 weeks. However, 18% of the children reported long-lasting symptoms for 8 weeks, and 16 children (10%) reported long-lasting symptoms beyond 3 months postinjury. Conclusion: An early follow-up service with the aim of meeting the family’s needs and reducing any negative impact after a childhood head injury could minimize long-lasting complications for both parents and children.
ACTH Enhances Lipid Accumulation in Bone-marrow derived Mesenchymal stem cells undergoing adipogenesis

ACTH is a major hormone of the stress axis or hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. It is derived from pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) the precursor to the melanocortin family of peptides. POMC produces the biologically active melanocortin peptides via a series of enzymatic steps in a tissue-specific manner, yielding the melanocyte-stimulating hormones (MSHs), corticotrophin (ACTH) and β-endorphin. The melanocortin system plays an imperative role in energy expenditure, insulin release and insulin sensitivity. Bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells circulate in the blood stream and as progenitor cells have the potential to differentiate into many cell types such as osteoblasts, chondrocytes and adipocytes. Here we examine the effects of ACTH on the mouse D1 bone-marrow derived MSC. ACTH significantly increased lipid accumulation during the adipogenic differentiation of D1 cells in a concentration- dependent manner. ACTH also shifts the temporal pattern of D1 adipogenic differentiation to the left i.e. differentiation occurs earlier with ACTH treatment. No significant differences in protein expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPAR-γ2), a regulating transcription factor of adipogenesis were found. Therefore the effects of ACTH are suggested to be mediated by an alternative pathway. Overall the results indicate a connection between increased adipose deposition and the elevated circulating ACTH associated with stress.
Self‐Assembly in Supramolecular Systems

The complex structural and functional properties of many natural molecules have spawned innumerable attempts to understand and mimic biological activity. This has often involved preparing extremely complex structures of carefully designed geometries. In natural systems the primary structure of a protein (the amino acid sequence) establishes all of the structural relationships within the molecule, although many of these are not apparent until the molecule folds, coils, or otherwise adopts the appropriate conformation. Nature has selected suitable amino acid sequences for various applications during eons of evolution. In this paper, we report our efforts to achieve similar results by providing all of the required structural elements on a flexible framework. This concept is illustrated in three ways: the design and preparation of a redox-switched vesicle and a small-molecule molecular receptor (both based on the ferrocene system) and of a functional cation channel.
Modal test - Measurement and analysis requirements

Data from the Viking Orbiter Modal Test Program are used to illustrate modal test measurement and analysis requirements. The test was performed using a multiple shake dwell technique where data were acquired one channel at a time and recorded on paper tape. Up to ten shakers were used simultaneously, with a complete set of data consisting of 290 strain-gage readings and 125 accelerometer readings. The data analysis provided information sufficient to minimize errors in the data. The list of analyses in order of value is orthogonality, residual mass, frequency sweep, data checks to assure good test data, multilevel trends, global kinetic energy, and global strain energy.
Strategic Asset Allocation and Markov Regime Switch with GARCH Model

During the financial crisis of 2008, the S&P 500 Implied Volatility Index (VIX), known as the “fear gauge”, jumped to 80% of the highest level it has ever reached. Portfolio managers faced tremendous pressures in these environments of such high levels market volatility. Because it is well known that asset allocation dominates portfolio performances, this paper focuses on asset allocation strategies. It develops a strategic asset allocation solution for portfolio management under all conditions and at all levels of market volatility. The approach is to derive a dynamic optimal portfolio that is based on the well-known asset allocation Black–Litterman [1991, 1992] framework. In addition, this paper proposes a methodology that considers the features of volatility regime-switching over time. This new strategic framework allows portfolio managers to derive a systematically optimal portfolio in a timely, accurate fashion.
Damping of water infiltrated nanoporous glass

Abstract Damping studies of Corning Vycor porous glass, code 7930, infiltrated with water showed a mechanism in which water flows from compressed to tensile regions of the specimen which is undergoing a three point bending vibration. This glass had 28% volume porosity, 2.3 nm average pore radius and 207 m2/g internal surface area. The effect of water content in partially saturated specimens revealed that about 40% of water was free to flow and the other 60% or about three molecular layers was adsorbed on the internal glass surfaces and was not free to flow. However, the adsorbed water appeared to increase the damping background at room temperature. The behavior of the loss tangent of the specimen partially saturated with water implied that some pores are full and others are empty except for the adsorbed layer. In addition, the effects of temperature, specimen thickness and average pore size were found consistent with the proposed mechanism.
3D Integration for Introspection

In today's complex processors, specialized profiling and introspection hardware would be incredibly beneficial to software developers, but most proposals for its addition would increase the cost of every die manufactured. Modular, "snap-on" analysis hardware, stacked vertically with the processor die using a 3D interconnect, could be included with developer systems to assist in debugging and testing, and omitted from consumer systems to keep them economically competitive
Constructing Coherence: Structural Predictors of Perceptions of Coherence in NYC Teacher Education Programs

In this article, the authors focus on the concept of coherence, a relatively underexplored concept in teacher education. They investigate the relationship between students' perceptions of coherence and a number of structural features of teacher education programs to help develop a stronger definition of one important dimension of coherence—the relationship between fieldwork and coursework. The authors examine the relationship between specific program features and students' perceptions of the degree to which program vision, principles, and practices are aligned with those in the field and also explore the degree to which students have opportunities to practice what they are learning in the program and to enact program goals and visions of good teaching and learning in the classroom. In a field that is calling for larger-scale studies, this research attempts to identify promising features that are also amenable to large-scale studies of the impact of teacher education.
Microstructure and superconducting properties of BiSrCaCuO thin films

High-Ta superconducting Bi-Sr-Ca--Cu-0 thin films have been prepared by low pressure organometallic chemical vapor deposition (ONCVD). Factors which influence texture and morphology of the OMCVD derived films have been examined, including the effects of precursors, doping and substrates. Under optimal conditions, high quality films with a high degree of preferred orientation are obtained. Initial experiments on in-situ formation of superconducting films are also described.
Particle filter tracking for the banana problem

In this paper we present an approach for tracking with a high-bandwidth active sensor in very long range scenarios. We show that in these scenarios the extended Kalman filter is not desirable as it suffers from major consistency problems; and most flavors of particle filter suffer from a loss of diversity among particles after resampling. This leads to sample impoverishment and the divergence of the filter. In the scenarios studied, this loss of diversity can be attributed to the very low process noise. However, a regularized particle filter is shown to avoid this diversity problem while producing consistent results. The regularization is accomplished using a modified version of the Epanechnikov kernel.
Kinetics of the O(3P) + N2O Reaction. 2. Interpretation and Recommended Rate Coefficients

The reaction O(3P) + N2O is important to models of NOx pollutant and propellant chemistry and to the understanding of the thermal decomposition of N2O, which has historically played a key role in the development of unimolecular reaction theory. The reaction has two important product channels: O + N2O → NO + NO (ΔH0 = −36 kcal/mol) (R1); O + N2O → O2 + N2 (ΔH0 = −79 kcal/mol) (R2). Rate coefficients of these reactions have been the subject of several reviews. However, clear reasons why many of the evaluated, nonretained data differ from recommendations have not previously been known. There has been a great deal of controversy over the rate coefficients, particularly for reaction R2. Here, the relevant data are critically evaluated using detailed chemical modeling as an important tool. The results explain many of the discrepancies. Some of the data of central importance in earlier evaluations are shown to be incorrect. Additionally, some important features of the global behavior of the mixtures studied, whi...
Mechanism of Zinc Uptake in Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) Tissues

Uptake of micronutrient zinc by intact leaves, enzymically isolated leaf cells, leaf disks, excised roots, and stem-callus tissue of two field bean cultivars 'Saginaw’ and ‘Sanilac’) was studied using radio-isotope tracer technique. Radio-phosphorus absorption by these tissues was also followed under comparable experimental conditions. A rapid absorption of the micronutrient and strong dependency on external zinc concentration and pH were revealed. Absorption of zinc was not inhibited by respiratory inhibitors (dinitrophenol, azide, cyanide, and amytal), and was not light or temperature dependent. Q10 values for zinc uptake ranged between 1 and 1.2. Uptake of phosphate, on the other hand, was temperature and light dependent and drastically reduced by the presence of metabolic inhibitors. Differences in responses to respiratory inhibitors, temperature, pH, light and darkness, and kinetic data, strongly suggest that zinc uptake in bean tissues occurs primarily by a passive mechanism, involving possibly a physical or physiochemical binding of the micronutrient ions to the cell wall and free space components, and a passive diffusion into the interior of the cell.
Lipid Oxidation in Trout Muscle Is Strongly Inhibited by a Protein That Specifically Binds Hemin Released from Hemoglobin

The recombinant streptococcal protein apoShp can be used as a probe for hemoglobin (Hb) reactivity in fish muscle due to its specific affinity for hemin that is released from Hb at post-mortem pH values. Hemin affinity measurements indicated that apoShp binds hemin released from Hb but not myoglobin (Mb). Hemin affinity of holoShp was higher at pH 5.7 compared to pH 8.0. This may be attributed to enhanced electrostatic interaction of His58 with the heme-7-propionate at lower pH. ApoShp readily acquired hemin that was released from trout IV metHb in the presence of washed cod muscle during 2 °C storage at pH 6.3. This was based on increases in redness in the washed cod matrix, which occurs when apoShp binds hemin that is released from metHb. ApoShp prevented Hb-mediated lipid oxidation in washed cod muscle during 2 °C storage. The prevention of Hb-mediated lipid oxidation by apoShp was likely due to bis-methionyl coordination of hemin that dissociated from metHb. This hexacoordination of hemin appears to p...
Water Transport Studies in the Straits of Mackinac Region of Lake HURON1

The Straits of Mackinac comprise five simple straits in the region embracing Mackinac Island, Round Island, Bois Blanc Island, and the adjacent portions of the Upper and Lower Peninsulas of Michigan. Here the inflows from Lakes Michigan and Superior enter Lake Huron. Direct assessments of the inflow from Lake Michigan and of the run-off from the Lake Huron watershed, hitherto obtainable only by indirect means, have been made. The study indicates that large volumes of water move horizontally in oscillatory motion, due to the action of the Lake Michigan—Lake Huron uninodal seiche, but that this motion has no net effect upon the flow-through of waters from the upper lakes through Lake Huron. The excess of oscillatory transport over net flow-through indicates the seiche has an amplitude of about 0.1 m, a value which is independently confirmed by data from the literature.
Quantum interference in two independently tunable parallel quantum point contacts

Abstract We have fabricated two independently tunable quantum point contacts in a parallel configuration, by wet etching a 2,000 A diameter hole in the center of the constriction of a split-gate quantum point contact in an AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction. The number of occupied subbands in each of the two channels on either side of the etched hole can be tuned independently by biasing the gates, with each channel exhibiting quantized conductance steps at integer multiples of 2e2/h, independent of the other. For B in the quantum Hall regime, periodic resistance oscillations are observed when both gate biases are fixed and B is swept. Further, periodic resistance oscillations are also observed when B and the bias on one gate is fixed, while the bias on the second gate is swept. In both cases the fluctuations are due to tunneling between opposite edge channels via magnetically bound ‘edge’ states encircling the etched hole, whose energies are quantized such that each encloses an integral number of flux quanta.
Human Capital Flight: Impact and Challenges on Economy, A Case of Pakistan

Migration of people from one place to another is a historical trend, creating connection and understanding among people of diverse cultural heritage. In the global market economy, the trend is increasingly taking footing especially and within the discourse of brain drain from global south to north. Pakistan is one of the countries plagued by the syndrome of human capital flight (HCF), as sizeable portion of its GDP is held by HCF. In this backdrop, the research seeks to analyze the pros and cons of human capital flight especially on GDP growth and income. The paper further revisits the theory of emigration and tries to discover whether or not there exist correlation and effect between human capital flight and government policy. Upon looking at existing literatures and collected data, the paper analyses the implications of human capital flight on the overall Pakistan economy growth and per capita income. It is found that workers’ foreign remittance significantly positive effected on the economic growth (GDP) and per capita income during the time line of study 1980 to 2011. DOI: 10.5901/mjss.2014.v5n1p43
The Equivocal Use of Power in Nietzsche’s Failed Anti-Egalitarianism

This paper argues that Nietzsche’s anti-egalitarianism depends on equivocation between conceptions of power as quantitative superiority and qualitative feeling (das Machtgefuhl) and between associated conceptions of equality as similarity (die Ahnlichkeit) and opposition or resistance (der Widerstand). Nietzsche’s key arguments against equality fail when applied to the qualitative form of power, since the feeling of power does not directly correlate with quantitative ability and requires relatively equal or proportional resistance. Consequently, Nietzsche’s commitment to the promotion of humanity’s highest individuals does not entail the rejection of moral egalitarianism in every form and even supports a pluralistic egalitarianism that promotes equality understood not as similarity but as multiple, proportional resistances (die Veilheit, die Widerstande).
Banded structures in unstable combustion synthesis

Banded structures in combustion-synthesized products have been observed during unstable combustion synthesis. The formation of the banded structures is discussed in this article. It is noted that the band spacing was changed when several initial processing conditions were varied. Any change in the processing parameters that correspondingly caused more unstable combustion was observed to decrease the propagation velocity of the combustion front and increase the band spacing. The correlation of the band spacing and oscillatory frequency of the unstable oscillatory combustion with the propagation velocity was also discussed. From the results studied in this work, it is noted that the change of the band spacing can be used to infer the degree of the instability of the combustion front.
On r-potent linear mappings

Abstract Let L ( E ) be the set of all linear mappings of a vector space E . Let Z + be the set of all positive integers. A nonzero element ƒ in L ( E ) is called an r -potent if ƒ r =ƒ and ƒ i ≠ƒ for 1 + ) . We prove that S(E)= {ƒ∈L(E): ƒ is singular } is a semigroup generated by the set of all r -potents in S( E ), where r is a fixed positive integer with 2⩽ r ⩽ n =dim( E ).
Effect of Water Activity on the Growth Kinetics of Staphylococcus aureus in Ground Bread Crumb

The kinetics of Staphylococcus aureus (strains A,B,D) growth in bread crumb were determined as a function of water activity (A w ) from 0. 836 to 0.909 at pH 5.2 to 5.5 and at 35°C. Adding glycerol to the dough or equilibrating the bread over saturated salt solutions adjusted the A w of the bread. Growth kinetics data plotted as enumerated colony counts versus incubation time, were fitted using the logistic function to determines maximum growth rates. Similar maximum growth rates resulted irrespective of the method used to adjust A w . Extrapolation of growth rate-A w results predicts the A w corresponding to a zero growth rate.
Effects of Environment (Radiation, Substrate and Allelic Genes) on the Melezitose Gene in Saccharomyces

THE melezitose locus (MZ) in Saccharomyces controls the formation of the adaptive enzyme, melezitase, which acts on five substrates : turanose (T), maltose (M), sucrose (S), methyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (G), and melezitose (Z), each of which may serve as an inducer of melezitase1–3. Seven different variations (alleles) of this gene are known and are designated TMSGZ, TMSGz, TMSgZ, TMSgz, TMsgz, Tmsgz and tmsgz 3. The capital letters indicate the substrates which are capable of inducing melezitase in glucose-grown cultures. Cells in which melezitase has been induced by one of the substrates to which it responds adaptively are able to split the substrates which do not act as inducers in that specific genotype without further adaptation. For example, a glucose-grown culture carrying TMSgz responds to neither methyl-α-D-glucopyranoside nor melezitose, but splits both these substrates after exposure to turanose, maltose or sucrose.
Beyond clickers: using ClassQue for multidimensional electronic classroom interaction

ClassQue is a classroom response system that goes beyond clickers to allow a wide selection of classroom interactions: teacher to individual student, teacher to all students, student to teacher and student to student. Questions are not restricted to multiple choice, and multiple questions can be pending at one time. One student can anonymously comment on another student's answer. After the class, students and teachers can receive reports of the classroom interactions. The current version of ClassQue is available for use in an environment in which each student is seated at a computer.
An improved plate theory of {1,2}-order for thick composite laminates

Abstract A new two-dimensional laminate plate theory is developed for the linear elastostatic analysis of thick composite plates. The theory employs equivalent single-layer assumptions for the displacements, transverse shear strains, and transverse normal stress. The inplane and transverse displacements are respectively linear and quadratic expansions through the laminate thickness, where the low-order expansion coefficients correspond to the variables of Reissner's first-order shear-deformable theory. The transverse shear strains and transverse normal stress are assumed to be quadratic and cubic respectively through the thickness ; they are expressed in terms of the kinematic variables of the theory by means of a least-squares compatibility requirement for the transverse strains and explicit enforcement of exact traction boundary conditions on the top and bottom plate surfaces. Application of the virtual work principle results in the loth-order equations of equilibrium and associated Poisson boundary conditions. A major advantage of this theory over other higher-order theories lies in its perfect suitability for finite element approximation : simple C 0 continuous interpolations for the kinematic variables of the first-order theory (and, optionally, C −1 interpolations for the two higher-order displacements) are needed to formulate effective and robust two-dimensional plate elements capable of full three-dimensional ply-by-ply strain and stress recovery within the framework of general-purpose finite element codes. In assessing the predictive capability of the theory, analytic solutions for the problem of cylindrical bending are derived and compared with exact three-dimensional elasticity results and those of the earlier version of the {1,2}-order plate theory.
Normative Consent and Authority

In his recent book Democratic Authority, David Estlund defends a strikingly new and interesting account of political authority, one that makes use of a distinctive kind of hypothetical consent that he calls ‘normative consent’: a person can come to have a duty to obey another when it is the case that, were she given the chance to consent to the duty, she would have a duty to consent to it. If successful, Estlund’s account promises to provide what has arguably so far remained elusive: the basis for the authority of suitably democratic laws. In this paper, I argue that, despite its promise, the account Estlund develops is, in a crucial respect, incoherent: the principle of normative consent that he offers relies on a claim about a hypothetical situation, but the hypothetical situation at issue is one that, according to the principle itself, is morally impossible.
Synthesis and piezoelectric response of cubic and spherical LiNbO3 nanocrystals

Methods have been developed for the shape-selective synthesis of ferroelectric LiNbO3 nanoparticles. Decomposition of the single-source precursor, LiNb(O-Et)6, in the absence of surfactants, can reproducibly lead to either cube- or sphere-like nanoparticles. X-Ray diffraction shows that the LiNbO3 nanoparticles are rhombohedral (R3c). Sample properties were examined by piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) and Raman where both sets of nanoparticles exhibit ferroelectricity. The longitudinal piezoelectric coefficients, d33, varied with shape where the largest value was exhibited in the nanocubes (17 pm V−1 for the cubes versus 12 pm V−1 for spheres).
C-fiber modulation of the rat type I slowly adapting mechanoreceptor.

Abstract Effects of C-fiber activation on type I slowly adapting mechanoreceptor responses were investigated in a rat in vitro nerve–skin preparation using controlled mechanical stimuli. Two changes in behavior were evoked by antidromic C-fiber stimulation: (1) The type I response to mechanical stimuli was modulated in a graded fashion by antidromic C-fiber activation. The average decrease in mechanoresponse from baseline discharge was 53% at 20-Hz, 51% at 5-Hz, and 30% at 1-Hz stimulation rate. The type I response recovered to baseline levels following termination of antidromic electrical stimulation. (2) Antidromic C-fiber activation generated a spontaneous ongoing activity in many skin units; this was independent of mechanical stimulation and outlasted electrical stimulation. The fact that neither antidromic electrical stimulation of the crushed nerve trunk nor selective A-fiber activation elicited these reactions suggests that they were mediated via action potentials of slowly conducting (C-fiber) axons. Immunohistochemical staining revealed both substance P- and calcitonin gene-related peptide-like immunoreactivity in small unmyelinated nerve fibers entering the touch dome. These results support the concepts that (1) the type I slowly adapting mechanoreceptor in rat receives input from nociceptive terminals within the touch dome. (2) The function of type I slowly adapting mechanoreceptors is modulated by axon reflex activation of nociceptor terminals, which may play a role in altering the type I response during states of mechanical allodynia and have paracrine and autocrine influences on maintenance of touch dome structure.
Features of documents relevant to task- and fact- oriented questions

We describe results from an ongoing project that considers question types and document features and their relationship to retrieval techniques. We examine eight document features from the top 25 documents retrieved from 74 questions and find that lists and FAQs occur in more documents judged relevant to task-oriented questions than those judged relevant to fact-oriented questions.
Characterization of ZrO2-Y2O3 thermal barrier coatings by Raman spectroscopy

Abstract Raman spectroscopy is shown to be a useful tool for the observation of phase transitions in Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2 thermal barrier coatings. Data were collected in situ at temperatures up to 1050°C as a function of the Y2O3 content. Large hysteresis effects are observed in the phase transition temperatures.
Pooled Protein Immunization for Identification of Cell Surface Antigens in Streptococcus sanguinis

Background: Available bacterial genomes provide opportunities for screening vaccines by reverse vaccinology. Efficient identification of surface antigens is required to reduce time and animal cost in this technology. We developed an approach to identify surface antigens rapidly in Streptococcus sanguinis, a common infective endocarditis causative species. Methods and Findings: We applied bioinformatics for antigen prediction and pooled antigens for immunization. Fortyseven surface-exposed proteins including 28 lipoproteins and 19 cell wall-anchored proteins were chosen based on computer algorithms and comparative genomic analyses. Eight proteins among these candidates and 2 other proteins were pooled together to immunize rabbits. The antiserum reacted strongly with each protein and with S. sanguinis whole cells. Affinity chromatography was used to purify the antibodies to 9 of the antigen pool components. Competitive ELISA and FACS results indicated that these 9 proteins were exposed on S. sanguinis cell surfaces. The purified antibodies had demonstrable opsonic activity. Conclusions: The results indicate that immunization with pooled proteins, in combination with affinity purification, and comprehensive immunological assays may facilitate cell surface antigen identification to combat infectious diseases.