cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PREVALENCIA DE ENFERMEDAD ARTERIAL OCLUSIVA CRÓNICA DE EXTREMIDADES INFERIORES MEDIANTE EL USO DEL ÍNDICE TOBILLO-BRAZO

Objetivo: La enfermedad arterial oclusiva cronica de EEII (EAOC EEII) ha sido subestimada y subdiagnosticada especialmente a nivel de atencion primaria. El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar la prevalencia de EAOC EEII en pacientes de alto riesgo cardiovascular pertenecientes a un centro de salud familiar mediante el uso del indice tobillo-brazo (ITB) como metodo de screening. Material y Metodo: Estudio observacional de corte transversal. Se calculo un tamano muestral de 246 pacientes, con una potencia estadistica del 80% y un nivel de confianza del 95%, seleccionandolos aleatoriamente de 1361 pacientes con riesgo cardiovascular alto del CESFAM Cordillera Andina, a quienes se les realizo la medicion del ITB. Se estimaron IC 95% para cada media y porcentaje reportado, considerandose un valor de p significativo menor de 0,05 en las pruebas estadisticas utilizadas. Resultados: Se observo un ITB < 0,9 en el 43,2% (114), donde el 33,7% (89) referia sintomas de claudicacion intermitente, mientras que un 9,5% (25) se encontraba asintomatico. El mayor porcentaje de pacientes con EAOC EEII se observo en el grupo etario entre 60 y 80 anos, que en conjunto alcanzaba el 85,1% de los pacientes con esta patologia, siendo significativamente menor en pacientes menores de 60 y mayores de 80 anos (p < 0,001). Conclusion: Mediante el uso de ITB como metodo de screening, se estimo una prevalencia de 43,2% de EAOC EEII en pacientes de alto riesgo cardiovascular sin este antecedente.
Citation Impact of Outstanding Conference Papers of the IEEE Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects Conference

Numbers of citations of outstanding conference papers (OCPs) of IEEE Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects Conferences (NSRECs) from 1966 to 2017 are compared with citations of the most highly cited papers (HCPs) of the corresponding special issues of the IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON NUCLEAR SCIENCE (TNS), as well as average numbers of citations and cumulative $h$ index, $h_{\mathrm {cum}}$ , for all TNS papers published in the same year. 85% of NSREC OCPs are cited at a higher rate than the average for all TNS articles in that year. 55% of NSREC OCP citation totals are higher than $h_{\mathrm {cum}}$ for TNS in that year; these rank among the ~8% most highly cited TNS papers for that year. In ~10% of cases, the NSREC OCP is also the most HCP. Similarly high citation impact is found for papers nominated as candidates for OCPs. Radiation effects papers published in annual NSREC special issues comprise a significant fraction of all TNS articles cited $h_{\mathrm {cum}}$ times or more. These results support the use of $h_{\mathrm {cum}}$ as a metric of citation impact in this work and show that the NSREC OCP process generally meets awards criteria guidelines for impact. Potential reasons for variations in citation rates are discussed, and recommendations are provided to enhance the awards process.
White Matter and Volumetric Changes in Children After Undergoing Chemotherapy

Purpose: Following chemotherapy, many patients report impairments in working memory (WM), concentration, and attention; this phenomenon has been termed “chemo brain”. The purpose of this study was to explore the correlation of neuroanatomical changes with behavioral tests in patients who previously underwent chemotherapy. Materials and Methods Five children previously treated with chemotherapy, on average 6 years prior (12.8±3.7yo) and fifteen age matched controls (17.4±4.84yo) were recruited. Subjects underwent a structural, …
Nonlinear Learning Control

From the results of the past three chapters, it is clear that for a linear plant there is no real advantage to the method of iterative learning control (in the presence of noise this claim may not be as strong, however, this is still an area of research). The real usefulness of learning control is for situations in which we wish to control the performance of a nonlinear and/or time-varying system. In this chapter we consider nonlinear learning control. The first section discusses the issues involved. In the second section we give an example of a specific learning controller for a class of nonlinear systems that includes the models of typical n-jointed robotic manipulators. This learning controller has a linear time-varying structure and is illustrated with the results of a simulation experiment.
Numerical Computation in MagnetoFluid Dynamics

The equations of magnetofluid dynamics are not homogeneous of degree one with respect to the state vector and can not therefore be directly flux vector split. They are usually solved in nonconservation form. Last year a method1 was presented that first modifies these equations into “homogeneous of degree one” conservation form and then uses a modified Steger-Warming Flux Splitting algorithm for their solution. This algorithm is extented herein and applied to solve a problem of significant current interest — potential drag reduction for a hypersonic flight vehicle through the interaction of an applied magnetic field with the surrounding flow field. Specifically, real gas flow at Mach 10.6 about a sphere-cone body with a magnetic dipole placed at the sphere center is numerically simulated with varying dipole strength. The results are in agreement with the experimental observations of Ziemer2 and the theoretical results of Bush3 forty years ago in that the bow shock standoff distance increased, flow gradients within the shock layer decreased and pressure fell off more rapidly from the stagnation point with increased imposed magnetic field strength. Contrary to speculation, the drag actaully increased with magnetic dipole strength. Heat transfer, however, did decrease substanially.
Variables of the rubella hemagglutination-inhibition test system and their effect on antigen and antibody titers.

Abstract A systematic study was made of certain variables of the rubella hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) test system and their effect on antigen and antibody titers. Erythrocytes from pigeons and 1-day-old chicks gave similar antigen and antibody titers, but goose erythrocytes gave lower titers. Indicator erythrocytes could be stored in Alsever's solution at 4 C for as long as 2 weeks without losing sensitivity in hemagglutination (HA) and HI tests. Antigen titers varied by eightfold or more in different diluent systems; titers were generally higher at pH 6.2 than at pH 7.2. A diluent without Ca2+ gave antigen titers as high as those obtained in diluents with added Ca2+ ions. Antibody titers also varied in different diluent systems. HEPES diluents at pH 6.2 gave higher antibody titers than those obtained in other diluents, but occasional “false-positive” inhibition reactions were seen. Kaolin suspended in borate saline at pH 9.0 effectively removed inhibitor from sera without absorbing specific antibody, but at pH 7.3 it removed various amounts of specific antibody. Antibody titers of sera treated with kaolin at pH 9.0 were similar to those of sera treated with heparin-MnCl2; treatment with dextran sulfate-CaCl2 gave lower antibody titers. Antigens varied widely in sensitivity for detecting HI antibody and in the ability to detect diagnostically significant increases in antibody. Sensitivity in detecting antibody was not related to the HA titer of the antigens. Tween-ether-treated antigens gave lower antibody titers but were more reliable than corresponding untreated antigens for serological diagnosis of infection.
Abstract 606: Therapeutic efficacy of ERβ agonists on ovarian cancer

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Ovarian cancer (OC) is the deadliest of all gynecologic cancers in the United States. Despite success with initial chemotherapy, 70% of patients relapse with incurable disease. Development of chemotherapy resistance is the main factor for poor long-term survival in OC. OC stem cells are implicated in tumor initiation and therapy resistance and their elimination is critical for the development of efficient therapeutic strategies. The biological effects of estrogens are mediated through their cognate receptors: estrogen receptor alpha (ERα) and ER beta (ERβ). Emerging evidence suggests that OC cells express ERβ that functions as a tumor suppressor; however, the clinical utility of ERβ agonists in OC remains elusive. Here, we have tested the utility of ERβ to inhibit OC progression by employing ERβ specific agonists. We have used three different ERβ agonists: liquiritigenin (LIQ) isolated from the plant Glycyrrhiza uralensis, S-equol from soy isoflavone daidzein, and the synthetic compound LY500307 (Eli Lilly). Western analysis revealed detectable expression of ERβ in all OC models tested (SKOV3, BG1 and OVCAR3). Using ERβ reporter gene assay and ERβ specific target gene expression, we confirmed functionality of the ERβ pathway in OC cells. All three ERβ ligands showed significant growth inhibition in MTT and colony formation assays, and ERβ agonists promoted apoptosis. Treatment with ERβ agonists significantly upregulated the expression of ERβ via autocrine signaling. Mechanistic studies revealed ERβ mediated non-classical signaling via AP1 and SP1 as playing a critical role in ERβ mediated tumor suppression. Of the three ligands tested, LY500307 showed more potent growth inhibitory activity (IC50: 3μM). ERβ knockdown using shRNA significantly reduced the ERβ agonist mediated growth inhibition. Interestingly, we found that OC stem cells express ERβ and ERβ agonists significantly decrease the sphere formation by OC stem cells. Additional assays revealed that ERβ agonists reduced the stemness of OC stem cells and enhanced their sensitivity to chemotherapy. Accordingly, ERβ agonists significantly reduced the growth of chemotherapy resistant ovarian cancer model cells (cisplatin-resistant ES2, paclitaxel resistant SKOV-3TR cells) and sensitized them to apoptosis. Collectively, our findings show that ERβ agonists have the potential to significantly inhibit ovarian cancer cell growth and reduce stemness; therefore, ERβ agonists represent novel therapeutic agents for the management of ovarian cancer. Citation Format: Gangadhara Reddy Sareddy, Javier E. Chavez, Humberto Salazar, Monica Mann, Jocelyn Hernandez, Samaya Rajeshwari Krishnan, Edward Kost, Rajeshwar Rao Tekmal, Ratna K. Vadlamudi. Therapeutic efficacy of ERβ agonists on ovarian cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 606. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-606
Chapter 2 Defect Identification Using Capacitance Spectroscopy

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the methods of capacitance spectroscopy and the instrumentation with which these methods are implemented. The chapter also describes the properties of growth of semiconductors. The technological importance of semiconductors derives from the fact that their electrical conductivity is easily modified by the addition of low concentrations of impurity atoms, which substitute for the host atoms in the lattice. Substitutional impurities that introduce electronic states lying close to the bottom of the conduction band or the top of the valence band in the band gap of the semiconductor are termed “shallow donor or acceptor states.” Deep defect states are often referred to as “traps,” “recombination centers,” “generation centers,” or “deep levels.” The application of external perturbations—uniaxial stress or hydrostatic pressure—to modify the sample properties or the defect properties during the measurement is explained in the chapter.
Engaging Complexities: Working Against Simplification as an Agenda for Qualitative Research Today. Adele Clarke in Conversation With Reiner Keller

En 2005, Adele CLARKE publico su libro sobre "Analisis situacional", bien recibida elaboracion de la metodologia de teoria fundamentada. El analisis situacional (AS) combina las tradiciones mas viejas asi como las mas recientes de la sociologia pragmatica, especialmente las de la Escuela de Chicago y la teoria de mundos/arenas sociales de Anselm STRAUSS, con la perspectiva de FOUCAULT sobre el discurso, el pensamiento feminista y la epistemologia post-positivista. En esta entrevista con Reiner KELLER, ella explica los fundamentos teoricos y las motivaciones academicas de este enfoque y describe las estrategias analiticas concretas propuestas por el AS. En el momento oportuno, ella narra sus experiencias pasadas, desde sus primeros encuentros con la investigacion cualitativa hasta las influencias mas recientes desde los estudios feministas y de ciencias y tecnologia. CLARKE tambien aclara donde se coloca el AS dentro del campo mas amplio de las metodologias cualitativas y aborda cuestiones relativas a la contribucion del AS para el analisis de cambios sociales complejos. El AS esta disenado para ofrecer una heuristica analitica capaz de confrontar estas complejidades con un conjunto amplio de estrategias para hacer investigacion cualitativa. URN: http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:0114-fqs140212
The distribution, metabolism, and excretion of hydrazine in rat and mouse

Abstract Approximately 50% of 40- and 60-mg doses of hydrazine per kilogram injected subcutaneously into mice was excreted unchanged in the urine within 48 hours. The present data also suggest that a relatively large amount of hydrazine is rapidly (0.5–2 hours) metabolized. Tissue analysis at 2 and 20 hours after the subcutaneous injection of hydrazine in rats indicated a rather uniform distribution throughout most tissues. Kidney concentration was considerably higher than other tissues while fat and brain contained comparatively low levels. Twenty hours after the injection, approximately 27% of the dose had been excreted in the urine and only 1.5% remained as free or reactive hydrazine in the tissues.
Application of time-resolved infrared spectral photography to chemical kinetics

We discuss the application of time-resolved infrared spectral photography to the determination of the time-dependent reactant and product concentrations in the simple chain reaction of chlorine atoms, generated by pulsed photolysis, with ethane–Cl2 mixtures. The technique and experimental results are discussed in terms of the limitations and advantages of the method for general kinetic studies in the microsecond and submicrosecond time domain.
Intrinsic spin and orbital angular momentum hall effect

A generalized definition of intrinsic and extrinsic transport coefficients is introduced. We show that transport coefficients from the intrinsic origin are solely determined by local electronic structure, and thus the intrinsic spin Hall effect is not a transport phenomenon. The intrinsic spin Hall current is always accompanied by an equal but opposite intrinsic orbital angular momentum Hall current. We prove that the intrinsic spin Hall effect does not induce a spin accumulation at the edge of the sample or near the interface.
Oscillatory oxidation of CO over Pt, Pd and Ir catalysts: Theory

A simple physical model is presented to explain the oscillatory oxidation of CO over Pt, Pd and Ir catalysts. Oscillations are believed to occur between two branches of a Langmuir-Hinshelwood reaction mechanism. The slow oxidation and reduction of the metal surface layer induces transitions between these two branches. The kinetics of the oscillatory oxidation of CO are simulated using three coupled differential equations which describe the time evolution of: the fractional coverage of chemisorbed oxygen on the catalyst surface, θ1, the fractional coverage of chemisorbed carbon monoxide, θ2, and the fraction of surface sites blocked by oxide formation, θ3. A detailed comparison is presented between the model calculations and our experimental results for Pt. Almost all the oscillatory characteristics observed over Pt are quantitatively reproduced by the model.
Postoperative giant retinal pseudotear.

PURPOSE To describe a case of an unusual vitreous membrane simulating detachment of a giant retinal tear after previous surgical repair. PATIENT A 52-year-old man underwent vitrectomy for repair of a giant retinal tear. Six weeks later, a prominent vitreous membrane simulating recurrent detachment of the giant retinal tear was noted. Fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography were used to characterize the membrane and its relationship to the contiguous retina. RESULTS Fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography confirmed avascularity of the lesion and presence of retinal vessels and retinal tissue extending anterior to the membrane without distortion. Follow-up 8 months later demonstrated no progression, complete retinal attachment, and visual acuity of 20/20. CONCLUSIONS Recognition of this condition is important to avoid unnecessary reoperation. Findings were consistent with a condensed hyaloidal membrane or organized postoperative fibrin membrane. The term "giant retinal pseudotear" is proposed.
Human judgments of stimuli associated with shock onset and termination

Single and dual stimuli were paired with electric shock in various temporal contingencies and were rated by Ss on the semantic differential The presence of a second stimulus strongly influenced judgments, to the extent that a stimulus paired with shock offset could be judged either “better” or “worse.” The results are interpreted according to adaptation level theory.
CT of blunt abdominal and pelvic vascular injury

Computed tomography (CT) has been shown to be increasingly useful in the evaluation of blunt trauma patients with suspected abdominopelvic vascular injuries. CT findings of abdominopelvic vascular insult may be broadly characterized as end-organ abnormalities or direct evidence of vascular injury. End-organ abnormalities implying an underlying vascular insult include identifying an area of relative hypoperfusion in solid organ injury. Direct evidence of a vascular injury includes identifying an irregular or thrombosed vessel or an area of active hemorrhage, among other findings. This review article aims to review and illustrate these findings of blunt abdominopelvic vascular trauma. Also, evolving lessons from our level I trauma center in the use of multiphasic imaging to further characterize sources of a vascular blush and the differentiation of arterial from venous sources of active hemorrhage are discussed.
Analysis of a zebrafish semaphorin reveals potential functions in vivo

The semaphorin/collapsin gene family is a large and diverse family encoding both secreted and transmembrane proteins, some of which are thought to act as repulsive axon guid- ance molecules. However, the function of most semaphorins is still unknown. We have cloned and characterized several semaphorins in the zebrafish in order to assess their in vivo function. Zebrafish semaZ2 is expressed in a dynamic and restricted pattern during the period of axon out- growth that indicates potential roles in the guid- ance of several axon pathways. Analysis of mu- tant zebrafish with reduced semaZ2 expression reveals axon pathfinding errors that implicate SemaZ2 in normal guidance. Dev Dyn 1999;214:
Dose-dependence of endoneurial fluid sodium and chloride accumulation in galactose intoxication.

Abstract Endoneurial edema in galactose neuropathy was studied in a colony of Sprague-Dawley rats fed diets containing 0%, 10%, 20% or 40% d -galactose for approx. 200 days. Endoneurial fluid was analyzed by X-ray microanalysis for electrolyte concentration, by microgravimetry of whole nerve segments for water content, by measurement of endoneurial fluid pressure and by morphometry in transverse sections of nerve. Galactose intoxication resulted in dose-dependent increases in endoneurial fluid sodium and chloride that were directly associated with increases in nerve water content and endoneurial fluid pressure. The presence of edema and its dose-dependence was also confirmed by morphometric analysis of sciatic nerves at the light microscopic level. The data demonstrate that electrolyte-induced osmotic imbalances in endoneurial fluid are dependent on the amount of galactose ingested and suggest that the dose-related accumulation of sodium and chloride in endoneurial fluid contributes substantially to the pathogenesis of galactose neuropathy.
NASA picks Hughes for Galileo contract

NASA has selected the Space and Communications Group of Hughes Aircraft Co. for work on an estimated $40 million contract for the Galileo probe carrier spacecraft. The work will be performed at Hughes' facilities in El Segundo, California. The carrier will transport the Galileo probe to Jupiter, where the probe will separate and enter Jupiter's atmosphere. It will measure the atmosphere for an hour down to a level where atmospheric pressure is 10 times Earth's surface pressure.
A technique for positioning the ultraviolet light source of the analytical ultracentrifuge.

Abstract A new method is described for accurately positioning the light source of the ultraviolet absorption optical system of the Beckman Model E analytical ultracentrifuge. This method provides very accurate determination of both the height and radial position. A six-channel centerpiece is used to produce a three-line image on the film. Densitometer scans of exposures made at several positions of the source are used to determine the optimum position.
Hedgehog, Transmitted along Retinal Axons, Triggers Neurogenesis in the Developing Visual Centers of the Drosophila Brain

Abstract The development of the visual centers of the Drosophila brain is tightly regulated by the ingrowth of retinal axons from the developing eye. In the first optic ganglion, the lamina, arriving retinal axons trigger the precursors of their synaptic partners to complete a final cell division and commence neural differentiation. The secreted product of the hedgehog gene regulates the temporal assembly of photoreceptor precursor cells into ommatidial clusters in the compound eye. Here, we show that Hedgehog is transmitted along the retinal axons to serve as the inductive signal in the brain. Hedgehog acts in the first of two retinal axon–mediated steps in the assembly of lamina synaptic cartridges. These observations provide a novel insight into the molecular interactions that orchestrate the assembly of neural precursor cells into precise synaptic circuits.
The role of automaticity and attention in neural processes underlying empathy for happiness, sadness, and anxiety

Although many studies have examined the neural basis of empathy, relatively little is known about how empathic processes are affected by different attentional conditions. Thus, we examined whether instructions to empathize might amplify responses in empathy-related regions and whether cognitive load would diminish the involvement of these regions. Thirty-two participants completed a functional magnetic resonance imaging session assessing empathic responses to individuals experiencing happy, sad, and anxious events. Stimuli were presented under three conditions: watching naturally, actively empathizing, and under cognitive load. Across analyses, we found evidence for a core set of neural regions that support empathic processes (dorsomedial prefrontal cortex, DMPFC; medial prefrontal cortex, MPFC; temporoparietal junction, TPJ; amygdala; ventral anterior insula, AI; and septal area, SA). Two key regions-the ventral AI and SA-were consistently active across all attentional conditions, suggesting that they are automatically engaged during empathy. In addition, watching vs. empathizing with targets was not markedly different and instead led to similar subjective and neural responses to others' emotional experiences. In contrast, cognitive load reduced the subjective experience of empathy and diminished neural responses in several regions related to empathy and social cognition (DMPFC, MPFC, TPJ, and amygdala). The results reveal how attention impacts empathic processes and provides insight into how empathy may unfold in everyday interactions.
Calcification of solvent-extracted glass and mylar-cast biomer films

Abstract The polyetherurethane Biomer is cast on glass and Mylar, and is subjected to four different extraction solvents: water, 1% (w/w) Triton X-100, ethanol, and acetone. Soxhlet acetone-extracted Biomer is also cast. The extracted Biomer films are then exposed to a supersaturated calcium phosphate solution at 37°C and pH 7 for 24 h to evaluate their tendency for calcification. Highest amounts of calcium are observed on the Triton X-100-treated samples. Water-, ethanol-, and acetone-exposed films each show decreasing amounts of calcium phosphate. Polymer films cast from Soxhlet-extracted Biomer show the highest resistance to calcification. Higher than expected Ca P ratios for the Triton X-100-treated films and the glass-cast/water-extracted films suggest that contaminants on the surface may attract calcium ions. ESCA analyses of the film surface are made and differences between the glass- and Mylar-cast films extracted by water are found, possibly due to impurities. Both acetone-extracted and Soxhlet-extracted Biomers appear to produce films of a more homogeneous nature with the soft/hard segment ratios similar on each surface. The extraction process also results in changes in the surface topography of the films. Ethanol- and acetone-exposed films each show a roughening of the surface by production of surface bubbles or mounds. The roughening process may be the result of gel-like particles residing in the bulk polymer.
Effect of Nitric Oxide Synthase Inhibition during Group B Streptococcal Sepsis in Neonatal Piglets

ABSTRACT: Nitric oxide (NO), an important vasodilatory modulator of systemic and pulmonary vascular tone, is synthesized from l-arginine by the enzyme NO synthase in vascular endothelial and smooth muscle cells. l-Arginine analogs, such as Nω -nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME), are competitive antagonists of NO synthase and inhibit NO synthesis. Group B streptococcus (GBS) causes pulmonary hypertension, hypoxemia, lung vascular injury, and reduced cardiac output in both human newborns and neonatal piglets. Lung vascular injury associated with prolonged GBS infusion in piglets may attenuate NO production and thus promote severe pulmonary hypertension. We studied the effect of the NOS inhibitor, l-NAME and the precursor of NO, l-arginine, on pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics during late-phase GBS sepsis in the piglet model. Neonatal piglets were anesthetized, ventilated with room air, and randomized to receive a continuous infusion of saline (n=5) or GBS (n=5) for 4 h. After 3 h of infusion, both groups received a bolus of l-NAME (3 mg/kg). Hemodynamic and gas exchange indices were measured at baseline, 30 min, and 3 h of infusion, and 30 min and 1 h after l-NAME treatment. l-NAME treatment caused 1) significant increases in mean pulmonary arterial pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance, mean systemic arterial pressure, and systemic vascular resistance for both groups; 2) a similar percentage of increase in pulmonary vascular resistance for the two groups; 3) greater reduction in cardiac output and SV in the GBS compared with the control group; and 4) no significant alterations in arterial partial pressure of oxygen or the difference between alveolar and arterial partial pressure of oxygen for either group. l-Arginine Arginine (1 g/kg) infusion after 3 h of GBS infusion (n=3) caused no significant changes in any measured hemodynamic or gas-exchange variable. We conclude that 1) endogenous NO synthesis is ongoing during late-phase GBS-induced pulmonary hypertension in neonatal piglets, and 2) NO synthesis is not limited by the substrate l-arginine in this model. NO synthase inhibitors alone appear to be contraindicated in the treatment of neonatal GBS sepsis due to worsening pulmonary hypertension and progressive decline in cardiac output.
Contextualizing racial disparities in preterm delivery: a rhetorical analysis of U.S. epidemiological research at the turn of the 21st century.

Abstract Preterm delivery (PTD), defined as delivery prior to 37 weeks gestation, is a key contributor to persistent racial disparities in infant mortality in the United States. Five major funding initiatives were devoted to advancing PTD epidemiology during the 1990s and 2000s. By examining content and rhetorical features of 94 studies conducted under these initiatives, and published between 1993 and 2011, this paper considers how calls for more “contextual” approaches (focusing on social and environmental contexts) interacted with more “conventional” approaches (focusing on individual-level risk factors) to PTD epidemiology during this period. Contextual advocates initially emphasized complex biosocial reasoning to better connect social adversity with embodied outcomes. Yet responses by researchers invested in conventional approaches, as well as in studies published under new initiatives that explicitly claimed to incorporate contextual insights, often reframed this complex reasoning in biologically reductionist terms. Subsequent contextual advocates then focused on developing statistical methods to support research about social and environmental causes of PTD, and this strategy appears to have gained some traction with conventional researchers. These findings call for closer attention to language and power in both social scientific studies of epidemiological knowledge production, as well as among epidemiologists themselves.
An ischemic index from the electrocardiogram to select patients with low left ventricular ejection fraction for coronary artery bypass grafting

Abstract Patients who have a decreased left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) may be denied coronary bypass grafting (CABG) because it is assumed that improvement in function is unlikely. If the low LVEF were due to myocardial necrosis, this assumption would be valid. If the dysfunction were due to both necrosis and ischemia, however, then improvement may be possible with CABG. A method capable of identifying such patients would be useful. In this study, an “ischemic index” was determined for 37 patients based on the difference between the presurgical LVEF estimated from the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram by the Selvester QRS score (indicating the extent of dysfunction due to necrosis) and the presurgical LVEF measured from resting multigated radionuclide angiography (indicating dysfunction due to both necrosis and ischemia). It was hypothesized that a high ischemia index, that is, a large discrepancy between estimated and measured LVEF, would be associated with an improved postsurgical measured LVEF. The results showed that patients with an ischemic index of ≤0 had a mean decrease in LVEF of 8% (p = 0.02) and those with an index between 0 and 10 had no mean change. Patients with an index ≥11, however, had a mean increase of 5% (p = 0.02), suggesting that depressed LVEF may improve following CABG among patients whose low function is due primarily to reversible ischemia as indicated by a high ischemic index.
Pseudouridine residues in the 5′-terminus of uridine-rich nuclear RNA I (U1 RNA)

Abstract The primary nucleotide sequence was reported earlier for U1 RNA (Reddy et al, (1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249 , 6486–6494), an snRNA implicated in splicing of HnRNAs. In view of the presence of homologous pseudouridine (ψ) residues in 5′-ends of several highly conserved U-snRNAs and the recent report of modified bases in the U1 RNA structure (Branlant et al, (1980) Nucleic Acids Res. 8 , 4143–4154) a study was made for the presence of ψ and other modified nucleotides in the 5′-end of the U1 RNA. Identification of ψ residues at positions 6 and 7, shows the 5′-sequence of U1 RNA is: m 3 2 , 2,7 GpppAm-Um-A-C-ψ-ψ-A-C-C-U-G-G-C-A-G-G-G-G-A-G-A-U-A-C. The ψ residues in place of U at positions 6 and 7 may affect the binding of U1 RNA at intron-exon splice junctions.
Effect of magnesium ion in the analysis of carboxylated compounds by electrospray-mass spectrometry

The divalent magnesium ion generates various adducts with low-molecular-weight carboxylated compounds (e.g. propionic acid) in the analysis of aqueous solutions by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). The adducts detected correspond to singly charged cluster ions of magnesium with the general formula (MgnL2n+1)−, where L represents the different anions in solution. Mono-functionalized compounds, such as propionic acid, mainly formed dinuclear complexes, whereas poly-functionalized compounds, such as glutathione, generated significant amounts of mononuclear and other types of polynuclear complexes, in addition to dinuclear complexes. An equimolar mixture of five carboxylic acids (propionic-heptanoic) with magnesium chloride gave numerous peaks distributed in the 300–1000 m/z range in five Gaussian-shaped groups, each representing gas-phase ions with a particular molecular formula. We propose a statistical approach which explains that the Gaussian distribution of peaks arises from the various combinations of different fatty acids required for a specific molecular formula for a particular gas-phase cluster.
Thermally induced cholesteric-isotropic transition in lyotropic polypeptide liquid crystals

The thermally induced cholesteric to isotropic transition of lyotropic polybenzylglutamate liquid crystals in six solvent combinations was examined optically. The solvents chosen for study support both low and high pitch values, positive and negative pitch temperature coefficients, and polypeptide denaturation. The biphasic zone below the clearing temperature is broad and solvent dependent. Unusual large-scale phase separations and solution morphologies occur in some solvents. No evidence was found for pretransitional chiral orientational ordering near the clearing point in the high-temperature isotropic phase.
Flammability Studies of Isomeric Structures of Ethane Derivatives and Percolation Theory

In order to analyze how isomeric structures will affect the combustion hazard, the lower flammability limits (LFL) of 1,1,1-trifluoromethane (R-143a) and 1,1,2-trifluoroethane (R-143) have been measured using a modified ASTM E681 method. The modification is a spark ignition source in which the current is set at 10 mA and the voltage is adjusted (7–12 kV) so that dielectric breakdown just begins to occur rather than 30 mA at 15 kV specified by the ASTM E681-04 method. An earlier study on the LFL of difluoromethane indicated that flammability limits by the modified ASTM E681 method are affected by vessel size. In order to investigate the vessel volume effect on the measured LFL, experimental measurements of the LFL of R-143 and R-143a are made at 21.5°C using 5-, 12-, and 20-L vessels. For vessel volumes of 5-L and larger, the LFL systematically shift to higher concentrations of R-143 and R-143a with increasing vessel size which is consistent with a percolation model. Extrapolation of the measured LFL data to infinite vessel size using a percolation model yielded 3.57 and 2.96 mol · m−3 for R-143a and R-143, respectively.
An Industrial Application Of An Infrared Tunable Diode Laser For The Continuous And Automatic Analysis Of A Process Stream

An application of an infrared tunable diode laser for the continuous and automatic analysis of a process stream is described. In a commercially operating continuous compounding process for the manufacture of room temperature vulcanized (RTV) silicone products, the content of crosslinker, methyltriacetoxysilane (MTAS), is measured by means of the infrared absorption of this carbonyl group. This monitoring and subsequent process control plays a crucial role in manufacturing RTVs with the desired physical properties. The high intensity, narrow line width of the laser overcomes two obstacles which preclude the use of more conventional, commercially available process control instruments; in par-ticular, 1) relatively long optical path lengths are used allowing for timely and representative sampling and 2) an off-center absorption frequency is used to discriminate against non-MTAS carbonyl groups.© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Gender, Race, and the Struggle for Social Justice in Brazil:

Brazil, along with many Latin American countries, has alternated between democratic and military rule. From 1964 until 1985, it was governed by a military dictatorship. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, the military brutally silenced all opposition movements through imprisonment, censorship, and decree (Dassin, 1986; Skidmore, 1988). Specifically prohibited through an "institutional act" was the discussion of race (Agier, 1995). Classifying any public discussion of race as subversive, military leaders forced the census bureau to eliminate the color question from the 1970 demographic census, thereby preventing documentation of racial inequalities. In the mid-1970s, however, a gradual process of political opening began, and social protest groups once again resurfaced. During the transition from military to civilian rule (direct presidential elections were held in 1989), Brazilian social activists sought to combine their struggle for democracy with the struggle for social justice (Andrews, 1996). Issues of racial inequality, as well as gender inequality, emerged as important rallying cries in opposition politics (Soares et al., 1995; Alvarez, 1994; Hanchard, 1994; Winant, 1992).' Women and Afro-Brazilians joined labor activists, church officials, and the rural and urban poor and began an unprecedented public dialogue on the role of gender and race in structuring opportunities and rewards in contemporary Brazilian society. With the return to civilian rule in the late 1980s, women and blacks played pivotal roles in Brazil's subsequent dramatic social and political changes. Their efforts focused, in general, on demanding better conditions of daily life and addressing issues of prejudice and discrimination. Feminists and Afro-Brazilians struggled in the streets, in Congress, and in the home for a more just and egalitarian society. Brazil's constitution was rewritten in 1988, and many of the activists' demands were transformed into constitutional rights. Provisions on equality between women and men, a chapter on the family, maternity and paternity leaves, new rights for domestic and rural workers,
Intervenciones para reducir los riesgos multifactoriales de caídas

This article provides an overview of common intervention strategies used to prevent falls and fall-related injuries in older people. Fall incidence increases with age and causes a tremendous amount of morbidity, mortality, and use of healthcare services. Major risk factors for falling are diverse, and many of them —such as balance impairment, unsteady gait, muscle weakness, drug side effects, and environmental hazards— are potentially modifiable. Medical assessment of fall risks and provision of appropriate interventions is challenging due to the complex nature of falls. Consensus panels of experts have developed evidence-based practice guidelines for fall prevention and management. Numerous fall prevention strategies have been studied, and there is considerable evidence to suggest that certain types of fall prevention strategies are more effective than others. Findings from individual studies have been substantiated by careful meta-analysis of large numbers of controlled clinical trials. These meta-analyses have concluded that the most effective (and cost-effective) fall reduction programs involve systematic fall risk assessment and targeted interventions, exercise programs, and environmental inspection and hazard reduction programs. One large recent meta-analysis showed that interventions using multidimensional risk assessment and risk reduction lowered the risk of falling by 18%, while exercise reduced the risk of falls by 12%. Home modification was effective when incorporated into a multi-factorial intervention, targeted to fall-prone individuals. These findings indicate that the most promising approaches to fall prevention will involve interdisciplinary collaboration in assessment and interventions.
Reframing the Learning Disabilities Experience

Reframing the learning disabilities experience has been identified by researchers as a key variable in employment success and adjustment in adulthood. This article provides a discussion of theory, related literature, methods, and techniques related to the process of reframing--from recognition, to understanding, to acceptance of the learning disability, to the development of a plan of action. We argue that successful reframing is imperative if one is to take control of his or her learning disability in adult life. It is also necessary for the development and implementation of self-advocacy skills.
Mechanical property changes induced in structural alloys by neutron irradiations with different helium to displacement ratios

Abstract Effects of helium on mechanical properties of irradiated structural materials are reviewed. In particular, variations in response to the ratio of helium to displacement damage serve as the focus. Ductility in creep and tensile tests is emphasized. A variety of early work has led to the current concentration on helium effects for fusion reactor materials applications. A battery of techniques has been developed by which the helium to displacement ratio can be varied. Our main discussion is devoted to the techniques of spectral tailoring and isotopic alloying currently of interest for mixed-spectrum reactors. Theoretical models of physical mechanisms by which helium interacts with displacement damage have been developed in terms of hardening to dislocation motion and grain boundary cavitation. Austenitic stainless steels, ferritic/martensitic steels and vanadium alloys are considered. In each case, work at low strain rates, where the main problems may lie, at the helium to displacement ratios appropriate to fusion reactor materials is lacking. Recent experimental evidence suggests that both in-reactor and high helium results may differ substantially from post-irradiation or low helium results. It is suggested that work in these areas is especially needed.
Refinement of Multisite Ion Model through Simulation of Osmotic Pressure: Applications on Ion-Mediated Calculations of SsRNA

Accurate force field parameters for ions are essential for meaningful simulation studies of proteins and nucleic acids. Currently accepted models of ions, especially for divalent ions, do not necessarily reproduce the right physiological behavior. In our previous work, we found a model, called the multisite-ion model, where instead of treating the ions as an isolated sphere, we split the charge into multiple sites (Saxena et al, 2013). With this new model, we were not only able to achieve accurate coordination geometries around the ion, but were also able to predict better free energies for proteins and nucleic acids. Here, we further refine the model by focusing on the behavior of divalent ions in concentrated electrolyte solutions. With several ions present in water, it is important that there are no artifacts such as unusual ion-ion pairing or crystallization. Recently, Luo and Roux showed that osmotic pressure could be successfully used for refinement of ion parameters in NaCl and KCl solutions. We use the same method to test and calibrate the multisite-model of Mg2+ and Ca2+ in concentrated solution with Cl-. We find that after refinement the solution gets rid of direct ion-pairs, matching the experimentally observed behavior. Subsequently, we use the refined parameters to observe the dependence of counterions on the flexibility of ssRNA. We compare our results to smFRET experiments by Chen et al, which show that Mg2+ has more charge screening efficiency than Na+ on a 40-mer uridylate (rU40).Saxena, A., & Sept, D. (2013). JCTC, 9(8), 3538-3542.Luo, Y., & Roux, B. (2010). J. Phys. Chem. Lett, 1(1), 183-189.Chen, H., Meisburger, S. P., Pabit, S. A., Sutton, J. L., Webb, W. W., & Pollack, L. (2012). PNAS, 109(3), 799-804.
Bulk flow properties of hard and soft wheat flours

Hard red winter (HRW) and soft white winter (SWW) wheat flours are commonly used in bakeries, preparation of snacks, cereals, and ready-to-eat food. The quality of the end product depends on the wheat and flour processing conditions which, in turn, depend significantly on the flow properties of the ingredients. This study describes a comparative evaluation of the flow properties of a HRW and a SWW flour. The average particle size of HRW and SWW wheat flours was 48.77 and 48.20 μm, respectively. The bulk and tapped density of HRW flour was significantly higher than SWW flour. The aeration ratios for HRW and SWW were found to be 16.69 and 12.67, respectively. The wall friction angle for SWW flour was higher than that of HRW flour. HRW and SWW flour had distinctly different flow properties due to their difference in intrinsic physical and chemical composition. The results indicate that SWW flour had higher cohesiveness than HRW flour and has lesser flowability than HRW flour.
Area-of-interest unfolding

Abstract The concept of area-of-interest (AOI) unfolding is developed. It is shown that in unfolding spectroscopic data not all the data are needed in the analysis. Further, the analysis results are improved in some cases by using data in small regions about photopeaks while eliminating Compton continuum data from the analysis. Since only a portion of the data are needed, computer time savings can be substantial.
The oxidation of N-2-fluorenamine and 4-aminobiphenyl by peracetic acid.

Im Gegensatz zu neueren Befunden von anderen Autoren finden wir, dass die Oxydation von 2-Fluorenamin oder 4-Aminodiphenyl mit Peressigsaure keine Nitrosoderivate bildet, sondern die Azoverbindungen 2,2′-Azoxybisfluoren und 4,4′-Azobisdiphenyl.p-Nitroanilin wird zu einem Gemisch oxydiert, aus dem manp, p-Dinitroazoxybenzol undp, p′-Dinitroazobenzol durch Chromatographie an Kieselgel isolieren kann.
The hegemon's dilemma: Great Britain, the United States, and the international economic order

Liberal international trade regimes do not emerge from the policies of one state, even a hegemonic one. Trade liberalization among major trading states is, rather, the product of tariff bargains. Thus, hegemons need followers and must make concessions to obtain agreements. The liberal trade regimes that emerged in both the 19th and the 20th centuries were founded on asymmetric bargains that permitted discrimination, especially against the hegemon. The agreements that lowered tariff barriers led to freer trade not free trade; resulted in subsystemic rather than global orders; and legitimated mercantilistic and protectionist practices of exclusion and discrimination, and thus did not provide a collective good. Moreover, these trade agreements (and trade disputes as well) had inherently international political underpinnings and did not reflect economic interests alone. Trade liberalization also required a certain internal strength on the part of the government. Furthermore, only a complete political rupturing of relations, such as occurs in wartime, can destroy such a regime. A hegemon's decline cannot do so alone. These arguments are developed in a historical reassessment of the evolution of the international trading order since 1820. Eras commonly seen as liberal, such as the 1860s, are shown to have included a good deal of protection, and eras seen as protectionist, such as the 1880s, are shown to have been much more liberal than is usually believed.
Ocean portal announced

A new ocean data portal—http://www.data.gov/ocean—was unveiled by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) on 6 December. “Ocean.data.gov focuses in particular on data sets relevant to ocean and coastal planning and will aid planners and interested citizens as they search for federal data and information in this domain,” according to a 6 December blog post on the OSTP Web site. The Web site, which is labeled as a prototype, indicates that it is a portal for data, information, and tools “to support people engaged in planning for the future of the ocean, our coasts, and the Great Lakes. Our goal is to be a one-stop hub to support planners and to provide useful information to the public.”