cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Clinical Nurse Leader and Rural Hospital Safety and Quality

Rural healthcare organizations face significant challenges when implementing quality and safety initiatives due to limited human and financial resources. The Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), a new nursing role developed to address the quality and safety concerns of healthcare organizations and providers, may prove to be an exceptionally valuable member of the rural nursing leadership team. Educationally prepared to assume nine roles (expert generalist clinician, outcomes manager, advocate, healthcare team leader, information manager, educator, member of a profession, and life-long learner) the CNL is well prepared to function as a valuable member of the rural health care team. Through the use of the microsystem assessment process, the CNL can lead quality and safety initiatives specific to meet the unique needs of rural health care organizations, providers, and patients.
SU-E-P-01: Adaptation of Commercial, Web-Based, Medical Residency Management Software (MedHub, Inc.) for a Medium-Sized Medical Physics Residency Program

Purpose: Management of a CAMPEP-accredited medical physics residency program (CaMPRP) is demanding. In our experience, the time required to manage a CaMPRP increased linearly with the number of residents. Managing our paper-based CaMPRP became unwieldy and inefficient when we increased in size from three to four residents resulting in the purchase of commercial, web-based residency management software (MedHub, Inc). Methods: All documentation for our CaMPRP was converted into a format that fits the MedHub structure including: all assessments, procedure participation, mentor/resident meeting summaries, director/resident meeting summaries, journals, tumor board and departmental meeting attendance, written reports, presentations, resident/faculty/staff evaluations, didactic coursework approval, licenses, absence tracking, and ethics/professionalism coursework. The conversion process was performed over a 4-month period and required approximately 120 hours of director time and 100 hours of administrator time. Task assignments and documentation required of residents and faculty are now scheduled and dispersed through MedHub via email. Regular reminders are automatically emailed from MedHub for incomplete documentation. The MedHub server is maintained centrally by a university-wide system administrator. Data is encrypted and meets FERPA and HIPAA standards. Results: MedHub is a repository for all documentation required of a CaMPRP and is viewable from supported internet browsers. Resident progress and compliance is transparent and viewable in real-time by residents and administration. Resident and faculty compliance with required documentation and attendance have increased dramatically, approaching 100%. Management of our CaMPRP is now consistent with the medical residency programs who use Medhub campus-wide. Anonymity is preserved for evaluations of personnel. Lost paper documentation is no longer a concern. Data mining tools are being created to analyze documentation to help increase focus and productivity. Conclusion: Medical residency management software has been successfully adapted by a CaMPRP. This management tool has been very useful toward increasing compliance, access, transparency, anonymity and productivity.
A distributed deployment algorithm for mobile robotic agents with limited sensing/communication ranges

In this paper, we propose a distributed deployment algorithm for a group of mobile robots to cover a convex region. The individual mobile robot considered has kinematic constraints, and may only exchange information locally with its neighboring counterparts due to its limited sensing/communication range. The proposed deployment algorithm iteratively updates the Voronoi partition through local information exchange, and then moves toward its centroid based on centroid-drive control algorithms. Particularly, in addition to gradient-based centroid-drive control algorithm in which input-output linearization has been applied to robot model, a new algorithm based on distributed consensus is proposed to directly address the kinematic constraint associated with robot model. Simulation results are provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Objective-First Nanophotonic Design

We introduce an “objective-first” strategy for designing nanophotonic devices, and we demonstrate the design of nanophotonic coupler, cloak, and mimic devices. Simply put, our objective-first method works by prioritizing the performance of the device even above satisfying Maxwell’s equations. We show how this is accomplished starting from Maxwell’s equations, applying numerical discretization, and then solving not only for the field variables but the structure variables as well. We then demonstrate the ability to quickly produce designs for both traditional devices such as waveguide couplers, as well as more exotic devices such as optical cloaks and mimics. Finally, we point the reader to future improvements and extensions of our method.
Prediction of rates of heat or mass transfer in complex situations by interpolating between simpler limiting cases

Abstract This paper emphasizes the generality of a simple algebraic procedure suggested in 1962 by the author to predict the rate of heat or mass transfer in complex situations. It consists in replacing the terms in the convective diffusion equation by expressions involving scaling quantities multiplied by constants. Thus the convective-diffusion equation is replaced by an algebraic equation for the mass transfer coefficient containing a number of constants. The constants are determined from the solutions available for some simpler limiting cases. To illustrate the procedure a variety of examples are given which include: penetration theory for diffusion with chemical reaction, laminar flow along a plate accompanied by a chemical reaction, diffusion with chemical reaction in a turbulent liquid, mass transfer from a drop to a continuous phase, unsteady heat transfer to a liquid in steady laminar flow along a plate and free convection superimposed on forced convection. Numerous other complex situations have been or can be treated by interpolation between some simpler limiting cases.
A multivariate analysis of reaeration data

AN ACCURATE prediction of the assimilative capacity of natural waterways is based, among other things, on a reasonable estimation of the rate at which oxygen transfers across the air-water interface. For years, the engineer has attempted to predict this rate from known hydraulic and physical properties of the flow in question. However, the functional relationships between the hydraulic variables and the transfer cofficient have not been clearly defined. The relative significance of variables such as depth, velocity, slope, and width are not consistent in the literature. Engineers essentially have used two approaches to the reaeration problem: first, a rational approach based on known or assumed hydraulic principles; and second, an empirical approach based primarily on statistical techniques. Examples of the former approach may be found in articles by DOBmNS (1964); O'CoNNoR and DOSmNS (1956), KP~NKEL and ORLOB (1962), THACgSTON and KRENgEL (1966); and METZGAR and DOBBINS (1967); and of the latter approach, in articles by CHURCHILL et al. (1962); OWENS et al. (1964) and KNOWLES (1965). As more reaeration data become available, it behooves the engineer to utilize these data and either justify or refute existing methods of obtaining values for the reaeration coefficient. It was the purpose of this study to analyze selected data sets utilizing multivariate methods of statistical analysis, and to obtain an expression for the reaeration coefficient for a relatively wide range of stream conditions. The technique of multivariate analysis is relatively new to the field of engineering. The primary advantage of the analysis is that it provides the engineer an alternate means for dealing with interrelated variables when the techniques of dimensional and/or multiple regression analysis may be misleading. Recent applications of the multivariate type of analysis are reported in the fields of hydrology by SNYDER (1962); FIFmNG (1964) and WALLm (1965); in geology by HARRIS (1965) and in sanitary engineering by McDoNNELL (1967). The procedure used in this study is the principal component method. Briefly, the analysis commences by replacing a number of interrelated variables (e.g., depth, velocoty, slope) with independent components of variation (e.g., Components I, II, and III), each of which accounts for a certain portion of the total variance of the original variables. Each component consists of a weighted portion of the initial variables, and values for each component (Z values) can be calculated for each sampling observation. The transformation of the variables into components is performed for two reasons: (1) the components are, in fact, independent and hence more applicable to a multiple regression analysis, and (2) the components may be identifiable in terms of the physical phenomena or processes involved. The latter reason provides the framework for screening the variables and eliminating the insignificant
A Novel Role for Villin in Intestinal Epithelial Cell Survival and Homeostasis

Apoptosis is a key regulator for the normal turnover of the intestinal mucosa, and abnormalities associated with this function have been linked to inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancer. Despite this, little is known about the mechanism(s) mediating intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis. Villin is an actin regulatory protein that is expressed in every cell of the intestinal epithelium as well as in exocrine glands associated with the gastrointestinal tract. In this study we demonstrate for the first time that villin is an epithelial cell-specific anti-apoptotic protein. Absence of villin predisposes mice to dextran sodium sulfate-induced colitis by promoting apoptosis. To better understand the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the anti-apoptotic function of villin, we overexpressed villin in the Madin-Darby canine kidney Tet-Off epithelial cell line to demonstrate that expression of villin protects cells from apoptosis by maintaining mitochondrial integrity thus inhibiting the activation of caspase-9 and caspase-3. Furthermore, we report that the anti-apoptotic response of villin depends on activation of the pro-survival proteins, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase and phosphorylated Akt. The results of our studies shed new light on the previously unrecognized function of villin in the regulation of apoptosis in the gastrointestinal epithelium.
Redox Activation of Intracellular Calcium Release Channels (Ryanodine Receptors) in the Sustained Phase of Hypoxia-Induced Pulmonary Vasoconstriction

Hypoxia-induced pulmonary vasoconstriction (HPV) is an important adaptive process that remains incompletely understood. In preconstricted rat pulmonary arteries (inner diameter, 250 to 400 μm), hypoxia (pO 2 approximately 10 mm Hg) induces an initial transient phase and a more slowly developing sustained phase of vasoconstriction. Since the release of calcium ions (Ca 2+ ) from intracellular stores by redox-sensitive intracellular Ca 2+ release channels known as ryanodine receptors (RyRs) in pulmonary arterial smooth-muscle cells (PASMCs) may play a role in HPV, and considerable evidence now supports that levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are paradoxically increased in PASMC under hypoxia, we investigated whether redox activation of RyRs by ROS may transduce HPV. By reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, we found that all three RyR isoforms are expressed in rat pulmonary arteries and in PASMCs. The sustained phase, but not the transient phase, of HPV can be prevented by pretreating pulmonary arteries with RyR inhibitors ryanodine (200 μmol/L) or dantrolene (50 μmol/L). The addition of dantrolene, ryanodine or the thiol-reducing agent dithiothreitol (1 mmol/L) during the sustained phase of HPV reversed the hypoxic vasoconstriction. In contrast, the superoxide scavenger nitroblue tetrazolium (500 nmol/L) prevented further hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction during the sustained phase of HPV but did not reverse it. Taken together, our data suggest that redox activation of RyRs by ROS has an important role in transducing the sustained contraction of pulmonary arteries under hypoxia.
Advances in interventional pulmonology

Interventional pulmonology (IP) remains a rapidly expanding and evolving subspecialty focused on the diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases of the thorax. As the field continues to push the leading edge of medical technology, new procedures allow for novel minimally invasive approaches to old diseases including asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and metastatic or primary lung malignancy. In addition to technologic advances, IP has matured into a defined subspecialty, requiring formal training necessary to perform the advanced procedures. This need for advanced training has led to the need for standardization of training and the institution of a subspecialty board examination. In this review, we will discuss the dynamic field of IP as well as novel technologies being investigated or employed in the treatment of thoracic disease.
TECHNICAL EFFICIENCY: A COMPARISON OF PRODUCTION FRONTIER METHODS

Recent differences in the measurement of farm efficiency may be related to the methods employed. Here, four alternative production frontiers are estimated using time-series, cross-section data for a sample of Illinois grain farms. Efficiency measures are found to be highly correlated between nonparametric methods, and between parametric methods. However, large differences are noted when efficiency measures are compared between nonparametric and parametric methods. An analysis of farms with large differences, which are efficient under the nonparametric method, indicates that correlations between efficiency measures are much higher when these firms are excluded.
The Mediating Effect of Chronic Pain on the Relationship Between Obesity and Physical Function and Disability in Older Adults

Objectives: To determine the extent to which bodily pain mediates the effect of obesity on disability and physical function. Design: Cross-sectional analysis. Setting: Population-based sample of residents in the greater Boston area. Participants: Community-dwelling adults aged 70 and older (N = 736). Measurements: Body mass index (BMI), obtained from measured height and weight, was categorized as normal weight (19.0�24.9 kg/m2), overweight (25.0�29.9 kg/m2), or obese (?30.0 kg/m2). Main outcome measures were the Physical Component Summary of the Medical Outcomes Study 12-item Short-Form Survey (PCS), activity of daily living (ADL) disability, and Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) score. Chronic pain was assessed according to the number of weight-bearing joint sites that had pain (hips, knees, feet and pain all over). Results: Older obese adults had greater ADL disability and lower SPPB and PCS scores than their nonobese counterparts, although in sex-stratified adjusted analyses, obesity was adversely associated with outcomes only in women. Obesity was associated with greater number of pain sites; and more pain sites were associated with greater odds of disability. Mediation analysis suggests that pain is a significant mediator (22�44%) of the adverse effect of obesity on disability and physical function in women. Conclusion: Bodily pain may be an important treatable mediator of the adverse effect of obesity on disability and physical function in women.
The Structure of Mytilus Smooth Muscle and the Electrical Constants of the Resting Muscle

The individual muscle fibers of the anterior byssus retractor muscle (ABRM) of Mytilus edulis L. are uninucleate, 1.2–1.8 mm in length, 5 µm in diameter, and organized into bundles 100–200 µm in diameter, surrounded by connective tissue. Some bundles run the length of the whole muscle. Adjacent muscle cell membranes are interconnected by nexuses at frequent intervals. Specialized attachments exist between muscle fibers and connective tissue. Electrical constants of the resting muscle membrane were measured with intracellular recording electrodes and both extracellular and intracellular current-passing electrodes. With an intracellular current-passing electrode, the time constant τ, was 4.3 ± 1.5 ms. With current delivered via an extracellular electrode τ was 68.3 ± 15 ms. The space constant, λ, was 1.8 mm ± 0.4. The membrane input resistance, Reff, ranged from 23 to 51 MΩ. The observations that values of τ depend on the method of passing current, and that the value of λ is large relative to fiber length and diameter are considered evidence that the individual muscle fibers are electrically interconnected within bundles in a three-dimensional network. Estimations are made of the membrane resistance, Rm, to compare the values to fast and slow striated muscle fibers and mammalian smooth muscles. The implications of this study in reinterpreting previous mechanical and electrical studies are discussed.
The Role of Deviant Lifestyles on Violent Victimization in Multiple Contexts

Little research utilizing lifestyles theory (Hindelang, Gottfredson, and Garofalo 1978) has examined the role that deviant lifestyles have on the likelihood of witnessing violence among ethnic-minority youth across various contexts. Therefore, we examined the effects of indicators of a deviant lifestyle (delinquent behavior and deviant peers) on exposure to both direct and indirect forms of violence across three contexts (home, school, and community) among 233 11th graders. Findings indicated that the effects of deviant lifestyle indicators on violence vary by context. Results suggest that lifestyles theory may be applicable for predicting the likelihood of witnessing violence among minority youth across contexts.
Electrochemical Desorption of Proteins from Gold Electrode Surface

The goal of this study was to enable rational modulation of biological interfaces using electrochemical desorption of surface-bound proteins. Coupled, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) – electrochemistry instrument was used to monitor molecular assembly events on gold electrodes and to correlate these events with changes in electrochemical properties of the substrate. Model proteins, bovine serum albumin (BSA) and immunoglobulin G (IgG), were conjugated via carbodiimide (EDC) chemistry to a layer of mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) assembled on SPR sensor surface. Deposition of alkanethiols and proteins were monitored by ellipsometry and SPR techniques, and was further confirmed by cyclic voltammetry with potassium ferricyanide serving as a reporter molecule. The surfacebound proteins were completely removed by applying a reductive potential of � 1200 mV vs. Pt electrode in a physiological saline buffer. Importantly, the sequence of protein immobilization followed by desorption could be repeated multiple times, thus demonstrating ability to modulate interfacial properties. Controlled removal of protein molecules from electrode surfaces is envisioned to have important applications in affinity or cell-based biosensing, cellular micropatterning and cell sorting.
MiHA reactive CD4 and CD8 T-cells effect resistance to hematopoietic engraftment following reduced intensity conditioning.

Reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) prior to allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) has shown promise in lowering the incidence of posttransplant complications including infection and graftversus-host disease. T-cell-mediated graft rejection, however, remains a crucial factor in determining how ‘mild’ a level of immunosuppression can be administered. Understanding the kinetics of resistance responses as well as the role of CD4 + and CD8 + T cells underlies the development of protocols to circumvent resistance and support hematopoietic engraftment. In these studies, a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-matched/minor histocompatibility antigen (MiHA) disparate RIC HCT model was developed in which resistance against donor hematopoietic progenitors as well as mature peripheral blood cells could be assessed. Interestingly, resistance was diminished in the absence of either host CD4 + or CD8 + T cells. However, its impairment was more severe in CD4 −/− mice where resistance was not detected. Host CD4 + T cells were required for optimal expansion of specific (H60) T-cell receptor (TCR) expressing host anti-donor MiHA reactive CD8 + T cells following HCT. These observations demonstrate a critical role for host CD4 + T cells in resistance against MiHA disparate HCT. This RIC HCT resistance model will be useful for the analysis of the barrier to engraftment mediated by host T cells and the development of strategies to support engraftment.
Characterization of Acrylic Hydrogels by Open Circuit Potential Monitoring

A systematic investigation of acrylic type copolymers was performed for determining their mechanical durability and electrolyte retention, when immersed in various media, including aqueous and organic solutions. Optimization of the chemical and dimensional stability of polymers was possible by electrochemical techniques and swelling/dissolution/evaporation tests. Acrylic acid—acrylonitrile copolymers resistant to aqueous and organic media in a wide pH range have been previously employed in various electrochemical applications, including unconventional reference electrodes. This paper introduces a simple and easy to use system for polymer testing, and highlights the ability of electrochemistry to predict polymer behavior in aqueous and organic solutions. Specially designed gravimetric measurements support the electrochemical characterization of the hydrogel samples. It is shown that open circuit potential against time measurements represent suitable tools for evaluating polymer properties.
Decentralized control of nonlinear multi-agent systems using single network adaptive critics

The problem of decentralized control of multi-agent nonlinear systems is solved by introducing the concept of virtual agents to generate reference trajectories to be tracked by the actual agents. The tracking problem as an optimal control problem is formulated in the framework of approximate dynamic programming. Solutions are obtained using ‘single network adaptive critics’ and network weight update rule is discussed. Finally, the proposed theory is simulated on the network of several satellites to reach consensus on their attitude. Numerical results demonstrate the versatility and usefulness of the proposed approach.
An equivalent electric-field approximation for formulating sheet density of induced electrons in a silicon layer of symmetric and asymmetric double-gate SOI MOSFETs

Abstract An analytical expression for the sheet density of induced electrons in channels of symmetric and asymmetric double-gate (DG) silicon-on-insulator (SOI) MOSFETs in a subthreshold region has been developed. A new approach for approximating the vertical electric-field in the silicon layer enabled the simple expression for electron density to be derived. This model was found to be useful for devices with wide ranges of silicon-layer thickness and channel-impurity concentration.
A comparison of PETSc library and HPF implementations of an archetypal PDS computation

Two paradigms for distributed-memory parallel computation that free the application programmer from the details of message passing are compared for an archetypal structured scientific computation --- a nonlinear, structured-grid partial differential equation boundary value problem --- using the same algorithm on the same hardware. Both paradigms, parallel libraries represented by Argonne''s PETSc, and parallel languages represented by the Portland Group''s HPF, are found to be easy to use for this problem class, and both are reasonably effective in exploiting concurrency after a short learning curve. The level of involvement required by the application programmer under either paradigm includes specification of the data partitioning (corresponding to a geometrically simple decomposition of the domain of the PDE). Programming in SPMD style for the PETSc library requires writing the routines that discretize the PDE and its Jacobian, managing subdomain-to-processor mappings (affine global-to-local index mappings), and interfacing to library solver routines. Programming for HPF requires a complete sequential implementation of the same algorithm, introducing concurrency through subdomain blocking (an effort similar to the index mapping), and modest experimentation with rewriting loops to elucidate to the compiler the latent concurrency. Correctness and scalability are cross-validated on up to 32 nodes of an IBM SP2.
Organic acidity in precipitation of North America

Abstract Organic anions were measured in 16 precipitation events sampled in central Virginia between 25 April and 1 October 1983. Formic and acetic acids contributed 16% of volume weighted free acidity. The decrease in free acidity in stored aliquots was directly proportional to the disappearance of dissociated HCOO− and CH3COO−. The loss of free acidity between pH measured at field sites and at central laboratories was used to estimate dissociated organic acidity in samples collected by the National Atmospheric Deposition Program (NADP) and the MAP3S Precipitation Chemistry Project. Based on the arithmetic means of the volume weighted averages for each site, we estimate that organic acids contributed 18–35% of free acidity in NADP samples and 16% of free acidity in MAP3S samples. The loss of free acidity in MAP3S samples was three times greater during the growing season than it was during the rest of the year. Because they are rapidly assimilated by microbes, organic acids are unimportant in the long-term acidification of the environment.
Creating a New Architecture for the Learning College

The publication of A Nation at Risk in 1983 triggered a series of major reform efforts in education that are still evolving. As part of the reform efforts, leaders began to refer to a Learning Revolution that would “place learning first by overhauling the traditional architecture of education.” The old architecture—time-bound, place-bound, role-bound, and bureaucracy-bound—was an artifact of earlier eras when school was designed for an agricultural and an industrial economy. It was easy for educational leaders to “place learning first” by changing their language. Vice Presidents of Academic Affairs became Vice Presidents of Learning; Learning Outcomes became the universal goal; the institutions became Learning Colleges. New mission and value statements began to appear in community college catalogs to reflect the new emphasis on learning. The American Association of Community Colleges joined the revolution with a new mission statement: “Building a nation of learners by advancing America's community college...
Comparison of gated cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and two‐dimensional echocardiography for the evaluation of right ventricular thrombi: A case report with autopsy correlation

In a patient who died of complications of severe pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular failure, and sepsis, antemortem two-dimensional (2-D) echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies demonstrated a right ventricular mass which at autopsy proved to be thrombus. The diagnostic features of this mass as imaged by these two methods are compared. This case was complicated in that the patient had a history of right atrial myxoma that had been successfully removed three years previously, and a history of several prior pulmonary emboli. Gated MRI depicted the size, shape, and surface characteristics of the mass more clearly than 2-D echocardiography because MRI provided better contrast and spatial resolution. Both techniques were useful in localizing the mass and showing if it was fixed or mobile. Depiction of tumor attachment was unclear with echocardiography but very clear with MRI. MRI also showed a left pulmonary artery thrombus that was not visualized by 2-D echocardiography. Both techniques provided chamber dimension measurements showing enlargement of the right atrium and ventricle. This case demonstrates that gated MRI provides high-quality images of cardiac anatomy and masses. Gated cardiac MRI should be considered at least complementary and potentially superior to two-dimensional echocardiography in the evaluation of intracardiac masses in certain patients.
The Demographic and Psychographic Antecedents of Attitude toward Advertising

ABSTRACT Attitude toward advertising has been widely researched in the last few decades. Its ubiquitous effect on the advertising industry manifests itself in the domain of consumer purchasing behavior and in the freedom of the industry in placing its messages in media outlets. Although the relationship of demographic variables with attitude toward advertising has been explored in past research, psychographic variables have not been looked at in the context of their effect on the construct. This article studies the individual-difference antecedents of attitude toward advertising. In addition to the traditional demographic variables, psychographic antecedents are suggested based on past theory.
Sequence-dependent emission from stacked forms of ApC and CpA Evidence for stacked base (‘dimer’) absorption and left-handed stacked conformation☆

Abstract The corrected and normalised emission spectrum, quantum yield and emission anisotropy are reported for partially stacked adenylyl-3′,5′-cytidine (ApC) excited at 266 nm and are compared with cytidylyl-3′,5′-adenosine (CpA). Utilizing characteristics determined independently for adenosine and cytidine-5′-monophosphate (CMP), the concurrent self-consistent resolution of emission spectrum and emission anisotropy has been carried out in two ways; first completely empirically as for CpA and second on the basis of a simple stacking model, with concordant results. The total emission spectrum of ApC is resolved into (i) components characteristic of the two monomers and (ii) a red-shifted complex emission. The complex emission spectrum, which is much stronger than from CpA and is complementary to it in bandshape, can also be satisfactorily described by the same components. The dimeric (A, C) system can exist in at least two luminescent stacked forms, proportions of which are determined by the overall stacked fraction and the population within this fraction of the various stacked conformers. The relation between the ratios of the components and the fractional absorption of the stacked forms indicates that the low-energy component is a (hetero-) dimer emission while the high energy component appears to be a true exciplex (hetero-excimer). Comparison with the circular dichroism and NMR literature shows a satisfactory semi-quantitative correlation with the hypothesis that the low energy (hetero-) dimer emission originates from a left-handed stacked conformation M bb , while the higher energy hetero-excimer originates from the predominant right-handed stacked conformation P ba .
Experimental and Theoretical Evidence for the Isolation of Thorium Hydride Molecules in Argon Matrices

The primary reaction products of laser-ablated thorium atoms with dihydrogen, ThH, ThH2, ThH3, and ThH4 have been isolated for the first time in an argon matrix and identified by the effects of isotopic substitution on their infrared spectra. DFT calculations provide firm theoretical support for the spectral assignments.
An artifact in the alkaline hydrolysis of RNA labeled with guanosine-8-T.

Abstract RNA was prepared from sea urchin embryos exposed to guanosine-8-T. Analysis of the products of alkaline hydrolysis from crude or purified RNA showed an unknown radioactive substance in addition to the 2′(3′)-guanylate. This substance is probably H3HO formed by an exchange reaction between guanosine monophosphate and water.
Cozero-accessible points

Abstract We define a point x to be cozero-accessible if for each dense open set U, there is a cozero-set C ⊂ U such that x ∈ C ¯ . It is shown to be independent of Martin's Axiom that there are cozero-accessible points in β N ∖ N .
PDGF and Microvessel Wall Remodeling in Adult Lung: Imaging PDGF-Rβ and PDGF-BB Molecules in Progenitor Smooth Muscle Cells Developing in Pulmonary Hypertension

Smooth muscle cells are relatively rare cells in the microvessels of the normal adult lung but develop in high numbers in the clinical pulmonary hypertensions (PHs). Understanding this cellular response has profound implications for determining the pathogenesis of PH, and for the development of therapeutic strategies, yet little is known of the angiogenic molecules responsible. The authors have previously shown that interstitial fibroblasts, and intermediate cells, are the progenitors of smooth muscle cells developing in adult lung microvessels in an in vivo model of experimental PH. The present study evaluates PDGF-Rβ/PDGF-BB, an important angiogenic signaling pathway, using antibodies linked to protein A-gold (pA-AU) and quantitative high-resolution imaging techniques to detect expression by these cells. Each progenitor cell type in the control lung expressed PDGF-Rβ and PDGF-BB. In the hypertensive lung, PDGF-Rβ was highly expressed by fibroblasts developing as perivascular cells, the mean number of pA...
Learning disabilities with communicative disorders as related handicaps: A two-year study

Abstract This study presents a demographic profile of learning-disabilities children with communicative disorders as related handicaps, and attempts to determine the analytical impact of including these children with children manifesting communicative disorders as primary handicaps. The purpose of this investigation emerged as a result of problems stemming from current definitions of learning disabilities as they relate to speech—language pathology and audiology, and from unavailable data on communicative disorders as related handicaps. The findings indicate that 0.35% of the school population were learning-disabled with communicative disorders as secondary handicaps; these children represented 30.2% of the service delivery for communicative disorders. The white : black ratio of 1.8 : 1 did not coincide with the population ratio; this finding was unfavorable for blacks. Sex and race were confounding variables, with sex as the stronger one. Further, the study indicated that service delivery for language disorders and males were greater than in other communicative disordered populations.
Hierarchical analysis of regulatory networks and cross-disciplinary comparison with the Linux call graph

The study of hierarchical organization of complex networks provides a more intuitive picture on the regulatory interactions in various complex systems, including both biological and technological systems. In the first part of the talk, I will introduce the integrated regulatory network based on the systematic integration of various high-throughput datasets from the modENCODE project. The network consists of three major types of regulation: TF→gene, TF→miRNA and miRNA→gene. I will examine the topological structures of the network, with emphasis on its hierarchical organization. In the second part of the talk, I will further present the hierarchical organization of the E. coli transcriptional regulatory network and the call graph of the Linux operating system. The effects on the robustness of the systems and insights from evolution will be discussed.
First-order gradient correction for the exchange-energy density functional for atoms

Spurred by earlier discoveries by Deb and others that a first-order correction in the kinetic energy functional leads to an improved kinetic energy, a first-order gradient term is studied as a component of the gradient-corrected functional for atomic exchange energy. This term is shown to improve the local density approximation to the exchange energy more than does the usual second-order gradient correction. The imperative of systematically deriving this gradient correction is discussed but not resolved.
'You're So Fat!' Exploring Ojibwe Discourse

'You're So Fat!' Exploring Ojibwe Discourse. Roger Spielmann. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1998. vii. 280 pp., notes, references, index.
The uptake mechanism of PEGylated DNA polyplexes by the liver influences gene expression.

Two uptake mechanisms were identified for PEGylated DNA polyplex biodistribution to the liver. At a low polyplex dose, a rapid-uptake mechanism dominates, resulting in 60% capture by liver in 5 min, due to a saturable receptor-mediated process. Rapid-uptake led to the fast metabolism of polyplexes by liver (t1/2=2.1 h), correlating with a 1-μg pGL3 polyplex dose losing full transfection competency after 4 h in the liver. Dose escalation of either polyplex or poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) peptide led to the saturation of rapid-uptake and revealed a delayed-uptake mechanism for polyplexes by liver. Delayed-uptake was characterized by the slower liver accumulation of 40% of the polyplex dose over 40 min, followed by slow metabolism (t1/2=15 h) and an extended time (12 h) for a 1-μg pGL3 polyplex dose, remaining fully transfection competent in the liver. The delayed-uptake mechanism is consistent with polyplexes crossing liver fenestrated endothelial cells to reach steady state in the space of Disse. The results describe how to control polyplex biodistribution to liver to avoid rapid-uptake and metabolism, in favor of delayed-uptake, to preserve polyplex transfection competency in the liver for up to 12 h.
Does amygdalar perfusion correlate with antidepressant response to partial sleep deprivation in major depression

This study used functional MRI (fMRI) to clarify the sites of brain activity associated with the antidepressant effects of sleep deprivation (SD). We hypothesized: (1) baseline perfusion in right and left amygdalae will be greater in responders than in nonresponders; (2) following partial sleep deprivation (PSD), perfusion in responders' right and left amygdalae would decrease. Seventeen unmedicated outpatients with current major depression and eight controls received perfusion-weighted fMRI and structural MRI at baseline and following 1 night of late-night PSD. Baseline bilateral amygdalar perfusion was greater in responders than nonresponders. Clusters involving both amygdalae decreased from baseline to PSD specifically in responders. Right amygdalar perfusion diverged with PSD, increasing in nonresponders and decreasing in responders. These novel amygdalar findings are consistent with the overarousal hypothesis of SD as well as other functional imaging studies showing increased baseline amygdalar activity in depression and decreased amygdalar activity with remission or antidepressant medications.
Linear Least-squares Deconvolution of Nonlinear Density Well Log Response

Previous attempts at deconvolving density well logs have been inaccurate because the assumption that density log response does not change with density is invalid (Looyestijin, 1982). Theoretical experimental data have shown that the response of a density well log to a thin bed is nonlinear and asymmetric, violating the assumption of linearity and stationarity impliclt in traditional deconvolution techviques. Similar to a seismic signal, the density well log response can be thought of as a convolution of a signal and tool response. The deconvolution process to more closely approximate these assumptions for deconvolutionis not complex. The data is resampled to intervals of equal-mass, then a linear least squares deconvolution is applied to the data using a priori information, thus constraining the solution. The process removes the asymmetric character and yields a near-linear response. The advantage of using a linear least squares deconvolution is that constraints on the data can be applied to the problem, giving additional control and confidence to the solution. And, since the inverse process is a general equation, several constramts can be applied simultaneously.
Effects of heat treatment on stress corrosion cracking of a discontinuously reinforced aluminum (DRA) 7XXX alloy during slow strain rate testing

Discontinuously reinforced aluminum (DRA) alloys are being developed as candidate materials for the automotive and aerospace industry. Although the corrosion and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) susceptibility of aluminum alloys have been extensively studied, comparatively little is known about the corrosion and SCC behavior of DRA materials. The intent of the present work was to study the effects of changes in microstructure/heat treatment on the crack nucleation mechanisms in DRAs and their monolithic atrices on the overall slow strain rate SCC performance in a 3.5% NaCl solution (pH = 3.0). For a given heat treatment, MB78 DRA materials show more susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking than the equivalent monolithic material. For the MB78 composite, the UAII material exhibited the maximum susceptibility to SCC. Both the UAI and UAII material were more susceptible to SCC than the OA material. MB78 DRA and monolithic specimens which have been shown to have a continuous ({eta} and {eta}{prime}) layer along the grain boundaries also showed higher susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking. Significantly more crack coalescence to form larger cracks was observed for the DRA specimens tested in the NaCl solution compared to the DRA specimens tested in dry-air. Monolithic specimens (OA as well as UA)more » did not exhibit visible micro-cracks or significant crack coalescence on the surfaces.« less
Wi-Fi Geographies

Wi-Fi marries Internet-based networking and radio broadcasting. Although still nascent, the technology is wildly popular. Geography is a central consideration in the functioning of Wi-Fi technology. Yet, its influence is just beginning to be investigated. Examination of the space of Wi-Fi poses problems as wireless data traffic is invisible to the eye and its underlying apparatus is impromptu and veiled to traditional geographic inquiry. A scheme for detecting Wi-Fi infrastructure and transmissions and analyzing their geographic properties is introduced in this article. The application of the scheme to the study of Wi-Fi geography in Salt Lake City, Utah, is described. A dense network of impromptu Wi-Fi infrastructure is found to permeate the city's built environment and the urban area has been blanketed in a fog of Wi-Fi transmissions without any centralized organization. This Wi-Fi cloud is surprisingly resilient to network and physical problems, although the early signs of geographically systematic thr...
Evidence-Based Strategies to Reduce Intravenous Immunoglobulin–Induced Headaches

Objective: To review the literature evaluating pharmacotherapeutic and nonpharmacotherapeutic options available to reduce migraines or headaches associated with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) treatment. Data Sources: A search of MEDLINE (1946 to February 2015) and other secondary resources was performed using the terms immunoglobulin, immune globulin, intravenous immunoglobulins, migraine, and headache. Other relevant articles referenced from the MEDLINE search were also utilized. Study Selection and Data Extraction: Data sources were limited to English language clinical trials and case studies. In all, 6 clinical studies and 2 case reports met the criteria. Data Synthesis: Headaches or migraines are common adverse effects associated with the administration of IVIG. We evaluated 6 clinical studies and 2 case reports discussing this adverse event in patients treated with IVIG. Strategies used were hydration, switching to an alternate IVIG product, decreased infusion rates, or treating with oral analgesi...
Somatic responses and performance levels during anticipatory physical-threat stress.

20 general aviation pilots flew a series of simulated instrument flights under stress and non-stress conditions. During flight, muscle action potentials from the masseter muscle and eye blink were ...
The pediatric electrocardiogram Part II: Dysrhythmias

The following article in this series will describe common arrhythmias seen in the pediatric population. Their definitions and clinical presentations along with electrocardiogram (ECG) examples will be presented. In addition, ECG changes seen in acute toxic ingestions commonly seen in children will be described, even if such ingestions do not produce arrhythmias per se. Disturbances of rhythm seen frequently in patients with unrepaired and corrected congenital heart disease will be more fully discussed in the third article of this series. Numerous classification schemes for arrhythmias exist; in this article arrhythmias will be grouped based upon their major ECG manifestations.
The caffeine breath test does not identify patients susceptible to tacrine hepatotoxicity

Therapy with tacrine, a promising new treatment for Alzheimer's disease, must be discontinued in up to 15% of patients because of hepatocellular toxicity. Recent studies using human liver microsomes have suggested that a single liver enzyme, cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2), catalyzes the major route of metabolism and elimination of tacrine, and also catalyzes the pathway(s) involved in the generation of reactive metabolites capable of covalent protein binding and cytotoxicity. Because CYP1A2 activity has been shown to vary up to 60-fold among patients, we proposed that a convenient measure of CYP1A2 activity, the [(13)C 3-methyl] caffeine breath test (CBT), might be clinically useful in identifying patients most susceptible to tacrine liver toxicity. To test this hypothesis, we administered the CBT to 37 patients with Alzheimer's disease before they began treatment with tacrine. Twenty patients received 2 mg/kg of [(13)C 3-methyl] caffeine. The remaining 17 patients received the commercially available CBT kit, which employs a constant 200-mg dose. The activities of two other major drug-metabolizing enzymes (cytochrome P450 3A4 and 2D6 [CYP3A4 and CYP2D6]) were also measured in these 17 patients. We found that the results obtained from the CBT protocol did not predict the peak serum alanine transaminase (ALT) observed in the patients. The measured CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 activities also failed to predict the susceptible patients. However, the result of the standardized-dose CBT correlated well with the logarithm of the steady-state plasma tacrine level obtained in 10 patients (R(2) = .69, P = .003). We conclude that the CBT will not be clinically useful in determining the subset of patients most susceptible to tacrine hepatotoxicity. However, the correlation we observed between CBT results and tacrine blood levels is the first evidence supporting a critical role for CYP1A2 activity in the disposition of the drug in vivo.
Optimized structure based representative volume element sets reflecting the ensemble-averaged 2-point statistics

Abstract The concept of a representative volume element (RVE) is central to the establishment of robust microstructure–processing–property relationships in all hierarchical material systems. In this paper, we develop the main concepts underlying the rigorous definition of an RVE that reflects the complete set of 2-point statistics gathered from an ensemble of available microstructure data sets. In particular, it is shown that it is often impossible to identify a single realization of finite extent that meets this criterion. Instead, it is much more convenient to visualize the RVE as a weighted combination of specific realizations. These weighted combinations are referred to as RVE Sets in this work. This paper presents and validates a clear and precise definition of RVE Sets and their important role in efficiently capturing structure–property relationships in a number of material systems.
Switchability Conditions of Motions in a Nonlinear, Friction-Induced Oscillator

In this paper, the analytical conditions for motion switchability in a nonlinear frictional oscillator are developed. Such analytical conditions provide the motion switching mechanism in such a nonlinear friction oscillator. Periodic motions are presented through phase planes and switching sections for a better understanding of such motion mechanism.Copyright © 2011 by ASME