cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reforming Share-Voting Systems: The Case of Italy

Institutional shareholders around the world increasingly use share-voting to protect their portfolio investments and improve corporate governance. However, exercising voting rights involves costly and often arcane country-specific legal rules. Efforts are under way to harmonize cross-border share-voting systems and proxy voting rules in the U.S. and in Member States of the European Union (EU). We comment on the recent changes to the share-registration system and voting chain for publicly traded companies in Italy, triggered by the 2007 EU Shareholder Rights Directive. We highlight continuing voting impediments in Italy, and suggest that moving to a centralized or “direct” share registration system would reduce voting-chain complexity further. Examples of centralized share registration systems, which permit “straight-through” processing of shareholder votes and eliminate “empty” voting, are found in the Nordic countries.
Cardiovascular Aging: Perspectives from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA)

The Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (BLSA) was born in 1958, making it one of the oldest and longest studies of Aging in the United States. Lack of educational opportunities and socioeconomic disadvantage can have many negative effects on health, and the initial aim of the study was to separate these effects from the true effects of the aging processes. Thus, the primary focus was the scientific characterization of aging in individuals over their entire adult lifespan. With approximately 3,200 total volunteers over the life of the study, more than 1,400 men and women are current study participants, ranging in age from 20 to 94+ years. CV studies within the BLSA are conducted by the Laboratory of Cardiovascular Science (LCS) of the National Institute on Aging, Intramural Research Program in conjunction with other BLSA investigators. Primary foci in BLSA CV studies are on arterial stiffening and cardiac reserve. BLSA studies in humans and animals have explored the various facets of aging through this lens. In pursuit of these topics a number of corollary discoveries have been made, revealing a complex interplay between the heart and arterial system, aging, and CV diseases. The BLSA approach to defining and discussing aging begins with an attempt to separate aging and disease to the extent to which this is possible in the BLSA community dwelling, volunteer cohort. Initial characterization of age-associated changes in the CV (or any other organ) system utilizes a cross-sectional approach to describe changes over a broad age range. In some projects, cross-sectional measurements continue to be made to (i) provide greater statistical power to answer certain questions, (ii) address new hypotheses requiring simultaneous measurement of related new variables, (iii) incorporate rapid technological advances requiring de novo measurements, and (iv) monitor secular changes in important variables, mediated by lifestyle or environmental changes. Longitudinal measurements for many variables are made at pre-defined intervals to identify “true” aging changes, free from the selective survivorship effect of cross-sectional studies. Longitudinal studies make it possible to determine the rate of aging for specific variables. Another type of longitudinal study may monitor “outcomes” or “events” in relation to an initial measurement variable, such as myocardial infarction (MI) or cardiac death as predicted by prior exercise ECG and thallium scanning. BLSA studies frequently generate hypotheses that can only be tested by intervention studies. Short-term interventions such as physiological or pharmacological perturbations are typical of hypothesis-driven studies often used to define the mechanisms of age-related changes observed in cross-sectional or longitudinal investigations. This overview of BLSA CV research focuses on arterial aging and its effects on arterial-heart coupling.
Estimating the state of the thermospheric composition using Kalman filtering

[1] To determine the propagation parameters of high-frequency radio waves, an accurate estimate of the ionosphere is desirable. Estimating the ionosphere, especially during geomagnetic storm times, is strongly dependent on perturbations in the neutral composition. Because of this coupling between the ionosphere and neutral atmospheric chemistry, accurate knowledge of the neutral atmospheric composition is critical in estimating the ionosphere. In the research presented here, a data assimilation system is constructed to optimally estimate the neutral composition, and the necessity for implementing an optimized filtering method, like the Kalman filter, is shown. To demonstrate the data assimilation system, an artificial “truth” thermosphere is created using a physical model. This thermosphere is sampled according to an instrument and satellite simulation algorithm, creating the measurement data set. Noise is then added to the measurement data, to represent observation errors. Data are assimilated, and noise from this data is reduced using a Kalman filter in combination with a state propagation model. Results show that the error in the estimate can be greatly reduced (usually to <6%), even if the observation errors are large (15%), by using a Kalman filter. Best results are obtained by using a Kalman filter together with an accurate physical model.
Motivations for Changes in Disclosure Frequency and its Consequences: An Examination of Voluntary Quarterly Segment Disclosures

We examine the determinants and effects of managers' decisions to increase segment disclosure frequency. Our sample consists of 107 multi-segment firms reporting industry segment data in their annual reports between 1987 and 1994. Of these 65 "change" firms initiated quarterly segment disclosures during the study period, while 42 "non-disclosing" firms provided no segment data in their interim reports at any time during this period. We find that during the two-year period leading up to the change, change firms experienced a decline in liquidity (measured by trading volume) and an increase in information asymmetry (measured by analyst forecast consensus). In addition, change firms were more likely to have made acquisitions and to have operations in industries in which other firms also provide quarterly segment disclosure. However, we find no significant differences between change and non-disclosing firms with respect to shifts in their competitive environments or analyst following in the pre-disclosure period or their propensity to access capital markets following the change. Following the onset of quarterly segment reporting, change firms experienced an increased analyst following. This paper contributes to the disclosure literature in several respects. First, by examining firm attributes previously associated with cross-sectional differences in disclosure levels, as possible explanations for differences in disclosure frequency and second by examining whether changes in these firm characteristics are associated with the decision to increase segment disclosure frequency.
A criterion-referenced measurement approach to ESL achievement testing

The distinction between norm-referenced measurement (NRM) and criterion-referenced measurement (CRM) has become recognized as an issue in second-language testing. Traditional methods used to determ...
Microbial community analysis of soils contaminated with lead, chromium and petroleum hydrocarbons.

The impact on the microbial community of long-term environmental exposure to metal and organic contamination was investigated. Twenty-four soil samples were collected along a transect dug in soils contaminated with road paint and paint solvents, mainly toluene. Chemical analysis along the transect revealed a range from high to low concentrations of metals (lead and chromium) and organic solvent compounds. Principal components analysis of microbial community structure based on denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis of the V3 region of the 16S rRNA gene and fatty acid methyl esters derived from phospholipids (phospholipid fatty acid analysis) showing samples with similar fingerprints also had similar contaminant concentrations. There was also a weak positive correlation between microbial biomass and the organic carbon concentration. Results indicated that microbial populations are present despite some extreme contaminant levels in this mixed-waste contaminated site. Nucleotide sequence determination of the 16S rRNA gene indicated the presence of phylogenetically diverse bacteria belonging to the α-, β-, γ-, and δ-Proteobacteria, the high and low G + C Gram-positive bacteria, green nonsulfur, OP8, and others that did not group within a described division. This indicates that soils contaminated with both heavy metals and hydrocarbons for several decades have undergone changes in community composition, but still contain a phylogenetically diverse group of bacteria (including novel phylotypes) that warrant further investigation.
Tidal and diurnal activity rhythms in the striped shore crab Pachygrapsus crassipes

Abstract The activity of eight male striped shore crabs Pachygrapsus crassipes was recorded for 33 days in a LD 12:12 cycle with light on from 6:00 h to 18:00 h. All eight crabs displayed an overt semi‐diurnal tidal rhythm for the entire recording period, with peak activity occurring two hours after each high tide. In all crabs a 24‐h activity component was also expressed, with activity reaching a maximum 2–5 h after light‐off. This activity pattern was presumed to be of adaptive significance, allowing the organisms to remain active longer during the night hours in search for food when uncovered by the ebbing tide than in the daytime when uncovered due to predatory pressure. It was noted that while the tidal rhythm displayed an average 12.4‐h periodicity, there appeared to be a correlation between activity and the precise time of local high tide which occurred at times as little as 20 min and as much as two hours later each solar day. Two hypotheses regarding the underlying clock timing the observed rhyth...
Late pleistocene and holocene soils of the Carter/Kerr-McGee archeological site, powder river basin, Wyoming

Summary Soil character and stratigraphy at the Carter/Kerr-McGee site indicate poorly drained conditions along the bottom of the paleo-arroyo in late Pleistocene time. This occurred under a relatively cool and humid climate during Clovis (ca. 11, 400 B.P.) and Folsom (ca. 10,700 B.P.) occupation and subsequently during occupation by Agate Basin (ca. 10,400 B.P.), Hell Gap (ca. 10,000 B.P.), and Cody (ca. 8700 B.P.) cultural groups. Under these conditions, Wiesenboden or Low Humic Gley or Humic Gley soils (BALDWIN et al. 1938, THORP & SMITH 1949), i.e., probably Typic Argiaquolls and Haplaquolls (SOIL SURVEY STAFF 1975, 276, 279–280), formed near the arroyo bottom under grasses and sedges in association with azonal (BALDWIN et al. 1938; THORP & SMITH 1949) and composite soils along its flanks. Wiesenboden or Low Humic Gley or Humic Gley soils do not now form in the area. Climatic change at the Pleistocene-Holocene boundary is marked by superposition of a calcareous soil, i.e., probably a Brown soil (BALDWIN et al. 1938; THORP & SMITH 1949) or Calciustoll or Haplustoll (SOIL SURVEY STAFF 1975, 301–302), into the late Pleistocene paleosols — a process indicative of ensuing dry and warmer climatic conditions and improved soil drainage thought to have occurred during Altithermal time. Following this, probably toward the end of the Altithermal, renewed arroyo cutting and slope instability partially or totally truncated this soil sequence. In turn, post-Altithermal events were marked by weak azonal soil formation (Ustifluvents and Ustipsamments; SOIL SURVEY STAFF 1975, 191, 207) in alluvium and colluvium along the paleo-channel as well as renewed arroyo incision and filling. The arroyo is presently incising itself and is cutting mainly along the alluviumbedrock contact.
Evidence for a surface reaction between H and CO adsorbed on polycrystalline Pt

Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) experiments have been performed after dosing an ion-sputtered and annealed polycrystalline Pt surface with CO and H2. The CO-dosing was done both sequentially and simultaneously. With increasing residence time on the surface, the H2-TPD spectra exhibit conversion of the original H2-like features to features similar to the CO-TPD peaks. This provides evidence for the formation of a CO/H surface species through a chemical reaction between adsorbed H and adsorbed CO. The reaction occurs more rapidly when the sample is dosed or held at elevated temperatures, indicating that the reaction is activated.
Metabolism of carbon-14-labeled hempa by adult boll weevils.

When uniformly carbon-14-labeled hempa, alone or in combination with busulfan, is ingested by the adult boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman) during a six-day feeding period, hempa is metabolized rapidly and excreted with its decomposition products. The primary metabolic pathway involves the sequentialN-demethylation of hempa to the inactive penta-, tetra-, and trimethyl derivatives. Radiocarbon liberated during metabolism is expired as14CO2 or is incorporated into natural constituents. Of the radioactive products that are present in adult boll weevils immediately upon transfer from the hempa-containing diet, only 0.6 µg each is in the form of hempa; after 24 hours of feeding on untreated diet, this is reduced to 0.06 µg. In view of the known low acute- and chronic toxicity of hempa to mammals and its low mutagenicity in mammalian systems, it is concluded that the proposed release of 100 chemosterilized weevils per acre would produce only negligible potential environmental contamination and that possible risks could be further reduced by releasing the insects 24 hours or more after treatment.
Curatorial constructs: archives in fine art exhibitions

The essay explores the inclusion of archive material within fine art exhibitions, particularly considering differences in approach between displays of contemporary art and those featuring Old Master paintings. Taking the National Gallery's 2012 Turner Inspired exhibition as a primary case study, it looks at how archives are interpreted and displayed alongside traditional works of art. It compares the National Gallery's experience with a number of recent Old Master and nineteenth-century artists' exhibitions to consider whether there is a commonality of approach between different exhibiting institutions. Finally, it compares the different approach to displaying archives within contemporary art exhibitions and explores the rationale for this difference.
Healthy beginnings: a system of care for children in Atlanta.

For more than a decade the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Atlanta Civic Site has invested in a comprehensive community change strategy in five neighborhoods near downtown Atlanta. The foundation pursues a three-prong strategy focused on improving educational outcomes for children, encouraging family economic success for adults, and positively transforming the community’s physical environment. The foundation recently integrated a focus on health into its community and family strengthening strategies. In this article we review the foundation’s Healthy Beginnings System of Care. Healthy Beginnings seeks to prevent or reduce health disparities through a community-based, coordinated care approach based in a high-quality early learning center. An initial evaluation found that in 2013 the program exceeded all of its performance requirements for the 279 enrolled children. Ninety-seven percent of the children had health insurance, 92 percent were up to date with immunizations, and 98 percent were current with develop...
A training program in computer applications in the health sciences

Case Western Reserve University has developed an intensive 12-month post-graduate Training Program to educate health professionals in the application of computer technology. A Master of Science degree is awarded upon completion of a set of formal courses and implementation of a computer-based project. The program emphasizes computer applications for the structuring, manipulation, and display of medical information.
'Peace on Earth--Peace in Vietnam': The Catholic Peace Fellowship and Antiwar Witness, 1964-1976

Founded in 1964, the Catholic Peace Fellowship (CPF) was central to American Catholic peacemaking during the Vietnam war and offers students of the era deeper insight into the complexity of the antiwar movement. CPF protest reflected growing disdain for American Activities in Vietnam among American Catholics, as well as growing interest in Catholic peacemaking following the reforms of the second Vatican Council. CPF members provided American Catholics with a forum in which they could protest the war in a religious context, even as they worked to maintain a religious voice in the larger secular antiwar movement. Unlike much secular protest activity, CPF protest sprang from religious roots and CPF members consciously constructed arguments against the war and developed protest tactics that reflected the teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, as well as the Church's hidden history of nonviolence. Moreover, the primarily lay character of CPF challenged traditional relationships in the American Catholic Church. Rather than defer to clerical leadership, lay catholics in the CPF took the lead protesting the Vietnam War, a fact that prepared them to participate more fully in the mission of the church and in constructing the American Catholic Church's Post-Vatican II agenda.
KINARI-Web: a server for protein rigidity analysis

KINARI-Web is an interactive web server for performing rigidity analysis and visually exploring rigidity properties of proteins. It also provides tools for pre-processing the input data, such as selecting relevant chains from PDB files, adding hydrogen atoms and identifying stabilizing interactions. KINARI-Web offers a quick-start option for beginners, and highly customizable features for the experienced user. Chains, residues or atoms, as well as stabilizing constraints can be selected, removed or added, and the user can designate how different chemical interactions should be modeled during rigidity analysis. The enhanced Jmol-based visualizer allows for zooming in, highlighting or investigating different calculated rigidity properties of a molecular structure. KINARI-Web is freely available at http://kinari.cs.umass.edu.
Modification of cardiac Na + channels by anthopleurin-A: effects on gating and kinetics

We used the whole cell patch clamp technique to investigate the characteristics of modification of cardiac Na+ channel gating by the sea anemone polypeptide toxin anthopleurin-A (AP-A). Guinea pig ventricular myocytes were isolated enzymatically using a retrograde perfusion apparatus. Holding potential was −140 mV and test potentials ranged from −100 to + 40 mV (pulse duration 100 or 1000 ms). AP-A (50–100 nM) markedly slowed the rate of decay of Na+ current (I Na) and increased peak I Na conductance (g Na) by 38±5.5% (mean±SEM, P < 0.001, n = 12) with little change in slope factor (n = 12) or voltage midpoint of the g Na/V relationship after correction for spontaneous shifts. The voltage dependence of steady-state I Na availability (h ∞) demonstrated an increase in slope factor from 5.9±0.8 mV in control to 8.0±0.7 mV after modification by AP-A (P < 0.01, n = 14) whereas any shift in the voltage midpoint of this relationship could be accounted for by a spontaneous time-dependent shift. AP-A-modified I Na showed a use-dependent decrease in peak current amplitude (interpulse interval 500 ms) when pulse duration was 100 ms (−15±2%, P < 0.01, n = 17) but showed no decline when pulse duration was 100 ms (−3±1%). This use-dependent effect was probably the result of a decrease in the rate of recovery from inactivation caused by AP-A which had a small effect on the fast time constant of recovery (from 4.1±0.3 ms in control to 6.0±1.1 ms after AP-A, P < 0.05) but increased the slow time constant from 66.2±6.5 ms in control to 188.9±36.4 ms (P< 0.002, n = 19) after exposure to AP-A. Increasing external divalent cation concentration (either Ca2+ or Mg2+) to 10 mM abolished the effects of AP-A on the rate of I Na decay. These results demonstrate that modification of cardiac Na+ channels by AP-A markedly slowed I Na inactivation and altered the voltage dependence of activation; these alterations in gating characteristics, in turn, caused an increase in g Na presumably by increasing the number of channels open at peak I Na. AP-A slows the rate of recovery of I Na from inactivation which is probably the basis for a use-dependent decrease in peak amplitude. Finally, AP-A binding is sensitive to external divalent cation concentrations. Thus, increasing [Mg2+]o or [Ca2+]o displaces AP-A from binding, suggesting that they share related binding sites on the external surface of the Na+ channel.
Sesquiterpene lactones of Hymenoclea monogyra

Abstract Ambrosin, neoambrosin, psilostachyin, psilostachyin C, ilicic acid and costunolide have been identified in Hymenoclea monogyra .
Processing Optimization of Deformed Plain Woven Thermoplastic Composites

This research addresses the processing optimization of post-manufactured, plain weave architecture composite panels consisted of four glass layers and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) when formed with only localized heating. Often times, during the production of deep drawn composite parts, a fabric preform experiences various defects, including non-isothermal heating and thickness variations. Minimizing these defects is of utmost importance for mass produceability in a practical manufacturing process. The broad objective of this research was to implement a design of experiments approach to minimize through-thickness composite panel variation during manufacturing by varying the heating time, the temperature of heated components and the clamping pressure. It was concluded that the heated tooling with least area contact was most influential, followed by the length of heating time and the amount of clamping pressure.
Moiré Interferometry for Damage Analysis of Composites

This paper briefly reviews the techniques of moire interferometry as they are practiced in the author's laboratory and demonstrates their potential for revealing U and V displacement fields for analysis of damage in composites. The method is treated more completely in Ref. 1 and in the references cited there.
DEVELOPMENTAL CEREBROVASCULAR RESPONSE TO SYMPATHETIC NERVE STIMULATION IN NEWBORN PIGLETS

Previous studies suggest that sympathetic nerves may affect cerebral blood flow (CBF) more profoundly in neonates than adult animals. Data regarding developmental aspects of adrenergic mechanisms and CBF regulation are not available. The present study investigates the functional development of sympathetic vasoconstriction in the cerebral circulation. In 16 anesthetized (30% N2O) newborn piglets (4 to 15 days), the right sympathetic trunk was electrically stimulated for 60s (16 Hz, 15v, 3 msec) while the left side served as control and blood flow to each hemibrain was measured (microspheres). Blood pressure and blood gases were not altered by sympathetic nerve stimulation. During baseline (no stimulation) CBF was 78±5 and 77±5 ml/min/100g in the left and right hemibrain respectively. Electrical stimulation of the sympathetic trunk decreased flow to the right hemibrain by 10±2% compared to the left side. Flow to the right cerebrum (CBM) was reduced by 15±3% while flow to cerebellum and brainstem regions were unaffected. The efficacy of sympathetic vasoconstriction appears to be related to age where flow to the right CBM was reduced by 14±3 in piglets less than 6 days old, 19±5% in 7-9 day old piglets and 6±3% in piglets over 9 days of age. The developmental pattern was most profound in the choroid plexus where sympathetic vasoconstriction reduced flow by 45±7, 83±5, and 58±8% in the respective age groups. These data suggest that there is a critical time during postnatal development when sympathetic activation may significantly alter CBF. (NIH T35-HD-07217-10A1 and NIH-HD-15973-01.)
Local Knowledge, Research Knowledge, and Educational Change: A Case Study of Early Spanish Reading Improvement:

Reforming schools depends on the interplay between research and local knowledge. This article uses examples from a multiyear project to improve reading achievement of Spanish-speaking children. Achieving changes was partially dependent on local action and understanding of the local school culture. It could not be done exclusively through reference to research knowledge, no matter how compellingly documented in the national literature.
Sensitivity considerations in the design of instrument failure detection and isolation systems

This paper considers the problem of designing the observers in an observer based instrument failure detection scheme for a system in which all the states are directly measured. Use is made of the singular values of a matrix to calculate a sensitivity measure and to adjust the observer gain matrix.
Synthesis of Carboxylic Acid-Modified [FeFe]-Hydrogenase Model Complexes Amenable to Surface Immobilization

Model complexes of [FeFe]-hydrogenase bearing carboxylic acid functionalities have been designed for applications toward immobilization of hydrogen production electrocatalysts on amino-functionalized carbon electrode surfaces. Using carboxylic acid-substituted thiols, complexes incorporating the −COOH moiety into the thiolate linkers have been synthesized: (μ-SCH2CH2COOH)2[Fe(CO)3]2 (1) and the previously known (μ-(SCH2)2CHCOOH)[Fe(CO)3]2 (2). Carboxylic acid units have also been introduced via ligand substitution with a tricarboxyethyl phosphine to generate (μ-pdt)[Fe(CO)3][Fe(CO)2{P(C2H4COOH)3}] (3). To mimic the linkage of complexes of these types to amino-functionalized monolayers, it has been demonstrated that 2 can be coupled with aniline in solution to generate (μ-(SCH2)2CHCONHPh)[Fe(CO)3]2 (4), and the stability of this linkage has been addressed. The carboxylic acid-substituted complex 2 undergoes ligand substitution with PMe3 to generate (μ-(SCH2)2CHCOOH)[Fe(CO)2(PMe3)]2 (5). Complex 5 can then...
Tuning the Morphology of Pharmaceutical Compounds via Model Based Solvent Selection

Abstract In this paper we present a strategy for tuning the crystal morphology of pharmaceutical compounds by the appropriate choice of solvent via an optimization model. A three-stage approach involving a pre-design stage, a product design stage and a post-design experimental verification stage is presented. The pre-design stage addresses the formulation of the property constraint for crystal morphology. This involves crystallization experiments and development of property models and constraints for morphology. In the design stage various property requirements for the solvent along with crystal morphology are considered and the product design problem is formulated as a mixed integer nonlinear programming model. The design stage provides an optimal solvent/list of candidate solvents. Similar to the pre-design stage, in the post design experimental verification stage, the morphology of the crystals (precipitated from the designed solvent) is verified through crystallization experiments followed by product characterization via scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction imaging and Fourier transform spectra analysis.
How basic is palliative care? The debate continues.

Reflecting on Harmala Gupta’s article from my perspective as a US citizen, college of nursing faculty, and advanced practice palliative care nurse, I could not separate my thinking from the issues innate in the US health-care system that, in my opinion, limit access to palliative care, and really healthcare in general. My thoughts and response, then, are presented, in this context.
Histamine release from leukocytes of hypersensitive individuals. I. Use of several antigens.

Abstract Histamine release has been obtained from washed leukocytes of allergic individuals after incubation of the cells with a variety of specific antigens. With leukocytes from highly sensitive individuals who also had positive cutaneous reactions, a large proportion of the cellular histamine was released. Binding of labeled ragweed antigen did not appear to be closely related to the other parameters studied. Individual cells may be sensitive to more than one antigen but they may not be equally sensitive to all of the antigens with which they react. Virtually complete lysis of erythrocytes by brief suspension in distilled water does not affect histamine release by the leukocytes.
Radionuclide assessment of sequential changes in left and right ventricular function following first acute transmural myocardial infarction

The purpose of this study was to define the sequential changes in left and right ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF, RVEF) and regional LV wall motion following first transmural acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Fifty-four patients with either anterior (n = 28) or inferior (n = 26) infarction underwent radionuclide ventriculography (RNV) within 48 hours of onset of chest pain (study 1), between days 3 and 6 (study 2), and again between days 7 and 25 (study 3). Twenty-six of the patients with anterior MI (93%) had initial LVEF less than 0.54, compared with 13 of 26 patients (50%) with inferior MI (p less than 0.01). Eleven of 26 patients (42.3%) with inferior MI had initial RVEF less than 0.39, compared with 8 of 27 patients (29.6%) with anterior MI (p less than 0.01). There were no overall significant serial changes in mean LVEF or mean RVEF in patients with either anterior or inferior MI. From study 1 to study 2, LVEF did not change in 24 patients (44%), improved in 13 (24%), and worsened in 17 (31%). From study 1 to study 3, LVEF remained unchanged in 15 patients (35%), improved in 17 (39%), and worsened in 11 (26%). From study 1 to study 2, RVEF did not change in 25 of 51 patients (49%), improved in 17 (31%), and worsened in 9 (17%). From study 1 to study 3, RVEF remained unchanged in 14 (38%), improved in 18 (48%), and worsened in five (14%). Changes in EF tended to occur early in the hospital course, with little subsequent changes. Serial changes in EF could not be predicted by clinical or demographic variables or by location of infarction. Significant changes in LVEF typically occurred without concurrent change in regional LV wall motion, suggesting alteration in ventricular loading rather than change in intrinsic myocardial performance. Initial depression of LVEF correlated with in-hospital mortality as well as with development of congestive heart failure and conduction defects. However, sequential changes in LVEF did not correlate with short-term prognosis. We conclude that sequential changes in LVEF and RVEF occur frequently following AMI, appear to reflect ventricular loading conditions rather than intrinsic change in myocardial performance, and do not correlate well with short-term prognosis.
Increasing Utilization in Modern Warehouse-Scale Computers Using Bubble-Up

Precisely predicting performance degradation due to colocating multiple executing applications on a single machine is critical for improving utilization in modern warehouse-scale computers (WSCs). Bubble-Up is the first mechanism for such precise prediction. As opposed to over-provisioning machines, Bubble-Up enables the safe colocation of multiple workloads on a single machine for Web service applications that have quality of service constraints, thus greatly improving machine utilization in modern WSCs.
Response of human cancellous bone to identically structured commercially pure titanium and cobalt chromium alloy porous-coated cylinders

Abstract In order to better understand the human cancellous bone ingrowth response into porous coated biomaterials, identically structured commercially pure (CP) titanium and cobalt chromium alloy cylindrical implants were placed into the distal femoral condyles of five human patients. Bone indices (BIs), a measure of bone ingrowth and mineral apposition rates (MARs), were determined for cancellous bone around each implant. The mean BI for CP titanium implants measured 48·4 ± 21·5% while that for cobalt chrome alloy implants measured 26·7 ± 19·7% ( p p > 0·05), however, cancellous bone advanced towards CP titanium and away from cobalt chromium. Based on bone index and the direction of cancellous bone remodeling, the implant model used in this study suggests that there are differences in the response of human cancellous bone to CP titanium and cobalt chromium alloy in porous coated implants.
Identification of teaching excellence in operating room and clinic settings.

Abstract Background: A system for obtaining learner feedback on surgical faculty teaching is a program-specific resource for recognizing faculty accomplishments as well as being a requirement of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). This investigation uses 5 years of feedback from residents to identify surgical teaching behaviors that define teaching excellence. Methods: Between 1995 and 1999 full-time surgeons in a division of general surgery were evaluated biannually by every resident on their services, using two 10-item Likert scales to assess frequency of performing selected teaching behaviors. Response categories ranged from 0 (does not demonstrate) to 4 (demonstrates the behavior to a very high degree). Mean scores ≥3.7 (1 SD above the mean) were categorized as evidence of superior teaching, whereas mean scores ≤2.4 (1 SD below the mean) were categorized as mediocre. Residents wrote statements identifying teaching strengths. Results: There were 753 individual resident assessments of 16 faculty. The overall mean rating for operating room and clinic teaching was 3.1, with 24% of the ratings ≥3.7 and 14% of the ratings ≤2.4. For operating room, discriminant behaviors were: demonstrates sensitivity to resident learning needs (3.85 versus 1.62, P P Conclusions: A resident-based teaching assessment system can offer a reasonable and valid form of feedback to academic surgeons. The use of mixed methods to identify teaching behaviors that characterize excellence informs faculty of how they are perceived as educators and provides examples of specific behaviors that merit commendation.
Banks with market power, sectoral structure and the big push

Due to complementarities between different investment projects, simultaneous implementation of many investment projects (big push) may be needed to avoid coordination failures. This paper examines potential and limitations of private coordination by banks with market power. Our analysis shows that such private coordination may not work if banks with market power find it more profitable to finance firms in the traditional sector than in the modern sector. Our results highlight the importance of sectoral policies in addressing coordination failures.
The relative significance of CO2-fixing enzymes in the metabolism of rat brain.

To evaluate the relative significance of CO2-fixing enzymes in the metabolism of rat brain, the subcellular distribution of pyruvate carboxylase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase and NADP-malate dehydrogenase, as well as the fixation of H14CO3− by the cytosol and the mitochondria was investigated. Pyruvate carboxylase and phosphoenol-pyruvate carboxykinase are mainly localized in the mitochondria whereas NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase and NADP-malate dehydrogenase are present in both the cytosol and the mitochondria. In the presence of pyruvate rat brain mitochondria fixed H14CO3− at a rate of about 170 nmol/g of tissue/min whereas these organelles fixed negligible amounts of H14CO3− in the presence of α-ketoglutarate or phosphoenolpyruvate. Rat brain cortex slices fixed H14CO3− at a rate of about 7 nmol/g of tissue/min and it was increased by two-fold when pyruvate was added to the incubation medium. The carboxylation of α-ketoglutarate and pyruvate by the reversal of the cytosolic NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase and NADP-malate dehydrogenase respectively was very low as compared to that by pyruvate carboxylase. The rate of carboxylation reaction of both NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase and NADP-malate dehydrogenase was only about 1/10th of that of decarboxylation reaction of the same enzyme. It is suggested that under physiological conditions these two enzymes do not play a significant role in CO2-fixation in the brain. In rat brain cytosol, citrate is largely metabolized to α-ketoglutarate by a sequential action of aconitate hydratase and NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase. The operation of the citrate-cleavage pathway in rat brain cytosol is demonstrated. The data show that among four CO2-fixing enzymes, pyruvate carboxylase, an anaplerotic enzyme, plays the major role in CO2-fixation in the brain.
Mutation and overexpression of p53 as intermediate biomarkers in the chemoprevention of skin cancer

Mutation and overexpression of p53 as intermediate biomarkers in the chemoprevention of skin cancer
Finite lattices and Jordan-Hölder sets

In this paper we extend some aspects of the theory of 'supersolvable lattices' [3] to a more general class of finite lattices which includes the upper-semimodular lattices. In particular, all conjectures made in [33 concerning upper-semimodular lattices will be proved. For instance, we will prove that if L is finite upper-semimodular and if L' denotes L with any set of 'levels' removed, then the M6bius function of L' alternates in sign. Familiarity with [3] will be helpful but not essential for the understanding of the results of this paper. However, many of the proofs are identical to the proofs in [3-I (once the machinery has been suitably generalized) and will be omitted.
On the rapid heat lamp annealing of tantalum silicide/silicon films

Abstract A hexagonal TaSi 2 phase was detected by X-ray diffraction after rapid annealing in the temperature range of 850 to 1100°C. The crystallinity and grain size decrease with decreasing temperature, which correlates very well with the increase in resistivities of the tantalum silicide films. Silicon precipitation in silicon-rich films was detected by a reflection electron diffraction technique. Some tantalum-rich phases in tantalum-rich films were also detected by reflection electron diffraction. The amount of these minor phases was less than the detectability limit of X-ray diffraction. Resistivity measurement showed that there was no serious phosphorus out-diffusion from these double-layered films.
Fluorescence enhancement in a polymer-based photonic-crystal biosensor

Detecting labeled or naturally-fluorescent biomolecules at very low concentrations is of a significant importance for health sciences, agricultural sciences, and security-related applications. Photonic crystals (PhC) are microfabricated nano-structures of periodic dielectric permittivity in one, two, or three dimensions that possess unique light manipulation properties. These include the ability to localize electromagnetic waves at particular PhC lattice locations. Ultra-sensitive detection using thin-film PhC structures fabricated in semiconductor materials has been demonstrated in both "active" and "passive" modalities. In the active modality, the adsorption of target molecules to the PhC surface causes a refractive index change that is translated into reflectance or transmission peak shifts. The passive modality demonstrated by our group utilizes the PhC structure to observe enhanced fluorescent emission within resonant defect cavities in a 2D PhC lattice. Integrating these semiconductor-based PhC structures with biocompatible microfluidic channels is a challenging task that can significantly increase the final cost of the sensor system. We demonstrate here soft lithographic nanomolding techniques for polymer-based PhC structures that are easily integrated with microfluidic channels to provide a portable means of biosensing. A TE bandgap of 2.857% for a 2D PhC fabricated in poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) will allow these lattices to become core structures in PhC-based biosensors incorporating both active and passive modalities. Modeling and initial optical characterization results of the Si- and PDMS-based PhC biosensor will also be presented.
Cavernous nerve interposition grafting during radical prostatectomy

Erectile dysfunction remains a troublesome complication after radical prostatectomy, with detrimental effects on patient quality of life. The extent to which cavernous nerves are spared during surgery can significantly affect post-radical prostatectomy erectile function. For patients with significant local disease, resection of one or both cavernous nerves may be necessary to achieve cure. The technique of cavernous nerve grafting has been developed to restore nerve continuity and function in such instances. This review article summarizes the theory, technique, outcomes, and new developments in the area of cavernous nerve grafting during radical prostatectomy.
Upper extremity and digital replantation

Digital replantation has become a well-established technique among reconstructive hand surgeons. Numerous replantation centers around the world have published series with impressive survival rates. The ultimate goal of replantation is the restoration of normal hand or digital function; thus, replantation success is not solely related to the outcome of the microvascular anastomosis, but also to the adequacy of bone, tendon, skin, and nerve repairs. In this manuscript, we review the literature on upper extremity and digital replantation from its historical background to current surgical outcomes, outlining surgical indications and contraindications, and the preoperative, operative, and postoperative management of these patients.
Simple Experiments: In Atmospheric Physics

Abstract While the West coast of the United States is an ideal place to witness the green flash, few residents have actually observed this startling atmospheric phenomenon. Here, for the unlucky majority in California, and elsewhere, is an ingenious method of experimentally demonstrating the green flash.
The influence of buoyancy on thermophoretic deposition of aerosol particles in a horizontal tube

Abstract The transport and deposition of aerosol particles in a horizontal tube with a linear wall temperature profile are analyzed. Assuming fully developed velocity and temperature fields, and using trajectory calculations, the deposition efficiency is calculated as a function of system parameters. It is found that buoyant flows tend to increase the rate of deposition of particles on the tube wall. Also, such flows can lead to azimuthal nonuniformity in the deposition process.
Development of a monoclonal antibody-based cELISA for the analysis of sulfadimethoxine. 2. Evaluation of rapid extraction methods and implications for the analysis of incurred residues in chicken liver tissue.

Several rapid extraction methods were evaluated for use with a monoclonal antibody-based competitive inhibition ELISA (cELISA) to detect sulfadimethoxine (SDM) in chicken liver tissue. These methods included extraction of the samples with (1) aqueous buffer with or without ultrafiltration, (2) acetonitrile/water, (3) methanol/water, or (4) acetone. The organic extraction methods were evaluated with or without solvent evaporation prior to dilution into assay buffer for the cELISA. The aqueous-based extraction methods were compatible with the cELISA. However, of the organic extraction methods, only the acetone liver extract with solvent evaporation prior to analysis was compatible with the cELISA. The cELISA method coupled to aqueous- or acetone-based sample extraction as well as an HPLC method was evaluated for the analysis of chicken liver tissues fortified with SDM at levels from 0.2 to 0.025 ppm. Mean SDM recoveries for the HPLC method and for the cELISA method using samples prepared by aqueous extracti...
Stability analysis of the walking beam vehicle

The walking beam vehicle is one of several concepts being considered by NASA for an unmanned Mars rover vehicle. It is a simple walking machine with either eight or nine controlled degrees of freedom depending on the configuration used. Martin Marietta Corporation proposed the concept. This paper contains an analysis of the stability, and the available leg stroke on sloping terrain. >
ESTIMATION OF LONG TERM CONCENTRATIONS USING A UNIVERSAL WIND SPEED DISTRIBUTION

Abstract Estimation of long-term average concentrations from fixed sources is completely straightforward using standard dispersion formulas and occurrence statistics of wind speed classes and wind directions. However, in many cases of practical interest, only the fraction of time within a direction interval and its associated mean wind speed are available from a standard wind rose. While this information is sufficient to make an estimate of the mean concentration, estimates that better reflect the distributed nature of wind speeds can be made using some observed properties of the wind speed distribution. In particular, it is shown that speed distributions from many diverse sites possess a quasi-universal shape which, when approximated analytically, can be adjusted to yield a distribution of wind speeds which have some specified mean value. The distributions are shown to be satisfactorily described with a log-normal function having a typical geometric standard deviation of 1.9 which, in turn, yields a valu...
DISTRIBUTION OF LEUCINE-3H DURING AXOPLASMIC TRANSPORT WITHIN REGENERATING NEURONS AS DETERMINED BY ELECTRON-MICROSCOPE RADIOAUTOGRAPHY

The distribution of leucine-3H in neurons was determined by electron-microscope radioautography after infusion of label into the spinal cord or sensory ganglia of regenerating newts. In the nerve cell bodies 3 days after infusion, the highest concentration of label per unit area occurred over the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. In the large brachial nerves, the silver grains were not distributed uniformly in the axoplasm, indicating that the labeled materials are restricted in their movement to certain regions of the axon. Almost all of the radioautographic grains observed in myelinated nerves could be accounted for by the presence of a uniformly labeled band occupying the area 1500–9000 A inside the axolemma. This region of the axon was rich in microtubules and organelles while the unlabeled central core of the axon contained mainly neurofilaments. This observation supports the hypothesis that microtubules are related to axonal transport. In small, vesicle-filled nerve terminals in the blastema, labeled material was restricted to a thin zone a short distance beneath the plasma membrane while the central region of the terminal was largely unlabeled. The peripheral pattern of labeling in the nerve endings is consistent with successive addition of newly synthesized proteins at the periphery of the growth cone and release of substances such as trophic factors at the nerve terminal.
The plasma membrane NADH oxidase of soybean has vitamin K1 hydroquinone oxidase activity

Abstract Isolated plasma membrane vesicles and the plasma membrane NADH oxidase partially purified from soybean plasma membrane vesicles exhibited a cyanide-insensitive vitamin K1 hydroquinone oxidase activity with isolated plasma membrane vesicles. Reduced vitamin K1 (phylloquinol) was oxidized at a rate of about 10 nmol/min/mg protein as determined by reduced vitamin K1 reduction or oxygen consumption. The Km for reduced K1 was 350 μM. With the partially purified enzyme, reduced vitamin K1 was oxidized at a rate of about 600 nmol/min/mg protein and the Km was 400 μM. When assayed in the presence of 1 mM KCN, activities of both plasma membrane vesicles and of the purified protein were stimulated (0.1 μM) or inhibited (0.1 mM) by the synthetic auxin growth factor 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid. The findings suggest the potential participation of the plasma membrane NADH oxidase as a terminal oxidase of plasma membrane electron transport from cytosolic NAD(P)H via reduced vitamin K1 to acceptors (molecular oxygen or protein disulfides) at the cell surface.