cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impacts of admission serum albumin levels on short-term and long-term mortality in hospitalized patients.

AIM The aim of this study is to assess the association between admission serum albumin and short- and long-term mortality in all hospitalized patients. DESIGN A single-center cohort study. METHODS A retrospective cohort of all adult hospitalized patients at a tertiary referral hospital between January 2009 and December 2013 were analysed. Admission serum albumin was stratified into six groups: ≤2.4, 2.5-2.9, 3.0-3.4, 3.5-3.9, 4.0-4.4 and ≥4.5 g/dl. The outcomes of interest were in-hospital mortality, length of hospital stay and 1-year mortality. Serum albumin of 4-4.4 g/dl was selected as a reference group for outcome comparison. RESULTS A total of 14 075 patients were studied. Admission serum albumin of ≥4.5 g/dl had the lowest in-hospital and 1-year mortality with progressively increased in-hospital mortality observed with decreased admission serum albumin. In adjusted analysis, compared with serum albumin of 4.0-4.4 g/dl, serum albumin of ≤2.4, 2.5-2.9, 3.0-3.4 and 3.5-3.9 were significantly associated with increased in-hospital and 1-year mortality. In contrast, serum albumin of ≥4.5 g/dl was significantly associated with lower 1-year mortality but not in-hospital mortality. Admission serum albumin <4.0 g/dl was significantly associated with a prolonged hospital stay, while admission serum albumin of ≥4.5 g/dl was significantly associated with shorter hospital stay, compared with serum albumin of 4.0-4.4 g/dl. CONCLUSION Low albumin level at admission was progressively associated with increased short- and long-term mortality in all hospitalized patients even when albumin level was considered in normal range.
Impact of Rooftop Photovoltaics on the Distribution System

This paper presents a review of the impact of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) panels on the distribution grid. This includes how rooftop PVs affect voltage quality, power losses, and the operation of other voltage-regulating devices in the system. A historical background and a classification of the most relevant publications are presented along with the review of the important lessons learned. It has been widely believed that high penetration levels of PVs in the distribution grid can potentially cause problems for node voltages or overhead line flows. However, it is shown in the literature that proper control of the PV resource using smart inverters can alleviate many of those issues, hence paving the way for higher PV penetration levels in the grid.
Recyclable conductive epoxy composites with segregated filler network structure for EMI shielding and strain sensing

Abstract Forming a segregated conductive filler network at polymer particle interfaces enables the fabrication of high-performance conductive polymer composites at low filler content. However, this method is not applicable to thermosets that are not melt processable. Here, we report a facile and effective strategy to build a segregated filler network at epoxy waste particles and convert the system into a high-performance conductive composite. First, the permanent network in the epoxy waste is converted into a dynamic one via catalyst infusion. Subsequently, using an interface design strategy, branched carbon nanotubes (CNS) are introduced in the recycled epoxy system to form a segregated structure at the epoxy particle interfaces by compression molding. The resultant composites have excellent tensile properties, very low electrical percolation threshold and high electrical conductivity at low filler loading. This strategy enables the recycling of epoxy waste for the fabrication of high-performance composites for strain sensing and EMI shielding.
An improved demand curve for analysis of food or drug consumption in behavioral experiments

The incorporation of microeconomics concepts into studies using self-administration procedures has provided critical insights into the factors that influence consumption of a wide range of food and drug reinforcers. In particular, the fitting of demand curves to consumption data provides a powerful analytic tool for computing objective metrics of behavior that can be compared across a wide range of reward types in both human and animal experiments. The results of these analyses depend crucially on the mathematical form used to fit the data. The most common choice is an exponential form proposed by Hursh and Silberberg, which is widely used and has provided fundamental insights into relationships between cost and consumption, but it also has some disadvantages. In this paper, we first briefly review the use of demand curves to quantify the motivating effects of food and drugs, then we describe the current methodology and highlight some potential issues that arise in its application. To address these issues, we propose a new mathematical framework for the analysis of consumption data, including a new functional form for the demand curve. We show that this proposed form gives good fits to data for a range of different reinforcers and experimental protocols, while allowing for straightforward calculation of key metrics of demand, including preferred consumption level, maximum response, price at maximum response, and price elasticity of demand. We provide software implementing our entire analysis pipeline, including data fits, data visualization, and the calculation of demand metrics.
Factors influencing the persistence of reindeer lichens ( Cladonia subgenus Cladina ) within frequent-fire environments of the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain, USA

Prescribed fire is increasingly used to accomplish management goals in fire-adapted systems, yet our understanding of effects on non-target organisms remains underdeveloped. Terricolous lichens in the genus Cladonia P. Browne, particularly cushion-forming reindeer lichens belonging to Cladonia subgenus Cladina Nyl., fit into this category, being characteristic of fire-adapted ecosystems, yet highly vulnerable to damage or consumption during burns. Moreover, inherently slow dispersal and growth rates raise questions about how to conserve these taxa in the context of fire-mediated restoration management. This research was undertaken to identify factors that contribute to Cladonia persistence within areas subject to repeated burning and involved tracking the fate of 228 spatially isolated individuals distributed across seven sites previously burned zero to two times. Site selection was determined by edaphic factors associated with a rare inland dune woodland community type known to support relatively high densities of Cladonia. Evaluated across all sites, the post-burn condition of Cladonia subtenuis (Abbayes) Mattick samples, categorized as intact (32%), fragmented (33%), or consumed (36%) individuals, approximated a uniform distribution. However, their status was highly variable at the different sites, where from 0 to 70% were assessed as intact and 11 to 60% consumed. Machine-learning statistical techniques were used to identify the factors most strongly associated with fire damage, drawing from variables describing the proximate fuel bed, growth substrate, and fire weather. The final descriptive model was dominated by variables characterizing the understory fuel matrix. Areas with highly contiguous fuels dominated by pyrogenic pine needles were most likely to result in consumption of individual Cladonia, whereas those growing in areas with low fuel continuity or in areas dominated by hardwood litter were more likely to persist (intact or as fragments). Further, substrates including bare soil and moss mats afforded more protection than coarse woody debris or leaf litter in settings where fuels were both contiguous and highly flammable. Our findings describe the characteristics of within-site fire refugia, the abundance of which may be enhanced over time through restoration and maintenance treatments including thinning, promotion of mixed-species overstory composition, and periodic burning. Because lichens contribute to, and are considered reliable indicators of forest health, fire-based restoration management efforts will benefit from improved understanding of how these vulnerable organisms are able to persist.
iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomic analysis reveals the metabolic pathways of grain chalkiness in response to nitrogen topdressing in rice.

Abstract Grain chalkiness is a highly undesirable trait that adversely affects rice quality. This chalkiness is easily influenced by the application of chemical nitrogen (N) fertilizer at the late growth stage. However, on the molecular mechanism underlying grain chalkiness caused by late N fertilization is not fully clear. In this study, proteomic differences in expression were determined in developing grains exposed to N topdressing (108 kg N ha−1, N+) and a control (0 kg N ha−1, N0), using the rice variety OM052, which has a high level of chalkiness. A total of 198 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were detected between the N+ and N0 treatments, including 9 up-regulated proteins and 189 down-regulated proteins. Of these DEPs, approximately half were associated with carbohydrate metabolism (glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, pentose phosphate pathway, fermentation and starch metabolism) and N metabolism (protein synthesis, folding, degradation and storage, amino acid synthesis and catabolism). A detailed pathway dissection revealed that multiple metabolic pathways during the grain filling stage were involved in the N-induced grain chalkiness. Reduced abundances of proteins associated with respiratory metabolism and energy metabolism drastically impaired the biosynthesis and deposition of starch in the developmental endosperms, which might be a crucial trigger for the increase in grain chalkiness. The disturbed N metabolism and differential expression of storage proteins up-regulated during the grain filling stage are able to partially explain the occurrence of grain chalkiness in rice.
How eLearning Can Decrease Challenges of Informal Family Caregivers of Service Members & Veterans with Invisible Injuries

While a considerable amount of literature has explored the caregiver population, limited research has explored the critical need of education and training for individuals who provide care to a service member or veteran who has incurred psychological injuries, such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), or other related psychological or cognitive injuries. Moreover, military veteran caregivers (MVC) of service-members or veterans with psychological injuries (SMV-PI) have been reported to sacrifice their health, careers, and well-being, to provide care to injured service members and veterans, yet have not received education or training. As a result, a decline in critical areas has been reported for this population. Additionally, research shows the MVC lacks the education and training needed to provide care, leaving the MVC with little to no understanding about how to provide care to a SMV-PI. The body of research is steadily growing about the need for caregivers to receive support for critical issues, such as the education and training necessary to care for soldiers returning from military conflicts with invisible wounds of war. This article will serve as a literature review to explore the MVC population: the demographics of this population; the social, emotional, physical, and mental health of this population; and its unique characteristics. Suggestions are provided for how eLearning, or how the acquisition of education and training through the delivery of a virtual curriculum, may aid and assist members of the MVC population in becoming better caregivers.
Technology insights: Current disruptions and opportunities for change

COVID-19 has changed the way we live and work. Social distancing has been foisted upon us to contain the contagion and protect the most vulnerable. We are learning to work apart, moving the locus of our activities form offices and other public gathering spaces and into our homes. Technologies that make social distancing possible are also fostering changes that will likely endure after the contagion from this virus have subsided. These technologies present challenges and opportunities for our profession and our clients that merit reflection and attention from us as we navigate through this crisis and beyond.
Utilizing Home Visits to Assess Social Determinants of Health During Family Medicine Residency.

Introduction Home visits can improve quality of care and health outcomes and provide a unique opportunity to learn more about patients' social context and assess patients' various social determinants of health (SDH). The objectives of this study were to assess patient self-reported SDH, resident reflections on patient social status, the utility of a SDH survey during home visits, and resident comfort levels addressing patient SDH. Methods This was a mixed-methods pilot study utilizing patient self-reported data and open-ended reflection questions. Participants included adult patients aged more than 18 years from an urban safety-net clinic and family medicine residents who provide their care. Results We received forty-two surveys from 42 home visits. Most patients were female (61.9%) and African-American (45.2%), aged from 25 to 88 years (mean=60.24). Top patient-reported SDH include transportation, paying bills, and food insecurity. Common themes of resident responses included positive utility of the survey for assessing patient SDH; variation in comfort level when inquiring about patient SDH with positive influence from prior experience, assistance from colleagues, or prior good relations with patients; and expressed intention to include SDH assessment in future practice. Conclusions Residents recognized the value of assessing SDH during home visits and expressed intent to include it in future practice. Thorough assessment of patient SDH may help to craft a more robust and standardized system to prioritize patients who would most benefit from receiving home visits.
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a neurocutaneous disorder characterized by mutations in the TSC1 gene (encoding of hamartin) or TSC2 gene (encoding of tuberin). The mutations result in dysregulation of cellular hyperplasia.
The rise and rise of lithium.

We’re in the middle of an energy revolution, argues Bruce C. Gibb, and chemistry is an integral part of it.
Abstract PD15-08: The role of purinergic signaling in the chemotherapy response of triple negative breast cancer

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) affects women worldwide with a higher incidence in minority populations. Patients with TNBCs often have poorer prognoses in comparison to other breast cancer sub-types due to a lack of effective therapeutic options. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are the only effective treatments, but these modalities generally result in short-term response. Therefore, there is a need to identify additional therapies to intensify the chemotherapeutic response in TNBC. When cancer cells are exposed to chemotherapy, they release adenosine triphosphate (ATP) into the extracellular space. Extracellular ATP is degraded by CD39 (E-NTPDase) to adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and then adenosine monophosphate (AMP), and AMP is broken down to adenosine by CD73. We examined the potential role of extracellular ATP in chemotherapy- induced cancer cell death. We hypothesized that extracellular ATP sensitizes TNBC cells to chemotherapy and that ATP degrading enzymes such as CD39 and CD73 attenuate this effect. TNBC MDA-MB 231, MDA-MB 468, and Hs 578t cell lines were treated with the chemotherapeutic agent paclitaxel for different time courses. Extracellular ATP was measured via the ATPlite 1step luminescence assay, and cell viability was assessed by applying PrestoBlue HS cell viability reagent. Paclitaxel-treated TNBC cell lines revealed a dose-dependent increase in extracellular ATP release in the presence of an inhibitor of CD39 (POM-1), accompanied by a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability. In addition, the general P2X receptor (P2RX) inhibitor iso-PPADS and the P2RX7 specific inhibitor (A438079) were added separately to observe if the P2X receptors are necessary for the release of ATP upon paclitaxel treatment. After paclitaxel treatment, TNBC cell lines showed a decline in the amount of ATP released with the addition of the inhibitors iso-PPADS and A438079. Treatment of non-tumorigenic immortalized MCF-10A mammary epithelial cells with paclitaxel in the presence and absence of the inhibitors iso-PPADS and A438079 did not result in a significant increase in extracellular ATP or a decrease in cell viability. These results indicate that P2RX7 is necessary for ATP release in TNBC cell lines exposed to chemotherapy. Furthermore, when TNBC cell lines were treated with increasing concentrations of ATP, there was a dose-dependent decrease in cell viability. Overall, these findings suggest that extracellular ATP may impact the chemotherapeutic response in TNBC cell lines through the activation of the ATP-gated channel P2RX7. Citation Format: Jasmine Manouchehri, Jharna Datta, Mathew Cherian. The role of purinergic signaling in the chemotherapy response of triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2020 San Antonio Breast Cancer Virtual Symposium; 2020 Dec 8-11; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PD15-08.
Tunable Impedance-Matching Filters

In this letter, we present a general design method for tunable matching networks that have a prescribed filter characteristic over a range of complex port impedances. The approach enables prediction of the achievable tunable impedance range, given a filter topology and tuning element values. As experimental validation, a 2.5-GHz second-order Chebyshev filter is designed using Skyworks SMV2205-040LF varactor diodes to tune the filter resonator and inverter. It is shown that the filter can match port impedances in a region that spans a range of real and imaginary parts of the impedance between 10 and $150~\Omega $ with an insertion loss of 1.5 dB.
Prognostic Role of Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing in Wild-Type Transthyretin Amyloid Cardiomyopathy Patients Treated With Tafamidis

Abstract Background The prognostic value of cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) in patients with wild-type transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis treated with tafamidis is unknown. Methods and Results This retrospective study included patients with wtATTR who underwent baseline cardiopulmonary exercise testing and were treated with tafamidis from August 31, 2018, until March 31, 2020. Univariate logistic and multivariate cox-regression models were used to predict the occurrence of the primary outcome (composite of mortality, heart transplant, and palliative inotrope initiation). A total of 33 patients were included (median age 82 years, interquartile range [IQR] 79–84 years), 84% were Caucasians and 79% were males). Majority of patients had New York Heart Association functional class III disease at baseline (67%). The baseline median peak oxygen consumption (VO2) and peak circulatory power (CP) were 11.35 mL/kg/min (IQR 8.5–14.2 mL/kg/min) and 1485.8 mm Hg/mL/min (IQR 988–2184 mm Hg/mL/min), respectively, the median ventilatory efficiency was 35.7 (IQR 31–41.2). After 1 year of follow-up, 11 patients experienced a primary end point. Upon multivariate analysis, the low peak VO2 (hazard ratio [HR] 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.23–0.79, P = .007], peak CP (HR 0.98, 95% CI 0.98–0.99, P = .02), peak oxygen pulse (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.39–0.97, P = .03), and exercise duration of less than 5.5 minutes (HR 5.82, 95% CI 1.29–26.2, P = .02) were significantly associated with the primary outcome. Conclusions Tafamidis-treated patients with wtATTR who had baseline low peak VO2, peak CP, peak O2 pulse, and exercise duration of less than 5.5 minutes had worse outcomes.
Volcano Monitoring and Eruption Warnings

Since AD 1600, more than 260000 people have died from the hazardous processes of volcanic eruptions. Volcanologists generally recognize two broad categories of volcano hazards: direct hazards, those that are immediately linked to, and happen during, the eruptive activity; and indirect hazards, those that are not directly related to the eruption itself and/or occur days to years after the eruption ceases. For a cogent summary of the principal types of volcano hazards, the interested reader is referred to Scott (1989). In the 17th–19th centuries, most volcano-related deaths were from indirect hazards, especially tsunami and post-eruption famine and disease (Blong 1984; Tilling 1989a). However, in the 20th century, the principal killers have been direct hazards: namely, pyroclastic flows and surges and volcanic debris avalanches and flows (mudflows).
Anharmonicity and Debye-Waller Factors in Biomolecules

It is common practice to use Debye Waller factors [exp(—W)] in the interpretation of x-ray patterns or to infer atomic motions in biomolecules for comparison with molecular dynamics simulations. Usually W is taken to be proportional to (u 2), which in turn is taken to be proportional to temperature T. For any real system both of these assumptions are wrong in principle, since they depend entirely on purely harmonic potentials. As a practical matter in many cases anharmonicity is weak, but these are cases where significant structural accommodations do not take place. However, when dealing with repuckering of the ribose in DNA or ground state multiplicity in biomolecular conformational motions the role of anharmonicity must be addressed properly; quasi-harmonic methods may be both quantitatively and qualitatively misleading. This is a short review of the theory of the Debye Waller factor, particularly in the classical limit.
Portfolio separation: The analytic case

Abstract This paper presents a unified approach to the problem of two-fund portfolio separation under the assumption that the utility function is analytic. It is shown that separation requires that distributions be representable by two homogeneous characteristics.
DUMPING OF DECOMMISSIONED NUCLEAR SUBMARINES AT SEA: A TECHNICAL AND LEGAL ANALYSIS

Some nations have considered ocean dumping as a disposal option for decommissioned nuclear submarines, of which there will be approximately 300 by the year 2000. Because decommissioned nuclear submarines contain substantial radioactivity, such disposal would be in contravention of the present global moratorium on the dumping of radioactive waste at sea and be subject to regulations by such international conventions as the London Dumping Convention. A legal and technical analysis of the issue is presented.
EFFECTS OF PARTICLE SIZE ON MIXTURES DURING NONELECTROSTATIC AND ELECTROSTATIC POWDER COATING

Two mixtures, 44 and 256µm NaCl and 64 and 191 µm starch, were nonelectrostatically or electrostatically coated onto an aluminum target. The coating processes cause the proportion of each powder in the mixture to be different on the target than in the initial mixture. First, some loss of powder occurs during the targeting step; thus, not all of the powder land on the target. This targeting loss is caused by the individual powder characteristics and interactions that occur between powders in the mixture. Also, an uneven distribution is produced on the target due to the way the powder is dispersed. Finally, adhesion loss occurs on the target, also due to individual and mixture characteristics. During nonelectrostatic coating, the largest cause of the change in proportion was targeting losses. During electrostatic coating, the largest cause was adhesion loss. Interactions in the mixture decreased the change in proportion, except for nonelectrostatically coated NaCl. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Food coatings consist of mixtures of powders of different sizes. It is desirable to maintain the same proportions of the powder components on each food sample as in the applied coating. Mixtures change proportions due to differences in particle size, so all of the powders in the mixture should have a similar size range to reduce changes during coating. During nonelectrostatic coating, the differences in targeting losses are the biggest cause of this change, so coating systems need to be designed to minimize the differences in targeting losses. Electrostatic coating reduced targeting loss by a large amount; therefore, it is one method to reduce the change in proportions caused by targeting loss. However, electrostatic coating increased the differences in mixture adhesion loss, so products need to be designed to minimize the adhesion loss, such as by adding oil on the product surface.
Children, Rights of: Cultural Concerns

This article reviews the historical development of children's rights worldwide. It then describes the different categories of claims made under the rubric of children's rights and discusses value issues that need to be resolved as governments, courts, and citizens seek to define children's status in each society. It concludes by examining the challenges countries face implementing any such rights.
Absolute photometry of the aurora—II: Molecular nitrogen emission in the sunlit atmosphere

Abstract The absolute emission intensity of a sunlit aurora was determined for the 1.N.G. λ3914 band of N 2 + by subtracting the emission intensity originating in the dark atmosphere from the total measured intensity. The method is based on the constancy of the ratio of emission intensity of the oxygen green line O I λ5577 to the λ3914 emission in the dark atmosphere. The ion density of N 2 + is computed as a function of height from the emission rate per unit volume.
Upscaling of Normal Stress-Permeability Relationships for Fracture Networks Obeying Fractional Levy Motion

Abstract Understanding and modeling coupled thermal, hydrological, mechanical, and chemical (T-H-M-C) processes in fractured rocks are of interest to many areas of active research, including geological disposal of nuclear waste. A key parameter for modeling these processes is the relationship between in situ stress and permeability. Since this relationship is generally measured at small scales, upscaling is needed for large-scale models. Few studies on the upscaling of this relationship have appeared in the literature. The major objective of our present effort is to develop closed-form upscaled normal stress-permeability relationships for fracture networks. Focusing on data from Sellafield site, UK, we demonstrate that measured permeability data form a distribution very well described by fractional Levy motion (fLm). This is consistent with findings reported in the literature indicating that fractures are spatially clustered and that the clustering patterns could be described by fractals. Assuming several different correlations between local permeability and fracture apertures, we develop two upscaling relationships between normal stress and permeability for fracture networks. These relationships capture the relevant large-scale effects of normal stress change on rock permeabilities, at least for the case of permeability distributions characterized by fLm.
Secretion and degradation of lipoprotein lipase in cultured adipocytes. Binding of lipoprotein lipase to membrane heparan sulfate proteoglycans is necessary for degradation.

Abstract Equilibrium-binding data of highly purified 125I-labeled avian lipoprotein lipase to cultured avian adipocytes demonstrate the presence of a class of high affinity binding sites. Analysis of the binding function yielded an association constant of 0.62 x 10(8)M-1 and a maximum binding capacity of 2.1 micrograms/60-mm dish. From a time course of dissociation of 125I-lipoprotein lipase from adipocytes at 4 degrees C, a dissociation rate constant of 6.1 x 10(-5)s-1 was obtained. Pretreatment of cells with heparinase and heparitinase resulted in a quantitative suppression of the high affinity binding component, establishing that lipoprotein lipase is bound to cell surface heparan sulfate proteoglycans. At 37 degrees C, cell surface-bound 125I-lipoprotein lipase is internalized and either degraded or recycled to the medium. The degradation rate constant for 125I-lipoprotein lipase was estimated to be 0.78 h-1. The degradation rate constant was reduced 6-fold when cells were exposed to 100 microM chloroquine, indicating that most of the degradation occurs within the lysosomal compartment. By using cells that had been pulsed with Trans35S-label for 1 h, it was demonstrated that acute treatment with endoglycosidases for up to 1 h resulted in a new lipoprotein lipase secretion rate which was 6-fold higher than that of control cells. Degradation of newly synthesized lipoprotein lipase was essentially blocked 30 min after the initiation of the chase. In other studies it was observed that there were no additive effects of chloroquine and either endoglycosidase or heparin treatment on total lipoprotein lipase levels (intracellular, cell surface, and medium) in adipocyte cultures. These experiments support the hypothesis that the release of lipoprotein lipase from its receptor prevents its internalization and degradation and enhances enzyme efflux from the adipocyte. A new model of lipoprotein lipase secretion in cultured adipocytes is proposed: Newly synthesized lipoprotein lipase is transported to the cell surface where it binds to specific heparan sulfate proteoglycan receptors. The enzyme is either released to the medium or internalized via the receptor, in which case the enzyme is degraded or recycled to the cell surface. Major determinants of enzyme efflux from the cell surface include the number and integrity of receptors, the association constant of the enzyme-receptor complex, and the presence in the medium of competing molecules with high affinity for lipoprotein lipase. In this model, modulation of lipoprotein lipase degradation rate may be a significant mechanism for acute regulation of enzyme efflux independent of changes in the rate of enzyme synthesis.
Corporate ownership and accounting choice: A critical analysis

Recent studies have revealed a link between corporate ownership structure and accounting method choice, but no theory has specifically considered the role of accounting in legitimizing the activities of corporate managers in selecting accounting methods which potentially further their self-interest at the expense of owners, shareholders and employees. One possible theoretical model, that of agency theory, is not capable of incorporating institutional factors nor dealing with ideology. This paper advances a comparative theoretical framework to analyze the findings of the empirical research. Drawning on the critical legal notions of ideology and autonomy, two arguments are set forth. First, accounting information can be represented to the material advantage of those having control of the corporation. Second, for such representation to be effective, the information must have an ideological dimension. The representation, that is, cannot be overtly instrumental; rather, there are institutional constraints on a manager's discretion to manipulate the accounting system. The methodological approach taken here goes beyond the empiricist perspective common in mainstream accounting research and offers a more comprehensive view of the accounting function and its social implications.
Ablation of the Renal Stroma Defines Its Critical Role in Nephron Progenitor and Vasculature Patterning

The renal stroma is an embryonic cell population located in the cortex that provides a structural framework as well as a source of endothelial progenitors for the developing kidney. The exact role of the renal stroma in normal kidney development hasn't been clearly defined. However, previous studies have shown that the genetic deletion of Foxd1, a renal stroma specific gene, leads to severe kidney malformations confirming the importance of stroma in normal kidney development. This study further investigates the role of renal stroma by ablating Foxd1-derived stroma cells themselves and observing the response of the remaining cell populations. A Foxd1cre (renal stroma specific) mouse was crossed with a diphtheria toxin mouse (DTA) to specifically induce apoptosis in stromal cells. Histological examination of kidneys at embryonic day 13.5–18.5 showed a lack of stromal tissue, mispatterning of renal structures, and dysplastic and/or fused horseshoe kidneys. Immunofluorescence staining of nephron progenitors, vasculature, ureteric epithelium, differentiated nephron progenitors, and vascular supportive cells revealed that mutants had thickened nephron progenitor caps, cortical regions devoid of nephron progenitors, aberrant vessel patterning and thickening, ureteric branching defects and migration of differentiated nephron structures into the medulla. The similarities between the renal deformities caused by Foxd1 genetic knockout and Foxd1DTA mouse models reveal the importance of Foxd1 in mediating and maintaining the functional integrity of the renal stroma.
Effect of diet and age on erythrocyte galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase in the rat.

Abstract The activity of RBC hemolysate galactose-1-phosphate uridylyltransferase in normal rat erythrocytes falls steadily from 3 days before birth, the time when transferase activity was first determined until adult levels were reached at about 40 days after birth. This 80% decrease in transferase activity is presumably due, in large part, to aging of erythrocytes in young animals, but hormonal factors are implicated in the rise of transferase activity in maternal animals at pregnancy. Dietary conditions are believed primarily responsible for the maintenance of erythrocyte transferase levels in animals obtained from reduced litters. Correspondingly, a high galactose diet fed to maternal animals is believed to offset the beneficial effects of increased nutritional intake by the remaining offspring of depleted litters. This effect is most likely due to an imbalanced maternal milk supply.
The Physician Factor in Cesarean Birth Rates

To investigate the influence of physicians' practice styles on the rate of deliveries by cesarean section, we studied 1533 affluent women at low risk of obstetrical complications who were cared for by 11 obstetricians in a single community hospital. The mean rate of delivery by cesarean section was 26.9 percent, but the rate ranged from 19.1 to 42.3 percent, according to the physician. The mean rate of primary cesarean section (i.e., the rate for women without previous cesarean deliveries) was 17.2, with a range of 9.6 to 31.8 percent. A stepwise logistic-regression model of the determinants of primary cesarean section, including the individual physician, parity, birth weight, and maternal age and excluding specific medical indications, showed that only nulliparity (P less than 0.0001) was more important than the identity of the physician (P less than 0.001) in its influence on the rate of cesarean section. Variation in cesarean-section rates among physicians was not attributable to the practice setting, the patient population, the degree of obstetrical risk, or the physician's recent medicolegal experience, and it was not accompanied by corresponding differences in neonatal outcome. We conclude that individual practice style may be an important determinant of the wide variations in the rates of cesarean delivery among obstetricians. Our data do not permit us to say with certainty whether the procedure is overused by some obstetricians or underused by others, but we found no obvious differences in neonatal outcome associated with differences in the cesarean-section rate.
Closed-loop machining cell for turbine blades

This paper presents an innovative concept of a closed-loop machining cell for turbine blade finishing that integrates a robotic surface finishing device with an electro-optical, non-contact precision measuring system. We propose that a synergistic combination of these leading edge technologies allows us to close the loop between finishing and inspection. Instead of part measurement being a mere off-line verification operation, it can direct the robot to do the necessary work and provide feedback to achieve higher finishing precision. In this paper, we describe the challenges in closing the loop seamlessly and our approach to resolve them. We present the overall architecture in which the part is measured using a multiple cooperative sensor system, and the robot is directed until the desired finish is obtained. We present details on the use of multi-sensor inspection and corresponding integration of the various components (hardware and software). We validate by application to turbine blades that are used commercially. Utilizing the suggested concept, turbine blade manufacturers will benefit by realizing greatly increased product throughput and reduced cost. The potential for generating scrap is reduced, and two separate, time-consuming operations will be consolidated into a single setup. It will also reduce hardware, footprint, maintenance, and energy costs by their sharing of common components. This concept can be extended to similar closed-loop manufacturing cells with minor modifications.
Designing Electrical Power Systems for Survivability and Quality of Service

The primary aim of the design of a shipboard electric power system has traditionally been survivability and continuity of the electrical power supply. Survivability relates to the ability of the power system, when damaged by a threat, to support the ship's ability to continue its missions. Power continuity relates to the ability of the power system to reliably provide power to ship systems under normal operations. This paper proposes new metrics for survivability and continuity of service that enable a better definition of power system requirements linked to the operational needs of the ship. For survivability, the threats for which a ship is designed are its design threats, and the required residual capability following damage from a design threat is the design threat outcome. Quality of service serves as a metric of the continuity of the electrical power supply under normal operation. Quality of service is measured in terms of a mean time between service interruption. A service interruption is defined as any interruption in the supply or deviations outside normal bounds of power quality that prevent a load from performing its assigned function.
Estimates of phytoplankton N uptake based on 14CO2 incorporation into protein

The feasibility of estimating phytoplankton N uptake in N-limited systems by measuring the rate of 14CO2 incorporation into protein was studied using laboratory cultures and field populations. The accuracy of the method depends on the fact that the N:C ratio in protein is remarkably constant and that under N limitation a rather constant percentage (85%) of phytoplankton N is incorporated into protein. Results showed that incubations of 5–6 h are required to yield accurate estimates of N uptake due to internal cycling of amino acids before that. Estimates of phytoplankton N:C ratios based on field studies implied a positive correlation between distance from land and degree of N limitation.
Alvimopan pharmacokinetics (PK) & pharmacodynamics (PD) in patients with chronic constipation (CC)

Background To characterize the PK/PD of alvimopan and its active metabolite (ADL 08–0011) in CC patients. Method Twenty females/three males with CC received placebo or 3 mg alvimopan (a peripherally-acting μ-opioid antagonist) BID for 7 days in a double-blind, randomized, crossover study. The PK of alvimopan & metabolite were characterized. Whole bowel transit (WBT) & mean colonic transit time (MCTT) were determined. Total bowel movements (BM) & spontaneous complete BM (SCBM) were recorded. Safety was monitored. PD assessments were reported previously.a Results The geometric mean steady-state (SS) AUCτ, Cmax, & Cmin of alvimopan were 10.7 ng*hr/mL, 2.1 ng/mL, & 0.3 ng/mL, respectively. Metabolite concentrations were variable. Metabolite concentrations were at steady-state (SS) in ~50% of subjects on day 6 and were higher in patients that were at SS than those not at SS (AUC12= 98 and 48 hr*ng/mL, respectively). The relationship between concentrations of alvimopan or metabolite and response (WBT, MCTT, BM or SCBM) was explored. Simulations were used to predict doses to be used in further clinical trials. Conclusion Alvimopan PK in CC patients was similar to healthy volunteers, although Cmin was higher in CC patients. Metabolite concentrations were variable, but were in the range of those predicted. The relative contribution of plasma concentrations of parent and metabolite to activity remains unclear in CC. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2005) 77, P49–P49; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2004.12.080
Effects of Angle of Attack on Nonlinear Flutter of a Delta Wing

Limit cycle oscillations (LCOs) have been observed in flight for certain modern high-performance aircraft. The nonlinear physical mechanism responsible for the LCOs is still in doubt, even to the point of it not yet being determined whether the nonlinearity is principally in the flexible elastic structure of the aircraft or due to the fluid behavior in the surrounding aerodynamic flowfield. One observation from flight tests is that by changing the angle of attack of aircraft, the flight velocity at which LCOs begin may be raised or lowered and that the amplitude of the LCOs may be reduced. It has been suggested that this sensitivity to angle of attack indicates the nonlinearity is in the fluid rather than in the structure. We show that such effects of an angle of attack change can be the result of a structural nonlinearity. Specifically, an investigation to determine the effects of a steady angle of attack on nonlinear flutter and LCO of a delta wing-plate model in low subsonic flow has been made. A three-dimensional time domain vortex lattice aerodynamic model and a reduced order aerodynamic technique were used, and the structure is modeled using von Karman plate theory that allows for geometric strain-displacement nonlinearities in the delta wing structure. The results provide new insights into nonlinear aeroelastic phenomena not previously widely appreciated, i.e., LCOs for low aspect ratio wings that have a platelike nonlinear structural behavior. The effects of a steady angle of attack on both the flutter boundary and the LCOs are found to be significant. For a small steady angle of attack, α 0 ≤ 0.1 deg, the flutter onset velocity increases, whereas for larger α 0 , it decreases. Moreover, as α 0 increases, the maximum LCO amplitude decreases substantially. Such effects have been observed by Bunton and Denegri in flight flutter experiments. It is noted that the present theoretical results do not prove that the LCOs phenomena observed in flight are due to structural nonlinearities; however, the results of the present analysis are consistent with those observed in flight and do show that a structural nonlinearity can give rise to the observed effects of angle of attack on the LCOs.
Tuberous Sclerosis Gene 2 Product Modulates Transcription Mediated by Steroid Hormone Receptor Family Members

Tuberous sclerosis (TSC) is a genetic disorder that results in the development of hamartomatous lesions in a variety of organ systems. Both the prevalence of the disease and the often devastating consequences of these tumors pose a serious health and medical care problem. The disease has been mapped to two distinct genetic loci in humans, and although the genes (TSC1 andTSC2) for both loci have recently been cloned, their function remains an enigma. Data presented here demonstrates that TSC2 protein can bind and selectively modulate transcription mediated by members of the steroid receptor superfamily of genes. These data place TSC2 into a growing list of nuclear receptor coregulators and strengthen the expanding body of evidence that these coregulators may play critical roles in cellular differentiation.
Expression and Mutational Analysis of MET in Human Solid Cancers

MET receptor tyrosine kinase and its ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) regulate a variety of cellular functions, many of which can be dysregulated in human cancers. Activated MET signaling can lead to cell motility and scattering, angiogenesis, proliferation, branching morphogenesis, invasion, and eventual metastasis. We performed systematic analysis of the expression of the MET receptor and its ligand HGF in tumor tissue microarrays (TMA) from human solid cancers. Standard immunohistochemistry (IHC) and a computerized automated scoring system were used. DNA sequencing for MET mutations in both nonkinase and kinase domains was also performed. MET was differentially overexpressed in human solid cancers. The ligand HGF was widely expressed in both tumors, primarily intratumoral, and nonmalignant tissues. The MET/HGF likely is functional and may be activated in autocrine fashion in vivo. MET and stem cell factor (SCF) were found to be positively stained in the bronchioalevolar junctions of lung tumors. A number of novel mutations of MET were identified, particularly in the extracellular semaphorin domain and the juxtamembrane domain. MET-HGF pathway can be assayed in TMAs and is often overexpressed in a wide variety of human solid cancers. MET can be activated through overexpression, mutation, or autocrine signaling in malignant cells. Mutations in the nonkinase regions of MET might play an important role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. MET would be an important therapeutic antitumor target to be inhibited, and in lung cancer, MET may represent a cancer early progenitor cell marker.
Techniques for generating silver iodide smoke

Abstract Generators are described which are capable of producing large numbers of silver iodide smoke particles for nucleating natural clouds. These generators are of two kinds, the charcoal-burning type and the spray-nozzle type. The charcoal-burning generator produces silver iodide smokes by burning wood charcoal which has been impregnated with silver iodide. The spray-nozzle generator produces smokes by burning silver iodide solution atomized from a small spray nozzle with compressed hydrogen gas. The construction and operation of these smoke generators is described. In addition, a larger generator employing a turbo-jet burner is described. The preparation of the silver iodide solutions used in these smoke generators is outlined.
Protein Nanocapsule Weaved with Enzymatically Degradable Polymeric Network

Target proteins can be functionally encapsulated using a cocoon-like polymeric nanocapsule formed by interfacial polymerization. The nanocapsule is cross-linked by peptides that can be proteolyzed by proteases upon which the protein cargo is released. The protease-mediated degradation process can be controlled in a spatiotemporal fashion through modification of the peptide cross-linker with photolabile moieties. We demonstrate the utility of this approach through the cytoplasmic delivery of the apoptosis inducing caspase-3 to cancer cells.
Delphi: A Catalytic Strategy for Motivating Curriculum Revision by Faculty.

A two‐round, normative delphi provided the catalytic strategy for a strategic plan on total curriculum revision at a geographically disbursed, four‐campus, community college. Decision—making was required to combine the college's four individual catalogs into one integrated catalog. This article provides a detailed description of the delphi process, modifications in the normative delphi adopted by the college, results of the college's delphi, and suggestions for delphi use.