cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The absence of the Mono Lake geomagnetic excursion from the paleomagnetic record of Clear Lake, California

Abstract Paleomagnetic measurements have been made on a continuously sampled, 5-m section of a core from Clear Lake, California. The sediments studied span an 8000-year interval centered at 25,000 years B.P., the approximate date of the large-scale, counterclockwise loop of the magnetic vector recorded in sediments from Mono Lake, California. The data from Mono Lake have been interpreted as a geomagnetic excursion with a duration of 600–1000 years. Because Clear Lake is only 320 km from Mono Lake and since each sample from Clear Lake represents 26 years of sedimentation, the magnetic signature of the Mono Lake geomagnetic excursion should be recorded in detail in the Clear Lake samples. Aside from a generally uniform shallowing of inclinations due to compaction, the paleomagnetic record from Clear Lake contains no anomalous features which would correspond to the Mono Lake excursion. Thus it has yet to be shown that the Mono Lake excursion was recorded anywhere besides Mono Lake. Even if the existence of the excursion is ultimately confirmed, its usefulness as a magnetostratigraphic horizon is limited.
Optimizing a virtual speech display: Comments on Brungart and Simpson, ICAD 2003

In our 2003 ICAD Paper “Optimizing the Spatial Configuration of a Seven Talker Speech Display,” we described a hybrid near-far spatial configuration that maximizes performance in a multitalker listening task. In this brief addendum, we describe our scientific motivation for that study, describe a supplementary experiment that extended the earlier work to two additional spatial configurations, and place the results of the study in the context of current and future research in audio displays.
Synthesis and properties of human γ‐lipotropin

The synthesis of human gamma-lipotropin by the solid-phase method is described. The synthetic product was characterized by Rf in partition chromatography on Sephadex G-50, paper electrophoresis, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, thin-layer chromatography, HPLC, end group determination, peptide mapping of a tryptic digest, and amino acid analyses of acid and enzymic digests. The synthetic material is identical to natural human gamma-lipotropin when assayed against natural human beta-lipotropin for lipolytic activity.
The Social History of Quantifying Inflation: A Sociological Critique

The paper offers a sociological critique of the quantification of inflation. Throughout its history, not only have the techniques of measuring inflation changed, but so has its social and policy functions. In the process, the phenomenon inflation measurements were intended to represent has also taken on new significance. The function of inflation measurement initially focused on providing a scientific way of regulating wage disputes in the early twentieth century. By the end of the century, it had become an instrument of macroeconomic policy coordination and sought to measure inflation in the economy as a whole. Inflation measurement, thus, performs economic functions that are now increasingly dissociated from earlier social functions. Growing social inequality will require new ways of conceiving and managing inflation.
Randomized Arguments are Transferable

Easwaran has given a definition of transferability and argued that, under this definition, randomized arguments are not transferable. I show that certain aspects of his definition are not suitable for addressing the underlying question of whether or not there is an epistemic distinction between randomized and deductive arguments. Furthermore, I demonstrate that for any suitable definition, randomized arguments are in fact transferable. Kenny Easwaran [Easwaran2008] has recently given a definition of transferability of mathematical proofs and has attempted to use this notion to epistemically differentiate between traditional deductive proofs and certain inductive arguments based on randomized trials (which I will call randomized arguments; more on this below). However, I will show that there are problems with Easwaran’s definition and further demonstrate that, for any suitable definition of the term, transferability does not epistemically distinguish between deductive proofs and randomized arguments.
A New Decomposition Procedure for Dynamic Programming

This paper presents a new decomposition procedure that reduces the highspeed memory requirement and interpolations, associated with the dynamic programming algorithm. It shows that an nth-order system described by k coupled difference or differential equations can be treated as a kth-order system with respect to the high-speed memory requirement and interpolations in the dynamic programming procedure.
Vitamin-C Delivery from CoCr Alloy Surfaces Using Polymer-Free and Polymer-Based Platforms For Cardiovascular Stent Applications

Antiproliferative drugs such as paclitaxel and sirolimus are delivered from stents to inhibit the growth of smooth muscle cells (SMCs) for preventing neointimal hyperplasia. However, these drugs delay the growth of endothelial cells (ECs) as well and cause late stent thrombosis. We recently demonstrated the use of Vitamin-C (l-ascorbic acid, l-AA) over paclitaxel and sirolimus for inhibiting SMCs growth and promoting EC growth simultaneously. In this study, we have investigated the delivery of l-AA from CoCr alloy surfaces for potential use in stents. A polymer-free phosphoric acid (PA) platform and a polymer-based poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) platform were used for coating l-AA onto CoCr surfaces. For the PA platform, FTIR confirmed that the PA was coated on CoCr, while the AFM showed that the PA coating on the CoCr surface was homogeneous. The successful deposition of l-AA on PA-coated CoCr was also confirmed by FTIR. The uniform distribution of l-AA crystals on PA-coated CoCr was shown by SEM, optical profilometer, and AFM. The drug release studies showed that l-AA (276 μg/cm(2)) was burst released from the PA platform by 1 h. For the PLGA platform, SEM showed that the l-AA incorporated polymer films were smoothly and uniformly coated on CoCr. FTIR showed that l-AA was incorporated into the bulk of the PLGA film. DSC showed that the l-AA was present in an amorphous form and formed an intermolecular bonding interaction with PLGA. The drug release studies showed that l-AA was sustained released from the PLGA coated CoCr for up to 24 h. The SEM, FTIR, and DSC characterizations of samples collected post drug release shed light on the mechanism of l-AA release from PLGA coated CoCr. Thus, this study demonstrated the delivery of l-AA from biomaterial surfaces for potential applications in stents and other implantable medical devices.
Kinetic studies using static SIMS: H2 adsorption on Ni(100)

Abstract We demonstrate that hydrogen coverages on Ni(100) can be quantitatively followed in situ under equilibrium conditions by monitoring the characteristics SSIMS ion ratio Ni 2 H + /Ni + , which is linear with hydrogen concentration up to the s 2 state saturation. Uptake curves are readily obtained, from which kinetic and thermodynamic parameters can be extracted.
Operant behavior during sessions of intravenous cocaine infusion is necessary and sufficient for phasic firing of single nucleus accumbens neurons

The activity of individual accumbens neurons in rats was recorded in relation to intravenous cocaine infusions that were either response (i.e., lever press) contingent or response non-contingent. Neural firing was additionally recorded in relation to non-reinforced lever presses. Comparisons of firing under the three conditions showed that operant behavior was necessary and sufficient for preinfusion firing to occur. Surprisingly, the same was true, in many cases, for firing that occurred during the infusion. For other neurons, firing during the infusion was unrelated to operant behavior and possibly related to infusion stimuli. The relationship to operant behavior exhibited by the majority of NAcc neurons is consistent with previous studies that demonstrated a necessary relationship between NAcc neurons and cocaine reinforced operant behavior.
Endovascular solutions to arterial injury due to posterior spine surgery

Iatrogenic arterial injury is an uncommon but recognized complication of posterior spinal surgery. The spectrum of injuries includes vessel perforation leading to hemorrhage, delayed pseudoaneurysm formation, and threatened perforation by screw impingement on arterial vessels. Repair of these injuries traditionally involved open direct vessel repair or graft placement, which can be associated with significant morbidity. We identified five patients with iatrogenic arterial injury during or after posterior spinal surgery between July 2004 and August 2009 and describe their endovascular treatment. Intraoperative arterial bleeding was encountered in two patients during posterior spinal surgery. The posterior wounds were packed, temporarily closed, and the patient was placed supine. In both patients, angiography demonstrated arterial injury necessitating repair. Covered stent grafts were deployed through femoral cutdowns to exclude the areas of injury. In three additional patients, postoperative computed tomography imaging demonstrated pedicle screws abutting/penetrating the thoracic or abdominal aorta. Angiography or intravascular ultrasound imaging, or both, confirmed indention/perforation of the aorta by the screw. Aortic stent graft cuffs were deployed through femoral cutdowns to cover the area of aortic contact before hardware removal. All five patients did well and were discharged home in good condition. Endovascular repair of arterial injuries occurring during posterior spinal procedures is feasible and can offer a safe and less invasive alternative to open repair.
Preparing Students for Research and for Work with the Transgender Population: Exploring the Results of an Innovative Course Pairing

In an effort to provide opportunities for social work students to develop competencies for research and for working with transgender individuals, the authors paired content in two separate undergraduate courses: cultural competence and research methods. A qualitative research study was designed to assess the impact of this curricular approach. Following completion of the two courses, students participated in focus groups to discuss their experiences and what they learned through the unique course pairing. Analysis of the focus group transcripts revealed that students developed new understanding and knowledge related to research, the transgender population, attitudes about this population, and how to advocate for this population.
Processing of unattended visual information.

A visual analog of auditory selective attention paradigms is described. Using that analog, we examined the amount of processing required to monitor unattended information. With the materials used, there was no evidence that any processing capacity was required to monitor the unattended information. Memory for the unattended information and the recognition of one’s name were examined to provide additional evidence concerning the fate of the unattended information.
Proteomic Analysis of Cytoskeleton-Associated RNA Binding Proteins in Developing Rice Seed

In eukaryotes, RNA binding proteins (RBPs) play an integral role not only in RNA processing within the nucleus, but also in the cytoplasmic events of RNA transport, localization, translation, storage and degradation. While many studies have been done, relatively little is known about RBPs in plants. As part of our continuing efforts to understand cytoplasmic gene expression events in developing rice seed (Oryza sativa L.), a proteomics approach was used to identify cytoplasmic-localized, cytoskeletal-associated RBPs. The nucleic acid binding fraction from a cytoskeletal-enriched rice seed extract was isolated by Poly(U)-Sepharose affinity chromatography and analyzed using 2D gel electrophoresis. Analysis of 162 excised protein spots using mass spectrometry led to the identification of 148 distinct proteins, in addition to the highly abundant globulin and glutelin seed storage proteins. Identified proteins include those involved in RNA processing, translation, protein modification, cell signaling, and meta...
Design of bioactive electrospun scaffolds for bone tissue engineering

Background This study aimed to produce polycaprolactone (PCL) and PCL/gelatin fibrous scaffolds by electrospinning to engineer functional bone by the careful reproduction of the native microenviroment of the natural tissue. Methods Polymer solutions were processed by electrospinning technique to fabricate 2D and 3D platforms in the form of random flat membranes and bilayered conduits, through the use of collectors - i.e., grounded metal plates and a rotating mandrel, via a 2-step electrospinning process, to produce a bilayered structure. Results The results showed that solvent properties and the integration of gelatin could strongly influence the scaffold features in terms of fiber size scale and homogeneity, thus potentially affecting the final biological response. Moreover, 3D bilayered devices ensured the mechanical stability required to guide the forming bone during the regeneration process. Conclusions Overall, bioactive 2D or 3D electrospun platforms with microstructured and nanostructured properties can be used successfully as extracellular matrix analogues in bone regeneration.
Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy tubes in pediatric bone marrow transplant patients.

Background and Objectives: Nourishing a child undergoing bone marrow transplant (BMT) is essential, but the optimal method to achieve this is not established. The objectives of the study were to investigate the incidence and risk factors for complications of gastrostomy tubes in patients with BMT. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted of pediatric patients who received a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) either for BMT or for other indications during a 3-year period. Occurrences of complications, absolute neutrophil count (ANC) at time of PEG placement, and ANC at time of complication were reviewed for both BMT and the comparison group. Results: Of the 11 subjects in the BMT group, 4 (36%) had a major complication of infection related to PEG and 3 of those required PEG removal. Two of the 4 subjects who developed a major complication were moderately neutropenic at the time of PEG placement and all subjects were neutropenic at the time of complication. Of the 30 subjects in the comparison group, only 1 (2.8%) had a major complication with cellulitis. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups before PEG placement for age, weight, albumin, or white blood cell count. The incidence of complication in BMT compared with the comparison group was significant (P = 0.01). Conclusions: Our findings support that ANC should be considered before placement of PEG, significant neutropenia may be a contraindication for PEG placement in BMT patients, and other modalities for nutrition support might need to be considered.
Quasielastic and electrophoretic light scattering studies of polyelectrolyte-micelle complexes

The aqueous system comprised of poly(dimethylammonium chloride) (a strongly cationic polymer) and a mixture of sodium dodecyl sulfate and Triton X-100 (anionic/nonionic mixed micelles) forms polyelectrolyte-micelle complexes. At suitable micelle compositions and ionic strengths, soluble complexes are formed, which may be studied by a variety of solution techniques, including quasielastic light scattering. In this report, the authors examine the influence of polymer molecular weight and micelle composition on the nature of these complexes. Multiangle measurements were made with two different instruments (hence different procedures for extracting apparent size distributions from measured autocorrelation curves). At the concentrations employed, multipolymer complexes appear to form. The QELS data, taken in conjunction with limited electrophoretic light scattering results, suggest that the main determinant of the extent of higher-order aggregation are those factors influencing the net charge of a 'primary' i.e. intrapolymer complex, with molecular weight per se playing a secondary role.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
ON FINDING A HAMILTONIAN PATH IN A TOURNAMENT USING SEMI-HEAP

The problem of sorting an intransitive total ordered set, a generalization of regular sorting, is considered. This generalized sorting is based on the fact that there exists a special linear ordering (also called a generalized sorted sequence) for any intransitive total ordered set, or equivalently, the existence of a Hamiltonian path in a tournament. A new data structure called semi-heap is proposed to construct an optimal Θ(n log n) sorting algorithm. We also provide a cost-optimal parallel algorithm using semi-heap. The run time of this algorithm is Θ(n) with Θ(log n) processors under the EREW PRAM model. The use of a Hamiltonian path (generalized sorting sequence) as an approximation of a ranking system in a tournament is also discussed.
Examining external validity issues in research with human operation of unmanned vehicles

Research has studied human operation of unmanned vehicles (UVs) in the laboratory and the field, but differences between these settings raise questions about the generalisability of findings. This article discusses how these differences can alter relationships of interest and establishes a framework for establishing causal inference. The goals of this article are to: (a) argue that findings can be externally valid, where differences may be as much the result of specifics from the field as any lack of generalisability of laboratory; (b) illustrate how external validity arguments can be presented in UV research; (c) support the idea that hypotheses about the real-world can be tested in laboratory domains; (d) challenge the notion that findings from the field will always generalise to future applications; and (e) present a position where field and laboratory research can be integrated to develop a stronger theoretical framework for understanding how human operators control unmanned systems.
Occipital Lobe Vascular Malformations: Prevalence of Visual Field Deficits and Prognosis after Therapeutic Intervention

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of visual field (VF) deficits in association with vascular malformations of the occipital lobe is not known, and the prognosis of the VF after therapeutic intervention has not been systematically documented. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records of 23 consecutive patients who were managed at a single institution during a 3-year period with intracranial vascular malformations extending within the anatomic borders of the occipital lobe. Lesion location and treatment rendered were correlated with formal VF testing performed before and after therapeutic intervention. RESULTS: Twenty-one of the 23 patients underwent treatment of their lesions. Treatment included resection after preoperative embolization (12 patients), resection alone (2 patients with arteriovenous malformations and 3 patients with cavernous malformations), and stereotactic radiosurgery (4 patients; preceded by embolization in 3 of the 4). One patient was followed expectantly, and another died as a result of hemorrhage soon after undergoing endovascular embolization. The VFs were assessed before and after therapeutic intervention (follow-up assessment, 2-29 mo). New VF deficits or worsening of preexisting VF deficits were documented in 5 of the 21 treated patients (24%), but only 2 of these patients (9.5%) had persistent deficits at the time of their follow-up examinations. Among the 10 patients with pretreatment VF deficits, 5 improved and the other 5 were unchanged after treatment. CONCLUSION: Patients with occipital lobe vascular malformations frequently present with associated VF deficits. Surgical resection or stereotactic radiosurgery (with or without previous embolization) of these lesions can be performed with little risk of causing new VF deficits or worsening of preexisting ones. Many VF deficits can be expected to improve or resolve after therapy.
Controlling the motor neuron.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes three sensory-to-motor reflexes and their associated central circuits and synapses. The uniquely identifiable neurons comprising these reflex circuits offer an excellent opportunity for investigating detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the development and operation of the central nervous system (CNS). Some of the genetic approaches used to characterize these reflex circuits are used to investigate the substrate underlying other behaviors in Drosophila. In particular the GAL4/UAS system has become the “technique of choice” for identifying neural substrates participating in such behaviors as olfactory jump, olfactory learning, and sexual behavior. The reflex neural circuits characterized are composed of relatively few neurons that are uniquely identified for example the hair plate reflex circuit employs only eight sensory neurons that exhibit synaptic connections with a single identified motorneuron. Because of the simplicity of the three reflex circuits, the chapter analyzes the function of gene products in establishing both dendritic and axonal anatomy in conjunction with their function in shaping the physiology of central neurons and synapses.
The Effects of Handling and Anesthetic Agents on the Stress Response and Carbohydrate Metabolism in Northern Elephant Seals

Free-ranging animals often cope with fluctuating environmental conditions such as weather, food availability, predation risk, the requirements of breeding, and the influence of anthropogenic factors. Consequently, researchers are increasingly measuring stress markers, especially glucocorticoids, to understand stress, disturbance, and population health. Studying free-ranging animals, however, comes with numerous difficulties posed by environmental conditions and the particular characteristics of study species. Performing measurements under either physical restraint or chemical sedation may affect the physiological variable under investigation and lead to values that may not reflect the standard functional state of the animal. This study measured the stress response resulting from different handling conditions in northern elephant seals and any ensuing influences on carbohydrate metabolism. Endogenous glucose production (EGP) was measured using [6-3H]glucose and plasma cortisol concentration was measured from blood samples drawn during three-hour measurement intervals. These measurements were conducted in weanlings and yearlings with and without the use of chemical sedatives—under chemical sedation, physical restraint, or unrestrained. We compared these findings with measurements in adult seals sedated in the field. The method of handling had a significant influence on the stress response and carbohydrate metabolism. Physically restrained weanlings and yearlings transported to the lab had increased concentrations of circulating cortisol (F11, 46 = 25.2, p<0.01) and epinephrine (F3, 12 = 5.8, p = 0.01). Physical restraint led to increased EGP (t = 3.1, p = 0.04) and elevated plasma glucose levels (t = 8.2, p<0.01). Animals chemically sedated in the field typically did not exhibit a cortisol stress response. The combination of anesthetic agents (Telazol, ketamine, and diazepam) used in this study appeared to alleviate a cortisol stress response due to handling in the field without altering carbohydrate metabolism. Measures of hormone concentrations and metabolism made under these conditions are more likely to reflect basal values.
Construction of a bovine chromosome 19 linkage map with an interspecies hybrid backcross.

Interspecific hybrid backcross animals from a Bos taurus x Bos gaurus F1 female were used to construct a linkage map of bovine Chromosome (Chr) 19. This map includes eight previously unmapped type I anchor loci, CHRNB1, CRYB1, GH1, MYL4, NF1, P4HB, THRA1, TP53, and five microsatellite markers, HEL10, BP20, MAP2C, ETH3, BMC1013, from existing linkage maps. The linkage relationship was determined to be centromere-HEL10-18.8cM-NF1-4.0cM-CRYB1-11 .2cM-(BP20, CHRNB1, TP53)-4.0cM-(MAP2C, GH1, MYL4, THRA1)-14.4cM-P4HB-11.2cM-ETH3-4. 0cM-BMC1013. It was previously revealed that bovine Chr 19 contains the largest known conserved autosomal synteny among human, bovine, and mouse. This study has shown that gene orders within this segment are not conserved among the three species. We propose structural changes in an ancestral mammalian chromosome to account for these differences. This is the first interspecific hybrid backcross used in bovine linkage studies, and it has proven to be an effective tool for incorporating bovine type I loci into the linkage map even with the small sample size presently available. This resource will facilitate the generation of comparative linkage maps that address gene order and effectively predict the locations of unmapped loci across species.
MO imagery techniques using arrays of large aperture telescopes

Abstract Simultaneous multiple-path looks at a moving object (MO) of low signal to noise ratio (SNR) is proposed using an array of telescopes without using either interferometric or adaptive optics techniques. Instead, proper Affine overlays, of all looks through nonisoplanatic regions, give a better SNR and a better turning view in the real time and image plane, and can be furthermore integrated temporally using Affine transformation to yield new templates of a MO. Thereby a scheme of open, self-taught and therefore smart pattern recognition of MO's becomes possible. The system performance of a multi-opto-sensor-Affine (MOSA) system is generally derived in terms of system parameters and field conditions. Geometric constructions of Affine transformations are shown to be either area-ration preserving among three control picture elements (pixels), which are proved to be sufficient using Euler's theorem of solid body motion, or the first order moment of area-ratio preserving, when more than three pixels are needed due to poor SNR.
Metabolism of the Aliphatic Nitramine 4-Nitro-2,4-Diazabutanal by Methylobacterium sp. Strain JS178

The aliphatic nitramine 4-nitro-2,4-diazabutanal (NDAB; C2H5N3O3) is a ring cleavage metabolite that accumulates during the aerobic degradation of the energetic compound hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) by various Rhodococcus spp. NDAB is also produced during the alkaline hydrolysis of either RDX or octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) and during the photolysis of RDX. Traces of NDAB were observed in a soil sampled from an ammunition-manufacturing facility contaminated with both HMX and RDX, suggesting natural attenuation. In this study, we report the isolation of a soil bacterium that is able to degrade NDAB under aerobic conditions. The isolate is a pink-pigmented facultative methylotroph affiliated with the genus Methylobacterium. The strain, named Methylobacterium sp. strain JS178, degrades NDAB as a sole nitrogen source, with concomitant growth and formation of 1 molar equivalent of nitrous oxide (N2O). Comparison of the growth yield of strain JS178 grown on NDAB, nitrite (NO2−), or ammonium (NH4+) as a nitrogen source revealed that 1 N equivalent is assimilated from each mole of NDAB, which completes the nitrogen mass balance. In radiotracer experiments, strain JS178 mineralized 1 C of the [14C]NDAB produced in situ from [14C]RDX by Rhodococcus sp. strain DN22. Studies on the regulation of NDAB degradation indicated that allantoin, an intermediate in the purine catabolic pathway and a central molecule in the storage and transport of nitrogen in plants, up-regulated the enzyme(s) involved in the degradation of the nitramine. The results reveal the potential for the sequential participation of rhodococci and methylobacteria to effect the complete degradation of RDX.
Chronically Critically Ill Patients: Health-Related Quality of Life and Resource Use After a Disease Management Intervention

The continued increase in healthcare costs in the United States has been well documented1,2; healthcare costs exceed $1 trillion.3 Reasons cited for the rise in costs include the increasing number of elderly persons, increases in severity of illness, and the increasing number of patients who require prolonged mechanical ventilation and expensive stays in intensive care units (ICUs).1,4,5 Patients who require prolonged mechanical ventilation and expensive ICU stays are generally more than 60 years old, have more than a single comorbid condition (eg, coronary artery disease, chronic pulmonary disease), and have high in-hospital mortality rates (35%-50%).6-8 These patients have a high cost of care as well as poor outcomes and have been called “chronically critically ill.”8-10 Poor outcomes include poor quality of life, high mortality, need for individualized rehabilitation, high readmission rates, and high cost of care.8-10 Disease management programs (DMPs) improve patients’ outcomes while reducing the cost of care for chronically ill patients11,12 and patients with congestive heart failure,13 yet only a few reports of large randomized trials of the effectiveness of such programs have been published, and even fewer have had health-related quality of life (HRQOL) as a key outcome measure.14-16 HRQOL is an important outcome to include in studies on the effect of DMPs because patients often place a higher value on quality of life than on survival.17 Evaluating the effect of a disease management program on quality of life is important because patients often place a higher value on quality of life than on survival. Chronically critically ill patients present challenges for the healthcare teams who assume responsibility for their care after discharge from the hospital and thus may benefit from a DMP. Staff and primary care physicians at extended care facilities are faced with the challenge of quickly gaining familiarity with a patient’s history and course of illness, coordinating the continuing input from multiple healthcare providers, and assuming responsibility for managing these complex cases. To date, the effect of using a DMP intervention focused on chronically critically ill patients after they leave the hospital has not been evaluated. The purpose of our study was to evaluate how adding a DMP to the usual care system affected outcomes after discharge (mortality, HRQOL, resource use) in chronically critically ill patients 2 months after discharge. The theoretical basis of the study was an application of the “structure-process-outcomes” model of Donabedian,18 which posits that organizations and their effectiveness can be understood through an analysis of appropriate structure (model of care, DMP), which affects processes of work (eg, discharge planning, coordination among providers, use of protocols) and leads to measurable outcomes (resource use, patients’ outcomes, caregivers’ outcomes).
High-performance complex event processing over XML streams

Much research attention has been given to delivering high-performance systems that are capable of complex event processing (CEP) in a wide range of applications. However, many current CEP systems focus on processing efficiently data having a simple structure, and are otherwise limited in their ability to support efficiently complex continuous queries on structured or semi-structured information. However, XML streams represent a very popular form of data exchange, comprising large portions of social network and RSS feeds, financial records, configuration files, and similar applications requiring advanced CEP queries. In this paper, we present the XSeq language and system that support CEP on XML streams, via an extension of XPath that is both powerful and amenable to an efficient implementation. Specifically, the XSeq language extends XPath with natural operators to express sequential and Kleene-* patterns over XML streams, while remaining highly amenable to efficient implementation. XSeq is designed to take full advantage of recent advances in the field of automata on Visibly Pushdown Automata (VPA), where higher expressive power can be achieved without compromising efficiency (whereas the amenability to efficient implementation was not demonstrated in XPath extensions previously proposed).We illustrate XSeq's power for CEP applications through examples from different domains, and provide formal results on its expressiveness and complexity. Finally, we present several optimization techniques for XSeq queries. Our extensive experiments indicate that XSeq brings outstanding performance to CEP applications: two orders of magnitude improvement are obtained over the same queries executed in general-purpose XML engines.
PP4 dephosphorylates Maf1 to couple multiple stress conditions to RNA polymerase III repression

Maf1 is the ‘master’ repressor of RNA polymerase III (Pol III) transcription in yeast, and is conserved in eukaryotes. Maf1 is a phospho‐integrator, with unfavourable growth conditions leading to rapid Maf1 dephosphorylation, nuclear accumulation, binding to RNA Pol III at Pol III genes and transcriptional repression. Here, we establish the protein phosphatase 4 (PP4) complex as the main Maf1 phosphatase, and define the involved catalytic (Pph3), scaffold (Psy2) and regulatory subunits (Rrd1, Tip41), as well as uninvolved subunits (Psy4, Rrd2). Multiple approaches support a central role for PP4 in Maf1 dephosphorylation, Maf1 nuclear localization and the rapid repression of Pol III in the nucleus. PP4 action is likely direct, as a portion of PP4 co‐precipitates with Maf1, and purified PP4 dephosphorylates Maf1 in vitro . Furthermore, Pph3 mediates (either largely or fully) rapid Maf1 dephosphorylation in response to diverse stresses, suggesting PP4 plays a key role in the integration of cell nutrition and stress conditions by Maf1 to enable Pol III regulation.
The Concept of Family: An Analysis of Laypeople's Views of Family

Family scholars have offered a host of formal definitions of family with little consensus. One reason scholars may have trouble reaching agreement is that rather than having a classical definition, there may be a variety of features and forms of family that people consider more typical than others. Three studies were undertaken to gain a better understanding of laypeople's concept of family. Study 1 indicates that people have central features and attributes that they ascribe to the concept of family. Study 2 likewise reveals that certain forms of family are considered more exemplary than others. Study 3 brings the elements of features and forms together and provides evidence of a possible underlying structure of family in which central features are matched with central forms. Research, measurement, and social policy implications for the study of family are discussed.
Unmet Need for Treatment of Major Depression in the United States

Objective: This study examined the extent and correlates of perceived unmet need for treatment among individuals with depression in the U.S. general population. Methods: Analyses were based on a representative sample of 6,510 adult participants in the 2005 and 2006 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health who reported a major depressive episode in the past 12 months. Results: A total of 3,568 (62.4%) participants had sought mental health treatment in the past 12 months, and 2,942 (37.6%) had not; 34.9% and 26.8% of these groups, respectively, reported unmet need for treatment. In both groups, older age was associated with a lower likelihood of reporting unmet need for treatment, whereas greater distress and impairment and higher education were associated with a greater likelihood of reporting unmet need. Among treatment seekers, treatment from general medical providers was associated with greater likelihood of unmet need, and more outpatient visits and insurance coverage for the full year were associated with a lower likelihood of unmet need. The most common reason for not seeking needed treatment was a concern about costs (cited as a reason by 46.0% of the total sample). Conclusions: Even though rates of treatment seeking have increased, many persons with major depression continue to experience unmet need for treatment, which in this study was mainly attributable to concerns about treatment costs. (Psychiatric Services 60: 297–305, 2009)
Altered Metabolism in Cancer

Cancer cells have different metabolic requirements from their normal counterparts. Understanding the consequences of this differential metabolism requires a detailed understanding of glucose metabolism and its relation to energy production in cancer cells. A recent study in BMC Systems Biology by Vasquez et al. developed a mathematical model to assess some features of this altered metabolism. Here, we take a broader look at the regulation of energy metabolism in cancer cells, considering their anabolic as well as catabolic needs. See research article: http://www.biomedcentral.com/1752-0509/4/58/
Retention of soluble99mTc-DTPA in the human lung: 24-h postdeposition

Foster, W. Michael, Pamela T. Stetkiewicz, and Arthur N. Freed. Retention of soluble99mTc-DTPA in the human lung: 24-h postdeposition. J. Appl. Physiol.82(4): 1378–1382, 1997.—Clearance of low-mole...
Metastatic Complications From Staphylococcus intermedius, a Zoonotic Pathogen

Metastatic infection is an infrequent complication of non-Staphylococcus aureus staphylococcal infection. Here we report a case of bloodstream infection due to Staphylococcus intermedius. To our knowledge, ours is the only known case of metastatic infection with S. intermedius.
OPTIMAL SAFETY‐STOCK INVESTMENT THROUGH SUBJECTIVE EVALUATION OF STOCKOUT COSTS

This paper solves the problem of setting safety stocks by combining a subjective evaluation of the stockout-cost function with the usual holding-cost function. The technique given in this paper for estimating a decision maker's (DM's) disvalue function for stockouts is robust in terms of the shapes permissible for this function and allows for uncertainty on the part of the DM in expressing his/her trade-offs. The estimation technique could be applied to situations other than the safety-stock problem. We provide an optimization routine for the safety-stock problem which is designed to operate in conjunction with the estimation technique. Safety-stock levels are arrived at iteratively.
Absence of a universal element for tRNAHis identity in Acanthamoeba castellanii

The additional G(-1) nucleotide on tRNA(His) is a nearly universal feature that specifies tRNA(His) identity in all three domains of life. In eukaryotes, the G(-1) identity element is obtained by a post-transcriptional pathway, through the unusual 3'-5' polymerase activity of the highly conserved tRNA(His) guanylyltransferase (Thg1) enzyme, and no examples of eukaryotic histidyl-tRNAs that lack this essential element have been identified. Here we report that the eukaryote Acanthamoeba castellanii lacks the G(-1) identity element on its tRNA(His), consistent with the lack of a gene encoding a bona fide Thg1 ortholog in the A. castellanii genome. Moreover, the cytosolic histidyl-tRNA synthetase in A. castellanii exhibits an unusual tRNA substrate specificity, efficiently aminoacylating tRNA(His) regardless of the presence of G(-1). A. castellanii does contain two Thg1-related genes (encoding Thg1-like proteins, TLPs), but the biochemical properties we associate here with these proteins are consistent with a function for these TLPs in separate pathways unrelated to tRNA(His) metabolism, such as mitochondrial tRNA repair during 5'-editing.
Two-Probe (Spreading Resistance) Measurements for Evaluation of Semiconductor Materials and Devices

Interest in two-probe resistance, (spreading resistance) measurements dates back perhaps 20 years. It arose at a time when the development of a number of techniques for measuring resistivity and resistivity profiles was being pursued, primarily for germanium and silicon technology. In the early days of its use, diffusions were relatively deep and control of epitaxial resistivity was an important problem. The structures of interest have changed noticeably in the interveninng years. Ion implantation has come into regular use and the dimensional scale of diffusions and epitaxy have been considerably reduced.
New Developments in Continuous Arteriovenous Hemofiltration/Dialysis

There is a growing consensus that continuous renal replacement therapy (1–4) is preferable to intermittent renal replacement in treating patients with acute renal failure (ARF). Continuous therapies are not associated with the rapid “unphysiologic” shifts in fluid and solutes which characterize intermittent hemodialysis (IHD). Conventional IHD utilizes diffusion based transport of solutes and fluid across cellulose acetate and cuprophane membranes. New membranes which use polysulphone, polyacrylonitrile or polyamide as the basic material are more permeable than IHD membranes and have a higher molecular weight cut off for enhanced clearance of middle molecules (5). Alternate renal replacement therapies have evolved with the availability of these membranes (6). Continuous Arteriovenous Hemofiltration/HemoDialysis (CAVH/CAVHD) is a new therapy rapidly gaining acceptance worldwide as the treatment of choice for ARF in critically ill, hemodynamically unstable, patients (7–10). This review describes the current status and discusses new developments of these techniques.
The Formation, Characterization, and Reactivity of the Oxene Adduct of Tetra-Kis(2,6-Dichlorophenyl)Porphinato-Iron(III) Perchlorate in Acetonitrile

Combination of tetrakis(2,6-dichlorophenyl)porphinato-iron(III) perchlorate with pentafluoroiodosobenzene or m-chloroperbenzoic acid in acetonitrile at -35°C yields a green porphyrin-oxene adduct. This species, which has been characterized by spectroscopic, magnetic and electrochemical methods, cleanly and directly epoxidizes olefins. The reaction chemistry and electronic characterization of the adduct are consistent with an oxygen atom covalently bound to an iron(II)-porphyrin radical center [(P-)FeII(0)+]. The latter has a reactivity and spectral characteristics that are closely similar to Compound I of horseradish peroxidase, and the selective stereospecific oxygenase character of the reactive intermediate for cytochrome P-450. The iron(III) porphyrin is an efficient catalyst for the stereospecific epoxidation of olefins by F5PI1IO and m-ClPhC(O)OOH; with H2O2 the reaction is much less efficient and there is extensive attack of the porphyrin ring.
Transformative Sustainability Pedagogy: Learning From Ecological Systems and Indigenous Wisdom

Sustainability is becoming increasingly relevant in higher education, as the need to address complex cultural and ecological problems intensifies. How sustainability is taught has a profound influence on the kind of learning that takes place and the impact it has in the world. Sustainability pedagogy is offered as a tool for creating transformational sustainability learning that is thematic and cocreated, critically questions dominant norms and incorporates diverse perspectives, is active, participatory and relational, and is grounded in a specific place. This pedagogical design draws on the wisdom of ecological systems, recognizing that ecological systems are our best teachers for creating sustainable and regenerative systems. This article connects this pedagogical model with Okanagan indigenous teachings about the whole self, to explore how the whole self can be intentionally included in an ecological design process to promote transformational learning.
Inhibition of in Vitro Neutrophil Chemotaxis and Spontaneous Motility by Anti-Inflammatory Agents

SummaryA number of anti-inflammatory agents were tested for their effect on the chemotaxis responsiveness and on the spontaneous motility of neutrophils obtained from rabbit and rat peritoneal exudates and human blood. The majority of these agents, both steroidal and nonsteroidal, inhibited the chemotactic responsiveness of neutrophils obtained from all three sources to a bacterial chemotactic factor. The effective steroidal anti-inflammatory agents tested inhibited both chemotaxis and spontaneous motility, whereas the nonsteroidal agents, with the exception of phenylbutazone, inhibited only chemotaxis and were without effect on motility.We thank Mr. Henry Showell in the laboratory of Dr. Elmer Becker at the University of Connecticut Health Center for providing us with the butanol extract of E. coli culture filtrates. We also appreciate the work of Miss Kathy Walmsley and Mrs. Barbara Cerne in typing this manuscript.
Energy Resolved Mass Spectrometry of the a-Si:D Film Growth Species During DC Magnetron Sputtering

Double modulated beam mass spectrometry was used to obtain the first measurements of the identity, relative flux, and energy of film precursors in reactive dc magnetron sputtering. In these experiments, a 2″ diameter silicon target was sputtered in an argon plus deuterium plasma at an argon pressure of 1.5 mTorr. This system produces high quality a-Si:D. Energetic neutral Si and SiD were observed, while energetic neutral SiD2 and SiD3 were absent. The arrival rate of D in the form of SiD increased and then saturated at 19 percent of the total flux as the deuterium pressure was varied from 0 to 5 mTorr. The sputtered Si energy agreed qualitatively with the standard Thompson theory. Energetic ions located at mass 2 and 4 were measured with energies much greater than the sputtered Si. Thermal silane was also detected, raising the possibility that thermal silane radicals in addition to energetic Si and SiD contribute to film growth.
Study on Photosynthetic Rate and Chlorophyll Content

Measuring and correlation analysis were made on the net photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll content of flag leaf among 59 rice varieties. The results indicated that there was significant variation of chlorophyll content and it's a/b ratio. The chlorophyll a content dominated the total content level and chlorophyll b controls the chlorophyll a/b ratio. Significant correlation between total chlorophyll content, chlorophyll a content and net photosynthetic rate were found. No direct correlation exists between net photosynthetic rate and chlorophyll a/b ratio. But the lower chlorophyll a/b ratio rather than total chlorophyll content act as a dominator to photosynthesis in the course of increase of chlorophyll content among all varieties. The fittest chlorophyll content in the lower content scale under strong sunlight was observed simultaneously.
The Role of Serum Prostatic Acid Phosphatase as a Tumor Marker in Men with Advanced Adenocarcinoma of the Prostate

AbstractSerial serum prostatic acid phosphatase levels were obtained every 4 hours during a 48-hour interval from 10 men with stage D adenocarcinoma of the prostate. No therapeutic or diagnostic manipulations occurred during sample procurement, so that the amount of fluctuation of serum prostatic acid phosphatase levels that can be expected in these patients could be determined. The coefficient of variation for each man ranged from 16.67 to 43.68 per cent, which was significantly higher than the expected 8 per cent coefficient of variation determined with a control sample. The maximum percentage variations above and below the mean were 79 and 50 per cent, respectively. The average percentage variation in all patients was within 50 per cent greater than and 50 per cent less than the mean value of prostatic acid phosphatase. Thus, the usefulness of serum acid phosphatase by radioimmunoassay as a clinical tumor marker is limited by the number of serial assays needed to establish a mean. Based on these findin...