cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and Structure of Fused α-Oligothiophenes with up to Seven Rings

To combine the stability of α-oligothiophenes with the planarity of acenes, fully fused oligothienoacenes were synthesized and their properties compared to the nonfused α-oligothiophenes. By employing removable solubilizing groups, our synthetic methodology made it possible to efficiently prepare and purify oligothienoacenes with up to seven fused rings. The key steps involved the halogen dance reaction and Pd-catalyzed coupling of Bu3SnSSnBu3 to introduce sulfur linkages. This approach eliminates α−β anion equilibration, a significant improvement over the traditional method of introducing sulfur linkages via Li−Br exchange. X-ray diffraction data indicate that pentathienoacene and heptathienoacene adopt π-stacked packing motifs in contrast to the herringbone packing of nonfused oligothiophenes. On the basis of the linear dependence of the longest λmax on the reciprocal number of double bonds of thienoacenes with three to seven rings, the band gap of polythienoacene is extrapolated to be 2.21 eV.
Basal Levels of eIF2α Phosphorylation Determine Cellular Antioxidant Status by Regulating ATF4 and xCT Expression

eIF2α is part of a multimeric complex that regulates cap-dependent translation. Phosphorylation of eIF2α (phospho-eIF2α) is induced by various forms of cell stress, resulting in changes to the proteome of the cell with two diametrically opposed consequences, adaptation to stress or initiation of programmed cell death. In contrast to the robust eIF2α phosphorylation seen in response to acute insults, less is known about the functional role of basal levels of eIF2α phosphorylation. Here we show that mouse embryonic fibroblasts expressing a nonphosphorylatable eIF2α have enhanced sensitivity to diverse toxic insults, including amyloid β-(1–42) peptide (Aβ), a key factor in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease. This correlates with impaired glutathione metabolism because of down-regulation of the light chain, xCT, of the cystine/glutamate antiporter system X-c. The mechanistic link between the absence of phospho-eIF2α and xCT expression is nuclear factor ATF4. Consistent with these findings, long term activation of the phospho-eIF2α/ATF4/xCT signaling module by the specific eIF2α phosphatase inhibitor, salubrinal, induces resistance against oxidative glutamate toxicity in the hippocampal cell line HT22 and primary cortical neurons. Furthermore, in PC12 cells selected for resistance against Aβ, increased activity of the phospho-eIF2α/ATF4/xCT module contributes to the resistant phenotype. In wild-type PC12 cells, activation of this module by salubrinal ameliorates the response to Aβ. Furthermore, in human brains, ATF4 and phospho-eIF2α levels are tightly correlated and up-regulated in Alzheimer disease, most probably representing an adaptive response against disease-related cellular stress rather than a correlate of neurodegeneration.
Single-electron-capture cross sections for 1-10-keV Li+ ions in alkaline-earth vapors.

Total charge-neutralization cross sections have been measured with use of an attenuation method for ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$ ions in the energy range from 1 to 10 keV incident on thin targets of Mg, Ca, Sr, and Ba vapors. These cross sections exhibit an energy dependence characteristic of asymmetric charge exchange, increasing with collision energy up to a broad maximum, then decreasing at higher energies. The ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$+Ba cross section reaches a maximum value (${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{m}$) of 4.0\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}14}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ at \ensuremath{\sim}3.5 keV impact energy. The corresponding values of ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{m}$ for Sr and Ca are 2.85\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}14}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ at 6.0 keV, and 3.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}15}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ at 10 keV. The ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$+Mg cross section only attains a value of 1.1\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}15}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ at the highest energy measured (10 keV), thus, ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{m}$ clearly occurs at even higher energies for this system. The energies at which these cross-section maxima occur increase monotonically through the series from Mg to Ba, while the magnitude of ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{m}$ decreases in that order. This ordering is consistent with the inverse ordering of the asymptotic energy defects for the process: ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$(1${\mathrm{s}}^{2}$)+M(${\mathrm{ns}}^{2}$)\ensuremath{\rightarrow}Li(2s) +${M}^{+}$(ns), where M is an alkaline-earth element.
Frequency and Loss Characteristics of Microwave Ferrite Devices

The four major microwave ferrite devices, ie., the Faraday rotator, the resonance isolator, the nonreciprocal phase shifter, and the field displacement devices are discussed in terms of their loss properties over a range of frequencies. By means of perturbation theory the figure of merit of these devices is derived in the idealized limits for various ferrite geometries. These limiting values are analyzed in terms of the experimental results of the resonance loss for polycrystalline and single crystal measurements and compared with existing data on practical devices. The analysis indicates a possible low-frequency limit of Faraday and nonreciprocal phase shift circulators at about 1000 mc. The low-frequency limit of the resonance isolator is estimated at about 200 mc with a reverse-to-forward ratio of about 10. The problem of broad banding is also discussed in terms of the perturbation results.
MR spectroscopy of the human heart: The status and the challenges

Noninvasive measurements of high-energy phosphate metabolism in the anterior myocardium of heart patients are now possible with image-guided, localized nuclear magnetic resonance (MR) spectroscopy. The results, reviewed herein, are largely consistent with those of prior animal studies. Quantification with phosphorus-31 MR yields normal phosphocreatine (PCr) and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentrations of about 11 and 6 mumol per gram wet weight, respectively, with a PCr/ATP ratio of around 1.8. Studies of patients with hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy, left ventricular hypertrophy, valve disease, transplanted hearts, myocardial infarction, or reversible ischemia reveal abnormalities in the PCr/ATP ratio and/or the metabolite concentrations. Differences in reported findings for cardiomyopathies might be attributable to statistical sensitivity and the presence of heart failure. The technique might find use in the clinic for identifying failure when other factors complicate diagnosis. The PCr/ATP r...
Obesity does not reduce maximum acceptable weights of lift.

Abstract The maximum acceptable weights of lift (MAWL) of obese and non-obese participants were empirically investigated. Three obesity levels were considered: non-obese (18.5 kg/m2⩽body mass index (BMI)⩽24.9 kg/m2), moderately obese (35 kg/m2⩽BMI⩽39.9 kg/m2) and extremely obese (BMI⩾ 40 kg/m2). Ten male and 10 female participants were recruited for each obesity level. The participants determined their MAWL for 18 different lifting task conditions (six lifting frequencies×three lifting heights). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted to determine the effects of obesity level, gender, lifting height, lifting frequency and their interactions on MAWL. Overall, the ANOVA results indicated that obesity does not reduce MAWL, and thus, suggested that the existing MAWL data can be used to accommodate both general and obese workers. However, further studies based on the biomechanical and physiological approaches are required to provide more complete understanding of obesity effects on lifting tolerance limits.
The effects of voluntary exercise on the sexual behavior of the female hamster.

Abstract Three experiments were conducted to describe the effects of exercise on the sexual behavior of intact female hamsters. Voluntary exercise in a running wheel decreased several measures of female sexual behavior differentially.
The role of testosterone in male downy woodpeckers in winter home range use, mate interactions and female foraging behaviour

Studies of the role of testosterone (T) in birds have typically focused on sexual or aggressive behaviours of males during the breeding period, but males of nonmigratory species may invest in mate and territory long before breeding, and the influence of T in facilitating nonbreeding-season behaviours is poorly understood. We gave free-living male downy woodpeckers, Picoides pubescens, T-implants during the winter to determine whether elevated levels of T increased a male’s ability to exclusively occupy territory-based resources, and whether elevated T strengthened a male’s investment in an existing pair bond relationship. We also explored how a female’s foraging efficiency might be affected by her mate’s behaviour if he had elevated T. We found little difference between control and T-implanted males with regard to home range exclusivity. Surprisingly, male–male display rates were significantly lower in T-implanted males than in controls. Regarding male–female interactions, T-implanted males that experienced high incursion rates from other males maintained more frequent spatial association with their mate, suggesting that T facilitates male behaviours that could restrict the mate’s access to other male birds. Female mates of T-males showed reduced foraging rates, but because male–female aggression was similar between treatment groups, the cause for this reduction is unknown. The results indicate that exogenous T during winter affects a variety of behaviours in male woodpeckers, and proximate influences on pair bond maintenance in winter may be a fruitful avenue for future research.
Role of delayed intraaortic balloon pumping in treatment of experimental myocardial infarction

Abstract Intraaortic balloon pumping improves coronary blood flow characteristics while simultaneously reducing myocardial oxygen demands by reducing aortic systolic pressure. Clinical application of intraaortic balloon pumping has largely been in the “high risk” patient (cardiogenic shock, postinfarction angina, left main coronary artery disease and unstable angina) for support during diagnostic studies or cardiac surgery, or both. In addition, there is some evidence that balloon pumping immediately after coronary occlusion reduces the size of experimentally induced myocardial infarcts. In this study, myocardial infarcts were produced by ligatlon of the left anterior descending coronary artery in 12 dogs, 6 of which were treated with balloon counterpulsation beginning 3 hours after coronary occlusion. All dogs were killed 8 hours after coronary ligation. Intraaortic balloon pumping resulted in the expected hemodynamlc changes (decreased aortic systolic pressure, left ventricular end-diastolic pressure and heart rate and increased aortic peak diastolic pressure). In addition, there was a significant reduction in infarct size in the group with balloon pumping as determined with epicardial S-T segment mapping, myocardial imaging with technetium-99m-glucoheptonate and histochemical staining with nitroblue tetrazollum. These results suggest that even when instituted as long as 3 hours after coronary occlusion, intraaortic balloon pumping results in significant reduction in infarct size and, it might be speculated, the mortality and morbidity associated with acute myocardial infarction may also be decreased.
Influence of cold water immersion on heat debt and substrate utilization in males varying in body composition: a retrospective analysis

The present article is a retrospective analysis of previously published data. This analysis examined the effect of immersion in 18, 22 and 26 degrees C cold water, on heat debt (kJ), substrate utilization [i.e., R (respiratory exchange ratio) calculated using indirect calorimetry], and aerobic metabolic rate (i.e., VO2 (oxygen consumption) 1 # min(-1)] in 24 male volunteers (20-35 years) given a preexposure meal (60.2 g carbohydrate, 12.0 g protein, and 2.8 g fat at 60 min prior to the experimental trial) and examined during 90 min of immersion to the first thoracic vertebrae. Body composition was determined via underwater densitometry. Subjects were divided with respect to high body fat (HF; 18-22%, n = 12) or low body fat (LF; 8-12%, n = 12) and randomly assigned to one of three water temperatures. Body heat debt and R did not differ between the LF or HF groups, between temperatures, or across time. Percent calories utilized indicated that for these experimental conditions the predominant substrate utilized between the LF and HF groups across time was derived from carbohydrate. In addition, VO2 was greater (p = .0004) in the LF than HF group, and the latter was greater (p = .0013) in the 18 degrees C group versus the 26 degrees C group and increased across time (p = .0001); that is, VO2 after 5 min of immersion was less than at 60 and 90 min, and values obtained after 30 min of immersion were less than those at 90 min of immersion. Based on these data, it appears that the LF group would expend more calories (308.9 vs. 199.9 kcal, respectively) and more likely derive these calories from a carbohydrate source than the HF group during 90 min of cold water immersion. It would appear beneficial to consider a feeding supplement for the low-fat individual if immersion was in a more thermal stressful environment or extended for a protracted period of time.
Radioimmunoassay of 18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone in plasma

A method is described for the radioimmunoassay of 18-OH-DOC using antibodies generated in rabbits against the carboxymethoxime derivative coupled to bovine serum albumin. The procedure uses 4 ml of plasma with intra and interassay variations of 8 and 9% respectively. Standard 18-OH-DOC added to plasma from an adrenalectomized patient gave a regression equation, Y=0.974X+/-2.210 and a correlation coefficient of 0.999. The only cross reacting steroid, 18-OH-B which may lead to falsely high levels is removed by a single thin layer chromatographic step. Blood levels in normal subjects agree closely with those calculated indirectly by metabolic clearance and secretion rate measurements. ACTH stimulation produced an 18-fold increase in plasma concentration while dexamethasone suppression decreased levels 3-fold. Four hours in the upright position resulted in a decreased plasma concentration while aldosterone increased. No significant response to dietary sodium restriction could be demonstrated.
THE SPLITTING OF HEPATOCYTE GAP JUNCTIONS AND ZONULAE OCCLUDENTES WITH HYPERTONIC DISACCHARIDES

Mouse livers were perfused in situ through the portal vein with the disaccharides sucrose, lactose, maltose, and cellobiose in hypertonic concentrations (0.5 M). This treatment resulted in plasmolysis of the hepatocytes and splitting of the gap junctions and zonulae occludentes. The junctions split symmetrically, leaving a half-junction on each of the two separated cells. The process of junction splitting is followed using the freeze-fracture technique, since the junctional membranes are indistinguishable from the nonjunctional membranes in thin sections once the splitting occurs. The split junctions are also studied using the freeze-etch technique, allowing a view of the gap junction extracellular surface normally sequestered within the 2-nm "gap." The monosaccharides sorbitol and mannitol did not split the junctions during the times studied (2 min), but substitution of the chloride ion with propionate in the perfusion mixture did result in junction splitting. An envelope of morphologically distinct particles surrounding freeze-fractured gap junctions is also described.
Linear Modeling and Optimal Control of Bending in IPMC Actuators

Ionic Polymer Metal Composites (IPMC) have been widely studied for the possibility of acting as artificial muscles in both macro and micro positioning tasks. This paper presents a linear electromechanical model for a bending IPMC actuator and a simple algorithm for positioning control by such an actuator. The electromechanical is based on principles of continuum mechanics, electrodynamics and statistics. The model was validated experimentally on a 200μm nafion IPMC specimen. Since the resulting model was found to be linear, a simple linear optimal control algorithm is proposed for controlling the positioning action of the actuator. Simulation and experimental results have agreed well, showing that the proposed model is able capture the dynamics of the actuator, and can be used to positioning tasks as may be needed.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A Pilot Study on the Use of Lecture Tools to Enhance the Teaching of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics are essential topics contained within the medical curriculum and are highly amenable to active-learning approaches. In this pilot study, we incorporated Lecture Tools, a cloud-based audience response system, into a lecture-based graduate course. Lecture Tools was used by both the instructors and the students during peer presentations. Advantages noted by the instructors include the versatility of the questions that can be presented and the ease with which student assessment can be conducted. Student surveys revealed that, overall, the use of Lecture Tools enhanced student attentiveness and engagement and facilitated student participation in questions and answers. Some disadvantages were observed and include the increased time required for lecture presentations. In summary, our results indicate that Lecture Tools can be effectively used in a medical education setting.
Emergency resuscitation using portable extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Manual cardiopulmonary resuscitation is currently the standard treatment for cardiac arrest patients both in and out of the hospital. Accumulated experimental and anecdotal clinical evidence suggests enhanced survival in patients with extreme circulatory decompensation who have been emergently supported with portable cardiopulmonary bypass. Long-term survival is possible even when application is delayed, but early institution of support after cardiac arrest in selected patients offers the best survival advantages. In our hospital this has been achieved by training a team of in-house personnel to emergently prepare, apply, and temporarily manage cardiopulmonary bypass until personnel with greater specialty training arrive. Machinery needed to perform emergency cardiopulmonary bypass is currently available in all hospitals with open heart surgery programs. Simple support is often therapeutic but can also serve as a bridge to definitive diagnostic and other therapeutic procedures. Commercial units are becoming more biocompatible and easier to use, making both wider application and more prolonged support likely in the future.
New prenylated phenolics from Piper auritum

Abstract Four prenylated phenolics have been isolated from the leaves of Piper auritum , and characterized on the basis of their physical and spectral data.
Preparative and Mechanistic Studies Toward the Rational Development of Catalytic, Enantioselective Selenoetherification Reactions

A systematic investigation into the Lewis base catalyzed, asymmetric, intramolecular selenoetherification of olefins is described. A critical challenge for the development of this process was the identification and suppression of racemization pathways available to arylseleniranium ion intermediates. This report details a thorough study of the influences of the steric and electronic modulation of the arylselenenyl group on the configurational stability of enantioenriched seleniranium ions. These studies show that the 2-nitrophenyl group attached to the selenium atom significantly attenuates the racemization of seleniranium ions. A variety of achiral Lewis bases catalyze the intramolecular selenoetherification of alkenes using N-(2-nitrophenylselenenyl)succinimide as the electrophile along with a Bronsted acid. Preliminary mechanistic studies suggest the intermediacy of ionic Lewis base-selenium(II) adducts. Most importantly, a broad survey of chiral Lewis bases revealed that 1,1'-binaphthalene-2,2'-diamine (BINAM)-derived thiophosphoramides catalyze the cyclization of unsaturated alcohols in the presence of N-(2-nitrophenylselenenyl)succinimide and methanesulfonic acid. A variety of cyclic seleno ethers were produced in good chemical yields and in moderate to good enantioselectivities, which constitutes the first catalytic, enantioselective selenofunctionalization of unactivated olefins.
Precision and Accuracy in the Determination of Sulfur Oxides, Fluoride, and Spherical Aluminosilicate Fly Ash Particles in Project MOHAVE

The precision and accuracy of the determination of particu-late sulfate and fluoride, and gas phase SO2 and HF are estimated from the results obtained from collocated replicate samples and from collocated comparison samples for high-and low-volume filter pack and annular diffusion denuder samplers. The results of replicate analysis of collocated samples and replicate analyses of a given sample for the determination of spherical aluminosilicate fly ash particles have also been compared. Each of these species is being used in the chemical mass balance source apportionment of sulfur oxides in the Grand Canyon region as part of Project MOHAVE, and the precision and accuracy analyses given in this paper provide input to that analysis. The precision of the various measurements reported here is ±1.8 nmol/m3 and ±2.5 nmol/m3 for the determination of SO2 and sulfate, respectively, with an annular denuder. The precision is ±0.5 nmol/m3 and ±2.0 nmol/m3 for the determination of the same species with a high-volume or...
Was Heisst Schauen? On the Vital Signs of Modernist Painting

This paper argues that a great deal of modernist artistic production is best viewed as a struggle with the psychic and biopolitical dimensions of what has been characterised as the ‘disenchantment’ of the world. The paper proceeds by way of a critical engagement with the work of the philosopher J. M. Bernstein who has tried to measure the achievements of modernist works of art on the basis of their capacity to sustain the ‘normative claims’ of embodied subjectivity under conditions of modernity (scientific formalisation, commodity exchange, bureaucratic organisation). The pleasures afforded by such works must be linked, in Bernstein's view, to the claims they make on behalf of lost forms of human vitality and animation. This paper argues that only a concept of human ‘life’ that brings together what Michel Foucault and Giorgio Agamben characterise as biopolitics with the psychoanalytic understanding of the drives can capture the full complexity of the aesthetic claims in question.
Optimum design of plate structures with multiple frequency constraints

The objective of this work is to demonstrate the generalized compound scaling algorithm in the design of plate structures with frequency constraints. The robustness of the algorithm is demonstrated on large scale problems using scaling technique alone. This paper presents the optimization algorithm, numerical results and discussions. Design histories and the first few frequencies at the initial and optimum condition are also included.
POLYTENE CHROMOSOME SQUASH METHODS FOR STUDYING TRANSCRIPTION AND EPIGENETIC CHROMATIN MODIFICATION IN DROSOPHILA USING ANTIBODIES

The giant polytene chromosomes from Drosophila third instar larval salivary glands provide an important model system for studying the architectural changes in chromatin morphology associated with the process of transcription initiation and elongation. Especially, analysis of the heat shock response has proved useful in correlating chromatin structure remodeling with transcriptional activity. An important tool for such studies is the labeling of polytene chromosome squash preparations with antibodies to the enzymes, transcription factors, or histone modifications of interest. However, in any immunohistochemical experiment there will be advantages and disadvantages to different methods of fixation and sample preparation, the relative merits of which must be balanced. Here we provide detailed protocols for polytene chromosome squash preparation and discuss their relative pros and cons in terms of suitability for reliable antibody labeling and preservation of high resolution chromatin structure.
Beyond β: lessons learned from implementation of the department of Veterans Affairs methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus prevention initiative.

To describe the key strategies and potential pitfalls involved with implementing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Prevention Initiative in a qualitative evaluation, we conducted in-depth interviews with MRSA Prevention Coordinators at 17 VA beta sites at 2 time points during program implementation.
Risk-informed design guidance for future reactor systems

Future reactor designs face an uncertain regulatory environment. It is anticipated that there will be some level of probabilistic insights in the regulations and supporting regulatory documents for Generation-IV nuclear reactors. Central to current regulations are design basis accidents (DBAs) and the general design criteria (GDC), which were established before probabilistic risk assessments (PRAs) were developed. These regulations implement a structuralist approach to safety through traditional defense in depth and large safety margins. In a rationalist approach to safety, accident frequencies are quantified and protective measures are introduced to make these frequencies acceptably low. Both approaches have advantages and disadvantages and future reactor design and licensing processes will have to implement a hybrid approach. This paper presents an iterative four-step risk-informed methodology to guide the design of future-reactor systems using a gas-cooled fast reactor emergency core cooling system as an example. This methodology helps designers to analyze alternative designs under potential risk-informed regulations and to anticipate design justifications the regulator may require during the licensing process. The analysis demonstrated the importance of common-cause failures and the need for guidance on how to change the quantitative impact of these potential failures on the frequency of accident sequences as the design changes. Deliberation is an important part of the four-step methodology because it supplements the quantitative results by allowing the inclusion in the design choice of elements such as best design practices and ease of online maintenance, which usually cannot be quantified. The case study showed that, in some instances, the structuralist and the rationalist approaches were inconsistent. In particular, GDC 35 treats the double-ended break of the largest pipe in the reactor coolant system with concurrent loss of offsite power and a single failure in the most critical place as the DBA for the emergency core cooling system. Seventeen out of the 45 variations that we considered violated this DBA, but passed the probabilistic screening criteria. Using PRA techniques, we found that the mean frequency of this accident was very low, thus indicating that deterministic criteria such as GDC 35 must be reassessed in the light of risk insights.
Images of the body in the life and death of a North Indian catholic catechist

Dans le diocese de Varanasi en Inde du Nord, Maitre Ghura, intouchable, est devenu catholique et a annonce l'Evangile. Il a gagne son titre de Maitre grâce a sa position de catechiste et d'enseignant de la foi catholique. Il a ete defigure et rendu aveugle par les proprietaires terriens qui lui ont verse de l'acide sur le corps. Maitre Ghura a ete conscient du fait que son corps est devenu emblematique d'une narration chretienne de redemption. L'A. etudie les tactiques de representations et d'interpretations du corps dans la vie et la mort de Maitre Ghura, activiste communiste et catechiste. Maitre Ghura se voit lui-meme comme un leader politique courageux en soulignant son pouvoir corporel. Mais il ne s'agit pas de reduire Maitre Ghura a un embleme passif de luttes sociale et religieuse. Il a une voix qui chante le corps a travers le symbole du vetement : son turban blanc, le vetement sale qui couvre son visage et le vetement mince de son corps qui attend d'etre lave. Le vetement qui recouvre son corps est devenu un linceul et c'est avec sa mort que l'on comprend sa vie comme une lutte tragique marquee par la souffrance et l'abandon.
Seeing the glass half full: A review of the causes and consequences of optimism

Abstract During the past few decades, the psychological trait of optimism has garnered an increasing amount of interest from scientists, and numerous studies have now shown that optimism is associated with important benefits. The present review summarizes the main findings from this body of research. We begin by describing the two main ways in which researchers have defined and operationalized optimism, as “optimistic explanatory style” and as “dispositional optimism”. Second, we provide an overview of the various studies documenting the benefits of optimism. Optimism indeed appears to be associated with higher levels of subjective well-being, better health, and more success. In addition, we describe some of the ongoing controversies in this area of research. Third, we summarize what researchers currently know about the causes of optimism, and how optimism can be fostered in adults as well as in youth. Finally, the present review highlights the adaptive nature of optimism, while recognizing that being optimistic under all circumstances may not always be best. Cultivating flexible and realistic optimism may therefore be most advantageous. We conclude by pointing out important areas of research for the future. These include continuing the search for the biological and brain substrates of optimism, and investigating the psychological and physiological benefits of adopting a flexible (as opposed to rigid) optimistic outlook on life.
Inclusion Criteria for Clinical Trials in Sepsis: Did the American College of Chest Physicians/Society of Critical Care Medicine Consensus Conference Definitions of Sepsis Have an Impact?

Background Over the last 25 years, a growing number of clinical trials have evaluated novel sepsis therapies. To promote uniformity in inclusion criteria for patient enrollment, the American College of Chest Physicians and Society of Critical Care Medicine first published consensus conference definitions for sepsis in 1992. Study objectives To characterize (1) the utilization of specific criteria for patient enrollment in sepsis clinical trials and (2) the impact that the consensus conference definitions have had on these criteria. Design We used MEDLINE to identify clinical trials in sepsis from 1976 to 2001. Clinical trials published after the consensus conference (ACC; from 1993 to 2001) were compared with trials published before the consensus conference (BCC; from 1976 to 1992). Results We identified 176 clinical trials (ACC, 119 trials; BCC, 57 trials). Clinical trials published ACC were more likely to utilize or reference a previously published standard for inclusion criteria (65% vs 11%, respectively; p Conclusions (1) Since 1992 there has been a significant increase in the utilization of predefined sepsis criteria for patient enrollment in clinical trials, and this increase can be attributed to the existence of consensus conference definitions. (2) Compared to inclusion criteria BCC, inclusion criteria ACC were less reliant on blood culture positivity and were more likely to incorporate markers of organ dysfunction.
Benchmarking antimicrobial drug use in hospitals

Measuring and monitoring antibiotic use in hospitals is believed to be an important component of the strategies available to antimicrobial stewardship programs to address acquired antimicrobial resistance. Recent efforts to organize large numbers of hospitals into networks allow for interhospital comparisons of a variety of healthcare processes and outcomes, a process often called ‘benchmarking’. For comparisons of antimicrobial use to be valid, usage figures must be risk-adjusted to account for differences in patient mix and hospital characteristics. The purpose of this review is to describe recent methods to benchmark antimicrobial drug use and to critically assess the potential advantages and the remaining challenges. While many methodological challenges remain, and the clinical outcomes resulting from benchmarking programs have yet to be determined, recent developments suggest that benchmarking antimicrobial drug use will become an important component of antimicrobial stewardship program activities.
Long-range orientation correlation in water

Strong short-range intermolecular interactions result in position and orientation correlations between nearest neighbour molecules in isotropic liquids, but it is generally assumed that such correlations extend at most a few molecular diameters. Results from second-harmonic light scattering experiments presented here reveal long-range molecular orientation correlations in liquid water, where the molecular dipole orientation distribution has the form of a nearly pure transverse vector field. Spatial scales in the range 200–2000 nm are probed by the angle-dependent measurements and the observed correlations are thought to result from rotation-translation coupling in acoustic phonons in the liquid.
TOR signaling regulates microtubule structure and function

Abstract The functional diversity and structural heterogeneity of microtubules are largely determined by microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) [1,2]. Bik1p (bilateral karyogamy defect protein) is one of the MAPs required for microtubule assembly, stability and function in cell processes such as karyogamy and nuclear migration and positioning in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae [3]. The macrocyclic immunosuppressive antibiotic rapamycin, complexed with its binding protein FKBP12, binds to and inhibits the target of rapamycin protein (TOR) in yeast [4,5]. We report here that TOR physically interacts with Bik1p, the yeast homolog of human CLIP-170/Restin [6,7]. Inhibition of TOR by rapamycin significantly affects microtubule assembly, elongation and stability. This function of TOR is independent of new protein synthesis. Rapamycin also causes defects in spindle orientation, nuclear movement and positioning, karyogamy and chromosomal stability, defects also found in the bikΔ mutant. Our data suggest a role for TOR signaling in regulating microtubule stability and function, possibly through Bik1p.
Characteristics of deep-focus earthquakes

A fracture in the crystalline layer of the Earth's crust extending to a depth of about 40 km gives rise to what is termed a normal or surface earthquake. These comprise the majority of seismic disturbances. They were long considered the only ones possible, yet evidence has forced us to extend our views. A focus below the crystalline layer, that is, deeper than about 40 km, gives rise to a deep earthquake. How rapid vibrations can originate in the glassy material of high temperature is a complete mystery to us.
Semi-boundedness of systems of differential operators

An inequality of the type in (1.2) with (m 2)/2 replaced by (m 1)/2 was proved by Hiirmander [2] for pseudo-differential operators on US”. His result was generalized by Lax and Nirenberg [3] to systems of pseudo-differential operators on Iw” (still with (m 2)/2 replaced by (m 1)/2). Fefferman and Phong [ 1 ] proved (1.2) for a single pseudo-differential operator on R”. 427 OO22-0396186 53.00
On efficient message authentication via block cipher design techniques

In an effort to design a MAC scheme that is built using block cipher components and runs faster than the modes of operation for message authentication, Daemen and Rijmen have proposed a generic MAC construction ALRED and a concrete ALRED instance Pelican. The Pelican MAC uses four rounds of AES as a building block to compute the authentication tag in a CBC-like manner. It is about 2.5 times faster than a CBC-MAC with AES, but it is not proven secure. Minematsu and Tsunoo observed that one can build almost universal (AU2) hash functions using differentially uniform permutations (e.g., four AES rounds with independent keys), and hence, provably secure MAC schemes as well. They proposed two MAC schemes MT-MAC and PC-MAC. MT-MAC hashes the message using a Wegman-Carter binary tree. Its speedup for long messages approaches 2.5, but it is not very memory efficient. PC-MAC hashes the message in a CBC-like manner. It is more memory efficient. However, its speedup over the message authentication modes is about 1.4. We notice that using a non-linear permutation as a building block, one can construct almost XOR universal (AXU2) hash functions whose security is close to the maximum differential probability of the underlying non-linear permutation. Hence, using four AES rounds as a building block will lead to efficient Wegman-Carter MAC schemes that offer much better security than the modes of operation for message authentication. If the target security is that of the message authentication modes with AES, then one can use non-linear permutations defined on 64-bit blocks and achieve greater speedup and better key agility. For instance, the ideally achievable speedup when using the 64-bit components we suggest is 3.3 to 5.0 as opposed to the 2.5 speedup when using four AES rounds.
The Making of Meaning: Reading and Writing as Parallel Processes

This article presents a general theory of text processing that delineates the parallel operations in reading and writing. In particular, the theory discusses (1) common information location and retrieval procedures, (2) shared cognitive strategies employed to transform background knowledge into a text world, and (3) the role of context in the production of meaning.
Developmental impact of atrazine on metamorphing Xenopus laevis as revealed by nuclear analysis and morphology

Atrazine is one of the major surface water contaminants in the midwestern United States. Speculations have arisen on the potential effects of atrazine contamination to anuran larvae developing in these surface waters. In this study, Xenopus laevis tadpoles were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of atrazine. Nuclear and morphological endpoints were used to assess the effects of atrazine on developing X. laevis. Atrazine significantly affected metamorphing X. laevis after three-weeks exposure compared to controls as revealed by flow cytometric nuclear DNA analysis. The flow cytometric analysis was reflective of developmental effects. The number of nuclei per organism also was analyzed. Nuclei number was found to be associated with X. laevis development. Nuclei counting showed significant effects of atrazine after five-weeks exposure. A third endpoint, Nieuwkoop and Faber (NF) morphological staging, also demonstrated that atrazine significantly affected development after four weeks. Atrazine was found to alter the timing of metamorphosis of X. laevis using both nuclear analysis and gross morphology. The NF staging was found to be a sensitive assay to measure effects of development, whereas flow cytometry provided an impartial quantitative measure.
First Report of Tobacco ringspot virus in Pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo) in Illinois

During a survey of commercial pumpkin and squash fields for viruses, conducted in Illinois in 2005, Tobacco ringspot virus (TRSV) was identified for the first time in symptomatic pumpkin samples co...
Increased risk of progressive hemodynamic deterioration in advanced heart failure patients requiring permanent pacemakers

To determine the influence of long-term permanent pacing systems on survival in patients with severe left ventricular dysfunction, data from 557 consecutive patients hospitalized with advanced heart failure for cardiac transplant evaluation and discharged on medical therapy were reviewed. Permanent pacemakers were identified in 42 (8%) patients. One-year actuarial risk of death from heart failure or urgent transplantation in paced patients was higher (49%) than that of a control group, matched for the severity of heart failure (15%, p = 0.003). Sudden death did not differ between paced patients and controls.
A controller based on the energy function to improve convergence of a neural network

The feedback (Hopfield) model of a neural network is enhanced by the addition of a controller. This controller selectively chooses responses in the feedback loop to improve the performance of the recall operation. The process of selection is based on finding the response with the lowest (deepest) energy at each step of iteration. Results of computer simulations are presented. The recall improvements for probes with any Hamming distance from the stored memories as well as for those with only one Hamming distance away from the memories are investigated. The effects of this controller on the performance of the model as the number of stored memories increases are studied. >
The mechanism of excited state formation in radiolysis of hydrocarbon liquids

Abstract The fluorescence intensity of bicyclohexyl liquid excited both with β particles and with 184.9 nm light has been studied as a function of the concentration of perfluorocarbon electron scavengers. From this it has been possible to estimate (a) the fraction of all excited singlet states which derive from geminate ion pairs and (b) the probability (averaged over the spur size distribution) that a geminate ion pair will generate an excited singlet state on recombination. The latter value is compared with theoretical values and it is concluded that in bicyclohexyl the geminate electron does not spin-relax prior to recombination. Preliminary results for p-xylene are also presented and important differences between the saturated and aromatic hydrocarbon liquids are discussed.
The effect of setup uncertainties on the radiobiological advantage of fractionation in stereotaxic radiotherapy.

Purpose : There may be radiobiological advantages in administering stereotaxic radiation treatment in multiple fractions instead of by a single irradiation. However, a larger planning target volume may be required for fractionated stereotaxic radiotherapy than for a single session treatment, if decreased geometrical precision and increased setup uncertainty are associated with multiple-fraction treatments. This factor may partially offset the radiobiological gain. The purpose of this study is to estimate the potential therapeutic gain of fractionated treatments for brain tumors, and to assess the effect of increased setup uncertainty on the potential gain. Methods and Materials : The concept of biologically effective dose (BED), based on the linear quadratic (LQ) model, was used to quantify the therapeutic efficacy of the respective treatment schema. Therapeutic gain (TG) was defined as the ratio of tumor BEDs, for multiple fractions and single treatment, respectively, for the same normal brain BED. To include the effect of increased planning volume in fractionated treatment, a power-law relationship was assumed for the volume dependence of prescription dose, and the TG was recalculated using the volume-adjusted doses. Results : The therapeutic gain for fractionated treatment increases with fraction number, and is smaller for larger single treatment doses. For example, in going from 1 to 10 fractions, the TG is 1.40, 1.32, or 1.27 for single treatment dose of 20, 30, or 40 Gy, respectively. Also, the TG is more significant for the initial few fractions. The benefit of fractionation is diminished if larger planning volume is needed for multiple fraction treatments. For example, the above TG are reduced to 1.19, 1.11, or 1.06, if a 2 cm planning target volume in single fraction treatment is enlarged to 2.3 cm in fractionated treatment. Conclusion : Consideration of the therapeutic gain with fractionation should include estimates of setup uncertainty for multiple-fraction treatments, relative to that of single fraction radiosurgery.
Boundary control of an unstable heat equation via measurement of domain-averaged temperature

In this note, a feedback boundary controller for an unstable heat equation is designed. The equation can be viewed as a model of a thin rod with not only the heat loss to a surrounding medium (stabilizing) but also the heat generation inside the rod (destabilizing). The heat generation adds a destabilizing linear term on the right-hand side of the equation. The boundary control law designed is in the form of an integral operator with a known, continuous kernel function but can be interpreted as a backstepping control law. This interpretation provides a Lyapunov function for proving stability of the system. The control is applied by insulating one end of the rod and applying either Dirichlet or Neumann boundary actuation on the other.
Post-traumatic growth and spirituality in burn recovery

For decades, research on long-term adjustment to burn injuries has adopted a deficit model of focusing solely on negative emotions. The presence of positive emotion and the experience of growth in the aftermath of a trauma have been virtually ignored in this field. Researchers and clinicians of other health and trauma populations have frequently observed that, following a trauma, there were positive emotions and growth. This growth occurs in areas such as a greater appreciation of life and changed priorities; warmer, more intimate relations with others; a greater sense of personal strength, recognition of new possibilities, and spiritual development. In addition, surveys of trauma survivors report that spiritual or religious beliefs played an important part in their recovery and they wished more healthcare providers were comfortable talking about these issues. Further evidence suggests that trauma survivors who rely on spiritual or religious beliefs for coping may show a greater ability for post-traumatic...
Cost-effectiveness of hepatitis A vaccination in children, adolescents, and adults

Hepatitis A is a major public health problem in the United States and other developed countries, largely because decreased natural immunity allows for increased susceptibility. To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of routine vaccination of children, adolescents, and certain high-risk adults against hepatitis A, economic analyses of hepatitis A vaccination were identified through searches of MEDLINE, EMBASE, and BIOSIS (February, 1992, to December, 2001) for studies, reviews, editorials, and letters from peer-reviewed journals published in English, French, German, Italian, or Spanish. Experts were also contacted. Articles conforming to accepted standards of quality for health-economic studies were used to compile data on vaccination of children, and results were synthesized in a narrative review. This review of economic analyses of vaccine use in several developed countries shows cost-effectiveness comparable with that of other vaccines in children and within accepted boundaries for adolescents and high-risk adults.
DRAMATURGY, POLITICS AND THE AXIAL MEDIA EVENT

Current theorizing on the role of media in politics and interpersonal relations in contemporary American society not only echoes questions about connections between modernity and viable democratic ...
Electrical and mechanical properties of PA11 blended with nanographene platelets using industrial twin-screw extruder for selective laser sintering:

The broader goal of this research is to develop a commercially viable material system and manufacturing method to mass produce functional parts using selective laser sintering, a rapid manufacturing method, for electrostatic charge dissipation applications. The specific objective of this research is to produce and characterize polyamide 11/ nanographene platelets nanocomposites that have improved electrical conductivity for electrostatic charge dissipation applications and better thermal stability to be used in selective laser sintering manufacturing. Polyamide 11 and nanographene platelets were blended using industry size co-rotating twin-screw extrusion. Four batches were prepared containing 1 wt%, 3 wt%, 5 wt% and 7 wt% of nanographene platelets. Microsctrucre of nanocompoistes was studied using scanning electron microscopy. Thermal characterization of nanocomposites was conducted using thermogravimetric analysis at three heating rates 5, 20, 40℃/min. Electrical resistivity was measured using the Hioki...