cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bound-state expansion method for calculating resonance and nonresonance contributions to continuum processes: Theoretical development and application to the photoionization of helium and the hydrogen negative ion

A unified method for calculating both resonance and continuum contributions to photoionization cross sections by bound-state techniques is developed. The stationary scattering wave function for the atomic system is expanded in a subspace of discrete functions which is large enough to be nearly complete for the region near the nucleus involved in the photoionization process. Some of the functions in the subspace are selected by root-stabilization techniques to be accurate representations of the resonances while others represent continuum functions. The expression for the cross section is derived from the Fano treatment of autoionizing states. The accuracy of the method is demonstrated by the calculation of cross sections for photoionization of the ground state $1^{1}S$ of the hydrogen negative ion and the helium atom, and for the metastable $2^{1}S$ state of helium at energies in the continuum and through the resonance $2^{1}S\ensuremath{-}(2s2p)^{1}P$ transition.
Landscape Formation in a Spatial Voting Model

In spatial models of political competition, parties select multidimensional platforms with the objective of garnering votes. If parties have limited information and are constrained to move locally, i.e. if they are adaptive, then the slope of the multidimensional landscape on which they choose positions becomes important. In this paper, we formally derive a relationship between voters' preferences and the slope of the electronal landscape.
Transmission of growth cone traction force through apCAM–cytoskeletal linkages is regulated by Src family tyrosine kinase activity

Tyrosine kinase activity is known to be important in neuronal growth cone guidance. However, underlying cellular mechanisms are largely unclear. Here, we report how Src family tyrosine kinase activity controls apCAM-mediated growth cone steering by regulating the transmission of traction forces through receptor–cytoskeletal linkages. Increased levels of tyrosine phosphorylation were detected at sites where beads coated with apCAM ligands were physically restrained to induce growth cone steering, but not at unrestrained bead binding sites. Interestingly, the rate and level of phosphotyrosine buildup near restrained beads were decreased by the myosin inhibitor 2,3-butanedione-2-monoxime, suggesting that tension promotes tyrosine kinase activation. While not affecting retrograde F-actin flow rates, genistein and the Src family selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors PP1 and PP2 strongly reduced the growth cone's ability to apply traction forces through apCAM–cytoskeletal linkages, assessed using the restrained bead interaction assay. Furthermore, increased levels of an activated Src family kinase were detected at restrained bead sites during growth cone steering events. Our results suggest a mechanism by which growth cones select pathways by sampling both the molecular nature of the substrate and its ability to withstand the application of traction forces.
The geometric relationship between hot spots and seamounts: implications for Pacific hot spots

Abstract Hot spots and the seamounts produced by them provide both geometric and temporal evidence for changes in absolute plate motion. The main limitation in using hot-spot-produced seamounts in plate tectonic reconstructions arises from the multiple sources of error and ambiguity that plague radiometric age estimates. In particular, unless the hot spot has maintained a steady and voluminous flux rate over long periods of time, the exact location of a hot spot (which represents the zero age origin along the hot spot trail) is poorly known. Here, we discuss a unique geometric relationship between a hot spot and the seamounts produced by it that we recently have discovered, i.e. hot-spot-produced seamounts have seafloor crustal flow lines that intersect at the hot spot location. Furthermore, we obtain images of cumulative volcano amplitudes (CVA) by convolving seamount shapes with their flow lines; hot spots correspond to clear local maxima in this image and the amplitudes are proportional to cumulative hot spot flux. This technique, dubbed `hot-spotting', allows us to determine hot spot locations based only on a set of seamount locations; no age information is required. We use the hot-spotting technique to examine the Pacific plate hot spots in general and the Bowie and Cobb hot spots in the Gulf of Alaska, in particular. We find that the Hawaii, Louisville, Caroline, Cobb, and Bowie hot spots have clear representations in the CVA images, Rurutu and/or Rarotonga are close to a large CVA high, while the other French Polynesian hot spots in general exhibit a much more subdued and blurred expression. We also conclude that the Cobb hot-spot plume may have been entrained by the Juan de Fuca Ridge about 2 Ma ago, or, alternatively, is in a waning phase and cannot penetrate Juan de Fuca plate lithosphere. The Bowie hot spot appears to have encountered the ridge more recently.
The myths of femoroacetabular impingement.

The author certifies that he, or any member of his immediate family, has no funding or commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article. All ICMJE Conflict of Interest Forms for authors and Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research ® editors and board members are on file with the publication and can be viewed on request. The opinions expressed are those of the writers, and do not reflect the opinion or policy of Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research ® or the Association of Bone and Joint Surgeons®.
Echinococcosis: a review

Echinococcosis in humans occurs as a result of infection by the larval stages of taeniid cestodes of the genus Echinococcus. In this review we discuss aspects of the biology, life cycle, etiology, distribution, and transmission of the Echinococcus organisms, and the epidemiology, clinical features, treatment, and effect of improved diagnosis of the diseases they cause. New sensitive and specific diagnostic methods and effective therapeutic approaches against echinococcosis have been developed in the last 10 years. Despite some progress in the control of echinococcosis, this zoonosis continues to be a major public health problem in several countries, and in several others it constitutes an emerging and re-emerging disease.
Frequency of severe hypoglycemia in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus treated with sulfonylureas or insulin.

Abstract Objective To assess the frequency of severe hypoglycemia in patients with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). Methods We surveyed a single diabetologist’s clinical practice of consecutive patients with NIDDM during a 3-month period. Results Of the 262 study participants interviewed, 172 insulin-using and 90 sulfonylurea-using patients were asked whether they had ever had hypoglycemia severe enough to require the assistance of another person. Of the 90 sulfonylurea-treated patients with NIDDM, 3 (3.3%) reported experiencing severe hypoglycemia on one occasion only. Of the 172 insulin-utilizing patients, 13 (7.6%) had had severe hypoglycemic episodes—8 on one occasion only (5 of these had been iatrogenic circumstances and 3 had been precipitated by exercise or lack of food). Five insulin-requiring patients reported multiple bouts of severe hypoglycemia. With one exception, all patients were thin, and C peptide levels were low or undetectable. Conclusion On the basis of this study, we conclude that severe hypoglycemia is extremely uncommon in NIDDM. When it occurs, it is usually accidental and seldom recurs. Patients with multiple bouts of severe hypoglycemia have almost complete insulin deficiency. Thus, aggressive treatment of NIDDM to avoid diabetic complications is rarely associated with severe hypoglycemia and is usually well tolerated. (Endocr Pract. 1997; 3:281- 283)
Importance of amino acid side groups for biologic activity of angiotensin II.

The requirements for biologic activity of angiotensin II may be summarized from available data as follows: (1) a free C-terminal carboxyl group, (2) a phenyl group as a side group of amino acid number 8, (3) a phenolic group on amino acid number 4, (4) proline in position 7, (5) possibly a definite degree of spatial order, (6) at least 6 amino acids from the C-terminus, (7) possibly the imidazole of histidine in position 6.
Design of single-photon Mach-Zehnder interferometer based devices for quantum information processing

A comprehensive theoretical analysis of the cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED) in single-photon Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (SMZI) based switches and single quantum gates that are intended for the processing of quantum information encoded in the polarization of single photons inside integrated photonic crystal (PC) quantum networks is presented. These devices rely on manipulating the geometrical phase of single photons by means of the Single-Photon Faraday Effect (SPFE), which can be described in terms of a detuned single mode quantum field strongly interacting with a two-level system or quantum dot (QD) inside nanocavities. The feasibility of such devices depends on the ability for the field in each arm of the interferometer to couple in their respective nanocavities, successfully interact with the quantum dot, and when the appropriate phase is accumulated couple out; all these steps being performed with minimum phase error and losses. Using the Jaynes-Cummings model, the cavity dynamics is studied for various detuning energies and coupling energies, and it is shown that the design of these devices can achieve low phase error and robustness against fabrication errors.
Perceived and Preferred Orientations of Abstract Art

The independence of aesthetic judgments about art from personal preferences about that art was investigated with abstract paintings which were shown in different orientations. Two groups of undergraduate subjects, N = 24 and N = 22, judged works by Davis, DeKooning, and Pollock in either their upright (correct) or inverted (incorrect) orientations. While correctly and incorrectly positioned paintings were equally liked, the former were judged as more appropriately oriented than the latter. The results indicate: 1) the independence of aesthetic perception from personal preference; and 2) that the perception of orientation is more dependent on the properties of the stimulus than on recognition.
The Impact of the Office of Net Assessment on the American Military in the Matter of the Revolution in Military Affairs

Abstract The paper re-examines our understanding of the role played by Andrew Marshall in the development of American thinking about the application of information technologies to military systems and concepts of operation that is commonly referred to as the current Revolution in Military Affairs (RMA). It asks why Andrew Marshall, unlike many other American officials, saw the developments in this area as a potentially discontinuous, systematic change in military practice, rather than an incremental improvement. The paper identifies a range of prior experiences that made Andrew Marshall more sensitive to the possibility of an RMA, including his work on Soviet nuclear doctrine, and his exposure to sources of intelligence about Soviet military thinking in the 1970s and 1980s. It concludes that the 1990–91 Gulf War was not a major factor in the development of his thinking, and that that war, in fact, may have inhibited more innovative thinking about the RMA in the American military in general.
Ab initio molecular orbital calculations on F+H2→HF+H and OH+H2→H2O+H using unrestricted Møller-Plesset perturbation theory with spin projection

Abstract The reactions of fluorine atom and hydroxyl radical with molecular hydrogen have been studied by molecular orbital methods using the 6-311G (d, p) and 6-311 + + G (2df, 2pd) basis sets with the unrestricted Hartree-Fock approach and with Moller-Plesset perturbation theory up to fourth order, with and without spin projection. The positions of transition states were optimized with a grid search at the MP n and PMP n levels using the 6-311G(d, p) basis. The projected MP2, MP3 and MP4 barriers are 1–1.5 kcal/mol lower and 0.03–0.05 A closer to the reactants than the unprojected calculations. At the PMP4SDTQ/ 6-311 + + G(2df, 2pd) level, the classical barriers are 2.6 kcal/mol for F+H 2 and 5.7 kcal/mol for OH+H 2 .
Defining attributes of patient safety through a concept analysis.

Aim The aim of this study was to report an analysis of the concept of patient safety. Background Despite recent increase in the number of work being done to clarify the concept and standardize measurement of patient safety, there are still huge variations in how the term is conceptualized and how to measure patient safety data across various healthcare settings and in research. Design Concept analysis. Data sources A literature search was conducted through PubMed and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Plus using the terms ‘patient safety’ in the title and ‘concept analysis,’ ‘attributes’ or ‘definition’ in the title and or abstract. All English language literature published between 2002–2014 were considered for the review. Methods Walker and Avant's method guided this analysis. Results The defining attributes of patient safety include prevention of medical errors and avoidable adverse events, protection of patients from harm or injury and collaborative efforts by individual healthcare providers and a strong, well-integrated healthcare system. The application of Collaborative Alliance of Nursing Outcomes indicators as empirical referents would facilitate the measurement of patient safety. Conclusion With the knowledge gained from this analysis, nurses may improve patient surveillance efforts that identify potential hazards before they become adverse events and have a stronger voice in health policy decision-making that influence implementation efforts aimed at promoting patient safety, worldwide. Further studies are needed on development of a conceptual model and framework that can aid with collection and measurement of standardized patient safety data.
An accelerated 4-year bachelors/masters degree program in biomedical engineering

In response to the need for providing advanced engineering education in a shorter time period than is currently possible by traditional curricula, we have created an Accelerated Dual Degree program in biomedical engineering. The purpose of this pilot program is to attract the brightest students, get them involved in a research project at an early stage, and provide them with an intensive four-year educational program built around a cohort environment. Upon completion of the program, the students will receive a BS degree in biomedical engineering and an MS degree in bioengineering.
Transient analysis for the cathode gas diffusion layer of PEM fuel cells

Abstract A one-dimensional, non-isothermal, two-phase transient model has been developed to study the transient behaviour of water transport in the cathode gas diffusion layer of PEM fuel cells. The effects of four parameters, namely the liquid water saturation at the interface of the gas diffusion layer and flow channels, the proportion of liquid water to all of the water at the interface of the cathode catalyst layer and the gas diffusion layer, the current density, and the contact or wetting angle, on the transient distribution of liquid water saturation in the cathode gas diffusion layer are investigated. Especially, the time needed for liquid water saturation to reach steady state and the liquid water saturation at the interface of the cathode catalyst layer and gas diffusion layer are plotted as functions of the above four parameters. The ranges of water vapour condensation and liquid water evaporation are identified across the thickness of the gas diffusion layer. In addition, the effects of the above four parameters on the steady state distributions of gas phase pressure, water vapour concentration, oxygen concentration and temperature are also presented. It is found that increasing any one of the first three parameters will increase the water saturation at the interface of the catalyst layer and gas diffusion layer, but decrease the time needed for the liquid water saturation to reach steady state. When the liquid water saturation at the interface of the gas diffusion layer and flow channels is high enough (≥0.1), the liquid water saturation at steady state is almost uniformly distributed across the thickness of the gas diffusion layer. It is also found that, under the given initial and boundary conditions in this paper, evaporation takes place within the gas diffusion layer close to the channel side and is the major process for water phase change at low current density ( 5000 A m−2). For hydrophilic gas diffusion layers, both the time needed for liquid water saturation to reach steady state and the water saturation at the interface of the catalyst layer and gas diffusion layer will increase when the contact angle increases; but for hydrophobic gas diffusion layers, both of them decrease when the contact angle increases.
Type 1A diabetes mellitus-associated autoimmunity

Type 1A diabetes mellitus has become one of the most intensively studied autoimmune disorders, with characterized animal models and extensive prospective studies of the development of anti-islet autoimmunity. It is now possible to predict the development of type 1A diabetes mellitus, beginning with HLA-encoded genetic susceptibility, followed by the development of a series of anti-islet autoantibodies. Prediction primarily is based on the detection of multiple anti-islet autoantibodies reacting with cloned islet antigens. Multiple international workshops fostered the development of specific and sensitive radioassays for autoantibodies reacting with GAD65 (glutamic acid decarboxylase), ICA512 (also termed IA-2, a tyrosine phosphatase-like protein), and insulin. Similar high throughput radioassays have been applied using autoantigens for additional autoimmune disorders including celiac disease and Addison's disease. Relatives of patients with type 1A diabetes mellitus inherit susceptibility to express multiple autoantibodies, and a subset of autoantibody-positive individuals inherit susceptibility to progress to overt disease. This article reviews autoimmune disorders associated with type 1A diabetes mellitus.
Conformal welding and Koebe's theorem

It is well known that not every orientation-preserving homeomorphism of the circle to itself is a conformal welding, but in this paper we prove several results which state that every homeomorphism is "almost" a welding in a precise way. The proofs are based on Koebe's circle domain theorem. We also give a new proof of the well known fact that quasisymmetric maps are conformal weldings.
Hansen receives 2001 Roger Revelle Medal

James E. Hansen received the Roger Revelle Medal at the 2001 Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony on 12 December in San Francisco, California. The medal is given for outstanding contributions toward an understanding of the Earth's atmospheric processes, including its dynamics, chemistry, and radiation; the roles of atmosphere, atmosphere-ocean coupling, or atmosphere-land coupling in determining the climate, biogeochemical cycles, or other key elements of the integrated climate system.
A reliable connection migration mechanism for synchronous transient communication in mobile codes

With the increasing popularity of network applications, mobile codes become a promising technology to provide scalable services. Due to their mobile nature, it is a challenge to support synchronous transient communication between mobile objects. This work presents a reliable connection migration mechanism that allows mobile objects in communication to remain connected during their migration. This mechanism supports concurrent migration of both end-points of a connection and guarantees exactly-once delivery of all transmitted data. In addition, a mobile code access control model is integrated to ensure secure connection migration. This work presents the design of the mechanism and a reference implementation, namely NapletSocket, over Java Socket in a mobile agent system. Experimental results show that NapletSocket incurs a moderate cost in connection setup, mainly due to security checking, and marginal overhead for communication over established connections. Furthermore, we investigate the impact of agent mobility on communication performance via simulation. Simulation results show that NapletSocket is efficient for a wide range of migration and communication patterns.
The pill times 2 What every woman with multiple sclerosis should know

Until fingolimod came along, the first Food and Drug Administration–approved pill for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS), teratogenicity of multiple sclerosis (MS) drugs had not been a big issue. Strange, for a disease that affects primarily women of childbearing age. Why? Because previously approved MS drugs were all large recombinant protein molecules. Large molecules cross the placenta by active transport, an issue for natalizumab (a monoclonal antibody), but only after the first trimester, during which the critical periods for organogenesis have been completed. The most commonly used self-injectables (β-interferons and glatiramer acetate) are barely detectable in the circulation and have no known active transport mechanisms. Then came fingolimod, a pill that requires that women who want children take an oral contraceptive or use an otherwise reliable form of contraception.
Comments on "Numerical application of Szego&#769;s method for constructing Liapunov functions"

It is pointed out that the algorithmic method recently suggested by Hewit and Storey for the construction of Lyapunov functions yields a result which is expressible in closed form.
Effects of stretching and disuse on amino acids in muscles of rat hind limbs

The effects of disuse and passive stretch on the concentrations of amino acids and ammonia in the unloaded soleus muscle was investigated in hindquarter-suspended (for six days by casting one foot in dorsiflexion) tail-casted rats. For a comparison with the condition of unloading, amino acids and ammonia were also measured in shortened extensor digitorum longus in the same casted limb and in denervated leg muscles. The results obtained suggest that passive stretch diminishes some of the characteristic alterations of amino acid concentrations due to unloading. This effect of stretch is considered to be due to the maintenance of muscle tension.
Delay analysis of multicast switches with multiple input queues

The paper examines the delay performance of multicast switches with multiple input queues per input buffer. Under the assumptions of a Poisson uniform traffic pattern, random packet assigning policy, and random packet scheduling policy, we derive the packet delay and service time under different fanouts. To verify this analysis, extensive simulations are conducted with various fanouts, numbers of queues, and packet arrival rates. It is shown that the theoretical results agree well with the simulation results. The analysis proves that it is possible to predict how much the packet delay could be decreased through introducing more input queues per input buffer.
What is Logic About

I am going to tell you a story here. But a few things must be clear from the beginning. First, this is an imaginary story. It doesn’t even try to describe things that happened; if read that way, it would be grossly inaccurate. One might read it as describing what would have happened if indeed it were the case that “what is actual is rational”;1 or as an account of how someone, starting with certain basic intuitions about logic, could have come up with the kind of picture we have today of this discipline and with some of the problems we find ourselves facing. Second, it is a biased story. You may not share some of my basic intuitions about logic, and if you don’t much of what I say won’t make sense to you. But I am not worried about this outcome: for me, it is an indication that my story is more theory than chronicle. And undoubtedly there might be different theories, but in this field I often have the impression that it is not even clear what the theories are. My story tries to make one of them clearer; if it provoked you to write your own different story, it would have achieved one of its main purposes. Last, but not least, it is not just a story. It is more of an apologue, and I won’t even try to hide its moral behind a figurative language. I will give it to you flat: I will point out that there are in this area of inquiry many confusions to be gotten rid of, many pseudoproblems to be avoided, many false subtleties to be explained away. Of course, not all the verses of my homily will be new with me, and occasionally I will make an effort to refer them back to their Founding Fathers, but the important thing is: it is time to put some of these pieces together and suggest an overall picture that others can confront and criticize (I hope) in a constructive way.
Learning classifier systems for data mining: a comparison of XCS with other classifiers for the Forest Cover data set

This paper compares the performance, in terms of prediction accuracy, of a learning classifier system based on Wilson's XCS with commonly used classifiers from the fields of decision trees, neural networks and support vector machines. The experiments are performed on the Forest Cover Type database, a large data set available at the UCI KDD Archive. The first objective of this paper is to highlight the potential of XCS as a data mining tool. The second objective is to provide extensive benchmarking results for experiments performed under randomised conditions for several modelling techniques. We find that C5 Decision trees perform significantly better than other techniques, and that the learning classifier system performs better or as well as three of the eight classifiers used. We discuss why C5 outperforms the other classifiers and identify ways in which XCS could be adapted to make it more suitable for data mining.
Approximate analytical results for instalment loans

The basic variables involved in the mathematical formulation of an instalment loan are the amount of the loan, the number of instalments in the term of the loan, the size of each payment and the interest rate on the loan (commonly referred to as the annual percentage rate or APR). Given any three of these variables, the fourth can be calculated with the aid of annuity tables. The underlying relationship is, however, quite complex and it is therefore difficult to gain analytical understanding of the interplay between the variables, especially in view of the fact that the functional dependence of the APR on the remaining variables cannot be explicitly stated. An approximate formula for the APR is derived in terms of a lower bound which is shown to be quite sharp provided the finance charge per unit financed is less than one. On the basis of this formula, several analytical results are derived. In particular, the rates of change characteristics of the payment size with respect to the loan amount and to the i...
Frequency-domain optical coherence tomography assessment of human carotid atherosclerosis using saline flush for blood clearance without balloon occlusion.

SUMMARY FD-OCT is a new imaging technique that allows unprecedented in vivo microlevel assessment of human carotid plaque morphologic patterns and stent-vessel interactions. Prior reports describing the use of this technique have used balloon occlusion of the target vessel or iodinated contrast media to facilitate imaging. We report, for the first time, in vivo FD-OCT imaging of human carotid arteries without the use of iodinated contrast material or balloon occlusion techniques. ABBREVIATIONS: FD frequency-domain; OCT optical coherence tomography; TD time-domain
IGF-I, insulin and FGFs induce outgrowth of the limb buds of amelic mutant chick embryos

IGF-I, insulin, FGF-2 and FGF-4 have been implicated in the reciprocal interactions between the apical ectodermal ridge (AER) and underlying mesoderm required for outgrowth and patterning of the developing limb. To study further the roles of these growth factors in limb outgrowth, we have examined their effects on the in vitro morphogenesis of limb buds of the amelic mutant chick embryos wingless (wl) and limbless (ll). Limb buds of wl and ll mutant embryos form at the proper time in development, but fail to undergo further outgrowth and subsequently degenerate. Wl and ll limb buds lack thickened AERs capable of promoting limb outgrowth, and their thin apical ectoderms fail to express the homeobox-containing gene Msx-2, which is highly expressed by normal AERs and has been implicated in regulating AER activity. Here we report that exogenous IGF-I and insulin, and, to a lesser extent, FGF-2 and FGF-4 induce the proliferation and directed outgrowth of explanted wl and ll mutant limb buds, which in vitro, like in vivo, normally fail to undergo outgrowth and degenerate. IGF-I and insulin, but not FGFs, also cause the thin apical ectoderms of wl and ll limb buds to thicken and form structures that grossly resemble normal AERs and, moreover, induce high level expression of Msx-2 in these thickened AER-like structures. Neither IGF-I, insulin nor FGFs induce expression of the homeobox-containing gene Msx-1 in the subapical mesoderm of wl or ll limb buds, although FGFs, but not IGF-I or insulin, maintain Msx-1 expression in normal (non-mutant) limb bud explants lacking an AER. The implications of these results to the relationships among the wl and ll genes, IGF-I/insulin, FGFs, Msx-2 and Msx-1 in the regulation of limb outgrowth is discussed.
The role of charge in lipid selectivity for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor

The effect of salt and pH titration on the selectivity of spin-labeled analogues of phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylcholine, and stearic acid for the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAcChoR) reconstituted into dioleoylphosphatidylcholine was examined at 0 degrees C using electron spin resonance spectroscopy. The order of selectivity at pH 7.4 and 0 mM NaCl was phosphatidylserine > stearic acid > phosphatidic acid > phosphatidylcholine. The addition up to 2 M NaCl or titration of pH from 5.0 to > 9.0 did not alter the selectivity of the phospholipids for the nAcChoR. For stearic acid, conversely, titration of pH from 5.0 to 9.0 at 0 mM NaCl and titration of NaCl from 0 to 2 M at pH 9.0 both increased selectivity for the nAcChoR. It is concluded that electrostatic interactions do not account for the selectivity of the negatively charged phospholipids, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidic acid for the nAcChoR. This is consistent with the known orientation of the transmembrane sequences M1 and M4, which predicts a balance in the number of negative and positive charges in the lipid-protein interface and suggests that the two positive charges on each M3 helix are not exposed to the lipid-protein interface.
Ultrasound imaging in anesthesia: an overview of vascular access and peripheral nerve blocks

High-resolution ultrasound imaging is being progressively used in the perioperative period by anesthesiologists. Current applications include diagnostic echocardiography, vascular access, and peripheral/neuraxial neural blockade. In central and peripheral vessel cannulation, ultrasound guidance is used both as a primary technique and as a rescue method when conventional techniques fail. For many nerve block techniques, ultrasound imaging has resulted in better procedural success rates and improved safety. This review discusses the use of ultrasound guidance for vascular access procedures and nerve blocks.
An Empirical Investigation of Convective Planetary Boundary Layer Evolution and Its Relationship with the Land Surface

Abstract Relationships among convective planetary boundary layer (PBL) evolution and land surface properties are explored using data from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program Cloud and Radiation Test Bed in the southern Great Plains. Previous attempts to infer surface fluxes from observations of the PBL have been constrained by difficulties in accurately estimating and parameterizing the conservation equation and have been limited to multiday averages or small samples of daily case studies. Using radiosonde and surface flux data for June, July, and August of 1997, 1999, and 2001, a conservation approach was applied to 132 sets of daily observations. Results highlight the limitations of using this method on daily time scales caused by the diurnal variability and complexity of entrainment. A statistical investigation of the relationship among PBL and both land surface and near-surface properties that are not explicitly included in conservation methods indicates that atmospheric stability in the lay...
Facebook As A Campaign Tool During The 2012 Elections: A New Dimension To Agenda Setting Discourse

The social networking site Facebook has risen to become an important campaign tool for politicians while also raising new questions about how its use is reshaping the agenda setting paradigm. This research examines the extent to which the Facebook messages of presidential nominees during the 2012 U.S. presidential campaign were transferred to the online public on Facebook and, via a two-step flow, to the greater citizen’s agenda. Findings demonstrate that in their political campaigns on Facebook, politicians are successfully transferring their first- and, to a lesser extent, second-level agendas to the Facebook public agenda, which largely mirrors the greater public agenda.
Breaking Down the COP9 Signalsome in the Heart: How Inactivating a Protein Ubiquitin Ligase Increases Protein Ubiquitylation and Protects the Heart

Cellular function depends on protein homeostasis, also known as proteostasis.1 Proteostasis requires the efficient folding of nascent proteins, as well as the maintenance of mature protein folding. Overseeing proteostasis is a quality control process involving the surveillance of protein-folding status and the subsequent degradation of proteins that are not properly folded. Imbalanced proteostasis resulting from the accumulation of misfolded and unfolded proteins can lead to proteotoxicity, cell death, and ultimately organ failure. Many diseases, including neurodegenerative, hepatic, endocrine, and cardiovascular disorders, are thought to be associated with, if not caused by the organ failure resulting from impaired protein folding.2 For example, in the heart, impaired protein folding is associated with hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathies, as well as ischemic heart disease.3 Therefore, a better appreciation of the mechanisms governing the recognition and degradation of misfolded proteins will improve our understanding of cardiac physiology and pathology. Article, see p 956 Cells have evolved an elaborate protein quality control system that is designed to adjust the molecular machinery required to enhance protein-folding capacity and to degrade misfolded proteins via the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS). If the UPS is sufficient to remove misfolded proteins, proteotoxicity can be averted; however, UPS insufficiency can result in proteotoxicity. Accordingly, the UPS aspect of protein quality control is essential for normal cell and organ function.4 Most UPS-mediated protein degradation is an ATP-dependent process that involves ubiquitin-specific E1 activating, E2 conjugating, and E3 ubiquitin ligases, the latter of which functions in concert with chaperones to identify and ubiquitylate appropriate target proteins, such as misfolded proteins that contribute to impaired heart function (Figure). The resulting ubiquitylated proteins are then transferred to the proteasome, where they are degraded. The E3 ubiquitin ligases confer substrate specificity; therefore, they constitute the rate-limiting step of misfolded protein ubiquitylation.5 Because …
The fate of Cu(II)ATSM in vivo is based on reaction with thiols

1564 Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that intracellular thiols are responsible for the trapping of Cu(II)ATSM in hypoxic cells. We hypothesize that the large excess of thiols in vivo is sufficient to overcome redox potential differences between biological thiols and Cu(II)ATSM and allow Cu metabolic processes to dominate. Methods All reactions were carried out in sealed cuvettes under Ar in degassed solutions. Reactions were monitored by optical spectrometry at 470 nm. Cu(II)ATSM was synthesized by literature methods. Dithiothreitol (DTT) and cysteamine (Cym) were used as model biological thiols. Ethanol and water were used as solvents; DMSO was avoided as a possible interference. Thiol:Cu(II)ATSM ratios from 60:1 to 600:1 were investigated. Proton concentration was varied from pH 10 to pH 5. Cu(II)ATSM concentration was kept constant at ca. 0.2mM. Results In ethanol/water solutions, Cu(II)ATSM reacts readily with both dithiothreitol and cysteamine. The Cu(II)ATSM reaction with DTT followed pseudo-first order kinetics at all pH values as expected from previously reported experiments with other copper bis(thiosemicarbazone) complexes. Reactions between Cu(II)ATSM and Cym varied widely, with very fast, non-first order reactions at high pH (ten times faster than the similar DTT reactions) and slower bi-phasic reactions at lower pH. Conclusions Cu(II)ATSM reacts readily with thiols in the absence of oxygen. Variation of the thiol compound used can have a large affect on the rate and mechanism of reaction. Concentration and composition of intracellular thiols could have a large affect on the reduction and retention of Cu(II)ATSM in vivo. Research Support Supported by NIH Grant# P01 CA42045
“Teach like you do in America”—personal reflections from teaching across borders in Tanzania and Germany

This article is a personal commentary about experiences teaching across national and disciplinary borders in the United States, Tanzania and Germany. Highlighted are national differences in learning, teaching, testing and writing. The article concludes that the ferment in such “provincial” universities where the author taught is likely to drive developments in how disciplines continue to develop in the world’s rapidly expanding university systems.
Fracture-Healing Kinetics of Thermoreversible Physical Gels Quantified by Shear Rheophysical Experiments

The fracture-healing behavior of model physically associating triblock copolymer gels was investigated with experiments coupling shear rheometry and particle tracking flow visualization. Fractured gels were allowed to rest for specific time durations, and the extent of strength recovered during the resting time was quantified as a function of temperature (20–28 °C) and gel concentration (5–6 vol %). Measured times for full strength recovery were an order of magnitude greater than characteristic relaxation times of the system. The Arrhenius activation energy for post-fracture strength recovery was found to be greater than the activation energy associated with stress relaxation, most likely due to the entropic barrier related to the healing mechanism of dangling chain reassociation with network junctions.
A Shock Tube Facility for Spray-Combustion Studies and Reacting-Flow Visualization

A new shock-tube facility has been designed and constructed in the Mechanical, Materials & Aerospace Engineering department at the University of Central Florida. This shock tube, intended primarily for heterogeneous reacting-flow experiments, has an 8.89-cm square test section to allow the usage of flat windows for easy optical access. The new pressure-driven shock tube was characterized over a wide range of reflectedshock temperatures (≈500—4300 K) and pressures (0.9—8.4 atm) using helium as the driver gas and N2, air, or Ar as the driven gas. The current application of the heterogeneous facility is the study of liquid-fuel sprays in the high-temperature environment behind the reflected shock wave. A fast-response fuel injector was mounted in the endwall of the shock tube for this purpose. Characterization and demonstration tests of the injection technique in both coldand hot-flow environments are underway, some results of which are presented.
Choosing Sides: A Quantitative Study of the Personality Determinants of Loyalist and Revolutionary Political Affiliation in New York

INDIVIDUAL choice is the essence of aggregate political affiliation. In the crisis of 1776, loyalism and revolution grew from particular colonists' adoption of opposing partisan stances. In the course of a political and military upheaval lasting an entire generation, almost every AngloAmerican faced this decision. For many of these individuals, known only by cryptic references in muster lists or confiscation rolls, the question of choice remains unanswered. Whatever gross surmise there may be about this faceless multitude-many perhaps victims of geographical accident or invading armies-as individuals, they chose to stay or flee, sign oaths of allegiance or resist the oath givers. One can couch this fact in psychological terms: "human action is never directly caused by situations; it is invariably mediated by psychological variables." A relative handful of loyalists and revolutionaries did leave behind them sufficient evidence for the historian to probe the psychological dimensions of individual choice. This essay is a report on the application of modern psychological scaling techniques and quantitative methods to study political affiliation among loyalists and revolutionaries in New York.' The colony of New York presents the problem of revolutionary political choice at its most complex. Recent investigators have agreed that New York loyalists and revolutionaries "cannot readily be placed into predetermined categories." Aristocratic planters, merchants, N. E. H. Hull is a graduate student at Columbia University. Peter C. Hoffer is assistant professor of history in the University of Georgia, Athens. Steven L. Allen is a graduate student at New York University.
Shattuck lecture--neurodegenerative diseases and prions.

Twenty-five years ago, little was known about the causes of neurodegenerative diseases. Now, however, it is clear that they result from abnormalities in the processing of proteins. In each of these diseases, defective processing causes the accumulation of one or more specific neuronal proteins. Of all the laboratory research on neurodegenerative diseases, the studies that led to the discovery of prions have yielded the most unexpected findings. The idea that a protein can act as an infectious pathogen and cause degeneration of the central nervous system was accepted only after a long and arduous battle.1 The concept of prions not . . .
The Effect of Contact Implants on the Patterning of Tungsten Damascene Interconnects

Contact implants can increase the etch rate of BPSG during HF precleans used prior to metallization. As a result, troughs form in the implanted BPSG that can trap metal and cause leakage between interconnects. It is shown that the increase in HF etch rate is especially pronounced for BF2 implants, due to the presence of F. The topography, and hence the leakage, can be reduced by capping the BPSG with an undoped oxide prior to implantation.
Effectiveness of Accident Investigations of the Space Shuttle for Safety Improvement

Accident investigation has been playing a crucial role for improving aviation safety by identifying unknown accident causes and leading to corrective actions. While the cost effectiveness of accident investigations for airliners has been studied, such studies are lacking for spacecraft. We study the cost effectiveness of the investigations of the Space Shuttle disasters. We find that for airliners we can ignore risks that were not involved in the accident, but for spacecraft this approximation is not accurate enough, and the effect of the corrective actions on the system failure probability must be accounted for. We evaluate the cost effectiveness of the Space Shuttle investigations by using the Department of Transportation guidelines for the value of saving lives in public transportation. According to the guidelines, the accident investigations of the Space Shuttle disasters are not cost effectives in terms saving lives. The cost effectiveness is also examined from the point of view of program sustainability (monetary value of the vehicle). We find that the Challenger case is substantially cost effective and the Columbia case is worth spending more than $100 million.
Analysis of 48 Measles Cases and Discussion on the Best Initial Immunity Time of Measles

Objective To discuss the possibility of lowering the disease rate by bringing forward the initial immunity time of measles. Methods Forty-eight measles infants' epidemic data received by Kaifu District Center for Disease Control and Prevention from January 2006 to July 2009 were retrospectively analyzed. Results Beginning from time to measles in advance to 4～6 months is necessary,and the pregnant woman's immunity capability should simultaneously strengthen in order to improve the infant's level of measles antibody. Strictly enforcing the law of communicable disease management can effectively reduce the incidence rate of measles. Conclusion Bringing forward the initial immunity time of measles can reduce the incidence rate of measles.
Design and Realization of Simulation Training System for the Intercooled of Natural Gas

In view of the simulation for the Intercooled Production process of Natural Gas which is very important to train all kinds of operating personnel.A simulation training system is developed basing on the Production process of Intercooled equipment.The result of the simulation experiment indicated that the system can simulate the system's actual operating environment.The application of training simulator made operators master chemical process and obtain operating experience as soon as possible,and ensured Production plants running stably.It has the advantages of making up teaching tools and experimental conditions,etc,is closely linked to actual production,plays an important role on the training of highly skilled and versatile talents.
The Relationship between Wide Compatibility and Restorability in Rice

A total of 32 rice varieties were crossed to testers Akthikan A B and Pmggai A. B to determine their compatibility and resteratiion types by examming the feitility m■ F, h■ds. The pedigrees of Pe■ai 64 and Pei C312 were also analysed. It was found that these Varieties could roughly be grouped into three categories: the widely compatible restorer line. the unwidely compatible reserer ■e. and the widely compatible variety(line). The gene for wide compatibility was different from that for restorability. which menns that they can be recombined each other to form widely compatible restorer Jines. Moreover. some new ■ sompatible resterer lies widelv compatible varietiesthnes) were found, and an inter-sabspecres cross Pmggai A DT713 with highly signi■eam beterosis was developed.