cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Response to Open Peer Commentaries on "Informed Consent: What Must Be Disclosed and What Must Be Understood?"

In “Informed Consent: What Must be Disclosed and What Must be Understood?”, we reject a dogma at the heart of research ethics (Millum and Bromwich 2021). We demonstrate that the constitutive claim ...
Earthquake Research on the San Andreas Fault Zone, California

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) carries out an extensive program of seismic, geodetic, and geologic studies in California that may be relevant to designing new experiments on the North Anatolian Fault Zone. A telemetered microearthquake network of ~350 stations monitors seismicity down to a threshold level of M=2 or better, accurately locates these events, and obtains fault-plane solutions for the larger earthquakes. Several types of repeated geodetic measurements determine the spatial and temporal pattern of crustal movements over a ~100 km wide zone across the major faults. Historic triangulation measurements determine the horizontal deformation in California since ~1900. Annually- repeated laser ranging (geodolite) meausrements of ~600 line lengths have precisely monitored the strain field since 1971. Lines vary in length from 1 to 35 km and are measured to a precision of 3 to 8 mm. Repeated alinement array measurements (~100 m aperture) and continuously recording wire strainmeters determine the slip rates on aseismically slipping (creeping) portions of the San Andreas fault system. Repeated leveling surveys monitor the vertical movement related to the compressional tectonics of the “big bend” region of the San Andreas in southern California. Both repeated and continuously recording magnetometer observations monitor magnetic field variations along major faults. Detailed geologic strip maps at 1:24,000 scale locate the most-recently active traces of major faults and are essential aids in planning geophysical measurement programs.
Cardiovascular Adjustments to Gravitational Stress

The effects of gravity on the cardiovascular system must be taken into account whenever a hemodynamic assessment is made. All intravascular pressure have a gravity-dependent hydrostatic component. The interaction between the gravitational field, the position of the body, and the functional characteristics of the blood vessels determines the distribution of intravascular volume. In turn this distribution largely determines cardiac pump function. Multiple control mechanisms are activated to preserve optimal tissue perfusion when the magnitude of the gravitational field or its direction relative to the body changes. Humans are particularly sensitive to such changes because of the combination of their normally erect posture and the large body mass and blood volume below the level of the heart. Current aerospace technology also exposes human subjects to extreme variations in the gravitational forces that range from zero during space travel to as much an nine-times normal during operation of high-performance military aircraft. This chapter therefore emphasizes human physiology.
Variation in Prostate Cancer Care

The use of many medical and surgical therapies varies widely between clinicians and geographic regions. Perhaps nowhere is this more evident than in the treatment of men with early-stage prostate cancer. For this group of patients, there is substantial variation not only in the use of any local therapy (vs observation), but also in the use of specific treatmentmodalities. The former concern is particularly salientamongmenwith low-riskprostatecancer, agroupfor whom the survival benefits of local therapy are less clear, while the potential adverse effects, including urinary and sexual dysfunction, may be no less apparent. Because surgery and radiationmay represent overtreatment for some men with low-grade tumors, several clinical guidelinesnowrecommend initial observation (usually in the form of active surveillance) for patients with low-risk disease.1 In a recent article from JAMA Internal Medicine, Hoffman and colleagues2 examined the use of observation vs local therapy for men with prostate cancer, with an emphasis on understanding whether the patient or physician has a greater influence on this initial treatment choice. In a well-designed study based on data from SEER, Medicare, and the American Medical Association Physician MasterFile, the authors reported that among more than 12 000 patients diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer from 2006 through 2009, only 20% underwent observation. Moreover, definitive treatment (mainly radiation therapy) was used by 70% and 55% of men aged 76 to 80 years and older than 80 years, respectively, patients for whom the benefits of treatment are most uncertain. JAMA INTERNALMEDICINE
Radicals r'aging.

A central hope for those of us who are ageing, whether gracefully or reluctantly, is that the application of the principles and tools of modern molecular biology and genetics will shed light on the causes of senescence and suggest new approaches to defer its devastating effects. There are many ways to die. Hence genetic defects which shorten life may not provide fundamental insights into senescence. Experimental manipulations which extend life, however, must address a life-limiting process, and may therefore tell a different story.
Identification de stérols à chaînes latérales courtes dans l′éponge Damiriana hawaiiana†

Identification of short side chain sterols in the sponge Damiriana hawaiiana The steroidal composition of the sponge Damiriana hawaiiana is examined. Twenty-seven components are identified. In addition to the C26-C29, Δ5-mono and diunsaturated sterols, the sponge contains sterols without side-chain: androsta-5, 16-dien-3β-ol(1), androst-5-en-3β-ol(2); sterols with a non-functionalized side-chain consisting of two, three, four, five and six carbon atoms: pregna-5, 20-dien-3β-ol(5), pregn-5-en-3β-ol(6), 23, 24-bisnor-chola-5, 20-dien-3β-ol(7), 23, 24-bisnor-chol-5-en-3β-ol(8), 24-nor-chol-5-en-3β-ol(10), chol-5-en-3β-ol(11), 26, 27-bisnor-cholest-5-en-3β-ol(12), and sterols possessing a short oxygenated side-chain such as 3β-hydroxy-androst-5-en-17-one(3), androst-5-en-3β, 17β-diol(4) and 3β-hydroxy-26, 27-bisnor-22-trans-cholesta-5, 22-dien-24-one(14). The probable biological or dietary origin rather than artifact production of these hitherto undescribed components from marine sources is supported by their relatively high concentration and their relative proportions, both very different from those expected for autoxidation.
Strain localization along the Atlantis Bank oceanic detachment fault system, Southwest Indian Ridge

Microstructural observations and mineral thermometry from in situ samples collected from the Atlantis Bank oceanic core complex (SW Indian Ridge) indicate that detachment faulting was initiated under hypersolidus conditions in the ductile regime and continued through subgreenschist temperatures through the ductile, semibrittle, and brittle regimes as strain localized along the exposed, now subhorizontal fault surface. Ductile, semibrittle, and brittle fabrics are developed within dominantly gabbroic rocks. Footwall rocks exhibit crystal plastic fabrics distributed over a structural thickness up to 400 m below the denuded fault surface exposed at the seafloor, whereas semibrittle and brittle fabrics are concentrated in the 80 and 30 m immediately below the principal slip surface of the detachment fault, respectively. Sample fabrics suggest that strain localization was achieved by dynamic recrystallization of plagioclase at temperatures between 910°C and 650°C, by amphibole-accommodated dissolution-precipitation creep at temperatures ∼750°C–450°C, by chlorite-accommodated reaction softening at temperatures ∼450°C–300°C, and by brittle fracturing and cataclasis at temperatures <300°C.
EMERGING CONCEPTS: A LOOK‐AHEAD TO ENGINEERING'S FUTURE

Like pieces in an unfinished jigsaw puzzle, emerging concepts in the workplace can give us a glimpse of what systems engineering will look like in the future. This paper introduces a number of highly interconnected concepts that are emerging in the areas of process, technology, education, metrics, and paradigm shifts. To ensure continued growth in years ahead, it is essential that we use these new concepts as building blocks to architect a systems engineering vision highly suited to the workplace of tomorrow.
A Methodology for Selecting High Thermal-Hydraulic Performance Fuel Configurations for Tightly Packed Epithermal Core Designs

Cylindrical fuel pins with wires are the design of choice for tightly packed fuel arrays. However, it is important to investigate novel fuel configurations in order to increase the thermal margins. Hence, new fuel designs have been studied for the epithermal option of the light water-cooled IRIS core. These designs are also of potential use in other tightly packed, epithermal advanced core designs.First, design equations have been used to determine number, height, and size of the principal features (clad, gap, fuel cross-sectional area) of the novel fuel configurations under investigation. Then, performance indices have been introduced to relate fuel geometrical characteristics to selected thermal-hydraulic parameters, such as pressure drop, critical heat flux (CHF), fuel centerline temperature, and clad surface temperature and stress distribution. Finally, variously shaped fuel configurations, including cylindrical, triangular, square, and hexagonal, have been ranked according to the performance indicators.The hexagonal fuel pins, both twisted and straight, proved to be good solutions for the epithermal tight core of the light water-cooled IRIS reactor, with performances comparable to those of the cylindrical fuel with wires. In particular, for water-to-fuel ratios {approx}0.33, the twisted hexagonal shape is the preferable design with a reduction of the total pressure drop by 16%more » and an increase of the CHF margin by 200%, compared to the traditional cylindrical pins with grids. Furthermore, the straight hexagonal shape allows flatter subchannel velocity profiles, wall shear stress, and wall temperature distributions. However, geometric constraints unfortunately do not allow application of the twisted hexagonal shape for smaller water-to-fuel ratios, which is a design regime of more favorable epithermal neutronics performance. In this regime, the cylindrical pins with wires are the solution of choice.« less
DEFORMATION TESTING OF FOODS: III. Effect of Size and Shape on the Magnitude of Deformation

Slabs of uniform agar gels were cut into standard shapes of various sizes and their deformation under a small compressive force was measured in an Instron Universal Testing machine. The deformation of rectangular solids and regular cylinders with vertical axes was found to be directly proportional to the specimen height and inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area. The deformation of regular cylinders with horizontal axes was inversely proportional to the length and was a linear function of the diameter. Deformation of spheres first increased to a maximum, then decreased as the diameter increased giving an inverted V-shaped curve. The diameter at which the maximum deformation of spheres occurred depended on the agar concentration in the gel and the magnitude of the deforming force.
A case of selective difficulty in writing verbs

Abstract We describe the case of an individual who exhibited a selective difficulty in writing verbs. We document the pattern In a series of tasks and rule out the possibility that the results can be accounted for: (a) by the fact that writing times are typically slower than speaking times, (b) by the possibility that verb effects were obscured in spoken naming, due to ceiling level performance, or (c) that the written verb forms themselves are especially difficult for the written production system. We discuss the implications that modality specific grammatical category deficits such as this one have for the traditional view that grammatical category distinctions exist at an exclusively amodal level of lexical knowledge. In addition we relate our findings to what is known about the neuroanatomical localization of noun/verb knowledge.
The Role of Lad Magazines in Priming Men’s Chronic and Temporary Appearance‐Related Schemata: An Investigation of Longitudinal and Experimental Findings

We present a program of research investigating the effects of lad magazines on male body self-consciousness and appearance anxiety. Study 1, based on panel data from undergraduate men, showed that lad magazine exposure in Year 1 predicted body self-consciousness in Year 2. Study 2 was an experiment that showed that men assigned to view objectified women in lad magazines reported significantly higher levels of appearance anxiety and appearance-related motivations for exercise than men assigned to view male fashion models. We speculated that participants believed that to be romantically successful with these women would require them to conform to an idealized appearance standard. Study 3 replicated the finding that exposure to sexually objectified women primed body self-consciousness, and it further showed that this effect was mediated by romantic confidence.
An accurate approximate algorithm for motion compensation in two-dimensional tomography

In this paper, we propose two approximate inversion formulae for motion compensation in tomography: for parallel beam and fan beam geometries. Let denote the operator, which corresponds to the error term of an inversion formula. It is proven that in both cases is bounded; thus, the error term is one order smoother than the original function f in the scale of Sobolev spaces. It is also proven that in both cases if the motion map approaches the identity map, then the norm of approaches zero. The formulae can be easily implemented numerically. Results of numerical experiments in the fan-beam case (which is more common in applications) demonstrate good image quality even when motion is relatively strong.
The intersectional invisibility of race and disability status: an exploratory study of health and discrimination facing Asian Americans with disabilities

Purpose – There is a dearth in the literature on Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) with disabilities. Utilizing an intersectionality lens, the present exploratory study seeks to compare AAPIs with a reported learning, emotional, or physical disability to AAPIs without a reported disability on their experiences of discrimination, psychological and physical health, as well as their overall physical and mental health ratings.Design/methodology/approach – The Asian American sample (n=2,095) of The National Latino and Asian American Study dataset was used to conduct the analyses for the present study. Participants with disabilities self‐reported the following disabilities: learning (n=46); emotional/mental (n=56); physical (n=71); and having a condition that substantially limits physical activity (n=157).Findings – Despite some minor nuances, the overall results indicate that AAPIs with a learning, emotional, or physical disability reported more experiences of everyday discrimination, greater psycho...
On the Exchange Rate for Bi-Directional Relaying over Inter-Symbol Interference Channels

We propose two compute-and-forward coding schemes for the bi-directional relay channel with inter- symbol interference (ISI) based on lattice codes and study their achievable rates. The first coding scheme is similar in spirit to coded orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) with independent coding across sub-carriers and uses nested-lattice code with a power allocation strategy that can exploit the group property of lattices. The second coding scheme is a time-domain coding scheme which uses a novel precoding scheme at the transmitter in combination with lattice precoding and a minimum mean squared error receiver to recover linear combinations of lattice codewords. The proposed compute-and-forward coding schemes substantially outperform decode-and-forward schemes. While it is well known that for the point-to-point communication case, both the coded OFDM approach and the time-domain coding scheme can approach the capacity limit, we show that for the bi-directional relaying case, the performance of the two coding schemes are different. Particularly, we show that independent coding across sub-channels is not optimal and joint coding across sub-channels can improve the exchange capacity for some channel realizations.
Iron Binding by Ovotransferrin from Ferric Nitrilotriacetate at pH 5 and pH 5.5

Binding of iron to ovotransferrin (OTf) in egg white at low pH was studied. At pH 5 iron as ferric nitrilotriacetate (FeNTA) bound to only 25% of the OTf iron-binding sites. Although this binding caused a 1°C increase in OTf denaturation temperature, enthalpy of denaturation apparently decreased. At pH 5.5, the apo-OTf denaturation temperature was about 4°C higher than at pH 5. FeNTA bound to 40% of the OTf iron-binding sites; again a small increase in denaturation temperature and an apparent decrease in enthalpy was observed. Work with purified OTf suggests that the denaturation enthalpy decrease observed in egg white may be due to overlapping of the OTf and albumin endotherms.
Visual-tactile and tactile-tactile paired-associate learning by normal and poor readers.

The hypothesis that poor readers suffer from an inter-sensory perceptual deficit was tested by having 16 poor and 16 normal readers learn an inter- and intra-sensory paired-associate task. Thus, visual symbols were paired with tactile stimuli and another set of tactile stimuli were paired with tactile stimuli. Although all poor readers met an explicit criterion for poor reading, there was no difference between poor and normal readers in either of the paired-associate tasks. The results suggest that a general perceptual deficit does not exist for poor readers; however, a specific integration problem in auditory-visual pairing may exist.
Epidemiology of food allergy in the community

Food allergy is the most common cause of anaphylaxis outside the hospital setting. Peanut, tree nuts, milk, egg, and shellfish are the most commonly implicated foods. Most cases of anaphylaxis are reported to occur in the home, but one-fifth of the reactions occur at school or work and a similar proportion in restaurants and other food establishments. Although the majority of reactions in schools occur in subjects with known food allergies, nearly 25% of peanut/tree nut-induced allergic reactions were reported before the diagnosis. The majority of reactions occur in the classroom (many due to craft projects), followed by health office, playground, and cafeteria. Numerous studies have identified deficiencies in establishing and implementing written emergency action plans (EAP) and general or individualized plans for prevention in schools, and inadequacies in recognizing and treating anaphylaxis. Although there are no studies directly comparing the effect of banning peanut schools on the incidence of reactions, such practice from preschool to lower elementary school is not uncommon. Reactions to nuts occurring in food establishments most commonly include Asian food restaurants, ice cream parlors and bakeries/dough nut shops. Allergen is commonly found in dessert foods or hidden in sauce, dressing etc. Cross-contamination during preparation and serving is another important source of error, in addition to reactions due to ingestion of food not intended for the subject, buffet items, or casual contact. Importantly, the establishment is often not notified of the allergy. Lack of timely treatment with epinephrine is a universal risk factor and adolescents/young adults are the peak age group for a fatal food-induced anaphylaxis. Furthermore, up to one-fifth of food-induced anaphylactic reactions may need more than 1 dose of epinephrine. Therefore, there is an urgent need for education and access to epinephrine in food-induced reactions occurring in the communal setting.
Occupational fatalities due to electrocutions in the construction industry.

Abstract Introduction Occupational fatalities due to contact with electricity account for approximately 9% of all deaths in the construction industry and is the fourth leading cause of death in this industry. Method Differences in the proportions of electrocutions in the construction industry are significantly different from other industries based upon the age of the worker and the source of the electricity. Results This study found that, in the construction industry, the proportion of occupational fatalities due to contact with electric current is significantly higher for workers in the 16 to 19 years old age group. Contact with overhead power lines occurred more frequently with younger workers, while contact with electric wiring, transformers, and related equipment was found to occur more frequently with older workers. The proportion of fatalities due to this event was also found to account for a significantly greater proportion of fatalities in the construction industry overall. Impact on industry The proportions of electrocution fatalities in the construction industry were found to be significantly higher for younger workers when compared to all other industries. Focusing prevention measures toward younger workers who work near overhead power lines could have a significant impact upon death rates. For older workers, the focus should be on those who work on or near transformers, electrical wiring, and components. Across the construction industry, implementation of effective lockout-tagout programs, and verification of energy isolation, can prevent approximately 125 fatalities per year in the construction industry.
Evidence for interaction of a spreading ridge with the outer California borderland

Abstract The southward passage of the Rivera triple junction and its effect on the North American plate are primary controls on the Miocene tectonic evolution of the outer borderland of California. Detrital modes of sand shed off the Patton Ridge and cored by the Deep Sea Drilling Project provide evidence of progressive tectonic erosion of the Patton accretionary prism and near-trench volcanism. Volcanic glass in the sediment is predominantly calcalkaline rhyolite and andesite, typical of subduction-related volcanism, but also includes minor low-K2O tholeiitic basalt. We attribute these compositional features to interaction with a spreading ridge associated with a possible trench–ridge–trench triple junction along the Patton Escarpment from 18 to 16 Ma. This study suggests that evidence of ridge–trench interaction may be commonly preserved along submerged plate margins, in contrast to its more limited recognition and discussion in the literature based on exposed examples in Chile, Japan and Alaska.
Simple model for complex structures

The complex structures of the low-temperature phases of light actinides are analyzed in terms of a simple model involving Pettifor's structural energy difference theorem in combination with an estimate of the structural dependence of the electrostatic interaction in the solid. With this simple model the complex structures of the actinides are contrasted to the simpler ones of the transition metals, and in agreement with observations we find that at ambient conditions the $f$-electron elements favor distorted structures, whereas $d$-electron metals ``prefer'' cubic or hcp structures.
Student Learning in Business Simulation: An Empirical Investigation

The authors explored the factors contributing to student learning in the context of business simulation. Our results suggest that social interaction and psychological safety had a positive impact on knowledge development in student groups, and that this synergistic knowledge development enabled students to form complex mental models. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Modeling of Ferroelectric Switching Excited by Triangular or Sinusoidal Voltage Signals

We model the switching current induced by a trianglar or sinusoidal waveform in a ferroelectric capacitor by exponential growth and decay currents. An exponential current i = I m e t /  ( t h 0) or i = I m e m t /  ( t S 0) has a total charge of Q = I m ·  . When I m ·  = Ps ( Ps is the saturated spontaneous polarization of a ferroelectric capacitor), a pair of exponential growth and decay currents is used to simulate the polarization reversal of ferroelectric capacitors. We also simulate the hysteresis loop by plotting the time integral of the transient current versus the applied field. Expressing t and  in terms of the applied voltage and its change rate, we implement the modeling using SPICE.
Colony formation by mouse peritoneal exudate cells in vitro.

Cells from the haematopoietic tissues of laboratory animals or humans can form colonies when grown in soft agar culture containing either a feeder layer or exogenous colony stimulating factors1–5. Although peritoneal exudate cells, consisting chiefly of macrophages and lymphocytes, proliferate in vitro6, 7 there is no information on whether these cells can form colonies. Here we show that mouse peritoneal exudates contain cells that can give rise to colonies when grown in agar.
System-Theoretic Representation of Simulation Models

Abstract The representation of simulation models, especially those expressed in discrete event languages, by means of system-theoretic formalism is reviewed. The important concepts of decomposition, static and dynamic structure, and state variable selection are explained and their implications for the design of simulation software explored. The system-theoretic approach is compared with other approaches to model representation derived from general software development methodology. Both simulation software design and systems theory may benefit by the challenges each raises for the other.
Pattern Recognition Using A Neural Network

In this paper we introduce a new "neural" network for pattern recognition based on a gradient system. It is not, however, attempted to model any known behavior of biological neurons. This network stores any number of non-binary patterns (as its limit points) and retrieves them by associative recall. The network does not suffer from erroneous limit points. A realization of the network is given, which have heavily interconnected computing units. Finally two network examples are discussed.
SU-E-T-397: Include Organ Deformation Into Dose Calculation of Prostate Brachytherapy

Purpose: Prostate brachytherapy is an important curative treatment for patients with localized prostate cancer. In brachytherapy, rectal balloon is generally needed to adjust for unfavorable prostate position for seed placement. However, rectal balloon causes prostate deformation, which is not accounted for in dosimetric planning. Therefore, it is possible that brachytherapy dosimetry deviates significantly from initial plan when prostate returns to its non-deformed state (after procedure). The goal of this study is to develop a method to include prostate deformation into the treatment planning of brachytherapy dosimetry. Methods: We prospectively collected ultrasound images of prostate pre- and post- rectal balloon inflation from thirty five consecutive patients undergoing I-125 brachytherapy. Based on the cylinder coordinate systems, we learned the initial coordinate transformation parameters between the manual segmentations of both deformed and non-deformed prostates of each patient in training set. With the nearest-neighbor interpolation, we searched the best transformation between two coordinate systems to maximum the mutual information of deformed and non-deformed images. We then mapped the implanted seeds of five selected patients from the deformed prostate into non-deformed prostate. The seed position is marked on original pre-inflation US image and it is imported into VariSeed software for dose calculation. Results: The accuracymore » of image registration is 87.5% as quantified by Dice Index. The prostate coverage V100% dropped from 96.5±0.5% of prostate deformed plan to 91.9±2.6% (p 0.05) and D1% changed from 212.9±37.3 Gy to 248.4±42.8 Gy (p>0.05). Conclusion: We have developed a deformable image registration method that allows dosimetry calculation in the non-deformed prostate – which may be used to more accurately reflect “true” dosimetry during planning.« less
A case of error disclosure: a communication privacy management analysis

To better understand the process of disclosing medical errors to patients, this research offers a case analysis using Petronios's theoretical frame of Communication Privacy Management (CPM). Given the resistance clinicians often feel about error disclosure, insights into the way choices are made by the clinicians in telling patients about the mistake has the potential to address reasons for resistance. Applying the evidenced-based CPM theory, developed over the last 35 years and dedicated to studying disclosure phenomenon, to disclosing medical mistakes potentially has the ability to reshape thinking about the error disclosure process. Using a composite case representing a surgical mistake, analysis based on CPM theory is offered to gain insights into conversational routines and disclosure management choices of revealing a medical error. The results of this analysis show that an underlying assumption of health information ownership by the patient and family can be at odds with the way the clinician tends to control disclosure about the error. In addition, the case analysis illustrates that there are embedded patterns of disclosure that emerge out of conversations the clinician has with the patient and the patient's family members. These patterns unfold privacy management decisions on the part of the clinician that impact how the patient is told about the error and the way that patients interpret the meaning of the disclosure. These findings suggest the need for a better understanding of how patients manage their private health information in relationship to their expectations for the way they see the clinician caring for or controlling their health information about errors. Significance for public healthMuch of the mission central to public health sits squarely on the ability to communicate effectively. This case analysis offers an in-depth assessment of how error disclosure is complicated by misunderstandings, assuming ownership and control over information, unwittingly following conversational scripts that convey misleading messages, and the difficulty in regulating privacy boundaries in the stressful circumstances that occur with error disclosures. As a consequence, the potential contribution to public health is the ability to more clearly see the significance of the disclosure process that has implications for many public health issues.
Conjunctival mycosis masquerading as melanoma.

PURPOSE: To report a patient with a melanotic lesion of the conjunctiva that mimicked melanoma but proved to be a fungal infection on biopsy. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 75-year-old white man was examined for a 3-month history of a deeply pigmented lesion of the conjunctiva at the limbus of the right eye that closely resembled conjunctival melanoma. The lesion was completely excised. RESULTS: Histologic examination revealed fungal elements without evidence of tumor. CONCLUSION: Although rare, fungi should be included in the differential diagnosis of pigmented lesions of the conjunctiva.
Design and Evaluation of a PEGylated Lipopeptide Equipped with Drug-Interactive Motifs as an Improved Drug Carrier

Micelles are attractive delivery systems for hydrophobic drugs due to their small size and the ease of application. However, the limited drug loading capacity and the intrinsic poor stability of drug-loaded formulations represent two major issues for some micellar systems. In this study, we designed and synthesized a micelle-forming PEG-lipopeptide conjugate with two Fmoc groups located at the interfacial region, and two oleoyl chains as the hydrophobic core. The significance of Fmoc groups as a broadly applicable drug-interactive motif that enhances the carrier–drug interaction was examined using eight model drugs of diverse structures. Compared with an analogue without carrying a Fmoc motif, PEG5000-(Fmoc-OA)2 demonstrated a lower value of critical micelle concentration and three-fold increases of loading capacity for paclitaxel (PTX). These micelles showed tubular structures and small particle sizes (∼70 nm), which can be lyophilized and readily reconstituted with water without significant changes in particle sizes. Fluorescence quenching study illustrated the Fmoc/PTX π–π stacking contributes to the carrier/PTX interaction, and drug-release study demonstrated a much slower kinetics than Taxol, a clinically used PTX formulation. PTX/PEG5000-(Fmoc-OA)2 mixed micelles exhibited higher levels of cytotoxicity than Taxol in several cancer cell lines and more potent inhibitory effects on tumor growth than Taxol in a syngeneic murine breast cancer model (4T1.2). We have further shown that seven other drugs can be effectively formulated in PEG5000-(Fmoc-OA)2 micelles. Our study suggests that micelle-forming PEG-lipopeptide surfactants with interfacial Fmoc motifs may represent a promising formulation platform for a broad range of drugs with diverse structures.
Development of an “S.M.A.R.T.” Assessment System for Accreditation and Continuous Program Improvement

Development and implementation of an educational program in engineering or technology is not something new to Colleges and Universities; however periodic assessment of a program for the purpose of accreditation by ABET as well as to demonstrate the continuous improvement remains a challenge for most of the programs. The design of a successful assessment system is open ended similar to any engineering design problem. In addition to that, the design guidelines are not well defined resulting in difficulties to develop an effective assessment system. There is a need for a framework to develop a good assessment system for program evaluation. An emphasis is given in this paper to explore such a framework. Assessment based on SMART system is suggested as a viable system with S – Sustainable Process; M – Measurable Performance Criteria; A – Actionable Feedback; R – Robust Methods; and T – Team Work of Constituents.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Stereochemical effects on the mass spectrometric behavior of native and derivatized trisaccharide isomers : Comparisons with results from molecular modeling

Differentiation of oligosaccharide isomers by mass spectrometry (MS) is a challenging task. For native, permethylated and peracetylated trisaccharides, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI/TOF) MS and liquid secondary ionization (LSI) MS experiments can produce complementary results that are useful for molecular mass and sugar sequence determination and isomer differentiation. Linear MALDI/TOF-MS analysis of native and derivatized oligosaccharides usually produces cationized molecular ions. Characterization by LSI-MS and tandem mass spectrometry (LSI-MS/MS) typically may yield only low-abundance protonated molecular ions but produces dominant B-type ions by elimination of ROH (R=Me, Ac) from the C-1 position at the reducing end and distinctive sequence-related fragments. Results for four milk trisaccharides, two neutral (fucosyllactoses) and two sialylated (sialyllactoses), are presented to demonstrate the utility of microscale permethylation and gas-to-solid phase peracetylation for high sensitivity structural elucidation. For the pairs of carbohydrates investigated in this study by LSI-MS, LSI-MS/MS and linear MALDI/TOF-MS, the fragmentation patterns of the native, permethylated and peracetylated isomer pairs are shown to differ markedly as a consequence of their limited dissimilarities. In addition, the tendency of sialylated carbohydrates to form lactones upon peracetylation has been exploited to take advantage of the variation in the extent of lactonization with orientation of the sialic acid moiety relative to the adjacent sugar rings. Lactone formation is favored for 3′-sialyllactose compared with its 6′-isomer; Hyperchem was employed to indicate the relative stabilities of the molecular and fragment ions and to visualize the molecules in 3D (rather than to obtain absolute conformational energy values). The relative conformational energies of lactonized and non-lactonized ions were calculated using the Hyperchem software; their values support the trends observed by MS. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Measuring nursing power within organizations.

Purpose: To describe the Sieloff-King Assessment of Departmental Power (SKADP) instrument and the psychometric evaluation of both the SKADP and its revision: the Sieloff-King Assessment of Group Power within Organizations (SKAGPO) instrument. Design: A survey of 357 chief nurse executives in the United States to psychometrically evaluate the SKAGPO. Methods: Psychometric evaluation of the SKAGPO included: (a) internal consistency reliability using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, split-half with the equal-length Spearman Brown Correction Formula, and item analysis; (b) concurrent criterion-related validity; and (c) factor analysis. Findings: Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the SKAGPO was.92. Subscales' alphas ranged from.63 to.88. Item-total correlations ranged from.24 to.68, with an average item-total correlation of.48 (n = 334). Concurrent criterion-related validity was supported. Conclusions: The SKAGPO and the related subscales showed initial reliability and validity.
Flexural strength of ceramics ground under widely different conditions

Abstract This study evaluates the degree of strength degradation for three different ceramic materials ground under widely different conditions. Based on the results of this study, 13 observations are made. In particular, it is found that two different groups of average flexural strength, σ f , surface roughness, R a and effective point of application of the resultant force on the arc of wheel-workpiece contact, K , are formed: one for conditions having h m , a m and f n smaller than the critical values; and the other for the remaining conditions; where h m , a m and f n are the grit depth of cut, the average cross-sectional area of active cutting edges, and the mean normal force per grit, respectively. The results are discussed and compared with those reported by other researchers.
High waters at Liverpool since 1768: the UK's longest sea level record

An exercise of ‘data archaeology’ of high water tidal information from Liverpool, NW England has resulted in the construction of a time series of ‘Adjusted Mean High Water’ spanning 1768 to the present which can be employed as a record of proxy Mean Sea Level (MSL). The time series, although gappy, is arguably the second oldest sea level-related record in the world, after Amsterdam's (1682, although the data we hold are from 1700 only) and of comparable age to Stockholm's (1774). It describes a secular trend for the period up to 1880 of 0.39+/−0.17 mm/year, a trend for the twentieth century of 1.22plus;/−0.25 mm/year, and an overall low frequency acceleration of 0.33+/−0.10 mm/year/century. When considered alongside geological sea level information from the area, the evidence suggests that the greater secular trend of sea level in the twentieth century, compared to long term projections derived from geological information, is primarily the result of an acceleration towards the second half of the last century, consistent with conclusions inferred from previous analyses of the very small number of other long European MSL records.
Time Series Analysis of Annual Temperatures

Abstract The time series of annual mean, maximum, and minimum temperatures at Boulder, Denver, Fort Collins and Pueblo, Colo., were analyzed to determine whether or not they are randomly distributed. Tests were performed by means of autocorrelation function and power spectrum. For series with significant first-order serial correlation coefficient, the adequacy of a first-order Markov process was investigated. The analysis revealed that the series of annual maximum temperatures at Fort Collins, and those of annual minimum temperatures at Fort Collins and Pueblo are purely random (white noise). For the remaining nine series, the values of autocorrelation function r1 are significant, and a first-order Markov model seems adequate.
Direct determination of the orientation of short glass fibers in an injection-molded poly (ethylene terephthalate) system

A simple and new technique for direct determination of the short fibers orientation in polymer composites is described. It is based on the fact that the shape of the fibers' cross section in the plane perpendicular to the desired direction (e.g., orientation direction) depends on the orientation angle ϕ with respect to this direction. For an eliptical shape with minor and major radii r and R, the cosϕ = r/R. Using micrographs from the polished samples' cross section and assuming a planar fiber distribution, it is possible to calculate for a part or entire cross section area: (i) the ϕ-values; (ii) the orientation parameter fp; (iii) the angular distribution (by histograms); and (iv) the number and the sizes of the layers with more uniform fiber orientation as well as the transition zones between them. It is demonstrated for commercial poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) reinforced with 45 percent (by weight) short E-glass fibers (Rynite®) that each surface layer (A) takes ca. 3/16 of the sample thickness (b), the core (C)—3/16b and the boundary (B) between them occupies 3/16b. These layers are characterized, respectively, by A = 28°, B = 38°, C = 64°, and f = 0.51, f = 0.18, f = −0.15. For the entire thickness (A + B + C) the A+B+C = 44° and f = 0.17. The method described is applicable to any kind of fiber-reinforced composites from which it is possible to obtain micrographs of a desired cross section. The thickness of the cross section studied, as well as the number of the layers, does not affect the efficiency of the method.
Text Mining for Adverse Drug Events: the Promise, Challenges, and State of the Art

Text mining is the computational process of extracting meaningful information from large amounts of unstructured text. It is emerging as a tool to leverage underutilized data sources that can improve pharmacovigilance, including the objective of adverse drug event (ADE) detection and assessment. This article provides an overview of recent advances in pharmacovigilance driven by the application of text mining, and discusses several data sources—such as biomedical literature, clinical narratives, product labeling, social media, and Web search logs—that are amenable to text mining for pharmacovigilance. Given the state of the art, it appears text mining can be applied to extract useful ADE-related information from multiple textual sources. Nonetheless, further research is required to address remaining technical challenges associated with the text mining methodologies, and to conclusively determine the relative contribution of each textual source to improving pharmacovigilance.
In vitro cyclic biomechanical properties of an interlocking equine tibial nail.

Objective— To determine cyclic biomechanical properties of gap osteotomized adult equine tibiae stabilized with an equine interlocking nail (EIN). Study Design— In vitro experimental biomechanical investigation. Sample Population— Thirteen adult equine cadaveric tibiae. Methods— Adult equine tibiae with transverse, midshaft, 1-cm gap osteotomies, stabilized with an equine interlocking nail, underwent cyclic biomechanical testing in vitro under axial compression, 4-point bending, and torsion. Different specimens were subjected to different load levels that represented estimated in vivo loads at 2 Hz for 740,000 cycles. Fatigue life and gap strain were calculated. Results— Compression and bending, but not torsional, fatigue life were longer than time necessary for bone healing. Compressive, but not bending or torsional, gap strains were small enough to be compatible with fracture healing by primary bone formation. Gap strains for compressive, bending, and torsional loads were compatible with indirect, or secondary, bone formation. Conclusions— Further modification should be made to the equine interlocking nail to increase bending stiffness and torsional fatigue life. Clinical Relevance— The stainless steel equine intramedullary interlocking nail is unlikely to provide appropriate long-term stability for fracture healing in adult equine tibiae without modifications in the nail design and material.
An analysis of power reduction in datacenters using heterogeneous chip multiprocessors

Power and design constraints have forced the semiconductor industry to look at alternate solutions like heterogeneous chip multiprocessors to continue application performance scaling and improve energy efficiency of multicore processors. In this paper, we present an opportunity analysis of heterogeneous chip multiprocessors in the context of datacenter environments where applications often have latency SLAs. Specifically, we define three use cases of heterogeneous processors for datacenter applications and adopt an analytical approach to quantify relative energy savings of using heterogeneous processors over area-equivalent homogeneous configurations. Based upon our findings, we discuss the practical merits of heterogeneous chip multiprocessors in datacenters, including the issues that must be addressed in order to realize the theoretical benefits.
A comparison of exemplar and statistical evidence in reducing counter‐arguments and responses to a message

A growing body of research indicates that both exemplar and statistical evidence are equally persuasive, but that persuasion is achieved differently due to the responses individuals have to these two forms of evidence. This study investigated the use of exemplars to reduce the generation of counterarguments and overall responses to a message compared to statistical evidence. Participants were exposed to a professionally produced 60 second videotaped public service announcement (PSA) on the dangers of tanning. As predicted, participants exposed to the PSA constructed with exemplar support produced significantly fewer counterarguments and fewer responses overall than those participants exposed to a PSA with statistical evidence. Additionally, there was no difference in the persuasive effect between evidence types, but both types of evidence were significantly more persuasive when compared to a control group.
A Method to Estimate Vertically Integrated Amounts of Cloud Ice and Liquid and Mean Rain Rate in Stratiform Precipitation from Radar and Auxiliary Data

Abstract A method to retrieve total vertical amounts of cloud liquid and ice in stratiform precipitating systems is described. The retrievals use measurements from the vertically pointing Ka- and W-band cloud radars operated by the U.S. Department of Energy Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Program and auxiliary measurements from a scanning National Weather Service radar and a ground-based disdrometer. Separation between the cloud liquid and rain is based on estimations of the total attenuation of millimeter-wavelength radar signals in the liquid hydrometeor layer. Disdrometer measurements are used for the retrieval constraints. Because the liquid phase hydrometeor retrievals use only differential measurements, they are immune to the absolute radar calibration uncertainties. Estimates of the ice cloud phase are performed using empirical relations between absolute radar reflectivity and ice water content. Data from the nearby scanning weather-service radar, which operates at a lower frequency, are us...