cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract P202: Prevalence, Factors, And Long-Term Outcomes Associated With Myocardial Infarction With Non-Obstructive Coronary Artery (MINOCA) Diagnosis In A Large Rural Health Care System Cohort

Hypothesis: Myocardial infarction (MI) with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA) is a common cause of false positive (FP) ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) with associated hi...
Comparing two software programs for fitting nonlinear, one- and two-compartment age-dependent digestion models: a Monte Carlo analysis

Abstract Using compartmental modeling of digesta kinetics is a valuable tool to ruminant nutritionists assessing and quantifying the site and extent of digestion. To increase the value of one- (G2) and two-compartment (G2G1), age-dependent models, we characterized the repeatability and agreement of 2 software systems for fitting these models. We constructed replicated datasets of fecal marker concentrations over time by sampling 81 synthetic concentration profiles representing 81 animal and diet combinations. Datasets contained fecal marker concentrations for 15 nominal times after dosing (0, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24, 32, 40, 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, and 120 h). Datasets were constructed by adding random errors to samples from hypothetical true marker concentration profiles. Errors included sampling time and marker concentration measurement. The resulting fecal marker concentration datasets were fit to G2 and G2G1 models with programs written for 2 software systems (R and SAS). The resulting model parameters, K0, λ or λ1, K2, and τ, were used to calculate particle passage rate, gastrointestinal DM fill, fecal DM output, gastrointestinal mean retention time, and rumen retention time. We evaluated the repeatability of each software and the agreement between software packages. When fitting the 8,100 datasets to the G2 model, all converged for both software. When fitting the same datasets to a G2G1 model, however, 369 did not converge for SAS and 1 did not converge for R. Non-convergence can be a significant problem when an experiment has minimal experimental units. The R software produced more repeatable model parameter estimates than SAS, but the ratios of repeatability to mean values were generally less than 10%. Bias and SD of differences between software packages were small, however G2G1 models produced smaller bias and SD of differences than the G2 models. Bias and SD for derived digestion parameters between models and software packages were also small. Again the G2G1 model had smaller biases and SD of differences than the G2 model. Repeatability for derived digestion parameters were better with R than with SAS, but the mean differences were small. The G2G1 model produced more repeatable results than the G2 model, but differences between software were small for the G2G1 model.
A Cost-Effective Solution to Video Debriefing and Livestreaming in Nursing Simulation

Abstract Background Simulation and video debriefing are commonplace in nursing education. Cohesive, vendor-supplied technology solutions for livestreaming and debriefing can be cost-prohibitive. Methods Our team developed a low-cost solution that we validated through informal student and faculty feedback. Results Our solution functions as intended, and students indicate overall benefit to their learning. Conclusions This proves that it is possible, with careful planning, for nurse educators to effectively implement a low-cost solution for simulation livestreaming and debriefing.
Herbicide safener increases weed-management tools for control of annual grasses in wheat

Annual grass weeds reduce profits of wheat farmers in the Pacific Northwest. The very-long-chain fatty acid elongase (VLCFA)-inhibiting herbicides S-metolachlor and dimethenamid-P could expand options for control of annual grasses but are not registered in wheat, because of crop injury. We evaluated a safener, fluxofenim, applied to wheat seed for protection of 19 soft white winter wheat varieties from S-metolachlor, dimethenamid-P, and pyroxasulfone herbicides; investigated the response of six varieties (UI Sparrow, LWW 15-72223, UI Magic CL+, Brundage 96, UI Castle CL+, and UI Palouse CL+) to incremental doses of fluxofenim; established the fluxofenim dose required to optimally protect the varieties from VLCFA-inhibiting herbicides; and assessed the impact of fluxofenim dose on glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity in three wheat varieties (UI Sparrow, Brundage 96, and UI Castle CL+). Fluxofenim increased the biomass of four varieties treated with S-metolachlor or dimethenamid-P herbicides and one variety treated with pyroxasulfone. Three varieties showed tolerance to the herbicides regardless of the fluxofenim treatment. Estimated fluxofenim doses resulting in 10% biomass reduction of wheat ranged from 0.55 to 1.23 g ai kg−1 seed. Fluxofenim doses resulting in 90% increased biomass after treatment with S-metolachlor, dimethenamid-P, and pyroxasulfone ranged from 0.07 to 0.55, 0.09 to 0.73, and 0.30 to 1.03 g ai kg−1 seed, respectively. Fluxofenim at 0.36 g ai kg−1 seed increased GST activity in UI Castle CL+, UI Sparrow, and Brundage 96 by 58%, 30%, and 38%, respectively. These results suggest fluxofenim would not damage wheat seedlings up to three times the rate labeled for sorghum, and fluxofenim protects soft white winter wheat varieties from S-metolachlor, dimethenamid-P, or pyroxasulfone injury at the herbicide rates evaluated.
Right-Sided Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Caused by Hepatopulmonary Fusion.

Introduction Hepatopulmonary fusion is a very rare finding associated with right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia. With less than 50 reported cases, management and outcomes of hepatopulmonary fusion are poorly understood. This report highlights that clinical presentation is not a reliable indicator of outcomes in this rare disease. Case Presentation. A term neonate admitted for tachypnea and complete opacification of the right hemithorax was diagnosed with right-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia. Preoperative respiratory support was minimal, and the only symptom exhibited was tachypnea. During surgical repair, fusion of the lung and liver were noted, consistent with a diagnosis of hepatopulmonary fusion. Postoperatively, the patient's pulmonary hypertension worsened and required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Conclusions Many patients with hepatopulmonary fusion and only mild symptoms die postoperatively from severe pulmonary hypertension and progressive respiratory failure. Preoperative clinical status is not indicative of postoperative outcomes, and literature suggests that patients who require less support preoperatively have high mortality rates. The availability of ECMO for postoperative complications may be necessary in patients requiring repair of hepatopulmonary fusion.
A Predictive Comparison of Some Simple Long- and Short Memory Models of Daily U.S. Stock Returns, with Emphasis on Business Cycle Effects

Abstract This chapter builds on the previous work by Bhardwaj and Swanson (2004) who address the notion that many fractional I ( d ) processes may fall into the “empty box” category, as discussed in Granger (1999). However, rather than focusing primarily on linear models, as do Bhardwaj and Swanson, we analyze the business cycle effects on the forecasting performance of these ARFIMA, AR, MA, ARMA, GARCH, and STAR models. This is done via examination of ex ante forecasting evidence based on an updated version of the absolute returns series examined by Ding et al. (1993); and via the use of Diebold and Mariano (1995) and Clark and McCracken (2001) predictive accuracy tests. Results are presented for a variety of forecast horizons and for recursive and rolling estimation schemes. We find that the business cycle does not seem to have an effect on the relative forecasting performance of ARFIMA models.
With-In Child Protective Factors Among Rural Head Start Children

This analysis examined key protective factors among preschool children in low-income, rural areas. Teacher-reported Devereux Early Childhood Assessments for Preschoolers were completed for 182 Head Start children (54% female, 46% male) from seven rural, midwestern communities. The majority of children were in the typical range for each protective factor and for behavioral concerns. In comparison to a standardized sample, the rural sample had lower mean scores for all protective factors. Females had statistically significantly higher scores for initiative, self-regulation, attachment/relationships, and total protective factors, while having lower behavioral concerns than males. T-scores for initiative were statistically significantly higher for 4-year-olds than for 3-year-olds. Statistically significant negative correlations were also found between behavioral concerns and each protective factor, with the strongest negative correlation occurring with self-regulation. There was no statistically significant difference in T-scores between the fall (i.e., Time 1) and spring (i.e., Time 2). This analysis adds to existing literature by delineating the prevalence of with-in child protective factors among preschool children in rural, low-income communities and identifying areas in which these children are most in need of additional support.
Nucleotide Metabolism Behind Epigenetics

The mechanisms of epigenetic gene regulation-histone modifications, chromatin remodeling, DNA methylation, and noncoding RNA-use metabolites as enzymatic cofactors and substrates in reactions that allow chromatin formation, nucleotide biogenesis, transcription, RNA processing, and translation. Gene expression responds to demands from cellular processes that use specific metabolites and alters or maintains cellular metabolic status. However, the roles of metabolites-particularly nucleotides-as regulatory molecules in epigenetic regulation and biological processes remain largely unknown. Here we review the crosstalk between gene expression, nucleotide metabolism, and cellular processes, and explore the role of metabolism in epigenetics as a critical regulator of biological events.
Courts must provide climate change leadership in the absence of law-making progress

While lawmakers round the world have struggled, often unsuccessfully, to enact meaningful climate change legislation, litigation-related activity is increasing, and some courts are moving assertedl...
Ambrosetti–Prodi-type problems for quasi-linear elliptic equations with nonlocal boundary conditions

Let $$\Omega \subseteq \mathbb {R}^N$$ be a bounded Lipschitz domain, for $$N\ge 2$$ . We investigate the solvability of the Ambrosetti–Prodi problem for the p-Laplace operator $$\Delta _p$$ , with nonlocal Neumann, or Wentzell boundary conditions $$\begin{aligned} |\nabla u|^{p-2}\displaystyle \frac{\partial u}{\partial \nu }-\beta \Delta _{_{p,\Gamma }}u+ \Theta _{p}u = 0\quad \text {on }\Gamma :=\partial \Omega , \end{aligned}$$ for $$\beta \ge 0$$ a constant, where $$\Delta _{_{p,\Gamma }}u:=\mathrm{div}(|\nabla _{^{\Gamma }}u|^{p-2}\nabla _{^{\Gamma }}u)$$ denotes the p-Laplace–Beltrami operator, for $$\nabla _{^{\Gamma }}$$ the tangential gradient at $$\Gamma :=\partial \Omega $$ , and $$\Theta _p$$ is a nonlocal Besov operator from the trace space of $$W^{1,p}(\Omega )$$ into its dual. Using a priori estimates, regularity theory, a sub-supersolution method, and the Leray–Schauder degree theory, we obtain a necessary condition for the non-existence of solutions (in the weak sense), the existence of at least one minimal solution, and the existence of at least two distinct solutions. Moreover, when the boundary value problem is solvable, we prove that the weak solutions are Holder continuous over $$\overline{\Omega }$$ .
A Longitudinal Analysis of Corporate Payout Policies

In this paper, I conduct a longitudinal analysis of corporate payout policies that accounts for the dynamic nature of these decisions and for the interaction among investment decisions and payout policies. The estimation is done with a VAR model of investment opportunities, profitability, total payout-dividends plus share repurchases, and the split of the total payout between dividends and share repurchases. I control for changes in the legal treatment of share repurchase in 1982 and for changes in the relative taxation of dividends and of capital gains. I find that * An increase in the taxation of capital gains relative to dividends causes a shift in the split of the total corporate payout away from share repurchases and towards dividends * Corporate investment decisions determine payout policies and not the other way around * Unexpected increases in corporate payout are associated with long-term subsequent increases in profitability * The information content of an unexpected increase in dividends is stronger than an equal-size unexpected increase in share repurchases * Earnings better measure firm profitability than cash flows in the determination of corporate payout policies
Market Valuation and Equity Ownership Structure: The Case of Agency Conflict Regimes

This paper provides further evidence on the link between the firm's performance and the distribution of the common shares between insiders, blockholders and institutions. We endogenize the functional form of the market valuecommon equity structure relationship by using a switching regression methodology. This allows us to observe four distinct ownership structure types that constitute different agency conflict regimes. We provide evidence that supports the notion that investors recognize the existence of such regimes and assess market values differently depending on the type of agency regime the firm operates in. We find that firms with low insider stakes and low blockholder stakes and firms with high insider stakes and high blockholder stakes have the highest agency costs of free cash flow. We also find that the effect of the ownership variables on market values differs across regimes and that there are differences in the monitoring effectiveness of institutional holders and blockholders.
Adenylate Deaminase IV. NUCLEOTIDE SPECIFICITY OF THE ENZYME FROM CALF BRAIN WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO GUANOSINE TRIPHOSPHATE

Abstract The substrate and modifier specificity of adenylate deaminase from calf brain has been investigated. The enzyme deaminates AMP, but no other nucleoside monophosphate. The enzyme is activated and inhibited by certain nucleotides. Among the nucleoside triphosphates, the most effective activator is ATP, and the most effective inhibitor is guanosine triphosphate. The inhibition by GTP is reversed by raising the concentration of ATP; the activation by ATP is reversed by raising the concentration of GTP. Both ATP and GTP are very effective at protecting the enzyme against heat inactivation. The common nucleoside mono- and disphosphates have little effect on the activity of the enzyme. However, the analogue of AMP in which the sugar is attached to the 3- instead of the 9-position of adenine is a powerful inhibitor. The kinetic properties of the enzyme suggest that the activity of the brain enzyme in vivo is regulated by the ratio of the concentrations of ATP and GTP.
Enhancing Efficiency or Crying over Spilled Milk: The Benefits of Reform

We analyze the welfare gains from the reform of existinggovernment-induced distortions. Our results provide support forpolicies aimed at eliminating monopoly and other types of economicdistortion. Welfare gains over the status quo exist wheneverderegulation occurs. The threat of deregulation can induce amonopoly or cartel to modify its behavior, so a reform policy canprove beneficial even if reform does not actually occur. Optimalpolicy with commitment in fact allows a monopoly to deterderegulation. The possibility of reregulation does not reverse ourresults; the per period welfare gain from reform remainsundiminished.
Hepatopulmonary syndrome: favorable outcomes in the MELD exception era.

Hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS) is a pulmonary vascular disorder occurring as a consequence of advanced liver disease, characterized by hypoxemia due to intrapulmonary vascular dilatations. HPS independently increases mortality, regardless of the cause or severity of liver disease. Liver transplantation (LT) improves survival in HPS. We present the largest consecutive series of HPS patients specifically addressing long-term survival relative to the degree of hypoxemia and the era in which LT was conducted. We evaluated 106 HPS patients at the Mayo Clinic from 1986 through 2010. Survival was assessed using Kaplan-Meier methodology. LT was accomplished in 49 HPS patients. Post-LT survival (1, 3, 5, and 10 years) did not differ between groups based on baseline partial pressure of arterial oxygen (PaO2) obtained at the time of HPS diagnosis. Improvements in overall survival at 1, 3, and 5 years post-LT in those HPS patients transplanted after January 1 2002 (n = 28) (92%, 88%, and 88%, respectively) as compared with those transplanted prior to that time (n = 21) (71%, 67%, and 67%, respectively) did not reach statistical significance (5-year P = 0.09). Model for Endstage Liver Disease (MELD) exception to facilitate LT was granted to 21 patients since January 1 2002 with post-LT survival of 19/21 patients and one wait-list death. Conclusion: Long-term outcome after LT in HPS is favorable, with a trend towards improved survival in the MELD exception era since 2002 as compared to earlier HPS transplants. Survival after LT was not associated with PaO2 levels at the time of HPS diagnosis. (HEPATOLOGY 2012)
Minimum and Characteristic Polynomials of Low-Rank Matrices

Introduction Given an n X n matrix A, it can be useful to have a monic polynomial p(x) of low degree that annihilates A; that is, for which p(A) = 0. For example, higher degree polynomials in A can be evaluated by reducing them modulo p(x). A low degree annihilator of A can be used in algorithms to calculate the matrix e At, as in [1, Thm. 6.10, p. 284]. Moreover, knowledge of such an annihilator can simplify the determination of the minimum polynomial or the null ideal of A. A simple dimension argument shows that the set {Ak: 0 < k < n2} is dependent, and hence that A satisfies a polynomial equation
Using stressor gradients to determine reference expectations for great river fish assemblages

Abstract We describe a simple empirical modeling approach for determining least-disturbed conditions for the great rivers of the Upper Mississippi River basin: Missouri, Upper Mississippi, and Ohio Rivers. We used multivariate analysis to identify reference strata (reaches for which a single reference expectation was appropriate) on each river. Strata included the Upper Missouri, Lower Missouri, impounded Upper Mississippi, unimpounded Upper Mississippi, and the Ohio River. We created a multimetric stressor gradient for each stratum using a suite of site- and landscape-scale metrics. Site-scale metrics included water chemistry, aquatic and riparian habitat, and human disturbance metrics. Landscape-scale metrics included land use, land cover, and proximity to human disturbance. The gradient was scaled from 0 (least stressed) to 1 (most stressed). Multimetric indices of condition based on fish assemblages for the Lower Missouri and Upper Mississippi River were responsive to stressor gradients based on 18–24 abiotic stressor metrics. Ohio River fish assemblages were responsive to a hand-picked three-metric gradient. We used the y -intercept of quantile regression to predict the fish index value for a stressor gradient value of 0 (the fish index value at a site with the lowest mean stressor gradient score in the reference stratum) which we designated as least-disturbed condition for the fish index for that stratum. We trisected the difference between predicted least-disturbed condition (ceiling value) and a floor value set at the 5th percentile of the sample to create thresholds for three condition classes: least-disturbed, intermediate, and most-disturbed. Based on the derived condition class thresholds for the fish index, 10% (by length) of the Lower Missouri was in least-disturbed condition, compared to 14% of the Ohio River and 19% of the impounded Upper Mississippi River. The index of condition exhibited longitudinal variation that was associated with the location of major urban areas along each river. We conclude that empirical modeling based on an abiotic stressor gradient can provide an alternative approach for deriving internal reference expectations for great rivers with few, if any, minimally disturbed sites.
Tumor necrosis factor inhibitors: clinical utility in autoimmune diseases.

Tumor necrosis factor (TNF) production is amplified in several autoimmune disorders. In the 1990s, it became a validated therapeutic target used for the treatment of conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease. Biologic drugs targeting TNF include engineered monoclonal antibodies and fusion proteins. Currently, there are 5 Food and Drug Administration–approved TNF inhibitors (infliximab, etanercept, adalimumab, certolizumab, and golimumab), representing close to $20 billion in sales. Clinical trials remain open to test their efficacy and safety compared with one another, as well as to measure clinical outcomes in different conditions and patient populations. The industry is also eager to develop biotherapeutics that are similar but cheaper than the currently existing biologics or are safer with higher efficacy; these are the so-called “biosimilars.” Clinical utility of TNF inhibitors and indications of mono- or combined therapy with immunomodulators are reviewed here. Pharmacokinetics of the TNF inhibitors is affected by routes of administration, clearance mechanisms of immunoglobulins, and immunogenicity. Finally, strategies for management of treatment efficacy and increasing evidence for monitoring of serum concentration of TNF inhibitors are discussed, assessing for the presence of the antidrug antibodies and the different analytical methods available for laboratory testing. As clinical applications of the TNF inhibitors expand, and other classes join the revolution in the treatment of chronic inflammatory disorders, therapeutic drug monitoring of biologics will become increasingly important, with the potential to dramatically improve patient care and management.
Fabrication of tailored needle substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering

Abstract Large-area arrays of metal needles have proved to be excellent substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). Traditionally, these arrays are grown in a stochastic pattern on inherently rough surfaces using grazing-angle metal-vapor deposition. Control of needle spacing under such conditions is extremely difficult, making tailoring of optical performance impossible. Initial results from a new method for needle production, utilizing a carefully fabricated base layer as a foundation for needles having a regular, readily controlled pattern of growth, are presented. Needles ca. 50–75 nm in diameter with aspect ratios of 5:1 or greater are readily achieved. Further, arbitrary needle spacing appears possible by varying the characteristics of the base layer. Data are provided for several representative surfaces.
Hydrogen uptake characteristics of mechanically alloyed mixtures of Ti–Mg–Ni

Abstract It has been well established that hydrogen will react directly and reversibly with a large number of metals and alloys to form metallic hydrides. Extensive research has been done over the years to improve properties of these hydrogen storage media and in developing new compounds to use as hydrogen storage media. In the present study, the hydrogen uptake characteristics of mechanically alloyed titanium–magnesium–nickel have been studied. Thermal and composition data obtained for studies carried out using three different ball-to-powder ratios by mass are presented in a discussion of the hydriding properties of mechanically alloyed Ti–Mg–Ni. It was found that up to 11 wt % hydrogen was obtained for a Ti–Mg–Ni mixture that was ball milled at a ball-to-powder ratio by mass of 70:1.
Infection Efficiency of Venturia inaequalis Ascospores as Affected by Apple Flower Bud Developmental Stage.

ABSTRACT The average infection efficiency of ascospores of Venturia inaequalis deposited on cluster leaves of apple flower buds was 6 to 16%, 3 to 9%, and 0.4 to 0.6% at tight cluster, first pink, and full pink-to-bloom, respectively. No lesions were observed on flower bud cluster leaves at petal fall. However, the leaves on the vegetative shoot emerging from the flower bud were highly susceptible; the average infection efficiency of ascospores on these leaves was 6 to 21%. The infection efficiency was more variable on young cluster and vegetative shoot leaves than on developing and mature cluster leaves. Results from this study indicate that differences in infection efficiency of V. inaequalis ascospores could be identified by apple bud growth stages.
Optimal design of wavefront sensors for adaptive optical systems: effects of grating period and subaperture size in a shearing interferometer

The influence function matrix of an adaptive optical system defines the mapping between commands to the deformable mirror actuators and the outputs of the wavefront sensor. The condition number of that matrix can be used to quantify the controllability and observability of the system. This condition number is a function of both deformable mirror parameters and wavefront sensor parameters. Its dependence on the grating period and the subaperture size for a shearing interferometer wavefront sensor is examined through simulation studies and useful design guidelines are developed.
E-government implementation challenges at local level: a comparative study of government and citizens' perspectives

In this paper, we compare and contrast the issues facing citizens with those faced by managers responsible for e-government implementation. We report the findings of a case study of e-government implementation undertaken recently at a local government authority in the UK. We use the design-reality gap analysis framework based on seven 'ITPOSMO' dimensions proposed by Heeks. Our findings indicate that the success of e-government at local level requires a strong partnership between local government and citizens. The study results point to the lack of clear strategy at local authorities' level for changing the way the government interacts with citizens.
Measurement and evaluation of U.S. federal depository collections

Abstract Measurement and evaluation of U.S. federal depository collections are discussed. Depository collections have no de facto standards by which to be measured, and evaluation is not advanced conceptually. Developments in evaluation of public libraries are reviewed, with the suggestion that they offer much, conceptually, to the depository community. Output measures based on public library practice are suggested for depository collections, along with some measures specific to depositories.
Differential effects of emotional expressions and scenes on visual search

Although research has shown that emotional content modulates attention, such studies often differ in the types of stimuli used to evoke emotions. Some studies utilize emotionally valenced scenes and others utilize emotional facial expressions. Importantly, the comparability of the effect of these two stimulus classes on attention is unclear. In the present experiments, we contrasted the effects of emotional scenes and facial expressions with the same valence on visual search speed. Overall, scenes caused greater disruption in visual search than faces, and emotional content appeared to modulate this effect with larger differences between scenes and faces arising for more negatively valenced stimuli. This pattern of findings was largely replicated after varying task difficulty in Study 2 and the visual properties of the search array and task difficulty in Study 3. These findings indicate that emotional scenes and faces produce differential effects on attention, and suggest that negative emotional scenes are particularly potent in disrupting the allocation of attention.
Provider Satisfaction in Clinical Encounters With Ethnic Immigrant Patients

Objective To determine whether physicians' satisfaction in clinical encounters with ethnic immigrant patients differs from satisfaction in clinical encounters with white patients in the local community. Patients and Methods Postvisit assessments from primary care physicians were collected for matched pairs of ethnic and control patients at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, during a 10-week study (April 2-June 9, 2001). Ethnic patients were defined as first-generation Somalian, Cambodian, and Hispanic immigrants. Control patients were American-born white patients who were seen by the same physician and matched to the ethnic patients in age, sex, and type of visit. T tests and Hotelling T 2 tests were used to analyze differences in physician responses between groups; regression analysis was used to identify the relationship between physicians' satisfaction and ethnicity in the presence of covariates. Results Physicians were considerably less satisfied with ethnic patient visits compared with control patient visits. Larger differences in satisfaction were reported in the areas of patient efforts with disease prevention and management of chronic diseases. Smaller differences in satisfaction were reported for issues related to communication and cultural beliefs and practices. These differences persisted after controlling for patient demographics, physician, and visit characteristics. Conclusions Patients' ethnicity affects physician satisfaction with clinical encounters, particularly in the delivery of preventive care and chronic disease management.
Concave porosity non-polar beads by a modified microbubble fabrication

Abstract A modified procedure for the production of porous polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) beads is presented which results in non-polar polymer beads with microscale concavity and therefore an increased surface-area-to-volume ratio. The key modification is the simple addition of a platinum catalyst to the emulsion prior to thermal curing. Elemental analysis of beads indicates the presence of platinum at the center of many of the indentations, which provides insight into the synthetic mechanisms. Rinsing removes these platinum sites, suggesting that the platinum is not chemisorbed to the surface. This development in synthetic approach may find use in pre-concentration techniques which rely heavily on surface-area-to-volume ratio.
Light-Induced Boron-Oxygen Recombination Centres in Silicon: Understanding their Formation and Elimination

Lifetime-degrading recombination centres those that emerge in the presence of excess carriers in boron and oxygen containing silicon - show a peculiar dependence on the concentrations of the relevant impurities, B and O, and on the hole concentration p0 (net doping) in materials that contain compensating donors (phosphorus or Thermal Donors) or added Ga acceptors. The data indicate involvement of both substitutional (Bs) and interstitial (Bi) boron atoms in the major recombination centres observed in p-Si. A suggested model ascribes degradation to the presence of a BiBsO latent defect inherited from the thermal history in a recombination-inactive atomic configuration. In the presence of excess electrons, this latent defect reconfigures into a recombination-active centre. The defect concentration dependence on the material parameters is reduced, in some special cases, to a proportionality to p0 [2 or to [ [2. The essential feature is an involvement of a fast-diffusing species Bi in the defect. This species can be removed to the boron nanoprecipitates thus eliminating the defects responsible for the degradation.
Sucrose-induced vacuolation results in increased expression of cholesterol biosynthesis and lysosomal genes

Mammalian cells cultured in the presence of high concentrations of sucrose demonstrate large, phase-lucent, osmotically swollen vacuoles. Three normal human fibroblast cell lines exposed to 100 mM of sucrose for 24 h demonstrated increased expression of lysosomal, intracellular vesicle trafficking, cholesterol biosynthesis, and fatty acid metabolism genes. Most steps of the cholesterol biosynthesis pathway were upregulated including HMG CoA reductase, which catalyzes the rate-limiting step of cholesterol biosynthesis. The lysosomal genes neuraminidase, CLN3, and CLCN5 and the small GTP-binding proteins Rab7L1 and Arl7 were also increased. A Rab7L1-GFP fusion protein was overexpressed in human fibroblasts and was demonstrated to localize primarily to the Golgi apparatus, and in some cells to the membranes bounding vesicles in the perinuclear region. Increased levels of the transcription factor C/EBP were found in nuclear extracts from cells exposed to sucrose for 12 h, relative to matched controls suggesting regulation of gene expression following sucrose-induced vacuolation may be coordinated, at least in part, by the transcription factor C/EBP. Sucrose-induced vacuolation is a useful model in which to study the regulation of lysosomal gene expression and biogenesis.
Sesquiterpenes from southern Magnolia virginiana

Abstract A chemical study of the leaves of the southern evergreen Magnolia virginiana provided, besides the known sesquiterpene lactones costunolide, parthenolide and trifloculoside, two new sesquiterpenes, costunolact-12β-ol and its acetal dimer. The molecular structure of the acetal dimer of costunolact-12β-ol was determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction. An annual study of the relative ratios of the major sesquiterpenes in leaves of M. virginiana showed 90% of parthenolide in July/August and a minimum of M. virginiana could be detected in the annual study of the southern variety of this taxon.
Plant nutrition for sustainable development and global health

Plant nutrition is a fundamental science that impacts all aspects of cropping systems, environmental sustainability, and human health and well being. Therefore, there is a need for increased understanding of the fundamental principles of plant nutrition, which can help develop and extend optimized field practices and improve public policies to ensure sustainable food production. This Special Issue addresses this need and is derived from studies presented at the XVI International Plant Nutrition Colloquium (IPNC), “Plant Nutrition for Sustainable Development and Global Health”. The publications compiled in this Special Issue focus on elucidating the effects of agricultural management on the interactions between soil and plant to efficiently provide nutrients to plants and to ensure a sustained food production with minimal environmental impact. In two papers, Janssen illustrates the pertinent need for more long-term agricultural experiments in Africa. In both studies, Janssen re-analyzes data from longterm experiments to elucidate the causes of success or failure with regard to sustained soil productivity. In his first paper, he employs a simple model to two of the very few existing long-term experiments in Kenya. In the follow-up paper, Janssen uses the concept of crop nutrient equivalents (CNE) on two NPK field trials, one in Vietnam and one in the Netherlands. In the next paper, Vanlauwe et al. provide a comprehensive evaluation of the Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) approach, an approach that has been increasingly adopted by the research and development community as a framework for boosting crop productivity with minimal environmental impacts. The ISFM approach relies on four components: proper fertilizer management, use of improved varieties, combined application of organic inputs and fertilizer, and adaptation of input application rates to within-farm soil fertility gradients. In their paper, Vanlauwe et al. rigorously evaluate, through metaanalysis, the impact of these different components on the agronomic efficiency of fertilizer in maize cropping systems in Sub-Saharan Africa. In recent years, biofuel systems have become a more prevalent feature within the agricultural landscape and the efficient use of N for minimal environmental impact is as critical in these systems as in traditional food production systems. Both Thorburn et al. and Guretzky et al. address fertilizer management practices in biofuel systems (i.e. sugarcane and switchgrass, respectively). While much research in plant nutrition has focused on N, other nutrients also play a crucial role in sustainable food production and security. First of all, P deficiency is a major limiting factor for plant growth worldwide and plant species have developed a Plant Soil (2011) 339:1–2 DOI 10.1007/s11104-010-0677-7
Impact of Full Mental Health and Substance Abuse Parity for Children in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program

OBJECTIVE The Federal Employees Health Benefits Program implemented full mental health and substance abuse parity in January 2001. Evaluation of this policy revealed that parity increased adult beneficiaries’ financial protection by lowering mental health and substance abuse out-of-pocket costs for service users in most plans studied but did not increase rates of service use or spending among adult service users. This study examined the effects of full mental health and substance abuse parity for children.
Regulation of the right coronary circulation during a controlled behavioral stress in the conscious dog

Right coronary blood flow (CBF) was measured in 11 mongrel dogs during classical aversive conditioning (a 30 s tone followed by a 1 s 2–6 mA electrical shock). The cardiovascular response consisted of significant (P < 0.01) increases in: (a) mean arterial pressure (12.9%), (b) systolic right ventricular pressure (RVP, 31.8%), (c) d(RVP)/dt (49.9%) and heart rate (56.2%). The coronary vascular response to behavioral stress consisted of an immediate and significant increase in mean CBF (56.9%) coupled with a significant decrease in mean coronary vascular resistance (CVR, −28.5%). The mean CVR decrease was reduced by cardioselective β-blockade (CBB) or cardiac pacing and eliminated by right stellectomy (RSGx). The combination of CBB with cardiac pacing resulted in a significant increase in mean CVR. α-adrenergic blockade with either phentolamine or prazosin, RSGx, and cardiac pacing significantly reduced the control mean CVR values. Thus, these data suggest that the right coronary response to stress is primarily mediated by the release of metabolic factors secondarily to an increased inotropic or chronotropic state. However, when these metabolic effects were controlled, mean coronary resistance no longer decreased but, rather, increased in response to the aversive stress. This increase could be eliminated by the addition of an α-adrenergic antagonist. These data further suggest that the coronary response to behavioral stress activates an α-adrenergic vasoconstriction.
The mathematics of the polymorphous coherent potential approximation

The original coherent potential approximation (CPA) used for calculating the electronic states in substitutional solid-solution alloys contains the implicit assumption that the alloy is isomorphous. That is, all of the atoms of a given chemical type are assumed to be identical. The extension of the CPA philosophy to treat an alloy model in which all of the atoms are allowed to have distinct charges and potentials is called the polymorphous CPA (PCPA). This extension requires some interesting changes in the mathematical formalism that is used to develop the CPA equations. Aspects of the mathematical formalism of the PCPA will be discussed. In particular, the ergodic theorem from measure theory will be invoked to justify the new equations for the average Green's function.
Microtrons (electron cyclotrons) for X and X band operation

Abstract Certain desirable features of the microtron favor its development as a compact, high energy particle accelerator.When scaled for use at higher frequencies increased compactness results. This article describes two X-band microtrons which have been built and successfully operated and gives the experimental data on their operation. The principles involved in scaling the microtron for X and K-band frequencies are discussed.
Where's the high-grade cervical neoplasia? The importance of minimally abnormal Papanicolaou diagnoses

Abstract %Objective: To characterize the relative contributions of the different abnormal Papanicolaou smear cytologic diagnoses in the Bethesda System to the subsequent histologic diagnosis of high-grade cervical neoplasia. Methods: A total of 46,009 nonpregnant female members of the Kaiser Permanente Health Plan, Northern California Region, were studied prospectively. The main outcome measures included routine Papanicolaou smear diagnoses and subsequent histologic diagnosis of colposcopically directed cervical tissue specimens. Results: Atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) was the most common abnormal Papanicolaou diagnosis, representing 3.6% of the total number of smears. Of the total number of cases of histologically confirmed high-grade cervical neoplasia present in the population, the largest proportion (38.8%) was in women with smears showing ASCUS. Minimal abnormalities combined (ASCUS, atypical glandular cells of undetermined significance, and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion) were coincident with 68.6% of the cases of histologic high-grade cervical neoplasia diagnosed in this routine screening population. Conclusion: Recognition of the importance of equivocal and mild Papanicolaou test abnormalities in the subsequent diagnosis of high-grade cervical neoplasia emphasizes the need for accurate and cost-effective triage of the large population of women with minimally abnormal Papanicolaou diagnoses.
Combination of three lonisation detectors in one gas chromatograph for special applications

A report on detailed tests with the HPD (thermionic detector', tandem FID) has been published by Jentzsch and collaborators [ 1]. Reference is made again to the literature cited in the above report, as a possible source of ideas for clarification of the probable operating principle of this detector. The arrangement used consists of a hollow cylinder, mounted above an FID, for operation in conjunction with the latter. This cylinder is provided with a gas inlet for an additional hydrogen flame and a mount for the electrode delivering the HP signal. A small, coiled platinum capillary, frilled with alkali, is mounted on the flame jet. The Pt lattice expands during the heating process, so that alkali ions diffuse to the surface of the cot. Under the influence of a mechanism which has not as yet been clarified, the alkali ions are detached from the surface and collected to form the signal current. The amount of alkali ions yielded depends on the amount of F, CI, Br, I or P elements present in the combustion products of the pre--connected FID. The signal is accordingly proportional to a halogenstimulated alkali emission.
Misiurewicz Maps are Rare

In any real-analytic family of S-unimodal maps with non-constant combinatorics, the set of parameters corresponding to maps with Misiurewicz (non-recurrent) dynamics has Lebesgue measure zero. In particular, this is the case for the logistic family, answering an old question.
The utility of clinical controversy debates in an ambulatory care elective

Abstract Background Active learning is an essential component in pharmacy education and has become a focus of governing bodies and pharmacy education organizations. Many strategies exist by which faculty can accomplish active learning in the classroom. Methods This study was conducted to determine if clinical controversy debates achieve the course objective to critically evaluate clinical trials and guidelines in order to form and support an opinion regarding a current clinical controversy facing ambulatory care pharmacists today. Debates were based on cases written by instructors, and arguments were based on primary literature identified by students. Students enrolled in an Ambulatory Care Elective responded to a 9-question survey at the completion of the semester, assessing time spent on debate preparation, debate style preference, and assessment of the role of the debates in their learning and skill development. Results There was a 72% response rate (n = 13) from students who completed the course. Results from the survey showed that all students who completed the survey strongly agreed or agreed that the course outcome was met and clinical controversy debates aided in achieving the outcome. Additionally, all students strongly agreed or agreed that the debates improved their ability to apply a clinical trial to a patient and make an evidence-based medicine recommendation. Conclusion The authors conclude that this study illustrates a useful pedagogical strategy for implementing in-class debates into the pharmacy curricula while also enhancing evidence-based medicine and critical thinking skills.
Arsenic Trichloride and Arsenic/Antimony Chlorides as Solvents for Infrared and N.M.R. Spectroscopy:

While somewhat difficult to handle due to its corrosive character, arsenic trichloride has certain solvent properties which make it a useful addition to the list of spectroscopic solvents. Conductiometric titrations have been made using this halide as a solvent (2). The hydrolysis of this chloride to arsenous acid is a reversible reaction unlike the behavior of such a related halide as phosphorus trichloride. It is possible to steam distill arsenic trichloride and it forms no basic salt on hydrolysis. We have found that a clear solution in water can be formed with the halide up to 0.5 per cent by volume of water. Concentrated hydrochloric acid solutions in arsenic trichloride have been found to give spectra similar to that of water in the halide.
DEPOLARIZATION AND LUMINOSITY ISSUES IN A HIGH ENERGY LINEAR COLLIDER

In the next energy frontier of an electron–positron (electron–electron) linear collider its demand of both extreme high energy and high luminosity leads to a high production of W+W- (W- particles). In order to delineate processes of interest, it is advantageous to polarize the electron and positron beams, as this tends to suppress the above known processes and thus heightens the sensitivity to the sought-after processes. We investigate the possible depolarization of the electron (positron) beams in the acceleration stages as well as in the collision point. We take the example of the laser wakefield accelerator design at 5 TeV center of mass energy of colliding beams. We find that in this design the spin depolarization due to the stage jitter noise is certainly negligible, and the depolarization due to the self-generated fields at the collision point is still tolerable. We also consider several lower energy scenarios as they might be possible to achieve in a single beam driven acceleration stage.
Modified procedure for the assay of H3- or C14-labeled hydroxyproline

Abstract Previously published procedures for the assay of radioactively labeled hydroxyproline have been modified so that the assay is simpler, more reproducible, and less affected by the presence of other C 14 - and H 3 -labeled compounds. Although the present procedure measures total radioactive hydroxyproline rather than the specific radioactivity of hydroxyproline, it is more readily applicable to samples from a variety of sources.
Initial adsorption of trimethylsilane on Ge(100) surfaces

Trimethylsilane (TMSiH) was adsorbed onto a Ge(100) surface at a temperature of -150 ± 3°C and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to study the resulting surface species as functions of the TMSiH exposure in Langmuir (L). The core-level C 1s, Si 2p and Ge 3d photoelectrons were monitored after each dosing. It was observed that the C-C bonds are the dominant species formed at the low doses of TMsiH. The second abundant species at the low coverage is the C-Ge bond. This indicated dissociative adsorption of TMSiH molecules onto a clean Ge(100) surface, which is similar to the adsorption of TMSiH molecules onto an Si(100) surface. As the dose increases, the Si-C species gradually increase due to physisorbed TMSiH on top of the C-C- and C-Gecovered surface. This study clearly reveals the growth processes of TMSiH on a Ge(100) surface. The electronegativities of C, Si and Ge and the bond strengths of C-C, C-Si and C-Ge were invoked to discuss the initial formation of C-C and C-Ge on the Ge(100) surface.