cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and post-processing of nanomaterials using microreaction technology

A critical barrier to the routine use of nanomaterials is the tedious, expensive means of their synthesis. Microreaction technology takes advantage of the large surface area-to-volume ratios within microchannel structures to accelerate heat and mass transport. This accelerated transport allows for rapid changes in reaction temperatures and concentrations leading to more uniform heating and mixing which can have dramatic impacts on macromolecular yields and nanoparticle size distributions. Benefits of microreaction technology include higher yield and reactant conversion, better energy efficiency and less by-product generation. Microreactors can help minimize the environmental impact of nanoproduction by enabling solvent free mixing, integrated separation techniques and reagent recycling. The possibility of synthesizing nanomaterials in the required volumes at the point-of-use eliminates the need to store and transport potentially hazardous materials and provides the flexibility for tailoring complex functional nanomaterials. Recognizing these benefits for nanosynthesis, continuous flow microreactors have been used by several research groups to synthesize and characterize nanomaterials. An overview of these efforts and issues related to scale up and other post synthesis processes such as separation and deposition are presented in this paper.
Harnessing scorpionate ligand equilibria for modeling reduced nickel superoxide dismutase intermediates.

Hydrotris(3-phenyl-5-methylpyrazoyl)boratonickel(II) complexes with organoxanthate or dithiocarbamate coligands equilibrate between κ2- and κ3-chelation modes of the scorpionate ligand in solution, connecting N2S2 square-planar and N3S2 pyramidal ligand fields and a spin crossover. The complexes also exhibit quasi-reversible oxidations at low anodic potentials, thus modeling the structure, dynamics, and redox reactivity of the reduced NiSOD active site.
Immunosuppressive regimens in lung transplant recipients

A lung transplant is usually the last resort treatment for lung failure. Since the introduction of cyclosporine A, success rates after solid organ transplantation began to rise, following an incremental curve over the last decade, in which further development of biological agents and newer immunosuppressive agents has continued to improve outcomes after transplantation. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, as well as efficacy and safety data from clinical trials with immunosuppressive agents and biological agents currently available, are reviewed here.
Ankle inversion injury and hypermobility: Effect on hip and ankle muscle electromyography onset latency

Abstract Objective: Changes in reflexes associated with chronically sprained ankles were examined by measuring the reflex response latency of hip and ankle muscles during instantaneous ankle/foot inversion. Design: Randomized trials. Setting: All studies were performed in the Research Department laboratories at a major rehabilitation center in a large metropolitan area. Patients and Other Participants: Twenty subjects were assigned to 2 groups (normal and hypermobile) based on goniometry testing. Subjects were recruited from hospital and University staff and had a mean age of 31 ± 5 years. Outcome Measures: Subjects stood on a platform constructed such that either foot/ankle could be instantaneously inverted. Latency was measured by EMG surface electrodes placed over the right and left gluteus medius and peroneal muscles. Two-factor analysis of variance was calculated to determine significant muscle onset latency differences ( p Results: Significant EMG latency differences were found in comparing right gluteus medius of the hypermobile group (127.35 ± 6.02msec) with the normal group (150.49 ± 6.49msec) during right ankle perturbation, and the left gluteus medius of the hypermobile group (120.71 ± 6.16msec) with the normal group (136.24 ± 5.88msec) during left ankle perturbation. Conclusions: These data suggest that there is decreased latency of hip muscle activation after ankle inversion in the hypermobile population. In treating ankle instability, clinicians must decide to address the altered hip muscle recruitment pattern or accept this recruitment pattern as an injury-adaptive strategy and thus accept unknown long-term consequences of premature muscle activation (ie, possible articular predisposition to degenerative changes, altered joint reaction forces, and muscle imbalances).
Moment Features in Directional Subband Domain for Rotation Invariant Texture Classification

This paper presents a study on moment features in directional subband domain for rotation invariant texture image classification. The directional subband decomposition is obtained through a biorthogonal angular filter bank. Moment features are extracted from each directional subband. Two rotation invariant feature generation techniques are examined, including eigenanalysis of covariance matrix and DFT encoding. Feature vectors are further classified by multi-class linear discriminant analysis (LDA). LDA training is based on feature vectors collected from non-rotated training images, and test is performed on images rotated at various angles. Experimental results are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of directional subband domain feature extraction method for rotation invariant classification. Performance of various feature sets are compared, and the best feature combination is presented
The interACT model: Considering rape prevention from a performance activism and social justice perspective

Although a number of rape prevention programs exist, the interACT Troupe is distinguished by their commitment to social justice pedagogy and proactive performance. Influenced by critical pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed, interACT uses embodied techniques aligned with feminist pedagogies to raise awareness, promote empathic responses, challenge (hyper)masculinity and encourage bystander interventions.
The segmental origin of the appendages of the head and anterior body segments of a spiroboloid milliped, Narceus annularis.

Study of a series of embryos showed that the spiroboloid leg arrangement (1 pair of legs on each of the first 5 segments) is derived from the typical leg arrangement (no legs on segment 1, 1 pair on segments 2 through 4, and 2 pairs on segment 5) by a shifting forward one segment of the first four pairs of legs. A careful re-examination of the literature, especially papers by Robinson ('07), Silvestri ('03, '49), Pflugfelder ('32), and Manton ('61), combined with observations of Narceus embryos led to the conclusion that (1) the anterior body segments are primatively single (2) the gnathochilarium is composed of only one pair of mouthparts, the diplopod head having but two gnathal segments, and (3) the intercalary segment is present in the Diplopoda.
Integrated fibres for self-monitored optical transport

The ability to integrate distinct functional elements into a single device structure enables the realization of systems with higher-level functionality. Here we report on the design and fabrication of a fibre device structure that contains integrated optical, electrical and thermal elements for self-monitored optical transport. The fibre transmission element uses a hollow-core multilayer cylindrical photonic bandgap structure1,2 designed to guide high-power radiation at 10.6 μm along the fibre axis3. Multiple thermal-detection elements are placed in the vicinity of the hollow core for the purpose of temperature monitoring along the entire fibre length. Metal wires bridged by a semiconductor layer extend along the length of the fibre and deliver an electrical response to the fibre ends on change in the fibre temperature. The multimaterial fibre is drawn at high speeds from a single preform4 to produce extended lengths of optically and thermally functional fibres. The exponential dependence on temperature of the electrical conductivity of the semiconducting material allows for the discrimination, in real time, between normal transmission conditions and those that are indicative of localized defect formation, thus enabling a self-monitoring high-power optical transmission line for failure prediction and prevention.
Factors influencing risks and outcomes in end-user development

End-user developed applications introduce many control risks into organizations. Literature suggests that influencing factors include developer experience, design approach, application type, problem complexity, time pressure, and presence or absence of review procedures. The research explores the impacts of different design approaches through two field experiments evaluating the use versus non-use of a structured design methodology when developing complex spreadsheets. Our results indicated that subjects using the methodology showed a significant reduction in the number of "linking errors", i.e., mistakes in creating links between values that must flow from one area of the spreadsheet to another or from one worksheet to another in a common workbook. We also observed that factors such as gender, application expertise, and workgroup configuration influenced spreadsheet error rates as well.
Evolutionary and ecological correlates of early seedling morphology in East African trees and shrubs

Seed size and cotyledon morphology are two key juvenile traits that have evolved in response to changes in plant species life-history strategies and habitat associations. Correlations of these traits with each other and with other juvenile traits were examined for 70 species of trees and shrubs in Kibale National Park, Uganda. Although species with photosynthetic cotyledons were more abundant than in other tropical floras, both univariate and multivariate analyses supported trait associations expected from the literature. Trait values varied continuously across species, yet mean trait values differed significantly among habitat association types. Species with large seeds, large seedlings, thick storage cotyledons, slow germination, large-stature adults, and dispersal by large animals were common in forest and gap habitats. An opposite suite of traits was common in open habitats (grassland and edge). Analyses incorporating phylogeny (independent contrasts and omnibus tests) confirmed that these suites of traits showed correlated evolution. Cotyledon functional morphology yielded a strong phylogenetic signal, while seed mass was labile. Nevertheless, contingent change tests found that evolutionary change from photosynthetic to reserve cotyledons was more likely when disperser and perhaps seed size of ancestral species were already large, suggesting a strong interdependency among these traits.
Enhanced Osteoblast Functions on Nanophase Titania in Poly-lactic-co-glycolic Acid (PLGA) Composites

Much work is needed in the design of more effective bone tissue engineering materials to induce the growth of normal bone tissue. Nanotechnology offers exciting alternatives to traditional bone implants since bone itself is a nanostructured material composed of nanofibered hydroxyapatite well-dispersed in a mostly collagen matrix. For this purpose, poly-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) was dissolved in chloroform and nanometer grain size titania was dispersed by various sonication powers from 0 W to 166 W. Previous results demonstrated that the dispersion of titania in PLGA was enhanced by increasing the intensity of sonication and that greater osteoblast (bone-forming cells) adhesion correlated with improved nanophase titania dispersion in PLGA. However, adhesion of osteoblasts to material surfaces, alone, is not adequate to determine long-term functions of implant materials. For this reason, and as a next step to determine the efficacy of nanocomposites in bone applications, subsequent functions of osteoblasts on nanophase titania/PLGA composites were investigated in vitro in this study. For the first time, results correlated better osteoblast long-term functions, specifically the deposition of calcium-containing mineral, with improved nanophase titania dispersions in PLGA. In this manner, the present study demonstrated that PLGA composites with well-dispersed nanophase titania can improve osteoblast functions necessary for the further investigation of these materials in orthopedic applications.
Oncogenic levels of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling of the dinucleotide KRAS2 mutations G12F and GG12-13VC.

We previously reported the occurrence of novel dinucleotide mutations of the K-RAS gene (KRAS2) in 2% of pancreatic tumors sampled, but it remained unknown whether these were functional mutations that convert the proto-oncogene to an oncogene, or unselected mutations that might inactivate protein function. In the current study, the functionality of these rare mutations was quantitated via a mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway-specific transactivational reporter system. Pathway activation by dinucleotide mutant proteins was comparable to that of the common G12V mutant K-Ras protein. Current allele-specific technologies often employed to detect K-RAS mutations in clinical tumor samples produce false results when dinucleotide mutations are present. Therefore, it is advisable to consider dinucleotide KRAS2 mutants in the strategic design of mutational screens used to assay clinical tumor samples. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Classifying North Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Tracks by Mass Moments

A new method for classifying tropical cyclones or similar features is introduced. The cyclone track is considered as an open spatial curve, with the wind speed or power information along the curve considered to be a mass attribute. The first and second moments of the resulting object are computed and then used to classify the historical tracks using standard clustering algorithms. Mass moments allow the whole track shape, length, and location to be incorporated into the clustering methodology. Tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic basin are clustered with K-means by mass moments, producing an optimum of six clusters with differing genesis locations, track shapes, intensities, life spans, landfalls, seasonal patterns, and trends. Even variables that are not directly clustered show distinct separation between clusters. A trend analysis confirms recent conclusions of increasing tropical cyclones in the basin over the past two decades. However, the trends vary across clusters.
New graduate nurse preceptor program: A collaborative approach with academia

The purpose of this project involved partnering experienced nursing faculty with hospital educators to enhance an existing preceptor program. The existing preceptor program consists of a six week program designed to facilitate the new graduate nurse during transition from student nurse to graduate nurse. The aim of the project was to promote preceptor and preceptor trainer competency. The project was designed to increase job satisfaction and retention of new graduate nurses as the nursing shortage escalates. Paired t -test of preceptor perceptions of ability to motivate, guide and educate, and evaluate new graduate nurses revealed significantly increased confidence for each of these items following completion of the preceptor training and precepting experience. The results from this study provide health care organizations, hospital educators, and faculty nurse educators with encouraging findings indicating the benefits of continued partnerships between academia and practice settings.
Synthesis and characterization of copolymers with alternating 1,4-bis(5'-acetyl-2'-thienyl)benzene or 1,3-bis(5'- acetyl-2'-thienyl)benzene chromophore and disiloxane units

Activated (Ph3P)3RuH2CO (Ru) catalyzed copolymerization of 1,4-bis(5'-acetyl-2'-thienyl)benzene (I) and 1,3-divinyltetramethyldisiloxane (II) yields alt-copoly[3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-4-oxa-3,5-disila-1,7-heptanylene/2',2"-diacetyl-5',5"-(1,4-benzene)-3',3"-bis (thiophenylene)] (III). On the other hand, Ru catalyzed copolymerization of 1,3-bis(5'-acetyl-2'-thienyl)benzene (IV) and II fails. Nevertheless, Ru catalyzed reaction of IV with excess vinylpentamethyldisiloxane (V) yields 1,3-bis(4'-pentamethyldisiloxy-ethyl-5'-acetyl-2'-thienyl)benzene (VI). VI undergoes acid catalyzed siloxane equilibration polymerization to give alt-copoly[3,3,5,5-tetramethyl-4-oxa-3,5-disila-1,7-heptanylene/2',2"-diacetyl-5',5"-(1,3-benzene)-3',3"-bis(thiophenylene)] (VII) and hexamethyldisiloxane. Copolymers III and VII have been characterized.
Quantifying Animal Spirits: News Media and Sentiment in the Housing Market

This paper develops first measures of housing sentiment for 34 cities across the U.S. by quantifying the qualitative tone of local housing news. I find that housing media sentiment has significant predictive power for future house prices, above and beyond his- torically predictive factors and past returns. Sentiment leads price movements by more than two years, and is highly correlated with available survey expectations measures. The structure of the media sentiment index itself reflects a backward-looking nature consistent with extrapolative expectations. Consistent with theories of sentiment, the media sentiment index has a greater effect in markets with more minority homebuyers, more speculative investors, and across lower-priced homes. Including additional controls for subprime lending and easy credit has no impact on the magnitude of the results, but the predictive effect of sentiment is amplified in markets where more subprime loans were issued. Directly investigating the content across news articles finds that results are not driven by news stories of unobserved fundamentals.
Post-CMOS Compatible Aluminum Nitride MEMS Filters and Resonant Sensors

This paper reports post-CMOS compatible aluminum nitride (AlN) MEMS resonators, filters, and resonant sensors for the miniaturization of radio-frequency transceivers and sensor systems. Utilizing a resonator with two closely spaced modes, 2nd order MEMS filters occupying 0.06 mm2 have been realized in a single device. Methods for tuning the bandwidth and center frequency of these filters lithographically have been demonstrated. A 0.5% bandwidth, 108.4 MHz dual mode filter has a measured insertion loss of 9.4 dB with 50 Omega termination which can be reduced to 4.7 dB by terminating the filter with 75 Omega. In order to scale MEMS resonators to higher frequencies without increasing the size or impedance, resonators selectively driven at a harmonic determined by interdigitated drive and sense electrodes have been demonstrated reaching frequencies of 796 MHz with impedances of approximately 100 Omega and quality factors in excess of 750 in air. In the same process resonant sensors based on AlN double-ended tuning fork (DETF) sensing beams have been demonstrated at 727 kHz with quality factors of 2160. An oscillator based on the DETF sensing beams achieves a phase noise of -81 dBc/Hz at 275 Hz offset from the carrier. A 100 ng mass coupled to a pair of DETF sensors achieves an acceleration sensitivity of 565 mG/radicHz for accelerations from 275 to 1100 Hz.
Server switching: yesterday and tomorrow

Server switches distribute incoming request traffic across the nodes of Internet server clusters and Web proxy cache arrays. These switches are a standard building block for large-scale Internet services, with many commercial products on the market. As Internet applications and service architectures continue to evolve, the role of server switches and the demands on their request routing policies will also change. This paper explores inter-related factors shaping the role of server switching. These factors include the emergence of content delivery networks, the increasing prevalence of dynamic content, persistent connections in the HTTP 1.1 standard, the changing nature of Web server clusters and the opportunities to apply server switching techniques to service protocols other than HTTP. We outline the potential role of server switches in virtualizing IP-based storage protocols and as a foundation for adaptive resource provisioning in server clusters.
Prediction and diagnosis of clinical outcomes affecting restoration margins

Summary The longevity of dental restorations is largely dependent on the continuity at the interface between the restorative material and adjacent tooth structure (the restoration margin). Clinical decisions on restoration repair or replacement are usually based upon the weakest point along that margin interface. Physical properties of a restorative material, such as polymerisation shrinkage, water sorption, solubility, elastic modulus and shear strength, all have an effect on stress distribution and can significantly affect margin integrity. This review will focus on two aspects of margin deterioration in the oral environment: the in vitro testing of margin seal using emersion techniques to simulate the oral environment and to predict clinical margin failure and the relationship between clinically observable microleakage and secondary caries. The many variables associated with in vitro testing of marginal leakage and the interpretation of the data are presented in detail. The most recent studies of marginal leakage mirror earlier methodology and lack validity and reliability. The lack of standardised testing procedures makes it impossible to compare studies or to predict the clinical performance of adhesive materials. Continual repeated in vitro studies contribute little to the science in this area. Clinical evidence is cited to refute earlier conclusions that clinical microleakage (penetrating margin discoloration) leads to caries development and is an indication for restoration replacement. Margin defects, without visible evidence of soft dentin on the wall or base of the defect, should be monitored, repaired or resealed, in lieu of total restoration replacement.
Optimization of the Wound Scratch Assay to Detect Changes in Murine Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Migration After Damage by Soluble Cigarette Smoke Extract

Cell migration is vital to many physiological and pathological processes including tissue development, repair, and regeneration, cancer metastasis, and inflammatory responses. Given the current interest in the role of mesenchymal stromal cells in mediating tissue repair, we are interested in quantifying the migratory capacity of these cells, and understanding how migratory capacity may be altered after damage. Optimization of a rigorously quantitative migration assay that is both easy to customize and cost-effective to perform is key to answering questions concerning alterations in cell migration in response to various stimuli. Current methods for quantifying cell migration, including scratch assays, trans-well migration assays (Boyden chambers), micropillar arrays, and cell exclusion zone assays, possess a range of limitations in reproducibility, customizability, quantification, and cost-effectiveness. Despite its prominent use, the scratch assay is confounded by issues with reproducibility related to damage of the cell microenvironment, impediments to cell migration, influence of neighboring senescent cells, and cell proliferation, as well as lack of rigorous quantification. The optimized scratch assay described here demonstrates robust outcomes, quantifiable and image-based analysis capabilities, cost-effectiveness, and adaptability to other applications.
Second-generation everolimus-eluting stents and the beat goes on?

The past decade has seen a tremendous evolution in percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) stent technology ([1][1]). The superiority of the first generation of drug-eluting stents (DES) over bare-metal stents (BMS) to reduce restenosis and repeat revascularization was demonstrated with sirolimus-
INTERPLAY OF SHOCK-INDUCED MELTING AND ALLOYING IN NANOSTRUCTURED MULTILAYER FILMS

We identify a shock-induced melting and great facilities of the melting in accelerating subsequent alloying reactions in nanostructured Ni/Al multilayer films using a novel molecular dynamics technique, which captures the initial shock transit as well as the subsequent long time scale alloying process. We observe a pronounced increase of the pressure in the melting process (i.e., a process of coexistence of solid and liquid phases). As soon as the melting completes, the temperature increases dramatically indicating a start of explosive alloying reactions and the pressure starts to decrease. The pressure going up or down is determined by the competition between melting and alloying reactions.
Total spinal following labour epidural analgesia managed with non-invasive ventilation.

A 30-year-old woman developed total spinal anaesthesia during establishment of labour analgesia via an epidural catheter. The subsequent respiratory failure was successfully managed with non-invasive ventilation. This report describes the use of non-invasive ventilation in the parturient and the process of managing the parturient safely in an appropriately monitored environment. This case displays the potential benefit of this technique in the setting of a total spinal block in preventing the need for intubation and ventilation (and subsequent emergency caesarean section) and providing adequate ventilatory function until the block subsided adequately.
The Influence of Precollege Access Programs on Postsecondary Enrollment and Persistence

Using a nationally representative longitudinal data-set, we examine the influence of precollege access programs on high school achievement, college preparation, postsecondary enrollment, and postse...
The Loss of Ear Tags in the Gray Fox and Raccoon

In a study of population dynamics of the gray fox ( Urocyon cinereoargenteus ) in northwestern Florida, 145 foxes and 268 raccoons were marked and released. One hundred foxes were marked with two ear tags (National Band and Tag Co., Size No. 3) one in each ear, twenty-two foxes received two ear tags and also an ear tattoo, and twenty-three foxes received only the ear tattoo. Of the raccoons, 202 received only one …
Prevention of Hypertension Is Associated with Reduced Susceptibility to Histamine-induced Arrhythmias in SHR

Two groups of spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were treated with alpha-methyldopa (2.5 g/L in drinking water) for 12-17 weeks. One group was treated during the normal time course for development of hypertension and myocardial hypertrophy (beginning at age 4 weeks), while the other was treated after stabilization of hypertension/hypertrophy (21 weeks). Appropriate age-matched controls (WKY strain) also were treated. Intracellular microelectrodes were used to monitor action potential configuration, automaticity, and the incidence of arrhythmias (including delayed afterdepolarizations and repetitive tachyarrhythmias) in isolated left ventricles from each group. The younger rats did not develop hypertension of left ventricular hypertrophy; susceptibility of isolated left ventricles to histamine-induced (10(-5) M) arrhythmogenesis was significantly reduced. The older rats showed decreased blood pressure, although not to normal levels; further left ventricular hypertrophy was prevented, though the existing enlargement did not regress. These hearts were as susceptible to the development of histamine-induced arrhythmias as were hearts of untreated SHR. Enhanced susceptibility to arrhythmias in hypertrophied hearts reflects a preventable alteration of the myocardial cell membrane that occurs during the course of blood pressure elevation. This change may be associated with defective sarcolemmal calcium transport in hypertrophied myocardium.
Robotic surgery: current perceptions and the clinical evidence.

It appears that a discrepancy exists between the perception of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) and the current clinical evidence regarding robotic-assisted surgery among patients, healthcare providers, and hospital administrators. The purpose of this study was to assess whether or not such a discrepancy exists. We administered survey questionnaires via face-to-face interviews with surgical patients (n = 101), healthcare providers (n = 58), and senior members of hospital administration (n = 6) at a community hospital that performs robotic surgery. The respondents were asked about their perception regarding the infection rate, operative time, operative blood loss, incision size, cost, length of hospital stay (LOS), risk of complications, precision and accuracy, tactile sensation, and technique of robotic-assisted surgery as compared with conventional laparoscopic surgery. We then performed a comprehensive literature review to assess whether or not these perceptions could be corroborated with clinical evidence. The majority of survey respondents perceived RAS as modality to decrease infection rate, increase operative time, decrease operative blood loss, smaller incision size, a shorter LOS, and a lower risk of complications, while increasing the cost. Respondents also believed that robotic surgery provides greater precision, accuracy, and tactile sensation, while improving intra-operative access to organs. A comprehensive literature review found little-to-no clinical evidence that supported the respondent’s favorable perceptions of robotic surgery except for the increased costs, and precision and accuracy of the robotic-assisted technique. There is a discrepancy between the perceptions of robotic surgery and the clinical evidence among patients, healthcare providers, and hospital administrators surveyed.
Cellular K+ loss and anion efflux during myocardial ischemia and metabolic inhibition

It has been suggested that increased K+ efflux during myocardial hypoxia and ischemia may result from efflux of intracellularly generated anions such as lactate and inorganic phosphate (Pi) as a mechanism of balancing transsarcolemmal charge movement. To investigate this hypothesis cellular K+ loss using 42K+ and K+-sensitive electrodes, intracellular potential, venous lactate and Pi, and tissue lactate and high-energy phosphates were measured in isolated arterially perfused rabbit interventricular septa during exposure to metabolic inhibitors, hypoxia, and ischemia. Selective inhibition of glycolysis caused a marked increase in K+ efflux despite a fall in lactate production and maintenance of normal cellular high-energy phosphate content. During ischemia and hypoxia net loss of lactate and Pi exceeded K+ loss by a factor of 2-6. However, removal of glucose prior to ischemia or during hypoxia increased K+ loss but reduced lactate loss without affecting Pi loss. During hypoxia, 30 mM exogenous lactate did not alter K+ loss in a manner consistent with changes in passive electrodiffusion of lactate ion. These findings inhibition which is not related to anion efflux assumes greater importance under conditions in which glycolysis is inhibited, e.g., ischemia. Under conditions in which glycolysis is not inhibited, e.g., hypoxia, K+ efflux does not parallel passive electrodiffusion of lactate ions. However, this finding does not exclude the possibility that K+ loss could be coupled to carrier-mediated lactate ion efflux.
Consensus, Authority, and the Interpretive Community in the Thought of Muḥammad b. Jarīr al-Ṭabarī

Examination of al-Ṭabarī’s oeuvre as a whole reveals certain patterns that cut across fields. The following article addresses the concept of ḥujja, which is related to his understanding of consensus. It has been pointed out that al-Ṭabarī uses the term ḥujja (‘proof’) with two quite different meanings in his Qur'anic commentary, Jāmiʿ al-bayān. In one sense, ḥujja designates a proof such as a Qur'anic verse, a ḥadīth report, or an instance of consensus. In the second sense, ḥujja refers to particular people, scholars of the past whom al-Ṭabarī considers the most prominent authorities in a particular field. Al-Ṭabarī uses the term in a similar fashion in the extant sections of his legal work Ikhtilāf al-fuqahāʾ, and examination of the two works in combination reveals regularities in al-Ṭabarī’s understanding of hermeneutics across fields, including law, Qur'anic variants (qirāʾāt), and Qur'anic exegesis (tafsīr). His use of the term ḥujja implies that he conceived of the interpretive community in tafsīr an...
Order Statistics and an Experiment in Software Design

Not long ago, most introductory undergraduate statistics courses were taught without the use of computers. But now, it is common practice to introduce computing as part of such courses. Conversely, with current trends toward teaching techniques of structured programming and requiring ample documentation, it is useful to introduce elementary statistics into an undergraduate’s first programming course. As an example, we examine a programming assignment, given to the members of a class studying FORTRAN, to develop methods of analyzing order statistics of random samples, exceedances thereof, and related waiting times. The students, who were required to work in teams and to perform alphanumeric manipulations, were thereby compelled to develop well structured programs and to provide usable documentation.
Beyond Anthracyclines: Preemptive Management of Cardiovascular Toxicity in the Era of Targeted Agents for Hematologic Malignancies

Advances in drug discovery have led to the use of effective targeted agents in the treatment of hematologic malignancies. Drugs such as proteasome inhibitors in multiple myeloma and tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic myeloid leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma have changed the face of treatment of hematologic malignancies. There are several reports of cardiovascular adverse events related to these newer agents. Both “on-target” and “off-target” effects of these agents can cause organ-specific toxicity. The need for long-term administration for most of these agents requires continued monitoring of toxicity. Moreover, the patient population is older, often over 50 years of age, making them more susceptible to cardiovascular side effects. Additional factors such as prior exposure to anthracyclines often add to this toxicity. In light of their success and widespread use, it is important to recognize and manage the unique side effect profile of targeted agents used in hematologic malignancies. In this article, we review the current data for the incidence of cardiovascular side effects of targeted agents in hematologic malignancies and discuss a preemptive approach towards managing these toxicities.
Projected Control Graph for Accurate and Efficient Analysis of Safety and Security Vulnerabilities

The goal of path-sensitive analysis (PSA) is to achieve accuracy by accounting precisely for the execution behavior along each path of a control flow graph (CFG). A practical adoption of PSA is hampered by two roadblocks: (a) the exponential growth of the number of CFG paths, and (b) the exponential complexity of a path feasibility check. We introduce projected control graph (PCG) as an optimal mathematical abstraction to address these roadblocks.The PCG follows from the simple observation that for any given analysis problem, the number of distinct relevant execution behaviors may be much smaller than the number of CFG paths. The PCG is a projection of the CFG to retain only the relevant execution behaviors and elide duplicate paths with identical execution behavior. A mathematical definition of PCG and an efficient algorithm to transform CFG to PCG are presented.We present an empirical study for three major versions of the Linux kernel to assess the practical benefit of using the optimal mathematical abstraction. As a measure of the efficiency gain, the study reports the reduction from CFG to PCG graphs for all relevant functions for pairing Lock and Unlock on all feasible execution paths. We built a tool to compute these graphs for 66,609 Lock instances. The CFG and PCG graphs with their source correspondence are posted on a website. We used these PCG graphs in a classroom project to audit the results of Lock and Unlock pairing done by the Linux Driver Verification (LDV) tool, the top-rated formal verification tool for the Linux kernel. Our audit has revealed complex Linux bugs missed by LDV.
The Effects of Vehicle Mixtures on Transdermal Absorption: Thermodynamics, Mechanisms, Assessment, and Prediction

In industrial settings, dermal exposure to toxic substances usually occurs with the substance carried in a liquid mixture. The mixture may contain solvents used in extraction processes, reaction by-products, wetting agents, surfactants, etc. For pharmaceutical applications, a dosing vehicle is used to stabilize the formulation and modulate absorption. In either case, the composition of the vehicle affects the thermodynamic and transport properties of the penetrant. The ability to predict the effect of vehicle composition on the relevant properties of the penetrant and model exposure to the penetrant would be valuable for evaluating risk in toxic exposure or maximizing the therapeutic value in pharmaceutical applications. This chapter exhibits some of the most recent works in the modeling and prediction of skin permeability from complex vehicle mixtures.
Policy Regime Juxtaposition in Latin America

Este articulo tiene tres objetivos principales, cada uno con el animo de ampliar el estudio de las politicas subnacionales para incluir la yuxtaposicion de regimenes de politicas, y no solo los regimenes politicos. Primero, identifica las causas que ayudan a explicar por que estamos viendo mas heterogeneidad territorial dentro de los paises, en terminos de la busqueda de modelos ideologicamente divergentes de desarrollo en diferentes niveles de gobierno. Segundo, el articulo evalua la importancia de esta tendencia al analizar las principales ventajas y desventajas de la yuxtaposicion de regimenes de politicas. Tercero, considera la pregunta de por que los funcionarios subnacionales pueden defender ideologicamente divergentes regimenes de politicas en algunos casos, mas no en otros. Con base en los casos de Bolivia, Ecuador y Peru, mi argumento enfatiza la importancia de dos factores cruciales: capacidad y coaliciones
Innate Immune Receptors as Competitive Determinants of Cell Fate

Infections can cause a multitude of stresses on the host and microbe. To detect potential infections, the mammalian immune system utilizes several families of pattern recognition receptors, which survey the intracellular and extracellular environments for microbial products. Members of each receptor family induce antimicrobial effector responses, which include inflammatory cytokine or interferon expression, downregulation of protein synthesis, or host cell death. In this review, we discuss the benefits of each of these innate immune responses. We highlight how non-infectious bacteria and viruses typically activate a single family of receptors, which results in a predictable host response. Infections with virulent pathogens, in contrast, may activate receptors from distinct families. As each receptor family may induce responses that antagonize or synergize with the activities of another family, cell fate decisions during pathogenic encounters are unpredictable. Understanding the antagonistic antimicrobial activities of the innate immune system should provide insight into how cell fate decisions are made during infections and potentially during other environmental stresses.
Failing to Learn, or Learning to Fail? Accounting for Persistence in the Acquisition of Spiritual Disciplines

Failures abound in religious and spiritual life: Religious prophecies can fail to come to fruition, prayers sometimes go unanswered, and adherents are often unable to feel God’s presence. Experiences of perceived failure and personal shortcoming — especially when frequent or salient — can erode religious commitment. How then can we account for individuals’ persistence in the face of these experiences? Drawing on fieldwork in two organizations dedicated to the transmission of personal spiritual disciplines — an Integral Yoga studio and a Catholic prayer house — I find that texts and teachers at both sites promote a similar interpretive style related to experiences of shortcoming, one which translates perceived failures into constitutive features of practice. In doing so, this authoritative discourse normalizes, universalizes, and even valorizes the most common sources of frustration and anxiety for practitioners. More, I find that this interpretive style is tied to both identity and progress: The enactment of these socially-sanctioned scripts becomes a way to project oneself and to identify others as committed and authentic practitioners. More broadly, this research draws attention to the ubiquity of failure in cultural systems, and to the challenges posed by these events. Drawing on insights from social psychology and cultural sociology, it reveals the importance of organizations, social interaction, and meaning-making in accounting for persistence.
Matrices and Linear Equations

Algebra is one of the great branches of mathematics, with analysis, geometry, number theory and foundations. Its origins are in antiquity. During the nineteenth century, like analysis, it blossomed in a remarkable way, and in this century it continues vigorous growth in both pure and applied directions.
Characterization and Crystallization of A Highly Active Cytochrome b6f Complex from the Thermophilic Cyanobacterium, Mastigocladus Laminosus

The cytochrome b6f complex, one of four integral protein complexes in the oxygenic photosynthetic membrane, mediates electron transport, H+ translocation, and generation of the electrochemical proton gradient (1–3), and may also participate in other non-bioenergetic functions, such as activation of a redox-controlled protein kinase (4). The polypeptide content of the b6f complex, purified from spinach chloroplasts (5) or the green alga, C. reinhardtii (6), includes 4 proteins of Mr > 17,000, all of which contain redox prosthetic groups (cytochromesf, b6, Rieske protein) and/or participate in quinone binding: the petA gene product, cytochrome f (MW = 32,038 in spinach chloroplasts); petB, cytochrome b6 (MW = 24,166); the petC Rieske [2Fe-2S] protein (MW = 19,116); and subunit IV (MW = 17,445). The complex also contains 3 small chloroplast-encoded hydrophobic subunits, petG (7), petM (8), and petL (9) consisting of 37, 39, and 32 residues. The molecular weight of the monomeric complex of 7 polypeptide components with unity stoichiometry, together with prosthetic groups, is approximately 110 kDa. The number of trans-membrane a-helices in the monomeric complex, inferred from nucleotide sequences and biochemical topography and binding studies, is 12 (4 in PetB, 3 in PetD, 1 each in PetA, C, G, L, and M). A dimeric b6f complex (10), would include 24 trans-membrane α-helices and have a molecular weight ≈ 220 kDa.
Surgical Palliation of Right Aortic Arch With an Isolated Innominate Artery From the Left Ductus Arteriosus

A right aortic arch with an isolated left innominate artery from the left patent ductus arteriosus is a rare arch anomaly, and establishing continuity between the innominate artery and aorta can be challenging. We describe repair of this lesion in a three-week-old male using an autologous pedicle flap of ascending aorta as well as a homograft patch as the roof to recreate continuity between the aorta and left innominate artery.
Dirac Operator on the Podleś Sphere

The spectral problem for the Dirac operator on the Podleś sphere is discussed and solved in one of its possible formulations. The standard constructions for the Dirac operator on classical symmetric spaces and the spectrum of the Dirac operator on the classical two-dimensional sphere are recalled. The problem of defining a spinor structure on a quantum space is discussed and the definitions of a classical spinor structure and Dirac operator according to Ðurdevich are sketched. The Dirac operator for the Podles´ quantum sphere treated as a quotient space of SμU(2) is constructed using the Woronowicz left-covariant calculus over this quantum group. The spectrum of the operator is obtained. Disagreement of its asymptotic behavior with Connes' axiom of noncommutative spectral geometry is stressed.
Career Exploration with Women Using the Non-Sexist Vocational Card Sort and the Self-Directed Search.

This study investigated the effects of participating in a career-exploration exercise on breadth of careers considered, stimulation of vocational information-seeking behaviors, and satisfaction wit...
Single institution retrospective review of patients with primary CNS lymphoma (PCNSL).

e19078Background: Primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSL) are a rare type of b cell lymphoma, confined to the CNS, the majority of which are Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphomas (DLBCL). Despite...
Fecal microbiota transplantation in recurrent Clostridium difficile infection: A retrospective single-center chart review.

Background and aim Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) has been proposed as a treatment option for patients with recurrent Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infection but remains a novel option. We examined if FMT is an effective means of treating recurrent C. difficile infection. Methods A retrospective review of 35 patients who underwent FMT was completed. Demographics and other variables, including the use of proton pump inhibitor therapy and history of inflammatory bowel disease, were collected. Results Twenty-five patients (71.4%) belonged to a high-risk population (working in a hospital setting, rehabilitation center, or nursing facility) and a total of 74.3% of patients (n = 26 patients) had no history of proton pump inhibitor use. Twenty-five patients (71.4%) had used metronidazole prior to transplantation, 35 patients (100%) had used vancomycin, and 7 patients (20%) had used fidaxomicin for prior infection. Four patients (11.4%) had used all three antibiotics during prior treatment. Of the eight patients who had a history of inflammatory bowel disease, six (75%) experienced resolution of symptoms after transplantation. A total of 30 patients (85.7%) had resolution of their symptoms 6-8 weeks' posttransplant, while 5 patients (14.3%) continued to have symptoms. Conclusions Our retrospective chart review supports that patients benefit from FMT in the setting of recurrent C. difficile infection.
Bioprinting of stem cell expansion lattices

Stem cells have great potential in regenerative medicine, with neural progenitor cells (NPCs) being developed as a therapy for many central nervous system diseases and injuries. However, one limitation to the clinical translation of stem cells is the resource-intensive, two-dimensional culture protocols required for biomanufacturing a clinically-relevant number of cells. This challenge can be overcome in an easy-to-produce and cost-effective 3D platform by bioprinting NPCs in a layered lattice structure. Here we demonstrate that alginate biopolymers are an ideal bioink for expansion lattices and do not require chemical modifications for effective NPC expansion. Alginate bioinks that are lightly crosslinked prior to printing can shield printed NPCs from potential mechanical damage caused by printing. NPCs within alginate expansion lattices remain in a stem-like state while undergoing a 2.5-fold expansion. Importantly, we demonstrate the ability to efficiently remove NPCs from printed lattices for future down-stream use as a cell-based therapy. These results demonstrate that 3D bioprinting of alginate expansion lattices is a viable and economical platform for NPC expansion that could be translated to clinical applications.
Mass Tort Deals: Backroom Bargaining in Multidistrict Litigation

Mass-tort lawsuits over products like pelvic and hernia mesh, Roundup, opioids, talcum powder, and hip implants consume a substantial part of the federal civil caseload. But multidistrict litigation, which federal courts use to package these individual tort suits into one proceeding, has not been extensively analyzed. In Mass Tort Deals, Elizabeth Chamblee Burch marshals a wide array of empirical data to suggest that a systematic lack of checks and balances in our courts may benefit everyone but the plaintiffs - the very people who are often unable to stand up for themselves. Rather than faithfully representing them, plaintiffs' lawyers may sell them out in backroom settlements that compensate lawyers handsomely, pay plaintiffs little, and deny them the justice they seek. From diagnosis to reforms, Burch's goal isn't to eliminate these suits; it's to save them. This book is a must read for concerned citizens, policymakers, lawyers, and judges alike.