cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Na-K pump current in the Amphiuma collecting tubule.

There is strong evidence supporting the hypothesis of an electrogenic Na-K pump in the basolateral membrane of several epithelia. Thermodynamic considerations and results in nonepithelial cells indicate that the current carried by the pump could be voltage dependent. In order to measure the pump current and to determine its voltage dependence in a tight epithelium, we have used the isolated perfused collecting tubule of Amphiuma and developed a technique for clamping the basolateral membrane potential (Vbl) through transepithelial current injection. The transcellular current was calculated by subtracting the paracellular current (calculated from the transepithelial conductance measured in the presence of luminal amiloride) from the total transepithelial current. Basolateral membrane current-voltage (I-V) curves were obtained in conditions where the ratio of the pump current to the total basolateral membrane current had been maximized by loading the cells with Na+ (exposure to low-K+ bath), and by blocking the basolateral K+ conductance with barium. The pump current was defined as the difference of the current across the basolateral membrane measured before and 10-15 s after the addition of strophanthidin (20 microM) to the bath solution. With a bath solution containing 3 mM K+, the pump current was nearly constant in the Vbl range of -20 to -80 mV (52 +/- 5 microA.cm-2 at -60 mV) but showed a marked voltage dependence at higher negative Vbl (pump current decreased to 5 +/- 9 microA.cm-2 at -180 mV). In a 1.0 mM K bath, the shape of the pump I-V curve was similar but the amplitude of the current was decreased (24 +/- 4 microA.cm-2 at -60 mV). In a 0.1 mM K bath, the pump current was not significantly different from 0. Our results indicate that the basolateral Na-K pump generates a current which depends on the extracellular potassium concentration. With physiological peritubular concentration of K+ and in the physiological range of potential, the pump activity, measured as the pump-generated current, was independent of the membrane potential.
Ranking of finance programs in the Asia-Pacific region: An update

Abstract We provide a ranking of finance programs in the Asia-Pacific region using a set of 21 finance journals during the period of 1990–2004. A total of 170 universities are ranked. The top five universities are Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Nanyang Technological University, and the University of New South Wales. Our findings show that Asia-Pacific universities' share of worldwide publications continues to rise over the last 15 years. The results from subperiod analyses suggest that a majority of the top 25 Asia-Pacific universities have experienced an explosive growth in finance research during the second half of the 1990s.
When transplantation is not the answer.

In this paper, the author emphasizes the need for thorough in-depth pre-renal transplant evaluation, in an effort to weed-out the patients who might have increasing difficulties from this procedure. Patient cases are described and discussed.
The distribution and characterization of ATPase activity of isolated fat cells

Abstract The distribution of ATPase activity among the subcellular fractions of isolated fat cells has been described. The mitochondria contained half of the total activity of the intact cell and homogenate with the plasma and microsomal membranes contributing about 12% together. The ATPase specific activities of the mitochondria and plasma membranes were equal and about five times that of the microsomal fraction. The Na + -K + , ouabain-sensitive ATPase represented about 6–10% of the total ATPase specific activity of the plasma membrane. Only the intact cellular and mitochondrial ATPase were sensitive to 2,4-DNP (2,4-dinitrophenol). Oligomycin significantly inhibited intact cell ATPase activity as well as mitochondrial, plasma membrane, and microsomal fraction ATPase activity. Oligomycin seemed to inhibit a plasma membrane Mg 2+ -ATPase independent of Na + and K + and greater than could be accounted for by mitochondrial contamination of the plasma membrane fraction. A possible role for the extramitochondrial oligomycin-sensitive ATPase in protein synthesis is discussed.
Women's empowerment: the insights of Wangari Maathai

Wangari Maathai of Kenya has written about empowerment, practiced it in many ways in her own life, and shared her reflections on it with many other women in the Green Belt Movement. Yet to date, no study has been devoted to her ideas on the topic. This paper will highlight Maathai's insights regarding empowerment, tracing several important themes in her approach, namely, empowerment's relationship to self-esteem, teamwork, and political action, its ambivalent relationship to formal education, and the role of cultural traditions in providing alternatives to colonial-era cultural impositions and current exploitative effects of neo-liberal capitalism. After reviewing Maathai's thoughts on each of these topics, I will briefly draw upon other East African thinkers and Africanists' studies of East African communities to present corroborating evidence for Maathai's views or for challenges to her position. Listening to the perspectives of Maathai and other East Africans provides several important correctives to c...
Simulations of the Morphological Evolution of Lipid Bilayer Membranes Using a Phase-Field Method

We present a continuum-level simulation method for modeling phase separation and morphological evolution of multicomponent lipid bilayer membranes. Our objective is to investigate how various physical parameters input into the model, such as spontaneous curvature, phase fraction, and interleaflet coupling strength, affect the dynamics and equilibrium morphological phases formed in two-phase lipid bilayer membrane systems. The model applies to membranes with planar and spherical background geometries, simulating a nearly planar portion of membrane or entire vesicle, respectively. The compositions and shape of the membrane are coupled through a modified Helfrich free energy. The planar model treats the composition of each leaflet, and thus includes a term coupling these compositions across the bilayer. The compositional evolution is modeled using a phase-field method and is described by a Cahn-Hilliard-type equation, while shape changes are described by relaxation dynamics. For nearly planar bilayer systems with each leaflet having the same phase fraction, we find that domains in both leaflets align to reduce the interaction energy, as expected. When the coupling effect is stronger, this alignment occurs more quickly and more precisely, showing that the coupling affects the dynamics. This leaflet coupling is found to heavily influence morphological evolution; in some cases the equilibrium morphological phase observed is very different from what was observed with our simpler monolayer model using similar conditions. We construct a phase diagram of equilibrium morphological phases in the composition space for a few values of the strength of the leaflet coupling. This model has been able to reproduce results found in lipid bilayer experiments probing interleaflet interactions, including the effect of domain registration across leaflets. For the vesicle model, we investigate how an ellipsoidal geometry imposed in the initial conditions affects the phase and morphological evolution.
Adsorption and Decomposition of Trimethylarsenic on GaAs(100)

Alkylated arsenic compounds have shown some promise as alternatives to arsine as the group-V source gas for GaAs MOCVD. However, little is known about the fundamental chemical interactions of these compounds with the GaAs surface. We have investigated the adsorption and reactivity of trimethylarsenic (TMAs) on GaAs(100) using temperature programmed desorption (TPD), Auger electron spectroscopy, and LEED. For the exposures and temperatures studied, TMAs did not pyrolytically decompose on the GaAs(100). TPD results indicate that TMAs chemisorbs, apparently non-dissociatively, and desorbs ≅330 K. Multilayers of TMAs desorb ≅140–160 K. Exposure of adsorbed TMAs to 70 eV electrons results in irreversible decomposition of the molecule. After electron irradiation, TPD shows that methyl radicals desorb at 660 K, which corresponds to a desorption activation energy of ≅40 kcal/mol. At higher temperatures, As2, H2, C2H2, and a smaller amount of methyl radicals desorb, and a small coverage of carbon remains on the surface.
Total synthesis of ginkgolide a

Ginkgolide A (1) has been synthesized from the trilactone 3 and also from ginkgolide B (2).
Distribution and Expected Time of Residence for U.S. Households.

For risk assessments, the average current residence time (time since moving into current residence) has often been used as a surrogate for the average total residence time (time between moving into and out of a residence). Since the distributions of the two quantities are not necessarily the same, neither are their averages. Housing surveys provide current residence time data; total residence times must, therefore, be inferred. By modeling the moving process, the total residence time distribution can be estimated from current residence time data. Using 1985 and 1987 U.S. housing survey data, distributions and averages for both current and total residence times were calculated for several housing categories. The average total residence time calculated for all U.S. households, 4.6 (se= 0.6) years, is less than half the average current residence time, 10.6 (se= 0.1) years.
What else can green monkeys tell us about AIDS

Although the development of an HIV vaccine may eventually provide a means of controlling AIDS in developed countries, more immediate and less sophisticated methods are going to have to be developed for use in the rural regions of Africa where AIDS may already have reached epidemic proportions. Evidence from several studies of wild primates suggests that plant secondary compounds may commonly act as control agents for a variety of different pathogens. Although studies of laboratory populations of green monkeys indicate that their resistance to AIDS is likely to be genetic, we argue that it may be worth screening some of the plants eaten by African primates in the hope of coming up with compounds that exhibit suitable anti-viral activity. Any compounds isolated in this way are likely to be much cheaper to manufacture than laboratory-produced drugs and may also have been already screened for unpleasant side-effects.
Particle formation by resonant laser light in alkali-metal vapor

Resonant laser light causes micron-sized particles to form in cesium vapor when a small amount of hydrogen gas is present in the vapor. The particles are identified as cesium-hydride crystals. This is the first observation of light-induced particle formation in metal vapors. The phenomenon has relevance to lasers and nonlinear optical devices based on dense alkali vapors, and it may also be of interest for laser isotope-separation schemes.
Research Advances: Capturing CO2 in a Bowl; Fructose, HMF, and Honeybees

Summaries are provided of recent research advances in trapping CO2, and toxin formation in HFCS.
Dispersion in a four level N-scheme atomic system with co- and counter- propagating beams

We motivate the study of an 'N-scheme' atomic system for the case of a bi-directional probe field. We derive the equations of motion. The equations were expanded in order of the counter-propagating field strength over the co-propagating field strength. We solve the equations numerically in steady state in a perturbative manner. The zeroth order solutions describe the dispersion and absorption of the co-propagating field, while the first order solutions describe the dispersion and absorption of the counter-propagating field. We investigate the solutions in two temperature regimes for a variety of field strengths. Regimes of similar dispersion for the co- and counter-propagating fields were found, as well as regimes of opposite behavior. In most cases, absorption of the fields is still a problem.
Perceived sex role attitudes in self and other as a determinant of differential assertiveness in college males

Although a volume of sex role aggression research has been previously reported (Deaux, 1976), the influence of cognitive sex role expectations on assertive behavior has thus far received limited attention. In fact, only Eisler, Hersen, Miller, and Blanchard (1975) have experimentally examined the impact of cognitive sex role expectancies on assertive behavior. They found that sex of the other person in an assertion situation produced clear differential responding across a variety of dependent measures. Their study, however, was limited in its generalizability in that subjects were solicited from a psychiatric inpatient facility and assessment was conducted only via contrived role play. The purpose of the present investigation was therefore to further explore the influence of cognitive sex role expectancy factors on level of assertive behavior. This was accomplished by utilizing a paradigm in which traditional and profeminist college males interacted with a female confederate whose behavior and appearances were manipulated to suggest either :a traditional or a nonfeminine orientation. An unobtrusive behavioral measure nonreactively assessed the level of assertive responding. In addition, a paper-and-pencil anxiety inventory was administered to assess the effect of assertive and nonassertive responding on subjects' subsequent stress levels. It was predicte d that a pattern of results similar to that found in previous aggression research would be revealed.
Dopaminergic neurons: simultaneous measurements of dopamine release and single-unit activity during stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle.

Abstract Simulataneous electrical and chemical recordings have been made of dopamine neuronal activity in the rat brain during electrical stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle. Tungsten recording electrodes were placed at the level of the substantia nigra and carbon-fiber, Nafion-coated, voltammetric electrodes were placed in the neostratum. Dopamine units, verified by histology to be in the zona compacta of the substantia nigra, were identified by previously established electrophysiological criteria. Dopamine release was detected by fast-scan cyclic voltammetry, a technique which allows dopamine to be determined in vivo on a sub-second time scale. The majority of dopamine cells examined (7 out of 10) were antidromically activated by 60 Hz stimulation of the medial forebrain bundle. The same stimulus also elicits dopamine overflow in the caudate nucleus. Following stimulation, dopamine concentrations in the extracellular fluid of the neostriatum rapidly declined to prestimulus levels. In addition, impulse flow in dopaminergic neurons was inhibited for 20s following stimulation. These measurements represent the first direct observation from a neuronal tract of simultaneous unit activity and chemical release of a neurotransmitter in real time.
The Islamic Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina and nation building by Muslims/Bosniaks in the Western Balkans

The disintegration of the former Yugoslavia posed challenges for the universal concept of the Yugoslav Muslim nation for which several development paths were imaginable under the new circumstances. The concept of Bosniakdom, which was initially developed to address the Muslims of Bosnia and Herzegovina, gradually grew to become a new and coherent national program to include all the Muslims of former Yugoslavia, primarily due to its new pan-Bosniak orientation. The present article traces the conceptual history of the national ideas of Muslimdom versus Bosniakdom within the former Yugoslav states, as well as the conceptual and institutional history of the pan-Bosniak idea and movement during the 1990s and 2000s. It does this by emphasizing the decisive role the Official Muslim Community in Bosnia and Herzegovina played in their development and divulgence. This article claims that, contrary to some expectations, the strategy of internationalization and universalization of the hitherto territorial concept of ...
Junk-buyers as the linkage between waste sources and redemption depots in urban China: the case of Wuhan

This paper locates junk-buyers in the recycling chain that includes waste source, collection system and end-user. With increasing needs of convenience for recycling at waste sources but disappearing redemption depots in city blocks of China, junk-buyers play a role of linkage between waste sources and redemption depots. It is these door-to-door collectors who make the general public aware of cash value inside recyclable waste. Also, the motivation of getting cash back pushes junk-buyers become immediate suppliers to redemption depots. Without junk-buyers as door-to-door collectors, the current waste recovery system in post-Mao's China would brake down. However, as in other developing countries, the junk-buyer occupation in urban China currently is typically driven by economic incentives, and the door-to-door collection of recyclable waste completely falls into junk-buyer individual business. It is difficult for junk-buyers who mainly come from the countryside to establish stable relations with waste sources for lack of recognition from urban society. The appropriate allocation of individual time and space becomes crucial to conducting the door-to-door activities so as to collecting more recyclables. While the collecting territory as the condition of production is positively reflected by the usual extent of the collecting distance, junk-buyers mostly spend time in finding sellers instead of simply expanding their collecting territory. This is a typical example of the cheapest and lowest skilled labor forces being in relatively unlimited supply in a developing country.
Factors Influencing Risk Perception Associated with Human–Black Bear Conflict

Risk perception is an important dimension of human–black bear (Ursus americanus) conflict that has only recently been examined (Gore, Knuth, Curtis, & Shanahan, 2006, 2007; Siemer & Decker, 2003). ...
Comparison of synaptic plasma membrane and synaptic vesicle polypeptides by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Abstract Extracts of chick brain synaptic plasma membranes, synaptic vesicles, and mixtures of membranes and vesicles were examined by electrophoresis on two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels by a modification of the O'Farrell technique. Synaptic plasma membranes had twenty-one major polypeptides; synaptic vesicles had seventeen. Thirteen major polypeptides were common to both fractions. The similarities between the synaptic vesicle and synaptic plasma membrane patterns are unlikely to be due to contamination of one fraction by the other or to contamination of both fractions by microsomes, synaptoplasm or mitochondria. Our findings are consistent with mixing of membrane proteins occurring during exocytosis but it remains to be shown that these synaptic subfractions are not contaminated by a type of membrane for which markers are not yet available.
Large Amplitude Perturbations in Mesospheric OH Meinel and 87-km Na Lidar Temperatures Around the Autumnal Equinox

Two high-precision CEDAR instruments, an OH Mesospheric Temperature Mapper (MTM) and a Na Temperature Lidar, have been used to investigate seasonal variability in the mid-latitude temperature at ∼87 km altitude over the western USA. Here we report the observation of a large perturbation in mesospheric temperature that occurs shortly after the autumnal equinox in close association with the penetration of planetary-wave energy from the troposphere into the mesosphere. This perturbation has been observed on three occasions and exhibits a departure of up to ∼25–30 K from the nominal seasonal trend during a disturbed period of ∼2 weeks. Such behavior represents a dramatic transient departure from the seasonal trend expected on the basis of current empirical models. These novel results coupled with a recent TIME-GCM modeling study [Liu et al., 2000] provide important insight into the role of planetary waves in mesospheric variability during the equinox periods.
Bayesian inference of thermodynamic state incorporating Schwarz-Rissanen complexity for infrared target recognition

University of IllinoisCoordinated Science Laboratory1308 W. MainUrbana, Illinois 61801E-mail: lanterma@ifp.uiuc.eduAbstract. The recognition of targets in IR scenes is complicated by thewide variety of appearances associated with different thermodynamicstates. We represent variability in the thermal signatures of targets via anexpansion in terms of ‘‘eigentanks’’ derived from a principal componentanalysis performed over the target’s surface. Employing a Poisson sen-sor likelihood, or equivalently a likelihood based on Csiszar’sI-divergence (a natural discrepancy measure for nonnegative images),yields a coupled set of nonlinear equations which must be solved tocompute maximum a posterioriestimates of the thermodynamic expan-sion coefﬁcients. We propose a weighted least-squares approximation tothe Poisson loglikelihood for which the MAP estimates are solutions oflinear equations. Bayesian model order estimation techniques are em-ployed to choose the number of expansion coefﬁcients; this preventstarget models with numerous eigentanks in their representation fromhaving an unfair advantage over simple target models. The Bayesianintegral is approximated by Schwarz’s application of Laplace’s method ofintegration; this technique is closely related to Rissanen’s minimum de-scription length criteria. Our implementation of these techniques on Sili-con Graphics computers exploits the ﬂexible nature of their renderingengines. The implementation is illustrated in estimating the orientation ofa tank and the optimum number of representative eigentanks for bothsimulated and real data.
The relationship of water-table changes to the capillary fringe, evapotranspiration, and precipitation in intermittent wetlands

The water table in many intermittent wetland areas can rise greatly with a small amount of infiltration. Three intermittent wetland areas in eastern North Dakota show how hydrological conditions relate to changes of the water table. Two processes, air entrapment beneath an inverted water table and infiltration into the capillary fringe can cause the water table to rise more than ten times the amount of infiltration. Although run-off may provide the primary contribution to surface water volume in some intermittent wetlands, surface water may also accumulate during minor precipitation in wetlands where the capillary fringe is near or intersects the ground surface. Air-filled pores only constitute a small fraction of total porosity in most wet, fine-grained soils of intermittent wetlands. With a small amount of infiltration, surface water may accumulate when the thick fringe of tension saturation above the water table is changed to pressure saturation. Small values of air-filled porosity also influence the estimate of actual evapotranspiration made from shallow well hydrographs. The use of specific yield in formulas leads to an excessively large rate of actual evapotranspiration, but estimates can be improved by using a ratio of water-level rise to infiltration for the storage factor. Established methods of analysis are also improved by using both the recession and recovery slope of the diurnal cycle shown on the hydrograph.
The behavior of a newly described acute-phase protein in inflammatory joint disease

Rho, a newly characterized acute-phase protein, was present in high titer in a group of 109 patients with various rheumatic diseases. Statistically significant titer elevations were demonstrated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis, and gout. In individual RA patients, serial titers failed to correlate with disease activity or with rheumatic seropositivity. The natural behavior ofrho antigen is contrasted with that of C-reactive protein. Comments are made regarding the possible association of rubella infection with rheumatoid arthritis.
Positronium emission from lead

We report positronium time-of-flight and two-dimensional angular correlation of annihilation radiation measurements of the momentum distribution of positronium emitted from the surface of a lead single crystal. Contrary to earlier estimates of positive values, lead is found to have a negative work function (-0.73 eV) for positronium emission. A confirmation of the positive work function for positron emission is obtained and a value of 2.06 eV is deduced. Lead exhibits a work function positronium yield typical of the sum of positronium and positrons for metals with negative positron work functions. Evidence for thermal desorption of additional positronium was obtained, indicating the existence of a positron-positronium surface trapped state. The present data is consistent with a general description of work-function positron and positronium production resulting from a common interaction with the traversed material.
A Micromechanics-Based Finite Element Model for Compressive Failure of Notched Uniply Composite Laminates Under Remote Biaxial Loads

A micromechanics based failure initiation predictive capability for analyzing notched composite laminates loaded remotely in multiaxial compression is reported. The model relies on the results from a previous experimental study that investigated compression failure mechanisms in special uniply composite laminates. The finite element method (FEM) was used in the solution process. The experimental results showed that the dominant mode of failure initiation was kink banding near the hole edge. The kink band was confined in extent to a distance within one half of the hole radius. The fibers within the kind band were rotated both in plane and out of the plane of the laminate. The position of the kink band with respect to the center of the notch depended on the remote biaxial load ratio. In the FEM, the region in which kink banding takes place is contained within a finite size rectangular area, and is meshed as an alternatingly stacked region of fiber and matrix layers. The values of boundary loads on this rectangular area which correspond to kink banding is related to the remotely applied loads via an available form analysis for orthotropic laminates. Good agreement is found between experiment and analysis for a wide range ofmore » notch sizes.« less
Acrolein Exposure Is Associated With Increased Cardiovascular Disease Risk

Background-—Acrolein is a reactive aldehyde present in high amounts in coal, wood, paper, and tobacco smoke. It is also generated endogenously by lipid peroxidation and the oxidation of amino acids by myeloperoxidase. In animals, acrolein exposure is associated with the suppression of circulating progenitor cells and increases in thrombosis and atherogenesis. The purpose of this study was to determine whether acrolein exposure in humans is also associated with increased cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Methods and Results-—Acrolein exposure was assessed in 211 participants of the Louisville Healthy Heart Study with moderate to high (CVD) risk by measuring the urinary levels of the major acrolein metabolite—3-hydroxypropylmercapturic acid (3-HPMA). Generalized linear models were used to assess the association between acrolein exposure and parameters of CVD risk, and adjusted for potential demographic confounders. Urinary 3-HPMA levels were higher in smokers than nonsmokers and were positively correlated with urinary cotinine levels. Urinary 3-HPMA levels were inversely related to levels of both early (AC133 + ) and late (AC133 � ) circulating angiogenic cells. In smokers as well as nonsmokers, 3-HPMA levels were positively associated with both increased levels of platelet–leukocyte aggregates and the Framingham Risk Score. No association was observed between 3-HPMA and plasma fibrinogen. Levels of C-reactive protein were associated with 3-HPMA levels in nonsmokers only. Conclusions-—Regardless of its source, acrolein exposure is associated with platelet activation and suppression of circulating angiogenic cell levels, as well as increased CVD risk. (J Am Heart Assoc. 2014;3:e000934 doi: 10.1161/JAHA.114.000934)
Nanostructured polymer solar cells

Polymer solar cells generally contain a low bandgap p-type conjugated polymer as photosensitizer and an inorganic or organic n-type semiconductor as electron acceptor. We investigated two nanostructured composites of the complementary semiconductors: nanometer-scale blends and interpenetrating nanorod arrays. In the blend approach, new low bandgap polymers were synthesized to match with electron-acceptors such as C60-PCBM and C70-PCBM for increased absorption efficiency. The nanorod arrays were fabricated by solution-based electrochemical growth. Photovoltaic performance of the composites is also discussed.
MULTISCALE NUMERICAL METHODS FOR SINGULARLY PERTURBED CONVECTION-DIFFUSION EQUATIONS

We present an efficient and robust approach in the finite element framework for numerical solutions that exhibit multiscale behavior, with applications to singularly perturbed convection-diffusion problems. The first type of equation we study is the convectiondominated convection-diffusion equation, with periodic or random coefficients; the second type of equation is an elliptic equation with singularities due to discontinuous coefficients and non-smooth boundaries. In both cases, standard methods for purely hyperbolic or elliptic problems perform poorly due to sharp boundary and internal layers in the solution. We propose a framework in which the finite element basis functions are designed to capture the local small-scale behavior correctly. When the structure of the layers can be determined locally, we apply the multiscale finite element method, in which we solve the corresponding homogeneous equation on each element to capture the small scale features of the differential operator. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this method by computing the enhanced diffusivity scaling for a passive scalar in the cellular flow. We also carry out the asymptotic error analysis for its convergence rate and perform numerical experiments for verification. For a random flow with nonlocal layer structure, we use a variational principle to gain additional information in our attempt to design asymptotic basis functions. We also apply the same framework for elliptic equations with discontinuous coefficients or non-smooth boundaries. In that case, we construct local basis function near singularities using infinite element method in order to resolve extreme singularity. Numerical results on problems with various singularities confirm the efficiency and accuracy of this approach.
Hip Hop Hermeneutics and Multicultural Education: A Theory of Cross-Cultural Understanding.

Cross-cultural understanding stands as one of the great pillars of multicultural education and yet rarely do multiculturalists provide a full account of what it is and how it takes place. This paper will serve as an initial investigation into the complex nature of cross-cultrual understanding. Drawing on the philosophical hermeneutics of Hans-Georg Gadamer, I will layout the framework for a theory of understanding and provide a concept of culture that avoids the pitfalls of essentialism and instrumentalism. I will then raise, as the backdrop for my examination, the issue of authenticity in the hip hop world. This will allow me to put these hermeneutic theories to work by illuminating the interpretive process through which a hypothetical middle-aged teacher might go about gaining an apprecitaion for rap music to better understand his suburban students who, for him, embody hip hop culture. This phenomenological account of cross-cultural understanding will in turn raise thought-provoking questions about huma...
Systemic inflammation, coagulopathy, and acute renal insufficiency following endovascular thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Objective To characterize the inflammatory and coagulopathic response after endovascular thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair and to evaluate the effect of the response on postoperative renal function. Methods From July 2005 to June 2008, 42 patients underwent elective endovascular repair of a TAAA using custom designed multi-branched stent-grafts at a single academic institution. Four patients were excluded from the analysis. White blood cell count (WBC), platelet count, prothrombin time (PT), and creatinine were measured in all patients. In the last nine patients, interleukin-6 (IL-6), protein C, Factor V, d-dimers, cystatin C, and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) levels were also measured. Change in lab values were expressed as a percentage of baseline values. Results The 30-day mortality rate was 5% (2/38). All patients (n = 38) had a higher WBC (mean ± SD: 139 ± 80%, P P P 50% rise in creatinine). Patients with renal insufficiency had significantly larger changes in WBC (178 ± 100% vs 121 ± 64%, P = .04) and platelet count (64 ± 17% vs 52 ± 12%, P = .02) compared with those without renal insufficiency. All patients (n = 9) had significant increases in NGAL (182 ± 115%, P = .008) after stent-graft insertion. Six of nine patients (67%) had increased cystatin C (35 ± 43%, P = .04) after stent-graft insertion, with a greater rise in those with postoperative renal insufficiency (87 ± 32% vs 8 ± 13%, P = .02). IL-6 levels were markedly increased in all patients (n = 9) after repair (9840 ± 6160%, P = .008). Protein C (35 ± 10%, P = .008) and Factor V levels (28 ± 20%, P = .008) were uniformly decreased, while d-dimers were elevated after repair in all patients (310 ± 213%, P = .008). Conclusions Leukocytosis and thrombocytopenia were uniform following endovascular TAAA repair, and the severity of the response correlated with post-operative renal dysfunction. Elevation of a sensitive marker of renal injury (NGAL) suggests that renal injury may occur in all patients after stent-graft insertion.
Health Status, Health Conditions, and Health Behaviors Among Amish Women: Results from the Central Pennsylvania Women’s Health Study (CePAWHS)

We performed one of the first systematic, population-based surveys of women in Amish culture. We used these data to examine health status and health risks in a representative sample of 288 Amish women ages 18–45 living in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, in particular for risks associated with preterm and low birthweight infants, compared with a general population sample of 2,002 women in Central Pennsylvania. Compared with women in the general population, Amish women rated their physical health approximately at the same level, but reported less stress, fewer symptoms of depression, and had higher aggregate scores for mental health. Amish women reported low levels of intimate partner violence, high levels of social support, and they perceived low levels of unfair treatment owing to gender compared with the general population. Amish women also reported higher fertility, fewer low birthweight babies, but the same number of preterm births as the general population. The findings suggest that these outcomes may be due to higher levels of social support and better preconceptional behavior among Amish women.
Modes, Mechanisms, and Turning Points: Perspectives on the Transformation of the International System

Analysis of the transformation of international systems involves a determination of what type of systems change and how much change is necessary and sufficient to justify calling a change a transformation. The theoretical discussion covers (1) modes, the political sub stance of change; (2) mechanisms, the manner and rate at which change is expressed; (3) endogenous processes including interdependence, dependence, codependence, autarky, and integration; (4) exogenous processes such as the emergence of new actors and the technological development of weaponry; and (5) the identification of historical turning points where changes in the structure of the system have coincided with fundamental changes in the rules of statecraft and of political order. Complementarity and competitive ness are discussed as examples of complex mechanisms of systems transformation. Several types of counterintuitive mechanisms are also examined, including an extension of the Richardson model to incorporate inversion-of-expectation t...
First-trimester hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin and development of hypertension

Objective This study aimed to determine whether urine levels of hyperglycosylated human chorionic gonadotropin (HhCG) in the first trimester are predictive of subsequent development of hypertension during pregnancy Method This prospective cohort study consisted of women seeking care before 12 weeks gestation. A clean catch urine was obtained at the first prenatal visit and tested for HhCG and creatinine levels. The median HhCG levels and multiples of the median (MoM) by gestational age were compared between the groups that either developed hypertension or did not. Results Urine HhCG were determined for 204 women between 4 weeks 4 days to 11 weeks 6 days. The median HhCG of those who developed gestational hypertension (n = 7) or preeclampsia (n = 15) did not differ from the group that did not (median: 284 ng/mg creatinine vs 365 ng/mg; p = 0.55). If the MoM of HhCG for the no hypertension group was 1.00, the MoM of HhCG for the hypertension group was 0.93 (p = 0.93). A possible association was observed after 10 weeks between low HhCG levels and the development of late-onset hypertension (≥34 weeks). Conclusions Prenatal screening for subsequent hypertension is unreliable with a single measurement of maternal urine HhCG at 10 weeks or less. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Convergent processes, projective systems of measures and martingale decompositions

The purpose of this paper is to show the equivalence of convergence, an associated projective system of measures and a martingale decomposition for a uniformly integrable stochastic process. Emphasis is placed on a direct juxtaposition of these concepts and on displaying underlying mechanisms. The impact of the martingale convergence theorem on contemporary probability theory has been immense. Therein lies the reason for numerous generalizations of both the basic martingale convergence theorem and the martingale concept itself.
Simulating overland flow following wildfire: mapping vulnerability to landscape disturbance

The probability of landscape-scale disturbances such as fire are expected to increase in the future due to anticipated climate changes and past land management practices. These disturbances can produce dramatic changes in hydrologic responses (e.g. overland flow) that can pose risks to human life, infrastructure, and the environment. Assessing these risks and associated remediation strategies requires spatially explicit evaluation of upland hydrology. However, most current evaluation methods focus on a specified location within a watershed, precluding estimation of spatially distributed, upland, hydrological response; and those that do consider spatial variability usually do not account for redistribution of overland flow among adjacent subunits. Here we highlight the use of a spatially distributed model for assessing spatial changes in upland hydrologic response following landscape-scale disturbance. Using a distributed model called SPLASH (Simulator for Processes of Landscapes: Surface/Subsurface Hydrology), we simulated pre- and post-fire scenarios based on the Cerro Grande fire (Los Alamos, NM, USA; May 2000) over 17 300 ha (resolution of 30 m ð 30 m) for 2 year and 100 year design storms. For the 2 year storm, maximum overland flow rates for burned cells in the post-fire scenario greatly exceeded those for pre-fire conditions (modes: pre-fire, 3Ð25 ð 10 � 10 m 3 s � 1 ; post-fire, 7Ð0 ð 10 � 10 m 3 s � 1 ). For the 100 year storm, maximum overland flow was much greater than for the 2 year storm (modal pre-fire: 31Ð8 ð 10 � 10 m 3 s � 1 ), with the difference between pre- and post-fire simulations being less dramatic (modal post-fire: 48Ð6 ð 10 � 10 m 3 s � 1 ). Mapped differences between pre- and post-fire provide a means for prioritizing upland areas for remediation using an approach that accounts not only for topography, soils, and plant cover, but also for the redistribution of overland flow. More generally, our results highlight the potential utility of spatially distributed models to focus and prioritize rehabilitation efforts for future assessments of risk following landscape-scale disturbance. Copyright  2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Functional analysis of exotoxin A-related protein of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lacking residues 225-412

The crystal structure of the exotoxin A (ETA) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed that this protein is folded into three distinct domains. Domain I (Ia and Ib), the amino-terminal domain, is the receptor-binding domain of ETA and domain III, the carboxy-terminal domain, is responsible for the ADP-ribosyl transferase activity of the toxin. To elucidate the function(s) of domains 1b and II in the intoxication process and to define the region of the domain III necessary for ADP-ribosylating activity, a defined deletion in the structural gene of P. aeruginosa ETA encompassing resdiues 225–412 was constructed and an ETA-related product DeID, (from which all of domains II and Ib were deleted) was expressed. The ETA-related protein did not penetrate sensitive cells, but retained the same specific activity to ADP-ribosylate elongation factor-2 as wild-type toxin. This suggests that domain II is necessary to allow toxin internalization by sensitive cells and that the absence of domain Ib does not interfere with enzymic activity. The domain strictly involved in ADP-ribosylation activity encompasses residues 412–613.
Phenotypic manipulation provides insights into the function of a sexually selected trait in a freshwater crustacean species complex

Although sexual selection is a fundamental driver of evolution, our understanding of its causes and evolutionary dynamics is often constrained by poor knowledge of mechanisms of trait function. A powerful method for assessing mechanisms of sexual selection is to combine phenotypic manipulation of male sexual traits with manipulation of behavioural interactions associated with sexual selection. We performed such experiments to assess the function of posterior gnathopods (large, sexually dimorphic claws) in mating and reproduction of Hyalella amphipods. Removal of male gnathopods reduced pairing success and shortened pairing duration. Patterns of pairing success were similar in both the absence and presence of competing males, and results were consistent across three species that live in ecologically distinct habitats. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that gnathopods in Hyalella function during the interactions between males and females that lead to pair formation, and such functions are relatively conserved within the Hyalella species complex. Finally, our findings for gnathopod function in Hyalella contrast markedly with a recent study of gnathopod function in another amphipod, Gammarus pulex, indicating that enlarged gnathopods may have diverse functions among mate-guarding amphipod species.
INCLUDING LIFE CYCLE CONSIDERATIONS IN THE DESIGN OF AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE SPACE FRAME

Today’s increasing demands placed on vehicles in terms of increased power, reduced emissions, maintenance and energy consumption, and end of life cycle issues related to recycling and disposal have made vehicle life cycle design a very important issue. However, life cycle issues are typically not concurrently addressed during the development stages. In this paper, our interest is in determining vehicle frame design specifications that include technical as well as environmental life cycle considerations. The design of an electric vehicle space frame is used for our study. Technical performance and environmental life cycle considerations are taken into account, represented by the travel distance between charges and an environmental life cycle assessment, respectively. These considerations are mapped into structural and safety issues, which represent the critical vehicle frame design constraints. In order to rapidly explore the design space and perform trade-off studies, response surface models are constructed and used to characterize the physical behavior of the space frame. The purpose of our research is to provide designers with a decision support tool that will enable them to efficiently and effectively include and investigate life cycle considerations early in the design process. This is our primary emphasis in this paper, not so on the results of our example problem, per se.
Low-threshold lasing action in photonic crystal slabs enabled by Fano resonances

We present a theoretical analysis of lasing action in photonic crystal surface-emitting lasers (PCSELs). The semiclassical laser equations for such structures are simulated with three different theoretical techniques: exact finite-difference time-domain calculations, an steady-state ab-initio laser theory and a semi-analytical coupled-mode formalism. Our simulations show that, for an exemplary four-level gain model, the excitation of dark Fano resonances featuring arbitrarily large quality factors can lead to a significant reduction of the lasing threshold of PCSELs with respect to conventional vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers. Our calculations also suggest that at the onset of lasing action, most of the laser power generated by finite-size PCSELs is emitted in the photonic crystal plane rather than the vertical direction. In addition to their fundamental interest, these findings may affect further engineering of active devices based on photonic crystal slabs.
Compressive Holographic Microscopy

We demonstrate a snapshot 3-D holographic microscopy using decompressive inference to infer a tomographic image from a Gabor hologram and to remove autocorrelation and twin-image terms.
Thromboembolic Disease after Cervical Spine Surgery: A Review of 5,405 Surgical Procedures and Matched Cohort Analysis.

Study Design Retrospective matched cohort analysis. Objective The majority of the literature on venous thromboembolism (VTE) after spine surgery is limited to studies of thoracolumbar surgery. Less is known regarding the incidence of VTE and associated risk factors following cervical spine surgery. Methods A total of 5,405 patients at our institution underwent cervical diskectomy, laminectomy, corpectomy, laminoplasty, or fusion between 1995 and 2012; 85 of the 5,405 patients (1.57%) suffered either a DVT (55) or pulmonary embolus (51) within 30 days postoperatively. The cases were matched 1:2 to controls based on age, sex, and date of surgery. Data regarding multiple perioperative factors, demographics, and comorbidities was collected. Results Several risk factors were identified for VTE. Significant medical comorbidities included chronic venous insufficiency (odds ratio [OR] = 3.40), atrial fibrillation (OR = 2.69), obesity (OR = 2.67), and ischemic heart disease (OR = 2.18). Staged surgery (OR = 28.0), paralysis (OR = 19.0), combined approach (OR = 7.46), surgery for infection (OR = 18.5), surgery for trauma (OR = 11.1), comorbid traumatic injuries (OR > 10), oncologic procedures (OR = 5.2), use of iliac crest autograft (OR = 4.16), two or more surgical levels (OR = 3.48), blood loss > 300 mL (OR = 1.66), and length of stay 5 days or greater (OR = 3.47) were all found to be risk factors for VTE ( p Conclusions Although the incidence of VTE following cervical spine surgery is low, we identified several risk factors that may be predictive. More aggressive approaches to prophylaxis and surveillance in certain patient populations may be warranted.
Precise two-photon spectroscopy of E intervals in H2.

We have precisely measured the vacuum ultraviolet intervals between several rotationally and vibrationally excited levels of ground-state H/sub 2/ and the E,F /sup 1/..sigma../sub g//sup +/ state. An accuracy of 0.01 cm/sup -1/, an order of magnitude better than previously available, is achieved using a pulsed discharge source in conjunction with a pulse amplified cw laser system. These measurements also serve as a calibration for numerous other excited states connected by optical intervals to the E,F state.