cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thinning, fertilization, and crown position interact to control physiological responses of loblolly pine

To examine physiological responses to thinning, fertilization, and crown position, we measured net photosynthesis (P(n)), transpiration (E), vapor pressure difference (VPD), stomatal conductance (g(s)), and xylem pressure potential (Psi(1)) between 0930 and 1130 h under ambient conditions in the upper and lower crowns of a 13-year-old loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) plantation six years (1994) after the treatments were applied. Photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and air temperature (T(a)) within the canopy were also recorded. Needle P(n) of thinned trees was significantly enhanced by 22-54% in the lower crown, because canopy PPFD increased by 28-52%. Lower crown foliage of thinned plots also had higher E and g(s) than foliage of unthinned plots, but thinning had no effect on needle Psi(1) and predawn xylem pressure potential (0430-0530 h; Psi(pd)). Tree water status did not limit P(n), E and g(s) during the late-morning measurements. Fertilization significantly decreased within-canopy PPFD and T(a). Needle Psi(1) was increased in fertilized stands, whereas P(n), E and g(s) were not significantly altered. Upper crown foliage had significantly greater PPFD, P(n), VPD, g(s), E, and more negative Psi(1) than lower crown foliage. In both crown positions, needle P(n) was closely related to g(s), PPFD and T(a) (R(2) = 0.77 for the upper crown and 0.82 for the lower crown). We conclude that (1) silvicultural manipulation causes microclimate changes within the crowns of large trees, and (2) needle physiology adjusts to the within-crown environmental conditions.
Methods for measuring lipid metabolism in vivo.

Purpose of review This review discusses diverse methods that have been used in several recent papers for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of lipids, studies of lipid oxidation, lipoprotein fractionation, and studies of lipid metabolism and metabolic kinetics using tracers. Papers for this review were selected on the basis of their timeliness, novelty, and/or their potential impact on diverse fields of lipid metabolism. Recent findings Many methods used for studies of lipid metabolism employ advanced chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques to characterize lipids. In particular, the use of stable isotopically labeled tracers has become increasingly important to study metabolic kinetics. Summary Such developments in methodology will continue to advance studies of lipid metabolism in many areas of clinical interest, including heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.
Lability of plasma TSH levels in the rat in response to nonspecific exteroceptive stimuli.

SummaryMild nonspecific exteroceptive stimuli such as handling, transferring from one room to another, and I.P. injections, lead to a rapid decrease of plasma TSH concentrations which become undetectable within 15 minutes following the beginning of the stressing procedure. There is evidence for a circadian rhythm of plasma TSH levels in opposite phases to those of the variations of plasma ACTH or corticosteroid variations. These observations are considered to be of importance to define resting levels of plasma TSH concentrations. For rats kept at 22°C ± 0.5, rapidly decapitated at 7:00 a.m., resting levels of circulating TSH are between 25–30 mU/100 ml plasma in this laboratory.
Advances in reconstruction of the upper aerodigestive tract and cranial base with free tissue transfer.

Retrospective studies comparing regional, pedicled myocutaneous flaps to free tissue transfer in head and neck reconstruction suggest that free tissue transfer is more reliable and functionally superior and can be performed with no increase in mortality and less patient morbidity.
Psychiatry in the neonatal intensive care unit.

The primary role of the psychiatrist in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is to assist in providing humane care for those in distress —the infants, the parents, and the staff. The issues that face NICU psychiatrists and the unique characteristics of these groups of individuals with whom they interact are presented.
Evaluation of a new laser-resistant operating room drape, eye shield, and anesthesia circuit protector.

ABSTRACT To determine whether Dermacare's laser eye shield, anesthesia circuit protector, and barrier drape were laser resistant, the three products were tested with CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers set to 70 to 60 W, respectively. Five separate areas on each product were unaffected by 1 min of continuous laser fire with each type of laser. It is concluded that the Dermacare draping products offer good laser safety under the conditions of this experiment.
Search for contact interactions in the dielectron channel in p-p collisions at √s=8

A possible explanation of mass hierarchy, which is not explained by the Standard Model, is that quarks and leptons are composite objects made of more fundamental particles known as preons. The existence of preons will be manifest as a four fermion contact interaction in the annihilation of a quark and anti-quark, in a p-p collision, producing positron-electron pairs. At high mass, such pairs are also produced from off-shell Z and γ bosons. This thesis provides a detailed discussion of the analysis strategy to study these processes using the Compact Muon Solenoid Experiment at the Large Hadron Collider. The study utilizes data recorded in 2012 at √s = 8 TeV, corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 19.6 fb-1. The dielectron mass spectrum above 300 GeV shows no significant deviation from the prediction of the Standard Model. In the framework of the left-left iso-scalar model of eeqq contact interactions, 95\% CL lower limits on the energy scale parameter are found for destructive (13.1 TeV) and constructive (18.3 TeV) interference between the contact and standard model amplitudes. These limits are the most stringent to date.
Role of CD74 in Mesenchymal Stem Cell Dysfunction in Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Abstract 4344 Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) dysfunction has been implicated in the biology of the acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Preliminary studies from our laboratory have demonstrated that MSCs derived from AML patients have diminished T cell immunosuppressive capacity, and these MSCs demonstrate signs of transformation. In the current study, we seek to explore the mechanisms of MSC dysfunction in patients with AML. Recent reports have implicated migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and its receptor CD74 in cancer progression. CD74 is a cell surface glycoprotein that also serves as the invariant chain for the class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC-II). The significance of these studies is two-fold: (1) CD74 participates in intracellular signal transduction via NF-kappaB, ERK, and PI(3)K pathways, thereby promoting cell proliferation, and (2) MHC-II invariant chain expression in MSCs may prevent tumor antigen loading and presentation to T cells, allowing for immune subversion. Our results show increased expression of CD74 on MSCs derived from AML patients. The readily targetable phenotype and the availability of anti-CD74 antibody milatuzumab merits further investigation into the role of CD74 in AML biology. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Rāmānuja and Schleiermacher on Scripture: An Essay in Comparative Theology

The study of any theologian is enhanced by the concurrent study of an other theologian from an other theological tradition. Such study provides an opportunity for comparison, that practice within which the same can be interrogated by difference. This interrogation elucidates details of the same that would otherwise remain submerged in obviousness. Difference exposes the obvious and renders it contingent rather than inevitable. Thus, the encounter with difference frees us from the constraints of inheritance, thereby expanding our range of spiritual opportunities. Difference gives us freedom. We know more, and in more detail, when the familiar is related to the unfamiliar. This article illustrates the above assertions by comparing the doctrines of scripture of two preeminent theologians: Friedrich Schleiermacher, an eighteenth–nineteenth-century Protestant Christian, and Rāmānuja, an eleventh–twelfth-century Śrīvaiṣṇava Hindu. In so doing, this article provides an example of critical comparative theology or theology that uses the critical power of comparison. Such comparison generates deeper insight and broader understanding of our own position within the array of theological options available to humankind.
The Problems with Payouts: Assessing the Proposal for a Mandatory Distribution Requirement for University Endowments

The endowments of wealthy colleges and universities became a subject of scrutiny in the popular press and in Congress before the economic crisis, when the funds seemed to grow annually by the billions without fail. But this growing wealth was accompanied by questions about whether universities were doing enough to support student financial aid, especially in light of rising tuition. Critics accused universities of 'hoarding' their wealth rather than using it to benefit current students. In response, lawmakers at the state and federal levels considered regulating or taxing university endowments. One of the proposals that gained wide traction would have required universities to spend at least five percent of their assets each year - a 'mandatory payout.'This Note focuses on the mandatory payout proposal. I provide an introduction to university endowments and the endowment controversy, including the payout proposal. I survey the arguments for a payout offered by its proponents. I then trace the abatement of the controversy during the economic crisis and explain why we can expect scrutiny to return now, possibly at an even greater intensity. I then argue that state and federal lawmakers should not adopt a five percent payout requirement. First, I explain why the strongest arguments offered by proponents of a mandatory payout are unpersuasive: a payout will not increase college affordability; the universities that would be subject to payout legislation are the wrong target because they already provide generous financial aid; and the comparison of university endowments to private foundations is misguided. Next, I explain why a payout will have harmful implications for colleges and universities: it will accelerate the academic arms race, constrain institutions’ ability to respond to economic fluctuations, risk harming American universities’ international preeminence, and lead to a decrease in spending in the long term. A payout may also become a ceiling, incentivising institutions not to spend above it. Finally, a payout will breach principles of university autonomy and academic freedom.
Application of pet imaging to diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.

Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia and will become increasingly prevalent with the growing elderly population. Despite established clinical diagnostic tools, the workup for dementia among primary caregivers can be complicated and specialist referral may not be readily available. A host of AD diagnostic tests has been proposed to aid in diagnosis, including functional neuroimaging such as positron emission tomography (PET). We review the basis for FDG‐PET and PiB‐PET, as well as available operating statistics. From this we advise scenarios for use of PET in primary settings and referral centers, approach to its interpretation, and outline a clinical prediction model based on findings.
Generalization of the Dependent Function in Extenics for Nested Sets with Common Endpoints to 2D-Space, 3D-Space, and generally to n-D-Space

In this paper we extend Prof. Yang Chunyan and Prof. Cai Wen’s dependent function of a point P with respect to two nested sets X0 X, for the case the sets X0 and X have common ending points, from 1D-space to n-D-space. We give several examples in 2D- and 3D-spaces. When computing the dependent function value k(.) of the optimal point O, we take its maximum possible value. Formulas for computing k(O), and the geometrical determination the Critical Zone are also given.
Characteristics and Modification of the Intestinal Tract Microbiota of the Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctatus

Catfish is the leading commercial aquaculture enterprise in the United States, and many of the issues that have been important for other mass-produced food animals have become areas of research focus for potential improvement in the growth performance and health of catfish. A critical component that can influence both the health and nutrition of catfish is the intestinal tract. The intestinal tract, in addition to being the point of origin for digestion and absorption of nutrients derived from consumed diets, harbors an indigenous microflora that can interact with the host. The composition and role of the intestinal microbial communities in fishes remain poorly understood. To understand the effects of the entire microbial community on the host, additional studies and improved isolation methods are recommended. Along with the lack of knowledge about the composition of the community, little is known about the role of these microorganisms in the intestinal tract. An increased understanding of the intestinal microflora in catfish has potential for manipulation or alteration to improve disease resistance and growth performance, allowing the channel catfish to consume diets made with less expensive ingredients, such as crop residues, already fairly cheap. Recent aquaculture feed trials using prebiotics and probiotics report enhanced physiological and immune responses that contribute to improvements in aquaculture health. These trials are reviewed.
The Effects of Aloe vera on Wound Healing in Cell Proliferation, Migration, and Viability.

Introduction Aloe vera is sometimes used as a folk remedy for minor wounds and burns, but its mechanisms of action in wound healing are unclear. Objective In this study, the authors evaluate the effects of A vera on wound healing. Materials and methods In vitro analyses of cell proliferation and migration were conducted on normal human primary skin fibroblasts and keratinocytes in growth media with A vera solution and preservatives at various concentrations. Growth media with preservatives but without A vera solution served as the control. Results Aloe vera had significant stimulatory effects on cell proliferation and migration of both fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Surprisingly, A vera also exhibited strong protective effects on preservative-induced keratinocyte death. Keratinocytes in the growth media with both the preservatives and A vera had dramatically higher viability than cells in the control media without A vera. Conclusions The results suggest A vera accelerates wound healing by promoting the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts and keratinocytes and by protecting keratinocytes from preservative-induced death.
Autoconnectivity: A new perspective on human brain function.

Abstract Background Autocorrelation (AC) in fMRI time-series is a well-known phenomenon, typically attributed to colored noise and therefore removed from the data. We hypothesize that AC reflects systematic and meaningful signal fluctuations that may be tied to neural activity and provide evidence to support this hypothesis. New method Each fMRI time-series is modeled as an autoregressive process from which the autocorrelation is quantified. Then, autocorrelation during resting-state fMRI and auditory oddball (AOD) task in schizophrenia and healthy volunteers is examined. Results During resting-state, AC was higher in the visual cortex while during AOD task, frontal part of the brain exhibited higher AC in both groups. AC values were significantly lower in specific brain regions in schizophrenia patients (such as thalamus during resting-state) compared to healthy controls in two independent datasets. Moreover, AC values had significant negative correlation with patients’ symptoms. AC differences discriminated patients from healthy controls with high accuracy (resting-state). Comparison with existing methods Contrary to most prior works, the results suggest AC shows meaningful patterns that are discriminative between patients and controls. Our results are in line with recent works attributing autocorrelation to feedback loop of brain's regulatory circuit. Conclusions Autoconnectivity is cognitive state dependent (resting-state vs. task) and mental state dependent (healthy vs. schizophrenia). The concept of autoconnectivity resembles a recurrent neural network and provides a new perspective of functional integration in the brain. These findings may have important implications for understanding of brain function in health and disease as well as for analysis of fMRI time-series.
Impacts of backwater hydrodynamics on fluvial–deltaic stratigraphy

Abstract The hydrodynamics of rivers approaching a receiving basin are influenced by the onset of backwater conditions that give rise to decelerating reach‐average flow velocity and decreasing boundary shear stress. These changes occur across a spatial gradient over which decreasing sediment transport capacity triggers morphodynamic responses that include sediment deposition at the transition from uniform to nonuniform flow. As a consequence, the channel width‐to‐depth ratio and bed sediment grain size decrease downstream. While nonuniform flow and associated morphodynamic adjustments have been investigated in modern fluvial–deltaic systems, the impacts to fluvial–deltaic stratigraphy remain relatively unexplored. This represents an important unresolved gap: there are few contributions that link morphodynamic response to nonuniform flow, impacts on sediment deposition and influence on the rock record. This study uses a numerical model to explore how variable channel hydraulics influence long‐term (1000s years) patterns of sediment deposition and development of stratigraphy. The model results indicate that: (a) nonuniform flow propagates upstream beyond the backwater transition that is traditionally estimated with a basic backwater length scale relationship. (b) Base‐level fluctuations, especially rising, enhance the impact of nonuniform flow. (c) Sediment deposition shows large spatio‐temporal variability, which ultimately contributes to unique stacking patterns of fluvial–deltaic stratigraphy. (d) Nonuniform flow imparts spatial variation in flow depth, channel bed slope and sediment grain size over the delta, and these signatures are potentially preserved and recognizable in the rock record.
Quantitative Transfer and Sanitizer Inactivation of Salmonella during Simulated Commercial Dicing and Conveying of Tomatoes

Abstract Diced tomatoes have been linked to outbreaks of salmonellosis in the United States. Compared to slicing, commercial production of diced tomatoes is more complex and includes mechanical dicing as well as washing, dewatering, conveying, and packing. Consequently, this study aimed to 1) quantify Salmonella transfer during pilot-scale dicing of tomatoes, 2) assess the efficacy of three sanitizer treatments against Salmonella during flume tank washing, and 3) assess the efficacy of four sanitizers against Salmonella during conveyance of diced tomatoes. One 0.9 kg batch of Salmonella Typhimurium LT2-inoculated Roma tomatoes (∼5 log CFU/g) was mechanically diced, followed by ten batches of uninoculated tomatoes. All uninoculated tomatoes yielded Salmonella with populations decreasing from 3.3 to 1.1 log CFU/g during dicing. Flume tank washing in sanitizer-free water or water containing 80 ppm of peroxyacetic acid, mixed peracid, or total chlorine decreased Salmonella populations in diced tomatoes 1.3 ± 0.2, 2.3 ± 0.4, 2.35 ± 0.4, and 2.4 ± 0.1 log CFU/g, respectively. After processing, Salmonella populations in flume water containing a sanitizer were always below the limit of detection (−1.0 log CFU/ml) and were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) than for the sanitizer-free control (1.5 ± 0.3 log CFU/ml). When the same three sanitizer treatments as well as electrolyzed water (80 ppm chlorine) were applied to smooth and interlocking belts on a dual track conveyor, Salmonella reductions were greater using mixed peracid (6.49 and 6.76 log) and peroxyacetic acid (5.95 and 6.10 log) as compared to chlorine (3.72 and 5.70 log) and electrolyzed water (3.50 and 4.53 log), respectively. All four sanitizer treatments were more effective than water alone in reducing Salmonella on conveyor belt surfaces. These findings should help provide some practical guidelines for the industry and aide in the development of improved risk assessments.
A brief online intervention to address aggression in the context of emotion-related impulsivity for those treated for bipolar disorder: Feasibility, acceptability and pilot outcome data.

Abstract Although aggression is related to manic symptoms among those with bipolar disorder, new work suggests that some continue to experience elevations of aggression after remission. This aggression post-remission appears related to a more general tendency to respond impulsively to states of emotion, labelled emotion-related impulsivity. We recently developed the first intervention designed to address aggression in the context of emotion-related impulsivity. Here, we describe feasibility, acceptability, and pilot data on outcomes for 21 persons who received treatment for bipolar disorder and endorsed high levels of aggression and emotion-related impulsivity. As with other interventions for aggression or bipolar disorder, attrition levels were high. Those who completed the intervention showed large changes in aggression using the interview-based Modified Overt Aggression Scale that were sustained through three months and not observed during wait list control. Although they also showed declines in the self-rated Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire and in self-rated emotion-related impulsivity as assessed with the Feelings Trigger Action Scale, these self-ratings also declined during the waitlist control. Despite the limitations, the findings provide the first evidence that a brief, easily disseminated intervention could have promise for reducing aggression among those with bipolar disorder.
Hereditary connective tissue disorders

Abstract A connective tissue disorder is any disease that impacts the structures between cells, typically impacting collagen or elastin protein production or function. Heritable disorders of connective tissue is a broad category, ranging from a description of nonspecific features (hypermobility, flat feet, scoliosis) seen somewhat commonly in the general population to genetic syndromes typically without vascular involvement (Stickler syndrome, Ehlers–Danlos syndrome) to syndromes predisposing to vascular tear or rupture (heritable thoracic aortic disease).
Technologies and Health Inequities

Health technologies aim to improve individual and population health, but they may also exacerbate health disparities. Focusing on the specific design features of technologies, their availability, a...
Cause of death in adults with intellectual disability in the United States

Background Prior studies report that adults with intellectual disability (ID) have cause of death patterns distinct from adults in the general population but do not provide comparative analysis by specific causes of death. Methods Data are from the National Vital Statistics System 2005-2017 US Multiple Cause-of-Death Mortality files. We utilised adjusted odds ratios to identify causes of death that were more common for adults whose death certificate indicated ID (N = 22 512) than for adults whose death certificate did not indicate ID (N = 32 738 229), controlling for severity level of ID. We then examine the associations between biological sex and race-ethnicity and causes of death solely among adults with ID. Results The leading cause of death for adults with and without ID indicated on their death certificate was heart disease. Adults with ID, regardless of the severity of the disability, had substantially higher risk of death from pneumonitis, influenza/pneumonia and choking. Adults with mild/moderate ID also had higher risk of death from diabetes mellitus. Differences in cause of death trends were associated with biological sex and race-ethnicity. Conclusions Efforts to reduce premature mortality for adults with ID should attend to risk factors for causes of death typical in the general population such as heart disease and cancer, but also should be cognisant of increased risk of death from choking among all adults with ID, and diabetes among adults with mild/moderate ID. Further research is needed to better understand the factors determining comparatively lower rates of death from neoplasms and demographic differences in causes of death among adults with ID.
Laudato si’ – A Macromarketing Manifesto for a Just and Sustainable Environment

This paper posits that Pope Francis’ 2015 encyclical on environmental climate change, Laudato si’ (“Praise be to you, my Lord”), or LS for short, provides a compelling and multi-faceted framework f...
A Global Sociology on Lifestyle Migrations

This chapter explores lifestyle migration from the vantage point of a global sociology of migration. It picks up strands of the transnational approach to migration studies and asks what other concepts and concerns emerge when lifestyle migration is added to our picture of global migrations. The chapter explores how the self-understanding and place representations of North-South migration, often studied in lifestyle migration scholarship, reflect global inequalities. Drawing on Bourdieu’s field theory, the chapter develops some key concepts for lifestyle migration scholars to think with, concepts that allow us to locate self-projects, identities, emotions and place representations in global social space. The chapter also reflects on the role of a critical, public sociological approach that lifestyle migration may be able to develop towards lifestyle migration and global inequality.
A New Virtual Reality: Benefits and Barriers to Providing Pediatric Gender-Affirming Health Care Through Telehealth

Purpose: Access to early, multidisciplinary, gender-affirming health care significantly improves the psychosocial well-being of transgender and gender diverse youth. The Doernbecher Gender Clinic (...
A New Dyed-Plug Method for Measuring Short-Term Erosion and Deposition in Coastal Environments

Plante, C.J. and Cooper, C., 2021. A new dyed-plug method for measuring short-term erosion and deposition in coastal environments. Journal of Coastal Research, 37(6), 1294–1298. Coconut Creek (Florida), ISSN 0749-0208. A new, easy-to-use method to measure short-term net erosion/deposition and maximum erosion in intertidal and subtidal areas is described. The method uses dyed-sediment plugs inserted vertically into the substratum that are later resampled by a corer and read to determine plug length and depth below the sediment surface. The precision of the method was determined by repeated measurements on an intertidal sandbar, and erosion/deposition over multiple tidal cycles was compared to the erosion-pin method. Precision (95% confidence interval) was about ±2 mm, and net and maximum erosion were indistinguishable from that estimated using erosion pins. With modifications, the method also performed well in subtidal areas and in muddy sediment. The dyed-plug method has advantages over erosion pins, and various other methods used to measure sediment elevation change, for particular uses, such as in high-energy environments, subtidal waters, and sampling designs that require high replication or broad spatial coverage.
What does it take to create a world-class supply chain environment?

This chapter discusses the creation of a world-class supply chain environment. It also introduces the concept of Lean management. The chapter illustrates the case of VF Corporation to explain the role of supply chain optimization in increasing the sales figures of a company. VF Corporation, the world's largest apparel company, stresses the fact that thriving in the apparel supply chain requires the right combination of technology, strategy, and core competencies. By focusing on supply chain optimization, it achieved a 16% increase in sales along with a 19% increase in net income in 2004. VF credits this achievement to a number of organizational changes such as a new and standardized IT platform that crosses diverse divisional lines. This standardization allowed the company to stay on top of the supply chain movements throughout the organization. The goal of the IT platform was to create an infrastructure that would improve VF's responsiveness. However, a challenge was the need to optimize the supply chain over international borders. The internationally integrated IT environments helped VF to access and utilize the underutilized data to help it achieve this goal.
Information Visualization in Project Management and Scheduling

Previous research in project scheduling has been primarily focusing on providing efficient solution procedures in a deterministic scheduling environment. In reality, however, project manager is challenged by the conflict between the dynamic and evolving nature of project information. In addition, the amount of data volume and complicated relationships among constraints make the understanding of scheduling situation difficult. Thus managers find it hard to take correct actions dealing with constantly changing constraints. In this paper, we present a research effort that experiments with allowing human schedulers to work with visualized schedules of large projects. Information visualization is used as a strategy to visually represent large data volume and their interrelationships from human problem-solving perspective. A system SWAV is outlined to support managers in making scheduling decisions under uncertainty environments. This paper describes the research problem and proposes a framework for information visualization in resource constrained project management and scheduling.
Oral drug reaction to methyldopa

Abstract This case report presents and follows a rare oral drug reaction linked to the administration of methyldopa (Aldomet † ). The clinical appearance of oral ulcerations coincides with increased dosage of the drug. Withdrawal of methyldopa leads to gradual healing of these lesions.
Thermoplastics, Thermosets, and Elastomers—Descriptions and Properties

This chapter focuses on properties of the base resins with very few additives other than stabilizers. Depending on the temperature, pressure, catalyst, and the use of a comonomer, three basic types of polyethylene (PE) can be produced: high-density PE (HDPE), low-density PE (LDPE), and linear low-density PE (LLDPE). The three main categories of commercial polystyrene (PS) resins are crystal PS, impact PS, and expanded PS foam. Engineering thermoplastics comprise a special performance segment of synthetic plastics materials that offer enhanced properties. Typically high-performance resins will be used in tough metal replacement applications or replacement of ceramic materials. Thermoset resins are generally highly filled with mineral fillers and glass fibers. Elastomers are polymers that can be stretched substantially beyond their original length and can retract rapidly and forcibly to essentially their original dimensions. Specialty rubbers offer higher performance over general-purpose rubbers and find use in more demanding applications. Keywords: elastomers; polyethylene (PE); polystyrene (PS) resins; specialty rubbers; synthetic plastics materials; thermoplastics; thermoset resins
Investigation of thin filament near-neighbour regulatory unit interactions during force development in skinned cardiac and skeletal muscle.

Ca2+-dependent activation of striated muscle involves cooperative interactions of cross-bridges and thin filament regulatory proteins. We investigated how interactions between individual structural regulatory units (RUs; 1 tropomyosin, 1 troponin, 7 actins) influence the level and rate of demembranated (skinned) cardiac muscle force development by exchanging native cardiac troponin (cTn) with different ratio mixtures of wild-type (WT) cTn and cTn containing WT cardiac troponin T/I + cardiac troponin C (cTnC) D65A (a site II inactive cTnC mutant). Maximal Ca2+-activated force (Fmax) increased in less than a linear manner with WT cTn. This contrasts with results we obtained previously in skeletal fibres (using sTnC D28A, D65A) where Fmax increased in a greater than linear manner with WT sTnC, and suggests that Ca2+ binding to each functional Tn activates 7 actins in skeletal muscle. The Ca2+ sensitivity of force and rate of force redevelopment (ktr) was leftward shifted by 0.1–0.2 −log [Ca2+] (pCa) units as WT cTn content was increased, but the slope of the force–pCa relation and maximal ktr were unaffected by loss of near-neighbour RU interactions. Cross-bridge inhibition (with butanedione monoxime) or augmentation (with 2 deoxy-ATP) had no greater effect in cardiac muscle with disruption of near-neighbour RU interactions, in contrast to skeletal muscle fibres where the effect was enhanced. The rate of Ca2+ dissociation was found to be > 2-fold faster from whole cardiac Tn compared with skeletal Tn. Together the data suggest that in cardiac (as opposed to skeletal) muscle, Ca2+ binding to individual Tn complexes is insufficient to completely activate their corresponding RUs, making thin filament activation level more dependent on concomitant Ca2+ binding at neighbouring Tn sites and/or crossbridge feedback effects on Ca2+ binding affinity.
Burden Shifting in Will Contest Cases

Provides a good illustration for students who are in the process of drafting law review articles, because it sets up the fairly basic and practical contours of a scholarly piece that includes an historical background, thesis-specific factual discussions from the relevant case law, and analysis that has a clear connection to a published judicial source. This paper begins with a recent case at the time the article was written and then synthesizes related precedent over a period of several decades (from 1858 to 1996). With the guidance of an intermediate court of appeals judge, the paper suggests analytical approaches to clarifying case law that was, in 1996, difficult to comprehend and then synthesize.
Low gain feedback: Properties, design methods and applications

Low gain feedback refers to certain families of stabilizing state feedback gains that are parameterized in a scalar and go to zero as the scalar decreases to zero. Low gain feedback was initially proposed to achieve semi-global stabilization of linear systems subject to input saturation, and was later found to be effective in dealing with control systems with time delays. It can also be combined with high gain feedback in different ways for solving various control problems. In this talk, we discuss the concept of low gain feedback, its properties, its design methods and its applications.
The prototypal view of diagnosis: predictive validity of diagnostic certainty for schizophrenia.

Summary.-Certainty of diagnosis in relation to several measures of predictive validity (outcome ratings) for 93 male VA psychiatric inpatients was correlated significantly for outcome measures reflecting greater long-term severity than for a more homogeneous subgroup of patients. Ln the prototypal approach to classLfication psychiatric diagnosis is viewed as analogous to the process of natural categorization with matching to an exemplar or prototype the basis of decision malung (Cantor & Genero, 1986). Certainty of diagnosis is related to typicdry or goodness of fit of the indvidual case to the prototype. Cantor, Smith, deSales French, and Messich (1980) presented some concurrent data in support of this viewpoint. The present study examined certainty of diagnosis for schizophrenia as a measure of typicahty in relation to measures of prelctive valilty. More typical cases of schizophrenia were expected to have poorer long-term outcomes including more severe thought disorder and affect deficit than less typical cases. Also, for subjects initially diagnosed by broader DSM-I1 diagnostic criteria, more typical cases should be more e for further information about these variables, see Kn~ght and Roff (1985). Additional measures obtained concurrent with the ratings of dlagnostic certainty at initial assessment included a 5-point severity of thought disorder rating, a 5-point severity of affect deficit rating, the Phill~~s scale (1953), and the New Haven
An Investigation of Somali Women’s Beliefs, Practices, and Attitudes about Health, Health Promoting Behaviours and Cancer Prevention

This pilot study examined Somali women's perception of health/access to care, examined their knowledge and attitudes about cancer prevention, and discussed strategies to improve service provision and education. Using a multidisciplinary approach, twelve face-to-face interviews were conducted with Somali women ages 18 and older, residing in a mid-western city. Open coding was used to categorize and reflect the interview statements and to identify reoccurring themes. Somali women are concerned about a variety of health issues and cited the role of culture and religion in developing prevention strategies. Participants emphasized the use of religious leaders, health care advocates, oral traditions, and translators in providing culturally appropriate health care services. Religion and culture play a prominent role in the Somali community and impact beliefs about health and wellness. Health practitioners need to work closely with individuals and community leaders to tailor services that are culturally appropriate and accessible.
Mathematical modeling of liver injury and dysfunction after acetaminophen overdose: Early discrimination between survival and death

Acetaminophen (APAP) is the leading cause of acute liver injury in the developed world. Timely administration of N-acetylcysteine (N-Ac) prevents the progression of serious liver injury and disease, whereas failure to administer N-Ac within a critical time frame allows disease progression and in the most severe cases may result in liver failure or death. In this situation, liver transplantation may be the only life-saving measure. Thus, the outcome of an APAP overdose depends on the size of the overdose and the time to first administration of N-Ac. We developed a system of differential equations to describe acute liver injury due to APAP overdose. The Model for Acetaminophen-induced Liver Damage (MALD) uses a patient's aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and international normalized ratio (INR) measurements on admission to estimate overdose amount, time elapsed since overdose, and outcome. The mathematical model was then tested on 53 patients from the University of Utah. With the addition of serum creatinine, eventual death was predicted with 100% sensitivity, 91% specificity, 67% positive predictive value (PPV), and 100% negative predictive value (NPV) in this retrospective study. Using only initial AST, ALT, and INR measurements, the model accurately predicted subsequent laboratory values for the majority of individual patients. This is the first dynamical rather than statistical approach to determine poor prognosis in patients with life-threatening liver disease due to APAP overdose. Conclusion: MALD provides a method to estimate overdose amount, time elapsed since overdose, and outcome from patient laboratory values commonly available on admission in cases of acute liver failure due to APAP overdose and should be validated in multicenter prospective evaluation. (HEPATOLOGY 2012)
Hormonal regulation of the mRNA for cysteine-rich intestinal protein in rat jejunum during maturation

Cysteine-rich intestinal protein (CRIP) has been implicated as an important zinc-binding protein in the rat intestine. However, its specific role remains undefined. As an approach to the ultimate elucidation of the function of CRIP, we have explored the role of glucocorticoids and L-thyroxine (T4) in the increase of CRIP mRNA that occurs during postnatal development. Hydrocortisone administration on day 10 elicited a precocious increase of CRIP mRNA. The response to hydrocortisone was readily detectable 12 h after injection. Lack of endogenous glucocorticoids in rat pups adrenalectomized on day 9 impeded but did not prevent the normal rise of CRIP mRNA. Furthermore, injections of dexamethasone (DEX) on days 10, 16, and 18 led to a loss of responsiveness of CRIP mRNA as the pups matured. The administration of T4 alone resulted in a small increase of CRIP mRNA, whereas when combined, T4 and DEX synergistically raised the concentration of CRIP mRNA. All of these patterns of response to hormone manipulation indicate the possibility that CRIP is a mediator of glucocorticoid action on the developing intestine. They do not appear to support the hypothesis that CRIP plays a role in zinc transport during the postnatal period. The potent effects of glucocorticoids and T4 on CRIP mRNA levels should provide useful tools for further investigations in this area.
A Theoretical and Empirical Assessment of Power-Control Theory and Single-Mother Families

Power-control theory states that relative power in the workplace conditions patterns of parental control of children in two-parent families, resulting in gender differences in rates of nonserious d...
Triple Jeopardy and Beyond: Multiple Minority Stress and Resilience Among Black Lesbians

SUMMARY This qualitative study explored the experiences of multiple minority stress and resilience among interviewees at a retreat for Black lesbians. Participants were a predominantly middle-class, highly educated sample of Black women (N= 19) between the ages of 26 and 68. The multicultural model of stress (Slavin, Rainer, McCreary, & Gowda, 1991) and the transactional model of resilience (Kumpfer, 1999) were theoretical frameworks for the study. Most of the participants discussed racism as a mundane and significant stressor, and contextualized their experiences of sexism and heterosexism through the prism of racism. Study findings provide empirical support for the "triple jeopardy" experience of Black lesbians (Greene, 1995), as well as the six predictors of resilience in Kumpfer's (1999) transactional model of resilience.
Computer Aided Design Application In The Development Of Diagnostic Medical Positioning Devices

The constant call for shorter development cycles and improved quality, is leading many companies to adopt a vertically integrated approach to product design and development. Computer aids are playing an increasingly important part in this process, but until recently, the early stage - concept design, has been largely ignored. Computer generated "solid models" provide a useful tool at the early stages in the design process, enabling investigation and optimization of clinical performance variables.
Deconstructing Disability: A Philosophy for Inclusion

This article offers derrida's deconstruction as a philosophy and practical strategy that challenges the assumed, factual nature of "disability" as a construct explaining human differences. The appeal of deconstruction lies in the contradictory philosophy currently articulated by the inclusion movement, a philosophy that simultaneously supports the disability construct as objective reality while calling for students "with disabilities" to be placed in educational settings designed for students considered nondisabled. This article proposes deconstruction as one coherent philosophical orientation for inclusion, an approach that critiques the political and moral hierarchy of ability and disability. A deconstructionist critique of disability is explained and demonstrated. Practical suggestions for the utilization of deconstruction by special educators are outlined.
Improved Electrophoresis and Transfer of Picogram Amounts of Protein with Hemoglobin

Abstract During electrophoresis and electroblotting to transfer membranes, picogram amounts of protein can react irreversibly with the polyacrylamide matrix, preventing complete electrophoresis and efficient electroblotting. Bovine hemoglobin, but not other potential carrier proteins, mitigates this protein loss by migrating with or ahead of other proteins and scavenging reactive groups. Inclusion of 5 μg of hemoglobin in sample wells increases by 4-fold the amount of a radiolabeled test protein, myosin Iβ, found at its appropriate 120-kDa position in sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gels. For electroblotting, incubating the gel with 0.25 mg/ml hemoglobin prior to transfer improves mobilization of picogram amounts of radiolabeled myosin Iβ out of the gel by about 6-fold. For picogram amounts of proteins, therefore, ∼20-fold more protein transfers to a blotting membrane when hemoglobin is used during both electrophoresis and transfer. This effect is general: transfer of radiolabeledDrosophilaembryo proteins is improved dramatically by including hemoglobin in the pretransfer incubation solution. We suggest that electroblot-based detection of small amounts of protein, particularly when in the absence of other potential carrier proteins, can be improved substantially by using hemoglobin.
The Endogeneity of Managerial Compensation in Firm Valuation: A Solution

Much of the empirical literature that has examined the functional relationship between firm value and managerial ownership levels assumes that managerial ownership levels are exogenous and are the only component of managerial compensation related to firm performance. This assumption is contrary to the theoretical and empirical literature wherein managerial compensation is endogenously determined and includes both shares and options. Using instruments for managerial compensation and panel data to control for unobservable heterogeneity in the firm’s contracting environment, we estimate a system of simultaneous equations. We find that firms are in equilibrium when they endogenously set their chief executive officer’s compensation. The separation of ownership and control, first described by Berle and Means (1932), suggests that managers (who have private information and control over a corporation) can indulge in non-shareholder wealth-maximizing activities because shareholders are too diffuse to monitor them. More recently, Jensen and Meckling (1976) suggest that managers be given more of an ownership stake in the firm in order to ameliorate this principal-agent problem between shareholders and managers. Higher ownership in the firm helps align managerial interests with shareholder interests and reduces unobservable perquisite consumption by managers. Using an adverse selection model, Leland and Pyle (1977) argue that managers keep a high ownership stake in the firm to signal to the public markets that they have projects of high quality. Their model also proposes a positive relationship between managerial ownership and firm value. Recently a number of studies suggest managerial entrenchment at higher levels of managerial ownership 1 [Stulz (1988), Morck,
The Terror of the Place: Anxieties of Place and the Cultural Narrative of Terrorism

Place is sometimes understood as reinforcing personal and cultural identity in the face of dissipating versions of modernism or postmodernism. However, that identity can also come with a variety of cultural neuroses and manias that are inscribed on place. I consider the ways in which terrorism has become a feature of place, and how we can expect to see the terror of the place in the future. First, we can expect a relative diminishment in ‘place-making imagination’, the ability to see places as rich, ambiguous, and multi-purposed. Second, we can expect the terror of the place to exhibit itself as an inability to come to terms with the other. Third, we can expect the continuation and development of a triumphalist narrative of place, including a sense of entitlement. Fourth, we can anticipate the death or the fear of the agora, the true ‘agoraphobia’, as the public space of discourse is closed down, and the private space of patriarchally enforced agreement gains ascendancy. Fifth, we can expect people to reg...