cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long-term benefits of angiotensin II blockade: is the consensus changing?

Abstract The treatment of hypertension and heart failure has evolved in recent years. It may no longer be sufficient to lower blood pressure per se or correct hemodynamics alone in these conditions to achieve optimal long-term outcomes; rather, the effects of drugs on the cellular events and structural alterations that occur in the vasculature, heart, and kidney must be considered. Drugs that target angiotensin II, which include the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), may protect target organs from damage and thereby improve outcomes. Nevertheless, it remains to be demonstrated whether these agents are more effective in reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in hypertensive patients than conventional treatment with diuretics and β blockers. In certain subgroups of hypertensive patients, including those with heart failure, type 1 diabetes with proteinuria, or after myocardial infarction with systolic dysfunction, there is compelling evidence for use of ACE inhibitors. The results from animal models and initial clinical studies suggest that ARBs are also highly effective in these patients. Several large-scale clinical studies, comparing the effect of ARBs and other drug classes on morbidity and mortality outcomes, have been initiated to better define the long-term benefit of ARBs in the treatment of hypertension and heart failure.
Poor results with percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy

A percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy was placed in 20 malnourished patients to serve as a conduit for passage of a percutaneous endoscopic jejunostomy (PEJ) catheter for delivery of alimentation directly into the small bowel. Serious complications occurred in 95% of the patients and 50% of the subjects died. Aspiration was the most common adverse event and accounted for all deaths. Ten of 15 subjects (67%) treated with a PEJ to prevent aspiration continued to aspirate after the catheter was placed. PEJ tube failures were documented in 14 subjects (70%) and occurred because of occlusion, leakage, malposition, extrusion, cracking, kinking, or rupture of the catheter. These problems rendered the PEJ nonfunctional 18% of the time. Large manpower and resource investments were required to manage the PEJ and its complications. Our results suggest that enteral feeding through a PEJ does not prevent aspiration. Serious PEJ-related morbidity (95%), mortality (50%), and catheter failures (70%) occur. Refinements in methodology and catheter design will be required before additional use of this technique can be recommended.
Getting the right info out to the public.

J. Couzin's article “A heavyweight battle over CDC's obesity forecasts” (6 May, p. 770) about the controversy over the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's estimates of obesity-related deaths points out a major problem in public health: the often conflicting information that seems to
Replacing Fish Meal with Seafood Processing Wastes in Channel Catfish Diets

Abstract Various seafood processing wastes were collected, analyzed, and evaluated for their use as primary protein sources in catfish diets. Finfish wastes (flounder racks and mixed finfish) were higher in crude protein content (60 versus 40%) than blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) wastes. Practical diets containing menhaden (Brevoortia spp.) fish meal or one of four seafood processing wastes (flounder racks, mixed finfish, blue crab, and blue crab without carapace) amounting to 10% of the diet were fed to fingerling channel catfish (Ictalurus punciatus) for 7 weeks under controlled, laboratory conditions. Weight gain and feed efficiency did not differ among treatments. Similar diets containing Atlantic herring (Clupea harengus) or blue crab meal were compared with a standard production diet containing fish meal in a 139-d field cage culture experiment. Caged channel catfish fed the control or Atlantic herring diets had greater daily gain and net production than those fed the crab diet.
The expression of MUM1 in cutaneous T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders

MUM1 is a member of the interferon regulatory factor family of transcription factors. It is normally expressed in plasma cells, late B cells, and activated T cells, and has been described in several B-cell malignancies. Although its expression has been reported in some T-cell neoplasms, the full range and character of expression have not been explored. We studied 58 cases of T-cell lymphoproliferative lesions, including systemic and cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma, lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP), mycosis fungoides (MF), MF with large cell transformation, and Sezary syndrome (SS). Nearly all cutaneous (5/5) and systemic anaplastic large cell lymphomas (4/5) were positive for MUM1, mainly in the large cell population. Similarly, 12 of 16 types A and C LyP showed MUM1 reactivity in greater than 50% of the large cells. Focal MUM1 staining was seen in 3 type B LyP, mostly in reactive lymphoid cells. All 9 MF with large cell transformation expressed MUM1 in large cells, where it paralleled CD30 expression. In comparison, most MF (11/12) were MUM1 negative. Interestingly, all SS cases (8/8) were MUM1 positive, 3 of which demonstrated diffuse staining. There was a significant difference in MUM1 expression between MF and SS groups as well as between MF and large cell transformation of MF groups (P < .001 for both). In summary, MUM1 is not helpful in separating different types of CD30-positive lymphoproliferative disorders. Potentially, MUM1 could serve as an adjunct marker for SS and/or large cell transformation of MF.
Cooperative transitions of isolated Escherichia coli nucleoids: implications for the nucleoid as a cellular phase.

Abstract The genomic DNA of Escherichia coli occurs in compact bodies known as nucleoids. Organization and structure of nucleoids are poorly understood. Compact, characteristically shaped, nucleoids isolated by the polylysine–spermidine procedure were visualized by DNA fluorescence microscopy. Treatment with urea or trypsin converted compact nucleoids to partially expanded forms. The transition in urea solutions was accompanied by release of most DNA-associated proteins; the transition point between compact and partially expanded forms was not changed by the loss of the proteins nor was it changed in nucleoids isolated from cells after exposure to chloramphenicol or from cells in which Dps, Fis, or H-NS and StpA had been deleted. Partially expanded forms became dispersed upon RNase exposure, indicating a role of RNA in maintaining the partial expansion. Partially expanded forms that had been stripped of most DNA-associated proteins were recompacted by polyethylene glycol 8000, a macromolecular crowding agent, in a cooperative transition. DNA-associated proteins are suggested to have relatively little effect on the phase-like behavior of the cellular nucleoid. Changes in the urea transition indicate that a previously described procedure for compaction of polylysine–spermidine nucleoids may have an artifactual basis, and raise questions about reports of repetitive local structures involving the DNA of lysed cells.
Wide Field of View Hyperspectral Radiometer for Coastal Imaging from Polar Sun Synchronous Orbit

High spatial resolution wide FOV hyperspectral imaging spectroradiometry offers capability for isolating spectral radiance components in complex coastal waters . This paper reports on designs for hyperspectral coastal imagers that measure key data products from sun synchronous orbit.
Novel dynamic random access memory cell using three diodes

A new dynamic random access memory cell, which incorporates three diodes in a composite structure, is proposed and investigated. In the 3-diode memory cell, one diode serves as a storage capacitor and the others serve as switches. The cell requires only three interconnect lines and can be fabricated with standard bipolar technology. The write, read, and standby operations of the cell are analysed and simulated.
A neurophysiologically inspired hippocampus based associative-ART Artificial neural network architecture

Hippocampus within medial temporal lobe of the brain is essentially involved in episodic memory formation. Rather than simply being a mechanism of storing information, episodic memory associates information such as the spatial and temporal context of an event. Using hippocampus neurophysiology and functionality as an inspiration, we have developed an artificial neural network architecture called Associative-ART to associate k-tuples of inputs. In this paper we present an overview of hippocampus neurophysiology, explain the design of our neural network architecture, and present experimental results from an implementation of our architecture.
Coordination networks based on multitopic ligands and silver(I) salts: A study of network connectivity and topology as a function of counterion

We show that much like hydrogen bonding, Ag−N coordination bonds can be reliably used for the construction of supramolecular networks. From a solid-state structural study of silver(I) complexes of multitopic ligands, we describe coordination networks formed in the presence of the weakly coordinating triflate (CF3SO3-) counterion and the noncoordinating hexafluorophosphate (PF6-) species. For complexes prepared with silver(I) triflate, counterion coordination is characteristic. Also, for the triflate complexes presented, ditopic ligands form one-dimensional, chainlike structures and tritopic ligands form 3-connected nets. A tetratopic ligand also forms a 3-connected net due to the triflate-capped silver(I) coordination. In contrast, more varied network topology is seen in complexes of ditopic ligands prepared with silver(I) hexafluorophosphate.
Fatique design of machine elements using the “Bagci line” defining the fatigue failure surface line (mean stress diagram)

Abstract Recently proposed fatigue failure surface line of Bagci that updates the Modified Goodman's, Gerber's, and Kececioglu's mean stress diagrams for the fatigue design of machine elements subjected to cyclic combined stresses having nonvanishing mean stress is presented [1]. It fits the most recent fatigue data well and defines the two design zones in the mean stress diagram in one zone limiting the zone by the yield strength of the material, thus, providing a unified fatigue design equation for machine members. Its incorporation with the basic stresses according to different strength theories, such as the maximum distortion energy theory, maximum shearing stress theory, maximum total strain energy theory, and Coulomb-Mohr theory is given. The method of determining theoretical geometric stress concentration factor for combined state of stress—which is used along with the notch sensitivity of the material to determine a fatigue strength reduction factor—is also given. Applications of the Bagci line to the fatigue design of machine members are shown with numerical examples.
Improved embeddings of graph metrics into random trees

Over the past decade, numerous algorithms have been developed using the fact that the distances in any n-point metric (V, d) can be approximated to within O(log n) by distributions D over trees on the point set V [3, 10]. However, when the metric (V, d) is the shortest-path metric of an edge weighted graph G = (V, E), a natural requirement is to obtain such a result where the support of the distribution D is only over subtrees of G. For a long time, the best result satisfying this stronger requirement was a exp {√log n log log n} distortion result of Alon et al. [1]. In a recent breakthrough, Elkin et al. [9] improved the distortion to O(log2n log log n). (The best lower bound on the distortion is Ω(log n), say, for the n-vertex grid [1].)In this paper, we give a construction that improves the distortion to O(log2n), improving slightly on the EEST construction. The main contribution of this paper is in the analysis: we use an algorithm which is similar to one used by EEST to give a distortion of O(log3n), but using a new probabilistic analysis, we eliminate one of the logarithmic factors. The ideas and techniques we use to obtain this logarithmic improvement seem orthogonal to those used earlier in such situations---e.g., Seymour's decomposition scheme [4, 9] or the cutting procedures of CKR/FRT [5, 10], both which do not seem to give a guarantee of better than O(log2n log log n) for this problem. We hope that our ideas (perhaps in conjunction with some of these others) will ultimately lead to an O(log n) distortion embedding of graph metrics into distributions over their spanning trees.
Conductance of solutions of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfone)imide in water, propylene carbonate, acetonitrile and methyl formate at 25°C

Conductance data for lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfone)imide, LiN(CF3SO2)2, are reported for the solvents water, propylene carbonate, acetonitrile and methyl formate at 25°C. Limiting molar conductivitiesA0, association constants KA, and triple ion formation constants Kt are reported where applicable. These data are compared with literature data for the commonly studied lithium salts LiClO4 and LiAsF6. Non-coulombic energy contributions to ion pair formation are evaluated and discussed in terms of ion-ion and ion-solvent interactions.
The Use of the Genie System in Numerical Calculation

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the use of the Genie system in numerical calculation. The set of codes designed for interpreting formal expressions on the Rice University computer is termed the Genie system, or simply Genie. Genie is concerned in general with the definition of objects belonging to certain computable domains, and the execution of particular operations between or upon these objects. Formal calculation proceeds by naming objects of interest, and assigning values to such objects either by means of equations or, in the case of linguistic objects, by exhibiting specific examples of the objects. One of the objectives of Genie is to extend the basic forms of definition that can readily be understood, and simply and efficiently encoded. The chapter also discusses the static properties of algorithm descriptions with illustrative examples. At the highest organizational level, Genie is concerned with the interaction of two definition sets—one initially in the machine and one written by the coder. The result of the interaction is a new definition set in the machine and some printed output information of interest to the coder.
How international bank transparency will affect your company

The current economic crisis has focused attention on banks here and abroad. Some have called for more international bank transparency. But how will this trend affect your company?. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The timing of fission among free-ranging Rhesus monkeys.

Behavioral observations were carried out on a large group of free-ranging rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) on Cayo Santiago from January 1968 to December 1969 and from October through December 1970. During this period, social group A divided. The 24-month study period can be classified into five stages which represent the different phases in the process of group fission. Two criteria for fission were established: the cessation of grooming between adult females of different sub-groups of the main group and the stabilization of the adult female population. The criteria were based on established information on group dynamics and inter-group behavior on Cayo Santiago. Several points became clear from the chronological analysis. Group fission is a long process. The duration of the process of fission and the specification of the season in which fission begins and is completed depends upon the definition applied. For purposes of this analysis, fission was defined as beginning with the onset of spatial fragmentation and corresponded to the initial part of the breeding season. The fission was completed during the breeding season. The duration of the process of fission was 18 months.
Southern Laurentide ice lobes were created by ice streams: Des Moines Lobe in Minnesota, USA

Abstract Regional mapping in southern Minnesota has illuminated a suite of landforms developed by the Des Moines Lobe that delimit the position of the lobe at its maximum and at lesser readvances. The ice lobe repeatedly advanced, discharged its subglacial water, and subsequently stagnated. Recent glaciological research on Antarctic ice streams has led some glacial geologists to postulate that ice streams drained parts of the marine-based areas of the Laurentide Ice Sheet. I postulate that such ice streams may develop in land-based areas of an ice sheet as well, and that the Des Moines Lobe, 200 km wide and 900 km long, was an outlet glacier of an ice stream. It appears to have been able to advance beyond the Laurentide Ice Sheet as long as adequate water pressure was maintained. However, the outer part of the lobe stagnated because subglacial water that facilitated the flow was able to drain away through tunnel valleys. Stagnation of the lobe is not equivalent to stoppage of the ice stream, because ice repeatedly advanced into and onto the stagnant margins, stacking ice and debris. Similar landforms are also seen in other lobes of the upper midwestern United States.
Genetically controlled IgM hyporesponsiveness to aK. pneumoniae polysaccharide

Examination of the immune response to aKlebsiella pneumoniae polysaccharide (K47-PS) has revealed that BALB/c mice demonstrate only a very weak primary response to this antigen. The low response does not result from either a peculiar dose response curve for BALB/c mice or from differing optimal antigen concentrations for high and low responder mice. Genetic analysis indicates that this variability of response is explicable assuming two alleles at a single locus; high responsiveness is dominant. Variability of response is probably not linked to theH-2 complex since the low and high responder mice, BALB/c and B10.D2/Sn new line, respectively, share the sameH-2 haplotype (H- 2d). Tests of F2s, backcrosses, and appropriate congenics have not shown evidence of linkage to sex, the albinism gene, the genes controlling coat color (agouti, black, brown), or the allotype-constant-region genes. The hyporesponsiveness is apparent only in the primary (IgM) response; hyperimmunization evokes similar antibody titers in high and low responding strains.
Memristor Crossbar-Based Neuromorphic Computing System: A Case Study

By mimicking the highly parallel biological systems, neuromorphic hardware provides the capability of information processing within a compact and energy-efficient platform. However, traditional Von Neumann architecture and the limited signal connections have severely constrained the scalability and performance of such hardware implementations. Recently, many research efforts have been investigated in utilizing the latest discovered memristors in neuromorphic systems due to the similarity of memristors to biological synapses. In this paper, we explore the potential of a memristor crossbar array that functions as an autoassociative memory and apply it to brain-state-in-a-box (BSB) neural networks. Especially, the recall and training functions of a multianswer character recognition process based on the BSB model are studied. The robustness of the BSB circuit is analyzed and evaluated based on extensive Monte Carlo simulations, considering input defects, process variations, and electrical fluctuations. The results show that the hardware-based training scheme proposed in the paper can alleviate and even cancel out the majority of the noise issue.
Rethinking Flash in the Data Center

Deployment of flash memory depends on making the most of its unique properties instead of treating it as a drop-in replacement for existing technologies.
Impulse activity in afferent vagal C-fibres with endings in the intrapulmonary airways of dogs

Abstract We recorded impulses from afferent vagal C-fibres (conduction velocities 0.8–2.4 m/sec) arising from endings in the lungs of anesthetized dogs with open chest. Endings were of two types (‘pulmonary’ and ‘bronchial’) distinguished by their response and accessibility to capsaicin and phenyl diguanide injected into the right or left atrium. ‘Pulmonary’ endings, stimulated only by capsaicin and accessible through the pulmonary circulation, have been described previously. ‘Bronchial’ endings were stimulated by both capsaicin and phenyl diguanide and were accessible through the bronchial circulation. Eight of 28 ‘bronchial’ endings were located in large airways within 4 cm of the hilum, and two were in small airways near the edge of the lung. The precise location of the remaining ‘bronchial’ endings was not determined but we think that many were in the airways. ‘Bronchial’ endings had a sparse and irregular spontaneous discharge. They were stimulated by the inhalation of 5% histamine aerosol, the evoked discharge having no obvious relation to the phase of ventilation. A few were weakly stimulated by hyperinflating the lungs; deflation was without effect. The function of these endings is unknown.
Mannose-6-phosphate isomerase polymorphism in baboon erythrocytes.

Although erythrocytic mannose-6-phosphate isomerase (MPI) has been reported to be undetectable in mammals, we have demonstrated that sufficient activity is present in some species to enable its electrophoretic analysis. A survey of MPI from 2656 baboons revealed four allelic isozymes which segregated codominantly in pedigreed families. The gene frequencies differed significantly among five subspecies of baboons. However, theMPI*C allele had the highest frequency in all subspecies, ranging from 0.830 to 1.000. MPI phenotypes from erythrocytes and liver of the same individual were identical, indicating that the erythrocytic enzyme is specified by the same gene locus as the liver enzyme.
Adolescent Schizophrenia: A Methodologic Review of the Current Neuroimaging and Neuropsychologic Literature.

This paper reviews all relevant articles that reported structural neuroimaging or neuropsychological data in adolescent patients with schizophrenia. These papers were subsequently examined from a methodological perspective. Few papers have been written that have examined whether adolescent schizophrenia is associated with structural neuroimaging abnormalities or cognitive dysfunction. In these studies, major methodologic issues exist. Therefore, at present, firm conclusions cannot be made regarding the presence or absence of neuropsychologic dysfunction or structural neuroimaging abnormalities in this population. Attention to certain methodologic issues may improve future studies of this topic.
The effect of formalin fixation on the levels of brain transition metals in archived samples.

Reports that iron, zinc and copper homeostasis are in aberrant homeostasis are common for various neurodegenerative diseases, particularly for Huntington’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. Manipulating the levels of these elements in the brain through the application of chelators has been and continues to be tested therapeutically in clinical trials with mixed results. Much of the data indicating that these metals are abnormally concentrated in Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease brain tissue was generated through the analysis of post-mortem human tissue which was archived in formalin. In this study, we evaluated the effect of formalin fixation of brain on the levels of three important transition metals (iron, copper, and zinc) by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Paired brain specimens were obtained at autopsy for each case; one was conserved by formalin archival (averaging four years), the other was rapidly frozen. Both white and grey matter samples were analyzed and the concentrations of iron and zinc were found to decrease with fixation. Iron was reduced by 40% (P < 0.01), and zinc by 77% (P < 0.0001); copper concentrations increased by 37% (P < 0.05) by the paired T-test. The increase in copper is likely due to contamination from trace copper in the formalin. These results indicate that transition metal data obtained from fixed tissue may be heavily distorted and care should be taken in interpreting this data.
Platelet Activation and Free Emboli Formation in Flow Past Mechanical Heart Valves

Numerical studies, in vitro, and in vivo measurements were conducted, aimed at quantifying free emboli formation and procoagulant properties of platelets induced by flow past mechanical heart valves (MHV). Pulsatile turbulent flow simulation was conducted past a St. Jude medical MHV in the aortic position, to study the effects of valve implantation technique on the thromboembolic potential of the valve. A misaligned valve with subannualarly sutured pledgets produced accelerating jet flow through the valve orifices and a wider wake of shed vortices. Shear stress histories of platelets along turbulent trajectories exposed the platelets to elevated shear stresses around the leaflets, leading them to entrapment within the shed vortices. In vitro platelet studies were conducted past the MHV mounted in a recirculation flow loop and in a model of left ventricular assist device (LVAD), using an innovative platelet activity state (PAS) assay. The platelet activation significantly increased as a function of the recirculation time past the valve, and as compared to controls. Transcranial Doppler (TCD) measurements were conducted in the carotid artery of sheep with implanted MHV, showing marked increase in the number of HITS (High Intensity Transient Signals) signifying the passage of free emboli generated by the valve. The HITS were analyzed to distinguish between gaseous and thrombi emboli. Finally, platelet activity state measurements were conducted with sheep platelets, showing marked increase of platelet activation after valve implantation.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Smooth a heart with water: Thai mothers care for a child with schizophrenia.

Little is known about caregiving of persons with schizophrenia in Asian families. This report explores culturally specific beliefs and patterns of response among Thai families. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 Thai mothers of adult children with schizophrenia. Thai mothers responded to children's symptoms by practicing Thum-jai and creating a calm family environment. Maternal response was constituted by concerns about social expectations, escalation of the symptoms, and violating cultural values. Assessment of and attunement to Buddhist beliefs in the care of Thai families and immigrants are recommended.
Only Normal Distributions Have Linear Posterior Expectations in Linear Regression

Abstract We consider the general linear model Y = Aβ + e in the Bayesian framework and examine the implications of the statement that the posterior expectation of β, given Y, is a linear function of Y. Under various conditions on the model, it is shown that this linear posterior expectation implies that both β and e are normally distributed. For most of the practical situations in which linear models are used, only normal distributions have linear posterior expectations.
Risk and prices in separable utility functions

Many decision problems involve more than one attribute. Separable multi-attribute utility functions are commonly used to model preferences in such situations. We consider the case in which one attribute can be identified as money. The price at which non-monetary attributes may be substituted by money, the relation of this price to a decision-maker's wealth, and the implications on attitudes toward risk are examined for additively and multiplicatively separable multi-attribute utility functions. In particular, it is shown that additive separability, price independent of wealth and monetary risk-aversion are mutually inconsistent.
Saturable transport of H2-antagonists ranitidine and famotidine across Caco-2 cell monolayers.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanism by which the H2-antagonists ranitidine and famotidine interacted with the paracellular space during their transport across Caco-2 cell monolayers. Transport experiments with ranitidine and famotidine across Caco-2 cell monolayers were performed to determine the apical-to-basolateral flux at various concentrations. Kinetic analysis of the transport data showed that ranitidine and famotidine were transported by both saturable and nonsaturable processes. Na+, K+-ATPase inhibitor ouabain and metabolic inhibitors sodium azide + 2-deoxy-D-glucose did not affect ranitidine transport, suggesting that the active transport was not involved. Famotidine and some other guanidine-containing compounds, e.g., guanethidine, Arg-Gly, L-arginine methyl ester, and L-argininamide, inhibited the transport of ranitidine, whereas other guanidine-containing compounds with an additional negative charge, e.g., L-arginine, did not. 2,4, 6-Triaminopyrimidine (TAP), an inhibitor of paracelluar cationic conductance, also inhibited the transport of both ranitidine and famotidine. On the basis of these results, it is proposed that the saturable transport of ranitidine and famotidine across Caco-2 cell monolayers appears to be via a facilitated diffusion process mediated by the paracellular anionic sites. This mechanism is consistent with the observation that ranitidine and famotidine caused a concentration-dependent increase in transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) across Caco-2 cell monolayers, presumably by blocking the paracellular anionic sites and thus inhibiting the flux of cations (e.g., Na+).
The Institutional Vision of Community Colleges Assessing Style as Well as Substance

Providing an accessible and adaptable education has become an increasingly daunting task for community colleges. Administrators must formulate adaptive strategies as well as purposefully articulate them. A content analysis of the mission and vision statements from a nationwide sample of community colleges was performed, and key linguistic components found to constitute a well conceived, viable, and easily diffused institutional vision were isolated. The prevalence of these components in comparison to other types of academic institutions is discussed.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE GROWTH AND THE MECHANICAL AND PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF BISMUTH SINGLE CRYSTALS

Abstract Shaped single crystals of bismuth were grown using the Bridgman procedure and a “soft mold” technique, and their tensile strength and electrical resistivity were measured. When the angle between the primary cleavage plane and the direction of load application was less than 70°, the crystal was ductile and slip was predominant. When the angle was greater than 70°, the crystal was brittle and twinning was predominant. The calculated critical resolved shear stresses and critical resolved twinning stresses were reasonably consistent and were sensitive to both strain rate and crystal purity. Resistivity ratios between 300°K and 4.2°K averaged 24, 216 and 298 for the 4-g′s, 5-g′s and 6–9′s bismuth, respectively. The 300°K resistivities were essentially the same for the three grades of bismuth, but the 4.2°K resistivities reflected the effects of impurities or imperfections. Within the ranges of operating conditions used, material purity had a definite and perhaps dominant influence on the probability of success in growing a single crystal. Shaped single crystals with predetermined lattice orientations were grown using a single crystal seed.
Synergistic vulnerabilities: antiretroviral treatment among women in Uganda.

Despite being an early success story in the reduction of HIV infection rates, Uganda faces myriad challenges in the recent era of accelerated antiretroviral treatment (ARV) scale-up. For those able to access treatment, ongoing vulnerabilities of poverty and violence compound treatment-related costs and concerns. This paper explores experiences of one particularly vulnerable population – women on ARVs who have also experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). Data were collected over 12 months in Uganda. They include ethnographic interviews (n = 40) drawn from a larger sample of women on ARV and semi-structured interviews with policy-makers and service providers (n = 42), examining the intersection of experiences and responses to treatment from multiple perspectives. Women's narratives show that due to treatment, immediate health concerns take on secondary importance, while other forms of vulnerability, including IPV and poverty, can continue to shape treatment experiences and the decision to stay in viole...
What Poetry Brings to the Table of Science and Religion

Ever since Plato's famous attack on artists and poets in Book 10 of The Republic, lovers of literature have felt pressed to defend poetry, and indeed from ancient times down to the present, literature and art have had to fight various battles against philosophy, religion, and science. After providing a brief overview of this conflict and then arguing that between poetry and science there are some noteworthy similarities—that is, that some of the basic mental structures with which the scientist studies the “text” of nature (facts, laws, theories) find their counterparts in ways an informed reader studies the poetic text, I develop what I see as the most important differences between poetry, on the one hand, and science, philosophy, and theology, on the other. These differences lie chiefly in two areas: (1) in the stance that each takes toward language itself and (2) in the stance each takes toward that ancient polarity between the one and the many. The aim of my argument is neither to privilege poetry over the other modes of knowing the world nor to grant, particularly to science in its reductive “objectivity,” a higher epistemological status than that accorded to poetry and the arts. Instead, I wish to argue that science, by pushing the boundaries of knowledge about the material world, shows the poet, as well as the theologian, some of the more important work to be done and that poetry, with its emphasis on the particular over the abstract and on the ambiguities and paradoxes of language as inherently metaphorical, serves science and religion by providing a caution against the naive acceptance of language as literal and the consequent enthrallment to the power of absolutes and totalizing abstractions.
Measuring individuals' valuation distributions using a stochastic payment card approach

Abstract Instead of assuming that each individual has a single point value for a good or service in her mind, we believe that an individual's valuation of an environmental quality improvement is best viewed as a random variable with an associated distribution. To measure individuals' valuation distributions, we propose a contingent valuation elicitation procedure based on a stochastic payment card approach that presents each respondent with numerical likelihood that the respondent would agree to pay a specified amount in order to implement an environmental improvement plan. An empirical pilot study was conducted in Sofia, Bulgaria to illustrate the implementation of this stochastic payment card and to contrast it with the traditional referendum elicitation procedure. In this pilot study the results obtained using the stochastic payment card approach are significantly lower than those obtained from the referendum model.
Modulation of renin secretion by atrial natriuretic factor prohormone fragment 31-67.

Background: Earlier studies have indicated that the atrial natriuretic factor prohormone fragment 31-67 (Pro ANF31–67) has important effects for the promotion of sodium excretion and vasodilation in several animal species. However, the mechanisms for the natriuretic actions of Pro ANF31–67 are not completely defined. In the present study, the effects of synthetic Pro ANF31–67 on renin secretion were examined in sodium-depleted, anesthetized dogs with a single intact kidney (n = 5). Methods: After 3 20-minute control renal clearance periods, synthetic dog Pro ANF31–67 was given intrarenally at a sustained dose of 0.03 μg/kg/min for 3 20-minute experimental intervals, and after discontinuation of the peptide infusion, 3 final 20-minute recovery periods were determined. Results: Sustained intrarenal infusions of the Pro ANF31–67 produced striking decrements (p<0.05) in renin secretion, from a control value of 1418 ± 243 to 401 ± 223 ng of angiotensin l/min. This 66% fall in renin secretion was associated with significant (P < 0.05) increases in creatinine clearance (40%), renal blood flow (8%), urine flow (50%), and sodium excretion (17%). Conclusions: It is suggested that this inhibition of renin secretion was mediated, at least in part, in response to a ProANF31–67-induced increment in the sodium load delivered to the macula densa. An interaction of the peptide with the renal vascular receptor for suppression of renin release is also possible. ProANF31–67 may represent an important hormonal mechanism involved in the regulation of body-fluid balance.
Hyperglycemia in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies

Patients with hematologic malignancies are at high risk for hyperglycemia due to factors such as frequent exposure to glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, total parenteral nutrition, and medical stress. Hyperglycemia in these patients has been associated with poor outcomes including increased risk of infection, organ dysfunction, durability of remission, graft-versus-host disease, and mortality. However, the appropriate glucose targets are not well established, and there are few prospective data assessing whether glucose control improves outcomes. HbA1c should be interpreted with caution in patients with hematologic malignancies, due to inaccuracies imposed by disordered hematopoiesis and frequent transfusions, and short-term perturbations imposed by acute illness or medications. Management of diabetes or glucocorticoid-induced hyperglycemia in the hospital generally requires insulin therapy, which is tailored based upon nutritional needs, baseline glucose control, and concomitant factors such as type and dose of glucocorticoid administration. Close follow-up and adjustment of therapy, ideally with the assistance of patient self-titration algorithms, is required after discharge. Patients are at increased long-term risk for developing diabetes and therefore should undergo regular screening.
Preparing future engineering students through math competition in Inland area

MATHCOUNTS is a national program aimed at enhancing problem solving skills for middle schools students through a series of math competitions at the local, state and national levels. Currently in its 30th year, MATHCOUNTS is one of the country's largest and most successful education partnerships involving volunteers, educators, industry sponsors and students. As an extracurricular activity, MATHCOUNTS recognize and reward students for pursuing a deeper understanding of math concepts and their applications in science, technology, and engineering (STEM) fields. In this paper, I shall describes the effort made by the College of Engineering of California Baptist University in organizing the annual MATHCOUNTS Chapter competition for Inland Empire area and encouraging engineering careers among the local middle school students. After initial background introduction of the MATHCOUNTS program, the paper will focus on the growth of the MATHCOUNTS program in Inland Empire area during the last five years, the detail aspects of organizing this important competition, and the linkage between the competition and the career choices among the students involved in the competition. The long term goal of organizing this competition is to further promote and improve K-12 STEM education so that more students will choose engineering as their future careers and more students will be better prepared for the engineering careers they choose.
The agent in a transformational m-banking ecosystem: interface or intermediary?

The bank-led branchless banking model in India was born out of a national financial inclusion mandate that seeks to connect unbanked populations to formal financial services. This is implemented through a transformational, hybrid infrastructure that extends outreach via low-scale banking structures. These low-scale banking structures take banking services out of the brick-and-mortar bank branches and into the hands of non-bank agents (or business correspondents) that can now drive uptake in unserved regions on the branchless banking platform. This note demonstrates the results of a study that looked at Eko, one of the prominent mobile banking business correspondents in India, in its collaboration with the largest public sector bank in the country. In particular, this note will focus on the role of their retail agent network and how certain informal, frequently unstipulated, practices on their part may help in acquiring and retaining customers on the platform. In this way, the retail agent network may indeed help in sustaining the transformational mobile banking ecosystem.
A model of periodic acknowledgement

We study a problem abstracted from modeling a multicast protocol. In our model, messages generated by a single source are simultaneously forwarded to a set of receivers where they are independently processed. We assume a state-dependent message arrival rate and memoryless service time distributions. The receivers may process messages at different average rates. Messages processed by all receivers are periodically acknowledged and cleared from the system. Due to finite buffer space, the total number of non-acknowledged messages in the system is limited. Our focus in this paper is on the number of messages cleared at acknowledgement time.The problem under consideration bears resemblance to a fork/join process with heterogeneous servers, used in the study of multiprocessing computer systems. Our model includes the additional features of finite buffer space and delayed periodic departure of completed jobs. Even without these features, the resulting type of queuing model has no known closed-form solution in the general case of more than two servers. Because the arrival processes to the servers are correlated, the model is difficult to decompose. We propose a relatively simple decomposition technique and a fixed-point iteration scheme. In our approach, we consider each receiver (server) in isolation, and we account for the influence of other receivers through the probability that a given number of messages can be cleared at acknowledgement time. We derive elementary differential equations for the number of messages processed by a receiver. These equations involve the conditional probability of the number of messages not yet processed given the number of messages waiting to be cleared. We compute an approximate solution using the conditional probability obtained from a model with exponentially distributed acknowledgement periods. Our numerical results for the average number of messages cleared at acknowledgment time are typically within a few percent of simulation midpoints.
Design and Implementation of an Automated Anomaly Detection System for Crime

Anomaly detection in the law enforcement domain is very important because it gives police agencies a method for discerning the difference between normal fluctuations and fundamental changes in a specific crime distribution. Currently, crime analysts must monitor the data manually to detect these anomalies because an automated tool does not exist. This paper describes the analysis, design, and implementation of a system, entitled Sentinel, which directly addresses the anomaly detection problem. The Sentinel system is comprised of a robust anomaly detection back-end program built around a zero modified Poisson model and a user-friendly web interface. The back-end program constantly monitors user specified crime levels over time and automatically alerts users via the web interface when these crime levels change significantly. This tool has been completed and integrated into the Web-based criminal analysis toolkit (WebCAT), a criminal analysis program developed by the Systems Engineering Department at the University of Virginia. Although more long term comprehensive testing remains, initial results show that the tool provides a more accurate, time efficient method of detecting anomalies in criminal data sets than currently exists.
Human resource management—Microcomputer packages

Abstract Recently, several college textbook publishers have offered Personnel/Human Resource Management (P/HRM) microcomputer packages for use in P/HRM courses. In this paper, we compare three widely-used packages. All of these multiple-program packages employ Lotus 1–2–3 on IBM-PC (or compatible) microcomputers. Common features (training programs, performance appraisal, and recruiting) are compared and unique programs (stress management and monitoring accident rates) are noted. We make recommendations regarding program features and suggest improvements whenever possible.
Self-organized coherent bursts of stimulated Raman scattering and speckle interaction in multi-speckled laser beams

Nonlinear physics governing the kinetic behavior of stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) in multi-speckled laser beams has been identified in the trapping regime over a wide range of kλD values (here k is the wave number of the electron plasma waves and λD is the Debye length) in homogeneous and inhomogeneous plasmas. Hot electrons from intense speckles, both forward and side-loss hot electrons produced during SRS daughter electron plasma wave bowing and filamentation, seed and enhance the growth of SRS in neighboring speckles by reducing Landau damping. Trapping-enhanced speckle interaction through transport of hot electrons, backscatter, and sidescatter SRS light waves enable the system of speckles to self-organize and exhibit coherent, sub-ps SRS bursts with more than 100% instantaneous reflectivity, resulting in an SRS transverse coherence width much larger than a speckle width and a SRS spectrum that peaks outside the incident laser cone. SRS reflectivity is found to saturate above a threshold laser intensity at a level of reflectivity that depends on kλD: higher kλD leads to lower SRS and the reflectivity scales as ∼(kλD)−4. As kλD and Landau damping increase, speckle interaction via sidescattered light and side-loss hot electrons decreases and the occurrence of self-organized events becomes infrequent, leading to the reduction of time-averaged SRS reflectivity. It is found that the inclusion of a moderately strong magnetic field in the laser direction can effectively control SRS by suppressing transverse speckle interaction via hot electron transport.
Electron capture in carbon dwarf supernovae

The rates of electron capture on heavier elements under the extreme conditions predicted for dwarf star supernovae have been computed, incorporating modifications that seem to be indicated by present experimental results. An estimate of the maximum possible value of such rates is also given. The distribution of nuclei in nuclear statistical equilibrium has been calculated for the range of expected supernovae conditions, including the effects of the temperature dependence of nuclear partition functions. These nuclide abundance distributions are then used to compute nuclear equilibrium thermodynamic properties. The effects of the electron capture on such equilibrium matter are discussed. The results of supernova numerical hydrodynamics incorporating the computed equilibrium properties and the influence of electron capture are presented. In the context of the ‘carbon detonation’ supernova model, the dwarf central density required to assure core collapse to a neutron star configuration is found to be slightly higher than that obtained by Bruenn (1972) with the electron capture rates of Hansen (1966).