cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Controlled release of substituted benzoic and naphthoic acids using Carbopol gels: measurement of drug concentration profiles and correlation to release rate kinetics.

Purpose. The objective of this study is to correlate drug release mechanism with measured drug concentration profiles in gel layers of Carbopol® matrices containing mesalamine or benzoic acid.
Abstract WP105: An Effective Delayed Treatment for Ischemic Stroke Uses Fluoxetine and Simvastatin

For more than 90% of ischemic stroke patients there exists no standardized drug treatment other than giving aspirin or beginning statin treatment for the prevention of future strokes. The purpose o...
Population genetic structure of the Hawaiian precious coral Corallium lauuense (Octocorallia: Coralliidae) using microsatellites

Seamount fauna are threatened by destructive fisheries practices, yet little is known about the physical and biological processes (e.g., dispersal and connectivity) that maintain species on seamounts. Gorgonian octocorals are among the dominant epifaunal taxa of many seamounts and represent a model taxon with which to understand processes of dispersal and gene flow in seamount fauna. One of the more common deep-sea octocorals on the seamounts and islands of the Hawaiian Archipelago is the precious coral Corallium lauuense. Here, we present results of a preliminary study to examine the population genetic structure of widely-distributed populations of C. lauuense within and among eight Hawaiian seamounts using three highly polymorphic microsatellite loci. Genic diversity and population differentiation estimated from the number of alleles, heterozygosity, and a hierarchical analysis of molecular variance revealed relatively high levels of genetic diversity as well as low yet significant levels of population differentiation among several of the seamounts and islands (predominantly among population comparisons with any site and the Kauai and Makapu’u coral beds). Despite these genetic differences between sites, population differentiation based on F ST and R ST for all sites was not significant at any locus. No linkage disequilibrium or pattern of isolation by distance was observed, and heterozygote deficiency was found in every population within at least one locus. The low heterozygosity throughout the Hawaiian Archipelago raises the concern that this species may be suffering from inbreeding depression. Further investigation of precious coral population demographic structure is needed to assess the risk of habitat loss and fisheries activities on these seamounts.
A Model of a Continuing State with Scarce Capital

The paper discusses a disaggregative model of a stationary state with a von Neumann type technology. The model allows for scarce primary inputs, and for consumption good outputs that enter into a utility function. The stationary state results from maximization of the sum of all future utilities discounted by a given annual discount factor α, either in a sufficiently distant future regardless of the initial capital stock, or at all times if the initial stock is just right. The dependence of the self-preserving capital stock on α is discussed.
E. Leonard Arnoff

After completing his World War II (WWII) military service, E.Leonard (Len) Arnoff returned to college and obtained a Ph.D. in mathematics in 1952. He then took a position as a mathematician with the precursor of the U.S. space agency. Soon afterwards, an out-of-the-blue telephone call set him on a distinguished career in operations research (OR); he joined the OR Group at the Case Institute of Technology, the first university to offer M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in OR. At Case, Len organized and directed seminal OR programs, led applied research projects, and co-authored the first comprehensive OR text, Introduction to Operations Research (1957), with C. West Churchman and Russell Ackoff. He then went on to create and direct one of the earliest management science groups within a management consulting organization. Len then became Dean of the College of Business, University of Cincinnati, and transformed it into a modern teaching and research institution. He served as president (1968–1969) of The Institute of Management Sciences (TIMS), president of the Omega Rho International Honor Society for Operations Research and Management Science, and was a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Sciences.
THE EVOLUTION OF IN VIVO VOLTAMMETRY AND MICRODIALYSIS

In vivo voltammetry and microdialysis are two leading techniques for monitoring neurochemistry in the brain. This paper addresses the state of the art of voltammetry and microdialysis as they have evolved from their respective beginnings. Voltammetry is an old and well established electrochemical method. However, the development and application of in vivo voltammetry and microdialysis for measurement of neurotransmitters began about the same time in the 1970’s. In R. N. Adams laboratory at the University of Kansas, carbon paste electrodes were first put in ventricles of the rat brain and then in the brain itself.1,2 The developments that followed have been reviewed.3 About this same time, Urban Ungerstedt, developed the microdialysis probe, based on the idea of exchange of substances across a blood capillary.4 This was an extension of the earlier push-pull device of Gaddum5 and the dialysis devices of Bito et al.6 and Delgado et al.7 for sampling the extracellular environment of the brain. More than a thousand papers a year are now published using microdialysis.
Polyethylene Augmented Glenoid Components in Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

Glenohumeral osteoarthritis can cause significant glenoid bone loss. Asymmetric bone loss in advanced osteoarthritis is primarily posterior resulting in increased retroversion. In contrast, patients with instability-related arthritis may develop anterior glenoid wear and increased anteversion. Walch initially described a three group classification of wear patterns in advanced osteoarthritis based on the morphology of the glenoid and humeral head subluxation. In a recent article, Walch described the addition of the B3 and D types to the classification to include posterior and central bone loss without hypoplasia and anteverted glenoids, respectively (Fig. 21.1) [1, 2]. Operative treatment options include anatomic and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA).
Comparison of open and endovascular procedures in patients with critical limb ischemia on dialysis

Abstract Objective Peripheral artery disease is a common comorbidity in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), but there is a paucity of data comparing outcomes of different interventions in this group of patients. In this study, we examined perioperative outcomes of lower extremity endovascular revascularization (ER) and open revascularization (OR) in dialysis patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI). Methods Patients on dialysis and undergoing ER and OR for CLI from 2011 to 2015 were identified in the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program dataset. Patient demographics, comorbidities, anatomic features, and perioperative outcomes were compared between ER and OR procedures. Results From 2011 to 2015, 1021 lower extremity revascularizations were performed in dialysis patients with CLI. In this group, 535 were ER (53%) and 486 were OR (47%) procedures. Although demographic characteristics such as age and gender were similar between the two groups, there was a higher proportion of Caucasians and African Americans in the OR group. Patients undergoing open and endovascular procedures had similar rates of hypertension, congestive heart failure, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and bleeding disorders. A minority of procedures (4%) were emergencies, which were distributed equally between the two groups. Preoperative aspirin usage was higher in the ER group (84% vs 78%; P = .024), beta-blocker use was higher in the OR group (79% vs 74%; P = .08), and statin use was similar between the two groups (72% in OR and 70% in ER; P = .54). On risk-adjusted multivariate analysis, OR was associated with a lower rate of major amputation (5.97% vs 11.78%; odds ratio, 0.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.26-0.85), but a higher rate of postoperative bleeding (29.6% vs 8.97%; odds ratio, 2.86; 95% CI, 1.8-4.35) and wound complications (15% vs 3%; odds ratio, 4.5; 95% CI, 2.38-8.3). The 30-day mortality and cardiovascular morbidity were similar between the two groups. Conclusions In patients with ESRD with CLI, OR is associated with a lower risk of major limb amputation but a higher rate of postoperative wound complications and bleeding, compared with ER. Cardiovascular complications, 30-day mortality, reinterventions and readmissions were similar between the two groups. In patients with ESRD with CLI, OR should be considered as an option for limb salvage if feasible. Long-term outcomes comparing the two types of procedures are needed.
Regional Versus Global Measurements of Right Ventricular Strain Performed in the Operating Room With Transesophageal Echocardiography

Objective To compare regional and global measures of right ventricular (RV) strain in patients undergoing intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). Design Prospective, nonrandomized, observational study. Setting Single tertiary-level, university hospital. Participants The study comprised 48 patients undergoing intraoperative TEE. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results A global RV strain measurement (termed RV 5-wall strain [RV 5WS]) was calculated by averaging the longitudinal strain calculated from multiple TEE views. This global strain measurement was compared with the more standard regional strain measurements obtained in a single 4-chamber view (RV free-wall strain [RV FWS] and RV global longitudinal strain [RV GLS]) and with traditional measures of RV function. Regional and global strain measurements were feasible in the operating room. RV FWS and RV GLS strongly correlated with RV 5WS (r = 0.86 and 0.87, respectively) with no significant bias and limits of agreement of approximately –5% to 5%. RV FWS and RV GLS were even more closely correlated with each other (r = 0.99) with no significant bias and limits of agreement less than –2% to 2%. Both regional and global RV strain measurements showed a high sensitivity (RV FWS 94%; RV GLS 94%; RV 5WS 89%) and moderate specificity (RV FWS 70%; RV GLS 67%; RV 5WS 63%) for RV dysfunction based on a reference standard of 3-dimensional RV ejection fraction. Conclusions Both regional and global RV strain measurements are feasible in the operating room with TEE. Regional and global measures of RV function correlate well and are sensitive indicators of RV dysfunction.
Corneal Biomechanics and Visual Field Progression in Eyes with Seemingly Well-Controlled Intraocular Pressure.

Purpose To investigate the incidence and risk factors for glaucomatous visual field progression in eyes with well-controlled intraocular pressure (IOP). Design Prospective cohort. Participants A total of 460 eyes of 334 patients with glaucoma under treatment. Methods Study subjects had a mean follow-up of 4.3±0.8 years. Patients were classified as well controlled if all IOP measurements were less than 18 mmHg. Rates of visual field progression were calculated using ordinary least-squares linear regression of standard automated perimetry (SAP) mean deviation (MD) values over time. Progression was defined as a significantly negative MD slope (alpha = 0.05). Main Outcome Measures Rates of SAP MD change; mean and peak IOP, and IOP fluctuation; and corneal biomechanics: corneal hysteresis (CH), central corneal thickness (CCT), and corneal index. Results Of the 179 eyes with well-controlled IOP, 42 (23.5%) demonstrated visual field progression. There was no significant difference between progressing and stable patients in baseline MD (−6.4±7.1 decibels [dB] vs. −6.0±6.2 dB; P = 0.346), mean IOP (11.7±2.0 mmHg vs. 12.1±2.3 mmHg; P = 0.405), IOP fluctuation (1.6±0.6 mmHg vs. 1.6±0.5 mmHg; P = 0.402), or peak IOP (14.3±1.9 mmHg vs. 14.6±2.1 mmHg; P = 0.926). Progressing eyes had significantly lower CH (8.6±1.3 mmHg vs. 9.4±1.6 mmHg; P = 0.014) and thinner CCT (515.1±33.1 μm vs. 531.1±42.4 μm; P = 0.018, respectively) compared with stable eyes. In the multivariate analysis, a 1 standard deviation lower corneal index, a summation of normalized versions of CH and CCT, resulted in a 68% higher risk of progression (odds ratio, 1.68; 95% confidence interval, 1.08–2.62; P = 0.021). Conclusions Approximately one-quarter of eyes with well-controlled IOP may show visual field progression over time. Thin cornea and low CH are main risk factors.
Impact of silicide process on eFuse programming, reliability and ruggedness in RF BiCMOS Technology

0.35um SiGe BiCMOS wafers were fabricated using Ti, Co, Pt, and Ni salicide processes optimized for a range of CMOS technology nodes down to 90nm. On-wafer circuitry was used to program discrete eFuse elements to compare their pre and post programmed resistances and behavior during programming between each salicide process employed, with TEM analysis to confirm successful electromigration in the fuse link. Discrete eFuses were also subjected to 100ns Transmission Line Pulse (TLP) to compare ESD handling and robustness, and the associated MOSFET circuitry characterized for safe operating area (SOA) under DC and pulsed conditions. This work demonstrates the compatibility of eFuse technology across a range of process technology nodes, as well as its robustness in high reliability applications.
Progressive Caucus Activism During the Obama Administration

Original case studies of Progressive Caucus activism inside the Democratic Party and Congress during the Obama administration are developed in this chapter. They examine factional influence from the outside-in, including Progressive opposition to President Obama’s plan to conduct a military strike on Syria in 2013 and challenges to the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal. In both cases, factions displayed resistance strategies including legislation, issue framing, and persistence, which helped build the case against these establishment initiatives.
Statin-induced necrotizing autoimmune myopathy: an extremely rare adverse effect from statin use

Statins are widely prescribed medications to prevent cardiovascular events. While self-limited statin myopathy is relatively common, statin-induced necrotizing autoimmune myopathy (SINAM) is extremely uncommon, with incidence of two cases per million per year. We present a case of SINAM after a decade of atorvastatin use, leading to debilitating weakness. A 71-year-old male presented with recurrent falls due to extreme bilateral lower-extremity weakness without pain or sensory changes. No fever, chills, rash, joint pain, recent infection or medication changes were reported. Reported taking atorvastatin 80 mg daily for 10 years. Physical examination revealed significant muscle wasting on right deltoid and proximal muscle weakness in all extremities. Lab tests included elevated creatinine kinase, aldolase, ESR, CRP and transaminases. Anti-HMGCR antibody was significantly elevated. TSH, serum protein electrophoresis and RPR were unremarkable. ANA, Anti-Jo-1, anti-Mi2, anti-SRP, anti-ds-DNA, anti-SSA and anti-SSB antibodies were negative. MRI of thigh revealed diffuse myositis. Electromyogram revealed an acute myopathic process. Muscle biopsy showed muscle necrosis and C5b-9 sarcolemmal deposits on non-necrotic fibers without rimmed vacuoles. He was diagnosed with SINAM. Statin was discontinued, and steroid, immunoglobulins and azathioprine were started with gradual improvement. Unlike the self-limiting statin myopathy, SINAM is more severe and is associated with significant proximal muscle weakness, markedly elevated CK and persistent symptoms despite statin discontinuation. Anti-HMGCR antibodies are present in 100% of cases. Immunosuppressants are the mainstay of treatment, and statin rechallenge should never be done in these cases. Although relatively rare, physicians should be cognizant of SINAM.
Daphne P. Lei, Uncrossing the Borders: Performing Chinese in Gendered (Trans)Nationalism

The history of Imperial China is, in some sense, also the history of women crossing borders, sacrificing themselves to protect their homeland from “barbarian” attacks. Chinese theatre has no shorta...
Field-effect electro-plasmonics: a quantum leap in neurotechnologies

Harnessing the unprecedented spatiotemporal resolution capability of light to detect electrophysiological signals has been the goal of neuroscientists for nearly 50 years. Yet, progress towards that goal remains elusive due to lack of electro-optic translators that can efficiently convert bioelectronic signals to high photon-count optical signals. Here, we introduce an ultrasensitive and extremely bright field-effect active plasmonic nanoantenna translating tiny electric field oscillations to large optical signals in the far-field. Our electrochromically loaded plasmonic nanoprobes overcome the limitation of state-of-art neuroelectrode technologies and enable massively multiplexed measurement of nanoscale electric-field modulations. In our experiments, we demonstrated 500 million parallel, ultrasensitive and subcellular resolution recordings of cell firing behavior, reflecting a technical capability that is well beyond the theoretical limits of the state-of-art neurotechnologies.
Design and modeling of a fast neutron beam at a research reactor

Abstract A fast neutron irradiation beam has been designed and modeled in MCNP6, (Monte Carlo N-Particle) for use in the beam port 4 facility at the TRIGA Mark-II reactor at The University of Texas at Austin. This facility will be built to provide neutrons with energies resembling the Watt fission neutron spectrum by reducing thermal and epithermal neutron flux. A filter uses elements of lead, borated polyethylene, naturally enriched boron, 96% enriched boron-10 powder, and boron nitride. Sensitivity studies of the filter design were performed to produce an economic and effective facility. To filter the beam, natural boron, enriched boron, and boron nitride were used; to collimate the beam, elements of borated polyethylene and natural boron were employed. The filter is modular to allow for the order and contents of each filter element to be reproducible and exchangeable. This flexibility allows the system to improve over time should additional funding become available or other functionality be desired. The filter as modeled will produce a 10 cm diameter beam of filtered neutrons with a maximum flux of 3.75 × 106 n cm−2 s−1 at a reactor power of 950 kW. The resulting neutron flux resembles the pure 235U Watt fission spectrum with a slight elevation in the epithermal neutron flux.
Surgical management and prognosis of renal cell carcinoma invading the vena cava.

AbstractA total of 44 patients with renal cell carcinoma and vena caval tumor thrombus underwent surgical resection. Of these patients 27 had primary tumor confined within Gerota’s fascia, negative lymph nodes and no distant metastases (stage T3cN0M0). Patients who underwent extraction of a mobile tumor thrombus from the vena cava had a 69% 5-year survival rate (median 9.9 years) but patients with tumor thrombus directly invading the vena cava had a 26% 5-year survival rate (median 1.2 years), which improved to 57% (median 5.3 years) if the involved vena caval side wall was resected successfully. Of these patients 17 had renal cell carcinoma with vena caval thrombus as well as extrafascial extension, regional lymphadenopathy or distant metastases, and the 5-year survival rate was less than 18% in all groups (median survival less than 0.9 years). Prognosis was determined by the pathological stage of the renal cell carcinoma and by the presence or absence of vena caval side wall invasion but not by the leve...
Development of a Technology based business course

University students are likely to be inadequately equipped for the world that confronts them after graduation from traditional programs, unless systematic exposure to these new and emerging developments is ensured. Given the rapid and continuous evolution of models and methods, we are unable to rely of traditional textbooks and lecture based courses. Providing a hybrid electronic business course, with a high degree of technology integration and requiring them to design and implement an online business would provide the motivation and the vehicle for educating themselves about business.This paper discusses the experience of a small Midwestern University responding to developments related to the pervasive role of technology and e-Business. A pilot technology based business course (capped at 24 students), was developed and taught by a multi-disciplinary team of three tenured faculty members. Participants analyzed real world e-commerce cases to learn about business and technology issues. Student teams (mix of MIS and other functional areas, as well as graduate /senior undergraduate) developed new business ventures (including a comprehensive business plan and a working web-site) as part of the requirements. Given the level of 'real world' interest in e-Businesses, the course proved exciting, fast paced, and current. We provide an in-depth analysis of the course development and implementation process, curriculum issues and pedagogies used. Results of the student survey covering student reactions to team exercises, web projects, computer cases and other issues are presented along with statistical analysis of survey data. The faculty members will teach it again, in response to student and administration requests.
Rat intestinal cell atrial natriuretic peptide receptor coupled to guanylate cyclase

The present studies were initiated to determine if cells of intestinal origin possess the molecular components supporting a response to atrial natriuretic peptides. Specific binding in cultured rat ileal cells with 125I-labeled atrial natriuretic peptide was saturable and of high affinity. Scatchard analyses showed a single population of binding sites with a Kd of 2.1 nmol/L and a Bmax of 300 fmol/mg protein. Atrial natriuretic peptide activated particulate guanylate cyclase 5- to 10-fold in a concentration- and time-dependent fashion. The EC50 for activation of enzyme by atrial natriuretic peptide was 6 nmol/L. Accumulation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate stimulated by atrial natriuretic peptide was observed in the intracellular (25-fold) and extracellular (50-fold) compartments and was dependent on concentration and time. Half-maximum intracellular accumulation was observed with 10 nmol/L atrial natriuretic peptide. These data suggest a role for atrial natriuretic peptides in the gastrointestinal tract.
Optical oscillator strengths for O IV

Abstract Optical oscillator strengths for excitations from the valence subshell of O IV are calculated using a semi-empirical approach.
The Tarsius γ-Globin Gene: Pseudogene or Active Gene?

Abstract We sequenced the ∼5-kb long γ-globin gene locus from Tarsius bancanus and compared it to the published γ-globin gene sequence from the related species Tarsius syrichta. The T. syrichta gene's promoter lacks the distal CCAAT box and has a point mutation in the functionally important proximal CCAAT box (CCgAT). This previous finding had suggested that in tarsiers the γ-globin gene might be a nonexpressed pseudogene. The two tarsier species show the same point mutation at the third nucleotide of the proximal CCAAT element and absence of the distal CCAAT element. Nevertheless, our results indicate that in tarsiers the γ-globin gene is active, since all three coding regions show only synonymous substitutions and a much lower level of divergence than the noncoding regions. This is significantly different from what would be expected for a silent gene evading stabilizing selection. Thus, we hypothesize that the tarsier's γ-globin gene locus is expressed even with the mutation in the proximal CCAAT box.
Antithrombotics in trauma care: Benefits and pitfalls

Summary The use of LMWH for reducing the risk of DVT and PE has gained increasing popularity in trauma patients with pelvic fractures requiring operative fixation or prolonged (>5 days) bed rest, in patients with complex lower extremity fractures requiring operative fixation or prolonged bed rest, and in spinal cord-injured patients with complete or incomplete motor paralysis. However, the use of LMWH in trauma can be a challenge, necessitating a fine balance between bleeding risk and DVT/PE risk. There are many unresolved issues concerning the use of antithromboties in trauma patients, which require further investigation, especially in patients receiving continuous neuraxial analgesia.
Sampling effects in batch extraction studies: A perturbation analysis

Abstract The diffusional interactions between a solid body and a fluid of finite extent which is sampled either continuously or intermittently, with or without replacement of the sampled volume, are analysed using perturbation techniques. The perturbation parameter introduced reflects the actual sampling procedure used, and therefore is itself time-dependent. The results are applied to the analysis of recent experimental data on the migration of a phenolic antioxidant from polymer films to aqueous food simulants, and other published data on the extraction of styrene monomer from polystyrene are re-analysed in terms of this model. It is shown that parameter values estimated from batch extraction data can be in significant error if proper account is not taken of the sampling procedure used during the experiments.
Wild type and P301L mutant Tau promote neuro-inflammation and α-Synuclein accumulation in lentiviral gene delivery models

Neurodegeneration involves multiple pathogenic proteins, including Tau, Aβ, TDP-43 and α-Synuclein, but there is little information how these pathogenic proteins interact. We cloned human wild type 4 repeat Tau (Tauwt) and mutant TauP301L into a lentivirus and performed stereotaxic injection into the rat motor cortex to examine Tau modification, neuro-inflammation and changes of other proteins associated with neurodegeneration. TauP301L was associated with more phosphorylation of Tau, including Thr 181 and Ser 262 residues and resulted in more aggregation. Both forms of Tau expression increased glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK-3) activity, polo-like kinase-2 (PLK2) levels and decreased protein phosphatase activity, but had no effects on casein kinase-1 (CK1). No changes were observed in glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) staining with either Tauwt or TauP301L, but both caused microglial changes and higher interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels. Tauwt and TauP301L increased the levels of endogenous α-Synuclein, but not β-amyloid precursor protein (βAPP) or Tar-DNA binding protein (TDP-43). The levels of phosphorylated Ser-129 α-Synuclein (p-Ser129) were also increased with Tauwt and TauP301L expressing animals. These data suggest that Tauwt and TauP301L alter kinase activities, but they differentially induce inflammation, Tau modification and α-Synuclein phosphorylation. This change of α-Synuclein in Tau gene transfer models suggests that Tau pathology may lead to α-Synuclein modification in neurodegenerative diseases.
Déjà Vu All Over Again

Current guidelines recommend the use of standard lipid measures, including the total to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio, inexpensive and readily available, for routine cardiovascular disease risk assessment.1 Other studies and consensus panels, however, have suggested that the number of circulating atherogenic particles (and apoB as a surrogate) provide better risk prediction than standard lipid measures.2 Tests such as the Vertical Auto Profile (Atherotech, Birmingham, AL), which determines the cholesterol content of very low density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) subclasses, and patterns of LDL size; and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, which determines the sizes and concentrations of lipoprotein particles, have been described as improving the predictive power of lipid measurements.3,4 At times, there has been intense debate in the literature over the relative merits of these tests versus the standard lipid profile.5 The clinical popularity of lipid subfractionation and particle number and size measurements varies widely, but it is not uncommon to have patients specifically ask for these tests, and multiple web sites suggest that, if your physician is not knowledgeable about such studies, he or she is simply not to be thought of as keeping up with the times. Article see p 2469 The data, however, do not consistently support the additional value of these studies when added to standard lipid profile measurement. Ingelsson and colleagues6 used data from the Framingham Heart Study to assess the incremental utility of apolipoproteins over traditional lipids for coronary heart disease prediction. They followed 3322 middle-aged participants (53% women) for a median of 15 years. The primary outcome measure was incidence of first …
State Supreme Courts in American Democracy: Probing the Myths of Judicial Reform

I address the controversy over how judges should be selected by analyzing the electoral fortunes of incumbents on supreme courts from 1980 through 1995 in the 38 states using elections to staff the bench. Court reformers argue that partisan elections fail to evidence accountability, while nonpartisan and retention elections promote independence. Thus, issue-related or candidate-related forces should not be important in partisan elections, and external political conditions should not be important in nonpartisan and retention elections. Results indicate that reformers underestimated the extent to which partisan elections have a tangible substantive component and overestimated the extent to which nonpartisan and retention races are insulated from partisan politics and other contextual forces. On these two fundamental issues, arguments of reformers fail. Moreover, the extraordinary variations across systems and over time in how well incumbents fare with voters, which bear directly upon the representative nature of elected courts, merit further explanation.
Comparing Electronic and Face-to-Face Communication in the Success of a Long-Term Care Quality Improvement Collaborative

Researchers have long debated the effectiveness of electronic communication for getting work done in organizations, with many arguing that face-to-face interaction is key to high quality work and desired outcomes. Yet in healthcare quality improvement (QI) collaboratives, membership is frequently comprised of individuals from different, geographically dispersed organizations. This study examines the relationship between electronic and face-to-face interaction and the outcomes of a specific QI collaborative, the Empira Fall Prevention project in Minnesota. Outside of regularly scheduled meetings, the level of electronic communication reported by participants was associated with better outcomes in terms of reducing the percentage of new falls in facilities, along with other measures of effectiveness. In-person communication outside of meetings was related to subjective measures of success. The findings suggest ways in which collaboratives and members can leverage different modes of communication to maximize the benefits derived from participation.
Time interleaving study for an OFDM long-haul HF radio link

Communication with remote places is a challenge that in most cases is solved by means of satellites. However, for low-rate data transmission from remote sensors placed in Antarctic stations, this solution, a part from being too costly is of disadvantage since the geostationary satellite visibility is poor. In such scenarios, Skywave ionospheric communication systems represent a practical alternative to satellites. HF communications suffer from impaired propagation, i.e. long delay spread, medium Doppler values, high level of attenuation and high level of interference. To cope with some of these impairments, in this paper, a study of the time interleaving effect applied to OFDM symbols transmitted through a multipath time-varying long-haul ionospheric channel is studied.
Lipschitz Algebras and Derivations of von Neumann Algebras

Let M be an abelian von Neumann algebra andEan abelian operator M-bimodule. Then the domain of any ultraweakly closed derivation from M intoEis a Lipschitz algebra. Conversely, every Lipschitz algebra can be realized as such a domain. We discuss the relevance of this result to the theory of noncommutative metric spaces.
Planetary Scale Land-Ocean Contrast of Near-Surface Air Temperature and Precipitation Forced by Present and Future SSTs

The land-ocean contrasts of near-surface temperature and precipitation averaged over tropics (40°S–40°N) and extra tropics in the Northern Hemisphere (40°N-70°N) were studied using the global version of the Experimental Climate Prediction Center (ECPC) global to regional forecast system (G-RSM) under current and projected sea surface temperatures (SSTs) with four different stratiform cloud parameterizations.As common features of the simulations, we found that there is a large land-ocean contrast in surface downward longwave radiation flux (LWd), downward shortwave flux (SWd), upward shortwave flux (SWu), latent heat flux (LHF) and sensible heat flux (SHF). Since smaller LWd is compensated by larger SWd, and larger SWu is compensated by smaller LHF, there is a tendency toward the reduction of the land-ocean contrast of the total surface fluxes.There were significant differences in near-surface air temperature and precipitation among the four simulations. The main cause is due to clear-sky LWd. The second largest term is the SWd, which works in the opposite direction of the difference in LWd. The difference in the near-surface temperature among the schemes is mostly determined by the sum of the LWd and SWd.The variability of precipitation among the four cloud schemes is large everywhere except in tropical oceans. In general, the difference in evaporation explains the precipitation difference among the schemes everywhere except tropical oceans where moisture convergence is negative.When the simulations are performed with warmer SST, the differences among the cloud schemes are very similar to those in present-day simulations. However, the magnitude of the response to warm SST depends on the cloud scheme. Those sensitivities are connected to that of the effect of cloudiness on SWd and surface albedo.
The Riemann problem for the planar motion of an elastic string

where T= 7’( Ir,l) is the tension in the string, taken here to be a given smooth monotonically increasing function of the stretch 1~~~1 alone. In (l.l), we have also taken the density of the material of the string to be constant. The derivation of Eq. (1.1) (and of more general equations of motion for the string) is explained in [l]. In a previous paper [5], the Riemann problem was solved for system ( 1.1) under two assumptions: that the graph of T has exactly one inflection point, at t,, with
MO‐D‐141‐05: Dictionary Learning in Compressed Sensing Using Undersampled Data in PET Imaging

Purpose: Compressed sensing in PET imaging usually leverages the sparse representation of the acquired data in a predefined domain to help recover potential undersampling in the sinogram space. The majority of CS methods use analytical predefined sparsifying transforms such as wavelets, curvelets, and finite transforms. In this work, we evaluate the dictionary learning (DL) transform to reconstruct PET images from partially sampled data and compare the results with a fully sampled image. Methods: Let X=Dα represent an overlapping 4×4 pixel patches obtained from the partially sampled image, D is a matrix containing coefficients of the dictionary transform and a is a sparse vector. Our objective is to optimize X=Dα subject to the constraints that the a coefficients be sparse and more importantly that Dα be bounded by a Poisson likelihood penalization. This optimization is performed iteratively (n=500) in two steps for all patches concurrently: once we update the columns of D and once we update the α coefficients. This algorithm was tested using an IEC phantom containing 6 spheres with a sphere to background ratio of 10:1. The phantom was imaged on a D‐RX PET/CT scanner twice; once with all detectors operational (baseline) and once with 4 detector blocks at each of 0, 90, 180 and 270° turned off ‐ partially sampled (PS). The PS and DL‐recovered images were compared to baseline by calculating the percent error in mean activity concentrataion (AC) in the 6 spheres and background. Results: The percent error in AC in the 6 spheres (largest ‐ smallest) and background for PS (DL‐recovered) images were –22.5(6.3), –15.6(13.7), –19.6(7.8), –22.2(9.8), – 14.2(25), –11.9(21.4), and –33.3(22.2) respectively. Conclusion: Poisson compressed sensing with DL seems to be a good approach to recover partially sampled PET data. This approach has implications towards reducing scanner cost while maintaining PET accurate image quantification.
Digital optical spark chambers

The authors constructed and tested a prototype digital readout system for optical spark chambers using a linear, solid-state charge-coupled detector array. Position resolution of 0.013 mm ( sigma ) over a 25-cm field of view has been demonstrated. It is concluded that this technique should permit the construction of economical, lightweight and low-power trajectory hodoscopes for use in cosmic-ray instrumentation on balloons and in spacecraft. >
Temperature effects for Ti/GaAs(110) interface formation involving cluster and atom deposition

Ti/GaAs(110) interfaces formed at 60 and 300 K by atom-by-atom deposition and by the deposition of preformed metallic clusters exhibit very different Schottky-barrier behavior and morphologies. For atom deposition, temperature-dependent Fermi-level pinning is similar to that observed for nonreactive metals, despite the fact that the deposition process leads to the disruption of \ensuremath{\sim}3 monolayers of GaAs at all temperatures. Although disruption is apparent even at 0.02 A\r{}, atom deposition at 60 K on n-type GaAs shows almost no Fermi-level movement until \ensuremath{\sim}2 A\r{} when ${E}_{F}$ moves rapidly toward midgap. Our results show that the adatoms do not act as nonreactive donors at low temperature, that thermal changes do not quench surface chemistry, and that surface reaction alone does not lead to midgap pinning. In contrast, for interfaces formed by preformed Ti cluster deposition, unique pinning positions are observed far from the point expected for known defects or metal-induced gap states. The instability of the Ti(cluster)/GaAs system is demonstrated by warming to 300 K. We postulate that kinetically restricted reactions occur beneath the metallic clusters and the midgap pinning requires disruption in the presence of a metallic overlayer.
The cucurbituril ‘portal’ effect

This work focuses on the effect of cucurbit[n]uril (CBn) hosts on the microenvironment of molecular subunits that are located adjacent to the CBn binding site in inclusion complexes. The set of data presented here includes previously reported electrochemical and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopic data, primarily obtained with ferrocene-containing guests, as well as new electrochemical data recorded with 4,4′-bipyridinium (viologen) derivatives. Most of the data were obtained with cucurbit[7]uril (CB7) complexes, and the rest were collected with cucurbit[8]uril (CB8) complexes. The experimental data compiled here clearly suggest that the microenvironment adjacent to the CBn portals in the complexes exhibits increased polarity compared with the bulk aqueous solution.
Mechanistic Considerations for the Advanced Oxidation Treatment of Fluoroquinolone Pharmaceutical Compounds using TiO2 Heterogeneous Catalysis

Pharmaceutical compounds and metabolites are being found in surface and ground waters which is indicative of inefficient removal by conventional wastewater treatment technologies. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), which utilize free-radical reactions to degrade chemical contaminates, are an alternative to traditional water treatment. Three fluoroquinolone pharmaceutical compounds were studied and the absolute rate constants for hydroxyl radical (*OH) and hydrated electron (e(-)(aq)) are reported. For norfloxacin, levofloxacin, and lomefloxacin, the bimolecular reaction rate constants with *OH were determined as (6.18 +/- 0.18) x 10(9), (7.59 +/- 0.16) x 10(9) and (8.04 +/- 0.62) x 10(9) M(-1) s(-1), and with e(-)(aq) were (1.18 +/- 0.10) x 10(10), (2.46 +/- 0.05) x 10(10) and (2.79 +/- 0.05) x 10(10) M(-1) s(-1), respectively. To provide insights into the chemistry of destruction of these three target pharmaceuticals, transient spectra were obtained for the reaction of hydroxyl radicals with the three compounds. Photocatalysis was chosen as a representative advanced oxidation technology to degrade these three fluoroquinolones and their degradation pathways were proposed. Elimination of piperazynilic ring in fluoroquinolone molecules, addition of hydroxyl radical to quinolone ring, and ipso attack at the F atoms on the aromatic ring by hydroxyl radicals occurred. These results indicate that AOPs involving production of *OH radicals are efficiently alternative treatment technologies for degradation of fluoroquinolones in aqueous solution.
COMPARATIVE STUDY OF CEFTRIAXONE AND SPECTINOMYCIN FOR TREATMENT OF UNCOMPLICATED GONORRHOEA IN MEN

Abstract Single-dose ceftriaxone, 125 mg or 250 mg intramuscularly (IM), was compared with spectinomycin, 2 g IM, for treatment of men with uncomplicated urethral or anorectal infections due to penicillinase-negative Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Cure rates were 100% for 31 and 28 men treated with 125 mg and 250 mg ceftriaxone, respectively, and 97% for 58 men given spectinomycin. Among patients followed up for ≥14 days, post-gonococcal urethritis occurred in 25% of 44 men treated with ceftriaxone and 19% of 47 given spectinomycin (p=NS). The geometric mean minimum inhibitory concentration of ceftriaxone for 79 pre-treatment isolates of N gonorrhoeae was 0·0058 μg/ml, and all strains were inhibited by ≤0·063 μg/ml. Neither drug caused perceptible toxicity, but patient acceptance was greater for ceftriaxone than for spectinomycin. Ceftriaxone in a single dose of 125 mg is effective against uncomplicated urethral or anorectal gonorrhoea in men and may become a regimen of choice for this infection.
Rhinoceros Auklet Developmental Responses to Food Limitation: An Experimental Study

Abstract Seabirds may be particularly vulnerable to neonatal food restriction because their nestling periods tend to be long and parents may not increase foraging effort during times of prey shortage. We performed a captive study of Rhinoceros Auklet (Cerorhinca monocerata) nestlings to identify adaptations for coping with food shortages, as well as possible consequences of early diet restriction on subadult morphology. We tested effects of a ~50% caloric restriction on Rhinoceros Auklet morphological allocation and levels of the stress hormone corticosterone. Rhinoceros Auklets were reared in captivity and provisioned either ~441 kJ per day or ~227 kJ per day of high-quality forage fish until fledging (n = 13 for both treatment groups). Food-restricted Rhinoceros Auklets allocated energy heavily toward skeletal growth at the expense of mass reserves, resulting in fledglings that were proportioned very differently compared to nonrestricted birds—i.e., at 42 days of age, all birds had approximately the sam...
Orchestration of Coagulation Protease Signaling by Tissue Factor

Abstract Protease-activated receptors (PARs) are vascular sensors for signaling of the trypsinlike coagulation serine proteases that play key roles in cardiovascular medicine. In the initiation phase of coagulation, tissue factor (TF) orchestrates the assembly of VIIa with substrate X, forming a ternary complex in which product Xa is generated. The resulting TF–VIIa–Xa complex is an efficient activator of PAR1 and PAR2. TF initiation of the coagulation cascade is thus intimately linked to inflammatory cell signaling. Inflammation is an increasingly appreciated component of the vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque. Targeting inflammatory cell signaling events of the coagulation system may become an important aspect of efforts to improve antithrombotic therapy. (Trends Cardiovascular Med 2002;12:149–154).
Physical Processes Resulting in Geysers in Rapidly Filling Storm-Water Tunnels

Geysers, which involve the explosive release of water through vertical shafts connected to a nearly horizontal pipeline, have been attributed to either pipeline surge or the release of air. Laboratory experiments involving the release of a large entrapped pocket of air through a surcharged vertical riser indicate that the air can force water upward in the shaft but that a jet such as seen in video records of prototype systems does not form. This difference is attributed to processes that cannot be scaled down to the laboratory experiments. Data from a storm-water tunnel in Minneapolis that experienced a series of observed geyser events were analyzed. Measurements included pressures and velocity within the tunnel that can be correlated with observations on a videotape of the geysers. The pressure records do not indicate surge pressures sufficient to lift the water to the ground surface. Features of the pressure records can be interpreted to indicate the release of large air pockets through the manhole shaft similar to the laboratory experiments. These results suggest that the entrapment of large air pockets is an important component to the geysering process and that tunnel design procedures need to properly account for air effects.
Thermodynamic study of the crystallization of sickle-cell deoxyhemoglobin (hemoglobin S solubility/saturation concentration/enthalpy of crystallization/entropy of crystallization).

Abstract The solubility of crystalline deoxygenated sickle-cell hemoglobin has been determined by a new turbidometric technique. In the absence of the allosteric effector, inositol hexaphosphate, the solubility of sickle deoxyhemoglobin crystals is about 30% less than that of gels. The dependence of the solubility of crystals on temperature at pH 7.1 is very much the same as that of gels at pH 6.48. The change in Van't Hoff enthalpy with crystallization is positive but small (3.11 kcal mol −1 ) and essentially independent of temperature below 30 °C. The presence of inositol hexaphosphate cuts the solubility almost in half. The entropy change when crystals form, just under 40 cal K −1 mol −1 , is larger than the values of ΔS ° found for gels. None of the measurements reported required the estimation of pellet volumes and compositions.
National history or Keyanid history?: The nature of Sasanid Zoroastrian historiography

(1995). National history or Keyanid history?: The nature of Sasanid Zoroastrian historiography. Iranian Studies: Vol. 28, No. 3-4, pp. 129-141.