cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Domestic versus foreign listing: Does a CEO's educational experience matter?

Abstract Where to list an initial public offering (IPO) is a critical decision for an entrepreneurial firm. Our study investigates IPO location choice between home country and foreign country by examining a sample consisting of the entire population of 1479 Chinese private issuers during the period from 2005 to 2014. We enrich upper echelons theory by bringing in the insights of imprinting theory. Our results indicate that the sources of imprint − prestigious domestic education and foreign education − influence CEOs' preference for an IPO location. More specifically, CEOs with prestigious domestic degrees tend to list their firms in China whereas CEOs with foreign degrees tend to list outside China. Given that the imprinting effects of education have a lasting influence on CEOs, despite subsequent environmental changes, long tenures allow such effects to be imparted to other top management team members. Another finding is that when the CEOs are also the founders, there are two separate imprinting effects.
System Level Efficiency Analysis for Regulated RF Near Field Coupling

RF near field coupling systems offer the potential for very small coil area with high efficiency. However, little previous effort has been made in quantifying the various sources of loss in regulated RF near field coupling systems. This paper identifies the significant sources of loss in RF near field coupling and proposes a method of calculating the power loss without need for extensive simulation. This paper also proposes a model for the RF diode switching loss based on a machine learning algorithm, demonstrating a new approach to simply evaluate the diode switching loss.The proposed analysis is compared with measured data for a RF near field coupling system, showing good correlation between the proposed analysis and the measured results. In addition, the various sources of loss in RF near field coupling were compared and avenues for improving the efficiency in terms of the demonstrated analysis are discussed.
The Crimea conundrum: legitimacy and public opinion after annexation

The widespread international condemnation of the annexation of Crimea by Russia in March 2014 is at odds with the strong local support for the transfer of territory in the peninsula. Though regarde...
Preservation of Beverage Nutrients by High Hydrostatic Pressure

Abstract Beverages not only supply refreshment pleasure, but also provide a unique delivery system for nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, proteins, and others. Traditionally beverages have been preserved by the way of thermal processes including pasteurization and sterilization. On account of the negative effects of high process temperatures or times on nutritional value of beverages, alternative nonthermal processing techniques have been used in recent years. High hydrostatic pressure (HHP) is one of these nonthermal preservation techniques, which could be an alternative pasteurization and sterilization in the field of beverages as it has shown good results on minimizing the quality loss in terms of nutritional value. HHP method offers a quality assurance and safety in beverage processing without adding heat or preservatives. Moreover, the combination of HHP with other food preservation techniques has been studied in order to further extension of the shelf life of beverages without decreasing the nutritional value. HHP have been successfully implemented to a variety of beverages such as fruit and vegetable juices, caffeinated beverages, alcoholic beverages, and dairy beverages. The previous studies indicated that besides vitamins and proteins, phenolic compounds, aroma components, and color pigments were more retained in these beverages by HHP than thermal treatment. This chapter includes the effects of HHP application on the nutritional parameters of beverages.
Bladder Fill after Laparoscopic Inguinal Hernia Repair Reduces Time to Discharge.

Laparoscopic inguinal herniorrhaphy (LIH) has a relatively high risk of urinary retention. Bladder dysfunction may delay discharge after LIH. We hypothesized that filling the bladder before Foley catheter removal decreases time to discharge (TTD) after LIH. A secondary aim was to determine incidence of postoperative urinary retention (POUR) after bladder fill (BF). We reviewed a consecutive series of total extraperitoneal and transabdominal preperitoneal LIH procedures performed by a single surgeon at our institution from 2010 to 2013. All patients were catheterized during LIH, and selected patients received a 200-mL saline BF before Foley catheter removal. Patients were required to void >250 mL before discharge. TTD and incidence of POUR were compared between the BF and no-BF groups. A total of 161 LIH cases were reviewed. BF was performed in 89/161 (55%) of cases. TTD was significantly shorter in the BF versus the no-BF group (222 vs 286 minutes, respectively; P 0.05). Incidence of POUR in the BF and the no-BF group was 10.1 and 16.7 per cent, respectively; however, this difference was not significant (P = 0.22). No postoperative urinary tract infection occurred in either group. In conclusions, postoperative BF significantly reduces TTD after LIH. Further studies may help to determine whether shorter postanesthesia care unit time and lower POUR rates associated with BF can lower LIH procedural costs and increase patient satisfaction.
Investigating the role of communication between descriptive norms and exercise intentions and behaviors: findings among fitness tracker users.

Objective: This study investigates the relationship between fitness tracker users' communication of exercise information and their exercise intentions and behaviors among college students. Participants: Data were collected from 186 undergraduate students. Methods: A quantitative online survey was conducted. Descriptive norm (perceptions of prevalence of others' behaviors), communication (including exercise information giving and exercise information receiving), exercise behaviors, and exercise intentions were measured with reliable scales. Results: Both exercise information giving and information receiving were positively associated with exercise behaviors and intentions. Information giving moderated the association between descriptive norms and exercise intentions and behaviors, while information receiving moderated the association between descriptive norms and exercise intentions. Conclusion: The interaction effect between descriptive norm and communication suggests that health educators and campaign designers should focus on descriptive norm of exercise for college students who have limited communication activities. It is important to find innovative ways to promote positive health behaviors.
Embodied queer theology in Showtime’s Queer as Folk

Treating bodies as explicitly rhetorical, this article analyzes two queer Christian characters from the television series Queer as Folk (Showtime, 2000–2005), arguing that these guest characters re...
The One that Got Away

Nowhere was the gap between current technology development and emerging market demand more evident than in MCNC’s networking services group. I vividly remember a conversation with one of the group’s managers. As part of the market audit, I asked him to define what products or services they offered their customers.
Fill tube dynamics in inertial confinement fusion implosions with high density carbon ablators

Plasma jets, such as γ-ray burst jets, Herbig–Haro jets, μ-quasar jets, and active galactic nuclei jets, are found throughout the universe [S. Mendoza et al., Rev. Mex. Astron. Astrofis. 41, 453 (2005)]. Plasma jets are also present in indirect drive inertial confinement fusion experiments originating from the capsule's fill tube and occasionally from divots and voids in the capsules, particles on the exterior of the capsule, or from the tent holding the capsule in the target. This paper looks at two different gas-filled capsule implosions containing a plasma jet resulting from a capsule fill tube and fill channel, both of which utilized high density carbon ablators. Two models were developed, a drag and a snowplow model, which use the time-dependent motion of the injected mass through the hotspot to estimate the mass injected into the hotspot from the fill tube and channel, arriving at an average injected mass of ∼84.5 ± 25.5 ng for the first experiment and 91 ± 20 ng for the second experiment. Unlike previous methods to estimate fill tube injected mass, these techniques do not assume that the mixed mass is in thermal equilibrium with the hotspot or that the x-ray emission is only coming from within the hotspot itself. This paper also discusses the features seen in these experiments which include limb brightening in the shell for undoped ablators and flattening in the ablator from shadowing by the fill tube.
Tube Feeding: A Risk Factor for Clostridioides difficile Infection Among Long-Term Care Facility Residents Hospitalized at a Tertiary-Care Hospital in Detroit

Objective: We investigated the epidemiology of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) in long-term care facility (LTCF) patients admitted to a tertiary-care center in Detroit. Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted of LTCF residents who were hospitalized with CDI at the Detroit Medical Center between January 1, 2009, and December 31, 2016. Case patients (LTCF residents admitted with CDI) were compared to 2 sets of inpatient controls. The first set of controls included inpatients presenting from the same LTCFs without CDI (control A). Second set included inpatients admitted from non-LTCF (home, community, hospital) who acquired CDI > 48 hours after admission or those who acquired CDI within 48 hours of admission but were exposed to an acute-care hospital within 4 weeks prior to admission (control B). Cases were matched (1:3 ratio) to the 2 sets of controls (control A and control B) based on year of admission. Matched multivariable analyses using conditional logistic regression were performed to identify independent predictors of CDI. Results: In total, 85 cases were matched to 2 sets of controls. For the first multivariate logistic regression model performed on cases and control A (n1 = 255), significant risk factors identified included tube feeding (OR, 3.60; 95% CI, 1.43–9.02; P = .006) and albumin ≤2.5 g/dL (OR, 4.98; 95% CI, 2.02–12.31; P < .001). For the second multivariate logistic regression model performed on cases and control B (n2 = 255), significant risk factors identified included Charlson comorbidity index score (OR, 1.25; 95% CI, 1.12–1.40; P < .001), tube feeding (OR, 3.63; 95% CI, 1.81–7.25; P < .001), prior use of PPI (OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.20–0.68; P = .001), prior use of H2 blockers (OR, 0.34; 95% CI, 0.16–0.69; P = .003), and prior use of antibiotics (OR, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.06–0.24; P < .001). Cases were more likely to have complicated CDI (OR, 7.02; P < .001) and recurrent CDI (OR, 2.63; P =.02) when compared to control B. Conclusions: Patients who acquired CDI at LTCFs experienced more severe CDI and were at greater risk for recurrent CDI than patients with other healthcare-associated CDI. For the regression model performed on cases and control A as well as that performed on cases and control B, tube feeding was the only variable that consistently predicted CDI among LTCF patients. Funding: This study was supported by Pfizer Inc (Collegeville, PA). Disclosures: None
Cardiovascular Disease Events and Mortality After Myocardial Infarction Among Black and White Adults: REGARDS Study.

Background: Despite improvements in prognosis following myocardial infarction (MI), racial disparities persist. The objective of this study was to examine disparities between Black and White adults...
Secured Transactions History: The Impact of English Smuggling on the Chattel Mortgage Acts in the Spanish Borderlands

Spanish colonies, including the territories of Florida, Louisiana, and southwestern America, acknowledged the jurisdiction of Spanish royal decrees. The colonies approached the registration of mortgages in a similar but more tentative fashion, recognizing the distances between the borderlands and the registrar’s offices. The law developed differently in Florida and Louisiana, which were administered by a different governmental body. While the registration process was required for chattel mortgages on slaves, there is no evidence the rules were enforced or applied to other types of mortgages on personalty. However, in 1770, Louisiana adopted a filing requirement for chattel mortgages for all slaves and ships in order to protect against fraud and cheaper English black market goods. Although France assumed power in Louisiana, the territory followed Spanish law rather than French law by judicial decision. Mexico’s cessation from Spain had little effect on the orchestration of government, but Spain’s former southwestern territories continued to follow Spanish law. Mexico recognized chattel mortgages, but made no effort to enforce filing requirements in the Spanish borderlands. Several historical theories propose the origin of the spanish chattel mortgage acts. A royal tax was placed on the sale of most goods. These sales were to be recorded by a notary and any sale not recorded was invalid, thereby encouraging the recording of sales of personal property. However, O’Reilly, charged with imposing the Spanish mercantile system on the French inhabitants of Louisiana, introduced a recording statute preceding Spain’s land registration or ship registration. Another theory suggests that O’Reilly’s Spanish chattel mortgage act was the response to an isolated economic issue in Louisiana. Because Louisiana was not self-sufficient, trade dominated by the Spanish mercantile system failed to encourage economic independence. The act created assurances of property interests and thereby allowed creditors to be secure in their transactions when offering lines of credit. The adoption of the Spanish chattel mortgages in various forms in the Spanish borderland territories precedes the common belief that chattel mortgages developed in the Northeast in the 1820s.
Primary treatment of ocular surface squamous neoplasia with topical interferon alpha-2b: Comparative analysis of outcomes based on original tumor configuration

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate tumor control of OSSN with topical IFNα2b alone based on tumor configuration (flat versus (vs.) dome-shaped). Methods: Retrospective, nonrandomized, interventional cohort study on 64 consecutive tumors in 63 patients with OSSN treated with topical IFNα2b. Topical IFNα2b (1 million international units/cc) was compounded and provided by the Thomas Jefferson University Hospital Pharmacy to be refrigerated and applied 4 times daily until biomicroscopic evidence of tumor resolution was observed. Results: The tumor configuration was flat (n = 15, 23%) or dome-shaped (n = 49, 77%). A comparison (flat vs. dome-shaped) revealed dome-shaped with older mean patient age at presentation (62 vs. 70 years, P = 0.04), greater patient history of smoking (13% vs. 42%, P = 0.04), greater corneal involvement (7% vs. 82%, P < 0.001), larger mean basal diameter (5.5 vs. 12.4 mm, P = 0.001) and mean thickness (1.9 vs. 4.3, P = 0.002), and longer mean duration IFNα2b therapy (3.7 vs. 6.3 months, P = 0.002). There was no difference in mean follow-up time (22.2 vs 23.1 months) or time to complete response (5.0 vs. 6.1 months). There was no difference in achievement of complete tumor control with IFNα2b alone (93% vs. 96%). There were no cases with metastasis or death. Conclusion: Topical IFNα2b alone shows excellent overall tumor control of 95% with no difference in efficacy based on tumor configuration.
Toxoplasmosis Among 38 751 Hematopoietic Stem-cell Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review of Disease Prevalence and a Compilation of Imaging and Autopsy Findings.

BACKGROUND Toxoplasmosis in hematopoietic stem-cell transplant (HSCT) recipients can be life threatening if not promptly diagnosed and treated. METHODS We performed a systematic review (PubMed last search March 29, 2020) of toxoplasmosis among HSCT recipients and calculated the toxoplasmosis prevalence across studies. We also created a compilation list of brain imaging, chest imaging, and autopsy findings of toxoplasmosis among HSCT recipients. RESULTS We identified 46 eligible studies (47 datasets) with 399 toxoplasmosis cases among 38 751 HSCT recipients. There was large heterogeneity in the reported toxoplasmosis prevalence across studies, thus formal meta-analysis was not attempted. The median toxoplasmosis prevalence among 38 751 HSCT recipients was 2.14% (range 0%-66.67%). Data on toxoplasmosis among at-risk R+HSCT recipients were more limited (25 studies; 2404 R+HSCT recipients [6.2% of all HSCT recipients]), although the median number of R+HSCT recipients was 56.79% across all HSCT recipients. The median toxoplasmosis prevalence across studies among 2404 R+HSCT was 7.51% (range 0%-80%) versus 0% (range 0%-1.23%) among 7438 R-HSCT. There were limited data to allow meaningful analyses of toxoplasmosis prevalence according to prophylaxis status of R+HSCT recipients. CONCLUSIONS Toxoplasmosis prevalence among HSCT recipients is underestimated. The majority of studies report toxoplasmosis prevalence among all HSCT recipients rather than only among the at-risk R+HSCT recipients. In fact, the median toxoplasmosis prevalence among all R+//R- HSCT recipients is 3.5-fold lower compared with the prevalence among only the at-risk R+HSCT recipients and the median prevalence among R+HSCT recipients is 7.51-fold higher than among R-HSCT recipients. The imaging findings of toxoplasmosis among HSCT recipients can be atypical. High index of suspicion is needed in R+HSCT recipients with fever, pneumonia, or encephalitis.
First record of the oriental latrine fly, Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae), in Tennessee, USA.

Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (Diptera: Calliphoridae) is a medically and forensically important blow fly species that invaded the United States three decades ago and has continued to expand its distribution across the country ever since. Unlike many other blow fly species, larvae of C. megacephala can develop in feces, particularly from humans. Additionally, C. megacephala is known to carry antibiotic-resistant bacteria in even greater quantities than house flies in tropical areas. This behavior, along with its dissemination into and prevalence within human inhabited environments (e.g., outdoor markets, urban neighborhoods), makes C. megacephala a potential threat to human health. This short communication serves as the first record of C. megacephala in Tennessee, USA. Collections of adult and larval blow flies were made from two sets of human remains decomposing at the Anthropology Research Facility (ARF) at the University of Tennessee. Specimens were confirmed by an expert to be C. megacephala. A total of seven individual specimens (four adults and three larvae) of C. megacephala were collected from human bodies at the ARF. These results indicate that C. megacephala is not just dispersing into this environment as adults, but actively colonizing human remains in this semi-urban area. These observations support the previously described behavior and habitat of this filth-breeding fly in many Asian countries where it is considered medically and forensically important. Therefore, continuously updated distribution records, like this one, are critical for tracking the movement of C. megacephala across the United States.
NRA questions gun ban proposal

Since 94 percent of "children9s" firearm-related deaths1 are in an age group10-19 constituting just 12 percent of all pediatric patients2 -- and the poor, black males disproportionately involved in firearm-related death undoubtedly account for an even smaller percentage -- it follows that few pediatricians following the AAP9s recommendations regarding firearms are treating potential problem patients or their families.
Multiplex assessment of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies improves assay sensitivity and correlation with neutralizing antibodies.

Abstract Objectives Detection of antibodies to multiple SARS-CoV-2 antigens in a single assay could increase diagnostic accuracy, differentiate vaccination from natural disease, and aid in retrospective exposure determination. Correlation of binding antibody assessment in clinical assays with neutralizing antibodies is needed to better understand the humoral response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and establish of correlates of protection. Methods A cohort of 752 samples was used to assess specificity, sensitivity, and comparison to 6 other Conformite Europeenne serologic assays for the BioRad SARS-CoV-2 IgG multiplex assay which measures receptor binding domain IgG (RBD), spike-S1 IgG (S1), spike-S2 IgG (S2), and nucleocapsid IgG (N). A subset of serial specimens from 14 patients was also tested for neutralizing antibodies (n = 61). Results Specificity for RBD and S1 IgG was 99.4% (n = 170) and 100% for S2 and N IgG (n = 170) in a cohort selected for probable interference. Overall assay concordance with other assays was >93% for IgG and total antibody assays and reached 100% sensitivity for clinical concordance at >14 days as a multiplex assay. RBD and S1 binding antibody positivity demonstrated 79–95% agreement with the presence of neutralizing antibodies. Conclusions The BioRad SARS-CoV-2 IgG assay is comparable to existing assays, and achieved 100% sensitivity when all markers were included. The ability to measure antibodies against spike and nucleocapsid proteins simultaneously may be advantageous for complex clinical presentations, epidemiologic research, and in decisions regarding infection prevention strategies. Additional independent validations are needed to further determine binding antibody and neutralizing antibody correlations.
Explainability Pitfalls: Beyond Dark Patterns in Explainable AI.

To make Explainable AI (XAI) systems trustworthy, understanding harmful effects is just as important as producing well-designed explanations. In this paper, we address an important yet unarticulated type of negative effect in XAI. We introduce explainability pitfalls(EPs), unanticipated negative downstream effects from AI explanations manifesting even when there is no intention to manipulate users. EPs are different from, yet related to, dark patterns, which are intentionally deceptive practices. We articulate the concept of EPs by demarcating it from dark patterns and highlighting the challenges arising from uncertainties around pitfalls. We situate and operationalize the concept using a case study that showcases how, despite best intentions, unsuspecting negative effects such as unwarranted trust in numerical explanations can emerge. We propose proactive and preventative strategies to address EPs at three interconnected levels: research, design, and organizational.
Time periods importance movement of chosen logistic indicators

Paper is focused on case study describing changes of manager importance observation of logistic metrics in past, present and future time periods. The paper deals with information received from the research conducted in 188 enterprises in 2007 and 2009, last period of the research was conducted in 2010. The enterprises represent food processing industry, production of consumer goods, industrial production, building industry and partly carriers. Research results demonstrate increasing trend of using logistic indicators focused on up and down stream cooperation in supply chain. This paper is one of the solutions of grant research MEB061008 Cross border enterprise – B2B marketing and distribution in Austria and Czech Republic.
Access to Space: Beyond the Next Generation

This viewgraph presentation provides information on the many considerations involved in the development of next generation launch vehicles. The pros and cons of single stage and two stage vehicles are presented, as are the pros and cons of jet engines (normal, ramjet, and scramjet) and rocket engines. There is a possibility of utilizing a Rocket-based Combined Cycle Engine (RBCC) which functions as both a jet and rocket engine at different points of ascent. Direct impulse launch systems, tether systems, laser-launch systems, launch assist systems, and a geosynchronous skyhook are also discussed.
Model of Neonatal Focal Cerebral Ischemia-Reperfusion

It has become clear that susceptibility to hypoxic-ischemic, excitotoxic and oxidative insults is increased at specific stages of postnatal brain maturation, affecting both the acute and lasting injury patterns seen after the insult. For decades, a model of hypoxia-ischemia in postnatal days 7–9 (P7–P9) was the only rodent model relevant to ischemic brain injury in the neonate. This model is more likely to mimic global hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy rather that focal transient ischemia of a single artery, such as the middle cerebral artery (MCA). To study the mechanisms of arterial pediatric stroke, a transient MCA occlusion model was first developed in juvenile rats. Since focal occlusion of the MCA is more commonly seen in term human babies than children and brain maturation affects the response to cerebral ischemia, we developed a transient MCA occlusion in P7 rats to satisfy the need for age-appropriate stroke models. We produced a series of models of different stroke severity by varying the duration of MCA occlusion and the age of the animals. In this chapter we will describe in detail surgical procedures to induce MCA occlusion, ways to ascertain that the procedure is successful, and discuss factors and limitations that can affect short and longer-term injury outcomes.
Contested Objects, Contested Meanings: Native American Grave Protection Laws and the Interpretation of Culture

While the National Museum of the American Indian Act and the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act grant Native American tribes the right to control the physical objects of their cultures, many Native Americans continue to seek control over nonmaterial aspects of their cultures, including control over the meaning ascribed to their history and culture. Although it is important to remember that there is not one unified view of native culture held by all – or even most – Native Americans, such control is nevertheless essential to a tribe's ability to construct and debate its own cultural identity. The extent to which physical control of objects provides for the control of cultural identity is the focus of this paper.
The effect of smoke emission amount on changes in cloud properties and precipitation: A case study of Canadian boreal wildfires of 2007

[1] We investigate the influence of wildfire smoke aerosols on cloud microphysics and precipitation using a coupled aerosol-cloud microphysics-meteorology model WRF-Chem-SMOKE. The Wildfire Automated Biomass Burning Algorithm products are used to compute “online” hourly size- and composition-resolved smoke emission fluxes during Canadian boreal wildfires in the summer of 2007. Comparisons with Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer aerosol optical depth, Ozone Monitoring Instrument aerosol index, and Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation vertical feature mask demonstrate that WRF-Chem-SMOKE captures both the horizontal and vertical spatial distribution of smoke. However, estimated smoke emissions result in much lower aerosol optical depth values than those of observations (by about tenfold). Modeling experiments with varying amounts of smoke emissions of 5 to 10 times as high as the original load reveal that low smoke load favors the collision-coalescence process at a certain stage, leading to either positive or negative changes in the cloud water path (CWP) relative to smoke-free conditions. For high smoke emissions, changes in CWP are positive, as large as 0.5 kg/m2. A domain-integrated increase in CWP is proportional to smoke loading. By contrast, both positive and negative changes in the rain water path (RWP) and the snow water path (SWP) are found. While domain-integrated changes in RWP are negative, those in SWP go from negative to positive under a high smoke load. Higher smoke loadings suppress precipitation initially, because of smoke-induced reduction of the collision-coalescence and riming processes, but ultimately cause an invigoration of precipitation. We found that precipitation is highly sensitive to 3-D smoke fields and varies in a nonlinear manner with smoke loads.
Recurrent pyogenic granulomas with underlying arteriovenous malformation: An exclusively rare entity

We report a case of recurrent localized pyogenic granulomas with underlying arteriovenous malformation in an 11-year-old male child on upper back with onset in early infancy.
The IEEE 8500-node test feeder

IEEE test cases provide a benchmark for power systems analyses community. The 8500-node test feeder represents a large radial distribution feeder which provides a challenging circuit for distribution studies. The 8500-node test feeder includes many elements that may be found on a North American medium voltage (MV) distribution feeder: multiple feeder regulators, per-phase capacitor control, feeder secondaries, and service transformers. The test feeder description and results are provided herein.
Non-Stoner continuum in the double exchange model.

Exact diagonalization studies of the double exchange model indicate the existence of continuum states in the single-spin-flip channel that overlap the magnons at very low energies $(\ensuremath{\approx}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV})$ and extend to high energies $(\ensuremath{\approx}\mathrm{eV})$. This picture differs dramatically from the prevalent view, where there are the magnons, plus the Stoner continuum at the high-energy scale, with nothing in between. The relevance of these new continuum states to inelastic neutron scattering and optical properties is discussed.
Independent action of prostaglandins and kinins on vasopressin-stimulated water flow.

Independent action of prostaglandins and kinins on vasopressin-stimulated water flow. The kallikrein-kinin and the prostaglandin systems are both important modifiers of vasopressin action. This study examines whether the systems are dependent on one another for their action. Four groups of toad hemibladders were examined. In groups 1 and 2 animals the endogenous prostaglandin system was inhibited. Inhibition of kallikrein by aprotinin caused vasopressin-stimulated water flow to increase further (24.8 ± 4.9 to 34.5 ± 4.8 µl/min) while potentiation of kinins by captropril caused vasopressin-stimulated water flow to decrease (45 ± 6.3 to 30.5 ± 5.4 µ/min). In groups 3 and 4 endogenous kallikrein was inhibited by aprotinin. The addition of prostaglandin E 2 caused vasopressin-stimulated water flow to decrease (17.5 ± 2.7 to 5.71 ± 1.0 µ/min) while the inhibition of endogenous prostaglandins caused vasopressin-stimulated water flow to increase (26.7 ± 3.4 to 39.2 ± 3.5 µ/min). Thus, the inhibitory effects of prostaglandins and kinins on vasopressin-stimulated water flow are independent of one another. Action independante des prostaglandines et kinines sur le flux hydrique stimule par la vasopressine. Les systemes kallikreine-kinine et prostaglandines sont tous deux d'importants modulateurs de l'action de la vasopressine. Cette etude recherche si ces systemes sont dependants entre eux dans leur action. Quatre groupes d'hemi-vessies de crapaud ont ete examines. Chez les animaux des groupes 1 et 2, le systeme des prostaglandines endogenes a ete inhibe. L'inhibition de la kallikreine par l'aprotinine a eu pour effet d'augmenter encore le flux hydrique stimule par la vasopressine (24,8 ± 4,9 a 34,5 ± 4,8 µ/min), tandis que la potentialisation des kinines par le captopril diminuait le flux hydrique stimule par la vasopressine (45 ± 6,3 a 30,5 ± 5,4 µ/min). Dans les groupes 3 et 4, la kallikreine endogene etait inhibee par l'aprotinine. L'addition de prostaglandine E 2 diminuait le flux d'eau stimule par la vasopressine (17,5 ± 2,7 a 5,71 ± 1,0 µ/min), alors que l'inhibition des prostaglandines endogenes elevait le flux hydrique stimule par la vasopressine (26,7 ± 3,4 a 39,2 ± 3,5 µl/min). Ainsi, les effets inhibiteurs des prostaglandines et des kinines sur le flux d'eau stimule par la vasopressine sont independants l'un de l'autre.
Substance abuse by youth and young adults in rural America.

ABSTRACT: Purpose:Addressing substance abuse in rural America requires extending our understanding beyond urban-rural comparisons to how substance abuse varies across rural communities of different sizes. We address this gap by examining substance abuse prevalence across 4 geographic levels, focusing on youth (age 12-17 years) and young adults (age 18-25 years). Methods: The analysis is based on 3 years (2002-2004) of pooled data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. We measure rurality using a four-tier consolidation of the 2003 Rural-Urban Continuum Codes: urban, rural-adjacent, rural-large, and rural-small and medium. Findings: Rural youth have higher alcohol use and methamphetamine use than urban youth and the more rural the area, the higher the use. Rural young adults living in rural-large areas have higher rates of substance abuse than their urban peers; those living in the most rural areas have nearly twice the rate of methamphetamine use as urban young adults. Rural youth are more likely than urban youth to have engaged in the high-risk behavior of driving under the influence of alcohol or other illicit drugs. Conclusions: Higher prevalence rates, coupled with high-risk behavior, place rural youth and young adults at risk of continued substance use and problems associated with this use. Rural community infrastructure should be enhanced to support substance abuse prevention and intervention for these populations.
Up-regulation of tissue factor activity on human proximal tubular epithelial cells in response to Shiga toxin.

Up-regulation of tissue factor activity on human proximal tubular epithelial cells in response to Shiga toxin. Background The pathophysiology of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is incompletely established. Based on clinical studies demonstrating the presence of prothrombotic plasma markers in patients with HUS, we hypothesized that Shiga toxin might cause activation of the coagulation pathway by augmenting tissue factor, the major initiator of coagulation. Methods Human proximal tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) [human kidney-2 (HK-2 cells)] were exposed to Shiga toxin-1, and expression of tissue factor, cell detachment, protein synthesis, caspase-3 activity, and Shiga toxin-1 binding were examined. Results HK-2 cells expressed constitutive surface tissue factor activity and increased their tissue factor expression upon exposure to Shiga toxin-1. Shiga toxin-1 bound to HK-2 cells and inhibited protein synthesis. The up-regulation of tissue factor was dose- and time-dependent and strongly correlated with cell detachment and increase in caspase-3 activity caused by Shiga toxin-1 exposure. A general caspase inhibitor simultaneously inhibited HK-2 cell detachment and tissue factor up-regulation while mutant Shiga toxin-1 neither caused cell detachment, protein synthesis inhibition, nor increase in tissue factor activity. Tissue factor activity elicited by Shiga toxin-1 was abrogated by a monoclonal antitissue factor antibody. Calphostin C, a protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, partially blocked tissue factor up-regulation, indicating possible involvement of PKC-dependent mechanism. Conclusion These data, taken together, suggest a strong link between Shiga toxin–induced up-regulation of tissue factor activity, cytotoxicity, and apoptosis in HK-2 cells. The proximal tubule is a target of Shiga toxin in HUS, and it seems plausible that injured proximal tubular cells trigger the activation of the coagulation system, the formation of intrarenal platelet-fibrin thrombi, and the development of acute renal failure in HUS.
Particle size effects on Wulff constructions

Abstract The equilibrium structure of small particles is analysed by minimising the total surface energy of atomistic clusters. Large deviations from the bulk Wulff construction are identified for fairly large (~10 nm) particles due to sphere packing corrections. These act as additional edge terms which can be significantly larger than the true edge terms. For a simplified fcc model, it is shown that the fraction of (100) surface drops markedly as the particle size drops because of these packing effects. This can lead to very large particle size effects for a face sensitive catalytic reaction. It is also pointed out that these packing corrections link very small (
FINDING TIME FOR THE “SECOND SHIFT”: The Impact of Flexible Work Schedules on Women's Double Days

This article analyzes how women in residential real estate sales interweave their work and family activities. It is presented as a case study of the effects of flexible scheduling on the tasks of managing paid and domestic work. Women are attracted to real estate sales because they perceive that it will enable them to combine their paid and unpaid labor in a relatively comfortable way as a result of the flexibility of setting their own work schedules. They find that the work requires long hours and significant adaptations in the division of household labor. The findings demonstrate that flexibility itself is not adequate for accomodating the demands of families and wage work. Additional changes in the organization of both types of work, as well as ideological changes in the ownership of family-related tasks are required to alleviate the difficulties women face in integrating family and work responsibilities.
Uredinales collected by Fred J Seaver in Trinidad.

(1922). Uredinales Collected by Fred J. Seaver in Trinidad. Mycologia: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 12-24.
Interactive GPU-based “Visulation” and Structure Analysis of 3-D Implicit Surfaces for Seismic Interpretation

Three-dimensional seismic data has been used to explore the earth's crust for over 30 years, yet the identification of geologic features in the migrated seismic image remains a time consuming manual task. Current approaches fail to realistically model many 3D geologic features and offer no integrated segmentation capabilities. In the image processing community, image structure analysis techniques have demonstrated encouraging results through filters that enhance feature structure using partial derivative information. These techniques are only beginning to be applied to the field of seismic interpretation and the information they generate remains to be explored for feature segmentation. Dynamic implicit surfaces, implemented with level set methods, have shown great potential in the computational sciences for applications such as modeling, simulation, and segmentation. Level set methods allow implicit handling of complex topologies deformed by operations where large changes can occur without destroying the level set representation. Many real-world objects can be represented as an implicit surface but further interpretation of those surfaces is often severely limited, such as the growth and segmentation of planelike and high positive curvature features. In addition, the complexity of many evolving surfaces requires visual monitoring and user control in order to achieve preferred results.
Inhomogeneous spectral moment sum rules for the retarded Green function and self-energy of strongly correlated electrons or ultracold fermionic atoms in optical lattices

Spectral moment sum rules are presented for the inhomogeneous many-body problem described by the fermionic Falicov-Kimball or Hubbard models. These local sum rules allow for arbitrary hoppings, site energies, and interactions. They can be employed to quantify the accuracy of numerical solutions to the inhomogeneous many-body problem such as strongly correlated multilayered devices, ultracold atoms in an optical lattice with a trap potential, strongly correlated systems that are disordered, or systems with nontrivial spatial ordering such as a charge-density wave or a spin-density wave. We also show how the spectral moment sum rules determine the asymptotic behavior of the Green function, self-energy, and dynamical mean field when applied to the dynamical mean-field theory solution of the many-body problem. In particular, we illustrate in detail how one can dramatically reduce the number of Matsubara frequencies needed to solve the Falicov-Kimball model while still retaining high precision, and we sketch how one can incorporate these results into Hirsch-Fye quantum Monte Carlo solvers for the Hubbard (or more complicated) models. Since the solution of inhomogeneous problems is significantly more time consuming than periodic systems, efficient use of these sum rules can provide a dramatic speed up in the computational time required to solvemore » the many-body problem. We also discuss how these sum rules behave in nonequilibrium situations as well, where the Hamiltonian has explicit time dependence due to a driving field or due to the time-dependent change in a parameter such as the interaction strength or the origin of the trap potential.« less
Quantum tunneling in a dissipative system.

Applying a technique developed recently [L. H. Yu and C. P. Sun, Phys. Rev. A {bold 49}, 592 (1994); L. H. Yu, Phys. Lett. {bold 202}, 167 (1995)] for a harmonic oscillator coupled to a bath of harmonic oscillators, we present an exact solution for the tunneling problem in an Ohmic dissipative system with inverted harmonic potential. The result shows that while the dissipation tends to suppress the tunneling, the Brownian motion tends to enhance the tunneling. Whether the tunneling rate increases or not would then depend on the initial conditions. We give a specific formula to calculate the tunneling probability determined by various parameters and the initial conditions. {copyright} {ital 1996 The American Physical Society.}
Effect of calcium on intracellular pH.

Abstract The effect of intracellular calcium on intracellular pH in the turtle urinary bladder was examined with phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance. The turtle urinary bladder is capable of acidification in vitro and urinary acidification by this membrane is inhibited by an increase in intracellular calcium. Since calcium is capable of altering intracellular pH, it remains unclear whether the inhibition of urinary acidification is the result of an increase in intracellular pH. In the present study, intracellular calcium was increased by the cholinergic agent, carbachol, the ionophore A23187 and replacement of extracellular Na by sucrose. All agents decreased intracellular pH in the turtle bladder, thus suggesting that inhibition of urinary acidification by these agents is not due to an increase in intracellular pH.
Vibrational frequencies and structure of cyclopropenone from ab initio calculations

Abstract Several calculations with different basis sets have been carried out to better understand the unusual vibrational frequencies of cyclopropenone. It is shown that the bands at 1840, 1483, and 1026 cm −1 are predominantly the CO, CC, and symmetric C–C stretches. However, for the first and last of these there is strong interaction between the CO and C–C stretches. The results differ quantitatively from a previous normal coordinate calculation and interpretation.
The molecular distribution, weight determination and concentration variation of the total water soluble proteins of the human lens.

The total water soluble proteins (H2O-TSP) of adult human lenses, normal as well as cataractous, are separated into six protein fractions by Sephacryl S-200 recycling chromatography. The molecular weights of these proteins are: >200 000; 140 000; 83 000; 40 000; 17 000 and 11 000 daltons. The 40 000 and 11 000 dalton proteins appear to be unique to the human lens. As the lens ages from 23 to 83 years of age and as cataract develops, the >200 000 and 140 000 dalton proteins increase in concentration. The 17 000 and 11 000 dalton fractions decrease by roughly the same order of magnitude. The 83 000 and 40 000 dalton proteins remain at a constant concentration.
A bridge or a barrier? Beringia's influence on the distribution and diversity of tundra plants

Background: Evidence strongly suggests that Beringia was a refugium for tundra taxa throughout the Quaternary (the last 2 million years). However, the genetic consequences of the repeated formation and flooding of the Bering Land Bridge remain uncertain. Aims: The goal of this paper was to determine the role that the unique environmental history of Beringia played in the diversification of tundra flora. Methods: I adopted a comparative coalescent approach to test models of divergence for arctic flora within Beringia. The literature was surveyed for phylogeographic studies that sampled broadly across the region and incorporated molecular markers appropriate for coalescent analyses. Of the 13 possible taxa, only two fit these criteria: Saxifraga oppositifolia (Saxifragaceae) and Vaccinium uliginosum (Ericaceae). Observed gene trees were compared with a distribution of trees simulated under neutral coalescence to test models of population divergence. Population models fell within two major categories reflect...
The effect of monovacancies on the elastic properties of rigid disk solids

The isothermal elastic stiffness constants of a system of N rigid disks on a two-dimensional hexagonal lattice confined to an area A are calculated analytically in the high-density limit using one-particle cell cluster theory. The constants are calculated using the following equation: Cijkl = 1A (∂,2F∂ηij∂ηkl)η=0 , where Cijkl is the isothermal elastic constant, F is the Helmholtz free energy of the system, and the ηij's are the strains (η represents all the strains). The isothermal elastic constants are then calculated in the high density limit for the rigid disk system into which a small concentration of monovacancies has been introduced, using the same approach appropriately modified. All the elastic constants are calculated to order 1t2 where t = aσ − 1, a is the smallest distance between lattice sites, and a is the diameter of the disks. All the nonzero isothermal elastic constants are found to be proportional to the temperature. The elastic constant C1122 = C2211 which is zero in the perfect system becomes nonzero upon the introduction of monovacancies. However, the fact that C1122 is found to be zero is an artifact of the one-particle cell cluster approximation.
Proactively Monitoring Departmental Clinical IT Systems with an Open Source Availability System

The goal of all radiology information technology (IT) support organizations is excellent customer service through the availability of critical clinical information services, such as picture archiving communication systems and radiology information systems. Despite these goals, IT support personnel often act like firefighters, reacting to each problem, but unable to prevent or predict other problems. Proactive support is always more desirable than reactive support. Warning signs may exist well before a technical issue becomes system wide or the user is affected. The objective for IT support organizations in health care should be to maximize system uptime by using proactive monitoring systems for failures and to automatically detect failures through systems management tools. We report on the implementation of Nagios, an open source monitoring tool, as an availability management system in a diagnostic imaging department and on customized applications and protocols specific to radiology needs.
A method for measuring bacterial chemotaxis parameters in a microcapillary.

A new method was developed which enables chemotaxis parameters to be measured at a single-cell level inside a capillary for the first time. The chemotaxis chamber consists of two reservoirs communicating through a capillary tube 50 {micro}m in diameter. Chemotaxis parameters are measured inside the capillary using image analysis, after a nearly linear attractant concentration gradient has been generated along the capillary by diffusion. Compared to previously published techniques, this method provides a well-characterized chemoattractant concentration profile in addition to allowing single-cell parameters to be measured inside a fine capillary. This procedure was used to measure the single-cell chemotaxis parameters for Escherichia coli K12, and the results are compared to published data on single E. coli cells chemotaxing in bulk.