cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
6 – Arithmetic Operations

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses arithmetic operations in a digital computer. A number of the schemes have been devised to perform certain elementary operations in a digital computer, namely, counting, generation of pulse patterns, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Certain basic procedures of numerical analysis that can be used either directly as the basis for mechanization or indirectly as the basis for constructing programs by means of which operations for the extraction of roots and the generation of trigonometric functions may be performed have been devised. Techniques for scaling a problem, that is, taking measures to assure that the values of all variables generated in the course of computing will be within the bounds of the machine's capacity exist. Schemes have also been devised for converting numbers from binary to decimal notation and vice versa. These schemes are used principally to allow information in decimal form to be entered into or brought out of a binary digital computer. The principal advantages of a binary-coded decimal compared to a binary representation of numbers for a computing system are (1) input-output equipment that accepts and generates binary-coded decimal numbers simplifies the task of the user in preparing input data and interpreting output data and (2) the interpretation of numbers within the computer is facilitated, thereby aiding in the detection of faults within the computer.
Supersymmetric Theories of Particles

We show how spontaneously broken supersymmetric theories of weak, electromagnetic and strong interactions can be constructed.
Connecting Ethics and Diversity Using Diversity Intelligence

Connecting ethics and diversity using diversity intelligence (DQ) will allow human resource development (HRD) scholars and professionals to improve the success of diversity initiatives within organizations. The ethics of employees ultimately determine the implementation success of organizational policies. Employees must have the ethical wherewithal to promote and support diversity efforts in the workplace. Diversity intelligent decisions are sometimes both legal and ethical decisions. DQ can help leaders make ethical decisions. One unethical or illegal decision can be one too many for an organization. HRD scholars and professionals can help leaders build DQ and facilitate the integration of ethics and diversity through their education and training programs. The importance of management buy-in and the top ten challenges facing HRD professionals in the workplace are discussed. HRD professionals must focus on the root causes of diversity problems in the workplace and stop expecting the protected class members to be strong in the face of repeated discrimination at work. Eliminating these problems for all employees may allow all employees to reach their full potential. HRD scholars and professionals must help promote the development of an ethical culture in the workplace that values diversity.
Expansion of Islet-Resident Macrophages Leads to Inflammation Affecting β Cell Proliferation and Function in Obesity

The nature of obesity-associated islet inflammation and its impact on β cell abnormalities remains poorly defined. Here, we explore immune cell components of islet inflammation and define their roles in regulating β cell function and proliferation. Islet inflammation in obese mice is dominated by macrophages. We identify two islet-resident macrophage populations, characterized by their anatomical distributions, distinct phenotypes, and functional properties. Obesity induces the local expansion of resident intra-islet macrophages, independent of recruitment from circulating monocytes. Functionally, intra-islet macrophages impair β cell function in a cell-cell contact-dependent manner. Increased engulfment of β cell insulin secretory granules by intra-islet macrophages in obese mice may contribute to restricting insulin secretion. In contrast, both intra- and peri-islet macrophage populations from obese mice promote β cell proliferation in a PDGFR signaling-dependent manner. Together, these data define distinct roles and mechanisms for islet macrophages in the regulation of islet β cells.
Streaming Codes For Variable-Size Arrivals

Streaming codes are a class of convolutional codes that encode a stream of source packets, which arrive sequentially with a strict decoding-delay constraint, for transmission over a packet-erasure channel. A number of recent works have proposed capacity achieving streaming code constructions for adversarial packet-erasure channels that include bursts and arbitrary erasures. The existing models for streaming codes, to the best of our knowledge, consider a setting where all the source packets are of the same, fixed size. However, live video streaming applications have source packets with highly variable sizes. Motivated by this application, in this paper, we present a generalized model for streaming codes that incorporates variable-size arrivals. The variability in the size of the source packets induces a new trade-off between the rate of the code and the minimum decoding delay when the channel introduces no erasures. We also present a simple construction of streaming codes for variable-size arrivals, which builds upon existing streaming code constructions designed for fixed-size arrivals. We theoretically characterize the rate achieved by the proposed code when arrival sizes are drawn independently from any distribution with a finite support. Furthermore, using a live video trace and several representative parameter settings, we show that proposed code construction achieves a rate of approximately 89.5% of an upper bound and achieves a significantly higher rate (10%-50%) than naively using the existing streaming codes designed for fixed-size arrivals.
Double Trouble: An analysis of IRS attention and financial reporting

We examine whether the IRS uses public information to obtain qualitative signals regarding the quality of firms’ financial information or management integrity. Using the procurement of public information as a proxy for IRS attention, we test whether public signals of poor information quality (restatements) lead to an increase in IRS attention. To begin, we document that the IRS is both more likely and quicker to acquire public filings announcing a restatement than any other filing of the firm. Furthermore, we examine instances in which the IRS is more likely to learn of a restatement and find an increase in attention around both press releases and media coverage of the restatement. Next, we examine the implications of increased IRS attention. Employing path analysis, we find that IRS attention is associated with both higher levels of future tax settlements, and a greater likelihood of the mention of a tax audit. Overall, our results are consistent with the IRS responding to signals of poor information quality or management integrity as if financial misreporting and tax reporting are related.
Markerless Pancreatic Tumor Target Localization Enabled By Deep Learning.

Purpose Deep learning is an emerging technique that allows us to capture imaging information beyond the visually recognizable level of a human being. Because of the anatomic characteristics and location, on-board target verification for radiation delivery to pancreatic tumors is a challenging task. Our goal was to use a deep neural network to localize the pancreatic tumor target on kV x-ray images acquired using an on-board imager for image guided radiation therapy. Methods and Materials The network is set up in such a way that the input is either a digitally reconstructed radiograph image or a monoscopic x-ray projection image acquired by the on-board imager from a given direction, and the output is the location of the planning target volume in the projection image. To produce a sufficient number of training x-ray images reflecting the vast number of possible clinical scenarios of anatomy distribution, a series of changes were introduced to the planning computed tomography images, including deformation, rotation, and translation, to simulate inter- and intrafractional variations. After model training, the accuracy of the model was evaluated by retrospectively studying patients who underwent pancreatic cancer radiation therapy. Statistical analysis using mean absolute differences (MADs) and Lin's concordance correlation coefficient were used to assess the accuracy of the predicted target positions. Results MADs between the model-predicted and the actual positions were found to be less than 2.60 mm in anteroposterior, lateral, and oblique directions for both axes in the detector plane. For comparison studies with and without fiducials, MADs are less than 2.49 mm. For all cases, Lin's concordance correlation coefficients between the predicted and actual positions were found to be better than 93%, demonstrating the success of the proposed deep learning for image guided radiation therapy. Conclusions We demonstrated that markerless pancreatic tumor target localization is achievable with high accuracy by using a deep learning technique approach.
Enabling Shared Control and Trust in Hybrid SDN/Legacy Networks

A key concept of software-defined networking (SDN) is separation of the control and data plane. This idea provides several benefits, including fine-grained network control and monitoring, and the ability to deploy new services in a limited scope. Unfortunately, it is often cost-prohibitive for enterprises (and universities in particular) to upgrade their existing networks to wholly SDN-capable networks all at once. A compromise solution is to deploy SDN capabilities incrementally in the network. The challenge then is to take full advantage of SDN-based services throughout the network, in an integrated fashion rather than in a few "islands" of SDN support. At the University of Kentucky, SDN has been integrated into the campus network for several years. In this paper, we describe two aspects of this challenge, along with our solution approaches. One is the general reluctance of campus network administrations to allow novel or experimental (SDN-based) services in the production network. The other is how to extend such services throughout the legacy part of the network. For the former, we lay out a set of principles designed to ensure that the production service is not harmed. For the latter, we use policy based routing and a graph database to extend our previously-described VIP Lanes service. Our simulation results in a campus-like topology testbed show that we can provide a host with custom path service even if it is connected to a legacy router.
Delay Reduction Through Optimal Controller Placement to Boost Scalability in an SDDC

Software-defined storage (SDS) is an abrupt technology that aims to address the explosive data proliferation and storage management complexity through the separation of control and data path, which are tightly bounded in the traditional storage area network (SAN) model. In SDS, the centralized controller manages and controls the overall storage services and operations. However, the centralized controller approach raises the scalability and single point of failure flag. In such a paradigm, the controller placement is an important activity. A random placement of controllers suffers from unpredictable delay in a large enterprise. Multiple SDS controllers mitigate the single point of failure and provide redundancy. We propose a method called controller placement based on the center of gravity (CPCG) to solve the optimal placement controllers’ locations to reduce the delay. CPCG incorporates different coordinates and analyzes their density (the number of attached devices to a switch) to suggest new optimal sites. For the least number of SDS controllers, we propose an areawise optimal placement location strategy; the areawise approach mitigates workload processing from the central controller and also provides a scalable and reliable storage system. Experiments show that the optimal placement drastically reduces delay and, hence, boosts scalability.
Gendered relationship between HIV stigma and HIV testing among men and women in Mozambique: a cross-sectional study to inform a stigma reduction and male-targeted HIV testing intervention.

OBJECTIVES Increasing and sustaining engagement in HIV care for people living with HIV are critical to both individual therapeutic benefit and epidemic control. Men are less likely to test for HIV compared with women in sub-Saharan African countries, and ultimately have delayed entry to HIV care. Stigma is known to impede such engagement, placing an importance on understanding and addressing stigma to improve HIV testing and care outcomes. This study aimed to assess the gendered differences in the relationship between stigma and HIV testing. DESIGN AND SETTING A cross-sectional, household probability survey was implemented between November and December 2016 in the Sofala province of Mozambique. PARTICIPANTS Data were restricted to men and women participants who reported no prior diagnosis of HIV infection (N=2731). MEASURES Measures of sociodemographic characteristics, stigma and past exposure to HIV interventions were included in gender-stratified logistic regression models to estimate the relationship between stigma and recent testing for HIV, as well as to identify other relevant correlates. RESULTS Significantly fewer men (38.3%) than women (47.6%; p<0.001) had recently tested for HIV. Men who reported previous engagement in community group discussions about HIV had an increased odds of testing in the past 12 months compared to those who had not participated (adjusted OR (aOR)=1.92; 95% CI 1.51 to 2.44). Concerns about stigma were not a commonly reported barrier to HIV testing; however, men who expressed anticipated individual HIV stigma had a 35% lower odds of recent HIV testing (aOR=0.65; 95% CI 0.44 to 0.96). This association was not observed among women. CONCLUSIONS Men have lower uptake of HIV testing in Mozambique when compared to women. Even amidst the beneficial effects of HIV messaging, individual stigma is negatively associated with recent HIV testing among men. Intervention efforts that target the unique challenges and needs of men are essential in promoting men's engagement into the HIV care continuum in sub-Saharan Africa.
Blunted opioid regulation of the HPA stress response during nicotine withdrawal: therapeutic implications

Endogenous opioids regulate pain, drug reward, and stress responses. We have previously shown reduced hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) responses to psychological stress and to opioid blockade a...
Utilization and Management of Agricultural Wastes for Bioenergy Production, Weed Control, and Soil Improvement Through Microbial and Technical Processes

The utilization and management of agricultural wastes for plant growth and fertilization or crop production and protection purposes can facilitate the transition of current agricultural systems or “productivism agriculture” to a post-productivism agriculture or “production of nature” era. The availability of agricultural wastes, a theoretical estimation indicates that approximately 3.5–17.0 billion tons of agricultural wastes can be produced worldwide, in combination with the various technologies for the conversion of these wastes to bioenergy are significant factors that enhance the value of this type of feedstock. In addition, the role of agricultural wastes as mean for weed control (e.g. maize gluten meal, Brassicaceae seed meal, abrasive grit), soil amendments and fertilizer substitute (e.g. abrasive grit, biochar, Brassicaceae oilseed meal, digestate from anaerobic digestion), or plant growing medium (e.g. composts) signifies the added value of these materials toward sustainable production systems. Nevertheless, the utilization of agricultural wastes should not disturb the soil carbon and other nutrients dynamics. This can be avoided by setting appropriate limits and continued monitoring, hence, reducing uncertainty about their beneficial environmental performance.
Synthetic regulation of multicellular systems for regenerative engineering

Abstract Cell therapies represent a vital pillar of the regenerative medicine approach to treating diseases. Unlike small molecules or biologic drugs, cells can integrate information from their environment to perform an array of outputs as diverse as the assembly of neotissue or engulfment of foreign bodies. As such, cells can serve as exceptional agents to coordinate regeneration and combat disease. Regenerative medicine strategies can draw from tools developed in synthetic biology to build molecular networks that empower cells to autonomously and collectively respond to features of their niche with predefined, engineered outputs. This review summarizes recently uncovered features of natural biological systems that regenerative engineers may leverage and highlights recent additions to the expanding synthetic biology toolkit that can be readily adopted in regenerative medicine to control complex behaviors of mammalian cell collectives.
Neuroendocrine liver metastases: The role of liver transplantation.

Abstract Purpose of review Neuroendocrine tumor (NET) metastasis localized to the liver is an accepted indication for liver transplantation as such tumors have a low biological aggressiveness in terms of malignancy and are slow growing. Recent findings The long-term results are comparable with and in some cases even better than those of transplantations performed for primary liver cancer. However, compared with nonmalignant conditions, neuroendocrine liver metastasis (NELM) may result in an inferior outcome of transplantation. In the face of the scarcity of donated organs and recent improved results of non-surgical treatment for NELM, controversy over patient selection and timing for liver transplantation continues. Summary In this review, we provide an overview of the diagnostic work-up and selection criteria of patients with NELM being considered for liver transplantation. Thereafter, we provide a critical analysis of the reported outcomes of OLT.
Model studies of cardiac arrhythmias: Reentry and arrhythmogenic activity of the single cell

Reentry is a major cause of arrhythmias following myocardial ischemia or infarction. Recent experiments demonstrated high degree of cellular uncoupling in cardiac tissue under ischemia conditions [1]. Our previous simulations [2,3] demonstrated that conduction disturbances which lead to reentry, such as slow conduction, decrementai conduction and conduction block, can be caused by high degree of cellular uncoupling. Using a ring-shaped computer model of myocardial tissue we examined the effects of changes in cellular coupling and in membrane excitability on the initiation and maintenance of reentry [4]. The model represents a closed pathway of conduction in reentrant rhythm and is composed of 1500 cardiac cells of realistic dimensions. Cells are connected by a resistive network representing the gap junction. The electrical activity of the membrane is represented by the Beeler and Reuter model [5] with the Ebihara and Johnson [6] fast sodium current. By applying a properly timed premature stimulus, reentry could be induced. Whether reentry is sustained or nonsustained is determined by the degree of cellular uncoupling. As uncoupling is increased, velocity of propagation decreases and vulnerability to the induction of reentry increases. Mechanistically, the vulnerability is determined by the degree of functional inhomogeneity at the vulnerable window, which results mainly from inhomogeneity of the inactivation gate of the fast sodium channel. In contrast to the effect of cellular uncoupling, uniform reduction in membrane excitability resulted in slow propagation with decreased vulnerability due to reduced inhomogeneity in the state of the membrane at the vulnerable window. The reentrant action potential exhibits alternane, similar to those observed experimentally [7]. These alternane reflect alternations in the kinetics of slow ionic channels.
The team cohesion-performance relationship: A meta-analysis exploring measurement approaches and the changing team landscape:

Team cohesion is an important antecedent of team performance, but our understanding of this relationship is mired by inconsistencies in how cohesion has been conceptualized and measured. The nature...
INCOMMENSURABILITY AND LANGUAGE THEORY IN DIDEROT’S ‘ENCYCLOPEDIE’

If we were transported backwards in time to the company of a French scholar in eighteenth-century France, how wouldwe record and transmit the knowledge of our world? Automatically, visual monitors, microchips, programs for mainframe computers, the array of artificial languages, cursors, pulses, and tones come to mind and couldbe justified by many 88 the most appropriate means to communicate our accumulated knowledge and ideas. In the article 'Encyclopedie' (1755) of VolumeV, Denis Diderot defines the immense project of the Enc,clopltlie and justifies the use of written discourse and graphic plates 88 the means for recording and transmitting the knowledge of his era, a period when the arts, the sciences,and the technology ofdaily lifewere undergoing rapid and fundamental change and expansion. The article 'Encyclopedie', as a language treatise/language instrument 1, includes in the treatise on language a linguistic and philosophical basis for the efficacyof language. It offers in particular Diderot's language theory on the incommensurability inherent in translating objects into ideas and ideas into signs and his proposed resolution of this incommensurability.
Quantum well and superlattice electrodes

Publisher Summary Charge carriers in semiconductors can be confined, by potential barriers, in one spatial dimension, two spatial dimensions, or in three spatial dimensions. These regimes are termed quantum films, quantum wires, and quantum dots, respectively. Quantum films are also more commonly referred to as quantum wells. However, quantum wires and quantum dots also contain quantum wells, but differ in the dimensionality of their potential wells. One-dimensional quantum wells, hereafter called quantum films or just quantum wells, are usually formed through epitaxial growth of alternating layers of semiconductor materials, with different band gaps. A single quantum well is formed from one semiconductor sandwiched, between the two layers of a second semiconductor, having a larger band gap; the center layer with the smaller band gap semiconductor forms the quantum well, while the two layers, sandwiching the center layer, create the potential barriers. Two types of potential wells can actually be formed in the quantum well structure; one well is for conduction band electrons, the other for valence band holes. Multiple quantum well structures consist of a series of quantum wells. A multiple quantum well structure that exhibits strong electronic coupling, between the wells, is termed as superlattice. This chapter describes the various aspects of quantum well and superlattice structures, including fabrication and characterization; optical and electronic properties; the dynamics of photogenerated electrons and holes; and their behavior as electrodes in photoelectrochemical cells.
Role of Signal Transduction in Anesthetic Action.

The molecular mechanism for general anesthetic action is not known. The alpha 2 adrenergic agonists represent a novel class of "anesthetic-like" agent because of their selectivity for receptor binding sites and because the transmembrane signaling systems mediating their biologic responses in non-CNS systems are known. We have begun to characterize the signal transduction pathway involved in the anesthetic-like action of the alpha 2 adrenergic agonists. The alpha 2 adrenergic agonists potently decrease both central noradrenergic neurotransmission and halothane anesthetic requirements (MAC). Since MAC is only reduced by 30-40% when noradrenergic neurotransmission is totally abolished and since the reduction in MAC with the highly selective alpha 2 adrenergic agonists exceeds 90%, factors in addition to noradrenergic neurotransmission must be contributing to the anesthetic action of the alpha 2 agonists. Studies with the superselective alpha 2 agonist dexmedetomidine confirmed this, as the alpha 2 agonist could still reduce the MAC for halothane in rats depleted of their central norepinephrine stores. The profound reduction in anesthetic requirements with dexmedetomidine raised the possibility that alpha 2 adrenergic agonists may be considered an anesthetic hypnotic agent by itself. This sole anesthetic hypnotic response was established together with the confirmation that a central alpha 2 adrenoceptor mediated this action. Subsequently, data using molecular biologic techniques suggested that the alpha 2 C4 isoreceptor was the probable receptor that mediated the anesthetic response. We further explored the postreceptor effector mechanism for the signal transduction pathway for alpha 2 anesthetic action and identified the participation of two other molecular components, namely, a pertussis-toxin-sensitive G protein and a 4-aminopyridine-sensitive ion channel. Whether the signal transduction pathway for alpha 2 anesthetic action mediates the further response to other non-alpha 2 anesthetic agents needs to be defined.
Nerve Injury, Repair and Reconstruction

Abstract The chapter describes the traditional classification of nerve injuries as well as a clinical grouping of nerve injuries according to mechanisms of the injury. This grouping of open versus closed and crush versus traction/avulsion versus penetrating injuries has implication on severity of associated soft tissue and bony injury, impacts diagnosis and timing of surgical versus nonsurgical treatment, and provides guidance to the peripheral nerve surgeon about realistic expectation of recovery. The preoperative adjunct studies are reviewed and their usefulness in the different injury patterns. The chapter includes the appropriate use of newer products such as decellularized human nerve allografts, biodegradable conduits and wraps, as well as the treatment of neuromas and a guideline for treatment of complex regional pain syndrome. Specifics on nerve repair techniques, usefulness of pre- and postoperative imaging and electrical studies and their role in the assessment of the nerve injury and/or recovery, and therapy modalities to assist in the recovery are also covered.
On the Stresses around an Elliptic Hole in a Cylindrical Shell

A theoretical analysis is presented for the membrane and bending stresses around an elliptic hole in an infinitely long, thin circular cylindrical shell. The shell is loaded by a uniformly distributed bending moment around the elliptic cutout. The method of solution is a perturbation technique and the results obtained are valid, if the hole is small in size compared to the shell.
Efficient Parallel Divide-and-Conquer for a Class of Interconnection Topologies

In this paper, we propose an efficient scheduling algorithm for expanding any divide-and-conquer (D&C) computation tree on k-dimensional mesh, hypercube, and perfect shuffle networks with p processors. Assume that it takes tn time steps to expand one node of the tree and tc time steps to transmit one datum or convey one node. For any D&C computation tree with N nodes, height h, and degree d (maximal number of children of any node), our algorithm requires at most (N/p+h)tn+ϕdhtc time steps, where ϕ is O(log2p) on a hypercube or perfect shuffle network and is \(O\left( {\sqrt[k]{p}} \right)\) on a nk−1x···xn0 mesh network, where \(n_{k - 1} = \cdot \cdot \cdot = n_0 = \sqrt[k]{p}\). This algorithm is general in the sense that it does not know the values of N, h, and d, and the shape of the computation tree as well, a priori. Most importantly, we can easily obtain a linear speedup by nearly a factor of p, especially when N ≫ ph(1+ϕdt c /t n ).
Out in the Field: Assessing the Impact of Vicarious Experiences on Preservice Elementary Science Teaching Efficacy

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of vicarious experiences and field experience classroom characteristics (e.g., student socioeconomic status) on preservice science teaching efficacy. The participants were forty six preservice elementary teachers enrolled in a field experience based elementary science education course and twenty inservice teachers. A pretest was administered to the preservice elementary teachers early in the semester and consisted of demographic questions and the Science Teaching Efficacy Belief Instrument B (STEBI-B). A posttest was administered to the preservice elementary teachers at the end of the semester and consisted of field experience questions and the STEBI-B. The field experience inservice teachers provided personal, professional, and classroom characteristics data in the middle of the semester. Unique to this study is the finding that enactive mastery experiences did not change the preservice elementary teacher’s science teaching efficacy during their field experiences as Bandura’s self-efficacy theory proposes. Also unique to this study are the findings that variables of student ethnicity, student socioeconomic status and preservice teacher program placement were significant predictors of the preservice elementary teachers’ science teaching efficacy during their vicarious experiences. Even though variables of student ethnicity, student socioeconomic status and preservice teacher program placement negatively impacted preservice science teaching efficacy levels, preservice teachers should be placed in these environments when effective support exists. This support has the potential to reverse the negative declines observed in the preservice elementary teacher’s science teaching efficacy scores and better equip the preservice elementary teacher with the techniques needed to meet the diverse needs of their students.
Pulmonary Rehabilitation for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Scientific and Political Agenda

Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is the standard of care for patients suffering chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This report describes and defines PR and reviews the evidence regarding the efficacy of PR. COPD management guidelines that include PR have been published by the European Respiratory Society, the American Thoracic Society, and the British Thoracic Society, and those guidelines were supported by evidence-based guidelines published jointly by the American College of Chest Physicians and the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. The Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease, which is also evidence-based, included the recommendation for referral to PR. Despite those recommendations, the availability of comprehensive PR programs (defined as being compliant with national practice standards) is limited. In the United States the lack of a national policy for PR reimbursement has led to differences in compensation among insurance providers, based on differences in the Local Medical Review Policies established by the "fiscal intermediaries." Since 1998 the American Association for Respiratory Care, the American College of Chest Physicians, the American Thoracic Society, and the National Association for Medical Direction of Respiratory Care have jointly lobbied for clear, consistent guidelines from the United States Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA, which was recently renamed the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services [CMS]). In 2002 new Medicare/Medicaid billing codes ("G codes") became available for billing PR procedures, but unfortunately the instructions for the use of those codes differ among the Local Medical Review Policies. There has been little success in the effort to establish a national coverage policy for PR. The respiratory therapist holds a unique role in PR. In the respiratory therapist's training curriculum PR is specifically addressed, making the respiratory therapist an asset to the multidisciplinary PR team. With their many clinical opportunities for making contact with COPD patients and physicians, respiratory therapists can be effective advocates for PR.
Less Haste, More Speed: The Fit for the Future Reform Program in New South Wales Local Government

In August 2011 the New South Wales (NSW) Government established the Independent Local Government Review Panel to examine the options for improving the sustainability of the NSW local government sector. In October 2014 the NSW Government set out its response in its Fit for the Future reform program. This paper provides a critical assessment of the Fit for the Future program. We show that it contains errors, relies on unreliable data, and neglects important factors, which may be ascribed to the haste with which it has been constructed. This could have serious consequences given the potential impact the Fit for the Future program will have on NSW local government. We thus conclude that it would be prudent to address these matters before proceeding further with the program.
1‐Pentynylcopper(I)

[19093-51-7] C5H7Cu (MW 130.67) InChI = 1S/C5H7.Cu/c1-3-5-4-2;/h3,5H2,1H3; InChIKey = LZPQQKOHEKIUSS-UHFFFAOYSA-N (coupling agent for delivery of PrCC group;2 formation of mixed lithium cuprates3) Physical Data: canary yellow polymeric solid.4, 5 Solubility: sol pyridine (10−5 M, 25 °C); slightly sol ether, THF; insol DMF, water. Preparative Methods: an aqueous ammoniacal solution of Copper(I) Iodide is added to 1-pentyne in ethanol, and the resulting precipitate is filtered and washed.5, 6 Purification: can be dried under vacuum (20 mmHg) at 50 °C; traces of unremoved ammonia impart a greenish-yellow color.5 Handling, Storage, and Precautions: all copper(I) acetylides are potentially explosive when dry and should be treated with due caution. Use in a fume hood.
The Kitt Peak Galaxy Redshift Survey with Multicolor Photometry: Basic Data

Redshifts, four-band photometry (UBJRFIN), and astrometry are presented for faint galaxies in four widely separated fields. We provide the necessary information to enable well-defined, statistically complete subsamples of faint galaxies to be constructed from the master catalog. The redshift survey is 86% and 71% complete to RF ≤ 18.5 and RF ≤ 19, respectively, yielding 328 galaxies with reliable redshifts to RF ≤ 19, with a median redshift of 0.142. Adding the galaxies from the fainter statistical sample yields a total of 583 reliable redshifts with a median redshift of 0.202. An additional 156 redshifts in the same fields, but not part of the samples defined here, are also given. Of the 739 galaxy redshifts presented, 212 are for galaxies with RF > 20.
Differential healing response of bone adjacent to porous implants coated with hydroxyapatite and 45S5 bioactive glass.

This study tested the hypothesis that the rate and the extent of bone formation adjacent to porous, coated Ti-6Al-4V implants are differentially affected by the type of bioactive ceramic coating. Forty-eight rabbits received cylindrical Ti-6Al-4V intramedullary distal femoral implants bilaterally. Implants for the right limbs were coated with 45S5 Bioglass® (45S5). Implants used for the left limbs either were coated with tricalcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite (HA) or were left uncoated as controls (CTL). The 45S5-coated implants histologically and biomechanically were compared to HA-coated and CTL implants at 4, 8, 12, and 16 weeks. After 12 and 16 weeks of healing, more bone and thicker trabeculae were measured histomorphometrically within the implant pores for the 45S5-coated implants compared to the HA-coated and CTL implants (p < 0.05). With time the HA-coated and CTL groups exhibited a significant decline in percent of bone and of trabecular thickness (p < 0.05) while the 45S5-coated implants did not. Biomechanical analyses indicated similar shear strengths for all treatment groups. In summary, 45S5-coated implants exhibited greater bone ingrowth compared to HA-coated and CTL implants, and they maintained their mechanical integrity over time. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 55: 603–612, 2001
Caring for Pregnant Teenagers: Medicolegal Issues for Nurses

From statutory rape, pregnancy options, mandatory reporting, and emancipation, a wide range of medicolegal issues face teenagers. These issues become even more complex when the teenager is pregnant. Nurses caring for pregnant and parenting teenagers are in a position to offer advocacy and support in family planning, prenatal, obstetric, and pediatrics settings. A comprehensive understanding of common medicolegal issues facing teenagers will help to ensure appropriate patient advocacy.
Getting even? Women who kill in domestic encounters

Field research in six U. S. cities, included among cities with the highest murder rates in the country, was undertaken to explore female criminal homicide offenders and the circumstances of their crimes. This article addresses a subgroup of those women; those who kill persons with whom they have been intimate sexually. Many of the results support earlier studies by finding, for example, that domestic homicide is intrafamilial, intraracial and intersexual, but other discoveries such as the preplanning of the homicide, increased use of firearms, more murders committed by single women, and the prior arrest histories of the female offenders suggest that the women who kill as a result of domestic alterations today differ from their battered sisters of past years.
Recent advances in the management of asthma using leukotriene modifiers.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that affects approximately 100 million people worldwide. In order to reduce symptoms, improve pulmonary function, and decrease morbidity, current treatment guidelines emphasize the importance of controlling the underlying inflammation in patients with asthma. Leukotrienes are leukocyte-generated lipid mediators that promote airway inflammation. Recognition of the importance of leukotrienes in the pathogenesis of asthma has led to the development of leukotriene modifiers, the first new class of drugs for the treatment of asthma to become available in 25 years. Controlled clinical trials with the four currently used leukotriene modifiers (montelukast, zafirlukast, and zileuton in the US and pranlukast in Japan) have established their efficacy in improving pulmonary function, reducing symptoms, decreasing night-time awakenings, and decreasing the need for rescue medications. They exert anti-inflammatory effects that attenuate cellular infiltration and bronchial hyperresponsiveness and complement the anti-inflammatory properties of inhaled corticosteroids. In patients with moderate and severe asthma, they permit tapering of the corticosteroid dose. In patients with exercise-induced asthma, leukotriene modifiers limit the decline in and quicken the recovery of pulmonary functions without the tolerance issues seen with chronic long-acting β2-adrenoceptor agonist use. In patients with aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)-induced asthma, they improve pulmonary function and shift the dose response curve to the right, reducing the patient’s response to aspirin. In patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis, with or without concomitant asthma, they improve nasal, eye, and throat symptoms as well as quality of life. Leukotriene modifiers are generally safe and well tolerated with adverse effect profiles similar to that of placebo. The one safety issue raised with leukotriene modifiers, Churg-Strauss Syndrome, appears to be the unmasking of an already present syndrome that is manifested when the leukotriene modifiers permit corticosteroid doses to be reduced. Although current treatment guidelines recommend their use in patients with mild persistent asthma, these guidelines were developed just as leukotriene modifiers were coming to the market, before much of the clinical efficacy data were published. Because asthma is a heterogeneous disease, the different asthma phenotypes respond differently to therapies; consequently asthma therapy needs to be individualized. Leukotriene modifiers increase the therapeutic options for patients with asthma and, based on recent data, it is expected that future guidelines will describe expanded uses for these agents in clinical circumstances where these drugs are effective.
Pharmacodynamic effects of three doses of ORG 9426 used for endotracheal intubation in humans.

Abstract Study Objective: To determine the pharmacodynamic characteristics of three incremental doses of ORG 9426 used for endotracheal intubation in patients. Design: Double-blind, randomized administration of one of three doses of intravenous ORG 9426. Setting: Inpatients requiring surgery at Georgetown University Medical Center. Patients: Thirty-six patients, ages 18 to 65, ASA physical status I, II, and III, scheduled for general surgery. Interventions: After Georgetown University Institutional Review Board approval and patient consent, patients were premeditated with midazolam or droperidol. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental sodium and fentanyl. Anesthesia was maintained with 60% nitrous oxide in oxygen. The ulnar nerve was stimulated supramaximally with a 2 Hz train-of four (TOF) every 20 seconds. Thumb contractions were measured with a force transducer. When TOF and anesthesia were stable, 2, 2.5, or 3 times the ED 95 of ORG 9426 (570 μg/kg 710 μg/kg or 850 μg/kg) was administered randomly. Tracheal intubation was attempted at maximal depression of the first TOF response (T 1 ). Measurements and Main Results: The following parameters were measured: time interval from the injection of ORG 9426 to 90% depression of T 1 (T 1 90% block), maximal T 1 depression (onset time), intubating conditions, clinical duration (time for return of T 1 to 25% of control), heart rate (HR), blood pressure (BP), and any adverse clinical experience. ORG 9426 provided adequate intubating conditions in all patients but two, independent of the dose used. Its onset time was rapid, but increasing the dose did not shorten the onset. T 1 90% block was achieved rapidly (75 ± 25 seconds to 78 ± 18 seconds, means ± SD). The clinical duration of ORG 9426 was relatively short and lengthened with increasing doses (from 36 ± 18 minutes at 570 μg/kg to 42 ±10 minutes at 850 μg/kg. Spontaneous twitch recovery from 10% to 25% was similar in all dosage groups (5 ± 1 minutes to 6 ± 4 minutes). No clinically significant changes in HR and BP and no adverse clinical experiences were noted in any group. Conclusion: These findings warrant further clinical evaluation of ORG 9426 for induction and maintenance of muscle relaxation in humans.
Spatial Variation of Net Radiation, Albedo and Surface Temperature of Forests

Abstract Economical radiometers were placed at 12 locations within an area of about 1 hectare:six over a hardwood forest 10 m in height, two over white pine of 6 m height, two over juniper openings, one over a ledge opening, and one over an old field. Measurements were made about every half hour on selected clear days in summer, autumn and winter. Results of 4–6 successive measurements were averaged to reduce instrument and measurement errors. The time-averaged hardwood albedos generally had a range (spatial variation, maximum minus minimum values) of 0.03, while the albedos of all locations had a range of about 0.13, except in winter. Hardwood surface temperatures had a range varying from 1–5C, while the range for all sites was from 5–11C. These spatial variations in surface temperature and albedo were about equally important in affecting net radiation. The range of net radiation among hardwood locations was within 0.03 ly min−1, while over all sites it was within 0.11 ly min−1, except in winter. When me...
Improved radiography with polycapillary x-ray optics

Polycapillary x-ray optics provide an innovative new way to control x-ray beams. Placing these optics after the object to be imaged provides very efficient rejection of Compton scatter, while allowing image magnification without loss of resolution, image demagnification, or image shaping to match with digital detectors. An extensive study of the effects of surface and profile defects have greatly enhanced the understanding of the manufacturing process and lead to improved reproducibility and manufacturability of the optics. Measurements were performed on magnifying tapers. The optics had measured primary transmissions greater than 50% and scatter transmission of less than 1%. For a 5-cm thick Lucite phantom, this resulted in a contrast enhancement compared to a conventional grid of nearly a factor of two. The magnification from the tapered capillary optics improved the MTF at all frequencies out to 1.9 times the original system resolution. Increases below the system resolution are most important because clinically relevant structures generally occupy lower spatial frequencies. Alternatively, placing a collimating optic and diffracting crystal before the patient provides sufficient monochromatic beam intensity for medical imaging. Contrast, resolution, and intensity measurements were performed with both high and low angular acceptance crystals. At 8 keV, contrast enhancement was a factor of 5 relative to the polychromatic case, in good agreement with theoretical values. At 17.5 keV, monochromatic subject contrast was more than a factor of 2 times greater than the conventional polychromatic contrast. An additional factor of two increase in contrast is expected from the removal of scatter obtained from using the air gap which is allowable from the parallel beam. The measured angular resolution after the crystal was 0.4 mrad for a silicon crystal. The realization of these applications has been advanced by the recent marked improvement in available optic quality and reproducibility. Manufacturing progress has been assisted by the development of simulation analyses which allow for increasingly accurate assessment of optics defects. Optics performance over the whole range of energy from 10 to 80 keV can often be matched with one or two fitting parameters. Continuing optics manufacturing challenges include the advance of applications at energies above 40 keV and the production of optics for imaging which are of adequate clinical size. Multioptic jigs designed to increase imaging area have been tested.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Hemeoxygenase-1 in SJL mice with experimental allergic encephalomyelitis

The expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO -1) is increased in the C NS of mice and rats with experimental allergic encephalo myelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS). To investigate the role of HO -1 in EAE, a putative inhibitor [tin-pro toporphyrin IX (Sn-PP IX)] of HO -1 was administered to SJL mice during active disease. Sn-PP IX (200 mmol/kg) attenuated clinical scores, weight loss, and some signs of patho logy in comparison to vehicle treatment. G lutathione levels were greater in treated EAE mice than in those receiving vehicle, indicating lower oxidative stress in the former group. These data suggest that inhibition of HO -1 attenuated disease and suppressed free radical production. In the SJL model of EAE, extravasated blood is present in the C NS, and iron released by HO -1 from this heme source may not be adequately sequestered by ferritin, allowing for iron-mediated tissue damage. Thus, HO -1 may act to amplify the disease process in this model.
Heterotypic Immune Mice Lose Protection against Influenza Virus Infection with Senescence

Influenza causes significant morbidity and mortality in the elderly. To determine whether this could be due to loss of heterotypic immunity, young and aged BALB/c mice were made heterotypically immune by H3N2 influenza virus infection and then challenged, while anesthetized, with H1N1 virus. Viral clearance was delayed by 2 days in the aged mice. Naive and heterotypic immune mice were next challenged with H1N1 virus while awake. Under these conditions, initial infection was restricted to the nose in all animals. The virus spread to the lungs of the young and aged naive mice but not of heterotypic immune young mice. Heterotypic immunity of aged mice did not prevent spread of the virus to the lungs. The impaired recovery of aged mice correlated with lower antiinfluenza cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity. Thus, a possible explanation for the increased severity of influenza in elderly humans is loss of CTL-mediated heterotypic immunity.