cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Potentiation by calcium channel blockade of hypoxic myocardial depression in the neonate

The objectives of this study were to examine the independent and combined effects of beta blockade (practolol) and calcium channel blockade (verapamil) on cardiac responses to hypoxia in the neonate. Lambs were anaesthetized with pentobarbital (20 mg/kg) and were prepared for measurements of left ventricular (LV) performance under controlled hemodynamic conditions. Force generation was assessed from curves relating LV systolic pressure (SP) to end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) over a broad range of afterloading. Velocity was determined from simultaneous measurements of LV dP/dtmax. Values obtained at LVEDP 10 cm H2O were used to compare interventions. Practolol (P) caused no significant reduction in SP10, but dP/dt10 fell from 51 to 37 (X 10(2] mm Hg/sec (p less than 0.05). Verapamil (V), 2 micrograms/min/kg, reduced measures of contractility (p less than 0.01). Doubling the dose of V further reduced SP10 to 79% of control. Hypoxemia (PaO2, 32 torr) increased SP10 from 172 to 192 mm Hg, and dP/dt10 from 51 to 85 (X 10(2] mm Hg/s (p less than 0.001). After P, the same degree of hypoxia elicited no changes in LV function. During infusion of V (4 micrograms/min/kg), hypoxia reduced SP10 from 138 to 122 mm Hg (p less than 0.01) and dP/dt10 from 29 to 24 (X 10(2] mm Hg/sec (p less than 0.05). It is concluded that in the absence of adrenergic support, hypoxia significantly depresses both force and velocity parameters of contractility in hearts with calcium channel blockade.
Community Based and Community Focused: Nursing Education in Community Health

Nurses have always cared for individuals, families, groups, and communities in their practice. Recently there has been an increase in the focus on nurses working outside of the hospital, primarily in community-based settings that focus on individuals and families. There is also increasing emphasis on community-focused nursing care with the community as the client. In some nursing programs, nurse educators have tried to adjust to this change by increasing the amount of time that nursing students spend in the community. The focus of this experience ranges from individuals to populations. This article describes a one-semester community health course in a baccalaureate nursing program that gives students both theoretical and practical knowledge in caring for individuals, families, groups, and communities. This allows for practice and understanding of both community-based and community-focused nursing care.
Laser-induced damage of metal mirrors under long-term exposure at shallow angle of incidence

Laser induced damage (LID) experiments were performed with a 2-J frequency-multiplied Nd:YAG laser at 1/2 /spl mu/m wavelength and a variety of metal mirrors (pure and impure diamond-turned) at shallow angle of incidence to study the sensitivity of these mirrors to LID under long term exposure. Practical lifetime curves for Al-1100 and 99.999% pure Al mirrors have been established up to 10/sup 4/ shots of operation. The results show general agreement with theoretical predictions.
Guanine tetrads: an IRMPD spectroscopy, energy resolved SORI-CID, and computational study of M(9-ethylguanine)(4)(+) (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) in the gas phase.

The intrinsic properties of the alkali metal cationized G-tetrads, M(9eG)4+ (M = Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs) composed of 9-ethylguanine (9eG), were studied by a combination of mass spectrometric techniques. The gas phase structures were probed by infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) spectroscopy in both the fingerprint region (900–1850 cm−1) and the N–H/C–H stretching region (2700–3800 cm−1). The gas phase structures were found to be similar for all five complexes and most consistent with the metal-centred G-tetrad structure. Energy-resolved CID was also used to compare the gas phase stabilities of the G-tetrads and showed that Na(9eG)4+ was more stable than Li(9eG)4+ followed by the K+, Rb+, and Cs+ G-tetrads in order. The experimental energy ordering was reproduced by electronic structure calculations of the energies. Furthermore, the computations also showed that the lower stability to loss of 9-ethylguanine for the Li+ complex could be due to a strong destabilization of the neutral G-tetrad due to the persistence toward maximizing the ion–dipole interactions while also maintaining hydrogen bonding interactions.
The NMR spectra of some iodo- and bromo-fluorobenzenes. A novel solvent effect on ortho fluorine-fluorine couplings†

The NMR spectral parameters for some bromo- and iodo-substituted fluorobenzenes are presented, and the derived meta- and para- fluorine-fluorine couplings are shown to be in accord with the predictions made by Abraham et al., using an additive substituent constant scheme. While the approximation of additive substituent effects is quite good, it is shown, however, that with highly accurate experimental values there are small deviations from perfect additivity. The existence of a large solvent effect on 3JFF is demonstrated and the mechanism of this effect is discussed. It is emphasized that certain discrepancies in the literature between various values of the same 3JFF may be due to this large, hitherto unrecognized solvent dependence.
Use of whole-body FDG PET-CT to aid in the diagnosis of occult sarcoidosis.

Purpose: To report a case where combined whole-body Fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET-CT scanning was used to aid in the diagnosis of a patient with occult sarcoidosis. Design: Case report. Methods: FDG PET-CT scanning was performed in a patient who presented with persistent bilateral panuveitis after cataract surgery and had undergone an extensive negative workup. Results: FDG PET-CT scanning demonstrated extensive mediastinal adenopathy. Biopsy showed a non-caseating granuloma with associated giant cell formation consistent with a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. Conclusions: FDG PET-CT scanning generates tomographic scans with excellent sensitivity, spatial resolution, and anatomical landmark identification and may be useful in the workup of idiopathic uveitis.
Prediction of genetic values for feed intake from individual body weight gain and total feed intake of the pen.

Records of individual feed intake (FI) and BW gain (GN) were obtained from the Germ Plasm Evaluation (GPE) program at US Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC). Animals were randomly assigned to pens. Only pens with 6 to 9 steers (n = 289) were used for this study (data set 1). Variance components and genetic parameters were estimated us- ing data set 1. Estimated genetic values (EGV) for FI were calculated by 5 methods using single and 2-trait analyses: 1) individual FI and individual GN, 2) in- dividual FI alone, 3) 2-trait with individual GN but with FI missing, 4) individual GN and pen total FI, and 5) pen total FI alone. Analyses were repeated but with some of the same records assigned artificially to 36 pens of 5 and 4 paternal half sibs per pen (data sets 2 and 3). Models included year as a fixed factor and birth and weaning weights, age on test, and days fed as covariates. Estimates of heritability were 0.42 ± 0.16 and 0.34 ± 0.17 for FI and GN. The estimate of the ge- netic correlation was 0.57 ± 0.23. Empirical responses to selection were calculated as the average EGV for the top and bottom 10% based on rank for each method but with EGV from method 1 substituted for the EGV on which ranking was based. With data set 1, rank cor- relations between EGV from method 1 and EGV from methods 2, 3, 4, and 5 were 0.99, 0.53, 0.32, and 0.15, respectively. Empirical responses relative to method 1 agreed with the rank correlations. Accuracy of EGV for method 4 (0.44) was greater than for method 3 (0.35) and for method 5 (0.29). Accuracies for methods 4 and 5 were greater than indicated by empirical responses and correlations with EGV from method 1. Compari- sons of the 5 methods were similar for data sets 2 and 3. With data set 2, rank correlations between EGV from method 1 and EGV from methods 3, 4, and 5 were 0.47, 0.64, and 0.62. Average accuracies of 56, 75, and 75% relative to method 1 (0.67) generally agreed with the empirical responses to selection. As expected, accuracy using pen total FI and GN to obtain EGV for FI was greater than using GN alone. With data set 1, empiri- cal response to selection with method 4 was one-third of that for method 1, although average accuracy was 65% of that for method 1. With assignment of 5 pater- nal half sibs to artificial pens, using pen total FI and individual GN was about 81% as effective for selection as using individual FI and GN to obtain EGV for FI and was substantially more effective than use of GN alone.
Rates of Deglaciation during the Last Glaciation and Holocene in the Cordillera Vilcanota-Quelccaya Ice Cap Region, Southeastern Perú

Moraine chronology is combined with digital topography to model deglacial rates of paleoglacier volumes in both the Huancane Valley on the west side of the Quelccaya Ice Cap and the Upismayo Valley on the northwest side of the Cordillera Vilcanota. The fastest rates of deglaciation (39×10−5 to 114×10−5 km3 yr−1 and 112×10−5 to 247×10−5 km3 yr−1 for each valley, respectively) were calculated for the most recent paleoglaciers, corresponding to the last few centuries. These results are consistent with observations in the Venezuelan Andes showing high rates of deglaciation since the Little Ice Age. These rates also fall within the range of 20th century rates of deglaciation measured on the Quelccaya Ice Cap (29×10−5 to 220×10−5 km3 yr−1, Brecher and Thompson, 1993; Thompson, 2000). These results imply that rates of deglaciation may fluctuate significantly over time and that high rates of deglaciation may not be exclusive to the late 20th century. Equilibrium line altitude (ELA) depressions for the ice volumes of the last glaciation modeled here were computed as 230 m for the Quelccaya Ice Cap and 170 m for the Cordillera Vilcanota. Maximum ELA depressions are lower than previously published: <500 m for the Cordillera Vilcanota and <400 m for the Quelccaya Ice Cap. These lower values could imply a topographic control over paleoglacier extent.
TLR2 Expression in Astrocytes Is Induced by TNF-α- and NF-κB-Dependent Pathways

Astrocytes participate in CNS innate immune responses as evident by their ability to produce a wide array of inflammatory mediators upon exposure to diverse stimuli. Although we have established that astrocytes use TLR2 to signal inflammatory mediator production in response to Staphylococcus aureus, a common etiological agent of CNS infections, the signal transduction pathways triggered by this pathogen and how TLR2 expression is regulated remain undefined. Three disparate inhibitors that block distinct steps in the NF-kappaB pathway, namely SC-514, BAY 11-7082, and caffeic acid phenethyl ester, attenuated NO, TNF-alpha, and CXCL2 release from S. aureus-activated astrocytes. Among these proinflammatory mediators, autocrine/paracrine TNF-alpha was pivotal for augmenting TLR2 expression, since receptor levels were not elevated in astrocytes isolated from TNF-alpha knockout mice upon bacterial exposure. Since TLR2 is critical for signaling astrocytic cytokine production in response to S. aureus, we evaluated the effect of TNF-alpha loss on proinflammatory mediator release. Interestingly, among the molecules assayed, only NO production was significantly attenuated in TNF-alpha knockout astrocytes compared with wild-type cells. Similar results were obtained following LPS treatment, suggesting that TNF-alpha is an important regulator of astrocytic TLR2 expression and NO release in response to diverse microbial stimuli. In addition, NF-kappaB inhibitors attenuated TNF-alpha-induced TLR2 expression in astrocytes. Overall, this study suggests that two important anti-bacterial effector molecules, TLR2 and NO, are regulated, in part, by NF-kappaB-dependent autocrine/paracrine effects of TNF-alpha in astrocytes.
An agent-based simulation for investigating the impact of stereotypes on task-oriented group formation

In this paper, we introduce an agent-based simulation for investigating the impact of social factors on the formation and evolution of task-oriented groups. Task-oriented groups are created explicitly to perform a task, and all members derive benefits from task completion. However, even in cases when all group members act in a way that is locally optimal for task completion, social forces that have mild effects on choice of associates can have a measurable impact on task completion performance. In this paper, we show how our simulation can be used to model the impact of stereotypes on group formation. In our simulation, stereotypes are based on observable features, learned from prior experience, and only affect an agent's link formation preferences. Even without assuming stereotypes affect the agents' willingness or ability to complete tasks, the long-term modifications that stereotypes have on the agents' social network impair the agents' ability to form groups with sufficient diversity of skills, as compared to agents who form links randomly. An interesting finding is that this effect holds even in cases where stereotype preference and skill existence are completely uncorrelated.
Effects of Hepatocyte Growth Factor on Cyclic Nucleotide-Dependent Signaling and Steroidogenesis in Rat Ovarian Granulosa Cells In Vitro

Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) down-modulates FSH-dependent estradiol-17b (E 2) production in ovarian granulosa cells in vitro. The mechanisms of action underlying the antiestrogenic effects of HGF are vague, although evidence indicates that HGF may affect cAMP signal transduction in rat granulosa cells. The present study investigated the effects of HGF on FSH-induced steroidogenesis in the presence and absence of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), as well as the actions of HGF within cyclic nucleotide-dependent signal transduction cascades in granulosa cells. Immature rat granulosa cells were incubated with FSH, IGF-I, and HGF. HGF impaired the production of FSHstimulated and FSH 1 IGF-I-stimulated E 2 synthesis, as well as FSH 1 IGF-I-dependent estrone production. Progesterone synthesis was not altered by HGF. HGF suppressed FSH-dependent cAMP content at 24 h, but not at 36 h; cGMP content was stimulated by HGF with and without FSH at 24 h. In the presence of the cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), FSH-dependent cAMP accumulation was not affected by HGF. The suppressive effect of HGF on FSH-dependent E 2 production was alleviated by IBMX, whereas the HGF-dependent block in FSH 1 IGF-I-supported E 2 production was not prevented by IBMX. The effects of HGF on cyclic nucleotide PDE activities were manifested in a time-dependent and hormone-dependent manner. FSH-induced cAMP PDE was suppressed by HGF at 24 h but not at 36 h, whereas FSH-dependent cGMP PDE was impaired at 36 h, but not at 24 h. HGF prevented the IGF-I-dependent reduction in FSH-stimulated cAMP-PDE activity at 24 and 36 h, and lowered FSH 1 IGF-I-stimulated cGMP-PDE activity at 36 h, concomitant with an HGF-dependent increase in cGMP content at 24 h. These data indicate that HGF affects cAMP-directed and cGMP-directed signaling pathways at multiple sites in granulosa cells. These HGF-dependent effects may provide insight for mechanisms of action whereby HGF reduces E 2 secretion by granulosa cells. cyclic adenosine monophosphate, cytokines, estradiol, granulosa cells, signal transducers
Effects of egg yolk-citrate and milk extenders on chromatin structure and viability of cryopreserved bull sperm.

Abstract Semen from four Holstein bulls was evaluated to compare effects of four extender treatments on postthaw semen quality. Extender fractions A and B, either heated whole milk or 20% egg yolk-citrate, were combined to yield the extender treatments 1) milk and milk, 2) milk and egg yolk-citrate, 3) egg yolk-citrate and milk, and 4) egg yolk-citrate and egg yolk-citrate. Semen was evaluated at thawing and after 30, 60, 120, and 180min of incubation at 38.5°C. How cytometry showed that acridine orange-stained sperm were most susceptible to in situ DNA denaturation when fraction A was milk. For sperm stained with rhodamine 123, flow cytometry showed that the proportion with intact mitochondrial membrane potential was lowest of all treatments at thawing but greatest at 180-min incubation with milk and milk extender. Flow cytometry of propidium iodine-stained sperm showed greatest proportion of cell membrane intact sperm when fraction A was egg yolk-citrate. Light microscopy showed the lowest proportion of cell membrane intact sperm with milk and milk extender after eosin-aniline blue vital staining. Postthaw motility scores tended to be reduced when both extender fractions were egg yolk-citrate. Results demonstrate differential extender effects on postthaw semen quality and indicate that altering extender composition or sequence of adding extender components may improve postthaw quality of cryopreserved sperm.
Parameter analysis for the generalized LZ compression of audio

Summary form only given. We introduced (Kirovski and Landau (2004)) a memory-based model of the source signal, which explores multimedia repetitiveness to improve upon compression rates achieved by classic memoryless or simple prediction-based audio compression algorithms such as MP3. The representation error is masked using a psycho-acoustic filter. The goal of the masking function is to set the error such that reconstruction of audible samples is exact whereas the reconstruction of inaudible samples is such that the absolute magnitude of the error is minimized. We compute the entropy of the quantized pointers to all blocks, the quantized pointers to the applied transforms, the quantized scalars used to create the linear combination of transformed blocks, and the error vector returned.
Ab initio calculations for the photoelectron spectra of vanadium clusters

We report ab initio calculations for the electronic and structural properties of Vn, Vn−, and Vn+ clusters up to n=8. We performed the calculations using a real-space pseudopotential method based on the local spin density approximation for exchange and correlation. This method assumes no explicit basis. Wave functions are evaluated on a uniform grid; only one parameter, the grid spacing, is used to control convergence of the electronic properties. Charged states are easily handled in real space, in contrast to methods based on supercells where Coulombic divergences require special handling. For each size and charge state, we find the lowest energy structure. Our results for the photoelectron spectra, using the optimized structure, agree well with those obtained by experiment. We also obtain satisfactory agreement with the measured ionization potential and electron affinity, and compare our results to calculations using an explicit basis.
Defining the effects of age and gender on immune response and outcomes to melanoma vaccination: a retrospective analysis of a single-institution clinical trials’ experience

The impacts of patient age and gender on immune response (IR) and clinical outcome after cancer vaccines are not known. We hypothesized younger and female patients would have higher IR rates and better survival. Patients with resected stage IIB–IV melanoma in three clinical trials (Mel43, Mel44, Mel48) were vaccinated with 12 melanoma-associated peptides restricted by class I MHC. The cumulative incidence rate of CD8+ T cell responses (direct interferon-gamma ELIspot assay) by week 7 was compared by age and gender. Overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) landmark analyses were compared by Kaplan–Meier estimates and in multivariate analyses. T cell responses were evaluated in 327 patients and detected in 50 % of males and 48 % of females, with no difference in IR by gender or menopausal status. Males had trends toward longer DFS (p = 0.12) and OS (p = 0.09). Cumulative incidence of IR was higher in patients 0.50). In multivariate modeling, younger age was associated with better IR (OR 0.40, p value 0.003), without an impact of age or gender on clinical outcomes. These data support the hypothesis that older patients are less likely to develop T cell responses to a cancer vaccine. Nonetheless, significant proportions of older patients mount immune responses with comparable survival outcomes. Thus, these data support including older patients in cancer vaccine trials, but suggest value in stratifying patients by age 64 years.
Complexity and Renegotiation: A Foundation for Incomplete Contracts

The paper considers a hold-up model where only one of n future trading opportunities will prove to be efficient, and where ex post renegotiation of the ex ante contract cannot be prevented. As the environment becomes more complex (n→∞), the outcome under any message-contingent long-term contract converges to that of the "incomplete contracting" model where trade is contractible ex post, but not ex ante. When trades are costly to describe, both ex ante and ex post, the incomplete contracting result is extended to a broader class of environments.
A Task-Centric Memory Model for Scalable Accelerator Architectures

This paper presents a task-centric memory model for 1000-core compute accelerators. Visual computing applications are emerging as an important class of workloads that can exploit 1000-core processors. In these workloads, we observe data sharing and communication patterns that can be leveraged in the design of memory systems for future 1000-core processors. Based on these insights, we propose a memory model that uses a software protocol, working in collaboration with hardware caches, to maintain a coherent, single-address space view of memory without the need for hardware coherence support. We evaluate the task-centric memory model in simulation on a 1024-core MIMD accelerator we are developing that, with the help of a runtime system, implements the proposed memory model. We evaluate coherence management policies related to the task-centric memory model and show that the overhead of maintaining a coherent view of memory in software can be minimal. We further show that, while software management may constrain speculative hardware prefetching into local caches, a common optimization, it does not constrain the more relevant use case of off-chip prefetching from DRAM into shared caches.
Standard‐Setting Guidelines

Do we need guidelines for standard-setting studies? What should the guidelines address? What additional research on standard-setting is needed?
Design and fabrication of micromechanical logic elements

The development of a complete micromechanical digital logic family fabricated for use in low speed applications requiring radiation immunity is presented. The micromachined devices operate by electronic linear actuation of a slider element restricted to a one-dimensional track. A novel feature of the device is the use of a sliding electrical contact. The basic structure of the device is fabricated using three LPCVD polysilicon and two sacrificial oxide deposition steps. The micromechanical logic element demonstrates robust electrical characteristics and has an operating threshold of apparently 15 volts. >
Effects of focal basal ganglia lesions on timing and force control.

Studies of basal ganglia dysfunction in humans have generally involved patients with degenerative disorders, notably Parkinsons disease. In many instances, the performance of these patients is compared to that of patients with focal lesions of other brain structures such as the cerebellum. In the present report, we studied the performance of patients with focal basal ganglia lesions on three fundamental motor tasks. The patients all had suffered unilateral damage in the striatum and were tested in the chronic state. The first task required the participants to tap with their index finger as fast as possible; this test provided a simple assessment of motor competence. Compared to controls, the maximum tapping rate was lower for the patients when tapping with their contralesional limb, although the deficit was not severe. The second and third tasks were designed to assess timing and force control, two functions that have been associated with basal ganglia function. The patients performed similar to controls on both tasks and showed no evidence of impairment when using their contralesional limb compared to their ipsilesional limb. The results indicate that unilateral basal ganglia lesions tend to produce minor motor problems in force control, and fail to support the hypothesized role of the basal ganglia in timing.
Fifth Toe Deformities: Overlapping and Underlapping Toe

Overlapping fifth toe is thought to be a congenital deformity characterized by the proximal phalanx dorsally subluxating and adducting on the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint. Overlapping fifth toes...
Multidimensional state estimation using stacks for dynamic systems with interference

Abstract Stack sequential decoding algorithms of information theory are used to estimate the states of multidimensional dynamic systems with interference. Each component of the observation model is a non-linear function of only one state component, arbitrary random interference, and observation noise. The state model is a non-linear function of states and disturbance noise. States are estimated, component-by-component, in parallel. This results in memory reduction for the implementation of state estimation. The use of a stack sequential decoding algorithm makes state estimation faster, compared to estimation with the Viterbi decoding algorithm. Simulation results have shown that the proposed estimation scheme performs well, whereas the classical estimation schemes cannot, in general, be used to estimate the states of dynamic models with arbitrary random interference.
Multiple unilateral tarsal coalitions in a nonsyndromic patient

Tarsal coalition is relatively frequent, with an estimated prevalence of 1-2%. Coalitions are most commonly talocalcaneal or calcaneonavicular, accounting for 90% of cases. While it is well known that bilateral tarsal coalitions can occur in up to 50% of cases, the presence of multiple coalitions in the same foot is less well described. In this report, we present a case of talocalcaneal and calcaneonavicular coalitions occurring in the same foot and briefly review the relevant literature.
A Compact Test Instrument for Determining the Indentation Failure of Elastomers

Abstract There exists a considerable area in which conventional methods for the evaluation of physical properties of polymeric materials are either inconvenient or practically impossible. This is the case for very small specimens, irregularly-shaped regions, or composite structures of vulcanized elastomers. Here micro test procedures are indicated, and tests of local indentation are particularly appropriate; for when the indenter diameter is small compared to the dimensions of the test region, the results become independent of the dimensions, and little or no special preparation of the sample is required. We have extended the scope of indentation tests, from the measurement of stress-strain properties alone, to include the capability of securing measurements of the ultimate strength and indentation. These indentation failure properties should be pertinent to the service life of many fabricated articles. This paper describes the use of a compact instrument designed to perform indentation tests up to failur...
(A162) Preparing Plans! Helping First Responders Prepare the Population

It is common knowledge that having an individual or family disaster plan is vital for saving lives and property before, during and after a disaster. First responders have the daunting task of helping many people during a disaster. It would make their jobs easier if people had disaster plans before a disaster. However, for a variety of reasons, few people have a disaster plan. People often do not develop disaster plans due to the time required to devise a plan, a lack of knowledge of the benefits of having a plan, or the effort required for the primarily manual process of developing a disaster plan. Wilberforce University has designed a solution called Wilberforce's Information Library Boosting Emergency Recovery (WILBER) which is a customized, online tool to quickly and automatically generate disaster plans to help save lives and property as well as mitigate the impacts of a potential disaster. WILBER utilizes an interdisciplinary approach to automatically generate a basic disaster preparedness plan. The system addresses a wide range of disasters but focuses on floods, earthquakes and technological disasters such as terrorism and nuclear disasters. WILBER automatically processes locally relevant data intelligently and combines mathematical analysis; distributed computing; individual and business risk management; current and historical information from a comprehensive Geographical Information Systems (GIS) that includes imagery, infrastructure, demographic, and environmental data; and wireless sensors for real time condition assessment. Not planning for a disaster only increases the potential magnitude of a disaster. WILBER allows citizens to quickly establish immediate procedures in the event of an emergency which in turn can lessen the burden on first responders and reduces the likelihood of loss of life. This research is funded by the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration and conducted by the Wilberforce University Disaster Recovery Center in Wilberforce, Ohio, USA.
MODELING ESTUARIAL COHESIVE SEDIMENT TRANSPORT

Cohesive sediment related problems in estuaries include shoaling in navigable waterways and water pollution. A two-dimensional, depth averaged, finite element cohesive sediment transport model, CSTM-H, has been developed and may be used to assist in predicting the fate of sorbed pollutants and the frequency and quantity of dredging required to maintain navigable depths. Algorithms which describe the transport processes of redispersion, resuspenslon, dispersive transport, settling, deposition, bed formation and bed consolidation are incorporated in CSTM-H. The Galerkin weighted residual method is used to solve the advection-dispersion equation with appropriate source/sink terms at each time step for the nodal suspended sediment concentrations. The model yields stable and converging solutions. Verification was carried out against a series of erosion-deposition experiments in the laboratory using kaolinite and a natural mud as sediment. A model application under prototype conditions is described.
An Examination of Organizational Dissent Events and Communication Channels: Perspectives of a Dissenter, Supervisors, and Coworkers

Dissent is a vital process of organizational communication. Prior research has explored the variables that shape dissenters’ choices regarding what they say and to whom they say it. Less is known about the ways in which dissent events are situated in past dissent experiences. Additionally, few studies have examined the extent to which dissent expressed via social media and e-mail differs from face-to-face conversations. This case study examined the points of view of a dissenter, a supervisor, a skip-level supervisor, and two coworkers. Such a multiperspective analysis allowed a detailed exploration of how dissent events chained together and how dissenters’ choices about communication channels shaped the ways in which others responded to the dissent.
Interaction of adenosine with vasopressin in the inner medullary collecting duct.

Administration of adenosine (Ado) into rat renal artery induces dose-dependent diuresis that is independent of changes in glomerular filtration rate or renal blood flow, suggesting a direct effect on tubule H2O reabsorption. To test the hypothesis that Ado modulates cellular action of arginine vasopressin (AVP) as a tubular mechanism for the diuretic effect of Ado, interaction of Ado with AVP was studied in primary cell culture of rat inner medullary collecting duct (IMCD) epithelium. Stimulation of cells with 10(-6) M AVP in presence of 0.1 mM Ro 20-1724, a nonmethylxanthine phosphodiesterase inhibitor that has no effect on Ado receptors, increased adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) levels twofold or more above baseline. Stimulation of cells with the A1 Ado-receptor agonist N6-cyclohexyladenosine (CHA), the A2-receptor agonist 5'-(N-ethylcarboxamido)-adenosine (NECA), or with the P-site agonist 2',5'-dideoxyadenosine (DDA) significantly inhibited the AVP-stimulated cAMP response. Preincubation w...
Noninvasive conductivity imaging of 2D materials and devices by microwave impedance microscopy

Microwave impedance microscopy (MIM) is a novel technique to map out the electrical properties of materials with a mesoscopic (10–100 nm) spatial resolution. The near-field tip-sample interaction enables the conductivity imaging without the need of patterning electrodes, i.e., in a noninvasive manner. This paper demonstrates the application of MIM to visualize the degradation process of black phosphorus, the thermal and laser-assisted oxidation of WSe2 in the ambient condition, and the spatial evolution of channel conductance of a working MoS2 field-effect transistor device. Nanoscale microwave imaging is thus indispensable for the research of various two-dimensional materials.
Computing Quantifier Scope

There is a quantifier scope ambiguity in (1). In addition to the preferred normal scope reading paraphrased in (1ns), this sentence has the inverse scope reading paraphrased in (1is): (1) Some linguist speaks every language. (1ns) There is some linguist x such that x speaks every language (1is) For every language y, there is some linguist or other who speaks y Liu (1990) and others point out that certain objects, such as those with de-creasing denotations, do not allow an inverse scope reading, as in: (2) Some linguist speaks at most 2 languages. (2ns) Some linguist x is such that x speaks at most 2 languages (2is) There are at most 2 languages y such that some linguist or other speaks those 2 languages y (2is) is perfectly intelligible: it says that linguists speak at most 2 languages altogether. This does not seem to be available as an interpretation of (2). This is arguably not just a preference; sentence (2) just cannot be interpreted as (2is).
Approach to the Child with a Corneal Condition

Strategies for examining children who are suspected of having a corneal condition vary according to the age of the child. Distraction, familiarity with various things of interest to children, and casual conversation will help put most children at ease. Developing a therapeutic relationship with the child will increase the likelihood of achieving an adequate exam in the office. In the setting of severe symptoms, an exam under anesthesia may be needed if an adequate office exam is not possible. There are multiple causes of a red eye in children, most of which are self-limited. Concerning signs include severe loss of vision, severe pain, or unremitting or recurrent symptoms. Special care must be taken to rule out a vision-threatening condition in the setting of eye trauma or contact lens use.
Características estructurales de los clusters industriales en Colombia bajo las teorías del desarrollo

Las actividades de manufactura en Colombia estan concentradas en un grupo tradicional de sectores, los cuales presentan un bajo nivel de valor agregado y baja capacidad de innovacion, donde el principal factor de competencia esta dado por precio. Como resultado de lo anterior, la industria colombiana, se enfrenta a factores estructurales, entre los cuales estan, la falta de derechos de propiedad, asociado principalmente con la baja propension a invertir en procesos de innovacion, al igual que la falta general de infraestructura y la dependencia de las subvenciones publicas. Los esfuerzos de diversificacion industrial tomaron una mayor fuerza a finales de la decada de los 90's, cuando el gobierno decidio promover un pequeno grupo de sectores, sin embargo, no se ha establecido como incrementar la productividad de aquellos sectores que fueron dejados atras por la apertura economica, porque la estrategia en su primera fase no planteo una respuesta dirigida a promover una mayor dinamica industrial selectiva. La respuesta, llegaria por la influencia de Michael Porter, quien realizo una serle de recomendaciones sobre la necesidad urgente para Colombia, de entrar en mercados sofisticados con productos de mayor valor agregado, en los que las empresas nacionales deben usar mejor la informacion obtenida de sus procesos de intercambio.
U.S. Consumers' Patronage Intentions towards Asian Brands' Uniqueness: Moderating Role of Consumer's Lifestyle

In response to the growing number of Asian brands expanding into Western markets like the U.S., this study examines U.S. consumers and their lifestyle characteristics that may especially attract them to the unique appeal of Asian brands. Even though Asian brand uniqueness has been found to be an important asset for encouraging consumers to patronize a brand, the role that lifestyle characteristics play particularly in the context of Asian brands has not been studied. To fill this gap, the study specifically examined how Asian brand uniqueness can influence patronage intention and how these outcomes are moderated by different consumer lifestyle characteristics such as global identity, consumer innovativeness, and urban living. Furthermore, the study specifically examines Asian brand uniqueness through the influence of cultural authenticity of the Asian brands.
A Robust Clustering Method and Visualization Tool Based on Data Depth

We present a robust clustering method based on a modified Weisz-feld algorithm for the multivariate median, and associated data depth. The multivariate medians are used to represent the clusters, while the induced relative L 1-depths are used to identify outliers and to select the number of clusters. We develop a cluster validation and visualization tool based on the within-cluster data depths, and the cluster data depths with respect to competing clusters. We apply our method to high-dimensional gene expression data, and several simulated data sets. Our method successfully identifies the number of clusters in noisy data sets, and generates accurate cluster assignments.
School Organizational Effectiveness and Chronic Absenteeism: Implications for Accountability

ABSTRACTChronic absenteeism in K-12 schools is strongly associated with critical educational outcomes such as student achievement and graduation. Yet, the causes of chronic absenteeism are complex, with environmental, family/individual, and school factors all affecting the likelihood of a student attending school regularly. This exploratory study examines whether school organizational effectiveness has the potential to moderate external influences on chronic absenteeism. Using school-level scores from the 5Essentials surveys, we find that, in traditional public schools, schools that are organized for effectiveness have lower rates of chronic absenteeism, while controlling for student demographics and grade level. In particular, schools with higher scores for “involved families” have lower chronic absenteeism. While charter schools in Detroit have significantly lower rates of chronic absenteeism than traditional public schools, we did not find an association between organizational effectiveness and chronic...
Revisiting the Suppression Relationship Between Social Learning and Self-Control on Software Piracy

This study attempted to confirm the existence of a suppression situation among social learning, low self-control, and software piracy measures. Using a cross-sectional study of middle and high scho...
La muerte de la calle

En este articulo examinaremos la calle (y lo que la ha reemplazado) en dos tipos contrastantes de urbanismo, el preindustrial de Rio de Janeiro y Ouro Preto y el modernista de Brasilia. Nos preguntaremos por lo que nos puedan revelar el diseno y la planeacion de las calles en estos ejemplos acerca de la organizacion urbana en las diferentes ciudades. Ademas, indagaremos acerca de lo que esta organizacion nos ensena sobre la naturaleza de los regimenes politicos y sobre su relacion con la sociedad
THE EFFECTS OF AGE ON HEPATIC DRUG METABOLISM

Aging is a very complex process that is not completely understood. In the human life cycle, the growth-and-development phase ends near the age of 30 years and is followed by a gradual, often linear decline.1 Many physiological and biochemical changes occur with “normal” aging. In addition, concomitant pathological conditions, lifelong habits, and environmental exposure also contribute to the biological changes in the elderly. As a result, there are wide differences in the rates of deterioration of organs and enzyme systems with age. Therefore, chronological aging may not necessarily be a true reflection of physiological aging.
OR15: SUSCEPTIBLE HLA SHARED EPITOPES IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS MEDIATE BINDING OF CITRULLINATED PEPTIDES TO THE MHC

Aim Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder affecting 1% of the world population and results in the eventual destruction of bone and joints. A two amino acid Shared Epitope (SE) LA67,74 in HLA-DRB1 is highly associated with RA and is also positively correlated with high levels of anti-citrullinated protein antibodies. In contrast, a single amino acid SE D70 in HLA-DRB1 is associated with resistance in a resistance dominance fashion. We have previously demonstrated through assessment of peptide binding to 91 HLA class II alleles on Luminex beads that citrullinated vimentin binds significantly over native to HLA-DRB1 alleles containing the LA67,74 epitope. In this study, we assess the importance of these HLA SE in binding of citrullinated peptides to alleles containing SE mutations. Methods We measured citrullinated and native vimentin binding by flow cytometry on T2 cells transduced with either DRB1∗04:01 Wild Type (WT), DRB1∗04:02 WT, or DRB1∗04:01 containing the single mutations L67I and Q70D in addition to DRB1∗04:01 containing both mutations. Results DRB1∗04:01 WT bound citrullinated vimentin significantly over native. DRB1∗04:02 bound both citrullinated and native vimentin equally. Mutagenesis of DRB1∗04:01 L67I resulted in a modest reduction of binding of citrullinated vimentin, but excluded native vimentin binding. A Q70D mutation however allowed both citrullinated and native vimentin binding. DRB1∗04:01 containing both epitope mutations showed binding comparable to DRB1∗04:02. Conclusions As observed in our Luminex peptide binding assay, we found that LA67,74 displays a preference for citrullinated peptides. In contrast, the D70 epitope confers no preference for citrullinated peptides. Our results suggest that the presence of LA67,74 in the HLA cannot accommodate arginine in the binding pocket, whereas D70 alleles allow both arginine and citrulline binding. This provides rationale for LA67,74 associated susceptibility to RA in addition to D70 associated resistance to RA.
Fun with (4+3)-Cycloadditions

This account describes how I began my adventure in the area of (4+3)-cycloadditions and then focuses on two ongoing projects: a new catalytic asymmetric (4+3)-cycloaddition and what might be described as the ‘rebirth’ of oxidopyridinium ion (4+3)-cycloaddition chemistry. References to other people’s work are made where appropriate. 1 Introduction 2 Asymmetric, Catalytic (4+3)-Cycloadditions 3 Oxidopyridinium Ions and (4+3)-Cycloadditions 4 Conclusions and the Future
Reasons for Premature Conclusion of Late Phase Clinical Trials: An Analysis of ClinicalTrials.gov Registered Phase III Trials:

Background:Confirmatory phase III trials aim to provide decisive evidence about a medical product’s safety and efficacy. Although these trials are planned and conducted based on accumulated knowled...
The rise and effects of homeowners associations

Abstract In the U.S., nearly 60% of recently built single-family houses, and 80% of houses in new subdivisions, are part of a homeowners association (HOA). We construct the first near-national map of HOAs using publicly recorded mortgage records for single-family homes. We use these data to document the growth and characteristics of HOAs as well as to examine their relationship with housing prices. We find that houses in HOAs have prices that are on average at least 4%, or $13,500, greater than observably similar houses outside of HOAs. The HOA premium correlates with the stringency of local land use regulation, local government spending on public goods, and measures of social attitudes toward race. The data also paint a detailed picture of the people living in HOA neighborhoods, who are on average more affluent and racially segregated than those living in other nearby neighborhoods.
Natural and Drug Rewards Engage Distinct Pathways that Converge on Coordinated Hypothalamic and Reward Circuits.

Summary Motivated behavior is influenced by neural networks that integrate physiological needs. Here, we describe coordinated regulation of hypothalamic feeding and midbrain reward circuits in awake behaving mice. We find that alcohol and other non-nutritive drugs inhibit activity in hypothalamic feeding neurons. Interestingly, nutrients and drugs utilize different pathways for the inhibition of hypothalamic neuron activity, as alcohol signals hypothalamic neurons in a vagal-independent manner, while fat and satiation signals require the vagus nerve. Concomitantly, nutrients, alcohol, and drugs also increase midbrain dopamine signaling. We provide evidence that these changes are interdependent, as modulation of either hypothalamic neurons or midbrain dopamine signaling influences reward-evoked activity changes in the other population. Taken together, our results demonstrate that (1) food and drugs can engage at least two peripheral→central pathways to influence hypothalamic neuron activity, and (2) hypothalamic and dopamine circuits interact in response to rewards.
Management of cardiovascular disease in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus.

SLE is increasingly recognized as an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Premature CAD and several other cardiac manifestations are resulting in significant morbidity and premature de...
Numerical simulation of mold filling water blown polyurethane foams: Effects of sequential pour:

Batch molding of polyurethane foams is a widely used processing technique to produce crosslinked cellular structures which form to the shape of the mold. For water-blown polyurethane foams, water i...
Surgical Techniques: Operative Decompression Using the Supraclavicular Approach for Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Supraclavicular exposure for the surgical treatment of patients with neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) allows the surgeon to perform complete anterior and middle scalenectomy, complete brachial plexus neurolysis, and first rib resection, as well as pectoralis minor tenotomy, within a readily visualized operative field. A step-wise description of supraclavicular decompression is outlined in this chapter, based on sequential visualization of six “critical views” and a thorough, flexible, and safe approach. Potential complications and the reported results of treatment are briefly reviewed, indicating that >85–90% of patients with neurogenic TOS can expect substantial improvement in symptoms and function following supraclavicular decompression, with long-term recurrence rates less than 5% during follow-up. With expertise and experience, supraclavicular decompression offers the surgeon an excellent, versatile and safe approach in patients with neurogenic TOS and it has the flexibility to be applicable to all other forms of TOS and intraoperative contingencies.