cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Properties of Membrane-Incorporated WALP Peptides that are Anchored on Only One End

Peptides of the "WALP" family, acetyl-GWW(LA)(n)LWWA-[ethanol]amide, have proven to be opportune models for investigating lipid-peptide interactions. Because the average orientations and motional behavior of the N- and C-terminal Trp (W) residues differ, it is of interest to investigate how the positions of the tryptophans influence the properties of the membrane-incorporated peptides. To address this question, we synthesized acetyl-GGWW(LA)(n)-ethanolamide and acetyl-(AL)(n)WWG-ethanolamide, in which n = 4 or 8, which we designate as "N-anchored" and "C-anchored" peptides, respectively. Selected (2)H or (15)N labels were incorporated for solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. These peptides can be considered "half"-anchored WALP peptides, having only one pair of interfacial Trp residues near either the amino or the carboxyl terminus. The hydrophobic lengths of the (n = 8) peptides are similar to that of WALP23. These longer half-anchored WALP peptides incorporate into lipid bilayers as α-helices, as reflected in their circular dichroism spectra. Solid-state NMR experiments indicate that the longer peptide helices assume defined transmembrane orientations with small non-zero average tilt angles and moderate to high dynamic averaging in bilayer membranes of 1,2-dioleoylphosphatidylcholine, 1,2-dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine, and 1,2-dilauroylphosphatidylcholine. The intrinsically small apparent tilt angles suggest that interactions of aromatic residues with lipid headgroups may play an important role in determining the magnitude of the peptide tilt in the bilayer membrane. The shorter (n = 4) peptides, in stark contrast to the longer peptides, display NMR spectra that are characteristic of greatly reduced motional averaging, probably because of peptide aggregation in the bilayer environment, and CD spectra that are characteristic of β-structure.
Data Mining of Metal Ion Environments Present in Protein Structures

Analysis of metal-protein interaction distances, coordination numbers, B-factors (displacement parameters), and occupancies of metal-binding sites in protein structures determined by X-ray crystallography and deposited in the PDB shows many unusual values and unexpected correlations. By measuring the frequency of each amino acid in metal ion-binding sites, the positive or negative preferences of each residue for each type of cation were identified. Our approach may be used for fast identification of metal-binding structural motifs that cannot be identified on the basis of sequence similarity alone. The analysis compares data derived separately from high and medium-resolution structures from the PDB with those from very high-resolution small-molecule structures in the Cambridge Structural Database (CSD). For high-resolution protein structures, the distribution of metal-protein or metal-water interaction distances agrees quite well with data from CSD, but the distribution is unrealistically wide for medium (2.0-2.5A) resolution data. Our analysis of cation B-factors versus average B-factors of atoms in the cation environment reveals substantial numbers of structures contain either an incorrect metal ion assignment or an unusual coordination pattern. Correlation between data resolution and completeness of the metal coordination spheres is also found.
Pulmonary sarcoidosis: radiographic features.

Abstract Lungs are the most commonly affected organ in sarcoidosis. More than 90% of the patients have an abnormal chest roentgenogram at some stage of their illness. Radiologic abnormalities often are the first to suggest the diagnosis of sarcoidosis.
Qualitative research findings as evidence: utility in nursing practice.

Background—The use of qualitative research methods in nursing research is common. There is a need for Clinical Nurse Specialists (CNSs) to become informed regarding how such qualitative findings can serve as evidence for nursing practice changes. Purpose—To inform CNSs of the meaning and utility of qualitative research findings. Implications for qualitative research findings as evidence in nursing practice are particularly discussed.
Oral Lesions: Poor Markers of Virologic Failure in HIV-Infected Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy

The objective of this study was to assess the use of HIV-oral lesions (OLs) as markers of virologic failure (VF) in response to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Concurrent virologic status was compared between 744 individuals with and without OL (). Time to VF between OL groups was compared (Kaplan-Meier), and baseline factors associated with VF were determined (Cox Hazard models). Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were also computed. At baseline and 12 months, individuals with OL were more likely to have viral load copies/ml compared to patients without OL (). Time to VF between patients with baseline OL (mean: 17 months, 95% CI 16–18) and patients without baseline OL (mean: 19 months, 95% CI: 18–20) was statistically different. Patients who were African-American (HR 1.356; 95% CI: 1.045–0.759), ART-experienced (HR 2.298; 95% CI: 1.743–3.030), had mental disorders (HR 1.410; 95% CI: 1.078–1.843), and had high baseline viral load (HR 2.82; 95% CI: 1.661–3.137), were more likely to have VF after the first six months of ART. OL had a moderate positive predictive value for concurrent VF at 6 months (45.5%) and 18 months (33.3%), but a strong positive predictive value at 12 months (80.0%) and 24 months (100.0%). Findings of this study suggest that OLs could be poor predictors of VF in HIV-infected patients on ART therapy.
A construction of an infinite family of 2-arc transitive polygonal graphs of arbitrary even girth

A near-polygonal graph is a graph Γ which has a set $\mathcal{C}$ of m-cycles for some positive integer m such that each 2-path of Γ is contained in exactly one cycle in $\mathcal{C}$ . If m is the girth of Γ, then the graph is called polygonal. We provide a construction of an infinite family of polygonal graphs of arbitrary even girth with 2-arc transitive automorphism groups, showing that there are infinitely many 2-arc transitive polygonal graphs of every girth.
Feasibility study of EUV scanners

EUV lithography is a successor to DUV/VUV lithography, and is the final photon base lithography technology. The concept of EUV scanners for 50nm node and below is considered by clarifying the similarities and differences between EUV scanners and DUV scanners. Illumination optics, projection optics, wafer alignment sensors and wafer focus sensors are examined. And the throughput model, overlay budget and focus budget are introduced. The concrete design of illumination optics and the requirements for sources are described. Numerical aperture, magnification and field size are discussed. EUV scanners for 50nm node and below are realized.
Cone and Seed Insect Phrenology in a Douglas-Fir Seed Orchard During Three Years in Western Oregon

Seasonal patterns of cone and seed insect activity and seed loss relative to cone production and weather patterns were examined over a 3-yr period in a Douglas-fir, Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirbel) Franco, seed orchard in western Oregon. Six insect species showed distinct patterns of occurrence and cone or seed damage during this period. A weevil, Lepesoma lecontei (Casey); the Douglas-fir cone gall midge, Contarinia oregonensis Foote; and two lepidopterans, Barbara colfaxiana Kearfott and Dioryctria abietivorella (Grote), damaged cones or seed exposed during late April each year. The Douglas-fir seed chalcid, Megastigmus spermotrophus Wachtl, damaged seed in cones exposed during May and June; western conifer seed bug, Leptoglossus occidentalis Heidemann, was most damaging in cones exposed July-August.
A Real World Coordination Framework for Connected Heterogeneous Robotic Systems

In this paper we consider the problem of coordinating robotic systems with different kinematics, sensing and vision capabilities, to achieve certain mission goals. An approach that makes use of a heterogeneous team of agents has several advantages when cost, integration of capabilities, or possible large search areas need to be considered. A heterogeneous team allows for the robots to become “specialized”, accomplish sub-goals more effectively, thus increasing the overall mission efficiency. We consider connectivity constraints and realistic communication, exploiting mobility to implement a power control algorithm that increases the Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR) among certain members of the network. We also create realistic sensing fields and manipulation by using the geometric properties of the sensor field-of-view and the manipulability metric, respectively. The control strategy for each agent of the heterogeneous system is governed by an artificial physics law that considers the different kinematics of the agents and the environment, in a decentralized fashion. We show that the network is able to stay connected at all times and covers the environment well. We demonstrate the applicability of the proposed strategy through simulation results implementing a pursuit-evasion game in a cluttered environment.
Induction Machine Modeling Approach Based on 3-D Magnetic Equivalent Circuit Framework

Developments in power electronics technology, materials, and changing application requirements are driving advances in electric machines. Limitations of standard motor design, particularly for induction machines, restrict performance capabilities in drive applications. Current computer-aided design tools are inadequate to overcome these limitations. Lumped-parameter and finite-element models have limited accuracy and heavy computational effort, respectively. Magnetic equivalent circuits (MEC) avoid these limitations. This paper presents an induction machine MEC model geared toward design and based on a 3-D MEC framework introduced in previous work. A matrix formulation suitable for computation is described. Details of mesh generation for the MEC approach are provided. Force and performance estimation are discussed. Simulations based on this approach are able to track dynamic effects, such as rotor slot torque ripple contributions. Comparisons are made to a 500 W purpose-built machine. Results from lumped-parameter and finite-element models and measurements indicate that MECs, corrected for local saturation, are a promising option for design tools.
Incorporating resident/fellow training into a robotic surgery program

With the rapid uptake of the robotic approach in gynecologic surgery, a thorough understanding of the technology, including its uses and limitations, is critical to maximize patient outcomes and safety. This review discusses the role of training modalities and development of curricula for robotic surgery. Furthermore, methods for incorporating the entire surgical team and the process of credentialing/maintaining privileges are described.
Recent Advances and Future Prospects for Monte Carlo

The history of Monte Carlo methods is closely linked to that of computers: The first known Monte Carlo program was written in 1947 for the ENIAC; a pre-release of the first Fortran compiler was used for Monte Carlo In 1957; Monte Carlo codes were adapted to vector computers in the 1980s, clusters and parallel computers in the 1990s, and teraflop systems in the 2000s. Recent advances include hierarchical parallelism, combining threaded calculations on multicore processors with message-passing among different nodes. With the advances In computmg, Monte Carlo codes have evolved with new capabilities and new ways of use. Production codes such as MCNP, MVP, MONK, TRIPOLI and SCALE are now 20-30 years old (or more) and are very rich in advanced featUres. The former 'method of last resort' has now become the first choice for many applications. Calculations are now routinely performed on office computers, not just on supercomputers. Current research and development efforts are investigating the use of Monte Carlo methods on FPGAs. GPUs, and many-core processors. Other far-reaching research is exploring ways to adapt Monte Carlo methods to future exaflop systems that may have 1M or more concurrent computational processes.
Linear compressive networks

A linear compressive network (LCN) is defined as a graph of sensors in which each encoding sensor compresses incoming jointly Gaussian random signals and transmits (potentially) low-dimensional linear projections to neighbors over a noisy uncoded channel. Each sensor has a maximum power to allocate over signal subspaces. The networks of focus are acyclic, directed graphs with multiple sources and multiple destinations. LCN pathways lead to decoding leaf nodes that estimate linear functions of the original high dimensional sources by minimizing a mean squared error (MSE) distortion cost function. An iterative optimization of local compressive matrices for all graph nodes is developed using an optimal quadratically constrained quadratic program (QCQP) step. The performance of the optimization is marked by power-compression-distortion spectra, with converse bounds based on cut-set arguments. Examples include single layer and multi-layer (e.g. p-layer tree cascades, butterfly) networks. The LCN is a generalization of the Karhunen-Loeve Transform to noisy multi-layer networks, and extends previous approaches for point-to-point and distributed compression-estimation of Gaussian signals. The framework relates to network coding in the noiseless case, and uncoded transmission in the noisy case.
FRAP-p70s6K Signaling Is Required for Pancreatic Cancer Cell Proliferation

Background. FRAP-p70s6K signaling regulates mitogenic responses to growth factors in eukaryotic cells. Constitutive p70s6K activation occurs in some human malignancies and may contribute to dysregulated cell growth. We examined whether inhibition of this pathway affects mitogen-induced proliferation and cell cycle progression of human pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. Methods. Quiescent BxPC3 and Panc-1 human pancreatic cancer cells treated with or without 20 ng/mL rapamycin (FRAP inhibitor) were repleted with 10% FCS to induce cell cycle entry. Proliferation was measured with MTT assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis were determined by FACS analysis. Phosphorylation of p70s6K, Akt, and cdc2 was evaluated by Western blot. Statistical analysis was by two-tailed t test (P < 0.05). Results. Rapamycin (Rapa) inhibited the phosphorylation of p70s6K while inducing G1 cell cycle arrest (P < 0.005). In both cell lines, Rapa inhibited serum-induced proliferation (P < 0.05) without affecting apoptosis. Cdc2 phosphorylation was inhibited by 15 min with Rapa (not shown), consistent with cell cycle arrest. Akt phosphorylation was not affected, indicating FRAP specificity of Rapa. Conclusions. FRAP-p70s6K signaling appears to be necessary for G1-to-S phase progression and proliferation in pancreatic cancer cells. This supports earlier work demonstrating a similar regulatory role for PI-3′ kinase, an upstream activator of FRAP-p70s6K.
Ursache der Herztätigkeit und elektrische Aktivität des Herzens (EKG)

Der Kontraktionsablauf im Herzen verlauft normalerweise in geordneter Folge; auf Kontraktion der Vorhofe (Vorhofsystole) folgt Kontraktion der Kammern (Ventrikelsystole) und wahrend der Diastole sind alle 4 Herzkammern erschlafft. Sinusknoten (Sino-AtrialKnoten, SA-Knoten), Atrio-ventrikular-Knoten (AV-Knoten), Hissches Bundel mit rechtem und linkem Schenkel sowie Purkinjesches System bilden zusammen das Erregungs-Bildungs- und Erregungs-Leitungs-system.
Radically Questioning the Principle of the Least Restrictive Alternative: A Reply to Nir Eyal; Comment on “Nudging by Shaming, Shaming by Nudging”

In his insightful editorial, Nir Eyal explores the connections between nudging and shaming. One upshot of his argument is that we should question the principle of the least restrictive alternative in public health and health policy. In this commentary, I maintain that Eyal’s argument undermines only a rather implausible version of the principle of the least restrictive alternative and I sketch two reasons for rejecting the mainstream and more plausible version of this principle.
CFIT prevention using synthetic vision

In commercial aviation, over 30-percent of all fatal accidents worldwide are categorized as Controlled Flight Into Terrain (CFIT) accidents where a fully functioning airplane is inadvertently flown into the ground, water, or an obstacle. An experiment was conducted at NASA Langley Research Center investigating the presentation of a synthetic terrain database scene to the pilot on a Primary Flight Display (PFD). The major hypothesis for the experiment is that a synthetic vision system (SVS) will improve the pilot s ability to detect and avoid a potential CFIT compared to conventional flight instrumentation. All display conditions, including the baseline, contained a Terrain Awareness and Warning System (TAWS) and Vertical Situation Display (VSD) enhanced Navigation Display (ND). Sixteen pilots each flew 22 approach - departure maneuvers in Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IMC) to the terrain challenged Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE) in Colorado. For the final run, the flight guidance cues were altered such that the departure path went into the terrain. All pilots with a SVS enhanced PFD (12 of 16 pilots) noticed and avoided the potential CFIT situation. All of the pilots who flew the anomaly with the baseline display configuration (which included a TAWS and VSD enhanced ND) had a CFIT event.
Property for Everyone and How to Achieve It: The Resident's Property Tax

The history of the property tax illustrates that public policy, and even the structure ofgovernment itself can be transformed by legal and administrative details that seem of little importance to those who write constitutions and statutes (Fisher 1996, 6).
A new architecture for 3G and WLAN integration and inter-system handover management

WLAN has strong potential to provide a perfect broadband complement to the 3G wireless systems. This has raised much interest in their integration. In this paper, a novel architecture using the Network Interoperating Agent (NIA), and Integration Gateway (IG) is proposed to integrate the 3G systems and WLANs of various providers that may not necessarily have direct service level agreement (SLA) among them. The proposed architecture is scalable as it eliminates the need for the creation of bilateral SLA among the 3G and WLAN operators. In addition, inter-system handover (ISHO) protocols using the concept of the dynamic boundary area is proposed to support seamless roaming between 3G and WLAN. The dynamic boundary area is determined based on the speed of the user and WLAN cell size. The ISHO procedures are initiated when a mobile user enters the boundary area of the WLAN and are completed before the user leaves the coverage area of the serving WLAN. This ensures that the roaming from WLAN to 3G is transparent to the applications. The performance evaluation shows that the proposed boundary area based ISHO algorithm outperforms the existing 3G/WLAN ISHO algorithms.
MMIC based optical modulator design

The basic motivation for research described was the merging of photonic and microwave components for devices on a monolithic microwave integrated circuit (MMIC) substrate. The work presented concerns the development of an optical output port. The function of an optical output port is to bring information out of the MMIC by optical means. The concept introduced here involves sending an optical carrier via a fiber to the GaAs chip where the MMIC-generated information is superimposed on the optical carrier. Finally, the coded optical signal is brought out of the chip via the fiber for processing or routing onward as necessary. This requires the development of an MMIC-based external optical modulator, which is described. An analytical study with computer simulation of this structure was carried out. The results are reported. >
Historical linguistics as a sequence optimization problem: the evolution and biogeography of Uto-Aztecan languages

Language origins and diversification are vital for mapping human history. Traditionally, the reconstruction of language trees has been based on cognate forms among related languages, with ancestral protolanguages inferred by individual investigators. Disagreement among competing authorities is typically extensive, without empirical grounds for resolving alternative hypotheses. Here, we apply analytical methods derived from DNA sequence optimization algorithms to Uto-Aztecan languages, treating words as sequences of sounds. Our analysis yields novel relationships and suggests a resolution to current conflicts about the Proto-Uto-Aztecan homeland. The techniques used for Uto-Aztecan are applicable to written and unwritten languages, and should enable more empirically robust hypotheses of language relationships, language histories, and linguistic evolution.
Conformity with current guidelines on oral contraceptive prescribing for breastfeeding women: a New Mexico survey.

Abstract Background National and international contraceptive guidelines reflect expert opinion that recommends against the use of estrogen-containing hormonal contraception in the early postpartum period. This study was undertaken to estimate providers' practices in prescribing hormonal contraception to breastfeeding women. Methods A 19-item survey was mailed to 397 obstetrician gynecologists, midwives and family physicians in the state of New Mexico. The survey included items covering attitudes about the impact of hormonal contraception on breastfeeding and prescribing practices. One hundred ninety-nine (50%) providers completed the survey. Results The majority (70%) of providers prescribe progestin-only contraceptive methods to breastfeeding women within the first 6 weeks. Despite these recommendations, a sizable minority of providers prescribe combined pills in the early postpartum period: 27% of providers have prescribed combined pills and 13% of providers, mostly those in a university setting, routinely recommend them within the first 6 weeks postpartum. Conclusion Most providers follow expert recommendations regarding the initiation of hormonal contraception for breastfeeding women.
Thermocompression bonding of aluminum bumps in TAB applications

Tape automated bonding (TAB) technology has been widely used in low cost consumer products as well as in high performance computer applications. TAB is an important chip-level interconnection scheme which enables VLSI devices to be packaged as direct chip attach (DCA) or chip-on-board (COB) format. Two key issues of TAB technology are discussed in this paper: wafer bumping and inner lead bonding. Specifically, aluminum bump technology developed for TAB applications is reviewed in comparison with the conventional wafer bumping process. Thermocompression bonding experiment is conducted to define a bonding process window of the pure Al bump. Although the pure Al bump can be bonded for a high bond strength, an excessive plastic deformation is commonly observed, which can dismiss the original purpose of the bump structure. In order to reduce the bump deformation, Al-alloy bumps are fabricated by adding a small amount of an alloying element to the Al matrix, such as Ni, Cr, Cu and others. The harder Al-alloy bumps are bonded with a less bump deformation and a higher pull strength. By this investigation, a general relationship between the pull strength and bump deformation is established for the Al and Al-alloy bumps. A desired bump hardness is recommended for the successful thermocompression bonding of the Al bumps.
Entscheidungssuche und Aufstieg

Wenn Menschen entscheiden, benehmen sie sich verschieden. Manche von uns schauen aus dem Fenster, gehen im Wald spazieren und wissen nun, was zu tun ist. Andere studieren Kataloge, sammeln Argumente, fragen Menschen, schauen nach, wie andere entschieden haben. Uber Unterschiede des intuitiven und analytischen Denkens.
ColorSafe: architectural support for debugging and dynamically avoiding multi-variable atomicity violations

In this paper, we propose ColorSafe, an architecture that detects and dynamically avoids single- and multi-variable atomicity violation bugs. The key idea is to group related data into colors and then monitor access interleavings in the "color space". This enables detection of atomicity violations involving any data of the same color. We leverage support for meta-data to maintain color information, and signatures to efficiently keep recent color access histories. ColorSafe dynamically avoids atomicity violations by inserting ephemeral transactions that prevent erroneous interleavings. ColorSafe has two modes of operation: (1)debugging mode makes detection more precise, producing fewer false positives and collecting more information; and, (2)deployment mode provides robust, efficient dynamic bug avoidance with less precise detection. This makes ColorSafe useful throughout the lifetime of programs, not just during development. Our results show that, in deployment mode, ColorSafe is able to successfully avoid the majority of multi-variable atomicity violations in bug kernels, as well as in large applications (Apache and MySQL). In debugging mode, ColorSafe detects bugs with few false positives.
Digital coincidence detection: a scanning VLSI implementation

The authors have implemented a modular digital coincidence detection circuit in VLSI, which drastically reduces the size and increases the performance of the coincidence detection logic required in a PET (positron emission tomography) scanner. Important acquisition features contained within this integrated solution include: (1) prompt and delayed processing channels for each event-pair, with programmable coincidence time windows; (2) event time difference mode, which allows for a fast and accurate system timing calibration algorithm; (3) programmable axial event acceptance, which provides acquisition flexibility from conventional 2-D through fully 3-D sinogram sets; and (4) programmable transaxial field of view, which provides an electronic collimator to ignore event-pairs outside of the desired field of view. The modularity of the design allows it to be used on various system geometries. >
On the Use of the Flexible Fourier Form in Unit Root Tests, Endogenous Breaks, and Parameter Instability

The possibility that a series can contain an unknown number of smooth breaks raises two distinct problems. First, even if the breaks are sharp, the number of breaks and the break dates themselves are generally unknown and need to be estimated along with the other parameters of the model. Second, even if the number of breaks is known, the possibility of a smooth break means that the functional form of the break is unknown to the researcher. A misspecification of the functional form of the breaks may be as problematic as ignoring the breaks altogether. Moreover, even if a series contains no breaks, it may be subject to other nonlinearities or parameter instabilities. We summarize a number of papers that use a variant of Gallant’s (J Economet 15:211−245, 1981) Flexible Fourier Form to control for the unknown number and form of the breaks. This chapter details and illustrates several unit root tests, stationarity tests, and tests for parameter instability that are based on a Fourier approximation.
School Climate and Violence Does Immigrant Status Matter

A growing literature shows that school context is an important predictor of student behavior, above and beyond individual and family characteristics. Limited attention, however, has been given to potential contingencies in this relationship. The aim of this research is to extend previous school-based studies by examining whether and to what extent school context is differentially predictive of violent delinquency for immigrant and nonimmigrant youth. Using two waves of data from two multicity program evaluations, Teens, Crime, and the Community/Community Works (T.C.C./C.W.) and the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) program, we assess the impact of four measures of school climate on violent delinquency. Results highlight important contingencies in the relationship between immigrant status and violence.
Kinetic metal release from competing processes in aquifers.

Understanding groundwater time scales wherein kinetic metal-desorption and mineral-dissolution are important mechanisms is essential for realistic modeling of metal release. In this study, release rate constants were compiled and the Damkohler number was applied to calculate residence times where kinetic formulations are relevant. Desorption rate constants were compiled for arsenic, barium, cadmium, copper, lead, mercury, nickel, and zinc, and span 6 orders of magnitude, while mineral-dissolution rate constants compiled for calcite, kaolinite, smectite, anorthite, albite, K-feldspar, muscovite, quartz, goethite, and galena ranged over 13 orders of magnitude. This Damkohler analysis demonstrated that metal-desorption kinetics are potentially influential at residence times up to about two years, depending on the metal and groundwater conditions. Kinetic mineral-dissolution should be considered for nearly all residence times relevant to groundwater modeling, provided the rate, solubility, and availability of the mineral generates a non-negligible concentration. Geochemical models of competitive desorption and dissolution for an illustrative metal demonstrate total metal concentrations may be sensitive to dissolution rate variations despite the predominance of release from desorption. Ultimately, this analysis provides constraints on relevant processes for incorporation into transport models.
Correlation of 3-D Precision Machined Surface Topography With Frictional Response

Precision surface finishes are used in a wide variety of applications. From bearing races and rolling elements to parallel slide ways, the functional characteristics of these surfaces are critical to their performance. Experimental trial and error has shown that certain surfaces outperform others in certain applications, but the specific surface characteristics that make this true are yet to be fully understood. The present paper addresses this issue through a detailed three-dimensional topographic analysis of different precision finished surfaces and correlation with their frictional response. Experiments are conducted to investigate the effect of surface type (Isotropic Finished, Ground, Hard Turned and Honed) and relative surface speed on the coefficient of friction in rolling/sliding contact. Utilizing white light interferometry measurement of the surfaces, different 3-D topographic parameters such as RMS deviation, density of summits and texture direction are obtained and their correlation with the experimentally obtained coefficients of friction is examined. Results show that the 3-D amplitude parameter Sq (RMS deviation of surface) and spatial parameter Sds (density of summits) play an important role in determining the frictional behavior of the surfaces studied.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
CE Update—Quality Assurance I: Appropriateness of Blood Product Ordering: Quality Assurance Techniques

In 1985, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO) added a requirement for accreditation that medical staff, particularly the transfusion committee, audit the appropriateness of all blood components transfused. If complete review of six months reveals no problem, quarterly sampling is allowable. Indications and specific criteria should be established before the audit. There should also be a plan to analyze the results so that by either improving documentation, educating individual physicians, or solving systemic problems, improvement in compliance can be documented. The chairman of the transfusion committee is responsible for completion of audits and forwarding the results to quality assurance personnel. Audits can be concurrent or retrospective. Concurrent audits offer an opportunity for the medical director of the transfusion service to enlarge the scope of consultation by informal education during review of patient charts. The JCAHO will soon also require audits of proper selection of tests throughout medical laboratory service.
Development of an Early-Phase Bulk Enabling Route to Sodium-Dependent Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor Ertugliflozin

The development and optimization of a scalable synthesis of sodium-dependent glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, ertugliflozin, for the treatment of type-2 diabetes is described. Highlights of the chemistry are a concise, four-step synthesis of a structurally complex API from known intermediate 4 via persilylation–selective monodesilylation, primary alcohol oxidation, aldol-crossed-Cannizzaro reaction, and solid-phase acid-catalyzed bicyclic ketal formation. The final API was isolated as the l-pyroglutamic acid cocrystal.
The Social Origins of Liberal Democracy: The Swedish Case*

Implicit in Dahrendorf's Society and Democracy in Germany and explicit in Moore's Social Origins of Dictatorship and Democracy are respectively a liberal and a radical model of democratic development. Neither of these models adequately accounts for the experience of Sweden, a remarkably successful “late developer.” Although Swedish industrialization proceeded with little public ownership of the means of production, with limited welfare programs until the 1930s, and above all with restricted military expenditure—all factors Dahrendorf implies are crucial for democratic development—it did not produce the traditional liberal infrastructure of bourgeois entrepreneurs nor a vigorous open market society. Similarly only three of Moore's five preconditions for democracy obtained in Sweden: a balance between monarchy and aristocracy, the weakening of the landed aristocracy, and the prevention of an aristocratic-bourgeois coalition against the workers and peasants. There was no thorough shift toward commercial agriculture and, most important, there was no revolutionary break with the past. Consequently, one has to evolve a radical liberal model of development which states the conditions for the emergence of democracy in Sweden without revolution. This model contains implications for the further modernization of American politics.
Rethinking Tree-Thinking: Cladograms, Ancestors & Evidence

I offer comments on two recent articles in The American Biology Teacher by Davenport and colleagues addressing the interpretation and construction of phylogenetic trees. The “tree-thinking” literature suggests that students need to acquire a clear understanding of the meaning of phylogenetic tree diagrams. To this end, I provide clarifications of terminology and address the problematical status of “ancestors.” Cladograms are not genealogies viewed from a distance, but empirical hypotheses of relationship based on the distribution of shared derived character states. I describe an exercise employed in an introductory systematics course that emphasizes the empirical activities of character delimitation and formation of groups based on those characters.
Brief of Amici Curiae Entrepreneurial and Consumer Advocates in Bilski v. Kappos, No. 08-964

The Bilski Petitioners ask this Court to reject Congress’ sound policy judgment, ignore § 101’s substantive limitation on patentable subject matter, and open the patent floodgates in a wide variety of fields where exclusive rights are unnecessary and harmful. This Court should decline this invitation for three reasons: (1) the history and structure of § 101 limit the construction of “process” to technological processes; (2) allowing patents on non-technological methods such as those in the business and service industries is unnecessary and harmful to innovation; and (3) removing the long-standing technological limit on § 101 processes would undermine the institutional competence of both the United States Patent and Trademark Office and the federal courts to protect innovation.When the Federal Circuit decided State Street Bank & Trust Co. v. Signature Financial Group, Inc., 149 F.3d 1368 (Fed. Cir. 1998), it knocked patent law loose from its historical moorings and improperly injecting patents into business areas where they were neither needed nor wanted. Since then, the PTO has been flooded with patent applications on a wide variety of non-technological processes that cover services like arbitration, tax-planning, legal counseling, charity fundraising, and even novel-writing. The results have been nothing short of disastrous: many business and service companies now face serious patent threats to both their freedom to operate and to innovate. And, because few if any service-based industries need patent incentives to provide consumers with professional competence and innovation, these costs far outweigh any appreciable benefit.The method in this case is a textbook example. If Mr. Bilski were allowed to patent his hedging method, he would be able to extract rents and potentially put out of business any individual or company who invests money or even advises others on investing in the same way as he does. In patent law, limiting competition is tolerable only when incentives are needed to promote technological progress. Bilski’s method, however, does nothing to advance the useful arts; in fact, one need not even use technology to invest as Bilski does. Moreover, there can be little question that investment firms — exemplars of service-based businesses — already strive to develop innovative and effective investing methods in order to entice more clients. Thus, providing exclusive rights to a single individual or firm to control such methods goes against the core of patent policy. Congress implicitly recognized as much in 1952, when it limited patentable subject matter to technological processes. Non-technological processes such business methods and services were understood to be excluded from that definition, an exclusion courts respected for decades. The Federal Circuit’s State Street decision marked a dramatic departure from this sensible approach. Amici urge the Court to bring patent law back in line with the history, structure, and purpose of the Patent Act.
Experimental host-parasite relationship studies with Oesophagostomum columbianum in sheep. II. Some effects of subcutaneous infections upon host immune and hypersensitive responses.

Subcutaneous injections of O. columbianum larvae failed to protect lambs against challenge infections, although symptoms in some lambs were less severe. Subcutaneous infections appeared to sensitize most lambs and oral challenge infections were retained as histotropic larvae in the small intestine over longer periods. Much more severe inflammatory reactions resulted. Prior subcutaneous infection had little effect on host-parasite relationships as seen in the large intestine. The corticosteroid greatly reduced host inflammatory response to histotropic larvae, but host-parasite interactions varied considerably within the group of lambs so treated. No significant variation of host-parasite interaction was observed in lambs given 6-mercaptopurine or antihistamine.
Ulkuskomplikationen im oberen Gastrointestinaltrakt nach 1034 Nieren-transplantationen — Lokalisation, Inzidenz und Auswirkungen auf Transplantat- und Patientenüberlebensraten

Empfanger von Nierentransplantaten (NTX) sind pradisponiert fur Ulkuserkrankungen im oberen Gastrointestinaltrakt aufgrund mehrerer Risikofaktoren. Vor NTX kann die Uramie zu Hypergastrinamie [1] und sekundarem Hyperparathyreoidismus fuhren. Nach NTX konnen die chronische Immunsuppression mit verminderter Resistenz gegenuber bakteriellen, fungalen oder viralen Krankheitserregern sowie der tertiare Hyperparathyreoidismus das Auftreten eines Ulkus bedingen. Daher wird mancherorts die routinemasige prophylaktische Ulkusoperation vor NTX bei entsprechend veranlagten Patienten fur notwendig erachtet [2]. Fortschritte auf den Gebieten der Immunsuppression und der Behandlung von Infektionen im letzten Jahrzehnt [3, 4] veranlasten uns, die Inzidenz des oberen gastrointestinalen Ulkus (Osophagus, Magen, Duodenum) und seiner Komplikationen nach NTX im eigenen Krankengut seit Einfuhrung des Ciclosporin A (CSA) zu untersuchen und die Frage nach der Notwendigkeit prophylaktischer Ulkusoperationen vor NTX zu beantworten.
Pore size tuning of poly(styrene-co-vinylbenzyl chloride-co-divinylbenzene) hypercrosslinked polymers: Insights from molecular simulations

Abstract In this study, we present an atomistic simulation study of several structure-property relationships of hypercrosslinked polymers (HCPs) synthesized using styrene (STR), vinylbenzyl chloride (VBC), and divinylbenzene (DVB). Molecular simulation samples were prepared using a virtual polymerization algorithm, Polymatic, with DVB contents ranging from 0 to 50 mol%. The HCP polymerization algorithm and the models were validated by comparison with experimental data: BET surface area, pore volume, H2 and CO2 loading in 2% DVB samples. Furthermore, the simulated trends in BET surface area and pore volume were in good agreement with the experimental data; both surface areas and pore volumes increased with increased VBC-DVB crosslinking. The same virtual polymerization approach was utilized to study the effect of DVB on the structure and thermodynamic properties of HCPs. Our results demonstrate that DVB mol% significantly altered the structural and gas (H2 and CO2) adsorption properties of the sample. Finally, though our data demonstrated that structural properties can be tuned at the atomistic level by varying the DVB mol%, they did not exhibit a significant improvement in the performance of H2/CO2 gas separation applications.
“What we’ve got here is failure to communicate”: The Value of Reassurance

A 2-year, 8-month-old boy was sent to the hospital by his pediatrician for an inpatient workup of fever of unknown origin. The child was born full term, had a normal newborn course, and was a healthy infant until he had a fever at 3 months of age due to influenza diagnosed by rapid in-office testing. This illness was managed as an outpatient, and the fever resolved after 2 days. However, the pediatrician did place emphasis on fever height and frequency as a sign for severe illness, such as meningitis, indicating a need for possible hospitalization and additional testing. He was again evaluated for fever in the emergency department (ED) at 8 months of age, and the ED staff confirmed a fever of 38.5°C. During that visit, he was diagnosed with an acute viral illness after laboratory testing resulted negative and discharged from the ED. Later that month, he was referred to gastroenterology for vomiting and fussiness, diagnosed with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and prescribed both lansoprazole and simethicone. At 10 months of age, he was taken to the ED because of continued fussiness; an abdominal ultrasound and urinalysis were obtained, both of which were normal. The child’s pediatrician obtained an upper gastrointestinal series later that month, which demonstrated normal anatomy. He was started on both erythromycin and bethanechol for worsening gastroesophageal reflux disease. Weeks later, he was taken to his pediatrician for 7 days of fever. A chest radiograph was obtained and deemed normal. At …
The role of human caliciviruses in epidemic gastroenteritis

Members of the Caliciviridae family of small, positive-sense RNA viruses exhibit a broad host range. The Norwalk and Norwalk-like caliciviruses in this family are major etiologic agents of epidemic gastroenteritis in humans. This illness characteristically lasts 24–48 h and often occurs in group settings such as families, schools, institutions, or communities. The spread of the human caliciviruses is considered to be predominantly by person-to-person contact via the fecal-oral-route. However, the ingestion of calicivirus-contaminated food or water can result in large-scale common-source outbreaks. Many basic features concerning the biology and replication of the human caliciviruses are not known because they have not yet been grown in cell culture and the virus does not appear to replicate in animal models other than the chimpanzee. Sequence analysis of RT-PCR-generated DNA fragments derived from serotypically distinct reference strains (such as the Norwalk, Hawaii, and Snow Mountain viruses) and other circulating strains associated with gastroenteritis has provided evidence for marked genetic diversity among these viruses. Moreover, analysis of the antigenic relationships among these viruses using paired sera from individuals infected with well-characterized reference strains or from animals immunized with recombinant “virus-like particles” (VLPs) suggests that several serotypes of these viruses are circulating worldwide. The availability of molecular techniques for the detection of these fastidious viruses has enabled epidemiologic studies that have strengthened the association of human caliciviruses with acute gastroenteritis and has demonstrated a potential role for antigenic diversity in the natural history of these pathogens.
On the distribution of Rudin–Shapiro polynomials and lacunary walks on SU(2)

Abstract We characterize the limiting distribution of Rudin–Shapiro polynomials, showing that, normalized, their values become uniformly distributed in the disc. This resolves conjectures of Saffari and Montgomery. Our proof proceeds by relating the polynomials' distribution to that of a product of weakly dependent random matrices, which we analyze using the representation theory of S U ( 2 ) . Our approach leads us to a non-commutative analogue of the classical central limit theorem of Salem and Zygmund, which may be of independent interest.
The Stria Terminalis, The Ventral Amygdaloid Pathways, and Related Amygdaloid Connections

The amygdala is composed of a group of nuclei located just beneath the cortical mantle of the inferior temporal lobe. This region is interconnected with cortical regions, the olfactory system, and portions of the thalamus and hypothalamus.
Abstract WP247: Paramedic Perspectives on Prehospital Stroke Care: A Qualitative Analysis

Introduction: Ischemic stroke patients who arrive by emergency medical service (EMS) receive faster emergency department evaluations and improved rates of thrombolytic treatment. However, EMS strok...
Antarctotrechus balli sp. n. (Carabidae, Trechini): the first ground beetle from Antarctica

Fossil elytra of a small trechine carabid are reported from the Oliver Bluffs on the Beardmore Glacier at lat. 85°S. They were compared with counterparts from the extant genera Trechisibus, Tasmanorites, Oxytrechus and Pseudocnides. The fossils share some characters but are sufficiently different to be described as a new genus and species. We named the new species Antarctotrechus balli in honour of George E. Ball who made major contributions to the study of carabids through his own research and the training of students while at the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. The closest extant relatives to the extinct Antarctotrechus balli are species of Trechisibus, which inhabit South America, the Falkland Islands and South Georgia, and Tasmanorites, which inhabit Tasmania, Australia. Plant fossils associated with Antarctotrechus balli included Nothofagus (southern beech), Ranunculus (buttercup), moss mats and cushion plants that were part of a tundra biome. Collectively, the stratigraphic relationships and the growth characteristics of the fossil plants indicate that Antarctotrechus balli inhabited the sparsely-vegetated banks of a stream that was part of an outwash plain at the head of a fjord in the Transantarctic Mountains. Other insects represented by fossils in the tundra biome include a listroderine weevil and a cyclorrhaphan fly. The age of the fossils, based on comparison of associated pollen with 40Ar/39Ar dated pollen assemblages from the McMurdo Dry Valleys, is probably Early to Mid-Miocene in the range 14-20 Ma. The tundra biome, including Antarctotrechus balli, became extinct in the interior of Antarctica about 14 Ma and on the margins of the continent by 10-13 Ma. Antarctotrechus balli confirms that trechines were once widely distributed in Gondwana. For Antarctotrechus balli and other elements of the tundra biome it appears they continued to inhabit a warmer Antarctica for many millions of years after rifting of Tasmania (45 Ma) and southern South America (31 Ma).