cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subhypnotic doses of propofol do not possess antidopaminergic properties.

In order to investigate the possible interactions of propofol with the dopaminergic system, a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed on the profile of prolactin secretion, since prolactin blood levels are known to increase when dopaminergic receptors are blocked. Ten fasting female patients scheduled to receive cancer chemotherapy were allocated to receive either propofol at a rate of 1 mg [center dot] kg-1 [center dot] h-1 or Intralipid[R] 0.1 ml [center dot] kg-1 [center dot] h-1. The study included two consecutive chemotherapy cycles; each patient received in a random order propofol or Intralipid[R]. The infusions were started 4 h prior to induction of chemotherapy; prolactin blood levels were determined at time 0, 30, 60, 120, and 240 min (end of the study period). The basal prolactin blood levels were 14.2 +/- 4.3 vs 12.8 +/- 2.7 and 10.7 +/- 1.7 vs 14.0 +/- 3.6 ng/mL at the end of the study for propofol and Intralipid[R], respectively. These results suggest that the antiemetic properties of propofol are not mediated via interactions with the dopaminergic system. (Anesth Analg 1997;84:196-8)
From the Editor-In-Chief: Welcome to IEEE Embedded Systems Letters

Welcome to the inaugural issue of IEEE Embedded Systems Letters (L-ES). The publication has the following scope: "The IEEE Embedded Systems Letters, provides a forum for rapid dissemination of latest technical advances in embedded systems and related areas in embedded software. The emphasis is on models, methods, and tools that ensure secure, correct, efficient and robust design of embedded systems, and their applications."
Racial differences in combat-related PTSD: empirical findings and conceptual issues.

We critically review the empirical literature on racial differences in epidemiology, psychopathology, and treatment outcome in combat veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although there is a body of literature pertaining to various aspects of race and combat-related PTSD, much of the writing is conceptual in nature and based on single case or anecdotal reports, and there is a striking paucity of rigorous empirical findings. Furthermore, despite the prevailing zeitgeist and clinical lore, the limited extant empirical evidence suggests that veterans of different races are more similar to each other than they are different when it comes to the clinical manifestation and response to treatment of combat-related PTSD and associated features. The one area where clear differences exist is in epidemiological rates of PTSD, where minority combat veterans (i.e., Blacks and Hispanics) have been shown to have higher absolute rates of the disorder. However, secondary analyses within the existing epidemiological studies suggest that differential rates of PTSD between racial groups may be a function of differential rates of traumatic stressors and other pre-existing conditions. This finding, in combination with the general paucity of empirical data and certain methodological limitations, significantly moderates the conclusions that should be reached from this body of literature. Further research is needed before we can consider our knowledge in this area complete. A number of conceptual and methodological issues are discussed in order to highlight future research directions.
Global immunization--a medical perspective

The global community is close to achieving universal childhood immunization against a group of important childhood diseases--measles, tuberculosis, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus and polio. In addition, polio has been targeted for eradication by the year 2000 and neonatal tetanus for elimination by 1995. There are targeted reductions in mortality and cases of measles by the same year. This paper addresses the difficult issue of how optimally to integrate these public health initiatives into local health care practices and beliefs. At the workshop on Global Immunization and Culture I presented the perspective of a physician who has worked with the Expanded Programme on Immunization and has understanding at a global level of the logistics of vaccine delivery. This paper serves as a counterpoint to others at the workshop by raising the question of whether routine vaccine delivery and special eradication efforts can be best carried out with a uniform, technologically based approach rather than extensive adaptation of the program to local conditions and beliefs. The reliance on a largely technological approach to control of these childhood diseases which occur in all societies independent of social behavior is contrasted with efforts to control HIV infection in which social structure and practices predict the occurrence of disease.
A Reliability Model for Various Switch Designs in Hybrid Redundancy

Various switch designs for the hybrid redundancy scheme are studied. A reliability model for the switch is developed and the switch is shown to be a significant factor in the overall system reliability. A hybrid redundancy scheme with a triple-modular redundant (TMR) core may have a maximum attainable reliability for only a spare or two. Adding spares complicates the switch enough to cause the system reliability to actually decrease. There exist conditions under which the switch becomes so complex that simple TMR would yield a better solution. Models for fault-tolerant switch designs are also obtained. Finally, various designs are compared via their reliability models.
Syndesmotic Ankle Sprains in Athletes

Ankle sprains are among the most common athletic injuries and represent a significant source of persistent pain and disability. Despite the high incidence of ankle sprains in athletes, syndesmosis injuries have historically been underdiagnosed, and assessment in terms of severity and optimal treatment has not been determined. More recently, a heightened awareness in sports medicine has resulted in more frequent diagnoses of syndesmosis injuries. However, there is a low level of evidence and a paucity of literature on this topic compared with lateral ankle sprains. As a result, no clear guidelines are available to help the clinician assess the severity of injury, choose an imaging modality to visualize the injury, make a decision in terms of operative versus nonoperative treatment, or decide when the athlete may return to play. Increased knowledge and understanding of these injuries by clinicians and researchers are essential to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this significant condition. This review will discuss the anatomy, mechanism of injury, diagnosis, and treatment of syndesmosis sprains of the ankle while identifying controversies in management and topics for future research.
The association of cigarette smoking with gastric cancer: the multiethnic cohort study

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the association of cigarette smoking with gastric cancer.
Minimum Time Rendezvous of Multiple Spacecraft Using Differential Drag

This paper presents a method to solve the minimum time rendezvous problem of multiple spacecraft using differential drag. The problem is to rendezvous any number of vehicles using only the relative aerodynamic drag between the vehicles. Each vehicle is equipped with drag plates that can be opened or closed, thus modulating the drag force acting on the vehicle. By actuating the drag plates, the aerodynamic drag becomes the control used to accomplish the rendezvous. The optimal control problem is relaxed to a convex problem, and it is proved that a solution of the relaxed problem exists that is also a solution of the original problem. This process is called lossless convexification, and it leads to a solution method based on solving a finite number of linear programming problems. This method offers guaranteed convergence to the global minimum in polynomial time and does not require an initial guess. Two examples are solved with two and five vehicles and the results are compared with existing technologies. B...
Intracardiac migration of vena caval stent: decision-making and treatment considerations.

Migration and embolization of intravenously placed devices has been described previously with inferior vena cava (IVC) filters but not stents. While patients with intracardiac embolization of venous devices may be asymptomatic, we present a patient with symptomatic migration of an IVC stent to the heart and discuss the treatment considerations and decision-making involved. doi: 10.1111/jocs.12271 (J Card Surg 2014;29:320–322)
A new wide SOA DC-EST structure with diode diverter

A novel emitter-switched thyristor (EST) structure with diode diverter is introduced to obtain superior current saturation characteristics with excellent forward bias SOA (FBSOA) without compromising the on-state voltage drop. The new structure comprises a diode diverter connected to the P-base region of the DC-EST. At low current densities, the structure operates like a floating P-base DC-EST with a low forward voltage drop. At higher current densities, the diode diverter diverts the hole current to the cathode, reducing the parasitic thyristor latch-up susceptibility. Extensive numerical simulations are presented to analyze the physics of operation of this novel structure. Experimental results are reported, confirming the superior characteristics observed through simulations. Current saturation control was observed by varying the diode knee voltage. The DC-EST with diode diverter is shown to have a square FBSOA. The saturation current density was lowered by a factor of 1.5/spl times/, which is desirable to achieve good short circuit SOA (SCSOA). The diode diverter concept is shown to be especially advantageous in the high voltage (4 kV) regime.
Research on substation knowledge semantic exchange model based on ontology

IEC 61850 adopts object-oriented modeling techniques to model business functions of the substation, and defines substation configuration description object model by Substation Configuration description Language (SCL). SCL which is based on XML Schema cannot description the knowledge semantic and achieve substation knowledge exchanging of substation automation system. in this article, knowledge semantic of substation was analyzed and modeled based on ontology technology, including the relationships and constrains of substation knowledge semantic. By extending the label definition of SCL, the semantic exchange model is proposed and description ability of SCL is improved.
Effect of surgical cricothyrotomy on the unstable cervical spine in a cadaver model of intubation

Abstract Cricothyrotomy is indicated for patients who require an immediate airway and in whom orotracheal or nasotracheal intubation is unsuccessful or contraindicated. Cricothyrotomy is considered safe with cervical spine (c-spine) injury; however, the amount of c-spine movement that occurs during the procedure has not been determined. In this experimental study, an established cadaver model of c-spine injury was used to quantify movement during cricothyrotomy. A complete C5–6 transection was performed by using an osteotome on 13 fresh-frozen cadavers. Standard open cricothyrotomy was performed on each cadaver, with c-spine images recorded in real time on fluoroscopy, then transferred to video and Kodachrome still images. Outcome measures included movement across the C5–6 site with regard to angulation expressed in degrees of rotation and linear measures of axial distraction and anterior-posterior (AP) displacement expressed as a proportion of C5 body width. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics to determine mean change from baseline in each of three planes of movement. Significance was assumed if 95% confidence intervals did not include zero. A significant amount of movement was observed with regard to AP displacement (6.3% of C5 width) and axial distraction (−4.5% of C5 width, indicating narrowing of the intervertebral space). These correspond to 1–2 mm AP displacement and less than 1 mm axial compression. No significant angular displacement was observed. In conclusion, cricothyrotomy results in a small but significant amount of movement across an unstable c-spine injury in a cadaver model. This degree of movement is less than the threshold for clinical significance.
Computer generation of phase diagrams and the associated free energy curves for a binary system

An interactive computer program is introduced in order to make a simultaneous graphical presentation of phase boundaries and their corresponding free energy curves. The program, which uses a graphics display terminal, is a useful tool in teaching thermodynamic concepts involved in phase diagrams, especially for undergraduate students.
Modeling, Analysis, and Design of Graphene Nano-Ribbon Interconnects

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) are considered as a prospective interconnect material. A comprehensive conductance and delay analysis of GNR interconnects is presented in this paper. Using a simple tight-binding model and the linear response Landauer formula, the conductance model of GNR is derived. Several GNR structures are examined, and the conductance among them and other interconnect materials [e.g., copper (Cu), tungsten (W), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs)] is compared. The impact of different model parameters (i.e., bandgap, mean free path, Fermi level, and edge specularity) on the conductance is discussed. Both global and local GNR interconnect delays are analyzed using an RLC equivalent circuit model. Intercalation doping for multilayer GNRs is proposed, and it is shown that in order to match (or better) the performance of Cu or CNT bundles at either the global or local level, multiple zigzag-edged GNR layers along with proper intercalation doping must be used and near-specular nanoribbon edge should be achieved. However, intercalation-doped multilayer zigzag GNRs can have better performance than that of W, implying possible application as local interconnects in some cases. Thus, this paper identifies the on-chip interconnect domains where GNRs can be employed and provides valuable insights into the process technology development for GNR interconnects.
Nucleation Characteristics of Directly Electrodeposited Copper on TiN

Copper was directly electrodeposited onto TiN diffusion barrier surface without employing a copper seed layer. Depending on the chemical condition of an electrolyte, especially pH, copper deposits on TiN had different nucleation and growth modes. pH of electrolyte was controlled by adding H 2 SO 4 and NH 4 OH to the base solution of pH 3.56, which contained copper-citrate (Cu-Cit) complexes. Chelating ability of citrate was substantially influenced by pH and it strongly affected the nucleation of copper. Below pH 3.56, progressive nucleation of copper on TiN was mainly found, and irregular growth and low density of 3-5 X 10 7 cm -2 of copper nuclei came out. Above pH 3.56, instantaneous nucleation of copper on TiN, which is desirable for filling of damascene structure, was mainly obtained, and hemispherical copper nuclei were uniformly distributed. Copper nuclei density increased from 5 X 10 8 to 1.5 X 10 10 cm -2 as pH varies from 3.56 to 7.4. It closely approached a value of 2 × 10 10 cm -2 , which is theoretically needed for seedless copper filling in the sub-70 nm damascene structure for ultralarge-scale integration interconnects.
Social Accountability in Frontline Service Delivery: Citizen Engagement and Provider Response in Four Indonesian Districts

Frontline public services are where service providers and citizens interact, in settings such as health clinics, schools, social welfare bureaus, or registrar offices. The quality of those interactions influences service utilization, citizen satisfaction, trust in government, and ultimately service outcomes. In international development, frontline public service delivery often lies at the intersection between sectoral and governance programs. Addressing public service needs and solving service delivery problems have traditionally fallen within the sphere of government, where solutions have focused on modifying administrative processes, increasing public sector capacity, introducing supportive policies, and designing improved technical interventions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
I'm doing as well as I can: modeling people as rational finite automata

We show that by modeling people as bounded finite automata, we can capture at a qualitative level the behavior observed in experiments. We consider a decision problem with incomplete information and a dynamically changing world, which can be viewed as an abstraction of many real-world settings.We provide a simple strategy for a finite automaton in this setting, and show that it does quite well, both through theoretical analysis and simulation. We show that, if the probability of nature changing state goes to 0 and the number of states in the automaton increases, then this strategy performs optimally (as well as if it were omniscient and knew when nature was making its state changes). Thus, although simple, the strategy is a sensible strategy for a resource-bounded agent to use. Moreover, at a qualitative level, the strategy does exactly what people have been observed to do in experiments.
Nitric Oxide: Some New Concepts

There has been an explosive growth of research on the role of nitric oxide (NO) in physiological and pathological processes in many tissues and organs. The eye shares in this phenomenal growth. Rather than give an overview of the various systems in the eye where NO plays a role, I discuss herein some new concepts relating to NO function emerging from other studies that may have future relevance to the eye. The topics covered are listed in Table 1.
Aerobic Exercise for a Patient With Chronic Multisystem Impairments

Many patients with long-term disabilities have inactive lifestyles that put them at risk for chronic diseases and secondary disabilities. The purpose of this case report is to illustrate the process of aerobic exercise prescription for a patient with chronic multisystem impairments. The patient was a 43-year-old man who incurred a traumatic brain injury and multiple fractures in a motorcycle accident 15 years previously. He subsequently developed heterotopic ossification around the right hip. In addition, the patient had a history of smoking. We chose a “nontraditional” mode of exercise for the patient that we believed would be safe and effective and would accommodate his neurologic and orthopedic impairments. The mode of exercise used was an apparatus in which the upper and lower extremities alternately flexed and extended in a nonreciprocal fashion. The patient attended 12 exercise sessions over a 1-month period, during which he demonstrated acute and chronic physiological responses appropriate for the exercise stimulus.
Retention of Working Mothers

This is a study of challenges facing professional woman in the development of work life balance after the birth of a child. In explores how such events can affect the employment status of mothers, as well the ability of firms to retain female talent. In particular it looks at how simple organizational changes, such as the including of flex-time and flex-place can affect retention, moral, and perceived work life balance ┬a
Measurements of Thermal Conductance of Suspended Polymeric Nanowires Using Novel Bi-Material Cantilever Sensing Technique

Bi-material microcantilevers are ideally suited sensors for investigating the effects of nanostructuring on thermal transport. We have designed and fabricated high sensitivity bi–material microcantilevers by minimizing their width and thickness dimensions. These cantilevers have been used to resolve sub-picowatt heat flux absorbed on their free end. We propose a pair of such cantilevers as a configuration for measuring thermal conductance of a nanostructure suspended between the two. The technique employs two lasers, one focused on each cantilever. One laser is modulated to vary the temperature at the end of one cantilever, while the second laser senses variation in heat flow through the second cantilever due to thermal conduction along the nanowire. We present measurements of thermal conductance of polystyrene nanowires performed using this dual cantilever technique. The nanowires are fabricated via electrospinning technique with diameters varying in the range of 150 300 nm. The measurements demonstrate the efficacy of the technique, which can be used to investigate thermal transport in other types of nanostructures so long as they can be suspended between two cantilever ends.
Automatic scale contraction for the SMA 12-60.

An electronic device which automatically halves "off-scale" signal voltages of the SMA 12/60 is described. Presetting permits any electronic dilution desired. It may be constructed from commercial components by a reasonably proficient electronic technician. The device is placed "in-line" at the terminal box of the recorder without further modification of the SMA 12/60. It senses and modifies the steady state peak voltage differential. The chemical reactions of nine determinations provide linearity in excess of twice the maximum indicated on available chart paper. The operator is alerted to "off-scale" values by an event marker. Phosphorus presently is nonlinear beyond 6.5 mg. per 100 ml.; total protein and albumin were not tested. The capability to estimate with accuracy "off-scale" test values has proven very useful.
Improved numerical simulation of high speed inlets using the Navier-Stokes equations

An improved numerical algorithm has been developed to calculate the flowfield in two-dimensional mixed-compression high speed inlets using the Navier-Stokes equations. The explicit finitedifference algorithm of MacCormack is utilized, together with a modified treatment of the viscous sublayer and transition wall region of the turbulent boundary layers. A variety of flows have been considered, including shock-turbulent boundary layer interaction on a flat plate and three different configurations of a simulated high speed inlet. The computed results compare favorably with thr experimental data.
Epidemiological analysis of bacillary dysentery during 1985～2007 in Yingkou

Objective: To analyze epidemic characteristics of bacillary dysentery during 1985~2007 in Yingkou. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted for bacillary dysentery cases that occurred in Yingkou during 1985~2007. Results: The annual average incidence of bacillary dysentery decreased. The disease had an obvious seasonal incidence peak in summer and fall. Most cases occurred from July to September, accounted for 75.93% of the total cases. The ratio of male to female was 1.38∶1; worker and children were the majority. Conclusion: We should further strengthen bacillary dysentery control and prevention in summer in order to reduce incidence of bacillary dysentery.
Shockwave Response of Polymer and Polymer Nanocomposites

We present non-equilibrium molecular dynamic simulations of the shock compression of polyurethane and its graphene-based nanocomposite systems. Using the projectile/wall approach, planar shock waves with piston velocity range from 0.1 to 2.5 km/s is applied for both systems. In this study, direct molecular-level simulations of shock-wave generation and propagation are utilized in order to construct the appropriate shock-Hugoniot relations. Through this study, we determined that inclusion of graphene into the polyurethane system has a significant effect on the shock propagation behavior when incorporated in the polymer matrix
The effect of wrist position and hand-grasp pattern on virtual prosthesis task performance

Partial-hand amputees are often able to use their wrist when performing daily activities, but this wrist movement can interfere with electromyogram (EMG) pattern recognition of functional hand-grasps while controlling myoelectric prostheses. These grasp patterns also commonly require activation of similar muscle sets, resulting in poor discrimination and more frequent misclassification. In our recent work, we developed a classifier training paradigm and control system that improves real-time control of a virtual prosthesis capable of selecting between 4 grasps in multiple wrist positions. However, it is unclear if there were adverse effects associated with operating the virtual prosthesis in certain wrist positions or with attempting to select specific grasps. The primary purpose of this study is to determine whether the required wrist position or grasp affected task timeout rates, and to determine the number of grasp selection attempts for both a baseline pattern recognition controller and our proposed controller. We show that the specific wrist position of a given task does not significantly affect performance for either the baseline controller (p>0.575) or the proposed controller (p>0.459). However, while the grasp required for a task significantly affects a user's ability to complete the task when using the baseline controller (p 0.429). Thus, subjects using the proposed controllers were more easily able to complete tasks involving grasps difficult to select with the baseline controller.
Reparameterization of an Accurate, Few-Parameter Implicit Solvation Model for Quantum Chemistry: Composite Method for Implicit Representation of Solvent, CMIRS v. 1.1.

CMIRS (composite method for implicit representation of solvent) is a relatively new implicit solvation model that adds terms representing solute–solvent dispersion, Pauli repulsion, and hydrogen bonding to a continuum treatment of electrostatics. A small error in the original implementation of the dispersion term, but one that can modify dispersion energies by up to 8 kcal/mol in some cases, necessitates refitting the parameters in the model, which we do here. We refer to the modified implementation and parameter set as CMIRS v. 1.1. While the dispersion energies change in nontrivial ways, an increase in the attractive dispersion term in the new implementation is largely offset by an increase in the Pauli repulsion during the fitting process, such that overall statistical errors are virtually unchanged with respect to v. 1.0 of the model, for a large database of experimental solvation free energies for molecules and ions. Overall, we obtain mean unsigned errors of <0.7 kcal/mol when the solvent is cyclohe...
Climate-induced glacier and snow loss imperils alpine stream insects

Climate warming is causing rapid loss of glaciers and snowpack in mountainous regions worldwide. These changes are predicted to negatively impact the habitats of many range-restricted species, particularly endemic, mountaintop species dependent on the unique thermal and hydrologic conditions found only in glacier-fed and snow melt-driven alpine streams. Although progress has been made, existing understanding of the status, distribution, and ecology of alpine aquatic species, particularly in North America, is lacking, thereby hindering conservation and management programs. Two aquatic insects – the meltwater stonefly (Lednia tumana) and the glacier stonefly (Zapada glacier) – were recently proposed for listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act due to climate-change-induced habitat loss. Using a large dataset (272 streams, 482 total sites) with high-resolution climate and habitat information, we describe the distribution, status, and key environmental features that limit L. tumana and Z. glacier across the northern Rocky Mountains. Lednia tumana was detected in 113 streams (175 sites) within Glacier National Park (GNP) and surrounding areas. The probability of L. tumana occurrence increased with cold stream temperatures and close proximity to glaciers and permanent snowfields. Similarly, densities of L. tumana declined with increasing distance from stream source. Zapada glacier was only detected in 10 streams (24 sites), six in GNP and four in mountain ranges up to ~600 km southwest. Our results show that both L. tumana and Z. glacier inhabit an extremely narrow distribution, restricted to short sections of cold, alpine streams often below glaciers predicted to disappear over the next two decades. Climate warming-induced glacier and snow loss clearly imperils the persistence of L. tumana and Z. glacier throughout their ranges, highlighting the role of mountaintop aquatic invertebrates as sentinels of climate change in mid-latitude regions.
Synthetically tunable iridium(III) bis-pyridine-2-sulfonamide complexes as efficient and durable water oxidation catalysts

Abstract A series of phenylene-linked iridium bis-pyridine-2-sulfonamide (bpsa) complexes substituted with electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups and a new bpsa complex containing naphthalene linkage were synthesized and investigated as efficient and robust water oxidation catalysts. It was found that the oxidation potentials of these substituted complexes are within a broad range, which reflects their effectively tuned electronic structures. Under various water oxidation conditions, diverse kinetics behaviors are observed. The reaction mechanism strongly depends on the structure of the catalyst, and the nature of the oxidant as well as their ratios and concentrations. As evidenced by cyclic voltammetry and DFT calculations, the addition of electron-donating substituents greatly destabilizes the HOMO of the catalyst and thus facilitates the initial oxidation process. On the other hand, the limited driving force provided by the oxidized state of an electron-rich catalyst also impedes efficient water oxidation reactions. The robustness of a water oxidation catalyst is critical, and long-term reactions have exhibited turnover numbers (TONs) of up to 16,200.
Addendum to "The Effects of College on Weight: Examining the 'Freshman 15' Myth and Other Effects of College Over the Life Cycle".

This study examines the effects of college on weight over much of the life cycle. I compare weights for college students with their weights before and after college and with the weights of noncollege peers using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY). I also examine the longer-term effects of college measured almost three decades later. I find that college freshmen gain substantially less than the 15 pounds rumored to be typical for freshmen. Using difference models, individual-specific fixed-effects models, and instrumental variables models to control for various sources of potential bias, I find that freshman year college attendance is estimated to cause only about a one-pound increase. Supplemental results show that those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds gain more weight during the freshman college year. Longer term, having a college education consistently decreases weight. These negative effects have faded over the last 20 years, and they diminish as respondents approach middle age. These trends are more prevalent for whites and Hispanics than for blacks.
Mobilizing a Narrative of Generosity: Patient Experiences on an Urban Mobile Health Clinic

Mobile health clinics address the health needs of underserved populations by bringing healthcare to patients’ communities. Mobile health clinics find unique ways to treat patients and empower them to take control of their health. In this article, we examine how patients who use an urban mobile health clinic narrate their experiences on the clinic and what they see as the impact of the clinic on the community. A narrative of generosity emerged from the interviews, where patients believe the mobile health clinic creates a sense of welcome, encourages patients to become active participants in their health, and fosters a “pay it forward” attitude among community members.
DFT prediction of chromatographic retention behavior for a trimetallic nitride metallofullerene series

Abstract The high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) retention behavior of fullerenes and metallofullerenes provides a convenient system for studying the intermolecular interactions between conjugated spheroidal π systems and stationary chromatographic phases. Previous studies have established in the absence of significant dipole moments, a linear relationship exists between chromatographic HPLC retention times and the polarizability of fullerenes and endohedral metallofullerenes (EMFs). Previous studies have shown that density functional theory (DFT) can accurately predict the polarizability and dipole moments of fullerenes and EMFs. In the current study, we extend this approach to predict the chromatographic retention behavior of the yttrium and terbium trimetallic nitride metallofullerene series Y 3 N@C 2n (n = 39–44) and Tb 3 N@C 2n (n = 40–44). The results of this study demonstrate that the chromatographic retention behavior of the EMF series can be predicted even for systems that violate the isolated pentagon rule (IPR) with significant dipole moments and significant differences in the symmetry of the fullerene cage. The results of this study can be readily extended to predict the dominate factors for the interactions between other fullerene and metallofullerene homologous series.
Increased amplitude of inward rectifier K+ currents with advanced age in smooth muscle cells of murine superior epigastric arteries

Ion channels are integral to blood flow regulation. We found greater functional expression of inward rectifying K+ channels in smooth muscle cells of resistance arteries of mouse skeletal muscle wi...
Recent Computational Advances in Denoising for Magnetic Resonance Diffusional Kurtosis Imaging (DKI)

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is widely used in clinical practice and medical research for the assessment of disease. Magnetic resonance diffusional kurtosis imaging (DKI) is a specific MRI technique that is useful for quantifying microstructural properties of biological tissues, particularly in brain. However, images derived with DKI can be sensitive to noise, as the MRI sequences needed for DKI strongly attenuate the signal. To mitigate this inherent noise sensitivity of DKI, advanced denoising methods maybe applied. Although a variety of denoising approaches have been considered in the broad context of MRI, the specific performance of these methods for DKI has not yet been thoroughly investigated. In this review, we examine three different denoising strategies for DKI—Gaussian filtering, non-local means filtering, and a local principal components analysis technique. These three denoising methods are compared qualitatively in terms of their abilities to increase image fidelity and to remove noise bias for the DKI-derived parametric maps.
Multidimensional Ethno-racial Status in Contexts of Mestizaje: Ethno-racial Stratification in Contemporary Peru:

In this study, I define ethno-racial status as the combination of socially ranked ethnic and racial characteristics individually embodied by mestizos (Spanish for mixed-race individuals). I argue t...
Psychosocial Perspectives on Psoriasis

A biopsychosocial model is gaining recognition as an approach to a variety of illnesses. Psychosocial variables including stress can be considered components of this paradigm. Multifactorial influences upon psoriatic causation and recurrences, such as biologic vulnerability and environmental or experiential factors, are viewed interactively. The role of health-care providers in working with individuals with chronic, disfiguring forms of psoriasis is discussed in a psychotherapeutic context.
Differential Rigidity and Applications in One-Dimensional Dynamics

In this survey, I summarize some work towards understanding of differential rigidity and smooth conjugacy in one-dimensional dynamics. In particular, I focus on those dynamical systems that have critical points and on those dynamical systems that have only \({C}^{1+\alpha },0 < \alpha < 1\), smoothness.
The membrane carbonic anhydrases: from CO2 transport to tumor markers.

The growing carbonic anhydrase family includes at least 11 enzymatically active isozymes (CAs) and several carbonic anhydrase-related proteins (CARPs) (Sly and Hu, 1995; Hewett-Emmett and Tashian, 1996). CAs I, II III, and VII are cytosolic isozymes covered extensively elsewhere in this volume. CA V is a mitochondrial isozyme expressed in the mitochondrial matrix (Dodgson et al., 1980It is thought to play a role in ureagenesis, providing HCO 3 – for carbamoyl phosphate synthase, and in gluconeogenesis, providing HCO 3 – for pyruvate carboxylase (Dodgson and Cherian, 1989; Dodgson et al., 1993). There is emerging evidence for a second mitochondrial enzyme which has not yet been characterized. CA VI is the isozyme expressed in saliva (Murakami and Sly, 1987; Feldstein and Silverman, 1984; Fernley et al., 1989) that has been suggested to protect gastroesophageal mucosa from acid injury (Parkkila et al., 1997). The three known non-enzymatic CA-RPs CA VII, CA X, and CA XI are covered elsewhere in this volume. The focus of this report is on CA IV, CA IX, and CA XII, the three membrane CAs which were discovered in that order.
The Implications of Family Context for the Transition to Adulthood

In the prolonged transition to adulthood, young adults are increasingly dependent on their families for material and emotional support, but what effect does this support have on later success? This chapter extends research by Fingerman and colleagues to investigate the long-term implications of family context on young adults’ success. Specifically, we draw upon data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to examine how adolescent family structure and parent–child relationships in both adolescence and early adulthood shape later subjective achievement. Youth growing up in two-biological parent families have the highest levels of subjective attainment, which is largely because youth in these families have greater access to financial resources in adolescence and as they follow different transition pathways into adulthood. Greater family resources allow families to provide financial support throughout the transition to adulthood. Parent–offspring closeness during adolescence and early adulthood is advantageous for subjective achievement while high levels of monitoring during adolescence is negatively associated with later success. Consistent with Fingerman and her colleagues, we find that young adult pathways condition the effects of parental support and closeness on achievement.
Neuropediatrician of the 21st century and the neurosciences

AIM To describe the training process of the neuropediatrician in the 21st century in accordance with the clinical and scientific characteristics required by society at a time when there is an explosion of knowledge in neurosciences. DEVELOPMENT The neuropediatrician of the 21st century, knowing the lack of future professionals, must stimulate neuroscientific vocations, starting in middle school and participating as early as possible in the teaching of medical students. During the fellowship, the neuropediatrician must continue the same encouraging attitude, getting the future colleague ready to face the professional requirements. In addition, he must teach the principles that will allow the future neuropediatrician to excel: critical thinking, evidence based medicine and continuing medical education. The certified professional neuropediatrician must exercise the same principles. Aware of the complexity of maintaining up to date medical knowledge, he/she must identify review courses and seminars. Also, he/she has to get accustomed to frequently use the Internet, the best means of self-education available to the neuropediatrician. The Spanish Pediatric Neurology Society and the Spanish Neurology Society should consider the possibility of reviewing the materials and methods used to train neuropediatricians in the US, with the goal of considering if any of them could be implemented in Spain. CONCLUSION The neuropediatrician of the 21st century has the responsibility of his/her own continuing medical education, both clinical and neuroscientific. Moreover, he/she has the obligation of sharing this information with other colleagues and use it to stimulate future neuropediatricians and subspecialized neuropediatricians. Finally, he/she has the responsibility of establishing a productive interaction with the government and politicians in order to facilitate attaining the objectives of pediatric neurology.
The Nature of Ethics Expertise in Clinical Ethics and Implications for Training of Clinical Ethics Consultants

This essay considers the nature of ethical expertise, threats to ethical expertise, and implications for the training and certification of clinical ethics consultants. First, the idea of ethical uncertainty within medicine is examined. An important source of uncertainty is ethical dilemmas. Second, the expertise required to resolve ethical uncertainty is explored. Such expertise must have two components: (a) analysis, which involves identifying and clarifying the underlying ethical dilemma, and (b) weighing, a process of deliberating and providing reasons for why one obligation or set of obligations should be preferred over another. To do these things, two competencies are required. One is a practical skill, a practical moral judgment, which requires experience within clinical environments and clinical medicine. A second is a body of theoretical knowledge, including knowledge of ethical theory, approaches to ethical deliberation, moral philosophy, and the norms of medicine. Finally, the implications of these components for training and accreditation of clinical ethicists are discussed. Training should develop both competencies, which requires a theoretical education in basic ethical knowledge, and a practical apprenticeship such as a residency or fellowship. Standardization and quality attestation are potentially important mechanisms to ensure that ethics consultants have the required competencies that make up ethics expertise and that they do not practice according to the methods that undermine ethics expertise.
Improving metadata infrastructure for complex surveys: Insights from the Fragile Families Challenge

Researchers rely on metadata systems to prepare data for analysis. As the complexity of data sets increases and the breadth of data analysis practices grow, existing metadata systems can limit the ...
A Practical Guide to Circuit Selection for Portable Microprocessor-Based, Low Component Count, Near-DC Ammeter for Custom Instruments

The growing market for wearable, portable, and IoT devices has generated a need for a class of circuits to meet the requirements for these applications. In this work we specifically investigate ammeters. The design space requires low component count circuits for measuring slowly varying currents using low-cost microcontrollers. Simple architectures, feasible for an electronics novice are described and compared experimentally. The use of the time domain to improve error and range of measurement is considered. This guide provides an individual without extensive electronics design experience with a simple selection guide for choosing the appropriate architecture for their specific application.
Application of carbon nanotubes for removal of emerging contaminants of concern in engineered water and wastewater treatment systems

Pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs) have been detected in wastewater effluents and surface water bodies at concentrations ranging from parts per trillion levels (ng L−1) to parts per billion (µg L−1) levels. Currently, engineered wastewater treatment plants are unable to remove PPCPs and EDCs completely, resulting in the treatment plants becoming a source of secondary pollution. Research on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) has shown that the tubular cylinders of carbon atoms due to their large specific surface area and developed pore structure are capable of adsorbing and remediating PPCPs and EDCs. They also possess excellent photocatalytic activity and high mechanical strength. When combined with membrane filtration, CNTs demonstrate excellent removal of PPCPs and EDCs with removal up to ~ 95% in optimum experimental conditions. Nanocomposite membranes containing CNTs have shown promising results in the removal of triclosan, acetaminophen, and ibuprofen. In addition to its proven potential in adsorption and membrane filtration, CNTs can also be used in photocatalytic degradation of a variety of organic compounds including PPCPs and EDCs. When CNT is used as a photocatalyst, it generates reactive oxygen species that can oxidize contaminants to CO2, and H2O. This study provides a comprehensive literature review of the application of CNTs for removal of the emerging contaminant of concern from water and wastewater. Their application, particularly in the areas of adsorption, filtration and photocatalytic degradation of PPCPs and EDCs, is discussed in detail. Also, the feasibility of a full-scale implementation of CNTs in existing water and wastewater treatment plants is discussed.
Evolutionarily Conserved Regulation of Sleep by the Protein Translational Regulator PERK.

Summary Sleep is a cross-species phenomenon whose evolutionary and biological function remain poorly understood. Clinical and animal studies suggest that sleep disturbance is significantly associated with disruptions in protein homeostasis—or proteostasis—in the brain, but the mechanism of this link has not been explored. In the cell, the protein kinase R (PKR)-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) pathway modulates proteostasis by transiently inhibiting protein synthesis in response to proteostatic stress. In this study, we examined the role of the PERK pathway in sleep regulation and provide the first evidence that PERK signaling is required to regulate normal sleep in both vertebrates and invertebrates. We show that pharmacological inhibition of PERK reduces sleep in both Drosophila and zebrafish, indicating an evolutionarily conserved requirement for PERK in sleep. Genetic knockdown of PERK activity also reduces sleep in Drosophila, whereas PERK overexpression induces sleep. Finally, we demonstrate that changes in PERK signaling directly impact wake-promoting neuropeptide expression, revealing a mechanism through which proteostatic pathways can affect sleep and wake behavior. Taken together, these results demonstrate that protein synthesis pathways like PERK could represent a general mechanism of sleep and wake regulation and provide greater insight into the relationship between sleep and proteostasis.
Low-Cost Active Learning Benefits for Introductory Computer Science Courses

Active learning has gained significant traction in the past decade and implementations can be found across all institutions of higher learning. While large costs are incurred to modify available spaces to technology-supported active classrooms, economy-based active learning systems that provide similar functionality could be employed instead. In this paper, we provide initial results for a comparison of second-semester programming course student learning outcomes. Students for an economy-based active learning system and a high-cost active learning classroom indicate through pre- and post-test results that there is little difference between delivery modes. This supports the emerging research that the activity, not the space is the dominant factor for active learning gains, which can alleviate some of the pressures for budgetarily challenged institutions of higher learning.
Not to worry (most of the time)

Most (87.6%) of residual atrial L-R shunts after Gore Cardioform septal occluder implant disappear by 12 months. Residual leaks at implantation were more common in larger defects with smaller retro-aortic rims, and multiple fenestrations. While most residual defects close in 12 months, we unfortunately do not yet have a clear idea why or which of the 13% do not close.