cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temporal coding by cochlear nucleus bushy cells in DBA/2J mice with early onset hearing loss.

The bushy cells of the anterior ventral cochlear nucleus (AVCN) preserve or improve the temporal coding of sound information arriving from auditory nerve fibers (ANF). The critical cellular mechanisms entailed in this process include the specialized nerve terminals, the endbulbs of Held, and the membrane conductance configuration of the bushy cell. In one strain of mice (DBA/2J), an early-onset hearing loss can cause a reduction in neurotransmitter release probability, and a smaller and slower spontaneous miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC) at the endbulb synapse. In the present study, by using a brain slice preparation, we tested the hypothesis that these changes in synaptic transmission would degrade the transmission of timing information from the ANF to the AVCN bushy neuron. We show that the electrical excitability of bushy cells in hearing-impaired old DBA mice was different from that in young, normal-hearing DBA mice. We found an increase in the action potential (AP) firing threshold with current injection; a larger AP afterhyperpolarization; and an increase in the number of spikes produced by large depolarizing currents. We also tested the temporal precision of bushy cell responses to high-frequency stimulation of the ANF. The standard deviation of spikes (spike jitter) produced by ANF-evoked excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) was largely unaffected in old DBA mice. However, spike entrainment during a 100-Hz volley of EPSPs was significantly reduced. This was not a limitation of the ability of bushy cells to fire APs at this stimulus frequency, because entrainment to trains of current pulses was unaffected. Moreover, the decrease in entrainment is not attributable to increased synaptic depression. Surprisingly, the spike latency was 0.46 ms shorter in old DBA mice, and was apparently attributable to a faster conduction velocity, since the evoked excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC) latency was shorter in old DBA mice as well. We also tested the contribution of the low-voltage-activated K+ conductance (g KLV) on the spike latency by using dynamic clamp. Alteration in g KLV had little effect on the spike latency. To test whether these changes in DBA mice were simply a result of continued postnatal maturation, we repeated the experiments in CBA mice, a strain that shows normal hearing thresholds through this age range. CBA mice exhibited no reduction in entrainment or increased spike jitter with age. We conclude that the ability of AVCN bushy neurons to reliably follow ANF EPSPs is compromised in a frequency-dependent fashion in hearing-impaired mice. This effect can be best explained by an increase in spike threshold.
Microstructural Damage and Evolution of a PbSn Solder Alloy Under Isothermal Cyclic Loading

In our recent experiments, torsional specimens of PbSn Solder Alloy were cyclically loaded under different loading levels at both room temperature and high temperature (1008C). In these experiments, the Pb-rich phase size and micro-crack damage were also observed using scanning electron microscopy in-between loading cycles. At the moderate strain rate (10−4 ), the growth of Pb-rich phase does not differ much for both temperatures. At room temperature, the damage in the form of micro-cracks along the Pb- and Sn-rich phases are formed during early cycling, and the damage accumulates as the cycling proceeds. At high temperature, the damage does not accumulates as fast as for the similar strain level in room temperature, due to the lowering of stress level in high temperature and dynamic restructuring of Pb-rich phase.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Torn Between Two Lovers? Caught in the Middle of British and American IPE1

I approach this topic much as a man without a country approaches international travel: with trepidation. I am a British subject who was educated at Strathclyde University in the 1980s. I left for t...
Monitoring protoplast production from plant cells

Abstract A method is described for monitoring the progress of protoplast production from cultured carrot cells ( Daucus carota ) during enzymatic removal of cell walls. The procedure is based upon a differential response of protoplasts and cells still retaining a cell wall to a detergent, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The presence of a cell wall prevents release of cellular constituents when SDS dissolves the plasma membrane. Protoplasts, however, release many cellular constituents in a long, characteristic stream.
Predicting student achievement for low stakes tests with effort and task value

Abstract We investigated motivation for taking low stakes tests. Based on expectancy-value theory, we expected that the effect of student perceptions of three task values (interest, usefulness, and importance) on low stakes test performance would be mediated by the student’s reported effort. We hypothesized that all three task value components would play a significant role in predicting test-taking effort, and that effort would significantly predict test performance. Participants were 1005 undergraduate students enrolled at four midsize public universities. After students took all four subtests of CBASE, a standardized general education exam, they immediately filled out a motivation survey. Path analyses showed that the task value variables usefulness and importance significantly predicted test-taking effort and performance for all four tests. These results provide evidence that students who report trying hard on low stakes tests score higher than those who do not. The results indicate that if students do not perceive importance or usefulness of an exam, their effort suffers and so does their test score. While the data are correlational, they suggest that it might be useful for test administrators and school staff to communicate to students the importance and usefulness of the test that they are being asked to complete.
Energy-linked light-scattering changes in Escherichia coli.

Abstract Addition of certain carbon compounds to suspensions of Escherichia coli initiated extensive declines (40–50%) in light-scattering. By simultaneously measuring oxygen consumption (with a vibrating electrode) and scattering, it was shown that utilization of the added substances was required for scattering changes to occur. Under anaerobic conditions little or no scattering changes were observed unless the compounds were capable of being metabolized under these conditions. In general, the types of compounds studied were dicarboxycyclic acids, hexoses, and disaccharides, which produce rapid to slow rates of scattering change, respectively. The incorporation of glucose-C 14 and K 42 Cl correlated with the light-scattering changes of the suspensions. Various E. coli K-12 strains containing galactoside-permease transport systems were tested wiith lactose. Strain W2244, lacking β-galactosidase, but adapted for permease, showed scattering declines with lactose only when supplemented with an energy source. Interpretation of the light-scattering phenomenon and the nature of its energy requirement are discussed. It is suggested that energy-dependent transport and accumulation of substrates largely account for the scattering responses.
High-Poverty Schools That Beat the Odds

Poverty is a strong predictor of lack of academic success in reading, and schools serving high-poverty populations are more likely to show weak performance in high-stakes tests. But some schools manage to beat these odds, with students outperforming peers from more advantaged neighborhoods. Why? The author showcases six high-poverty schools where large numbers of children pass state tests. Teachers indicated that the most important factors influencing their schools' success are the amount of instruction provided, time devoted to real reading and writing, perseverance and persistence, and high levels of student engagement.
Deposition of poly[2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl acrylate] from liquid CO2 high-pressure free meniscus coating—Uniformity and morphology

Abstract Ultrathin fluoropolymer films were prepared by depositing poly[2-(perfluorooctyl)ethyl acrylate] (PFOEA) on 12.5 cm diameter silicon wafer substrates using high-pressure free meniscus coating (hFMC) with liquid CO2 (l-CO2) as a coating solvent. Dry film thickness across the wafer substrate and the morphology of deposited films were characterized as a function of coating conditions—withdrawal velocities, solution concentrations and evaporation driving forces (ΔP). Thickness measurements by ellipsometry revealed that at zero or low evaporation driving forces (ΔP = 0–0.0138 MPa), highly uniform films with thicknesses in the range of 7–30 nm were deposited over the entire concentration range (1–7 wt.%). However, films deposited at high evaporation driving forces (ΔP = 0.0414–0.0552 MPa) or larger concentrations (5–7 wt.%) with a ΔP of 0.0276 MPa were thicker (35–70 nm) and less uniform. Optical microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize film morphology including drying defects and film roughness. Films deposited at zero or low ΔP of 0.0138 MPa and low concentrations of 1–3 wt.% exhibited few drying defects and a low root mean square (RMS) roughness (∼2 nm). At higher evaporation driving forces and higher concentrations, ring-like drying defects were observed with diameters ranging 5–30 μm. The film thickness and morphology of PFOEA films deposited from l-CO2 hFMC were compared to those deposited from 1,1,2-trichlorotrifluoroethane (Freon113) by normal atmospheric dip coating. Films deposited from l-CO2 hFMC were much thinner and more uniform, and exhibit much fewer drying defects and lower RMS roughness.
Use of milk progesterone and prostaglandin F2α in a scheduled artificial insemination program

Abstract We tested the efficacy of monitoring progesterone in dairy cows using a commercially available milk progesterone test as a determinant for administration of PGF 2α , to induce estrus in cows before first AI. Holstein cows milked twice daily were assigned randomly for AI at their first estrus after d 42 postpartum (control) or to receive PGF 2α , after a milk progesterone test. Milk progesterone was assessed in samples from the Monday morning milking in both groups of cows, but only those in the treatment received PGF 2α , when milk progesterone tested high. Blood was collected before injection of PGF 2α , on Monday afternoon to verify retrospectively the accuracy of the milk progesterone test. Agreement of serum concentrations of progesterone was 87% for high milk progesterone tests and 63% for low tests. Use of milk progesterone plus PGF 2α , reduced days to first AI, calving intervals, rate of reproductive culling, and cost per pregnancy and increased the proportion of cows inseminated within 21 d of the beginning of breeding. As a management tool in an AI program, PGF 2α use is warranted and cost effective. However, the milk progesterone test is not justifiable unless the cost is significantly lower than the cost of a weekly injection of PGF 2α .
Hybrid product term and LUT based architectures using embedded memory blocks

The Embedded System Block (ESB) of the APEX20K programmable logic device family from Altera Corporation includes the capability of implementing product term macrocells in addition to flexibly configurable ROM and dual port RAM. In product term mode, each ESB has 16 macrocells built out of 32 product terms with 32 literal inputs. The ability to reconfigure memory blocks in this way represents a new and innovative use of resources in a programmable logic device, requiring creative solutions in both the hardware and software domains. The architecture and features of this Embedded System Block are described.
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Two Commonly Used Discrete Trial Procedures for Teaching Receptive Discrimination to Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Abstract Discrete trial teaching procedures have been demonstrated to be effective in teaching a variety of important skills for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Although all discrete trial programs are based in the principles of applied behavior analysis, some variability exists between programs with regards to the precise teaching procedures used. One notable procedural discrepancy involves teaching receptive discriminations. We compared the effectiveness of two commonly used procedures to teach receptive discriminations for three young children with ASD. One procedure progressed from introducing novel target stimuli in isolation (i.e., with no distracter present) to a conditional discrimination training phase (i.e., with distracter). A second procedure involved teaching discriminations exclusively within the context of conditional discriminations (i.e., using distracter stimuli). A within-subject comparison of procedures revealed mixed results and a 1-month follow-up revealed no differences between teaching procedures.
Process cost modeling: Strategic engineering and economic evaluation of materials technologies

Production cost is a vital performance metric for engineering and management analysis. Despite its obvious relevance throughout the product development cycle, cost analysis has not been a focus of the design engineer. In part, this is because of some key misunderstandings of what cost is-engineers have not been trained in the techniques that tie manufacturing cost to the technical and design parameters with which they are more comfortable and familiar. While there have been many calls for a closer relationship between engineering and economic analysis, these key conceptual obstacles, in conjunction with the limits of the computational tools available, have limited the integration of cost analysis into product and process development. This paper summarizes the conceptual limitations that need to be overcome and presents a basis for revising the notion of process cost analysis. Moreover, it presents a series of cost analysis cases that demonstrate the way in which the notion of “context” lies at the heart of effective use of engineering cost estimates.
Electric Cautery Lowers the Contamination Threshold for Infection of Laparotomies

Abstract Background: Interplay between wound resistance factors and bacterial innoculum determines the risk of surgical infection. Since cautery causes more damage than the scalpel, our hypothesis is that lower numbers of bacteria are required to infect wounds made by electric cautery than to infect wounds made with a scalpel. Methods: Abdominal fascia was incised in 375 rats by cold knife, cutting current, or coagulation current. Wounds were innoculated with increasing numbers of bacteria and histologically scored at 7 days for necrosis, inflammation, and abscess. Results: Coagulation current causes more inflammation, necrosis, and abscesses than the scalpel at all bacterial levels. Electric cutting current is intermediate, causing more damage than the scalpel only after contamination reached 10 5 . Above this threshold most wounds were infected in all groups. Conclusions: Electric coagulation current should be used only when the need for meticulous hemostasis outweighs the considerably increased risk of infection. Electric cutting current is less destructive but also less hemostatic; indications for its use are difficult to identify.
A GRAPHICAL PROCEDURE FOR CLASSIFYING AQUIFER MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

: A graphical procedure for classifying aquifer management strategy is proposed for use as a visual aid. The increasing demand for water, changes in the type of water uses and water sources, and economic consideration indicate that optimal strategies can shift over time. The procedure is described and, as an example, applied to the Tucson Basin. This procedure provides a simple visual tool for nonhydrologists, demonstrates the importance of water use and source interplay, and allows consideration of the time element in managing ground-water resources.
Multifrequency Microwave Radiometer Measurements of Soil Moisture

Ground-based microwave radiometer experiments were performed to investigate the effects of moisture, temperature, and roughness on microwave emission from bare soils. Measurements were made at frequencies of 0.6-0.9, 1.4, and 10.7 GHz using van-mounted radiometers to observe prepared soil sites in Kern County, CA. The sites were instrumented for monitoring soil characteristics and surface meteorological conditions. Brightness temperature variations of approximately 15 K at 1.4 GHz and 25 K at 10.7 GHz were observed as a result of diurnal changes in the soil temperature. Increasing the soil moisture content from 2 to 15 percent by volume resulted in brightness temperature decreases of approximately 70 K at 0.775 and 1.4 GHz, and 40 K at 10.7 GHz, depending, to a lesser extent, on polarization and viewing angle. The results show the significance of soil temperature in deriving soil moisture from microwave radiometer measurements. Comparisons of the microwave measurements with theoretical predictions using a smooth surface model show reasonable agreement and support previous results of this nature obtained with other soil types. Approximately equal sensitivity to soil moisture was observed at 0.775 and 1.4 GHz, although the sampling depth is greater at the lower frequency.
A study of the 2H(d, p)3H AND 2H(d, n)3He reactions and the excited state of 4He at 23.9 MeV

Abstract The relative differential cross sections have been measured for the 2 H(d, p) 3 H and the 2 H(d, n) 3 He reactions from 300 keV to 700 keV in 50 keV steps. Angular distributions of all charged particles from the reactions were taken from 20° to 160° in the laboratory system. Energy-dependent asymmetry coefficients from the expansion of the centre-of-mass angular distributions in terms of even powers of cos θ were obtained as were the branching ratios between the two reaction modes. The different energy dependences of the moments of the two cross sections were used to test the need for the existence of a recently reported T = 0 state in 4 He.
A Chamber for culturing and collecting the Nematode Panagrellus redivivus

Panagrellus redivivus L., Goodey, 1945, is frequently the nematode chosen for laboratory work because of its size (maximum length of approximately 1.5 mm.) and the ease with which it can be cultivated1. This free-living worm has been employed for the evaluation of nematocides2 and repellants3, in metabolic studies4, and to induce morphogenesis in predaceous fungi5.
The Southwest in the American Imagination: The Writings of Sylvester Baxter, 1881-1891, edited by Curtis M. Hinsley and David R. Wilcox. University of Arizona Press, Tucson, 1996

Those interested only in the history of archeology may be disappointed in this volume, as it is less about the Hemenway Expedition as seen through Baxter's articles on it, than it is about his articles on Cushing at Zuni, as well as in southern Arizona, on Baxter himself (a fascinating person), and on how Baxter and his contemporaries shaped a late 19th century popular image of the Southwest However,this book maybe more important for its portent than its content. It is the initial volume of a proposed multi-volume series, "Frank Hamilton Cushing and the Hemenway Southwestern Archaeological Expedition 1886-1889." The editors (actually, co-authors rather than only editors) have unearthed, to use an appropriate archaeological term a substantial amount of previously unexamined material relating to the Hemenway Expedition, com­pletely controverting the negative (and, quite wrong) response that Frederick W. Hodge gave to Emil W. Haury's inquiry about records of Cushing's excavations.
The role played by Frederick Taylor in the rise of the academic management fields

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze how Frederick Taylor's achievement as the originator of a science of work provided a theoretical foundation for first generation academic management programs in the Progressive era. The paper aims to show the implications of this match for Taylor's continuing high position in the history of management thought.Design/methodology/approach – A methodology is used involving analysis of published and unpublished historical sources including Taylor's own work, writings from his contemporaries, and writings from key figures in first generation university public‐ and business‐management programs.Findings – The paper gives evidence of the impact of Taylor's work on management education in the Progressive era and the implications of this impact for Taylor's reputation and the management programs themselves.Originality/value – The analysis uses a wide variety of published and unpublished sources. It compares educational developments in the public and business managem...
Absence of actin in the cilia of Tetrahymena pyriformis

Abstract An extensive electrophoretic analysis of the proteins of highly purified Tetrahymena pyriformis cilia has been undertaken. No component which would specifically bind rabbit muscle myosin could be identified. Furthermore, no peptides from acetone powders of these cilia could be found which co-electrophoresed with rabbit muscle actin. Lastly, the components which most closely resembled actin in molecular weight were quantitated using densitometry and found to represent less than 0.8% of the tubulin in these preparations.
The European and Member States’ Approaches to Regulating Nanomaterials: Two Levels of Governance

The nanotechnologies and nanomaterials sector is a huge and growing industry. The amount of legislation already in place and still to be produced in order to regulate it will be very substantial. What process is used to produce such regulation? The answer is that very diverse regulatory approaches are and will be used. The approach taken by the European Commission diverges from the one taken by the European Parliament. Moreover, at national level, Member States add their own contribution to the process. This article attempts to describe the landscape and various regulatory actions that have been undertaken by all these actors in the European Union. It first describes the role played by the European Commission and Parliament. It then looks at specific regulatory initiatives from a more sectoral perspective: Cosmetics, Food information, Restriction of the Use of Certain Hazardous Substances in Electrical and Electronic Equipment, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment and Biocides. The third part of the paper describes some major national initiatives, in particular those concerning the establishment of reporting systems for nanomaterials, mixtures, articles and consumer products containing them, as an example of how to improve the current governance in the EU and to prevent the risks to human health and the environment. The fourth part gives the perspective of the European Trade Union Confederation. Finally it presents some conclusions and policy recommendations, taking into consideration the diversity of regulatory approaches.
Crown ether complexes of potassium and thallium(I) 2- and 4-nitrophenoxides

18-Crown-6 and dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 complexes of potassium 2- and 4-nitrophenoxide, and 18-crown-6 complexes of thallium(I) 2- and 4-nitrophenoxide have been synthesized. Solvent effects on the visible spectra of the nitrophenoxide anions are independent of the nature of the cation and the nature of the complexing agent. The 18-crown-6 complex of thallium(I) 2-nitrophenoxide is a 1:2 complex. All the other complexes are 1:1. X-ray crystallographic examination of the potassium dicyclohexano-18-crown-6 complexes showed the potassium ion is octacoordinated in the 2-nitrophenoxide and heptacoordinated in the 4-nitrophenoxide.
Biotransformation of Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine Catalyzed by a NAD(P)H: Nitrate Oxidoreductase from Aspergillus niger

Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) can be efficiently mineralized with anaerobic domestic sludge, but the initial enzymatic processes involved in its transformation are unknown. To test the hypothesis that the initial reaction involves reduction of nitro group(s), we designed experiments to test the ability of a nitrate reductase (EC 1.6.6.2) to catalyze the initial reaction leading to ring cleavage and subsequent decomposition. A nitrate reductase from Aspergillus niger catalyzed the biotransformation of RDX most effectively at pH 7.0 and 30 °C under anaerobic conditions using NADPH as electron donor. LC/MS (ES-) chromatograms showed the formation of hexahydro-1-nitroso-3,5-dinitro-1,3,5-triazine (MNX) and methylenedinitramine as key initial products of RDX, but neither the dinitroso neither (DNX) nor trinitroso (TNX) derivatives were observed. None of the above detected products persisted, and their disappearance was accompanied by the accumulation of nitrous oxide (N2O), formaldehyde (HCHO),...
What′s Right and Wrong with World Bank Involvement in Eastern Europe

This paper explains how the World Bank has operated to date in the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. Following a description of the World Bank′s strategy in Eastern Europe, a brief review of Bank activities is presented. How Bank lending has adapted to the transition process in light of the lessons learned thus far is also addressed. Beginning with selected areas where the impact of the World Bank is expected to be noteworthy programs in the social sectors, environment, privatization, and reform of the state it moves on to areas where Bank influence can be indirect at best, such as promoting exports and private investment. The discussion then looks at criticisms commonly leveled at the World Bank, and what can and what has been done to address the issues they raise. It then offers a summary assessment of World Bank activity in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. J. Comp. Econom., February 1995, 20(1), pp. 57-94. World Bank, Washington, DC 20433.
Treatment of hypertension in diabetic men: problems with sexual dysfunction.

Abstract Hypertension occurs 2 to 3 times more frequently in diabetic persons than in nondiabetic persons. Care must be taken in treating hypertension in diabetic patients because the choice of antihypertensive agent may worsen the diabetic state or its complications or cause additional health problems for the patient. Sexual dysfunction is a common problem in diabetic patients; however, diabetes need not be the cause. Diabetic men with hypertension have an increased sensitivity to the side effect of sexual dysfunction, which occurs from the use of centrally acting antihypertensive agents. By using prazosin, an α1-adrenergic blocking agent, this cause of sexual dysfunction was eliminated. The reasons for the increased prevalence of hypertension in diabetic patients are discussed and a rational approach is given for the treatment of elevated blood pressure in these individuals.
MEASURING SELF-REPORTED DEVIANCE. CROSS SECTIONAL OR PANEL DATA?

The use of longitudinal designs in research on deviant behavior has recently been questioned on theoretical, methodological, and even economic grounds. One dimension of this questioning has been based on the ability of cross-sectional research to adequately address the issue of causality as demonstrated by the comparability of findings for both cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. This research also addresses the comparability of cross-sectional data with longitudinal data by testing modern perceptual deterrence theory hypotheses utilizing a three-wave panel study of self-reported driving while under the influence of alcohol among adults. Findings suggest that cross-sectional measures of drunken driving behavior are strongly correlated with longitudinal measures. However, comparisons of models based on modern deterrence theory produce inconclusive results concerning the ability of cross-sectional measures to approximate longitudinal measures of self-reported deviance.
Highly reliable procedural teams: the journey to spread the universal protocol in diagnostic imaging.

Context: The Joint Commission’s Universal Protocol has been widely implemented in surgical settings since publication in 2003. The elements improved patient safety in operating rooms, and the same rigor is being applied to procedures occurring in other health care arenas, in particular, diagnostic imaging.
Video classification using speaker identification

Video content characterization is a challenging problem in video databases. The aim of such characterization is to generate indices that can describe a video clip in terms of objects and their actions in the clip. Generally, such indices are extracted by performing image analysis on the video clips. Many such indices can also be generated by analyzing the embedded audio information of video clips. Indices pertaining to context, scene emotion, and actors or characters present in a video clip appear especially suitable for generation via audio analysis techniques of keyword spotting, and speech and speaker recognition. In this paper, we examine the potential of speaker identification techniques for characterizing video clips in terms of actors present in them. We describe a three-stage processing system consisting of a shot boundary detection stage, an audio classification stage, and a speaker identification stage to determine the presence of different actors in isolated shots. Experimental results using the movie A Few Good Men are presented to show the efficacy of speaker identification for labeling video clips in terms of persons present in them.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Experimental 300 K Measurement of the Rate Constant of the Reaction OH + BrO → Products

The results reported herein are believed to be the first experimental measurements of the rate constant for the reaction OH + BrO → products (eq 1), which was found to be (7.5 ± 4.2) × 10-11 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 (2σ) at 300 K and 1 Torr. The mean value is 7 times larger than the estimate in the NASA stratospheric database, which currently finds widespread use to model the chemistry that controls stratospheric ozone concentrations. The reactant radicals were prepared in separate flow reactors and mixed in the main flow reactor. OH was prepared by F + H2O → OH + HF, and BrO was prepared by passing dilute mixtures of He/Br2/O2 through a microwave discharge. The composition of the gas mixture was adjusted empirically to minimize the effluent concentration of Br2. Beam-sampling mass spectrometry supplemented by chemical titration techniques was used to measure atom and radical concentrations. The rate constant for reaction 1 was obtained from a least-squares fit of the observed BrO concentrations as a function o...
Evidence of the syndrome of rapid onset end-stage renal disease (SORO-ESRD) in the acute kidney injury (AKI) literature--preventable causes of AKI and SORO-ESRD--a call for re-engineering of nephrology practice paradigms.

Abstract:Introduction: We described the previously unrecognized syndrome of rapid-onset end-stage renal disease (SORO-ESRD) in 2010, in the journal Renal Failure, as distinct from the classic CKD-ESRD progression of a methodical, linear, time-dependent and predictable progression from CKD through CKD stages I–V, ending in ESRD requiring renal replacement therapy (RRT). It remains unclear to what extent this syndrome may have been identified in the past without acknowledging its uniqueness. Methods: We reviewed AKI reports and ascertained cases of SORO-ESRD as defined by patients with a priori stable kidney function who subsequently exhibited unanticipated and irreversible ESRD requiring RRT following new AKI episodes. Results: Fifteen AKI reports demonstrating SORO-ESRD were analyzed. The reports span most regions of the world. The 15 studies with 20 to 1095 AKI patients each, mean age 39–65 years, published between 1975 and 2010, demonstrated SORO-ESRD rates from 1% to 85% of the AKI series. AKI was caus...
On an Extremum Principle for Mode Form Solutions in Plastic Structural Dynamics

Abstract : An extremum principle of Lee and Martin, for mode form solutions of a structure deforming plastically as result of dynamic loading, is discussed with special reference to conditions for the extrema to be stationary, with vanishing first variation of a functional of kinematically admissible velocity fields. Three classes of material behavior are treated: rigid-perfectly plastic, rigid-viscoplastic, and viscous, the last having no yield function. The authors illustrate various forms of these which are realistic as well as convenient in problems of plastic dynamics of structures. For all three classes of material, the authors show that stationary extrema occur under certain conditions, but may be regarded as exceptional. The properties of the extrema for structures are illustrated by means of a simple discrete structure model with two masses.
The Race – Wiener Test in Hæmolytic Disease of the New-born

Race1 and Wiener2 described in 1944 independently a peculiar phenomenon concerning the Rh agglutination. When Rh+ red blood corpuscles were incubated with some sera which did not agglutinate them, a further incubation with potent anti-Rh sera failed to produce an agglutination of these cells. Race called the antibody present in such sera the 'coating' or 'incomplete' antibody; Wiener designated the test as a 'blocking' test and called it the "counterpart of the inhibition test for haptens and group-specific substances". Wiener as well as Race and Taylor3 stressed the fact that by means of this test isoimmunization can be detected in Rh- women when ordinary agglutination tests fail to give such evidence.
Barrier Function of Human Keratinocyte Cultures Grown at the Air-Liquid Interface

Stratum corneum (SC), the outermost and least permeable layer of skin, is the major barrier to passive transepidermal water loss. In the research described in this paper, we have used human keratinocyte cultures, grown at the air-liquid (A/L) interface, to examine the relationship between epidermal differentiation (including SC formation) and barrier function. Histologically, the A/L culture showed several markets of complete differentiation, including the presence of well-organized and defined epidermal cell layers, keratohyalin granules, and a multilayered sc. The permeability of tritiated water through epidermal cultures, which had grown for 3 weeks at the A/L interface, was measured with a micro-diffusion apparatus. The results of these experiments demonstrated that: a) the human keratinocyte cultures developed a substantial barrier (i.e., a multilayered SC) to water diffusion across the entire surface. If the relative humidity of the culturing environment was lowered from 100% to around 75%, the barrier was significantly improved; b) the differentiation promoter, 1 ,25-dihydroxy-.vitamin-D 3 , increased the number of SC layers and reduced water permeation through the culture; c) the nature of the keratinocyte support matrix could be altered to improve the morphology as well as the barrier function of the epidermal cultures. Overall, the observations are consistent with the relationship that is believed to exist between SC intercellular lipid content and percutaneous penetration. confirmation of this hypothesis will further the considerable potential of human keratinocyte A/L cultures as a valuable and relevant model in which to study drug absorption and metabolism.
ARGO DM-54 and Raydist DRS positioning system stability

Abstract In 1978 NOAA procured the Cubic Western Data ARGO DM-54 system for use by the National Ocean Survey (NOS) for position location during hydrographic surveys and oceanographic investigations. The ARGO (Automatic Ranging Grid Overlay) positioning system is a pulsed phase comparison system operating in the medium frequency (MF) band (1.6–2 Mhz) using the ground wave component of the radiated signal. User results on the performance of medium range positioning systems vary widely (Munson, 1977). In NOS survey operations calibration errors or offsets have occurred when returning to fixed calibration points using medium-range positioning systems. To resolve the questions of calibration errors and system accuracy a program was initiated to measure the expected performance under operational conditions and to develop a standard field test procedure that could be used as an NOS input to the FIG Working Group 414b on positioning systems. In the initial phase of the program, stability tests under static conditions were conducted on the ARGO system in September 1978 and April 1979. These tests were conducted using the ARGO whip antenna at ranges of 18–440 km in a “test” range of the concave coast between New Jersey and North Carolina. As a result of these tests Cubic has developed phase stabilization circuitry for the ARGO system to minimize antenna detuning and subsequent lane jumps. This option was implemented and tested on the NOS ARGO system in January 1980. There are also a number of Raydist systems in the NOS inventory and the stability testing was extended to characterize the latest version of the Raydist DRS system. The Raydist system determines distance by means of phase comparison of continuous wave signals between 1.6–3.3 Mhz. The Raydist tests completed in November 1979 and the additional ARGO tests were conducted in the same “test” area at ranges of approximately 250 km using 100-ft antenna towers at the shore stations. The paper presents: (a) an analysis of long- and short-term stability results for the ARGO and Raydist systems; (b) system performance using different filtering or smoothing functions; and (c) an estimate of the effective day and nigh range of the ARGO system with a specified antenna configuration.
LONG TERM FETAL INDOMETHACIN EXPOSURE AND NEONATAL OUTCOME

Animal studies and isolated human case reports have raised concerns about the possible premature closure of the ductus arteriosus (PDA) and pulmonary hypertension (PPHN) in the fetus exposed to indomethacin (indo). Although short term ( 48 hrs) use have not been well documented. The clinical course of 249 neonates during a 2 year period who were exposed in utero to tocolytic agents was evaluated. 24 pregnant women in preterm labor and failing parenteral tocolytics had indo added to their regimen (200-300 mg/day). Indo was continued until 33 wks. These infants were compared to those who received other tocolytic agents (control). Mean ±SD values for gestational age (GA, wks), duration of tocolytic exposure (Toco, wks), time in utero gained (TG, wks), PPHN, PDA, respiratory distress (RDS), infant mortality (Mort) for indo and control are: There was no difference between indo (n=30) and control babies (n=219) when matched by GA for BW, RDS, apnea, IVH or PDA. Conclusions: 1. The addition of indo in pregnancies complicated by preterm labor resistant to standard therapy prolonged gestation. 2. There was no significant risk of RDS, apnea, IVH or PDA in long term indo exposure prior to 33 wks gestation. 3. Sample size prevented risk analysis of PPHN, BPD, and mortality.
Lipid Testing in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Key Cardiovascular-Related Comorbidities: A Medicare Analysis

Objective For patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and comorbid cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes, or hyperlipidemia, annual lipid testing is recommended to reduce morbidity and mortality from comorbidities. Given trends encouraging complex patients to receive care in "medical homes," we examined associations between regularly seeing a primary care provider (PCP) and lipid testing in RA patients with cardiovascular-related comorbidities. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study examining a 5% random USA Medicare sample (2004-06) of beneficiaries over 65 years old with RA and concomitant CVD, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia ( n = 16,893). We examined the relationship between receiving lipid testing in 2006 and having at least 1 PCP visit per year in 2004, 2005, and 2006 using multivariate regression. Results Ninety percent of patients had prevalent CVD; 46% had diabetes, and 64% had hyperlipidemia. However, annual lipid testing was only performed in 63% of these RA patients. Thirty percent of patients saw a PCP less than once per year, despite frequent visits (mean >9) with other providers. Patients without at least 1 annual PCP visit were 16% less likely to have lipid testing. Increased age, complexity scores, hospitalization, and large town residence predicted decreased lipid testing. Conclusions Despite comorbid CVD, diabetes, or hyperlipidemia, 30% of Medicare RA patients saw a PCP less than once per year, and 1 in 3 lacked annual lipid testing. Findings support advocating primary care visits at least once per year. Remaining gaps in lipid testing suggest the need for additional strategies to improve lipid testing in at-risk RA patients.
Anticancer Platelet‐Mimicking Nanovehicles

A core-shell nanovehicle coated with a platelet membrane (PM) is developed for targeted and site-specific delivery of an extracellularly active drug and an intracellular functional small-molecular drug, leading to enhanced antitumor efficacy. This PM-coated nanovehicle can also effectively eliminate the circulating tumor cells in vivo and inhibit development of tumor metastasis.
Tight Binding Molecular Dynamic Simulation of PETN Decomposition at An Extreme Condition

It has been long speculated that extreme pressures and temperatures produce unexpected chemcial phenomena. In this presentation, I discussed the reaction kinetics obtained from a tight binding MD simulation of PETN decomposition
Spectrum Assignment for Flexible Rate Cognitive OFDM Systems

In this paper we present an adaptive algorithm for spectrum assignment applicable for unlicensed systems that share the same spectrum range with licensed systems. To improve the rate flexibility of the unlicensed systems using orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) modulation schemes, we design an algorithm that is implemented as a distributed optimization problem in each transmitted bit. Each bit cost function is minimized by dynamically choosing the bit spectrum pattern that are better suited to the available spectrum range without degrading the licensed system performances. The optimization problem is treated as a constraint problem for which the optimal bit spectrum patterns are designed based on a feasible direction approach. At the optimal equilibrium point, the receiver that employs a conventional correlation operation with the replica of the transmitted signal will have the same efficiency as the minimum mean squared error (MMSE) receiver in the presence of noise and licensed systems.
Reconstructing the Commercial Republic – By Stephen L. Elkin

The author of this study, a political scientist, offers theory grounded in American history. Stephen L. Elkin turns to James Madison to define his discussion. In this lucid, systematic, and deeply ...
The Tyrosine Phosphatase SHP2 Regulates Sertoli Cell Junction Complexes

The blood-testis barrier (BTB) is a large junctional complex composed of tight junctions, adherens junctions, and gap junctions between adjacent Sertoli cells in the seminiferous tubules of the testis. Maintenance of the BTB as well as the controlled disruption and reformation of the barrier is essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility. Tyrosine phosphorylation of BTB proteins is known to regulate the integrity of adherens and tight junctions found at the BTB. SHP2 is a nonreceptor protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) and a key regulator of growth factor-mediated tyrosine kinase signaling pathways. We found that SHP2 is localized to Sertoli-Sertoli cell junctions in rat testis. The overexpression of a constitutive active SHP2 mutant, SHP2 Q79R, up-regulated the BTB disruptor ERK1/2 via Src kinase in primary rat Sertoli cells in culture. Furthermore, focal adhesion kinase (FAK), which also supports BTB integrity, was found to interact with SHP2 and constitutive activation of SHP2 decreased FAK tyrosine phosphorylation. Expression of the SHP2 Q79R mutant in primary cultured Sertoli cells also resulted in the loss of tight junction and adherens junction integrity that corresponded with the disruption of the actin cytoskeleton and mislocalization of adherens junction and tight junction proteins N-cadherin, β-catenin, and ZO-1 away from the plasma membrane. These results suggest that SHP2 is a key regulator of BTB integrity and Sertoli cell support of spermatogenesis and fertility.
How To Be Responsible For Something Without Causing It

condition that is realizable by different combinations of individual omissions by voters. For instance, consider an election with 100 potential voters, in which Bad gets 30 votes, Good gets 20, and the rest are abstentions. Suppose that all of the abstainers are like Lazy: they would have voted for Good if they had voted, but they abstained. Thus, given how things turned out, Good would have won if 11 of the abstainers had voted. It seems, then, that we want to blame the abstainers for the outcome of the election (as well as the people that voted for Bad). If my arguments in this paper are sound, we should say that none of the individual abstentions was a cause of the outcome. However, we could still argue that the fact that Good didn’t get 11 more votes from the pool of abstainers was a cause of the outcome (since, had at least 11 of the abstainers voted, Good would have won). There are different ways that the votes by the abstainers could have gone so that Good got 11 more votes from the abstainers pool. But never mind. If, as I have argued, causation is the vehicle of transmission of responsibility, to the extent that we could make each abstainer responsible for the fact that Good didn’t get 11 more votes from the abstainers pool, we could make each abstainer responsible for the outcome of the election. On this view, if a citizen abstains and the outcome of the election is bad, he is responsible for the outcome, not because he causes it, but because he is responsible for something that causes it. If so, the view that causation is the vehicle of responsibility could help us solve the voting problem.
Brightness contrast from inhomogeneous surrounds.

The luminance of a test within an inhomogeneous (“checkerboard”) surround was adjusted to match the brightness of a comparison patch within a uniform surround. All stimuli were achromatic. Both surrounds had the same space-averaged luminance. With an incremental comparison patch, a test-within-checkerboard at a luminance between the luminances of the brighter and dimmer checks appears dimmer than if viewed within the uniform surround. A decremental comparison patch, however, is matched by a test luminance that is little affected by the inhomogeneity of the surround. In general, the brightness of the test is mediated neither by the space-averaged luminance of an inhomogeneous surround, nor by any equivalent uniform surround, regardless of luminance. We consider alternative models for the brightness of a region that is neither strictly an increment nor decrement with respect to contiguous surrounding surfaces.
Conjugated Linoleic Acid Upregulates LDL Receptor Gene Expression in HepG2 Cells

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) exerts anticarcinogenic and antiatherosclerotic effects in animals. The present study was conducted to examine the effects of CLA on LDL receptor (LDLr) expression in HepG2 cells, and to evaluate whether the sterol response element binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) and acyl CoA:cholesterol acyltransferase (ACAT) were involved in the regulation of LDLr expression by CLA. When HepG2 cells were cultured with serum-free DMEM for 48 h, there was a three- to fivefold (P<0.05) increase in LDLr protein and mRNA levels. Incubation of HepG2 cells in serum-free medium supplemented with 25-hydroxycholesterol (25OH, 5 mg/L) for 24 h decreased LDLr protein and mRNA by 50-70% (P<0.05) and mature SREBP-1 by 20-40% (P<0.05). CLA, but not linoleic acid, antagonized the depressive effects of 25OH and increased both LDLr protein and mRNA abundance twofold (P<0.05). LDLr protein and mRNA abundance were not different when HepG2 cells were cultured with CLA (0.4 mmol/L) plus 25OH in the presence or absence of an ACAT inhibitor (58-035, 1 mg/L). Furthermore, CLA had no effect on SREBP-1 abundance. These results suggest that CLA upregulates LDLr expression via a mechanism that is independent of ACAT and SREBP-1.