cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: determinants of residential carpet dust levels and risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma

To investigate the risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) associated with residential carpet dust measurements of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). We evaluated the relationship between residential carpet dust PAH concentrations (benz(a)anthracene, benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(b)fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, chrysene, dibenz(a,h)anthracene, and indeno(1,2,3-c,d)pyrene, and their sum) and risk of NHL (676 cases, 511 controls) in the National Cancer Institute Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results multicenter case–control study. As a secondary aim, we investigated determinants of dust PAH concentrations. We computed odds ratios (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) for associations between NHL and concentrations of individual and summed PAHs using unconditional logistic regression, adjusting for age, gender, and study center. Determinants of natural log-transformed PAHs were investigated using multivariate least-squares regression. We observed some elevated risks for NHL overall and B cell lymphoma subtypes in association with quartiles or tertiles of PAH concentrations, but without a monotonic trend, and there was no association comparing the highest quartile or tertile to the lowest. In contrast, risk of T cell lymphoma was significantly increased among participants with the highest tertile of summed PAHs (OR = 3.04; 95 % CI, 1.09–8.47) and benzo(k)fluoranthene (OR = 3.20; 95 % CI, 1.13–9.11) compared with the lowest tertile. Predictors of PAH dust concentrations in homes included ambient air PAH concentrations and the proportion of developed land within 2 km of a residence. Older age, more years of education, and white race were also predictive of higher levels in homes. Our results suggest a potential link between PAH exposure and risk of T cell lymphoma and demonstrate the importance of analyzing risk by NHL histologic type.
Verification of the testing abilities of the Laboratory of Disease Control in Qingdao between 2005 and 2012

Objective The study aimed to validate the testing abilities of Qingdao Disease Control Laboratory,so to provide guidance on laboratory quality monitoring.Methods Data on participation in a variety of ability verifications of the Laboratory in 2005-2012 were analyzed.Results The Laboratory participated in several verifications of organizational ability by state-certificated agencies,and the most in verifications of foods and related products ability,followed by verifications of water and aquaculture products ability.The coverage of fields of testing and coverage of testing foods and related products had improved.Verification of chemical analysis ability was mainly focused on chromatographic and polarimetric analyses,and the utilization of different testing means had improved as well.Conclusion Improving the active participation in ability verification activities and focusing on the coverage of fields of testing and diversity of testing means can improve the monitoring effectiveness of ability verifications.
Cell surface charge in predicting metastatic potential of aspirated cells from the Dunning rat prostatic adenocarcinoma model.

The transplantable Dunning R-3327 rat prostatic adenocarcinoma model has provided a series of tumor variants with broad ranges of metastatic potential. We tested whether cell surface charge might be related to metastatic potential by measuring the electrophoretic mobility of live tumor cells obtained by needle aspiration. Cells were aspirated from tumors with low metastatic potential (following subcutaneous inoculation of 10(6) tumor cells the H, G and AT-1 variants had less than 5% metastases; AT-2 had 5-20%) and were compared to the electrophoretic mobility of cells aspirated from highly metastatic tumors (MAT-LyLu, MAT-Lu, AT-3 had greater than 90% metastases). Electrophoretic mobility expressed in mu/sec/volt/cm. was measured on 100 cells from each tumor subline, and the cell surface charge expressed as a zeta potential was calculated from electrophoretic mobility using the Helmholtz-Smoluchowski equation. The average zeta potential (+/- S.E.M.) for the four sublines with low metastatic potential was (-17.4 +/- 0.4 mV) compared to the three sublines with high metastatic potential (-26.5 +/- 0.7 mV), and the differences were significant (p less than .01) using the Mann-Whitney Wilcoxon test. Using a zeta potential of -20.5 mV as the cutoff between high and low metastatic potential, the sensitivity and specificity of zeta potential in predicting metastatic potential in 140 determinations on seven tumor lines were 92% and 82.5%, respectively. The predictive value of a positive test (value greater than -20.5 mV) was 80% and the predictive value of a negative test (value less than -20.5 mV) was 93%. The results support a difference in the cell surface charge between these metastatic and nonmetastatic tumors with increasing negativity at the cell surface correlating with increased metastatic potential, but not with tumor growth rates.
Nanofabricated Device for Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy in Sub-Femtoliter Volumes

We present fabrication and testing of a microfluidics/integrated optics device. We present a fabrication method for microfluidic devices and in the development of new tools for fluorescence based experiments. The fabrication technique, relying on the use of sacrificial layers to form microfluidic circuitry is fully compatible with current processing techniques of the semiconductor industry. This bonding-free method opens the door to the integration of conventional CMOS electronics with microfluidics systems.
Transient hemodynamic dysfunction after myocardial revascularization: Temperature dependence

We studied hemodynamics and the effects of right atrial pacing (110 beats/min) following complete myocardial revascularization and hypothermic multidose potassium crystalloid cardioplegia in 12 patients with a normal preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Measurements were made immediately preoperatively, postoperatively at specified temperatures during the rewarming period (90° F, 94° F, and 98° F), and at 24 hours. No patient had a perioperative myocardial infarction. At 90° F, hemodynamics were characterized by significant decreases in cardiac index, stroke volume index, and left ventricular stroke work index (LVSW) and an increase in systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI). compared to preoperative values (p
Computational Vision Theory

Our discussion so far has considered whether the propositional attitudes of folk psychology are individuated by appeal to factors in one’s social or physical contexts. And, though we are now in possession of reasons to be skeptical of such claims, it remains to be seen whether the scientific treatment of psychological states warrants a similar rejection of externalism.1 In this chapter, I will begin to assess the plausibility of anti-individualism in the context of scientific psychology by considering the individuative implications of computational theories in psychology, in particular, computational theories of vision.
Institutions, Economic Freedom, and Entrepreneurship: The Contribution of Management Scholarship

Entrepreneurship is regarded as key to economic growth, job creation, and greater prosperity. Indeed, entrepreneurship drives net job growth in the United States, the European Union, and some Asian countries. Yet the United States has experienced a decline in entrepreneurial dynamism since the 1970s, and some European countries continue to struggle to build a culture of entrepreneurship despite significant policy efforts. At the same time many developing countries are experiencing a net rise in entrepreneurial activity, leading many to wonder about a specific aspect of the institutional environment, what the economics and public policy literatures call economic freedom (EF): a summary measure capturing the freedom to engage in economic activity without undue restrictions or subsidies. The papers in this symposium focus on EF, each offering a specific perspective on how scholars can theorize and study the effects of institutions and institutional change on entrepreneurship, and the effects of entrepreneurs...
Impurity Ion Complexation Enhances Carbon Dioxide Reduction Catalysis

Herein, we show that group 11 CO2 reduction catalysts are rapidly poisoned by progressive deposition of trace metal ion impurities present in high purity electrolytes. Metal impurity deposition was characterized by XPS and in situ stripping voltammetry and is coincident with loss of catalytic activity and selectivity for CO2 reduction, favoring hydrogen evolution on poisoned surfaces. Metal deposition can be suppressed by complexing trace metal ion impurities with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or solid-supported iminodiacetate resins. Metal ion complexation allows for reproducible, sustained catalytic activity and selectivity for CO2 reduction on Au, Ag, and Cu electrodes. Together, this study establishes the principal mode by which group 11 CO2 reduction catalysts are poisoned and lays out a general approach for extending the lifetime of electrocatalysts subject to impurity metal deposition.
Ectopic Pituitary Adenomas Presenting as Sphenoid or Clival Lesions: Case Series and Management Recommendations.

Background An ectopic pituitary adenoma presenting as a clival or sphenoid mass is a rare clinical occurrence that may mislead the clinician and result in unnecessary interventions or potential medicolegal consequences. Here, we present one of the largest multi-institutional case series and review the literature with an emphasis on radiological findings and critical preoperative workup. Methods Retrospective chart review. Results Nine patients were identified with ectopic pituitary adenomas of the sphenoid or clivus. There were four females and five males. Median age was 60 years old (range, 36–73 years). The most common presenting symptom was headache (56%). Five (56%) patients presented with a mass arising from the clivus while four (44%) presented with a mass in the sphenoid. Six (67%) patients demonstrated biochemical evidence of hypersecretion on full endocrinology panel. All masses showed evidence of enhancement with gadolinium with a propensity for adjacent bone involvement. Lesions also had a predilection for growth toward the cavernous sinus, carotid artery, or sellar floor. Surgical intervention was performed in eight patients (89%). In eight patients (89%), tumors demonstrated immunoreactivity to prolactin. Conclusions Pituitary adenomas can rarely present as an isolated sphenoid or clival mass. Lesions displayed similar magnetic resonance imaging findings with an erosive growth pattern toward the sellar floor, cavernous sinus, or adjacent carotid artery. Patients with clival or parasellar lesions with comparable features should have a preoperative workup which includes prolactin level and alert the physician to consider an ectopic pituitary adenoma in the differential to prevent unnecessary surgery and potential complications.
Enhancing implementation science by applying best principles of systems science

Implementation science holds promise for better ensuring that research is translated into evidence-based policy and practice, but interventions often fail or even worsen the problems they are intended to solve due to a lack of understanding of real world structures and dynamic complexity. While systems science alone cannot possibly solve the major challenges in public health, systems-based approaches may contribute to changing the language and methods for conceptualising and acting within complex systems. The overarching goal of this paper is to improve the modelling used in dissemination and implementation research by applying best principles of systems science. Best principles, as distinct from the more customary term ‘best practices’, are used to underscore the need to extract the core issues from the context in which they are embedded in order to better ensure that they are transferable across settings. Toward meaningfully grappling with the complex and challenging problems faced in adopting and integrating evidence-based health interventions and changing practice patterns within specific settings, we propose and illustrate four best principles derived from our systems science experience: (1) model the problem, not the system; (2) pay attention to what is important, not just what is quantifiable; (3) leverage the utility of models as boundary objects; and (4) adopt a portfolio approach to model building. To improve our mental models of the real world, system scientists have created methodologies such as system dynamics, agent-based modelling, geographic information science and social network simulation. To understand dynamic complexity, we need the ability to simulate. Otherwise, our understanding will be limited. The practice of dynamic systems modelling, as discussed herein, is the art and science of linking system structure to behaviour for the purpose of changing structure to improve behaviour. A useful computer model creates a knowledge repository and a virtual library for internally consistent exploration of alternative assumptions. Among the benefits of systems modelling are iterative practice, participatory potential and possibility thinking. We trust that the best principles proposed here will resonate with implementation scientists; applying them to the modelling process may abet the translation of research into effective policy and practice.
Obesity and Prostate Cancer: A Focused Update on Active Surveillance, Race, and Molecular Subtyping.

Context In 2012, we published a detailed review on obesity and prostate cancer. Since then, new studies have brought further understanding regarding the role of obesity in selecting active surveillance candidates, and differing associations between obesity and prostate cancer as a function of race and molecular subtype of prostate cancer.
Therapeutic Targeting of Structural RNA Motifs in Viral RNA Genomes

C l i n M e d International Library Citation: Solinska JS (2014) Therapeutic Targeting of Structural RNA Motifs in Viral RNA Genomes. Int J Virol AIDS 1:001e Received: July 16, 2014: Accepted: July 18, 2014: Published: July 19, 2014 Copyright: © 2014 Solinska JS. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Solinska, Int J Virol AIDS 2014, 1:1 ISSN: 2469-567X
Business Driven Information Systems with MISource 2007 and Student CD

Business Driven Information Systems (also known as BDIS) discusses business initiatives first and then how technology supports those initiatives. The premise for this unique approach is that business initiatives drive technology decisions in a corporation. Every discussion first addresses the business needs and then addresses the technology that supports those needs. This text provides the foundation that will enable students to achieve excellence in business, whether they major in operations management, manufacturing, sales, marketing, etc. BDIS is designed to give students the ability to understand how information technology can be a point of strength for an organization. Table of contents Chapter 1 Information Systems in BusinessChapter 2 Strategic Decision MakingChapter 3 E-BusinessChapter 4 Ethics and Information SecurityChapter 5 IT ArchitecturesChapter 6 Databases and Data WarehousesChapter 7 Networks, Telecommunications, and Wireless ComputingChapter 8 Supply Chain ManagementChapter 9 Customer Relationship ManagementChapter 10 Enterprise Resource Planning and Collaboration SystemsChapter 11 Systems DevelopmentChapter 12 Project Management and OutsourcingPlug-In 1 Business BasicsPlug-In 2 Business ProcessesEndnotesGlossaryIndex
Disparate Diasporas and Vindicationist Archaeologies: Some Comments on Excavating America's Metaphor

In "Excavating America's Metaphor," Paul Mullins calls for archaeologists who deal with the African diaspora to incorporate aspects of the vindicationist tradition?most notably its overtly political stance. Mullins seems to be responding to archaeologists who, in the post modern moment, have allowed key inequalities and injustices to be lost in the fragmentation of "hypercontingent" identities. Mullins's key prop ositions that (1) historical archaeologists working within the African diaspora should be weary of vulgar anti-essential tendencies and that (2) we can benefit from incorporating vindicationist scholarship's explicitly antiracist perspectives into our work are, I believe, well taken. I, like Mullins and many other anthropologists and historical archaeologists, think our discipline is not only well situated to examine the historical constructions of race with an eye toward under standing its working mechanisms, but that we may actually bear more responsibility for the investigation in order to take a counter racist stance (Harrison 1998; Visweswarn 1998; Orser 2004:8). Although there is much upon which Mullins and I agree. I would, however, like to revisit briefly two issues that Mullins brings up, so that I might make some cautionary notes about African diaspora archaeology as it is practiced in North America. First, researchers must walk a fine line in understanding the vast and overde termined importance of race in American culture while exploring the many different and subtle ways that race gets articulated through time and space. Second, some major hurdles are in the way of a vindicationist path. Many of these hurdles have to do with the complicated and often divergent interests of stakeholders with which the would-be vindicationist archaeologist would need to engage.
Review of "Risk Communication and Miscommunication: Case Studies in Science, Technology, Engineering, Government, and Community Organizations," by Boiarsky, C. (2016). Boulder, CO: University of Colorado Press

What if something as seemingly routine as an email or an interoffice memorandum could make the difference between preventing a crisis or allowing a dangerous situation to deteriorate? This is the question Carolyn Boiarsky asks her readers to grapple with in Risk Communication and Miscommunication: Case Studies in Science, Technology, Engineering, Government, and Community Organizations, as she presents analyses of communication artifacts in case studies from the last few decades of US history. In a year that brought catastrophic flooding in Louisiana and national controversy over a proposed oil pipeline's threats to drinking water and sacred sites on Native American land, Boiarsky's case studies---which include the 2010 BP/Deepwater Horizon oil rig explosion, the 2011 opening of the Mississippi Spillway during river flooding, and the 2014 expansion of the Enbridge Pipeline after a leak in Michigan four years prior---are a timely addition to the literature on risk communication. Communication designers will find this book particularly useful because of its concrete, actionable strategies for practitioners and chapter summaries that lend themselves to quick access for future reference.
Developing Digital Privacy: Children's Moral Judgments Concerning Mobile GPS Devices

New technology poses new moral problems for children to consider. We examined whether children deem object tracking with a mobile GPS device to be a property right. In three experiments, 329 children (4-10 years) and adults were asked whether it is acceptable to track the location of either one's own or another person's possessions using a mobile GPS device. Young children, like adults, viewed object tracking as relatively more acceptable for owners than nonowners. However, whereas adults expressed negative evaluations of someone tracking another person's possessions, young children expressed positive evaluations of this behavior. These divergent moral judgments of digital tracking at different ages have profound implications for how concepts of digital privacy develop and for the digital security of children.
Limits to Arbitrage and Shareholder Gains in Corporate Acquisitions

Small acquirers earn 2.5% higher excess returns when they acquire private and subsidiary targets than large acquirers. In efficient markets this empirical regularity could imply that shareholder wealth effects of corporate acquisitions diminish as firms grow supporting Coase’s theory that an optimal firm size exists where the marginal cost of internal coordination equals the marginal cost of obtaining the input from the external market. The evidence presented in this paper is consistent with the hypothesis that limits to arbitrage induce a greater positive market response to acquisition announcements made by small acquirers. Small acquirers experience higher abnormal announcement returns only in acquisitions of private and subsidiary targets: events interpreted as positive news. Greater announcement abnormal returns are associated with costlier short sales and larger abnormal trading volume resulting in larger temporary price pressure for acquirers whose shares are costlier to sell short regardless of size. The empirical evidence is inconsistent with the hypothesis of optimal firm size: large acquirers’ overpayment for the target and/or lower operating synergies do not explain the size effect in shareholder gains.
Theological Reflection Across Religious Traditions: The Turn to Reflective Believing

Theological Reflection Across Religious Traditions: The Turn to Reflective Believing represents Foley’s attempt ‘to rethink theological reflection in this twenty-first-century US context.’1 The pra...
Reterritorializing Haiti and the Dominican Republic in Alanna Lockward’s online performance curation

Focusing on a multimedia digital performance art exhibit as curated by Dominican intellectual Alanna Lockward, this article considers how the curation of performance on internet platforms interacts...
Ut Prosim: That I May Serve

When presented with invitation to share the tale of my own leadership journey, as a hopeless academic, I considered the larger questions at hand – What does it mean to be a leader? And, when is one ready to become a leader? As someone who considers the title of “leader” to come with great reverence and responsibility, I believe that one is ready to engage in leadership only when one is willing to serve. The title of this chapter represents not only my university, Virginia Tech’s, motto –Ut Prosim: That I May Serve, but my philosophy as a servant leader (Greenleaf 1977). The following story of my journey hopefully reflects this perspective that underpins my development and actions in the various leadership capacities in which I have had the honor to serve.
How and When to Incorporate Minimally Invasive Surgery for Treatment of Deformity: Decision-Making

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is an accepted alternative for the surgical treatment of several spinal disorders. Some specialty centers have begun to explore the use of MIS techniques to treat advanced spinal deformity. Here, we discuss critical tenants of patient selection and management schema for the treatment of deformity using MIS techniques. The use of these techniques to treat pronounced cervical/thoracic deformity, patients with a prior fusion mass, or severe sagittal imbalance necessitating Schwab 5 osteotomy or higher is currently restricted, and not recommended to surgeons without extensive experience in MIS techniques.
The effects of dry-cured ham initial water activity on Tyrophagus putrescentiae infestations

Abstract A 5 × 2 × 2 factorial arrangement within a completely randomized design was used to evaluate the effect of aw (0.65, 0.70, 0.75, 0.80, and 0.85), RH (65% and 75%) and temperature (24 °C and 28 °C) on Tyrophagus putrescentiae growth, on ham cubes in two separate experiments, one for treated nets (infused with propylene glycol (PG) + propylene glycol alginate (PGA) + carrageenan (CG) + water) and one for untreated control nets. For treated nets, water activity and temperature did not affect mite growth. When control nets were used, there was no difference due to aging temperature, but there were more mites (P
The Education Philosophy, Theories and Models That Enable STEM Policy Integration

As federal and state policies continue to emphasize the need for STEM Education reform, it is important to understand how a collaboration between industry, academia, governments, nonprofits, and K-12 schools, can bolster this effort. However, any worthwhile attempts at this must arguably first be steeped in an understanding of the STEM Education movement as well as the deep lineage of learning theories which underscore what has now come to be understood as evidence-based best practices in bolstering STEM teaching and learning. As such, the ensuing chapter recounts a brief history of the STEM Education movement, discussing the impact of pivotal documents, such as A Nation at Risk, which fanned the flames of education reform. It then presents the various perspectives as to what “STEM Education” means, focusing on the separated perspective versus the integrated perspective. This is followed by a synopsis of major learning theories and paradigms, such as behaviorism, constructivism, social constructivism, and constructionism, which have informed and continue to underscore education research. Finally, the chapter concludes with a thick description of authentic, situated inquiry-based pedagogies like Problem- and Project-Based Learning, as well as their potential to foster connections and partnerships between industry clusters and K-12 schools.
Assessing the Feasibility of an Open-Source Virtual Reality Mirror Visual Feedback Module for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome: Pilot Usability Study

Background: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a rare and severe chronic pain condition, with effective treatment options not established for many patients. The underlying pathophysiology remains unclear, but there is a growing appreciation for the role of central mechanisms which have formed the basis for brain-based therapies such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and mirror visual feedback (MVF). MVF has been deployed in the treatment of CRPS using both conventional mirrors and virtual reality (VR). Objective: The aim of this study was to further investigate the use of VR in the treatment of patients with unilateral upper limb CRPS. VR has the potential advantage of more flexible and more motivating tasks, as well as the option of tracking patient improvement through the use of movement data. Methods: We describe the development, acceptability, feasibility, and usability of an open-source VR program MVF module designed to be used with consumer VR systems for the treatment of CRPS. The development team was an interdisciplinary group of physical therapists, pain researchers, and VR researchers. Patients recruited from a pain clinic completed 3-5 visits each to trial the system and assessed their experiences in pre- and post-treatment questionnaires. Results: All 9 (100%) participants were able to use the system for 3, 4, or 5 trials each. None of the participants quit any trial due to cybersickness. All 9 (100%) participants reported interest in using the module in the future. Participants’ reported average pain scores in the affected limb were not significantly different from baseline during treatment or after treatment (P=.16). We did not find a statistically significant effect on participants’ self-reported average pain scores. Conclusions: We propose that this module could be a useful starting point for modification and testing for other researchers. We share modifications to make this module usable with standalone headsets and finger tracking. Next steps include adapting this module for at-home use, or for use with participants with lower limb pain.
Timely Overdose Death Reporting Is Challenging but We Must Do Better

Literal text from timely emergency medical service and law enforcement reports, patient electronic medical records, and medical examiner investigation reports can provide additional details on the substances involved. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention could provide these modeled monthly and rolling estimates on its Web site, where many data sources are already provided in easily accessible formats. [...]the overdose epidemic in the United States and the COVID-19 pandemic are not simply unrelated, simultaneous events. [...]we acknowledge the lives lost and the loved ones and communities left behind.
Shotgun proteomics of homogenate milk reveals dynamic changes in protein abundances between colostrum, transitional, and mature milk of swine.

Milk is an easily digestible source of nutrients and bioactive factors, its composition reflects the neonate’s needs, and changes from colostrum to transitional and mature milk. Our objective was to measure milk fat, lactose, total carbohydrate, and protein content in parallel with global proteome of homogenate milk samples to characterize changes across the three phases of swine lactation. Milk samples were collected from multiparous sows (n = 9) on postnatal day 0 (D0; colostrum), 3 (D3; early transitional), 7 (D7; late transitional), and 14 (D14; mature). On D3, percent fat (16 ± 2.1) and lactose (3.8 ± 0.3) were higher (P < 0.05) than on D0 (10 ± 3.9 and 1.5 ± 0.3, respectively). Levels of fat and lactose were not different between D3 and D14. Percent total protein decreased (P < 0.05) between D0 (11 ± 2.1) and D3 (5 ± 0.7), but there was no significant change in percent protein between D3 and D14. Total carbohydrates increased (P < 0.05) between D3 (944 ± 353 µg/mL) and D14 (1,150 ± 462 µg/mL). Quantitative proteomic analysis using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) of homogenate D0, D3, and D14 milk samples (n = 6) identified 772 protein groups which corresponded to 501 individual protein-coding genes. A total of 207 high confidence proteins were detected in n = 3 sows/day. Of the high confidence proteins, 81 proteins were common among all 3 days of lactation. Among the proteins that decreased between the days (false discovery rate; FDR < 0.05) were multiple apolipoproteins and XDH which decreased between D0 to D3. Proteins that increased across the days (FDR < 0.05) were complement factors and 14-3-3 proteins (YWHAQ, YWHAE). Our data provide a good characterization of milk proteome changes that likely reflect mammary function as well as the neonate’s phase-specific developmental needs. This data may be useful in developing approaches to enhance the health and welfare of swine.
The Impact of Jury Instructions on the Fusion of Liability and Compensatory Damages

This empirical study examined whether special jury instructions or the bifurcation of liability and compensation decisions would counter the tendency for evidence concerning the defendant’s liability to affect damages awards. Mock jurors made liability and award decisions in response to a case description in which the level of defendant responsibility for the plaintiff’s injuries and the type or timing of damages instructions were systematically varied. Instructions not to discount awards for uncertainty about the defendant’s fault and instructions not to increase awards to punish the defendant’s carelessness reduced the impact of the defendant’s conduct on awards, while bifurcation did not. Additional findings suggest, at least in the context of the present study, that discounting may be a somewhat more potent process than surcharging. Possible explanations for these effects are discussed.
Legislative Institutionalization in Time

This chapter examines legislative development in Kenya and Zambia over time by documenting the longitudinal variation in four key measures of legislative institutionalization and independence – the number of sittings per year, the share of the budget allocated to legislatures, remuneration of legislators, the share of executive bills passed in the legislature, and the incidence of executive rule-making. An examination of these specific measures provides evidence of the differences in legislative development in Kenya and Zambia as predicted by the previous two chapters. First, because of its relative lack of independence, on average Zambia’s legislature met fewer times (even as it handled more bills) than its Kenyan counterpart. It also passed executive bills at higher rates than Kenya’s legislature. Second, following the end of single-party rule, Kenya’s legislature emerged from the shadow of KANU stronger than its Zambian counterpart did following the demise of UNIP. After 1991 rates of passage of executive bills dropped precipitously in Kenya but not in Zambia. Kenyan legislators were also better able to exploit their newfound independence and increased bargaining power to obtain a bigger share of the budget, increase their level of remuneration, and to limit the incidence of unilateral executive rule-making.
Collateral respiratory pathways of pulmonary acini in man

Using corrosion casts of 5 lungs which bronchial tree was filled with plastogen G, four forms of collateral respiratory pathways were seen: the interalveolar, the bronchioloalveolar in the same acinus, the bronchioloalveolar between adjoining acini, and the intersegmental communications.
Some Reflections on Utility

The von Neumann-Morgenstern ‘expected utility hypothesis’ as presented in Chapter I of The Theory of Games and Economic Behavior (1944) was the first attempt at a rigorous axiomatization of a fundamental concept of economics, namely, a general theory of utility. There is no a priori notion of ‘rationality’ in the theory; rather, that is a concept to be derived and given meaning to from the theory. The theory is ‘absolutely convincing’ in the sense that if behavior deviates from that predicated by the theory, after explanation of the theory, behavior would be adjusted. The von Neumann-Morgenstern ‘expected utility theory’ was the first approximation to an undoubtedly much richer and far more complicated reality. Critics of the theory, such as Allais and others, have centered their criticism of the theory not on the internal consistency of the axioms of which the theory is composed but rather on the validity of the axioms themselves. In that sense, the attacks on the theory are misplaced. It is common knowledge throughout scientific circles that axiomatic systems are often modified as axioms are more precisely specified, qualified, or, at times, replaced, as our understanding of physical laws is expanded. Not unexpectedly, the evolution of the von Neumann-Morgenstern ‘expected utility theory’ over the past thirty years is in complete concordance with scientific progress.
EZH2 dependent H3K27me3 is involved in epigenetic silencing of ID4 in prostate cancer.

// Swathi Chinaranagari 1 , Pankaj Sharma 1 and Jaideep Chaudhary 1 1 Center for Cancer Research and Therapeutic Development, Clark Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA Correspondence: Jaideep Chaudhary, email: // Keywords : ID4, EZH2, epigenetics, H3K27me3, prostate cancer Received : June 07, 2014 Accepted: July 25, 2014 Published: July 25, 2014 Abstract Inhibitor of DNA binding/differentiation protein 4 (ID4) is dominant negative helix loop helix transcriptional regulator is epigenetically silenced due to promoter hyper-methylation in many cancers including prostate. However, the underlying mechanism involved in epigenetic silencing of ID4 is not known. Here, we demonstrate that ID4 promoter methylation is initiated by EZH2 dependent tri-methylation of histone 3 at lysine 27 (H3K27me3). ID4 expressing (LNCaP) and non-expressing (DU145 and C81) prostate cancer cell lines were used to investigate EZH2, H3K27me3 and DNMT1 enrichment on ID4 promoter by Chromatin immuno-precipitation (ChIP). Enrichment of EZH2, H3K27Me3 and DNMT1 in DU145 and C81 cell lines compared to ID4 expressing LNCaP cell line. Knockdown of EZH2 in DU145 cell line led to re-expression of ID4 and decrease in enrichment of EZH2, H3K27Me3 and DNMT1 demonstrating that ID4 is regulated in an EZH2 dependent manner. ChIP data on prostate cancer tissue specimens and cell lines suggested EZH2 occupancy and H3K27Me3 marks on the ID4 promoter. Collectively, our data indicate a PRC2 dependent mechanism in ID4 promoter silencing in prostate cancer through recruitment of EZH2 and a corresponding increase in H3K27Me3. Increased EZH2 but decreased ID4 expression in prostate cancer strongly supports this model.
Elucidating Liquid Water Distribution and Removal in an Operating Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell via Neutron Radiography

Neutron radiography was used to quantify the steady-state water content and its distribution in a 50 cm 2 operating proton exchange membrane fuel cell. It was observed that the liquid water distribution near the corners of the gas-flow channels (GFCs) is influenced by the local gas-flow velocity as determined by the cathode stoichiometric flow ratio. At low velocity, the distribution of liquid water down the channel was found to be fairly uniform with only a slight reduction in liquid water content at the exit of the GFC corners. It was further observed that as the cathode gas-flow velocity is increased, a noticeable pattern develops in which liquid water is concentrated at the entrance to the GFC corners and becomes depleted in the corner and near the exit of the corner; liquid water content again increases further down the channel away,from the corners. A single-phase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed and employed to help explain the observed water-distribution patterns. Flow-fields computed from our CFD model reveal recirculation regions in the GFC corners as well as in the areas of increased local gas-flow velocity, which help explain the experimentally observed liquid water distribution.
Thermal Stability and Compressive Strength of Calcium-Deficient Hydroxyapatite− Poly[bis(carboxylatophenoxy)phosphazene] Composites

We have examined the thermal stability and compressive strength of a composite material comprised of hydroxyapatite (HAp, Ca10-x(HPO4)x(PO4)6-x(OH)2-x) and the polyphosphazene poly[bis(carboxylatophenoxy)phosphazene]. The HAp is synthesized in the presence of the polyphosphazene utilizing dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD), CaHPO4·2H2O, and tetracalcium phosphate (TetCP), Ca4(PO4)2O, as the inorganic precursors. Calcium from the inorganic precursors participates in the formation of a polymeric network via ionic cross-linking through the pendent carboxylate groups. The degree of cross-linking of the polyphosphazene and its bonding to the HAp increases the overall thermal stability and changes the mode of failure of the final composite material.The thermal behavior of the polyphosphazene in its protonated, sodium salt, and calcium cross-linked forms was examined utilizing (1) thermogravimetric analysis at temperatures between 50 and 1000 °C, (2) electron impact mass spectrometry up to 550 °C, and (3) isot...
Nosocomial infections, diagnosis-related groups, and study on the efficacy of nosocomial infection control: Economic implications for hospitals under the prospective payment system

It is obvious that escalating costs of medical care must be curbed. Fortunately, since the major proportion of health care costs relate to inpatient management, the diagnosis-related group "experiment" forces the medical community to examine carefully the costs of the specific components of health care delivery. One such item is the cost of nosocomial infections. With respect to the potential importance of hospital-acquired infections and reimbursement under the diagnosis-related group system, several points should be underscored. Nosocomial infections represent a direct economic liability of $5 to $10 billion annually in the United States. Under the new diagnosis-related group reimbursement system, it is probable that very little of the costs related to excess stay resulting from infections will be reimbursed to hospitals. For the first time, there are data indicating that as much as one third of hospital-acquired infections can be prevented by implementing effective infection control programs. The currently available information suggests that under the existing diagnosis-related group reimbursement system, hospitals with effective infection control programs can significantly improve their economic position.
Interaction of 6-mercaptopurine and antigens with cellular syntheses.

Abstract The effects of the administration of single injections of sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and of 6-mercaptopurine (6-MP) on the synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins were studied. Under the experimental conditions, extensive antibody production was induced by the SRBC and this synthesis was blocked by the dose of 6-MP used. One day after the various treatments, inhibition of nucleic acid synthesis was seen in spleen, kidney, and liver of those animals which had received 6-MP. No extensive reduction in protein synthesis was seen. No consistent reduction was seen in the synthesis de novo of purines. Eight days after initiation of treatment, at which time antibody production was extensive, there was still a reduced incorporation of formate into DNA in the spleen of those animals which had received 6-MP or-6-MP plus SRBC. The incorporation of thymidine into DNA, on the other hand, was reduced in the spleen of animals receiving 6-MP but in those animals which had received 6-MP plus SRBC there was much less inhibition. Eight days after treatment there was still considerable inhibition of thymidine incorporation into the liver of animals which had received 6-MP alone, no change in the animals which had received SRBC, and considerable increase in those animals which had received both 6-MP and SRBC. The findings suggest a role of DNA synthesis in response to antigens. The data also demonstrate that the effects of antimetabolites persist long after they have been catabolized per se , and in view of the biological effects seen concurrently suggest general significance to these long-lived effects.
Superfluorescence without inversion in coherently driven three-level systems

A superfluorescence effect in a V-type medium with initial Raman inversion, driven by a strong coherent field on one of the transitions, is studied analytically and numerically. It is shown that the collective spontaneous emission evolves in the presence of a minor population of an upper state of a superfluorescent transition. In the limit of the Rabi frequency of a driving field large compared to that of a superfluorescent pulse, the system of two equations for the fields and density-matrix equations for three states of the medium is reduced to Maxwell-Bloch equations for an effective two-level system. The shape of a superfluorescent pulse is perfectly described in terms of a slowly varying envelope function (which is a solution of the Maxwell-Bloch equations), filled with fast oscillations associated with Rabi floppings on the driving transition. In the average, i.e., after integrating over a period of Rabi oscillations, the upper superfluorescent state is populated less than other states, such that the phenomenon may be called ``superfluorescence without inversion'' by analogy with lasing without inversion.
Reappraising Institutional Contributions to the Efficiency of Environmental Policy

Books reviewed in this article: Lawrence S. Rothenberg, Environmental Choices: Policy Responses to Green Demands David M. Driesen, The Economic Dynamics of Environmental Law
Environmental Regulations and Agricultural Lending

sponsive to the enactment of the Comprehensive Environmental Compensation and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). Nor were they moved into action by the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986 (SARA). However, the attention of many lenders was attracted by a series of court decisions which imposed upon lenders liability for the cost of cleaning environmentally damaged or contaminated property once belonging to their borrowers. (See Olexa, this issue, for a discussion of this series of cases.) Contemporaneously, countless additional state and federal environmental regulations have been enacted to control and/or repair environmental damage (Olexa 1990, Bock et al.). The purpose of this paper is to describe lenders' responses to environmental regulations and case law, and the potential effect of these regulations on loan demand from the perspective of institutional management. First, the issues are identified and briefly discussed. Next is an examination of the reactions of various lenders and
Fluorimetric determination of operational pH in 1,4-dioxane-water solutions

Abstract 2-Hydroxybiphenyl demonstrates proton transfer in the lowest excited singlet state in 1,4-dioxane-water mixtures. The dissociation reaction of the directly excited neutral molecule is strongly solvent dependent and independent of solution acidity. The reprotonation of the conjugate base, however, depends predominantly on the acidity of the solution and on the bulk dielectric constant of the solvent. A linear relationship between the ratio of the relative fluorescence efficiencies of -hydroxybiphenyl and its conjugate base, and the hydrogen ion concentration is obtained only if proper Bronsted activity factors are included in the relationship. These factors can be calculated from electrostatics and are simple powers of the activity coefficients which would be derived from Debye-Huckel theory and which are necessary to convert the formal hydrogen ion concentration to hydrogen ion activity. Using this approach it is possible to calculate pH from hydrogen ion concentration in dioxane-water solutons, containing mole fractions of up to 0.1 of the organic component.
Pilot Study of Methods to Decrease Measurement Errors of Tropospheric Inversions by Ground-Based Microwave Radiometry

Abstract Results of radiometer temperature profile simulations are analyzed in order to examine the hypothesis that knowledge of temperature inversion parameters obtained from other instruments would substantially improve the accuracy of radiometric temperature profiles. Five variations of a statistical retrieval method are used to produce radiometric temperature profiles. These profiles are then compared with radiosonde data under both inversion and noninversion conditions. The best algorithm yields consistently better results than the traditional (pure radiometric) technique, but still fails to correctly reproduce the radiosonde inversions.
Ice-sheet control of continental erosion in central and southern Chile (36°-41°S) over the last 30,000 years

Bulk sediment chemistry from three Chilean continental margin Ocean Drilling Program sites constrains regional continental erosion over the past 30,000 years. Sediments from thirteen rivers that drain the (mostly igneous) Andes and the (mostly metamorphic) Coast Range, along with existing rock chemistry datasets, define terrestrial provenance for the continental margin sediments. Andean river sediments have high Mg/Al relative to Coast-Range river sediments. Near 36S, marine sediments have high-Mg/Al (i.e. more Andean) sources during the last glacial period, and lower-Mg/Al (less Andean) sources during the Holocene. Near 41S a Ti-rich source, likely from coast-range igneous intrusions, is prevalent during Holocene time, whereas high-Mg/Al Andean sources are more prevalent during the last glacial period. We infer that there is a dominant ice-sheet control of sediment sources. At 36S, Andean-sourced sediment decreased as Andean mountain glaciers retreated after w17.6 ka, coincident with local oceanic warming and southward retreat of the Patagonian Forest and, by inference, westerly winds. At 41S Andean sediment dominance peaks and then rapidly declines at w19 ka, coincident with local oceanic warming and the earliest deglacial sea-level rise. We hypothesize that this decreased flux of Andean material in the south is related to rapid retreat of the marine-based portion of the Patagonian Ice Sheet in response to global sea-level rise, as the resulting flooding of the southern portion of the Central Valley created a sink for Andean sediments in this region. Reversal of the decreasing deglacial Mg/Al trend at 41S from 14.5 to 13.0 ka is consistent with a brief re-advance of the Patagonian ice sheet coincident with the Antarctic Cold Reversal.