cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cardiology and the Critical Care Crisis: A Perspective

With an aging U.S. population and a declining physician supply, the care of critically ill patients will soon be reaching a level of crisis. At the same time, the evidence continues to mount in support of intensivist staffing to improve both patient outcomes and resource utilization in intensive care units (ICUs). Whereas the vast majority of medical and surgical ICUs are staffed by physicians trained in critical care medicine, that is not commonly the case in coronary care units (CCUs) in this country. Despite that, the breadth and diversity of comorbidities in patients that occupy our CCU beds is continuously growing. No longer is the CCU merely an observation unit for peri-infarction complications, but rather it has truly become an ICU for patients with cardiovascular disease. With this in mind, there becomes a growing need for intensivist-trained cardiologists and a push for the development of critical care training pathways in our cardiovascular fellowship programs.
Lysosomal integrity in ischemic, hypoxic and recovering heart

The early experiments of de Duve and his colleagues first implicated the lysosome as a potential mediator of ischemic cell injury [1, 2]. Ligating a branch of the hepatic artery was accompanied by a marked subcellular redistribution of lysosomal enzyme activity in the ischemic liver. Since de Duve [1] had recently documented that the lysosome represented a latent storehouse of catabolic acid hydrolases, such alterations in lysosomal properties prompted considerable speculation that these organelles might represent a population of subcellular ‘suicide bags’ which, in theory, could provoke intracellular damage if ‘activated’ by appropriate changes in the intracellular environment [3]. Such provocative observations encouraged numerous investigations aimed at identifying whether alterations in ‘lysosomal integrity’ were, in any way, temporally correlated with evolving ischemic damage in the heart and other tissues [3–7].
Interchangeability of Licensed Nurses in Nursing Homes: Perspectives of Directors of Nursing.

Abstract Background Licensed nurse (registered nurse [RN] and licensed practical nurse [LPN]) roles in nursing homes are often viewed as interchangeable. Interchangeability occurs when the differences in RN and LPN education and scopes of practice are not recognized or acknowledged, leading to staffing patterns where the roles and clinical contributions of RNs and LPNs are perceived as equivalent. Purpose This study describes the perspectives of directors of nursing about interchangeability between RNs and LPNs and factors that contribute to interchangeability. Method This is a secondary analysis of data from a larger study in which 44 Directors of Nursing from Nurisng Homes in two different states were interviewed about their perceptions of the roles of RNs and LPNs. Findings Interchangeability of RNs and LPNs was influenced by directors of nursing's knowledge and awareness of the scopes of practice for the two types of licensed nurses, corporate policies, and educational background of RNs. The findings suggest opportunities for better differentiating roles through the use of job descriptions that more clearly delineate the distinctive contributions of both RNs and LPNs in nursing home settings. Discussion While increasing the number of RNs in nursing homes is desirable, there is immediate opportunity to ensure that the few RNs in nursing homes are used effectively to ensure that the professional nursing care needs of residents are met. Note The review process and decision for this article was managed by Barbara S. Smith, PhD, R, FAAN Associate Editor, Nursing Outlook.
The Written Park: Reading Multiple Urban Park Subjectivities Through Signage, Writing, and Graffiti

Urban parkland is a quintessential form of public space. Various actors—from government managers, to civic groups, to individual visitors—actively negotiate and co-create the governance, use, and m...
Progressive Democracy: the ideology of the modern predatory state

The state must expend resources to credibly threaten the use of force, and the actual use of force is more costly than just exercising the threat. A population that views itself as prey to a predatory state will resist the state’s demands and will not produce much that the state can appropriate. The predatory state will be more successful if it can convince its citizens that the state’s activities are in the public interest, which will enhance voluntary compliance with the state’s mandates and lessen the need for the state to invest resources in overt coercion. The ideology of “Progressive Democracy” encourages citizens to cooperate with the state, and legitimizes the state’s predatory activities. The ideology of Progressivism justifies the imposition of costs on some for the benefit of others. The ideology of democracy implies that when a democratic government does this, it is acting in the public interest.
A simple and accurate method to determine genomewide significance for association tests in sequencing studies.

Whole-exome sequencing (WES) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS) studies are underway to investigate the impact of genetic variants on complex diseases and traits. It is customary to perform single-variant association tests for common variants and region-based association tests for rare variants. The latter may target variants with similar or opposite effects, interrogate variants with different frequencies or different functional annotations, and examine a variety of regions. The large number of tests that are performed necessitates adjustment for multiple testing. The conventional Bonferroni correction is overly conservative as the test statistics are correlated. To address this challenge, we propose a simple and accurate method based on parametric bootstrap to assess genomewide significance. We show that the correlations of the test statistics are determined primarily by the genotypes, such that the same significance threshold can be used in different studies that share a common sequencing platform. We demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed method with WES data from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Exome Sequencing Project and WGS data from the 1000 Genomes Project. We recommend the p value of 5×10-9 as the genomewide significance threshold for testing all common and low-frequency variants (MAFs ≥ 0.1%) in the human genome.
Using pictorial action instructions to build a basic humanitarian engineering project

Humanitarian engineering projects mitigate environmental hazards disproportionately affecting health in low- and middle-income countries. However, widespread literacy deficits can create barriers in training low-literacy adults to construct these projects, indicating a need for literacy-adapted training materials. A randomized control trial in rural Guatemala tested the usability of pictorial action instructions, compared to demonstration-only methods, in training low-literacy adults (N = 60; n = 30 per group) to construct a solar bottle bulb. Fourteen days after the training, participants individually constructed the solar bottle bulb. The intervention group received pictorial action instructions to guide them, and the control group completed construction based on memory. Usability was evaluated by measuring the effectiveness and efficiency of construction, as well as user satisfaction and self-efficacy levels. Effectiveness and self-efficacy were significantly better among those in the intervention group compared to the control group. Considering this, the findings support the use of pictorial action instructions in training low-literacy adults to construct humanitarian engineering projects. This method may allow more individuals in rural regions of low- and middle-income countries to successfully construct their own humanitarian engineering projects in a way that is sustainable and scalable. Further research is needed to test these instructions in different settings, on a larger scale, as well as to test the long-term effects of using pictorial action instructions.
Consumer Evaluations of Bi-National Products in the Global Market:

The global market today is characterized by the proliferation of binational products, or products that are branded in one country while actually manufactured in another. This paper investigates how...
Engaging Undergraduate Engineering and Aviation Students to Explore Project Based Learning with regard to Community Impact using Data Analytics in Higher Education

The work in progress presents a study on undergraduate engineering students and project-based learning (PBL) to understand community impact that supports research-to-practice using data analytics in higher education. This study expands on data analysis and visualization applications in PBL using Watson Analytics. In applying the decision techniques, the classroom environment outcomes and community impact are key to engineering education goals. Our approach will provide a framework to explore predictive models and the outcome of PBL techniques in engineering education to draw a conclusion with regard to decision methods and factors (e.g., the engineer design process). In using the smart data analysis and visualization tools such as Watson Analytics, the specific areas analyzed could contribute and aid in the learning environment. From this assessment, the PBL decision techniques within the classroom environment and the overall relationship to the industry created new methodologies (techniques) to explore community impact using data analytics. These practices are assessed from detail statistical analysis and the dataset for predictive modeling of the user community. As such, this study serves as a baseline in developing models to improve PBL methods using data analysis in engineering and aviation education for the examination of community impact.
Debt recapitalization and value in waiting to finance a project

Abstract This paper shows that an option to recapitalize with debt accelerates the exercise of a real option to start an irreversible project investment. The debt-recapitalization add-on, while not directly affecting project cash flows, influences the timing of the project start by offering an extra gain from tax savings less debt costs. This finding demonstrates that capital structure decisions are closely linked to project investment decisions, a deviation from the standard optimal investment rule of the real option theory.
Chronic Thromboembolic Disease: Epidemiology, Assessment with Invasive Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing, and Options for Management

Recovery after acute pulmonary embolism occurs on a continuum from complete restoration of flow to persistent perfusion defects causing pulmonary hypertension. An under-recognized complication of p...
The Profits of Power: Land Rights and Agricultural Investment in Ghana

We examine the impact of ambiguous and contested land rights on investment and productivity in agricultural in Akwapim, Ghana. We show that individuals who hold powerful positions in a local political hierarchy have more secure tenure rights, and that as a consequence they invest more in land fertility and have substantially higher output. The intensity of investments on different plots cultivated by a given individual correspond to that individual's security of tenure over those specific plots, and in turn to the individual's position in the political hierarchy relevant to those specific plots. We interpret these results in the context of a simple model of the political allocation of land rights in local matrilineages.
134 Case report: indwelling peritoneal catheter insertion for management of massive ascites in a young patient with congestive cardiac failure

Background Indwelling peritoneal catheters are widely available for patients with malignant ascites, but are not usually used in patients with non-malignant disease. Most patients with non-malignant ascites have liver failure and are managed with regular temporary drains. A small proportion have cardiac ascites which is usually managed with diuretics and fluid restriction Case Ms X was a 28 year old lady with massive ascites due to cardiac failure from ischaemic cardiomyopathy. She was no longer a candidate for cardiac transplantation and had frequent hospital admissions due to decompensation with pulmonary oedema despite oral diuretics. Her reported quality of life and functional ability was poor. She was admitted to the hospice for consideration of continuous subcutaneous infusion (CSCI) of furosemide due to worsening symptoms. Pulmonary oedema at the time of admission was managed with IV furosemide given in divided doses as short infusions. Her abdomen was distended and ward ultrasound scan revealed large volume ascites. Following literature review and discussion of the risks and potential benefits, a tunnelled ascitic drain was sited by an Interventional Radiologist. Over the course of 16 days, 21 litres was drained with reduction in abdominal distension and leg oedema; her mobility and quality of life improved. To support management at home, Ms X’s mother learned to perform the drainage independently. Bloods were monitored weekly and she was readmitted for IV albumin when blood albumin fell to 22 g/l. The volume of ascites drained gradually reduced to nothing and the drain was removed due to concerns about infection after sepsis developed. The ascites did not recur and Ms X had no further admissions for decompensation of CCF. She died at home 10 weeks after the drain removal Conclusion Permanent ascitic drain insertion can reduce diuretic use and frequency of decompensations in patients with large volume cardiac ascites.
Uncreated Gender and Interpsychic Overkill

Amir’s dialectic of continuous and emergent gender is reviewed. Uncreated gender is posited as the excess of that dialectic. Male pronouns are questioned for a patient who lacks a gendered self thr...
The effect of immigration enforcement on crime reporting: Evidence from Dallas

Abstract Mistrust between immigrants and the police may undermine law enforcement’s ability to keep communities safe. This paper documents that immigration policies affect an individual’s willingness to report crime. I analyze the 2015 Priority Enforcement Program, which focused immigration enforcement on individuals convicted of serious crimes and shifted resources away from immigration-related offenses. I use data from the Dallas Police Department that include a complainant’s ethnicity to show that the number of violent and property crimes reported to the police by Hispanics increased by 4 percent after the introduction of PEP. These results suggest that reducing enforcement of individuals who do not pose a threat to public safety can potentially improve trust between immigrant communities and the police.
The Renaissance of Empire in Early Modern Europe

1. The rebirth of the Caesars 2. The hybrid empire of Charles V, 1517-56 3. The Spanish empire, apex of the Imperial Renaissance 4. The Renaissance of empire in France 5. Britain as Late Renaissance empire.
Precast Concrete Industry: Managerial Dynamics

A dynamic simulation model of the precast concrete industry has been constructed in an attempt to lend objectivity, comprehensiveness and speed to the decision-making process at the industry level. Model results clearly suggest that the future growth of the precast concrete industry depends above all on its own ability to plan ahead so that high factory utilization, apparently an indispensable condition, can be guaranteed all or most of the time. Additionally, results show that the industry would gain by moving to prefabrication of a higher percentage of construction than is currently the case.
Mchape: a wake-up call for AIDS control programs in Africa (a case history from Malawi).

Mchape is an herbal concoction reported by Goodson Chisupe a Christian and part-time healer resident in Malawi to be a prophylaxis and cure for AIDS. Most AIDS prevention and control projects in Chitipa district Malawi focus upon encouraging sexually active people to use condoms during sexual intercourse. The overwhelming majority of Malawians however abhor condoms and do not use them. A quick fix herbal potion is far more appetizing. The Malawian head of the Chitipa District AIDS Office reported in early 1995 that she was taking annual leave to obtain mchape in Liwonde. By mid-April Chitipa Hospitals staff had petitioned its heads to allow hospital transport to be used to take workers and their families to get the cure. While the request was denied the Ministry of Healths regional office agreed to subsidize round-trip transport for a group of approximately 80 workers family members and friends. This travel came upon the heels of an exodus of other government offices and businesses in the main town and district headquarters. Newspapers reported that up to 5000 people including businesspeople government employees and foreign tourists lined up daily for treatment in Chisupes village. Mchape even had tacit government support. A survey found that the rush on mchape stems from the fear frustration and hope of those thought to be most at risk for AIDS the African middle class.
Engineering Design and Uncertainties Related to Climate Change

To explore how uncertain climate events might affect investment decisions that need to be made in the near future, this paper examines (1) the relative magnitude of the uncertainties arising from climate change on engineering design in water resources planning and (2) a restricted set of water resource planning techniques that deal with the repeated choice of investment decisions over time. The classical capacity-expansion model of operations research is exploited to show the relative impacts upon engineering design choices for variations in future demand attributable to changes in the climate or other factors and the possible shortfall of supply due to climate change. The type of engineering decisions considered in the paper are sequential, enabling adjustments to revealed uncertainty in subsequent decisions. The range of possible impacts analyzed in the paper lead to similar engineering design decisions. This result means that engineers must be on their guard with respect to under-design or over-design of systems with and without the threat of climate change, but that the sequential nature of the decision-making does not call for drastic action in the early time periods. Key Words: Water, Engineering, Design and Climate Change.
Artificial intelligence and subjective experience

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the scientific study of occurrent and dispositional mentation with a view to providing adequate computational models of the mind. As a science, AI is committed to an objective, third-person verifiable account of reality. If, however, there are aspects of our mentation that are irreducibly non-physical and subjective, then those aspects are forever closed to any computational model of the mind; and AI is in principle doomed. This, to my mind, is the most serious objection to AI. In this essay, I consider the objection and suggest how to respond to it.
Disruption of maternal tolerance during pregnancy leads to Treg repopulation of the antigenic UPI (BA13P.123)

Background Regulatory T cells (Treg) are essential for normal pregnancy outcome. In vivo, Treg depletion during pregnancy leads to autoimmunity that results in total pregnancy loss. The paucity of Treg and effector cells in normal pregnancy uteroplacental interfaces (UPI) renders the mechanism unclear. Methods Low-dose (0.1ug) diphtheria toxin was given on GD11 to female C57-Bl6 FoxP3-DTR under a syngeneic pregnancy. On day 17, pup weight and gender was determined and UPI were removed and subject to FACS and confocal immunofluorescence. Results Subtle Treg depletion during pregnancy resulted in effector T cell influx preferentially to UPIs of antigenic (male) fetuses resulting in a reduction of fetal weights. Surprisingly, we also observed an increase of Treg numbers in the antigenic UPIs. Preliminary results indicate a local interaction between antigen-presenting cells, T cells and Treg in the previously depleted UPI. Conclusions Systemic interruption of Treg tolerance during pregnancy allows for maternal attack on antigenic fetuses. In the unperturbed UPI, the absence of Treg suggests that maternal tolerance is mediated elsewhere. In disrupted maternal tolerance, the repopulation of Treg to the UPI provides insight into Treg cellular interactions that may contribute to the re-establishment of tolerance under physiologic conditions.
Emission Line Spectra and the Nature of Active Galactic Nuclei

Seyfert galaxy emission-line spectra provide clues to the structure of active galactic nuclei and the nature of their central sources. Classification of their spectra organizes a wide range of properties; they do not all fit into a single one-parameter sequence. The luminosity functions of the individual types provide constraints on their evolution and on possible geometries, but are difficult to determine because objective-prism and color surveys tend to be most efficient in finding blue objects. The IRAS survey has identified many more Seyfert 2 galaxies, which tend on the average to be more heavily reddened than the previously known objects. The discovery of very faint broad Ha emission components in many emission-line galaxies by Filippenko and Sargent indicates the continuity of the general AGN process to very low luminosity levels. The narrow-line profiles of all types of Seyfert galaxies have the same general form, indicating a single type of velocity field. It is evidently mostly radial, but not necessarily spherical. There are differences in detail, which on the average tend to be correlated with the spectral type, but these are by no means invariably followed at the level of individual galaxies. The broad-line profiles show a great range in properties. Combinations of radial and rotational velocity fields give the best fits with the observed profiles, but there are theoretical difficulties with this picture, particularly with rotational flow.
Super-resolution by nonlinear optical lithography

A method for improving the resolution of a lithographic system by an arbitrary amount (with no visibility reduction for incoherent mask methods) is proposed and demonstrated experimentally. The method simply relies on the sharpened features available through N-photon detection.
Infrared and Raman spectra, conformational stability, barriers to internal rotation, ab initio calculations and vibrational assignments for dichlorofluoroacetyl fluoride

Abstract The Raman (2000 to 10 cm−1) spectra of dichlorofluoroacetyl fluoride, CCl2FCFO, of the vapor, liquid with qualitative depolarization ratios and amorphous and crystalline states were recorded. The infrared (2000 to 50 cm−1) spectra of the vapor and solid phases were also obtained and additional spectra as a solute in xenon were recorded at different temperatures. The data have been interpreted in terms of an equilibrium between an anti (the two fluorine atoms being trans to each other) and a gauche conformer in the vapor and liquid phases, whereas only the anti conformer was present in the crystalline solid. From infrared band intensities of dichlorofluoroacetyl fluoride in xenon in the temperature range 173 to 213 K a value of ΔH = 289 ± 25 cm−1 (828 ± 72 cal/mol) was calculated with the anti conformer being the more stable form. Optimized geometrics and conformational stabilities were derived from ab initio calculations using the basis sets RHF/3-21G∗, RHF/6-31G∗ and MP2/6-31G∗, and all of the calculations predict the anti rotamer to be the most stable conformer. The vibrational frequencies were calculated using appropriate scaling factors, and the spectra are interpreted in detail. The results have been compared with those obtained for related molecules.
Analyses of implanted superlattices by ion backscattering and X-ray rocking curves

Abstract The techniques of ion backscattering with channeling and X-ray rocking curves have been used to analyze Al 0.88 Ga 0.12 As/GaAs strained-layer-superlattices (SLS). Detailed information on the depth profiles of strain, composition and crystalline quality were obtained on these structures before and after silicon ion implantation. For implantations with an energy of 200 keV and doses up to 5 × 10 15 cm −2 , no intermixing among GaAs and AlGaAs sublayers was observed by backscattering measurements. However, considerable damage occurred with a dose as low as 7 × 10 12 cm −2 , which extended deeper than the projected range of the implanted ions. Corresponding measurements of strain were also made by X-ray rocking curves. Interpretations of such strain profiles suggest that, in the initial stages of ion implantation, the strain in Al 0.88 Ga 0.12 As sublayers is released.
Complexity enabled design space exploration

The proposed paper presents a framework for complexity enabled design space exploration. A circuit problem is introduced where different designs are generated from a component library to create a low pass filter circuit. Performance and complexity metrics are defined to measure the fitness of the design. A scheme for complexity enabled design space exploration is introduced and the results obtained are compared to the traditional performance based exploration. It is found that the complexity enabled exploration results in identification of regions within the performance-complexity trade space which are difficult to obtain using a performance based exploration. Characteristic features of designs that result in high performance but low complexity are also identified. Later a scheme for local design space exploration is proposed which investigates the designs in the nearest neighborhood of a particular design. This provides insights about the flexibility and adaptability of the design.
Design concepts for the California Extremely Large Telescope (CELT)

The California Extremely Large Telescope is a study currently underway by the University of California and the California Institute of Technology, to assess the feasibility of building a 30-m ground based telescope that will push the frontiers to observational astronomy. The telescope will be fully steerable, with a large field of view, and be able to work in both a seeing-limited arena and as a diffraction-limited telescope, with adaptive optics.
The Construction of the Khufu I Vessel (c.2566 BC): a Re‐Evaluation

A re-evaluation of the published reports on the Khufu I vessel suggests: first, Egyptian boatwrights used as much of a plank's original width and length as possible to minimize waste, resulting in unpredictable stealer and scarf placement; second, crafting tenons to be narrower than corresponding mortises may have been one of many standardized techniques of Egyptian boatbuilding; third, temporary and permanent edge-to-edge transverse lashing was an important structural feature. Finally, woven straps instead of ropes were probably used to lash this vessel, and seams were probably sealed with wadding and battens, while the frames appear to have been recycled. © 2009 The Author
A “Quiz” on Italian Civilization*

Author's Summary— Students of Italian should be made conscious of the rich cultural achievements of Italy in an interesting and effective manner. The following “quiz” is an attempt in that direction.
Sample size determination for pair-matched case-control studies where the goal is interval estimation of the odds ratio.

Abstract Sample sizes are calculated for case-control studies where 1:1 matching has been employed, and where the goal is the interval estimation of the odds ratio. The optimal sample size is defined to be the smallest value for which a 100(1 − α)% confidence interval for the log odds ratio will not exceed a specified width 2δ with specified probability (1 − γ ). This approach is similar in spirit to the power-based approach for sample size determination when significance testing is the goal. Tables of sample sizes are presented for various choices of parameters. We also find considerable disagreement with a published method based on expected numbers of discordant pairs.
Factors related to school retention

Examinanse en esie estudio los factores demograficos y sociales y las aptitudes relacionados con la retencion escolar. A los 5 y 6 anos de edad (edad preobligatoria), las diferenciales segun el ingreso, la educacion de los padres y la residencia urbana o rural son substanciales. En la medidaen que la asistencia a temprana edad contribuye exito posterior en la escuela, tales diferenciales sonimportantes. Entre los 7 y los 16 anos (edad de la ensenanza obligatoria), los diferenciales son pequenos, pues la matricula es alta en todos los grupos. Los factores socio-economicos (ingreso, ocupacion y educacion de los padres) predominan a esta edad, correspondiendoles la mayor parte de la variacion segun la residencia y la rasa. La mayor baja en la asistencia ocurre al comienzo de la escuela. La aptitud y el status socio-economico son factores determinantes importantes de la asistencia a la eseuela, como lo eran antes la planificacion y la matricula en el programa de la escuela superior.
Accuracy and reliability of an automated air quality forecast system for ozone in seven Kentucky metropolitan areas

An automated forecast system for ozone in seven Kentucky metropolitan areas has been operational since 2004. The forecast system automatically downloads the required input data twice each day, produces next-day forecasts of metro area peak 8-h average ozone concentration using a computer coded hybrid nonlinear regression (NLR) model, and posts the results on a website. The automated models were similar to previous NLR models, first applied to forecasting ozone in the Louisville metro area. The forecast system operated reliably during the 2004 and 2005 O3 seasons, producing at least one forecast per day better than 99% of the time. The forecast accuracy of the automated system was good. For all 2004 and 2005 forecasts, the mean absolute error was equal to 8.7 ppb, or 15.6% of the overall mean concentration. The overall detection rate of air quality standard exceedences was 56%, and the overall false alarm rate was 42%. In Louisville, the performance of the automated system was comparable to that of expert forecasters using the NLR model as a forecast tool.
Probing Platinum—Adenine—N3 Adduct Formation with DNA Minor-Groove Binding Agents

Me-lexpy/py, an adenine-N3-selective alkylating agent, and the reversible minor-groove binder netropsin were used to probe the formation of unusual minor-groove adducts by the cytotoxic hybrid agent PT-ACRAMTU ([PtCl(en)(ACRAMTU)](NO3)2; en = ethane-1,2-diamine, ACRAMTU = 1-[2-(acridin-9-ylamino)ethyl]-1,3-dimethylthiourea). PT-ACRAMTU was found by chemical footprinting to inhibit specific Me-lex-mediated DNA cleavage at several adenine sites but not at nonspecific guanine, which is consistent with the platination of adenine-N3. In a cell proliferation assay, a significant decrease in cytotoxicity was observed for PT-ACRAMTU, when cancer cells were pretreated with netropsin, suggesting that minor-groove adducts in cellular DNA contribute to the biological activity of the hybrid agent.
HIV protease inhibitors induce metabolic dysfunction in part via increased JNK1/2 pro-inflammatory signaling in L6 cells.

Abstract Protease inhibitors (PIs), such as atazanavir sulfate and ritonavir, are used clinically to prevent the progression of HIV and are known to induce insulin resistance. To determine whether PI-mediated insulin resistance is induced by activation of pro-inflammatory cascades, L6 skeletal muscle cells were treated ±atazanavir sulfate, ritonavir, or atazanavir sulfate + ritonavir, and ±insulin. Treatment with atazanavir sulfate, ritonavir, or atazanavir sulfate + ritonavir for 24 or 48 h significantly increased basal glucose uptake (P 0.05). When compared to untreated cells, basal palmitate uptake and oxidation was found to be significantly higher in cells treated with PIs alone or in combination (P 0.05) the insulin-mediated increase in palmitate uptake and the insulin-mediated decrease in palmitate oxidation observed in the control group. Atazanavir sulfate treatment alone or in combination with ritonavir significantly increased JNK1/2 phosphorylation when compared to the control or ritonavir group (P 0.05). Our data indicate that, in muscle cells, PIs induce metabolic dysfunction that is not limited to insulin-sensitive metabolism and that is potentially mediated by a rise in JNK1/2 pro-inflammatory signaling.
Motivations for optical interconnects to silicon chips (Abstract Only)

As silicon chips advance to future generations with higher densities of transistors and faster clock speeds, the problems with electrical interconnects to and on silicon chips become significantly worse. Even the most optimistic scaling models show that scaling the wiring down with the transistors leads to interconnects that do not keep up with the faster transistor speeds. The interconnect scaling problem is arguably even worse for connections off the chip. There are also increasing problems with signal integrity on electrical interconnects as speeds increase, including cross-talk between lines, signal distortion and attenuation, increasing need for voltage isolation, poorer timing of the signals, and generally increasing difficulty of design of the interconnect. There are electrical approaches to dealing with these interconnect problems, including changing architectures to avoid use of long interconnects, improving design tools to optimize the interconnect design more effectively, and improving signaling on electrical lines (such as using equalization). All of these will likely be used. Optics, however, arguably offers the only physical solution to the problem ofthe scaling difficulties of interconnects. Because of its different physics (specifically, the absence of electrical resistance phenomena) it avoids the various common problems of electrical interconnect scaling. It also naturally gives voltage isolation, and avoids most of the other signal integrity problems of electrical wires. Because the optics itself does not need to be redesigned as the clock rate is increased, it may make systems easier to design. Optical interconnects, however, do have their own problems. Especially, optical interconnection is an immature technology, leading to many issues, such as the following. It is impossible to reliably predict cost at the present time. The devices and optical components exist mostly in research laboratories. Integration with silicon is still difficult, though possible. Appropriate optomechanical technology for low-cost, convenient optical assemblies has not been developed. Issues still remain in reducing operating voltage of optoelectronic devices to match future silicon generations. It is not clear whether existing optoelectronic devices can meet the operating environment conditions of silicon circuits (e.g., temperature range) in practice. Receiver circuits with sufficient sensitivity, low enough power, and immunity to digital noise have not been sufficiently tested. There have been relatively few systems experiments to test optical interconnects in realistic conditions. Even the precise applications are unclear. The benefits of on-chip optical interconnects are still debatable (though the arguments for off-chip optical interconnects are relatively strong). This tutorial will examine these various arguments [1] —[4] for limitations on electrical interconnects and possibilities for future optical interconnect technology.
Monte Carlo renormalization group study of first order phase transitions

Abstract The two-lattice matching MCRG method is used to study first order phase transitions. While the method gives the critical exponent in agreement with the predicted value 1/d, where d is the dimension of the system, it indicates discontinuous flows on the phase transition surface.
Arp2/3 Is Critical for Lamellipodia and Response to Extracellular Matrix Cues but Is Dispensable for Chemotaxis

Lamellipodia are sheet-like, leading edge protrusions in firmly adherent cells that contain Arp2/3-generated dendritic actin networks. Although lamellipodia are widely believed to be critical for directional cell motility, this notion has not been rigorously tested. Using fibroblasts derived from Ink4a/Arf-deficient mice, we generated a stable line depleted of Arp2/3 complex that lacks lamellipodia. This line shows defective random cell motility and relies on a filopodia-based protrusion system. Utilizing a microfluidic gradient generation system, we tested the role of Arp2/3 complex and lamellipodia in directional cell migration. Surprisingly, Arp2/3-depleted cells respond normally to shallow gradients of PDGF, indicating that lamellipodia are not required for fibroblast chemotaxis. Conversely, these cells cannot respond to a surface-bound gradient of extracellular matrix (haptotaxis). Consistent with this finding, cells depleted of Arp2/3 fail to globally align focal adhesions, suggesting that one principle function of lamellipodia is to organize cell-matrix adhesions in a spatially coherent manner.
Electrophysiologic effects of partial coronary occlusion and reperfusion.

Electrophysiologic changes caused by partial coronary occlusion have not previously been examined. In nine dogs, refractory periods and conduction times were determined using the extrastimulus method after a 50 percent reduction in coronary blood flow. In another five dogs, ventricular automaticity was studied after the production of complete heart block. After 5 minutes of partial coronary occlusion the refractory period in the ischemic zone shortened from 164.6 ± 4.2 (mean ± standard error of the mean) to 149.6 ± 5.8 msec (P < 0.001); after 60 minutes it shortened further to 142.5 ± 5.6 msec, resulting in a dispersion of refractoriness. Intramyocardial conduction time from the ischemic to the non-ischemic zone was prolonged from 48.6 ± 1.6 to 60.0 ± 3.3 msec (P < 0.01), whereas conduction time from the nonischemic to the ischemic zone remained unchanged. No significant changes were observed in ventricular automaticity after partial coronary occlusion (idioventricular rate 56.0 ± 6.4 versus 51.2 ± 6.6 beats/min). Reperfusion 1 hour after partial occlusion resulted in a return of the refractory period and conduction time to preocclusion values, but there were no changes in idioventricular rate. Thus, after a 50 percent reduction in coronary blood flow, the decrease in local refractory period and prolongation of conduction time result in underlying electrical instability predisposing to reentrant arrhythmias whereas automaticity is unchanged. These abnormalities are fully abolished when reperfusion is instituted after 60 minutes of partial coronary occlusion.
Tribological Study of Micro Bearings for MEMS Applications

Micro sleeve bearings intended for micro rotational machinery were fabricated by X-ray lithography and Ni electroplating. Coated to the working surfaces of the bearings was a 900nm thick uniform tungsten hydrocarbon (W-C:H) coating using an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) assisted, hybrid chemical vapor deposition (CVD)/physical vapor deposition (PVD) tool. Tribological characteristics and mechanical properties of as-electrodeposited Ni micro bearings, annealed Ni micro bearings at 800°C, and W-C:H coated micro bearings were investigated. Potential applications of the micro bearings may involve very light contact pressure (5∼30MPa) and high sliding speed, such as micro motors and micro turbines. Conventional pin-on disc test methods on top flat surfaces, (001) planes, cannot effectively predict tribological characteristics because these micro bearings use the sidewall (110 plane) as a working surface. A special micro wear tester and friction tester were developed. Surface morphologies of new and worn bearing surfaces were studied using SEM. Raman Spectroscopy and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) characterized the W-C:H coated micro bearings. Test results of the W-C:H coated micro bearings (wear characteristics and friction) are also presented. W-C:H coated micro bearings had much lower wear rate than uncoated bearings. During the wear test, a transfer layer formed on the counter steel shaft even under very small contact pressure, leading to low steady state friction and high wear resistance.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Overexpression of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) and its receptor, c-fms, in normal ovarian granulosa cells leads to cell proliferation and tumorigenesis.

TO investigate the interdependent role of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (CSF-1) and its receptor (c-fms) on their induction and their role in granulosa cell tumorigenesis. Normal ovarian granulosa cells were used to develop stable transfectants that overexpress CSF-1 or CSF-1/c-fms. CSF-1 was expressed under the control of tissue/cell specific α-inhibin promoter, and c-fms was expressed constitutively using a viral promoter. Stable transfectants were used to examine the effect of overexpression of these molecules on the proliferation, induction of autocrine loop, and tumorigenesis. Expression vectors were developed for CSF-1 and its receptor, c-fms, and used to generate stable transfects overexpressing these genes in granulosa cells. Data show that overexpression of CSF-1 leads to the induction of its receptor. Stable transfectants that overexpress CSF-1 show about a 2.5-fold increase in cell proliferation compared with normal granulosa cells, and these cells are also converted to anchorage-independent and tumorigenic phenotype. Using an antisense RNA approach, we also demonstrated that the increased cell proliferation is CSF-1 specific. Concomitant overexpression of CSF-1 and c-fms further results in increased cell proliferation (sixfold), rapid anchorage-independent growth, and aggressive tumor formation. CSF-1 is capable of inducing its own receptor, and, similarly, the CSF-1 receptor, c-fms, can also induce its growth factor ligand. These studies also demonstrate the interdependent role of these genes in transformation of normal ovarian granulosa cells to a tumorigenic phenotype and suggest the possibility of a similar role for these genes in progression of ovarian cancer.
A Dynamic Systems Model for Gasifier in IGCC

We combine the concepts of element mole balance, population balance and shrinking core mechanism to develop a dynamic systems model for the Gasifier in an IGCC process. There is need for such a model for process analysis, optimization and low level control studies. The main idea is to use invariants, like elements (atoms), instead of compounds. This reduces the size of state space and we are able to explore the idea of a minimal state space representation for a thermodynamic process. The idea of a minimal state plays an important role in control theory as it is closely related to the concepts of controllability and observability.© 2008 ASME
Bringing order to life events: Memory for the temporal order of autobiographical events over an extended period in school-aged children and adults

Remembering temporal information associated with personal past events is critical. Yet little is known about the development of temporal order memory for naturally occurring events. In the current research, 8- to 10-year-old children and adults took photographs daily for 4 weeks. Later, they participated in a primacy/recency task (were shown 2 of their photographs and decided which event occurred first) and an ordering task (ordered 12 photographs taken over the 4-week period). All participants showed above-chance performance in primacy/recency; adults were more accurate than children. For ordering, children and adults showed similar patterns and performance was relatively low. This study has implications for autobiographical memory theories and suggests that ordering accuracy might not be necessary for adult-like autobiographical memory. Practical and legal implications of the findings also are discussed.
The genetic organization of neuron number in the granule cell layer of the area dentata in house mice

This report concerns variations in neuron number within the granule cell layer of the area dentata that occur among inbred strains of house mice. There is genetically associated variability in the total number of neurons present, with a very substantial range of estimated values. Systematic strain variations in the orientation of the granule cell layer are also present. When statistical corrections for variations in orientation are made, associations between the neuron numbers of subdivisions of the granule cell layer are consistent with the presence of common genetic determination of neuron number throughout the entire lamina.
Seismic Reflection Interpretation

This interesting, albeit uneven, little book reviews a broad range of topics related to the collection and analysis of seismic reflection data. In spite of its misleading title, it deals less with the geological interpretation of reflection sections than with the geometrical analysis of seismic raypaths. For example, statics corrections and migration theory—topics or peripheral interest if not indifference to most interpreters—are subjects of entire chapters while seismic stratigraphy, one of the hottest current branches on interpretaion, is not even mentioned!
Aldol reactions of ketal-protected tartrate ester enolates. Asymmetric syntheses and absolute stereochemical assignments of phospholipase A2 inhibitors cinatrin C1 and C3

Abstract An efficient approach to the syntheses of cinatrins C1 and C3 has been developed and used to establish the absolute configurations of these natural products. The construction of each molecule has been achieved in a five-step reaction sequence (overall yield 43% for cinatrin C1, 33% for cinatrin C3) from the di-tert-butyl ester of (R,R)-tartaric acid. The two contiguous, quaternary chiral centers in the cinatrin skeleton are constructed via a diastereoselective, titanium-mediated aldol coupling of a tartrate-derived silylketene acetal and an achiral α-ketoester. This bond construction proceeds with excellent diastereoselectivity for a variety of aldehyde and α-ketoester substrates.
Metabolic effects of vitamin D on serum calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus in pediatric burn patients

Severe burn injury results in profound metabolic derangements. Recently, we have shown that vitamin D metabolism is disturbed after burn injury. Vitamin D is essential for calcium and phosphorus homeostasis and skeletal bone integrity. The role of vitamin D on magnesium homeostasis is not well understood. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of vitamin D deficiency on serum electrolytes. Forty-one pediatric burn patients with a mean (± SEM) total body surface area burn of 53.1 ± 2.9% and full-thickness injury of 44.2 ± 4.1% were studied from July 1996 to December 2000. The mean age of the patients was 6.5 ± 0.8 years. Patients were studied for 6 weeks after admission to the hospital. Blood samples were obtained weekly for serum 25-hydroxycholecalciferol (25D), 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (1,25D), and daily for calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Total intravenous (IV) replacement of calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus was also quantitated retrospectively. Bivariate and multivariate correlational analysis was used for statistical comparison. For the study duration, multivariate analysis demonstrated a positive correlation between 25D and serum calcium (r = .47, P <.05 ) and 1,25D and calcium (r =.27, P <.05). Overall, calcium had a positive correlation with phosphorus and a negative correlation with IV calcium replacement (ie, patients with lower calcium received more IV replacement). During the initial week of hospitalization (week 0), decreased 25D (mean 11.6 ng/ml; normal range 15-57 ng/ml) and 1,25D (mean 13.9 pg/ml; normal range 15-75 pg/ml) did not correlate with any other measured variable. In week 1, 1,25D (mean 15.2 ng/ml) had a positive correlation (r =.410, P <.05) with calcium (mean 7.70 mg/dl). Hypovitaminosis D observed in burn injury correlates with serum calcium and phosphorus abnormalities. Early after injury (< 1 week) there was no observed correlation between vitamin D and other variables possibly because of the effects of burn shock. After 1 week, vitamin D appears to significantly effect phosphorus homeostasis. The relationship between vitamin D and magnesium is not well established. These results may indicate a role for vitamin D replacement therapy during the initial phase of burn resuscitation.