cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrastructural studies of protophloem sieve elements in Gossypium hirsutum

The differentiation of sieve element protoplasts was studied in the root protophloem of Gossypium hirsutum (cotton). The nuclei degenerate, but frequently remain into late stages of sieve element maturation as darkly stained amorphous aggregates. At the beginning of nuclear degeneration the chromatin aggregates, usually near the envelope, and becomes a composite of darker and lighter stained granular material. Membranous material of unknown origin is also frequently associated with the chromatin. The protophloem sieve element nucleolus is smaller than nucleoli in adjacent parenchyma cells and persists into the intermediate stages of nuclear degeneration. When the nuclear envelope is still intact, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) cisternae form a small number of stacks, some of which may lie near the nucleus. The peripheral regions of protophloem sieve elements are conspicuously deficient in aggregated ER. Convoluted membranous material, apparently of ER origin, accumulates near the nuclear envelope. Protophloem sieve element plastids lack the characteristic starch grains in early stages of differentiation, but usually develop one or more grains at a somewhat later stage in differentiation. Mitochondria decrease in density as the cell matures and frequently become associated with ER. Plastids and mitochondria become incorporated in the stacked and convoluted ER that accumulates near the nuclear envelope. In mature sieve elements the plastid starch grains become fissured and coarsely granular.
An electrical resistivity measurement in molten basalt during the 1983 Kilauea eruption

During the recent 1983 eruption of Kilauea Volcano in Hawaii, a field measurement of electrical resistivity was made in an 1118°C molten lava flow. A probe containing a four electrode. Wenner aray was inserted into the molten basaltic lava flow at a point about 100 m from the erupting vent. The probe indicated an electrical resistivity of approximately 40 ohm-m for the freshly-erupted molten lava. This value is consistent with existing, but sparce, laboratory data for molten rock in this temperature range.
Laser-ion acceleration from transparent overdense plasmas at the Texas Petawatt

A steady increase of on-target laser intensity with also increasing pulse contrast is leading to light-matter interactions of extreme laser fields with matter in new physics regimes. At the Texas Petawatt laser we have realized interactions in the transparent-overdense regime, which is reached by interacting a highly relativistic, ultra-high contrast laser pulse with a solid density ultrathin target. The extreme fields in the laser focus are turning the overdense, opaque target transparent to the laser by the relativistic mass increase of the electrons. Thus, the interaction becomes volumetric, increasing the energy coupling from laser to plasma. Using plasma mirrors to increase the on-target contrast ratio, we demonstrated generation of over 60 MeV proton beams with pulse energies not exceeding 40 J (on target).
4-Hydroxyhexenal is a potent inducer of the mitochondrial permeability transition.

Mitochondria undergo at least two types of structural alteration in response to various physiological and pathophysiological stimuli. One type is nonreversible and is associated with mitochondrial lysis. The second is reversible and appears to be associated with calcium-mediated activation of a specific inner mitochondrial membrane channel. The mechanisms underlying the induction of this second alteration, termed a mitochondrial permeability transition (PT), have been the subject of a great deal of recent research. Using rat liver mitochondria, our data demonstrate that calcium-mediated PT induction can be affected by the lipid peroxidation byproducts 4-hydroxynonenal and 4-hydroxyhexenal (HHE). 4-Hydroxynonenal appears inactive at concentrations
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN MALIGNANCY AND SONOGRAPHIC HETEROGENEITY IN CANINE AND FELINE ABDOMINAL LYMPH NODES

Abdominal lymph node enlargement is frequently noted sonographically. Certain sonographic features can be used to suggest whether lymphadenopathy is more likely benign or malignant. Specific changes in size, shape, echogenicity, and Doppler flow patterns have an association with malignancy. In this retrospective case-control study, the association between abdominal lymph node heterogeneity and malignancy was evaluated. Twenty-three canine and 18 feline patients with ultrasonographically heterogeneous abdominal nodes were evaluated for presence of benign or malignant lymphadenopathy. Controls were animals with lymph node enlargement of uniform echogeneity. Twenty-one (91%) of heterogeneous canine lymph nodes were malignant, and there was a significant association between heterogeneity and malignancy in canine abdominal lymph nodes (P= 0.024). Seven (63%) heterogeneous feline lymph nodes were malignant, with no significant association between heterogeneity and malignancy (P = 0.537).
Semiparametric Regression Modeling with Mixtures of Berkson and Classical Error, with Application to Fallout from the Nevada Test Site

Nous construisons des methodes Bayesiennes pour une modelisation semi-parametrique d'une fonction de regression monotone quand les predicteurs sont mesures avec une erreur classique, une erreur de Berkson ou les deux. De telles methodes demandent une distribution pour le predicteur non observe (variable latente), distribution que nous modelisons aussi de facon semi-parametrique. De telles combinaisons de methodes semi-parametriques pour la reponse a des doses aussi bien que pour la distribution de la variable latente n'ont pas ete etudiees dans la litterature sur les erreurs de mesure, quelle que soit la forme de l'erreur de mesure. De plus, nos methodes proposent une nouvelle approche des problemes ou l'erreur de mesure combine une composante de Berkson et une composante classique. Ces methodes sont generales mais nous les developpons autour d'une application particuliere qui est l'etude des maladies de la thyroide en relation avec les radiations venant du site de test du Nevada. Nous utilisons ces donnees pour illustrer nos methodes, lesquelles suggerent une estimation ponctuelle (moyenne a posteriori) du risque relatif a des doses pres de deux fois plus elevee que celle obtenue par les analyses precedentes, mais suggere aussi une bien plus grande incertitude sur le risque relatif.
Joint deconvolution/segmentation of microscope images of materials

In this paper, we propose the joint deconvolution and segmentation of materials images by incorporating blurring information in the EM/MPM segmentation algorithm. In the segmentation of microscope images of materials, exact boundary precision is very important. But it is difficult to get good results if the images have some degradation obtained in the acquisition process. We incorporate prior knowledge of blurring degradation into the existing EM/MPM segmentation algorithm in order to improve segmentation results at object boundaries. Experimental results using materials datasets are presented to demonstrate the proposed method is effective for that purpose.
Development and application of site-specific proteomic approach for study protein S-nitrosylation

Protein S-nitrosylation is the covalent redox-related modification of cysteine sulfhydryl groups with nitric oxide, creating a regulatory impact similar to phosphorylation. Recent studies have reported a growing number of proteins to be S-nitrosylated in vivo resulting in altered functions. These studies support S-nitrosylation as a critical regulatory mechanism, fine-tuning protein activities within diverse cellular processes and biochemical pathways. In addition, S-nitrosylation appears to have key roles in the etiology of a broad range of human diseases. In this review, we discuss recent advances in proteomic approaches for the enrichment, identification, and quantitation of cysteine S-nitrosylated proteins and peptides. These advances have provided analytical tools with the power to interpret the impact of S-nitrosylation at the system level, providing a new platform for drug discovery and the identification of diagnostic markers for human diseases.
Combination radiofrequency ablation with intratumoral liposomal doxorubicin: effect on drug accumulation and coagulation in multiple tissues and tumor types in animals.

PURPOSE: To determine whether use of radiofrequency (RF) ablation combined with intravenously (IV) administered liposomal doxorubicin, as compared with use of RF ablation or doxorubicin alone, facilitates increased tissue coagulation and interstitial drug accumulation in animal models. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The institutional animal care and use committee approved this study. In experiment 1, multiple canine sarcomas were implanted in seven mildly immunosuppressed dogs and grown to a mean diameter of 4.8 cm. Tumors were assigned to three treatment groups: internally cooled RF ablation (12 minutes, 2000-mA pulsed technique) followed by IV liposomal doxorubicin (10 mg per animal) (n = 6), RF ablation alone (n = 6), and liposomal doxorubicin alone (n = 4). In experiment 2, the livers and kidneys of 10 rabbits and the thigh muscles of 10 rats were randomly assigned to one of two treatment groups: conventional RF ablation (90°C ± 2, 5 minutes) followed by IV liposomal doxorubicin (5 mg per rabbit, 1 mg per rat...
Dynamic Gate Bias Technique for Improved Linearity of GaN HFET Power Amplifiers

This work demonstrates a significant reduction in third order intermodulation distortion of an AlGaN/GaN HFET using the dynamic gate bias technique. In this technique the gate bias and thus the gain of the transistor is adjusted in accordance with the instantaneous envelope of the input signal to minimize AM-AM distortion while maintaining high efficiency of deep class AB operation. A 10 dB reduction in IM3 was measured in two-tone tests, centered at 815 MHz.
Cellular Automata Used for Congestion Control in Wireless LANs

This study describes a novel technique of using cellular automata for congestion control in wireless LANs (WLANs). Our approach relies on cooperation between central nodes in WLANs, covering the same geographical area. Such geographical areas, even in the scope of a single building, may be covered by several available wireless networks, supporting same or different WLAN standards over the same space. We propose a technique for congestion avoidance in such heterogeneous environments, based on the use of cellular automata (CA). When each mobile device attempts to join a wireless network, a decision is made by the central node, whether to accept the association attempt, or reject it, in accordance with the outcome of a CA execution. Our technique attempts to reach a social goal for a large number of WLANs of optimizing the use of central node resources. This technique is not applicable in ad hoc networks due to the inherent decentralization of resources.
Kinetics of β-Si3N4 Grain Growth in Si3N4 Ceramics Sintered under High Nitrogen Pressure

The kinetics of anisotropic β-Si3N4 grain growth in silicon nitride ceramics were studied. Specimens were sintered at temperatures ranging from 1600° to 1900°C under 10 atm of nitrogen pressure for various lengths of time. The results demonstrate that the grain growth behavior of β-Si3N4 grains follows the empirical growth law Dn– D0n=kt, with the exponents equaling 3 and 5 for length [001] and width [210] directions, respectively. Activation energies for grain growth were 686 kJ/mol for length and 772 kJ/mol for width. These differences in growth rate constants and exponents for length and width directions are responsible for the anisotropy of β-Si3N4 growth during isothermal grain growth. The resultant aspect ratio of these elongated grains increases with sintering temperature and time.
Young urban women and the nutrition transition in Jordan.

Objective To determine the nutrition transition stage of female Jordanian college students. Design A cross-sectional survey was used to assess eating styles, disordered eating attitudes and behaviours, body esteem and dissatisfaction, and media influence. Setting Public and private universities in Jordan. Subjects A total of 255 subjects were recruited through a government-initiated youth campaign. Results The majority of participants had a normal BMI (70.6%) with almost all (99.4%) reporting restrained eating behaviour. Scores on the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) indicated that 45.2% of these female college students should be screening for eating disorders. Subscales of the Body Esteem Scale (BES) showed that these women did not have substantial body esteem issues and mean scores on the Sociocultural Attitudes Towards Appearance Questionnaire (SATAQ-3) indicated that overall these women did not feel the media was dictating the way their body should look. Where Jordanian women did feel pressure from Western media, there was a 6.7-fold increase in the likelihood that they wanted to lose weight. In addition, 48.2% of the female college students desired to lose weight and 14.4% desired weight gain, indicating a certain level of body dissatisfaction. Conclusions With low levels of overweight and obesity and a propensity towards eating based on external hunger cues, college-aged Jordanian women may be less advanced in their development through the nutrition transition than the general population of women. However, high levels of restrained eating and disordered eating attitudes and behaviours indicate the need for an intervention to address healthy weight-loss strategies, assess eating disorders and help maintain healthy body esteem.
MECHANISM OF UREA EXCRETION

1. Urea is present in the cells of the proximal convoluted tubule in a concentration higher than that of the blood or than that of the cells of any of the other kidney tubules. 2. Such a condition can only be reconciled to an assumption of an active secretion (excretion) on the part of these cells. 3. Urea also passes through the glomerular filter with the other crystalloids of the blood plasma. 4. The final concentration of urea is due to the above mentioned secretion by the proximal convoluted tubule, and to the absorption of water in other parts of the tubule.
The Axiological Theism of A. E. Taylor

If a rational argument is to be advanced for the existence of God, it must be some form of the cosmological, depending on the concept of causation, or the ontological, an elaboration of the concept of being. The metaphysical fertility of the axiological approach to theism consists in its reformulation of the ontological argument—viz., that the nature of existent reality itself is indicative of supra natural being.
The effect of environmental conditions on the motility of Escherichia coli.

SUMMARY: A simple chemically defined medium for examining the motility of Escherichia coli K12 was designed. The essential components were: (1) a chelating agent to protect the motility against inhibition by traces of heavy metal ions; (2) a buffer to keep the pH value at the optimum between pH 6·0 and 7·5; (3) an energy source to stimulate the motility above that allowed by an endogenous energy source. Oxygen was required unless an energy source was provided which yielded energy anaerobically. A temperature optimum was determined. A chemically defined growth medium capable of producing motile bacteria was devised. It was found that the presence of glucose or growth above 37° prevented synthesis of flagella.
Decomposing adult age differences in symbol arithmetic

A componential analysis was conducted to determine the locus of adult age differences in symbol arithmetic. Measures of the duration of two proposed components, substitution of digits for symbols and the addition or subtraction of the digits resulting from these substitutions, were obtained from 52 young adults and 52 older adults. Tests of working memory, perceptual speed, motor speed, and associative learning were also administered to all subjects. The results were most consistent with an interpretation postulating that the speed of many different cognitive processes decreases with increased age. Considerable age-related variance remained in the measures of symbol arithmetic performance after statistical control of working memory and associative learning performance, casting doubt on alternative hypotheses of the source of age-related differences in this task.
An Evaluation of the Effect of Various Concentrations of the Clemson University Pasteurella multocida Drinking Water Vaccine on the Immune Response Against Fowl Cholera Disease in Turkeys

Abstract Groups of turkeys were vaccinated with various dilutions of a 24-hour-old broth culture of the Clemson University Pasteurella multocida drinking water vaccine. Corresponding numbers of viable bacilli for each vaccine concentration were established. The average total number of viable bacilli consumed by each turkey was established. Two weeks post vaccination, the immunity of the vaccinated and non vaccinated groups was challenged with a virulent P-1059 strain of P. multocida. Turkeys not vaccinated experienced a 95% infection rate when challenged. Groups of turkeys vaccinated with approximately 11 million and 23 million viable bacilli experienced severe losses (60 and 80% respectively) when challenged. Four separate groups of turkeys vaccinated with 113 million to some 2 billion viable bacilli for each bird experienced a favorable immune response and each group of turkeys compared favorably with each of the other groups. The 113 million total number of viable bacilli consumed per average turkey was the lowest concentration of bacilli resulting in a favorable immune response. Vaccination of this group of turkeys was accomplished with a drinking water dilution of 1 million viable bacilli per ml. of prepared vaccine administered over a 2 hour period once only and after a 3 hour period of water deprivation; while this procedure resulted in a favorable immune response, it was felt that the viable bacilli concentration in the drinking water (1 million viable bacilli per ml. of prepared vaccine) was probably border-line and that a much higher number of viable bacilli would probably be needed under crowded commercial turkey production field conditions. Two additional groups were vaccinated 2 hours for each of 2 consecutive days. Challenge results suggest that there was no advantage to 2 days vaccination compared to a single 1 day 2 hour vaccination period, under the conditions of this experiment. Presumably, a repeat vaccination period would be indicated under field conditions where all of the turkeys were unable to consume an adequate amount of vaccine during a single vaccination period.
Blastocystis hominis: Prevalence in Asymptomatic versus Symptomatic Hosts

Blastocystis hominis, other protozoans, and fecal leukocytes were tabulated on trichrome-stained fecal smears from 182 asymptomatic and 125 symptomatic control patients. No statistically significant difference in prevalence of B. hominis was found between the asymptomatic study group and the symptomatic control group; the clinical profile of subjects with B. hominis and those not infected was similar, and no correlation was found between the presence of B. hominis and that of fecal leukocytes. High concentrations of B. hominis were more frequent and more nonpathogenic protozoa were found in symptomatic patients than in those who were asymptomatic.
Self-similar Functions and Population Protocols: A Characterization and a Comparison

Chandy et al. proposed the methodology of "self-similar algorithms" for distributed computation in dynamic environments. We further characterize the class of functions computable by such algorithms by showing that self-similarity induces an additive relationship among the level-sets of such functions. Angluin et al. introduced the population protocol model for computation in mobile sensor networks and characterized the class of predicates computable in a standard population. We define and characterize the class of self-similar predicates and show when they are computable by a population protocol.
Chiefdoms and Chieftaincy in the Americas

Chiefdoms and Chieftaincy in the Americas. Elsa M. Redmond. ed. Gainesville: University Press of Florida, 1998. 303 pp.
Processing: Programming for Designers and Artists

Sketching, the ability to look at objects at different angles and scales and, of course, interaction are essential features of the design process. In our digital age, the challenge has been to develop an application that makes these tasks intuitive, adaptable, and accessible. The Open Source application Processing does exactly that. Casey Reas and Ben Fry describe their innovative software and explore its many uses and advantages.
Organizational simulation and information systems design: an operations level example

The interplay between organizational structure, the decisions made by agents within the structure, and the technology supporting those agents is an important and complex, but not well understood, phenomenon in modern organizational studies. In this paper we describe how simulating key aspects of an organization's structure, in this case a hospital, can yield insights into the design of information systems and their performance. In particular, we report on a project that simulates alternative distributed decision-making approaches for patient scheduling tasks. The results indicate that there are important and complicated interactions between the alternative organizational structures simulated, the form of the information systems supporting those structures, and the task environment. This suggests that current, universal, a priori assumptions about the interplay between technology and organizational structure are questionable. Furthermore, organization-specific simulation is seen as a potentially useful method of explicating the important tradeoffs in alternative design possibilities.
The response of the stilbestrol-induced renal tumor to chemotherapeutic agents.

The inhibition of growth of the stilbestrol-induced hamster kidney tumor by various chemotherapeutic agents was studied in vivo. 5-Fluorouracil significantly retarded tumor growth and prolonged survival of the treated animals. The antibiotics mithramycin and dactinomycin markedly inhibited the tumor but did not prolong survival. The absence of drug toxicity in the doses used indicated that a more pronounced effect might have been obtained by retreatment at regular intervals. Cyclophosphamide at standard dosage levels did not influence tumor growth rate. The effect of vinblastine could not be properly assessed because of severe drug toxicity.
Performance of a sequentially deposited Ti/TiN/AlCuSi metallization structure

The electrical and physical properties of a sequentially deposited Ti/TiN/AlSiCu metallization structure are described. Emphasis is on the barrier properties of this multilayer film structure as function of the thickness, stoichiometry, resistance uniformity, bulk resistivity, stress, and deposition temperature. The leakage current was measured to be less than 100 pA before and after thermal stressing in the 450 degrees C to 550 degrees C range. Deposition temperature was found to have the greatest effect on film properties. Characterization results were verified on SRAM production lots. Barrier integrity was found to be stable at temperatures up to 550 degrees C. >
A micromachined fully differential lateral accelerometer

A monolithic surface micromachined lateral accelerometer with on-chip A/D converter is described. The device features a fully differential capacitive interface between the sensing element and on-chip electronics to minimize the systematic offset and errors due to switch charge injection. The common centroid layout of the sensor interface reduces cross-axis sensitivity and susceptibility to angular accelerations. The measured noise-floor of the device is 500 /spl mu/g//spl radic/(Hz) and the fullscale range is /spl plusmn/3.5 g(1 g=9.8m/sec/sup 2/).
The Internet in developing countries: a medium of economic, cultural and political domination

The last decade has witnessed an unprecedented diffusion of network technologies into developing countries. The technological discourse attending this diffusion has presented the new media as a utopian, egalitarian and empowering tool with the potential of ushering in a new era of development, democracy, and positive cultural change. This paper examines the economic, cultural, and political effects of the Internet within the historical context of developing countries. The paper traces the politically-inspired evolution of the Internet, its transfer into developing countries, and the economic, cultural, and political consequences of this transfer. Existing data indicates that the implementation of the Internet in most developing countries has served as a drain to the local resources, thus exacerbating their economic dependency on foreign nations. On a cultural level, the Internet’s predominantly Western design, content, and language have facilitated the proliferation of alien cultural patterns at the expense of the social experiences of the local cultures. Lastly, the Internet’s build-in tracking capabilities and its current manipulation for political purposes on international and national levels serves to empower the existing ruling elites in developing countries and perpetuates the disempowerment of the rest of the society. The implications of this paper are discussed.
Attained Education and Promotion in Public Accounting

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of various educational degree paths on promotion probabilities in public accounting in the Big 4 firms. We analyze survey responses from 860 accounting professionals in the United States who work at the Big 4 accounting firms to examine six distinct degree paths. Survival analyses indicate that Master's and M.B.A. degrees positively impact promotion probability relative to 120-hour or 150-hour undergraduate degrees. In general, technical degrees (Master's of Tax or Master's of Accountancy) offer a higher promotion probability for senior to manager, and M.B.A. degrees offer a higher promotion probability for senior manager to partner. This suggests that an M.B.A. with a concentration in tax or accountancy might be the best degree path for success in the accounting profession. Our results should be of interest to all accounting stakeholders, including accounting program advisors and their student advisees, accounting firms, state boards of ac...
Social Studies and English UNITE: Teachers collaborate to promote literacy

Collaboration among teachers of social studies and English can yield positive effects for students and professionals alike. Back-to-basics reading strategies such as oral reading and think-alouds are beneficial to the development of critical thinking and writing confidence in both subjects.
Spectrophotometric Simultaneous Determination of Valsartan and Amlodipine Besylate in Combined Capsule Dosage form by Ratio Derivative Method

A simple, economical, precise and accurate method for simultaneous determination of valsartan (VAL) and amlodipine besylate (AML) in combined capsule dosage form has been developed. The method is based on ratio spectra derivative spectrophotometry. The amplitudes 229.48 nm and 299.10 nm in the first derivative of the ratio spectra were selected to determine valsartan (VAL) and amlodipine besylate (AML) respectively in combined formulation. Beer's law is obeyed in the concentration range of 8-40 μg mL -1 for VAL and 0.5-2.5 μg mL -1 for AML for the methods. The % assay for commercial formulation was found to be 98.56% ± 0.27 for VAL and 98.91% ± 0.51 for AML by the proposed methods. The methods were validated with respect to linearity, precision and accuracy. Recovery by both the methods was found in the range of 98.89 - 99.60 % for VAL and 98.58 - 99.63 % for AML.
PROST: Predicting Resource Usages with Spatial and Temporal Dependencies

We present a tool, PROST, which can achieve scalable and accurate prediction of server workload time series in data centers. As several virtual machines are typically co-located on physical servers, the CPU and RAM show strong temporal and spatial dependencies. PROST is able to leverage the spatial dependency among co-located VMs to improve the scalability of prediction models solely based on temporal features, such as neural network. We show the benefits of PROST in obtaining accurate prediction of resource usage series and designing effective VM sizing strategies for the private data centers.
Parasitism of the Scale Insect, Fiorinia externa (Homoptera: Diaspididae), by Aspidiotiphagus citrinus (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae) in a Hemlock Forest: Density Dependence

The spatial distributions of the scale insect, Fiorinia externa Ferris (Homoptera: Diaspididae) and its parasite, Aspidiotiphagus citrinus (Craw.) (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae), on Eastern hemlock, Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr., were studied during 1976 in a mixed conifer-hardwood forest in Westport, Conn. The highest numbers of adult female scales and immature parasites occurred in the lower crown (0–4 m above ground) where 49 and 70% of the total number of each were collected, respectively. The upper crown (9–12 m) supported the least numbers (19 and 6% of the total scale and parasites, respectively). Percent parasitism of 2nd-instar females by A. citrinus was significantly correlated with the density of F. externa females on branches collected within the crown and from the lower crowns of 30 trees sampled in May and Sept. Increases from May–Sept. in percent parasitism were significantly correlated with increases in scale density over the period, indicating that A. citrinus responds density-dependently to changes in host population levels. The density-dependent response of A. citrinus to F. externa within the crown and among trees indicates the potential value of the parasite as a biological control agent of a most destructive insect pest of hemlock in parts of the northeast United States.
Nahtapparate in der Chirurgie

Die Auswertung der Ergebnisse mit Nahtgeraten in der Thorax-und Abdominalchirurgie zeigte, das diese zumindest ebenso sicher wie Handnahte sind und den Vorteil betrachtlicher Zeitersparnis sowie Herstellung feinerer Anastomosen ohne Wulste besitzen. Das EEA-Gerat erlaubt auserdem tieferliegende Rektumanastomosen als sie mit Handnahten moglich sind.
In-Hospital Diuretic Agent Use and Post-Discharge Clinical Outcomes in Patients Hospitalized for Worsening Heart Failure: Insights From the EVEREST Trial.

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study was to characterize the association between decongestion therapy and 30-day outcomes in patients hospitalized for heart failure (HF). Background Loop diuretic agents are commonly prescribed for the treatment of symptomatic congestion in patients hospitalized for HF, but the association between loop diuretic agent dose response and post-discharge outcomes has not been well characterized. Methods Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the association among average loop diuretic agent dose, congestion status at discharge, and 30-day post-discharge all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization in 3,037 subjects hospitalized with worsening HF enrolled in the EVEREST (Efficacy of Vasopressin Antagonism in Heart Failure: Outcome Study With Tolvaptan) study. Results In univariate analysis, subjects exposed to high-dose diuretic agents (≥160 mg/day) had greater risk for the combined outcome than subjects exposed to low-dose diuretic agents (18.9% vs. 10.0%; hazard ratio: 2.00; 95% confidence interval: 1.64 to 2.46; p Conclusions Short-term diuretic agent exposure during hospital treatment for worsening HF was not an independent predictor of 30-day all-cause mortality and HF rehospitalization in multivariate analysis. Congestion status at discharge did not modify the association between diuretic agent dose and clinical outcomes.
Modeling of CO2 Absorption Kinetics in Aqueous 2-Methylpiperazine

CO2 absorption into 8 molal (m) 2-methylpiperazine (2MPZ) is modeled in Aspen Plus using a previously developed rigorous thermodynamic model. With the regression of three reaction rate constants for carbamate and bicarbonate and one parameter for diffusion activation energy, the kinetic model represents CO2 flux measured in a wetted-wall column at 40–100 °C with 0.1–0.4 mol CO2/mol alkalinity with a relative deviation from −20% to 20%. The kinetic reaction rate is interpreted with activity-based termolecular kinetics and the rate constants are correlated with the Bronsted theory. The liquid film mass transfer coefficient (kg′) is well represented by the model at medium to rich CO2 loading. The power to which kg′ is dependent on the rate constant of 2MPZ carbamate formation (k2MPZ–2MPZ) decreases from ∼0.5 at very lean loading to nearly 0 at rich loading, whereas it is increasingly dependent upon the diffusion coefficient of the reactants and products and the physical liquid film mass transfer coefficient...
Discovery of potent, orally bioavailable phthalazinone bradykinin B1 receptor antagonists.

The bradykinin B1 receptor is rapidly induced upon tissue injury and inflammation, stimulating the production of inflammatory mediators resulting in plasma extravasation, leukocyte trafficking, edema, and pain. We have previously reported on sulfonamide and sulfone-based B1 antagonists containing a privileged bicyclic amine moiety leading to potent series of 2-oxopiperazines. The suboptimal pharmacokinetics and physicochemical properties of the oxopiperazine sulfonamides led us to seek B1 antagonists with improved druglike properties. Using a pharmacophore model containing a bicyclic amine as anchor, we designed a series of amide antagonists with targeted physicochemical properties. This approach led to a novel series of potent phthalazinone B1 antagonists, where we successfully replaced a sulfonamide acceptor with a cyclic carbonyl unit. SAR studies revealed compounds with subnanomolar B1 binding affinity. These compounds demonstrate excellent cross-species PK properties with high oral bioavailability an...
Institutional water reforms in Kenya: an analytical review

This paper reviews institutional reforms in the Kenyan water sector and their effect on water access. Despite a long history of reforms, a large proportion of the population still lacks access to water. The review showed that reforms during the colonial period gave the colonial government full control of land and water to satisfy the imperial quest for plantation agriculture and further limited water access to the locals through legislative fiat. After independence, the reforms initiated under ‘African Socialism’ to enhance equity that was severely neglected during the colonial period were adversely affected by global financial crisis of the 1980s. Similarly, the global initiative to ensure ‘water for all’ by 1990 was affected by a similar crisis and the subsequent introduction of neo-liberal policies in the country. The most recent reforms (initiated in 2000) are meant to reduce poverty and promote sustainable development in order to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015. The paper shows that by pegging its initiatives on global targets and foreign aid, Kenya has changed its policies and institutions to reflect the global trend several times. This has adversely affected the smooth continuity of policy process in the country.
Research on wedge-sleeve anchorages of CFRP tendons

With the basic idea to reduce the contact stress between clips and tendons,this paper developed a new prestressed CFRP tendons wedge-sleeve anchorages.The anchor system includes an anchor ring,a clip and a soft metal sleeve.The anchorage system is functioned through the pre-pressure to install the components,in order to achieve the lateral pressure and friction between FRP bars and sleeve,sleeve and clip,clip and anchor ring.Based on the 20group tests,the effect of the parameters on the anchorage efficiency was studied in detail,such as the anchorage length,the conical angle difference,the material types and thickness of the sleeves.The experimental results show that the improved wedge-sleeve anchorage can efficiently anchor the CFRP tendons when aluminum sleeves are used.All the anchorage efficiency coefficients of the 120mm anchor assembly under static loads are more than 0.95,which provides potential engineering application prospect.
Multiple metachronous osteogenic sarcoma. Report of twelve cases with two long-term survivors.

Twelve patients who had multiple osteosarcomas without intervening visceral lesions differed sharply from those patients whose multifocal osteosarcomas seemed to arise synchronously. It was not possible to determine whether the metachronous sarcomas represented late metastases or new primary tumors. The significant observation was that patients who had a new lesion were potentially curable. Surgical therapy produced two long-term survivors in the group of twelve patients.
Analysis of Oxide Scales Formed in the Naphthenic Acid Corrosion of Carbon Steel

Naphthenic acid corrosion of steel is a major challenge in oil refineries. Iron sulfide scales, formed by corrosion due to sulfur compounds found in the crude oil, have shown unpredictable behavior when it comes to their protectiveness. Recent results show that simultaneous formation of an iron oxide scale formed by corrosion due to naphthenic acids may explain part of the variability and contribute to corrosion resistance of the scale formed on 5Cr steel. In depth analysis identified magnetite in the sections of the scale just adjacent to the metal surface. Currently reported research focuses on investigating conditions that lead to the formation of the iron oxide layer on carbon steel. A comparison of different oxide layers formed on carbon steel from a pure model acid (palmitic acid) and a commercial naphthenic acid mixture derived from petroleum shows different behavior when it comes to corrosion protection. The two acids also show different behavior in the presence of sulfur containing compounds (a m...
The Deutsche Bank and the Nazi Economic War Against the Jews: The Problem of “Aryanization”

With the Nazi seizure of power in January 1933 began a government – sponsored drive to exclude Jews from German economic life. As a result of a series of pressures – from local party officials, from public authorities who played a prominent role as customers, from party members in the enterprise and in the reconstituted works councils, from ambitious managers who wanted rapid promotion – Jews were removed from the managing boards and supervisory boards of major corporations. Deutsche Bank was no exception in this general story. Believed by National Socialist ideologues to be all-powerful, represented on many supervisory boards, often holding the chairmanship, Deutsche Bank was inevitably involved in what amounted in practice to a large-scale purge of German economic life. This purge is and was sometimes termed “aryanization.” This is a loose or elastic concept that encompasses both the economic effects of racial discrimination by customers and suppliers (“ordinary Germans”) and restrictive administrative practices (in giving permits to trade, in allocating foreign exchange) and finally concrete legal measures in 1938 that completed the exclusion of Jews from German business life. Some writers consider that the first kind of “aryanization,” which came to be a major feature of the early years of the dictatorship, was in fact already under way well before Adolf Hitler became chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933.
Electron Waves and Wave Propagation

Electron diffraction and imaging rely on the wave properties of electrons. A basic understanding of wave and wave properties is thus required for the interpretation of electron diffraction and electron imaging. Wave theory is also required for understanding electron probe formation using electron lenses.
Anisotropic dissipation in lattice metamaterials

Plane wave propagation in an elastic lattice material follows regular patterns as dictated by the nature of the lattice symmetry and the mechanical configuration of the unit cell. A unique feature pertains to the loss of elastodynamic isotropy at frequencies where the wavelength is on the order of the lattice spacing or shorter. Anisotropy may also be realized at lower frequencies with the inclusion of local resonators, especially when designed to exhibit directionally non-uniform connectivity and/or cross-sectional geometry. In this paper, we consider free and driven waves within a plate-like lattice−with and without local resonators−and examine the effects of damping on the isofrequency dispersion curves. We also examine, for free waves, the effects of damping on the frequency-dependent anisotropy of dissipation. Furthermore, we investigate the possibility of engineering the dissipation anisotropy by tuning the directional properties of the prescribed damping. The results demonstrate that uniformly appl...
Multinational Corporations and Institutions

This paper examines whether the recent conclusion that foreign direct investment (FDI) has a positive effect on institutions in developing countries depends on a country having reached a certain threshold level of institutional quality. The relevant literature has recently coalesced around the view effects of capital account globalization on growth are elusive; its main benefit is likely to be collateral. We examine the collateral impact on institutions of investment through a multinational corporation and using cross-section analysis. We show FDI’s positive effect on institutions in developing countries is driven by upper middle income countries. When the institutional quality is very low, FDI cannot lift it; when it reaches a middle level, it can. In view of persistent global inequality, and failure of developing countries to catch-up, and recent emphasis on “fundamental” causes of growth (like institutions) as distinguished from “proximate” causes like physical capital, labor in efficiency units, and technology of the Solow model, understanding how institutions may be affected is important.
Risk Stratification Among Men With Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System Version 2 Category 3 Transition Zone Lesions: Is Biopsy Always Necessary?

OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to determine the clinical and MRI characteristics of clinically significant prostate cancer (PCA) (Gleason score ≥ 3 + 4) in men with Prostate Imaging Repo...
The Importance of Educating Patients With Stroke About Vitamin D

ABSTRACTThere is a growing body of evidence linking vitamin D to more than only bone health. Researchers are discovering connections between low vitamin D levels and increased stroke risk, higher mortality, and poorer outcomes after stroke. Nurses need to be aware of ongoing research regarding vitam
A KAM Tori Algorithm for Earth Satellite Orbits

This paper offers a new approach for constructing Kolmogorov - Arnold - Moser (KAM) tori for orbits in the full potential for a non-spherical planet. The Hamilton - Jacobi equation is solved numerically by a Newton-Rhapson iteration, achieving convergence to machine precision, and still retaining literal variable dependence. Similar iteration methods allow correcting the orbital frequencies, and permit the calculation of the state transition matrix for the full problem. Some initial numerical examples are offered.
While males fight, females choose: male phenotypic quality informs female mate choice in mammals

Theoretical support exists for an exaggerated male structure to serve as both a weapon for intrasexual competition and as an ornament to signal quality and promote female choice. However, there is little, if any, evidence to support this theory in male–male competition breeding systems. Using white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, as a model species, we manipulated antler size on males while controlling for body size and age and allowed 25 oestrous females the opportunity to choose between pairs of segregated males with either large or small antlers. By segregating males, we were able to remove any intrasexual male competition and isolate the effects of female choice. Using various behavioural indications of female choice, we demonstrate that females prefer males with large antlers to those with small antlers. Because antler size is heritable in deer, this female preference for larger antlers may be adaptive by increasing the reproductive success of her male offspring. Our unique antler manipulation study supports the armament-ornament model where male weapons can simultaneously serve as ornaments to females and weapons in male–male competition breeding systems.
The grand assault

The complete genome sequence of the parasite responsible for most of the world's human malaria has been determined. The nature of the genome meant that this was a difficult project, requiring considerable ingenuity.
Exploring Titan's cryogenic hydrocarbon seas with boat-deployed expendable dropsondes

Abstract We present a preliminary design for a 3 kg expendable measurement system to descend to a depth of up to 1 km in the cryogenic hydrocarbon seas (Kraken and Ligeia Mare) of Saturn’s moon Titan. These could profile the temperature and gross composition (methane/ethane) and providing information on the constitution of the seabed. Particular features of the Titan environment distinct from Earth are (1) the interior of this small vehicle must be thermally isolated from the 94 K liquid (2) 1 km depth on Titan entails overpressures of only 10 bar, and (3) that the low dielectric loss of the liquid allows data transmission by radio link. A surface vessel equipped with such expendable dropsondes could accomplish much of the science previously considered for submersible vehicles, while avoiding the challenges of buoyancy control.
Inflammatory and papulosquamous disorders of the skin and eye

We have discussed herein the dermatologic and ocular manifestations of several inflammatory diseases. Cooperation between ophthalmologists and dermatologists can significantly enhance patient care and comfort. It is hoped that this review will stimulate increased awareness of the prevalence of ocular findings in these diseases and encourage cooperation between these specialties for the benefit of our patients.
Membranes, Lipids and the Lithium-Responsive Psychoses

The work described in the present report derives from the working hypothesis that “the Li+-responsive psychoses, like many other neurological disorders (e.g., see ref.1), are the manifestation of abnormalities in membrane composition and organization”. Furthermore, it is assumed that these abnormalities are trait factors which are expressed not only in the brain but in other tissues as well. With this hypothesis in mind we have focused our investigation on three issues:(a) Li+ transport, (b) membrane lipid composition and (c) phospholipid methylation.
A Comparison of Two In-Class Anxiety Reduction Exercises before a Final Exam.

The purpose of this quasi-experiment is to test two different methods for helping students reduce anxiety before an exam. Students in two introductory psychology courses (N = 111) engaged in either...
Apoptosis by Zinc Deficiency

Zinc is an essential trace element for all forms of life. Zinc deficiency affects many systems because of the many roles it encompasses, such as in metabolism (including the activity of more than 300 enzymes), the structure of many proteins and control of genetic expression. Homeostatic regulation of this trace metal is extremely crucial, with zinc status affecting basic processes of cell division, growth, differentiation and apoptosis. The role of zinc in the regulation of apoptosis is not fully understood. The present review describes the current literature surrounding zinc deprivation and the induction of apoptotic cell death, and attempts to dissect the various molecular mechanisms involved in the process.