cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Strand bond stress–slip relationship for prestressed concrete members at prestress release

The transfer of prestress force from prestressing strands to the surrounding concrete is dependent on the bond between the two materials. Understanding the actual bond stress distribution along the transfer length results in optimized design of the transfer zone of prestressed concrete members. Equations of estimating the transfer length in ACI 318 code and AASHTO LRFD bridge design specifications simply take into account the effect of the strand diameter only. The objective of this study is to provide a generalized procedure for determining the bond stress–slip relationship accurately by incorporating the effects of additional parameters, such as concrete compressive strength at prestress release, center-to-center strand spacing, and concrete bottom cover. First, the bond stress distribution along the transfer length of a prestressed concrete member is formulated based on longitudinal slip–strain compatibility, force equilibrium and invariable bond stress–slip relationship along the transfer length. Second, a generalized Inverse Problem-Solving approach is introduced to determine best parameter coefficients through minimizing the discrepancy between the calculated and measured results. Two types of measurements (i.e., transfer length and end slip) reported in the literature are utilized to demonstrate the proposed approach. Predicted transfer length and end slip values using the calibrated bond stress–slip relationship show better agreement with the test data compared to those predicted by ACI 318 code and AASHTO LRFD bridge design specifications. Third, a computational procedure is developed and an example is presented to assist engineers using the developed formulae for determining the bond stress distribution along the transfer length of prestressed concrete members.
Circadian Rhythmicity and Sleep: Effects of Aging in Laboratory Animals

This literature review of research on age-related differences in sleep and rhythmic phenomena in laboratory animals covers three general areas: (1) age-related differences in biorhythms in general; (2) age-related differences in sleep patterns as assessed by psychophysiological measures; and (3) neurobiological correlates of biorhythms and sleep, including consideration of possible morphological, chemical, and endocrine bases of age-related defects in animal models. It is concluded that systematic research bridging these areas is lacking although several promising areas have been explored.
Application of the Toyota Production System improves core laboratory operations

To meet the increased clinical demands of our hospital expansion, improve quality, and reduce costs, our tertiary care, pediatric core laboratory used the Toyota Production System lean processing to reorganize our 24-hour, 7 d/wk core laboratory. A 4-month, consultant-driven process removed waste, led to a physical reset of the space to match the work flow, and developed a work cell for our random access analyzers. In addition, visual controls, single piece flow, standard work, and "5S" were instituted. The new design met our goals as reflected by achieving and maintaining improved turnaround time (TAT; mean for creatinine reduced from 54 to 23 minutes) with increased testing volume (20%), monetary savings (4 full-time equivalents), decreased variability in TAT, and better space utilization (25% gain). The project had the unanticipated consequence of eliminating STAT testing because our in-laboratory TAT for routine testing was less than our prior STAT turnaround goal. The viability of this approach is demonstrated by sustained gains and further PDCA (Plan, Do, Check, Act) improvements during the 4 years after completion of the project.
Hypertension induced by angiotensin II and a high salt diet involves reduced SK current and increased excitability of RVLM projecting PVN neurons.

Although evidence indicates that activation of presympathetic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) neurons contributes to the pathogenesis of salt-sensitive hypertension, the underlying cellular mechanism...
Utility of hepatic transaminases to recognize abuse in children.

Objective: Although experts recommend routine screening of hepatic transaminases (aspartate aminotransferase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) in cases of potential child physical abuse, this practice is highly variable. Our objective was to determine the sensitivity and specificity of routine transaminase testing in young children who underwent consultation for physical abuse. Patients And Methods: This was a prospective, multicenter, observational study of all children younger than 60 months referred for subspecialty evaluation of possible physical abuse. The child abuse team at each center recommended screening transaminases routinely as standard of care for all cases with a reasonable concern for physical abuse. Sensitivity and specificity for transaminases and clinical examination findings to detect identified abdominal injuries were determined, and receiver operating characteristic analysis was undertaken. Results: Of 1676 consultations, 1272 (76%) patients underwent transaminase testing, and 54 (3.2% [95% confidence interval: 2.4-4.2]) had identified abdominal injuries. Area under the curve for the highest level of either transaminase was 0.85. Using a threshold level of 80 IU/L for either AST or ALT yielded a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 82% (positive likelihood ratio: 4.3; negative likelihood ratio: 0.3). Of injuries with elevated transaminase levels, 14 (26%) were clinically occult, lacking abdominal bruising, tenderness, and distention. Several clinical findings used to predict abdominal injury had high specificity but low sensitivity. Conclusions: In the population of children with concern for physical abuse, abdominal injury is an important cause of morbidity and mortality, but it is not so common as to warrant universal imaging. Abdominal imaging should be considered for potentially abused children when either the AST or ALT level is >80 IU/L or with abdominal bruising, distention, or tenderness. Language: en
Annealing-induced morphological changes in segmented elastomers

Abstract Thermal analysis has been used to study annealing-induced ordering in segmented elastomers. Twelve segmented elastomers were studied each having approximately 50% by wt hard segment content. Seven general classes of materials were examined including polyether and polyester polyurethanes, polyether polyurethane-urea, and polyether-polyester. Materials were slow cooled (−10°C min−1) from the melt to an annealing temperature (−10°, 20°, 60°, 90° or 120°C) where they were annealed (16, 12, 8, 6 or 4 days, respectively). Annealing was followed by slow cooling (−10°C min−1) to −120°C after which a d.s.c. experiment was run. In general, annealing resulted in an endothermic peak at a temperature 20°–50°C above that of the temperature of annealing. This phenomenon was observed in both semicrystalline and amorphous materials. The closer the annealing endotherm was to a crystalline endotherm without exceeding it in temperature, the larger its size. Annealing endotherms resulted from hard or soft segment ordering. Only one annealing endotherm was observed for a given annealing history, even though in some materials hard and soft segments could exhibit annealing-induced morphological changes. Hard segment homopolymers were studied yielding results similar to the block polymers containing shorter sequences of the same material. This suggests that annealing-induced ordering is an intradomain phenomenon not associated with the interphase between domains, or necessarily dependent on the chain architecture of segmented elastomers.
Comparison of streptokinase, urokinase, and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator in an in vitro model of venous thrombolysis

Abstract Purpose: Presumed differences in the thrombolytic activity and fibrinolytic specificity of the three commonly used thrombolytic agents, streptokinase, urokinase, and recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA), are based on clinical study results, where variability renders meaningful comparisons difficult. An in vitro model of catheter-directed venous thrombolysis was used to compare the three agents. Methods: Retracted iodine 125 – radiolabeled clots that simulate those observed in the venous system were infused with thrombolytic agents at doses analogous to those used clinically. Perfusion with heparinized, whole human blood was undertaken for 60 minutes, measuring the efficacy of thrombolysis through serial quantification of radio tracer released into the circuit. Fibrinolytic specificity was determined by following decrements in perfusate fibrinogen concentration. Results: Streptokinase was the agent associated with the slowest rate of clot lysis ( p = 0.01 vs urokinase and rt-PA). Urokinase was associated with an intermediate rate of lysis but appeared to be the agent with the greatest degree of fibrinolytic specificity ( p = 0.02 vs streptokinase, p = 0.05 vs rt-PA). Although rt-PA was associated with improved efficacy early in the perfusions, the differences between rt-PA and urokinase dissipated after 30 minutes. Conclusions: These laboratory observations suggest that urokinase may be the most appropriate agent for catheter-directed venous thrombolysis, offering an advantageous compromise between fibrinolytic specificity and thrombolytic speed. (J VASC SURG 1995;22:593-7.)
Stability of carboxyhemoglobin in stored and mailed blood samples.

Abstract Background Elevated blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels are used to confirm a clinical diagnosis of exposure to carbon monoxide (CO) and, in some instances, assess severity of poisoning. However, many hospital laboratories cannot measure COHb because they do not have CO-oximeters. In such instances, blood samples are often sent to outside laboratories or with a transported patient for measurement at the receiving hospital. This study was conducted to assess the stability of COHb in stored and mailed blood samples anticoagulated with heparin. Methods Adult human blood was drawn into standard sample tubes anticoagulated with sodium heparin. Carbon monoxide gas was infused to raise the COHb level to 25% to 35%. Samples were then refrigerated or stored at room temperature, and serial COHb determinations were performed for 28 days. Additional samples were measured after being mailed locally or across the United States and back. Results No significant changes in COHb levels were seen in samples stored either in refrigeration or at room temperature over a period of 28 days or in samples shipped without refrigeration locally or across the United States. Conclusions Carboxyhemoglobin levels in whole blood samples anticoagulated with heparin are stable with or without refrigeration for up to 4 weeks. If COHb measurement capability is not available, such samples may be shipped or transported with patients with confidence that the COHb level will be stable when measured at a later time.
Meat export marketing: Lessons from successful exporters

Exporting high-valued products in general, and meat and meat products in particular, has not been a marketing alternative explored by many purveyors of such products, A series of interviews with executives of successful meat exporting firms was conducted to determine alternative successful strategies and methods of exporting meat and meat products. This article compiles their responses and provides a step-by-step summary of the meat export process from the decision to export to the actual mechanics of exporting.
Laser welding for vascular anastomosis using albumin solder: an approach for MID-CAB.

Background and Objectives To improve minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery (MID-CAB), new techniques of vascular anastomosis that are faster and more reliable need to be developed. Study Design/Materials and Methods Common carotids in a canine model were transected and an end-to-end anastomosis was performed by using one of four techniques (1) continuous 6-0 polypropylene closure (suture; n = 6), (2) vascular clip (VCS; n = 6), laser welding using 50% albumin solder with (3) a 1.32-μ laser (1.32las; n = 6), and (4) a 1.9-μ diode laser (1.9las; n = 4). Times for anastomosis (TA) were compared between groups by t-test. Pressures at which anastomosis failed (leak point pressure, LPP) were determined and compared by analysis of variance. Results TA was faster for 1.32las and 1.9las at 8.4 ± 0.7 and 7.8 ± 0.3 min, respectively, when compared with suture at 13.8 ± 1.0 min ( P = 0.001, confidence interval [CI]−8.1, −2.6 for 1.32las and CI −8.9, −3.1 for 1.9las). There was no statistical difference between VCS (8.3 ± 3.3 min) and any other group (P > 0.17). LPPs (mm Hg) were similar for all groups: 350 ± 37 for 1.32las, 280 ± 31 for 1.9las, 347 ± 46 for suture, and 358 ± 53 for VCS, P = 0.68. Conclusions In this study, laser welding using 50% human albumin solder resulted in faster anastomotic times. Anastomoses were equivalent to conventional sutured anastomoses in failing at similar pressures. Laser welding using human albumin solder may be advantageous in improving coronary anastomoses during MID-CAB, but long-term anastomotic strength and histologic evaluation need to be investigated. Lasers Surg. Med. 24:264–268, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effects of Planting Date and Barley Variety on Russian Wheat Aphid (Hemiptera: Aphididae) Populations in Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska

ABSTRACT The Russian wheat aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Kurdjumov) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), is an important pest in the western Great Plains of the United States, where it causes hundreds of millions of dollars of losses to barley and wheat production through reduced yields. Experiments to evaluate the effect of early planting and resistance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) on D. noxia were conducted at Fort Collins, CO; Tribune, KS; and Sidney, NE, in 2007, 2008, and 2009. Treatments included two planting dates and four cultivars, the D. noxia-resistant barley cultivars ‘Stoneham’ (Otis*4/STARS 9577B) and ‘Sidney’ (Otis*4/STARS 9301B), the susceptible cultivar ‘Otis’, and Otis treated with thiamethoxam. In tiller samples collected from May through early July, consistently lower D. noxia populations were found in plots planted ≈30 d earlier than normal at Fort Collins in all three years, and at Tribune in 2007. With one location-year exception, lower D. noxia populations occurred on plants of resistant varieties ...
Neurosteroids: endogenous modulators of neuronal excitability and plasticity.

Neurosteroids are steroids synthesized in glial cells and in some neurons independently of the adrenal glands and gonads.1 Whereas circulating steroids have readily access to the CNS, neurosteroids may act as paracrine signals affecting neuronal function by modulating neurotransmitter-gated ion channels and G-protein-coupled receptors.2,3 Paracrine signals are chemical signals that are released from neurons or glial cells and diffuse via the extracellular fluid to affect neighboring target cells. Neurosteroids have been implicated in mechanisms of epileptogenesis,4 hepatic encephalopathy,5 neurodegeneration,6–8 neuroprotection,9,10 and psychiatric disorders.11–13 Drugs that affect synthesis or metabolism of neurosteroids provide a new therapeutic opportunity for treatment of these disorders.4,8 Neurosteroids are synthesized in astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells, and a few neurons such as Purkinje cells, hippocampal neurons, and retinal amacrine and ganglion cells1,3,4 (figure). The rate-limiting step in neurosteroid biosynthesis is the transport of cholesterol into the mitochondria, which involves the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor.11 At the inner mitochondrial membrane, cholesterol is converted to pregnenolone by action of the P450 cholesterol side-chain cleavage enzyme. Pregnenolone then passes to the cytosol, where it serves as the precursor of all neurosteroids. In the cytosol, pregnenolone is converted, via successive enzymatic steps, to potent neurosteroids such as tetrahydroprogesterone (or allopregnanolone) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) (figure). DHEA is the precursor of testosterone, which, via action of aromatase, is converted to estradiol. All the enzymes required for neurosteroid biosynthesis and metabolism are expressed in astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, neurons, and Schwann cells.14 Steroidogenesis in the nervous system is regulated by interactions between neurons and glial cells. Figure. Main steps in the biosynthesis of neurosteroids and effects of neurosteroids on γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) A and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor–mediated neurotransmission. Neurosteroids are primarily synthesized in astrocytes, and the rate-limiting step is the incorporation of cholesterol in the mitochondria …
Structural evolution of African basins: stratigraphic synthesis

The structural and stratigraphic character of African interior sedimentary basins is highly variable, indicating contrasting basin-forming mechanisms and subsequent subsidence histories. A stratigraphic database has been compiled for African interior depositional basins for the purpose of better understanding basin thermal and structural development. Data are recorded in the form of stratal age, lithology, thickness and elevation of top with respect to present sea level. The data are obtained from published structure contour maps, well sections, and outcrop geology and elevation. There are various degrees of data coverage of the basins, proportional to the amount of water and oil drilling activity. Consequently, there is excellent coverage of North African basins such as the Algerian basin and the Sirte basin, while there is little known about the subsurface of the Congo basin. The stratigraphic data are used to reconstruct the depositional history of the basins, while backstripping leads to the quantification of the thermo-tectonic component of basin subsidence. The nature of basement subsidence can provide constraints on lithospheric flexural rigidity. In addition, the depositional and thermo-tectonic history of each basin bears upon the mechanisms of basin formation and subsidence. Virtually all types of basins are represented in interior Africa, including thrust-loaded basins (Algerian), passive-margin rift basins (Algerian, Sirte), modern active rift basins (East African), ancient rift basins (Benue, Abu Gabra), basins caused by uplift of their margins (Congo, Chad, Illumeden) and even basins that may be related to thermal subsidence of hot-spot domes (Algerian, Sirte).
Online adaptive clustering in a decision tree framework

We present an online adaptive clustering algorithm in a decision tree framework which has an adaptive tree and a code formation layer. The code formation layer stores the representative codes of the clusters and the tree adapts the separating hyperplanes between the clusters. The membership of a sample in a cluster is decided by the tree and the tree parameters are guided by stored codes. The model provides a hierarchical representation of the clusters by minimizing a global objective function as opposed to the existing hierarchical clusterings where a local objective function at every level is optimized. We show the results on real-life data.
El Niño: Catastrophe or Opportunity

El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon, a periodic warming of sea surface temperatures in the eastern and central equatorial Pacific, generates a significant proportion of short-term climate variations globally, second only to the seasonal cycle. Global economic losses of tens of billions of dollars are attributed to extremes of ENSO (i.e., El Nino and La Nina), suggesting that these events disproportionately trigger socioeconomic disasters on the global scale. Since global El Nino/La Nina–associated climate impacts were first documented in the 1980s, the prevailing assumption has been that more severe and widespread climate anomalies, and, therefore, greater climate-related socioeconomic losses, should be expected during ENSO extremes. Contrary to expectations, climate anomalies associated with such losses are not greater overall during ENSO extremes than during neutral periods. However, during El Nino and La Nina events climate forecasts are shown to be more accurate. Stronger ENSO events lead to greater predictability of the climate and, potentially, the socioeconomic outcomes. Thus, the prudent use of climate forecasts could mitigate adverse impacts and lead instead to increased beneficial impacts, which could transform years of ENSO extremes into the least costly to life and property.
Advances in large-area photomosaicking underwater

The propagation of visible light underwater suffers rapid attenuation and extreme scattering. This, in combination with the limited camera-to-light separation available on most imaging platforms, places severe limitations on our ability to optically image large areas of the sea floor at high resolution. We present a general framework for mosaicking large areas underwater with a specific emphasis on the issues that are unique to the underwater environment. At the individual image level, we examine the role of attenuation, scattering, and camera to light separation and present the tradeoffs involved in optimizing a particular imaging geometry. We also examine the arbitrary image-registration problem in the face of conditions prevalent underwater, namely a moving nonuniform lighting source and the effects of a featureless unstructured terrain. Our analysis is based on photomosaics encompassing several hundred images on archaeological, forensic, and geological expeditions from a diverse set of imaging platforms, including the NR-1 nuclear submarine, the manned submersible Alvin, the Argo towed vehicle, the Jason remotely operated vehicle, and the ABE autonomous underwater vehicle.
Putting the Image Back in Imagination

Despite their intuitive appeal and a long philosophical history, imagery-based accounts of the imagination have fallen into disfavor in contemporary discussions. the philosophical pressure to reject such accounts seems to derive from two distinct sources. First, the fact that mental images have proved difficult to accommodate within a scientific conception of mind has led to numerous attempts to explain away their existence, and this in turn has led to attempts to explain the phenomenon of imagining without reference to such ontologically dubious entities as mental images. Second, even those philosophers who accept mental images in their ontology have worried about what seem to be fairly obvious examples of imaginings that occur without imagery. In this paper, I aim to relieve both these points of philosophical pressure and, in the process, develop a new imagery-based account of the imagination: the imagery model.
An integrative solution to the conflict over conflict

The article discusses organizational conflict and proposes an integrative solution for preventing disruption in organizations. The discussion refers to research such as being "conflict-positive" (Tjosvold, 1991), integrative problem solving (Fisher & Ury, 1991), and the effect of task and relationship conflicts on organizations (De Dreu & Weingart, 2003). A model of organizational conflict examines the differences in conflicts--which are defined as latent and perceived, veridical and unrecognized, and task and relationship--with a focus on improving team satisfaction and organizational performance.
State Building, Interstate and Intrastate Rivalry: A Study of Post-Colonial Developing Country Extractive Efforts, 1975-2000

This paper seeks to understand the relationship between state building, interstate and intrastate rivalry. Previous studies of state building have focused primarily on the European experience, with selective application to cases in the developing world. Prior studies of interstate rivalry have focused primarily on their effects on interstate relations. This paper seeks to expand the domain of both literatures. First, the paper investigates the applicability of the predatory theory of the state, derived from the European experience, in the context of the postcolonial developing world. Second, the paper expands interstate rivalry research to an examination of the effects of both interstate and intrastate rivals on domestic politics. In particular, the literature derived from the European experience considers decisions about fiscal policy as central to the process of state building and survival. Therefore, this paper examines the effects of internal and external rivals on extractive capacity in the context of state development in sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, and Asia from 1975 to 2000. A series of pooled, cross-sectional time-series analyses suggest that external and internal rivals increase the extractive capacity of the state in a manner similar to the experience of early modern Europe.
MODERATE PRESSURE MASSAGE ELICITS A PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM RESPONSE

Twenty healthy adults were randomly assigned to a moderate pressure or a light pressure massage therapy group, and EKGs were recorded during a 3-min baseline, during the 15-min massage period and during a 3-min postmassage period. EKG data were then used to derive the high frequency (HF), low frequency (LF) components of heart rate variability and the low to high frequency ratio (LF/HF) as noninvasive markers of autonomic nervous system activity. The participants who received the moderate pressure massage exhibited a parasympathetic nervous system response characterized by an increase in HF, suggesting increased vagal efferent activity and a decrease in the LF/HF ratio, suggesting a shift from sympathetic to parasympathetic activity that peaked during the first half of the massage period. On the other hand, those who received the light pressure massage exhibited a sympathetic nervous system response characterized by decreased HF and increased LF/HF.
Autologous chondrocyte implantation: operative technique for contained femoral defects

Abstract Autologous chondrocyte transplantation has been performed since the early 1990s. Four- and 10-yearprospective study data have been published indicating a hyaline-like repair tissue with clinical success rates nearing 85% to 90%. The surgical technique and important peri-surgical decision points are presented in this monograph to help the surgeon complete an effective repair in contained femoral chondral full-thickness defects of the knee.
Contraceptive implants: providing better choice to meet growing family planning demand

Contraceptive implants are extremely effective long acting and suitable for nearly all women -- to delay space or limit pregnancies -- and they are increasingly popular. Now markedly reduced prices and innovative service delivery models using dedicated non-physician service providers offer a historic opportunity to help satisfy women’s growing need for family planning.
In Vivo Liver Regeneration Potential of Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells from Diverse Origins

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are a potential source of hepatocytes for liver transplantation to treat end-stage liver disease. In vitro differentiation of human iPSCs into hepatic cells has been achieved using a multistage differentiation protocol, but whether these cells are functional and capable of engrafting and regenerating diseased liver tissue is not clear. We show that human iPSC-derived hepatic cells at various differentiation stages can engraft the liver in a mouse transplantation model. Using the same differentiation and transplantation protocols, we also assessed the ability of human iPSCs derived from each of the three developmental germ layer tissues (that is, ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm) to regenerate mouse liver. These iPSC lines, with similar but distinct global DNA methylation patterns, differentiated into multistage hepatic cells with an efficiency similar to that of human embryonic stem cells. Human hepatic cells at various differentiation stages derived from iPSC lines of different origins successfully repopulated the liver tissue of mice with liver cirrhosis. They also secreted human-specific liver proteins into mouse blood at concentrations comparable to that of proteins secreted by human primary hepatocytes. Our results demonstrate the engraftment and liver regenerative capabilities of human iPSC-derived multistage hepatic cells in vivo and suggest that human iPSCs of distinct origins and regardless of their parental epigenetic memory can efficiently differentiate along the hepatic lineage.
Influences from the Field

This chapter highlights the significant roles played by teachers, professors, and other professionals in the lives of the participants and the choices they made to educate for social justice. The participants discuss the impact of individual teachers and professors, the field in which they work, and exposure to specific curricula and readings that ignited their interest in educating for social justice. Most significantly, this chapter shows that the curriculum, the manner in which teachers interact with students, and what happens in schools matters and shapes the lives of people. The chapter reveals evidence against general belief that teaching is not intellectual work. Reflection questions at the end of the chapter urge the reader to contemplate the nature of his or her impact in the classroom and the lessons provided by the curriculum he or she selects.
Valuing Cancer Care: Challenges and Opportunities

Although payers are setting the pace with regard to innovations in health information technology and managed care techniques, they lack the power to apply them because of insufficient cost pressure on providers.
Preference exclusions for social rationality

I develop sufficient conditions for transitivity and acyclicity of social preferences, continuing the investigation of restricted domains begun by Black (J Polit Econ 56:23–34, 1948; The theory of committees and elections. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1958), Arrow (Social choice and individual values. Wiley, New York, 1951), and Sen (Econometrica 34:491–499, 1966; Rev Econ Stud 36:381–393, 1969). The approach, which excludes certain triples of rankings over triples of alternatives, contributes to the literature in three ways. First, I generalize majority rule to classes of social preference relations defined by their decisiveness properties. Second, I consider not only transitivity of weak and strict social preference, but I provide conditions for acyclic strict preference as well. Third, the well-known conditions of value restriction, single peakedness, and order restriction are shown to satisfy corresponding exclusion conditions, so transitivity results on these domains follow from the more general analysis; in particular, the results are applied to weakly single-peaked preference profiles, and a result on acyclicity due to Austen-Smith and Banks (Positive political theory I. University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor, 1999) is obtained as a special case. In contrast to the latter authors, the approach fixes a single preference profile and does not rely on the properties of social preferences as individual preferences are varied.
Potential involvement of 4-hydroxynonenal in the response of human lung cells to ozone

Ozone is a photochemically generated pollutant that can cause acute pulmonary inflammation and induce cellular injury and may contribute to the development or exacerbation of chronic lung diseases. Despite much research, the mechanisms of ozone- and oxidant-induced cellular injury are still uncertain. Ozone and secondary free radicals have been reported to cause the formation of aldehydes in biological fluids. One of the most toxic aldehydes formed during oxidant-induced lipid peroxidation is 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE). HNE reacts primarily with Cys, Lys, and His amino acids, altering protein function and forming protein adducts. The purpose of this study was to determine whether HNE could account for the acute effects of ozone on lung cells. Human subjects were exposed to 0.4 parts/million ozone or air for 1 h with exercise (each subject served as his/her own control). Six hours after ozone exposure, cells obtained by airway lavage were examined for apoptotic cell injury, and cells from bronchoalveolar lavage were examined for apoptosis, presence of HNE adducts, and expression of stress proteins. Significant apoptosis was evident in airway lung cells after ozone exposure. Western analysis demonstrated an increase in a 32-kDa HNE protein adduct and a number of stress proteins, viz., 72-kDa heat shock protein and ferritin, in alveolar macrophages (AM) after ozone exposure. All of these effects could be replicated by in vitro exposure of AM to HNE. Consequently, the in vitro results and demonstration of HNE protein adducts after ozone exposure are consistent with a potential role for HNE in the cellular toxic effects of ozone.
Impact of risk disclosures through direct-to-consumer advertising on elderly consumers' behavioral intent

The new FDA guidelines on Direct-to-Consumer Advertising (DTCA) of prescription drugs require the sponsor to present balanced benefit-risk information. However, data suggest frequent lack of compliance with these guidelines. Misinformation to consumers can have serious implications on health and safety. The study objective was to explore the impact of variations in risk disclosures through DTC print advertisements on consumer attitudes and behaviors. A 2 x 2 factorial design was implemented, where the risk statements in the advertisements varied in number and specificity. A convenience sample of 240 elderly (≥ 60 years) male and female participants was recruited. The participants were asked to read a print advertisement and then complete a questionnaire. Participants exposed to specific risk statements were less likely to look for additional information (p<0.01) and adopt the advertised drug (p<0.01). Additionally, they held less favorable attitudes toward the advertised drug (p<0.01) as compared to those presented with general risk statements. The number of risk statements presented had no significant effect on attitudes or behaviors. However, a two-way interaction effect of number and specificity of risk statements on likelihood of adoption was observed. This interaction demonstrates that when participants were exposed to two risk statements, they did not significantly differ in adoption rates as a function of specificity. However, when
Surgical Considerations for the Geriatric Urology Patient

Abstract Introduction As the number of geriatric patients continues to increase, urologists will encounter more elderly patients who require counseling about medical or surgical management of their conditions. In this review we provide a practical pathway for the elderly patient being considered for urological surgery. Methods Our review includes preoperative evaluation and assessment for cognition, frailty, functional status, falls, cardiovascular and pulmonary status, and nutritional state. Results Intraoperative concerns include operative procedure choice (with minimally invasive approaches emphasized), positioning, hypothermia, and antibiotic and venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. Postoperative attention requires assessment for delirium, early ambulation, fall prevention, lung expansion, avoidance of nasogastric tubes, early oral feeding and adequate but age adjusted pain control. Appropriate discharge from the hospital must follow, with planning started in the preoperative phase. Conclusions Special attention to these adjustments in the operative pathway lead to high operative success rates with a lower risk of complications.
Probing protein multidimensional conformational fluctuations by single-molecule multiparameter photon stamping spectroscopy.

Conformational motions of proteins are highly dynamic and intrinsically complex. To capture the temporal and spatial complexity of conformational motions and further to understand their roles in protein functions, an attempt is made to probe multidimensional conformational dynamics of proteins besides the typical one-dimensional FRET coordinate or the projected conformational motions on the one-dimensional FRET coordinate. T4 lysozyme hinge-bending motions between two domains along α-helix have been probed by single-molecule FRET. Nevertheless, the domain motions of T4 lysozyme are rather complex involving multiple coupled nuclear coordinates and most likely contain motions besides hinge-bending. It is highly likely that the multiple dimensional protein conformational motions beyond the typical enzymatic hinged-bending motions have profound impact on overall enzymatic functions. In this report, we have developed a single-molecule multiparameter photon stamping spectroscopy integrating fluorescence anisotr...
Target Detection using Image Processing Techniques

This paper describes the Target Detection techniques used for building an Autonomous UAV. This UAV is designed for participation in Ohio Autonomous Aerial Vehicle Competition- 2014 (AAVC) in which the Quadcopter is required to navigate around the obstacles in GPS denied and hazard cluttered indoor environment, detect the target along with its location uncertainty and wirelessly transmit the image of the target to the ground station. The target is detected using image processing algorithms written in Python. The algorithm uses the blob and shape detection on Hue, Saturation and Value (HSV) color space to ensure detection under various conditions of lighting, shadows, and distance. The algorithm is then tested in a variety of scenarios that account for variance in lighting and shape detection. Challenges are limited computational processing on board, varying ambient light conditions, and detection of correct target in the presence of more than one same colored targets. To increase the robustness of this method we assume there maybe multiple targets of the same color; however these objects will be of somewhat different shapes. We are also assuming no object will be blocking the onboard cameras field of view of the target at the entrance of the target area.
The Standing of two Species of Uromyces on Panicum

While engaged in a critical study of the rusts of Colombia together with F. D. Kern and H. H. Whetzel, a problem was encountered involving two species of Uromyces on Panicum. The solution of this problem so far as Colombian collections were concerned has thrown some light on certain misconceptions current in the rust literature of North America, so that a brief report of these studies seems desirable.
Agentes comunes en las aspergilosis humanas: conceptos primarios en la diferenciación de sus complejos de especies

Las especies del genero Aspergillus P.Micheli ex Haller, son consideradas como importantes organismos integrantes de la microbiota en distintos tipos de suelos en todas las latitudes. Presentan grandes capacidades fermentativas industriales, son agentes comunes en microbiologia de alimentos, grandes biodescomponedores junto a las bacterias, contaminantes de productos agricolas y de importancia en salud humana y animal. El genero se asocia a 9 o mas teleomorfos, formando un clado monofiletico estrechamente relacionado con el genero Penicillium. Debido al elevado numero de especies, su dinamica taxonomica y sus frecuentes cambios en la nomenclatura, han complicado a menudo al investigador en algun campo de la biologia, en especial cuando este guarda relacion con la industria o la medicina. Estos hongos productores de grandes cantidad de esporas secas de dispersion aerea, constituyen una fuente constante de exposicion para los humanos, especialmente en los ambientes internos. Si bien es cierto, que los integrantes del genero Aspergillus (en especial A. fumigatus) pueden causar un amplio espectro de enfermedades invasoras o no invasoras, la incidencia de otras especies del genero reportadas en la literatura como agentes de aspergilosis, ha aumentado y complicado el trabajo taxonomico, genetico y clinico en los ultimos decenios. La presente revision abarca el tema desde un punto de vista primario que incluye basicamente la morfofisiologia de 34 especies involucradas en diversos casos clinicos geograficamente dispersos en todos los continentes. Se destacan algunos aspectos taxonomicos, ecologicos, patologicos, moleculares y el empleo de cultivos comunes en el diagnostico en 3 de los subgeneros mas frecuentes en clinica (Fumigati, Circumdati y Nidulantes) y 7 de sus secciones: Fumigati, Clavati, Nigri, Flavi, Terrei, Nidulantes y Usti. Se aportan referencias utiles, descripcion de especies y claves tentativas morfofisiologicas para completar su diagnostico primario en la rutina comun de laboratorio en muchos centros asistenciales, junto a la informacion necesaria para el diagnostico secundario a nivel molecular.
Epidemiology of Tuberculosis in Sichuan in 2012

Objective To analyze the epidemical features and variation tendency of tuberculosis(TB) in Sichuan in 2012 for scientifically formulating pertinent measures.Methods Nine survey spots were selected and 1 200respondents at each spot were surveyed by stratified cluster random sampling.All the respondents over 15 were examined with Chest X-ray films.Sputum smears were conducted for three times among individuals with abnormal chest X-ray films or with suspicious TB symptoms.All confirmed TB patients were surveyed with questionnaires.Results Altogether 10 894 individuals were tested and 56 patients were found as active TB patients,including 7 smear-positive patients.The prevalence rate of active TB,smear-positive TB were 514 /105and 64 /105,respectively.The prevalence rate of active TB increased with age of over 35 years and reached the summit at the ages of 75-79.Prevalence rate in mountain regions was the highest(973 /105),which was respectively5.02 and 1.87 times of plain(194 /105) and hills(520/105).The prevalence rate of rural regions(674/105) was 3.47 times of urban regions(194/105).The retreated rate of patients with active TB and smear- positive patients was 35.71% and 28.57%,respectively.The asymptomatic patients accounted for19.64% of the active patients.Conclusion The epidemic situation of TB is relatively severe in Sichuan,especially in rural and poor mountainous areas.The proportion of retreated patients is considerable,revealing the existence of administration problems.
Influence factors on microcrystalline cellulose hydrolyzed by cellulase

The main influence factors of cellulase activity were studied,and the hydrolysis conditions of microcrystalline cellulose were optimized.The experimental results showed that the cellulase optimum temperature and pH were 50 ℃ and 4.8,respectively.The cellulase activity was improved with the increase of reaction time and enzyme dilution degree.The mass concentration of reducing sugars was up to 2.398 mg/mL,under the optimized hydrolysis conditions with 50 ℃,pH 4.8,m(microcrystalline cellulose):m(cellulase)=1:0.12,and oscillation reacting 12 h.
Improvement on flame atomic absorption spectrometry for determining Tin concentration in air of workplaces

Objective To explore the influence factors on determining Tin concentration in air of workplaces with flame atomic absorption spectrometry and to establish an accurate,sensitive and high-efficient method.Methods The different reagents were used to digest the sampling filter membranes and the determining conditions of flame atomic absorption spectrometry were adjusted,then the determining results were compared.Results When 3 ml hydrochloric acid and 0.5 ml nitric acid served as the digesting reagents and the determining conditions of flame atomic absorption spectrometry were adjusted to the best conditions,there was the good linearity in the tested concentration range of Tin,the correlation coefficient was larger than 0.9990.The limit of quantification was 1.0 μg/ml.The extraction recovery was between 99.6％～102.6％,and the RSD were all less than 5.0％.Conclusion The proper kinds and quantity of digestive reagents in pretreatment of the samples should be chosen for the accuracy and precision of the determination according to the influence factors of determination. Key words: Air; , Workplaces; Tin; Flame atomic absorption spectrometry
A Prototype System for Collecting and Analyzing Credible Online Medical Content

Regulators, analysts, policy-makers, and advocacy groups are increasingly interested in utilizing the abundance of available online Health 2.0 content to support key decision-making tasks. However, existing systems are ill-suited to deal with the plethora of medical spam and variety of relevant online channels. We present a prototype system for collecting, analyzing, aggregating, and presenting key topics and sentiments encompassed in online medical content. By incorporating modules for examining credibility, relevance, and context, the system is able to present users with information that is markedly better with respect to credibility, coverage, precision, and timeliness.
Effects of di-isopropyl phosphorofluoridate on rat liver microsomal and lysosomal beta-glucuronidase.

iPr2P-F (di-isopropyl phosphorofluoridate) administration to rats produces a liver-dependent specific elevation of plasma β-glucuronidase activity. The response is unaffected by puromycin pretreatment. By using subcellular-fractionation techniques, the rise in plasma β-glucuronidase activity was correlated temporally with a fall in liver microsomal β-glucuronidase activity. After iPr2P-F treatment, liver microsomal membranes are depleted of β-glucuronidase but slowly return to normal over 1 week. On the other hand, liver lysosomal β-glucuronidase activity is high at early time points (less than 60min) after iPr2P-F administration but decreases to below control values; this lasts for a few days. The response to iPr2P-F was demonstrated in isolated hepatocytes prepared from iPr2P-F-treated rats. In such preparations, microsomal β-glucuronidase is lost rapidly, followed by a specific decrease in hepatocyte lysosomal β-glucuronidase. The results suggest that a pool of microsomal β-glucuronidase serves as precursor to plasma β-glucuronidase in iPr2P-F-treated rats, and further, that microsomal β-glucuronidase may serve as precursor to lysosomal β-glucuronidase.
SGL Detailed Specification

The chapter provides full specification of SGL (with scenarios in it called “grasps”) and semantics of the main constructs including constants, different types of stationary and mobile spatial variables, and universal operational and descriptive units called “rules”. Due to recursion, constants and rules can themselves be arbitrary grasps, allowing for flexible spatial scenarios at different system levels and their mixtures inducing parallel forward and echo processes, generalization of distributed situations for making local and global decisions, and direct processing of remote data with results retained in the navigated environments or returned to the starting points as higher-level knowledge.
Detection of protein repeats using the Ramanujan Filter Bank

Protein repeats are tandemly repeating segments within an amino acid sequence. They induce several important structural and binding properties on the protein. So far, the most successful detection schemes for such repeats have used computationally expensive techniques such as dynamic programming algorithms, HMMs, and so on. Classical DSP tools such as STFT, unfortunately, perform poorly in the presence of mutations. In this work, a novel technique is proposed based on the recently developed Ramanujan Filter Bank. Fast, accurate, and involving only simple integer computations, its performance is demonstrated on several well-known repeat families.1
Universality Is Ubiquitous

Turing’s concept of “universal machine” will be discussed as an abstraction, as embodied in physical devices, as present in nature, and in connection with the artificial intelligence project.