cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High Spatial and Temporal Resolution Thermometry

The preceding chapter provides an overview of thermometry techniques applicable for microdevices and microstructures. The present research realizes the potential for high temporal and spatial resolution of the thermoreflectance technique thermoreflectance technique by developing an experimental setup that combines diffraction limited optics with a high speed electrical probing facility. Quantitative as opposed to qualitative temperature distributions can be obtained using calibration methods developed in the present study. The setup is employed for the thermal characterization of microdevices subjected to brief electrical stresses and for the determination of thermal transport properties of thin films. The present chapter provides details of the technique and its application for microdevices. Subsequent chapters describe thermal characterization of thin films.
Interactive Experiences and Contextual Learning in Museums

Inspired by the work of John Falk and Lynn Dierking, this article examines the characteristics of museum visitors and their museum experiences in order to provide recommendations for more meaningfu...
Correction to: Topics in Energy and Potential Theory

R. K. Getoor pointed out to us that the proof of Lemma (3.1) is not valid if b is ∞ or −∞, so we give a new proof of (3.1) here which allows us to prove Theorem (3.2). We assume the reader is familiar with the notation in the article.
User Guide for the Discrete Dipole Approximation Code DDSCAT 7.0

DDSCAT 7.0 is an open-source Fortran-90 software package applying the discrete dipole approximation to calculate scattering and absorption of electromagnetic waves by targets with arbitrary geometries and complex refractive index. The targets may be isolated entities (e.g., dust particles), but may also be 1-d or 2-d periodic arrays of "target unit cells", allowing calculation of absorption, scattering, and electric fields around arrays of nanostructures. The theory of the DDA and its implementation in DDSCAT is presented in Draine (1988) and Draine & Flatau (1994), and its extension to periodic structures (and near-field calculations) in Draine & Flatau (2008). DDSCAT 7.0 includes support for MPI, OpenMP, and the Intel Math Kernel Library (MKL). DDSCAT supports calculations for a variety of target geometries. Target materials may be both inhomogeneous and anisotropic. It is straightforward for the user to "import" arbitrary target geometries into the code. DDSCAT automatically calculates total cross sections for absorption and scattering and selected elements of the Mueller scattering intensity matrix. This User Guide explains how to use DDSCAT 7.0 to carry out electromagnetic scattering calculations. DDfield, a Fortran-90 code DDfield to calculate E and B at user-selected locations near the target, is included in the distribution.
Salvage lymph node dissection in patients with prostate cancer treated with radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy and positive choline positron emission tomography (PET/CT) scan.

Abstract Introduction and objectives Nodal prostate cancer recurrence is a challenging scenario. Current guidelines recommend the use of androgen deprivation therapy, tailored treatment or clinical trials. We studied the impact of Salvage lymph node dissection in selected patients. Material and methods We retrospectively reviewed records of 23 consecutive patients with prostate cancer and previous Radical prostatectomy or Radiotherapy who underwent SLND from December 2005 to November 2015. Results We found that in patients that showed biochemical response the introduction of ADT was delayed 14.9 months compared to patients that did not responded (2.8 months) p = 0.00026. Furthermore although statistical significance was not reached ( p = 0.072) PSA-DT could be a potential prognostic factor of radiological recurrence since patients with PSA-DT Conclusions Salvage lymph node dissection is a potential treatment that could delay ADT in selected patients.
Measurement invariance of the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale across black and white adults with cocaine use disorder.

Abstract This study tests for measurement invariance of impulsivity assessed by the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) across Black and White adults with cocaine use disorder and examines the association of BIS impulsivity with treatment retention and outcomes. Data from four clinical trials were combined providing a total sample of 302 participants with cocaine abuse/dependence (42% Black, 58% White, 44% female, agemean = 40.22, SD = 9.26). We used multi-group confirmatory factor analyses to test for measurement invariance across race and examined bivariate correlations between BIS impulsivity and treatment retention and outcomes by race. Factor analyses indicated a 22-item, two-factor (motor impulsiveness and nonplanning impulsiveness) brief BIS fit the data best (RMSEA = 0.073 [90% CI: 0.065–0.080]; CFI = 0.904; TLI = 0.893; SRMR = 0.073) and was configural, metric, and scalar invariant across race. Higher motor impulsiveness was associated with higher percentage cocaine negative urines in the overall sample (r = −0.15, p = .01), but this association only remained in the Black subsample when examined across race (r = 0.28, p
"I Hope This Is Helpful": Understanding Crowdworkers' Challenges and Motivations for an Image Description Task

AI image captioning challenges encourage broad participation in designing algorithms that automatically create captions for a variety of images and users. To create large datasets necessary for these challenges, researchers typically employ a shared crowdsourcing task design for image captioning. This paper discusses findings from our thematic analysis of 1,064 comments left by Amazon Mechanical Turk workers using this task design to create captions for images taken by people who are blind. Workers discussed difficulties in understanding how to complete this task, provided suggestions of how to improve the task, gave explanations or clarifications about their work, and described why they found this particular task rewarding or interesting. Our analysis provides insights both into this particular genre of task as well as broader considerations for how to employ crowdsourcing to generate large datasets for developing AI algorithms.
Danger Beyond This Point: Visual Representation, Cultural Landscapes, and the Geography of Environmental Hazards in U.S. National Parks

National parks can be dangerous places. Lulled by often ill-informed notions that national parks are cleansed of any hazards and monitored by a ubiquitous staff of rangers, many visitors take unnec...
Genetic interactions regulate hypoxia tolerance conferred by activating Notch in excitatory amino acid transporter 1-positive glial cells in Drosophila melanogaster.

Hypoxia is a critical pathological element in many human diseases, including ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction and solid tumors. Of particular significance and interest of ours are the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie susceptibility or tolerance to low O2. Previous studies have demonstrated that Notch signaling pathway regulates hypoxia tolerance in both Drosophila melanogaster and humans. However, the mechanisms mediating Notch-conferred hypoxia tolerance are largely unknown. In the current study, we delineate the evolutionarily conserved mechanisms underlying this hypoxia tolerant phenotype. We determined the role of a group of conserved genes that were obtained from a comparative genomic analysis of hypoxia-tolerant Drosophila melanogaster populations and human highlanders living at the high-altitude regions of the world (Tibetans, Ethiopians and Andeans). We developed a novel dual-UAS/Gal4 system that allows us to activate Notch signaling in the Eaat1-positive glial cells, which remarkably enhances hypoxia tolerance in Drosophila melanogaster, and, simultaneously, knock down a candidate gene in the same set of glial cells. Using this system, we discovered that the interactions between Notch signaling and bnl (fibroblast growth factor), croc (forkhead transcription factor C) or Mkk4 (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 4) are important for hypoxia tolerance, at least in part, through regulating neuronal development and survival under hypoxic conditions. Since these genetic mechanisms are evolutionarily conserved, this group of genes may serve as novel targets for developing therapeutic strategies and have a strong potential to be translated to humans to treat/prevent hypoxia-related diseases.
Allosteric reversion of Haemophilus influenzae β-carbonic anhydrase via a proline shift

Haemophilus influenzae β-carbonic anhydrase (HICA) has been reverse-engineered in the allosteric site region to resemble the nonallosteric Pisum sativum enzyme in order to identify critical features of allostery and intersusbunit communication. Three variants (W39V/G41A, P48S/A49P, and W39V/G41A/P48S/A49P) were identified, through a comparison with a crystal structure of nonallosteric P. sativum β-carbonic anhydrase (PSCA, PDB 1EKJ ), to potentially revert HICA to a nonallosteric enzyme. The W39V/G41A and P48S/A49P mutations decreased the apparent kcat/Km proton dependence from 4 to 2 and 1, respectively, increasing the overall maximal kcat/Km to 16 ± 2 μM(-1) s(-1) (380% of wild type) and 17 ± 3 μM(-1) s(-1) (405% of wild type). The pKa values of the metal-bound water molecule based on the pH-rate profile kinetics (8.32 ± 0.04 for W39V/G41A and 8.3 ± 0.1 for P48S/A49P) were also slightly higher than that for the wild-type enzyme (7.74 ± 0.04). The P48S/A49P variant has lost all pH-rate cooperativity. The W39V/G41A/P48S/A49P variant's kinetics were unusual and were fit with a log-linear function with a slope 0.9 ± 0.2. The crystal structure of the W39V/G41A variant revealed an active site very similar to the T-state wild-type oligomer with bicarbonate trapped in the escort site. By contrast, the X-ray crystal structure of a proline shift variant (P48S/A49P) reveals that it has adopted an active site conformation nearly identical to that of nonallosteric β-carbonic anhydrase (R-state) for one chain, including a tight association with the dimer-exchanged N-terminal helices; the second chain in the asymmetric unit is associated in a biologically relevant oligomer, but it adopts a T-state conformation that is not capped by dimer-exchanged N-terminal helices. The hybrid R/T nature of HICA P48S/A49P structurally recapitulates the interruption of pH-rate cooperativity observed for this variant. Comparison of the conformations of the R and T chains of P48S/A49P suggests a new hypothesis to explain HICA allosteric communication that is mediated by the N-terminal helices and anion binding at the dimer interface.
Field deployment of a multi-pass cell based mid-IR quantum cascade laser dual-comb spectrometer

We present a recent field deployment of a mid-IR quantum cascade laser dual-comb spectroscopic extractive sensing system equipped with a 76m multi-pass cell. We report the system capability in monitoring and localizing multiple gas emission sources.
Racial and ethnic differences in severity of coronary calcification among patients undergoing PCI: Results from a single-center multiethnic PCI registry.

Background Although population-based studies have demonstrated racial heterogeneity in coronary artery calcium (CAC) burden, the degree to which such associations extend to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) cohorts remains poorly characterized. We sought to evaluate the associations between race/ethnicity and CAC in a PCI population. Methods This single center retrospective study analyzed 1025 patients with prior CAC who underwent PCI between January 1, 2012 and May 15, 2020. Patients were grouped as non-Hispanic White (NHW, N = 779), non-Hispanic Black (NHB, N = 81) and Hispanic (H, N = 165). Associations between race and CAC (Agatston units) were examined using negative binomial regression while adjusting for baseline parameters. Results Among the 1025 patients (mean age 65.8, 70% male) who underwent PCI, NHW, NHB, and H populations had median CAC scores of 760, 500, and 462 Agatston units, respectively (p < 0.0001). Hispanic patients displayed a higher burden of diabetes mellitus, hypertension and hyperlipidemia compared with other groups. After adjusting for baseline differences and compared with NHW, the inverse association between Hispanic and CAC persisted (β = -324.1, p < 0.0001) whereas differences were not significant for NHB (β = -51.5, p = 0.67). Conclusions Despite a higher risk clinical phenotype, Hispanic patients who underwent PCI had significantly lower CAC compared with non-Hispanic patients. Thus, current risk stratification models using universalized CAC scores may underestimate the risk for the Hispanic population. Race/ethnicity-informed CAC thresholds may better guide clinical decisions.
Association Between Social Media Use and Self-reported Symptoms of Depression in US Adults.

Importance Some studies suggest that social media use is associated with risk for depression, particularly among children and young adults. Objective To characterize the association between self-reported use of individual social media platforms and worsening of depressive symptoms among adults. Design, Setting, and Participants This survey study included data from 13 waves of a nonprobability internet survey conducted approximately monthly between May 2020 and May 2021 among individuals aged 18 years and older in the US. Data were analyzed in July and August 2021. Main Outcomes and Measures Logistic regression was applied without reweighting, with a 5 point or greater increase in 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score as outcome and participant sociodemographic features, baseline PHQ-9, and use of each social media platform as independent variables. Results In total, 5395 of 8045 individuals (67.1%) with a PHQ-9 score below 5 on initial survey completed a second PHQ-9. These respondents had a mean (SD) age of 55.8 (15.2) years; 3546 respondents (65.7%) identified as female; 329 respondents (6.1%) were Asian, 570 (10.6%) Black, 256 (4.7%) Hispanic, 4118 (76.3%) White, and 122 (2.3%) American Indian or Alaska Native, Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian, or other. Among eligible respondents, 482 (8.9%) reported 5 points or greater worsening of PHQ-9 score at second survey. In fully adjusted models for increase in symptoms, the largest adjusted odds ratio (aOR) associated with social media use was observed for Snapchat (aOR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.19-1.96), Facebook (aOR, 1.42; 95% CI, 1.10-1.81), and TikTok (aOR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.03-1.87). Conclusions and Relevance Among survey respondents who did not report depressive symptoms initially, social media use was associated with greater likelihood of subsequent increase in depressive symptoms after adjustment for sociodemographic features and news sources. These data cannot elucidate the nature of this association, but suggest the need for further study to understand how social media use may factor into depression among adults.
Large-Scale Use of Animal Cell Cultures

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the large-scale use of animal cell cultures. There has been a cultivation of animal cells in vitro, after the introduction of the organ culture method. These techniques have been utilized in almost every phase of research in biology. Prior to the past decade, however, cell, tissue, and organ culture were almost exclusively research tools, considered to be too exacting and uncertain for use on a large scale or on a routine basis. The application of cell culture methods to the study of animal viruses is a notable example of the progress made during the past decade. Improvement of cell culture procedures made possible a rapid adaptation of methods used with great success in the bacterial virus field. Such developments have opened entire new areas of investigation and of application of fundamental knowledge, not only in virology but in many other fields as well. In addition, an application of potentially even greater significance is the utilization of animal cells for the production, in vitro, of chemicals by fermentation methods. Heavy demands for the application of cell culture techniques in research particularly in the burgeoning fields of virology and cancer research have tended to focus attention on these areas in recent years. Recently, however, a general interest again has been manifested in the possible applications of large-scale cell culture for other uses.
Thermal Enhancement Cartridge Heater Modified Tritium Hydride Bed Development. Part II — Experimental Validation of Key Conceptual Design Features

The Thermal Enhancement Cartridge Heater Modified (TECH Mod) tritium hydride bed is an interim replacement for the first generation (Gen1) process hydride beds currently in service in the Savannah River Site (SRS) Tritium Facilities. 3 new features are implemented in the TECH Mod hydride bed prototype: internal electric cartridge heaters, porous divider plates, and copper foam discs. These modifications will enhance bed performance and reduce costs by improving bed activation and installation processes, in-bed accountability measurements, end-of-life bed removal, and He-3 recovery. A full-scale hydride bed test station was constructed at the Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL) in order to evaluate the performance of the prototype TECH Mod hydride bed. Controlled hydrogen (H{sub 2}) absorption/ desorption experiments were conducted to validate that the conceptual design changes have no adverse effects on the gas transfer kinetics or H{sub 2} storage/release properties compared to those of the Gen1 bed. Inert gas expansions before, during, and after H{sub 2} flow tests were used to monitor changes in gas transfer rates with repeated hydriding/de-hydriding of the hydride material. The gas flow rates significantly decreased after initial hydriding of the material; however, minimal changes were observed after repeated cycling. The data presented herein confirm thatmore » the TECH Mod hydride bed would be a suitable replacement for the Gen1 bed with the added enhancements expected from the advanced design features. (authors)« less
A Review of “Place- and Community-Based Education in Schools”

Smith and Sobel, two leaders in the field of place- and community-based education (P-C-B E), have teamed to write a timely book about how schools can connect students to their communities. It is bo...
Improvement of sequential probability ratio tests by acceleration and automation of test planning

This paper presents the accelerated sequential testing which is designed to effectively demonstrate product reliability (regarding its expected operational and environmental stresses) with the required confidence in the test results. The test acceleration in this case is performed in accordance with the standard test acceleration practices applied in a sequential test fashion. Acceleration is applied to the average required failure rate or MTBF and then the sequential test is designed in accordance with the traditional methodology. The exception from the traditional model is the minimum test time that must comply with the minimum test time needed to demonstrate the required reliability, i.e. the minimum test time needed for performance of the test, applied in a sequential test fashion. Acceleration is applied to the average required failure rate or MTBF and then the sequential test is designed in accordance with the traditional methodology. The exception from the traditional model is the minimum test time that must comply with the minimum test time needed to demonstrate the required reliability, i.e. the minimum test time needed for performance of the test.
Inhibition of 2-amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine-induced lymphoma formation by oltipraz

2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5- b ]pyridine (PhIP) is a mutagenic and carcinogenic heterocyclic amine present in pyrolysate products of meat and fish and has been shown to induce tumors in the colon, mammary gland, and possibly lymphatic system. Experiments were designed to examine the lymphoma-inducing capacity of PhIP and to test the inhibitory effects of oltipraz on PhIP-induced lymphomas in male F344 rats. Beginning at 5 weeks of age, groups of rats were fed the diets containing 0, 200, and 400 ppm oltipraz with or without 100–400 ppm PhIP. All animals were continued on this regimen until the 58th week. The results indicate that administration of PhIP produced lymphomas in 75% of rats Most of the large lymphomas were thymomas (65%), and these lymphomas developed in less than 6 months. Death of animals during the course of the study was due to suffocation produced by a large lymphoma that filled the entire thoracic cavity, resulting in collapse of the lungs. Administration of 200–400 ppm oltipraz significantly protected rats from PhIP-induced toxicity; most of the rats survived until termination of the experiments. It is noteworthy that the addition of oltipraz at 200 and 400 ppm in the diet suppressed the PhIP-induced lymphomas to 90–100%. In conclusion, PhIP-induced lymphomas in the laboratory rat appears to be a very useful model to analyze the genesis of lymphomas, and oltipraz serves as a potential chemopreventive agent for lymphomas.
The effects of methylnaltrexone alone and in combination with acutely administered codeine on gastrointestinal and colonic transit in health

Aliment Pharmacol Ther 2010; 32: 884–893 Summary Background The short-term effects of methylnaltrexone (MNTX), a peripherally acting μ-opioid receptor antagonist, on gastrointestinal and colonic transit remain unclear. Aim To compare the effects of placebo, codeine, subcutaneous (s.c.) MNTX and codeine with s.c. MNTX on gastrointestinal and colonic transit of solids in healthy humans. Methods In a randomized, parallel-group, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 48 healthy volunteers, effects of 6 consecutive days of placebo [s.c. and p.o. (orally), n = 8], codeine (p.o. 30 mg q.d.s., n = 8), MNTX (s.c. 0.30 mg/kg, n = 16) and combined MNTX and codeine (same doses and routes, n = 16) on gastrointestinal and colonic transit were assessed. A validated scintigraphic method was used to measure transit during the last 48 h of treatment. Bowel function was estimated during treatment as well as 1 week preceding treatment using standard diaries. Analysis of covariance was used to assess treatment effects. Results Codeine delayed colonic transit [geometric centre at 24 h (P = 0.04) and ascending colon t1/2 (P = 0.02)] and reduced stool frequency (P = 0.002), but had no effect on stool form. MNTX did not affect transit, stool frequency or stool form, either alone or with codeine (P > 0.3). No drug interaction effects were detected (P > 0.15). Conclusion Methylnaltrexone does not alter gastrointestinal or colonic transit and does not reverse acute codeine-associated delayed gut transit in health.
Substantive Equality and Equal Opportunity: A Jurisprudential Appraisal

The belief in equality of opportunity ranks among the most deeply entrenched tenets of American political ideology.1 Equality of opportunity has been recognized in numerous Supreme Court equal protection decisions2 and is mandated by significant legislation.3 Upon examination, however, the concept of equality of opportunity proves to be elusive and paradoxical. In his recent and thoughtful article, Peter Westen proposed to resolve the mystery of equal opportunity by breaking it down into its constituent elements.4 According to Professor Westen, the mystery vanishes once we understand that the concept of opportunity denotes a formal relationship rather than a particular state of affairs,5 and that "equal" in the context of equal opportunity is purely derivative.6 Professor Westen defines an opportunity as an agent's chance to attain a goal in the absence of a specified obstacle or set of obstacles.7 "Equal opportunity," then, means no more than a class of agents having the chance to attain the same goal in the absence of the same specified obstacle or set of obstacles.8
Preferred social support roles and methods of communication in college students when presented with potentially anxiety-inducing interpersonal situations

Person by situation, or interactional, psychology predicts that an individual’s anxiety will vary across situations. Past studies noted that anxiety increased the likelihood that an individual sought others for social support. Anxiety also affected the method of communication used by individuals. According to the richness model of anxiety, higher anxiety scores are associated with indirect or low richness methods of communication and lower anxiety scores are associated with direct or high richness methods of communication. This study used a person by situation approach to examine both whom participants sought and the method of communication used when presented with potentially anxiety-inducing interpersonal situations. Participants took part in a survey that consisted of a revised Taylor’s Manifest Anxiety Scale, Stimulus-Response Anxiety Inventory, and questions that required participants to report the role of the primary social support provider the participant would seek and the method of communication they would use to communicate with the primary social support provider. Anxiety scores associated with seeking primary social support providers were not significantly different within any situation nor did anxiety scores follow the richness model of anxiety. Regardless of the situation or anxiety, participants frequently sought friends and parents. Participants preferred high richness methods of communication regardless of situation or anxiety, which did not support the richness model of anxiety.
A concurrent placement and routing strategy for improving the quality of application specific memory designs

A concurrent strategy in which placement and routing activity proceeds in parallel with circuit design and layout tasks is presented. In addition to improving the design cycle time, this strategy helps in providing an early estimate of the layout parasitics which can be used to improve the accuracy of the simulations. A 4Mb wide word DRAM has been successfully designed employing this approach.
Acute Severe Asthma

Two distinctive phenotypes of near-fatal asthma have been identified: one with eosinophilic inflammation associated with a gradual onset and a slow response to therapy and a second phenotype with neutrophilic inflammation associated with a rapid onset and a rapid response to therapy.1 Patients who develop sudden-onset, near-fatal asthma frequently have massive allergen exposure or acute emotional distress.
Evidence of Grain‐Boundary‐Sliding‐Induced Cavitation in Ceramics under Compression

Detailed microscopy of two crept aluminas, one with (AD99) and one without (Lucalox) a grain boundary glassy phase, has been performed to determine the pertinent damage mechanisms during creep. Evidence is presented for a nucleation-controlled cavitation process where creep cavities nucleate primarily on two-grain facets, followed by cavity growth and coalescence to form grain-facet-sized cavities and microcracks. A variety of creep cavity morphologies were observed in Lucalox, including spheroidal and irregularly shaped cavities. The latter finding implies a strong influence of crystallographic orientation and the corresponding surface energy of the cavitated planes on the cavity shaped. In contrast, classical spheroidal cavities were observed in AD99 due to the presence of a viscous phase along grain boundaries. Direct evidence for grain boundary sliding as the process driving force for cavitation in Lucalox is presented together with evidence for the nucleation of creep cavities at grain boundary ledges. These findings are compared to the grain boundary sliding (GBS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) measurements performed previously on the same systems. Based on this study, the cavity nucleation process in the glassy-phase- and non-glassy-phase-containing aluminas is apparently similar as both involve the nucleation of rows of equally sized and equally spaced cavities.
The bernoulli effect in superconductors

Abstract An electrostatic potential difference should exist between regions of different current density in a superconductor. Such voltages, however, cannot be measured using conventional voltmeters and use of the effect to investigate the superelectron velocity distribution is not feasible.
FEYNMAN RULES FOR THE GRAVITATIONAL FIELD FROM THE COORDINATE INDEPENDENT FIELD THEORETIC FORMALISM

By using the method developed in the preceding paper, the Feynman-DeWitt perturbation expansion for the gravitational $S$ matrix is shown to follow from the field-theoretic formalism. Again our methd is to express the path-dependent Green's functions in terms of auxiliary, path-independent Green's functions, in such a way that the path-dependence equation is automatically satisfied. The formula relating the path-dependent to the path-independent Green's functions will be similar to the classical formula relating the path-dependent Riemann tensor to the metric tensor. The equations for the auxiliary Green's functions are found and solved in a perturbation series. If the result is expressed as a sum of Feymann diagrams, one obtains the expected vertices, together with closed loops of fictitious vector particles.
Measuring the intensity of nursing care: Making use of the Belgian Nursing Minimum Data Set

Abstract Background The Belgian Nursing Minimum Data Set (B-NMDS) is a nationwide registration of 23 nursing activities. It was developed for the measurement of nursing care in acute hospitals. It is used to support healthcare management & policy decision making such as hospital financing and nurse staffing decisions. Objective To develop a measure of the intensity of nursing care based on information that is available in the B-NMDS. Design–setting–participants Retrospective analysis of the B-NMDS from all Belgian acute hospitals ( n =115) for the year 2003. The sample included 690,258 inpatient days for 298,691 patients that were recorded from 1637 acute care nursing units. Methods The 23 nursing activities were synthesized into one new latent variable by PRINQUAL analysis. This variable was evaluated as a measure of nursing care intensity using key characteristics of the San Joaquin patient classification system, which was designed to measure the intensity of nursing care. Results The main NMDS component from the PRINQUAL analysis accounted for 26.8% of the variance. The distribution of inpatient days over all four San Joaquin categories is: 11.1% (self-care); 40.4% (average care); 30.8% (above average care); 17.7% (intensive care). In 97.5% of the nursing units the intensity of nursing care score of the B-NMDS (main NMDS component) followed the ordinality of the San Joaquin classification system. Furthermore, the San Joaquin categories alone explained more variability—70.2% in the intensity of nursing care measure (main NMDS component) than did other determinants, such as department type, age, diagnostic-related groups (DRG) and severity of illness, hospital type and hospital size together. Conclusion The B-NMDS is an instrument that produces a measure of the intensity of nursing care in acute hospitals.
Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty: Analysis of unsuccessful procedures as a guide toward improved results

Technical success in percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) is a function of patient selection, operator experience, and the capabilities of the angioplasty equipment employed. When unsuccessful PTCA occurs, it is the result of one several factors: (1) a failure to cross the stenosis: (2) a failure to dilate the stenosis; (3) an ischemic complication; or (4) a late recurrence of the anginal syndrome. In this paper, we discuss the relative frequency of these types of failure, and the ways in which improvements in technique and/or equipment may be employed to improve the chance of a successful procedure.
Development of a Wireless Monitoring System for Pile Driving

Over the past 5 years, the Florida Department of Transportation has been moving toward increased use of design-build, warranty, and contractor-recorded quality assurance and control information. With the additional desire to lower factors of safety in design, the industry is under pressure to monitor and record capacities, stresses, velocities, and the like for a greater percentage of piles driven on a site. The development of a disposable wireless pile monitoring system, which can be cast inside prestressed concrete piles, is described. The nonrecoverable portion of the system, which costs less than $350, consists of multiple pairs of accelerometers, strain gauges, analog-to-digital conversion circuitry, and a switchable wireless transmitter. A receiver located within 500 ft of the pile recovers strain and accelerometer data and sends it to a laptop computer, which then displays and analyzes the data in real time. The system has been tested both in the laboratory and in the field. Field testing consisted of monitoring two 0.61-m-diameter piles instrumented at the top and bottom with the wireless system as well as with externally attached instrumentation (current practice). Comparisons of capacities and stresses at the top of the piles for the new and existing systems were favorable. In addition, the new wireless system reported stresses and capacities at the bottom of the piles.
A Study on Moisture Susceptibility of Asphalt Concrete Mixtures Modified with Ethylene-propylene Residual

Moisture damage is one of the common distresses found in asphalt pavements. Polymer additives to asphalt not only decrease temperature susceptibility, but can also improve adhesion and cohesion and resistance to moisture-induced damage. Ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) is a polymer waste and is found abundantly in Louisiana. Earlier studies have shown that chemically treated EPDM could be used as a viable modifier in asphalt cement and when incorporated in asphalt concrete mixes showed enhanced stiffness and creep properties. The objective of this study was to examine the moisture susceptibility behavior of conventional and EPDM modified asphalt concrete mixes. A dense graded mix incorporating three-control asphalt cements and two EPDM modified asphalt cements were studied. The results of the study show that the EPDM modified asphalt concrete mixes are prone to moisture damage and the use of an antistripping additive is very effective.
Vicious Habits and Cannibalism

(1954). Vicious Habits and Cannibalism. World's Poultry Science Journal: Vol. 10, No. 4, pp. 356-357.
The effect of the fluorescent probe, 3,3′-dipropylthiodicarbocyanine iodide, on the membrane potential of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells

Abstract The effects of the potential-sensitive fluorescent dye, 3,3′dipropylthiodicarbocyanine iodide, on factors establishing the membrane potential of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells have been tested. The dye itself induces membrane hyperpolarization as monitored by electrophysiological methods. In addition, the dye inhibits active (Na++K+-transport and increases cell membrane permeability to K+ by about 65% in these cells.
Child Sexual Abuse, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and Substance Use: Predictors of Revictimization in Adult Sexual Assault Survivors

This study examined the unique effects of child sexual abuse simultaneously with post-traumatic stress disorder symptom clusters, problem drinking, and illicit drug use in relation to sexual revictimization in a community sample of female adult sexual assault victims. Participants (N = 555) completed two surveys a year apart. Child sexual abuse predicted more post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms in adult sexual assault victims. Post-traumatic stress disorder numbing symptoms directly predicted revictimization, whereas other post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (reexperiencing, avoidance, and arousal) were related to problem drinking, which in turn predicted revictimization. Thus, numbing symptoms and problem drinking may be independent risk factors for sexual revictimization in adult sexual assault victims, particularly for women with a history of childhood sexual abuse.
Aristotle on the good of friendship

(1985). Aristotle on the good of friendship. Australasian Journal of Philosophy: Vol. 63, No. 3, pp. 269-282.
Evaluation of the effect of vector architecture on DNA condensation and gene transfer efficiency.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of vector architecture on DNA condensation, particle stability, and gene transfer efficiency. Two recombinant non-viral vectors with the same amino acid compositions but different architectures, composed of lysine-histidine (KH) repeating units fused to fibroblast growth factor, were genetically engineered. In one vector lysine residues were dispersed (KHKHKHKHKK)6-FGF2, whereas in the other they were in clusters (KKKHHHHKKK)6-FGF2. Organization of lysine residues in this manner was inspired by the sequence of DNA condensing motifs that exist in nature (e.g., histones) where lysine residues are organized in clusters. These two constructs were compared in terms of DNA condensation and gene transfer efficiency. It was observed that the construct with KH units in clusters was able to condense pDNA into more stable particles with sizes < 150 nm making them suitable for cellular uptake via receptor mediated endocytosis. This in turn resulted in five times higher transfection efficiency for the cKH-FGF2. This study demonstrates that in targeted non-viral gene transfer, the vector architecture plays as significant a role as its amino acid sequence. Thus, in the design of the non-viral vectors (synthetic or recombinant) this factor should be considered of paramount importance.
Pulmonary Disease and Exercise Intolerance in Boys with Fabry Disease: a Pilot Study

The severe pediatric disorder, mucolipidosis II (ML-II; I-cell disease), is caused by defects in mannose 6-phosphate (Man-6-P) biosynthesis. Patients with ML-II exhibit multiple developmental defects including skeletal, craniofacial and joint abnormalities. To date, the molecular mechanisms that underlie these clinical manifestations are poorly understood. Taking advantage of a zebrafish model for ML-II, we previously showed that the cartilage morphogenesis defects in this model are associated with altered chondrocyte differentiation and excessive deposition of type II collagen, indicating that aspects of development that rely on proper extracellular matrix homeostasis are sensitive to decreases in Man-6-P biosynthesis. To further investigate the molecular bases for the cartilage phenotypes, we analyzed the transcript abundance of several genes in chondrocyte-enriched cell populations isolated from wild-type WT and ML-II zebrafish embryos. Increased levels of cathepsin and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) transcripts were noted in ML-II cell populations. This increase in transcript abundance corresponded with elevated and sustained activity of several cathepsins (K, L and S) and MMP-13 during early development. Unlike MMP-13, in which higher levels of enzyme was also detected, sustained activity of cathepsin K appeared to result from abnormal processing and activation of this enzyme at later stages. Remarkably, inhibition of cathepsin K activity by pharmacological or genetic means not only reduced the activity of this enzyme but led to a broad reduction in additional protease activity, significant correction of the cartilage morphogenesis phenotype and reduced type II collagen staining in ML-II embryos. Our findings suggest a central role for excessive cathepsin K activity in the developmental aspects of ML-II cartilage pathogenesis and highlight the utility of the zebrafish system to address the biochemical underpinnings of metabolic disease.
Cardiac tamponade during laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication

Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication is becoming a popular technique in the surgical management of reflux disease. The advantages of laparoscopic surgery include shorter hospital stays, greater patient acceptance and decreased overall morbidity [1]. Laparoscopic surgery eliminates the necessity for an upper abdominal incision and the consequent post-operative impairment of pulmonary mechanics [2]. Laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication has been associated with a low incidence of severe peri-operative complications although of a different nature to those following the open procedure [3]. We are reporting a rare case of acute cardiovascular collapse secondary to cardiac tamponade during laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication.
And … it's gone: the economics of South Park's Margarita (housing bubble) episode

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyze South Park's take on the causes of the recession and the housing bubble.Design/methodology/approach – The essay describes the events in the South Park episode and compares them to the respective events of the recession and the housing bubble.Findings – The authors found that the creators of South Park, albeit only a cartoon, were amazingly accurate in their assessment of the real world issues concerning the recession and the housing bubble.Research limitations/implications – The recession was caused by the Federal Reserve System artificially lowering interest rates, which led to malinvestments in round about directions (housing); this was exacerbated by HUD, CRA, Fannie, Freddie and other governmental subsidies, regulations which also led to the overbuilding of housing. Further research should delve into these causes of the difficulties.Practical implications – The South Park episode, and this paper, serve as an example of what not to do.Originality/value ...
Distributed independent actuation for irrigation control

In this work, we propose that irrigation systems with distributed independent actuation can substantially reduce water consumption in lawn irrigation. To test this theory, we develop a computationally light fluid flow model that allows the optimization of valve scheduling using standard optimization techniques. With these optimized valve schedules, we then show in simulation that water savings up to 64% are possible over commonly-used ad-hoc watering schedules on a sample university lawn. Extended to all irrigated space on our campus, these savings reflect a reduction of approximately 20 M gallons annually, a savings of $112,000.
Mellin transforms of generalized fractional integrals and derivatives

We obtain the Mellin transforms of the generalized fractional integrals and derivatives that generalize the Riemann-Liouville and the Hadamard fractional integrals and derivatives. We also obtain interesting results, which combine generalized ? r , m operators with generalized Stirling numbers and Lah numbers. For example, we show that ? 1 , 1 corresponds to the Stirling numbers of the 2nd kind and ? 2 , 1 corresponds to the unsigned Lah numbers. Further, we show that the two operators ? r , m and ? m , r , r , m ? N , generate the same sequence given by the recurrence relation. S ( n , k ) = ? i = 0 r m + ( m - r ) ( n - 2 ) + k - i - 1 r - i r i S ( n - 1 , k - i ) , 0 < k ≤ n , with S ( 0 , 0 ) = 1 and S ( n , 0 ) = S ( n , k ) = 0 for n 0 and 1 + min { r , m } ( n - 1 ) < k or k ≤ 0 . Finally, we define a new class of sequences for r ? 1 3 , 1 4 , 1 5 , 1 6 , ? and in turn show that ? 1 2 , 1 corresponds to the generalized Laguerre polynomials.
Games with Unique, Mixed Strategy Equilibria: An Experimental Study

Abstract The results of an experiment studying the choices of subjects playing mixed extensions of three variants of simple 2 × 2 non-constant sum, strictly competitive games of the same form (Matching Pennies) are presented. Subjects exhibited a variety of behavioral, adaptive learning strategies. This heterogeneity of individual behavior produced aggregate dynamics whose estimated steady states are quite different from those predicted by the Nash equilibria of those stage games with asymmetrical payoff functions. The observed aggregative dynamics are well accounted for both by a quantal equilibrium model of McKelvey and Palfrey and by a learning model of Roth and Erev. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Number: C72.
Interaction of larval age and dietary formaldehyde on the susceptibility of tufted apple budmoth (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)to Bacillus thuringiensis

Abstract Laboratory tests of Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (strain HD-1) against Platynota idaeusalis reared on a semisynthetic diet showed that the LC50 values for neonates and 9-day-old larvae showed no significant difference in susceptibility; however, 14-day-old larvae were significantly more susceptible than neonates or 9-day-old larvae. There was no evidence of any interaction between 14-day-old larvae reared on the semisynthetic diets with and without formaldehyde and B. thuringiensis toxicity at any assessment reading. Likewise the toxicity of B. thuringiensis to 14-day-old larvae reared on apple leaves did not differ from the B. thuringiensis toxicity of 14-day-old larvae reared on semisynthetic diets with and without formaldehyde.
Performance expectations and the initiation of problem solving attempts

It is hypothesized that persons ranked by performance expectations will also be ranked by latency times for the initiation of problem solving attempts. A discrete state, continuous time Markov model is proposed as a representation of this hypothesis. To test the hypothesis, an experiment was conducted in which two subjects were on repeated occasions given a simultaneous opportunity to initiate a solution to a word association problem. The hypothesis was confirmed although the model itself did not prove completely accurate. Some directions are suggested for modification and possible improvement of the model.
Effects of WY-14,643 on the phosphorylation and activation of AMP-dependent protein kinase

Abstract Background AMP-dependent protein kinase (AMPK) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) α facilitate fatty acid oxidation. We have shown that treatment of hepatoma cells with ethanol or feeding ethanol-containing diets to mice inhibited both PPARα and AMPK activity. Importantly, WY-14,643 reversed the development of fatty liver in alcohol-fed mice. Whether WY-14,643, a PPARα agonist, has any effects on AMPK is not known. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of WY-14,643 on AMPK activity. Methods The effect of WY-14,643 on AMPK phosphorylation and activity were examined in rat hepatoma cells (H4IIEC3). The effect of WY-14,643 on upstream kinases of AMPK, PKC-ζ/LKB1, intracellular AMP:ATP ratio, oxidative stress, and AMPK gene expression were studied. Results Treatment of the H4IIEC3 cells with WY-14,643 for 24 h led to 60% increase in the phosphorylation of AMPK. The effect of WY-14,643 on AMPK phosphorylation is PKC-ζ/LKB1 independent. WY-14,643 did not alter the levels of intracellular AMP:ATP ratio and it did not increase the levels of reactive oxygen species at 24-h of treatment. WY-14,643-induced AMPK α subunit expression by 2- to 2.5-fold, but there was no change in AMPKα subunit protein at 24 h. The effect of WY-14,643 on AMPK phosphorylation did not altered by the presence of an NADPH oxidase inhibitor. Conclusions WY-14,643 induced AMPKα subunit phosphorylation and the activity of the enzyme. This was associated with induction of AMPKα1 and α2 mRNA, but the mechanism for this activation is uncertain.