cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting neurological outcome following cardiac arrest

Because a large number of patients will suffer cardiac arrest each year, physicians must place attention on improving care for patients in the post-resuscitative setting. Part of this effort requires setting realistic goals based on patients' potential for recovery. Recovery from cardiac arrest often depends on the extent of anoxic brain injury, and for this reason primary teams consult neurologists to offer insight into potential for awakening from post-arrest coma. In doing so, neurologists inform a decision with legal, social and ethical implications. Though inapplicable without preparation at the time of cardiac arrest, the four principles of medical ethics have a direct impact on decision making during the post-resuscitative period. A review of the literature reveals that physical examination, electrophysiology, radiology, and biochemical markers can prove useful in estimating a patient's chances for neurological recovery from cardiac arrest. These factors most reliably predict poor outcome, but do so with high specificity. However, the role of the neurology consultant must change to include guidance on strategies of neuroprotection. Aggressive efforts directed towards neuroprotection may change predictions for outcomes after cardiac arrest in the future.
Improving R&D effectiveness by integrating technology into corporate strategic planning

Abstract In an environment of intensifying competitive pressures, companies need to be certain that their R&D resources are being applied in the most effective manner to satisfy customer requirements and ensure long-term competitive advantage. Integration of technology issues into corporate strategy development and planning can yield major dividends by improving the focus of R&D on supporting business objectives.
Coherence reduction using optical fibers

Spatially partially coherent laser beams have shown good transmission properties in free space laser communications, and a variety of methods have been used to generate spatially partially coherent beams including rotating diffusers and modulated acousto-optic cells or liquid crystals. With respect to high data rate laser communications, however, those methods exhibit serious drawbacks, the most serious being their dependence on mechanically or electrically-induced changes in the medium that are relatively very slow when compared to the gigabit data rates. To solve this problem, a nonlinear effect in a single mode fiber is used to reduce the temporal coherence of the transmitted beam, and its high spatial coherence is then reduced by a multimode fiber bundle made of fibers having very small length differences on the order of the beam's coherence length. Using this method, both the temporal and spatial coherence of the fiber output beam are greatly reduced. A comparison of the propagation properties of the beam transmitted through this combination of optical fibers with those of the original coherent beam reveals a significant performance improvement. To our knowledge, producing a spatially partially coherent beam in this way has not been reported previously.
Molecular Orbital Modeling and Transition State Theory in Geochemistry

Fundamental to the understanding of geochemical phenomena is the accurate determination of viable chemical reactions and their rates. The accurate determination of the rate constants of underlying chemical reaction are needed by numerous other areas of science and engineering as well, and it is no coincidence that predicting rate constants has become a major goal of computational chemistry. In this chapter, we discuss the possible determination of these rate constants and mechanisms in the geosciences through molecular orbital (MO) calculations and transition state theory. The rate constants and their temperature dependence are critical in geochemical kinetics. Knowledge of the temperature dependent rates allows the computation of reaction progress over a range of temperatures. Furthermore, if the forward and backward rate constants k f and k r are known for an elementary reaction, then the equilibrium constant K eq for that elementary reaction can be calculated as well, for \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \[\mathit{K}\_{\mathit{eq}}(\mathit{T})\ =\ \mathit{k}\_{\mathit{f}}\ (\mathit{T})/\mathit{k}_{\mathit{b}}(\mathit{T})\] \end{document}(1) where ( T ) is used to emphasize the temperature dependence. Note that this enables the direct computation of the equilibrium isotope fractionation factors for overall reactions. In addition to knowing the rates of the reactions per se and calculating equilibrium constants for elementary reactions, knowledge of the thermal rate constants allows the prediction of phenomena such as kinetic isotope effects (KIE). For instance, the primary kinetic isotope effect of an elementary reaction may be evaluated using \batchmode \documentclass[fleqn,10pt,legalpaper]{article} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amsmath} \pagestyle{empty} \begin{document} \[KIE(\mathit{T})\ =\ \mathit{k}\_{\mathit{f}}^{{\ast}}(\mathit{T})/\mathit{k}\_{\mathit{f}}\ (\mathit{T})\] \end{document}(2) assuming that the isotope is directly involved in the reaction and where the asterisk indicates the same reaction but with a different isotopic signature. Conventional transition state theory (TST) provides a formalism for predicting thermal rate constants by combining the important features of the potential energy surface (PES) with a statistical representation of the dynamics of the system. MO calculations, on the other hand, allow the numerical determination of the PES. Thus, MO theory used …
Personal-social adjustment of school children after five years in a family enrichment program

Research on the effects of high quality day care experiences on subsequent personal-social adjustment with teachers and peers suggests that the transition from highly supportive day-care learning environments to public school classrooms with low adult-to-child ratios may present problems for some children.
Congential Abnormalities in Newborns with Fetal Cocaine Exposure • 361

Reports in the literature have attributed a variety of structural defects in the newborn to prenatal cocaine exposure. Organ system involvement has included the brain, heart, skeleton, GI and GU tract. This sample was part of a longitudinal study of prenatally identified crack/cocaine users and controls and their offspring, designed to assess the teratogenic effect of cocaine exposure. Women were enrolled prospectively from a rural public health population and were matched on race, parity, prenatal risk, and SES (n=308). Drug use was determined through in-depth histories obtained after each trimester and urine screening for drug metabolites at study entry and delivery. All infants were examined within the first 96 hours of life by experienced examiners blinded to maternal history. Examiners used a modified checklist of 58 major anomalies, all defined in advance. Of the 301 living offspring at birth, 231 were included in the data analyses (119 control; 112 cocaine), excluding infants < 37 weeks gestation, those too sick to be examined in depth by 96 hours, and those missed due to scheduling errors. There were no significant differences between groups in the following measures: nipple width, ear length, palpebral fissure width, inner or outer canthal distance, interpupillary distance, philtrum, clitoral width or length or stretched penile length. The mean number of anomalies per child did not differ by group. The number of children within each group identified with an anomaly did not differ with over 75% of both groups having no identified major anomaly. No infant had more than 4 anomalies identified. The most commonly identified problem was a systolic heart murmur in 28 infants (11% cocaine; 13% control). Of interest was the identification of a single umbilical artery in 7 cocaine and 2 control infants. This study represents one of the first prospective, large-scale, blinded, systematic evaluation for congenital anomalies in cocaine-exposed infants and has failed to identify a consistent pattern of abnormalities. Specifically, in contrast to other reports, we did not find group differences in abnormalities of the skull, heart, skeleton, GI or GU tract.
The knowledge pool: Measurement challenges in evaluating fundamental research programs

Abstract The Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) requires all U.S. federal agencies to set measurable goals and report on whether they are meeting them. These requirements force a tradeoff for research agencies. Either they focus on short-term, measurable processes in reporting their performance and neglect the long-term benefits that research produces for economy and society, or they seek relief from the measurement requirements of the law. This article reviews the state of the art in performance measures and assessment processes before GPRA was passed, and discusses the difficulties in fitting these practices into the GPRA framework. It offers a simple logic model for research programs that highlights what is measurable and what is not with regard to activities that build a national science and engineering base.
Menstrual cycle phase at quit date and smoking abstinence at 6 weeks in an open label trial of bupropion.

Background: Quit attempts may have different outcomes based on menstrual cycle phase on quit day. This is the first preliminary study examining whether smoking cessation outcomes vary by menstrual cycle phase of quit date in women receiving a 6-week open trial of sustained release (SR) bupropion. Methods: Thirty-three treatment-seeking premenopausal women were studied. Abstinence outcomes were compared for women quitting during the luteal versus follicular phase. Results: Women receiving bupropion SR whose self-selected quit date occurred in the luteal phase had significantly higher rates of point prevalence abstinence during the final week of a 6-week post-quit treatment period than women quitting in the follicular phase (62.5% versus 29.4%; p < 0.05). A similar, but non-significant, pattern of findings was demonstrated for continuous abstinence during the treatment phase and for point prevalence abstinence at 3-month follow-up. Conclusions: Women receiving bupropion SR were significantly more likely to be abstinent at treatment completion if quitting occurred during the luteal phase. This is consistent with recent findings of outcome related to cycle phase at quit date in the absence of pharmacotherapy, and differs from findings utilizing nicotine replacement. Results add to emerging data suggesting that smoking cessation interventions with varying mechanisms of action may result in different outcomes for premenopausal women based on gonadal hormones at quit date.
Classification of organisms: living and fossil

The classification advanced herein provides a framework to which any organism can be readily placed and offers comprehensive coverage of the entire biological spectrum. The viruses are incorporated as a kingdom of organisms and a rationale advanced for a 6-kingdom system. Many seldom-classified fossil organisms are included, with a significant number of them classified at an advanced level. Individual phyla are recognized for the fossil genera Tribrachidium, Amiskwia, Dinomischus, Anomalocaris, Tullimonstrum, Hallucigenia, Opabinia and Pikaia. Other seldom-recognized phyla include viruses, conularids, loriciferans, tentaculites, hyoliths, scleritophores, myzostomans, acorn worms, conodonts, monoblastozoans and volborthellids. The notion that failures (geologically) cannot be phyla is rejected. A system of kingdom-related and rank-related suffixes is incorporated with the flexible opportunity, if deemed necessary, to advance or reduce taxa by re-suffixing. Other features of the complete classification of Anderson (Classification of Organisms: Living and Fossil, Golden Crowns Press, Lancaster, OH, 1992) include the elimination of duplicate taxa, incorporation of geologic ranges and number of species for many groups, and extensive usage of common names, which are completely indexed.
Methamphetamine-mediated modulation of MOR expression in the SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line.

Methamphetamine (METH) has been shown to induce oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells, a neuroblastic, dopaminergic cell line model. In neuronal cells, oxidation of dopamine by auto-oxidative or enzymatic mechanisms leads to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Neuronal cells treated with METH accumulate dopamine, which can ultimately lead to increased levels of ROS. ROS has been shown to mediate the expression of the mu-opioid receptor (MOR). The goal of this in vitro study was to examine the effects of METH on the accumulation of intracellular ROS in SH-SY5Y cells, which could, in turn, modulate MOR expression. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) indicated that METH induced intracellular accumulation of ROS, detected as increased fluorescence of rhodamine 123, in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Moreover, accumulation of ROS preceded METH-induced expression of the MOR, which was attenuated by the free radical chelator, vitamin E. Additionally, increased MOR expression was noted following hydrogen peroxide treatment, indicating a role for ROS in mediating MOR expression. Taken together, our data show that METH's effect on MOR expression is dependent upon sublethal levels of intracellular ROS, which suggests a possible coupling of METH- and opiate-mediated intracellular signaling. Synapse, 2011. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Uptake of positron emission tomography tracers in experimental bacterial infections: a comparative biodistribution study of radiolabeled FDG, thymidine, L-methionine, 67Ga-citrate, and 125I-HSA.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the localization of positron emission tomography (PET) tracers [2-deoxy-2-fluoro-d-glucose (FDG), thymidine, and l-methionine] in sites of bacterial infection, and to contrast this with that of other tracers. The left calf muscles of rats were infected with a suspension of Escherichia coli and the biodistribution of 18F- or 3H-FDG, 3H-thymidine, l-11C- or 3H-methionine, gallium-67 citrate (67Ga-citrate) and iodine-125 human serum albumin (125I-HSA) was determined in these animals. 3H-FDG uptake in the infectious foci was evaluated by autoradiography of histological sections. Although 18F-FDG, 67Ga-citrate, and 125I-HSA showed comparatively high uptake in the infected muscle [the percentage activity of injected dose (ID) per gram of tissue normalized for rat weight in kilogram (%ID/g)×kg at 2 h postinjection was as follows: 18F-FDG, 0.184±0.026 to 0.218±0.046; 67Ga-citrate, 0.221±0.016; 125I-HSA, 0.198±0.019], the infected muscle to blood ratio was much higher for 18F-FDG than for 67Ga-citrate or 125I-HSA (18F-FDG, 10.31±0.76 to 14.89±2.26; 67Ga-citrate, 1.24±0.67; 125I-HSA, 0.20±0.02). The draining reactive lymph nodes also showed higher accumulation of 18F-FDG than of 67Ga-citrate or 125I-HSA. The uptake of 3H-thymidine and l-11C- or 3H-methionine in the infected muscle was lower than that of 18F- or 3H-FDG (at 2 h postinjection, 3H-thymidine = 0.039±0.005 and L-3H-methionine = 0.063±0.007 (%ID/g)×kg. Autoradiographs showed that the highest 3H-FDG uptake was seen in the area of inflammatory cell infiltration surrounding the necrotic region. In conclusion, 18F-FDG, which rapidly accumulates in sites of bacterial infection and in reactive lymph nodes with a high target to background ratio, appears to be a promising infection detection agent.
Harry Harlow: Lessons on explanations, ideas, and mentorship

Harry F. Harlow died on December 6, 1981, in Tucson, Arizona. An examination of the process of his professional contributions reveals an intensely antagonistic attitude toward simplistic explanations of psychological phenomena, and a willingness to entertain experimental ideas born in a wide variety of ways. Harlow exemplified these attitudes by designing often disarmingly simple experiments which served as crucial rejoinders to firmly stated explanatory positions. It is also clear that Harlow considered his own constructions as fair game for this style of direct analysis. As a person, Harlow is pictured as a loyal, laissez faire mentor who desired affection but not academic conformity.
Variance Formulas for the Mean Difference and Coefficient of Concentration

Abstract A general formula for the variance of Gini's mean difference, a measure of dispersion, is given in this paper for simple random sampling without replacement from a finite population. Formulas for estimating the variance are also given together with a numerical example. Similar results are developed for Gini's coefficient of concentration, a relative measure of dispersion.
Distributed model predictive control of switched nonlinear systems

In this work, we present a framework for the design of distributed model predictive control systems for a broad class of switched nonlinear systems for which the mode transitions take place according to a prescribed switching schedule. Under appropriate stabilizability assumptions on the existence of a set of feedback controllers that can stabilize the closed-loop switched, nonlinear system, we design a cooperative, distributed model predictive control architecture using Lyapunov-based model predictive control in which the distributed controllers carry out their calculations in parallel and communicate in an iterative fashion to compute their control actions. The proposed distributed model predictive control design is applied to a nonlinear chemical process network with scheduled mode transitions.
Optical communication architectures for multimedia conferencing in distributed systems

The design of techniques and protocols for media mixing and communication architectures that optimize the performance of media mixing are discussed. The performance of monostage and multistage techniques for mixing are compared. Centralized and distributed architectures are analyzed for their suitability to both monostage and multistage media mixing, and hierarchical architectures that significantly reduce bandwidth consumption are presented. Algorithms for designing hierarchies that optimize real-time end-to-end delays and a packet train protocol in which the routing nodes can be used as mixers are proposed. >
Nursing Interventions in the Management of Patients with Cancer-Associated Thrombosis

Objectives To provide oncology nurses with an overview of the clinical trial evidence and to help them apply the data to patient management to optimize care and ensure the best possible outcomes. Data Sources Primary and tertiary literature and the authors’ clinical experience. Conclusion Nursing interventions for patients with cancer-associated thrombosis involve such key areas as the need for careful and continuing risk assessment, close monitoring of laboratory values, evaluation of patients as candidates for outpatient management, patient and caregiver education, and monitoring of patient compliance. Implications for Nursing Practice Oncology nurses provide critical oversight and coordination in the treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism. These interventions are essential to reducing venous thromboembolism-associated morbidity and mortality.
Newly synthesized hepatocyte plasma membrane proteins are transported in transcytotic vesicles in the bile duct-ligated rat

Abstract Background: Newly synthesized apical membrane proteins in hepatocytes go first to the basolateral membrane, from which they are retrieved and delivered to the apical domain. The goal of the present study was to identify the vesicular carriers of these molecules. Methods: The common bile duct of rats was ligated for 10–72 hours, and then various plasma membrane proteins were localized using immunofluorescence and quantitative immuno-electron microscopy of fixed liver tissue. Results: By immunofluorescence, we found intracellular punctate staining near the bile canalicular membrane of polymeric immunoglobulin A (IgA) receptor and several apical membrane proteins, but not basolateral proteins. This compartment was membrane bounded and pleiomorphic by immunoelectron microscopy. Colocalization at the electron microscopic level showed that the apical protein, dipeptidyl peptidase IV, was in the same structures as aminopeptidase N, polymeric IgA receptor, or intravenously injected horseradish peroxidase. This intracellular immunolabeling decreased after cycloheximide treatment (t12 = 2–2.5 hours) or reversal of the ligation for 1 hour. In the latter case, bile canalicular labeling increased. Furthermore, polymeric IgA receptor was delivered to the bile canaliculi. Conclusions: Bile duct ligation leads to an intracellular accumulation of vesicles carrying polymeric IgA receptor, several apical membrane proteins, and a fluid phase marker. These vesicles continue to fuse with the apical membrane, even during ligation.
HDL-C vs HDL-P: How Changing One Letter Could Make a Difference in Understanding the Role of High-Density Lipoprotein in Disease

Before about 2006, most papers focusing on high-density lipoprotein (HDL)2 contained an introductory sentence that touted its protective role against cardiovascular disease (CVD), usually via the reverse transport of cholesterol away from the vessel wall. This was based on a mountain of epidemiological evidence showing an inverse correlation between plasma concentrations of HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) and CVD as well as thousands of in vitro and animal model studies demonstrating the cholesterol-carrying capacity of the particles. More recently, however, confidence in a direct atheroprotective role for HDL has wavered. HDL-targeted drugs such as niacin and 2 different cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) inhibitors have failed in clinical trials, despite raising HDL-C (nicely reviewed in (1)). Furthermore, recent Mendelian randomization analyses suggest that genetic anomalies that raise HDL-C fail to impart the CVD protections predicted by epidemiologic findings (2). This has prompted some to regard HDL as a marker or byproduct of other, more directly atheroprotective, mechanisms. On the other hand, large studies have shown that the cholesterol efflux capacity of primarily HDL-containing [i.e., low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-depleted] serum is a robust predictor of CVD, even better than HDL-C (3), suggesting that HDL's mobilization of cellular cholesterol may indeed be atheroprotective. So why has it been so difficult to determine whether HDL plays a direct protective role in CVD? Some argue that the picture has been clouded by the way HDL has been traditionally quantified. The HDL-C measurement targets only a single HDL component, and a relatively minor one at that: a maximum of 20% of HDL mass is cholesterol or its ester. Ideally, one would like to know the actual number of HDL particles (HDL-P) circulating in plasma, not simply how much cholesterol they are carrying. This is a relatively easy determination for LDL. Because each particle contains a single copy …
Complex nature of the sulfation reaction of limestones and dolomites

Experimental information available in the literature for the sulfation of a wide variety of calcined limestones and dolomites has been used to establish rates of reaction over their entire range of conversion. The reaction rate was found to decay exponentially with extent of conversion and implicated parameters related to two factors, each factor representing a diffusional resistance. These factors define two generalized constants which permit the prediction of the decaying parameters associated with the sorptive capacity of the sorbent. The sorptive capacity, x∞, which represents the ultimate conversion of the solid sorbent, has been found to depend on the pore size distribution, the chemical composition of the limestone and/or dolomite and its accessible pore surface area. The combined contribution of x∞ along with predicted parameters permit the calculation of conversion vs. time relationships that are found in close agreement with experimental measurements for the ten sorbents investigated, with the exception of one.
The decision to defer: factors affecting employee deferral incentives

Abstract The purpose of this study is to examine employee participation and contribution incentives among defined contribution retirement plans. Using data from the 1995 Survey of Consumer Finances, probit and tobit analysis indicates no significant relationship between employer contributions and an employee’s decision to make contributions into his or her retirement plan. However, of those employees who are contributing to their pension plans, the employer contribution percentage has a significant positive effect on employee contribution rates. Therefore, the findings support our hypothesis of a direct relationship between the average employee deferral percentage and the existence of an employer matching contribution.
Mining Arabic Business Reviews

For languages with rich content over the web, business reviews are easily accessible via many known websites, e.g., Yelp.com. For languages with poor content over the web like Arabic, there are very few websites (we are actually aware of only one that is indeed unpopular) that provide business reviews. However, this does not mean that such reviews do not exist. They indeed exist unstructured in websites not originally intended for reviews, e.g., Forums and Blogs. Hence, there is a need to mine for those Arabic reviews from the web in order to provide them in the search results when a user searches for a business or a category of businesses. In this paper, we show how to extract the business reviews scattered on the web written in the Arabic language. The mined reviews are analyzed to also provide their sentiments (positive, negative or neutral). This way, we provide our users the information they need about the local businesses in the language they understand, and therefore provide a better search experience for the Middle East region, which mostly speaks Arabic.
Space power for an expanded vision

The author suggests that the problem with the space program in the 1990s is that there are few short term benefits that the public can directly relate to and no long term vision that will motivate them. Recent surveys have shown that public would support an expanded space program if they understood the specific short term purpose that provides benefits coupled to a longer term vision. The author discusses a proposed space program that has a 100 Year Vision and a specific beneficial near term purpose. The specific near term purpose is to return to the Moon and develop He for nuclear fusion power on Earth, and then expand into the Solar System and eventually to the nearby stars with the purpose of finding new life as a long term vision. This is how the author sees it unfolding-in three Epochs. Epoch I is proposed as the minimum near term space program. Space Station Freedom in near-Earth orbit being serviced by the Space Shuttle, the National Aerospace Plane and the Single-Stage-To-Orbit Vehicle. Just above Freedom is an Earth Observing System Satellite that, as part of Mission to Planet Earth, will monitor and analyze our planet's ecological systems. There are also a great many scientific, defense and launch systems whose technologies will evolve to play critical roles in future epochs. >
Antioxidant Activity of Phytosterols, Oryzanol, and Other Phytosterol Conjugates

Antioxidant activity of phytosterols, oryzanol, ferulic acid ester of sterols, corn fiber oil, and rice bran oil was investigated. Commercial soybean oil and distilled soybean oil FAME were used as substrates for both oxidative stability determination and viscosity analysis after the oil was oxidized. At low concentration, these materials did not improve the oxidative stability of the oil substrates, although the viscosity tended to be reduced slightly. The antipolymerization activity of steryl ferulate was higher at higher concentration than at lower concentration, and steryl ferulate was more effective than oryzanol. Rice bran oil showed very good antioxidant and antipolymerization activities.
Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3beta regulates Snail and beta-catenin during gastrin-induced migration of gastric cancer cells

The gastrointestinal peptide hormone gastrin is known to regulate various cellular processes including proliferation, migration and metastasis in gastrointestinal (GI) cells. The studies described here were undertaken to elucidate in detail the signaling pathways mediating the migratory responses of amidated gastrin (G17) and to understand the involvement of the serine/threonine kinase Glycogen Synthase Kinase-3 beta (GSK3β) in this. Our results indicate that incubation of gastric cancer cells overexpressing CCK2 receptor (AGSE cells) with G17 results in a dose and time dependent increase of GSK3βSer9 phosphorylation, indicative of an inhibition of the kinase. Pretreatment with a pharmacological inhibitor of PI3Kinase pathway (Wortmannin) was unable to antagonize G17-induced GSK3βSer9 phosphorylation, suggesting that this might involve PI3Kinase-independent pathways. Treatment with G17 was also associated with increased Snail expression, and β-catenin nuclear translocation, both of which are GSK3β downstream targets. Pretreatment with a pharmacological inhibitor of GSK3β (AR-A014418) augmented Snail expression and β-catenin nuclear translocation in the absence of G17, whereas overexpression of a phosphorylation deficient mutant of GSK3β (S9A) abrogated Snail promoter induction. These suggested that G17 modulates Snail and β-catenin pathways via inhibiting GSK3β. In addition, overexpression of GSK3β wild type (WT) or S9A mutant inhibited G17-induced migration and MMP7 promoter induction. G17 studies designed following small interference RNA (siRNA)-mediated knockdown of Snail and β-catenin expression indicated a significant reduction of G-17-induced migration and MMP7 promoter induction following combined knockdown of both proteins. Our studies indicate that inhibition of GSK3β is necessary to activate G17-induced migratory pathways in gastric cancer cells. Inhibition of GSK3β leads to an induction of Snail expression and β-catenin nuclear translocation, both of which participate to promote G17-induced migration.
The Canada–United States defence relationship: a partnership for the twenty-first century

The cessation of Canada's combat mission in Afghanistan in 2011 naturally prompted assessments of the effectiveness of the largest and most costly intervention, in terms of both lives and treasure,...
Variation in Frequency of Clonal Reproduction Among Populations of Fagus grandifolia Ehrh. in Response to Disturbance

Asexual reproduction has been observed to be more frequently associated with marginal habitats or with higher levels of disturbance. Here we examined frequencies of clonal reproduction across populations of Fagus grandifolia with varying levels of disturbance and habitat quality. We used ISSRs to identify clonal genotypes at each of five sites. Three of the sites were typical temperate habitats with relatively low densities of stems and were below 1,100 m, and two sites were above 1,370 m, possessed a high density of stems, and were characteristic of sub-alpine beech gap populations. The frequency of clonal reproduction varied substantially across sites and appears to be greater where disturbance is more severe.
Fatal Central Nervous System Disease Following First Infliximab Infusion in a Child With Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Abstract Background Infliximab is used in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease. Previously reported neurological complications include central and peripheral demyelinating disorders and neuropathies occurring months into therapy. Patient Description A seven-year-old boy diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and primary sclerosing cholangitis received infliximab. Six hours following his uneventful infusion, he awoke with headache and emesis and rapidly became obtunded. Neurological examination revealed minimally reactive pupils and otherwise absent brainstem reflexes. Cranial computed tomography revealed hypodense lesions in the cerebral hemispheres, cerebellum, and pons accompanied by hemorrhage. Magnetic resonance imaging showed diffusion restriction concerning for ischemia with areas of ring enhancement suggestive of inflammation. Vessel imaging was normal, and cerebrospinal fluid and serum studies showed only an extremely elevated level of d-dimer. Echocardiogram showed depressed ventricular function but neither intracardiac shunt nor thrombus. Within four days he met criteria for brain death. Autopsy was refused. Conclusions This is the first report of a fulminant, fatal central nervous system process to occur after an initial dose of infliximab. The differential diagnosis includes multifocal arterial strokes and a devastating demyelinating process.
Why Teach -- And Why Study -- State Constitutional Law

Imagine an NCAA tournament basketball game. Your favorite team is down by one point. With no time left on the clock, the opposing team commits a two-shot foul on your star player. How would you react if the player took just one of the two free throws offered him? Strange, yes? A two-shot foul normally would give the player two chances to make one free throw, which would tie the game, and one chance to make both free throws, which would win the game. Not a bad situation to be in. But if a coach told his player to take just one of the free throws, he would reduce the team to the hope of at best forcing overtime. Any coach who made such a decision would be ridiculed out of the profession, particularly if his team lost the game.If you think this scenario is utterly implausible, so do I. But that leaves us with some explaining to do. Why is it that when we switch from basketball to American law, we find so many lawyers willing to give up the second free throw? Under our legal system, whenever a state or local government enacts a dubious law, lawyers and clients have two chances, not one, to invalidate it. They may invoke the United States Constitution to strike the law, and they may invoke that State’s constitution to strike the law. Yet, in my experience as a federal judge, a private practitioner and a lawyer for the State of Ohio, that is not what most lawyers do.The point of this essay is twofold: to consider why state constitutional law remains an underdeveloped area of the law; and to explain why it ought to be taught and studied more consistently in American law schools.
Use of α-Galactosidase, β-Galactosidase, Glucose Isomerase and Invertase in Hollow Fiber Reactors

Hollow fiber enzyme reactors offer an excellent method of enzyme encapsulation. Due to their compact nature, they have a relatively large surface-to-volume ratio which facilitates substrate transport. The structure of the anisotropic hollow fiber membranes used in this study is illustrated in Fig. 1. They are non-cellulosic inert polymeric fibers which should be superior to cellulosic membranes with regard to thermal and chemical resistance, and resistance to microbial attack.
A Unified Field Theory

A ‘unified field theory’ refers to the explanation of all possible forms of force exerted by matter on matter as well as the inertial response of the matter that is acted upon, based on a single continuous field formalism. The appearance in nature of one type of force or another and the inertia of matter depend on the type of physical circumstances experienced by matter.
Fixed Costs, Failing Diets: Shopping Frequency and Food Choice

From 1998 to 2009 I find that the average time between U.S. households’ grocery shopping trips has steadily increased from 4.7 to 6.2 days, and from 1998 to 2006 per capita monthly consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has decreased from 130 to 112 oz. To understand these changes, a dynamic model is developed of a resource constrained consumer optimally choosing the timing and quantity of discrete purchases, and piecewise continuous consumption paths of a perishable good. When calibrated to U.S. national average data, the model is found to be in close agreement, and rationalizes the observed drops in fresh produce and shopping frequency. A household fixed effects model confirms that shopping frequency and fresh produce consumption are causally linked. Of food retail environmental factors tested using a household level random effects model, the presence of supercenters and club stores have the largest impact on shopping frequency and fresh produce consumption. Impacts are decomposed into direct effects and effects mediated through shopping frequency. Nutritive aspects of food perishability are discussed and it is hypothesized that shopping frequency and many diet-based diseases are interrelated as households optimally manage their food inventory.
Bandwidth Enhancement by Optical Modulation of Injection-Locked Semiconductor Lasers

We experimentally demonstrate optical modulation of injection-locked lasers, resulting in a resonant amplification of the transmitted signal. We enhance the 3-dB bandwidth of a 25-GHz electro-optic modulator to >59 GHz and demonstrate the system’s tunability.
Study on Rapid Layout and Forming Simulation for Complex Deep-Drawn Parts

Based on the CAD technique of Unigraphics,the geometric data of the complex deep-drawn part are picked up, and an effective method proposed in Ref.[1] is used to calculate the initial bank of the deep-drawn part. Adopting the large deformation theory and the assumption of ideal forming, the formula and FE expression of one-step approach are provied, for analyzing the forming process of complex deep-drawn parts. Through several test cases with the main concern on thickness strain distribution, the presented numerical method can save much computational time and obtain satisfactory results.
Experimental Evaluation of Structural Steel Coating Systems

AbstractDepartments of transportation (DOTs) currently use the conventional three-coat system as the predominant choice for the corrosion protection of steel bridge structures. Eliminating one step in the coating process could potentially save time and cost associated with lane closures and traffic control costs. This research paper evaluates several two-coat systems based on the zinc-rich primer and polysiloxane topcoat technology. All samples were conditioned and coated in a state-of-the-art, climate-controlled paint booth, simulating common field ENvironmental CONditions (ENCON) (ENCON 1: 25 °C/50% RH, ENCON 2: 10 °C/40%RH, and ENCON 3: 32°C/80% RH). Accelerated weathering tests were performed on 435 coated samples (scribed and unscribed). Regardless of the ENCON considered, the performance of the two-coat system is very comparable to the three-coat system. This coating technology offers much improved performance with quicker set time and better adhesion pull-off strength. Considering its durability an...
Prevalence and bother of patient-reported lower urinary tract symptoms in the muscular dystrophies.

Introduction Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) and the less severe Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) are characterized by progressive muscle weakness and eventual loss of ambulation, and result from mutations in the dystrophin gene. Dystrophin is essential for skeletal muscle functioning but its role in smooth muscle function is not as well established. In a retrospective review, our group previously demonstrated that roughly half of these patients have at least one documented urologic diagnosis, most commonly being lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and nephrolithiasis. To better understand the frequency of LUTS and the degree to which they impact quality of life in this patient population, we performed a cross-sectional evaluation. Methods and materials Following IRB approval, a survey modified from multiple validated surveys was distributed to DMD and BMD patients. The survey contained questions derived from multiple validated questionnaires, including the American Urological Association Symptom Score and the Dysfunctional Voiding Symptoms Score, which assessed both the frequency of lower urinary tract symptoms (i.e. urinary urgency, frequency, enuresis, dysuria, and bowel function) as well as how bothersome patients found these symptoms. Results Of the 56 respondents (mean age 15.3; range 4–33), 40 (71.4%) reported at least one LUTS, most commonly urgency (n = 31, 55%) and hesitancy of stream (n = 32, 57%) ( Figure). Although the majority of the patients reported being happy with their symptoms, 16% (n = 9) expressed dissatisfaction. We did not find any correlation between LUTS and disease progression, as measured by years non-ambulatory, on chi-square analysis. Conclusions In this cross-sectional study of the frequency and degree of bother of LUTS in D/BMD patients, we found that a high percentage experience LUTS. Despite this high prevalence, the majority report that they are not especially bothered by these symptoms; however, over 16% express dissatisfaction with their current LUTS. With this patient population now living longer, this may become even more prevalent. Screening for bothersome LUTS in patients with DMD and BMD should be a part of disease management, with appropriate treatment or referral to a urologist for those bothered by their symptoms to positively impact their quality of life. Figure. Patient-reported lower urinary tract symptoms in Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Becker muscular dystrophy. Figure options Download full-size image Download high-quality image (151 K) Download as PowerPoint slide
Little big planet and metal gear solid 4: being old sack snake

Video games offer an unusual opportunity: to slide into being someone else, with someone else's problems and someone else's life. A chance to layer a different self and a different world upon your own, deciding between gentle creation, loud explosions, fabulously huge guns, and plastering a new world in jungle stickers. Sometimes that choice of who to be is particularly difficult, even when the choice is between such dramatically different characters and games as Sackperson in Little Big Planet and Old Snake in Metal Gear Solid 4.
Scratching beyond the Surface of Literacy: Programming for Early Adolescent Gifted Students.

Digital technology offers new possibilities for children to play, express themselves, learn, and communicate. A recent development in online practice is a shift toward youth engaged in computer pro...
Analysis of Negotiation Protocols by Distributed Search

Negotiation is one of the main mechanisms for coordination and cooperation in multiagent systems. However, most negotiation protocols are complex and their features are difficult to characterize. In this paper, we propose a general experimental approach to analyzing negotiation strategies using distributed search. In this approach we first formulate the problems that negotiation protocols intend to solve as distributed constraint satisfaction/optimization problems, and then capture the negotiation protocols as distributed search algorithms. By analyzing the derived search algorithms, we can characterize many important properties of the negotiation protocols. In this paper, we are particularly interested in the properties of a newly developed negotiation protocol, which is motivated by distributed sensor network applications, including its completeness, complexity, convergence rate, and scalability. Although the idea of viewing negotiation as distributed search is not completely new, in this research we not only view negotiation as distributed search, but directly apply a search algorithm to reveal the essential features of a negotiation protocol and analyze its performance.
Site- and stereospecific ocular drug delivery by sequential enzymatic bioactivation.

Intraocular enzymes convert the ketoxime analogues of some β-adrenergic blockers via a sequential bioactivation process involving hydrolysis to the corresponding ketones followed by reduction to the aryloxyaminoalcohols, which then exert known and predictable physiological and pharmacological effects only at the site of the action–i.e., in the eye–without any systemic side effects. The sequential nature of the process is highlighted by the observation that the administration of the ketone intermediate also leads to its conversion to the β-adrenergic antagonist, the active compound. The reduction is stereospecific resulting in the formation of the more potent S-(–)-form of the drug, thus providing prospect to glaucoma treatment. The same activation process of the ketoximes does not take place systemically, thus administration of these ketoximes does not produce cardiovascular effects.
Submerged aquatic vegetation mapping in coastal Louisiana through development of a spatial likelihood occurrence (SLOO) model

Abstract Determining the spatial distribution of coastal foundation species is essential to accurately determine restoration goals, predict the ecological effects of climate change, and develop habitat management strategies. Mapping the distribution of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) species assemblages, which provide important habitat resource and ecological services in Louisiana, has been difficult due to the dynamic nature of SAV occurrence and the limited water clarity across much of the coast. Species distribution models (SDMs) link ecological conditions species occurrence across landscapes, and can predict the distribution of species across un-sampled or hard to sample areas and support the development of habitat maps. To predict SAV distribution in coastal Louisiana, a SDM was developed and projected across the landscape to create a spatial likelihood of occurrence (SLOO) model describing the probability of SAV presence in aquatic habitats. SAV presence and absence data were examined from over 500 field observations in relation to physical and hydrologic variables, including exposure, turbidity, water level, and salinity. A binary logistic regression model (p
Alignment of American Association of Colleges of Nursing Graduate-Level Nursing Informatics Competencies with American Medical Informatics Association Health Informatics Core Competencies

This study yielded a map of the alignment of American Association of Colleges of Nursing Graduate-Level Nursing Informatics Competencies with American Medical Informatics Association Health Informatics Core Competencies in an effort to understand graduate-level accreditation and certification opportunities in nursing informatics. Nursing Informatics Program Directors from the American Medical Informatics Association and a health informatics expert independently mapped the American Association of Colleges of Nursing competencies to the American Medical Informatics Association Health Informatics knowledge, skills, and attitudes. The Nursing Informatics Program Directors' map connected an average of 4.0 American Medical Informatics Association Core Competencies per American Association of Colleges of Nursing competency, whereas the health informatics expert's map connected an average of 5.0 American Medical Informatics Association Core Competencies per American Association of Colleges of Nursing competency. Agreement across the two maps ranged from 14% to 60% per American Association of Colleges of Nursing competency, revealing alignment between the two groups' competencies according to knowledge, skills, and attitudes. These findings suggest that graduates of master's degree programs in nursing, especially those specializing in nursing informatics, will likely be prepared to sit for the proposed Advanced Health Informatics Certification in addition to the American Nurses Credentialing Center bachelor's-level Informatics Nursing Certification. This preliminary map sets the stage for further in-depth mapping of nursing informatics curricula with American Medical Informatics Association Core Competencies and will enable interprofessional conversations around nursing informatics specialty program accreditation, nursing workforce preparation, and nursing informatics advanced certification. Nursing informaticists should examine their need for credentials as key contributors who will address critical health informatics needs.