cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How Do You Prevent Blood Poisoning? Hire Miss Sepsis!

Forty percent of Americans have never heard of sepsis—a condition that kills more people than breast cancer, stroke, AIDS, and opioid overdoses combined.1 Sepsis, put simply, occurs when the body’s immune system goes into overdrive, backfires, and attacks its own organs, and it takes the lives of 270,000 Americans each year.1 The only two diseases that kill more Americans are heart failure and cancer.Even more troubling is how easy the condition is to get. A common misconception, even among clinicians, is that sepsis only occurs in the hospital. But the truth is that 8 out of 10 cases are community-acquired,1 and sepsis can stem from almost any infection, even those seemingly benign like strep throat, a splinter, or a scraped knee.The symptoms are nonspecific and include one or a combination of six signs—high fever or chills, confusion, elevated heart rate, shortness of breath, sweaty or clammy skin, and extreme pain or discomfort2—with many survivors reporting they felt like they were “going to die” or believed they had a bad case of the flu. The good news? As difficult as sepsis can be to detect, it can almost as easily be prevented. The best way to do that is by making sepsis top of mind—for someone who has quickly become sick for no apparent reason to assume that it may be sepsis and seek immediate medical attention. Enter Miss Sepsis, a fictional young girl who contracted sepsis after she scraped her knee and her parents missed the signs— and the focal point of the Patient Safety Authority’s new awareness campaign. She recounts her tale and reminds everyone “Don’t Miss Sepsis.” The concept was to create a character whom viewers would see as their own child, spurring a protective instinct to prevent a similar fate. Thankfully, Miss Sepsis survived, but she also provides statistics to inform that many are not so lucky.
Symbolwise MAP for Multiple Deletion Channels

We consider the problem of reconstructing a sequence from fixed number of deleted versions of itself (also called traces). The problem is motivated from recent developments in de novo DNA sequencing technologies. The main contribution of this work is to provide a polynomial time algorithm for symbolwise MAP decoding with multiple traces. The algorithm leverages a dynamic program on the edit graph. We also develop a heuristic with reduced time complexity using similar ideas and provide preliminary numerical evaluations.
Roof stability in deep rock tunnels

Abstract A method is presented addressing quantitative assessment of tunnel roof stability, based on the kinematic approach of limit analysis. Long tunnels with both rectangular (flat-ceiling) and circular cross-sections are considered. The rock is governed by the Hoek-Brown strength envelope and the normality flow rule, and it is assumed to provide enough ductility at failure, making plasticity theorems applicable. A failing block in the collapse mechanism is separated from the stationary rock by a deformation band with a large gradient of velocity across its width. The shape of the block in the critical mechanism is found from the requirement of the mechanism’s kinematic admissibility and an optimization procedure consistent with respective measures of stability. The stability number and the supporting pressure needed for tunnel stability are calculated first. Although less commonly used in rock engineering, a procedure is developed for estimating the factor of safety, defined as the ratio of the rock shear strength determined from the Hoek-Brown criterion to the demand on the strength. Curiously, for flat-ceiling tunnels, such definition of the factor of safety yields results equivalent to the ratio of a dimensionless group dependent on the uniaxial compressive strength and the size of the tunnel to the stability number. Such an equivalency does not hold for tunnels with ceilings of finite curvature. Not surprisingly, all measures of tunnel roof stability are strongly dependent on the Geological Strength Index that describes the quality of the rock.
Foliations of Codimension One

The simplest examples of foliations of codimension one are the level surfaces of a function f : M n+1 → ℝ with no critical points. This is of course only possible for a noncompact manifold M. The one-form ω = df is thus assumed nonsingular, i.e. ωx ≠ O for all x ∈M.
The effect of green walking on heart rate variability: A pilot crossover study

Abstract We investigated the effects of regular walking in green and suburban environments on heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure (BP) in middle-aged adults. Twenty-three adults participated in a non-randomized crossover experiment comprised of once-weekly 50-min moderate-intensity walking sessions. Separated by a two-week washout period, participants walked for three weeks in each of two treatment conditions (green and suburban) in a local arboretum and suburban sidewalks of Chaska, MN. Eleven participants completed green walking first and 12 suburban walking first. Walks were split into 15-min intra-walk phases, with phases representing each walk's beginning, middle, and final 15-min. Repeated measures linear mixed models evaluated (1) HRV phase differences between treatments and HRV change within treatments, and (2) pre- and post-walk BP differences between treatments and pre-to post-walk BP changes. Intra-walk phase analyses revealed higher HRV during green walking vs. suburban walking during phase 2 (p
Healthcare Professionals Risk Assessments for Alert Overrides in High-Risk IV Infusions Using Simulated Scenarios.

This study aimed to use healthcare professionals' assessments to calculate expected risk of intravenous (IV) infusion harm for simulated high-risk medications that exceed soft limits and to investigate the impact of relevant risk factors. We designed 30 infusion scenarios for four high-risk medications, propofol, morphine, insulin, and heparin, infused in adult intensive care unit (AICU) and adult medical and surgical care unit (AMSU). A total of 20 pharmacists and 5 nurses provided their assessed expected risk of harm in each scenario. Descriptive statistics, analysis of variance with least square mean, and post hoc test were conducted to test the effects of field limit type, soft (SoftMax), and hard maximum drug limit types (HardMax), and care area-medication combination on risk of harm. The results showed that overdosing scenarios with continuous and bolus dose limit types were assessed with significantly higher risks than those of bolus dose rate type. An overdose infusion in AICU over a large SoftMax was assessed to be of higher risk than over a small one, but not in AMSU. For overdose infusions with three levels of drug amount, greater drug amount in AICU and AMSU was assessed to have higher risk, except insignificant risk difference between the infusions with higher and moderate drug amount in AMSU. This study obtained expected risk for simulated high-risk IV infusions and found that different field limit and SoftMax types can affect expected risk based on healthcare professionals' perspectives. The findings will be regarded as benchmarks for validating risk quantification models in future research.
Bilateral Nephrectomy, the Forgotten Measure in the Treatment of Refractory Hypertension in Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review.

It's not uncommon for patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) to develop hypertension that is resistant to antihypertensive medications and volume control, making it a challenge to control blood pressure in those patients. In this article, we present a 71-year-old female with a history of ESRD on intermittent hemodialysis (IHD), who developed refractory hypertension despite the use of seven antihypertensive agents in addition to IHD. The patient underwent bilateral nephrectomy as a last resort therapy for managing resistant hypertension, which led to a significant improvement in blood pressure (BP) and decreasing the number and doses of antihypertensive agents. This article aims to raise the awareness and alertness of clinicians to the efficacy of bilateral nephrectomy as rescue therapy for refractory hypertension in hemodialysis patients.
RAPID COMPRESSION MACHINE IGNITION DELAY TIME MEASUREMENTS AT NEAR-CONSTANT-PRESSURE CONDITIONS

This work presents and validates a new methodology that determines the adiabatic ignition delay of a hydrocarbon-based fuel using several non-adiabatic ignition delay measurements. The new methodol...
Thermo-Optic Dielectric Metasurfaces for Polarization State Synthesizers and Active Lensing

We exploit low-loss dielectric metasurfaces with thermally tunable resonances to demonstrate active polarization control and lensing. These metasurfaces represent a novel class of active ultrathin optical devices poised to find use in free-space and integrated photonics.
A portable potentiometric electronic tongue leveraging smartphone and cloud platforms

Electronic tongues based on potentiometry offer the prospect of rapid and continuous chemical fingerprinting for portable and remote systems. The present contribution presents a technology platform including a miniaturized electronic tongue based on electropolymerized ion-sensitive films, microcontroller-based data acquisition, a smartphone interface and cloud computing back-end for data storage and deployment of machine learning models. The sensor array records a series of differential voltages without use of a true reference electrode and the resulting time-series potentiometry data is used to train supervised machine learning algorithms. For trained systems, inferencing tasks such as the classification of liquids are realized within less than 1 minute including data acquisition at the edge and inference using the cloud-deployed machine learning model. Preliminary demonstration of the complete electronic tongue technology stack is reported for the classification of beverages and mineral water.
Child and Pet Care-Planning During COVID-19: Considerations for the Evolving Family Unit

Objective Using a mixed-methods design, we aimed to understand household dynamics and choices in hypothetical planning for child and pet care if an individual is faced with hospitalization for COVID-19. Background As the COVID-19 public health crisis persists, children and pets are vulnerable to caregiver hospitalization. Methods Bivariate associations from a large-scale survey explore hypothetical options for dependent care-planning. An open-ended question regarding pet-child interactions is coded applying a grounded theory framework. Results Caregivers expect to rely on family and friends to care for children, especially young children, and pets if hospitalized. The presence of pets in the home has been predominately positive for children during the pandemic, suggesting benefits of alternative care options that keep children and pets together. Conclusions Relying on one's social network to care for dependents if caregivers become ill from COVID-19 could place loved ones at risk for contracting the virus, which could present obstacles to arranging care plans, especially inclusive of pets and children. Implications The changing information regarding COVID-19 warrants that families establish concrete care plans for dependent children and pets. The spread of COVID-19 to the most vulnerable, such as grandparents and other family who may be expected to care for dependents, could create additional public health concerns.
Single cell chromatin accessibility reveals regulatory elements and developmental trajectories in the embryonic forebrain

While epigenetic modifications are critical for cell state changes throughout development, a detailed characterization of chromatin accessibility during neurogenesis has not been explored. We collected single-cell chromatin accessibility profiles from four distinct neurogenic regions of the embryonic mouse forebrain using single nuclei ATAC-Seq (snATAC-Seq). We identified thousands of differentially accessible peaks, many restricted to distinct progenitor cell types or brain regions. Integrating snATAC-Seq and transcriptome data, we characterized changes of chromatin accessibility at enhancers and promoters that were tightly coupled to transcript abundance during neurodevelopment. Integrating chromatin accessibility profiles from embryonic and adult interneurons with the iPSYCH2012 dataset revealed several disease-associated polymorphisms overlapped with accessible regions in embryonic cells. These findings highlight a diverse chromatin landscape in embryonic neural progenitors, extensive coordination between chromatin accessibility and gene expression during neuron fate determination, and open the door for future studies to define critical enhancer-promoter interactions that direct cell fate decisions.
Building a Motion-Aware, Networked Do-It-Yourself Holographic Display

The COVID-19 pandemic has motivated a shift from physical interaction, approaches, or procedures due to social distancing. More people are at home using digital displays for real-time communication and engagement. With recent innovations in computational hardware for spatial applications, such as extended reality technologies, entry barriers for hosting intimate, interpersonal, virtual events continue to fall. The barrier falls at such a rate that the production or manufacturing of an extended reality system for different and simultaneous, practical scenarios may be built to solve communication issues resulting from COVID-19. This paper aims to describe a low-cost networked holographic system that can be used for various purposes such as communication, education, and gaming. We created three different applications to show the cross-compatibility, effectiveness, and usability of our system.
Return to golf and golf-specific performance after anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty and reverse total shoulder arthroplasty

Abstract Background Golf is a common sporting activity that patients continue to participate into older age, including after joint replacement surgery. The influence of shoulder replacement on golf performance remains unclear. We hypothesized that patients undergoing anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) would have significantly better return to play rates and better performance metrics, including handicap, driving distance, and 7-iron distance, after shoulder replacement relative to those treated with reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA). Methods Patients were retrospectively surveyed after anatomic TSA and RTSA with regards to return to golf and golf performance before and after shoulder replacement. Patients reported if they were able to return to golf after shoulder replacement, timing of return to golf, and driving distance, 7-iron distance, handicap, and difficulty with specific shot types upon returning to golf. Significance was defined as P Results The survey was completed by 31 patients with a total of 37 replaced shoulders (68.0 ± 8.1 years; 87% male) out of 44 patients who indicated they played golf. The overall return to golf rate was 74%. Patients undergoing anatomic TSA returned at a significantly higher rate relative to patients treated with RTSA (93% [14 of 15] vs. 56% [9 of 16], P= .037). There was no difference between groups with regards to drive distance, 7-iron distance, and handicap. There were also no differences between preoperative and postoperative values for patients who were able to return to golf. Overall, patients played golf less frequently afterward than they did prior to shoulder replacement (P= .013). Conclusion Patients are able to return to golf after shoulder replacement, at an overall rate of 74%, including a rate of 93% for patients with anatomic TSA and 56% for patients with RTSA. Golf performance was similar before and after shoulder replacement surgery for both groups among those who were able to return to play, though overall frequency was decreased after shoulder replacement. Level of Evidence Level III; Retrospective Cohort Comparative Study
Harnessing the Electronic Health Record to Actively Support Providers with Guideline-Directed Telemetry Use.

Background Overuse of cardiac telemetry monitoring (telemetry) can lead to alarm fatigue, discomfort for patients, and unnecessary medical costs. Currently there are evidence-based recommendations describing appropriate telemetry use, but many providers are unaware of these guidelines. Objectives At our multihospital health system, our goal was to support providers in ordering telemetry on acute care in accordance with evidence-based guidelines and discontinuing telemetry when it was no longer medically indicated. Methods We implemented a multipronged electronic health record (EHR) intervention at two academic medical centers, including: (1) an order set requiring providers to choose an indication for telemetry with a recommended duration based on American Heart Association guidelines; (2) an EHR-generated reminder page to the primary provider recommending telemetry discontinuation once the guideline-recommended duration for telemetry is exceeded; and (3) documentation of telemetry interpretation by telemetry technicians in the notes section of the EHR. To determine the impact of the intervention, we compared number of telemetry orders actively discontinued prior to discharge and telemetry duration 1 year pre- to 1 year post-intervention on acute care medicine services. We evaluated sustainability at years 2 and 3. Results Implementation of the EHR initiative resulted in a statistically significant increase in active discontinuation of telemetry orders prior to discharge: 15% (63.4–78.7%) at one site and 13% at the other (64.1–77.4%) with greater improvements on resident teams. Fewer acute care medicine telemetry orders were placed on medicine services across the system (1,503–1,305) despite an increase in admissions and the average duration of telemetry decreased at both sites (62 to 47 hours, p Conclusion Our study showed that a low-cost, multipart, EHR-based intervention with active provider engagement and no additional education can decrease telemetry usage on acute care medicine services.
The impact of an inpatient pancreatitis service and educational intervention program on the outcome of acute pancreatitis

BACKGROUND We introduced an inpatient pancreatitis consultative service aimed to 1) provide guideline-based recommendations to acute pancreatitis inpatients and 2) educate inpatient teams on best practices for acute pancreatitis management. We assessed the impact of pancreatitis service on acute pancreatitis outcomes. METHODS Inpatients with acute pancreatitis (2008-2018) were included in this cohort study. Primary outcomes included length of stay and refeeding time. The educational intervention was a guideline-based decision support tool, reinforced at hospital-wide educational forums. In Part A (n = 965), we compared outcomes pre-service (2008-2010) to post-service (2012-2018), excluding 2011, when the pancreatitis service was introduced. In Part B (n = 720, 2012-2018), we divided patients into 2 groups based on if co-managed with the pancreatitis service, and compared outcomes, including subgroup analysis based on severity, focusing on mild acute pancreatitis. RESULTS In Part A, for mild acute pancreatitis, length of stay (111 vs 88.4 h, P = .001), refeeding time (61.8 vs 47.4 h, P = .002), and infections (10.0% vs 1.87%, P < .001) were significantly improved after the pancreatitis service was introduced, with multivariable analysis showing reduced length of stay (odds ratio 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.82-0.84; P < .001) and refeeding time (odds ratio 0.75; 95% confidence interval, 0.74-0.77; P < .001). In Part B, for mild acute pancreatitis, refeeding time (44.2 vs 50.3 h, P = .123) and infections (5.58% vs 4.70%, P = .80) were similar in patients cared for without and with the service. Length of stay was higher in the pancreatitis service group (93.3 vs 81.2 h, P = .05), as they saw more gallstone acute pancreatitis patients who had greater length of stay and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. In the post-service period, a majority of patients with moderate/severe acute pancreatitis and nearly all intensive care unit admits received care from the pancreatitis service. CONCLUSIONS Implementation of an inpatient pancreatitis service was associated with improved outcomes in mild acute pancreatitis. Guideline-based educational interventions have a beneficial impact on management of mild acute pancreatitis by admitting teams even without pancreatitis consultation.
River and Lake Restoration: Changing Landscapes - An Introduction

In July of 2005, the Universities Council on Water Resources and the National Institutes of Water Resources held a joint national conference, entitled River and Lake Restoration: Changing Landscapes. The conference was held in Portland, Maine. Approximately 160 people attended the conference including academics, federal and state government researchers and policy makers, leaders of watershed restoration efforts and students. The articles in this issue highlight the diversity of topics presented at the conference, but also exhibit distinct overlaps and emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of watershed management. I hope this subset of papers serves to illustrate the changing landscapes of our river and lake restoration efforts. Changing physical landscapes, but also changing institutional and legal landscapes are evidenced throughout. As river and lake restoration efforts and projects take center stage around the country, we are beginning to see changing landscapes on all levels. Sessions ranged from those on aquatic invasive species to case study restoration projects in the Everglades and in Maine to those on innovative water resources education programs. Other sessions covered economic impacts, dam removal, water quality and restoration of sea-run fisheries. The articles here provide a framework and offer recommendations for decision makers. The first five papers in this issue are based on the Plenary sessions from the conference. These are divided into three sections. The first section includes two papers intended to highlight the large and difficult issues associated with decision-making on rivers and lakes. The second section covers salmon restoration needs and efforts. The third section includes an example of an unprecedented restoration agreement for the Penobscot River in Maine. Following the Plenary papers are two sections focused more specifically on economics and policy.
Chemical synthesis of nanostructured metals, metal alloys, and semiconductors

Publisher Summary This chapter presents an overview of the various synthetic methods used to make semiconductor nanoclusters. Ultrafine microstructures having an average phase or grain size on the order of a nanometer are classified as nanostructured materials (NSMs). Currently, in a wider meaning of the term, any material that contains grains or clusters below 100 nm, or layers or filaments of that dimension, can be considered to be nanostructured. The properties of NSMs depend on fine grain size and size distribution, the chemical composition of the constituent phases, the presence of interfaces, more specifically, grain boundaries, heterophase interfaces, or the free surface, and interactions between the constituent domains. Considerable opportunities now exist for synthesizing nanophase materials with a variety of new architectures at nanometer length scales from atomic or molecular precursors via the assembly of atom clusters and several other chemical preparation methods. Solution chemistry can directly produce either the desired particles or the precursors that are further treated by various reaction methods to obtain the final products. It should be pointed out that detailed work on the characterization of these materials and their property evaluation is required. Concerns about the yield and the impurity content need to be critically addressed before a particular synthetic and processing method can be adopted for large-scale production.
Sudden unexpected unexplained death in infants. A comparative clinicopathologic study.

Gross and histologic findings at autopsy in 32 cases of sudden unexpected unexplained death (SUUD) in infants were compared with autopsy findings in (1) 7 cases in which alarming clinical symptoms had been observed but no cause of death was found pathologically (morphologically unexplained death, MUD) and (2) 74 cases in which the cause of death was clearly established [8 cases of sudden unexpected explained death (SUED) and 66 control cases]. Laryngotracheitis was found most often in SUUD cases but did not differ histologically from the upper respiratory infections in the other categories. Other infections in SUUD which may be considered primary were bronchitis, focal pancreatitis, and mild pyelonephritis. Similar lesions were also found in control cases in which death was due to unrelated causes. The history in some SUUD and MUD cases and the morphologic changes in the spleen, thyroid gland, and adrenal gland indicated that unexpected unexplained death may occur at any time during the course of an upper respiratory or other type of infection. Our findings suggest that 2 factors have to combine to initiate the lethal episode: (1) an infection, usually of the upper respiratory tract, and (2) a predisposing condition or a trigger mechanism such as irritating skin lesions, trauma, or pain. The final common pathway appeared to be independent of the underlying disease. The characteristic findings of the terminal episode — hemorrhagic pulmonary edema and petechial hemorrhages — may also be part of a known fatal disease such as encephalitis or sepsis.
Collisional Excitation of Simple Systems

In any encounter between an ion and an atom, an exchange of energy can occur. Because the energy required to excite a ground-state atom to a higher state is usually small compared to the energy of an ion from an accelerator or in a plasma, the excitation of the target and/or the projectile is the most common inelastic process in most collisions. Emission from the excited target gas is a common indicator of a collisional process. In this chapter we are primarily concerned with the characterization of the direct excitation process in the simplest ion-atom collisions.
A gene family encoding glutathione peroxidase homologues in Hordeum vulgare (barley)

We have isolated and characterised three barley cDNAs encoding glutathione peroxidase (GPX) homologues, designated HVGPH1, HVGPH2 and HVGPH3. HVGPH1 may represent a cytosolic form of GPX. The structure of the HVGPH2 N-terminal domain is typical for a plastid transit peptide. A potential peroxisomal targeting sequence occurs near the N-terminus of HVGPH3. Transcript levels of HVGPH1 and HVGPH2 were increased in leaves undergoing stress. In contrast, HVGPH3 mRNA accumulation showed a negative response to stress. Our data indicate that the barley genome bears a small gene family encoding GPX homologues differing in their function and cellular localisation.
A preliminary evaluation of Cave's roentgenographic method of fetal cephalometry

Abstract A brief review of the literature relating to roentgenographic cephalometry has been presented. Particular emphasis has been given to the recent work of Cave, and his so-called precision method has been evaluated. If grossly unsatisfactory roentgenograms are excluded—and we are of the opinion that such roentgenograms can usually be excluded—accurate measurements of diameters of the fetal skull in the uterus to within ±6.6 per cent can be obtained by this method in approximately 85 per cent of the cases. In the case of measurements of fetal skulls adjudged to be of grade A in the roentgenogram, accuracy to within ±5.5 per cent was consistently obtained (92 per cent). We believe that a simple, inexpensive, and relatively precise technique of roentgenographic cephalometry might well represent a helpful adjunct in the management of suspected cephalopelvic disproportion in the primigravid woman for whom a trial of labor has been planned and a fetal development above the average is suspected. Although this method, in our limited experience, does not seem to be a method of precision, it is certainly deserving of further investigation.
Eigenstructure based broadband source location estimation

In this paper, a high resolution eigenstructure based approach to broadband Source Location Estimation (SLE) is introduced. The approach utilizes a source low rank model, termed the source representation space. New SLE procedures are suggested in which a location contour is generated by projecting, for each proposed source location, orthonormal basis vectors for the source representation space onto either the signal or noise-only subspace of a broadband data spatio/temporal covariance matrix. Conditions for the existence of a noise-only subspace are identified. The new approach, which does not require estimates of narrowband spatial covariance matrices, has application to the limited temporal sample broadband SLE problem.
Multispecies comparison of the casein gene loci and evolution of casein gene family.

Caseins, the major milk proteins, are present in a genomic cluster spanning 250–350 kb. The divergence at the coding level between human, rodent, and cattle sequences is rather extensive for most of the genes in this region. Nevertheless, comparative analysis of genomic sequences harboring the casein gene cluster region of these species (with equal evolutionary distances 79–88 Myr) shows that the organization and orientation of the genes is highly conserved. The conserved gene structure indicates that the molecular diversity of the casein genes is achieved through variable use of exons in different species and high evolutionary divergence. Comparative analysis also revealed the presence within two species of uncharacterized casein family members and ruled out the previously held notion that another gene family, located in this region, is primate-specific. Several other new genes as well as conserved noncoding sequences with potential regulatory functions were identified. All genes identified in this region are, or are predicted to be, secreted proteins involved in mineral homeostasis, nutrition, and/or host defense, and are mostly expressed in the mammary and/or salivary glands. These observations suggest a possible common ancestry for the genes in this region.
Negotiating confrontation: The problematic nature of initiation and response

(1989). Negotiating confrontation: The problematic nature of initiation and response. Research on Language and Social Interaction: Vol. 23, No. 1-4, pp. 139-162.
Response to Hasker

The issue between my view and Hasker's concerns a certain principle that he takes to be true, but I hold to be false. The principle in question asserts that failing to do better than one did is a defect only if doing the best one can is possible for one to do. I claim that this principle is false because if an all-knowing, all-powerful being were confronted with an unending series of increasingly better creatable worlds and deliberately chose to create the least good world, that being would thereby show itself to be something less than a supremely perfect world-creator. In fact, I argue that if a supremely perfect world-creator were to exist and create a world, it would have to be a world than which there is no better creatable world. Hasker's review1 carefully describes the chief points made in Can God Be Free ?,2 both in the first five chapters and in chapter 7 as well. Chapter 6, by far the longest chapter in the book, critically examines the important work of a number of contemporary philosophers (including Hasker) who have endeavoured, in one way or another, to defend God's freedom with respect to selecting among creatable worlds the one He will create. Hasker's description of chapter 6, however, is as brief as his accounts of the other much shorter chapters. This provides him the space to discuss his own objection to my view.3 And, from my point of view, this is entirely appropriate on Hasker's part. For the objection he raises is important and worthy of serious consideration by readers of Religious Studies. As Hasker reports, the main issue between us concerns three principles that I expressed as follows, (a) Failing to do the best one can is a defect only if doing the best one can is possible for one to do. (b) Failing to do better than one did is a defect only if doing better than one did is possible for one to do. (c) Failing to do better than one did is a defect only if doing the best one can is possible for one to do.
The politics of negotiation at the United Nations Conference on Straddling Fish Stocks and Highly Migratory Fish Stocks

Abstract This article examines the dynamics and politics that led to the adoption in August 1995 of an ambitious and comprehensive legal instrument that aims to regulate the management of straddling and highly migratory fish stocks. In retrospect, such an achievement may appear surprising, but can be partly explained by a number of particularities that had not occurred in past similar international negotiations. Among such key factors were the actors of these negotiations, distant water fishing States and coastal States on the one hand, and other non-State actors on the other hand. Non-governmental organizations in particular played an innovative and important role, as did such inter-governmental organizations as the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). At the same time, the proceedings of this Conference owe to two series of dynamics, one global in nature, which ruled the dealings of the actors, and particularly the bargaining between distant water fishing States and coastal nations, the other, a series of shifts that motivated individual States or groups of States to evolve in their positions throughout the more than two years of negotiations. The Conference also needs to be seen within the wider framework of the ‘mosaic’ of international instruments that were being negotiated at the time, in particular the FAO Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. Furthermore, both the Conference and the Agreement are but the first steps in a long process where the commitment of the participating nations will be tested at the implementation stage.
Long-term follow-up of valvulotomy for congenital aortic stenosis.

Abstract The data were reviewed of 42 patients who had valvulotomy for severe aortic valve stenosis before 1968. All were over age 2 years (mean age 11.3 years). The mean time of follow-up after surgery was 10.6 years (range 6 to 16.3 years). No patient died at operation. Two late deaths were from endocarditis with aortic regurgitation, and one patient with severe aortic regurgitation died suddenly; three patients had valve replacement for aortic regurgitation and one required repeat valvulotomy. Five patients could not be traced. Major symptoms were alleviated in all patients. Left ventricular pressures were obtained in 15 patients before and after operation; the mean gradient averaged 100 mm Hg before and 43 mm Hg after operation. No patient had significant aortic regurgitation before operation. Twelve had moderate to severe regurgitation after operation. The incidence of late valve calcification at a mean time of 10.6 years after operation was small, and restenosis was uncommon. Because moderate or severe incompetence can be produced and stenosis is often incompletely relieved, the operation is palliative, but the low morbidity and mortality rates suggest that it is an effective procedure if stenosis is severe and life-threatening.
Spinal Cord Compression in Scheuermann's Kyphosis: Case Report

ABSTRACTCompression of the spinal cord secondary to disc disorders in Scheuermann's kyphosis is rare. This review reports an unusual case emphasizing mechanisms of compression of the spinal cord from this disc disorder. Contrasts and comparisons with previously published cases are included.
Synthetic application of a substituent controlled claisen rearrangement. Preparation of advanced chiral intermediates for the synthesis of pseudomonic acids

Abstract A substituent controlled Claisen rearrangement is employed as the key reaction for a facile construction of chiral intermediates for the synthesis of pseudomonic acids from diacetyl-L-arabinal.
Covalently incorporated protein–nanogels using AGET ATRP in an inverse miniemulsion

Using a genetically engineered protein, containing a non-natural amino acid bearing an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator, protein–nanogel hybrids (PNHs) were synthesized by activator generated by electron transfer (AGET) ATRP in an inverse miniemulsion. The route presented is an appropriate synthetic strategy to covalently and site specifically incorporate green fluorescent protein (GFP) into well-defined nanogels. These PNHs were analyzed using dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV-visible fluorescence spectroscopy and confocal microscopy to confirm the successful integration of GFP proteins into each nanogel (NG), while preserving its native tertiary structure.
Third-harmonic generation with ultrahigh-intensity laser pulses.

When an intense, plane-polarized, laser pulse interacts with a plasma, the relativistic nonlinearities induce a third-harmonic polarization. A phase-locked growth of a third-harmonic wave can take place, but the difference between the nonlinear dispersion of the pump and driven waves leads to a rapid unlocking, resulting in a saturation. What become third-harmonic amplitude oscillations are identified here, and the nonlinear phase velocity and the renormalized electron mass due to plasmon screening are calculated. A simple phase-matching scheme, based on a resonant density modulation, is then proposed and analyzed.
Impact Of Satellite Temperature Sounding And Wind Data On Numerical Weather Prediction

A brief review is presented of simulation studies and real-data experiments that were conducted to assess the impact of satellite observations on numerical weather prediction. These experiments show that while there has been some redundancy between observing systems, satellite data have made significant contributions toward improving global forecasting.
The equilibrium concept and density dependence tests What does it all mean

Tests of density dependent regulation of population size depend on the concept of equilibrium population size. Such an equilibrium is a purely theoretical construct whose existence in the field is debatable and whose value cannot be measured. An equilibrium is supposed to fluctuate in time, but the extent of the fluctuations relative to those of the population size is unknowable. It is impossible to separate a fluctuating population size from a fluctuating equilibrium value and from fluctuating deviations from an equilibrium value. Because it cannot be determined whether a given population size is above, at, or below equilibrium, the course of population size in unpredictable and density dependence tests cannot be expected to produce useful results. Stabilization tests may provide a more useful alternative.
On the nature and scope of defence economics

Defence economics uses the tools of economics to study the defence sector and its domestic and international implications. Simple models require careful application in defence economics, since indirect effects may have counterintuitive impacts. For example, while certain arms races can lead to the outbreak of war, others may have the counterintuitive effect of discouraging the outbreak of war owing to mutual deterrence. The world is now multipolar rather than bipolar, analogous to an oligopoly situation. This multipolar world can be analyzed by a qualitative characteristic function, where the formation of a potential coalition allows study of the shift from conflict to cooperation in international relations. Some new issues to be considered in this framework include accidental nuclear war, potential arms races and conflicts in the third world, and the proliferation of chemical weapons and missiles.
The cardiopulmonary response to incremental exercise test: The effect of aging

The aims of the present study were to define the respective roles of the cardiac and respiratory response to exercise as determinants of the age- related physiological decrease in exercise performance, and to assess the relationship between aging and interindividual variability in the response to effort. We studied 91 normal subjects recruited in three age- groups: Group A (42 children, aged 10± 2 years); Group B (29 young adults, aged 27± 5 years); Group C (20 elderly, aged 74± 9 years). All the subjects underwent an incremental cycle ergometer exercise test with a work load increase of 15 W every 2 minutes in groups A and C, and 25 W every 2 minutes in group B, until they achieved 80% of the predicted maximal heart rate. Ventilatory equivalent changes during exercise were significantly lower in group A than in the other two groups, and in group B compared to group C. Exercise- induced changes in oxygen pulse were significantly higher in group A, but no difference was found between groups B and C. Thus, gas- exchange function and overall exercise performance decrease with advancing age, whereas cardiovascular performance is well maintained in normal elderly subjects. Discriminant analysis showed that the exercise response conformed to the group- specific model in 74% and 79% of subjects in groups A and B, but only in 50% of the group C subjects; 5% and 45% of the elderly subjects were functionally classified in groups A and B, respectively. On the basis of these data, it may be concluded that aging accounts for a dramatic increase in interindividual variability in adaptation to physical effort, and that the inverse relationship between age and exercise performance is mainly related to the declining efficacy of the respiratory response to effort with age. (Aging Clin. Exp. Res. 6: 267–275, 1994)
The South’s torturous search for the good books

The story of the book in Southern history is the story of the perception of dangers associated with reading, of the problems in establishing the communications system essential for making books available, of the differing meanings of books to different groups in Southern culture. This article traces that story from the colonial era through the present, paying special attention to friction between North and South, the role of religious orthodoxy, the dominance of oral culture, deficiencies in the library system, and the rural nature of the region. It ends with a discussion of Southern writers and their role in the development of a book culture.
Distribution of Peripheral Vision for a Driving Simulator Functional Field of View Task

Although previous studies have assessed the allocation of central and peripheral vision in functional field of view (FFOV) tasks, few studies have directly assessed changes in the FFOV within a driving environment. By modifying a typical FFOV task paradigm with central and peripheral target tasks occurring in a low-fidelity driving simulation, a method of assessing the allocation of peripheral vision resources was developed. Two experiments were conducted to: 1) validate the FFOV task in a driving simulation environment, 2) assess peripheral attention distribution due to the simulation background, and 3) assess peripheral attention distribution due to a basic vehicle steering task. In Experiment 1, the central and peripheral task performance of 17 college undergraduates (8 males, 9 females) was compared when provided a blank white screen versus the driving simulation background (i.e., driver's vehicle moving on a winding road towards a distant horizon). In Experiment 2, the central and peripheral task per...
Separation of dolichylpyrophosphoryloligosaccharides by liquid chromatography.

Abstract Fourteen dolichylpyrophosphoryloligosaccharides, precursors of the asparagine-linked oligosaccharides of glycoproteins, have been separated by liquid chromatography on silica gel. The dolichylpyrophosphoryl- N -acetylglucosamine and the dolichylpyrophosphoryl-( N -acetylglucosamine) 2 -(mannose) 9 (glucose) 2,3 thus resolved were shown to retain their activity as substrates in enzyme catalyzed reactions. The chromatography procedure for the first time makes available many of these single intermediates for further study.
The Impact of Mandatory Waiting Periods and Parental Consent Laws on the Timing of Abortion and State of Occurrence among Adolescents in Mississippi and South Carolina

Individual data on induced abortions from Mississippi and South Carolina are used to examine the effect of parental consent laws and mandatory delay statutes on two outcomes among teens: the point in pregnancy at which the abortion occurs and whether teens obtain abortions in or outside their state of residence. No effect of either law was found on the timing and location of abortion among minors relative to older teens in South Carolina. In Mississippi however both laws are associated with an increase in the proportion of abortions performed out of the state and the parental consent statute with later abortions. The conclusion is that Mississippis 24-hour as compared with South Carolinas 1-hour delay requirement and Mississippis two-parent as contrasted with South Carolinas one-parent consent statute explain the stronger behavioral response in Mississippi. (authors)
Renal ammoniagenesis in kidney slices from rats undergoing glycerol-induced acute tubular necrosis.

Compared to control, kidney slices from rats undergoing glycerol-induced ATN produce less ammonia from glutamate, but show no difference when glutamine is substrate. However, gluconeogenesis from glutamine, like glutamate, is decreased in acute tubular necrosis (ATN). We conclude that renal ammoniagenesis is influenced by ATN. Glycerol-induced ATN causes a relative increase in glutamine deamidation and a decrease in glutamate deamination.
Liquid-Diet with Alcohol Alters Maternal, Fetal and Placental Weights and the Expression of Molecules Involved in Integrin Signaling in the Fetal Cerebral Cortex

Maternal alcohol consumption during pregnancy causes wide range of behavioral and structural deficits in children, commonly known as Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS). Children with FAS may suffer behavioral deficits in the absence of obvious malformations. In rodents, the exposure to alcohol during gestation changes brain structures and weights of offspring. The mechanism of FAS is not completely understood. In the present study, an established rat (Long-Evans) model of FAS was used. The litter size and the weights of mothers, fetuses and placentas were examined on gestation days 18 or 20. On gestation day 18, the effects of chronic alcohol on the expression levels of integrin receptor subunits, phospholipase-Cγ and N-cadherin were examined in the fetal cerebral cortices. Presence of alcohol in the liquid-diet reduced the consumption and decreased weights of mothers and fetuses but increased the placental weights. Expression levels of β1 and α3 integrin subunits and phospholipase-Cγ2 were significantly altered in the fetal cerebral cortices of mothers on alcohol containing diet. Results show that alcohol consumption during pregnancy even with protein, mineral and vitamin enriched diet may affect maternal and fetal health, and alter integrin receptor signaling pathways in the fetal cerebral cortex disturbing the development of fetal brains.