cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Role of Antibiotics in the Management of Patients with Acute Necrotizing Pancreatitis

Our understanding of the role of antibiotics in the management of patients with pancreatic necrosis has changed over the past 5 years. Initial studies suggested that antibiotics were useful in preventing infection of necrosis, septic complications, and mortality in patients with acute pancreatitis; however, more recent, better-designed studies established that prophylactic antibiotics are not helpful. In the absence of infection, sterile necrosis is treated conservatively. With insufficient evidence to recommend antibiotics, these agents should be reserved to treat established infection of pancreatic necrosis. Infected necrosis is treated by targeting microbes with pancreatic-penetrating antibiotics (eg, carbapenems, quinolones in combination with metronidazole, or high-dose cephalosporins). If the patient with infected necrosis remains septic or deteriorates, surgical intervention should be performed urgently. Stable patients with infected necrosis can be managed more conservatively in a closely monitored environment. Recent studies suggest that many patients can clear the infection with antibiotics, but even if they do not clear the infection, delay in surgery decreases the mortality rate. Delaying surgery by using antibiotics may allow use of less invasive procedures if drainage is needed. The timing and method of interventions must be individualized based on the patient’s condition, anatomic complications, patient’s preference after informed consent, and expertise available at the institution.
MG29/SYPL2 Contributes to Dysregulation of Lipid Composition and Store Operated Ca2+ Entry in Aging Skeletal Muscle

We proposed over one decade ago that age-related muscle weakness and not the loss of muscle size is the principal contributor to disability. In searching for cellular and molecular explanations for this weakness that exceeds the loss of muscle mass, we found that elements of contractile force generation in skeletal muscle are dependent on store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) and that this capacity is lost in aging skeletal muscle. This altered SOCE is directly associated with reduced content of mitsugumin 29 (MG29), a synaptophysin family protein (SYPL2) containing a MARVEL domain involved in cholesterol binding and formation of oligomers of these proteins. MG29 is essential for the formation of the transverse-tubule system and efficient SOCE, creating a link between reduced MG29 expression in aged muscle and the development of muscle dysfunction in sarcopenia as our previous data demonstrate that aspects of aged skeletal muscle are present in young mg29-/- muscle. Here we test how the loss of MG29 affects the phospholipid composition of skeletal muscle fibers and if producing similar changes in muscle fibers can influence SOCE activity. Lipidomic analysis of young mg29-/- skeletal muscle showed decreased cholesterol content and altered levels of various phospholipid species compared to young control muscle. To simulate the reduced cholesterol content observed in mg29-/- muscle we partially extracted it from mature C2C12 myotubes with methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MCD) and then measured SOCE in these myotubes. Reduced SOCE was observed following MCD extraction, similar to the limited SOCE we previously observed in young mg29-/- and wild-type aged muscle fibers. Further studies will determine if mutation of conserved residues in the MARVEL domain of MG29 modulate SOCE function in, and the lipid composition of, skeletal muscle cells.
Chromosomal abnormalities in human sperm: Comparisons among four healthy men

We have used the human-sperm/hamster-egg system to compare the frequencies of structural and numerical chromosomal aberrations in 909 sperm karyotypes from four normal healthy men. The frequency of structural aberrations was 1.3, 4.8, 9.0, and 10.4% respectively in the four donors. Certain specific breakpoints were seen twice or even three times in three of the donors. The incidence of aneuploidy was 1.3, 1.4, 1.4, and 1.9%. In three donors the frequencies of structural aberrations were significantly higher in sperm than in lymphocytes from the same man. X-to-Y ratios did not differ significantly from the expected 50:50.
System Identification of Nonlinear Coupled Ship/Offshore Platform Dynamics in Beam Seas

The Mobile Offshore Base (MOB) is designed to transit to anywhere in the world in the required time frame. This means that the MOB must be able to transit in severe environmental conditions. In these extreme sea conditions, a primary cause for concern is the large accelerations that the vessel motions might experience due to the high static stability of the MOB at Transit Draft. Furthermore, since the vessel has minimum freeboard in this condition, it is exposed to green water over the pontoon tops. The submergence of the pontoon deck causes a considerable loss in the vessel’s restoring moment. These concerns have warranted a study by the Office of Naval Research into the Transit Draft Dynamics of the MOB. During the research of MOB dynamical properties, a nonlinear system modeling and optimization tool utilizing Reverse MI/SO (Multiple-Input / Single Output) techniques was developed and applied to different aspects of MOB dynamics analysis. MISO is based on statistical signal processing of the recorded time histories of the excitation and response of the non-linear multi-degree-of-freedom system. This method of analysis is functional and reliable in identifying an optimum representation of the linear and non-linear parameters of the system under consideration. In this paper, we analyze the model testing data in beam seas using the Reverse MISO technique. We expected to identify significant nonlinear roll damping for the nonlinear integro-differential equation as is the case with ships. Instead, a significant nonlinear heave damping related with the nonlinear relative heave velocity has been found during the analysis. This reminds us again that due to the strong nonlinearity of MOB motions in the severe sea ways, nonlinear analysis methods such as Reverse MISO are important and need to be applyed in order to fully identify the dynamics of the MOB motion.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Prehypertension: Demographics, pathophysiology, and treatment

The term prehypertension, which first appeared in the Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee (JNC 7) in 2003, has sparked controversy in the field of hypertension. Systolic blood pressure (BP) rises with age in industrialized societies, but an individual's rate of rise of systolic BP and the age at which BP crosses the arbitrary threshold of hypertension depends on prior BP levels (hence "prehypertension"). Obesity, another major factor in prehypertension, activates neurohumoral systems (renin-angiotensin and sympathetic nervous) and contributes to age-related BP increases. The JNC 7 recommendation for prehypertension management with optimal weight control (largely through diet and exercise) remains the mainstay, especially in the elderly. The Trial of Prevention of Hypertension demonstrated that angiotensin receptor blockade (ARB) retards age-related BP increases in prehypertensive patients. Associated elevated risk conditions (prediabetes, hypercholesterolemia, microalbuminuria) may justify early use of ARB therapy (in men and in women without childbearing potential) if weight control fails.
Comparisons of prostaglandin vasoactive effects and interactions in the in vivo microcirculation of the rat urinary bladder

Abstract A combination of techniques for in vivo transillumination, topical application of vasoactive agents, and direct microscopic observation of microcirculatory responses was utilized to evaluate the vasomotor actions of prostaglandins (PGs) E 1 , E 2 , F 1α , F 2α , A 1 , and A 2 on rat urinary bladder arterioles and venules. The effects of PGE 1 and histamine (HIS) on arteriolar responsiveness to norepinephrine (NE), serotonin (5-HT), and PGF 2α were measured. Histochemical studies were completed to determine the primary site of prostaglandin (PG) metabolic deactivation in the urinary bladder. Arteriolar dilatation occurred with HIS, PGE 1 , PGE 2 , PGA 1 , PGA 2 , and PGF 1α , all of which (with the exception of HIS) demonstrated significant dose-related responses. Overall, PGE 1 and PGE 2 were of greatest potency. Significant dose-related arteriolar constriction occurred with NE > PGF 2α > 5-HT (in order of decreasing potency). HIS, PGE 1 , PGE 2 , and PGA 1 produced significant venular dilatation; PGE 1 and HIS were dose related. Only NE resulted in significant venoconstriction. Arteriolar responsiveness to NE and PGF 2α decreased after pretreatment with PGE 1 but was unchanged by HIS pretreatment, whereas application of 5-HT following pretreatment with PGE 1 or HIS produced equivalent levels of arteriolar constriction. The primary site of deactivation of PGE 1 was histochemically localized to bundles of smooth muscle fibers in the muscular coat of the rat urinary bladder wall.
Measuring and maximizing customer equity: a critical analysis

Customer equity, the asset value of customers, can be measured using different aggregate- and disaggregate-level approaches. The authors compare how customer equity is measured and maximized under various approaches. We find that, in the disaggregate-level approach, customer lifetime value is maximized by implementing customer-level strategies such as optimal resource allocation, purchase sequence analysis and balancing acquisition and retention spending. At the aggregate-level, improving the drivers of customer equity maximizes customer equity. A comparison of different aggregate approaches shows that, while an emphasis on retention is a common feature across approaches, conceptual differences in terms of accounting for existing customers and prospects, acquisition, and the projection period exist across the different approaches. The authors propose a hybrid approach, which addresses the issues and challenges in existing approaches and helps firms to measure and manage customer equity.
Scientific Coherence and the Fusion of Experimental Results

A pervasive feature of the sciences, particularly the applied sciences, is an experimental focus on a few (often only one) possible causal connections. At the same time, scientists often advance and apply relatively broadmodels that incorporate many different causal mechanisms. We are naturally led to ask whether there are normative rules for integrating multiple local experimental conclusions into models covering many additional variables. In this paper, we provide a positive answer to this question by developing several inference rules that use local causal models to place constraints on the integrated model, given quite general assumptions. We also demonstrate the practical value of these rules by applying them to a case study from ecology.
Creativity and Self-Esteem: A Multiple Operationalization Validity Study

ABSTRACT In this study, we correlated scores on three self-report measures of creativity and three self-report measures of self-esteem for 55 male and 63 female college students (N = 118) to test the hypothesis that these two constructs are positively related. No differences between the sexes were detected in mean scores on any of the scales. Analysis of the data with Pearson correlation coefficients and by a confirmatory factor analysis showed that the hypothesis was supported for both males and females, although the relationship seemed to be stronger for females than for males.
The theorem of Busemann-Feller-Alexandrov in Carnot groups

A classical theorem states that a convex function in R admits second derivatives at a.e. point. This result was first proved by Busemann and Feller [BF] for functions in the plane, and subsequently generalized by A.D. Alexandrov [A] to arbitrary dimensions. The theorem of Busemann-Feller-Alexandrov plays a basic role in analysis and in pde’s, especially in the theory of fully nonlinear equations. For instance, in the proof of uniqueness of viscosity solutions, see Theorems 5.1 and 5.3 in [CC], a quantitative version of such result (see Theorem 6.4.1 in [EG]) plays an essential role. In this paper we prove a version of the Busemann-Feller-Alexandrov theorem for the class of weaklyH-convex functions in Carnot groups introduced in [DGN]. Here is our main result 3 .
Comparison of the MC2/CALGRID and SAIMM/UAM-V photochemical modelling systems in the Lower Fraser Valley, British Columbia

Abstract An ozone episode in the Lower Fraser Valley, British Columbia is simulated using the same emission inventory in two modelling systems: MC2/CALGRID and SAIMM/UAM-V. Spatial and temporal variations of modelled concentrations of O3, NO, NO2, and CO are compared with observations. Concentrations of PAN, HONO, HNO3, HCHO, higher aldehydes, and H2O2 from each model are compared. Several statistical criteria are used in the comparisons. In general, the agreement between the models is better than the agreement with observations, and both models tend to underpredict peak ozone and overpredict nighttime minimum ozone. The major features of the response of the models to a 30% reduction in total NOx or VOC emissions in the Lower Fraser Valley are also comparable. The elements of the photochemical models that could contribute to the behavior of the models are discussed.
Characterization Of Single Crystal Cu 2 S/CdS Heterojunctions By High Resolution Electron Microscopy

The effect of CdS surface orientation on the phase distribution and morphology of the Cu 2 S/CdS heterojunction has been investigated. The first high resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) images of Cu 2 S/CdS interfaces reveal the presence of the metastable tetragonal phase in heterojunctions formed in terraced CdS surfaces. This observation is rationalized by considering i) the effects of lattice misfit, and ii) the factors influencing the nucleation of h.c.p.-to-f.c.c. transformation dislocations. The implications of this result for the reproducible fabrication of high efficiency Cu 2 S/CdS solar cells are discussed.
Quantum noise in detectors

The variance in the number of x-ray photons absorbed by a detector is derived from theoretical considerations. The distributions in the number of x-ray photons produced by the x-ray tube, transmitted through the patient, and absorbed by the detector are described. These distributions are compounded to yield a distribution in the number of x-ray photons absorbed by a detector. The standard deviation (quantum noise) in this distribution is very well approximated by the commonly used and experimentally verified quantity square root N where N is the average number of x-ray number of x-ray photons absorbed by the detector.
Molecular dynamics simulation of diffusion in pillared clays

The thermodynamics and transport properties of Lennard-Jones particles in pillared catalytic clays are studied by molecular dynamics simulation. The clays are represented by parallel sheets separated by a given distance and connected by pillars of a given size. Two different spatial distributions of the pillars are studied to determine their effect on the properties of the system. Calculations did not indicate a strong dependence of the diffusivity on the spatial distribution of the pillars, except at low porosities. The solvation force increases monotonically with decreasing porosity of the clays and increasing density of the molecules. The percolation threshold φc of the system is estimated from the diffusivity measurements in the limit of infinitely low sorbate densities. Near φc the diffusivity D vanishes according to the power law, D ˜ (φ − φc)n, where φ is the porosity of the system, and n is a universal constant. The simulations yield n ⋍ 1.7. Since 2- percolation systems require n ⋍ 1.3 and 3-D systems n ⋍ 2.0, pillared clays behave as a system with an effective dimensionality between 2 and 3.
Matching moments to phase distributions: Mixtures of erlang distributions of common order

One approach to the moment-matching problem for phase distributions to to restrict selection to an appropriate subset of phase distributions. We investigate the use of mixtures of Erlang distributions of common order to match moments feasible for distributions with support on . We show that, except for special cases, the first κ (finite) moments of any nondegenerate distribution with support on can be matched by a mixture of Erlang distributions of (sufficiently high) common order. Moreover, we show that any κ-tuple of first κ moments feasible for a mixture of n-stage Erlang distributions feasible for a mixture of or fewer . The three-moment-matching problem is considered in detail. The set of pairs of second and third standardized moments feasible for mixtures of is characterized. An analytic expression is derived for the minimum order, n, such that a given set of first three moments is feasible for a mixture of .Expressions are also given for the parameters of the unique mixture of two that matches a fe...
Psychological differentiation and the response of opiate addicts to pharmacological treatment.

Summary The degrees of psychological differentiation of 21 opiate dependent males, as measured by the Embedded Figures Test, were found to be unrelated to their scores on a self-report questionnaire (HAQ) which a previous study had shown capable of distinguishing between addicts who do and do not respond well to an heroin antagonist. The HAQ, however, Has sufficiently high internal consistency to warrant further exploration of its usefulness.
Are working memory deficits in bipolar disorder markers for psychosis

Working memory deficits have been identified in bipolar disorder, but there is evidence suggesting that these deficits may be markers for psychosis rather than affective disorder. The current study examined this issue by comparing two groups of individuals with bipolar disorder, one with psychotic features and one without psychotic features, with a group of normal controls. Working memory was conceptualized as a multicomponent system that includes auditory and visuospatial short-term stores, executive control processes, and an episodic buffer that allows for communication between short- and long-term memory stores (Baddeley & Logie, 1999). Results indicated that only executive control processes significantly differentiated the psychotic and nonpsychotic bipolar groups, although visuospatial working memory differentiated both bipolar groups from controls. The results support the idea that some aspects of working memory performance are markers for psychosis, while others may be more general markers for bipolar disorders.
How the women's movement benefits science: Two views

Synopsis What resources does the women's movement bring to the growth of scientific knowledge? Here I consider conflicting evaluations of such resources as women in science, feminist, politics, and feminist theories about science. Critics of “bad science” and critics of “science as usual” understand these resources in different ways. Should we try to ameliorate the tensions between these feminist approaches? Or, alternatively, should we regard only one of these conflicting positions as the intellectually and politically correct one? I argue that the tension between them is important to maintain as our feminisms attempt to remake the production of knowledge in conditions not of our own choosing.
Spatial Correlation of Speckle Fluctuations Reveals Thickness and Features of the Ocular Surface Tear Film

Here we present Fluctuation Analysis of Spatial Image Correlation (FASIC), a non-invasive method for evaluating the complex dynamics of the tear film surface by spatial correlation analysis. Tear film stability and its interaction with the corneal surface play an important role in maintaining ocular surface integrity and quality of vision. Dry Eye Syndrome (DES) refers to abnormalities of tear film secretion and/or stability diagnosed by conventional methods such as the Schirmer test and tear break-up time (TBUT). Several different physical methods have been developed to measure non-invasively the structure and function of the tear film including high-speed videokeratography and dynamic wavefront aberrometry. Interferometry and optical coherence tomography are amongst new proposed methods to measure tear film thickness that have remained in research phase.With FASIC, a series of images are obtained using a laser illumination and a cMOS camera. The spatial correlation is calculated for every frame. A sinusoidal background due to interference of the tear film appears in this spatial correlation together with other features. We have developed a mathematical model to obtain the thickness of the tear film from this sinusoidal background. The model includes the macroscopic dynamics of small lipid droplets in the tear film. Consistent data with live animal model and human clinical study has been obtained. The authors gratefully thank the support from NIH grant numbers: PHS-5P41-RR003155 and P50-GM076516.
Fatigue of steel bridge infrastructure

This paper presents an overview of the development of fatigue design provisions and detailing for steel bridge structures. The historical performance of welded steel bridges in the USA is reviewed with focus on fatigue cracking at cover plate and similar attachment details, as well as distortion induced cracking at web gaps. The role of materials including modern high performance steels (HPS) is reviewed. Variable amplitude loading is also examined and compared with current design of steel bridges for fatigue resistance. Also examined are methods to improve and retrofit fatigue sensitive details, including modern post-weld enhancement by ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT). Orthotropic steel decks are reviewed based on the results of two full-scale prototype laboratory fatigue tests which identified the complex behaviour that occurs at fatigue sensitive details and were verified by field measurements on field installations. The merits of thin epoxy concrete wearing surfaces is examined in terms of the criti...
Polypeptides encoded by transforming region E1b of human adenovirus 2: Immunoprecipitation from transformed and infected cells and cell-free translation of Elb-specific mRNA

Abstract We have identified polypeptides specific to region Elb (map position [mp] 4.6–112) of adenovirus 2 (Ad2) that are synthesized in six lines of Ad-transformed rat or human cells (F17, F4, T2C4, 8617, 5RK clone I, 293), and in Ad2 early infected KB cells. [ 35 S]Methionine-labeled polypeptides were immunoprecipitated using antisera against F17 cells, an Ad2-transformed rat cell line that retains only El. To determine whether they are viral coded, these polypeptides were compared by tryptic peptide mapping with polypeptides translated in vitro from Ela-specific mRNA (mp 1.3–4.5) and Elb-specific mRNA. Polypeptides of 19,000 daltons early infected KB cells. The 19K, 20K, and 53K could be translated from Elb-specific mRNA and thus are coded by Elb. The 19K was precipitated from all transformed cell lines, the 20K was immunoprecipitated from F4, 8617, and T2C4 cells, and the 53K was immunoprecipitated from F4, 8617, T2C4, and 293 cells. These results suggest that the 19K, and perhaps the 20K and 53K, may be important in adenovirus-induced cell transformation. The 20K and 53K share methionine-containing tryptic peptides with each other, but not with the 19K. These results, together with the Ad2 Elb DNA sequence (T. Gingeras and R. Roberts, personal communication), suggest that 19K is translated in a different reading frame from 53K and 20K.
Multi-chain digital element analysis in textile mechanics

Abstract The concept of multi-chain digital element analysis is established. This new approach is a general numerical tool for textile mechanics. It can be used for textile process design and for fabric deformation, strength and failure analyses. In multi-chain digital analysis, fabric is considered as an assembly of yarns; furthermore, a yarn is considered as an assembly of fibers. Each fiber is modeled as a frictionless pin-connected rod element chain, defined as “digital chain”. Once the length of these rod elements approaches zero, the digital chain becomes a fully flexible one-dimensional entity with a circular cross section. It imitates the physicality of the fiber. Since a yarn is composed of many fibers, it is modeled as an assembly of digital chains. Contact between digital chains is modeled by contact elements. A procedure, similar to finite element analysis, is adopted. Displacement of fiber inside a fabric is derived based upon the global stiffness matrix and the boundary conditions. As a result, both detailed yarn paths and cross-section shape can be traced during the textile forming process or fabric deformation. In order to describe the new concept, two numerical examples are presented. The multi-chain digital element approach is used for the simulation of the two-dimensional weaving and three-dimensional braiding processes. One can observe, section-by-section, the yarn cross-section shape inside the woven and braided fabric.
Pairing fluctuation theory of high-T c superconductivity in the presence of nonmagnetic impurities

The pseudogap phenomena in the cuprate superconductors requires a theory beyond the mean-field BCS level. A natural candidate is to include strong pairing fluctuations, and treat the two-particle and single-particle Green's functions self-consistently.At the same time, impurities are present in even the cleanest samples of the cuprates. Some impurity effects can help reveal whether the pseudogap has a superconducting origin and thus test various theories. Here we extend the pairing fluctuation theory for a clean system [Chen et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 4708 (1998)] to the case with nonmagnetic impurities. Both the pairing and the impurity T matrices are included and treated self-consistently. We obtain a set of three equations for the chemical potential \ensuremath{\mu}, ${T}_{c},$ the excitation gap $\ensuremath{\Delta}{(T}_{c})$ at ${T}_{c},$ or \ensuremath{\mu}, the order parameter ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\mathrm{sc}},$ and the pseudogap ${\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{\mathrm{pg}}$ at temperature $Tl{T}_{c},$ and study the effects of impurity scattering on the density of states, ${T}_{c}$ and the order parameter, and the pseudogap. Both ${T}_{c}$ and the order parameter as well as the total excitation gap are suppressed, whereas the pseudogap is not for given $Tl~{T}_{c}.$ Born scatterers are about twice as effective as unitary scatterers in suppressing ${T}_{c}$ and the gap. In the strong pseudogap regime, pair excitations contribute a new ${T}^{3/2}$ term to the low-$T$ superfluid density. The initial rapid drop of the zero-$T$ superfluid density in the unitary limit as a function of impurity concentration ${n}_{i}$ also agrees with experiment.
Phonological factors in auditory comprehension in aphasia

Abstract It was the object of this study to investigate whether the comprehension deficit of Wernicke aphasics can be attributable to a selective deficit in phonemic hearing or phonemic discrimination as suggested by Luria. The ability to make phonemic discriminations between real words and nonsense syllables in relation to level of auditory comprehension was compared in 25 aphasic patients: 6 Broca's, 6 Mixed Anteriors, 6 Wernicke's, and 7 unclassified Posterior aphasics. The aphasics' ability to discriminate other phonological contrasts such as syllable structure and phoneme order was also tested. The subject's task was to indicate if two auditorily presented stimuli were the same or different. Results indicated that Mixed Anterior aphasics, who had only moderate comprehension deficits, performed worse on all phonological discriminations. Wernicke aphasics, with much more severe comprehension deficit, were less impaired in the present task. However, only the posterior aphasics (including Wernickes) had more difficulty in discriminating place of articulation than voicing contrasts. This deficit was interpreted as reflecting an impairment in linguistic encoding of speech sounds in the auditory association areas. It was concluded that a deficit in phonemic hearing cannot account for the comprehension deficit of Wernicke's aphasics.
A branch-and-bound-based solution approach for dynamic rerouting of airborne platforms

This article is a sequel to a recent article that appeared in this journal, “An extensible modeling framework for dynamic reassignment and rerouting in cooperative airborne operations” [17], in which an integer programming formulation to the problem of rescheduling in-flight assets due to changes in battlespace conditions was presented. The purpose of this article is to present an improved branch-and-bound procedure to solve the dynamic resource management problem in a timely fashion, as in-flight assets must be quickly re-tasked to respond to the changing environment. To facilitate the rapid generation of attractive updated mission plans, this procedure uses a technique for reducing the solution space, supports branching on multiple decision variables simultaneously, incorporates additional valid cuts to strengthen the minimal network constraints of the original mathematical model, and includes improved objective function bounds. An extensive numerical analysis indicates that the proposed approach significantly outperforms traditional branch-and-bound methodologies and is capable of providing improved feasible solutions in a limited time. Although inspired by the dynamic resource management problem in particular, this approach promises to be an effective tool for solving other general types of vehicle routing problems. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2013
Monitoring and Fault Diagnosis of Multiconverter Systems in Hybrid Electric Vehicles

Advancements in high-power semiconductor technology have opened new avenues for application of power electronics converters in safety critical applications such as in hybrid vehicle automotive power systems. This paper discusses the use of statistical moments to detect and identify faults. Existing system current and voltage sensors are used without the need for any additional sensors. The technique not only detects system malfunction but also provides information on the device under fault and the nature of the fault. An accurate knowledge of the same will allow appropriate action to be taken to avoid propagation of fault that may lead to catastrophic failure
Determination of l-lactate binding stoichiometry and differences in allosteric interactions of structurally distinct homohexamers from Panulirus interruptus hemocyanin

Abstract The role of structurally distinct subunits from the hemocyanin of Panulirus interruptus was investigated by the analysis of the oxygen-binding properties of reassembled homohexamers. homohexamers reassembled from subunits a and b exhibited cooperative oxygen binding, whereas subunit c did not. The oxygen affinity of homohexamers from subunit b and c was specifically increased by the addition of l -lactate, whereas that of subunit a was not. Both native hexamers and the homohexamers from subunit b have approximately one oxygen-linked lactate binding site per hexamer.
Scattering and inverse scattering for first-order systems: II

For pt.I see Comm. Pure Appl. Math., vol.87, p.39 (1984). New and known results on the direct and inverse scattering problems for first order systems and the associated nonlinear equations are surveyed. Included are a new method for the direct problem, a functional calculus for nonlinear evolutions, a Darboux transform for general systems, and relations to the eigenfunction expansion problem.
Call for a Disease-Specific Patient-Reported Outcome Tool in Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Those who care for patients with adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) need a valid and sensitive measure to better quantify the effect of ACHD on patients’ health status, their symptoms, function, and quality of life (QOL). These insights are critical in evaluating the success of novel treatments, monitoring patients over time, and comparing treatment success across providers as a foundation for quality improvement.1 Given the unique and myriad manifestations of various forms of ACHD, generic QOL measures are likely inadequate and the time has come to create an ACHD-specific patient-reported outcome (PRO) tool. The prevalence of ACHD is expanding rapidly in the developed world. As a result of medical and surgical advances over the last half century, patients who previously would have succumbed to their cardiac abnormality in early childhood now live well into adulthood.2,3 Currently, it is estimated that there are more adults living in the United States with congenital heart disease than there are children.4 Although medical and surgical advances have led to dramatic improvements in survival, these patients are not cured and live with various limitations and symptoms that require ongoing monitoring and treatment. The growth of this unique population of patients with chronic heart disease creates a need for new research strategies to optimize care and improve outcomes.5 Like other patients with chronic heart disease, patients with ACHD have been demonstrated to have rapidly rising rates of hospitalization and medical resource utilization.6,7 Current data support the notion that appropriate disease-specific care improves both health outcomes and cost-effectiveness in populations with acquired heart disease.8–12 The recent demonstration that specialized ACHD care may result in more positive outcomes for ACHD patients suggests that these patients may benefit from novel disease-specific pharmacological and device therapies analogous to …
Hydrocarbons in the banana leaf, Musa sapientum

Abstract Several long-chain n -alkane compounds have been identified by the vapor phase chromatography of urea adducted samples which were prepared from the n -hexane eluate fractions of the chloroform-methanol extracts of homogenized leaves. In addition, certain types of alkyl-substituted, fused polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons have been determined by mass spectrometry, fluorometric, u.v., and i.r. spectroscopy in fractions isolated by preparative thin-layer chromatography from saponified banana leaf extracts. The hydrocarbon composition of most banana leaf extracts differed in part from the hydrocarbon compositions of other plants, namely two xerophytic angiosperms, a moss, a marine alga, a mushroom and two dissimilar red bacteria.
A Numerical Experiment on Stochastic Condensation Theory

Abstract A three-dimensional numerical model is used to study the effect of small-scale supersaturation fluctuations on the evolving droplet distribution in the first 150 m above cloud base. The primary purpose of this research is to determine whether the irreversible coupling between the thermodynamics and dynamics due to finite phase relaxation time scales τs is sufficient to produce significant small-scale horizontal variations in supersaturation. Thus, the paper is concerned only with this internal source for thermodynamic variability. All other source terms, such as the downgradient flux of the variance of thermodynamic fields, have purposely been neglected. Lagrangian particle experiments were run in parallel with the basic Eulerian model. The purpose of these experiments is to relax some of the microphysical parameterization assumptions with respect to assumed distribution shape and as a result add credibility to the results of distribution broadening. Model results of five cases are presented, rep...
A vapor pressure equation for n-hydrogen between the triple and critical points

Abstract A relation between reduced vapor pressure and reduced temperature of the form ln P R = α + β/T R + γ ln T R + δT R n has been proposed to describe the vapor pressure behavior of n-hydrogen between the triple and critical points. Data obtained from fourteen sources available in the literature were used to establish the constants α, β, γ and δ and the exponent n of the proposed relationship. An error analysis indicates that n = 5.00 provides the best fit. Thus this represents a modification of the Riedel relationship which specifies that n = 6.00. Similarly, the calculation of α from the normal boiling point appears to have advantages over the use of the critical point. When applied to 281 data points this relationship produced an average deviation of 0.82%.
The making of a social entrepreneur: From participant to cause champion within a sport-for-development context

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of a sport-for-development initiative, Street Soccer USA, on one of its most successful participants in order to understand her experiences, expectations, and motivations towards becoming a cause champion and social entrepreneur and continuing her activism. We adopted a narrative inquiry approach for this study in an effort to explore this topic in a detailed manner. Guided by previous literature within the field of social entrepreneurship, we found there were three specific background influences – sport, life, and traumatic experiences – which influenced her social entrepreneurial leanings. Within that context we show how the variables of people, opportunity, and capital intersect and lead towards the social value proposition of the social entrepreneur. Drawn from the findings, we provide theoretical and practical implications and directions for future research in the field of sport-for-development and social entrepreneurship.
The effect of risk and pressure on coalition behavior in a triadic situation

Conflicting hypotheses on coalition formation, and the division of payoff after coalition success were tested experimentally in the triadic situation where A > B, B = C, and A < B + C. The results provided significant support for the prediction that under certainty coalition BC is the most likely coalition, and that under uncertainty coalitions between A and B or A and C are the two most likely coalitions. The hypothesis that the formation of any one coalition can be enhanced by the communication variable was not supported. Except under uncertainty with written communication, there was no evidence to support the anticompetitive behavior predicted for the female coalition formations. However the findings did support an anticompetitive attitude after coalition success. The results provided significant support for the hypothesis that partners tend to divide the payoff in proportion to their contribution to coalition resources.
Septal damage during the maturation of inhibitory responding: Effects in juvenile and adult rats

Septal lesions were inflicted in young rats either during or after the maturation of inhibitory responding. When tested as juveniles (Day 25) or as adults, septal-operates were significantly different from controls on 2-way active avoidance and habituation responding, regardless of the age at which the lesion was produced. These data are in contrast with others showing that damage to subcortical structures can result in sparing of certain behavioral functions. The difference between functional sparing and functional disruption may be due to different patterns of brain projection pathways established after early lesions are produced. Neurochemical supersensitivity may also be a differentiating factor.
Psychology and the Law: Dependent Personality Disorder as an Affirmative Defense

The premise of this article is to examine the use of dependent personality disorder as an affirmative defense. The purpose of this discussion is to assess the manner in which this defense can be used to mitigate a sentence. We will review how dependent personality disorder is defined as well as evaluate the personality traits and etiology of this disorder. We will then review court cases in which dependent personality disorder was used as an affirmative defense. Lastly, we will examine the directions for future research and considerations to be made for treatment of personality disorders and expert testimonies.
Phenomenological overflow and cognitive access

I argue that the partial-report results Block cites do not establish that phenomenology overflows cognitive accessibility, as Block maintains. So, without additional argument, the mesh he sees between psychology and neuroscience is unsupported. I argue further that there is reason to hold, contra Block, that phenomenology does always involve some cognitive access to the relevant experience.
Molecular characterization of a catalase from Hydra vulgaris

Catalase, an antioxidant and hydroperoxidase enzyme protects the cellular environment from harmful effects of hydrogen peroxide by facilitating its degradation to oxygen and water. Molecular information on a cnidarian catalase and/or peroxidase is, however, limited. In this work an apparent full length cDNA sequence coding for a catalase (HvCatalase) was isolated from Hydra vulgaris using 3'- and 5'- (RLM) RACE approaches. The 1859 bp HvCatalase cDNA included an open reading frame of 1518 bp encoding a putative protein of 505 amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 57.44 kDa. The deduced amino acid sequence of HvCatalase contained several highly conserved motifs including the heme-ligand signature sequence RLFSYGDTH and the active site signature FXRERIPERVVHAKGXGA. A comparative analysis showed the presence of conserved catalytic amino acids [His(71), Asn(145), and Tyr(354)] in HvCatalase as well. Homology modeling indicated the presence of the conserved features of mammalian catalase fold. Hydrae exposed to thermal, starvation, metal and oxidative stress responded by regulating its catalase mRNA transcription. These results indicated that the HvCatalase gene is involved in the cellular stress response and (anti)oxidative processes triggered by stressor and contaminant exposure.
Scientometric assessment of drugs for chronic pain, 1979–2013: rapid growth of publications, paucity of successful drugs

The aim of this study was to find signs of progress in the pharmacotherapy of chronic pain over the past 35 years using scientometric analysis. The following scientometric indices were used: 1) popularity index, representing the share of articles on a specific drug(s) relative to all articles in the field of chronic pain; 2) index of change, representing the degree of growth in publications on a topic from one period to the next; 3) index of expectations, representing the ratio of the number of articles on a topic in the top 20 journals relative to the number of articles in all (>5,000) biomedical journals covered by PubMed; and 4) index of ultimate success, representing a publication outcome when a new drug takes the place of a common drug previously used for the same purpose. Publications on 55 drugs used in the treatment of chronic pain were assessed during seven 5-year periods, from 1979 to 2013. The rate of rise in the number of publications on chronic pain was exponential, with an increase of nearly ninefold from 2,346 articles over the 5-year period 1979–1983 to 21,095 articles in 2009–2013. However, despite this huge increase in publications, our scientometric analysis did not reveal signs of really successful drugs in this field. For the 2009–2013 period, the popularity index had a meaningful magnitude (from 0.5–2.8) for only 13 of 55 drugs. Five of them were opioids, including morphine, which had the highest index value of all drugs (2.8). None of the drugs had a high index of expectations in 2009–2013. The index of ultimate success was positive only with triptans in the relatively limited area of acute treatment of migraine. As a result, despite rapid growth in the number of publications, our scientometric analysis did not reveal signs of substantial progress in the field of pharmacotherapy for chronic pain.
Advantages of integrating sterile-male releases with other methods of control against house flies.

This paper considers the potential advantages of integrating insecticidal control with the sterility approach in dealing with populations of medically important insects such as Musca domestica L. Specific theoretical models are presented to show the advantages of integrating applieations of insectieides or chemosterilant baits with releases of sterile males and are related to the biology of the house fly. The integration of these techniques of control would reduce the number of treatments with insecticides or chemosterilants that would be needed, would reduce the number of insects needed for the releases, and would reduce the time required to reach theoretical eradication. Use of insecticides to control the rate of increase of a population from generation to generation might make it possible to use sterile-male releases successfully against these species.
Space Perception in Early Infancy: Perception within a Common Auditory-Visual Space

Infants as young as 30 days become visibly distressed upon observing their mothers speak to them while the mother's voice is displaced in space. Their ability to perceive this discrepancy indicates that infant perception occurs within a space that is common to the visual and auditory modes.
Medullary thyroid cancer--current treatment strategy, novel therapies and perspectives for the future.

Medullary thyroid cancer (MTC), an uncommon and slow-growing tumor, is difficult to eradicate when metastasis or recurrence develops. This review describes therapeutic approaches to patients with recurrent sporadic MTC, management of advanced cases of MTC, and future treatment options. A literature review of treatment of MTC in humans was conducted. Surgery is currently the only potentially curative treatment for MTC; complete tumor resection and removal of suspicious nodes is the most important initial treatment to prevent recurrence and metastasis. When recurrence or metastatic MTC develops, the decision for continued observation or initiation of systemic therapy is based on the degree of tumor aggressiveness. Lymph node involvement, calcitonin doubling time, types of RET mutation, and tumor stage are factors that help determine the need for further treatment. Therapeutic options for aggressive and inoperable MTC primarily include tyrosine kinase inhibitors, external beam radiation therapy, or other medications. Among tyrosine kinase inhibitors, vandetanib is the first drug that is FDA approved for treatment of MTC. Focused external beam radiation therapy can be reconsidered for patients with cervical node involvement. Although other targeted drug therapies have been tried, definitive clinical studies are lacking. In recurrent or advanced MTC, when systemic therapy is warranted, vandetanib is available for use in treatment; however, side effects of this drug can be problematic, and impact on overall survival is presently unknown. Newer therapeutics are being studied with the goal of balancing control of tumor growth with maintaining the patient’s quality of life.