cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In Silico Trial of MR-Guided Midtreatment Adaptive Planning for Hypofractionated Stereotactic Radiation Therapy in Centrally Located Thoracic Tumors

Purpose Hypofractionated (>5 fraction) stereotactic radiation therapy (HSRT) may allow for ablative biologically equivalent dose to tumors with a lower risk of organ-at-risk (OAR) toxicity in central thoracic tumors. Adaptive planning may further improve OAR sparing while maintaining planning target volume (PTV) coverage. We hypothesized that midtreatment adaptive replanning would offer dosimetric advantages during HSRT for central thorax malignancies using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–guided radiation therapy. Methods and Materials Twelve patients with central thorax tumors received HSRT using MRI-guided radiation therapy. Clinically delivered regimens were 60 Gy in 12 fractions or 62.5 Gy in 10 fractions, with low-field magnetic resonance (0.35 T) volumetric setup imaging acquired at each fraction. Daily gross tumor volume (GTV) and OARs were retrospectively redefined on fraction 1, 6, and 10 MRIs, and GTV response was recorded. Simulated initial plans prescribed a dose of 60 Gy in 12 fractions based on fraction 1 MRI. Midtreatment adaptive plans were created based on fraction 6 anatomy-of-the-day. All plans were created using an isotoxicity approach with a goal of 95% PTV coverage, subject to hard OAR constraints, to represent clinically ideal OAR sparing. Plans were then compared for projected OAR sparing and PTV coverage. Results Patients demonstrated significant on-treatment MRI-defined GTV reduction (median 41.8%; range 16.7%-65.7%). At fraction 6, median reduction was 26.7%. All initial plans met OAR constraints. Initial plan application to fraction 6 and fraction 10 anatomy resulted in 8 OAR violations (5 of 13 patients) and 10 OAR violations (6 of 13 patients). All fraction 6 violations persisted at fraction 10. Midpoint adaptive planning reversed 100% of midpoint OAR violations and tended to reduce the magnitude of OAR violations incurred at fraction 10. In 40% of fractions (2 of 5) in which OAR violation resulted from initial plan application to fraction 6 anatomy, PTV coverage was increased concomitant with violation reversal. Conclusions Midtreatment adaptive planning based on tumor response may be dosimetrically advantageous for sparing of surrounding critical structures in HSRT for central thorax malignancies and could be applied using either an online or offline paradigm.
Networks of open systems

Abstract Many systems of interest in science and engineering are made up of interacting subsystems. These subsystems, in turn, could be made up of collections of smaller interacting subsystems and so on. In a series of papers David Spivak with collaborators formalized these kinds of structures (systems of systems) as algebras over presentable colored operads (Spivak, 2013; Rupel and Spivak, 2013; Vagner et al., 2015). It is also very useful to consider maps between dynamical systems. This is the point of view taken by DeVille and Lerman in the study of dynamics on networks (DeVille and Lerman, 2015 [4,5]; DeVille and Lerman, 2010). The work of DeVille and Lerman was inspired by the coupled cell networks of Golubitsky, Stewart and their collaborators (Stewart et al., 2003; Golubitsky et al., 2005; Golubitsky and Stewart, 2006). The goal of this paper is to describe an algebraic structure that encompasses both approaches to systems of systems. More specifically we define a double category of open systems and construct a functor from this double category to the double category of vector spaces, linear maps and linear relations. This allows us, on one hand, to build new open systems out of collections of smaller open subsystems and on the other to keep track of maps between open systems. Consequently we obtain synchrony results for open systems which generalize the synchrony results of Golubitsky, Stewart and their collaborators for groupoid invariant vector fields on coupled cell networks.
Digital dead end: Fighting for social justice in the information age. Virginia Eubanks: The MIT Press, 2011, 266 pp.

A vignette from the first chapter encapsulates the theme of the book: Eubanks paints the shocking picture of women at a YWCA tearing apart a computer. At first, the reader may respond with concern ...
Break Beats in the Bronx: Rediscovering Hip-Hop’s Early Years

Stuart Hall argued that cultural studies is concerned with the study of the ‘conjucture’, which requires an examination of the cultural, social, political, economic, and ideological components of a...
Effects of alcohol and chronic aspartame ingestion upon performance in aviation relevant cognitive tasks.

Acute dosing studies of aspartame, known commercially as "NutraSweet," have failed to demonstrate any neuropsychological changes that would imply performance decrements in flight operations. Such studies may be criticized on the grounds that the administration of a single, if large, dose of aspartame is not ecologically valid. Accordingly, a double-blind chronic dosing study of aspartame was conducted using ethanol (at 0.1% BAL) as the positive control. No detectable cognitive performance decrements were associated with the aspartame condition. However, the alcohol results exhibited a pattern of asymmetric lateral brain impairment that closely resembles that observed in studies of depressive patients. These results have operational implications as well as theoretical importance. Language: en
Endogenous Borrower Preferences for Banks and Bank Switching Problems in a Search Model of Lending

This paper analyzes both formation of endogenous borrower preferences for banks and lender switching problems in the context of an optimal stopping problem, also a search model of lending.The model is developed around a group of safe and risky borrowers that search for a lender to finance a particular project. Depending on the profitability of the projects and the differences in projects’ risk, borrowers may prefer to approach first a lender with a high quality signal, or one with a low quality signal. When all borrowers prefer lenders of low quality signal, all borrowers get loans at low interest rates, without the market knowing who is risky and who is not. Finally, the paper analyzes switching costs in the event of informationally captured firms and the probability borrowers of different types decide to end bank-client relationships.
Predictors of Individual Resilience Characteristics Among Individuals Ages 65 and Older in Post-Disaster Settings.

OBJECTIVE Literature explores which factors most impact resilience and how these factors impact an individual and communities' ability to cope with disaster. Less research has focused on how age impacts resilience. This research adapts several previous conceptual models used to investigate resilience. To investigate the unique vulnerabilities faced by older individuals in post-disaster settings, this analysis was undertaken to investigate predictors of individual resilience. METHODS Data for the study were derived from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Gulf States Population Survey (GSPS). The final sample included 5,713 adult residents from 4 gulf-coast states. Multiple linear regression was used for the analysis. RESULTS All models (demographic, health, social, and combined) acted as significant predictors of individual resilience. Health and social resilience models accounted for more of the variance in resilience scores. In all models, age was negatively associated with resilience scores. Being female was protective across all models. The results of the model testing indicate inequitable disaster mitigation, with social and health indicators explaining the most variance in the resilience levels. CONCLUSION This research provides practitioners with the knowledge they need to focus their interventions on the areas where it is most needed to empower resilient individuals. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2019;13:256-264).
From Nonprofit Leader to Elected Official: Examining Political Ambition in the Nonprofit Sector:

To what extent do leaders of nonprofit organizations run for elected office? We address this question through an exploratory study using survey data from a random sample of 184 leaders of nonprofit...
Nortriptyline-induced oral ulceration: A case report

Drug-induced oral ulcers are lesions of the oral mucosa accompanied by painful symptoms, such as burning mouth, metallic taste, dysgeusia, or ageusia. This report demonstrates the first documented case of drug-induced oral ulcers with the tricyclic antidepressant nortriptyline. In this case, a 49-year-old female initiated treatment for refractory neuropathy with nortriptyline. Within 2 weeks of therapy, painful, oral, bubble-like ulcers developed. Complete symptom resolution occurred approximately 1 month after discontinuation of nortriptyline. Clinicians should be cognizant of nortriptyline's ability to potentially induce oral ulcers; however, the exact mechanism for this adverse event is unknown.
Liquid Phase Epitaxy Doping for High-Performance Emitters in Silicon Solar Cells

Liquid phase epitaxy doping (LPE-D) provides an alternative to the kinetically-governed gas diffusion processes of emitter formation common in the solar industry. It is a lower-temperature technique that relies on doping after recrystallization from a liquid eutectic surface layer and results in a more uniform doping concentration profile with the potential for significantly lower saturation currents and improved surface passivation. Being thermodynamically-governed, a wide range of solvent – dopant systems can be used to achieve low sheet resistance (<120 $\Omega/ \mathrm{sq}$) emitters. We examine the performance of emitters doped via liquid phase epitaxy using simulation and present experimental demonstration using aluminum – boron as the metal solventdopant.
Middle Meningeal Artery to Premeatal Anterior Inferior Cerebellar Artery Bypass via Anterior Petrosectomy: An Anatomic Feasibility Study.

Background Anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) aneurysms are rare with no optimal consensus on management strategies. When treatment requires parent artery occlusion, postoperative ischemic or neuropathic complications can occur. This study evaluated the feasibility of direct revascularization of premeatal AICA using the middle meningeal artery (MMA) as the donor through an anterior petrosectomy window. Methods Ten specimens were used for surgical simulation of MMA-AICA bypass. MMA was harvested from the dura down to the foramen spinosum. An anterior petrosectomy approach was performed on each specimen, and AICA was exposed up to its origin from the basilar artery. The lateral pontine (A2) segment was mobilized laterally, and the end-to-end anastomosis was completed. Measurements of the required length of the AICA, MMA, and their calibers at the anastomotic site were recorded. Results MMA-AICA bypass was feasible in all specimens. The mean length of AICA from the origin at the anastomotic site was 7.3 ± 1.7 mm, and mean length of MMA from the foramen spinosum was 34.6 ± 5.1 mm. Mean calibers of MMA were 2.1 ± 0.2 mm at the foramen spinosum and 1.7 ± 0.2 mm at the anastomosis. A2 caliber was 1.6 ± 0.3 mm with average lateral mobilization of 7.6 ± 2.7 mm. Conclusions This study establishes the feasibility of MMA-AICA bypass via a middle fossa approach. The matching caliber of the 2 arteries makes end-to-end anastomosis easy to achieve. The MMA is a suitable donor artery that avoids the use of an interposition graft and the complications of extracranial-intracranial bypass.
National Study of Ocular Hospitalizations in Medicare Beneficiaries

Purpose To study the characteristics of Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized for ophthalmic conditions. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods The 2015 National Medicare 100% Inpatient Limited Dataset was analyzed to identify all patients with either an admitting or primary diagnosis for an ophthalmic condition using ICD-9-CM codes. All other hospitalized Medicare patients served for comparison. Comorbidities were calculated using the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine odds of primary ophthalmic hospitalization after controlling for patient characteristics and medical comorbidities. Results For 2015, there were a total of 13 152 Medicare patients with ocular hospitalizations compared to 6 621 005 patients with nonophthalmic events. Most ophthalmic patients were emergent admissions (73.19%) with routine discharges (75.50%) and low rates of inpatient mortality (0.62%). The top admitting diagnoses for nontraumatic and traumatic eye conditions were diplopia (11.69%) and closed fracture of the orbital floor (3.76%), respectively. Patients admitted for eye conditions were more likely to be younger, to be African American, and to have hypertension, valvular heart disease, diabetes, hypothyroidism, AIDS, lymphoma, solid tumor without metastasis, rheumatologic diseases, alcohol and drug abuse, psychoses, and depression compared to the general Medicare inpatient population. Conclusions Most inpatient admissions for US Medicare beneficiaries with primary ophthalmic diagnoses were for nontraumatic disorders of the eye and adnexa. Ophthalmic admissions were on average shorter in duration and had lower rates of inpatient mortality compared to nonophthalmic admissions. Patients admitted for eye conditions were more likely to have comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, and depression compared to the general Medicare inpatient population.
Screening Diffusion of Small Molecules in Flexible Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks Using a DFT-Parameterized Force Field

Quantitatively modeling adsorbate diffusion through zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) must account for the inherent flexibility of these materials. The lack of a transferable intramolecular ZI...
Population-based outcomes comparing radical cystectomy with trimodal therapy for patients diagnosed with localized muscle-invasive bladder cancer.

e16029Background: Radical cystectomy is the guideline-recommended treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer; however, use of trimodal therapy, which utilizes a combination of surgery, radiation,...
Learning from wildlife-inspired awe

This study sought to explore the implications for individuals who experienced awe while in the presence of wildlife. A conceptual framework was adapted that integrated the theory of emotional learn...
Prospective and Retrospective Duration Judgment: The Role of Information Processing and Memory

Research comparing prospective and retrospective duration-judgment paradigms has produced diverse findings and conclusions. Two experiments reported here reveal that information-processing tasks influence duration judgment differently in the two paradigms. Experiment 1 shows that performing a more difficult task shortens prospective judgments but does not influence retrospective judgments. Experiment 2 shows that performing different kinds, rather than a single kind, of processing during a duration lengthens retrospective judgments but does not influence prospective judgments. Memory for nontemporal (stimulus) information processed during a time period cannot account for either prospective or retrospective duration judgment, because the pattern of effects and interactions is different. This finding rejects memory-storage models of duration judgment. Interactions of task and paradigm support a contextual-change model, which says that different kinds of contextual information subserve prospective and retrospective duration judgments.
Effect of Blood Pressure Control on Long-Term Risk of End-Stage Renal Disease and Death Among Subgroups of Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background Our objective was to explore the effect of intensive blood pressure (BP) control on kidney and death outcomes among subgroups of patients with chronic kidney disease divided by baseline proteinuria, glomerular filtration rate, age, and body mass index. Methods and Results We included 840 MDRD (Modification of Diet in Renal Disease) trial and 1067 AASK (African American Study of Kidney Disease and Hypertension) participants. We used Cox models to examine whether the association between intensive BP control and risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) or death is modified by baseline proteinuria (≥0.44 versus <0.44 g/g), glomerular filtration rate (≥30 versus <30 mL/min per 1.73 m2), age (≥40 versus <40 years), or body mass index (≥30 versus <30 kg/m2). The median follow-up was 14.9 years. Strict (versus usual) BP control was protective against ESRD (hazard ratio [HR]ESRD, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.64-0.92) among those with proteinuria ≥0.44 g/g but not proteinuria <0.44 g/g. Strict (versus usual) BP control was protective against death (HRdeath, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.59-0.92) among those with glomerular filtration rate <30 mL/min per 1.73 m2 but not glomerular filtration rate ≥30 mL/min per 1.73 m2 (HRdeath, 0.98; 95% CI, 0.84-1.15). Strict (versus usual) BP control was protective against ESRD among those ≥40 years (HRESRD, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.71-0.94) but not <40 years. Strict (versus usual) BP control was also protective against ESRD among those with body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 (HRESRD, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.61-0.92) but not body mass index <30 kg/m2. Conclusions The ESRD and all-cause mortality benefits of intensive BP lowering may not be uniform across all subgroups of patients with chronic kidney disease. But intensive BP lowering was not associated with increased risk of ESRD or death among any subgroups that we examined.
Improving Health Literacy at the Organizational Level.

Background The lack of health literacy is associated with higher mortality, more frequent hospitalizations, and increased use of healthcare services. Organizations must create an environment that prepares a workforce with a heightened sensitivity for health literacy. Objective The local Program of All Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) program desired to have an organized plan to address health literacy. Methods Twelve interdisciplinary team members of a Program for all Inclusive Care of the Elderly completed the Assessment Questionnaire from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) Health Literacy Universal Precautions Toolkit. Once the questionnaire was complete organizational priorities were identified and the AHRQ Toolkit was utilized to develop next steps. Results The organization identified three areas as priorities: development of a health literacy team, improving spoken communication with patients and care givers, and improving written information given via letters and home instructions. Conclusions Organizations, nursing, and quality care leaders may find these results useful to assess organizational literacy and develop improvement plans. Implications for nursing Implementation of the AHRQ Health literacy Universal Precautions toolkit may increase understanding and training health literacy, improve passage of health care information and increase patient safety.
Improving solubility and oral bioavailability of a novel antimalarial prodrug: comparing spray-dried dispersions with self-emulsifying drug delivery systems

To improve the solubility and oral bioavailability of a novel antimalarial agent ELQ-331(a prodrug of ELQ-300), spray-dried dispersions (SDD) and a self-emulsifying drug delivery system (SEDDS) were developed. SDD were prepared with polyvinyl caprolactam-polyvinyl acetate-polyethylene glycol graft copolymer (Soluplus®) polymer carrier and Aeroperl® 300 Pharma and characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction. For SEDDS, solubility in oils, surfactants, and co-surfactants was determined and ternary phase diagram was constructed to show self-emulsifying area. SEDDS were characterized for spontaneous emulsification and droplet size distribution. The amorphous ELQ-331 SDD improved the solubility to 10× in fast-state simulated intestinal fluid and addition of sodium lauryl sulphate externally to SDDs further improved the solubility to ∼28.5× versus non-formulated drug. SEDDS had good self-emulsifying characteristics with small emulsion droplet sizes and narrow particle distribution. Oral pharmacokinetic studies for SDD and SEDDS formulations were performed in rats. The ELQ-331 rapidly converted to ELQ-300 soon after oral administration in rats. Exposure levels of ELQ-300 were about 1.4-fold higher (based on AUC) in SEDDS than SDD formulations. Poorly soluble drugs like ELQ-331 can be formulated using SDD or SEDDS to improve solubility and oral bioavailability.
Crystal-C: A Computational Tool for Refinement of Open Search Results

Shotgun proteomics using liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is commonly used to identify peptides containing post-translational modifications. With the emergence of fast database search tools such as MSFragger, the approach of enlarging precursor mass tolerances during the search (termed "open search") has been increasingly used for comprehensive characterization of post-translational and chemical modifications of protein samples. However, not all mass shifts detected using the open search strategy represent true modifications, as artifacts exist from sources such as unaccounted missed cleavages or peptide co-fragmentation (chimeric MS/MS spectra). Here, we present Crystal-C, a computational tool that detects and removes such artifacts from open search results. Our analysis using Crystal-C shows that, in a typical shotgun proteomics data set, the number of such observations is relatively small. Nevertheless, removing these artifacts helps to simplify the interpretation of the mass shift histograms, which in turn should improve the ability of open search-based tools to detect potentially interesting mass shifts for follow-up investigation.
Targeted delivery of mitochondria to the liver in rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIM Mitochondrial damage is commonly involved in liver injury. We have previously shown that normal mitochondria can be coated with a carrier protein to form complexes that are specifically taken up by liver cells in culture. The aim of the current study was to determine whether mitochondrial complexes could be specifically delivered to the livers of living rats by intravenous injection. METHODS Mitochondria were harvested from fresh mouse liver, mixed with an asialoglycoprotein-based carrier, asialoorosomucoid-polylysine (AsOR-PL), and purified to form complexes. To facilitate the release of internalized mitochondria from endosomes, an endosomolytic peptide, listeriolysin O (LLO), was coupled to AsOR to form AsOR-LLO. Mitochondria alone, mitochondrial complexes with AsOR-PL, and mitochondrial complexes plus AsOR-LLO conjugate all containing the same number of mitochondria were injected intravenously. Animals were killed, and organs were removed and analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction of mouse mitochondrial DNA, electron microscopy (EM), and in situ polymerase chain reaction and hybridization followed by immunohistochemical analyses. RESULTS Calculations revealed that approximately 27% of the total injected mitochondria was detected in the liver, while less than 2% was found in spleen, and < 1% in lungs. Immunohistochemistry showed that mouse mitochondrial DNA staining was minimal with mitochondrial complexes alone, strong periportal with mitochondrial complexes co-injected with AsOR-LLO, and absent with mitochondria alone. CONCLUSIONS Targetable mitochondrial complexes can be delivered to rat liver, and the efficiency of that process is greatly enhanced by co-injection of a targetable endosomal release agent, AsOR-LLO.
PISCES: Power-Aware Implementation of SLAM by Customizing Efficient Sparse Algebra

A key real-time task in autonomous systems is simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). Although prior work has proposed hardware accelerators to process SLAM in real time, they paid less attention to power consumption. To be more power-efficient, we propose Pisces, which co-optimizes power consumption and latency by exploiting sparsity, a key characteristic of SLAM missed in prior work. By orchestrating sparse data, Pisces aligns correlated data and enables deterministic, one-time, and parallel accesses to the on-chip memory. Therefore, Pisces (i) eliminates unnecessary memory accesses and (ii) enables pipelined and parallel processing. Our FPGA implementation shows that Pisces consumes 2.5× less power and executes SLAM 7.4× faster than the state of the art.
Far Infrared Laser Thermal Spectroscopy of Superconductors

An optically pumped far infrared laser provides fixed photon energies near the superconducting gap, making it possible to carry out experiments where the temperature is swept through T C . Such thermal measurements in thin films of V 3 Si show both known and unexplained features, with some of the latter perhaps due to a second gap.
COVID-19 Case Likely Caused by Contaminated Object During Hotel Disinfection — Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China, January 2021

On January 13, 2021 in Nanning City of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, an individual (Patient A) tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Patient A provided a disinfection service for a business hotel in Nanning that was designated by the government to accept international travelers entering China and quarantine the travelers for 14 days Patient A had no history of travel and had previously tested negative for COVID-19 twice on January 4 and January 11, 2021 From December 29, 2020 to January 13, 2021, Patient A mostly traveled by electronic scooter and wore personal protective equipment (PPE) diligently Since there have been no domestic cases reported in Nanning recently, he was not likely to be infected through person-to-person aerosol transmission He performed his disinfection work 9 times during the roughly 15-day period in the business hotel and was likely infected through a person-to-material route by a traveler returning from Indonesia The traveler had stayed at the business hotel for a 14-day period, had tested negative twice, and was released on January 13 to return home to Shanxi However, on January 20, the traveler tested positive for COVID-19 nucleic acids as well as IgM and IgG antibodies;he was subsequently diagnosed as an asymptomatic carrier of COVID-19 Based on this finding, we believed Patient A’s PPE was contaminated with COVID-19 during his management of the disinfection service In addition, Nanning also had abnormally cold weather during this period as the city remained under 10 °C from December 29, 2020 to January 13, 2021, which likely helped keep the virus active This evidence suggests that Patient A’s PPE were likely contaminated during his disinfection activities in the hotel, and he likely became infected after using his hands to touch his PPE and then touching his mouth, nose, or eyes This material-to-person route of transmission has been reported in previous incidents including outbreaks stemming from a dockworker in Qingdao (1), a cargo worker at Shanghai’s Pudong Airport (2), and the Xinfadi Wholesale Market in Beijing (3) This suggests that current disinfection protocols (4) should be improved so that workers are more vigilant while removing their PPE and will adhere more closely to post-disinfection protocols, including washing hands and not touching contaminated surfaces and objects
A method for liquid spectrophotometric measurement of total and water-soluble iron and copper in ambient aerosols

Abstract. Determination of transition metals in ambient aerosols is important due to their toxicity to human health. However, the traditional measurement techniques for metal analysis are often costly and require sophisticated instruments. In this study, we developed and verified relatively low-cost liquid spectrophotometric methods for the measurements of iron (Fe) and copper (Cu), the two most abundant transition metals in ambient fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ). For Fe analysis, we utilized a ferrozine-based colorimetric method, which has been frequently used for water-soluble (WS) Fe determination, and further extended this approach for the measurement of total Fe (water-soluble + water-insoluble). In this method, Fe is quantified through the formation of a light-absorbing ferrozine–Fe(II) complex (absorbance at 562 nm). A similar colorimetric method, which forms a bathocuproine–Cu(I) complex absorbing light at 484 nm, was developed and examined for measurement of WS and total Cu. These methods were applied to 24 h integrated filter samples collected in urban Atlanta. Based on PM 2.5 ambient aerosols, total and water-soluble Fe and Cu concentrations were in good agreement with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) measurements (slopes 1.0±0.1 , r2>0.89 ). The water-soluble components, operationally defined as those species in the aqueous filter extract that pass through a 0.45 µm filter, were further characterized by ultrafiltration, which showed that roughly 85 % of both the Fe and Cu in the water-soluble fraction was composed of species smaller than nominally 4 nm.
A Diagrammatic Reconstruction of Carnap's Quasianalysis

In this paper, I am zeroing in on Carnap's formal method of quasianalysis, arguing against two interpretations of it, offered by Nelson Goodman and Thomas Mormann. In order to overcome their inadequacy, I propose a diagrammatic reconstruction, which takes advantage of the fact that the concept of local sign is no longer ignored. This will give me the opportunity to show that Quine'scriticism of Carnap's constitution of physical space fails, and will allow me to describe QUASIMODOS (QUASIanalytical Machine Oriented Diagrammatic Operation System) – a system designed to construct qualities in continuous domains.
Twentieth‐century summer precipitation in South Eastern South America: comparison of gridded and station data

South Eastern South America (SESA) has experienced one of the largest regional wetting trends in the world according to gridded datasets that cover the 20th century, such as Global Precipitation Climatology Centre monthly precipitation dataset in its version 4 (GPCCv4). The trend is strongest in the warm season and covers central and northern Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Southern Brazil. This article examines the consistency of the trend and variability in the gridded product with that of local experience as recorded in station data. This is relevant to the use of both types of datasets for long-term climate studies, since the region has a limited amount of available station data with records extending back to the first part of the century. Both the station and gridded datasets show good agreement on the temporal variability of summer precipitation and its spatial patterns for different timescales. The magnitude of the wetting trend in SESA observed for December, January and February in GPCCv4 during the 1901–2000 period is more than 10 mm in the season per decade and is highly consistent with the trend observed in the station-based SESA average. The percentages of variance explained by the trend, decadal and interannual timescales are also assessed for both GPCCv4 and station data. The variance of the SESA precipitation contained at the decadal timescale matches well to the station-based and the GPCCv4-based indexes, but the latter suggests a larger fraction of variance attributable to the trend and a lower fraction explained by interannual scales, as compared to the station-based index. For all the timescales analysed, there is a good agreement in the spatial patterns observed for GPCCv4 and those suggested by the available station data.
Isolation and characterization of a small intestinal surfactant-like particle containing alkaline phosphatase and other digestive enzymes.

Digestive brush-border enzymes in particulate form have been reported in the intestinal lumen in vivo and in medium from organ explants in vitro. It has been suggested that these particles derive from membrane shedding of the apical brush border. This study describes the isolation and characterization of particles derived from the 105,000 × g supernatant fraction of intestinal luminal washings and from light scrapings of the mucosa itself after fat feeding of rats. These fractions were separated in a continuous NaBr gradient, producing a visible band of 1.07-1.08 g/liter density and resulting in a 15-fold enrichment of intestinal alkaline phosphatase in the band fraction. Other brush-border hydrolases were represented in the banded fraction, but at specific activities only ⅕th to ⅟36th that of the brush border. The major phospholipid in the fraction was phosphatidylcholine (58 ± 15%), containing 75% saturated fatty acids. In contrast, the major brush-border phospholipid was phosphatidyl-ethanolamine. These characteristics showed that the particles derived from the lumen and mucosal surface were not identical to fragments of the brush border. Electron microscopy of the banded fraction revealed partially coiled membrane fragments. On sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blots, some proteins (e.g. surfactant protein B, collagenous protein 4) were found in common between the intestinal particles and rat pulmonary surfactant. These data suggest the production of a particle secreted by rat intestine that differs from brush-border membranes and that shares some morphological and biochemical similarities with pulmonary surfactant.
The faces of positive emotion: prototype displays of awe, amusement, and pride.

Although several theorists posit the existence of multiple discrete positive emotion states,1–4 much empirical research on the nature and consequences of emotion considers only one: happiness.5–8 Studies of the facial display of emotion have documented universally recognized expressions of sadness, anger, fear, and other negative emotions, but have not differentiated among positive emotions.6 The Duchenne smile, which includes contraction of the orbicularis oculi as well as the zygomaticus major, is generally considered the sole reliable expression of positive affect. The goal of this study was to establish the features of facial and upper-body displays participants associate with the experience of distinct positive emotions. Although the full data set explores displays of 17 positive and negative emotions, only the data regarding awe, amusement, and pride displays are discussed here.
Forming Crystalline Polymer-Nano Interphase Structures for High-Modulus and High- Tensile/Strength Composite Fibers

PVA/single-walled nanotube (SWNT) composite fibers are fabricated using a steady shear-flow gel-spinning method. The resultant fibers show excellent tensile strength, modulus, and toughness of 4.9 GPa, 128 GPa, and 202 Jg � 1 , respectively. Templated interfacial crystallization of PVA in the vicinity of SWNT is controlled by tailoring the degree of undercooling of PVA during the composite solution preparation. WAXD shows that the templated crystallization behavior of the PVA at the SWNT interfacial region is new. PVA/SWNT fibers that exhibit interfacial structure show a predominant crystalli- zation plane of (001) as compared to the (101) plane seen in PVA/SWNT fibers without a distinct interfacial structure. This demonstrates that the PVA interfacial region around SWNT has denser crystalline chain-packing.
Proteolysis associated with insulin resistance in cystic fibrosis

Objective We hypothesized that patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) have higher rates of protein breakdown than normal volunteers and that the infusion of insulin would result in less suppression of proteolysis. Methods. Using [1-C]leucine and a three-step hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp, we measured rates of leucine appearance in 29 adult CF patients and 18 matched-control volunteers. The CF patients were characterized by oral glucose tolerance testing and clinical status scoring. Results The CF patients had significantly increased proteolysis when compared with that of controls (CF, 123 +/- 28 micromol/kg/h; controls, 71 +/- 15 micromol/kg/h) and rates of proteolysis were significantly different between CF patients with impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes and those CF patients with normal glucose tolerance. Suppression of proteolysis by insulin was less in all CF subgroups than in the controls at peripheral insulin levels of 16 and 29 microU/mL. At peripheral insulin levels of 100 microU/mL, there was no difference in insulin suppression of proteolysis between CF patients and controls. Importantly, basal rates of proteolysis had an inverse relationship with clinical status in CF patients (r = -.76). Conclusions Our findings indicate that proteolysis is higher in adult CF patients than in controls and that CF patients exhibit resistance to the anabolic effects of insulin on proteolysis. Most significantly, our findings indicate that basal rates of proteolysis inversely correlate with clinical status in CF.
The Relation Between Moral Judgement and Moral Behaviour in Kohlberg's Theory of the Development of Moral Judgements

(1976). The Relation Between Moral Judgement and Moral Behaviour in Kohlberg's Theory of the Development of Moral Judgements. Educational Philosophy and Theory: Vol. 8, No. 1, pp. 55-67.
Mechanical considerations of skin in work

Skin forms a link through which the forces required to hold and manipulate objects are transmitted from the musculoskeletal system to the objects; while these forces are necessary for most work, excessive forces can be injurious. This paper discusses some of the mechanical properties of skin and discusses how they are important in manual work. Recommendations for the design of hand-held objects and for future research are given.
Sequential compression devices in postoperative urologic patients: an observational trial and survey study on the influence of patient and hospital factors on compliance

Sequential compression devices (SCDs) are commonly used for thromboprophylaxis in postoperative patients but compliance is often poor. We investigated causes for noncompliance, examining both hospital and patient related factors. 100 patients undergoing inpatient urologic surgery were enrolled. All patient had SCD sleeves placed preoperatively. Postoperative observations determined SCD compliance and reasons for non-compliance. Patient demographics, length of stay, inpatient unit type, and surgery type were recorded. At discharge, a patient survey gauged knowledge and attitudes regarding SCDs and bother with SCDs. Statistical analysis was performed to correlate SCD compliance with patient demographics; patient knowledge and attitudes regarding SCDs; and patient self-reported bother with SCDs. Observed overall compliance was 78.6%. The most commonly observed reasons for non-compliance were SCD machines not being initially available on the ward (71% of non-compliant observations on post-operative day 1) and SCD use not being restarted promptly after return to bed (50% of non-compliant observations for entire hospital stay). Mean self-reported bother scores related to SCDs were low, ranging from 1–3 out of 10 for all 12 categories of bother assessed. Patient demographics, knowledge, attitudes and bother with SCD devices were not significantly associated with non-compliance. Patient self-reported bother with SCD devices was low. Hospital factors, including SCD machine availability and timely restarting of devices by nursing staff when a patient returns to bed, played a greater role in SCD non-compliance than patient factors. Identifying and addressing hospital related causes for poor SCD compliance may improve postoperative urologic patient safety.
Early-age autogenous and drying shrinkage behavior of cellulose fiber-reinforced cementitious materials

The objective of this study was to determine how the early-age shrinkage behavior of cementitious materials is affected by the addition of saturated cellulose fibers under sealed and unsealed conditions. The sealed condition simulates autogenous shrinkage exclusively while the unsealed condition introduces drying shrinkage, as well. Although the primary focus was to determine whether saturated cellulose fibers are suitable to mitigate autogenous shrinkage as an internal curing agent, evaluating their effect under drying conditions provided further insight into the overall shrinkage behavior of the composite material. At additions of 1% by mass of cement, the cellulose fibers were found to show significant drying shrinkage cracking control while providing some internal curing. In addition, early-age shrinkage test results were supplemented with a quantitative measure of fiber dispersion based on comparing theoretical and experimental values of the fiber volume fraction in hardened cementitious samples. Results indicated that improved dispersion leads to improved properties.
High resolution vuv absorption spectrum of N2, homogeneous perturbation between c′4(0) 1Σ+u and b′(1) 1Σ+u levels

Abstract The first member of the 1 Σ + u Rydberg series of N2, c′4-X, has been studied in absorption using a 6.65 m vacuum spectrograph. Rotational analyses of the (0, 0) band of the c′4-X as well as the (1, 0) band of the b′-X are given. Mutual perturbation between c′4(0) and b′(1) levels has been studied as a homogeneous interaction. The results were compared with the previous work in absorption and in emission, and confirmed the identity of Worley's c state and Gaydon's p′ state as the c′ 4 (0) 1 Σ + u state.
Investigation of electrical properties of a 120 cm PSC using an inner spark pulser

Abstract Characteristics of fast pulse propagation in a large planar spark counter (PSC) are simulated using a pulser located inside the spark gap. Besides the main mode of pulse propagation, three undesirable modes are observed. These latter strongly distort the shape of the pulse. Characteristics of these modes and methods to eliminate their effects are demonstrated. We present an electrical design for a 120 cm spark counter along with some of its electrical properties as revealed by measurements made with the inner spark pulser. In the present counter design the charge of a pulse is shared by several neighboring strips, enabling one to measure the transverse position of a spark to a high degree of accuracy.
Synthesis and Properties of Two Regular Thienylpyrrole Polymers

Two examples of polymers containing both thiophene and pyrrole units have been synthesized via a one-pot organometallic Stille reaction. The physical, thermal, and electronic properties of these polymers have been investigated: They have band gaps at about 2.4 eV and conductivities as high as 1.28 × 10-1 S/cm (iodine-doped) and 2.30 × 10-3 S/cm (undoped).
The karyogamy gene KAR2 and novel proteins are required for ER-membrane fusion

We have developed assays using cells and isolated membranes to identify factors mediating fusion of the ER-nuclear membrane network in yeast. When cells containing distinctly tagged ER-nuclear envelope membranes are observed during mating, the markers of both parental membranes become colocalized in a process sharing a genetic requirement with karyogamy. Using isolated membranes, we find that fusion between ER compartments requires ATP, but not cytosol, Sec17p (alpha-SNAP), or Sec18p (NSF), the latter two being required at the fusion step in vesicular transport. Proteins tightly associated with the ER membrane are essential for fusion, as is Kar2p (BiP), an ER lumenal hsp70 homolog. BiP may activate an ER-localized fusogen, allowing nuclear fusion and karyogamy in yeast.
Action of excess calcium ions in the brain on motivated feeding in the rat: attenuation by pharmacological antagonists

Abstract The intraventricular infusion of 5 μl of physiological solution in which the concentration of calcium ions was adjusted from 1.26 mM to 151.2 mM caused spontaneous feeding and drinking in the satiated rat. The ingestive response was observed both when pellets and water freely available, in which case food consumption exhibited a dose-response relationship increasing with the millimolarity of calcium in the infusate, and when operant responses at FR 2 or FR 10 were required for food reward. The rate of bar pressing by an animal at these two schedules of reinforcement did not differ from that observed when the same animal was deprived of food and water for 23 hr. The alpha-adrenergic antagonist, phentolamine (16 μg, 32 μg), did not appreciably attenuate Ca2+-induced feeding during either ad lib or motivated conditions, though these doses drastically reduced food intake induced by the intraventricular infusion of 10 μg norepinephrine HCl. The pre-infusion of a number of additional blocking agents had variable yet consistent effects upon Ca2+-induced feeding; hexamethonium (8 μg, 25 μg), propranolol (6 μg, 28 μg) and methysergide (8 μg) each caused a statistically significant enhancement in the magnitude of the Ca2+ response while atropine (6 μg, 15 μg) significantly attenuated feeding after Ca2+. This suggests an interaction between a number of pharmacologically distinct fiber pathways that may mediate the Ca2+ feeding response. The modulation of feeding by Ca2+ ions supports an ionic theory for the regulation of body weight in the rat, in which neurons that are involved in ingestive responses and which pass through the hypothalamus and other structures along the ventricular lumen are selectively sensitive to the concentration of calcium in the extracellular fluid.
Albedos for 4-, 10-, and 18-MV bremsstrahlung x-ray beams on concrete, iron, and lead--normally incident.

Backscattering of radiation incident on a solid medium has been treated with some success as a reflection phenomenon. The concept of albedo has been used in the literature to deal with this problem. A Monte Carlo program has been used in this study to simulate the generation of bremsstrahlung beams from medical linear accelerators. The accuracy of the calculated spectra have been checked indirectly by calculating TPRs and comparing them with measured values. The dose albedos for 60Co and 137Cs beams normally incident on concrete have been calculated and compared with experimentally determined values in the literature. The generated energy spectra are then used to calculate the albedo factors for 4‐, 10‐, and 18‐MV bremsstrahlung x‐ray beams normally incident on concrete, iron, and lead. The number albedo decreases with increase in the atomic number of the reflecting medium. However, for high‐energy photons, the dose albedo increases with increase in the atomic number of the medium. This is an important factor that needs to be considered in the design of shielding. The calculated energy spectra can be used in other problems and the albedo factors can be applied in practical shielding design for medical linear accelerators.
Anemia in Heart Failure May Warrant More Aggressive Listing for Cardiac Transplantation

Abstract Peak exercise oxygen consumption (VO2, in mL/min/kg) is a reliable prognostic marker in heart failure (HF). Anemia, which is common in HF, affects both exercise capacity and prognosis. In this study, we assessed the relationship between peak VO2 and prognosis among HF patients with and without anemia. Data on 344 HF patients were divided into three groups based on peak VO2 ( 14). Each group stratified by the presence of anemia (
Flowfield produced by rocket exhaust impingement of a multitube launcher

When a rocket is launched from a multitube launcher, its exhaust gases impinge on the launcher assembly, creating a complex viscous/shock interaction flowfield. An experimental program has been conducted in which simulated underexpanded exhaust plumes impinged on the face of a multi-tube launcher. The test variables included: distance from the nozzle-exit plane to the launcher assembly, stagnation pressure of the simulated rocket, and number of open tubes. Supercritical flows were obtained in which a large fraction of the exhaust gas spread over the face of the launcher assembly with attendant high pressures. The most important parameter in defining the impingement flowfield was the ratio of plume diameter/tube diameter.