cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kinetic Isotopic Effects in Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane on Vanadium Oxide Catalysts

Abstract Kinetic isotopic effects (KIEs) for oxidative dehydrogenation of propane were measured on 10 wt% V 2 O 5 /ZrO 2 . Normal KIEs were obtained using CH 3 CH 2 CH 3 and CD 3 CD 2 CD 3 as reactants for primary dehydrogenation (2.8) and combustion (1.9) of propane and for secondary combustion of propene (2.6), suggesting that in all cases C–H bond dissociation is a kinetically relevant step. CH 3 CH 2 CH 3 and CH 3 CD 2 CH 3 reactants led to normal KIEs for dehydrogenation (2.7) and combustion (1.8) of propane, but to a very small KIE (1.1) for propene combustion. These results show that the methylene C–H bond is activated in the rate-determining steps for propane dehydrogenation and combustion reactions. The rate-determining step in secondary propene combustion involves the allylic C–H bond. In each reaction, the weakest C–H bond in the reactant is cleaved in the initial C–H bond activation step. The measured propane oxidative dehydrogenation KIEs are in agreement with theoretical estimates using a sequence of elementary steps, reaction rate expression, and transition state theory. The much smaller KIE for propane oxidative dehydrogenation (2.8) than the maximum KIE (6) expected for propane thermal dehydrogenation indicates the participation of lattice oxygen. The different KIE values for propane primary dehydrogenation and combustion suggest that these two reactions involve different lattice oxygen sites.
Atrial fibrillation, cognitive impairment, and neuroimaging

Abstract Introduction The objective of our study was to investigate cross-sectional associations of atrial fibrillation with neuroimaging measures of cerebrovascular disease and Alzheimer's disease and their interactions with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods Magnetic resonance imaging scans of individuals from a population-based study were analyzed for infarctions, total gray matter, and hippocampal and white matter hyperintensity volumes. A subsample underwent positron emission tomography imaging. Results Atrial fibrillation was associated with infarctions and lower total gray matter volume. Compared with subjects with no atrial fibrillation and no infarction, the odds ratio (95% confidence intervals) for MCI was 2.99 (1.57–5.70; P = .001) among participants with atrial fibrillation and infarction, 0.90 (0.45–1.80; P = .77) for atrial fibrillation and no infarction, and 1.50 (0.96–2.34; P = .08) for no atrial fibrillation and any infarction. Discussion Participants with both atrial fibrillation and infarction are more likely to have MCI than participants with either infarction or atrial fibrillation alone.
Management of evacuee surge from a disaster area: Solutions to avoid non-emergent, emergency department visits

INTRODUCTION: Many emergency departments (EDs) in the United States experience daily overcrowding, and a rapid influx of evacuees fleeing a disaster area can pose a substantial burden. Some of these evacuees may require ED care. However, others lack an alternative to the ED to address non-emergent medical concerns (prescription refills or outpatient referral). OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe a successful multidisciplinary Hurricane Katrina Evacuation Center, explain the services offered, and determine the center's effects on referrals to local EDs. METHODS: Data were collected concerning the number of patients utilizing the medical evaluation center and compared to the total number of evacuees to determine the proportion that utilized medical care. The data concerning patients given prescriptions was obtained by the estimation of the two medical directors of the Center, and therefore, is inexact. RESULTS: During the five weeks the center was operational, 631 of 716 evacuees (88%) requested medical evaluation, and >80% of those had prescriptions written. Only four ( Language: en
What Do You Stand For? A Review of Digital Storytelling, Applied Theatre, & Youth: Performing Possibility, by Megan Alrutz

In the final chapter of Digital Storytelling, Applied Theatre, & Youth, Megan Alrutz describes a moment in which she was working with a group of incarcerated youth when one young woman asked her, “...
The Long-Run Impacts of the World Cup

We empirically investigate whether there is any statistically and economically meaningful correlation between the success a nation’s soccer team in the FIFA World Cup Finals and that nation’s real per-capita GDP growth. Using an unbalanced panel of countries from 1950 through 2004, we find that, for certain continents, there are non-trivial correlations between the World Cup finals, World Cup success, and real per-capita GDP growth. In Europe, North America, and South America, real per-capita GDP growth declines by approximately one percentage point in the years during which the World Cup Finals occur. Moreover, we find that in Africa, North America, and South America, the further a nation’s team advances in the month-long tournament the further the decline in real per-capita GDP growth. We estimate the contemporaneous impacts of the 2002 World Cup finals on per-capita income and a counterfactual real per-capita GDP series incorporating the varying levels of success in all of the World Cup finals held during our sample period.
[Statistics of obligatory accident insurance--a contribution to health statistics in Switzerland].

Nach der Neuordnung der obligatorischen Unfallversicherung sind seit 1984 alle Arbeitnehmer der Schweiz gegen Unfalle und Berufskrankheiten versichert. Das Unfallversicherungsgesetz (UVG) schreibt auch einheitliche Statistiken vor, deren Fuhrung der SUVA ubertragen wurde. Die erarbeiteten Daten sind fur die Schweizerische Gesundheitsstatistik relevant und fuhren auf verbreiterter Basis das von der SUVA unter dem Kranken- und Unfallversicherungsgesetz (KUVG) begonnene Werk fort. Im Aufsatz werden der Gegenstand, die Organisation, die Verwendung der Daten und die Aspekte des Datenschutzes besprochen.
Intra‐cluster correlation selection for cluster randomized trials

In this paper, we give focus to cluster randomized trials, also known as group randomized trials, which randomize clusters, or groups, of subjects to different trial arms, such as intervention or control. Outcomes from subjects within the same cluster tend to exhibit an exchangeable correlation measured by the intra-cluster correlation coefficient (ICC). Our primary interest is to test if the intervention has an impact on the marginal mean of an outcome. Using recently developed methods, we propose how to select a working ICC structure with the goal of choosing the structure that results in the smallest standard errors for regression parameter estimates and thus the greatest power for this test. Specifically, we utilize small-sample corrections for the estimation of the covariance matrix of regression parameter estimates. This matrix is incorporated within correlation selection criteria proposed in the generalized estimating equations literature to choose one of multiple working ICC structures under consideration. We demonstrate the potential power and utility of this approach when used in cluster randomized trial settings via a simulation study and application example, and we discuss practical considerations for its use in practice. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Two new species of Guntheria (Acarina: Trombiculidae) from New Guinea.

Two new species of chiggers, Guntheria niobensis from murid rodents, marsupial mice and a passeriform bird and Guntheria lavaniensis off a phalangerid, are described from New Guinea.
Implementing an electronic medical record with computerized prescriber order entry at a critical access hospital.

Health information technology—including the electronic medical record (EMR) and computerized prescriber order entry (CPOE)—entails the use of complex systems that may be challenging to install. When considering whether to use this technology, an analysis of the resources needed for
Effects of Danefukang Jiangao on the Expression of TGF-β in Endometriotic Rats

Objective:To investigate the effects of Danefukang jiangao on the expression of TGF-β of endometriotic rats.Methods:Rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:control group,model group and Danefukang jiangao treatment group.The expression of TGF-β was detected by ELISA and RT-PCR.Results:Compared with the model group,the expression of TGF-β was decreased significantly in Danefukang jiangao treatment group.Conclusion:The Danefukang jiangao can treat the endometriosis in rats,and its action may be associated with decreasing the expressions of TGF-β in ectopic endometrium.
RP-HPLC method to determine the content of beta cypermethrin

Objective To set up a method of HPLC-VWD(DAD) to determine the content of beta cypermethrin in cypermethrin SC.Methods Samples were dissolved by acetonitrile with ultrasonic wave.The sepration was carried out on an aglient XDB-C18 column by water and acetonitrile(23+77) in analyzing.Results The RSD of this method was 0.20%-0.87%for beta cypermethrin(200-2 000 μg/ml).Detection limit of the method was 6.40 mg/kg.The recoveries range of the method were 93%-103.5%.Conclusion The method have good adaptability and finer repeatability.It can be used to determine beta cypermethrin in cypermethrin SC.
The topological susceptibility in finite temperature QCD and axion cosmology

Abstract We study the topological susceptibility in 2 + 1 flavor QCD above the chiral crossover transition temperature using Highly Improved Staggered Quark action and several lattice spacings corresponding to temporal extent of the lattice, N τ = 6 , 8 , 10 and 12. We observe very distinct temperature dependences of the topological susceptibility in the ranges above and below 250 MeV . While for temperatures above 250 MeV , the dependence is found to be consistent with dilute instanton gas approximation, at lower temperatures the fall-off of topological susceptibility is milder. We discuss the consequence of our results for cosmology wherein we estimate the bounds on the axion decay constant and the oscillation temperature if indeed the QCD axion is a possible dark matter candidate.
Tarahumara Ritual Aesthetic Manifestations

ABSTRACTMost Tarahumara aesthetic manifestations occur in ritual circumstances. Meanings frequently refer both to Christian and non-Christian ideas. Contact with European culture seems to have expanded the possibilities of creative expression among the Tarahumaras.
Lymphomatosis cerebri: diagnostic challenges and review of the literature

Lymphomatosis cerebri (LC) is a rare variant of a primary central nervous system non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (PCNSL) characterised by diffuse infiltration of tumour cells throughout the brain parenchyma. We present a 68-year-old immunocompetent woman with headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, localised right leg weakness and rapidly progressive dementia. A brain MRI demonstrated diffuse T2 hyperintense white matter lesions that did not enhance with contrast. The clinical differential diagnosis of these lesions included metastatic disease, infectious or inflammatory process such as sarcoidosis, lymphoma, demyelinating disease and less likely vascular aetiology, such as vasculitis or ischaemic stroke. A right frontal stereotactic brain biopsy was non-diagnostic. The patient eventually died from aspiration pneumonia following a pneumonectomy for a primary lung adenocarcinoma. The diagnosis of LC was established on postmortem examination of the brain.
Effect of tides and source location on nearshore tsunami‐induced currents

Here, we present the results of a numerical modeling study that investigates how event-maximum tsunami-induced currents vary due to the dynamic effects of tides and wave directivity. First, analyses of tide-tsunami interaction are presented in three harbors by coupling the tsunami with the tide, and allowing the initial tsunami wave to arrive at various tidal phases. We find that tsunami-tide interaction can change the event-maximum current speed experienced in a harbor by up to 25% for the events and harbors studied, and we note that this effect is highly site-specific. Second, to evaluate the effect of wave directionality on event-maximum currents, earthquakes sources were placed throughout the Pacific, with magnitudes tuned to create the same maximum near-coast amplitude at the harbor of study. Our analysis also shows that, for the harbor and sources examined, the effect of offshore directionality and tsunami frequency content has a weak effect on the event-maximum currents experienced in the harbor. The more important dependency of event-maximum currents is the near-harbor amplitude of the wave, indicating that event-maximum currents in a harbor from a tsunami generated by a large far-field earthquake may be reasonably well predicted with only information about the predicted local maximum tsunami amplitude. This study was motivated by the hope of constructing a basis for understanding the dynamic effects of tides and wave directivity on current-based tsunami hazards in a coastal zone. The consideration of these aspects is crucial and yet challenging in the modeling of tsunami currents. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The Low Temperature Liquefaction Characteristic Test of Sulfur Hexafluoride Gas Used in Electrical Equipment

To study the low temperature liquefaction characteristics of SF6 for the operation security of electric equipments in cold area, the writer carries out the low temperature liquefaction test of SF6 respectively in laboratory and outdoors by using SF6 gas low temperature experimental apparatus. According to the results of the test and the Beattie-Bridgman SF6 empirical formula, SF6 gas state parameter curve is plotted and a concise practical SF6 gas state parameter formula is got. This formula is more applicable to electric equipments outdoors. The results show that SF6 gas is easier to liquefy in cold area, and the liquefaction temperature of SF6 gas is in proportion to gas pressure. So the liquefaction temperature of electric equipments operated in cold area should not be higher than the lowest area temperature. Otherwise, measures must be taken to prevent SF6 gas from liquefaction.
Freud’s “Cocaine Episode” on Benjamin’s Hashish

This chapter discusses and compares Freud’s use of cocaine as well as his writings on cocaine and Benjamin’s use of and writing on hashish. In his writings on cocaine, Freud confused the effect of cocaine with the effects of Indians chewing coca leaves. On the basis of the beneficial properties known to the Indians, he promoted cocaine as a universal medicine for depression, migraine, neurasthenia, and so on, only to learn after using cocaine to treat a patient with a morphine addiction that cocaine is a highly addictive drug itself. Inspired by Baudelaire’s writings on hashish, Benjamin used hashish as a stimulant for developing a physiognomic gaze and for enhancing his dialectical analysis of Modernity, or “profound illuminations,” as an antidote for the intoxicating effects of phantasmagoria, which is an illusionary reality produced by modern industry and progress as a means of neurochemical colonialism.
Functional Biology and Plant Strategies

Functional biology applied to plants explores how they capture and use resources and thus produce usable yield (crops) or ensure the long-term survival of the species and the genes (wild plants). Functional biology examines these results to ask why plants perform as they do, attempting to explain evolved function and to indicate how crops may be improved. The goal of most plant research, either proximately or ultimately, is generally the latter, finding out if and how we may improve crop performance. Functional biology enables us to develop quantitative, testable hypotheses about the optimality of plants’ resource use. Potentially it allows us to determine the upper limits to crop performance. Some limits are known to fairly high specificity, as for leaf photosynthesis (Bassham, 1977; Gutschick, 1986). However, we still have little idea of other limits, such as the theoretical maximum yields for given degrees of salinity in the soil water. Functional biology can also suggest previously unsuspected routes to crop improvement, e.g., breeding for specific leaf mass to optimize canopy photosynthesis (Chap. 3). A particular strength of functional biology is its potential to unify crop improvement efforts of diverse disciplines. Ultimately it promises to determine the single suite of physiological and morphological characteristics of a species that will give the greatest yield or other value indicator for a given environment (Sec. 1.D.i, item 2).
Corporate Governance and Earnings Management: The Effects of Board Composition, Size, Structure and Board Policies on Earnings Management

This study investigates the relationship between corporate governance characteristics and earnings management. These characteristics include board structure, board composition, board size, CEO characteristics, nominating committee independence, compensation committee independence, and board disclosure policies. The study makes no pre-assumptions or specific predictions on which corporate governance characteristics have an impact on earnings management and which would not. Rather, a factor analysis approach is used, whereby all the above fore mentioned aspects of corporate governance are linked to earnings management to determine the corporate governance factor loading. Three groups of U.S. firms, one with relatively high negative, one with relatively high positive and one with low levels of discretionary accruals in the year 2004 are examined. In contrast to prior literature where board composition is defined as either an insiders-controlled board or outsiders-controlled board, this study classifies board composition into seven discrete categories: >50% insiders, >50% insiders and affiliated officers, between 50% and 66.7% outsiders, between 75% and 90% outsiders, between 90% and 100% outsiders, and 100% outsiders. In a univariate approach, the study finds that firms with annually elected boards, small size boards, 100% independent nominating committees and 100% independent compensation committees have more negative discretionary accruals. However, firms with 75% to 90% independent board or firms with a board size of between 9 and 12 have higher positive discretionary accruals. The study's major contributions to the existing literature are its findings that income-increasing and income-decreasing discretionary accruals have a different relationship with corporate governance practices and its expansion of the scope of corporate governance from board independence and audit committee independence to other corporate governance characteristics such as board election rule, board size, nominating committee independence, compensation committee independence, and board disclosure policies.
Object-based classification of wetland vegetation using very high-resolution unmanned air system imagery

ABSTRACTThe purpose of this study is to examine the use of multi-resolution object-based classification methods for the classification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) images of wetland vegetation and to compare its performance with pixel-based classification approaches. Three types of classifiers (Support Vector Machine, Artificial Neural Network and Maximum Likelihood) were utilized to classify the object-based images, the original 8-cm UAS images and the down-sampled (30 cm) version of the image. The results of the object-based and two pixel-based classifications were evaluated and compared. Object-based classification produced higher accuracy than pixel-based classifications if the same type of classifier is used. Our results also showed that under the same classification scheme (i.e. object or pixel), the Support Vector Machine classifier performed slightly better than Artificial Neural Network, which often yielded better results than Maximum Likelihood. With an overall accuracy of 70.78%, object-b...
Ideología y utopías: Bandidaje, capital y consumo en México

Resumen El articulo estudia los argumentos para crear una historia alternativa de las representaciones del paramilitarismo en Mexico. Retrocediendo a la novela Astucia, de Luis G. Inclan, quien desarrollo un modelo del hombre de su tiempo: el Coronel Astucia. Este personaje participo en la formacion de un cartel y actividades paramilitares con el proposito de buscar justicia a traves del bandidaje social. Inclan fabula el lado oscuro de Mexico en su primer siglo, ofreciendo un rechazo de las narrativas de creacion de estado que los conservadores y liberales proveian. Podemos observar la naturaleza circular del bandidaje en Mexico y como sirve de contrapunto a las narraciones tradicionales de soberania. Ante el nuevo levantamiento armado en Michoacan, que ha producido grupos de autodefensa, este ensayo compara el discurso de Astucia con el de Nazario Moreno, difunto lider de la Familia Michoacana. Se argumenta que la necesidad de limitar el crecimiento del capital empuja a los bandidos sociales a producir discursos que ensamblan una politica del consumo, como una forma de producir la imagen de que el bandido confrontara la desigualdad economica. Abstract This article studies the arguments for an alternative history of paramilitary representations in Mexico, drawing back to Luis G. Inclan’s Astucia, which developed a history of a paragon of his time: Coronel Astucia. This character participated in cartel formation and paramilitary activities in order to seek justice through social banditry. Inclan develops a fable of the dark side of Mexico in its first century. He offers a rejection of the state-building narratives that conservatives and liberals provided. We can look into the circular nature of banditry in Mexico, and how it serves as a counterpoint to traditional narratives of sovereignty. As Michoacan has again risen in arms, organizing in self-defense groups, this essay compares Astucia’s discourse to that of Nazario Moreno, defunct leader of the Familia Michoacana. It argues that the need to limit capital building draws social bandits to strengthen discourses that construct a politics of consumption, as a means to produce the image of the bandit as confronting economic inequality.
Monte Carlo calculations of electrons impinging on a copper target: A comparison of EGSnrc, Geant4 and MCNP5

Abstract A simple geometry is used to compare several of the available Monte Carlo software codes for radiation transport. EGSnrc, Geant4 and MCNP5 are all used to calculate the photon fluence produced from electrons incident on a copper target. Four energies for the isotropic point source are chosen to simulate the average and maximum emission energies of 32 P and 90 Y: (0.7, 1.71) MeV and (0.93, 2.28) MeV, respectively. The energy deposition in the copper target, the electron current at the target and the computational efficiency are also calculated. EGSnrc is found to be the only self-consistent code when comparing results calculated using the default transport parameters of the condensed history mode with those calculated in the single scattering mode.
Lung Nodule Detection via Deep Reinforcement Learning.

Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death globally. As a preventive measure, the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends annual screening of high-risk individuals with low-dose computed tomography (CT). The resulting volume of CT scans from millions of people will pose a significant challenge for radiologists to interpret. To fill this gap, computer-aided detection (CAD) algorithms may prove to be the most promising solution. A crucial first step in the analysis of lung cancer screening results using CAD is the detection of pulmonary nodules, which may represent early-stage lung cancer. The objective of this work is to develop and validate a reinforcement learning model based on deep artificial neural networks for early detection of lung nodules in thoracic CT images. Inspired by the AlphaGo system, our deep learning algorithm takes a raw CT image as input and views it as a collection of states, and outputs a classification of whether a nodule is present or not. The dataset used to train our model is the LIDC/IDRI database hosted by the Lung Nodule Analysis (LUNA) challenge. In total, there are 888 CT scans with annotations based on agreement from at least three out of four radiologists. As a result, there are 590 individuals having one or more nodules, and 298 having none. Our training results yielded an overall accuracy of 99.1% (sensitivity 99.2%, specificity 99.1%, positive predictive value (PPV) 99.1%, negative predictive value (NPV) 99.2%). In our test, the results yielded an overall accuracy of 64.4% (sensitivity 58.9%, specificity 55.3%, PPV 54.2%, NPV 60.0%). These early results show promise in solving the major issue of false positives in CT screening of lung nodules and may help save unnecessary follow-up tests and expenditures.
Laryngotracheal stenosis in burn patients requiring mechanical ventilation.

Objective: To identify the incidence of laryngotracheal stenosis (LTS) in burn patients requiring mechanical ventilation at a regional academic burn center. Methods: A retrospective review of all burn patients requiring endotracheal intubation or tracheostomy for airway management between 2003 and 2009 was performed. A group of trauma patients requiring similar airway instrumentation during the same period of time was used as a control. Results: None of the trauma patients and 2 of the burn patients developed LTS. Both presented with stridor and were diagnosed within 2—5 weeks after extubation. One patient underwent successful carbon dioxide laser radial incision and dilation and continues to do well. The other patient failed endoscopic treatment and required T-tube placement. The incidence of LTS in burn patients requiring mechanical ventilation was 2.98% overall and 4.76% among those with inhalational injury. Conclusions: Patients become symptomatic within weeks of the initial injury. Treatment is challenging and multiple surgical procedures are often required. A larger study is necessary to determine if the incidence is higher among burn patients. Key words: Laryngeal stenosis; Tracheal stenosis; Subglottic stenosis; Adult; Burn; Inhalation
Ritual in Western Medicine and Its Role in Placebo Healing

Ritual has long been thought to play an important role in the healing processes used by ancient and non-Western healers. In this paper, I suggest that practitioners of Western medicine also interact with patients in a highly ritualized manner. Medical rituals, like religious rituals, serve to alter the meaning of an experience by naming and circumscribing unknown elements of that experience and by enabling patients' belief in a treatment and their expectancy of healing from that treatment. These are all critical elements necessary to mobilize the potent placebo effects reported elsewhere to result from doctor-patient interactions.
Pathogenesis and Management of Choledocholithiasis

Stones may be formed primarily in the common bile duct or may result from the passage of gallbladder stones through the cystic duct. Unless high grade ampullary obstruction is present, biliary drainage is not recommended at the original cholecystectomy and choledocholithotomy. A drainage procedure should be performed, however, in patients with recurrent stones that have the appearance of primary duct stones and in all patients requiring a third common bile duct exploration.
Minimizing Conformity in Focus Group for Software Development

In order to create successful software or systems, user involvement is one of the essential activities in software development process. In the user involvement, participant attitudes and their knowledge level about the software are substantially related to the quality of participant feedback. Particularly, in focus group test, which is one of the most widely used methods for attaining user feedbacks, if a participant is extremely passive or has no experience to share, he or she cannot provide productive feedback and, more importantly, can be subject to conformity. This tendency can be problematic in the focus group method because it decreases the likelihood that participants’ feedback stands for their true belief and further amplifies the strength of dominant voice in the group. In this research, conformity and its relationship with the knowledge level and assertiveness level of participants of focus group will be investigated in the context of focus group test.
Ethics, theism and metaphysics: An analysis of the theocentric ethics of James Gustafson

Modern ethics has been shaped by two dominant philosophical assumptions: (1) that there can be no theoretical knowledge of God, i.e., denial of metaphysics, and (2) that moral claims can be redeemed independently of theistic affirmations, i.e., morality does not require theism. These assumptions have influenced much of modern theological ethics. Yet, insofar as theological ethics accepts that morality does not require any explicit or implicit religious beliefs, it affirms that a secularistic morality is possible. But this affirmation is directly at odds with the essence of theism, namely, that God is the source and end of all things, including the moral life. By accepting the dominant consensus, therefore, theological ethics undermines its fundamental theistic claim. Focusing on James Gustafson's theocentric ethics, I seek to show the price that theological ethics pays for subscribing to the dominant consensus. I argue that: (1) Gustafson embraces an inconsistent self-understanding, which undermines his theocentric claim, (2) this is due to his dismissal of metaphysics, and (3) his theocentric ethic would be more compelling if formulated in terms of Whitehead's process metaphysics.
The Antiulcer Activities of Copper Complexes

Copper complexes of several naturally occurring L-amino acids and D-Pencillamine were synthesized. These compounds were evaluated for their antiulcer, activities in the Shay model of rat ulcer. All complexes were found to be effective in reducing the severity and/or number of ulcers as well as In reducing Shay rat mortality. Antiulcer activity of copper-amino acid complexes. was Found to decrease with increasing lipophilicity of the ligand. All copper-complexes containing L-histidine as a ligand were found to be poorly active. Formation of copper-histamine complex in vivo is suggested as a possible mechanism of action of these compounds.
The Mechanism of C-H Bond Oxidation by Aqueous Permanganate.

The permanganate ion (MnO4–) has been widely used as a reagent for water treatment for over a century. It is a strong enough oxidant to activate carbon–hydrogen bonds, one of the most important reactions in biological and chemical systems. Our current textbook understanding of the oxidation mechanism in aqueous solution involves an initial, rate-limiting hydride abstraction by permanganate followed by reaction of the carbocation with bulk water to form an alcohol. This mechanism fits well into the classic oxidation sequence of alkane → alcohol → aldehyde → carboxylate, the central paradigm for both abiotic and biotic alkane oxidation in aqueous environments. In this study, we provide three lines of evidence through (1) a broken-symmetry density functional theory approach, (2) isotope labeling experiments, and (3) kinetic network modeling to demonstrate that aqueous permanganate can circumvent prior alcohol formation and produce aldehydes directly via a reaction path that bifurcates after the initial trans...
Work-in-Progress: Hierarchical Control of a Catoptric Surface

The control of a catoptric (mirror-based) surface is decomposed hierarchically. The positioning control of individual mirrors is handled by low-level controllers for each drive motor, and the overall control decisions are guided by a Markov decision process.
The Strategies of Anticompetitive Common Ownership

Scholars and antitrust enforcers have raised concerns about anticompetitive effects that may arise when institutional investors hold substantial stakes in competing firms. Their concern rests on empirical evidence that such common concentrated ownership is associated with higher prices and lower output. This evidence sharply challenges both antitrust orthodoxy and corporate governance scholarship. In this Article, we examine the causal mechanisms that might link common ownership to anticompetitive effects. We consider whether the current empirical evidence supports the existence of these mechanisms and whether institutional investors would plausibly employ them. Our main conclusion is that most proposed mechanisms either lack significant empirical support or else are implausible. Notably, some widely discussed mechanisms—for example, cartel facilitation and passive failures to encourage competition among portfolio firms—are not empirically tested. Moreover, institutional investors’ incentives to increase portfolio value are weak, reducing the likelihood that these investors will pursue mechanisms that carry significant reputational or legal risks. We find, however, that a different mechanism, which we call "selective omission," is both consistent with the evidence and plausibly employed by institutional investors. Looking ahead, our analysis suggests paths for future research and provides a guide for further investigation into how common owners and firms may interact to produce anticompetitive effects.
Modeling and Stability Analysis of Grid-Connected Inverters with Different LCL Filter Parameters

Microgrid are gaining popularity due to several advantages like potential for fuel savings and resiliency in case of grid catastrophic failures. In a microgrid, many energy sources like wind and solar farms are connected to the grid through inverters with different power ratings and LCL filter parameters. The inverters incorporated in these systems might have a different frequency response and stability ranges than those inverters with identical LCL filter values. This paper establishes the model and analyzes the stability of a system with multiple paralleled-and grid-connected inverters with different LCL filter paramenters using the grid-side currents as feedback signals. The analysis results showed that a method similar to the interactive and common current analysis technique used on inverters with identical LCL filters can be implemented on a system with different LCL filers to calculate the maximum values of the inverters' current controller gains without having to derive the complicated equations of the MIMO system.
On the Use of Minimum Film Boiling Temperature as a Criterion for Coherent Molten Metal-Coolant Interactions

Minimum film boiling temperature data obtained on 19- and 25-mm-diam spheres quenched in subcooled water are used to establish a relationship between the temperature of the hot molten material and ...
The Continued Complexities of Paying Research Participants

Paying research participants is a widespread, long-standing, ethically acceptable, and perennially fraught practice. Although data are limited, payment is offered to participants in many research s...
Jacques Loeb, B. F. Skinner, and the Legacy of Prediction and Control

The biologist Jacques Loeb is an important figure in the history of behavior analysis. Between 1890 and 1915, Loeb championed an approach to experimental biology that would later exert substantial influence on the work of B. F. Skinner and behavior analysis. This paper examines some of these sources of influence, with a particular emphasis on Loeb’s firm commitment to prediction and control as fundamental goals of an experimental life science, and how these goals were extended and broadened by Skinner. Both Loeb and Skinner adopted a pragmatic approach to science that put practical control of their subject matter above formal theory testing, both based their research programs on analyses of reproducible units involving the intact organism, and both strongly endorsed technological applications of basic laboratory science. For Loeb, but especially for Skinner, control came to mean something more than mere experimental or technological control for its own sake; it became synonomous with scientific understanding. This view follows from (a) the successful working model of science Loeb and Skinner inherited from Ernst Mach, in which science is viewed as human social activity, and effective practical action is taken as the basis of scientific knowledge, and (b) Skinner’s analysis of scientific activity, situated in the world of direct experience and related to practices arranged by scientific verbal communities. From this perspective, prediction and control are human acts that arise from and are maintained by social circumstances in which such acts meet with effective consequences.
Prevalence of Intestinal Parasitic Infestation in Anemic Patients Attended to Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital at Al-Qadisiyah Province/Iraq

The present study was conducted from November 2016 to October 2018 at Al-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital (Al-Qadisiyah province/Iraq) to investigate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in anemic patients using conventional classical methods. Stool and blood samples were collected from 974 patients to detected the parasite, the RBC count, PVC, and the Hb level. The result shows that overall of anemic patients, the parasitic infestation was 64% were positives. Among positive infected patients, exhibiting multiple parasitic infestations accounted for 45 %, while patients with single parasitic infestation accounted for 55%. The wet amount and staining method were used to detect the intestinal parasite, and the results show protozoans trophozoite and cyst of Entamoeba histolytica, Giardia lamblia, Balantidium coli, and the oocyst of Cryptosporidium while the result detects the egg of helminthes were Enterobius vermicularis, Trichuris trichiura, Ascaris lumbricoides, Ancylostoma duodenale and Strongyloides stercoralis. Concerning social factors (age, gender, and residence), significant elevation (p andGLT; 0.05) were observed in groups of andGLT; 10 years (85.87%), males (69.57%), and rural areas (80.37%). Values (Mean ± Standard error) of RBCs indices showed that there were significant decreases (p andGLT; 0.05) in total RBCs count [(3.87 ± 0.23) × 106/μL], Hb [(10.62 ± 0.86) g/dL], MCH [(27.44 ± 1.36) pg], and MCHC [(27.87 ± 2.75) g/dl]; and significant increases (p andGLT; 0.05) in values of PCV [(38.11 ± 1.49) %], and MCV [(98.48 ± 3.65) fl]. Macrocytic (62.26%) and normocytic (51.73%) were the commonest types of anemia reported among infested and non-infested patients, respectively. Association between species of intestinal parasites and type of anemia were detected in this study. It showed that E. vermicularis (91.19%), B. coli(45.59%), and A. duodenale (91.67%) were significantly prevalent (p andGLT; 0.05) among macrocytic, normocytic and microcytic anemic patients, respectively.
Design of Aluminum-based Hybrid Gratings with Predefined Infrared Spectral Response

We propose to use aluminum gratings to design absorbers with predefined spectral response. By exploiting the relations between grating structural parameters and spectral properties, we design hybrid gratings to generate multi-resonance spectra.
Priapism and Sickle Cell Disease: Special Considerations in Etiology, Management, and Prevention.

Abstract Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited medical condition where sickled red blood cells cause vaso-occlusive crisis. One major complication of SCD is priapism, defined as an erection of the penis lasting over four hours beyond sexual stimulation or orgasm. SCD priapism is caused by sickled erythrocytes obstructing venous outflow and can lead to permanent erectile dysfunction. This article reviews the pathology, physiology, and management of SCD priapism, including potential novel therapeutic agents.
Homeownership of Latinos in Richmond: An evaluation of the homeownership to community participation model

HOMEOWNERSHIP OF LATINOS IN RICHMOND: AN EVALUATION OF THE HOMEOWNERSHIP TO COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION MODEL By Coleman E. Rose, M.S. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2003 Major Director: Dr. Nita L. Bryant, Assistant Professor and Graduate Director, Department of Sociology and Anthropology Over the decades of the last century, home ownership in the U.S. has become a major institution and part of the American dream. Many arguments have developed that tout the benefits of homeownership: benefits both for the individual, and for the larger society. This study examines one such argument, considering the effects for Latino immigrants of homeownership on community participation. As this is the first study to consider this model for an immigrant population, it is also the first to introduce to this model the concepts of acculturation and assimilation. Studying Latinos in Richmond, Virginia is particularly interesting as Latinos are new ethnic community members to a
Statistical Challenges in Comparing Chemotherapy and Bone Marrow Transplantation as a Treatment for Leukemia

Comparison of survival for patients treated with either post remission chemotherapy or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) for leukemias is considered. Two designs for the comparison are considered. The first is a genetic randomized clinical trial. For this type of trial, comparisons can be made either by an intent-to-treat analysis or by a time dependent covariate model. The second design compares data from a multicenter chemotherapy trial with data from a large transplant registry. Here analysis is complicated by the registry only observing patients who are transplanted so adjustments needs to be made for patients who die or relapse while waiting for transplant. Corrections suggested for this source of bias are a matching technique, inclusion of a time dependent covariate and a left truncated Cox model. We examine these techniques through a small Monte Carlo study and compare how much information is lost by using registry data as compared to a genetically randomized trial.
Molecular Genetics of Myeloproliferative Disorders

The myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are a group of clonal stem cell disorders characterised by increased proliferation of one or more cell lines. The 2008 World Health Organization classification of the four major MPNs includes chronic myeloid leukaemia, polycythaemia vera, primary myelofibrosis and essential thrombocythemia. In recent years, the research and utilisation of molecular markers have been paving the way for a better understanding of the MPNs for pathophysiology, classification, prognosis and treatment. With the introduction of the BCR/ABL fusion 1 gene and the JAK 2 mutation involving the tyrosine kinase pathways, it is now used in evaluating patients for diagnosis, prognosis and enhancing current practices. More and more molecular markers (MPL, TET2, LNK, CBL, IDH1 and IDH2) are being identified with the hope of having a better understanding for clinical assessment and management of these neoplasms. The importance for patient care is about understanding the role of these molecular mutations in the MPNs and what the future is for prognosis and treatment of patients diagnosed with these disorders. Key Concepts: The myeloproliferative neoplasms are clonal stem cell disorders due to unregulated cell production. The MPNs have increased tyrosine kinase involvement with an increase of cell proliferation and a loss of apoptosis. The BCR/ABL fusion gene1 plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of chronic myeloid leukaemia. The BCR/ABL fusion gene is the reciprocal translocation between the chromosomes 9 and 22. The MPNs that do not present with the BCR/ABL mutation are referred to the BCR/ABL negative neoplasms. Tyrosine kinase activation involves signal transduction in the proliferative pathways. JAK kinase is involved in myeloid cell proliferation and differentiation. JaK2 mutation results in a ‘gain of function’ for the signalling molecule of the tyrosine kinase pathway. Jak2 is present in most patients with PV, ET and PMF. MPL, LNK, TET2, CBL, ASX-L1,IDH1/IDH2, EZH2, DNMT3 and IKZF1 are currently known mutations in BCR/ABL negative MPNs. Keywords: myeloproliferative neoplasms; molecular markers; molecular mutations; tyrosine kinase; BCR/ABL; JAK2
Pathology of the finger nail in psoriasis. A clinicopathological study.

Summary.— Psoriasis of the finger nail produces metaplastic change of the nail matrix and nail bed to skin-like epithelium, following which the histological changes are essentially similar to those seen in the skin. The resulting lesions of the finger nail are of 2 types: (1) Nail plate abnormalities, the nature of which depends upon the site and the duration of disease in the matrix; (2) Nail bed abnormalities, consisting of onycholysis, subungual keratosis and splinter haemorrhages.
Burnout in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Burnout, the loss of motivation for creative involvement, is an important reaction of the staff to the stresses of working in a neonatal intensive care unit. The characteristics and causes of burnout are presented from a clinical perspective. Strategies for reducing and coping with burnout are offered.
Abstract 136: Recidivism to Uncontrolled Blood Pressure in Patients with Previously Controlled Hypertension

Objectives: Control of hypertension has improved nationally with focus on identifying and treating elevated blood pressures (BP) to guideline recommended levels. However, once BP control is achieved, the frequency in which BP falls out of control and the factors associated with BP recidivism is unknown. The objective of this study is to examine rates and predictors of blood pressure recidivism in adults with controlled hypertension. Study Design: A retrospective cohort study in two large, integrated health care systems in Minnesota and Colorado. Methods: Patients with a prior diagnosis of hypertension based on a combination of ICD-9 codes, receipt of anti-hypertensive medications and/or elevated blood pressure readings were eligible to be included. We defined controlled hypertension as normotensive blood pressure (BP) readings (less than 140/90 mmHg or less than 130/80 mmHg if coexistent diabetes or chronic kidney disease present) at 2 consecutive primary care visits. Following these visits among patients with controlled BP, we followed patients for BP recidivism defined by the mean of the last 2 blood pressure readings greater than 140/90 mm Hg or 130/80 mm Hg for those with diabetes or chronic kidney disease during a mean follow-up period of 13.2 months . Results: A total of 22,275 patients with controlled hypertension were included in this study. The proportion of patients with hypertension recidivism was 16.4%. A linear increase in blood pressure recidivism was noted with time between the index visit and last observed blood pressure reading. Major predictors of recidivism included female gender (OR 1.14, p = 0.02), history of diabetes (OR 2.32, p < 0.001) and black race (OR 1.37, p = 0.02). Age 50-64 displayed a protective effect against recidivism (OR 0.80, p = 0.02). Conclusions: Hypertensive recidivism occurs in a significant portion of patients with controlled hypertension. Patient factors associated with recidivism include age, race and prior history of diabetes among other characteristics. Strategies to minimize hypertension recidivism have significant potential to improve overall levels of blood pressure control and hypertension related quality measures from a health care systems perspective.
Future directions for Indeo Video

Indeo Video is a family of digital video compression algorithms designed to run on Intel's general-purpose microprocessors as well as the i750 family of Intel video processors. The author describes the basic features of Indeo Video and how they are expected to evolve due to advances in software and silicon technology. He discusses four important aspects of video compression algorithms: ease of decoding, ease of encoding, degree of compression, and quality. He then applies this taxonomy to the construction of a 'roadmap' for the future of Indeo Video. >