cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Capability of Emergency Departments and Emergency Medical Systems in the United States to Respond to Mass Casualty Events Resulting from Terrorist Attacks

Despite the potential array of atypical medical contingencies that the U.S. health system could face if confronted with mass-casualty events (MCE) resulting from terrorist attacks using conventional explosives, American hospitals are neither sufficiently funded nor prepared to effectively respond to such potentialities. Historically, the bias in most MCE planning has been toward the worst case scenarios, often entailing weapons of mass destruction (such as chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear weapons), on the assumption that any other MCEs, including those where conventional explosions are used, can simply be addressed as a lesser-included contingency. Yet, MCEs present unique medical challenges that to date the United States has mercifully rarely experienced but nonetheless must be prepared for.
Intermediate-and strong-coupling approximations for scattering in a laser field

A study is made of the range of applicability of various versions of the low-frequency approximation for electron-atom scattering in a laser field. A key physical parameter: the ratio of the electron-field interaction energy to the photon energy: is identified and a distinction is drawn between two regimes, corresponding to values of this ratio of order unity (intermediate coupling) and values large compared to unity (strong coupling). Separate derivations are given which are appropriate to one or the other of these regimes, with proper account taken of the possibility of resonances or composite bound-state poles in the field-free scattering amplitude. The strong-coupling case is characterized by the emission or absorption of large numbers of virtual soft photons in initial and final states. The analogy with the problem of spontaneous infrared radiation which this physical picture suggests is put into more precise form here through the derivation of sum rules for the total cross section and for the average energy transferred to the field. The strong-coupling approximation is closely related to the approximate treatment, due to Keldysh and others, of multiphoton ionization as a tunneling process. This relation is demonstrated explicitly here by recognizing that ionization may be thought of asmore » the second half of an induced resonance reaction and applying, to the amplitude obtained in this way, some of the approximation techniques developed for the scattering problem.« less
Long QT genetics manifesting as atrial fibrillation

fetal bradycardia of unknown etiology. The pregnancy was Introduction Congenital long QT syndrome (LQTS) is a familial channelopathy with variable penetrance of genetic mutations that lead to QT prolongation. The most common type of familial LQTS is type 1 (LQT1) due to loss of function mutations in the KCNQ1 gene. The majority of KCNQ1mutations involve the alpha subunit of the rapid or slow (IKs) currents of the potassium ion channel. The KCNQ1 gene codes for KvLQT1, a voltage-gated potassium channel protein that mediates IKs. Defects in IKs result in lack of QT shortening with increase in heart rate, which can result in an R on T phenomenon and progression to life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia. Contrarily, gain of function mutation of the KCNQ1 gene has been associated with sinus bradycardia, short QT syndrome, and familial atrial fibrillation. Classically considered a potassium channelopathy, familial atrial fibrillation has recently been associated with various ion channel genes including KCNQ1, SCN5A, and KCNJ2. The potassium channel mutations result in a shortened atrial action potential, while the sodium channel mutations lead to prolonged atrial repolarization, which create an environment susceptible to reentrant pathways. These alterations in atrial excitability may play a role in the frequency of atrial arrhythmias in patients with LQTS. Atrial arrhythmias have been reported in 2%–30% of the population with LQTS, manifesting as polymorphic atrial tachycardia and atrial fibrillation. In this report, we describe one family with a KCNQ1 gene mutation that has been previously reported in LQT1 but whose phenotype in this case is that of atrial fibrillation with no evidence of prolonged QT on electrocardiogram (ECG).
Thermal dependence of glutathione reductase in one tetraploid and its near-isogenic diploid alfalfa

A more thorough understanding of the biochemical basis of superior performance of one alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) genotype compared to another would expedite improvement in agronomically useful genotypes. Information on thermal dependence of glutathione reductase (GR, E.C. 1.6.4.2) in different ploidy levels of alfalfa is lacking. Our objective was to investigate the thermal dependency of GR in two genetically comparable populations of alfalfa at diploid and tetraploid levels. Thermal stability was similar for the enzyme from both populations, whereas variation was found for: i) the minimum apparent Km (0.53 and 4.14 μM NADPH), ii) the temperature at which the minimum apparent Km was observed (15 and 25° C), and iii) the thermal kinetic windows (TKW) (the temperature range over which the apparent Km is within 200% of the observed minimum Km, 5 and 20° C width) in diploid and tetraploid alfalfa, respectively. The TKW data suggest that the diploid can perform optimally under a narrower (i.e. smaller TKW) and lower range (i.e. the temperature at which the lowest Km was observed) of temperatures, whereas the tetraploid can perform optimally under a wider range (i.e. larger TKW) of temperatures. This finding is in agreement with previously published growth data on near-isogenic populations of diploid and tetraploid alfalfa.
Learning about Culture, Language, and Power: Understanding Relationships among Personhood, Literacy Practices, and Intertextuality:

This article theorizes about what the notions of personhood and intertextuality contribute to our conception of literacy teaching and learning. To do so, it provides definitions of key terms and a review of related literature from literacy studies, critical discourse analysis, and multicultural education. The article then presents an analytical framework for understanding interrelationships among personhood, literacy practices, and intertextuality. To elaborate on the theoretical ideas presented, the article draws on data from a study of an urban writing club in which a small group of eighth-grade female students used a number of research methods to explore issues of culture, language, and power that had importance to them. Analysis focuses on (a) the ways two students took up opportunities presented to them as they participated in the writing club for shaping and reshaping discourse practices about personhood along the dimensions of history, music, racial and ethnic identity, and womanhood, and (b) the s...
Judging psychopathology: Expectation and contrast

Abstract An experiment was performed to assess the role of expectations in psychosocial contrast effects. Subjects were initially presented with a series of word definitions that were either high or low pathology; their task was to indicate those definitions that had been produced by schizophrenic (vs nonschizophrenic) patients. After this “induction” series, subjects were presented with a common “test” series that included both definitions and handwriting samples; they evaluated the degree of psychopathology that was implied by each item. Some subjects were required to state their expectations in connection with the test items. First they attempted to guess the percentage of schizophrenics in the overall test series; second, before being presented with each test item, they guessed whether the patient in question was (or was not) schizophrenic. Subjects' expectations were consistent with the induction series to which they were assigned; those assigned to the high-pathology induction expected the test series to include more schizophrenic patients than those in the low-pathology group. Nonetheless, despite these expectations, subjects showed a contrast effect in their evaluations of the test definitions (but not in evaluating the handwriting samples). That is, subjects from the low-pathology induction group rated the test definitions as being more pathological than did those in the high-pathology condition. Within-group correlations indicated that the subjects' expectations were directly related to subsequent judgments. A two-path model is discussed, relating (a) the respondents' induction group assignment, (b) his/her expectations, and (c) subsequent test judgments.
The fragile web of responsibility: AIDS and the duty to treat.

Do physicians by virtue of their role as health care professionals have a duty to care for HIV infected patient? Must they subject themselves to the very small but nevertheless terrifying risk of becoming infected themselves in order to live up to the ethical demands for their calling? For most physicians toiling in the front lines against AIDS this is a new and totally unanticipated moral question that has yet receive a clear and satisfying answer. Perhaps the most important feature of AIDS for bioethics is that it forces the recognition that society and its physicians have a decidedly fractured understanding of their proper role and duties in the face of risk. The AIDS crisis has in fact awakened medicine from its 30-year slumber during the pax antibiotica. In doing so it has confronted our society with a decision of great magnitude concerning medicines own ends good and role. On 1 side of the debate are those who would have the professional reaffirm its traditional ideal of self-sacrifice for the benefit of patients; on the other are those who would advocate a more self-centered role for physicians a role perhaps more in keeping with the recent drift of the profession away from ideals of service and towards more entrepreneurial scientific or bureaucratic models of practice. Some physicians may seek radically to alter medicines self-conception to abandon its traditional conception of the good and attendant virtues in favor of some other norm. Physicians as a professional group may well attempt to follow this path for the remainder of the AIDS epidemic. If they do however it should be painfully obvious both to them and to the rest of society that they will have thereby abandoned a noble calling.
Capsule commentary on Herzig et al.: risk factors for nosocomial gastrointestinal bleeding and use of acid-suppressive medication in non-critically ill patients.

It is well established that certain subsets of patients in the intensive care unit should receive prophylactic acid-suppressive medication to decrease risk for nosocomial gastrointestinal bleeding.1 However, there is a paucity of literature regarding prophylaxis for nosocomial gastrointestinal bleeding in non-critically ill patients. While recent studies have shown a low incidence of nosocomial bleeding, clinically significant gastrointestinal bleeds remain an important cause of hospital morbidity and mortality,2,3 although acid-suppressive medications are not without their own attendant risks. Herzig4 and colleagues retrospectively reviewed 75,723 non-critically ill admissions to a single Boston medical center, collected information on prospectively defined risk factors for nosocomial gastrointestinal bleeding, and developed a scoring system to predict bleeding risk. They experienced 203 (0.22 %) nosocomial bleeds. Risk factors included age > 60, male sex, liver disease, acute renal failure, sepsis, being on a medicine service, prophylactic anticoagulants, and coagulopathy. Each risk factor was given 2 points, and the authors recommended prophylaxis for patients with more than 10 points to prevent nosocomial bleeding (NNT: 95). While this is a clinically important study, it is only a starting point. First, most patients in the cohort were on acid-suppressive medications, making the numbers in some groups rather small. Second, it was a single medical center, and the results may not be generalizable to other settings. In general, prediction rules tend to perform better in the original population than in subsequent ones. Third, even in the high-risk group, nosocomial bleeding rates were quite low at only 3.3 %. Fourth, this is an observational study, and it is impossible to know how many of these bleeds could have been prevented with acid-suppressive medication. For clinicians considering acid-suppressive medication in non-critically ill patients, this scoring model uses readily available information and provides guidance in targeting patients who are at highest risk and will benefit most from acid-suppressive medication. It is a good start and could be used to reduce the current high rates of acid-suppressive medication use. Further studies, including validation of the scoring model and randomized trials of acid suppressive medications based on patient risk factors, need to be performed.
Transport of diatom frustules by copepod fecal pellets to the sediments of Lake Michigan1

Zooplankton fecal pellets cxpellcd near the surface of lakes provide a mechanism for removal of diatoms to deeper water. Scanning electron micrographs show that copepod fecal pellets, collected from Lake Michigan, contained fractured specimens of 21 species of diatoms. Few intact diatoms were observed and many frustules were reduced to small fragments during ingestion by the copepods. The peritrophic membrane surrounding the pellets is composed of polysaccharides, one of which is chitin. This membrane is broken down by bacterial decomposition in 6-14 days as the pellets settle at an average velocity of 4.7 m d”. As a result, pellets released near the surface in water more than 70 m deep do not transport diatom fragments directly to the sediment. In a large proportion of Lake Michigan the transport of diatoms to the sediments via pellets originating near the surface is unlikely, since about 60% of the lake is >70 m deep. Recent studies have indicated the potential importance of planktonic crustacean fecal pellets as a downward transport mechanism in marine waters (Osterberg et al. 1963; Lowman et al. 1971; Cherry et al. 1975; Schrader 1971). A similar mechanism has not been described in freshwater systems. The purpose of our study was to determine the fate of zooplankton fecal pellets and their role in the sedimentation and dissolution of diatom frustules in Lake Michigan. Forster (1953) showed that the peritrophic membrane of feces in many crustaceans is composed of chitin. Gould (1957) suggested that the membrane of Calanoid copepods may also be chitinous; using a method developed by Campbell ( 1929)) he found no evidence of chitin but thought this probably due to the small amount of material used in the test. The length of time for which a pellet remains intact depends on the rate at which the peritrophic membrane is decomposed. We therefore investigated the chemical nature, mode, and rate of membrane degradation of zooplankton fecal pellets. We acknowledge the assistance of P. 1 Work performed uader the auspices of the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration. Harris for analysis of the peritrophic membrane and G. Chubb for aid at the Biology Electron Microscope Center.
Predicting 1-Year Change in Body Mass Index Among College Students

Objective: Despite beliefs about weight gain in college, few researchers have evaluated this phenomenon. Participants: Participants were 18- to 31-year-old students at a midwestern university. The dependent variable was body mass index (BMI) change. Methods: The authors extracted predictor variables from a Health Risk Appraisal. These included clinical, medical history, medical usage, medications, pain or chronic conditions, perceptual measures, and behavioral factors. The authors performed an ordinal regression technique separately by gender. Results: No predictors were significant for men. Women in the BMI gain group were (1) more likely to consume alcohol, use maladaptive coping behaviors, eat foods low in fiber, and consume caffeine; and (2) less likely to be stress-free, to eat cruciferous vegetables, and to refrain from eating high-cholesterol foods. Conclusions: The lack of research on predictors of and interventions for reducing BMI gain among college students warrants more research.
Calcium nutrition and quality in fruit crops

(1975). Calcium nutrition and quality in fruit crops. Communications in Soil Science and Plant Analysis: Vol. 6, No. 3, pp. 233-244.
Kinetics and thermodynamics of ligand binding by cytochrome P450 3A4

Cytochrome P450 (P450) 3A4, the major catalyst involved in human drug oxidation, displays substrate- and reaction-dependent homotropic and heterotropic cooperative behavior. Although several models have been proposed, these mainly rely on steady-state kinetics and do not provide information on the contribution of the individual steps of P450 catalytic cycle to the observed cooperativity. In this work, we focused on the kinetics of substrate binding, and the fluorescent properties of bromocriptine and α-naphthoflavone allowed analysis of an initial ligand-P450 3A4 interaction that does not cause a perturbation of the heme spectrum. The binding stoichiometry for bromocriptine was determined to be unity using isothermal titration calorimetry and equilibrium dialysis methods, suggesting that the ligand bound to the peripheral site during the initial encounter dissociates subsequently. A three-step substrate binding model is proposed, based on absorbance and fluorescence stopped-flow kinetic data and equilibrium binding data obtained with bromocriptine, and evaluated using kinetic modeling. The results are consistent with the substrate molecule binding at a site peripheral to the active site and subsequently moving toward the active site to bind to the heme and resulting in a low to high spin iron shift. The last step is attributed to a conformational change in the enzyme active site. The later steps of binding were shown to have rate constants comparable with the subsequent steps of the catalytic cycle. The P450 3A4 binding process is more complex than a two-state system, and the overlap of rates of some of the events with subsequent steps is proposed to underlie the observed cooperativity.
Knowledge acquisition and knowledge representation with class: the object-oriented paradigm

Abstract Knowledge acquisition and knowledge representation are the fundamental building blocks of knowledge-based systems (KBSs). How to efficiently elicit knowledge from experts and transform this elicited knowledge into a machine usable format is a significant and time consuming problem for KBS developers. Object-orientation provides several solutions to persistent knowledge acquisition and knowledge representation problems including transportability, knowledge reuse, and knowledge growth. An automated graphical knowledge acquisition tool is presented, based upon object-oriented principles. The object-oriented graphical interface provides a modeling platform that is easily understood by experts and knowledge engineers. The object-oriented base for the automated KA tool provides a representation independent methodology that can easily be mapped into any other object-oriented expert system or other object-oriented intelligent tools.
Knowing How To Quit: On the Finitudes of Everyday Life

This paper elaborates upon the emergent social psychology of social endings and explicates how culminating behaviors associated with role conclusions in general and with retirement in particular can contribute to both social and personal order. Now that role careers are typically concluded by design rather than by death, invidious comparisons are being drawn and ending strategies rank-ordered in terms of their desirability. It is hypothesized that some retirements are recognized as being better than others and that our social system is coming to recognize and celebrate those who excel in their role performances until the very end. As illustration, we consider American professional team sports as the cultural totem dramatizing modern work relations and examine how the quality of athlete's career conclusions affect how they are remembered.
Factors influencing the outcomes of penile prosthesis surgery at a teaching institution

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the long-term outcomes of penile prosthesis surgery at a teaching institution. Methods Patients who had penile prosthesis surgery from 1988 to 1999 at a private teaching hospital and the Dallas Veterans Affairs Medical Center were identified and charts abstracted for age at first prosthesis, ethnicity, etiology of impotence, comorbid medical disease, previous treatments, surgeon, type of prosthesis, perioperative complications, social history, and outcome. Patient outcomes were determined either from recent clinical documentation within the prior year or by telephone survey of patients. Frequent implanters were defined as those surgeons who performed more than 10 procedures during the study period. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to evaluate survival for patients and prostheses; statistical significance was assessed by the log-rank test. Results A total of 152 patients were identified, 81 patients at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center and 71 patients at the private hospital. A total of 180 procedures were performed by 15 attending surgeons, 4 of whom performed most (n = 132) of these procedures. No statistically significant difference was noted in patient age between the two hospitals. No statistically significant differences were found in survival of the penile prostheses on the basis of a history of smoking, diabetes, hypertension, or coronary artery disease. First prostheses had statistically significant better survival compared with secondary prostheses (5-year rate 71% versus 42%; 10-year rate 60% versus 35%, P = 0.0002). The overall infection rate at final follow-up was 9.9% and 18.8% for primary and secondary prostheses, respectively ( P = 0.03). The 5-year survival outcomes with first prostheses for frequent implanters were superior to those of infrequent implanters (70% versus 63%, P = 0.034). Malleable prostheses had fewer complications than three-piece inflatable prostheses (10-year survival rate 87% versus 50%, P = 0.0081). Conclusions Superior penile prosthesis outcomes were achieved with first penile prostheses when implanted by higher volume implanters. Meticulous technique and experience are important in all penile prosthesis surgery; however, outcome analysis emphasizes that the differences in outcomes are most apparent with first prostheses, which represent the best opportunity for the patient to achieve good results.
Acceleration statistics of neutrally buoyant spherical particles in intense turbulence.

We measure acceleration statistics of neutrally buoyant spherical particles with a diameter $0.4ld/\ensuremath{\eta}l27$ in intense turbulence ($400l{R}_{\ensuremath{\lambda}}l815$). High speed cameras image polystyrene tracer particles in a flow between counterrotating disks. The measurements of acceleration variance $⟨{a}^{2}⟩$ clearly resolve the transition from the tracer like behavior of small particles to the much smaller accelerations of large particles. Two models of this transition from small to large particle behavior are critically examined. For $dg5\ensuremath{\eta}$, $⟨{a}^{2}⟩$ decreases with the diameter as ${d}^{\ensuremath{-}2/3}$, in agreement with inertial range scaling arguments. Consistent with earlier work, we find that the scaled acceleration probability density function shows very little dependence on particle size.
Craniofacial dysmorphogenesis in fetally irradiated nonhuman primates: implications for the neurodevelopmental hypothesis of schizophrenia

Abstract Background Craniofacial abnormalities arising from gestational disturbances have been documented in some schizophrenic patients. Reduction of thalamic neurons, a key feature of the neuropathology of schizophrenia, could also have a prenatal origin via disruption of thalamic neurogenesis. This study investigates whether craniofacial dysmorphology and thalamic neuron loss might be associated manifestations of a disruption in embryonic development. Methods Thalamic neurons were deleted by exposing fetal macaques to x-rays during thalamic genesis (E33–42). Another group of macaques was irradiated after thalamic genesis (E70–81). Body, head, and facial measurements were obtained from the early irradiated (EX), late irradiated (LX), and control animals at adulthood. Results Head width, distance between outer eye edges, and ear width were smaller in EX macaques compared with control animals. The LX macaques exhibited only reduced ear width compared with control animals. Conclusions These findings indicate that certain features of thalamic neuropathology and craniofacial dysmorphogenesis observed in schizophrenic patients may have a common etiology.
Radiofrequency Catheter Ablation Versus Modification of the AV Node for Control of Rapid Ventricular Response in Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia, which is frequently difficult to control. Symptoms and ventricular dysfunction may be caused by a rapid ventricular response to atrial fibrillation. Radiofrequency catheter ablation techniques for ventricular rate control have been developed, including AV node modification and AV node ablation with pacemaker implantation. For both AV node modification and ablation, radiofrequency energy is applied via a 4-mm tipped electrode catheter. For AV node ablation radiofrequency energy is applied near the compact AV node or His bundle via the right atrium, or occasionally at the His bundle via the left ventricle. For AV node modification radiofrequency energy is applied in the low middle or posterior septal right atrium near the tricuspid valve annulus. Both techniques can effectively control ventricular response to atrial fibrillation and the associated symptoms, although AV node modification is effective in only about 70% of patients compared to AV node ablation, which is effective in nearly 100%. In patients responding to AV node modification, maximal and mean ventricular response to atrial fibrillation is reduced by 25% to 35% chronically. Inadvertent AV block may occur during attempted AV node modification. It seems appropriate to attempt AV node modification prior to AV node ablation in patients with refractory atrial fibrillation and rapid ventricular response, in order to avoid the need for permanent pacemaker implantation. Although unproven, studies suggest that the mechanism by which AV node modification achieves ventricular rate control may be slow-pathway ablation in the low posterior septal right atrium.
Explaining the Effects of Anticipated Regret Messages on Young Women's Intention to Consume Folic Acid: A Moderated-Mediation Model

This study tests a moderated-mediation model to explain the joint effects of consideration of future consequences and exposure to health messages containing an anticipated regret component on behavioral intention to consume folic acid. In an online survey-experiment conducted in March 2011, 245 women 18-35 years of age were randomized to 1 of 3 conditions (exposure to attitude-only message/exposure to attitude-plus-anticipated-regret message/no message exposure) in a between-participants design. Results showed a positive joint effect of consideration of future consequences and exposure to an attitude-plus-anticipated-regret message on anticipated regret (B = 0.89, SE = 0.41, p < .05). Among women high in consideration of future consequences, exposure to an attitude-plus-anticipated-regret message increased anticipated regret. Likewise, another positive joint effect of consideration of future consequences and anticipated regret on behavioral intention was observed (B = 0.28, SE = 0.12, p < .05). Anticipated regret was positively related to intention among women high in consideration of future consequences. Implications are discussed.
Collecting and using personal data: consumers’ awareness and concerns

Consumers are becoming increasingly concerned about the privacy of their personal information and information about their purchase behaviors. The current study examines the extent to which consumers are concerned with how their personal information is collected and used, their awareness and knowledge of data collection practices using discount (loyalty) cards, the relationship between demographics and privacy concerns, and the relationship between privacy concerns and purchase behaviors. Results from a telephone survey of 480 consumers suggest that even though consumers are concerned about how personal information is collected and used, very few consumers are aware of how discount (loyalty) cards are used to collect personal level purchase data. Results also suggest that concerns about the use of personal information vary by demographic market segments, and that privacy concerns are significantly related to consumers’ purchasing behaviors on the Internet.
Rapid procedure for preparation of support-bonded Carbowax 20M gas chromatographic column packing

Abstract A rapid and simplified procedure is described for the preparation of support-bonded Carbowax 20M gas chromatographic column packings. The heat treatment process is carried out in a 100-ml volumetric pipet in a conventional gas chromatograph. Using the described procedure, column packing can be prepared in as little as three days. Representative chromatograms of intact carbamate pesticides and underivatized polar pesticide metabolites are illustrated.
Optimal Stochastic Approximation Algorithms for Strongly Convex Stochastic Composite Optimization I: A Generic Algorithmic Framework

In this paper we present a generic algorithmic framework, namely, the accelerated stochastic approximation (AC-SA) algorithm, for solving strongly convex stochastic composite optimization (SCO) problems. While the classical stochastic approximation algorithms are asymptotically optimal for solving differentiable and strongly convex problems, the AC-SA algorithm, when employed with proper stepsize policies, can achieve optimal or nearly optimal rates of convergence for solving different classes of SCO problems during a given number of iterations. Moreover, we investigate these AC-SA algorithms in more detail, such as by establishing the large-deviation results associated with the convergence rates and introducing an efficient validation procedure to check the accuracy of the generated solutions.
Solution Thermochemical Study of a Fluorous Tertiary Phosphine Ligand in Rhodium and Ruthenium Systems

The enthalpies of reaction of a fluorous tertiary phosphine, P(CH2CH2(CF2)5CF3)3 (PRf3 ) with [Rh(CO)2Cl]2 (1) and Cp‘Ru(COD)Cl (Cp‘ = η5-C5H5 (2), η5-C5Me5 (3)), leading to the formation of RhCl(CO)(PRf3)2 and Cp‘Ru(PRf3)2Cl complexes have been measured by anaerobic solution calorimetry in THF at 30.0 °C. These reactions are rapid and quantitative. The measured reaction enthalpies allow for a quantitative determination of characteristic phosphine steric and electronic parameters associated with this novel tertiary phosphine ligand. Sterically, the P(CH2CH2(CF2)5CF3)3 ligand appears identical to PEt3.
Education at the seams: preparing students to stitch systems together; curriculum and issues for 4-year IT programs

As we have implemented our Information Technology program, several issues have arisen as to sequencing of core concepts. There is general consensus that 5 key areas of IT in 2002 are: Programming, Networking, Web Systems, Databases, and Human Computer Interfacing. Initially we thought of IT as a "breadth" rather than "depth" coverage of topics from Computer Engineering and Computer Science with some ideas from other disciplines. However, we have come to understand that IT students require depth, but not depth on how to implement technology components. IT students require deep knowledge of the interfaces between technologies. This has significant implications for IT curriculum. Students require a working knowledge of the technologies that are to be integrated, plus deep understanding of the interactions between the technologies involved. This deep understanding of the intricacies of integration should be a major focus of IT as a discipline. Initially, IT students need a broad introduction to computer and communication technologies followed by in-depth treatment of their interactions. This paper reflects our current thinking on how one presents the core concepts in such a way as to prepare students to stitch systems together with manageable and deployable seams.
Mutual diffusion in a liquid mixture of argon and krypton

Molecular dynamics simulations are performed for an equimolar mixture of argon and krypton. The concentration-fluctuation autocorrelation functions Fm, the collective and individual velocity autocorrelation functions Zm and Zs, and the mean-square displacements are measured. The mutual diffusion coefficient determined from Fm is less than measured previously, but this is due to the approximation Q = 1 in the previous measurements for the thermodynamic factor Q which we find less than unity. We also note that Zs exhibits an interesting temperature-dependent late-time behavior which arises from the back scattering effect.
Surgical site infection after pediatric spinal deformity surgery.

The incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) after spinal deformity surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis ranges from 0.5–6.7%. The risk of infection following spinal fusion in patients with neuromuscular scoliosis is greater, with reported rates of 6.1–15.2% for cerebral palsy and 8–41.7% for myelodysplasia. SSIs result in increased patient morbidity, multiple operations, prolonged hospital stays, and significant financial costs. Recent literature has focused on elucidating the most common organisms involved in SSIs, as well as identifying modifiable risk factors and prevention strategies that may decrease the rates of infection. These include malnutrition, positive urine cultures, antibiotic prophylaxis, surgical site antisepsis, antibiotic-loaded allograft, local application of antibiotics, and irrigation solutions. Acute and delayed SSIs are managed differently. Removal of instrumentation is required for effective treatment of delayed SSIs. This review article examines the current literature on the prevention and management of SSIs after pediatric spinal deformity surgery.
Development and Field Test of an Employment Selection Instrument for Teachers in Urban School Districts

Employment interviews are widely used in the selection of quality teachers, and indeed research confirms administrators’ belief in the validity of the procedure. However, many key recommendations for improving the general reliability of interviews including selecting questions that are job-related and research grounded, including well designed scoring rubrics, and incorporating adaptive variable-length interview designs are generally not well implemented in currently available instruments. Furthermore, emerging research suggests the need for specially tailored interviews that assess attitudes and pre-dispositions deemed essential to teachers’ effectiveness in certain high attrition environments like urban schools. This study describes the development and initial field-test results of a computer based, adaptive interview with an additional domain included for teachers in urban areas. The instrument is based on careful analysis of the suggestions from the extant literature base about effective employment interview techniques, effective general teaching practices, and sound teaching strategies in urban schools. By comparing the interview scores of 30 teachers with varying effectiveness ratings provided by administrators in one urban district, significant correlations were found. Regression analysis indicated a significant amount of variance in teachers’ effectiveness ratings could be predicted from their scores on the interview instrument.
Probabilistic Event Extraction from RFID Data

We present PEEX, a system that enables applications to define and extract meaningful probabilistic high-level events from RFID data. PEEX effectively copes with errors in the data and the inherent ambiguity of event extraction.
A stereorational total synthesis of (−)-ptilocaulin

Abstract A stereorational total synthesis of the structurally (−)-enantiomer of the unique guanidine containing natural product ptilocaulin is described. This efficient synthesis (14 steps, 7.4% overall yield) utilizes an intramolecular 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition as a key step and establishes that the natural product is the most stable of a number of possible isomers. This work also establishes the absolute stereochemistry of ptilocaulin to be that shown in formula 3.
SD-AREE-I Cipher: Amalgamation of Bit Manipulation, Modified VERNAM CIPHER & Modified Caesar Cipher (SD-AREE)

This paper presents a new combined symmetric key cryptographic technique, which is generally an amalgamation of Bit Manipulation, generalized Modified Vernam Cipher, Single Bit Manipulation and Modified Caesar Cipher. The technique proposed here is basically an advanced and upgraded module of SD-AREE cryptographic method, which is based on Modified Caesar Cipher along with Bit Manipulation and the SD-AREE module is very useful in excluding any repetition pattern from a message that is to be encrypted. The proposed method, SD-AREE-I Cipher, is a complete cipher method and unlike its predecessor, SD-AREE, does not need to be added to other cryptographic methods to make those methods stronger. SD-AREE-I method is used to encrypt/decrypt different file formats and the results were very satisfactory. This method is unique and strong because the method contains feedback mechanism and generates new encrypted output every time even with slightest change in the input file (message). The proposed method can also be used for network security.
Recursive computational procedure for two-dimensional stock cutting

A recursive algorithm is implemented to give high computational speeds in the solution of a cutting-stock problem. Optimal edge-to-edge cutting is shown to be achieved more easily by recursive programming than by conventional methods. The technique features preliminary discretization, which lowers the memory requirements in the computational procedure. A comparison is made between this recursive algorithm and two iterative algorithms previously given by Gilmore-Gomory. The limitations of the algorithms are discussed and some numerical results given.
Modeling the human intestinal Mucin (MUC2) C-terminal cystine knot dimer

Intestinal mucus, a viscous secretion that lines the mucosa, is believed to be a barrier to absorption of many therapeutic compounds and carriers, and is known to play an important physiological role in controlling pathogen invasion. Nevertheless, there is as yet no clear understanding of the barrier properties of mucus, such as the nature of the molecular interactions between drug molecules and mucus components as well as those that govern gel formation. Secretory mucins, large and complex glycoprotein molecules, are the principal determinants of the viscoelastic properties of intestinal mucus. Despite the important role that mucins play in controlling transport and in diseases such as cystic fibrosis, their structures remain poorly characterized. The major intestinal secretory mucin gene, MUC2, has been identified and fully sequenced. The present study was undertaken to determine a detailed structure of the cysteine-rich region within the C-terminal end of human intestinal mucin (MUC2) via homology modeling, and explore possible configurations of a dimer of this cysteine-rich region, which may play an important role in governing mucus gel formation. Based on sequence-structure alignments and three-dimensional modeling, a cystine knot tertiary structure homologous to that of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) is predicted at the C-terminus of MUC2. Dimers of this C-terminal cystine knot (CTCK) were modeled using sequence alignment based on HCG and TGF-beta, followed by molecular dynamics and simulated annealing. Results support the formation of a cystine knot dimer with a structure analogous to that of HCG.
Sintering of porous strontium doped lanthanum manganite-yttria stabilized zirconia composite in controlled oxygen atmosphere at 1400 °C

Abstract Role of oxygen partial pressure (PO 2 ) on the chemical and structural stability of porous strontium doped (20 mol%) lanthanum manganite (LSM)-8 mol% yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) composite has been studied. LSM and YSZ powders and pore former were mixed uniformly and uniaxially pressed into pellets. The pellets were sintered at 1400 °C for 2–10 h in 0.21–10 −6 atm PO 2 . Structural, chemical, and microstructural changes were examined using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. Density of the LSM–YSZ composites increased from 65% to 85% during sintering with decrease in the oxygen partial pressure. The crystal structures of LSM and YSZ maintained rhombohedral and cubic structure, respectively, under all sintering conditions. Formation of lanthanum zirconate (La 2 Zr 2 O 7 ) phase was observed in air after 10 h sintering and in 10 −3 and 10 −6 atm PO 2 after 2 h sintering. MnO x was found in 10 −6 atm PO 2 sintered composites. Lower PO 2 exposure also enhanced the grain growth. Thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) of the LSM–YSZ composites, determined by dilatometry, decreased from 11.5 × 10 −6 °C −1 for the air sintered samples to 10.3 × 10 −6 ° C −1 for the samples sintered in 10 −6 atm PO 2 due to the formation of La 2 Zr 2 O 7 phase.
Worldwide Trends in the Criminal Regulation of Sex, 1945 to 2005

Between 1945 and 2005, nation-states around the world revised their criminal laws on sexual activities. This global reform wave—across countries and domains of sexual activity—followed from the reconstitution of world models of society around individuals rather than corporate bodies. During the post-World War II period, this process rearranged the global cultural and organizational underpinnings of sex, eroding world-level support for criminal laws aimed at protecting collective entities—especially the family and the nation—and strengthening world support for laws aimed at protecting individualized persons. To make our case, we use unique cross-national and longitudinal data on the criminal regulation of rape, adultery, sodomy, and child sexual abuse. The data reveal striking counter-directional trends in sex-law reforms, which simultaneously elaborated regulations protecting individuals and dissolved laws protecting collective entities. World-level negative-binomial regression analyses and country-level ...
Connecting local history, ancient history, and mathematics: the Eustis Elementary School pilot project

In Clark and Robson (2008), we described the re-discovery, translation, and edition of a collection of 25 cuneiform tablets that reside in the Robert Manning Strozier Library at Florida State University (FSU). In addition, we discussed the construction of a classroom instructional unit, intended for use with Grade 4 and 5 students (aged 9 to 11) in Eustis, Florida—the retirement home of Edgar J Banks, who sold the tablet collection to FSU in 1922. Here I describe piloting the instructional unit with students, their teachers, and district supervisors in Fall 2008. The unit was created from the historical text found on FSU 22 and FSU 23 and the grade level mathematics standards from Florida's Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) for mathematics (2007).
491: The use of ECMO/intra-aortic balloon pump to support hemodynamics in patients with cardiogenic shock due to severe rejection

days from one another. We determined the ability of nuclear stress testing to accurately predict hemodynamically significant coronary lesions, defined as 70% angiographic stenosis. Results: The adenosine nuclear stress test was able to detect significant CAV in only 6 of 19 patients with significant coronary lesions. The test thus had a sensitivity of only 31.5%, but a specificity of 50%, a positive predictive value of 75%, and a negative predictive value of 13%. The adenosine nuclear study was also not effective in identifying patients with small vessel disease. Conclusions: Even with pharmacologic stress, nuclear perfusion imaging is a poor substitute for coronary angiography for the detection of CAV. The limitation in heart transplant patients is more likely due to the diffuse nature of the disease. Diffuse three vessel disease may produce balanced ischemia and consequently a false negative study. Astellas, Novartis, Roche, XDx.
On the compensation of the ocular and equilibrium disturbances which follow unilateral removal of the otic labyrinth

ConclusionsThe disappearance of the ocular and the equilibrium disturbances following unilateral removal of the labyrinth is attributed to the activity of a compensatory mechanism.As the labyrinthine symptoms recur after complete decerebration, the nervous paths concerned in the process of compensation may be roughly localized in the cerebrum above the level of the corpora quadrigemina.
Unsaturated fatty acid effect on cyclic amp levels in human embryo lung fibroblasts

Abstract The addition of arachidonic acid at 250 μM to cultures of human embryo lung fibroblasts (IMR-90) increases cellular cyclic AMP levels within 5 minutes to approximately 15-fold over basal. Other unsaturated fatty acids, 11, 14, 17-eicosatrienoic, linoleic, 8, 11, 14-eicosatrienoic and oleic also cause similar rapid elevation of cellular cyclic AMP. During this time interval, no detectable conversion of the added linoleic or arachidonic acids to prostaglandin is observed. These cells produce prostaglandins at measurable concentrations in response to treatment with ascorbic acid or bradykinin. Saturated fatty acids have no influence on cyclic AMP levels in these cells. This effect of unsaturated fatty acids on cellular cyclic AMP levels varies with the cell type. For example, smooth muscle and endothelial cells obtained from the calf pulmonary artery show very little or no increase in cellular cyclic AMP upon exposure to arachidonic acid.
Multiple cellular processes regulate expression of slow myosin heavy chain isoforms during avian myogenesis in vitro.

Abstract We analyzed the expression of two slow myosin heavy chain isoforms (slow MHC1 and slow MHC2) in myotubes formed from embryonic and fetal chicken myoblasts in vitro and found that the myotubes formed from myoblasts of these two developmental periods had different patterns of expression of slow MHCs. In cultures of myogenic cells from the Embryonic Day 5 (E5) hindlimb, immunoblot analysis showed that two slow MHCs with the immunological and electrophoretic properties like those of slow MHC1 and slow MHC2 were expressed on Day 3 of culture and that both slow MHCs continued to be expressed through 10 days of culture. In cultures of myogenic cells from the fetal (E12) thigh, in contrast, slow MHC1 was not expressed on Day 3 of culture, but was expressed after Day 7; slow MHC2 was never expressed by myotubes formed from fetal myoblasts. Immunocytochemistry was used to further analyze slow MHC1 and slow MHC2 expression in individual myotubes formed from embryonic and fetal myoblasts in both clonal cultures and high density, cytosine arabinoside-treated cultures. These analyses showed that (i) E5 embryonic myoblasts were of two principal types, those that formed myotubes that expressed isoforms like slow MHC1 and MHC2 throughout the life of the myotube, and those that formed myotubes that did not express slow MHCs at any time; and (ii) E12 fetal myoblasts formed myotubes that at first expressed only fast MHC but expressed both fast MHC and slow MHC1—but not slow MHC2—as culture duration was lengthened. Thus, the expression patterns of slow MHC1 and slow MHC2-like isoforms appeared to be regulated by different cellular processes in myotubes formed from embryonic and fetal myoblasts.