cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improvement of Blood Compatibility of Membranes by Discharge Polymerization

The use of polymers in membrane moderated biomedical devices in which the polymer surface is in contact with blood requires the extra membrane property of blood compatibility. Some molecular factors that improve the mechanical and/or transport properties of polymer membranes do not necessarily influence the blood compatibility in a favorable manner. Therefore, the most logical and feasible approach to the problem the modification of the properties of the surface by some means that does not affect the bulk properties of the membrane, both mechanical and transport, that are required for a specific application.
Mammalian Genetics (Mouse Genetics)

The house mouse is an ideal mammalian genetic model organism that combines high fertility, easy manipulation, near complete genomic information and the existence of mutations in almost all protein-coding genes to assess the complex interplay of the roughly 20 000 genes thus far identified in the mammalian genome. The fast generation cycle of mice combined with an ever-increasing repertoire of techniques to manipulate genes provides a realistic perspective to reveal the developmental genetic networks required for cell and organ development as a paradigm for human development and disease.
‘Ghastly marionettes’ and the political metaphysics of cognitive liberalism: Anti-behaviourism, language, and the origins of totalitarianism:

While behaviourist psychology had proven its worth to the US military during the Second World War, the 1950s saw behaviourism increasingly associated with a Cold War discourse of ‘totalitarianism’....
Thermal management associated with geologic disposal of large spent nuclear fuel canisters in tunnels with thermally engineered backfill

Abstract Coupled thermal-hydro-mechanical (THM) numerical modeling is conducted to study thermal management associated with geologic disposal of spent nuclear fuel (SNF) in large dual-purpose canisters (DPCs). DPCs, are containers designed for SNF storage and transportation and if determined to be feasible for permanent geological disposal could provide a cost effective disposal solution. However, one of the challenges to direct disposal of DPCs is thermal management to avoid overheating of the Engineered Barrier System (EBS), including bentonite-backfill used as a protective buffer. The model simulations show that the use of a backfill that is thermally engineered for high heat conduction can reduce the EBS temperature to acceptable levels for disposal of large waste canisters in backfilled tunnels. On the other hand, the use of high heat conduction backfill will not reduce the far field rock peak temperature that can occur several thousand years after closure of the repository. This longer term host rock peak temperature generates thermal-poro-elastic stress and geomechanical changes that must be considered in the thermal management and design of a repository.
Impella RP as a bridge to cardiac transplant for refractory late right ventricular failure in setting of left ventricular assist device

Right ventricular (RV) failure remains a major complication after surgical implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD). While the use of a percutaneous RV assist device has been described as a short-term bridge to recovery in end-stage heart failure patients with early post-operative RV failure after index LVAD implant, management of refractory late RV failure remains challenging in these patients. We report the first successful case of extended Impella RP use as a safe and effective bridge to orthotopic heart transplant in an LVAD patient with refractory, haemodynamically significant late RV failure. The Impella RP provided support for 37 days. Haemodynamically intolerant arrhythmia precluded use of inotropic support. No adverse complications related to percutaneous Impella RP support were seen. We also review potential considerations for mechanical circulatory support strategies in this setting: central RV assist device cannulation requires sternotomy incision that can impact subsequent cardiac surgeries, while percutaneous Protek Duo insertion requires adequate vessel size and patency. With an LVAD in situ, veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation was not considered for isolated RV support in this case. The patient is currently over 6 months post-orthotopic heart transplant.
Evaluation and Management of Esophageal and Gastric Varices in Patients with Cirrhosis

Variceal bleeding is a complication of cirrhosis that defines decompensation. Important advances in the management of gastroesophageal varices have led to a significant decrease in the morbidity and mortality. Achieving these results in clinical practice is contingent on clinicians applying the best practice strategies and appropriate referral to a tertiary center. Several quality metrics were developed by the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. This article aims to update outpatient and inpatient strategies to include the latest recommendations on variceal screening and surveillance, primary and secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding, and therapy for patients with acute variceal bleeding.
Containment of a COVID-19 Outbreak in an Inpatient Geriatric Psychiatry Unit

OBJECTIVES: The first known COVID-19 outbreak in a long-term care facility in the United States was identified on February 28, 2020, in King County, Washington. That facility became the initial U.S...
Autoregulation of yeast ribosomal proteins discovered by efficient search for feedback regulation

Post-transcriptional autoregulation of gene expression is common in bacteria but many fewer examples are known in eukaryotes. We used the yeast collection of genes fused to GFP as a rapid screen for examples of feedback regulation in ribosomal proteins by overexpressing a non-regulatable version of a gene and observing the effects on the expression of the GFP-fused version. We tested 95 ribosomal protein genes and found a wide continuum of effects, with 30% showing at least a 3-fold reduction in expression. Two genes, RPS22B and RPL1B, showed over a 10-fold repression. In both cases the cis-regulatory segment resides in the 5’ UTR of the gene as shown by placing that segment of the mRNA upstream of GFP alone and demonstrating it is sufficient to cause repression of GFP when the protein is over-expressed. Further analyses showed that the intron in the 5’ UTR of RPS22B is required for regulation, presumably because the protein inhibits splicing that is necessary for translation. The 5’ UTR of RPL1B contains a sequence and structure motif that is conserved in the binding sites of Rpl1 orthologs from bacteria to mammals, and mutations within the motif eliminate repression. Here, the authors screen for feedback regulation of ribosomal proteins by overexpressing a non- regulatable version of a gene and observing its effects on the expression of the GFP-fused version. They find that 30% show at least a 3-fold reduction in expression and two genes show a 10-fold reduction with the regulatory site being in the 5’ untranslated region of the gene.
Clinical and molecular characterization of patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: Experience from an HHT Center of Excellence.

In this retrospective single-center study, we evaluated whether/how pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants of three hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT)-associated genes (ENG, ACVRL1, and SMAD4) are associated with specific clinical presentations of HHT. We also characterized the morphological features of pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) in patients with these variants. Pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants were detected in 64 patients. Using nonparametric statistical tests, we compared the type and prevalence of specific HHT diagnostic features associated with these three variants. Pathogenic variants in these genes resulted in gene-specific HHT clinical presentations. Epistaxis was present in 93%, 94%, and 100% of patients with ENG, ACVRL1, and SMAD4 variants, respectively (p = 0.79). Pulmonary AVMs were more common in patients with the ENG variant (p = 0.034) compared with other subgroups. ACVRL1 variant was associated with the lowest frequency of pulmonary AVMs (p = 0.034) but the highest frequency of hepatic AVMs (p = 0.015). Patients with the ACVRL1 variant did not have significantly more pancreatic AVMs compared with the other groups (p = 0.72). ENG, ACVRL1, and SMAD4 pathogenic or likely pathogenic variants are associated with gene-specific HHT presentations, which is consistent with results from other HHT centers.
Tectonostratigraphic evolution of the Orphan Basin and Flemish Pass region – Part 1: Results from coupled kinematic restoration and crustal area balancing

Abstract The Orphan Basin and Flemish Pass region on the Newfoundland continental margin is a frontier area in terms of oil and gas exploration and remains poorly understood in terms of structural evolution and rift development. The area has few exploration wells and, until recently, sparse seismic data coverage. Existing gravity inversion and seismic refraction data from the area suggest that stretched continental crust in the Orphan Basin is highly attenuated (locally to
Biological, psychological, social, and spiritual health of active duty women: An exploratory study

LAY SUMMARY This study explored the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual health of active duty women, including how each of these dimensions of health is related to one another. In partic...
An overview of uninterruptible power supplies

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) can range from a 9 volt battery all the way to an extremely large and costly battery system. The UPS sits between a power supply such as a wall outlet and a device like a computer to prevent undesired features that can occur within the power source such as outages, sags, surges, and bad harmonics from the supply to avoid a negative impact on the device. There are several types of UPSes as they strictly relate to computers. The standby UPS is a battery backup to fill in the void of power loss, while the ferroresonant stand by couples the battery back up with the power supply by a transformer, where the transformer acts as a buffer from the power supply to the stand by supply. The line interactive UPS uses an inverter converter only, with a power supply the stand by battery is charged up, and with a loss of the primary power supply, the inverter converter switches over to the battery back up with a much quicker switching time that the stand by UPS.
On the Selection of Dimension Reduction Techniques for Scientific Applications

Many dimension reduction methods have been proposed to discover the intrinsic, lower dimensional structure of a high-dimensional dataset. However, determining critical features in datasets that consist of a large number of features is still a challenge. In this article, through a series of carefully designed experiments on real-world datasets, we investigate the performance of different dimension reduction techniques, ranging from feature subset selection to methods that transform the features into a lower dimensional space. We also discuss methods that calculate the intrinsic dimensionality of a dataset in order to understand the reduced dimension. Using several evaluation strategies, we show how these different methods can provide useful insights into the data. These comparisons enable us to provide guidance to users on the selection of a technique for their dataset.
INTELLECTUAL VIRTUE AND THE JUSTIFICATION OF PERSONS

In this paper, I develop a model of personal justification that is rooted in the intellectual virtues and the concept of epistemic praise. In particular, I show how a character-based understanding of the virtues gives rise to an important emphasis on agents and how this provides the resources for dealing with several problems in epistemology.
The Overlooked Middle

In this Article, the author argues that significant elements concerning the discussion of labor law reform have been overlooked and that the steady decline of unions is not in fact an isolated occurrence. It is instead part of a much broader and deeply troubling trend, which has affected every mediating group in our society. However, our blinkered insistence on treating the deterioration of autonomous employee associations as a solitary phenomenon has precluded us from comprehending either the complexity of its causes or the full extent of its implications. The author posits, therefore, that there is a pronounced tendency to overlook the importance of the "middle," which is comprised of institutions such as families and religious congregations that mediate the relation between individual and public life. It is through these mediating bodies that we learn the habits necessary to sustain democratic political life. Thus, their well-being is deeply interdependent. The author suggests then that there is more at stake in labor law reform than we may think, and presents a brief outline of considerations for the shape labor law reform may take.
Intermedia Substitutability and Market Demand by National Advertisers

We assess substitutable and complementary relationships among eight national advertising media classes, as well as the magnitude of their own-price elasticities. We use a translog demand model, whose parameters we estimate by three-stage least squares, based on 1960-94 annual U.S. data.We find aggregate demand by national advertisers for each of the eight media is own-price inelastic, and that cross-price elasticities suggest slightly more substitute than complementary relationships, although both are rather weak. These patterns are consistent with long prevailing institutional arrangements and media selection practices.
Irs-2 coordinates Igf-1 receptor-mediated β-cell development and peripheral insulin signalling

Insulin receptor substrates (Irs proteins) mediate the pleiotropic effects of insulin and Igf-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), including regulation of glucose homeostasis and cell growth and survival. We intercrossed mice heterozygous for two null alleles (Irs1+/- and Irs2+/-) and investigated growth and glucose metabolism in mice with viable genotypes. Our experiments revealed that Irs-1 and Irs-2 are critical for embryonic and post-natal growth, with Irs-1 having the predominant role. By contrast, both Irs-1 and Irs-2 function in peripheral carbohydrate metabolism, but Irs-2 has the major role in beta-cell development and compensation for peripheral insulin resistance. To establish a role for the Igf-1 receptor in beta-cells, we intercrossed mice heterozygous for null alleles of Igf1r and Irs2. Our results reveal that Igf-1 receptors promote beta-cell development and survival through the Irs-2 signalling pathway. Thus, Irs-2 integrates the effects of insulin in peripheral target tissues with Igf-1 in pancreatic beta-cells to maintain glucose homeostasis.
The Use of Collaborative Writing to Enhance Cohesion in Poetry Therapy Groups

Collaborative writing is used as a therapeutic technique in poetry therapy groups. This article describes a study on the effect of collaborative writing on cohesion in poetry therapy groups with 33 graduate students. Participants were randomly assigned to poetry therapy control groups without collaborative writing or experimental groups with collaborative writing. After six sessions, posttest scores on the Group Environment Scale (Moos & Hanson, 1974) indicated a significant difference in cohesion for those groups using collaborative writing. Previous research on collaborative writing and suggestions for future studies are discussed.
Nuclear dynamics of Os-192 as probed in neutron scattering

This paper is part of an extensive survey of neutron scattering from nuclei in the Os-Pt transition region. We present neutron differential scattering cross sections from $^{192}\mathrm{Os}$ measured at 1.60, 2.52, and 3.94 MeV, as well as neutron total cross sections measured between 250 keV and 4.2 MeV. These data are analyzed via coupled-channels models to extract nuclear structure information; the cross sections are found to be quite sensitive to the relative signs and magnitudes of the reduced matrix elements that couple the scattering channels. We find that nuclear excitation amplitudes from our neutron scattering data are in good agreement with results from Coulomb excitation experiments, in contrast to earlier findings for $^{194}\mathrm{Pt}$. Neutron scattering cross sections to $^{192}\mathrm{Os}$ are best described by models that depict $^{192}\mathrm{Os}$ as a \ensuremath{\gamma}-soft vibrator; they cannot be described with \ensuremath{\gamma}-rigid models. The neutron energy dependence of the strength of the real scattering potential is consistent only with mean-scattering fields whose energy dependencies reflect the dispersion relations which connect the real and imaginary parts of the scattering potential.
A nonlinear fiber-optic receiver for ultrashort pulse code division multiple access communications

Optical code division multiple access (CDMA) communication systems are a viable choice for local area optical networks because of their unique attributes of optical processing, asynchronous transmission, high information security, and the capability for multiple access, which results in high overall data transmission rates.1
Engaging faculty in active/cooperative learning

The Foundation Coalition has been providing leadership in improving engineering teaching and learning in a variety of ways, but especially in active and cooperative learning (ACL). Over 1000 copies of a one-page overview of ACL have been distributed, and it seems to help faculty members get over the activation energy barrier and get started. A CD-ROM and web site (http://clte.asu.edu/active) have been created to help provide further guidance. The site offers advice from engineering faculty on preparing students for teamwork, planning lessons and activities, and managing and assessing cooperative work. It also contains content-specific lessons and activities. This paper describes a process of deepening the development of materials to help faculty engage students in active and cooperative learning. We describe the initial framing around the five essential elements of a well-structured cooperative learning activity, the negotiation process to come up with topics for further development, the back-and-forth between individual and joint work, and the use of eproject for joint work. We will present the five works-in-progress and engage the audience in reflection and discussion about our approach and ideas for reaching more faculty members.
Design of power efficient VLSI arithmetic: speed and power trade-offs

We talk about issues related to performance of arithmetic algorithms when implemented in silicon. Most of the algorithms in use today are based on old and antiquated methods of counting the number of logic gates in the critical path. This produces inaccurate and misleading results. In the course of VLSI processor design it is very important to choose the circuit topology that would yield desired performance for a given power budget. However, the performance and power of a chosen topology will be known only after the fact, i.e. after the design is finished. We motivate the concept of comparing VLSI structures based on their energy-delay trade-offs and we discuss techniques used for estimating the energy-delay space of various high-performance VLSI topologies.
A paradigm for restenosis after angioplasty: clues for the development of new preventive therapies

Restenosis after intravascular intervention is one of the most important unsolved clinical and economic problems in the management of cardiovascular disease. Although neither its pathogenesis nor its prevention are yet defined, the early and late histologic appearance of the angioplasty state are known. Immediately after angioplasty, the atheroma has fissures, and the normal segment of the vessel circumference is stretched. There is substantial evidence of intimal injury. When restenosis develops at 1-4 months the histologic appearance of the restenotic lesion is intimal hyperplasia. Given this endpoint, we may theorize that the proximate cause of this response is denuding and stretching vascular injury. Since the healing response to tissue injury has been studied extensively, we can hypothesize the major milestones in the temporal sequence of restenosis are platelet aggregation, inflammatory cell infiltration, release of growth factors, medial smooth muscle cell modulation and proliferation, proteoglycan synthesis and extracellular matrix remodeling. At each of these steps, there are potential inhibitors. The resolution of the problem of restenosis may require both removal of atheroma mass and appropriate timing and effective delivery of inhibitors of intimal hyperplasia to the injury site in adequate concentration. Biomedical Reviews 1992; 1: 13-24.
Uma Nova Metodologia para a Reabilitação Urbana: Uma Nova Oportunidade para o Centro Histórico e a Baixa do Porto

O presente artigo pretende dar conhecimento do que tem sido o processo de reabilitacao urbana na Baixa do Porto, porque o fazemos assim, como chegamos aqui, esperando que da sua leitura se retirem alguns ensinamentos, nao so com base nas novas pistas e metodologias ensaiadas, mas tambem dos erros de analise ou de execucao que se cometam. Esta nova metodologia inicia-se em 2002, quando se decide introduzir uma ruptura no modelo de reabilitacao urbana que vinha sendo seguido na cidade, com base no Cruarb. Entendeu-se, entao, que era necessario criar uma estrutura juridica, financeira e orgânica que fosse capaz de responder, em simultâneo, a varios desafios: escala na intervencao, celeridade nos procedimentos, investimento privado, gestao rigorosa e transparente. O artigo encontra-se dividido em duas partes. A primeira apresenta as principais linhas de analise decorrentes do Estudo Estrategico para o enquadramento de Intervencao de reabilitacao urbana da Baixa do Porto, encomendado pela Câmara Municipal ao Departamento de Planeamento Territorial da Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto. Para orientacao do leitor, refira-se que o estudo apresenta um conjunto diversificado de resultados ligados entre si, sendo alguns mais orientados para o âmbito espacial do processo de reabilitacao urbana, outros para a sua dimensao estrategica, outros ainda para questoes complementares de reflexao. A segunda parte decorre do âmbito de enquadramento da criacao das SRU (pelo Decreto-Lei 104/2004) e da conta do processo de constituicao da Porto Vivo SRU, dos seus objectivos e formas de actuacao.
Charge transfer kinetics at the solid–solid interface in porous electrodes

Electrochemical kinetics are usually described by the Butler–Volmer equation. Bai and Bazant propose a method to extract reaction rates for porous electrodes from experiments and show the necessity of using Marcus charge transfer theory in place of the conventional kinetics.
Effect of the intermittent atmosphere on laser scintillations.

The evolution of the scintillation index of a spherical wave propagating through randomly varying profiles of the strength and the smallest scale of turbulence is calculated. These parameters were taken to be jointly log normal along the range. The specific parameters of the probability-density function that were used were taken from stratospheric experiments conducted by the U.S. Air Force.
Surface And Gas Processes In Photodeposition In Small Zones

The kinetics of processes for laser-photochemically depositing localized thin films are discussed, both in the low-intensity regime, where photoreactions are rate limiting, and in the high-intensity regime, where mass transport is rate limiting. Comparisons are made between processes relying on gas-phase and surface-phase photochemistry. Examples are given of recent studies of photoreactions confined entirely to surface phases, and preliminary results of experiments performed in the mass-transport-limited regime are reported.
Molecular genetic analysis of mentally retarded males with features of the fragile-X syndrome.

The fragile-X [fra(X)] or Martin-Bell syndrome is the most common familial cause of mental retardation and is characterized by the presence of an Xq27.3 chromosome fragile site. Unstable DNA sequences representing large increases in the number of CGG trinucleotide DNA base repeats of the FMR-1 gene are located at the fragile site and responsible for the fra(X) syndrome. In order to identify whether cytogenetically normal yet mentally retarded males without 3 known cause of their retardation had expansion of the CGG repeat segment of the FMR-1 gene, molecular genetic studies using Southern hybridization were Performed with two DNA probes (fxa24l and Ox1.9) following digestion of genomic DNA from each patient with restriction enzymes PstI and EcoRI/EagI, respectively. DNA studies were performed on 20 (12.3%) out of 162 (122 white and 40 black people) cytogenetically normal mentally retarded males without a known cause of their retardation, but with high anthropometric discriminant values and/or clinical checklist scores identified previously and consistent with the fra(X) syndrome. None of the 20 males showed expansion of the CGG repeat of the FMR-1 gene detectable with the two probes used in this study. While heterogeneous single base pair substitutions, or small deletions or insertions in the FMR-1 gene could exist in our patients, aberrations in other X-tinked mental retardation genes, not identified to date but whose gene product can produce a phenotype similar to fra(X), either independently or in conjunction with the recently identified FMR-1 protein, should be considered and are under investigation. Our study supports the idea that major FMR-1 gene expansion detectable with Southern hybridization is rare in cytogenetically normal mentally retarded males, including those with physical and behavioural features seen in the fra(X) syndrome.
Rat hippocampal slices need bicarbonate for the recovery of synaptic transmission after anoxia.

Abstract The purpose of this study was to see how the nominal removal of bicarbonate (HCO 3 − ) from the extracellular space of brain tissue influenced recovery of brain tissue from anoxia. Removal of HCO 3 − in HEPES-buffered artificial cerebrospinal fluid (aCSF) inhibited almost completely recovery of synaptic transmission in hippocampal slices after anoxia. Altered pH did not contribute to this finding because adjusting intracellular (pH i ) and extracellular (pH o ) pH to control levels did not reduce the effect of HCO 3 − removal. Our results suggest that HCO 3 − levels are important in determining the extent of anoxic or ischemic brain injury.
Microsecond protein folding kinetics from native-state hydrogen exchange.

Native-state amide proton (NH) exchange in turkey ovomucoid third domain (OMTKY3) has been used to determine rates of unfolding and folding at the 13 most slowly exchanging residues. Ten of the 13 NHs have previously been demonstrated to exchange via complete unfolding of OMTKY3 while the remaining three exchange more slowly than expected on the basis of thermal stability alone [Swint-Kruse, L., Robertson, A. D. (1996) Biochemistry 35, 171-180]. Rates of unfolding and folding have been determined by monitoring MH exchange over a range of pH where (1) the free energy of unfolding for third domain, about 7 kcal/mol, is insensitive to pH and (2) the mechanism of exchange changes from one governed by a rapid equilibrium preceding the chemistry of exchange (i.e., EX2 exchange) to one where exchange is limited by the rate of unfolding (i.e., EX1 exchange). The pH dependence of exchange has then been fit to a two-state model to obtain the unfolding and folding rates. Unfolding rates at these 13 NHs in native third domain range from 0.003 to >/= 0.03 s-1. No correlation is observed between opening rates and the free energies measured at the same NHs: for example, the slowest and most rapid opening rates occur at Leu 23 and Asn 33, respectively, and these two NHs show very similar free energies of 6.7 and 6.9 kcal/mol, respectively. In contrast, folding rates show a positive correlation (R2 = 0.90) with free energies, the most rapid folding occurring at the sites with the largest free energies. folding rates are most rapid, 10(3)-10(4) s-1, in the middle of the helix, intermediate rates of around 10(3) s-1 are found in the remainder of the helix and through much of the beta-sheet, and the slowest folding, 10(2)-10(3) s-1, occurs at the juncture between the helix and sheet. Overall, MH exchange from native proteins provides remarkable structural and temporal precision for measuring very rapid conformational fluctuations.
Sensitivity of the tropical Pacific Ocean to precipitation-induced freshwater flux

We have performed a series of experiments using an ocean model to study the sensitivity of tropical Pacific Ocean to variations in precipitation induced freshwater fluxes. Variations in these fluxes arise from natural causes on all time scales. In addition, estimates of these fluxes are uncertain because of differences among measurement techniques. The model used is a quasi-isopycnal model, covering the Pacific from 40 S to 40 N. The surface forcing is constructed from observed wind stress, evaporation, precipitation, and surface temperature (SST) fields. The heat flux is produced with an iterative technique so as to maintain the model close to the observed climatology, but with only a weak damping to that climatology. Climatological estimates of evaporation are combined with various estimates of precipitation to determine the net surface freshwater flux. Results indicate that increased freshwater input decreases salinity as expected, but increases temperatures in the upper ocean. Using the freshwater flux estimated from the Microwave Sounding Unit leads to a warming of up to 0.6 C in the western Pacific over a case with zero net freshwater flux. SST is sensitive to the discrepancies among different precipitation observations, with root-mean-square differences in SST on the order of 0.2-0.3 C. The change in SST is more pronounced in the eastern Pacific, with differences of over 1 C found among the various precipitation products. Interannual variation in precipitation during El Nino events leads to increased warming. During the winter of 1982-83, freshwater flux accounts for about 0.4 C (approximately 10-15% of the maximum warming) of the surface warming in the central-eastern Pacific. Thus, the error of SST caused by the discrepancies in precipitation products is more than half of the SST anomaly produced by the interannual variability of observed precipitation. Further experiments, in which freshwater flux anomalies are imposed in the western, central, and eastern Pacific, show that the influence of net freshwater flux is also spatially dependent. The imposition of freshwater flux in the far western Pacific leads to a trapping of salinity anomaly to the surface layers near the equator. An identical flux imposed in the central Pacific produces deeper and off-equatorial salinity anomalies. The contrast between these two simulations is consistent with other simulations of the western Pacific barrier layer information.
Podcasts as a Tool for Teaching Economics

URL: http://www.audioecon.com This Web site provides a curated library of more than 100 economics-themed podcasts that instructors can utilize to enhance economics instruction for a variety of cour...
Hospital ability to attract international patients: a conceptual framework

Purpose – The volume of international patients has been growing in the past 15 years, with developing countries gaining a larger market share. The international patients market is lucrative, given that hospitals may be able to attract an affluent clientele, and many patients from foreign countries who seek care require complicated procedures and treatments. The purpose of this paper is to build on previous work in the international business and health services fields, to develop a model that predicts a hospital's ability to attract international patients.Design/methodology/approach – The paper is a synthesis of the literature on export ventures and patient choice to predict a hospital's “export” performance.Findings – It is estimated that around 70,000 foreign patients travel each year to the USA to receive inpatient medical care. These patients not only benefit hospitals and medical professionals but also benefit the local community through money spent in hotels, restaurants, shopping, etc. Strategic man...
Safety in urban neighborhoods: A comparison of physical characteristics and informal territorial control in high and low crime neighborhoods

This study addressed the issue of how some urban neighborhoods maintain a relatively low level of crime despite their physical proximity and social similarity to high crime areas. The study explored differences in physical characteristics and various dimensions of the concept of territoriality in three pairs of neighborhoods in Atlanta, Georgia. Neighborhoods within pairs were adjacent and were matched on racial composition and economic status but had distinctly different crime levels. The results indicated that differences in physical characteristics distinguished between matched high and low crime neighborhoods to a far greater extent than did differences in the measures of territoriality. The flow of outsiders into and out of low crime neighborhoods was inhibited because land use was more homogeneously residential, there were fewer major arteries, and boundary streets were less traveled than was the case in high crime neighborhoods. There were relatively few differences in informal territorial control between high and low crime neighborhoods. Where differences existed, informal territorial control was more characteristic of high crime than of low crime neighborhoods.
Pharmacokinetics of ethanol after oral administration in the fasting state

A nonlinear relationship between the total area under the blood ethanol concentration-time curve and the orally administered dose (mg/kg) of ethanol was observed in fasting subjects. A preliminary model, based on physiological considerations, was elaborated and shown, for the first time, to describe the entire time course of blood alcohol concentrations after four different doses of alcohol. The model could be refined by further experimentation.
Safety of the Antibiotic Medication Use Process in the Intensive Care Unit

Understanding the antibiotic medication use process in the intensive care unit (ICU) is important for patient care outcomes. A system view of the medication use process facilitates understanding th...
G. W. F. Hegel: Sense-certainty, from the phenomenology of spirit, Chapter 1 (1807)

Nouvelle traduction anglaise du chapitre 1, consacre a la certitude des sens, de la «Phenomenologie de l'esprit» de Hegel. Dans un style americain, le texte propose un compromis entre l'eloquence de la traduction de J. B. Baillie (1910) et la precision de la traduction de A. V. Miller (1977).
Theoretical investigation of thermoelectric transport properties of cylindrical Bi nanowires

We report here a theoretical model for the transport properties of cylindrical Bi nanowires. Based on the band structure of Bi nanowires and the semiclassical transport model, the thermoelectric figure of merit ${Z}_{1\mathrm{D}}T$ is calculated for Bi nanowires with various wire diameters and wire orientations. The results show the trigonal axis is the most favorable wire orientation for thermoelectric applications, and ${Z}_{1\mathrm{D}}Tg1$ is predicted for n-type trigonal wires with diameters ${d}_{w}l10$ nm. The effect of the T-point holes on ${Z}_{1\mathrm{D}}T$ is also investigated. It is found that ${Z}_{1\mathrm{D}}T$ can be significantly enhanced, especially for p-type Bi nanowires, if the T-point holes are removed or suppressed.
Partial purification and characterization of dipeptidyl peptidase II (DPP II) from guinea pig testes

Depeptidyl peptidase (DPP II) was partially purified from guinea pig testes by (NH4)2SO4 precipitation, Con A-Sepharose 4B chromatography, and Sephadex G-200 chromatography to a specific activity of 27.4 μmol Ala3 hydrolyzed min−1 mg−1 protein. Chromatography on a calibrated G-200 column yielded a molecular weight of 135,000 daltons for the enzyme. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide electrophoresis showed an enrichment of a broad doublet at 64–66,000 daltons. The enzyme had optimal activity toward hydrolysis of L-alanyl-alanyl-alanine at pH 4.5 and showed sensitivity to cations of increasing size with Tris producing the most inhibition of those tested. The enzyme was moderately inhibited by serine proteinase inhibitors. Thin-layer chromatography revealed the dipeptidase nature of the enzyme's activity on tripeptides and dipeptidyl arylamides. A doublet of activity occurred when nitrocellulose electroblots of nondenaturing gel electrophoresis of the (NH4)2SO4 fraction were reacted with the specific DPP II substrate, lysyl-alanyl-4-methoxy-2-napthylamide. Analytical isoelectric focusing of the G-200 fraction followed by fluorescent enzyme activity detection that used cellulose triacetate overlay membranes impregnated with the specific DPP II substrate, lysyl-alanyl-7-amino-4-trifluoromethylcou-marin, revealed multiple isoforms focusing at pI = 4.8–5.6. Two prominent bands focused at pI = 4.9 and pI = 5.1. The properties of guinea pig testicular DPP II are compared and contrasted with similar dipeptidyl peptidases from other sources.
A Youth Perspective on Life with a Disability

ABSTRACT The last three decades have produced societal changes for people with disabilities. Legislative mandates and legal decisions led to increased access and made discrimination illegal. Institutions that warehoused people with disabilities have closed. Children and youth with disabilities now have greater opportunities to attend mainstream schools and otherwise participate in their communities. Have the sweeping changes affected the self-perception of youth with disabilities? Ninety youth with disabilities provided information for this article about their emotional well being and their beliefs about living with a disability. Overall, youth in the study reported that they were happy with themselves and their lives, helping dispel myths that life with a disability is burdensome. Research implications and suggestions for further study are provided.
An elution device for analytical-scale polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Abstract 1. 1. A simple, inexpensive, and convenient apparatus for the elution of analytical-scale polyacrylamide gels during electrophoresis has been described. 2. 2. The utility of the elution device has been illustrated by the electrophoretic separation of two amino acyl-tRNA synthetases from Escherichia coli K-12. 3. 3. The usefulness of incorporating into the sample solution the reducing agent, gluthathione, instead of electrophoresis prior to sample loading has been demonstrated.
Graphite oxide as a carbocatalyst for the preparation of fullerene-reinforced polyester and polyamide nanocomposites

Graphite oxide (GO) was discovered to catalyze the ring opening polymerization of various cyclic lactones and lactams, such as e-caprolactone, δ-valerolactone, and e-caprolactam, to their corresponding polyesters or polyamides. The resulting polymers were obtained in moderate number average molecular weights (4.8–12.8 kDa) and in good to excellent yields (39–100%) at GO loadings ranging from 2.5–20.0 wt%. Using powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), it was determined that the carbon catalyst was retained and homogeneously dispersed within the polymer product, resulting in the formation of a carbon-filled composite. TEM also revealed that the carbon transitioned from the lamellar morphology found in GO primarily to nanometre-sized, multiwalled fullerenes; no other discrete carbon morphologies were observed. The inclusion of the carbon material in the polyesters was found to improve the mechanical stiffness of the polymers by up to 400%, as compared to the neat homopolymer.
Sinoatrial Wenckebach associated with blunt cardiac injury

A 20-year-old man developed sinoatrial Wenckebach after moderate blunt chest and cardiac trauma from a motor vehicle accident. This unusual dysrhythmia is manifested by grouped beating, a constant PR interval, progressive shortening of the cycle length, and repetitive pauses. Sinoatrial Wenckebach has not previously been described in association with blunt cardiac injury.
Numerical solutions for ductile fracture behavior of semi-elliptical surface crack

Abstract It has been demonstrated that the load in the test records of specimens with semi-elliptical surface cracks under uniform remote tension can be represented as a multiplication of two functions: a crack geometry function and a material deformation function. In this study, mathematical representations of these functions are developed using numerical results generated by the finite element method. Two finite element models are utilized in this study; one with a fine mesh in the crack vicinity and the other with a relatively coarse mesh. These models have been verified, then used in the development of numerical results for a wide array of semi-elliptical surface crack specimens with different geometries and different materials. The new mathematical forms for the geometry and deformation functions allow the generation of the load versus plastic displacement relationship for this geometry. Also, by using these functions in the single specimen J -integral form introduced in a previous study by the authors for this geometry, a mathematical representation for J versus the plastic displacement ( J calibration function) is developed.
Trends in the Benthic Macroinvertebrate Community of Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, 1987 to 1996: Responses to Phosphorus Abatement and the Zebra Mussel, Dreissena polymorpha

Trends in benthic macroinvertebrate populations were examined in inner and outer Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron, from 1987 to 1996. These years represent the time period after phosphorus abatement, but immediately before (1987 to 1990) and after (1991 to 1996) colonization of the bay by the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha. In 1987 to 1990, densities of the major macroinvertebrate groups in the inner and outer bay were not significantly different from, or were greater than, densities reported just prior to abatement efforts in the early 1970s. Oligochaete densities in the deepwater/silt region of the inner bay were trending downward between 1988 and 1991, but pollution-tolerant forms dominated the community, indicating the system was eutrophic just prior to Dreissena colonization. Dreissena impacts on the macroinvertebrate community varied depending on the particular habitat. At shallow-water/sand sites in the inner bay, Gammarus increased, and sphaeriids declined after Dreissena colonization, but no changes were observed in oligochaetes and chironomids, and overall species diversity showed little change. At deepwater/silt sites in the inner bay, densities of oligochaetes and chironomids declined just after the peak in Dreissena, but then returned to levels generally similar to those found prior to Dreissena. The oligochaete trophic index at deepwater/silt sites indicated a shift from eutrophic to more oligotrophic indicator species after Dreissena became established, and species diversity increased. In the outer bay, Diporeia and sphaeriids declined after Dreissena peaked, but few other changes were observed. Total non-dreissenid macroinvertebrate biomass (AFDW) in the inner bay, and in shallow areas of the outer bay, did not change as a result of Dreissena colonization. On the other hand, biomass in the deeper regions of the outer bay decreased because of the loss of Diporeia. Changes in the inner and outer bay typify the growing dichotomy between nearshore and offshore in the Great Lakes since Dreissena became established.
The differential impact of risk factors on mortality in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis

The differential impact of risk factors on mortality in hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. Background While the survival ramifications of dialysis modality selection are still debated, it seems reasonable to postulate that outcome comparisons are not the same for all patients at all times. Trends in available data indicate the relative risk of death with hemodialysis (HD) compared to peritoneal dialysis (PD) varies by time on dialysis and the presence of various risk factors. This study was undertaken to identify key patient characteristics for which the risk of death differs by dialysis modality. Methods Analyses utilized incidence data from 398,940 United States Medicare patients initiating dialysis between 1995 and 2000. Proportional hazards regression identified the presence of diabetes, age, and the presence of comorbidity as factors that significantly interact with treatment modality. Stratifying by these factors, proportional and nonproportional hazards models were used to estimate relative risks of death [RR (HD:PD)]. Results Of the 398,940 patients studied, 11.6% used PD as initial therapy, 45% had diabetes mellitus (DM), 51% were 65 years or older, and 55% had at least one comorbidity. Among the 178,693 (45%) patients with no baseline comorbidity, adjusted mortality rates in nondiabetic (non-DM) patients were significantly higher on HD than on PD [age 18–44: RR (95% CI) = 1.24 (1.07, 1.44); age 45–64: RR=1.13 (1.02, 1.25); age 65+: RR=1.13 (1.05, 1.21)]. Among diabetic (DM) patients with no comorbidity, HD was associated with a higher risk of death among younger patients [age 18–44: RR=1.22(1.05, 1.42)] and a lower risk of death among older patients [age 45–64: RR=0.92 (0.85, 1.00); age 65+: RR=0.86 (0.79, 0.93)]. Within the group of 220,247 (55%) patients with baseline comorbidity, adjusted mortality rates were not different between HD and PD among non-DM patients [age 18–44: RR=1.19 (0.94, 1.50); age 45–64: RR=1.01 (0.92, 1.11); age 65+: RR=0.96 (0.91, 1.01)] and younger DM patients [age 18–44: RR=1.10 (0.92, 1.32)], but were lower with HD among older DM patients with baseline comorbidity [age 45–64: RR=0.82 (0.77, 0.87); age 65+: RR=0.80 (0.76, 0.85)]. Conclusion Valid mortality comparisons between HD and PD require patient stratification according to major risk factors known to interact with treatment modality. Survival differences between HD and PD are not constant, but vary substantially according to the underlying cause of ESRD, age, and level of baseline comorbidity. These results may help identify technical advances that will improve outcomes of patients on dialysis.
Expression, purification, and initial structural characterization of YadQ, a bacterial homolog of mammalian ClC chloride channel proteins

Abstract YadQ of Escherichia coli is a homolog of the mammalian chloride channels of the ClC family. The yadQ gene was cloned as a fusion protein with a hexahistidine tag and tobacco etch virus protease site for the removal of the tag. The protein was expressed in the membrane of E. coli and extracted with decylmaltoside. Purification was achieved by metal affinity chromatography followed by cation exchange. Circular dichroism revealed a high α-helical content. Size exclusion chromatography suggests that YadQ forms dimers. The similarity in primary, secondary, and quaternary structure and the ability to recombinantly express YadQ in the cell membrane make the protein a good candidate for the structural study of ClC chloride channels.
Optimal hypercube algorithms for robot configuration space computation

Computing the conjguration space is an importm problem in spatial planning for robotics applicatiorx In this paper, we present parallel algorithms for computing the configuration space by using hypercube multiprocessors. The digitized images of the obstacies and the robot are stored in an Nx N image plane. In this paper, we develop optimal hypercube algorithms to compute the configuration space for circle and rectangle shaped robots. We also develop several new basic hypercube operations. The time compkxity of all the algorithnu is 0 (1ogN) and k asymptotically optimal for hypercube computers. The space complexity of each processor is 0 (1) which is again optimal.