cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Noninvasive Estimation of Optimal PEEP for Mechanically Ventilated Obese Patients

Background: Initial PEEP is difficult to set in ventilated obese patients (body mass index [BMI] ≥30 kg/m 2 ). As obese patients have decreased chest wall compliance, there is potential for not receiving adequate PEEP. Currently, esophageal balloons, an invasive and costly device, can be used to determine optimal PEEP in mechanically ventilated patients. In the absence of these measurements, our clinical practice is to set initial PEEP as BMI/4 in cm H 2 O. However, to our knowledge, no studies have suggested the use of BMI or any formula for accurately setting initial PEEP at the bedside. Determine the relation between BMI and optimal PEEP and calculated PEEP = BMI/4 as cm H 2 O. Optimal PEEP is defined as end-expiratory transpulmonary pressure (Ptp exp) = 0 cm H 2 O. Ptp ex P = (PEEP— Pes, where Pes is esophageal pressure at end-expiration). Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review on obese patients ≥18 y of age who were admitted to the ICU and mechanically ventilated for ≥48 h during July 2015-July 2017 in whom Pes was monitored and Ptp exp was calculated. Two linear regression models were used to examine the relationship between BMI and optimal PEEP determined by Ptp exp. A single variable model included BMI/4 and a multivariable model included age. IRB approval was obtained for this review (17-73MR). Results: A total of 53 patients met inclusion criteria. Patients were predominantly white non-Hispanic (81.1%), with mean age of 61 y and BMI at initial balloon placement of 43.7 kg/m 2 . The single variable regression model suggested that optimal PEEP determined by Ptp exp increased 1 cm H 2 O per 1kg/m 2 increase in BMI/4 (β=1.0, P =0.0007, Adj-R2=0.19). The multivariable regression model including age suggested that optimal PEEP increased 1 unit per 0.96kg/m 2 increase in BMI/4 (β=0.96, P =0.0008, Adj-R2=0.24). Conclusions: There is a relationship between optimal PEEP determined by Ptp exp and BMI. Furthermore, PEEP, estimated as BMI/4, is consistently less than PEEP determined by Ptp exp and may be used as a conservative guide to set initial PEEP in obese patients without esophageal manometry. However, given low model predictability, further study inclusive of a larger patient population is warranted.
Is it possible to automatically assess pretreatment digital rectal examination documentation using natural language processing? A single-centre retrospective study.

Objectives To develop and test a method for automatic assessment of a quality metric, provider-documented pretreatment digital rectal examination (DRE), using the outputs of a natural language processing (NLP) framework. Setting An electronic health records (EHR)-based prostate cancer data warehouse was used to identify patients and associated clinical notes from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2017. Using a previously developed natural language processing pipeline, we classified DRE assessment as documented (currently or historically performed), deferred (or suggested as a future examination) and refused. Primary and secondary outcome measures We investigated the quality metric performance, documentation 6 months before treatment and identified patient and clinical factors associated with metric performance. Results The cohort included 7215 patients with prostate cancer and 426 227 unique clinical notes associated with pretreatment encounters. DREs of 5958 (82.6%) patients were documented and 1257 (17.4%) of patients did not have a DRE documented in the EHR. A total of 3742 (51.9%) patient DREs were documented within 6 months prior to treatment, meeting the quality metric. Patients with private insurance had a higher rate of DRE 6 months prior to starting treatment as compared with Medicaid-based or Medicare-based payors (77.3%vs69.5%, p=0.001). Patients undergoing chemotherapy, radiation therapy or surgery as the first line of treatment were more likely to have a documented DRE 6 months prior to treatment. Conclusion EHRs contain valuable unstructured information and with NLP, it is feasible to accurately and efficiently identify quality metrics with current documentation clinician workflow.
Sulfite activation changes character of ferrate resultant particles

Abstract The activation of ferrate with sulfite increases oxidative transformation of recalcitrant organic compounds; however, it also changes the characteristics of the iron particulates that result from the ferrate reduction. In this study, particles resulting from ferrate reduction both with and without sulfite were compared in a laboratory matrix simulating water treatment conditions at the bench-scale. Characteristics examined included magnetization, morphology, size, and surface charge. The activation of ferrate with sulfite changed the characteristics of resultant particles in several important ways. Activated ferrate resultant particles were less magnetic, more polydisperse including a higher fraction of nanoparticles, and exhibited a less-crystalline morphology compared to particles resulting from ferrate self-decay. Surface charges between the two particle types were similar, and negative. The relatively rapid formation of Fe(III) from Fe(VI) activation leads to particles of different character, likely though a greater supply of precursory low molecular weight iron hydroxo-species. Particles resulting from activated ferrate used as a preoxidant will impact downstream processes in important ways, such as gravimetric or magnetic separations and contaminant adsorption. Ferrate activation presents a possible trade-off between improved oxidation and impeded downstream physicochemical processes, and formation and fate of formed particles warrants consideration.
Hemodynamic gain index in women: A validation study

Abstract Background A previous study showed a strong and independent association between hemodynamic gain index (HGI) and all-cause mortality in a large cohort of men. The current study aimed to validate the association between HGI and all-cause mortality in a pilot cohort of women. Methods The cohort included 606 women aged 54.1 ± 12 years who were prospectively followed for 8.0 ± 5.7 years. HGI was calculated according to a previously developed equation using heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) responses from treadmill exercise testing [(HRpeak*SBPpeak)-(HRrest*SBPrest)]/(HRrest*SBPrest). Bivariable and multivariable Cox hazard models were analyzed for HGI and all-cause mortality. Results During the follow-up, 48 participants (7.9%) died, and mean HGI was 1.86 ± 0.82 bpm/mmHg. In continuous bivariable and multivariable models, each one unit higher in HGI was associated with 64% and 45% reduced risks of mortality, respectively. The corresponding hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals were: 0.36, (0.22–0.57), and 0.55 (0.33–0.91) (both p 75th percentile (HGI ≥2.4) exhibited 57%, 90% and 79% reductions in mortality risk (p trend Conclusions This validation study in women confirms that a higher HGI is associated with lower risk of all-cause mortality, supporting its prognostic value for risk stratification in clinical and research settings.
What the past can say about the present and future of fire

Wildfires are an integral part of most terrestrial ecosystems. Paleofire records composed of charcoal, soot, and other combustion products deposited in lake and marine sediments, soils, and ice provide a record of the varying importance of fire over time on every continent. This study reviews paleofire research to identify lessons about the nature of fire on Earth and how its past variability is relevant to modern environmental challenges. Four lessons are identified. First, fire is highly sensitive to climate change, and specifically to temperature changes. As long as there is abundant, dry fuel, we can expect that in a warming climate, fires will continue to grow unusually large, severe, and uncontrollable in fire-prone environments. Second, a better understanding of “slow” (interannual to multidecadal) socioecological processes is essential for predicting future wildfire and carbon emissions. Third, current patterns of burning, which are very low in some areas and very high in others—are often unprecedented in the context of the Holocene. Taken together, these insights point to a fourth lesson—that current changes in wildfire dynamics provide an opportunity for paleoecologists to engage the public and help them understand the potential consequences of anthropogenic climate change.
Speaking Personally with Dr. Michael Beaudoin

Perhaps now, as I write in the pandemic confusion of education, there is renewed, or shall I say, long overdue interest in exploring leadership and policy topics in distance education. Thus, it is ...
Evidence of a preferred kinetic pathway in the carnitine acetyltransferase reaction

Mammalian carnitine acetyltransferase (CrAT) is a mitochondrial enzyme that catalyzes the reversible transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to carnitine. CrAT knockout studies have shown that this enzyme is critical to sustain metabolic flexibility, or the ability to switch between different fuel types, an underlying theme of the metabolic syndrome. These recent physiological findings imply that CrAT dysfunction, or its catalytic impairment, may lead to disease. To gain insight into the CrAT kinetic mechanism, we conducted stopped-flow experiments in various enzyme substrate/product conditions and analyzed full progress curves by global fitting. Simultaneous mixing of both substrates with CrAT produced relatively fast kinetics that follows an ordered bi bi mechanism. A great preference for ordered binding is supported by stopped-flow double mixing experiments such that premixed CrAT with acetyl-CoA or CoA demonstrated a biphasic decrease in initial rate that produces about a 100-fold attenuation in catalysis. Double mixing experiments also revealed that the CrAT initial rate is inhibited by 50% in approximately 8 s by either acetyl-CoA or CoA premixing. Analysis of available CrAT structures support a substrate conformational change between acetyl-CoA/CoA binary versus ternary complexes. Additional viscosity-based kinetic experiments yielded strong evidence that product release is the rate limiting step in the CrAT-catalyzed reaction.
Distribution Coefficients of the REEs, Sr, Y, Ba, Th, and U between α-HIBA and AG50W-X8 Resin

Rare-earth elements (REEs) are known for their similar behaviors, which make their purification through chromatographic techniques particularly challenging. The use of α-hydroxyisobutyric acid (α-H...
Tryp-ing Up Metabolism: Role of Metabolic Adaptations in Kinetoplastid Disease Pathogenesis

Today, more than a billion people-one-sixth of the world's population-are suffering from neglected tropical diseases. Human African trypanosomiasis, Chagas disease, and leishmaniasis are neglected tropical diseases caused by protozoan parasites belonging to the genera Trypanosoma and Leishmania About half a million people living in tropical and subtropical regions of the world are at risk of contracting one of these three infections. Kinetoplastids have complex life cycles with different morphologies and unique physiological requirements at each life cycle stage. This review covers the latest findings on metabolic pathways impacting disease pathogenesis of kinetoplastids within the mammalian host. Nutrient availability is a key factor shaping in vivo parasite metabolism; thus, kinetoplastids display significant metabolic flexibility. Proteomic and transcriptomic profiles show that intracellular trypanosomatids are able to switch to an energy-efficient metabolism within the mammalian host system. Host metabolic changes can also favor parasite persistence, and contribute to symptom development, in a location-specific fashion. Ultimately, targeted and untargeted metabolomics studies have been a valuable approach to elucidate the specific biochemical pathways affected by infection within the host, leading to translational drug development and diagnostic insights.
Potentially Unintended Consequences of the SEC Restricting Managerial Discretion: Evidence from Peer Data Breaches and Cyber Risk Factors

I document potentially unintended consequences of the SEC restricting managerial discretion, specifically focusing on the SEC’s 2011 guidance regarding cyber risk factors. Using peer data breaches as a salient proxy of non-breached firms that have material exposure to cyber risk and while controlling for firm and year fixed effects, I first find that peer breaches are associated with more unique cyber risk factor disclosures when non-breached firms’ managers possess greater discretion (in the pre-SEC-2011 period) and with less unique cyber risk factor disclosures after their discretion is limited (in the post-SEC-2011 period). I next find that a possible reason for the decrease in the post period is because firms are more likely to mirror the cybersecurity language used in the SEC’s 2011 guidance. Finally, I find that more unique cyber risk factors are more effective in reducing information asymmetry for investors. Altogether, my evidence is consistent with the SEC inducing an organizational shift from normative isomorphism to coercive isomorphism and suggests that the SEC may be harming disclosure informativeness by limiting managerial discretion.
Neuroimaging of situational urgency and incontinence provoked by personal urgency cues.

INTRODUCTION Situational triggers for urinary urgency and incontinence (UUI) such as "latchkey incontinence" and running water are often reported clinically, but no current clinical tools exist to directly address symptoms of UUI provoked by environmental stimuli. Previously we have shown that urgency and leakage can be reproduced during urodynamic studies with exposure to personal urgency-related images. Here we investigate the neural signatures associated with such situational triggers to inform potential therapies for reducing reactivity to these personal urgency-related cues among women with situational UUI. METHOD We recruited 23 women with situational UUI who took photographs of their personal "urgency trigger" and "safe" situations and were exposed to them in a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner. We identified brain areas that were more active during urgency versus safe image exposure. RESULTS We found that, during urgency image exposure, main components of the attention network and decision-related processes, the middle and medial frontal gyri, were more active (p < 0.01). In addition, areas well known to be involved in the continence mechanism, such as the cingulate and parahippocampal areas, were also more active during urgency image exposure. CONCLUSION Exposure to personal situational urgency images activated different areas of the brain compared with safe environments, highlighting the complex brain mechanisms that provoke real-world urgency. Using brain and behavioral-based therapies which target the attentional areas identified here and extinguish cue reactivity might reduce symptom burden in this subset of UUI sufferers.
Topological Constraints on Noise Propagation in Gene Regulatory Networks

Gene expression, the production of protein from DNA and mRNA in the biological cell, is inherently stochastic. Cells with identical DNA exhibit fluctuations or 9noise9 in gene expression. This noise propagates over gene regulatory networks (GRNs), which encode gene-gene interactions. The propagated 9extrinsic9 noise interacts and combines with 9intrinsic9 noise to affect biological decisions. Consequently, it is essential to understand how GRN topology affects total noise. Recently, uncertainty principles were established for noise propagation over GRN. In particular, in ring GRNs, exactly one node can have noise reduction below the intrinsic limit. We establish necessary and sufficient conditions for noise reduction in ring GRN. Specifically, for two- and three-node rings, an odd number of negative regulations is necessary for noise reduction. Further, sufficiency is ensured if sensitivities to input for feedforward and feedback regulations are bounded from below and above, respectively. These constraints are valid even if the ring GRN are regulated by an upstream gene. Finally, we use graph theory to decompose noise propagation in a general directed network over its strongly connected components. The combination of graph theory and stochastic processes may be a general framework for studying noise propagation.
ROLES OF CITRATE AND ACETOIN IN THE METABOLISM OF STREPTOCOCCUS DIACETILACTIS

Harvey, R. J. (University of California, Davis), and E. B. Collins. Roles of citrate and acetoin in the metabolism of Streptococcus diacetilactis. J. Bacteriol. 86:1301–1307. 1963.—Streptococcus diacetilactis was unable to use citrate as a source of energy for growth, but the addition of citrate to a lactose-containing medium increased the specific growth rate 35%. Besides serving as the precursor of acetoin, some of the pyruvate formed from citrate was incorporated into cell material, primarily into lipids. A constant fraction of the weight of new cells was synthesized from the pyruvate formed from citrate. The rate of entry of citrate into cells was independent of the growth rate, and the usual result was that more pyruvate was formed from citrate than was required for cell synthesis. All excess pyruvate was converted to acetoin. Thus, acetoin formation acts as a detoxification mechanism, a means of removing intracellular pyruvate not required for synthesis of cell material.
A Vertical World: The Eastern Alps and Modern Mountaineering

New sporting practices of modernity were products of complex dynamics of cultural remaking. Most accounts of the emergence of alpinism describe the new activity as part of modernization. As ways of seeing mountains changed, so did ways of moving in them. This involved a sharp break with the British gentlemanly preference for climbing without technical assistance. Modernists and alpinists found a new common ground in the Ostalpen of Tirol, a place commonly represented as one of the most traditional and Catholic locations in central Europe. In mountaineering, we may imagine a similar turn to that of artistic modernists. This article explores how the region pulled together two apparently oppositional cultural forces. In this process, there is no simple grand narrative of modernization that creates an international sporting culture of the mountains: on the one hand, in popular culture, the Ostalpen and the Dolomites in particular represented premodern forms of religiosity, from Orientalist aesthetics to the most conservative styles of Catholicism; on the other hand, the region served as a proving ground for the most technologically advanced and self-consciously modern forms of alpinism.
The Mean Field Bound for the Order Parameter of Bernoulli Percolation

We consider a general, translation invariant bond percolation model on ℤd with bonds characterized by couplings (Jx| X∈ℤ d ) and an inverse temperature parameter tf, with nontrivial critical value v c. We prove several inequalities including: (Da differential inequality for the infinite cluster density, P∞(v); and (2) an inequality relating the backbone density, Q∞(v), to p∞(v) and the expected size of finite clusters, χ’(v). If the above quantities exhibit critical scaling with exponents “defined” by P∞(v) ~ | v — v c |β, Q∞(v) ~ | v — v c |βQ, and χ’(v) ~ |v — v c|-γ’ as v↓v c these inequalities imply the mean field bounds: β ≤ 1 and 2β ≤ βQ ≤ β + γ’. Furthermore, a magnetic backbone exponent, δQ, is defined analogously to the standard magnetic backbone exponent, δ. Again assuming critical scaling, our inequalities also imply the mean field bounds δ ≥ 2δQ and δQ ≥ 1.
Active Transport of Manganese in Isolated Membranes of Escherichia coli

Accumulation of manganese was measured in subcellular membrane vesicles isolated from Escherichia coli. Accumulation of (54)Mn by vesicles in 0.5 m sucrose is stimulated by glucose and d-lactate and is inhibited by metabolic poisons such as dinitrophenol, m-chlorophenyl carbonylcyanide hydrazone, valinomycin, and nigericin. Manganese uptake by vesicles requires 10 mm calcium, which is not required for uptake of manganese by intact cells. The calcium requirement is specific and cannot be replaced by magnesium, sodium, or potassium. Strontium can replace calcium but is somewhat less effective than calcium. The uptake of manganese is via a manganese-specific system which shows saturation kinetics with manganese with a K(m) of 8 x 10(-6)m and a V(max) of 4 nmoles per min per g (wet weight) at 25 C. Magnesium and calcium do not compete for uptake. The accumulated manganese can be released from the vesicles by lipid active agents such as toluene, and can be exchanged for external manganese.
Gender Difference in Coronary Endothelial Dysfunction in ApoE Knockout Mouse Atherosclerosis Model: Role of NO and A2A Adenosine Receptor

Gender plays an important role in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular diseases. Coronary endothelial dysfunction is a critical stage in the pathogenesis of artherosclerosis. This study aims to in...
Bone-loading response varies with strain magnitude and cycle number.

Mechanical loading stimulates bone formation and regulates bone size, shape, and strength. It is recognized that strain magnitude, strain rate, and frequency are variables that explain bone stimula...
Rapidity gaps in deep inelastic scattering.

A theoretical approach is developed to large rapidity gap physics in deep inelastic scattering. The formula for the survival probability of the large rapidity gap is obtained, which turns out to be quite different from Bjorken's formula for hadron-hadron collisions.
A multifunctional domain of the calcium-responsive transactivator (CREST) that inhibits dendritic growth in cultured neurons.

The calcium-responsive transactivator (CREST) is targeted to nuclear bodies and is required for the normal development of neuronal dendritic trees. Here we report the identification of a multifunctional domain (MFD) of CREST that is involved in transcription transactivation, nuclear body targeting, and dimerization. MFD is located near the C terminus of CREST from amino acid 251 to 322 and is required and sufficient for CREST homodimerization. When fused with a GAL4 DNA-binding domain, MFD was effective in transcription transactivation of a luciferase reporter system. A C-terminal 339–401 amino acid sequence of CREST was shown to contain a nuclear localization signal (NLS), which was able to direct a yellow fluorescence protein (YFP) to nucleus. A CREST deletion mutant containing both the MFD and NLS, which spanned the C-terminal amino acid sequence 251–401, was able to target YFP to the nucleus and nuclear bodies. However, MFD alone failed to target YFP and was largely cytosolic. The addition of a SV40 NLS to MFD domain restored nuclear body targeting. When YFP-MFD was expressed in cultured rat embryonic cortical neurons, it was effective in inhibiting depolarization-induced dendritic growth, suggesting that CREST dimerization may be necessary for its function in neuronal dendritic development.
Recent development in the optics of luminescent solar concentration

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) were developed over three decades ago as a simple route to obtain high concentration ratio for photovoltaic cells without tracking the sun. Despite their exciting theoretical potential, LSCs have thus far reached only modest concentration ratio in practice. Here, we introduce two new approaches to LSC optical design that enable significant increases in concentration ratio for any type of luminescent material. First, we discuss the conceptual basis for nonimaging optics in luminescent concentration and then present exact ray tracing results for the simplest implementation of compound parabolic concentrator-shaped edges that deliver ~15% increase in concentration ratio with negligible decrease in optical efficiency. Second, we extend the recently introduced concept of resonance-shifting to the case of shaped substrates and demonstrate that light can be channeled through an LSC with low loss and localized at specific points, opening up entirely new directions in LSC design.
Synthesis and Hepatic Metabolism of Xanthobilirubinic Acid Regioisomers

A set of four regioisomeric dipyrrinone propionic acids has been synthesized and their hepatic metabolism examined in rats: xanthobilirubinic acid and pseudo-xanthobilirubinic acid each with a propionic acid on a pyrrole ring; exo-ψ-xanthobilirubinic acid and endo-ψ-xanthobilirubinic acid, each with a propionic acid transposed to a lactam ring. After intravenous injection all four isomers were excreted to some degree in unchanged form in bile in normal rats. Xanthobilirubinic acid, the structurally closest dipyrrinone to bilirubin, and exo-ψ-xanthobilirubinic acid were excreted almost entirely in unchanged form. However, a small fraction of xanthobilirubinic acid acyl glucuronide was also detected. More extensive acyl glucuronidation was observed for pseudo-xanthobilirubinic acid, and endo-ψ-xanthobilirubinic acid underwent slow metabolism to unidentified more polar products that did not seem to be glucuronides.
Endogenous swimming rhythms underlying secondary dispersal of early juvenile blue crabs, Callinectes sapidus

Blue crab, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, megalopae settle in seagrass or other complex submerged aquatic habitats in estuaries, where they metamorphose to the first juvenile (J1) crab stage. Within tidal areas, early juveniles (J1–2) leave such nursery areas by undergoing secondary dispersal during nocturnal flood tides. The present study determined whether J1–2 blue crabs have a biological rhythm in vertical swimming activity that contributes to secondary dispersal. Endogenous rhythms in vertical swimming were determined for (1) J1–2 crabs collected from two estuaries with semi-diurnal tides, (2) J1 crabs that metamorphosed from the megalopal stage in the laboratory the day after collection, and (3) premolt megalopae that metamorphosed to J1 crabs under constant conditions during the experiment. In all cases, a circadian rhythm was present in which crabs swam vertically during the time of night in the field. The time of peak vertical swimming did not correspond to the time of flood tide at the collection sites, but did consistently occur at night, with a mean around midnight. While responses to environmental factors probably control the onset and end of vertical swimming by early juvenile blue crabs during flood tides in tidal areas, a circadian rhythm underlies secondary dispersal at night.
Extrema of the density functional for the energy: Excited states from the ground-state theory.

Although every stationary-state density ${n}_{i}$(r\ensuremath{\rightarrow}) of a many-particle system is not an extremum of the ground-state density functional ${E}_{v}$[n], every extremum of ${E}_{v}$[n] [i.e., every solution of the Euler equation \ensuremath{\delta}${E}_{v}$/\ensuremath{\delta}n(r\ensuremath{\rightarrow})=\ensuremath{\lambda}] is a stationary-state density ${n}_{i}$(r\ensuremath{\rightarrow}). Always, ${E}_{v}$[${n}_{i}$]\ensuremath{\le}${E}_{i}$, where ${E}_{i}$ is the lowest stationary-state energy for density ${n}_{i}$(r\ensuremath{\rightarrow}); the equality holds if and only if ${n}_{i}$(r\ensuremath{\rightarrow}) is an extremum of ${E}_{v}$[n]. The extrema lying above the absolute minimum are excited-state densities which fail to be pure-state v-representable. Surprisingly, infinitesimal number-conserving density variations \ensuremath{\delta}n(r\ensuremath{\rightarrow}) about an extremum n(r\ensuremath{\rightarrow}) do not lead to energy variations \ensuremath{\delta}${E}_{v}$ of order (\ensuremath{\delta}n${)}^{2}$ when \ensuremath{\delta}n(r\ensuremath{\rightarrow})/${n}^{1/2}$(r\ensuremath{\rightarrow}) fails to be square-integrable; in fact, variations \ensuremath{\delta}${E}_{v}$ of order \ensuremath{\Vert}\ensuremath{\delta}n\ensuremath{\Vert} about the ground state are exemplified by the recently discovered ``derivative discontinuities of the energy.'' This unconventional behavior of ${E}_{v}$[n] may be traced in part to an asymptotic divergence of ${\ensuremath{\delta}}^{2}$${E}_{v}$/\ensuremath{\delta}n(r\ensuremath{\rightarrow})\ensuremath{\delta}n(r\ensuremath{\rightarrow}'). Conditions are presented under which a self-consistent solution of the Kohn-Sham single-particle problem represents an extremum of ${E}_{v}$[n]. The multiplets of the ground-state orbital configuration of the carbon atom are examined. The local-density and Langreth-Mehl approximations are found to yield a remarkably accurate account of the degeneracy of the various ground-state densities for this system, but no estimate of the multiplet splitting is obtained. Finally, aspects of v-representability are discussed, with emphasis on the iron atom.
Dialogue structures for virtual worlds

We describe a software architecture for virtual worlds, built on a base of multiple processes communicating through a central event-driven user interface management system. The virtual world's behavior is specified by a dialogue composed of modular subdialogues or rule sets. In order to achieve high flexibility, device remappability and reusability, the rule sets should be written as independent modules, each encapsulating its own state. Each should be designed according to its purpose in a conceptual hierarchy: it can transform a specific device into a generic device, or transform a generic device into an interaction technique, or, at the top level, map interaction techniques to actions.
A projection method for solving Fredholm integral equations of the second kind

Abstract Projections defined on a Banach space of bivariate functions are used to obtain numerical solutions of Fredholm integral equations of the second kind. It is shown that many of the degenerate kernel methods are special cases of the method described in this paper.
The Effect of Pressure on the Non-Newtonian Behavior of Polymer Blended Petroleum Oils

The shear dependence of polymer containing oils at elevated pressure was observed in a capillary-type viscometer and is reported. Recoverable shear strain was not observed at elevated pressures but was observed at atmospheric pressure in the blends at the same shear stress. The fluids examined included a paraffinic base oil (B), B plus four and eight weight percent methacrylate, B plus four weight percent styrene, a naphthenic base oil (F), and F plus four weight percent methacrylate.
An investigation of the effect of direct metal deposition parameters on the characteristics of the deposited layers

Abstract Multilayer direct laser deposition (DLD) is a fabrication process through which parts are fabricated by creating a molten pool into which metal powder is injected as particles. During fabrication, complex thermal activity occurs in different regions of the build; for example, newly deposited layers will reheat previously deposited layers. The objective of this study was to provide insight into the thermal activity that occurs during the DLD process. This work focused on the effect of the laser parameters of newly deposited layers on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the previously deposited layers in order to characterize these effects to inform proper parameter selection in future DLD fabrication. Varying the parameters showed to produce different effects on the microstructure morphology and property values, leading to some tempering and aging of the steels. The microstructure of the top layer was equiaxed, while the near substrate region was fine dendritic. Typically, both the travel speed and laser power significantly affect the microstructure and hardness. Using the commercial ABAQUS/CAE software, a thermo-mechanical 3D finite element model was developed. This work presents a 3D heat transfer model that considers the continuous addition of powder particles in front of a moving laser beam using ABAQUS/CAE software. The model assumes the deposit geometry appropriate to each experimental condition and calculates the temperature distribution, cooling rates and re-melted layer depth, which can affect the final microstructure. Model simulations were qualitatively compared with experimental results acquired in situ using a K -type thermocouple.
Surgical pulmonary valve replacement: a benchmark for outcomes comparisons.

Background Patients with right heart obstructive lesions develop residual or recurrent right ventricle outflow tract pathology as a result of native or implanted pulmonary valve (PV) dysfunction. Until recently, the standard of care has been surgical placement of a PV or valved right ventricle to pulmonary artery conduit. Catheter-based options are being increasingly applied in patients with PV dysfunction. The purpose of our study was to evaluate outcomes of surgical pulmonary valve/conduit replacement (PVR) at a large pediatric hospital to provide contemporary benchmark data for comparison with developing technologies. Methods Retrospective review of patients undergoing PVR not associated with complex concomitant procedures from July 1995 to December 2010 was completed. Inclusion criteria were designed to generally match those applied to patients promoted for catheter-based valve replacement based on age and weight (age ≥5 years and weight ≥30 kg). Results There were 148 PVRs with all patients having undergone ≥ 1 previous interventions (tetralogy of Fallot [53%] and pulmonary atresia [17%]). Surgical indications were PV insufficiency (60%), PV stenosis (26%), and both (13%). Valves used included bioprosthetic (n = 108; 73%) and homografts (n = 40; 27%). Time-to-extubation, intensive care unit stay, and hospital length of stay were P = .003), and smaller valve size ( P = .025) were associated with increased risk of valve reintervention. Patient survival at follow-up (mean, 5.0 ± 3.9 years) was 99%. Conclusions Surgical PVR is safe with low in-hospital and midterm follow-up mortality and reoperation rates. These outcomes provide a useful benchmark for treatment strategy comparisons.
Integrated thin-film dc SQUID sensors

This paper reviews the design of integrated thin-film dc SQUID sensors fabricated in planar technology. Included are both high performance devices with fully integrated input coils and more advanced devices that incorporate fully integrated pickup loop structures as well, such as gradiometers and miniature susceptometers and magnetometers. First the basic characterization of the dc SQUID is given. Operation and performance issues are discussed followed by a review of the status of planar coupling schemes. A brief discussion of packaging is given. Design considerations for planar gradiometers are presented. The configuration of a balanced coupled SQUID for gradiometer applications is detailed, and some key design concerns for gradiometer arrays are mentioned. The design and application of a miniature SQUID susceptometer is reviewed, and a brief description of several other miniature susceptometer and magnetometer designs is given.
CASINOS AS “HOT SPOTS” AND THE GENERATION OF CRIME

ABSTRACT Casino venues, according to prevailing assumptions, tend to be high crime areas. Often, they are also tourist attractions. Both of these factors may be the major contributors to the creation of “hot spots”. While previous studies have examined the casino-crime connection at an aggregate level, the present research focuses on the geographic distribution of crime in a major casino resort city to determine the spatial impact of gambling establishments on criminal activity. Relying on police incident reports, this paper examines the following questions: What is the impact of the “population at risk” on a casino's crime problem and what is the spatial “reach” of casinos in terms of their effects on street crimes (“spill-over” effect)?
Synthesis and properties of carboxy-substituted half-sandwich ruthenium complexes with chelating bisphosphine ligands (η5-C5H4CO2H)Ru(η2-L)X (X = I, H)

Abstract Several Ru(II) complexes (η 5 -C 5 H 4 CO 2 H)Ru(η 2 -L)I have been prepared by the hydrolysis of the ester linkage in (η 5 -C 5 H 4 CO 2 t -Bu)Ru(η 2 -L)Cl with trimethylsilyl iodide. The hydrides (η 5 -C 5 H 4 CO 2 H)Ru(η 2 -L)H may be prepared by reduction of the iodide complexes in KOH/MeOH solutions followed by acidification. Complexes with several chelating bisphosphine ligands have been prepared in this way. The carboxylate anions [(η 5 -C 5 H 4 CO 2 )Ru(η 2 -L)H] − are readily protonated by weak acids to give the carboxyCp complexes. The p K a of the carboxy proton of (η 5 -C 5 H 4 CO 2 H)Ru(dppe)H (dppe = 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane) is 11.3 in DMSO. Protonation of the neutral hydride complex (η 5 -C 5 H 4 CO 2 H)Ru(dppf)H gives the cationic dihydride (η 5 -C 5 H 4 CO 2 H)Ru(dppf)H + 2 ; the dihydride structure has been confirmed by measuring the T 1 of its 1 H NMR hydride resonance over a range of temperatures. The oxidations of the halide complexes (η 5 -C 5 H 4 CO 2 H)Ru(dppf)I and (η 5 -C 5 H 4 CO 2 t -Bu)Ru(dppf)Cl (dppf = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene) have been studied by cyclic voltammetry.
Kitten Visual Cortex: Short-Term, Stimulus-Induced Changes in Connectivity

Single neurons in the kitten visual cortex can be induced to increase their responsiveness to a repeated stimulus applied while the neurons are under observation. These short-term changes are in the same direction as the permanent modifications produced in whole populations of neurons following environmental manipulations during the "critical period" of cortical development, but are less pronounced and probably transient.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases

This article summarizes the major sexually transmitted diseases with an emphasis on diagnosis, therapy, and follow-up. Topics included are syphilis, gonorrhea, herpes genitalis, nongonococcal urethritis, lymphogranuloma venereum, granuloma inguinale, chancroid, condyloma acuminatum, molluscum contagiosum, and venereally transmitted gastrointestinal disease.
SCN- ions induce contraction of vascular muscle from male but not female rats.

Abstract It has been suggested that anions may play important roles in the regulation of membrane potentials, intracellular calcium and pH of vascular smooth muscle. It is, thus, possible that anions may be important in the sex-linked differences observed in contractile functions of vascular smooth muscle. With this in mind, we investigated the influence of alteration of the anionic environment, i.e., Cl− chloride ions, on the contractile activity of isolated aortic strips and rings from sexually mature male and female rats. After a few minutes of changing the incubation medium from normal chloride-containing Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate (NKRB) to a SCN− (thiocyanate) modified Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution (SCN-KRB; 118 mM SCN− substituted for 118 mM Cl−), resting tension increased dramatically, e.g., to about 85% of KCl maximum in males, but not in females. This increased resting tension could not be inhibited or attenuated by specific adrenergic, cholinergic, histaminergic, serotoninergic or cyclo-oxygenase inhibitors. Likewise use of a local anesthetic in high concentration (i.e., procaine HCl, 10−3 M) also failed to inhibit or attenuate the SCN−-induced contractions. However, use of 5 mM EGTA, incubation in Ca2+-free SCN-KRB media or addition of [Mg2+]o (extracellular Mg2+) (2.4–14.4 mM) all resulted in inhibition of the enhancement of vascular tone in aortas from male animals, whereas addition of 5 mM CaNa2EDTA or removal of [Mg2+]o from SCN−KRB potentiated it. Use of intact aortic rings or aortic strips produced identical results in response to SCN-KRB and the experimental maneuvers. Our results suggest that the gender differences in the contractile responsiveness of vascular smooth muscle are probably related to anionic metabolism and distribution of Cl− ions across the vascular smooth muscle cell membranes. Chloride and other anions may mediate the diverse effects and actions of sex hormones on vascular tone, reactivity and calcium movement in vascular smooth muscle.
Changes in physical activity and body composition in postmenopausal women over time

AB Purpose: Higher physical activity (PA) has been associated with greater attenuation of body fat gain and preservation of lean mass across the lifespan. These analyses aimed to determine relationships of change in PA to changes in fat and lean body mass in a longitudinal prospective study of postmenopausal women. Methods: Among 11,491 women enrolled at three Women's Health Initiative clinical centers who were selected to undergo dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, 8352 had baseline body composition measurements, with at least one repeated measure at years 1, 3, and 6. PA data were obtained by self-report at baseline and 3 and 6 yr of follow-up. Time-varying PA effect on change in lean and fat mass during the 6-yr study period for age groups (50-59 yr, 60-69 yr, and 70-79 yr) was estimated using mixed effects linear regression. Results: Baseline PA and body composition differed significantly among the three age groups. The association of change in fat mass from baseline and time-varying PA differed across the three age groups (P = 0.0006). In women age 50-59 yr, gain in fat mass from baseline was attenuated with higher levels of PA. Women age 70-79 yr lost fat mass at all PA levels. In contrast, change in lean mass from baseline and time-varying PA did not differ by age group (P = 0.1935). Conclusions: The association between PA and change in fat mass varies by age group, with younger, but not older, women benefiting from higher levels of aerobic PA. Higher levels of aerobic activity are not associated with changes in lean mass, which tends to decrease in older women regardless of activity level. Greater attention to resistance training exercises may be needed to prevent lean mass loss as women age. (C) 2013 American College of Sports Medicine
Seismic Vulnerability of Older Braced Frames

AbstractConcentrically braced frames (CBFs) are broadly used as lateral-load resisting systems in buildings throughout the United States. Current state-of-the-practice is the use of special concentrically braced frames (SCBFs) where ductility under seismic loading is necessary. Prior to modern seismic codes, braced frames were designed without ductile detailing. Here these systems are termed nonseismic braced frames (NCBFs), which are essentially CBFs designed with no special detailing requirements. These may comply with older code requirements in high-seismicity regions or current code requirements in low-seismicity regions. Many are still in service throughout the United States. Prior research has focused on SCBFs, which has improved their seismic performance. In comparison, there is significant uncertainty regarding the seismic performance of NCBFs and they may be vulnerable to collapse. A study was conducted to evaluate this vulnerability. At the start, a pilot experimental test of NCBFs was conducted...
Typical GERD symptoms and esophageal pH monitoring are not enough to diagnose pharyngeal reflux

Background Abnormal pharyngeal reflux of acid (PR) (as measured by pH monitoring) is associated with microaspiration, and is a good predictor of airway symptom response to medical and surgical anti-reflux therapy. However, in clinical practice the link between airway disease and Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is still based on the presence of typical symptoms (e.g., heartburn) and/or standard esophageal function testing (manometry and 24-pH monitoring). PR is rarely measured directly. We undertook this study to determine if typical symptoms and standard testing could reliably predict the presence of PR. Methods The study group consisted of 518 patients with suspected reflux induced airway disease evaluated from December 1998 through January 2002. Each patient completed a standardized symptom questionnaire, underwent esophageal manometry, and 24-h esophageal and pharyngeal pH monitoring. Patients were classified having abnormal pharyngeal reflux (PR+) if they had >1 episode of PR detected during pH monitoring. Results One hundred eighty-one patients were PR+ and 337 were PR−. The most common symptoms, namely cough (PR +73%, PR− 68%), hoarseness (PR +64%, PR− 66%), and dyspnea (PR +59%, PR− 59%) were present with similar incidence in PR+ and PR− patients. The incidence of heartburn was 54% in the PR+ and 52% in the PR− patients. Logistic regression analysis revealed that abnormal esophageal acid exposure was a predictor of PR+ ( P Conclusions Typical GERD symptoms, such as heartburn, and typical symptoms of aspiration such as hoarseness, cough, or dyspnea are not enough to positively identify PR. While patients with abnormal esophageal acid exposure are three times more likely than those with normal values to have PR, abnormal esophageal acid exposure alone does not identify all patients with PR. Therefore, relying on symptoms and standard diagnostic testing may fail to identify patients with extraesophageal reflux. Pharyngeal pH monitoring should be considered for patients with suspected reflux-induced airway disease.
A Liberal Arts Education: Global Trends and Challenges

The debate about the effectiveness of the liberal arts curriculum is centuries old, but recent financial and social pressures have placed the survival of the liberal arts in the United States at even greater risk. Using Kimball's (1995) notion of the oratorical and philosophical traditions of liberal education, this article first identifies the critical importance of balancing breadth and depth in the curriculum before honing in on breadth as being in particular danger in the current climate. After analyzing the major threats to breadth in American higher education, the article looks overseas to find a new case for the value of breadth in the curriculum. It focuses on Hong Kong's university system, where a large-scale, multiyear project is underway to graft a fourth year of general education onto a three-year model of discipline- or profession-specific training. The resulting contrast between American institutions discarding curricular breadth while foreign universities rediscover it is telling. This topi...
Rod and cone system contributions to oscillatory potentials: an explanation for the conditioning flash effect.

Abstract The oscillatory potentials (OPs) of the human electroretinogram (ERG) are smaller in response to the initial flash of a series than to subsequent flashes. To investigate a possible rod system contribution to this “conditioning flash effect,” we have examined OPs in normals and rod monochromats. The OPs recorded from rod monochromats were similar to those recorded from normals under test conditions that selectively stimulate rods. However, under conditions that in normals stimulate both rods and cones and that result in maximal amplitude of the OPs, the rod monochromats exhibit markedly reduced OPs. This finding suggests that the initial (conditioning) flash operates by adapting the rod system contribution to the OPs, so that the OPs in response to subsequent flashes result primarily from the cone system. In agreement with this hypothesis, the conditioning flash effect did not occur when flashes were presented against a background which eliminated the rod system response nor during the cone plateau phase of dark adaptation.