cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Alternative Strategies for Providing Clinical Experiences in a Family Nursing Course

Abstract Clinical competency is essential for nursing student preparation although acute clinical experiences are limited. An innovative pedagogical strategy was utilized to meet curricular requirements in a Family Health Nursing course. National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN), Health Education Systems Incorporated (HESI) exit and HESI maternity examination scores increased, and student feedback and faculty satisfaction improved. Program outcomes were not negatively affected by elimination of the acute care clinicals. Community clinical experiences with obstetrical simulation may be utilized as a feasible strategy to meet program outcomes.
Comparison of a time-varying covariate model and a joint model of time-to-event outcomes in the presence of measurement error and interval censoring: application to kidney transplantation

Tacrolimus (TAC) is an immunosuppressant drug given to kidney transplant recipients post-transplant to prevent antibody formation and kidney rejection. The optimal therapeutic dose for TAC is poorly defined and therapy requires frequent monitoring of drug trough levels. Analyzing the association between TAC levels over time and the development of potentially harmful de novo donor specific antibodies (dnDSA) is complex because TAC levels are subject to measurement error and dnDSA is assessed at discrete times, so it is an interval censored time-to-event outcome. Using data from the University of Colorado Transplant Center, we investigated the association between TAC and dnDSA using a shared random effects (intercept and slope) model with longitudinal and interval censored survival sub-models (JM) and compared it with the more traditional interval censored survival model with a time-varying covariate (TVC). We carried out simulations to compare bias, level and power for the association parameter in the TVC and JM under varying conditions of measurement error and interval censoring. In addition, using Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methods allowed us to calculate clinically relevant quantities along with credible intervals (CrI). The shared random effects model was a better fit and showed both the average TAC and the slope of TAC were associated with risk of dnDSA. The simulation studies demonstrated that, in the presence of heavy interval censoring and high measurement error, the TVC survival model underestimates the association between the survival and longitudinal measurement and has inflated type I error and considerably less power to detect associations. To avoid underestimating associations, shared random effects models should be used in analyses of data with interval censoring and measurement error.
Comparison of measurement systems for collecting teacher language data in early childhood settings

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy and efficiency of three measurement systems in capturing teacher language use in inclusive preschool classrooms. Specifically, this study evaluated the use of two discontinuous measurement systems (momentary time sampling and partial interval recording) in estimating the frequency and quality of teacher talk, as compared to a continuous measurement of teacher language (timed event recording). Sixteen, 20-min video samples of teacher–child interactions were collected in classrooms serving children with or at-risk for language delays. Samples were coded for teacher talk using momentary time sampling, partial interval recording, and timed event recording. Results indicated that the discontinuous measurement systems did not provide accurate estimates of teacher language, nor did they take considerably less time to complete compared to the continuous measurement system.
Molecular and tissue mechanisms of catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia

Catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT) is a stress-induced cardiac channelopathy that has a high mortality in untreated patients. Our understanding has grown tremendously since CPVT was first described as a clinical syndrome in 1995. It is now established that the deadly arrhythmias are caused by unregulated 'pathological' calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), the major calcium storage organelle in striated muscle. Important questions remain regarding the molecular mechanisms that are responsible for the pathological calcium release, regarding the tissue origin of the arrhythmic beats that initiate ventricular tachycardia, and regarding optimal therapeutic approaches. At present, mutations in six genes involved in SR calcium release have been identified as the genetic cause of CPVT: RYR2 (encoding ryanodine receptor calcium release channel), CASQ2 (encoding cardiac calsequestrin), TRDN (encoding triadin), CALM1, CALM2 and CALM3 (encoding identical calmodulin protein). Here, we review each CPVT subtype and how CPVT mutations alter protein function, RyR2 calcium release channel regulation, and cellular calcium handling. We then discuss research and hypotheses surrounding the tissue mechanisms underlying CPVT, such as the pathophysiological role of sinus node dysfunction in CPVT, and whether the arrhythmogenic beats originate from the conduction system or the ventricular working myocardium. Finally, we review the treatments that are available for patients with CPVT, their efficacy, and how therapy could be improved in the future.
Numerical solutions in chromatography using large time step and overlapping grids methods

We consider two systems of one-dimensional conservation laws that describe the process of column chromatography in chemistry in isolating a single compound from a mixture. We use recently proposed large time step and overlapping grids finite volume numerical methods in approximating solutions to a variety of initial value problems resulting in classical solutions as well as in singular and $$\delta $$ -shock solutions. The novel idea presented in the large time step method reduces the number of time steps needed to reach the final time and, thus, allows faster marching in the time direction. The overlapping grids methods are crucial when considering problems where an object is covered with multiple grids. It is important to ensure that the numerical method is constructed in such a way that it is conservative on the overlap and, moreover, that the approximate solutions converge to the weak solution, and in the case of a scalar equation, to the entropy solution. The main contribution of this paper is to show effectiveness of the proposed numerical methods for approximating solutions to systems of equations since their convergence was rigorously proved so far only in case of a scalar equation.
Targeting NF-κB with Nanotherapy in a Mouse Model of Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma

Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is an aggressive, clonal malignancy of mature T cells caused by human T-cell leukemia virus type 1. Although it is a rare tumor type, it serves as an excellent model of a virus driven process that transforms cells and engenders a highly malignant tumor that is extraordinarily difficult to treat. The viral transcriptional transactivator (Tax) in the HTLV-1 genome directly promotes tumorigenesis, and Tax-induced oncogenesis depends on its ability to constitutively activate NF-κB signaling. Accordingly, we developed and evaluated a nano-delivery system that simultaneously inhibits both canonical (p65) and noncanonical (p100) NF-κB signaling pathways locally in tumors after systemic administration. Our results demonstrate that siRNA is delivered rapidly to ATLL tumors after either i.p. or i.v. injection. The siRNA treatment significantly reduced both p65 and p100 mRNA and protein expression. Anti-NF-κB nanotherapy significantly inhibited tumor growth in two distinct tumor models in mice: a spontaneous Tax-driven tumor model, and a Tax tumor cell transplant model. Moreover, siRNA nanotherapy sensitized late-stage ATLL tumors to the conventional chemotherapeutic agent etoposide, indicating a pleiotropic benefit for localized siRNA nanotherapeutics.
Duckweed growth model for large-scale applications: Optimizing harvesting regime and intrinsic growth rate via machine learning to maximize biomass yields

Abstract Duckweed has emerged as a potential feedstock for the environmentally sustainable and economically viable production of biofuels and protein. This aim of this study was to: (1) enhance an existing intrinsic duckweed growth model and apply it for developing a general regression model that enables users to easily predict annual duckweed yield for large scale applications; and (2) determine the optimal parameter sets that produce the highest annual duckweed yield at a specific location for known values of daily temperature and photoperiod. Simulations performed using Stella Architect were used to compute annual duckweed yield and generate separate datasets for developing a regression model and optimization model. To improve duckweed yields for large-scale applications which incorporate regular harvesting, a harvesting regime was added to the intrinsic duckweed growth model. Two new parameters (harvest frequency and harvest ratio) and a control (harvest threshold) were used to describe the harvesting regime in the model. The general model was developed by fitting LASSO regression (R2 = 0.95) with four variables: initial mat density, intrinsic growth rate, harvest ratio, and harvest frequency. This model offers a simple method for users to estimate annual duckweed yield in practical applications without the need for dynamic simulation runs. Optimum parameter values to maximize biomass production at a location in southwest Florida, USA, were determined using an optimization framework involving a deep neural network machine learning algorithm. Using an existing daylength model to predict daily photoperiod and inputting local temperature data, machine learning calculated a maximum yield of 70 dry tons per hectare per year for the Florida case study, under the following conditions: initial mat density = 169 gdry m−2; harvest threshold = 76 gdry m−2; nitrogen = 50.1 mg L−1; phosphorus = 7.5 mg L−1; harvest ratio = 0.35; and harvest frequency = 1 day.
Opioid use as a proximal risk factor for suicidal behavior in young adults.

Introduction There is a concomitant rise in suicide rates with the prevalence of opioids involved in overdose deaths, especially among adolescents and young adults. However, there are limited studies on whether opioid use prospectively predicts suicidal behavior in youth. Methods Our sample included 183 psychiatric patients (18-30 years) admitted for a suicide attempt (SA), have current suicidal ideation (SI), and psychiatric controls without ideation or attempt (PC). Suicidal behavior was assessed using the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale. We also recruited a healthy control group (HC; n = 40). Patients and controls were followed over a year. ANOVA, regression, and cox regression were used. Results Suicide attempt (β = 0.87, CI [0.1-1.6], p = 0.02) and SI [(β = 0.75, CI [0.03-1.5], p = 0.04) were significantly more likely than HCs to have used opioids in the past year at baseline. Opioid use was associated with increased anxiety symptoms (β = 0.75, CI [0.001-1.5], p = 0.05), PTSD symptoms (β = 3.90, CI [1.1-6.7], p = 0.01), and aggression (β = 0.02, CI [0.01-0.04], p = 0.02). Opioid use in the month prior to hospitalization predicted SA at 6 months (OR = 1.87, CI [1.06-3.31], p = 0.032). Conclusions Opioid use is a proximal predictor for SA. These findings may help clinicians better identify patients at risk for suicidal behavior, allowing for more personalized treatment approaches.
Development of mammalian erythroid cells.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the development of mammalian erythroid cells that involves a continuous process from a primitive progenitor cell without detectable hemoglobin to a mature non-nucleated erythrocyte, in which more than 95% of the total protein is hemoglobin. It is a most striking feature of the mammalian erythroid cell differentiation that a cell line evolves that is uniquely capable of synthesizing hemoglobin and that develops to a non-nucleated stage, providing an “envelope” to transport and maintain this respiratory pigment in a functional state. The recent achievements at the molecular level with bacteria and viruses have provided great impetus to the studies of cellular differentiation in general, primarily by providing a model for considering the mechanism underlying this fundamental process—namely, that cellular differentiation is ultimately a result of the variable gene activity. Erythroid cell differentiation is characterized by a series of morphologically recognizable stages. Globin and hemoglobin can be employed as highly specific markers for the course of differentiation. A large body of knowledge has accumulated about the genetic, structural, and biochemical characteristics of the erythroid cells and, in particular, hemoglobin. In considering the erythroid cell development, emphasis is placed on the studies of the erythroid cell system in mouse, rat, rabbit, and man.
Wärmeleitung und Wärmestrahlung

Fur den Huttenmann sind diese zwei Faktoren von der grosten Bedeutung, aber trotzdem ist der Praktiker gerade auf diesen Gebieten gewohnlich sehr wenig unterrichtet. Es kommt ofters vor, wenn ein Ofen von dem doppelten Fassungsraum seines Vorgangers oder seiner Nachbarn erbaut wird, das der Betriebsleiter ganz unerwartet die angenehme Erfahrung macht, das der neue Ofen eine gleichmasigere Hitze bei bedeutend weniger als dem doppelten Kohlenverbrauch gibt. Zwei Ursachen wirken hier mit. Erstens werden die Wande starker genommen, um den schwereren Ofenaufbau zu tragen, wodurch sie gleichzeitig schlechtere Warmeleiter werden. Zweitens nimmt der Fassungsraum mit der dritten Potenz der linearen Ausdehnung zu, wahrend die strahlende Oberflache nur mit der zweiten Potenz wachst. Dadurch wird bei den groseren Ofen die Strahlung geringer als der zweifache Betrag des kleineren Ofens.
Low density inorganic foams fabricated using microwaves

The objective of our work was to determine if high temperature foams could be made using microwave heating; and if so, to investigate some of their properties. Several foams were made and their compressive strengths, tensile strengths and densities were determined. Foams were made of glass, metal-glass, glass-fiber, metal-glass-fiber, and fly ash. The microwave source used was a Litton model 1521 microwave oven which operated at 2.45 GHz and had an output of 700 watts.
Inhibition of Leukemic Cell Growth by the Protein Kinase C Activator Bryostatin 1 Correlates with the Dephosphorylation of Cyclin-dependent Kinase 2

Bryostatin 1 is a natural antineoplastic agent that activates protein kinase C. Treatment of U937 human leukemic cells with bryostatin 1 caused a 60% reduction in cell growth, whereas another protein kinase C activator, phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), completely inhibited U937 cell growth. Both bryostatin 1 and PMA induced inhibition of cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdk2) activity. The first phase of cdk2 inhibition correlated with the transient induction of p21, a known inhibitor of cdk2. In contrast, the second phase of cdk2 inhibition correlated with the dephosphorylation of cdk2 on threonine-160, which must be phosphorylated for cdk2 activity. The level of growth inhibition induced by these two compounds correlated with the degree of cdk2 dephosphorylation as follows: bryostatin 1, 60%; PMA, 100%.
The making and muting of an indigenous media activist: Imagination and ideology in Charles Round Low Cloud's “Indian News”

In this article, I examine an example of American Indian activism through the once-dominant mass medium of the newspaper. I focus on Ho-Chunk author Charles Round Low Cloud and his development of an "Indian News" column into a vehicle for activism against everyday forms of racial oppression in the 1930s and on the ways others involved in publishing his column used the medium to subvert his message. The analysis shows how nonindigenous actors can mute activist messages through practices designed to celebrate indigenous voices. I argue that both indigenous media activism and reactions against such activism rely on the "mediated imagination": the mediation of the use and reception of media messages by cultural ideologies and by individual creativity. Recognition of the mediated imagination, therefore, complements efforts to understand how language and other semiotic ideologies shape interpretations of social reality. It also facilitates analysis of the potentials and limitations of indigenous activism that uses existing media technologies.
Needs assessment for emerging oral microbiome knowledge in dental hygiene education.

The curricula of dental hygiene education reflect the knowledge gained through research and clinical advances. Emergingknowledge is often complex and tentative. The purpose of this study is to assess dental hygiene students’ confidence in theirknowledge about the oral microbiome and to conduct a knowledge needs assessment for expanding their exposure to emergingknowledge about the oral microbiome. Sixty dental hygiene students were surveyed, using a Likert-type scale about theirconfidence and about current and emerging bacteriological research. The majority of students (60%) reported being confident intheir knowledge. The mean score for the ten items was 35.2% (standard deviation, 20.6%). The results of this study indicate aneed for emphasis on emerging oral microbiome research in dental hygiene education. This is important so that dental hygienestudents can properly share information with their patients about advances in dental care.
Is Teaching for Social Justice Undemocratic

In this article, Eric Freedman examines the extent to which critical pedagogy can be considered a democratic form of education. Comparing Paulo Freire's notion of dialogue to Jurgen Habermas's "ideal speech situation," Freedman argues that such dialogue cannot realistically occur in educational situations where the teacher remains in an institutionalized position of power. This argument opens critical pedagogy to the charge of indoctrination. The author thus proposes three ways to align the practice more closely with democratic principles. The first is to employ a democratic procedure to develop school curriculum whenever possible. The second is to present multiple, competing positions on each social issue students are to discuss. Freedman's final suggestion is to train students in a method of analyzing these competing positions that helps shed light on the causes of social inequalities.
Publishing and the Intellectual System

Publishing is an integral part of the total intellectual system of any nation and of an international relationship of cultural and educational matters. Publishers are very much influenced by currents in their societies. Such factors as levels of literacy, habits of book purchasing, libraries, copyright regulations and bookstores have an impact on the nature of publishing and the book industry. The educational system, a particularly important consumer of books, is crucial to publishing. In industrialized nations, where levels of literacy are high, it is likely that publishing will be highly developed although it is under increasing attack from such forces as television and other mass media. In the Third World, the mass media are not highly developed, and books often have a particularly important role. This article argues that it is impossible to ignore the broader elements of the modern intellectual community in discussing publishing, and that books continue to play a key role in the development of that co...
The dystroglycanopathies: the new disorders of O-linked glycosylation.

It has become clear in the past half decade that a number of forms of congenital muscular dystrophy are in fact congenital disorders of glycosylation. Genes for Walker Warburg syndrome, muscle-eye-brain disease, Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy, congenital muscular dystrophy 1C and 1D, and limb girdle muscular dystrophy 2I have been identified, and gene mutations resulting in these diseases all cause the underglycosylation of α dystroglycan with O-linked carbohydrates. Unlike congenital disorders of glycosylation involving the N-linked pathway, these O-linked disorders possess distinctive muscle, eye, and brain phenotypes. Studies using mice and patient tissues strongly suggest that underglycosylation of dystroglycan inhibits the binding extracellular matrix proteins, effectively divorcing this important cell adhesion molecule from its extracellular environment. Moreover, defects in dystroglycan alone can account for most, if not all, cellular pathology. Thus, these disorders are now collectively referred to as dystroglycanopathies.
Critical Conditions for Transitions between Stationary and Non-Stationary High-Field Domains in Semi-Insulators

An analysis of a fluctuation in the neighborhood of singular points of the Poisson and transport equations for a semi-insulator with negative differential conductivity due to field enhanced recombination yields a criterion for the transitions between stationary and non-stationary high-field domains. Critical voltages (domain lengths) and current oscillation frequencies are given for different saturation currents and agree well with experimental results reported for field-quenched CdS. It has been shown that, with increasing applied voltage, alternating regimes of stationary and non-stationary solutions exist for the model discussed, in agreement with recently reported experimental indications. Die Analyse einer Fluktuation in der Nahe der singularen Punkte der Poisson- und Transportgleichung fur einen Halbleiter mit negativer differentieller Leitfahigkeit, die auf feldangeregte Rekombination zuruckzufuhren ist, ergibt ein Kriterium fur die Ubergange zwischen stationaren und nicht-stationaren Hochfelddomanen. Fur bestimmte Sattigungsstrome ergeben sich bestimmte kritische Spannungen (Domanenlangen) und Frequenzen der Stromoszillationen, die gut mit den an CdS-Kristallen mit Feldtilgung erzielten experimentellen Ergebnissen ubereinstimmen. Es kann gezeigt werden, das fur das diskutierte Modell bei Erhohung der angelegten Spannung abwechselnd Gebiete mit stationaren und nicht stationaren Losungen auftreten, in Ubereinstimmung mit Experimenten, uber die kurzlich berichtet wurde.
The ontogenesis of primary prevention: Lengthy strides and subbed toes

Reviews evolution of the concept of primary prevention in the past 40 years and cites progress in overcoming significant early deterrents (e.g., loosely anchored, overinclusive definitions; weak supporting empirical base) to this development. Highlights the growing trend to define the concept specifically around the yoked notions of risk, and the goal of forestalling major psychological dysfunction. This de facto shift in definitional emphasis has obscured primary prevention's early vision of promoting health and wellness. Stresses need for a comprehensive, multilevel, proactive approach targeted systematically toward the enhancement of psychological wellness in all people, from the start.
Eosinophilic Pneumonia: Physiologic Response to Steroid Therapy and Observations on Light and Electron Microscopic Findings

A detailed description is presented of three cases of chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, including clinical features, pulmonary physiologic studies before and after treatment with steroid therapy, and light and electron microscopic studies. All patients showed a dramatic clinical response to steroid therapy, with chest roentgenographic clearing of infiltrates in two of three. Physiologic responses included an increase in vital capacity, arterial oxygen pressure, and single-breath carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, and a decrease in percentage of right-to-left shunt. Electron microscopic examination revealed a marked increase in the cellular content of the alveolar wall interstitium. This disease is of unknown cause but responds clinically and physiologically to steroid therapy, adding another incentive to perform lung biopsies on all patients with diffuse lung disease.
Effects of repeated nicotine pre-treatment on mesoprefrontal dopaminergic and behavioral responses to acute footshock stress.

The effects of acute and repeated nicotine administration on the stress response of rat mesoprefrontal dopaminergic pathways were examined. Rats were given daily injections of nicotine (0.15 or 0.60 mg/kg, s.c., freebase) or saline for 4 days, then challenged with either nicotine or saline. A regimen of inescapable electrical footshocks or no footshocks was then administered. Thirty minutes after final injection, rats were sacrificed, brains removed and dopamine (DA) and its metabolite dihydroxy-O-phenylacetic acid (DOPAC) were extracted from medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), nucleus accumbens septi (NAS) and dorsolateral striatum and quantified by high performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection. Acute administration of low dose nicotine (0.15 mg/kg) produced an increase in DA utilization (increased DOPAC/DA ratio) in mPFC and NAS, but not striatum. High dose nicotine (0.60 mg/kg) produced activation in NAS, but not mPFC or striatum. Repeated low dose nicotine pre-treatment produced tolerance to the effects of nicotine challenge in the mPFC, and reduced its effects in NAS. Footshock stress preferentially increased DA utilization in mPFC and associated footshock stress-induced immobility responses, and these were reduced by low, but not high, dose repeated nicotine pre-treatment. Further, a single dose of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) antagonist mecamylamine (MCA) 30 min prior to nicotine challenge dose-dependently blocked the reduction of mesoprefrontal DA stress responsivity and immobility responses produced by repeated nicotine pre-treatment. These results indicate that: (1) there are dose-dependent differential effects of acute and repeated nicotine pre-exposure on regional DA utilization; (2) low, but not high, dose repeated nicotine reduces both the mesoprefrontal DA and behavioral effects of acute footshock stress; and (3) these effects of repeated nicotine may depend on mecamylamine-sensitive nAChR stimulation. These results may have relevance to acute stress and nicotine dependence, particularly in schizophrenic disorders, which have high prevalence rates of co-morbid nicotine dependence, stress-induced symptom exacerbation and prefrontal cortical dysfunction.
Proximal tubule brush border alterations during the course of chromate nephropathy.

Abstract Tubular transport abnormalities reportedly predominate over alterations in glomerular filtration rate and epithelial morphology during the early phase of Na-chromate-induced acute renal failure. We have studied the role of the brush border membrane in the sequence of events after the subcutaneous injection of Na2CrO4 (20 mg/kg body weight) to rats. Brush border integrity was evaluated by ultrastructural criteria and the activities of several enzymes assayed in vitro on purified brush border membrane preparations. By electron microscopy, subtle alterations of microvillar morphology were present within 1 hr of chromate injection. Alkaline phosphatase activity declined significantly by 2 hr but represented the only brush border enzyme alteration at this earliest time of study. During 0–2 hr, Cin declined to 0.90 ± 0.04 ml/min from a control value of 1.30 ± 0.04 then increased during the 2–4 hr period to 1.09 ± 0.05 ml/min. The fractional excretion of lysozyme at 0–2 and 2–4 hr and of phosphate at 2–4 hr, and the urine excretion of N-acetyl-glucosaminidase at 0–2 and 2–4 hr increased significantly in chromate rats and exceeded values in saline-injected rats for the corresponding collection periods. [14C]Leucine incorporation into proteins of renal cortex and brush border was 50% or less of control at 2 hr after chromate. By 12–16 hr, brush border enzyme abnormalities were well established and became more severe with longer periods of observation coincident with advancing degrees of renal insufficiency. These results indicate that chromate-induced epithelial cell toxicity and tubular transport defects become operative within the first 2–4 hr after injection of Nachromate. Whereas injury to the brush border membrane is a feature of chromate nephropathy, the available evidence does not strongly favor the view that transport defects are attributable to microvillar pathology.
VIBRATION TRANSMISSION THROUGH ROLLING ELEMENT BEARINGS, PART II: SYSTEM STUDIES

Abstract This paper extends the proposed bearing stiffness formulation of Part I and demonstrates its superiority over existing models in vibration transmission analyses for a generic single shaft-bearing-plate-mount system. The bearing stiffness matrix [ K ] bm is incorporated in discrete system models involving lumped parameter and finite element modeling techniques. Shaft, plate and mount flexibilities are also included in such models. The stability issue associated with the proposed bearing model is addressed analytically by using Liapunov's stability method, and the system is found to be dynamically stable provided the preloads are sufficiently high. Eigensolution and forced harmonic response to the following rolling element bearing system example cases are obtained by using our formulation and results are compared with the predictions yielded by the current vibration models: (i) rigid shaft and plate system freely suspended; (ii) rigid shaft and plate supported on flexible mounts; (iii) an experimental set-up consisting of a flexible shaft, two ball bearings, a rectangular plate and the supporting structure. Analytical results indicate that our proposed model is indeed capable of predicting plate rigid-body angular motion or plate flexural motion as excited by shaft motion. Such predictions are not observed in existing vibration models. Also, models with lower degrees of freedom, developed by several previous investigators, tend to underestimate the resonant frequencies and force or moment transmissibilities as compared with our multi-degree-of-freedom models. Finally, comparisons between our model and experiment have been found to be reasonably good.
Optical bleaching kinetics of ethylene observed with pulsed infrared laser-excited photothermal lens spectroscopy

An overview of the practice of accurate pulsed laser photothermal spectroscopy and the model relating the observed photothermal lens spectroscopy signal to the nonlinear absorption coefficients is given. Details of the assumptions used to derive the vibrational energy state model and the probable excited states involved in the kinetic saturation are discussed. Saturation irradiance and related parameters for ethylene in Ar, He, and N2 buffer gases are given and discussed in light of vibrational relaxation rate constants.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A place we call home: gender, race and justice in syracuse

A place we call home: gender, race and justice in syracuse, by K. Animashaun Ducre, Syracuse, Syracuse University Press, 2012, xiii + 160 pp., US$24.95 (cloth), ISBN 978-0-8156-3306-8 In A Place We Call Home: Gender, Race and Justice in Syracuse, K. Animashaun Ducre demonstrates the entanglement of history, politics, economics, and geography by presenting a case study of poor, working-class African-American women in Syracuse's South Side community. Specifically, Ducre narrates working with 14 women who are actors in the research process. The project is particularly important because of its focus on participatory methods. The book is a quick read and is divided into six chapters. Chapter 1 engages in Ducre's foundational interests in pursuing this type of project, reflecting on her experiences as an environmental justice organizer before taking on a scholar-activist role. The first chapter also discusses her theoretical foundations, which include Black feminist thought, particularly intersectionality and the personal narrative, and environmental justice research, drawing on the socio-spatial concerns of environmental racism particularly found in the work of geographer Laura Pulido. Thus, the text blends these two theoretical foundations and centralizes their importance in the pursuit of Ducre's use of photovoice and community mapping methodologies. Chapter 2 operates as the foundation of the text, introducing the 14 research participants. Ducre highlights her role as the self-identified fifteenth participant in the project, demonstrating a fundamentally reflexive position constitutive of feminist research. Chapter 3 provides historical context of the location of African-Americans in Syracuse including the racialization process of Syracuse's South Side community. The fourth chapter focuses on the process and outcomes of the community mapping exercises completed by the research participants to understand how they view their neighborhood in terms of a "good"/"bad" dichotomy. Chapter 5 focuses on the outcomes of the photovoice project, highlighting major themes and similarities across all participants, and the subsequent community exhibition of the participants' photographs. The concluding chapter reflects on the systemic impediments for living in communities such as Syracuse's South Side neighborhood and stresses the significance of and necessity for spatializing space and community through the lens of its residents. Ducre provides an intervention into the ways that scholars think about mapping, power, and race/gender/class intersections by outlining a project conducted with Black women in Syracuse. By highlighting the inextricability of time, place, history, and identity, cultural geographers would find A Place We Call Home useful in a number of ways. Ducre states that the purpose of this book is "to establish links between space and identity as it is informed by poor and working class African American mothers in an urban environment" (p. …
Analysing Water Resources Alternatives and Handling Criteria by Multi Criterion Decision Techniques

In this paper, a hydro-ecological management problem is analyzed by means of multi criterion decision-making (MCDM) techniques. The MCDM techniques used are (1) preference ranking organization method for enrichment evaluations (PROMETHEE-I, II), (2) geometrical analysis for interactive assistance (GAIA), (3) multi criterion Q-analysis (MCQA-I, II, III), (4) compromise programming (CP) and (5) cooperative game theory (CGT). An Austrian case study is presented to illustrate the advantages and disadvantages of the methods. The aim is to identify the so-called satisfactory water resources projects being designed at the Austrian part of Danube river. Moreover, handling of criteria in MCDM is discussed. Criteria analysis is important to understand the structure of the problem and also, in case of large criterion sets, a preference order on the criteria may help to determine the redundant and less important criteria in terms of discriminating power on the alternatives. GAIA and MCQA-III appear to be the only methods among the ones used that enable an analysis of the discriminating power of each criterion. In this paper, some modifications of the indices used in MCQA-III are proposed and shown to perform better in ranking criteria than earlier ones. It has been also shown that the use of two principal components in GAIA analysis might lead to misinterpretation of the real problem. In our case study, there are 12 alternatives and 33 criteria. The criteria consists of mainly three conflicting types of interest: economic, ecological and sociological. The alternatives include the construction of several hydropower plants as well as a national park. The comparison of the results show that there is not really a substantial ranking difference between the methods.
Surface Stretching for Ornstein Uhlenbeck Velocity Fields

The present note deals with large time properties of the Lagrangian trajectories of a turbulent flow in $R^2$ and $R^3$. We assume that the flow is driven by an incompressible time-dependent random velocity field with Gaussian statistics. We also assume that the field is homogeneous in space and stationary and Markovian in time. Such velocity fields can be viewed as (possibly infinite dimensional) Ornstein-Uhlenbeck processes. In d spatial dimensions we established the (strict) positivity of the sum of the largest $d-1$ Lyapunov exponents. As a consequences of this result, we prove the exponential stretching of surface areas (when $d=3$) and of curve lengths (when $d=2$.) This confirms conjectures found in the theory of turbulent flows.
Estrogen, aging and the cardiovascular system

Estrogen is a powerful hormone with pleiotropic effects. Estrogens have potent antioxidant effects and are able to reduce inflammation, induce vasorelaxation and alter gene expression in both the vasculature and the heart. Estrogen treatment of cultured cardiac myocytes and endothelial cells rapidly activates NFkappaB, induces heat-shock protein (HSP)-72, a potent intracellular protective protein, and protects cells from simulated ischemia. In in vivo models, estrogens protect against ischemia and trauma/hemorrhage. Estrogens may decrease the expression of soluble epoxide hydrolase, which has deleterious effects on the cardiovascular system through metabolism of epoxyeicosatrienoic acids. Natural (endogenous) estrogens in premenopausal women appear to protect against cardiovascular disease and yet controlled clinical trials have not indicated a benefit from estrogen replacement postmenopause. Much remains to be understood in regards to the many properties of this powerful hormone and how changes in this hormone interact with aging-associated changes. The unexpected negative results of trials of estrogen replacement postmenopause probably arise from our lack of understanding of the many effects of this hormone.
Confocal Raman microscopy investigation of the wetting of reversed-phase liquid chromatographic stationary phase particles.

Wetting phenomena in reversed-phase liquid chromatographic (RPLC) stationary phase particles strongly influence the retention of solutes with high water-content mobile phases. To better understand these phenomena, this work reports the spectroscopic observation of the wetting of the interior of individual C18-silica stationary phase particles with acetonitrile−water mobile phase solutions by confocal Raman microscopy. It was found that the pores of dry C18 silica do not wet when the concentration of acetonitrile is below 0.12 mol fraction (28% by volume). It was also found that there is a wetting hysteresis, where particles that had been previously exposed to acetonitrile solutions above the wetting transition remain filled with solution even at much lower concentrations of acetonitrile in the surrounding solution. Contact angles of acetonitrile−water solutions were measured at a planar C18-modified silica surface and used to predict the capillary wetting of the particles based on the Young−Laplace equati...
Fault detection, real-time error recovery, and experimental demonstration for digital microfluidic biochips

Advances in digital microfluidics and integrated sensing hold promise for a new generation of droplet-based biochips that can perform multiplexed assays to determine the identity of target molecules. Despite these benefits, defects and erroneous fluidic operations remain a major barrier to the adoption and deployment of these devices. We describe the first integrated demonstration of cyberphysical coupling in digital microfluidics, whereby errors in droplet transportation on the digital microfluidic platform are detected using capacitive sensors, the test outcome is interpreted by control hardware, and software-based error recovery is accomplished using dynamic reconfiguration. The hardware/software interface is realized through seamless interaction between control software, an off-the-shelf microcontroller and a frequency divider implemented on an FPGA. Experimental results are reported for a fabricated silicon device and links to videos are provided for the first-ever experimental demonstration of cyberphysical coupling and dynamic error recovery in digital microfluidic biochips.
Sesquiterpene lactones of Baltimora recta

The major sesquiterpene lactone of B. recta was the alantolide encelin (1) previously isolated from Encelia furinosa (Helianthinae) [4]. ‘H and 13C NMR spectra of encelin are included in Tables 1 and 2; in accordance with our earlier revision [S] of the structure of farinosin (5), the original assignments for H-13 and H-14 of encelin [4] must be interchanged. The previously unreported CD curve of 1 (see Experimental) exhibited multiple Cotton effects due to the presence of a$-
Use of a club by a wild white-faced capuchin (Cebus capucinus) to attack a venomous snake (Bothrops asper)

In Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, an adult male Cebus capucinus was observed repeatedly hitting a venomous snake (Bothropsasper) with a branch. Initially a large dead branch overhanging the snake had been broken off in the course of aggressive displays to the snake by the adult and two subadult males. The snake's escape was apparently prevented by the weight of the fallen branch and possibly by the injuries caused by its fall. This is the first direct observation of a capuchin monkey in a natural habitat using a tool.
Perceived readability of warning labels with varied font sizes and styles

Abstract Warning readability is a major issue in the labeling of various consumer products. The purpose of the present research was to examine several variables that are associated with readability: font type, font weight, point size, and point size contrast between the signal word and the main body of the warning (signal word-text size difference). A sample of 40 undergraduate students and 22 elderly persons rated 24 Ultra Tide detergent labels that contained a warning which varied across all levels of the type form variables. A composite variable “perceived readability” was formed from the averaged ratings from questions regarding how likely they would read the warning, its salience, and readability. Results showed that Helvetica type was perceived to be more readable than Times or Goudy. Moreover, Times was perceived to be more readable than Goudy. Bold type was perceived to be more readable than roman type. There was greater perceived readability of the warning when the main body was printed in 10-point size when compared to 8-point size. Results also showed that a signal word-text size difference of 2 points was perceived as more readable than a difference of 4 points. Implications for warning design are discussed.
Some problems in the use of multiple causes of death.

Abstract An exploratory study of the problems in the development of multiple-cause data has been undertaken, based on a one-third sample of deaths in the United States in 1955. The study produced extensive tabulations of data useful in health programs and at the same time revealed clearly the fundamental research needed to develop a new series of mortality data based on all conditions related to death.
Multi-step simultaneous changes Constructive Heuristic Algorithm for Transmission Network Expansion Planning

In this paper, a Constructive Heuristic Algorithm (CHA) is presented to solve the Transmission Network Expansion Planning Problem (TNEP), a complex non-convex Mixed Integer Non-Linear Programming (MINLP) problem with multiple local minima. In the proposed algorithm, the non-linearities are resolved through the following feature: when discrete decision variables are given, the model becomes linear in the continuous variables. A CHA is developed which improves the current solution by implementing multiple step simultaneous changes over a number of saturated transmission lines, in contrast to the approach traditionally followed, which implements one change at a time. Solutions to test problems are computed.
Testing of a Gamma Ray Imaging System at the High Intensity Gamma Source

Testing of the gamma ray imaging system will continue at the High Intensity Gamma Source (HIGS) at Duke University. Previous testing at OMEGA gave useful information but at much lower photon energies. Utilizing HIGS 108 gammas/s and its tight beam we will be able to characterize the system in the energy regime that it was designed for namely 4.44 MeV. HIGS offers the ability to tune the beam’s energy from 1-20 MeV by way of controlling the inverse Compton scattering off of a relativistic electron beam. With this feature characterization in a range of energies will be possible. Targets were made using a ray-tracing program that replicates a 12-micron ideal pinhole and a 20 cm long 300-micron gold penumbra aperture. The latter will require reconstruction of the coded images.
Joint pain severity predicts premature discontinuation of aromatase inhibitors in breast cancer survivors

Premature discontinuation of aromatase inhibitors (AIs) in breast cancer survivors compromises treatment outcomes. We aimed to evaluate whether patient-reported joint pain predicts premature discontinuation of AIs. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of postmenopausal women with breast cancer on AIs who had completed a survey about their symptom experience on AIs with specific measurements of joint pain. The primary outcome was premature discontinuation of AIs, defined as stopping the medication prior to the end of prescribed therapy. Multivariate Cox regression modeling was used to identify predictors of premature discontinuation. Among 437 patients who met eligibility criteria, 47 (11%) prematurely discontinued AIs an average of 29 months after initiation of therapy. In multivariate analyses, patient-reported worst joint pain score of 4 or greater on the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) (Hazard Ratio [HR] 2.09, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.14-3.80, P = 0.016) and prior use of tamoxifen (HR 2.01, 95% CI 1.09-3.70, P = 0.026) were significant predictors of premature discontinuation of AIs. The most common reason for premature discontinuation was joint pain (57%) followed by other therapy-related side effects (30%). While providers documented joint pain in charts for 82% of patients with clinically important pain, no quantitative pain assessments were noted, and only 43% provided any plan for pain evaluation or management. Worst joint pain of 4 or greater on the BPI predicts premature discontinuation of AI therapy. Clinicians should monitor pain severity with quantitative assessments and provide timely management to promote optimal adherence to AIs.
Bending crystals: emergence of fractal dislocation structures.

We provide a minimal continuum model for mesoscale plasticity, explaining the cellular dislocation structures observed in deformed crystals. Our dislocation density tensor evolves from random, smooth initial conditions to form self-similar structures strikingly similar to those seen experimentally---reproducing both the fractal morphologies and some features of the scaling of cell sizes and misorientations analyzed experimentally. Our model provides a framework for understanding emergent dislocation structures on the mesoscale, a bridge across a computationally demanding mesoscale gap in the multiscale modeling program, and a new example of self-similar structure formation in nonequilibrium systems.
Remarks on the Structure of Complex Symmetric Operators

A conjugation C is antilinear isometric involution on a complex Hilbert space \({\mathcal{H}}\) , and \(T \in {\mathcal{B}}({\mathcal{H}})\) is called complex symmetric if T* = CTC for some conjugation C. We use multiplicity theory to describe all conjugations commuting with a fixed positive operator. We expand upon a result of Garcia and Putinar to provide a factorization of complex symmetric operators which is based on the polar decomposition.