cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Morbidity and mortality in regional enteritis. Report of 168 cases.

The morbidity and mortality in 168 patients with regional enteritis treated at the Beth Israel Hospital in Boston from 1929 to 1960 have been reviewed. Every patient was traced successfully and his status determined. The mean number of hospital admissions per patient was 3.8 during the period surveyed. The most frequent major complication was intestinal obstruction, which was present in 27% of patients on their first admission, in 30% of those admitted for a second time, and in a similar proportion of patients requiring a third or fourth admission. Of all patients in the series, 70% required major operations for treatment of their disease. Half of these had one or more additional major abdominal operations on a subsequent hospital admission. The number of such surgical procedures averaged 2.8 per patient. The surgical case mortality was 6.5%. Only 4 of 29 patients with the acute regional ileitis syndrome progressed to the chronic form of the disease. Less than 10% of all patients have died of regional enteritis during the span of three decades covered by this study.
Immediate effect of visual, auditory and combined feedback on foot strike pattern.

Abstract Background A growing body of literature supports the promising effect of real-time feedback to re-train runners. However, no studies have comprehensively assessed the effects of foots trike and cadence modification using different forms of real-time feedback provided via wearable devices. Research question The purpose of the present study was to determine if a change could be made in foot strike pattern and plantar loads using real-time visual, auditory and combined feedback provided using wearable devices. Methods Visual, auditory and combined feedback were provided using wearable devices as fifteen recreational runners ran on a treadmill at self-selected speed and increased cadence. Plantar loads and location of initial contact were measured with a flexible insole system. Repeated measures ANOVAs with Bonferroni adjusted pair-wise comparisons were used to assess statistical significance. Results and significance A significant effect of condition was noted on location of center of pressure (p Significance The unique findings of our study showed that an anterior shift of the center of pressure, particularly when foot strike modification was combined with 10% increased cadence. We found lower heel and midfoot loads along with higher forefoot and great toe loads when foot strike modification using real-time feedback was combined with increased cadence. Our findings also suggest that auditory feedback might be more effective than visual feedback in foot-strike modification.
Readmissions after Ileostomy Creation Using a Nationwide Database.

Readmissions occur frequently in patients undergoing ostomy creation, ranging from 12 per cent to more than 30 per cent. The objective of this study was to compare the reasons for early versus inte...
Cellular nano-transistor: An electronic-interface between nanoscale semiconductors and biological cells

Abstract A biocellular transistor transduces the biochemical activity of an interfaced cell into an electrical signal. Interfacial coupling of microcellular species with semiconducting nanomaterials in a cellular nano-transistor enables the confinement of transduced charge-carriers to one or two dimensions and at the bio/nano interface, resulting in a highly sensitive change in carrier density. In contrast, conventional semiconductors allow carrier-flow in all three dimensions due to the lack of confinement, despite the sensitivity reducing away from the interface. Further, the semiconducting nanomaterials offer a large surface area, which enables compatible interface with microscale cells. This review presents the recent developments in cellular nano-transistors, their constructs, the cellular function and types, applicable nanoscale semiconductors, the interaction at the cell/nanomaterial interface, and the overall signal transduction mechanism. With millions of biological cells each having their own distinct functionalities, such as cellular response to chemicals, light, temperature, mechanical stress, electric stimuli; and enzymatic production of electrons; and numerous semiconducting nanomaterials to form interfaces with, the development of biocellular nano-transistors are set to evolve into an explosion of multifunctional devices, revolutionizing the field of bioelectronics.
Quantifying Medication Exposure in Very Low Birth Weight Neonates

Objective Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are exposed to medications with insufficient evidence describing pharmacokinetics and safety. Objective was to quantify and identify risk factors associated with the highest quartile of medication exposure. Study Design Retrospective record review of VLBW infants admitted to a level-IV neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). We obtained baseline clinical and demographic characteristics, as well as data on all medications received during admission. Characteristics of patients within the upper quartile of medication use were compared with remaining patients. Results Identified 106 infants, mean birth weight (BW) = 961 g, gestational age = 27.3 weeks. Infants received a median = 20 medications (range, 4–72). Those in the top quartile of medication use received ≥30 medications while in the NICU and had higher odds of being male sex, lower BW, longer length of hospital stay (LOHS), and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Sepsis did not affect medication exposure. Antibiotics, opiates, and reflux medications were among the top prescribed. Conclusion Infants are exposed to a large number of medications during NICU hospitalization, including potentially unnecessary antibiotics and reflux medications. Male sex, the presence of certain comorbidities such as necrotizing enterocolitis, and LOHS, are associated with higher exposure. Increased awareness of this issue may assist in decreasing medication exposure in VLBW populations.
Changing Education Paradigms: Training Transplant Fellows for High Stake Procedures.

OBJECTIVE Living kidney donation is a unique operation, as healthy patients are placed at risks inherent with major surgery without physical benefit. The ethical implications associated with any morbidity make it a high-stakes procedure. Fellowships are faced with the dilemma of optimizing fellow training in this demanding procedure while providing safe outcomes to donors. The Laparoscopic Living Donor Nephrectomy (LDN) Workshop is a resource that can provide intense instruction to help bridge the training deficit. Our aim was to examine the course's effectiveness in improving fellows’ skill and confidence related to implementing LDN into future practice. METHODS From 2017 to 2018, 36 abdominal transplant surgery fellows participated in a 2-day workshop consisting of live surgery observation, cadaver lab, and didactic sessions. Surveys were completed precourse, postcourse, and at 3-month postcourse follow-up. RESULTS Preworkshop, 61% of participants reported less than 50% confidence in independent performance of LDN. Following workshop completion, 95% reported improved confidence. At 3-month follow-up, there was a 30% (p CONCLUSION These results indicated that the LDN Workshop improves confidence and increases fellows’ skillset in a high-stakes procedure. The LDN Workshop is a useful adjunct to fellowship training to optimize successful, efficient, and safe performance of a demanding procedure in a uniquely healthy donor population.
A population-based study of the intersection of sexual identity and race/ethnicity on physiological risk factors for CVD among U.S. adults (ages 18–59)

Objectives: Sexual minorities face significant psychosocial stressors (such as discrimination and violence) that impact their health. Several studies indicate that sexual minority women (SMW) and bisexual men may be at highest risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), but limited research has examined physiological CVD risk or racial/ethnic differences. This study sought to examine racial/ethnic differences in physiological risk factors for CVD among sexual minority and heterosexual adults.Design: We analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2001-2016) using sex-stratified multiple linear regression models to estimate differences in physiological CVD risk. We compared sexual minorities (gay/lesbian, bisexual, 'not sure') to heterosexual participants first without regard to race/ethnicity. Then we compared sexual minorities by race/ethnicity to White heterosexual participants.Results: The sample included 22,305 participants (ages 18-59). Lesbian women had higher body mass index (BMI) but lower total cholesterol than heterosexual women. Bisexual women had higher systolic blood pressure (SBP). Gay men had lower BMI and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) relative to heterosexual men. White and Black lesbian women and bisexual women of all races/ethnicities had higher BMI than White heterosexual women; Black bisexual women had higher SBP and HbA1c. Black sexual minority men had higher HbA1c relative to White heterosexual men. Latino 'not sure' men also had higher SBP, HbA1c, and total cholesterol than White heterosexual men.Conclusions: Given evidence of higher CVD risk in sexual minority people of color relative to White heterosexuals, there is a need for health promotion initiatives to address these disparities. Additional research that incorporates longitudinal designs and examines the influence of psychosocial stressors on CVD risk in sexual minorities is recommended. Findings have implications for clinical and policy efforts to promote the cardiovascular health of sexual minorities.
Enzymatic covalent labeling of RNA with RNA transglycosylation at guanosine (RNA-TAG)

Technologies for the labeling, detection, and manipulation of biomolecules have drastically improved our understanding of cell biology. As the myriad of functional roles for RNA in the cell are increasingly recognized, such tools to enable further investigation of RNA are the subject of much interest. RNA-TAG is an enzymatic method for site-specific, covalent labeling of RNA. This methodology makes use of a bacterial tRNA modifying enzyme, tRNA guanine transglycosylase, to incorporate modified substrate analogs into a target RNA, resulting in highly efficient and site-specific RNA labeling. In this chapter, we introduce the underlying principles of the RNA labeling reaction, discuss various applications of RNA-TAG, and present protocols for labeling specific RNA transcripts using this system.
"There Is Nothing to Do About It": Nonbinary Individuals' Experience of Gender Dysphoria.

Purpose: Clinical definitions of gender dysphoria have primarily centered on a binary conceptualization of gender. This study aimed to understand nonbinary transindividuals' experiences of gender d...
Excess exogenous pyruvate inhibits lactate dehydrogenase activity in live cells in an MCT1-dependent manner.

Cellular pyruvate is an essential metabolite at the crossroads of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, capable of supporting fermentative glycolysis by reduction to lactate mediated by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) among other functions. Several inherited diseases of mitochondrial metabolism impact extracellular (plasma) pyruvate concentrations, and [1-13C]pyruvate infusion is used in isotope-labeled metabolic tracing studies, including hyperpolarized magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging. However, how these extracellular pyruvate sources impact intracellular metabolism is not clear. Herein, we examined the effects of excess exogenous pyruvate on intracellular LDH activity, extracellular acidification rates (ECARs) as a measure of lactate production, and hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate-to-[1-13C]lactate conversion rates across a panel of tumor and normal cells. Combined LDH activity and LDHB/LDHA expression analysis intimated various heterotetrameric isoforms comprising LDHA and LDHB in tumor cells, not only canonical LDHA. Millimolar concentrations of exogenous pyruvate induced substrate inhibition of LDH activity in both enzymatic assays ex vivo and in live cells, abrogated glycolytic ECAR, and inhibited hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate-to-[1-13C]lactate conversion rates in cellulo. Of importance, the extent of exogenous pyruvate-induced inhibition of LDH and glycolytic ECAR in live cells was highly dependent on pyruvate influx, functionally mediated by monocarboxylate transporter-1 localized to the plasma membrane. These data provided evidence that highly concentrated bolus injections of pyruvate in vivo may transiently inhibit LDH activity in a tissue type- and monocarboxylate transporter-1–dependent manner. Maintaining plasma pyruvate at submillimolar concentrations could potentially minimize transient metabolic perturbations, improve pyruvate therapy, and enhance quantification of metabolic studies, including hyperpolarized [1-13C]pyruvate magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging and stable isotope tracer experiments.
The Folk Singers and the Bureau: The FBI, Folk Artists and the Suppression of the Communist Party, USA – 1939-1956: By Aaron J. Leonard, London, Repeater Books, 2020, 322 pp., US $16.95 (Paperback), ISBN 9780717807697

Aaron J. Leonard has contributed a solid piece of research to the history of FBI repression of the Communist Party USA by tracing the surveillance, investigation, and harassment of folk singers, ma...
Effects of environmental temperature and humidity on evaporative heat loss through firefighter suit materials made with semi-permeable and microporous moisture barriers:

The goal of this research was to understand how firefighter protective suits perform in different operational environments. This study used a sweating guarded hotplate to examine the effect of envi...
Tarifas e Quotas: Uma Análise com Teoria dos Jogos

This paper tries to demonstrate that the traditional result of the equivalence of tariffs and quotas, as described in the theory of international trade, is no longer valid when we are in the context of finitely repeated games with average payoffs. In this way, we show that the tariffs game with average payoffs has subgame perfect equilibria on the payoffs possibilities frontier, while the only subgame perfect equilibrium of the quotas game is the repetition of the one shot Nash equilibrium. This leads us to the conclusion that, using whatever available definition, there is no equivalence of tariffs and quotas whem we think about the international trade as a finitelly repeated game with average payoffs. This result already exists in the literature for games with discounted payoffs.
The Biogenesis, Traffic, and Function of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a cyclic AMP-activated chloride channel that is encoded by the gene that is defective in cystic fibrosis. This ion channel resides at the luminal surfaces and in endosomes of epithelial cells that line the airways, intestine, and a variety of exocrine glands. In this article we discuss current hypotheses regarding how CFTR functions as a regulated ion channel and how CF mutations lead to disease. We also evaluate the emerging notion that CFTR is a multifunctional protein that is capable of regulating epithelial physiology at several levels, including the modulation of other ion channels and the regulation of intracellular membrane traffic. Elucidating the various functions of CFTR should contribute to our understanding of the pathology in cystic fibrosis, the most common lethal genetic disorder among Caucasians.
Insertion Device Radiation

Synchrotron radiation from bending magnets is characterized by a wide spectrum from microwaves up to soft or hard x-rays as determined by the critical photon energy. To optimally meet the needs of basic research with synchrotron radiation, it is desirable to provide specific radiation characteristics that cannot be obtained from ring bending magnet but require special magnets. The field strength of bending magnets and the maximum particle beam energy in circular accelerators like a storage ring is fixed leaving no adjustments to optimize the synchrotron radiation spectrum for particular experiments. To generate specific synchrotron radiation characteristics, radiation is often produced from special insertion devices installed along the particle beam path. Such insertion devices introduce no net deflection of the beam and can therefore be incorporated in a beam line without changing its geometry. Motz [11.1] proposed first the use of undulators or wiggler magnets to optimize characteristics of synchrotron radiation. By now such magnets have become the most common insertion devices consisting of a series of alternating magnet poles and deflecting the beam periodically in opposite directions as shown in Fig. 11.1.
Physiological Studies of an Oligosporogenous Strain of Bacillus popilliae

A relatively small but consistent increase in the frequency of spore formation by an oligosporogenous strain of Bacillus popilliae (NRRL B-2309M) was obtained by adding 0.1% sodium pyruvate to the sporulation medium. The frequency of spore formation was essentially the same when a low level of glucose, trehalose, or glucose-6-phosphate or a high level of alpha-methyl-d-mannoside was added as the carbon and energy source. Many other variations in the cultural medium and cultural conditions failed to enhance spore formation of 2309M, and no spores were found in four asporogenic strains under any of the conditions tried. There were no significant differences between the 2309M strain and three nonsporeforming cultures with respect to (i) the rate and extent of growth, (ii) the rates of glucose utilization, or (iii) volatile acid production and utilization. None of the cultures tested was found to produce detectable levels of extracellular protease or an antibiotic. The only consistent marker found associated with spore formation was the development of catalase activity, and this activity was stimulated by heating at 80 C for 10 min. This was not found unless morphological evidence of spore formation was observed. The germination of the spores formed by 2309M in vitro was stimulated by heat shock and by the addition of pyruvate to the germination medium.
Heme metabolism enzymes are dynamically expressed during Xenopus embryonic development.

As the key component of many hemoproteins (heme-containing proteins), heme is involved in a broad range of biological processes. Enzymes required for heme biosynthesis and degradation pathways are evolutionarily conserved. While heme metabolism has been studied extensively, the expression of heme metabolism enzymes during development has not been described. Here, we report that all heme biosynthases and two heme oxygenases, which initiate heme degradation, are dynamically expressed during Xenopus embryonic development. All heme synthases, with the exception of aminolevulinic acid synthase 2, are maternally expressed. At neurula stage, heme synthases are expressed in the developing neural tissue and in migrating neural crest cells. At the swimming tadpole stage, expression of heme synthases can be detected in multiple lineages, including eyes, neural crest cells, developing central nervous system, ventral blood island, pronephron, and pronephric tubule. Similar to heme synthases, heme oxygenases are expressed maternally. Zygotic expression of heme oxygenases is mainly restricted to the developing neural and neural crest lineages. Unlike heme synthases, heme oxygenases are not expressed in the ventral blood island and are expressed at a very low level in the pronephron and pronephric tubule. This indicates that heme metabolism may play important roles during development
Cloning and expression of pkaC and pkaR, the genes encoding the cAMP-dependent protein kinase of Aspergillus fumigatus

This report describes the cloning and expression of both subunits of PKA in the opportunistic fungal pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. The predicted translation product of the regulatory subunit, pkaR, is defined as a type II regulatory subunit. The gene encoding the A. fumigatus catalytic subunit, pkaC, contains the conserved kinase and activation domains that are characteristic of PkaC proteins. Both subunit mRNAs are expressed throughout the asexual life cycle of A. fumigatus. Message levels of pkaR and pkaC are higher during co-cultivation with alveolar epithelial cells than during culture alone.
The psychology of word recognition

Visual word recognition begins with the preconscious encoding of semantic, orthographic, phonological, and graphic information. The methods used for exploring these issues are described, as well as the available data. These data sources are then used for activating lexical entries (memory codes), and it appears that the integration of these diverse types of information into a unified percept occurs when a lexical entry is assigned to the display.
Zinc Deficiency Decreases the Concentration of N-Methyl-d-Aspartate Receptors in Guinea Pig Cortical Synaptic Membranes

Zinc deficiency in guinea pigs decreases glutamate-stimulated calcium uptake in cortical synaptosomes. Glutamate not only stimulates calcium uptake but also potentiates the binding of the drug dizocilpine (MK-801) to an internal site of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor/calcium channel, a subtype of the glutamate receptor. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the effect of zinc deficiency on calcium uptake by glutamate-stimulated synaptosomes is related to N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor number or function, as measured by MK-801 binding. Immature guinea pigs consumed a low zinc (< 1 mg/kg) diet ad libitum or an adequate zinc (100 mg/kg) diet, either ad libitum or restricted to maintain weight similar to that of the low zinc animals. Binding of MK-801 to cortical membranes was measured first in the presence of saturating concentrations of glutamate or N-methyl-D-aspartate in combination with glycine. Zinc deficiency significantly reduced the concentration of MK-801 binding sites (20%) regardless of the potentiating agonist used, but had no effect on binding affinity. The binding of MK-801 in response to 1, 10 and 100 mumol/L glycine, in the presence of 100 nmol/L glutamate, was then measured and found to be significantly reduced (12%). The results suggest that zinc deficiency decreases the number of functional N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor/channels in cortical membranes, probably because of impaired channel opening.
Respiratory syncytial virus and TNFalpha induction of chemokine gene expression involves differential activation of Rel A and NF-kappaB1

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection of airway epithelial cells stimulates the expression and secretion of a variety of cytokines including the chemotactic cytokines interleukin-8 (IL-8), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), and RANTES (regulated upon activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted). Chemokines are important chemoattractants for the recruitment of distinct sets of leukocytes to airway sites of inflammation. We have shown previously that chemokine expression is regulated in airway epithelial cells (A549) in a stimulus-specific manner in part through the redox-responsive transcription factors AP-1 and NF-κB. In this study, we examined the NF-κB-mediated effects of RSV and the proinflammatory cytokine TNFα on the induction of IL-8, MCP-1 and RANTES chemokine gene expression in A549 epithelial cells. The results demonstrate that RSV induces chemokine expression with distinct kinetics that is associated with a specific pattern of NF-κB binding activity. This distinction was further demonstrated by the differential effects of the NF-κB inhibitors dexamethasone (DEX) and N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC). NAC preferentially inhibited RSV induced chemokine expression, whereas DEX preferentially inhibited TNFα induced chemokine expression. DNA binding studies using NF-κB subunit specific binding ELISA demonstrated that RSV and TNFα induced different NF-κB binding complexes containing Rel A (p65) and NF-κB1 (p50). Both TNFα and RSV strongly induced Rel A the activation subunit of NF-κB, whereas only TNFα was able to substantially induce the p50 subunit. Consistent with the expression studies, RSV but not TNFα induction of Rel A and p50 were markedly inhibited by NAC, providing a mechanism by which TNFα and RSV can differentially activate chemokine gene expression via NF-κB. These data suggest that RSV induction of chemokine gene expression, in contrast to TNFα, involves redox-sensitive NF-κB complexes containing predominantly Rel A.
Why the Jehovah's witnesses grow so rapidly: A theoretical application

Abstract This paper applies a general theory of why religious movements succeed or fail to explain why the Jehovah's Witnesses are the most rapidly growing religious movement in the western world. In addition to qualitative assessments of Witness doctrines, organisational structures, internal networks, and socialisation, we utilise quantitative data from a variety of sources to assess such things as the impact of failed prophesies, how “strictness”; eliminates free‐riders and strengthens congregations, the demographic make‐up of the Witness “labor force”;, and the effects of continuity with local religious cultures on success.
Effects of molecular structure on the chemistry of aerosol formation from the OH-radical-initiated oxidation of alkanes and alkenes

Aerosol particles have significant effects on a number of important atmospheric processes and phenomena including atmospheric chemistry, visibility, cloud formation, precipitation, climate and human health. A large fraction of this particulate matter is secondary organic aerosol (SOA), which is formed by gas-to-particle conversion of volatile organic compounds (VOC) emitted to the atmosphere from biogenic and anthropogenic sources. The physical and chemical processes by which SOA is formed are complex and are not sufficiently well-understood to provide adequate understanding and predictions regarding the role of this material in the atmospheric system. This review describes and illustrates the fundamental components of the SOA formation process using results from systematic experimental and modelling studies of the reactions of two major classes of VOC emissions, alkanes and alkenes, with the dominant atmospheric oxidant, OH radicals, under conditions representative of a polluted atmosphere. In particular...
Adrenocortical ultrastructure in the squaliform elasmobranch (Ginglymostoma cirratum Bonnaterre): cell death, a postulate for holocrine secretion.

Abstract Light and electron microscopic examination of the nurse shark adrenocortical gland revealed the presence of regional cellular ultrastructural differences; three zones are present. The zona germinativa externa is characterized by cells with specific mitochondrial and vesicular types and the lack of lipid droplets; all cells display intense basophilia. The zona progressa intermedia is characterized by cells with membrane specializations, lipid droplets, and specific mitochondrial and vesicular types, and some cellular degeneration; all cells display intense basophilia. The zona terminata centralis is characterized by cells with specific mitochondrial and vesicular types, lipid droplets, and extensive cellular degeneration; all cells display weak basophilia. Squaliform adrenocortical cells possess several ultrastructural details common to other vertebrate adrenocortical cells. However, differences including intercellular microvillar and ciliar connections and intercellular junctional complexes are present. In addition, the presence of cell debris in sinusoids and zonal limitations in regard to cellular degeneration suggests an active holocrine secretory mechanism.
Structural and biosynthetic studies on the two molecular forms of the (Na+ + K+)‐activated adenosine triphosphatase large subunit in Artemia salina nauplii

The large subunit of (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase from brine shrimp, Artemia salina, migrates as two bands in sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gels. The slower migrating band, as observed in neutral or alkaline gel systems, is designated alpha 1 and the faster, alpha 2. Structural and biosynthetic studies have been performed to determine if these two bands represent independent molecular forms or precursor products. Peptide mapping of partial proteolytic digests of alpha 1 and alpha 2 showed no distinguishable difference between them whereas this technique produced very distinct differences in the large subunit derived from three different species. The two large subunit bands also behaved identically when cross linked with cupric phenanthroline either in the presence or absence of digitonin, whereas other proteins in these preparations were unaffected. The peptide mapping and cross-linking experiments demonstrate that alpha 1 and alpha 2 have identical or nearly identical primary and probably higher order structure. Their different mobilities may be due to post-translational modification leading, for example, to different oligosaccharide composition. During development of the brine shrimp nauplius, alpha 1 increases in relative abundance while alpha 2 decreases. NaH14CO3 incorporation and pulse-chase experiments indicate that alpha 1 and alpha 2, as well as the small subunit of the brine shrimp (Na+ + K+)-activated ATPase, are synthesized at the same time during development and that all changes in the rates of synthesis of these subunits occur at the same time. The apparent rates of degradation of the subunits are also similar. These results are inconsistent with a precursor-product relationship between alpha 1 and alpha 2.
Modeling intercomponent mixing effects in rubber‐modified glassy polymers

A phenomenological model is presented to assess the effects of phase mixing on storage modulus vs. temperature data in polymer blends comprising a continuous glassy matrix and discrete rubbery inclusions. An extension of the Kerner-Dickie model, it is developed for systems of low-dispersed phase content with a moderate degree of intermixing, and compared with experimental data for six blends of polystyrene or lightly hydroxylated polystyrene with poly(ethyl acrylate) at 90/10 and 70/30 w/w compositions. Phase mixing is induced in this system through intercomponent hydrogen bonding. The model successfully represents data for the four blends of lowest interphase content, but fails for the other two. The model can evidently provide a good description of blends where the bulk of each component resides in a pure phase, but fails when the mixed interphase constitutes the majority of the material. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Formation of hydrogen peroxide from H2 and O2 over a neutral gold trimer: a DFT study

Abstract Our density-functional theory study of the formation of hydrogen peroxide over a neutral Au 3 cluster details a reaction path with activation barriers less than 10 kcal/mol. The reactions proceed on the edges and one side of the triangular Au 3 cluster which makes this mechanism viable for a cluster in contact with a support surface. The Au 3 cluster remains in a triangular geometry throughout the reaction but the electron population on the Au trimer during the catalytic cycle proper, as calculated with the Natural Bond Orbital method, varies from a charge of +0.304 (cationic) (Au 3 O 2 H 2 ) to −0.138 (anionic) (Au 3 H 2 ). Au 3 in the reaction initiation intermediate, Au 3 O 2 , is also cationic in character with a charge of +0.390. It is interesting to note that the interaction of Au 3 with a model oxidic support, TS-1, was essentially neutral in character, the Au 3 charge population being −0.044. Formation of hydrogen peroxide does not involve breaking the OO bond, but does break the HH bond in a step that is rate limiting under standard conditions. The highest energy barrier in the cycle is 8.6 kcal/mol for desorption of H 2 O 2 from Au 3 H 2 . Adsorption of H 2 O 2 on this site is unactivated. This route to formation of hydrogen peroxide combined with existing mechanisms for epoxidation by H 2 O 2 over TS-1 gives a fully plausible, energetically favorable, closed cycle for epoxidation of propylene by H 2 and O 2 over Au/TS-1 catalysts. Thus, isolated molecular gold clusters can act as viable sites for this reaction.
Training Elementary School Classroom Teachers to Lead Developmentally Appropriate Physical Education

(2008). Training Elementary School Classroom Teachers to Lead Developmentally Appropriate Physical Education. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 79, No. 9, pp. 33-39.
A Spectroscopic and Photometric Survey of Stars in the Field of L1457: A New Distance Determination

We present a spectroscopic and photometric survey of a sample of field stars in the region of the molecular cloud L1457. High-quality coud? feed spectra, together with five-band photometry in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey system and near-infrared archival data from the Two Micron All Sky Survey, are used to derive color excesses and distances for the stars. Based on these data, a new distance estimate of 360 ? 30 pc is derived for the cloud, supporting recent results by K. L. Luhman. The data further indicate that the north-south velocity gradient seen in the millimeter-wave CO data is mirrored in a distance gradient, with the northern part of the cloud being closer to us. A second, less opaque, layer of extinction is detected at ~80 pc. This distance is consistent with the earlier distance estimates to the cloud, based on Na I absorption. We identify this layer with the wall of the hot Local Bubble. Hence, the dense cloud is not, as previously thought, associated with the Local Bubble.
Explanations of the Formation of Branched Hydrocarbons During Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis by Alkylidene Mechanism

After completely hydrogenation of Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS) products on Pt/C catalyst, the branched C8, C10, C11, and C12 alkanes were identified using authentic samples to be methyl branched alkanes in both Co and Fe catalyzed reactions. No detectable ethyl branched and dimethyl branched alkanes were observed. The total amount of branched hydrocarbons in Co catalyzed FTS is about 5 % while the amount of branched hydrocarbons in Fe catalyzed FTS is about 25 %. The branched hydrocarbon distribution of Co catalyzed FTS does not obey the Anderson–Schulz–Flory (ASF) kinetics and the branched hydrocarbon distribution of Fe catalyzed FTS shows larger α value than that of straight chain alkanes. These results were explained by the formation of 2-alkylidene through readsorbed 1-alkenes, which can grow to form methyl branched hydrocarbons. Since the rate of propagation of 2-alkylidene is much slower than that of ethylidene and 1-alkylidenes, a “kink” will result in C2 in the FT product distribution plot.
Phylogeny of trypanosomes as inferred from the small and large subunit rRNAs: implications for the evolution of parasitism in the trypanosomatid protozoa

Sequences of the small rRNA genes and partial sequences of the large rRNA genes were obtained by PCR amplification from a variety of vertebrate trypanosomes. The trypanosome species and hosts included Trypanosoma avium from a bird, T. rotatorium from an amphibian, T. boissoni from an elasmobranch, T. triglae from a marine teleost and T. carassii from a freshwater teleost. Phylogenetic relationships among these species and other representatives of the family Trypanosomatidae were inferred using maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and evolutionary parsimony. The trypanosomatid tree was rooted using rRNA sequences from two species from the suborder Bodonina. All methods showed that the mammalian parasite, Trypanosoma brucei, constitutes the earliest divergent branch. The remaining trypanosomes formed a monophyletic group. Within this group, the bird trypanosome was grouped with T. cruzi, while the elasmobranch trypanosome and the two fish trypanosome species formed a group with an affinity to T. rotatorium. Our results provide no evidence for co-evolution of trypanosomatids and their hosts, either vertebrate or invertebrate. This suggests that evolution of trypanosomatids was accompanied by secondary acquisitions of hosts and habitats.
An analysis of mesoscale VAS retrievals using statistical structure functions

Mesoscale sounding data from a truth rawinsonde network and a VAS from March 6-7, 1982 are statistically studied. The parameters of temperature, geopotential height, and mixing ratio at 850, 700, 500, 300, and 200 mb levels, and thickness and precipitable water are examined. The VAS retrieval gradients derived from a physical algorithm and from a regression technique are analyzed; the analysis reveals that both techniques have similar error characteristics and capabilities for calculating gradients of mesoscale temperature and geopotential height. Ground-truth rawinsonde data and VAS retrievals are compared; it is observed that VAS data describes weaker gradients than rawinsonde data.
Using myDAQ and LabVIEW to Develop a Single-Channel EEG for a Multi-modality Epileptic Seizure Detection Platform

We present a work in progress of a single-channel electroencephalograph (EEG) system used in a multiple modality platform for epileptic seizure detection. This system consists of an EEG amplifier circuit that provides signal gain and filtering and a myDAQ unit that both simulates and acquires EEG signals which is controlled by a LabVIEW graphical program that performs feature extraction and signal classification. We describe the desired performance for the amplifier circuit and present preliminary measurement results and output examples from the amplifier circuit and LabVIEW program.
Sorbitol accumulation in whiteflies: evidence for a role in protecting proteins during heat stress

Abstract 1. The relationship between sorbitol accumulation and thermotolerance was examined in whiteflies and was related to the thermoprotective properties of sorbitol in vitro. 2. Whiteflies that were conditioned at 40°C on diets that supported sorbitol accumulation had lower mortality rates at 44 and 46°C than unconditioned whiteflies and whiteflies that were conditioned at 40°C on diets that did not support sorbitol accumulation. 3. Physiological concentrations of sorbitol protected soluble whitefly proteins from heat-induced aggregation and inactivation. 4. Sorbitol accumulation in heat-stressed whiteflies was analogous to trehalose accumulation in yeast, and in the same way probably increases the thermotolerance of whiteflies.
Synthesis of low-sensitivity optimal control in distributed parameter systems

Theory for optimisation of multiple-index problem aimed at achieving a compromise among state and sensitivity cost functionals is extended to distributed parameter systems. The necessary and sufficient conditions for optimality are derived. A numerical example represented by the 1-dimensional heat-conduction equation is solved to illustrate the theory developed in the paper.
Exploring the Connection between Immigration and Crime Rates in U.S. Cities, 1980-2000

A popular perception is that immigration causes higher crime rates. Yet, historical and contemporary research finds that at the individual level, immigrants are not more inclined to commit crime than the native born. Knowledge of the macro-level relationship between immigration and crime, however, is characterized by important gaps. Most notably, despite the fact that immigration is a macro-level social process that unfolds over time, longitudinal macro-level research on the immigration-crime nexus is virtually nonexistent. Moreover, while several theoretical perspectives posit sound reasons why over-time changes in immigration could result in higher or lower crime rates, we currently know little about the veracity of these arguments. To address these issues, this study investigates the longitudinal relationship between immigration and violent crime across U.S. cities and provides the first empirical assessment of theoretical perspectives that offer explanations of that relationship. Findings support the argument that immigration lowers violent crime rates by bolstering intact (two-parent) family structures.
Supporting Group Cognition, Individual Learning and Community Practices in Dynamic Geometry

Group cognition is analyzed at the small-group unit of analysis. It involves the semantics, syntactics and pragmatics of natural language, gestures, inscriptions, etc. The meaning-making processes involve inputs from individuals, based on their interpretation of the on-going context. They are also responses to the on-going social/historical/cultural/linguistic context, which they can reproduce and modify. Technologies play a central role in mediating the multi-level, intertwined processes. Emergent technologies should be designed to support this mediation. Collaboration environments should be designed to prepare groups, individuals and communities to take advantage of the technical functionality and to promote learning at all levels. This paper reports on the design of a curriculum in dynamic geometry to support group cognition, individual learning and community practices in a coordinated way.
Subsonic and intersonic shear rupture of weak planes with a velocity weakening cohesive zone

A substantial effort has been devoted in the past toward modeling earthquake source mechanisms as dynamically extending shear cracks. Most of the attention was focused on the subsonic crack speed regime. Recently, a number of reports have appeared in the seismological literature citing evidence of intersonic rupture speeds during shallow crustal earthquakes. In the first part of this paper, we discuss direct experimental observations of intersonic in-plane shear crack growth along a weak plane joining two homogeneous, isotropic, linear elastic plates. Associated with the primary intersonic crack and at locations behind the propagating shear crack tip, a series of secondary tensile cracks, at a steep angle to the shear crack plane, were also observed. Motivated by these observations, subsonic and intersonic mode II crack propagation with a velocity weakening cohesive zone is analyzed in the main body of the paper. A cohesive law is assumed wherein the cohesive shear traction is either a constant or decreases linearly with the local slip rate, the rate of decrease governed by a slip rate weakening parameter. The cohesive shear traction is assumed to vanish when the crack tip sliding displacement reaches a characteristic breakdown slip. It is shown that a positive energy flux into the rupture front is possible in the entire intersonic regime. The influence of shear strength and of the weakening parameter on the crack propagation behavior is investigated. Crack tip stability issues are also addressed, and favorable speed regimes are identified. Estimates of the slip rate weakening parameter are obtained by using the theoretical model to predict the angle of the secondary cracks. The rest of the parameters are subsequently estimated by comparing the isochromatic fringe patterns (contours of maximum in-plane shear stress) predicted by the solution with those recorded experimentally.
The Northwest Patient Safety Conference: keeping safety current

Purpose – This article aims to describe the history of an annual regional conference devoted to patient safety, and presents highlights from its tenth annual event, held in May 2012.Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a historical narrative description of major themes in the annual conferences, with more detailed description of major presentations in the 2012 conference.Findings – The conference has provided topics and speakers to the community, reflecting changing national trends and priorities, and has helped develop an important resource, the Washington Patient Safety Coalition.Practical implications – The history reflects evolving North American concerns about quality of care and patient safety issues; the most recent presentations highlight recent achievements, current challenges, and provide insights from a broad range of settings.Originality/value – This conference is the flagship activity of a state‐wide, voluntary coalition and provides an example of a major event bringing value to a...
Phytoplankton communities from San Francisco Bay Delta respond differently to oxidized and reduced nitrogen substrates—even under conditions that would otherwise suggest nitrogen sufficiency

The effect of equivalent additions of nitrogen (N, 30-40 μM-N) in different forms (ammonium, NH4+, and nitrate, NO3-) under conditions of different light exposure on phytoplankton community composition was studied in a series of four, 5-day enclosure experiments on water collected from the nutrient-rich San Francisco Bay Delta over two years. Overall, proportionately more chlorophyll a and fucoxanthin (generally indicative of diatoms) was produced per unit N taken up in enclosures enriched with NO3- and incubated at reduced (~15% of ambient) light intensity than in treatments with NO3- with high (~60% of ambient) light exposure or with NH4+ under either light condition. In contrast, proportionately more chlorophyll b (generally indicative of chlorophytes) and zeaxanthin (generally indicative of cyanobacteria) was produced in enclosures enriched with NH4+ and incubated under high light intensity than in treatments with low light or with added NO3- at either light level. Rates of maximal velocities (Vmax) of uptake of N substrates, measured using 15N tracer techniques, in all enclosures enriched with NO3- were higher than those enriched with NH4+. Directionality of trends in enclosures were similar to phytoplankton community shifts observed in transects of the Sacramento River to Suisun Bay, a region in which large changes in total N quantity and form occur. These data substantiate the growing body of experimental evidence that dichotomous microbial communities develop when enriched with the same absolute concentration of oxidized vs. reduced N forms, even when sufficient N nutrient was available to the community prior to the N inoculations.
Adaptive Extended Min-Sum Algorithm for Nonbinary LDPC Decoding

Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes over a Galois Field GF(q) can provide significantly better error- correcting quality than binary LDPC codes with moderate code length. However, the computational complexity and memory requirement of nonbinary codes are much higher, limiting the application of non- binary LDPC codes. In this paper, we propose an adaptive message truncation algorithm for non-binary LDPC decoding, guided by the estimated code error rates. Compared to the previous fixed message truncation method, it can cut the messages adaptively, and therefore provide better decoding quality and computation complexity reduction. To further reduce the computation, we propose another adaptive check node update algorithm, simplifying the decoding by reducing the number of check nodes updating. Our simulation results demonstrate that by combining these two algorithms together, the average message size can be reduced greatly and good decoding quality is achieved, at a little cost of iterations. Compared to the existing truncation algorithms, our approach can reduce the order of complexity to O(nalog2(na)) (where na is messages size), with less performance degradation.
Miniaturized Components for EMI Suppression in Photo-optical Control Systems

Camera control systems, stabilized mounts, navigational computers and related photo-optical control systems can produce high levels of electro-magnetic interference from pulse circuits, switches and relays. In military applications such interference must be controlled carefully. This paper considers the problem in terms of current military specifications for measurement and acceptable limits. It covers methods of noise suppression and describes the development of a postage-stamp size resistance capacitance filter for high attenuation of conducted and radiated interference.