cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detecting Life Changes: Increasing Opportunities to Benefit from People-Nearby Applications

Prior research suggests that individuals are motivated to use People-Nearby Applications (PNAs) to meet new people offline and that these individuals receive benefits such as social and cultural capital from their offline connections. It is unclear, however, what the impetus behind these motivations are and whether individuals are motivated to use PNAs for other reasons. To explore these questions, we analyzed a dataset of 14 active PNA users' semi-structured interviews and found that participants' first experiences using PNAs were associated with significant life events such as moving to a new area or ending a relationship. We conducted an online survey (N=142) to explore these findings further and investigate whether they generalized across a broader set of active PNA users. We confirm our past findings and contribute ways in which future technologies can detect specific life changes to increase the opportunities for individuals to benefit from PNAs.
Anion Exchange on Cationic Surfactant Micelles, and a Speciation Model for Estimating Anion Removal on Micelles during Ultrafiltration of Water

Surfactant micelles combined with ultrafiltration can partially, or sometimes nearly completely, separate various ionic and nonionic pollutants from water. To this end, the selectivity of aqueous micelles composed of either cetyltrimethylammonium (CTA+) bromide or cetylpyridinium (CP+) chloride toward many environmentally relevant anions (IO3–, F–, Cl–, HCO3–, NO2–, Br–, NO3–, H2PO4–, HPO42–, SO42–, and CrO42–) was investigated. Selectivity coefficients of CTA+ micelles (with respect to Br–) and CP+ micelle (with respect to Cl–) for these anions were evaluated using a simple thermodynamic ion exchange model. The sequence of anion affinity for the CTA+ micelles and for the CP+ micelles were the same, with decreasing affinity occurring in the order of: CrO42– > SO42– > HPO42– > NO3– > Br– > NO2– > Cl– > HCO3– > H2PO4– ≈ F–. From the associated component mass balance and ion exchange (i.e., mass action) equations, an overall speciation model was developed to predict the distribution of all anions between the...
Early Fibrinolysis Associated with Hemorrhagic Progression Following Traumatic Brain Injury.

ABSTRACTBackground:Progressive hemorrhagic injury (PHI) is common in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) and is associated with worse outcomes. PHI pathophysiology remains poorly understood and difficult to predict. We performed an exploratory analysis aimed at identifying markers in n
All-optical digital-to-spike conversion using a graphene excitable laser

Neuromorphic (brain-inspired) photonic systems process information encoded in the pulses of light, i.e., “spikes” that are analog in time but digital in amplitude. Applying these systems to process commonly used digital data requires a simple and effective interfacing solution to converting binary digits into spike sequence in the optical domain. Laser systems offer a variety of useful nonlinear functionalities, including excitable dynamics that can be found in the time-resolved “spiking” of neurons. We propose and demonstrate, both numerically and experimentally, an all-optical digital-to-spike (DTS) conversion scheme using a single graphene excitable laser (GEL) without clock signal synchronization. We first study the DTS conversion mechanism based on the simulation platform of an integrated GEL, which achieve a DTS conversion rate up to 10 Gbps. Our DTS conversion scheme can be operated under flexible input power conditions and exhibits a strong logic-level restoration capability. We then verify the feasibility of our approach via a proof-of-principle experiment where a fiber-based GEL obtains a DTS conversion rate of 40 Kbps, and a bit error rate (BER) of 10−9 with an input power of −24 dBm. This technology can be potentially applied in future neuromorphic photonic systems for information processing and computing.
Mutation screening of INS and KCNJ11 genes in Taiwanese children with type 1B diabetic onset before the age of 5 years

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is caused by β-cell destruction, usually leading to absolute insulin deficiency. T1D is a heterogeneous disease and is divided into two subtypes according to the presence or absence of pancreatic autoantibodies: type 1A (immune mediated) and type 1B (idiopathic). Genes such as KCNJ11 or INS, which play key roles in β-cell function, provide some insight into the pathogenesis of type 1B diabetes. In this study, we screened 110 Taiwanese children (61 males and 49 females) with T1D onset before the age of 5 years for mutations of INS and KCNJ11. We identified one missense heterozygous mutation in KCNJ11 (c.989A>G, p.Y330C) and no INS mutations among 28 probands. This is the first study to screen patients with autoantibody-negative T1D diagnosed before the age of 5 years for INS and KCNJ11 mutations in Taiwan. Although KCNJ11 mutations are always reported in patients with permanent neonatal diabetes, this gene mutation can be detected after 6 months of age. Further studies in other patients with type 1B diabetes and their families are required to elucidate the contributions of the KCNJ11 mutation to the T1D phenotype.
The Navigation of Topic Space

This poster reports on the evaluation of the topic space recommendation model, proposed here as an alternative to the personalization algorithms based on large datasets that often result in content and subject matter filter bubbles. The content filter bubbles that dominate contemporary Internet media platforms have been shown to provide users more of what they already consume and exclude relevant content at the expense of user exploration and discovery. Modern algorithms have also exhibited the problematic nature of reinforcing systematic bias.
Deals: Bringing Corporate Transactions into the Law School Classroom

In this Essay, Victor Fleischer describes the "gap" between what is taught in law schools and what is needed in corporate transactional practice. The Essay identifies three related reasons why schools have struggled to teach transactions effectively: (1) the lack of a conceptual framework, (2) the lack of qualified teachers, and (3) the lack of quality teaching materials. The Essay then describes how the Deals program at Columbia Law School addresses these problems and provides students with a pedagogically sound and effective introduction to corporate transactional practice.
The Cellular and Acellular Components of the Urinary Sediment

Urine is a toxic substance produced by the kidney and eliminated from the body by a series of hollow organs of the lower urinary tract, consisting of renal pelves, ureters, bladder, and urethra. Each organ of the lower urinary tract is composed of three layers of tissues: the epithelium, lining the lumen, resting on a layer of connective tissue or the lamina propria and muscular layers that vary in thickness from organ to organ. These organs are separated from the abdominal cavity by a serosa composed of mesothelial cells, capillary vessels, and loose connective tissue.
The Fragile X Mutation Impairs Homeostatic Plasticity in Human Neurons by Blocking Synaptic Retinoic-Acid Signaling

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an X chromosome-linked disease leading to severe intellectual disabilities. FXS is caused by inactivation of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene, but how FMR1 inactivation induces FXS remains unclear. Using human neurons generated from control and FXS patient-derived induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells or from embryonic stem cells carrying conditional FMR1 mutations, we show here that loss of FMR1 function specifically abolished homeostatic synaptic plasticity without affecting basal synaptic transmission. We demonstrated that, in human neurons, homeostatic plasticity induced by synaptic silencing was mediated by retinoic acid, which regulated both excitatory and inhibitory synaptic strength. FMR1 inactivation impaired homeostatic plasticity by blocking retinoic acid-mediated regulation of synaptic strength. Repairing the genetic mutation in the FMR1 gene in an FXS patient cell line restored fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) expression and fully rescued synaptic retinoic acid signaling. Thus, our study reveals a robust functional impairment caused by FMR1 mutations that might contribute to neuronal dysfunction in FXS. In addition, our results suggest that FXS patient iPS cell-derived neurons might be useful for studying the mechanisms mediating functional abnormalities in FXS.
“We Will Handle It Ourselves”: The Micropolitics of Resistance in Low-Wage Care Work:

This article examines the micropolitics of resistance among low-wage care workers in a gendered organization. Focusing on the dynamics of workers’ daily efforts to endure organizational structure, ...
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOILS ON DEBRIS APRONS IN THE SOUTHERN BLUE RIDGE, NORTH CAROLINA

Aprons of bouldery diamicton frequently have been observed in concave landscape positions in the Southern Blue Ridge. Because of their relatively flat topography, large aprons often are the focus of local economic activity. An environmentally sound development of these landforms can benefit from systematic pedological studies. The present research provides characterization data, and examines spatio-geomorphic variability, for some pedons that have developed on these debris aprons under a warm to temperate humid climate. This study also compares the pedons to those derived from nearby saprolite. Thirteen pedons, located variously on the foot slopes and the apices of the aprons, were studied in three sequences of multiple deposits. The pedons typically contain high amounts of rock fragments and have clay contents that are related to age. Most pedons have lithologic discontinuities. Some of these discontinuities result from the stacking of different deposits, whereas others represent internal variations with...
Re-reconsidering the role of temporal order in spoken word recognition.

Spoken word recognition models incorporate the temporal unfolding of word information by assuming that positional match constrains lexical activation. Recent findings challenge the linearity constr...
Assessing Agreement of Lateral Leg Muscle and Bone Composition Using Dual X-ray Absorptiometry.

Abstract Background: Recently, a lateral-view dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scanning method for measuring leg total, lean, and fat masses demonstrated accuracy vs the standard whole-body frontal DXA scanning view on the GE Lunar iDXA. The current study examined the lateral scanning method's agreement using a Hologic Horizon A DXA scanner. Methodology: Thirty healthy college-age participants (16 female; Xage = 21.5 ± 1.7 yr) received 3 DXA scans (1 whole-body, 2 lateral leg scans) to quantify leg composition in the frontal and lateral plane. To mark regions of interest for postscan analysis, metallic markers were placed at 60% of the length above and below each leg's lateral epicondyle. Using lateral subject positioning, leg composition was measured with participants lying on their right and left sides. Paired t tests examined the lateral DXA scanning method's agreement when quantifying total, fat, and lean masses, bone mineral content, and bone mineral density compared to measurements of equal area in the whole-body frontal scanning view. Results: Comparisons of frontal and lateral view DXA scan measurements for right leg total mass (7.12 ± 0.91kg vs 6.39 ± 0.85kg), fat mass (1.70 ± 0.44kg vs 1.36 ± 0.33kg), lean mass (5.14 ± 1.05kg vs 4.77 ± 0.92kg), bone mineral content (0.28 ± 0.06kg vs 0.23 ± 0.05kg), and bone mineral density (1.39 ± 0.14g/cm2vs 1.36 ± 0.15g/cm2), respectively, were significantly different (p
Abstract 561: Dysregulation of miR-155 in Acute Oscillatory Shear Stress (OSS)-mediated Oxidative Stress, Inflammation and Endothelial Dysfunction

Introduction: Shear stress forces play an integral role in dictating the endothelial cell (EC) response to changes in blood flow, pro-inflammatory response and hence development of atherosclerosis....
rsCaMPARI: an erasable marker of neuronal activity

Abstract Identifying and comparing active neuron ensembles underlying complex behaviors is a key challenge in neuroscience. Recent tools such as CaMPARI have enabled the optical marking and selection of active neuron populations. However, CaMPARI photoconversion is permanent and irreversible, limiting its utility when multiple activity snapshots must be compared within the same sample. We sought to overcome these limitations by developing an erasable neuronal activity marker based on a reversibly switchable fluorescent protein. Here we introduce rsCaMPARI, a reversibly switchable calcium marker that enables spatiotemporally precise marking, erasing, and remarking of active neuron populations under brief, user-defined time windows of light exposure. rsCaMPARI photoswitching kinetics are modulated by calcium concentration when illuminating with blue light, and the fluorescence can be reset with violet light. We demonstrate the utility of rsCaMPARI for marking and remarking active neuron populations in freely-swimming zebrafish.
Effect of Automatic Sign Recognition Performance on the Usability of Video-Based Search Interfaces for Sign Language Dictionaries

Researchers have investigated various methods to help users search for the meaning of an unfamiliar word in American Sign Language (ASL). Some are based on sign-recognition technology, e.g. a user performs a word into a webcam and obtains a list of possible matches in the dictionary. However, developers of such technology report the performance of their systems inconsistently, and prior research has not examined the relationship between the performance of search technology and users' subjective judgements for this task. We conducted two studies using a Wizard-of-Oz prototype of a webcam-based ASL dictionary search system to investigate the relationship between the performance of such a system and user judgements. We found that in addition to the position of the desired word in a list of results, which is what is often reported in literature; the similarity of the other words in the results list also affected users' judgements of the system. We also found that metrics that incorporate the precision of the overall list correlated better with users' judgements than did metrics currently reported in prior ASL dictionary research.
Hospital teaching status on the outcomes of patients with esophageal variceal bleeding in the United States

BACKGROUND Acute variceal bleeding is a major complication of portal hypertension and is a leading cause of death in patients with cirrhosis. There is limited data on the outcomes of patients with esophageal variceal bleeding in teaching versus nonteaching hospitals. Because esophageal variceal bleeding requires complex management, it may be hypothesized that teaching hospitals have lower mortality. AIM To assess the differences in mortality, hospital length of stay (LOS) and cost of admission for patients admitted for variceal bleed in teaching versus nonteaching hospitals across the US. METHODS The National Inpatient Sample is the largest all-payer inpatient database consisting of approximately 20% of all inpatient admissions to nonfederal hospitals in the United States. We collected data from the years 2008 to 2014. Cases of variceal bleeding were identified using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Edition, Clinical Modification codes. Differences in mortality, LOS and cost were evaluated for patients with esophageal variceal bleed between teaching and nonteaching hospitals and adjusted for patient characteristics and comorbidities. RESULTS Between 2008 and 2014, there were 58362 cases of esophageal variceal bleeding identified. Compared with teaching hospitals, mortality was lower in non-teaching hospitals (8.0% vs 5.3%, P < 0.001). Median LOS was shorter in nonteaching hospitals as compared to teaching hospitals (4 d vs 5 d, P < 0.001). A higher proportion of non-white patients were managed in teaching hospitals. As far as procedures in nonteaching vs teaching hospitals, portosystemic shunt insertion (3.1% vs 6.9%, P < 0.001) and balloon tamponade (0.6% vs 1.2%) were done more often in teaching hospitals while blood transfusions (64.2% vs 59.9%, P = 0.001) were given more in nonteaching hospitals. Using binary logistic regression models and adjusting for baseline patient demographics and comorbid conditions the mortality, LOS and cost in teaching hospitals remained higher. CONCLUSION In patients admitted for esophageal variceal bleeding, mortality, length of stay and cost were higher in teaching hospitals versus nonteaching hospitals when controlling for other confounding factors.
Evaluating the Theistic Implications of the Kantian Moral Argument that Postulating God is Essential to Moral Rationality

I contend that Kant’s moral argument that postulates God and an afterlife in order to justify moral rationality counts strongly in favor of theistic ethics even though it cannot on its own justify ...
Beyond Burnout: Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic Challenges to Self-care.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This paper is a review of the self-care challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical and emotional health and well-being of healthcare providers. New self-care practices are presented. RECENT FINDINGS: Globally, thousands of health care practitioners and staff have been infected; many have died. Research studies reveal that this pandemic has threatened the health of healthcare staff, their families, and communities in many unique ways, such as fear of infecting family (lack of safety at home), moral injury, witnessing the suffering of the "innocent," coping with a problem too big to solve (the enormity problem), and racial trauma. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the global population in ways not seen in a century. The unique self-care challenges of COVID-19 while enhancing the symptoms of burnout, i.e., physical, and mental exhaustion, despair, helplessness, and suicidal thinking, need to be addressed directly. This paper offers a new COVID-19 self-care model and approach.
The next evolution in flow cytometry instrumentation

Flow Cytometry is an analytical technique that utilizes optical measurements to identify properties of individual cells and particles within large populations. The high-throughput technique measures optical scattering and fluorescence by interrogating a rapidly flowing stream containing suspended objects. The technology has advanced dramatically over the last few decades and became an essential tool of studying cell biology in clinical, research, and translational applications. The photonics industry is expected to play an essential role in the next evolution of the technology to meet the demand of performing higher-parameter measurements, cell imaging, automation, and simplified setup and analysis procedures.
Fetal neural progenitors process TLR signals from bacterial components to enhance proliferation and rework brain development

Bacterial cell wall, a universal pathogen-associated molecular pattern (PAMP), crosses the placenta into the fetal brain. We determined that PAMPs interact with TLR2/6 on murine fetal neural progenitor cells (NPCs) to induce overexpansion of all neocortical layers leading to a larger, folded cortex and abnormal postnatal behavior. The NPC overexpansion originated at E10 and targeted ventricular radial glia (vRG), the primary NPC, by shortening cell cycle and increasing self-renewal. The mechanism involved two novel signaling pathways in NPCs mediated by recognition of bacterial PAMPs by TLR2/6 including: a) loss of primary cilia, activation of hedgehog signaling, and increased FOXG1 and b) increased PI3K/AKT activity. These findings reveal PAMP/TLR2/6 acts as a morphogen in fetal neurodevelopment. In addition, the loss of Tlr2 or Tlr6 without pathogenic challenge, increased the number of neurons, establishing the requirement for an endogenous TLR2 signal for normal neurodevelopment in the embryo.
Values Clarification in Sexuality Education: Dynamic Utilization of the Alligator River Story

(1993). Values Clarification in Sexuality Education: Dynamic Utilization of the Alligator River Story. Journal of Health Education: Vol. 24, No. 3, pp. 184-185.
Geo-Demography of HIV/AIDS in Japan from 1985 to 2011: Incidence and Transmission Mode under Influence of Population Size/Density

A stable relation was found between number of HIV/AIDS patients (P) and population size (N) and between HIV/AIDS incidence (I) and population density (D). The relation could be expressed as P = kN(m) or I = hD(n), where k, h, m, and n are constants. For "AIDS"/"AIDS diagnosis", the constant m was 1.5 for Japan and 1.3 for the United States of America (USA); n was 0.38 for both Japan and the USA. These observations indicated that larger population sizes related to disproportionately larger numbers of HIV/AIDS patients, and denser populations had disproportionately higher incidences of HIV/AIDS. Considering the wide geo-demographic difference between the two countries, it was striking that the same equations with constants within a narrow range were applicable to both Japan and the USA. Modes of HIV transmission appeared to be variable among prefectures in Japan. Homosexual transmission was suggested as being more predominant in more populated prefectures.
Binding of a fluorescent nucleotide analog to Hsc70. The effect of peptide protein interactions on the luminescence properties of the probe.

2′-Deoxy-3′-anthraniloyladenosine-5-triphosphate(Ant-dATP) was used as an environmentally sensitive probe of the nucleotide-binding site of the molecular chaperone Hsc70. When coordinated to the lanthanide ion Tb3+, Ant-dATP is not hydrolyzed by Hsc70. The lanthanide ion acts as strong competitive inhibitor with respect to Mg2+ (Ki= 0.1 μM). Tb · Ant-dATP recognizes the nucleotide site of Hsc70 as revealed by an increase in the emission anisotropy from 0.03 to 0.21 and by a change in the fluorescence-decay time from 2.52 ns to 3.75 ns. Sensitized luminescence arising from resonance energy transfer from the anthraniloyl group to Tb3+ is substantially enhanced in the presence of Hsc70. Binding of a 20-amino-acid-residue peptide (Rnase-S peptide) to Hsc70 causes a blue shift in the fluorescence spectrum of Ant-dATP and enhances Tb3+ luminescence upon excitation at 330 nm. It is postulated that binding of the peptide to the COOH-terminal domain of Hsc70 initiates domain movement and the structural changes might extend to the nucleotide-binding site.
Experiments using approximate optimal path following with concurrent learning

Online approximation of an infinite horizon optimal path following strategy for a unicycle-type mobile robot is considered. An approximate optimal guidance law is obtained by using an adaptive dynamic programming technique that uses concurrent-learning-based adaptive update laws to estimate the unknown optimal policy. The developed guidance law overcomes challenges with the approximation of the infinite horizon value function by using an auxiliary function that describes the motion of a virtual target on the desired path. The developed controller guarantees uniformly ultimately bounded convergence of the approximate policy to the optimal policy and the vehicle state to the desired path while maintaining a desired speed profile without requiring persistence of excitation. Simulation and experimental results are included to demonstrate the controller's performance.
Big data emergence in semiconductor manufacturing advanced process control

As requirements on data volumes, rates, quality, merging and analytics increase exponentially in the digital universe, semiconductor manufacturers are faced with a need for new approaches to data management and use across the fab. These are often termed “big data” challenges. In our industry big data solutions will be key to scaling Advanced Process Control (APC) solutions to finer levels of control and diagnostics. However the main impact will be to better enable more effective predictive technologies such as Predictive Maintenance (PdM), Virtual Metrology (VM) and yield prediction, all of which utilize data from APC capabilities. PdM represents one area where big data solutions are generating significant benefits across a variety of process types. Moving to big data solutions involves addressing the aforementioned requirements either with enhancements of existing systems or moving to more big data friendly platforms. The latter applied to APC systems provides quantifiable cost-of-ownership and speed improvements, thereby better enabling high quality prediction solutions.
Functional MRI in pediatric neurobehavioral disorders.

Pediatric functional neuroimaging has finally come into its own in this new century. In this brief review, we focus on functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of typically developing children and adolescents that have examined executive function, language, and mood along with studies of autism and autism spectrum disorders, dyslexia, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, Tourette's disorder, anxiety disorders, anorexia, and juvenile bipolar disorder. Studies in autism, anxiety disorders, and dyslexia are beginning to provide replicated observations regarding the role of specific brain structures such as the amygdala, or posterior versus anterior language centers in respective models of pathophysiology. However, as is appropriate, the field is still in its infancy, and most studies cited are still exploratory. The increasing number of investigators and active pediatric imaging centers predicts that functional neuroimaging techniques will open an increasingly wider “window” into brain function of children and adolescents burdened with neuropsychiatric disorders. This may warrant the creation of large pediatric neuroimaging databases that will permit sharing of functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies of normal and pathological human behavior.
Personal Software Process: An Experiential Report

This paper offers a reflective examination of our experiences teaching a pilot session of the Personal Software Process (PSP) in a graduate software engineering course at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). PSP, a new paradigm proposed by Watts Humphrey, is based on a disciplined approach to the software development process. It provides a framework for the individual developer to assess and to improve his/her development process.
Red Blood Cell Transfusions Impact Pneumonia Rates After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting.

Background Pneumonia, a known complication of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), significantly increases a patient's risk of morbidity and mortality. Although not well characterized, red blood cell (RBC) transfusions may increase a patient's risk of pneumonia. We describe the relationship between RBC transfusion and postoperative pneumonia after CABG. Methods A total of 16,182 consecutive patients underwent isolated CABG between 2011 and 2013 at 1 of 33 hospitals in the state of Michigan. We used multivariable logistic regression to estimate the relative odds of pneumonia associated with the use or number of RBC units (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and ≥ 6). We adjusted for predicted risk of mortality, preoperative hematocrit values, history of pneumonia, cardiopulmonary bypass duration, and medical center. We confirmed the strength and direction of these relationships among selected clinical subgroups in a secondary analysis. Results Five hundred seventy-six (3.6%) patients had pneumonia and 6,451 (39.9%) received RBC transfusions. There was a significant association between any RBC transfusion and pneumonia (adjusted odds ratio [OR adj ], 3.4; p adj , 2.1; p Conclusions We found a significant volume-dependent association between an increasing number of RBCs and the odds of pneumonia, which persisted after risk adjustment. Clinical teams should explore opportunities for preventing a patient's risk of RBC transfusions, including reducing hemodilution or adopting a lower transfusion threshold in a stable patient.
Pastoral counseling in the 21st century: the centrality of community.

In this article, I argue that the notion of ecclesia or faith community is a central, existential anthropological premise that can shape how we understand facets of pastoral counseling such as diagnosis, process, and aims. Implicit here is the idea that the distinctiveness of pastoral counseling lies not simply in accountability and authority vis-a-vis community, but in its use of a communitarian anthropology to understand the importance of community for psychosocial development, resiliency, and healing. I argue further that in the 21st century the centrality of the notion of community is, and will continue to be, critical, because of political and economic forces that undermine community, giving rise to psychosocial alienation, depression, etc.
Transport in Polymer-Electrolyte Membranes II. Mathematical Model

A mathematical model is developed that is based on our previous physical model. The governing equations are presented for both the vapor- and liquid-equilibrated transport modes as well as when they both occur. Thus, this model bridges the gap between the one-phase and two-phase macroscopic models currently used in the literature. In addition to being able to model such phenomena as Schroeder's paradox, the model incorporates other relatively novel features including the effect of temperature on water uptake by the membrane from water vapor, and its associated effects on transport properties. Just as in the physical model, the mathematical model uses the wealth of knowledge contained in the literature to examine and determine values for the relevant transport and membrane parameters. This also helps in corroborating the physical model. The mathematical model developed is further validated and its results examined in a subsequent paper where it is placed in a simple fuel-cell model.
Bone Protective Effect of Simvastatin in Experimental Arthritis

Objective Emerging evidence suggests that clinically important antiinflammatory effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibition may extend beyond cardiovascular disease to other inflammatory disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Protective bone-specific anabolic and antiresorptive effects of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors have also been evaluated in normal and osteoporotic bone. The specific effect of statins on inflammation-induced bone loss has not previously been a focus of evaluation. We investigated whether simvastatin, a potent HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor, alters bone turnover in an animal model of RA, thus preventing periarticular bone loss. Methods Hydrolyzed simvastatin (20 mg/kg/day) was administered subcutaneously to female Lewis rats 4 days before or 8 days after induction of arthritis by intraperitoneal injection of streptococcal cell wall or vehicle. Effects of simvastatin (vs vehicle) on periarticular bone, assessed by bone mineral density (BMD), biochemical markers of bone turnover, and joint histology, were determined. Effects on joint swelling were assessed clinically and histologically. Results Simvastatin prevented early and late joint inflammation in association with a decrease in articular macrophage influx. Simvastatin suppressed the periarticular bone destruction occurring late in the course of disease, preserving periarticular BMD and preventing increases in periarticular osteoclasts and serum pyridinoline levels in arthritic animals, while having no effect on these measures in normal animals. Osteocalcin levels, which were decreased in arthritic animals, were unaltered by statin treatment. Conclusion Our results suggest that inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase may be therapeutically useful in preserving periarticular bone in RA joints via suppression of inflammation-induced bone resorption.
Analysis of top and bottom surface structure in thin (001) Au films by high resolution transmission electron microscopy

Abstract Using computer-generated models of the (001) surface of Au a number of image computations were performed for high energy electron diffraction to match experimental transmission electron micrographs. With a multislice dynamical electron diffraction formalism it was possible to generate images from thin films which contained one roughened surface or both top and bottom surfaces roughened. Here, it will be demonstrated that the computer generated micrographs can be used to show both bulk lattice periodicities of 2.03 A and the surface lattice of 2.86 A and that these features are separable in real electron micrographs under favorable imaging conditions.
Zebrafish Prickle, a Modulator of Noncanonical Wnt/Fz Signaling, Regulates Gastrulation Movements

In addition to the canonical Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway, at least two noncanonical Wnt/Fz pathways have been described: the planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway in Drosophila [1] and the Wnt/calcium pathway in vertebrate embryos [2]. Recent work suggests that a vertebrate pathway homologous to the PCP pathway acts to regulate the convergent extension movements of gastrulation [3-7]. To further test this hypothesis, we have identified two zebrafish homologs of the Drosophila PCP gene prickle (pk) [8], both of which show discrete and dynamic expression patterns during gastrulation. Both gain and loss of pk1 function cause defects in convergent extension. Pk1 localizes to both the cytoplasm and the cell membrane, and its normal localization is partially dependent on its C-terminal prenylation motif. At the cell membrane, Pk1 is frequently localized asymmetrically around the cell and can colocalize with the signaling molecule Dishevelled (Dsh). In overexpression assays, Pk1 is able to activate AP-1-mediated transcription and inhibit activation of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. Like noncanonical Wnts [9-10], overexpression of Pk1 increases the frequency of calcium transients in zebrafish blastulae. Our results support the idea that a vertebrate PCP pathway regulates gastrulation movements and suggest that there is overlap between the PCP and Wnt/calcium pathways.
Deformation studies at sliding wear tracks in iron

Abstract Determinations have been made of strains on the surface and subsurface of specimens of high purity iron after different distances of sliding wear. The method involved the measurement of loss of intensity (contrast) of particular electron channeling lines obtained from small selected areas near the wear track. A calibration specimen, deformed plastically to a range of strain values, was used to relate the channeling line contrast loss to plastic strain. Strain maps lateral to the wear track and below the original surface were obtained after removing controlled thicknesses of iron by electropolishing. In all cases the maximum strain was found at the track center location at the surface and the strains decreased steadily with depth below the track. With a 50 g load the strains vanished at about 40 μm depth. Significant strains were found to exist outside the wear track boundaries. There was no indication of a soft or less-hardened surface layer in any of the specimens studied.
THE EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON MICROBIAL GROWTH IN ORANGE JUICE

Model functions were fitted (correlation coefficient [r], from 0.9258 to 0.9999) to the experimental microbial growth data in orange juice stored at 0, 4, 10 and 15C. The models predicted a microbial population of about 5.3 log cfu/mL after 15.5 days (0C) and that it would take 12.7 days to reach a microbial population of 6.0 log cfu/mL (4C). The first derivative of the microbial growth model function (10C) indicated a growth rate of about 0.5 log cfu/mL/day (day 1). The lag phase period at 0 and 4C was 9.5 and 2.8 days, respectively. The shelf life of orange juice (time to reach 6 log cfu/mL) determined experimentally was 17.9, 12.7 and 3 days and 10 h at 0, 4, 10 and 15C, respectively. Three shelf-life predictive models were developed (r = from 0.9436 to 0.9999). The predictions of shelf life by the “algebraic” model were identical to those determined experimentally. This was also true for the relative rate of spoilage (RRS) model at 0 and 15C. On the other hand, the RRS model underestimated the shelf life of orange juice at 4 and 10C. The modified exponential model overestimated (at 0, 10 and 15C) and underestimated (at 4C) the shelf life of orange juice. An Arrhenius “split” plot with a break point at 7.6C depicted the effect of temperature on the rate of development of microbial generations. The absolute value of the slope of each portion, of the Arrhenius plot, above and below the break point was 12.5 and 4.5, respectively. The slope of the Arrhenius slope for the temperature range below the break point (7.6C) indicated a slower microbial growth.
Effect of colchicine on microtubules in the melanophores of Fundulus heteroclitus

Studies were carried out on the effect of colchicine on microtubules in the melanophores of the killifish, Fundulus heteroclitus . Treatment of the melanophores with colchicine results in a marked loss of microtubules in these cells. The relative number of microtubules as well as their length and frequency of occurrence depends upon the concentration of colchicine and the treatment time. Coincident with the loss of microtubules there is an increase in the number of microfilaments. The loss of microtubules in colchicine-treated cells correlates with previously observed changes in rate of melanosome migration in response to epinephrine. The possible role of microtubules in melanosome movements is discussed.
The role of RNA polymerase initiation and elongation in control of total RNA and histone mRNA synthesis in sea urchin embryos

Abstract The involvement of RNA polymerase initiations in regulating total RNA synthesis and the synthesis of the early histone mRNAs was investigated. Nuclei were isolated from developing sea urchin embryos from 4- to 600-cell stages, and the transcription of already initiated polymerase complexes was studied in a “run-off,” or elongation, assay; this assay was optimized by using high levels of ribonucleoside triphosphates. Under these conditions the relative levels of RNA synthesis in isolated nuclei from different stages closely paralleled the known rates of synthesis in vivo . However, if sarkosyl is included in the elongation assay, the nuclei of older stages display greatly stimulated synthesis while early cleavage stage nuclei are not stimulated. Sarkosyl does not reveal any elongated transcripts from the early histone genes in nuclei from later stages of development. This has been interpreted to mean that there are many initiated polymerase II complexes that do not elongate rapidly at later stages, but the early histone genes are inactive at later stages because they do not possess any productively initiated polymerases.
Health professionals' assessment of health-related quality of life values for oral clefting by age using a visual analogue scale method.

Abstract Objective: To elicit health-related quality of life (HRQL) values associated with oral clefting by age using a visual analogue scale, and to explore the appropriateness of using health professionals as evaluators. Methods: A representative group of health professionals working on craniofacial and/or cleft palate teams in the United States was sampled. Values (between 0 and 1) representing the HRQL associated with isolated and nonisolated oral clefting for infants, children, adolescents, and adults were obtained. The relationships between selected evaluator characteristics and values were also assessed. Results: Of 330 professionals surveyed, 133 (40%) completed and returned reliable evaluations. Overall, HRQL values were clustered toward the right tail of the scale, indicating modest decreases in HRQL. Most evaluators reported feeling confident in completing the evaluations. HRQL values seemed to vary by team type (cleft palate only versus cleft palate/craniofacial care) and geographic location, ...
Victorian Literature and Finance

Victorian Literature and Finance, edited by Francis O'Gorman, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2007, xii + 201 pp., £56.00 (hardback), ISBN 978-0-19-928192-3 At the end of nearly every year from 19...
The 30‐hour day: the future for media and entertainment businesses

An explosion of new media delivery technologies allows consumers to tap into information and entertainment, served up on demand. However, most media and entertainment (M&E) businesses are finding that an “on demand” business strategy has to mean far more than simply making content quickly and easily accessible to consumers. Today’s turbulent buyer’s market has made it critical for an M&E company to acquire a new set of business capabilities to survive in the on demand era. M&E businesses need a model for successfully meeting the challenges of this on demand era. Starting with a look at how the industry got to this point, the author describes what an on demand M&E business might look like, and provides a roadmap for M&E executives that can help them compete successfully in the on demand world.
Lead telluride alloy thermoelectrics

The opportunity to use solid-state thermoelectrics for waste heat recovery has reinvigorated the field of thermoelectrics in tackling the challenges of energy sustainability. While thermoelectric generators have decades of proven reliability in space, from the 1960s to the present, terrestrial uses have so far been limited to niche applications on Earth because of a relatively low material efficiency. Lead telluride alloys were some of the first materials investigated and commercialized for generators but their full potential for thermoelectrics has only recently been revealed to be far greater than commonly believed. By reviewing some of the past and present successes of PbTe as a thermoelectric material we identify the issues for achieving maximum performance and successful band structure engineering strategies for further improvements that can be applied to other thermoelectric materials systems.
Attribution of SST variability in global oceans and the role of ENSO

Based on a novel design of coupled model simulations where sea surface temperature (SST) variability in the equatorial tropical Pacific was constrained to follow the observed El Nino—Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability, while rest of the global oceans were free to evolve, the ENSO response in SSTs over the other ocean basins was analyzed. Conceptually the experimental setup was similar to discerning the contribution of ENSO variability to interannual variations in atmospheric anomalies. A unique feature of the analysis was that it was not constrained by a priori assumptions on the nature of the teleconnected response in SSTs. The analysis demonstrated that the time lag between ENSO SST and SSTs in other ocean basins was about 6 months. A signal-to-noise analysis indicated that between 25 and 50 % of monthly mean SST variance over certain ocean basins can be attributed to SST variability over the equatorial tropical Pacific. The experimental setup provides a basis for (a) attribution of SST variability in global oceans to ENSO variability, (b) a method for separating the ENSO influence in SST variations, and (c) understanding the contribution from other external factors responsible for variations in SSTs, for example, changes in atmospheric composition, volcanic aerosols, etc.
PPBP [4-phenyl-1-(4-phenylbutyl) piperidine], a potent sigma-receptor ligand, decreases brain injury after transient focal ischemia in cats.

Background and Purpose We tested the hypothesis that administration of 4-phenyl-1-(4-phenylbutyl) piperidine (PPBP), a potent ς-receptor ligand, during transient focal ischemia would affect early postischemic brain injury. Methods Halothane-anesthetized cats underwent left middle cerebral artery occlusion for 90 minutes followed by 4 hours of reperfusion. Control cats received saline (n=10). Experimental cats (2 groups, n=10 per group) were treated with PPBP at a rate of 0.1 μmol/kg per hour (PPBP-0.1) or administered 1 μmol/kg per hour (PPBP-1) intravenously from 75 minutes after initiation of ischemia and continuing during the 4 hours of reperfusion. Results As measured by the microsphere method, blood flow to the ipsilateral caudate nucleus was decreased similarly in all groups during ischemia. Blood flow to the ipsilateral inferior temporal cortex was decreased during ischemia in all groups but was higher in cats subsequently treated with PPBP at the highest dose, even before drug administration. Ther...
Probing an ultra-low velocity zone at the core mantle boundary with P and S waves

Recent studies of the core-mantle boundary (CMB) have revealed some very anomalous structures interpreted in terms of ultra low velocity zones (ULVZ). However, there remains considerable uncertainties about their physical descriptions or even if they occur above or below the CMB. They have only been detected in isolated situations using rather special techniques; these includes: distortions in SKS with the development of SKPdS and SPdKS, broadband PKP precursors, distinct ScS and S beyond 100 degree, and rapid changes in differential travel times of neighboring phases. Here we report on a situation where ray paths associated with PKP precursors and SKPdS sample the same ULVZ structure. The structure lies beneath central Africa and has been detected from WWSSN analog data (SKPdS) discussed previously. This data set has been enhanced with a collection of digital records sampling an elongated North-South zone roughly 800 km long. The entire SKPdS data set can be modeled with a ridge-shaped cross section with widths of 250 to 400 km and drops in P and S velocity of 10 and 30 percent. Fortunately, a new IRIS station (MSKU) located in Western Africa provided excellent PKP data from the New Britain Region events sampling the above structure. The PKP and strong precursors can be modeled by 2D synthetics generated from the same structure (used in modeling SKP dS) which provides a strong constraint on the definition characteristics of this particular ULVZ.
The Legalization of the Kantian Tradition in Moral Philosophy and Sociology: An Analysis of Rawls and Parsons*

Abstract The Kantian origins of Rawls' A Theory of Justice and Parsons' systematic sociology are examined. It is suggested that while both Rawls and Parsons were heavily influenced by Kant, their convergent contract doctrines of modern social orders can best be understood as a result of an inherited or a self imposed legalization of Kantian moral philosophy. This inheritance is traced through Maine, Jhering and Weber in the case of Parsons. It is argued that Rawls uses a legalization of Kantian philosophy in order to facilitate his quest for a theory of justice within the confines of liberal democratic theory. Finally it is argued that the legalism in Rawls' and Parsons' work represents a conservative bias with respect to the full potential inherent in Kant and that a revision of the concept of natural law may remedy the bias of legalism.
High Frequency Switching Surges in EHV Shunt Reactor Installation with Reduced Insulation Levels

When de-energizing shunt reactors with load interrupters, reignitions are likely to occur. The resulting high frequency transients have been investigated for a typical EHV installation by computer studies and field tests. These transients can be eliminated or minimized by controlling the instant of contact parting. They can also be reduced by low ohmic opening resistors.
Use of flawed multiple-choice items by the New England Journal of Medicine for continuing medical education

Physicians in the United States are required to complete a minimum number of continuing medical education (CME) credits annually. The goal of CME is to ensure that physicians maintain their knowledge and skills throughout their medical career. The New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) provides its readers with the opportunity to obtain weekly CME credits. Deviation from established item-writing principles may result in a decrease in validity evidence for tests. This study evaluated the quality of 40 NEJM MCQs using the standard evidence-based principles of effective item writing. Each multiple-choice item reviewed had at least three item flaws, with a mean of 5.1 and a range of 3 to 7. The results of this study demonstrate that the NEJM uses flawed MCQs in its weekly CME program.