cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Conventional administration and scoring procedures suppress the diagnostic accuracy of a performance-based test designed to assess balance ability in lower limb prosthesis users.

Background:Practice effects have been observed among performance-based clinical tests administered to prosthesis-users. Their impact on test applications remains unknown.Objective:To determine whet...
Technology Leveraging for Infrastructure Asset Management: Challenges and Opportunities

Transportation and other infrastructure systems, particularly in dense urban regions, are intertwined, interdependent, multi-scale, multi-domain and complex, and their behavior cannot be predicted even when element behaviors are known. Such systems should be managed just like financial assets, leveraging measurement-based, objective and reliable metrics for documenting their value, performance and condition, and based on their lifecycle and disutility risk for each distinct limit-states of performance as discussed in the following. In this paper writers attempt to offer a perspective for asset management of civil infrastructures with a focus on highway bridges and describe the tools that are considered necessary for rectifying the current shortcomings mainly arising from subjective and incomplete performance and condition evaluation practice. The adoption of sensing systems, which allows measurements of displacement, acceleration, strain, tilt and that can be collected wirelessly, has the potential of providing objective metrics needed for optimal asset management. The authors however caution that such a transition (from asset management based on visual inspection to data-driven asset management based on objective metrics) could be truly achieved only if combined with the proper training of a new generation of infrastructure inspectors and stakeholders. The paper attempts to provide a roadmap to achieve such a transition in asset management and describes the critical concepts that should be incorporated in training a new generation of civil engineers in charge of maintaining our transportation assets.
Primary Leiomyosarcoma of Bone: Review and Update.

Context.— Leiomyosarcoma of bone is a rare primary osseous sarcoma characterized by smooth muscle differentiation and absence of malignant osteoid formation. Leiomyosarcoma of bone is diagnosticall...
Using portfolio theory in spatial targeting of forest carbon payments: an effective strategy to address spatiotemporal variation in land-use opportunity costs?

The objective of our research is to extend current conservation applications of modern portfolio theory (MPT) to develop a framework for the cost-efficient budget distribution for a forest carbon p...
Immunotherapy with Y90-radioembolization for metastatic colorectal cancer (iRE-C).

TPS276Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized the treatment of a number of cancers. In colorectal cancers, their efficacy is limited to mismatch repair deficient or microsatell...
Determining the optimal osteotomy distance with the fibula free flap in mandibular reconstruction.

Abstract Objective Fibula free tissue transfer is a common and reliable method for mandibular reconstruction. Functional outcomes from this procedure are dependent on the successful union of the osseous segments postoperatively. This study was conducted to define the maximum gap-size criteria for osseous union to occur at osteotomy sites in fibula free flap reconstruction of the mandible. Study design Retrospective chart review. Setting Tertiary care academic center. Subjects and methods A retrospective chart review of computed tomography and medical records was conducted on patients who underwent fibula free flap surgery and had imaging of the mandible at 6 months after surgery. Distances between osteotomies were measured and evaluated for interval healing. Secondary data included subject age, sex, smoking status, diabetes, number of osteotomies, complications, and adjuvant therapy. Results Thirty-eight osteotomy sites were analyzed from thirteen subjects and a total of 190 measurements were made. The mean gap size at the first scan that demonstrated union by the second scan interval was 1.31 mm and mean gap size demonstrating non-union was 2.55 mm (p Conclusions In this study, osseous union was achieved with a mean osteotomy gap size of 1.31 mm. The data suggests that distances between ossesous segments >2 .55mm have a higher risk of non-union. We believe the information from this study will help augment current and future techniques in the field of mandible reconstruction.
Long-term renal function in living kidney donors with simple renal cysts: A retrospective cohort study.

Simple (Bosniak I) renal cysts are considered acceptable in living kidney donor selection in terms of cancer risk. However, they tend to increase in number and size over time and might compromise renal function in donors. To clarify their implications for long-term renal function, we characterized the prevalence of renal cysts in 454 individuals who donated at our center from 2000 to 2007. We estimated the association between the presence of cysts in the kidney remaining after nephrectomy (ie, retained cysts) and postdonation eGFR trajectory using mixed-effects linear regression. Donors with retained cysts (N = 86) were older (P .9). There continued to be no evidence of an association when we considered retained cyst(s) ≥10 mm or multiple retained cysts (all P > .05). These findings reaffirm current practices of accepting candidates with simple renal cysts for donor nephrectomy.
Feedback, reflection and team learning for COVID-19: development of a novel clinical event debriefing tool

The COVID-19 pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for healthcare teams. In addition to placing a complicated set of demands on governments, health systems, hospitals and individual healthcare workers, this outbreak also serves as ‘an opportunity to gain important information, some of which is associated with a limited window of opportunity’.1 In rapidly evolving pandemics, the imperative to improve performance creates an urgent need for what Amy Edmondson has described as ‘Execution-as-Learning’, a framework in which teams of front-line providers problem solve on the fly, rather than waiting for answers from leadership.2 For many front-line care providers, this threat has created unique challenges, including rapidly evolving information about presentation and management of disease, surges of patients who are critically ill, shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and other resources and risks to personal safety. While all of us have cared for the ill and dying, and faced the fact that our actions as individuals or teams contribute to our patients’ survival, many feel more personally at risk during the COVID-19 crisis. The development of solutions and innovations that come directly from front-line providers needs to be fostered. To help healthcare workers and their leaders gather and process information about teamwork, medical management and crisis resource management for COVID-19, while also providing support to colleagues, we created Debriefing In Suspected …
Liquid ventilation:preventive intervention against cardiopulmonary bypass4nduced lung injury

Prevention or reduction of cardiopulmonary bypass-induced pulmonary injury has become critically important researching aspect of cardiovascular anesthesia.Artificial circulation,ischemia/reperfusion injury and pulmonary re-expansion after collapse are the key elements to induce pulmonary inflammatory reaction.Liquid ventilation using perfluorocarbon has been shown to improve oxygenation after acute lung injury.Liquid ventilation can effectively reduce neutrophil infiltration and reactive oxygen species production in the lungs,thus exerting protective effects against acute lung injury. Key words: Perfluoro carbon; Liquid ventilation; Lung injury; Cardiopulmonary bypass
Ceramic/Metal-Supported, Tubular, Molten CarbonateMembranes for High-Temperature CO 2 Separations

Dual-phase membranes, consisting of molten alkali metal carbonates infiltrated into an oxygen ion or mixed-conducting substrate, are a promising technology for high-temperature CO2 separations and other energy conversion applications, such as membrane reactors. In this paper, we report a new fabrication technique for triple-phase membranes capable of high-temperature CO2 transport using an oxygen ion-conducting ceramic combined with an electronic-conducting metal layer. An oxygen ion-conducting, 4YSZ porous substrate tube was coated with a thin layer of metal (Pd/Ag or Ni) using electroless plating to prepare a mixed-conducting (oxygen ion and electronic) support for the triple-phase membranes. The porous section was then filled with a molten carbonate (MC) salt consisting of a eutectic mixture of Li/K or Na/K carbonates. This enabled both the mixed oxygen and carbonate ion conductor (MOCC) and mixed electron and carbonate ion conductor (MECC) CO2 transport mechanisms. The highest CO2 permeance (flux/driving force) of 1.07 × 10–7 mol m–2 s–1 Pa–1 (a flux of 0.8 cm3(STP) cm–2 min–1) was measured on a 4YSZ support coated with a Pd/Ag layer and infiltrated with the eutectic Li/K carbonate salt; it was measured at 725 °C with a 50/50 CO2/O2 feed gas mixture at a transmembrane pressure of 110 kPa. The apparent activation energy for CO2 transport was calculated to be 57 kJ mol–1 between 450 and 600 °C, suggesting that the rate-limiting step was the diffusion of the carbonate ion in the molten carbonate; however, the activation energy was observed to increase to 74 kJ mol–1 (650–750 °C), which was attributed to the influence of oxygen anion transport at higher temperatures.
Comparative analysis of the effect of PO administered acid suppressants on gastric pH in healthy cats.

Background Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are among the most commonly prescribed medications for esophagitis and upper gastrointestinal erosion and ulceration in cats. Newer PPIs such as lansoprazole and esomeprazole are believed to be effective in cats, but the effect of many of these PPIs on gastric pH in cats has not been explored. Hypothesis/objectives To evaluate the efficacy of PO esomeprazole, dexlansoprazole, and lansoprazole on intragastric pH in healthy cats. We hypothesized that esomeprazole and lansoprazole would provide superior acid suppression compared to dexlansoprazole and reach pH goals extrapolated from people for the treatment of esophagitis and duodenal ulceration. Animals Twelve healthy research cats. Methods Randomized, 3-way crossover study. Cats were given esomeprazole and lansoprazole at a dosage of 1 mg/kg PO q12h or dexlansoprazole at 6 mg/kg PO q12h. Intragastric pH was recorded at baseline and for 4 days of treatment. Mean pH and the mean percentage time (MPT) intragastric pH was ≥3 or ≥4 were compared among and within treatment groups. Results Cats treated with lansoprazole had a lower MPT ± SD of intragastric pH ≥3 (8.8 ± 6.8%) and mean ± SD pH (1.6 ± 0.5) than did cats treated with dexlansoprazole (41.2 ± 34.6% and 3.11 ± 1.6, respectively) or esomeprazole (54 ± 33.8% and 4.1 ± 3.9, respectively;P ≤ .04). Esomeprazole was the only treatment that achieved the goals defined for people for the treatment of duodenal ulceration by Day 4 of treatment (MPT ± SD of intragastric pH ≥4 of 77.1 ± 29.2%). Conclusions and clinical importance Orally administered esomeprazole might be a superior acid suppressant in cats compared to PO lansoprazole or dexlansoprazole.
Zn composite corrosion resistance coatings: What works and what does not work?

Abstract Corrosion is one of the most significant contributors to structural degradation in process industries. It causes process equipment failure, which can led to severe safety issues. One approach to address this concern is to provide a preventive barrier-coating to equipment. Due to its superior reductive property, zinc is usually employed as a sacrificial anode in conventional corrosion-resistance methods. Nickel is also used to both mechanically strengthen the barrier and improve overall corrosion resistance; therefore, zinc, zinc-nickel alloys, and zinc-nickel-oxide composite coatings are commonly employed for anti-corrosion purposes. The complexation of zinc and nickel ions by agents (citrate, acetate and EDTA) can stabilize the electrodeposition bath and extend the pH of Ni(OH)2 and ZnO precipitation to improve corrosion resistance in the resultant coating. This paper reviews the challenge with these type of coatings and presents progress in Zn and Zn-Ni composite corrosion resistance coatings co-deposited with Al2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, SiO2, and Fe2O3 as means of corrosion control to reduce the probability of process equipment failure due to corrosion, which will improve the overall safety and reliability of processing equipment.
Ethics of Pediatric and Young Adult Medical Decision-Making: Case-Based Discussions Exploring Consent, Capacity, and Surrogate Decision-Making.

Introduction Most medical decisions in pediatrics involve surrogate decision-makers. Because of this, pediatricians are even more likely to encounter ethical conflicts and dilemmas surrounding medi...
Light Emitting Devices

Light emitting diodes and semiconductor lasers have opened a new field of cold light sources with a low driving voltage, high conversion efficiency and high reliability. These devices are the basic elements of modern displays, fiber optic communication and a large variety of other applications.
Histologic and Racial/Ethnic Patterns of Appendiceal Cancer among Young Patients.

Background: Appendiceal cancer (AC) incidence among individuals age<50 years (early-onset AC) is rising with unknown etiologies. Distinct clinicopathologic/ demographic features of early-onset AC remain unexplored. We compared patterns of AC among individuals by age of disease-onset. Methods: Using the NIH/NCI9s SEER program data, we identified individuals age 20+ years diagnosed with AC from 2007-2016. Cochran-Armitage trend tests and multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine age-related differences in clinicopathologic/demographic features of AC. Results: We identified 8,851 patients with AC during the 10-year study period. Histological subtype, tumor grade, stage, sex and race/ethnicity all significantly differed by age of AC-onset. After adjustment for race/ethnicity, sex, stage, insurance status, and tumor grade, young patients were 82% more likely to be Hispanic (OR=1.82, 95%CI=1.48-2.25, P<0.001) and four-fold more likely to be American Indian or Alaska Native (OR=4.02, 95%CI=1.77-9.16, P=0.0009) compared with late-onset cases. Early-onset AC patients were also two-fold to 3.5-fold more likely to be diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors of the appendix (goblet cell carcinoid: OR=1.96, 95%CI=1.59-2.41, P<0.0001; carcinoid: OR=3.52, 95%CI=2.80-4.42,P<0.0001) compared to patients with late-onset AC. Among patients with neuroendocrine tumors, early-onset cases were also 45-61% less likely to present with high grade (III-IV) tumors. Conclusion: Approximately one in every three patients with AC is diagnosed before age 50 years in the US. AC in young patients is classified by distinct histologic and demographic features. Impact: Early-onset AC determinants can inform discovery of risk factors and molecular biomarkers of AC in young patients, with implications for AC prevention, detection and treatment.
Stock liquidity, empire building, and valuation

Abstract We conjecture that high stock liquidity negatively affects firm valuation by inducing inefficient investment. Using takeovers of public targets to study the empire-building motive, we find that a liquid firm is more likely than an illiquid firm to acquire a public firm. Such a takeover by a bidder with higher stock liquidity destroys bidder value to a larger degree. These patterns occur in both stock and cash acquisitions and hold after we use decimalization of tick size as a quasi-exogenous shock to stock liquidity. Finally, we show that financial constraints and corporate governance play important roles in the effects of stock liquidity on empire building in mergers and acquisitions.
Neurofinance and the Efficient Market Hypothesis

The purpose of this paper is to emphasize the implication of neurofinance with respect to the efficient market hypothesis. To this end, the paper first brings to the fore two aspects of neurofinance, namely, thinking imposes strain on the mind, and making judgment involves emotions, as a result of which some individuals introduce noise to financial markets. The paper then discusses the role of noise traders in making financial markets inefficient.
Creeks and Southerners: Biculturalism on the Early American Frontier

Creeks and Southerners examines the families created by the hundreds of intermarriages between Creek Indian women and European American men in the southeastern United States during the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. Called "Indian countrymen" at the time, these intermarried white men moved into their wives' villages in what is now Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. By doing so, they obtained new homes, familial obligations, occupations, and identities. At the same time, however, they maintained many of their ties to white American society and as a result entered the historical record in large numbers. Creeks and Southerners studies the ways in which many children of these relationships lived both as Creek Indians and white Southerners. By carefully altering their physical appearances, choosing appropriate clothing, learning multiple languages, embracing maternal and paternal kinsmen and kinswomen, and balancing their loyalties, the children of intermarriages found ways to bridge what seemed to be an unbridgeable divide. Many became prominent Creek political leaders and warriors, played central roles in the lucrative deerskin trade, built inns and taverns to cater to the needs of European American travelers, frequently moved between colonial American and Native communities, and served both European American and Creek officials as interpreters, assistants, and travel escorts. The fortunes of these bicultural children reflect the changing nature of Creek-white relations, which became less flexible and increasingly contentious throughout the nineteenth century as both Creeks and Americans accepted a more rigid biological concept of race, forcing their bicultural children to choose between identities.
Hippocampal lesions produce a temporally graded retrograde amnesia on a dry version of the Morris swimming task

Using a dry version of the Morris hidden-goal swimming task, we reexplored the retrograde and anterograde effects of hippocampal lesions on spatial performance in rats. Rats were trained to find food buried under sawdust in a 183-cm-diameter gray cylinder, the location of the buried food was constant for each rat. Either 1 week or 14 weeks after training the rats were subjected to massive hippocampal + dentate lesions by multiple injections of neurotoxic agents. Rats with a 1-week training-lesion interval could not reacquire the ability to get to the hidden food, although they performed normally when the goal location was marked with a dowel. In contrast, rats with a 14-week training-lesion interval re-learned finding the buried food at a nearly normal rate. The two groups together suggest that memory for the buried food task is susceptible to graded retrograde amnesia in a fashion similar to explicit memory in humans. Additional testing of the 14-week training-lesion group revealed, however, that the consolidated memory was not fully formed; these rats were incapable of learning to go to a new location in the same cylinder, although sham lesioned rats readily transferred. To explain this pattern of results, we propose that (1) rats with an intact hippocampus have available a neural map of the environment that permits them to learn to go from anywhere to anywhere else, and (2) hippocampally lesioned rats have no such map, but are able to show some navigational skills by using a vector field representation of the environment that permits them to get from anywhere to a single location. In a separate experiment, we provide support for the notion that the rodent hippocampus has a specialized role in spatial memory by showing that hippocampally lesioned rats performed normally in a visual object recognition task whose motor and motivational components were the same as in the buried food task.
An introduction to policy informatics

In a complex world generating copious amounts of knowledge, new perspectives are needed to understand, deliberate, and organize collectively to build public goods. This workshop provides an interactive introduction to the theory, methods, and actionable applications of policy informatics. Policy informatics is the study of how advances in computation, information, and communication technologies are leveraged to understand and address complex policy and administrative problems and realize innovations in governance processes and institutions. Participants will engage with content and other participants. Four themes are covered: 1) theories useful to understanding policy informatics, 2) information, tools, and changing norms in the public sector, 3) interactive simulations and models, 4) participatory platforms – design, governance, and outcomes. There will be a presentation interaction format using cutting edge examples and activities, and participants will learn techniques and methods for solving problems in the context of the values and objectives of government.
Measuring environmental quality in the southern Appalachian Mountains.

This study presents a method for valuing recreational environmental quality in the forests of the southeastern United States. The paper offers a method for choosing, measuring, and valuing forest attributes. Surveys and popular recreation literature are used to identify forest attributes that contribute to recreational quality. Standard ecological techniques are employed to measure levels of these attributes along trails in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Georgia. Finally, the paper demonstrates how hedonic methods can be used to assign values to forest attributes. The authors show that values for recreational quality vary across users and sites. Furthermore, they demonstrate the existence of negative marginal values for certain forest attributes and provide evidence that suggests these negative values are not the result of mis-specification, but are consistent with oversatiation.
A Population-Differential Method of Monitoring Success and Failure in Coevolution

Coevolutionary algorithms require no domain-specific measure of objective fitness, enabling these these algorithms to be applied to domains for which no objective metric is known or for which known metrics are too expensive. But this flexibility comes at the expense of accountabilitiy. Past work on monitoring has focused on measuring success, but has not been able to provide feedback on failure. This limitation is due to a common reliance on “best-of-generation” (BOG) based analysis [1], and we propose a population-differential analysis based on an alternate “all-of-generation” (AOG) framework that is not similarly limited.
Effect of dietary cadmium on growth, cadmium absorption and cadmium tissue levels in growing lambs.

As no major investigation has reported the signs of cadmium toxicity in sheep, the following experiment was undertaken. Thirty male lambs were allotted by weight into five lots of six and fed ad libitum diets for 191 days. The diets contained 0, 5, 15, 30 and 60 pm of cadmium. Dietary cadmium at 30 and 60 ppm had a significant effect on growth rate and feed intake but no effect on feed efficiency. Apparent absorption of the metal was 5% in the 60 ppm group. Excretion in the urine and reexcretion in the bile of cadmium was negligible. Little cadmium accumulated in blood, fat or muscle but cadmium accumulated in large quantities in liver and kidney. Blood hematocrit was significantly lower and dry liver weight significantly higher at the highest level of cadmium intake when compared with controls. Dietary cadmium had no significant effect on wool cadmium. 30 references, 9 tables.
A rewriting system for the vectorization of signal transforms

We present a rewriting system that automatically vectorizes signal transform algorithms at a high level of abstraction. The input to the system is a transform algorithm given as a formula in the well-known Kronecker product formalism. The output is a "vectorized" formula, which means it consists exclusively of constructs that can be directly mapped into short vector code. This approach obviates compiler vectorization, which is known to be limited in this domain. We included the formula vectorization into the Spiral program generator for signal transforms, which enables us to generate vectorized code and further optimize for the memory hierarchy through search over alternative algorithms. Benchmarks for the discrete Fourier transform (DFT) show that our generated floating-point code is competitive with and that our fixed-point code clearly outperforms the best available libraries.
How the pterosaur got its wings

Throughout the evolutionary history of life, only three vertebrate lineages took to the air by acquiring a body plan suitable for powered flight: birds, bats, and pterosaurs. Because pterosaurs were the earliest vertebrate lineage capable of powered flight and included the largest volant animal in the history of the earth, understanding how they evolved their flight apparatus, the wing, is an important issue in evolutionary biology. Herein, I speculate on the potential basis of pterosaur wing evolution using recent advances in the developmental biology of flying and non-flying vertebrates. The most significant morphological features of pterosaur wings are: (i) a disproportionately elongated fourth finger, and (ii) a wing membrane called the brachiopatagium, which stretches from the posterior surface of the arm and elongated fourth finger to the anterior surface of the leg. At limb-forming stages of pterosaur embryos, the zone of polarizing activity (ZPA) cells, from which the fourth finger eventually differentiates, could up-regulate, restrict, and prolong expression of 5'-located Homeobox D (Hoxd) genes (e.g. Hoxd11, Hoxd12, and Hoxd13) around the ZPA through pterosaur-specific exploitation of sonic hedgehog (SHH) signalling. 5'Hoxd genes could then influence downstream bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signalling to facilitate chondrocyte proliferation in long bones. Potential expression of Fgf10 and Tbx3 in the primordium of the brachiopatagium formed posterior to the forelimb bud might also facilitate elongation of the phalanges of the fourth finger. To establish the flight-adapted musculoskeletal morphology shared by all volant vertebrates, pterosaurs probably underwent regulatory changes in the expression of genes controlling forelimb and pectoral girdle musculoskeletal development (e.g. Tbx5), as well as certain changes in the mode of cell-cell interactions between muscular and connective tissues in the early phase of their evolution. Developmental data now accumulating for extant vertebrate taxa could be helpful in understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of body-plan evolution in extinct vertebrates as well as extant vertebrates with unique morphology whose embryonic materials are hard to obtain.
Solar wind motion within 30 R solar masses - Spacecraft radio scintillation observations

New remote-sensing observations are reported of the solar wind motion within about 30 earth radii. Use is made of the interplanetary scintillation (IPS) spaced receiver technique with the radio source being a spacecraft signal (rather than a natural radio source as in previous spaced receiver studies). The spacecraft used are Helios A and B and the Viking orbiters. The purposes of the study are (1) to augment the scarce estimates of solar wind bulk flow speed near the sun and in the ecliptic with measurements made using spacecraft signals, and (2) to estimate random velocity components and identify the region where the random velocity is a significant fraction of the mean velocity. In addition, the radial evolution of speed and random velocity is compared with that of the plasma density fluctuation spectrum. Also reported are the first accurately normalized IPS scintillation index measurements using a monochromatic point source.
Clarity, Organization: Watchwords for Client Correspondence

This article focuses on the importance of clarity and organization in client correspondence by attorneys. The Massachusetts Rules of Professional Conduct mandate that attorneys keep their clients reasonably informed on the status of their cases and explain matters in a manner which allows clients to make informed decisions. This article focuses on tips to structuring written correspondence to achieve these goals.
Adaptation of high-performance liquid chromatographic methods to multiple spectral analyses

Abstract Adapting well-characterized existing liquid chromatographic separations for compatibility with mass spectrometric detection often requires changes in chemical and/or chromatographic conditions. Non-volatile solvent modifiers, such as phosphates or alkylsulfonates, have been widely used in chromatography because of their buffer or ion-pairing capacities, coupled with advantageous low-UV-wavelength absorption characteristics. Non-volatile components in the eluent stream are generally avoided in mass spectrometry as they quickly decrease the detector response. In addition to issues such as buffer capacity and effective ion-pairing, consideration should be given to the impact of stationary phase and column geometry. The work presented here illustrates advantages of a new high-purity, high-pore-volume stationary phase used in Waters Symmetry columns when attempting to accommodate a wide range of conditions imposed by different detection schemes. The effect of column geometry under a variety of typical LC-MS conversion situations is also included. The studies include resolution of critical hydrophilic pairs and stationary-phase loading performance relative to converting existing separations for LC-MS analysis while achieving maximum sensitivity and maintaining chromatographic fidelity.
Comparison of time constants for liquid ion-exchange membrane electrode responses determined by an impedance method and an activity step method

Abstract Linear current-step perturbations and resulting membrane potential responses of liquid ion-exchange membranes have been analyzed and the numerous possible time constants examined and catalogued. Ideal activity steps at a single membrane interface produce potential—time responses similar to those resulting from current steps. The common time constants have nearly identical values. However, fewer time constants are observed for activity steps than for current steps. Slow processes at the active interface dominate and obscure short time processes. For liquid ion-exchange membranes it is concluded that an activity step on one side is not identical to a current step because processes involving bulk membrane transport and the far side of the membrane are not involved to the same extent for the two excitation modes. Two analog circuit models (one active, one passive) are proposed for the potential—time response to an activity step. Systems containing neutral carriers are not considered.
Implementation of Magnetic Suspension Control With FPGA

This paper presents a methodology for an alternative implementation of DSP-based controllers typically used for magnetic bearing (MB) levitation and control on FPGA hardware. The approach takes s-domain transfer functions of the controller components and discretizes them using z-transform conversions into discrete time domain expressions. These expressions, which are essentially digital IIR filters, are synthesized and implemented to obtain downloadable bit-stream using Xilinx ISE software packages. In the example presented, the executable code was sent to configure the two FPGAs for control. An equivalent PD with notch filter FPGA-based controller was constructed to replicate an existing two-axis DSP controller used to control a radial magnetic bearing on a vertical rotor in the Dynamic Spin Rig Facility at NASA Glenn Research Center. The FPGA controller was successfully demonstrated on the NASA hardware.
The Schmidtea mediterranea database as a molecular resource for studying platyhelminthes, stem cells and regeneration

Platyhelminthes are excellent models for the study of stem cell biology, regeneration and the regulation of scale and proportion. In addition, parasitic forms infect millions of people worldwide. Therefore, it is puzzling that they remain relatively unexplored at the molecular level. We present the characterization of approximately 3,000 non-redundant cDNAs from a clonal line of the planarian Schmidtea mediterranea. The obtained cDNA sequences, homology comparisons and high-throughput whole-mount in situ hybridization data form part of the S. mediterranea database (SmedDb; http://planaria.neuro.utah.edu). Sixty-nine percent of the cDNAs analyzed share similarities with sequences deposited in GenBank and dbEST. The remaining gene transcripts failed to match sequences in other organisms, even though a large number of these (approximately 80%) contained putative open reading frames. Taken together, the molecular resources presented in this study, along with the ability of abrogating gene expression in planarians using RNA interference technology, pave the way for a systematic study of the remarkable biological properties displayed by Platyhelminthes.
Separations and reunions of preschoolers and their parents at nursery school

To determine the role of proximal and distal factors in the separations and reunions of preschoolers and their parents, 40 children, aged 26 to 62 months, were observed with their parents during two separations and two reunions at nursery school. Proximal factors included the immediate behaviors of each interactant, and distal factors included child age and sex, extent of separation/ reunion experience outside of nursery school, and parental ideas about the child's separation and reunion behaviors. Parent and child pairs behaved in reciprocal and complementary ways, indicating mutual influence. However, parents as a group were more affectionate and talkative than were children, and children were more oriented toward play. Extent of other separation/reunion experiences and parental ideas primarily affected parental behavior.
Lethality of Sea Lamprey Attacks on Lake Trout in Relation to Location on the Body Surface

Abstract We compared the locations of healed attack marks of the sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus on live lake trout Salvelinus namaycush with those of unhealed attack marks on dead lake trout to determine if the lethality of a sea lamprey attack was related to attack location. Lake trout were collected from Lake Ontario, live fish with gill nets in September 1985 and dead fish with trawls in October 1983−1986. Attack location was characterized by the percent distances from snout to tail and from the ventral to the dorsal midline. Kolmogorov−Smirnov two-sample tests did not detect significant differences in the distribution of attack location along either the anteroposterior axis or the dorsoventral axis. When attack locations were grouped into six anatomical regions historically used to record sea lamprey attacks, dead fish did not exhibit a significantly higher proportion of attacks in the more anterior regions. Even if the differences in attack location on live and dead fish were significant, they were t...
Pulmonary embolus in pregnancy

Venous thromboembolism remains in the top three leading causes of maternal death in the US, representing 10.2% of pregnancy-related deaths. Risk of developing a pulmonary embolus appears to increase throughout pregnancy, with a peak in incidence in the early postpartum period. Overall the incidence of VTE is 0.6-1.8 VTEs per 1000 deliveries. Diagnosis and management of pulmonary embolus can prove challenging, but the aim should be to optimize maternal outcome while minimizing hemorrhagic complications. Low-molecular-weight heparin is a safe and effective treatment for the majority of cases of pregnancy-related pulmonary embolus.
Borderless possibilities, hesitant voyagers: Mapping identity in three post-1989 Czech road movies

ABSTRACTThis article discusses three Czech road movies from the post-1989 period that seek to map the place of the Czech nation in Europe and between conceptions of ‘East’ and ‘West’. I analyse Jizda/The Ride (Jan Svěrak, 1994), Výlet/Some Secrets (Alice Nellis, 2002) and Ucastnici zajezdu/Holiday Makers (Jiři Vejdělek, 2006) as representatives of the road movie genre and within the context of Czech and Czechoslovak history and cinematic tradition. I argue that while these films do not cross the borders that were opened by the fall of communism, they do use the road motif to engage with questions of identity, encouraging cinematic travellers and audience alike to consider the place of the Czech Republic within Europe and the world.
SOA-based loop mirror for tunable pulse-width generation

We propose and experimentally demonstrate a system for the generation of pulses of tunable pulse-width as those required in high spectral efficiency optically routed networks. Pulse narrowing of 500 ps pulses by 90% is accomplished through a SOA based non-linear loop mirror. Optical switching through the SOA loop mirror is used to shape and carve these large pulses (e.g., 500 ps) generated by non-expensive low-frequency optoelectronic components to narrow pulses (e.g., 50 ps). We also calculate the minimum loop size and optimum repetition rate of the original pulse train for the generation of the shorter pulse-width pulse train.
Breast Cancer Litigation: An Update with Practice Guidelines.

▪ Abstract: Cases involving breast cancer are the second most common cause of malpractice litigation. The leading allegation is failure to diagnose, followed by improper treatment. The most common physicians involved are those giving direct care to women: obstetricians/gynecologists, family medicine physicians, and internists. This review addresses frequent areas of litigation, offering practice guidelines for avoidance of malpractice claims. In addition, two new areas of breast cancer management will be reviewed—breast cancer prevention and breast cancer genetic testing—as potential new areas of malpractice litigation. ▪
19F-NMR detection of lacZ gene expression via the enzymic hydrolysis of 2-fluoro-4-nitrophenyl β-d-galactopyranoside in vivo in PC3 prostate tumor xenografts in the mouse

Gene therapy shows promise for treating prostate cancer and has been evaluated in several clinical trials. A major challenge that remains is to establish a method for verifying transgene activity in situ. The lacZ gene encoding β-galactosidase historically has been the most popular reporter gene for molecular biology. We have designed a 19F NMR approach to reveal lacZ gene expression by assessing β-galactosidase (β-gal) activity in vivo. The substrate 2-fluoro-4-nitrophenyl β-d-galactopyranoside (OFPNPG) is readily hydrolyzed by β-gal with a corresponding decrease in the 19F-NMR signal from OFPNPG and the appearance of a new signal shifted 4–6 ppm upfield from the aglycone 2-fluoro-4-nitrophenol (OFPNP). We report proof of principle in cultures of PC3 prostate cancer cells using 19F NMR spectroscopy and 19F chemical shift imaging. More importantly, we demonstrate for the first time the ability to differentiate wild-type and lacZ-expressing prostate tumor xenografts in mice using this approach.—Liu, L., Ko...
Energy And Symmetry In Language And Yoga

The structures of syllables and of yoga poses are compared. Syllables are tripartite, with sound segments rising in sonority (acoustic energy) to a peak, then falling. Likewise, asanas are tripartite, with symmetrical movements flanking the sustaining, vital energy peak. In both entities, then, symmetric structure flanks energy peaks. This organization is not a physical necessity, but a cognitive preference.
The carbon-assimilation experiment: The Viking Mars Lander

The carbon-assimilation experiment detects life in soils by measuring the incorporation of carbon from carbon-14 monoxide and carbon-14 dioxide into organic matter. It is based on the premise that Martian life, if it exists, is carbonaceous and exchanges carbon with the atmosphere, as do all terrestrial organisms. It is especially sensitive for photosynthesizing cells, but it detects heterotrophs also. The experiment has the particular advantage that it can be carried out under essentially Martian conditions of temperature, pressure, atmospheric composition, and water abundance.
Computer-aided detection of polyps in CT colonography: evaluation of volumetric features in differentiating polyps from false positives

Abstract We evaluated the ROC performance of six volumetric features in differentiating between the true-positive and false-positive polyp findings of our CAD system for CT colonography. Among the single feature statistics, the mean shape index had the best ROC performance, followed by a new D-iris feature. The ROC results of the round-robin discriminant analysis indicate that the performance of our CAD system can potentially be improved by use of a combination of the shape index, CT value, and the D-iris feature statistics.
Internal Energy Dependence of the H + Allene/H + Propyne Product Branching from the Unimolecular Dissociation of 2-Propenyl Radicals

This Letter introduces a new technique to probe the competing unimolecular dissociation channels of isomerically-selected hydrocarbon radicals as a function of internal energy in the radical. The crossed laser−molecular beam scattering experiments produce 2-propenyl radicals by photolysis of 2-chloropropene and disperse the radicals by the neutral velocity imparted in the photolysis, thus dispersing them by internal energy in the neutral time-of-flight spectrum. For the unstable radicals, the experiments then measure the branching between the two competing C-H bond fission product channels via tunable vacuum-UV photoionization of the products. Dispersing the neutral products by arrival time at the detector allows us to measure the branching between isomeric product channels as a function of internal energy in the dissociating radical isomer. The data resolve the competition between the unimolecular H + allene and H + propyne product channels from the radical with internal energies from 0 to 18 kcal/mol ab...
The institutional limitations of Catholic progressivism: an economic approach

From the vantage point of the 1970s and early 1980s, the Latin American Catholic Church appeared to be on a trajectory of increasing progressivism, typically manifesting itself as a “preferential option for the poor”. Recently, however, the Catholic hierarchy has experienced a “conservative retrenchment”. Why has this change occurred? Argues that the need to maintain a high profile in democratic societies experiencing rapid growth in evangelical Protestantism has led Church officials to return to an elite‐based, conservative political strategy. Suggests that lacking the resources to compete adequately with the rapid expansion of evangelical Protestantism, bishops have turned to lobbying the political and economic elite to help them maintain their social presence and prevent further parishioner defections from the faith. Ironically, at that time when the Church most needs state assistance to compete effectively, politicians are least likely to lend support.
Does cellular iron dysregulation play a causative role in Parkinson's disease?

Abstract Selective dopaminergic cell loss in Parkinson’s disease is correlated with increased levels of cellular iron. It is still hotly debated as to whether the increase in iron is an upstream event which acts to promote neurodegeneration via formation of oxidative stress or whether iron accumulates as a by-product of the neuronal cell loss. Here we review evidence for loss of iron homeostasis as a causative factor in disease-associated neurodegeneration and the primary players which may be involved. A series of recent studies suggest that iron regulatory proteins (IRPs) coordinate both cellular iron levels and energy metabolism, both of which are disrupted in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and may in turn contribute to increased levels of oxidative stress associated with the disease. Iron has also been recently been implicated in promotion of α-synuclein aggregation either directly or via increasing levels of oxidative stress suggesting an important role for it in Lewy body formation, another important hallmark of the disease.
Cost-efficacy modeling of catheter reuse for percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

Abstract Objectives. Our goal was to provide the range of cost savings associated with various catheter reuse strategies. Background. Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty catheters are commonly reused in several countries outside the United States. However, the cost-effectiveness of such reuse strategies has not been evaluated. Methods. Three theoretical models of catheter reuse were constructed using the actual costs for treating patients with coronary angioplasty at the Cleveland Clinic. Costs were calculated based on the number of balloon catheters, the amount of contrast agent used and the rates for urgent revascularization that were observed in a prospective Canadian study on catheter reuse. Results. The median cost to treat a lesion by means of coronary angioplasty using new catheters was $8,800 per patient. In reuse models, the potential to reduce cost depended on the number of balloon catheters used and the rates of urgent revascularization. The “best case” scenario offered a potential savings of $480 (5.5% of total in-hospital cost), whereas the “worst case” scenario resulted in an increased cost of $1,075 (12.2% of total in-hospital cost) compared with the single-use strategy. Cost of the “likely case” scenario was similar to that of the single-use strategy. Sensitivity analyses identified the different rates of revascularization and cost of balloon catheters required to offset potential savings in each strategy. Conclusions. Although reusing coronary angioplasty catheters may reduce total in-hospital costs, even a modest increase in complications requiring urgent revascularization may offset any potential savings. However, if an increase in complications and procedure time can be avoided, the reuse strategy has significant economic potential and, ultimately, may be extended to other percutaneous coronary interventional equipment.
Aspects of prostaglandin function in the lung (second of two parts).

The functions of the lung can be divided into those directly involved with respiration and those that, although perhaps having a secondary effect on respiration, are not its primary concern. It has...
Depolarization by acetylcholine (ACH activation of triphosphoinositide phosphomonoesterase).

Azetylcholin scheint die postsynaptische Depolarisierung durch Aktivierung von TPIPM (Triphosphoinositid Phosphomonoesterase) herbeizufuhren und der spezifische, nikotinartige Azetylcholin-Rezeptor scheint dabei die regulatorische Untereinheit von TPIPM zu sein. Die Verbindung von Azetylcholin mit TPIPM setzt eine katalytische Untereinheit frei, die Triphosphoinositid in Diphosphoinositid umwandelt und zur Depolarisierung fuhrt.
Emerging roles of the chloroplast outer envelope membrane

The chloroplast is essential for the viability of plants. It is enclosed by a double-membrane envelope that originated from the outer and plasma membranes of a cyanobacterial endosymbiont. Chloroplast biogenesis depends on binary fission and import of nuclear-encoded proteins. Our understanding of the mechanisms and evolutionary origins of these processes has been greatly advanced by recent genetic and biochemical studies on envelope-localized multiprotein machines. Furthermore, the latest studies on outer envelope proteins have provided molecular insights into organelle movement and membrane lipid remodeling, activities that are vital for plant survival under diverse environmental conditions. Ongoing and future research on the chloroplast outer envelope should add to our knowledge of organelle biology and the evolution of eukaryotic cells.