cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification of optimal solar fuel electrocatalysts via high throughput in situ optical measurements

Many solar fuel generator designs involve illumination of a photoabsorber stack coated with a catalyst for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In this design, impinging light must pass through the catalyst layer before reaching the photoabsorber(s), and thus optical transmission is an important function of the OER catalyst layer. Many oxide catalysts, such as those containing elements Ni and Co, form oxide or oxyhydroxide phases in alkaline solution at operational potentials that differ from the phases observed in ambient conditions. To characterize the transparency of such catalysts during OER operation, 1031 unique compositions containing the elements Ni, Co, Ce, La, and Fe were prepared by a high throughput inkjet printing technique. The catalytic current of each composition was recorded at an OER overpotential of 0.33 V with simultaneous measurement of the spectral transmission. By combining the optical and catalytic properties, the combined catalyst efficiency was calculated to identify the optimal catalysts for solar fuel applications within the material library. The measurements required development of a new high throughput instrument with integrated electrochemistry and spectroscopy measurements, which enables various spectroelectrochemistry experiments.
Output spectrum of a detector measuring quantum oscillations

We consider a two-level quantum system (qubit) which is continuously measured by a detector, and calculate the spectral density of the detector output. In the weakly coupled case the spectrum exhibits a moderate peak at the frequency of quantum (Rabi) oscillations and a Lorentzian-shape increase of the detector noise at low frequency. As the coupling increases, the spectrum transforms into a single Lorentzian corresponding to random jumps between two states. We prove that the Bayesian formalism for the selective evolution of the density matrix gives the same spectrum as the conventional master equation approach, despite the significant difference in interpretation. The effects of the detector nonideality and the finite-temperature environment are also discussed.
An EPR study of manganese(II) binding to 5'-ATP, hemoglobin, and hemocyanin

Abstract Several divalent metal ions affect the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin and hemocyanin. It is important, therefore, to understand the nature of metal-ion binding to these proteins. By comparing the EPR spectra of Mn(II), 0.001 M , in the absence and presence of carboxyhemoglobin or Limulus oxyhemocyanin (pH 7.3, Trizma buffer), the number of Mn binding sites, n , and the binding constant, K , can be determined. For carboxyhemoglobin, HbCO, we find 0.5 Mn binding sites per heme, K = 450 M −1 . Each hemoglobin tetramer therefore binds two manganous ions suggesting that Mn(II), like Cu(II), may bind preferentially to one of the two types of subunits in hemoglobin. For hemocyanin, HcO 2 , we find n = 5.8, K = 1.55 × 103 M −1 . Each oxyhemocyanin therefore binds approximately six manganous ions, and the binding constant is three times larger than that for HbCO. We have also carried out similar experiments on 5′-ATP, and on solutions of HbCO and ATP containing MgCl 2 or ZnCl 2 . Zn(II) effectively competes with Mn(II) in binding hemoglobin and ATP, whereas Mg(II) does not, in accord with expectations from data on oxygen affinity of hemoglobin.
The effects of four programs of classroom intervention on the intellectual and language development of 4-year-old disadvantaged children.

Differential effects of four preschool programs were evaluated through pre-and post-batteries of standardized tests. The interventions represent levels of structure along a continuum from the traditional to the highly structured preschool. Results from all instruments differentiated among the programs, and clearly favored the highly structured preschool.
A Comparison of the Reaction Times of Stutterers and Nonstutterers to Items on a Word Association Test

Reaction times to words judged as neutral or as connoting joy, guilt, depression, fear, or aggression were measured in 30 male stutterers between 18 and 45 years of age and in a matched group of 30...
NMDA receptor‐mediated transmission of carotid body chemoreceptor input to expiratory bulbospinal neurones in dogs.

1. This study tested the hypothesis that excitatory amino acid receptors mediate the excitatory response of expiratory bulbospinal neurones to carotid body chemoreceptor inputs. 2. Studies were carried out in thiopental sodium anaesthetized, paralysed, ventilated, vagotomized dogs. 3. Brisk, short-duration chemoreceptor activation was produced by bilateral bolus injections of CO2-saturated saline (PCO2 > 700 mmHg) into the autoperfused carotid arteries. A pressurized-reservoir-solenoid valve system was used to deliver the CO2 bolus injections just prior to the onset of the neural expiratory phase, as determined from the phrenic neurogram, about once per minute. 4. Multibarrelled micropipettes were used to record neuronal unit activity and deliver neurotransmitter agents. Net responses of expiratory bulbospinal neurones to peripheral chemoreceptor activation were determined by subtracting the mean discharge frequencies (Fn) during three control expiratory cycles from the Fn during administration of a CO2 test bolus. The role of excitatory amino acid receptors in mediating this response was determined by comparing the baseline and bolus expiratory neuronal Fn before, during and after the pressure microejection of the NMDA receptor antagonist 2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (AP5) or the non-NMDA receptor antagonist 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulphamoyl- benzo(f)quinoxaline (NBQX). Ejection rates of AP5 and NBQX were measured by monitoring the movement of the pipette meniscus. 5. AP5 reduced Fn during both the control and bolus cycles, as well as reducing the change in Fn between control and bolus cycles. NBQX had no effect on either baseline or bolus responses. 6. AP5 did not prevent excitation of expiratory bulbospinal neurones by AMPA. Coadministration of AMPA with AP5 prevented the AP5-mediated decrease in Fn but not the dose-dependent reduction in the CO2 bolus response. 7. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that the carotid chemoreceptor-mediated excitation of expiratory bulbospinal neurones is dependent on NMDA but not non-NMDA glutamate receptors.
Towards sub-Å atomic resolution electron diffraction imaging of metallic nanoclusters: A simulation study of experimental parameters and reconstruction algorithms

A simulation study is carried out to elucidate the effects of dynamical scattering, electron beam convergence angle and detection noise on atomic resolution diffraction imaging of small particles and to develop effective reconstruction procedures. Au nanoclusters are used as model because of their strong scattering. The results show that the dynamical effects of electron diffraction place a limit on the size of Au nanoclusters that can be reconstructed from the diffraction intensities with sufficient accuracy. For smaller Au nanoclusters, the simulations show that diffraction patterns recorded under the experimental conditions can be reconstructed using a combination of phase retrieval algorithms. The use of a low-resolution image is shown to be effective for reconstructing diffraction patterns without the central beam. A new algorithm for estimating the object support is proposed.
GLUT-1 Expression in the Cerebra of Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

To investigate the molecular basis of reduced GLUT-1 concentration of the blood-brain barrier in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), the GLUT-1 mass, mRNA content, and structure were studied in eight patients with AD and seven age-matched controls. The results indicate that the 55-kDa GLUT-1 is significantly reduced in AD without a significant change in GLUT-1 mRNA concentrations. Because in some animal models changes in GLUT-1 expression is associated with changes in GLUT-1 mRNA structure, the length of the poly(A) tail of the GLUT-1 mRNA was estimated with a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technique. The length of poly(A) tail of GLUT-1 mRNA in AD subjects was not significantly different from the controls. It is concluded that the AD-related change in GLUT-1 expression is not the result of altered poly(A) length of GLUT-1 mRNA.
New Directions for the Business Education Curriculum

Today's changing technology is having a dramatic impact on the workplace; business educators must incorporate these changes in their curriculum, say these writers, who offer some suggestions on how this can be accomplished.
Tectal connectivity in the frog Rana pipiens: tectotegmental projections and a general analysis of topographic organization.

Recent studies of visually elicited orienting in the frog Rana pipiens suggest that tectofugal signals important in this behavior relay in the midbrain tegmentum before descending to the spinal cord. They also suggest that the high degree of topographic organization displayed by the retinotectal projection may be less characteristic of other tectal afferent and efferent pathways. To explore these possibilities, we have studied patterns of retrograde and anterograde labelling following multiple and single injections of horseradish peroxidase into the tectum. We have found that the midbrain tegmentum is major terminal zone for tectal efferent projections. Our material also provided a description of the boundaries of other structures which project to and receive input from the tectum. With this background, we studied topographic organization by analyzing for each structure the distribution of labelling following multiple injections, and comparing it with the label distribution following single injections at tectal loci with known visual field input. Multiple injections produced patchy anterograde and retrograde labelling in the nucleus isthmi, with the number of patches corresponding to the number of tectal sites injected. Single injections produced labelling in restricted regions of the nucleus isthmi, the location of which varied systematically with the location of the tectal injection site. In all other structures studied, labelling was more evenly distributed following multiple injections. In none of these structures could we detect systematic variations in the location of labelling associated with variations in the location of single tectal injection sites, and the labelling following single injections was frequently coextensive with that following multiple injections. We also found no evidence that there exist structures which project to or receive input from particular tectal regions and not others. We conclude that there exist adequate neuroanatomical substrates for a tectotegmentospinal pathway believed to be important for visually elicited orienting in the frog. We also conclude that a high degree of topographic organization is more the exception than the rule in considering tectal connections generally in the frog. Topographic organization was readily apparent in connections related to the nucleus isthmi but not in connections related to any other nonretinal structure.
Instantaneous and causal connectivity in resting state brain networks derived from functional MRI data.

Abstract Background Most neuroimaging studies of resting state networks have concentrated on functional connectivity (FC) based on instantaneous correlation in a single network. In this study we investigated both FC and effective connectivity (EC) based on Granger causality of four important networks at resting state derived from functional magnetic resonance imaging data — default mode network (DMN), hippocampal cortical memory network (HCMN), dorsal attention network (DAN) and fronto-parietal control network (FPCN). Methodology/principle findings A method called correlation-purged Granger causality analysis was used, not only enabling the simultaneous evaluation of FC and EC of all networks using a single multivariate model, but also accounting for the interaction between them resulting from the smoothing of neuronal activity by hemodynamics. FC was visualized using a force-directed layout upon which causal interactions were overlaid. FC results revealed that DAN is very tightly coupled compared to the other networks while the DMN forms the backbone around which the other networks amalgamate. The pattern of bidirectional causal interactions indicates that posterior cingulate and posterior inferior parietal lobule of DMN act as major hubs. The pattern of unidirectional causal paths revealed that hippocampus and anterior prefrontal cortex (aPFC) receive major inputs, likely reflecting memory encoding/retrieval and cognitive integration, respectively. Major outputs emanating from anterior insula and middle temporal area, which are directed at aPFC, may carry information about interoceptive awareness and external environment, respectively, into aPFC for integration, supporting the hypothesis that aPFC-seeded FPCN acts as a control network. Conclusions/significance Our findings indicate the following. First, regions whose activities are not synchronized interact via time-delayed causal influences. Second, the causal interactions are organized such that cingulo-parietal regions act as hubs. Finally, segregation of different resting state networks is not clear cut but only by soft boundaries.
Adolescent Girls Speak about Violence in Their Community

Adolescent girls growing up in urban environments have been placed at increased risk for being exposed to violence in their communities. Yet few studies have examined their perceptions of the risk factors, violence, and the pressures they face on a daily basis. The present research describes two adolescent girls' perspectives concerning the challenges, fears, hopes, risks, and pressures they have experienced growing up in their community. The results have implications for violence intervention and prevention programs with adolescent girls living in urban environments.
Live from the Front: A Poetics of Slamming the "Truth"

Documentary performances usually take the stance of objectivity and critical distance. But sometimes this is not the case. Live from the Front is a performance of Jerry Quickley's embodied experience of the US-led invasion of Iraq. Quickley's account of "Shock and Awe" as a slam poet-turned-unembedded reporter for Pacifica Radio subverts the idea of documentary objectivity, opening up new ways to get at the "truth."
The thymidylate kinase genes from Mycobacterium tuberculosis and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus confer 3′-azido-3′-deoxythymidine resistance to Escherichia coli

The case number of invasive multidrug-resistant bacteria cultured from both hospital and community acquired infections is increasing at an alarming rate. Identifying the mechanisms bacteria use to escape the current antimicrobial treatments is essential to containing potential outbreaks and developing new antimicrobial therapies. Many bacteria naturally encode nonessential resistance genes on their chromosome enabling their survival and/or persistence in the presence of antibiotics using enzymes and efflux pumps. This study investigates the ability of an evolutionarily conserved essential gene to provide resistance against antimicrobial compounds. An Escherichia coli chromosomally encoded thymidylate kinase (tmk) conditional lethal strain was developed to investigate tmk alleles from relevant nosocomial pathogens. The thymidylate kinase conditional lethal strain harboring a plasmid with a tmk gene from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), or Pseudomonas aeruginosa downstream of an inducible promoter was examined for survival against increasing concentrations of 3'-azido-3'-deoxythymidine (AZT). The results indicate that M. tuberculosis and MRSA thymidylate kinases are deficient in cellular activity toward AZT monophosphate.
On setting response criteria for calibrated subjective probability estimates

Abstract Framing the issue of subjective probability calibration in signal-detection-theory terms, this paper first proves a theorem regarding the placement of well-calibrated response criteria and then develops an algorithm guaranteed to find such criteria, should they exist. Application of this algorithm to tasks varying in difficulty and number of response categories shows that perfect calibration is easiest to attain under median difficulty levels (d′≈1.4) and is practically or theoretically impossible to attain when the task is either very hard (d′≈0.5) or very easy (d′≈10). Implications for calibration research, including the hard–easy effect, are discussed.
Randomized controlled trial of parental responsiveness intervention for toddlers at high risk for autism

This study tested the effects of a parent-mediated intervention on parental responsiveness with their toddlers at high risk for an autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Participants included caregivers and their 66 toddlers at high risk for ASD. Caregivers were randomized to 12 sessions of an individualized parent education intervention aimed at improving parental responsiveness or to a monitoring control group involving 4 sessions of behavioral support. Parental responsiveness and child outcomes were measured at three time points: at beginning and end of the 3-month treatment and at 12-months post-study entry. Parental responsiveness improved significantly in the treatment group but not the control group. However, parental responsiveness was not fully maintained at follow up. There were no treatment effects on child outcomes of joint attention or language. Children in both groups made significant developmental gains in cognition and language skills over one year. These results support parental responsiveness as an important intervention target given its general association with child outcomes in the extant literature; however, additional supports are likely needed to fully maintain the treatment effect and to affect child outcomes.
Topological analysis of catalytic reaction networks: Methanol decomposition on Pt(111)

Abstract We describe our new reaction route (RR) graph approach as a powerful new tool for topological mechanistic and kinetic analysis of catalytic reaction networks, illustrated here with the help of methanol decomposition on Pt(111). In this approach a graph-theoretic network of molecular reaction steps is first constructed for the overall reaction (OR), on which each mechanistic step is represented by a directed branch interconnected at nodes, such that all conceivable reaction pathways can then be traced on it simply as walks or paths. Further, the network is consistent with the basic laws of flow graphs, so that it is suitable for a quantitative analysis. In fact, a direct analogy can be made to an equivalent wiring diagram, which allows tools of electric circuit analysis, namely, Kirchhoff's laws of current (rate) and potential (affinity), to be directly utilized for a rigorous flux analysis of the network. As a result, the dominant pathways as well as the rate-limiting steps (RLS) become transparent. This furthermore facilitates network pruning to retain only the essential steps and pathways. The RR graph approach when combined with ab initio kinetics, thus, provides a rigorous new framework for analyzing the mechanism and kinetics of catalytic reactions. It is, thus, found that methanol decomposition proceeds exclusively via the initial C H dehydrogenation step rather than through O H bond activation.
West Indian novelties I: a new species of Marsdenia (Asclepiadaceae) from Puerto Rico and a new name for a Jamaican species of Calyptranthes (Myrtaceae)

The new speciesMarsdenia woodburyana from southwestern Puerto Rico is described, illustrated, and contrasted to its putatively closest relative. The new nameCalyptranthes proctorii is provided for the later homonymCalyptranthes uniflora Proctor.
Essay: 2nd Award 2004: Probing Gravitational Interactions of Elementary Particles

The gravitational interactions of elementary particles are suppressed by the Planck scale M * ~ 1018 GeV and are typically expected to be far too be weak to be probed by experiments. We show that, contrary to conventional wisdom, such interactions may be studied by particle experiments in the next few years. As an example, we consider conventional supergravity with a stable gravitino as the lightest supersymmetric particle. The next-lightest supersymmetric particle (NLSP) decays to the gravitino through gravitational interactions after about a year. This lifetime can be measured by stopping NLSPs at colliders and observing their decays. Such studies will yield a measurement of Newton's gravitational constant on unprecedentedly small scales, shed light on dark matter, and provide a window on the early universe.
Cardiovascular disease in older adults with glucose disorders: comparison of American Diabetes Association criteria for diabetes mellitus with WHO criteria

Summary Background The new fasting American Diabetes Association (ADA) criteria for the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus rely mainly on fasting blood glucose concentrations and use a bwer cutoff value for diagnosis than the WED criteria. We aimed to assess the sensitivity of these criteria for the detection of cardiovascular disease, the main complication of diabetes mellitus in the elderly. Methods We did a cross-sectional and prospective analysis of 4515 participants of the Cardiovascular Efealth Study, an 8-year longitudinal study designed to identify factors related to the onset and course of cardiovascular disease in adults aged at least 65 years. We calculated the prevalence and incidence of cardiovascular disease for the ADA and WHO criteria. Findings There was a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease among individuals with impaired glucose or newly diagnosed diabetes by both criteria than among those with normal glucose concentrations. However, because fewer individuals had abnormal glucose states by the fasting ADA criteria (22.3%) than by the WHO criteria (46.8%), the number of cases of cardiovascular disease attributable to abnormal glucose states was a third of that attributable by the WHO criteria (53 vs 159 cases per 10 000). For the two sets of criteria, the relative risk for incident cardiovascular disease (mean follow-up 5.9 years) was higher in individuals with impaired glucose and newly diagnosed diabetes than in those with normal glucose. Individuals classified as normal by the fasting ADA criteria had a higher absolute number of incident events (455 of 581 events) than those classified as normal by the WHO criteria (269 of 581 events). Fasting ADA criteria were therefore less sensitive than the WHO criteria for predicting cardiovascular disease among individuals with abnormal glucose (sensitivity, 28% vs 54%). Interpretation The new fasting ADA criteria seem to be less predictive than the WHO criteria for the burden of cardiovascular disease associated with abnormal glucose in the elderly.
Glycyl- l -Glutamine Disposition in Rat Choroid Plexus Epithelial Cells in Primary Culture: Role of PEPT2

The purpose of this research was to determine the polarity and directionality of the PEPT2-mediated uptake and transepithelial transport of the neuropeptide glycyl-l-glutamine (GlyGln) in choroid plexus. The transport kinetics of [3H]GlyGln was studied in neonatal rat choroid plexus epithelial cells in primary culture grown on laminin-coated Transwell filter inserts. Using a bicarbonate artificial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) buffer (pH 7.4) at 37°C, GlyGln studies were performed as a function of time, substrate concentration, and the presence of potential inhibitors (at 1 mM). GlyGln (2 μM) accumulation was about three to four times greater when introduced from the apical (CSF-facing) as opposed to the basal (blood-facing) side of the cell monolayer, and transepithelial transport was about two times greater in the apical-to-basal direction. The apical uptake of radiolabeled GlyGln (2 μM) was inhibited significantly by dipeptides (i.e., unlabeled GlyGln and cysteinylglycine) and some neuropeptides (i.e., carnosine, N-acetylaspartylglutamate, kyotorphin), but was unaffected by amino acids (i.e., glycine, glutamine) as well as by [d-Arg2]-kyotorphin and glutathione. The concentration-dependent apical uptake of GlyGln (2–1000 μM) was characterized by a high-affinity process (i.e., Vmax of 72 pmol/mg/min; Km of 136 μM), consistent with the properties of PEPT2. The intracellular hydrolysis of GlyGln was extensive, however, with only 40% of the dipeptide remaining intact after 1 h. The results demonstrate that PEPT2 plays an important role in regulating the apical uptake of GlyGln at the blood–CSF interface. Once inside the cell, GlyGln is rapidly degraded to its constitutive amino acids for further processing.
Confined crystallization of PVDF and a PVDF‐TFE copolymer in nanolayered films

Layer-multiplying coextrusion was used in conjunc- tion with isothermal recrystallization to study the confined crys- tallization of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polyvinylidene fluoride-tetrafluoroethylene (PVDF-TFE) using polycarbonate (PC) and polysulfone (PSF) as confining materials. Three layered systems were produced (PC/PVDF, PSF/PVDF, and PC/PVDF-TFE) with layer thicknesses ranging from 525 to 28 nm. The crystal morphology was affected by both layer thickness and recrystalli- zation temperature. Specifically, increased recrystallization tem- perature and decreased layer thickness facilitated the formation of high aspect ratio in-plane crystals in both PVDF based poly- mers. On the other side of the spectrum, thicker layers and lower recrystallization temperatures produced on-edge PVDF crystals and isotropic PVDF-TFE crystals. The morphology was corre- lated with oxygen permeability, which decreased by almost two orders of magnitude compared with the bulk. A variety of crystal structures were obtained and explained with nucleation and dif- fusion theory. V C 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 49: 1750-1761, 2011
Determining the optimal sequences and the distributional properties of their completion times in stochastic flow shops

Abstract This paper deals with a stochastic flow shop problem consisting of M machines and N jobs. The processing time of job j on machine i is an independent random variable with a given probability distribution function. It is assumed that preemption is not allowed and the existence of unlimited intermediate storage between the machines. The objective here, as it is in most flow shop investigations, is to determine a permutation (sequence) of the N jobs with the minimum makespan, which is the completion time of the last job on the last machine. Calculating the minimum makespan in the stochastic flow shop, if compared with the deterministic case, is harder, on the one hand; and on the other, the problem involves issues not existent in the deterministic case. It is shown in this paper that the minimum makespan (MM) in the stochastic case is a random variable (r.v.) not always connected to a particular sequence. Different realizations of the r.v. may correspond to different sequences. Consequently, a new concept for the optimal sequence is introduced. The distributional properties of the MM and their relations to those of the makespan of any sequence are analyzed. A lower bound on the expected value of the makespan of any sequence is derived. A practical heuristic procedure for determining or approximating the optimal sequence is developed. It is practtical in the sense that it is less restrictive than what has been developed so far and easier to implement. Computational experience is also provided.
Partial loading of the left ventricle during mechanical assist device support is associated with improved myocardial function, blood flow and metabolism and increased exercise capacity.

Abstract Background: Myocardial recovery has been observed after placement of left ventricular assist devices in some patients awaiting cardiac transplantation. Left ventricular assist devices provide profound volume and pressure unloading while restoring systemic blood flow. However, the optimal degree of left ventricular unloading during left ventricular assist device support is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of the degree of left ventricular decompression, during left ventricular assist device support, on myocardial function and exercise capacity. Methods: Twenty patients with a left ventricular assist device performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing with simultaneous echocardiographic and hemodynamic measurements during full, and then partial, device support. Eleven patients underwent positron emission tomographic scanning for measurement of myocardial blood flow and oxygen consumption. Results: Patients were divided into two groups based on the degree of left ventricular decompression as assessed by echocardiographic measurements. Patients with partially decompressed ventricles ( n = 13, LVEDD=4.8 ± 1.0 cm) as compared to those with fully decompressed ventricles ( n = 10, LVEDD=3.0 ± 0.3 cm) demonstrated significant improvements in: peak oxygen consumption (16.8 ± 4.3 versus 12.8 ± 3.0 ml/kg·min), native left ventricular index during exercise (2.5 ± 1.4 versus 0.8 ± 0.8 liters/min·m 2 ); ability to exercise with the device weaned (10 of 13 versus 1 of 10 patients); resting myocardial blood flow (0.55 ± 0.11 versus 0.21 ± 0.13 ml/g·min); and myocardial oxygen consumption (0.04 ± 0.01 versus 0.02 ± 0.001 min −1 ) (all p Conclusions: These results suggest that partial loading of the left ventricle during left ventricular assist device support may be beneficial. Further study of optimal ventricular decompression during device support is needed, as this may be important in improving myocardial recovery.
Large amplitude flow-induced oscillations and energy harvesting using a cyber-physical pitching plate

Abstract The dynamics of an elastically mounted flat plate in a uniform stream undergoing flow-induced pitching oscillations is studied with the aid of a cyber-physical system which is capable of simulating arbitrary structural dynamics. The system measures the angular position and velocity, and combines them with appropriate gains to provide a torque to a computer-controlled servomotor that emulates arbitrary torsional stiffness and damping. A series of experiments were carried out over a wide range of parameter space and the results demonstrate that inertial scaling of the stiffness and damping effectively captures the system behavior. As the torsional stiffness decreases, the system exhibits several bifurcations in its dynamical behavior. Firstly, a subcritical transition through a saddle-node bifurcation results in small-amplitude asymmetric limit-cycle oscillations and later, a subcritical transition through a Hopf bifurcation gives rise to large-amplitude symmetric limit-cycle oscillations. At very low stiffness the plate does not oscillate. Energy harvesting from the flow is only ~ 1 % efficient, but is found to be optimized at a non-dimensional stiffness close to unity while increasing the Reynolds number is found to extend the range of damping over which large scale oscillations and energy harvesting can be sustained. Although velocity measurements are not made, the details of torque-position phase plane are used to infer the details of the formation time and stability of the leading-edge vortex associated with the rapidly pitching plate.
8-Nitro-2'-deoxyguanosine, a specific marker of oxidation by reactive nitrogen species, is generated by the myeloperoxidase-hydrogen peroxide-nitrite system of activated human phagocytes.

Reactive intermediates generated by phagocytes damage DNA and may contribute to the link between chronic inflammation and cancer. Myeloperoxidase, a heme protein secreted by activated phagocytes, is a potential catalyst for such reactions. Recent studies demonstrate that this enzyme uses hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and nitrite (NO2-) to generate reactive nitrogen species which convert tyrosine to 3-nitrotyrosine. We now report that activated human neutrophils use myeloperoxidase, H2O2, and NO2- to nitrate 2‘-deoxyguanosine, one of the nucleosides of DNA. Through HPLC, UV/vis spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry, the two major products of this reaction were identified as 8-nitroguanine and 8-nitro-2‘-deoxyguanosine. Nitration required each component of the complete enzymatic system and was inhibited by catalase and heme poisons. However, it was independent of chloride ion and little affected by scavengers of hypochlorous acid, suggesting that the reactive agent is a nitrogen dioxide-like species that results f...
Psychometric evaluation of the Marijuana Reduction Strategies Self-Efficacy Scale with young recreational marijuana users

Abstract Introduction This study evaluated the cue-reactivity and several psychometric properties of a questionnaire designed to assess marijuana users' self-efficacy to employ 21 specific cognitive-behavioral strategies to reduce their marijuana use. Method Using a web-based recruitment and data-collection procedure, 513 regular marijuana users completed dependent measures following marijuana-related or control cue exposure. Results Although exposure to marijuana-related stimuli significantly increased reported craving, mean reduction-strategy self-efficacy scores did not differ as a function of cue exposure. Reliability analyses supported retaining all 21 items as a single scale. Reduction-strategy self-efficacy was positively associated with marijuana-refusal self-efficacy and with recent past use of reduction strategies, was negatively associated with quantity and frequency of marijuana use and marijuana-related problems, and was positively but weakly associated with general self-efficacy. The most frequently reported strategies that were employed reflected restricting marijuana use to once per day, not keeping a large stash available, turning down unwanted hits, and not obtaining more marijuana right away if one's supply runs out. Conclusions These findings further support the reliability and validity of the questionnaire when administered to a diverse sample of regular marijuana users.
Direct experimental evaluation of charge scheme performance by a molecular charge-meter.

The remarkable advances accomplished in the past two decades in theoretical and computational capabilities have made the in silico study of complex chemical systems feasible. However, this progress is in strong contrast to the lag in experimental capabilities relating to the measurement of fundamental chemical quantities within convoluted environments such as solvents or protein milieu. As a result, many works rely extensively on predictions provided by ab initio methodologies without having independent experimental support. Such a proliferation of theory and computational approaches without being substantiated by appropriate experimental data is undesirable. The feasibility of using nickel−bacteriochlorophyll as a molecular potentiometer was recently demonstrated for the systematic evaluation of fragmental charge density transfer for metal complexes in solution, thus providing an experimental assay with high accuracy and sensitivity (better than ±0.005 e-; Yerushalmi, R.; Baldridge, K. K.; Scherz, A. J. ...
Object oriented programming approach for quality improvement based on systematic diagram method

Abstract Systematic Diagram Method is a useful tool for many phases of Quality Control. The Systematic Diagram (SD) displays the means necessary to achieve specific goals and objectives, clarifies the essence of the problem by making the subject matter visible, and searches for the most suitable means of realizing objectives. The SD either breaks down the main subject into its basic elements and depicts goals or systematically shows the means and procedures necessary to successfully implement a given plan. In order to devise the SD, a thoroughly methodized information and its execution are necessary. Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) approach is proposed as the tool for this purpose. In this paper, we discuss how OOP can be used in implementing the SD method to improve quality in three phases of quality control, i.e., Quality Design, Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement.
Sexual Activity and Problem Behaviors among Black, Urban Adolescents.

This article focuses on whether sexual activity is best considered in the same paradigm as adolescent substance use and assault or separately. Among black, inner-city adolescents (N = 705), followed longitudinally since first grade, 3 questions were examined: (1) how these 3 behaviors co-occur, (2) their early family and school precursors, and (3) their relations with adolescent school behavior and parental supervision. The 3 most frequent patterns were compared: no problem behaviors, only sexual activity, and the combination of sexual activity, heavy substance use, and/or assault. In general, the multiproblem adolescents differed from the other adolescents in their behavior and parental supervision. While sex-only males were similar to the no-problem males, sex-only-females differed from the no-problem girls in their family origins. These results suggest that by examining adolescent behaviors in their co-occurring combinations in epidemiologically defined populations, variations in pathways to deviance can be better understood.
A note on feedback in discourse processing

Feedback strategies designed to assist discourse processing seem differentially effective with respect to levels of memorial representation
The Road to Excellence: Magnet Designation, the Beacon Award, and Primary Nursing

The potential to have a unit based on excellence is within every manager's reach. The ability to submit for the Beacon Award and Magnet hospital designation are two avenues to fulfill that potential. Successes from University of California Davis Medical Center are shared in this article in the hope of inspiring other managers and their staff.
Micropatterned agarose scaffolds covalently modified with collagen for culture of normal and neoplastic hepatocytes

Anchorage-dependent cells including hepatocytes, the main functional cellular constituent comprising liver tissue, require a substrate for cell adhesion when cultured outside their native tissue. The challenge with hepatocyte culture is that material substrates and designs supporting hepatocyte attachment, phenotype, and function are not readily available. Our laboratory previously published that type I collagen found in the liver extracellular matrix supports hepatocyte culture. We hypothesized that micropatterned agarose with a coating of collagen covalently bound to the surface would facilitate hepatocyte adhesion and phenotype. To test this hypothesis, primary canine hepatocytes and neoplastic human HepG2 hepatocellular carcinoma cells were cultured on these substrates. Hepatocyte adhesion was dependent on the cell type and also the micropattern design. Viable normal and neoplastic hepatocytes attached to the microchannel troughs rather than on the ridges. In contrast, hepatocyte adhesion on the microcircular patterns was similar to control agarose as cells did not sense differences in surface topology on these substrates. Neoplastic cells exhibited a distinct difference in growth behavior following 7 days in culture on the microchannel patterns, exhibiting aberrant proliferation relative to normal hepatocytes which did not proliferate. Our results suggest that patterned microchannel agarose may be useful to evaluate hepatoprotective and noxious agents. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2012.
Is there an association between radiologist turnaround time of emergency department abdominal CT studies and radiologic report quality

The aim of this study was to assess for an association between radiologists' turnaround time (TAT) and report quality for emergency department (ED) abdominopelvic CT examinations. Reports of 60 consecutive ED abdominopelvic CT studies from five abdominal radiologists (300 total reports) were included. An ED radiologist, abdominal radiologist, and ED physician independently evaluated satisfaction with report content (1–10 scale), satisfaction with report clarity (1–10 scale), and extent to which the report advanced the patient on a previously published clinical spectrum scale (1–5 scale). TAT (time between completion of imaging and completion of the final report) and report quality were compared between radiologists using unpaired t tests; associations between TAT and report quality scores for individual radiologists were assessed using Pearson's correlation coefficients. The five radiologists' mean TAT varied from 35 to 53 min. There were significant differences in report content in half of comparisons between radiologists by observer 1 (p ≤ 0.032) and in a minority of comparisons by observer 2 (p ≤ 0.047), in report clarity in majority of comparisons by observer 1 (p ≤ 0.031) and in a minority of comparisons by observer 2 (p ≤ 0.010), and in impact on patient care in a minority of comparisons for all observers (p ≤ 0.047). There were weak positive correlations between TAT and report content and clarity for three radiologists for observer 1 (r = 0.270–0.362) and no correlation between TAT and any report quality measure for remaining combinations of the five radiologists and three observers (r = −0.197 to +0.181). While both TAT and report quality vary between radiologists, these two factors were not associated for individual radiologists.
SITE‐DEPENDENT REGULATION OF POPULATION SIZE: REPLY

population regulation is how demographic parameters like birth and death rates change as a function of population size or density. In answering this question, it is important to know how habitats (sites?) of different qualities are distributed, how organisms find and defend high-quality habitats, and how the size and/or quality of occupied habitats changes in relationship to population size or density. To the extent that Rodenhouse et al. draw attention to this they have performed a useful service. However, redefining the classical concepts of density and density dependence so that they no longer exist does not seem to contribute to our understanding of the central question.
Electronic scanning-slit fluorography: design and performance of a prototype unit.

Electronic scanning‐slit fluorography involves replacing paired fore and aft slits for scatter rejection with only one beam‐defining tantalum fore aperture. Since the video signal within the projection of the aperture on the image intensifier is much more intense than behind the tantalum, one can discriminate electronically between these two signals and thus eliminate the unwanted x‐ray scatter and veiling glare. The general features of a prototype unit are described along with the rationale for the choice of design factors employed. Imaging time of 1–2 s has been achieved using multiple scanning slits. Small focal‐spot size and large number of pixels are favored for higher dose utilization, shorter imaging time, and lower x‐ray tube loading, as well as for better spatial resolution. Images of a chest phantom show better visibility of low‐contrast details, especially in poorly penetrated areas, when compared with the image obtained and displayed under the same conditions, but using a conventional grid to reject scattered radiation.
Late Stenosis of Starr-Edwards Cloth-Covered Prostheses

Abstract During a two-year period (August, 1971, to July, 1973) 1 Starr-Edwards Model 2400 and 135 Starr-Edwards Model 2320 aortic prostheses were inserted without postoperative anticoagulant therapy. Seven of these valves (including the Model 2400 prosthesis) have been replaced because of substantial transvalvular gradients resulting from fibrous overgrowth of the valve orifice. Symptoms associated with aortic stenosis occurred an average of nine months after the initial operation. Six patients had severe anemia (packed cell volume 900 units). Gradients across the prostheses ranged from 66 to 105 mm Hg with a mean of 87 mm Hg. One valve was size 8A, 3 were 9A, 2 were 10A, and 1 was 12A. Fibrous ingrowth was not observed in an earlier group of 23 patients receiving the Model 2310 or Model 2320 prosthesis who were placed on long-term anticoagulant therapy. These findings, coupled with a 9% incidence of thromboembolism at one year, indicate that patients having these prostheses inserted should receive long-term anticoagulant therapy.
Harvesting photopositive juvenile fish from a pond using a lift net and light

Abstract A system which combined a lift net with a floating light was designed and used to harvest young-of-the-year yellow perch (Perca flavescens) from a 0.08-ha pond during the photopositive phase of their life history. Harvesting was done in late May and June, when fish hatched in early May were 8–50 mm total length (TL). Fish larger than 50 mm TL were not captured by this method. System performance was superior to conventional seining in terms of catch/unit of effort. A number of stress-inducing factors were markedly reduced, compared with conventional harvesting techniques. Capture ratio (total catch per set/final total harvest-total harvest to date) was highest early in the season and declined as the season progressed.
Planning and guidance of cardiac resynchronization therapy-lead implantation by evaluating coronary venous anatomy assessed with multidetector computed tomography.

Objectives: We sought to evaluate the utility of multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) in preoperative planning of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) device implantation. Background: Variation in coronary venous anatomy can affect optimal lead placement and may warrant preimplantation visualization prior to CRT lead placement. Methods: Prospective randomized enrollment of 29 patients (17 males; mean age at implant 66.7 ± 12.8 years) was undertaken. Patients were randomized to preimplantation MDCT (GE® 64-detector Lightspeed, n = 16) or no MDCT. Implantation was planned based on three-dimensional coronary venous reconstruction as visualized in the CT group. Measurement of coronary sinus (CS) angulation, CS ostial (os) diameter, right atrial (RA) width, volume, and height was undertaken prior to implant. Intraoperative CS lead implantation times (introduction, cannulation, and left ventricular [LV] lead positioning), procedure time, fluoroscopy time, and venogram contrast volume were measured to determine if there was a difference between patients who underwent preimplant CT scan and those who did not. Results: CS os diameter (mean = 13.8 ± 2.9 cm) was inversely correlated with total fluoroscopy time (r = −0.57, P = .008), and total procedure time, but this correlation was not statistically significant (r = −0.36, P = 0.12). RA width (mean = 52.8 ± 9.9 cm) was associated with a shorter total procedure time (r = −0.44, P = .047) and LV lead positioning time (r = −0.33, P = .012). There were no statistically significant differences between the CT group and the non-CT group with respect to total intraoperative and fluoroscopy times or venogram contrast volumes. Total procedure time was longer in the CT group but the difference was not statistically significant (94 ± 27.2 vs. 74.7 ± 26.6; P = .065). Conclusion: Noninvasive visualization of the coronary venous anatomy before CRT implantation can be used as a guide for lead placement. While no significant differences were noted between the two groups with respect to intraoperative variables, CS os diameter and RA width inversely correlated to a shorter procedure time and LV lead positioning time, respectively. Further clinical trials regarding the utility of MDCT to visualize coronary venous anatomy prior to CRT implantation for procedural planning and lead placement guidance are warranted.