cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
51 My healthy choices: results from a randomisedpilot study of an m-health intervention to educate patients about the risks of opioids

Background The current opioid epidemic in the US highlights the need to develop innovative and effective approaches to communicate with patients about options for pain management and the risks of opioid pain relievers (OPRs). The aim of this study is to pilot test an m-health program, My Healthy Choices, with patients visiting the emergency department (ED) for effect on pain-management decision making. The program pairs theory-based education with a patient decision aid to describe what opioid and non-opioid pain medications are, assess the patient’s personal and environmental risk factors for taking opioids, and produce a tailored report that patients are encouraged to share with their provider. Methods A total of 144 patients presenting to EDs in Baltimore, Maryland and Morgantown, West Virginia with a pain-related chief complaint are being enrolled. Prior to seeing the provider participants are randomised to either the My Healthy Choices program (IG) or a time-matched health risk assessment (CG). All participants complete a baseline assessment following triage, a post-test at discharge, and a six-week follow up survey. Primary outcome measures are the patient’s preference for an opioid or non-opioid, satisfaction with their decision-making, and their knowledge of risks and benefits. Secondary outcomes include medication use, storage, and disposal practices. Results To date, n=87 patients have been enrolled and 26 have completed follow-up. On average, patients are 35 years old (Â±13.5), female (55%), black (49%), with at least a high school diploma (96%). Preliminary analyses suggest that compared to the CG, IG patients have greater reduction in decisional conflict (21.6 vs 8.0; p Conclusions/Significance M-health interventions hold promise for assessing and informing ED patients about the risks and benefits of pain management options.
Abstract P214: Shotgun Metagenomic Analysis of Fecal Microbiome Reveals Profound Functional Differences in Patients with Hypertension

Objectives: Recent studies have implicated changes of the gut pathology and altered microbiome in the animals of various hypertension models. However, these relationships in human hypertension are poorly understood. Thus, our objectives in this study was to test the hypothesis that microbiome from hypertensive patients (HTN) would be taxonomically and functionally differ from those of normotensive subjects. Design and Method: Fecal samples were collected from HTN (n=22, mean SBP 155.8±3.4mmHg) and reference subjects without hypertension (REF) (n=18, mean SBP 121.1±1.5mmHg) (see ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02188381 for detailed protocol). Gut microbiomes were analyzed using shotgun metagenomics and the USEARCH6.1 algorithm for OTU clustering. Taxonomy was assigned with Metaphlan. Qiime, Phyloseq and Galaxy web applications were used to further analyze the data. Results: Two beta diversity measures, principal coordinates analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis, showed significantly different microbiome composition between the two groups (ANOSIM p=0.012). A heatmap based on significantly enriched functional genes from each cohort (P 2 =0.10 and P Conclusions: 1) Significant difference in taxa of HTN from REF was observed. 2) Microbial genes linked to butyrate, nitric oxide and polyphenol were significantly decreased in HTN. Gene products of all these were shown to have important implications in cardiovascular diseases. Thus, our observations suggest that targeting of gut and its microbiota can offer a novel strategy for hypertension control.
Clinical and Histologic Characterization of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in African American Patients.

OBJECTIVE There has been a widespread misconception among physicians that African Americans are protected from developing nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, a formal histologic and metabolic comparison against well-matched Caucasians has never been performed. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Sixty-seven African American patients were matched 2:1 to Caucasians (n = 134) for age, sex, BMI, hemoglobin A1c, and prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Screening for NASH included measurement of intrahepatic triglyceride content by proton MRS (1H-MRS), followed by a liver biopsy if patients had hepatic steatosis. Insulin resistance was estimated during an oral glucose tolerance test using the Matsuda Index. RESULTS Compared with Caucasians, African American patients had a lower intrahepatic triglyceride content (mean ± SD 6.1 ± 6.8% vs. 9.4 ± 7.5%, P = 0.007) and the presence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) was less common (25.0% vs. 51.9%, P = 0.003). However, prevalence of NASH was not different between ethnicities in patients with NAFLD (57.1% vs. 73.3%, P = 0.12). Moreover, they showed similar severity in each of the individual histologic parameters (inflammation, ballooning, and fibrosis). Among patients with NAFLD, insulin resistance was similar between both ethnic groups (Matsuda Index: 3.3 ± 1.8 vs. 3.1 ± 1.9, P = 0.61; adipose tissue insulin resistance [Adipo-IR] index: 5.7 ± 4.6 vs. 6.4 ± 4.7 mmol/L ⋅ µU/mL, P = 0.53) but appeared to be worse in African American versus Caucasian patients without NAFLD (Matsuda Index: 4.9 ± 3.6 vs. 7.0 ± 4.9, P = 0.11; Adipo-IR: 3.9 ± 2.8 vs. 2.7 ± 2.3 mmol/L ⋅ µU/mL, P = 0.06). African American patients also had lower plasma triglycerides and higher HDL cholesterol, independent of the severity of intrahepatic triglyceride. CONCLUSIONS Although African Americans have lower intrahepatic triglyceride accumulation, once NAFLD develops, NASH occurs as frequently, and as severe, as in Caucasian patients. Therefore, African Americans with NAFLD should be screened for NASH with the same degree of clinical resolve as in Caucasian patients.
Cation-π Interactions between Quaternary Ammonium Ions and Amino Acid Aromatic Groups in Aqueous Solution.

Cation−π interactions play important roles in the stabilization of protein structures and protein–ligand complexes. They contribute to the binding of quaternary ammonium ligands (mainly RNH3+ and RN(CH3)3+) to various protein receptors and are likely involved in the blockage of potassium channels by tetramethylammonium (TMA+) and tetraethylammonium (TEA+). Polarizable molecular models are calibrated for NH4+, TMA+, and TEA+ interacting with benzene, toluene, 4-methylphenol, and 3-methylindole (representing aromatic amino acid side chains) based on the ab initio MP2(full)/6-311++G(d,p) properties of the complexes. Whereas the gas-phase affinity of the ions with a given aromatic follows the trend NH4+ > TMA+ > TEA+, molecular dynamics simulations using the polarizable models show a reverse trend in water, likely due to a contribution from the hydrophobic effect. This reversed trend follows the solubility of aromatic hydrocarbons in quaternary ammonium salt solutions, which suggests a role for cation−π inter...
The Virtues from the Beatitudes

This chapter presents the seven Beatitudes from Matthew 5 as virtues appropriate for person-organization fit. Each Beatitude is presented with the two vices that bracket the virtue, the explanation of the virtue, an example of one or more persons who exhibit the virtue and the scale that measures the virtue.
Impressions of "Evidence-Based Practice": A Direct-to-Consumer Survey of Caregivers Concerned about Adolescent Substance Use.

National behavioral health organizations have recently started using direct-to-consumer (DTC) marketing strategies as a means of promoting increased utilization of evidence-based practice (EBP). Su...
Using Immersive Virtual Reality Serious Games for Vocational Rehabilitation of Individuals with Physical Disabilities

This paper presents a system for vocational training and assessment of individuals with severe physical disabilities using immersive virtual reality. The system was developed at the University of South Florida’s Center for Assistive, Rehabilitation, and Robotics Technologies (CARRT). A virtual and physical assistive robot was used for the remote-control skills training. After going through several iterations, the system was tested by a total of 15 participants along with professional job trainers. The results were encouraging in further exploration of virtual reality as a promising tool in vocational training of individuals with severe physical disabilities.
On some recent engineering applications of complementarity problems

In this paper we discuss two recent structural engineering applications of mathematical programming. One of them is an optimum design of certain elastic-plastic structures and the other is the analysis of a certain rigid-plastic workhardening adaptation model. Both problems are closely related to the (parametric) linear complementarity and quadratic programming problems. We shall examine some mathematical properties, such as the existence of an optimal solution, and possible solution methods for these problems.
A standard-value-based comparison tool to analyze U.S. soil regulations for the top 100 concerned pollutants.

Abstract Residential surface soil contamination is often addressed by the use of regulatory guidance values (RGVs), which specify the maximum allowed concentration that can be present without prompting a regulatory action. In the U.S., there are at least 72 jurisdictions, including national, state, and regional, that have published guidance values for one or more of the one hundred most frequently regulated chemicals. A standard-value-based comparison tool in this study is developed to analyze values from 40 states and from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA). The comparison tool can help evaluate the completeness of RGV sets, quantify the average deviation of RGVs from worldwide central tendencies, and measure the overall difference between the numbers of RGVs above and below central tendencies. The pollutants considered in this study include benzidines/aromatic amines, dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), hydrocarbons, inorganic substances, nitroamines/ethers/alcohols, organophosphates and carbamates, pesticides, phenols/phenoxy acids, phthalates, and volatile organic compounds. Based on completeness and comparisons of order of magnitude variations, five types of scores are generated. The results from the completeness scores indicate that some states lack soil RGVs for the top 100 concerned pollutants. The results from the comparison scores indicate that some jurisdictions have provided the RGVs averagely deviating from worldwide central tendencies and U.S. EPA scores by over two orders of magnitude, which might be beyond the risk model variabilities and increase human health risks. Hopefully, the regulatory comparison tool developed in this study will help risk assessors and regulatory scientists to better evaluate soil standards and protect public health.
Low-Rank Matrix Completion [Lecture Notes]

Imagine one observes a small subset of entries in a large matrix and aims to recover the entire matrix. Without a priori knowledge of the matrix, this problem is highly ill-posed. Fortunately, data matrices often exhibit low-dimensional structures that can be used effectively to regularize the solution space. The celebrated effectiveness of principal component analysis (PCA) in science and engineering suggests that most variability of real-world data can be accounted for by projecting the data onto a few directions known as the principal components. Correspondingly, the data matrix can be modeled as a low-rank matrix, at least approximately. Is it possible to complete a partially observed matrix if its rank, i.e., its maximum number of linearly independent row or column vectors, is small?
Reflexiones en torno a las metástasis de las desigualdades en las estructuras educativas latinoamericanas

A trend of increasing commodification in the access to basic services and real estate operations that distribute the population over different residence areas have been eroding the urban social tissue in the majority of the large Latin American cities. In spite of the seriousness of the damage that commodification causes to the tone of urban coexistence, there is a clear deficit with regard to reflections on mechanisms that connect economic inequalities with segmentation and segregation processes in services and places of residence. By discussing the macro- and micro-social mechanisms that intervene in the relation between economic and educational inequalities, the present essay contributes to reduce this deficit. To conclude, the paper suggests some priorities for a regional academic agenda that aims to improve our knowledge of that relation.
Governance and mariculture in the Caribbean

Abstract Despite overall global growth of marine and coastal aquaculture (i.e., mariculture), there is substantial regional heterogeneity in production. Biophysical growing conditions do not explain variation in production, indicating that other economic, social, and political drivers are likely influencing geographic patterns of industry development. The Caribbean is one such region where mariculture has considerable potential, but current production is very low. This is particularly surprising because the region relies heavily on seafood products and has experienced substantial declines in capture fisheries. Given the discrepancy between potential and realized production, this paper evaluates governance mechanisms (e.g., policies, laws, and regulations) related to current and future mariculture production in the Caribbean. We review literature examining the development and governance of several emerging industries, which we use to inform a Mariculture Governance Index that we assess for each Caribbean country and interpret relative to their current and potential mariculture production. Further, we seek to provide insight into the dynamic relationship between governance and mariculture development through country-specific case studies by exploring the timelines of mariculture growth relative to the timing of mariculture policy and legislation for select countries. This work develops a method for better understanding the role of governance in mariculture development and is applicable across regions, providing valuable context for identifying opportunities and barriers to mariculture expansion.
Splanchnic vein thrombosis predicts worse survival in patients with advanced pancreatic cancer

Abstract Introduction Pancreatic cancer is a thrombogenic malignancy with nearly half of venous thrombotic events occurring in the splanchnic circulation. The effect of splanchnic vein thrombosis on mortality in pancreatic cancer is unknown. We studied the effect of splanchnic vein thrombosis on mortality in veterans with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma, and explored the association of anticoagulant therapy on mortality and hemorrhage. Methods Using International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes, we identified eligible patients and outcomes in the Veterans Health Administration database. Using Cox proportional hazards regression, we analyzed the association between splanchnic vein thrombosis and mortality among patients with advanced pancreatic cancer. We used propensity score inverse probability-of-treatment weighting to balance the groups who did and did not receive anticoagulation. To understand the role of anticoagulant therapy, we used Cox proportional hazards regression to analyze mortality and competing risk analysis to assess the risk of hemorrhage. Results Of the patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (N = 6164), 122 developed splanchnic vein thrombosis. Splanchnic vein thrombosis was associated with a two-fold increase in mortality, aHR 2.02, 95% CI 1.65–2.47. The finding held true after restricting the analysis to patients undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer, and after adjusting for immortal time bias by a 30-day landmark analysis. Anticoagulant therapy did not affect mortality (aHR 0.99, 95% CI 0.65–1.51), and increased the risk of hemorrhage (aHR 2.7, 95% CI 1.02–7.07). Conclusion Splanchnic vein thrombosis predicts worse survival in patients with advanced pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Anticoagulant therapy may not mitigate this increased mortality, and increases the risk of hemorrhage.
The impacts of faculty caring on nursing students' intent to graduate: A systematic literature review.

Abstract Objectives To examine the current studies about the impacts of faculty caring on nursing students’ intent to graduate and provide recommendations. The nursing profession continues to face nursing shortages. One of the solutions recognized to alleviate the shortage is increasing the number of students graduating from nursing schools. It lacks a literature review synthesizing the current research about the impacts of faculty caring on nursing students’ intent to graduate and indicate areas for future research. Methods This is a systematic literature review. The search of the literature was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Databases searched included MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and ProQuest Search. Search terms included ‘attrition,’ ‘dropouts,’ ‘graduation rate,’ ‘faculty,’ ‘instructor,’ ‘professor,’ ‘nursing,’ and ‘caring.’ Results Ten articles met the inclusion criteria. The articles were conducted in the Associate Degree of Nursing and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. Nursing faculties played a significant role in students’ intent to graduate by building students’ confidence, creating a compassionate learning environment, and promoting students’ competence. Faculties’ caring behaviors, including respecting students, showing empathy, and using caring communication skills, were essential characteristics to affect students’ learning environments. Conclusions The findings indicate that students’ perceptions of faculty caring can affect their perceptions of the learning environment and sense of belonging, and therefore, impact their intent to graduate. Students’ perceptions of their instructors’ caring behaviors are instrumental in motivating them to continue learning. The capacity of faculty caring plays a significant role in students’ success.
Investigating the Mechanism of Alkyne Hydrogenation through an Open-Ended, Inquiry-Based Undergraduate Research Project Exploring Heterogeneous Catalysis

The catalytic hydrogenation of alkenes and alkynes is an important part of the undergraduate chemistry curriculum and is a fundamental process in chemical industry. Inquiry-based laboratory activities are presented that investigate the hydrogenation of alkynes on a nanoparticle palladium surface to form alkenes, which go on to form alkanes. Alkyne hydrogenation using H2 and/or D2 proceeds via a vinyl–palladium intermediate to form a π-bonded alkene–Pd species that can desorb or remain on the palladium surface and undergo further hydrogenation via the Horiuti–Polanyi mechanism, associated with extensive deuterium–hydrogen exchange. Central to the experiments is an inexpensive, easy-to-build glass tube containing palladium nanoparticles on alumina beads that can be used indefinitely. A total of seven inquiry-based questions are discussed regarding hydrogenation of alkynes. A similar number of open questions are discussed for further investigations by interested persons. These activities are suitable as guided research projects for science majors. Each experiment is performed by groups of two or three students in about an hour including analysis by mass spectrometry. An additional hour is allowed for student analysis and discussion of the mass spectral results, writeup, and future planning followed by about 30 min with the mentor for group presentation and discussion of the results. Results often lead to additional questions, either for clarification or for new exploration and form the basis for inquiry-based learning and problem-solving.
The Theory of Complex Spectra II

Formulas for the relations between the energies of multiplets arising from the same electron configuration for all two-electron cofigurations up to ff and several cases of three-electron configurations are worked out following Slater’s method; Slater’s table of a’s and b’s being extended to cover f electrons. A systematic comparison of the known data with this first order perturbation theory shows poor agreement in many cases and good agreement in many. The theory predicts the observed alternation in the relative positions of singlet and triplet through S, P, D, F, etc. in the pp, pd, and pf triads, and the dd and df pentads. In general the p electron configurations fit very poorly; a uniform trend with atomic number is observed for p 3 and good fits are obtained for 4p3d in Ti III, V IV, and Cr V. For d electrons the theory fits very well in the first long period of the periodic table, and fairly well in the second. The 1 S of d 2 and the 2 D of d 2 s are predicted much higher than the levels assigned to those multiplets when such an assignment is made, d 3 fits well except for 2 P. An energy level table of La II is given as recently analysed by Meggers and Russell. Here we have complete 5d4f and 4f 2 configurations which fit the theory very well, these calculations having assisted in the assignment of some of the singlets and resulted in a rearrangement of singlet lines.
Listening to the Sound of Silence in Supporting Instructors' Transitions to Remote Teaching During COVID-19

While online education has been with us for more than 20 years, and many faculty are proficient at designing and teaching highly interactive, intellectually stimulating asynchronous classes, other faculty have chosen to remain focused on their teaching in the classroom. However, COVID-19 has rapidly and without warning ushered all higher ed teaching and learning into emergency remote environments. By now, many who support faculty in transitioning courses have received varying levels of participation and are examining ways to increase support opportunities. But one question might linger: What might be happening with practitioners who appear to be silent?or reluctant to engage with the kinds of support provided?perhaps faculty who might really benefit?
Continued trends in older driver crash involvement rates in the United States: Data through 2017-2018.

Abstract Introduction: With the growing older adult population due to the aging baby-boom cohort, there was concern that increases in fatal motor-vehicle crashes would follow. Yet, previous analyses showed this to be untrue. The purpose of this study was to examine current trends to determine if previous declines have persisted or risen with the recent increase in fatalities nationwide. Methods: Trends among drivers ages 70 and older were compared with drivers 35–54 for U.S. passenger vehicle fatal crash involvements per 100,000 licensed drivers from 1997 to 2018, fatal and all police-reported crash involvements per vehicle miles traveled using the 1995, 2001, 2009, and 2017 National Household Travel Surveys, and driver deaths per 1,000 crashes. Results: Since the mid-1990s, fatal crashes per licensed driver trended downward, with greater declines for drivers ages 70 and older than for middle-aged drivers (43% vs. 21%). Fatal crash rates per 100,000 licensed drivers and police-reported crash rates per mile traveled for drivers ages 70–79 are now less than those for drivers ages 35–54, but their fatal crash rates per mile traveled and risk of dying in a crash remain higher as they drive fewer miles. As the economy improved over the past decade, fatal crash rates increased substantially for middle-aged drivers but decreased or remained stable among older driver age groups. Conclusions: Fatal crash involvements for adults ages 70 and older has recently increased, but they remain down from their 1997 peak, even as the number of licensed older drivers and the miles they drive have increased. Health improvements likely contributed to long-term reductions in fatal crash rates. As older drivers adopt vehicles with improved crashworthiness and safety features, crash survivability will improve. Practical Application: Older adults should feel confident that their independent mobility needs pose less risk than previously expected.
Comparison of opioid rotation on pain, symptoms, and daily opioid dose in a supportive care clinic.

BACKGROUND Opioid rotation (OR) is used to decrease patients' cancer-related pain and mitigate opioid-induced adverse effects. There is limited evidence regarding its effect on symptoms and morphine equivalent daily dose (MEDD). The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of OR on pain scores, Edmonton Symptom Assessment Score (ESAS), and MEDD in patients with cancer. METHODS Retrospective observational study in an outpatient supportive care clinic using a within-subject design to analyze data collected over 34 months. Study included 676 patients with 217 rotations identified in 128 patients at supportive care clinic at a National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Center. OR were identified and analysis compared the pre-visit data with the subsequent post-visit data following OR using paired t-tests. Primary endpoints included pain scores, total ESAS, and MEDD for OR and these endpoints were compared amongst rotations to specific opioid analgesics. RESULTS Following OR, there was a statistically significant reduction in mean pain scores from 6.25 at the pre-visit to 5.75 following OR. Of the 194 ORs, 29.90% were successful in reducing patients' pain by either 30% or by 2-points. Only rotations to morphine, oxycodone, and methadone correlated with significant decreases in pain scores. Overall, OR did not correlate with significant changes in ESAS or MEDD. Only rotations to methadone correlated with a significant reduction in MEDD. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest OR is associated with decreased pain scores without increasing MEDD. Of the agents compared, only rotations to methadone correlated with both a significant reduction in pain scores and in MEDD.
Density-dependent effects on reproductive output in a capital breeding carnivore, the northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris)

All organisms face resource limitations that will ultimately restrict population growth, but the controlling mechanisms vary across ecosystems, taxa, and reproductive strategies. Using four decades of data, we examine how variation in the environment and population density affect reproductive outcomes in a capital-breeding carnivore, the northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris). This species provides a unique opportunity to examine the relative importance of resource acquisition and density-dependence on breeding success. Capital breeders accrue resources over large temporal and spatial scales for use during an abbreviated reproductive period. This strategy may have evolved, in part, to confer resilience to short-term environmental variability. We observed density-dependent effects on weaning mass, and maternal age (experience) was more important than oceanographic conditions or maternal mass in determining offspring weaning mass. Together these findings show that the mechanisms controlling reproductive output are conserved across terrestrial and marine systems and vary with population dynamics, an important consideration when assessing the effect of extrinsic changes, such as climate change, on a population.
Ultrasonic Heating Techniques

Ultrasound has two valuable characteristics which make it especially promising for clinical applications. First, the wavelength of ultrasound in tissues is small enough to allow focussing to dimensions similar to, or smaller than, tumors--using transducers which are practical to construct and utilize clinically. Second, the absorption coefficient of ultrasound in tissue is reasonably low and varies almost linearly with frequency. Thus, by appropriate choice of frequency the depth to which power is significantly deposited can be controlled (Fig. 1). This ability to shape the power deposition field can be utilized to advantage in clinical applications. Conversely, there are two distinct limitations to ultrasound; first, the high acoustic impedance difference between soft tissue and (1) air and (2) bone--which causes large reflections of power at tissue/air and tissue/bone interfaces, and second, the high absorption of ultrasound in bone.
Chapter 6 Plasticity in Epithelial Polarity

Publisher Summary Research is going on studying the epithelial polarity of the H + adenosine triphosphate (ATP)ase and the Cl/HCO 3 exchanger of the intercalated cell of the kidney tubule. This cell exists in two forms with opposite polar distribution of these proteins. Hence, detailed analysis of the process of polarity in two types of cell might reveal significant insights into the processes that control epithelial polarity in general. The results of such studies are most compatible with conversion of epithelial polarity. The most direct method to demonstrate that there is actual conversion of polarity is to start with a pure population of cells that displays the polar distribution and the plasticity in epithelial polarity. To obtain enough material for biochemical and molecular studies, the purified β-cells, using transfection, are immortalized with a temperature-sensitive mutant of the SV40 large T antigen. This was cotransfected with a neomycin resistance gene into a purified HCO 3 -secreting intercalated cell, using electroporation. At nonpermissive temperature, the cells expressed apical peanut lectin binding and had tight junctions by electron microscopy. Confluent monolayers of these cells had no endocytosis from the apical medium. The resistance of these monolayers was too low to allow the measurement of transepithelial HCO 3 secretion. It has been demonstrated that these cells contain an apical Cl/HCO 3 exchanger by the measurement of the effect of changes in the apical or basolateral concentrations of CI on the intracellular pH. Hence, these cells retain all the important characteristics of the β intercalated cells.
Condensation of malonanilic acid with aldehydes

Malonanilic acid have been condensed under different conditions, with 6-nitro-piperonal, 6-bromopiperonal, 5-bormovanillin and 5-bromoveratraldehyde. The reactions with the first two give yields that may be more or less expected. The last two give some unexpected features, particularly 5-bromoveratraldehyde from which the expected cinnamanilide has not yet been isolated or obtained. All the products described in the paper are new.
Molluscs: Learning and Memory

There seems to be a large degree of similarity between learning in molluscs and learning in higher vertebrates and mammals. At the cellular level, recent work suggests that the encoding of long-term memory may involve similar mechanisms in invertebrates and mammals. Keywords: learning; CREB; aplysia
An ultimate limiting nutrient

A long debate has centred on what nutrient in the oceans is the main limitation on phytoplankton growth. Is one nutrient clearly more important than others, and, if so, on what timescales? The answer to emerge from newly published model calculations is that, over long periods, phosphorus, in the form of dissolved phosphate, is the ‘ultimate limiting nutrient’.
Factoring Numbers on the Massively Parallel Computer

The Massively Parallel Processor (MPP) is a high speed parallel bit processor which has been designed and built by Goodyear Aeronautics for NASA. It has recently been installed at Goddard Space Flight center at Greenbelt, MD and is to be primarily used as an image processor for satellite communication. It is ideally suited for an implementation of the continued fraction factoring algorithm of Micheal Morrison and John Brillhart [2] and this paper will first describe the MPP computer and its associated software, then present the proposed implementation of the continued fraction algorithm, and finally present an optimization procedure and a running time analysis which will provide some estimates as to the expected execution time for factoring various size numbers.
Learn, Frame and Deploy? Cross-National Policy Ideas and Comparisons in Turkey’s Health Reform

ABSTRACTComparative analysis in health policy not only helps us learn about the organization of health care systems and reforms in other countries but also addresses the difficulties of drawing cross-national policy lessons. This case study on the Turkish health reform of 2003 focuses on the national policy discourse to identify how cross-national ideas and comparative analyses are used by policymakers and other key stakeholders. Building on the ideational perspectives and Kingdon’s streams approach, it explores agenda setting and ideological framing activities. The results provide evidence for the political nature of the process whereby cross-national ideas were deployed in domestic policy battles.
Assessment of a three dimensional model for atmospheric radiative transfer over heterogeneous land cover

[1] A three-dimensional (3D) atmospheric radiative transfer model that explicitly represents surface albedo heterogeneity is tested against a one-dimensional model and surface irradiance observations in a polar region where land cover heterogeneity is high. For observations located near high latitude coastlines, the contrast between the highly absorbing ocean and reflective snow surface creates spatial heterogeneity, or a 3D effect, around the observation site. The resulting effect on radiation at the sensor should be taken into account when using a solar radiative transfer model to interpret measurements. This assessment shows that better closure is obtained with a three-dimensional model (≤5%) versus a plane-parallel model (≤7%). The importance of the surface 3D effect increases with aerosol or cloud optical depth and with surface albedo contrast. The model used here can be implemented at any surface site given the surrounding land cover properties.
Comparison of substrate affinities among several rumen bacteria: a possible determinant of rumen bacterial competition.

Five rumen bacteria, Selenomonas ruminantium, Bacteroides ruminicola, Megasphaera elsdenii, Streptococcus bovis, and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens were grown in continuous culture. Estimates of substrate affinities were derived from Lineweaver-Burk plots of dilution rate versus substrate concentration. Each bacterium was grown on at least four of the six substrates: glucose, maltose, sucrose, cellobiose, xylose, and lactate. Wide variations in substrate affinities were seen among the substrates utilized by a species and among species for the same substrate. These wide differences indicate that substrate affinity may be a significant determinant of bacterial competition in the rumen where soluble substrate concentrations are often low. Growth of these bacteria in continuous culture did not always follow typical Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Inflated theoretical maximum growth rates and non-linear Lineweaver-Burk plots were sometimes seen. Maintenance energy expenditures and limitation of growth rate by factors other than substrate concentration (i.e., protein synthesis) are discussed as possible determinants of these deviations.
An Empirical Study of Associate Satisfaction, Law Firm Culture, and the Effects of Billable Hour Requirements

This article considers billing practices, the effects of hourly billing pressure, and firm culture as reflected in a survey of associates in Texas law firms. Part I of this article reports the empirical information from the survey. This information includes insight into the toll an increase in billable hour requirements has taken on legal practitioners and the consequent affect on the legal field. Part II discusses what the data means and how it might be used to improve the outlook for attracting and retaining good associates.
Proximity effects of 'unused' output buffers on ESD performance (CMOS)

A unique failure mechanism, identified on an unused output buffer located near a used input protection device, occurs when excessive substrate current is generated during an electrostatic discharge (ESD) event. This new mechanism, the proximity effect, plays an important role when the n moat region of an input ESD circuit is within 20 mu m of an unrelated n moat diffusion region contacted to the power supply, V/sub cc/. The operation of the most commonly used ESD input protection circuitry when stressed with respect to V/sub cc/ is reviewed. A laser cut experiment has verified that disconnecting the V/sub cc/ bus from the unused n moats eliminates this type of ESD failure. Device metal mask changes have confirmed these findings. This ESD failure mechanism, has been demonstrated on a variety of I/O buffer layouts, and a solution has been identified. >
Asymptotic finite-strain thin-plate theory for elastic solids

We offer some observations on recent efforts to extract models for the stretching and bending of thin plates from three-dimensional finite elasticity. Using an asymptotic argument like that advanced by Ciarlet and his school, we show that recent work purporting to derive a non-standard bending theory generates instead a correction to membrane theory of order thickness squared.
Barrier coverage with sensors of limited mobility

Barrier coverage is a critical issue in wireless sensor networks for various battlefield and homeland security applications. The goal is to effectively detect intruders that attempt to penetrate the region of interest. A sensor barrier is formed by a connected sensor cluster across the entire deployed region, acting as a "trip wire" to detect any crossing intruders. In this paper we study how to efficiently improve barrier coverage using mobile sensors with limited mobility. After the initial deployment, mobile sensors can move to desired locations and connect with other sensors in order to create new barriers. However, simply moving sensors to form a large local cluster does not necessarily yield a global barrier. This global nature of barrier coverage makes it a challenging task to devise effective sensor mobility schemes. Moreover, a good sensor mobility scheme should efficiently improve barrier coverage under the constraints of available mobile sensors and their moving range. We first explore the fundamental limits of sensor mobility on barrier coverage and present a sensor mobility scheme that constructs the maximum number of barriers with minimum sensor moving distance. We then present an efficient algorithm to compute the existence of barrier coverage with sensors of limited mobility, and examine the effects of the number of mobile sensors and their moving ranges on the barrier coverage improvement. Both the analytical results and performance of the algorithms are evaluated via extensive simulations.
Microstructure and physical properties of iron carbide films formed by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition

Abstract We report the structure and properties of iron-containing films deposited on glass substrates maintained at temperatures between 200 and 500 °C. The films investigated were Fe 3 O 4 , Fe 7 C 3 , Fe 3 C 1 and α-Fe, deposited at substrate temperatures of 200, 300, 400 and 500 °C, respectively. The measured SEM grain sizes from these 200–700 nm thick films were in the 50–350 nm range. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy show larger grains and increased crystallinity in the films deposited at higher substrate temperatures. The larger grain sizes and increased crystallinity are consequences of bulk diffusion and surface recrystallization. The sheet conductivities of the films increase with increasing film deposition temperature, due to coarser grain structures and higher iron to carbon ratios in the higher temperature films. The phases remain unchanged after annealing at 400 °C for 4 h. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy show evidence of bulk rearrangement and a reduction of thickness in the annealed films.
Conditional Sampling of Turbulence Intensities and Reynolds Stress in Premixed Turbulent Flames

Abstract Abstrac–-A two-color LDA technique has been developed for conditional sampling of turbulence intensity and Reynolds stress in premixed turbulent flame. To sample conditionally in the unburned reactants, silicone oil aerosol which burned and evaporated by combustion is used to seed the flow. Conventional AI2O3 seed particles are used to sample unconditionally through the flame. A conditional analysis method is developed to deduce conditioned data in the burned products from the unconditioned data. Comparison of the conditioned and unconditioned data obtained in a lean ethylene/air v-flame shows that the so-called "flame-generated turbulence" and the increase in Reynolds stress within the flame brush are caused primarily by intermittent measurements in the reactants and in the products. Using an intermittency model for the flame turbulence, the contributions due to intermittency are shown to be proportional to the difference between the conditioned mean velocities. The conditioned fluctuation inten...
An evaluation of the costs to health care institutions of endovascular aortic aneurysm repair

Abstract Background: Endovascular graft techniques hold great potential as a less invasive means for the repair of aortic aneurysms, yet the impact of these new modalities remains poorly elucidated. Methods: Over a 10-month period at a single institution, 139 patients underwent infrarenal aortic aneurysm repair through a traditional open surgical technique (OS group, 94 patients) or an endovascular approach (ES group, 45 patients). Coated polyester prostheses (Hemashield; Boston Scientific Corporation, Boston, Mass) were used in the OS patients, whereas a modular nitinol polyester device (AneuRx; Medtronic, Sunnyvale, Calif) was used in the ES group. The hospital costs exclusive of professional charges were tabulated for the two groups using the hospital cost accounting system. Outliers were included in the data analysis. Results: The mean operating room time was longer in the OS group than in the ES group (285 minutes vs 166 minutes). The average length of stay was also longer in the OS group (9.7 days vs 3.2 days). Hospital costs related to the length of stay were higher in the OS group, including laboratory costs ($327 higher), pharmacy costs ($688 higher), and nursing costs ($780 higher). Anesthesia costs were also higher in the OS group ($493 higher). Despite these marked differences, the total hospital cost averaged $7205 more in the ES group, a finding that was driven by the cost of the implantable devices themselves ($8976 in the ES group vs $597 in the OS group). Conclusions: Despite reductions in the length of hospitalization, the cost of care was substantially greater in patients undergoing endovascular aneurysm repair than in patients in whom an open surgical technique was used. These differences are driven by the cost of the endograft device itself, a cost that must not exceed $6000 if the economic impact of endovascular repair is to be in parity with traditional methods. Unless these economic disparities can be ameliorated, the economic impact of endovascular aneurysm repair may limit the widespread application of this technology. (J Vasc Surg 2000;32:148-52.)
Opportunities for computing to support healthy sleep behavior

Getting the right amount of quality sleep is one of the key aspects of good health, along with a healthy diet and regular exercise. We conducted a literature review and formative study aimed at uncovering the opportunities for technology to support healthy sleep behaviors. We present the results of interviews with sleep experts, a large survey, and interviews with potential users that indicate what people would find practical and useful for sleep. We identified a number of functional and non-functional requirements for technology for sleep. We explored three possible technology ideas for healthy sleep behaviors: a sleep tracking tool, game to promote sleep, and sleep condition assessment tool.
Superfluid density and critical current of 3 He in confined geometries

Superfluid3He in severely confined geometries is studied in the Ginzburg-Landau limit. Both A and B phases are analyzed in narrow slabs and in small cylinders. Physically measurable quantities include the superfluid density and the critical current, which are significantly suppressed by the boundaries. Related alterations in the phase diagram are also considered. For small lateral dimensions, the A phase can be favored even well below the polycritical pressure.
Suppression of positive inotropic and toxic effects of cardiac glycosides by amiloride.

Abstract Effects of amiloride on the inotropic and toxic actions of cardiac glycosides were examined using left atrial muscle isolated from guinea pig heart. Preincubation of atrial muscle with amiloride significantly decreased the maximum positive inotropic effect of dihydrodigoxin but failed to reduce that of isoproterenol. Amiloride prevented the contracture and significantly reduced the incidence of arrhythmias induced by 2 μM digoxin. Similar experiments examining 5 μM digoxin-induced arrhythmias showed that amiloride increased both the time required to produce arrhythmias and the fractional occupancy of sarcolemmal Na,K-ATPase by digoxin at the onset of arrhythmias. The antagonism of cardiac glycoside actions was best observed during the decline in developed tension elicited by amiloride subsequent to its initial positive inotropic effect. Amiloride had no effect on binding site concentration for ATP-dependent [ 3 H]ouabain binding but decreased affinity of the binding sites for ouabain in membrane preparations obtained from guinea pig heart. Furthermore, amiloride inhibited Na,K-ATPase activity and increased the IC 50 value for ouabain inhibition of the enzyme. These results indicate that amiloride antagonizes the positive inotropic and toxic effects of cardiac glycosides. Possible mechanisms for the antagonism include inhibition of sarcolemmal Na + /Ca 2+ or Na + /H + exchange.
A hypothesis-generating review of the water method for difficult colonoscopy.

Abstract Objective. Several factors such as significant procedure-related discomfort, excessive intubation time or failed cecal intubation have been associated with difficult colonoscopy. An update of these factors and colonoscopy techniques reported to be efficacious in enhancing completion of cecal intubation in difficult colonoscopy patients is provided in this review. Material and methods. A Medline search (January 2006 to July 2010) was conducted using the following search terms: colonoscopy, difficult, abdominal pain, and discomfort. Results. Reviewed data are tabulated for presentation. Several water-related techniques have been described separately as adjuncts to usual air insufflation to minimize discomfort, reduce intubation time and improve success rate of cecal intubation. A combination of these techniques was subjected to trial-and-error modifications followed by randomized controlled comparisons. Progressive improvement in colonoscopy outcomes that paralleled stepwise incorporation of exclus...
Superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase and lipid peroxidation of normal and sickled erythrocytes.

Summary. Sickled erythrocytes showed reduced glutathione peroxidase and catalase activities in comparison to normal erythrocytes. In addition, increased levels of superoxide dismutase and ‘peroxidation potential’as well as fluorescent lipid pigments and malonaldehyde suggestive of membrane lipid peroxidation were found in sickled erythrocytes. Finally, sickled erythrocytes showed membrane ‘bound’Heinz bodies as well as reduced membrane lipids and unsaturated fatty acids. From these observations, it is suggested that membrane lipid peroxidation occurs in sickled cells.