cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and bone turnover in African American hemodialysis patients.

Introduction Noninvasive measures of bone activity include intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BSAP). Whether BSAP measurement alone or in combination with other biochemical data provides more reliable information about bone turnover than iPTH alone in African Americans on hemodialysis is unknown. Methods This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the optimal predictor and cutoff points for BSAP, iPTH, calcium and phosphorus in classifying bone biopsy findings. Forty-three African American hemodialysis patients were available for analysis. Biochemical data on the day of biopsy across a spectrum of qualitative histologic bone features were compared. Classification and regression tree analysis was used to determine both the optimal predictor and cutoff points for BSAP, iPTH, calcium and phosphorus in identifying bone turnover status. Findings Seven subjects had adynamic disease, 31 had mild/moderate hyperparathyroid bone features, and five had severe hyperparathyroid bone disease. BSAP was the optimal predictor of bone biopsy with a cutoff point of 22 ng/mL. Calcium and phosphorus had no predictive value. At BSAP ≤ 22 ng/mL, subjects had either adynamic bone disease or mild/moderate hyperparathyroid bone disease but iPTH was not useful in further classifying biopsy findings. When BSAP was >22 ng/mL, subjects had either mild/moderate or severe hyperparathyroid bone disease, and iPTH was useful in further classifying biopsy findings. With BSAP > 22 ng/mL and iPTH < 726 pg/mL, all subjects had mild/moderate bone turnover features. Discussion Compared to iPTH, BSAP was shown to be the optimal predictor of biopsy findings with an optimal cutoff at 22 ng/mL.
The Effect of Microwave on Y-Maze Learning in the White Rat

The performance of white rats in a Y-maze learning task was altered by exposures of 2.45 GHz microwaves at a measured maximum level of 50 mW/cm2.
Developing an Integrated Evaluation Framework for E-Learning

The purpose of this chapter is to provide an integrated evaluation framework of e-learning based on the basic concepts of evaluation and previous evaluation models. Several evaluation models were reviewed in order to lay the foundation for our proposed model of e-learning evaluation. Stufflebeam (1983), Kirkpatrick (1987), Phillips (1997), and Holton (1996) were chosen as four representative training evaluation models. The frameworks developed by Rosenberg (2001) and Khan (2005) were also reviewed to address several evaluation design issues for e-learning. Based on six evaluation models, an integrated framework is suggested for comprehensive e-learning evaluation. This integrated framework consists of six stages (i.e. context, resources, process, product, implementation, and outcomes) and two levels (i.e. program and organization). The practical case is introduced as an example that uses the integrated evaluation framework.
On the Product and Ratio of Pearson Type VII and Laplace Random Variables

The distributions of the product |XY| and the ratio |X/Y| are derived when X and Y are Pearson type VII and Laplace random variables distributed independently of each other. Extensive tabulations of the associated percentage points are also given.
Hydrothermal Activity and its Effects on Sedimentary Organic Matter

The conversion of organic matter to petroleum products by hydrothermal activity is an easy process, occurring in nature in many types of environments. Geologically immature organic matter of marine sediments is being altered by this process to petroleum in the Guaymas Basin (Gulf of California), Escanaba Trough and Middle Valley (NE Pacific), Bransfield Strait (Antarctica), and Atlantis II Deep (Red Sea). Contemporary organic detritus and/or viable microorganisms are also converted in part to petroleum-like products when they become entrained by turbulent mixing into the discharging vent waters, resulting in instantaneous hydrous pyrolysis. This latter case is ubiquitous to all hydrothermal systems, but can be studied in hydrothermal vent fields without a sedimentary cover emanating directly from oceanic ridges, as for example on the East Pacific Rise at 13°N and 21°N and on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge at 26°N. The hydrocarbon products (methane to asphalt) generated in all these areas have been compared in terms of composition, organic matter sources, and analogy to reservoir petroleum. In addition, this type of organic matter rep¬resents a major input of carbon to the primary chemosynthetic bioproductivity of hydrothermal vent systems and may be important to interactions with the metals of hydrothermal mineral ores.
Construction of a rapid simulation design tool for thermal responses to laser-induced feature patterns

There are many emerging manufacturing processes whereby surface structures are processed by spatially laser patterning of an entire feature at a time, as opposed to rastering a small beam. It is important to ascertain and ideally control the induced thermal fields underneath the pattern. This paper develops a computational framework to rapidly evaluate the induced thermal fields due to application of a laser on the surface. The aggregate thermal fields are efficiently computed by superposing individual “beamlet” heat-kernel solutions, based on Green’s functions, to form complex surface patterns. The utility of the approach is that laser-process designers can efficiently compute the results of selecting various system parameters, such as spatially-variable laser intensity within a pattern. This allows one to rapidly compute system parameter studies needed in the manufacturing of new products. Included are: Three-dimensional examples are provided to illustrate the technique. The utility of the approach is that an analyst can efficiently ascertain a large number of laser-input scenarios without resorting to computationally-intensive numerical procedures, such the Finite Element Method.
Intermolecular Interactions and Cooperative Effects from Electronic Structure Calculations: An Effective Means for Developing Interaction Potentials for Condensed Phase Simulations

The modeling of the macroscopic properties of homogeneous and inhomogeneous systems via atomistic simulations such as molecular dynamics (MD) or Monte Carlo (MC) techniques is based on the accurate description of the relevant solventsolute and solvent-solvent intermolecular interactions. The total energy (U) of an n-body molecular system can be formally written as [1,2,3] $$ U = {U_{1 - body}} + {U_{2 - body}} + {U_{3 - body}} + \ldots + {U_{k - body}} + \ldots + {U_{n - body}} $$ (1)
Plant-based diets: Reducing cardiovascular risk by improving sleep quality?

The goal of this review is to evaluate recent research related to the effects of plant-based diets on sleep patterns. We discuss plausible mechanisms for the link between plant-based diets and sleep and provide suggestions for future research in this area. Short sleep duration and poor sleep quality have been shown to negatively affect individual dietary habits, through enhanced appetite and increased overall caloric intake, as well as lower diet quality. Emerging data also indicate a novel bi-directional association by which dietary choices may also influence sleep duration and quality, but little is known about dietary patterns and their influence on sleep. Epidemiological studies report associations between Mediterranean diet eating patterns and sleep quality, suggesting a benefit of plant-rich diet consumption on sleep. The high isoflavone and tryptophan content of these diets may be a mechanism by which plant foods may enhance sleep quality. Plant-based diets may provide additional benefits to health via their potential effects on sleep quality. Research is needed to establish a causal relation between a plant-rich dietary pattern and sleep health.
Catecholaminergic expression in 2N27 immortal neural cell line is enhanced by glial-derived factors.

The goal of this study was to examine the responsiveness of an immortalized catecholaminergic neuronal line, 2N27, to various growth factors and identify those which promote catecholaminergic expression. 2N27 is a newly established neural cell line derived from fetal rat mesencephalic tissue and, thus, contains tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), a reliable marker for catecholaminergic neurons. Using TH activity as a biochemical index, we examined the responsiveness to both recognized trophic factors (NGF, TGF-β and basic- and acidic-FGF) as well as novel, glia-derived factors present in conditioned media from several glial sources. The glial cells included MACH, a normal cell line derived from aged mouse cerebral hemispheres NBCC, normal glia derived from newborn mouse cerebral hemispheres; and C-6 glioma cells, 2B clone, passage 72, predominately astrocytes. Cells were cultured in the presence of added factors from 0 to 3 days in vitro (DIV) and were harvested on day 4. We found that 2N27 neural cells responded differentially to growth factors. No change was observed in TH activity in response to NGF, TH activity even decreased in response to b-FGF ad TGF-β addition to the culture medium. However, a dose dependent increase in TH activity was observed following treatment with a-FGF and the increase to a-FGF was associated to an increase in cell proliferation as compared to TH increase by cAMP associated to differentiation. However, the 2N27 cells responded with a marked increase in TH when cultured in the glial cell conditioned media. We conclude that immortal cells require a variety of microenvironmental signals to maintain their phenotype.
The Algebra H*(Ω$${\Bbb F}$$k( M)))

The object of this chapter is to determine the structure of the Pontryagin algebra \(H_* (\Omega \mathbb{F}_k (M);\mathbb{K})\) when M is ℝ n+1, or S n+1, and \(\mathbb{K} = \mathbb{Z}\) or ℤ2. As we have seen in the previous chapters, the two cases of ℝ n+1, or S n+1 are best treated separately.
Chapter 18 – C5

C5 is synthesised as an intracellular single-chain precursor, pro-C5, of 1676 amino acids including an 18 amino acid leader peptide and an arginine-rich linker sequence (RPRR) located between the N-terminal β-chain and the C-terminal α-chain. The C5 crystal structure has been determined at a resolution of 3.1 A. Similar to its homologous family member C3, C5 contains eight alpha2-macroglobulin-like domains (MG1–MG8), an anaphylatoxin domain (C5a), a C5d domain (structurally homologous to the thioester-containing domain in C3), a CUB domain (between MG8 and C5d) and a C345C C-terminal-chain domain that is positioned at the top of the C5 molecule. C5 is cleaved during complement activation by Bb or C2b producing the C5a and C5b fragments. C5a is often referred to as an anaphylatoxin because of its associated functions in causing smooth muscle contraction, increased vascular permeability and basophil and mast cell degranulation. C5b begins the membrane attack complex with C6–C9.
Prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among US children.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among children in the United States and to examine the relationship between child and family characteristics and the likelihood of reported exposure to ACEs. Methods Data were drawn from the nationally representative 2016 National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH). Parent-reported child ACE exposure was measured using counts of those reporting zero ACEs, one to three ACEs, and four or more ACEs. Results The study sample included 45,287 children. The most prevalent types of ACE exposure experienced by children were economic hardship (22.5%) and parent or guardian divorce or separation (21.9%). Older children (34.7%), Non-Hispanic African American children (34.7%), children with special health care needs (SHCN; 36.3%), children living in poverty (37.2%), and children living in rural areas (30.5%) were more likely to be exposed to parental divorce or separation than their counterparts. Five cross-cutting factors emerged as important across outcomes: child’s age, family structure, poverty, type of health insurance, and SHCN status. Conclusions We found high prevalence rates of economic hardship on a national level. Our findings of higher prevalence among rural children further suggest the importance of the intersection of place and ACEs. Therefore, the geographic component of ACEs must be considered by policymakers. The identification of predictive factors related to high ACE exposure can inform early interventions at the national level.
The Impact of Donald Trump’s Presidency on the Well-Being of African Americans:

This article purports to examine the chaotic presidency of Donald Trump and how it has been harmful to the African American community. To accomplish this, the authors use chaos theory as our theore...
Your Business Plan and Presentation: Articulating Your Journey to Commercialization

Abstract Business plans are among the valuable tools to communicate to others what your new venture is about and the strategies it will use to accomplish its targeted goals. These are intended to interest prospective investors and other stakeholders in the opportunity for the proposed venture, and to explain how the company plans to achieve these attractive outcomes. However, the greatest benefit of writing a business plan is the formalization of a strategy for the venture when writing the plan. This chapter guides new entrepreneurs through the business plan process enabling them to develop a well-thought-out business strategy. Furthermore, once the plan is developed, communicating that plan to prospective investors and stakeholders is critical. Today’s marketplace has given way to a variety of presentation types—both in person and written. This chapter discusses these different approaches and provides valuable suggestions on how to best present your business strategy to gain meaningful support.
Categories of data structures

In teaching Data Structures, we commonly discuss a sequence of different data types, grouping them according to certain commonalities, but often neglecting to emphasize the significant differences between the groups. When working in Java, the tendency to blur these distinctions is reinforced by the arrangement of the Java Collections Framework, which treats stacks as vectors and hash tables as dictionaries for example. This paper proposes grouping data structures into three categories: Storage structures (arrays, linked structures, hash tables), process-oriented data structures (stacks, queues, priority queues, iterators), and descriptive data structures (collections, sets, linear lists, binary trees, etc.), i.e., structures used to represent groups of objects. Storage structures are fundamental building blocks used in the implementation and representation of the other types of data structures. The paper seeks to emphasize the commonalities within each of the other two categories and the differences between the categories by employing implementation-independent specifications and contrasting the dynamic nature of the process-oriented with the static nature of the descriptive structures.
Spectral Intermezzo: Spirit Security Systems

Machine learning methods are sometimes applied in ways that make no sense, and then marketed as software or services. This is increasingly an issue when the sensors that can acquire enormous amounts of real-time data become so very inexpensive, e.g. infrared imagers attached to smartphones. As a light-hearted example of how this could go, we describe using infrared cameras in a security system for ghost detection. It is important to be skeptical of untested and untestable claims of machine learning systems.
Small-ScaleWind Turbine Recurrence and Cost Modeling as a Function of Operational Covariates from Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition Systems

Small-scale wind turbine (SWT) installations saw a dramatic increase between 2008 and 2012. Recently, the trend within industry has shifted towards installing larger wind turbines, leaving little attention for installed SWT reliability. Unfortunately, multiple downtime events raise concerns about thereliability and availability of the large number of installed SWTs. SWTs are repairable systems that can return to an operational state after a downtime or repair event. When a SWT experiences multiple events over time, these are known as recurrent events. The reliability of SWTs is examined in this paper using data from 21 individual 100 kW wind turbines. SWTs periodically record dynamic covariate data in the form of a vector time series using supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems. One type of event experienced by SWTs is known as a “service event,” which is a time when a SWT is put into service mode for a repair or false alarm. Due to the proprietary nature of the data used in this paper,different kinds of service events are combined, even though different failure modes and event types exist. We explore recurring service events and the associated cost of each “service event” and propose methodologies to link dynamic covariate data to downtime costs to assist in quantifying the variation of downtime across wind turbines. Data used in this work was provided from a power systems company in the United States. We outline a nonhomogenous Poisson process (NHPP) model with a Bayesian hierarchical power law structure for the count process and an autoregressive time series use rate model with a Bayesian framework to describe posterior parameter distributions. Using the posterior results, we develop a conditional and unconditional method to predict downtime mean cumulative functions (MCFs) for wind turbines.
NEBULA is a fast negative binomial mixed model for differential or co-expression analysis of large-scale multi-subject single-cell data

The increasing availability of single-cell data revolutionizes the understanding of biological mechanisms at cellular resolution. For differential expression analysis in multi-subject single-cell data, negative binomial mixed models account for both subject-level and cell-level overdispersions, but are computationally demanding. Here, we propose an efficient NEgative Binomial mixed model Using a Large-sample Approximation (NEBULA). The speed gain is achieved by analytically solving high-dimensional integrals instead of using the Laplace approximation. We demonstrate that NEBULA is orders of magnitude faster than existing tools and controls false-positive errors in marker gene identification and co-expression analysis. Using NEBULA in Alzheimer’s disease cohort data sets, we found that the cell-level expression of APOE correlated with that of other genetic risk factors (including CLU, CST3, TREM2, C1q, and ITM2B) in a cell-type-specific pattern and an isoform-dependent manner in microglia. NEBULA opens up a new avenue for the broad application of mixed models to large-scale multi-subject single-cell data. The application of negative binomial mixed models (NBMMs) to single-cell data is computationally demanding. To address this issue, Liang He et al. have developed NEBULA, an efficient algorithm that can analyze differential gene expression or co-expression networks in multi-subject single-cell data sets, and validate it on snRNA-seq and scRNA-seq data sets comprising ~200k cells from cohorts of Alzheimer’s disease and multiple sclerosis patients.
Postpartum Metabolism: How Does It Change from Pregnancy and What are the Potential Implications?

Background Metabolic dysfunction after pregnancy may have serious consequences for a new mother. The purpose of the study was to characterize basic changes that occur in metabolic profiles from late pregnancy through 4-6 months postpartum. A secondary purpose was to determine metabolic factors that may be contributing to postpartum weight retention. Methods Participants (n=25) came in for 2 visits: late pregnancy (~34 weeks gestation) and postpartum (4-6 months). Resting metabolic rate (RMR), respiratory quotient (RQ), and substrate oxidation values were assessed for 15 minutes during fasted conditions. Blood was drawn and skinfold anthropometry was performed to assess additional outcomes (inflammation, insulin resistance, lipid profiles, body composition). The participants completed a number of surveys that examined other lifestyle and demographic data of interest. At the postpartum visit, additional assessments regarding sleep and breastfeeding habits were administered. Results RMR was lower during postpartum (1517.2±225.1 kcal/day) compared to pregnancy (1867.9±302.6 kcal/day) (p<0.001), and remained lower when expressing RMR per kg body weight (postpartum: 22.3±2.7 vs pregnant: 23.7±3.4 kcal/kg, (p=0.034). Relative RMR (RMR per kg body weight) was negatively correlated to insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) during postpartum (r=-.463, p=0.034). Maternal HOMA-IR, inflammation (CRP), triglycerides (TAG), and carbohydrate oxidation were all positively correlated to postpartum weight retention (HOMA-IR: r=0.617, p=0.004; CRP: r=0.477, p=0.039, TAG: r=0.463, p=0.040; Carbohydrate Oxidation: (r=0.469, p=0.018). Conclusion Metabolic rate is lower during postpartum compared to pregnancy, and may be connected to insulin resistance. Maternal insulin resistance, inflammation, blood lipids, and substrate metabolism are all related to postpartum weight retention.
Efficient Uncertainty Tracking for Complex Queries with Attribute-level Bounds

Incomplete and probabilistic database techniques are principled methods for coping with uncertainty in data. Unfortunately, the class of queries that can be answered efficiently over such databases is severely limited, even when advanced approximation techniques are employed.We introduce attribute-annotated uncertain databases (AU-DBs), an uncertain data model that annotates tuples and attribute values with bounds to compactly approximate an incomplete database. AU-DBs are closed under relational algebra with aggregation using an efficient evaluation semantics. Using optimizations that trade accuracy for performance, our approach scales to complex queries and large datasets, and produces accurate results.
Similar Sensitivity to Ladder Contours in Macular Degeneration Patients and Controls

Purpose To determine whether people with central field loss (CFL) from macular degeneration have improved ability to recognize a particularly difficult spatial configuration embedded in noise, the peripherally-viewed ‘ladder contour’. The visibility of these configuration has been linked to general contour integration ability and crowding limitations in peripheral vision.
Sex steroid therapy in psychiatric disorders; the therapeutic effect of testosterone and estradiol on hospitalized psychotics: clinical findings.

The authors gratefully acknowledge the critical review of the manuscript by Dr. H. A. LaBurt, Senior Director, Creedmoor State Hospital, and Dr. Marvin Weinberg, and the co-operation of Dr. Jack Moore, Pathologist, and Dr. Felix Marti-Ibanez. The data for this paper were collected on hospitalized psychotic patients at Creedmoor State Hospital. The psychological material was surveyed by Miriam Siegel, Ph.D., of the van Ophuijsen Center. Appreciation is expressed to David Greenberg, who supervised the laboratory procedures, and to members of the staff, particularly Miss Laura Hicks, Mrs. Grace Brue, Mrs. Ann Nicoll, R.N., Miss Imie Lane and Mrs. Florence Levin for their earnest co-operation. The expenses were defrayed by a grant from the Sackler Foundation.
Battle of the Standards for Experts in Criminal Cases: Police vs. Psychologists

Expert testimony is an integral part of legal decision making. It informs judges and juries about a wide variety of topics. The assumption underlying its admission is that the average factfinder may lack enough knowledge about scientific or technical topics to make fully informed decisions in the absence of such testimony. Judges and juries are expected to be able to better understand these topics with the expert’s assistance. However, there is concern over exposing the factfinder to unreliable expert testimony in circumstances where the factfinder may erroneously place a great deal of weight on the testimony in their decision-making. Recent developments in the law regarding expert testimony have raised questions about how to limit the amount of unreliable expert testimony that is presented to the factfinders in order to prevent, as Professor Friedman puts it in his paper for this symposium, “jurors from being bamboozled by unreliable evidence.” Although these developments have theoretically altered the courts’ approach to expert testimony, significant questions, addressed by a number of papers in this symposium, still remain about whether the current approach attains an appropriate level of exclusion. For example, are admissibility standards too high or too low? In his paper, Professor Friedman advances a number of criticisms and suggestions about current expert testimony standards and practices. We take these comments as a launching point for our discussion and, as will become evident, address them from an
Siempre Mujer, Latina y Cosmopolitan en Español. Estado de las Revistas Femeninas para Hispanas en Estados Unidos

Desde finales de la decada de los noventa, Estados Unidos esta asistiendo al boom de los medios de comunicacion hispanos, auge consistente con el constante y rapido aumento de la poblacion de ascendencia hispanoamericana, que en la actualidad constituye el 15.5% del total. Como consecuencia, el numero de medios de masas latinos ha ido creciendo, como ejemplifica el segmento de publicaciones dirigidas especificamente a la mujer hispana, desde donde se han puesto a la venta diversas revistas de estilos de vida que la identifican como audiencia predilecta. El objetivo de este articulo es analizar dichas revistas para averiguar que contenidos las protagonizan y, como consecuencia, que idea de feminidad y, especificamente, de mujer latina acaban presentando precisamente los medios teoricamente concebidos para ella. Se analizaran medios en espanol, en ingles o en ambos idiomas que tengan como audiencia ideal a las hispanas y las revistas a estudiar seran aquellas que especificamente definan como su mision presentar un estilo de vida a su lectora. Abstract Since the late nineties, the U.S. has witnessed a boom in Hispanic communication media, a growth which is consistent with the constant and accelerated increase in the population of Hispanic descent, which currently constitutes 15.5% of the total. Consequently, Latin mass media have been growing, as evidenced by the group of publications targeted to Hispanic women, where several lifestyle magazines which identify them as a preferred audience have been made available in the market. The objective of this article is to analyze said magazines in order to identify the type of featured content, and consequently, determine the concept of femininity (and of Hispanic womanhood, in particular) that is ultimately presented in media conceived for them, in theory. Spanish, English and bilingual media targeting Hispanic women are analyzed, and the selected magazines for this study are those which specifically define as part of their mission statement to present a lifestyle to their readers.
The Mechanism of CD47-Dependent Killing of T Cells: Heterotrimeric Gi-Dependent Inhibition of Protein Kinase A

CD47 has been implicated in both positive and negative regulation of T cells as well as in T cell death. To clarify the role of CD47 in T cell function, we have studied the mechanism of T cell death in response to CD47 ligands, including mAb 1F7, thrombospondin-1, and a CD47 agonist peptide derived from it. CD47 −/− Jurkat T cells (JINB8) were resistant to killing by all three ligands, indicating the essential role of CD47. Primary human T cells were also killed by CD47 ligands, but only after activation with anti-CD3. CD47-mediated cell death occurred without active caspases, DNA fragmentation, or Bcl-2 degradation. Pretreatment of Jurkat and primary T cells with pertussis toxin (PTX) prevented CD47-mediated death, indicating the involvement of G iα . Pretreatment of T cells with 8-bromo cAMP, forskolin, or 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine prevented the CD47-mediated apoptosis, and 1F7 dramatically reduced intracellular cAMP levels, an effect reversed with PTX. H89 and protein kinase A (PKA) inhibitor peptide, a specific PKA inhibitor, prevented rescue of T cells by PTX, 8-bromo cAMP, and forskolin, indicating a direct role for one or more PKA substrates. Thus, CD47-mediated killing of activated T cells occurs by a novel pathway involving regulation of cAMP levels by heterotrimeric G iα with subsequent effects mediated by PKA.
Outcomes of long-term ventilator patients: a descriptive study

Background Long-term ICU patients who require prolonged mechanical ventilation are a growing segment of the in-hospital population. Despite recognition that this population is costly to care for no systematic research has been done on the characteristics, outcomes, and disposition of these patients after they leave the hospital. Objective To describe clinical and sociodemographic characteristics and outcomes of ICU patients who require long-term (5 days or more) mechanical ventilation while in the hospital. Methods A prospective, longitudinal descriptive design was used to study 57 ICU patients who required 5 days or more of continuous mechanical ventilation while in the hospital. Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected at the time of enrollment. Patients were followed up for up to 6 months after discharge from the hospital to ascertain disposition and morality. Results On average, patients had a hospital stay of almost 6 weeks and required mechanical ventilation for approximately 4 weeks; 43.9% of the patients died in the hospital. None of the patients discharged from the hospital were able to return home initially without assistance. By 6 months after discharge, more than 50% of the original sample and died, 9% resided in an institution, and 33% were living at home. Conclusions A large percentage of ICU patients who require 5 days or more of mechanical ventilation die in the hospital, and many of those who live spend considerable time in an extended-care facility before they are discharged to their homes. These likely outcomes of patients who require long-term ventilation should be discussed with patients and their families to assist them in making informed decisions.
Changes in Optimism Are Associated with Changes in Health Over Time Among Older Adults

Little is known about how optimism differs by age and changes over time, particularly among older adults. Even less is known about how changes in optimism are related to changes in physical health. We examined age differences and longitudinal changes in optimism in 9,790 older adults over a four-year period. We found an inverted U-shaped pattern between optimism and age both cross-sectionally and longitudinally, such that optimism generally increased in older adults before decreasing. Increases in optimism over a four-year period were associated with improvements in self-rated health and fewer chronic illnesses over the same time frame. The findings from the current study are consistent with changes in emotion regulation strategies employed by older adults and age-related changes in well-being.
Towards the design of a heterogenous hierarchical machine: a simulation approach

HPAM_Sim is an execution driven simulator of heterogeneous machines. HPAM_Sim allows the simulation of target machines consisting of different processors and interconnection networks. HPAM_Sim attempts to reduce simulation time by using lightweight threads and static augmentation. Additionally, simulation can be performed either in contention or non contention mode. The results of HPAM_Sim simulations were validated using two complementary approaches. As illustrated by an example, HPAM_Sim is very flexible and allows the simulation of various heterogeneous machines with non traditional organizations.
Evidence for large lattice relaxation at the DX center in Si-doped AlxGa

New measurements of the energy dependence of the photoionization cross section of the DX center in Si-doped ${\mathrm{Al}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$As are reported. With the use of a tunable infrared laser which provides sufficient light intensity in a very narrow wavelength range, the photoionization cross section has been measured over 6--8 orders of magnitude in samples with a variety of alloy compositions and doping concentrations. No measurable signal was observed for photon energies less than 0.8 eV. Data are analyzed in terms of a simple model which gives a value of 1.4--1.8 eV for the photoionization threshold energy. This energy is much larger than the DX-center binding energy, confirming that there is a large relaxation of the lattice when charge is captured at the DX center. The phonon mode involved in the lattice relaxation is found to be 5.5 meV.
Test of a technique for planning medical procedures in preventive health examination programs

Abstract This paper reports on a retrospective test of a linear programming (LP) technique for planning of medical procedures in preventive health examination (PHE) programs. The technique itself has been published earlier; hence only a brief review is presented here. The test was, in essence, a comparison between a PHE program run along conventional lines (all procedures to all patients) and a PHE program guided by the LP technique. The results showed that the LP technique has several advantages over the conventional mode of operation.
Western intensification in a rotating water tunnel

Abstract A linear theory is advanced on the flow in a rotating water tunnel through which a recirculation is maintained longitudinally at a constant rate. The water tunnel is of rectangular cross-section and possesses a bottom which rises steadily downstream. The theoretical flow is concentrated along the left side and becomes analogous to the western intensification of currents in the real ocean. Laboratory experiments were carried out to verify the theoretical prediction. The precise measurement of fluid velocities was accomplished with the pH indicator technique. The comparison of logitudinal velocities between the experiment and theory is satisfactory. Based on the verified theory, the upwelling and subsidence along the left side wall are discussed. In addition, several exploratory experiments are reported showing the influence of a simulated continental slope and of a submarine ridge on the boundary current on a β-plane.
Embrittlement of Grain Boundaries by Equilibrium Segregation

EQUILIBRIUM segregation of impurities or solute elements has frequently been suggested as a cause of grain boundary embrittlement in metals and metallic compounds, but the evidence has been largely indirect. Even if the existence of grain boundary segregation be granted in specific instances, the manner in which such segregation might give rise to embrittlement has remained wholely speculative. It is the purpose of this communication to report that in a large number of cases where boundary segregation is established, suspected, or possible, a significant hardening of the grain boundary region relative to that of the interior of the grain is observed by micro-hardness measurements.
Math Preparation of Undergraduates in General Chemistry, a Gatekeeper Course Required for Biophysicists

Gatekeeper courses for undergraduates wishing to pursue careers in biophysics and other STEM fields include introductory chemistry, physics, and biology. At the University of Washington, as at many other peer institutions, a high level of math is required for enrollment in main sequence General Chemistry. Specifically, students must have fulfilled a calculus requirement or be co-enrolled in calculus. Moreover, the average high school GPA of freshmen entering directly from high school is 3.7. Nevertheless, we find that significant fractions of students enrolled in General Chemistry are unable to complete problems in which they are asked to manipulate exponents (∼20%), logarithms (∼40-50%), or probabilities (∼40%). Researchers at University of Minnesota have documented similar results [Leopold and Edgar, 2008, Chemical Education Research 85:724]. We find that some math deficiencies among undergraduates persist into the senior year, at least for biochemistry majors. Here we track undergraduate math competencies through the first two academic terms of General Chemistry after introducing an intervention of a math quiz and feedback. We separately track competencies after student use of a program called ALEKS, which uses adaptive questioning to determine student competencies and then instruct on deficient topics.
Toward Policies and Decision-Making for Dam Removal

Dam removal has emerged as a critical issue in environmental management. Agencies responsible for dams face a drastic increase in the number of potential dam removals in the near future. Given limited resources, these agencies need to develop ways to decide which dams should be removed and in what order. The underlying science of dam removal is relatively undeveloped and most agencies faced with dam removal lack a coherent purpose for removing dams. These shortcomings can be overcome by the implementation of two policies by agencies faced with dam removal: (1) the development and adoption of a prioritization scheme for what constitutes an important dam removal, and (2) the establishment of minimum levels of analysis prior to decision-making about a dam removal. Federal and state agencies and the scientific community must encourage an initial experimental phase of dam removal during which only a few dams are removed, and these are studied intensively. This will allow for the development of the fundamental scientific understanding needed to support effective decision-making in the future and minimize the risk of disasters arising from poorly thought out dam removal decisions.
Bipole patterns revealed by lightning locations in mesoscale storm systems

A bipole pattern has been observed in the locations of lightning flashes that lower positive and negative charge to earth in mesoscale storm systems. The pattern has a characteristic size of about 100 km and may last for many hours. The pattern is aligned with the upper level winds and has been observed in all seasons, but is more apparent in the fall and winter. The ratio of the positive flash density to the negative flash density is approximately 0.1, but varies from 0.05 to 0.2. This ratio occurs because there are fewer positive flashes and they are more spatially dispersed than negative flashes in storm systems.
Hexagonal Pencil Rolling on an Inclined Plane

An everyday example of a nonholonomic mechanical system is a pencil rolling on an inclined plane. Aspects of the motion are discussed in various approximations, of which the most realistic assumes rolling without sliding and that a constant fraction of the pencil’s kinetic energy is retained after each collision with the plane.
Perceived Burdensomeness in Older Adults and Perceptions of Burden on Spouses and Children.

Older adults are at high risk for suicide, and perceived burdensomeness is an important suicide risk factor in this population. Additionally, previous research indicates that older adults feel like a burden on their spouses most often, though perceptions of burden on younger generations were associated with greater overall perceived burdensomeness. The current study sought to clarify this complex pattern of results, and found that perceptions of burden on a spouse were linked to the most severe form of perceived burdensomeness—belief that others would be better off if one were gone—though perceptions of burden on a child were not significantly associated with this most severe form of perceived burdensomeness in the current sample. These results indicate that older adults’ perceptions of burdensomeness on a spouse may be especially harmful. Clinical implications, including the need to assess not only whether older adults perceive themselves to be a burden on others, but also who is perceived to be burdened...
The Political Discourse of the Campaign Against Bilingual Education: From Proposition 227 to Horne v. Flores

Using the frameworks ofcritical discourse analysis, representation theory, and legitimization theory, this study examines the political discourse of the campaign for Proposition 227 in California—particularly, the key social representations of languages, their speakers, and the main political actors in the campaign. The analysis examines the campaign's successfully articulated discourse of language that influenced subsequent political campaigns in Arizona, Massachusetts, and Colorado, as well as the 2009 Supreme Court decision in the case of Horne v. Flores. The article concludes with a call for a new discursive framework for language in education policy that would permit a serious and reasoned public debate about teaching languages in American schools.
Minimally Invasive Living Donor Hepatectomy

Laparoscopic approaches to complex hepatobiliary cases are becoming more commonplace. As the practice of living donor liver transplants (LDLT) has evolved into an accepted alternative for certain patients as a source of donor organs, the application of laparoscopic techniques to these operations has also been introduced with an interest in improving donor outcomes and potential appeal of the donor procedure. The scope of laparoscopy ranges from the laparoscopically assisted left or right hepatic lobectomy (“hybrid”) approach, to pure laparoscopic left lateral segments. Recently, robotic and purely laparoscopic approaches to right and left lobes have been reported by advanced minimally invasive surgeons with extensive experience in robotic and laparoscopic liver resection. Safety remains paramount to the performance of LDLT, and laparoscopic techniques must always be considered in light of optimal donor safety.
Going Boldly Beyond the Reference Desk: Practical Advice and Learning Plans for New Reference Librarians Performing Liaison Work

Our article provides new reference librarians with practical recommendations and learning plans so that they can succeed as liaisons. Drawing from our experiences as new librarians, we explain how to practice continual learning, stay on top of the constantly changing environment of a liaison, pilot different techniques, and assess liaison work.
Intracardiac thrombus and tricuspid valve obstruction: a complication of Hickman catheter use.

The risk of catheter-related sepsis is well recognized in immunocompromised patients with an indwelling central Tenons line, but the hazard of thrombus involving the right atrium is less well known. We report the case of a child who died after intraatrial thrombus obstructed the tricuspid valve. The predisposing factors and available treatment strategies are discussed.
Molecular Determinants of Phospholipid Synergy in Blood Clotting

Many regulatory processes in biology involve reversible association of proteins with membranes. Clotting proteins bind to phosphatidylserine (PS) on cell surfaces, but a clear picture of this interaction has yet to emerge. We present a novel explanation for membrane binding by GLA domains of clotting proteins, supported by biochemical studies, solid-state NMR analyses, and molecular dynamics simulations. The model invokes a single "phospho-L-serine-specific" interaction and multiple "phosphate-specific" interactions. In the latter, the phosphates in phospholipids interact with tightly bound Ca(2+) in GLA domains. We show that phospholipids with any headgroup other than choline strongly synergize with PS to enhance factor X activation. We propose that phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin (the major external phospholipids of healthy cells) are anticoagulant primarily because their bulky choline headgroups sterically hinder access to their phosphates. Following cell damage or activation, exposed PS and phosphatidylethanolamine collaborate to bind GLA domains by providing phospho-L-serine-specific and phosphate-specific interactions, respectively.
Missing Pages From the Human Story: World History According to Texas Standards

For more than a decade, the world history course taught in the public high schools of Texas has provided the only comprehensive overview of the story of humanity to millions of students, most of whom are of Mexican descent. The Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills curriculum standard for world history has been foundational for textbook selection, teacher training, and high-stakes standardized tests. This investigation focused on an analysis of these standards and discovered significant bias and omissions that minimize or distort the historical and cultural significance of Mexico and Latin America as well as civilizations throughout the Third World.
Deep current observations in the Western North Atlantic

Abstract Two series of direct current measurements across the region inshore of the Gulf Stream have been made. Both show westward movement in the deep water and when taken in conjunction with the measurements off Cape Romain reported by Swallow and Worthington further support the existence of the deep current along the East coast of the United States suggested by Stommel . Small scale deviations in the relationship between potential temperature and salinity were noted and while a detailed correlation between these and the observed motions was not obtained, the data suggest that they are not independent.
Amino terminal regions of poliovirus 2C protein mediate membrane binding.

Abstract The poliovirus-encoded, membrane-associated polypeptide 2C is required for viral replication. We have expressed 2C, its precursor 2BC, and a number of 20 deletion mutants in eukaryotic (HeLa) cells and examined their localization using indirect immunofluorescence. Results presented here demonstrate that proteins 2C and 2BC are capable of localizing to the endoplasmic reticulum area in transfected cells in the absence of other poliovirus proteins. Additionally, 2C binds tightly to microsomal membranes in a direct in vitro membrane binding assay. Although the 2C protein lacks a defined membrane binding domain, we demonstrate that the N-terminal region encompassing amino acids 21-54 and containing a putative amphipathic helix plays an important role in membrane binding both in vivo and in vitro . In contrast, most of the C-terminus portion of the protein appears to be unnecessary for membrane association. The susceptibility of membrane-associated 2C to proteinase K digestion in vitro suggests that all or most of 2C is exposed to the cytoplasmic face of the membrane. Furthermore, unlike most proteins targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum, 2C does not appear to be glycosylated or cleaved by signal peptidases. The implication of the membrane binding domain of 2C in viral RNA replication is discussed.
To Survive, To Become: Our Way of Life (Presidential Address)

Occupational therapy's domain consists of a carefully compounded alchemy of a great vision, transforming the "poetry of the commonplace" into a vital sustainer and prolonger of precious life. Through the judicious application of an unique technology--human occupation--cautiously blended with timeless values and beliefs, we will inevitably succeed where others have failed. The grand tasks of occupational therapy abide and endure: to attend to the multiple, complex, interrelated, and critical human activities of not just living, but living well. Through the habits of attention and interest, we engage the human in regaining the harmony of functions that ensure survival, retaining those characteristics that facilitate and push balanced growth and development, and attaining those interdependent meanings of a purposeful, fulfilled life within the context of a personal and social order.