cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blind Identification of 2-Channel IIR Wave Propagation Systems for Central Cardiovascular Monitoring

This paper presents a new approach to blind identification of a class of 2-channel infinite impulse response (IIR) systems describing the wave propagation dynamics. For these systems, this paper derives a blind identifiability condition and develops a blind identification algorithm, which is capable of uniquely determining both the numerator and denominator polynomials of the channel dynamics. The efficacy of the method is illustrated by a 2-sensor central cardiovascular monitoring application as an example, where the cardiovascular blood pressure wave propagation dynamics is identified and the aortic signals are reconstructed from blood pressure measurements at two distinct extremity locations. Experimental results using a swine subject illustrate how the new blind identification approach effectively identifies cardiovascular dynamics and reconstructs the aortic blood pressure and flow signals very accurately from two distinct peripheral blood pressure measurements under diverse physiologic conditions.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Local times on curves and uniform invariance principles

Sufficient conditions are given for a family of local times |L t µ | ofd-dimensional Brownian motion to be jointly continuous as a function oft and μ. Then invariance principles are given for the weak convergence of local times of lattice valued random walks to the local times of Brownian motion, uniformly over a large family of measures. Applications included some new results for intersection local times for Brownian motions on ℝ2 and ℝ2.
The split abdominal wall muscle flap—a simple, mesh-free approach to repair large diaphragmatic hernia

Abstract Purpose: The authors present a technique to repair large diaphragmatic hernias that is simple, can be done primarily, and offers a durable closure with living tissue. Methods: A review of congenital diaphragmatic hernias was performed for the period between January 1991 and August 2000. Repair types included primary repair, synthetic patch, or a split abdominal wall muscle flap. The split abdominal wall muscle flap is performed by downward rotation of the internal oblique and transversalis abdominal wall muscles. This repair requires that the initial subcostal incision be positioned at least 4 to 5 cm below the costal margin, low enough to insure an adequate length of muscle will be available to fill the defect. Results: Eight of 158 children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia underwent repair by abdominal wall muscle flap. Five of 8 had complete agenesis. Five survived the newborn period. Of the survivors, 4 of 5 required an additional surgical procedure, but none have had a recurrent hernia. Conclusions: The split abdominal wall muscle flap is an effective technique to close large diaphragmatic hernias. The repair was carried out successfully in 8 patients with massive defects. In the surviving patients, the repair has proven to be a durable restoration of the diaphragm.
Blocking intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on human epithelial cells decreases respiratory syncytial virus infection.

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes potentially fatal lower respiratory tract infection in infants. The molecular mechanism of RSV infection is unknown. Our data show that RSV colocalizes with intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) on the HEp-2 epithelial cell surface. Furthermore, a neutralizing anti-ICAM-1 mAb significantly inhibits RSV infection and infection-induced secretion of proinflammatory chemokine RANTES and mediator ET-1 in HEp-2 cells. Similar decrease in RSV infection is also observed in A549, a type-2 alveolar epithelial cell line, and NHBE, the normal human bronchial epithelial cell line when pretreated with anti-ICAM-1 mAb prior to RSV infection. Incubation of virus with soluble ICAM-1 also significantly decreases RSV infection of epithelial cells. Binding studies using ELISA indicate that RSV binds to ICAM-1, which can be inhibited by an antibody to the fusion F protein and also the recombinant F protein can bind to soluble ICAM-1, suggesting that RSV interaction with ICAM-1 involves the F protein. It is thus concluded that ICAM-1 facilitates RSV entry and infection of human epithelial cells by binding to its F protein, which is important to viral replication and infection and may lend itself as a therapeutic target.
Impact of integrating knowledge-based technologies in manufacturing: an evaluation

Abstract Knowledge-based technologies offer significant benefits in innovating manufacturing systems. However, evaluation of the actual impact, including cost, effort and limitations as well as advantages of these technologies is required before their wide applications can be justified. An impact evaluation approach is discussed, and specific impacts on the quality of results and efficiency are evaluated in two specific areas: knowledge-based facility planning using FADES and QLAARP, and knowledge-based production scheduling using TDKA.
Challenges add up in quantifying radiative impact of mineral dust

Predicting the diverse radiative impact of mineral dust has several significant, related challenges. One is to quantify the complex spatial and temporal variations of dust burden. Another is to quantitatively relate the properties of dust and its radiative effects to dust life cycle in the atmosphere. The basic physics behind the processes governing the production, transport, and evolution of mineral aerosols are understood. But the state-of-the-art climate and chemistry model predictions rely heavily on oversimplified parameterizations of some of these processes while ignoring others. As a result the magnitude and even the sign of dust net (solar plus IR) direct radiative forcing of climate remains unclear. Interdisciplinary research efforts to integrate modeling with the laboratory, in situ, and satellite measurements could provide a new perspective on improving quantification.
Antiproliferative actions of insulin-like growth factor binding protein (IGFBP)-3 in human breast cancer cells

A number of lines of evidence suggest that IGFs are important mitogens in human breast cancer: (1) IGFs are the most potent growth factor in human breast cancer cells; (2) estrogen stimulates expression of IGF-II and the type 1 IGF receptor; and (3) stromal cells express IGFs, which may act in a paracrine manner. Numerous studies have demonstrated that IGFBPs modulate the mitogenic effects of IGFs in the local environment. In particular, we have recently demonstrated that IGFBP-3 inhibits the growth of Hs578T and MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells in an IGF-independent manner. Further studies revealed the existence of cell surface-associated IGFBP-3 receptors. Receptor binding and the subsequent antiproliferative action of IGFBP-3 was inhibited by IGFs, owing to the formation of an IGF-IGFBP-3 complex that prevents the binding of IGFBP-3 to its receptors. In addition, exogeneously added soluble heparin or heparan sulfate inhibited the binding of IGFBP-3 to the cell surface in a dose-dependent manner. However, when heparin and heparan sulfate linkages of glycosaminoglycans on the cell surface were enzymatically remove, IGFBP-3 binding was only minimally affected. These data suggest that soluble heparin or heparan sulfate forms a complex with IGFBP-3, thereby inhibiting receptor binding of IGFBP-3, rather than competing with cell-surface glycosaminoglycans for binding of IGFBP-3. Additionally, the role of IGFBP-3 in the antiproliferative effects of transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta and retinoic acid (RA) is supported by our observations that: (1) inhibition of IGFBP-3 gene expression using an IGFNBP-3 antisense oligodeoxynucleotide not only blocks TGF-beta and RA simulation of IGFBP-3 production by up to 90%m but also inhibits their antiproliferative effects by 40-60%; and (2) treatment with IGF-II and IGF-II analogs diminish TGF-beta effects by blocking TGF-beta induced binding of IGFBP-3 to the cell surface. Taken together, our results support the hypothesis that IGFBP-3 is an important antiproliferative factor in human breast cancer, acting in an IGF-independent manner in addition to its ability to modulate the binding of IGF peptides to IGF receptors.
THE EFFECT OF TWO NEW α‐GLUCOSIDASE INHIBITORS ON METABOLIC RESPONSES TO A MIXED MEAL IN NORMAL VOLUNTEERS

1. alpha-Glucosidase inhibitors delay carbohydrate absorption and have been proposed as adjunctive therapy for diabetes mellitus. 2. To determine the effects of two new alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, Bay-m-1099 and Bay-o-1248, on meal carbohydrate and lipid tolerance, plasma glucose, insulin and triglyceride levels were measured at 15-60 min intervals over 12 h after ingestion of a standard breakfast, lunch and dinner of identical composition in 31 normal volunteers. 3. The volunteers were randomized to receive either Bay-m-1099 (50 or 25 mg) or placebo prior to each meal, or the single administration of Bay-o-1248 (20 or 10 mg) or placebo prior to breakfast. 4. Only Bay-m-1099 at the 50 mg dose reduced significantly the postprandial increase in plasma insulin levels after each meal when compared with placebo (25, 36, 54% at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, respectively; P less than 0.05). Both drugs were well tolerated, with side effects limited to complaints of flatulence. 5. Thus, with the dosage schedule employed, Bay-m-1099, but not Bay-o-1248, significantly reduced postprandial increments in plasma insulin.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF COBALT REQUIREMENT TO PROPIONATE METABOLISM IN RHIZOBIUM.

Cobalt is known to be essential for symbiotic nitrogen fixation by legumes (l-5), but a requirement of the element for growth of leguminous plants supplied with adequate fixed nitrogen has not been shown. Ahmed and Evans (3) provided evidence that cobalt was required for the bacteria within the nodules of inoculated legumes but was not required for the leguminous plants per se. Lowe, Evans, and Ahmed (6) and Lowe and Evans (7) subsequently showed that cobalt is necessary for normal growth of five species of Rhixobium. More recently, Kliewer and Evans (8-10) analyzed nodules of a variety of symbionts and cells from several species of Rhizobium and observed the presence of cobamide coenzymes in each of the organisms. In addition, they (9) isolated and identified the dimethylbenaimidazolylcobamide coenzyme in extracts of cells isolated from soybean nodules and in cells of a pure culture of Rhizobium meliloti and presented data (10) showing that cobalt deficiency not only limited the growth of Rhizobium japonicum and R. meliloti but also limited the synthesis of cobamide coenzymes in these organisms. The Bn coenzyme has been shown to be involved in propionate metabolism in animals (11-13) and in Propionibacterium sherma&i (14, 15). In addition, Arnstein and White (16) have shown that Bn deficiency in Ochromonas malhamensis resulted in a reduced capacity of the organism to oxidize propionate. Ayers (17) has described similar effects of Blz deficiency in a Flavobacterium species. On the basis of these reports, experiments were conducted to determine whether Rhizobium would metabolize propionate and the possible effect of cobalt deficiency on propionate utilization in these bacteria. In a preliminary communication (18), evidence was presented showing that the rate of oxidation of propionate by cell suspensions of R. meliloti was strikingly affected by the concentration of cobalt in the culture medium. In contrast, the oxidation of glutamate was not affected by cobalt deficiency. In this paper, evidence is presented showing that enzymes necessary for the catalysis of the conversion of propionate to succinyl coenzyme A by a pathway involving methylmalonyl coenzyme A are widely distributed in Rhizobium and that cobalt deficiency in R. meliloti results in insufficient Blz coenzyme for the function of methylmalonyl coenzyme A mutase in cell-free extracts.
Brønsted acid catalyzed intramolecular benzylic cyclizations of alkylpyridines.

Aldehyde and ketone electrophiles incorporated into the side chains of 2- and 4-alkylpyridines participate in intramolecular aldol-like condensations with pyridine benzylic carbons in the presence of Bronsted acid catalysts. Pyridines featuring β-ketoamide side chains undergo cyclization in the presence of 10 mol% TfOH to afford pyridyl-substituted hydroxy lactams in good yield. These products were found to be resistant to further dehydration under a variety of conditions, however treatment with thionyl chloride elicited an unusual dehydration/oxidation reaction sequence. In contrast, acid-catalyzed cyclization of pyridines tethered to aliphatic aldehydes with amine linkers gives pyridyl-substituted dehydro-piperidine products. Similarly, intramolecular condensation of salicylaldehyde- and salicylketone-substituted pyridines affords pyridyl-substituted benzofurans.
Unusual presentations of aorto-enteric fistula.

Abstract Background Aorto-enteric fistula is rare but can result in exsanguination without timely surgery or endovascular stent placement. Methods Four cases of aorto-enteric fistula were reviewed in which the presentation was unusual and diagnosis difficult. Observations The first patient had an aorto-sigmoid fistula in the setting of an aorto-bi-femoral graft. Two patients had a primary aorto-enteric fistula, one to the stomach from a suprarenal aortic aneurysm, and the other, to the duodenum in the setting of retroperitoneal spread of renal cancer. The aortoduodenal fistula recurred in the 4th patient within 3 months of surgical repair; this patient is the only one who survived long term. Conclusions When presentation is atypical, the diagnosis of aorto-enteric fistula can be extremely difficult. Because investigative studies are not consistently useful in making a definitive pre-operative diagnosis, a strong index of clinical suspicion and a willingness to consider surgical exploration are essential for timely and successful management.
Medicolegal Sidebar: Corporate Relationships and Increased Surgeon Liability Risk

In our last column (January 2013; http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11999-012-2686-8) [1], we addressed the subject of corporate malfeasance and associated surgeon liability in relation to off-label marketing of Norian bone void filler by device manufacturer Synthes. The federal criminal complaint in that case was directed at the company, and corporate executives at Synthes received jail sentences for their misconduct. The concern for consulting surgeons who helped market and promote Norian for a non-FDA-approved use—vertebroplasty—was that the corporate malfeasance could exaggerate surgeon liability, as injured patients sued individual surgeons for damages related to Norian used in vertebroplasty. In this column, we examine the unusual outcome of a civil lawsuit filed against an orthopaedic surgeon and a device company, with the goal of understanding the mechanisms of surgeon-industry relations; while financially rewarding, they can expose surgeons to substantial liability risk. The case described below has educational value for the orthopaedic community; all identities and factual information below are drawn from publicly available sources [3, 4]. We conclude by offering practical pointers to help avoid the scenario described below.
Launch summary for 1978-1982

Data pertinent to the launching of space probes, soundings rockets, and satellites presented in tables include launch date, time, and site; agency rocket identification; sponsoring country or countries; instruments carried for experiments; the peak altitude achieved by the rockets; and the apoapsis and periapsis for satellites. The experimenter or institution involved in the launching is also cited.
Spiral bevel gear damage detection using decision fusion analysis

A diagnostic tool for detecting damage to spiral bevel gears was developed. Two different monitoring technologies, oil debris analysis and vibration, were integrated using data fusion into a health monitoring system for detecting surface fatigue pitting damage on gears. This integrated system showed improved detection and decision-making capabilities as compared to using individual monitoring technologies. This diagnostic tool was evaluated by collecting vibration and oil debris data from fatigue tests performed in the NASA Glenn Spiral Bevel Gear Fatigue Rigs. Data was collected during experiments performed in this test rig when pitting damage occurred. Results show that combining the vibration and oil debris measurement technologies improves the detection of pitting damage on spiral bevel gears.
Robust Principal Component Analysis: Exact Recovery of Corrupted Low-Rank Matrices via Convex Optimization

Principal component analysis is a fundamental operation in computational data analysis, with myriad applications ranging from web search to bioinformatics to computer vision and image analysis. However, its performance and applicability in real scenarios are limited by a lack of robustness to outlying or corrupted observations. This paper considers the idealized "robust principal component analysis" problem of recovering a low rank matrix A from corrupted observations D = A + E. Here, the corrupted entries E are unknown and the errors can be arbitrarily large (modeling grossly corrupted observations common in visual and bioinformatic data), but are assumed to be sparse. We prove that most matrices A can be efficiently and exactly recovered from most error sign-and-support patterns by solving a simple convex program, for which we give a fast and provably convergent algorithm. Our result holds even when the rank of A grows nearly proportionally (up to a logarithmic factor) to the dimensionality of the observation space and the number of errors E grows in proportion to the total number of entries in the matrix. A by-product of our analysis is the first proportional growth results for the related problem of completing a low-rank matrix from a small fraction of its entries. Simulations and real-data examples corroborate the theoretical results, and suggest potential applications in computer vision.
Towards end-to-end security in branchless banking

Mobile-based branchless banking has become one of the key mechanisms for extending financial services to low-income populations in the world's developing regions. One shortcoming of today's branchless banking systems is that they rely largely on network-layer services for securing transactions and do not implement any application-layer security. Recent results show that several of these systems are, in fact, not end-to-end secure.In this paper, we make the case for designing mobile-based branchless banking systems which build security into the application layer and guarantee end-to-end security to system users. We present a threat model which captures the goals of authenticated transactions in these systems and then provide recommendations for solution design based on our model's requirements.
Platelets: a multiscale approach for recovering edges and surfaces in photon-limited medical imaging

The nonparametric multiscale platelet algorithms presented in this paper, unlike traditional wavelet-based methods, are both well suited to photon-limited medical imaging applications involving Poisson data and capable of better approximating edge contours. This paper introduces platelets, localized functions at various scales, locations, and orientations that produce piecewise linear image approximations, and a new multiscale image decomposition based on these functions. Platelets are well suited for approximating images consisting of smooth regions separated by smooth boundaries. For smoothness measured in certain Holder classes, it is shown that the error of m-term platelet approximations can decay significantly faster than that of m-term approximations in terms of sinusoids, wavelets, or wedgelets. This suggests that platelets may outperform existing techniques for image denoising and reconstruction. Fast, platelet-based, maximum penalized likelihood methods for photon-limited image denoising, deblurring and tomographic reconstruction problems are developed. Because platelet decompositions of Poisson distributed images are tractable and computationally efficient, existing image reconstruction methods based on expectation-maximization type algorithms can be easily enhanced with platelet techniques. Experimental results suggest that platelet-based methods can outperform standard reconstruction methods currently in use in confocal microscopy, image restoration, and emission tomography.
Frequency dependent analysis of shielded asymmetric coplanar waveguide step discontinuity

Frequency dependent analysis of shielded asymmetric coplanar waveguide (CPW) step discontinuity is presented for the first time, based on the mode matching procedure. Special attention is given to the modal orthogonality criterion and the conservation of power. There is a good agreement between the calculated scattering parameters of a symmetric CPW step discontinuity using the developed analysis and those published previously. >
Functional Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation Myocardial Viability as a Predictor of Postoperative Outcome After Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Ischemic cardiomyopathy is the most common cause of heart failure in the United States.1 This advanced form of coronary artery disease is marked by diffuse myocardial damage, left ventricular remodeling, and often functional ischemic mitral regurgitation (MR).2 Whether moderate functional ischemic MR in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy should be addressed with mitral valve repair at the time of coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) has been debated for a decade.3–7 Arguments against concomitant mitral valve repair are that CABG alone, by decreasing ischemia and improving left ventricular function, often decreases functional ischemic MR, and adding mitral valve repair to CABG increases operative complexity and risk. Arguments favoring concomitant mitral valve repair are that mitral valve repair consistently decreases functional ischemic MR, and CABG alone does not predictably improve postoperative MR. Article see p 1474 In this issue of Circulation , Penicka and colleagues8 present an elegantly designed and conducted study to help solve this surgical conundrum. They demonstrate that in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and moderate MR, the presence of preoperative myocardial viability in the areas adjacent to the papillary muscles and absence of papillary muscle dyssynchrony were associated with a reduction in MR after isolated CABG. This observational study included 135 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ejection fraction <45%) and moderate MR who underwent CABG without mitral valve repair. Preoperative echocardiographic evaluation of functional ischemic MR included measurements of severity of MR based on the width of vena contracta and the ratio of regurgitant jet to left atrial area. Measurements of mitral valve tenting and displacement of mitral coaptation were used to assess changes in mitral valve geometry caused by left ventricular remodeling. Dyssynchrony between the papillary muscles was determined by …
Tissue viability thresholds in acute stroke: the 4-factor model.

And the LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language; and this is only the beginning of what they will do; and nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.” Genesis 11:6 Defining thresholds of tissue viability in ischemic stroke is not quite a problem of biblical proportions, but it has become a matter reminiscent of the story of Babel. From the earliest PET studies of altered tissue hemodynamics and metabolism 2 decades ago1 through the most sophisticated multiparametric models using MRI,2 investigators have worked to determine thresholds on imaging measures of stroke patients that would distinguish regions destined to recover spontaneously, from those irreversibly injured and destined to infarct, from those threatened but potentially viable—the ischemic penumbra. The answer has been given dozens of times by dozens of investigators, and it has been a different answer each time it has been given. This observation is not meant to be dismissive of the important work that has been done toward this goal, but to underscore the difficulty in studying the problem, a difficulty compounded by the fact that no two investigative groups have approached the problem in the exact same manner. The articles of Oppenheim and colleagues in the current3 and recent4 issues of Stroke are excellent examples of MRI work investigating the value of single tissue parameters in predicting outcome. Their studies contained relatively large sample sizes for studies of this type. The patients were untreated and studied within 6 hours …
Radix-based digital calibration technique for multi-stage ADC

This paper describes a digital-domain self-calibration technique for a multi-stage analog-to-digital converter (ADC). An accurate calibration is achieved by using a modified radix-based calculation. The equivalent radix-based error term for each stage is extracted by measuring major carry jumps from the ADC transfer curve. A new multiplying digital-to-analog converter (MDAC) architecture using V/sub ref//2 (instead of V/sub ref/) is used to reduce the number of error terms in each stage. The radix-based digital calibration technique calibrates capacitor mismatch as well as finite opamp DC gain, while the digital redundancy compensates for opamp and comparator offsets and signal-independent charge injection.
Cytochrome P450s CYP6D3 and CYP6D1 are part of a P450 gene cluster on autosome 1 in the house fly

The P450 monooxygenases of insects are important in the metabolism of numerous endogenous and exogenous compounds. However, identity of the P450 isoform(s) involved in these reactions is rarely known. A critical first step in the identification of important P450s is the cloning and sequencing of their genes. Toward this goal we report the genomic sequence of a new cytochrome P450, termed CYP6D3, from the house fly, Musca domestica. CYP6D3 is part of a P450 gene cluster located on chromosome 1 and is located upstream of a related gene, CYP6D1. The similar genetic structures of CYP6D3 and CYP6D1 (5 exons and 4 introns of similar length) suggest one of these genes may have been the result of a duplication event. The CYP6D3 deduced amino acid sequence indicates a protein with 518 amino acids and a molecular weight of 59.3 kDa. The CYP6D3 protein is most similar to house fly CYP6D1 (78%) and Cyp6D2 (56%) from Drosophila melanogaster. The deduced amino acid sequences of CYP6D3 and CYP6D1 are identical at the Helix I and heme binding regions.
Effect of volume unloading surgery on coronary flow dynamics in patients with aortic atresia

Abstract Objectives: The objectives of this study were to define physiologic effects on and a clinical correlate to coronary blood flow during volume unloading surgery in patients with aortic atresia. Methods: Twenty-two patients with aortic atresia (group I, 13 patients with stage I reconstruction undergoing hemi-Fontan operation; group II, 9 patients with hemi-Fontan undergoing Fontan operation) underwent perioperative transesophageal echocardiography. Doppler spectral patterns, peak velocity, velocity time integral, and blood flow in the native ascending aorta were measured. Preoperative hemodynamics and postoperative clinical data were analyzed. Significance was defined as p Results: Higher values of coronary blood flow (982.9 ± 321.7 vs 548.6 ± 333.8 ml/min per square meter), velocity time integral (20.7 ± 5.6 vs 12.6 ± 4.0 cm), and peak velocity (96.1 ± 21.4 vs 51.0 ± 18.2 cm/sec) were found before operation in group I than after operation and in group II at both times. Flow changed from predominately systolic in preoperative group I to both systolic and diastolic after operation and in group II. Before operation in groups I and II, a number of hemodynamic parameters such as superior vena cava oxygen saturation correlated with coronary blood flow dynamics. After operation in group II, urine output ( r = 0.86) and central venous pressure ( r = −0.85) correlated with coronary blood flow dynamics. Conclusion: Coronary blood flow parameters were higher in group I as a result of the increased energy needs required to pump to two circulations. No changes were found in group II. A number of coronary blood flow parameters correlated with preoperative hemodynamics and postoperative clinical data. These parameters appear to be useful in assessing the performance status of the myocardium after the Fontan operation, consistent with the notion that myocardial perfusion relates directly to ventricular function. (J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1997;113:718-27)
SHOULD PEERS' EVALUATIONS BE USED IN CLASS PROJECTS?: QUESTIONS REGARDING RELIABILITY, LENIENCY, AND ACCEPTANCE

This is a description of use of a rating system in which both students (peers) and an instructor evaluated the performance of 32 debate teams and 136 peer team members, with peers' and the instruct...
Magnesium and hyaluronidase inhibitor of blood serum.

SummaryMagnesium ion has been found to be essential for the hyaluronidase inhibitor activity of human blood under the conditions of the in vitro assay. The minimum amount of magnesium required for expression of maximum activity has been determined for the as-say method employed in these laboratories.
“Permission to Speak”: A Postcolonial View on Racialized Bodies and PE in the Current Context of Globalization

The current neoliberal context of schools presents difficult challenges in addressing persistent issues of social inequalities. In this article, first, I argue that because of today's market-driven education, the rise of fitness testing in school physical education (PE) can be seriously detrimental to young people in general and to ethnic-minority young people's embodied identity in particular. Second, I explain how the racialization process circulated by the body-at-risk discourse, sustained by the media, and reproduced by high-stakes testing in PE forces ethnic-minority young people to construct their identities through White eyes, which alienates them from a consciousness of their own identity. Third, I explore the possible uses and pitfalls of Spivak's theoretical notion of “strategic essentialism” to put forward strategies to build a positive image of the “other” while attempting to avoid the erasure of difference. Fourth, I conclude the article by suggesting how Spivak's notion of strategic essentia...
Fuzzy Synthetic Evaluation Method on Technological Innovation Capability of Science and Technology Parks in Western China

Technological innovation capability of science and technology parks in western China is a decisive factor for the regional economic growth and competition,whose strength is an important measure to weight the regional technological innovation capability.This paper expatiates the basic function and construction principle of technological innovation capability of science and technology parks in western China.On this basis,it adopts analytic hierarchy process composing proposition to every index in the index system,and then adopts fuzzy integral evaluation method to evaluate and analyze technological innovation capability of thirteen science and technological parks in western China,which verifies the feasibility of the evaluation system and also provides the basis for constructing the regional innovative system and making the regional development policies of the westen(parks. )
Computer Network Information Management System for Hospital Infection Surveillance

OBJECTIVE To improve information management in hospital infection control by using computer network in hospital infection surveillance(HIS).METHODS A series of computer network information system for hospital infection was established by using SQL server 2000 and Delphi 7.0,and the system was embedded in HIS.RESULTS The HIS network connected the department of hospital infection control with the inpatient departments,so the hospital infection data could be collected timely and be shared widely.CONCLUSIONS The efficiency and quality of HIS can be improved,and the burden of health care workers can be lessened.
Crystal Structure and Conformational Dynamics of Pyrococcus furiosus Prolyl Oligopeptidase.

Enzymes in the prolyl oligopeptidase family possess unique structures and substrate specificities that are important for their biological activity and for potential biocatalytic applications. The crystal structures of Pyrococcus furiosus ( Pfu) prolyl oligopeptidase (POP) and the corresponding S477C mutant were determined to 1.9 and 2.2 A resolution, respectively. The wild type enzyme crystallized in an open conformation, indicating that this state is readily accessible, and it contained bound chloride ions and a prolylproline ligand. These structures were used as starting points for molecular dynamics simulations of Pfu POP conformational dynamics. The simulations showed that large-scale domain opening and closing occurred spontaneously, providing facile substrate access to the active site. Movement of the loop containing the catalytically essential histidine into a conformation similar to those found in structures with fully formed catalytic triads also occurred. This movement was modulated by chloride binding, providing a rationale for experimentally observed activation of POP peptidase catalysis by chloride. Thus, the structures and simulations reported in this study, combined with existing biochemical data, provide a number of insights into POP catalysis.
Neurolemoma (Nerve Sheath Malignancy)

Neurolemomas are rare malignancies that resemble sarcomas in many respects. Like sarcomas, neurolemomas occur in the members of families with inherited genetic syndromes, especially the several genetic abnormalities collectively called neurofibromatosis. Like other tumors of the nervous system, neurolemomas result from ionizing radiation, probably including the radiation used for diagnostic or dental purposes. One group of neurolemomas, those of the acoustic nerve, has been associated with chronic exposure to very loud sounds, either occupational or recreational. Otherwise, the causes of these rare malignancies are unknown. Nerve sheath malignancies occur with rough equality in men and women and among the residents of Los Angeles and other regions. They begin to occur in childhood and appear with equal frequency among the members of all racial-ethnic groups and all social classes. No systematic pattern of occurrence is apparent, and therefore no local source of causation is proposed.
A Phage Typing System for Salmonellae: Salmonella heidelberg.

A system is described for phage of Salmonella heidelberg . The system was developed using a number of bacteriophages that were isolated from sewage.
Spread of exotic grass in grazed native grass pastures and responses of insect communities

Exotic grasses are widely established across the Southeastern United States for livestock forage, resulting in the structural and compositional simplification of grasslands. Replacing exotic forages with native warm-season grasses (NWSG) could benefit insects due to increased complexity of plant structure and composition, but livestock grazing also may facilitate spread of remnant exotic grasses such as bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) by reducing height and coverage of NWSG. We investigated these relationships among 12 operational-scale pastures (6.4–10.5 ha) in Mississippi, U.S.A., during May–July (2011–2012). We quantified changes in bermudagrass coverage from one treatment of grazed exotic forages and three treatments of recently established NWSG, including a grazed mixed NWSG polyculture, a grazed Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) monoculture to evaluate the effects of stand-type richness among NWSG pastures, and a non-grazed NWSG polyculture to evaluate the effects of grazing. We also assessed responses of two insect orders, Orthoptera and Hemiptera, to treatment and bermudagrass coverage. We estimated a 101–190% average increase in coverage of bermudagrass in grazed native grass pastures (NWSG polyculture and Indian grass monoculture), but not in non-grazed NWSG, suggesting that grazing facilitated the spread of this grass. Composition of Orthopteran and Hemipteran communities was correlated with bermudagrass coverage, and inter-year differences in composition for both communities in grazed mixed NWSG, and for Hemiptera in grazed Indian grass, corresponded with increasing bermudagrass coverage in those treatments. Our results suggest that incomplete eradication of exotic forages prior to establishment of NWSG may be exacerbated by grazing, which could then impact stand condition and insect communities.
A 13C solid-state NMR investigation of four cocrystals of caffeine and theophylline.

We report an analysis of the 13C solid-state NMR chemical shift data in a series of four cocrystals involving two active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) mimics (caffeine and theophylline) and two diacid coformers (malonic acid and glutaric acid). Within this controlled set, we make comparisons of the isotropic chemical shifts and the principal values of the chemical shift tensor. The dispersion at 14.1 T (600 MHz 1H) shows crystallographic splittings in some of the resonances in the magic angle spinning spectra. By comparing the isotropic chemical shifts of individual C atoms across the four cocrystals, we are able to identify pronounced effects on the local electronic structure at some sites. We perform a similar analysis of the principal values of the chemical shift tensors for the anisotropic C atoms (most of the ring C atoms for the API mimics and the carbonyl C atoms of the diacid coformers) and link them to differences in the known crystal structures. We discuss the future prospects for extending this type of study to incorporate the full chemical shift tensor, including its orientation in the crystal frame of reference.
What Do Leaders Ask of Intelligence? Theorizing Policymaker Demand for Intelligence During Crises

What explains variation in policymaker demand for intelligence? When do policymakers request “just the facts?” When do they also solicit the judgments of intelligence agencies? In making their requests, why do policymakers sometimes adopt intrusive postures toward intelligence agencies and at other times treat them deferentially? In this paper, I develop a very preliminary typology of policymaker demand for intelligence. I derive hypotheses from existing International Relations theories to explain why policymakers adopt certain patterns of demand for intelligence during crises. I discuss the important effects of these patterns of demand on intelligence effectiveness and overall decision-making. Finally, I explore potential ways to test the theory empirically.
Assaying protein kinase activity with radiolabeled ATP

Protein kinases are able to govern large-scale cellular changes in response to complex arrays of stimuli, and much effort has been directed at uncovering allosteric details of their regulation. Kinases comprise signaling networks whose defects are often hallmarks of multiple forms of cancer and related diseases, making an assay platform amenable to manipulation of upstream regulatory factors and validation of reaction requirements critical in the search for improved therapeutics. Here, we describe a basic kinase assay that can be easily adapted to suit specific experimental questions including but not limited to testing the effects of biochemical and pharmacological agents, genetic manipulations such as mutation and deletion, as well as cell culture conditions and treatments to probe cell signaling mechanisms. This assay utilizes radiolabeled [γ-32P] ATP, which allows for quantitative comparisons and clear visualization of results, and can be modified for use with immunoprecipitated or recombinant kinase, specific or typified substrates, all over a wide range of reaction conditions.
THE BENEFITS OF RETAIL HEALTH CLINICS FOR AGING POPULATIONS

Retail health clinics (RHC) offer a scope of services pertaining to minor acute conditions and preventive screenings. This emerging phenomenon advertises quick, convenient, and affordable care; therefore, the retail clinic industry has garnered considerable interest among stakeholders in the healthcare industry. This study presents a framework for understanding the RHC industry, its impact on the care continuum and emergency department (ED) overcrowding, and its value for elderly populations. A systematic literature review was conducted using the online databases ProQuest and PubMed. Articles (n = 38) were retrieved that examined varying facets of the RHC industry. Our study revealed that there is a rising affinity for RHC services among elderly populations. According to our findings, convenience and proximity to RHCs have been identified as leading factors of clinic use. Additionally, RHCs have received relatively high consumer satisfaction scores, and the quality of care in RHCs is comparable to alternative care settings. The use of RHCs is increasing among elderly individuals, and this care model has the potential to act as a safety net for aging populations through their transitions of care. Moreover, RHCs may prevent unnecessary ED overcrowding by providing timely care for minor health conditions at low costs. Our findings identify the importance of RHC use and its potential to increase access to care for elderly individuals at lower costs, without compromising quality. RHC use is particularly important among community dwelling elders, family care providers, and healthier aging individuals who are seeking preventive care or treatment for minor illnesses.
Professionals’ Impressions Regarding the Saudi Arabian Procurement and Contracts System

Saudi Arabia (SA) has the largest construction market in the Middle East. However, the use of the traditional procurement system in SA has been identified as one of the causes for poor performance in the delivery of construction. The system has been identified as a major risk to the SA government due to consistent increased costs and delays of up to 70% on projects. A survey was conducted with 1396 participants including engineers, buyers, contractors, consultants, academics, and architects. The purpose of the survey was to identify the validity of the recent claims that the procurement system in SA is broken. The participants work in both the private and government sectors. The survey results showed that the procurement system is a major risk to projects, affects construction projects negatively, and is in need of improvement.
Benign Fractionation of Lignin with CO2-Expanded Solvents of Acetic Acid + Water

Kraft lignin was fractionated by molecular weight (MW), using CO2-expanded solutions of acetic acid/water in a 90/10 wt/wt ratio. In particular, as CO2 pressures were increased from 7 bar to 48 bar, expanding the liquid-solvent phase and reducing its dielectric strength, lignin fractions decreasing in MW from 15 000 to 1250, with polydispersity index (PDI) values decreasing from 3.7 to 1.6, were obtained. The recovered lignin fractions were similar, in terms of chemical functionality. With the use of gas-expanded liquids (GXL), only one solvent composition is required, and recovery and reuse of the biorenewable CO2 + acetic acid–water solution is facilitated through pressure release and recompression. The process was demonstrated for the recovery of seven lignin fractions to demonstrate its versatility and effectiveness, but simpler operation with recovery of just a low MW lignin fraction and a high MW lignin fraction is more consistent with anticipated applications.
Iron-rich (Fe1-x-yNixCoy)88Zr7B4Cu1 nanocrystalline magnetic materials for high temperature applications with minimal magnetostriction

As inductor technology advances, greater efficiency and smaller components demand new core materials. With recent developments of nanocrystalline magnetic materials, soft magnetic properties of these cores can be greatly improved. FeCo-based nanocrystalline magnetic alloys have resulted in good soft magnetic properties and high Curie temperatures; however, magnetoelastic anisotropies persist as a main source of losses. This investigation focuses on the design of a new Fe-based (Fe,Ni,Co)88Zr7B4Cu1 alloy with reduced magnetostriction and potential for operation at elevated temperatures. The alloys have been processed by arc melting, melt spinning, and annealing in a protective atmosphere to produce nanocrystalline ribbons. These ribbons have been analyzed for structure, hysteresis, and magnetostriction using X-Ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and a home-built magnetostriction system, respectively. In addition, Curie temperatures of the amorphous phase were analyzed to determine the bes...
Regional Infrastructures as Complex Systems of Systems: Shared-State Model for Regional Resilience

AbstractPresent modeling and risk management for resilience of interdependent and interconnected (I-I) physical and cyber-physical infrastructure systems of systems (SoS) often rely on the same ris...
Ankle Proprioception Training Program for Preventing Lateral Ankle Sprains in Adolescent Basketball Players: A Case Validation Study

The purpose of this case validation study was to examine the effects of a previously established proprioception training program on the number of lateral ankle sprains in secondary school basketball players. The patient population consisted of 22 patients (5 females, 17 males, age = 16±1 years old, height = 181.8±8.9 cm, weight = 74.8±12.8 kg) from a small rural high school in Illinois. The team completed the proprioceptive training program as part of a warm-up supervised by the athletic trainer and took approximately five minutes to complete. The program was completed every day for five weeks with one additional week of maintenance exercises. The main outcomes assessed were the number of lateral ankle sprains, anterior reach distance from the Y-Balance Test, and Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) Sport Scale scores. Data collection occurred at baseline (prior to starting the program), week 6, week 12, and follow-up. There were a total of 9 lateral ankle sprains and 3 re-injury throughout the course of the previous season without using the proprioceptive training program. There were 6 lateral ankle sprains and only 1 re-injury during this competition season. Anterior reach distances on the Y- Balance test improved from follow-up to week 6; but decreased from week 6 to week 12 and follow-up. FAAM Sport scale scores remained consistent throughout the duration of the season. The proprioceptive training program was effective in reducing the number of lateral ankle sprains in the adolescent population and helped improve anterior reach distance while patients were completing the exercise program. Athletic trainers should incorporate more proprioceptive training programs with their patient population as primary prevention measures
Looking at Pictures and Looking at Things

One way to “represent” something is to make a picture of it. Another is to describe it or refer to it in words. Pictures are visual representations; words are verbal ones. But this difference is elusive. We look at words as well as pictures; representations of both kinds are for the eyes. How is pictorial representation more visual than verbal representation?
Insulin and Cell Permeability

This chapter focuses on insulin and cell permeability. Insulin has been shown to alter the rate of transfer of certain sugars and amino acids between extracellular and intracellular fluid. It can also change the apparent volume of cell water available to these substances, that is, the volume of distribution. To examine the kinetics of sugar transport, isolated tissues have been used, principally the rat diaphragm, first introduced into the study of insulin action by Gemmill, and the rat heart, which were known to respond to insulin by an increase in rate of glucose utilization. The rate of transport from plasma to extracellular fluid and the total extracellular space occupied are not influenced by insulin. The extracellular space is taken to be the maximum volume of tissue accessible to thiosulfate, thiocyanate, mannitol, raffinose, sorbitol, or inulin. To measure quantitatively the rate of transport into intracellular fluid, samples of the tissue are exposed to solutions containing a substance which enters only the extracellular space and concurrently the substance under test for response to insulin.