cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
pLannotate: engineered plasmid annotation

Engineered plasmids are widely used in the biological sciences. Since many plasmids contain DNA sequences that have been reused and remixed by researchers for decades, annotation of their functional elements is often incomplete. Missing information about the presence, location, or precise identity of a plasmid feature can lead to unintended consequences or failed experiments. Many engineered plasmids contain sequences-such as recombinant DNA from all domains of life, wholly synthetic DNA sequences, and engineered gene expression elements-that are not predicted by microbial genome annotation pipelines. Existing plasmid annotation tools have limited feature libraries and do not detect incomplete fragments of features that are present in many plasmids for historical reasons and may impact their newly designed functions. We created the open source pLannotate web server so users can quickly and comprehensively annotate plasmid features. pLannotate is powered by large databases of genetic parts and proteins. It employs a filtering algorithm to display only the most relevant feature matches and also reports feature fragments. Finally, pLannotate displays a graphical map of the annotated plasmid, explains the provenance of each feature prediction, and allows results to be downloaded in a variety of formats. The webserver for pLannotate is accessible at: http://plannotate.barricklab.org/.
Dogit model and rational inattention

Abstract This paper establishes an equivalence result between the Dogit model and the rational inattention model. The Dogit choice model introduced by Gaudry and Dagenais (1979) is an extension of the multinomial logit model which can potentially violate the independence of irrelevant alternatives axiom and allow for captive or inattentive behaviors. McFadden (1981) argues that a drawback of the Dogit model is its inconsistency with the standard random utility framework. We show that when the information cost is modeled using a generalized Shannon entropy function, the Dogit model is observationally equivalent to a rational inattention model.
Validated tensile characterization of the strain rate dependence in soft materials

Abstract A major obstacle in the accurate measurement of the dynamic tensile response of soft materials is the issue of obtaining material response under simultaneous stress equilibrium, stress uniaxiality and constant strain rate. To resolve this issue, a split-Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB)-based dynamic tension experiment is developed in this study, which has sufficient fidelity to ensure temporal and spatial accuracy of the stress state, to investigate soft materials under large deformations and intermediate dynamic strain rates (100-102 s−1). Cross-linked polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer is chosen as a model material. By examining the evolution of full-field strain and strain rate measured using digital image correlation (DIC) and employing analytical criteria for quantifying stress equilibrium and deformation uniaxiality, it is demonstrated that the proposed test method yields a true steady-state and inertia-free stress-strain material response when all three conditions of equilibrium, uniaxiality and strain rate constancy are satisfied. Quasi-static experiments at 10−3-10−1 s−1 strain rate are also conducted for comparison. By analyzing the quasi-static and dynamic stress-strain plots and the variation of uniaxial moduli in the investigated range of strain rates, it is shown that the tensile response of PDMS points to limiting chain extensibility and exhibits a weak nonlinear strain rate sensitivity. Finally, a visco-hyperelastic model based on the Gent strain energy density function and a recently proposed viscous dissipation potential is employed to capture the experimentally obtained response. It is shown that all the features of the rate-dependent stress-strain response are modeled with good fitting accuracy.
Isolation and reactivity of a gold(I) hydroxytrifluoroborate complex stabilized by anion-π+ interactions

A 9,9-dimethylxanthene-based ligand substituted at the 4- and 5-positions by a phosphine and a xanthylium unit, respectively, has been prepared and converted into an AuCl complex, the structure of which reveals an intramolecular Au–Cl⋯π+ interaction. This new ligand platform was also found to support the formation of an unprecedented hydroxytrifluoroborate derivative featuring a “hard/soft” mismatched Au–μ(OH)–BF3 motif. Despite its surprising stability, this gold hydroxytrifluoroborate complex is a remarkably potent carbophilic catalyst which readily activates alkynes, without activator.
Structure–property relationships of core-substituted diaryl dihydrophenazine organic photoredox catalysts and their application in O-ATRP

Photoinduced organocatalyzed atom-transfer radical polymerization (O-ATRP) is a controlled radical polymerization technique that can be driven using low-energy, visible light and makes use of organic photocatalysts. Limitations of O-ATRP have traditionally included the need for high catalyst loadings (1000 ppm) and the narrow scope of monomers that can be controllably polymerized. Recent advances have shown that N,N-diaryl dihydrophenazine (DHP) organic photoredox catalysts (PCs) are capable of controlling O-ATRP at PC loadings as low as 10 ppm, a significant advancement in the field. In this work we synthesized five new DHP PCs and examined their efficacy in controlling O-ATRP at low ppm catalyst loadings. We found that we were able to polymerize methyl methacrylate at PC loadings as low as 10 ppm (relative to monomer) while producing polymers with dispersities as low as Đ = 1.33 and achieving initiator efficiencies (I*) near unity (102%). In addition to applying these PCs in O-ATRP, we carried out a thorough investigation into the structure–property relationships of the new DHP PCs reported herein and report new photophysical characterization data for previously reported DHPs. The insight into the DHP structure–property relationships that we discuss herein will aid in the elucidation of their ability to catalyze O-ATRP at low catalyst loadings. Additionally, this work sheds light on how structural modifications affect certain PC properties with the goal of bolstering our understanding of how to tune PC structures to overcome current limitations in O-ATRP such as the controlled polymerization of challenging monomers.
A scoping review of artificial intelligence applications in thoracic surgery.

OBJECTIVES Machine learning (ML) has great potential, but there are few examples of its implementation improving outcomes. The thoracic surgeon must be aware of pertinent ML literature and how to evaluate this field for the safe translation to patient care. This scoping review provides an introduction to ML applications specific to the thoracic surgeon. We review current applications, limitations and future directions. METHODS A search of the PubMed database was conducted with inclusion requirements being the use of an ML algorithm to analyse patient information relevant to a thoracic surgeon and contain sufficient details on the data used, ML methods and results. Twenty-two papers met the criteria and were reviewed using a methodological quality rubric. RESULTS ML demonstrated enhanced preoperative test accuracy, earlier pathological diagnosis, therapies to maximize survival and predictions of adverse events and survival after surgery. However, only 4 performed external validation. One demonstrated improved patient outcomes, nearly all failed to perform model calibration and one addressed fairness and bias with most not generalizable to different populations. There was a considerable variation to allow for reproducibility. CONCLUSIONS There is promise but also challenges for ML in thoracic surgery. The transparency of data and algorithm design and the systemic bias on which models are dependent remain issues to be addressed. Although there has yet to be widespread use in thoracic surgery, it is essential thoracic surgeons be at the forefront of the eventual safe introduction of ML to the clinic and operating room.
Intermetallic formation and interdiffusion in diffusion couples made of uranium and single crystal iron

Abstract We studied the interfacial phase formation and diffusion kinetics in uranium–iron diffusion couples. A comparison was made between polycrystalline uranium (U) bonded with polycrystalline iron (Fe P ) and polycrystalline uranium bonded with single crystalline Fe (Fe SC ). After thermal annealing at 575 °C, 600 °C, 625 °C and 650 °C, respectively, diffusion and microstructures at the interface were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron miscopy. The presence of grain boundaries in iron has a significant influence on interface reactions. In comparison with U–Fe P system, interdiffusion coefficients of the U–Fe SC system are significantly lower and were governed by much higher activation energies. Integrated interdiffusion coefficients and intrinsic diffusion coefficients were obtained. The intrinsic diffusion coefficients show faster diffusion of iron atoms in both U 6 Fe and UFe 2 intermetallic phases than uranium.
Winners and losers: Ecological and biogeochemical changes in a warming ocean

[1] We employ a marine ecosystem model, with diverse and flexible phytoplankton communities, coupled to an Earth system model of intermediate complexity to explore mechanisms that will alter the biogeography and productivity of phytoplankton populations in a warming world. Simple theoretical frameworks and sensitivity experiments reveal that ecological and biogeochemical changes are driven by a balance between two impacts of a warming climate: higher metabolic rates (the “direct” effect), and changes in the supply of limiting nutrients and altered light environments (the “indirect” effect). On globally integrated productivity, the two effects compensate to a large degree. Regionally, the competition between effects is more complicated; patterns of productivity changes are different between high and low latitudes and are also regulated by how the supply of the limiting nutrient changes. These complex regional patterns are also found in the changes to broad phytoplankton functional groups. On the finer ecological scale of diversity within functional groups, we find that ranges of some phytoplankton types are reduced, while those of others (potentially minor players in the present ocean) expand. Combined change in areal extent of range and in regionally available nutrients leads to global “winners and losers.” The model suggests that the strongest and most robust signal of the warming ocean is likely to be the large turnover in local phytoplankton community composition.
Practical automated filter generation to explicitly enforce implicit input assumptions

Vulnerabilities in distributed applications are being uncovered and exploited faster than software engineers can, patch the security holes. All too often these weaknesses result from implicit assumptions made by an application about its inputs. One approach to defending against their exploitation is to interpose a filter between the input source and the application that verifies that the application's assumptions about its inputs actually hold. However, ad hoc design of such filters is nearly as tedious and error-prone as patching the original application itself. We have automated the filter generation process based on a simple formal description of a broad class of assumptions about the inputs to an application. Focusing on the back-end server application case, we have prototyped an easy-to-use tool that generates server-side filtering scripts. These can then be quickly installed on a front-end webs server (either in concert with the application or., when a vulnerability is uncovered), thus shielding the server application from a variety of existing and exploited, attacks, as solutions requiring changes to the applications are developed and tested. Our measurements suggest that input filtering can be done efficiently and should not be a performance concern for moderately loaded web servers. The overall approach may be generalizable to other domains, such as firewall filter generation and API wrapper filter generation.
Reversible redox, hydrodesulfurization and anodic oxidation of chemisorbed thiophenols: A comparison at platinum and gold electrodes

Abstract The reversible redox, hydrodesulfurization, and anodic oxidation of chemisorbed 2,5-dihydroxythiophenol (DHTP) and pentafluorothiophenol (PFT) have been compared at smooth polycrystalline gold and platinum thin-layer electrodes. The packing density and the mode of binding (through the -SH moiety) of the subject compounds were found to be identical on both surfaces. The width of the quinone/diphenol redox peak of the pendant hydroquinone group in DHTP was twice as large on platinum as it was on gold, indicating substantial substrate-mediated adsorbate-adsorbate interactions on the former surface. The extent of DHTP hydrodesulfurization (cleavage of the C-S bond with or without impairment of the pendant aromatic ring) was an order of magnitude lower on Au than on Pt. but the extent of anodic oxidation was only slightly lower on gold. PFT was readily and quantitatively desulfurized on Pt but not on Au, even at potentials negative of the hydrogen evolution reaction; on the other hand, oxidative removal of PFT at potentials below that for oxygen evolution occurred on Au but not on Pt.
Improving Transparency in the Financial Sector

The financial crisis in late 2008 and its aftershocks demonstrated the need for a serious reform of the U.S. financial regulatory system. This article examines the role of e-government in improving the transparency and accountability of the regulatory system. It emphasizes eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL), an information standard that can improve financial transparency by making reported financial activity information machine-readable and comparable. The article draws from e-government studies, collaborative public management literature, and management information systems (MIS) literature to develop a strategic model of e-government XBRL implementation. The proposed model consists of an overarching leadership and governance strategy with three interrelated areas of activity: stakeholder relationship management, phase-in implementation, and value articulation and clarification. The implementation process and success factors articulated in the model are illustrated by the SEC's effort to implem...
The Impact of High Tech Production Techniques on Productivity and Profitability in Selected U.S. Manufacturing Industries

This paper examines the impact of high technology onmultifactor productivity and price-cost margins. Principal components obtained from five technologyvariables are related to multifactor productivityand price-cost margin. A negative and significantrelationship between price-cost margin and hightechnology methods when industry effects areexcluded, becomes insignificant in the industryeffects specification. The price-cost marginequations suggest that prior findings of a negativerelationship between profitability and hightechnology may result from omitting industryeffects. For multifactor productivity, there is apositive impact from high technology regardless ofwhether the specification includes industry effects.
Small-Droplet Spray Measurements with a Scattered-Light Scanner

Interacting two-phase flow through pneumatic two-fluid nozzles was investigated to determine the effect of nitrogen gas mass-velocity on the Sauter mean diameter of water sprays produced by the breakup of small diameter liquid-jets in high velocity gas streams. Tests were conducted primarily in the aerodynamic-stripping regime of liquid-jet atomization. It was found that the loss of droplets due to vaporization and dispersion had a marked effect on drop size measurements. A scattered-light scanner, developed at NASA Lewis Research Center was used to measure Sauter mean diameters, D sub 32, as small as 5 microns, which were correlated with nitrogen gas mass-velocity to give the following expression: D(sup -1)(sub 32) = 11.7(rho (sub n) V(sub n))(sup 1.33) where D sub 32 and p(sub n)V(sub n) are given in centimeters and g/sq cm-sec, respectively. The exponent 1.33 is the same as that predicted by atomizing theory for liquid-jet breakup in high velocity gas streams.
A Joint Test of Accounting Information and Investor Sentiment Theory

This paper contributes to the literature on market efficiency and stock return predictability as well as the use of financial information in setting expectations in the market. I provide evidence regarding a joint test of accounting information and the descriptive validity of the behavioral theory of representativeness by examining whether patterns in shocks to investors’ expectations influence expectations of future cash flows in a biased fashion. Specifically, I propose two types of tests. First, I examine whether consistent shocks to expectations of financial performance can explain variation in cross sectional stock returns. Second, I examine the extent to which forecasts of security analysts are influenced by consistent long term patterns in financial performance. I find only weak or no evidence that stock returns are cross-sectionally predictable based on a sequence of shocks to expectations regarding accounting earnings. Furthermore, I find that analysts are not influenced to become more pessimistic (optimistic) after several years of consistently poor (good) performance in either stock price or accounting performance. On the contrary, analysts seem to be more optimistic (pessimistic) regarding the prospect of stocks that have performed poorly (well) in the past four years. The results shed further light on the use of accounting information by the market in setting expectations.
Evaluating System Parameters on a Dragonfly using Simulation and Visualization

The dragon y topology is becoming a popular choice for build- ing high-radix, low-diameter networks with high-bandwidth links. Even with a powerful network, preliminary experi- ments on Edison at NERSC have shown that for communica- tion heavy applications, job interference and thus presumably job placement remains an important factor. In this paper, we explore the e ects of job placement, job sizes, parallel workloads and network con gurations on network through- put to better understand inter-job interference. We use a simulation tool called Damsel y to model the network be- havior of Edison and study the impact of various system parameters on network throughput. Parallel workloads based on ve representative communication patters are used and the simulation studies on up to 131,072 cores are aided by a new visualization of the dragon y network.
Trieste prize nominations

Nominations for the 2008 Trieste Science Prize in Earth, space, ocean, and atmospheric sciences and in engineering sciences are being accepted through 31 January 2008. The prize has been established to give international recognition and visibility to outstanding scientific achievements made by scientists from developing countries. Candidates must be nationals of developing countries, and the prizes will only be awarded to individuals for scientific research of outstanding international merit carried out at institutions in developing countries. The prizes, each of which carries a US$50,000 monetary award, are administered by the Academy of Sciences for the Developing World (TWAS) and funded by Illycaffe in collaboration with the Trieste (Italy) Town Council and the Trieste International Foundation for Scientific Progress and Freedom. For more information, contact the TWAS Secretariat at prizes@twas.org.
Maintaining regional reliability during expansion of the Maury 500-kV GIS facility

Staged expansion of 500-kV GIS switchgear was completed at the Maury 500-kV Substation without impact to system performance based upon proper planning and execution of the work being performed.
638 THE RENAL HANDLING OF 3-METHYLHISTIDINE

The urinary excretion of the unique amino acid, 3-methylhistidine (3MH), has been proposed as a marker of endogenous protein catabolism and an index of a patient's metabolic state. Yet, the mechanisms of the renal handling of 3MH remain unclear. Consequently, we determined the simultaneous clearance of 3MH (C3MH) and inulin (Cin) in rats. Net reabsorption of 3MH was a consistent finding. In ten euvolemic animals, C3MH (313.2 ± 37.5 μl/min/100g BW) was less than Cin (1017.1 ± 21.2) and the percent 3MH reabsorbed was 72.6 ± 3.7%. In five volume expanded animals, the percent 3MH reabsorbed was not significantly altered (80 ± 5.0%). To confirm net reabsorption, 3MH combined with inulin was microinjected into proximal tubules of surface nephror Inulin recovery from the microinjected kidney averaged 102 ± 5% while the recovery of 3MH was only 74 ± 6% (P < 0.01). The percent of 3MH reabsorbed had no relationship to the quantity of 3MH injected, suggesting that there is no Tm for 3MH. This study clearly demonstrates that: 1) the renal clearance of 3MH is less than that of inulin, 2) net tubular reabsorption occurs over a wide range of filtered loads of 3MH and 3) a Tm for reabsorption of this amino acid metabolite could not be documented. These factors must be considered in using urinary excretion of 3MH as a marker of nutritional status.
Caudal Epidural Anesthesia in Conscious Premature and High-Risk Infants

Abstract Twenty premature or high-risk infants received caudal epidural anesthesia for inguinal herniorrhaphy, orchiopexy, and circumcision. Mean gestational age at surgery was 48 ± 12 weeks; mean weight at surgery was 4,100 ± 1,400 g. Caudal anesthesia, performed with 1 mL/kg of 0.375% bupivacaine, was successful in 19 of 20 infants. Onset of anesthesia occurred in 14 ± 1 minutes; duration of surgical anesthesia was 89 ± 8 minutes. Surgical conditions were generally excellent and the infants tolerated anesthesia and surgery well. No postoperative complications were observed. Caudal epidural anesthesia is an acceptable alternative to general or spinal anesthesia in premature and high-risk infants.
Embryonic cocaine exposure and corticosterone: Serotonin2 receptor mediation

Abstract Cocaine activates the mature hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, increasing corticosterone concentrations in animals and humans and serotonin 2 receptors (5-HT 2 ) are involved in this effect. Although prenatal cocaine exposure is associated with altered responsiveness of the HPA axis to “stress” and serotonergic compounds postnatally, it is unknown whether cocaine directly activates the embryonic HPA axis or if 5-HT 2 receptors are involved. Domestic chicken eggs with viable embryos were exposed to either the 5-HT 2 receptor agonist dimethoxyiodophenylaminopropane (DOI: 0.4, 0.8, or 1.2 mg/kg egg) or saline on embryonic day 18 (E18). In a second study, the 5-HT 2 antagonist ritanserin (0.3 mg/kg egg, a dose found effective against other effects of DOI or cocaine) or vehicle was administered on E17, prior to treatment on E18 with either saline or cocaine (5 injections of 12 mg/kg egg, equivalent to a total dose of 3.5 mg/egg). Radioimmunoassay was used to measure serum corticosterone from blood samples taken approximately 1–2 h after drug injections. DOI significantly raised corticosterone in a dose-related fashion. Cocaine-induced corticosterone elevations were blocked by pretreatment with ritanserin, whereas ritanserin by itself did not affect corticosterone concentrations. These data indicate that 5-HT 2 receptors are involved in cocaine's effect on the HPA axis during late chicken embryogenesis.
Automated scientific software scripting with SWIG

Scripting languages such as Python and Tcl are a powerful tool for the construction of flexible scientific software because they provide scientists with an interpreted problem solving environment and they provide a modular framework for controlling software components written in C, C++, and Fortran. However, a common problem faced by the developers of a scripted Scientific application is that of integrating compiled code with an interpreter. To solve this problem, an extensible compiler, simplified wrapper and interface generator (SWIG), has been developed to automate the task of integrating compiled code with scripting language interpreters. SWIG requires no modifications to existing code and uses existing source to create bindings for nine different target languages including Python, Peal, Tcl, Ruby, Guile, and Java. By automating language integration, SWIG enables scientists to use scripting languages at all stages of software development and allows existing software to be more easily integrated into a scripting environment. Although SWIG has been in use for more than 6 years, little has been published on its design and the underlying mechanisms that make it work. Therefore, the primary goal of this paper is to cover these topics.
The morphology of CdTe deposited by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy: the effect of substrate misorientation

Substrate misorientation and growth temperature influence the morphology of CdTe epilayers grown by organometallic vapor phase homoepitaxy. These effects were investigated by using CdTe{100} and CdTe{100} misoriented by 2, 4, 6, and 8° toward 〈111〉Te as substrates for growth in the temperature range from 337 to 425°C. Low angle pyramidal facets appeared on films grown on the CdTe(100) surface. The number density of these pyramidal facets decreased to zero as the substrate misorientation angle increased to 4°. At higher misorientation angles, low angle protrusions, resembling fish scales, appeared on the surface. When the temperature was increased, facet size decreased but facet density increased. The film morphology at the high misorientations, however, improved remarkably with increasing temperature. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy provided evidence that both the faceted CdTe films and films with a mirror-like finish were epitaxial single crystals with no planar defects. Schwoebel barriers are suggested as the reason for the faceting of the surface grown on CdTe{100}.
Security services in group communications over wireless infrastructure, mobile ad hoc, and wireless sensor networks

Group communications in wireless networks has been facilitating many emerging applications that require packet delivery from one or more sender(s) to multiple receivers. Due to insecure wireless channels, group communications are susceptible to various kinds of attacks. Although a number of proposals have been reported to secure group communications, provisioning security in group communications in wireless networks remains a critical and challenging issue. This article presents a survey of recent advances in security requirements and services in group communications in three types of wireless networks, and discusses challenges in designing secure group communications in these networks: wireless infrastructure networks, mobile ad hoc networks, and wireless sensor networks.
The effect of formocresol on hamster connective tissue cells, a histologic and quantitative radioautographic study with proline-H3

Summary-The reaction to formocresol of connective tissue cells has been examined in sponge implants and femur wounds, by means of quantitative radioautography following proline-H3 injection. For twenty-four hamsters, a sponge implant on the dorsum of the neck and a surgical opening in the right femur were prepared. Formocresol was diluted to l/50 of a normal concentration for the sponge implant study and the normal concentration was tested on the femur. The time intervals from application of the drug to sacrifice were 5 hr, 1 day, 3 and 10 days, and 1 month. Proline-H3 was injected 4 or 24 hr prior to sacrifice. Three animals were used for the scintillation counting of blood level of tritium from 2.5 min to 6 days. The tissues were fixed in Bouin’s solution, embedded and sectioned in a routine manner. The sections were coated with Kodak NTB3 emulsion and exposed for suitable lengths of time. Formocresol used in l/50 concentration caused degeneration of cells in the immediate vicinity of the sponge implant as judged by histology and radioautographic grain counts. However, in all animals treated with formocresol a definite reduction in the number of infiltrating intlammatory cells was observed. By the tenth day both the experimental and control sponges showed a comparable recovery of the connective tissue ingrowth. This was also true for the repair in the femur wound area. It was concluded that formocresol does not interfere with prolonged recovery of connective tissue and might suppress initial inflammatory response, significantly.
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy Characterization of AlN Thin Films Grown on Sacrificial Silicon Oxide Layers via Metal Organic Vapor Phase Expitaxy

Aluminum Nitride (AlN) films were grown using Metal Organic Vapor Phase Epitaxy (MOVPE) techniques on Si (111) substrates patterned with SiOx stripes and the vibrational properties of these films were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques. The grown films contained a predominantly wurtzite AlN phase in addition to oxidized aluminum and mixed AlN phases. The AlN film on amorphous silicon oxide (SiOx) was prone to corrosion when subjected to wet etching in buffered hydrofluoric acid solution thereby changing the material properties of the AlN film on SiOx. The etching process significantly reduced the oxidized aluminum phase and mixed AlN phases.
Crystal plasticity simulations of microstructure-induced uncertainty in strain concentration near voids in brass

The uncertainty in mechanical response near a cylindrical hole in polycrystalline alpha brass was simulated as a function of variations in the crystallographic orientations of the grains near the hole. A total of 4 hole sizes were examined, including the case of a microstructure without a hole, and 45 simulations were performed for each case (yielding 180 simulations total) to acquire statistical data. For a hole larger than the grain size, the deformation resembles the homogenous solution but with perturbations due to the local microstructural environment. For a hole approximately equal to or smaller than the grain size, the deformation deviates substantially from the continuum behaviour, and depends strongly on the local microstructural environment surrounding the hole. Each population of simulations was analysed statistically to determine the effect of micro structural variability on strain localization near each of the four defect sizes. The coefficient of variation in the maximum plastic strain aroun...
Charitable Expectations Of Nonprofit Hospitals: Lessons From Maryland

Little is known about nonprofit hospitals’ community benefit spending other than for charity care. Better accountability is desirable, but critics have focused too narrowly on charity care. Using data from reporting requirements in Maryland similar to federal rules that take effect in 2010, we describe the broad range of community benefit spending in nonprofit hospitals there, which amounted to 7.4 percent of expenses in 2007. Charity care for hospital services accounted for one-third of this amount (payments to physicians for charity patients are reported separately). Hospitals’ community benefit spending varies with local needs, resources, and resource allocation decisions.
Investigation of early plasma evolution induced by ultrashort laser pulses.

Early plasma is generated owing to high intensity laser irradiation of target and the subsequent target material ionization. Its dynamics plays a significant role in laser-material interaction, especially in the air environment1-11. Early plasma evolution has been captured through pump-probe shadowgraphy1-3 and interferometry1,4-7. However, the studied time frames and applied laser parameter ranges are limited. For example, direct examinations of plasma front locations and electron number densities within a delay time of 100 picosecond (ps) with respect to the laser pulse peak are still very few, especially for the ultrashort pulse of a duration around 100 femtosecond (fs) and a low power density around 1014 W/cm2. Early plasma generated under these conditions has only been captured recently with high temporal and spatial resolutions12. The detailed setup strategy and procedures of this high precision measurement will be illustrated in this paper. The rationale of the measurement is optical pump-probe shadowgraphy: one ultrashort laser pulse is split to a pump pulse and a probe pulse, while the delay time between them can be adjusted by changing their beam path lengths. The pump pulse ablates the target and generates the early plasma, and the probe pulse propagates through the plasma region and detects the non-uniformity of electron number density. In addition, animations are generated using the calculated results from the simulation model of Ref. 12 to illustrate the plasma formation and evolution with a very high resolution (0.04 ~ 1 ps). Both the experimental method and the simulation method can be applied to a broad range of time frames and laser parameters. These methods can be used to examine the early plasma generated not only from metals, but also from semiconductors and insulators.
Unsteady Heat Transfer From a Spherical Particle in Turbulent and Oscillating Ambient Flows

Direct Numerical Simulation based on pseudospectral methodology is used to study the effect of freestream turbulence and freestream oscillation on the heat transfer from a sphere. The sphere Reynolds number is in the range 63 to 400, and the ratio of sphere diameter to Kolmogorov scale ranges from 1.08 to 8. The objective is to obtain the unsteady heat transfer from the sphere at finite sphere Reynolds number Re and Prandtl number Pr in presence of a time-dependent ambient flow from the DNS, and compare that with the analytical expression valid for vanishing thermal advection. Results from three sets of simulations are presented: (1) Only turbulent velocity field is applied in the inflow, while the inflow temperature condition is held constant; (2) turbulent temperature condition is applied at the inflow, and the velocity is held constant; and (3) both turbulent velocity and temperature fields are applied in the inflow. These simulations allow us to isolate the role of freestream temperature and velocity fluctuations on Nusselt number. We show that the freestream turbulence has a very little effect on the time-averaged Nusselt number, but the instantaneous Nusselt number can vary by a factor of two over time. The unsteady thermal effects are small for small particle size, but not so when particle size is larger than the Kolmogorov scale. It is observed that the analytical expression of the thermal added-mass force significantly over-predicts the unsteady thermal effects. The thermal history effect is shown to be insignificant. The DNS result can be predicted, at best, by the quasi-steady result. The difference is maximum when both the ambient velocity and temperature are turbulent. We also examine various approximations of the ambient velocity and temperature as seen by the particle that can give a better estimate for the thermal added-mass effect. We then present results on the unsteady heat transfer in presence of an oscillating freestream velocity and temperature, considered separately. It is shown that analytical form of the thermal added-mass predicts an order of magnitude higher values than that obtained in the DNS, supporting the results on ambient turbulent condition. We further show that a pure oscillating ambient velocity also has a thermal added-mass effect.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Asking the Right Questions: Using Student-Written Exams as an Innovative Approach to Learning and Evaluation.

Most students are concerned about grades and often have negative attitudes toward testing. Students perceive traditional instructor-written exams as irrelevant and autocratic, leading to lower trust in teaching and evaluation methods and decreased motivation to learn. This paper discusses a new approach, the student-written exam, which is a take-home assessment where each student writes and answers his or her own exam questions. Guidelines for students include comprehensive learning objectives, instructions and examples for writing exam questions, format and submission criteria, and a grading rubric. Assessment results show that this method, while perceived as more challenging than traditional exams, improved the relevance of exam questions, increased student involvement with learning and self-evaluation, and helped students manage exam stress.
Kinesthetic figural aftereffects in acute schizophrenia: a style of processing stimuli.

The Kinesthetic Figural Aftereffect test was administered to 106 psychiatric inpatients to assess styles of stimulus processing in schizophrenia. Three conditions were used: (1) standard stimulus conditions at the acute phase; (2) standard conditions, 7 wk. later, to evaluate stability over time; (3) reversed stimulus conditions to assess kinesthetic figural aftereffect generality under different stimulus conditions. Results indicated that: (1) schizophrenics reduced stimuli, but differences between patient groups were not significant. (2) Kinesthetic figural aftereffect stability over time was shown by nonschizophrenics (p less than .01) but not by schizophrenic and borderline patients. (3) All diagnostic groups reversed kinesthetic figural aftereffect responses under reversed stimulus conditions, e.g., former "augmenters" tended to reduce more under agumenting conditions, suggesting the importance of the specific stimulus conditions. (4) Acute schizophrenics showed a stimulus-governed style. (5) The results raise questions about kinesthetic figural aftereffects as a measure of response style.
Novel stimulatory actions of the phytoestrogen genistein: effects on the gain of cardiac excitation-contraction coupling

Genistein, a phytoestrogen found abundantly in soy products, is thought to be cardioprotective, partly through its ability to act as a natural Ca2+ channel antagonist. However, the precise nature and significance of such direct cardiac actions remain obscure. We investigated the hypothesis that genistein exerts important additional actions on cardiac excitation-contraction coupling (ECC). Genistein acutely increased cell shortening and the Ca2+ transient in field stimulated guinea-pig ventricular myocytes despite potently inhibiting the L-type Ca2+ current, I(Ca,L). The specific phosphotyrosine phosphatase inhibitor, bpV(phen), diminished the stimulatory effects of genistein on myocyte contractility, suggesting that the mechanism partly involved tyrosine kinase inhibition. Genistein increased sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ load as measured with a caffeine pulse in Na+-free/ Ca2+-free solution. Furthermore, in the continued presence of caffeine, genistein increased the time constant of decline of the caffeine-induced Ca2+ transient, implying impaired sarcolemmal Na+/Ca2+ exchanger function. Tetanization studies in intact myocytes revealed that 43% of cells exhibited increased myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity in the presence of genistein. These findings demonstrate novel cardiac actions of genistein on the SR Ca2+ load, Na+/Ca2+ exchanger, and myofilament Ca2+ sensitivity, which result in an overall increase in myocyte contractility and consequently the gain of ECC.
E-001 Partial central retinal artery occlusion following para-ophthalmic artery embolization: a case report

Background Coil embolization of para-ophthalmic artery aneurysms can result in acute as well as delayed visual complications. Progressive visual changes have been have been ascribed to mass effect from aneurysm thrombosis or peri-aneurysmal inflammation or edema. Abrupt, fixed visual changes are likely secondary to thromboembolic complications which result in retinal infarcts via the ophthalmic artery. Although thromboembolic complications are well described in general, clinical reports of retinal infarcts following coil embolization are rare in the literature. Thromboembolic complications resulting in central or branch retinal artery occlusion may occur in a delayed fashion following the coiling procedure. Case Report A 43-year-old woman presented for elective coil embolization of an unruptured right para-ophthalmic artery aneurysm, measuring 7 by 7 mm with a 4 mm neck and projecting superiorly. The origin of the ophthalmic artery was located immediately inferomedial to the neck of the aneurysm. The embolization procedure was uneventful and accomplished with stent-assisted coiling utilizing predominantly Cerecyte coils. Systemic heparinization was used during the procedure, and Plavix was administered both 7 days before the procedure and continued after the procedure. About 12 h following the procedure she complained of right-sided positive visual phenomena followed by a headache. She was found to have a visual field defect OD but it was felt that the visual loss was most likely secondary to compressive optic neuropathy and she was discharged home on oral steroids. She returned to clinic 4 days later stating that her vision was not improving. Ophthalmologic exam revealed dense nasal and central defects OD, and full fields OS. Extensive areas of retinal infarction OD were seen on dilated fundus exam with the suggestion of subtle platelet-fibrin emboli. It was felt that the cause was likely artery-to-artery embolism resulting in partial central retinal artery occlusion following the coiling procedure. Vasospasm was considered but felt to be less likely. The symptoms did not resolve with oral verapamil and timolol eye drops. Conclusion Our case highlights the rare but potential complication of central or branch retinal artery occlusion from the endovascular treatment of para-ophthalmic artery aneurysms. Along with mass effect from aneurysm thrombosis or peri-aneurysmal edema, it remains an uncommon but serious cause of morbidity in these patients.
Improving jet distributions with effective field theory.

We obtain perturbative expressions for jet distributions using soft-collinear effective theory (SCET). By matching SCET onto QCD at high energy, tree level matrix elements and higher order virtual corrections can be reproduced in SCET. The resulting operators are then evolved to lower scales, with additional operators being populated by required threshold matchings in the effective theory. We show that the renormalization group evolution and threshold matchings reproduce the Sudakov factors and splitting functions of QCD, and that the effective theory naturally combines QCD matrix elements and parton showers. The effective theory calculation is systematically improvable and any higher order perturbative effects can be included by a well-defined procedur000.
Sequence spaces and analytic sets

Abstract Let X be a separable Banach space and S a closed subspace of c0(X) or l1(X). In S we single out the sequences s ≠ 0 all of whose coordinates belong to some (complex) line L, and call the lines L asymptotes of S. It is clear that the union of all the asymptotes is an analytic (or Suslin) set in X, and our main result is the converse.
Logical Consistency of Student Teachers in Different Educational Environments

Student teachers enrolled at Kansas State University and Northeastern State College (Oklahoma) in the spring of 1967 were compared on (1) maintenance of philosophic orientation, (2) adherence to teaching attitudes, (3) reaction to student-teaching, and (4) performance on related criteria. The GNC Scale of Logical Consistency in Educational Ideas determined their philosophic orientation. The Minnesota Teacher Attitude Inventory determined their attitudes toward potential teaching situations. Comparisons were made before and after student teaching by institution, teaching level, and sex. GNC, MTAI, and ACT levels, methods and student-teaching grades, and grade point averages were tested for intercorrelation.K. S. U. students were more logically consistent and empirically oriented in their ideas about education before and after teaching participation. Teaching attitudes were best maintained by the elementary students in both institutions. N. S. C. students showed greater intercorrelation among all the criter...
Troglitazone but not rosiglitazone induces G1 cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human and rat hepatoma cell lines

Abstract Rosiglitazone (RSG), an agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), induces minor toxicity in humans relative to another PPARγ agonist, troglitazone (TRO). In contrast, recent reports suggest that RSG causes growth arrest and apoptosis of normal and cancerous cells. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the relative toxicities of TRO and RSG on three different hepatoma cell lines, and observed that TRO, but not RSG, was cytotoxic. Additionally, we studied the mechanism by which TRO induced damage to HepG2 hepatoma cells. Our results indicated that TRO increased the levels of p53, p27, and p21, while it reduced the levels of cyclin D1 and phospho-Rb in a time-dependent manner. Increased p27 and p21 levels coincided with reduced activities of cell cycle dependent kinases (cdk) such as cdk2- and cyclin A-protein kinases 24 h after TRO treatment. These results demonstrate that TRO, but not RSG, causes G1 arrest of hepatoma cells, most likely through changing the levels of cell cycle regulators. Furthermore, because RSG did not affect the levels of cell cycle regulators, TRO-mediated growth inhibition appears independent of PPARγ activation.
Exact solutions for an extended nonlinear Schrödinger equation

Abstract We present exact solutions for an extended nonlinear Schrodinger equation. This model is applied to the propagation of femtosecond pulses in nonlinear optical fibers. Solutions are found that indicate the possibility of bright and dark solitary waves in wavelength regimes that are not accessible to the standard nonlinear Schrodinger equation.
Computation of eigenpairs of Ax = lambda Bx for vibrations of spinning deformable bodies

It is shown that, when linear theory is used, the general eigenvalue problem related with the free vibrations of spinning deformable bodies is of the type AX = lambda Bx, where A is Hermitian, and B is real positive definite. Since the order n of the matrices may be large, and A and B are banded or block banded, due to the economics of the numerical solution, one is interested in obtaining only those eigenvalues which fall within the frequency band of interest of the problem. The paper extends the well known method of bisections and iteration of R to the n power to n dimensional complex spaces, i.e., to C to the n power, so that it can be applied to the present problem.
Population Pumping of Excited Vibrational States by Spontaneous Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering

We observed significant transfer of ground state population to the first excited vibrational state by spontaneous surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) which can be explained by unexpectedly large SERS cross sections. Evidence for this pumping includes (i) anti-Stokes to Stokes ratios which exceed those expected from a Boltzmann distribution, (ii) a quadratic dependence of the anti-Stokes signal on the excitation intensity, whereas the Stokes signal remains linearly dependent, and (iii) a component of $\ensuremath{\nu}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}1$ to $\ensuremath{\nu}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}2$ Raman transitions in the SERS Stokes signals.